Mi Casa, Su Casa--the night of the Hellfire gala

[Jack Sparrow]

Jack had not truly been himself since that mess at the docks. In the end the X-Men had saved many, many lives, but Jack was still haunted by the faces of those who had died. 

Mrs. Brown had kept everything in fine working order for himself and Craig, but Jack felt that things were still off. He was going to address the issue when that silly little envelope showed up inviting him, of all people, to the Hellfire Gala. He was damned if he was going to go to it alone, so he finagled an invitation for Craig as well. 

"Mrs. Brown! Must I wear this silly tuxedo? Can't I just wear my best waistcoat? Surely I can get away with it. I've seen that man Shaw looking like he was one of us in his britches and all."

"Master Jack, you look splendid. This is the tuxedo you had back in the day. The one you said you wore when Miss Kari married the police detective. O'Malley, wasn't it?" the housekeeper said as she fixed the pips on her employer's shirt. "These cufflinks are quite beautiful. Now, where is Mr. Dragotti?"

"I would think he is in his room, Mrs. Brown," Jack replied as he fussed with his cumberbund.

[Craig Dragotti]

Craig Dragotti stepped out of his chamber until he saw Jack with Mrs. Brown and approached them. The sight of Jack
the pirate wearing a tuxedo caused him to smile and laugh a tiny bit. He never thought he would observe his associate
in anything other than pirate garments. ''My apologies for sudden laughter, Jack. I usually view you wearing regular
buccaneer outfits. Your tuxedo is a bit of a shock to me.''

[Jack Sparrow]

"Oh, Craig, I would laugh if I saw myself this way, too!" Jack replied as Mrs. Brown finished fixing his cufflinks. "I don't wear this sort of thing very often, and you can see why!"

"Master Jack, you look splendid!" Mrs. Brown added as she then walked over to Mr. Dragotti. "Sir, is there anything you need before you head off to this party?"

"We need our transportation! Where is Alastair? Oh wait. You did tell me before. What did he say, Mrs. Brown?"

"Mr. Blackwell said he was going to have to pass up on the party. Melkir has him on some secret assignment," Mrs Brown replied as she waited for Mr. Dragotti's reply. "But he left one of his portal stones."

"If needed we could always go to the base and portal out with everyone else," Jack replied as he fussed with his jacket yet again. "Craig, would you like to go directly to the party, or would you prefer to meet up with the X-Men first?"

 

[Craig Dragotti]

''I was so worried about offending you!'' Mr. Dragotti exclaimed with relief. He shook his head back and forth after Mrs. Brown wished to know if he needed anything. He adjusted his usual tie and vest very quickly. ''We could meet up with the X-Men first, but I'm fine either way,'' he said. Craig Dragotti's eyes widened in horror the minute he remembered his button men were X-Men as well. ''Let's go directly to the party instead, Jack.''

[Jack Sparrow]

"Ah yes. That way Reynard and Sasha won't decide to tag along and cause a fuss," Jack said as he thought about Craig's request to go directly to New York. "I'm sure they have one of those silly receiving lines so we can go say hello to all those Hellfire Club bigwigs."

"They actually had something about it on the news before," Mrs. Brown replied as she handed Master Jack the portal stone. "Some of those movie and theater types will be there. I hope that Bieber boy is not on the guest list!"

"Might do him some good to have the Hellfire Club security kick his arse!" Jack added with a chuckle as he looked at Craig. "Ready to go then?"

[Craig Dragotti]

''I can imagine Reynard and Sasha saying or doing something to humiliate me!'' Craig said while he rolled his eyes. He glanced at Mrs. Brown after she gave Jack a portal stone. ''I'm all prepared to go with you,'' he stated. After adjusting his tie, he walked by the pirate. The Hellfire Club event would certainly be new to him. After one last glance at Mrs. Brown, he departed.

*Exit Mr. Dragotti to Before We Storm the Gates*