WHO:Emma Frost & Spencer Hastings WHEN: [backdated] December WHERE: Department Store WHAT: Random Chance Encounter WARNINGS: None STATUS: Complete
Emma tried not to be surprised by the antics of Orange County anymore. Snow in California would’ve warranted a raised eyebrow anywhere else, but here, not so much. After all, hadn’t Emma just spent an afternoon listening to the over-active minds of her employees?
She tried not to eavesdrop, least of all on their thoughts during the work day, but occasionally they got depressingly loud and worked up that she couldn’t help it. And really, it didn’t take much to figure out that the recent slew of excited and shocked people with sudden and unexpected surprises was probably something to do with the OC’s random brand of delightfulness.
In the end, Emma called for a half-day work, anything that wasn’t pressing could wait for the next day and everyone could go home after lunch. See, she could be benevolent too. Although it did leave her wondering just what she could do with herself. She could go and visit Jean, drop in on her during the work day, but she doubted it would do well to disrupt class.
So instead, naturally, Emma went shopping. If she couldn’t surprise Jean, she might as well just spoil her redhead.
Spencer not only had Christmas to shop for, but her sister’s wedding as well. She needed new lingerie to go under her bridesmaid dress, and new stockings, since her last pair ripped when she wore them to church. Then there were Christmas presents for the family and her friends, and she needed new wrapping paper this year… a few things. Spencer had a list.
She wasn’t watching where she was going, staring at the items on display, when she bumped straight into someone. Spencer had a small frame, so she didn’t do much damage, but still she felt awful for being so rude. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, softly, waving a hand apologetically.
Being that Emma didn’t go anywhere without insanely high heels, the collision barely bumped her shoulder, and Emma’s poise was only momentarily disrupted. “That’s fine,” although there was a somewhat terseness to her voice, Emma righting her hair from the unfortunate movement -because yes, she was still that vain that everything had to be in place at all times. Since it was the festive period, she wouldn’t get too irked by it.
“Perhaps looking forward while you walk will be beneficial.” After all, sometimes not everyone was a benevolent as Emma.
Spencer’s eyes came to rest on the woman she’d just bumped into, then went wide as dinner plates. The face clicked in her mind, putting together a name with an occupation, and Spencer was at the same time mortified and awed at who she’d just literally run into. “You’re Emma Frost.” She said, then ducked her head just slightly. “I am so, so sorry,” she added, feeling like maybe eye contact wasn’t the best thing. The woman--Frost--was a legend, after all. “I normally do, I just… I’m dealing with sister drama, and I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud in front of Emma Frost.”
For a moment, Emma wondered what would happen if people stopped telling her who she was. Did they think she’d forget or something?
“Well, sister drama is of course the worst of all the drama’s.” And Emma wasn’t being facetious there, she genuinely felt that. Mostly because she had two sisters that spawned worse drama than any other category in her life, even her dalliance with Sebastian hadn’t been worse than Adrienne at her most devious. She didn’t bother letting the girl know that even if she were just thinking it, Emma would know.
“You don’t have to say my full name every time, I’m not like Beetlejuice.”
“I’m sorry,” Spencer said, for a moment realizing what she was doing. She was gaping up at a woman who she’d read about and admired. A woman that she’d just run into in the middle of a store. It was embarrassing, and Spencer was going pink thinking on it.
“It’s just… you’re a legend. I’ve been reading about you in Forbes, The Economist… Harvard Business Review.” Spencer swallowed. “I’m a little embarrassed for running into you.”
At least they were flattering articles, about her business skills and her rising influence in the economy sector, rather than those rags about her past and the speculation on her private life that ended up in that stupid Enquirer. It gave Emma a little pause in being too caustic with the young woman. “Well, at least you choose well when it comes to reading material.”
Still Emma could let the bump go, people were easily flustered during the shopping period, and it wasn’t difficult to have incidents in busy shops. “It’s quite fine, these things happen. Especially in the midst of the holiday season. I dare say your drama with your sister doesn’t help your focus.”
“Thank you.” Spencer was flattered. She grinned softly, still embarrassed, but a little less so. Maybe she’d just fixed the whole bumping into Emma Frost thing. Maybe.
“Oh, yeah. She’s pushed her wedding forward by eight weeks, to the twenty-third, and we’re all scrambling.” Spencer explained. “I should probably… get back to it. I need some new shoes to go with my maid of honor dress.”
“Eight whole weeks forward? That’s an entire diet skipped.” Had Emma wondering the reason why, but then, it was none of her business. Still, weddings were stressful enough to just turn up to, being in the wedding party with that change in time? Not helping anyone.
“Here,” pulling her business card out of her purse, Emma handed it over to the girl, “my private number is there, if you don’t get anything in the next few days, give me a call, I know a marvellous man who can make simply divine footwear on a limited time frame to match anything.” And sure, it was a big offer, but Emma rather liked that the girl knew her business history before her sordid scandal of a life.
“Yeah, I think she’s insane. She wanted this one venue, and a day opened… so she went for it.” Spencer shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t really understand all the bridezilla stuff. But her sister was neck deep into it. “I suppose one might have to admire that drive.”
Then she was accepting Emma Frost’s business card and the whole world went a little fuzzy. This was… amazing. Absolutely amazing. Spencer tried to play it cool, but she was a little wide-eyed and awed. “Thank you. This is… well, thank you very much.” Not that she ever imagined using the number on there. But she’d probably pin it to her bulletin board at home and stare at it.
“There is little worse than a dress and mis-matching shoes.” Goodness knew Emma would never be seen in shoes that did not match her outfit. Especially not at a wedding. Even if it had been moved forward two months. “Well, I’m sure you’ll manage somehow.”
And that was Emma’s most polite way to dismiss someone, or herself, she wasn’t fussed which one of them left really.
Spencer nodded. She could tell when a conversation was over. This had been amazing. She gave another quick thanks, then turned to head off, smiling and nodding at the older woman.