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"That's right, I was supporting Wallace. It was a hard choice though, narrowing it down between all of you."

More people had joined them, enough that Ian wasn't really sure who he should talk to. So far, it seemed that most of them were at least familiar with each other, if not friends, and he glanced around to see if there was anyone else who didn't seem to have any one to talk to.

Penelope seemed to be alone at the moment, and the boy picked up his milkshake and soda and went over towards where she was. "Hiya! Mind if I sit with you?" He gave her his best innocent grin. "My candidate hasn't shown up yet, and they all seem to know each other."

Of course she was ridiculous! When you had nothing in your life but your not-girlfriend fiance, your best friend who had just escaped the clutches of a candy shop, and a dark organization run by the aforementioned two, you just embraced it. Though generally, the bluenette was sure that this level of ridiculousness had been a part of her life for as long as she had had a life. Daphne had had it. Linarite, even as a lieutenant, had had it. She'd been much angrier though, then. Not so much now.

Under the table, whether just to reassure herself that Kesslan was there or just because she enjoyed the contact in general, Lena slipped her shoe off to rub her foot lightly against the lanky blonde's leg. It was strange how oddly touched she could be by things so simple as her roommate looking for things that she would like rather than just piling two plates full of whatever, dropping one and hoping for leftovers. Understanding Kess the way she did it was a very likely scenario...unless the blonde cared.

Once she was sure someone had told her it was the little things in life. Apparently, they were right.

Pulling herself away from meandering thoughts to grin at Libby and her live-cow-on-a-plate, she also laughed at Avery's remark before shaking her head. "Nope, weren't going to miss this party for anything. Kess even put a tie on." Light fingers reached out to pull on it, grinning as she picked up her wine again. "We're also trying to plan a date, a group one, for after this is all done. You dance, right Libby?" Golden eyes were bright with undisguised cunning as fingers picked at her food, popping roll in her mouth with gusto.

Penelope heard Liberty's call and waved to show that she had acknowledged it. She was about to accept the invitation when Ian approached her, and she smiled in response to his question. "I don't mind... I think we can just sit anywhere? I'm Penelope."

"We'll see."

Avery took a long swallow of her drink to cover her initial reaction to the hand on her thigh, waiting until Liberty spoke to look her direction. The stare caught her off guard. "Um," Hazel eyes shifted to Liberty's jaw, the scar on her lip, "You're welcome." Avery hoped the flush on her face wasn't too apparent, before Liberty gave her an out. An eyebrow arched, and her voice was teasing. "That thing might bite me first if I try. It's all yours."

Lena to the rescue.

Or not.

Avery shot her mischievous friend a look, when the sound from the television was suddenly turned up by a server. A hush stole over the room as the voice of the City Council's Chairman began.

"Tonight the votes were tallied for the open position for the City Council. It was a close race, closest we've had in a long time, but in the end Penelope Seneca bested her competitors."

Avery quietly finished her glass of wine as those that had voted for Penelope cheered. She didn't look at the screen.

"However, it has come to our attention that one of our other Council Members is set to retire at the end of the year. In light of the race and how close it was he has offered to step down early and allow Avery Hollister to fill his place for now. Miss Hollister will have to defend her position to make it permanent in the upcoming November elections but for now let's welcome these two fantastic ladies aboard."

The applause was joined by another group of supporters, and servers moved amongst them offering champagne and sparkling cider.

Avery's eyes flicked to a screen that was showing polling results - a winning margin of 3%. A few more hours of work, perhaps. She'd fallen short, and though she'd managed to get her foot in the door, she wasn't the one Destiny City wanted.

She put a smile on her face and accepted a glass of champagne.

Wait, what was going on? Lena was sharp enough to catch that Avery had not technically won the race but nonetheless had secured herself a seat that nobody had anticipated being available. Yet she hadn't won. It had meant very little for Lena to be removed from the race at an early stage, more than happy to throw what slim weight she had behind Avery Hollister because she actually believed the woman would not harm the city they were trying to occupy. Yet was Avery the kind of woman who could technically lose and be happy just as delighted about the consolation prize?

Biting at her lip thoughtfully, watching the exchange between Liberty and the woman staring at her wine glass as if it were the most fascinating thing on the planet, she decided that no. Avery was not. It was not a judgement, simply a notation about the character.

In other words it was a signal for one thing: lots of booze.

Leaning on her elbows so that she could be heard over the din, the bluenette chimed in her own agreement to Libby's statement. "And now we're going to get very drunk to seal the deal." It was a win/win. Everyone would assume they were celebrating and if Avery needed to drown her feelings, well why not in wine? "I'm sure we could manage to take the bartender for all he's worth. We're strong, assertive women, right Kess?" The nudge was not subtle. "It'll rock."