2591/Didn't Expect You...

Didn't Expect You...
Date of Scene:	24 July 2020
Location:	The Windsor Hotel, Gotham
Synopsis:	Peggy and Lucius talk about how she can support his future plans in Gotham.
Cast of Characters:	Lucius Fox, Peggy Carter

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Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox is on a bit of a tour since trying to raise support for the Gotham Narrows project, casting a wide net of federal state and local support. Lately, he has tapped a few DARPA contacts he hasnt spoken to in years, arranging an informal gathering at a posh local hotel to talk about old times, defense contracts as well as the narrorws project itself. He is very much a multi tasker and speaks to the small but informal gathering with practiced ease

Peggy Carter has posed:
The face that walks into the room is probably not one he expected, especially since she doesn't seem to have aged a day since their first meetings, when he very first joined DARPA, and now. Peggy Carter is still figuring out her place in the world of SHIELD again, but she can certainly hob nob with people who might be trying to do good in the world, especially since she recognized the name. She's left behind her severe, slightly overpadded suits of the 80s and is back wearing more comfortable, 1940s style. A wide legged gray plaid suit with a double breasted, tailored jacket, it looks far more natural on her and somehow makes her look younger. She also doesn't seem near so pale as she did those last few weeks. A few quiet murmurs and handshakes are given to one or two people who recognize her as she comes into the room.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox is used to oddness working with Batman but even still he can't be but a bit nonplussed. He hasnt seen her in several years since he was a lowly infantryman at Darpa. He seems to approve of the timeless 1940's outfit and moves towards her, politely bypassing a few colonels or majors as he seems intruiged, "Miss Carter I presume?" He is, of course, significantly more powerful than he was when he was first a private so long ago.

Peggy Carter has posed:
A wider smile crosses her red velvet tinted lips, looking him up and down for a long moment, but Peggy rarely forgets a face. "..Well, I suspect I shouldn't be calling you private any longer, Mr. Fox... and yes, but, please, call me Peggy. I've... still kept my retirement from being a full director, nowadays. It's nice to relax a little." She offers her hand to him warmly.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox smiles, "That is quite the memory Ms Carter. I'm impressed and I have one of the most advnced minds on the planet. I will indeed call you Peggy. It is a pleasure to meet you and I hope you are well. I dont know what happened before you vanished but I got the impression it wasnt good

Peggy Carter has posed:
The expression on her face, and her smile, is one of ease. A sort of ease she didn't have back in the day, when she felt like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. She chuckles at his comment about his mind, "Mm... Most advanced minds? And I can't believe SHIELD hasn't completely tempted you to join them yet. They tend to offer quite the bargain when they want to... not that I blame you for saying no. And I cheated a bit. Sleeping on ice for thirty years will keep you...more mentally fresh than you realize." She casually explains, as if cryofreeze was something everyone understood or it wasn't a strange, horrible miracle that she was here at all. It was easier than being in shock over it all.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox says, "I...found other causes worthy of my attention. Wayne Enterprises certainly has plenty to occupy it but we have designed a few things for shield over time. I'm not really in need of money for obvious reasons but if there is a specific challenge you had in mind I'm more than opten to exploring it." He beams, "Well if you can't cheat death who can you cheat?" He vaguely remembers Mr Freeze's experiments but ignores the mental connection and listens, fascinated."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Casually, Peggy makes her way over to a side board. If she's going to be wined and dined for DARPA, she's going to enjoy some of the actual wine, at least. She scoops up a glass of red, giving it an experimental sniff, "Usually a whiskey girl but...I suppose I should go light, on business, as it were. And now...I think it's the opposite. Tonight. You are here to woo me...I'm your SHIELD representive for...funding and exploration, for whatever you are pitching right now." She grins with a bit more curiosity.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox smiles, "Ma'am if I woo you would know it. Ask my wife," his eyes twinkle, "though I am here to politic for a gotham project to be sure. SHIELD is always welcome in Gotham by my book though some regret such outside interference. I am mainly interested in fixing the narrows. A few movers and shakers here are interested in such things.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Alright well... You're wooing my assets for Gotham then..." Peggy is almost teasing, though her eyes drop to his wedding ring and she tips her head in both respect and approval. It's nice to see a life long work man actually get some relaxation in his life. She takes another long sip of her wine. "...and, while I still represent SHIELD, I have...far more of my own time in retirement. Tell me more about the narrows? If it's not something you want the government in, maybe I could help on a more... Personal level."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox nods, "I can understand that. I control as much of my own time as I want these days, but somehow I find myself more driven than ever. The narrows project is an ambitous one by the current leading candidate for mayor. Some find it a pipe dream but I find it an excellent idea. Centuries, literally, of poverty removed by some simple upgrades ot the local infrastructure. And I am not opposed to this, more than willing to make introductions to the right people

Peggy Carter has posed:
So they aren't bombarded by anyone else, Peggy genuinely wants to hear the pitch, she nods towards a small set of chairs in the corner of the room. It will let him look out over his other guests but also let her sit comfortably off of the high heels she's still getting used to wearing again. "You'll have to forgive me, I'm...still getting caught up with some things. Who is this new candidate? And...what sort of support would you need, government or community wise, to get this going? There is a difference between adding infrastructure and gentrification, I'm certain you know, but it might read that way to some people..."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox follows her, enjoying the class of the high heels and timeless outfit without ogling. He seems extremly relaxed. "The canditate is Lincoln March, based on my data models likely the mayor of Gotham next assuming he isnt ambushed by more peppy indiy journalists. I find government useful as I do private industry. I'm very much a pragmatist when it comes to doing good." He beams widely.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy laughs just a little at his comment about finding government as useful as private industry. She gives him a flat, slightly sardonic look, still some of that old spitfire left in her, it seems. "...While I've certain seen their use in my time...I've also seen both completely stuck with their heads up their arses, so, frankly. I could take or leave either. What matters is what your *community* sees, and needs."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox nods sagely, "Culture is amazingly important Ms Carter. Its pretty much everything which is why I cultivate it so carefully at Wayne Enterprises. Shield knows what its doing too and while the Narrows looks after its own, a culture of self improvement on top of the insular community they already have could do good. Its a tough sell to the locals I bet, but I take that one day at a time

Peggy Carter has posed:
"...And why the narrows? There are communities all across even our few cities, much less the whole country, who could use our help. What's special about there?" Peggy really is looking for the full pitch, even if she's interested. She's thorough as ever, retired or not. She even forgets about her wine glass for a few moments to just watch him with somber, curious, dark eyes.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox says, "Its not my project, but I like the man and find the ambition to be catching, inspirational. I think, personally, the narrows interests me because of the lingering poverty of the area. Look at New York and you see different areas rise and fall, but the Narrows avoids that. Its like its cursed or something and I for one am all about building swamp castle."

Peggy Carter has posed:
That explanation gains a slight nod from Peggy, her dark eyes slipping across the room again instead of remaining just on Lucius. She makes a small, thoughtful sound in her throat, "Then, I suppose, I'll have to attempt and meet this mayor-to-be at some point. I'm willing to put some backing into the project on your encouragement alone, Lucius, but... I want the whole view. And that'll help me better to know if SHIELD is needed or if...I'll just make this a personal, side project with you all."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox beams, "Well then I consider my expedition here to be a success." He smiles, showing a toothy grin. He sips a bit of champaign, "I appreciate that Peggy." He clearly nearly says Ms Carter but avoids it, "I think Lincoln can definitely give that but I can send you the holo projection I showed him at the least." He smiels.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Show away. And then I'll let you get to your other guests, I promise. I can't steal all your time, old friends or not." Peggy gives him a little wink, but she sets forward in the chair to view whatever holo projection he's going to show. She still treats it like a flat TV screen, not really accustomed to the modern day technology yet.