12919/After the Show

After the Show
Date of Scene:	30 March 2021
Location:	A theater somewhere in New York.
Synopsis:	Emma catches one of Zatanna's shows. Makes an offer she can't refuse.
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Zatanna Zatara

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Emma Frost has posed:
    Emma is out on the town, though perhaps somewhat less spectacularly than usual. While she's certainly fashionable, it's a downstated sort of fashion, more stunningly wealthy CEO than wicked temptress or mutant activist. But really, it only makes sense. She's out on Business after all, even if business doesn't usually involve catching a show. But Frost International has an upcoming retreat for management, one of those dreadfully mundane company culture team-building exercises. And a company retreat means provided entertainment.

    And so Emma has had an assistant secure her a front row seat to Zatanna's show, she's even arrived relatively early on, just to ensure she can get a full view of the operation... even if she's also using just a touch of her powers to ensure the rest of the audience pays her no heed. After all, they really shouldn't be distracted from the performance, Emma reasons. She's doing them a favour, because she surely wouldn't want to miss a moment of Zatanna's spectacular display.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara may be an -actual- magician, but she is also a consummate performer. From the moment the curtain rises and she steps onto the stage in those booted heels, her smile and her gestures... not to mention her stage tricks... wow and captivate the audience.

They ARE tricks that she's performing, as well. Very good ones, and very elaborate ones to be sure, but -tricks- none the less. It's a line that she's very, very careful not to cross; the line between stage magic and real magic. As Zatanna works through her show she also watches the audience, mostly for those sutble feedback cues on whether a particular bit of the show is working or not.

Almost immediately her attention is drawn to a particular woman in the front row; the woman with white hair, who seems to be assessing her as much as the show. And as the show goes on, the magician's focus shifts more and more towards this woman. "For my last trick of the evening, I will require a volunteer." she declares, stepping right up to the edge of the stage. But before anyone has the opportunity, she points directly at Emma. "How about you, Miss?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma finds herself almost lost to the show. While she's appraising Zatanna, she tricks are truly impressive, and that alone is enough for her to decide by the second that the magician is -perfect- for the job. It's the stage presence, the confidence, and -style- that makes Emma raise her opinion notch by notch.

And as Emma focuses on her appraisal, she would not at all be surprised that Zatanna picks up on it... if she weren't practically spellbound herself, finding herself drawn into the show, until the final act arrives and she's singled out as the volunteer.

While she doesn't spring to her feet as eagerly as a diehard fan would, she does rise smoothly and without hesitation, the crowd sees her back, but Zatanna has a view of those blue eyes widening a touch, and the ghost of a smile crossing her lips before she's moving towards the short steps up onto the stage, voice speaking, smooth and calm and oh so confident, "Oh, well, I -certainly- wouldn't turn down an opportunity to be spellbound up close!"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara smiles warmly, extending a white-gloved hand to the woman as she -ascends- the steps to the stage. "Excellent, and thank you in advance for being a good sport." Pause. "No matter what happens." Soft laughter ripples through the audience. Leading Emma towards a specific spot on the stage, now that she's up close her 'volunteer' can spot the tell-tale tricks of the trade. Small flash pot charges, the barely-discernable outline of a trap door, and various stage marks. All discreet, of course.

Zatanna leads Emma to a that spot on the stage, and there seems to be nothing unusual about it. No trap door, no wires, no flash devices. Nothing. And as the magician leads her volunteer, two of her similarly-attired assistants wheel out a tall, glass box and turn it in slow circles for everyone to see.

"Behold, an empty box. But not for long. Okay, Miss, you stay where you are and don't. Move." Stepping up to the glass box, she knocks on each of the panels and then gives an assistant a nod. They run a hose up to the top of the box, and begin filling it rapidly with water.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma can't quite stifle the knowing smile at seeing the tricks of the trade up close, shaking her head as she does her best to strike the pose of a confident but reserved CEO... after all, the idea of the volunteer isn't to out-pose the lovely assistants. She takes her spot primly, smiling brighter, "Oh, I have faith in your abilities, I'm sure everything's going to be just astounding."

Emma stands still, even as she eyes the glass box a little more skeptically... and her eyebrows raise at the hose being attached. It's the water pouring in that has her acting like a nervous theatre-goer.

Yes, acting. Certainly. She's not -nervous-, that would be prepostorous! She faces down aliens and robots and other such astounding riffraff! ...She must be picking up the anticipation and anxiety of the crowd. Yes, that's it. It's definitely not -her- anxiety. "Oh... well... this all seems very reasonable and safe."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara looks briefly at the box, then focuses her attention more on her volunteer. She's one, cool customer alright. Smiling to Emma as the tank fills, she nods enthusiastically. "Yes, of course it is!" she replies. The tank is nearly full, now, and that's when Zee removes the silk top hat from her head. Holding it upside down, she extends it to Emma with a knowing smile.

Turning back to the audience as the water finishes filling, she gestures widely with both hands. "Ladies and gentlemen! For my last trick of the evening, I am going to -transport- my volunteer into the tank. But it's full of water, you say! I assure you that this is perfectly safe!"

A nod, and her assistants draw a black curtain upward around the glass box. Another places a hoop over Emma's head, and begins to raise it high enough to obscure the woman as well. Before eye contact is broken, Zee speaks softly to her volunteer. "Just relax and trust me." Pause. "Oh, and don't let the hat spill." The last is added with a touch of a wink.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma chews her lower lip with just a brief moment of genuine uncertainty as she draws a slow, steadying breath. She can do this! She doesn't have to -do- anything. She just has to stand here, how hard can that be?

And so she flashes her best brave smile, then eyes Zatanna with a slightly lifted eyebrow, "Oh, I'd -never- think of putting your hat in peril. Don't get me too wet, hm?"

And then that curtain's rising up, and Emma's got a moment to exhale, maybe even tremble a touch. My my, who knew stage shows were so exhilirating? Maybe there's a reason people lust for fame beyond money! This certainly is enjoyable. And she's determined now, she's going to approach Zatanna for her services... if she doesn't drown first.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara cues a drum roll, and begins making a series of wide, sweeping, magical-like gestures as she turns from the tank to the woman and then back again. The drum rolls accelerates every time she switches focus, and then she begins to mutter a stream of endless, nonsense words. Emma might recognize a fair bit of Italian, along with some Latin and ancient Greek. But also some words that she certainly would NOT recognize.

Somewhere throughout the incantation, the magician weaves a couple of phrases into her performance. "Retaw otni tah!", followed by "Namow otni knat!" In one instant, Emma finds herself holding a hat full of water. And in the next there's a sudden, brief, disorientation and she is standing inside the glass box. The empty, dry, glass box.

There is a triumphant 'Ta-da!' as both curtains fall simultaneously. And a moment later, the glass panels all fall outward together, without shattering when they hit the stage.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma doesn't reel... not quite, because after enough times being BAMF'd, one gets one's... sea legs? Teleportlegs? Well, her legs are fine either way. She doesn't even spill the hat, although it does swirl a little, almost sloshing droplets over the rim, stopped just short.

She stares down at the hat, around at the walls as they fall away, and her lips spread in a wide, winning smile. "Oh! My! Now that was -magical-." There's a brief pause as she murmurs softly, "But then, I'd expect nothing less."

She continues to hold the hat, standing in the midst of what was once the tank as she glances back and forth, "Ahhh... does anyone have a... jug?"

And then her focus shifts back to the lovely magician, far more focused, eyes narrowing slightly. The audience surely won't notice it, especially not when they're no doubt stunned by the finale. But there's a better than even chance that Zatanna's going to notice her volunteer's dropped all pretense of not appraising her. Although it's also fairly clear that appraisal is going more than satisfactorily.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The audience applauds, and Zatanna raises both arms high into the air. Taking a bow, she gestures towards her 'volunteer' and applauds as well. "Bravo!" she offers, as if Emma had everything to do with what just happened. Taking long, bold, swaying strides she crosses the stage over to Emma and carefully takes the hat. A bit of water sloshes... just enough to splash a little onto the stage and show the audience where it went. "I'll take that, if you please."

While both her hand and Emma's are on the hat, the magician impulsively leans in to press a light kiss to Emma's cheek. In a low voice she offers <Thank you for being such a great sport.> And with that, she takes the hat full of water and FLINGS it out over the audience. The collective gasp covers up her words <Retaw otni ittefnoc!>, and before the -torrent- of water lands it becomes a ridiculous amount of confetti that fills the auditorium.

With that, the magician makes her exit. Stage Right.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma offers the hat up carefully, stepping back just a touch from the splash of water... a few drops sprinkling an ankle... so not -entirely- dry, but hardly soaked. She actually lets out an involuntary little gasp of breath at that brief press of lips to her cheek, murmuring softly, <Oh, any time you want to again, I'm game.> and then she watches that water fly, the change to confetti... her eyes narrow. There's no way that finale was flash powder or trick cuffs in a jacket.

Emma steps off as well, waiting a few moments, only to exit Stage Right herself. Of course, not with the same pace as Zatanna, as once she's behind the curtain, she hasn't got the benefit of knowing the layout.

Though she can't help but cheat a little, just brief surface scans of stage crew as she passes, finding her bearings towards the magician's dressing room. After all, she's got an offer to make. And she's -not- risking waiting and having someone else book the date. Oh no, that would be beyond unacceptable now.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara doesn't go -directly- to her dressing room, actually. There are a few follow-up notes to deliver to the crew and her assistants. Plenty of time for Emma to reach the dressing room first. As gloved fingers reach for the door knob, Zee hesitates. It was just two days ago that a couple of would-be kidnappers ambushed her after a show.

Deep breath, then she opens the door and steps inside, removing her hat with a flourish. And all senses alert.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma's seated, legs crossed at the knee, hands clasped together atop her right knee, not a threat at all, although there's -something- in her expression that's practically predatory. But she's surely not nearly as much of a wolf as she radiates an aura of. Her voice pours out, soft, smooth, calm and collected. "Hello, Ms. Zatarra, I apologize for not waiting for you to arrive and settle..." She tilts her head and eyes the other woman slowly, "But I'm sure your services are in rapturous demand, and after such a show, I simply -couldn't- wait to make my offer."

She's careful, keeping her hands still, her shoulders straight, practically a statue. After all, you don't make sudden moves if you're in someone's house and they own a gun. And startling someone who can teleport you at will? Well, that certainly seems even more dangerous. "But I suppose I should introduce myself. Emma Frost. Charmed to meet you... and not just because you gave me my fifteen minutes of stage fame."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara pauses just inside, relaxing noticeably and offering her visitor a smile. The door closes with a light touch and she tosses the hat across the room to land expertly on its stand. She watches her volunteer-turned-guest as introductions are made, then she saunters over to the coat rack while shrugging out of the tux jacket.

"Emma... -Frost-..." she repeats, blue eyes flickering a little. Yes, the name is familiar to her alright. "I can assure you, Miss Frost, that the pleasure is all mine." she replies. "Mind if I get out of these boots while we chat?" And whether Emma minds or not, Zatanna bends low to unzip one black boot and then the other. Wiggling fishnet-clad toes (with red nails!), she steps over to a chair opposite Emma and tucks one leg up under the other. Toned arms are bare, with literally 'nothing up her sleeve'.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma shakes her head with a slow smile, "Oh, no, do get comfortable, don't let me interrupt your post-show routine any more than I already am! You've certainly earned adulation and relaxation. I assure you, you've got at least one new dedicated fan."

Her eyebrows perk high as she sighs softly, "I mean, really. I'd simply love to hire you for a private event. A little relaxation from a corporate team building exercise. My original plan was to find an entertainer to contrast the tedium of the team building activities with an equally enjoyable show. But I'm afraid the department of labor will be -all over me- if I try to counterbalance anything as spectacular as you. Where would I even find the granite tablets and chisels for them to engrave the team building mottos?"

She shrugs her shoulders smoothly, "But I'll match any price, and well, there are fringe benefits. The plan is to have the event at a ski resort, and of course your expenses would be covered as my personal guest."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara props both arms up on the back of the comfortable chair, red lips twitching a little with amusement when Emma speaks of granite tablets and chisels. She chuckles softly, slender fingers absently waving as if working an incantation all their own.

Blue eyes brighten, and that's when Emma would know that the hook is set. "A private event... corporate retreat... ski resort... And I can't -tell- you the last time I've ever been someone's personal guest." For a moment her gaze meets Emma's, then she asks in a lower voice. "Are you hiring Zatanna the Performer or Zatanna the Magician?" There is no doubt in her mind that Emma knows -something- special happened during that last trick. Most of the time she chooses children, or even someone who's had a few too many.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma smiles brightly, beamingly as t he hook is set and she shakes her head slowly, arms stretching above her head, elbows bending, her hands stretching behind her head, back arching as she lets out a low groan. There's always a release of tension at a successful hiring. Her eyes close for a long moment.

And then they blink open as she shakes her head, murmuring softly. "Oh, no, strictly the Performer. The Magician is... well, I'd say your talents are stunning, but you know that already." She lets out a low murmur of laughter, "I think perhaps the Performer for now, and I'll simply keep you in mind for anything else I feel like I could use your unique talents for. Something tells me you're spectacularly versatile."

Her shoulders lift in a casual little shrug and she murmurs dryly, "And if you ever need another assistant, well, I'm sure I can rearrange my schedule to make room. My employees and students will simply have to understand. It's important to indulge one's self time to time."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara's head tilts, one hand reaching up to tousle raven locks with her long fingers as she watches her guest. Her gaze roams as Emma arches and stretches, those blue eyes remaining bright. Inquisitive. "I couldn't agree with you more on the subject of indulgence." she replies.

"I accept, of course. A Performance gig it will be. I get to work on my skiing AND spend some quality spa time." The woman pauses, then. "Not everyone understands my -true- nature, and I do appreciate your discretion. It was a calculated risk, but you intrigued me."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma stands slowly, smoothly, nodding her head with a crooked little smile, eyes flashing... and, well, what's life without a little risk? And so she doesn't speak her next words, she simply lets them float into Zatanna's mind like a gentle breeze, <Oh, of course. True natures can be sensitive subjects... best kept quiet. For friends, yes?> Her eyebrows perk up as she steps closer to Zatanna, slipping a business card from her blouse and offering it up.

And then her voice purrs out past her lips, "Here, in case you need to call me for anything. And oh yes, skiing and spa time is a must. I'm sure we'll mingle plenty and enjoy ourselves on the trip. But I should let you enjoy yourself and make sure the school's not in the midst of a riot." Her eyes sparkle playfully as she tilts her head, "Oh, and do you need a seat on the charter flight? Or are you traveling by hat?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna Zatara looks up, meeting Emma's gaze as the woman rises. Toes wiggle in the stockings, as if in possession of a mind all their own. Accepting the card between two long, delicate fingers, she holds it for a moment. And when Emma speaks into her mind, the magician's head tilts as well.

She laughs softly, tossing her head as eyes brighten further. "Oh I think I'm going to like you." she declares, slipping the card between shirt and waistcoat where it will become warm and curved. "And I never turn down the opportunity to take a charter flight. One must keep up appearances, after all."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma reaches the door, and looks over her shoulder with a downright rakish shift of her hips as she tosses her head to fan that platinum hair, grinning brightly, "Well then, -two- on the flight then! I'll send your ticket tomorrow." She laughs and purrs out, "And I guarantee you'll like me. I'm going to make sure of it. And you can teach me some card tricks so I can dazzle some friends." And then she's sweeping the door open, slipping through shutting it silently behind her. Heading off with the buzz of victory. And she didn't have to buy a corporate rival, or crush any anti-mutant rioters! She could get used to this whole being on the side of good thing. It turns out it's actually quite pleasant.