gals and galas
Kate Bishop stepped into her childhood penthouse. The room was adorned with elegant furnishings and modern art pieces. She stepped into the space, her boots clicking against the polished marble floor.
Her gaze drifted upward to the chandelier, a fixture that held memories. Kate remembers the day she tried to swing on it, but broke her arm as a result.
Eleanor Bishop, clad in designer clothing, looked up from the mini bar where she stood. Kate's entrance seemed to draw only a little bit of her attention, as she seemed to focus on making herself a drink.
"Hello, Kate," Eleanor greeted. There was no warmth in her tone, no genuine interest in her daughter's well being.
Kate approached the bar. "Hi, Mom. How's your day going?"
"Busy, as always." She replied shortly. Making her drink seemed to be the only thing important.
Kate wanted to roll her eyes. The girl then eyed the expensive whiskey sitting at her mother's bar. Giving a few seconds to think she went ahead and grabbed the shiny bottle. Eleanor looked up and watched her daughter drink from the bottle, not even bothering to grab a glass.
Eleanor's eyes flicked to the bottle in Kate's hand, a subtle disapproval etched on her face. "Kate, honey, at least grab a glass," she sighed.
Kate complied, not because of her mother's request but more to avoid further conflict. She poured herself a small glass, taking a sip and resisting the urge to make a face at the strong taste.
"So, about the gala tonight," Kate began, "Is it another one of those high society gatherings where you make deals and alliances that benefit only the rich?"
Eleanor shot her daughter a disdainful look, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the marble countertop. "Kate, you might want to learn some tact before attending events like this. It's not just about deals, it's about maintaining our status and ensuring a future for yourself."
Kate raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You could've said that without sounding like you're stepping on everyone else."
Eleanor dismissed her daughter's comment with a wave of her hand. "Stop being so sensitive, Kate. It's a skill you'll need if you're going to survive in this world."
Kate clenched her jaw, frustrated with her mother's words, "I can survive without belittling others, thank you very much."
Eleanor glanced at her watch, a subtle indication that she had more important things to attend to. "Enough of this, Kate. Go put on the dress I bought for you. It's a nice shade of red."
Now Kate was mad, "You know I don't wear dresses, Mom. Why waste your money on something you know I won't use?"
Eleanor's gaze hardened. "It's not about what you want, Kate. It's about what's expected. Now, go get ready. We can't be fashionably late if you're dragging your feet."
Kate grabbed her glass and finished the rest of her whiskey. As she gulped it down she felt the sensational burn go down her throat. "You know what mom, go ahead, I'll meet you there."
Eleanor looked up at her daughter, then back at her watch on her wrist. "Okay but don't be late."
Kate watches as her mother walks away. Eleanor turns around before she reaches the door, "Oh and I invited your sister, please make sure she doesn't embarrass me."
And with that she left the penthouse.
Kate looked over at the half-empty bottle back on the counter, she shook her head at the thought of her mother's expectations. "Fuck this," she muttered to herself. Kate lifted the whiskey bottle once more. This time, she took a longer swig, savoring the burn as it trailed down her throat.
___
Twinkling lights, wreaths, and elegant ornaments created an atmosphere of festivity at the Bishop's gala. Perfect for the upcoming holiday everyone was looking forward to.
Yelena Belova entered the charity gala with an air of confidence, her emerald green dress subtly complementing the Christmas themed decor that adorned the venue. The dress was nicely tailored, and hugged her figure in all the right places, and every step she took seemed to command attention.
Yelena's eyes scanned the room, taking note of the high profile attendees, the glittering chandeliers, and the lively hum of conversation. Yelena was no stranger to such events, having navigated similar events before. The occasional nod and smile were exchanged, though her focus remained on her mission—to gather intel and identify potential targets.
As she gracefully moved through the crowd, Yelena's eyes caught the glint of a familiar face. Kate Bishop, clad in an all black tailored suit, stood out among the gala attendees. The sleek, modern lines of the suit accentuated Kate's confident demeanor, and Yelena couldn't help but steal a moment to appreciate the archer's good looks.
However, duty called, and Yelena swiftly refocused on her mission. With a subtle shake of her head, she pushed aside any personal distractions and continued her graceful navigation through the gala. Yelena's keen eyes scanned the room for any signs of valuable information or potential threats.
A little later, Yelena leaned against the bar, gracefully ordering a drink as she observed the scenes around her. The low hum of conversations and clinking glasses filled the air. As she waited for her drink, a subtle sense of someone's presence made her turn her head.
There she was, Kate Bishop, standing with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Yelena raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the approach of the archer.
Without warning, Kate grabbed a couple of bruschetta pieces from a nearby caterer's tray, using her bare hands. She flashed a smirk at Yelena and said, "Bruschetta?" She held out the pieces toward Yelena, offering them as if it were the most natural thing to do at a high society gala.
Yelena raised an eyebrow at Kate's unconventional approach and the bruschetta offered with bare hands. Ignoring the gesture, Yelena calmly asked, "Do you have any manners, or do you always walk around and act like you own the place?" Her tone was laced with a hint of sarcasm, her gaze steady on Kate as she awaited a response.
Kate chuckled, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, technically, my family does own this place. So, in a way, I'm just enjoying what's rightfully mine." She offered the bruschetta again, as if emphasizing her point.
The blonde ignored her again. Then the bartender handed Yelena her drink. "I'll have whatever she's having." Kate chimed in, looking at the bartender.
Yelena raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Think you can handle it?"
Kate shrugged casually. "I downed half a bottle of whiskey before coming here. I think I can handle a fancy drink."
Yelena, with a teasing glint in her eyes, remarked, "Of course you drink whiskey like a fancy person. What, were shots beneath you?"
Kate's playful demeanor shifted, and she shot Yelena a stern look. "Cut the bullshit, Yelena. Why are you really here?" Kate's tone held a seriousness that cut through the banter.
Yelena's expression turned serious in response to Kate's question. "It's business, Kate Bishop. I have a job to do. That's all you need to know." She took a sip of her drink, her gaze unwavering.
Kate felt the vibration of her phone in her pocket, and as she glanced at the notification, her expression shifted ever so slightly. She quickly composed herself, and changed her body language. And as planned, Yelena fell for it.
Yelena raised an eyebrow, catching Kate's subtle change in expression. "Something interesting on your phone, Kate Bishop? One of your lady callers, perhaps?"
Kate smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, you know, just the usual fan mail. Can't resist the charm."
Yelena shook her head, "I'll never understand your way of dealing with people."
Kate chuckled in response then leaned closer towards the blonde, "How about we deal with each other in the upstairs supply closet."
The small assassin looked up at the archer who was still close to her, "I'm not here for that Kate Bishop, I have a job to do."
Eleanor's voice interrupted the intense atmosphere, "Kate, honey, who's your friend?" Kate turned to see her mother looking at Yelena with a curious yet polite expression.
Caught off guard, Kate hesitated for a moment before Yelena smoothly stepped in, offering a warm smile. "Hi, I'm Sasha Williams," she introduced herself with an American accent, throwing Kate a curveball.
Kate, momentarily surprised, collected herself and added, "Yeah, I invited her tonight." Kate lied. She decided to help Yelena out, knowing her mother would ask her many questions.
Eleanor extended a polite hand to Yelena. "Nice to meet you, Sasha. I hope you enjoy the gala."
Yelena reciprocated the handshake with a polite smile, continuing with the American accent, "Thank you, Eleanor. It's a pleasure to be here."
Eleanor shot Kate a questioning look, silently inquiring why she had invited this seemingly random girl. Kate, in response, offered a sheepish smile.
Eleanor, not entirely convinced but choosing not to press the matter further, excused herself gracefully. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Sasha. Kate, don't stay out too late," she advised before heading back into the bustling crowd of the gala.
As Eleanor disappeared into the sea of elegantly dressed guests, Kate turned back to Yelena, her expression a mix of relief and questioning. "Why didn't you use an accent when we met?" She asks.
Yelena, deciding to ignore her, walks away in a hurry. But Kate decided to let the girl go. As she waits to see the blonde gone. She quickly walks the opposite direction.
Yelena gracefully navigated through the gala, her emerald green dress catching a few wandering eyes. She moved with purpose, blending into the crowd as she approached the discreet entrance to the underground auction. The dimly lit corridor led her to a secured room where the prized possession, the Ronin's suit, was supposed to be showcased.
However, as Yelena arrived at the entrance of the auction room, she noticed an unexpected turn of events. The suit was not here. There was no way she missed the auctioning. "Dammit." She muttered.
She discreetly observed the room, trying to find the new owner, but the identities of the high profile bidders remained veiled. The only thing people seemed to have was illegal weapons, and antique items.
As she made her way to the front of the auction, many of the men had started to leave. Leaving her alone in the room. She looked over at the book that kept record of the things auctioned off.
She scanned down each item, finally seeing the words 'Ronin Suit" on the page. But when she looked at who bought it, it said it had the letters 'FB" on the page. Who was 'FB' she thought.
She made her way back into the gala, maintaining her composure despite the setback. Yelena was determined to find out the mysterious 'FB' and find out who The Ronin is. She was ready to avenge her two best friends.
Kate Bishop stood in the shadows, concealed by the side of the building, her eyes kept on the entrance. She was waiting for someone, and impatience crept into her demeanor as the minutes ticked by. The night air was crisp, and the festive lights from the gala spilled out into the street, casting a warm glow on the surroundings.
Susan walked over to Kate, holding a large purse in her hands. She approached with a sly smile, "Well, whatever's in here cost you a cool two million dollars," Susan announced, presenting the bag to Kate.
Kate, with a nod and a confident grin, took the bag from Susan's hands. With a practiced ease, she opened it, revealing the neatly folded Ronin suit inside. Susan's eyes widened in shock.
"Two million for this? Seriously?" Susan exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise.
Kate felt satisfaction. "Trust me, it's worth every penny." She replied.
As Susan's eyes lingered on the distinctive Ronin suit, realization dawned on her. A gasp escaped her lips, and she turned wide-eyed toward Kate. The pieces seemed to click into place, and her gaze bore into Kate with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Kate... you were the–"
Kate winced, realizing that her secret was no longer hidden. "Susan, it's not what you think," she began, attempting to stop her sister from jumping to conclusions.
But Susan wasn't about to let it slide. "Not what I think? Kate, you've been running around as an assassin? Oh god."
Kate sighed, knowing she had some explaining to do. "Look, it's complicated. There were reasons. Good reasons. I was trying to do the right thing."
Susan crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "The right thing? Kate, you've got to give me more than that. What's going on?"
Kate hesitated, then decided to lay it all out. "During the Blip, things got messy. I was struggling. Remember what I told you about Fisk?"
Susan's expression softened as she listened, but the shock didn't entirely fade. "And now? Why do you still have the suit? Why is it worth two million dollars?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Kate admitted. "Someone's auctioning it off, and I need to know who, and why."
Susan sighed, shaking her head. "You really know how to complicate things, Kate. Let's figure this out together. But you owe me a full explanation, got it?"
Kate nodded, grateful for Susan's understanding. Little did she know, the night was far from over, and the mysteries surrounding the Ronin suit were about to unfold in unexpected ways.