Jack was a girl. Noel's brain stuttered for a moment on that. Jack was a boy name. Jack was a big dude... ette. Also, she wasn't even a lobster...

"Right." It was like a math problem that she could see the answer to, but had no earthly clue on how she was supposed to get there. "I may someday get used to hanging out with all walks of people, but I don't think today's that day." What in the world would happen if Jack hit an adapted's field? Was that something they had to watch out for, now?

Noel started at Sveta's casual use of profanity, but otherwise made no comment on it. Sveta was a grownup. She could say whatever she wanted.

> "You want to introduce me, or what?"

"Uh. Yeah." She cringed through the lie. What Noel really wanted to do was go home and put on a pair of sweats. But other people knowing Noel might be important some day. She wouldn't hold her breath about remembering anyone here specifically.

In the meantime, Michael seemed to be at enough of a stopping point in his chat with Jack that he was looking around. It was now or never, really. Noel made a motion like she might grab Sveta's arm, but decided against it even if there were gloves. Her power was f***ed up. Nobody, not even Noel,
wanted it turned on tonight. "C'mon."

Noel stopped just outside the socially acceptable standard circle. Too close and she'd want to touch. There was no point in getting mushy in front of people.

"Hey, Stranger." Noel gave Micahel's boots a kick in the rubbery heel before she gave a classic security nod to Jack. The 'I see you and you see me and that's just fine because neither of us is trouble.' Noel wasn't assigned to any of her normal activities tonight. It seemed nobody was.

"I hear you're Jack." Noel offered her hand to the big guy... gal, and was surprised at how much more rainbow-y the Mantis Shrimp Lady was up close. There was an awful lot to look at, including the suit.

"Michael, this is my friend Sveta who's also known as Muse. Don't shake her hand."

As far as her introduction to Jack went, that was a bit easier. "I'm Noel. I see you met Michael. If he's ever a pain, let me know and I'll beat him up for you." That was a joke since a) Ranger could benchpress his stupidly oversized truck and b) Jack didn't look like she needed anyone to beat up anyone else on her behalf.

Celeste sat back down after the introductions. She smiled, they were truly an adorable couple. She readjusted herself, getting settled into her chair with her newfound company. She laughed a little bit at Blaine's mention of preferring to the bouncer. He looked like he could be the bouncer, that was for sure. "Eh... I don't think social situations are anybodies forte, honestly." She motioned to herself, "as you can tell, from the girl hiding from everyone."

Her attention focused to Jess and she had to nod. It was probably a lot different being with him off duty and she could see why it would be preferable. She wondered what Lee did - she knew Blaine was a bouncer or something, but Lee hadn't let on too much about herself yet.

She grinned sheepishly, "I dunno... I'm really new. As a part of this organization." New at everything... A new internship, a new organization, a new school... At least they hadn't seen her face plastered on T.V. at the mutant rights protest last year. That was a plus.

More people were joining them... just like that... Jack's gaze glommed-on to Svetlana, her neighbor and perhaps even her friend. Both of the ladies were gorgeous, but Sveta was familiar, and thus a welcomed sight to behold. The brunette... the prawn was unfamiliar with. She looked at Jack as though the prawn was a piece of her least favorite food. When the two women had joined them, Jack nodded to the both of them. Something about the look in the brunette's eyes made the prawn hesitant to greet them aloud.

The brunette greeted Michael... then Jack, which earned a second nod. Props to her for offering her hand for a handshake. The prawn extended her own primary hand, and lightly... briefly... shook the other woman's hand.

Noel, huh. She made light about Michael giving Jack trouble, and helping if the prawn ever needed it. Jack nodded again, a wry laugh stopping just short of her nasal bridge. Michael didn't seem like the kind of person that would give her trouble, but the gesture was appreciated.

"Shanks," the prawn clicked warmly. She looked towards Svetlana, inclining her head, "How you likin' dis... shindig?" Maybe Svetlana was the type who actually enjoyed parties, and Jack could trail after her.

Ranger drank from his beer as he decided who to meet next. Before he could move to introduce himself to someone else, Noel was on the way with Sveta in tow. Well, as much as you could tow without making any form of contact.

Noel stopped and gave Ranger’s bootheel a kick as she said, "Hey, Stranger."

”Howdy.” Ranger said with a smile.

Introductions were made by Noel. Herself to Jack and Ranger to Sveta. The latter was rather moot. While Ranger may have never met her, there wasn’t a single person in Haven Ranger didn’t know the name and appearance of. Even though he knew about her power, and Noel had said not to, Ranger had a brief moment where he started to reach his hand forward to shake Sveta’s hand. Instead he brought the hand up to touch the brim of his hat as he said in Russian, <Nice to meet you, Sveta.>

Then, to Noel’s offer to beat him up if he was ever a pain to Jack, Ranger added, ”She means it too... an’ she’s got one hell of an arm f’r shoe throwin’.”

Noel and Sveta walked over to the small group of people talking and standing around. Apparently, working to make the world a better place and believing that Devon was a great guy in and of itself was not enough to do away with all the social awkwardness in the room. Yet. Sveta was curious to see the guy that Noel was not-dating.

>>"Michael, this is my friend Sveta who's also known as Muse. Don't shake her hand."

>>"<Nice to meet you, Sveta.>"

Sveta waved her hand, making sure the guy did not have a chance to reach out for a handshake. The sooner all Havenites learned that rule the better. "You speak Russian?" she blinked in surprise. It was nice to know someone spoke her language, even if she was comfortable with English by now.

Noel introduced herself to Jack, who seemed glad to see Sveta walk up.

>>"How you likin' dis... shindig?"

"Getting the hang of it" she smiled at the chief. She was glad Jack was around, she was easy to talk to. She was sure Noel was going to like her too. They were already discussing beating up her boyfriend, after all. Sveta turned back to Michael. "Where did you learn Russian?"

Lee wasn’t so sure that Celeste was right about social situations being no one’s forte. Lee really didn’t have much trouble in them most of the time. Sure, there were times when she’d much rather prefer to not be around people, just like now with how Blaine looked in that suit of his…

But that didn’t mean that Lee was bad or uncomfortable in social situations. And, though Lee knew that Blaine wasn’t generally a fan of being out in social situations like this, apparently it was the same for Celeste. Though, Lee thought as Celeste continued talking, she did seem rather uncomfortable sitting here. ”We haven’t been here very long ourselves,” Lee said, still marvelling yet happy about how both she and Blaine had managed to find their way into Haven completely separately. To Lee, that was just another sign of how well they worked and fit together. ”But if you need help with anything, feel free to ask.”

Taking a sip of her pop, Lee couldn’t help the small smile that curled the corners of her lips. Just the fact that she was drinking a pop rather than a beer or something stronger like Blaine had, was a reminder that she was pregnant. ”If nothing else, I’m resourceful,” Lee continued as she set her cup down on the table. ”Have you gotten to do anything interesting since being brought in?”

Quin nodded her head, mildly surprised at Nate’s pronouncement that Devon had been his counselor after he’d been released from prison. Devon really was good people. Not everyone with an organization would have trusted someone who’d gone to prison for the things Nate had done. The thought wasn’t judgemental in any way, Quin knew what he’d sacrificed to to come clean, it was just a simple fact that even people who were completely rehabilitated sometimes had a hard time finding work after they’d paid their societal debt. Devon and Nate were obviously close, closer than even Quin had realized. Maybe she’d get to know the boss better after all.

Nate’s hand found the small of her back and Quin leaned closer to him. They were supposed to be socializing after all, and it was getting noisy as more people began to take their mission seriously. It would be easier to remember people in their finery anyway.

Quin nodded her head as Nate pointed out Noel, they’d worked together once and Quin had no problems with the woman...as odd as her powers were at times. The blonde with Noel was named Svetlana...wasn’t that exotic? The redhead wondered if the other woman had an accent to match the name or if her parents had simply wanted something more urbane and unique than traditional baby books had to offer. The woman was good in a pinch though...good to know for investigations. If things with the human trafficking ring continued to move as swiftly as they were, she may need a few good (wo)men to help with clean up.

To her immense credit, Quin didn’t make a face at Nate’s mention of the mansion. As had been testily pointed out to her on more than one occasion, the place was a school and often provided refuge to young mutants who had nowhere else to go. This girl was no exception, he was interning in one of the...political offices? How many departments did Haven have? Making a mental note to check into that, Quin followed Nate’s gaze to the person behind the bar. The woman behind the bar.

Visible mutations were something that Quin had little experience dealing with, having looked perfectly mundane her whole life. Jack was fantastic in all of her colorful glory and struck an imposingly colorful figure behind the bar. ”I’ll bet she’s good to have in a fight too!” Quin said, deciding she needed to get her to know a lot of her new coworkers better. It would be part of her checklist for the next few weeks.

Asked how she was holding up, Quin shrugged her shoulders and smiled widely at Nate, ”In all honesty I was a little furious that I had to come out tonight. I was already in sweats with a pint of that fancy organic ice cream I was telling you about…” The ice cream got a wistful little sigh that Quin quelled with a sip of her new drink, which had just arrived.

”I’m glad this was a thing though...do we have these kinds of events often?” she inquired, ”Because I’m going to have to up my wardrobe game if this is a regular occurrence...that and practice wearing heels for extended amounts of time.”

Devon sipped his gin again as he thumbed through the notifications on his phone. He frowned slightly, no word from Artair. Maybe the guy was finally getting some rest? Yeah, he deserved it. It would’ve been nice to see him at the party but Artair was getting through things too, had a life to lead. He didn’t always have time to party; he didn’t live on his phone like Devon.

The phone went away again as he smiled in Selene’s direction, “Great as always.”

She grinned back, winking, and gave an encouraging nod out toward the floor.

Devon chuckled quietly, as his eyes went up, and his head bobbed along in that I know sort of way. Ranger, Noel, Sveta, and Jack. Celeste, Lee, and Blaine. Quin and Nate were still oh-so-casual, just talking together even as she leaned in to him. Devon smirked slightly and savored the taste of his drink again. The man worked quickly…

With perhaps the renewed confidence his impromptu dance night had given him, the Haven founder glided onto the dance floor. The witchy woman behind the bar cued the mastermind of music Jason – who was looking bored at the low key party – to turn it up. Jason certainly thought himself clever as Rhianna remixed rained down from the speakers. The overhead lights dimmed as the strobes brightened in the corners.

Devon’s head dropped, even as he grinned widely, as he strode toward the center. He made a slow circle with one foot as he rested his cane along his arm. The refrain began for he’d be here forever and always be their friend. Variances of blue dots sifted through the Inferno as Jason played. Devon nimbly spun about in the faux rain, thankful it was neither him nor the sprinkler system! He spun slowly, his blue-eyed gaze sweeping the club and those assembled in it as he flipped the cane outward, pointing it toward them before holding it aloft.

Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella

Then the base began to beat, taking Devon’s nodding head, bouncing shoulders, and shifting hips with it.

A mumbled 'thanks' was all she got, besides the giant mantis hand.

Noel was making efforts because effort was what this was all about. Though, it sort of annoyed her that she was basically getting ignored for a Russian lesson and everything else that Sveta had to offer and Noel did not. Even if ignored might be better... Noel resisted the urge to wipe her hand on her dress. Sequins weren't going to clean anything.

And standing around and talking was boooooring. The psychic craned her neck around the conversation she didn't feel a part of to scope out whoever was left to talk to. One blonde girl who was too young to be here. Shame, Hadden. Shame. One brunette and her beau who was oozing 'I don't want to be here' vibes. Well. The sooner they chatted, the sooner they all could leave.

"I'm gonna go annoy the new kids." It occurred to her only after she'd said it that the people who were new to her, might not even be new...

Too late! She had already pat Michael's back and pulled away from the group. Noel put on a smile. She was not sure it looked like a smile to anyone else, but it was there. SecretKeeper could comment on it later.

Noel moved just a few spots down the bar to plant herself next to the mopey man and the girl that he very obviously belonged to. The jailbait blonde was just bonus at this point. Three birds, one stone.

"Ehhh. Is Hadden carrying a pimp cane?" She had meant to introduce herself first, but as the boss man moved toward the dance floor, he'd caught her attention and she did a double take.

White suit. Pimp cane.

It was, uh, festive.

"I'm Noel." Noel raised her hand to catch the bartender's attention and asked for water. Just water. No ice needed since her legs were frozen. No alcohol because she was supposed to remember tonight. "You guys should get out dancing so Hadden can't hog the entire spotlight." Also that white with the disco ball was blinding.

(Blaine Sinclaire, @leesmith, Celestina De Ward)

"You speak Russian?"

”Yes ma’am” Ranger said in reply. Even if Sveta was not the newest IE member, Ranger would still have said ma’am. Just because someone is younger than you doesn’t mean you should be impolite.

Noel’s comment to Jack had been more or less dismissed as she turned to talk to Sveta who responded before asking Ranger where he learned Russian.

”I did a lot o’ work with EUCOM… The United States European Command when I was in the service. Army got me speakin’ Russian like I was a native. Hard t’ blend in if y’ show up an’ sound like a Texan fumblin’ through the language.” While Ranger could say more, there were limits. Ranger took maintaining State secrets seriously so he had to limit what he said, even to an IE member.

"I'm gonna go annoy the new kids." Noel said it and with a pat on Ranger’s back she was gone.

”Have fun.” Ranger called after her as he turned his neck to follow where she was headed off to. Lee, Blaine, and Celeste. You have to keep tabs on where your dance partner is for when you bully the DJ. It would be a waste for him to do it and then Noel have left or gone to the bathroom.

”I also speak Arabic. Same story.” Ranger told Sveta. It was worth her knowing his capabilities, as an IE member her knowledge of what he could do could be of use to her.

"They strike me as an acquired taste," Blaine said dryly as he took a sip of his drink. "Albeit....a taste that I would rather not acquire." The nerveless man shrugged, smirking slightly at his attempt at a wisecrack. Though in his experience, the only good thing that he got out of parties like this were when he was working them; the pay was rather nice, for the most part.

And then, someone else had joined them. He had to snort at the pimp cane comment though. "Wouldn't surprise me. Though he does pull it off quite well," Blaine said with another smirk as he turned to face the speaker, who'd said her name was Noel.

"Blaine," he said as he waved to the bartender as well, ordering another drink. His, had a little more kick than just water. He was trying to find the right balance. He didn't care if he never remembered tonight again, but...he'd rather not have to make Lee have to carry him home. Even if under the right circumstances with her mutation, she could do it.

His brow furrowed at the thought of dancing, but he turned to Lee. "You can go have fun if you want, long as they bring you back at the end of the night," he said with a wink. But then he took a big gulp of his drink and then looked back to Noel.

Him? Dance? Hell naw.

An acquired taste that Blaine wasn’t eager to acquire? Part of Lee was disappointed in that, despite feeling Blaine’s unease beside her, she was enjoying this evening. But then again, there was something to be said about simply staying home, together.

A moment later, Lee felt someone approaching, and turned to look right as another woman joined their little group. There weren’t enough people in the bar for her people radar to be useless, but with touching Blaine as she was, it was definitely not as effective as it could have been.

Only for her to comment on Devon carrying a pimp cane. Lee laughed slightly as Blaine commented. And then the introductions. ”I’m Lee,” she offered in turn. Then she watched as both Noel and Blaine signaled the bartender for refills. Lee just sipped her pop, the glass was still full enough for her.

But a moment later, Noel suggested that they get out on the dancefloor, and Lee’s eyebrows rose in surprise at the thought even as Blaine was saying that she could go have fun. Provided that they bring her back at the end of the night. Lee shook her head. ”I wouldn’t even know how to dance to this,” Lee said as she glanced over toward Devon on the dancefloor. ”I doubt anyone here two-steps, and I don’t know how to dance to anything else.” Turning, Lee grinned up at Blaine. ”Guess you’re stuck with me.”

The corner of the prawn's eyes crinkled at Ranger's affirmation... this wasn't her element, she was trying hard to find a niche for herself and failing horribly. She wasn't a partier. Her job was to make sure peoples' parties didn't get too unruly, not to partake in them. After the lukewarm reception to her attempt to talk to Svetlana, Noel dismissed herself, Ranger and Svetlana started talking about speaking Russian. Jack assumed the next logical step would be for them to start speaking Russian to one another...

Jack slipped-off as surreptitiously as a seven-and-a-half foot neon-crustacean could. She was so, so out of her element. But the only real familiar face besides Sveta (who was preoccupied with Michael) and Nate (who was preoccupied with a rather cute redhead), was Devon... and Devon was dancing. Jack could've just as easily gravitated towards a table off to one side, found one of her tucked-away paperbacks, but she needed someone familiar to glom-on to. And Devon was navigating the dancefloor like a lone pioneer.

The prawn let the music draw her towards her friend and confidante, the bass pulsing through her carapce. The strobe lights were... dizzying... but she weathered them like a champ. When she happened to catch Devon's eye, the prawn cracked a winsome smile. Who would have thought that the mild-mannered prawn would be the second to venture out to the dancefloor? She dipped at the knees, doing her best to keep with the rhythm, all but beaming at Devon as she drew closer.

She didn't have the same fluidity of motion as Devon, but the heart was there-- a shake of the hips here, a shimmy there-- her hands flexed, uncertain of where to settle. Should they go on her own hips? In the air? The only thing she'd seen in Chrysalis was shameless grinding, and that... well, sufficeth to say, Jack wasn't interested in that.

The only real dancing experience she had was a handful of swing-dancing classes she'd taken with Zinnia, and even then, Jack was rusty. Still... it'd be funny to see if Devon would take the bait. During the courses, the prawn had of course fulfilled the male part. Jack teasingly extended a hand to her friend (boss? landlord?). Should he accept, one primary hand would slide around his waist, and the other would take his hand in hers. And Jack would whisk her dear friend off into a slightly-above-beginner swing-dance step... though her confidence might suggest more experience than she held.

Should he decline, Jack would brush it off. Somehow. She hadn't quite worked it out yet.

Tempest

A good DJ didn’t let an opportunity to spin something up special slip by. Jason was the mastermind after all. He picked up on Jack’s swift movements and offer to their mutual boss quickly. With a few quick transitional mixed lines of rhythm, he spun up www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQgXeY_zi4.

Devon smiled cheerfully at Jack’s sashay approach. He gave a quick nod as his cane handle hooked his arm and he spun, it flipped and rounding over his arm in a practiced maneuver more accustomed for distraction in a fight but just as entertaining for a dance. It flew off but he took it in hand, hooking it to his belt as Devon took Jack’s hand. He chuckled slightly at the role reversal but moved right into the movements, the music.

Jack swept him off his feet, quite literally considering her strength. But Devon was quite comfortable in the air, nimbly watching his balance and moving into a flip or spin. He wasn’t a swing dancer – swinger wasn’t right, right? – but he knew the gist and Jack was leading anyway! Off and away they went, two hip cats enjoying that rhythm going.

Baby can you move it round the rhythm
So we can get with 'em
To the ground and get us a rock and roll round
Just a downtown body body coming with a super-hottie
Let's go, yes, no, hell no
Baby can you move it round the rhythm
'Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up
It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene

Artair had only spotted the email and text from Devon after he'd finished working on his own side project. He might be a wee bit late to the mission but after working nonstop he could do with a little time of. Drinks, of course, sounded good. A party was even better, but he wasn't so keen on the trendy clothes part. About all he could muster was most of suit coupled with a dark blue shirt to look even remotely 'trendy'. The beard stayed though, it was way too much effort to shave it for one night and frankly, if he was being honest, it did give him a certain roguish charm.

A short time getting ready and a much longer cab ride and he was finally in front of Haven's building and was more than a little surprised by the cold weather and what looked like a frozen solid door. That was......weird. Just weird. How the hell had the weather managed that!? Resisting his more scientific impulses to get a few samples, not just because a strange Scottish man taking a war-pick to someones front door might be suspicious. Instead he took a few, deep breaths of the chill air and reveled in some good and proper highland weather. It had been far too long since he'd felt that harsh bite in the air and frozen breeze in his bones.

Maybe it was a good idea to come along. If nothing else he'd have enjoyed good weather and damn fine drink.

Nodding at Haley and exchanging some pleasantries he made his way down into Inferno, right into loud dance music and a very interesting sight. Devon was dancing, a pretty incredible thing to see itself, but it was his partner that made a bigger impression. Jack was on the dance floor and was clearly strutting her stuff. Not bad either, even if he knew nothing about dancing himself. His only concern was who had invited who to dance. Both people weren't the kind you could say no to, if for different reasons.

Giving the big man and big lass a wave as he went past and winking he made his way over to his true objective. The bar. With a few familiar faces as well which was a bonus for him, he'd not have to make awkward introductions until he had a pleasant buzz going. Although if the familiar redhead he'd spotted was who he thought it was, it might have needed more than just a couple of drinks to make that anything other than explosive. That, was a problem for a future time, now it was drink time and Inferno could deliver.

Getting a double of his home town whiskey and taking a larger than polite drag from the glass he approached the pair already situated at the bar. Sveta and The Cowboy. He didn't know either well but they were solid backup in a fight. To the Scot that made them alright in his book. "Evenin' Sveta. Good to see you again lass. You been doin' alright?" He may have been Scottish but Artair was British enough that his manners had him greet a woman first when in company. It was just the done thing.

"And you mate, I don't think we even exchanged names last time we met. Not that it was a time for it," extending a hand towards the larger man he continued, "I'm Artair, pleased to meet in less tense times."