A Weekend Affair # 1 - The Great White Reception

[Pathfinder]

Gary, Indiana

"And how does that make you feel, Clarence?"

< Erika said, not particularly caring as she took a moment to admire her pristine manicured nails before pretending to be taking notes for the patient on her couch. >

[notes]: "Queen Erika. Erika is so beautiful. I'd totally bang her. Cameron sucks."

< This was a long con and Erika was running out of patience. Whe she first met Clarence and discerned what lied within his body, she had been excited. Motivated. And the secret intellectual that lived inside of her was stirred. Clarence Perlman was an incredibly boring human being. A textbook pussy and Mama's boy. He was everything Sigmund Freud wrote about, which made Erika hate him even more. His stories were nothing more than proclamations of him wanting to crawl back upside his ugly mother and live there forever. He was basic. Like her brother. But the reward in successfuly convincing this man to kill himself was too great for her to pass up. >

< She experienced a particularly long Summer. Two months in Monaco, a couple in Greece. St. Barts and The Hamptons. Los Angeles. Tokyo. Even Morocco. It was a blurry mess of men, sex, drugs and drama with herself at the center of it, and she wouldn't have had it any other way. A self diagnosed narcissist with borderline personality disorder who leaned towards mania, Erika was a creature who wanted to be adored and coveted. She wanted people to love her. >

Clarence: "Well it makes me feel terrible. This woman..who's given me the milk from her breasts. Pulled me into life..and I call her one hour late on her birthday?"

"That must have been devestating for you. Elaborate please, I'm trying to paint a picture."

< In actuality she was trying to remember where she had left her Valium bottle. Erika was a far more brilliant woman than she was given credit for. She would have been a better psychiatrist stoned off her ass than most people would be sober and present, and if she was going to have to listen to problems this insignificant, she would have preferred to be high. >

< People like Clarence made her sick. Erika came from a mother who was withholding and cold. It took a shit ton of success for her to give the slightest bit of acknowledgement, unless you were her son. Then, the weakest of shits was celebrated as some kind of life changing victory. She had fallen into the trap of wanting to please her mother more times than she'd like to admit, in fact she was about to do so again in a very short amount of time. Clarence had a mother that loved him. He would never know anything about life because of that. Clarence needed to man the fuck up and move the fuck on. >

"Yeah..I've had about enough. I think it's time."

< From her desk, Erika picked up a cup of tea and a metal spoon, seeming to stir in some sugar. It's rhythm was hypnotic and precise. Mezmerizing. Clarence found himself very relaxed as Erika spoke in an even, very cerebral tone. >

"You will never be a good son, Clarence. Your mother knows that."

< Stirring sound. >

"SHE knows you're a failure...why can't you accept it for yourself?"

< Clarence appeared in a calm panic, his body sweating, his every nerve trying to fight the capacitation of Erika's melodic trance inducing song. >

Clarence: "I'm...I--I can't! No please! I love her!"

< His cries agitated Erika. She went in for the kill. >

"You don't love her. You. don't. LOVE. her. Look at you, Clarence?! You're a shell of a man. A sad, fat man with nobody. Except your mommy. And how do you treat HER?! Haven't you seen? Don't you know what would make your mom the happiest off all?"

Clarence: "Uh No! NO! Please tell me! PLEASE!"

< Clarence was emphatic and esctatic in his speech. Erika remained in control. >

"To rid her of the one thing that tarnishes her beauty. Her CROWN...To rid her of YOU. From this REALM."

< He was enthralled. >

"It's time to end it, Clarence. It's time to give your mother what she deserves. Can you do it? Can you DO IT, Clarence?"

Clarence: "I can DO IT!"

"What?"

Clarence: "I CAN DO ITTT!!"

"Then do it."

< Her stirring became more rapid and somehow louder and louder as Clarence was driven mad. The second she lifted her spoon from her cup, Clarence exploded with rage, grabbing the letter opener on her desk and slitting his own throat in front of her, falling to the ground in a pool of blood. Blinking her eyes as she was hit with blood splatter. Wiping her face a bit, she rose from her desk, looking down at the dead body of Clarence Perlman. In Greece she had learned a bit of history, specifically about the existence of moonstones, which were fragments of the power of the Goddess Selene. Embedded in unsuspecting bodies, once bonded provided the host a large amount of power. She began tracking them shortly thereafter, and using her own magickal ability, she had discovered the location where one was embedded - in Clarence's spine. >

< His life story seemed to be indicative that she was meant to find him. And because she had been born she decided to put her psychiatry license back in use and make a fun little game of it because he bothered her so badly. And she hadn't even used magick to do it. >

"Take that, Mom."

"Bitch."

< Moving around her desk, she knelt down in Clarence's blood, admiring her manicure one last time before she flipped Clarence over and DUG her nails into his spine, pulling it out from his skin. She would like to say that doing so was a very rare occurence in her life, but it wasn't. She felt around, her hands covered in blood up to her wrists, until she felt it. This was it. She had found the moon stone. A small fragmented, almost insignificant looking piece who's energy pulsated strongly. The moment she found it, she knew her mother would know. Once Erika had absorbed it, she would become a very delicious looking asset to her mother. She would FINALLY have the upper hand. She could CRUSH Cameron. She would no longer be the King sibling who's power was that they could phase through shit. She was as much as a legend as any one of them goddammit. >

"Time to fuckin' rage."

< Time it was. The next few days were intense. She experienced an upheaval, the stone binding to her body in a painful and beautiful experience. It was like free basing cocaine on an oxy high on Stavro Cassadine's yacht with a steak on your plate. It was the new meth. Soon, her mother would come calling for her..and soon she would saunter back into The Hellfire Mansion, and she wasn't leaving until she got what she so rightfully deserved. >

< And she was probably going to bang some dudes, do some drugs, and start some drama. >

[cell phone ring]

"Hi Mom! How are you!? This weekend?! I'd love to."

< Game on. >

 

[Orion]

Hellfire Club - - The Porte-Cochère

Zach guided Gia out of the club, through the corridor of the mansion, as he told Gia they were going to meet the Europeans at the airport.

Gia: That’s it? That’s our ‘mission’?

Zach gave her a hard look. She was an attractive woman, but arrogant. If Haleigh had heard her comment.... well, it wouldn’t be good. Zach was angry on behalf of his Queen, and it showed in his scowl.

“What’s the matter, are you too good to do as your Queen asks? Keep thinking like THAT, and she’ll have a new Bishop by the end of the week.”

He told her, as they headed for the lineup of armored sedans waiting for them. The WildPack were scattered throughout the convoy, standing by their assigned vehicles. When they saw their VIP emerge from the mansion, they all began to get in, except the one driver who held the door of the Maserati limo for Gia and Zach.

“Receiving the Europeans is no mere lackey’s errand. We will be their first impression of American Hellfire. It is a great honor to have been chosen to represent our Court and our Club, and you are disappointed?”

He scoffed out his indignation, and warned her that on the way to the airport, they were going to discuss her little ‘prank’. Zach took off his suit jacket so it wouldn’t wrinkle as he sat, and slid into the vehicle with her. As soon as the door was shut, she started to sing like a canary. Zach didn’t care for the Red King any more than she did, but a prank would be something like putting Vaseline on the door knob. What they did was dangerous. Zach poured guilt into Gia with glowing eyes.

“Well I hope you found your little joke amusing. People DIE for less provocation than toasting Diana. You forget that when it comes to being abused by her mother, Haleigh has the market cornered. And even if she didn’t, even if you’d only raised a glass to Helena, the White Queen would still back the Red King’s play, and will continue to do so as long as he’s still pleasing her.”

It was time to put the fear of retribution into her. He shifted in his seat, putting his arm behind her on the seat, his gaze boring into her as he used his power to instill sheer terror. It was nothing personal. He liked Gia, but the Rook was the Queen’s enforcer. If he didn’t get her back in line, he’d be the one answering his Queen’s fury, with the smug arousal of his own King piled on top.

“If you want any chance of saving your own skin, you’d better do well on this mission. I’ll enchant the women, while you impress the men.”

 

[Savage]

Hellfire Club - - The Garage

She tried some farce of a resistance, but he didn’t fall for it. All She ever had to do was smile at him, and he was seduced. She didn’t try to stop him from pawing at Her, that was how he knew Her words were maeningless misdirection. When he kissed Her, She grabbed him and pulled him against Her mouth. She wanted him as badly as he had to have Her.

After stripping Her clothes off, he spread Her legs with one smooth sweep of his foot, and then he was in. She braced Herself against the bench, calling the Gods. But even They couldn’t have stopped him now. The bestial instinct needed to be sated, there was no reason ther way to tame it. He wasn’t being gentle, he wasn’t making love, and he knew that was what She wanted.

She threw Her arm around his neck, and hiked Her leg up, giving him a different angle to hit. He thrust himself deeper, and the sounds he made to answer Her moans were inhuman. She commanded him harder, and he instantly obeyed. As much as She owned his soul, he wanted to own Her body. She was hot, and slick, and so tight he barely fit, and there was no better feeling in the world, not even a successful hunt. His teeth were on Her skin again, when Her hair shook off Her shoulders and bared the back of Her neck.

Her body clenched and shuddered beneath him. It drove him even more wild, if that were possible. He fucked Her through it, his arm wrapped around Her to pull Her upright, back against his chest. His other hand cleared the tools and miscellaneous parts off the surface of the workbench, and then he flipped Her over and laid Her back, without a hitch in the rhythm of his hips.

His hands roamed Her body, as he leaned over Her and his eyes found Hers. There was something more in his gaze than just desire, there was devotion. He was close to climax, and reached down between Her legs to find the spot that would bring Her again. His cries of pleasure matched Hers in volume. When they were done he slowed to a stop, and then he laid his head on Her chest, listening to Her heartbeat against Her ribs. His own chest heaved with the effort to catch his breath, as the beast within settled back down.

After a while, when conscious thought returned to him, he lifted his head to look at Her again, with a grin. He touched his nose to Hers playfully, and kissed Her one last time.

“My Queen, I will not keep You any longer. You mentioned having much to do. Can Your Knight lighten Your load?”

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire Club - - The Gardens

She could feel Alek, hard between them as he asked about her kill. She knew it wouldn’t take much more to get him to play. She told him about how she ripped off the Florist’s jaw. It had the intended effect. He started to remove her clothes, as a victorious smirk spread across her lips.

Cameron: I knew you couldn’t be a good girl.

It was her husband’s voice, and she could feel his lips on her neck as acutely as if he were right here behind her. If she thought she was turned on before, it was nothing compared to the way she felt now, as Cameron reminded her that she belonged to him. Alek dipped his head between her tits, as she inhaled sharply.

Cameron: You DO pick the most delicious playthings... I’ll give you that.

Oh fuck, this was happening. Oh fuck yes. Alek asked her if she could hear the wet gurgle of blood in the Florist’s screams, because that was the result of doing it the right way. She laughed cruelly, and then made sounds that mimicked the Florist’s cries, mocking her victim. Then she ran her nails through his beard and delightfully told him how easy it was to rip flatscans to pieces. Almost too easy, really, and they expired quickly.

Alek: You really need a metahuman if you want it long and hard.

He replied with a dirty grin. Okay, enough fuckin flirting. Her hands raced down the buttons of his shirt, fingers undoing them as she went. She slipped his shirt off his shoulders and revealed his chest, with its prominent scar that marked him as a fighter. Her lips went there immediately, and as he unzipped his fly, she stuck her hands into his pants, taking hold of him. She pulled his dick through the opening of his fly, bringing him out as he got rid of her skirt.

He lifted her leg and brought them together, making her cry out in pleasure. She clutched his biceps and pushed off the ground with her foot, lifting herself up so she could lock both legs around his waist. Her forearms moved to his shoulders and her hands grabbed his head, as she pressed his face against her bosom. She squeezed his shaft within her, a reward for giving her what she needed. Whatever was keeping her husband had better be fucking important.

Cameron: I’m home. Tell me you haven’t came yet.

Why, you going to make me before HE does?

She challenged, and then the Red King made her moan.

“Don’t fucking stop, Aleksander!”

 

[Fathom]

Hellfire Club - - The Aqua Ring

They were on a platform in the middle of tank three, just a couple of inches into the water. Heidi knelt beside Neptune, and one of his namesake creations. She was rubbing her hand over the mutant shark’s skin, spreading water over it, keeping it calm while Jack worked.

He was stitching a large gash on the creature’s back. She could see Jack’s concern as he closed the wound. He was saying that it was a wonder this one hadn’t bled out, and then he suggested they move it to an isolation tank for the healing process.

“Jack, Is that really necessary? They get so depressed when they’re lonely.”

Jack: While he’s healing he’s weak. He could be challenged again, you don’t want to lose your favorite, Heidi.

“Beasts fight for dominance. The hierarchy must be established or chaos will reign. He proved himself Alpha, killed the challenger. The rest will respect him without a doubt.”

Jack: You’re likely correct, but is it a gamble we can afford?

“He’ll be destructive in the iso-tank. If he shatters the glass he’ll surely injure himself, and then he’ll have to be euthanized.”

She insisted, as a Hellfire servant hurriedly called to them from up on the mezzanine.

“We’re a bit busy, you dolt.”

Servant: Apologies Miss Scarborough, but I must interrupt. The White King wants to see you, before the Europeans arrive.

She sighed lightly. She didn’t mind answering to her King, not at all, but this was the worst time.

Jack: Go On, I’ve got this.

She gave him a pleading look, and he already knew what it meant.

Jack: I won’t isolate him, I promise.

“Thank you. I’ll see you at the party.”

Jack: Not if I see you first.

He teased, and she laughed, as she stepped off the platform and a column of water lifted her to the mezzanine.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Garage

His mouth was on her neck as she came, and then he pulled her up and back against him. She could feel the muscles of his chest and abs against her back while he continued to fuck her. He sent the items on top of the workbench flying as he cleared the surface, and it gave her a thrill, this show of aggression. Ashley liked men who could take control, in a world where most of them acted subservient, intimidated by her brashness. She almost came again out of pure arousal when he flipped her onto her back and continued in one smooth motion. The thing about AJ - her Savage - was that he was all man, and also completely devoted to her. He had all of Alek's ferocity without the out of control temper. He made her hot just with the way he looked at her. Maybe there had been a time when it had been like that with Alek, but if there had been, she couldn't remember it.

And she knew in AJ there was more than just the desire to get off with his Queen, he wanted to please her. Even now when she could tell he was oh so close, his hands touched her the way she liked, and his eyes connected with hers. His hand began to stroke her in unison with his cock, and then she couldn't hold his gaze any longer, her eyes closing and head going back as she cried out in pure ecstasy. She felt him come with her, her body shaking and bucking, and then his movements slowed. She was breathing hard, every inch of her body tingling, sweat glistening on her skin. He laid his head on her chest, and she smiled, cradling it in her hands and stroking his hair. Finally he lifted his head, with that smile he had beaming back at her. Her heart skipped a beat when he touched their noses together, and then kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him against her, prolonging the kiss, making it the one slow and tender thing they had done during the entire act.

“My Queen, I will not keep You any longer. You mentioned having much to do. Can Your Knight lighten Your load?”

She smiled, secure in his loyalty, and reached up to brush a strand of hair off his forehead.

"As much as I would like for you to help get me cleaned up for tonight, I need to touch base with Neptune first."

She smiled and ran a finger down his cheek.

"Don't worry, he won't be getting the same level of debriefing that you just did."

But Jack did need to be reminded whose court he was on.

"Don't be late tonight, my Knight - I want us to make a display of our strength. And be ready: if the Europeans make a move against us?"

She nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth.

"We kill them all."

The smile on her face betrayed that she didn't think that would necessarily be a bad thing. She moved to sit up, eyes glancing around for her clothes but then settling back on his exquisite physique.

"Go get cleaned up. And then tonight, we can get dirty again."

She arched an eyebrow at him with a wicked smile. She had a feeling that the thought of him in her bed might be the only thing that got her through tonight. She slipped off the workbench and slid into her pants and top. She lifted her beer bottle from where she had left it and brought it to her lips, slowly finishing the rest, entirely aware of how it looked. When it was empty, she set the bottle down and walked towards the door. She let her fingers drag across his chest as she passed him, her eyes looking coyly up into his.

"Thanks for the beer."

Feeling completely energized and confident, she made her way to the Aqua Ring. In all honesty, it wasn't a place she enjoyed being. She looked at the tanks with their assorted creatures within and only just suppressed a shiver. She definitely preferred warm blooded mammals. Though Jack - he was worth coming here for. He filled the requirements for being on her court nicely. She could see him up on top of one of the tanks, and so she cleared her throat loudly.

 

[Berserker]

The Gardens

She didn't stop him as he unbuttoned her blouse, and when she started undoing his shirt, he knew he had the go ahead. He unzipped her skirt, then drew in his breath as she took hold of him.

"Oh fuck."

This was a woman who could just as easily rip his dick off as let him fuck her with it, a fact that made him harder. Her mouth was on his chest, on the scar he knew excited her. There was no need for foreplay, and he brought her to him and entered her hard, thrusting harder the more vocal she got. She wrapped both legs around him and he slid deeper, making him moan out. He held her waist and moved rapidly in and out, and when she pressed his head to her chest again, he took each bare nipple into his mouth in turn.

She was doing things with her body that made him unable to go slow, the sensation spreading through his body. She felt so fucking good he thought he could die right there and not care one damn bit. He lifted her up and almost off him then pulled her roughly back down against his body.

“Don’t fucking stop, Aleksander!”

"No fucking chance."

He went to his knees so he could lay her back against the ground, never breaking their connection. He held her hips as his own worked and plunged himself rapidfire into her, taking her as his own.

"I'm gonna make you come so hard every machine in this place will blow."

 

[Persephone]

Ava took a seat on the bench by the koi pond, Ben joining her. They had long since discussed personal problems in spots very similar, but now as Queen it was more business over pleasure.

Ben: "We don't have much to worry about...but I'm not sure we have much to gain."

Rolling her eyes.

[deadpan] "Fantastic start. Go on."

Ava watched as Ben pondered how he would explain exactly what was going on with the HEB. He stroked his beard, his blue eyes cast down to the koi swimming in the pond. Ava licked her bottom lip watching the muscles in his forearm flex as his fingers racked down his jaw.

Ben: "This new incarnation of The Inner Circle leaves me wondering about the ineptitude of the ones they brought down. The new white queen relies heavily on her status as a vampire. Their rebellion was well planned, but Juliette was lucky. She had the right group of men, ready to believe the words she was saying."

Ava narrowed her eyes inquisitively.

"Ready to believe? Or hypnotized to believe? She may have been lucky but we need to watch her. I don't want her getting into any of our club member's heads. The littlest droplet of doubt can turn into a tsunami. She knows it and will use it."

Juliette may have plan the rebellion and won her title by chance, but that didn't mean she wasn't a smart woman. Anyone who establishes a coup de grace successfully is not one to overlook. Ava and the current Red and White Queens were living proof. Ben continued.

Ben: "She flies by the seat of her pants more than she'd like the others to know. Whatever her agenda, or reason for wanting to claim a Queenship is unclear..and I'm starting to wonder if she actually knows.."
Which seems to be the problem with the lot of them. Here, there is a logical progression. We are moving pieces for a reason. The European branch seems to covet titles..which should mean alliances should be easy to build. Give them a vanity title, extort the hell out of them, and invite them to parties, and it will be business as usual..."

Ava slowly nodded, sitting back against the bench.

"Well then, Haleigh's mixer should be the perfect start to flame their egos a bit. Wine and dine them, show them a little American hospitality...."

Ava grinned knowing they could easily manipulate the hell out of the new European Inner Circle.

"Build a bridge of new alliances until we need to burn it down. Seems pretty straight forward. What else?"

She could see a shift in Ben's body language as he became a bit more nervous. Ben never got nervous so this had to be big.

Ben: "Speaking of business..Archer Fairchild's holdings are something to be looked at, if only because I believe he actually might be robbing Cassadine Corp blind on the black market."

Ava's smile immediately faded as her back became ridged and eyes filled with fury. Someone was ROBBING her company? Was benefiting off HER family name? Her hard work? HER BUSINESS? Ava's jaw tightened as she continued to listen to Ben.

Ben: "But his global influence is something we can't deny. And he doesn't know how to run a business..I took out three of his operatives in Havana. In our best interest of course. He wasn't even aware they were working for him. In any case, they gave Archer up faster than The Red Queen flashes her tits at the Christmas Party every year."

Ava's midnight eyes shifted over to Ben, her face even and cold.

"Will he be apart of the European convoy that is arriving today?"

Ben confirmed as much with a nod.

"Good. Gift his suite with a bottle of Louis XIII and a note from me. I want him to feel especially welcomed when he arrives."

Archer had a reputation and Ava would use that to her advantage.

Ben: "I'd throw him a bone. See where his head is out. He's full of piss, so if he hard balls you, rest assured, I can seize control of that operation in forty eight hours flat, that is if Cobra still plays around with computers."

"Oh i'm going to throw him something. I need you and Cobra to be on standby in regards to Fairchild, but I'll personally be dealing with him."

Ben went on to discuss the the EHB Red Court. They were basically a non issue and Ava knew Ashley would be able to handle them very well. However her interest piqued when he mentioned Daniel Reid. He also held duel membership to both the American and European Branches which meant they had a little more in common than most others did coming over. She could use that to her advantage. He may have had trysts with Helena in the past, but that didn't mean he wasn't a smart boy. He knew with Helena gone he needed another American ally to secure his membership, and Ava could be that ally. And if she so happen to sway him away from the European Branch making them weaker in the process? Then so be it.

Ben stood, extending his hand out to Ava. Taking it, she stood, her midnight eyes meeting with his blue. He was blood stained and smelled of sweat. Dirty and rough looking. Ava knew he felt self conscious with his current appearance, but she loved it. He got dirty for her. His work quite literally written all over him. She smirked.

"Excellent work, Ben."

Her eyes watched as his fingers moved to her hair, Ava lifting a brow up as he pulled back a cotton dandelion from her hair.

Ben: "Make a wish."

"Wishing is for dreamers. I make action."

Ava puckered her lips together and slowly blew the delicate flower, the wisps flying into the air. Her smirk remained as Ben explained that he'd like to clean up a bit before the HEB arrived. Running her hands along the buttons of his blood and sweat stained shirt, she smoothed out the material as if it were a cleaned pressed shirt.

"Don't be so self conscious, Ben. These stains were for your Queen...."

Her hand went to his beard, their eyes locked, faces close. She could feel his breath along her lips, her eyes lowering to look at his mouth wanting to devour it.

"For me."

She whispered between them, his breath smelling of cigar and booze. A heat radiated off his large body making Ava want to throw him down and fuck him right then and there. Lifting her eyes to meet with his once again, a lustful glint carried to hers.

Ben: "Is there anything you need from me this evening? Anything you'd like me to focus on?"

A sly smile tugged on the corners of her lips.

"Relay this information to the other Queens. I want them just as prepared as I am."

Ava's face became more serious now, the next subject not as tantalizing as the prior.

"And meet with our....princess. I know she's been singing [growling] praises of our former Queens. And while I would love for Haleigh to humiliate her....I will NOT have this court humiliated by association. They already believe there are fissures within us, I won't allow that girl to ruin our image any further. Understood?"

Ava wasn't a fool. While the Red Court was the security of the club, Ava had eyes and ears everywhere informing her of the ins and outs of what was going on with her princess. She never wanted Cass in her court and never wanted her appointed princess. So she kept a close eye on her, waiting for that moment that allowed Ava the right to KILL her. Praising Diana and Helena was very close....but not quite a substantial enough reason to execute the reigning princess of a court. But in due time - Ava would find a reason.

"Keep me updated."

Running her finger along his beard covered jawline, Ava walked past him finally smiling once again.

"I'll see you tonight, Benjamin."

Ava made her way out of the conservatory and back down to the black wing.

 

[Steel]

The Conservatory

He looked into Ava's eyes, hoping she would make a request of him, no matter how small. But before she could answer, they were interrupted by Goliath's return, dropping suitcases of money at Ava's feet.

"Ever the showman, aren't you?"

Steel's back stiffened. But his eyes were on Ava, and she gestured to him silently, so he immediately bent and picked up the suitcases.

"I come bearing gifts..as well as intel. Do you have a moment my queen?"

She instructed Steel to put the money in the vault, and he acquiesced without question, giving her only one last look before he left. She nodded to him, which he knew meant she would call for him when she was ready for him tonight. Which didn't mean he liked the way Ben looked at her. Or she him. They'd grown up here, in the mansion, together, he knew that. And though he and Ava went back a long way, she and Ben went back longer. And he was excellent at his job, if a little flamboyant and quick to kill. But still. There was a divide between a Queen and her Court. And Ben should take more care not to cross it.

He put the suitcases into the vault, and then decided to head back to the Queen's suite to see if the cleaning had been completed, and to make heads roll if it hadn't. He had just reached the residential wing when he saw her. A small smile came to his lips, and he slowed to approach her.

"My Queen? Finished with the Bishop so soon?"

The feeling of relief he felt was palpable. And then his brow furrowed with slight annoyance.

"He should have escorted you back to your suite."

Steel raised his arm to offer it to her.

 

[Ruby]

Hellfire Club – All Over


*teasingly*: “Ben? Where are you?”

:: Cass softly pushed the door open to the Black Bishop’s chambers. Bear pushed right in front of her and galloped into the room, whining. ::

“Ben?”

:: No Ben. Hmmm. She headed for his bedroom and immediately went straight to his closet and helped herself to one of his shirts. She pulled her phone out of her top and texted him. ::

Hey, where are you? I haven’t seen you in a couple of days. I miss you.

:: She slid her phone back into her top – no easy feat – and went over to his bedside and left him a note. Then she and Bear made their way out of the Black Bishop’s chambers and headed for the Black Parlour. ::

“Hey, has anyone seen Ben?”

:: At that exact moment, a new guy who had just begun working at Hellfire, waltzed in. Clearly he thought that she was just another employee of the Black Court or whatever. ::

Wimpy Kid: *flippantly*: “Oh, he was in Cuba but now he’s back. He’s in the Conservatory with the Black Queen.”

:: Every activity that was going on in that room grounded to a dead HALT. Cass WHIPPED her head around and LOCKED eyes with the now cowering newbie. When she spoke, her tone was deadly. ::

*steel*: “WHAT did you just say to me?”

Wimpy Kid: “I’m…I’m so sorry, your Highness…”

:: Just like that, a flip had been switched inside of Cass. Her emotions had now been turned off and in their place was what everybody dubbed RDAD [Ruby: Dark and Deadly]. NOBODY had even bothered to tell her about the going ons in the Black Court. She THREW the kid up against a wall and held him there, her right hand GRIPPING his throat, the nails DIGGING into his flesh. Bear was instantly by her side, growling and snapping his jaws. Mommy was angry, and it was clearly this guy’s fault. Cass glanced down at Bear and took her hand off of his throat, her nails tearing parts of his flesh as she did so. Bear immediately licked the blood off of her fingers and waited for THE command. ::

*deadly*: “Bear. NOW.”

:: Bear instantly launched himself at the poor boy and Cass enjoyed his screams even as they were cut short by Bear tearing out his vocal cords. Cass grinned sadistically and took off Ben’s shirt, THROWING it in the fire. She cocked her head at one of the waitresses sitting at the bar, clearing enjoying the show. She went up to her. ::

“WHAT do I know?”

Waitress: “You knew from the very beginning that the Black Bishop was away and that he is now back.”

“Good girl.”

:: She looked at the bartender and gave him a wink. ::

Bartender: “I love it when you’re in RDAD mode.”

“I know you do, baby.”

Servant Girl: “Your Highness, the Black Bishop’s shirt is ruined.”

:: Cass turned around and saw that the girl was holding the remnants of the shirt. She slowly walked over and plucked it from her hand, holding it up so that she could see the shirt tag with the brand name and the size. ::

“Well then. I guess you better go find him a new one.”

:: She turned on her heel and walked away out of the Black Wing with Bear. Sure, she watched as Bear literally tore a kid a new one, but Cass wasn’t satisfied. She wanted MORE; she NEEDED more. Screw the timing. She had everything that she needed to completely and utterly destroy the White Bishop. See, Cass had carefully – and craftily – cultivated a ‘friendship’ with the White Bishop. She even went so far as to RECORD their girl-talks-slash-bitchfests without Gia’s knowledge. As the videos would prove, Gia was a Diana loyalist through and through – and she absolutely HATED the new regime here. During the coup, Gia’s lover, Samuel, got caught in the middle of it and unfortunately was killed. Ever since then, she had a burning RAGE for Ashley, Alek, Cameron, Haleigh, and Ava for what had happened. That was why she and Cass always went to a coffee shop outside of Hellfire. Cass had played her role to the hilt: the ‘sympathetic friend’ who offered her a shoulder to cry on – and to bitch on. But Cass had to wait. Out of all the year or so she had been meeting with Gia, Cass hadn’t been able to uncover the whole story; the whole truth of the matter. Until two days ago, when Gia finally couldn’t stand it anymore and she blurted everything out to her ‘trusted friend’. ::

:: It made Cass SICK all those times she had to play a role and play the ‘best friend’ to Gia. After all, Gia had confessed time and time again that she had sworn loyalty UNTIL HER DEATH to Diana. And Cass HATED Diana with a fiery passion. So she had waited, and was waiting, for the perfect time to expose Gia for the fraud that she was. Well, Cass was tired of waiting. ::

:: Cass and Bear made their way to the Conservatory. After all, Cass did promise Bear that they would find Ben and so, Cass let him in there. ::

*gently*: “Go find him, boy.”

:: Cass had work to do. As she strode through the halls of Hellfire, she was well aware that RDAD was hotter and sexier than ever. She finally reached security and pulled out her phone once again. She showed the team the file of videos that she wanted them to download for her onto a cd. She sat in a chair and waited. Once she had the cds full of damning evidence against Gia, Cass would deliver it to the Red King. HE would know what to do. ::

 

[Persephone]

To say Ava felt confident about the HEB arrival was an understatement. With the intel Bishop gathered, she knew not only would she be prepared, but the other queens as well. Haleigh and Ashley were both savvy and smart, but armed with this type of information? They were as lethal as she was. Now it was just a waiting game, and Ava knew the wait wouldn't be long. Haleigh had sent a convoy to pick up the HEB members, so before they arrived and she had to put on a show, Ava wanted to relax a bit. She deserved it after the morning she had.

Walking down the black corridor toward her room, she spotted John. He smiled and she returned the gesture.

John: "My Queen? Finished with the Bishop so soon?"

"He's efficient and to the point. You'll be getting a briefing from him in regards to the European Branch soon enough."

John looked perturbed, the muscles in his shoulders and chest tightening before he extended his arm out to her.

John: "He should have escorted you back to your suite."

She took it without hesitation, her eyes 'smiling' as she looked up at him.

"Why him when I have you?"

Giving him a little wink, Ava began to walk as she let a little laugh escape her lips.

"I have him dealing with Cassandra. I need to focus on tonight and not the ridiculous bullshit she's been up to."

They approached her chambers and John opened the door for her, stepping aside as she entered. Onyx was in the other room sleeping soundly, stuffed and happy. The living room looked immaculate, not a blood stain or innard in sight. Ava's midnight eyes fell upon the dress she had chosen from the girl laying upon her bed. Sighing out, she approached it, taking ahold of the hanger and holding it up to examine it.

"I don't know. It just doesn't scream perfection to me."

Tossing it onto the bed, Ava unzipped her side zipper of her dress and let the material pool onto the floor leaving her only standing in a strapless black bra, lacy thong and her heals. Taking the gown from the hanger, Ava stepped into it, pulling the straps over her shoulders.

"Help me?"

She asked as she turned around so her exposed back was facing John. It wasn't lost to her how he looked at her. And it wasn't lost to her how he felt. She enjoyed it - knowing he loved her. Knowing someone did beyond just her power and title. She looked over her shoulder at John, her hair curtaining the side of her face.

"And tell me the truth. I don't want to walk in there looking like Kelly King."

 

[Savage]

Hellfire Club - - The Garage

She kissed him tenderly, in the end, showing him affection. He reveled in it, and then nuzzled Her neck a little, before pulling back up to gaze at Her. He told Her he’d not keep Her from Her errands, and offered to help.

Ash: As much as I would like for you to help me get cleaned up for tonight, I need to touch base with Neptune first.

A jealous growl escaped his throat. She smiled, Her hand on his face.

Ash: Don’t worry, he won’t be getting the same level of debriefing that you just did.

Well that was good to know, because Jack didn’t deserve Her attention. As a matter of fact, neither did the Red King, but it was treason to say so. Instead, Savage secretly hoped the White King would snap one day, and kill all the men that were sport-fucking his wife Haleigh, because then most of A.J.’s competition would be wiped out. He would have killed them all himself, but he was pretty sure he’d be punished for that, and he was smarter than he looked.

Ash: Don’t be late tonight, My Knight - I want us to make a display of our strength.

He hugged Her tightly in his arms. If she wanted his strength, it would be Hers.

Ash: And be ready: if the Europeans make a move against us?

She nipped at his lip. He wanted Her again already. Blast this mortal form and its limitations!

Ash: We kill them all.

“Say the word, My Queen, and they shall all fall at your feet.”

She moved like She wanted to sit up, and so he backed away, lifting Her into a sitting position on the bench. She was looking around for Her clothes, so he fetched them for Her. Then She was looking at him, and he went still under Her gaze.

Ash: Go get cleaned up. And then tonight, we can get dirty again.

“Yes, My Queen.”

He replied reverently, and then he watched Her dress, and drink the rest of Her beer. He scarcely breathed, able only to lean against the bench and stare. She brushed his chest as She left, thanking him.

“You are quite welcome...”

He said, as She walked out.

 

[Neptune]

Hellfire Club - - The Aqua Ring

Jack was shirtless, on his knees in the shallow water of the platform at the center of tank three.

Heidi was keeping number Six under control, while he mended it’s flesh. It was impressive, really, that the bull had survived his fight. He said as much to Heidi, and then tried to ease into the idea of an iso-tank for the recovery. He knew she wouldn’t like the idea. She had some kind of connection with the animals. She was far more empathetic with them than she was with humans.

He didn’t blame her for that, though, most humans were insipid creatures. The species had long since lost their instincts, and become worthless. The exception was found here at Hellfire. Since Jack couldn’t exactly take Heidi back to his kingdom, they were kind of stuck here. ‘Beached’, it could be considered. At least they could still swim. He’d have gone crazy if he was confined to land. But he no longer felt the magnetic pull of his home, so here he stayed.

He found purpose in creating new species, bettering them, improving upon nature. It gave him something to do, a reason for continuing to exist. He still searched the oceans for his rightful place, regularly, methodically. That was how he found Heidi. He was glad that Haleigh had recognized Heidi’s worth, and made a place for her at Court. Without her, he’d still be struggling with these bio hazards. He created them, but they paid him no respect for that. Yet for some reason, they worshipped Heidi.

So number Six laid idly in front of him, and she pet the shark gently, keeping water on it while Jack did what he needed to do. Still, she argued that the neptune would get lonely in isolation. He tried to reason with her. Six was her favorite, and would be vulnerable while he was injured. She threw reason right back at him. He acquiesced, but asked if she was willing to gamble. She pointed out the risk of the iso-tank, and before he could come up with something to counter, they were interrupted by an underling. Heidi snapped at the girl, and it was quite sexy. She was meant to rule, and every time she demonstrated it, he wanted to make her Queen.

Unfortunately it was a summons they couldn’t ignore. He wasn’t a King here, and she had to answer to hers. He wasn’t too bitter about it. It wasn’t Hellfire’s fault they were here. If anything he was grateful to have found a place where he wasn’t frowned upon, where he could experiment without censure. It was worth the cost, for now. He told her to go, that he could handle it. She looked at him, and he caved, promising not to isolate Six. She thanked him, and said she’d see him at the party.

“Not if I see you first.”

He replied, his gravelly tone tinged with humor. She laughed, and he smiled. Up she went, and as soon as she was gone, Six started to thrash, knocking Jack’s hands away and making him drop the needle. Jack quickly grabbed a tranquilizer and stuck the shark. He had to hold it down for about ten more seconds, then Six relaxed. It wasn’t enough to make the creature sleep, but at least he would be calm. Jack found the needle again and went back to it. A few minutes of silence, and then a woman cleared her throat. Jack looked up for her.

“Ah, your majesty.”

He said gruffly, going back to what he was doing.

“Is there something you need?”

He asked dutifully.

 

[Steel]

The Black Court's Wing

He hadn't hidden his pleasure well enough that she wasn't still with the Black Bishop, because she returned his smile. He commented on the brevity of her visit.

"He's efficient and to the point. You'll be getting a briefing from him in regards to the European Branch soon enough."

"Excellent."

He wanted to know what they were up against, should anything out of the ordinary occur over the weekend. And he knew Ben would have been thorough. Still...he should not have allowed Ava to return to her rooms unescorted, and he told her so.

"Why him when I have you?"

She took his arm, giving him a wink, and it was like the sun shining on a freezing man.

"I have him dealing with Cassandra. I need to focus on tonight and not the ridiculous bullshit she's been up to."

He put his hand over hers on his arm and rubbed it gently.

"Don't worry about Cassandra. Ben will take care of it. You just focus on outsmarting these pretenders."

They reached her suite, and John let go of her hand so he could open the door, taking a quick glance inside to make sure it was empty. He stepped aside so she could enter, and she went to her bed, picking up the dress she had chosen for the evening and holding it up to herself.

"I don't know. It just doesn't scream perfection to me."

"Anything you chose would be perfection, my Queen. You will look beautiful in it."

And he meant it. He turned his back abruptly as she undressed so she could try on the dress.

"Help me?"

He glanced over his shoulder to see her mostly clothed, wanting him to zip her up. Not without reservation he turned back around and closed the distance between them. He inhaled sharply as his hands went to the zipper at the small of her back and slowly brought it upwards. She was looking at him over her shoulder

"And tell me the truth. I don't want to walk in there looking like Kelly King."

"I'm pretty sure that's a comparison that has been made by no one, ever."

He smiled warmly at her, taking a step back now that his task was complete. She did look beautiful, the dress perfectly complementing her dark hair and eyes.

"It's breathtaking."

He squeezed one eye closed, thinking.

"But if you think it's not right...I have the new stylist waiting in the lounge. Or I could send over to Harry Winston for something new."

He reached forward to take her hand and lift it.

"Something to set the dress off. Perhaps a bracelet. Black diamonds? It's not as expected as a necklace."

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Club – Driveway


Zach: *sneering*: “What’s the matter, are you too good to do as your Queen asks? Keep thinking like THAT, and she’ll have a new Bishop by the end of the week.”

“No, it just…seems rather mundane to call it a ‘mission’. Don’t you think?”

Zach: “Receiving the Europeans is no mere lackey’s errand. We will be their first impression of American Hellfire. It is a great honor to have been chosen to represent our Court and our Club, and you are disappointed?”

Gia gave him a look.

“I’m not disappointed, Zachary.”

Gia suddenly realized something.

“Shouldn’t there be other representatives from the Red and Black Courts; show these guys that we’re a united front?”

She then talked about the big ‘prank’, unaware that the so-called prank was actually on HER. Zach looked at her, really looked at her, and Gia could feel the guilt rising up within her.

Zach: “Well I hope you found your little joke amusing. People DIE for less provocation than toasting Diana. You forget that when it comes to being abused by her mother, Haleigh has the market cornered. And even if she didn’t, even if you’d only raised a glass to Helena, the White Queen would still back the Red King’s play, and will continue to do so as long as he’s still pleasing her.”

*small voice*: “I’m…sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it; WE didn’t mean anything by it. It was supposed to be like all the pranks that Cass –“

Gia sighed and looked out the window. It wasn’t really fair to bring the Black Princess into this, especially since the truth was that SHE had been the one to come up with it a long time ago. She felt movement right beside her and turned her head only to find Zach was boring his eyes into her. She shuddered involuntarily as the fear crept up her spine, freezing her, making her sit frozen in sheer terror.

Zach: “If you want any chance of saving your own skin, you’d better do well on this mission. I’ll enchant the women, while you impress the men.”

Gia could only nod, her grey eyes wide with terror and fear.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Aqua Ring

She watched him work on what looked from this distance to be some kind of shark. Her Bishop was not just muscle, he was doing some very interesting work for them here, with his sea creatures. A task she mostly left him to his own devices on. But he was highly intelligent, and an excellent advisor, which is why he made such a perfect bishop. When she talked business with him, she felt as if she was being counseled by someone who had been there, and though where he'd been before he'd come to Hellfire was still somewhat of a mystery to her, it was apparent that he'd had experience with such matters.

They had fucked, on occasion, but that had never been the basis of their connection. She trusted him, as she did all her court, and if his manner tended to be a little gruffer than she'd like, she was willing to overlook it.

When he didn't see her, she cleared her throat, and he finally looked up.

“Ah, your majesty. Is there something you need?”

"I wanted to discuss tonight's event with you. When you've finished."

 

[Persephone]

Ava was second guessing the dress now. It was beautiful - the best of the selection the dead stylist had chosen for her. But she wasn't too sure now. Maybe she liked it because everything the girl showed her was shit and this was a diamond in comparison. Sighing as she held it up, she questioned it.

John: "Anything you chose would be perfection, my Queen. You will look beautiful in it."

Looking over at John, she smiled.

"Are you saying that because you're my Rook? Or my friend?"

Ava teased, knowing he was in fact saying it truthfully. But John was a respectful man when it came to her, knowing he wouldn't simply state she looked 'hot' no matter what she wore. He was a rare one, that was for sure. Regardless, Ava unzipped her dress and let it drop to the floor, John quickly turning his back to give her privacy. She didn't need nor care for it, her body not something she was ashamed to hide. But it further proved to her what she already knew about John and his feelings. Slipping the gown on, Ava turned around asking him to help zip it. She wanted him close to her. To feel him behind her. To make a move. Ava turned to look over her shoulder, asking him to tell her the truth. The last thing she wanted was to show up looking like Kelly fucking King.

John: "I'm pretty sure that's a comparison that has been made by no one, ever."

She grinned at that as he took a hold of the zipper and slowly began to close the dress. Her grin faded, head remaining turned toward him but eyes cast down. She exhaled a soft breath as the material became secured around her frame. John took a step back and Ava shut her eyes.

"So...what do you think."

She turned to look at him finally.

John: "It's breathtaking."

"John..."

He finally closed one eye examining her a little more thoroughly. Ava couldn't help but smile, shaking her head at the theatrics.

John: "But if you think it's not right...I have the new stylist waiting in the lounge."

"Onyx is already quite full..."

She countered playfully. Another stylist this late in the game would just annoy Ava. No, she had another idea on what to do about her gown for the evening.

John: "Or I could send over to Harry Winston for something new. Something to set the dress off. Perhaps a bracelet. Black diamonds? It's not as expected as a necklace."

He took her hand, holding up her delicate wrist to showcase the fact that a black diamond bracelet would be a beautiful addition to whatever gown she wore.

"You know I can never turn down diamonds."

Her tone was low as if she were speaking on autopilot, not really caring about the diamonds or the dress anymore. Ava took a step forward closing the gap between them. She stood eye level with John, but only due to the fact she was wearing heals. He was large in every way; build, height, presents. Her hand rotated in his so her fingers laid gently within his palm. Ava slowly brought his hand around her back to where the zipper of her dress was. Her eyes didn't waver from his, lips parting as she guided his hand slowly down helping him unzip her dress.

[softly] "Koitáxte me, óchi os Vasílissa..." [Look at me, not as your Queen...]

Their hands were at the base of her now exposed back, motionless. The room was quiet, only the crackling of the wood burning fireplace cutting the deafening silence. She wanted him. But she wanted to know that he wanted her beyond just the looks of love and admiration she would catch when he didn't think she was watching. She wanted to know that he would fuck her if not commanded. So she gave him the control.

"Just do what you want, John....Take control."

 

[Goliath]

Ava: "Don't be so self conscious, Ben. These stains were for your Queen."

She moved in closely, as she always did, playing with his beard, something he had become VERY glad to have grown out over the years. The Black Queen loved it. Ben felt a rush of warmth move through his body at the touch of her hand. He had thought of having her often, but Ava had better options. More powerful ones anyway. He refused to be somebody Ava wasted her time with, when it would have meant something more to him.

Ava: "For me."

He never knew if she meant the things she said, or if she was just very good at getting people to do what she wanted. Ben had decided it was a mixture of these things, but it still couldn't stop him from asking those innocent, leading questions that might lead to something bigger, more scandalous.

"Is there anything you need from me this evening? Anything you'd like me to focus on?"

Ava: "Relay this information to the other Queens. I want them just as prepared as I am. And meet with our...princess. I know she's been singing praises of our former Queens. And while I would love for Haleigh to humiliate her...I will NOT have this court humiliated by association. They already believe there are fissures within us, I won't allow that girl to ruin our image any further. Understood?"

Ben nodded. He was often the one tasked with reigning Cassandra in when it was required. At one point in their lives, Cassandra and Ben had been in love. But Talisman had gotten in the middle of that. Like most of the older queens, she required that the only person people in her court were allowed to love...was their Queen. She had bred his love for Cassandra out of his body when he under went his transformation in The Body Shoppe, and then she spent the rest of her time manipulating Cassandra like a pet, using her past to figure out the best way to control her, to drive her crazy. Cassandra also never stopped attempting to get Ben to remember what they used to be, which made things awkward to say the least.

Ava: "Keep me updated. I'll see you tonight, Benjamin."

He waited until he could breath again at a steady pace before heading back into the walls of the mansion, and in good time, because almost as soon as he stepped through the glass doors, he began to get security updates from The Black Guard about Cassandra's activities in the parlor. He gritted his teeth as he discerned her location through the security feeds.

>> Text from Cass: "Hey, where are you? I haven't seen you in a couple of days. I miss you."

So it was that Cassandra he would be dealing with. Her years of service under Kelly had left her a bit manic. Some days, Cass was fine, some days she became obsessive, unnecessarily aggressive. And sometimes she didn't make any sense. She had obviously chosen the wrong time to unravel as this was an important weekend for the club and The Black Court. Her favor with Dr. King would only give her so much rope to hang from. And as complicated and awkward as it was between them at times, he didn't want to see her go down the way many others had.

He beat the damn dog to Cassandra, entering the security area where Cass was doing something on her phone and computer. Without thinking, Ben grabbed her phone, smashed against the wall, and took care of the computer. Their eyes met as Ben flexed his power, causing Cass's feet to turn into stone.

"You really can't help yourself some times can you, Princess?"

Normally...this would have been incredibly inappropriate, for a Bishop to approach a princess in this way, but Cass was a special circumstance.

"Whatever dirt you have. Whatever stunt that it is that you are wanting to pull...I BEG you to stop."

[flatly]

"Your leash is getting a lot shorter these days, Cassandra and if you don't adjust..."

His gaze never left hers.

"They will kill you. Do you want to die?"

It appeared she didn't.

"Good girl. Now, LOOK. We have VERY important visitors coming. The HEB is going to be looking at us, looking to build friendships and alliances...or? Looking to destroy us. Looking to see where there might be any cracks. Kelly protects you, but she will CERTAINLY throw you under the bus if it benefits you. If she sees a new young, fresher piece of meat? One that she thinks might be a BETTER fit as princess..do you think she will not let Ava consume you entirely?"

He looked at her eyes, darting back and forth trying to come up with something to say, some excuse for what she was doing. She didn't use to be this way. She used to feel a lot better about herself. She used to not need the dramatics and antics to make herself seen. Now, it was like she was a flower, sprouting through the concrete in the most painful of ways, just wanting to be seen, noticed. Appreciated. But she was going about it wrong.

"Look...I know things are bloody miserable for you right now. And whatever it is that you think you need to do against The White Court? I will personally take a look at with you once the brits leave. But for now? You are leaving a bad taste in people's mouths, at the worst time."

His own anger was rising up inside of him. She was so insufferable and obstinate sometimes, but he couldn't help but feel for her.

"Can you do me a favor, Cassandra? Can you PLEASE be on your best behavior? No evil glares, no passive aggressive bullshit? Can you stand next to the Queens and nod? A Princess is supposed to represent the next generation, and if you don't represent that well, it makes us all look bad...and it puts us in danger."

[sighing]

"Please. For me? Can you please tone it down. I'm not saying don't have fun. I just want you to survive the weekend, and you won't if you don't start looking really hard at the things you are saying and the people you are around."

He hated himself for what he was about to do, but it was the only trump card he had left. He moved closer to Cassandra, slowly lifting the stone state of her feet. His finger rubbed her cheek.

"And after all is said and done...and the brits have left..maybe.."

[he forced it out]

"Maybe we could spend some time together? Just the two of us..But only..ONLY if you are a VERY good girl."

He was playing with her a bit, knowing she was still in love with him, knowing he might be able to use that to get her to fall in line. He felt like an asshole, but The Black Court was more important right now. He watched her eyes for any semblance that she would agree with him.

 

[Neptune]

Hellfire Club - - The Aqua Ring

Ash: I wanted to discuss tonight’s event with you. When you’ve finished.

“Very well. Just a few more inches to go.”

The curved needle made it easier, but it was also clear from the rhythm of his stitching that he was quite skilled at closing wounds. Certainly he’d had a lot of practice, including on himself. He didn’t have the massive spectacle of a scar that the Red King carried, but he wasn’t without marks of his own. A baby neptune had tried to eat his left hip once, leaving a crescent shape across both sides of him. And there was the time a Moreia tried to take his right eye, along with many other scrapes over the years.

He wasn’t self-conscious about it. Other than minor cosmetic damage, he took pretty good care of his body. The women of Hellfire were wont to enjoy it, and he entertained them from time to time. He should have stopped all that when Heidi arrived, and pursued her with enthusiasm, but he was too cautious. The White Rook took advantage, as he always did. Jack was playing the game for the long term win, so he wasn’t too concerned with flings. His tactics had worked, too, because Heidi was spending a lot more time around him lately. He wondered if her King had wanted the same with her as Ashley wanted with him, just discussion.

When he reached the end of the wound, he knotted the thread and carefully cut it. Then he patted the beast, as if to reassure it his was done. Heidi would’ve done that, if she were here, and it would win him points with her if she somehow read the sharks mind (or whatever it was she did) and saw he was gentle with it. He stood up, collecting his gear in the bucket that hung from the chain dropped down from the rail of the mezzanine.

He pressed a button on a little control pad attached to the chain, activating the sprayers that would keep Six’s skin from drying out while the tranq wore off. Of course it showered him too, but he didn’t mind. The water felt good. He pulled himself up, steadily, one hand over the other, climbing the chain to get back to the mezz deck, where the Red Queen was waiting patiently. If he had to answer to a Queen, she was the one to kneel for. Not too overbearing or demanding, and she seemed to value him. Plus she was beautiful, that helped. A bit wild in the sack, but that wasn’t a bad thing.

The climb was about twenty feet, but he didn’t tire easily. He pulled himself up the railing until he could finally use his legs to climb over. His movements weren’t terribly restricted, because his short swim trunks didn’t get in the way. They didn’t do much to conceal him either, clinging to him the way they did, but it wasn’t like he had anything to be shy about.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

He said, his lips curving briefly before going flat again, his version of a brusque smile. He gestured towards the control deck, where it was a little quieter, and he had a towel stashed there.

“So. With regards to the event tonight. Am I correct in thinking you intend to show off our strength?”

He asked, though he was sure he knew the answer. He had heard all about the Europeans, from Heidi. She didn’t think highly of most of them, but then in his estimation, they must have all been utterly dumb to not have appreciated Heidi’s worth. There was ONE person coming tonight that she didn’t disparage, however.

“It’s a wise choice, to project power. But if I may, your majesty, I have a little advice to share.”

He said, as they reached the control desk and he began to towel off.

“From What I hear, we may wish to secure an alliance or two. The White King - not ours, the other one, Zodiac - he’s the only one attending this weekend’s festivities that is of any worth. He’s under the vampire’s spell, apparently, but his power set is remarkable. According to Heidi, he practically runs the European Mystech Labs. He’s a physicist of some kind - nuclear, I think.”

His dark brown eyes sought hers.

“And he was King before the coup, which proves staying power.”

 

[Ruby]

Hellfire Club – Security Offices


:: It was happening. She would finally have proof to show that the White Bishop was a traitor. Until she didn’t. Until SOMEBODY threw her phone up against the wall and kicked over the computer. ::

*roars*: “WHAT THE FUCK?!”

Ben: “You really can’t help yourself sometimes, can you, Princess?”

:: Cass just sat there and glared at this person who looked and talked so much like her Ben. He used to be on HER side. If he thought that he could talk her out of this simply because he looked and talked like her FORMER love, then she wasn’t going to have it anymore. She was sick of trying. She wanted HIM back. Not this imposter. ::

"Whatever dirt you have. Whatever stunt that it is that you are wanting to pull...I BEG you to stop." [flatly] "Your leash is getting a lot shorter these days, Cassandra and if you don't adjust..." His gaze never left hers. "They will kill you. Do you want to die?"

“No.”

Though some days it seems like death would be preferable.

Ben: "Good girl. Now, LOOK. We have VERY important visitors coming. The HEB is going to be looking at us, looking to build friendships and alliances...or? Looking to destroy us. Looking to see where there might be any cracks. Kelly protects you, but she will CERTAINLY throw you under the bus if it benefits you. If she sees a new young, fresher piece of meat? One that she thinks might be a BETTER fit as princess..do you think she will not let Ava consume you entirely?"

“Do you even listen to yourself? There are cracks EVERYWHERE in the Black Court! But you don’t even see them because where YOU are standing, there are NO cracks.”

Ben: "Look...I know things are bloody miserable for you right now. And whatever it is that you think you need to do against The White Court? I will personally take a look at with you once the brits leave. But for now? You are leaving a bad taste in people's mouths, at the worst time."

:: What Cass really wanted was to ask him to help her. But she couldn’t, because she had ZERO allies in her own court, and also because she didn't know if she could trust this imposter. ::

Ben: "Can you do me a favor, Cassandra? Can you PLEASE be on your best behavior? No evil glares, no passive aggressive bullshit? Can you stand next to the Queens and nod? A Princess is supposed to represent the next generation, and if you don't represent that well, it makes us all look bad...and it puts us in danger."

“’A Princess is…’ ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! I’m NOT representing the so-called ‘next generation’ because Ava NEVER ALLOWS IT! I have NO allies on the Black Court. NONE. And don’t you DARE give me that bullshit about how YOU’RE an ally because you HAVEN’T been for a very long time.” *sadly*: “You don’t even know how to talk to me anymore.”

:: She could feel herself feel things again and she did not want to. ::

“Ava has cut me off completely from everybody in the Black Court and don’t you DARE throw around Kelly’s name as if that’ll get me to do whatever it is you want me to do.”

:: She looked him full in the face when she said the next sentence. ::

*barely concealed anger*: “Kelly took away the ONLY thing that mattered.”

"Please. For me? Can you please tone it down. I'm not saying don't have fun. I just want you to survive the weekend, and you won't if you don't start looking really hard at the things you are saying and the people you are around."

"And after all is said and done...and the brits have left..maybe.."

"Maybe we could spend some time together? Just the two of us..But only..ONLY if you are a VERY good girl."

:: Cass tossed her head, effectively shrugging off his finger. He was LYING. ::

*flatly; softly*: “Don’t say things you don’t even mean, Benjamin. You DON’T want to spend time with me. Some days you can barely stand to even LOOK at me.”

:: And with that, she used her psionic power to send him flying backwards into the wall where he landed with a small thump. It wasn’t enough to hurt him, hell it wasn’t even enough to hurt the wall. She just wanted to catch him by surprise. She stood there looking at him before finally walking over to him and placing her hand over his heart and then making a fist before pulling it back: a symbolic gesture of her taking back her heart from him. Then she turned on her heel and headed for the door before turning back to look at him. ::

“I’ll behave, but not for you. I’ll be doing it for MY Ben.”

:: And with that, she left to go get ready for the party. ::