Hope and Marius surprisingly civil encounter (backdated)

[xp_trance]

 Hope and Marius encounter each other at an event and have a surprisingly civil conversation after their last encounter. And Sue is just on the run.

 

"Mrs. Reynolds... truly... Thank you for the offer. But I do not need a dance partner right now. I was on my way to talk to Mr. Worthington and Ms. Morse." Hope protested polity, almost squirming against the iron grip the old lady had on her wrist. And creating a scene by pulling herself loose, no matter how delicately done, would not do.

"Nonsense dear. A young woman like you needs a handsome man to dance with." Mrs. Reynold propelled Hope across the floor with nary a hair out of place and a gentle smile that brought out the tiny laugh lines next to her eyes. "And he has such a lovely accent. Why, it's Austrian if I remember correctly!"

The man in question, who had been engaged in some casual chit chat with one of the waitstaff, caught the approaching woman's words and immediately began to turn.

"Australian, in fact," Marius said brightly, a smile already upon his face, "but you are quite . . . close . . ."

It was a hallmark of his breeding that his expression didn't change when his eyes settled on Hope, but even that couldn't keep his quip on track. It was the aural equivalent of watching a car slowly coast to a stop.

"Mr. Laverne, I had not expected to see you here." Neither Hope's voice or expression really changed, but somehow the temperature seemed to drop when the formal armor settled over Hope.

"Oh, you know each other already! How wonderful!" Mrs. Reynold exclaimed.

"We are acquainted, yes." The smile was still in place, if slightly frozen. Marius gave Hope a polite incline of the head. "Good evening, Ms. Abbott. I was unaware you would be in attendance." This may or may not have held the implication of "Had I known, perhaps I would have planned an escape route". Marius was adaptable, but he had not come to this event prepared to cross paths with an individual whose last interaction with him had been primarily Horseman-related.

"My work lies in the area of event planning and public relations, Mr. Laverne." Hope simply stated before turning to thank Mrs. Reynolds and hopefully gently send her off. "I have to admit, I am more surprised to find you here. I thought you were still..." Hiding. "... recovering at the mansion."  

"Technically this may be categorized as a business function for me. My current project is the establishment of a new clinic in District X, and was furnished with several contacts who might offer valuable insight for the endeavor." Marius flicked his eyes after the retreating Mrs. Reynolds; thanks to the tinted contacts he employed in public spaces, they were currently brown. "I imagine you are not unfamiliar with the politics involved in such an operation. I am here cultivating social connections. Yourself?"

"Simply watching the ebb and flow of society. You never know what a watchful eye and ear might learn." Hope's eyes jumped over Marius' shoulder, clocking a face or two  that Marius probably would be very interested in meeting. "For instance, one might just learn about an Australian businessman, new to the scene, who is fundraising to establish his new clinic."  

Some people cultivated a poker face. Marius had endeavored to do the opposite: many found comfort in the assumption they were speaking to someone who had either nothing to hide, or were too dim to realize how much they allowed themselves to reveal. However, there was no artifice behind his surprise at Hope's implicit offer.

"One might," he replied, eyebrows creeping towards his equally abundant hairline, "although a cautious man might also think to ask what benefit this might be to you."

"I also work for XFI. I am well aware of the need for easily accessible and affordable medical care in the area." Hope neatly sidestepped the implication. "What kind of clinic are you envisioning exactly? And what kind of services do you hope to have available?"  

Marius lay a deprecating gloved hand across his chest. "I'd planned on letting the community dictate its needs. In fact, it was Dr. Grey who gave me the idea, and she who is likely to play a more active role in the decision-making. I am merely a convenient cheque book. However, initial opinions indicate a need for open-minded pediatricians for the more newly manifested, and of course dental and vision are critical services. Support for substance use disorders, it seems, is likely to be offered through partnership with amendable off-site programmes, although perhaps we can tempt a few behavioral health staff to the more general cause. Imaging services would also come in useful for those who might feel unwelcome at larger facilities. Fortunately I have some manufacturer contacts there."

Hope nodded, making quick mental notes she would transcribe and put in her system as soon as she had the chance. "So basically providing a more extended version of primary care services. That will prove to be an interesting challenge, but I have no doubt Dr. Grey will be up to the challenge."

"Such were my thoughts as well, though ideally the bulk of administration will be handled by a board. Preferably mutant, or at least majority mutant, should your watchful eyes have any suggestions in that area." Not that Marius was inclined to trust any of the woman's recommendations without additional references. Something about Hope reminded him of his mother. Not nefarious by any means, but the sort to tuck a hidden hook into every gift she offered.

Of course, most corporate deals operated in such a way, and as such this was not necessarily a problem. It was just a matter of determining the size of the hook and how many barbs before deciding whether or not to bite.

"An intriguing challenge you present there. I will give it some thought" Hope tilted her head, eyeing the man in front of her thoughtfully. Finally she nodded at a portly man standing on the other side of the room. "In regards to dental care you might wish to speak to Mr. Duncan over there." She decided to offer a small boon freely. "He and his wife have been working on trying to facilitate dental care in low-income neighborhoods for years, especially for children. As far as I know, they do not have the X-gene, but they would have knowledge and contacts that might be beneficial."

Marius cut his eyes in the direction of the man she indicated. "Correct, he himself is not a mutant," he confirmed, "but, as they say, a rising tide lifts all boats. Whilst mutants shall be the point of focus, the intent is to serve all local populations." His attention shifted back to Hope, now appraising. "Should I tender my introductions, to what degree do you prefer your name be invoked? Heavily, lightly, or not at all? Some, I know, prefer their involvement to be more . . .  circumspect."

"Mr. and Mrs. Duncan and I are only casually acquittanced, so my name is probably best used lightly." Hope gave him tiny small. It was only a tiny boon she was offering here after all, a mere tease of what she might have available.

"Duly noted." Marius hesitated, recognizing the olive branch for what it was, but still wary. Still, what did they say about gift horses and mouths?

Well, to check them for invading Greeks, perhaps. But not in public.

"Your guidance is appreciated," he said, inclining his head in something like a bow. "This is certainly an avenue worth investigating. I would offer that suggested dance by way of gratitude, but I am not terribly touchy."

"Oh, please do not worry about that. I will be out on the dance floor soon enough." A real smile flashed over Hope's face this time as she saw the blonde in a simple blue dress making their way over to them.

"You've gotta save me, Mrs. Reynold's is on the warpath and I don't want to be dragged onto the board of the cotillion again this year. Quick, hide me under your dress...no that wouldn't work...damn I guess you're gonna have to hide me on the dance floor instead."

Sue flashed a grin at the Australian, curling an arm around Hope's waist as she leaned against her girlfriend.

"Hi, I'm Sue, do you mind if I steal her away to protect me from old ladies with ideas about how I should be spending my non-existent free time?"

Marius reflected the brightness of the newcomer's smile like the moon refracting light from the sun in a way that very nearly managed not to be transparent relief. "Ah, why didn't you say you were so charmingly indisposed?" he asked, giving Sue a grin. He was almost positive he hadn't assaulted her at some point, which was always a relief. "A pleasure to meet you, Sue. I am Marius Laverne, and I assure you I have never had an idea in my life."

"Charmed Marius, a pleasure to meet you. And, everyone should have ideas I'm sure, just not ones that include me stuck in a boring board meeting for something that only she really seems to care about...ok and my grandmother." Blue eyes glanced over at Hope, "Let's make sure the two of them never meet, please? My life would so not be worth living if they did."

"Send Mrs. Reynold on the hunt for potentially future husbands for you." Hope advised drily, covering Sue's hand at her waist with her own. "Or even better, potential future wives for your brother. She will be salivating at the chance." Turning back to Marius she added: "It was good talking to you, Mr. Laverne. I will give potential candidates for your board or other assistance some thought and I will let you know as soon as possible."

Marius bowed to the retreating pair. "Thank you, Ms. Abbott. I am in your debt."

And then, because he was no fool, Marius couldn't help but add:

"To a negotiable degree, of course."