capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

WHO: The Birthday Boy and Friends. And acquaintances.
WHERE: Bewitched.
WHEN: Friday, April 12th. 7pm - 11:30pm or so.
WARNINGS: Soon enough.
SUMMARY: The worst surprise party in the history of surprise parties.
FORMAT: Just make your own sub-threads and jam! Please remember to tag yourselves in!

Zatanna's club is more than modest in size and has a distinct art deco feel to it; the structure remains almost entirely as it was when she bought it aside from minor fixes (mostly make sure it was safe and clean). The glass ceiling that spans the lofty entrance makes for an interesting start. It's easier to get lost looking up than down the halls that curve to a vast library of strange and esoteric texts, dressing rooms, and various currently unused rooms that the magician has sealed and locked.

Past the ticket booth (and what appears to be a currently-closed gift shop of sorts) is the main show room and a few others to each side of it. While these aren't closed, there's nothing special about them for the moment. The interior of the main room is as it usually is, with no new decorations aside from plenty of balloons littered across the ceiling. The floor has left room for those who choose to dance, but plenty of tables and chairs for people to sit at. The bar is busy with more than one man behind it mixing drinks. On stage, there's a live band. Her employees are in the crowd mingling, entertaining guests when they see fit (and if they so choose); mostly, they're keeping to themselves and chatting with whoever catches their fancy.

Outside there are chauffeurs and large, burly men taking the invitations in exchange for entry. It isn't impossible to sneak in with fake ones or through other means...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh, it's on now. The one-upmanship has begun. Jack smiles.]

You sure about that, James? Maybe you've already had a bit too much to drink, because that's not the way I remember it.

[Pointing at the package.]

That's just my contribution to keeping you alive. I know Zatanna would be upset if anything happened to you.

Jack, my dear, I'm really not the one who needs this sort of protection.

[Scoff. Over confidence that really isn't helped by the alcohol, lets be honest.]

But I appreciate it nonetheless. I'll put it all to good use.

I know you will.

[Jack gives Bond's arm a little friendly slap, a rare expression of camaraderie from him.]

Speaking of which, I've invited Zee to a meeting. It's something that might make it possible for you to visit England again. I'd like to see you there.

[Woah, manly contact, that is rare, and something James can't help but briefly glance down at, eyebrows arched upwards just slightly.]

I do miss the old girl... [England, he means.] Is this going to involve politics, Mr. Bauer?

[Grimly.]

I'm afraid it is. But it's also going to involve actually getting something done.

Don't worry, anyone involved still has a good chance of being killed or arrested. I know that's more your speed.

'Politics' and 'getting something done' rarely coincide, but I'll take your word for it. At least there sounds like some excitement involved.

[Death and danger? Yeah, Jack knows how to appeal to Bond's base desires, and he can't help but allow himself at the thought of it all.]

I'm almost offended she got an invite before I did.

I had to call her first. I had to let her know I'd be too busy organizing things to attend this party.

[Jack spreads his hands a bit. He is very obviously attending the party.]

She was insistent.

[James knows how that goes. He does, in fact, even offer up the slightest pitying crease of his brows.]

That worked out well for you, then.

I'll see if I can make it. I'm rather distracted at the moment with other things.

[That gets a look from Jack.]

Other things? We're talking about a chance to hit Vulcanus here, what could be more important than that?

Look, it's not that I don't think you'll succeed. It's just that I don't think you'll succeed. [Oh wait.]

I just don't think vigilantism is the way to approach this. And as much as I hate politics, it might be a case of waiting for the English Government to pull that stick out of their arses. Her Majesty doesn't like it any more than we do, and she's not the only one over there that doesn't approve.

[Linefacing so hard.]

They might not be able to pull that stick out, James. They might not be in control of their own government anymore.

[Leaning in for dramatic whispering time.]

I wasn't going to tell you this until the meeting, but there's a chance the English government has been penetrated by Skrulls. That's why they're still backing ImBargo while everyone else has turned on Vulcanus.

[James is narrowing his eyes suspiciously in return, but a soft grunt is his way of saying 'I'm listening'.]

You think that's the same for the other countries as well?

[Reciprocal eye-narrowing.]

I think it's likely. If I was a terrorist with shapeshifting infiltrators, that's how I'd use them, to subvert global politics. But we don't have proof yet. Exposing this guy in England might give us what we need.

Well then...

[A grunt, like he's reluctant to continue.]

Suppose I'll have to clear a date in my diary.