A Grand Soiree [Open to anyone with potential business at the NYC branch of the Hellfire Club]

[ngm_hellfire]

"There hasn't been a party like this in years at this location, has there?" Sebastian turned towards Tessa, or rather, the clone of her that Essex had made for him. It was true, though, there was an energy in the old place that hadn't been seen ever since before he died for the first time. They didn't know yet, that he would take this moment to make his reemegence into the public eye, but there were rumours that there would be a grand surprise.

"No, sir. Attendance at the New York branch's soirees has been declining for some years." Tessa replied crisply. He wondered, vaguely, what the original Tessa would think of this pitch-perfect copy of her. As for Tessa's part, she was aware of Sage's existence and regarded it as nothing more than a vague curiosity.

Sebastian continued to watch guests filing in through the cameras at the command centre he'd installed some years ago beneath the halls of the Hellfire Club.

"What about my would-be heirs?" Sebastian spoke with a faint sneer. Disappointing as they were in many ways, they were his family. His legacy. They would have to do. He couldn't have another Shinobi on his hands.

"I expect they will both attend. I've spotted Stephanie, but but Alistaire as of yet." Tessa replied again.

"Good. And others have been invited too. The Braddock and the Worthington girls." Sebastian turned again towards the monitors. "Keep a close eye on the witch, would you? I won't have her ruining my night."

"Yes, sir."

Sebastian lifted a glass of fine whisky to his lips and took a slow sip, watching the event unfolding before him. A grand collection of the finest of New York society. A fine audience for him to emerge before, like the phoenix.

Comments

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke nodded slowly. It could wait, but she was concerned. Still, there were many eyes on all three of them, and for good reasons. She reached up and gently adjusted an earring. "Brunch tomorrow at my apartment? I can have Sharona whip up some lemon-ricotta pancakes with a raspberry syrup?" Of course, that would only happen if things went well tonight. She looked at Marcelo and added, "You're more than invited to come along as well, of course."

[vesper_verde]

His free hand went to brush across the spot where Vargas' sword had emerged from being shoved through his body. He tried to cover it by adjusting the buttons on his jacket.

"I appreciate the invitation, but I must decline. Tonight might be my only social outing for the week." He shrugged slightly and held Stephanie's hand a little tighter. "Doctor's orders on not being a third wheel."

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie looked over at him, finding it impossible not to notice what he was doing. She frowned a little. It was ... still difficult sometimes, to know that he'd been hurt so severely. She may have saved his life by intervening, but it was far too close. Her hand gripped his back a little protectively.

"You wouldn't be a third wheel, darling. But ... perhaps it would be good to have some girl time. We could all do dinner another night? Perhaps you could bring Alexander. If he isn't overly horrified with me ..." Yes, because of the flaming naked angel business. Rather sordid, really.

[hellfire_empath]

Whatever it was that Stephanie and Marcelo were feeling, Brooke felt it too. She blinked for a moment, wondering what exactly was going on, but turned her attention back to Stephanie rather quickly. "Alexander's fine," she said quickly. "And yes, perhaps some girl time is in order. There's clearly much to discuss," she said, her eyes darting towards Marcelo quickly.

[vesper_verde]

"Dinner sounds fine," he said with a lightness he didn't really feel. He was still out of sorts after the attack on Veridian. Also, his general distaste for Stephanie's father was nice undertone to his internal feelings.

"Maybe at the restaurant you two own?"

[pyroprincess]

"The Bistro Provencal is always open for our business." Stephanie replied with a thin smile she wasn't necessarily feeling. Her own feelings about Sebastian weren't all that much better, considering everything that had happened. How cruelly he'd treated her.

"We shouldn't deprive the others here of our beautiful selves, though. Let's go circulate some, shall we?"

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke nodded her head in ascent, her eyes surveying the crowd. Alistair was there, obviously. Most of the Lords Cardinal were present. Selene being very...Selene. Brooke shuddered. She'd have to keep her distance from that one. There was no telling what Selene might want with Brooke's youth and beauty if she were ever to catch the psychic vampire's eye.

"Make connections and all that, the good old Hellfire way."