[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b6781-ae3b-76f0-87f4-d8921a6601aa.webp[/img]
[center][h2][color=mediumpurple]G L I T Z  &  G L A M[/color][/h2][h3][color=mediumpurple]SDN California Gala[/color][/h3]
[color=gold][sub]Interactions-
[color=gray]Blackstar[/color] ([@cosmiccowgirl]) | [color=#40B4C4] James [/color] | [color=gold] Lightning Girl[/color]  ([@FourtyTwo]) | [color=#5B9BD5]| Ikret [/color] ([@Ezekiel])  | Hattrick  ([@BigPapaBelial])[/sub][/color]
[url=https://youtu.be/flYgpeWsC2E?si=-Pww-QeEIZlXWh6T] Lavish - Twenty One Pilots [/url]
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[hr]

[quote]
[@FourtyTwo] [@cosmiccowgirl]
[color=gold]"Well, Asteroid, that depends how many vodka martinis you and I drink. Who knows, maybe it'll be more than a duet!"[/color] Lightning Girl's tone was way, way more sultry than she probably made it out to be, realising Blackstar was probably looking at a frightened horror, like a cat looking almost alarmed at its owner.
[color=gold]"Like Blackstar might join in and sing too, I mean, if we keep drinking champagne!"[/color] She chuckled, trying to wriggle her way out of that one, leaning across and turning up the stereo in the back a little bit as if to mask that.
[color=gray]"Ahaha!"[/color] Blackstar registered her name and laughed automatically, though she was immediately horrified by the robotic sound of her own voice. Quickly clearing her throat, her smile was a little more tense than she'd like as she added, [color=gray]"Ah, hah, uh -- I don't drink, so, uh, it'll be a hard sell."[/color]
[/quote]

From his place beside her, Jet pointedly swivels his foot to knock into Alaine’s. [color=mediumpurple] “Ahh- I’ll drink enough for the pair of us.”[/color] Something burns in his chest at the mention of them as a pair, and he’s thankful for the darker lighting in the limo. 

[color=mediumpurple] “LG- I’ve got some deep cuts I’m willing to pull out of retirement for a special occasion.”[/color] The grin on his face is huge- a thrill in his eyes rarely seen.

[color=mediumpurple]”Boy bands- Britney- Destiny’s Child. It’s a special occasion.” [/color] It’s the last suggestion that gets the happiest lilt. ‘Bills, Bills, Bills” went platinum with his old crew. They’d had parts. It was a whole thing, he’s pretty sure he remembers the placements of the music video dance moves. 

[@Ezekiel] 
Before they reach the red carpet, Jet directs his attention to one of the other people in the limo. His eyes narrow on the exquisite dress that Ikret is wearing. It’s- immaculate, maybe familiar? And it’s also something that Jet feels uncomfortable drawing attention to in such an enclosed space. If those aren’t real diamonds, he needs to meet that counterfitter and reconsider this whole hero thing. [color=mediumpurple]”Love the ostrich feathers on your gown- they really take it to the next level.”[/color] 

Game recognizes game, the ostrich feathers aren’t quite calling out how expensive that dress is. But he hopes that he gets a point for being able to recognize the artistry. If she says something positive, he’d widen his eyes and make a sparkle motion with his fingers in her direction. A silently mouthed ‘insane’. If it doesn’t go well, he redirects his attention elsewhere. 
[hr]
Jet’s been on a red carpet before. He’d been in two Getty images photos, and that was enough for him. They get out of the limo relatively quickly, Blackstar and Lightning Girl towards the beginning of the group. Alaine’s practically all but running down the carpet into the building. It’s enough of a jog that he’s unable to keep up, getting caught in the crowd with Hattrick and James. 

Asteroid wasn’t prepared for the cameras. Outfit wise- he was prepared. Gold and red watch tucked in his sleeve, but every other inch of gold in plain view. He slipped the watch farther up his arm with his powers- not willing for it to even be perceived by the general public. Part of him thought about leaving it in his locker when they made it to the limo. The idea of being out with something this precious to him felt like a sort of personal betrayal. 

A big flash brings him back to reality where he’s standing closest to Hattrick, LG, and James. He searches for a social parachute cord in the people around him.

[@BigPapaBelial] 
[color=mediumpurple]”These folks are stealing your thunder man.”[/color] Asteroid has to shout above the noise to Hattrick, it's maybe a little too loud at first. He offers the man an arm bump as they move up the carpet. All along, trying to find creative ways to look a little less like himself. [color=mediumpurple]”Do you like this kind of thing?”[/color]

Tilting his chin too far up, scratching his face, turning to someone to say something nearly useless to them. They make their way up the carpet, and Jet watches Lightning Girl morph in the spotlight. She stands different, her shoulders lifting. The energy around her shifts, and there is so much current, it feels like hundreds of tadpoles just darting around her. 

It’s sensorily blinding to him, and he finds himself exceedingly grateful that a larger gravitation signature he’s familiar with is close. Hattrick. He flanks Hattrick all the way down the red carpet- stepping in and out of photos of course at his request. But he’s nearby- keeping an eye on LG and James. Looking for context on what to do next in each of their movements. 

[quote]
[@FourtyTwo]

[color=#40B4C4]"I suppose it's how the other half live. I think that champagne bottle cost more than my rent."[/color] James commented dryly, knowing Asteroid was made of money, at least, he had been in his past life, current circumstances being different. He let Asteroid come back to him, before moving on, the big doors wide open, and the lobby leading straight to the ballroom.
[/quote]

[color=mediumpurple]”I think it might be two months of mine.”[/color] He follows James into the lobby and then deeper before he responds once more. [color=mediumpurple]”I’ve never really gotten along with this kind of wealth, if I’m honest.”[/color] Then Jet’s second guessing his statement. Just how much did James know about Jet? Not Asteroid. But Jet. 

[color=mediumpurple]”Just how much about me is in that file folder on your desk?”[/color] His jaw is a little tight- but his tone is light, the edge of a laugh, like he’s telling a joke. Part of him is curious. The other parts of him are unsettled by not knowing exactly how much James knows about him, his life. Sure prison and his offenses are in there. But what else?

Whatever was in there- wasn’t damning him enough in James’ eyes to pull him below whatever line could be unforgivable. Not if he was advocating for Jet to move out of the Phoenix program. 

[hr]
[@FourtyTwo]
They make their way into the Gala and Jet’s taking in the decor, the seating, the people walking around with hors d’oeuvres on little metal platters. It’s a lot, and it’s even more with the woman standing beside him practically radiating electricity.[color=mediumpurple]”How many hors d’oeuvres do you think I can eat before they ask me to stop.”[/color] He barely finishes the statement before he’s lifting a hand to hide a smirk.

That’s not really Jet’s style. But it is definitely something he wouldn’t be above to get out of doing some of the schmoozing that he witnessed some of the other heroes already partaking in. 

It’s at this moment that he feels Blackstar’s center of gravity shift massively unexpectedly. 

Does he have an exact read on all of his team's gravity signatures in the crowd? Yes.
Is it exhausting? Yes.
Was not doing it even more mentally exhausting? Indubitably. 

As the change happens, he feels the static from his conversational partner. It makes him a second slower in calculating what is happening. It’s slow enough that Blackstar’s form becomes visible a few feet ahead of him- and she’s saved a glass from absolutely soaking Ikret. 

Jet’s stunned for a minute, his pulse racing. Before he whispers- [color=mediumpurple]”Nice save, Starshine.”[/color]
[hr]
At some point Jet gets up from the table to get another flute of champagne. When he returns to his seat, he finds a few chairs at their table open. It’s at this moment that [u]Technocrat[/u], pulls up a chair.

[quote]
"Ah....Asteroid, is it? You probably know me already. Lucas Aster. Technocrat. I kinda run things in Hollywood. Liberty said I should talk to you. Apparently you backed up Blackstar on a social media job that went viral. Not a bad way to get yourself known around these parts. People talk. Even small branches get recognition." His grin was one that was punchable, full of confidence, extending a hand out.
[/quote]
At first, Jet’s put off by the formal introduction. But as Lucas makes his way through it, he begins to win Jet over momentarily. [color=mediumpurple]”Yeah- the bungee jumping stunt. That really turned out well. Great idea from Blackstar- really.”[/color] The comment about him being ‘backup’ to Blackstar is what opens Jet to listening rather than assuming he's full of himself. 

[quote]
"I could have sworn you're....you're someone's son I know. Dad had this religious guy who he had as a friend and he looked like you. He was a character...anyway. I wouldn't have made it as a Phoenix, so I always am impressed when someone.....defies the odds. You have to have powers, so it's a good thing I'm on the right side of the law. Sounds like they'll make you one soon so you can be, huh. Put you in the real big leagues. Do the real work." It felt like he almost was talking down to him, but that tinge of something held him back from brushing off the other hero and pretending he had other things to do. Lucas was just trying to piece together why he knew him.
[/quote]
Whatever smooth conversational road Lucas paved out of the parking lot did not extend past the gate. Son. Dad. Religious guy. Looked, like, you. Jet’s blood runs cold, a sweat springing up on his lower back. It’s a brush of a topic, but Asteroid’s walls are back up immediately. The grin on Technocrat’s face is starting to look different in the light. Who is this guy? [color=mediumpurple]”Oh- really-?”[/color] he doesn’t mean for it to sound strangled. But he tries to hide it behind his champagne flute. 

The grin stretches further in Asteroid’s mind, and a shadow creeps across his face. ‘Do the real work.’ What the hell was that supposed to mean? As if working in Claremont was the issue? Or was it just the assumption that James wouldn’t dispatch him to anything complicated? Or dangerous? 

Vignettes’ of old women, social media influencers, and his broken battered body next to LG and Blackstar kicking clown ass- filter through his mind. 

Lucas was an asshole, but maybe he was right. Jet wasn’t doing anything that important at Claremont. Doubt curdles his stomach, and he sets his glass on the table. He finds Blackstar’s gravity signature and examines it over and over. Comforting himself with nearly imperceptible math in his mind. 

It’s the only thing that keeps his panic under wraps. He’s sure without his mask, he’s already exhibiting some telltale signs of anxiety.

[quote]
"So enough about what you've heard about me. What do you think about all of this?"
[/quote]
Jet puts on a brave face and answers with the tape recorder lodged in his throat. The answer his father would have wanted him to say at one of Lucas’ father's parties. 

[color=mediumpurple]”I find it a bit loud. What are we doing other than spending enormous amounts of money, anyway? Feels like we're showing off here.” [/color] The next sentence is trapped behind his teeth. Something this, something that, sins, greed. Jet had only had the displeasure of saying it a few times. But it was there on the edge of his tongue, unsaid, but also not forgotten. 

Besides, he still means it. But, not remotely in the same way. Instead of searching for an admission of their sins. Jet's thinking about all the kitchens he scrubbed dishes in to feed himself after he got out the first time. Very different motivations.

He tilts his head at Lucas, the light striking his features differently. Maybe he and Lucas [i]had[/i] met before. It’s that realization that gets him to pivot the conversation to something a little less personal, away from something Lucas could connect more dots on. [color=mediumpurple]”Where'd you get that suit?”[/color]