V A L I A N T

“I’m wearing a goddamn bow tie right now, so for your sake, I suggest being on your best behavior.”

“It’s me Roman. At least I know the mask is working.”

         “I heard a woman yelling at someone for stepping on her toes already. I’m more than a little afraid to head back out into the fray. You’re more than welcome to stay if you need a place to hide.” Gideon nodded to the empty seat beside him — right before the bar. He’d was lucky to get it, he believed.

“I suppose she should have worn sturdier shoes.” He commented lightly before taking a seat, “Thank you. This mask is killing me.” Full face. He had thought it a good idea at the time, now all he felt was nothing but regret.

                “I preferred sitting alone with my alcohol,” he muttered to the person that managed to sit down next to him.

“Oh boohoo. If you wanted peace and quiet you came to the wrong place.”

“What is it the bouncers say at clubs? As long as they’re ‘box fresh’ then it’s all good? Bar is that way.”

              “The dilemma is that if I take my heels off, I’ll drown in this dress and my feet feel as though they are being stabbed by pins. The only solution is some champagne, but I can’t seem to get up to get some so if you’d so kindly get some for me, I’ll make sure to pay for the next two rounds of whatever you’d like.”

“I’ll get it for you, no need for the return.” He assured her. This was another catastrophic failure on Logan’s part with the full-face masked. How on earth was he supposed to drink. He hadn’t thought this through at all. not a moment later, and he had returned with a glass of chilled champagne and handed to her, “Voila.”

“You’re simply ruining the mystique of it all, but help yourself. I can’t exactly blame you for taking advantage.” He huffed in amusement, the full mas was proving not to be a fun idea. He was half tempted to rip it off then and there anyway, “These godawful things are stifling.”

“… No drinking on the job, but I appreciate the offer.” Taz said as she tapped on her security badge, offering the guest a smile. “You look amazing tonight though.” She assured them, unable to stop herself from complimenting everyone she crossed paths with. The room seemed awash with models. Taz’s eyes were trying to take in everything, but failed in the midst of the glimmering blur of the crowd in front of her. “And if you need anything or there’s any way I can make your night better you just let me know.” 

He scoffed from beneath his mask, “Don’t worry, it’s just sparkling water.” He assured her, the quirk of a smile hidden from beneath the full mask he wore, “Thank you. I’m glad I had the suit dry-cleaned after all, else I might have stunk of a grandmother’s old closet.” Logan huffed in amusement, it was entertaining that he wasn’t recognised, even though he’d been the one to employ her, “I’ll be sure to. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“It’s just me Gia. Just wanted to check in, or is that not a good enough reason these days? Sorry, it seems I caught you at an inconvenient moment.”

“Can I just sleep for .. God knows how long until this bullshit is over?” She groaned, burying her face into her hands before hissing when she accidently put pressure on the jaw. “I still feel like a train ran me over.”

“You can try but that may require an extra dose of determination, amongst other things,” He murmured, crouching down as he offered her the ice pack, “Careful, with any luck it’s just bruised, but this will help a little.”

“Ow–fuck.” She yelped, jumping back from the fire that was quickly spreading. She came to her senses and stamped it out quickly, not before glaring at her own fingertips that the sparks had come from. Her magic was still totally on the fritz, powerful yet totally unmanageable and eating her alive. Hearing footsteps behind her in the woods, she angrily huffed out some air and turned around. “I didn’t set that fire.”

Logan approached casually, hands in the pockets of his jacket, “Funnily enough,” He started as he came closer, “I find that hard to believe.” He hadn’t seen her cast the spell, but considering that she was the only one around save for himself, it was pretty clear what had happened, “Is arson a common hobby of yours?”