Hellfire Gala: Feast Fit for a King

[Jubilee]

"Jono, maybe we better see where Alison went to? And fast," Jubilee said as she saw Mr. Dragotti and Sasha more or less squaring off for the night. "Guys, it's going to be OK. Trust me!"

Why on earth anyone would actually trust Jubilee at the moment was besides the point. People were flying overhead, and there were people getting testy in the seats below as well. What could Jubilee do to make this whole party more of a party?

"Oh, what I would not give for a good old PAF right about now," she muttered as she tried to think of some silly party trick to amuse the slightly edgy group at her table. "I know."

"No knock knock jokes," Jono grumbled as Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Your jokes aren't funny."

"No, no jokes," Jubilee said as she grimaced at her Gen X and New Warriors teammate. "I was going to try to grab a celebrity. What kind of party is this if Paris Hilton isn't here?"

Jubilee looked at Sasha and Mr. Dragotti and prayed they would be civil to each other. "Did you guys see any celebrities hanging around here?" she asked as the room started to go quiet. "What? It wasn't me," she said as she saw the woman in the white dress and her group of bodyguards. "Any idea who she is, guys?"


 

[Sydney MacLeod]

"Thanks for snagging a table, John!" Sydney said as she and Maureen finally found Tytanic. The goofy entertainment and a minor scuffle between some of the Buckland students and the Xavier's crew had kept the ladies from reaching John sooner. "Pot roast! Oh that sounds great."

Sydney looked back toward where Severus was sitting, and she made sure not to make eye contact. He was holding court and was likely happy as a clam. Well, happy for Severus at any rate.

"I didn't know we'd have this Carnivale feeling to the evening," Sydney said as she pointed overhead. "It reminds me of Venice. Just without the stinky odor coming from the canals. That would be a big bummer."

As she sat down, Sydney looked down at the gold powder on the floor and moved a bit around with her foot. "OK, I know Shaw has enough money to buy half of Manhattan, but this seems such a waste. Glitter would have worked just as well. Or better yet, put the money into the food and drinks!," she said as she looked back toward her dinner companions. "John, how did the X-Men get invited to this anyway? I thought you folks and the Hellfire Club were not exactly drinking buddies."

 

[Craig Dragotti]

*Disregard Sasha. Imagine he isn't present at all* Mr. Dragotti thought. Though Sasha was difficult to miss due to his mask. He glanced up at the acrobats. *Hopefully one of the acrobats won't fall on the table* he thought. Craig noticed Jubilee again. ''I have no idea who the woman is, Jubilee.''

[Sasha Sadovsky]

*Behave yourself, Sasha* the ex-button man thought. It was difficult to disregard Mr. Dragotti when he was right next to him. He noticed Jubilee glancing at him. ''I don't think I saw any celebrities here yet.'' Sasha began to worry about Alison again. ''Alison has been gone for a very long time.'' 

[Jubilee]

"I'm sure Ali got stopped by autograph seekers, Sasha," Jubilee said with a bright smile as she prayed nothing else was keeping the X-Men's resident pop star away from her dinner date. "I don't see Jamie, Rahne or Rorian either, so maybe they all got caught behind some papos or something? You know. Paparazzi."

Jubilee kept looking through the throng of people to see if Alison was coming to the table, but she seemed to be lost in the crowd. 

"OK, we have no idea who that lady in white is. And no Paris Hilton. Do I need to go troll the streets for some Z list celebutantes or something? And yeah, Jono, I know. We are headed to the kiddy table party anyway, so I should just go with the flow.  OK, young adult party. But come on. Zac Efron? Harry Styles? Prince William? Just no Lindsay Lohan or Justin Bieber. Puleez!"

 

[Chieftain]

"Goddess," was all Zach mumbled under his breath as he saw the trapeze artists overhead. "This place looks like a disaster waiting to happen," he said to Erin, Maeve and Cassie as they walked into the room. He stopped momentarily when he felt another sibling close by. He was a bit more sensitive than some of his other siblings when newcomers arrived, and tonight was no exception. "Excuse us for interrupting," he said as he led the women with him over to Alexia and Ada. "Sister?" he asked as he stretched his hand out to her. "My name is Zachary, and I have come a long way to meet you."

[Sasha Sadovsky]

''Alison being stopped by autograph seekers makes sense,'' Sasha said in a thoughtful tone. He had to smile at Jubilee's way with words. He thought they were quite amusing. Sasha tried to remember who Rorian and Jamie were. Rahne seemed very familiar to him. He was so distracted by Jubilee's words that he forgot about Mr. Dragotti sitting next to him.

[Craig Dragotti]

Mr. Dragotti wondered if Jubilee understood why he and Sasha refused to speak with one another. If only she knew about their past. Although there was no way of knowing if Sasha already blabbed about his history with him. Refusing to see Sasha, he turned to Jack. ''At least none of the performers are falling on the table yet,'' Mr. Dragotti said with a smile. He frowned since he probably shouldn't have said such a thing.

[Jubilee]

"Hmmm," Jubilee said as she looked toward the ceiling again. "Maybe we can prevent any of those acrobats from taking a seat in the fishy soup or whatever the heck they are serving tonight."

"You mean vichyssoise, and that's made with potatoes, savvy?" Jack replied as he looked at a now exasperated Jubilee. "What? That is what you meant, right?"

"No, I meant bouillabaisse. Surprise! The Cali mall rat does know a thing or two about food. OK, thanks to Emma and Monet I do. Logan, too, for that matter. But maybe one of the wizardly folks can whip up a spell and keep the Flying Karamazov Brothers and Sisters out of the dinner plates. Professor Snape, can you whammy a don't drop in your soup spell or something?"

"Severus is likely a tad too busy keeping an eye on his students to be worried about anyone dropping into your dinner," Finola Marlowe said as she made her way over to the group. "Hello, Jack. Hello Craig," she said softly as she eyed the performers and sent a bunch of lavender-colored runes flying around the room. "There. That should do the trick."

"Thank you!" Jubilee said with a big grin as she looked back at Sasha and Mr. Dragotti. "Now, if they would just serve the food already. Are you guys as hungry as I am?"

 

[Sasha Sadovsky]

''Why would anyone assume it's a good idea for acrobats to perform over supper guests?'' Sasha asked. He tilted his head at the mention of food he didn't know about. Then again, he wasn't so sure if others were very familiar with Russian food. Sasha's eyes widened in interest when Jubilee hinted about the acrobats' country of origin. ''The performers are Russian like me?'' he asked in a fascinated tone. He seemed awe struck when Finola sent runes flying around the room.   

[Craig Dragotti]

''Vichyssoise?'' Craig Dragotti muttered in confusion. He shook his head in confusion after Jubilee mentioned bouillabaisse. He grinned for a few moments. ''My wife would have loved the mall. She was a bit materialistic at times.'' A frown replaced his grin as his shoulders slumped. Two tears slid down his face until he used a gloved finger to wipe them away. He turned to Finola and nodded at her.

Craig's eyes were wide with shock as soon as Finola sent runes flying around the room. *What a unique ability!* he thought. He faced Jubilee and smiled at her. ''I'm starving!'' he exclaimed.  

[Jack Sparrow]

"I know why we have the overhead nonsense now," Jack said as he clapped his hands together in excitement. "This is Michael Priest, the Gray King of London, reliving his past. He used to be a bit of a big deal on the party circuit back in the day. He was in Venice once, and someone..."

"Likely Kari or Enya," Finola added as Jack nodded in agreement.

"Yes, one of them. At any rate, Priest was always one for spectacles like this. Wasn't he, Francesca?" Jack asked as the woman looked visibly shaken for a moment. "What? Oh no. Are you all still feuding over...what is your niece's name?"

"Spencer. No, we are not," the Italian woman replied as she stared at Jack. "I just remembered something unpleasant from days gone by. And my brother Marco suggested the aerialists. He was likely trying to outdo Michael."

"As he usually tries to do," Jack added with a wave of his hand. "Well, he does. Craig, I think we won't have to wait much longer," the pirate noted as huge trays of food were being brought to the tables. "Finally!" 

[Craig Dragotti]

''Michael Priest is the reason why acrobats might fall on the table?'' Mr. Dragotti asked in disbelief. He frowned and shook his head in a disapproving way. ''I yearn to be with my wife again, but you don't see me bringing her corpse to the supper table.'' Mr. Dragotti heard what the Italian woman said about Marco. He looked sheepish. ''Oh! My apologies for griping like that,'' he said in a sincere tone. Huge trays of food suddenly distracted him.

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha faced his ex-employer and glowered behind his mask. ''You're not the only one who lost someone you loved, Mr. Dragotti! Crybaby Craig! That's what I should call you from now on!'' he snapped. Sasha would have never stood up to his employer in the past. He guessed the present was a bit different. Since he refused to see Mr. Dragotti, he had no idea how the other man reacted.

[Jessie Grey]

Jessie sat with the Red Queen and Ewan waiting for dinner to be served. She could see some in her family were keeping a eye on her.....Or maybe it wasn't her but perhaps her mother. While they waited she spoke to her telepathically. {"Mother I have to ask you something that's been on my mind. Have you seen or felt Selene since you've been here? Since....Well the run in we had on the astral plane I have been wondering what her interest is with me? I think honestly you came along at the right time as my family is already concerned about.....Well my situation."} She said knowing full well the Red Queen would understand what she meant.

[chryseis]

Alexia had a big smile on her face as she pushed Zachary's hand aside and engulfed him in a big hug. "And I am glad to meet you brother." She said with joy in her tone. She made sure not to hug him too tight with her strength she didn't want to injure him.

"So your aunt Kari's and Thor's daughter?.............."Erin said speaking up as Alexia turned to the vampiress. "Indeed I am." She said with a smile.

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha turned to many trays of food. Was he a bit more brave near Mr. Dragotti now that the latter no longer ordered him around? Perhaps he could chat with Jubilee in Alison's stead. Jubilee seemed like a fairly easy going person. Although she didn't resemble his mother, she was still someone he could probably confide in. What kind of food to choose first?

[Craig Dragotti]

Mr. Dragotti's eyes widened in shock when Sasha insulted him. Instead of crying, he scowled at Sasha. ''I KNOW your mother died, Sasha! You revealed that fact before I employed you months ago,'' he snapped. Mr. Dragotti focused on food instead of the masked ex-button man. He decided to let Mrs. Brown and Jack have first pick of food.

[Nephilim]

Thom had really not wanted to go to this party, but something kept gnawing at the back of his mind about all this, and he finally broke down and decided to attend. He had been keeping a low profile as he moved through the throng of party goers until he saw his Aunt Maeve and Erin. Then he saw some tall blonde woman hugging Zachary and felt the familiar tug of the family binding and knew she was another sister. He knew Galen would show up soon enough with Andie, and then...

"Thom! Get over here!" Zach yelled as he let Alexia continue to hug him. "This is Alexia. Alexia, this is another brother, Thom. His home is this world we are in now."

Thom snapped out of his momentary trance and made his way over to his siblings. "A true pleasure," he said as he came over and kissed Alexia on the cheek and then hugged her as Zach stepped back. "I don't mean to be the party pooper, but I have a bad feeling about all this. I saw Loki, and I saw Aro and heaven knows who else. I think we all need to be on our guards. There are so many of us here that could be in the cross hairs if we are not careful."

"Thom is a worrier," Zach said as he smiled at Alexia. "But he may have a point," he said as he motioned to the table where Jessie was sitting near Maddie Pryor.  

 

[Jubilee]

Jubilee's eyes grew wide as Mr. Dragotti and Sasha started to have verbal fisticuffs while the food was being brought to the tables. "Guys, please, for tonight, let's all try to focus on the food and the fact the dudes and dudettes flying overhead are not dropping in our dinner dishes. I know things between you guys in the past were likely pretty crazy from all you said. I know it won't be easy. But let's give it a try?"

Jono just shook his head as he watched Jubilee try to play peacemaker with two of the newest X-Men. Jubilee looked over at him as if to ask for help, but Jono gave her a look that said this was going to be her job for the night. "I'm going to see if I can find Alison for you, Sasha," Jono said as he got up from the table and started to walk out of the room. "I bet Perez Hilton or someone from MTV snagged her."

"Yeah, Ali always gives great interviews," Jubilee added as the waiter brought over a tray with samplings of pot roast, chicken and salmon. "Help yourself, Sasha," she said as she pointed toward a plate with the chicken dish on it. 

[Jack Sparrow]

"Mrs. Brown, after you," Jack said as he motioned for the waiter to present the tray to his housekeeper. "Craig, please feel free to find what interests you on the tray. I'm fine with whatever selections remain," the pirate added as he looked back at Finola and Severus for a moment. Jack knew a thing or two about Shakespeare's blonde muse, and one of them was the fact she actually thought of that snarling wizard Snape as a friend.  That still made Jack a bit confused to this day, but then again, he had some rather odd friends himself. "And I think Tia Dalma and Danny have found another table to dine at, Craig. Good. I know she can be a bit hard to get used to, even if she is looking more friendly in person than her mirror apparition does."

Jack looked at Francesca and wondered if she would join their party for dinner. "Will you be joining us tonight? There is enough room at the table. Or do you have to go babysit Marco?"

"Yes, I will join you," Francesca said as she looked to see if Antonia and Marco were anywhere in the vicinity. "Marco has his own duties this evening, and Antonia is going to help Spencer later with the youth ball."

"Craig, would you like some wine? I can get the waiter to come over," Jack asked as he looked past Finola and Severus toward one of the wine stewards in the distance.

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha turned to Jubilee. ''It's difficult to ignore past wounds, but I guess I can try.'' He faced Jono after the latter addressed him. He tilted his head in interest as soon as Jono offered to locate Alison. ''Thank you,'' he said to Jono. The chicken seemed to interest Sasha the most. Something about the juicy meat appealed to him. He took some of the poultry and placed it on a plate.

The ex-mobster slid his mask up a few more inches. *If I focus on Mr. Dragotti any longer, I'll lose my appetite!* he thought. He took a bite of chicken. He nodded to exhibit his approval.  

[Craig Dragotti]

Mr. Dragotti glanced at Jubilee for a moment. ''Try being Sasha's employer for a day. Maybe then you'll know why it's impossible to get along with him,'' he said. He faced Jack and smiled at him. ''Thank you, my friend,'' he said. His smile became a grin after wine was offered. ''I would love some wine, Jack. Thank you,'' he said to the pirate.

[Elijah]

If life were considered a dance, then Elijah had been dancing a very long time indeed. A vampire of very old stock, the dark haired child of the night had been moving about the edges of this silly gathering for most of the evening so far. He had nodded to Queen Aleera in passing, and he had avoided Aro like the plague. He had someone he had to seek out in the middle of this sea of people, and he finally found the table where he was sitting.

"Ewan,  why are you hiding all the way back here?" Elijah asked as his former protege stood up and hugged him. Elijah glanced at Jessie and Madelyne and nodded to them both. "My name is Elijah. Ewan and I go very far back."

"Elijah saved my life more than once in the past," the Irishman said as he turned back to Jessie and her mother. "And my beloved Jessie has done more to save it now than most would understand. Elijah, I am pleased to present to you Jessie Grey and her mother, Madelyne Pryor."

"It is an honor," Elijah said as he reached out and took Jessie's hand, kissing it softly as he nodded to the young woman. He then followed suit with Madelyne. "May I join you?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Ewan said as Elijah moved to an open chair near Madelyne.

"How do you find the evening so far, Jessie?" Elijah asked as he glanced up at the overhead entertainers and chuckled. "Seems a bit over the top, but then again, I guess they need to impress to raise money."

[Alison Blaire]

OOC: Karen here, now putting on her snazzy Ali Blaire persona. As soon as Stephanie comes back, I'll hand back Ali.

IC:

"Oh my God!" Dazzler said as she made her way to where Sasha was sitting and sat down next to him. "There was this...this...maniac back there. I couldn't even go to the bathroom because he was asking me to sign a ton of merchandise. One of the security guards tossed him out. He apparently snuck in with the catering crew.  I'm OK, but yikes! I thought security would be tighter at an event like this." 

"And here I thought Perez Hilton or Carson Daly had grabbed you for an interview!" Jubilee said as she looked between Ali and Sasha. "Sasha, I hope I was good company while Ali was away. Hey wait a sec. Ali, did you see Jono? He went to look for you."

"No, not at all," Dazzler replied to Jubilee as she turned to Sasha and then saw Craig at the table as well. She blinked for a minute and then took a deep breath. "We got the fun table, huh? Thanks for saving me a seat, Sasha."