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The New Year of 1964 is almost here, and the Hellfire Club's usual decor is in the process of being transformed for the New Years Eve party to come in just a few nights. The theme? One of the biggest pictures of the year: Cleopatra. And it looks like they've raided the movie lot, because various props and decorations have been raised all around the room, well on the way to transforming it into an Egyptian throne room.
The chaos is well-contained, though, under the watchful eye of the White Queen. Emma Frost may appear to be lounging at the bar in a slinky white dress with a pristine white fur stole, but she keeps a sharp eye on the work. Like the statue being raised in one corner of the room, and the beaded curtains being hung along another wall.
*
Kyle gave a baleful look to the servant near the door who tried to send him back to the service entrance. He showed his lettter of invitation and made a point of having the man wait at his beck and call. Frankly, in Kyle's mind, this was him being polite - a very large part of him would have preferred to throw the jowled old bigot through the nearest window.
He still might, although probably not in his current guise.
He makes his way to the bar and raps on it with his knuckles, his dark beard trimmed close, "Brandy," he says.
*
Warren would never be so uncouth as to stand and gawk. But there is definitely a slow breath as he first takes in the decor in its transitional state. THe blonde man has been in the news several times lately. Foremost fo rthe death of his father and his inheritence of the controlling share of Worthington INc and a fairly ridiculous family fortune. There's also been soome notes on charitable works since then. Most recently though there was a bit of a scandal when a charity event he had help to organized the day after Christmas was derailed by the introduction of Vigor, and the entire party was accidentally reloacated to Rio.
He walks further into the club, still tkaing it in. It's hard to tell exactly what he's thinking. Though someone who actually could look at his thoughts might be extremely surprised to find him thinking, "I must see my tailor. This jacket is making my wings itch."
*
Tony Stark's assistant is in love with some sort of metal-armed assassin-thief and is acting odd. His father is…his father. His building is in flux after an attack from said metal-armed assassin-thief who -used- to be one of his Janitors. A rather meaningful bit of technology has possibly been stolen by said metal-armed assassin-thief…and even though Tony's been sober for the last few months, he needs a drink. He needs a drink where his assistant won't be able to find him. So, the Hellfire Club it is.
There might be stuff going on around him, but he's seated at the bar, nursing a tumbler of scotch. When another sits at the bar next to him, he glances over briefly. "Hey," is offered in greeting. There's a pause before he offers, "You don't need to rap on the bar. They'll learn your preferred drink soon enough."
*
Emma glances over as Kyle raps on the bar, though her response is a bit warmer than Tony's. "Mister Richmond," she greets, glancing over her shoulder toward the bartender with a twitch of her finger to hurry the man along. "Welcome." Whether it's a surface skim of his thoughts that gives it away or simply awareness of just who's at the door, she even follows with an apology once she looks to the entry. "My apologies, Benjamin is…occasionally overzealous. On the house, of course," she adds as the bartender arrives.
"Mister Stark," she turns a slightly brighter smile on the man. "Will we be seeing you at New Years? Or is there some new marvel you'll be otherwise occupied with?" Technical, or female? No matter, really. She's noted Warren, but there's only a glance at the moment, tracking his progress.
*
Warren heads over towards the bar. He has certainly ntoticed Emma, but there is no immediate sign of recognition. He does, hwoever, recognize one of the two men at the bar. A man he's been meaning to meet with. When he reaches the bar he takes a moment to order himself a Scotch and soda.
*
Kyle meets Emma's eyes as she apologizes for the behavior of the house servant, "He's an old racist who works for a club that has long housed old, wealthy racists. He makes me angry, but he doesn't make me surprised. No need to apologize - I've dealt with much worse, in my time," he says.
To Stark, he nods, "My first visit. And I've found that sometimes I need to make sure I'm paid the right kind of attention. Not all of us are Tony Stark, after all."
*
Tony may have already had a few. "Miss Frost," is given in greeting as he looks the woman up and down, "Thast might depend on how much of -you- I'll get to see that night? Few marvels can live up to you." He's probably been flirting with her since they met. As her eyes go to Warren he asks, "That's the Worthington kid, right?" And said kid is coming to the bar. How fortuitous.
"Hey…sorry to hear about your dad." He's been there himself. Although then his father came back and that might have been more upsetting.
Kyle's words get a wry sort of smirk and he lifts his current tumbler to his lips, "True. The world might explode if there was more than one."
*
"Well, Mister Stark, I suppose you'll have to show up to find out, won't you?" Emma chuckles to Tony's question, body twisting ever so slightly under the guise of turning toward Warren's arrival to show off a little more curve. When it comes to flirting, she has plenty of practice. And next to no scruples.
"Money has a tendency to run in families, Mister Richmond. And when that money only runs downstream if you toe the family line…" She trails off, wrinkling her nose briefly and reaching out to brush a hand against his forearm. "There are reasons I didn't inherit my money."
But speaking of inherited money. "Mister Worthington, so good to see you here. I'm sorry for your loss. I do hope you know that if there's anything we can do here…?"
*
Kyle takes his brandy and nods at Emma's words, "True enough, especially when those holding the coffers spend so much time making sure they control the way the money flows. If my grandfather hadn't been…indiscreet and then willing to own up to it after I was orphaned, I'd likely be as poor as I grew up tthinking I was still," he says. r
"Although I can't imagine what reasons would cause someone to be displeased with you, Miss Frost. You seem quite a specimen," he says.
To Worthington, he nods his agreement with the offered condolences, but doesn't feign as if he knows the man.
*
Warren's eyes are drawn in by Emma's subtle movement, just as intended. It makes him a moment late to respond to Tony, but then Warren nods from him to Emma and back. "I appreciate the condolences. It hasn't been easy stepping into his shoes at the company. He wasn't generous with information." He gestures to the bar, "I'd heard about this place for years, for example. From other people. Never knew that he'd inherited a membership from my grandfather."
*
Tony seems more than happy to watch the movement that was for his and others' benefit. He approves. "Well then, I might just show up." Or not. He might not decide until he's actually there. Dark eyes are finally drawn back to the others and a hand is offered to Kyle, "Richmond, huh? Good to meet you and welcome." He doesn't seem to introduce himself, it seems. Once it's free, the hand is then offered to Warren, "Inheritance memberships aren't too uncommon…" probably easier than making enough money to join from scratch. "And membership has its perks, namely meeting me. If you have questions about the Biz, feel free to ask. I'll what advice I can," when he wants to.
*
"Family is always a special beast," Emma smiles ruefully to Kyle, head tilting slightly as she looks between him and Warren. "Well, if we've two new arrivals, then, I suppose the grand tour is in order. Though you might have to excuse the chaos," she adds, just as the statue of Anubis is properly raised in the corner.
"It's going to be quite impressive once everything is finished, but at the moment, it's a bit like watching the sausage get made. Mister Stark, you know the club. Perhaps you'd be willing to help me with the tour?"
*
Kyle smiles thinly, "Chaos, in my experience, usually represents opportunity. Sometimes you can even make it work in your favor," he says. "My company focuses on security, Stark. I doubt you're in the market for any, although I wouldn't mind running an analysis of your system. I might find weaknesses you never knew were there," he says.
He prepares to join in on the tour, cupping his glass easily as he constantly assesses the place. Angles, escapes, lines of attack.
*
Warren answers Emma. "That it is. Though sadly it is a beast I no longer have around." He apologies about the appearance of the place are shaken off with a smile, "One thing becoming another is always chaos. At least this is chaos with a purpose."
*
"Sure, I can help…" he might know a few little tidbits that Emma might not state. Tony has his drink topped off before he starts to get to his feet. There's a sputter at Kyle's offer and he just stares at the other for a moment. "All right," he finally offers, "If you can find any weaknesses I'll even give your firm the contract to fix them." But he's Tony Stark. He tends to think unconventionally, even when it comes to security systems.
At Warren's statement, he reaches out a hand to clap the younger man's shoulder, "Sometimes that's for the best, kid. Believe me."
*
Emma steps away from the bar, leading the way into the room at large with a sway of her hips. "You'll see the stage, of course," she gestures, though there are currently elaborate thrones being set up there, part of the new decorations. "Most nights we'll have a band, but we also features dancers from time to time." Like Emma herself some years ago.
"Drinks are of course included in the membership," she gestures back toward the bar. "There are various theme nights and parties. But all of this is…the most simple part of the club. The real benefits are the private rooms."
*
Kyle considers, "Private rooms, huh?" he says. He sounds relatively amused by it, but his ears are sharp. He wouldn't be surprised if a wealthy haven like this did its share of human trafficking - if there's a brothel on the premises, the sooner he knows about it, the sooner he can get some evidence to find its supplier.
None of which, of course, would be of interest to Kyle Richmond. Nighthawk, on the other hand, has been needing to hunt.
*
Shoulder claps are a gesture Warren is usually quick to avoid. But his guard was down and he wasn't epxecting it from Tony in the first place. He winces, and there is something desidely odd about that shoulder under Tony's hand. Bone that isn't where one would expect it to be, though nothing seems unusual about how he stands, though his long jacket hides much. Re rolls awy from th touch and tries to verbally distract Tony, "I met your Peper Potts recently at a glala. Formidable woman." THen Emma's explanation seems to provide somethig else to latch on to, and warren pipes up, "I've been hereing rumors and speculation about what goes on here since the first boarding school my father sent me off to. I admit, I'm more than a little curious to finally find some things out for myself."
*
And the connections. The Connections between the members is a HUGE perk. Deals are Wheeled in these hallowed halls; deals that might not otherwise happen outside of the club's doors. Stark works on his nth drink as they walk and he points out certain corners or certain rooms that might have advantages over others for some reason.
Tony's humor fades some when Pepper is mentioned, "She's not mine. What gala was she at?" Did he get an invitation? Why was she going in the first place? But at least the subject is changed, "What sort of rumors and speculations?"
*
"For private business, of course," Emma notes to Kyle, smile crooked. While the Hellfire Club has more than its fair share of depraved activities, the people involved are usually there willingly. Not that 'willingly' always translates to 'ethically.' People will do all manner of things for money, after all, and the members of the club are rolling in it.
"The truth about business, after all, is that many decisions are made on a more personal basis than professional. The club allows for a safe place for company heads and executives to discuss business without being…restricted by boards and numbers."
She leads the way down a hall where the bustle of the preparations is quieter, pausing in doorways to show off some of the smaller rooms furnished with plush chairs and couches, some with roaring fireplaces, others with trickling fountains.
*
Kyle isn't particularly reassured by the idea of these being the literal smoke-filled rooms wherein great decisions were made. After all, he knew many who had been victims of such decisions - the cut out, the oppressed, the refused. He was one of them, still, no matter how much money he put in his bank account or how much expensive booze he quaffed.
"I never did like math," he says simply, taking note of Tony's obvious shift in tone at the mention of Pepper. Something there worth noting - a chink in the proverbial armor.
*
Warren chuckles and shakes his head, "Rich boys are still just boys, Mr. Stark. And this place has a mistique all it's one. Even knowing it exists is a point of pride. As for the stories of what happens here, "Always accompanied by a "Well My father told me" or a "according to my cousin…", I've heard everything from strange rituals to make it a literal Hellfire club to parties that would make Mr. Hefner blush." He shakes his head and smirks, "Though frankly I can't see my father attending a party of any sort if the business didn't benefit from it." Like Kyle, he looks in the rooms as theiy are pointed out, but Warren does not seem as deeply concerned about what has gone on there."
*
"I can't tell you anything about rituals, but I can vouch for the parties." At least, that's how he remembers them…when he -can- remember them. Tony actually hasn't been to the club much these last few months, but obviously something's changed in his life. Whether it's for good or for ill is yet to be determined. "I'm usually just around for the parties and the booze."
*
"Well, if we had those sort of rituals, we could have been taking some responsibility for recent events," Emma laughs to Warren, pausing outside another door without going inside. "This is the locker room, so you gentlemen will have to forgive me if I don't show you inside. But there's a sauna and a spa, hot and cool pools, and of course showers. We have everything you need when you need to get away from the demands of the world."
*
Kyle raises an eyebrow, "Is the world really that demanding? I find I demand more of myself than the world ever has," he says. He does peer inside, though, especially taking a quick glance over at the workout equipment. It's always good tto have someplace to keep in fighting trim, although he has several little hideyholes around the city for that purpose - among others.
"I think I got enough locker room time in high school," he says.
*
For his part, Warren seems a bit relieved they won't proceed into that particular area. He nods to Kyle's words, "Isn't that the truth." He gives a small smile to Emma. "I suspect that I'll spend more time here getting to know the other members than attending parties. I tend to keep my relaxation private." To himself he adds, "And about 7000 feet up". However, there's something in his tone that is almost wistful. Certainly not a disaprproving note.
*
Tony just shrugs at the newer members, "You can pretty much do what you want. I'm sure you got the handbook." Is there a real handbook? There are rules, no doubt, but it's probably more along the lines of 'The First Rule of the Hellfire Club is that there -is- no Hellfire Club'. Maybe not quite that extreme, but close. He finishes off his drink and sets the empty glass on the nearest surface, knowing it'll be cleaned up later. "Might want to get the Party schedule then so you don't show up expecting a quiet night and there's a soiree happening."
*
"Mister Richmond, I administer a university, run an international business, and manage affairs here," Emma points out with a wry smile. "Personally, I quite enjoy a good bath to myself every now and then, without so much as a phone in sight." All of which leaves aside the other things she does with her time.
She casts a sidelong glance toward Warren, picking up on that unspoken thought, but not wanting to bring it up with others present. "As Mister Stark says, though, we cater to all sorts of requirements. If there's something you'd like that you don't see, you're always welcome to point it out and we're happy to oblige."
*
Kyle nods, "But those are all things you've chosen for yourself, thtat you've pursued. You want those things in your life. If you didn't, you're free to cut them out. Aren't we all? I don't deny being a workaholic - I simply don't pretend that I don't enjoy every second of it," he says. "Or that I have any idea how to be any other way."
"But yes, a schedule would be nice, I think."
*
Warren is quiet at Kyle's declaration for a moment, but unsettled. He shakes his head, "There are some demands and obligations that are never our hoice. Just an artifact of who we ae. An accident of birth." Which might seem a little odd being said to KYle by a man born into the wealthiest of fmamilies with blond hair, blue eyes and moviestar looks. Warren shrugs. "But I think all that is exactly the wrong sort of serious business for the setting." He gives Emma a bright smile, "Thank you for showing us around."
*
The newest members get a considering look before he turns to Emma, "They're new. They'll pick it up soon enough." As if all newcomers start that way and then eventually, when they're at the club at least, devolve into debauchery. At least that's been Tony's process…although he sort of came in debauched. "So, this party this weekend…it's a Toga party, right?"
*
Emma laughs softly. "Just because I've chosen it for myself doesn't mean I never want to step away from it, Mister Richmond. The same can be said for much of our membership, I think. People who strive day in and day out. And of course, Mister Worthington. If there's anything I can help you with while you're settling in, please do let me know."
Tony's comment earns another laugh. "It's a Cleopatra party, so if you'd like to be Roman, you'll fit right in, Mister Stark."
*
Kyle shakes his head, "Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers," he says simply, although there isn't a great deal of apology in his words. He wasn't much for remorse. He notes Stark's condescension, though, and puts it as another mark on his internal slate. Always adding a little more to the chip on his shoulder.
*
That particular choice of words makes Warren stiffen for a moment and look carefully at Kyle, trying to read his expression. Deciding it was just a chance choice of phrase, Warren relaxes a bit and smiles, "No offense taken. With everything that's been going lately., I guess I really do need to relax a bit." Somewhat ironic that the most stressful thing lately landed him on a beach in Rio. He looks to Emma, "About the club rules. I know that confidentiality is key…" Thus said the mulitpage nondisclosure he had to sign to get in the door. "But is there anything else I should be awre of?"
*
Once Tony's made off, Emma turns back to the others, beckoning them with her as she starts back down the hallway toward the main room. "We ask that you notify us ahead of time if you're going to bring guests who aren't members," she answers Warren. "While it isn't prohibited, as you said, confidentiality is key. We do, however, accept nominations for membership, if you happen to know any worthy parties."
She looks to Kyle with an encouraging smile. "Also, so that both of you are aware, the club itself does not condone discrimination on any front. This is a place for people of skill, power, and riches. The color of your skin, the content of your DNA. Power needn't be tied to those things. If you find there is an issue, I will be most happy to deal with it."
*
Warren looks thoughtful at this, "I'm a little surprised to find the club so forward thinking. But you won't have any problems on those ground s from me. I've been trying to make some changes along those lines for Worthington Inc."
*
"I'd like to hear about that sometime," Emma starts, just as one of the servers from the bar walks up briskly with the sort of look that it doesn't take a telepath to interpret to know something's gone wrong. "But right now it looks as though I've more tasks to see to here," Emma says, rueful.
"Please don't be a stranger, Mister Worthington," she says, reaching briefly for his hand in a familiar gesture. "I'd love to speak at greater length sometime." With those words, she's drawn away, hurrying off…with that little sway in her hips still.
*