A Simple, Yet Elegant Dinner

[Emma Frost]

Chattering, banging on plates, waiters asking for orders, and complaints could be heard all around the restaurant. She found it annoying, but she needed a change of food. Emma got tired of her chef cooking the same food over and over. She made a mental note, once she got home she needed to fire her personal chef. Maybe, she would hire a chef from this restaurant if the food was delicious.

She entered further into the restaurant. She wore a long, silver evening dress which complimented her neat, ash blond hair tied into a ponytail. This was something rare for her to do, usually she wore something revealing. Plus, she like to keep her hair straight. She made her way to the host, which shortly seated her by the window. It was a nice view, but occasionally males glanced at her. She didn't pay attention, she just wanted to get eat her food and get out. And, Emma wanted to do that before someone walked up to her other than the waiter. She would get too caught up in messing around with the person, and she would likely spend a long time here.

But, Emma didn't have to mess around with everyone's head. She just did that when the person didn't prove to her that they are worth her time in five minutes. A mental picture popped into her head, of a white flower. Emma couldn't remember where she got it, and she couldn't remember where she placed it. Maybe it died so she through it away?

Well, moving on, she took the fancy menu that was infront of her. She looked at the variety of food, not bothering to look at the prices. She was rich so she didn't care about how much something cost. If she wants it, she gets it. That was a rule she followed. Her eyes quickly ran over the text. Nothing had caught her attention fully yet, but she was considering the salad. Maybe some red wine too?

[Roberto DaCosta]

Roberto DaCosta stepped out his car as the driver opened the door for him. He was wearing a deep purple suit with a silver tie. He was meeting various members of the Inner Circle for dinner, something they rarely did in public. The Hellfire Club secretly owned the location and employed the staff so it was determined to be safe. He adjusted his expertly tailored suit as he stepped through the restaurant doors.

The interior was resplendent with luxury. Fine crystal and clean table cloths. He was met by the matre'd and led to the table he had requested. It was the best table in the place, affording each power broker to both see and be seen. Speaking of which, he smiled when he saw Emma Frost at another table. She must have not gotten the memo.

The Black Rook walked over to the White Queen, "Hello Emma. It must be awful to eat alone. I would sympathize but you see...I've never experienced that myself."

Emma was beautiful. But he didn't trust her. Not that he really trusted anyone on the Inner Circle. He'd learned early on to strike first or be eaten alive.

[Emma Frost]

Wine. That's all she decided on for now, she would order salad a little later. Maybe, she would decide on what she really wanted in the time she was drinking wine, instead of taking her chances on the restaurant's salad.

Emma had no idea that this restaurant was owned by the Hellfire club. Maybe she was just tired, or she honestly didn't know. But, a little part of the reason she was here because she wanted to get away from the chaotic Hellfire club. Some of the outer circle decided to start causing some trouble, which got Emma fairly angry. She didn't want to see anyone of the Hellfire club here, but there was someone always tailing her. They called it a safety issue, but she just ignored them. Little did she know that they were having a meet here too, she left her cell phone at home. Plus, she didn't bother to turn it on the whole week.

"Hello Emma. It must be awful to eat alone. I would sympathize but you see...I've never experienced that myself."

"Haha, I knew the Hellfire would send a member to stalk me. I can't get any peace nor privacy, now can I?" she said, a smirk appearing on her face as she heard a very familiar voice. She knew that he wasn't here to make sure she's safe, he was here because of a meeting or something that she wasn't aware of. She just decided to play around. See, the White Queen was easily distracted. Something that cost her precious time, which she could of spent doing something else. "And, you seriously thought I didn't want to eat alone? In a second, I could get a date from anybody. I chose to eat alone" she added, angered at his comment.

Anyways, what might you be doing here? Don't answer that, I already know. And, how come I have no notice of this event? Might you answer that, or shall I rip the answers from your mind? Are the Hellfire plotting against me?

She projected her thoughts into his mind. Emma really had no sympathy for the Black Rook, Black Bishop, Black Knight, or the Black Queen. She just found them to be like normal people, seeing nothing special in them. She only had sympathy for Shaw, something that might not last long depending on what she found out from Roberto. On the other hand, she found the White King, White Bishop, White Rook, and especially the White Knight to be worthy of her time.

[jazzlawyer]

Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch now the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, entered the resturant. Like the other members she wore an outfit that featured her colour of affiliation. It had been had for the woman who had for so long been closely associated with the colour red to swtich her entire wardrobe over to the much less lovely black but the position within the club had been worth it. Spending the money had been slightly painful to her, having gone so much of her life with nothing it was hard to resist her urges to horde the money she had aquired recently, but a new wardrobe was a small price to pay for the power being a queen in the Hellfire Club gave her.

Seeing her Rook with her opposite number Wanda approached. Technically she outranked Roberto DaCosta but he had been a member longer than her and so in many ways she found herself defering to his judgement. The truth was she cared little for the club's petty internal politics, and was simply using her position within the group to work towards the protection of mutants. Where her father Magneto had failed she would prevail, using politics, money and power where Eric Lensherr had failed with fear and violence.

She had yet to really make judgements on the other members of the Inner Circle. Emma Frost seemed to focused on herself, lacking the motivation that drove Wanda to make the world a better place for mutants. Roberto DaCosta was incredibly attractive, but was hard for the Black Queen to read. Was he loyal to her because they shared the same colour, or was he simply loyal to himself like so many others in the world.

"Emma Frost, as always you look simply lovely. The colour does you justice," Wanda said. It was true Emma Frost always looked incredible.

Next she turned to DaCosta, "Roberto dear it is a pleasure to see you. I do so look forward to these gatherings, I have to admit that I have few friends so this is my only chance for socail interaction."

[Emma Frost]

Emma continued making eye contact with Roberto. She wouldn't dare stop making eye contact, it kind of helped her. It usually made the other person nervous, and they always thought Emma knew something they've been trying to hide. And, the thing was that Emma did always know something she shouldn't.

"Emma Frost, as always you look simply lovely. The color does you justice,"

The voice, it sounded too familiar. It was her colleague, the Black Queen. She didn't the Black Queen to be worth that much of her personal time, Emma didn't find Wanda's powers to be extraordinary. Probability Manipulation, big deal. Emma didn't know that the ability to manipulate probability was powerful, but it didn't interest the White Queen. But, aside that, Emma respected her.

Friends, no, Emma wouldn't call them that yet. It was more like allies. Well, that's how Emma felt about the relationship. But, who knew what the future held? Maybe, in the end, they would become best friends. Emma just shrugged, and started her response.

"Well, thank you. You don't look too shabby yourself" she responded. "Black, it really matches you and your appearance"

"Darlings, would one of you mind telling me why you're both here?" she asked, resting her head on her hand. "You know that I already know the answer. Starting a conversation might make us closer allies, friends if you prefer. Would you agree?"

[Roberto DaCosta]

"Haha, I knew the Hellfire would send a member to stalk me. I can't get any peace nor privacy, now can I? And, you seriously thought I didn't want to eat alone? In a second, I could get a date from anybody. I chose to eat alone"

"Stalk? You?" Roberto laughed then. Her lack of modesty was a sign of weakness in his eyes. Pride cometh before the fall. And if he had his way the white side of the chess board would fall to the black. Sebastian Shaw was a very powerful man and Wanda came from an amazing lineage. He smiled down at her as the menu wavered slightly in her hands, "I suppose you mean to imply that I stand here now because you wish it so as well?"

He heard his Queen approach and he turned to greet her with a bright smile, "This, Miss Frost. Is why I am here. I'm sure you have Wanda Maximoff. Perhaps you've heard of her father? Power flows through her blood like the runs in your panty hose."

"Roberto dear it is a pleasure to see you. I do so look forward to these gatherings, I have to admit that I have few friends so this is my only chance for social interaction."

He hadn't expected that, it took all of his control to not say something snarky in response. His warm eyes flashed upon the goddess sitting at the table in her silver dress and he almost hoped Emma wouldn't let that comment go. He didn't hate Emma or any of the White players, not really. It was just that he was aware of the constant power struggle going on and he had no intention of being left behind. If anything, he wanted to be King within the space of a year, only then could he really do all that he wanted.

He glanced over at the Black Queen and smiled, "It pains me to hear you speak of your glorious self in such a way, my Queen. Surely you know that I for one am perfectly willing to end the loneliness you refer to."

He smiled, a mischievous look in his golden brown eyes though he was entirely serious. She was beautiful, strong and intelligent not to mention wealthy. A total package. Just as he was.


"Darlings, would one of you mind telling me why you're both here?"

"And ruin the surprise?" DaCosta answered quickly with a smirk, "We are just here for dinner...just like you."

[Wanda Maximoff]

"It pains me to hear you speak of your glorious self in such a way, my Queen. Surely you know that I for one am perfectly willing to end the loneliness you refer to."

Wanda smiled, "It is a Queen's right to speak of herself in whatever fashion she wishes, and I hear many promises, but my bed remains empty."

Wanda was tempted, but there were considerations. When a man slept with a woman he gained power, and respect as though he were a warrior conquering a foreign land in the name of God and Country. When a woman slept with a man she lost power and respect, as though she were that foreign land unable to defend her own boarders. England's domination of the world had been built not by a Loose Queen but a Virgin one. To allow the relationship with her Rook to pass beyond playful flirting could hurt her position within the club.

These were not Wanda's beliefs, but perception in these situations was important. But, Wanda knew, so were the pleasures of the flesh. The Black Queen had denied herself for so long, but in the Hellfire Club it seemed as though having ones base desires met was nearly the entire point of the club.

"Indeed, I am not used to being so wealthy and so I am still very enamoured with the food that money can buy," she said, "May we join you? I promise my ettiqute has improved, you will hardly be able to tell that I was raised out of doors."

Unlike the White Queen who Wanda thought took herself too seriously Wanda enjoyed pointing out what others would have noticed anyway and taken as weaknesses. In doing so her message, she hoped was, that while she had weaknesses the same as everyone she was aware of them.

[Emma Frost]

"This, Miss Frost. Is why I am here. I'm sure you have Wanda Maximoff. Perhaps you've heard of her father? Power flows through her blood like the runs in your panty hose."

"Yes, yes, I know who her father is. I'm hoping and I'm sure Wanda is much more powerful than him. I believe that every generation is stronger than the former" she said, hearing his remark about her panty hose.

"So, are you saying that I'm powerful and sexy?" she asked, smirking. She was going to have fun with Roberto. He was putting up a challenge. Her intention was to embarrass him a lot by the end of the dinner. "Hehe, I'm not wearing any panty hose today. Do you want to know what I'm really wearing under this very uncomfortable dress?" she asked seductively.

"So, Roberto, do tell me," she started. "Do you have any powerful figures in your family? Or are you one of the weak mutants?" she finished with a question. She guessed that she would enjoy the evening with the Black Queen and Rook, and any other Hellfire member that would come by.

"It is a Queen's right to speak of herself in whatever fashion she wishes, and I hear many promises, but my bed remains empty."

"I strongly agree, except on the bed part. I've had my share of guys, but I didn't lose my self respect nor freedom. I even screwed a few of the Hellfire club members, but I have to admit being a powerful telepath does have a handful of advantages"

"May we join you? I promise my etiquette has improved, you will hardly be able to tell that I was raised out of doors."

"I'm not worried about how you will act, nor how you were raised. We all come from different families, and we have different pasts. I killed my sister, and I don't feel a bit guilty about that" she smirked. "The only thing I'm worried about is him, and how he's going to keep on sucking up to you" she added, gazing at Sunspot.

[Roberto DaCosta]

"So, Roberto, do tell me," she started. "Do you have any powerful figures in your family? Or are you one of the weak mutants?"

"Weak? No, my father and grandfather served as members of the club," he snapped defensively. He knew from his sources that Emma was a first gen mutant too, "You and I are not like my Queen. Our parents are as some say...flatscans."

"May we join you? I promise my etiquette has improved, you will hardly be able to tell that I was raised out of doors."

Roberto smiled knowing that she was doing it again. In his opinion, despite her charming disposition. it was unfortunate that such a beautiful woman chose to belittle her obvious strength. Such a woman should be celebrated, honored and otherwise cherished. He balked at her dismissal, if it were up to him she would not find her bed empty. His tone was husky, thick with warm tones that recalled his foreign roots, "Some men make hollow promises, I am not such a man."

He motioned to one of the staff to prepare the extra places at Emma's table. A waiter moved to ready the Black Queen's chair as he waited for her to take her seat. He would not sit until she did. He looked over at Emma, he wanted to be able to trust her. Only doing so might prove to be a fatal mistake.

[Wanda Maximoff]

"Some men make hollow promises, I am not such a man."

"All men make hollow promises dear," Wanda said sitting down across the table from the White Queen and gesturing to attract the attention of a passing waiter.

"The trick that we women learn at an early age is to figure out what men will disapoint you in what areas. This dear fellow 'Tim'..." Wanda read the name tag of the waiter who stopped at the table, "will bring me a glass of shiraz and it will please me. However I would not ask him to suggest a great work of literature, because I would surely be distressed at his answer."

The waiter scurried off to fill the order. Wanda smiled, and turned her attention back to her dining companions, "Some men are more useful than others. You are my trusted right hand dear Roberto. Do I dare risk that to end a tolerable lonliness?"

Wanda ignored the conversation about her father, and flatscans. In truth she identified more with her adopted parents the human gypsy family Maximoff than her blood father Magneto. She respected Magneto, but he had not raised her and even when she had been a member of his Brotherhood he had been distant from her emotionally.

The truth was that she saw the weakness in him, mutant or not he had failed in his task. His actions had only brought greater danger to the mutants of the world, and though she did not buy into Xavier's pacifism, there had to be a way forward that was more subtle than trying to kill everyone without the X-gene.

[Alphonse Giordano]

"I do love seeing the opposite sides of the little 'family' clash. Emma, as capable as I know you are, I can't just let the Blacks outnumber the Whites, now can I? Excuse moi."

From seemingly nowhere, this Italian voice rang out, before a white, leather-gloved hand reached up from through the seat, pushed the Black Rook away, before Alphonse phased up through the seat placing himself between Emma and Roberto. He flashed a coy/charming smile at Emma, with all due respect, and more of a "you can't do anything to me" look to Roberto and Wanda...more so to Roberto. The Queens, in Alphonse's opinion, were to be handled delicately...for they could probably make your head explode.

Naturally, he had been there the entire time. He took shifts guarding Emma and Rand, and on Alphonse's calendar, it was an "Emma Day." He was dressed in his typical white attire, similar to Rand's preferred outfit but with a bit more...'style' in his opinion.

The White Knight had arrived.

Somehow, he already had a glass of white wine in his hands (pun not intended) and nodded respectfully to the Queens. "Emma, Wanda, you look as dashing as ever. And Roberto, what a fine surprise."

[Emma Frost]

"The trick that we women learn at an early age is to figure out what men will disapoint you in what areas. This dear fellow 'Tim'..." Wanda read the name tag of the waiter who stopped at the table, "will bring me a glass of shiraz and it will please me. However I would not ask him to suggest a great work of literature, because I would surely be distressed at his answer."

"Well put!" Emma said, clapping her hands slowly and for a few seconds before putting them back on the table. Emma had to admit that what her colleauge had said was well said, and true. Jeez. Emma really had to make scene out of that, now did she? Most of the other customers were looking at her, wondering why she was clapping. Obviously, she didn't care about that too much. In fact, Emma liked when all eyes were on her.

"I do love seeing the opposite sides of the little 'family' clash. Emma, as capable as I know you are, I can't just let the Blacks outnumber the Whites, now can I? Excuse moi."

"I should have known you were here, but my telepathy didn't seem to sense your presence. I have to admit, it is rather pleasant having a member from the white side." Emma said, a smile forming on her beautiful face. Her eyes were on Alphonse, watching his every move. She saw him give her a smile, and would've smiled back if she didn't already have one planted on her face. It was surprising how little things like these made Emma happy (smile if she didn't already have one on her face, as I said before), instead of things like gifts.

"Emma, Wanda, you look as dashing as ever. And Roberto, what a fine surprise."

"Thank you for the compliment, darling. You don't look so bad yourself. I must say, you do know how to make an entrance" Emma added, her smile slowly disappearing. This dinner was unexpected, Emma thought that she was going to eat alone. Her plans for after were to go home, or maybe go to a club. She could easily buy some clothes to wear at the club while on her journey to the club. But, maybe because of this evening, her plans were foiled. Who knew what was going to happen after this?

[Roberto DaCosta]

"Some men are more useful than others. You are my trusted right hand dear Roberto. Do I dare risk that to end a tolerable loneliness?"

"Being with me would be no risk for you my Queen," He said confidently, feeling the need to lay on more of his Latin charm, "I assure you that."

"Welcome," Berto said less than enthusiastically. He was more than a little put out at having been brushed aside by the other man so succinctly. He'd nearly ended up on his ass after being shoved out of his chair. He didn't like being shown up in front of the women. He gave Alphonse a cross look as he took the seat opposite. He was still between the two women but Emma was now on his right.

He ordered a drink from the next passing waiter, "Dry Martini. Wait. Three measures of Gordon's. One of vodka. One measure of your finest vermouth. Shake it over ice. Then add a thin slice of lemon peel."

"I do love seeing the opposite sides of the little 'family' clash. Emma, as capable as I know you are, I can't just let the Blacks outnumber the Whites, now can I? Excuse moi."

"Certainly not," Roberto didn't want to get into a pissing contest with this one but he was certainly up to the task. Most assuredly so, he mused.

"I should have known you were here, but my telepathy didn't seem to sense your presence. I have to admit, it is rather pleasant having a member from the white side."

"It's rare that you can't sense someone, is it not Emma?" The question was spoken even as he asked himself why. His warm golden eyes locked onto the White Knight's. He'd have to watch his back with this one. It wasn't anything overt, just a general sense that the man would stab him in his back if he had the chance. Thankfully, the martini arrived just then, giving Berto something else to consider.

[psylocke]

Elisabeth had received the invitation for the meeting earlier in the day and while it made her late, she took time to prepare herself for the meeting. Being on time was not one of her priorities and the meeting couldn't have been too terribly important as they were having it in a public restaurant and not the Inner Chamber, where the most pressing Hellfire Club business took place.

Her personal stylist came to her chambers and began to brush out Betsy's long, luxurious hair, making sure that it flowed elegantly before pinning parts of it up and letting a long section travel down her back and several shorter pieces frame her Asian face. Once that was done, her make up was expertly applied. Not much since she was gorgeous without it (and she knew it) but just enough to give her an airbrushed appearance.

Then she dismissed the stylist and adorned her dress. Of course, it was black to represent her Court but she couldn't leave it at that, no matter how smashing she looked in the color. No, there was gold bead work along the bust line. A pair of strappy gold heels completed her look and Betsy was pleased.

The driver took her to the Italian restaurant and while Italian was not her favorite of foods, it would suffice until she could leave the boring meeting and find someplace more...exciting to prowl for the evening. The host nodded at her when she entered the exclusive dining establishment, recognizing her upon arrival and leading her to the tables where her fellow Hellfire Club members sat.

The atmosphere was so thick that Elisabeth could have cut it with a knife. She sighed inwardly and hoped that they would just stay on their best behavior until she could exit their company and find people less...aggressive to seduce.

Emma Frost was certainly of no interest to her. The White Queen was a cold hearted bitch at best and she could do nothing to Betsy with her telepathy. That gave her the sort of advantage that none of the members had against Emma. She had to admit that knowing this made her definitely feel superior to the woman.

Her White Knight was a simpleton that did nothing except follow Emma around like a sniveling pup and Betsy honestly waited for the man to pee on Emma's leg one day out of excitement. His ability to phase was of no consequence to her.

The Black Queen was important simply because Betsy coveted her position. She was new to the Inner Circle and while her father had been a very powerful mutant, Wanda's powers did not frighten Elisabeth. Sure, her overconfidence was likely misplaced but that was fine. There would be opportunities to dethrone the Black Queen and take her place.

The Black Rook was fascinating simply because he had a beautiful face and Betsy did love objects of beauty. They sparkled and fascinated her and he was definitely on her list of things to...accomplish. However, tonight was meant for fun and if he was going to be as dull and boring as the rest of this group, she would continue to ignore him.

With a brilliant smile on her perfect face, Betsy entered the thick atmosphere and greeted, “Good evening, my darlings. I see that Shaw, as always, is keeping us waiting.”

Looking to Emma and Alphonse, she nodded her head cordially before turning to Wanda. Kissing Wanda's cheek in greeting, Betsy said, “Good evening, my Queen.”

Then she turned to Roberto and gave him a different sort of smile. “Roberto, how charming to see you again.”

((I realize we have no Shaw but I figured he's still the Black King so we can assume he's supposed to be there. Working around him should be no big deal. I assume that Alphonse has phasing abilities simply because he phased between Emma and Roberto, much like Kitty and Shinobi could do. Let me know if I'm wrong. Oh, and I was told to crash your thread, which is why I have done so. ))

[Alphonse Giordano]

((Yes, along with gravitational manipulation, phasing is in Alphonse's repetoire.))

>"I should have known you were here, but my telepathy didn't seem to sense your presence. I have to admit, it is rather pleasant having a member from the white side...You don't look so bad yourself. I must say, you do know how to make an entrance."

Alphonse smiled coyly, pulling out a silver, engraved flask filled with one of Alphonse's many specialty brews. Some may call it a suicide drink, while the White Knight called it a rush. He took a quick swig, before nodding again to Roberto. There was always some rivarly between the Knights, and there probably always would be.

"Why thank you Emma...though if you did not sense me of all people, then I suppose I've just gone up a few notches on your "mild threat" list, no?" He chuckled good-naturedly and kept up the cheerful facade with the arrival of the Black Bishop, one Ms. Elizabeth. She was a bitch, and probably underestimated him. Then again, almost none of the Inner Circle (excepting Rand) knew he was one of the Horsemen...