charity for politics

Mr. Felton had invited Ava to this party with him and she’d jumped at the chance, knowing it would give her an opportunity to keep up her appearances since she hadn’t been out on the town as much now that things had changed. Now that her money had gone, she was clinging to Felton as much as possible, doing her very best to prod the man for a gift of some sort that she could either keep or sell based on if she liked it. But he was withholding. Apparently he didn’t exactly fall over himself at the chance to drop a pricy gift at her feet if he hadn’t gotten anything back in return yet, promises or otherwise. And while Ava was happy to oblige, the fact that Mr. Felton hadn’t brought her a gift this time was more annoying than ever.

She put on her best face, though, knowing that at the end of the night she’d most likely leave with Mr. Felton just to assure herself some sort of lavish gift afterwards. Right now, she’d been ‘kindly’ dismissed after Mr. Felton spotted one of his work associates. A boss or someone, she assumed. So she took this time to find champagne or some sort of alcohol in it. Once she had it, she was scanning the party, inevitably trying to decide if there was a man here who would spent more money on her than Felton was currently. She saw a few that might prefer the blonde her, one that might like her red wig, but Felton looked like the best contender for the brunette one she wore that night. He’d also been the reason she was in the chocolate colored gown, something with a low, open back that she assumed was a large part of the reason he chose not to introduce her to his important business associate. So instead, out of spite, Ava turned and sauntered through the party, not on the prowl for much else but attention.

It took Dodge a while to notice her as who she was. He’d noticed her when she walked in of course, not sure why a woman that beautiful would be with a man who looked like such a stick in the mud, and why she’d cling to him the way she was. He’d let it go, focusing on talking to potential marks, chatting up wives of the politicians who found him darling, just as they always did. It wasn’t until she moved past him and he made a point of turning to notice the way her dress cut low in the back that he realise who it was. The hair was different, but he’d spent quite a few hours with that spanse of skin under him to know it anywhere. Grinning he left his current conversation moving to fall into step with her. “I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend who would come after me,” he said softly, voice too low to be heard by anyone but her.

Ava would have jumped, but to have someone close to her in a party like this was normal. To have someone speak to her, that was different. Turning to look, a sudden grin spread on her lips. "I don't," She said again. "What an interesting place for you to be. Or was I unaware about how much you love politics?"

“Hardly,” he said nodding towards where Felton was chatting up some bigwig. “If he’s not your boyfriend who is he?” Dodge wasn’t jealous exactly and he’d slept with a taken woman before, but the lie made him wonder what else Ava might have lied about.

"What does it matter who he is?" Ava asked, looking back at Dodge with the same grin. Although emotional security wasn't what she was looking for tonight, it was always nice to have someone seem jealous over her. "He's a friend."

“I just worry for my health,” Dodge said. He glanced toward the guy and made a face. “Hardly seems like your type though. A little too boring.” Ava was a force, something Dodge had found exciting and interesting.

"Your health will be just fine," She said as she watched him. Glancing back at Mr. Felton, who was reaching into his pocket for cigars for him and his associate, Ava tried her best not to roll her eyes. "My type changes frequently," She said, though she didn't believe it. She would much prefer to take Dodge or someone like him home right now and have the money to back up her decision, but she simply didn't. And she needed gifts because real money, for anyone involved in Eris' company, was forbidden and not even Ava pushed that rule. "Where is your date tonight? Tell me you're not neglecting her by being so interested in me and my friend."

"Well just so long as that's the case," Dodge said grinning again and turning so he wasn't facing Felton anymore. Out of sight and out of mind. "That's a drastic change darling," he said, mostly teasing this time. "My date?" he asked, humor in his voice as he shook his head. "I'm hardly the date type. Plus all the beautiful women seem to have come with others. Where was I supposed to start?"

Ava just continued to smile at him, sipping her drink here and there. "So if you're dateless and you are not political, what are you doing here?" Was he here for the same reason she was? Male escorts were always fun, but she doubted he was one. There was probably another reason.

"I have to admit, I find these sort of things terribly interesting. Never had the head for politics, but I do have the head for charity," Dodge said. It was half a lie, half the truth. He shrugged once. "Sometimes it's just good to be seen." He smiled again giving her a knowing look.

Ava looked back at him again, finishing off her champagne but still holding onto the glass. It was a statement, a champagne glass that she could get refilled, and Ava wasn't about to let it go. She needed that glass, she needed to represent the style of life she had and was on the way of losing. "It's always good to be seen. That's the whole point, isn't it?"

Dodge noticed how Ava didn't hand off the glass, curious what that meant. It had to mean something. He waved to waiter, bringing him over to get her a new glass. "It does seem to be the point. The question lies in what it takes to be seen with someone like you on my arm."

Even with the new glass, Ava kept her old one. The waiter watched her curiously, expectantly, for a moment then left when she wouldn't give it up despite actually sipping on the new one. But Dodge was complimenting her and that was always a nice feeling. Smiling, she glanced back at Felton and then at Dodge again. "We'd have to be in a place where he wasn't, first of all."

That she hung on to the glass was more curious but Dodge did nothing more than give her a curious look. "That would be the obvious step yes," Dodge said. He wasn't the type to care for dates on his arm, but it might cause a bit of a ruckus and he loved that. "What else?"

What else? She knew she should recruit him for the agency, but somehow she didn't want Dodge involved in that. She wanted him for herself, for her very own, without Eris or anyone else even knowing about him. So instead, she just smiled again. "What are you willing to do?"

Dodge gave her a bit of a look. “I thought that much should have been obvious at this point?” he asked. He grinned brightly then leaned into her, making sure Felton was looking another way. “Though there is more...” he suggested.

Confused, Ava realized that they might not be thinking of the same thing. She'd assumed he meant simply sex but this change, this difference in his demeanor, could mean so much more. "...Such as?"

Dodge shrugged, definitely still talking about sex on his end. “Whatever you’d want I suppose,” he said, knowing that given her history, she rarely got to indulge in what she wanted.

It clicked again for Ava and she felt idiotic for thinking otherwise. Of course he was talking about sex. He wouldn't be so cavalier to talk about more than that here. An arrangement like she'd had with Irving was something that didn't come around often, something she had to work at, and generally came from older men with no charms to draw women in for their own. But if he was offering, maybe she'd indulge again before trying Felton for gifts once more. "You suppose or you mean it. You can't suppose to mean it, you have to actually mean it."

Dodge leaned his glass against her, clinking it lightly. “I mean it. I always mean it when it comes to you.” Ava was different, someone he enjoy the company of but without that devotion other women expected. Maybe they were similar.

Clinking her glass against his, Ava smirked. "Then if you mean it, I'll hold you to it. Only know that it will be a night purely about me and I am unaware of many men who can withstand something like that."

“I’m not most men,” Dodge told her with a grin. “Let me know what it takes and I’ll see to it that it’s arranged.” At the very least it would be amusing and entertaining. A nice change of pace from being yelled at and threatened.

"Tomorrow night is free for me," She said, glancing back at Felton who was only now starting to finish up his cigar with his boss. She'd need to leave soon, something that she disliked but knew was necessary. "But it will take a room, somewhere lovely, here even. A nice room. With room service." At least she could have her fun and bleed a little bit of her lifestyle out of Dodge at the same time.

Dodge grinned and nodded. “I think I can work with tomorrow night.” He had the Syndicate breathing down his neck but they were no worry where Ava was concerned. “I’ll get in touch with you,” he promised, looking towards Felton who had finally noticed them. Bowing politely he tipped his hat at her. “Have a lovely evening,” he said before taking a few steps back and melding into the crowd more.

Even with Max as a distraction, Lucas wasn’t late to meet Feo. He’d arrived right when he should, suit pressed and perfect, hair cleaned, face shaved. He was as put together as he ever got and more than pleased with what was on his arm that night. They’d already chatted up more than one politician and a few other heads of the city, Lucas enjoying the way their tongues got looser the more they drank. Finally though he had a moment with Feo alone, reaching for two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handing her one. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

Thus far Feo had managed to play her role quite well. Like a genial ingenue should, she had smiled in all the right places and made all the right comments. Looking the part certainly helped, and Feo had spent a fair amount of time getting it right. There was hardly a vast selection of dresses in her closet to pick and choose from and she had opted for black and backless. Simple but it gave her an elegance she rarely possessed. Though she doubted the dress was of much importance as long as she was wearing Lucas’ crowning glory. And just to accentuate the choker for him, she’d worn her hair up.

The champagne gratefully received, Feo took a sip from it. “The night’s not been without its charms,” she answered. The city’s elite proved to be less dull than she’d expected by their third drink, particularly with Lucas wheedling out a few careless comments here and there.

Lucas loved the dress, no matter how simple it was. It gave her an air of femininity he wasn’t used to seeing outside of his bedroom when she was devoid of the more masculine type clothes she tended to wear. It was thrilling to reach for her, run his fingers down a smooth back that he’d managed not to mar, knowing he’d have a chance to later. As she guessed though, the choker was what really had his attention, enjoying every look that it garnered, men impressed by the bauble, women jealous of it. Grinning he reached for it, finger trailing from the hollow of her neck along the velvet before dropping down her back and pulling her close enough to kiss her cheek lightly. “Good,” he said. “I was thinking the same way.”

As he toyed with the necklace her attention wasn’t on Lucas but watchful of the surroundings. She wasn’t entirely comfortable with much of the attentions she’d been subject to, nor with keeping herself in check. Feo crossed her free arm over her chest, champagne flute hovering near her lips. “I had assumed you were enjoying yourself. It’s been a delightful evening for you. You must be pleased.” There was a slight lilt to the last part that nearly made it a question.

"It's been beneficial yes," Lucas said with a nod, giving her another smile. "So yes, I am pleased." Even though she hadn't clearly asked a question he was willing to answer it. He smoothed his hand across her back, letting his nails trail lightly over the skin. "Not much longer. I've already got a good bit to work with." Gossip and comments that shouldn't be shared had already been given his way, and though he knew he could pull more he also knew that pushing Feo too far wouldn't work in his favor.

“Ah, beneficial. I see.” Her tone suggested that hadn’t been the kind of answer she was aiming for but it would do. Giving him a sideways glance, she tilted her head slightly to one side. It didn’t make much difference if they were almost done or if she was going to be there for the duration. She’d stuck it out for longer than five minutes. If the event got to the point of being unbearable there was nothing to stop her leaving, be it with Lucas or not. “You missed your calling in life. Instead of fabricating the news you should run a torrid gossip column. Be the toast of bored, interfering housewives. You’re rather like them.”

"I don't fabricate the news," Lucas reminded her. "Though you sound like my cousin. He's forever making comments about me catering to old women." He gave her a bit of a look but didn't pull away. "The gossip only leads the the real stories. Even the gossip starts in some basis. There's always a story to be dug out of it. I'm better than a gossip column." He might have lost his temper with her attitude, but her there, wearing the choker in public had him pleased beyond his normal mood swings.

“There’s no need to try and convince me of your journalistic integrity.” Feo had to smirk a little at her not being the only one to pigeonhole him similarly. She heard every word of him defending himself whilst looking like she wasn’t listening at all. Once he was done, she shrugged. “You may even be better than wading through the drivel to get to the heart of it all.” Though it wasn’t clear if Feo was expressing an opinion either way.

"I might not be?" Lucas asked, not taking her vague answer as acceptable. If she was giving him a compliment he wanted to hear it and if she was just toying with him he wanted the confirmation on that as well. The vague comment paired with her apparently disinterest in him was raising his temper, though in the back of his mind he was aware that that might be the goal.

“Why jump to the negative?” Feo replied with a small shake of her head. Edging in closer, she took hold of his arm like he was a perfectly respectable escort and she was perfectly pleased about it. “Given the circumstances, I’ll give you my opinion.” She paused for a beat and turned to look at him. “You’re wasted. This, being your family’s mouthpiece. You have potential to be better.” And that was all she said.

He knew she was right. He’d always known that, that he deserved to be doing more even if he found himself obligated to do what he did now. Leaning down he pulled her in for a proper kiss, something lingering and almost appreciative. It was a silent way of saying he understood and that he agreed. “Perhaps I’ll have to come up with something else,” he suggested, thinking of what Arienne had planned, of someone needing to take her father’s place. Perhaps he should invest more into that, give himself something else to write about, to report on. Leaving at a time like this just wasn’t an option or he’d sign up to be a war correspondent, like he’d always dreamed. He touched her cheek lightly, something that, from a distance, would look gentle and sweet, but up close his eyes sparkled with something more menacing.

Feo hadn’t really expected him to accept her remarks, let alone appreciate them. She figured she’d either be treated to some spiel about familial pride or simple doubt, or both. “Do you have anything in mind?” Part of her wanted to think there was something to Lucas beyond his lapdog ways. That somewhere in there he could think for himself rather than bow to the expectations of him because it was a much less messy option. But she wasn’t convinced. Catching his hand delicately in her own, she gave him a look. “Waiting,” she said slowly.

He'd been feeling too under appreciated, too force to deal with Max's nonsense, lately to not accept her words as truth. Yes, there was familial obligation, but it was changing now, things were starting to shift. "I might," he said giving her a knowing smile. It wasn't that he didn't trust that sort of information with Feo, he knew the agreement of their pillow talk didn't leave the bedroom, but the whole situation was still very quiet, very low level. As it was, he barely had anything to explain, other than the idea that the tides were in need of shifting. "Waiting for what?"

Watching him for a moment, Feo looked like she was waiting for an elaboration that never came. “Fine, keep secrets,” she said dismissively. It didn’t really bother her if he did or not. Whatever his plans may be, they were exactly that - his. Any pushing on her part was mostly for the sake of it. Releasing his hand, Feo rolled her eyes. “Just remember you’re meant to be a gentleman.”

"In time," Lucas promised, leaning in to press another kiss against her temple. Either he'd tell her or she'd see. Telling her seemed far more committed than they were but maybe she'd just see what came of all of it. Her reminder earned her a smile and half a chuckle. "Yes ma'am," he said, giving her a brief look of a child chided before shifting back to the smile.

“We’ll see.” Feo was unwilling to make promises about time. She didn’t want Lucas getting too comfortable with the notion that she was going to be any kind of constant. While she gave him a weary look at his reaction, she set about adjusting his tie. It was a suitably cliched womanly activity for her to be doing. “And I doubt you’d want any scandalous gossip about yourself to make it into the next edition.”

He caught that, the way she wasn’t going to promise time together. That upset him slightly, but he didn’t let it show. There’d be others even if none could really live up to Feo. As she adjusted his tie he brushed at her hair line gently. “You don’t think we’re already starting the rumor mill about us?”

“About you,” she corrected. Feo wanted her part in it to be fairly inconsequential beyond being female and with Lucas DiGiovanni, Spitfire, whoever he was. She had her doubts about it working out as simply as that but the idea of unwanted interest would be courted if and when it arose. “The point is that the rumor mill is one thing and that which approaches the truth is another. A fine line you’d do well to heed.”

Lucas pulled her fingers from his tie, bringing them to his lips to kiss them lightly. Stoking the rumor mills was fun in its own way, and he was sure that appearing to be smitten with some woman and not in a drunken haze was bound to raise suspicions of their own. “I’ll hold the line,” he promised, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “And keep your name out of it.” That would make it all the more interesting.

Feo gave him a nod, both a demand to make sure that he did keep her name out of it and a sign of gratitude that he’d actually considered doing so. Then she gave him one of the smiles she’d had so much chance to practice that night and stroked his cheek with her thumb. “Oh, but wouldn’t it be a story to tell? Poor, lowly girl from the Sprawl being courted by such an eligible bachelor.” Her eyes shone with amusement. Their relationship was many things but an inspirational tale of romance it was not.

A smile quirked at the edges of his lips, something more devious than the grin he let it shift to. “They’d wax poetic on it, and write plays about it,” he teased. They would certainly talk. No one knew her, no one knew who she was and they the rich knew each other. The obvious inference they’d make would be that the jewel around her neck was a gift, a gift from her well to do suitor. The story would fly by midday tomorrow. He leaned in, kissing her just long enough to be considered polite, icing on the cake. It was a role he rarely played, the man who appeared to be in love, but in the moment it was rather fun.

“Perhaps more the good society ladies wanting my head. I doubt no status and immigrant breeding goes over well.” The thought of that irritation wasn’t without its amusement. Though it hardly held enough amusement, either. Feo placed a hand on his chest, the gesture a seemingly affectionate one to the casual observer. The smile that accompanied it was tight and the hand was firm. A warning against fuelling the fires he seemed intent on lighting too much.

Lucas nodded slightly then covered her hand with his, pulling it away to just hold it comfortably. He knew the warning, and he pulled back, just as she requested. Enough damage was done. “Perhaps. Though most of it would be rooted in jealousy of your beauty and fear of anything different. Not that many of them aren’t so far removed from the motherland themselves.” He nodded back towards the room at a large, mingling still waiting for both of them. “Shall we?”

“The flattery is redundant. You already managed to get me here.” Feo slipped her hand away, looking out into the throng of people milling about. “Go,” she told him. “Survive by yourself.” Kissing him on the cheek with a faux sweetness she added, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on you.” Not that it sounded particularly reassuring.

“It was hardly intended as flattery,” Lucas corrected, forcing himself not to frown as she pulled her hand away. “Merely a statement of fact.” He knew not to push her coming with him, and wound up nodding. “I’ll find you later,” he promised before striding back into the fray, charming smile in place.

Leaving Lucas to his own devices, Feo stayed on the outskirts of the crowd for now. It saved her from having to make polite small talk with those who had more surnames than brain cells and the shrill harpies who wanted to discuss dates like they were a matter of any importance. She made sure to be pleasant enough and get the encounters over as soon as possible. Away from Lucas’ side the act could be dropped. Provided she kept herself to herself. Tempting as it was, Feo was well aware of her own feelings regarding Lucas making any sort of scene and so she wasn’t going to do it to him. That and it simply wasn’t worth the focus it would draw.

The bright side was the flowing champagne. At least it did the trick of taking the edge off. What was less bright was the waiter passing her carting back a tray of empty glasses rather than touting full ones. It got an eye roll. As exercises in patience went the night was exemplary.

Dodge had chatted up almost everyone of worth, as well as securing a date with Ava. All in all he was having a good night though it was starting to wane and he’d have to leave soon. He almost missed her, or rather it, because the woman didn’t catch his eye but rather the jewel around her neck did. The thief in in him longed for it, fingers flexing slightly. He couldn’t steal tonight, not when everything else pressing. Still, he watched her roll her eyes at the waiter then grabbed two full glasses off a passing tray without the waiter knowing and started her way, offering up the spare glass once he was close enough. “I think this is what you were looking for,” he offered, smile lighting his features.

Feo took the glass and smiled back at him, the expression small and far from reaching her eyes. It was serviceable enough to be considered polite. “Very observant of you.” There was a beat before she added a, “Thank you.” It would have been nice if that was the end of it. Unfortunately men only distributed drinks then made a hasty exit if they were getting paid to do so. And even then they apparently weren’t reliable. “How are you finding your night?” she said, asking one of those generic questions that were mainly filler.

“I try my best,” he said, trying to keep his eyes on hers, but t hey darted to the gem when she wasn’t watching. That was one hell of a prize to walk out of here with, but not with his early departure. He had no doubt that he could take it, with ease even, but he didn’t need that tonight. “Well enough I suppose. These things are only interesting for so long before everyone has been talked to and everyone has had a chance to talk at you.” He smiled again and it seemed every inch of genuine. “And you?”

“It is what it is,” Feo answered. “As you say, there’s only so much being talked at one can take in a single dose.” Not exactly what he’d said but near enough. At least he wasn’t expected to play second fiddle to anyone, to stand there looking and sounding appealing and little else.

Dodge had to wonder if that was meant as giving him grounds to leave, but he lingered still. “Yes there is that. Though I suppose it would be considered more suspect to miss such an event than to be bored at one.” He hadn’t even been invited, but not a soul had batted an eyelash at his presence. For not belonging in this world, he sure as hell fit in just fine. “I think I prefer the events with dancing. At least it breaks up all the chatter.” And the number of women who didn’t miss their jewelry after dancing with him was ridiculous.

“I’d rather be suspect than bored. Give the masses something to talk about without being subjected to it.” If it hadn’t been for the lives they lead and all the privilege and opportunity that came with it, Feo would have found it a shame that this gaggle of souls were doomed to repeat nights like this time and time again. Anyway, they weren’t completely without choice. “Hmm. I wouldn’t know. These aren’t exactly a regular fixture in my calendar.” God forbid.

Dodge grinned, liking that stance. “Leave them guessing then?” he asked rhetorically. “I like that idea.” Too bad he’d just gotten his footing in socity. There was no use in losing it now. “They aren’t?” he asked, expecting a response this time. “That I wouldn’t have guessed. You look the part.” Especially with money hanging around her neck. “What brings you here then? A special occasion?”

“As wise mothers tell their daughters - never give all the goods up front.” Feo smirked at him a little. Compared to most of the company she’d faced the man seemed to hold a glimmer of interest. Though that wasn’t saying much. Shaking her head, she didn’t answer right away. “It seems like a good venue to find a rich, powerful husband.” As she spoke Feo scanned the crowd, being quite open in her mocking of those who may have been there to do just that.

“And yet so many of them just ignore that advice,” Dodge countered, meeting her smirk with a smile. She was different than the others, which might lend to why she wasn’t often at these sort of things. That type of spunk didn’t last long. “Well if you needed a tip in that sense, the ones whom seem to be chatting the most and puffing their chest out like peacocks are the politicians asking for money. Focus on their targets. The uglier the richer.” He doubted she was looking for a rich husband, but he might have her wrong. he never claimed to always be right.

“You’ll find it’s universal. Mystery is a dead art.” Taking a sip of her drink, Feo nodded at his advice. The conclusions were ones she could have reached herself but she enjoyed the description none the less, the comment about look and money managed to elicit an amused little smile. “And the more grateful. So I hear.” She cast a glance over at him then back out into the room. “Though by those standards I may be wasting my time talking to you. Obviously you must be a pauper.”

“So they keep saying. I hate it, would have loved for more of a game here and there,” Dodge said with a casual shrug, something that seemed almost wistful. “More grateful if your goal is jewels and allowances. Not as much if you’re looking for other pleasures.” He smirked slightly then chuckled as she half complimented him. “I hate to admit that’s the truth, not as bad as most of the city, but I don’t exactly have a line of women waiting to take my hand.” That was also somewhat a lie, if he wanted to pick a wife he probably could with ease, but Dodge had little interest that sort of thing.

“If you hated it so you would find a game,” Feo told him, tone implying that was obvious. It reminded her somewhat of Lucas, of the constraints imposed both by the society and the self. Still she failed to see why complaining was favoured over changing. “What sort of pleasures would those be?” she asked, knowing full well that the charade of not following was completely transparent. Shaking her head, Feo just looked at him for a moment. “How cruel life is,” she responded in a deadpan.

“I do from time to time,” Dodge admitted. Like taking from these people who had no idea who he really was. That was more than enough of a game. Grinning he shook his head. “Things that polite society won’t let me mention,” he said, playing into her charade if only for the humor factor of it. “Terrible really. Just dreadful to be me.” His voice also hit a deadpan, look angry as if he’d had nothing but challenges from being good looking.

“Really now?” A flicker of intrigue showed in Feo’s eyes. She didn’t think she’d get an answer, doubting it was the thought of thing discussed with a stranger in amongst all the finer folk. Breathing a quietly disappointed sigh, she gave a little shrug. “Ah, the trouble with polite society. Shame.” For just a second there was a smirk on her lips, not lingering quite long enough to be suggestive. Head tilting slightly to the side, she crossed her arms. “There there. Struggle on.”

Dodge brought a finger to his lips. “Shh. My secret. Consider it my bit of mystery.” He wasn't’ about to share with anyone what he was up to, but it was fun to tease at it. “Forever the trouble with polite society,” he agreed. Having grown up with a collection of boys ruling the sprawl the more crude aspects of his behavior were the first things to go and after they were gone there were times when they were missed. He grinned, not able to keep up the facade. “I will struggle through.”

“Well. I can’t argue with that,” she conceded. Or rather, it was more appropriate to go with the little back and forth. It was light and entertaining and so in keeping with the tone she’d been set for the evening. “Another reason to not immerse oneself in it.” That had a ring of truth to it. To some extent and for different ends everyone present was playing a part. All niceties and the appearance of being proper. Feo wondered what was underneath it all. Not cracking, Feo nodded. The stoicism was familiar, comfortable and any excuse to drop the evening’s persona was welcome. “What an admirable man.”

Dodge had to grin again this time offering her a hand. “Dodge,” he said introducing himself. “Admirable at best.” She was something else, something interesting and though her accessory had brought him over, he wanted the person now as well.

“An interesting handle. How fitting,” Feo commented as she shook his hand. Didn’t seem so fitting with the surroundings, however. But she was hardly one to judge what was fitting in high society and what wasn’t. Still, it meant she studied him a little more closely before offering up her own introduction. “Feo. Rarely admirable.”

“It’s an old nickname. Hardly ever go by my real name anyway.” He had one now though, that was the difference form his youth. “Feo,” he greeted, opting not to do more than shake her hand. It seemed like she might not appreciate it. “I’d love to know what makes you rarely admirable,”

Feo didn’t bother to ask what his real name might be. There was no point in it, and it hardly mattered. Withdrawing her hand, a tiny hint of a smirk played about her lips. “Reasons I rarely divulge,” she told him. It was kind of funny. Not their exchange so much but that those reasons were likely to be very far removed from whatever he may have been implying.

Dodge chuckled lightly then clinked his glass with hers. “Maybe I’ll get lucky at some point.” It had him curious, curious enough to ask around at a later date, see what sort of information he could find out about the woman. “I’ll let you get back to your hunting, I’m going to see if I can exit without anyone noticing.”

“Lucky doesn’t quite cover it,” she murmured, leaving the inferences that could be drawn from the comment open. Feo gave him a nod, figuring she should probably wander back Lucas’ way at some point, lest he get all bent out of shape. “I’m sure you can manage. I doubt many remain at their most alert by now.”

He laughed again, finishing off his glass and dropping it on a passing tray without the waiter noticing again. “Happy hunting then, seems like you might have a better chance with such given the state of everyone.” He reached up and tipped the fedora lightly. “It was a pleasure,” he told her before striding off, ducking through the crowd with ease before leaving the ballroom.

There was no missing that interesting interaction that Ava had with the man in the fedora, not from where Vera stood at least. The conversation she’d been in was going on without her, though she hadn’t served much of a point in it anyway, just there to draw eyes to the jade green dress she had on that accented her curves and brought out the color in the gems around her neck, a loan for the night from her date, who wanted the politicians there licking his shoes. She had to wonder if she did her own worshipping if he’d give it to her at the end of the night, but that wasn’t what she was in the mood for. Sparking his passion was fun, having him curled around her fingers was fun, but catering to his ego wasn’t as much fun. Vera preferred to have her ego catered too.

So while he’d chattered on, she’d watched Ava with her mystery man, one who looked familiar and she was sure she’d heard rumors about. He was new money, some sort of do gooder, and a charmer. The younger wives acted as if they hated him, but Vera guessed that was because they secretly wanted him, which seemed justified given his good looks. She’d have to ask Ava about that one for sure.

Of course there wasn’t much time to wait before her date brought himself in line with Ava’s, giving the girls a chance to have their own conversation while the men argued about stocks. “So darling,” Vera said, voice dripping in sweetness, but low enough that only the tone would carry, not the words. “Who was that charming gentleman?”

Vera. Vera. Ava had never been a big fan of Vera's and even here, now, Vera was already pushing her buttons. She was trying to dig, trying to get information out of her that Ava was not about to give. She wanted Dodge for her own and not even Vera, nor anyone else, would be getting any information from her that would take him away. Not if she had to resort to the Irving Winthops of the world again. "A friend," She said quietly, mouth half hidden by her champagne glass. She'd given up the previous one even if it was difficult, leaving her with just the filled one now.

Vera raised a perfect eyebrow at that, flashing her date a bright smile as he glanced her way, then focusing on Ava again. “A friend? Which is different from a client?” she asked. Did they have friends like that? There were a few men that Vera had entertained herself with but none she’d go back to.

Ava thought on it for a moment, finding herself giving Felton the same sort of smile as Vera had. It was perfected between the both of them, something that came natural to Ava now more than anything else really. Keep the man interested and she'd get what she wanted. Hopefully. Still, the answer to Vera's question was still dangling in her mind, multiple options there for the taking. "Why are you so interested, Vera?"

Vera shrugged, even that movement looking elegant. “What else is there to be interested in? Plus he seems rather charming. They talk about him, if he’s the right one I’m thinking of.”

"And who are you thinking of?" Ava asked, glancing at the boys again before leaning in to Felton and saying she needed to powder her nose. "Perhaps, Ms. Micheals would accompany me?" It was more than enough to have Felton nodding yes and Ava glancing at Vera, waiting for the woman to join her before starting their trek away from the boys, away from the ears of the party and towards the only semi-safe area to really talk in; the bathroom.

Vera nodded serenely, leaning in to kiss her date’s cheek lightly before patting his arm and leaving with Ava. “I hear he’s the one that they all hate and all want at the same time. He’s new rich and a damn charmer. They love to talk about him and struggle to find mean things to say.”

"I'm sure you have plenty of mean things to say, Vera," Ava said, smiling at her own dig at the woman. She wouldn't acknowledge that Dodge was this person, but she still liked knowing that others knew he was rich and charming. Rich. But not rich enough to support her. "If you know so much about him, why do you need me to validate it?"

Vera looked offended even if half of what Ava said was true. “Me? Darling, I’ve been told to keep out of their business, so I do my best not to. I don’t spread rumors.” She just ate them up like they were candy. “I’m merely curious what interest you have in him. Seems like something more than cultivating a working relationship.”

"I think you assume too much, Vera." Ava watched her for a moment, leading them right into the bathroom so that she could set her glass down and adjust her wig. "Do I pry you on your business? Why do you think you can do so on me?"

"I have little personal business that would be worth your interest," Vera said with a non chalant little shrug. "I'm merely curious Ava, I thought we could gossip on our own since we don't belong in their gossip circles."

Could she gossip harmlessly without any of this information getting back to anyone else? "The problem with gossip, dear, is that I know it never stops with you. So if I tell you anything about him, the rest of the world will know very soon after. And I would so like to gossip with you, but I am just not sure it's worth the trouble that follows."

Vera pouted a little, lower lip sticking out. "Who would I tell?" Outside of Lily. Vera supposed she could tell everyone but there wasn't a reason to. She didn't like Ava, but Ava kept to herself and didn't bother Vera too much, which meant there really wasn't a reason to ruin her.

"I'm sure you have plenty of people. Why don't you start with telling me what you think he is to me?" That would be more interesting to Ava than actually having to say anything at all.

Vera saw that as a challege and she tapped a perfectly manicured nail against her lip. “Well I’d say that maybe you were looking to replace that dead husband of yours and being the wife of a young gun like him is far more glamorous than being a widow.”

Ava smirked. "You think he's rich enough to sustain me, Vera? You paint him in a very high light." Ava reached for her solid perfume stick, rolling a bit on her fingertips to apply to her neck. "I don't need a replacement husband..." She said, hoping to keep that lie going as long as possible.

Vera chuckled. “You said it not I darling,” she pointed out. “At the very least he’d keep you entertained. Looks like he might be more flexible than the last husband. Maybe this time you could marry for fun and not money.”

If only, Ava found herself saying, frowning a little at the thought of it. She caught herself and righted the expression, giving Vera a shrug. "Perhaps. But then again, I am barely the marrying kind." She glanced back at Vera in the mirror, alternating her eyes from the woman to her lips as she applied a fresh coat of lipstick. "He is a friend," She repeated.

Vera caught that frown and couldn’t help the curious look on her features. Maybe there was more to this story all together. “No love, I am not the marrying type. You’ve already been married once.” She grinned with that, a broad smile that drew people to her. “Just a friend then,” she agreed with a nod.

"But a friend that belongs to me only," Ava said, the possessiveness already taken hold. She didn't need Vera snooping around. "And marriages of convenience don't count."

“To you only?” Vera asked, now more than curious. She made claims to her clients all the time, but this was Ava and it wasn’t a client. “Any marriage counts. I wouldn’t marry for convenience. I left my marriage of convenience and expectation before it happened.”

"One day, you may change your mind." Irving had done well by her but apparently Ava had not done well by herself and she was determined to get back to a place where she could go out and buy new things every day. She'd worn this dress before, though a very long time ago and hopefully no one noticed. Maybe not even Vera would. "Should we go back? The boys are probably curious."

Vera made a scoffing noise, not at all interested in getting married. “No that’s fine. I don’t need that.” She would have married that boring lot of a man they set up for her when she was a teenager. “Hm, I’m sure they are,” she agreed, pressing her lips together for a moment in the mirror then starting out of the ladies’ room. “Shall we then?”

Ava tossed a blotting paper into the trash can with traces of red lipstick on it then nodded. "We shall." At least it would get her away from this conversation and back into the public eye where she needed to be anyway. Vera could only gossip so much there.