4331/A Touch of Brimstone: European Holiday

A Touch of Brimstone: European Holiday
Date of Scene:	07 December 2020
Location:	Nymphenburg Palace, Munich Germany
Synopsis:	German investigations lead Emma into the dubious company of a former Hellfire Club elite now languishing in continental debauchery, while Ororo and Lorna meet with a German intelligence officer and work out some information exchange and terms for future X-actions.
Cast of Characters:	Jean Grey, Lorna Dane, Emma Frost, Ororo Munroe

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Jean Grey has posed:
The X-ladies European excursion has been a mix of business and pleasure; traveling in style on Emma's private jet, they can stop off where they like and keep their own schedule. There may yet be shopping to do - a detour to Paris on the return trip? Yet at least for the moment, they've approached the 'business' part of the journey.

Each of the women has been able to make contact with various sources or potential allies, each boasting a unique connection to the larger political world. Lorna, Queen-in-Exile, has the most access to official channels, such as the German Federal Foreign Office - their equivalent to the US State Department - and personal friendships she's established. These include Winfried Weber, a member of the Bundsestag who sits on its Foreign Relations Committee.

Ororo, meanwhile, has a high profile with certain NGOs. German outreach to Africa has been on the rise in recent years as the country has contended with its colonial past in the region while facing modern issues like terrorism and refugee crises. Anke Schafer is a director at one such organization focused particularly on refugees and human trafficking, the Menschenrechtsprojekt (MRP) or Human Rights Project - who previosuly worked at their Nairobi office.

Emma's contact is more direct, with several German members of the Hellfire Club. A couple, like Gerhard Van Ostamgen and Friedrich Von Roehm, have participated oor even held positions at the New York chapter, although both have been pushed out by recent changes. While their involvement in the plot is unknown, it is hard not to imagine that they might have some outstanding 'beef' with their New York counterparts after being forced out.

The German leg of the trip begins with a stopoff in Frankfurt, mostly as a refueling point at the country's largest International airport, before continuing on to Berlin.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Claiming one of the leather backed chairs as the plane is refueled, Lorna unbuttons the jacket of her well tailored grey three-piece suit and slips of her sling backs before sliding into the chair. Looking down at her phone she taps away at it before looking at the other two women. "Do you suppose we'll be over-nighting in Berlin? I wonder if I can't get a meeting arranged. Also I hear the night scene here is pretty great. Disco clubs or something like that."
    The green haired queen gives Emma a smile. "Know any club owners that could handle a last minute reservation?" She teases and looks to Ororo. "Are you having any luck on your end?"

Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma enters her plane last, allowing the other two to get situated wherever they please, and she'll climb in, noting and enjoying how they don't have to stoop or bend in order to stand and move about the plane. One of the many reason's Emma chose this plane specifically. Yes it's larger and more costly to fly around in, and yet, she's not going to sacrifice luxury and class to save a few million. No no no. That wont do.

    Emma steps in and takes the piece of glass that she uses as a phone and holds it in landscape before flushing her hair behind her shoulder and then bringing a few locks forward and brushes them with her fingers to be perfect. "Lorna darling, we can overnight where ever we choose, in the plane if we must." The blonde notes before looking back to Ororo and smiling with a wiggle of her eyebrows before she leans back in her chair, and adjusts her own four piece suit, the vest really bringing the whole thing together in a sense she knew the tailor wouldn't like, but giving her an audacious air.

    "We do not make reservations. We are literal queens and titans. Gods among men. We are given what we ask for." Emma explains, trying to catch Lorna up on the proper way to be royalty in this day in age. Emma sends another text to her contacts, giving them an ETA and a location for them to be in order to meet. Very business, no hint of pleasure in the texts, but most people read or infer that on their own. Perverts.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Sitting most quietly, Ororo Munroe was content to arrive second. She has a level of inner calm which suggests that no matter the order, her own presence is when one should have arrived, and those who came before or after are simply moving about her self. The smile she has belies any such statement though, with a welcome to the ladies which is immediate and warm.

"Or simply to stay up all hours, as the students would do?" she jokes, knowing how little sleep they are likely to get, though for far less amusing reasons. Work is rarely amusing, it is sad but true. "Though I doubt I was ever quite that young. Are we prepared, ladies?" There is a certain absence of rush; she knows that at the other end, they await US. Not the other way around.

Though in her heart she knows, there may be someone who needs a bit more hurry, a little less queenliness. "I do have a few calls to make, myself."

Jean Grey has posed:
Emma has the most immediate response because, well, apparently she's on casual texting terms with her contacts. Gerhard's response is rather over-eager, in the way that Emma might predict of people 'misreading' her intentions- or reading them exactly in the way she intends them? He seems over-eager for a rendezvous in the capital, probably seeing an opportunity for advancement.

Friedrich, on the other hand, responds in more aloof fashion. He's in Munich, and there's to be an event. Emma should attend. And that's all. One might suspect, from lack of mention by the former, that the poor fellow wasn't invited.

Lorna Dane has posed:
"But then how will we draw out dubious characters? In this instance it might be better to let people talk and get the word out." Lorna counters and sets her phone down with a sigh. "A cappuccino and a power nap and I'll be much more likely to sit on my high horse again Emmers." She looks between the two women. "I think my concerns were proving true. My connections with the government suggest getting the X-Men out here on official business is simply not going to happen. But, I'm the stray queen of a mutant country that was targeted. You might have more luck Ororo." She gives her a hopeful smile before pointing to Emma with a foot. "If word gets out that a gaggle of Queens are hitting up the Berlin night scene, we might flush out some German Intelligence and I can try my luck with them." She leans back and looks around for a coffee bar or a flight attendant waiting for requests.

Emma Frost has posed:
    "Wheels up!" Emma says, clapping her hands twice sharply before turning around, her seat actually swivels and then between her and Lorna, a table folds up and down out of the wall, having been hidden away. She puts her glass phone down on the side and then laces her fingers to rest against her chin with her elbows on the table. "You may call for a reservation at a club in Berlin, I have a contact wanting to speek to me there. However, there is an event in Munich that i feel would be quite the opportunity for me to make a splash." Emma confides before turning her head to face Ororo and smiles softly, "Don't worry your head over the students tonight, we need all of us focused on the here and the now, especially when we land, we're to be making and abusing connections, remember. This is to stop the Inner Circle from f***ing all mutants over."

    Emma then grabs her phone again and looks at both texts, pondering, more waiting for the others to decide where they want to go first before she can respond to either. Don't want to make herself into a liar and waste a valuable opportunity.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
"Baravia," Ororo says, her voice firm but concerned. She turns her head to look at Lorna, then waggles her hand slightly as a response. "Honestly in my case, Germany has the firmness of hand already to address those of ours who end up there. It is the less official arrivals who are the largest critical issue. I was aiming toward Munich if possible, given the focus of the off-grid problems I need to spend my time on."

For her, a speech of sorts, though she does listen to Emma as well. "Is there any way we could work in multiple targets? If necessary I can arrange myself a ride, but I am having a few concerns to address in Munich myself." She does not comment on dancing, though there is a hint that she has simply assumed that dancing WILL occur in her posture. Because that is simply a given.

A pause, then she notes, "Keeping in mind that we are all resources for each other, at the moment." That may not have been obvious, though it is an oblique offer of sorts.

Emma Frost has posed:
    "Munich it is." Emma says, clapping her hands down on the table and giving Ororo a knowing nod, "I've got work that can be done in Munich and if worst comes to worst, I'll rent a car to go do my own thing elsewhere." Emma smirks before she reaches over to press a button on the panel next to her. "Munich captain, and do keep it level, I don't care how far it is, I need at least a flute of champagne, it's been a long day." And before a response can come, she's let go of the comms. Though at this point, her personal pilot is quite used to her abrupt requests and sudden interruptions in the flight plan.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo rarely drinks. She has a secret though, as she raises up her hand in a welcoming gesture, one that the students must never learn: she rarely drinks because most wines are trash. Only truly heart-warming vintages pass her palate, and those are truly few and far between. Tonight is one of such moments, when she may indulge a moment, and savour.

Rising, she goes to the in-flight bar, which resembles no such thing. "I assume that there are no objetions?" she asks, lifting a bottle of one of Emma's better drinkables, and raising an eyebrow. "If I am to take on human traffickers later on, I am interested in going in with a properly adapted palate."

Jean Grey has posed:
Emma gives the command, and off they go!

Inside of Germany, the domestic flight from Frankfurt to Munich proves quite short. It's the sort of thing no German person would probably think of doing, given that there are trains that are cheaper and probably faster, given airport waits. But most average Germans don't have private jets!

Still, they probably spend as much time on the two runways as in the air, although the advantages of the private plane mean skipping the worst hassles of a busy airport. And the advantages of an Ororo mean no chance of weather delays!

They arrive in the early evening, under a darkening sky, which probably plays into the group's favor. It gives them enough time to check in to their hotel, freshen up or change as their whims might dictate, and then hit the town- or in this case, Emma's party.

And the HFC doesn't skimp. The address she's given is no less than that of the Nymphenburg Palace (yes, you read that right), one of the largest Baroque palaces in Europe, rivaling Versailles. The ancestral home of Bavaria's ruling house of Wittelsbach, it has claimed Duke-Electors, Kings, and future Holy Roman Emperors among its residents. While parts are now open to the public as part of a large park now inside the city limits, at least a portion remains in use by the modern heir to the family. Apparently, it also houses some very elite guests. Emma, of course, is invited to bring guests.

Emma Frost has posed:
    It took some work, but Emma's had to find the HFC's custom tailor, as well as drag the girls to it, via a chauffeur, with room enough to get them from the airport, to the custom seamstress shop with a penchant for rush orders. Emma gladly covered the bill for herself, for Lorna and yes, even getting Ororo, a nice piece to wear as her guests into the German chapter of the HFC. "Maybe we should get Jean one too, but ... I'm not sure she's the type." Emma says with an almost playful shrug of her shoulders as they wait for their 'costumes'.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
"Jean is darling in anything she wears," 'ro says with a smile. The wisp of a thing that she requested be made is a gentle breeze; she has a feeling it will go with her hair, creating an aethereal effect. She pauses, glancing at her phone, which remains quiet. She loses her smile, and there is a certain tension in her that was not there at the beginning of the trip. Waiting is something she does well, but only when things are unimportant. If she is concerned, there must be reason.

However. "Emma, tell me something to distract me. What are you here for, truly? Is there a man involved? A lady?"

Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma's jaw softens ever so slightly as she looks to Ororo and, it's almost visible in her face, that the telepath is searching for the answer, even within herself. "I-I don't know..." Emma whispers, stepping closer to Ororo while they wait on the expert seamstresses and fabric architects to craft the trio suitable and accentuating outfits.

    Emma motions with her whole being for Ororo to follow so they might speak without being heard by others, and even then Emma covers their conversation with psychic white noise, to be safe.

    "Ororo, truthfully and completely, I am lost, I didn't realize how lost I was until..." The blonde fights a tear welling in her eye. "I hope to find a goal as I feel like I'm walking around with a sense of vertigo." Emma trembles in her suit, hand shaking slightly as she feels she can actually confess to Storm, but she doesn't know why even that and it's likely plain for Ororo to see.

Jean Grey has posed:
Their favored local fashion house is able to provide. Of course, this is the Hellfire Club. So the options suggested fall on a spectrum from 'suggestive' to 'stripper.' Indeed, he can offer outfits that serve both functions, with breakaway skirts and other pieces to allow one to transition from the formal to the deabsed. Of interesting note is the local cultural flavor: gone are the Victorian stylings favored in London and New York, replaced by elaborate Roccoco gowns with... well, still corsets and extreme cleavage. Alternately, they offer to dress Emma's 'associates' (who they must assume are her subordinates, in the way the HFC tends to define everything as a power hierarchy) in alternate outfits: overly sexualized takes on the traditional German dirndl - essentially, garbing them as sexy beergirl servants.

Of course, they're happy to do custom work, and to dress Ororo in what works out to be a collection of thin, gossamer silk, transparent layers overlapping enough to provide decency... just barely.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Pausing a moment to hold up the semi-traditional beergirl outfit to her own frame, Ororo poses while Emma speaks. She seems content in anything, though the servants have prepared a diaphanous piece of stripper memorabilia instead of what she'd ordered, so the choices are an actual decision to be made.

She leaves her main attention on Emma though, the woman's honesty more than worthy of that and more.

The odd thing is, she likely would look regal no matter what she wore. Or did not.

"Emma," she says, her eyes on the blonde's in the mirror, as she lets her hands be busy. "There is a large difference between where you were, and where you are. Who you will become is the greatest decision you may ever make, and it is one that is ongoing. Forever changing, hopefully improving with mistakes and choices made." She pauses in what she is doing, turns toward her more directly, and gives Emma the diaphanous gown. "Perhaps another's shoes for one night, and you may find a step on your path. It is not something trivial, what you have in your heart now.?"

She asks it as a question. She knows, this is hard for Emma just now. And she is there.

Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma takes the gown and frowns at it, smoothing the fabric that is there and then back to Ororo, lifting the heel of her palm to dab at her eyes. "Damn you, asking the worst questions at the worst times." Emma chortles to try and hide her nearly bubbling over emotions. She fights them back down and to a more normal simmer. "I think worrying about my soul is for the plane ride back home." Home... Emma ponders for a moment before looking over at Ororo, and then lifting her voice to the gentleman helping them. "She'll take both. And I want a copy of mine. In red." Emma winks at Storm in the mirror "Less in the bust, but no rush on that one, we got a party go get to." Emma smirks pushing herself past her emotional moment, for the time being.

Jean Grey has posed:
Once the group is dressed and chauffered, they are whisked to the event, where oppulence is certainly the name of the game. It's almost as if this continental branch of the club is trying to prove that neither its English founders or the new American upstarts have any idea what REAL wealth looks like. And there's an argument to be made that they're right. Nothing on 5th Avenue can quite compare to this.

The car brings them down the original carriage approach and let them out at the main palace facade. Within, one of the grand ballrooms is being utilized for its intended function, while other guests wander the garden grounds, enjoying drinks amidst manicured folliage and classical statuary.

It should immediately be noted that, as with some events in NYC, there seems to be a 'public' face to the whole thing. The Palace, as mentioned, is no longer a private royal retreat, and the guests boast various European celebrities, aristocrats, and business-people. But if Emma knows anything about these gatherings, there are more 'private' rooms and enclaves to visit. And the Palace is huge, with vast grounds and outbuildings.

One could fit a lot of debauchery into the space, without letting on.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna's been in and out of things on a constant stream of phone calls as she tries to arrange meetings around the groups plans. The dress? Fine, more metal through. When she's finally dressed and geared up for Hell Fire Club standards she looks over at the White Queen. "If anyone tries to touch with out asking, I'm turning this corset into spikes."
     Lorna adjusts a comb into her green waves and looks at the club dispassionately. Leaning her head back to look around Emma, she looks over Ororo. "So, how do we want to play this? We're just royalty here, not the Queen like this one." She winks briefly and slips her phone from the metal corset to snap a selfie of the three of them. "Next time we go out I vote that burger joint near the School."

Emma Frost has posed:
    The telepath steps out of the motorcar first, and motions to those within, those who would be considered her 'guests' in the most polite terms. "Come, let us get you inside, out of this cool Deutschland air and into the warmth." <<I'll be doing more work here, you two can use your more legal sway on the other guests, I'll be learning more about the club itself within.>> Emma projects mentally and then adds, <<I'll make sure to keep you all connected mentally, if you'd prefer.>>

    The White Queen, (Former) but news likely doesn't travel fast in this land of backstabbery and betrayal that in the inner circles, steps onto the cobblestones and guides her duo into the main halls with a few nods of recognition and smiles as she begins to look around for her contact after dropping the two off at the bar, "Maybe don't stab anyone with spikes, but a firm slap or even a punch will get a gasp, and maybe a some applause, but do realize, these are the people you'd likely do well to get along with." Emma notes as she slips away looking for Friedrich.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Being of a mind to prove everyone wrong at one point or other tonight, Ororo places her hand on Lorna's elbow (without asking) and says, gently, "It's a party dear. I believe play is exactly the point. One must try to relax, and stabbing the guests is only fun one time. Then it's a sport."
    She agrees entirely with what Emma is saying, of course, but some may be listening and she is happy to allow others to take them less than seriously. It has opened many doors, when those doing so realize how badly they've fucked up.
    "I intend to simply walk in," she states. "From there, well, wars are not truly planned. One improvises after the first engagement." It is easy to forget how much she trains for combat, and often for war. "Let us see if there are any with real power, to begin with. Not like that trifling president.."
    She has the loveliest opinions at times.

Jean Grey has posed:
Once Emma has led them inside, and not far beyond it doesn't take long for the esteemed Friedrich Von Roehm to find the woman and her company. He's a large, broad, and somewhat rotund man with jet black hair and rather ridiculous mutton chops-style moustache and sideburns. Going with the theme of the evening, he's dressed as a period appropriate German aristocrat... which naturally affords him a lot more coverage than the ladies. It seems some things are the same regardless of which side of the pond you're on.

The man approaches boldly, and with friendly manner. "Emma, Emma you look ravishing as always." He DOES try and hug HER, so perhaps it doesn't quite warrant corset-stabbing from Lorna... yet. Then he turns to her associates, eying them up and down. "Who are your friends- wait! No, you are Miss Dane, aren't you? Your father's reputation procedes you. A great man, truly. Though a terrible business, what happened in Genosha. The place had such promise." Ororo he doesn't seem to place immediately, perhaps to her advantage, although he seems no less impressed with her. "And your friend? You have good taste, Emma, I've always said that, you know."

Aside from his abrupt greeting and overindulgence, there's plenty going on, and all kinds of interesting people to mingle with. Lorna may recognize representatives from a handful of neighboring countries, as well as their German counterparts. Then again, Friedrich is quite open with his invitations. "If you ladies care to join me, the -real- party is in back. If you're with Emma, well-" He grins. They MUST know what it entails.

Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma interjects, "No no no, They are accompanying me, and yet, they aren't quite... up to my speed within the club." Emma says after giving the man an under arm hug/pat of her hand on the side of his back. "Dane, and Beyonce. Not that Beyonce. She gets that all the time." Emma smirks with a wink when she looks to Ororo without Friedrich being able to see. "I want to show my friends the bar, then you can take me in the back and regale me with your stories of your latest conquests." Emma smiles before she brushes past Fried. "Come."

    Emma moves to the ballroom as the drinks tend to be adjacent to the church of dance. "Lets, grab a drink before I have to deal with him again... Good lord please." Emma says, finding a barkeep and requesting a double white russian and quickly glugging it before she breaks off to find Friedrich again.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna lifts a brow and purses her lips to one side. She eyes Emma's contact and looks less than impressed. "Does he?" She asks of her father and proceeds to inspect her nails before looking at Ororo. "I'm rather fond of sport." She offers in response to her last statement with an innocent expression. She slips an arm around Ororo and follows Emma. "I want to hurt him. Miss Dane? Skin him slowly. With dull knives." She looks over her shoulder and narrows her eyes.

Jean Grey has posed:
"Not up to your speed? Come now, you're putting me on," Friedrich answers dubiously. "And even if so, isn't there a first time for everything?" Gross.

And predictably, he turns back on Lorna. "You know, there were once discussions, even some attempts at bringing your father into things," he goes on, still evidently a bit 'after' her. "Maybe the smalltime politics don't interest him much, but there's so much we can do, behind the scenes. But given that you were running things for him... perhaps you'd consider it. The New York chapter may be a little full up, but they've lost their way, as I see it. Money is just one kind of power. But someone like Luthor? He doesn't have what -we- have, what we're born with."

Suggesting at least some undercurrent of mutant-vs-not within the Inner Circle. "You know, this branch isn't purely German, either. We're continental. They have a President? Pff. We have premiers and prime ministers from across the European Union. And better taste." He gestures around.

Regardless of this entreaty, he lets the women off to find their drinks. "Go, go, enjoy yourselves, then come find me later." Drinks work in his favor! (Also gross).

Ororo Munroe has posed:
The alcohol at the bar is not really up to Ororo's standards, so she allows Emma her moment but does not imbibe. With the appearance of the Noble Lutkins, Ororo attempts to simply draw a welcoming smile which does not entirely preclude joining him later. If he takes it as a promise, well, that's his decision to make.
    She can always electrocute things. It is an option.
    "Charmed, and charming. If you treat all ladies so well, I have no doubt that the stories are quite...effective." She says this to Friedrich before they leave him, allowing an exeunt with pride, status, and the clear willingness to deal with slime if it gets her to her goals.
    However as they leave his presence, she leans into Lorna's arm. "We all do, darling. But compared to some others I can see dancing, he's merely a jackass. Hardly worth the effort." Her eyes rest on a known slave trader, then to a man known for his proclivities toward only those who do NOT give consent.
    She has higher targets than simply slime.

Jean Grey has posed:
And almost as quickly, once the women have found the bar (it is well stocked!) another voice finds them. They're popular tonight, huh? "Miss Dane, Miss Munroe, if I may?" Turning toward the voice, they'll find... well, a far less objectionable looking man. Actually, compared to most of the crowd, he's somewhat plain. Clean-shaven, short, salt-and-pepper hair. He's wearing a tuxedo, rather than the pure noble nonsense. But everyone in here is dressed well. "Miss Frost, you probably want to see to your friend." Whoever this is, he knows... all of them.

Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma finishes her double and takes in a deep breath to Ororo and Lorna, "Into the lions den." She says, frowning and adjusting her corset and then making sure she's positively dripping 'sex' with a fix of her hair, making sure those gold locks frame her face perfectly and rest just above her bust, almost pointing out her cleavage and then a straightening of her back, the White Queen gets to work.

    Before she goes, she gives Lorna and Ororo a kiss on their cheeks and wishes them both luck while also telling them to watch out for each other and if things go absolutely bad, leave without her. Emma struts, crossing her feet as she walks, making sure her heels clack more than click against the marble floors as she moves off to find Friedrich once more.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna isn't above any drinks. Once she has something strong in hand, she follows Ororo's gaze before they're addressed. She looks up at the man and lifts her brows. "I think you have us at a disadvantage Mister..." She trails off and looks after Emma for a moment before glancing back and putting on a charming smile.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo, content with the knowledge that Emma is likely to enjoy herself one way or another, turns with absolute trust. Either she shall find a way to enjoy the event, or shall allow the lump she's attending on to experience things in another fashion. The Frosts do not go down for anyone, after all.
    "Ms Frost will return, sir," she says, allowing that Lorna has already asked the important question. She does not yet recognize the gentleman, though she offers the back of her hand to be kissed. She wears no rings, her hands eloquent, her actions limiting the welcome offered.
    "Lorna, we are on the news. If a person here does not know us, that is because they are idiots." Glance at the back room, and the fat tush vanishing there...

Jean Grey has posed:
Friedrich knows when to cut his losses, as it were; he may have made some overtures to Lorna about finding her a place in their ranks, but as Emma comes back alone? To his 'credit' he doesn't ask about them, but puts all his focus on her. "I'm glad you're here," he murmurs, dropping his voice even as he guides her toward a door at the rear of the ballroom, a hand falling to the small of her back. "And... I know what happened." Perhaps her 'secret' has reached some people here, at least those better-connected. "Shh, shh. No need to deny it. But don't worry, liebchen, I don't think you any worse from it. After all, they ousted me too, those pricks. But there's more going on, you know..."

Soon they're gone. Her friends can only trust that this is territory she knows well; she survived Shaw, no doubt she can survive his less imposing old compatriot.

The man at the bar answers Lorna. "Karl." Admittedly, this is a little like introducing yourself as 'John' in English. "Miss Dane, you were in contact with a friend of mine, or rather, a friend of a friend. Suffice it to say, we've been monitoring what you and your friends have been up to. I was already assigned to this event, but when we heard your plane had diverted from Berlin to Munich..."

He flashes Ororo a thin smile. "I'm sure your friend can handle herself. She's got quite a history with these people."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
"I've no doubt," Ororo says with a smile. She reclaims her hand and listens, always prepared to let a person have enough rope to hang themselves. "Considering I've been up to next to nothing as of yet, I hope you got your money back, Karl." She says 'Karl' like she means it as a slight drawl, the name alone clearly not being enough. "Perhaps you may wish to ask more directly?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna's brow quirks. She smiles a bit and nudges Ororo. "I could be wrong, but I have a feeling Karl might work for some folks I've been calling around to meet?" She looks back at the Karl in question. "Assuming there's a fine card we can see?" She nods to a table to indicate an escape from the bar.

Jean Grey has posed:
"You're here. That makes it worth the cost, given that either one of you could kill everyone in this room without lifting a finger. It shouldn't shock you that people are cautious of that sort of thing." Ultimately, 'Karl' is rather neutral in his tone, and lifts his hand to indicate Lorna when she voices her suspicion. "I'm not exactly in the sort of job where I can be free with details. But I'm speaking with you because you're looking for help. Please." And he quickly seems to take up her offer to relocate toward a table out of the way of the main ballroom floor.

"So, if may be bold enough to ask directly, why don't you tell me what you're all doing here. And what do you think you need help with?"

Ororo Munroe has posed:
"The fact that you waited until Lady Frost was gone to invite us over tells me a great deal," Ororo says, "considering how much you know about our abilities. The timing is far too obvious to be coincidence." She glances to the dear lady next to her, then to the table. "I, however, am in no way harmed by my intentions being public. I am here about African slave trade issues, and am currently tracking a lost African mutant. She has gone missing, and my contacts have not been reaching out. I suspect the worst."

And that's out in the open, what she's been worrying on all night like a terrier with a rat.

A dead rat, if she gets ahold of it. "If there is any way that you are involved, I do recommend not sitting at that table with me."

Jean Grey has posed:
The man- agent, maybe -listens, as he seemed to promise he would. "Involved? Frauleine, I think you have it mixed up whose side everyone is on. Unfortunately, human trafficking isn't, strictly, my department. But this debauched little club is, and it stands to reason they could be involved. I'm sure you can imagine the stuff they get up to behind closed doors. And I'm sure not everyone participating is as eager as the charming Miss Frost." He certainly doesn't comment on his timing, either, as it goes to the telepath's departure, but it's a keen enough observation to be sure. "Vice and corruption of various kinds tend to keep one another's company. Pull on one string here..."

He pauses, and looks around. "You think this missing mutant could have ended up here? Is that why you've come?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
"I should think it doesn't take much poking around to guess what might draw us out to Germany." Lorna bats her lashes. "Someone hurt some sweet, civilian mutants and non-civilians. This puts the refugees of my country at peril. And this branch, or by extension have used German factories to supply the miscreants." She tsks and shakes her head with a small sigh.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Sitting at the table, Ororo speaks softly so as not to carry. "I speak generally, Karl," she once again enhances the name, not comfortable with him enough to use a first name and showing it. There are almost air quotes. "I've little enough information."

She listens to Lorna as well, nodding. "We three Queens, we come from afar. I do not bear gifts." She has a sense of humour about it at least.

Then to Lorna, she frowns. "He has a point though. The likelihood that this group is at least partly behind our respective issues is not to be discounted. It really is too bad that torture was outlawed."

Ororo Munroe said that, the woman who gathers children to her heart and teaches them how to survive. Never mess with an angry mommy.

Jean Grey has posed:
"Well, it seems obvious to me that you're here for the club," the man replies to Lorna. "But I couldn't guess why, beyond what you've told me. Our intelligence resources on American soil are limited- our countries are major allies, the bastions of the modern free world, yes? Allies like that are not supposed to spy on one another." Of course, that's an ideal that intelligence agencies regularly break, but it does tend to look bad for the governments involved when it comes to light. So he'd never admit to what kind of intelligence they might have on things happening in the US!

The man spreads his hands lightly. "Even if you're not in a generous mood, I'm here as a favor. As for what little you've told me so far, I doubt anyone missing would be -here-. This is a famous landmark. Maybe these people are rich enough to get access to a few back rooms to throw a private sex party, but they wouldn't do anything illegal on the grounds."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sits back and looks at Karl as Ororo chimes in. "I don't think the people taken are here. But, some factories here are supplying tech to make bathtub mutants. I'm just curious as to what sort of places would be mad enough to think that's a good idea, and who would back it." She purses her lips to one side. "As a second generation mutant, I appreciate that mutations can produce...oddities, but cocktail mutants? I don't think any one sane, or any government wants that in their backyard."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
"Trust is earned, Karl," Ororo states softly. For once she does not draw out the name, allowing that her point may be made by this point in the conversation, and allowing that she's big enough to look past the minor annoyances. "As is generosity." She looks at Lorna, having not been aware of this fact. It shows on her face, she was surprised!

"I was here to enjoy a party," she says, her voice losing all of its haughty demeanor for a moment. "While I waited for my contacts to call my phone."

Well, at least one person didn't come here upset. It just kind of happened.

Jean Grey has posed:
This is a bit more overt, and 'Karl' takes notice. "You mean some kind of unauthorized genetic experimentation?" 'Bathtub mutants' may not exactly be a standardized term, and English is presumably a second or third language, so the man pauses to double-check! "Fraulein Dane, let me assure you that we are... particularly familiar with your family." It stands to reason that Magneto's history would be well-documented in the country that helped create him, make him unto a villain. "And let me say that as someone with a... history of state service in his family," a pretty weighted statement, given the same history at question, "that I do not take such a charge lightly. Even if I bear no responsibility, I do the work that I do to make sure things like that do not happen again, in my homeland."

And at least for that moment, the man's cool facade does seem to break, some emotion carrying in the words.

He pauses, and looks to think. "No one would back such a thing lightly, as you describe it. We have strong laws, medical ethics, human rights, they forbid the sort of thing you are suggesting. Do you have a list of these parts exporters?" And then he looks again toward Ororo. "And your problem is related to this one? Your missing mutant part of these experiments? It is late for normal business," this when she mentions waiting for a call. "But if you want to see the -worst- our city has to offer, I can point you at some of these places. Did your contact give you anything to work from?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
"Yes, I mean unauthorized genetic mutation, and given our...mutual family histories-" Lorna makes a face. She did want to tear the country apart, but look at her behaving. "I can give you a list of factories I managed to trace back to Germany. I can't tell you if there are any labs on your soil. I can assure you there are specialists in mutant protection interested in assisting if that were to be the case." She looks to Ororo. "It looks like it very well could be. Hell Fire Club funded designer mutants. Imagine what they could make using genes from powerful lineages..." She shudders and looks pointedly at Karl.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo glances to Lorna, seeing if she wishes to speak first. She has an understanding now that, while her problems are quite serious, they are not quite on the level of those which brought Lorna here. A humility which she rarely gets, and a moment worth noting.

"The one who I am reaching out to vanished recently in this city. I have a feeling that if we were to speak with each other more, both of our causes would be better served. I am a poor friend tonight, to those I serve and to my friends as well." That, that was an apology.

"Lorna. Karl. My resources are at your disposal. I help you, I help my own cause. I can not see any way that they can not be intertwined."

Jean Grey has posed:
Oddly, for all that he seems a rather cool and dispassionate man in handling all of this, Lorna's behavior - just the face, and maybe what indiciation of what she's holding back - draws a certain sympathy from the man. "I understand your concern. You have every right to it. Just believe me, that I am just as serious about my job, and about redeeming that legacy. Even if I have to do it-" And he gestures over himself, perhaps indicating his alias, and then the room, "like this." Spying is a dirty job, but apparently someone has to do it. "I can look into the parts lists, and the factories. But I'd suspect, if they're just the source of the materials, thats not what you're looking for. Germany is a huge industrial exporter. We make things for everyone."

He takes another glance at Ororo, and looks as if he's trying to piece things together in his head for a moment. "The whole reason I'm here is that your friend was looking for... an avenue to work under. The government isn't going to sanction you and your friends causing mayhem in the Bavarian countryside. Bad for the beer tourism. But if you work quietly, and give us some plausible deniability, we can help you. I'll run the girl's name, and the factories. And when your friend is back..." He glances toward the back of the hall. "Well, anyway." He now reaches into his relatively nice suit and produces a card, sliding it across the table. It's not a badge, doesn't have any official logo, it doesn't even have a name on it, or anything like that. Just a phone number, and an address. "If I find more, you'll hear from me. If you find more, if you're about to -do- more-" He taps the card. "Give us a heads up first."

After saying this, he rises, suddenly smiling. "Sie wissen nicht, was Sie vermissen! Ahaha! Gute Nacht mein lieblinge!" He suddenly sounds mildly flirtatious, and a little drunk. Also, German. Maybe it's just an act, to depart their company like any of the other lecherous party guests.