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[[size 150%]]The city - the world - has been in chaos for the last few days. Asgard, giants, portals into strange lands. For most of it, Emma Frost stationed herself at the Frost Academy, ready to do what she needed to protect the people she's claimed as her own. Thankfully, no such effort was required.
Which means that once everything is finished, it's time for business as usual. In this case, that means making contact with potential assets. Emma keeps an eye open for students and potential professors who might not otherwise be offered certain opportunities. Women, mutants, people of color. The rejected members of society. Doctor William Foster's name came up as a possibility.
Emma had someone in administration inform the man of an opening at the Academy, and in short order an interview was set up. For all the chaos in the city, things are running smoothly at the Academy. It's finals time, and students may be nervous, but Emma's office is pristine, not a single paper out of place.
*
During the recent chaotic events, Dr. Bill Foster was home with his family in Harlem, ready to protect his loved ones and his neighborhood if it came don to it. Mostly. There were a few trips that needed to be made. Some things can't be helped. Nevertheless, his day job took a back seat to more important affairs.
That day job, as a lecturer at Columbia University, has recently been a subject of concern for him. While he was accepted into his department welcomingly, it's become increasingly clear that a man like him will find it difficult to move up, professionally, no matter how brilliant he is. That's why he's been open to additional opportunities like the one the Frost Institute now offers.
This all brings us to the present, with Bill walking into the office of Emma Frost after being ushered in by a secretary. He grips a thin briefcase in one hand and strides toward the blond woman inside. "Good afternoon," he tells here. "I'm Dr. Foster. It's a pleasure to meet you."
*
"Dr. Foster." Emma rises smoothly from the white leather chair behind the steel and glass table, her smile warm as she offers out a hand. It might be a surprise - a woman so willing to shake hands - but then again, she has her own reasons. A surface skim of someone's mind is much easier with a bit of physical contact, after all.
"Thank you so much for coming. I imagine traffic must be spectacular, given the recent chaos, but I make it a policy never to wait on excellent opportunities. And I've heard very good things."
*
Bill reaches to take Emma's hand. He seems to have no problem shaking hands with a woman, as evident by his casual smile and his surface thoughts. The latter revolve around his surprise at the loveliness of the campus, his excitement at the opportunity to discuss the schoo more, and his eagerness to return to the lab to work on a new project. All in all, Emma will find his mind to be quick and flooded with thoughts.
"Well, it's to be expected, but I planned ahead of time." He drops his hand and adds, "I'm glad to hear it. To be honest, I haven't heard much of your school before this, but it sounds like a very noble place."
*
"We're a young campus," Emma admits, smile wry. "Especially compared to, say, Columbia." Yes, she's done her research. She knows what she's up against. "But it's our goal to make places like this less noble and more…ordinary, I suppose. I've seen too many exceptional people relegated to the background simply because certain opportunities weren't open to them."
"Please, have a seat," she gestures to a pair of wing-back chairs in pristine white brocade. Maybe keeping things clean is her actual superpower. Or that's just the money for the cleaning staff. "I was quite pleased to hear that you might be interested in a position at our school, Dr. Foster."
*
"I truly believe," Bill starts, before settling down into one of the chairs, "that age is merely a number. Columbia can stand to learn a thing or two from some of the newer institutions out there." He says this matter-of-factly, without any malice toward his employer, or suggestive tone that may imply his fondness for one over another.
"I'm pleased you're pleased. I think it's important to offer a safe place for underrepresented people to study, as well." He sets his briefcase down next him and folds his hands in his lap. "What sort of student body do you have here exactly?"
*
"Diverse," Emma answers as she sits, a glimmer of humor in her eyes. "While we do attract students of the traditional persuasion-" Have to pay for those scholarships, after all. "We specifically recruit talented and exceptional students who might not find a home elsewhere. Young women, people of color. Mutants."
At the last, she pauses, watching him for his reaction. "In terms of how that affects classes, we do try to make some…adjustments as needed. Individualized education plans help us help each student to reach their full potential."
*
Bill nods and smiles, now that he has a more precise picture of things. At the mention of mutants, he doesn't flinch. However, his surface thoughts to waver a bit, mostly rehashing bits of recent news stories about mutants, but also something stronger about the street drug, Vigor. Perhaps that's important to him somehow.
"I imagine that would be the way to go with such a student population." Bill reaches down for his briefcase, which he pulls onto his lap to unlatch. From it, he pulls a small file and hands it over to Emma. "This is my CV, the research I've done, and a sample course curriculum I've modified to reflect my personal interests in the field." The course is an introduction to biochemistry, something accessible, yet challenging for the right individual.
*
Emma takes the file, giving it a glance over. She might (possibly) be cheating a bit as she reads the details about research, gleaning bits of meaning and comprehension from his mind to fill in the blanks of what she doesn't know or understand herself. Telepathy: such a useful talent.
"Wonderful," she approves after a few moments of looking over the papers. "Well, we would certainly be pleased to have you here, Dr. Foster. I'd love to be able to offer you a base for research projects as well. The school is new enough that we could benefit from the publicity of successful research."
*
Bill brightens at the thought. "I would love to see your facilities," he tells the woman. "And I'm wondering exactly what sort of role you see for me here. Are you looking for someone full-time, or to give a few classes a week and see how things go?" He hasn't considered moving to a full-time position, but the idea isn't out of the question. Especially if they're able to provide a shiny lab for him to play in.
*
"A research scientist such as yourself would be a valuable member of the faculty," Emma admits. "With a sizable mutant population, we have several students who could benefit from a more scientific understanding of their new physiology as well. But equally, we want to be the school of the future, Dr. Foster. We'd like to advance the present. A class or two would be wonderful, of course," she waves a hand. "Certainly. But research and potentially mentoring some of our more gifted students would be a real benefit to us here."
*
Bill's thoughts fall onto a recently-failed request to study the Vigor drug, and he imagines a school like the Frost Institute would be much more open about his research interests. Suddenly, Columbia University starts to feel a little stuffy in comparison. This will be something to mull over in the weeks to come.
"Well, your offer is well-recieved, trust me. And I would be more than happy to act in that role for you." He taps a finger on his leg as he appears to think for a moment. "Let's talk specifics, should I decide to fully commit."
*
Emma smiles slowly, leaning back in her chair hands crossed on her lap. "Of course," she agrees, dipping her chin. "We offer a competitive salary, of course." Granted, the salary she quotes is…Well, it's about twenty percent more than competitive, actually. "Our facilities are new - we made improvements on the campus when we purchased the property - though if there was something you needed for your research, we would be glad to take your guidance on what we lack. If you'd like to teach a class, we'd be happy for it, but we'd mostly prefer you take on graduate students - perhaps three to five at a time? And we would expect you to be working toward publishing, of course. And to keep us updated on the progress of your research."
*
Bill blinks at the offer of compensation and, naturally, becomes even more interested in the offer. Perhaps this really is the place for him. Free to do research, mentor students like himself, and generally move forward the field in a new a different way. With all that's gone on recently, it's hard to believe that the old ways of doing things will hold up when things like frost giants and Skrulls are ever-present.
"Well," he starts in response. "I hope you'll allow me a few days to think things over. It's a decision worth some consideration." He smiles and lifts his shoulders in a sligt shrug, mostly already knowing his answer.
*
"Of course," Emma agrees, nodding once. "I wouldn't dream of pressuring you. If there's any other information you need, you have the number here," she smiles warmly. "You're welcome to call at any time and we'll be certain to get back to you in a timely manner." She stands smoothly, offering a hand once more. "I actually have a member of our faculty here who'd be happy to show you around the campus before you go, if you'd like."
*
Bill closese his case and snaps it shut, standing along with Emma. He reaches out and gives the hand another shake, their business concluded for the day. "Absolutely, I'll do that. And I will take you up on that tour before I go. It just may seal the deal." He chuckles, a deep and genuine laugh. "And, again, it was very nice meeting with you."
*
