16913/CEO's and Snarkage

CEO's and Snarkage
Date of Scene:	14 January 2024
Location:	Financial District
Synopsis:	Empanadas for everyone!
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Karen Starr, Johnny Storm, Kate Kane, Roberto da Costa, Kenesha

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Emma Frost has posed:
It's a rather cold day and Emma Frost is walking along wtih Karen Starr. Emma's fully bundled up for the weather, wearing a large mink coat and matching hat as she would go along with her companion. "I found most of the seasonal traffic to be rather disappointing. Those are the risks when one is based off of consumer sales. The ungrateful ones should buy more."

Karen Starr has posed:
    Karen has no real concerns about the cold; when you can hang out in space, terrestrial temps are really no big. But she's in her civilian identity, so she's got a long coat on, though not fur like Emma's. No hat, either. "That's the benefit to running a think tank. No direct consumer sales." Karen quips. "Starrware just has to impress other companies, and everyone knows no one at the top works over the holidays anyway."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would nod, "Oh yes, and I'm sure it has you all thinking.." She would smile, "And no one at the top works, but it's crunch time for all theunderlings. The people at the top need them to justify their bonuses or they'll be getting coal for their employement." Then again wtih the weather coal could be useful.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Bundled up in the latest style in winter wear, Johnny Storm is wearing a pair of designer glasses and as is his want, has a stunning blonde on his arm in the form of Kenesha. "So yeah, tried to reach Reed again. He's totally locked up in his lab on soooooome project or another." he offers with a roll of his eyes and grins at the woman. "Totally means I get you to myself tonight!"

The grin becomes playfully wolfish as he notices Emma and Karen cruising in their direction and he reaches up with his free hand to lower his glasses. Taking in the pair, his grin becomes a bit more warmer. "As I live and breathe, haven't seen you two in a while! Date night?" he asks with a chuckle.

Kate Kane has posed:
There's a comment from a passerby at Emma's comment, "Better to put the heat on those at the top to produce, and spread the love a bit more evenly, don't you think?" Said passerby is, in fact, Kate Kane, who's currently wearing a black pantsuit and jacket, along with a crimson turtleneck that flatters her figure rather well. She grins a bit, turning away from the storefront she was looking at to regard the pair.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Karen laughs. "Maybe for you. I try to give everyone at least the last two weeks of the year off. Their minds aren't going to be on their work anyway. So, it's not really an iss--" And then Johnny's greeting them. She smiles. "Johnny Storm!" She says. She can be pleasantly surprised to see anyone, this early in the year. She looks to Kenesha, and smiles. "That must make you Miss January." Everyone knows Johnny's playboy rep. She looks over to Kate, and gives her a nod. "Either put the heat on oneself, or take it off everyone. Either plan works."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto Da Costa is on the phone, as always. Does he need a coat for the weather? While publicaly a mutant he's always been cagey about what his powers really are. Sunspot does imply solar based but there are lors of ways to use the Sun as Karen can attest. He talks not loudly but in a conversational tone, "Well, we are coming into the year with a surplus for real estate, did you look over the write up on Centralia? That little coal town in Pennsylvania." He laughs, "I know it's a dog, that's why it's a good investment, branching out of Bushwick." He nods, "Yeah, that's an issue but it does change the demographics and possibly the political leanings of the area." Pause, and then shakes his head, "Tom there are always going to be protesters, I don't want that to stop us and I think we can work with the enviromental concrns. The fires?" Soft chuckle, "That's the least of out concerns. I can get a team in ther to deal with most of those concerns and build something great. I mean if the locals don't want to stay they are free to move after housing prices have come back. I can't think of any world in which that isn't a win? Yeah, yeah, I know the mindset." He takes a slow breath, "It's all over this street and built the home I grew up in. Okay, yeah, make some initial inquiries and I'll talk on Mon- I mean Tuesday. Are you coming down to the shelter for the thing on MOnday? Okay, okay. Yeah. Sounds good." Berto hangs up the phone and looks at it, pursing his lips, "Twenty minutes tile my next call. I need coffee." He says this outloud to no one at all. Or to anyone who's listening. Either way he scans the street for a coffee place, or maybe a late night food cart, is that empanandas?

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha is dressed a litle more simply, though no less fashionably, than her companion. One arm tucked through his, she moves along at his side, chuckling, "Hey, I get it. I've had times where I've been so engrossed in my work that I forgot everything else. The rest of the world didn't even exist."

She glances from Johnny to Emma, offering a smile, though Karen gets a lifted brow. "Dr. Kenesha Jones, actually. But thank you, I love being relegated to some kind of stripper by other women. All these millenia, Kryptonians still haven't mastered common courtesy?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would glance over at Kate, "Ah, Ms. Kane. But that's not the way business works. You don't make money by favoring those at the bottom." Emma had appearances to keep up after all. Thta was the way the old money types did. Emma had a reputation of a near psychopath at times - it was something she had to keep up. "And how is business? Has your cousin decided to splurge yet on buying an island?" With the way she turned the phrase less than complimentarily she meant something that he was under that had him influenced to do such a thing if he had - she might be aware that Bruce wasn't the type to do that but it was always something lovely to needle on.
    "Ah, Mister Storm. I hope that things have been well with you."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Some people just can't take the heat. Me? I like it hot." Johnny offers casually, a wink towards Kate when she speaks up. He probably recognizes her, but it's one of those times where there's just so many beautiful women, he just needs to focus on things. There's snark aimed his way, and he laughs, amused and warm. "How's kicks, Karen? Still making cleavage fashionable?" he asks casually, before he adjusts to Kenesha.

"Miss January? I suppose that's a good start." he offers good-naturedly, letting it roll off his back like water on a duck's back, totally knowing that Kenesha can take care of herself. "Beauty and brains. Who'd thunk you could have both?" asked ever so casually, there's a lift of his smile to Karen, before his attention turns to Emma. "Things are always good with me, Miss Frost! My career's going well, I mean, I've gone from teen heart-throb to most eligible bachelor to silver fox. Things could not be bet-ter."

Then he snaps his fingers. "Right, Kate Kane! I met you... somewhere before." And then there Berto, as he glances back to Kenesha. "What you in mood for dinner? We could hit the steakhouse at the Hellfire Club?"

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate smirks back at Emma, "Ah, Ms. Frost, I find the business model works just fine for me, as well as the shareholders." She smiles faintly, "Business is doing quite well. And the only island he's investing in is the Narrows. But, well, Rome wasn't built in a day, though progress /is/ being made."

She glances over at Johnny, giving him a smile, "Got it in one, Johnny Storm. It's good to see you again." She ignores the wink, but definitely doesn't ignore the blonde on Johnny's arm, her smile widening a little, 'Dr. Jones? I've actually read you. Well, your papers." She offers her hand to both Johnny and Kenesha, "Kate Kane, but you can call me Kate."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto Da Costa smiles as he crosses the street, "Ernie's Empanadas, a New York Institution." He grins brightly and breaks into rapid fire portuguese with the man. An animated conversation about the weather, the state of Brazil's national futball team and a dozen other things, that results in a small plate of empanadas and steaming hot coffee.

     Roberto, takes a nibble and smiles, and smiles as he turns, around <<Emma, did you get lost or did your town car get a flat? I know how you hate to slum it down here with the little people.>> Roberto walks up to the small group, eatting his empanadas which smell amazing, and sipping on coffee.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Karen's in her secret identity rather than in her costume, so she's a little surprised when Kenesha calls her out for being Kryptonian. On the other hand, her secret identity is also one of the weakest in the business; basically changing her outfit. At least Clark wears glasses. "Doctor." She corrects her address for Kenesha fluidly, and offers a hand to the other woman. "Apologies. No offense intended." Johnny, in turn, just gets snark back. "We all work with what we've got, Johnny. I think I do all right, though." She looks over at Roberto as he addresses Emma, but Portuguese isn't in her fluent languages, so she looks to Emma for an introduction.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would glance over at Kenesha with a light sigh and then over at Roberto <<Sometimes alas we have no other way to keep up pretenses>> Emma did after all maintain her image as a borderline psychopathic Executrix when it came to business. Her employees might not live in total fear of her but as far as anyone's outside impression would be..
    "Ahh, Mister Storm. So ar ewe hitting the age now where we're finding ourselves getting just a bit more.." Her musing over and leaving out 'desperate' but getting the point across of age. But with more of a tease to it than anything else. "And who's your friend?" She would gesture over to Kenesha.

Kenesha has posed:
Flicking his ear lightly, Kenesha mock-glares up at Johnny, "Just going to keep adding months onto that? Like I'm not old enough already." Clucking her thongue at him, she looks to Kate and returns the smile, reaching a hand out, "Pleasure to meet you, Kate. And thank you. I have another one coming out in.. April, I believe. Though, if you're really interested, I can send you some of my documentation and reports that don't make it into the paper, it will really show the evolution of the theory, and gets more into the meat of the subject than I'm allowed in the journals. I've never understood why they insist on word limits. Practically cuts the legs out from under anything you could publish."

Turning back to Karen, she smiles and takes her hand, "Accepted. We're.. cousins, of a sort. Your ancient ancestors are some of my ancestors.. albeit less ancient on my end. We should talk sometime!" She hipbumps Johnny, "And to be entirely fair, silver fox or not, I'm still the one robbing the cradle here, so to speak."

She glances between Roberto and Emma, quirking a faint smile, "Keeping up appearances *are* important, though hopefully you're enjoying the stroll as well. The company at least, if not the weather or area." Holding a hand out to Emma, she smiles, "Dr. Kenesha Jones. A pleasure, Miss Frost."

Johnny Storm has posed:
When Kenesha actually causes Karen to stand down, both of Johnny's brows raise. Well, as he lives and breathes. That is a first. Of course, it probably helps that Kenesha is attractive enough to even draw Kate's eye. He knows what he's got though, so he accepts the handshakes offered to him and keeps it casual.

"Ah, Miss Frost, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that your hearing may be... not as sharp. Or inattentive? After all, you are usually around well..." he leaves that in the air. "This is Doctor Kenesha Jones. An archeologist, and holds about eighteen degrees. But you know... she really does handle the introduction way better than me."

When Kenesha chides him, Johnny gets a winning smile and tries to look abashed, but it just looks so good on his face, "I figured months is just a good start~" he replies teasingly as he glances around to the little group. "By all means, though, the two of us were just heading out to grab some dinner, don't let us interrupt your interplay."

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate arches a brow at the exchange between Karen and Kenesha, but doesn't say anything about that, instead just commenting, "Well, certainly, but here, my card." And where she was keeping the card, it's hard to say, but she offers it to Kenesha with a wry grin. "I look forward to reading the unfiltered stuff, it's a bit of a hobby of mine."

She glances over at Roberto and nods slightly to him, "Oh, Ernie's? One of the few reasons to come to New York from Gotham, if I'm being honest." She grins at that, feeling quite personable despite the lack of a drink in her other hand.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would glance over at Kenesha, "Ah, a pleasure to meet you. I do hope that the work of Harrison Ford hasn't dissuaded you from your pursuit." Reality had enough ancient tombs with traps and horrible things sealed away within. It didn't need to invade their recreation time and indulgence in movies. Something about separating work and pleasure.

"And what then if it's not too much of a bother then is your current research? It has to be more interesting to the rest of you than my take on the world of business." At least aware of how she came off and giving a light way to Roberto if he used it to have her tone it down in company. "And how did you meet Mister Storm?"

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto Da Costa walks over and gives Emma kiss on the cheek, very old money, very polite, and a bit maiden auntie. "Ms. Frost as I live and breath, and on street level. Is it three kings day?" He looks up and down the street. "Or am I being punked?" Roberto turns to the group and smiles giving a quarter bow, "Roberto DaCosta, pleasure to meet you all." Current CEO of DaCosta International, son of world famous archaeologist Nina DaCosta, financier of Gotham's only Futball team (Yeah, I said it.) and the Founder of X-Corp. He nods to Kate, "They are excellent and Ernie is a joy. Though I have to say the Brasilian food in little Rio is the best I have had outside of home. The brigadeiro from Doces do Ceu is simply perfection."

Karen Starr has posed:
    "Interesting." Karen says, in reply to Kenesha, but the expression and tone imply a LOT more curiosity than the word itself does. She wants to ask more, but being in civilian ID more or less puts the kibosh on that. She takes out a business card, and offers it over. "By all means, please give me a call later and we can discuss it in more detail.

    She looks over to Roberto, eyebrow raising at the bow. "That's probably the smoothest introduction I've seen in a long time. And if this Ernie's is that good, I'll have to try it." Normally she'd offer to buy for people, but practically everyone here makes as much as she does, if not more in some cases.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha flits a wink at Johnny and smiles, then gives his hand a squeeze, "You know, we did the Hellfire Club a few days ago. I hear there's an amazing hot dog vendor by Zucotti Park over on Liberty." He DID say he's as happy at a Weiner Hut as at Hellfire! She may be holding him to that His teasing has her chuckling, shaking her head, "Alright, fair. Months is a good start. Just don't expect me to answer to any calendar-based moniker."

Reaching out, she'll take the card offered by Kate with a smile, "You won't be disappointed. The journals make us edit it down to the driest of the facts and figures. Great for chemical and biological sciences.. *terrible* for historical and archaeological sciences."

Laughing lightly, Kenesha grins and shakes her head, "Oh no, if anything, those movies inspired my own.. current iteration. I've always been an adventurer, a seeker of lost items. But in crafting my most current persona, he definitely influenced." Her brows lift slightly and she smiles, "Oh! I'm currently doing a series on how ancient alien contact has influenced mankind's cultures through the ages. The one still awaiting final review and pulication will deal with ancient Egypt, more specifically the Second Great Dynasty and the effect the Brood had upon its end."

Glancing back at Johnny, she smiles, "As for how we met.. random encounter. I was seeking out what appeared to be a powerful magical artifact that had appeared on my radar rather suddenly. We almost literally ran into each other. Then of course there were the vampires and that was an intriguing battle. That pink-haired young man was quite the most powerful telekinetic I think I've ever seen. And that's saying something. But Johnny asked me out for drinks after, so I accepted." She lifts a shrug, the rest largely tells itself.

To Roberto, she smiles broadly, "Ah! Mr. Da Costa! Your mother is a wonderful woman and an amazing archaeologist. We may even have met once.. though you might have been too young to remember. In either case, lovely to meet you now!"

His mention of brigadeiro, however, has her glancing to Johnny, "Change of plans. Doces do Ceu. If you aren't familiar with Brazilian food, it's *amazing*. Fantastic, even." Because that is NEVER going to stop being a thing. Kenesha takes Karen's card and tucks it away with a smile, then reaches into her satchel and pulls out a slim crystalline piece and offers it out to her in return, "Meantime.. you might find this interesting. It will resonate whenever you're around someone that shares a common genome. Our ancestors loved to meddle in genetic coding, but there's only so much they could do, there are still genetic markers that will out. My people continued with genetic tampering, but that's a whole other story, and *still* couldn't remove the genetic markers."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "Ahh, the Hellfire Club. A lovely locale." Said the former White Queen of the Inner Circle, place currently held by the other Storm sibling. Of which there were greater schemes afoot- no doubt by the rest of the Inner Circle and the elder Storm Sibling. "I've had a chance to enjoy it in the past but Mister Da Costa's taste is far superior and I'm sure that he can give amuch better idea of where to go. I'll come along if you don't mind." Listening over and musing to herself over. "Lovely, it sounds like you had quite the interesting time. Did the vampires catch on fire when they were hit with things or not? I must admit, I'm not sure if they're supposed to explode or not. It's gotten quite chaotic the lsat few years. I suppose that there are always hangers on."

In fairness, it was the Hand ninjas that exploded. But they tended to have glowy eyes and a sense for the dramatics, and attack from darkness wearing satin.

Johnny Storm has posed:
As Kenesha becomes the center of attention and the topic of conversation, Johnny is more than willing to allow her to soak up the spotlight, his hand resting in hers as she explains her current projects, what she's doing, how she came into it and the whole nine yards.

And really, judging by the look on his face, Johnny could probably listen to Kenesha rattle off the ingredients to a jar of pickles and be just as smitten as he is at the moment. He is just completely in love with the idea of love and here we are again.

But, there is a chuckle of amusement. "I met her eyes while she was rescuing a young woman and I knew I couldn't let her pass by without getting to know her better. And then, there was that other young man... the one with the hands?" he asks Kenesha. "He tried to use a line from one of my movies to try to get her attention. It was kind of adorable and made me step up my game." he admits.

"Hot dogs are fine, as is... whatever that is. I'm always up for new things! Story of my life." A wink at Kenesha. And then to Emma, "Oh no, I pretty much set the vampires on fire. Same effect, am I right?" he asks.

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate favors Roberto with a wider grin, "Ah, the Gotham Raptors? I do like the name you picked for the futbol team. I still have my box suite there, of course, though I don't always get a chance to attend." She looks a bit bemused at the conversation involving setting vampires on fire versus Kryptonian heritage or whatever, as Kate looks like it's honestly flying over her head.

Really.

Honest. Nothing to see here, just a business-sharp party girl that's not quite in her element, nothing more than that.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Karen is clearly VERY intrigued by the crystal shard that Kenesha offers over. "Well, this is quite the night. I--" She pauses, and takes out her cell phone. "Oh, come on..." She sighs. "Sorry, everyone. I'm going to have to excuse myself. I hope everyone has a great evening, and a good New Year." She gives a nod and a wave to the assembled crowd, and a squeeze of the hand to Emma, before turning to handle the business that interrupted her.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto Da Costa smiles graciously, "I have had a lot of training Menina." He bobs his head, "Yes, it really is." He calls out down the street andErnies leans his head out. He speaks again in Poruguese and motions to the group, holding up five fingers. He flashes two fingers and says, "Branco Suave." and then two fingers and says, "Regular" and then he points at himself and says, "Quente." with a wink and the whole I see you gesture. Ernie nods and goes back in to make the food." He turns back to Kenesha and nods, "She is, Anatolia, the second Troy dig. I remember." He smiles as he finished the empanadas. "Torch, do you have to set them on fire? Can you affect the light your generate? I mean I'm solar powered so I feel like I should be able to recreate that wavelength combination and take them out without the need for flame but I wasn't sure how your power worked?"

    Berto smiles and snaps his finger, "I knew I remembered you from somewhere, the team was so appreciative of your donation, "Thank you. Yes, that's a great box. I don't get to the stadium near as much as I like but it is my special place. Futebol e vida."
    Roberto turns to Emma with a grin, "Hellfire?! That place is so five minutes ago and has been since Shaw failed his bid to be Lord Imperial." Roberto shakes his head ruefully, "Honestly, I would quit if my Father would let me, it's old world, and old ways. You want to experience the high life you have to try the new, there are some great place in the meat packing district, pop-ups that come an go over a few nights all the rage. I can give you the app, John."

Kenesha has posed:
"Oh, no doubt the Hellfire Club is exquisite. We had a date there just a few days ago, though, and Mr. Da Costa makes that restaurant in Gotham sound mouth-watering. I haven't had true Brazilian food since.. oh, 2019? Maybe earlier. I think 2019 was the last time I was in Brazil, though..." As to adding to the party, she chuckles, "Well, we're not really doing an official date night, so I'm fine with having more company along. Johnny?"

She motions to him with a nod, "He's right, he did an excellent job setting them on fire while also keeping the park from burning down. It was really quite impressive." Kenesha laughs softly, "Oh yes! Young man, also extremely good-looking, a businessman, I think. He was dressed like it. Also telekinetic. He was quite charming, but spread a bit wide of a net, so to speak." She looks back to Emma and smiles, "I gathered some of the ashes for study, though I expect there won't be much to learn. They were just.. hm.. well, henchmen campires is the best I can think to describe it."

Offering a wave and smile towards Karen as she takes off, Kenesha asides to Johnny, "I'm going to look forward to chatting with her more soon." Then she's looking back to Roberto with a grin, "Are these pastels or empanadas? If it's a pastel, I have to ask if there's caldo de cana to go with it. Does he use cachaca in the dough?" Because damned if he hasn't whet her appetite for some good Brazilian food!

Kate Kane has posed:
Kate grins wolfishly at Roberto, "Well, don't let anyone know the /real/ reason I've been skipping the Hellfire club lately. Because you're right, there's just so much more life in the smaller places that pop up and fade quickly. Burning the candle at both ends, I suppose." She nods, "And I admit, I'm a big fan of it, from when my father was stationed over in Europe when I was a kid. We had a lot of good times watching the matches."

She nods towards Karen as she leaves, then winces as her own cellphone starts ringing with "Planet of the Bass" as the ringtone. She smiles patiently then picks it up, "Hello? Oh, hey, I didn't think you'd call... one second." She then faces the group, "Apologies, but I have to take this call. But please, send me the unfiltered papers Kenesha." She winks, then meanders off, talking animatedly into the phone as it sounds like something... or someone, she's been wanting to hear from.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"You know, I think Reed has tried to explain my powers to me so many times, my head spins." Johnny admits to Roberto. "As far as I know, it's a form of Thermokenesis and Pyrokenesis that is some type of cosmic energy form, I don't need any kind of solar energy driver and can be selective with what I ignite, but outside of that... I need oxygen and all that to burn. You want to know more? I'm sure Reed would loooove to talk about it."

As they're talking, Johnny has noticed someone. Well. A few someone's. Turning his attention to the small crowd, he draws in a breath. "Oh? Sure, hon, if that's what you want to do. I know I get plenty of time with you to myself." he offers easily. But he releases Kenesha's hand and kisses her on the cheek. "Be right back."

With that, he slips away, and as he approaches the small group, there's a few gasps and cheers and cellphones out. "Hey hey, everyone!" he offers cheerfully. "Don't worry! No issues here, just hanging out." When he's offers a Four hat, he chuckles and takes out a Sharpie to sign off on. And he starts to work the crowd, giving autographs and taking selfies and loving his interaction with the crowd. He'll be back in a moment.