The Launch Party ((Radiance))

[Spectra Lin]

So this wasn’t the first bitch that Spectra met. She let the Russian woman steal Adrian’s hand from hers, even as the slut was laying herself all over Alistair — who didn’t even have the gall to look at her — she sought to claim Adrian for herself too.

Spectra took a deep breath, the kind that hefted her chest up and down in disdain, but she leaned on her back heel and waited for the baiting to be over.

It seemed that Adrian and Nadya, as he called her, knew one another. The over the top flirting told Spectra that they hadn’t slept together before, and as she studied the way the Russian woman lay herself against Alistair like a mother cat claiming her territory, it was all the more obvious that they hadn’t slept together either.

So Spectra was one up on at least half the men under consideration. She was certain she could be two-up if she invested an actual attempt at seducing Adrian. Alistair sought her gaze finally, but instead of locking eyes on him, she played as good as she was given and redirected her attention back to the other man.

She out right laughed when Adrian turned down Nadya’s offer. The rejection had the stink of damaged goods that Adrian found himself superior. “I don’t know, Adrian. Perhaps you should rethink yourself. Alistair looks like a fighter.” She cocked an eyebrow studiously, then rounded on Adrian in order to detach him from Nadya, and ran her hand up and down his chest. "Oh, you are too, aren't you? I don't know about you, Nadya, but I wouldn't mind seeing the two of them facing off." She steeled her gaze upon the Russian woman like she was betting her prized stallion against hers.

[Jensen James]

Ezvin caught up to him. Nerves strung him tight in the moments before Ezvin spoke, wondering what he was going to say. It was a profound relief to hear he was still interested, although Jensen had no idea how he could offer anything to someone like Ezvin, but he wasn’t going to throw this chance away. With an accepting smile, he nodded and said, “Yes. Definitely.” He paused a moment, as something else unspoken hung on the air between them, and he ducked out.

He was able to leave the building without being stopped. On his way to the Facility he responded to the many messages left there to indicate his arrival was imminent.

[Sofia Vasilieva]

Alina Marveet

It was a dangerous thing to talk about too openly, and Alina only nodded her agreement. She liked Ezvin the most of Maksim’s siblings, and he was certainly the only uncle on that side she'd trust with her son; she would not want to see him tangled in something he could not protect himself from. In all the years she’d known him she’d never once seen him settle with a boyfriend, and maybe it was the way he preferred it, yet as they both curiously watched he broke away to chase after Iáson. She looked up at Max, wondering how worried they should be.

“Sometimes love is worth the trouble,” she said. She gave a knowing smile as she said it, and smoothed the line of her husband’s collar. Her father hadn’t exactly been thrilled with Alina’s choice, but she had always been stubborn about the things she wanted. It went without saying that if Ezvin did get himself in over his head, she would support Maksim to protect him however they could, and would strongarm her siblings to the same vow.

[Alistair Bishop]

Nadya knew when to shift gears. She was a survivor, having spent enough time within the Mafia to understand when manipulation was necessary. However, Nadya's competitive nature just wasn't able to turn off her sharp jabs.  

"Spectra, maybe you are right. I wouldn't mind seeing them rolling around with their shirts off and sweaty. Little tight shorts giving us a good view. Makes me hot just thinking about it. The first man to pin the other wins, then maybe we can tag the team after that, Spectra. Your previous work showed that you are quite able to handle it. But perhaps you've already had one round or two already? From the looks of this, it seems like maybe you and Alistair have been in the same position. Am I right, Spectra?" Nadya now sees from the subtle glances and body language they knew each other more than they had let on. 

"Alistair, let's leave these two. I think it's time to plant your flag elsewhere." Nadya said while glancing down below his waist. 

At that moment, as Nadya attempted to pull them away, she collided with a young lady holding a martini. Time seemed to freeze as the liquid floated through the air and the room spun around them. The young woman recoiled with a gasp. The atmospheric soundtrack suddenly muddled. Like a bomb dispatched by a former Mother Russian leader, the liquid splashed right onto Nadya's chest, decorating her cleavage with sweet vermouth. An olive disappeared down her dress; the cold liquid continued its journey, dribbling down her dress, and excitingly trailing down to her toes. Her skimpy lace undergarments were now soaked. An olive tumbled to the ground.

Nadya was furious. "You bitch, what are you doing?" Her voice echoed across the crowd, drawing everyone's attention. She frantically tried to dry herself off and, in the process, collided with a server, who happened to have tartar sauce that quickly added to the mess on her dress.

"Mother fucker," Nadya exclaimed. "What kind of shitshow party are you running, Adrian?"

Alistair stepped back, observing the chaos with a distant and indifferent grin. Amused by it all.

"I'll be back," Nadya declared, her gaze flicking up to Spectra, while Alistair looked on with a coy smile.

As if the incident hadn't fazed him, Alistair continued without missing a beat, "Adrian, I love the apartment. May I have a tour?"

[Sage]

The party was becoming more of an issue. Sage was bored. Even the shit show starting around their host was boring. Sage curled up to Aiden. "Let's go home."

[[ooc gonna assume they leave not but I'll leave it open if Aiden shows up and wants to post ]]

[Adrian Kane]

Adrian’s attention was only partially tethered to the immediate conversation. If the two women were going to squabble over him, he’d stop neither, but more serious affairs occupied his attention. Such as the fact that one of his guests had already left without his having met them. He artfully masked his irritation with a neutral facade, though it was evident his mind was elsewhere.

The collision into Nadya and the ensuing commotion sharply pulled him back, but honestly, Adrian was more concerned for the state of his floor than Nadya’s appearance. A smirk was his only reaction as she stomped away, and Alistair’s question was met with a simple sigh, though he appreciated the American’s knack for slicing through pretense. Plus Adrian wasn’t above receiving a little flattery.

However, Adrian's actions were characteristically restrained. He didn't lead Alistair through the expansive spaces of his abode. The overhanging loft remained unseen, the outdoor terrace untouched, and the more intimate quarters decidedly off-limits. Instead, he steered Alistair towards the front door, where a stream of guests seemed to be making a collective exit.

Reaching out, Adrian's hand landed gently on the shoulder of one departing guest, halting them momentarily. To any onlooker, it was the gesture of a gracious host bidding farewell. But as he extended his hand for a shake, his voice, devoid of warmth, sought information under the guise of courtesy.  ”A pleasure having you," he intoned, his words carrying the semblance of polite disinterest. His eyes, however, were sharply attentive on Aiden. Then, turning to Sage, he inquired with feigned casualness,  "And you as well. Might I have your name?”

[Sage]

He hadn't expected to be greeted on the exit by Adrian. Aiden was greeted first, it never offended him but to be greeted afterwards was a surprise. No one ever really noticed him unless it was to glare at him for being on Aiden's arm or looking like shit cause he was filtering through information. Sage offered his hand. "Sage Parker. No body, just a lucky stalker." He wrapped his arm around Aiden's waist indicating his luck.

[Spectra Lin]

The tendrils of light retracted into a contented Spectra after Nadya’s dress was ruined.

She watched the other woman leave with a smug smile of satisfaction that was quickly smothered by Alistair’s departure with Adrian. Spectra stood there, basically ditched, tapping her foot and pursing her lips. Then again, watching the two men walk away gave her all kinds of satisfactory views, and Nadya’s previous description pulsed her imagination with possibilities.

Slightly sated, she opted to meander through the remaining guests, looking for someone else to tempt her for the night as she was losing interest in Alistair.

[Alistair Bishop]

The cold had begun to settle in. Soft flurries had descended, lit by the lights, as they started to blanket the ground in a white layer.
Alistair had been standing alone by the door, enveloped in darkness. His black wool collar turned up, had served as a shield for his neck against the cold, collecting delicate snowflakes.

He had waited outside of the hotel, weary of the night's pretense. With his handler gone and the official mission completed, Alistair faced his own unresolved task. His inner satisfaction hinged on touching her again with a fervent intensity. Despite the chill, sweat had dripped down his brow from the anticipated heat between them.

As he waited, a sudden move saw him seize an arm, pulling her sharply into the shadows. "Come with me," he had spoken. The only sounds then were a pleasantly surprised gasp and the click of heels changing direction, tapping against the concrete as they both disappeared into the darkness.

[Spectra Lin]

With a final glance around the room, Spectra made her exit, her departure as smooth and unnoticed as a shadow slipping through light. The night air greeted her as she stepped out of the building once her car pulled up.

As she moved gracefully down the steps, her eyes scanned the street for her car, expecting the sleek vehicle to be waiting.

But the night had one more encounter in store for her.

Just as she reached the sidewalk, Alistair appeared unexpected, as if conjured from the very shadows she sought to escape into. Without a word, he took her by the arm, his grip firm but not unkind, and pulled her elsewhere.

The suddenness of his action, the brisk movement from light into darkness, left no room for protest. Spectra found herself caught in the moment, whisked away from the street and into the concealed quiet of the alley.

((OOC: Let’s transition to a new thread.))