multiversallogs | Costume Party in Honor of Lex Luthor's Birthday [OPEN]

Costume Party in Honor of Lex Luthor's Birthday [OPEN]

As stated on the invitation, Adrian is throwing a costume party to celebrate Lex's twenty-fifth birthday at the Luthor-Veidt Building in Brock Marsh. Everyone is welcome, whether they know Lex or not. There's plenty of food and free alcohol (mostly wine, fancy beer, and champagne), music and a space for dancing, and room to mingle and make new friends. Some simple and classy decorations, purple of course, have been put up on the first and second floors to create a festive atmosphere.

(A note to those who might try to take the opportunity to go snooping: security is insanely tight. The elevators will not go beyond the first and second floors without a special code, and there's an elevator operator who is very obviously there to make sure you don't try anything funny. The stairwells are likewise under guard and the private areas of the first floor are locked and under camera surveillance.)

[ooc: ~~Please wait until a few threads are set up before tagging!~~ Party time! Everyone is welcome!

Note: I've turned off notifs so if you need my attention in a specific spot, please PM or plurk me.]

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Lex turns to face Adrian without fully turning away from his father. He wasn't surprised that they had been joined by the other party, but he wasn't entirely sure when the occurrence would have happened. Now that it did there was nothing to do but proceed forward and navigate through what was sure to be some rough waters.

Lionel's comment earns a quick look to Adrian to make certain that the other man had heard the slight before continuing. "If you feel the same I won't begrudge you a trip to the bar. It is open after all." This was Lex's birthday celebration, if Lionel was here to start slinging insults Lex had no qualms with giving him a pleasant tour of the exit.

Oh, Adrian certainly did hear the slight, but one would never know from the cordial smile that never leaves his face. The slight narrowing of his eyes tells a different tale, but it's subtle enough that it could be easily missed. He gives Lex a very slight nod of acknowledgment at the look, but then turns his attention back to Lionel for a moment.

"Oh, I feel sure Mr. Luthor has already found his way to the bar." A glance down at Lionel's chest, then back up. "My assistant is here somewhere, I could have her fetch a needle and thread if you need to replace your buttons."

Edited 2011-10-03 03:29 (UTC)

If anything cemented his reservations on Mr. Veidt, it would be that particular comment. "That won't be necessary," while his expression remains unruffled, the tilt of his head borders somewhere between irritation and suspended belief of the petty gall of this particular business partner.

"Lex. I'm sure you'll want your gift," his stare lingers on Adrian as he finishes the sentence.

"Stay if you feel so inclined."

The envelope remains unmoved.

"I would like it, thank you," Lex answers about his gift, glancing down at the envelope. If Lionel was going to call attention to it, Lex would too. Playing the spoiled heir wasn't one of his favorite roles, but Lionel is taunting him with a gift that is his and he wants it. It's not so much that he wants a petty toy, but he is tired of Lionel pulling his strings and to do as much at a birthday party was too far.

Lex glances to Adrian and gives him a slight nod, speaking to his father but looking at Veidt. "I think the host has the right to be where he chooses."

Surely Lionel isn't about to taunt his son over a birthday gift in public. Adrian crosses his arms and looks very much like he plans to take that offer and stay right where he is. After raising his eyebrows at Lionel (perhaps there's a silent in challenge in that small movement), he turns his attention back to Lex, smile still perfectly in place.

"It is, of course, your celebration, Lex, so your wishes are my only concern. Although I think if your father feels a private audience is absolutely vital, perhaps he'll consider choosing a more appropriate time?"

This time it would seem that Lionel's subtleties are lacking entirely as he scopes Adrian out from crest to toe, lips set with reservations and critiques that, for now, remained unspoken. There is, after all, still an objective here. A low chuckle breaks the stare, shaking his head briefly.

Without another word he extends the envelope (appropriately a ) towards Lex, establishing eye contact that remains free of any presence of Adrian Veidt.

In fact, he almost looks expectant.

Inside Lex will find a sealed letter (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/theladymacp/priorityletterfinal.png) of proposition accompanied by some legal paperwork to ensure its solidarity-- Luthor preference.

Edited 2011-10-04 08:41 (UTC)

Lex makes the eye contact with Lionel and accepts the envelope. Knowing his father, he has the feeling that whatever it contains is much more important than a simple birthday card and Lex keeps it in his hand, making no move to open.

"Thank you, Dad," he says with a dry air. He can't shake the bristling feeling that was forged and has grown as the conversation wore on, but he can't dismiss a gift either. He'll give it to Aimery to put away safely for now. "I hope you don't mind if I open this privately." It's said to Lionel but there is also a slight note of it to be delivered to Adrian. If it's important then Lex needs the time to process things without an audience.

Adrian doesn't know precisely what Lionel is up to, but the details aren't important right now. What is important is that he's obviously up to no good, equally obviously attempting to make Lex uncomfortable and throw a sour note in the birthday celebration. Both of which are utterly unacceptable in Adrian's eyes.

"I noticed that Aimery has collected quite the selection of gifts waiting to be opened, I'm sure there's room for one more." Lionel may be trying to freeze him out of the conversation, but it'll take more than simply not looking at Adrian to accomplish that. He reaches out and rests his hand lightly on the back of Lex's shoulder, but directs his next words in Lionel's direction. "It was so nice of you come, Mr. Luthor."

"As you see fit," there is a certain distance in his tone despite the visual acknowledgment keeping the conversation. It doesn't quite ring with disappointment for failure to open the gift, but a rot in his gut pertaining to the forming alliance he is now able to observe for the first time in the flesh.

"My son has done his fair share of bragging about you," he replies with perfectly respectable venom. His current focus is brazenly locked on the hand lazily placed on his own flesh and blood. When he's sure that his point has come across, he's once again staring at Adrian.

"I look forward to seeing what all the fuss is about for myself."

Lex isn't exactly surprised by the hand on his back, but it is an unexpected gesture. He accepts it by looking straight at Lionel and not flinching away or becoming stiff as he so often does when touch is introduced to a conversation.

What provokes more of a reaction is Lionel's bold statement and not even bothering with a cordial appearance. "Dad. I don't want to have to ask you to leave, but for tonight I'm going to insist that you at least pretend to respect me and my decisions."

Considering the setting, Adrian would like to avoid the conversation becoming an actual scene, so despite Lionel's aggressive attitude and Lex's objection to it, he fixes a serene smile on his face and keeps his voice pleasant and even. He does not move his hand from Lex's shoulder.

"I'm sure your father will recall his manners in a moment," he remarks to Lex, although his eyes are on Lionel (his gaze is not as cordial as his smile). "And of course I'm always available to answer questions for people who want to know me better, Mr. Luthor. You're welcome to make an appointment with my assistant."

Lex's assertion is lost on him within the escalating exchanges. After all, it wouldn't be the first party that his son has excluded him from. It's Adrian's boldness that has him fixated-- not angry. Angry men were stupid men. Judging from his observations, Adrian himself was neither an angry nor stupid man. This was something worth monitoring.
"This has been enlightening. I'll have to see what is available on my own schedule. I'm a very busy man, after all."

He smiles.

"Happy birthday, Lex. Do let me know what you think of the gift."

Without waiting for affirmation or any note of dismissal, Lionel removes himself from the conversation, moving forward as always. His steps border close to Lex as he passes, but he grants no physical contact. If it's Adrian's guiding hand that Lex feels he needs at the moment, he's always to let his son make his own mistakes.

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Costume Party in Honor of Lex Luthor's Birthday [OPEN]

not from lex! hurr hurr

lionel will have to supply enough for all three ;)

good samaritan right here.

maybe in bizarroland

these three are like a perfect storm of ego

LAST EDIT, I SWEAR.

ANNNND WE'RE OFF!

BETTER WATCH OUT FOR WINDOWS, LIONEL

hey, Adrian. this icon is for you.

GOD, DAD, DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT BUTTONS ARE?

Sorry Lionel, you have to be under 30 to go in the Boys Folder.

/awkward pause in conversation