Scene #2872:

Owner	Pose
Nightblind	STONEGATE CITY -- A modern, mid-Atlantic city that once encompassed a vast farmland. Its interchanges are in better repair than some, its subway and air trams service most parts of the city. Its classic Gothic archetecture is nestled between towers of concrete, steel and glass. At the Elyssium Club, perched at the top of the famous Bridge Hotel, the Gale B. Mercy Memorial Gala is about to get started. Serving the invitees (and crashers) with a 360 panorama of Stonegate's skyline and the magentas and violets of the setting sun, servers in smart gray vests with crisp white linen shirts and black linen pants are walking around with glasses of champagne, wine, fine craft beers and h'orderves -- beef canapes with sharp horseradish sauce, duck ham wrapped around blocks of white cheddar, scallops wrapped in bacon and drizzled with maple syrup, and stuffed grape leaves (which the little note cards indicate were Gale's favorite at the old restaurant which once dwelled at the ground floor of the hotel -- always brought out for the occasion). A chamber ensemble is playing classical music, and there's a brassy section setting up still on stage, with a little DJ booth and a piano off to the side.
Tony Stark	A late model Mercedes pulls up to the front of the hotel and a large, smartly dressed man hops out of the driver's seat to get the door. Before he can, it swings open of its own accord and the man inside slides out, impeccably attired in a fitted tuxedo and utterly, deliberately oblivious to the rules of social interaction. "Get back in the car, Hap, I can open doors for myself." Tony Stark turns to address his riding companion in the back seat. "Let's go, wakey-wakey, we're here. And there's a glass of scotch inside with my name on it. Don't keep me waiting, Banner." Was he invited, specifically? Well, no. But being a famous (and famously generous) billionaire has always worked to get him into these kinds of parties before, so he's not worried.
Defiant	Colin hates taking cars anywhere. It's simple, really. One, a car is restricted to roads - particularly a luxury sedan like this one. It's a tactical issue. More to the point, it's less efficient - a dragoncraft could make the trip more directly and more quickly. It also places his route in the hands of someone else. Sure, Armsmaster used to have a motorcycle, but that's precisely his point - it was entirely under his control. And the suit he's in just isn't as ideal as his armor either. He'll get over it, maybe. Dragon, seated next to him in an evening dress, doesn't seem to mind. % Much like Tony Stark, they probably weren't invited specifically - but they're heroes and a benefit for children and families is something that they can both get behind. At the door, anyone checking the list would find reference to a 'Colin Wallis and associate', thanks to Dragon's little bit of hacking to, shall we say, get a foot in the door. "Well, Stark," Colin asides to Tony, "Why am I not surprised to see you here?"
Bruce Banner	It was a long car ride, and while Tony and the renouned scientist may have talked shop, Bruce dozed off a bit. Considering his numerous technical conference visits and his occassional need of The Other Guy, he's decided to take this opportunity to catch a few zzzzz. Bruce climbs out of the fancy car shrtly behind Tony. He's dressed in a nice dapper suit and puts on his social face. "I thought we were here for the benefit. And I don't mean the benefit of scotch, Tony." Bruce jokngly admonishs. "Seriously, it's nice you're coming out for a good cause. I'm sure I'll find a niche to wander into while you make with the rich people talk." Bruce smiles and then walks up to accompany Tony into the gala.
Tony Stark	"Probably the open bar," Tony shoots back smoothly, adjusting a cufflink. "That or my well-documented penchant for extreme generosity when children are involved. Take your pick." He reaches out to catch Banner by the shoulder as he exits the car. "Nope, not letting you wallflower tonight. You need to have some fun. And I can benefit kids and drink at the same time. I'm a brilliant multitasker that way. Hi Dragon," he flashes a genuine (and for what it's worth, dazzlingly charming) smile to Colin's date, even though she knows he's engaged and he knows she's really a robot. Appearances must be maintained. Happy, for his part, sighs very softly to himself at the boss's usual antics, and gets back in the car to park and listen to one of his audiobooks until it's time to go.
Nightblind	Another car pulls in, a Lexus, white in color with tinted windows. A woman driver steps out, clad in a black pantssuit with a bright scarf wrapped over her head and around her neck. She gives the strangers a bit of a look as they disembark, and then comes around the side and opens the door. From the car steps out a young woman, perhaps in her mid twenties, wearing sunglasses -- even in the dim of the evening lights. Her dark violet dress is slender, with an empire waist tucked beneath her. She clasps a black clutch to her, touching the door a moment as Aliyah pops the trunk. "Ohmigod Ella I can't beleive we're here I can't beleive you've brought me and oh my gosh there's going to be so many beautiful people and --" begins another woman, shifting her weight. The blonde woman with the dark tan is in an orange dress and flats, brown eyes peering from behind her spectacles! "Mackenzie, you were invited. You're part of FAUST's medical division." the young woman in violet says, thoughs he doesn't turn to face her companions. Aliyah pauses, and looks over. "... is that Tony Stark?" "OHGOD!" MAckenzie squeeks. "Is it?! OHGOD! Do I have anything to autograph? Do you think that'd be too forward! He's not looking this way is he?"
Tony Stark	Tony Stark does, in fact, turn slightly to glance in that direction, thinking he's just heard his name, but as squealing fangirls are a not at all unusual occurrence in his day-to-day life, the glance doesn't really resolve into an actual 'look' before he turns his head back to his companion and his resolve to make sure Banner gets a drink in him tonight.
Defiant	Dragon nods to Tony, smiling. "Mister Stark, a pleasure as always. And this must be Doctor Banner, if I've been keeping up with the news?" "I'll lean towards the open bar answer," Colin replies, although the slight grin that tugs at his lips makes it clear that he's trying to joke. He holds an arm out, and Dragon takes it in her own. "I think someone wants an autograph," Colin advises Tony with the slight cant of his head in the direction of the young women.
Nightblind	"... Mackenzie. If it is Tony Stark, then you're embarrassing my friend's dad." Ella teases gently. Aliyah comes back around with Mackenzie's wheelchair, and helps the young woman in the orange dress to it. Mackenzie hops in, unhitches the breaks and begins to wheel herself up and over the curb. "Besides, you can at least wait until someone introduces you. And then you can compare notes on microbiological technology and the repairs of optical nerves and the dvelopment of a handicap-free society." Ella adds, and she flicks out her cane.
Tony Stark	Tony, embarrassed? No, that's pretty much impossible. He does notice the wheelchair, though -- and maybe he caught a snippet of that conversation as well -- as he steps through the front door of the hotel, and makes a point of holding it open for the girls coming up behind his group. Normally of course this is something the doorman would do, but Stark shoos him off with a flick of his fingers and the stuffing of a hundred dollar tip into his breast pocket. "Ladies," he greets them, waving them through with a mock-gallant sweep of his arm and a rakish smirk.
Nightblind	Aliyah appears to look distraught as Mackenzie wheels her way up, with Ella holding on to the handle of the chair. "Thank you, Mr. Stark." the young woman in the orange dress grins, and Ella gives a smile as she passes in Tony's direction. Al follows close behind. "Miss McRae! Miss Jennings! Your invitations!" The door man purses his lips, glances down, and then tucks it a little further into his pocket.
Bruce Banner	"Well, I can certainly get behind children's causes and helping those in need. It does help keep the other half satiated a bit." As Banner hears his name, he turns and bows cordially. "I am Docotor Banner, yes. And I hope it's been all GOOD news at least." Bruce has a bit of a sheepish look on his face. Maybe Tony's right. A drink can't do much harm, as long as he maintains docurum and doesn't overdo it. Besides, the gamma energy coursing within his blood will likely kill the alcohol long before it gets to anywhere effective. Bruce smiles and nods, following Tony with a slight degree of discomfort, but certainly trying to relax and 'take it all in', so to speak.
Defiant	"It's all good news," Dragon says, smiling politely. "I'll admit, I'm fascinated by some of your work, if you don't mind my saying so. It's an interest of mine." Whoever this dark-skinned woman is, her accent places her from Canada. Newfoundland, specifically. Colin walks with her, not saying much of anything. As taciturn as always. Still, some part of him wonders: just how is Stark so charismatic?
Tony Stark	"Invitations?" Tony feigns surprise. "People still use those, huh?" Glancing around, he spots a sign noting the location of the gala, and moves for the elevators, though he keeps one eye on the girl in orange as he catches their party up. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, madam," he deadpans, leaning forward to tag the call button. There's still a hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth, but he is genuinely curious; he doesn't know the Who's Who of this particular city and world just yet. Evidently they've heard of HIM, but that's not unusual.
Nightblind	"Yes, invitations." Aliyah breathes in a soft huff, her arms crossing a moment. "But considering you're interdimensional levels of famous, I don't think you'll have a problem." "Nonsense." the sun-glasses wearing woman replies, and she leans against the side of the elevator. "He's a guest of mine, of course. Ella McRae, McRae Technological Industries. This is my friend and a representative of the Flint and Alexander Ultimate Skills Technology's medical tech division, Mackenzie Jennings," "How do you do? I'm a /big/ fan of your tech work -- there's some amazing stuff coming out of Stark Industries." Mac gives a grin, reaching up to shake hands to Banner, Colin, Dragon and Tony as they wait. "And this is my assistant and dear aide, Aliyah Salib." "How do you do?" Aliyah doesn't shake hands, but gives a friendly nod.
Bruce Banner	The doctor politely extends his hand, shaking Dragon's hand if it is so offered. "Oh, it's always nice to meet a fan of my work. What was particular area of interest, if I may ask?" Glancing a moment toward Ella and hearing Starks name and 'tech work', he assumes he's safe to continue his conversation with Dragon. At least until Tony drags him toward the main floor of the gala to 'be social'.
Defiant	"Chemistry, definitely," Dragon replies, her grip firm but friendly when Bruce takes her hand (and Mac as well), "But I consider myself a fan of all fields of science. Given the amount of projects I've worked on, it would be strange to restrict my knowledge to any particular field. To borrow a rather gauche saying: knowledge is power. Your work on gamma radiation intrigues me, however. That would be your speciality, correct?" Colin shakes Mac's hand. "Colin," he says, and then indicating Dragon, "Tess. It's nice to meet you all. I'm not familiar with McRae Industries - what kind of work do you do?"
Nightblind	"Industrial technology. My great grandfather began by building tractors, and moved on to farm equipment. The majority of our work is still in farming and livestock tech, but we've branched into law enforcement and fire protection, medical response and disaster response vehicles..." Ella lists off, and as the elevator DINGS on arrival, she straightens up. "I'm largely in charge of our charitable giving division."
Tony Stark	'Amazing stuff,' Tony mouths silently across to Colin, with a teasing eyebrow waggle. He shakes hands all around, and subtly wipes them off with a small wet-nap after. "I do pretty good, Ms. Jennings," he replies with a lazy grin. "With the success of the Starktown project in Japan we have requests flying in from everywhere for local arc station development. And we're seeing better returns than ever on the multifarm project. AND, I haven't had to blow up anything major lately. Always an important factor. Man, Ultimate Skills Technology sounds kind of intimidating. I hope I can keep up." He pauses as Ella explains what her company does, and inclines his head toward the door to indicate her party can step out first. "I delegate most of that kind of stuff," he remarks fluidly. "But things like this, well, you know, it's nice to feel like you're taking a personal hand in things, you know?" That and the open bar.
Nightblind	"IT /is/ amazing! The arc technology is something we've not seen except in like, the movies in our world. Home world. Before Unification. Sorry, new at this, you're the first interdimensional celebreties I've met. Wow." Mackenzie pauses, and gives a cough, blushing slightly. "I'm decently sure they wanted to just spell something pronouceable." Mackenzie replies wryly. "I work primarily in audio and visual restoration and repair of damaged nerve tissue with applications that can span body-wide." Mackenzie adds cheerily, reaching into her backpack as if she were going to pull something out. "There's just something completely fascinating with blending technology and flesh to make someone better, especially if there's been damage becuase of illness or because of something completely out of their control. The Medical Division is paticularly exciting, we're very near to live-testing an array that will enable ocular damage to be repaired with blended cellular wiring, one of my pet projects for the last few years." "I've heard a little about the multifarm project. During my teens I did a lot of work for farming and waterwise technology in sub-Saharan and southern Africa. Toph tells me you've got your thumb into a couple of different projects on the side as well, Mr. Stark." Ella gives a sly smile, and as Mackenzie wheels out of the elevator, Ella puts a hand to the handle and lets the other woman guide her, Aliyah looking at Tony, then Banner. She points to her eyes, and then points to them before she steps out herself. Colin and Tess get a smile. "Please forgive Miss Jennings. She monopolizes on airtime when she can."
Tony Stark	"I have my thumbs in a lot of things," Tony agrees airily, the truth being that he's forgotten at least half the things Pepper's sold him on backing with the company. He regards Aliyah's 'I'm watching you' gesture with an expression of bland bemusement, but hesitates for another moment before exiting the elevator car himself, tapping one finger against his chest thoughtfully. Then, with a, "Hold that thought, ladies," he hooks Bruce in by an elbow and drags him protesting or not over toward the bar. Does he even bother to explain who he is to whoever is there taking the invitations? No, of course not. He does keep glancing back over toward Mackenzie with a curious squint to his eyes though.
Nightblind	"He certainly is handsome. He has a bit of a devlish way to him." Mackenzie states, "And did you know he graduated from /MIT/ when he was like, eighteen? How amazing is that? I was twenty!" she breathes. "Man, maybe I should apply over at Stark Industries. I could use some California Sun." "And then I'd loose you. Goodness knows Quentin can't manage this on his own." Ella replies quietly to her friend as she feels out a chair and sits down. on the stage, the strongs are finishing one piece, and there's a few moments of silence as they change books. There's now the quiet clinking of glasses and cutlery. The bartender gives a smile as she steps up to the bar. "Good evening, what can we pour for you tonight, gentlemen?" she inquires, glancing between Bruce and Tony.
Tony Stark	Seventeen, but Tony can't quite overhear that to correct her. "Scotch, neat," he replies to the bartender with a flash of his teeth in another easy smile. He drums on the countertop with his thumbs and glances askance at Bruce, before speaking over whatever pussy drink he was about to order. "Make that two. Pretty good turnout tonight, huh? You know what the biggest donation's been so far? I'll need to top it." He stuffs another Ben Franklin into the tip jar and leans confidently on the bar to wait for his order. The tip of his tongue flicks thoughtfully at his teeth, though, as he looks back again at Ella's group, seeming to ponder something over at the back of his mind.
Nightblind	"The largest donation's of course from McRae Industries. Ella's made it a point every year to match the corperate donation with funds from her personal money." The Bartender smiles sweetly "Of course, if you want to top it, you're going to have to ask her what she's donating, or you'll have to hit up Hazel Mercy for the list," she motions with her chin as she pours to the order, sliding Stark his first of the evening. The woman she motions to is a severe looking woman with a hawkish nose, speaking with a woman who looks like she charges by the minute to just be in the same room, flaunting gems and sparkles as she moves. Aliya arrives back to the table with drinks for the two ladies, Mackenzie keeping her eyes in the direction of those gentlemen from the Avengers. "He's kinda shortish, but not short-short. He's probably as tall as you, and has a weird goatee thing going on. His eyes have a five-hundred yard stare." Ella straightens, and she turns her head to the woman in orange. "Isn't it a..." "He's seen some shit, but not as much shit as a thousand-yard stare. Or he's recovering. Either or." MAckenzie replies. "The other guy, Doctor Banner, is older and graying, and seems kinda nervous..."
Tony Stark	Tony Stark has seen enough shit to warrant a several mile stare, particularly since Unification, but all he does is scratch at his totally not weird goatee as he turns his eyes toward Ms. Mercy and her sparkly companion. His nose wrinkles. Pass, he decides; he doesn't want to risk getting caught up in a conversation with THAT. He's much more interested in the tech chicks. "...So, what's the goal for this shindig," he inquires casually as he returns to their table, and invites himself to it by pulling up a chair and flopping into it. "I mean how much does it typically raise. I wouldn't want to be insulting with my check book." And then, barely pausing a beat as he changes topics entirely, "So you know Toph, huh?"
Nightblind	"Oh, it's a fundraser for the Family and Children's Services of Stonegate. The old money and new money get to show off how generous they are compared to one another -- present company excluded -- and the little kids caught up in class warfare whose parents need a little helping hand win." Mackenzie gives a wry smile, leaning back in her chair as she props her fingers up beneath her chin. Ella reaches out carefully, brushing her fingers against her glass, and she pulls it towards her. "It funds shelters for families, testing and health services for teens, public daycare and pre-K, and a fund for students going into teaching as a scholarship program." Ella replies. "And yes. Toph and I met and have had lunch together. She's a very interesting young lady."
Tony Stark	"Interesting," Tony agrees with a little smirk as he sips at his drink. "Girl gets around. Did she show off her reading glove to you? I'd be interested in hearing some... educated input before we go to production for consumers." Because yes, he's not completely oblivious, he did notice the white cane.
Nightblind	"I can't even tell you." Ella replies quietly, and she leans back. "I think I disappointed Toph when I told her I loss my vision in an accident. To be able to read all my own reports, to carry a book around, to be able to translate a map. You... don't realize how much you rely on your sight. The world is built for those who can see; without an assistant I can trust whole-heartedly, I wouldn't be able to read through my legal documents or letters of intent." Ella gives a small grin. "And poor Aliyah goes through so many throat drops in a single day." She straightens up, and gives a sweep of her thick hair back. "She demonstrated it at lunch one day. I have to admit, I'm a little envious."
Tony Stark	"I'm sure I could swing you an advance prototype," Tony offers thoughtlessly. Not thoughtless in a dickish way, just kind of a knee-jerk response to seeing someone he can help. He's a real hero that way. He touches a finger to his ear and murmurs, "Jarvis, make a note. Reading glove prototype to be machined for a Ms. Ella McRae." Jarvis's response via CODEC is inaudible to others, but Tony seems satisfied as he leans back in his chair again and gives Aliyah a smug smile. "Save you some throat drops," he suggests. As far as the actual experience of losing a sense, though... "I can't even imagine," he admits, soberly. And his eyes swing back over to Mackenzie. "But you were just talking about some new breakthroughs in that? How does that work, exactly? Stem cell manipulation?"
Nightblind	Aliyah rolls her eyes, and returns to watching the room, standing near Ella. Mackenzie, on the other hand, is easily exciteable. She was drinking water when he turnde to her and almost drowned herself, coughing a moment before she wheezes "Multi-track approaches depending on the nature of the injury or defect." she clears her throat, and checks sheepishly to make sure none of it got on her dress. "A mixture of stemcell manip and hardwiring tech, actually. You know the cochlear implants? In our neck of the woods, we developed them over at FAUST for our geriatric aid division, to restore hearing lost due to age, and from there it kinda boomed. They make fashion-color ones now, licened characters, superheroes...." she trails off a moment, and then returns back to the subject. "The ocular technology is a mixture of cultivated nerves grown from stem cells and 'trained' along micronfiber fillaments in order to direct to a set of information-gathering implants. Our... ah... other divisions want to use the tech for military applications... but we're not cooperating with them on that at all. /Helping/ should come before /eliminating/." she replies with a chuff.
Tony Stark	Tony listens with rapt attention, ocassionally nibbling on his lower lip or lifting his glass to his lips, though he doesn't actually seem to swallow anything. "No, no, I agree," he mumbles quickly at the end, though the bulk of his brain seems to be miles away. "It seems you're doing well enough that you don't need military funding, anyway..." He snaps back to the here and now abruptly. "You're focusing solely on the ocular element though," he muses. No, what he really needs is something that can regenerate cardiac tissue. And lung. And nerve. And bone. He flashes Mackenzie a bright smile. "Sounds fantastic," is all he actually says.
Nightblind	"Yeah. The tech can already be used to replicate other forms of tissue. We've had a lot of sucsesss with cartilage to grow ears and noses, to fix ribs. ONce they finalize the cardio and resperation grouping for the final round of development, we might even see a sharp drop in infant mortality within the next, oh, five, six years because we'll be able to fix /hearts/. In a literal sense. Still no cure for a broken heart!" Mackenzie pipes up, and she rubs the back of her head. "My... focus has primarily been in ocular. But we had a minor set back as far as that goes and the program might not be up and running for four, five years. I'm the sole developer on that front. I help the other groups when I can, but it keeps me pretty busy between World War Games and learning Dothraki." she offers as a joke. Ella's gone very quiet. She catches a familiar scent in the air, and she cants her head to the side.
Tony Stark	"World War Games?" Tony inquires, with another grin as he actually tilts his glass back and swallows this time. He gets the Dothraki reference -- of COURSE he has HBO -- but not that one. "This isn't one of those deals where they round up a bunch of kids and make them fight to the death is it? Because I really can't say I'd approve," he quips. He darts a quick glance at Ella, then cranes his neck over his shoulder to see if he can see whatever she's paying attention to.
Bruce Banner	Bruce has been happliy...well...mostly happily...been sipping at the sotch Tony got him. Pulled away from his earlier conversation, (which he notes he must continue sometime) Bruce listens slowly and carefully to Ella's and Mackenzie's words. Tony certainly understands all the technical aspects, but it is the biological effects and implications that it entails. "I can certainly see why the military would be interested, and I can see why you safegaurd you tech. They certainly tried to leverage my... studies numerous times. Just be warned that some militaries are much more unscrupulous and much less caring than others." No tich of anger in Bruce's voice is detected, as it sounds more relaxed and mostly matter of fact. And hey...this scotch is pretty good.
Nightblind	"No, no, it's like... melding different wars together. Realtime group based stategy." The sparkly woman is on her way over. Her hair is done perfectly. She's wearing a dress that probably cost more than the GNP of some smaller countries. She's pratically bedazlled in diamonds and plattinum settings. She wears expensive perfume, and floats as if she was meant to be everywhere at once. She has the perfect nose, the perfect bearing -- like someone who grew up in Finishing School and /never/ lost her poise. "Hello, everyone! Welcome to the Gala, it's good to see some fresh faces here..." And she gives a toothy smile to Ella, who obviously can't see it. "And some old, dear faces." She croons. The temperature feels like it might have dropped a few degrees. "Ah... hello Ms. March. Look at the time! I've gotta get my plate on those scallops -- sorry Ella, I know your allergies." she states, and pulls back, and wheels away. Ella doesn't give a small wave to Mackenzie. "Enjoy the scallops, they smell fantastic." she replies, with forced mirth. "I'd say that I see they pulled you away from the office long enough to change out of your work clothes, but you know how it goes." she states, her unseeing gaze never leaving the table. "Gentlemen, may I introduce you to Jessica March, CEO and head of Fantastic Talent Incorperated." "The /premire/ talent agency in Stonegate and branching out to cities around the multiverse." The brunette purrs, and offers her business card in a handshake to Tony. "Now, yours is a face I recognize. Congratulations on your engagement! She must be quite the darling to catch your eye, Mr. Stark. Who is your companion this evening?" she smiles, reaching over and offering a hand to Banner. Aliyah appears moderately uncomfortable, but takes a step closer to Ella.
Tony Stark	Oh, ugh. This is exactly the kind of person Tony tries to AVOID meeting at these things. "...Hi," he responds, not exactly warming up to her given the social cues of his companions. He finds a business card in his hand. He looks at it. He hates being handed things. He grimaces slightly and puts it down on the table, wiping his palm off on his crisply pressed black trousers as he raises the glass again to down it with his opposite hand. Why does it suddenly feel like he's going to need a refill. Or three. "She's one in a billion," he agrees a bit stiffly on the subject of Pepper, but he'll let Banner introduce himself.
Bruce Banner	Bruce extends his hand slightly more hesitantly than he had before. "Hi....Doctor Bruce Banner. Nice to meet you Ms March." he offers corridally. Like Tony, Bruce gets a little shiver....hey, did it get colder in here? He's seen her type before. The type that smile, dazzle, then take all your research and nuke a small nation with it. "I'm just here with Tony to support a great cause." He smiles very politely, but he certainly feels like he should be weary of her.
Nightblind	"I'm sure. It takes a lot of gumption to rise through the secretary pool to CEO in /such/ a short time. Very talented -- maybe I should give her my card." she observes Tony putting the card on the table and wiping his hands. She gives Bruce her most charming smile, and reaches over the shake Bruce's hand. "How do you do? Do you mind if I join you?" she inquires, and sits down next to Ella. "I'm familiar with Stark Industries and all the wonderful work they're doing -- and have done, with that Iron Man business; are you working with Mr. Stark over in New York? Perhaps on other superheroism?" she inquires. Ella sits up slightly, her hand curling slightly against the table. "I wonder what's taking Mackenzie so long."
Tony Stark	"We're not working on anything. We just met," Tony replies a little shortly. And he smirks, "As far as I know I'm the only superhero at this table. But if you'll excuse me, my glass is empty." He pushes to his feet and makes to go to the bar to rectify that situation. And also to scan the room for Mackenzie to see if maybe she can tell him what this woman's real deal is. He starts to take a step, then, "Can I get you anything, Ella?" he adds, possibly out of habit in assisting Toph with similar situations.
Bruce Banner	A single, crisp BEEP-BEEP is heard from the watch on Doctor Banner's wrist. Bruce calmly releases the woman's hand and turns to follow Tony, empty glass in hand. He glances back over his shoulder and whispers. "He's my ride." He then walks swiftly after Tony, catching up to him at the bar. 'What's her deal? She makes the Hulk look like a happy free-for-all kid. Sheesh." Bruce then hands the glass up the bar. "Another scotch please. Neat, but like half the normal amount. It's a charity event." Bruce hangs out by Stark, and upon recieving his glass of booze, turns and cooly slides a tip into the jar.
Nightblind	Mackenzie's easy to spot -- there's not too many wheelchair bound blondes in bright orange gowns busily trying to eat /all/ the scallops wrapped in bacon in order to otherwise occupy a very wordy mouth. Ella turns her head to Tony. "Ah... something ridiculous and fruity, I think. Thank you." Aliyah is keeping a careful eye on Ms. Jessica March as the two gentlemen leave. March leans back, and she turns to Ella. "Well. They seem like your usual bunch of flunkie friends. Haven't you ever wanted to 'hang out' with someone in your class?" Ella carefully reaches for her water glass. She slowly lifts it to her lips, and pauses before taking a sip. "Do you ever miss being under the rock you crawled out from, Ms. March?"
Tony Stark	"Make mine a double then," Tony counters, to make up for Bruce's lack of enthusiasm for the art of drinking one's troubles away. "And a hurricane for the lady." That ought to satisfy the ridiculous and fruity criteria. "Hell if I know," he mutters under his breath. "Just another smarmy CEO trying to get in bed with me," he guesses with a shrug. And he means in the metaphorical, business sense, for once. "It's inevitable at these things." But he gives Banner a sidelong elevator look. "Why, you getting some kind of supervillain vibe? Because I don't think this would be a good venue to call in Mr. Green." He collects his drinks, but before heading back to the table he makes a detour over to the scallops. "Hey, pop one of those in my mouth, my hands are full," he instructs Mackenzie, and in a lower tone he asks, "So what's that woman's deal? Why'd the temperature drop about five degrees when she walked over?"
Nightblind	"Head's up!" Mackenzie calls out, and she underhand throws one for Tony's mouth -- with excellent aim. Mackenzie then looks uncomfortable, and she gives a small shrug. "Jessica March is a complete bitch who underhandedly runs her business on a constant stream of future burnouts and once caused someone to have a complete breakdown on their first day. She's a former model who tolerates /nothing/ but perfection and tries to keep buying up chunks of McRae Industrial Technology out from underneath the last McRae." POP. Chewchewchew. "She's also Ella's mother." chew chew chew.
Bruce Banner	Bruce smirks a bit. "Well, I have to maintain some control, even if it's for one of us. I just let my heart rate pick up a little to give me an excuse to get out of there with you. Mr Green's got nothing on her." Bruce follows after Tony, drink in hand and knowing he can drink all night if he needed to...mostly. As they approach the wheel-chair bound blonde, Banner asides to Tony. "I don't know about supervillian vibe, but...I don't know. There's something off about her. I just can't place my finger on it." As Bruce hears Mackenzie's description, he turns and looks at Tony. "Well, there you go."
Tony Stark	"Family can really suck," Tony observes around the crunching sound of bacon and scallop in his mouth. "She sounds like a real winner. But if she's a talent agent then what the hell does she want with a tech company? --oh man these ARE good."
Nightblind	"I have no idea. I stay away from her; she and Hazel Mercy are friends, and Mercy's the head of FAUST's legal team. I don't want my name on their radar." Mackenzie replies, and then she glances up "And she's not an agent. She's the CEO of a multimillion dollar modeling, entertainment and corperate talent agency that /owns/ the entertainment business and places high-level security, cybersecurity and police in our portion of the world. A business that she bought with McRae's money, might I add... and yeah! Elyssium has /the best/ seafood. It's just too bad that Ella can't have any of it 'cause it's /so good/." Mackenzie breathes a sigh, and dabs at her mouth with a napkin.
Tony Stark	"Allergic, huh?" Tony sympathizes. He has to avoid strawberries himself, after all, if he wants to have any chance of putting his mouth on Pepper at any point in the near future. It's basically the same thing. He nods at the explanation. "Aha, gotcha. Grade-A asshole, just like my shithead radar detected. Well, I'd better get back there with her drink. Sounds like she needs it. Bruce, why don't you load us up a plate of... stuff," he suggests, gesturing with his chin at all the different snacks on display. "My hands are full," he beams, before Banner can tell him he isn't his servant, and back to the table he goes. "One ridiculously fruity thing, as requested," he announces grandly, placing the hurricane glass before Ella. And then he re-seats himself, notably putting an empty chair between himself and Ms. March this time. Her business card remains on the table where he left it, so it's pretty obvious he didn't just forget where he was sitting.
Bruce Banner	"Sounds kind of like 'If General Ross were filthy rich, what would he do?'. I tend to stay away from people like that. They tend to like to prey on thise they see in weaker positions." Bruce sits down in a spot near the girl and the billionaire. "So she preys on other companies then? I'm certain Tony is quite defensed against that." Banner takes the plate from Stark. "I'd be happy too." He then heads off toward the food bars to find...the everything. They should just be lucky Bruce hasn't used the Other Guy recently, or their food bill might be significantly higher.
Nightblind	"You /have/ one of those?" Mackenzie asks, incredulously... and then she seems to understand it as the joke it was, and then gives a wry little smile. "Just remember, no shellfish! She can't see if it's touched something and if she eats it, she has to leave the party early!" Mackenzie warns... and then goes off to search for another round of the scallops. THe situation at the table is /tense/ when Tony sits back down. The women appear to be sizing each other up for a fight, if Ella could have picked a fight. When Stark returns, Ella reaches for the hurricane glass where she thinks she's heard it land, and brushes her fingers against the cold glass, and pulls it to herself. "Thank you, Mr. Stark. I'll have to buy the next round." she gives a wry smile to the billionaire, and takes a sip. "So~, supporting families, small children learning, free day care, saving the world, is there anything you cannot do, Tony? May I call you Tony?" Jessica begins, folding her hands in front of her.
Tony Stark	"It is my name," Tony remarks agreeably. "And the rumors are true: I can't hear it enough," he quips as he sips from his fresh drink. "I haven't found anything I can't do /yet/, but if I do I'll let you know." He pauses, as if just now realizing he might have intruded on a fight in the making, though in reality he was fully aware. "I didn't interrupt something, did I?"
Nightblind	"No, no, Arabella was just telling me about some of her new assocations in the great, wide, Multiverse. /Facinating/ things. We can recruit /real monsters/ for our movies. We're going to have to draft agreements for non-standard payments, it's /exciting/, isn't it? The head of legal for my company, Mabel Lynch -- I beleive you remember Mabel, Arabella? She had such /plans/ for you --" she begins, and Ella takes a deep, hissing breath as she draws herself up, like a snake about to strike. Her hand grips around the handle of her cane, and she draws upwards suddenly, almost upsetting the flipsy drink that Tony had brought for her. "I beleive I need a breath of fresh air." The band begins playing a brassy swing tune. Some folks are dancing, mostly older couples. Ella abruptly turns, cane in hand, and stalks /with purpose/ first against the wall, and then across the way towards the balcony.
Bruce Banner	Bruce is scouring the table. Analyzing it like the most complex of gamma radiation charts, building a master peice of two plates of well....everything he cand find of interest. He's sure to keep the seafood on its own plate and away from other things, in the event Ella wshould partake. Bruce starts to walk slowly....very...slowly...toward where Tony and the woman are seated. He observes Ella getting up and stops, waiting to see where she goes and how Tony will break away from the crazy corporate bitch at the table this time.
Tony Stark	Leaving Tony alone with the mom. THANKS ELLA. "I... wouldn't recommend trying to cast real monsters," he advises lightly, hiding his discomfiture behind a veneer of casual snark like he always does. "I mean if you think /unions/ are bad. Sheesh. And then you add in Monster Insurance," which is probably a real thing in the multiverse, "and you're behind where you'd be if you just animated it."
Nightblind	"All you need is the right kind of payment. I'm sure you understand, Tony. You used to work in arms dealings, isn't that right? Not caring who got hurt because you manufactured, you produced. You weren't involved with the aftermath. All my company does is give people..." she taps her fingers against the abandoned water glass, "exactly. What. They. Want." She gives a smile. "Please excuse me; I feel as if Miss Salib has retracted any remains of my welcome here. It's a pleasure to meet your gentlemens' aquaintences." she smiles in an oily fashion, and then draws herself away from the table, leaving her sweet scent behind and calling out to another woman, much less bedecked , and in truth a little scared looking as Jessica approaches. Mackenzie returns... and looks to Aliyah, and then to Tony and BRuce. "... she... didn't bring up the finishing school thing again, did she? Because she is /terrifying/ when that happens."
Tony Stark	'Used to' being the operative phrase there. Tony's smile becomes fixed and his eyes cold as Jessica trots out her speech. "Oh, you're excused," he remarks at her back, waving a hand absently before his face to clear the too-sweet smell of her perfume. His smile returns when Mackenzie does. "Oh, no, just the usual lines excusing unethical business practices. Nothing I haven't heard a hundred times before. She doesn't /actually/ have any hold on Ella's business, does she? Because I can recommend some lawyers."
Nightblind	"Nooo, no no no, not unless Ella passes or is proven incompetant by reason of brain damage. That's the current angle she was going for in the courts after the accident -- oooh! Can-ap-pehs! Have you tried these? They're fantastic!" Mackenzie states, reaching for a canape... and then she gives a small shrug. "Ella's a strong girl, it's just... Jessica and her don't get along. ANd that's... for a lot of good reasons." the young woman in orange turns, and glances out the window. "... looks like Ella might have gone back to the car... ah... Aliyah? ... did... Ella go back to the car?" she wonders out loud.
Tony Stark	My, my, get a few scallops in this girl and she'll just talk all night. Tony smiles, but makes a mental note not to entrust her with any of his deepest secrets. "Hey," he shrugs, as he leans forward to pick up one of the caviar canapes, "I understand not getting along with the parents. Maybe better than most. Maybe not as well as some." He follows her glance out the window. "She gonna be okay? I'd understand if you need to leave early. Don't worry, I can make sure Miss Sparkles doesn't walk off with the take."
Nightblind	"She wouldn't." Ella's voice comes back. SHe has a cup of coffee i one hand -- with a cover on it. She sinks back down into her seat. "Jessica March is many things... but she's not an outright theif." she slides a folded piece of paper over to Tony. If he unfolds it, it gives a high number, but really not anything he wouldn't drop to get a paticularly nice full set of shoes from a season for Potts. "That's the number I'm giving if you want to beat it. And on the other side is the bartender's number. She refused to beleive you were TOny Stark." Ella gives a wry smile. "But we should be going... I'm afraid I'm not the night owl others are." she sips her coffee, then stands. "It's a pleasure to meet your aquaintence, Mr. Stark, Dr. Banner."