Open Post: "Ain't No Party Like A HI Party..."

[gotasweettooth]

[OOC: Prose tags go here, all others in the SWS post, plskthx. Open to everyone who was invited, everyone who it makes sense to have been invited, and anyone who has a good reason to crash. So, everybody, really. Open forevers (backtagging is teh funs!) and feel free to threadjack and tag each other. After all that's what party posts are for :)

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[mightier_than]

[Jack was leaning against a wall in a dark blue suit, sipping a whiskey rocks and surveying the scene. This is what he did--he was a reporter, through and through. And laying low was the best way to observe your subjects, at least, until you decided to make your presence known.

Something was just...off...about Justine. He couldn't put his finger on it, and it was annoying him. But he was on to something, he just knew it.]

[gotasweettooth]

Justine may have been primed to spot a PR opportunity a mile away - but Jack was clearly very good at what he did, because tucked away in his spot, she neither sensed nor noticed him.

Nearby towards the middle of the floor, she was just wrapping up a lengthy conversation she had been having with a small crowd of people (telling jokes, laughing louder at them than anyone else had). Begging off she made her adieus, planning to make the rounds and head on to socializing with another group. Then she turned and headed on a path that would put her as walking directly past Baxter.

Here's something he may have noticed, hard-nosed and observant reporter that he was: Justine had the same body language and tics as her twin brother. Like, the exact same.

[mightier_than]

[Swirling the drink around in his glass--an absent-minded habit he picked up quite a while back--Jack's eyes followed Justine as she socialized. And he was noticing quite a few things.

Firstly, Justine wasn't exactly the most ladylike woman in the world. Or the room. He knew what people acted like when they were awkward, when they didn't feel comfortable in their own skin. But this was different somehow. And he'd never in his life seen a set of twins who acted so much alike. As she strode past him, he nodded his head in her direction.]

You're a popular girl tonight, eh Ms. Hammer?

[gotasweettooth]

Justine didn't stop so much as seem to come up short, startled by the sudden greeting. She did her best attempt to cover it though.

"Jack! Well, hello. I didn't even see you there." She came towards him, chuckling in a 'naughty, naughty' sort of tone. "Skulking about, trying to get a scoop, are we? Good for you. Like to see a guy with real dedication to his job. How are you? Enjoying yourself so far?"

[mightier_than]

[Jack smirked at her surprise. As she walked over, he reached his hand out to shake her hand in greeting.] You weren't supposed to see me, which is why you didn't. And I'm hardly skulking--merely observing.

It's a nice party, Justine. You did a great job.

So I have to ask...did you bring a date tonight?

[gotasweettooth]

"Always have to have a way with words, huh," she quipped.

"Oh why thank you. I'm glad to hear you think so." Justine grinned. "See anything so far you think might make it into your byline tomorrow?"

At his next question, she smirked and gave a sort of teasing chuckle. Which probably sounded a lot like...somebody else. "Why, Jack Baxter. Are you getting interested in my personal life? If I said yes, would you be jealous?"

[mightier_than]

[He smiled, what he hoped was an average and genuine smile and shrugged.] There are a few things I've got my ear pressed to the ground about, so to speak.

Only as interested as my profession will allow, I assure you. [He almost thought better of it--but then, what the hell. Let's test some boundaries. If his theory was correct...hm. He stepped closer to her and gently placed a hand on the curve of her hip, leaning towards her ear.] Do you want me to be jealous? Because if that was your goal...you might need to try a bit harder. [He was too close for comfort, he knew. But he was interested in her reaction.]

[gotasweettooth]

"Oh ho? Well, I'm all ears, then. Do tell?"

Oh boy, but did that next move of his get a reaction. The instant response was that she froze up completely - complete surprise, almost panic. Maybe a moment of clear bewilderment crossing her face before her eyes went wide. After a little bit of stammering she tried to play it off like just another slightly flustered woman being coy - but it was obvious she had no practice at it.

"Do I want...no! I mean. No. Heh. Of course not. That would just be inaproppriate, don't you think? Me involved with one of the journalist that reports on me. People would talk. They'd say I was spreading 'em just to try and make sure you only wrote favorable stories." Her hand moved towards his wrist, as if to try and shove him off her. She stopped just in time, but held herself back forcibly. Also she was instictively trying to lean away from him. "Anyway, to answer your question: no I'm not here with anyone."

[mightier_than]

[Score one for the home team! Just how he thought she'd react. His gesture was close, yes, but it was a pretty basic, flirtatious move for anyone who's ever socialized before. Time to turn it up.] Hm. Is that so?

[Jack got even closer to Justine, not removing his hand...but grabbing her other hand and swaying, in a way that looked like they were dancing--just very, very closely.] I wonder. Have you ever had a boyfriend, Justine?

Not to be a nosy Nelly...but I did a bit of research on you. Can't find a damn thing--no history of awards, no college diploma, no public photos of you with the family. It's all about Justin. [His cheek was next to hers and his voice was lowered, so he could speak into her ear directly without others hearing their conversation.] Which makes sense, in a way--he is the business face. But doesn't that strike you as odd, all the same? That it's so damn hard to find anything regarding you specifically? Almost like you're...I don't know...their dirty little secret or something.

[gotasweettooth]

A basic move for anyone who'd ever socialized, sure - from the other side of the gender line. Justin had even tried pulling it on plenty of ladies in his time, but he'd certainly never been on the recieving end.

Time for a little selective truthfulness. "I've never really been into long-term relationships," Justine answered.

But now she grew incredibly conflicted what to say. Her first instinct was to defend herself, not liking at all the implication of dishonor - but if she got too adamant she risked being backed into a corner about her 'nonexistant' past. There was only so much the paper trail she'd pulled in some of her resources to fake could cover after all. As Baxter was so clearly illustrating at the moment.

"It's nothing like that. But what can I tell you? I guess I've just always let my brother make it his time to shine."

[mightier_than]

Ah. So you like to play the field then? A woman after my own heart, truly. Name one of your exes.

[He raised one hand to her face and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Knowing her level of discomfort, he was trying to use it to his advantage and throw her off her game--people were more honest, that way.] How noble of you. But even in college? Even in family portraits? Would you believe that I can't find ONE picture of you before this year? It just all seems rather fishy, to me. [He kept up the routine of movement, to keep up the charade that they were just dancing.]

And I just keep thinking--why would this girl be such a phantom before this year? There's nothing horribly wrong with you, as far as I can tell. So...care to enlighten me?

[gotasweettooth]

"What - so you can track them down and try to dig up some more dirt? Sorry, but where would the fun be if I did all your work for you," she managed to reply smoothly, even playfully. "I'm not the type to kiss and tell."

That was seriously unsettling, to be sure. Okay, you know what? Screw this - if there was one place Hammer was not going to be manipulated in, it was on the dance floor. She gripped his hand back and put her free hand on his hip, making their dancing decidedly less one-sided - except that she was trying to lead.

"Maybe it just took me this long to come out of shell?" she offered, sweetly.

[mightier_than]

[His eyebrows shot up and a smirk played across his features as she tried to take the lead. How perfect.] But see, that's the thing--I have looked for them. Men are...simple creatures, Ms. Hammer. We enjoy talking about our conquests, as it were. And no one's admitted to "conquesting" you. [He chuckled lightly.]

Coming out of your shell is one thing, Justine. Outright nonexistence is entirely another. I am very close to figuring something out here. [He overpowered and dipped her, holding her there for a moment as he lowered his chin, keeping his eyes raised to the party and gave a charming smile to any onlookers.] Maybe you should tell me now. Make it easier on all of us.

[gotasweettooth]

An surprised squawk was barely suppressed as the dip caught her off guard. Maybe women weren't automatically weaker, but the difference between build and strength for an average man and an average woman was still pretty significant when you were used to one over the other.

"Close to figuring out what?" she asked, feigning confusion. Which was mostly a mask for nervous concern. He couldn't possibly have guessed...no. No, it was unthinkable. Right?

[mightier_than]

Now now, Justine. Can't show my hand this early in the game! But I definitely have a couple theories I'm currently working on--though one is clearly looking to be the most obvious.

[He looked her up and down.] You know? You really do act quite a bit like your brother. [He gave her a winning smile and continued.] Wanna know something else I noticed? There are a lot of lovely ladies here tonight.

Notably, Miss Gray over there. Bright young kid, I gotta say. Wouldn't you agree?

[gotasweettooth]

Her mind was currently racing at a thousand miles an hour. But it was mostly the same loop: "He couldn't possibly have figured out who I am really" and "Oh crap, what if he has?".

Everything only got cranked up another notch when he mentioned Gabriella. She automatically followed his gaze to where the young engineer was happily (one might say animatedly - considering she'd possibly gotten a wee carried away with the champagne) chatting with some fellows from the Marines.

God, she is looking so great tonight. If only I could just -- FOCUS, MAN!

"Who...? Gabriella? Oh well, yeah, I suppose that I would. She's certainly very talented."

She should probably be looking at Baxter, not continuing to gaze over at her employee. But her eyes seemed to be stuck.

"I haven't a single regret about hiring her," she said, over-earnest.