<div class="floatright">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/BriarRose/RP%20Characters/Reel%20Peeples/4f7e8a87-1105-4493-97b9-3c029eb6890c_zps70265bce.jpg)</div><em>I'm going to miss the conference.</em><br/><br/>Kamala's eyes darted back and forth between Jack and Cuckoo. The hag next to her hadn't gotten any easier to look at; it seemed with ever glance, a new disgusting feature presented itself to her eyes. She decided it wasn't worth craning her neck to look that way, and settled her gaze on the men across from her. The prickly feeling she'd had in the lobby intensified, and she noticed a gorgeous man enter the bar and seat himself, followed by a pair of stunning women. They were all too pretty to be human, and she had a suspicion that the thought was more than just a turn of phrase. She was on the edge of saying so when another presence entered, though when Kurt Freison made his appearance, he headed straight for their table.<br/><br/>"You," she said softly in response to his query, though she doubted her voice was heard. Others followed him like ducklings, flocking around the table. The beautiful woman sat on his far side, flanking him with unnatural beauty and horror. Both women groped him. Kamala's eyebrows rose in alarm, and she diverted her attention back to Jack and Chan, seemingly the safest people present.<br/><br/>She cleared her throat. "I'm with Jack," she said, this time loud enough that her voice carried. "Not that I have a problem where we are in general, but we're probably the most remarkable people in this hotel, and we're gathered together like it's a club. Even if Fate weren't sitting behind our left shoulders waiting to screw all of us, this kind of party is just asking for trouble, and I'm not that kind of girl." The energy around her was almost palpable. With so many people crowded into such a small place, she had begun to feel claustrophobic. A penthouse seemed like a grand idea.<br/><br/>"If we're waiting on others, it sounds like you know how to get in touch with them. Would you mind? 'Cause if the food and the drinks are really as exciting as you seem to think they are, I'd rather put my meal on a rockstar's room tab," she added, jerking her chin at Jack with a crooked smile. She'd figured out why he looked so familiar.<br/><br/>Then, without waiting for a response, she drew her knees toward her and stood up on the seat, an impressive feat in such a closed space. Trying not to flash any more of her leg than was already visible (she was feeling decidedly unattractive next to some of the newcomers), she slipped over the back of the seat, stepping into the empty booth behind theirs. Careful steps carried her to the floor, where she could watch the gathered group from the outside. She crossed her arms, and tossed her hair, trying to suppress a smile at the ridiculousness of the whole thing. Even from where she stood, it seemed unreal.