ArchivedLogs:Scattered

Scattered
Dramatis Personae Emma, Jax, Lucien
In Absentia	2015-04-20 << I'm not afraid of a little hard work. >> Part of Future Past TP.)
Location Art gallery
There's a lot of light and a lot of colour; for once Jax isn't supplying the majority of either. A brilliant exhibition of intricate glass sculptures; the lighting in this gallery is set up very precisely to play through all the colourful pieces, throwing highly varied illumination against the ceiling and walls. In contrast, today Jax is in black and silver. Skinny jeans, tall silver boots, black button-down, brushed-metal jacket over top. His hair and goatee are black, too, streaked as well with silver in a very metallic tone probably not achieved with normal hair dye. At the moment he's standing near a wispy delicate statue that practically seems to be spun out of threads, somewhat abstract in the composition of the glass though the light cast through it against the wall shows (in cheery yellows and purples and greens) a figure kneeling on the floor, arms up perhaps either reaching for or to protect it from the lifted hand of a bigger figure nearby. Lucien has only recently arrived, drifting without a whole lot of /intent/ through the clusters of people, the clusters of light. He is in grey, pale heather suit that is drab neutrality against the colourful show around them. From some table or other he has commandeered himself a glass of wine. White. His lips have curled up into a small smile as he looks past one of the sculptures to the -- not-quite-shadowcast it shows. "They do turn out an impressive caliber of work at your alma matter, don't they?" Emma may as well be a part of the exhibit, the way her pristine white outfit provides a canvas for the colored lights playing around the room. A light weight sweater wraps over her torso, slouching off one shoulder, exposing only creamy light skin. A long skirt stretches out below, dropping to mid calf, with slits on each side. One is high enough to give the hint of lace at the top of a silk stocking, while the other breaks only to the knee for freedom of motion. Ankle boots with a modest heel provide her with a little extra height, the over lacing straps that wrap over the heel and between the foot and the leg add nothing but interest to her feet. She has also found a glass of white wine, the glass trapped between slender fingers, but she has not found Jackson yet - at least not visually. She appears to be distracted by art. It's only the sound of Lucien's voice that turns her head and draws her in. "Oh! Luci!" Jax bounces on his toes at the sound of Lucien's voice, a smile brightening his expression. He rocks forward, arm lifting in offering of a hug -- fierce and tight, but quick, if it's accepted. "Hihihi. Oh /gosh/ yes -- I mean, well, Dorian's got a gift with -- I feel like even conceptualizin' this kinda things takes /some/ sorta amazing vision." He gestures across the room to where a young woman in a seafoam-green slip dress is talking with a small knot of people. "I jus' like wanderin' through here. Like this forest of light, it feels comfortable." He pauses, head tipping as he eyes the scene on the nearby wall. "... well, comfortable on some kinda axis anyway." Lucien leans in to return the hug. Tight as well; a small brush of cheek to cheek, a faint wash of warmth with the contact. When he steps back it is to Emma's side as she draws nearer. "The effect is striking. I'm rather glad you let me know about this opening. -- Emma. Have you met Jackson? Holland-Zedner," as though this needed clarification; his wine glass tips just slightly towards Jax in indication. "Jax. Emma Frost. She and I have just been enjoying your classmate's spectacular work." "A couple times, darling," Emma replies quietly, moving slide her fingers under Lucien's elbow as she joins the conversation. "It has been such a long time since I've run into him though." The comment is uttered quietly to Lucien before she turns her attention back to Jax. "I hope you and your family have been well. Lucien is correct. Your classmate has quite the flare for capturing light and form. Do you know her well?" "Oh, hello." Jax gives Emma a wide smile, too, a slight flare of (uncertain) (apprehensive?) recognition flitting across the (painful-bright) chaotic surface of of his mind. He offers his scarred hand outward for a handshake. "Yeah, we're close. Spent a lotta time burnin' our hands t'gether in glass shop. M'glad you could make it! M'family's -- oh /gosh/ the pups is all big an' maybe goin' off t'college it's terrifyin'. Does Desi have plans ironed out?" "You /were/ both at Norman Osborn's --" Lucien's lips twitch. "Rather memorable gala. Though I suppose you do not /usually/ run in quite the same circles." He lifts his glass of wine, takes a small sip. "I do not know that I would say ironed out. She has had her eye on McGill but is rather loath to leave just at the moment. We shall see, I suppose." "I had the pleasure of extending a personal invitation to Mr. Holland-Zedner, on behalf of Mr. Osborn. He is one of the guests I remember most clearly." Emma inhales deeply and takes a long sip of her wine, attention shifting down to Jax's fingers once he mentions them. "It was a rather unfortunate affair all around and I am not sure I have since had the chance to extend a heartfelt apology for involving you." Her eyes close briefly as she bows her head along with her words. "It is heartfelt. I hope he has not invited you to anything further." "Yeah -- yeah, there was -- was that." Jax's nose crinkles up. "I mean, m'glad I was /there/, I guess, it coulda gone a lot worse if --" His shoulder lifts and falls quickly. "Oh -- oh, he ain't -- exactly --" Somewhere in the back of his mind a telephone rings. Somewhere less in the back of his mind is the silhouette-outline of robotic bodies. "Naw." His smile is quick and crooked. "He's prob'ly too busy for much dancin' anyway." "Undoubtedly quite busy." Lucien's tone is very dry. "Besides which, I am not sure the Club's facilities could stand many parties of that caliber. Though it would be quite a boon to New York's architects if we had to rebuild after /every/ affair. << I'm sure our friend Hive would appreciate the opportunity, >> Emma's mind whispers the thought to both men, her amusement small and dry. << He is, however, someone I wished to speak to you about. >> She draws in a deep breath and puts on a small smile that contrasts with the seriousness of her thoughts. "I am glad you were there as well. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, I will gladly lend my help. I feel as though I owe it to you, after all of that." Something small and pained twinges in Jax's mind at the mention of architects -- clearer and more distinct when Hive's name is mentioned. His mind tenses, tightening, startled-flinching back though outwardly his smile doesn't falter. << I -- I don't think Hive's gonna be takin' much advantage of no opportunities no time soon. >> His mental tone is rueful. "Be a pretty big hit t'the Club's budget, though. Constant redecoratin' is one thing but." He gives his head a small shake, nose crinkling up slightly. "Oh gosh, thank you. I'll keep that in mind if -- when -- if -- I mean, I'm fair /sure/ we'll be runnin' into trouble /some/ day." "Given your family's history, that seems fairly likely." A ghost of amusement twines through Lucien's tone. It doesn't make it into his mind. << I think you need help now. Or -- at least Hive does. He mentioned changing the future to me before he -- how to put it -- was everywhere. Now I can't get a clear word out of him. >> Emma glances over at Lucien when he speaks, then looks over at Jax once more. "Any time. It's the least I can do." She looks back to the room. "When is your next show?" << I think the world needs help. And Hive needs the most of it, >> Jax acknowledges. << Can you /find/ him? Can you help him? >> Now a tone of worry washes in over the bright veneer of his thoughts. "Oh! Oh, /mine/, it's jus' in a couple weeks. Right here, actually? Um, next -- next month. After /this/ show closes out. Provided I can knuckle down an' actually get ready in time. I kinda got lucky, this gallery's -- pretty choice." There's a jumble of mental colour to fill in his luck, here; another artist pulling out, someone evidently mentioning his work to the curator just at the right time. "Provided I can get myself pulled t'gether in time to get all the pieces lined up, anyway. I always kinda flail when it comes close t'time." << With a good deal of work, it is possible to locate him. Even then, though, he's -- not all himself. >> Lucien dips his head to another sip of wine. A small curl touches his lips. "Lucky, indeed. I have no doubt you will pull it off. I have seen your showings before, you may flail but you manage just fine." << Yes. I'll find him and I'll help your cause as best I can. I have a feeling it is all of our cause, from what little I've seen. >> Emma's gaze flickers over to Lucien, a flush of inner pride bolstering her thoughts. << I'm not afraid of a little hard work. >> "Wonderful. I'll have to come to the opening, should it fall on a day when I am not already engaged." << It'll certainly become all'a ours if it ain't stopped. Think it might be already, with these robots of Oscorp's. >> A small shudder ripples -- through Jax's mind, through Jax's /body/, kind of one and the same just at the moment. His eye drifts back to the lights against the wall. "That'd be nice. It's sorta -- colourful, too." << We're goin'. To the future. Soon. Prob'ly not among the best ideas I've ever had but -- >> "Your art? Colourful? Goodness, look at my surprised face." There's warmth in Lucien's voice, a quiet laugh huffing out throgh his nose. << Hard work, perhaps not. I must admit the Sentinels put a touch of unease in me, though. >> Though it's not unease that flickers brief and light across the placid surface of his mind. Perhaps closer to guilt, for a second before it is gone. << The fact that it is possible makes it all the more intriguing. >> Emma wets her lips before turning her attention to the rest of the room. "The day that you have a show without color -- well, I'm sure it would cause your friends and family to worry long before I even heard you were opening." She takes a sip and grips Lucien's arm gently. << I will work in earnest to get a hold of our scattered friend -- Unless there was something else more pressing that I should focus on first? >> << No. Hive first. >> Jax sounds firm about this. << Then the world. >>