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

[kinetic_assault]

Brianna thought over what Reginald was saying. He wanted /her/ to become a leader of mutants? The idea excited her but something about it worried her as well. How would they lead mutants? Would it be different from how the X-Men operated?

"I'd love to. We're under attack right now from people who want to hurt us for any number of reasons." Brianna said, thinking over just how close Kayla had come to being attacked by that monster Vargas. If she'd been in the shop that day...Brianna tried not to think about it. She was sad about the death that did occur that day it was wrong for anyone to be murdered for showing compassion to mutants.

"What would I have to do to join?" she asked.

[ngm_hellfire]

"We are, you're correct. The loathsome business with the Stryker Crusade simply proves that we must remain vigilant." Crane's deep disgust with bigots shone through, along with his sympathy for her understandable resentment towards the issue.

"For now? You would be required to attend more of these social events. To excel in the use of your abilities, mutant and otherwise, as much as you can. To keep an eye out for us, for other mutants with similar talents.

The head of the Hellfire Club, however, will be coming to speak shortly. I'm told he wishes to have a few words with you as well."

[kinetic_assault]

"I thought there was no head of the Hellfire Club?" Brianna said, looking to Reginald with a little confusion. She leaned in and lowered her voice.

"I was under the impression that the old guard of the club either died or retired years ago. Who is in charge now?" she asked.

And what could this person possibly want with her?

[ngm_hellfire]

"That was true until quite recently." Reginald replied. "That is part of what tonight is about. Of course, most of the people here don't understand the full import of tonight's events. Though they'll be in for quite a surprise, I promise you."

He smiled thinly, almost imperceptibly. "I can't tell you that, but you'll find out for yourself in ..." He checked his watch. "About ten minutes or so."

[seismic_shockwave]

"Hey, Mr. Crane." Kayla sidled up to Brianna and looped an arm around her. "Sorry. I got kinda lost. This place is basically the size of my entire city back home." She had to fight off a yawn. And then she looked around and realized they looked rather serious.

"Am I, uh, interrupting anything? I could go find some coffee or something." She managed a tired smile.