So his charm was a little difficult to turn off. Sue him. In all fairness, it was Hugh’s general state of mind to ask a pretty girl out and Ranger made a pretty damn pretty girl. The briefest thoughts of Paprika, Ranger, and Gage sprawled out around him on a silk bed had flashed through his mind just long enough for it to come partially spilling out upon his tongue. Ranger had caught onto that and therefore the teasing was justified. Ah well. It was a risk taken when you had an Id led brain. But, whatever. Hugh was not one to censor his behavior or apologize. Learn to work around it or don’t, it never really mattered to him.

But he was serious. A double date with some kickass people? Who wouldn’t want that? Hugh chuckled to himself at the idea of going out with both Ranger and Gage and when Ranger agreed (partially), gave her the thumbs up.

Hugh was as still as possible, letting Karl work to finish up the fit of his own clothing. He knew the drill by this point and made the obviously most intelligent decision to not upset a man holding a needle so close to his crotch.

Hugh’s mind was a fortune cookie of wisdom.

When all was done, he nodded, agreeing to the fit and stepped aside. In the two seconds it took Karl to take his eyes off of him and demand they not return the outfits will blood stains or bullet holes, Karl (and Ranger) would turn to find Hugh had produced a folding pocket knife from somewhere and was already in the process of gently stabbing the fabric of his coat in order to test its defensive capabilities.

”Promise…” said Hugh in a distant, almost not-listening way. But, his attention back to Ranger, he grinned and collapsed his knife, slipping it back into whichever holster he had it. ”Hey, my second favorite letters and my favorite color. What’s not to like?” he grinned.

Of course everyone knew his first favorite letters…M…I…L…F…

The blood drained from Karl’s face. Then returned as his face became a portal to the rage dimension. He looked at his shaking hand that held a tiny pair of scissors then back at Hugh. Then he turned on his heels, threw up his hands and left the room. The sound of him counting trailing off before he was cut off by the slamming of a door.

”I think he likes us.” Ranger said with a nod before she slid out the door on the opposite side of the room from where Karl had left. ””An’ I don’ think I want t’ know what y’r favorite letters are.” Whatever they were, they were sure to be not safe for work. Aka, the best kind of letters.

True to the message Ranger had received, there was a black SUV waiting for the pair of them when they stepped out of the building. The driver stood by the door and opened it as Ranger approached. ”I could get used t’ this.” She said as she shifted the clutch she held to her other hand before pulling herself up into the vehicle. She then slid over to the far side so Hugh could get in and not sit in her lap.

”Wll, Mr. Peacock. From here the fun starts.” Ranger said, affecting a Russian accent. ”Our invitations will gain us admittance. From there I will follow your lead in approaching the caterer. Just… Don’t get us shot at. This dress won’t look good on me if I stop a bullet in it.”

Hugh cracked a small, innocent smile as he watched Karl face shift between varying shades of red and purple before he just gave up and stormed off down the hall. Did Hugh mean to set him off? Was it truly as innocent as his face made it seem? Either option was possible but the grin upon Hugh's face was innocent enough was mysterious enough to make it hard to tell for sure.

It was probably better Karl didn't know.

Folding his knife back up and slipping it away somewhere hidden, he arched a brow to Ranger and gave her a wide smile and nod. ”Was there any doubt?”

Fun aside, it was time to get to business. Following Ranger put into the hall, and noting she didn't want to hear about his first favorite grouping of letters (he'd explain later), Hugh slipped on his more serious face. There was a lot that needed to happen right tonight and while he had no interest in a serious relationship with Paprika, he also didn't need to be reasonable for ruining her career if something went wrong.

Approaching the sharp looking SUV, Hugh grinned as the door was opened for them. Ranger was right. Hugh could get used to treatment like this. Quickly he climbed in after her, opened his jacket, and slid into his seat. As she broke down the plan he scoffed a bit but returned a serious nod.

”Yeah I can get us to her. She'll have the spare catering outfits ready and a couple of name tags. Just so we can blend in better as we explore…” He explained and pulled up his phone to explain to Paprika they were would be there in a bit. ”And don't worry! Is this the face of a someone who would let a beautiful lady get shot?”

Ranger nodded, Hugh could get them to the caterer. Not only that, the caterer would have a change of outfit for them. Then with an awkward smile Ranger said,”:No, it doesn’t. But your eyes say that’s because people recently ventilated tend to not go to bed with you.” Then while glancing out the window for a moment added, ”I’m still not used to being the beautiful lady,” and when she looked back to Hugh finished the thought with, ”Learn from my mistakes. Be careful around Somation mystics.”

It was a decent drive to Gotham Hall. Not by distance, nothing in Manhattan was really that far from anywhere else as the crow flies. The last few blocks had the traffic of the event to contend with. Large social events tended to break traffic.

Eventually, the SUV pulled up, doors lining up with a red carpet that had been rolled out from the doors. The columns above were illuminated in red and green and a banner hung indicating that it was a party for the “Naughty List”. Enough celebrities were in attendance that photographers were lining the red carpet.

”Here we go, Mr. Peacock. Game face on. Make choices.” Ranger said to Hugh before nodding to the door for him to open it and lead the way. ”And if you smile for the camera you might make it into a nice magazine. The Boy Next Door or Middle Managers Gone Wild.”

Once in the vehicle, Hugh sat back in his seat and watched the door close. It was time to get back into the game. They were going on a mission that was going to require more subtlety than he actually practiced. Hugh was used to rolling in, squad at his back, guns blazing; but that was not how the upper echelons wanted this mission to go. They needed to be careful, and quiet, to grab the information they needed and get out of there, hopefully without too much attention. Thankfully Hugh was not only versatile but adaptable. He was certain that he and Ranger would be effective, he was just curious what degree of success they would achieve.

At the admission from Ranger about still being used to being a “beautiful woman”, Hugh turned to look upon them. It was true that oftentimes he laid it on pretty thick with anyone he found attractive. But for Ranger he wasn’t quite sure what to say. The majority of their interactions had been work-related or joking quips. There was rarely a serious conversation between them unless it had to do with a mission.

The silence going on a tick longer than he thought, Hugh snorted and turned to look back out the window again. ”They can take their best shot…” he started to say and then grinned devilishly. ”...besides, we both know that I would look drop dead gorgeous as a woman. Mystic’s lower half would probably explode the second he saw me. Easiest arrest yet.”

Turning back to the window, Hugh watched the rest of the world go by as he sat in the quiet, preparing for the mission ahead.

The drive was quicker than he thought it would be but it still was plenty of time. He managed to reach out to Paprika again. She didn’t care for how last minute the notice had been to take over the job, on top of having bogus caterers who were really agents in disguise. But with some calming words he had managed to smooth things out with promises that she would be in and out with reputation intact.

The flashing lights caught his attention first. Cameras and an upcoming red carpet. The agent could only grin a little at that. He did love to be the center of attention. Then his mood soured only the slightest bit when Ranger referred to his codename for the evening. He would get Sabine back for that later.

But, he still grinned and bowed his head. ”Trust me, nothing will top achievement as Most Clicked Video in October on AdultHug. Whoever recorded me fighting that invisible mutant while I was in the nude definitely knew both my good sides.”

With a wink Hugh waited for the door to open and climbed out. As soon as he did he landed with precision, closed and buttoned his jacket and waved as a slew of photography flashes erupted in front of him. Hugh was all smiles though, waving, grinning, offering a quick pose or two. Maybe he was a peacock. But, he didn’t remain in that state for too long and instead offered his arm to help Ranger out from the vehicle.

Under his voice he whispered so only she could hear. ”Come along Ms.Rostova. Your public awaits.”

”Gross.” Ranger said with a laugh. ”Makes sense. Odds are you would be topless when it happens. Maybe bottomless too.” Hugh clearly had an aversion to clothes. Almost like Ranger with pants.

Ranger had their moment of fame on the internet before. Annoyingly, or blessedly depending on your perspective, Ranger had lost that time to de-aging. During a time when the universe and another alter verse had connected, Ranger had been filmed brawling a female version of themselves native to the other universe. What started as a normal fight escalated into swinging around cars at each other.

Apparently the kid that filmed it sold the footage to Michael Bay for some footage for a movie that ended up getting scrapped.

”Well, just keep the pants on until after the mission is over.” Ranger said shaking her head as Hugh climbed out of the SUV

There were a few cheers, a few confused noises, and camera flashes. Hugh had put on a good flourish so people took his pictures unsure of who he was or why he was at the Naughty List. Ranger was not a huge fan of so many cameras but it was what it was. She took a breath before sliding across the seat.

Hugh was waiting for Ranger with his arm out so Ranger took it and with a grace uncharacteristic of herself stepped down out of the SUV. Once her heels were firmly planted on the ground she struck a pose that screamed elegance and ease before giving her hair a perfect flourish and smiling.

An odd quirk of her power since the mystic had broken it--well more odd than turning into a woman--was the occasional moments where she seemingly had perfect movement. Throwing something perfectly, moving exactly in time to block a strike, or stepping out of an SUV in heels with a low cut dress with a high slit and making it appear like she had trained for Olympic level red carpeting.

Hugh softly spoke to Ranger and her eyes cut to the side to look at him.

”Mustn't keep them waiting.” Ranger whispered back before she strut like she was Right Said Fred; Too Sexy for Milan, New York, or Japan. She even did her little turn at the end of the red carpet as she waited for Hugh to catch the door. Before she knew what she was doing, she had bent forward slightly and blown a kiss. Then she folded her hand over in a wave and spun back round to cross the threshold into the entryway of Gotham Hall.

Music play, the sounds of Christmas. An excellent light work created a trick where you would almost swear snow was falling above you but never making it down. And everyone was dressed to the nines. One would expect nothing less from the Naughty List fashion show.

Ranger almost felt under dressed. Almost.

An employee approached and asked for their invitations. Ranger produced one and identification from her clutch.

“Ah. Miss Rostova, we have been expecting you. Our benefactor is a fan of your paper and has extended his welcome. Please take this card, it will get you access to the good vodka under the bar.”

”Спасибо.” Ranger said taking the card and placing it in her clutch. She would make a point to stash it somewhere she could retrieve it later. Clearly a tracker, but also, can’t not enjoy the good vodka.

Taking Ranger's arm was an odd sensation. He knew what Ranger was capable of and they were not some delicate flower like most of the women he ended up hooking up with. But to have aid and lead them across a runway of red fabric amid flashing lights as some throwback to the days of gallantry, it was definitely an odd turn of events. He wondered what Ranger was thinking in this moment. He read Ranger’s file. Knew who they were and who they became. Never bothered Hugh (he still hit on them relentlessly from time to time) but to suddenly have to adjust to a completely different social norm had to be mind$#@&. Often Hugh wondered how Ranger dealt with it but never really wanted to ask. If they ever became that close, then sure, but for now it didn’t feel like it yet.

However, none of this appeared on Hugh’s face. Rather he was the picture of chivalry, holding Ranger’s arm and leading her across the carpet. He smiled and waved; really trying to sell how much of a big shot he was pretending to be. The good thing about Hugh’s ego was that he always thought he was this fabulous so the majority of what he was doing wasn’t really even acting. It was just another Tuesday night for him.

Approaching the employee, Hugh stood aside as Ranger presented her invitation, and her flawless russian. With a slight scoff, Hugh reached into his own coat and pulled out a similar looking envelope. The boys back in the office really knew how to mock these things up. Truly looked like the real deal to him. But, more importantly, it looked like the real thing to the employee. The man barely scrutinized the card, clear evidence that he had seen one too many of them tonight.

“Mr. Peacock. A pleasure.”

Hugh narrowed his eyes the briefest amount when the card was handed over. Was he mentally making fun of his fake name? It seemed awfully like it, didn’t it? But, Hugh made no indication that he felt or thought any of this. Instead he smiles wide, plucking up the card and slipping it into the interior of his jacket.

”It should be,” Hugh replies to the man, winking, and takes up Ranger’s arm again. ”Come along my equally paid and respected colleague…” Hugh announces. He gives Ranger a teasing smile and speaks loudly enough to maintain his obnoxious persona. ”...lets make our entrance and really get this party started, shall we?”

Ranger failed to contain a small smile. Hugh was being Hugh, even if he was supposed to be Mr. Peacock. Maybe Hugh was being more Hugh to live up to the name Peacock. Ranger let Hugh take her arm and with a snort retorted to the quip about pay.

”You Americans. Always talking about your pay. Ranger shook her head, ”But please. As, the philosopher P!nk says, let’s get this party started.”

Smiling and working to maintain the air of someone who was involved in the world of fashion aloof and fun but still holier than thou. A fine line to walk. Ranger had a memory she had lifted while she was in Noel’s body that she could lean on to help. She could do the new missions SUPER was tasking her with on occasion, but they were certainly a larger mental drain. The roles she had to play were so different from most of her life experience.

Yet, it was what SUPER… What America needed from her when she was a her.

Step one was complete. They were in the ball. Now they needed to establish the cover, to be seen. From there they needed to meet with the caterer and make their change.

As they walked past a waiter, Ranger reached out and with one hand carefully snatched a pair of champagne glasses. She handed one to Hugh. ”To the Naughty List,” Ranger began a toast in her affected Russian accent, ”May we earn that coal tonight.”

Hugh was all smiles as their invitations were taken and it was time to head into the party itself. Hugh had a hard time turning…Hugh off. For missions it was easy enough, but when his covers were this close to his own personality, it was easy to mix the two. Still, Hugh was trained well enough to make sure they didn’t blend too much. This was a big mission and not only was his life at stake, but so was Ranger’s and maybe even Paprika’s. If these guys were as bad as intel suggested, they would hunt down everyone associated with infiltrating their party. Hugh Manning just had to make sure it didn’t get to that.

All this cycled internally for the soldier as he carried the face of a pompous and proud fashionista. Ranger complimented him perfectly as the two wandered in and began to mingle with the elitist crowd. Champagne, caviar, those little corn-on-the-cobb things, it all was the picture of decadence and money. Hugh couldn’t wait to shut it down cold.

Standing amid the elegance, Hugh takes a careful look around. With the first step done, there was a moment to breathe, to sip champagne, but they needed to get deeper into this shindig. And that was where Paprika and her catering service came in.

To Ranger, Hugh merely smirked. The accent was pretty sexy. It was a shame Ranger was married and faithful. Ah well.

”Trust me, there are few naughty lists I am not already on,” he winks and clinks Ranger’s glass.

After a sip, he peers around the room and spots the doors to the kitchen. Paprika would be in there, directing the flow of hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and keeping all platters topped off. They would have to subtly get in there, unnoticed, so there would be no connection between the rich fashionistas they entered as, and the subdue food runners they were to become.

Another sip and he sets his drink down at a nearby table. Then, he presents his callused, firm hand towards Ranger. Offering a slight bow and a smile, he awaits her to take his hand. ”A dance?” he asked with a bow, and then adds with a soft whisper. ”Maybe one that will led us to tour the kitchen?”