14000/Ground Level Grub

Ground Level Grub
Date of Scene:	01 December 2021
Location:	Four Freedoms Plaza - Ground Floor
Synopsis:	Nick pops in, Wanda pops out, Lex is a recruiting and Pietro goes on a pizza run
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Lex Luthor

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
A number of folks are at home taking advantage of Giving Tuesday promotions. Others, who waited out the cries of the shopping commandos on the blackest of Fridays, have opted to take advantage of the fact and have hit stores in stride.

Nick is not one of these. He is simply awaiting a takeout order from one of the nearby concessions. It is taking longer though due to the increase in other people putting in orders. Sure, he could have gone elsewhere but he hasn't for several reasons. One of which being that he lives in the building. Kind of. So, he's used to the food offered on the ground level AND it's easier for him to navigate to this place when he's taking a break from his current situation.

To cut down on the chance of recognition, Nick is wearing his tried and true knit cap and Goodwill's finest.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Shopping mall. Occasionally, Wanda has a desire to do some shopping. Today had been the day that particular want had reared its ugly head. As Pietro had been on hand, his poor soul had gotten dragged along for the ride. Afterall, it never hurts to have a pack mule when shopping! And Wanda has been doing some shopping. And hasn't been shy at all in loading her brother down with shopping bags.

"Let's get something to eat, yes?" She glances back over her shoulder to Pietro, behind her on the escalator heading down to the food concession area. "Which one would you care to try? My treat, for being such a good sport." Wanda grins at him. She's not at all repentant for his current predicament. She turns, to survey the offer of food shops on display.

She's not making any effort to hide who she is at all. Then again, Wanda rarely tries to hide who she is.

Quicksilver has posed:
Every day is a day where Pietro has what could be called too much time on his hands. At least, in his perspective, he does. Yet spending time with his sister is always, at least in his opinion, time that is well spent. Usually. Most of the time. Maybe not this particular time as he's been burdened with Wanda's packages like some two legged pack mule, but he's not about to admit anything of the sort if that happens to be his sentiment.

A lock of his white hair tumbles forward and across his forehead, and the speedster peers past it towards his sister. "Yes, something to eat would be welcome," Pietro agrees, giving a nod to her. To his credit, he hasn't acted impatient through this bout of shopping. "I do seem to recall a promise of lunch if I came with you," he comments, the corners of his lips quirking with a bit of a grin. He glance across the various food options, then lifts one of his shoulders in a bit of a shrug as he adjusts the packages a bit. "Maybe the Chinese food one?" he suggests, his attention easily returning to his sister. Much like her, he makes no effort to hide who he is.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Then, there's the black Limo that pulls into the VIP parking lot outside... and out comes Mercy, Hope, and the Man of Tomorrow himself, Lex Luthor. All three are dressed to kill in business attire (though the observant will no doubt see some of the hidden weapons on both bodyguards.) and after a moment of adjusting, Lex starts walking inside the complex... slowly making his way towards the promenade.

Those who look his way get a warm, billion dollar smile and a friendly wave as he makes his way through.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick stands off to the side of the pickup counter, arms crossed as he casts a side look to a nearby clock indicating the time. He takes a deep breath, wondering how long until anyone notices he's gone. The last thing he needs is for Bucky to have reason to lowjack his butt.

And then he hears a voice that sounds a little familiar. A little. Not extremely. Turning his head, Nick looks over to the source of the voice to find a familiar face to go with it. Oh yes, The diner and that party. Gosh that feels so long ago. Managing a smile, he lifts up a hand to give a wave in greeting. Eyes glance over to Pietro, another familiar feeling stirring. Hmm.

Lex's entrance does cause for a bit of noise as those who do not practice the art of having been there already are exposing themselves with mutters and the occasional cellphone flash. The musician glances over to the source of the disruption, seeing someone in full politic mode. He doesn't recognize Lex on a personal interaction level. But the News are thorough enough to tell him who this guy is.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
But Wanda... knows her brother well. Very well, in fact. Even when he's not admitting such things... Well. She grins. And nods, and grins again. "I did promise, didn't I?" She makes a tsk of sound. "Well. I shouldn't go back on that, should I?" She glances toward the Chinese food one, and shakes her head. "I think I'm more in the mood for pizza than Chinese. I won't argue if you want to get Chinese, though. You can get Chinese, and I'll get pizza."

As the escalator gets to the bottom, Wanda steps off it with a bounce, and one pace to the side to give her brother room. Then she tucks an arm through his and leads him toward the two food choices in play. Though she watches around her, she pays no real attention to anyone else. For now.

Quicksilver has posed:
There's a brief scan given the assorted crowd that happens to be waiting and lingering around the food area, a brief look going towards the flickering flashes from cell phones, but then Pietro's attention turns back to his sister. One of his eyebrows quirks up at her, and then he gives a nod of agreement. "It would make for a terrible precedent if you went back on a promise. It is a sacred thing," he comments, a smile tugging anew at the corners of his lips.

He glances towards the Chinese food restaurant, eyeing the line of patrons waiting in line to get food, then looks towards the pizza place. Then he lifts a shoulder in a bit of a shrug. "I will get pizza with you. I see no particular reason for us each to wait in line separately when we might as well keep each other company in line," he comments, giving a nod to her. He's fairly fluid where food is concerned, and his decisions can be easily influenced by times. He steps off the escalator a moment after his sister does, then lightly nudges his shoulder against hers.

Lex Luthor has posed:
He /was/ here for a business meeting... but instead, Lex diverts, heading right for Nick. Hope and Mercy both exchange 'what's going on?' looks, but they know better than to question their boss when he's diverting.

It doesn't take long for Lex to come within a few feet of Nick, give him a once over, and then give a friendly smile to Nick, "Nick Drago?" Lex asks with an inquiring tone. His arms remain behind his back in a clasped formal fashion with the question.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Mild curiousity to the source of the disruption turns to a mild form of concern as said source starts heading his way. Oh great. Looks like Lex is a binge shopper. Nick turns his head, looking to the food vendor instead. Certainly with the amount of people in the busy area he won't stand out if he shifts towards the background, right?

That hope is dashed as the smooth-headed, rich as heck VIP comes into his field of vision and pulls to a stop nearby. A fleeting thought that maybe he's just here for the pizza fades as his name leaves Lex's lips.

Nick turns his head, pale blue eyes meeting green as he considers this change in situation. A momentary urge to use his usual phrase of avoidance comes to mind but soon dies away as the general reminder that this is a guy who could probably buy Wade's Studio several times over, burn it to the ground, and build a 40 room museum dedicated to the different styles of cake in the newly vacated place. IF he felt like it. And that thought is terrible.

Nick gives a practiced smile, "Yes?"

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Perhaps the shorter line had been what decided Wanda on the pizza. Wanda laughs at his agreement on pizza, and turns to tug him in that direction. The smile fades a little, but the amused sparkle remains in her eyes. "You don't mind shopping with me too much, do you, P?" She walks with Pietro into the line to get pizza seconds after Lex has arrived and said Nick's name.

Wanda looks curiously between the pair. She watches them curiously only for a few moments. Her attention is swiftly caught by the menu. "What kind of pizza you want? With everything, right?" She sounds far too amused. And it can't be because of the selection on the menu.

Quicksilver has posed:
That her smile fades a bit is something that he notices, and he raises an eyebrow slightly. "Were you hoping to steal a chicken ball?" Pietro asks, a teasing note to his voice. "We can get an order of them to take home, if you like," he offers, his blue eyes showing a sparkle to them. He walks along with Wanda, and he chuckles softly before he shakes his head. "No, Wanda... I do not mind shopping with you too much, I promise. And I would tell you if I did," he says softly, a warm note to his voice.

His attention turns towards those already in the line for pizza, glancing briefly between the men who have earned Wanda's attention. His gaze turns to the menu at Wanda's question of it, and then he gives a nod. "The one with everything is good, yes, please. Which one will you get?" he asks, curious.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"I'm Lex Luthor. A pleasure to meet you." Lex offers out a hand for handshake. "You've been mentioned in the news a few times and I've listened to some of your music. Do you mind if we have a chat, or are you busy?" Lex asks.

He seems friendly enough... and it isn't everyday a literal billionaire walks up to you out of the blue and tells you he listens to you as a musician.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks to the offered hand before reaching his own out to shake it. Listening to Lex's introduction, he gives a curious tilt of the head. "Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Luthor. I must admit I'm a bit surprised you've listened to any of my music."

"As for the chat..." Nick glances to the vendor. "Well, once my food is ready I'm going to have to run. But, if you want to chat while I'm waiting, that's fine."

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda Maximoff raises an eyebrow at her brother. "Why would I need to steal a chicken ball?" She sounds truly confused. "I wouldn't mind an order of them, though. And it's good, that you don't mind. I might have to hit you if you did." She winks at him. She considers the menu for another few moments, and then shrugs. "Probably one a good bit more simple than 'everything'," she says with a quiet laugh.

"Perhaps... the taco pizza sounds good." She steps forward as the line grows shorter. She doesn't look at Lex or Nick again, save the occasional glance as her gaze wanders past that general area. Doesn't want to stare, afterall. But two celebrities? That's hard to resist!

Quicksilver has posed:
"Ah, well... it is not a matter of needing to but a matter of wanting to?" Pietro suggests, raising an eyebrow slightly as he watches her. "We will pick up an order of them before we leave," he adds, giving a nod to her. He chuckles, his blue eyes showing a sparkle to them, and he winks at her. "You can hit hard when you want to," he says, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Pietro laughs lightly, and then he gives a nod. "I had guessed that. You are not generally as fond of everything on a pizza as what I am," he comments. "The taco one is good. I have had it before," he says, giving a nod to her. He adjusts the parcels a bit and steps forward with her, doing his best not to fidget whilst in line with her.

Lex Luthor has posed:
As Nick speaks, Lex nods, "I always keep an eye on up and coming talent. I don't rule out anyone unless they make it clear they're not worth the time." Lex tells Nick a bit bluntly. "Give me a reason to consider you for the LexCorp Empire, and I can make things happen."

He reaches into his coat pocket, and pulls out a business card, handing it to Nick.

It is every bit as tasteful-yet-expensive as Nick probably thought it was.

"Give me a call when you're ready to discuss business."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
When Lex said he wanted to chat, Nick had no idea that was going to be the topic material of said chat. The card extended towards him is given a look before he reaches over to take it, getting a better look to which of the man's many businesses he's speaking for now. Is Lex already in the music / acting industry? For a guy who does acting from time to time, he makes little effort to conceal the curious expression forming on his face. "...Thank you." Card already looked at, he pockets it.

Nick is getting the sense that someone is looking his way. And well, with the presence of Lex nearby, he can't rule out the possibility it may be more than one. But, that doesn't stop him from glancing to see if any persons are looking towards them with a particular manner of ill-intent. Catching Wanda in the act, he gives her another smile, the closer proximity likely giving it a better chance of being seen.

"Nick?" Hearing his name called by someone other than Lex, the musician turns to head over to the pickup counter. He looks back to Lex. "Alright, looks like the chat's over. Have a nice day, Mr. Luthor." With a slight bow of the head he moves over to collect his food.

Okay next objective, sneak back in to where he's supposed to be.

Scarlet Witch has posed:
Wanda Maximoff nods to her brother. She doesn't respond otherwise though, not for a long few moments, and she seems distracted. Finally, she shakes her head. "Here," she says, pulling out her wallet and handing him some cash from it. Enough to cover the food and a considerable amount besides. Tucking the wallet away, she looks up at him. "Emergency. I'll meet you at home. Just remember, no onions on my taco pizza."

Wanda gives Pietro a warm little smile and then turns to step away. She catches Nick's smile and returns it. Just before her scarlet magic swirls up around her hands, then engulfs her. When it clears, Wanda is gone.

Quicksilver has posed:
There's a glance towards the pair of men as the business card is exchanged, but his attention doesn't linger for long on them. He lightly tosses his head to get that lock of his hair out of his face, then turns his attention to his sister. One of his eyebrows quirks up at her statement, accepting the cash from her before he gives a nod. "I will take care of it, Wanda, I promise," he says, frowning briefly. "Go, take care of things, I will see you back home," he adds, giving her a warm smile.

And then she vanishes, which isn't surprising. She's done it to him before! And she'll do it again. He steps forward in the line to place his order, and since the pizza is already ready, it doesn't take more than a couple of minutes for them to hand it over. He'll heat it up at home, after all. With the packages in hand, and pizza as well, he strides off for the exit. Though he does, at least, wait until he's out of the plaza before heading off at speed.