your_talents:

[Before the events of Watching It All Play Out]

Lisa didn't have an appointment, but mentioning the 'special project' of Howards' got her to his office. She knocked sharply at the door.

This whole thing was interesting enough to catch Lisa's attention, particularly with the implied chance of meeting other mutants, but she had particular plans to put in motion. She didn't trust this guy further than she could throw him, unpowered.

He did, however, interest her.

hellfireprince:

Julian was still counting the money and good press from the Battle of the Bands a few days later, when the Battle of New York began. People were calling the club at all hours, wanting to know when N.I.C.H Machinegun was performing again, and that put Julian in a good mood.

That all ended the moment Paulo came in and turned on the television.

"Sir, there is...something you must see." Paulo says, rewinding the newscast. TiVo was a wonderful invention.

Julian, for a moment, did not understand what--or who-- he was looking at. Over the space of a few more seconds, his recognition of the young man became clear.

"Andrew...?" Julian said, his eyes widening. "Paulo, bring the car around. I need to get to Ellis Island."

"Sir, may I suggest that you call in aid? The...terrorists have hostages, and you don't know their numbers. It would be unwise to walk into a situation like this without a plan and back up." Paulo said.

Julian considered it for a moment. "Very well. The X-Men can handle themselves. Call Lisa and the others and ask them to come here. If they aren't interested, fine, but anyone I want to talk to anyone who is. We need a plan and someone needs to get to those children." he says, keeping his eyes on the television.

Andrew, it would be unwise for you die right now. It might get us all killed.  Julian thought to himself.

hellfireprince:

( Read more... )</div>

franklen_four:

Blackheart.

Franklin knew exactly who that was, and where to find him.  If there was any description for rage, it would be whatever Franklin was feeling then.  His hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.  Bubbling, no- boiling rage was inserted into his very being, and he decided that all Hell was going to break loose to express it.  He levitated first, and then flew high into the sky which turned black and red.  In all of his rage, Franklin turned the sky into the entrance to Hell.  The wasteland no living person was ever meant to see was displayed above New York City.

The news stations were quick to see the changes in the sky, and they managed to get video footage of Franklin flying straight through into the dimensional portal.  But that was none of his concern, really.  Franklin's focus was on finding Blackheart, and he did search Hell for just that one being.

nextgen_deviant:

The Eternals had always been a race that sought out the cold. It didn’t come as a surprise that their two cities of Olympia and Polaria were situated in the coldest climates on the planet. Olympia was in Antarctica, well secluded in a very desolate location. Only the most hardy and stubborn of humans would hope to find the city and even then the residents didn’t like interlopers.

The Eternals were a reclusive race, but there were a few who ventured out to mingle among their cousin humans.

Another race, the deviants, were another creation of the Celestial, were the enemies of the Eternals. They wanted to enslave the humans and rule the Earth. The deviants had always been stopped by the Eternals, but the shift of power was now changing.

The Deviants were stronger than they ever had been. They didn’t have the numbers they had had in the past, but now they had powers they never had. Powers that could now help them stand up to the accursed Eternals.

They climbed out of the cold waters and onto the ice shelf and headed for Olympia. An ally waited for them not far from the city.

Today was the day the Eternals would fall and the Deviants would start their rise to power.

hellfireprince:

The orange-and-black posters are put up at various locations around the city, though they are concentrated most heavily near the clubs and bars that advertise live entertainment, or 20 and under nights.

The fliers read simply: 



WHAT: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST- BATTLE OF THE BANDS

WHEN: 2-7-10

WHERE: The Popular Outcast

WHO: YOU


1st Place- $20, 000

2nd Place- $10, 000

3rd Place- $5,000



BRING YOUR A-GAME AND ROCK THE HOUSE!

(Note: No alcohol served during this event as minors may attend.)



Julian supposed the idea wasn't terrible, but he was skeptical when Paulo brought it up. Then again, how else was he going to find who he was looking for? 

hellfireprince:

Julian Gallio found himself with a lot of time to think after his meeting with Viveca, and decided that another meeting was in order. After watching the tapes, he decided to change gears in his plan.

He'd spent the next day or so trying to arrange a meeting with Emma Frost or Roberto DaCosta, and surprise, Emma's people responded first. Julian introduced himself as a "the son of a friend" in his message, though he knew that Selene and Emma co-operated as long as during their acquaintance in the Hellfire Club.  Selene warned him that the White Queen's mind was a doubly deadly weapon that could easily spell doom for his plans...but she also conceded that Emma was an advantageous ally to have if he wanted to become a member.

So it was that Julian accepted Emma's offer to meet at the <i>Popular Outcast</i> and talk over business.

When Emma arrives, she is ushered to the back of the club by Paulo, Julian's Spaniard assistant, and she'll note the polished tables, the dancing cages for the younger crowd, and the large dance floor. It's easy to tell that this club caters to the younger elite crowd, and the Grand Opening is tomorrow night. 

Paulo approaches the door ahead of Emma, and quickly speaks inside. "Mr. Howard, Miss Frost has arrived."

"Escort her in, Paulo. Don't make her wait!" Julian says, as if the man should have known this already.

When Emma enters, Julian rises and comes around the front of his onyx desk, his expression neutral. He extends a hand quickly as Paulo waits for further instruction.

"Miss Frost, thank you for meeting with me today. I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to do so." he says. "Paulo, please bring a cup of coffee for me, and Miss Frost whatever she likes."

He stopped a moment and allowed Emma to choose her beverage, if any.
 

hellfireprince:

"Paulo, let's make sure we have the extra cases of Patron on hand. I don't want us running out midway through the night. It's one the bigger sellers on this side of the Atlantic." Julian Gallio, known to most as Julian Howard,  said to assembled team around him. He often had meetings like these with his staff to motivate them and keep the company goal in mind. The goal of the Howard Entertainment Group was to provide a complete sensory experience at all levels of the "performance" as it were.

He'd gone to each of these five men and women personally, selling them the idea of working for his brand, a fledgling in truth, but his idea, his ultimate goal was to make himself known on the nighttime scene through the Popular Outcast, the club they now stood in. The group stood on the spacious dance floor, with poles and cages at each of the corners for the female clientele that loved to put on a show for the boys. Of course, the fun kept the women coming back. The women, booze and hint of an illicit sexual encounter or two kept the men coming. 

Julian considered himself as a purveyor of a service that most of the world's people needed, but never asked for: freedom.

"All right, people. Let's get back to work and get this place ready for opening night. Francesca, when my 2pm shows, please direct her to my office in the back. I'll be going over figures." Julian said, straightening his tie and cuff-links. Francesca came over and helped as the others dispersed to carry on their jobs.

"You look fine, Mr. Howard. Your meeting will go well." Francesca said in lightly accented Italian.

"Thank you, bella. I'm sure it will go well. Back to work now." he said, heading toward his office.

 

Upon entry, his visitor would find an onyx desk with a personal laptop with a leather chair behind it, in which Julian sat. There was a bookcase on the South wall, and a couch directly across from it. Julian often read or thought on the couch when he wasn't busy otherwise. When she entered, he'd stand and receive his visitor. Viveca Von Rohem.

This...was going to be interesting.