LOG | Warren and Jean-Paul

[x-highflying.livejournal.com]

Warren and Jean-Paul have lunch at one of Warren's new favorite spots, and discuss the District X community council and their plans.

Interesting businesses showed up in New York all the time, and this place was no less so. Warren had discovered it flying over Manhattan one day - a cafe/bar established on the roof of a skyscraper, the clientele primarily those who had heard about the great coffee and food by word of mouth, and some guerrilla street marketing. Warren had delighted the owner/manager when he'd landed there the first time, and it was fast becoming his favorite place to stop and eat, or get coffee.

Today he was introducing the place to Jean-Paul - the pair of them landing together had once more delighted the manager, and he'd taken it upon himself to serve (and flirt) with the pair as they settled in.

"I told you this place was great," Warren said with a grin as the owner left with their orders.

Jean-Paul laughed. "You did," he agreed, taking in the cafe's decor. It was, indeed, quite nice. "The owner, he seems to like you a great deal. I take it you are either very good for business or he has ulterior motives."

"Oh, probably a little of both," Warren replied, laughing a little as well. "I spend all my money here, and his patrons get to be amused by the sight of someone flying in or out. It's the best of both worlds, really." He glanced over at the owner. "And granted, he is pretty easy on the eyes."

Following the younger man's look, Jean-Paul nodded. "This is very true. And this was a very good find - easily accessible and with a positive reaction to fliers. I think I will make it a regular stop, also." Though really, he wasn't so interested in the owner as the coffee the owner had promised to bring them. It wouldn't be much of a pick-me-up, given the Quebecois' metabolism, but it would be better than nothing, even if it was only psychosomatic.

"It's nice finding a place outside of District X that doesn't freak about mutants," Warren smiled. "And the coffee is good. A double plus." At that mentioned, a waiter showed up with their drinks, placing them in front of the pair before moving off quickly.

"Mm," Jean-Paul mumbled his agreement, already having picked up his coffee and buried his nose in the mug. Sugar and cream were for the weak, obviously, and he didn't need all of those tastebuds. After a long moment and an equally long sip, he held his mug away from him, braced between his palms, and exhaled slowly. "Oui, this is correct. The coffee is very good."

Warren, on the other hand, helped himself to sugar, quite happy to dilute his coffee. He leisurely sipped from the coffee, a smile playing on his lips.

"The food is good as well. I have to say, I was pretty surprised by this place."

Eyes dropping to half mast, the Quebecois mumbled something that was meant to be agreement as he took another sip. He had his priorities, after all. And right now, those priorities centered on staying awake. Because falling asleep would have been rude and he wasn't that tired. At least he hadn't thought he was.

Warren narrowed his eyes at Jean-Paul's lack of response, and his wave of tired.

"Is everything alright?"

"Oui," Jean-Paul said, surfacing from his coffee to give Warren an innocent smile. "Everything is going quite well, merci. How are things with your office and Jennifer?"

"Hmmmm." Warren's eyes stayed narrowed for a moment, but he let Jean-Paul remain evasive.

"They're going well," he said, sipping from his drink. "We have a few clients already, though none of their cases have gone to court yet. Jen's had a couple of bail hearings, and I've got a mediation scheduled for the next week."

"Good," Jean-Paul said, nodding. "And it is probable you could find other businesses to represent, as you do X-Factor, non?" It was good to hear that Warren's business was managing to stay afloat. Starting out was always difficult, he supposed, but word of mouth should help with the legal practice.

Warren nodded. "Certainly. My focus has mostly been in anti-discrimination cases, and I imagine there are plenty of those around. It's just a matter of building my reputation. But I studied business law as well, so I can always take on those kinds of cases as well."

Nodding again, Jean-Paul took another sip of his coffee and then said, "I am glad things are going so well. Though I still do not believe that you are keeping the fern alive on your own."

"Hey now," Warren said with injured pride. "I am capable of looking after plants. I researched it very carefully."

Jean-Paul snorted a laugh into his coffee cup, mumbling, "That you had to research the care of a fern, it does not bode so well for the plant, I think." His eyes had crinkled at the corners, though, and it was obvious he was simply teasing. "Are you sure Jennifer has not been helping you with it?"

"It's all me, I promise." Warren's voice continued to carry a note of injured pride. He wasn't that inept. Really. He set down his cup of coffee, deliberately changing the subject.

"Mama Maria sent me through the minutes of some of the past meetings of the council, to have a look at what they'd been talking about. They really are struggling to get any funding for the community center. They've already been rejected for at least two government grants."

"Oui, this is not unheard of," Jean-Paul agreed, sobering. "They are mutants wishing to make things better for themselves and other mutants. Baseline humans, they are not so interested in helping. Especially after Day Zero, the earthquake in San Diego - the violence and discrimination, it is not only on the streets, you know this as well as I. There are miles upon miles of red tape, as they say, that must be gone through to accomplish anything."

"Exactly. And the sort of money you need for a project like this - the local businesses have been able to raise some, but they're all struggling themselves." He leaned forward, something of a smile on his face. "But I was thinking - you and I could probably throw some money into it as well, to get things moving, and we could approach Charles about the Xavier Institute investing in the project as well. And paying someone to manage the place, so any funds the center does make or raise can be put back into projects and whatnot for the community." The more Warren spoke, the more quietly excited he sounded about the idea.

Jean-Paul raised his eyebrows, considering his friend for a long moment before nodding. "This would be something I would not mind investing in, as you say. And the Institute helped to fund X-Factor's creation, so I do not see why it would not help with something like this community center." Quirking a smile, he said, "This is something like what you spoke of wanting to do before, oui? When the business owners would not ask for help or take the help you offered. Only this is different - now you are one of them."

Warren grinned. "Things have definitely come a long way. I had a couple of people end up taking me up on the offer, later down the track. I think they started to warm to me once I was basically living here all the time." Which was something else he would need to consider in the future, having somewhere to crash in District X. Vanessa was right, he needed somewhere. Though he didn't think her place was really ideal for that.

"I was thinking I might have a quiet word with a few of the council about it - rather than spring it on them. And if they're good with it, we can arrange a meeting with Charles to discuss the feasibility."

"Oui," Jean-Paul said, nodding his agreement. "This way, also, it does not seem that you are trying to take over their efforts. You are bringing them an option only and, if they would like to pursue it, you are there to help. It is a good plan."

Warren nodded as well. "And this time, I don't think they will say no. It is something they want, and I don't think it will hurt their pride to accept the money." Warren was interrupted by the waiter bringing them their food, and he smiled as the man put down the plates.

Raising his cup once the waiter was gone, Jean-Paul gave his friend a small salute. "I think you are right on all counts. And I think it will go smoothly once they have agreed." It was strange, being on the side of something that would wind up doing something truly good - he'd had his activist days when he was younger, but much like his celebrity, there wasn't a great deal remaining of those days. All his best intentions had somehow gotten lost in the decades of drama that his life had become. Maybe this would work better now, having something to work toward for the benefit of others. "Bon appetit, mon ami."