Technical Assistance

Chapter 12: User Interface Calibration

Felicity tries desperately to contain the rush of excitement she gets from riding in a limo with Tommy Merlyn on the way to the Queen Christmas Gala.  It's an experience that most don't have, so of course she's excited.  As, apparently, is Tommy; the first word out of his mouth when she opened her door was a surprised, "Wow."  Then he made a big show of looking around her and into the apartment.  "Sorry there, Bombshell Barbie, I'm looking for a friend of mine—she goes by the name of Smoaky?"  She supposes that means she cleans up well, but doesn't really see what the fuss is about.

She couldn't bear to give up the vibrant fuchsia lipstick she usually wears, her one semblance of normalcy in her current attire.  Her hair is down, pinned over one shoulder, and she actually has her contacts in for a change.  Large, sparkling earrings with stones matching her dress hang delicately, surrounded by diamonds.  Her dress isn't much; it's just a number she picked up for eighty bucks at the nearest thrift store because she fell in love with it.  As instructed in the notecard, she picked a full-length dress with a somewhat full skirt (there are a few layers to it, anyway).  It's strapless with a sweetheart neckline, the material gathered in folds through the bodice and left simple and plain through the skirt.  The only real embellishments on it are the corseted back and the rhinestone star-burst folding across her left side.  It did take help from her only female friend to get the back laced up, but she thinks it was well worth it.  And she's still trying to convince herself that the color is completely coincidental.

After all, emerald green is a festive, Christmas-y color.  And it has nothing to do with the Vigilante at all.

The limousine pulls up in front of the Queen mansion, and Tommy scurries to exit so that he can help her out of the vehicle, and for a moment Felicity feels like a fairytale princess.  The press is already swarming, of course, and Felicity feels kind of like a movie star the way they start snapping photographs (though she knows it's because of Tommy and not her).  He guides her into the house without the normal remarks he usually makes about his date, and their invitations are checked at the entrance hall.

Felicity is stunned into momentary silence as she realizes the woman standing in the hall welcoming guests is none other than Moira Queen.  She looks almost regal in the champagne gown she wears; it's both elegant and understated in an old money sort of way.  Of course, the half-million dollar string of diamonds around her neck doesn't hurt the look, either.  She greets the couple ahead of Tommy and Felicity with practiced aplomb and charm.

She turns the pair then, and she stops to hug Tommy in an overly dramatic way.  "I'm glad you could make it, Tommy," she says, her voice rich but soft, and her tone is most definitely sincere.  She pulls away, but her hands still remain on his arms.  "I know my children will be glad to see you, too."  She looks to Felicity, appraising her carefully.  "And you should introduce me to your date."

Tommy winces, frowning.  "She's not my date," he corrects immediately, which Felicity thinks is surprisingly brave.  "She's a friend.  Mrs. Q, this is Felicity Smoak.  She's a friend of mine—and Ollie's.  Smoaky, this is Moira Queen—Ollie's mom.  And mine, too, kind of—she practically raised me."

"Nice to meet you," Felicity offers nicely, not sure whether to shake hands or wave or whatever rich people do.

To her surprise, Moira responds, "It's nice to finally meet you, Felicity—I've heard a lot about you."  She turns scarlet as Tommy shoots her an I-told-you-so look. "All good things, I promise," she adds when she sees the look on Felicity's face.  "My children are quite fond of you, it seems."

Finding her normal in the conversation, Felicity replies, "Well, I guess I should think about a career as a con woman, then.  I'm usually just the odd girl that gets funny looks because of outdated pop culture references."