#we JUST saw the master in a completely different outfit when they watch the hypnotism trick

[corallapis]

[thecorteztwins]

[Just a small ficlet featuring little-known Marvel “villains” Black Mamba/Tanya Sealy, Haven/Radha Dastoor, Skein/Sybil Dvorak, and a surprise guest at the end in a comedy of errors!] Tanya Sealy was also known as Black Mamba, the mercenary who served in the Serpent Society and the aptly-named B.A.D Girls, not mention a super-villain with the Masters of Evil and a super-heroine with the Women Warriors. But she had another identity besides all that---Tanya Sweet, professional escort. As with her mercenary work, it wasn’t something she did simply for the money alone, or because she had no choice. No, far from it---Tanya did it because she liked it. Of course, the money was a factor, she wouldn’t have done it for free, just like she wouldn’t do a merc job for free, but she still liked a damn well lot more than she would have enjoyed some boring office job or dirty menial work. Why people thought it was degrading was beyond her; she got treated like a queen while the poor saps in retail, fast food, and any other service industry were the ones really getting reamed! One of the best parts was picking her customers. You couldn’t say “no” to them in most jobs, but Tanya could any damn time she pleased. Not that she often did, since most of the people who called her were those to whom she’d personally handed her card. She kept different business cards for her different careers/identities, and different phone lines as well. And right now, her line for escort work was ringing, with an unfamiliar number. So, a new customer! Time to find out who it was---someone she’d personally selected, or someone who had been referred to her by another satisfied client? “Hello there stranger,” she said professionally, though with of course the expected hint of sensuality, “You’ve reached Tanya Sweet. To what do I owe the pleasure?” “Hello, Ms. Sweet,” said a woman’s voice. Holy shit, that was unexpected. It wasn’t that she’d never gotten female clients, but they were very rare. “I’m calling about scheduling your services. We’ve met before, if you remember---my name is Radha Dastoor, I went by Haven?” Holy. Shit. No way. She had NOT seen that coming. Yeah, she remembered Haven from the slammer, but she had NOT read her as interested in women at all, let alone the type who would get an escort. It wasn’t that there was just one “type“ of person who purchased her time and attentions, there were a lot of different people who did...but there were a lot of different kinds of people who never would, and she could have sworn that this lady was one of them.

“Oh yes, yes I do,” Tanya swallowed her surprise and continued with her congenial customer-service-with-a-sexy-smile voice, “When were you hoping to schedule?” “There’s a gala in a week,” said Haven, then gave the specific time and date, and explained, “I apologize so much for the short notice, Ms. Sweet. My brother was to be my original plus-one, but something has come up for him, and he’s simply not comfortable attending to his own business unless he knows there is someone to go with me in his stead. He showed me the card you gave to him, and suggested you, since you’re...well, you’re a woman, but you’re also very capable. So he thought you would be the safest option for me.” It was extremely difficult for Tanya not laugh. Oh her god. Oh her GOD. This was HILARIOUS. She’d slid that big stud her calling card when he’d come to pick Haven up from prison, and apparently he had THOUGHT that escorting meant...just accompanying someone. And clearly Haven thought the same thing! Oh man. It was too funny. Though it also made a lot more sense! It also meant she could make some really easy money. “I’m absolutely free that night,” she purred, before realizing she should not be purring anymore, and amended to a more prim tone as she continued, “What will the dress code be?” “It’s black tie, but please don’t worry if you don’t something you feel is suitable,” Haven assured, “I’d be happy to buy you a dress and shoes sometime this week before we go.” Oh SWEET! For sure, Tanya was doing this gig. She’d have to remember to thank Haven’s big dumb lug of a brother next time she saw him! “Yes, that would be excellent,” Tanya continued to successfully contain her excitement at the easy work and free stuff, “After all, you’ll know best what’s appropriate for the occasion. Now, you mentioned your brother would be concerned about me being ‘capable’---are you expecting threats?” “Not expecting per se,” said Haven in a resigned tone, “But, well, a gathering of wealthy people in New York City...” Yeah, that was sitting ducks. Sitting ducks broadcasting their diamonds and Dom Perignon to every dumbass super-criminal in the city. Would the rich never learn? Black Mamba---er, Tanya---hoped not. “I absolutely understand. I assure you, my powers are suitable to combat both baseline and superhuman threats, and I have experience handling both. I believe I told you about my time in the Women Warriors?” She felt that emphasizing her background as a superhero would be better than bringing up her more regular, less legal doings. “Yes, yes I do,” said Haven warmly, “If I recall correctly, you protected the entire state of Delaware. So I have no doubt you can do so for me for the night--though of course I hope you won’t have to.” “And in the event I do, you understand I will be expecting compensation for any medical care needed for injuries I might incur?” “Oh, of course. Do you have a form I should sign?” She was starting to love this woman. Perfect customer. “Yeah, no worries,” she said, her professional veneer finally slipping into a more casual, natural mode for her, “I’ll just bring it with me when we meet up to buy the dress. Hey, is your brother gonna be there for that?” Alas, he was not. But once they had discussed rates, Tanya felt anything but disappointed. *** Things were going great. She looked fantastic in this dress, Ms. Dastoor wasn’t upstaging her---okay, her...Indian outfit thing...was super beautiful...but Tanya had LEGS and CLEAVAGE---, and she’d slipped her card to a whole lot of fine gentlemen who, if they were here, could probably afford her. And best of all, no one had--- “Well hello Tanya. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Oh great. It was Skein. Skein, aka Sybil Dvorak, was actually a friend to Tanya Sealy. They got along great, in fact. But the problem was, she was also a fellow, well, supervillain. One who had gotten her start crashing the parties of the social elite like this, not even for personal gain but for...kicks, Tanya supposed. Something to do with an ex boyfriend. “Hey, Sybil,” said Tanya casually, “Hey, not that it’s not great to see you, but you’re not planning anything, are you? Because I’m here on a date. You know, for work?”

“Ohhhh,” Sybil winked at her, “Well...since we’re old friends and all, I could be persuaded not to make a scene if you cut me in on what you’re getting for this “date”. Since we’re friends.” Tanya glared at her. “Come on, Black Mamba,” said Skein, undaunted, “You’re a mercenary. You can hardly judge me for being the same.” “I’ll still get paid no matter what you do here tonight,” said Tanya, “So it doesn’t really matter. In fact, she might tip me more if I save her from some disaster. So go ahead.” “Oooh, she?” said Skein, intrigued. Oh, double great. Tanya had forgotten---Skein had a crush on Haven. She’d been one of the other lady villains in their cellblock, and for some reason she was just crazy about her. Tanya didn’t really get it. Sure, Haven was beautiful, she supposed---Tanya wasn’t into women herself---but she was kind of old, and really boring. She just couldn’t fathom her being Sybil’s type at all. But then, Tanya, who considered herself an expert in matters of sex and romance, was of course aware of the old adage that opposites attract. Maybe Haven represented to Skein the sense of stability and restraint that Skein herself lacked. Maybe she felt she needed someone calm and responsible and conventionally moral in her life. Maybe she admired it. Or maybe she wanted to corrupt it. Whatever the case, Tanya was letting her find out that the object of her amorous affections was her meal ticket tonight. Skein might take it the wrong way.

So naturally, no sooner did Tanya decide this, than Haven glided up and greeted their mutual friend, “Sybil? Oh Sybil, that is you!” “Hi, Haven!” Skein trilled in a girlish sing-song voice, twirling a strand of her long black hair around one finger and assuming a flirtacious pose. Tanya had to try hard not to role her eyes at this, especially considering how obviously unaffected that Haven was by it. As crazy as Skein was about Haven, Haven was equally oblivious. Which was kind of odd, given how perceptive Tanya had noticed Haven was in her short time knowing her, but maybe she just didn’t know how to handle being hit on by another woman so blatantly. “Wow, I can’t believe you and Tanya are BOTH here!” “We’re actually here together,” said Haven, clearly having no idea the implications she had just dropped. And that was when Tanya knew...it was over. Sybil blinked. And then... “Are you kidding me?!” she shouted at Tanya, her dress unraveling around her in a whirlwind of thread. . “Sybil, chill out, it’s not what you think--” Tanya tried to calm her down but it was too late, the attention of the security guards had been attracted. A threeway battle ensued, with Sybil/Skein trying to attack Black Mamba while both attempted to evade the super-powered guards. As the completely baffled Haven watched in hypnotized horror, another party guest stepped beside her. “Ah, I’m sorry you had to see this,” lamented the tuxedo-clad Fabian Cortez, “They’re fighting over me, you see.” Haven believed him.

[thesaramonster]

#we JUST saw the master in a completely different outfit when they watch the hypnotism trick#he changes into his little workout gear and gets on his rowing machine so the doctor will walk in on him like that (via@corallapis)