This is it?

Most times a party is just a party and everyone at one point in their life had been to a party. Back, before the Pulse, when Seattle had been a burgeoning city there had been plenty of 'events' at various museums, grand hotels, art houses or estates where the filthy rich could go and be seen. Women in their designer gowns, priceless gems draped over bare skin, the men in their tuxes with the latest luxury cars parked outside by valet. Champagne and caviar handed out in platters while gourmet chefs prepared some elaborate meal or dessert in a hot kitchen. That was pre-Pulse life for the upper class. Ten years and one EMPulse later, Seattle was no longer a shiny gem in the presidents crown. The parties and events didn't happen as frequently, the filthy rich became filthy and the rich weren't as rich anymore. Still, those who did retain a modicum of their vast fortunes managed to pretend nothing had ever changed. Of course they spent just a little less and didn't drive their luxury cars too much. All the things they'd taken for granted before the world had come crashing down suddenly seemed less important but no less valuable in their confusing minds.

The party was held in a high rise located in Sector11, the business side of Seattle. A couple of waiters wove through the crowd of fancily dressed people who milled about the modern lobby. There was no particular hurry to anyone's movements as they gazed at paintings or admired other works of art hazardly spread about the floor. A waiter passed close and a slim hand reached out taking a champagne glass from the tray. He never noticed and the woman smiled raising the glass to her lips. Anyone looking at her would see the beautiful dark hair pulled up in a fancy twist. Note the delicate features with a slight smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Deep brown pools lined in kohl framed by long lashes and full red lips. The women undoubtedly commented on her dress; a simple design with thin gold straps crisscrossing her back, the ends looping once then hanging down her left side to sparkle against the white silk. It was perfect, leaving her neck, arms and back bare while the skirt flowed as if on air with every movement then rested against her figure as if caressing the body beneath.

She wore no jewelry but there was no need, her only adornment was a single red flower. The most rare item among so many of the rich. Not so rare for her, having grown a small pot of them in her home. She smiled absently, moving to the next painting turning her back on the room.

'This is no fun. Parties are supposed to be fun. That's what Gryph kept saying then again they practically sold me!' Nÿx thought. She was impatient with the whole situation, being at the party knowing she'd been paid for by her date and still not getting any closer to the mark. What was a girl supposed to do!

"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" his voice reminded her to be polite but the cool touch of his hand on her back especially the exposed skin just above her waist brought on the sudden urge to break every bone in his hand. Nÿx turned, pasting a smile to her face while she suppressed a shiver and the violent urges. It wouldn't do to beat up the host.

'Not yet anyway.' It was that thought that lent some warmth to her smile.

"Yes, a couple of times." She replied taking another sip. He smiled like an idiot slipping his arm around her waist. His hand slid over the material easily and once more she felt her insides lurch sickeningly. Nÿx was about to pull away when he began to walk leading her slowly through the crowd.

"Since you happen to know just about everything regarding the paintings down here I'd like to show you something you might not know so much about."

Nÿx arched a delicate eyebrow but said nothing. He nodded and smiled saying pleasantries to the guests as they moved to the far end of the lobby but never stopping.

'Finally!' she thought. 'We're getting somewhere.' At least she hoped so. She'd spent most of the evening forestalling his questions by listing the artists responsible for the paintings in his collection. It had worked and she'd surprised him by her knowledge. Nÿx had surprised herself as well having no idea where some of that knowledge came from. She shrugged it off as she did most things Nÿx discovered about herself she couldn't explain or remember learning. The knowledge was just there and she refused to become concerned with how it got there in the first place as long as it was useful to her in some way.

They reached a doorway and turned into the hall beyond. As most modern buildings of the pre-Pulse era this one was no different. The walls were a silvery metallic color and bare except for the occasional picture depicting the city in its old glory days. Nÿx surveyed the area ignoring the lack of décor in favor of possible escape routes, camera points and alarms. They made two turns before he stopped in front of a metal door. There was a scanner and keypad plus a keycard slot.

'This must be one good heist to have all this security.' Nÿx thought. She had no idea what exactly Aric's contact wanted but she knew it lay beyond the door. The cold voice of the security computer cut through her thoughts. The doors swished open and once again he slipped his arm around her waist. Nÿx wondered if he thought her incapable of walking on her own. The lights flickered before lighting the room in a soft glow and the doors slid closed.

"This," he began with excitement leading her towards the glass top table in the center of the room. Nÿx moved with him surreptitiously noting the cameras on each corner of the room. "I bet you don't know much about these. They're difficult to come by, the old editions…"

Nÿx glanced down at the table, her face clearly showing her surprise. "What-. Is this…?" but she couldn't finish her thought. It was ridiculous to think they had sent her in to steal this!

"Yes!" he cried gleefully. "Vintage, in perfect condition! I have to keep them under glass because they're so old but still it's the most complete comic book collection you will ever find." He gushed.

"Comic books!" Nÿx exclaimed. He mistook her tone for excitement and prattled on about their condition and when he'd found the missing issue and how long it had taken him to get the series together. She listened with half an ear thinking Aric and Gryph had toyed with her but still… she had a job to do. She placed her hands tentatively on the glass top leaving her champagne on the edge. He kept going on about the story now and Nÿx looked at him pretending to listen while her fingers curved under the table. The tips of her fingers touched the metal base and a small pulse raced through it. The lights on the glass flickered stopping his flow of words with a frown as he noticed.

"That's strange." He said turning to look up at the ceiling. Nÿx let out a bigger pulse shorting the circuits in the table.

"Shit!" he exclaimed hearing the short and smelling the smoke as a thin strip wove its way up. Nÿx released a bigger pulse and the lights in the room flickered once before leaving them in the dark. That wasn't a problem for her but he seemed to panic easily.

"Oh my God!" he practically screamed. He seemed to remember she was there because he cleared his throat and in a slightly calmer tone said; "Don't worry. The generator should kick in then we can open the doors. We won't be trapped for long. Dear God!" he repeated voice clearly rising. Nÿx rolled her eyes and flicked the champagne so the glass fell over. The loud tinkling as it broke garnered a squeal from him which just made her opinion of him reach the ultimate low.

"Help us! We're trapped! HElP US!" he began screaming as he stumbled to the door.

"Yeah, help!" Nÿx added for effect watching him slip on the liquid. He hit his knee and yelped again, in pain this time. Once he was on his feet Nÿx moved forward and screamed again. He visibly jumped plastering his back to the metal door. She couldn't help her smile at the horrified look he had.

"Ar- are yu-you okay?" he asked in a small trembling voice. Nÿx held in her snigger moving closer. His eyes searched the room swiveling his head from left to right trying to see. He was clearly panicked.

"Who's there? What have you done to her? Whatever you want! Take it just-just don-don't hurt me!" he begged.

'Don't hurt him? What about me?' Nÿx wondered offended that he would only think of himself. She saw him open his mouth probably to beg her not to hurt him. 'What a coward. No wonder he has to pay for the women.'

Nÿx reached up taking his face in her hand and slammed his head against the door. His grunt was muffled against her palm then his body slid to the ground unconscious.

"I am going to kill them." She muttered heading back to the table. The glass top broke under her fist and she quickly collected all the comics. "They will feel real pain and after I'm done…" she kept mumbling as she stuffed the books in a plastic sleeve then hid them beneath her skirt secured to the strap on her thigh.

"This is the last time I play dumb for those two." Nÿx grumbled lying down on the cold floor face first just as the lights began to flicker on. The hard part was over, now she just had to be patient.

-X-

Heh, heh. Tried to go for funny but I'm not so sure I got that across. Hey, I'm no Chris Rock so...