A Night With the Hellfire Club

[Ororo Munroe]

Storm’s eyes narrow imperceptibly. “Then you are from his Brotherhood?” She attempts to keep accusatory tones from her voice. The presumably, the woman was, but she was too pleasant to be one of Magneto’s thugs. Things didn’t add quite up.

> Do you truly command the weather?"

She’s well-informed. I suppose we have files on the Brotherhood, the reverse could certainly be true. “Yes, I do indeed command the weather. For as nearly as long as I can remember, I’ve had the ability to commune with it, bending it to my will. Because of this, I must carefully monitor my emotional state. Changes in that can quickly make the weather turn for the worse.” She takes another sip of her drink.

> "Thank you! Would you like them?"

Storm senses that the Wanda is being completely sincere. Unusual. Generosity such as that is rare. Taking a sudden liking to the woman, she gives her a rare smile. “I couldn’t possibly. Perhaps you could help me find a pair like them, though?"

“Is Magneto here, at the Hellfire Club?” Storm feels the crackle of electric current building within her at the thought, but she quickly dissipates it into the floor, raising the hair of a waiter passing by with a tray. There isn’t going to be an electrocution tonight, Ororo. She’s disappointed, somehow.

[rileyfletcher]

There was a lot of people at this event, and it seemed like more people just keep coming in. I wonder how many people are actually attending to this thing? Riley looked around. She noticed that basically all of the students had made their way to the buffet. She rolled her eyes. She then continued to look around and noticed Storm talking to a woman wearing not every much clothing, but what she was wearing is red. For some reason she seemed familiar and maybe passed her somewhere, but she could remember, and thought maybe she was just imagining it.

Soon Riley saw Magneto, and he was talking to someone. She began to walk over to them, and as she got closer she reconized the voice. It was Sherridane. She heard part of their conversation and it almost seemed like what ever Sherridane said, wasn't really helping himself out. "Digging your grave already?" she asked Sherridane with a slight smile.

Then Riley looked at Magneto. Her blue eyes were standing out because of her white mask. "Are you enjoying your evening?" she asked him casually. She knew right now that the students would notice that she was talking to Magneto and would begin to wonder what is going on, but that was only if they actually reconized Magneto dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera. And a few of them would have heard about what had happened at Xavier's grave, and know that she had talked to Magneto there and was very calm about it.

[nitrous]

The cab pulled up to the manor's curb, and Freddy Kreuger stepped out of the back seat, after paying the cabbie. As he began to walk, the cab pulled away slowly from the curb and drove off into the crowded night. Halloween, not particularly his favorite holiday, but it was alright.

Freddy was on his way to a party, a party hosted by the notorious Hellfire Club, who the public believed, was run by sapien millionaires. In fact, the Hellfire Club was run by an Inner Circle of powerful mutants. If only they knew he thought to himself.

His legs were cramped after the long ride, and the cool October air wasn't helping him get loosened up. Vin wished he could have simply flown there, but if he had, his nice little Freddy Kreuger costume would have been literally burnt to ash. He sighed, the costume was a bit itchy and the mask made his face uncomfortably warm.

As he walked into the manor, he was shocked to see the many costumed people having a good time. Nitrous knew he shouldn't have been suprised, the whole Brotherhood had been ordered to show up by Magneto, and the X-Men had probably been invited as well. Sighing, he looked for a familiar face, which was very hard, being how many of the attending party were wearing a mask.

Grinning, he saw Magneto, cleverly disguised as the Phantom of the Opera. An young woman in a white mask is near him, along with Sherridan. A waiter walked by, and Nitrous grabbed a drink off of his tray. Glass in hand, he walked over to the three, lifting up his mask. The atmosphere in the Club was lively and warming.

"Good evening Boss, Sherridan, and who might you be young lady?" he said.

[rileyfletcher]

While waitting for Magneto and Sherridane to answer her question, a waiter walked by and she took a glass of champagne. She hadn't had champagne in a long time, but took a few sips of it. Riley began to wonder if they reconized her or think she is just some random person coming up to talk to them.

Soon a man dressed as Freddy came walking up to them. When he took off of his mask, she reconized him. It was Nitrous. He said hello to Magneto and Sherridane. Then he turned to her asking who she was. Ahh... so he doesn't reconize me. She looked at him with a smile. "You don't remember me?" she asked him. "Maybe this will help." she told him and took off her mask. Riley lefted her mask off for a few minutes, then she put it back on. She then took a few more sips of her drink.

[Wanda Maximoff]

> “Then you are from his Brotherhood?”

Wanda laughs. "Hardly, although I enjoyed their hospitality – such as it was – for a time. A boy’s club hoping to become an army, little discipline, no sense of community whatsoever... not that I would expect anything different from my father. No, I’d merely wished to meet him, finally, and see what all the fuss was about. He did invite me here, though, for which I must thank him, as it provided me the opportunity to meet you. I’d been hoping to, and perhaps the other members of your… Emporium? From John’s descriptions they seem like fascinating people."

> “I must carefully monitor my emotional state. Changes in that can quickly make the weather turn for the worse.”

Wanda smiles nostalgically. "Yes… that is frequently the way of it, for those touched by the Powers. When I was first apprenticed to the Sintisa, the most important lesson was mastery of the self. Before that, there were many… accidents." She looks around, then back to Storm. "Although I must admit, it is strange to find so many of the Touched in one place. Are they so common here, or do they merely prefer to congregate with one another?"

> “I couldn’t possibly. Perhaps you could help me find a pair like them, though?"

"Of course. Now? Or would you prefer to make arrangements for a later time?"

> “Is Magneto here, at the Hellfire Club?”

The sudden angry charging of the air does not escape Wanda’s notice, and she looks Ororo over with curiosity. "So you are enemies, then, and not merely rivals? I’d inferred as much, but Mag…neto was somewhat vague about the details. Perhaps you can enlighten me further during our quest for acceptable footwear? " Wanda notes idly the difference in her own behavior with this woman, and with her father and his minions. With him she was closed, secretive, maneuvering covertly, every statement loaded with hidden meaning… with her, she is impulsive and genuine. Which tells Wanda a great deal about the preferences of both. "In any case, yes, I believe he’s here… at least, he indicated that he and much of his Brotherhood would be present. Would you like me to find him for you?"

[Bobby Drake]

Figures, Bobby thinks to himself sulkily as John goes off to talk to Marie, distracting him from trying to make sense of the bewildering collection of shrugs, grins, significant looks and costume manipulations John had thrown at him.

Then he laughs suddenly, explosively, as it occurs to him that no matter what he always ends up feeling jealous whenever those two get together, even if he can’t seem to quite make up his mind about who he’s jealous of. It’s so splendidly absurd, he has to struggle to avoid bursting out in hysterics, and even so the occasional giggles keep escaping his lips.

As Jubilee joins John as well, Bobby finishes loading his plate with a small portion of everything that looks intriguing and nods to them. "Catch you later…" He can’t help but catch John’s eye as he says it, then looks away again embarrassed, then looks back again more forthrightly. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, he almost says out loud before deciding even he doesn’t know what that is anymore.

As he walks away from the table he passes Josh and Warren on their way there, Josh stroking one of Warren’s horns lightly. "Jeez, get a room, guys…" he whispers around a broad grin, then notices Robin heading in their general direction and waves. "Hey, Robin… so, I’ve gotta ask. Why a pumpkin? Do you turn into a carriage at midnight?"

[Magneto]

Magneto finds Sherridan's stumbling words a bit amusing and smiles, letting his newest member feel a bit more relaxed. Magneto took no disrespect from what Sherridan had said, after all, how was the cat man supposed to know that he had any dealings with such an establishment as the Hellfire Club.

Riley, who was very recognizable to the old man, approached, apparently unconcerned with what her fellow classmates might think of her socializing with such a wanted mutant terrorist, if they actually cared at all. Erik guessed that those outside the Brotherhood that might actually recognize him was both Wanda and Storm, although a few others of the Hellfire Club would surly pick up on his unique way of presenting and holding himself.

The short introductions from the Brotherhood and Riley received but a nod from Erik as he was still watching Wanda and Storm, picking up on the static electricity which Storm seemed to be emanating at the moment, after all, electricity and magnetism were practically cousins.

"What a.....'fitting' costume Magnus," an all too familiar voice said from behind Erik, of course, the old man didn't have to turn around to see who it was that addressed him, the egotistical tone and aristocratic English accent gave Sebastian Shaw away immediately. "Ah, mister Shaw.....a pleasure," he said in that dry annoyed tone of his as he turned around, giving the shorter man a look over and smiling at the 18th century clothes he was wearing. Sebastian and Erik weren't really close by any means but considering the nature of this event, all indifferences had to be put aside for the time being....at least physically anyway.

[Robin Wesley]

Robin gives Bobby a grin as she approaches. It is always a relief to talk to people after talking to plants. If she could only ever talk to plants, she would go crazy. Not to mention lose 99% of her vocabulary.

>"Hey, Robin… so, I’ve gotta ask. Why a pumpkin?

Robin taps her chin. Why a pumpkin? What else could she have possibly go as? Mutants did have a problem getting defined by their mutation, and in Robin's case, this generally means her mind always first goes to plants whenever an event was happening. It was a little ridiculous, but ignoring plants would be just like ignoring people. You would miss out on so much.

"What other plant would be appropriate for Halloween? It's a good costume," she answers. She sounds cheerful, setting aside all of her irritations with it, and how it makes her look ridiculous and unbalanced. It really isn't that bad of a costume, and her mother had been quite nice about sending it to her, and it is perfect for Halloween. And someone had to be the awkward one.

> Do you turn into a carriage at midnight?"

Robin gives Bobby a mock-angry look.

"I wasn't planning on it. Are you going to be turning into a bat at midnight?" she asks, managing to grab a cup of punch from the table after some careful twisting to work around her costume.

[Pyro]

< "How are ya, Sugah?"
”Same ol’ same ol’” he shrugs with another slight smile, because damned if he’s going to be awkward around her. They were fine last time they met up weren’t they? Granted, back then there was no Brotherhood, and the fact they were both drunk couldn’t have hurt matters… but now, sober and back as adversaries, it’s a little different. Sort of. Only he’s going to ignore that by carrying on as normal. Mm-hmm.

< ”Who’re y’ s’posed t’be?”[/color]
Sigh. Is it really that obscure? He rolls his eyes melodramatically. ”What the hell do they teach you lot these days? S’Sam Spade. First true noir PI. Dashiell Hammet novels?” (he’s anticipating that that doesn’t help much, sigh) ”Humphrey Bogart played him in the Maltese Falcon n’ was initially panned for being to small and dark to carry it off.” (hmm… wonder why he picked that costume? Not a bad link). That at least it sort of normal, really, the random trivia only he knew and could pull of with it sounding like a throwaway line.

< ”Catch you later”[/color]
”Don’t doubt it” he grins, barely suppressing a giggle at Bobby’s embarrassed, clumsy little double-take… shame he’s wandered off. He half considers making an excuse and following him, but that wouldn’t be appropriate, and besides, they’ll be hooking up soon enough, right? Whereas he can’t be sure when or even if he’ll see Rogue.

”And you?” John runs his eyes over her critically, one hand on hip and looking sidelong as if thinking deeply before making a *got it* gesture with a click-point and a laugh. ”Bride of Dracula, or something. Irony-implant still functioning, then.”

< ”So… John”
… and yet again what could have turned out to be a partway pleasant and easy conversation is back to annoying and awkward. Sigh. Well, no way he can avoid the old crowd all evening…

< ”How ‘ve you been?”
His reply this time is totally different to the one Rogue got – breezy and arrogant as opposed to just casual, giving Rogue a slight wink and a flash of secret smile before delivering the line, not looking at Jubilee as he answers. ”Ah, y’know, not bad. Terrorism has its little perks.”

[Warren Worthington III]

> “the four of us must sit down for a chat sometime soon.”

Warren blinks at that, uncertainly… the four? Presumably Warren, Josh, Emma, and someone, but who? He’d been thinking about Bobby before, but he hadn’t mentioned it. Might she mean his father?

> " That woman… she’s dangerous. And she’s a telepath, Warr. She’s been sifting people’s brains since we walked in the door."

Warren nods slowly, a little grimly. "Ah. I’d heard rumors about the telepathy, but hadn’t been sure… the dangerous part, I knew about." Though in retrospect he realizes he may have to rethink the degree of danger, if the rumors about the Inner Circle all being powerful mutants are true. Is that why she’d been so eager to bring him into the fold, before? Possibly. Wheels within wheels within wheels, all making his head spin.

But… hm. If she’d been reading his mind, then her parting comment probably had to do with his last thoughts about getting her help with this mutant-camp business. Which was… interesting. The Hellfire Club are almost as dangerous as allies as they are as enemies, but they’re certainly able to get things done… and unlike the Brotherhood, they have no particular interest in creating chaos. They might prefer to see the camps quietly eliminated before they become the flash-point in a race war, just like Warren does.

"Still, her organization could be useful. Not quite what I had in mind when I suggested doing some networking, but sometimes going to the top is the best way to get results... hm. " He’s largely thinking out loud, rather than actually talking, and is slightly surprised by Josh’s leading him towards the food.

> " You know, that body stocking leaves little to my imagination... " <...Not that I need it.>

Warren grins, glad that the face-paint conceals his blush as Josh strokes one of his horns suggestively and Bobby makes a snide comment on his way past, the latter of which he ignores.

"No, just a good memory. But keep doing that and it will leave even less, which could be somewhat embarrassing in public… unless you want to find a private (cough) dining room somewhere?" The idea of sneaking off together for a while is suddenly exciting… there’s something about just being here with Josh that he can’t easily put into words, like he’s bringing together parts of his life he hadn’t even known were separate, and it’s an incredible rush.

Of course, he also wants to talk to Bobby about setting up a meeting with Miss Frost, but that can wait… the night is still young.

[nightcrawler]

Seeing as how some of the Institute students were here, why not another chaperon? Sure Ororo was here as a supposed guide for the younger ones, seeing as how she was acting headmistress at the moment. Kurt, having took up the title of school councilor decided that he might as be here as well, plus this little costumed event allowed him to come out as himself without raising any suspicious questions. His appearance would be 'normal' for once, but that was something that still didn't offer much comfort considering 'freak' was the word of the night.

Kurt chose to wear one of his costumes from the days he spent in the Munich Circus, a pair of sparkly black pants and matching vest. He opted for a jacket tonight as well so as to hide his tail, something which would be hard to explain even if he was supposed to wearing a 'costume'. What Kurt was to be exactly was left to the imagination of those around him, and the smile on his face showed how much he enjoyed their guesses.

Kurt felt a bit awkward being on in plain view of so many people, even if it did awaken that oh so alluring pull of the old days, of course, he forced himself to proceed, after all, he wouldn't want to upset his lovely Bella. The two had originally made plans to attend a play, but this little ball had come up first, so as a way to adjust to the world outside, Kurt agreed to come along.

[Rogue]

”Same ol’ same ol’”

She hopes not. Last she'd seen him...things hadn't been good for him. Not at all, though he hadn't really shared much on just how bad they really were, and she has tried hard not to look at the memories by accident, or anything. Still, she can't hide the slightly-worried look that crosses her face, though the mask helps with that a little, until her smile can return.

"What the hell do they teach you lot these days? S’Sam Spade. First true noir PI. Dashiell Hammet novels? ...Humphrey Bogart played him in the Maltese Falcon n’ was initially panned for being to small and dark to carry it off.”[/color]

She offers a slightly sheepish shrug and grin in response. "Recall it vaguely, but...then, 'gain, tha'migh' not b'me.... Whatev'r. Looks good."

She takes the moment of the brief exchange between John and Bobby to look at him - in a concerned-friend-way, of course. He looks better, healthier, than he did, before, last she saw him, and that's comforting. And despite that the hat almost-covers his face, the costume does seem to be very appropriate for him, somehow. Mysterious and secretive-ish.

”And you? ...Bride of Dracula, or something. Irony-implant still functioning, then.”[/color]

She's sorely tempted to stick her tounge out at him, but refrains only barely, since this is a social gathering. "Yeah, pretty much, I guess. Irony's still goin' strong, hon. It's indestructable."

She neglects to add the like me that wants to surface, because she doesn't wan to think about that right now. Nor about the fact that if she felt so inclined, she could easily pick him up with one arm, or fly up towards the ceiling. Those powers haven't gone away,a nd it's..worrying. She han't mentioned it yet, to anyone. She's not sure she will, not yet, not for awhile.

But, she's not thinking about that, and her smile's still in place, and she grabs a fork from the small too-elegant bin they're in. "Personally think cake's bett'r than blood, though. An' there mus' b'a pound'a sugar in this piece alone..."

Jubes is speaking to John now - of course, who *isn't* going to want to speak to him? He was always one of the most well-known students, one way or another, and it hit hard when he left, even to those that didn't really like him much.

He shoots her an almost conspirational wink and grin, and responds to Jubes' question without looking back at the girl.

”Ah, y’know, not bad. Terrorism has its little perks.”[/color]

Rogue only snickers slightly, amused by the answe, though, since it's not directed her way - well, technically, anyway, even though he's looking towards her when he says it - she remains otherwise silent.

[belladonna]

Bella was running a little later than she had planned but how was a lady to know how long it would take to put a costume on, or more or less half of two? She stepped into the club, already certain that Kurt was there somewhere.. And though she was ecstatic that he had agreed to mingle with the others she still felt nervous.. But why? Because she knew that people other than those that dwelt at the Xavier institute were going to be there?

Her outfit was surely one to stand out, being half angel and half devil (well, if that was indeed what you would call the costume 'devil'). A gown much like a toga draped over her right shoulder and meeting at her left hip. The right side of her had a more heavenly appeal to it, her gown bright white and down to her feet, a small but nicely made white feathered wing rested just over her shoulder blade. Her hair was curled, loosely and had what appeared to be silver glitter in it. A halo drifted just above her head, of course supported by a head band, placed strategically so that it would not bother the horn that sat on the other side.

Now the other side was a little, flashy, a little daring and she hoped that Kurt would take it all lightly since this was Halloween. The gown didn't cover much, it turned gray in the middle and grew darker til it was jet black at her side, even if it only met for about three inches before draping back to her right leg to cover it while she was exposed up to her thigh on the left. She did wear a black bikini top to cover up what should be (a step up from the 'paste me here' spider web that originally came with the gown) on her upper half, fish nets too original but too good to pass up adorned that leg, leading down to a killer red stiletto. For the most part her make up almost stayed the same, her eye make up however being much darker on the devil side with hints of red as were her lips. The angelic side looked more natural, taking on a pink tint to them and her eyes only surrounded by soft natural hues. Her dark hair hung straight on her left slide and the ends of it where fire hydrant red - which really stuck out since this side was darker, almost black.

She had jewelry that of course landed on both sides of the spectrum, nice flashy silvers and 'diamonds' on one side whereas dark black and red stones adorned the other. Strangely enough the outfit went together rather well and even thought Riley had chose to come as an angel she gave it a much more interesting twist. Basically the best of both worlds to say the least.

She pressed her lips together and swallowed, her hands finding their way to one another as she stood in the entrance. Her eyes roamed the faces and costumes of all those around her, some rather surprising and most put together well.

It didn't take long for her to spot out Kurt, who was even noticeable in this crowd, and that merited a smile on her lips. She swallowed down her nerves, making her stomach stop flopping (or at least the acknowledgment of) and made her way over to him. Sure she wasn't usually the kind of person that was really nervous but before she wasn't really trying to impress anyone now was she? And though she didn't put all her effort into gaining his attention she still wanted his approval (though she doubted that at any moment he would deny that to her).

"Kurt?", her voice called out softly as she drew close to his side. She didn't know how he would take.. well the part of her that was more exposed than usual. Still it was different on occasions like this, right? And besides, not like he hadn't seen her in more intimate apparel anyway.

[Bobby Drake]

> " What other plant would be appropriate for Halloween? "

Bobby has to admit, he doesn’t have an answer for that. If she’d come as a refrigerator and asked him “what other household appliance would be appropriate?” he’d be similarly at a loss. He considers rephrasing the question to get at why coming dressed as a plant at all was a given, but decides to give it up… it had been a bad joke to begin with.

"Yeah… guess you got me there. Most appropriate plant I can think of. Except maybe deadly nightshade, but I wouldn’t recognize one if it bit me."

> " Are you going to be turning into a bat at midnight? "

He grins. "Wouldn’t that be cool? I have to admit, shapeshifting is one of the powers I envy."

It occurs to him suddenly, speaking of shapeshifters, that if John is here it’s quite possible Mystique is here as well. He looks around, trying to spot her, before realizing just how ridiculous that is. He tries not to watch John and Marie chatting, tries not to be pleased that Jubes has joined them, which makes it less of a, a, well, it doesn’t matter anyway because it’s ridiculous for him to be, to be, well, it’s ridiculous.

He distracts himself then by watching Kurt’s arrival, which after a minute lets him recognize the woman with him as Bella, whom he’s seen around the Institute a few times but would not have recognized in that half-naked outfit. Jeez, and I was worried the Spandex was gonna be too much! She’s… wow.

He drags his attention back to Robin and their conversation. "Besides, Batman can’t actually turn into a bat, he’s just an ordinary guy with no powers who became a superhero because – " he flinches, suddenly embarrassed, and continues without pausing for breath " and, yes, I am the biggest dork on the planet actually, they held a contest last August. Um… so… " he looks around for something slightly less embarrassing to talk about, rejecting at least seventeen variations on “so what do you think about our running into terrorist alumni here at a high-society party, and did I mention we're kinda dating now?” before the tightening of one of Robin’s vines catches his eye.

"Wow, that’s a neat effect, how did you -- " he starts off, before his thermal sense finally catches his attention and he notices something he hadn’t noticed before. "Jeez, those are actual vines! I mean, they’re alive! That’s so cool… how’d you do that?"

[Josh Dalton Worthington]

> Jeez, get a room, guys...

Josh gives Bobby an arch look as he passed. Dork. He grins a little, too happy to allow his mood to sink. And anyway. He's kidding... even if he seems jealous sometimes. Josh couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to keep his feelings for Warren a secret. It seemed to be the kind of thing that would continually get heavier with time...

> "No, just a good memory. But keep doing that and it will leave even less, which could be somewhat embarrassing in public… unless you want to find a private (cough) dining room somewhere?"

He remembers the night of Warren's birthday party quite clearly. And quickly forgets about the buffet line. Distractedly, he waves at Robin, who's talking with Bobby about something.

"Mmm. You know, I think I left something in the coatroom." Josh lets a mischievious smile spread across his face. "Maybe we should go look for it..." He lets his hand trail down Warren's stocking-covered chest, and then turns and heads for the entrance hall.

"Hey, you two look snazzy!" As he passes Mr. Wagner and Bella, he waves in their direction.

After he's beyond them, he looks back over his shoulder for Warren, excited at the prospect of goofing off for a little bit. Though Warren was 20, he'd been making up for his lost teenage years since arriving at the Institute. As for himself, after Warren, the few other people he'd dated were, well... kind of bland.