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[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=f26522][sub][b]Location:[/b] Hotel ➟ Gala Fundraiser[/sub][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=f26522][sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Lev[@LostDestiny][/sub][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][hr]

A cascade of long silvery white tresses shifted, shimmering like threads of moonlight as she carefully pulled a portion up to fashion into her signature bun. Diamonds twinkled like stars against her ears once revealed to the light's soft glow instead of hidden away behind a veil of white. The intense gaze of pure silver that reflected back at her from the vanity mirror while she performed this action held the truth of her years in its depths while the rest of her features showed the lie of youth. Her sun kissed skin held no wrinkles, not even a blemish unless the dapple of freckles across the bridge of her petite nose counted. The gentle curve of her jaw and the round of her cheeks had always given her a delicate impression, appearing far younger than even the age she had been stuck at for centuries. Her rosy lips tugged into a frown, dark brows furrowing together the more she took in her own appearance within the looking glass. The touch of black shadow inked against her eyelid to create a smokey effect was not needed, nor was the gloss to her lips but she had done so anyway even knowing it would be behind a mask of a mask. Perhaps she had done so to cheer herself up or make herself feel like her face was maturing? Maybe she was just wasting time and trying to find a way for her life to feel like living instead of just existing. How long had it been since someone other than herself had looked upon her true face without some kind of mask in place? When was the last time she made a friend or visited one of the only ones remaining? [i]’Far too long…’[/i], was the drifted thought her mind supplied.

Jiang let out a long heavy sigh and shook that thought away, placing her mask on as her final step. The gaze that once stared at her was just a void now, no longer able to be seen behind the intricate designed mask that turned soft features into strong ones. This would not last long however as her form shifted in the blink of an eye. White locks of hair darkened to a chocolate brown, her skin paled into ivory, voids of darkness became chestnut brown with a touch of heterochromia as the other eye was more of a golden brown. The bolder smokey eye make-up changed to a simple cat eye, a touch of blush added to the cheeks, and a light pink to her lips while the styling of her hair turned into pigtails, a more cutesy look which was a surprising opposite of the [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/558670401048412183/906406858217111582/IMG_4212.jpg]dress[/url] she had decided to wear for the evening. The outfit made her feel powerful and able to capture the attention of those she would be playing entertainer for this evening. Was the mesh openings, sweetheart neckline, and round the neck straps a bit revealing and much? Yes, it was but when you had people distracted then they tended to lean away from flaws in the story created. Tonight, she needed to be just another flunky for someone mysterious and reclusive. It was the same song and dance she did every year when she hosted these gala events. 

The charities did matter to her, they weren’t a scam but it was a risk to do such an event. It is why she took so many precautions when she did them. They were always planned and paid for by an alias account, her invites never stated a name but did provide her house symbol, they were always held in a large public space be it a convention center or hotel, the staff only dealt with her alias of that year, and no one ever got answers about their host. Jiang provided her guests with a good time, made the money that was poured into research, development, advancements, and more worth their wild even if just for a night. She would thank them properly for shouldering the financial obligations on the path to what was right. It was some of the few times she actually believed in upper class humanity even if some of the people there were just there for an alternative agenda. Her gaze turned to the clock, noticing that her time was over on getting dolled up if she wanted to be at the convention center before her guests arrived. She gracefully stood from the plush stool before the vanity, her heels clacking against the marble floor as she practically floated to the phone.

[color=f26522]”Has the car arrived?”[/color], she asked pointedly. “Yes, Miss Cross.” the voice on the other end of the receiver replied. [color=f26522]”Good. Please make sure the driver is ready to go when I arrive downstairs.”[/color], she stated. “It will be done.” That was the last she heard before hanging up and heading to the elevator. Jiang walked with purpose through the lobby, ignoring the cold air and snowy conditions as she slid into the back of her limo with ease and waited for the show to begin. As much as luxury and the high life had its good points, she couldn’t wait to be back in her little corner of heaven which was pretty much a shitty apartment right next to a row of venders in Chinatown but it was home. [color=f26522]”Just one night and you can go back to slipping through the shadows. It will all be worth it.”[/color], Jiang muttered softly under her breath. She was sure that tune would change the moment she was swarmed with cameras and the flood of questions that were on repeat from the year before. 

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The gala was rapidly in full swing, the once empty room filled to the brim with most of the city's elites or at least the ones that wouldn’t cause a commotion. She hardly had a moment to herself or time to enjoy the atmosphere she had worked to create as she greeted her guests, made small talk, and went over the charity event itself in practiced detail as some were hoping her [i]’wealthy benefactor’[/i] and generous host would contribute to other charities or similar ones. A few she held in mind but mostly she tried to sway talk on the subject, keeping mysterious or expertly avoiding the questions without the guest realizing. At the moment, Jiang found herself in the company of a familiar face, not that the red haired woman before her knew that it was her. She couldn’t reveal anything but they fell into easy discussion, one of the more pleasant moments of the night thus far but when her eyes glanced out at a sea of people to see Oberon Price, it was clear that this conversation needed to wrap up. It wasn’t because she had business with the new owner of Stark Industries but more that she had been around long enough to know how to read people and when someone was smitten or looking for an opening. She gently excused herself, leaving the table and looking to snag another glass of champagne since she needed a bit of mental preparation to deal with any more guests. An announcement for the prepared meals would probably need to be made soon including a speech which she loathed with all her being so having a bit of liquid courage beforehand never hurt.

Her eyes narrowed as she landed on the nearest waiter, her finger tapping on her chin as she looked over the handsome man. As attractive as he was, she knew the trouble and chaos he could stir first hand though he had no idea someone in this type of crowd knew of his gifts. She had agreed to allow him on her staff mostly because she was about second chances but also since he had been highly entertaining the last time fate had them cross paths. It didn’t make her any less suspicious of him and had her wondering what his true objective was or if this really was just a normal job for him, the criminal activity being a side gig. Either way, Jiang stepped forward with purpose, planting herself between the pair getting acquainted and the waiter before her. She wrapped her fingers around the stem of the glass, looking up at him through a hooded gaze as took a sip of her newly acquired drink. [color=f26522]”Would you care to dance?”[/color], she asked with a flirtatious smile. [color=f26522]”I know you are on the clock but I won’t tell if you don’t.”[/color], Jiang teased playfully, hoping he took the offer because she would be ignoring ‘no’ as an answer and yanking him away next since she hardly cared if her alias looked like a fool.