Word Count: 752

It had been meant as a simple social gathering of several of Destiny City's elite. Young men and women gathering to mingle and make connections, a place for wealthy youth to flit with 'their own kind'. And for Alex there was the undertone of warning to make a good impression. She was coming of an age her mother wanted her to settle, to enter college fully for a ('respectable') degree, and wed some rich man of high standing to 'carry on the family honor'.

Except Alexandra Pepper, a child of the Pepper dynasty of old money and minor power in the right areas, was having Noine Of It. She tried -- the youg adult supped some water as she tried seeking intelligent conversation, but in all fact the only man to actually catch that was an actual friend she had no intention of dating. Too incesty and even her mother would disapprove...

But it wasn't a good night. Alexandra felt the pressure of her mother's wishes bearing down her back, driving stress and frustration down into her core as she nursed the water in her cup and she finally shut her eyes to listen. She wanted to be out there -- out doing anything but what her mother wanted. Patrolling, making friends, walking Brody and the kitten -- anything -- but she was stuck, here in this shithole.

The low chorus of carefully controlled chuckliung drew Alex from her thoughts and sharp green eyes looked up through red lashes to see several faces turned to her and she mentally assessed herself. Naught was out of place and she was well out of normal range... Meaning the woman missed something and one brow raised, the girl looking up.

"And what," Alex drawled, "Are you looking at me for?"

She kept it polite, but one of the girls laughed.

"Aren't thowse spectacles out of fashion? Where did you even get those?" She laughed again, a few oithers joining in, and Alexandra stared hard.

And this was when it became a night her mother wasn't happy about. Alexandra managed not to scowl, instead shifting and stretching before answering, ignoring the laughter as she stretched her arms and back firmly. She rubbed her fingers, and neatly pushed her small specs back in place before looking up to the girl, eyes flashing before sahe moved fluidly, a serpentine smile forming on her lips.

"Della darling," Alexandra crooned. Her eyes flashed with mores of mirth -- and danger. "I don't need fashion."

There were several affronted looks -- most where there from failies that impressed the importance of look. Alexandra had ducked the lesson, disliking the message, and beamed.

"Because I'm not a vapid cocksucking b***h hanging off of Jefferey Pembrokeson III's tiny-a** woohoo like a desperate two-tollar skank." Alexandrqa bowed. Della made an affronted screech, and moved, hands reaching to hit, claw, and get Alex somehow -- to inflict harm, and the girl simply danced around her fingers, laughing. Surely her mom knew this might happen? Still, Della wasn't used to being streetside with normal people like Alexandra was, and so she wasn't worried.

And then the girl got hold of her hair and yanked.

Alexandra Pepp4er was many things. Rich, fairly energetic, fairly weird... But mostly amiable, if able to keep up with catty... But she was also competant. This was often masked with her energy and good humor, and when provoked, Alexandra Pepper was also [efficient. And pulling Alexandra's hair was the fast path to earning ire, of the few available. Her demeanor changed, and Alex spun on Della with sudden conviction, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her into the wall, ignoring the grip on her hair. It was unpleasant for her, but not painful -- she was no tender head. Rapidly, Alex let go just before Della wobbled, and the woman grabbed her long hair and yanked before she fell. Della was startled, letting go and dropping the strands she puilled out, and Alexandra winced, scowling and pointing.

"b***h," Alexandra drawled. "Don't touch my hair."

And that was the moment she turned with a huff, the 'elite' behind her in stunned silence as Alexandra moved, pulling a brush out to smooth her hair as she walked for the exit, and began for home.

It had meant to be a night her mother wanted her to be seen positively in, but Alexandra already knew when she got home, an angry Calypso would be waiting once again to tear her a new one, and the girl sighed.


Her mom? Didn't get it.