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[color=00aeef][center][i][b][h1]Friday[/h1][/b][/i][/center][/color]
[color=00aeef][center][i][b][h1]6:50pm[/h1][/b][/i][/center][/color]
[color=00aeef][center][i][b][h1]SDN California Gala[/h1][/b][/i][/center][/color]


((ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴꜱ: [@FourtyTwo] /Lightning Girl & James, [@BigPapaBelial] /Hat Trick | ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ:  [@cosmiccowgirl] /Blackstar [@Ezekiel] /Ikret))

	[color=00aeef][i]"Ok, team..."[/i][/color] Riley's voice cut through the music of the gala. [color=00aeef][i]"I know everyone's excited to be at a big event tonight, but let's remember we still have a job to do?"[/i][/color] Throughout the ballroom, three figures had VERY different reactions to that statement. The first, a blue-haired woman in a mermaid dress just groaned under her breath.

	[color=blue][i]"Seriously, Riley? Do you really have to treat us like it's our first job? We ARE professional superheroes after all."[/i][/color] Tsunami fiddled with the hidden earpiece before swiping a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She hesitantly sipped to avoid locking eyes with the Claremont group as they passed by. It had been over a week since the infamous fight she had with Lightning Girl was blasted across social media. If she thought social humiliation via electrocution was bad, being branded a "problematic" hero was even worse. Even with her parents' connections, it had only been through a sudden intervention by a former dispatcher that she'd been able to get a job. Now she was undercover doing security at a gala she could have otherwise been enjoying. 

	Across the hall, a tall intimidating figure who could have given Hat Trick a run for his money just chuckled. [color=f26522][i]"Yeah, Brooke. We're ALL heroes here. Heroes with a chain of fuckups. Just be grateful we still have jobs thanks to Riley."[/i][/color] That comment earned a laugh from the third figure, a tall woman who was currently working the floor. An elegant black gown whispered against the floor as she walked; tiny sequins catching the light. She wasn't a "hero" anyone present would have recognized, but she could tell by the stares she was getting she wasn't entirely welcome. Stone faced, she just reached a hand up and fitted with the talisman hanging from her neck.

	[color=silver][i]"Speak for yourselves. I'm having a lovely time."[/i][/color] Salem moved through the crowd with the grace of a dancer. Even in heels, she looked more than capable of breaking into a full sprint at any moment. She took a sip of her own champagne as she watched the waiter she'd touched earlier nearly collide with some girl in a red dress. Shadowy wisps floated around Salem's free hand as she scanned the crowd. In  past life, this type of scene would have been a target rich environment for her. An entire ballroom filled with heroes, celebrities, and assorted CEOs wearing outfits that could have bought her childhood apartment in Reseda several times over. Now... it was her job to keep them safe. The irony wasn't lost on the former thief. 

	[color=00aeef][i]"I'm not saying you three can't enjoy yourselves,"[/i][/color] said Riley from his own section near the Claremont table. He'd traded his corporate look for a polished black tuxedo with blue highlights. The AR glasses on his face emitted a soft glow as he scanned the crowd. Not that he expected any actual villains to crash a gather of some of the most powerful heroes in the Southlands. Heck, they had Blonde Blazer, Phenomaman, Mecha-Man, most of DTLA, and the Hollywood Six under one roof. Any villain who showed up would have been lucky to get out alive. [color=00aeef][i]"I just need you to remember WHY we're here. If we make a good impression then I can convince the higher ups to make the team official and everyone gets out of probation. Salem, speaking of which, do you think you can patrol near the stage? If you stay near the heroes who are actually seated, you can grab some luck."[/i][/color]

	[color=silver][i]"Don't have to tell me twice, Chief. I'd LOVE to get more eyes on me,"[/i][/color] said Salem sarcastically as she turned on her heels and began the long walk to the stage. To the attendees who saw her coming, more than a few recoiled from her hands. She didn't even seem offended. If anything, Salem appreciated the story of her powers spreading around. Making up for past mistakes didn't mean she was going to let a bunch of do-gooders walk all over her. Riley turned his attention back to the others.

	[color=00aeef][i]"Also, Tsunami. I see you trying to avoid Lightning Girl. Remember what we talked about. You're apologizing tonight."[/i][/color] Before she could protest, Riley cut her off, [color=00aeef][i]"We've been over this. She started it when you got electrocuted, but that bar fight helped nothing. You'll have cameras all over you tonight hoping to see another fight. You are NOT giving them what they want. A photo of you two making up will be on every tabloid cover the next day and will go a long way to fix your image. Apologize now![/i][/color] The last part was more of an intense whisper, leaving Tsunami stunned at her former dispatcher's sudden assertiveness. 

	[color=f26522][i]"Oh shit!"[/i][/color] Brick tried to cover his laugh on comms, and quickly turned away after a murderous look from Tsunami. 

	The heroine just sighed. Riley was right. If she wanted to start fixing her life, this was vital. Downing the rest of her drink, she set it on a passing tray before walking up to the Claremont table. Aside from James and Lightning Girl, she hardly recognized any of the faces. God what had happened to this branch in the last few weeks?

	[color=blue][i]"Hey... Sophie."[/i][/color] Brooke tried to avoid looking at her dress directly. The thing was practically blinding. Summoning every ounce of courage she had, she offered out a hand. [color=blue][i]"Look. I know things haven't been the best between us, but I needed to talk to you tonight. I'm sorry about what happened back at the bar. That wasn't cool."[/i][/color] She watched as eyes went wide around the table. 

	Riley meanwhile had turned his attention to directing Meta-Man. Apparently there was some sort of incident going on at the hotel entrance. Probably nothing, but Riley was certain Brick could handle it. How he'd managed to fit his Morph-suit UNDER his tuxedo was a mystery, but it did give him the illusion of having a significantly larger physique. With that handled, he finally took a moment to relax. He quickly shot a message to Valerie Halliday that the ballroom was secure. 

	The technopath was about to turn his attention towards finding a drink of his own when he caught sight of a hulking Native American locking eyes with him. Recognition formed as Hat Trick waved him down. Riley approached the table, a smile breaking onto his face. [i][color=00aeef]"Hey, Ty. Good to see you! How've you been?"[/color][/i] The sound of Riley's voice caught James' attention and Riley saw him whip around. [i][color=00aeef]"And James! Hey, I'm sorry for the radio silence, but I'm going to fill you all in tonight. Guess who's back on hero duty again?!"[/color][/i] He gestured across the hall, [i][color=00aeef]"I know Kat probably couldn't tell you anything, but the Pasadena thing? Actual cover-up. She put in a really good word for me, and I've got an insane opportunity![/color][/i] It was at that moment Riley turned to look at the table. [i][color=00aeef]"Kat REALLY wasn't kidding about things changing at the old office. Who are all these guys?"[/color][/i]