Hellfire Gala: Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!

[Mrs Maureen Brown]

"Master Jack, Mr. Dragotti is right," Mrs. Brown said as she held out one crooked arm to each gentleman. "You are very precious to us, and to Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Blackwell, and to all your other friends," she added as she watched people heading for the dining room. "Heaven knows where we would all be without you, sir, and I hope we do not have to find out for a very, very long time! Now, shall we follow the throng and get good seats before they are snapped up?"

Mrs. Brown was very happy that Mr. Dragotti was such a good friend to Captain Sparrow. He might have been a man of adventure, but even adventurous people needed friends.

[Jack Sparrow]

"Thank you both," Jack said as he nodded to Craig and Mrs. Brown. "Sometimes immortality is a gift, and at other times it is a curse. Thankfully, there are more days of blessing in my life than days of tragedy because of all of you. Now, let's take our seats and see what delights the Hellfire Club has in store for us!"

TBC Jack, Craig and Mrs. Brown in Hellfire Gala: Feast Fit for a King

OOC: everyone can start moving to that thread at their leisure

[wandererxm]

Sean smiled and shook Isadora's hand gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you Isadora. And yes it's Sean." He said as he let go of her hand. "I can see beauty runs in the family."

He then turned his attention to Isadora's question as well as William's
"Honestly most of my family is happy for us and as for your question Isadora.....Once you hang around my family you will see it's almost the same."He said with a laugh.

"So should we get settled? Sounds like dinner is about ready."

[Miranda Rydenborne]

"Izzy, where is your mother?" Miri asked as she looked around to see if Elizabeth Herondale had actually decided to make an appearance. "I hope she's here."

{{Sean, to let you know, William was not exactly thrilled when Elizabeth got pregnant, so they never married. Izzy is a dear and, thank heaven, takes after her mother in more than just her looks}} Miri said to her fiance as she glanced at her brother. "Do not spoil this evening, William. I thought you were on the short list to take father's place as white rook?"

"Sean, I'm glad your family is making up for what mine seems to be lacking," Izzy said as she leaned closer to her future uncle. "And please, call me Izzy. And Mom is here somewhere, Aunt Miri. She was tracking down Gabriel Van Helsing for some reason. It might have to do with the Council meeting later this week."

"Sean, do you go to those boring Council events?" Miri asked as she grabbed his hand again. "And yes, let's head inside. I wonder what Shaw's cooks dreamed up for this dinner?"

TBC Sean, Miri, Izzy & William in the Feast thread

TBC everyone else here for the moment



 

[Goddess]

"Goddess, does that man have to run around clanging that stupid bell?" Dana asked Pete as the footman or major domo or whatever he was weaved in and out of the crowd to summon them to dinner. "And whatever they have in there, it had better be worth all this froofery. And, yes, I know. I made that word up. But this is all so silly. Shaw in his grand cape and jewels. Michael Priest looking like some Celtic organized crime boss with Loki and Aro grinning like idiots up there on the balcony. It is insanity at its finest, and I know a thing or two about insanity from my family!" 

Dana knew she was likely over reacting to a lot of things, but the news about Juliet joining SHIELD had thrown her for a loop. She knew the X-Men had little clue about what to do with most of the spy group, but it would be so odd not to have her around all the time. She cold only imagine how Pete felt about all this. 

"Tomorrow we'll give her a call and see what this is all about. Maybe you can change her mind? I know. She likely signed a ton of papers already to be accepted. But there isn't much that can't be undone with the help of a good lawyer.  If I can't figure it out, we can call Jen Walters. She's good at making sticky problems disappear, either in her lawyerly garb or as She-Hulk. Now, shall we go inside before the crowd eats everything in sight!"

 

[psylocke]

Psylocke sipped her drink in awe of the place.  She remembered the days when she traveled with her father, running through the empty halls.  The memory brought her joy until she thought of the changed that had taken place since then.  She was no longer the same woman and there was blood on her hands.  She smiled as she noticed she had caught the attention of others in the room.  She walked slowly towards them, greeting some others as she made her way.  "Hullo Gentleman.  I trust you will be on your best behavior this evening?"  It wasn't really a question.  With the powerhouses in the room, the X-Men had to be weary.  Craig and Jack Sparrow could get into some shenanigans from time to time.  "Take care." she said as she drifted back through the muddled crowd.  

There was music playing and laughter everywhere until Sebastian Shaw took to the stage.  Her violet brows furrowed in confusion.  She knew better than to trust him.  All of the X-Men did.  But the potential... Psylocke knew firsthand the power behind the international club.  To turn that into a power of good was certainly tempting.  She smirked as she watched Emma Frost make her way to him.  Those two had history....

[sebastianshaw]

Sebastian Shaw was far from surprised that Emma Frost was aggressively making her way toward him.  He had given her the world, but as it turned out- it wasn't for her.  She lacked the willpower necessary, but she was his in.  If Sebastian Shaw could convince Emma Frost, he'd convince the world.  "My radiant White Queen." he smiled with his arms wide, gesturing for others to take a look at her.  "You look dashing." he smirked, "And bribes are not necessary for such a cause.  You know first hand the power we represent.  We used to start wars for fun!  Imagine what we could do.  I simply persuaded them that it was best to join me.  You know the old saying... If you're not with me, you're against me.  It's simply better.  As for Madelyne... Take a look."  Sebastian guided Emma's sight to the Red Queen.  "There's more than meets the eye...  I don't believe she's quite the same Madelyne."

"But forget about that- The Red Queen is of no concern to the likes of us.  I do, however, have an offer you must'nt refuse.  Shall we retire to our chambers?" Sebastian Shaw extended his hand, his strange smile still present.  "I don't need to read your mind to know what you're thinking Emma..." he touched his temple, "Yet I've taken the precautions to make sure you cannot read mine." He chuckled.  "As the X-Men's headmistress and as the greatest Queen in the Hellfire Club's 300 year history... "He trailed on, leading the way for the former White Queen who would be weary if not outraged by his request.  Sebastian Shaw knew the proper buttons to press to get a rise, and he did so whenever he could.  He invited the X-Men for a reason.  Information.

[chryseis]

Alexia kept close to her mother and extended family as they started to move out of the main hall to where dinner was being served. She knew Loki would have been able to feel her aura even if he did not recognize her. She kept a calm dimeanor as she walked into the dining room.

TBC - Alexia in the feast thread

[Abbey Pryde]

Abbey smiled at Damon.  "I'm sure someone will come along.  Right now I think I'm just going to concentrate on my schooling.  I want to make something of myself.  I want to have something I can bring to the table once I'm a full time member of the X-men.  Science and computers has always been my passion ...Gee, I wonder where I got that from," she grinned. 

"My heart's really with this team.  This group of people, and I want to be a part of it for the rest of my life."  She glanced over at Darcy, Phil, and the other woman just to make sure there was no funny business going there.  She looked back at Damon.  "Anyhow, you should meet Nastia.  She's having a hard time coping with being a vampire.  And she is a day walker, also.  Is that what you call vampires that can go out in sunlight?  She was tricked into drinking blood of a fae.  I think that's a no-no considered by the Council, I guess that's kind of why we're are protecting her."

[Pete Wisdom]

Pete shrugged.  "If Juliet's heart really wants to be with SHIELD, then there is little we can do to stop 'er.  I know I'm 'er big brother but if she 'as 'er heart set on something then there is no stopping 'er.  SHIELD always been wishy-washy, I just 'ope she knows wot she's doing.  God, I could use a cigarette," he muttered as he and Dana walked towards the feast hall.

"I know HFC is going to pull out all the stops with this meal but I'm really craving some greasy pub food from the Crown right now.  And a tall glass of Bass Ale.  And to play some darts.  I really feel like throwing sharp pointy things at a target right now," he chuckled.

"Maybe next week we go to England and look for a new flat together? I'm not thinking in London.  Maybe Norwich?  It's beautiful there.  Great pubs, pretty city area, and I can take a train into London when I have to work at the office.  Or portal via my beautiful wife," he grinned and took her hand.

TBC Pete and Dana to the feast

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha looked around and noticed that most people were gone. Puzzled, he tilted his head for a moment. *Perhaps most of the others are at the feast* he thought. He turned to Alison and grinned at her. ''Let's go eat. I'm still hungry,'' he said to her. Sasha went to where the feast was.

TBC - Sasha to feast thread

[Karenza]

Kari pulled Logan aside for a minute before they headed into the dining room. She didn't really want to be here anymore, but she knew getting out was not in the cards. She had arm-twisted many in her family to go to this silly gathering, and bolting now would be bad form.

"I needed a minute before we went into that insanity in the dining area," she said quietly as she grabbed Logan's hand again. "Throw me at an army, and I can do almost anything. Sit me down in something like this, and I feel trapped. That's why my part in history was a bit different than Merlin always hoped it might be."

As Kari looked in Logan's eyes, both knew he didn't have to say a word. He was there in the moment with her, and that was all she really needed. He also knew that sometimes things clicked in odd ways in Kari's mind, and this was one of those moments.

"I know you always had an inkling about my past beyond those tomes of Devnet's," Kari almost whispered as she now held both Logan's hands. "The words she did not write. The things no one ever really knew. The fact Arthur Pendragon was almost forced into a political marriage that would have changed the face of history, except for the fact the redheaded warrior wanted no part of the gilded throne and begged him to set her aside for the statuesque blonde who would become the future queen."

Tears welled up in Kari's eyes, and she blinked them away as best she could so her mascara would not run and make her look like a raccoon. "The reason I had not been able to part the veil was because the good mystics of Avalon wanted to punish me for not cementing the Goddess' place in the halls of Camelot. The mystics not backing Morgan Le Fay, I mean. That's why Merlin and I run hot and cold sometimes. And in the end, that's why I'd much rather be with you in a bar in the Canadian wilderness than here amongst the glitter and gilt and finery that is more jail than jewel to me."

"I know," Logan whispered back as he reached up and caught one tear as it fell. "We still got that date ahead of us, you know."

"Yes, maybe this time we'll actually get to have it and not be interrupted by my family, the Avengers or the Neo throwing a war in the streets," Kari sighed as she saw some of her siblings who had just arrived for the gala. "We better find our seats before Donal goes and eats everything in sight. Between him and Tytanic, there may be no food left in a matter of minutes." 

TBC Kari & Logan n the feast thread

TBC everyone else here

[Emma Frost]

Emma stood and stared at Sebastian with her mouth agape and temper flaring. If one looked hard enough, they likely could see the waves of psionic energy rolling off her as she just stood there dumbfounded, but then she composed herself and picked up where she left off. "If you have an offer for me, Sebastian, it's one you can make right in front of Scott. I'm sure he'd be very interested in hearing it as well."

As she folded her arms, the White Queen could feel the room turning toward her. She seemed to be, at least to the casual observer, going against the most magnanimous of souls, but she knew Sebastian a bit better than most. Scott was well aware that Emma had been in some form of a relationship with the former Black King in the past, so she was not afraid of Sebastian airing any dirty laundry.

"And as for your psionic guards, I knew that would be the case before we all waltzed in here, Sebastian. Who helped you learn the value of a good psi-block? It certainly wasn't Madelyne or Selene. Now, are you serving the roast pheasant, or are you going for something a bit simpler?"

Emma looked back at Scott and then to Madelyne again. It would have to be Madelyne. Could she not escape insufferable redheads for at least one night?

"Or are you afraid you'll be eating crow before the night is over, Sebastian?"

[sebastianshaw]

Sebastian Shaw kept his smile as  Emma Frost showed her stubborn side.  It was well expected and anticipated.  The two had a past and Emma Frost left the Hellfire Club not on the best of terms.  Her mutant student Hellions were murdered by the young Upstarts in a game.  Sebastian Shaw had been a target himself, seemingly murdered at the hand of his own son.  But Shinobi Shaw was no Black King, and certainly no Lord Imperial.  His little game was his own undoing, and Sebastian Shaw had his revenge.  He took the life of his own son.

Emma Frost was taken in, in her time of need, to the X-Men.  What transpired after that, Sebastian Shaw had no idea.  He found it humorous that Emma Frost had taken the place of the deceased Jean Grey when many years ago the two engaged in an epic battle, nearly claiming the White Queen's life.  And now, Emma Frost is claiming Jean Grey's husband.  It was a comedy.

"But of course, Emma!  The offer is for him as well.  Let the plebians eat whatever they like." He made a wave of his hand, signalling that he did not care for their banter.  It was as if Sebastian Shaw didn't care for the Gala extravagance anymore, not the same prideful Sebastian Shaw.  He ignored Emma Frost's jab, but instead offered "I could have the chef offer us your favorite.  I'm sure it has been a while..."

"Let us banter no more.  The Hellfire Club is part of who you are, whether you want to admit it or not.  Let me help you.  I have much to offer."

[Emma Frost]

Emma held her breath until the simpering Madelyne left with Jessie and Ewan for the dining area. She just glared at Sebastian for a moment, wondering what exactly he was going on about as the rest of the party shifted rooms. Soon it seemed to be just Emma, Sebastian and Scott standing there. That did not bode well.

"If you are offering to help us with the school, Sebastian, please. I think that quite unnecessary at this time," The former White Queen retorted as she looked at the Lord Imperial.  "And I doubt any offer would come without strings the length of the cables on the George Washington Bridge attached to it."

Emma took a deep breath as she looked up to Scott. She could tell Sebastian was looking them over as they stood there, likely wondering all the while if this really was what Emma truly wanted or if she had just settled for Jean Grey's sloppy seconds.

"Perhaps we need to know more about this offer, Sebastian? I am perfectly content to eat with the rest of the gathering, but if you would like to adjourn to another room to discuss this, then let's do so before your beloved Gray King of London comes poking his nose into things. Your office, then?"

[Deleted]

Sage was not pleased that, once she got to where she was supposed to meet Roberto DaCosta, she was told he had already left for the Hellfire Club gala. Of course he did. She was hours late getting to him. She should have let Madison Jeffries send that team off to the Crystal Palace himself. 

"Now to find Roberto before things go off the rails ever further than they...have..." Sage said to herself as she saw Emma and Scott talking to Sebastian Shaw. "And this day has become even more insane than I feared."

Sage moved through the crowd that was heading for the dining room and made her way to the trio. "Good evening, Sebastian," Sage said as she nodded to Scott and Emma. "Pardon my delay. Scott, I'll need to fill you in on something later."

[Darcy Litwack]

Darcy's stomach growled and she tugged on Phil's arm. "Babe, let's go eat something," she said with a bit of demand in her voice. Honestly, this chick that was trying to get all up on her man was starting to bother her. Not only that but Phil was smiling an awful lot back at her. No way in hell was she going to lose her man to this skank.

Phil continued to chat with the woman a little more and then finally looked at Darcy, " ... yes, let's go get some food." He turned back to the woman and gave her another smile. "I hope to chat more with you later," he said with a slight nod and then walked away with Darcy.

"Oh, I bet you wanna chat more with her lately ..." she said with a roll of her eyes. "You were openly flirting with her! "

" I wasn't," Phil said with a shake of his head.

"Uh, yeah you were! It was like the longer you stood there with her the more flirty you got," Darcy punched him in the arm. "Let's just go get some food. I'm a beast if I'm not fed."

TBC Phil and Darcy to the Feast thread

[sebastianshaw]

Sebastian Shaw chuckled.  "The school?" he laughed.  "No no no, my dear Emma.  Nothing of the sort.  Despite the title of "Queen", you are certainly thinking too small.  I am talking about the world.  The mutant cause.  The X-Men have nearly succeeded in Xavier's dream.  Mutant kind has been able to openly live with humans side by side."  Shaw could see the weary look in Emma's eye.

"But you are right.  I, above all else, am a capitalist.  If I help mutant kind, think of how many mutants will feel obligated to help me... Shaw Industries stock prices would reach an all time high, but more than that, I would have something to dedicate myself to.  Something less dull than the daily dealings within the Club or even the company."

Sebastian Shaw was smiling.  He was being as open as he could.  Laying it all on the table, relatively.  He didn't mention the suspected return of the Black Queen or what the title of Lord Imperial and the Gray King of London's support had to do with it. Emma Frost knew the power they held.  They had spies in every covert organization in the world.  They started wars in developing countries for fun.  It was evil and sadistic, but no one could deny the power the club had over the world.

"You and Summers think about it.  We will rendevouz at a later time when you've had time to dream about what I can do for you and, more importantly, mutant kind.  Go, feast with the others.  I don't care to lower myself to their standards."  He sneered looking into the dining room at the likes of Jubilee, Dazzler, and so many of the young X-Men he didn't quite recognize other then the news.  He had made his point to Emma.  She, and the X-Men as a whole, knew that with their power, the cause would be accomplished.  But he was sure, Emma Frost would be hard pressed to get her hands dirty.



Before Shaw turned and made his way back to his quarters where his date awaited his presence, he caught the eye of his once trusted advisor, Tessa.  his brows immediately furrowed at the reminder of her betrayal.  She had stayed by his side through the darkest of times, even as he sacrificed Jean Grey's soul at the hands of the mighty Phoenix.  She was no X-Man by any standards.  "Tessa," he growled, fist clenched as he watched her every step until she was no longer in sight.

[Emma Frost]

OOC: NPCing Scott in Ray's absence. And no, no gamer for Sunspot. Just needed a reference point for future plot.--K

Emma could tell Scott was about as pleased as any man might be as they looked at Sebastian. The new Lord Imperial often spoke in riddles and hyperboles. "The world? Sebastian, if you have the world on a string, why in the world would you give it away. You wouldn't, would you? Especially not to us. We will mull over your musings. I can assure you of that."

The White Queen glanced at Sage as she pulled Scott to the side for a moment. She tapped Sebastian on the arm and pulled him aside as well. "I won't keep you from your guest," she sniffed as she nodded toward Shaw's chambers. "But I will do one thing. I know you think Michael Priest is the latest in a long string of happy little puppet allies, all shiny and new and ready to jump when you say the magic word. Do not trust him. Any version of him. I may not be your greatest friend anymore, Sebastian, but even I don't want to see you fall prey to the likes of him..."

Before Emma could continue, she telepathically felt Scott wince and then heard a very loud "WHAT!" come from his direction.  "You lost Roberto? And a team did what?"

"Whatever that is, Sebastian, it is nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over. Unless, of course, you have Roberto DaCosta sitting in your office or tied up in the catacombs or something. Have you seen him at all? Or has he had the good sense to walk away?" 

[Deleted]

Sage looked at Cyclops and tried to explain to him, in the most matter-of-fact ways about Erinyes and Major Domo taking a team to go find her brothers, but the whole issue of Roberto DaCosta being a no-show seemed to be the more pressing thing at the moment. She and Scott chatted to the side while Emma and Shaw had a little gabfest of their own, but then things went decidedly bad as the chandelier in the foyer started to rock back and forth overhead.

"Perhaps we should continue this chat later, Scott?" Tessa said as she looked over at Shaw for his reaction. "I take it this is not part of the show, Sebastian? I mean, you just rebuilt the mansion, correct? Did you hire inferior workmen to handle the restoration?" 

[Emma Frost]

Emma looked back at Sage and wanted to pay more attention to the Roberto issue, but the swinging chandelier made that impossible. Slowly the group in the foyer could hear screaming from inside the ballroom, and then a throng of party goers made a break for the main doors.

"Scott, something is going on with the mystics," Emma said to Scott as she tapped her temple. "Sebastian, this is what you get for letting Michael Priest help run the show!"

Emma started to run through the exiting masses, turning to diamond form with each advancing step. She got to the doorway and could not believe what she was seeing. "Scott! Sage! We have demon central in here!"

[Mrs Maureen Brown]

"Thank heaven we made it out of that room!" Mrs. Brown said as she stayed close to Mr. Dragotti. "What on earth is going on in there?"

"Emma! Cyclops! We have time fissures all over the banquet room," Kendra said as she pulled up short and stood next to the White Queen. "And before anyone asks, Ma and Priest are targets in this mess. Somebody may be in the basement playing magick games."

"Master Jack said the same thing," Mrs. Brown added as she looked at Ms. Frost all in her fancy diamond form. "Mr. Dragotti, I guess we should head outside unless you don't think its safe out there either."

 

[Craig Dragotti]

Mr. Dragotti ceased running and tried to catch his breath. He smiled when he saw Cyclops and Emma. He turned to Mrs. Brown and faced her. ''Good idea, Mrs. Brown. At least I'll be able to protect you with my pyrokinesis outside. Hopefully there won't be a bunch of people once we get out. I'm still a bit worried about Jack.''

[Mrs Maureen Brown]

"As I am sure Master Jack is worried about us," Mrs. Brown replied to Mr. Dragotti as they headed for the main doors. "Your powers would be no good in here, I'm afraid. And I am skillet-less, so I am not much good in the first place for fending off these creatures."

Mrs. Brown saw Sage standing off to the side loading a gun. That was her cue to get out the door as quickly as possible. Mrs. Brown hated guns.

"I think we can make it outside now," Mrs. Brown said as she looked out the open doors and into the street. "Maybe you want to have your fire ready, sir? Just in case, I mean?" she asked Mr. Dragotti.

 

[Craig Dragotti]

''Where are the house fairies when we need them? Maybe they could help us with the battle,'' Craig said. He saw Sage with the gun. ''Maybe fairies aren't needed after all.'' Turning to Mrs. Brown, he opened his palms and concentrated. Fire formed on both palms just in case.