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A quaint brick and mortar shop with ivy growing up one wall and a small black iron stairway climbing  up the other, the Hideaway was an upscale steakhouse and wine room and offered its namesake to its patrons: privacy. The main dining room was actually ten feet beneath the street and offered both main dining room seating and private rooms to those willing to pay the excessive fees. The main dining room was an elevated wine cellar: large shelves with elegantly labeled bottles creating winding paths across lush carpet and around gorgeous artwork on walls. A five string quartet played soft, rich, and complex music that floated across the space and the thrum of conversation filled the rest. 

Dotted around the room, various mahogany doors offered deathly or influential patrons privacy in their meal. Each room offered access to a dedicated waiter, their in-house sommelier, personalized music and cable viewing selections, and artwork purchased out of decaying museums. The table was simple but well made, flowers arraigned in a crystal centerpiece, and the chairs matched the black and gold trim of the room. Whoever arrived and offered the name Bassard found themselves escorted to the room quickly, the family's wealth and name easily removing whatever concerns the staff had permitted three underaged children access to a private room. It was there Sabine had summoned her commanders to wage the war that started the second the Contest had ended. 

Sabine had ordered herself a fancy mocktail and was nursing it as she waited for Danni and Dorian to gather. She had been plotting and planning ever since her conversation with the Hex Girls. In front of her was a giant purple binder. Not intimidating, but enough to cause a double-take. Inside was information on all of them; social media handles, old accounts, pictures found (intentional or not) on the internet, etc. All gathered to prepare for Social Media War.

The portal shut behind them in a flare of sparks and Danni bounced on his heels. It was only a few days and Danni'd been texting his friends all weekend but the high of the contest made him want to stick to them all like glue. Danni adjusted the belt around his waist, thrilled to show off the[url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b6cef-54ab-778c-90f3-c3914cc1838d.webp]fun suit[/url] he'd stumbled across when he'd been out window shopping. [color=E948FC]“Wow, is t'is t'e right place? Ya t'ink Pa got mixed up? T'is seems a little…”[/color] Danni gestured at the quant exterior. [color=E948FC]“Ya know? Yeah, ya know. Well, not'in’ like good food and great company!”[/color] Danni slung an arm across Dee’s shoulder and dragged him down into the restaurant. 

Danni offered Sabine's last name and it was quick enough they'd been shown to the room the family often found themselves enjoying, with the very person responsible for this meeting laying in wait. Of course the second Danni laid eyes on Sabine, Danni was off like a rocket. [color=E948FC] “Omg, Beanie! It's been so long! Well, I mean not really, but ya know, it's t'e sayin’ people say even if we saw each ot'er like t'ree days ago! And what's t'is drink? ‘Cause I wanna try some, can I try some? It looks good, does it ‘ave alcohol? I ‘aven't tried alcohol ‘cause ya know, it's bad in t'e fam and I really don't wanna so maybe I won't try it. ‘Ey, what's up wit’ t'e fancy place? I feel like a super spy or like a mafia boss down ‘ere. Also, ‘ave you ever considered what ‘happens if t'e ceiling collapses ‘cause like an oil tanker crashes and explodes? Idk, just t'inkin’ about is kinda…. Okay, no, can't t'ink about that… wait what's t'is binder? Are you makin’ us do school work? Ugh, nooooooo Beanie, I got A's for one semester and I'm never doin’ it again. Cs make degrees is what Papa always says. Or maybe its Appa. Idk, Papa is more like drop out and ‘ave fun wit’ t'e life.”[/color]

Dorian had been a little busy since the days following their win. He was certain everyone had been in some ways or another, but the heavy conversation he had had a day or two prior still weighed on him. Part of him wondered if he should even be here right now, if perhaps he needed to be by Percy's side if at least to ensure he wasn't a flight risk. Then again, he needed to trust that he wouldn't be. Dorian was quiet as they made their way in, not that his outfit didn't speak loud enough for him as he wore a vibrant red turtleneck with a royal blue wool peacoat. He'd already ordered two drinks for the table, one of whatever Beanie was having for Danni, and something pear inspired for himself as well as two glasses of water. He waved Hi at Sabine, not wanting to cut into Danni's barrage of questions as he pulled his chair out and sat down.

Sabine chuckled lightheartedly at the barrage of questions from Danni. She expected it, of course. [color=A2797E]”Hello Danni, Dorian. It’s nice to see you both. This is a mocktail so no alcohol, but feel free to try some Danni. This is a restaurant my father frequents a lot and, as such, is open to me for my personal use. The bill has been paid so, please, order anything you want.”

“As for the binder and why I invited you both here: I need help. With our recent win at the contest I am sure you boh have noticed a recent influx in messages on our various social media accounts. The standard business opportunities, sponsorships, and praise mixed in with the other side of it, horrible messages, death threats, and perhaps a doxxing attempt or two. I know you both are familiar with this as we all have significant numbers on social media. However, our team has been pushed into the spotlight and with our win we have angered some people. Those who bet money on the match who expected the Young Avengers to win, those who are big fans of them who wanted them to win, as well as some powerful people in high positions who may have expected them to win and, as such, have made movements, financial or otherwise.”

“It came to my attention that, while we are all familiar with the highs and lows of being famous on the internet, the rest of our team is not. Hell, Andy only recently got into social media and Leah is famously internet-averse, for the most part, though I have made strides in tha area. So, I need both of your help. I want to get in front of this, maybe construct some ideas to help boost our image and put off any potential damage from our friends. In the binder I have some notes, some graphs, some potential areas of improvement as well as areas where I think, should the worse come to pass, a person might target us or the others. Do either of you have any ideas for things we can do to help?”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Me! Me! Me! Me! I want ta- Oh, t'ank ya!”[/color] Danni accepted the drink Dorian had ordered him, took a sip, and hummed happily, kicking his feet. [color=E948FC] “Oh t'is is so yummy! I wonder what t'e recie- No! I need ta ‘ave ideas! Cause I do! For one, we need ta post more content for Spicy ‘cause ‘e was uh…. ‘e was Spicy. Like, Dee ya got photos of ‘im bein’ like cute and stuff, not t'rowin’ insults like bombs, right? And I can get everyone on t'e channel! Cookin’ videos are super pops when ya make t'e silly! Ooo, and we ‘ave some fun stuff wit’ ‘merica and Eli comin’ up and t'en maybe we can do like, a group ‘an'out somewhere public, let t'e ‘razzi sneak some fun shots of us all chillin’ and ‘avin’ fun!”[/color] ]

[Color=CC99FF]”I ‘ave a few pics yeah…but most of what I've put on ‘is socials is t'irst traps and edits if us toget'er. I can try an see if I can work a different angle and make it more of a soft boy era. Id say a public apology video but not only would ‘e ‘ate t'at but I don't even t'ink ‘e can play a ukulele.”[/color] Dorian grabbed his drink and took a sip before holding his hand out towards Sabine. [Color=CC99FF]”Mind if I see aht you ‘ave planned? Or do you wanna tell us personally instead of read it? Some of t'e normal stuff I can ‘andle. T'e doxxing, and social media stuff is fine enough for me to navigate but fixing public image? T'at's…a bit trickier especially wit’ Perce and ‘ow ‘e acted. I'm desperately open to ideas.”[/color]  A darker part of Dorian wanted to use Percy's stint at CAGE in a more positive light to grab the audience's sympathies. Maybe even blame the harshness of social media trolls and say they themselves drove him to do so which would help alleviate some pressure off of the others for public fear of driving another teen down a dark road. But it felt gross to even think about it.

Sabine pushed the binder closer for Dorian to look at. Inside would be files on each member of Excelsior. Their social media handles, some photos, some highlights of their strengths that could be used as well as areas where less desirable people might target them (Leah’s father, as an example). [color=A2797E]”I am all for using cute videos and pictures. I was thinking of getting a Team Excelsior social media handle going. A place where we can put team photos and videos on. I think with Percy, admittance is a good first step. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest he blame anyone, but maybe we can coordinate with Dr. Whitehall on that. Maybe she has suggestions on what he could say? For the others, I think a team photoshoot or something could be cute, possibly with the Young Avengers. Danni, any way you can coordinate that with them if they are willing? I know you and Eli are close.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Ooooh, tots my goats! I love ta! I'll def wrangle t'e ot'ers! Is t'ere any time we want? Actually, don't stress. You asked me ta do it, I'll get it done for ya!”[/color] Danni saluted, still sipping on his drink. [color=E948FC] “And a group social? T'at'll be fun! Can we make t'e rest of t'e group do costume shots? I want ta see Leah in a kitty cat outfit. She'd be so cuuuuuute! And we can give Percy… Oh! An armadillo costume! Wouldn't ‘e be a cutie patootie in t'at? Hmm, Beanie needs ta be like… a super zoo person cause she is wranglin’ t'e ‘erd and actually, you and Spicy needed ta be rats ‘cause t'en you can be a couple o’ Fred's! And t'en I can be a… peacock! ‘cause I'm so pretty! Rillie is def a dolphin ‘cause she so smart and Andy can… what can Andy be? A ‘eron? A snake? A raptor? Deeeeee, I t'ink she should be a panda, a ku-fu panda ‘cause you gunna catch t'em paws!”[/color]

Dorian flipped through the document, mostly skimming it to grab the surface intent of everything that was inside of it while listening to the conversations being had. He had to give Sabine credit, she really did her homework on this. He wondered if this was How she managed all of her socials or if it was just for the intensity of having to deal with so many varying ones that she had done this. He mostly just kept a notebook with repeat offenders in his chats to keep track on bans or potential bans from his community. [Color=CC99FF]”Apology videos are always such a pain, and it ‘as to be a video because if it’s just a statement or text t’en people will say its just a PR rep doin’ it on ‘is be’alf which, ok it is but still.”[/color] Dorian let out a sigh before taking a large swig of his drink. He waved for the waiter to enter back in and ordered a few plates of food. He needed to be munching on something if they were going to be here a while, especially with such stressful topics. He needed emotional support food. [Color=CC99FF]”Perce should be a Pangolin, wait wait no! Make Leah a Kangaroo and Perce a little Joey! It’d be so cute ‘ow could anyone stay mad?”[/color]

Sabine had seen her fair share of apology videos and, more often than not, they are done terribly. Either pulling out a musical instrument or blaming others. No accountability held, it was always to avoid more people getting mad and them especially wanting things to stop so they can continue to make money. [color=A2797E]”An apology video is a must, but we should still coordinate with Percy and Dr. Whitehall. It needs to be sincere. For the photoshoot, I love the idea of animal onesies! Though Leah is not gonna be a cat. A kangaroo would be cute though. Okay, Danni can set up tha photoshoot. Dorian, do you want to get in touch with Percy? Make sure he’s doing okay and is comfortable with this? He should have a say in this also. And I will get the social handles going for our team. What about Vicky? She opted out of the contest so she might be safe, but she’s still part of our team, in a sense.”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “‘eck yes! it’s gunna be- Wait, a kangaroo?? I guess, but Spicy is gunna eat ha alive for t'e idea of bein’ Leah's kid. Maybe Spicy can be t'e kitty cat - ‘e is a smol and it would probs look good on ‘im. T'e whole femboi t'in’ is still a big craze and t'at might ‘elp ‘im win some solid support.”[/color] Danni agreed. He took his phone out and started a little notepad with just names and animal outfits. [color=E948FC]“I'll pin’ Vicky! I'll get ‘er ta wear… oooooo otter! Yeah, I t'ink she's an otter! It'll be so cute, get ‘er in a comfy otter - omg, its animal [i]pajamas![/i] All animal themed [i]onsies[/i]. Omg, omg, omg Beanie [i]pleaaaaaaaase[/i].”[/color] 

[Color=CC99FF]”T'ey're called Kigurumi's. Also love Perce as t'e cat. Everyone loves a spicy femboi, soft but wit’ an attitude. No worries Beanie I can get in touch wit’ Perce about all t'is and walk ‘im t'rough why it's all necessary.”[/color]

Sabine felt a lot better. [color=A2797E]”I think the team should be made aware of the reason for this. We don’t have to be all ‘doom and gloom’ about it, of course. We’ll be there for each other as a team. Kigurumi’s sounds cute so let’s push that. Once that’s all concluded we can prepare a party with the Young Avengers and post that on the social to show we are all on good terms. I can probably coordinate with the Young Avengers also, make sure they are good with their socials. It’s going to be rough, but we’ll get through it.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Yeah! We got t’is!”[/color] Danni cheered, almost sloshing his drink over the rim in his enthusiasm but quickly took a long sip. 

[Color=CC99FF]”Sounds to me like we need to ‘ave a slumper party. Equal parts sharin’ Intel and fun. Could even turn some of t'e do's and dont's questions into a bit of a party game to keep people more engaged.”[/color]

Sabine liked that idea. She knew she would eventually have to share with the others, but she felt more confident with Danni and Dorian’s aid. [color=A2797E]”A sleepover sounds like the best idea. We can coordinate with everyone in a comfortable setting. Plus, I need to see Leah and Andy’s socials, make sure they have protections put up.”

“I feel a lot better about this. Thanks you two!”[/color]