Dancing at the Moma (Invite only; casual)

[kuku]

Watching from a socially acceptable distance, Cathy looked on as two , or rather one group split into to began to form. Including the nights host. It appeared as if there was going to be some sort of commotion caused by the young girl and that there was far more going on than really et the eye. But none of that was important to her. In fact it could be somewhat detrimental. While she knew the party had many, many important players in New York, but she needed to do something to leave her mark on the party.

Scanning the entrance, she waited for something to work with. Moments later she got exactly what she needed when a well dressed, good looking man walked in the door. Just what she needed. Not a permanent solution, unless he turned out to be someone especially important, but he would certainly be a good way to kill time. Perfect for her he didn't bring a date. She was never happy about taking someone's date for the evening, but she really wasn't above it either.

As the man walked into the party, Cathy slowly made her way into position allowing their paths to intersect. Along the way she dropped her glass of champagne, despite the fact that it was nowhere near gone and replaced it with a new one from a tray allowing her to position herself next to the man.

"I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who came alone." She smiled at him as she spoke, using all the charm she possessed. Taking a sip of her drink she shot one more glance at the two groups by Tomei. She wasn't so interested in exactly what was going on or why, but she liked to keep herself aware .

[JACK THE RIPPER]

Victor, himself, had since found a drink while going through the crowd, and sipped it while he watched the woman approach him. She instantly turned on the charm, which hit him with a bitter wave; he hated it when women acted like they had control over the situation. He didn't show it.

"Frankly, I don't believe you came alone," he said, with an equal amount of charm, regarding her with cold eyes and a smile. "Where's the trick?"

Victor, of course, couldn't deny that he was attracted to her. But it was in that dangerous way that only Victor could be attracted to a woman--something about her neck, or the way she moved, made him want to kill her. Anger and lust where hopelessly mixed up for the poor man.

But he didn't let any of it on; just smiled on, taking another sip and waiting for her response.

[mabs]

Tag: Adrienne and anyone else close by that wants to dive in.

Reed nodded at her curious tone quickly, mostly because he didn't want to say anything else on the matter. However, it seemed inevitable that they would come to blows with the vile and vicious viper sooner rather than later. Franny seemed to spot them right away.

However, Reed was occupied by a chuckle and raised a brow down at Adrienne. "Pack, school, covey. Whatever. Whatever they are, they are vicious. Even for me. A totally different kind of vicious than me." Reed leaned in and kissed her temple in a lavish gesture, though it was really to get his lips closer to her ear. Not only to make his ex-wife flounder upon the affection he was showing his date, but also to whisper bawdily to her. "You know, I believe I have yet to compliment your dress Miss Heart. It makes your legs that I am such a fond acquaintance of look positively ravishing." Reed chuckled and leaned back away, taking a sip of his champagne. He really didn't care for champagne either. He preferred a good merlot or cab sav, to be honest.

"Hector Tormei is one of the candidates for the mayorial race," Reed explained in a hushed tone to Adrienne. "He is runnign against the incumbent Richard Plantagenet." Reed was surprised that she was so clueless about their local politics, but then again it didn't surprise him. She didn't seem one to talk about the political pool.

Suddenly Reed spotted Franny making a smooth beeline in her arrogant fashion for the couple. Reed straightened a little, though he grinned and whisper to Adrienne. "Don't look now, but here comes the boss shark. Be on your toes, babe." Reed offered Franny a nod when she finally approached them, and he narrowed his eyes to her. He had no kind words left for the woman, who was trailed by her two favorite minions: Gates Hollbrook and Janice Evans.

"Good evening ladies," Reed offered in a diplomatic tone. "And good evening Franny. You look...pleasant." Or anything but it. Franny gave a prim and satisfied nod, her generally cold look manifesting in her stony, dark features. "Evening, Reed. Is this your lastest flavor of the week?" Franny began in a low, calculated tone. She gave the woman a fairly slow glance over and made a noncommital grunt. "She certainly doesn't fit your usual type, Reed. Have you been reduced to scraping the bottom of the barrel, darling?"

Reed's lips pursed and he frowned deeply, a look that he often gave Franny when they were married. Some things never changed. "Francine, do find some other animal to torture. Those dogs that trail you constantly look like decent enough candidates for me." Franny gave a narrowed look again before raising a brow and stepping closer.

"Have a good evening, Mr. Armstrong," she offered but with no civility. And then she turned to Adrienne. "And as for you, go back to where you belong, Miss Heart. You hardly have rich enough blood to play his games." Franny turned on her heel and made her exit, though Reed felt entirely bogged down by the exchange. He knew it would be bad, as Franny was old money and played like old money. Out-of-class relations were beneath her and anyone associated to her, and apparently she thought they should have been to Reed as well. He didn't slump, but became unusually quiet before downing the rest of his champagne.

To anyone who knew the nuances of Reed's expressions, they would notice that his spark was doused by that viper of a woman.

"Adrienne, I'm sorry," he finally said after grabbing two glasses of stouter, rich red wine. Muh more his speed. "If you would like to go..." Though that would be letting her win. Reed really didn't care any more. Franny held more control over him than he cared to admit to, regardless their marital status. And the only thing an encounter with her made him want to do was strangle her. Over and over again.

[rocky]

Tag: Reed/any

"You know, I believe I have yet to compliment your dress Miss Heart. It makes your legs that I am such a fond acquaintance of look positively ravishing."

"As opposed to my other legs that you haven't met yet? How much of that have you had?" Adrienne turned her head, just a little, to look up at him. She was being deliberately pedantic, then, needling him. It was her way of returning his affection, really -- comfortable teasing.

"Hector Tormei is one of the candidates for the mayorial race. He is running against the incumbent Richard Plantagenet."

"Oh. Politics." Adrienne rolled her eyes a little. It just didn't interest her, which was probably criminal -- she had always been rather self-serving in that regard. She didn't even know if she was technically on the electoral roll -- she didn't have proper citizenship. Probably not.

"Don't look now, but here comes the boss shark. Be on your toes, babe."

She kept meaning to tell him not to call her babe, but whenever he did it they were in mid-flow on another issue. That was probably a tactical decision. Ass, she thought good-naturedly. She took the warning to mean more than he was going to be on edge, and her hand strayed at once to rest between his shoulder blades in a fashion that was not dissimilar to how she had held him in the elevator, or at the top of the Ferris wheel, when he'd first realised it was stuck.

Never the less, the prospect of facing off with his ex-wife was a daunting one. Franny had an expression on her face that Adrienne knew well -- sheer jealousy. She had been Franny in this situation so many times it was almost laughable: she had the same tormented look in her eyes Adrienne knew she sported unwillingly every time Frank showed up with Mrs Ferrier in tow. Perhaps a more forgiving or philosophical woman would have felt sorry for Franny Ransford, considering the mess their divorce had been -- considering the article Adrienne had written lambasting her ex-husband and taking her side rather blindly on the subject -- but Adrienne was neither of those things.

She was preening and taking rather spiteful pleasure in Franny's obvious disdain, in fact.

"Evening, Reed. Is this your lastest flavor of the week? She certainly doesn't fit your usual type, Reed. Have you been reduced to scraping the bottom of the barrel, darling?"

"Bitterness doesn't become you, Miss Ransford." Adrienne stressed her maiden name. She would have been lying to suggest it didn't sting a little to be so thoroughly dismissed that the woman didn't even insult her directly.

"Francine, do find some other animal to torture. Those dogs that trail you constantly look like decent enough candidates for me."

"Have a good evening, Mr. Armstrong. And as for you, go back to where you belong, Miss Heart. You hardly have rich enough blood to play his games."

Adrienne didn't know why, but she found herself perplexed to discover that Franny knew her name. She felt weakened somehow, as though the woman had been digging up dirt on her all week. She probably had, she realised. She and Reed had been prodding one another on Facebook almost since they had met.

Franny was gone before she could bite out a response, and Adrienne set her teeth and sighed through her nostrils at the back of her.

"Adrienne, I'm sorry... If you would like to go..."

Reed's reaction was far worse than anything Franny could possibly have said to Adrienne. She watched him, perplexed, as he downed a glass of champagne, and then raised her eyebrows as he tried at once to push his feelings on to her, and take them home. She shook her head.

"It's all right, Reed," she said shrewdly, narrowing her eyes just a little. Maybe he believed her. Maybe he'd agreed with her all along. The notion spoke directly to Adrienne's deepest insecurities. "You should see what they're like when their husbands are still married to them. Do you want to leave?"

It was a dangerous question. It did not mean do you want to leave, it meant are you embarrassed to be seen here with me?

All at once their tentative new relationship was hanging in the balance. If he said yes -- or even if he said no, but said it in the wrong way, Reed Armstrong would have the bluest balls in Manhattan that night.

Adrienne folded her arms.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Tag: Hector & Co, especially Penelope

It seemed there was a bit of a rift forming, with Tormei and the young woman serving as the fault line. While Monte Cristo was not sure whether the woman had made her comment about Richard in good fun or in earnest, it seemed a silly way to spoil the evening.

The count shook Tormei's hand with a firm, confident grip. "I am glad to have been invited. I was afraid my habit of declining to attend these events might leave me cast out of upper society," he added with a small laugh. In truth, Monte Cristo did not personally care how the who's who of the city viewed him, but he did like being able to monitor their inner happenings, and to some extent, he did appreciate being counted as one of them.

Unfortunately, Tormei went on to berate the poor young woman. In fact, Monte Cristo felt the topic should have been closed once he responded jokingly to it, but another woman, a brunette, entered the conversation by defending the young redhead. Monte Cristo gave the brunette a slight frown; the gesture was clearly well-intended but most unnecessary. The innocent comment was further exacerbated by Levi Knowles' interference, but naturally, the situation went all to pieces once Faustus opened his mouth.

He watched Faustus leave the group, beckoning toward the brunette to follow, with a touch of mortified curiosity in his expression. Had Faustus really just left his date's side in favor of another woman? The doctor had obviously been waiting for a reason to abandon the poor girl. The move was low even for him.

Monte Cristo turned his attention toward the young woman as she addressed him, having just polished off a glass of champagne. He nodded politely in response, as she went on to respond to Tormei. The subtle swing of her hip against Tormei's leg did not go unnoticed by the count; he briefly wondered whether she was specifically trying to earn their host's attention or was just a general flirt.

He chuckled as she mouthed a curse at Faustus. "The pleasure is mine, mademoiselle," he replied, raising her hand to very lightly kiss the back of it- not in a flirtatious manner, but out of courtesy, as if to underscore her assertion that she was indeed a fully-grown woman. "I'm afraid I have not yet learned your name."

He offered the others around them a gentle smile, clearly hoping to put the senseless banter over her wayward comment to rest.

[mabs]

Tag: Adrienne/whooooever

Reed had felt the comfort of her hand between his shoulder blades, a surge of pride coursing through him at that. Adrienne had a way of giving him just what he needed, even when he thought he needed nothing. Reed found himself catching Adrienne's almost defensive look and he shook his head with a smile. Reed set a hand on her cheek, rubbing the apple of her defined face with the pad of his thumb affectionately.

"Absolutely not. There's not much else she may do to me," he admitted with a roll of his eyes. He honestly wasn't embarrassed b her as his date, no matter what she thought. She was beautiful and unique, and regardless of what anyone said, he was really giving this monogamy ting a go. Mostly because he couldn't think of anyone else with Adrienne on his mind. He was making comparisons constantly, conjuring up new schemes to woo her. He was...smitten.

To be honest, he didn't understand her constant insecurities. Reed was a man of fine tastes: fine dining, fine wine, fine architecture, fine cars, fine women. And when he liked something, he liked it. He felt a slight tug at the way he was comparing Adrienne to his taste in wine and cars, as that alluded to making her a possession. And while he'd often felt women were no more than a pretty decoration for one's house, he felt that the stereotype was not valid for Adrienne. She would never be someone's arm chair or doormat. And that was something Reed found incredibly attractive about her.

He leaned in again, a smile on his face that made any onloooker hardly doubt he was speaking lover's promises to her. Though for once, they might have been actual promises.

"After all, the second I get you home, I'm going to explore every one of those curves. Multiple times. Don't you think the anticipation makes it all a little more...exciting?" he crooned deeply into her ear. God. You will not take her to the powder room. You will not take her to the lover's gallery. You will not... He kept repeating to his brain. Though the thought grew ever more tempting.

Reed returned her soothing gesture with one of his own, his large hand resting at the small of her back. He gave her a wink as they made their way through the throngs of people casually, Reed introducing her to his friend and colleagues, showing just how committed he was to the idea of her and him by is posture towards her and his cheerful smile as he introduced her. He hadn't even looked this happy when he'd faked it so as he'd introduce Franny as Mrs. Armstrong for the first time. But this was completely different. Adrienne wasn't his wife, but his love.r And an honest lover at that, in the way that they had eyes only for each other, at least for then. A thrilling prospect in the least.

Reed tugged her off to the side with a smile on his face and he rolled his eyes slightly, at one of his colleagues that was still shooting google eyes at Adrienne. "I believe they like you better than me. You make me look like a human. We just can't have that," he teased to her with a good-hearted chuckle. "Next they'll start thinking I'm going to give them a pay raise or worse--vacation days."

[kuku]

Tag: Victor

Staring the man down, she jutted her chin out and said nothing. She didn't even know if she had a response. But she wasn't going to accept his rudeness. A storm gathered behind her eyes and the phrase 'if looks could kill' came to mind. As shocked as she was, she also was never one to be insulted like that without putting up one hell of a fight. Cathy was sure she had destroyed entire lives for much less. What was clear to her, was that he had absolutely no idea who he was dealing with.

Cathy opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again, emitting nothing more that a barely audible breath. There would be times when it might be reasonable to think that there had simply been a very off joke, but a chill went down her spine that made her think he was nothing short of deadly serious.

"I assure you that you're making a mistake." She looked him dead in the eye, though it felt uncomfortable to do so, and ensured that a threat got across. She was furious, but it felt like there was something about him, like she had just done something very dangerous...She didn't know what would have gotten him into a party like this-what his status or value could be that he could afford to be so rude. In fact it almost made her doubt her decision. But Catherine Earnshaw knew her place and that it was above that of most others and she demanded to be respected.

There was no way to deny that she wasn't at least a little bit notorious for her temper. Most of it hinged on Heathcliff, and had it been him, she would have expected this. After all she was teasing him by making sure he saw how little time she spent alone. Night after night she would climb into a limo with some male model or budding actor. Somebody who would help her cause a scene. Maybe she was something of a whore, but it gave the complete stranger no excuse. Until now she had been looking for nothing more than an innocent flirtation to entertain her for the night. Now she was out for blood.

[JACK THE RIPPER]

For: Catherine

Victor's smirk faded, watching her closely. He didn't look scared by her gaze, as most sane people would, but he looked intensely interested. It wasn't often that he'd seen a woman get that mad, especially not at him. "That's not what I meant!" he said slowly, finally realizing what her problem was. "I just meant...well, a lady as pretty as you...why would she go alone?"

He chuckled and muttered, "...is all I meant..." Of course, on the inside, he was cackling with glee. He had no doubt that she was a whore, none at all! But to actually be mistaken saying what he was thinking...that was funny!

He kept a look that said he was mortified beyond belief that he'd been misunderstood, looking down into his drink and running a hand through his hair. He hadn't even said it in one of those tones. She must be overly defensive about it, as she'd shown, which must mean...yes, she was loose.

Perhaps it had been a fantastic idea to come here tonight.

[MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI]

To group, then to Penelope specifically

Hector groaned as the situation spiraled out of control. That blasted Irene Adler just had to throw her two cents in, the count was watching every move, and Penelope...pardon him Penny was acting so...insolently (though the sway of her hips and the way the fabric clung to her was far from childish). "Gentlemen, if you'd excuse me, I need to have a conversation with Miss Penelope. I'll be with you momentarily. Please, enjoy yourself in the meantime, take a look around, and help yourself to the champagne," Hector reached out and took Penelope's elbow, and began to lead her away. He was neglecting his guest because she was acting up, just like the child she claimed she wasn't.

Hector directed Penelope away from the crowds, eventually halting beside an installation titled You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies that Hector had not been in but had been planning on visiting before the night was over. "What is wrong with you?" Hector hissed at the girl, releasing her arm sharply and crossing his arms as he hunched his body towards her, trying to appear intimidating. "Those men are very important people, friends and possible business associates, and you went and made a fool of both of us. How can you possibly protest that you are not a child with such a petulent act?"

((ooc: Disclaimer of sorts, You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies is a real installation, but not at the Museum of Modern Art at this moment. It consists of a room with mirrors for walls and black marble flooring and ceiling. From the ceiling LED lights are suspended and glow different color patterns. I got the chance to see it at the Phoenix Museum of Art and it was amazing))

[kuku]

For Victor

Cathy had gotten herself into a very sticky situation. Of course he hadn't meant...She had her head so wrapped up in her games with Heathcliff that she felt sure she was being accused of being a whore. But what reason would he have. She now felt very stupid and embarrassed. This was not the way she would like to have conducted herself. This had the potential to become a very sticky situation for her.

"No, no I'm sorry. It's just been...a long day...Of course you didn't mean..." She knew that no amount of smoothing over would really excuse herself. Luckily it had not been worse, but now she was trying to avoid digging herself a deeper hole.

"Please, forgive me. I shouldn't have assumed. I guess I'm just used to...well, nevermind...I just... " Cathy tried again, knowing she was going to have to dig very deep and play her cards just right to regain even footing with the man. She laughed awkwardly and took quick, but substantial sip of her drink.

This was just a disaster. Cathy was used to being fiery and often over dramatic, but she was also used to feeling justified in being that way. She was usually provoked and then some. Not that she hadn't been. The implication could have been there. Except it wasn't. Not really and even she couldn't deny that. As much as it would put a damper on the evening Cathy was going to have to think of some way to spin this in her favor-if that was what it came to. Hopefully this would all blow over in a matter of seconds and perhaps they could have a decent conversation.

A small thought crept into the back of her mind, and quickly spider-webbed out until it was her favorite thought of the day. He didn't know who she was. It seemed a little bit...strange, given the extent she thrust herself into the public view, but it wasn't impossible. Right now it could be what made the whole situation mostly irrelevant. She wasn't too proud of her reaction, but if it didn't have consequences then in the end, it wouldn't matter too much. At that she couldn't help but smile.

"Considering the actual intention, thank you for the compliment." Now she just had to lighten the mood. She wasn't out of the woods yet, but this was a useful time not to be recognized and somewhere in the very back of her mind, Cathy felt glad that she wasn't for a different reason.

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

To Hector, then to Adrienne and Reed

Penelope was not happy about being dragged away before she could talk to the Count, the one person who had been polite to her. She rubbed her arm where Tormei had grabbed her while he went on to berate her in the privacy of the new installment.

"I wouldn't be so petulant if you didn't treat me like I was three years old." She hissed at him with a scowl on her face. At this moment she couldn't deny that Tormei, tall and glowering as he was, frightened her more than a little, but there was no way she was going to let it show. Not now.

She stood tall and straight, adjusted her scowl to a smirk, and spoke:

"I'll be a good girl then, and leave you alone to do your schmoozing. A socialist isn't good company where you're concerned anyway." Penelope's smirk turned sly as she stood up on her toes, despite her 5-inch heels, and whispered in Tormei's ear.

"If you're a good boy tonight, and treat me nice, who knows what kind of friendship could develop, eh?" She kissed him lightly on the chin, just below his ear, and sauntered off without a word.

It was a less then smart move, she knew, but she wasn't leaving without having the last word. As she headed out of the installation, Penelope through a last, triumphant look it's way and, unable to see where she was going, bumped into a woman.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see where I was going! Are you alright?" She asked, genuinely embarrassed at her clumsiness. Looking up, she saw that the woman had cherry red hair and one hell of a sexy dress... and that she was with a man. A very handsome one in a very expensive suit. Penny huffed in frustrated embarrassment. Just her luck she'd accidentally crash into a couple...

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Tag: Former Hector group (Levi, Claudius, Athos, Irene,
whoever else is still standing there)

So far, Monte Cristo was not sure what to think of Hector Tormei. This was not necessarily a bad sign; the count occasionally decided to reserve judgment until after the event had ended. However, this did mean that the man had not made a particularly positive impression on the count, either. His departure had not been rude, but still left the group of his guests feeling quite awkward.

But, rather than dwell on these circumstances, Monte Cristo simply waved toward one of the servers, who brought a tray of champagne glasses to the group. Monte Cristo took one and gestured for the others to do the same. "Gentlemen, and mademoiselle, I hope you are all doing well this evening," he said pleasantly. "As we've all decided to attend this event, I suppose we should talk politics. What do you think of the upcoming mayoral race? I understand our host is a candidate."

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

Tag; Monte Cristo

"Gentlemen, and mademoiselle, I hope you are all doing well this evening. As we've all decided to attend this event, I suppose we should talk politics. What do you think of the upcoming mayoral race? I understand our host is a candidate."

Claudius turned from his conversation with Levi to face the speaker; he knew the count through the papers and some associates but had never actually met the man himself.

He nodded at Monte Cristo's question, glad to rejoin the conversation.

"I am doing well, sir, as I hope you are," This was accompanied by a broad, winning smile. "Hector Tormei is indeed a mayorial candidate; personally I think his campaign is off to a flying start."


ooc: Sorry this post isn't brilliant; I'm rushed but wanted to get Claudius back in the conversation. XD

[IRENE ADLER]

tag Faustus

She turned around when she saw Faustus expression, and also started to hear the girls rudeness. She could remember herself at such a young age, and yet at the same time she was glad that she was not that young. Anyways , the man seemed to be mouthing at her, and turned around towards the man who had asked her a question if she had ever mothered children.

Raising her hand, she slid a hand through his hair as she sighed. She was going to ask his question but in the end Faustus had answered it for her. Turning around she started to walk away as she headed towards Faustus.

Stopping she cocked her head at hearing his question about why she was here making her chuckle. Her hands moving across his chest as she sighed. “ Oh darling same that you are here. But I am not going to vote for Hector or Richard I just came to be stared at.” she purred, and leaned in to his ear and giggled. “ Oh and also to get laid” she said adding to the last part and ran her hands across his cheek. She noticed that he was so handsome, in his black suit now it was up to her to decide if she was going to get his company. Her hands roaming around his body as she was thinking why now why this moment in time.

Why could it not have been any other moment that she had to get her freak on, but maybe she would just leave him waiting. It was now his turn to turn her marbles and charm her. Not her to him, “ Shall we get a drink” she asked and licked her bottom lip seductively.

[MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI]

As Penelope leaves, the open to whoever wants to talk

Once again, that girl flustered him with the parting peck on the cheek. She had no regard to who he was or where they were. Did she have any idea of what that scene could do to his campaign? Of course not! Penny was too obsessed with eliciting a response from him, trying to get him back for all those chat sessions. Hector would be lying if he said that her parting promise didn't stir something within him, but he squelched that before it could grow.

It wouldn't be right. She was far too young for him. Far too young and far too idealistic.

Hector snatched a tumbler filled with rich scotch from a passin waiter and too a deep, measured pull. He didn't want to appear as a drunk but he couldn't rejoin the group he had left yet. Hector didn't trust his temper at that moment.