11591/Time for a little business

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Time for a little business
Date of Scene: 14 June 2022
Location: Genoshian Royal Palace
Synopsis: Mystique travels to Genosha to explain the plans to Queen Lorna, and seek her willingness to take in the soon to be refugees.
Cast of Characters: Raven Darkholme, Clarice Ferguson, Lydia Dietrich, Lorna Dane, Tom McCarthy




Raven Darkholme has posed:
Keeping track of time zones around the world can sometimes be a royal pain in the butt, but for Mystique it had become second nature. For Lydia's sake she had arranged the meeting with Queen Lorna for just after sunset in Genosha, the location entirely up to Lorna of course. Informing Clarice of the meeting, and asking her to join, all that remained was meeting her and Lydia for teleport to Lorna's chosen location.

Dressed in a tailored white suit with a low cut blouse, she wore sensible flat shoes that laced in place with rubber soles. Her hair was left down to hang freely around her face and there were, at least right now, no signs of the Smurf skulls anywhere.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is dressed casually in jeans, with a green blouse that leaves her shoulders exposed - while still having long sleeves that gather loosely at her wrists. A simple pair of black boots cover her feet, and a bracelet with green cats eyes rests on one wrist, as well as a ring shaped like a dragon on one of her fingers. She nods to Mystique as she approaches, casually nibbling on one of the apple fritters from the cafeteria. She'd been feeling a bit peckish. "Hey boss."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia, on the other hand, has taken Pride month to heart. She's wearing this shimmery rainbow poofy dress that looks like the exact opposite of what any good vampire would wear. Around her neck are a pair of pendants. One is a simple gold ankh with a moonstone scarab in the center, and the other is a matching tyet.

    "Hey, Love," she says, giving Mystique a quick peck on the cheek. "Think Lorna will like the dress or is it too informal to wear to meet royalty?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
The palace was as always a rather regal affair even though Lorna attempted to keep it as modest as possible. Those who built it had other ideas in mind. The trio is ushered in to where Lorna had said to meet, toward one of the private garden areas where a table had been set up. The lawn furniture was intricate wrought iron covered with pleasantly upholstered, and completely comfy, cushions. There Lorna sits in the chair facing the entrance so that all who would enter can see her. An array of dishes is set out on the table as well as, apparently, she'd been working her way through a cheese board with a lot of fruit, olives, and nuts along with everything else. Even some locally caught dried fish.

Lorna's not alone though: It was date night. Given she didn't know what the topic was, per say, she hadn't chased her company off and he's seated near her. She's dressed casually with shorts, flipflops, and a kimono-inspired jacket tied around her. It was light weight, cool, and relaxed. And possibly hid a bikini underneath. Even Queen's had off days.

"To what do we owe the visit, Mystique?" She inquires even as she dips her head in greeting toward Clarice and Lydia as well. She wasn't ignoring them so much as the fact that it was Mystique who had asked to meet.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
Dressed in a proper Aloha shirt and comfortable khaki shorts, is Tom. He was the lucky guy sitting near Lorna, a small plate of the snacks set before him. As others start showing up, he looks to Lorna, then to the others. "Did you need me to leave, Your Majesty?" Date night or not, this seems like a more formal thing.

Even so, he offers a polite smile to Lydia, Mystique and Clarice. At least one of them, he's met before! "How goes the studying, Clarice?" The man asks, in a friendly tone.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Even with the new path that Mystique was on in life, she was pretty well known throughout the world as 'that terrorist blue mutant who keeps killing people', and even her name is likely known. Thankfully the last year has begun to change that, news reports relaying how she and the Brotherhood have begun to help both mutants and humans in New York, their involvement in helping rebuild Genosha, just everything really that has happened.

Stepping up to Tom, the face she didn't know, she extends a slender blue hand toward him. "Pleased to meet you," she states, whether he takes the hand or not. "There is no need on my part for you to leave."

Turning her attention to Lorna now, she moves to settle into a chair without being invited, crosses one leg over the other and folds her hands in her lap. "I have managed to get some reports from mutants all over the world, in those countries that refused to sign the Sokovia Accords. I wish to speak to you about this particular topic. If you feel your quest should leave, that's entirely up to you. I do not mind him staying."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's as frustrating as ever - but I keep at it. Mostly because of the amount of shit Lorna would give me if I dared to stop. You have to pick the lesser of two evils, you now?" Clarice replies casually - giving her friend, and Queen a grin.
    The truth was - even though Clarice does hate homework, she's determined to learn, and to finish her GED. And her brothers, and big sister wouldn't very well let her stop studying either.
    She remaains standing for the moment but, having finished her apple fritter just before teleporting them all down to Genosha, she does help herself to some of the cheese, nibbling at it slowly. "Mmm. What kind of cheese is this one?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia has 'warmed' herself for this encounter, getting her heart to beat so that it gives her skin a bit of color to it so she's not vampire pale.

    "Good evening, Your Majesty," she says, performing a little curtsey with her dress, and gives Tom a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Lydia. Mystique's fiance."

    "Despite all her griping, Clarice is a /very/ good student." she says, looking at her little sister with pride. "She's Determined, smart, attentive... everything you could hope for in a student. She'll be getting her GED in no time."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane shifts in her seat to uncross one leg from the other so she can sit properly while the others begin to settle in. Her hand gestures at the seats here, as well as a dip toward the rather large offering of food found on the table still. "It's Iberico. A mix of cow, sheep and goat milk. Try it with some of the procutto and fig," she suggests helpfully while grinning toward her long time friend and bodyguard. "And I'm sure you'll do just fine with the GED, Clarice."

Glancing toward Tom she offers him a soft smile. "So long as the conversation doesn't put your position in jeopardy, I've no qualms against you staying. Though. Keep in mind we aren't in the United States currently." Which meant they MIGHT be doing things against US laws. Perhaps.

"Everyone, this is Tom. Tom, everyone." She pauses a beat before adding, "We're dating." Because if she didn't nip that question in the bud before it came up? She'd never hear the end of it.

"What have you found out, Mystique?"

Tom McCarthy has posed:
The gentleman does stand and offer a hand to Mystique - no fear shown. I mean, sure, he's taking mental stock of his potential exits, but... people change, right? His handshake is firm and friendly. "Pleasure to meet you." A nod to her, a genuine smile. Then his hand is offered over to Lydia, as well. "Tom. Pleasure to meet you." He chuckles, before resuming his seat.

A look to Lorna and a nod. "I'm on vacation. Off duty." He chuckles, as if that ever matters. "But I can take a walk if things veer into plausible deniability." A slight shrug as he takes a bite of the Iberioc and procutto."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A smile plays on Mystique's face, mostly because she'd already checked out who this man was. He'd been on the asteroid once, that's all it took for H & D to begin their information search. She didn't dive too deep, just got the basics for now, but there was always the chance she would seek out the size of his first diaper if he did something wrong.

Now that all the introductions were complete, and Tom had decided he was 'on vacation', the neutral mask slid into place on her blue features. Business always meant keeping emotions in check, and this particular topic was going to be an emotional roller coaster.

"I'm certain you all understand that my platform is political in nature," she says first, yellow eyes darting to Tom for a moment, then returning to Lorna. He likely didn't know, but he does know.

"I have always kept an eye on mutants around the world. Even though the US has its own unique levels of problems, issues and lack of support for mutants, it is far better than other places out there." She continues, lacing her fingers together. "Belarus, Chechnya, China, North Korea, Khandaq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Bialya all refused to sign the Sokovia Acccords, and to some degree we have already dealt with China. The Brotherhood has offered aid to the mutants there, helping them establish their own organizations and underground to move mutants out and around. We will continue to do so, and we will ensure that what happened there never happens again."

Now to the full business. "Reports from most of these place are easy to come by, my contacts are in and back out with information. One location however, I have just managed to get a true representation of what is happen to mutants there. North Korea."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Curiously, Clarice leans over to try Lorna's suggestion - gathering up the cheese, meat, and fig - though she has to point and get a nod to make sure she's got the procutto. She takes a cautious nibble, her eyes widening for a moment before she pops the rest of it into her mouth.
    "Okay," she admits. "That //is// good. And I have a while yet before I'm ready for the GEDs. It takes a little while to cram in 12 whole years of schooling. Thirteen if you count Kindergarten."
    Her gaze flicks between Lorna and Tom for a moment, as the man is casually confirmed to be dating her Queen, but she makes no comment, before turning her attention to Mystique's report.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia's eyes light up as she takes a seat, "You're /dating/? How /wonderful!/" She struggles to keep herself from asking questions since they're here on business. Leave it to the romance novelist to be interested in somebody's romance.

    She leans over and takes a slice of the Iberico, and a fig, and wraps it all up in a couple of slices of prosciutto, delicately biting into it. "Mm!" she says, nodding at the others encouragingly, a silent invitation for the others to try it.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane reaches over to offer a little squeeze to Tom's arm in quiet thanks for his understanding for the situation. Again she nods while her eyes flit between the others trying her suggestion with a little grin. If there was one indulgence she usually allowed herself it was tasty food. That, and the ability to be anywhere thanks to having teleporters in her service.

"It's one of my favorites, though it's not exactly Kosher."

Talk of snacks aside she grows quiet while Mystique begins to explain things. A slight nod is given, an indicator to 'go on', when she gets to the mention of North Korea.

"Given how poorly they treat their citizens in general I can't imagine mutants are going to be faring welel at all. What's the situation?" Of course she doesn't deny or decry the leading of underground insitutions--That was one thing the Brotherhood did she had no qualms about. In that aspect they were helping beneath the radar as much as they could after all.

A hand gingerly reaches out for a cube of another cheese to pop into her mouth while waiting for further news.

Tom McCarthy has posed:
The man is all too happy to load up his plate with more noshables. Mostly cheeses and meats, though a few fruits do make it onto Tom's snackables list. "You'll get it, Clarice. I can help in a few subjects, if you need more friends to study with?" He comments. "I did a lot of remote studying when getting my degree."

North Korea. Yeesh. That's a rough place, just in general. Tom offers a grin to Lorna at the squeeze, then a nod.

At Lydia's happy exclamation, he chuckles. "I think it's pretty awesome, myself." A chuckle, the man clearly one for joking about. "I wasn't particularly look for a date, but it turns out Her Royal Majesty is a wonderful woman." A wink over to Lorna. "She was gracious enough to allow me to invite her to dinner in Gotham..." A shrug. "And I didn't immediately put my foot in my mouth, so it went well."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique's yellow eyes remain focused primarily on Lorna, but she does take another glance to Tom when he talks about his meeting Lorna and the beginning of their relationship. If he proved to be a good guy, she was completely thrilled for the both of them, but right now it was mostly thrilled for Lorna.

"Just like most of the North Korea, the mutants are starving," she states bluntly. "Freezing to death in the winter as well, but where things get worse for them is they are expected to just accept no homes, no money, no food, and still work to better the nation. More built in slave labor, and those who don't are just left to die. Anyone who tries to assist them are considered equal to them."

Uncrossing her leg, she adjusts herself in the chair before she continues. "My plan requires your approval Lorna, as every mutant and human who wants out of North Korea will need a new home, and that would be Genosha. I intend to go in with aid, wanted or not by the government, get them back on their feet and then offer them a place to go that isn't there."

"I am aware this will likely lead to issues with their government, but it is not my goal to seek combat with them. I will offer them the choice of permitting the mutants who want to leave, to leave in peace, or to attempt to stop the Brotherhood, if they wish to." She glances to Clarice for a moment, and then to Lydia, this was the first they were hearing about this as well.

"If I have to seek another location for them, I will, but I would prefer they become a part of the greater good that is Genosha."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice gives Tom only a brief nod before she turns her attention fully onto Mystique, a grim expression on her features at the thought of the hardships they must be enduring - and all the lives they were already too late to save. "We won't let anymore die," she states simply, and firmly. Her gaze flickes towards Lorna - she has no doubts that Lorna will agree, but it would be silly to speak for her Queen, when she was right there and perfectly capable of doing it for herself.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia laughter is light and airy as Tom recounts their first date. "Our first date was wonderful, too, though it took us a while to get there," she says. "I had ample of opportunity to put my foot in my mouth by that time, and boy did I. When we first actually met, I accused her of being a terrorist and she should be in jail and she just... offered her wrists to me to cuff them and take her there." She shakes her head. "I can laugh about it now, though at the time she was thoroughly frustrating."

    One ear is still tuned to Lorna and Mystique's conversation and she turns her attention to them. "North Korea does a lot of sabre rattling to make themselves seem more dangerous than they are," she says. "Do we have a solid idea of what kind of resistance we'll be seeing?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
"Oh fucking bloody hell peice of shit mother fucker." The little diatribe is rattled off as Lorna reaches up to pinch at the bridge of her nose with an expression that was a mixture of frustration and anger all at once.

"They have NUKES, Mystique, we know that." Of course there were ways that they could still put pressure on the government of North Korea. She knew that, too, but it was a dangerous situation all around. Lorna leans her head down rubbing both hands over her face a few times fitfully as she lets it all sink in. A heavy sigh comes, and she sits up again dropping her hands away from her face.

"Of COURSE refugees are welcome here. I can speak to Namor to see if he may be willing to house some as well should the need arise, though I can't speak on his behalf. This is just very... very delicate."

Frowning sternly she regards Mystique looking her square in the eye. "Are you asking me, as Queen of Genosha, to declare war on North Korea?"

Tom McCarthy has posed:
A smirk to Lydia, Tom clearly amused by the telling of her story. "Nice. I was going to try some of my smooth pararescue lines on her, but the fact that leaping out of an airplane would likely not phase her in the least, is a hurdle to overcome." The man jokes.

As the conversation gets a bit more serious, he nods. "They won't hesitate to use biological or chemical weapons, either." He says, with a sigh. "They are fanatical lunatics, who don't seem to recognize that their methods of war would destroy themselves as well." A sigh. "I've been there, a few times. It's not a nice place."

At the question on war, he goes quiet.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The tirade from Lorna doesn't so much as cause Mystique to blink, in fact there is no outward reaction to it. Her yellow eyes remain on the queen, she listens intently to every word then merely sighs.

"Of course I am not asking you declare war on North Korea, Lorna," she states plainly. "I am asking you to accept the refugees, nothing more. If the North Korean government refuses to cooperate with the terms I have, then /I/ will declare war on them myself. I am not a nation, there is no international platform for them to rally with or against. They will shake their sabers, rattle their cages, and do nothing. Your involvement is merely a place for the people who wish to leave to go."

Canting her head very slightly, she slow blinks before a rather wicked smile plays across her lips. "As for their nuclear weapons, your father will take care of those just as he took care of China's nuclear power plant." To this day that power plant remains inactive, with the metal from the plant imbedded in the smoke stack to form a message from Magneto to the Chinese government.

"If they use chemical and biological attacks, they are endangering their own people, even those who do not seek to leave... and I will ensure there is more damage to them than to my people or those with my people." Her eyes shift to Lydia. "North Korea has a large military, but they are also starving, suffering, just like the rest of the country. I have exact numbers, but truthfully knowing they have ten thousand soldiers, doesn't mean they have the power of that many."

Slowly her eyes shift back to Lorna. "I also do not intend to stop with North Korea. Every nation that refused to sign the Accords will find themselves facing the same choices."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice listens with a determined look on her features, before she remarks simply, "We can't let mistreatment of mutants anywhere in the world go completely unanswered. It's a human rights atrocity, and fuck anyone who doesn't see it that way," she states simply. "As long as we document the conditions, then the world cannot condemn us for acting. And I don't think they can really stand up to out strength - regardless of their weapons. We're far from defenseless."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia looks rather nervous about this whole prospect of declaring war on North Korea. "I know you know what you're doing," she tells Mystique, "but I can't help but worry. Something like this... it's big, and so /much/ can go wrong, and so /many/ innocent people could get hurt in the crossfire."

    Her strange golden eyes flick back and forth between Clarice, Mystique and Lorna. "I know I don't have to tell you this but /please/ be careful. You know I'll help in whatever capacity I can."

Lorna Dane has posed:
"That... doesn't..." Lorna resists the urge once again to rub at her temples over the situation. Instead she leans back in her chair scowling at a spot on the table that had done nothing at all to tick her off as much as she seemed to be. But she was thinking. It takes a few breaths to calm herself a bit before she speaks again.

"Though Genosha is not officially affiliated with The Brotherhood, I believe the world is well aware of the links that are shared. Without an obvious target to retaliate against they could very well choose Genosha as their target. Even the fact that we would be helping and accepting refugees is likely to make us a target as we would be considered sympathizers."

A hand lifts to forestall any arguments from the others. "I'm not saying we don't help. It's my duty to consider the safety of my country and citizens. I *have* to consider them an utmost priority."

Green eyes glance over those around the table a long moment. "... I suppose it would be just as difficult to create a regime change. Even with a talented shapeshifter that could take over."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique would very much like to rub the bridge of her nose as well, probably for far different reasons. She had been moving this plan, keeping in motion, looking at all the possible angles for months. It was what she did. She was tactical, methodical, and determined.

"Lorna, do you believe that North Korea would risk an international event by attacking Genosha?" She asks bluntly, now folding her arms across her chest. "No matter the unwritten connection between the Brotherhood and Genosha, no matter that they will perceive this as an attack on their home soil, so you honestly believe they would in fact risk their entire nation being decimated by the United Nations that would come flocking to back Genosha?"

Recrossing her leg, right over left she sits back in the chair. "I have thought of that very risk, as if Genosha and everyone here were my family... because they are. I have turned the information we all have around numerous times to ensure the safety of Genosha. I have run simulations, the twins are running even more simulations, we are approaching this from the most sound standing ground possible, and taking the politics into consideration."

Reaching over she picks up one of the Lydia's hands, rubbing her thumb across the back as she does. "It will be dangerous, there will be risks, and should the North Korean government refuse, there will be deaths. I loath that," she snorts softly, because the truth was she did. "One man decides the fate of millions. Yes, I could go in and take his place, but it would take years to turn things around in that country, and it's already taken years to find out what we know now. It can't take any more years Lorna, so I assure, Genosha comes first."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Genosha will not fall again," Clarice remarks - a cold determination in her voice. "We won't allow it - none of us. And certainly not to a paltry despotic nation like North Korea." She frowns as she adds, "Though - we should be prepared to stand on our own strength, and that of our allies. We've seen other nations, including America, ignore the use of chemical weapons before. They release a statement saying they condemn it - and move on."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "I don't think North Korea has the kind of firepower to take down Genosha," Lydia says, as she rotates her hand so she can hold Mystique's. "But that doesn't mean that starting an international incident won't have repercussions. Other nations might take up North Korea's side..." She looks between Lorna and Mystique, "Like China for example. I'm sure they're chomping at the bit to exact some form of revenge against our attack against them, and this would be a perfect excuse."

Lorna Dane has posed:
"I know we've had our differences in the past Mystique, but even I do acknowledge you are skilled in strategy. Moreso than myself," Lorna admits only to offer a wan, tight smile. "Which is why I have to ask these questions if only to assure myself that I'm doing all I can for Genosha as well. As for whether they would retaliate?"

"Far too much of the world still considers Genosha a 'weak' nation. When a despot finds himself without much recourse, yes, I could see him deciding to push a button." Her eyes roll upward just to stare at the sky a moment.

"Do it. I can deal with such weapons myself if needed. Just ensure I get enough time to do so if it comes to that."

Lorna's gaze slips over to Clarice with a firm nod of agreement. "I don't intend to do that at all. Another reason why I have to carefully consider how the 'public' reaction will be for this. I can offer assistance, and refuge. Even some supplies perhaps. But not all out war. Not yet. We've yet to properly establish a military of any sort past those who are simply willing to fight." That was 'on the list' she had for setting the nation up properly of course, but it had taken a back seat to simply rebuilding.

Lydia's addition earns a dip of her head in acknowledgement. "That as well. ... We will be on guard, unofficially. We can't let it be known to outside governments that we had forewarning of this incident. Perhaps now would be a good time to start 'training drills' for the security here."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
If there is relief in Mystique it doesn't show, the reaction is kept inside but she does nod once to Lorna. If Lorna had decided against it, Mystique would in fact have gone looking for another place for the mutants and their families to go, this would not have been the end of it.

"You and I have not always seen eye to eye, that is true," she comments. "The one thing we /have/ always agreed on is mutant rights and safety. I'm ready to answer any and all questions you have, I'll lay out the plan I intend to offer the government, but I also intend to defend Genosha first."

Taking a moment to look at Lydia, then over to Clarice, she continues. "Their long range weapons will be taken care of. North Korea won't be able to launch any kind of attack in that way," she states bluntly. "China on the other hand, while chomping at the bit for revenge, is /still/ in the public eye after what occurred there, and they have their own mutants now in and among the people, ready to act to stop China from doing anything stupid."

Had Mystique planned for the mutant organization in China to become the powerful resource they now where? She knew that every day her contacts among them reported their improvements, and always showed great gratitude for everything the Brotherhood and done for them. She knew that if it came down to it, the Brotherhood of China would police their own nation.

"If it becomes necessary to disarm China as well, you can bet that your father is more than willing. He still harbors great resentment for what they did to me, and would personally like to destroy the government as a whole. Obvious, that would not go well."

Reaching into her pocket she removes a small tablet, which she lays on her leg to activate. "The time table for this is entirely open. I hope to do it before another winter can kill more, but that said." She looks back to Lorna. "The armory of the Brotherhood is open to your nation, to arm your people, and prepare them for what could happen. You're right, the other nations consider Genosha weak, but only because they don't realize the level of resources and man power available to you. My promise to you Lorna, not as Mystique, not as the leader of the Brotherhood, but from Raven to Lorna... I will not let anything happen to Genosha, ever."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice listens in silence - and as things seem largely to be settled, she makes herself another little bundle of the cheese, and figs, and meat, nibbling on it. She is going to have to let Theo and Pete try this too! They'll love it.
    "We strike when the time is right. ...but sooner's better than later. No reason to leave them suffering longer than we have to."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia nods and, while still worried about the whole thing, is mostly mollified. This /is/ what Mystique is good at, after all. "Okay," she breathes and smiles weakly. "Just... let me know how I can help. Even if it /is/ just giving you a back massage after a long day's work."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane nods simply while looking down to the tablet. "I'm going to need a lot of coffee," she decides with a sigh. "And make it up to Tom for date night being cut short. We will make it work, somehow," she agrees with a solemn nod as she rises from her seat. "For now... Let me go say goodnight, and we can continue the info dump later."