Devon's hand on his shoulder was of vague comfort, it was at least nice to know that someone understood what the situation was like there. Sam seemed more interested in being civil, which was fair enough, but honestly when such divisive nonsense was spouted by people claiming to have mutants best interests at heart, it couldn't be ignored.

>> "The political climate hasn't been easy on our kind in the past"

Linely responded in a slow quietened voice. Keeping his voice low this time. "And that's why you'll move backwards not forwards-you cling to the past and ignore the present, much less the future. You've clearly learned nothing from what has happened over the years. Mutant, non-mutant, they are all humans. Treating each other as "our kind" and "their kind" does nothing but cause division"

He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as Lauren went away. Just another passing mutant with a chip on her shoulder about humans, thinking the world owed them something. Non-mutants had made mistakes, and Linely had no issue with causing vast amounts of pain to the supremacist side of that politics, but Utopia took things too far. It had been done before with different groups,all consumed by this nostalgic vision of a single homogeneous group ruling a nation. It never worked.

"Cafas?" He certainly recognised the name, one of the X-Men, metal manipulation if he remembered correctly. "I've never met him, but he certainly has a reputation."He'd certainly helped the police force a few times."

Linely laughed at Devon's remark about the content of his drinks. "More for myself and Sam then" he joked, filling Sam's glass to the brim. "They're pretty good and all." He'd had quite a few now-to many more and he wouldn't be able to sober up properly. He would transition to water in the next two... or three rounds.

”Not bad,” Sam said with a little raise of his glass trying to move on from probably one of the more awkward conversations he had been a part of in some time. Which is saying a lot because he usually made them a little more awkward with a comment he happened to say or the fact that he usually had a drink on his person. ”More for us then.” Sam agreed sipping his whiskey and then looked to Linley ”Some need it more than others.”

Another sip and then Sam looked back to Devon, ”I got to ask did you mention to Aura it probably isn’t in any bodies interest that she arrived tonight?” the icemancer glanced over at the aura-wielding mutant. He’d call her a murder but he too had killed so to put him and Aura in the same category made him feel a little uneasy.

”If you want I can escort her out. Aura and I have gotten along in the past, sort of a respect thing. After I last arrested her I doubt she’ll be as chummy but… I don’t really want to see anyone dead tonight.” Sam sipped his whiskey, ”It’s a party after all.” he looked to Juliette and smiled.

"The drinks are good, but you're probably making the smartest decision, Devon," Juliette gave her friend a little smile, trying to keep herself in a light mood despite the animosity at the table. At least one of them would still be sober at the end of the night. "I might be a good idea for some of us to slow down, though," she added, allowing the slightest bit of venom to seep into her voice. 

Juliette allowed her elbow to rest on the table as she leaned forward a bit. The party had turned sour somewhere down the line, and although Sam and Devon were trying to right the ship, she couldn't help the frustration that had bubbled up over the course of the conversation.

She knew that she was likely perpetuating the feelings of bad blood, but God, the cop across the table had bothered her. Sure, Lauren hadn't been the best either, but his outbursts were unnecessary, and frankly, she was a little worried by the fact that he was one of the people that was supposed to be protecting the city. 

"That might be a good idea," she nodded at Sam. Aura so far hadn't hurt anyone, but she had definitely given a few people a bit of a scare. They were better off being safe rather than sorry. 

"There's dancing going on somewhere else, right? A band?" Juliette asked Devon after a second. She really just wanted to be anywhere other than the toxic environment that was surrounding their table. Maybe getting up and doing something else 

>> "The drinks are good, but you're probably making the smartest decision, Devon," (Juliette said)

A smile met Juliette’s in return. Oh he knew where she was going with that. He didn’t disagree. If you didn’t offer alcohol, there was a certain clientele that wouldn’t come, especially high paying ones. If you made it too abundant things got rowdy. So it was available but there were also watchful eyes for anyone who became a problem. There were also those who dove too quickly into some personal remedies…

>> "I've never met him, but he certainly has a reputation."He'd certainly helped the police force a few times." (Linely said)

Devon quirked an eyebrow and replied quickly, “He was the officer who first came to meet with me when I called the NYPD about establishing a better relationship with the reformed Sanctuary. I owe him a great deal of thanks.”

>> ”If you want I can escort her out. Aura and I have gotten along in the past, sort of a respect thing. After I last arrested her I doubt she’ll be as chummy but… I don’t really want to see anyone dead tonight.” (Cold Steel said)

“Ah well, there shouldn’t be any need for that. We had a very calm, positive conversation. There shouldn’t be any issue and she hasn’t any wish to cause one,” Devon nodded slowly. “But thank you for the offer. It’s a party as ya said. I think we all value a new peace here at Sanctuary. She’ll be leaving soon…” If she hadn’t already.

>> "There's dancing going on somewhere else, right? A band?"

“Yes!” Devon grinned, replying cheerfully. “I forgot I was on my way out to check on things. Once night falls we’ve got a DJ, lights, et cetera. A few bands are playing til then. I’ll let you two go enjoy,” he dipped his head to Firefly and Cold Steel. “I’m going to check with our staff outside and those barbequing.”

He patted Linely’s shoulder a couple times, “You may like talking to some of those in the hall better. More about working with the community, donating time to Sanctuary and those nearby, peace rallies… It’ll do your heart good I think.”

Linely nodded at Sam's remark about him needing more of a drink. Though they probably didn't want to see him totally non sober, that would be bad. With that in mind, he could sense that he had perhaps lost his temper one too many times. It would be time to leave, much like the woman from Utopia, whatever her name was.

Juliette was clearly not pleased with him either, so it was probably best that he followed Devon's advice and extracted himself from the situation. "Yeah, I think so, certainly wouldn't hurt to get a bit of fresh air." He stumbled slightly as he stood up to go. "I hope I haven't been too much of a bother."

He quietly walked away towards the hall, a bit of food wouldn't hurt him either, it would certainly help with the drink going to his head. Utopia would fail, that was for sure, all of those kinds of Garveyesque movements did. They were never motivated by anything other than division or lack of willingness to solve any problems.

Soon as Juliette asked about dancing or a band Sam was on his feet slamming his drink and walking closer to his date offering his hand. ”Think some dancing would do us both some good.” Sam said as he cracked a smile, ”Want to make sure I still got it. Been a while since I’ve danced.” any variation of it.

Nodding his head to Devon and complimenting his ability to throw a charity once again Sam then looked to Linely and gave a small nod before walking off to the nearest dance floor with his girlfriend.