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 was, of course, all for this. She had always believed that mutants were better than humans, after all. A mutant aristocracy - one in which she could possibly be queen - sounded absolutely like want she wanted. She didn't need much nudging, this one. She was ready to sign up right then and there.

[pyroprincess]

"Brooke?"

Stephanie Shaw should have been on top of the world, the daughter of the man onf the hour, making her way around the crowd like a noble to be. But she felt a weird, horrible tension in her mind that was undermining everything. She was aware she'd been unkind to Marcelo. And yet, he'd been unkind to Reginald. It was all a strange snarl in her mind.

"I have a small favor to ask."

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke turned away from Sebastian Shaw and turned to look at Stephanie. She'd been feeling an inkling of what her best friend had been, but with her standing right next to Brooke, looking at her, all of Stephanie's emotions hit Brooke hard. The brown-haired empath's mouth parted slightly in worry and she reached out, placing her hand on Stephanie's wrist. "What's going on?"

[pyroprincess]

"I'm ..." Stephanie didn't really want to say it all in so many words, because it was almost impossible to explain. "Having a bit of a fight with Marcelo. Would it be possible for me to stay over with you, just for tonight?" Come the morning, she fully expected to check into Xavier's. If anyone could help her, it was them.

How could she explain that she felt like her mind had been twisted in on itself? She'd probably come off as crazy.

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke had to suppress a perking up of sorts at the mention of a fight with Marcelo. Really? Was being here, of all places, finally showing Stephanie that she should find a more suitable match? One with the proper sort of genetic code and the right sort of status in society?

Biting back an expression of relief, Brooke's brows furrowed together in the proper sort of concern. "Stephanie, you know that's not a question you ever need to ask me again, right? You're always more than welcome at my home, no matter the circumstances."

[vesper_verde]

After his conversation with Sebastian, Marcelo went looking for Stephanie. He wanted to leave soon. He was a marked man most likely.

He did pause when he saw her with Brooke. Well, this was going to be unpleasant. He only stopped momentarily.

"Ladies."

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie didn't meet his eyes. She just looked at the ground, very obviously trying not to cry. She didn't want to talk to him right now. She felt horrible about what had happened, about the way she'd treated him. And she was still mad. And none of it made any sense.

"I'm going to be spending the night with Brooke. I ... I need to sort some things out. I think afterwards, I'm going to be going to the Institute."

Pride and programming prevented her from saying that Marcelo might be right.

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke opened her mouth to say something, but now wasn't the time. After all, Stephanie loved Marcelo, worthy or not. There would be time and opportunity enough to convince Stephanie later. For now, she merely locked eyes with Marcelo for a brief moment. "She just needs to collect her thoughts, think things through. Tonight's been very intense for her, as I'm sure you understand."

[vesper_verde]

He had managed to get the feeling of his heart out of the pit of his stomach with all his confidence talking to Stephanie's father. It felt like it was where it was supposed to be now. Until Stephanie refused to look at him and said she wasn't going home with him.

She couldn't even stand to be in a 3,000 square foot apartment with him.

His heart stayed in his chest, but it felt like someone ripped the bottom off and letting everything bleed out. His face shifted to blandly polite. The slight smile on his face reached nowhere near his eyes.

"Understood. Have a more pleasant rest of the evening. Let me know when you'll be home." He gave a nod to Brooke and headed for the door.