Today we all steal, animals we are

[liebe_krieg]

WHO: Bad guys. And some good guys.
WHERE: The Major’s old mansion lair, temporarily back in business.
WHEN: Evening of Tuesday the 6th
WARNINGS: Violence, language, evil
SUMMARY: VillainCon! Back in the public eye, the Major has arranged a summit of wickedness for all the City’s evildoers, along with a few less nefarious unwanted or unwilling guests.
FORMAT: Paragraph to start, whatever you please afterward.

What a whirlwind it had been! Getting himself back to the City, arranging for his troops to slip into the country in their boxes, re-entering his old mansion with all its fond memories, with but a week to renovate and refurbish it back to a state suitable for this grand event.

It would be grand, too. It would have to be. The Major had taken stock of how things had gone since his ‘death,’ and passed his judgement. The old Coalition was gone, and so were its leaders. Native criminals were pathetic and weak. The prospect of a great alliance was out of the question- the Major knew that his peers were too fractious, too diverse, too ambitious and temperamental to ever be welded into a unified force.

No, the goal here was complexity and discord. By bringing as many of his ‘colleagues’ together as possible, he would create a fertile field where might grow contacts, networks, small teams, and at the same time: new enemies, new hatreds, new divisions and rivalries. Above all, he desired new conflict, either between them and the heroes or internal ones inside their little community. This evening would collect fuel for the fires that would burn in the New Year.

How fortunate that no one had wanted to purchase the ‘Nazi House’ since he abandoned it last year! Now, after frenzied labours by his undead minions, the mansion was once again clean and bright and beautifully decorated, as befitting the egos of his guests. Dinner and entertainments for the social parts of the evening had been arranged, every bit as carefully as the discreet meeting rooms and iron-fisted security that would serve the purposes of business. At the center of it all, the Major waited and beamed like the proud host he was.

Comments

OPEN

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ Out of costume for the moment, Thomas is lazily splayed on a soft couch, newly-clawed fingertips curled around a drink he hasn't truly touched. It's the first time he's been out and about with his new features, but he's intentionally open with them: his eyes (both of them!) scan across the room, mouth curled into a sharp grin. Wearing it with pride. ]

[exceptfebruary]

[ Without the costume, and the new features, Julian didn't recognize him at first. So it was a bit before he finally approaches.

He actually looks surprised for once. ]

Catman.

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ He's equally taken aback, after side-eyeing him the whole night. After all, for Thomas, it's been a hell of a long time. ]

Motioning to the piece of couch beside him: ] Calendar. How did you get out?

[exceptfebruary]

I haven't been in since I arrived.

[ He sits on the couch rather stiffly. He keeps his eyes on the room. ]

Were you also forcefully invited, or did you come on your own?

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ A flicker of concern, then a shrug. ] I was sent an invite. The only thing forceful about it was the stationary it used.

At least you're out now, right? In time for the holidays.

[exceptfebruary]

Yes, and I will take advantage of it.

[ He doesn't press the invitation subject, still a bit sore about being kidnapped. Instead he looks at Catman, taking in the changes to his appearance. ]

I heard about your - [ pause ] surgery, on the 28th. From Riddler. He did not, however, specify what happened.

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ He turns his head away, suddenly bitter. ]

The date is all you need to know.

[sanguinosi]

Well! Someone's got a new look!

[Ladd is dressed in the usual evening suit, clearly enjoying the view of Thomas' new anatomical additions.]

Did you get a haircut or something? Because I swear you look different!

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

Ladd. [ Despite being vaguely bothered by the sudden attention, Thomas gives him a warm smile. ]

I might have gotten some work done. [ And he chooses to change the subject. ] How have you been? It's been a while.

[sanguinosi]

Sure has! I've just been keeping to myself, like always. I guess the straightjackets did work after all!

But you look like you've got a far more interesting story to tell. And I appreciate a good story, so long as you don't ramble.

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ He taps his thumb on his glass. ] You know, I don't think I do have one.

Everything for the last few months has been peachy.

[sanguinosi]

Ah, now you're just holding out on me!

[He shrugs, sighing a little.]

Well, I won't pry. A man has to have his privacy! And I guess this is a place for covertness. But I will say it does look mighty impressive.

[curses]

[Bella nearly walks past Thomas before she stops, looking at him with both amusement and incredulity.]

You really need a keeper.

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ Thomas perks up immediately at her appearance, already having suffered the worst of the what-happened-to-you diatribe. ]

I think most people would start with a "hello," Bella. [ beat. ] Are you offering?

[curses]

I'm not most people. [She smirks, placing a hand on her hip.] You'll probably be a nuisance to look after, so no.

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

Probably. [ He leans back in the seat. ]

So, how have you been?

[curses]

Oh, terribly distraught about recent events. [a beat] But everything's fine now.

[shotyoudeadbang]

[Huh. Blake's out of costume. Not that it matters too much with him, as his identity isn't anywhere close to secret. But he best be ready to go when the time comes.]

So. What's up with your face?


[ooc: new features? Just a repaired eye, or does he look different?]

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

[ Naturally, he turns his head away when he sees Floyd approach, suddenly nearly ashamed. ]

I kind of got into a fight. [ then: ] Somebody decided to get revenge a few months too late.

[ ooc: new eye, new teeth, new fingertips! hank intended to mutilate him, not help him. but it's only temporary, i promise ]

[shotyoudeadbang]

[Floyd shakes his head.]

Great. You gonna tell me who, or are you gonna get all cagey again for no reason?

[maskurbates]

[Despite the near flawless disguise of his fake face (the likes of which haven't been seen since it was burnt off decades ago), the sight of Blake is enough to make Roman drop the false voice he's been using.]

...Blake?

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

I. [ He does a double take. What the fuck. ] What?

Mask?

[maskurbates]

[Roman smirks and points to his face.]

Pretty swanky, am I right?

[The finger turns around to point at Catman.]

But you...that's...well...would you consider that a downgrade or an upgrade?

[nine-tries.livejournal.com]

Hey, hey. [ Thomas jabs an angry finger towards him, showing teeth. ] Fuck you.

I didn't come to this place to be the goddamn subject of your amusement, Sionis. Really.

[maskurbates]

Whoa, easy, tiger; I'm just tryin' to get an understanding of where you're at right now so I don't say the wrong thing, but I can see you're a little sensitive about the whole subject, and I just want you to know...I feel for you, Thomas. I've been there. It's ok to be upset.

[He spreads his hands before him in a gesture of, well...not apology, per se.]

So what did you come here for?