Chariots of Fire Are On Their Way

[hellfire_empath]

The American Museum of Natural History was set ablaze with lights and the mingling scents of exotic flowers perfumed the cool evening air. Brooke Wyngarde had put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into arranging for this soirée, and she was going to be damned if anyone was going to ruin it for her. After all, this was to welcome Stephanie Shaw da Silva and Marcelo Alencar da Silva back to Manhattan and, most importantly, receive them as a newly wedded couple.

Thus, Brooke had pulled out all the stops. Everyone who was anyone who knew the Shaws or the da Silvas had been invited (though Brooke had also dutifully chopped some of the more unsavory names off of her list). The food was a delightful blend of American-Brazilian-Spanish fusion. The cocktails were some of the most popular ones from Brazil, and only the finest Spanish wines were served. The music was live, big band-style stuff, because this was not some hideous high school Kiss on the Lips party. 

Brooke herself, being the hostess of the event, may have gone just a tad bit overglam when it came to her look for the night, but then she was certain that she was going to be gracing many a society page the next morning.

She needed to look great, and she certainly did as she stood next to the entrance of the Arthur Ross Terrace, receiving guests for the cocktail hour which would precede that night's dinner, directing them towards the guest sign-in book, the gift table, and everything else. 

She hoped, she prayed, that everything that night went off without a hitch.

After all, the supervillains only crash the weddings of the A-List superheroes, right? 

Comments

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie had to admit that Brooke had outdone herself. Everything, to put it simply, was perfect. The food, the wine. It was both something that the upper crust of New York could appreciate and something that spoke to her and Marcelo as individuals. It had required going through a large crush of eager well-wishers, though, for her and Marcelo to meet and properly thank their hostess.

"Brooke!" Stephanie finally managed to catch up with the party's enterprising host. "It's perfect. Thank you." She felt positively radiant, wearing the dress that her aunt-in-law had made for her in Brazil and looking happier than she had in a very long time. "Truly."

Hopefully Brooke had nothing against being hugged, because it was happening, regardless.

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo had no doubt Brooke would work out a flawless New York society reception. She seemed to live and breathe American high society. He had lost track of how many hands he shook by the time he and his wife got to the hostess. He wore the suit he got married in. Because he looked good in it and there was no big expectation for him to be sartorially different.

"Looks wonderful, Brooke. Thank you for doing all this." He tamped down on his Brazilian tendency to hug a friend. Brooke did get a pleased grin. People in the United States were a bit... more aloof than he was used to. Besides, Stephanie would certainly handle the hugging.

Security

[symkarian_princess]

Nika has called in every available person to work the reception short of calling her mother's team for assistance. Lisa was monitoring the additional cameras in the truck. Fin was stationed inconspicuously outside. (Possibly with Gina sighing over him. Nika wasn't sure if that was a wise move yet.) She had called in her niece and nephew to work the interior of the party. Aiden was behind the bar as a bartender. Hana had the option of waitressing, mingling, or sticking to the shadows. Others were throughout in places the museum would let them go.

The da Silvas had been great clients before, and Nika was trying to keep it that way. She was aware of the bounty on Mr. da Silva's head. Being a mercenary afforded her a channel to underground information.

She'd adjusted her normal fashion choices enough so she didn't stand out like a sore thumb. It was at least not her normal goth-like or corset-heavy wear. She still managed to keep her normal college-campus level amount of weaponry on her body. Also, she had a hard to see earpiece in to keep her connected to every person working tonight.

"Let's hope for a quiet night, everyone. Status?"

[shadeblossom]

Hana never missed an opportunity to dress up, so when she heard the option to mingle, she jumped at it. She'd made a circuit of the main room, peeking in on her brother at the bar and Nika when she could catch a glimpse of her. She liked to know where everyone was, just in case.

A glass of champagne in hand, she smiled and chatted, keeping her eyes open for anything strange. So far, so good.

"Nothing exciting, so far," she murmured, confident the SSI tech would pick up her voice easily. "Let's not jinx it, though."

[pussyfootaround]

"There's so much here that's steal-worthy," Felicity lightly murmured. She grinned, knowing full well that those words would put Nika on edge. "I mean, you know. If I was interested." She took a swig of her sparkling wine, her eyes glittering with mirth. She was dressed in a tuxedo jumpsuit that night, her only real accessory being a single gold and diamond cuff earring worn over one ear.

There were some inventions of hers safely stored on her person, of course, but none that caught the eye.

"If you want this to count as our third date, though, there's a few little hidey-holes to have some fun in, boss."

[hellfire_empath]

High society was all that Brooke had ever aspired to.

Well, that and the Hellfire Club. It was only that Brooke held more status in one than the other.

Stephanie obviously got hugged back tightly and warmly.

Marcelo would also be pulled into a warm, friendly hug.

Because she was determined to make a friendship here now. This was the man that her best friend had chosen, and he had treated her with a great amount of warmth and respect when she had attended the wedding in Brazil. For her to continue being a bitch to a man who had treated her so well would have been wrong, even Brooke was cogent of that.

She did take note of the repeated suit, though. Shockingly, she said nothing about it.

Did that mean she was really changing?

"It's my pleasure," she grinned at them. "I just hope it suits your tastes. I had so many plans and ideas and I didn't know where to start. You two look fantastic, though."

[sonoflongshot]

Aiden poured another glass of wine and set it on the bar for one guest. We went to make a mixed drink for another. He didn't have to pick out his clothing. He had his bartender's clothing supplied to him.

"Third date?" He raised an eyebrow as he grabbed bottles.

"Bar's quiet except for thirsty guests."

[pyroprincess]

"It more than suits our tastes. It's perfect, Brooke." Stephanie replied with a big grin, unable not to smile after seeing Brooke spontaneously hug Marcelo. Seeing Brooke either (hopefully) actually warming up towards Marcelo or at the very least making a real effort to do so was a gift fully equal to even this spectacular party.

"I could say the same about you. I'm amazed Alexander hasn't come to swoop you away yet." She teased softly, and then impulsively leaned over and kissed Marcelo. "But thank you." She looked over at the gathering crowd. "It seems like everyone is here. We'll have to do the rounds soon, darling." She smiled at Marcelo. "But maybe a drink and a little catch-up first?"

[call_me_phobos]

"Alexander had to deal with yet another last-minute alteration but he's here to enjoy the party before swooping up the beautiful woman who invited him." Alexander said as he walked up behind Brooke, smiling at Stephanie and Marcelo.

"Congratulations to both of you, by the way. You look beautiful, Stephanie. Marcelo, you look dashing as always." he said.

Alexander was wearing one of his own suits, an expertly-tailored gray suit with a black tie.

"How was your time away?"

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn was stationed on the roof of the building as the music inside would play having with his senses. As it was, he could almost hear it loud and clear from his vantage point. He had his rifle close at hand. Nika briefed them on the bounty on their customer. If there was another sharp-shooter in the area, Quinn would need to catch him.

"Sharp-shot in position. Do they have deviled eggs? I love deviled eggs." he joked as he kept an eye on the people coming and going.

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo did look surprised to be hugged. He hadn't been sure his Brazilian hospitality had made any inroads. Not that he didn't return the hug. That would have been plain rude.

He looked less surprised at the spontaneous kiss from his wife, however.

"This looks like it could rivals ones at home, Brooke. Thank you." He grinned as he slipped his arm around Stephanie's waist. "Anything you want,querida?"

He glanced toward the bar and did a doubletake. Did the bartender only have four fingers?

Then there was a dapper Alexander. Marcelo gave him a nod. "Good evening, Alexander. Thank you. Our time in Brazil was... relaxing and occasionally exhausting at the same time. A very good time." Him exhausting more than Stephanie.

[hellfire_child]

"We do all keep busy, don't we?" Alistaire's voice, sibilant and measured, cut through the air from behind Stephanie. For a change, he'd walked up fully visible. No sense spooking anyone at his dear auntie's gala event; not least of all because of the likely security.

"Barely was able to make it," he says, embracing Stephanie politely, and extending a hand to Marcelo. "Had some bad decisions of Shinobi's to clean up in Japan. Managed to pick up some appropriate gifts before coming back though." He smiles and nods to his date for the evening, a lovely woman, slightly taller than him, with a glint of steel to her expression. She opens a long and lacquered box, revealing a tea set and a sword. Both antique, and of exceptional quality and beauty.

Alistaire gives the couple a vulpine smirk. "Cutlery and crockery seemed traditional enough for the happy bride and groom."

[symkarian_princess]

Nika felt her eye starting to twitch. She casually rubbed it in the hopes of making it stop.

"This is business. Attention away from baubles and on people. Let's hope it stays quiet. Food will be provided when the guests get seated for dinner. I'll put in a request for deviled eggs on the roof."

[shadeblossom]

Hana hadn't known Nika was dating anyone, let alone one of her employees. She bet that made office life interesting! A giggle escaped before she could contain it. Her poor niece.

But, ewww, what...?

"Deviled eggs?" Hana repeated in disbelief. "Deviled eggs are Satan's boogers, Quinn. Don't eat Satan's boogers, Quinn."

Unexpected Visitor

[ngm_miscellaneous]

While Brooke greeted guests, she may have gotten a slight sense of deja vu. One old society woman seemed to have gone through the entrance twice.

The first one through slowly made her way toward the newly married couple. She had mixed into a small crowd before pulling away and heading toward the intrigue.

Re: Unexpected Visitor

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie didn't recognize the old society woman coming up towards her. But then agian, there were a lot of guests at the party and no doubt that Brooke had invited a few people who should be at any proper society event. It was naturally to be expected. She smiled pleasantly at her.

"Hello."

Most likely the lady would be coming up for introductions and a round of pleasantly useless small talk. Stephanie had plenty of good cheer to spare. She was feeling gracious.

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo has even less of an idea who the woman approaching them was. He took a sip of his mixed drink.

"Olá a senhora."

[ngm_hellfire]

Before the woman replied, her disguise fell away. In front of them stood a tall and statuesque Selene. She quirked an eyebrow as a small smile creased her bright red lips.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. da Silva."

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie didn't scream, she didn't soil herself and she didn't instinctively attack Selene- such a thing would almost certainly be futile. She held her ground, glaring only a little. Her hands balled up into fists, both as a sign of how she felt about the immortal witch but also, to hide any visible signs of shaking. Not from Selene, no doubt, but from others.

"What are you doing here, Selene?" Stephanie asked pointedly.

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo looked down into his glass, uncertain if the sudden change came from something in it. He glanced at his wife and then the woman standing in front of them. From Stephanie's reaction, he knew this was probably a bad thing.

"Uh..."

[ngm_hellfire]

"I came to offer my congratulations to the new couple. Also, to go somewhere where Sebastian can't does have its minor pull." She glanced directly at some of the Wild Pack providing security.

"Though the main reason is to see the man who makes Sebastian Shaw look the fool."

[pyroprincess]

Stephanie remained tense. She wondered where Rachel was- she'd certainly been invited to attend, as had several other of the teachers at the Institute. Certainly there was enough security and superpowered guests in the room to make things difficult, at the very least, for Selene, should she choose to attack. Stephanie interpreted that as a sign that she wasn't intending to.

"My father is welcome to call off his fool's grudge at any time." Stephanie replied evenly. They both knew, however, that was unlikely to happen. "We don't have any interest in the goings-on of the Hellfire Club.

I'd very much like it if you left. You've seen my husband, and now you can go."

[vesper_verde]

Marcelo wouldn't admit it, but it was a little bit of a boost to his ego that someone wanted to see him for thwarting an all-mighty Shaw. Though he could figure out the exact danger by how tense Stephanie was. She was more taut that strings on a violin.

He fought down his impulse to stand between the two women. He'd get in trouble that way.

[ngm_hellfire]

"I'm not here on Hellfire business. I have no plans to drag you into it or make you pay." Most people were ignoring Selene's presence there. Even though she did stick out in her normal Hellfire Club attire.

She stepped closer to the couple and Marcelo in particular. "I fed before arriving. That's my gift to you."

[hellfire_empath]

Brooke leaned into Alexander, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek and beaming up at him. She seemed very in her element here, dressed to the nines and playing hostess to this decidedly upper crust soiree. Warmth radiated her from her, not in such a way to change the moods of those around her, but enough so that people felt it.

She was, genuinely, happy for Stephanie.

She was happier still that Alexander was there.

The warmth may or may not have dropped a degree or two.

A thousand snappy, bitchy retorts came to Brooke's lips and then died. She wouldn't snap at him or say anything bitchy. Not tonight. It was Stephanie and Marcelo's night, and Brooke wouldn't be the one to ruin it.

Besides, as the hostess, insulting one's guests simply wasn't done.

"Sharona," Brooke said to her personal maid, who was standing a safe distance behind her. "Be a dear and put Alistaire's gifts along with the others, won't you?"

She turned back to Alistaire and held her hand out to him. "Thank you for joining us, Alistaire." Which was as polite as Brooke could realistically get without having to lie to him.