9283/Diplomatic Visit

Diplomatic Visit
Date of Scene:	22 September 2019
Location:	X-Corporation Headquarters, Bushwick
Synopsis:	Darkstar visits X-Corp. Diplomacy!
Cast of Characters:	Sunspot, Darkstar
Tinyplot:	The X-Corporation

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Sunspot has posed:
No one had heard about the X-Corporation before the summer. But its creation has raised some concern in certain sectors. It has been strangely quiet, except for the usual mutant-hating channels there has been little talk about it. But its presence has actually been intensely debated in some social media mutants tend to use. Some hope, and a lot of distrusts. Mutants are tired of getting used, experimented upon, and discarded by this or that corporation or government outfit.

And of course Mutant Town. The main office is in the middle of Mutant Town. They are not hiding. And although it is a Sunday and they are technically closed, there is a fair number of people coming and going, half of them obvious mutants.

Darkstar has posed:
There's a black car pulling up, it's got that 'important' vibe about it, it's also looking like something left over from the Soviet era, a GAZ, in fact. The rear door opens as Laynia Petrovna steps out, wearing high heels, a suit and carrying a briefcase. No Darkstar this time, just plain old Laynia in her diplomatic role. The driver closes the door, and starts to walk with her to the X Corporation's door. He's a heavy set balding Russian man, and Laynia's shorter tham him by about half a foot. She though....is the one with the power.

Reaching the door, she steps inside, looking around the offices, she stands there waiting to be seen.

Sunspot has posed:
It takes less than a minute for Roberto to reach the lobby. He was waiting.

It would be nice to say he made an exception for Laynia and was in the office a Sunday, but actually he has been in that office since the construction work started except for the weekend he had to be in Rio. The X-Corporation is starting and there is too much to do, not even counting his other jobs.

However he does not look tired or overworked. He is wearing a dark blue suit with matching tie and looks like he is right out of a pleasant and productive business meeting. The kind that never happen in real life. Didn't happen to him either.

First impressions are important, however. "Miss Petrovna, good morning. Roberto Da Costa," he greets. "Or would you prefer Darkstar?"

Darkstar has posed:
"Either works" Laynia nods and gestures to her driver, speaking to him in Russian. "Wait in the car" she says translating for everyone else. Yes. First impressions do wonders and she's trying her best to make the best one she can. To that end she's offered a hand to Roberto. "You got my call and paperwork?" she asks. sure, the Russian government is doing this all as a PR tour, hw wonderful the Winter Guard is. Sure, sure. But she's going along with it.

Looking over the office, she nods and returns her gaze to the blue suit and tie combination. She nods at it and smiles. "So, Mr. Da Costa. Do you have an offfice we can discuss matters in?" she asks gently.

She's not wanting to discuss diplomacy in the lobby, after all. That'd just violate every bit of diplomatic training she's recieved.

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto takes the offered hand and smiles, nodding. "I have all the documentation. Very official. I would have received you in any case, of course." He gestures, inviting Laynia to come with him to the elevator. His office is in the third floor.

The elevator is new, like almost everything else in the X-Corp area of the old building. There have been some serious reforms in the place. The building was almost destroyed by a 'rogue' Sentinel attack last spring.

Third floor looks more something out of Star Trek than a normal office. Blame Doug Ramsey. Fortunately Roberto office is a more normal, almost classic setup.

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia looks around as she rides the elevator then follows Roberto, "It's....." she says trying to find a nice way to say 'odd' or 'not what I expected'. She goes with "It's certainly nto a typical office building" she says with a smile watching everything around.

Entering the third floor office, Laynia looks impressed and sits with her briefcase on the flor. She's pulling out papers and looks over the desk.

Sunspot has posed:
"My IT chief is somewhat of an eccentric genius," admits Roberto. "But I also suspect there are some unsanctioned effort going to make this place as different from a human-run office as it can be. Perhaps not a bad thing. Mutants are hungry for their own culture."

There is a meeting table and a desk. The later is already quite full of electronic devices, some paperwork. Also a few college text-books. In Portuguese.

Darkstar has posed:
Laynnia spreads the paperwork over the meeting table, since the desk's full up. She looks over the paperwork and smiles. "As you know I am attached to the Russian government. I came here on a diplomatic mission, but off the record I think it is gereat that you are trying to do more for mutants" she says. She's genuinely meaning that, too. She wishes more would do things for mutants, too

Sunspot has posed:
"I am a mutant," states Roberto, grinning again. "My interest is interested. And in this case my mutation is an advantage, for once. I am more trustworthy for other mutants than the usual corporate shark or government bureaucrat."

He glances over the documentation Laynia has brought. Then adds, "not that I don't believe there are not great potential in the use of mutant powers in industry or research. If there is something to be learned about Genosha is the vast potential of superhuman powers applied to the improvement of society."

The other lesson, about the inhumanity of humanity, was sadly, nothing new.

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia leans forward listening, trying to look offended at 'government bureaucrat'. She's not offended. Been called worse. Instead she nods. She's seen the inhumanify of humanity first hand, and she silently reads the paperwork as well. Not that she needs to. Instead. She finally speaks though.

"You are interested in helping people without government oversight?" she asks curiously. That's a noble idea. She's intrigued. "I came here to meet with you and you are very...." she pauses, "Interesting and noble, yes" she says simply while thinking what else to say. "You have investors, yes?" she adds. it's an open ended question. If Russians are helping, that may give her reason to check this place out.

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto was not calling Laynia 'government bureaucrat', really. It is just there has been more than a few US Gov. bureaucrats trying to get mutants to do this or that, making promises they won't fulfill and dropping mutants like a hot potato when it looked it was bad for their careers to get further associated with them.

Laynia is a mutant herself. Completely different. Well... mostly different.

Roberto was going to apologize when she talks again. Of course, on paper, there is little interference in private business in America. He expects there will be plenty of interference. But he has his lawyers armies ready. X-Corp is starting small, but Da Costa International is a monster, and partially shielded by the fact most of its assets are in Brazil.

"Thank you," he says at the praising. "I have some investors. Most of which prefer to keep their relationship with X-Corp out of the papers."

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia nods to Roberto and smiles. They have much, much in common, and she's taking notes. Da Costa International's one she's aware of. Brazil's outside of the US's grip. Russia's, too....but she listens keenly, making mental notes on what he's saying. She smiles though and has her hands in her lap. "You are a businessman who is advocating for mutant rights and culture, correct?" she asks with a quiet look in her eyes, a look that says soemthing like 'Somebody needs to do this'. Truth.

Laynia knows about state interference, being Russian. She also has read about it in this country, too. Brazil? That's a new one to her. She'll have to read up on it. Still Laynia's curious.

"Tell me" she says softly. "What is your vision for mutants?" she asks. She's got a vested personal interest in this, being a mutant.

Sunspot has posed:
"I am advocating mutant rights, of course. Culture? That happens," comments Roberto, taking a seat by the table. "Truth is in an ideal world there would be no need to create a different culture for a group that comes from every corner of the world. Mutants are the children of humankind, so why do they need a different culture? Why not just continue and contribuite the many cultures of humankind? But oppressed minorities do create their own culture. Music, fashions, even language. We are at this point. Even there is a 'mutant nation' in Africa."

He grunts. "It is a dangerous divergence. We should be working pro-integration. Separation will lead to more conflict, not less. It has always been so in human history and mutants are not that different. My vision is one of integration; I believe Charles Xavier is correct in pretty much all his worldview."

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia nods. "Yes, but pro integration takes time. People want instant results" she muses, "The Church of...what was it, the pro human church does not help" she adds quietly. "They have their pro-humanist propaganda. Mutants are seen as everything wrong with the world. We are not" Laynia says. "I am not the threat,when humanity is tearing itself apart with all kinds of atacks on itself" she adds and taps the paper with a finger, studying it, then Roberto. "You have a good world vision, but can it happen with humans dcrying everything mutants do as evil and abhorrent? Then they bring their religion into it" she says quietly.

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto shakes his head. "Yes, religion is often uses as a weapon against everything," he sighs extra hard, being a catholic that has more or less to admit the church has no freaking idea of how the universe actually works.

"However, churches need money to run," he offers. "And minorities can only be oppressed if they are kept poor. So yes, there are ways to fight against churches that preach hatred. At least within America. How are laws for mutants in Russia? I have heard some terrible news from other ex-soviet republics."

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia nods. "Cut off the money, church dies. Are there laws?" she asks shaking her head. "I'm not at liberty to say, but I'm alive and well, so that should be an indication" she adds and laughs softly. "Mutants are people as well, the way I see it" she says and nods, checking her watch. She hands over a card with her name and a number on it. "If you need anything, or want me to come back here, call" she says. That's an off the books thing. But Laynia's willing to at least bend the rules a tiny bit.

Sunspot has posed:
"Of course, I have heard you are one of the most powerful mutants in Russia," replies Roberto, taking the card and offering his own in exchange. "Me? I have some solar-powered strength, but my main super-power is my money. And it is what I am going to use for this battle. Please, come here any weekday. We can maybe, work something. Staff always needs help, and we have several genuine super-heroes already helping."

Darkstar has posed:
Laynia nods and looks amused pocketing the card. "Very well. My superpower is" she says as she drains light from the room, "Like so" she adds closing her eyes as she lets go of the darkness. She's just like that, though as she speaks. "THat's my power. But, My time with this meeting is up, you have a way to get a hold of me" she offers. She gets up and smiles. "It's been a pleasure meeting you. r Da Costa. I hope everything works well for you in the future" she says ad turns to leave

Sunspot has posed:
Roberto stands, nodding to the blonde woman. "The pleasure was all mine. I will study the documents you left me and perhaps give you a call next week," he offers. He will, of course, walk her to the door of the lobby, making also small chat. Since she is staying in the US for the time being, they will meet again for sure.