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

ARRIVAL

[liebe_krieg]

The Major was by the door to greet each of his arrivals, flanked by two six-foot bodyguards with trenchcoats, scars, and no pulse. There would be only a customary security check, both out of consideration for the guests and because the Major didn't consider an unarmed party a real party.

His ego would have been more pleased to make the guests wait to learn the identity of their host, to gather them curiously into the mansion before making a dramatic revelation. Yet practicality had to be considered. If any visitors were going to react unfavourably to finding out who their host was, better that it be here at the entrance, where they could be dealt with before they truly disrupted the proceedings.

[unpinocchio.livejournal.com]

[Someone is here to see the Major.

His skin is stretched. His cheeks flattened. When he looks at himself in a mirror (oh how he hates looking at himself in a mirror) he can't recognize himself. His voice is lower. Crisper. He wears a suit he bought with the money Red funneled into his account and a pair of dark, dark sunglasses. He stands with taller posture.

He extends a cold hand for the Major to shake.]

How kind of you to host this party. Dear stranger.

Nice PB

[liebe_krieg]

[Well here is something interesting. The Major was certain he knew every native or Import arriving tonight, but this is an unfamiliar face- with something familiar about it, that can't be placed. The Major takes the cold hand in his gloved one.]

And how good of you to come to it, dearest guest. You may address me as Major. I would very much like to know who it is who comes to grace my home with his presence.

[unpinocchio.livejournal.com]

The son of a man who fell on his sword, Major. [Given as casually as a real name. His lips quirk into a smile.] You've managed to snag quite a home, despite your less than stellar reputation.

[liebe_krieg]

[The Major just... accepts that for now since this is obviously one of those mysterious types] Well, what can I say? It's a good real estate market right now. And I am a previous owner of this property besides.

[boydsdoll.livejournal.com]

Boyd pulled up in a chauffeured Rolls Royce Phantom because even though he was meeting some unsavory characters, as the invitation had led him to believe, he was damned if he wasn't going to make an impression. The intended impression of course being one of wealth and power. Getting out he paused to stretch and then carefully walked toward the door. It had been a while since he'd used a new body and he was still adjusting. Tripping now would ruin the effect he had put so much effort into.

Seeing who waited him at the door Boyd frowned. He should have known better. Who else would be insane enough to invite so many of the city's underbelly. For that matter who else would know about Boyd's illegal activities. Stepping forward he smirked at the Major and prepared to play the gracious guest. As much as he hated the little Nazi this was a chance to gather intelligence and he wasn't going to pass it up. "I wouldn't have thought I was on the invitation list after our last meeting."

[liebe_krieg]

Another guest he did not recognize? Well, this was unexpected. The Major had known there could be unintended consequences to circulating his invitations through word of mouth instead of directly through the Network, and clearly some people had heard who were not intended to hear. He assumed this one was some native crime figure. He raised a hand and gave a little bow.

"It is the holidays, good sir. A poor time to restrict hospitality and charity." He certainly wasn't going to admit he didn't recognize this one, not until he understood what his instincts were telling him. 'Last meeting-' what could that refer to? He knew it was important.

[boydsdoll.livejournal.com]

Boyd nodded in acknowledgement of the bow, deliberately keeping his head higher than the Major's. It probably wouldn't help, but Boyd couldn't help trying to slit the fat little man when opportunity presented itself. "You're very generous then to extended that charity to those you've scuffled with in the past."

[liebe_krieg]

"The holidays are a time for forgiveness as well..." Past scuffles? He would certainly recognize a previous enemy, unless he was dealing with a shape-changer or someone capable of- ah! "...Herr Langton. But how have you been? I was expecting you to be quite stressed with your company's recent misfortunes. Is that why you have placed your mind into this new shell? To gain a body less worn-out from tension and work?"

The Major certainly hoped his guess was correct, because if this wasn't Langton things were about to become extraordinarily awkward.

[shotyoudeadbang]

Well... isn't this interesting. The pug Nazi Deadshot has been hired to take out has invited him to his house. This might turn out to be the easiest two mil he's ever made.

The flunkies are funky, though... the heat sensor in his eye scope isn't picking up much of anything.

Of course, there's no way they can do it NOW, though. Too many unknowns at the moment. Wait, suss out the sitch, make the move when the time is right.

Until then, play the part of the good bad guy.

"Huh. You got a name besides 'Major,' pal?"

[liebe_krieg]

"Deadshot. I am so glad you could come this evening" The Major knew little of this one, but enough to make him qualify quite handily for the guest list. Mercenary, gunman, Import, very talented. A killer and a fighter for money, exactly the sort the Major always had a use for.

"My name is what I am. I am an SS-Sturmbahnfuhrer, as I have been for a great many years. So to answer your question, no. It is simply 'Major."

[shotyoudeadbang]

His head tilts a little at that. Guess he's actually proud of that. He'll do well at sounding unfazed by that.

"Huh. You'd be the second card-carryin' Nazi I've met in this town. You ever come across Hans Von Hammer?"

[liebe_krieg]

"Ah yes, the former Colonel and current traffic director for the police." The Major sneered at the mention, then forced his face to soften. Why not take the opportunity to make that wretched deserter's life a bit more difficult?

"We know one another," he said. It has been interesting comparing experiences of the old days with him." If Deadshot ended up spreading it around that the Major and the Luftwaffe defector were on chummy terms, it would be amusing or even useful.

[maskurbates]

[Roman had considered arriving in disguise. It would have been less risky, of course, but on the other hand, showing face to host in good faith was far more polite. And, why, with his new found ability of changing his face at will, he could always slip into a new mask, as it were, after introductions.

He straightens his tie as he approaches the entrance, catching one final glance of his reflection in a window. Classy yet nightmarish.

Perfect.

Face to face with the Major, he holds out a gloved hand to shake.]

Evening. I believe you'll find me on the guest list under Black Mask, Mr....?

[liebe_krieg]

[The face makes an excellent first impression on the Major, a connoisseur of nightmares. Especially classy ones. The hand is shaken with enthusiasm.]

I am the Major, your deeply pleased host for this evening. I am so glad you were able to come, Black Mask. You have quite the reputation.

[maskurbates]

[Roman appreciates the enthusiasm of the shake, and in turn, gives the Major a ghoulish grin.]

It's a pleasure, Major. Though I can't say I know much of your own reputation, I can see you're a man of influence.

[liebe_krieg]

You are correct in your perception. It is my hope that this event will allow people like us to pool and combine their efforts. In our case, perhaps my influence could be used to help enlarge your reputation. We can discuss it later, after dinner.

[lazarisen]

[ Ra's was already inside the building, having had teleported himself into a secluded enough shadowed hallway so that he could take the time to cloak himself in his own shadows with his powers, cutting a shadowy, indistinct silhouette. Once the disguise met his satisfaction and the Major seemed relatively unoccupied between guests, Ra's swept toward him. Ra's had heard of him through all his network creeping; he definitely seemed like someone worth knowing. ]

You have a commendable turnout this evening, Major.

[liebe_krieg]

[The Major raises an eyebrow. An indistinct shadowy outline was not on the guest list, was it? Ah well, at least whoever it is seems polite.]

It is kind of you to say so, my friend. You are right, I could hardly be more pleased! I don't think the City has seen such a collection of luminaries in years.

[lazarisen]

You must have high expectations for the evening.

[cardassian]

Dukat was unaware of his host's identity, nor did he particularly care. After all, he was in no position to judge the actions of a fellow soldier, the decisions made in times of necessity and war. Dukat was there to learn what he could, to take everyone and everything in. And he would start with their most gracious host.

"Ah. You must be our host," he said, voice smooth as silk, words almost slithering out of his mouth. He didn't react the the guards any. Such displays of security were commonplace back on Cardassia. It would be foolish to have such a lavish event without the proper security precautions in place. "I'm afraid we've not been formally introduced. I am Gul Dukat, of the Cardassian Union."

[liebe_krieg]

The Major liked this one already. Such charm, such poise, the obvious air of the military about him! He could already tell there were things in common to be shared here, and was glad he had arranged for the Gul's 'brutal abduction.'

"Correct!" He smiled. "I am called the Major. It is very pleasing to see you here on behalf of your great Union, Gul Dukat." He was making the educated guess that the Union was indeed 'great' by his standards, or at least that Dukat wouldn't mind hearing that it was.

[cardassian]

The Major's assumption did indeed please Dukat. His homeworld might not be the power it once was in the quadrant, but there was no denying Cardassia was a world to be held in high esteem nonetheless. For this flattery, Dukat might even be willing to forgive the unorthodox methods by which he had arrived at the party.

"Major. It is indeed a pleasure." He smiled, mind briefly turning to thoughts of Major Kira back on Terok Nor. "Though I must admit, I'm not familiar with the cause for this gathering... as it were."

[anagrammatist]

[Tom arrives with Bellatrix, since she was the one to inform him of this meeting, and really, it would look better on him to arrive with someone well known for being dangerous when he almost certainly is not.

He doesn't immediately recognize the Major, but he had made sure to check what he'd missed over the three days he'd been asleep, and the Major's big reveal had been in there. And he's far too recent an arrival to know much about his reputation, nor would he car much if he knew.

So it's with a bit of a polite smile that he approaches and holds out a hand to shake.] The Major, isn't it?

[liebe_krieg]

[A young one! Always so good to see the newer generation taking an interest in sociopathy. The Major shakes with a gloved hand.] It is. Welcome to our little event, young man. I hope that you have a most pleasant evening with us!