14918/Cheery Ol' London: Part One

Cheery Ol' London: Part One
Date of Scene:	31 May 2023
Location:	ExCel London
Synopsis:	The Charity Covention is a knock out...but something always mucks up a good time. Like crazy possessed people!
Cast of Characters:	Clea, Richard Swift, Monet St. Croix, Nettie Crowe, Steve Rogers, Jemma Simmons, Wanda Maximoff, James Barnes, Lara Croft, Scott Summers

---

Clea has posed:
International Charity Works was throwing a massive convention over the week of May 29 to June 4th. This was a first time for them and there was a very big list of people that were appearing. A lot of people paid a LOT of money to get to be able to stand in lines to have autographs signed and to talk to their favorite superheroes for a few moments. There are too many tiny Captain America's to count. As well as some card board Iron Man and others.

It's really weird to see people dressed like you...or it might not be to some.

It's nearing towards the end of convention time for the midweek are starting to dwindle until the people that are in the autograph areas are able to actually take a moment to breath and wander about themselves.

There are boothes dedicated to merchandise, facepainting, the whole nine yards that comes up at these types of events.

Thankfully no one has called in any bomb threats, or it would all be ruined.

Richard Swift has posed:
The shadows congeal into a nimbus of darkness. Then...a left foot, was that prada leather shoes? A leg, in the finest designer pants - two legs, a suit, cut from the finest cloth, a cane, then a man, top hat and all. The Shade has arrived, with a purple ascot and handkerchief this time. Must be a night to be "wild". The sunglasses finish the set.

Monet St. Croix has posed:
Monet St. Croix is here to be appreciated. She thinks very highly of herself (to the surprise of almost no one that had ever met her). So she's here among the 'little people' to go ahead and be appreciated for whatever this sort of unimportant proceed things are going for. She goes to make a face over at some of the little irritants going on that are so beneath her. Fortunately, M has managed to setup a barrier around herself thanks to some telepathic pressure and intimidation. She's here for the experience, to be appreciated.. And, depending on who shows up here, perhaps to network a bit if anyone worth her attention shows up. She has to get out of the Savage Land sometimes.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie relished the chance to step away from her duties at the shop, after hiring a couple part-timers. For one thing, the British were much looser with their rules and social mores regarding smoking than her American friends. Second, it gave her a chance to be a bit nosy. And like all convention goes she has a bag of swag, a lanyard of Union Jacks around her neck with a JUSTICE LEAGUE badge, and was simply wandering about wearing a black T-shirt and ripped jeans, a cloth sack-style pack over her shoulders and her good ol' Doc Martens have have been resoled more than she has.

    She had on her shoulder a crow on a leash, wearing a little red vest that labeled him an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL.

    "This is *embarrassing*." Corvax mutters. Feathers are *rustled* .

    "Yes, yes, but we're here to keep an eye on some compatriots, and how often do we get to visit London and leave someone else in charge of the shop?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers is over at the tables set out for himself, situated right between an Avengers booth and a SHIELD one. A good crossover spot then. He's wearing his costume, while his iconic shield is on a stand that the charity event promoters had made, for people to take photos in front of, if they don't choose to go with one with Cap (or themselves) holding the shield.

"Of course," Steve says to a little English boy, "Fighting alongside Britain against the Axis was an honor. The British troops accorded themselves quite well," he tells the English lad. A lot of them are interested in hearing about their own nation's connection to him.

Steve signs a picture for the boy, and tells him, "I'll look forward to the day that you're there patrolling alongside. Listen to your teachers and stick with your schoolwork, we need a lot of smart people in the fight for justice," he tells the boy, who nods eagerly as he takes the photo.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Well, if there is one thing that Jemma need not worry about, it is seeing a bunch of little ones dressed like her.

Not that Jemma Simmons is worried about that at all anyways. Her presence is mostly for pleasure, with just a little bit of business included. She's attending the convention...officially as a standard patron. However, the extra reason is to keep an eye on things. Not that there is much to keep an eye on. After all, there's Captain Rogers and Agent Barnes *right* there. What sort of security does one really need to provide to those that protect the world?

Not much, that's what.

So, it allows Jemma opportunity to indulge in the pop culture geek side. And a chance to visit London. Both welcomed opportunities.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
While some personages hold international name recognition, they cannot be asked to brave the adoring or jealous masses alone. Wanda provides moral support as an Avenger and an open member of the arcane community. Witch is, after all, the real thing in her title.

Separating herself from the discreet work with the UNHCR on the southerly fringes of the Mediterranean, she opts for her fancier red getup and filigree crown. Broomsticks or elaborate, quilted capes worn by the smaller set might end up playfully ensconced in a delicate sparkle, no harm greater than looking stylish as she comes across the more patient gaggles at the tail-ends of longer queues. The position she holds stationed at the Avengers provides excellent views over the meandering lines that snake between each section, and when lulls happen, some conversation might be had dropping in on others. Not literally dropping in most of the time, though if anyone dresses up as a Quicksilver, Polaris or Magneto sort - unlikely as it might be - they absolutely get a liberal photo-bombing.

One of those wiggling elementary schoolers peering goggle-eyed at Steve might not quiiite realize his miniature plastic shield before going up to the iconic hero himself, but that little bit of polish is purely the working of the witch's nose-wiggle. And a wink.

James Barnes has posed:
    Bucky isn't here to shake hands and greet fans. Definitely not his thing, by a long shot. But he is here, in his usual all-black getup, his hair tucked up into a hat. Admittedly though he has a recognizable face, and the lone glove kind of gives away that he's hiding something, so he expects eventually someone is going to put two and two together.

    However they will have to deal with his crack team of security personnel, most of which are undercover SHIELD agents, first. The names appearing at the convention today warrant extra protection just in case anyone gets any funny ideas.

    He stands against a wall of the convention center, having a muted conversation over a comm-unit with someone else. A cluster of the aforementioned undercover agents remain around him, their heads on swivels as they monitor the booths set up for the heroes.

    It's probably no coincidence that Bucky's situated near the Avengers booth, which means Steve, Wanda, and others from the team are well in sight. He gives Simmons a nod when he sees her, then crosses his arms over his chest as he continues his purposeful people-watching.

    Everyone else gets a suspicious stare. Maybe he should have worn sunglasses.

Lara Croft has posed:
Being that London is essentially her home, even if she's lived in New York officially for the past three years, Lara does come back to England quite a lot, especially after getting the Manor house back in fully swing as a place for Surrey to be proud of again. Be it charity work, public appearances, or otherwise... Lara's public duties as the Duchess of Surrey is usually one of much more reserved style. Here today though, she was out as a member of SHIELD, and standing just a few paces from Captain Rogers smiling at him as he addresses the young man. Lara is dressed in a dark blue SHIELD jumpsuit, her arms crossed over her stomach and the lithe suit looking quite nice on her fit form, even with two holstered ICER guns locked in to the holsters via fingerprint ID latches. She's not one to normally wear this uniform, but for a convention like this, it only feels appropriate.

Lara was listening to Steve talk when a couple of young girls approached her to garner her autograph, as mostly for Lara's work as an archaeologist, and a famous shipwreck a few years ago that lead to a rather massive discovery of a long lost Japanese island.

Lara kneels for the young girls and strikes up a conversation with them, a smile on her lips as she sweeps her brown eyes from one girl's face to the other, her tied-back pony tail swaying behind her shoulders in that navy blue jumper uniform.

Scott Summers has posed:
    An aisle or two over from the SHIELD and Justice League and the big names, is a smaller booth, with less pizzazz and flair for the dramatic, but with a charm all its own. The sometimes thought of as a mutant terrorist organization, X-men has a booth with a stack of stickers, pens, lanyards, draw string back packs and bags, as well as patches with the iconic red X filled in with yellow. There's a few post cards signed by the 'SR-72' as well as other various kinds of swag able to be picked up.

    Fronting the booth for the moment, is Cyclops, the esteemed leader of the group, when he has been around, but he's here now, half way around the world from his team. Wearing a blue onesie with yellow belts and accents, and a visor across his face, leaving only his chin exposed. Carefully shaven for the occasion.

    Holding out a patch with his gloved hand towards a young woman, "We take in, teach, and help all types. We also save everyone when a crisis arises, we don't discriminate like many people think we do... Not sure where that idea even started." He chuckles softly to himself before resetting his prepared speech. "It's important for mutants and humans, and metas, yes, that we do all we can to strive to be the best we can be." He says with a genuine glistening smile.

Clea has posed:
Clea had gotten to London a few days late. Something about the coconuts that Loki left in the Avenger's backyard. She'd not been sure if the big crowd was going to be a good thing, but it was for charity. For the kids and all. Amusingly the event organizers had pleaded with most to let them give them a bodyguard...even if they could toss them to the moon. Clea's 'bodyguard' is a rather stout looking man named Noah and he looks to be 'COMPLETELY' freaked out that the woman just floats everywhere, but he's been a gentleman and not said it outloud.

She's forgone the Avenger's outfits and shown up in torn jeans, black t-shirt and a purple leather jacket that is well worn. "Are we having fun?" she asks others.

So far there have been no incidents...but the week is still young.

Richard Swift has posed:
Richard Swift peruses the scenery, looking for that one thing that was valuable, besides the ego driven nomenclatures, etc. Sniffing loudly, Swift taps his cane on the concrete floor, and continues to look left and right. So far, nada.

It was a who's who of interesting personalities. Fun for the lay person, indeed. With a frown, the Shade walks, quietly and without too much aplomb.

"Indeed." Shade says, quietly in response to Clea's "are we having fun".

Monet St. Croix has posed:
Monet is not deigning to be here at one of the booths. That's for the inferior types after all! They would include being 'helpful' and leaving good impressions upon others. No, M was here uprely to have her impressions be about herself and how dazzling she was. But still..

She was polite, and on good behavior and not actually mouthing off to anyone nor making herself stand out to extremes.

... Then again in a room with Captain America present everyone else seemed to fade away into the background.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie was quietly off to the side, and she felt the distinct feeling of Being Watched. She gives a soft 'hm', pursing her lips as she plucks a compact from her bag and checks her reflection.

    "Let's see what we can do..." the woman murmurs quietly, and she moves off to one of the booths selling dated items. Prints of WWII era places and costume pieces.

    "Ah, now this --" she picks up a flask, with Captain America's face surrounded by gears and various steampunk frippery, "Reminds me of the Depression." she pauses dramatically, then leans forward "My depression. I was in Iowa. Horrible place, very depressing." she states, and turns it over. "Wager we could have the good Captain give it his ol' John Hancock?" she questions the vendor as she produces a credit card.

    "Caw." states the corvid on her shoulder, dejectedly, with a very :| expression to his voice.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers is wearing a comms piece, if just to be able to have the occasional break of speaking to others from SHIELD and the Avengers in between signing autographs and meeting the convention goers. He says over comms to Bucky, <<I don't know how Sam got out of coming, but he's definitely sitting the booth next time they have one.>>

The little boy that Wanda gave the upgrade to his shield is next in line. He stares at Steve wide-eyed and seems tongue-tied. After a moment he holds out his shield. "Wow," Steve says as he takes it. "That's a great looking shield." He gives it a little ping, hearing how it resonates, and then leans over to do the same with his own shield. The little boy practically bounces off his feet at that and Steve gives him a grin. "Would you like a picture?" he asks. The boy quick nods and moves so his parents can take a picture of him by Cap as he stands up.

Another boy with a shield gets into line. He looks about seven or eight, and is standing with a man who is old enough to be more likely to be a grandfather than a father. The man's suit is impeccable, while the boy is wearing a shirt with Cap's star on it. His shield is one of the better replica ones available.

As it turns out, he got it from someone in the room. The boy reaches up, tugging on the older man's arm. "There's Lady Croft!" he says excitedly. The boy tugs on his sleeve, the older man smiling and nodding, "Most appropriate that you go say hello, and thank her in person."

The young lad hurries over in front of Lara. "Lady Croft! It's me!" he says excitedly. "I brought the shield you sent me!" he says, showing it off for her. Meanwhile the older gentleman follows along behind, giving Lara a smile and the amount of a bow one might give to a Duchess.

Clea has posed:
The announcer comes over the speakers for the center proper:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the convention floor will be closing in thirty minutes. Please make your last purchases and get your autographs for the evening. We will reopen tomorrow morning at ten." the announcer states.

Oh no. Here is it. The last thirty minute rush! It's like working the last thirty minutes of a shift that's lasted two hours too long. And the crowd sorta oozes forward.

Clea gives a smile to Richard and a little salute with her take away cup, "Delightful." she tells him. Then there's a look to Steve when he talks on Sam, "He's probably on coconut duty...or something." she shrugs. Then she's heading off down the aisle to give smiles to people and talk to them. "OH. She's floating!" a few people exclaim.

Noah's not getting paid nearly enough for this as the man hurries after her.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Now, doesn't that warm the cockles of the heart. Leave it to Steve to give a memorable experience.

Jemma watches on with a smile. She can't help it...it's a sweet gesture. As Cap proceeds to offer a photo op, she wanders over to some of the other booths. Part of the con experience is the swag and she needed to restock her lanyard supply anyways. The announcement that the floor is closing soon puts a little bit of a spring in her step, but Jemma really doesn't stray far from the Avenger/SHIELD contingent.

Which...makes it just a little obvious what her unspoken assignment may be. But hey, there is merch to get!

Monet St. Croix has posed:
Oh well. Now it's time to just put on the smile for a short bit longer.. And as the rush of people go to no doubt hurdle around, Monet goes to sashay.. Using her telepathy to make a -gap- between her and everyone else to keep her personal space intact. Which in the rush of bodies would very blatantly stand out - but, it kept her space, and more importantly it let her not have her time and place be interrupted.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Being forced to sit on a stool and face a legion of photographers isn't Wanda's idea of a good time, though she can break into that wide, candy-apple smile for the right subject. She tilts her head a little, head turned slightly to watch the throngs coming with a bit less intensity than Bucky gives them. Curiously she notes the crow on a leash, spotting Nettie's companion as an odd bird out among many brightly feathered beings and softly laughs.

The convention buoys her mood up, partly because of small gifts that keep on giving like Lara encouraging the young women in discussion or Steve around his youngest admirers, sparkly shield or none at all. She eases her way back into the gap separating SHIELD from the Avengers, the no-man's-land between something of a spot where anyone from the organizations can mingle well enough. "Here they come. That pot of tea will have to wait, won't it?" she asides, mildly directed in Jemma's general vicinity. Perhaps a finger-wiggle isn't out of place to manifest that pot.

Scott Summers has posed:
    "It's a secret." Cyclops says towards a young girl with a tap of his nose with his index finger. With a smile he then reaches behind the table he's seated at and then pulls out a chibi plush stuffed animal but it's got a brown jacket, green pants and yellow boots, with brown hair and a streak of white on the front. The back says Mighty Woman in big popping font. "Here. She said she's sorry she couldn't make it today, but she's super glad she has a fan as brave as you." Scott says handing off the Rogue plushie with the girl hugging her tightly and then turning to show off her new toy to her mother.

    Scott smiles as the family turns away and then takes a moment to take a deep breath.

    Surely Bobby or Hank would have been better to show up to something like this, but they're not here, and he is. Taking a moment to sip some water from a bottle, Scott resolves himself to keep being a force for mutant good, and a shared prosperity for both humans and mutants.

    "Free, plushies, patches, and gear!" Scott holds a hand against his mouth to bolster his voice to booming to summon people near the end of the show to come grab some swag from the X-men!

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had finished with the two autographs for the young girls who had then gone on and on about how they visited Croft Manor and had signed up for horse riding lessons, but that they were concerned that their parents didn't have their 'hearts in the game' to get them to the lessons on time in the mornings when they started next month. The two girls were either talking over one another to the Duchess, or finishing each other's sentences, showcasing how they are basically connected at the hip as siblings. this display, of course, had Lara quietly laughing and assuring the two blonde girls that she was certain their mother and father would come through for them, and that she looked forward to seeing them at the Manor's public riding events.

When they both said their goodbyes, Lara stood then just in time to see the young Earl walk up to Steve with that impressive shield replica. She's stepping back over to them in time to greet the young man, and his older escort. "It's good to see you both again." She tells them in a warm tone. "Henry, I hope you haven't been throwing that shield around too much." She jests with the kid. "I swear it really is more of a sled for the winter time, than a tool to be used as a boomerang." She adds with a grin sent back to Steve before she falls silent again, letting her eyes momentarily move around the convention to the other booths, and attendees milling about.

Richard Swift has posed:
The last 30 minutes...hrm. The Shade nods, disappointed so far, but still, it was an experience. Another night...and then, a charge. Looking up, Swift looks at Clea, and nearly smiles. "Indeed. Thank you." Delightful. Yes. Something...something. Was that...

Blinking the SHade prepares to exit, summong the shadows...

James Barnes has posed:
    That Nettie feels someone watching her is almost prescient, as the security guard has only just begun tailing her. But she's mumbling to herself -- really, into her comms unit -- so perhaps she's just being a little too obvious. "<<She's buying merch, she doesn't look dangerous,>>" or "<<Why does she have a crow?>>" might be some of the things overheard if anyone is paying attention to what the undercover agent is talking to herself about.

    "<<Just be careful,>>" Bucky mutters into his comms unit, immediately sounding fed-up with the questions from the junior agent, before he switches over to the other frequency and says, "<<Said something about holding down the fort.>>" For a brief moment he falls silent, eyeing up Monet and the impressive sphere of space she manages to maintain around herself, before he adds, "<<Sounded like a bunch of baloney to me.>>"

    The announcement earns some ire from Bucky, who proceeds to frown up at the ceiling as if personally affronted, but then he sends out a warning, "<<Eyes and ears open,>>" to the roaming security agents.

    And then he pushes away from the wall, because something has pinged his radar and he's not sure what it is. Eyes narrowed, he does another scan of the floor. "How long has that guy been hanging around?" he asks one of the agents, but before she answers, he starts making his way through the crowd on an intercept course.

    To any of the Avengers and SHIELD personnel who have an earpiece in, he calls out an alert of "<<Suspicious individual, white, scruffy haired, approximately 5'10",>>" as he starts making his way over, potentially interrupting a few photographs Wanda might be taking at the moment.

Steve Rogers has posed:
The boy that Steve was talking to finishes up and then he's able to great the boy and older man that are with Lara. "Henry," Steve says with a bright smile for the familiar lad as he goes down on a knee to be more on a level with him. Steve looks to the older man then and offers his hand. "Geoffrey, good to see you again. I trust you've both been well?"

Henry, meanwhile, is looking a little bashfully. "Well, I have kind of, been throwing it around," he admits. "But I used it sledding too, I promise!" He looks up to his guardian, Geoffrey giving a nod of confirmation to Lara. "He also took it in to show and tell. And it was all I could do to talk him out of taking it to the coronation," the older man tells Lara.

Steve grins at the young Earl of Lincoln. "Well, I appreciate you holding down the fort over here while I'm back in the US," he tells Henry. Which just excites the boy to no end. Steve snaps off a salute to the young noble, who gives one back. Steve straightens, smiling over to Lara. And then getting a slightly distant look as he's listening to his comms. Keeping his expression the same, Steve glances around the hall, eyes sweeping to find the person Bucky is checking out.

Clea has posed:
It's the pitched last minute efforts for convention goers to get their loot and their last minute selfies and things with the attendees for this day. Some people are only here one day, so they want to get the most out of it. At the announcement a few kids burst into hysterics and well...now there are children crying. The crowd is antsy. It's a perfect time for something to go wrong.

The man that Bucky called out for the agents to keep an eye on disappears completely from site. Like he found a small sliver of shadow and just wasn't visible.

Those that can sense magic will feel the flare of something passing through the crowd.

Clea straightens when she feels the magic and she starts to look around. Only to come face to face with the man that Bucky had clocked. Her feet touch the ground as she looks to his eyes. Which are empty of all thought for the moment. "Sir?" she asks him as she reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder.

But as she does so there is magic that flares and his eyes come to life, oh...he was alright. Probably a little too okay right now with whatever was going on.

Monet St. Croix has posed:
M isn't paying a great deal of attention to things - but admittedly the Winter Soldier clocking someone and then the Faltine's full attention over on whatever it is for a few moments get a quick glance of curiousity from her. She gives a quick glance over to Scott in his position at the booth.

A silent gesture for join and intervene or stand back? Unsure as to what exactly was going on, and if so what to do on it. So she would stand ready.. Even while keeping up an expression of total boredom and disinterest.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Oh, drat." Nettie murmurs as she looks up at the announcement. "Well. Maybe tomorrow then?" she states to herself, and then, with the America's Face on a flask that should *not* be steampunk themed in hand, credit card returned. The crow hops up, turns around and looks in the direction of the SHIELD agent tailling Nettie, head tilts and then just says 'Caw'. Does not caw. Just says Caw. In a British Original Pronunciation accent.

    The old witch pockets the flask, pulls out a different one and sips from it, peering about behind her shades as she gives a soft hum as she goes to turn -- and then feels the flare of magic.

    "Nettie?" the crow speaks, turning to the witch, and the Greywitch grips her left hand tightly, her right going for her bag as she looses the leash on the crow.

    "Give me a bird's eye view, Corvax. By the pricking of these thumbs..." she states, drawing her wand from her bag.

    "Oh now you're quoting *Shakespeare*, you're always so extra coming into town!" Corvax harshly crows, a little too loud to be 'just to themselves', and he takes off.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Oh, I would imagine we would not have to wait long for that pot, Ms. Maximoff." It is apparent that Jemma did catch the tea reference and is more than willing to respond. Though, apparently Jemma thinks a bit of formality is warranted. Perhaps because they are out in public...or because she is usually that way with Avenger types. Hell, she still addresses Steve by his military title, despite constant reminders to use the first name. So, business as usual, it would seem.

Jemma did manage to snag herself a X-lanyard (thanks to Scott) before she catches the chatter on the comms. Because of course she has one on her. There is a shift as she turns to regard what Bucky was referring to. And, rather than feeling relieved she saw nothing, Jemma is a little more on edge.

Because Bucky wouldn't call just anything out for no reason. Of course, she doesn't have her bag of tricks with her, but she does have her wits. And the knowledge that she can snag an ICER at anytime from one of Bucky's guards if needed. Which might be needed sooner than later.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara was showing a grin to the words from the young Earl and Steve's interactions. She glanced from the boy to his guardian in the distinguished gentlmen Geoffry. "I'm sorry we missed you at the Coronation last month. It was... as I'm sure you know, quite an ordeal." She tells the older man with a soft smile. "You'll have to bring Henry by the Manor this weekend, we should be having quite a social event there, lots of people in attendance should be within his age group. I think it will be quite a good time." Which of course gets the older man's response to come in a pleasant acceptance of the idea.

It's only out of the corner of her eye that Lara sees Steve's expression, knowing them well enough by now to know he's switched in to more of a business state of mind, which has her uncross her arms from her stomach, her hands now resting down near the grips of those twin ICERs hanging off the outside of her thighs. But, Lara continues to speak to Geoffry and Henry, to keep them occupied from such thoughts for the time being at least.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Bucky's reconnaissance registers against the backdrop, crammed by chattering fans, weary ticket-holders escorting the guests hoping for a last-minute signature, and the in-betweens. Always the latter to catch attention, a snag in the fabric of guests. A spare thread in the greater weft of the public gathered in orderly queues, never thinking to cut ahead for a look at a favourite hero, sticks out for Wanda. She just has to find it, and in a more roundabout way than the keen eyes of a man who once served as the Winter Soldier.

However, the invisible world sings to her in livid details she cannot block out.

The tempo of an unheard chorus swells up and takes her with it, divorcing the Transian sorcerer from her native reality. She tips into it, standing the touch straighter, a living current of magical energy zinging up her spine and discharged down through her feet. Sighted eyes See the unreal more than anything physical. At times like this it's easy for her to bump into things or steer semi-blindly around them through a crowd, how urban dwellers navigate around obstacles nose-deep in their phones.

<<Possessed.>> Her warning comes across the comms at a slight distance, emphatic on its neutrality, a good indicator of self-control. The witch idly lifts her hand to her temple. <<Let's see who is on the other end, shall we?>> Index and middle finger rise, curved above her thumb, and then she brings up the pad of her thumb in an abrupt gesture that would normally produce a ringing, pure chord out of a taut harp or guitar string. Except there's no instrument to be played except magic and the note of the spell itself to give her and the other magically inclined an idea of what the source could be.

Scott Summers has posed:
    Scott remains steadfast at his booth as the Last Call orders are given out and rung up. He takes selfies with thumbs up poses, and takes gut punches from over eager young boys. He takes a few phone numbers from over eager young -and not- fans. But those are all politely discarded when given the chance. He's all around a good boy, and doing his best to be the bright and kind face of the X-Men. It's going to be a worthwile trip one way or another.

    Scott's comm is in, and was set to basic police scanner mode, as well as picking up many of the frequencies, while not broadcasting anything. He's just listening, being aware of what's going on around him, then the Avenger's bandwidth is buzzing, but Scott keeps to himself. For now. Happy to hand out more patches and coasters, and even novelty glasses of Storm on a straw with a molded cloud as the top of the cup. "Here ya go."

James Barnes has posed:
    There's no magic in Bucky's bones. But he has one particular power: the power to clear a path ahead of himself just by the aggressiveness of his stomp, and so he manages to cut through the crowd almost too easily.

    Only for his target to up and vanish. And Bucky doesn't need to be magic to know how.

    His eyes turn first to Wanda, as her particular brand of magic is one he's familiar with. When she utters that first word he grimaces, teeth gritting, because this is an enemy he's on less than stable grounds with. But Wanda is here, and Bucky realizes she's not the only magical powerhouse representing the Avengers tonight.

    So he turns to find Clea in the crowd.

    And then, of course, he finds his target once again.

    Several of the security agents convene on the area at once, forming a loose circle around the hero booths. The X-Men are no exception, finding themselves with a couple of escorts politely nodding their way up to the booth and then taking up defensive position. Even the agent following Nettie approaches her with a polite "Ma'am," just like that, so maybe the shadowing was more for her protection than was initially let on.

    Meanwhile, Bucky himself is trying to close the distance, but the initial slip has cost him precious seconds. "<<He's with Clea now,>>" he says into comms in case anyone who's closer can intervene.

Richard Swift has posed:
With a final look over his shoulder, the Shade summons the shadows, and he is gone. Until next time.

Clea has posed:
Noah's debating if he should retire. Especially when the mans face twists a little. "You know what, I'm really not being paid enough for this kind of shit." the Englishman states and then turns and abandons his charge.

The crowd around Clea and the man sort of backs away, not sure what is going on. Or if it's a bit. "Oh are we getting a show as well?" a woman comments excitedly. Yes ma'am. You are.

"There are children here, I'd ask that whatever this is..." she motions to him, "That is can happen somewhere else where there is not innocent blood in the way." she states in a stern voice.

The man delivers a very unhinged smile to Clea, "Oh I'm just here to send a message, your Majesty." he states with a lazy bow. "Your Uncle sends his regards. He's released me back to Earth for a little while." he grins. "But...you know this face, so now I have to find a new vessel, even if this one was what I like." the man says as he pats his chest.

The SHIELD agents are circling and when the man raises his hand one of them starts to move in. There is a strained cry from the weird mans throat and then he collapses to the floor like a marionette that has had its strings cut.

And Clea just looks down to see what in the world has just transpired. <<Guys, I'm pretty sure we've got a Dark Dimension denizen loose in London.>> she states over the comms. Oh boy.

Monet St. Croix has posed:
And Monet, while not having comms on herself, is able to pick things up over from Scott's side,w here she's tracking things and thoughts. Dark Dimension.. Was that related to Illyana's domain? ... No, if any realm was related to Illyana i twas the one of infinite fire and stabbing.

She quickly defers to Scott as she's going tense. Someone's just done a -very- exotic sort of play-up to give them a warning in a rather theatrical manner. And what sorts of thigns has she heard of Merry Ole England's native magical community? Otherworld itself was just the start of nightmares.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Hallo poppet -- stay close to me, aye? I'd hate to return you to your bosses a mess." Nettie gives a friendly smile to the agent that was following her, and she takes a deep breath.

    "That magic resonates but I know not what *of* and that's certainly a bother, isn't it? Now --" she narrows her eyes and then tilts her head.

    She pushes her way to the front, and she crosses one arm over the other, wand still in hand as the dimunitive Greywitch looks around.

    "Well. I s'pose it's a good time to mention I'm a witch with the Justice League." she introduces herself *very* loosely, and gives a brief nodd.

    "Nettie Crow, at your services."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers tells the young Earl and his guardian, "Why don't you stay with Lady Croft while I check on the... events," he says. His eyes go to Lara, confirming it isn't a part of any show.

Grabbing his shield off the stand, Cap makes his way through the crowd, converging with the other agents over to where Clea is at. He arrives just after the man collapses to the ground.

"Great. Magic," he murmurs under his breath. No doubt wishing he was back in the Savage Lands. Dealing with simple things, like gigantic predatory dinosaurs infested with alien eggs.

"Clea, you ok?" he asks her. His eyes go to Nettie as well, Steve catching the introduction. "Appreciate your help, ma'am," he tells her.

Lara Croft has posed:
The look that she is given from Steve has Lara nodding her head every so softly two times in response to him. She then looks to her left, first to Geoffry and then to Henry. "Come along, I'll see you both to your car. The convention is about to wrap up, afterall." She states, as she turns the two in the opposite direction of the unfolding situation.

A look is cast over her shoulder before Lara looks back then to the two she's escorting out of the building proper now. She does pause for a moment though, when Henry spots one of the Wolverine coozies, and asks if he can get one. She pulls a handful of bills out of her pocket, swaps them over for the coozy and offers it to the boy before the trio starts again on their way out of the convention hall.

James Barnes has posed:
    Finally, Bucky's hostile walking posture gets him through to Clea, just in time to witness the man standing with her to... no longer be standing. While Steve checks on Clea, Bucky kneels down and puts his fingers to the throat of the man on the ground.

    There's a pause, and then he juts his chin in a sort of nod towards a couple of the agents lingering nearby.

    As they advance forward, Bucky says, "He's still alive." And then if no one objects, Bucky has the agents start hauling the unconscious man away.