Owner	Pose
Alex Summers	It wasn't quite out of the blue, when Alex called a couple days earlier. "So, hey. I thought maybe, you know...before we go on the big fancy date where we have to worry about how we look and how we're seen on the scene...want to go out with me to something more relaxed? Say, Thursday afternoon, if you can get free?"     And from that, lunch and a trip to the American Museum of Natural History are planned. Since Emma is a busy woman, meeting outside the museum seemed best for her schedule, with lunch after they get tired of wandering the museum and need a break.     So, Alex is outside the museum in a light denim jacket over a snug-fitting royal blue henley and jeans over boots, sitting on the steps as he waits patiently, his attention partially on his phone as he scrolls through exhibits inside for ones that might appeal.
Emma Frost	Emma isn't always in business attire or corsets. She can dress down to fit in with the rabble. For values of dressing down. White strappy high heels hit the pavement as she steps out of the back seat of the car she had called to bring her here. She is dressed casually in a gauzy white sundress, the flowy skirt hitting her mid thigh, the bodice a sweetheart style halter. Her long blonde hair is clipped back with a silvery jaw clip, and she has on a pair of white rimmed sunglasses with dark shades. Spying Alex, her heels clip on the pavement as she moves purposefully in his direction.
Alex Summers	Despite having the phone out, Alex has been keeping an eye on any cars that stop out in front...so when Emma slips out of her car, he slides the phone away, pushing himself up to his feet and stepping down to meet her. "Hey..." he says with a smile. "Hmmm, now I don't know if I can take you inside, you're going to distract everyone from looking at the exhibits." And really, he...very much approves. Not that he didn't admire businesswoman Emma in a well put together pantsuit outfit and the professional look she pulls off, or the more lustful thoughts inspired by Emma in a corset, but there's something...more comfortable in seeing her like this, more relaxed and less beholden to other people's requirements of what is expected to be worn. He mentally chides himself for referring to Emma like she's a Barbie in his head too as he gazes down at her.
Emma Frost	Emma smiles at the compliment, pleased that it is, from her brief touch of his mind, genuinely meant rather than the sort of banal flattery she is accustomed to in her postion. She glances towards the building. "Its been a few years since I've been here. I think I was 14 or 15, to be honest." Still, she seems quite game for the outing. "Shall we?"n
Alex Summers	Alex smiles. "Sure, let's." He offers an arm, then heads up the steps, matching his stride to Emma's. No sense rushing her, no matter how good she is at walking quickly in heels. "Have a preference for where we start?" he wonders as they head in, showing a pair of tickets he bought earlier to the ticket taker and walking into the main hall, towards the giant bones of the T-Rex that dominates it. "I've not been here for years either. Once when I moved here like six years back, but not since."
Emma Frost	Emma slides her arm into Alex's as they make their way into the museum. "Where ever you would like. I'm yours for the afternoon," she chuckles. As the T Rex comes into view, she pauses to give it a good once over. She opens up her mind a little bit to glean thoughts from the various surrounding people for a few moments as well before closing herself mostly off again, the thoughts becoming a background buzz. Nothing interesting really, just a bunch of awe and some affected boredom from the various people milling around.
Alex Summers	"Hmmm, well, if you don't have a preference...dinosaurs or ancient mummies?" Alex says easily enough as they walk. "Honestly, part of the reason I wanted to ask you out was I don't know a whole lot about what you like when you're not being a CEO, other than clothing choices." He glances over and down. "Wasn't sure if this would be your thing, or if you'd rather have seen an art gallery somewhere."
Emma Frost	Emma wrinkles her nose a bit. "Dinosaurs. Human corpses, however well preserved, seem distasteful. Though there might be some interesting artwork in that exhibit too." She glances at him sideways a moment, amused and slightly taken aback. "For most men, the packaging is all they are interested in, Mr. Summers.... so I'm not ah... accustomed to anything less superficial, I'm afraid."
Alex Summers	"Yeah, I'd admit, not fond of dead people, was thinking more the grave goods and jewelry might be interesting." Alex agrees, smiling back. "And their loss, then. You wouldnt' be where you are if you were nothing but a pretty face." He shrugs slightly "I know for some wealthy kids, they're just inheriting the money their parents made, but not necessarily the ambition or skill, but you don't seem that superficial."     Alex detours into the dinosaur wing, where there's an exhibit, including VR and videos and computer simulations showing new theories of what dinosaurs really were like, with the more feathered exteriors instead of tough skin. There's even a large exhibit on T-Rex's in particular, with a display showing what a baby T-Rex might have looked like with feathers.
Emma Frost	"Oh, look at that one!" Emma brightens. "He looks like a little vicious bird." She peers into the display. "Well, actually, now that I think about it, after dealing with the pigeons and other birds in the city, I can see how they might be small dinosaurs." She considers. "Small fat dinosaurs." She glances to Alex. He's... he's serious. And actually being honest. This is entirely odd to her. "Well... um. I guess what do you want to know? I mean, I know a little about your family-- losing your parents and just rediscovering your brother. Ah..." She muses. "Well, I'm the middle daughter. I have an older sister and-- brother. And a younger sister. My father was head of the company until he retired at the end of last year, and he chose me to suceed him." She wrinkles her nose a bit. "He's mostly retired. He still looks in from time to time."
Alex Summers	Alex grins. "Yeah, I kinda expect giant emus or something when they say they're birds. I'm not sure if they look more intimidating with the feathers, but the mane is kinda neat." he agrees as he walks along, looking over as he listens to Emma talk. "Huh, big family. I have a foster sister, but I'm not really close with my adopted family much." There's a little knit of emotional pain at the memories that touches on, it's not like they were really his family so much as he was a replacement for their son, after all. And he always knew it, every time they tried to shape him into what their son was instead of what he wanted to be. "Close with any of them?"
Emma Frost	Emma considers answering that honestly, but...it's an uncomfortable question. For a number of reasons. Especially the whole 'the only one who likes me has been disowned' bit. "As close as any family, I guess," she responds after a moment. Which isn't entirely a lie, from her perspective. Families are messy, but blood is thicker than water, after all.
Alex Summers	Alex seems to sense he shouldn't push further, nodding a bit. "I haven't seen my foster sister in years...we used to be pretty close, but she's on the opposite side of the globe these days, feels like. My foster parents, well...I don't get along well with them, honestly." He shrugs his shoulders. "Why it's so weird to run into Scott after so long, to find out he's been doing all these crazy things while I've been living a normal life." He pauses to point at a picture, labeled 'Roy Chapman Andrews.' "Here's a guy every archeologist who loved Indiana Jones should know; this guy, Andrews, he was sort of the inspiration for Spielburg. Though he was more interested in finding fossils than lost Inca treasures and Christian relics. The Museum here sends out expeditions all the time, and he was one of the ones ready to go at a moment's notice, and had more than a few close calls with death on his trips. Became the director of the museum when he retired from adventuring, right through the war years, up to 1946."
Emma Frost	"Huh." Emma nods, reading the blurb under the picture. "He sounds like he was an interesting guy." She frowns. "But who is Indiana Jones? Another archaeologist?" She quickly delves Alex's mind for the answer, absently-- and then turns beet red, realizing how incredibly stupid she just sounded. Look, watching movies for entertainment hasn't been something she has had time to do!
Alex Summers	Alex is momentarily suprised, then as he sees Emma turn red. "Ah, not a big movie buff?" he says simply. "Well, I know what a movie night should be now." He grins a bit. "Indiana Jones is a series of pulp movies...sort of the 1930s era adventures, about a archeologist named Indiana Jones and his adventures. Played by Harrison Ford in his prime. The first one is about his search for the Ark of the Covenant, the golden box that contained the mythical Ten Commandments after Jehovah gave them to Moses." He tilts his head. "It's mostly an action adventure movie with a good bit of humor...racing Nazis to find it, running into an old flame, adventures in tomb diving and dealing with hostile locals, dangerous animals, ancient traps, all of those things."     He actually finds the blush very cute, he hasn't seen Emma vulnerable before like that.
Emma Frost	"Oh. I see." Emma rubs the back of her neck, fighting back embarrassment. She weighs wiping Alex's mind of the last couple of minutes of conversation, but for the moment decides against it. "I... don't really have the time for movies. Or much of anything, really. I haven't even been able to sit down and read a book that wasn't for work or class since I was in undergrad."
Alex Summers	Alex furrows his brow at that curiously. "What do you do for fun then? To unwind? You can't be working constantly, can you? Everyone needs time to decompress." He hmmms. "What was the last book you read, then?" he wonders curiously. Inwardly, he's sort of wondering if Emma is more of a workaholic than she first appears...he can't imagine what it would be like to never have free time to actually find something to enjoy and unwind with.
Emma Frost	"When I was younger I read books to relax. Mostly fantasy. Um, the last book I read for fun was the final book in the 'Wheel of the Eternal' series. Last book I read at all was 'A Study of Emerging Markets in Latveria'." Emma shrugs. "I mean, I work out, and that helps me unwind some. I go down to the various bars in the club for a beer or two and to keep an eye on things."
Alex Summers	"If you're keeping an eye on things, doesn't that mean you're still working though, even if you're not on the clock?" Alex says curiously. "I mean, working out is a thing, I get it, I like burning off steam that way too." He flexes one of his muscular arms, bicep bulging briefly for a moment. "Didn't get these by hefting cheeseburgers." he says teasingly. He considers, then asks. "What did you do on dates before this?"
Emma Frost	Well, there's another uncomfortable question. "I... don't date much, really." She gives him a appreciative side glance... not at all subtly, either, truth to tell, when he flexes. "No time. I mean, I've gone on a few dates with members of the club that father has set me up with... but they don't work out. And that hasn't been very often, either." She turns her attention to the next exhibit, quiet for a moment while she studies it. "I mean, dinner, opera, symphony. And yes, I suppose it's still working to be at the club, but I enjoy it."
Alex Summers	"That might be because your father is setting them up instead of you." Alex notes dryly, then mms. "Well, if you like it, but it does feel like you're working all the time then. I mean, if you're worried about what's going on there and keeping an eye on things, you're not exactly relaxing. You're just in a less formal office." He's suprised, really, that Emma doesn't date much; less so when she explains that her father was the one setting up dates. "Okay, simpler question then. Favorite actor and actress, the ones you know." he can't resisting adding, a little twinkle in his eyes as he teases gently at that.
Emma Frost	"I'd be remiss if I didn't say Johnny... Storm, of course... because if I didn't, with that man's propensity for gossip he'd hear about it and be hurt next time I saw him," Emma responds back, in an equally teasing tone. Even if Johnny was a horrible actor. "And his sister Sue, naturally." She was a //lot// better. "And I very much know them, quite personally, in fact." She looks back to him. "What about you? What do you do to relax?"
Alex Summers	"A combination of things, usually." Alex says. "I jog and work out to keep in shape. My hobby, when I can do it, is going on archeological digs, but it's hard to swing that when dissertation writing." He makes a face. "Honestly, a lot of my free time is eaten up with writing and such with that. There's lots of fiddly bits to go to a master's dissertation, from formating and footnoting and doublechecking that you didn't use the wrong word with the correct spelling, etc." He smiles a bit. "But I like a good book sometimes. I tend to do a mix of more professional reading, papers published, or journal articles with an occasional book, and...uh...well, trash pulp fiction novels, mostly." he says ruefully. "The sort of books you get for 3 bucks on Kindle lots of times. I used to play video games a lot, but I haven't had the time or the inclination to buy the newest console." He considers. "I watch documentaries and TV series or movies sometimes working out, when it's something low impact?
Emma Frost	Emma tsks. "See? I'm not the only workaholic then. Your dissertation eats you the way work eats me." She gives him a cheeky grin. "But if it's digs you're looking for, I know Sebastian has more than a couple of archaelogists in his company. When the field engineers find... historical leavings, I believe is how they term it... Sebastian makes sure things are stopped long enough for the archaelogists to do their work and catalog everything before moving forward. 'He who does not study history is doomed to repeat it', after all."
Alex Summers	"That's a good way to think of it, yeah. Glad to hear he doesn't just bulldoze things to save some money." Alex says, then sticks out his tongue at Emma playfully. "Ah, but my dissertation will be done soon, and then I'll have a lot more free time to spend on it, hopefully! Well, other than the job hunt side of things." he admits with a sigh. "You and Sebastian get along well, then?"
Emma Frost	"He's kind of like an uncle to me. He and father were both on the board together before father retired. He's known me since I was a little girl." Emma glances over to Alex. "I wouldn't want to keep you away from your dissertaion," she teases. "I mean, I'm sure you could be writing so many footnotes right now."
Alex Summers	Alex snorts at that, grinning. "Mmm, yeah, I'm okay on procrastinating like hell on it for the right reasons." he admits. "Got a lot on my mind lately, so believe me, getting out with you today is way better. I'll have to save the footnotes for when I get home so I can relax myself before bed." he deadpans.     As the pair pass out of the dinosaur area and enter the general mammal area, he gestures to the wall of species, mostly the images of primitive humanity. "I keep waiting for them to add a new exhibit at the end there, next to Homo sapiens."
Emma Frost	Emma scoffs. "Not while the Pro-Humana movement has as much sway as it does," she mutters. "There are a lot of people who don't consider mutants human at all." She doesn't say much else on the subject, eyeing the primative human figures with something between disdain and annoyance.
Alex Summers	Alex mms. "I kinda dislike that word." he muses after a moment, continuing along. "Mutant. That neat little box people can throw anyone who has unusual abilities into and apply stereotypes, like a person with powers like that is any different than a person without them, with different worldviews, dreams, hopes, fears...all of it." He sighs a bit. "It's just...it feels too much like saying mutants don't count as humans, you know? That they're not the same, at the core."
Emma Frost	Emma frowns a bit. "But //are// they the same?" she muses quietly. "Of course they count... but only one side has drawn a significant amount of blood."
Alex Summers	"Humans have been killing humans for thousands and thousands of years, usually because one group is different from the other. It doesn't make them less human on either side, save in the minds who want an excuse to go to war." Alex murmurs, stopping by a mural. Which is unusual, in that it has a disclaimer about all the things that are wrong with said mural, Old New York Diorama. It shows a pair of European men greeting native men in red loinclothes, with barechested native women in the background with their heads bowed down subserviently. "Here's a good example...they only recently put up these corrections for this scene." he notes, gesturing towards it. "Natives who are mostly naked, women who bow their heads and avoid looking at men, versus Europeans who are fully dressed in ornate clothing, had guns, have a town with stone walls and wooden houses and ships on the horizon."     "But the Lenape didn't dress like that for formal meetings: they had elaborate headresses. Fur robes. Plus, they were the ones who knew how to live off the land, who had the food. Women in their culture were just as likely as men to hold power and had no reason to keep their heads down like that. Hell, half the time Europeans were begging the locals for food, for knowledge, for all sorts of things."     Alex waves to the picture. "But they only recently put in the corrections, because the story of civilization overtaking barbarism is the story they wanted. The 'better' people displacing ones that were somehow unworthy."
Emma Frost	Emma is silent for a few moments, regarding the painting. Then, "I hate it." She gestures to the painting as a whole. "The victors have always written the history. And then there's always mewling afterwards about how everyone should have just been peaceful, helpful, just gotten along. But it's human nature to hate. And they do, all the while claiming they do not, that they are better now, more civilized, more intelligent, more cogent of their actions." She scoffs angrily. "But in the end, it ends in blood and tears. And someone loses, and is made out to be the weaker, regardless of what the truth was. And someone rewrites themselves as the hero of the story." She shrugs, turning away from the scene, moving on. "There are no heroes, anyway. Just an illusion of such."
Alex Summers	Alex cocks his head. "Dark view of humanity, to think we can never do better than those with power doing as they wish to those who don't have it. Counteproductive, really. We're a social race, we work best together than constantly fight. And we don't have to, just because that's been the way it was in the past." He gestures to the painting. "It's not intended to excuse what happened. It's intended to accurately portray the people involved. It's the mindset that's the problem, that you can make someone inhuman in your mind, to alter what's really there to justify what you want to do. Because humanity, deep down, wants things to make sense. To be fair."     He sighs, turning to look at Emma. "I wouldn't say there aren't heroes. They're just rarely perfect. There are people who put others before themselves, even on a daily basis. Who put society before themselves, or the world, whatever you want to call it."
Emma Frost	Emma gives Alex a half smile. Her expression is a mixture of sadness and pity. "I mean, human or mutant, metahuman, alien... everyone thinks they are the hero of their own story, Mr. Summers. And all of them are wrong. They all have a ideal of themselves being perfect and grand, that their choices are rational and their bigotry is based somehow on what they dubiously hold as reality. But the truth is... almost every person is absolute garbage." She seems... pretty assured of that, actually. "Selfish, grasping, and navel-gazing. I know it too well." She frowns. "Except maybe you, which is admittedly baffling to me."
Alex Summers	"Glad to be mysterious, otherwise it'd be boring." Alex notes amusedly, but continues. "It's human nature to put yourself as central in your own story. That's the perspective you have. It's different if you consider yourself perfect, or that you can't make mistakes, or that you know everything." Alex says, noting the 'mister' that's been attached to him again. "One of the best stories I ever heard in academia was an old professor who invited a young one to give a presentation on a subject he disagreed with, then, after considering the facts present, was willing to shake the younger professor's hand and admit he was wrong and he'd changed his mind. It's all a matter of understanding perspectives." He waves an arm to take in he rest of the room. "It's why I like places like this. They force you to adjust. To see other viewpoints, to be willing to change what you think the world is. I mean, feathered dinosaurs, right? When I was growing up, no one seriously considered that to be true, but now they've found evidence that it was."     He drops his arm again. "I don't think people are garbage. I think they get too caught up in not wanting to be wrong, or to admit they're wrong, because it's part of their self image that they're right. I agree with you there. But they can change. Learn better. History is full of people who regretted their actions and sought redemption, and even many who found it and made a real change in their society, or even the world in places." He frowns. "Maybe that's idealistic in some ways...I'd like to think I'm pragmatic enough, or realist enough, to know that just because there is a better path, it doesn't mean people will want to take it. Paths like that require work and compromise, and not everyone wants to. Pro-Humana is a good example, driven more by fear, hatred...jealousy, I'd guess, that there are those out there who can do fantastic or terrifying things with powers...especially mutants, when they never asked for those powers."     His fingers curls into fists for a moment, then relax. "Like me."
Emma Frost	Emma looks back at him... but there is no surprise on her face at all. She does seem to relax the tension she had carried in her shoulders, though-- the tension not previously being noticable until she relaxes and draws attention to it. She had known. Obviously. She bites her lower lip a moment, smearing a bit of the diamond-white lipstick there. //And me.// Her voice carries into his head, simple and matter-of-fact.
Alex Summers	Alex twitches, his eyes widening. "...fuck me, is that like the single most common power beautiful women have or something?" he says after a moment, then flushes. "...damn. So you've been listening. Uh, sorry about the Barbie thing before." He hesistates, then steps closer. "...how long have you know I was? The first night?" he asks after a moment.
Emma Frost	"I've 'heard' worse," Emma replies dryly. "Believe me, the Barbie thought didn't even ping my radar." She shrugs lightly. "Well, depends on your definition of listening. Most people can't shut up, mentally. I generally just... ignore it, unless I'm interested in it." She tilts her head consideringly at him. "Well, yes. You were kind of 'loud' with your worries about your powers, to be fair. I didn't want to say anything though, and make you more agitated about it. You seemed... unhappy."
Alex Summers	Alex huffs a bit, then mmms. "...tell you what, this is seems like a lunch conversation. Why don't we pause the tour and head to the cafe outside and talk? We can always come back later, they're all day tickets. Well, all night too." he amends. He's...not sure how he feels about having his mind read. Granted, she didn't tell him she was doing it, but it's not like she can help that she hears everything, and she doesn't appear to have gone digging for more detail for the thoughts she did hear. Though now he's wondering....     "....you totally read my mind to see who Indiana Jones was, didn't you?"
Emma Frost	She's silent for a couple of moments. //Maybe.// she teeps at him, giving him an incredibly innocent look. "But lunch sounds... good, I think. Shall we?"
Alex Summers	Alex nods, smiling a bit, then offers a hand, before retracing their steps through another hall and emerging in the hall of mammals, then out the door. A short walk and you're at a little sandwich deli called Relish. Chalkboard listing sandwiches and sides, breads, salads, and potatoe or macaroni sald, or fresh fruit in season, with a cookie or two to wash it down. Alex orders a ham and gouda on a toasted baguette and some potato salad and lets Emma order as she wants...most common sandwiches or variations are up there, though defintely a little higher quality than most corner deli for materials.     Once they've ordered, Alex grabs a number and they can adjourn to a corner table, away from the diminished lunch crowd to take a seat. "Okay, so...cards on the table." Alex says after a moment. "I'm...weird in how I developed my power. I didn't even know I had any until a few weeks ago when my archeology professor had a mental breakdown and decided he was a living incarnation of a pharaoh. He had similar powers to mine, and even...not working like they were, I was apparently interfereing with how his worked. So, since he was a bit cracked, he thought I was trying to steal his powers and tried to kill me."
Emma Frost	Emma nibbles at her sandwich-- admittedly perhaps not the best thing for keeping her figure, but she couldn't resist a 'four cheese melt'-- sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, aged swiss and provolone on fresh sourdough. She did get a salad with it, so she was somewhat being reasonable. She frowns at Alex's story. "And since you're here, and he's not, I'm assuming that means he was not successful?" She muses. "Maybe being around him in the first place is why your powers were triggered."
Alex Summers	"Oh, he's alive." Alex assures, taking a bite out of his own sandwich...dijon mustard of course, then sighs. "Man this is a good sandwich...uh, no, he...we had a drag down fight with me mostly running away until he cornered me by the chemical annex. Which is why there's a new chemical annex, becuase when he actually hit me with whatever mojo he was pumping out, it broke some sort of lock or mental blockage or something. I dunno, this is according to the guy who, uh, helped me afterwards." Which would be Professor Charles Xavier, but he's not sure if he wants his name bandied around so he's being vague. "Sorry, not sure if I should use too many names, I know some of these people involved would rather I not spread it around." Because X-Men. And the mansion school. "Anyway, what he did broke my powers open...the professor who looked me over after knew something about this stuff and said it was like I had this blockage, like I said. So...instant full strength power, eeeety bitty control. Thus, no annex." He sighs. "..which they blamed on unstable chemicals and thank fuck there was no one inside when it happened."
Emma Frost	Emma lifts a brow. "Well, at least no one was hurt," she says flatly. She tilts her head, considering delving Alex for a quicker, more... thorough version of events. But for the moment she decides against it. "Sounds terrifying, really. And here I thought my introduction to my powers was... unpleasant. At least I didn't have to worry about being blown up." She drizzles the dressing on the salad and takes a bite. "So your school doesn't know about what you are?"
Alex Summers	"No, not yet." Alex admits. "This professor who found me, he offered to help me learn how to control it. It's...it's pretty scary powerful, honestly. I constantly absorb cosmic waves...light, anything on the electromagnetic spectrum, background radiation, all of that. My body processes it and turns it into this energy that heats the air around me when it releases. Minor if I've got control or if it's just bleed off...heats up the air, maybe a person, but won't hurt them any. But if I actually release it...it's pure on plasma, enough to...well, disintegrate a chemistry annex." He frowns. "Just keeping it going all in one direction is like the worst plank exercise day ever, it wears me out, and if I don't channel it, it's just an explosion centered on me."
Emma Frost	Emma looks impressed. "Do you ever get oversaturated?" she asks, interested. "Or can you store it indefinitely, like a battery? Are there other ways to focus the energy?" She seems... well, yes, intrigued. "What happens if a lot of energy, like a burst of radiation for example, hit you? Would you absorb it automatically, or would you have to concentrate?" She suddenly stops herself looks abashed and taking a drink of her Snapple. "I'm sorry. I'm being nosy, even for someone like me."
Alex Summers	"Sort of. It's more like...a cup slowly overflowing though than an explosive release, I just give off low levels. Warms up a room, like I said." He reaches up and tugs at the neck of his henley, pulling it down to show a black bodysuit underneath. "I have this suit...it helps regulate things, while I'm figuring out how to control it, but...it's seriously like I've never done any core strenghtening my whole life and suddenly have to use core muscles for everything."     He thinks about the second question. "As far as I know, I'd absorb it, just there might be more of a release...and a danger I'd just...release a lot at once, especially if I wasn't ready. I'd have to discharge quickly probably, shoot into the air or something. I don't seem to have to think about absorbing energy as much though, it just happens. I'm still figuring this out though." He shakes his head. "No, it's cool. I wanted to tell you. And questions are good since I don't really know what I'm doing." He frowns. "My brother, he's got something similar, but it's more...an eyebeam? Concussive blast. So not the same at all. Mine is plasma, if things break when I shoot them it's more the sudden heat shock that causes the shattering."
Emma Frost	She doesn't even look remotely shocked that his sibling is also a mutant. Then again, both her sisters are, as well, sharing the exact same powerset she does... so... there is that. She'd probably be more shocked to hear his brother was a normal human. She eyes the glimpse of the bodysuit, and replies absently, "Oh, so you can't take that off at all? That's a pity." She goes silent for a minute of two, taking a bite of her sandwich, obviously lost in thought. "I've... known a couple of mutants who can absorb and release energy, though not... like what you're describing."
Alex Summers	Alex arches a brow. "I /can/ totally take it off. I'll demonstrate at some point if you'd like." he notes, that devish twinkle in his eyes for a moment. "It's just to help. The other night when I went to the bar I wasn't wearing it, when I first met you...I'd discharged most of my power before I came, just in case. It takes me like 14, 15 hours to fully fill up again, from what I can tell. Though I can fire off plasma charges even not at full. It's just my, ah, battery level." He looks at Emma curiously. "What about you?"
Emma Frost	Emma blushes slightly, but returns his look with a slightly wicked one of her own. "I.. may take you up on that, perhaps." She leans back, letting out a deep breath as he asks about her. "Well, imagine being a teenage girl who is absolutely terrified that everyone is making fun of you and thinking about how horrible you look." Emma's expression gets cold and distant. "And then imagine one day, out of nowhere, you now are absolutely sure of it because you can hear them in your head, all the time, and you can't make it stop."
Alex Summers	Alex winces. "Fuck, that'd be horrible." he admits, looking sympathetic. And thinking it too, he can imagine exactly how that'd feel, remembering how insecure he was as a teen. "How did you get control of it? Did someone teach you? Did someone older you knew in your family have that kind of power, or...were you the first?"
Emma Frost	Emma shrugs nonchalantly. "I figured it out. Mostly." She doesn't mention her sisters, or than Adrienne had come into her power a couple years prior... not that she had been MUCH help but it was better than nothing; or that a year later Cordelia had followed them both, and had reacted even more poorly than the older two, practically isolating herself from the world.
Alex Summers	Alex thinks that over. He's pondering if he should tell Xavier about this. Probably. He might be able to help her, being a telepath himself. Hell, half the girls he's met in that place are telepaths, so they must have learned from somewhere. "If you'd like...the guy who helped me, he might be able to connect you with a teacher? He's been pretty straight up with me....even not knowing I was Scott's brother." Because he's basically a father figure for Scott. And Jean. And lots of others at the mansion, he figures. "I mean, putting it out there, not saying you don't have it under control."
Emma Frost	Emma gives a slightly strained smile. "I'll consider it." She won't. She's pretty wary around other telepaths. You can blame that on her sisters, too. And Alex's thoughts are pretty clear that this place he is staying is simply littered with them. "But I'm glad there's someone who can help you through this. Uncontrolled powers are dangerous... to yourself, to others, and to others like us in general. The Pro-Humana sorts don't see a difference between an accident and purposeful damage. They always see it as malice."
Alex Summers	"Yeah, well. When you believe the worst of people, always easier to assume malice instead of inexperience." Alex admits with a sigh. "It's just a thought. Anyway...that's mostly why I've been having issues. The professor who's been helping me, he wasn't able to tell me exactly how my powers got locked away, because he only saw the aftermath, and....well, I didn't want him poking around in my memories too much, to be honest."
Emma Frost	Emma mms. "Most people don't like having their minds rummaged through." That's usually why she doesn't bother asking. She tilts her head consideringly. "So... what causes this heat bleed? Just overload? Or... emotional or physical... distress?" She points her toes and lightly runs the top of her foot along his calf under the table. It's an experiment, we'll say.
Alex Summers	Alex gets a suprised look, but doesn't seem to object, shifting a bit in his seat. Definitely distracting, but all the blood is not running away from his brain quite yet! "Ah...like I said, it's like a cup slowly overflowing. I fill up, when my body can't store any more power it overflows and disappates into the air." He shifts a bit. "I guess I could be overloaded, but I haven't really been eager to have someone shoot me with some energy rays to find out."
Emma Frost	"It's fascinating." She isn't lying. She is quite fascinated with his powers, controlled or not. "I guess that leaves one more question..." She grins across the table at him. "Do you want to do this again sometime?"
Alex Summers	"Mmmm. Yes." Alex says with a faint smile, leaning forward a bit. "Movie night, then? Or shall we go out somewhere? I know a good movie tavern, if you'd prefer we be out. Or, I dunno. Amusement park? Karaoke?" he offers, teasingly.
Emma Frost	"So many interesting options," Emma replies quietly. "I don't know which one sounds best. Perhaps..." she muses, "perhaps eventually we'll have to try them all." She finishes her drink, her eyes sparkling micheiviously. "Of course there's always the option of staying in, too."
Alex Summers	Alex smiles a bit. "There is always Netflix and chill, yes." he agrees, his heartbeat jumping a bit at that. "But I'm not in a rush either." He's finding getting to know Emma to be pretty fun in and of itself...as much as a part of him is quite curious what she'd look like without the dress. That corset the other night certainly gave some suggestions.
Emma Frost	"I'm sure we will figure out something," Emma grins. //I heard that,// her voice tickles his mind lightly. //I'm fairly sure you won't be disappointed.// Though of course she doesn't voice that... she seems to be enjoying teasing Alex a bit. "Did you get the message about the tailor in Greenwich for your tuxedo for the gala?" she changes the subject outloud, even while an amused smile tugs at her lips.
Alex Summers	Alex flushes a bit at the mental poke. "I did, yeah. Is it really gonna take three hours?" he says, raising a brow. "I mean...I got time, just...didn't realize he was going to custom fit me. Or is this some sort of costume party thing." He takes another bite of his sandwich as he waits for Emma's response. It's a good sandwich! He'll have to come back here. Better to concentrate on sandwich than cleavage. Yes. Dammit.
Emma Frost	"Proper fitting takes time," Emma replies with an arched brow. "You will appreciate it when you're stuck in a ballroom with Senators, congresspeople, heads of corporations, world leaders, actors and actresses, sports stars, and well... you know." She shifts in her chair, purposefully adjusting her top a little to better display what Alex was trying not to concentrate on. Emma enjoyed teasing. And, bluntly, being desired. "My dress is being finished, I pick it up next week." She glances around the sandwich shop for a moment before returning her attention to Alex.
Alex Summers	Yeeeeeah, Alex is just a bit intimidated by that idea. "I don't know a lot about how to act around people like that, so I'm probably going to keep my big mouth shut around people like that when you're talking to them. Distracted slightly be adjustment though he keeps his eyes on Emma's. Resisting the urge to look down when she looks away for a moment. "I guess it's even worse for a dress." he admits.
Emma Frost	"You'll do fine," Emma reassures him. "I mean, you're a bit more idealistic than most, but I'll try and steer our socializing to folks who tend more towards that bent." She gives him an encouraging smile. "Besides, I think you'll look... very nice all dressed up." She lightly waves away the difficulting in getting fitted for the dress. "It's actually quite bland. You stand around in your underwear, have measurements taken, and then after a bit you return to try everything on and have the final touches nipped in." She shrugs. "It's actually a bit relaxing." She leans on a hand, glancing at Alex. "And you shouldn't have anything... stressful to worry about. Galas are relatively boring things. You drink, you converse, you thank people for their time, move to the next knot of guests and repeat. Maybe eat a few hou d'ourves. Clap at the speeches. You'll do fine."
Alex Summers	Ah, images of Emma in underwear, well...more distractions, though he shakes it off fairly quick. "Ah, well...long as I won't embarrass you or something. I got the impression Sebastian was a bit surprised by you asking me." he admits, leaning forwards in his chair slightly as Emma does. "Going to be a lot of speeches, I"m guessing?"
Emma Frost	"Oh, well. I've never really asked someone out before when it wasn't business," Emma replies absently. Then she stops herself, looking thoroughly embarrassed. "Ah, yes. Speeches. Probably a dozen or some, most small and quick but there will be at least one long one by Sebastian as the organizer."
Alex Summers	That draws a little curve to Alex's lips, his blue eyes staying on Emma. "Never never?" he asks, ignoring the speeching part of the explanation. "Ever? But you asked me out??" There's that little twinkle again as he leans in, resting ihs arms on the table.
Emma Frost	Emma gives a bit of an imperious look, something she does when she's feeling cornered. She sniffs lightly. "Well, usually I'm out on dates with Senators and CFOs and... well, you know." People often ten plus years older than her. "I just... thought I'd try something... more my own age. And..." She looks a little haughtier than normal. "I found you interesting enough. I suppose."
Alex Summers	A little chuckle escapes Alex's lips as he straightens up. "Mmm, that so?" he says, feeling a bit flattered. He'd wondered if it was because he was a mutant too, for a moment, but that seems like it would be suggesting things of Emma that aren't true, as far as ie knows. She's certainly not a supremecist! ON the other hand, he could understand why she might want someone who could...understand. "Oh, just enough to ask me out, then?"
Emma Frost	"Well, I couldn't have just any old creep on my arm at the gala," Emma replies. She eyes him, looking flustered. //You just want to hear me say that you caught my attention, don't you?// "Besides..." she bites her lower lip and gives him a sly look. "You don't seem to mind the thought of being my arm candy for an evening." //Or two.//
Alex Summers	Alex lets out a 'ha!' and leans back, grinning. //Maybe it's flattering to hear.// he thinks, slowly and carefully, before adding outloud. "I've never really been able to be arm candy before, so you've got me there. New experiences and all, right?"
Emma Frost	Emma flushes, swallowing a bit. Oh, she had flirted many times before, but usually it was an idle game, with someone who she had no interest in whatsoever beyond whatever information she could drag from their mind. She wasn't a prude, exactly, but there was a difference between flirting without consequence (because should any ardent suitor consider going beyond flirting, Emma could simply mentally nip that in the bud), and flirting where she was finding she was becoming very, very interested in potential consequences. Not that she would precisely admit that in so many words... "Arm candy is fun. All of the fun of the gala and none of the responsibilities of keeping up with things," Emma replies lightly. "I hear it's quite fun. And you can't qualify as arm candy without being staggeringly attractive. I don't make the rules.".
Alex Summers	Alex grins impishly at that as he leans back, taking another bite of his sandwich, as he chews. //Well at least we match then. I'm guessing /you/ never had to play arm candy?// he thinks. Because his mouth is full. But multitasking! He approves of this. //Does this make me your best accessory, then?//
Emma Frost	//Once you get a proper suit,// Emma replies teasingly. //If my father saw this right n--// she cuts herself off, even mentally. Her face falls a bit and she broods for a moment.
Alex Summers	Alex cocks his head slightly. He's not sure what caused the sudden change in mood...but he has a feeling it was thinking of her father. Which suggests all sorts of things, but he doesn't know which. Then again, if she has a father who picks her dates, he's guessing he's a fairly controlling one. After a moment, he leans forward, then reaches out, resting his hand over one of Emma's. //I'm sure any suit you picked out is perfect.//
Emma Frost	Emma blushes again as Alex touches her hand. "It's nothing. Just thinking that my father would likely very much disapprove of even the thought. No offense intended... but you're a nobody-- in the sense of the world he lives in. Which I admit is part of your charm, I suppose." She gives him a smile.
Alex Summers	"Ah. Well, none taken." Alex says goodnaturedly. "I know I'm not from some important family or a big name out in the world." He smiles back. "Long as it's enough for you, I'm good with it. Don't think about him if it bothers you?"
Emma Frost	Emma grins. "You're right. I'd rather think about spending time with you." She tilts her head. "You're a strange one, though, Alex Summers. You actually believe all that... idealist speech.. you said earlier. I'd even believe you live by it."
Alex Summers	Alex mmms, reaching back with his other hand to rub the back of his neck in an embarrassed gesture. "Yeah, I do. The thing we all share as humans that I appreciate most...it comes from an old book I read once. Terry Pratchett, ever read him? He wrote a lot of fantasy satire, one of the characters who actulaly showed up in a book was Death. Who was not a terrifying thing, so much as someone who was doing a job. Anyway, in one of the books someone asks him if there's really meaning to life, and he answer that you could take the universe and grind it down to the finest powder and sieve it through the finest sieve, but you wouldn't find one atom of justice, or one molecule of mercy, because those are things that humans choose to imagine exist, or should exist. And then they strive to make them exist. And that's what always going to be the greatest strength and weakness of humanity, you know? That we can imagine things, even when they don't exist, and work towards them. So..." He shrugs. "I know being an idealist, that what I'd like to see might never exist. But it's trying to get there that's worthwhile for me."
Emma Frost	Emma laughs lightly. "That's..." she's momentarily at a loss for words that describes exactly how she feels. Skepticism is a major component, of course, but she's intrigued at the notion at any rate. "Mm." She tilts her head, amusement crossing her face, and she giggles softly as something comes to mind.
Alex Summers	Alex raises a brow at that. "What?" he asks, laugher in his voice at the amusement as he leans back slightly in his chair. "I mean, I know you don't agree with it, necessarily...but thatt's fine. Realism and pragmatism are good things too."
Emma Frost	"No, I was laughing at myself," she admits. "Because right now there are things I'd like to do to you, but I'm preventing myself because... I'm not sure why." She flushes pink and shakes her head. "Mm. I'm glad we ran into each other."
Alex Summers	Alex grins. "Well, y ou know i"d be lying if I said I hadn't had ideas too." he says, totally misinterpreting completely! Because mind reading is not the first thing that comes to mind. "But we've got time. I don't feel we gotta rush, you know? I'm really enjoying just...getting to know you."
Emma Frost	"Oh." Emma very easily picked up on... what some of those ideas might be. Not in detail. Sure. Let him... think that. "We do have time. I mean, for... well." She looks flustered for a moment. "Those things. Of course."
Alex Summers	Alex watches Emma now, a new thought in his brain now. Is she...well, just because she's beautiful doesn't mean she's done...that? Especially if she was dating because of politics and business over...interest. Maybe he should go a bit slower...though she seems to know how to flirt just right. At least she's not an ice queen or something, just...inhibited. "Sure..." he says easily, then finishes off his sandwich with enjoyment, washing it down with his water. "So...with that in mind...do you want to stick to public venues for now? I don't mind. Besides, my place will need some, ah, work. Before you'll want to come over." Being a bachelor, it's probably a few months since he's really cleaned up a lot, other than what was needed to get by.
Emma Frost	"Oh. Well... I mean, arent dates always at public venues?" she asks with a tilt of her head. She considers him for a moment, lightly picking up surface thoughts. Including a brief mental image of his apartment. "Oh. Wow. Well, there is also my apartment if... we wanted to do a private venue, I suppose
Alex Summers	"That's up to you, really...it sounds like you haven't gotten to do a lot of stuff outside of your apartment, so I'm cool taking you places in public. Maybe apartment time after that though." Alex says easily. Because he really doesn't want Emma to think he's only trying to get her into his apartment, or himself into her apartment for...things. "I think you might like a movie tavern, it's pretty relaxed, can drink and eat as you watch the movie, and it's private enough in this place where you have your own table and stuff."
Emma Frost	Emma smiles. "That sounds... nice. I think. The movie tavern." She sighs. "I feel like this all has gone so awkwardly. I promise I'm not this bad usually." She gives him a bit of a smile. "Im just not used to this sort of thing, really." She shrugs. //I'm not worried too much about... well... being physical,// she finally mumbles to him telepathically. //I mean, I want to. I think. But if we did not that would be fine.// She frowns. //That didnt sound... right. I mean. If we were to... bah.// For a moment she considers erasing what she just sent to him. Then she decides to wait and see how he responds.
Alex Summers	Alex laughs a bit at that, shaking his head. "Man, now I know you haven't been on a lot of good first dates. They're usually like this. Getting to know a person and dodging land mines as you do." he says simply, sipping from his water. He raises a brow at Emma //Didn't say you were, just seemed like you might have not actually gotten to that point before. Which is cool. I'm not going to push you.//
Emma Frost	There aren't words, just a general sense of relief shared with Alex momentarily. "Well, yes. None of the dates I've been on have been like this." Shes quiet for a few moments. //I haven't. I... didnt think you would push actually... just everyone I know of actually has. Does.// Emma looks a bit sheepish for a second, then the haughty look returns. "Well... shall we..?" .
Alex Summers	"Man your dates just suuuucked." Alex comments, then gets to his feet, reaching into his billfold to drop a tip on the table. "Sure, why not? But you pick where go go next then..we can have a nice walk to work off those sandwiches."