[CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019e8959-2a50-724c-bfa5-72e38eeb8c75.webp[/img][/center][b][center][color=green] T H E   L A N T E R N S[/color]
[color=yellow]T H E   L A N T E R N S[/color][/center]
[/b][/h1][/sup]
[color=silver][sup][i]Bright Lights, Big Dresses[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER]

Hal had been to events like this before... But not many. His costume was not the most comfortable thing in the world, but he reminded himself "Just smile and wave" He was over by a window when he saw the bright flash and someone landing. Warbird, that was her name. The report from S.W.O.R.D.'s database was quite clear. He kinda wanted to talk with her. Frankly, she'd make a great Ring candidate. He walked away from the window and saw the many people in the sea of faces. Maybe even.

[b]"Presenting an esteemed financier!"[/b] The announcer proclaimed. [b]"Ms Carol Ferris, President of Ferris Aerospace Engineering."[/b] As the announcer called that, Hal's head whipped around like an owl sensing danger nearby. Wearing a beautiful, elegant black ballgown with pink accents, she wore a diamond necklace and gold tiara. She shook a few hands with other donors as she walked in. Hal quickly straightened his tie, before sneaking into the end of the line of donors. As she approached him, she scrunched her face up as to say [i]Oh, it's you...[/i] She still politely extended her hand, which he took and placed a kiss on the large opal ring she had on her middle finger.

[color=8dc73f]"A great pleasure it is to see you again."[/color] He cooed with his deepest of confident swaggering charms.

[color=f49ac2]"And a great pleasure to see you. I believe we are down to merely 7,524 pay garnishings before you reimburse me for that jet you totalled. A few more centuries and we should be ALL square."[/color] She replied with a scolding smile.

[color=8dc73f]"To be in the debt of a fair lady is a privilage."[/color] He retorted, she took a sharp breath in.

[color=f49ac2]"Well, don't you just have all the answers, Captain Jordan?"[/color] She said with a respectful sneer.

[color=8dc73f]"Why don't i add a few more payments to that by asking for this dance?"[/color] He asked. He said, before leading her over to the dance floor and approaching the conductor, he slipped a $50 note into his pocket, before whispering in his ear. The conductor nodded, before tapping his baton in the code that told the band what page to turn to in their books. The music stopped for a few seconds as Hal lead Carol to the dance floor, the music then [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp5xM_rM1yU&list=RDDp5xM_rM1yU]Began to fill the ballroom[/url] Hal took Carol by the hips as he led her in the slow moving parade for the beginning.

[color=f49ac2]"Mr Jordan, i had no idea you could Tango?"[/color] She replied.

[color=8dc73f]"To be honest, i was late for sign-ups in highschool extra-curriculars. I was hoping for Baseball, but it was dance or shop. And a pubescent me was given the choice between all the popular girls or the future Cali-State Pen inmates."[/color] He dipped her as the music began to swell, before bringing her up and spinning her, before taking her by the hips again, when suddenly, she grabbed his hand, spun him and grabbed him by the hips.

[color=f49ac2]"So, The captain can lead, but can he follow?"[/color] She asked, before pulling his hand up high and dragging him across the dancefloor to the beat of the music, throwing him into a spin at the end, that he took a few steps away from, before a clap in his hands and spinning back towards her and standing, their arms crossed from each other.

[color=8dc73f]"President outranks Captain. Where you lead, i follow."[/color] He smiled down at her, before she slid her way down his body, her leg trailing behind her, she held up her hands and he grabbed and pulled her across the dance-floor again. Pulling her up that they were face to face, before she grabbed his hand and pulled it out to the side, them rhythmically strutting along the dance-floor together.

****

Meanwhile, Sinestro was slowly walking the perimeter of the Ballroom, a glass of the Champaign in his hand. He was watching the many people here, he could sense a lot of fear emanating from this room. Heroes with Imposter Complexes? Maybe. Villains knowing that they would be hopelessly outnumbered if caught in here? Most likely. Fear that an evil scheme to rob the place may fall through? Highly unlikely. He suspected any villainous activity here was going to be a fact-finding mission, rather than a full heist. A heist here would be like trying to rob a gun convention. The most heavily armed people in the world all in one room. Assassination he supposed was possible. Luckily, with Hal causing a distraction with his attempt at courting the business mogul, he would be able to keep an eye on anyone not watching a lot more easily. He spotted a woman with someone on her arm sat watching Thor, some local god of these people. As she approached and gave him a look, he felt that subtle pang of fear rush through her. That "What if this blows up in my face?" feeling that every single being in the galaxy had when doing something untoward. Quickly making his way through the crowd, he dodged a waiter, then a second, before he found himself in front of the Green eyed woman, before he extended a hand to her. [color=fff200]"Excuse me, but may i trouble you for this dance?"[/color] He asked. Though he was outwardly disguised as a human, his brilliant golden eyes somewhat gave away that there was something slightly different about him. Thoughts in his head guarded by some kind golden wall that screamed untold horrors when attempting to breach... Although she could tell that something had VERY recently damaged that mental wall, perhaps with a crack she may seep through. Although Sinestro had no way of knowing that he was speaking with someone else not of this earth. [color=fff200]"I insist..."[/color]

As if further distraction was necessary, there was a loud clatter as one of the waiters dropped their plate of hors d'oeuvre, after tripping over Dex-Starr who had quickly plopped himself down on the tray and had began quickly loading every last crumb from the dish into his mouth, in a manner not to disimilar to a steam-shovel, running his jaw across, the platter, 2 bites, swallow. Any hand that attempted to move near to clear it up quickly being met with a demonic growl and glowing red eyes from the kitty.