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It wasn’t long after the news of heroes in Metropolis  saving Christmas broke before images of the invitation hit just about every billboard and ad spot in every city boasting a resident hero. Therapeutix was well known in medical circles for their cutting-edge research into genetics and gene therapies. Tickets were prohibitively expensive, so a guest invitation to their annual charity gala was prized. Special guests were always the draw for the event, if not the philanthropic aspect. Most years, the it was a chance to mingle with some of the top minds in genetics, but this year Therapeutix had a different plan in mind - an open invitation to all active heroes. It was a gamble; there was no way to send invitations directly or collect RSVPs, so there was no way to actually guarantee a single hero would show up. They placed their bets and cast the dice anyway. 

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The event planning team had the gala down to a science. It was always hosted in the same beautiful, historic building - now a natural history museum that boasted a stunning ballroom event space - with the same table setup. The only thing that changed year-over-year were the floral centrepieces and the caterer to keep it fresh. 

Venue, catering, and event team staff were scurrying around madly ensuring everything was it its place. This night had to be perfect, because if the bet on their open invitation to heroes didn’t play out, they couldn’t risk anything else going wrong or it could be their worst year of fundraising since the last recession. 

By the mid-afternoon, everything was in place. The tables were laid beautifully with ivory and gold from the floral arrangements to the dinnerware. The ballroom itself evoked the opulent elegance of the Rococo period. It was something of a running joke that the building - once a stately mansion - was built over a century too late for the period they were trying to emulate. It was hard to imagine finding a better space to host the gala - every corner and detail was rich with decorative appeal. The almost sea-foam green paint and gold accents complimented the ivory and gold gala decorations beautifully. If nothing else, everyone would walk away commenting on the aesthetics of the gala. With the finishing touches ready, all of the staff scattered to either get ready to attend the party themselves or take a well-deserved break before the real work began.

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The ballroom was stunning in the daytime, but it seemed to glow with some kind of divine light at night. Softly dimmed incandescents cast the perfect golden hue to make what had seemed like such a bright and generous space during the day turn into something more intimate by night. Event staff stood at the entrance confirming invitations before letting gusts through. The only ones who got through without one were heroes who arrived masked and dressed to the nines (or their costumes, as some preferred). 

The guests were already beginning to fill the ballroom and hors d’oeuvres were being circulated on trays, waitstaff deftly manoeuvring through the space. The room was filled with the hum of conversation and swish of silk evening gowns. Excitement thrummed with each new guest that walked in. Each time, all eyes turned, hoping to catch a glimpse of a hero arriving.