revivalproject | Every hero movie needs a party

Entry tags:

Every hero movie needs a party

WHO: Anyone and everyone
WHERE: Some Ballroom
WHAT: PARTAY! AKA the Fundraiser Padme is throwing to raise money for Tony's philanthropic oopsie
WHEN: mid-April
WARNINGS: Nothing in general. Potential for villain violence.

((ooc: This is a general mingle post. Go forth and do whatever you want! I've set the scene for the party but what you do in it is up to you! Want to party and schmooze with some rich folks? Go for it! Want to be a bad guy and try to steal shit from under said rich people's noses? Fabulous! Want to be a hero and stop said bad guys. Awesome! Want to brood and sulk like the dark angsty DC character you've always wanted to be? You do you, boo. Go forth and have fun!))

Maybe you're well to do in the city. Maybe you just know a guy who knows a guy. Or maybe you just have the right connections and heard it through the grapevine. One way or another, you've heard about the party of the month. Padme Naberrie Amidala, on behalf of the Stark Industries Board of Directors, has planned the finest fundraising event of her career to help pay for the new wing on the children's hospital... And maybe some starving children Tony wants to save.

Arrival

The entrance sets the stage for the whole event. Lit posts leading up to a wide circular doorway. The red carpet from the sidewalk is lined with paparazzi looking to snap some primo pictures of the attendees. Pose for the cameras, mingle, or just grab a drink from one of the waitstaff as you head inside.

Dinner is Served

The tables are set with fine place settings and beautiful center pieces. Most of the room is decked out in black and white, so as to not draw attention to the lovely colored gowns worn by many of the attendees. The gourmet meal has several options to satisfy everyone. The deserts are even more elaborate. Grab a bite and socialize. Or steal a seat or a plate when no one's looking. I'm not the boss of you.

Time to Socialize

There might not be a formal dance floor but the string quintet is playing some lovely music while the guests mingle. Now's the time to grab a glass of champagne or something from the bar. Snag some fancy looking hors d'oeuvres from a wandering server and spend time with your fellow citizens of this fine city.

Auction!

It is a fundraiser, after all. Aside from the cost to get in (unless you're a filthy freeloader who snuck in the back door), there is also a silent auction set up for attendees. But there are no gift baskets or wreathes in this auction. Nay, my friends. There is a reason there are guards at the door. This auction includes such things as Rolex watches, diamond necklaces, ski trips to the Andes and other fancy rich people things.

But the cherry on top is Tony Stark's contribution. A car that mysterious billionaire Din Djarin is rumored to have his eye on. The car has somehow been brought into the event and is on display for anyone to admire. But remember, that car did belong to Tony Stark, so none of you villains even think about trying to steal it!

The Bar

Every formal event has to have a bar for people tired of champagne or those who just want to be antisocial and run away for a while. Does this really need any more description than that?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's a brief 'deer-caught-in-headlights' moment when Cal realizes the man is heading towards him, although it's a belated realization given how sudden it happens as he's contemplating canapés.

"O-oh, no worries," he assures, blinking before he turns just slight enough to catch a look in the direction that Bucky's glancing. Even if he's not particularly sure of whom the man is trying to avoid, it's been made clear enough that such is precisely what he's attempting to do. Cal nods towards a nearby space by the wall, nearly obscured behind one of the heavy draperies. "Prime hiding place right there," he suggests.

"Lifesaver," he says, clapping the man on the shoulder and slipping past him. He's going to be really unlucky if this doesn't work, especially since the alcove really has no other exit. But it's big enough to hide him, fortunately.

"You haven't seen me," he hisses, though he doubts that the guy helping him hide is really going to give him away. Still, better safe than sorry, and Bucky's listening carefully for the particular cadence of that woman's heels.

Cal tosses a quick thumbs-up over his shoulder before casually shifting it into brushing his hair back from his forehead. He removes his phone to start taking a few shots of the people out beyond, pausing as a certain woman steps in his direction, looking around with a mildly confused expression.

"Can I help you?" the intern asks politely when she gravitates closer, but she hardly gives him a glance as she turns and heads back into the crowd.

Bucky doesn’t dare to peek out from the alcove until the woman’s heels fade away. Definitely dodged a bullet there, because he really doesn’t need her hanging off his arm and pressing her cleavage against him. Again.

He slips out from the curtain once the coast is clear, breathing a sigh of relief. “You’re a lifesaver,” he says to his, well, lifesaver. “I definitely owe you for that.”

"Wow," the kid comments under his breath as the woman walks off. He looks over his shoulder as Bucky reemerges, flashing him a crooked smile before he shakes his head. "Hey, no problem. Even heroes need a break." Cal can't really say he envies all the attention they get, that's for sure.

"You're not wrong." Bucky takes a deep breath — freedom! sweet, sweet freedom! — and offers the kid a handshake. It's only polite, considering he totally didn't have to help out. "Bucky Barnes. Thanks a lot."

Not that he needs an introduction to know that, but it's completely different to get it firsthand from the man himself than from media. The intern takes Bucky's hand almost hesitantly, but he gives it a firm shake.

"Cal Kestis. And you're very welcome. You must go to these things often. Can't imagine how that is. It's my first time at something big like this and sometimes I feel like I'm just treading water."

"I go to enough of them." Which is Bucky speak for only the ones he can't get out of, though Cal has no way of knowing that. Truly not all of them are bad. This one isn't even that bad, all things told. But it is a fundraiser and that means not pissing off the guests enough that they take their wallets and leave. Bucky's willing to do a lot when it comes to funding a good cause.

"I know that feeling, though. If it makes you feel any better about it." The feeling of being in over one's head, or nearly so. Bucky doesn't envy that at all. "Anything I can do to help get you out of the deep end?"

The longer he's here, the more inclined he feels to just observe from a distance. All the glitz and glam really isn't Cal's style, too many false smiles and laughter. He's sure a lot of it is knowing the right people or trying to make connections. He's just here to take pictures, and considers it means something if he's enjoyed taking more of the strange winged cats around the party than the actual people.

"Makes me feel a lot better actually. Just talking to you about it helps. Nice to know not everyone here's just for show," he says.

"Some people like the show." And sometimes it's unavoidable; Bucky is well versed in the necessity of being a symbol when a symbol is needed. But it's not something he wants to do all the time, and if dropping at least some of the act lets him put others at ease, he's all for it.

"Some people forget that we're all just people. And some people want to forget it." But that's not really who Bucky is, deep down. He really just cares too much.

They probably wouldn't have events like this if not for the point of the show. Everything's been dressed up with the intent to draw attention, from the venue itself to the guest list.

Cal nods. "Yeah, I kind of figured that. I mean, it's easy to get caught up in being starstruck by someone so well-known. But then you see said someone trying to avoid attention and..." He chuckles a little with a meaningful shrug.

True words well spoken, right there. Bucky echoes the laugh, because he's totally called out and he can't even mind it. "Well, certain types of attention are unavoidable. And others... well, I would've hidden under the tablecloth if I thought I could get away with it."

"No offense, but I definitely don't envy you in that," Cal grins. "I'm sorry you have to put up with it." The man probably does so on a constant basis at these kinds of things, and it must be exhausting.

"Totally wouldn't fault you for wanting to try. I doubt anyone would look. Except for maybe the cats with the wings. Have you seen them?" Golly, was he talking about cats with Captain America? "I just hope no one from the paper sees me with you because I know they'll be badgering me about it." He supposes that warrants some explanation, so he slips the press badge out of his blazer pocket, in and out before raising a hand to forestall any conclusions. "-just an intern. I'm mainly here to help take pictures."

"It's not all doom and gloom all the time." And helping people out more than makes up for the parts that Bucky doesn't enjoy, so it all evens out in the end.

"I did see one of those cats, yeah. She wouldn't let me near her though." Whether that's because she's overstimulated in the busy environment, or she's just decided to be a cat, Bucky doesn't know. He hadn't pressed the matter any more than offering his fingers for a sniff, for which the animal had simply turned and walked away. Message received, loud and clear.

He nods to the press pass, looks around them quickly but they don't seem to be gaining any extra attention. "Well, I happen to know a good hiding place, very close by," he jokes. "But if you need a particular picture or something, I could help out. I have a little pull with the people here."

"The one I saw actually posed for a picture," Cal says. "They all seemed pretty interested in hanging around the things on display for the auction." Which is totally fine, right?

He laughs again, glad to find that Bucky's so easy to talk to. "Well I don't know that I need a particular picture. And I think there'll be enough opportunity once the auction comes up anyway." Which he can only imagine his seniors objecting very strongly to brushing off a potentially once in a lifetime offer, but he still stands by his decision.

"Oh, nice!" And possibly suspicious if they're hanging around the expensive goods; Bucky can think of at least one cat burglar who would have a field day with the auction hall. But he hasn't seen any sign of Catra here, and he knows she works alone in the field, so he doubts they're affiliated. Still, something to keep in mind.

Bucky too is glad for the ease of conversation. He really does prefer interactions like this, where he can just be his normal self rather than the inherent performance that comes with being Captain America. "You change your mind, you let me know. I do owe you one."

It is a little suspicious, but then cats will be cats, and it's not like they can drive off in the fancy car. Or maybe that's Cal being naive.

"Don't worry about it," Cal reassures, shrugging. "It's the least I could do. I mean, compared to all the things you already do, it's little enough. I'm just glad to be able to get a guy some space to breathe."

You say that now...

No but seriously the cats have been decently well-behaved. It probably means that they're a part of some dastardly plot somewhere but for right now, Bucky has no complaints about seeing the felines around. They are pretty interesting.

"The least you can do is more than most people try," he points out. Space to breathe? Bucky doesn't know her. It's why he's so grateful for interactions like this, just shades of normal in the superhero life. "So if you decide that there is something I can do, I'm happy to oblige."

Fair enough, Cal supposes. "I'll keep it in mind," he says. "It might just circle back to a nice group photo." It'd be nice to at least have something to show for aside from general crowd images and cat pictures, anyway.

"You think a group photo of the planning committee would be useful, I might be able to help you out. I have a pretty good relationship with Stark Industries and with the mastermind behind this event." Which Bucky had little enough to do with, aside from being a tiny bit of physical muscle in moving things. But event planning is not his forte, and he'd been more than happy to not be involved in it.

"Yes, that actually sounds perfect," Cal says, snapping his fingers. He's sure the paper will use a photo like that somewhere in their article of the fundraiser's coverage. True, there would probably a similar opportunity later on, but it would be nice to have more personal angle.

"If people aren't too busy, of course," he adds, because he's sure everyone's spread out around here.

"I'm sure that I can make it happen." And done now, while the night is still early, everyone still looks fresh and energetic. With a somewhat private photo session it's likely to come out looking nice too, not awkward angle from jostling amidst other reporters and photographers.

Even better. Cal wasn't really feeling the crowds, and while he hadn't thought he'd get that chance, having an exclusive photo is always ideal for the paper. He nods at Bucky. "All right then." He won't have any hard feelings if it falls through, but the man's got his hopes up now.

"Let me just—" He's got his phone in hand, texting already; a moment later he pockets it and looks at Cal. "Twenty minutes, by the car in the auction hall. Two people I'm probably going to have to wrangle there myself, but we'll make it happen. Sound good?"

It's kind of funny to think how easily certain people can get away with things. You just had to be at some corresponding level to be able to do so without getting strange looks or the police called on you.

Cal brightens at that. "Yeah, can do. I'll meet you over there in twenty minutes, then?" he confirms.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Every hero movie needs a party

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject