Owner Pose
Susan Richards It's shockingly early in the morning for Susan Richards to be out and about for purposes other than yet another tedious business meeting. But today, she's gone for something a little different. Not that anyone will be the wiser, the benefit of the Fantastic Four's dazzling array of scientific advancements, and booking her morning meetings as conference calls means that the virtual intelligence and synthesized copy of her voice can both handle the meetings and leave her transcripts to cover later.

And so Sue finds herself perched at the bar of the Hellfire Club's VIP lounge indulging in the most scandalous of activities.

The blonde is bringing a small cup of espresso to her lips, and taking a sip. The scandal, of course, is that it's /just/ a cup of espresso, and that it's her morning coffee and not a pick me up after spending the last several hours in one of the other establishments on site. But then, she's been a responsible mother for so long, those old days of being one of the clubs more infamous party animals are clearly beyond her.

Yes, surely. That's why she's here, dressed to kill in the morning.
Sebastian Shaw There are many things that can be said about Sebastian Shaw. One is that he is well known to entertain well into the night. Another is what, somehow, despite that, he is always able to appear fresh and vibrant in the morning. A night owl who is also a morning person? Perhaps unheard of, but The Black King pulls it off. Although his public appearances during the time that most are sleeping off their evening's diversions (or concluding them, when they are especially robust) may be somewhat limited, it is always with good reason that he walks the halls of the Hellfire Club's more public locales before noon. A visit from Susan Richards is certainly a good reason.

Alerted to the arrival of the Invisible Woman before she had even made it through the door, Sebastian Shaw had quickly concluded his morning sparring session. He had already absorbed enough of what he needed from it, and was merely toying with the day's victim anyway. The swiftest of showers, and within a few minutes he was dressed as always - the very model of the most popular of stylings from the Victorian era - and making his way down towards the VIP Lounge. Briefed along the way as to Ms. Richards' activities since arrival - modest and common as they were - Sebastian steps into the VIP Lounge with that secure, practiced gait, the fluidity of a dancer mixed with the steady confidence of an apex predator. He takes a direct path over towards the Fantastic one, sidling up next to her at the bar. "Ms. Richards," he nearly purrs. "I heard that you had decided to grace us with your most ... " Does he search for a word, or is he merely pausing for emphasis? "...glamorous presence this morning. And I simply had to come and see for myself." A glance towards the bartender. "Have they been taking good care of you?"
Susan Richards Susan's contemplating... well, whatever it is that dextrous, arguably scheming mind might contemplate over morning coffee. Another charitable foundation? The latest potentially disastrous scientific breakthrough her husband assures her won't /possibly/ endanger the world or give anyone accidental super powers? Maybe she's just focusing on the rich taste of the espresso. Whatever she's deep in thought about, it's not so deep as to prevent her from noticing Shaw's arrival, or his approach. The cup hides any smirk, but it can't cover her eyes glinting with anticipation at his approach, eyebrows lifting slightly. He's always good for a verbal spar, and Sue so rarely gets to indulge in those.

Cup is lowered, a brief wash of her tongue over her lips, that dark lipstick immaculate in its wake as she laughs softly and murmurs out, "Why, Mr. Shaw! I don't think I'm /that/ glamorous, but one doesn't attend this establishment without putting in some effort." Her free hand gestures down that clinging dress, "This was just something I picked up to cheer myself up one day, and I realized I'd never had a chance to indulge in wearing it... and with that business with the galaxy preparing to arrive upon our doorstep..." She trails off for a moment and flashes a crooked grin, "Well, I've not heard any indicators there is a threat to our existence, I still remember all those alien invasion movies from my younger days, and I'm /not/ fighting one off before I get to be a little flashy."

She favors the bartender with a practiced wink and murmurs out, "Oh, of course! Your staff here is always impeccable at attending to the needs of your guests. But I'm sure you know that already." She hums softly and quirks an eyebrow, "As for my /glamorous/ presence... well, if you want to give me a hint about the next gala theme, it would surely help me prepare for when I've got to be my utmost glamorous. I suppose the Mardi Gras event was equal parts glamorous and thrilling. I have such fond memories! Indeed, those memories are partly why I'm here. I realized I've been paying for this membership and not exploiting it to its fullest potential."
Sebastian Shaw Perhaps Shaw notices the perk in her eyes at his arrival. Or perhaps he just naturally assumes that everyone finds their day to be more interesting for his presence in it. Either way, he beams that charming Shaw smile at Susan. "I _do_ appreciate the effort, my dear," he murmurs, allowing his gaze to fully and completely admire her ensemble. Far longer than perhaps is necessary. "I would say it is a shame that you did not have occasion to do before today, but I am far too pleased to see that you chose here to debut that look." He leans back, just slightly, perhaps over emphasizing the way he watches how it falls along towards her backside. "Flashy does not quite do it justice, I am afraid."

"They had better be. They are very highly compensated to insure the very best of experiences for our guests." He leans forward, bending a bit at the waist to hover past the bar, casting his gaze down towards the bartender. It may be that he is impatient, or it may just be that he is using that as an excuse to allow his hand to casually fall against Sue's back as he does so. "Black." is all there is to the order.

Shaw straightens, but his hand remains in place, for the moment. "I was thinking perhaps a true Bacchanal, with flowing wine and crisp white togas." His eyes watch hers for reaction or opinion. "And yes, I would daresay you are hardly exploiting the Hellfire Club to the full extent of your ability to do so. If you truly seek to rectify that, then I am doubly pleased that I am here to attend to that with you."
Susan Richards There's a soft laugh, not the pitch perfect, practiced for the media and public noise she makes on reflex during public events, but a genuine sound of amusement, espresso raised for another sip in the wake of that laugh before her head bobs, "Well, it's always nice for the effort to be appreciated. Especially when it takes so much more of it than it used to!" She grins wryly, "And come now, this isn't one of my flashy outfits. Those involve... sequins and metallic fabrics and the like! But those are hardly morning coffee attire." She gives a little roll of her eyes, biting back a wider grin, as though she's fully aware neither is a little black dress and yet here she is.

She heaves out a soft sigh and murmurs, "Well, I can honestly say I cannot remember a single time the staff here has been less than outstandingly accommodating and charming... admittedly, some of those parties I attended with Janet back in the day get a little hazy." She shrugs and murmurs dryly, "But then, that is the purpose of some parties. One needs variety in life."

Her back arches slightly but she doesn't move away from that hand, simply arching a touch, "Oh my! A full on Bacchanal with togas? Hmm, that could be quite remarkably new as far as experiences go. After all, one can only alter a white toga so far before it's not a toga. It will be interesting to see how people compensate for the lack of flare in attire in other fashions."

She hums softly and murmurs out, "Of course, I'll have to do any business early in the evening. This place is a wonderful way to corner titans of industry and political power. And I have concerns with space travel opening that I imagine we all share. Individual governments reaching out to less than scrupulous alien races for a technological edge on their peers." She rolls her eyes and murmurs dryly, "All very important, but also very... not as fun as letting the wine flow and eating grapes, hm?" She clears her throat and places her cup aside, fingers steepling as her eyebrows furrow ever so slightly in serious consideration, "But perhaps I need to consider the other myriad of ways I haven't been taking advantage of the hospitality here. I'm sure I can make time for planetary security and other interests together."
Sebastian Shaw "Perish that thought. You have aged like a fine wine, far more robust and flavorful than anything I could find of a younger vintage." His eyes twinkle with amusement, that twist of a smile as he regards her. Appreciative of the laugh. And willing to pour on the admiration, although his tone is indeed rather earnest. Truthfully, there are few who could have drawn him so swiftly their side - Sue likely realizes that.

"It is sad that the best parties are often the least remembered, but that is just the price we pay, I suppose, for our indulgences." Speaking of, as her back arches Sebastian's fingers indulge in a slow, gentle trace down along her spine. "Oh, I am quite confident in the creativity of our members and their guests. I would be rather intrigued to see what spin you might put on such a classic."

His face turns a bit concerned as she discusses the business of space travel. "I feel as if we truly have all that we would need here, on this planet, and we simply invite trouble that we may not be able to counter if we press ourselves. We have already seen enough evidence of that. I would hope that they listen to your wise council, and not invite new disaster to us." His eyes drift to the cup, attracted by the movement, before looking back to Sue's face. "If you truly wished for a tour of the less than public spaces of the Hellfire Club, it would be my honor to guide you through them." Those fingers find their way down to the fabric of the dress, and ever one to push boundaries, descend for the briefest of moments below it, before running back up, just as slowly.
Susan Richards Susan lets out a self-depricating little scoffing noise as she murmurs dryly, "Oh, I think fine wine has an easier time aging gracefully. Though I suppose I also didn't appreciate the joys of being admired quite so much in my younger days. So it's a balance, no?" She does show a reaction to those fingers tracing, drawing a sharper hiss as she tilts her head back, chin lifting slightly, "Mh. Oh, bangles certainly. A toga calls for golden bracelets in /excess/. I believe that's more... Roman excess than Greek, but really, like all fine parties the details are less important than the spirit of celebration, isn't that so?"

Her throat clears as she draws a sharp breath for a moment, contemplating the future, and space, and all those many worries about the unfolding situation. "Well, we've shown the galaxy at large that we can hit above our weight class, and that was without the planet being united against a common enemy attempting to pick a fight with /all/ of us. Truthfully I'm more worried about the sort of troubles arising from ourselves.... but there's plenty of time to consider this /without/ company to enjoy!"

She arches her back a touch further at that wandering hand and slinks off the stool with a crooked grin, eyes sparkling dangerously as she murmurs out, "Hm. I think a tour would be nice. And of course, you can bring your coffee, I'm sure you won't hold it as a mark against yourself to take a beverage anywhere they're not normally allowed. After all, what's the point in being in charge if you can't take liberties?" The blonde slips a hand into the small clutch at her hip and slides a few folded but generous denominations to the bartender with a flash of a smile, "Thank your for your exceptional service. I'll remember you!"
Sebastian Shaw "If we surrender ourselves to the details, we lose the greater spirit of run," agrees Sebastian. His eyes drift down to her neck, and from there, descend once more. Further appreciation of the dress. "Perhaps you were simply admired by the wrong people at the time, Ms. Richards." The fingers slip up past the collar of her dress, playing briefly at the nape of her neck.

"I believe you are quite the authority on those matters, and so I would happily defer to your judgement. If there is any way that I can assist in advancing your agenda, do please let me know. I maintain some certain influences in the technology and industrial fields." Putting it lightly.

As she slips from the stool, Sebastian does little to provide more room to her, causing at least a slight brush of her against him, before he finally does step back. Hardly fitting to bar her pathway. "Where we are going, my dear, there is _nothing_ which is not allowed." He reaches out to collect the coffee in his free hand, and pivots slightly to allow Sue a path of egress from the bar. Her comment evokes a wolfish grin from the Black King. "Indeed, what _would_ be the point of that," he murmurs, as his fingers take certain liberties of their own, their path downward along her spine this time drifting just a bit further below the line of that fabric. And lingering, this time, the slightest of pressures from his fingertips applied as if to guide Sue to turn and walk with him.

Their path is towards the corner, where a wall bears a detailed bas relief carved into the wood. At a look from Sebastian, an attendant arrives and the wall slides open, revealing a doorway. Sebastian turns his gaze to look at Sue, carefully assessing her reaction to...all of it, perhaps.
Susan Richards Susan's hips sway with a natural rhythm, no doubt a lingering reminder that she was quite the dancer back in the day, and much like riding a bicycle, that doesn't go away just because you only do your dancing around the kitchen making dinner. She takes those touches with good graces, and a fair bit of agile maneuvering, darting away as they near scandal or teasing, those bright blue eyes flaring with intensity, with a fire that Sue's kept contained for so long, the thrill of a power play, even if there are no real stakes... it's simply more /fun/ than business deals, which have lost their enticement over time.

As the long-legged blonde follows that gestured path, her eyebrows perk at the wall sliding open, and her cheeks flush to a bright, momentary pink, an involuntary blush before she murmurs dryly, "Of course. Hidden passages and doors. How did it never occur to me? And here I thought all your staff were simply given teleportation devices." She lets out a low murmur of laughter, "The perils of living amongst the wonders of technology. You forget the most basic methods of intrigue."

She glances to Shaw and murmurs out dryly, "Oh, I am /definitely/ going to need the full tour. I knew I blocked out my entire day for a reason. Space and the club, both seem rife with opportunities to explore. And this doesn't even involve a pre-flight check!" And then Sue's slipping through that opened door to refresh herself on the details of the club's inner workings.