a different side to the Metropolis elite

[slayers_desire]

April has been getting a weird vibe all day. She was working in her art gallery today, with Jonathan safely in the play area next to her. Things are bright outside, and it looks like a beautiful way to start May, with the birds chirping and flowers blooming.

However, that weird vibe just won't go away.

It happened earlier in the day, when a group of three women had entered the gallery to do some window shopping. April talked with them a little, but generally let her girls handle the rest of the sales since those women seemed a little snobby.

Then a few hours later, another group of women had entered, and they had that same snobbery vibe. And while that might be normal for some of the elite-status women in her store, April had recognized one of the girls from a previous encounter. And she seemed so different today. So not herself. It sort of her had her puzzling what was going on.

"Dede dede?" Jonathan asked from his position in the playpen. "Sure buddy, I can give him a call." April smiled down at him, picking up the phone.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"Weeks now." Alice beams with pride. "And Robert just got his tonight. I am so proud of him."

"When do you get yours?" Robert asks Clark.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark has no idea, and he doesn't want to guess and get it wrong. "Soon," he says, vague enough that he could mean tonight or at the next little gathering of this ladybug society.

[slayers_desire]

"You must be doing your ceremony tonight," Robert smiles, placing his arm around Clark's shoulder in a friendly manner.

"And we have Mystique to thank..." April name-drops, hoping to gain some information they do not have.

"She will be here tonight. She said so in her invitations." Alice looks around, a little hopeful.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Just the sheer nearness of the red kryptonite on the cufflinks makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end, and he isn't sure if he's just imagining the intoxicating rush of the mineral affecting him, or if it really is close enough. "I haven't seen her yet."

[slayers_desire]

"Well if you see her..." Alice's hopeful look goes away. Robert shrugs his shoulders, and gives Clark a final pat on his back.

"We hope to see you later, with your pins."

"Don't worry. You will." April lies, giving a smug smile herself.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark definitely does not want to run the risk of being under the influence of red kryptonite, but they also can't leave until they know who Mystique truly is. "Certainly," he says too.

[slayers_desire]

There is a bit of clamour from the others, when Lex Luthor enters with his escort. She is hanging on his arm, smiling too-perfectly. A red ladybug pin on her shirt.

"Huh..." April tilts her head. I wonder if he is part of the plan, or another victim to be corrupted

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark is wondering along similar lines, and her suspicions spark one of his, one that he truly hopes is wrong. Or he is Mystique.

[slayers_desire]

He can sense the anger from her, as that suggestion is voiced. It would be a way of controlling different business people

[kalel_ofkrypton]

And getting the funds he needs, Clark agrees. They don't know for sure if this is the case or not, but... it does seem very, very possible.

[slayers_desire]

Right now, Lex Luthor is greeting as many people as he can. There is a gleam in his eyes, as he gets back to places where he can meet the right people.

"Let's get closer." April knows this might be hard for him, but she needs to ensure her voices see everything possible.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark hates having to spy on his old friend, hates that it's necessary, but Lex made his choice long ago, and losing his memories doesn't seem to have changed that. With April at his side, he moves through the crowd, towards Lex.

[slayers_desire]

April feels nervous herself as they approach Lex Luthor. He is all smiles right now, putting on his best face for the people in the room.

People are just making chit-chat right now. But soon Lex is asking about Mystique, and if he will get to meet her. He can tell that this Mystique is the most influencial person here, and wants to make that connection.

"We can introduce you to her... but we need to inaugurate your first." A man holds out the ladybug cufflings to Lex.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

So... he's probably not Mystique, then. Unless that's an act too.

Clark doesn't want to let Lex take those cufflinks, but he can't think of a good excuse to interrupt.

[slayers_desire]

April doesn't want Lex to accept the gift either, but doubts he would turn it down on his own accord. So she places a little psychic suspicious in his mind. Just enough to let his own suspicious nature take over.

"I will wait until Mystique herself can present me with them." Lex replies, smug at his own decision.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Quick thinking, Clark sends to her. He's not sure it will stop these people for long, but any little bit helps.

[slayers_desire]

April moves to talk to the man who had offered Lex the pin. "Excuse me, since I am inaugurated, I would love to meet Mystique too."

"But your husband..." The man glances at Clark, noting the lack of cufflings.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark puts on a smile, pushing down the feeling of dread. He had a feeling that they might find themselves in this position. "I'm due to get mine tonight."

[slayers_desire]

"Ahhh excellent. If you are free, we can do the ceremony now, and then you will have your chance to speak to Mystique." The man gestures for April and Clark to follow him. April knows this might be their only chance to get some answers.

She takes Clark's hand in hers, a silent demonstration of support.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Of course." He can't avoid it, so they're going to have to deal with this as best they can. He only hopes that he won't ruin the entire mission by giving away his identity, once under the influence.

[slayers_desire]

They are led into a private room, where April had noted other couples going. A woman, smiling too-perfectly welcomes them. She has a selection of ladybug pins and cufflings, about 50 of each.

April has to keep herself from getting angry at the sight of all that tainted jewelry.

The woman nods to April, who is already wearing a pin. Then comes forth with a box for Clark, containing a pair of cufflings. "We welcome you to the club..." She opens the box, waiting for Clark to offer his arm.

April frowns, since the woman is going to place the cufflings on Clark's wrist, she can't even pull a mental switch yet.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

It's a lot of red kryptonite, and a lot of devices that they can use to control people. They definitely need to find the source and get rid of it before this spreads too far.

It's all right... just keep me from going too far. He offers his wrist to the woman.

[slayers_desire]

I won't

The woman places the cufflings on his wrist. And then bows slightly. The man goes over to a curtain, pulling it to reveal Mystique. Of course, the fake Mystique is there... the African American beauty.

But April knows something is wrong right away. I am not getting any human emotions off her. It is sort of like trying to read Jude... or Brainaic.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

The red kryptonite takes hold of him right away, loosening his inhibitions like a coil unwinding in his head. The rush is something he never quite gets used to, something strong and powerful that makes him want more. It's hard to remember what they're supposed to be doing, and to stay focused on it. So she's a robot.

[slayers_desire]

If she is a robot... someone has to be controlling the machine

The woman and man leave Clark and April alone with Mystique. She too has a too-perfect smile, opening her arms in a welcome. "Embrace your new life, welcome!"

"It is such a pleasure, Mystique..." April keeps her own appearance up, not sure if there could be a signal someone could be watching. "We are honored."