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Dazzler had just completed a show in Greenwich Village, the show featured her unique combination of unusual sounds, with even more unusual colorful light show that seemed to dance to the music itself. Dazzler herself was dressed in a strange beaded mirror halter dress, that according to her is the reason the lights seemed so alive.
Either way, post show, she's changed to a much more sensible getup, quite casual though, pants, top and an unbuttoned jacket. She's made her way after the show to Chinatown by subway, and she's on the hunt for a cheap restaurant to satisfy the post show hunger, having just exhausted quite a bit of energy during her show.
*
"Your show was really good." The girl who popped up next to Dazzler did so quite unexpectedly, and with surprisingly little signal ahead of time. She's a little shorter than Dazzler, and pretty in a homespun sort of way— high, delicate features, a button nose, bright blue eyes. The eyes, though, are weirdly intense, lacking the nuance or conservative expression most young women her age would favor. She wears a pinafore and grey blouse under it that would be more appropriate for a younger woman, along with plain grey flat slippers.
"You walk very quickly though. I tried to catch you at the show .Then you snuck out the side corner. Then you got on the subway. Then you started walking here. Are you avoiding someone?" she inquires, pressing into Dazzler's conversational space with an uncomfortable disregard for her person— or celebrity!
*
Dazzler is quite surprised to find a girl right next here, that is, a girl she was unaware was next to her. Could it be she was so lost in thoughts after her gig? Or did that girl just pop up out of thin air? Alison already knew some people had powers, it was all over the media, and well, she had some powers of her that she kept doing her best to hide. For the most part people believe her high tech lights display and elaborate stage wear explanation so far. Also, when people are entertained, they are less bothered with why, they just live in the moment.
"Thank you," Alison says with a big smile on her face, the excitment from the show still apparent on her visage, "I appreciate you coming to hear my music live," she offers a little bow of her head as a token gesture. She laughs as Illyana mentions how quick she is, and Ally points down at her stomach, "hunger makes me feet run to the nearest restaurant, want to join me?" Dazzler offers, pointing up the street, "there's a tasty Chinese place over there, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, ever had Chinese?" Alison asks, clearly trying to divert attention from the line of questions that were coming her way.
*
"Yes. I am hungry," Illyana says, stating the obvious. She falls into step with the girl, seemingly unbothered by the sudden invitation to dine with her. Perhaps unaware of that convention?
"I am Illyana Nikloivena Rasputina," she tells the other woman, not seemingly bothered by the fact that she's a Russian in the middle of New York. "You are of course, Alison Blaire." She gives the restaurant an apprehensive look. "I do not know this, 'Chinese' food," she says, warily. "Is it good? I have only had hamburgers and pizza since I came to America," she explains. "And pizza is the best thing I have ever had. It will be difficult to top that."
*
Looks like Dazzler has her own set of conventions that are askew to have even made the offer so out of the blue, she looks pleased enough that Illyana decides to join her, as they make their way to the restaurant. "Did you know it was one of the first Chinese places to open in New York? It's really old." When Illyana introduces herself, Alison is about to do the same, when Illyana shows she already knows who she is, leading Alison to grin a bit stupidly, "wow. I guess you do know my name, so, no need to introduce myself, huh?" It's certainly a new feeling for Dazzler, to have some people recognize her about the city. "Well, it will certainly be different! You look like the adventurous sort, Illyana, why not give it a chance?" When they arrive, it seems Alison is quite the regular, as the hostess is quick to lead her and Illyana to a rather big circular table that could probably fit 8. "We'll have the Har Gow, Chiu-chao fan guo, shrimp Siu mai, Wu gok, Chau siu sou and shrimp Cheong fan." Before Alison is even done making the order, a pot of tea is brought to the table.
Looking over at Illyana, she looks to see if the other girl is nervous, "don't worry, it's not alien food, just chicken, pork, shrimp and vegetable, but they come inside small delicious pastries."
*
Illyana shrugs at Dazzler. "I am not scared. I am merely un-accustomed to new foods. I did not have much beyond bread and crude stews for many years. This is all new to me." She sniffs the tea, her eyes widening appreciatively. "This tea, this smells incredible. I must have some." She looks for a cup and pours herself a steaming mugful, though for some reason she doesn't offer to pour for Dazzler. Nothing about her suggests that it's due to any intended rudeness on her part. Maybe Russians just don't do that sort of thing?
*
Kitty has arrived.
*
Kitty leaves, heading towards East Village [NE].
*
Kitty has left.
*
"Oh, really? Where did you grow up?" Alison wonders, it sounds like Illyana didn't get too much variety. There's the obvious assumption to be made based on Illyana's name, but one can never tell, and Alison hates jumping to conclusions about people based on tells. Alison laughs when Illyana shows it really is the first time she's been to a Chinese place, "yes, it is. It's jasmine tea, and it's incredibly soothing." She waits for Illyana to pour, though when she doesn't pour for her as well, Ally makes nothing of it, and just takes the pot herself to pour her own cup. "Did you ever eat with chopsticks before?" Alison asks, pointing at the sticks besides the set plates.
*
"I was born in Russia," Illyana tells Alison. "But… I left. I lived somewhere else for a time," she says, her tone cautious. Clearly it's a sensitive subject for the petite blonde, though there's no way Alison could know precisely why.
She sips more tea, then shakes her head, blonde hair shimmering across her shoulders at the question. "No. Chopsticks? I have not heard of these," she admits with a frown. She eyes the two pieces of lacquered wood with a baleful expression. "They are… like a fork?" she guesses, cupping the porcelain in both hand to warm her fingers.
*
"Russia? Wow…" Alison seems surprised, as she immediately follows up with, "how was that like? Is it as bad as what they say in the media about the Soviets?" She has to wonder how much of that is true, she knows almost all of the dirt they have on mutants is false. "Were you traveling with your parents? On your own?" Alison asks, wondering if perhaps Illyana might have more in common with her than she thinks. Then again, Alison has no way in heck to even guess how complicated Illyana's adventures were.
Having a sip of her own tea, Alison closes her eyes briefly, savoring the taste, "…truly relaxing…" she comments, before opening her eyes and holding up the chopsticks, one in each hand, as she begins to give Illyana a step by step demonstration for holding chopsticks and using them, before offering, "if it doesn't work so easily, just use your hands," she winks, "that's what I did for the longest time."
*
"Cold. And we never had this much food," Illyana says, gesturing at the restaurant. "Americans seem to never want for a meal. It it strangest thing about this country. Food everywhere, you do not even need to harvest it."
She tries to emulate Alison's motions, and though her fingers are strong and nimble, she doesn't quite get the hang of it by the time the food arrives. The chicken goes tumbling into the sauce at the third attempt, eliciting a snarl of frustration from Illy. She takes Alison's suggestion to heart, and digs in with her bare fingers, scooping from various bowls with no regard for community hygiene, and eating with an appalling lack of table manners.
*
Danny has arrived.
*
Danny leaves, heading towards East Village [NE].
*
Danny has left.
*
"That doesn't sound too pleasant," Alison nods at Illyana's description, "so how did you get over to America? Ellis Island?" It never occurred to Alison how readily available food is in the United States, well, aside for when she was homeless of course, that was a bit harder. But still, the point is made, the Russian sound like they have it much harder.
When the food finally arrives, Alison chuckles when Illyana doesn't quite get the chopsticks in time, which is to be expected, not that easy in one go. So Alison does the next best thing and uses her hands as well, dipping in the different sauces, explaining to Illyana which is the sweet, which is the hot and which is the salty. The food is a whole variety of dim sum, some of it even has soup inside, which if not careful winds up flying everywhere. Luckily, Alison warns Illyana ahead of time about that specific dish.
*
