Day Zero, the Movie: Arrivals, Red Carpet and Otherwise

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Warren and Jean-Phillipe walk the red carpet at the premiere of the Day Zero movie.

Warren had owned a tux since he was about ten years old - these days, his were specially tailored so he could wear the jacket without hiding his wings. There was a network of tiny hook-and-eyes that allowed him to slip into the jacket easily, and from a distance, you could hardly tell they were there. He'd also arranged a tuxedo for Jean-Phillipe as well - dragging the younger man shopping so he had one for the occasion, it was mostly off the rack with a few minor adjustments to the fit.

An independent film festival, most of the media present at the red carpet were mostly junior reporters sent along just in case something interesting happened, or the movie turned out to be good. The actors in the movie had varying levels of B- and C-list cred, not enough to attract any of the major players in the media world.

But there was still enough attention from the local media that Warren was recognised as he walked the red carpet with Jean-Phillipe, occasionally pausing for photos and answering questions. When quizzed about his recollections of the events of the movie, he waved them off with an apology, commenting that he hadn't been in the city at the time. When asked about his date, his answers were a little sly, not divulging much information about Jean-Phillipe, other than confirming he was a friend (albeit with something of a wink to go with it).

Once they were finally inside and left alone for a moment, Warren leaned in to Jean-Phillipe, murmuring quietly.

"How are you enjoying your first red carpet experience?"

"Overwhelming," was the single word that best described what Jean-Phillipe was feeling. He had been...perhaps a bit prickly about Warren's taking him shopping for a tuxedo, but he understood the need for it. But the idea that he would be on the red carpet itself, having people taking his photograph and shouting questions at him... Somehow, he had managed to look natural and provide inane answers much like Warren had.

Somehow he doubted that telling the truth of his own experiences during Day Zero, such as revealing his work for the Brotherhood to his cousin, would go over well.

"And that was the fun part," Warren murmured, his eyes flitting around the room, scanning for potential threats - though anyone looking at him would presume he was checking out the people here, a slightly wicked look in his eyes.

"Now the mingling begins."

Lex and Laurie keep an eye on the gathered crowd, which includes some FOH protesters.

The cinema in question had been booked out for this particular event, one of those old cinemas with more charm than state-of-the-art equipment. The red carpet was populated by most B- and C- list celebrities, as well as the usual crowd of hangers-on and local famous faces. Warren had been one of them, making a rare appearance in front of the cameras and charming the crowd.

Lex stood just outside of the crowd, scanning them casually as if to catch a glimpse of someone famous. There were several young women swooning in the front, and he kept an eye to make sure none of them tried to cross the barrier, but the people he was more focused on were the journalists and photographers. Anyone with a decent knowledge of technology could turn a camera into a gun or a bomb, and if someone were going to start trouble they would probably do it through such discreet means.

"Wallflower, do you have any activity? Everything seems to be rosy out this way."

“None so far, unless you consider some teenager having to be carried off by paramedics, activity,” Laurie responded, keeping a close eye on the crowd from her position close to the end of the red carpet.

She smiled and nodded at some of the local media people who she knew through her mother’s work. She recognized one of them from her mother’s show and expected that there’d be a piece on this tomorrow, hopefully full of fluff rather than full of rioting FOHers.

"Sounds good, I'll circle around to check out the protesters. If any trouble is going to happen I'd expect it to start with them." He knew how quickly a protest could turn bloody and he wanted to position himself as close to the action as possible so he could put a stop to it. From where he stood they seemed like a bunch of worthless scum, but he knew enough to keep an open mind. The last thing he wanted was to let his guard down and get someone hurt.

“Okay, let me know if you need any backup, I’ll stick out here until all the patrons are inside the theatre and then go in,” Laurie replied, eyes continually scanning the crowd for any danger points.

Activating the mic, Lex continued to approach the group of protestors. His gut was telling him something was about to happen and they needed to be ready for it.

"Hamster to Nightcrawler. I'm moving towards the protestors. I have a bad feeling something's off. What are your orders?"

"I would not be at all surprised to find your feeling is right", Kurt agreed, glancing to the screens where a reporter was talking, all calm for now.  "Keep your eyes open for trouble, stick as close to the protestors as seems safe, but do nothing unless something does happen."



"Understood. I will radio in if the situation changes. Hamster, out." Lex slid between too anxious looking teens so that he could get a better look. They radiated anxiety, but it was nothing more noticeable than anyone who had seen crazy up-close-and-personal for the first time. They would be the most likely to get hurt if something went down so he wanted to be as close to them as possible to make sure they got out of the way.

Jean-Phillipe and Warren chat to one of the film's executive producers.

Before Jean-Phillipe could reply, a man bustled up to them, leaving behind a crowd of people so he could join them.

"Warren! So glad you could make it. It's been such a long time." The gentleman cast a smile at Jean-Phillipe as well, giving him the once-over. "I swear you're with a different person every time I see you - what happened to that leggy -" He stumbled a moment, not having an easy description for Vanessa at hand. "-- lady you were with awhile back?"

Warren just smiled and shrugged. "You know me, Archer, I never do like to be seen with the same person twice." He looked at Jean-Phillipe with a smile.

"Jean-Phillipe, this is Archer Jackson, he's an executive producer for the film. Archer, this is Jean-Phillipe Colbert, a friend of mine."

"Enchante, Monsieur," Jean-Phillipe greeted the producer, shaking the man's hand firmly. This might be Warren's world more than his, but his cousin's opinion to the contrary, he did have manners and know how to be social. "If I may be so bold, how did you arrive at the decision to make a film about Day Zero?" He was definitely curious, given how personal the invasion of New York had been for him.

"Oh, it was all Lucas, really," Archer replied with an easy smile, mentioning the director and writer. "He kept hearing all of these interesting little stories from survivors, and he decided he just had to put them on the screen. Tell the real story, what people really experienced. Once he had the idea in his head, he just had to make it happen. So here we are."

"I will be very interested in seeing how it turns out," Jean-Phillipe said. And he was, given his own perspective on the events, and having heard the stories of others around the mansion about their experiences. He idly wondered if this was how veterans of wars and other significant events felt about seeing a movie 'based on real life'.

"You'll have to tell me what you think afterwards," Archer said enthusiastically. "You're coming to the after party, yes? I know Warren has an invitation." He flashed a glance at Warren, who had stepped away for a moment, looking apologetic as he 'took a phone call'.

"Moi? Not attend an after party? I think Warren should have to check me to see if I was still myself, if I were to turn down an invitation to an after party." Jean-Phillipe grinned with a hint of mischief in it. He was young, French, and fabulous, after all. What after party wouldn't want him in this very well-tailored tuxedo?

Warren checks in with Kurt and Dori.

Warren had left JPC to chat to Archer for a moment as he brought his phone to his ear - it wasn't a phone call he was taking, but checking in with Rocky and Nightcrawler.

"Rocky, Nightcrawler, Angel here, everything's looking good so far." Amusement laced his voice as he continued, watching Jean-Phillipe. "We're in position, we'll let you know if any funny business looks likely."

"Okay," Dori said over the com, "But, well, can we go see a movie or something ourselves if it gets too boring?" There were movies she wanted to see, and trailers too! And if nothing happened here, she'd be dead from the sheer boredom.

"This is part of being an X-Man, Rocky", Kurt said with amused patience. "You can go and watch a movie when our shift is over."

"I'll let you know if this one is any good," Warren replied dryly. "Angel out." He slid his phone back into his pocket, wandering back to where Jean-Phillipe was chatting with the producer.

Sam and Tabitha sneak into position.

The cinema in question had been booked out for this particular event, one of those old cinemas with more charm than state-of-the-art equipment. There was security, but it was minimal, and they weren't looking too closely at the catering staff that were moving in and out. Even the people in charge of the catering staff didn't seem to know what was going on, they just yelled at people without trays to make sure they had one, and they moved. Now!

Sam was dressed in a similar uniform as the rest of the catering crew, complete with a name tag that read "Fernando." Scooping up a tray, he turned to Tabby, who was also with him and undercover, to make sure she was doing the same and following him as they ducked inside. Hopefully no one would think they looked out of place, and the chaos of their surroundings was certainly a blessing to them in that regard.

Tabs followed Sam closely, pleasant smile pasted to her face, attempting to look like a college kid trying to make some extra cash. Her borrowed name tag said "Mary." She checked out the contents of her own tray critically. "This is making me hungry," she said. "Think anybody'd notice if one disappeared?"

Looking down at the tray, he shook his head slightly. "Nah, go for it. They're in such a tizzy here they don't even notice us, let alone a bit of missing food." Sam was tempted to take something himself, actually, and looked around once more to make sure they were still incognito. "I'd be jinxing this if I said it seemed to easy, right?"

She smacked his arm with her free hand. "Why did you have to say that?" she hissed. "I'm so disowning you."

"Ow!" He didn't yell or flinch at the smack, playing with her mostly and also because he didn't want to draw attention to them, but he did smirk a little. "You owned me? I mean, we should keep going, and no jinxing, gotcha."

She spared a glare for the other blond before pasting a smile to her face. She plunged into the crowd, offering snacks to anyone who looked interested. She'd completely forgotten about filching from her tray.

Sam watched her walk away for a few heartbeats before remembering the whole point of them being there in the first place. As subtle as he possible could, Sam activated his communicator and whispered into it so as not to attract any unwanted attention. "We're in on this end, over." He followed Tabby's lead, taking his tray and making his way through the crowd as if he were just another member of the catering crew.

"Received, Cannonball", Kurt answered.  "You know what to do."

Warren and Jean-Phillipe get back to work.

"Good to hear," Archer replied to Jean-Phillipe, a sparkle in his eyes. "You'll have to excuse me, there's a few other people I need to catch." With a bright smile to both men, he moved through the crowd, making a bee line for one of the movie's stars, effusive praise on his lips. Warren rejoined Jean-Phillipe, a smile on his face.

"Enjoying yourself so far?"

"Quite," Jean-Phillipe said with a somewhat smirking smile. He glanced around to see if anyone could be in range to hear him before lowering his voice. "All my missions should be so simple and result in me wearing such excellent clothing."

"I'll see what I can arrange for you," Warren replied, returning the smirk. "Find some high society events being threatened by crazy, unstable mutants. Or wannabes. Any excuse to get you in that tux again." Warren had to admit, it did look pretty good on him.

"Or out of it?" Jean-Phillipe shot back with an arched eyebrow. He wasn't the only one who had noticed how good the other looked in their tuxedo. He wasn't sure about Warren's relationship with Vanessa since the shapeshifter had returned, but even if he was sure, he probably would have flirted outrageously with Warren still. It was just something about the other man.

"Perhaps," Warren said with a smirk and a wink. "Shall we mingle?" He continued, offering Jean-Phillipe his arm. "We should probably at least pretend we've checked this place out properly." Joking aside, Warren took the mission pretty seriously, and he wanted to do a lap of the place before they headed in to see the movie.

"Oh, very well," Jean-Phillipe said with a playful answering smirk. "Slavedriver."