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Strip poker was something Carnelian could get behind, sans pants and all. The corrupted never had any problem with nudity, public or otherwise. It was silly laws and uptight morals (and Euclase's insistence) that kept him clothed. Most of the time. When around his fiancee though, this funny thing always happened.

His clothing just seemed to just fall off. They never finished any patrols they started. Not that Carnelian was complaining.

Therefore the invitation to play a friendly, manly game of poker over at Buddingtonite's came as a pleasant surprise. Carnelian had been looking for an opportunity to fraternize with his fellow Chaos officers and senshi and this seemed like the perfect way to break down some barriers (both socially and otherwise). Just before teleporting in (a serious perk from his upgrade), the redhead took the opportunity to run to the store and pick up some poker night essentials - local microbrew beer, restaurant-style tortilla chips, three different dips (two heats of salsa and cheese) and a six pack of DC Cola. Perfect man-food.

While he didn't know Buddingtonite personally, he'd heard some good things. Not good enough to teleport straight into the house (plus he'd never been inside before anyway). Instead, Carnelian appeared just down the street and he decided to walk the rest of the way. Best not to alert the neighbors. Red boots clicked up to the front door and the corrupted used his booted toe to knock since he didn't have any free arms. "Hello, hello~" he called.

The others might be looking forward to this night of strip poker, but Serpentine was not. The game itself was not the problem. On the contrary, strip poker with attractive men was precisely the type of activity that would likely catch his interest. Even if he had no personal attraction to the players… seeing the reactions of others and possessing an infallible poker face made the experience one worthy of his presence. It was people watching at its best and a chance to earn cash to boot.

This game of strip poker, however, was one that left him pacing between the upstairs bathroom and bedroom rather than head downstairs. Buddingtonite had refused to tell him exactly who would be coming to this event - only that he would be dealing cards and potentially baring his body to fellow members of Chaos. And that the lieutenant was supposed to come as part of his efforts to become better able to work with those in the Negaverse. The fact that Richard could have made the implied order an actual one stuck in the proud man’s craw.

The crystal communicator was unnecessary when his partner called up to him. Serpentine walked over to the bathroom mirror one more time to check that his uniform was perfectly in order before beginning to come down the stairs. He called back to Buddingtonite, an implied sneer in his tone, “I will play.” Was that not enough?

The sound of a heavy knock--or perhaps a kick--prompted the lieutenant to go to the door. Opening it, however, proved troublesome. Looking over the being in red and black velvet, he could not deny what his eyes saw... and while he had a suspicion about this visitor that made him want to hiss with rage, he instead stated bluntly, "Your starseed is showing."

At Serpentine's retort, Buddingtonite gave him such a dirty look as he descended the stairs. He didn't mean anything by the look, really, but it was one of his ways of keeping a lid on his excitement, otherwise it'd boil over and likely chase his guests away. And Buddingtonite certainly didn't want that! "Now, now, be nice. I'm throwing this little shindig for you."

Not a complete truth, but it was one he'd defend if questioned. There was a heavy knock at the door, but Serpentine was already moving to answer it, and the Captain motioned for straightening a tie that wasn't there, as he followed his friend towards the door. He knew the one on the otherside was a member of the Negaverse, so there was no fear in him, but instead, curiosity. Which of the many could it be?

He did not recognize the Corrupted Senshi that was standing before them, but he certainly approved of him! At Serpentine's remark, he yelped and slammed his hands on his shoulder to guide him away and play peacekeeper to their visitor. "What my friend means to say is that it really adds to your uniform. Welcome, friend! I'm Captain Buddingtonite and this is Lieutenant Serpentine... a pleasure to meet you, why don't you come in? Set your fine assortment of gifts on the table right over there..."

He gave his friend a scornful glance and mouthed the words 'behave', before his attention was brought to the arrival of his new guests, and the delicious smelling treat they brought. Unaware of Serpentine's and Remarque's past transgression, Buddingtonite was nothing short of Ricardo Montalban level host."Ah, and beware of high ranking officers bearing gifts! That smells delicious! Please, all of you, come in and make yourselves at home!"

General Benitoite was always a welcomed friend in his apartment, as he was certain that he knew. And Eternal Remarque, though he had met only once, heard many great things about and Buddingtonite was eager to know a little more about him, and this Corrupted Senshi as well. Yes, introductions were desperately needed, and they would come in due time, before the real fun began.

Drain some energy while he waited for Remarque to get pizza? Nope, he wasn't going to risk something happening and making them late. He'd rather be early or on time rather than late, and come with potentially cold pizza. So the petite blond general waited in the alley way for the eternal to rejoin him. For a moment he again wondered why it was that he was going along with this game of powered up stripe poker. This was ridiculous and not something normal for him to do but he needed the time to relax, needed to do something out of the box and bonding.

Feeling Remarque again he nodded when the other returned to the alley. Taking hold of the taller blond he was able to teleport them, and the party goods, to the designated location - Richards home. While Remarque put the food down he went to see who else was here as well. A glance around proved interesting, the group was interesting. "Carnelian, glad you made it." Smiling at the corrupted senshi he turned his attention to Buddingtonite, having missed Serpentine's comment about the hole in Carnelian's chest completely, due to having just arrived after it was said.

"Yes well, it would have been rude had we come with nothing. So I thought it prudent to bring some pizza for us to indulge in while we bare our flesh." He said giving a smile to Buddingtonite. "I doubted anyone would complain about pizza anyway." It was a safe food to bring, universally eaten by people, and so it was the best choice to be made when thinking of what to bring.

"Soulless gingers?" He questioned with a raised brow as he searched about for plates, already wanting to get himself something to eat. "Remarque, care for a slice?" He asked, ready to plate up a slice for his fellow blond and bring it over to him. The other seemed rather tired, maybe this would mean Jett wouldn't be able to beat him and he wouldn't be the worst player tonight. Oh he hoped.

"Soulless, indeed," Remarque said, bemused. "But spirited, certainly."

So far, not a trap. That was always a good sign. There were enough people here that Remarque could tolerate that he didn't feel too uncomfortable. Even if they were all part of the Negaverse. "Yeah, I'll take a slice," he answered; he was sizing up the rest of the men there, trying to take in what he could. Carnelian, who he trusted enough to cut his hair. Buddingtonite, who he had enjoyed roughhousing with, "You're looking good, Captain. And Serpentine," who he couldn’t help but feel a little smug towards, "You seem as charming as I remember. What's the game tonight?" he prompted; he had played cards a bit, though it was no more than to pass the time in high school. He was by no means a professional but he was banking on the fact that neither were they. As long as he didn't lose, he didn't care. He had a reputation to uphold, after all.

Sleet Tempest Snape

ChibiGingi

Quicksilver the Archangel

Lucifer Force

It seemed that all of the players were here, and Buddingtonite was quick to turn into the ever charismatic host, even when it looked as though Serpentine was going to bite off poor Carnelian's head. He flashed his fellow officer such a look that he was certain that he'd understand. He wanted this to be a night of bonding, not fighting, and if they were going to turn it into an all out brawl, he'd rather them take it to the enemy and not each other.

Imagine the horror show he'd have to deal with afterwards, explaining this fiasco to any of the General-Kings or Queens! A thought best kept out of his mind, and he was quick to get the festivities started before anymore tension could start building.

In response to Carnelian's soulless ginger bit, he gave a playful laugh and welcomed his display of affection. "You've read my mind! Must be the Ginger Connection we share, my brother. I have an assortment at the table right over there that you are more than welcomed to! Help yourself and have a seat- I'll get my own in due time."

He then turned to Benitoite, as he slipped away from Carnelian's brotherly hold, and he couldn't quite remember if he gave the general a proper greeting, so just in case he bowed again. "Come now, General, I have come to embrace my soulless-ness. Makes it hard for the Negaverse to reap it away if one doesn't have one, right? But thank you so much for the pizza- I am certain it will be put to good use, and every slice will find a home in our guts."

Buddingtonite couldn't deny that he was slightly worried when Remarque and Serpentine's eyes met, but he did his absolute best to keep that fear to himself, should it backfire and trigger something unseemly between them. As much as he liked his fellow Negaverse agent, he was certain that he couldn't protect him from a Dark Mirror Eternal if the time came, and he was thankful to see Serpentine back off and move towards the pizza. He might have sounded a little TOO enthusiastic when he applauded Serpentine's decision to shuffle and deal, and that made him all but skip towards the table with unbridled glee.

"Good idea, Serpentine! I'm not really allowed to shuffle my own deck, given how suspicious that might look. After all, we're here to bond as brothers of Chaos, not for me to oogle at your bare man parts," Buddingtonite said, as he took a seat. In response to Remarque's question, he answered in truth, and he practically crowed the answer as he rubbed his gloved hands together. "Strip Poker, the best kind of Poker if you ask me! Now, everyone take a seat! Bring your wine and pizza or any other enjoyables you may have brought with you. Don't worry- there will be no police called here. Serpentine, if you'd please deal?"

If anyone thought decorum, or manners, were to be had tonight they were sorely mistaken. General he may be but he was also still a teenager and not much for an ego due to rank. He didn't allow people to call him General, not when he could help it anyway, and didn't care to be treated different due to his rank. It simply wasn't how he operated. A glance to Remarque before casting his eyes toward Serpentine who was over at a table with a slice of newly acquired pizza. "Your the dealer for tonights game then?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head and a smile.

With Remarque's request for a slice he took a slice, a nice large one, and slid it from the box onto a paper plate. "Here, come and get it."

"Mmm, indeed. It is as Carnelian says - a game of stripe poker." And he was sure he would wind up naked several times by the time the night ended, he was no good at lying and cards were also not his thing.He didn't say this of course, no need to go telling the others these facts just yet, he'd let them find out at some point. At least they were inside and it was just them; he did not care for being naked in front of many people (or anyone) if he could help it. He may have changed, was still changing, but he still held certain values. Running about naked, or being on view for lots of people was not one of those values.

Taking himself a seat, plate of pizza in hand, he settled down gently into a chair and waited for the game to start. Already knowing this was going to be an interesting night, just how interesting depended on the others in the room really. Casting a glance at the red haired Buddingtonite he shook his head, laughing. "I'm sure the pizza will indeed be gone by nights end. And please..it's Benitoite - not General. I should think we'd all be comfortable with using each others names here rather than rank." It wasn't that he disliked his rank, or the power which came with it, he enjoyed the power. It was just that General sounded old to him and in a way...to proper. To use that, rather than Benitoite, with others in the Negaverse sounded less personal. And he was personal with those around him if nothing else.

As the cards were handed out he set his pizza down at his side, a bite already taken from it, and glanced over his cards before discarding one and looking to get one to replace the discarded card. "Someone mind filling me in on the rules properly? Otherwise I'm going to be mimicking the rest of you all evening." Ok, so he had to admit to being clueless on the game, and right at the start too...

(SOOO sorry it took so long. ::Bows and hides:: )