ArchivedLogs:Wrong House

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Wrong House
Dramatis Personae

Emma, Cage

2013-10-19


Cage follows up on Emma's invitation, and learns a valuable life lesson: Call First.

Location

<NYC> White Queen's Office - Hellfire Clubhouse


Despite Emma's love for the color white, she has chosen to decorate her office in rich wood paneling and black and white to keep with the main entry hall's theme. Her desk is wide and her chair black leather. The chairs opposite her desk are upholstered in black and white check. Her couch, by far her favorite place in the room, is a long, white chaise lounge, adorned with beautiful scrolled wood and high backs and arms where available. A single black, wing backed chair sits with a couple small circular end tables in accompaniment. The best part of the room are the closets and cabinetry hidden in the paneling around her desk, providing the event coordinator the ability to coordinate to each event.

When Luke Cage arrives at the entrance to the Hellfire Club, there's almost a gleeful look in the front desk receptionist's eyes at the idea of being able to throw out someone so well publicized. That look is tempered with propriety and then confused when he presents a card from one of the club's staff. There's a bit of huffiness in her tone when she calls to Emma, but begrudgingly, she allows him to move from behind the desk to a small door near by, one labeled with Emma's title. He is shown into the small ante chamber where there are tables and chairs to sit at, a large, well lit painting of the the country side gives the room the feel of having a window. He is not made to wait long. Emma comes out of her office to greet her guest, her eyebrows rising. "Well, hello. I didn't expect to see you so soon. Kind of thought you'd call."

For his part, Luke is relatively unsurprised by the receptionist's welcome, and doesn't seem concerned about it. He was just making himself comfortable in the ante room when Emma comes in. He stands up again, and raises his eyebrows while offering Emma a handshake. "Well, with a name like the Hellfire Club, I figured I had to see for myself. But ah..." Luke glances over his shoulder with a wry grin, in the direction of reception. "I can tell it's not really my kinda place."

"Ah, well, the problem is most likely that 'club' doesn't mean the same thing today that it used to a couple hundred years ago. Now, everyone expects thumping bass and flashing lights and velvet covered ropes." Emma accepts Luke's handshake and moves to sit in the chair beside the one he chose earlier. "No, I'm afraid this is one of those actual clubs, grown up from tree houses that have ridiculous little signs that say 'no girls allow.' I'm sorry if anyone was rude, but they have a pretty high bar now, for those they allow to be members."

Luke's eyebrows raise slightly at Emma's explanation. He shifts where he's standing, and puts his hands in his pockets, but he doesn't sit down again. His mind cannot shield his thoughts, as he watches Emma move, appreciating her form, but he seems to pull up short as soon as he's conscious of his own train of thought. "Wow, so then this place is a real endangered species then. I think... I'm actually more impressed than I am offended." He doesn't sound sarcastic, but his mind is an open book, and he's definitely just offended, and trying to figure out how to leave as quickly as possible. "Well, I'm sure you're very busy..." He doesn't edge any closer to the door though, because he's confused about Emma coming out and taking a seat.

"Ahh, okay," Emma wets her lips lightly and gets to her feet. "How about you call me next time and maybe we'll meet some place you're more comfortable." She moves over to his side and takes his elbow. "Would you like me to escort you out? Sometimes things are more gracefully done with a lady on your arm."

Luke smiles, and then his thoughts fastforward through a quick succession of imagined tabloid photos with Emma on his arm leaving the HFC, and then the fallout with Alison. It would seem Luke's mind is far deeper than he'd like anyone to know, as are his feelings for his girlfriend. He doesn't pull away from Emma's arm, but he's doesn't walk towards the door either. "You know, Ms. Frost, I appreciate the offer, but given the paparazzi these days, it's probably best if I go out under my own steam. No offense." And, he is /actually/ concerned about not offending Emma, even with his own current state of mind.

"Perish the thought, my dear man. I appreciate it though." Emma pats his elbow before releasing him. She steps back and walks toward the door, opening it for him. "I hope you have a pleasant evening all the same - and that you find a club you can relax and enjoy in."