15048/High Steaks

High Steaks
Date of Scene:	31 May 2023
Location:	The Strait Lace Steakhouse - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Gabby checks out the steaks, Sebastian checks out the Gabby.
Cast of Characters:	Gabby Kinney, Sebastian Shaw

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Gabby Kinney has posed:
The lunch crowd here wasn't exactly sparse, but it was far easier to get in than the evenings. Those were usually for people who wanted to be seen, to mingle, to show off their wealth. At least that's how it always seemed to Gabby the few times she'd been here in the evening over the years.

Lunch, however, had no stuffy dress code. No wait list. Just the enticing promise of an excellent steak, and slightly lower prices to boot. Exactly what a young woman such as her was after currently.

Even though the dress code isn't in effect she *does* dress up just a bit--She rarely had a reason to and it was nice to do that now and again. It's just a nice long sleeved blouse in a pleasant shade of blue with cutouts around the shoulders, and a reasonably modest collar. That, and pants which were either leather or pleather. Sometimes it was hard to tell. Strappy sandals are worn just to make her outfit a bit more 'girly' for once.

Menu in hand she sits alone at a small table peering over the offerings with a studious expression as if she were making a very, very important decision.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
One of the particulars of Sebastian Shaw, whether you want to call it a perk or an obligation, is the need to greet guests whenever possible. And even lunchtime is no exception to that. Making his way along from table to table, he pauses at a few of them, here and there, to make a brief bit of small talk and conversation, typically a greeting for the members, or perhaps an inquiry to someone of interest who is _not_ a member. It never hurts to pad the membership.

As he draws up on Gabby's table, he offers her a nod of his head and a smile. "Waiting for a companion," he ventures, with a smile. "Or simply focused on making the best possible choice from our array of options?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney glances up over the to of the menu at Shaw when he approaches and speaks. She recognized him of course from having seen him wander, or the few rare times she was here with Emma as well. The menu lowers as she offers a shake of her head. "Just me today. I like trying new things, but haven't had anything different in awhile. Can't really go wrong with a good steak though. Just debating the options," she explains with a little tap to the menu.

"Having a good day so far yourself, Mr. Shaw?"

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Indeed, anyone who is in the company of Emma Frost is always of interest to Sebastian Shaw. "One of the life's great truths, a good steak," Shaw confirms, nodding to the menu as she taps it. "One of the reasons why we made sure to have this establishment within. Sometimes, when choices abound and it is challenging to settle on one, this becomes the easiest to secure."

He glances around the room for a moment before nodding to Gabby. "Every day is a good day here in the Hellfire Club," he says, with a bit of a jovial laugh, before turning a bit more serious. "It has been a fine enough day, truthfully. No havoc yet, which is always nice. And yourself? What inspired you to choose us, of all places, to indulge your desire for something new?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Boredom, mostly." Gabby's rather blunt response is given with a grin that indicates she really wasn't lying at all, though there was always the chance there might be more than one reason for her visit. "Honestly, I've come here several times over the years with a few friends that were members, or legacy members. I guess I'm getting a bit sentimental in my old age."

She was what, eighten? Nineteen? Old age indeed.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
An eyebrow arches as Sebastian hears his favorite word - bored. "Certainly, the Hellfire Club has the cure for any boredom. It is perhaps our greatest and most consistent offering." He considers her words and then smiles as she uses the term old age. Indeed.

"I try to avoid sentiment, if we are being honest, but there are many here who cling to it. And of course, friends of our members are welcome in as much as we can host them, on this side of the velvet rope, so to speak."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Yes, I've heard... rumors about all sorts of things." Gabby pauses breifly leaning her chin on her hand while the other reaches up to tap one of her ears. "Among just *hearing* things in general. Probably why Emma likes me around on occasion. Means she doesn't have to pay as much attention to things going on."

Sitting up straighter she lets her hands cross on the table in front of her in a way that might get her scolded for bad manners elsewhere in the past. "Thank you for your hospitality then. I'll try to be a good guest for now."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"All false," insists Sebastian. "Unless they are of interest to you, and then of course they are all true." He laughs softly, nodding as she points out her ears. "I would expect nothing less from Emma. Why use her skills to listen when she can have a lovely piece of arm candy doing that for her." He chuckles. "Not that you are simply that, of course. But if you can persuade someone else to listen for you...it is worthwhile."

Sebastian watches Gabby settle, and seems disinclined to comment on her posture. "Of course. And while being a good guest is always appreciated, being a _bad_ guest is always more fun." He flashes a grin at her.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney clears her throat slightly at that little remark at the end about being bad. Nothing more is said about what she's heard about the place, at least, because that seemed like it was getting into dangerous territory. "Ah, well. I think my significant others would prefer I not misbehave more than I usually do. I'll just splurge on steak and some dessert for today."

"I'm sure I must be keepign you from your other guests by now."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is a bit of a twinkle in his eye. "Oh, I am sure that your significant others would appreciate such behavior if they were all also here. Why not bring them next time?" Sebastian nods towards the menu. "There are some fine choices, to be sure."

He glances around, and then gives Gabby a smile. "You are hardly keeping me, but I would not wish to intrude." He bows his head briefly. "Do stop by again, and next time, bring the others. We can all misbehave together." And with that, he steps back and moves along to the next table.