1324/Lunch at the Strait Lace

Lunch at the Strait Lace
Date of Scene:	23 April 2020
Location:	The Strait Lace Steakhouse - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Old friends catch up for lunch and discuss relationships, work, and some future plans.
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Alison Blaire

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Emma Frost has posed:
It's lunchtime on a weekday at the Strait Lace, which means the Hellfire Club's steakhouse on the fourth floor is fairly packed. It can be hard to get a table at all, much less a prime one-- but rank has privilege. Emma Frost has already been seated at one of the best tables in the house, near the window with a good view of Central Park. She already has a cocktail and sparkling water in front of her as she skims the heavy boarded menu, waiting on her lunch companion for the day.

She's business casual today, crisp white slacks and a loose-fitting white blouse, her ever-present white choker at her throat, and her hair flipped up and pinned with a sparkling white claw clip.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Shooting out a text with a warm smile, Alison tucks her phone away and looks about. Spotting Emma, the singer gestures to the wait staff who she's meeting. Walking over, the strawberry blond sports a button up shirt that's a little large on her with yoga pants and a slim belt over it all to gather the likely borrowed shirt in. Ballet flats complete the day look. Greeting Emma once she is led over she pulls out her chair. "Hi. Sorry about the wait. Traffic in this city never changes." Ali comments and takes her seat.

Emma Frost has posed:
"No, it doesn't. Only gets worse year to year," Emma laments with a wry grin. "I spent the morning at the office but I think I'm staying in for the rest of the day and teleworking. Going back out in that seems like the //last// thing I want to do." She takes a sip of her water. "Lunch specials are pretty good today, actually. How was your evening?" She does a quick subtle once over. "Shirt is a bit big on you, Miss Usually Properly Tailored."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"I spent all morning getting back to the designers to return the dress I got to show of last night." Alison glances at her phone with a little smile and looks back to Emma. "A camisole and leggings seemed a little scandalous for lunch so-" She smooths the shirt where it's gathered at the waist a little. "-I might have taken some liberties with someone's closet." There's a bit of mischief in her eyes as she admits it.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma gives an equally mischievous look. "Mm. As pedestrian as it may be, I've also found some amusement in taking liberties with Alex's closet. For whatever reason it seems to thrill him more seeing me wearing one of his button downs-- even though they hang off me terribly-- than something more enticing." She grins a bit. "Men are... thoroughly fascinating creatures." She takes a sip of her drink. "I assume that shirt has subtle cut-outs in the back for a pair of wings?" She gestures for a server to come get Alison's drink order.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Alison's smile broadens a little. "It may." She acknowledges and looks up to the server to order. "Water, and a glass of white wine-something dry." She asks before returning her attention to Emma. "It is an interesting quirk of men, isn't it? I can't say I'd be as willing to share my clothes." Alison admits and fiddles with the collar. "But since he wanted to make things official, I figured a subtle nod to it before things hit tabloids was appropriate. I do prefer controlling what becomes gossip, don't you, Emma?"

Emma Frost has posed:
"Generally," Emma murmurs in agreement, refusing to flinch as she thought of how easily her anger had been riled the night prior-- though not without cause. Still. "Official, mm? From... well, that //is// interesting. I didn't think he //did// official." She sips her cocktail-- it's mostly clear with a bit of lemon and lime in it, probably vodka or gin-based. "Or, bluntly, exclusive." The waiter returns with Alison's drinks and steps away a bit to allow the women to consider their menus at their leisure. Emma lifts her cocktail in a salute. "So, perhaps a toast is in order, if you've managed to clip those wings."

Alison Blaire has posed:
Lifting her wine, Alison chuckles. "It caught me wholly by surprise, but it's hardly an unwelcome one. As it turns out-he'd meant to ask over your taco night but then-well." She breaks off and gives the menu another look over. "I think a salad would be good. With steak on the rare side. I really envy other mutants who can eat as much as they like." Sipping on her wine, Alison returns her focus to Emma and tilts her head a little. "Warren had work to see to, I'm assuming Alex was the same?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma handwobbles. "Shaw has mostly been keeping him as un-busy as possible at work to leave Alex ample time to finish up his dissertation. Most days he's holed up in his apartment with books and sticky notes, pounding away on his laptop. He should be finished soon, all things considered. I think his stress level will go down significantly when he finishes the last word and cross references the last footnote." Emma gestures for the waiter to return, letting Alison give her order, then ordering a chicken breast with salad and asparagus. Once he departs, she returns her attention to her lunch companion. "And I feel the same. Some of us have to spend hours in the gym to maintain-- and they, by the blessing of whatever genetic force they have, can just ignore it." She rolls her eyes. "Like the rest of the world, incredibly unfair."

Alison Blaire has posed:
Glancing to her phone, Alison shoots a little text. "Shaw. I really thought for a while you and he were-like a thing." Alison admits and toys with her wine glass idly. "But yeah, I'm like you. I cram in workouts where ever I can to keep in peak form. Just because I'm off tours and back to writing is no excuse to slack off." She sighs and sits back a little, allowing herself to be comfortable. "I'll keep my fingers crossed for Alex's dissertation. What's it on?" She wonders, taking her time with the small talk for the moment.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma snorts. "Shaw is almost my father's age!" she protests. "And he's more of a mentor, really. I can't imagine thinking of him in that way." She wrinkles her nose. "Not that I don't enjoy his company. But... he's so //old//." She takes a sip and looks like she's trying to recall the answer. "Alex told me once but honestly it went over my head. Something about meteor...ites? Or something. With rocks." She shrugs helplessly. "Geophysics. Really not at all my subject of interest."

Alison Blaire has posed:
Alison's phone buzzes and she blushes. Turning it over, she gives Emma a quick smile. "Anyway. I had no idea. Admittedly he has a bit of magnetism but..." She makes a face and crinkles her eyes with a bit of a grin. "Geophysics? Sounds intense. I've been kicking around a song about meteors. Well, falling stars anyway. New relationships are the best cure for writers block." Picking up her water, she takes a few drinks to keep herself balanced.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Falling stars is about all I know about meteors," Emma admits dryly. "I suspect I'll learn more eventually just by being around him. He's fascinated with them." She notes the blush and the overturned phone. "You know," she says oh-too-innocently, "it's not polite to sext at the dinner table. I think it's somewhere on the same scale as putting your elbows on the table or talking with your mouth full on things your mother would get onto you for doing." She grins wickedly and winks.

Alison Blaire has posed:
"It is not a sext. Yet." Alison murmurs and crinkles her nose at Emma. "You haven't done more? If I were a telepath, I would be giving my boyfriend some very distracting ideas for later." She admits and picks her wine back up. "Besides, my mother wasn't around to get on me about anything. That gives me an awful lot of leeway for table manners." Or so she claims. Still, Alison does sit straight and does not lean on any tables.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Mm." Emma pitches her tone lower. Most people are unaware she's a telepath outside a small circle. "It's not like it has an infinite reach," Emma says quietly. Not that she's... tried to reach Alex in his apartment across the city. Hm. Maybe...? "And besides, I don't want to distract him //too// much while he's working on his dissertation." As for the question of more and using her telepathy, shall we say, inappropriately... "Mm. I've... thought about it. A bit." She takes a swig of her cocktail. "When I was younger, Adri used to drag me and Cordy into her mind to torment us. She called it a mindscape. I figured out how to do it myself. I mean, I wouldn't use it to //torment// Alex... but the thought of... other things... has crossed my mind, particularly on a slow day in the office." Emma's pale cheeks flush a bit.

Alison Blaire has posed:
"It's a really fascinating ability, Emma." Alison says honestly. Drinking her wine, she sets her glass down. She grins a bit seeing Emma blush-a sure rarity. "I imagine it does come with it's share of trouble. I've been fortunate to not attract too much trouble so far. Glittering lights and all." Alison murmurs, keeping her voice soft.

Emma Frost has posed:
"I'd lose control of the company if it came out," Emma says, assured in her belief. "Maybe worse. No one would work with me face to face knowing that I could read their thoughts. It would make things... very difficult." She frowns, taking a swig of her G&T. "Your powers only make what you do more exciting. Mine would make me feared, hated even." She shrugs. "Alex doesn't seem to be afraid of it." She grins a little, blushing a bit more. "And... well, sharing thoughts at certain times can make things a lot more... intimate." Big, big swallow of drink at that.

Oh, food's here!

Alison Blaire has posed:
"I'm not afraid of you. I mean, given where I live presently-that'd be foolish." Alison notes once the food is set before them and they're given space again. Cutting the steak to blend into her salad she looks at Emma. "Sharing certain...quirks certainly can make things more intimate." She agrees and sips on her own wine before setting the near empty glass aside to begin on her salad. "I'm starving, I can't tell you how good this looks."

Emma Frost has posed:
"Yes, well. You're one of us," Emma says, not quite dismissively, pouring a bit too much dressing on her salad before stirring it around and taking a bite. "Regular humans... you have seen what the Pro-Humana fools have been putting out lately?" At that, Emma muses. Hm. Allegra. She hadn't heard back from the girl, and she probably should check in.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Alison makes a face. "Going public was terrifying." She admits. "But, Warren and I talk a lot about what we can do to ease tensions between powered and non-powered humans. I hope this new album can be more...clear in my desire to show how similar most of us are, so it's been slow writing. I want to get it just right." She admits and very lightly dresses her own salad since she's opted for red meat.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma chin taps. "You know... I may know another music star that might be an interesting collaboration, speaking of mutant-human relations..." she muses, then goes back to working on her salad.

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Is that so?" Alison asks and takes a few bites of her salad. "I'll guess said they're also human?" She adds picking up her water and studying Emma. The singer reaches up to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Might that be why you asked me to lunch?" She wonders curiously and leans a little closer over the table.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Well... technically, no." Emma smirks. "But everyone //thinks// she is." She takes a bite of chicken, then watches Alison idly. "Allegra Caradenza. You know... //her//." Allegedly human daughter of the founder and leader of Pro-Humana. Also a wide-ranging musician of many instrumental talents, with many albums and concerts to her name.

Also, allegedly, missing and 'kidnapped'.

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Oooh. Isn't she...missing? I know the name though." Alison's brows lift. "I am certainly intrigued. If she's still performing once she's...you know, back." Ali gestures with her fork. "But then, I'm always happy to sing with other people. It's so energizing!" That seems to entertain her and the singer ponders a bit, sipping on her water.

Emma Frost has posed:
"I may be able to convince her to meet with you. Her coming out as a mutant at a Dazzler concert... well, bluntly... that would be a huge coup for mutants and a major blow to ProHumana. Even humans love you." Emma considers. "I'll have to... arrange something."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"I think that could be very powerful. I'll come up with a song. Something-show who you are, be yourself vibes." Alison reaches for her phone and taps a little sticky note icon. She starts jotting down some ideas for later. "It'd be a good addition to my first album as an open mutant anyway. Thanks Emma." She grins at the other blond and sets her phone down once she gets a few more buzz words down. "A good anthem for anyone who feels different."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma grins. "Glad to help." She goes silent for a bit, working on her lunch. After a few minutes, she sighs. "So... when are you going public? Going to update your relationship status? It's going to be a huge deal-- between who he is and who you are."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Well, after going to your even on each other's arms and rocking his shirt today...soon. Maybe we'll post some cute selfies or something, do a little twitter live vid." Alison shrugs. "I'm making him dinner tonight. Honestly, I think they'll be more shocked about him than they will be about me." She notes with a soft laugh. "What about you and Alex? How are things looking for you two?" She wonders idly.

Emma Frost has posed:
There is a huge blush that crosses Emma's cheeks. "It's... good. He's really nice." She winces. "Father hates him, of course. He's not proper society. But..." she shrugs helplessly. "He's... just... really..." she bites her lower lip. "Smart. And funny. And really, really sweet. It probably won't work out. I mean, in the long term. Not like Father will ever change his mind on it. He still wants me to try and convince Lex to..." she wrinkles her nose. "Well, you know. He wants 'the big merger' and I guess that's my job now, too."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Ugh. Hard no." Alison makes a face. "Mister Geo-whatever good guy Summers is waaay better. Just wait for the election and buy Luthor or Stark out so they have no conflict of interest in office. That's a thing too right?" She has no idea, but that sounds right to her. "I'm pro-Summers. He looks cute on your arm and like-lifelong 10 business woman dates smart guy good with kids is mega pr points."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma laughs. "Eh, but the great Winston Frost wants his daughter to be the future first lady of the United States," she rolls her eyes. "And what Winston wants..." She sighs. "Is he good with kids?" Emma muses. "I mean... probably. He seems to get along well at the school..." She flushes a bit. "Not that I'm thinking about that, //at all//." She shakes a finger towards Alison. "Not a bit. You brought that up."

Alison Blaire has posed:
Lifting her hands, Alison grins. "I meant the school. We know an awful lot of teachers there." She points out and chuckles a bit. "And just look at all you've done. If Winston thinks you need a marriage to stay on top he's dead wrong. You and Warren should power lunch. This sort of thing is his jam. His library is like, all economics books. It's worse than my dad's and law books are deeense." She smiles a bit and gestures to Emma. "You're like the diamond standard for women in business." Private pun completely intended.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Mmph." Emma shakes her head, laughing a bit. "Warren still doesn't know, you know." She taps her head. "About... me. He thinks I'm human." She shrugs. "He'll find out soon enough I'm sure, since I seem to be drawn into shenanigans upstate, but." She smirks slightly. "And that's why I'm so good, Ali. It's hard to screw me on a business deal when I can hear you thinking about it."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Use every tool in your tool set. I do." Alison admits with a grin. "My lights can strobe at a frequency that's mildly hallucinogenic. Not that my shows are bad with out, but it certainly does help if the crowd is having a good time." She lifts a shoulder and sets her salad aside once most of it is eaten. "Well, I should consider heading out if I want to make it out of the city and home in time to woo a certain guy with a home cooked meal." Looking at Emma she starts to stand. "I'll compose some of that song and when you can, send it to the performer we discussed. Featuring her on a song would be an absolute delight."