CHICAGO [THE MONSTERS ARE BACK IN TOWN] 2/11-2/18

Al regarded Gloria for a moment. His eyes shone as the sound of gears grinding up and then unlocking into motion reverberated from somewhere deep in his fogged memories down to his abdomen, where it pooled as a cool and sweet sense of sudden recollection.
"I think I actually have a download protocol." He looked down at his hands with a newfound energy and felt as if he could pull the information he needed from the collective consciousnesses around him. He grinned, but decided that doing so without some safeguards in place would be impolite to his lovely new host. He wouldn't want to draw unnecessary attention, not so soon at least.
Al composed himself and took a sip of his almost forgotten drink.
"I suppose I could use some of that protocol mixed in with what ever delightful concoction of magic Ms. Helena can come up with to get me up to speed. In the meantime, I'm afraid I am in need of a tutor. Preferably in a pencil skirt with a strict top knot." He looked from Gloria to Helena with high hopes of long, involved study sessions.
"With how long I've been out, I might even need two tutors. Or three." His eyes shifted briefly to Crux's perfectly encapsulated form. He probably wouldn't need four, though, that would just be silly.

        Facial expressions can say a lot; Helena's is saying, "Oh, aren't you adorable." She brushes a lock of long blonde hair over her shoulder and shifts in her seat to make her ample assets even more prominent. "Hun, while I am sure that a fine example of God-Machine engineering such as yourself is hard pumping and indefatigably steely," She looks at Al over the rim of her half-moon spectacles, a sly grin creeping across her face, "My lady lover is a Nordic Life Archmaster and my husband is a Slavic Forces Archmaster." Pressing a free hand to her throat, Helena takes a deep breath, straining an already strained shirt even further. "Mmm-mm! Sorry, hun, but you really can't keep up with that." She winks, reclines, and settles into the relaxed body language of a well-fed predator - and, of course, taunting Al with a view of the cleavage he can't have. "I do look damn good in a pencil skirt, though."

        "With those hips? I'll bet you do." Gloria is mildly amused; she addresses Al with a dismissive sort of wave. "I'm a department head, Al. I don't do orientation, I get people to do that for me. I'm sure I can find someone to meet your specifications." She nods at Crux. "Sure, I'll give you first dibs for the night." Looking back at Al, she gives him a little shrug; it's not a no, but he's got to wait his turn.

        Helena has turned back to the internet for costume-related searches, but she chimes back in to respond to Crux. "I'm surprised Ysolda didn't break you, hun. I mean, you are just this little wisp of a person, and... well, lemme put it this way," She holds up two fingers. "Two words; powerful thighs."

Al was sure that if he had an ego, it might be bruised. He was shamelessly dedicated to his lifestyle pursuit of hedonism and the power it afforded him. Still, he had to try even when he was ridiculously out of his league. Sometimes they were into that, but apparently not today. His gaze never dropped to her cleavage while she was speaking, but he awarded himself a good long lascivious look after she was done. He smiled at Helena and fiddled with the edge of his pocket.
After just too long of a pause, he spoke while staring at her breasts "That's really just too bad."
He looked up at Gloria and had hopes for sloppy 1.5's but the matter of costumes popped back into his head. 
"Crux, be a doll and help me find something to wear for the dance?" His demeanor became somewhat more effeminate as he casually slipped his arm around her small shoulders and pouted as he asked for help. His sarcastic tone was mild, as he found the idea of costumes intriguing, but somewhat disengaged for the issues going on around them. Though, when in Rome. . .
"Maybe I should go as a Roman soldier? I do look good in a skirt." Perhaps he was alluding to an alternate female cover or dressing in drag, but the distinction wasn't clear.

"There is that too." She said wryly. "Meh, i am sure everyone will make a big enough announcement of it anyway. Well...Helena peobably. She's like our cheerleader. It's kinda cute." She laughed.

Jude leaned up and kissed Cassidy properly. "I refuse to wear a poodle skirt, but otherwise that sounds fun. Maybe after all this is done, okay?" She waggled her eyebrows. "Now let's get back inside before someone thinks you've made off with me."

Jude entwined her fingers with his and led him inside. "We miss anything?" She asked happily.

"Well, yeah. You know I do the nickname thing. It's Crux's least favorite thing about me. Plus I mean look at her. She's pretty magical."

Cass gives jude a quick kiss on the hand right before he let's go of it to head to the kitchen.

"I'm starving. Mind if I make some food for us, Gloria? Any requests?" he points around the room waiting on menue suggestions. He had a few things to try with Crux, but had no idea on what to do for the rest of the group.

        Gloria waves a hand across the kitchen as if to say 'help yourself' before taking a seat at the bar. This kitchen is well stocked - you could make just about anything in here. 

        Helena has a suggestion; "Bacon. Burgers. Bacon burgers! Mmm, burgers. Like, half pounders, yeah?" She turns to Al and adopts a more seductive tone - just to mess with him. "I like my meat nice and thick. Satisfies my big appetite."

Al uncrossed his legs and then recrossed them, adjusting the material of his pants a bit. He didn't look up from his phone as Helena spoke. 
He raised his voice slightly on purpose, to tease Helena with her choice of words.
"Did you hear that Cass? Helena likes her meat nice and thick." He waits a moment. His expression was deadpan, but his eyes shone mischievously. 
"Perhaps she needs an extra piece of meat if her appetite is not being properly satisfied with one."