A Charity Gala to End Whatever Important Thing

[ngm_miscellaneous]

New York City high society had been absolutely buzzing over this April's charity gala by a certain Mr. Tony Stark. It was seen as exclusive, or as exclusive as his 200 person guest list could be. Some invitations were a given, like Tony's daughter Alexa, whereas others came from what the party planners figured as the right people to make the party memorable or talked about.

The charity event was for the charitable arm of Stark Inc., Stark International. Despite being for charity, it was also seen as a good way for businesses to be seen and network.

The event was held at the Hudson in the Library and Private Park space. It would comfortably fit the people into its 2,600 Square Feet.

Comments

[stormy_skrull]

Mary put on her best friendly smile as she approached Roxie and her date.

"Roxie," she said, politely. "So good to see you again."

[avengingwarbird]

"No way to be more visible than at one of Tony Stark's public things," Roxie said softly, a glimmer in her eye as Mary approached them.

"You too, Mary," Roxie said warmly, if uncertainly. She didn't know how this conversation would go, to be honest. "You look fantastic." She stepped back one step and then said, "By the way, this is Joe Rogers. Joe, this is Mary Storm."

[the_next_avenger]

Joe smiled at Mary, offering a hand. "Hey, Mary. Nice to meet you. Storm...like Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four?" Joe asked cautiously.

[stormy_skrull]

Great. He was a total hottie. Of course.

"You look good too," she told Roxie, being polite. "Likewise, Joe," she added shaking his hand. "And yeah, that's my pop. Rogers? Like Steve Rogers?"

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie hesitated for a moment before answering. She knew that things between Joe and Steve weren't the greatest in the world, but at the same time, she also realized that Joe was trying to tear himself away from the shadows and darkness that had engulfed his life as of late, and that Joe wanted to be a part of the world that she inhabited.

A world that had many, many social situations.

"That would be him, yes," Roxie smiled.

[the_next_avenger]

"Yeah, he's my dad. Awesome guy, even when he's lecturing you." Joe joked.

"How are you liking the party tonight, Mary?" he asked.

Joe sensed that something was a little off here but he wasn't sure what it was for several minutes. Then he remembered hearing something about the Skrulls and the Kree and how they weren't all buddy-buddy...

Oh. Damn.

He suddenly wondered if this moment could get any more awkward.

[stormy_skrull]

"So far so good," Mary said. She needed to get her rhythm back. Not playing "I can insult you more" with Roxie was throwing off her game.

[avengingwarbird]

That wasn't intentionally what Roxie was going for, but she could tell that Mary was feeling a little twitchy. They usually bantered lightly for a minute or two before their verbal arguments got, well, ugly.

"I know, I'm weirding you out," she said after a long pause. "I promise, it's not me setting you up for something horrible."

[stormy_skrull]

"What?" Mary asked. "Me? Worry?"

Okay, she let out a breath.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Roxie? Are you a Skrull? Because you have to tell me if you're a Skrull. It's in the handbook."

[the_next_avenger]

"On this matter, I feel like I have a little knowledge. I can vouch for sure that Roxanne isn't a Skrull." Joe said.

"Unless you catch her getting out of bed at 5:30am. Then she's a bear. An angry, but rather cute, bear." he teased.

[avengingwarbird]

"I'll never be a real morning person," Roxie laughed. "It's why I was always late for school. The headmistress at Woodbridge hated me because of that." She warmly squeezed Joe's hand and then shook her head lightly. "No. I'm...turning over a new leaf," she said. "The Kree turned out not to be who I thought they were, and so I'm distancing myself from them a little bit." She then added, "I'm sorry about our mutual past, Mary. The things I'd said to you? A lot of them were undeserved and terrible."

[stormy_skrull]

yeabutwut? She didn't even know Roxie knew how to apologize.

She sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, well, I may have been a little... kinda... hard myself. So... yeah. I'm sorry too."

[the_next_avenger]

Joe let the women discuss their past, staying silent as he didn't think levity was necessary now. It looked like they were starting over and he admired Roxanne for admitting that she'd been wrong about someone.

Mary also seemed pretty cool. If he ever saw Tommy again, maybe he'd set them up. He'd ask Roxanne about it later.

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie had become someone who was full of surprises these days.

"So, we can start over then? Because it's beyond wrong that we're both heroes in this city who fight each other, you know? We should be directing our strength in other directions."

[stormy_skrull]

In spite of herself, Mary allowed herself to smile.

One more whore joke for good luck? she considered. Nah, not with her boyfriend around. Good taste too. ...Where is Griff?

She held out a hand. "Deal."

[innameof]

"Mary!" Griffin looks.... good. The suit he is in is well cut and very classic looking. It isn't over priced looking.

He has a small clear box that has some kind of flower in it. At a glance it can't quite be identified. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I was finishing a special project."

He smiles shyly. "For you."

[stormy_skrull]

Mary took the box from him, looking at the flower. She grinned. "You're a sweetie, Griff." She leaned over and kissed him.