Hellfire Gala: Laissez les bon temps rouler!

[Cyclops]

"You're always worth the wait," Scott to Emma as he greeted her into the room. As always, Emma looked immacuate, and he knew tonight it was doubly important for Emma, and for all of them, to look their best and be their best. Previous conflicts aside, tonight would be a stepping stone to the X-Men rebranding themselves in their new home. They had to have a good first impression. They needed it; their species needed it.

Eventually, Scott turned his attention to Major Domo. Though he was surprised that Mojo's companion was here, the idea of it wasn't something that he was opposed to. Domo hadn't done anything to threaten any of them since he arrived, and it wouldn't be the first nor would it be the last time someone from the other side made a home with the X-Men. He nodded to the man, but opted to stay out of his and the others current conversation. No need to repeat what others have stated.

Though if that proposed rescue mission was to go forward one say, he would see to it that no one would be going alone.

"If Alison is anything like you, I'm sure we'll be waiting until next Tuesday." Scott didn't even bother to glance at Emma, knowing full well that she was burning his soul with her eyes. "Kidding."

[Armitage]

"Are we the last one's here?"  Naomi's high heeled shoes clicked and clacked across the floor as she practically sprinted into the room where the others were. It wasn't often that she actually did something social like attend a formal party, and this was something she didn't want to miss. Since she is of the younger generation, she never had any real experience in dealing with the Hellfire Club, so other than second hand stories, she really didn't know what to expect.

"Looks like we're not too late," Julian said as he slid into the room not too long after Naomi. Unlike his current companion, he wasn't in too much of a rush to get to where they were going, he figured that they wouldn't be late anyway. Naomi's insistence in trying to be perfect is the reason why they were this tardy to begin with, and then she felt like rushing. Girls and their mismanagement of time.

"Sorry we're late guys, I couldn't figure out what to wear," Naomi said as she glanced around the room to get a visual on just how many people were going.

"I'm just glad you stuck to digging through your closet. Lord knows how long you would've taken if you started fumbling through other girls closets." The look Armitage shot Hellion was more than enough to make his head explode, so he quickly diverted his eyes away his date for the night. "Don't act like it isn't true though."

[Tytanic]

"It's okay Summers, your second insurance policy is here!" Dressed as sharply as everyone else who already assembled, John came strolling into the room with a sizable smile on his face. Unlike the others, he didn't have all day to get ready for this gala, as he was doing community service work in town; helping construction crews repair the damage done by those Purifier attacks awhile back (mostly the damage he caused by smashing thing) and anything else the city needed help working on.

It was part of Cyclops' plan to get California to accept the X-Men as their premiere superhero force by helping out in dealing with the small problems before tackling larger issues. That, and he also went out to do cliche superhero work like preventing car accidents and some small time crimes across the bay bridge.

And after a quick shower a clothing change, he was here. "Thanks for joining us," Scott said to Johnathan as he patted him on the back. "I figured we could use the extra muscle, just in case. The rest of us are far more public and well known than he is, so if anything happens, they won't be expecting him."

"You have contingency plans for rich people parties?"

"I have contingency plans for a lot of things."

[Emma Frost]

"I'm sure Alison is just putting on her finishing touches," Emma said after Scott made his comment about Dazzler arriving long after the party was over.  "I'm sure someone asked her to take part in that party for the younger attendees. Why not ask the preeminent mutant singer to perform if one has the chance." 

Emma glanced over at Sasha and wondered if he would be escorting Alison to the party. She then smirked as she saw Logan in a tuxedo. That was a sight she would never get used to.

"Julian, Naomi, you both look wonderful," Emma added as she turned back to Hellion and Armitage. "I'm sure you will both make a grand impression on those attending the party. Please watch out for the other students who might not be as versed in either public presentation or, dare I say it, common sense if they party too much."
  

 

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha was quick to notice Naomi as she entered the room. *She looks very nice!* he thought. After noticing John and nodding at him, he focused on the floor. He looked up after Emma mentioned Alison and walked to her. ''I hope Alison is OK,'' he said. Sasha began to pace back and forth due to anxiety.

[Major Domo]

Major Domo's eyes widened in anxiety when Cyclops faced him. Cyclops had been one of the X-Men Mojo imprisoned in the past. The android had no idea if the X-Man recalled his minutes as one of Mojo's slaves. After viewing the other fellow's nod, his sigh was one of relief. *Perhaps Cyclops doesn't remember his time in the Mojoverse. That's good to know* he thought.  

[Erinyes]

Erinyes watched Cyclops and couldn't help but feel a bit off as she glanced at him. She might have been picking up on changes in his aura or something, but it was making her uncomfortable. She would never try to scan his mind because of his connection to the telepathic Emma Frost. That would be a suicidal move.

"I wonder when they will leave for their party?" she said Major Domo as Kitty Pryde came into the room with her dragon Lockheed hovering close by. "I wonder if everyone besides us is going to this event? I would think not, but I'm not the one making these decisions."

[Major Domo]

Major Domo shrugged after Erinyes wondered when various X-Men would depart for the party. ''I'm afraid I'm not a telepath. I am unable to read their minds and discover when they will go to the party,'' he said. He began to squint at the sight of Kitty Pryde. There was something familiar about her. Domo tried to remember if he saw her during a past battle or not.

*I'm searching my memory for Lockheed the dragon, but he doesn't seem familiar* Major Domo thought. He turned to Erinyes and shrugged again. ''I am certain most of the X-Men are attending this event. Why else would Wolverine wear a tuxedo?'' A tiny grin formed on his face at the sight of Wolverine clad in fancy garments. On the other hand, he hoped Wolverine never heard him and chose to use his claws to tear his mechanical body apart!  

[dazzler]

"I'm here, guys!" Alison said as she walked into the room.  She walked over to the mini bar and grabbed a bottle of water.  "My publicist wanted to go over a few things with me.  For some reason he's really worried about this Hellfire event."  She shrugged.

"If he only knew the real Hellfire Club, right?"  she laughed a bit and then walked over to Sasha, sitting down next to him.  "Sorry to keep you waiting.  You look nice tonight."

The phone rang and Keillia answered it.

"I'm really glad I wasn't asked to perform for the HFC.  I would have had to say no," Alison said, leaning back a bit.

"Guys, that was Rorian Xavier.  She said that instead of coming here, she'll just meet up with us at the gala," Keillia said as she hung up the phone.

"Gosh, Rorian Xavier ...  I haven't seen her in ages," Alison said with a nod of her head.  "I'll be nice to see her again."

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha smiled behind his mask the minute Alison appeared. He had to admit he wasn't quite familiar with the Hellfire Club. He grinned after she complimented him. ''Thank you, Alison. You look nice as well,'' he said. The three piece-suit-clad man tilted his head at the mention of Rorian Xavier. His shrug indicated that he had no idea who she was.

[Major Domo]

''Let the X-Men attend the party. More time for us to plan the rescue, Erinyes.'' Major Domo glanced at everyone in the area and frowned. Part of him was still anxious about not being by Mojo. He was well aware of Mojo's rage since he experienced abuse a few times. Then again, at least he didn't have to hear the Spineless One's constant rants about ratings.

[Goddess]

"Pete, maybe you and I should head there first to look the place over?" Dana said as she set down her drink and looked to see if anyone had opened a portal yet. "I'm glad Rorian will be going. It must be horrible for her since the Professor passed away. Maybe this will get her mind off it for a little while."

Dana looked at her sister Kari and frowned. "Well, are we opening the portal yet?"

"I know why you want to go back to New York so fast," Kari said with a grin. "So you and Pete can go to that pub you like if things get boring. Can't say I blame you."

"Well, honestly, how long can we make nice with that lot?" Dana said as she looked over at Pete and shook her head. "I'm opening the portal. And I know, Emma. The press will be all over this event like fleas on a dog." Dana rolled her eyes as she made some funny hand gesture to Pete. "Oy, I say we stay half an hour and then leave."

[Blackthorn]

"Andie, I hope you didn't mind going the round about way to get here," Galen said as he and his date stepped into the rec room with the rest of the people going to the party. "I wanted a bit of time alone with you before we headed out to this event. You are a vision, and I am honored that you agreed to go with me. I'm just sorry that friend of Finn's grabbed me to help fix his tie. Poor lad has not the foggiest clue about tuxedos."

Galen looked to see if Gideon and Deirdre were in the room, but they had not arrived as yet. "And it figures Gideon is late. Any other time the man is punctual, but tonight he's late. I just want tonight to be perfect."

As he turned to see who else was there, Galen caught sight of his mother and Logan. "I have a feeling my mother is none too happy about going to this, but i can assure you it has nothing to do with anyone in this room. Michael Priest is Gray King of London's Hellfire branch, and you know how my mother gets about him."

[Erinyes]

"Finally," Erinyes said under her breath as the woman named Dana opened the portal. "All this playing dress up is making me nervous. Even if I'm not the one dressing up."

As she saw more people gathering to go to this party, Erinyes tried to think of a way to show Major Domo what her world was like. No one else here had ever been to her world as far as she knew. "Perhaps we can check the computer system here once everyone leaves to see if they have any data on my home world? Don't worry. I don't mean to tamper with anything. I won't get us in trouble, Major Domo.  That funny man in the lab might be able to help. Mr. Jeffries. The one with the little yellow robot who always brings him coffee."

"Madison isn't going, so he should be able to help," Kari replied as she looked over at Erinyes. Erinyes nodded in response before looking between Major Domo and the doorway. 

"Once everyone leaves, we'l go. I do not want to get sucked into that portal and end up at some party."

[Major Domo]

''If it makes you feel any better, I'm not exactly dressed up for a fancy party,'' Major Domo said with a small grin. That was when he tugged on the sleeve of his robe. ''I would stick out like a sore thumb even if I do conceal my metal arms. I suppose I could wear gloves and regular garments.'' The gathering probably wouldn't have interested Major Domo to begin with. All he currently cared about was repaying Erinyes for getting him out of Mojo's world.

''Whatever you wish to do, Erinyes. I'm certain the rest of the X-Men will understand why we must check the computer system.'' Major Domo tilted his head to reveal that he had no idea who Mr. Jeffries and the little yellow robot were. ''A little yellow robot who always brings coffee? Is it a slave like me?'' The android nodded after Erinyes said they would depart as soon as everyone left.

[Sasha Sadovsky]

A slight scowl formed on Sasha's face after he noticed Major Domo with Erinyes again. He faced Alison again and muttered. ''Major Domo and his lady friend are up to something! I just know it! They seem as though they are plotting. Hopefully other X-Men will be able to keep their eyes on them while we're gone. It's too bad I can't read lips so that I'll know exactly what they're planning.''

[dazzler]

Alison looked over at Sasha and nodded.  It wasn't that she didn't trust Erinyes; it was the fact that she didn't trust Domo.  He was tied to Mojo, and as much as she wanted to believe that he wasn't working with his master anymore; she couldn't.  "You looked confused when Keillia mentioned Rorian.  She's Professor Xavier and Moira MacTaggart's daughter.  She's been away at college in Massachusetts studying Bio Science.  She's transferring to SFSU and going to be working with Hank McCoy here in the science department.  She's a bit withdrawn since both of her parents are deceased now.  Rahne Sinclair is her best friend," Dazzler whispered.  "She's a nice girl, you'll like her when you get the chance to meet her."

"Are you excited to go to the gala tonight?"  she asked Sasha.

[Pete Wisdom]

"Sounds like a plan to me, luv," Pete said setting his drink down on the table.  He rather not be in the company of the Hellfire Club for very long.  Shaw and Priest were not on his list of faces.  "Hitting up the pub sounds like a lot more fun to me.  A round of shots and game of darts and you're talking right up me alley!!" he chuckled.

"Shots and darts?" Keillia smirked.  "Now that sounds like an interesting combination.  Though I'm not sure I'd want to be anywhere near a plastered Pete with darts in his hand."

"My aim is impeccable!" he said, squinting and throwing an imaginary dart at a painting on the wall.  "Ah, but I guess the Pub will have to wait for another day, eh?  This Hellfire shindig is just an evening right?"

"Unless I missed something about a sleepover on the invite," Keillia joked.  "Then yes, just an evening.  Have you guys started planning the wedding yet?"

Pete shrugged.  "That's more of Dana's department.  Just name the place and time, and I'll try to not show up drunk.  Though at the reception I will not guarantee it," Pete said.  Dana gave him a look and he smirked.  "Just joking, of course!  I'll be a total square."

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Sasha was uncertain if he could count on Major Domo since he was aware of the other man's past. Although he had been a mobster before, he never helped a master enslave others! ''I see about Rorian. At least Rahne is always there for her. I'm certain Rorian and I will get along. I guess as long as she never views my face!'' His face was both grotesque and he dreaded the thought of hurting Rorian with his gorgon-like ability.

The ex-mobster shrugged a tiny bit. ''I'm a bit anxious about going to the gala. Suppose something goes wrong while we're there? I don't wish to see you or others harmed.''

[Chieftain]

Zachary had been very quiet as he stood in a corner by the doorway. He knew Erin and her mother, Maeve, were going to this party, but he would have preferred being more than a glorified clothes rack. He was never a very good dancer, but he had been practicing with some of his female siblings so he would not make a fool of himself at this gathering.

"If you two manage to go to that pub, please, find me," Zach said as he gave his Aunt Dana a hug and then shook Pete's hand. In his world he didn't have an Aunt Dana, but in this world she had quickly become one of his favorite new relatives. "This fussy nonsense makes me cross at times."

"Zach, you're going for Mum,"  Faith said as she made it back into the room. She smiled when she turned and saw Alison with Sasha. "You might need to help keep the peace if Dad gets odd. Why does life have to be so complicated?"

"You're asking a sibling from another world, Faith, so I might not be the best one to answer that," Zach said with a grin  as he saw people getting ready to enter the portal. 

[Erinyes]

Erinyes had to think for a moment about Madison Jeffries' little yellow robot. "I don't think it's a slave, Major Domo. I'm not even sure if it has its own form of intelligence or if it is merely a programmable machine. We can ask when we go to his lab. It looks like a little cube on treds."

"Oh, you mean Madison's little buddy, W?" Kitty asked as she looked over at Erinyes and Major Domo. "He looks like that trash compacting robot in the Disney movie. Wait a sec," Kitty said as she walked over to a shelf and got a DVD case. "Here. WALL-E. Madison's robot look like that." 

Erinyes chuckled as she looked at the DVD case. "I guess TV and movies influence everything everywhere, Major Domo. I wonder what Mojo would do with a little robot like this one?"

[Major Domo]

''It's good to know that not all robots are slaves,'' Major Domo said with a tiny smile. He glanced at the DVD case. ''I see!'' he muttered under his breath. Major Domo rolled his eyes at the thought of Mojo ordering such a little robot around. ''Keep in mind that Spineless Ones such as Mojo are quite lazy, Erinyes and Kitty. Mojo will probably order it to obtain something for him or perhaps even battle to the death in front of audiences.''

[Taranus]

A light mist appeared in the corner of the room and Erin walked out in a yellow dress. The vampiress wasn't normally one for dressing up but the occasion called for it. She looked around the room and gave everyone a slight smile. Her fangs could be seen somewhat but it didn't seem to bother anyone and considering the company it wouldn't.

"Erin you look beautiful. You have your mothers beauty there is no doubt about that."Sean said with a smile before putting his arm around Miri once again.

"Thanks Sean it's a blessing I will say that.....So are we close to leaving? I know mom will be along shortly."

[Sasha Sadovsky]

Perhaps Sasha was worrying for nothing and everyone would be OK. He supposed he could always protect Dazzler if anyone threatened her. He frowned as soon as he saw Erinyes and Major Domo again. If only he was able to read lips so that he had some sort of idea as to what they were saying. *I'll try not to imagine Major Domo and his companion wrecking our home while I'm at the party with Alison. I should focus more on the gathering* Sasha thought.

[Major Domo]

Major Domo frowned when he noticed Sasha's eyes on him. ''That blonde fellow probably assumes we are going to cause trouble, Erinyes,'' he said as he tilted his head at the ex-mobster. He noticed the DVD picture again and seemed neutral. ''I suppose the little robot is cute, but it doesn't seem advanced like me. At least it's not a slave. Does this machine do other things?''