14880/Housewarming Party

Housewarming Party
Date of Scene:	17 May 2023
Location:	145 Central Park Penthouse
Synopsis:	Mary and Marie welcome their friends into their new home, food and gifts a'plenty!
Cast of Characters:	Marie-Ange Colbert, Emma Frost, Mary Bromfield, Billy Batson, Sunny Harlow, Jon Kent, T'Challa, Michael Hannigan, Jubilation Lee, Noriko Ashida

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Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Those who know either Mary Bromfield or Marie-Ange Colbert would likely get the impression of young, hard-working girls. The kind that would likely find a nice little apartment in a quiet neighbourhood with too loud neighbours that they'd have to bang on the ceiling in order to keep from being overwhelmed by noise. Those who recieved invitations from either of the girls were likely expecting that.

But in the words of M. Night Shamaylan (as depicted by Robot Chicken), 'What a twist!'

The Penthouse of 145 Central Park offers the kind of opulence that one might not have expected from the combined income of a tarot reader and a journalism intern/streamer, but that's definitely where the party's been held. Those who've been to previous parties thrown by Marie might recognize some of her hallmarks; there's not a lot of things to draw attention to themselves, but there most certainly is /food/, and while there's no open bar or performing musicians (yet) at the moment, there are a variety of refreshments set out and soft music playing over speakers that were definitely placed by a musician with a streak of perfectionism.

Marie herself stands to greet all guests at the door, wearing a conservative but still trendy red dress, with a single yellow daisy tucked into her flowing red hair as adornment; there was no 'listed' dress code on the invite, as she's not the type to impose any restrictions on others -- though those dressed down might get odd looks from some of the other residents and/or staff in the building on their way to the elevator.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma herself is entering over with several trays coming behind her. Severla, several trays. Emma had taken the time to confirm each and every candy, cake, ice cream, sweet thing, and alcohol that she knew Marie-Ange and Mary adored. Thus, she had made the centerpiece of her catering sufficient sweets to feed a small army of Marie-Anges and Mary Bromfields over in the open house.

Emma's humming over while she would glance about, going to fold her hands behind her back, behind her arm over a large, but thin package.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary is wearing a nice black silk shirt, silver buttons along the front, as she has a matching black skirt that swishes down to just above her knees. She quickly walks over towards Marie, planting a light kiss on her cheek as she murmurs, "Got the last of the food out for now."

She grins, "Not that I had to do a /lot/ of work, considering what Ms Frost was able to pull off, but I wanted to put in a few personal touches." Because she was taught by Mrs. Vasquez, and had to break out a fair variety of chips and homemade dips.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson actually put some thought into Mary and Marie's housewarming gift. Then after due deliberation he asked Darla and Rosa. Then he took their suggestions and in typical fashion did something completely different. Blame it on the sudden success of his show -now streaming from a studio like a professional, Billy went out and spent it like a drunken SHIELD agent. It also didn't take the Wisdom of Solomon t realize they had some different tastes: Therefore two gifts.

As he enters, wearing a new dark jacket a leather bag is slung on his shoulder. How modern.

He stops before Marie and does a runway turn showing it off. Then he opens it and extracts a flat rectangular gift he hands to his sister. He sums it up by handing the bag for Marie. "Pour vous. The right size for hiding sheet music. In fact it contains the sheet music for The Magic Flute. "For you big sis," he says looming a little. He looks back to the door he entered by for someone. Then he processes his surroundings. "Holy. Moley."

Sunny Harlow has posed:
Sunny had been invited! Having come from work she'd at least stopped to tuck her apron unto her bag and stash it. Sure it meant she was essentially turning up in a white button up shirt and skirt that she usually wore as part of her uniform while working in the diner.

Hair still tied back, there's a tap on the door while the blonde rookie heroine in civies was currently balancing an actual basket of sweets.

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon Kent arrives at this open house with...far humbler gifts in his wake.

He wars black and blue flannel with black pants and some work boots, his thick-rimmed glasses resting on his nose and covering ocean-blue eyes. In his hands is a tray of green bean casserole.

"Hey guys." He greets Marie and Mary when it's his turn, waiting for others to greet them first and give them their congratulations for the new place.

"Know it isn't much and I know it probably isn't as good as Ma Kent's cooking, but I made you guys some green bean casserole."

T'Challa has posed:
    Just the right amount of time after the one on the invitation to qualify as 'fashionably late', T'Challa steps out of the elevator with Okoye a step behind. He's got a box tucked under one arm of the black suit he's wearing, wrapped in festive paper held closed by a bow.

    Stepping up to the doorway he smiles at Marie-Ange and says "You seem to be moving up in the world. Congratulations on your new home. I understand the custom here is to give a housewarming gift when invited to this sort of event."

    He holds up the box he is carrying and asks, "Since you seem to be on station at the door, is there somewhere for gifts to be placed?"

    From behind him, Okoye scans the visible part of the penthouse, raises a brow slightly, then smiles and nods at Marie-Ange.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Being a bit more than initially perceived is often a trademark of those in the entertainment industry. So, with that in mind, and the surprises Mike has encountered over the year, the twist loses a little bit of the oomph. This is especially when the trip up TO the penthouse is long enough to process matters.

Regardless of first impressions, Mike ends up arriving after the elevator returned to the lower floor to retrieve him. Being that he got the invite while working, his attire has a bit more Nick Drago to it than Mike Hannigan. The pants and dress shirt are from a higher esteemed brand and the color of the red shirt is no accident for the pale blue eyed rockstar. Having opted to be somewhat dressed up, that also means the knit cap has not shown up and instead has been replaced by a simple matched band holding the hair back.

Being that the invite likely came later than the others, there's less thought to the gift he brought, but it is a tried and true item picked. With the vessel of its delivery being in the form of an envelope one could likely sus out what the contents may contain. Upon entering, his steps slow as he too seeks out the place for dropping off the gifts.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
When Marie sends out invitations... well. She /sends out invitations./ So it's likely no surprise that there are people to be found from all walks of life at the gathering.

"Madame Frost!" Her eyes widen slightly at the trays; she knew to be expecting something, but she wasn't quite expecting such a magnitude of catering! Granted, she should probably know better by now, but it's just not her way to assume such things. Nonetheless, it's the blonde guest herself that gets the most attention, probably already expecting the hug that's coming. For a precog, she's pretty predictable. "I am so happy that you were able to make it!"

"You are the best, Mary mon amour -- what would I ever do without you?" Marie offers to the brunette, reaching a hand for her girlfriend's to offer a quick little squeeze. The once-extremely shy girl has proven a capable hostess in the past, but /that/ is only by the virtue of having her anchor to keep her grounded.

"Merci beaucoup, Billy!" Marie greets, a quick hug for Mary's brother as well as she takes the offered gift -- and is once again in motion to get the door for "...you must be Mademoiselle Sunny! Billy speaks very highly of you, come in, come in!"

...and it's a good thing she left the door open, because Jon's in next! "Monsieur Jon! It /looks/ positively delicious. I cannot wait to try it, oui?" Beaming, she waves him in with a free hand, "Place it with the food, c'est vous plait?" she asks, making a mental note to grab some quickly before it's gone.

And there comes, "King T'Challa, Madame Okoye!" she greets warmly, dropping into a low curtsy -- a little awkward with one free hand, but she manages. "Merci beaucoup; the presence of good friends is truly the only gift I need, but we do have a space for such things upon that table, if you would not mind?" Because she's already got one hand occupied, and no shortage of guests arriving even as she briefly leaves her post to take the one she's holding to said gift table.

"Monsieur Drago! I am glad that you could make it!" she calls out towards the door, waving with her free hand. No guest shall go ungreeted while Marie's on watch!

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    The door to the penthouse grumbles gently against its frame as someone on the outside attempts to push it open with no shortage of confidence. The door doesn't open. "Oh, come on!" can be heard from the other side, the complaint barely audible as it passes through the swankiest of door materials. After a few moments of knob-rattling, the doorbell is found. Ding-dong-ding-dong-ding-dong-ding-dong. It doesn't relent. Ding-dong-ding-dong-ding-dong. Knock-knock-knock. "C'mon, this is humiliating!" the voice says. Female. Young. All Valley.

    Jubilation Lee presses her pale cheek against the door and slouches, causing the door to gently tug her features into a warped, unhappy expression. She bangs her open palm against the wood a few more times before going back to the doorbell.

    She's dressed in bright colors, though nothing that anyone might consider 'upscale' or appropriate for any occasion. She wears a bright pink tank-top, black spandex shorts, bright white sneakers, and a pair of dark, Ray-Ban sunglasses -- even at night. Her long hair has been pulled back into a messy, wavy rats nest she'll tell you is a bun. A wrapped gift dangles unceremoniously from one of her hands as she waits.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile over at Marie-Ange, "A pleasure as always. Thank you for having me here." She would go to bobble her head over to glance at the others entering in. Some familiar, some not. T'Challa.. One of the few so wealthy to make her seem but a street urchin in comparison. Something amused from Emma.

"You're a delightful hostess, Marie-Ange. You're practically melting on teh spot. Enjoy yourself." She would give a nod to those presence, smiling over and going to search te others. And moving to give Marie-Ang ea hug before breaking away to give a smile to Mary. "A pleasure, thank you for having me into your home."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles and blinks, "Billy, you didn't have to..." She looks at the gift, then blinks again, "You rascal, how did you manage THIS!" She laughs and gives her little brother a hug, even if he's not exactly little anymore. Then she smiles over at Sunny, "And hey, Sunny, it's great to see you!" She's definitely a hugger for family and friends of family, so Sunny gets a hug too unless she's decidedly adverse.

Mary grins at Jon, "And the casserole is perfect, you can just follow the smells to see where all the food is. Thanks for bringing that!" She definitely sounds sincere about that, as she then blinks at the sight of...

"Oh, um, your... highness?" She looks a little surprised to see T'Challa and Okoye there, but gives them a warm smile, "Glad you could make the party." She does, however, give Marie a 'later-for-YOU!' look before greeting Mister Drago, giving him a friendly smile. She looks about to say something more, but hears the door rattling and excuses herself quickly.

Opening the door, she gives Jubilation Lee a friendly smile, "Hey, hear for the party? I think I've seen you in passing at the school, I'm Mary." With that, she extends a hand, "Come on in! Party's just getting started."

T'Challa has posed:
    T'Challa nods and steps into the penthouse, following Marie over to place his gift on the correct table. After that, he takes a quick look around the apartment including the view from the windows before finding something innocuous to drink.

    At Mary's greeting, he smiles back and nods his head slightly, "Thank you for inviting me to your new home. It is simply an outstanding view from here."

    Despite a number of attempts in the past to convince Okoye that relaxing just enough to have a drink of something non-alcoholic would not distract her from her guard duties, it is an argument T'Challa continues to lose as she remains alert and un-hydrated in her red armor. She carries no visible weapon, but that doesn't really mean much where she is concerned.

Sunny Harlow has posed:
Invited in amongst the tide of both faces familier and completely alien to her, Sunny gives a little quiet 'Eeek' before grinning, looking between the pair and lifting the covered basket like some parody of red riding hood...without the titular hood.

"I made some extras at work and hoped they'd make a decent gift. A bunch of small muffins and cakes to share. I figure there's got to be some you like in there."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike smiles over as the hostess knocks out greetings. "Thank you for the invite, Madame Colbert. I've just gotten a glimpse from the entrance way but the apartment looks fantastic."

When Mary flashes him a smile, he returns the gesture in kind before all hell breaks loose with the door. Conversation set aside for now, he glances over to the newly noticed table where the gifts are being deposited. And then he sees the other guests.

Mike lifts up a hand to wave at Billy.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Jubilee!" The sight of one of her oldest friends /not/ named Jennifer Stavros makes the redhead's smile grow a little wider, and yes, Hug Warning is in full effect for the second the French girl can make her way over towards the undead mallrat. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

Emma draws a giggle out of Marie, "I enjoy myself when my guests are happy, Madame Frost, so I hope to enjoy myself thoroughly!" -- and she's not kidding. Marie's always been about putting others needs ahead of her own.

"Merci, Monsieur Drago! I try to share the blessings that I recieve in life with people I care about. Why horde things when you can bring smiles to many more faces than one's own, oui?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would dip her head to the side and smile, "Ms. Lee, good to see you out and about." Emma would scan at each of the others entering in, and then move over to the side. This was the event of Marie-Ange for her friends and family. It was important that it ran the way she and her girlfriend wanted to wihtout interruption.

Emma goes to smile over at Marie-Ange, "Yes dear. And do remember to indulge yourself some and don't feel like you have to be everywhere all at once."

Jon Kent has posed:
"Will do."

Jon gives a big smile to both ladies and he starts to walk, a blush on his cheeks at the surefire confidence in his cooking. "Ma, I hope I did your recipe proud..." He mutters under his breath, placing his food down where people could receive it.

He turns then to look at T'Challa. "K-K-King T'Challa!" He clears his throat. "Uhm, it's nice to meet you, uh..sir."

He spares a glance to the Dora Milaje at the King's side and then immediately turns his attention away. Is he dead? He's dead, right?

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    The opening of the door causes Jubilation to stumble a little bit as her cheek loses its support. Her expression shifts to one of mild pain or, at the very least, extreme discomfort. Strangely, she doesn't fall forward into the apartment. It's as though there's something invisible holding her in that position instead of the door that was there just a moment ago. Whatever's going on, she doesn't like it and immediately leans back and resumes a normal posture, resolving whatever invisible burden she was forced to bear. She relaxes, though, when Mary gives her name.

    "Mary!" Jubilee exclaims, her face lighting up as she repeats it. Her eyebrows peek up over the top edge of her sunglasses and her mouth stretches into a wide grin, revealing that four of her canine teeth -- two on top, two on bottom -- are razor sharp. Apparently, she's heard of Mary Bromfield. "Awesome! Yeah, hi! I'm Jubilation, but, you know... I got lots of names. I heard you're totally Crocodile Mile material!" This is some kind of rare distinction, apparently, at Xavier's.

    Strangely, Jubilee doesn't reach out to take Mary's hand. In fact, she remains distinctly /outside/ the penthouse until the very moment that Mary tells her to 'come on in!' Once Jubilee hears those three words, she takes a large, confident step inside the penthouse and goes in for the kill -- a single arm way-too-familiar hug for poor Mary.

    There's something off about her. Her skin is just a little too perfect. Her hair is just a bit too silky, messy though it might be. For a just-getting-started-in-life young adult, she's far too captivating to look at and moves with an unnerving fluidity and grace. If the one-armed hug finds its target, Mary would no doubt discover that Jubilee is no warmer than room temperature.

    Once Marie-Ange calls out to her, Jubes shrugs sheepishly at Mary. "Told you," she points out. "Lots of names. Jubilee. Jubes. J-Lube that one time. Never again."

    Jubilation gives Marie a fangy grin through their hug and then, once it's over, she makes a big show of looking around. "Ho-ly shit," she announces for maximum effect. "Look at this place! It has everything! I mean..."

    But then she sees...

    "Oh. It's got one of /those/..." Jubilation mutters loudly, giving a dismissive gesture in Emma Frost's direction.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson gives Mary a hug, "I bribed your old players to tell me what D&D books you were missing. That one you called Vecna told me. He falls into place by Sunny, and ives her a kiss on the cheek, the leads her by the arm to the young man in glasses. "Sunny, this is my friend Jon Kent. Jon, this is my significant other, Sunny Harlow. Oh and there's Mr. Drago, one of the guys who got me that studio I'm using. Hey Mr. Drago! This is Sunny."

He considers the basket and says to Sunny, "That reminds me, I paid everything I owed your boss. I thought they were comping me all that food because we were dating."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary accepts the hug from Jubilee, grinning, "Jubilee, then." She notices the rather distinct traits of the girl, but doesn't bring attention to them because, well, frankly, that would be rude. And besides, she's known other folks like that too, though it's been a while.

She comes back in towards the penthouse proper, stealing another kiss from Marie as she returns and waves over at Emma, "Thanks again for everything that you've done. It really means a lot, for both of us." She smiles warmly at Ms Frost, glancing around the penthouse as if she's still not sure she's in the right place.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost knows that faint moment where Jubilee requires permission to enter, and then she goes to smile at Mary. "It's a pleasure, thank you for having me here again. It's a privilege to be one of Marie-Ange's friends, and to get ot know you as well. You both make one another so happy." Emma doesn't have to read their minds to get htat from the joy that they gave one another whenever they were around one another.
    "Darling, for one that claims she doesn't care so much about presentation, you've taken all the time to present yourself like a china doll. Are we going for pretty in porcelain or is there something up you're spruced up for?" The back and forth having a semblance of familiarity to it.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks back over to Marie as she brings up sharing her blessings. The musician nods. "A wonderful mindset to have." He agrees. Part of him can just hear Wade's past lectures in the back of his mind regarding taking breaks, "But, sometimes the hardest part is to remember to maintain enough of the blessings for yourself so you're able to continue to share the joy."

Hearing Emma's pointed advice, he tilts his head her way in indication. "Miss Frost has a good point. Your guests will enjoy the party more if you're enjoying it yourself."

After all, they all know how to work a doo-

...Well most of them.

Getting a response back from Billy, Mike looks back over to him, and then towards Sunny. "Hello Sunny," he greets, glancing back over to Billy. "Sorry I haven't had much chance to talk since the stream switch. How are you getting settled in?"

T'Challa has posed:
    Overhearing Emma's advice to Marie-Ange, T'Challa chuckles quietly and interjects his take on hosting, "Ms. Frost is right. I do have a bit of experience hosting large gatherings. It took me a little while to realize that you simply can't take care of everyone at once. Welcome them, provide refreshments and a proper venue and your guests will generally take care of themselves."

    It's probably good that nobody is trying to assassinate the king at the moment, because Okoye's attention is on Jubilee right now. Perhaps it's how she moves, some aura she projects, or just possibly the fanged grin that caught her attention, but she has currently moved slightly to put herself between T'Challa and Jubilee.

    With a friendly smile T'Challa replies to Jon's greeting. "Thank you, young man. If you are a friend of Marie-Ange, then I would ask you consider me a friend as well. And at a social gathering like this, please just use my name. It's nice to take a few moments away from "King T'Challa" every now and then."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"It /really does./" Marie replies to Jubilee. "Aside from a room for us, we have a guest room," In case anyone drinks too much, "a room where Mary does her streaming-work and I was even able to soundproof one for practicing my instruments properly!" Pause. "Oh. Oh. Oh. And would you believe there is a /jacuzzi/ on the roof?" she asks conspirationally. Spoiler: There is! The comment towards Emma is met with a giggle, "Of course there is. Madame Frost was kind enough to help us with this place."

She's quick to happily kiss Mary back -- despite being a rather shy girl in many settings, PDA is /not/ something she's shy about. Plus, Mary's her tag-team partner in hosting duties, clearly, and she definitely wants to show her love and appreciation.

The advice from both Nick and T'Challa get a solemn nod, "Oui, Monsieurs, you are both right." she replies, bowing her head slightly with a blush. "You always come through with important lessons, T'Challa... and I still have much to learn."

...of course, she isn't going to learn that lesson overnight, as she's certain to collect the basket from Sunny, flashing a bright smile. "Merci beaucoup. I hold a great measure of respect for anyone who can successfully bake. My attempts have been..." she looks sideways briefly, giggling. "Well. I am fortunate that nobody has yet called the National Guard, oui?" ...her baking is really bad. Cooking's alright, at least!

Sunny Harlow has posed:
The kiss and the snare of her arms has Sunny blinking and giving a little embarassed 'Eeep' as she's pulled away. "Just let me put the muffins down-!" she offers with a sheepish look before she's suddenly pulled in front of Jon and 'Mr. Drago', weilding the basket.

"Uh...Hi? I'm Sunny," she offers lightly, but whatever might come next is met with a bright wide-eyed look from the blonde to Billy. "But...I -was- comping you out of my pay..."

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation watches wide-eyed as Marie and Mary kiss, forcing her to see Marie in a completely new light. After just a moment, though, a moment of joy and caring exchanged between two happy people, she relaxes into it being the new normal. In fact, Jubilee injects some effervescence into the moment with an enthusiastic "Get it girl!" while creating a small arc of multi-colored explosions with a wave of her hand. She steps away and lazily deposits her wrapped gift on a nearby table.

    "Emma," Jubilee begins, her tone suggesting that her eyes are rolling behind her sunglasses. "...I thought you were all rich and stuff but, like, couldn't you afford an /American/ plastic surgeon?" She gives the mutant a /huge/ smile as she struts past her on her way to the food spread. The movement from Okoye fades Jubilee's smile as she realizes two things: One, a joke about American plastic surgeons might end up hurting someone other than Emma Frost. Two, this was the same chilly so-and-so who gave her the stink eye at Marie's birthday party. Dial it back, Jubes, dial it back!

    Jubilation manages to reign in her inner sass-monster as she steps up to inspect the table with all the food. There will be plenty of time to say hi-hey-hello to the other people in the penthouse. The food table commands her attention for now and...she frowns. It's food. Solid. Edible. All of it. Ugh.

    "Hey, Marie, Mary... You got any neighbors you don't like that much? One that you won't miss?" she asks loudly, grinning back in their direction. Just kidding.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would just smile over at Jubilee and then glance over at her swimmingly, "Why, Ms. Lee, you care. Be still your unbeating heart." She would deadpan over while lgancing over at Okoyte, "It's all right, I trust the iglr implicitly. She's very much a dear. Do be patient with her. She's a California Girl and you must know how those go." A soft tease given over to Jubilee while Emma goes to intersperse herself just gently over with Okoye just in case.
    At the smooch Emma gives a soft, proud smile to Marie-Ange while going to look about over the rest of the party.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary says to Sunny, "She's a work in progress, but fortunately Mrs. Vasquez taught me pretty well in the cooking department." She grins impishly at Marie, giving her a wink as she laughs, looking over at Jubilee, "You sound like Michael. Sadly, we do have some pretty nice neighbors so far."

She then moves over towards Billy and Sunny, "So, how's working in a studio now, Billy? It's got to be something to actually podcast out of there." She grins a bit, taking a moment to downshift and catch up a bit.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson lets go of Sunny, "Oh. Ooooh. That is really sweet of you. You are the best but... I'm not making you pay for me. Here, let's set that basket down. Sorry. He leans in to give her as affectionate as possibly under the circumstances. "I'm just excited for you to meet everyone, hon. Can you blame me? You're the best." H offers his arm to her.

Billy ponders his sister's question, "It's pretty cool. The only downside is I have to get completely dressed. Never had to worry about that with the podcast. I'd like Sunny to sit in sometime and show some of her fashion designs off. She is amazing. She does it all. I can barely manage to play a flute."

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon straightens his back as he speks to the King. "I am....and...that would be an honor, you're highness. Uh...I guess I should call you just...T'Challa?" He asks with a great deal of uncertainty, before he turns his eyes towards Billy, then, to Sunny.

"Hi there. Billy's told me a lot about you." He extends a hand to her with a big smile on his face and a hand extended to shake her hand, if she so likes.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    "Michael who?" Jubilation wonders loudly, having absolutely no problem carrying on a conversation with Mary from across the penthouse. She gives up on the food table and re-approaches, giving her an opportunity for a third zinger at Emma's expense -- the oh-so-rare hat trick. "Oh, hey, Emma, are clothes expensive at the North Pole?" she wonders, not even bothering to stop as she passes.

    Jubilation stops right in her tracks, just in time to catch Billy and Sunny's little moment, just like Mary and Marie had a minute ago. "Jeez, I didn't know this was a /makeout party/," she announces. Jubilee's attention turns towards the penthouse door, as though she might somehow expect a new arrival for whatever reason.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing the name shouted out, Mike starts to turn his head curiously before he stops.

Ah.

Different Michael.

Not otherwise engaged, the musician moves over to the previously spotted gift table to drop off the present.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary grins over at Jubilee, apparently not phased by the attitude that much as she says, "Michael Morbius. He came by the coffee shop a few times before, well..." She trails off, making a dismissive gesture, "Been a few years since I've seen him though."

She grins back at Billy, "And well, now that I have a nice setup, I'm leaning towards streaming full-time. I really like it, and it is nice to make my own hours. Being my own boss..." And not having a certain editor-in-chief yelling at her for coffee at random intervals does have an appeal.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost continues to look amused over at the back and forth. "It's good to be able to decide your own career path. And to get to determine your own direction. Something unfortunately that too few have the opportunities too." She's in mixed company here - not everyone is as cutthroat as her world lends itself to so she puts it as opportunity rather thandrive.
    NOt everyone wants to walk over the obliterated belongings of any of them that stood in the way, after all. "And are we asking very nicely for something, Ms. Lee?"

Noriko Ashida has posed:
Did someone say makeout party?

Did a certain someone say makeout party?

As if signaled from who knows where, Noriko speeds in as fast as possible and simply 'appears' next to Jubilation as if she's been there all along.  It's the static-y hair that gives her away though, and a small static jolt that connects with Jubilation.

"What did I miss," Noriko whispers barely for the vampire next to her, whom she looks slightly older than.  The electric blue haired girl is wearing a leather hoodie over a nondescript dark blue blouse some dark gray skinny jeans, and some flashy blue sneakers with orange accents along with her gauntlets which reach up just beyond her elbow.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
And /that's/ the moment that Marie blushes deeper. "It is not that kind of party!" she protests at Jubilee. Then considers. "But. Ah. It is not /disallowed/ either, oui?" ...because really. Marie's French, and this is her home. So. Yeah! She's not about to object to such things. However, she's not going to stare, either.

Making her way over towards Nick, she offers a bright smile. "So, Monsieur Drago. I have been meaning to ask -- how did you get your start in music? I mean... if you are not tired of 'talking shopping' outside of the studio?" Marie might have lived most of her life under the proverbial rock, but she loves music, and knows a thing or two about those who play it.

Sunny Harlow has posed:
Oh hey...there's a King there. Just...in the apartment. Who the heck did Mary or Marie know to have these sorts of friends? Even if she did know a little about the family's 'private words'. Basket taken from her, the blonde shrugs lightly and nods. "I mean, I'll talk to Joe, or maybe he'll just put it back as a bonus or..."

She trails off, looking back towards Jon and extending a hand. "It's a pleasure Jon, nice to put a face to the name."

The kiss between the pair, that does bring a little smile, but at least Sunny was well aware of the relationship between the pair. The blushing response from Marie-Ange however? That earns a laugh.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    "Ah," Jubilation says, nodding once in Mary's direction. If she knows or doesn't know Morbius -- if she saw him at the last vampire meeting -- Jubilation doesn't betray it. Just a single nod, a single word. Ah.

    Emma gets another frown, though, from Jubes. Does she want to dress like the White Queen? "Hard pass," Jubilation answers Emma with two-thumbs-down held straight out in front of her. Yuck.

    As cool as she might be, there's something about that blue-haired speedster that puts Jubilation Lee off-kilter. Though she doesn't breathe and her chest remains still these nights, Jubilee appears to hold her breath anyway. Her smile, previously sassy and confident, turns dopey in an instant. She reaches up with both hands and gently smooths out Noriko Ashida's electric blue hair.

    "Well," Jubes begins. "...That's Mary..." An index finger is pointed conspiratorially in her direction. "Marie said she's totally ready for the Crocodile Mile, by the way. I think she might be right." A shrug. Jubilation agreeing that someone is cool enough to handle the Crocodile Mile is high praise.

    "Emma's there. Just got back from getting her unibrow waxed or something," she continues, raising her whisper to a standard volume so Emma can hear her. Back to a whisper. "That one is important, I think," she adds, gesturing towards T'Challa as she leans into Noriko Ashida's jaw so she can properly whisper her situation report. It's a little closer than necessary. "...And that one hates me." Okoye.

    Finally, Jubilation's enthusiasm fades. "And, the food's over there," she adds glumly before giving the speedster a quick kiss on her cheek. She can't compete with a table full of free food.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles and suddenly appears behind Marie, "Make out party? Well, I figured we'd wait until everyone else /left/..." She looks decidedly impish as she rests her head on Marie's shoulder, giving her a wry look, "I'll ask you about the Crocodile Mile later."
Then she's off again, playing hostess as she goes over towards T'Challa, "Is there anything we can get you? I mean, I have to admit, it's nice to actually meet you. When Marie mentioned she knew you I didn't think she was... um, well, I didn't think you'd actually arrive. But I'm glad that you did."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would glance over to Noriko, "Hello, Ms. Ashida. Jubilee has been ever so sad-faced without your attention. Please, do help pep her up. I was beginning to be afraid she would fade away and just become part of the woodwork, the poor dear." The teasing is old tradition for the two - they have to keep it going, after all.
    "And yes, it is Mary." She would edge off with her needling to not interrupt Jubilee of her time with her fiance.

Emma crossing her arms over, "So Marie-Ange, how did you come to encounter the King? That sounds like a fascinating story that I'm sure would be lovely to share at the party." She would glance over at Jubilee for a moment and then back at Okoye for a moment. "IT's all right, she does bite. But you have to ask her rather nicely."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Having dropped off the present, Mike turns away from the table just in time to catch a blur of movement. Once Noriko comes to a stop, the performer looks to her for a few moments. The out of context aspect does end up causing for a bit of delay in recall but with the vague connection to the context hosting the party, it isn't impossible.

Mike's smile widens, "Evening, Miss Ashida." Mike greets the costar, giving a slight nod in greeting to her.

As Marie draws his attention back, he glances over to the other musician. He watches her silently as she asks her question. There's a moment of quiet once she finishes before he gives a slight nod. "That's perfectly fine to ask." He assures, "I actually got started when I was eighteen. I met Rod Donovan in the ER when I was getting stitched up. And we hit it off. He and some friends were starting a band and they needed a drummer. So, he taught me all he could on percussion and piano. And over time I picked up on other instruments. They were good teachers. After a few years of nonstop practice and gigs, we got picked up by a label."

T'Challa has posed:
    Hate is a strong word. One that Okoye saves for a very few special people. In this case, it's simply the job. Once she's gotten into place, she resumes looking around at the crowd, back to normal guard mode. T'Challa pretty much ignores her repositioning, as they've had that dialogue a number of times as well. He just takes it as part of being king and leaves Okoye to do her job as she sees fit.

    He looks over at Emma when she asks about him, then looks to Marie-Ange, leaving the answer to her. It's her party after all.

    At Emma's comment to Okoye, the general actually cracks into a very slight smile. But she stays in the same position nonetheless.

Noriko Ashida has posed:
"My name is A-shida," Noriko enunciates for Emma.  "Why do you talk like you're forty something year old aunt?  Maybe that's what has her sad."  She turns her head just slightly when Jubes threads her fingers through her hair as if examining her.  "Thnks," is how it comes out.

"Ooh," Noriko pivots and leans against Jubes as the vampire points out Mary.  "Let the Mile determine that," she says with a measure of enthusiasm and finality as if proverbially pushing people out of the nest is the best way to determine CMitude.

"Wait who hates you?-um food?  Oh yeah, here."  Nori leans and passes along a little warm pouch.  "I can just put it in a cup if you want," but that will smell more, obviously.  "I'm really hungry though, if, maybe I can eat something...really quick?"

Michael gets a double-take.  "Uh, hi."  She doesn't bother to introduce Jubilation to Michael or vice versa.  She simply looks to the side and then back to Jubilation as if still waiting for an answer, though it all goes by in a series of quick beats.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie 'eeps' as Mary's suddednly behind her! But quickly relaxes when the voice confirms who it is. Giggling softly and reaching behind herself to hug Mary the best she can, and turning her head to kiss the brunette on her cheek. "I am good either way," she teases, winking. "...just wait until I bring you to some of the parties we have at work."

Work, being the Hellfire Club. 'nuff said.

Mike gets a bright grin, "So it sounds like one of those encounters engineered by fate, oui? I have considered the /possibility/ of pursuing music on a more than recreational level... it is why I submitted my demo." If nothing else, it'll be incredibly neat to get a credit in her name. A form of immortality, right there. She's about to say more before Emma's asking her to tell the story, and she's blushing. "Well. With your permission, T'Challa?" she asks the King -- taking a moment to wave to Noriko, too! Definitely glad to see some of the people she knows from school, though not going to interrupt the pair until they've at least had a proper moment together!

"Well." she clears her throat, reaching a hand out for Mary. If attention's going to be focused on her, having her anchor nearby is important. "A friend of mine, Roberto," Da Costa, but she doesn't name-drop that part! "had invited me and some friends to come to the opening of Montes Memorial Stadium in Gotham. It was a magnificant sight, with many important people there. The Dazzler was even performing!" Marie'd told Mary, at least, about this particular incident. There's a slightly apologetic look shot towards the brunette.

"...well, she had just finished her song about the Moose on the Loose when ninjas attacked the stadium, and there was quite a fight going on, and I.. ah... did not really fight." Well, she tripped a guy. But didn't have her cards with her! "King T'Challa took notice of me, and loaned me a weapon to make certain I would be safe... and later made the very kind offer to train me in the ways of his people, a magnificent honor which I was most happy to accept." She's a good student! Maybe not the best /built/ for it, as the porcelain doll of a girl looks like she'd break at a strong punch, but she works hard, at least.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Something about that exchange fades some of the light from young Jubilee's face. She stares down at the warm, plastic pouch she now holds in her hand. No answer comes, just an expression that suggests she's upset about something, perhaps even lost in thought about it, as though this is the tiniest tip of a large iceberg of shame waiting below the surface. Instead of opening the pouch, Jubilation hides it down the front of her tank top, giving herself a temporary third breast.

    "Go eat, Nori," she says gently, even giving the speedster a little nudge in that direction. Her eyes flicker towards Mary and Marie and their normal dynamic. A glance towards Billy and Sunny. Finally, a third glance towards the warm lump in the center of her chest, an unpleasant reminder that Jubiko's dynamic is different from that of Colbertfield and Batlow.

    There won't be much time for Jubilee to stew in this shame, though, before her cellphone text tone goes off. She pulls the magic rectangle from the waistband of her shorts and stares at it in disgust. Duty calls. "I gotta go. Trouble in paradise," she mutters to Noriko, whatever that means.

    "Okay, fam, I gotta jet!" Jubilation announces loudly before planting a parting kiss against Noriko Ashida's jawline. "Mary, Marie, don't open that present until after everyone's gone!" She flashes them a fangy smile before making her way luxuriously towards the door. Realizing there are still some faces she hasn't met yet, Jubes handles it all in one go. "Everyone, believe whatever Marie tells you about me, forget everything Emma tells you, okay? She's probably been drinking."

    The door is pulled open and Jubilation slips out into the hall. The last thing that's visible before the door closes is her pale hand flashing a 'peace' sign in her wake.

T'Challa has posed:
    T'Challa nods his approval of Marie's explanation, adding "She has been an excellent student thus far." As he speaks, a quiet alarm chimes from his watch. "Ah, I do apologize, but I have to make it to a meeting back at the embassy. Thank you for the invitation, and congratulations on a quite lovely new home."

    He waves to those he knows in one way or another as he heads for the door, letting Jubilee step out first. He also lets her use the elevator first, probably because he's headed in the opposite direction. Once it returns and he steps in, he pushes the single button above the penthouse and the doors close. A minute later the Talon can be seen flying away from the building for just an instant before it cloaks.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Yes, a bit of a lifesaver, that's for sure." Mike agrees, perhaps as a play on the mention of the ER in the story. The smile that had been widened to greet the incoming actress relaxes, smaller, but somewhat warmer.

Mike blinks, looking back over to Marie, "You know, Shaw Studios does maintain a talent call list. If you're interested in pursing more studio work after the movie work is done, maybe that's something to consider trying out for. I generally check there when building a group together for a tour."

As Marie-Ange goes into her story, Mike shifts over to get a beverage. Still listening to the story, his eyes look up and over at the mention of Dazzler. Thoughts drift to figuring out the last time they had a good in person talk. Hmmm. Guess they both have been pretty busy the past few months.

Come to think of it there are a few people he could probably give a call to...As the conversations flow, Mike ends up drifting further into his thoughts.

Noriko Ashida has posed:
It doesn't take super speed to catch Jubilation's reaction to handing over the pouch, but it sure makes it excruciatingly obvious that it isn't positive.  Noriko doesn't move until she is nudged, not fighting it, but certainly requiring it.  She ends up spotting Marie this way and waves, her gauntlet crackling a little in the air.  She pulls her arm down quick and then scuttles to the food table in a blur.

Noriko's already piled up two layers of food when she hears Jubilation, leaning just barely into the little parting kiss.  "Kay.  I'll see you soon I hope."  It's rhetorical really.  She knows Jubes is on call, but she can still wish it! Noriko busies herself with her food, putting on that great act of eating like a bird with quick little motions and polite stops so people can see her. She ends up mingling with a few people before tailing after Jubilation.