Every hero movie needs a party

[no_applause]

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?

Comments

[foundlingfather]

There's a thoughtful sound from him for a moment. "Hmm yes, I saw your bid." He finally says, and then chuckles. "She may be. Because your bid was still the high one." He might cast a glance in the direction that Padme had gone, again, for a moment, before he looked back to his companion. He smiles a little. "It looked like a really nice bracelet. I'm sure Merrin will enjoy you winning it for her."

Din had enjoyed their moment up in his residence. The turn in their relationship made him a little nervous. Yet part of him really wanted to see where it would go. Helped a lot by it being someone he's grown to know for years.

"Mmm, the car is nice. Wish you could see it." He then frowns a little. "Although last I saw it, there were at least a couple of...winged cats perched on it." They didn't seem to be doing it any harm, but it was definitely an unexpected sight.

"I think Grogu's still a little young to drive." Although the thought makes him chuckle. "I'd win him something, but there's nothing that'd interest him." For an auction for kid's charities, there was a severe lack of stuff for kids. Well, little kids, anyway.

[heypartner]

"It'll make a good graduation gift." Cobb thinks about maybe finding Padme and telling her not to do him a favor. He is a little fierce about his independence but... he also likes a deal. He'd rather win something for cheap with a little help.

He chuckles softly. Winged cats. That's a good thing to note for the article. He had thought he heard wings somewhere but hadn't fully trusted his senses. That's the last time he'll doubt himself.

"Sneak one of the fancy desserts out for him. He'll love that." The kid is pretty easy to please when it comes to food if Cobb remembers correctly. Din could probably take a whole tray home and Grogu would be happy.

Cobb sighs fondly as he looks in Din's direction. "You probably look real nice right now." He lowers his voice as he tilts his head closer to Din. "You know what I'd like? To get out of here with you. Get some greasy diner food and just talk. You and me. Well, could bring the kids too. Maybe end the night with a kiss."

Which he wouldn't get here. A damn shame. He'd been thinking about it a lot when he let his mind wander.

[foundlingfather]

"She graduating soon?" Don't tempt Din to help, too. If Padme wasn't already helping, he probably would. He knows how much Cobb cares for his daughter. The little man should be able to win sometimes.

He hums thoughtfully. "I can probably see about taking one of the dinners home, too." It's true, that small child would eat basically anything put in front of him. Din's wondered if his alien species was related to goats. "But I do think he'd like the dessert in the spoons specially." Which would be easier to transport/sneak, than the ice cream dessert.

"Don't tempt me." He responds in a low voice in return, doing his best to not be flustered in public. "Bunch of times tonight, I've had socialites trying to hook me up with their kids, or grandkids." Which is awkward to start with, but add it being suggested in such a public venue... "With all I had to deal with, I'm glad I left Grogu at home."

[heypartner]

"Soon enough. She's gonna go place, my kid." Cobb didn't try to keep the pride out of his voice. He was damn proud of Merrin and how far she'd come from the tragedy early in her life. "I've got no idea what she wants to do but doesn't matter. She'll succeed."

Cobb figured if he said something to Padme she'd make sure Din got some treats to take home to the kid. If Din didn't say something, that was. Cobb might not have to do any, though, since Din was already thinking about it.

"Sounds like fun." He couldn't quite hide the amusement in his voice. He wasn't laughing at Din but it was a close thing. "Well, I used my blindness to get Captain America out of a jam earlier. If you need help just signal and I'll look very helpless and disabled. No one will stop you from helping the poor, sad, blind man."

He did his best to adopt a pathetic expression. Which was immediately ruined by his smirk.

[foundlingfather]

"And dad's going to be her biggest supporter." There was no question about that. Cobb'll always be the loudest, cheering Merrin on. In whatever she decides to do with her life. Oh Din will definitely talk to Padme about getting food to take home. Assuming he doesn't leave earlier. Then again, they could always come back later, too.

"Yeah, great fun." It gets a bit of sass out of him. Yeah, he loved every minute of it. Some of those socialites were really persistent. The offer and the story does get a raised eyebrow, and a head tilt from him. "Really? Captain America? You're going to have to tell me that story." Getting a hero out of a jam, had to be quite the story.

He looks around at the crowd for a moment, before back tp Cobb. There's a slight hesitation, before he's raising a hand to grip the other's arm.

"This'll still be going on for hours. We could go for a couple, come back in time for the end of the auction." He suggests.

[heypartner]

"Let's go," Cobb said without the slightest hesitation. If Din wanted to ditch this fancy party and just go anywhere else, Cobb was alright with that. "Here, oldest trick in the book."

He tucked his arm through Din's so the man could 'escort' him through the crowd. Such a nice young man helping the poor blind reporter. Cobb knew people were watching and assuming whatever made them feel good.

"There's probably a back door out of this place." He would guess Din was looking for a route out that wasn't the front door where folks would ask a whole bunch of questions. "I'll tell you my Cap story once we're out of here."

It was a good story.

[foundlingfather]

Cobb you're an awful influence on him. Din's supposed to be a respectable business man, and support this charity auction Stark is putting on. But he's also a private man, who's never been big on crowds, and he'd already dealt with them for a while tonight. Given a chance to escape at least for a bit? He'll take it.

He linked arms with Cobb, to escort him out. Taking the time to find, and wave down Lucius Fox, who'd been there too. The other business man raised an eyebrow at the excuse given, but then simply nodded. He was used to Din being strange, and gave confirmation at the request to call Din, when the auction was nearer to ending.

"Alright, this way." Din had figured out the best route, and escorted Cobb that way. Leaving Lucius to answer questions that may have come up from other party goers. No, going out the front was not the way they were going. Probably still a bunch of reporters and photographers lurking out that way, that weren't lucky enough to get passes inside.

Once they made it out a back way, and it was clear nobody was going to chase them down, Din finally relaxed some. "You're a bad influence." There's no heat behind the words, though.

[heypartner]

"I try my best." The moment they were outside Cobb relaxed a bit too. He couldn't hear another person besides the two of them. Couldn't hear the hum of a security camera. It was just the two of them in the back alley behind the venue.

Fuck it, Cobb thought to himself.

He grabbed Din by the front of his suit, pulled him close, and kissed him. He didn't get it quite right kissing Din's cheek and just the corner of his mouth. His strange way of seeing the world only gave him outlines, not details.

Once he had an idea of where Din's mouth was, though, he adjusted and properly kissed Din. It was slow and deep, Cobb really savoring the chance. He rested his forehead against Din's after the kiss. "Been wanting to do that since I found you in there."

[foundlingfather]

After all the hassle of the evening, it's really nice to finally escape it, into a quiet alleyway. Specially with company he preferred. His guiding grip shifting to the more proper one he knows, his stride also settling into a more relaxed one. Falling into walking beside Cobb naturally.

The sudden grab of his suit, however, makes him halt, and Cobb can hear his heart skip a beat at the failed kiss attempt. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up. When it does, he tilts his head to make it easier to find his mouth. His free hand coming up to grip at Cobb's shoulder, as he loses himself in savoring the kiss. He's still not that great at kissing, but he's a little better than the first one. He'll only getting better the more it happens.

"It was worth getting away for." It certainly helped wash away the discomfort brought on by the party.

[heypartner]

Cobb chuckles softly presses a gentler kiss against Din's mouth before he draws away. They've got a little privacy but it's still a risk to kiss in public. One stray cellphone picture and the whole city would lose its mind. He wants to keep kissing him but it'll have to wait for another time.

"Let's go find somethin' more fun." He slides his arm back through Din's for the walk out of the alley. He has no idea what's around this part of the city. He didn't come here that often. It's too fancy for his tastes.

"Now, the bad influence in me wants to take you somewhere fun like an arcade or pool hall. Not sure where either of those might be around here." Cobb couldn't 'see' electronic screens so an arcade might be hilarious. "But I'm feelin' generous so tell me where you'd like to go. Besides home."