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Post by Logan on Aug 7, 2007 7:13:02 GMT -4
Just a spared glance between Jean and Doug, and Weapon X moved on. A table near an outside exit in the far corner of the ballroom, occupied by a kid with slicked back hair and his boyfriend was the perfect vantage point. Weapon X headed directly over there, grabbed Slick by the shirt, pulled him out of his seat and tossed him to the floor.
Sitting down, he looked at the other one with a flat look. It took all of a few seconds for it to register. The two of them hastily made for another part of the room, and Weapon X leaned back in his chair.
His eyes were on the priest and the woman outside in the garden, and his sharp ears could pick up their conversation from across the room.
“Y’ can tell me anyt’in’ an’ I won’ judge y’, m’ child. Dis was more o’ a warnin’ dat many people y’ talk t’ here t’night couldn’t honestly say de same t’ing. Be careful who y’ share your opinions wit’.”
"Oh, it ain't fer me, hotshot", A voice interrupted from right next to him. "Jus' took a look at that ponytail an' figured mebbe yer 'life partner' had a suit jus' like it."
Sparing a glance to the side, Weapon X didn’t seem terribly surprised at who he saw. “Funny talk, comin’ from a man who wears an apron,” he said under his breath. He turned his attention back back out the door in the garden area.
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Post by Creed on Aug 7, 2007 9:21:16 GMT -4
"Victor Creed," Doug nodded, "Again, you have outdone yourself. No one can compare when it comes to balls, sir. Truly outstanding. I will assume that some of this is a result of your new lovely assistant, of whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting." Doug smiled a charming grin and nodded at Tatiana.
It wasn't really a mutant power, but Victor Creed was pretty much immune to flattery and meaningful conversation. He stared at Doug Ramsey unblinking. "Have some nuts", he said, and slid a crystal bowl a little closer to the king's informant. He gave up trying to understand what Rossovich was babbling on about.
Inwardly, he found it amusing that both Ramsey and the pale-faced bounty hunter had turned their attentions to the girl rather than him. It was precisely why she was there and why Creed paid her like he did. Aside from being a pretty good coordinator, she drew away attention Victor Creed did not want.
She did look damn hot in that dress, though. He'd have to make sure to give her something a little extra to make sure she knew he appreciated the effort.
Creed kept his head low and sniffed at the stench coming from Magneto's assassin.
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Post by Panthera on Aug 7, 2007 12:18:27 GMT -4
“Y’ can tell me anyt’in’ an’ I won’ judge y’, m’ child. Dis was more o’ a warnin’ dat many people y’ talk t’ here t’night couldn’t honestly say de same t’ing. Be careful who y’ share your opinions wit’.”
The problem was, Sam couldn't tell the Reverend or anyone else for that matter. Anything leaking out could be total annihilation of all humans and Sam would be responsible. Her heart would never allow for this and the telepaths needed to be kept at bay or else she'd break. Maybe it was time to wrap up her conversation with the priest and what better way to excuse oneself than having to use the rest room. Placing her shoes back on her bare feet, Sam looked over to the man of the cloth and smiled.
Arising from the bench, the young woman bowed slightly and expressed her gratitude for the pleasant conversation even though it may have gone a little south. Besides, there was also a nip in the air outside.
"Please excuse me Reverend, but I need to use the little girls' room. It has been a pleasure speaking with someone so kind and may I add, handsome. Have a lovely evening."
And with that she turned and graciously walked back into the door she came from heading for the little girls' room.
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Post by dazz on Aug 7, 2007 16:31:38 GMT -4
Arm in arm, Bobby and Ali were finally off the dance floor and past the crowded people. Securing a spot where they didn't have to shout over voices or music, Bobby snagged some drinks off a passing tray and handed her one.
Ali was most definitely glad when Bobby agreed that they should jump past the awkward. It didn't take him more than a moment to fall right back into a train of thought that fit him quite well.
"You know, someone like me might be looking at this as a photo opportunity. Wondering who your new boy toy is or something..."
Already, Ali was giving him a playful look.
"You mean you paparazzi don't all know each other?"
But Bobby continued quickly.
"You don't seem to be one to mind a little scandal though...it might even fortify your rep as a rockstar."
"'Cause you're so scandalous, eh Bobby?" She dropped her voice to a sultry tone, before switching right back to a more joking tone. "You're right. I'm a nobody without you Bobby. I can't thank you enough."
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Post by angel on Aug 7, 2007 17:12:48 GMT -4
Once Warren saw who Jean was talking to he'd wished he'd waited a little longer before approaching. He saw Doug glaring at him and gave a glare of his own.
"I'd like you to accompany me on an inspection of SHIELD Headquarters at the end of the week. Stop by my office in the Ivory Tower tomorrow for the briefing details."
SHIELD inspection? That's nothing new, but he doesn't need Jean to do an inspection.
"She'd be delighted to. I was just leaving to pay my respects to the good Doctor and his wife, anyway. Until tomorrow, Miss Grey," Doug said to Warren and left.
Doug answering for Jean grated his nerves. Then again it didn't take much to get on his nerves when it came to Doug. She can answer for herself, you ass.
Warren put on his his best smile despite the circumstances. “Apparently I would be delighted to."
Holding out her hand he took it and placed his other gently on her hip. He led her in a stepping and turning motion to the newly changed music. "I didn't know you could waltz. You never cease to amaze me."
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Post by Tatiana on Aug 7, 2007 21:23:16 GMT -4
Tatiana continued to watch the verbal sparring. She had to keep herself from yawning. The loud man whose name she didn't know pretended to say something soppy to her. "Ummm, yeah. Since I don't ever plan on finding myself in that sort of situation, I think I will be fine." She rolled her eyes. He was starting to bore her. Thinking about leaving and checking on some other things, was starting to look like a better idea than this fruitless mess. Tati knew she would have to face the facts and simply send for another servant to replace the more than likely stolen one.
Tati was more than surprised to see Doug Ramsey approaching them. And even more surprised when he spoke of her. She knew of him of course, but knew herself to be below his sphere. She managed a smile while Mr.Creed offered up a bowl of nuts. Nuts? Oh geez, this is why Tati knew she was here. "I am Tatiana, Master Ramsey. If this snack is not to your liking, merely tell me what you would prefer and I can have it here in no time at all." She inclined her head in a respectful manner.
She turned her head slightly back to face the much larger man in red. "Oh, if you must, just go and have some water to drink. I think we have discussed this to no ones benefit. And I have other duties far more important." Tatiana said in a lazy tone. She hoped he would leave and things would get back to normal. Returning her gaze to the young man who was more her heigth, the young woman awaited what might be a request.
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Post by arkady on Aug 7, 2007 23:38:15 GMT -4
Arkady was now bored by the disgusting Creed. He turned for the door, wishing to avoid anything resembling conversation with Douglas Ramsey. Magneto's lapdog would have been eager to discover any fault in his description of the missing servant, and he wasn't the right person to lie to.
It should be no problem at all if I can avoid Douglas, he thought, every one of these fools would fall for that ruse excepting him.
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Post by Doug Ramsey on Aug 8, 2007 3:11:39 GMT -4
The moment paused, time seemed frozen to Doug.
It happened so rarely.
So very little, he had almost forgotten what it really was like.
In those few precious seconds, Victor's snide offering was disregarded.
In those few precious seconds, Arkady slipped away completely forgotten.
"I am Tatiana, Master Ramsey. If this snack is not to your liking, merely tell me what you would prefer and I can have it here in no time at all." his mind replayed the few seconds over again.
Like a breath of fresh air, it hit him... and until this moment in time, this precious moment... he never consciously realized he had been drowning for all these years, alone in a sea of resentful deceptions.
Sincerity. Open and unguarded. Honest to goodness sincerity.
His heart hammered in his chest.
His tongue felt five times bigger than it was normally.
His hands fidgeted with the cufflinks on his suit.
He really wanted to talk to her, be with her.
She was... real. Such sincerity. Such...purity.
"I... uh... I..." Doug stammered softly, as her soft green... or was that blue?... eyes returned to look into his own. Come on, Dougie, pull it together! The irony of the master linguist being at a loss for words was not lost on him.
He blushed, and steeled himself.
"I'd... really like your business card," he finally got out, his eyes flickering toward Creed before returning to Tatiana's. "I'd like to discuss a little get together..."
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Post by Bobby Drake on Aug 8, 2007 7:33:45 GMT -4
"You mean you paparazzi don't all know each other?"
Bobby hesitated for a moment and gave Dazz a quick glance. Was there something more to what she was saying, or did she just mean because he was all hiding in her tree and taking pictures of her sunbathing? She didn’t know he worked for Guido did she? She couldn’t know that.
He tried to convince himself, and while he did he realized he was even more scared than he had been before of her finding out that he had lied to her. Before he only had a story to lose. Now...something had changed.
He didn’t even want to think about it. Instead he changed the subject back to how ‘scandals’ like this were great for her reputation.
"'Cause you're so scandalous, eh Bobby?" It was a tone of voice that lit a fire deep inside of him, and he turned to her again with a grin. "You're right. I'm a nobody without you Bobby. I can't thank you enough."
Bobby shrugged. “I’m not so sure about the not being able to thank me enough part...but we can talk about that later.” He knew it would never happen, he was just playing. “I did want to add that nothing spells scandal like a kiss. Or maybe disappearing into a coat closet and coming out with ruffled clothes and messed up hair or something...”
He shrugged again.
“Not that I’ve thought about it. Much.”
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Post by dazz on Aug 8, 2007 9:55:46 GMT -4
Ali hadn't really meant anything with her comment about the paparazzi. She thought, maybe pursuing the same celebs, that they often encountered each other. They could have conventions, for all she knew. But Bobby seemed to register something more. A glance, a telling look of anxiety. She would have questioned it, but she missed that tick as she sipped her champagne.
Oblivious to her friend's concerns, Ali kept up with the exchange of scandalous scenarios. Bobby had a good one that she didn't even realize she'd set herself up for.
"I'm not so sure about the not being able to thank me enough part...but we can talk about that later. I did want to add that nothing spells scandal like a kiss. Or maybe disappearing into a coat closet and coming out with ruffled clothes and messed up hair or something... Not that I've though about it. Much."
She'd definitely set herself up for the first part of what he said. As he went on, his comments got a little more scandalous too. A kiss? That could be arranged--for scandal's sake--but the closet thing so wasn't happening. This was a ball they were attending, and a little more class was in order. It hadn't felt like it, as she'd just been goofing around with Bobby the whole time, but this was a seriously formal event they were attending and she had to keep that in mind.
Still...not that he'd thought about it much? She let out a laugh.
"Somehow I doubt that, Bobby. But let's have some class in our scandal, won't we?"
Maybe he expected her to treat the whole thing as a joke and shoot it all down. But that wasn't quite what she did, and wonderful possibility remained.
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Post by Panthera on Aug 8, 2007 14:29:01 GMT -4
While in the bathroom, Sam opened her purse pulling out the clear lip gloss she had been wearing. Upon opening the top, a signal was sent to Nick telling him, she'd be back shortly. It was undetectable by anyone's ears, which meant she was as safe as can be. Applying just enough for a teasing look, the young feline tidy up her hair and brushed down her gown. Looking in the full length mirror, Sam got a really nice glimpse of what she looked like tonight. She was absolutely breath taking and couldn't believe it herself. "But no one else has noticed except for the wrong guy", she mumbled turning her hips.
After washing her hands, then grabbing the mutant's purse, Sam left the room and decided to go back to the party and possibly gather some more intel before leaving. A scent cross her nose even before she reached the end of the hallway. Him! Her heart raced a little, and some excitement arose through her nerves. Over a wanna be knight in shining armor? Get real.
Putting the glamor back into her steps, even though the glamor had pain along with throbbing, the young woman walked through the crowded room while a slow dancing song was playing. A silent sigh crossed her mouth, but hey, if it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be.
But it sure would be nice.
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Post by Sam Guthrie on Aug 8, 2007 15:26:53 GMT -4
"I think that dance might be the last one for a while. I think it is about time for to be sociable."
What was she so upset about? Couldn't she understand that a man in his posistion couldn't afford to dwell on the past? If Samuel's thoughts had stayed there, he wouldn't have risen to his rank, nor had any of the lovely perks of being the leader of SHIELD.
Her hands pushing against his chest cemented her point rather nicely, so Samuel felt inclined to agree.
"If you insist..."
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Post by Guido Carosella on Aug 8, 2007 20:27:00 GMT -4
There was nothing like being fashionably late.
The stretch Hummer seemed to go on and on and on, like a ridiculous cartoon. When it finally rolled to a halt and a valet opened the door, Guido stepped onto the carpet, basking in the camera flashes and flipping a million-dollar smile around to whoever cared to see it.
Pausing to dramatically sniff the rose in his lapel (still smelled like Betsy), he marched through the doors of the castle and into the ballroom.
Betsy was taking care of some personal business, he wasn't sure if she'd make it or not. He snatched a wineglass off a passing tray as he surveyed the crowd, wondering if it'd be worth trying to snag some of the honeys walking around.
Guido spied several likely prospects, not to mention some other familiar faces. No sign of Lord Buckethead, but his attack dog Guthrie was present and accounted for, along with his entourage of killer droids. Dazzler was cutting a rug with whatshisname. Smoothie boy.
And Creed. Magnus' chef. The man wasn't much to look at, but he definitely knew his way around a kitchen. Guido had attempted to hire him away more than once, but he was strangely loyal to his current employer. And it looked like he was about to mix it up with...
Arkady Rossovich?
This he had to see.
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Post by Bobby Drake on Aug 9, 2007 7:50:05 GMT -4
Bobby was totally kidding. They’d been over this stuff already, and Dazz made it clear in that way that chicks had of making things clear that things stood on the side of friendship. Not that he was crying about it. If he really stopped and thought it over, he’d remember that she was like a rock star and stuff. Historically rock stars dated other rock stars, or movie stars, or models or whatever. And while he clearly could have been a model, he wasn’t famous.
Definitely a strike against the old Bobberino.
For a few minutes Dazz didn’t say anything at all. Well, it felt like minutes anyway. She finally kind of laughed a little, as she often did around him, and said, "Somehow I doubt that, Bobby. But let's have some class in our scandal, won't we?"
Unsure of what that left them exactly (since one person’s class was another’s trash), Bobby pondered it in thoughtful silence. “So...does that rule out making out at the bar?”
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Post by Tatiana on Aug 9, 2007 13:58:50 GMT -4
Trying not to blink in surprise, Tatiana opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out for a moment. Then she smiled and collected her thoughts. "Oh, sir, I have no card of my own, for I work for Mr.Creed. But if you ever need my services, simply send down to the kitchens. I am there most hours of the day. I have sent you food several times, though you never see me." She told him the truth. Tati never even thought of having her own cards. She left that to her boss.
Her cheeks colored a little. How lucky could she be that Master Ramsey himself noticed she was good at her job? It would be an honor to serve food at whatever function he might have.
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