14168/LUX: From Christie's to PT Barnum

LUX: From Christie's to PT Barnum
Date of Scene:	04 March 2022
Location:	Club Lux, Melville
Synopsis:	A silent auction at Lux, when Loki comes along for kicks. Pepper Potts controlled her nerves well, but someone really should tell Sinister not to provoke or poke at gods. Even if they have lower-case g's.
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Pepper Potts, Loki

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Sinister has posed:
Private collection or donation bin for the rich and the influential, whatever you wish to call this, Lux has been transformed to an even higher class of establishment tonight, for the sake of raising money toward such things as inevitably make good tax write-offs. Perhaps that is simply the view of the jaded, but such auctions nevertheless do count in tax season, as any monied individual knows.

Set up almost like a museum, the place is still what it is; a night club that services a very unique, yet diverse slice of humanity, from the new money to the old money, the up and coming the down and sliding and all those that seek a little of the life less ordinary. Drinks and snackables are available on fine silverware, to be enjoyed as the punters peruse what's on offer to bid upon. Artifacts and oddities, lit from spotlights in the ceiling, arranged on podiums or pillows, behind glass or free standing, to find themselves a new home tonight.

The Host and Proprietor of Lux is nowhere to be seen, though the lavishness of service definitely speaks of Lucifer Morningstar. He may arrive later to sign authenticity papers, you never know. However, Doctor Nathaniel Essex watches from above, dressed to the nines in a tailored Christian Dior and the most official unofficial face associated with his multi-national. Few honestly know the face to associate with Essex Corp, but there are one or two who see the extremely high-end portfolios. He's watching people looking at Babylonian pottery, tradesmen's tools, bass reliefs, journals, autographed manuscripts and other such items, sipping from a large cognac.

Pepper Potts has posed:
While Pepper is still being monitored and has had a body guard escorting her the entire way here (and mingling off to the side on the floor), she is at least off of house arrest. No one has actually tried the assassination against Tony or her and it's likely the danger has passed. She insisted that one of them showed -- someone from Stark Industries always shows at these things. Tonight, it's her.

She's in a gorgeous emerald gown, backless other than the tie at the nape of her neck. Her strawberry blonde hair is swept up in soft curls just off of her face and her make up is artful. She's holding a small clutch with a very large check book and a respectfully neutral smile on her features as she works her way across the room, greeting the few people that she knows.

Loki has posed:
Mingling amongst the masses is a face that could change if he really wanted it to, but for the time being he's not been chased out of any particular place by anything shiny, sharp or green. So he wears his normal face, dressed in a black suit with white undershirt and black tie, and wingtip shoes. In lieu of his normal staff, he has a walking cane and very much looks like he just waltzed out of the music video to 'Puttin on the Ritz'. Black hair is shoulder length and he tries his best to simply mingle. For now.

Though he does spot a familiar face and that makes him crack a grin. He wonders if she'll call in the armored guard or if he might just survive a night without having to worry about looking over his shoulder all the time. Perhaps he might even spend money. Money. He has money right? Of course he does. Surely he does. Likely more than he knows what to do with...and constantly makes more.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's eyes settle on faces here and there; that one owns half of the jersey shore. This one has a trust fund that daddy has no sense of control over, those over there a rags to ritches affair, good on them. And then there's assistant to the Empire of Stark. And -him-. It's questionable which face has the most attention paid to it by the steel grey eyes above, but after a short while, a brunette with a lovely figure and a hemline that's just shy of scandalous (but somehow never shows anything it shouldn't) comes up by his elbow. "Muster the rohirim," he murmurs, nodding at the figures that do tend to love the colour green. Roxie, the waitress, nods. What transpires a very short while later, is levelling up the service a notch. Silver service trays, fine looking fellas and fillies alike, seem to have extra eyes and extra drinks aplenty, just... keeping a proximity alert going on.

Sinister himself though, pushes away from the Aerie and trots down the spiral stair to the floor, smiling once or twice here and there, but mostly allowing those that can describe these slices of collected history and memorabilia, to snag the attention of interested parties.

He ends up by the grand piano, lingering there, in a spot of vacant space. Nothing's been set up ON the piano, after all, so it's hardly of interest, except perhaps for its pedigree.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper's head slightly tilts as she catches a flicker of Loki's face across the crowd. Should she be worried? Possibly. But he's not doing anything tonight. He looks as harmless and supportive as anyone else in the crowd. She takes a slow breath, calming the brief flutter of her heart in her throat, and simply lets the man be. She'll call for help if chaos starts to break out. Still, her pale eyes flicker back to look at the exits, figuring her quickest way out.

"Oh, no, I'm fine. Still working on this one." She smiles to the waiter with the fine silver tray, who is offering her another drink. She's being wise and VERY slowly drinking the small glass of white wine she started with. She's just nervous enough, and alone enough, to not dare let herself get over tipsy in this situation. She weaves closer to the piano, a little at a loss without her usual mingling crowd or Tony.

Loki has posed:
Loki pauses for a mini second as he seems to have been ID'd, but when Pepper makes no motion to seem like she's calling or signaling for help, he simply smirks and lets her be. Of course, Chaos is his realm, the namesake of his domain in the world of the Gods, but tonight...he is simply existing. Even villains need their nights off it seems.

He plucks a glass from a tray that's swung his way by a waiter and then eyes a pretty young waitress who is passing out hor'dourves. Delicious morsels, of different kinds, and yet he remains afixiated to another prize entirely. The Babylonian Pottery that's up for grabs has gained his attention. "A little splash of something in the otherwise drab of home might be useful..." A phrase muttered mostly to himself even as he shifts periphreal to eye Pepper and the man at the piano whom she approaches.

Sinister has posed:
"Miss Potts, if you're looking for something of interest, might I suggest the tools? They're nothing special, saving that they're a slice of the American pie. They belonged to an Antonio Matroianni, a steel worker who worked on the empire state building. What we do today with machinery and pneumonic drills, he did yesterday with hammers, wrenches and clever hands..." Essex offers toward the nervous Pepper, putting on the best of faces. It's a kindly face, in his forties, with crow's feet at the eyes and impeccably English mannerisms. A glance, but barely a glance is sent to the orbital wait staff, then over to the God of Mischief. However, the gentleman seems to fein ignorance rather well, after a glance that way. "Or perhaps one of the manuscripts from Sondheim?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
The advice offered to her by someone Pepper swears she should know but cannot quite place, it gets an arch of her brow and a somewhat curious smile. "Maybe a good gift for Tony, then. It's always hard to shop for the man who has utterly everything. A piece of what built America that *wasn't* owned by his father... It's not a poor choice." Pepper gives a bit of an awkward laugh. She's clearly a bit at odds and evens without her boss or even a date. "...The Sondhiems would be for me. I handle the art collection. Those are art."

Loki has posed:
Loki also takes a moment to see if there's any word on what charity all this money is going to fund. Is it a silent auction type or do you just buy things outright at some set price? There's likely only one person here who will know all the answers to those questions and so he turns on his heels and heads towards the man by the piano. This will take him inches away from Pepper Potts, and oh what stories she can tell. Surviving an encounter with the God of Mischief himself? Would anyone believe that nothing actually happened while he was around?? "Pardon the intrusion. Those Babylonian pieces. Is it a set price for the pieces or, do I go to someone or somewhere to bid on them?" He's settled on a posh British accent himself now that he's allowing Midgard bask in his presence. Small world?

Sinister has posed:
"International children's aid," Did anyone actually ask about the charity outloud? Surely they must have. Sinister smiles at the approach of Loki. Absolutely no recognition showing on his face at all, anywhere but his eyes. Those steel greys are quite clarid, for what it's worth. "Silent bids, via the iPads cunningly masquerading as the information panels. Tapping them allows you to log in using the token you received at the door and you can place your bid. The Host will notify everyone by midnight if they were successful or not, as far as I know." Why are they all British? Just why? - Questions for the Powers that Be.

He looking from Loki to Pepper, no doubt to remark, but also perhaps just to check on her own recognition. To guage. "I completely understand. It's such times that aesthetic gets set aside for the sake of nostalgia, or in odd cases whimsy. I once gave someone that had everything, a plastic snowglobe because it reminded of a landmark he liked." Glancing to the manuscripts, he smiles though, sipping on cognac as a means of perhaps correcting how amused the smile seemed. "One needs a little culture. Or perhaps that ought to be that one needs occasionally to BE cultured? I suppose that depends on the individual. I'm tickled now."

Pepper Potts has posed:
It was easy to ignore him when he was *over there*. When Pepper could pretend that wasn't Loki and she probably shouldn't be calling her body guard and getting out of here. But now he's *right here* and if she calls on him it's going to be RUDE. And Pepper Potts is many things, rude is not one of those things. Therefore, she straightes her bare shoulders and back, lifts her chin, and gives her most courageously polite smile possible to the man along with a tip of her head. "Good... good evening. No intrustion. I'm just... browsing the auction. But all pieces support a good cause, right?"

Then the host practically answers the question before it fully leaves her lips. She smiles a bit wider, "Well, we must take care of those... International Children, of course. UNICEF, or someone else?" She has been to many a children's aid gala. Having no name on it still gets a curious look from her. The recommendations of gifts to give Tony gets a strange smile from her. "Yes... sentiment is often best, in these cases. It's the only thing that means... Anything. Even if he's just your boss."

Loki has posed:
There's a tease of a smirk that pulls up the corners of Loki's lips and one can almost FEEL the nerves that begin to exude from Pepper Potts. Still, he keeps himself in line and gives a little nod of his head to Sinister. "My thanks to you, then. I shall go and make my money useful." Lifting his cane just so to use it for a salute, he turns on his heels and goes back to the Babylonian Pottery, finding the tablet there and goes about to make a fairly sizeable donation that he figures none will be able to top.

Sinister has posed:
An incline of the head is offered toward Loki, respectful but quiet. Sinister watches the asgardian doing his civic duty with a hint of amusement on his face. He'll be back, most likely.

"He did that deliberately, you know..." Sinister observes quietly to Pepper. "Please, breathe easy miss Potts. This is Lux. It's under the laws of Hospitality, which don't really apply to people that don't really understand what it means, but that fellow over there," indicating Loki with the cognac. "He very much understands," -- which means nothing to anyone in this close proximity, unless she's ever seen Thor get walloped by it -- "...Actually there's several charities set to receive the proceeds. UNICEF, Oxfam, Save the children and World Vision. The Host is matching the money donated..."

He pauses, looks sidelong to her and offers the kindly smile once again. "Where are my manners? Doctor Nathaniel Essex," his hand is proffered, palm up, upper body tilted just a little in the graciousness of good breeding. "I'm afraid I'm not often seen at these kinds of events. Usually, I have a person that has a person that shows up for them. But occasionally, I emerge. They tell me it's good to be seen once in a while, stops the curious from wondering if you popped off whilst nobody was looking."

Pepper Potts has posed:
When Loki does take his leave again, Pepper cannot help but stare after him, a slight shiver crossing her bare back and shoulders. She forces herself to take a deeper breath, to set her shoulders straight once more and prove to the world she's not scared of massively powerful people like the trickster god who is going to look at more pottery.

She turns a green eyed look up to Essex as he tries to explain how the man has done it on purpose. She gives him an awkward little smile, a hint of flush crossing her pale cheeks as she realizes she was that easy to read. "Yes, I... suppose he did. And if I called my boss he'd tell me to get out of here but... he's not doing anything. It's fine. And, as you said, it's... Safe. So, I should be here to support and give that support without running." She then offers her hand his direction. "Pepper Potts. Here on behalf of Stark Industries. It's very lovely to meet you, Dr. Essex. Are you involved in the auction? You clearly know a lot about it?"

Loki has posed:
Loki goes around and puts a few more bids into random pieces, just because he can. After all, no matter the reason, he cannot resist causing a little bit of chaos. And not all chaos is bad! In this case it will benefit children so he's doing a good deed!

Or...he might be going home with a whole lot of random shit he has no use for. That could be fun too. Though after this he makes his way back towards Sinister and Potts. His green eyes focusing on the woman in charge of Stark Industries. "I do hope you give my regards to Tony. And all of his little friends. And perhaps, should my brother be around, you could drag him him back to his new home by the ear..."

Sinister has posed:
Pepper's hand is taken, brought up to lips in an elevated gesture and the knuckles are kissed at, without ever actually landing a touch. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Potts. I do recognize a redhead when I see one, particularly when she's so very instrumental in making sure that everything runs smoothly. I knew who you were." A pause, a smile. "Involved in that I persuaded the Host to declutter some of his storage items that he doesn't look at all that much and donated a few things myself. I also set up the blind bidding system and the whole of a thing, well..." he gestures at the pottery that Loki bid upon. "...the stories are incredibly interesting, if they're believed. If not, they're just an amusement. According to the previous owner, those items of pottery were from a brothel that was rather successful outside of Babylon itself. Preserved so well, because of a fondness for the memory of debauchery and extremely skillful hands that gave terrific foot massages." He smiles, looks back at her. "Which clearly couldn't possibly be the case, but the story is a fun one, no?"

With the return of Loki, he turns attention onto the Asgardian once again, head ever so slightly on one side as he owns the personal space all around himself and some of other people's, also. "Loki Odinson of Asgard, yes? I have to give you points for managing to make the Avengers sound like a preschool assembly. My, but I'm now imagining playdates with the Hulk. My brain may need sterilizing."

Pepper Potts has posed:
The kiss that is barely not brushed across the back of her palm gets a polite smile from Pepper's artfully taupe lips and she dips her head to him. "So, yes, you were incredibly involved, it seems. The way I am often involved any projects Tony does. Or all of them. I do understand that." A slight chuckle escapes her lips and then she drowns it in another, deeper sip of her white wine. Maybe she does need to drink tonight.

As Loki approaches once more, Pepper's eyes go a little wider again. She's ready to face it until he just puts everything out there, those teasing words concerning Tony and his friends. His 'little' friends. Pepper gives Loki a bit of a blink, swallowing her heart back down her throat. All she can manage is a quiet, "I do believe that Thor is... where he wishes to be, Loki. But I'll pass along the message, at least." And probably get a lecture for not calling in the big shots the moment she saw him. Instead, she drinks her wine.

Loki has posed:
Loki's lips curl into more of a smirk and his eyes shift to regard Sinister for a moment before giving a curt half bow. "The very same. I appreciate the recognition." He offers gently before looking back behind himself a moment. "Quite an interesting little set up. Does one have to be present for the whole auction in order to claim their price or could it be done at a later date?" Not that Loki wants to leave but, needs must some times.

"Miss Potts. I am sorry that my presence has a certain reaction with you." Is he really sorry? None could likely tell. Perhaps the Host if he were here, but he's not so there's that. "Well, here was hoping. It's getting rather boring in New Asgard without him being around much. But it is what it is I suppose. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, and at least for tonight, I wish none harm or hindrance. I just came by because I could...it's nice to feel like an elite."

Sinister has posed:
"I would say you likely thrive on it, Loki. I'm familiar with the signs." Sinister smiles, slightly crooked, hinting at a dimple in one cheek. Smile broader and he'd look wicked. A slight step forward has him being ever so slightly infront of Pepper, turned so that he has part face to both individuals. And at this juncture a fresh glass of wine just magically appears on a silver platter, proffered into Pepper's periphery vision. Go on. You know you want to.

"Surely though, whilst the cat's away the mice will play? I would think that you'd be having a whale of a time unsupervised." Grey eyes sparkle as they watch Loki's reaction. "And I am sure that the Host respects your intentions toward the rules of Hospitality. Do you not -usually- feel like an Elite?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
The seeming apology from Loki gets a tight smile from Pepper, something trying to be as polite and proper as possible, but she is still quite nervous. But Pepper is good at hiding nerves. Over all. She forces a breath in through her nose and out through her lips before letting her smile relax to being a bit more natural. "Of course, Mr. Loki. I'm glad you didn't come to cause harm to these people. They are trying to do good work her and I would hate that to be interrupted. As for being an... Elite... You could be, you know? You have powers. Gifts. If you just used them for the good of people and the world... They'd consider you a good person. You'd be more than welcome in places like this. That's truly what being *Elite* is -- making the world a better place. It's something Tony's trying to do better every day."

Pepper does finish her white glass of wine, scooping up the next one because she needs it after that amount of courage she used to dare talk back to Loki like that. SHe gives the Doctor a thankful smile, but both their eyes are clearly on Loki now.

Loki has posed:
"And who is to be the judge and-or jury of what my powers, abilities...gifts as you call them...whether they are good or bad? Chaos is, after all, neither one or the other. It is, at it's core, the embodiment of change that sways the pendelum more one way than the other depending on how things are tilting." Loki responds to Pepper first. "From Chaos comes Balance... but you midgardians are so high up on your pedestals of supreme in everything... you fail to see it." He shrugs then. "But that's neither here nor there at the moment. I'm open to continuing the discussion later..."

To Sinister he just shrugs. "Depends on who you're asking I think. I can consider myself elite all I want to. In some selfish way... and in some ways I have - at times - put myself on that pedestal... but I've come to terms with the idea that my idea of elite status is a bit different than that of those here upon Midgard. And the whole I'm a God bit has gone a bit..." He smacks his lips and takes a drink. "Stale."

Sinister has posed:
"Let me know how you like the wine, Miss Potts. Pepper? May I call you Pepper? It's a cheeky little vintage from a place in Albania that's struggling to make a name for itself. I'm rather fond of the subtle floral notes..." Sinister is incredibly calm. The fact that this is Loki, who could completely screw with the pattern of everything in this place and turn existence on its head on a whim... does not alter this calm. Whether it's bravado, or a supreme sense of self-confidence, irregardless he is zen and the art of not getting worked up about it. He is cool, he is calm, he is collected. Hopefully, it vibes on the nervous. "Although I do caution you that in the respect of Elite and that definition, Loki is in some respects, quite correct. Such definition is inevitably and irrevocably subjective. But we are a social creature, even when we like to profess to the contrary. When the contrary actually does occur, we have all kinds of shock and reprisal. America is a funny place; reverent and abhorrent of the sociopath and psychopath, the true reflection of anti-societal norms." He finishes his cognac, sets it on the piano top on a coaster that somehow was always there (Actually Roxie, the head wait staff, put it there all subtle like) and it is soon removed and replaced with a fresh one.

"From Chaos springs order, not balance. Balance comes from the constant attempt by the Aware, to mitigate both in their existence. Too much order and the world goes mad with rules. Too much chaos and the same is true. But balance in and of itself, will not come about without the Observer effect. The world, by and large, doesn't actually care if you think you're a god, if you actually are a god, or whether you profess to have power in any regard. It will be whether we are here, or otherwise." Pause, beat. "As to your inquiry regarding the bids? It's almost midnight. You'll know when your token vibrates, whether you won."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Yes, well... I don't know that most of this planet would consider you a god, Mr. Loki, but I'm glad you still have confidence in your own... Elite nature. I suppose that's what matters." Pepper gives him a little, game smile, somewhat teasing but also somewhat encouraging. Then she looks back towards the Doctor and takes another sip of her wine, nodding in approval, "It's lovely. It really is. And you are welcome to call me Pepper, you've been nothing but polite." And with that, she looks down to her own token.

"Ahh, well, I should go finish putting in my bids, gentlemen. It was lovely speaking to both of you. And thank you for the wine, Doctor. I do hope we meet again." She inclines her head to him one last time and then dips away to go back to the silent auction. She's careful to keep an eye on Loki and she leaves fairly quick after, but she managed through the night without incident which is a win in her book.

Loki has posed:
Loki just continues to grin as Pepper makes her way away from them to go put in her bids and then at some point he loses sight of her. Little seeds already planted and none are the wiser. His gaze shifts to Sinister once more. "Well. I think my work here is done. I shall await to see if I win any bids and then go about my merry..."

And he does just that, disappearing into the crowd just as easily as he emerged from it. When winnings are announced, he'll gain what he won if anything and then slips out into the night from whence he came.