DRUMROLL PLEASE...

[latebreaking]

WHO: Everyone participating and attending the CHARITY BENEFIT. Don't forget to tag yourselves!
WHERE: One of the City's many fancy, large event ballrooms
WHEN: FRIDAY, the 5th, 5 PM onward
WARNINGS: Doubtfully any?
SUMMARY: It's the big night at last! FOR YOUR OWN REFERENCE: Bidding results have been posted here.
FORMAT: Whatever is your pleasure.


The night is here at last. Please make sure you're dressed as nicely as you're able, and take care to donate at the door if you're able -- it's not required, but it's all too a good cause. Upon entering the ballroom you'll see many tables laid out with white tablecloths and place settings; feel free can sit and order something, the restaurant is open until 11PM and the bar opens at 8PM. In the left corner is the table where at any given hour or half hour interval you can find someone signing autographs and photos for imPorts or natives alike. The schedule reads:

ERIDAN AMPORA, 5PM - 5:30PM
DEPUTY MAYOR EDWARD NYMGA, 5:30PM - 6PM
CAPTAIN METROPOLIS, 6PM - 6:30PM
MORDIN SOLUS, 6:30PM - 7PM
BEAST, 7PM - 8PM
HUNTRESS, 8PM - 9PM
GREEN ARROW, 9PM - 10PM
WILD TIGER, 10PM - 11PM
IRON MAN, 11PM - 12AM

In the right corner is the auction set-up; at 8PM sharp the auctioneer will set up a ballot for silent bids to be placed, and announce the highest bids at 15 minute intervals. Good luck! It should be wrapped, like the signings, at 12 midnight. Have fun tonight, Cityzens, eat, drink, be merry, and bid until your desired option has been pried from your cold not-dead fingers. At 12:15 the WINNING BIDS will be announced.

Congratulations, everyone; you have raised $136,022! Below are separate mingling threads to utilize as you'd like: there's loads to do, just mind the clock. As usual, don't be shy about new CR!

Comments

[enigmaestro]

"Probably because you're a sensible lad," said Edward. He stepped over, pushing Nelson out of the way, and offered a once-calming palm to clasp (gently) against Gilbert's shoulder. "I want you to brunch with him so you might see concrete evidence of why vigilantism is not only crazy to endeavor, but clearly a backfiring notion. Not that you'll need much persuasion, but -- as I've mentioned: cautionary."

Eddie shot a smirk to Nelson. The deputy mayor had made a promise to Hooded Justice.

[retropolis]

Frowning, Nelson put his hand on Gil's arm and pulled him, gently, away from Eddie slightly (more protectively than possessively). He cleared his throat.

"Well -- Gilbert," he began, "We can discuss the details further more privately, how about that? Erm, dates and times and so forth. No need to hash it out completely right now." He'd rather not lunch in costume either; that had only been offered as a hero promotion, not under the assumption he'd be bought by someone who knew him.

Looking at Eddie again, he narrowed his eyes slightly. "It's hardly crazy. Th-though admittedly not for everyone."

[invoking]

He didn't mean to allow himself to be tugged over to Nelson's side like a doll, but he hadn't tried to pry himself away from either. The atmosphere around them felt heavy and awkward, and Gil slowly came to the realization he may have been caught in a tiff between the two other men.

He had had his share of distributing "justice" among criminals (well, one) lately and it left him with a shoulder wound from when a bullet grazed it. It had healed up already and no longer hurt, but it wasn't something he was rushing head first to experience again.

"That's fine with me," he said, albeit a touch reluctant. "I'm not a... a hero. That title is really..." Above him, he thought. Never mind he had probably saved Monica's life that night and had presumably assisted in her investigation.

[enigmaestro]

"Really, really insane," said Edward, so helpfully finishing Gilbert's sentence for him. He drummed his fingers on Gil's shoulder, having to reach over a bit more to manage it, and smirked at Nelson all the while. "Oh no, I agree: there are other more effective methods for dealing with unpleasant social stimuli."

With those words, his gaze slid back to Gilbert between them. It was a meaningful glance, one that so silently alluded to their former discussion. A man of his position would be wary to outright say it, but Eddie hinted that revenge would always be more accurate than justice.

It was far more honest.

"But Nelson, dear, don't be a pain in the ass. You two won't be discussing details without me -- I've bought you! You're obligated to my terms!"

[retropolis]

"You're the one being--" Nelson pursed his lips, forcing himself not to argue. He exhaled a little. "Don't call me dear, please. Particularly not in front of Gilbert here," he said a little stiffly.

He moved away from Gil again, crossing his arms uncomfortably across his chest.

"Yes, I know," he added, with exasperation. "Not to worry, Mr. Deputy Mayor. Your terms will be -- I just meant dates. It's not a deception. Gilbert and I are entitled to work out when we're both available, I think."

[invoking]

It was the kind of foreboding touch that sent a deep chill down Gil's back. He hadn't realized he had pulled away quickly from Eddie's reach until the hand was no longer on his shoulder.

And it was a brief, fleeting moment that could have almost gone unnoticed by someone who was less perceptive, but Gil found breathing a difficult feat. It passed quickly, though his chest still felt as if something had compressed it.

"... Yes." He agreed, his left hand lightly brushed his throat. "I'm not available most weekdays due to work, so perhaps the weekend." He barely looked at Eddie as he spoke.

[enigmaestro]

Eddie was, according to HABIT, a habit himself. Not a rabbit. He was an instrument of evil -- or, more accurately, he had been and always could be again. But what went unspoken to HABIT, what Eddie never uttered to anyone was this: every day he fought his inclinations. Every day he riddled to himself -- is it nurture or nature? Is evil something he was, or simply something he did? Was he a changed man, a changed mind? A changed heart?

This was one line of questioning he had not brought to his power's grace.

"Good," he said. He pocketed his hands, having noticed Gilbert's erratic reaction to his touch. With Gilbert, Eddie wasn't interested in cruel tactics; he simply thought the other man had some untapped potential. And Eddie was ever so incredible at riddling out potential.

"I would hate to be disappointed in my investment, after all." Eddie glanced between Gilbert and Nelson, making a few quick calculations. The gift was now more transparently a lecture: Nelson's experience, he figured, would persuade to Gilbert that ideology could corrupt results.

[retropolis]

"I work during the week as well," Nelson said with a nod, then looked at Eddie. "As you know. Next week ought to be fine."

He moved closer to Gil again, not touching this time although every time Eddie did he clenched his jaw a little more.

"Are you all right, Gilbert?" He asked after another moment, protective reflexes flared. "You see, Mr. Deputy Mayor, I think he's overwhelmed. He's had a very rough evening and all this hero-talk can't be helping." He frowned a little, patting Eddie's shoulder.

"Your investment's in good hands, sir," he added, begrudgingly. "Gilbert and I have quite a lot in common. It'll work out."

[invoking]

"I'm fine," he answered quickly, braced for Eddie's power to ping on that little white lie. He snuck a glance at the Deputy Mayor and then looked back at Nelson. "I should find Kenzi to discuss our ... ah, arrangement."

[enigmaestro]

Eddie glanced between the two men, keeping his own person separate.

“All right, well,” he said. The falsehood Gilbert had uttered was known to at least two of the three men in that company, and the untruth unspoken made Eddie all the more uncomfortable. But he wouldn't utter 'falsehood' in the face of something so trivial -- nor would he sabotage Gil's effort to save that face.

"Try to at least enjoy it, won't you?" A message directed to Gilbert alone. As Eddie glanced over Nelson, his smug smirk returned.

"Someone has to."

[retropolis]

"I'm sure that we'll both enjoy it just fine," Nelson said, with mild indignation. He shook his head and re-crossed his arms, before he glanced uneasily around the room.

"Let's stay in touch, Gilbert," he added, rubbing his neck. "And Mr. Deputy Mayor, we'll see each other on Monday regardless. I-I ought to get going shortly too. I have to find someone before I head home."

[invoking]

"Uh, yes. That's right..." His hands rummaged around his suit for a moment before patting over his pockets to where his important belongings were. (No, he wasn't going to leave them in his coat, even if someone was standing by them the entire night.)

"I can give you my number later," he said.