3 Whoops

Unbeknownst to her, a certain tall, intimidating figure was watching her from the indoor balcony that went around the entire room and overlooked the floor.

The alluring woman in green with long white hair caught his attention out of everyone. She was small, but carried an aura he found similar to his. The way people moved out of her way almost subconsciously. She was dressed elegantly, but not nearly as extravagant as the majority of the people there.

"Sir, the name she's using is Starling Sterling," Micah reported, standing at his Boss' left.

Casimiro's left eyebrow raised, but it was not seen as his entire face was covered in a half-black-half-white mask.

"Would you like us to detain her?" Micah asked, dressed in a simple tux and black mask.

Micah Pines stood at 6'3" with dirty blonde hair and a strong build. He had sharp features and a charming smile, but hardly anyone ever saw it.

"No," Casimiro said, stepped away from the railing. "Let's see what she'll do first. Wait until the music starts, the doors will be closed by then. Be inconspicuous, don't alarm people or her. Bring her to the roof when you get a chance."

"The roof, Sir?"

Casimiro just looked at him.

Micah just nodded.

Casimiro Machina did not like to repeat himself.

"Yes, Sir."

Casimiro nodded and walked away with his glass of whiskey in hand.

Meanwhile…

"Ah, Ms Sterling!" a young man of 26 called. "Nice to see you here! Would you like to chat?"

"Well, hello, Hunter! Why, no need to be so formal! How could you tell it was me?" Nova greeted, smiling brightly.

"The hair, my dear," Hunter chuckled, offering his left arm to her.

"Ah," Nova clicked. "Well, it certainly took me a while-" to which Max scoffed in her ear, muttering about taking his credit and clicked his tongue. "I wanted to look good for tonight! And, my! What a gorgeous evening."

"It is, indeed. And quite the turnout, I must say," Hunter said.

//Found you on cameras,// Max said in her ear, the clicking of a keyboard faint in the background. //Oh! Nova! Say: Yes, it is, but many people make for a-//

"-terrible headache, wouldn't you say? I'll stay for a few drinks and dances, but I should be leaving before 11." Nova glanced at him from the side.

The corner of Hunter's lips turned up. He understood her unspoken message.

"Of course, Starling. I understand."

Nova nodded, waving to a few people who looked their way.

About 20 minutes later, the doors were closed and the dancing began. Hunter asked for a dance and she walked with him. Once on the floor, they began to waltz, smiling. To others, they looked like a couple.

Hunter leaned towards her right ear and spoke through his smile. "Where's the necklace?"

"Chill," Nova replied through her smile, turning into a spin.

"Thought you were in a hurry," Hunter whispered as she spun.

"I am, but don't make it look forced."

"I'm not forcing it. If anything, all I'm doing is making all those girls on your left jealous," Hunter chuckled.

Nova laughed, her eyes sparkling as if they were lovers sharing secrets.

But the women who were subtly and not-so-subtly trying to get Hunter's attention were seething in jealousy.

"I heard the Machina son was here," Hunter whispered.

Nova subtly turned to him. "I haven't seen him and neither has my man in the chair."

"Well, he hasn't been SEEN-seen since the accident."

"What do you mean?"

Hunter glanced at her. "Perhaps it's best you don't hear this from me. It is getting late, after all."

The song ended and Nova nodded as she dipped into a curtsy, pulling the edges of her dress. The necklace slipped from her pocket and into her hand.

Hunter took her right hand— the one with the necklace— and kissed the top as Nova loosened her grip.

Hunter now had the necklace.

//Blech!// Max gagged through the earpiece. //If you're not in a hurry— WHICH YOU ARE— then I calmly suggest you SCURRY ALONG!//

"Allow me to walk you out," Hunter said.

"No need," Nova declined politely. "Give your mother my regards. Have a nice night."

"You as well," Hunter nodded and walked off.

Nova turned around and found herself face-to-chest with her long-time enemy's right-hand-man.

Nova cleared her throat and stepped back from the tall man with a jackal mask.

"Jackal," Nova said politely, bowing her head as she attempted to look for a way out.

"Stardust," Micah said, amused with the tactic she was going for.

"How are you this wonderful evening?" Nova smiled.

Micah's eyebrow rose. "Could be better."

"Ah, shame!" Nova said a tad nervously. "Alas, it seems you've caught me at a bad time! I was just leaving-"

Nova tried to back up and walk away, but Micah grabbed her arm.

"Not so fast," he murmured, pulling her along. "Lion wants to- what?!"

Nova had twisted out of his grip and disappeared into the crowd.

"Stay by the entrances!" Micah growled into his comms. "She can only go up and that's where we want her."

Meanwhile, Nova was slipping through people as Max was shouting at her.

//-again didn't listen and look at where we are! I've already jammed the cameras and the necklace is in the goblet already, BUT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU HAD LISTENED TO ME ABOUT-//

"I know, I KNOW," Nova hissed quietly. "You can scold me later, just get me out first."

//…what's the magic word?//

Nova gritted her teeth. "Now."

Max sighed and overrode one of the cameras, causing it to fritz. The camera fell and landed directly on the glass cup tower, causing everything to fall and shatter.

Truth be told, Max did not know the camera would fall, but he'd certainly take it.

The commotion got the attention of everyone, including the guards at the entrance.

Nova was still slipping through people as they whispered.

"-his son-"

"-haven't been seen since the accident-"

"-part robot-"

"-killed his mother-"

"-doesn't feel anything anymore-"

"-probably died in the accident-"

"-was so handsome before but I heard he's ugly now-"

"-used to be a player, now can't even find a woman who can stand him-"

Nova shook her head as she got out of the crowd and smiled as she was just one step from the entrance—

—Before Micah stepped in front of her.

"Dammit!" she hissed. "Go away, Jackal."

"Mmmm, 'fraid I can't, Star. Lion wants to talk to you."

"And I want to put him six feet under. We can't always get what we want."

Micah shook his head and walked towards her.

Nova bolted for the door on her right, for the stairs.

//Dead end,// Max warned.

"I'll jump then."

Max rolled his eyes as Nova climbed the flight of stairs all the way up to the top in record speed.

Once she got on the roof, the wind whipped her hair out of the braid and around her face. It was dark and caused goosebumps to erupt along her arms.

//Damnit, that hair style took me TWO HOURS!// Max aggrieved as he watched her from the camera on the doorframe.

Nova turned around as static suddenly filled her ears.

"Max?" she asked, tapping her ear piece.

On Max's end, the camera cut out.

But back on Nova's end, she tensed up at the silhouette leaning on the edge.

"How nice of you to join me, Stardust," the tall man said.

Nova sighed.

"Lion."

The man walked towards her and stood within 6 feet.

"So." Nova crossed her arms. "What does the great King of the Underworld want with me?"