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

"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.

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Eva blinked when the man appeared out of nowhere behind "Dr. Bocklin". Of course, she shouldn't be too surprised, the Hellfire Club did have a strong association with mutants... but she wasn't sure it was really wise to be using powers so openly in a semi-public venue like this.

She had no idea who Alisa was, or her reputation, but she did know about Alistaire's. Time to mingle elsewhere.

"Excuse me. Dr Bocklin, Mr. Shaw, Ah do believe Ah see someone Ah need to speak to."

With a gracious smile, she began making her way across the room.

Alistaire, you damn fool. You could have just approached your creature openly.

Essex didn't send that particular thought to Alistaire, though. It was not a matter of vital importance, though it would probably make it more difficult for anyone to convince Eva of the benefits of making league with the Hellfire Club. Instead, "Dr. Bocklin" decided to go speak to some of the other guests.

Or find his daughter. Hopefully Lena was behaving herself- though she usually did when it was important.

Alistaire doesn't care. Alisa is his property, and he won't stand for her being abused, unless he gives leave for it. He scans the room for signs of what, or likely who, is harassing her.

"Alistaire..." She looked up at him, just as Eva and Dr. Brocklin walked away from the pair. Her gloved hand was still resting on her temple. Her voice was low, enough that he could hear her, and no one else.

"You know you will get in trouble for dis, right? Is it worth it? Am I worth it?" Despite their unusual relationship/partnership/whatever they had, she still cared for him and his well being.

Alisa had failed to get the point. And Alistaire was clearly intent on seeing what had happened, not that she had any desire to actually show herself.

The headache dropped.

Alisa could deal with the consequences herself.

She gave off a sigh of relief, finally dropping her hand from her temple. She felt so much better, now. The headache was gone, the room was not spinning anymore, and her vision was back in focus. Alisa stood back up properly, her eyes looking at Alistaire to show she was better, now.

"I am sorry about dat, Alistaire. I t'ink I am a bit stressed is all. I didn' mean to make you worry any." She shook her head. "An' I shouldn' question your reasons for anyt'ing. You do what you want, an' I wouldn' 'ave it any other way."

She would not dare tell him it was Tessa who gave her such a headache. She was not the kind to tattle, really. She had not even told Alistaire about his Grandfather rescuing her, or why she moved to a new apartment. There were some things she would burden alone.

"I do t'ank you for your concern, t'ough."

"It's what I do." He lays a hand on the back of her neck, and touches his forehead to hers, looking at her intently.

"I take care of my things."

"Why do you always know the right t'ings to say to me?" She sighed, her eyes looking directly into his. She had a boyfriend, and yet Alistaire made her forget that sometimes.

"Do I dare ask 'ow well you take care o' your "T'ings"?" Her voice was still soft.

"Because I see right down to the worst parts of you, Alisa; and I embrace them. One of the advantages of being the sort of people we are is that we never have to make explanations. No justifications. No Freudian excuses." He says firmly.

"I'll expect you at my penthouse after tonight's festivities. You'll find out there."

Alistaire always accepted her, no matter what. He embraced her strengths and her faults, all of her. She never understood it, but she never questioned it either. They were always so honest with one and other, to the point it was just odd.

"I 'ope you mean jus' coffee. Because after de terrible head pain I jus' endured, I may jus' lay dere." What was she saying!? "An' my boyfriend might not approve... unless you want 'im to come over, too?"

Okay, she should just shut up, now.

"Go ahead and ask him. If you're going to be with him, he should know you. Know all of you." Alistaire grabs a glass of wine from a passing tray, sipping it calmly.

Alisa paled a little at that statement. Her eyes watched as Alistaire casually grabbed a glass of wine from a passing tray, showing little emotion as usual. She suddenly wished she grabbed a glass of wine as well, but getting drunk in the enemy's den was not a very smart move.

"All o' me? I don' know..." Again, she spoke in a low tone. Her eyes looking about the crowded room. Perhaps changing the subject would be best right about now. "So, Boss, 'ow 'ave you been?"

"Planning. Hunting. Building." He regards the guests he had brought along with a casual wave of his arm. "Gifts for the Lord Paramount. One of them, the young man with the blue eyes... amazing talent with numbers. One of two secrets he's desperate to keep. The rest have the usual assortment of dirty laundry, or naked ambition, to make them useful.

There's been other endeavors, but the room is too mixed for me to talk about them here."

There was a small nod of her head and a look of worry on her face. She moved closer to Alistaire to whisper into his ear.

"You may need more gifts to de Lord Paramount to make up for keepin' me around, tonight. He may see it as an act o' defiance on your part."

"An' do be careful wit' de fires you play wit' , Alistaire. I only 'ave so many limbs left to spare for you." She finally pulled away from his ear and smiled, taking his now empty wine glass and placing it on a passing tray, before grabbing him another.

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

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