WHO:Emma & Zelda WHEN: Late Feb WHERE: Cute brunch place WHAT: Emma and Zelda do brunch to discuss business and the pitfalls of success. RATING/WARNINGS: Zilch STATUS: Complete
Most of the time, Emma had a very full plate. The downfall of a perfectionist. But the upside was choosing her own schedule, and while it wasn’t entirely out of Emma’s usual to take a personal afternoon, there was a part of business in this.
Zelda seemed like a promising business woman in her own right, and Emma was very fond of encouraging such things, even if it was just an ear to lend from time to time. Considering the controversy that accompanied Zelda’s claim on her company and the turmoil in her past, Emma was even more willing to lend herself where needed for advice or just a companion to discuss with.
Brunch was, without a doubt, one of Emma’s favoured personal times. And even without the mimosas to go with it, she could enjoy a light meal and conversation with some non-alcoholic refreshments just fine. It was enough sometimes just to get out of the office for a few hours.
One might say Zelda’s schedule had been hectic. Business wise, personal life wise - and when it came to personal life, she meant more like ‘incarnate of evil puppeting her to destroy part of the shitty downtown a strip club was.’ Then Midna’s bestowment of the Triforce of Power. It was a little bit nonstop there for a moment, and ideally she would have loved to meet up with Emma much, much sooner.
Later is at least better than never?
“You’re very hard to miss, Lady Frost,” greeted the princess, a soft smile that resembling her demeanor. Quietly spoken, calm, and perhaps dressed like an elegant librarian - that’s how someone described her style once upon a time, anyway. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”
“Not long at all, but the view is always worth it.” Since the seating was arranged so that the sky could be seen and Emma did so enjoy a little daydream here and there -when the weather was just right it was decidedly easy to envision an island somewhere exotic with no business or dream nonsense to contend with.
Of course Emma did make a point in standing out. Either with her appearance or simply because she was the first thing eyes were drawn to in a room, it was something she had been doing since long enough she was her own boss and when boys were the only attention she was seeking.
“I trust your busy schedule isn’t for unfortunate reasons?” There had been no news through the grapevine of troubles in the passing over of control back to Zelda, but it was entirely possible that some things just didn’t make it through the grapevine.
Thank heavens some things didn’t make through the grapevine. Last thing she needed was her psychotic, possessed episodes making headlines; they’d come up with all sorts of ludicrous reasons (likely drugs) as to why she had done the things she did, but Jonathan and Midna had thankfully acted swiftly before worse things happened. So to that question, Zelda’s lips pursed right after she let out a sigh.
“Something like that?” The wince was sheepish, and she cozied herself into the seat across from the fierce blonde bombshell. And she recalled Emma coming into her telepathic prowess - those psychic barriers were up on her end out of courtesy, in case she had been getting a slew of unwanted voices invading her head. “I’m on my second set of dreams, some unpleasant things bled over like they tend to do. The amount of interruption those things cause can be...unreal.”
The bright side of being her own boss was that she didn’t have anyone to answer to when it came to missing work things because, oh, Ganondorf’s influence had transcended and sent her into a homicidal rage. Thinking about it almost triggered a migraine, but best to focus on the now - and the view, as Emma put it. It was a lovely spot.
So far, aside from her agonising headaches at the very beginning, Emma didn’t have a lot to worry about the bleed over -at least so long as Jean didn’t report any issues with Phoenix. Her abilities were growing, but so too was her control. And while she’d always been somewhat darker in nature, she hadn’t really felt the urge to destroy the world or bend it to her whim.
She counted those as successes in her current situation.
“That does sound incredibly unfortunate. One set of dreams is truly more than enough.” She definitely didn’t think it was something that should be prolonged at all. “I do hope it’s not too unpleasant?” Emma wouldn’t pry -she wasn’t really a prier. Most people just told her things because they wanted to, but she at least understood that some things were personal.
After all, she wasn’t exactly the sharing kind herself.
Zelda didn’t have an issue discussing the mishap. Might do her some good to expel some word vomit from it, even if it happened a couple weeks back. Thinking back of the sensation of having his presence in her like a spreading poison almost caused a shudder. “I was possessed,” she admitted, not very proudly. “By this...king of evil, that tends to be a plague in more than one lifetime. I sort of...destroyed part of a downtown area. No casualties, thankfully. I was stopped before it went too far.”
That server with the mimosa came right on time, because she quickly took a generous sip of that champagne with a splash of citrus. “I hope yours are treating you better? I know we’ve spoken of the telepathy.” A motion to their heads. “I’m purposefully containing myself so I won’t accidentally crowd your mind.”
Indeed that did not sound like a pleasant thing at all. Although it did leave Emma with a dreadful certainty that the Phoenix would become an issue for Jean. It was a problem for another day however. “How horrible,” Emma couldn’t rightly relate to the matter, but not being in control was quite possibly one of the worst things she could rightly imagine. “I take it you’re doing alright now? Dream wise and possession wise?” There was probably a measure of discomfort, guilt perhaps.
Emma wasn’t too well versed in that emotion either.
“Oh, you’re positively sweet,” which Emma genuinely meant, “I appear to be progressing quite well thank you. I have a… friend who is just as versed in telepathy. We’re assisting one another.” Although Emma’s blocks weren’t just as strong yet she still had the tech from Magius to help her. “But I do appreciate the effort.”
“Only thing to do is move forward, I think,” Zelda sighed, but it was with a smile too. Logically it didn’t make sense to dwell on things you can’t control, yet emotions had other plans - it was a matter of finding a balance of both, which she suspected could only be done with time and productive distractions. She’d donated anonymously in effort to help repair what she’d destroyed. It was the least she could do, considering that area was home to some people. It wasn’t fair for them to see the unsightly image of her damage every day.
Back to a slightly less dreary topic, she was pleased to know Emma wasn’t alone when it came to the progression of telepathy. Hers seemed more advance - Zelda’s had some restrictions, but she was learning to navigate it. “Practice makes perfect. Literally, in this case. I’m sure as the dreams progress it’ll come more naturally?” That seemed to be the pattern, anyway. Seeing things unfold in that other lifetime brought a degree of clarity to controlling what they’ve inherited. It still didn’t hurt to polish things up here, either.
Forwards was the best direction to move in, something that Emma was starting to accept for herself as well. Rather than standing stoic and unmoving while others went on ahead. Emma wasn’t one for being left behind anyway. “Very true, it’s ill-advised to dwell on the past when we’d be much better looking to the future and avoiding the same incidents.” And oh, Jean was truly starting to impact her.
Hiding a smirk behind her glass, because the kind of practice she and Jean were dabbling in wasn’t always the studious kind, well, that was their business. “I believe so, my grasp has gotten much more stable as I progress through my dreams,” although she would like to stop getting her ass handed to her in her terribly fashionable leathers by the spandex clad X-Freaks, thank you very much.
Apparently being a villain was a tiring and dreadfully bruising job. “Which is very good for my staff.”
Both of Zelda’s blonde brows raised, amused. She assumed reading the minds of her staff would be…interesting, to say the least. “You’d know if there were traitors in your midst, at least?” It was sad that those were a common threat, weren’t they? Part of her wished she had a more honed, advanced telepathic skill for that sort of thing - she still worried about some bad apples within the business, loyal to Dragmire. A little paranoia was actually healthy after everything that had happened.
“Or at least when they don’t like you? I don’t know if that’s something I would want to know, though,” she admitted, propping her chin in her hand. “How are things going on your working end, anyway?”
Unsurprisingly there were a few of those sorts. The stray little ‘I could get money for this information’ thoughts that crossed by a few people. Of course, Emma kept track of that, monitored people. But so far they had just been the odd little fleeting thoughts. Ultimately, Emma had to hope that her company and their jobs were more valuable than a one off payment and the potential of Emma destroying them should they follow through.
She was a good boss, she had that impression from her closer staff members, but she was a formidable enemy just the same.
“Thankfully it seems like I have friends in that area,” a stroke of luck with Killian really, a gentleman thief, in many regards. It was so hard to find ethically flexible people with loyalty. “Aside from the occasional attempt at corporate espionage which almost always fails, things are relatively calm.” As calm as things ever got running large cut-throat businesses at least.
“Family matters appear to be all that really makes the company a little disruptive.” Employing Adrienne may have been a mistake, however she wasn’t willing to remain in Boston herself and she would never request that of Christian. “Be glad you have no siblings attempting to undercut you.”
Occasional attempt at corporate espionage. Emma spoke like it was a concept she was all too used to, and objectively it made sense anyway - a hive that generated an impressive amount of money would attract competitors wanting to infiltrate and conquer. It was a reality that even she had to face at some point, and come up with the precautions against it. But in retrospect it really wasn’t all that different from running her own kingdom. A different sort of politics and a different sort of evi, perhaps, though still very similar.
Zelda pushed strands of gold behind her glamoured ears (couldn’t really walk around with elven characteristics without unwanted stares), listening. “No siblings that I’m aware of? What, do yours feel entitled to what you have?” Blood relations would make a business a little complicated, wouldn’t it? Though money had a habit of making people dangerously obsessive, and at least there wasn’t some kind of inheritance battle she had to deal with in regards to a second Hoffman child.
“Entitled isn’t the word I’d use.” Realistically she doubted Adrianne felt she deserved things, Adrianne just wanted them, whether they were hers or not. “My father bred competition, specifically between my sisters and I.” He had his one son, he was looking for the dominant sister, the one with the most ambition, the greatest potential. Emma was ambitious, she was ambitious for herself however, not to be a pawn in her father’s games. Hence her decision to rival him instead of falling into his shadow. “Now that I’ve ousted the old man, it seems my sister believes I’m an easy target, having done the heavy lifting.”
Not that she should’ve expected anything less from Adrianne, she was the one who wanted what others had, Cordelia would happily coast by with an income and less to do and Christian was ever faithful to Emma’s whims, her darling older brother the only one of her family who understood loyalty or love.
“The drawbacks of family feuds.” Or maybe just her family. “Hopefully it’s a pitfall you’ve managed to escape, without siblings to worry about.” Besides, by this stage, Zelda had undoubtedly had her fair share of complications.
Those crystal blue eyes blinked wide, taking in all of that familial baggage that heavily weighed on the woman across. Emma seemed to handle it with as much grace as possible - and fearlessly. “My family was never too big to begin with for things of...that magnitude,” Zelda explained, not entirely sure if she should be relieved of that? Her mother had been an only child, not much history there. Her father had some obscure family members, no one notable that had ever surfaced. “Closest person I’ve got to that since childhood is my nanny. Head of security now, and the only reason why I’ve lived as long as I have.”
Impa had stepped into the ‘mother’ role, taking the mantle of raising her. Protecting her, teaching her, one person that had remained loyal throughout her childhood. Zelda preferred her to retire but she insisted she had quite a lot of years left of active duty (her words).
Dainty fingers traced the rim of the mimosa flute, thoughtfully. “My only threat at the moment seems to be any lingering threats who’ve remained loyal to Dragmire. No family rivals are feuds. Do you think it’ll ever get easier, with your family? Or do you think it’ll just...always stay this way?”
It was a shame, but Emma had faith that Zelda would learn that loyalty was a commodity in fairly short supply, and keeping those she trusted close would serve her best. It did sound like her current ‘family’ had her best interests at heart, which would hopefully bode well for future matters. “I am sure she will do well for you then,” especially if Zelda attributed her life to the woman, why on earth would the protector fail now?
“There is always a risk when it comes to running things, people crave power, occasionally they align themselves to an easy outlet for that.” Because Lord forbid they work hard for anything. “But that doesn’t mean they’ll be smart about it.” It was always possible to outsmart dim witted fools attempting to obtain what wasn’t theirs after all.
“In time, perhaps. My mother is so medicated she rarely knows what day of the week it is, and my father will eventually pass,” and was it crass of her to be so giddy about that when the poor darling in front of her was robbed of her parents? “I’m fairly certain that one day Adrienne will take her shot, but she’s always been slightly behind me.” Emma developed an impressive ability for manipulation and cruelty very early on, her father’s continued meddling only furthered that determination. Adrienne was never just as sharp as Emma.
“But I hardly foresee it being an issue.”
Oh, no worries. Zelda wasn’t offended. Nor did she ever like to go on the route of ‘woe is me for not having parents’ thing. Everyone’s relationships with whom they were birthed by were different, and Emma’s circumstance wasn’t the most fortunate in that department. Overall, family was a complicated dynamic. One where love and hate could somehow co-exist.
“I’m sure whatever’s thrown your way, you’ll know when it’s coming and from who, and have it covered,” she chuckled. Ms. Frost was a formidable opponent, and Zelda wasn’t exactly naive - she was sure she dabbled in the dangerous side of getting things accomplished. It wasn’t something she foresaw herself doing, she wasn’t the violent sort, and hoped the entire experience wouldn’t...jade her in any way. Despite the hardships, Hyrule’s princess had always been an optimist and mainly a pacifist, but the world wasn’t perfect. Neither was she.
But it was good to have someone around that had been in this sort of thing for a long time. Emma knew exactly what to expect, probably because she’s dealt with it all before, multiple times. And perhaps she could also use someone who had skin tougher than diamonds for advice.
“You’ll have to come by and see the new corporate building, by the way. We just filled out the paperwork. And maybe point me to anyone who’d be best at furnishing it without making it look like a hot disorganized mess.”
Emma had always been the sort to get things done. She was less concerned with how she got it done provided she got the outcome she wanted. Which was usually what she did get. Emma was a woman who tended to get what she wanted regardless of the methods, her ambition wasn’t exactly something her parents had taught her needed to be curbed to fit with the morals and ethics that most people held. As a child she was never told she couldn’t have anything, simply that she needed to work hard enough to get it, even if she rightfully shouldn’t have it.
“Let’s just hope you’re correct.” Although she did have a few advantages now. Her developing telepathy, Killian’s willingness to give her a heads up on people paying him to get her secrets -that was just a lovely little bonus. The fact that she could and would destroy anyone in her path. All very good benefits when it came to bulldozing obstacles.
“I would love to,” there was nothing better than new buildings, the shiny newness and enjoyment in seeing things come together. “I happen to have a few cards for local businesses. Although really, you can do whatever you like with your office, the point is that you can function there however you like.” Emma was a minimalist, but she was a flashy minimalist. She didn’t see Zelda encrusting things with diamonds -not that she did, one or two around her neck was usually enough.
Zelda liked practicality. Even if she was born with a golden spoon in her mouth it didn’t necessarily mean she was raised in such a way - her most impressionable years were spent jumping around the United States, learning the art form of frugality, turning straw into gold. Thrift store furniture to refurbish, used clothes to sew up and look new again. Now she had the means to buy everything new, and it was a concept she was still learning to grasp. Even with a plump bank account she still chose to spend money carefully.
Desks were desks, chairs were chairs, decorations were decorations. What she hoped to do was find someone local and crafty, perhaps, that could help furnish the place. All the technology would of course be top-notch and new - there was no pinching pennies in that aspect.
“Local is exactly what I’m trying to go for, so thank you.” Her smile was sincere, and she had to tap her hands together in a little excitement. Picking things out would be the fun part, wouldn’t it? Then came the rest of the paperwork, the hiring and transferring process (bringing those from the UK that needed a change), establishing roots and reconnecting with associates from Dragmire’s time to see if it was worth keeping that existing relationship. “I guess I can enjoy the some of the more fun things about this whole thing before I pull my hair out with another mile-high stack of paperwork. We’ll have some kind of grand re-branding, I think, once everything is settled - you’ll come?”
“The first few months, settling things, shopping, organising, they’re the most fun.” And they really were. Emma had thoroughly enjoyed kitting out her buildings and organising each particular in the decor. It was the grace period where everything settled from that exciting new adventure into the stressful business empire it eventually became.
At least, that was how she felt.
“Of course I will. I do love a good re-brand.” Everyone liked a comeback story, the great triumph over oppression, the fall of the evil overlord and all that. And if Emma knew all of this, why exactly was her dream self playing villainess? “I dare say it will be the beginning of great things.”
If only because Zelda persevered through all this rubbish.
Refills of mimosas came their way. The orange juice was freshly squeezed, the champagne extra bubbly too, and she raised the glass flute. “And a lot more mimosas, I think,” Zelda widely smiled.
To have Asami and Emma around for input, for other similar figures to look to for examples - she had to consider herself lucky in that aspect. This whole thing would be a little more difficult to navigate without the little extra guidance.