17526/Hellfool Club Annual Egg Hunt

Hellfool Club Annual Egg Hunt
Date of Scene:	03 April 2024
Location:	Purgatory Night Club - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Lara Croft Choc Raider finds the Golden Egg. Her prize? She will have to wait and see...
Cast of Characters:	Sebastian Shaw, Wilson Fisk, Talia al Ghul, Tessa, Lara Croft, Richard Swift, Harry Leland

---

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Word had circulated among the VIP guests of the Hellfire Club. There was going to be an attempt to start a new tradition, perhaps borrowing on the fervor that surrounds Mardi Gras and the Halloween Bash. Why not an Egg Hunt?

Setting aside of course the religious ramifications associated with the holiday, trappings that most tend to leave behind when they enter a club literally named 'Hellfire', the gathering was billed as an Egg Hunt, eschewing the other implications of the holiday. And occurring on the First of April, there was an added implication. For it was not a quest for hidden eggs, but for reward eggs. It was not stated entirely clearly what one must do to _earn_ an egg, but a Golden Egg was due to the person who would most impress Sebastian Shaw, owner of the Hellfire Club and the Black King. It was also stated clearly that pranks were to be expected, but just as clearly, none aimed at the Black King himself.

After all, how can he properly judge from the thick of things?

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk comes in slowly dressed in baby blue suit made out of silk, his tie is matching his eyes moving over it all as he nods towards Shaw. "Good evening Mr. Shaw." The massive man is moves into the club, with a nod of his head behind him are an army of pretty models dressed as easter bunnies, in there little paws are easter baskets as they move to the side with little cards around their necks with names, so everyone that arrives is given the right basket. He finds a place to sit in the back, resting his bulk waiting for the arrival of the others.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
And she's here to mingle with some of the others. The Hellfire CLub is always a font of resources and information, and she'll always take what she can get. Tonight, Talia Al Ghul is playing the role of eye candy for things. She's wearing a black bodysuit, high heels, a plunging neckline, and a set of bouncing bunny ears on a headband. To her side is a wicker basket under one arm. She's here to play her role as if this was a spectacle of MIster Heffner from another era. She goes to see Shaw, and moves to blow him a kiss in passing.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa smiles politely. "Perhaps one should ask how they are earned. Or found."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had enjoyed a number of the Hellfire Club gala events in the past few years, and as such, being that she was in town during this particular event, she made note to stop by. Slipping in amongst others in the gathering groups, Lara is dressed in a sky blue dress that fades in to white past her hips, and down toward her thighs. Worn over the dress is a white denim jacket, left open to show off a bit of the soft material dress she wears beneath it. White heels complete her ensemble, while shimmering silver adornments add a tastefully alluring sparkle to her neck, wrists and ears. With her hair tied back in a carefully arranged pattern of small braids on the crown of her head, Lara smiles toward those who make eye contact with her, the British noble having a bit of notoriety around here, even if this is not her country of origin.

Once inside the gala hall, Lara accepts an offered drink, along with a card featuring some of the information on the 'hunt' for today's event, which promptly has a warm expression touching the features of her face. Could she find some of the hidden treasure? She's confident enough to assume she could, but would she try? Yet to be seen.

Instead, on her heeled shoes, Lara gracefully meanders about, accepting her drink and taking a testing sip from its bubbly contents.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Unlike some other events, Sebastian Shaw is down and mingling among the people instead of perched up in the sky overlooking his domain. And he is, for once, _not_ dressed in his customary black attire, although it seems that he cannot quite escape the usual styles that he has grown attached to. It is a pale purple cloth that has been constructed into a Victorian style overcoat, with a matching pale pink silk shirt underneath. Pink lace flows out from collar and cuff as he moves along, sharing his pastel vision with all who wish to speak with him.

"How good of you to join us, Mr. Fisk," he offers with a nod towards Wilson Fisk, _successful businessman_. Likewise, Talia al Ghul, _expert in population reduction_ earns her own nod and smile in response to the blown kiss.

It is to the treasure hunter that he finds himself drawn, however, his lips curling into a smile as he inclines his head towards the British noble. "Lady Croft, I thank you for choosing once again to allow the Hellfire Club to play host to one of your visits."

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk nods at each of them as the girls move to each person handing out the baskets, inside of each is a figure made out of white marbled chocolate. To un wrap it is simple, they are dressed in whatever they typically wear standing in front of a place they vist often, if not their own home. He nods at each of them, his finger steepled in front of him. "I do hope everyone enjoys, there goodies in that basket." Under the candy is a wine, liquor the favorite of the giftee, and a little hand-written note about what he likes about them, that might be a tad too personal.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Hmm, one would think that Duchess Croft would spend most of her time in the London branch of the club, but that's always something interesting to keep track of. The bunny-eared Talia Al Ghul would head over towards Tessa now. Always a good chance to see wehre Shaw's eyes and ever so murderous ears went. "Tessa, how have you been? It's been awhile." Language casual, relaxed. Moving to pop a very large chocolate into her lips.

Richard Swift has posed:
Off in the corner, Richard Swift watches as the bunnies and brightly colored people come and go. He has not shifted out of his customary black, regardless of the occassion. Clutching his long walking stick as he sits quietly at a table, he does allow his gaze to sweep over the crowd of muted pastel colors. Perhaps regretting his own choices in garb for the evening.

Lara Croft has posed:
As it so happens, Lara was passing by a large potted plant when she stopped on her heels. With her glass up by her lips, she slowly lowers it down, as out of the peripheral edge of her vision she spotted a glint of something behind one of the well maintained plants. A sparkle. Oh the insatiable need to discover hidden items is too strong for this one, and as such when Sebastian approaches Lara, she is in the process of delicately slipping her free hand between the edges of the plant's base, where she pulls forth a small sparkling egg. Drawing it back to herself, she clutches it with a careful level of care, as her eyes dart up to Shaw's.

She shows him a warm smile much as she had the gala hall itself when she'd arrived. "Mister Shaw." She says, turning the egg over in her hand to present it to him. "Does this mean I win the day?" She asks in a coy tone of her Lond accented English.

With a slight smirk, she sips from her drink again, before lowering the glass once more. "Lovely of you to host so many reasons for me to get out and not sit entirely lost in my work every day upon each other."

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry made his entrance a touch tardily. Seeing Sebastian out conversing with the party-goers, he forewent his usual greeting to his long-time ally in favor of studying the other party-goers. Picking someone to converse with, he made his way over to where Wilson Fisk was holding court - so to speak - and sank into a chair.

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk nods over at Harry with a little chuckle. "Good evening Leland, Miss Croft, Miss Ghul." He leans back in his chair, his hands is moving behind his head, resting there as he looks over at the room back and forth. "I hope each of you is had a good easter, it is a good day. Now, than these pranks will be fun to be seen or have happen to us. I do enjoy a good laugh."

Harry Leland has posed:
Leland laughed along with Wilson's chuckle. "Well, I can already see where the gentlemen of size have claimed." he said with a smile. "Never been much of one for Easter but I do adore a good party." he said. "How's business, Mister Fisk? Good, I trust?"

Tessa has posed:
Tessa had ditched her normal dark purples for strategically embroidered flowers and vines along the stiff mesh of her dress, and she was circulating while keeping at least half an eye and a portion of her mind on the background chatter, ready to step in at a moment's hesitation. "Mr. Swift," she greeted as she came across the man in the corner. "I trust the evening's festivities are to your enjoyment?"

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Leland gets a bow of her head over. Fisk.. Gets a pleasant smile over from Talia but she doesn't arc in his direction. And in the business of crime? Well, it was always booming. She goes tolook over at the 'eggs'. Trying to guess from the way they laid out how heavy they were - heavier ones would mean actual precious metals in them.

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk looks over at Tessa with a nod of his head, with a little smile. "Miss Fox. I did not notice you, your forgives is asked please." He looks at her with a warm smile, before he looks over at Harry. "It is well Mr Leland, business is always good. What else could it be, it's a good time to be at the top of the world."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"You always win the day when you are part of the competition, Lady Croft," comes the easy reply from Sebastian Shaw, his smile broadening. He claims a glass of wine from a passing attendant with barely a glance, although a brief thank you uttered, his attention lingering upon the explorer. "But yes, I suppose that finding such a delight does put you in great standing towards victory. I knew you had a competitive edge to you, to be sure." He takes a long sip from the wine, nodding in approval. Most likely Tessa had selected the vintage, after all.

"If I knew that each hosting could summon you forth, I would find an excuse each week to have such a gathering." He takes a step closer, lowering his voice slightly. "Perhaps I could find a way to encourage you to visit even when we are not having such lofty events. At some point, I truly do wish to sit and listen to your tales of heroism and adventure."

Richard Swift has posed:
Not quite expecting anyone to approach, least of all the lovely Tessa, Richard Swift looks up at her before rising from his seat. "They seem to be quite fun, yes." He looks out over the crowd again before looking back to Tessa. "Not quite as raucous as the last event here, but I suppose this is a bit more of a subdued holiday." He grins. "None of the bunnies have escaped their clothing, at least." A pause. "So far, anyway."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara's brown eyed gaze drops down to the gilded egg in her right palm. She lets it roll back and forth against her fingers for a moment before she plucks a small basket off a table beside her to drop the egg in to before slipping her arm through the corded wicker basket handle to let it hang near to the crook of her elbow. With a soft smile for Sebastian, Lara tilts her head to the side a slight bit. "I was just here the other night, actually." She tells him in reply.

Her drink holding hand gestures across the space toward where Wilson is located. "I watched Mister Fisk pay a large sum of money so that everyone within the public house could drink for free." She lets her eyes drift back to Shaw, and she shows him a sly grin. "Sadly, I didn't see you in the crowd. Seems we have a nack for missing one another." She states in a playful fashion before taking another sip of her drink.

As she sips, she cannot help herself now as she turns to let her eyes wander around the immediate area. "I've suddenly an urge to clean this place of all these hidden eggs, however..." She says in her melodically calm voice, as she begins to give the nooks and niches nearby a occular patdown.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa let out a polite laugh at the observation. "Give it an hour and a glass or two of something off the beverage trays and that may change," she remarked, plucking a golden wrapped chocolate from the small basket she carried and offering it to the man. "I do hope you enjoy the spectacle of others looking for eggs, although Lady Croft might have a bit of advantage." With a smile she swept back into the crowd, offering greetings and the occasional brightly wrapped chocolate as she moved.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Tessa and move over in her direction as Shaw's adjunct would circle. "So then, do you think they're real or not?" She would quip while looking over at the rather large eggs. Seeing if she could still get an intent from the mass of them, how they laid in their berths.. "And care to share?"

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk looks over at Lara. "It was a good earning day, Miss Croft. We share it when it rains, and we huddle when it is dry. It is the way of a good man. We are one, we live and die as a group." His hand is brushes off her words with a wink, his eyes move to Talia, and than back to Tessa. "Now, than I will stay here and watch eggs. I'm much too old for such hunts, it would make me so very winded. I'm just an old man."

Richard Swift has posed:
"I should hope that I can make my exit before that happens, then," replies Richard with a frown. "I do rather enjoy a good treasure hunt, but the rest of it...." He waves his hand in the air. "I could do without." He glances towards the door, frowning in thought.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
As Lara claims the basket and deposits her prized egg in it, Sebastian completes his sip of wine, placing the empty glass on a passing tray with practiced ease. "And me not here? That must have been a rare occasion," he remarks, a bit of a smirk as he glances towards Wilson Fisk. Does he mean his lack of presence, or Mr. Fisk's generosity? He returns her grin with a shake of his head. "It would seem that we do at that. We should rectify that."

There is a pause for a moment, and then Sebastian leans forward, his voice turning a bit more serious. As if shifting from banter to sincerity. "If you would care to, I truly would wish to have you be my guest and my companion for dinner, if you would share a similar interest." He smiles. "Rather than having to rely upon happenschance, which could so easily 'not happen'."

As her attention drifts, Sebastian inclines his head. "Although I know I cannot compete for your attentions with a treasure hunt."

Tessa has posed:
"It depends on the egg," Tessa admitted to Talia, following her gaze to some of the larger decorations. "The largest dyed ones are mostly very thin porcelain painted in various styles. The pysanky eggs are made from real ostrich eggs." A vibrant green-wrapped chocolate appeared in her hand, and she offered it to the other woman. "Your ears are well made. Custom work?"

Lara Croft has posed:
Having had her name in the headlines a number of times in the past five years, Lara expects a bit of playful ribbing when it comes to treasure hunting, even on a scale for fancy eggs in a fancy party like this. The words heard from Wilson bring a reserved grin upon Lara's facial features, as she spares a glance toward him. "You were the talk of the pub that night, Mister Fisk. Even having only graced it for a matter of minutes." She replies to him before she takes a step toward a nearby statue bust mounted on the side of a display stand. With another delicate reach of her left hand, Lara pulls another egg from behind the neck of the statue's molded jacket collar. She pulls it out, and holds it up, display its jade green surface, with pink and purple designs drawn upon its surface. "Lovely." She notes, before slipping it in to her basket along with the other.

Lara regards Shaw again, and she smiles openly toward him. "I would enjoy that." She tells him. "Though, I'll admit, now I'm set on finding this... what did the card say? A golden egg? It must be here somewhere..." She states, letting her eyes roam past Talia and Tessa, then toward where Richard is, that part of her mind trying to piece together the variables of the setting to give hints as to where the location of the primary treasure might be hiding.

She steps toward Shaw, and leans toward him. "Any tips or advice would be most welcomed." She says toward the man in purple and pink, showing off a sly grin.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would smile at Tessa, "Good points. Did you help prepare them or are they observations?" The Black Rook would inquire to the Herald. "And they are. I took the time to sew and stitch them myself. It seemed dismissive to come here with something purely bought for such a unique assembly." She would pluck the chocolate to her lips to take a small nibble of it. "Delectable. Master Shaw as always has exquisite tastes and an excellent manner of organization. And Duchess Croft seems to have caught his favor tonight." Eyes twinkling. "Do you think that something more might come of said interest?"

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk leans back in his chair, with his hand is moving now slowly to pick up his glass sipping it slowly enjoying the wine, poured by one of the bunnies he brought with him with a little chuckle. "Indeed, it was good to be known, but I hope they spread the happiness into their lives. I had cleaned up an issue blocking my way, it was quiet the evening and it needed to be celebrated proper." He looks over at Talia, and than with a nod back at Tessa, looking over at Shaw. "This is a lovely party, I think the real issue is those you draw close have much on our plates. So, maybe we should make sure we are going to clear it for each other more often. I enjoy the social, when I make time for it. All work and no play, makes something something something right?"

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is another glance spared over towards Wilson Fisk, and Sebastian offers the man a smile. "It is always good to share generosity with others," with another incline. Especially if that generosity is spent at his club, but Sebastian does not give voice to that thought. "Like with this gathering," he says, extending a hand out to indicate the tables off to the side, filled with all manner of cakes, candies, and the centerpiece a bubbling chocolate fountain surrounded by all manner of fruit and skewers.

He watches as Lara finds yet another egg, settling back in his stance, hands clasped behind his back.

"We shall have to arrange for it then. Soon, if I am to take advantage of your presence on our side of the oceans." Sebastian glances over towards Tessa for a moment. She knows his calendar better than he does. But then Lara makes her admission, and Sebastian allows his grin to broaden. "I am afraid that a host cannot show favoritism, regardless of how lovely the requestor is." But as she leans towards him, he leans towards her, and after a furtive glance around, he draws his lips towards her ear to whisper a message for her alone.

Lara Croft has posed:
The response that Lara garners from Sebastian has the English woman showing a visible grin, and she even softly snickers before her eyes dart away from him. "Well. One always has to try to press for the clues, when it comes to mysteries on a scale such as this great egg hunt.."

She does seem intent on letting her eyes dart to specific places within the gala hall after her little secretive interaction with Sebastian, specifically targeting any potted planters, but ultimately she's left taking another sip of her champagne glass as she lets the thoughts mull over within her mind.

When she lowers the glass from her pink hued lips, Lara smiles again toward Shaw. "Simply say the time, and I am sure it can be arranged. Unless I'm on the other side of the world, trying to find golden eggs in suspicious places." She responds, before showing him a lopsided grin.

Lara takes a few steps over toward another locale to let her eyes roam over it, and gives a glance toward Tessa and Talia. "Do we know who is leading this hunt?" She asks them. "I have to imagine someone has a whole basket full by now..." She trails off, as her right hand dips in beside a leaning piece of artwork, and an arrangement of flowers. She draws out another egg, this one colored in pink and sun-yellow hues. She raises it up to give it a moments look before she deposits it in to her growing collection. "One step closer..." Lara utters softly.

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk looks over at Lara watching her finding the egg, with a nod of his head towards her. "I think you will find it, become the queen of the eggs tonight!" His hand is moves slowly to tap against the chair, with the other is moving to sip at his wine. "Indeed Mr. Shaw. I would know you would understand it, there is always reasons to spread the wealth." His hand is moves, slowly to place the glass down on the table next to him. "Oh but favoritism is the secret to business, it is how we all move forward Mr. Shaw." A little chuckle once again leaving his lips, as he leans back now to get settled into his chair, making it creek under his bulk.

Richard Swift has posed:
As if deciding to escape before the clothes start flying off at Tessa's prediction (and when is she ever wrong?) Richard Swift pushes off from his spot to the side, and starts making his way towards the exit. He slows for a moment to reach out, pocketing an egg that he spots in one of the planets, before he continues and slips out of the club.

Tessa has posed:
"I assisted in sourcing them," she replied to Talia, taking a closer look at the other woman's ears. "Very neat stitching for stubborn material." Tessa's voice was warm with approval at the attention to detail, but her face maintained her general cool aloofness as they were approached.

"I couldn't possibly ruin the surprise of who wins, Lady Croft. All will be revealed at the appropriate time." She gave both women a wiggle of fingers as she started to move, melting into the throng and checking in with a few staff on her way to Fisk and Leland. "Gentlemen," she greeted with her small smile. "How are the two of you doing tonight?"

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Oh, there are far greater mysteries here than the egg hunt, My Lady Croft, but perhaps some of those remain for another time." Sebastian watches as Lara's eyes search throughout the room, and his lips twist into a smile for a moment. "You should focus on less suspicious places," he suggests. "Chalk it up to a font of creativity on the part of the mystery crafter."

He leaves, for the moment, the appointing of a time and a place for the future, as he slips over towards where Fisk and Leland have gathered. "Neither of you have any interest in chasing the hunt for the golden egg?" His lips quirk into a smile. "I confess, there is some wisdom in simply watching the huntresses at work."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would give a smile towards Tessa, "Then may the best player win. I do enjoy the competition." Though she's not taking part in it. This is her chance to mingle and see things. She goes to watch over things with interest as she maneuvers along back towards Shaw, with permission.

"I don'tknow who's ahead in the hunt.. So I can't say with any determination." she would walk towards Shaw, looking at the higher ranking members of the Inner Circle.

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk looks over at Tessa with a lifting his glass. "I'm doing well, yourself Miss Fox?" His hand is moves to swirl the wine, than he looks over at Shaw with a soft chuckle. "As I stated, I'm much too old for such hunts. I prefer to let the youth, those with the legs of power and eyes of eagles do such work. I enjoy my wine, the company, the sound of mirth and happiness. I'm very well enjoying the show, when the beauties hunt, whom but fools get in there way. We all know in the end, they will get there way."

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry smiled at Tessa and shrugged. "Truly, one should try to engage with these little trifles when they are so majestically arranged four our pleasure. I have no illusions that anyone but our majestic treasure-hunter shall walk away with the prize, however. Unless you've managed to stash the egg away inside a spreadsheet?" he joked weakly, then raised a forefinger to have one of the servants bring him a glass of something amber and potent indeed.

Lara Croft has posed:
Left to her own devices, Lara ends up near to a table where she sets her basket of claimed eggs down upon the table. Her white denim jacket is removed, and draped over the back of a chair, leaving her arms bared, showcasing a level of lithe fitness and streamlined muscles beneath smooth skin. With a moments fuss of her hair, Lara reaches for something upon the otherwise unoccupied table. She steps toward a display table, where she takes a moment to grab something upon its surface. Her eyes keep glancing upward, as she goes about assembling something within her free hands.

When she finishes, she has a extended grabbing claw made from various pilfered items, and with a soft click of her heels, Lara steps over to one of the hanging light fixtures. Balancing up on to her tip toes, her spike heels raising up ever so gently off of the ground, Lara extends her right arm upward, carefully extending that long grabbing arm to pluck another egg from a precarious place within a silver sconce that is suspiciously devoid of any light bulb...

It is a moment of tense anticipation, as Croft grasps the egg, and gently lowers her heels back down to the floor where she draws the makeshift tool back toward her chest, and tips it over to drop the claimed egg in to her free hand.

Blue and silver. Not the golden child of eggs, but still a nice claim. With a smile, Lara walks with a sway back to her basket to set the egg in amongst the others.

She huffs out a sigh, and pats the grabbing arm in her opposite palm, as her eyes continue to scan for possible hiding locations in places not so strange, but also following what other clues she has managed to obtain.

Ever the dedicated hunter, she is.

Tessa has posed:
"No hints." Tessa's eyes held a hint of mirth, echoed in the upward curve of her mouth. "There could very well be some decorated eggs amongst the spread of sheets. I expect those willing to be on the hunt clever enough to look beyond the obvious. They aren't children in need of an easy challenge." Chocolates emerged from her basket, the silver handed directly over to Fisk while the pink went back, exchanged for a blue that was offered to Leland. "These should go well with your drinks, sirs."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"My sheets are their own delight, and have no need of hidden eggs for one to find treasures there," corrects Sebastian as he strolls up behind Tessa. He looks between Fisk and Leland chuckling for a moment, adding "The thrill of the hunt is truly for those who..." He trails off as he turns his gaze back towards Lara as stretches her legs up onto her toes to strain for an egg. "...get to witness the lengths the hunters will go to." His eyes linger for a moment in appreciation, and he almost sort of tut tuts as she finds an egg, but not the one she was searching for.

"You are looking in the wrong suite, My Lady," he calls out to her, before turning back, a wink extended towards Tessa. "No hints, of course," he says, spreading his hands, with the sort of diabolical grin that indicates that he has been offering nothing but for some time.

Harry Leland has posed:
: takes the proferred egg and spends a few moments examining it with every sense he possesses. "Ah. Lovely. Most kind, Tessa. Most kind." he said, then relaxes a bit back in his chair to watch the treasure-hunter retrieve the egg from the sconce. "Well-played, milady, well played indeed." he said with a clap of his hands.

Wilson Fisk has posed:
Wilson Fisk takes the egg from Tessa with a nod of his head, as he looks it over with a look over at Shaw with a little chuckle. "Well stated, sadly I need to head out there is things on my agenda before the sun rises." He stands slowly, with a bowing towards the others, making his way to towards the exit. "I do hope you win this hunt Miss Croft, do let me know how it ends." He slowly makes his way out of the club.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is left to study her surroundings, as her hand continues to lightly pat the end of that homemade grabber in to her palm. As she bites down upon her bottm lip lightly, her eyes wander the decor of the room itself. She stares at each of the seven deadly sins showcased in the form of masks adorning the walls themselves, she strolls past them, walking with a measured gait to her step, passing by some of Fisks' bunnies, as they hop around, eagerly picking through various items to find what hidden eggs they can. It is quite a setting, even one that summons a smile to Lara's visage as she strolls.

Past sloth, past gluttony, past pride, each mask getting an even stare, before she ends up staring at both lust and greed, one after the other.

At first Lara extends the grabbing hand toward the mask of Lust, but she backs off from it at the last moment, and switches toward the mask that represents Greed.

"Nothing gets one hands dirty quite like money." Lara comments softly, as she pulls the mask from its hook with a steady grasp from the handled arm she'd created.

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry wasn't about to let that go uncommented-on. "Fits quite nicely for both masks, truth be told." he told the adventuress. "When one has it, it's not ever enough. And the lengths some will go to are quite extreme." he said with a small smile. He, moreso than anyone perhaps Sebastian, understood what drove men - and womne - to their extremes to satiate those two conjoined lusts.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is a bit of a laugh from Sebastian as he watches Lara move about in an effort to find the golden egg. "I will make you a deal, Lady Croft," he says, watching as the mask yields nothing. "It would be my pleasure to lick your hands clean if you should happen to find it." He pauses, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And I imagine it would be so for me at any age."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa hides her mouth behind the glass of her drink as she takes a sip. "They all have their ways of dirtying one's hands in the end, but this is poor timing for that debate." Her tablet is upstairs, but her phone is ever-present, tucked into a secure pocket on her basket. It appears in her hands with a twitch of fingers, messages sent in advance to prep various rooms with the necessary amenities. "How are you adjusting to your return, Mr. Leland?" The ask is respectful, tone polite but not overly familiar.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is left holding the mask in her hand, having take it off of her grabbing tool. She was regarding its design when she heard Shaw's response to her being wrong. With a soft smirk, she glanced between Shaw, then to Harry, before both of the mask and the grabbing arm were set down.

With a soft stride in her step, and a gentle sway in her hips, she moves toward the table with the variety of foods and snacks. With a tap of her hand upon the table's edge, Lara bites down on her bottom lip before she raises her right hand up, and with a hesitation she looks to the server at the table. "I'm sorry." She softly says.

The British noble brazenly places her hand in to the chocolate, the waves of dark liquid pouring down around her arm, as she moves it as deep as her elbow. She needs a few moments to search, before finally, she draws her arm out, and receives a towel from the server.

Lara stands there now with a towel under her elbow, as she holds up a completely chocolate coated arm, clutching a egg covered in the same sweet and delicious warm fluid.

"Rather more hot than I expected..." Lara says with a visible wince upon her face as she raises the egg up to her mouth to offer a lick to clean its surface just enough to see the color of its natural surface...

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would approach over towards Tessa and Leland, turning her attention to him, "I haven't talked with you much, but you've always cut an impressive figure in the world. I'm looking forwards to learning more about you and seeing just why you've kept such grand attention, My Lord." But most of her attention on Lara, amused.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
It might be that sway that calls Sebastian's attention to follow Lady Croft. Although more likely it is noticing the trajectory of it. He grins back at Tessa and Harry before he turns to trail along with her, watching as the British noble makes the uncouth gesture to place her arm within the fountain.

And yet, that would seem to be part of the plan. Her tongue will slowly reveal a golden shimmer to the egg in her hand. And as if in confirmation that it was the plan all along, by the time she has done so, Hellfire Club attendants have already brought a new fountain out, to whisk away the one she has...tainted.

"My offer remains," float the words from Sebastian, as he gives a nod towards her chocolate covered appendage.

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry looked at Talia and smiled charmingly. "You do me too much credit for such a creature of surpassingly loveliness." he said with a rogueiss wink.

Lara Croft has posed:
At the sight of the golden glint, Lara couldn't help but let out a soft and sweet melodic laugh. She transfered the egg over to the towel in her non drenched arm, then proceeed to dab up some of the chocolate off of her elbow before it would drip to the floor at her feet. With a look toward Shaw, Lara held up the egg, before giving it a little wiggle of triumphant victory. "You just wanted to see if someone would actually be crude enough to stuff their arm in a fountain of, rather hot... chocolate." She fires back to him before she raises up her covered hand and carefully samples a bit more of the gooy fluid from her thumb. "It is quite good though, admittedly." She states, before she glances down at her dress to make sure she wasn't dripping on herself.

"God, I'm going to make a mess. I better slip off to the wash room." She states, moving now to offer the group a small smile as she strides toward the exit, keeping the towel close to her elbow as she goes. "I'll certainly adjust my thought process on where I look, come next hunt." She says in a coy fashion as she goes, heels softly clicking upon the floor.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa hums half to herself, winking at Sebastian. "Go on, my king. Get your taste of treasure hunting, if she allows it. We can take care of things here. Mr. Leland's rooms are already prepared, and the other areas are ready for the shift of revelers."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is but a moment of contemplation on the part of Sebastian Shaw. Then he grins at Tessa, and nods to Leland. "Don't wait up for me." And with that, he strides off in the direction of the chocolate trail left by Lady Croft...