maskormenace

[Emma is perfectly coifed, as always, and wearing a white cabled sweater. She sits in front of a fireplace, like some kind of super late Christmas card. She even has a mug next to her, but it's coffee rather than hot chocolate.]

Things certainly are interesting here. I'm surprised that I find diamond appraisal somewhat amusing. It is, however, not satisfying. Unfortunately, my business partner has been deported, so to speak, and I find myself facing an uncomfortable fact.

I'm completely without the professional requirements to teach here. Empire State doesn't even exist here, so even if I had my diploma it would be worth less than the paper it's written on. It's rather frustrating.

However, I'm not one to let something like that stop me. There are no official regulations regarding the training of ImPorts in the use of their potentially new and unfamiliar powers. Which, luckily, was my focus when I was teaching.

Which leads to the obvious next question. Is there a need for this? Do any of my fellow ImPorts require assistance with their powers, or acclimating to this place and time?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What's amusing about appraisal?

[He can think of several words for it, but isn't sure that amusing would be one of them.]

I'm being paid to be a snob. Also the research component is vaguely interesting.

It's not about snobbery, it's about quality.

Quality is such a subjective idea as to be ludicrous, especially when it comes to shiny rocks. I'm all for the idea that some varieties of things are worth more than others, but applied to anything else it's considered snobbish.

There's nothing subjective about diamond appraisal. There are standards that are followed; things that'll make a stone worth less or more depending on whether it's got 'em or not. Unless you think those standards are bullshit--?

Those standards are arbitrary. I use them, don't get the wrong idea, but there's such a vast difference between figures for the same diamond, depending on why the appraisal is being done. I enjoy the finer things in life, but people treat their jewelry like investments instead of appreciating their beauty. I've had enough angry customers inform me that they can't get the value they insured grandma's wedding ring for on the open market. There are so many misconceptions about what constitutes a thing's value.

Ah, well, that's a different story. Me, I always paid more attention to the value; the true value. Costume jewelry can be very beautiful, but it's fucking nothing.

[He pauses, thinking about the wedding ring story and considering the rings on his own fingers.]

Sentimental value aside, of course.

You can't sell sentiment. People are so irrational about things. I enjoy things, quite a bit. But those things aren't the memories they represent. Even without all my previous things coming with me I still have what's most important.

[He turns on the video and wordlessly taps the side of his head, raising a questioning eyebrow. Memories, right?]

[Emma turns video back on as well, her expression not unpleasant, but not warm. She nods.]

Yes. For me it's quite literally all in my head. I'm a telepath. I have a good memory too.

[She does smile, a little, and for that moment her expression is almost warm. It only lasts a moment, though. She doesn't like to let people know what she's feeling.]

You seem to have strong feelings about the diamond business. Is that your job as well?

[A telepath. Hmmmm. He'll have to keep that in mind - especially if they ever run into each other in person.]

My job, no; no, it's not. But I know a bit about appraisal because at home, people did not always pay me in money.

Ah, I see. Interesting. Were your dealing less than legal, or are you from a different time when money was less standardized than it is now?

Money's standardized, but not everyone prefers to use it for all things. You've got foreigners with their own currencies, you've got barterers, you've got people with stones that they want getting rid of. It's not common, right, but it does happen.

[And yeah, there's the illegality thing too.]

[Emma kind of just assumes people are going to do whatever they need to in order to survive. It's no skin off her back if he's doing or has done illegal things. Best to let it drop, though she is still curious.]

Somewhere along the way I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Emma Frost. What's your name?

[She smiles again, but this time it's for show. There's little warmth, and perhaps just a bit more tooth showing than in a genuine smile.]

[It's something that Alfie notices immediately, and he responds in kind, offering up a sharp, quick smile of acknowledgement. It's not unfriendly or cruel - just a silent I see what you're doing, and look, I can do it too.]

Alfie Solomons, disgruntled imPort for a year and a third.

[Emma chuckles at his smile and gives a slight inclination of her head, as though to concede a point.]

You've been here a while. What do you make of the place? Is it much different from your home, or did you blend right in?

Tell me, are you from Earth?

Yes, but I've been to other planets.

As long as you know Earth. I'm from London--

[which is probably no surprise, given his heavy Cockney accent.]

-- in the early 20th century. I suppose that answers your question?

[It is very, very different from his home.]

That does answer my question. Things changed quite a bit in one century, it must have been difficult adjusting.

It still is, even after a year and change.

Oh, where were you when I was selling all the jewelry I arrived with?

( not a bad nest egg that started her off with, mind. )

I imagine there's be particular demand with those whose abilities are new to them. What city are you based out of?

[Emma's face twitches to a smile for a moment.]

Home, I presume. But I'm here now if you need to sell anything else.

I'm based out of Maurita Falls.

If you get demand for your services, I'd recommend looking into potential partnership or support from our Mayor - and or Ambassador. Baelish and Amidala, respectively; they're both very interested in community support. Putting our money where our mouths are, as were.

Shit, let's team up for this?

If there's enough demand. I haven't gotten any prospective students yet.

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