10498/Undercover Princess and Rich CEO's Tropical Island Adventure

Undercover Princess and Rich CEO's Tropical Island Adventure
Date of Scene:	20 December 2019
Location:	Hammer Bay, Genosha
Synopsis:	Lorna and Roberto run into Clarice on their 'incognito' Genoshan vacation
Cast of Characters:	Polaris, Sunspot, Blink

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Polaris has posed:
Lorna had stayed true to her promise of going 'undercover' in Genosha, to show Roberto around the island's capital city ... not as Princess of the island and heir to the throne, but as a private citizen. One with dyed black hair and jean cut off shorts, and a black bikini top. A loose fitted flannel was thrown over her shoulders, just in case they dipped into an AC'ed store or restaurant. Her flip flops smacked softly against the cobble stoned side walk that spanned the length of the street and left for plenty of walking space for all of the mutants and families that walked about the beach front.

Lorna glanced back from under a pair of thick sunglasses, arching an eyebrow upward as she smiled at Roberto. "So. Sunshine. Tropical weather. Check. I think we're two for two on that in terms of our vacations."

Sunspot has posed:
Meanwhile Roberto has picked safari shorts and a matched short sleeved shirt. Sneakers for his feet, and completely unnecessary sunglasses for his face. Never underestimate the power of glasses as a disguise. He has heard that somewhere.

"You won't hear me complain about tropical weather," comments Roberto. And he has to admit the city looks neat. Maybe too neat, as he is used to the chaos that are Rio and most Brazilian cities (and New York, of course - different flavor of chaos, but it is there). "The city is a bit like Metropolis, right? I mean... with better weather."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna grinned, twisting about to spread her hands out on either side of her. "It might have been by the original architects... but since things changed..?" She sighed and made a flip flopping motion of her hand while she swept her gaze over the various store fronts that lined the main street. Trees and pots of flowers lined every available spot that they could be squeezed into. And there wasn't even a whiff of trash, nor left over bottle cap on the sidewalk.

"I think with all the refugees from all over it took on a different flavor. Most of these places weren't here when.. well.." She trailed off, and reached up to scratch her head. The island had been a war-zone. And had looked it for sometime. But with people and many hands, time had worked over a rather massive change.

"Anyways, there's amazing bakery I wanted to bring you to, the guy that owns it is a mutant with bioluminescent skin. Really cool. Also makes the best bread I've ever had." She murmured, moving to steal Roberto's hand in her own. She kept pace, careful to weave in and out of the foot traffic of others going amount enjoying their day.

Even though Genosha was a tropical island, different cultures had brought in their Winter Holiday traditions. It was a clash of riotous colors and music. Languages from all over could be heard from people with just as many hues of skin, hair, and physical mutations.

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto has been in Mutant Town often enough and the crowd does not surprise him. But the place is a ghetto, poor and dirty. This is not... this is how cities could be if superpowers were used to build neat things instead of robbing banks and fighting crime. His business sense is tingling. Maybe he should try to talk with the architects at some point.

That DCI won't do business with Genosha does not mean he can't offer contracts to private citizens, right? He will ask his lawyers later.

"Lead on, it is almost lunch time," he says. Well, maybe lunch time. Timezones are a thing, they are now 8 hours ahead of New York.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna smiled, and after a while, stopped in front of a mirror like reflective surface of a store front. The bakery's name appeared in a shimmering font that would move and change to advertise the types of baked goods then scroll back onto the mirror like window. The typically green haired mutant smiled, and with a step, the doors opened to emit a breeze of air conditioning. She stepped inside the bustling bakery, and hopped in line behind a mother with three kids all demanding different kinds of cookies and pleading for them with all the skills their childhood had given them.

At least there weren't any tantrums yet.

Lorna glanced back to Roberto, and nodded to the menu scrawled on the chalk board above the register. "They menu is always changing, they make everything fresh every day." She lowered her voice as she leaned in toward Roberto. "It's my favorite place to sneak out to and get a snack." She smiled, and exhaled a breath. It was clear for all that Lorna spoke of her time in Genosha as being on show.. the Princess snuck out unofficially more often than was likely safe, or desired. She needed to see the city, the people, the way thing were.. without the constant shadow of her father or the Council.

Sunspot has posed:
That sounds like something Roberto would have done in Rio if he had not been studying at Xavier's. Not the New Mutants did not 'sneak out' plenty when they were teens. It is a miracle only Doug got killed that one time. Plenty close calls.

"So many emigrants of so many countries, don't you have young gangs problems, age-old religious conflicts or the usual ethnic mafias?" He asks, curious. "I wish it was different, but mutants are not unlike humans when it comes to criminal or dumb pack behavior."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna waited quietly in line for the over worked mother to order her cookies and a birthday cake from the window. Her gaze now free of sunglasses. "We did, for a while, actually.. it was a massive issue in the Council for weeks.." She bit her lower lip. "There were a few gangs that dug in, but the thing is.. A lot of things here involve powers. Both on law enforcement and from the criminal side. A lot of the gangs though were from the lower powered, more obvious mutant population.. there's still a lot of discrimination there. On who counts as 'mutant' enough.." She shook her head, sighing softly.

It was their turn to order.

Sunspot has posed:
Oh, of course. A power-based caste system seems the natural and very creepy way a super-powered society would evolve without some strong laws and education system. Of course one could say Magneto might-makes-right as king is the exemplar of the problem.

Wait. Cookies and sweets. Roberto sets aside the serious thoughts for a better (or worse) time and peers over the pastries. "Damn, everything looks good. I think I will have... hmm, a couple of those brownie-like pies?" He points to them for the baker to pick. "What would you like?" He asks Lorna.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna sighed, the conversation she knew would turn Roberto's thoughts toward the negative. Mutants for all that they claimed to be humanity's next step forward.. were still people. Still prone to labels and segregation. Laws had been written, meets had been held.. and those that were a danger to mutant society on a whole were dealt with. Granted when one had telepaths that could literally see into one's mind.. criminals and the reasons for their actions were decidedly handled differently than in human courts.

Powered problems..

Still, most of Genosha's citizens were just happy to have a home, a peaceful, for the most part, home. One where they could live and work and raise their families.. and the island displayed that in abundance. Even though many they passed in the shop or on the street bore the marks of abuse either at the hands of the past slave-ruling population.. or at the hands of others out there in the world.

The cookies and sweets earned a smile and Lorna dug into her back pocket to pull out her wallet. "It's on me," She grinned, and leaned toward the glass display of various baked goods to inspect them. "Oh the macaroons look perfect. I'll have two of the raspberry ones, and two of the lavender ones please." She pulled out a thin black credit card, and slid it over to the register. "And whatever else he wants." She grinned.

Blink has posed:
If there is a place where Blink just goes around without a care that people see her mutations that's Genosha. Being part of the furniture, having lived here before and after Magneto came to power helps that, so it is truly her home.

She has been helping in getting christmas preparations going around town, which means a lot blinking, even up to dangerous, hard to reach places that for her are just a step away so to get a decoration here or a certain gift stealthily to someone's sock that someone asks her to deliver. It's no wonder she is called Santa Blink in some circles.

But for her it's important that they gain some semblance of normality, that they can also live as a society and celebrate 'normally', even if they are powered people. No matter the past it doesn't mean they can't look forward to a better future.

And now it's rest time so it's off to her favorite bakery to indulge in some self-reward in the form of cookies. There is that telltale sound of a 'blink' outside the establishment and she walks to the entrance, dressed more casual than her usual. Jeans, a t-shirt... It's good to live in a tropical island sometimes.

Sunspot has posed:
"They do look perfect and..." Roberto is about to change his mind about what he will eat the next few minutes when there is that 'blink' sound he has heard already a couple times.

One of them ended with him almost asphyxiating in the moon. Of all things. It was not fun.

It is also someone that is going to recognize them right away. Uhm oh. Well, it could be worse. It could have been Toad, of Exodus. "We might need extra pie," he mutters to Lorna.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna was happy to pay for the baked goods, and slipped her card back into her wallet, into her cut off jean shorts. Her hair was dyed black, a temporary disguise.. one that would wash out with a single shampoo, no matter what the mutant Princess did.. Her hair always won out. In the place where Clarice could just be herself, Lorna decidedly could not. She flashed the man at the register a smile, and tugged Roberto off to the 'pick-up' side of the line.

Her sunglasses perched on top of her head, and she wondered how weird it would be to put them back down. Oh well. Here's hoping Clarice wouldn't tell her father that the Princess was out romping in the streets with Roberto Da Costa.

"Here's hoping she gets it with my hair dyed and all.." She breathed.

Blink has posed:
Entering the shop Blink gives but a cursory glance to the people about. Feeling at home here means she isn't always looking out for threats, or people that she knows. Certainly not undercover princesses and princes! Her steps bring her over to the counter, she leaning an elbow on it, "Alright, Jack." she tells one of the men behind the counter, "You better have my slice of apple pie ready, and make it a big one. Or it's the last time I help you with your christmas gifts." but the open grin she gives the man is a rather genuine one, clearly bantering. The people behind the counter seem to know her, along with a few patrons about who just smirk or chuckle.

Then set to wait for her turn it's time to look a bit around..., oh, look, doesn't that look like Lorna? Nah, hair isn't right or ..., wait, she does. Blink squints her eyes a little, then looks at the man with her. And the man looks exactly like a certain Roberto.. She clears her throat, perhaps to call their attention, but doesn't say anything, not one to blow up their disguise!

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto flashes Clarice a knowing smile, nodding at the girl as greeting, then he picks Lorna and his own pastries and ushers the disguised greenette out. "Busted. But at least she got it quickly. How likely is we got the royal super-guard on us in a minute?" He asks Lorna, looking more amused than worried.

He is pulling out the cellphone, though. A quick text to Sam or Kitty might be a good idea. Even if they yell at him later. "Let me guess, Blink and you do shop at the same places?"

Polaris has posed:
Lorna flashed Clarice a tense smile, and waved toward the other mutant, "Heeey.." She coughed softly, as Roberto came up behind her with the pastries in hand. She laughed, awkwardly, here she was just another customer. One that typically bought far too much challah bread and consumed it on her own. A glance back at her boyfriend and Lorna blushed faintly.

"There are only so many bakeries this good near the palace?" She whispered, and bit her lower lip.

"Clarice... just showing the boy around.. ha..ha.. Been busy?" She offered, awkward, decidedly. Lorna wasn't subtle and was never good at it. She was frankly a terrible liar at the best of times.

Blink has posed:
And her pie is finally delivered. They must have made it a double slice, so large the damn thing is. Not that Blink complains, a grin back to Jack followed by a wink. "You are safe for another year." then she sliding some money over the counter to pay. She retrieves the plate and digs into it with a small fork. Mmmm, pie. But before taking a bite her eyes are back on the pair, "Always busy this time of the year. Thankfully my duties at the palace are a bit more relaxed this time of the year since the Royals have celebrations of their own to attend." a bit of a more pointed tone on that last part. She knows Lorna isn't the best at subtlety so she nods outside.

"And who can blame them, with a sun like this. Want to go take a walk?" She takes the first bite on her pie... Mmmmm, that makes her close her eyes briefly. If she is anywhere close to calling the royal guard on them she looks way too relaxed for that.

Sunspot has posed:
Looks like the X-rescue won't be needed for now, so Roberto returns the cell to his pocket and shrugs at Clarice's question. "Sure, we were just sightseeing anyway. But my girlfriend is not a real native, you know?" He takes a bite off his Genoshan mutant brownie, then adds, "she seems to know her bakeries, though. But yes, a less crowded place?" Because chances are high someone else will recognize her if she is a frequent customer.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna smiled, tense still, but moving quickly nonetheless with her sunglasses pulled down as she made for the door, macaroons in hand. Even if Roberto's comments earned him the side eye and a huff of a breath. The glass doors opening and sliding shut behind the trio as they exited onto the main street of shops all decorated for the holiday season. She exhaled a breath, and made a beeline for the shelter of a pocket of trees, the shade was nice, and there were a few empty benches beside the shop. It was busy on the sidewalk, but as often happens, people were just too busy to sit outside on metal benches in the hot sun when there was air conditioning inside.

"How about here? It's nice a quiet." She offered, people passed by but none looked their way. Not as Lorna slipped down onto a bench and popped open the macaroons to bite into one. Still, it was clear that the Princess was on her toes. Clarice had spotted her and recognized her quickly... what were the chances that another royal guard might walk by?

"Guess I need to find another bakery.." She muttered.

Blink has posed:
Clarice dislodges herself from the counter where she literally found the two lovebirds redhanded. A little wave of farewell to the bakery servants and she begins to follow the duo outside. Still bringing her pie, of course, another bite taken, "If she isn't a real native she sure can disguise it well." her eyes on Roberto a moment, she smirking, showing a bit of amusement at the awkward situation she found them in.

But then they are outside, she walking alongside to the benches. She remains standing, then quirks a brow, speaking in a low tone, "So..., what is going on?" she pretty much has a good picture of what is going on but she asks anyway, a sideway glance given to Roberto and then back to Lorna. "The black is good on you though."

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto hehs, chomping down the first brownie. "Lorna wanted to show me her home, but we are not quite ready to go public. Still hammering the details with the PR people. And enjoying the privacy we won't have soon, I suppose."

See, next year they might not be able to go to bakeries without getting pestered by all kinds of weird people. Maybe he is worrying too much. Public attention is fickle, too.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna coughed lightly, closing the box of macaroons as she glanced up from her sweep of the streets around them and back. "Well, my father said he'd tolerate Roberto visiting.. so I thought better not to push him.. And have Roberto at the palace. So, we're.. I'm in disguise?" She drawled, and glanced back at Roberto. He definitely looked to be enjoying himself with the brownie and the tropical weather.

"And also that.. Not sure exactly how to introduce him to Genosha at large.. if we're serious that way.. or not. Things were different before I was heir. Now I have to consider how people will react. And everything.." She pursed her lips together. Good news was that Roberto was a mutant. Well off. And had a public image already. There wouldn't be the awkward adjustment of trying to get someone used to a public lifestyle.

Blink has posed:
"Well, you are lucky that Vicky is out of town..." Because yes, calling Sabretooth Vicky is the way to go about it. But well, she knows he won't be hearing it.., maybe. She casts a glance over her shoulder just in case, then continues, "Because who else do you think loves this bakery..?" but she still seems a bit amused, and her smile warming a bit when Lorna mentions that Roberto is getting to know more about Genosha. "And what are you thinking about the island so far? Apart from the divine cookies?" the question made to Roberto before her eyes trail back to Lorna.

"I am sure everyone will enjoy if you are seen out here with them. Makes you more close to the people I'd say." Or at least for Clarice it seems like that, but then again she never was one to consider exactly the kind of toll being a Royal may be.

Sunspot has posed:
"I like the weather," replies Roberto diplomatically. Well, and it is true. Tropical sun is good for him, and it feels like home. "And Hammer Bay looks nicer I expected. Maybe it is the combination of Christmas spirit and good weather. New York goes nuts this time of the year. I swear American's no longer know how to have a fun holiday."

He pokes playful at Lorna, because she is way too tense. "As for the rest. Well, I don't care too much what Genoshan think of me. But it is important for Lorna, so we will come up with something interesting."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna shoots Clarice a surprised look, "Seriously? Does everyone from the palace go to this bakery? I thought I was being ...careful.." She exhaled a breath, and mentally crossed off the bakery from her usual haunt of 'sneak out and buy bread' routine. She was immediately saddened at the thought, but running into one of the more.. interesting characters with ties to her father was low on her desired list of outcomes.

A rough exhale followed and Lorna glanced side long at Roberto as he complimented the weather. "People aren't so big on 'Christmas' this or that here. Plenty of refugees from elsewhere in the world. The local schools made an interesting calendar of holidays here. Year round and with more evenly distributed breaks from what I've seen." She smiled, she was quite pleased by the schools in Genosha, having taken personal interest in them as well as the hospitals.

It fit the image of the people's Princess that she was building anyways.

"Maybe you don't care too much about how Genosha sees you, but your PR team certainly has been dragging on those details.." She muttered, making a face as her attention shifted back to Clarice. Sheepish.

"You're not going to tell my father about this... are you?"

Blink has posed:
"I mean, I wouldn't say everyone..." Clarice murmurs, noticing Lorna's look. She can be a bit alarmist sometimes but then again it's her job to keep Lorna safe so... Then a faint smile, "Still enough that celebrate it though. I know I keep myself busy enough this time of the year and ...." she pats her belly. "...filling it up. Feels good." it's certainly in a different way that she spends this time of the year now that Genosha has been liberated. Regardless, she seems happy enough about it now.

"If you want to sneak about though, and really not be recognized come talk to me sometime. I have a plethora of both face paints, eye contacts, etcetera that I use so as to..." and she gestures to her rather obvious mutations.

But the last question makes her chuckle briefly, she shaking her head, "My duty is to protect you, not to rat you out to Lord Magneto about what you do. Still, let me know if you want to go about sneaking, because you know I take my duty seriously." a solemn nod of her head given. There is no doubt about her devotion to the Royals.

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto chuckles in good mood. "Well, fair enough," he glances to Lorna, losing some of his smile. Of course she is right. But it is mostly his fault, trying to find the perfect way to approach the general public. It is going to explode in their faces if he delays it too long.

"There are always better ways to sneak around, of course," he considers. "I know Kurt Wagner had a device called 'image inducer' when I joined Xavier's. It made him look like a regular human. Still... this was not exactly a stealth mission. Just some quiet time for us."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna reached up and groaned, rubbing her cheeks with her hands. "Ugh.. you know it defeats the sneaking out thing if I walk out with one of my guards." She grumbled, but it was a soft thing. Not at all serious. She knew Clarice took her job seriously, and protecting her was Clarice's job. She wasn't trying to make it harder by definition.. but she also knew that her ability to do such thing was limited. Someday, she wouldn't be able to go about where ever she pleased whenever. Some day she would be as bound to the throne as any monarch.

She sighed, and glanced side long at Roberto. "At least on Genosha you know no one here would try to actively hurt me, Clarice. This place is as safer for me than anywhere else." She murmured, and smiled weakly. Genosha.. had been safer.. ish. Beyond the Nazi ghost that had haunted her father and the palace only a few months ago. Or whatever it had been. She still wasn't sure.

Blink has posed:
"I know ..., which is why I am not mad right now." Yes, if Lorna is in disguise Blink will take advantage of it, treating her more like a normal person than a royal. Maybe something to pay for later, but for now it is what it is! A faint grin plays at her face though. "And you don't want to see me when I am angry." though she doesn't know of any nazi ghost in the palace..., perhaps for the best.

Clarice casts a look at Roberto, nodding. "I was ..., very surprised when I saw those inducers, but I prefer not to trust technology for it if I can help it. What if it fails?" she shakes her head a bit, but it's mostly to herself then finally taking that last bite out of her pie. Where did it all go?!!? Right down to her stomach. "But anyway, I don't want to be in the way of your walk around Genosha. Oh, and you should totally try out the beach before you leave, Roberto?" she advises with a knowing nod.

Sunspot has posed:
"Safe, hmm?" Roberto gives Clarice a knowing looks. Lorna might think Genosha is safe, but he holds not such hopes. Magneto has too many enemies and some of them are mutants, and she has become a politician. Politics always make enemies, always. Lorna might be a little safer here than in America, but not by much. At least the most rabid mutant-haters in America are easy to spot.

He is also finishing his second brownie, so getting back to their sightseeing seems a good plan. "I think beaches are already in the program, of course," he grins at Blink. "Good to see you, Blink."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna coughed again, clearing her throat as she glanced back at Clarice. "I know.. and it's not like I'm out wandering alone either. Roberto is pretty good at covering my blind spots." She drawled, ironic or serious, it was hard to tell. Perhaps both on that count. She smiled, and tucked her box of macaroons under her arm.

"We're going to hit up the beach here after lunch. Dessert first and all that.." She sighed, pushing her dyed hair back from her face. It was straightened too, different than her usual green curls. She hoped it would be enough to buy her some privacy at least. So long as she didn't go about lifting things magnetically.. she hoped.

"I'll be back at the palace in a few hours.." She added, offering a hand to Roberto as she nodded to the street again. "I'll check in with you Clarice when I'm heading back."