Red-X Benefit Gala: Cocktail Hour - Jean, Scott, Longshot, Sam, and Spiral

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

Jean and Scott run into Longshot at the Red-X Charity Benefit. A bit drunk, Jean confronts him about his presence on Avalon, to which he has no memory of. Sam runs into Spiral.


This place was so very New York.

Well, that's what Arthur had decided. This venue boasted lots of glass, chrome, and marble all constructed in a very sleek, modern way that strove to separate man from nature. The sleek, modern tuxedos and designer dresses of the guests in attendance at this charity event only helped to underscore this isolation with their sleek, modern smalltalk about investments as they sipped on their sleek, modern drinks.

Arthur swirled his own gin and tonic and thought that he couldn't fault the alcohol. He sighed dramatically, scanning the sheet of bachelors for the second or third time. Nope -- not one name or face he recognized. "I'm the most famous person here," the television star added morosely to no one in particular.

A pause. He turned, eyes lighting up to the blonde woman next to him. "Hey, I'm the most famous person here."

The woman who went by the name Spiral had long since mastered the art of the vapidly neutral noise of agreement, a 'mhm' that gave the impression that she gave anything like a shit about whatever her companion was saying, when in reality she was looking for anything to relieve her sheer boredom. That particular noise had gotten a lot of practice since she became Arthur's "handler". She took a sip from her very delicate martini glass and smiled brightly at her charge. "You know, I think you're right," she murmured to him, her voice a throaty purr. "You're coming up in the world."

Jean had attended her share of charity events, though the majority were business casual. But over time, with Adrienne's influence, she had amassed a small collection of appropriate dresses for this sort of gala. She wore a long green dress with a criss-cross back set with jewels, which brought out the contrast in her hair. Sticking close to Scott, she sipped a very dry martini. She already slightly buzzed from the wine she'd had earlier so this was her last drink for the night.

"I think the night will go well for the bachelors," she said with a smile. "At least perhaps Cecilia will get to--"

Backing up, she was so distracted by the steady hum of the crowd that she didn't notice that someone was behind her and nearly ran into a tall, blonde man.

"Sorry I...." Jean paused, tilting her head. "Wait, I know you."

"Ha, you do have a sense of hum—" Arthur was caught mid reply to Spiral as Jean nearly stumbled into him. He turned, smile dazzling. "Excellent," and he swept out a hand as if to indicate that Scott and Jean were now part of the conversation, "Let it be known, in front of witnesses, that my friend here is not just a woman who delights in scaring interns." He motioned to Spiral as if to underscore how delightful this was.

Scott turned pulling his attention away from the stage to look at the loud blonde man behind them, "You say that like it's a hard thing" he pointed out in a deadpan, "I know people who don't feel like a day is complete without scaring someone." he joked as he turned around and got a good view of Arthur and Spiral, "Hi, Scott Summers," he introduced himself holding out his hand.

"Arthur Centino." The gesture was returned enthusiastically, and the unspoken "you may have heard of me" in his tone was almost palpable.

"Yes," Jean drolled with a tone that was a bit sharper than it might have been if it weren't influenced by alcohol. She folded her arms. "We know who you are. What I don't understand is how you can use your celebrity to take advantage of a catastrophe in the name of entertainment."

Oh, this was delicious. Spiral had recognized Scott, but he hadn't recognized her. To be fair, it had been across an office space, and she'd immediately gone out a window, but still. The only thing that would make this even more delightful would be if that blond cornfed young man who had dived out the window and 'rescued' her was around as well. "Rita," she introduced herself, shaking Scott's hand firmly and letting hers linger for half an extra beat just to see what the redhead would do. She did so love pushing other peoples' buttons, and stirring up what looked to be an already tense little tableau.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows at the redhead's tone, but his smile did not waver. It was common to receive this type of treatment at fundraisers. "I feel it is a little early to call this event a catastrophe. We haven't even had dinner yet!"

He shifted his focus to the one not knee-deep in drink and winked knowingly. "It is nice to meet you, Scott. How are you two involved with Red X?"

"A couple of our students were involved in setting it up and running the group," Scott replied giving Jean a worried look, "And the event, so we decided to come out and support the cause. How about you? It's not often we get to see a minor celebrity at an event like this."

"Min..." The reality star stared dumbly at Scott. He took a swig of his drink to recover. "Teachers, you say? The world needs more teachers. I'm an avid supporter of the Red Cross, and we were more than happy to accept an invitation to this worthwhile event. But enough about me," he leaned in conspiratorially, "Do you get many gifted students here in New York? Is it a challenge?"

"Why?" Jean said, ignoring The Look from Scott. "Are you looking to change professions?" Something about the man rubbed her the wrong way. She didn't know why. He seemed disingenuous, more than just your standard fame-hungry celebrity, and she didn't like it. Her mood had already been soured from seeing Wade earlier, so it made for a bit of a powderkeg.

"Because you seem to be getting so much money from getting in other people's way. Why would you want to leave that? How much did you get to show up before the tsunami, anyway? I'm curious."

Arthur blinked. "Wait. What? A tsunami?" He looked from Scott to Spiral in hopes that one of them would provide an answer. "Miss, I think things may be getting a little too blurry for you."

It was like watching a particularly energetic tennis match between bitter rivals, right down to the paper-thin veneer of civility on top of an abundance of icy dislike. At that moment, as Spiral was about to plant another barb into the mix, a muted beep came from her tiny clutch purse. That would certainly be Mojo, wanting to know how things were going. He was like a damn mother hen sometimes. "Oh, bother. Arthur, darling, I have to take this. Won't you please excuse me?" she asked Scott and Jean, darting away before they could really respond.

This could be even better, then she could keep an eye out and return at just the right time to stir the pot. This evening was shaping up to be decidedly un-boring after all.

"The recent Tsunami? It was all over the news, caused a major humanitarian crisis on Avalon," Scott clarified, "You were there weren't you? I have to admit, I'm kinda curious why you were out there too."

The series of confused expressions that crossed Arthur's face during this last exchange ranged from outright disbelief to existential concern to the look of a puppy being left behind forever. Spiral had abandoned him. His eyes, now a little wide and hazy, searched Jean and Scott for any sort of leverage.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about. Avalon? Do you mean the seismic event from a month or so back that hit some uninhabited islands?"

"Thought to be," Jean said, quirking a brow. "People had taken refuge there...You were spotted there by multiple people. You don't remember?" Did he have such disregard about his life that he forgot where he'd been?

"Wait," Arthur replied as a look of relief flooded his features, "Am I being pranked? Ahh, you almost got me." He straightened, hamming up the act considerably to cheese worthy-levels. "My dear friend, I assure you that the travesty of such an act would not go unnoticed by the community. We cannot be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united to protect this cause. We will stand up to this enemy. We will survive!"

A pause. A smile. "Huh? Pretty dramatic, huh? My agent says I should reconsider film."

Jean blinked at him, trying to make sure she heard him correctly. Her eye twitched. "No. You're not being pranked you--" And to be smug about it...That was the big thing. Smugness. Disregard for the importance of things. It seemed very familiar to others she ignored.

She took a breath, trying to approach this with a rational head that was not clouded by merlot, gin, and vermouth. She could do this. It was entirely possible.

"I would understand if it were a...white water rafting trip or a safari...I know...you go a lot of places but....people died there. How could you forget going?"

Scott's face was frozen into an expressionless look as he examined Arthur, "It doesn't seem possible," he commented shaking his head, "I'd stay away from the movies, if you can't sell the lie you're just gonna crash and burn."

"Pfft, a critic and a skeptic. Or," the celebrity noted cautiously, "I mean this in the best way way possible -- really -- whatever you are going for here, Miss. I applaud any sort of humanitarian aid, but I have no idea what you're talking about." He took a long drink, produced a business card, and casually slipped it into Scott's exposed front pocket. "If there is any aid you need or you're trying to pitch a charity opportunity, please contact my agent. I look to give back. Really. I'm sorry that you have me confused with another man."

He broke eye contact then and scanned the crowd helplessly for Spiral.

Spiral was just hanging up her phone and putting it away in her clutch when she saw what she had been hoping for over by one of the refreshment tables. It was like waking up Christmas morning to find that every single present on your list was under the tree. That, and watching the befuddled expression on Arthur's face from across the room, put even more of a sway in her hips as she stalked up behind her lanky target.

"Well, if it isn't the 'Human Rocket'," she purred.

The hairs on the back of Sam's neck had begun to stand up a scant few seconds ago and before he could reach a hand up to figure out why he heard her speak. The sudden knot in his stomach already told him who it was, however his eyes couldn't help but turn to confirm for themselves. He blinked at the sight of Spiral, instinctively taking a step back from her.

"I, uh."

What did one say in this kind of situation again?

"Um."

Spiral grinned, a predatory glint in her eye. She pushed forward into his personal space again, enjoying the off-balance look in his eyes. "My hero," she murmured, reaching out to pat Sam's cheek. Her eyes flicked over to where Arthur was looking more and more confused as he talked to Scott and Jean. Probably time to bail him out. "Be seeing you around," she said to Sam, walking off just as abruptly as she had appeared.

"Hi... -ghly unlikely." Sam finally managed, trailing off to himself after she'd already gone out of earshot. "I hope so, at least." He shook his head and looked away, still trying to make this dang hairs on the back of his neck settle down.

Meanwhile, the comment had caught Jean off guard. The bravado was gone from the celebrity's voice. If he were that self-serving he probably would've just acknowledged it as a downside of the rigors of job and moved on. But he honestly didn't remember. And she knew he'd been there from what the others had described. This wasn't right. Her ire gradually melted as she really looked at him, and then she saw it.

"I--"

Spiral walked back up to the group, pressing herself up against Arthur's side and slipping her arm through his. "I'm terribly sorry," she told Jean and Scott, "but I need to borrow Arthur from you. It's been so nice meeting you," she murmured to the couple before practically dragging the blond away. The sway in her step, and the rather blatant way her hand slid down to grope Arthur's butt on their way to the lobby, made it fairly clear what she 'needed' with her charge.

Jean narrowed her eyes and turned, shaking her head as they left. "We need to keep an eye on him," she said quietly.

Scott nodded cautiously, "Something is off about that guy," he agreed. "It seems like he honestly doesn't remember it, but we know he was there."

"His mind's been tampered with," Jean said. She shook her head again. "I wasn't even trying....but I just looked at him, and...there are holes. It's like...a mental scar. But I don't know why...or who...We should look into him later. I don't want to create too much of a stir too prematurely." She glanced toward the stage. "They seem to be starting shortly anyway."

"A mental scar?" Scott blinked as he wrapped his head around that, the things which people subjected one another to failed to surprise him anymore but tampering with someone's mind was the lowest they could go. "You're right, we should get to the table," he agreed, we can talk to Charles when we get home tonight."