Charity Gala

[wingspanned]

Charity Gala

welcome

It’s a warm evening in Phoenix, Arizona. The sun is going down, and the wealthy are here (in theory) to donate to the reconstruction of downtown and protect at-risk young mutants from Kick. (Tickets were incredibly expensive.) The night opens with Warren Worthington III and (newly outed) Emma Frost thanking all of the attendees for their support. Warren speaks about how deadly Kick can be, and emphasizes that the death of Mona Elswick is a tragedy that could have been averted. The pair also mention that the actions of the Sentinels were dangerous and frightening, and legal action is being taken against their manufacturers.

But let’s keep the mood of this event optimistic. Warren and Emma invite the participating X-Men (including themselves) to join them on stage. They read out the names of their dates as the heroes step forward, with applause after every announcement. A live band begins playing as the party finally starts.

auction

Drama.

The setting of the gala is the BOOJUM TREE HIDDEN GARDENS, a five acre private garden. The grounds range from beautiful outdoor dance floors to romantic gazebos, private nooks, water features, and open bars. It’s easy to get lost here. Local and tropical plants crawl across the grounds, and as the sun sets the whole place is lit up with romantic fairy lights and lanterns. The on-site horticulturist, Lovell Sun, is a mutant who can encourage plant growth, and they’re very proud of the gardens.

Linford Duncan, a moderate politician, has a little too much to drink and starts talking about how Kick just emphasizes how dangerous mutants are. Some of them can do this much damage when perfectly sober! Any type of drugs or alcohol could make them just as much of a threat. Of course the X-Men are valuable to America, but there's a reason why they have mutant registration laws.

Volunteers.

Paige Guthrie ends up hitting it off with Lovell Sun, the mutant horticulturalist. After some time talking at length about plants, they share with them a rumor about where local mutants are getting their Kick. They’re worried about what’s happening in Phoenix.

Even though Remy LeBeau has a date, a strange man who introduces himself as Brenton Moreau won’t stop trying to get their attention and strike up conversations. He asks them to dance while their date is distracted, and it’s up to them if they agree.

Scott Summers is just trying to get through the night when a waitress accidentally crashes into them, spilling several drinks onto their outfit and the outfit of another attendee. She’s deeply apologetic, and Scott has to defend her to the billionaire she dumped a martini on. The waitress is grateful and, in a panic, gives them some weed in thanks before she scurries off.

The end of the night.

It’s 1:00 AM when the party starts to wind down. Many of the attendees are drunk or just exhausted, but the festivities trail along until 2:00 AM. There’s a limo planned in advance to take the X-Men home, assuming they don’t have anywhere else to be. Warren, however, does insist on a roll call just so that he knows where everyone is going at the end of his event.

Overall, the gala was an incredible success. An absurd amount of money was earned, and things are looking up for Arizona's rebuilding efforts. (Feel free to roll for how much your character earned in the auction!)

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Comments

BEFORE THE GALA

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

ARRIVALS & FASHION

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Emma

[frost_queen Emma Frost ♕ White Queen]

Emma had initially planned on a relatively simple dress with burgundy heels to match Scott's gala outfit, but, of course, that was before the break up. She's changed outfits entirely, going for a much more dramatic dress and heels, though her lipstick remains on the burgundy side. Her hair is down and curled, and, as usual, she looks perfectly put together. She arrives early to help make sure everything is set up properly and so she can greet guests as they arrive. Before any of the others go on stage, she tries to fuss with them a bit, making sure they all look their best, but otherwise she's not going to critique anyone's outfits. See how nice she is?

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Paige

[shake_it_off Paige Guthrie 🌻 Husk]

Paige, who remains eternally grateful that she was not up for auction, is still not overly pumped about being at the gala but has come out of a sense of obligation. In a dress that she refers to as DRESS to Sam, with the front part of her hair pinned back by bobby pins and make-up on, she feels completely out of place but still manages to smile and be polite when she needs to be. At least the venue is cool! Her plan is to look at plants most of the night, and eat a million tiny hors d'oeuvres.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Scott

[seeingred scott summers ⊗ cyclops]

Scott considered ditching at the last minute again, but is only here to prove that he's normal and no one needs to worry about him. Courtesy of Emma, he is wearing a burgundy tuxedo, accessorized with a floral lapel pin and matching pocket square in white silk satin. He looks handsome and overly serious and, for once in his life, actually gets a drink at the bar. Maybe two drinks. TBD.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Laura

[wildlike laura kinney (wolverine)]

Laura is in a fringed black dress, domino mask*, combat boots, black lipstick, and no jewelry. Whoever won her as a date may or may not get treated to a monotone description of how she'd kill everyone in the room in under 15 minutes.** That's what they paid for, right?

Provided the music selection doesn't completely suck, Laura will get into the spirit of things later in the evening and drag a couple of friends onto the dance floor.

*She is not doing Wolverine business without a mask. Boundaries.
**Not serious, but her date doesn't need to know that.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Warren

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

For all intents and purposes, Warren is at work. He's talking up the X-Men, guiding more money into the charity event, and winning sympathy. He knows that the energy of this event is a little strained in places, but as long as nobody makes a scene, he pretends it's not happening. He's dressed in a off-white dinner jacket, and his pocket square features a pattern with the saguaro blossom, Arizona's state flower. It was purchased from a local artist, obviously. And, of course, his suit has been altered to accommodate his wings.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Illyana

[allhell magik 🖤 illyana rasputin]

Illyana is in a black tulle embroidered gown, certainly purchased for her by Emma, and does not care that she is dragging the hem of this $10k garment around on the floor after she ditches her high heels partway through the evening. She's also wearing demon armor on her arms like an accessory and her crown (which I do not have reference images for but I imagine is evocative of her comics headpiece).

She's already in a party mindset this week due to her participation in the Kick investigation, so she's having a good time. While she only has one (1) drink, she does enjoy dancing and is happy to participate. Her auction date is like her third or fifth priority but if they're enough of an asshole she will take them to Limbo for 20 seconds to scare them straight.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Kurt

[blauerdamon kurt wagner ⚔️ nightcrawler]

Kurt is in good spirits, dressed in a flashy red and black outfit (minus the gloves and backpack) that's somewhat reminiscent of his costume. He loves a party, he loves entertaining people, and it's even for a good cause! He's playfully flirtatious with his date, and just generally trying to be the warm and charismatic face of the X-Men. Any time he has a moment alone, however, he's teleporting straight to one of his teammates, alternately fussing over them or teasing them. He can't resist, even when he's busy.

He nurses one or two drinks the entire night, and somehow manages to (at least seem) high energy well past midnight.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Gambit

[blindcut remy lebeau 🃏 gambit]

Remy's in a purple floral jacquard jacket and slutty pirate shirt type situation (ex) and is here to schmooze and have a good time. He's a little out of sorts mentally, but always on, so that's nobody's problem but his. He absolutely does not have time for the Emma Frost/Scott Summers Ex Explosion drama tho. Good luck with that.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Manuel

[empata Manuel de la Rocha (Empath)]

Dressed in a perfectly tailored tuxedo and meticulously put together, Manuel seems to be in his element here. To those that know him, though, everything about him is more than a little fake tonight. He's too pleasant and too accommodating, allowing his powers to guide his interactions with everyone he meets and giving them something they'll appreciate. Oh, he's so charming. Oh, he's so sophisticated. Oh- It's all a performance to earn money for the cause and to help rehabilitate his image.

Not that he expects the broader public will ever be fond of someone with powers like his, but he needs to do what he can.

He is, of course, particularly attentive to his date and intends to give them a marvelous time.

It's all somewhat exhausting, especially given how many intolerable people are in attendance, but he knows when it's time to play the game and he can always unwind after. He sips at a drink or two throughout the night and occasionally slips away to check in with a teammate, but is otherwise focused on the task at hand.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Rogue

[glovedup rogue]

Rogue arrives in a bit of a risky situation of a dress, but whatever. No one should be touching her shoulders, anyhow. If it makes her date need to dance with gloves,there are worse things. She's at her most charming tonight, as the occasion demands. She's warm and very engaging towards everyone, but there's the sense that she's keeping most at an arm's length. It just adds to the mystery.

ARRIVALS & FASHION: Kitty

[passingthru KITTY PRYDE]

Kitty arrives in a suit and the spiky high heels Emma got for her at Saks. She does technically have a billionaire date she's supposed to be chatting up, but all the drama popping up distracts her from them at every turn. Sorry, date.

DATE AUCTION RESULTS

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

<b>Name:</b> <b>Do you want a random date?:</b> Meggie and Rin will choose for you! If you have any preferences (gender, level of chaos, etc) state so here. <b>If no, who is their date?:</b> You need to describe them! <b>Anything else?:</b>

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Gambit

[blindcut remy lebeau 🃏 gambit]

Name: Remy LeBeau
Do you want a random date?: Yes and do anything to him 😌
Anything else?: Thank you guysss

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Rogue

[glovedup rogue]

Name: Rogue LeBeau
Do you want a random date?: YES PLEASE
If it's her mom she deserves it
Anything else?: THANK U!

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Kitty

[passingthru KITTY PRYDE]

Name:Kitty Pryde
Do you want a random date?: Yes please. Boring man, high level of values discrepancy ideal
Anything else?:Sorry for two bad girls

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Wolverine

[wildlike laura kinney (wolverine)]

Name: Laura Kinney Wolverine
Do you want a random date?: Yes, please! Anything goes, but she will fight anyone who tries to touch her without permission, which I am fine with but might ruin the evening for Warren and Emma
Anything else?: thank u both

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Warren

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

Name: Warren Worthington III
Do you want a random date?: As random as it can be when I'm partially responsible. :)
Anything else?: ♥

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Kurt

[blauerdamon kurt wagner ⚔️ nightcrawler]

Name: Kurt Wagner
Do you want a random date?: Same as above lol
Anything else?: ♥

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Emma

[frost_queen Emma Frost ♕ White Queen]

Name: Emma Frost
Who is their date?: Tony Stark, a tech billionaire who isn't Iron Man because he doesn't exist in 367!! He and Emma have met before at various other charity events, so they get along well and converse with familiarity throughout the night. She humors his flirting. He often has to step away for phone calls and various other business-y things (and occasionally because Emma makes him feel like he needs to), which gives her some nice space throughout the night.
Anything else?: He's talking everyone up all night.

DATE AUCTION RESULTS: Manuel

[empata Manuel de la Rocha (Empath)]

Name: Manuel de la Rocha
Do you want a random date?: Yes please~ Hit him with whatever. He'll try to play nice no matter what.
Anything else?: Everyone's using comic icons and I didn't want to ruin the pattern. 😌

CAMEOS

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

<B>Name:</b> Character name! <B>Name of the Cameo:</b> Who are they? <B>Behavior:</b> What are they doing, how are the behaving? <B>Volunteer Interactions:</b> An opportunity to make your own volunteer spots with these NPCs. <B>Anything else?:</b>

CAMEOS: Christian Frost

[frost_queen Emma Frost ♕ White Queen]

Name: Emma Frost
Name of the Cameo: Christian Frost
Behavior: There was no doubt that Christian would be here, even if he's not involved in running the gala at all. He's chipper and friendly, and while not as skilled as his sister at rubbing elbows, he's doing a good job convincing other rich people to donate as much as he is. Throughout the night he's trying his best to not be super clingy with Emma and manages pretty well. Scott gets one (1) glare that's incredibly short-lived, and he is, predictably, kind of weird at Bobby.
Volunteer Interactions: Later in the night, Christian gets a liiiittle drunk and asks [Character] if they know if Bobby's dating anyone. Also, did he really get married? And also divorced? Emma won't tell him anything about her fellow X-Man. :(
Anything else?: He's stupid.

SCENES

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

SCENES: Paige & Open++

[shake_it_off Paige Guthrie 🌻 Husk]

Paige has settled herself on the edge of one of the various fountains throughout the venue, one that's a little more tucked away and quieter so she can sip at her mocktail and not have to talk to too many people. While she's not in element, she's slowly been relaxing over the course of the evening and is enjoying the people watching and being surrounded by plants.

And she has her phone for entertainment too - she's texting when she hears someone approach and lifts her head, nearly apologizing out of habit before catching herself.

"Enjoyin' the party?"

OOC 🌳 DISCUSSION

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]

OOC 🌳 VOLUNTEERS

[wingspanned warren worthington iii 🪽 angel]