A Night out in Beantown

[Ironclad]

The night dawned on Boston, the cool night wind blowing in from the harbor and a whole new world came to the streets. North Boston had a classier nightlife, but with the same Old World feel as the rest of the town. And as Mason drove down the street and pulled up in front of the restaurant, he decided that this was a town he could learn to like very much. He loved San Fransisco and New York City, but the wickedness and classic feel of Boston couldn't be captured anywhere else.

"This is one hell of a fancy joint," He said peering out the window at the simple and elegant entrance where a valet stood waiting to park their car. Mason eyed the mileage number on his car before opening the door and going around to open the door for Tracy. He adjusted his tie and took her hand to help her out of the back. It was impossible to keep the grin off his face when he saw her in that dress. She looked gorgeous and angelic and he couldn't be more proud to take her out. The whole time they were at the store, he was unable to take his eyes off her when they went shopping to pick up something for Aideen.

Mason handed the keys to the parking attendant, giving him a look of warning before he let go of the keys and picked up his ticket. "Dylan and Mike should be here by now, and Aideen will probably be here in a minute with Logan. She's never late-" He paused for a second as a thought occurred to him. "Okay rarely late, cause of gym class last time, though I kinda get now why she was late... Aw man I was blind." Mason laughed at his blindness for the thousandth time on this trip, not ready to accept fully that it got past him.

[HeartString]

"Thank you sir," she said taking his hand as she stepped delicately out of his car "and you look incredible in a tie." Standing next to him for a moment she looked him up and down with just the slightest predatory glimmer in her eyes. "Mmm, makes me wanna smear you on a cracker and -eh?" she caught the Valet, as he opened the driver's door and paused, she could feel his emotions spike up from a level of boredom to something of keen interest and she looked quickly at him.

"Excuse us?" She said putting him back in his place. She didn't do it in a snobbish way, more of a surprised reaction to what she had picked up on from him. "Oh hold on a second..." she reached back in to the car to pick up the gift wrapped package for their friends. She was realizing though as she did so, that Mason's car was not going to be able to hold everything they had bought, plus all they had brought with them as well as the things that Aideen and Logan had gotten too. Lord knows they wouldn't be taking much back with them on their bikes.

"...Okay, I got it." She said standing back up with the gift wrapped box and straightening the seam of her dress as she tucked her clutch bag up under her arm. "Shall we?" she asked taking Mason's arm and letting him lead her to the front doors. "Wow Mason, I read about this place in Allure Magazine and I have to say words in print just do not do it justice. Holy-" her eyes took in the splendor of the very upscale establishment and she squeezed onto her fella's arm that much tighter "this is gonna be great!" The night was promising to be incredible, old friends and new, atmosphere and food to compliment ...she was excited and the smile on her face was so bright as she looked up at her man.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

The door attendant opened the door for the couple to lead them into the elegant restaurant, informing them that if they were awaiting their party, they were welcome to wait by the bar. The bar was a low lit area littered with people, all in very elegant dress. Classical music sprang from the keys of the nearby grand piano where the same Pianist that played in the Boston Philharmonic from time to time.

At the bar sat two couples, who managed to arrive about fifteen minutes early, all having a drink and talking at they waited for the couples that invited them in the first place. Next to a tall, lanky, rather geeky looking guy, stood the famous Swedish model/actress, Ingrid Graber. She was at the current height in her career, having just finished her first big movie where she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio, and was just featured on the cover of Vogue. Now the two were an unlikely pair at first glance, but upon closer inspection they would see that the big time model and actress was absolutely crazy about the introverted, socially awkward and incredibly intelligent young man. "Dylan I really am so glad we are back here again, and it is just as lovely without the Christmas decorations!" Ingrid said putting her arms around him and giving him a light kiss on the lips. She had eyes only for him, and she liked to make sure that everyone else knew that too.

"I am nervous though, these are your friends that you talk about so much! Will they like me? Are they nice? Should I not say or ask some things?" Ingrid's big grey eyes searched his and she had to giggle at the red that tinged his cheeks from all the attention she paid him, a habit he had yet to get over. "I will behave though my love, I promise!" she said with a dazzling grin and tucked herself into his side. At that moment, she caught a glimpse of a couple that looked just like those in the pictures in her and Dylan's house, just older.

[Cortex]

Dylan pushed his glasses up his nose and smiled at two people that he hadn't seen since the day the S.H.I.E.L.D chopper came to the school and picked him and Mike up to begin their new career. He smiled at them and waved Mike over, who seemed to be in the middle of another argument with Lai. "You'll be great, they'll love you!" he said to Ingrid and squeezed her waist, still looking at the couple making their way over to them. "Look, every one of my friends love you, my mother even likes you, and she's well... not exactly the easiest person to get along with." Dylan was referring to his bi-polar mother who refused her medication time and time again. It was a burden that only two people knew he shared, one being the love of his life that stayed on his arm.

"Mason, Tracy! Wow look at you guys!" He said with a grin and let go of Ingrid for just a minute to reach out and hug Tracy carefully. He made sure that no parts of their body that were of any importance had any contact and he made the hug brief, but still warm. "Wow you grew your hair! It suits you, and wow you look great!" Dylan meant it too, and though they broke up their awkward relationship on generally good terms anyways, he tried not to let there be anything awkward between them. Then again they had both moved on in life, and from the looks of it neither of them could be happier.

"Mason well you certainly did grow up. Mike's been betting that you wouldn't be allowed inside because this place is black tie," Dylan said with a grin and shook his friends hand. He looked back at Mike, still having a slight argument with his girlfriend. "They'll be along in a minute, you get used to this after going out with them a couple of times." He laughed a bit and shook his head before taking his girlfriend's hand and bringing her forward. "I want you both to meet Ingrid Graber," Dylan beamed at her. "Did you know she's the only model that ever managed a contract in which she does photo shoots in between film shoots by two different companies? It's interesting actually because the only other model that got close to pulling it off was Cheryl Tiegs, but then the contract fell out because she switched managers at that-" Dylan was cut off by the look from his friends and girlfriend and looked down with a sheepish smile.

[Network]

Sipping from his scotch on the rocks as he listened, or tried to when the distraction of his old friends arriving kicked up, Mike nodded. "O.K., sure, if you say so baby." He put her off as best he could hoping to save the ongoing struggle for dominance and respect she seemed to have with him for a later time. He liked her fire, but he didn't get why she was so picky about some things.

"Heyyy, Mase..Trace, wow... good to see you guys." He set his drink down on the napkin as he held a finger up to A'Nalai to stop her from talking and gave her a look that said 'can we stop for now?' as he rose from the barstool. "Look at you two." he walked up and grabbed the not so little anymore guy he taught so many of his old tricks to around the shoulders and shook him slightly before pulling him into a big bearhug and slapping him on the back.

"And you have really grown up." he said turning to take in the whole picture of Tracy in her gown and carrying a gift. "For me? Aww you shouldn't have." he smiled as he pulled her in with one hand and kissed her cheek. "So we got here a little while ago and we just been belly up to the bar. What are you guys drinking?" He asked leading them back to his own barstool and the glass he had set down a moment before.

"Barkeep!" he said waving the bartender back over. "Lets get these two going shall we?" He watched as the woman walked over to attend them. "We're waiting on two more but who knows when they'll show." Picking up his drink he took another slurp and then he realized he was forgetting something. "MMm- Oh, I almost forgot, Mason I have to show you my latest toy. Sweet for a back up weapon... Walther P-99. Shoots like a popgun, actions as smooth as double malt scotch." he lifted his drink again as if to toast and took another small sip.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Lai's pretty light brown eyes narrowed and she went up to stand next to her asshole boyfriend. "You are a first class ass with the manners of a rat, that's what you are," she snapped and slapped him hard on the shoulder. A sweet smile came on her face as she turned to the two friends of her guy. "Hello, my name is A'Nalai, but please call me Lai. It's so great to meet you, I heard a lot about both of you!" She said holding her hand out and shaking both their hands warmly. Lai was actually a little excited to meet people from Mike's past, and she wanted to make a good impression.

"I love your dress by the way! Did you get that at Bilzerian Alan over by the market? I love that little boutique, but it's so expensive! I got this dress from there too! I usually can't afford it, but I go with this girl here," she looked over at Ingrid and winked. "And I get just about everything half price because she graced the store with her presence. You gotta go shopping with this girl once in awhile, its like star treatment right there, and like a parade of guys follow you around too! It does great things for a girl's ego, I'll tell you that." She laughed and grinned at the two of them, outspoken than ever.

She eyed the cute guy that she knew as Mason and raised her eyebrows at him. "Dylan says Mike taught you a lotta stuff. For your girl's sake, I hope he wasn't the one that taught you manners," Lai retorted, glaring at Mike and earning a laugh from Ingrid. "Oh Lai! You are terrible!" Ingrid said giggling and reached a hand out to shake the two of them. "It is so nice to finally meet you! Dylan and Mike told us so much about all of you! Its great to finally meet you in person!"

As an actress and model, Ingrid dazzled everyone she met, winning them over quickly. Lai wasn't too far off, for both the girls had a vivacious charm and outgoing nature that won over just about everyone they met. "Who else are we waiting for anyways? Excuse me, I didn't get all the details on this whole thing. It's not that kid um... Burns? Is that his name? Anyways its not him right? That kid I did hear about!" Lai started giggling remembering the story recounted of how that kid tied a canoe to the end of a plane and tried to take off with it.

[Ironclad]

"How you holding up man?" His eyes slid to Mike's pretty little girlfriend and her sharp and fiery nature. Mason had to laugh, to be honest thinking that a girl that would dish it out like that to Mike would be the only type of girl that would have a chance at keeping him around. He choked out a laugh at the comment about Kelly Burns and set down the Jack and coke. "Nah, it ain't Burns that's coming... I ain't dumb enough to bring him to a place like this," he said with another slight laugh. "It's an uh... and old teacher at our school and a friend of ours." Mason looked over at Dylan. "You'll like her man, she's almost as smart as you are, and one hell of a sharp ass tongue." He looked back at Mike. "Which means be cool man."

Taking a sip of his drink, Mason grinned looking at the two guys that were the first guys to ever take him in and really treat him like family. "Man look at you Dylan man, you're dating THE Ingrid Garber. You know, Burns, Van Alstyne, and just about every other guy in school probably hates you like nothing else. I can't believe it man." He winked at Ingrid, keeping it cool. "The pictures don't do you justice though."

He took his phone out of his jacket pocket and checked the time. "I'm betting you they'll be here any minute. Logan don't care all that much for time, but Aideen's really prompt," Mason said and grinned at his two old friends. Both of them changed but didn't at the same time, looking now like they were more settled in life and at a really good place. They looked like they were really well off financially too, Mason having caught the glimpse of a Rolex on Dylan's wrist. "When they get here, we all got a bit of catching up and getting to know to do huh?" His arm snaked around Tracy's waist and he grinned at her.

[Cortex]

Dylan looked over at Ingrid with pride, taking her hand to his lips and placing a light and gentle kiss on the soft white skin of her hand. "Well, to be honest, she was the one who pursued me. It was the most interesting experience that I could ever imagine," he said sharing a grin with his love, being the type that never forgot how lucky he was to have her. "I'll tell you guys about it when we sit down." He picked up the White Russian he was drinking and stood next to Ingrid the whole time. Dylan was looking very much forward to this evening, happy to see some old friends and one of his former teachers, who Dylan always was in awe of at a sort and certainly intimidated.

"I can appreciate anyone with an intellect, I am sure I'll like her," he said to Mason and glanced at the door. "Is she another teacher at the school? I heard that Bobby's back there to teach, so I can only wonder. Or does she perhaps have an outside position from the school?" One couldn't blame the resident genius with an IQ of 178 to be curious, for he always saw Logan as a distant man that never truly emotionally attached himself to any woman in an intimate enough manner, though he did remember the whole fiasco with Ms. Jean Grey. At the same time though, Dylan would remind himself that Jean was a telepath that didn't need to be told information about someone to know it.

"We really need to come by and visit though, we don't get enough time off as of late to be able to do anything extravagant or even a prolonged vacation, though I do make it a point to keep in touch with Cyclops and Dr. McCoy," Dylan went on again without realizing and stopped himself before he got too analytical on the lack of communication that dwindled as years progressed. "Hey how did we get seats in the Lagoon Room anyways? The waiting list is supposed to be months long." He even remembered how it took Ingrid a week to get that room reserved, and she's a big time celebrity.

[HeartString]

"Pleasure to meet you ladies." Tracy said to the women as she reached to take her drink from Mason. "And Dylan, you of all people should know, it's not what you know but who you know and we know someone who knows someone.. ya know?" Tracy grinned as he lifted her drink and with soft dainty fingers pulled the stirring straw to her lips to wet her whistle. She had missed the two guys like no other save for maybe Ororo, and Jocelyn whose return was unexpected. "I have to say it is wonderful to see you both. It's like been the best weekend ever for me. I can't tell you, really, seeing you two is the capper for me."

She smiled and with a nod to Network she threw in some funny "Well, that and all the time I have had with Mason." She took another sip of her drink. "Mmmm... I just love a nice Sloe Comfortable Screw Against the Wall, With a Kiss. I can never get them as good back home." Her giggle was intoxicating as she lifted her highball, a mix of Sloe Gin, Southern Comfort, Vodka and Orange Juice with a dash of Galliano and some Amaretto to top it off. The double entendre of it all was delight enough for most but for Tracy she got an added lift feeling the emotions, the mixing of uncomfortable kinkiness and humorous delight, of those gathered. It was enough to let her have her moment of pleasure.

"You know... all the names of all the alcohol in this here?" She raised her glass to swirl it in the air and catch the light with the ice. "Oh you should have seen your faces." She smiled as she blushed a little herself. She usually was so restrained, but she was just having too much fun this weekend to let herself feel fenced in and on top of it all she knew they all pretty much knew her. Well, not the two ladies, but she would be getting to know them better. They already struck her as almost perfect for the former Corsairs and she was excited to get to know them better.

"So, no Burns, that's for sure. But really you guys will love Aideen, she's uh... not what you might expect to find on Logan's arm but the two really compliment one another. You'll see." She took a look around and said "This place is fantastic. You've come here before?" She looked at Dylan, thinking how well he had done for himself and being very happy for him. They had been close, and she was proud of him with his love showing to her emotion sensing power like a beacon and seeing it radiating from his girlfriend as well for him alone.

"Of course you have, sorry I bet you four have like the best nightlife of anybody huh?" She looked at them, her former team mates and their dates, and was duly impressed at what the boys she remembered had grown up to become. She wondered then if they hadn't been extended an invitation to join the X-Men for the express purpose of Emma and Scott not wanting to clip their proverbial wings. She was going to ask what the spurning was all about, but she didn't want to ruin the evening, she had to see how the conversation went and decide if it was polite conversation. 'Hey, how come you guys got the boot?' was not the recipe for a good evening, of that she was certain.

[Network]

"Yeah, yeah I'm a big rude ass. I get it. Look you know I'm no gentleman but what I lack in gentle I more than make up for in rough. So, quit rippin on me hun, you love the challenge." Mike grinned at his lady. "I'm like the big lump of caveman clay you get to mold and shape into your perfect dream guy." He licked the tip of his index finger and pinky simultaneously and then in one fluid motion smoothed out his eyebrows. It was cheesy and silly and well rehearsed, but the way he smiled and the tone of his voice was just so that it put him back into Lia's good graces and brought a smile to everyone's face with his self deprecating humor and good ole boy mannerisms.

"What more could a chick want eh Mason?" he said thumping him in his chest with the back of his hand. "Take Tracy here... and by the way young lady you have definitely grown up..." he said leaning in to speak softly to the girl he remembered who stood before him now a knockout. "Well, I'm sure she loves your little quirks but I'm just gonna take a shot in the dark here and say she's gotta be, by and large, the driving force behind this getup you have on." He scratched at Mason's lapel to pick off the bit of grime he noticed, and when his one time junior looked down he of course flicked him in the nose with a 'FoinK' sound effect he made.

"Oh come ON... what are you doing falling for that. OK.. No, for real" he cleared his throat "no more sophomoric crap." He put on an air of nonchalance as he straightened his tie, and then broke down as he caved in unable to hold back his enjoyment. "But What the hell, she just did the sexy drink bit and that was great!" He chuckled pointing to Tracy. "What was I gonna let her get all the laughs?" A quick glance to Lai and he knew he was pushing things again " Sure, sure I know. It's Tracy's big night out on the town right? OK, hey I'm good with that, sorry Trace... you killed it with the drink bit.. I'm out, I'm cool, I'll behave."

He glanced at his watch and did the math in his head. He always set his watch ahead several minutes and it was always an odd number that made no sense, not even to himself. The intent behind it being to keep himself on his toes and help him to get places on time, but it rarely ever worked. Giving up on the math since he was no longer sure how far ahead his watch was he looked up asking "When do you think Logan and - oh wow.... I guess right about now huh? He's, with, uh... with her!?!" Following Network's stare the rest of them caught the entrance of Logan and Aideen.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Needless to say, Lai was less than thrilled at her boyfriend staring with his mouth open and a dumbfounded look on his face. Not to say that Dylan's reaction was all that much better, but as always he was a little more classy about it. And while it only annoyed Lai all the more, Ingrid giggled softly, thinking that her boyfriend's reaction was adorable and even cute as anything rarely surprised him like this. Then again at the same time neither of the girls could blame them completely, at least Ingrid couldn't. The girl was absolutely stunning, the kind of beauty that just threw her in everyone's eyes with her soft and defined body and her elegant features. Ingrid could name several agencies off the top of her head that would throw themselves under a bus for a chance to recruit her. The man she knew as Logan wasn't too bad looking either. With a cute giggle Ingrid reached out placed her under Dylan's Jaw gently pushing his mouth closed. "Darling it is impolite to stare like that," she said totally amused at this point.

Lai on the other hand, was staring daggers at her boyfriend. "You're going to drown in your drool in minute, although that don't sound that bad right now." She crossed her arms and surveyed the couple, trying to at least keep some manners and ignore the fact that Mike was making an idiot of himself staring at the girl. The girl was pretty hot, that she couldn't deny and that guy was older... by a good deal from the girl but hey, he was rocking the tux really well. It was just not often that she had ever seen a couple with an obvious age gap together. He must be loaded with cash coming out of every hole in his body to get a catch like that.

Lai placed her hands her hips and gave Mike one last glare, not that he even noticed at this point and put on her most charming smile. "I take it you're Logan and Aideen right? It's so nice to meet you!" she said completely ignoring Mike and not even depending on him to make the introduction like a gentleman. "I'm A'Nalai but call me Lai, everyone else does." She hesitated putting her hand out for a minute, not sure if they were the type that would shake hands but not knowing what else to do.

Ingrid though, went through enough social circles to know exactly how to act. "It is very nice to meet you! You have to pardon these two, it is not often that they are surprised by a beautiful woman like yourself," she said and wrapped an arm around Dylan's side, trying to get him to snap back into it. "Logan yes? I heard a lot about you but I admit I have never seen a picture of you. It's so nice to finally put a face to the name from all the stories I heard!" Ingrid gave them both a sweet smile and did a small curtsy in greeting.

[Network]

"Oh come on now baby, are ya serious?" Mike said from behind folded arms. "Hey she's a looker, sure, no doubt right? But I'm not ogling her, I'm just standin here amazed that this old salty bastard" he unwrapped a hand and flashed a thumb toward Logan "showed up in a tux with a girl that attractive on his arm." He knew Lai was jealous and she had good reason to think he was just a horn dog and drooling over the girl. It wouldn't have been the first time, but he had promised her to be less distracted when they were out together and he thought he was doing pretty good tonight.

"Pleasure's all mine, and forgive the rudeness of my shock. It's just, well hell, I was expecting someone a bit" he got a confused look on his face "uh, well umm..." and his hands and fingers looked like they were doing their best to help him search through the air before him for the right word "never mind. So, yeah manners right, I'm Mike and that over there is Dylan" he said to Aideen pointing "and we're here with our gorgeous and forgiving ladies..aaanddd you can't ever dig yourself out of a hole so uuuhhh... I'm just gonna stop trying." He smiled and looked over at Lai with his most charming shrug.

Turning back to finish greeting the new arrivals he hoped Lai was going to just get past all the past they had gone through. She knew they were in this ill defined relationship and maybe, it was now just dawning on Mike, that was really the source of her hair-trigger attitude."So, how are ya Logan? Ya look great! Life at the school looks like it's treating you well." He held out his hand for his old teacher to shake and half expected him not to. The two of them were never really what anyone would call close, and that bothered Mike for a long time until he finally resigned himself to it. He didn't let too many things bother him, that was evident, but the fact that he had never been able to live up to the standard that Logan seemed to set for him still didn't sit well with him.

[Wolverine]

He took Lai's hand gently as she offered it and saw a fire in her eyes. He could tell she was exactly what Rexroad needed to keep his ass in line, and he gave her a half smile as he turned to her date. "I'm survivin." he said taking the joker's hand and shaking it. "You look like you're not skippin any meals." He threw a dig in on Network then, he knew he was the type that would have to be careful as he got older or he could easily wind up fat. He wasn't there yet but Logan took note that he could have been leaner and figured he would help him stay on track. He had always like the guy, but he hated that he never lived up to his potential.

"Dylan," he said reaching over to shake Cortex hand too then "it's been a while." There had been little doubt that Cortex would amount to something and Logan looked at him and nodded. The kid had done well for himself or so he had heard. Remaining true to himself as ever had been the recipe for his success and the woman who stood next to him was testament to that. Logan knew you didn't get a girl like that without some integrity and he nodded back to her curtsy.

"I'd like to introduce you all to my Aideen." He presented her before himself and was damn proud to do so. He didn't hold his smile back at all when he did it and to most who knew him in the past it would have come as quite a shock. "What are ya drinkin tonight Angel Eyes?" he asked as he ordered himself a dark frothy draft beer and took a pull on his cigar. "Ya gotta love a place that thumbs it's nose at smoking laws" he said looking around in admiration of the dark woods and brass fixtures of the bar, the setup of the room and the warmth of the decor. "Heh. Nice digs."

[Ember]

Ever the lady, Aideen was careful with her manners, shaking the hands offered and nodding her head politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said cordially in a cool polite voice serious as ever, though at one point having a slight struggle to hold back a smile when she saw Logan beaming at her. She had to mind her manners now that they were among strangers and in public. "Martini please extra dry. If you all excuse me, I will check on our reservations." Polite as ever, she excused herself from the group with a nod before walking off. The two couples both looked very nice, and Aideen was sure she had seen Ingrid somewhere before. Nonetheless though, they were still strangers and Aideen would remain on guard.

This was her first time in a formal setting with a group of people that didn't involve her Uncle and his associates or the Cardinal Bishop, and she reverted back to the mannerisms that had been instilled in her from a very young age. Just like the perfect lady, she was crisp and polite, speaking only when needed. Aideen's every step was as careful as always, graceful and delicate, yet with a purpose. This restaurant in particular had her on the edge, not just because she had frequented it more than once in the years past, but the company kept when she entered. The worry she had kept to herself, for she would never ruin Tracy's night by voicing it, was that she would be recognized by the very people she had tried her best to avoid.

"Pardon me, are the reservations under Rictus ready for the evening?" She asked in a soft curt voice. The host checked the book and looked up at her, doing a double take for a moment, making Aideen instinctively avoid his gaze. "Yes Mademoiselle, I... I will take you and your party there myself," the host said, peering at her and scrutinizing her as if to place her somewhere. "Thank you," Aideen said and turned on her heel to walk back to the group, head held high and forcing her heart rate to remain normal, for she recognized the host. "Our table is ready, oh thank you." She picked up her drink and her dark eyes scanning all the people in the group. "Shall we?"

Taking Logan's arm and holding her drink in the other hand, Aideen walked toward the host with the group, her eyes looking ahead and avoiding the hard and searching gaze of the host. They walked into the large elevator that led directly to the room. "The table is ready, right by the window as requested Mesdemoiselles et Messieurs!" The host said as they got to the roof and the doors opened. The roof was what the restaurant was famous for, with high glass ceilings walls that retracted in the summer and stayed up for the winter and rainy nights. The inside was decorated like a lavish French garden, with a shallow pond built in and a wooden bridge over it, lily pads breaking the surface of the water and large rose bushes and flowers elaborately and strategically placed all over the area. There was also a small dance floor with a live band playing smooth jazz music, though Aideen knew from experience they played swing music and classical as well.

While everyone else was admiring the view, she was trying her hardest not to let the host get a good look of her face, turning her head to drink or turning her head to look at Logan. Their table was a lovely round table by the window next to the pond. "Here you are, the best table we have," the host said and pulled out a chair for all the ladies as they sat down. "Here are your menus, the waiter will be along in a minute to take your order." The host was very professional, to the group, but looked at Aideen with a spark of recognition before he walked away. Aideen closed her eyes for a moment, knowing the weight of what just happened but sharing nothing with no one. Emotionally, she folded herself in and placed the napkin in her lap like the perfect lady. Head held high she looked around at the other group and sat in silence politely, back straight, legs together and tucked to the side, and hands delicately folded on her lap.

[Ironclad]

Mason looked around at the place with wide eyes. "Man you weren't kidding, this is one hell of a swanky place. And I bet I'll know for sure when I get the check tonight," he said with a slight smirk, winking at Tracy and putting a hand over hers on the table. He peaked over at Aideen, looking over her prim and proper behavior. She had always been a lady with class since he first met her, but she seemed so stiff now, and hell Mason felt a bit bad for getting her into this thing. He had brought her here to relax, and she looked quite far from relaxed now, seeming to eye the others suspiciously and with wary.

He reached over and took a look at the wine list, letting out a low whistle when he looked at the prices. "Wow... ah what the hell its a special occasion." He handed the wine list over to Dylan, knowing off the bat that if anyone knew a good wine, it would be him. "Pick out a nice red wine will you? And no bottle over $700," Mason said with a grin, feeling kinda like the big man now to be able to take his friends out to a place like this. He didn't pretend to know the inner workings of a place like this, or hell even good wine. He could only hope that this wasn't one of those $50 a plate places that just gave you a tiny morsel decorated with a bunch of stuff.

"Damn Aideen, you got some crazy connections to get us here," Mason said looking around the place. "The live band, the setting... fancy is right. Any of ya been here before?" Just then the waiter came up and handed them the menus, with a kind word to each of them and setting an ashtray in front of Logan. Mason smirked at that, knowing that Logan probably couldn't have much to complain about here. "Okay, let's see what this place got for us..." He opened the menu and a blank look came on his face. Most of it was in French and the English descriptions didn't tell him all that much as it seemed the French did. "Monkfish Mould? Black Pudding with apples?...the hell?" He didn't know what any of that stuff was and what was good, but it all sounded weird. He laughed slightly while looking at some of the stuff on the menu. "Truffles? Isn't that a chocolate?" Mason was completely clueless at this point.