The Launch Party ((Radiance))

[Ezvin Marveet]

He was beside Sage and Aiden, the latter still dressed in his eye-catching crimson suit that Ezvin could barely stop admiring. Before he could process Sage's apology, the room erupted into confusion following the electrical malfunction.

In the darkness that fell, Ezvin tried to catch Jensen’s attention, but the other man suddenly moved away. People were bumping into Ezvin as he tried to follow. The light from his Wallet screen revealed that Jensen was with Maksim again. They must know one another, but by the horrified expression on Max’s face, Ezvin couldn’t fathom how.

After getting Jensen’s number, he looked him up online where he found numerous videos of Jensen James. Younger, certainly, and less world weary than the version Ezvin met at the coffee shop. It was the same man, though, who spoke at length from many stages, who gave interviews, who was surrounded by adoring crowds. Ezvin watched every video he could find — and there were many — mesmerized by the mysterious story that plucked him out of one place in the world and put him in Moscow.

Now, watching Jensen move with purpose through the crowd, Ezvin followed like one of those mesmerized crowds that once flocked to his stage. Seeing Jensen tend to the injured DJ left him someplace between awe and disbelief. This was beyond any sensational story, rumor or conspiracy he had encountered. This was real, tangible, and happening right in front of him.

It's one thing to be a channeler, Ezvin thought to himself, it’s another to be... what? A miracle healer? The notion seemed fantastical, yet here was Jensen, doing something with Ascendancy’s power that he’d never knew was possible.

A part of Ezvin was still trying to process what he was seeing. Jensen was extraordinary. It wasn't just the act of healing; it was the quiet, unassuming way Jensen carried himself, a stark contrast to the vibrant, larger-than-life version he saw online.

As Jensen stood up, his expression clearly uncomfortable under the crowd's gaze, Ezvin felt a surge of empathy. This wasn't a show; it was a genuine, albeit reluctant, display of a hidden part of himself. The whispers and stares of the onlookers were an unwelcome weight, and Ezvin's protective instincts kicked in.

He moved to Jensen's side. Although people tried to steal the healer's attention, calling for him generally since no one knew his name, others tried to touch him, to tug his sleeve or get him to turn back, but Ezvin moved ahead like a body guard holding back the rush. He looked for help amid the faces, finding Sage and Aiden and waved both men closer. The rock star would surely know what it meant to need a smooth escape. “Help us,” Ezvin called just as someone pushed him.

[Alistair Bishop]

Alistair had looked down at her, several inches taller, even in her heels. He had let her question breathe.

"Oh, I certainly knew who you were. I'd seen your work," Alistair had paused to let her think about what it might have been. "Excellent work. I realized I recognized you as I looked down at you on your knees the other night." His voice had softened with a bit of rasp. "I'd seen you play some very large roles. I really enjoyed watching your work. You were very skilled. Some very kinky stuff."

Alistair had said with a playful grin. He had taken his finger to her chest and slowly slid it down the middle of her body as he said she was skilled.

"Who am I? Oh, nobody. Just a new guy," Alistair had turned away and put his hands in his pockets. "I do some jobs for the Mafia. I am working my way through the ranks, if you will. Maybe someday you will hear about me."

"I also know who you are now."

He had paused and said slowly, "Spectra. The Spectra. I can't go anywhere and not see you on a billboard. You are an icon. I had wondered if you might be at this party. I'd been looking for you, and after our night, you were all I could see."

"Tell me." Alistair had backed against the wall in the dimly lit hallway, propped his foot on the wall, knee up with his hands in his pockets. "It looks like you run this town. You seem like you have all of the power. People are obsessed with you. They want just a taste of your attention. But here you are, in a hallway, with some little ol' person like me."  Alistair looked up, the lighting outlining his strong jaw and athletic build elevating his presence that "just a nobody" would not possess.

[Sage]

Sage watched the mayhem proceed. It was nice. Until he saw the body of the DJ on the internet being healed. "Fuck!" His heart started to race, how did it get so bad so quickly. Sage rolled through his footage of the cameras trying to find the moment things went bad. He watched in horrified disbelief at the fireworks canister falling over. It wasn't his fault. The canister wasn't secure and when it went off early whatever secondary and tiernary safety precautions hadn't been taken.

More videos of Jensen's healing called to Sage's attention as he watched in horrified dismay at his work. Comments on the internet started talking about miracles and this revelation would have lasting impact on Jensen. Totally unintended ones. Sage set to cleaning up his mess as Ezvin came to them seeking help. The crowd was turning into a mob around the healer. For every screen that pointed at Jensen Sage sent small little worms into their internet. He found their darkest photos and sent them to every other wallet pointing at Jensen. Some of them were not nice. Some of them were sex videos -- others might be pics of their private parts. Only a few were them with their pets. There were a few nice souls, too bad they were gossips too...

The rest of his mind went towards eradicating all the videos. That would take a little more than just a quick scour, he'd have to set up a bot to make it stay that way. Jensen wouldn't get out. He could wipe the man off the face of the planet if he wanted leave no digital foot print if he wanted to. Sage had thought about helping Nox out that way after the Atharim found him at Kallisti. But Nox told him not to... And Sage listened to his friend.

Everyone started to hurriedly move away from Jensen. Too preoccupied now with trying to erase whatever had just escaped on the internet. Sage didn't say anything, he just pushed someone else out of the way. "I think we can get to the elevators now. I know you want to help but I think you've done enough." Sage muttered under his breath. "Thank you."

[Jensen James]

As Jensen stood amidst the crowd, their eager faces reminiscent of those he'd seen congregating after his time on stage back in the States, he felt an old, familiar energy coursing through him. The attention, the gratitude, the sheer need of the people around him – it was invigorating, yet overwhelming with emotion. In the past, he had always tried to deflect this adulation, to point it towards something greater than himself, but the allure of being someone's source of hope, of optimism, was undeniably powerful.

Now, for the first time since leaving America, Jensen felt that same warmth enveloping him, the same desperate desire for healing and hope in the eyes of those around him all the while fully aware that he could offer exactly what they needed. Ezvin was there, guiding him through the throng, but Jensen felt a strong urge to stay, to embrace each person, to heal every minor ailment, to be the bearer of relief they so clearly sought. This, he felt, was his true calling, the path he was meant to walk. How desperate he was to walk it.

His smile and nods, however, soon became insufficient as the crowd's requests grew more urgent. Pleas about loved ones in hospice care, rare genetic conditions, and other serious ailments bombarded him. Jensen's heart ached with the desire to help them all, to listen to each story and offer what he could to help. But the demands pulled him in a dozen directions, and his attempts to speak, to explain, were drowned out.

This was exactly what Ascendancy warned him about, and although he didn’t regret taking care of three injured people, he wished there was a way to do it more discreetly.

Abruptly, the crowd dispersed. Each became distracted by something on their phones, and they scattered to attend to it. Was it some breaking news story? He pulled his own from his pocket, discovering several messages that he’d missed, but his mind was too frazzled to decipher the meaning at the moment. Only that his identity as Iáson was compromised. It was one thing to risk his own welfare, but it was another to risk that.

He followed Aiden and his date toward the elevators, responding to the latter as he did. “You’re right. Thank you. My name is Jensen.” He realized they hadn’t been properly introduced. It was a small gesture of courtesy, a handshake offered in haste as they moved toward the exit. Despite the turmoil swirling within him, Jensen maintained his composure, his smile muted but sincere.

“I’m sorry if I was rude earlier,” he added, his politeness an anchor amid the storm.

[Maksim Marveet]

Maksim was waiting as soon as Iáson and his companions entered the (properly lit) elevator lobby. There were a few other stragglers, all continually directed by building security to take the elevators up or down. Apparently a number of people opted to go to the rooftop bar since the party was displaced. Others flooded the lobby bar. Still others simply wandered off - presumably to hook up, leave altogether, or find another party. There were multiple events going on in the building tonight to choose from.

Maksim suppressed the urge to rush up to Iáson and the others. Ezvin locked eyes with him, but no other clues were relayed as far as Maksim could discern. Recalling how horrified Iáson was when they first came face to face, he thought it best not to pay too much direct attention, so instead, he took a few steps in his brother’s direction.

“Ezvin, you alright? What the fuck was that? I’ve never seen anything like it.” Ezvin shook his head, uncertain of what happened himself.

“We’re alright. But yeah, that was fucked up. You’re good?” He glanced at his brother’s arms, but didn’t bring up the healing.

Max made sure to include the other two men that was in his brother’s company, especially since he wanted to use the introduction as an excuse to also greet Iáson.

He offered to shake hands with each, “Maksim Marveet,” he said to both Aiden Finnegan, his friend, then last, Iáson. The tension between them was apparent, but Maksim said nothing other than to repeat his name each time.

It was about then that another man approached. He was tall and broad-shouldered with immaculate hair and dressed impeccably. His accent was English and he presented himself with the air of one accustomed to being in charge. He addressed all of them.

“Hello. My name is Adrian Kane, I own this property at 41 Kras, including the Radiance Hotel and Suites, and I take responsibility for tonight. By way of apology, I’d like to invite you upstairs to my home. Drinking, eating, and music awaits you. Anything else you want, I can arrange it. Please join me.” He gestured toward the elevator, where he would escort them to a private level if they agreed. There was something about Adrian that seemed familiar, though he couldn't place where. 

He certainly wanted to take Adrian up on the offer, if only to use it as an excuse to keep the conversation going. "Might as well. I'm too head-fucked to leave yet anyway." He half-smirked and nodded that they should all come along. He would message Alina as soon as he learned where they were going.

[Sage]

Jaxen's brother introduced himself pulling Sage just al ittle bit further from the world he'd been lost in. And then Adrian Kane showed up. He was getting the pleasure of so many new faces, so much information and yet he was a little lost in the revelation that he'd hurt people with his little display. Sage took everyone's hand politely, spoke his name and nodded when they were escorted to the private abode of Adrian Kane. Aiden was full of life as always, Sage followed along like a puppy dog, cute, innocent and unassuming -- not one of those yippers who demanded your attention, no that wasn't him.

Sage had money. He had the wealth and status to live like this, with these names and faces and the popularity. But that was his parents money, their reputation. He was their experiment. He almost shunned these people, but he kept a happy smile for Aiden. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for Aiden. This wasn't his scene. He'd be stuck in the basement, hiding in the shadows of some dark net club somewhere, or worse alone in his bedroom before Aiden. And well Nox, if it weren't for Aurora he wouldn't even be in Moscow. Well maybe he would, it was where he could fix his chipset. So maybe... he drifted into the world of information for a moment before drifting back out at the mention of some interesting bit of conversation. It was hard to stay focused when his high wasn't more than a thought away. There was just so much new information to gather.

[[ ooc: Sage's drifting looks and seems very much like he's high on something (he is but not any drug he can give anyone else) ]]

[Jensen James]

((Ooc: Should I wait for Mr Aiden to catch up? No poster left behind!))

[Nox]

[[ Jaxen told me that he lumped all his together in Max's last post ]]

[Jensen James]

After Adrian's invite to his penthouse, Jensen found himself in the elevator with the others, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts. Going up seemed better than facing the chaos of the lobby below, but his heart was heavy with unease.

The elevator doors slid open quietly, and Jensen hesitated for a second before stepping in. Inside, the atmosphere was a strange mix of tension and forced normality. There was small talk, perhaps in an attempt to dispel the unease, but Jensen just couldn't join in. He leaned against the cool metal of the elevator’s back wall, feeling out of place, his mind racing.

He caught Ezvin's eye briefly, looking for some kind of silent reassurance. Having Ezvin there was a small comfort, but it didn’t lessen the weight of what had happened. His secret was out, at least partly, and he was already uncomfortable with being out in other ways. It hung over him like a cloud in the confined space of the elevator.

While the others made small talk, he discreetly pulled out his wallet, scrolling through the barrage of messages. One stood out — sending shivers down his spine. The time stamp indicated it was earlier in the party, perhaps even minutes before the lights went out.

I know who you are, Iáson. Your secret is safe with me. I have a friend I'd like you to meet. He has an affliction. Not looking for a cure, but your ability and my tech -- we could have some fun. ~The Wicked Truth

Jensen's eyes narrowed as he read and re-read the message. ‘Iáson – the moniker felt like a brand, a label for the healer he was commanded to keep hidden. Who was this 'Wicked Truth'? How did they know about him? The message was cryptic, its intent unclear, but it hinted at firm awareness of Jensen's healing skill and suggested a proposition that Jensen wasn’t sure how to interpret. A knot formed in his stomach; he felt much the same way as he had when his blackmailer contacted him all those years ago in Dallas. Was this a threat as that had been or an opportunity?

He took a breath and decided to respond. You know who I am, but I don’t know who you are. If your intentions are noble, come find me face to face. He hit send just as the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

Jensen took a deep breath, steeling himself. Stepping out of the elevator, he braced for the uncertainty of what awaited. It was a brief escape, but the real challenge of dealing with the night’s events was still ahead.

[Sage]

Sage didn't pick up his wallet in his pocket when it went off. He read the message through the HUD in his head. It was ones and zeros to anyone else but he knew what it said otherwise. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Aiden's cheek. "I'm gonna chit chat with my friend a minute. I'll be back."

When the elevator stopped and everyone stepped off he stopped next to Jensen. "I am very good at keeping secrets. I didn't know that was one you kept. You are very obvious about your interactions. Anyone who pays attention would know you. Sometimes the truth hurts. It's often why it's called the Wicked Truth." Sage said with a widening smile. "But this won't get out of hand. The videos will find a way to the trash and any that post might find they shared something completely different instead." He did like payback.