5577/Art Night

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Art Night
Date of Scene: 14 March 2021
Location: The MET
Synopsis: Johnny Storm just wants to show off an alien statue he got on a mission. Things go perfectly!
Cast of Characters: Johnny Storm, Yelizaveta Vorobey, Telford Porter, Franklin Richards, Reed Richards




Johnny Storm has posed:
New York!

Johnny Storm is here, grinning rakishly to the crowd. There's always a crowd, at least in Johnny's mind, but there is a decent size of society types here to see the latest oddity brought back to Earth by the greatest explorers in the galaxy: the Fantastic Four! Johnny is, privately, a bit stoked because he hasn't gotten to do one of these events solo in ages...even if it was more like no one else wanted to come.

The promise is big: a sculpture sculpted by a real alien, befriended by the Four on one of their far off missions into the Negative Zone! Jaded the average New Yorker may be, a Richards family event always had the promise of being entertaining, if not the safest way to spend your evening.

Currently Johnny is relaxing by the Work, which is currently covered with an unstable molecule tarp, enjoying free champagne and the feel of his new Fantastitux: because you can only pay so many bills for burnt suits.

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
And what event celebrating new attractions would be complete without some of the girls from the upcoming ballet? Several enter together dressed to wow potential donors, fake smiles firmly in place. Though as they immediately head for the bar it's hoped that the smiles will turn a little more natural soon. Entering a moment behind the half dozen dancers a younger VERY pale woman enters, shadowed by an older and very stern looking woman who seems to be talking to her in very imperative tones judging by the facial expressions. With a final word that includes a pointed finger or two, the older splits off to go stand near the wall in her "bodyguard" pant suit. The younger, in a blue dress that sets off her eyes, takes several steps away before pausing to start looking around the room.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Huh, ballerinas, Johnny thinks, finishing a flute of the bubbly. Not that it really does much to him-damn powers. It'd be nice to be boozy once in a while. Johnny considers for a second, and decides that he is probably a little too old to be anything but friendly to those girls. Besides, the last time he was in Russia?

The Red Ghost sneered down at him; Johnny could smell the stink of lonely living on the man's breath, but his eyes were on that intangible hand of his. "Finally, Americaner." The Red Ghost whispers, his hand moving through Johnny Storm's chest, "The end of you. The end of the Fantastic Four!"

Johnny represses a shudder. Still, might as well be sociable. Johnny swanks his way towards who he figures is the alpha ballerina, the one most heavily guarded, which is to say Yelizavita and her entourage, and gives his third most disarming grin. "Hey hey! Guess we're sharing an exhibit, huh?"

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
Yelizaveta Vorobey turns those blue eyes up at Johnny and they look open, friendly, and very confused. Though considering just past him a rather overbearing and large man already several glasses in looked about to step up to her might just be a little bit of relief as well. "I am... sorry?" she asks, her accent thick and definitely from out of town. She stands next to Johnny a little in from the edge of the room as donors mingle to be seen. "Appologies, my English is..." she tilts her head back and forth as she tries to think of a suitable word, then finally smiles and settles simply on "...bad."

Telford Porter has posed:
Among the crowd of fancy people in fancy dress in a man who does not belong there at all. He is wearing a suit 2 years out of style and a top hat with a wig on under it. He's wearing glasses with fake lenses and white gloves cover his hands. He turns his coat in to the doorman when he arrives like all the other rich people and watches carefully where they take it.

Then Telford heads towards the bar to get himself a nice expensive drink, "Say, do you have any of those fancy crystal glasses?" he asks the bartender, "I'd like some Champagne in one of those fancy crystal glasses." Then he thinks better of it, "Actually make it two glasses."

Franklin Richards has posed:
    This is Johnny's event, but he has a family member or two rooting for him in the background. Or for Franklin Richards' part, sulking. He has been turned away from the bar on two occasions on account of being underage. With his face recognition and at an event hosted by the Fantastic Four, a fake is out of the question.

    The young man's seated at the bar after his latest failed attempt with the side of his face flat against the palm of his hand. He catches Telford at the corner of his eye and stares, "Hey," he greets. "You look stranger than the alien under that tarp." It's not meant in offense, if that good-natured smile is anything to go by, but his curiosity is open.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Don't worry about it." Johnny says, waving his hand like nothing is that big of a deal. "I just meant," Johnny gestures at the poster, and then the tarp. "We're both being advertised here tonight. I'm guessing you all got corralled here to make nice with the investors? I'm basically here for the same reason; Johnny Storm, by the way. Oh hey there's my nephew." Johnny stops being a suave man about town for a second to wave to Franklin

Reed, Franklin, it may look to untrusting eyes like Johnny is chatting up a confused looking woman half is age. Think of the press!

Telefold, the people at the MET are professionals and used to a world of Marvels and Horrors. You get an eyebrow raise when you talk about what the glasses are made of twice, and a waiter says, "They're numbered, sir." as if hoping to head a bad idea off at the pass, but does hand you your drinks.

Telford Porter has posed:
Looking at Franklin and his proximity to the bar, the older man deduces what is happening. Never being one to turn down the opportunity to corrupt the innocent by threatening them with a good time, Telford accepts the glasses gracefully, only one of his fingers stands up as he takes the glass and it isn't his pinky, then he turns in a smooth motion as his offending digit is tucked away and says to Franklin, "Thanks. I try to make an impression for the cameras. " but he doesn't specify the security cameras. "Say, I always get lost in this place. Could you show me where the men's room is?" he asks.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards slips into the back of the room, not wanting to up stage his little brother. He stays to the background and is there, like his son said, to support. He has faith and has not been let down by Johnny... recently. He checkes his phone and looks around, catching John's eye, sorry for being late. He sees his son at the bar and smiles, shaking his head.

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
Yelizaveta Vorobey looks to the posters and then the tarp, and then her eyes seem to get REALLY big. "Johnny Storm? Of Fantasticheskaya Chetverka???" It probably isn't helping the image of the exchange that the young mutant girl appears to be about to go full fangirl over the older man. She shakes her head quickly, eyes closing as she corrects herself, "Fantasmic Four! My... roommate in school, she is of huge... passion? For you. Has posters... with..." she clenches her hands as she searches for the word, then mimes holding something in her hand and drawing with it.

Franklin Richards has posed:
    "Heh. I really don't think you have to worry about the cameras, sir. My uncle tends to be the center of attention in any room he's in," Speaking of, Franklin breaks from the conversation to return Johnny's wave with one of his own and a half-grin. He does the same for his father before shooting both of them with a teasing, telepathic message. <<Careful there, uncle. She doesn't look much older than me.>>

    He studies Telford and looks ready to hail an attendant to escort him to the bathroom...but slightly odd company beats sulking all night. "Sure," He says politely, swinging off the barstool and leading Telford with a hand. "Right this way. Is this your first time at the MET. I've honestly been here more times than I can count."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Yep! The ever loving blue eyed Human Torch. As a matter of fact that's Powerhouse over there." Johnny points at Franklin, "And hey, Reed showed up after all! I assumed he was going to be staring blankly into a screen for thirty six hours, you know, his usual weekend activity. Hold on..."

The kid speaking in his head is an adjustment, but Johnny's been in the busniess for a while. <<I know, Franky. Ever date a ballerina? She's a fan.>> Oh god, Franklin, is your uncle trying to set you up?!

Outwardly Johnny's all polite smiles; he really just thought the girl looked lonely and overwhelmed. He also has no idea what she's trying to draw. "Want to meet them? We've got a bit before the unveiling."

Telford Porter has posed:
As they walk Telford says, "Oh, I've been here a few times but I've never come inside." Which is an odd thing to say, "I usually just drop people off for them to enjoy it. I never was much for this kind of business." And by that he means art theft. He's much more of a petty theft kinda guy.

Once they are at the door to the men's room. Telford makes a production of saying, "Hmm, this is going to take a while. Shouldn't have ate such a large dinner or gotten two drinks. Greed was always my downfall." Then he sets one of the two glasses he's carrying down on the ledge of some of the wood decoration on the wall. "I'm going to take this one with me. Be a nice young man and make sure this one is taken care of before I get back?" Telford says as he uses his now free hand to open the men's room door. "Thanks for the directions." He says turning back to wink his ink-black eyelid at the young man before slipping inside.

The glass is left there, untouched, unguarded, with no one to stop him. All Franklin needs to do is reach out and seize this opportunity.

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
Yelizaveta Vorobey follows as he points out the others, even as one is walking away. "Mister Fantastic..." she says a little reverantly. "Is favorite of Katislana... So smart... I could not meet, is to... is too." She's on a banner outside the building, but actually appears to be that shy. That being said she seems about to take a step to follow him, then looks back over her shoulder at the woman standing along the wall who at the moment isn't watching her.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards being acknowledged, Reed skirts the room headed toward the bar. He passes the Men's room on his way and nods to his son, "Franklin." He continues towards Johnny, seeing what's going on the make sure the younger man does not need saving from himself or the girl.

Franklin Richards has posed:
"Oh, really? Are you, like, an Uber driver?" asks Franklin, brows lifting in genuine interest. It does not seem likely given the look of Telford, but it's New York City and drivers come in all shapes, sizes, and species. "Here we are," he says, gesturing to the polished door to men's bathrooms. The flute of champagne gets a confused look, and the wink a head tilt. Did he miss something? Was that an offer? "Um. Ummm..." Telford disappears into the restroom, and the junior member of the FF stands awkwardly, glancing around and running that interaction back in his head a few times.

    "One glass couldn't hurt. I'll just drink it and then *whoosh* I'm gone. I was a good host. I deserve this..." He continues mumbling justifications before downing the glass in one go. That's when he's pinged back telepathically by Johnny. His face turns red, and he stifles back a cough. Either from embarrassment or the alcohol.

    He tries to think up a response, but a wave of guilt washes over him suddenly. Telford trusted him with this glass. He feels bad. A good host wouldn't do that. This new shame grows in him and manifests into the physical reality, champagne bubbling into the once empty glass.

    "Huh. That's neat," He shrugs, downing another glass and recreating the little reality-warping trick.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Oh, he's fine. Just think of Mister Wizard..." Johnny trails off and realizes she likely has no idea what he means. "He's fine. He's one of those people who doesn't realize he's famous. Brother-in-law! I've found the prima ballerina for that show I invested a bit of the cash in, turns out she's a fan!" Johnny's grinning, clearly in his element. He also caught that cough, Franklin.

Watch out Uncle John indeed, little punk.

Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Teleford will see a grown man messing with a strange backpack. He looks up to Teleford, and blinks, as if trying to recognize him. The man's other hand moves, slowly, towards a pocket in his suit holding a gun that is attached to said backpack. "Just...fixing something." The Trapster says.

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
Yelizaveta Vorobey follows, moving with a fluid grace despite her visible nervousness that seems entirely unconscious. Porcelain hands clasp awkwardly against her chest as she smiles, nodding her head at his reassurances. Thankfully she seems far less the fangirl now... Behind her the woman she entered with turns her attention back to her, eyes following the pair closely as they cross the space.

Telford Porter has posed:
Recognizing a fellow crook the man in the terrible wig and suit says to Trapster, "Don't mind me. You have fun. " Telford says as he takes off the stupid hat and wig revealing his bald, tattooed head, "I'm just here to pick up a few things. Good luck out there. I saw the Human Torch and the Stretchy-guy. Torch is talking to some girl. Way too young for him. Use her for leverage and I'll bet he'll say or do anything in front of those Cameras, no matter how embarrassing." Telford says as he starts to take off his suit revealing a black body-glove under it.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards grins and smiles. as he walks up on Johnny and Yelizaveta. Reed slips into Russian easily, "Hello Prima Ballerina Vorobey, your dancing honors our show and does your family proud and your nation proud. I am glad that I could be here tonight to meet you and it would be my pleasure to send your roommate a poster signed by he whole team if you give me her name." He titls his head and pats Johnny on the shoulder with an easy confidence, "You're doing a great job Johnny, I know Sue wanted to be here but the whole Hong Kong thing is killing her. You've really picked up the slack which we appreciate with the kids coming home."

Franklin Richards has posed:
    Franklin is now sipping on his third glass and sways on the heels of his nice dress shoes, waiting. He finishes it off and decides he kinda needs to pee. Or talk to his new best friend. "Dude, I totally drank your champagne. I'm, like, deeply sorry for that, but hey, look!" He barges into the bathroom, holding the glass high. It fills itself miraculously. "It's like water to wine. I'm basically Jesus, dude. No one treats me lik-"

    It's only then that he notices that Telford has company. "Oh jeez. You! Get behind me...hey, what was your name?" It escapes him completely that Telford is also highly suspicious currently and could even be in cahoots with the Trapster. "Stay right here. I...I should go get my dad, right?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
INSIDE THE BATHROOM,

"Oh, hey, Porter." Pete deflates visibly, "I knew I should've changed in a stall. Are you seriously doing this all for coats? You know this place has crazy defenses, right?"

And then Franklin walks in, immediately makes them, and Pete's eyes widen. "Oh for the love of. You're drinking now?" Trapster draws his glue-fun and fires a spray of the sticky stuff right at Franklin! It is, a reminder, strong enough to hold an angry Thing in place.

OUTSIDE.

"It's nice how everything's going fine, right?" Johnny says, grinning, oblivious to the angry woman coming towards them, or the tussle in the bathroom. He preens a little at the 'great job' because some part of Johnny arrested at fifteen, and will always be a bit starved for praise and approval. He can't help it, alright?

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
Yelizaveta Vorobey's eyes grow wide again as Reed speaks to her in her native language. "Please, the honor is all mine," she replies politely in the same, more the demure young woman now, "and your offer is very kind. My papa was not a learned man, but he respected those who are, and he spoke of you with great admiration." She seems considerably more poised now, and after seeing where Yeli stopped the woman behind her begins scanning the room again. Yelizaveta watches quietly as the two exchange family matters, a soft smile on her lips.

Telford Porter has posed:
Being caught with his pants halfway down by the young Richards, Telly says to Pete, "Well, I -was- going to raid the coatroom then give all the coats to the homeless as a political statement about income inequality in America but I guess that's out of the question now." Then he looks at Franklin, "I mean, unless you want to be cool and you know, not narc on us?" he says to the teenager. "Come on, man. Don't be a narc!" he says using the oldest and most vile tool you can against a teenager - Peer pressure.

Franklin Richards has posed:
    "I'm not a kid anymore!" Franklin shouts back, even as the spray keeps him where he stands. "And it was only a few glasses..." His face suddenly faces, the anger fading away to something less intense. "Is this stuff gonna come off?"

    Frankie, though inebriated, barely manages to catch the mental frequencies of his father and uncle. <<Guys...help me. They're...I think they're trying to steal coats. And give them to the homeless.>> Usually, the young mutant's mental voice is clear and firm, the concentration it takes to create a mental link providing structure to his thoughts. He's slurring currently, though, and bouncing back to the people near his actual targets such as Yelizaveta.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny pauses, and frowns. "Excuse me."

He walks towards the bathroom, and starts giving off the smell of...barbeque.

Yeli, you get a front row seat at the statue being revealed; it's a fascinating piece of floating, liquid metal that moves like a mobile diarama. Shapes and faces and strange alien vistas move, warp, and realign themselves. It's beautiful.

Johnny walks into the bathroom and sees his nephew, one of his C-List rogues, a pile of glue, and Telefold Porter. "Okay." Johnny says in a low, dangerous tone, "I'm giving you idiots six seconds to tell me what is going on."

"...look man I was just going to steal the statue to make you look bad, I wasn't looking for a fight." Trapster says, "Vanisher was going to rob the place!"

"What? Come on, man." Johnny says to Porter, "There's like six private clubs up the block you can be ripping off if you want to play Robin Hood and you pick a public museum?"

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
The voice suddenly slurring in her head, Johnny suddenly leaving, the crowd noise of the reveal of the statue - if it can be called that, and then the statue itself... Yeli's porcelain complexion seems to turn even more pale as she stands unsteadily on her heels. She closes her eyes, trying to find her center as she takes a few deep breaths. Her minder appears at her side, putting an arm around her shoulders and mutters a few harsh words that even those who only speak English can recognize as "It's time to go," in any language.

Telford Porter has posed:
Sighing and gathering up all his props Telly the teleporter says, "Look, I just wanted to make a statement. I've been doing a lot of hero work and saving people's lives. I've been working with S.H.I.E.L.D. to stop terrorists." He says like it's *embarrassing* "Just today I saved that white-spider girl from falling to her death during the attack on Titan's tower!" the bald man says as he leans back against the sink, "People are saying I've gone soft! I thought, if I stole something out from under the nose of the F.F. I could earn some rep back. You don't know what it's like having to walk the line man." He complains, "I'm getting too old for this stuff."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards @emit Distracted heroing is danger in itself and Reed is busy on his phone, texting most likely Sue, handling that Hong Kong thing, but then Frankling calls out and Johnny is moving and reed's first reaction is <<Son, are you drunk?>> but then, It isn't that Reed, leaves as much as his upper body isn't there anymore, He is liquid thought in motion head and shoulders elongated followed by chest and abdomen the legs lingering, and honestly your not even sure how they find purchase, "Excuse us." Is offered in Russian over a retreating shoulder. His son is in danger and he reacts. Arriving a step behind Johnny, who seems to have the whole affair in order.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Oh god it's the old man too." Trapster says, holding his hands up and looking for an out.

Johnny looks right at Telford...and feels something, frowning a bit. He pulls something out of his pocket, and writes it. "Here." Johnny says, and hands Porter a check. "Donate this and you can tell your scumbag friends you ripped the Human Torch off for fifty grand. That sound be enough to get you back into that bar you all hang out in, right?"

Trapster looks towards the window-Reed, is he really going to try and do a runner?!

Yelizaveta Vorobey has posed:
In all the various commotions and with a forced smile on her face to keep the crowd from worrying Yelizaveta is quietly but quickly escorted from the room. She does give a last look over her shoulder to where the other ran or stretched towards, but taller bodies easily block her view. "Come now!" her companion urges her as she looks back, and she dutifully turns towards the exit and allows herself to be led away.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards tilts his head, taking in his son wrapped in glue at the sametime as the 'old man' comment and a single whip lash punch, rockets across the bathroom, bouncing the trapsters head off the tile wall as he slumps down unconscious, "Old man?" He sighs, and chuckles.

     Reed looks around surreptitiously, "Telford is it?" He pulls off his watch and drops it into Telford's hands as he slips a sleek blue titanium card into the man's pocket. His smile is wan and just a bit tired, "Keep doing what you're doing, there are far more roads for heroes than villains, but I understand that reputation matters. If you need us, you have my number."

Telford Porter has posed:
"Awww, you're just as gullible as they say." Telford replies to Reed then winks at him and vanishes with all his stuff and loot before he can get one of those punches.

True to his word, Telford will donate *most* of the money to homeless shelters in Queens and Mutant Town. He'll also set up a fund in the name of Reed "Softy" Richards to help pay for therapy bills for mutants suffering from PTSD after B-Day. Fewer unstable people with super-powers is probably something Reed would get behind Telford will assume.

Trapster? Trapster gets left behind to face the music. After all, he didn't even offer to pay Telford to save him when he had the chance. No money, no honey. Trapster should know the rules.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny crosses his arms, visibly irritated that his special day has been sort of ruined. Still, no one's dead and an OG X-Man rogue might be turning his life around.

"Let's call this a win and get out of here before they make us pay for the damage." Johnny suggests to Reed, already burning Franklin out of the glue trap. "They'd better not screw up this ballet tour. Any of...them. I dunno, send Red Ghost an e-mail or something."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards frowns at the place where Telford had been, "Just leave the- " Sigh, "I liked that watch." Reed smiles and slips an arm around Johnny's shoulders, "It was a win, no one was hurt and the party is still going strong. I'll talk to legal tomorrow and we'll make restitution in the least damaging way. You did good, kid brother; though I am pretty sure Franklin was drunk. Well, if you really want to keep them away, I could invite Victor? ... or Lex?" He walks over and tries to lift his unconscious son, missing ben... or Susan.