13336/Curiousity about the Flames

Curiousity about the Flames
Date of Scene:	11 November 2022
Location:	The Grand Edward Ballroom - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Kwannon meets Alexander Aaron and she really would like to understand why he thinks she's out to kill him. Which she isn't.
Cast of Characters:	Kwannon, Alexander Aaron

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Kwannon has posed:
It is one of those nights where the Hellfire Club is abuzz with activity. Tonight is a celebration, a huge ball being thrown for those who are in the right circles. If one did not have a membership, then they were required to be in attendance with someone who did.

Servers in tuxedos moved here or there, offering finger foods or drinks of choice. Champagne flows like water. A small quartet played classical music as people mingled.

Amongst these was a woman who was not from this area. She was rather tall for her heritage but Kwannon fit right in as she walked along on the arm of her escort. They paused at the door for the man to pass over his invitation. Senator Ryan. And guest. Which didn't even get a second glance that the senator had a beautiful woman on his arm who was not his wife.

Within two minutes of entry, the Senator was left wandering off further into the room as Kwannon took another path. She was wearing a daring gown, one that clung to her form but had a neckline that should probably be illegal. It might be in a few states. Dark blue with a few pink floral embellishments, though if those were real or telepathically enhanced was her secret. She even had on heels, feet visible below the ruffled edge of the skirt.

She accepted a flute of champagne then started to read the crowd. First physically, just scanning people, getting impressions. The telepathic scanning would wait until she found someone interesting.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The marital status of so many individuals who passed through the doors to the Hellfire Club was so rarely assayed save for those that might seek an improvement to their station. An accepted practice for time immemorial, the forging of alliances and the augmentation of those relationships a time honored and true fact of the world politick. Yet the senator's companion did draw the eye.
    Looks were given from across the way, glances, attention. Many a soul went to these events exactly for that. By the time she and her political companion had crossed the room so many image searches were performed by so many unapproved agencies that one might well be able to map the spike and like the butterfly effect some network users on the edges of New York's grid suddenly find their browser so terribly slow.
    But then again this is a place for remarkable people, which is another draw for visitors. A glance over the crowd of the room brings a veritable smorgasbord of the influential to mind. Interesting to see how these things form. How the natural magnetism, influence, power of the souls there create small social circles where one can just look at the crowd and see where the eyes lead. And they all linger in one particular direction.
    Such as in the corner where a certain ordained member of the cloth spoke with an ease and charisma.
    Or near the bar where a beautiful older woman explained her theory of life to a group of rather handsome suitors interested in her fortune.
    But then there's the young man settled near the balcony, smiling and at ease with a crowd of younger Hellfire Club members, the Next Gen as one might imagine. Young mutants, for one of them had glowing hair and another had fiery eyebrows. They all chatted amiably. Yet their eyes remained on the tall blond who did not seem to speak as much. But when he did the social dynamic was apparently.

Kwannon has posed:
She began to prowl. Despite the heels being completely useless in a fight, unless one took them off to use the heel as a weapon, they were appropriate for the setting. She wanted to blend in and thus her choice of attire.

Past this small group, plucking a few bits of information out of the mind of that beacon of Christianity. Or perhaps not if people realized the truth behind him and his secret pursuits.

Past the woman and her admirers. Picking out the information from their minds that they were indeed after her money. And the older woman recognized that. She had no problem with it, in truth. After all, it allowed her to have all the sexy young men she wanted. And none of them ever got a penny more than she chose to spend for their company. She equated them to sex workers and it was worth the price. If only they knew how she thought of them, it might not be as appealing. Then again, it was greed so likely they would be fine with that.

Kwannon shook her head slightly as she continued. Spying the obvious mutants in that small gathering, she was surprised. While the Hellfire Club did not discriminate, what little she knew they were not all mutants either. Yet, these were here bold as one might please. She scanned each, picking up on their abilities and surface thoughts. Then her eyes fell on the blond who controlled this particular circle, though he tried to appear as though he was just part of the group. It was obvious the dynamic was centered around him, gaining his attention, be it for friendship or romance. She could see why. He was beautiful. And apparently the alpha of that particular circle.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    And that mind was a thing else entire.
    Echoes, a reverberation of such thoughts. If the ambient thrum of humanity is high-pitched chatter to the telepath's mind, then the underlying rumble of his thoughts were a deep bass of portent that seemed stronger and more firm. Utterly different than other minds save for perhaps three to four dozen other beings on the planet. She could pick out thoughts and discern them, but it was a touch harder. And there was the curiousity of something at points, as if he responded to silent questions or comments that were not there in reality. Not a... dialogue, but as if there was something of the other to him.
    Yet on the outward he appeared so at ease. The conversation moved around him, past him, though at times he would make a comment and that would set things on another tangent. There were factions in this small social circle. A few that wished to gain his eye, his attention, a few that somehow wished to compete with him, another that quietly imagined murdering him over and over. Yet the focus was there.
    She got close enough to hear some of the conversation, the voices matching the thoughts as she draws close.
    "Then one of them got up on the stage and spoke. Think she was a parent of one of the normie children. She asked the schoolboard to perhaps delay admission for students to the school until they were trained to control their powers. She suggested they perhaps be sent to a different school for a time, and focus. And I was like, HAH!"
    "Oh god, that's hilarious. A special school for mutants. That is..."
    "I know, right? But we can't have that shit. We need our rights. Screw your concern for your children, lady."
    Alexander tilted his head to the side, "What did you do?"
    "Oh, we edited what she said, released it as a video, had the news call her a mutantphobe, labeled it a hate crime. Canceled her. She lost her job, hilarious."

Kwannon has posed:
Now that was interesting.

Kwannon focused now on the blond. That was nothing she had experienced before and she'd been a telepath from childhood. No change when she reached puberty like so many of their kind. Though it had not been apparent. But that was how she had learned so quickly the many skills she now possessed.

She listened to the story from the young man though the word 'special school for mutants' set off one of those stray memories in her head. Of a school. Of students with varying mutant gifts. Of her walking those halls though nervous and unsure of herself. But it wasn't her. It was those memories of that other person who had merged with her to save her life.

She frowned slightly and that brought her back to reality. To the young mutant in front of her. She quickly ripped through is mind, not minding that it likely would give him one hell of a headache in the process. Got all the information she needed on him. It would be used later. Perhaps. For now, she spoke for the first time, her accent mostly Japanese but there was a hint of something underneath, perhaps British? Hard to tell. "So, you're saying you are a childish prat who destroys lives for your own amusement when they have done no actual harm to you?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    At that the fiery-haired fellow looks up and for a moment the snarl on his lips pronounced as he looks. Then he pauses and sees that the woman who dared speak to him in such a way is... rather beautiful.
    He clears his throat and now all eyes are on the tall woman. But he responds, "Not _me_ directly. I wouldn't get my hands dirty. But the _cause_." He sniffs affectedly.
    Though it was that moment that the blond young man murmured, "I looked into that, since I saw some of the media. It was curious. She has a mutant son, you know..."
    The response was a wave to the side, "And? We aren't interested in debating within. We're under assault enough from without. If that is her opinion then then she's just the wrong kind of mutant. We do not seek different opinions. We seek compliance. A kissing of the ring. The movement must go forward."
    Which Alexander says casually, "I'm not a mutant."
    Though one of the young women there perks up at that as perhaps she vouched for him. Her eyes widened, "You're not?"
    The youth shakes his head, "No."
    "But you did that..." She pauses and looks away. Then gets a rather angry look from some of the others in that circle.
    "Yeah." He says and nods a little, "Yeah." He repeats. Because he did indeed do that thing.
    "Though good luck guys." And with that he turns around, slipping away. And one can see that social circle somewhat collapse, drawing further within, dampening. No longer as vibrant or bright.

Kwannon has posed:
Though she did not have the information as to the woman's child and her situation, Kwannon gave a nod at the words from the stranger. But the more flame hair talked, the more she wanted to stab him in the throat.

She eyed that slim column and thought about her heels.

Then she forced herself to turn and walk away. Which conveniently and completely by coincidence had her walking alongside the young man she was most curious about.

"Was that true?" Kwannon asked curiously when they were out of earshot. "About the woman's son? Because for many, at a certain point in life, it is difficult to control powers. It takes time to learn precision."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Yah," Alexander answered, lifting his eyes as she likely felt the hints of his thoughts. A wondering as to why he would be here, why he should be here. There's a flicker of an image of a tall well-built older man glowering down at him that has him wondering what his father would want him to be doing here.
    But then he glanced sidelong at the woman by his side and his lip twisted slightly. Outwardly he hid it well, but the presence of the beautiful telepath reminded him why he was there. You met the most interesting people here.
    His path carried him toward the bar as he elaborated on his answer, "Not a very obvious one, though he had his difficulties. Heightened hearing I believe and a manifestation on his ears. But still." He gives a small shrug, letting his thoughts wander as he walked up to the bar, then took a seat.

Kwannon has posed:
"Is the fiery one your friend?" Not that she really cared. She'd already made a decision regarding that one. Only, it would have to wait until later. Because Kwannon was not the polite person she was portraying. She was a killer at her depth and there was something she didn't like about that man. Though she had no intention of killing him. That would be too easy.

She looked back to the young man at her side, offering a hand. "I am Kwannon." No surname, just that. "It's a pleasure to meet you...?" The voice lilting up a little there at the end in a question.

"I have to admit I was completely bored before coming across you. Oh, the young man that was in your group with the manbun? Do not trust him. He does not like you at all." Since he was the one that kept imagining murdering the man that he had been drawn to. "Complete psychopath but with sociopathic tendencies which is never a good combination."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "No," A pause as his eyes drift back toward the social circle they left and... it was already gone. The people split up, heading off to seek other interests. A curious thing. Alexander repeats with a small shake of his head. "No."
    She offered her name and her hand, he accepts. "Alexander," Perhaps thinking she was going straight to a first name basis. "A pleasure."
    Then she offers her insight into the small group which causes a smile from him. But he doesn't answer immediately as the bartender comes by. "I'll have a screwdriver please."
    Then he looks back to her, "Were you?" Which has him brighten up, since on the list of his failings, Alexander does find 'weakness to flattery' amongst them. Or perhaps more it amuses him. But then she confesses about Reginald's proclivities and he nods. "Well one could argue anyone with a manbun fits that definition."

Kwannon has posed:
That earned a soft laugh as Kwannon nodded while passing over her flute to the barkeep. "Sake. Two cups. The best you have." Then a look to Alexander. "If you will partake with me, of course." Since she had just sort of presumeed instead of asking.

She does give a glance toward Reginald. "I do mean in a very literal sense though. He would like to kill you. In some very graphic ways. I must give him points for creativity. And you are often in a state of undress so it could be almost an enjoyable fantasy did it not cross certain lines."

And she gives a little shrug. "I have some of my own gifts. It only works on the worst of humanity it seems but I can read his thoughts. Those who are mentally unsound or are wishing on violence to someone else." Which was an utter lie. Since she could read the thoughts of everyone in the room. Though Alexander's mind was more difficult and far more intriguing.

"But you not only are handsome, you also draw others to you like flies to honey. You were the center of that social dynamic which collapsed with your exodus. Very interesting."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Ah, well, then sure." Which has him nodding to the bartender to cancel his order and he accepts the offer of the sake. Once the man starts about his business, Alex looks back to the tall Asian woman. His eyebrows widen a touch as he listens to the foul motivations of reginald, likely driven by the madness induced by his hairstyle. He gives a nod, then hmmms.
    "And how did you come by this knowledge?" She might have thought before that his own thoughts were perhaps peripherally focused upon her. He was still judging the room, their surroundings, the people. But now his entire attention was given to her as she had piqued his curiousity. Which is when she offers further insight.
    Though this time into herself.
    "Ah, telepathy." But he listens to her and nods, and to his credit she might detect some suspicion but not enough to change his behaviour dynamic in his mind which... might also be curious. Anyone presented with the presence of a telepath, and one that is a beautiful one right before them dressed in such a striking dress... she'd pick up instant anxiety, stress, fear.
    Yet Alexander took it as easy as if she said, 'I like orange juice.'
    He lifts his chin, and then she offers a compliment. He smiles, the tips of his ears darkening a little as well... flattery. Then he accepts her words about his social dynamic affect and he says, "Sometimes," As if to qualify it.
    "For a lot of them I'm a question mark. So the unknown always has its appeal." And he very well knows he's perhaps meaning his appeal to her in the moment.

Kwannon has posed:
"It often does," Kwannon agrees as she considers him curiously. So strange. no fear. Everyone exhibited fear when they learned she was a telepath. Not that they retained that knowledge, unless it suited her. She simply would erase it when the time came. But everyone had secrets.

Though that wasn't exactly true. Some did not. But it felt so intimate to have someone read one's thoughts. It was enough to make people uncomfortable since everyone would have a negative thought at some time, when it was improper to do so. It was to be human.

"So tell me about yourself, Alexander? Are you as interesting as I believe or should I cut my losses now and continue the circuit of the room?" she teased as she picked up the carafe of warm sake and poured an amount into each of the two cups that had been provided.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As she pours his answer comes almost instantly, no prevarication, no forethought. Just quick words voice without edit, "I like to imagine I am." Which brings a small smile to his lips. "Though I won't stop you from seeking out other curiousities." Which has him lifting his pale hazel eyes and looking across the room.
    A casual scan, noting the room, its entrypoints, its curious individuals. No change from earlier, then he looks back to her. The glance had looked like nothing more than the normal curiousity but the gathering of information was curious.
    "But I am a legacy member here." A pause as he lifts the sake and holds it up, gesturing to her with it. Then he takes a sip. He sets it down and murmurs. "Sometimes I'm drawn out of my cave to wander here and poke my head in. Sometimes at the behest of my father so people don't forget that he exists."
    The words are perhaps impugning his father a little, but his feelings are positive about the word and the man. No resentment, pretend resentment at most.
    "But I wouldn't presume to dictate what you do. You seem like a woman who does what she wishes, when she wishes."

Kwannon has posed:
In truth, he had that right. She did what she wanted, when she wanted. Thus her attendance in this place. She had manipulated the mind of the Senator so she would be able to enter. She might be drawing the attention of the people in the Inner Circle, though she didn't even know such a thing existed. But she had wanted to know what was inside this place and why it had such a formidable reputation.

Movers and shakers of the world. Yet, they were just the same types of people she had seen everywhere. Petty thoughts and petty desires, with the money and/or celebrity necessary to gain those things. It was dull in a lot of ways, thus why she stuck to her circles. Until now. Until that other part of her mind drew her to New York City.

The knowledge she had from this place would be enough to allow her to make more money. She could even manipulate a few to get herself a place to stay rent free if she wanted to, since the hotel was wearing thin.

She sipped her sake and eyed him as she did so. "You are far more interesting than anyone else in this room. Something...about you. I cannot put my finger on it."

She set her cup down and glanced at him sidelong. "Perhaps we should discuss it. Over dinner."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    An elbow rests on the counter as he refills his cup and then hers as well. He sets the small carafe down and then meets her eyes with an easily given smile. "I have already eaten." Giving some hint of a pause there, letting it linger before he adds. "And we seem to already be sharing a drink."
    Those hazel eyes drift as he considers the room, his lip twists as he looks back to her and adds. "Though I wouldn't disagree with a change of venue."
    His thoughts do wander, and as he said those words she could see the flicker of them. A truth in that he had eaten, but she got the impression that he didn't eat as often as some. She also may get the impression, that he also interprets those words as an advance, flirtation. And it brings to his mind flickers of imagery of flattering nature in some ways, and wild ones in others.
    But also... a look to her of him gauging. And she can tell he takes her measure with curiousity but also wariness. For the imagery in his mind isn't simply images of beauty or loveplay, but also of the potential she has.
    As if she were sent here to kill him.

Kwannon has posed:
Why would a normal person with nothing unusual in their lives ever presume that they were being targeted for death? They wouldn't.

What was he? Who was he? It was a curiosity and she wanted to solve it. To learn the truth of him. And to do that, they needed to be out of this place.

"Let us finish your drinks and find somewhere else." And she realized that his belief that this might be flirtation was correct. Though mainly she wanted to learn, such flirtation was a means to an end. A way for her to seek secrets. Since people would share them.

"Let us depart and speak truth to one another. No games. No ploys. I would understand you."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As he rises he confesses with a smile, "Well there's truth." He pushes the stool back into the bar and offers her his arm then adds. "And then there's truth."