11057/Welcome to Aeterna

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Welcome to Aeterna
Date of Scene: 13 February 2020
Location: Contessa Ekaterina's upmarket club in Queens that is called 'Aeterna'.
Synopsis: nifty
Cast of Characters: Ekaterina Vespucci, Sinister




Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
Aeterna is having a night of moderate traffic with the dance floor and eatery crammed. These are in seperate areas to the downstairs bar which is much less populated and playing relaxed blues music. The downstairs bar is where one might find one Contessa Ekaterina Vespucci tending bar. The noblewoman is not above offering service to those who patronise her club. She seems young - maybe late teens early twenties - too young to be in let alone own a licensed bar/club. The walls of this part of Ekaterina or Kat's establishment are lined with paintings with price tags. She is an artist and art lover who attempts to support her students by advertising their saleable works in her bar. She regards the room with her large cornflower blue eyes (her most appealing feature many have said). All is well in Aeterna.

Sinister has posed:
While not as old as some, Nathaniel Essex, known by few as Mr. Sinister, is older than most. Old enough that he's had to assume more than a few identities over the years. It's a practice that he's become accustomed too, and while in his younger years he considered it a nuisance, he now sees the value in taking his time establishing himself. So tonight, he finds himself at Aeterna. He's assumed the guise of a relatively handsome man, but it's his attire that will no doubt stand out, the opulence of it all hard to ignore. He makes his way to the bar, and stands there, his posture as perfect as one could hope for, "Excuse me Madam," his accent is vaguely British, and there is a formality to the way he speaks, "Might you have a Yamazaki 18 year, by chance?" His attention is clearly on Ekaterina as he speaks in a voice that carries almost too easily.

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
A look of surprise crosses the bartender's face - your average employee wouldn't know about the brand - "Well we have that but you'd be the first to order it. It's on the menu I think just so we can say we have it. It'll take me a while to find..." the girl goes looking and finds a dusty bottle of the aforementioned single malt. "Single or double? Mixed or on the rocks? it'd have to be on the rocks surely? Too expensive to violate the taste..." Kat guesses.

Sinister has posed:
"A single ice cube, if you please. A touch of melting ice adds a little something I've found. Not enough to water it down, but just enough to enhance it. To make it more than it was." He smiles broadly, "And a double, let's say, to make your efforts worth their while." He doesn't take a seat, but he does set himself up against the bar to make conversing easier, "You know your whiskeys, then? Or are you just making assumptions?" There's an intensity to the way he looks at Kat, as if he's able to block everything else around him out as he focuses on her.

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"Well I order them - occasionally drink them. I am more a bourbon girl myself." Still nothing to indicate that Kat is anything other than an attentive bartender unless the man had done his research. "Good to see a man who has the class to not water down something beautiful." She sniffs the bottle before replacing it after pouring the drink.

Sinister has posed:
"I don't doubt it. There's something about youth that calls to youth, I've found. And true bourbon, while not offensive by any means, hasn't quite had the time it needs to find it's true form." The man who is not really a man smiles again, and waits patiently for the drink to be offered to him, showing no signs of urgency at all, "So, I suppose I have to ask the obvious questions, Ms. Do you often serve patrons a drink despite knowing they are bastardizing what you offer? And if you do, does it concern you at all?" Polite and formal are words that best describe the man so far, though if Kat truly knew him, restraint would be the descriptor that was the most appropriate. So far, though, the man hasn't reached into the bartender's mind, and that's telling. Telling of what, is matter of interpretation.

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"I like to make people happy and occasionally that ivolves debasing a good pure spirit," Ekaterina clarifies. "Such is the nature of being in services - if a thousand dollar a bottle whiskey must be debased by Coke I must oblige." She gestures around the room, "But art I will not compromise on. The Renaissance gave the west it's medical revolution and many other things. It's debasement hurts..." She pauses perhaps revealing that she holds more authority over the club than she was pretending to have. "Ecuse me - strong opinions."

Sinister has posed:
"Pity, that." Sinister says with a sigh, his tone changing ever so slightly, "I would postulate that an expert is obligated to correct a neophyte. Is money really so important that acquiring it supersedes one duty to educate?" the man arches an eyebrow questioningly, and then lets out another long, drawn out sigh, "Clearly, you have the foundation to think critically. That you've chosen Art as the singular focus, rather than a more broad approach is disheartening." And just like that, Sinister reveals himself, his clothing staying the same, and only his physical form changing (think shorturl.at/mntyE), "I am a patient man, by all accounts, so I hope you will indulge me as I indulge myself in a bit of instant gratification. We could have danced all night, and for weeks to come, but I find myself oddly eager to cut, as they say, to the chase."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
Kat might have had the vibe a bit earlier but she is rarely on the back foot and can improvise easily so for whatever reason she expresses little emotion at Sinister's sudden revealing himself as a Homosuperion. She does become somewhat more defensive and careful though. "Can other's see you? Best pull your head in if they can." The cornflower blue eyes regard Sinister in a more neutral manner. "You are 'Mr Sinister' yes? To what do I owe the pleasure?" She pauses before offering a Renaissance style archaic greeting - she curtsies awkwardly in her pencil black form fitting dress and introduces herself, "Sono la Contessa Ekaterina di Vespucci."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister takes his drink at last and lifts it to his lips, taking a small drink that has him closing his eyes and smiling, "I can not begin to express," he says before his eyes open, "How happy it makes me to be surprised. That a country like Japan can produce craftsman that can create a whiskey such as this in such a short amount of time is truly inspiring." he sets his glass down, and brings his red eyes to bare on Kat, "Only you can see me as I am. The rest of your patrons can't help but ignore us. I hope you don't mind, but I felt privacy would serve us both, just now." He offers a bowing of his head, his eyes closing in a sort of deference, "It's a pleasure, I assure you, but please, if we are being who we were, call me Nathaniel." He grins and takes another drink from his glass, "I'm here, because I see an opportunity. One both of us might benefit from, if what I've learned of you is correct."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"Smooth opening," Kat offers, "and even tempered pitch." Ekaterina resolves to clean glasses. "You have a fearsome reputation - but in my experience it is better to get things done without having to generate one. Fear is such a crude instrument." She checks to see who is around and none are at the bar. "So what do you think you know about me?"

Sinister has posed:
"My dear, I would not have expected you, of all people, to accept how history judges a person." Sinister gently swirls his glass, letting the liquid form a little vortex as he sighs out again, his disappointment clear, "Fear was never something I sought to cultivate. Truth be told, I never sought to cultivate any reputation at all. My work transcends has always transcended such things. You should," and he grins again, his expression almost amused, "more than most, know how history can distort the truth. I am a man who wants the best for humanity." He takes another drink, savoring it, "Since we are being open and honest, to a point, I know that you are older than you appear to be." He reaches into his jacket's inside breast pocket and withdraws a photo, a replica of the original, and hands it over, "Honestly, darling, those eyes, as impossibly lovely as they might be..."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
Ekaterina looks down at the photo of her and Benito Mussolini - her just behind the charismatic dictator. A little too close. Yes she had been manipulating wrold affairs for a while. Bankrolled Mussolini. Who inspired Hitler. Mistakes were made. Mussolini was never as devout a racist. "There is no color in that photo but I do get the 'eyes' compliment alot - put it away - it documents my malfeasances too accurately." Kat looks seriously at Sinister, "You want to advance humanity? Don't you mean replace it? I get similar rhetoric from the brotherhood and Magneto or whatever they call him. How are you any different?"

Sinister has posed:
"The colour of one's eyes, or even their skin, isn't the whole of anything, now is it?" Sinister's lips form a rare variant of a smirk, one that is wholly without mirth. He takes the photo back, and tucks it back into the interior breast pocket of his suit coat, "Tell me, my dear, what is humanity really? When Homo Sapien overtook the Neanderthal, was that advancement of Humanity, or a replacement of a species?" He finishes his drink then, and lets the glass settle back on the bar, the ice clinking softly in the glass, not fully melted yet, "Questions like these are worth asking. Their answers not so black and white. The brotherhood of mutants feel they, and those like them, deserve to replace humans. And yet, humans persist. Despite the innate powers of mutants, humans thrive. They use technology to evolve." he chuckles, and shakes his head, "I haven't chosen a side, and that sets me apart. I want what's best for all of us, and I'm not arrogant enough to claim to know exactly what form that will take."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
It's Ekaterina's bar and so she can do what she likes and in this instance she pours herself a triple of the aforementioned Japanese whiskey. With a single cube. Because it is her bar darn it. "If you are that neutral then simply leaving things alone becomes a credible course of action above all else no?" Kat asks. "Unmerited schemes simply result in more misery through unforseeen consequences."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister offers the smallest hint of a shrug, his eyes not quite closing as he does, "I can see how one might come to that conclusion." He smiles broadly again, "In a vacuum." his eyes close and he shakes his head, sighing as he does so, "But we know better than that, don't we." His eyes open, and he does his best to meet Kat's eyes, to look directly at her, "But we're not in vacuum, are we? Humans exist alongside mutants, and that alone one could justify stepping aside and letting the chips fall as they may. But there are so many other variables now, I'm sure you could agree. So many variables that make man's, if you'll excuse the inherent sexism of the term, fate questionable at least. Doesn't our species deserve to thrive? To compete? I think so."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"You speak to aggrandise what you say is of universal benefit - but who is the 'man' who is going to benefit from this 'advancement' - no interest in the 'gendered' language to handicap the concept. Improving humanity seems very abstract. There are alot of friendly aliens helping us lately Kryptinians being the best example." She sips her drink, "Who are the friendlies and who are the enemies?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister smiles, and then lets out a laugh through his nose, a laugh that is pleasant enough, "There is an irony here that few could really appreciate. Two people who have lived longer that 'man' has ever lived discussing 'man's' fate." He grins wickedly, and then laughs again this time the sound coming from deep within, "Have we cured cancer? Have we given others the immortality we enjoy? Have the Kryptonians?" He cants his head ever so slightly to the side, "What happens when unfriendly aliens arrive, and we find ourselves vulnerable because we relied on others to protect us? Who are the friendlies and who are the enemies indeed."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"The unfriendlies are already here and they have fared poorly otherwise we would not be having this conversation. It seems you propose a conspiracy of the powerful - but one to no end. Do you have a specific threat in mind?" Kat polishes off her glass. "Or do you just want to pool politically those who you count as wise because of our power and age? Come now Sinister we must be more thsn this - simple consolidation of power."

Sinister has posed:
"We've seen what we've seen, that much is true." Sinister takes in a deep breath through his nose, and then lets it out slowly, "And you've seen what you seen. Given our past, has it ever been prudent to just stop pushing ourselves forward, just because we've overcome the latest obstacle?" For once, Sinister actually looks pensive. Serious even, "If power is what I wanted, I could have had much more than I have. But," another sigh, "I am sadly aware that there are others with more power and influence than I could hope to compete with. Those that can influence even me. Surely you've felt the same way, at one point? Surely you know that there are others that are more than we are?"

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"Still others that have more power than we have? And that can influence us? You speak in riddles Sinister." Kat has been mercifully untroubled by other customers at the bar until now but some emerge and upon seeing them she summons another bar tender and hustles over to a more discrete area of the bar. "So who specifically is more powerful than us?" She asks.

Sinister has posed:
"Forgive me for being vague, Ms. Vespucci, but as you surely know, old habits die hard. There is a certain level of decorum I am inexplicably drawn too, and that, coupled with a desire for secrecy, has had an effect on me that is hard to overcome." Sinister stands up straight, and he cranes his neck from left to right as if cracking it, "Let me be blunt then, and I beg your forgiveness as blunt is something new to me, but let me blunt in saying you are a known quantity to me. And know that given what I'm about to say, that this level of honesty is..." he pauses, not finishing that thought before continuing into another, "En Sabah Nur. This is a name you know. This is a name that binds us now, for better or for worse."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"we have a mutual brother - big borther 'Poc' as I call him. And he concerns you? Then speak openly of him. He cares little for our conversation. We are not 'gods' as he aspires to be so why would he bother with us?" Kat finishes the third shot of her drink and unsolicited pours Sinister another double of japanese whiskey. Why stop now? After all.

Sinister has posed:
For the first time in this interaction, Sinister's expression is actually genuine. He can't help himself, despite all those years of training and preparation, "He..." is that disgust on his face? its gone so fast, "I am at a loss. I..." he sighs dramatically, "Clearly he is not a god. But he is more than us. He made me, and I hate him for it." And just like that, Sinister regains his composure, "I'm not sure I can hurt him, but I wonder if I could hurt you. Decades have passed while I searched for a weakness. Are you it? Are you your..." there's discomfort there, a distaste, "own worst enemy?"

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
Kat ignores the rest of her guests for the moment and addresses Sinister. "Ah well I should I guess ignominiously welcome you to the family then. He made you? How?" She pours herself a lick of the japanese whiskey - the thousand dollar bottle nearing complete exhaustion. "Am I what? Our own worst enemy?" As a trite afterthought, "Ah call me Kat - even my lowest ranking soldier does so you might as well."

Sinister has posed:
There have been hints of Sinister's true feeling throughout this interaction, but being compared to a low ranking soldier is the straw the finally breaks the back of the proverbial camel, "If you think for a second that I'll serve you in a manner your sibling expects, you will find you are sorely mistaken." the mutate frowns, and then tenses up before he continues, "I've found you, and I know how family can be a weakness. I wonder, if I squeeze you, will he come running? Will he finally realize the mistake he made?"

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"My mortal family is dead Sinister - and I demand nothing of you. You have approached me... for something. You mentioned our 'Egyptian' older brother. If you think harming me will make him confront you you are mistaken. En Sabah Nur thinks I am a brat and hates me. All you will do is earn yourself an additional unkillable annoyance if you piss me off." She pauses, "So do you want anything I can practically furnish you with or are you another overpowered mutant with daddy issues?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's composure returns to him in an instant, and he's once more proper and poised, "Clearly, I've let the worst part of me present itself, and, if you'll allow, I will rectify that." A white fingered hand reaches out for his empty glass, and a perfectly manicured nail taps against it, "I know it will offer little in the way of solace, but I want to be honest with you. If I wished you harm, I would not go through all this pageantry. I would just do yo harm." He pauses again, "So, if you can believe that, let us, delicately, pursue another option. One that has us working, if nothing else, in parallel."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"Again that seems pretty vague - more of an I don't mess with you if you don't mess with me transcription. If you wanted that of me - you merely had to not walk in the door." Kat clarifies. "I will not fight you if your interests don't imperil mine." She offers the rest of the expensive bottle of whiskey, "So you want to agree to essentially nothing? You don't hurt me and I don't hurt you?"

Sinister has posed:
With but a though, the bottle is whisked away from Kat's grasp and moved to Sinister's awaiting hand, and after giving it a swirl, he tilts it back and takes a litte drink, not quite finishing it, "My dear," he says with a slight rasp, "I said I was not here to harm you, and that was true," he sets the bottle down, "but that doesn't mean I don't have an interest in you. An interest that, I think, might benefit us both." He takes in another deep, deliberate breath through his nose, and he stands up perfectly straight, "I want what you want, in the most minimalist of ways. I want us all to survive. Your..." he clears his throat, "Apocalypse wants the world to burn. Lets stop that." a pause, "You want that too, right? Let us both, stop him."

Ekaterina Vespucci has posed:
"That's an easy sell," is Kat's rejopinder, "But Poc has been very quiet as of late and there are rather more who make noises similar to his. If you were to take all of those people on I think you might want some other less 'sinister' nick name. Maybe Mister Popular or Populist? Mikster Sanity? Not very catchy though relectable."

Sinister has posed:
"In the end, I can't control what people think of me. In the end, I make no apologies for the name I am known by. Sinister." He smiles, but it's as disingenuous as a smile can be, "It was the last word my wife spoke, so many years ago. I wear it like a badge of honor." the mutate shrugs that off then, "I am what I am. I want what I want. There is an overlap in the vin diagram that is you and me. We'll discuss it later. For now? For now I think we both need to think about this interaction, and how we want to proceed. Have a good night, Ms. Vespucci. We'll speak again soon."