17240/It's My Party

It's My Party
Date of Scene:	21 February 2024
Location:	Frost Enterprises
Synopsis:	The town turns out for Emma Frost's birthday bash (of whatever year it is).
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Quentin Quire, Betsy Braddock, Wade Wilson, Danny Rand, Tabitha Smith, Jubilation Lee, Jean Grey, Rogue

---

Emma Frost has posed:
The main promenade of Frost Enterprises has been made up for a proper gala. Emma Frost is having her birthday - the exact age is somewhat debatable amongst the 'count backwards' crowd of rich people, but it's open for mutants, associates, business friends/allies/enemies (keep your enemies closer after all).
    Emma Frost's dress consists of swathes of white fabric strategically applied to her with the finesse of a tailor making scandalously tight swathes of 'X' over her body with a long cloak hanging down. It's her party, after all (https://www.sideshow.com/blog/best-looks-xmen-hellfire-gala-2022#gallery-1). No one's going to tell her what she can get away wtih at her own event.

Quentin Quire has posed:
Where Quentin falls on the sliding scale friends, associates, business friends, allies,and enemies is up to debate, and probably varies from day to day anyway. But he's still going to show up for a party, standing out (because of course he does) in an eyewateringly neon pink suit, a giftwrapped box under one arm. The box goes onto whatever table is overloaded with gifts for the birthday girl (HAPPY 29th *scratch*scratch* 25 *scratch*scratch* 21st *scratch*scratch* BIRTHDAY!) and then the young man moves to mingle in the crowd of partiers and well wishers.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy Braddock was invited, naturally, so of course she had to make an appearance. Anything to wear a fancy dress and mingle, after all. She arrived wearing an elegant deep purple dress with lavender and silver trim, tailored to fit very properly while providing freedom of movement, and at the same time being rather less scandalous than Emma's dress. Smiling a bit when she spots Emma, she gives the blonde a nod and a wink, "Happy *mumblecoughahem* birthday, Emma."

Wade Wilson has posed:
Strange for Emma to hire a clown. This clown's weird, too. All red outfit to go with the red nose. Some ruffles on the sleeves and around the ankles. And he's making balloon animals, passing them out to guests as they arrive, most of whom look upon them with absolute confusion. And the mask isn't very funny, if he has drawn a smile on it.

Is that a sword on his back? Why am I asking you?

Deadpool put his present in with the others. Don't worry, nothing it does will stain. Probably. The Frosts probably know all the good dry cleaners. Filthy rich buggers but gawd they're so pretty.

"Here's your balloon, Councilman. That's Don Knotts. Look at the nose. Oh, like you could do it better. You probably never even watched Three's Company. No, no, it's clearly Mr. Furley, not Barney Fife, can't you see the scarf? Philistines."

Danny Rand has posed:
If he was given the option to jump off a bridge rather than attend these things? Well, Danny would take option A. That doesn't mean that he comes in all sulky and 'I don't wanna be here'. No, he comes in with a smile on his face that doesn't even seem fake.

While he's not dressed to the nines, everything he's wearing is a name experienced only by the rich and famous - tailored black suit, no tie, few buttons undone at the neck. He's even forgone his favorite white runners in favor of a pair of black dress shoes polished to a high gloss.

He's carrying a small silver gift bag in one hand. Danny holds it up and wiggles it a little at the first 'staff' sort he sees. "Is there a gift table?" he asks. Under normal circumstances he would have already checked his gold watch to see if he'd done time enough to dip out, but he does actually like Emma from the few times they've met.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Amazingly Tabitha is capable of wearing something that's not loud. Sure it's still pink but it's more close to a soft pastel to the slinky silk halter necked dress clinging where it needs to. A pair of er red framed and yellow tinted cateye glasses on her head keeping all that blonde hair out of her field of view. A pink shawl as a token show against the tail end of winter weather looped around each elbow but with enough length she can move her arms fine. Some black stockings peeking under the hem along with some pink strappy roman style high hels that help make her look taller than her normal five and a half feet.

Her own gift, amazing wrapped neatly. Likely by bribing someone else set with the others.

Jubilee gets a grin and a hmm in response. "Pretty certain being rich and all hoity toity, she's gonna outlive everyone. Even you Ms Gonna Look Great Forever!" she suggests playfully.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation Lee had frowned at the invitation when she first saw it. She was sure was sent as some kind of subtle act of aggression against her. "Eh, whatever..." was how she first justified the possibility of her actually showing up to this. "I do love parties," was the second thought, urging Jubilee towards realizing that this was better than whatever might be on television on a Wednesday night. "Plus... I can rag on her for getting older," was the one that really cinched things.

    Jubilation steps into the promenade like she absolutely, positively belongs, clutching the invitation she received in one hand, along with some kind of wrapped gift in the other. Against all odds, she's dressed appropriately. The undead, forever-eighteen, girl is wearing a short yellow, qipao-style dress that hugs her body with a floral pattern. Her hair has been pulled up into a traditional bun with a pair of chopsticks that cross to form an X.

    As soon as she enters, Jubilation drops the wrapped gift on the table and immediately swipes a pointless glass of champagne as it goes by on a server's tray. "Am I too late? Or has that old bag-of-bones turned to dust already?" Jubilation announces to whoever might hear her. She's just in time to catch Danny looking for the gift table. She uses her thumb to direct the stranger towards the table she just dropped her own gift at. "It's over there," she says before holding out the glass of champagne for him to take from her. She doesn't need it.

    (Because Jubilee's lazy, good-for-nothing writer doesn't care to spend time properly describing the qipao: https://imgur.com/a/rUi9wXw)

Jean Grey has posed:
Well, it's always nice to have an excuse to play dress-up as an adult (even if this is pushing it to some pretty outlandish levels)! Or, just to be social in general. Plus, Emma's one of Jean's oldest friends, and she has to get her revenge for the various presents she's gotten over the years...

Not too shockingly, Jean and Rogue show up together. Jean is sporting one of her typical red numbers that she wears when she actually has an excuse to be show-offy, and she walks linked arm-in-arm with her counterpart, while her own present is balanced in the other. The box is sort of wide and flat, although the dimensions may have little enough to do with whatever is inside. Green wrapping paper, gold ribbon, _just_ in case anyone confused who the box was from!

"Well this is... what I expected," she tells Rogue, as they make their way in. "I wonder if the caviar is having its own champagne." Scanning around, there's obviously plenty of people they know. "Oh, there's Jubilee by the gift table. I'm actually surprised she came, but good for her. Let's go drop these off, and then find Emma to say hello."

To the gifts! Thus, they appear behind the Spooky Countess, delivering a somewhat deadpan: "We're basically the same age, you know..." She probably does know!

Danny Rand has posed:
After depositing his own price of admission - his gift, on the table and offering Jubilee a thumbs up in the way of thanks, Randy hangs back a little. No matter how many of these sorts of things he attends, he still feels like a fish out of water at them in the beginning.

He might have just taken the first glance at his watch.

He'll wait though, he's not going to just leave without at least giving good wishes and all to the woman of honor, that would just be rude.

Danny Rand, wallflower.

Emma Frost has posed:
Poor everyone, here to celebrate her. But there's an open bar, and Emma's spared no expense when it comes to providing things - the best has been catered. It almost might make it worth it for another year (or however long) of tolerating her presence. Emma Frost smiles along as she holds a goblet in her hand of a sweet smelling wine and gives a bow of her head to Quentin.
    "Why thank you, Quentin." For indulging her. Age is but a factor of the mind, and for a telepath it is always mind over matter.
    Unless the matter is Emma's plastic surgeon.
    Emma flashes a smile over at Betsy, "Why thank you Elizabeth. Wonderful to have you here." It's always good to have traditional 'old money'!
    Wade's presence is tolerated - also under th epretense of 'keep them close'. If he wanted he would show up anyways and there's no keeping him out.
    Also she might not have noticed him at all.
    Danny, another of the 'old moneyed' types gets a smile from Emma given to business associates, confederates, and rivals. "Pleasure you should be here, Mister Rand. I do hope that your stock portfolio has risen." What's another few billion amongst friends.
    The approaching woman in the qipao does surprise Emma just a little. "Why Ms. Lee, thank you. A pleasure to have you here with us. Do enjoy yourself." One of the tables has a few goblets of wine carefully sealed to mask the smell from most.
    Those bringing up gifts are given an extra-wide smile from Emma. "A pleasure to express my appreciation."
    Jean and Emma are frenemies in the way that only telepaths that had seen one another at their worst. For Emma, being the victim of Sinister and completely helpless, at her lowest. Even with all that she had done the crowd of Xavier's coming to her rescue had meant a great deal for changing the trjaectory of her life.
    "I do appreciate your enthusiasm, Tabitha. You're always a pleasure here."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue is dressed in a style similar to that of Jean's own, but in shades of dark green, or outright black. With her hair loose around her shoulders, chestnut strands touching bare skin, with white bangs framing her face, and a black leather choker around her throat, Rogue's dusky hued makeup helps to accentuate her natural facial features. Wearing long black gloves up past her elbows, the Southern Belle smiles over at Jean, after allowing her eyes to roam the room. She's quiet after they arrive, moving along with the other woman toward where the Vampire nobility is.

A smile crosses Rogue's lips, as she spies Jubilation, and hears Jean's reaction to what they happened to overhear the young Vampire calling Emma.

"I'll enjoy this a lot more if people start throwin' punches." She says softly in her husky Mississippi accented voice.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson is used to being ignored. Usually not for long, often punctuated by explosions or eviscerations. But not tonight. Being ignored by Emma Frost is like a badge of honor. She's ignored movie stars, superheroes, Presidents...Bob Barker.

Eventually, after finishing his balloon of William Henry Harrison, he moves along and makes his way to the food. Canapes. H'ors D'ouvres. F'rench F'ries. All the favorites.

"Emma! Emma! Bear Grylls is here! Should I kill him? Y or N?"

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation /should/ be the scariest one in the room, at least to those in the know, but that honor goes to her boss: JEAN GREY. The vampiress puts on a little performance -- a shriek for the benefit of the headmistress -- before looking over her shoulder and shrugging it. "...Hey, like, look on the bright side. You can rent a car if you want," Jubilation replies, giving Jean a good-natured, though very sarcastic and very fangy smile.

    Jubilee turns to look at Jean and Rogue and Tabby, both eyebrows rising. "Jeez. Look at you three. I might not be the hottest one in this dump," she says. Jubilee extends a fist out for Tabby to bump -- a silent way for each of them to acknowledge that the other resisted their overwhelming urge to dress inappropriately for this.

    Her smile fades a little as she watches Emma's attention shift towards her. "You might get your wish..." Jubilee mutters to Rogue -- fists might get thrown -- but... then Emma just thanks her for coming and nothing else. She squints for a few moments before blurting out the details of her gift. "That one's mine!" she announces, pointing at a particular gift on the table. "It's a Stanley mug. /Stanley/! I practically had to kill a Target employee to get that thing." Jubes lowers her voice and leans in towards Tabby. "I was probably gonna anyway," she mutters.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma does not quite hear what's said by Rogue - but the woman has a point. Emma goe sto approach Anna-Marie and Jean. "I'm glad that you two could make it. A pleasure as always."
    Tabitha is given a full on smile and then Emma laughs quietly at Jubilee. "I'm sure that when I get to it I'll be quite surprised.." And Emma's full on attention is taken over by Wade before she can give a full response to the vampiress. She opens her mouth.. Then closes it.
    "Yes, please. I'll even commission you."

Danny Rand has posed:
His own smile is a little less informal. He has yet to master all the nuances of proper smiles in the world of the stupidly rich. "I wouldn't really know," Danny replies. And it's the truth of the matter. He's the face of Rand Industries and he shows up to sign his name on things that need signing but otherwise? He has no idea and really doesn't care to have an idea. He leaves the caring to Joy. When was the last time he actually attended a board meeting? Likely too long ago, as far as he's concerned they should be called 'bored' meetings.

He snags a glass of champagne when one of the waitstaff wanders by with a tray. But it's really just so he can keep up appearances and attempt to look the part. Danny never actually lifts the glass to his lips.

Quentin Quire has posed:
Polite as always, Quentin tips the flute of champagne in a slight salute to Emma; having snagged it off a passing server's tray; "Happy birthday, Miss Frost." he replies, careful to keep his mind off of whatever gift it was he acquired for the birthday lady. "Thanks for the invite." he says before he moves on through the crowd. Similar salutes to Betsy, Jubilee, Tabby, Jean, and Rogue. "Ladies..." he says to the gathered crowd of powerful mutants, even as he casts a side-eye towards the clown in the red suit.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy looks sorely tempted to use her telekinetic powers on that balloon, but refrains since it isn't /her/ party. She does, however, end up drifting over towards Jubilee, Jean, and Rogue. "Good evening. And a Stanley mug? I'm amazed you didn't murder an entire store for it, or should we not ask about the line to pick it up Jubilation?" She grins a bit, shaking her head as her eyes idly drift around the party, noting Danny Rand in particular.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
"We'll be doing this number for a few years yet. Kind of like with Jean!" the blonde states playfully. Tabby herself heading towards her mid twenties now, just past the point of lying about being older.

The Nancy Forrester ID hat said she would be twenty seven now stashed away for safe keeping.

Fistbumps given back but but Tabby still can't get cheap insurance for her the Seventyfour four by four AMC Eagle that replaced th X-Van.

Wade being Wade, Boomie smirks over to the Merc with a Mouth. "If anyone would appreciate high ordnance, it'd be Emma. I even managed to get use out of the Flamethrower you got me last time we had Brood bugging us." she states and chuckles.

"It's high society, it's the stabbing knife to thr right of the salad knife, fists are so gauche!"

Jean Grey has posed:
"I dunno if my dress can stand up to punching. Something might pop out," Jean echoes back at Rogue. "Or is that the idea?!"

Jubilee does make a good argument about the benefits of aging, though, so any prior insult is mitigated and no punching (or wardrobe malfunction) ensues. Yet! Can only really speak for herself, here. "Well I like your dress," she counters that bit of self-deprecation in turn. "And no one is ever going to upstage Emma at that sort of thing, so it's pointless to try. Betsy might give her a run, but still... she's got a hell of a bankroll for it and probablyh a whole fashion house on retainer."

After that, she lifts a hand to wave a little hello back at some of the other, many, familiar faces. Some are not surprises at all to see, others may be a bit more out of their element here, but still, they're always an extended family. Weaving back, she also makes sure to nab drinks and hors d'oeuvres in passing, getting while the getting is good with the super-fancy fixings. "Oooh these look good..."

As far as all the chit-chat about gifts goes, Jean has her own comment to make: "If you somehow lose the wrapping paper and mix up mine, it's the very inappropriate item of clothing." Because, well, that's what Emma always gets Jean! So, payback.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson points a gloved finger at Tabby, "Oh, the Kenny Rogers Roaster! I love that one. It has the extra fuel canister in the back and the sturdy grip. Plus, you can get custom plates on it if you have a mercenary.com premium membership. It's worth the investment, Tabs, I gotta tell ya, the loot box last month was carbon steel punch daggers and oh my god I just wanna punch somebody's eye out so bad!"

He snatches up a plateful of oysters and peels up his mask to start eating them in rapid succession, "Shots shots shots shots!"

Rogue has posed:
Rogue takes a moment to find herself a drink, as the others socialize. She smiles softly, raising the glass up to her lips for a taste of its contents. Quentin is given a nod in return, "Lookin' good, Mistah." She says softly toward him before her green eyes finally trace toward Emma. "Happy birthday. You're hard to shop for, ya know." She says then, a slight grin touching her expression.

Wade's comments draw her eyes toward him, and she smirks whole heartedly in his direction. "Weren't you banned on all social media platforms until recently? You'd think you'd be more forgiving..." She mutters before sweeping over toward the gift table, where she produces a small box from the black leather clutch resting against her right hip. She daintily places the gift box amongst the others then as she steps back to draw in a breath.

"Package delivered. Now on with the punchin' parts." She announces, following it with another sip fromher drink.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy laughs softly at Jean's comment, "Darling, you can put me to shame when you set your mind to it, but really, I haven't done much with the modeling thing lately. It can be a bit... awkward." She makes a bit of a wry face at that, particularly when she hears what precisely Jean got for Emma, "Oh dear, I hope we didn't get her the same thing."

Emma Frost has posed:
Elizabeth might be one of the few present that's on par with Emma and Danny when it comes to money. Half of an entire island is half of an entire island. The others might be old money, but Betsy's old nobility. That goes a step up from those that inherited merely money.
    Emma returns her attention to Danny, just smiling. "Of course, That's the fund that your accountant taps when you buy a hotel to impress a woman you're on a date with." Danny might not care that much. OR maybe he does.
    Emma would smile at Quentin, "And I'm glad you could make it." Ever so much that Quentin is eternally one to be wary at for -just- his reasons for showing. The boy was creatively chaotic.
    Jubilation's present of a sippy cup is acknowledged ever, ever so amusedly with a twitch of Emma's lips upwards. "Only one body? Would not that be a respite from the eternal suffering that is retail work?" Jubilee's not -that- far off when it comes to stabby knifes and gauche. Being rich was all about presentation.
    Emma would bow her head to Rogue and Jean, "I'm glad you two could make it. And I hope that your plans go well." Emma hadn't been there at the 'murder mystery' event that had come with it the engagement! "I look forwards to seeing just what you've gotten me. And the outfit fits you well, Ms. Grey. You have the confidence to hold it together." Or the telekinesis to hold it up. Especially the telekinesis.
    "And I appreciate the personal touches and selection, Anna-Marie. And enjoy the punching part of the festivities. All bail has already been paid." Whoo rich people!

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation turns to defend herself from Betsy -- a reflex -- but instead just hesitates. She smiles and looks down at the remarkably expensive tile at her feet, briefly overcome with some imitation of emotion. It's an open secret these nights that while vampires absolutely, positively do not exist and that's just silly talk... Jubilee is one now and it hasn't always been easy. "Yeah, uh, I plead the fifth," she says to Betsy, still grinning a little at the normal chit-chat despite her status as a Universal Studios monster. "That means King Washington can't force me to talk out of fear that my family's holdings might get passed along to one of the liege lords or whatever the hell..." She wasn't a great student and it's very likely that the British woman has a greater handle on the Bill of Rights than Jubilation does.

    "Shoulda got her a Stanley," Jubilee mutters at Rogue as she walks past, hearing the mutant's complaint that Emma's hard to shop for.

    With those parting words, Jubilation Lee begins to wander around, sizing up the various no-name guests and staff. She's broken from this business by Wade's announcement. Elon Musk and the 1.2 gallons of blood that he's hauling around in that meat bag. "Now that...would be good..." she mutters, thinking about what he might be like.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson grins at Rogue, "Banned! It's true! My penchant for witty repartee did earn me a few lifetime bans here and there. However, that's where today's sponsor comes in: Surfshark. With Surfshark, you can change your IP address to that of some poor random schmoe in another country, a pathetic goat who will take the fall for all your international crimes perpetrated online. Or you could sign up with a different e-mail, but who uses e-mail anymore? I only communicate by Tik Tok dances."

He spots Jubilee and gives a hearty wave, "Well, hey there, Edie Munster. How goes it for THE CREATURES OF THE NIGHT?" he says, putting his hands up in proper creepshow fashion, all wiggling fingers and gruesome mugging. Underneath the mask. Which, to be fair, IS pretty gruesome.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny typically just buys Dojos to impress women, but that was a long time ago. "...anyway, Happy Birthday, Emma," he offers, turning the subject away from money despite the fact that his own gift was ridiculously expensive. ...and not slinky clothing or drug paraphernalia.

The surprising thing, he actually picked it out himself. Most stupid rich guys would just pay someone to pick such things out for them.

He finally lifts his glass of champagne and just downs the entire thing before snagging another as someone walks by with a tray again. It's a swapsies, empty for full.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
"I just spraypainted it pink until it got used enough to burn the paint off. Scorch marks add character." Tabitha can likely attest to that even if she doesn't actually need a flamethrower.

But having a spare is handy. "I just swiped my reloads from Cable's stash anyway." she adds.

There's a grin as gift ideas seem to be more difficult for those on the fringes of the fashion industry. The practical gifts like Jubilee's sippy cup getting grins. Even she knows the benefits of making it harder to spill precious coffee, booze, or booze in coffee.

"Pre-Paid Bail? is it like a tab, or a set amount per person? If I'm gonna get arrested I wanna see how much crime I can manage to make it worth it." At least she might wait to see.

And make sure she doesn't steal the car of someone she likes.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy grins at Jubilation, "Oh, these pesky colonials anyway." She winks, "I never can keep them straight myself." Which, well, is probably a lie, but it's a nice enough one to make Jubilee feel a bit more at ease. Then when she wanders off, Betsy gives Quentin a nod, before meandering her way over in Danny Rand's direction. She stops a polite distance away for talking, and gives Danny a wry grin, "Careful, you don't want to slam those too quickly. The headache is never worth it, even if the party can be a bit much without them."

Jean Grey has posed:
"I can understand getting out of it, I haven't done it since college - kind of hard to mix with a proper grown-up job. You still running that club?" Jean wonders back at Betsy. As for any risk of the same gift? "We can think it at each other real quiet so she doesn't hear..."

The little extra congratulations Emma offers causes Jean to grin reflexively, stealing a quick look back at Rogue. "Thanks. It's hectic finding time for much of anything big schedule-wise, with everything we have going on." School. Giant robots. The occasional intergalactic war. "So still figuring out a date and all of that. But we went to France over the winter break. She's always wanted to go, and it made for a nice mix of a winter holiday, birthday, and pre-honeymoon, you could almost call it."

Emma's gift may, in fact, originate in some shop on that trip! If you're going to scandalize the scandalous, the assistance of the French may be required!

Quentin Quire has posed:
Creative chaos has a time and a place, but Quentin must feel like Emma's for-*scratch* thi-*scratch* birthday party isn't the place. Not when Wade Wilson's already in attendance, anyway. There's chaos, and then there's _chaos_, and why try to steal the spotlight?

The merc with the mouth will probably end up tossed out on the street soon enough. Or maybe dragged up to the roof and tossed off, depending on how grumpy Emma's security goons get. Might be worth it to stick around to see how many times he bounces.

Betsy's nod is returned in kind as the omega-level telepath continues to mingle about, snatching up Hors d'oeuvres here and there from passing trays, trading off an empty flute for new, and so on.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would smile, "Well, you make it work." She has faith in them after all! Or Rogue at some point just deciding to elope and the rest of them have to play catchup. Ther'es an honest smile from Emma to the pair of Rogue and Jean. Emma was fond of them.
    "And thank you for th etime and selection." To Danny. Even though she hadn't approached the gift table beyond those that had said or hinted at what they had gotten. There was somehow appreciation as if awareness it had been something he had gathered himself.
    She would just smile over at Tabitha. "Oh, darling, I'm sure that among all of you present here I couldn't remotely anticipate everything. So let us merely say 'it will cover it' and leave to all of you to imagine how far it goes."
    Emma's not bothering to sweep the entire crowd telepathically or pay that much attention. If anyone causes a mess, there's sufficient telepahts here to mindwipe most of the planet. Who would have the chance to -think- of such a thing?

Rogue has posed:
Rogue is caught up in a brief conversation with a nearby man, she offering a shake in response to the hand being given to her. Identified for being a local super hero, Rogue is left laughing softly at a few comments given, and a few quippy responses sent back to him. When she offers parting words, she turns to walk back toward where Jean is, her glass coming up for another sip as she sidles up to the redhead, and whispers something to her, before she smiles toward Betsy, waiting to catch her eyes. "How ya been, Purple Rain?" She asks in a kind tone of voice. "Breakin' any hearts lately?" She softly teases.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    To the casual observer, Jubilation Lee is just some stranger chatting with someone else at one of the little standing tables spread out across the promenade. It all seems on the level. Just two people getting to know each other, aided by the social lubricant called alcohol. However, certain details become clear as one watches for more than a moment. She's a bit /too/ pale, isn't she? Her hair is just a bit /too/ silky and smooth. Does she have any blemishes? Has she even /touched/ that glass of champagne she's apparently nursing. The more someone watches, the more they seem to get entranced by her. There's something really sinister going on and it's hard to place. But... the gentleman she's speaking to seems enthralled... hanging on to her every word...laughing when he's supposed to.

    Jubilation is toying with a lock of her hair, spinning it around her index finger as she maintains eye contact with the man. Finally, when the time is right, she leans across the little table... he leans across, too, to meet her... she leans in towards the man's neck.... and.....

    Wade Wilson.

    As soon as Wade draws attention to Jubilation and her spooky nature, Elon Musk comes to his senses. Life returns to his eyes. He blinks a couple of times, stares at Jubilee, and then excuses himself in an instant.

    Jubilation stares up at Wade, glaring angrily. "What. The. Eff!" she shouts.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny looks at the glass in his hand and comments, "I've never cared for it. But it does the trick in a pinch." He swirls the glass a little, holding it by the stem. His gaze wanders over those present and then drifts back to Betsy. "Sorry, these parties? Not really my favorite things. You're fight, sometimes it takes slamming a few just to get through them. Sometimes, it's worth the headache. Anyway, I'm Danny." He intentionally leaves off the Rand, but anyone that keeps up with the lives of the absurdly rich in this city knows Danny Rand, CEO of Rand Enterprises.

He lifts the glass in his hand toward Emma in an 'air toast' gesture. "Hope you like it." It's hard to buy for the girl that has everything.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy eyerolls a bit at Rogue's comment, then smiles wryly, "Sadly no, at least not that I know of. There's /far/ too many to keep track of, though." She laughs, "Right now I think I'm just enjoying a fair amount of independence after a particularly bad go of things." Which, well, is probably a bit of an understatement as she smiles at Jean.

"I do have the club, but... well, it's honestly a bit more of a hassle sometimes than I feel its worth. Lately I've thought about trying to find a buyer and coming back up to Westchester, assuming you still need teachers."

Then when Danny makes his introduction, Betsy gives Danny a rather warm smile, "Charmed. Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Betsy." She nods a bit, her own face and name easily identifiable in the fact that she made her money the old fashioned way. Inheriting it.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson yelps, "What I was joking nobody listens to me it's fine I didn't mean to make you mad its hard to come up with jokes do you come up with jokes all the time no because you're not funny oh shit I didn't mean that either you're hilarious you're like George Carlin of Korean descent please don't be mad!"

Wade drops down to his knees and places his hands together in supplication, "Please, have mercy on me. I am but a humble mercenary, new to these glittering environs. My breaking of taboo was but a mispeaking, born of ignorance, with none to blame but myself. Have pity on me please. I'm new to the bit, I'll get better."

Dimples.

Emma Frost has posed:
People are mingling and enjoying themselves. Emma Frost goes over to the side, indulgent in her own way.. Right when she's interrupted over by a snap of her fingers.
    "Sister -dearest-." An English accent thicker even than her own Bostonian snob one would have her snap over as if glaring daggers.
    "Adrienne."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
As Tabby watches Jubilee voice her disappointment at being snackblocked. There's a chuckle. "We'll go hit an afterparty after and find you someone nice to eat. Or probably someone worse, but probably tastes okay. Bit more ethical like that!"

There's also one more thing as Wade prostrates himself. "Gotta imagine Wade would not taste all that good. Health problems can affect flavor. Maybe if you have more pineapple juice or something dude!" she ponders and chuckles.

at least until there's a finger snap and Emma's sister is being snobby just by standing there and talking with a very fake Posh English accent. "Emma, the maids you hire are at least getting prettier! But gotta get them wearing the proper uniforms."

Jean Grey has posed:
"Well, shaping the youth is a task that never gets any easier, or less labor-intensive," Jean answers Betsy, somewhat playfully, as it's really just a pre-amble to what for her is pretty obvious. "You always have a place at the school if you want it. Whether that's full time or otherwise, considering whatever else you may have on your plate. If you don't want to sell it, you could probably find someone to run it for you, too?"

Not that the nightclub business is exactly in Jean's wheelhouse!

"Oh, so this is the famous Danny Rand," she then chimes in, as he's come to meet Betsy and whoever else. "I'm J-"

The polite introductions are interrupted somewhat by the distraction of certain shouting from afar, the product of whatever Jubilee-Wade shenanigans. She gives a little sigh. "You can dress them up but you can't take them out..."

Danny Rand has posed:
Seems there are a lot of silver spoon babies in the room tonight. Danny's money just isn't all that 'old'. He's only a second generation rich kid. "Nice to meet you as well, Betsy," he replies. Put then he puffs out a breath that's followed with, "Don't you ever get tired of all the pomp and circumstance?"

In no way does that come off as rude or insulting, he just genuinely wants to know. He tunes his ears into the Emma and her sister, but his attention is still mostly focused on Betsy.

Quentin Quire has posed:
Emma's sister? Well, this should be interesting. Quentin just happens to find himself in the general vicinity of this little tete-a-tete, totally happenstance, close enough to hear with his ears rather than having to telepathically eavesdrop; the former being far easier to pull off in a room full of telepaths.

Sipping champagne, Quentin narrows in, waiting and ready for the latest tea to come out of the Frost household.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy grins over at Jean, "Well, I suppose I could always find a manager for the club so I can be up there a bit more frequently. Hopefully I won't have to live in a treehouse this time." She winks at Jean, then laughs softly at Danny's question, "Honestly, while I don't mind a good party once in a while, particularly when it involves a friend..." She smiles a bit, "I do like slipping away once in a while myself. But don't tell anyone, it'd be /such/ a scandal." She winks at Danny, clearly kidding, but she does tilt her head slightly as Emma's sister announces herself.

Though that might be solely because of the horrible attempt at a proper British accent that Adrienne makes.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation glares up at Wade, doing her absolute best to not accidentally shift the emotional landscape of the room with her dark curse. It has a way of getting away from her. She just keeps her hands at her hips while the Merc With A Mouth continues his defense. She lets him get it all out without interruption until the very end. After Wade finishes, Jubilation waits for maximum effect before correcting him. "Chinese!" she says, throwing both hands up in the air to further demonstrate how annoyed she's allowed to be right now.

    "I might not make it till the end," Jubilee mutters to Tabby as she passes, now sulk-stalking back towards her original position near the gift table. She actually sounds sincerely worried. What might happen if she's able to go hungry at this party?

    Jubilation's anger gets a new focus: Adrienne. She squints, rolls her eyes, and announces, "...Hey, Emma! I think I found the stick up your butt. It's in her butt." Jubilation extends an index finger in the sister's direction.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson gasps, "What?!? NO. Really? I would've sworn. Dammit! I should've Googled. I SHOULD HAVE GOOGLED!"

He's prostrate for a few minutes but then gets up slowly as he sees people beginning to turn towards Adrienne. "Yes! She's the bad one! Ostracize her! God I love Real Housewives. I hope I get invited to the Reunion episode. I'll pull a wig off, I don't even care."

Emma Frost has posed:
Whatever history there is between Emma and her older sister can be summarized mostly as mutual hatred gone over the edge to gleeful, willing murder if the opportunity arose.
    Some watch. Some circle. Some frolic. Some taunt. Many take sides and back Emma. More than she deserves.
    Emma's look of appreciation at the reinforcements is wide.
    And Adrienne smiles. "Temper, temper -little- sister. We're family here. And I'm the only family you have here. What would poor Christian say at how rude you're being."
    The twitch in Emma's face was indicative of being a nerve gone raw.
    Adrienne just laughing at those whom were joining in the taunting of her. "So what has you all here for this little pathetic pity party?"

Danny Rand has posed:
It's not like one has to be some an empath mutant to feel the tension rising in the room, even without Jubilation's antics. And then Wade's.

Danny downs the rest of that second glass of champagne. He has too options here, leave before the drama explodes into something actually worthy of a reality TV show, or hit the road.

If the former goes south, he might wind up losing his temper; that never ends well and is not a good look for the CEO of a huge company. He opts for the former.

Danny isn't very good at the whole lying and excuses thing. He could look at his watch and suddenly remember he has to be somewhere, or check his phone for that important text. Instead he just says, "I think all of this is my cue to leave. But it has been nice talking to you, brief as it was. Look me up if you ever want to slip away."

He gives a little 'see ya later' nod of his head before he starts for the door.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
A reassuring smile is beamed from Tabby's lips to the snack deprived Jubilee. "We're hot girls dressed to the nines with funky abilities. We can just walk twenty meters from where we park and someone will come up. You'll be fine. And there's always more rich douchebags to try your luck."

A telepathic sweep picking out some of the most likely to try be a sugar daddy. And then a finger aimed at some of the less skeevy looking ones. Because Skeev is not something that's always visible.

Emma not enjoying herself gets a hmm. <<Say the word, and between like, me, Quentin, Betsy, and Jean, we can make her 'embarrass' herself. By that I mean poop herself.>> Somehow she manages to add an image of air quotes <<Rogue hon, you might get to punch someone yet!>>

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy gives Danny a bit of a disappointed look, but smiles, "Oh, that's definitely understandable. I'm sure we'll have a chance to talk another time." She watches Danny go, then her eyes swivel towards Adrienne and Emma, and she has a bit of a cold fury in her gaze that's rarely ever been seen.

<< Considering her pitiful attempt at a British accent, I'm about ready to do that right /now/. >> And the evening was actually going somewhat /well/ to this point, too.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    "Yeah, yeah, I'm mostly thinking about what might /happen/...." Jubilation replies to Tabby, shrugging her shoulder. "If I lose it, promise me you can seal the deal..." She pretends to stake herself with an invisible stake, demonstrating to Tabby what she's talking about. If Jubilee frenzies, it's Tabby's job to end it. With that settled, Jubes turns her attention back to the Frosts.

    "Oh puh-lease," Jubilation fires back at Adrienne. "You're not the only family she's got here, you dummy. Haven't you ever heard of Found Family? Like, seriously, check out this show, Spy Family... That kid is so cute..." Jubilation Lee is at risk of going off the rails with this little moment of attention deficit. She walks forward, letting Wade off the hook with a gentle graze of her fingertips against his arm as she passes by.

    "For your information..." Jubilee begins, summoning all the petulance of a spoiled teenager, "...I'm here for the free 'food'..." She even finger-quotes when she says 'food.' "....And, hopefully, to make fun of Emma for being old and stuff. What's your excuse?" Jubilee fires back! Coming to Emma Frost's aid... dogs and cats, living together, etc., etc.

Emma Frost has posed:
Amongst all of them there's enough telepaths to lobotomize most of the planet and with Jubilee the way to make any body disappear.
    Adrienne just takes the mocking of the petulant child from Jubilee and would just smile, "Oh, she thinks that she's better than the rest of her family and that she can forget where she came from. I'm just here as a reminder.."
    Hatred on Emma's face bubbles over.
    <<Do so with my blessing>> To Tabby and Betsy.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy seems to materialize out of nowhere, eyes narrowed as she stands just behind Adrienne. Those ninja talents /do/ come in surprisingly handy at times as she says, with a Proper British accent, "Forget where she came from? Would that be Hollywood, considering what your idea of a British accent is, 'luv'?"

She then smiles, and it isn't a very nice smile. "But I'm going to be sporting, so you have one chance. Walk away."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
"Jubes you won't frenzy." Tabitha reassures. She might not have a wooden stake on her but she could do the job.

But she won't instead, she looks over at the bar, the tender and one of the more amused party goers that might be mentally cheering for Adrienne and not their hostess. There's a look to the Vampire Duchess and a nudge to the bar. "That guy." she whispers so vampire hearing can pick it up.

The man slips behind the bar, undoing a cufflink and starting to roll a sleeve up.

It's hard to see behind the bar, but what he's doing is pretty obvious when vampire senses are involved. And eventually he grabs a towel and wraps it around his wrist to clean himself up as he heads for a bathroom to look after things.

Which leaves the bartender to finish preparing. Tabby grinning to Jubes again. "At least from a glass it looks classy." she points out as the bartender sends a waitperson with a serving tray to carry what looks like a Bloody Mary, celery stick garnishing it towards Jubilee.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean has been fortunate enough to get distracted briefly from all the drama (well, most of the drama: she got a good part of the Jubilee-Wade show and it was top notch!). Maybe it's something family related, as after Rogue had whispered to her earlier, the two slipped away for a little bit. And now only Jean comes back!

Dun dun dun.

It's probably nothing sinister. However, as she returns, she does pick up on the ongoing feud somewhat: whether or not she can hear the actual shouting match, the emotional componennt is loud enough to be 'heard' a good deal off. IT doesn't take too much more to feel all the amount of wrath directed toward one particular, less-familiar person.

<<... be gentle with her,>> is all she has to say, on the matter!

Emma Frost has posed:
Adrienne turns to the approach of Betsy that will end in the other woman posturing like she lacks a spinal column and has a body of putty . "I'd say something about lack of fine breeding but you're nobility." An arrogant look of dismissal. That goes without -saying-.

Adrienne would ignore Tabitha. Just like the last time when it had gone -so- well. There's no remote awareness of Jubilee, the true monster walking (or floating) amongst them.

Or of Jean's warning of 'play nice'.

Then as Adrienne goes to taunt towards the blonde behind the bar.. There's a flash of glowing butterly wings. A mentally extended blade..

Then the madness that is having part of one's consciousness obliterated and rewritten.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy grimaces, "I /really/ can't stand that fake of a British accent. She won't be using that ever again." She glances wryly at Emma, clearly having a spine, and also a body decidedly /not/ made of putty. This isn't the Nineties.

"I'd offer an apology for that, but only for the fact that she'll wake up in about thirty minutes or so. Most of the memory of this evening conveniently gone, for her at least." With that, she goes over to the bar, muttering something about nattering colonials spooking the handsome lads as she orders something a bit harder than champagne.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    Jubilation stares down at the glass that's been placed in her hand. She blinks twice and then looks up, tracing a path back to its obvious source. "...Tabby, your heart's in the right place, but... " she begins to protest. A fake sigh is let out. "...Thanks." She doesn't bother trying to articulate her concerns before raising the glass to her mouth. It's not a neck, but it's something.

    Jubilee returns to Jean and Rogue and shrugs one of her shoulders, leaving Adrienne for the others to deal with. "I'm staying out of this one," she says, taking another gulp from her Totally a Bloody Mary, avoiding the celery entirely. She closes her eyes and adds a disturbing detail. "...That guy goes to Chipotle a lot," Jubilee mutters, gesturing towards the bartender who unwittingly filled her glass.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabby beams. Always the enabler for bad habits. Like encouraging the elimination of fake accents. "So while Bitch Sister is taking a powDAH. You can probably get another round, directly from the keg. Maybe wanna be careful who knows what she might have. I bet Chlamydia at minimum!" she says and eyes the unconscious sister.

The bartender probably could dop with better choice of fast food. "I could honestly do with some White Castle." a bunch of sliders is probably a bad idea. "You know we could dump her ass to wake up somewhere extra bad. Like a dog shelter or something. But that WOULD be too cruel." she realizes at the last second.

"Too cruel to the dogs." she amends quickly, and still sounds mean.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean has undergone a certain degree of acculturation with Jubilation's habits. Ultimately, it's something of a necessity: either that or set her on fire!

So while Tabitha's task may not be as ambiguous as her level of comfort might prefer, the end result is one she's at peace with. Including Jubilee appearing beside her with said extra-bloody Bloody Mary, giving notes on the flavors of its origin like a sommelier. Instead, it's easier for them all to just focus on the unfolding Frost family drama. "Probably for the best in this instance," she agrees, on keeping her nose out of it.

Also, 'gentle' doesn't necessarily mean _nice_. It seems everyone is on the same page here, and she's not going to get in the way of a bit of innovative punishment.

Instead, she turns back to Jubilee. "I'm glad you came out for this."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would just smile over at Tabitha, "I do approve. Consider your bail money paid for the rest of the month and an attorney onhand for anything extra-legal you need cover for before they can extradite you."

As Adrienne is left tumbling over as Betsy goes to lobotomize her of her capability to sound like a snobbish, pretentious intellectual forevermore.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
    "Why, did Emma tell you she wanted a Stanley?" Jubilation asks Jean, staring up at the headmistress with a hint of suspicion. Despite the impression she lets people have of her, Jubes is not stupid. And so, after just a moment of hesitation, she takes another sip from her glass and nods. "...Yeah, I know," she replies, reluctantly agreeing with Jean that it was a good idea to come out for this. She's navigating that awkward transition from childhood to adulthood and it's time to start acting like it. Then again, she's dead, so do these rules even apply?

    "Where's Rogue?" Jubilee wonders, shifting focus abruptly. "...Probably with the coats..."

    And so, that's a wrap on another very happy birthday for Emma Frost.