Rusty Venture entered the dining room one morning after pulling an all-nighter in the lab. H.E.L.P.eR handed him a cup of coffee and the mail. Brock and the boys were eating their breakfast, making light conversation about any possible adventures the brothers could go on for the day. Rusty sat down at the table and flipped through the monthly bills. The last envelope he looked at was sent from his brother, Jonas Jr. Rusty rolled his eyes as he begrudgingly opened it.
"What does the little runt want this time?" Rusty asked rhetorically. The content of the envelope was a small tablet. It booted up automatically and a hologram of Jonas's head appeared.
"Good day, Venture family. Tonight I am hosting a black-tie memorial party for our dear father's birthday. The get together will be held at VenTech Tower at 8 pm. See you there." Hologram Jonas ended with a smile and the image disappeared.
Slumping down in his seat, Rusty annoyingly tossed the tablet over his shoulder, sending it crashing into the floor. H.E.L. hurriedly swept the shards of glass and bits of circuitry off the ground. Hank and Dean looked at each other with excitement. Uncle JJ always threw the best parties and the boys loved meeting all the other heroes and adventurers that were invited. Rusty tapped this fingers on the table impatiently, and dismissed the boys to get dressed. Brock sipped his coffee and made a side eye to Rusty.
"So are we gonna go, Doc?" he asked. Rusty groaned and got out of his seat.
"Well, yes Brock. Even though I would love to stay home and just ignore my father's birthday, since he isn't here to celebrate, but if I don't go, I won't hear the end of it from Junior." he grabbed his coffee and started to head out of the kitchen. "I'll be in the lab if you need me...try not to need me."
The gang landed the X-1 on the helipad behind Jonas's penthouse. As they headed up the walkway to the front door, they were greeted by the pirate Captain. He ushered them toward Jonas at the center of the party. Hank and Dean were looking around, mesmerized at their uncle's extravagant home, and pointing out every hero they could name. Brock just walked quietly behind the boys, while Rusty was trailing behind, ho-humming everything his eyes landed on. He never really liked get-togethers unless it was for his own benefit. He felt like his brother was rubbing his success in his face.
Jonas was levitating off the ground with his hover belt, to meet every guest at eye level. He smiled big as he saw his brother head over to him. The boys hugged their uncle, and he gave them permission to look around their new surroundings. Brock grabbed two glasses of whiskey from a passing caterer, and handed one to Rusty. He kept a stern look on his face as he scanned the room for any possible threat. He found nothing, but still kept his guard up.
"Oh Rusty. I'm so glad you could make it. And perfect timing, I'd like to introduce you to someone." Jonas said with his signature grin. A woman then sauntered up behind him. Her long auburn hair was in an elegant french braid. Her bangs swept to the left of her forehead. Her slim, yet fit, frame was wrapped in a floor length strapples black dress, with a side-slit going almost up to her hip. Her matching pumps accentuated her legs and the curves of her hips with every step she took. A black and silver clamshell purse, hanging by a thin chain draped over her shoulder, bounced against the top of her thigh as she walked. Her hands were sheathed in black over-elbow length opera gloves, her right hand holding a martini.
"My ears are burning." She said playfully as she leaned over Jonas's shoulder, giving him a small peck on his cheek. Jonas gilded around her and placed a hand at the top of her back.
"Rusty, Brock; this is my bodyguard, Veronica Violetta. She joined the Venture team a few weeks ago. And she has shown herself to be very capable in her profession." Jonas then gave a small slap to the behind of his protector. She exclaimed and pushed on his shoulder playfully. Veronica then directed her attention to the older Venture brother.
"I guess you got your father's intellect, since your brother inheritant his libido." She joked. Rusty adjusted his glasses and gave her a sly smile.
"Well, I don't know about all that." he replied in a flirty way. "And how a stunning creature like yourself could be a bodyguard, I'll never now." Brock looked her up and down. He's seen enough tough women in his life to know to never underestimate them, especially if they didn't look like they could take you on in a fight.
"I'd like to see what she can do." Brock thought to himself as he took a drink. Veronica let out a small giggle.
"I don't blame you for not believing him, Dr. Venture." Veronica said, she took the toothpick out of her glass and ate the olive skewered on it. "But you know what they say, you can't judge a book by its cover." Rusty gave her a cocky grin as he moved closer to her, being forward and wrapping his right arm around her waist.
"Then what do you say we find somewhere quiet so I can...peruse your contents."
Veronica smirked and playfully bit her bottom lip. She finishing her drink and handed the empty glass to Jonas. Veronica then grabbed Rusty by his left wrist and flexed it up; hitting a pressure point that sent him crumbling to his knees. She looked down at him, a small cocky expression painted on her face.
"I'm sorry Dr. Venture, but you're just not my type." Veronica released her grip and Rusty rubbed his wrist as he stood up and composed himself. Jonas let out a hearty laugh.
"Is she fiery, or what?" he exclaimed. Brock couldn't help but snicker to himself, seeing his boss get taken down by something so minor as a pressure point. Rusty just glared at him; dismissing him so he wouldn't feel anymore embarrassment. Brock then made his way outside to the deck to have a smoke, placing his now empty glass on the trey of the same caterer as before. Veronica and him shared one more glance as he passed by her. Brock caught the scent of warm vanilla perfume, that almost made him get goosebumps. Veronica in turn smelled his cologne-peppered oak. She happily sighed to herself. A small smile perking up on her face. Before Brock reached the door, he turned on his communicator to talk to the boys. He had a feeling nothing would go down tonight but he told them to call for him just in case. After a little more small talk between Rusty and Jonas, Veronica excused herself, and left the brothers to talk.
Rusty looked past Jonas as she walked away. His eyes hungeryly following her as her hips gracefully swayed to and frow. He glanced enviously at Jonas and cleared his thoat.
"So where did you find that little number?" Jonas glanced over his shoulder and he saw her get another martini from the bar. She blew him a little kiss and he smiled at her.
"Fresh from the OSI." he answered, facing Rusty again. "A woman like her makes me happy Sally and I are in an open relationship." he bragged. Rusty started to become more jealous of his brother. He then raised an eyebrow as he leaned over closer to Jonas.
"Have you, uhh...ya know?" he asked. Jonas chuckled as he took a sip of his drink.
"Not for a lack of trying." he joked. "But, as a gentleman, I always wait for consent before moving forward with the fairer sex." Rusty shrugged, showing that he didn't fully agree with him. Rusty's plan of action usually consisted of flirting until he found someone who would talk to him for more than a minute.