1012/I Could Never Get The Hang of Mondays

I Could Never Get The Hang of Mondays
Date of Scene:	06 April 2020
Location:	Algernon's Alehouse - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Scene finished.
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Lorna Dane, Warren Worthington, Scott Summers, Pietro Maximoff

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Emma Frost has posed:
One of the larger tables has been reserved this afternoon for a couple of VIPS and a member of the board, with a fancy sign on it all nice and proper. Not that there's much worry about not getting a table; for the most part Algernon's is empty, being that it's early afternoon on a Monday. A couple of bartenders chill behind the half-circular bar, idly wiping down various spots while chatting with each other and watching ESPN on one of the TVs. Otherwise, the room is devoid of people-- not even any roaming waitstaff.

It's into the quiet bar Emma Frost meanders, flipping through email on her phone. She's actually dressed incredibly casual for Emma, no custom-tailored business suits or fancy club dresses today; but a pair of jeans (white denim, naturally), a shimmery white sleeveless top, and a pair of pristinely clean and white Chuck Taylors on her feet. Her dyed-blonde hair is held back from her face with a wide white glimmery headband. The only accessories are the white choker she wears nigh-constantly and a white-banded LexTech smart watch.

She sweeps over to the table, looking up from her phone to nod to the bartenders. One of them scurries over to take the sign off. "What would you like today, Miss Frost?" he asks cheerfully.

"I'll wait until Warren and the others get here," she replies evenly, grabbing one of the chairs and getting comfortable, shooting a text off to the third in the line of Warrens who graced the Club's presence. >>Here. Have table. I think Lorna's coming too.<<

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna had just finished yet another meeting, where she was coming from was obvious from the simple black dress she wore. Sleeveless and high necked with a cardigan thrown over it. She had been working hard to find, track down, and bring ing mutants from Genosha and get them up to date, as well as finding financial backers to help rebuild the destroyed island country.

Since she was in the city already, it wasn't hard for her to change directions away from Westchester and back toward the club. She arrived looking only a little worn today, making today a rare 'good' day in her moods that had spiraled down and up with whiplash like intensity over the past few weeks.

Her heels clicked as she entered, and spotted Emma in jeans for once, and she flashed a brief smile as she approached.

"Glad I'm not early. I was already in the city."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren was in New York today to deal with some issues relating to his family's business. It kept him mostly busy for the morning and by lunch his day became a lot more boring. So there was a sense of relief once the text from Emma is read over. He pounds out a >>Be there shortly.<< and then makes his way up to the building's roof. It was another beautiful day to utterly ignore traffic in the city!

Hopping up onto the ledge, he looks over at the streets beneath him. The thought about how it was nice that these specially designed business suits could be made runs through his head as he hops off the ledge, his wings extending and he enters into a glide. A lazy flap here and there keeps him aloft enough to make his way over to the Club. Once he nears it, he circles once or twice to make sure there's a spot for a good landing, lands, and then takes a minute to straighten out his clothes and fold his wings up behind himself. Quickly stepping over to a nearby car, he makes sure his hair is still good, and then enters the club.

"Hope I'm not too late!" He says to Emma, nodding to her and Lorna as he brushes his hand down one sleeve and gives them both a winning smile.

Scott Summers has posed:
It is a Monday afternoon and Scott would usually be imparting classes to the kids. But he has delegated claiming important business in New York. Technically true. Although he could have returned to the school already.

Instead he is going to an alehouse to catch up with Warren. And incidentally also meet with two women that would be queens. He is still not sure why a businesswoman of Emma's wealth spends so much time here, perhaps he will find out today. And then Lorna, who seems to have found some friends here. Or at least people willing to help with Genosha.

Scott has about zero faith in the good-will towards mutants of the 'one-percent'. In fact, he suspects that to defend the current status quo, many of them support anti-mutant groups. Those seem to never be lacking founds.

Regardless, Scott came here. And he must be late, because he arrived after Warren. It must be the first time in ten years it happens. "Warren," he calls, at seeing his friend and teammate. "Good to see you. You look well."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma greets Lorna fondly as she arrives, pushing a chair out for her. "Your Majesty," she says with a grin. "Meetings go well? Not to talk too much shop, but we've gotten several interesting items donated for the auction at the gala this weekend. I think they'll fetch a fairly high price."

When Warren arrives, she gives the angelic mutant a hug before settling back in her seat. "Warren. Glad I could rescue you from the doldrums of work this afternoon. We've got a couple new beers on tap you might be interested in. If we grab some food, call it a working lunch."

As Scott arrives, Emma smoothes away any mildly discomfort she may have on her face. This will only be awkward if it's allowed to be, she decides. "Mr. Summers. Welcome to the club."

The bartender hovers long enough to take drink orders (and any snacks they may want) before dipping back behind the bar to pour drinks.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna smiled at Emma as she came to take a seat. She had settled in, taking off her cardigan as she sat back and put her purse down when she spotted Warren's entrance followed shortly after Scott's appearance. She arched a brow upward, not having expected to see Scott here at the club. After all, Jean had already come to clear Emma, and she hadn't expected anything further to happen.

But still, she hadn't seen Warren in a long, long time. She blinked, standing up briefly. "Warren! Long time no see." She murmured softy, her hair was shorter than when she'd seen Warren last. Her eyes held more shadows, and she was no longer just some magnokinetic. Now she was a public figure, and one of the 'royal' family of Genosha.. her country destroyed and her father dubbed 'dead'.

The green haired woman settled back into her chair as people made to sit, and she placed her order for a glass of water and one of wine. "I didn't expect to see you this afternoon Scott..."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Hearing his name called from behind him, Warren turns and grins. "Scott! You look like you always do, super serious and all of that. But I'm glad to see you too, and I look forward to going back to working with you and the others." He steps over and slaps the man on the shoulder. "What a day we are in for, yeah? Spending time with two beautiful ladies in this wonderful and exotic place. I'll even be your wingman, ha!" He turns his attention then back to the two ladies, "I'm more than happy to have a working lunch with you and Her Majesty here."

There is a brief pause. "Did you say new beers on tap?" He looks at the hovering bartender and nods, "I'll have one of the new ones, pick whatever you think might be the best choice to start with."

Beer ordered, he makes his way to the table and settles down in one of the chairs and offers Lorna a sympathetic smile. "Lor... well, I should say Your Majesty now, if you need anything from me or from my family's company you let me know. I'm always happy to spend some of my family's money on making things better for mutants."

Scott Summers has posed:
"Ms. Frost," greets Scott with a guarded smile. Then Warren slaps his shoulder and his smile widens. He shakes the other man's hand firmly and replies, "same here. Except for the super-serious part. Maybe I just need my fun friends around," he deadpans. Pause for a second of disbelief.

"Warren always takes me to interesting places," he offers to Lorna as explanation for his presence. "But calling it a working lunch will save my reputation as for being all work and no fun." A reputation that he deserves, by the way.

Emma Frost has posed:
The ordered drinks come out quickly and are dropped off at the table. Emma picks up her hazy hefeweisen and takes a healthy swallow. "Mmph, Warren, you may have to focus those never-ending attentions on Lorna today," she teases. "I'm spoken for, for a change," she says with an imperious air. "Assuming Lorna tolerates your flirtations and doesn't just pin you to the nearest wall with our cutlery." She gives Lorna a grin at that. She's... mostly... joking. She glances between the men and headtilts. "Of course you two know each other," she comments dryly.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna picked up her glass of water and sipped at it first, the other glass, contained a sweet Spätlese, white and she ignored it for now. Her main focus lingering on the two gentlemen that joined her and Emma at the reserved table. "No, you keep calling me Lorna dammit. I've got too many people bowing and throwing themselves down at my feet these days. I don't like it. You're still Warren, and I'm still Lorna, got it?" She drawled, smirking faintly.

"Unless my brother is around, in which case he might demand otherwise." Pietro being Pietro was hardly a surprise. Still, it was a forced lightness that did not reach her green eyed gaze.
R "And be careful in offering what you can. I will accept it all. Genosha .. it's bad Warren. It's really bad." Her smile fading entirely. Which is when her focus shifted back toward Emma briefly. "We went to school together." A pause, "If I didn't know any better I would've sworn my father left me to be found by the Professor just to make sure I learned beside the best in mutant-kind." She smiled again, and glanced toward Scott as he spoke of work, she shook her head. But didn't pick on the team leader. She had too much respect for him.

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren's eyebrows lift at Emma's comment. "Spoken for? Wow." He looks to Scott for a moment. "Well, this -is- an interesting place and it seems that we may have -interesting- things to talk about too!" There's a quick grin at that and then he's focusing his attention on Lorna, though not quite the type of attention Emma was alluding to. "Alright, alright. Lorna it is then! Especially if it helps bring a smile out of you."


"How is your brother holding up? I have heard a lot about how bad things were, but nothing can describe how bad something is like seeing it up close and personal. I am so sorry about all of it, Lorna, but I also know that if there's one thing mutants are good at doing, it's coming together to help one another out, isn't that right Scott?" He then looks to Scott.

Scott Summers has posed:
"Don't look at me like that. It is not me," says Scott, looking amused at Warren. He takes a sip from his beer, letting Emma explain who has 'taken' her. Because Warren has been away a few months and he might not even know Alex exists. Depending who has been texting him.

"We all went to school together," adds Scott, this for Emma. For a few seconds he imagines what would have happened in Xavier has found Emma eight to ten years ago. But having two good-looking blonde heirs of vast fortunes around might have been too much even for the Professor.

Warren last comments brings a non-committal grunt. Yes, everyone is being helpful. Maybe even Mystique. That can't possible last much longer.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma nods slightly. "Oh, I see," she takes another drink of her beer. "You all went to school at the place in Westchester?" she asks with a lifted brow. "Where Jean is teaching now?" She seems thoughtful for a moment. She doesn't comment further on that. She looks to Warren. "Yes. Spoken for." She doesn't offer more information at the moment.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna finally grabbed her wine glass, swirling the shimmering gold tinged liquid about once and then taking a sip. "She's dating Scotty's younger brother Alex. Dunno if you've met the poor guy yet. He has issues settling into being a mutant. Said he just manifested recently." She pursed her lips, looking sympathetic, and glanced back to Warren.

"She asked him out for reference." She smirked, and glanced toward Emma and back. "Anyways. Pietro is doing as well as one can expect. He went MIA for a bit and when he couldn't find those responsible, he came on back. Checks in on me from time to time." She exhaled a breath, and took another sip of her drink

Her smile fading slightly as she grew thoughtful looking. "We're starting to clean up the island and looking at rebuilding."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren nods to Emma, "Yeah, after bouncing around some boarding schools it became another home, for me at least. I thought about offering to teach a class or two, but I don't know how many are interested in business or the stock market." He takes a sip of his beer and nods in appreciation at the flavor. "Yeah, this is some good stu..." He trails off as Lorna's words reach his ears and he blinks. He looks at Scott. Looks at Emma. Blinks again. Beer is raised to lips. Siiiiiiiiiippppppppppppppppp. His eyes flicking between the two.

Another moment passes and the beer is lowered to the table. "Well, I'm glad for you and Alex, Emma." He keeps his voice neutral and does not look over at Scott. Nope. Attention is back on Lorna. "I'm glad that he's back around, and if you want to talk about rebuilding, we should do so. I think the company can probably make a subsidiary or something to be based out of a new Genosha, offering the people there good pay and benefits to help get the economy back on it's feet."

Scott Summers has posed:
Scott smirks faintly at Warren's reaction. Oh, he is pretty sure he mentioned he had a little brother in passing a few times, back at the school. But the X-Men met him only a few months ago when a crazy mutant tried to steal Alex powers to become a giant. Yes... it didn't go well for Professor Ahmet Abdol.

"I think you would like Alex," he mentions to Warren. No comments about the help for Genosha. What happened is not going to get fixed with money. As for resettling and rebuilding... he didn't want to think about it yet. But it looks like it is in Lorna's mind. "Where are you going to start?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma nods. "Alex is a good guy," she agrees, but doesn't really... offer much else up. For the moment. She absently rubs at her neck, taking another drink of her beer. She turns her attention to Lorna. "Yes, how is the cleanup going?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sighed heavily at Emma's question. "It's going, if you've looked over any of the reports? We've been able to clear out a safer landing strip for most normal air traffic. Which allows better flow of supplies. We have a lot to do." She grimaced and looked down at the wine in her grip and tapped her fingers against the glass.

She met Warren's gaze over the glass as he sipped at his drink, and she smirked faintly, and only barely tried to hide it. "I would appreciate it. Genosha would appreciate it. We need to work with the world at large, we can't afford to stay isolated anymore." She sighed faintly, and shook her head.

"We're starting right now in just clearing the rubble, and getting something built up for the basics. Just so we can move our survivors in Wakanda back to the island. We have Wakanda's charity, but I don't want to remain on that forever. I had the thought... that if whoever sent the Sentinels wanted to destroy us as a nation. So I've decided we have to rebuild.. despite the risks. We can't let them win. So we have to rebuild."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington flicks at his beer glass, "Well, I wish you and Alex all the happiness in the world." He looks over at Scott. "I like you well enough Scott, so I can't imagine that I wouldn't like your little brother. I look forward to meeting him soon." It's only another sip and then his beer is finished.

"Money might not fix everything, but it can help speed-up the process of cleaning up, rebuilding, and more importantly making sure people have necessary supplies to keep pressing forward." He looks at Lorna and nods, "I like that attitude, and I fully agree about not letting them win." A pause. "Has there been any news on who exactly was involved?"

Scott Summers has posed:
"I am not the kind of guy that people like right away," admits Scott. "However, Alex is good at making friends quickly." He sips from his beer. But it is barely started. He likely plans to make it last the whole afternoon.

"Lorna, what killed a nation of sixteen million in minutes..." he sighs. "Make sure to pick a good defensive position. In fact do not tell anyone where you are really settling. Set up a decoy town or something. It is a pretty large island."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma sips her own beer, looking to Lorna. Scott isnt given bad advice, given the lack of real information they had, but likewise, that was dividing resources thinner. She frowns a bit.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sipped at her wine, and shifted to set the glass down, leaning forward. She flapped one hand in Warren's direction. "Thank you. Emma has helped a great deal as have others here. Anything you do will mean something to someone. I promise you that." She smiled weakly, and she shifted in her seat to consider Scott.

"We had defenses when Genosha was whole. Beyond my father. You know how paranoid he was of an attack. It should never have been able to happen as it did. Yet still our people were slaughtered." She folded her hands and settled them beneath her chin.

"I had a chance to think the other day. And I realized that we have no other choice. Genosha must live on, with or without that promised safety net. The mutants of this world don't have other options. Genosha's survivor's have no other options. Countries don't want us." She let her hands fall away.

"I looked to my father for my answers, and I found it in how he handled the Shoah. Six million Jew slaughtered by Nazis, many of whom lived to escape to live to old age. Hired by the US government. Given vias. Safe passage... My father didn't stop living because he had survived and those that had hurt him, who had slaughtered my family still lived. He did his best to keep going. And so.. That's what Genosha will do. Whoever attacked us tried to kill us, and we don't know who they were.. So the only thing we can do.. Is to survive."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren looks at Scott for a moment and nods faintly. It would feel better to argue, but he had to admit that Scott was right. Looking back to Lorna, he feels like he wants to argue again, but instead he sits and listens. After she finishes, he just sits and looks at his empty glass for a long moment. "Well... maybe with this rebuilding some new measures can be taken?" He looks to Scott again. "You're one of the smartest people I know about... this sort of stuff. Maybe you and a few others can consult on how best to defend the island going forward, this time with what happened in mind to make them even better?"

Scott Summers has posed:
"Some of the danger might be reduced if the people that sent the Sentinels are found," offers Scott, leaning back. "But mutants have many enemies. Magneto tried brute force. He aimed to build the most powerful nation in the world. They smashed Genosha with a very large hammer. If nothing else it shows three is always someone, something more powerful out there. But if your new Genosha is considered weak and irrelevant, if it is underestimated, then whoever hits it will be weak and easy to handle by a small but well-trained group of alpha class mutants."

It worked for Wakanda, although Scott has no idea how strong is Wakanda in truth.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma clears her throat. "Or what you were saying in one of our earlier discussions, Lorna. Your father was a powerful man, but he stood alone. And he died alone. Genosha lacked soft power. Whomever did this did so believing that they would get away with it... even if the truth of who they were was discovered. People feared Magneto, maybe even respected him. But they wouldn't have sent their troops to protect him or his people. Genosha was at best an afterthought, a dumping ground for the worlds undesirables. For whatever mewling many make publicly about the tragedy, most are lying. They are happy to see your father gone, his people scattered and destroyed. They are no longer a threat this way." Emma's tone is cold and matter-of-fact.

"Soft power was something Genosha lacked, that //Magneto// lacked. His people loved him but no one else did. That's why you chafe when you deal with the offers for assistance that drag its feet in coming; at having to smile and pretend to be nice to world leaders who smile for the media at your side and assure you they are helping. Something in you suspects they are lying to you." She drains her beer, holding up two fingers towards the bartender and twirling them twice. He nods and begins pulling a second round for the table. "You suspect it to be so, and it bothers you. You aren't wrong, Lorna. Genosha needs allies. Real allies, not allies of convenience scoring political sympathy points."

She sighs. "That's why I've been reminding you, and Pietro, as much of an ass as he is, that the Club exists. Being seen here reminds people who do have the power to push that soft power for you that you are one of us. It's a small spark, but it might just fan a flame. Likewise, though it chafes, you should continue to reach out to the other nations and make those alliances. They may be disingenuous now, but eventually you can leverage them and they will need you like you need them now."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna arched a brow as she glanced at Scott and Warren, "I won't do as Doom suggested and burrow into the side of the only mountain on the island to build a more defensible position. All the defenses in the world didn't stop the Sentinels. So what's the point. If the world wants us dead, they'll do it. And it'll be easy to finish us off." She downed the rest of her drink sighing softly as Emma spoke and she nodded her head.

"My plan is simple. Rebuild, and work with the world that fakes at kindness. I'll smile and lie my way through it all because that's what our people need. Who knows, maybe I'll find someone to help me sell the concept that as Magneto's daughter I'm //so// different from him. They'll forget about the threats that my father made.. and hopefully, Genosha will just become the 'dumping ground'," She used air quotes with her fingers.

"That they used to use to get rid of their mutant problems again. And we can quietly go on with our lives. I'm using South Korea as a model here.. Low military strength, but with.. as Emma said.. a lot of soft power."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren nods along with Scott, a small satisified smile forming on his lips that says: See, I knew he'd have ideas! The smile vanishes at Emma's use of the word 'undesireables' and he scoffs. "I'll have you know that we're plenty desireable." He makes a gesture that includes himself, Scott and Lorna. "Scott is handsome, I guess. Lorna's obviously quite pretty and smart and very accomplished. And there's me, I'm athletic, and handsome, and generous, and, uh, svelte... but the point is that many mutants are very desireable. And sure, maybe I'm speaking only for myself here, but the point still stands."

He leans back in his seat and licks his bottom lip. "Though yeah, the rest of what you two are talking about is smart stuff, and I think if anyone can pull it off, it will be you, Lorna. Though maybe starting some mutant public relations can help too. Those of us who are more public acting and behaving smartly in public. Maybe get involved with some of the political stuff going on in this country by making sizeable donations to candidates to sway their opinion."

Scott Summers has posed:
Scott arches an eyebrow at the mention of 'soft power'. Culture and virtue from a mutant nation? Are even the most moral democracies ready for that? America certainly is not. Hate seems to comes easier than good will. But "I think... Professor Xavier would agree with Ms. Frost."

"Making Genosha an example of idealism and virtue and trying social influencing might be a powerful defense," he says hesitantly. "Although it shouldn't be the only one. There will be plenty of anti-mutant propaganda by the usual hate mongers."

Emma Frost has posed:
The second round arrives and Emma gives the bartender a smile and a murmur of thanks as she takes her beer. She takes a sip, her expression cool. "There are always people who look on those who have what they do not and wish to tear them down." She snorts. "Pro Humana will never die in the US, or any of its ilk beyond this nations borders. They are largely irrelevant as individuals; small, petty people clinging to delusions of a 'simpler time'." She rolls her eyes. "Their connections and money are what make them a threat. Without that, and their mouthpiece 'news' network, they would fade into irrelevancy." She taps her chin. "Do we know how the Sentinels got to Genosha, at least? Trask has to know whom he sold, gave, or lent them to." She eyes Scott. "Arent you mutant terrorists or something? Can't you just send someone like that--" Emma stops herself. "Someone to rip the information from him?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sighed heavily, "Because Genosha could ever be seen to have a standing army or anything like that. My father did that with various different groups. But none of them could do anything to stop the attack. I'm not sayin we should defend ourselves, but whatever we do has to be quiet. It has to be unknown to the public and the known world. We need that." She reached out to take the new glass of wine, sipping at it slowly.

She nodded to Warren, hooking a smile toward him. "I wish I could say I'd throw donations at Stark, because at least he's sympathetic toward mutants.. but I can't afford to. Genosha needs to use everything we've given toward rebuilding. But yes, perhaps.. I see the need for public relations. We need it. And it's an uphill battle."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren makes a face at the mention of Pro-Humana, but just then his 2nd beer shows up and he takes a sip of it and nods before returning to the discussion at hand. "Well there are a number of wealthy mutants, maybe we can form some sort of mutant Super PAC? I don't know, probably something to discuss at another time. Probably should start trying to undermine some of the hatred and bigotry first." He looks to Scott. "Know of anyone who would be really good at putting forth a public face for mutant kind to try and can handle PR?" He takes another sip of the beer. "This one is really good too, Emma. You should let me know when you have new stuff more often."

Scott Summers has posed:
"Not forever," points out Scott. "We might not live to see it, but some day there will be more mutants than humans in the world. But right now we just need safe places to live in peace, for a few generations."

A glance is given to Emma. He is not sure how much she got from Alex about the X-Men operations. He needs to ask Jean again. "We did... to a level. No one in Trask Industries knows. The Sentinel Program is, of course, not really shutdown. But most Sentinels were decommissioned and they are going through a phase of research with low budget. The analysis of the Sentinel remains in Genosha hints they are based in Trask's very early models, but built in a rather divergent way of how the US was building Sentinels before the Asgardian invasion."

Which means it could still be a different branch of the army. But really, how deep are Uncle Sam's pockets to build secret weapons of genocide? Sentinels the size of battleships are going to be crazy expensive.

He glances at Warren, smiling faintly. "I don't know. Do you still have Dazzler number?" He is teasing, of course. Because Warren -could- do it.

The shareholders could murder him, too. But he has the face, the skills and a harmless but beautiful mutation.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma gives Scott a half-dirty look. "Alex didn't tell me anything," she says, rolling her eyes. "Or at least nothing more than I already surmised through other sources. Your brother is disturbingly circumspect, or at least he tries to be." Was she reading him? Possibly. Or it could just be the obvious. "But... that's interesting to know about those Sentinels. I'd rather he just shut down the program, but he's remarkably stubborn in his desire to exterminate mutantkind." She sighs, taking another drink. "Maybe I should convince Alex to go melt the place," she mutters under her breath, drumming her fingers on the table.

"In any event, Lorna, this weekend will give you a good chance to start making those connections and building the foundations of the political ties you will need going forward. And don't worry, I've been sure to make sure certain people are NOT on the guest list."

She looks to Warren, frowning. "I might know of some people who are already... working on such a PAC," she admits coyly. "Maybe I'll get you in touch."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sipped at her wine glass, and paused to switch for her water glass instead. She sipped at that, thoughtfully as she considered Scott and Warren in turn. "We have to survive to be that point. Quietly. Being in human's faces did us no favors, for all that my father wasn't wrong." She murmured, and sighed softly.

"As far as good faces? You, Warren." She teased, lightly, smiling as she waved a hand toward him. "Your powers are limited, and not so scary to humans. And in fact your obvious mutation is beautiful. You're rich, powerful, and charismatic." She shrugged lightly, and sipped at her water glass again.

"Mutants like //you//, Warren.. are the perfect role models we need for PR." She glanced toward Scott, and smirked. "Not that you aren't handsome, but you're not quite as easy to sell as Warren." she joked, and as she listened to Emma speak of Alex never saying anything she arched a brow and shook her head. It wouldn't take a telepath to read her expression of 'uh huh, right.'... Telepaths.

"I'm hoping this weekend will go well.."

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Floating around somewhere, probably." Warren says to Scott before glancing back to Emma and nodding, "Now that's some interesting news. Yes, I'd very much like to know more about this PAC that is being formed. I don't even need to know who all is involved or anything, but just some of its goals so I can work out if it's going to be a good investment or not." He takes another sip of his beer and glances up at Lorna as she says what he might have been thinking.

"I don't know about charismat... do you think I'm charismatic?" He smiles to her and leans in a little. "Well, it's true that I am mostly human and I think humans can see my wings as maybe some gift given by God maybe, so you might be onto something." He winces. "I'm not sure how the Board will feel about it, but I guess it's a good thing that I'm the majority shareholder of the company."

He leans back and nods, "I'll give it some thought and talk it over with some people. Maybe Dr. McCoy can give me some sage advice."

"If I do this, that means I can't go around flirting with everyone doesn't it?" Truly a terrible sacrifice if there ever was one.

Scott Summers has posed:
Scott snorts at Lorna. "Nah, I don't have Warren's presence and my mutation is a scary one. Hank is also... a possibility. As a man of science he gets quite a bit of respect from other scientists. Ah, this is PR. Not my strong point. I am a tactician." He sips from his beer and then his cellphone starts buzzing.

He grumbles, as he actually turned it off when he stepped into the club. Only important calls would 'wake up' the Starkphone. And at seeing the number he frowns. "I have to take this one. Give me fifteen minutes, please. Warren, you know what I like... be right back. I hope." He stands up and heads out.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma watches Scott leave the table, sipping her beer. "How are they brothers?" she asks rhetorically. She glances to Warren. "Oh please. You'd flirt regardless. But I'll get you in with the folks who are starting it up. It's mostly a counter to the Pro-Humana 'Humans First' PAC, I believe looking to spend the money on races in favor of candidates who don't have an anti-mutant agenda." She shrugs, looking bored. "But Lorna is right. You make a good face for the mutant populace."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna waved to Scott with a wiggling of her fingers, and turned her focus back to the two that remained at the table as she reached for the wine again and started to sip at it. "Hmmm, I need some bread rolls. Garlic ones. Ooh. Garlic knots." She drawled, glancing to the server and asking in a soft voice if they had those available.

They did.

That done her green eyed gaze swung to Warren and Emma. "They were raised by two different circumstances. So." She shrugged, "Scott has responsibilities. People die if he messes up. He takes that seriously." She murmured, and sighed as she looked to Warren.

"You are the perfect PR look. Successful. No criminal record. Good looking. Generally deemed harmless by the masses in terms of your powers. Pretty wings." She raised her glass in a kind of 'cheer's motion. "Well educated. Warren, you're the perfect poster boy for mutants. Let's be real. I struggle to just get seen. No one wants to deal with Magneto's youngest bastard child, who happens to have the same powers he does. It just sounds like a recipe for disaster."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren watches Scott head off for the time being and then he's looking back to Emma, "Human's First PAC eh? Ugh, yeah stuff like that has no place in the national discourse. So yeah this PAC that's being set up sounds like a great way to counter that." He listens in as Lorna orders garlic knots and nods, "I'll have an order of those as well please."

"Alright, alright, you both have convinced me that I should take this seriously. And I will! After we're done here, I will go talk this over with a few people and see what the best path forward is going to be for this." He takes another sip of his beer, "Though you are selling yourself short, Lorna. You're a really bright spot for all mutants to look to for hope in times such as this."

Emma Frost has posed:
"I can see her concern," Emma tilts her head, looking at Warren. "I don't agree with how people see things, but after all, Stark just got married so he could appeal to the idiots of the nation-- to see him as 'one of them' and counter Lex's perpetual singledom." She shrugs. "People are largely idiots."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shrugged weakly, sipping at her drink as she fell silent for a long time. She trailed her fingers against the condensation on the glass and looked thoughtful for a long moment. "Those that hate mutants or are on the fence about us won't see me as anything other than what the press has already published. Their opinions formed long ago. I won't be the one to change hearts and minds. Bank accounts, and weaponization against Genosha? Possibly... but that's a lot less guttural than love or hate." She mused and shook her head again.

"I can get a few of my father's more faithful to follow me because they //liked// who he was. It has nothing to do with me or who I am. And that's just how the world is right now."

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Mmm, that's a fair enough point, Emma. I guess we can't have a bachelor president because 'family values' are..." He trails off and shakes his head, "No, probably shouldn't start going down that road." He then looks at Lorna, "Lorna, you don't need to be the overall public face of things to humans, not right now, but mutants look up to you and you should take strength from that. Let it help bolster your resolve. -I- believe in you."

Emma Frost has posed:
"And your people believe in you. Brotherhood aside, those on Genosha when I was there clearly were happy with you being the one holding the reigns with your father gone," Emma notes. "And they are the important ones." She frowns.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shrugged, "I doubt it will stay that way for long. There are too many factions among those that followed my father, and those that were on Genosha. Never mind that I fully expect Mystique to start causing trouble and to have splintering in the groups. I'm waiting for the moment when someone decides they think I'm playing too nice with the forces that might have been responsible for Genosha's destruction.. Or see me as weaker than my father for how I approach things." She pursed her lips and sipped at her drink again.

"I'm waiting for someone to try to make a power grab here shortly. We'll see. That might be pessimistic of me, but that's how I feel things might be going down."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren nods to Emma, "She's right. As for those that might cause trouble, yeah, there's bound to be a few who do. Don't let yourself be dragged down by thoughts of those people. Focus your time and energy on the friends and allies you are making. They will make you stronger and help you deal with the other stuff when the time comes."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma hmms. "Is there anyone you could... ally yourself with internally that might stave that off? Someone who served your father directly who would command fear or respect among the more reticient?" She cocks her head. "Someone like that could always be //convinced// to loyalty if need be."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shook her head, "No. None that survived. Like I said, a lot of the Brotherhood types either have their own agendas or are working with me for now. Mystique comes to mind in terms of spreading fear.. she freaked out quite a few people and worked closely with my father.. But.." She sighed and sipped at her wine again. A plate of garlic knots coming out for both her and Warren. She picked one up, peeling it apart.

"But they're separate from the factions within Genosha's power structure. There were the Acolytes.. who either worshipped my father or were plotting his death. Hard to say. And a faction of Councilmembers that wanted more power.." She pursed her lips together.

"Like I said, I don't know who survived to what ends and what factions. I won't know until they make a move." She slanted a glance at Emma. Sure she could have the telepath look for her, but that was a movement against her people one way or another.. And while her morals had more give than some.. they weren't quite that flexible yet.

"Anyways.. that's about everything right now. Aren't you glad you missed all those meetings Warren?"

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Hrm. Have you and Mystique had a chance to sit down and talk? Maybe she is struggling with her own issues as a result of what happened?" Warren asks it, but he's not entirely convinced that much is true. But hey, he's willing to give her the benefit of the doubt while he has a plate of fresh garlic knots in front of him. He takes one up and eats it.

While he chews he continues to listen, nodding as if all of the inner workings of Genosha make sense to him. Swallowing it down, he laughs, "Yes, spending time with you two wonderful ladies is -VASTLY- better than listening to some accountants drone on the pros and cons of stock buybacks." Then another garlic knot goes into his mouth.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma perks up. "Well, buybacks do help the value of company stocks for a minimal amount of actual work," she idly points out. "But no matter." She looks at Lorna. "The Acolytes... oh yes. I recall them from a few years ago. Weren't they mutants who thought your father was literally a mutant god who would bring about the end times for all non-homo-superior?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna snorted a laugh, stifling it behind her hand which was now covered in glaricky butter. She grabbed another garlic knot, and ripped into it, as Warren spoke. "Mystique came to the Mansion in the guise of a student to yell at me for being sad that Genosha was destroyed. For living in luxury at the school while my people slept in tents." She pursed her lips and looked down at her hands.

"Oh and then she threatened me that she would use my face if I didn't start acting to do something." She exhaled a breath, and glanced between Warren and Emma. "So yeah, we //talked//." She drawled, and shook her head.

"And yes, those were the Acolytes. They worshipped my father, and even within their ranks there was in-fighting. They hosted parties, or galas, dinners, and what not. Constantly trying to get my father to attend. He mostly ignored them. I got suckered into a few of their things here and there."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma breathes, "She sounds //lovely//. Isn't that the blue woman we met when I was in Genosha? Is she a shapeshifter?"

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Did she? Wow, what an unpleasant way to be about this. And to make -that- particular threat?" Warren looks disgusted, so disgusted he smashes a garlic knot that was in his hand. "I ought to wing punch her right upside the head for that." He opens his palm and looks down at the crushed garlic knot. "Alright, well, maybe -some- sense can get talked into her." He peels the knot out of his hand. "Maybe Scott will have some ideas on this once he gets back and we can talk to him about that then. As for these other groups, has there been any news at all about them?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma looks amused at the idea of Warren acting in any violent way, though to be fair, she's never seen him outside of the Club or society type environs. "Maybe Shades will have some ideas. Also... what's //with// the shades? Indoors? This isn't 1982. I didn't want to ask."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sighed, her lips twitching faintly as listened to the snark coming from both Emma and Warren. "She's caustic. But it's something. I'm used to it, and yes the blue skinned woman that's a shapeshifter. She respected my father and I can't say I'm shocked that she threatened me that way." She watched Warren from beneath her eyelashes, and reached for her glass of wine after brushing off her hands on a napkin.

"Scott wears glasses because his powers, like Alex, are extremely powerful blasts. Only.. Scott's come from his eyes. Constantly. He needs those 'shades' to not murder people or level the building if he looks around." She offered dryly.

"So yeah.. he takes responsibility pretty seriously. He kind of has to,"

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren starts to slowly eat the crushed garlic knot, head shaking at the mention of 'Shades'. "Lorna is right, but let's be very fair to him here. He at least has -good- choices in his glasses. They're pretty fashionable for what they are, and as someone who has to spend more money than I'd like on clothes because they need to be handled a certain way, I can appreciate fashion that also helps one manage their mutation." Then he finishes off his garlic knot and uses a napkin to wipe the hand that still has residue from when he crushed it.

"I get that she respected him, but that doesn't make what she did right." He waves a hand, "Sorry, I'm just bothered by it, that's all."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma shakes her head slightly. "Again, she sounds simply //delightful//. I look forward to meeting her again sometime." Mild sarcasm there. "So I suppose the important thing is to get earth moving and construction equiment to Hammer Bay as soon as possible to give your people some sense of normalacy."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna smiled faintly at Warren as he spoke of Scott's fashion choices. "In Genosha we were working to better develop lines of clothes and furniture that would be more accessible to mutants with different physical needs. There were some amazing structural things we were working on for buildings too. Just so that life would be easier for people.." She sighed, and her smile faded.

Of course, it returned as Warren got all muttery about Mystique. But a sad bitterness came with it. "She wasn't wrong though.. I sit here and eat good hot food, wear clean clothes, and have a roof over my head.. And the people in Genosha don't have that. Not really. They're all in tents still, and eating MRE's.." She muttered, and shook her head.

Another sigh pulling from her lips. "But yes, Emma.. that's the plan. Some of the crews already got the run way strip cleared, so we'll have more room to land planes and other forms of traffic for supplies. So that's going well."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren still has some beer left and what better way to wash down a garlic knot than a swig of beer. So he does that, and it finishes off that second beer, sliding the glass off to the side and leaning back in his seat and looking to Lorna, smiling. "You are here working for their benefit, and it takes time to get the food and supplies they need to survive, if Mystique can't understand that, well... I'm not sure what to say about that. Anyway, the mutant clothes lines sound like an amazing business opportunity for mutants to work on enriching themselves and not having to worry about those who can't quite understand the needs of our people."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma mms, not saying anything to that. She's lucky enough her mutation isn't noticiable... at all, really. Warren here is even unaware of it as they talk. She passes as a human easily. Her hand moves to the choker at her throat absently, then gestures to the bartender for another round, again. She pulls out her phone and absently reads a couple of emails, then sends a text to Alex before slipping her phone back away.

It's only a couple of minutes before more drinks arrive. Emma silently takes a drink, considering.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna exhaled a breath, "It was before I'd been invited to come here.. I.. had a rough few weeks at the Mansion after. I uhm.. it was touch and go for a while." She glanced down, reaching for the water glass which was kindly topped off by a member of the wait staff as she sipped at it, and looked down at the perfectly cubed ice squares in it.

"I still struggle sometimes." She whispered, and lifted her gaze back to Warren with a soft exhale. "But yeah.. there were several mutant owned businesses like that.. There had to be. Schools. Hospitals. Everything. It all had to be created and built with unique and different bodies and powers in mind. You get a pyrokinetic in a hospital room? You need something to treat them if they lose control and keep staff safe. There were so many different things that humans just don't have to deal with." She glanced briefly toward Emma and smiled and then looked back to Warren.

"Doorways large enough and widen enough for landings with wings on balconies for instance was something we kept in mind."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren gives Lorna another one of his winning smiles, "Hearing all of this makes me look forward to seeing your rebuilt Genosha, because I know that even what it was? It will be much better with your guiding hand. So I for one am glad that you are here at the Mansion!"

And now there's a 3rd beer in front of him. So he takes the new glass in hand and sips from it. "Speaking of possible future mutant-run businesses. Maybe in the future some mutant brewers can have a contract with the Club here?" He looks to Emma and smiles pretty-like. "As long as the quality is up to par, which I trust that it will be."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Speaking of doorways, a familiar silhouette is visible in the doorway of Algernon's, should one be looking at that particular moment in time. And, shortly thereafter, the black outline is given color as the figure enters. If anything, the shock white hair would be enough to betray the newcomer. Pietro Maximoff walks in...and instead of heading to the bar, as would be his usual method of operations, he instead heads to a familiar face. That of his sister Lorna. Though, that doesn't stop the man from making eye contact with the bartender, providing a nod to indicate that yes, feel free to provide one of the usual.

    Then, for Pietro at least, a leisurely stroll to the area where Lorna is, offering a nod of greeting to the pair there, with of course Emma being first, then Warren (for who can not know Warren?) next. Of course, his greeting is short...a curt 'Hello' as he remains standing, slightly off to the side.

    Lorna gets a more casual greeting. "Hello Lorna. I trust all is well with you?" Concern from Pietro? Why...that is almost brotherly of him.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma nods in greeting to Pietro, offering him a seat at the table. "Care to join us? We're talking about Genosha." She takes another drink of her beer, checking her phone for a return text, and sliding it back disappointed.

The bartender brings Pietro his usual, giving a polite greeting and disappearing back behind the bar as quickly as he ccame out.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna wore a simple black dress, a cardigan slipped over the back of her chair as she sipped at a glass of wine, or water at any given interval. She flushed faintly at Warren's praise about her rebuilding Genosha and her thoughts for the future, and she glanced down at the last garlic knot on the plate in front of her. "Did you want that?" She asked, sliding it toward the blonde man.

Which is about when Pietro arrived, and she scooted her chair over to make more space for her half sibling. She smiled, warmly, at the speedster. "Pietro! What a surprise. Don't tell me that you came over to check on me again? As you can see... I'm well taken care of. Emma has been making sure are glasses are never empty.."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren is wearing a specially tailored suit because of his wings at all. He is sitting at the table with a beer in hand and when asked if he wants the last of the garlic knots, he shakes his head and gently pushes the plate over to Lorna with a smile, "It is all yours, Lorna." And that's when Pietro arrives, the arrival of which causes the winged mutant to look up and smile, offering a singular nod in greeting.

Letting Lorna get caught up with her brother, he decides to nurse his beer in silence.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    With a murmur of appreciation, Pietro claims a chair at the table, sliding into the now-expanded space besides Lorna. And, it is Lorna that Pietro aaddresses first. "Well, Wanda worries about you, you know. She asks to check up, from time to time." A slight pause, as Pietro's expression clouds with mild frustration, before clearing to his usual impassiveness. "And, since she spends her time with Barton..." the word apparently leaving a bad taste in his mouth, "...I felt it best if I checked more often than not." In other words...he needed to get away. But still, he cares...he wouldn't be around otherwise.

    The bottle of ale is slid in front, with Pietro's fingertips tapping the top. Just a light, absent-minded tapping....something to keep himself busy.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma is dressed down in white jeans, a sleeveless shimmery shirt, and white Chuck Taylors. She also for the moment lets the siblings catch up, summoning the bartender and ordering another couple of rounds of garlic knots. She might actually partake this time.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna leans to the side, briefly tucking close to try to give Pietro a half, side hug. A brief one, because well, it's Pietro. And she smiles if permitted all the same. "Yeah it sucks to be the third wheel when there's two people dating each other. Even if they're not all over each other. Just sucks. And I love Wanda, but I'm not going to go visit her just so she can introduce us." She rolled her eyes, and as she noted the remaining garlic knot, slid the plate toward Pietro.

"Anyways, I was just chatting with Warren and Emma about the different things we did in Genosha before to accommodate different mutant powers and physicalities."

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Oh nice." Warren nods to Emma as she orders up some more garlic knots. And while he might want to not get in between the sibling convo, the bits about Wanda and Barton are just too amusing not to chuckle at. "Aww, it sounds like it's a lot of young love going on. We all deserve to have a bit of happiness in that respect, I think." Said as if anyone was asking what Warren's thoughts on the matter. "Annnyyywaaayyy. You could always try to get Wanda away from her Barton by inviting her up into the country for a weekend. Then no introductions will be necessary! Unless she brings him along, I guess."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Unfortunately for Warren, Pietro didn't ask for his thoughts on the matter of his other sister and her infatuation with one Clint Barton. It earns him a sideward glance, but that is apparently all, as the side hug from Lorna prevents anything more. It is enough to cool him down, as he turns back to Lorna. "Do not worry about meeting Clint Barton. He....is tolerable." And that is all that Pietro seems to offer in regards to the relationship.

    Then, shifting to Genosha. "You mean the forethought in modifying basic ammenities to unique physiologies." It isn't a question, but more a statement. A simple fact. "It was one of the aspects of Genosha that was years ahead of other nations. The actual acceptance that everyone is unique and should be respected."

Emma Frost has posed:
Two plates of garlic knots are dropped neatly on the table, and the bartender slips back off. Emma takes one of the fresh knots and eats it. "It sounds interesting," Emma says with a nod. "I can't imagine all the different things that would go into all of that, personally."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna glanced at Warren and rolled her eyes, shaking her head, but smiling all the same. "Wanda wears her heart on her sleeve. I love her to bits, but she's much more touchy-feely than me. We're kind of a sliding scale. It goes Pietro, who hates people, me, that kind of tolerates them, and Wanda. Who mostly likes people." She shrugged and as a fresh basket of garlic knots comes out, she grabs one, despite the heat, and pull it apart to consume.

And taking a gulp of water to cool off the steam that scorches her tongue. Not dignified, but oh well.

A nod follows Pietro's words, and she gestured toward him. "We worked on technology and a lot of different ways that could help. Not everyone has mutations that are particularly easy to live with. Some can even be debilitating. So we worked with those, and obvious mutations. But it was also little things too. Like giving students smaller classroom sizes so they could have different seating options at all grade levels. We had public transportation with different doors of different sizes. It was just standard with all of our thoughts and designs because .. well, that was our populace. Not one out of a million, but millions of different mutations all at once. Nothing could for sure be a solid 'standard'."

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Bah, you say that but you're totally one of the more charming people I know." Warren says to Lorna, flashing her a smile. "Besides, being a little too open with emotions can tone down some of the mystery and fun of woo'ing someone or at least getting to know them."

He doesn't immdiately go for one of the garlic knots, instead letting Emma and Pietro dig in first, so he folds his hands in front of him and glances around the table. "And I imagine another thing that makes things difficult is what happens when new mutations are discovered, but as those are discovered things should change to adapt to the needs of the people." He nods to Pietro. "I like that, the acceptance that everyone is unique and respected."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "I don't hate people." There isn't any indication that what Pietro speaks isn't true to him. "I just hate having to deal with people. People are so....*slow*" The word is emphasized heavily, the first clear indication of emotion outside of minor annoyance from him. "If all of humanity actually respected differences and did things more quickly than their usual snail's pace, then we would get along famously." The lone garlic knot from the earlier plate is picked up with quick fingers, shredded into bite sized pieces, and a tidbit consumed before Pietro continues. "As it is now, I sorely lack the patience for the human race to try to catch up."

    Two or three more bits of garlic knot is eaten, followed by a drink from the bottle. "It is one of the things my father managed to get right. The acceptance of uniqueness. It is a shame that it took establishing a separate nation just to make it happen. It should be an unequivocal truth to respect all others. There are some that apparently do not see it that way."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma nods at Pietro's comments. "And I think it will be again, once Genosha is rebuilt." She drains her beer. "And it will be. Sooner than Lorna worries, I think." She lifts the empty glass in a salute. "But we still need to figure out who--" she shakes her head. "Well, that's for someone not me. I'm just a businesswoman. What do I know?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna blushed faintly as Warren complimented her. Perhaps more than she usually would, with the wine and having only truly snacked on garlic knots.. Everything went straight to her head. She laughed softly, pushing her hair back from her face as she glanced at him. "Is this pay back for my telling that you're charismatic and pretty?" She drawled, and shook her head, looking back to Pietro.

"You have zero patience for most of the population on the planet. Is that better?" She tilted her head and reached for her water glass, sipping at that as she felt the wine finally, and noticed it. The torment of liking sweet wines, they hit like trains.

"Figure out, who what, Emma?"

Warren Worthington has posed:
"Partly payback, partly me trying to live up to this mantle of charisma you have bestowed upon me." Warren tells Lorna with another smile as he catches sight of her faint blushing. He opens his mouth and is about to say something else, but then closes it and looks to Pietro and nods. "There's always some who are behind the times on that it seems. My father was like that, he didn't know what to make of his mutant son so off to boarding school I went." He rolls his shoulders in a shrug. "Humanity does seem to struggle with accepting the differences in others, but I've also run into plenty who are open and willing to treat us warmly and with respect." And here he nods to Emma. "Such as the Queen of the Garlic Knots over here."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    A smile...an actual, honest-to-goodness smile...crosses Pietro's face as Lorna calls him out on a lack of patience for most of the planet. "Lorna, most of the population on this planet are idiots." That smile grows slightly more. "Of course I do not have patience for idiocy."

    Emma earns herself a nod of the head and a tip of the bottle towards her, before Pietro takes a drink. "I certainly hope so. Everyone deserves a place where they will be accepted. Everyone should have a home." Then, a shift to Warren. "Yes, there are some. There were on Genosha...there are some in every country. But...too few and far between. Humanity fears what it cannot understand...what it cannot control. Father was well aware of that fact."

    Then, back to Lorna. "You just described why Father chose you to be his heir. I would be too hard. Wanda...too soft. You are the balance in between. He knew this."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma looks to Lorna. "Whomever destroyed Genosha," she answers Lorna, looking away. She sighs. "I have no clue of anything. It's not something I can help with and it's frustrating." She is a little tipsy, which is why she might be a bit more open and honest at the moment. "I feel like I've been of little help to you."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna's blush remained a light dusting on her cheeks as she reached for her wine glass and had another sip. She made a face slightly at Warren, her nose wrinkling as she eyed him from over the rim of her glass. "Well har har." She drawled, and turned her focus back to Pietro. As her brother spoke, she nudged him with her elbow lightly.. or at least tried to.

"See? Can't stand most of the planet." She teased and shook her head at her older brother, sighing softly as he continued on to speak of her being the balance between the twins.

"I'm telling you, dad only named me his heir 'cause he already had a steel palace and making adjustments for a nonmagnokinetic to inherit it would be too much work." She waved away his serious compliment with a lighter joke, but there was emotion in the the lilting of each word. As Emma spoke though, her teasing, and smiles faded away.

"No one has found anything Emma. Not SHIELD, to my knowledge, the Avengers, Doom, Wakanda, the X-men, or anyone else. That's a lot of heroes and a lot of power and the world's smartest minds... No one can find anything. So we're all working blind here. That's why I'm focusing on rebuilding. Revenge is great and all, but I can't get it, and people need a roof over their heads."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren nods to Pietro and then sneaks a garlic knot as others are talking. "And if the X-men knew anything, I'm sure that Scott would inform you about it so you'd be kept up to date on things. As for whoever did it, it's only going to be a matter of time. The person or persons won't be able to hide forever. Someone will make a mistake along the way, or someone will open their mouth and blab about something they shouldn't have blabbed about and that's when someone will pass the information along to one of the groups you mentioned. And then... action can be taken to put the responsible parties to justice."

He looks over at Emma and smiles, "No, you've done a lot to help. Just being a good friend is a big help in a lot of ways."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Pietro tilts the bottle in his hand towards Warren. "Exactly. Someone will talk...and then that is where we go from there." There is a pause as Pietro considers a thought, then decides to speak on it. "The Avengers get reports forwarded from our members who also double for SHIELD. We have satelite footage of when it happened...which doesn't really help but at least we have it. And...the Avengers are aware of Mystique being in SHIELD's custody. Though, honestly, I wonder why she just hasn't walked out yet. It isn't like they could hold her for any length of time unless she let them."

Scott Summers has posed:
It has been over half an hour by the time Scott finally returns to rejoin. And find a speedster has taken his chair. Typical. He grabs a new one and rejoin the group. "Apologies, there was a situation," he sighs. "But I think it is fine now. Hello, Pietro. Long time no see," he greets half-heartedly.

He caught the tail end of the conversation. 'No one has found anything' is not entirely accurate. Some clues have been found, and they are still following leads.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma tucks her phone away, nodding to Scott in greeting. "Welcome back," she says to him. She glances to Lorna and Pietro. "You're not wrong. Someone will let //something// slip eventually. People are like that... it's very hard to keep secrets." She pulls another garlic knot from the pile, lifting a brow about this Mystique being in SHIELD custody and allegedly being able to walk out whenever she wants. How strange.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna lofted an eyebrow upward. "Wait, what? She got arrested //again//? Damn woman. I asked her to look into the rumors that there was someone trying to rob the dead on Genosha, or to investigate what we could about Trask's old files. But no, she goes and gets arrested all over again?" She sighed, reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose and then reach for her wine. She sipped at it, muttering under her breath.

Then her focus shifted toward Scott as he returned. "Everything okay? Glad to see you return. We got garlic knots." She offered, sliding a plate toward Scott.

"Two can keep a secret if one is dead, that is the saying, right?"

Scott Summers has posed:
"I could eat something," confirms Scott. Ah, Mystique. One of his least favorite persons in the whole world. At least she is not trying to murder senators right now. Also, she says Sinister was behind the Genosha Genocide.

"Someone, possibly several someones, are scavenging in Genosha. That is one thing we need to deal with soon," comments Scott, getting a plate for the garlic knots. "From the Northwest Coast of Africa still operate several pirate gangs and criminal organizations. They would have never dared challenge the Magistrates or Magneto, but it seems likely they are now looking for loot."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma lifts a brow to Lorna's adage. "Not even then," she deadpans. "Believe me on that."

She looks to Scott and shakes her head. "Paltry pirates would have never dared if they thought there would be retaliation. Perhaps //thats// how you could keep those less savory elements of your father's underlings appealled to and too busy to plot against you, Lorna. Let them sort out the pirates." No, Emma isn't exactly one with angelic views of morality or ethics.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna exhaled a breath, as she sipped at her wine and considered Scott's words. "I dunno, we'll see, I worry about what they might pick up. Genosha had a lot of tech and a lot of that was based on X-gene research, obviously. Even before my father came into power. If these pirates pick up something actually still working or useful? Who knows what might happen." She grimaced and pushed her hair back from her face.

"At least the team you're sending in Scott should at least keep these pirates off the refugees. That's got to come first. For all that Genosha was a 'small' island nation it's still hard to patrol that much coast." She glanced once toward Emma, and shook her head.

"Telepaths need not apply, obviously." She teased, her voice dry and vaguely amused, tapping her fingers against the wine glass' condensation. As if that might clear her mind. Emma did have a point.

Scott Summers has posed:
"I agree, Genosha secrets can't get out," so that is one of the reasons he wants to send a team to the island, build a base, and keep it there for a few months. "There will also be spies and more dangerous scavengers. I bet half the governments of the world have already sent black ops teams. And the usual terrorist groups like AIM. But they will keep lower profile, and I don't think they are a danger for the survivors, unless they are caught. Still, we'll need to kick them out."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma frowns suddenly, a thought occurring to her. "I know it's... hard to get a good census. But speaking of X-gene technology... I'm glad I sent you those drones. I'm going to see if we can spare any more. With piracy can also come slavry, and it wouldn't be hard to swoop up a few survivors by any number of black ops or unsavory nations and press them into service. Mutant powers are often far superior to their homo sapien counterparts. Hell, you know that, given Genosha's history." She orders another beer. "I'll... keep an ear out for anything I may hear to that regard. People who are looking for that sort of thing, this is an ideal time."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna was quickly going through her third glass of wine at this point, and she made an effort to set it down and reach for her water glass instead. "Who knows who or what has already been on Genosha, landing away from Hammer Bay and doing who knows what?" She reached up and massaged her temples, looking fairly distressed by the whole scenario.

"I am well aware of that Emma, yes. I was just speaking with another survivor, the other day. Who had been through the mutate bonding process. We never stopped or caught all of the former Magistrates that were on the island before my father took over. Who knows where they are and what they're up to."

Scott Summers has posed:
"Er... we kept track of those ex-magistrates," comments Scott. "I can give you a report when we get back to Xavier's." He munches a knot and considers asking for another beer. But no, he has to drive soon. He might have to drive Lorna back, she looks a little tipsy already. Ever the responsible one. Water will do.

"They are not exactly harmless, since they have spread some of old Genosha technology around, but pretty much only vehicles and weaponry, not mutate process tech," he adds. "That seemed to vanish when the old regime fell. Magneto eventually found it, but I guess it was something the previous rulers hid very well. Too well for the usual bureaucracy-mired human government."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma's nose wrinkles at the thought of the technology the magistrates used to have. "None of them should have been allowed to walk away alive," she mutters, taking another gulp of her beer.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shrugged as she glanced at Scott. "I know we tried, but all of Genosha's records were well.. obviously.." She hand waved and nodded to Scott, appreciative that he'd get her a report. It was something at least. She sighed heavily, and glanced toward Emma with a small nod as she sipped at her water.

Yeah, she was definitely tipsy.

"I agree, however a good many of them escaped in the chaos of my father taking over. He had a lot of people to try to save and he put them first. All of Genosha's mutate population needed help in some way or another."

Scott Summers has posed:
Scott glances at Emma, shaking his head. But he is not going to argue here, now. Lorna answer gets a tsk. "I don't think we really know half of what was going on there. That island had secrets upon secrets. And now whatever Magneto had discovered, which was plenty, is also gone."

But Genosha remains, and who knows what could be buried deep under the ruins. Again, very likely things they don't want to fall in the mutant enemies' hands. Or to be frank, any human hand.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Or is it?" Emma muses. "Who knows what caches of information your father had hidden, and what might be found among the rubble? I don't mean to sound callous, but there are reasons there are so many converging on Genosha, and very few of them involve altruism." She sighs. "But it is what it is. Clearing the damage and rebuilding, as Lorna says, has to take a priority."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna pursed her lips, looking down at her drink. "I'm well aware that my father didn't tell me everything. But a good portion of it I bet was in his private study or encrypted on his own, private, servers and tech. But the palace was utterly leveled. The sub-basements... there is a bowl almost where the palace was. So I dunno. What secrets there still have to have been outside of that." She sighed. Her father was a paranoid man, there was no way that he only kept one version of anything. But where he kept his secrets? She couldn't begin to fathom where.

"But yes.. I agree, there plenty of reason for less than savory people to become interested in Genosha now. That much is certain."