Post by ASTERIA on Jul 29, 2010 12:19:37 GMT -6
Anyone who wasn't "invited" can still join in, just sneak in or something. 
A glossy Rolls Royce limo rolled up to the front of the New York City club. There was a red carpet reaching from the threshold of the entrance doors to the edge of the sidewalk, almost as if it was a sin for any attendees to touch the ground walked upon by common folks. The sidewalk in front of the club, which was supposed to be concrete, was made of an ornate, expensive and tough granite tile. The large oak and stained glass double door was another item pointing out the beauty and wealth of the club itself, but that was only the outside so the inside was probably an innumerable times more elegant.
The annual gala that was thrown at the clubs around the world were always extremely elegant and provided just about everything that any rich person wanting to seclude themselves from the world for a moment would want. There were the gentleman's club elements that were quite popular on certain nights, despite being deplorable, along with ornate dishes made by top chefs, beautiful people littering the premises and conversation with others that could end up forming a friendship or a business deal. It was a time for rich people to gather on one part of the planet and party the night away.
A black Christian Louboutin flat and a slender leg emerged from the limo. After the shoe had been steadied on the red carpet extending to the edge of the sidewalk, a young woman by the name of Asteria Gallio-Bard emerged from the limo's dark cavern. The cocktail dress she was wearing reached just above her knee, had a square neck design and was covered with a classic, black layer of lace; her hair pulled back in a ponytail, fringes hanging freely. The slight smile on her face clearly showing her reserved excitement to be setting foot in within the doors of the New York City Hellfire Club, though not for the reasons most people would assume.
The Gallio and the Bard family, as small as they were, had a hand in the operations of club and other behind the scenes things that were constantly going on. On top of having a hand in the organization, the Gallio and Bard family were undeniably rich, something that they had acquired through the centuries. Asteria, not only was a Gallio-Bard, but was adorned with prominence everywhere she went. The jobs she had and the industries she entered were always glad to have her take on whatever she could, though she didn't always believe that she was equal to the worth that some of the more established and professional persons had.
That being besides the fact, Asteria was undoubtedly given a reservation when she had called to make one and now she was going to be welcomed and attended to with speed, as she always was. And the quicker she was taken care of was generally the better, her provokable temper and her parents were enough to convince the staff of that. While Asteria sauntered toward the door attendant, another closed the door behind her and waved the limo driver off.
Clutching her hand purse tighter in her hand, Asteria nodded toward the attendant at the door and didn't have to wait for him to open the heavy oak door with a bow. With every step she made into the club, a look or a few came along with it. Standing at the maître d' podium and waiting to be directed toward her table, Asteria pulled a mirror from her purse and accessed her appearance.
"Miss Bard," he said with a nod, "Please follow me this way. Your other party member is waiting."
"Thank you." The young dark-haired woman smiled again and followed the man to her table but completely ignoring the party part. She immediately saw a familiar blonde sitting at the table, who looked about and waited for Asteria to show up. Of course, if she had come at the proper time, she wouldn't have had that problem. Rolling her eyes at the thought that she was going to get crap from her best friend, Asteria was finally brought to the booth semi-circling her table and her friend, Rebecca Grigora.
"Ast! Finally. I thought I was going to die waiting for you to show up." The blonde woman said with a wide grin on her face, getting up to give Asteria a hug.
"Stop being so dramatic, Rebecca.” Asteria muttered as the two hugged and then greeted one another formally. It was a nice being able to hang out with a friend every once in a while, no matter how annoying they might end up being by the end of the night. Glancing around for a moment, Asteria placed both arms onto the table, avoiding elbow contact in acknowledgment of etiquette. The club looked unusually full compared to other nights, perhaps there were international clientele floating about.
"Oh my goodness, Ast. While you were absent, I met the most attractive man, he gave me his number." Rebecca exclaimed. Her mouth was stuck in an odd smile showing her anticipation of the congratulations that would follow.
“Wonderful.”
"Really? Is that it?" Rebecca complained before sitting back in her seat and calling over the waiter. Her hand waved in the air and then fell back to the table as a waiter took notice of the two and came hastily across the room in order to attend to the two of them.
"How may I help you ladies?"
"I'd like water, to begin with."
"I’d appreciate you sending for my mother or father.” Asteria added, without bothering with some sort of drink, and signaled the man away from the table. Her green eyes wandering to the grand stairs that led to the private and more exclusive areas of the establishment. Though she was not completely sure of whether either Selene or Eli were present—for all she knew they were off on some random vacation or negotiating business with some unfortunate soul—Asteria hoped that at least one of the pair was because of the updates and such that she had missed while she was away. Until then, Rebecca would probably fill her in on the amazing life that she led.
