14724/Marie, Mary... This Is Your Home!

Marie, Mary... This Is Your Home!
Date of Scene:	19 April 2023
Location:	Upper West Side
Synopsis:	Emma calls Marie and Mary to meet her for an urgent matter -- which turns out to be the gift of a place purchased especially for them.
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Mary Bromfield, Marie-Ange Colbert

---

Emma Frost has posed:
It had been somewhat of a surprise, likely, when Emma Frost had given Mary and Marie-Ange a somewhat insistent invitation to a lovely skyscraper overlooking Central Park. A residential skyscraper, with the two being greeted on their way in by a doorman, through a lovely entryway and lounge that was the type onemight be afraid of stepping on the carpet and scuffing it with a toe.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary blinks and looks around, wearing her normal attire and feeling... woefully underdressed. "Um, Marie, are you /sure/ this was the right address? I mean, I could be rolling in Critical Role money and I'm pretty sure I can't afford this place." She whistles quietly, looking around with a rather awed expression.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie, on the other hand, is rather comfortable in her own skin... but the environment she's in and the people she doesn't know are less important to her as the people that she does know. With Mary? She could be walking in a paper bag and be confident enough. She's not, obviously, dressed up in her affordable-but-stylish usual attire. In her hand is her phone, with the address that Emma had texted them. Leading the way, with her free hand reaching for Mary's. "It is, oui... she must be meeting one of her clients here. She knows... a lot of wealthy people, so..."

Marie purposefully avoids looking into her and Mary's future -- so she's /definitely/ walking into this one quite blind.

Emma Frost has posed:
Marie-Ange has learned (or is on the way) of realizing that she cannot ask the cards everyhting. Perhpas to rely on them a bit less. As she moves along, there's a chime over from an elevator nearby. A telepathic tugging on it that's an indication of Emma giving the two a lead as to where they're supposed to go. The place is opulent, luxurious.. but not as ostentatious as many other places!

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary tilts her head, "Well, I guess we are supposed to go that way..." She walks over to the elevator, holding it for Marie as she looks around. "But yeah, you're right Marie. She's got to have a meeting here or something and just wanted to meet us for convenience." She doesn't even think there's any other possiblity, really.

Which might confirm something about one of the gods being the Naivete of Hebe.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oui. I have known Madame Frost for quite some time, it's not entirely unusual for her at all..." Marie replies with a lazy smile. Pressing the button on the elevator to take them up to the penthouse, and then leading Mary through the hallway per those directions that she got. Once they're at the door leading from the hallway to the penthouse, she presses the buzzer, and waits. "She was very insistent about meeting us both, though... perhaps she got us a deal on one of the places I sent her!"

Because, you know, Emma said she had real estate friends, and was a mentor for Marie anyways. So keeping her in the loop was important!

Emma Frost has posed:
The elevator doors chime open, even as a doorman moves to the side when it does, moving to press a button for the floor they were going to in the elevator. The button pushed is for the floor over at the very, very top. The one that's over on the roof if Marie-Ange remembers how high up the building goes!

Ooh, maybe Emma invited them there for lunch or something?

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary hrms, "Well, if there's a cafe or something up here, that's got to be an amazing view." She thinks about it, "Though, I don't think there's a cafe up here. I know where most of the coffee places are, anyway." Because, well, BaristaCats will travel and all that.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Maybe there is something at least, oui? ...or, oh! Maybe we will be meeting here to go somewhere for food." Marie suggests, "Madame Frost has taken me to many wonderful places with... absolutely exquisite cuisines." the redhead gushes, giving her girlfriend a quick, one-armed hug. "You should have seen the one we visited a month ago... the /desserts/ there, Mary! The desserts!"

Emma Frost has posed:
The elevator goes up quickly. Very, very quickly .A nd for the speed, very, very smoothly. It's the type of -whee- that as a kid one might have wanted to press every single button to -beep- as they went down. Perhaps as the joyous at heart, Mary and Marie might want to do the same. But, as it goes up, they arrive at the floor leading to the roof. There's a glass panel giving the two a lovely view over central park.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary whistles, "Well, that is a... view. Wow." She steps out of the elevator, a bit tentatively, as if wondering if there's some security personnel that clearly need to kick the low-class gamer girl out of the establishment. She hugs Marie, dragging the girl with her a bit as she says, "So, what were those desserts?"

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"I know!" Marie swoons, staring out of the glass panel happily. "Imagine how lucky the people who live here must be, getting to see /that/ every time they leave home..." she murmurs, before following Mary out of the elevator -- it doesn't take much to drag her, she's pretty good about being led. "I... do not remember what it was called, but there was this cake, and it was the most chocolate-y thing that I had ever tasted. I swore I was never going to wash my tongue again!"

Idioms. Marie's mortal nemesi.

Emma Frost has posed:
Marie-Ange is a good girl! The two go through the hallways (well it's not a long one, and rather obvious on the path from the private elevator).. Over to a room that has the secure door click open to a very lovely apartment with a -gorgeous- skyline and a ceiling of glass facing the west to get the sunset. Sitting over on a highly comfortable luxury couch is Emma Frost, sipping from a champagne flute.. And a pair of trays of thsoe lovely desserts that Marie-Ange had been going on enthusiastically.

"Greetings, darlings. Do feel free to join me."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary blinks, then smiles, "Um, sure. Thanks for having us up, Mz Frost." She steps over and takes an available seat at the invitation, "The view here is incredible, I have to say. I mean, I thought I was used to how the city looked from above, but not quite like this." She blushes a little, perhaps a bit embarassed at showing her roots.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Madame Frost!" Marie explains, giving Mary's hand a squeeze before detangling and going to greet Emma with a proper embrace of greeing. Once the hug-o-gram has been delivered, the redhead returns to the brunette's side. Marie's seen lovely places before. Working with and among the elites of society basically guarenteed that she's not going to be /entirely/ awe-struck by someone else's home...

...but she can definitely appreciate beauty in all it's forms, which is why she /does/ take the moment to look around. "You must let whoever lives here know that their home is simply magnifique!" A grin over to Mary, "Perhaps one day, when you have become the next Lois Lane," or as Marie calls it, the 'first Mary Bromfield' "...we can live in such places." ...Marie doesn't have a mindset for how a lot of jobs pay, but she knows thatt Lois is famous, and surely that counts for something, right?

Then, her eyes light up anew, a dainty finger extending towards the trays. "Oh, look there! Those are exactly what I was speaking of!" she beams, turning her attention to Emma, "your friends have excellent taste in more ways than one!"

...and she'll sit down too, of course. She's just marvelling a little. Don't mind her!

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "A pleasure, darlings." Emma lgancing at hte two, "Well, don't worry dears, you'll have a great deal of time to appreciate it and get used to it." Emma would accept the big Marie-O-Gram hug, reutrning it with affection that few saw and fewer received.

"And don't worry darlings, you're already set. I heard that you were looking for somewhere to stay and I could hardly let dear Marie-Ange and the woman that means the most to her in the world have to live somehwere /downtown/."

Were they apartment shopping? Well, they no longer are!

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary blinks, then smiles, "Really? Wow, that's... incredibly nice of you to do, Mz Frost." She doesn't hug Emma, not really knowing her that well yet compared to Marie, but gratitude is readily apparent in her voice, "Not downtown... where would it be then?"

Sometimes, even with the Wisdom of Athena, you still roll the nat 1. And Mary, for her part, hasn't even computed what Emma might mean beyond them having a nice place somewhere modest. At least it's not downtown, or worse... Jersey.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie grins, playfully bumping her shoulder against Mary's. "Madame Frost is most wonderful, oui? With her friends, I am sure she even managed to find us an apartment within our budget with the two bedrooms we need..." Maybe somewhere out in the country, where rents are likely cheaper? Or across one of the state lines? The redhead and the brunette are pretty clearly in sync here, and both of them are missing the picture entirely. "...oui, as Mary said! Please tell us, Madame Frost. I can hardly stand the antic... antici.... excitement!"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "Oh, don't worry darlings. I've already had the arrangements made. You're quite setup here. I've bought it. If you would like I can have the deed transferred over to you two or setup an LLC for it depending on your preferences. Taxes, maintenance, staff.. All that has been handled so you don't have to worry for the next few decades on any of it. It comes furnished, but I didn't want to overstep by presumptions of how you two wanted to set yourselves up here."

That perhpas taking a few moments to sink in for both girls. Even as they were stuffed with deliscious, deliscious chocolate.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary takes a bite of the cake, then blinks and smiles over at Marie, "Okay, I definitely get why you were raving... about..." Then she looks over at Emma, eyes wide.

"You... we... here?" Fortunately she's only twenty-one and a bit young for a heart attack as her facial expression is much more like one of the anime characters she'll cosplay.

"I... wow, Mz Frost, I... I don't know what to say. I mean, I can't even imagine..."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
The cakes are tantalizing. Marie, polite and selfless thing that she is, has to resist from trying to sneak a bite. It wouldn't be proper to eat someone else's food, afterall. Especially in front of Mary and Emma, two of the people who mean more to her than anyone in the world. At least not until it's indicated that it's for them. The cakes, that is. Not the place.

She's about to start making /guesses/ about where the place that Emma had found for them when the bombshell is dropped. Marie's eyes go wide. Her jaw is hanging limp, facial muscles trying, but not quite succeeding at getting her mouth moving again. A look to Mary. A look to Emma. Back to Mary. Again to Emma. Eventually, a single word escapes her lips.

"What?"

Her expression isn't unhappy by any means, mind. She's bewildered. Befuddled. Give her a few. She'll be able to process it eventually.

Emma Frost has posed:
As the process of Marie-Ange's brain goes through a controlled reboot process, and Mary's goes through a complete restart, Emma waits patiently. "Don't worry dear. Marie-Ange is practically family to me. You make her happy beyond anyone. And so this is for both ofyou. Marie-Ange did say you loved having a view so this seemed perfect. There are other places in the city that are fancier.. But here seemed to fit what she said you enjoyed and the skylight and roof access.."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary blinks, as her reboot seems to have gone okay, as she smiles a little, "Wow, I mean, yeah, I really did..." She looks like it's slowly processing that, no, this is not a joke. Yes, this is actually their place now. "I mean, I never expected... wow."

She nods a bit at Emma's words, then smiles warmly, "This is just so kind of you. Thank you, truly." She glances over at Marie, reaching for her hand and giving it a firm squeeze.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oh, Emma..." In all the years Marie has known her, the French girl has never dropped formality so much to /dare/ using the woman's first name. This? This is an occasion that seem to suit it. She stands, shuffles, and leans down to give Emma /another/ hug. Then after a moment, withdraws slightly to reach for Mary to pull them /both/ into the hug. Because. She's just overjoyed right now.

"I cannot possibly thank you enough for this," she babbles. "It is perfect! It is everything we were looking for and... and..." She pauses, glancing around quickly. That means she's home. That means it's time to switch gears into hostess mode.

"...I will be right back!"

...she's going to bring out more treats. It might be a little bit, though, since she'll have to find them, first.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would apprecaite over and smile. "Of course, Marie-Ange. Anything fory ou. I'm glad that it makes you and your girlfriend so happy. Thank you for trusting me to let me do this." Some people might get upset at smoeone else taking the decision of where tehy were going to live and picking it out -for- themw ithout their consultation in the matter as an affront, after all.

Emma shaking her head in light amusementa t Marie-Ange. "She is special and you make her as happy as she deserves." To Mary. "Keep up the good work. She deserves it." Emma smiles to Mary. "And I hope this is a good start to your continuing time together>"

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles, "Oh, Mz Fro..." She pauses, then looks over at Emma, "Emma, this is such a special gift, I don't think I can properly thank you enough for it. Though, if you don't mind, I'm going to insist that you come over to a family dinner with us. My foster parents would love a chance to meet you, and really, some good cooking is the least we can do."

Mary smiles and looks over after Marie, "And she really is. Honestly, I didn't think I'd ever meet anyone that makes me happy quite like she does." And her thoughts defintely reflect that too.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would s mile, "That's all that matters. That she makes you happy, and you make her happy. What else is needed in the world? Feel free to furnish and decorate here however you might wish. I can cover anything. Bugt I thought you'd want to personalize here and accessorize it. That's such a personal thing and I didn't want to make assumptions. And oh? I don't wish to intrude."

She would smile. "And it would be a pleasure, though I'm not sure I would make for the mos tinteresting company, but if you're willing to have me.."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles warmly, "Well, they've put up with all of us foster shenanigans for a long time, so I'm sure they'd definitely empathize with managing the school and all that." Even if Mary doesn't know all the particulars, she definitely thinks they can relate.

Mary shakes her head, "And it's definitely not an intrusion. You're always going to be welcome with us, that's a guarantee. And... oh my goodness, I can have my own streaming setup in here." She grins a little, thinking of the possibilities there.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "WEll, that's lovely. And I don't have much to do with the school. I occasionally guest lecture but don't do anything long term. I'm not sure I'm quite hte type they would like influencing suggestible minds." The former White Queen of the HEllfire Club might not be the one that's best for that after all!

"You'd likely have some wonderful views here. I'm sure it would make for some lovely contrasts."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary nods, "Well, it definitely is going to be some incredible views. And we'd actually have enough space for both my streaming /and/ a guest room." She blinks, still not quite believing it as she comments, "Maybe I could just start streaming full time since, well, that makes more than being an intern at the Planet." She looks a bit wry at that, since Emma knows Perry, after all.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Mary! Mary!"

Marie's voice can be heard echoing down one a hallway as she excitedly trounces back into the living room. "There are /four/ bedrooms!" She's a little stunned by this fact. "We have our own, and one for you to stream, and one for whenever we have guests..." she considers the final room. "Ooh! Perhaps I can install soundproofing and use it as a recording studio!"

It looks like someone got lost on her way to the kitchen and ended up finding the residential 'wing' of the penthouse. Whoopsie. "Oh, Madame Frost, you have outdone yourself. If there is ever anything I can do for you, simply name it."

The French girl is just... bursting with excitable energy right now. Like she wants to run into and out of every room in the place. Possibly cartwheeling.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "Follow your passions, dear. Follow what makes you happy and that you want to pursue. Do what engages you." if that's reporting, then more credit to her. For as being naive as Hebe, poor adorable thing.

"It's a pleasure Marie-Ange. And I know that if I ever need you, I"ll have you available. But this is just me paying it forwards everything that I owe you."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles a bit, "Well, I haven't quite decided yet... I do like journalism and investigating things, but by the same token... I also really enjoy streaming and being online like that. Maybe there's a way to combine the two, without sounding like some tinfoil wearing person spouting conspiracy theories."

When Marie returns, Mary hops to her feet, tightly hugging the redheaded girl as she just looks positively ecstatic. Just holding it in a bit more than Marie is right now, with the shock wearing off. Slowly.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Mary hugs Marie, Marie returns the embrace -- hopping a little in place as she does. "Oui, Mary. Live your dreams, whatever makes your heart sing -- you know I will follow you to the ends of the Earth to help you pursue your passions." Which might mean literally following her to the ends of the Earth... or just being the one that brings in the lion's share of the bacon. Although, given that Emma largely took care of their expenses for /decades/... there's not exactly a ton of room for worry, either. Although...

Emma gets a look. Followed by a look to Mary. "...and perhaps with some of the money that we are saving," Since a Significant Portion of their budget doesn't have to go to the rent, now! "we can send some back to your family, to help them with their own expenses?" she suggests to Mary, "If they would not take offense in such a thing..." she has to imagine still having six mouths to feed, and occasional guest mouths, is taxing on the income!

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "Do what you're passionate about an dthat drives you and that you find meaning in. Whether it's journalism, streaming.. What makes you happy and you enjoy. The both of you. You have so much room to grow and to expand yourselves. Just let youreslves live." Yes, Emma could just give the two a living allowance so they didn't have to worry about those sorts of things.. But she has an impression that woul'd tbe accepted. Besides, the girls -do- need something to help keep them grounded.

By thes tandards of however much Emma Frost considers the lower classes that have to work for a living 'grounded'.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary nods and smiles at Marie, "A great idea, I was just about to suggest it. I mean, I've been moved out, but I know they could always use a little help with the kids that are still there. And we always look after each other." Because family.

Mary hmms at what's said, "And you're right, both of you. I just need to think about where I want to go with this, because I just feel there's a lot more possibilities opened up now for us."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie nods firmly. "As you said. Your family is mine, my family is yours. What is money for if it is not to bring joy to those whom we love?"

These are the types of lessons Marie has learned from Emma. She pays attention, sometimes quite a bit more than people ever realize. She isn't spoiled, but perfectly seasoned, instead.

"You will think. We will think. We have /time/ to think and people to call and things to move and..." Oh, she's shaking with joy again. "....EEEEE!"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "And remember dear you can experiment. you're twenty one. You don't have to decide what you're going to do with the rest of your life right away. Take some time to figure it out. Try a couple of things. You might find something that surprises you. Something that appelas, or that you find you're not into."

Emma, rich woman born into old family of money that has taken voer (sort of) family influence and money through murder, sweat, and her own blood is hardly one to talk.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary, meanwhile, is just a blue-collar girl that has never quite expected to be living in a place like /this/. She's still a bit awed by it, even as she holds onto Marie. Or maybe holding onto her to keep a little grounded.

But she nods towards Emma, "Smart advice. I'm really liking the idea of getting more into streaming. Pretty sure the internet service here is top notch." She quirks a bit of a wry grin at that.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"She is quite right, Mary... we can both try as much as we please." Marie's pretty happy with what she's doing, admittedly... but might try other things along the way just on the basis that she /can./

"If that is what my Mary wishes, then that is what she should do." Marie replies with a cheerful grin. "I will happily join you on the streams if you wish and think it would help, too." Even in cosplay. Because she's supportive like that, and, well, it could be entertaining!

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would give a slow smile, "Good. And you two have the opportunity now to pursue it. Wherever it might take you. TO places that I might wonder ifeitehr of you two could have imagined." She would wink over at Marie-Ange and waggle a finger. "And don't cheat and look at the cards dear. That takes away all of the fun that surprises might bring."