592/Just a Little Nudge

Just a Little Nudge
Date of Scene:	18 March 2020
Location:	The Rathskeller, Hellfire Club, NYC
Synopsis:	Discussions of the upcoming Charity Gala and socialization!
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Lorna Dane, Alex Summers, Sebastian Shaw, Tessa

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Emma Frost has posed:
After an excellent dinner and good conversation, Emma Frost and Lorna Dane head downstairs to the Rathskeller, the German-style bar on the fifth floor. It's a fair bit more relaxed than the upscale, somewhat risque Victorian several floors up; which likely will suit better for keeping Lorna relaxed and less stressed.

Still dressed in her corset and heels, Emma guides the Queen of Genosha into the well-lit and somewhat cheery bar, tossing a genial wave to the bartenders on duty this evening before claiming a deep booth near the middle of the room. It isn't too long before someone comes by with a tall chilled stein of Emma's regular beer, nodding to Lorna ready for her request.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna had just finished a surprisingly enlightening dinner with Emma, so much so that that the green haired woman was almost in good humor. There was still a weight to her bearing but it had lessened. A good meal, a glass of wine, and a mental nudge had shifted the worst of the magnokinetic's grief to the back of her mind. Present, but no longer overwhelming her.

As a result, Lorna agreed to go down to the other floor and see what there was to see, and glanced at the menu. "Uhh, I don't know much about German styled beers. It was never my thing." She glanced from the menu handed to her and back to Emma. "What do you recommend?" She shifted in her seat, still wearing a simple long black dress. The only thing that she accessorized with was an oversized cardigan with golden cuffs and gold embroidery on the back in the form of a highly stylized 'M'.

"German was my father's thing." She added.

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex is more or less over his hangover from the other day. Mind, he deserved it, considering how much he was drinking, but then, he had a lot on his mind. He's still unaware of Emma's abilities...other than the normal ones of being a powerful, wealthy young woman who happens to be beautiful as well. Kinda the full house of poker hands, really.

    Today, he's figuring maybe a bit less booze, maybe a bit more German food as he walks in, ambling his way towards a booth in the corner.

Emma Frost has posed:
"I've been a fan of the Ayinger Bräuweisse lately," Emma replies to Lorna. "It's an unfiltered hefeweisen, very easy drinking. That would be my suggestion." She considered. "And pretzels. We didn't have dessert, so pretzels can be dessert, right?" Her tone is light and joking as she says that, but then she spies a passing familiar face.

"Alex?" she asks as the young man ambles by their booth.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna inclined her head, "Sure, that sounds good. I think my father liked Bitburger beer, but I wasn't really into it. He used to get in these moods... you see, he had a //fireplace// in his study. On a tropical island of all things, and he'd sit there with a book and just sip it. Typically after he got into a mood." She murmured, it would seem the dinner, and wine.. and revealing of mutant powers had warmed Lorna's trust toward the blonde haired woman.

As She spoke of Alex however, the green haired woman glanced up and around, and as she actually //knew// the Alex that Emma was greeting, she sat up a bit straighter, and blinked.

"Alex? I didn't know you came here."

Alex Summers has posed:
    "Uh...hey." Alex says, blinking and looking suprised as he sees the pair walking in, his eyes widening slightly as he takes the outfit. Particularly Emma's, as that is /definitely/ not the pantsuit she was wearing last time and is thus catching him more than a little off guard. He recovers though. "Wow, yeah, didn't expect to see you here Lorna. Nice to see you again Emma. And it's a new thing..." he says, shrugging his shoulders a bit. "I came the other day, ran into Emma, some other people, seemed nice so I'd thought I'd come back here and try to enjoy the food. As opposed to...ah, really, really needing a good beer or four." he adds ruefully.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma lifts a brow. "You two know each other? What a small world, even for the club." She takes a sip of her beer, musing. "Should he join us, Lorna? Based on the other night, I'm sure he can keep up."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shifted over in the booth, making room as she scooted further in to give the younge Summers brother room to sit. She glanced up at Emma, arching a brow slightly. "I've known his brother for years, actually. Just met Alex though," She flashed the blonde man a smile, perhaps the first he'd seen from the otherwise morose greenette.

"I didn't peg you for a fancy establishment like this." She murmured as she gestured to the space she'd made for him to join them.

"Keep up? Did he go to town already?"

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex mmms. "Well, I just met her recently." he allows, looking unsure. "So yeah. Uh, if you were having a girl's night thing, I don't wanna impose?" he offers after a moment. "And it's more that this is...good food good drink, worth the price, I guess? But not stratospheric prices." He rubs the back of his neck. "Er...well, I needed to blow off some steam, and maybe was knocking down pints a bit more than I should have." he admits. After a moment when they make room, he walks over then sits down next to Lorna. "I won't object to the company at all, eithe rway, beats being out by myself."

Emma Frost has posed:
"Glad you could join us," Emma says with a grin. "I had... been thinking of seeing if I could tag Johnny for your contact information, actually. So this is fortiutous." The waitress takes their orders, beer, food, food made with beer... the possibilities are endless... and disappears to make it so.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna arched another fine eyebrow upward as Alex spoke of having met Emma recently and having some explanation for what Emma had hinted at. Enough that the green haired young woman shot him a slight look of concern. "I hope everything is okay...? Or is it some what you mentioned having bothered you before?" She asked, lightly dancing around the topic of Alex's rather sudden and rather rough introduction to his powers and being a mutant.

She shifted in her seat, glancing briefly to Emma and back to Alex. "Jean said you were going to school for geophysics? That was my major. I got my master's just last year." She offered, changing the subject.

Alex Summers has posed:
    "Pretty much that, yeah." Alex says, leaning back after giving his order...bratwurst and a dark ale. Apparently he liked the taste. He quirks his lips as he sighs, resting back as he stretches out for a moment. "Oh, masters in what? Physics?" he offers curiously, then glances at Emma. "Me? Why?" he says curiously. "I mean, you wanna hire me as a geophysicist, give me a couple months and I'll have my degree, definitely."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma laughs lightly. "No, it wasn't about a job-- though I know of a few people who might be looking for someone with your background, if you'd like me to reach out and speak with them." She doesn't clarify what it was about, however, just taking a draw of her beer. "Alex did tell me about meeting his brother again, briefly, when we chatted the other night. So... you're a friend of his brother." Emma cocks her head, considering. "Would I be amiss in assuming that he might be of the Genosian persuasion?" she asked Lorna with a lifted brow.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna flashed Alex a smile, "Yeah, what other major would help me learn more about my powers?" She drawled, and leaned over on the table to snag the lid off the salt shaker. It was metal, and floated to her fingers easily. "Beyond you know, simple elementary school science classes that say magnets are good with metal?" She drawled, and the shaker's lid morphed and spun around into a few different shapes with ease.

"I wanted to be the first one in my family with a college degree." She shrugged, Wanda and Pietro didn't have one, her father didn't for all that he was highly intelligent..

A glance was spared for Emma as the woman laughed and spoke of wanting to know about Alex's brother and how //she// knew Scott.

The green haired woman shifted uneasily in her seat. "No, not from Genosha. I met Scott years before I moved to Genosha, we're old friends."

Alex Summers has posed:
    "Yeah, seems smart." Alex says. "Kinda wishing I'd had that sorta, you know, heads up for my own career, but, eh. Is what it is, right?" He pauses as his beer arrives, taking a more careful silp, before adding. "Though speaking of that, ran into your brother Pietro last night. Guy seems...driven." Which is a nice way of saying he reminded Alex of Scott, with included stick, but less pleasant to talk to. "My brother is not Genosian, no." Alex says simply. "As far as I know, anyway. Like I said, separated with him for years, so I'm not sure everywhere he's been over that time." He shrugs his shoulders slightly, resting a arm on the back of the booth.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Shaw comes into the Rathskellar from -behind- the bar, this time, and is very much "dressed down" in a pair of dark gray slacks and a red dress shirt, which has the collar unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled part-way up his forearms. He's flanked by a pale brunette woman, dressed in a sharp pantsuit, with her hair in an elaborate updo. She reaches to her ear as though listening to an earpiece, and then places a hand on Shaw's shoulder, to which he leans down and allows her to murmur in his ear.

Shaw nods to whatever it is, and briefly touches Tessa's arm at the elbow, before the woman turns on her heel and heads out the way she came, off to attend to other business, it seems.

Shaw himself moves to the bar, soon finding a stein of doppelbock in his hand, and a fresh baked pretzel with a potent horseradish mustard on the side placed before him. He nods to the bartender on duty, and makes a circular motion with his finger pointed upward. The Bartender nods, and after a few moments servers will be stopping by the tables to inform their guests that the next round is on the house, courtesy of Mr. Shaw. Not an uncommon occurrence when he shows up.

That accomplished, Shaw takes up his light repast and moves over towards where Lorna, Emma, and Alex are seated, inclining his head respectfully to Lorna first, "Apologies, Your Majesty, if I'd known you were coming I wouldn't have let you find me in this sorry state." He smiles, not entirely sincere in his abashedment, but it's with a bit of an openly playful edge. "Do you mind if I join you? Though I wouldn't want to intrude." With Lorna properly greeted and given the choice of determining where Shaw sits in his own joint, he smiles briefly to Emma, and gives Alex a more shallow, but polite nod of greeting.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma scoots over to allow the owner of the Hellfire Club in beside her. "Sebastian. This is the young man I spoke with you about earlier, Mr. Summers." She gives Alex a quick smile. "A geophysicist with a minor in archaeology, I believe?" Another round of beers for the table quickly show up, along with the orders food and snacks. "And Pietro is... certainly an interesting character. I've been acquainted with him for a bit now. Underneath that gruff exterior is... well, a general frustration with humanity in general, but I'm sure a heart of gold is under that. Somewhere." Her tone is light and teasing more than anything else.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna flashed Shaw a smile, warmer than the previous one he had seen on the mutant. Emma had been working her magic, and she gestured to the seat that the blonde opened up across from them. The metal salt lid floated down to the table as she did so, returning to its proper shape with a flick of her fingers. "Don't let me keep you standing on formality, Mister Shaw." She murmured, and glanced back to Alex.

"You saw Pietro? How is he? I.." She trailed off. She hadn't seen her brother, Wanda had told her that he had handled everything with Genosha.. badly to say the least. And where as Wanda had rushed over to see that she was alive.. She had yet to even see her older half brother. She deflated slightly at that.

"Well, my brother is more like my father than he'd ever care to admit. Beyond just looks." She offered instead.

Tessa has posed:
    A moment later Tessa returns - an attractive, serious-looking woman with her black hair in a bun, wearing a dark grey business jacket and modestly short skirt over a red dress shirt and black tie, a pair of spectacles worn over her eyes, wearing a pair of high heeled boots that just reach above her ankles. She looks nowhere but straight forward as she silently approaches Sebastiant Shaw, pushing herself upward a bit to whisper something in his ear over his shoulder, before she shifts to stand behind him.
    One hand clasps her other wrist in front of her as she finally regards the others at the table, nodding respectfully, her eyes lingering curiously, for a moment, on the very young Alex, before turning straight forward, seeming to stare at nothing in particular.

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex looks a little suprised to find out Emma has been telling people about him; he's hardly someone usually in her rarified sort of company. "That's right. Though if you're hiring I won't actually finish my masters until summer, officially. I'm hoping to have it turned in and defended then, anyway." he says. He hmms at Emma. "I suppose so, guy seemed really intense to find the people behind the attack. Personally finding them, I mean."

    The broad-shoulders blonde shrugs slightly, his gaze going over to Tessa as she joins the group, before he slips out of the booth, standing to make room for her next to Lorna. "Here, I'll grab a chair..." he says, heading over to one of the nearby occupied table to pull one back and setting it at the end of the booth.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Shaw returns Lorna's smile and sits down next to Emma, setting his beer and pretzel down on the table, "Well if we're not standing on formality, please feel free to call me Sebastian. It seems to work better when I'm not in a suit." He turns his blue eyes to Alex and studies him a moment, nodding a bit, "Ah yes, Mr. Summers. Emma mentioned you to me. She filled me in on the Geophysicist studies but hadn't mentioned the Archaeology." He extends a hand towards Alex, "Sebastian Shaw, Chairman of the Board here at the Club, and CEO of Shaw Industries."

As Tessa returns he leans to hear what she has to say, briefly making eye contact and giving a wan smile and a nod. However when Alex moves to make a space available for her, he looks a tiny bit bemused, before looking back to Tessa and cocking his head towards that empty seat, encouraging her to take it.

"Allow me to introduce my personal assistant, Miss Tessa Fox. Unlike Tony Stark I may remember where I keep my socks and know how to tie my own shoes, but just about everything else she keeps me ahead of the game on. Tessa, Queen Lorna Dane of Genosha, and Mr. Alex Summers, Geophysicist in the making."

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa inclines her head very slightly as Alex impulsively moves to accomidate her. He must be new here. How sweet. Tessa's gaze turns to Shaw, then, and upon his silent confirmation, she nods and rests one hand on the back of the seat as she looks to Alex and says "Thank you very much."
    Tessa takes a seat and smooths out her suit jacket before looking out at the table as she's introduced. Her voice isn't... flat, exactly, not monotone, but very very controlled and deliberate. "Mister Summers. Queen Lorna. I'm honored." She says, polite and distant, dark eyes appraising them sharply.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma gives Alex a warm smile that belies her icy moniker, as if to say, "see? People who might be looking for someone like you". She takes one of the pretzels and delicately pulls it into smaller pieces while she comments, "I would say it's an auspiciously aspected table, Sebastian, but in truth, this is somewhat business as usual around here."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Pietro shows back up here soon, in truth," Emma remarks to Lorna. "I think what happened has hit him harder than he's willing to admit." She then glances to Tessa as she takes her seat. "Good to see you, Tessa. I left a keydrive in your inbox earlier. No rush on analyzing the data."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna inclined her head once to Shaw, or rather Sebastian as he joined the table and sat. She picked up the glass of beer that had been set down before her, sipping at it cautiously and then reaching for a pretzel and dipping it in mustard. And then Tessa was there and introductions were being made. The greenette blinked as Alex slid out of the booth and moved to grab a chair, her focus shifting back to the conversation at large.

"Please, just call me Lorna here. I am not used to having a crown and a title that actually means anything yet. I'm still adjusting to everything and we're being informal here anyways." She smiled faintly, and pushed her hair back from her face. Her green eyed gaze swinging back to Emma as the blonde woman spoke.

"I know it has. Pietro doesn't show his emotions but that doesn't mean he doesn't have them. He feels quite deeply, he's just more inclined to cover it up with snark and anger."

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex pauses in sitting to take Sebastian's hand. "Alex, then, pleased to meet you." he says, shaking firmly before taking a seat again. "You're welcome." he says to Tessa, leaning over to tug over his beer to the end of the table and taking a sip before setting it down. Definitely taking it a bit easier this time. He files away Tessa's name as Emma greets her, getting comfortable. "Mm, I'm not sure if this was the table where we had Miss Emma there, an Avenger in Pietro and a Fantastic Four member in Johnny Storm at the same time." he agrees dryly with Emma, then nods to Lorna. "Ah, okay. He wasn't rude, just...seemed like he was distracted."

Tessa has posed:
    The turn of Tessa's head to look at Emma is just slightly peculiar in its deliberate pace. "And you, Ms. Frost." She returns the greeting politely, and nods her head. "Very good, Ms. Frost. I'll have it ready for you as soon as possible." She replies, as if she hadn't been given any leeway. She means it, too! She's usually incredibly good about that sort of thing, despite how busy Shaw keeps her.
    If anything she may be a little uncomfortable not to be working right now.
    Queen Lorna's response does not draw any visible change in expression from Tessa, who nods her head and says. "Of course. It's good to meet you, Lorna." trying again in what... may be a friendly gesture? Her voice is a bit softer.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Well, distinguished company indeed." Sebastian notes of the table Alex enjoyed on his last visit, "I don't know if I can compare to the storied Mr. Johnny Storm but hopefully I won't be a complete letdown by comparison." Shaw glances at Emma, seeming entirely amused at something or other. "In any case, Alex, My company almost always has openings for people in your intended line of work. In fact, we have a paid internship program that starts in the fall. If you've any interest in applying, Tessa can get you the information. You needn't have graduated before you apply, but do need to have the degree before you actually start work. You're working on a Master's, correct?" He takes a brief pause for a swallow of his dark beer, before breaking off a piece of his own pretzel and lightly dunking it in that potent horseradish mustard, laughing around the bite.

"Ha...that'll put hair on your chest. And possibly your palms if you're not careful."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna nodded once to Tessa, pleased that the other woman slipped into addressing her far more simply. She smiled again, and picked at another piece of soft pretzel again and popped it into her mouth. Her attention shifting back to the conversation between Alex and Sebastian instead as she shrugged in response to Alex's comment about Pietro. She always just assumed her brother was rude or mean to people. His list of people that he liked or could stand was short.

Still, she considered Alex as Sebastian spoke of an internship and possible job offer. If she had anything to say on the subject however, she kept it to herself. She didn't have much to add at the moment to the conversation, and took the time to enjoy the food, the booze, and just a chance to not be the focus of attention.

Alex Summers has posed:
    "That's right, masters." Alex confirms, crossing his legs as he pauses to take a bite out of his bratwurst as it arrives, munching for a moment before he swallows. "Sure, sounds interesting. I'm definitely gonna be looking for something at that point." He glances over to Emma, Lorna, and Tessa in their respective outfits. "...I don't know if I'll meet the dress code without time to prepare." he jokes, his eyes twinkling a bit.

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa nods once and has already produced a pen and notepad from her inner jacket pocket, dilligantly writing down information just *in case* Alex wants it even though he could turn it down within seconds. She keeps busy.
    She's almost tempted to smile at Alex's comment about the dress code. He has no idea.
    When Shaw so muches as dips that pretzel in mustard, her attention turns to him. Without comment, her arms move with that oddly deliberate grace to produce a handerchief from her *other* vest pocket and offer it to Sebastian silently.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Speaking of dress code..." Emma says lightly, for the perceptive, the briefest wobble to her tone for a split second before disappearing as if it never happened... "The Hellfire Club will be hosting our Annual Spring Charity Gala in a couple of weeks; this year's beneficiary is the nation and people of Genosha. Sebastian has set up a 501(c)(3) charity foundation that will be focused on helping the nation clean up and rebuild in their hour of need that will be able to be directed by Lorna or those she assigns; to fill the needs she //has//, not the needs people feel warm and fuzzy for filling." She pauses and takes a drink of her beer. "I... find myself sadly lacking a date to the Gala. It appears time has gotten away from me as I've been focused on work... and I was wondering if perhaps you might accompany me, Alex?" Well, she //had// said she had something she had wanted ot ask him.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Ah, thank you Tessa." Shaw responds, reaching to take the handkerchief and dab away a tiny bit of mustard at the corner of his mouth. He looks between Emma and Alex, and there is, perhaps, the -slightest- bit of a "really?" sort of expression on his face for a moment, before he looks to Alex, now -very- amused, "Better say yes, Alex. These kinds of opportunities don't come around very often, and more importantly she doesn't like being told "no."" He takes another gulp of his beer, now thoroughly enjoying this, it seems.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna arched a brow as she continued to snack on pretzels and sip at her beer, having stayed otherwise quiet. "A gala? Why is it the first I've heard about this and we already had dinner, Emma?" She tilted her head, glancing between Alex and Emma. Part of her was already mentally taking note that she //had// to tell Scott that his younger brother already had a date to something fancy.

Just to keep herself amused the next time Scott tried to get a mission report from her.

The green haired woman sipped at her beer again, "Not that I'm not immensely grateful that you're going so far to help Genosha rebuild and all.." She hedged, her eyebrows furrowing faintly. Surprise!

Tessa has posed:
    "You're welcome, Sir." Tessa says softly to Shaw. Tessa turns her attention back to her notepad just before Emma makes her proposal to Alex. Tessa's gaze turns to Emma and Alex at the same moment Shaw's does, though her expression remains neutral, betraying only a slight curious inclination of her head.
    For that awkward moment, there is only the sound of paper slowly tearing as Tessa rips that information-note free from the notebook.

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex is just in the midst of taking another sip of beer, listening to Emma, when she lays that one on him, and just avoids inhaling, letting out a cough. Missing Sebastian's 'really?' look completely as he sets it down, then blinks a bit at the corseted woman, looking taken off guard. He was completely not expecting that. "You want me to accompany you...as your date?" he's compelled to repeat, just to make sure he's understanding what she's asking. "I mean...yeah. Yeah, that's kinda fun, actually. I certainly wouldn't mind the company. Though, ah, I've never been to a big fancy gala like that before." he admits sheepishly. "So you might have to point out faux paus before they happen?" He's still a bit stunned; if anything, while he'd have to be blind to not realize how attractive Emma is and he's enjoyed talking with her on the two times they've met...well, they've only met two times, and he kinda filed her as 'out of my league'. Much like Lorna. And probably Tessa, the way his luck goes.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma coughs a little, giving Lorna an apologetic look. "I'm sorry! I had thought I had mentioned it, intending to give you all the details once they are finalized and having Sebastian here to fill in what I don't know myself. He is the point person for this years Gala, after all. Lex did such an amazing job last year, I think Sebastian just wants to show him up," and Emma glances to Shaw, giving him a half smile.

She looks to Alex, brightening a bit. "Well... good! I will have my people get in touch with you to take care of the minor details, of course." Like making sure he's properly attired, for one. She looks pleased as she takes another drink of her beer.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Lex -is- a hard act to follow." Sebastian admits, grinning just a bit. "Good choice, Alex." He asides after he accepts Emma's invitation, before his attention turns back to Lorna, and he adds, "The last few t's need to be crossed, and i's dotted, but once I have everything in order as far as the proper legalities I'll certainly forward you a copy for review. You can either directly appoint people to oversee, delegate that task to someone else, myself most certainly included, or you can arrange a meeting with me anytime to discuss the particulars. Tessa knows to clear my schedule if certain people call, and you've recently been added to that list." Sebastian takes another sip of beer before continuing, "As for the gala itself, you'll of course have the right to veto any of the particulars if you think them in poor taste or even simply not to your liking, but I would imagine with all you have on your plate right now, the nitty-gritty of the planning isn't something you likely want to devote time to, though if you wish otherwise, just let me know." Sebastian pauses, then smirks just a bit, "I can assure you there will be no Pro-Humana members on the invite list, or even admitted to the building at all that evening. Our security team is quite efficient, though if you wish to provide some degree of your own, we will certainly make the necessary accomodations." Sebastian adds at the end, "And of course feel free to let us know of any particular individuals you'd like to invite...no rush, however."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna glanced between Emma and Sebastian, particularly as Emma coughed lightly and fell into apologies. She arched a brow, seeming content to sit there and sip her beer as she listened to both in turn. "I just found it rather amusing Emma, that you invited Alex to be your date for a Genoshan charity event when I hadn't even been informed you were planning all of this.." She mused, an eyebrow lurching upward as she shook her head.

"I will likely ask one of my remaining Councilmen to take a look at the details. He handled the memorial we had in Mutant Town. He's been upgraded rather quickly to many positions at once. So.. things are rapidly becoming interesting." She murmured, and pursed her lips together.

"I appreciate the care you have in regards to the guest list and the alike, truly, I do.. But I don't have any other requests beyond what you've mentioned. Other than perhaps to invite my siblings."

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex beams at Emma. The day is definitely looking up! Not to mention he hasn't had a date in...well, before he started his masters pretty much. That went anywhere, anyway. Though he's forced to dryly comment to Sebastian. "Like I could say no to a date with someone like Emma?" He chuckles a bit, his gaze flicking over to the woman in question. He is a bit curious now why he's been invited. He's definitely not her usual level of date, he suspects. Or at least, totally not a member of the high society she seems to move through. It's surprised him...and now he's that much more curious about her, what kind of person she is to ask a guy like him.

    Especially, you know, after seeing him thoroughly buzzed a few nights back, when being at the mansion and trying to deal with everything got a bit too much. He's better now. Seriously, people like Lorna have real problems, his are...problematic, but not something he can't overcome. He hopes.

    "I mean...maybe figure out what you need most right now to put the money towards? Housing, I'd guess...power. Clean water?"

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa never really stopped scribbling in her small notebook, though few can tell as her hands are beneath the table, doing it in her lap without looking at it, while her eyes stay trained on whomever's talking at any given moment. Notes on what they say, notes on what she sees, notes on what Lorna may need just because Alex brought it up, her mind constantly occupying itself as she maintains an inoffensive aura. She's normally happy to vanish into the background, to speak only when spoken to. If anything joining Shaw and Frost at the table is the oddest thing to happen tonight as far as she's concerned.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma bounces a little in her seat. She's had... a few glasses of wine and a couple of beers, so she's moderately buzzed. She doesn't allow herself to get that way OFTEN but when she does, it's only int he club where there's no way anything bad could happen to her. "In my defense," she protests cheerily to Lorna, "he is a very good-looking guy." She smiles into her beer as she finishes off the last swallow.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Sebastian's eyebrows almost climb into his hairline at that, which is impressive given it's slightly receding. But he does look -thoroughly- amused, studying his half-full stein, "Did they they fill this thing with scotch or did I hear that correctly?" He laughs, then drains the rest of his beer, setting the stein back on the tabletop and using the previously-acquired handkerchief to wipe his mouth, "Well, I had best leave you younger folks to enjoy your evening. You likely don't want or need me talking shop, and I'm sometimes dreadful at talking about anything else. Just ask Emma." He slides out of the booth, inclining his head towards those assembled, "Do enjoy yourselves, and let your cares be set aside, even if just for a few minutes. Lorna, Emma, a pleasure as always. Alex, a pleasure meeting you." He offers a hand to Tessa to help her out of the booth.

Alex Summers has posed:
    Alex raises his brows playfully at Emma as she compliments him, waggling them just a bit before he chuckles. "Nice to be appreciated. Though I hope you are interested in more than just my body, hmm?" He nods to Sebastian and Tessa as they rise. "It was a pleasure meeting you; I'll take you up on looking at that internship too, I appreciate offer." he says honestly. It's not always easty to go from academia to a "real job" after all! He seems perfectly happy remaining where he is...after all, both Emma and Lorna are interesting company, and he's hardly the sort who minds being in the company of two beauties for that matter. It's nice to see Lorna smile, too, considering last time he saw her things were getting...well, overwhelming for her.