Rhythm without Pain (Solo)

((OOC: Music to read by: Chained to the Rhythm by Katy Perry

See the Alternate Verse corresponding thread here.))

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Devon threw the doors open and swept eagerly into his room. “Computer,” he called on the smart home assistant. “Play Inferno music.” It switched his penthouse’s speakers to the Inferno nightclub’s connected feed.

~ Are we crazy? ~

Kate Perry was the guest downstairs for the evening, entertaining the club’s membership and guests while raising money for the fight against prohibiting minorities and mutants into the country.

~ So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, the trouble ~

Into his walk-in closet he passed by his bureau, a scan of his eyes quickly verifying the day’s medication had been taken. His pill box was labeled for each, each day planned and prepared ahead of time for the week on Sunday morning. Today’s day was empty. He knew he’d taken them in the morning but he checked habitually. His jeans, t-shirt, and underthings went into the hamper. His sport coat went on a hook.

~ We're all chained to the rhythm ~

Brilliant blue eyes reviewed the clothing on his bench. He’d prepared his evening wear before leaving that morning for a quick visit to Plum Island and then Sanctuary. Black dress shoes, freshly polished the night before, with black socks. The pants were charcoal gray with a single thing line of a pale gray. His shirt was tight-fitting knit and also black with a wide neck and no collar. The belt was black as was the pair of boxer briefs.

~ Yeah, we think we're free ~

“Drinks, this one is on me,“ he grinned in the mirror, happily singing along as he dressed. New deodorant went on though lightly. He didn’t sweat typically but it kept a clean scent. He brushed his teeth and fixed his hair, slicking it to the side and then back. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and then sprayed a single burst of Chez Bond. It was a New York fragrance and a clean one. Women seemed to enjoy it, he’d noted.

~ Dance, dance, dance to the dist- ~

Out he went to the elevator, turning off the music and dousing the lights. The elevator was silent as he thought ahead to those he’d greet downstairs. There was the mayor, a senator, some volunteers from the Billy Mission, a few from Sanctuary, a new prospect starring on Broadway, and a friend from school. Chief would be there and he’d say hello. He wasn’t sure if Max was working but he’d check.

~ Turn it up, it's your favorite song ~

The door opened and the sound of Katy Perry’s refrain was heralding the end of her song. He hurried ahead, across the foyer and into the Inferno, smiling at the staff he passed. A girl smiled and he bowed his head to her; her name was Toria Amerix from the HRC. He made a few dancing steps across the floor up into the VIP section to say hello to the Mayor and Senator.

~ To the rhythm to the rhythm ~

They moved to the rhythm Haven had set for them.

~ It goes on, and on, and on (turn it up )
It goes on, and on, and on
It goes on, and on, and on
(It goes on) 'cause we're all chained to the rhythm ~