Picking Up Emma Frost

"Good luck dude!"

Walt rolled his eyes but smiled. "Thanks, Firecracker." He opened the door to get out of the limousine and approach Frost’s door... but Jubilee wasn't done.

"You got this!" She told him. "Just be yourself! You'll-"

Walt gave her a look and she stopped, covering her smile with her hand. "I'm makings it worse, aren't I? Just remember to relax and treat her normally... she doesn't get that a lot."

Walt kissed her forehead. "Thanks, Jubes. I'll be genuine then." He raised an eyebrow. "If I didn't know better I'd think you were excited about this?"

Jubilee blinked then tried awkwardly brush it off. "What? Who me? As if! It's not like I actually learned to like and respect Ms Frost-"

"Then why do you keep calling her that?" He asked her. It was a dead give away for the usually snarky Jubilee. "You really like your former teacher, don't you?"

Jubilee shut her mouth a moment and chose her words carefully. "Maybe... Ms Frost is strong, powerful, intelligent, beautiful... She believed in me and my potential during a time when I wasn't sure if I could believe in myself..." she smiled. "She was like you that way so yeah... I do if I'm being honest... and if you ever tell her that I'll completely deny it!"

Walt smiled and kissed her head again. "That's my sweet rebel." He looked at her in her dress tailored to look like an explosion. "Sorry. My beautiful, sweet Rebel. You teally pulled out the stops and look marvelous... and your secrets safe with me... but as a omega level telepath she can likely pluck that easily from everyone elses surface thoughts, ya know?"

Walt chuckled at the look of realization and growing panic on Jubilee's face and nods, smiles and grins on everyone elses faces as he grabbed the flowers and shut the door. He reviewed what he knew about Emma Frost’s recent activities walking up to the crystalline palace like structure that was the abode of Emma Frost.

Just as the Hellfire Club had been reinvented as Hellfire Trading Company the Krakoa business branch the Gala had as well as a sort of Mutant PR works platform. All under Emma Frost until this year apparently. She'd turned that duty over to the Cuckoo's this year. Walt understood. There were too many crises going on. Which meant it was a time for business priorities. Likely why her "date" was Tony in the first place. It was a business and PR move all in one. *Probably still is with my taking his place,* he thought and shrugged. *I can live with that. Should be good for both sides and the two of us if we work it right.* He smiled and knocked at the door. *Maybe I'm starting to look forward to this a bit myself... maybe.*

"Who is it?" Came a cautious inquiry from the intercom. Walt blinked... then realized that she couldn't read his mind and the damn flowers were in the way. He quickly moved the bouquet away from the camera. "Oh, sorry. Excuse me Ms Frost it's- Damn! Thorn."

There was an amused laugh. "Mister "Damn Thorn", then? I'll be with you in just a moment," came the reply from within as the door opened.

The smiling blond woman who greeted him was a vision. Emma Frost wasn't just one of the most powerful mutants and telepaths as well as persons in the world. She was quite famously one of the most beautiful as well.

This year, her look for the gala had more of a business edge, but with an Emma Frost twist. The base layer of Emma Frost’s Hellfire outfit was a series of straps and diamond X charms. Over that revealing layer, Frost sported a crisp white suit with cape sleeves. A final outer layer involved an overcoat with a massive fur collar, referencing her first Hellfire Gala look which had been a massive fur coat mainly with an X cut out. Emma Frost’s shoes, jacket, and coat sleeves are all crusted with clear sparkling diamonds, referencing her power to transform into living diamond. She smiled her lovely lips covered in white lipstick and eyeshadow around her piercingly blue eye that practically sparkled with amusement. "A pleasure to meet you. You haven't seen my escort for tonight have you Mr Thorn? One Mr Walter Stark?"

(("Boss... your mouth is hanging open. Best say something. "))

Walt blinked. "Wow... uh, I meant *Ahem* It's me. Walter Stark. You're looking lovely as always Ms Frost and even more so tonight. These are for you."

Emma smiled. "Wow is good. Relax. You may call me Emma if you like Walter." She smiled looking at the bouquet. "How thoughtful. White roses, though? You are aware of their meaning? Loyalty, purity, and innocence..."

Walt nodded. "And "true love" as well... ah! *Ahem* so they're often a favorite of weddings but because of that association they can also represent partnerships as well. That was why I chose them. Well..." he smirked. "That and they're "white" as well of course. I hope you like them Emma," He winked.

Emma laughed. "Oh well done! Bravo! Do come in won't you, Walter? Let's put them in a vase with water before we leave. Thank you so much for the lovely gesture."

Walt took off his hat as he entered. "Thank you, Emma. I'm just so glad you like them. I was afraid they would be passe. I'm sure you recieve flowers and likely white roses quite often. And just call me, Walt if you like."

Emma smiled. "Oh? Is that your preference to dispense with formalities so soon? You were doing so well. No matter, as you like. This way, Walt." She lead him into a kitchen area and grabbed a vase filling it with water. "And I'm afraid you're wrong."

Walt blinked. "Oh?"

She smiled. "Few people give flowers anymore. It's seen as a bit old-fashioned, unfortunately. Pity. It is one of the more beautiful customs. Do you mind helping me put them in the vase and maybe pick out two for tonight?"

Walt smiled and caught her intention. "Not at all! It would be my pleasure." He set the bouquet down and carefully unwrapped them for her before selecting two.

Emma was surprised as he drew a large knife from somewhere about his person and carefully began removing the thorns. "You really are a cowboy type, aren't you? How droll. Different from Tony- Oh! I'm so sorry! You really did stick yourself earlier you're bleeding."

Walt shrugged and nodded. "Just a little. I've had worse," he said sucking the small cut before wrapping it with his handkerchief with a smile. "That's life. Beauty and thorns. It's important to appreciate both." He went back to carefully dethroning the two flowers.

Emma smiled a tiny bit. "Interesting..." She turned her hands diamond hard and began placing the roses in the vase. "Does that metaphor apply to me? Carefully... Don't stick yourself again."

Walt chuckled and nodded. "If I were trying to flatter you I would say it applies only if it pleases you to."

She raised an eyebrow. "I take it back. Interesting as well as intriguing. And if I asked for your honest opinion-"

"Yes," Walt said meeting her eyes. "It applies to you." He shrugged. "In truth I think it applies to all women. All are uniquely lovely and all have thorns that should be appreciated as well." He held out the rose he'd just finished. "May I?"

Emma looked into his eyes and slowly nodded. She watched him as he approached her. He held her gaze until he was before her. Then he looked down. She thought he was being brazen staring at her chest... Until she realized his gaze was her costume. He very carefully stuck the rose in her lapel. She swallowed. Not being able to read him was... Refreshing as well as interesting and intriguing. "And the second rose is for your lapel?"

Walt finished and nodded smiling with a wink. "Old-fashioned as you said but it seems appropriate as your escort for tonight... But only if you aapprove, of course."

Emma didn't answer him verbally. Instead she let her actions speak for her as she took the second rose and carefully did the same thing for him as he had for her. The lingering fragrant scents they gave off surrounded them. "I see you take duties and responsibility seriously. Like taking on your friends burdens? His company, legacy... If you do I... May have something of his for you. A memory of something. A message from his father. I was the one who... Interrogate Ceiling. He watched something meant for Tony then destroyed it. Now it only exists in my memories. I'm sure you're wary of someone like me inside your mind. I know you've kept Charles out all these years but-"

Walt shook his head. "It's fine," he said surprising her. "I would very much appreciate you showing me if you feel that it's appropriate that I do. But before the gala hardly seems appropriate. Buy me a drink first?" He winked.

She laughed. "You mean before we get that "intimate"? Oh, I do like you! I think this evening will be even more enjoyable and entertaining then expected!" She smoothed his lapel. "I had asked Tony to discuss business. Nothing more. Perhaps you'd be interested in the same proposal? Oh!" She smiled and winked now. "I suppose "proposals" should wait until we're better acquainted as well shouldn't it?"

Walt laughed and grinned. "I suppose so but in truth I feel we're off to a good start, Emma!" He held out his arm to her raising an eyebrow.

Emma smiled and placed her hand on his arm. "In truth I do as well, Walt!"

Walt smiled and lead her tiwards the door. "And since you brought him up how is dear Feilong? Uncomfortable I hope."

Emma didn't smile but shook her head. "Do you want to know the most shocking thing I found in his head?"

Walt didn't pause before simply nodding. "I do."

Emma sighed. "His big reason for it all. Oh all the other stuff was true in a way. His grudge over Mars being terraformed and settled by mutants first, stolen glory, blah, blah. All perfectly trite and boring, really... but the true reason for everything was that his parents were both mutants and he was born without mutant powers. They always loved him despite his differences. Loved him for his differences... and he hated them for it."

Walt shook his head. "And that ultimately set him on the path he trode down? That's... pathetic."

Emma nodded. "It is... so much of what I have tried to accomplish these last years now... it's all been for the children. All of it. That's what keeps me going. That's my terrible secret."

Walt opened the door but stopped before going through it and patted her hand. "I'm sorry, Em... that must have been hard for you." He looked up and nodded towards the Stark hover limousine where Jubilee waved grinning. He smiled and patted ger hand on his arm again. "You did wonderfully if you ask me."

Emma smiled just a bit. ""Em?" No, no... it's fine I suppose. Thank you... I think I did alright with some at least too. You have heard, correct?"

Walt blinked. "Heard what?"

Emma looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Jubilee. That she's a candidate for becoming a full fledged "X-Man" team member in the upcoming vote? It's a big... deal... oh dear," she said looking at his face. "No one told you?"

Walt shook his head staring at Jubilee's radiant face and he had a funny feeling start in his gut. "Trouble" was out there somewhere warming up it's pitching arm.

Walt squared his shoulders. "It's fine," he said his mind whirring a processing into overdrive as his heart sped up. He lead her towards the vehicle. "The bases are loaded..." he muttered.

(("Understood Boss. Entering highest alert."))

"Ohmigawd!" Temporary Watcher Deadpool mumbled around a mouthful of popcorn as a little blinking light flashed on the TV came on. "Wazzat?"

TW Stan grinned. "Divergence detector, I think. Must be a big one coming."

TW Deadpool washed down the mouthful with a beer. "Ahh... It went off now? All the shit before and nothing. Why now?"

TW Stan shrugged. "Who knows but I can tell you one thing."

TW Deadpool looked at TW Stan and nodded. "Let me guess..."

"We're gonna need more beers and snacks," they said together.

They both hurried to the kitchenette to prepare, TW Stan grabbing a cooler and ice and TW Deadpool the phone and menu's. "Hi. You guys deliver? Awesome! Yeah, I'd like to place an order..."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

The Gala

Coming Soon]