13162/Overlapping Interests

Overlapping Interests
Date of Scene:	01 May 2021
Location:	Lex Luthor's Office - LexCorp Tower
Synopsis:	Selene checks in with Lex after a long period of silence.
Cast of Characters:	Lex Luthor, Black Queen

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Lex Luthor has posed:
It's been a while since Selene and Lex have talked in-person. Intermediaries and just general chatter over the Shadow Network that the Light maintains is more than enough for simple check ins and decisions. Lex has his business empire to run. Selene has... cults and her own version of business interests.

Tonight, however, something of a conflict of areas has arisen and information given to Lex by one of his agents has sparked a bit of alarm; one of the Lights rivals has been seen making waves in Europe... and Paris is now of particular interest to the Council, lest an area previously marked as clear of influences becomes less so.

So it is that Lex has invited Selene for a formal meeting between Councillors, inviting her through the portal network so as to not arouse suspicion.

Wearing a black business suit, the impeccably dressed Lex Luthor stands near the smartglass pane at the end of the office, looking out into Metropolis at night. Mercy and Hope are both out of sight for this one, along with the rest of security, as Lex clasps his hands behind his back and stares out into the night sky, a slight frown on his face.

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio does love her intermediaries. Servants are one of the benefits of position and power, after all, and hers are particularly well attuned to her needs and wants. If they aren't, they're likely to be drained of life and left at the bottom of one of her numerous sepulchral pits maintained by the devout.

She wears black leather trousers and obscenely high heels, a bustier-style top and a tailed jacket. Her nails are as black as her lips and her hair (and her soul, if she has one). She dismisses the servants, one male and female, who accompany her, leaving her alone in LEx's presence, her long hair swept a bit to one side, the other shaved underneath and tied in place with a braid.

"Luthor," she says in her sultry, chilling tones, tantalizing but empty. "You're looking well. But, then, we are in your seat of power, aren't we?" she says, striding up to stand next to him and appreciate the same view.

Lex Luthor has posed:
As Selene walks up Lex looks to her, then glances down her form, inspecting her clothing and figure, before he looks back to the window. "It's a nerve center." Lex concedes, casually. "Enjoy the attention?" Lex continues in that casual tone as he turns and begins to walk over to the massive desk near the center of the room. "I can enjoy a lovely ass in those heels as much as the next man, but you've been out of contact for a while."

He moves to sit down, "I never did get the impression you're looking to tempt any Councillors."

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio snorts, "Every woman loves attention. Some simply choose not to admit it. Largely because men will think they rise above their station or as if it makes them somehow less. We all want to be worshipped. I just happen to deserve it, darling," she says.

She glides easily, moving on those heels as easily as one might move in bare feet, taking a seat and crossing her legs melodramatically, dangling her manicured hands at the armrests. "I appreciate our arrangement and allyship, Lex, but I'm hardly at your beck and call. I have my own interests to maintain, just as you do. I am here now. Was it really so terribly urgent? Did you...need me?" she says with bemusement.

Lex Luthor has posed:
There's a slight furrow to his eyes as she speaks, then, he nods. "This is true enough. Suffice to say, I do like what I see with you." From Lex, that's quite the compliment; the man must have women throwing themselves at him if he looks.

"You heed to see this." Lex presses a button, and a holographic display of a city pops up in the air. "Paris." He notes, and he presses a button on a keypad, and it zooms in towards one of Selene's known estates. "You have people planning a hostile takeover of this area."

Suddenly, red and blue fill in each of the buildings; blue being known interests of Selene. There are a few red around next to the blue ones, "One of my agents handling monitoring of the Europeans came across this. When someone buys up real estate in an area, I want to know about it. It usually means rivals taking an interest for some reason." He looks to Selene, "I normally wouldn't bother you with this... but the general direction of buyups is heading towards your buildings.... and I've confirmed at least one of the buyers is an undercover HYDRA informant."

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio makes a gesture of distaste, her painted black lips curling into a sneer, "They're so...vulgar,' she mutters. "And not in the entertaining way. The crude and the obscene are certainly among my favorite notes, but they just have no style, no class. Just brutes. They remind me of the barbarians who sacked Rome, with no understanding of the beauty or the wisdom they destroyed. Little better than animals," she says.

"I appreciate you informing me. I'll take measures to make sure the vermin are properly evicted and given a necessary swat to remind them of their place in the food chain."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I didn't want to chance this information to a network. I know how much you enjoy your... gatherings." Lex is /not/ going to say cult. "This seems like a good way to get on your 'I'm going to kill you' list, and HYDRA will eventually be a thorn we need to pluck off the Earth."

He grabs a USB Drive out of a drawer in his desk, and offers it with three fingers across the desk. "The relevant information." He notes.

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio isn't particularly ashamed of the word 'cult'. To her, it simply means that she has devotees, true believes, and why shouldn't she? She's an immortal death goddess so far above ordinary humans, they should likely fall to their knees just to see her. Of course, some men won't ever kneel. Men such as Lex. But she's made her peace with that. The world is a big place - no reason she should take all the responsibility for herself.

She takes the USB and places it in a pocket in her jacket, then shrugs it off, revealing bare shoulders and arms, "My thanks. I'm so very pleased that our arrangement is paying dividends. Although it makes me wonder just what you might want from me in return..."

Lex Luthor has posed:
"For now, suffice to say you'd owe me a favor." Lex smiles warmly. "I have a few potential ways for you to repay me in mind, but I have to work out some details first."

He hits a button again, and the holographic display above winks out, "Do you have a place you like to meet these days?"

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio smiles, "I'll send you an invitation. I have my own quarters in New York. Or we could always go to New Orleans for a rendesvous. I do enjoy a good gumbo," she says.

She pushes up to her feet and turns easily on her high heels, stalking away towards the door. "I'll try to stay in better touch, Lex, darling. I wouldn't want to leave you feeling unwanted."