Bobblehead (bobblehead) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2012-10-19 18:57:00

Entry tags:

Gotham Fashion Week
Gotham wasn't quite New York or Paris, but its yearly high fashion show was one of the rising stars of the industry, recent and small enough that a lot of independent designers were there, big enough to start getting some of the names. Definitely big enough to draw Pippi's attention. She had her mom's handler arrange everything for her for all the events, her hotel, transport while there and so on, along with a chance to survey the town a little. She's heard all sorts of interesting things about the city - but mostly that no one there likes clowns. The circus even has to not use its clowns when they go through... she figures that's probably why everyone is so gloomy there.

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cantkeepmeout
2012-10-19 11:06 pm UTC (link)

Thomas is at fashion week too, okay mostly as security given the number of rich people here made great targets. Besides, with the Wayne money you had to send someone to these things, not to mention there were charity tie-ins to attend and Bruce was just not interested in doing it this year. So here he was, as dull as parts could be at least the after parties for things were okay. Of course one couldn't complain about hanging out with models either.

As people mingle before going to find their seats Thomas only hopes nobody decided to hit one of the events after all.

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bobblehead
2012-10-19 11:20 pm UTC (link)

Pippi is right at home. When all anyone wants to talk about is minutae of fashion, accessories, and hairstyles to go with particular looks, she practically sounds like a genius - as a few people have remarked here and there.

For a bit, she's at least one of the lives of the party - at least til someone with Wayne money shows up, at which point, a number of the single girls formerly crowded around her disappear to go try and attach themselves to Thomas.

Apparently, he's just not fashionable enough to be included in her general interests. "Who's that? And why is he so broody? This is fashion week."

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cantkeepmeout
2012-10-19 11:27 pm UTC (link)

The brooding look doesn't stay long, he puts on the 'charm the donations out of their pockets' smile on while he chats and flirts quite amicably with the girls. Granted, this wasn't a charity thing but the smile worked for a lot so he'll stick with it.

"Wayne kid. Well, rumoured to be. You see he just showed up out of nowhere and was taken in. Of course everyone knows it's probably the billionaire playboy past coming back up. Everything's an open secret around here," one bystander whispers conspiratorially to Pippi. Because the girl must be very bright to know so much about fashion and a little gossip never hurt.

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bobblehead
2012-10-19 11:35 pm UTC (link)

She ponders that. "Billionaire Playboy? Oh! So that's why all those girls flock to him." She says, with a knowing nod.

As such, she makes her way over. If he has that kind of money and some kind of tie to Hefner, with all these girls around, maybe he has hiring power. She isn't even through beauty school yet, but connections never hurt if she's ever going to get to do work for one of the big publications.

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cantkeepmeout
2012-10-19 11:42 pm UTC (link)

He doesn't have the billionaire money at all, technically he's only able to live at the Manor out of Bruce's goodwill. But of course that last bit isn't clear to the public.

Noticing the new blonde making her way over, he gives her the usual charming smile. "Hey. Thomas." He offers his hand to her. She may not be his type but you had to be nice to everyone at these things and she might be nice enough.

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	bobblehead 2012-10-20 12:04 am UTC (link)
	She seems largely oblivious to the Wayne charm. Really, he's not her type at all - aside from the current question on her mind. "Hey, that's a nice tie. A little crooked though." she replies, reaching out to adjust it for him. "So, are you hiring?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	cantkeepmeout 2012-10-20 12:10 am UTC (link)
	Ookay. That was...forward. Even weirder was that it wasn't done in the same coming on way most girls did that. He didn't mind, it was easier that she wasn't interested since neither was he. "Thank you but...hiring for what?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	bobblehead 2012-10-20 01:46 am UTC (link)
	"The girls over there said you were with Playboy. I know I don't have the high recognition and all yet, but I have a portfolio ready. I'd really like to at least get to know some more industry people to try and get into the styling department. Do you know Hugh? Are the parties really as big as everyone says?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

cantkeepmeout
2012-10-20 02:16 am UTC (link)

Thomas raises an eyebrow at this and blinks for a moment. Playboy? Since when...what was this girl talking about?

"I think you're mistaken. I don't work for Playboy, but there's plenty of designers and models around here who'd be looking to hire someone for styling. I hope that helps," he smiles, managing to look not so confused. Really that was all he could say, he had no idea where the playboy bunnies came into his life. You'd think a guy would know those things.

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	bobblehead 2012-10-20 02:21 am UTC (link)
	"Ooohhh, I get it." No she doesn't. "Its one of those quiet, scouting things. Got it. I won't say anything, just... here." She quickly jots down the JLI phone number and her cel number. Not that other girls haven't been giving him their numbers. "If you change your mind and you're hiring after all." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	cantkeepmeout 2012-10-20 02:38 am UTC (link)
	"..." Was she dense? Or just...surely this couldn't be an act. It was too over the top. "Yes, uh...thanks." Thomas pockets the number without thinking really, and looks carefully at Pippi, trying to figure her out. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

gotham_rogues
2012-10-22 04:42 pm UTC (link)

Fortunately for him, the sound of screams and rumbling engines fills the air and distracts everyone at the venue. The lights flicker and then suddenly go club-style into brightly flashing lights.From one end a few Jokerz storm into the fashion week tents on motorcycles, waving studded rubber chickens above their heads. From the runway comes another group on foot from where the backstage screams can be heard. To say they're badly dressed would be quite the understatement.

"Why all the panic? We're just livening up this party here. You guys just don't know how ta have fun." The leader struts down the runway and spits in his hand, slicking back his hair using some poor girl's rather reflective purse as a useless mirror. "Now, that we're all looking spiffy here, how about we get our payment for being tonight's entertainment huh? No? Tsk tsk, you know the rules about paying for services. Open your hearts and your wallets! It's Christmas time! Well...just your wallets will do. Hop to it slowpokes!" A rather menacingly size clown with a polka dot sweatshirt moves forward, swinging a ball and chain.

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	bobblehead 2012-10-22 06:25 pm UTC (link)
	Pippi turns... and starts bouncing, clapping and cheering. "Yay, clowns! Hey, do you guys have a little car you all fit in? How about an elephant? I always love the elephants. Which one of you juggles?" she asks, getting right up in their faces. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	cantkeepmeout 2012-10-22 06:32 pm UTC (link)
	Thomas takes the opportunity to slip away amid the chaos to go change to his Robin gear. He's brought along the lightweight version in case of this sort of thing. But it's a very good thing he did not hear the 'Yay clowns' statement. That was like a deathwish in Gotham. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

gotham_rogues
2012-10-22 06:38 pm UTC (link)

The moment the 'Yay, clowns!' comes out the whole place goes deathly silent.

Those words had not been uttered in Gotham in years. The out-of-city guests look at each other confused, the gothamites look at each other confused, and even the clowns themselves look at each other confused.

You weren't allowed to like clowns in Gotham! There were rules about this sort of thing!

Finally after a tense moment of silence, one of the Jokerz finally comes forward, armed with a large bowling pin and blindingly hideous stripped stockings, to take a swing at Pippi. "You want jugglin? I'll give ya juggling!"

In the meantime the ones on motorcycles surround the crowd to let the ones on foot go around and start demanding valuables.

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	bobblehead 2012-10-22 07:31 pm UTC (link)
	Pippi's tiara alerts her just in time, and her cheerleader reflexes help her dodge out of the way, in order to... look confused. "That's not very good juggling at all. People, don't you dare give them any money. These guys are terrible clowns. They're not even funny." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

cantkeepmeout
2012-10-22 10:56 pm UTC (link)

The extended moment of silence gives Thomas a bit more opportunity to get changed and get back. He slips back into the crowd and has to blink. What was this girl on about?

Of course they weren't funny! They were Jokerz! Really this was just ridiculous. And on top of that it was his duty to save her along with everyone else here.

Robin sighs and sneaks through the crowd to get a jump on one of the motorcycle ones herding people. Right before he attacks he sends a few smoke capsules rolling towards where the main group of Jokerz were.

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gotham_rogues
2012-10-22 11:09 pm UTC (link)

Ugly stocking Jokerz pulls out another bowling pin and this time throws it at Pippi in frustration. "Hey! I'll have ya know I can totally juggle like...3 balls sometimes!"

"How's this for funny toots?" Another Jokerz jumps into the frey wielding, very seriously, a studded rubber chicken.

Rather inconspicuously, Robin's little smoke capsules rolls their way to the middle of the large group of Jokerz and go off, quickly filling the venue with smoke.

Given the brightly coloured flashing lighting, and the crazy intruders moving about in odd ways, the whole place looks more like a psychedelic rave than a fashion show taken hostage.

Apparently nothing is too surreal for Gotham though.

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bobblehead
2012-10-22 11:30 pm UTC (link)

There's a weird effect going on - which might even be vaguely observable, to the especially aware.

Despite all attempts to cause random chaos, unless someone is specifically being targeted, no one is getting hurt. People randomly stumble out exits through the smoke, thrown objects miss, explosions go off just right to not catch any bystanders. Its probably the safest Jokerz attack in history.

Which doesn't help anyone they're particularly aiming at - just all the random chance odds.

Pippi is smacked with the chicken, and goes staggering back, landing hard as a bowling pin follows it up.

The indigo jewel shields her from the worst, but she's still left rubbing her head.

Thinking quickly, for her, or out of habit, Pippi goes diving for the closet where everyone's larger bags are being stored.

"Alright, you clowns! You have ten seconds to start being funny, or else!"

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cantkeepmeout
2012-10-23 12:24 am UTC (link)

Thomas does notice, mostly because trained by the World's Greatest Detective™ and experience with Jokerz attacks makes him all the more alert when luck seems to be, oddly enough, on their side.

While Pippi goes closet diving, Thomas works on taking out as many of the motorcycle Jokerz as he can to let people escape. Though he does take note of them ganging up on her and slips through the somewhat panicking crowd to go help.

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	gotham_rogues 2012-10-23 12:47 am UTC (link)
	The two clowns going after Pippi share a confused glance then slowly advance towards the closet, bowling pins and rubber chickens ready. "Knock, Knock." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	bobblehead 2012-10-23 01:18 am UTC (link)
	Pippi starts going through the things here. Lots of useful stuff at a fashion expo, but not what she had in mind. "Who's there?... and this had better be funny." she calls out. "Because I know two things you don't know." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	gotham_rogues 2012-10-23 01:24 am UTC (link)
	The Jokerz snicker at each other and stop. The one with the ugly stockings rolls what looks like a giant gumball towards the closet door. "Ka." Neither notice the Robin closing in on them. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	bobblehead 2012-10-23 02:11 am UTC (link)
	"Ka who?" comes the call from inside, as she finds what she's looking for, perhaps just in time. At least they're telling jokes now. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	gotham_rogues 2012-10-23 02:18 am UTC (link)
	KABOOOOM The gumball goes off and the Jokerz burst into insane laughter amid the extra smoke while most of the rest at the venue stop and turn to stare at what's happening. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)