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For all that Amara has been around New York for a couple of months by now, she's still pretty confused by the whole process. She's finally figured out money, though — at least for the most part — and so she's taken to trying all the different sorts of restaurants she can find, rather than simply ordering from the hotel's room service menu. For one thing, while the hotel's restaurant is fantastic, she's come to the realization that they only have about a dozen menus, and she's getting tired of eating the same thing every two weeks.
She asked the taxi driver to bring her to a good restaurant, and first the man tried to bring her to some hole in the wall in Little Italy which, he claimed, had the best food in the city. She berated him and demanded better. Pasta is all well and good, but it is not what she is seeking. She is seeking extravagance, people in fine dress, rare vegetables and nearly extinct animals. Having perused the menu of La Caravelle for nearly half an hour now, as she sips what is supposed to be a fine Italian wine and tastes, to her, far too close to vinegar (her palate will surely mature), she has come to the conclusion that jaguars are not likely to be served here, but other options sound rather tasty. She places her order at last, and leans back a little to watch the crowd around her.
The young woman is immaculately coiffed, her curly blonde hair piled stylishly atop her head. Her off-the-shoulder gown is very much a toga — her usual mode of dress — but tailored richly and held in place with a gold and sapphire brooch that might be sold in New York for a thousand dollars or more, based on the size of the stone. And yet she sits alone, on a Saturday night.
*
And there is another woman who arrives- albeit not alone. Some might confuse the pair of tuxedo wearing gentlemen as the woman's dates- but it becomes clear almost immediately that they are guards.
"Ms. Luthor!" Calls a man- the matre de. "Always a pleasure!" Whomever this Ms. Luthor is she must be important to not even have to wait more than a few moments for service. Almost immediately her small party is led to a table that just-so-happens to be next to Amara's.
As Lex approaches it becomes more obvious that she is a woman of tremendous power in this city. She's dressed as is appropriate for the situation, a long black dress of truly haute couture- the very latest in dresses that cost a small fortune. She, of course, wears jewelry to match- emeralds in particular seem to be the name of the game with rubies and sapphires sparkled in good measure. On her bald head is a tiara lined in opals and topped off with a star sapphire that catches and reflects the light with such brilliance it might as well have been snatched out of heaven itself.
Lex sits- and the moment she's sat down, her guards step away to leave her in peace. One moves towards the door, and the other sits at another table not far away from Lex herself- just watching. As soon as Lex has flicked open her napkin, service begins- a truly fine bottle of wine sat in an iced bucket. Something poured for her and a menu delivered. "Whatever you need, Ms. Luthor, simply raise your hand. We will be happy to serve."
*
Amara's eyes turn toward Luthor as she enters. She feels she's seen this woman before — pictures in newspapers, perhaps. She has not paid them much attention, but that's largely due to the fact that she's confused about so much in this strange world outside of the Amazon. The actions of the restaurant's staff are enough to confirm that Luthor is 'a big deal'. She's heard these words a fair amount. Men, it seems, are always claiming to be 'a big deal'. The woman before her does not need to make such claims. It's simply a fact.
*
Most people in the room, aside from waiters and the like, are clearly engaged with their company. Amara has none, but she's not going out of her way to call attention to herself. Still, Luthor has suddenly become the most interesting person in the room. This is partly due to the staff's treatment of her — but significantly due to her baldness. No woman in Nova Roma would be caught without hair.
*
Luthor wears her baldness so fiercely- with nothing but full confidence. Most women in the world in this era would consider baldness something to be ashamed of- however, this is clearly not the case with Ms. Luthor. Her honey and gold-brown eyes turn to gaze upon Amara for a quiet moment- they are at neighboring tables, after all. The way Lex carries herself- it screams of power and confidence. She's like a queen. Even the looks others give her seem to be of awe and respect- respect very few women in 1960s America could achieve.
Luthor takes a sip of her wine, and looks back to her menu after that long look at Amara- a look in which she memorizes features, jewelry, clothing and general demeanor. She then raises her hand just a touch and a waiter is there instantly. "I'll start with the Coquilles Saint-Jacques, and move onto the seared foie gras. Main course will be Confit de Canard. Desert, I will decide upon later."
The waiter bows quietly and takes Luthor's menu. "Right away, Ms. Luthor." is all he says before he's off. Lex reaches into her handbag and takes out a cigarette holder, and finely made cigarette case. By the time she's loaded the cigarette into the short-tube holder an ashtray is on her table and her guard has come with a lighter to help her light her cigarette. She then returns her gaze to Amara. "You seem rather interested in me." she says simply. "Are you new in town?" she wonders, looking Amara over again. "I'd imagine I'd know a woman with your sort of finery…but I don't believe I've seen you at any of the society events."
*
Amara hesitates a moment — she was staring, and people have told her that's bad etiquette here. But certainly this Luthor doesn't seem to object. "My apologies," she says after a moment. "I did not mean to stare." Her accent is not precisely easy to place — despite her clear European heritage, it has more in common with the native inhabitants of the Amazon than any other people. "I am new to this city, yes. It is a… very strange place. I have seen your picture, though, in the newspaper."
*
"Yes, I imagine you would have." Luthor replies simply. "Alexandra Luthor." she offers then, before she inhales slowly on her cigarette. "A pleasure, I'm sure." she says next, as she continues to look at Amara quietly. "You don't seem to be waiting for anyone- and you also haven't ordered anything, by the looks of it."
"Why not join me for dinner then, Ms…?" she lets it be an open question. Something about Amara has sparked Lex's interest, clearly. There's a something about the other woman- about the poise.
*
"I have ordered," Amara says. "Just before you arrived. But I suspect that the servants will be happy enough to bring my meal to your table." A brief pause — she is not entirely certain which honoriffic is best to use for this woman. She bypasses the issue by continuing, as she rises. "My name is Amara Juliana Olivians Aquilla, scion to the First Senator of the Roman colony of Nova Roma." Pause. "And so on. Titles tend to go on and on in my homeland."
*
"I'm sure they will." Luthor begins, after listening to the introduction. "Ms. Aquilla, then- Roman colony of Nova Roma?" she wonders aloud, before taking another slow inhale on her cigarette. The smoke when she exhales is a solid plume of blue-grey. "I'm not particularly sure I've heard of Nova Roma. I don't recall my history books ever having mentioned such a Roman colony." she notes, before she switches seemlessly to Latin- albeit of the classic, literary style. <So then, do your people speak Latin, or is your colony something more modern?> The pronunciation and grammar are nothing less than perfect. One gets the sense that Luthor demands perfection.
*
Ms. It's not a term she's heard a lot, but she understands, at least, that this is how the lady Luthor would prefer to be addressed. Ms. Luthor. Amara can do that.
"It is not in the history books," she says. "It was a lost colony until very, very recently." She pauses when the woman addresses her in her own language, and then the girl smiles, if faintly. "<Indeed, we have spoken Latin since our foundation, since long before we lost contact with the fatherland, such as it was.>" Amara's English is good, if not perfect. Her Latin, though, is flawless — as is to be expected. She represents her people here, and her father in particular. It would not do to put anything but her best face forward.
*
Luthor's eyebrows raise ever so slightly as she actually gets a reply in Latin. Her interest grows deeper. "<Very interesting,>" Lex begins as her scallops arrive on ice. Amara's food would likely arrive simultaneously. Her importance in the serving queue had immediately jumped to be equal to Ms. Luthor's. After all, she had joined Luthor's table. "<However, that does lead me to wonder why we- the world that is- hasn't heard much of your colony before now. Why wait until now to reveal yourselves?"> she asks, clearly very curious.
The Bodyguard at the door seems to have found some movement as someone pulls a camera out of a pocket and begins to aim it towards Luthor and Amara- standing in front of them. The large man says, "Ms. Luthor is enjoying a private dinner and would prefer not to be disturbed." He looks mean- very mean. The camera is sheepishly put away, "I think its time you left." The bodyguard continues as he takes the man by the collar and 'helps' him to leave the establishment. The management do nothing to stop Luthor's bodyguard- willing to take a loss on one expensive dinner, it seems, for Luthor's continued patronage.
*
"<We did not,>" Amara replies simply. "<The Amazon holds many secrets, but Nova Roma is no longer one of them. Those who come to explore, to map, they found us hidden there. On their suggestion my father has sent me here to study.>" A faint, wry smile comes to her lips. "<There are things to recommend this city, but not the smell.>"
Her eyes flicker to the activity by the door, and she frowns — then relaxes as the photographer is escorted away. "<Many of my people believe that 'cameras' steal the souls of those they view. I am unconvinced.>"
*
<"Cameras collect light and expose it to an emulsion of silver particles on cellulose strips."> Luthor replies, giving a truly basic scientific explanation of what a camera does. <"Its not magic, it doesn't steal the soul."> she says next as she quietly snuffs her cigarette out. The ashtray is taken away as soon as she's done with it. The iced scallops look rather delicious, if one is into seafood. With a small fork, Luthor takes a moment to enjoy her meal- eating on her schedule alone. <"So then, you're simply here on a study mission? Not to conduct trade, or diplomacy?">
*
Amara nods her understanding. "<It did not seem likely,>" she says mildly. "<Simply because our people have spent a thousand years waiting for news from home does not mean the rest of the world has failed to move forward without us. And souls are more difficult to steal than that.>" She leans forward to look at the scallops curiously — not a food she's ever tried, herself, but she decides she will have to. She is, after all, using these opportunities to explore what the world has to offer.
"<Primarily I am here as a student,>" she continues as she's offered her own appetizer — mushrooms stuffed with escargot. She smiles her thanks to the waiter before she continues. "<However, my father has given me some limited permission to discuss matters of state. I am, after all, the ONLY Nova Roman who has left our city thus far.>"
*
<"Most curious. LexCorp- my business- may very well be interested in conducting trade with your colony, then. Really, though, it depends on what can be exchanged."> Luthor replies, <"I have amassed my wealth and power through shrewd business and carefully constructed business partnerships. I'm certain there is something LexCorp can do for Nova Roma."> she says- happy, it seems, to turn the impromptu meal into a business meeting. <"I have interests throughout the entire world, and own property in very nearly every country open to trade. LexCorp- which I am the sole owner of- owns even more than that."> she smiles, such a sweet smile despite the fierce intensity in her eyes.
*
The intensity takes Amara aback, and she pauses with a mushroom at her lips. She takes it in her mouth, chews thoroughly, swallows before she responds. "<My people are quite interested in trade with those from outside. Many of them, at any rate. My father among them. Others, of course, would prefer that we seclude ourselves from the world again.>" Her nose wrinkles at this. She does not think much of New York City, but isolation, she feels, would not be good for Nova Roma. They've been isolated far too long. "<Most of our resources, though, are the wealth of our city and the surrounding areas, the metals, precious and otherwise. The gems. Much of this is contested by the nation that we find ourselves surrounded by. They claim it as their own.>"
*
Bingo. A seam. Somewhere that LexCorp can undoubtedly do some good- or bad. <"Which nation is it, then, that your colony has found grew around it?"> she wonders, <"I think you'll find I have a great deal of sway among many leaders in the world. LexCorp is a multinational company."> she says, smiling still. Friendly. <"I'd bet you I can do a lot to help your nation to be recognized and respected. A partnership with LexCorp is a partnership with power.">
*
"Brazil," Amara replies before she selects another mushroom. She might be surprised to learn that she is eating snails — but it wouldn't be the first time. The creatures grow large and fat in the Amazon, and are often served in a sauce of wine and onions in Nova Roma. "<You understand, of course, that my powers of negotiation are very limited. My father would need to agree to whatever is proposed — but I imagine he would appreciate the support of an agency such as yours in achieving our freedom from the Iberians.>"
*
<"Brazil."> Luthor begins, smiling quietly. She knows something, clearly. <"I suspect there will be major changes in Brazil in the coming months. By the end of *this* month, as a matter of fact."> she offers in Latin- its an obscure enough language. <"Tell your father to be prepared to protect your colony's borders. There will be some chaos to follow, and it may be a good time to expand while the military is otherwise occupied with more populous regions of Brazil. Let's consider this a sign of my goodwill towards Nova Roma."> Another bit of scallop eaten, and a sip of wine.
*
Amara blinks a few times. How could Luthor possibly know these things? Does she have access to an oracle? It seems the most likely possibility, to Amara. She considers asking, then decides she'd best not, in case she comes across as a provincial fool — just like the Nova Roman commoners. "<I will write to him tonight,>" she says. "<I do not know that it is the best time for the city to expand… but forewarned is fore-armed.>"
*
<"I would take advantage of the chaos- but that's just me. If whom I believe will come to power after this particular form of chaos does, in fact, come to power… I should be able to hold considerable political sway over the economic developments in Brazil in the coming years. LexCorp's Brazil divisions are primarily concerned with mining, and coffee plantations- and I plan to support those who are soon coming to power."> Luthor explains quietly. <"My gain will undoubtedly be to the gain of Nova Roma, as well. I'm certain that together, LexCorp and Nova Roma will ensure that your people are not ignored and that their.. *your* birthright as the last pure descendants of the greatest Empire this world has ever known are fully remembered."> Lex finishes her glass of wine, and her scallops. <"Now, what are the sorts of things the people of Nova Roma require? If I'm going to come up with a proper trade proposal, I would like to know what sort of things would help my trade partners.">
*
Amara sips her own wine slowly — and more slowly still since the conversation has turned to business. The last question, though, is not a difficult one for her. Because she is the daughter of Lucius Antonius Aquilla, and because she knows what he wants for their city — and that his enemies would have a very, very different answer.
"<We are a people adrift in time,>" she says seriously. "<In the years since the Roman Republic fell, we have stagnated. We have lived our lives with little concern for advancing ourselves beyond that which we knew when the colony was born. We need knowledge, Ms. Luthor. We need to be educated in the ways of the modern world — so that we are not merely another forgotten city, doomed to fall when worldly conquerors come to our gates. We are lucky that those who found us were explorers and scientists, not warriors and generals.>"
*
<"I see. That I can help with. I can send your people some of my agents to help bring your leaders up to speed on the modern world. I can also outfit your military with top of the line, cutting edge technical weapons that should help keep you and your people safe. I will not pretend that I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart- I do expect preferential consideration in our future business dealings."> Lex Luthor smiles now again, offering her bottle of wine over to Amara. <"I think you'll find this wine pairs better with your meal.">
*
Here Amara shakes her head quickly. "<Our people are not ready for modern weapons,>" she says firmly. Never mind that her father is not the one who controls the city's military force — and giving firearms to Marcus Domitius Gallio would allow him to overtake the city without fear of any real opposition. Her father is in a difficult enough position without that sort of force. She does, however, accept a glass of Luthor's wine. "<Thank you,>" she adds, still taking her drink in slow sips.
*
<"You will need to get ready quickly for such weapons."> Luthor says, <"But it is not my place to tell your people how to move forward. <"Instead, lets just move on from business. I'll make sure you know where to find me when more appropriate times for further discussion come to pass."> with that, Lex smiles quietly and lifts her glass. <"Nova Romae vivat."> she offers as a toast- Long Live New Rome.
"
*
Amara smiles, a touch of relief coming to her eyes as the matter of weapons is dismissed so quickly. She has learned enough of American culture to understand the proper response to the lifted glass. She smiles, raises her own and clinks it against Luthor's. "<LexCorp Vivat,>" she offers in response. At least as important to Luthor as Nova Roma is to Amara, it would seem.
*