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Post by Marco Bianchi on Aug 20, 2013 18:57:18 GMT -5
The doors had finally been opened, and the throngs were making their way up the steps of the Hellfire Mansion as Marco Bianchi, one of the members of the Rome branch of the group, stood near the entrance. He was being considered for Red King of London, but he was certain Michael Priest would rather nail him to a tree than make him a leader of the London Inner Circle.
"Where in the name of heaven did they find this lot?" he muttered to himself as he stood there eyeing the party guests. "And when will they leave?"
"After Sebastian has taken all their money," Marco's sister, Francesca, said as she moved up near her brother. "It is for a good cause after all. Wait. I smell something strange. Oh no, that insufferable wizard is here from Edinburgh. And the red haired she-demon is here as well."
"As will be my son, Adriano," Marco replied as he saw a few old familiar faces making their way inside.
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 25, 2013 17:34:14 GMT -5
Jack and Craig had broken away from the others and started to head up the steps. "I'm glad Carrie wandered off to chat with Emma. Nice girl and all that, but she's a bit too noisy for her own good at times. Reporter's instinct and all."
As they got to the top of the steps, Jack suddenly stopped as he saw two people standing in the doorway. "Oh bloody hell," he muttered under his breath. Jack started waving wildly down at the others and then smacked his head out of frustration. "I am an idiot, Craig. Telepaths."
Jack furrowed his brow as he looked down toward where Kari and Logan were standing. ((That twit Bianchi is here with his sisters)) he though at Kari before turning back to Craig. "Remember when old Will Rydenborne asked if you were a Bianchi before? That's one of them. Marco Bianchi."
Before he handed his invitation to one of the footmen or guards or whoever it was guarding the door, Jack looked at Crag and shook his head. "This is all starting to make sense in the worst of ways. We may be fighting our way out of here by the end of the night."
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X-Men
Telekinetic Powerhouse
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Post by Hellion on Aug 26, 2013 1:15:58 GMT -5
"No one I know, hmm..."
Naomi stopped and glanced around the room as she and Julian finally entered the party. For a brief moment, she was distracted by the variety of celebrities that she could spot, but she was eventually taken aback by what her companion just said. "Wait, you expected to know people here?" There was a brief pause, and then everything clicked. "I forgot, your parents are rich."
"Yeah, yeah," Julian responded as he guided Naomi deeper into the mass of people. Because of their age, they were destined to hang out with the youth crowd. There were a few people that he figured would be here that he hadn't seen since he'd been shipped off to Xavier's. But, as with most rich kids, he wasn't too keen in being around them. And considering how much of a jerk he could be sometimes (all the time), those kids must've been really, really horrible.
"I wonder if I'll bump into them tonight." Granted, he didn't have the best relationship in the world with his parents or sibling, they were still family, and he hadn't seen them since New York.
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Aug 26, 2013 8:24:05 GMT -5
Mr. Dragotti followed Jack up the stairs and turned to him after the latter mentioned Carrie. ''That Carrie lady was indeed a bit noisy! Though, she wasn't nearly as loud as my button men were during their verbal and physical battles!'' he said with a roll of his eyes. A confused expression formed on his face as soon as Jack asked if he remembered when Will wished to know if he was a Bianchi. ''I remember,'' Craig said while he nodded. He focused on the pirate again. ''I'll protect you if anyone tries anything.'' Hopefully he wouldn't burn the place down with his pyrokinesis!
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Post by The Whisperer on Aug 26, 2013 16:41:53 GMT -5
Ewan and Jessie made their way up the steps toward the great gilded doors of the Hellfire Mansion, but then Ewan stopped and bared his fangs. "Bloody hell," he hissed as he grabbed Jessie's hand very tightly and then looked back toward his sisters. "That's the man who caused Damon to spend the better part of his life in Hell and in Weapon Plus. I should not be surprised to see him here, but I am," he said to Jessie as he tried to get himself under control. "This will end very badly if we're not careful. I just wonder what sort of game Bianchi is playing this time."
"I am simply here to further the interests of the Hellfire Club," Marco said as he walked over with his sister Francesca behind him. "Antonia is here is well, Ewan. It is good to see your family did not shun the invitation this time."
"Marco and Francesca Bianchi, this is my lady, Jessie Frost Grey," Ewan said as he felt his hatred of the man rise form the depths of his being. "And any invitation from Hellfire in the past had strings attached. I pray that is not the case tonight."
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Post by Gideon Ambrose on Aug 26, 2013 16:57:46 GMT -5
Gideon had sworn to himself that he would make this night perfect for Deirdre. He knew she was going to this to make sure nothing happened with her mother or her siblings, and he suspected she wanted to keep an eye on Galen and Andie in particular. But that didn't mean Deirdre was not going to be the belle of this ball if Gideon could help it.
The vampire hissed as he felt Ewan's sudden shift in mood. They knew each other for a very long time, and the two men were more attuned to each other than many would have expected. "Oh no. That idiot Bianchi is here. I forgot his sister Antonia shares a child with Michael Priest. That poor girl. Having such devious parents. Perhaps we need to stay clear of that lot this evening? I'm not sure we want to make the X-Men the center of attention, and I am sure some on the group frown on our past histories coming up for air."
Gideon got his mind off the lunatics and idiots long enough to really look at Deirdre. She was a sight to behold, and he knew he was lucky to have her at his side. "You look magnificent. You will be the envy of every woman in that room, and every man will wish he were as lucky as I am. Thank you for letting me escort you this evening."
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 26, 2013 17:33:01 GMT -5
Jack looked at Craig as he tried to ignore Bianchi and his sister Francesca. "Craig, we are friends. We will protect each other if things come to pass. I may not be a mutant with fantastic powers, but I do try to protect those close to me as best I can."
As he saw Ewan getting all chatty with Bianchi, Jack motioned for Craig to follow him inside the mansion. The gold doors hid only greater opulence as they moved into the ballroom beyond the foyer. The marble floors seemed to be dusted in gold powder, and the room glittered with candlelight as the flames were reflected in the crystal chandeliers. A quartet played music Jack knew all too well.
"I like Mozart as much as the next man, but this seems a bit dated, even by my standards," Jack said to Craig as he wrinkled his nose a bit at it. "They need something more modern. A full orchestra at any rate. Maybe these are the pre-dinner musicians and the dance band shows up later?"
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Aug 27, 2013 6:48:47 GMT -5
''Thank you, Jack. I'll still try my best to protect you without burning the place to the ground,'' Craig said with a small grin. He followed Jack into the mansion very quickly. The marble floors caused one eyebrow to ascend. ''This place is very impressive,'' he said. Mr. Dragotti shrugged after Jack wondered if the dance band would appear at a later date. ''Would anyone here appreciate Italian opera?'' he inquired.
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Administrator
Light Of The Phoenix
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Post by Jessie Grey on Aug 27, 2013 15:55:58 GMT -5
"It's a pleasure." Jessie said rather reluctantly as she nodded her head to him. She could tell how agitated Ewan was with the other man and she couldn't blame him. She too was feeling the pull of the Hellfire club. She couldn't put her finger on it directly but she felt her mothers presence nearby and not just Emma's.
{"For better or worse I'm here."} She said telepathically before focusing back on her boyfriend. "Maybe we should move forward love?"
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Post by wandererxm on Aug 27, 2013 16:02:01 GMT -5
Sean and Miri continued to walk in as they both greeted people as they went by. Sean had something on his mind and wanted to ask Miri. Normally he would have waited but it had been picking at him for some time. {"Miri I know this isn't the best time love but it's been on my mind for quite some time."} He said as he guided her away from the crowd for one minute. {"Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"} He said telepathically. He wasn't sure what she would say but it was worth a shot.
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Post by The Whisperer on Aug 27, 2013 16:10:53 GMT -5
"Yes, why don't we?" Ewan replied as he looked between Jessie and Marco. Francesca gave him a very odd look, and Ewan did his best to let it pass. Francesca and Antonia were a bit easier to get along with than Marco most of the time, but even they could not be fully trusted. "Marco, Francesca, I'm sure we'll see you later."
As Ewan guided Jessie inside, he couldn't help but feel a slight tug at the back of his mind. He had felt it once or twice when he was around Jean Grey, but he knew it could not be her. "Jessie, did any of your sisters come along on this little adventure? I keep feeling another Grey presence. Maybe I'm just too wired by all this nonsense with Bianchi."
When they finally made it into the ballroom, Ewan saw Jack acting a bit strangely as he stood with Craig. "Oh no, Jack is already critiquing the music. He did that all the time back in the day. I just hope they play something a bit more lively later so we can dance. I know Shaw dresses like it's the 18th century, but not all of us are stuck there."
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Post by Miranda Rydenborne on Aug 27, 2013 16:25:31 GMT -5
Miranda Rydenborne was never one to let her emotions hide deep inside. Her father said it would be her undoing one day, but her mother, may she be watching from the Heavens at this moment, had always told her to follow her heart. But Miri, in all this, wasn't sure what he mother would think about her being with a vampire.
It wasn't that Cassandra Pappas Rydenborne was a bigot or a prude or some evil soul that wanted her daughter to marry for power. Cassandra had always been a bit guarded about other preternatural beings after some bad blood spilled between the Rydenbornes and another family that had, as far as Miri knew, not crossed paths with Sean and his extended family.
Miri closed her eyes for a split second, but that was all she needed to see her mitera Cassandra standing there, smiling at her and giving her daughter her blessing. Miri knew none would come from her father or her brother William. The only one who would have cheered would have been Isabella, and part of her wondered why her sister's spirit was not there as well, but she pushed that aside. Sean needed an answer and should not be kept waiting.
As she opened her eyes, Miri smiled at Sean and then embraced him in a huge hug. "Of course I'll marry you!" she said as she kissed him.
OOC: Mitera is Greek for Mother
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 27, 2013 16:41:45 GMT -5
"Oh, this lot probably would love opera," Jack said to Craig as some of the wait staff started to move around the room with trays of Champagne glasses and hors d'oeuvres. "Why yes, I think I could use one of those," he said as he took a glass. "And I see our host is up there on the balcony," Jack added as he looked up and nodded to Michael Priest. "Watch that one, Craig. He's older than dirt, worked for SHIELD at one point and was a member of the World Court. He's the Gray King of London's Hellfire branch. Marco's sister Antonia is the mother of one of his daughters."
Jack looked back up and saw Antonia was nowhere to be seen up in the balcony. "Maybe Antonia chose not to come to this party after all? You might actually find Antonia someone to chat with, Craig. She is the patron of a horticultural society in Rome. I think it's in Rome anyway. Has a rose named after her, I believe."
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Post by wandererxm on Aug 27, 2013 17:04:22 GMT -5
Sean smiled and pulled a ring out of his pocket and placed it on her hand. He kissed her back "You've made me a very happy man." He said as he guided them back out into the crowd.
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Post by Miranda Rydenborne on Aug 27, 2013 17:16:33 GMT -5
"You may wish you hadn't asked me tonight if both my father and brother are here," Miri said to Sean as they moved through the crowd. She looked at the ring again and smiled. She hadn't expected Sean to propose to her, abut it was a most welcome blessing.
"I should say brothers, I guess. I'm guessing my father hid Xander away until the mess about Edward Priest died down. But you know my father and William are both less than pleasant about vampires. I don't want them giving you a hard time. I know. You can handle them. You just shouldn't have to."
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Administrator
Light Of The Phoenix
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Post by Jessie Grey on Aug 27, 2013 17:18:54 GMT -5
"Yes love hopefully we can cut loose a little." Jessie responded as she felt outwards again. "I don't think so Ewan but I feel it as well."
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Post by The Whisperer on Aug 27, 2013 17:55:07 GMT -5
"I'm just being a worrywart," Ewan replied to Jessie as they continued to move in and out of the crowd. He saw the waiter with the Champagne glasses but then noticed someone with a tray of blood wine-filled glasses. "And why is that bothering me so much?" he asked as he nodded toward the waiter who brought the tray toward them. "I would think Priest would be a tad more discreet about those of us who are not like the rest. Maybe he has a glamour on it so it looks like regular wine to the humans?"
Ewan took two glasses from the waiter and handed one to Jessie. "May this night be memorable for all of us. And peaceful as well."
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Aug 28, 2013 10:45:48 GMT -5
''Oh?'' Mr. Dragotti muttered with one raised eyebrow. A small smile formed on his face as he remembered forcing Sasha and Reynard to sit through a sixteen-hour opera as punishment for battling months ago. He seemed a bit worried when Jack took a glass of Champagne and wondered if he would have to really look after the pirate. Mr. Dragotti was quick to notice Michael Priest and nodded at Jack. ''I won't let my guard down.'' He seemed interested after Jack mentioned Antonia.
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 28, 2013 19:04:31 GMT -5
"Don't worry," Jack said as he sipped his Champagne. "I won't get snockered tonight. Mrs. Brown would not be happy if I did. I promise to be on my best behavior. Now, about that opera, I think Antonia is a patron of that as well. She is nothing like her brother. Thank heaven for that small favor."
Jack looked around and wondered if Craig had ever brought his men to such a gathering. "Did you ever bring Sasha or Reynard to one of these functions? I bet they drove you insane if you did."
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Aug 30, 2013 8:31:24 GMT -5
''Snockered?'' Craig muttered while he tilted his head. He tried not to imagine Mrs. Brown's reaction if Jack entered their home drunk or vomited all over the living room furniture. He pictured a broom as both a cleaning item and a weapon. ''That's good about Antonia appreciating a bit of culture.'' Craig rolled his eyes at the thought of bringing his men to such a function. ''I rarely took them anywhere out in public due to their habits of revealing my humiliating secrets, bickering, etc. Then again, I always pictured them battling and breaking various items at home.''
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 30, 2013 18:48:23 GMT -5
"Well, I hope tonight is culturally pleasant and entirely peaceful, but somehow I doubt we'll get both," Jack said as he noticed a woman in a red dress on the balcony. "Most definitely not Antonia, and I doubt she is Priest's date. He tends to go for redheads. Or should I say for a particular redhead that happens to be on the arm of Wolverine this evening."
Jack looked back to see if Faith and Finn were close to him and Craig. "Michael Priest always had a thing for Kari MacFeorais. I won't get more detailed than that, but the fact their alternates from another dimension had children together speaks volumes. I just pray there is no alternate of me roaming the cosmos and making decisions that will one day bite me on the arse. Alastair can do all that alternate dimension hopping. Time travel is one thing. That is another can of worms. Now, should we wander around a bit to see where they might be hiding the rum and the beautiful women?"
There was a twinkle in Jack's eye after his comment, but then he got afraid Craig might think he was being all too serious. "I was kidding about the rum!"
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Aug 31, 2013 9:15:18 GMT -5
''Maybe people will shock us and the evening will be peaceful, Jack.'' Craig tried to think of what to say to Antonia assuming their paths crossed. There were so many others present that it was impossible to keep track of every last one of them. Mr. Dragotti smiled at the thought of another Jack Sparrow roaming. ''Do I wish to know if there is another version of me somewhere, Jack? Perhaps in some alternate universe, Isabella Dragotti is not dead and my men are well-behaved!''
Craig grinned and laughed for a few seconds. He tried to imagine his button men behaving which meant never bickering or biting one another. A frown materialized on his face after Jack mentioned rum. His expression became one of relief as soon as the pirate revealed he was kidding.
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Aug 31, 2013 18:48:52 GMT -5
OOC: As there are at many charity galas (my husband covered a few back in the day), there is some form of silent auction for various prizes. Please feel free to be as elaborate as you want, folks, with the items up for auction.--K
IC:
"My friend, I wish your Isabella were here for you. If I could make that a reality, I would," Jack said quietly to Craig as more people seemed to be entering the gala by the second. Jack snapped up a program from one of the waiters nearby. "Emma said they might have an auction of some sort, and it seems this one will not disappoint."
Jack opened the booklet up so Craig could glance it as well. "Trip to Tuscany. Date with a super model. There must be something in here that would be interesting to bid on. Guest appearance on The View? No. Not for this pirate. Rock and roll boot camp? What? If I want that, I just have to pester Axl."
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Post by Craig Dragotti on Sept 1, 2013 11:13:41 GMT -5
Mr. Dragotti's sudden small smile was one of sadness. ''Thank you, Jack. Although I did get to see her in the past. I remember going through time to be with her. If only the minutes with my wife were infinite.'' He seemed curious at the mention of auctions. His eyes scanned the program for a few moments. ''I can't find anything so far.''
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Post by Jack Sparrow on Sept 2, 2013 10:47:04 GMT -5
Jack kept looking at the program and frowned as the selection seemed a bit uninviting. "I'm sure Emma or Warren or one of the other well-heeled X-Men will find something to bid on. Maybe I'm just an old sea dog who's seen too much of this world to be impressed anymore? I certainly hope not."
As he looked around the room, Jack started to keep an eye on some of the students from Xavier's as they mingled with the crowd. "Perhaps I should put a cap on my drinking. With so many of the students here, I really don't want them following my lead and getting drunk. We do not need some headline like Mutant Mayhem Rocks NYC Gala on the front of the New York Post."
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