A Weekend Affair # 3 - The Red Hunt

[Persephone]

The start of the meeting had gone more smoothly than Ava had anticipated. She was coming into this wanting to be more welcoming than she had been, hoping to ease the tension and possible judgement that Bretta might have already been feeling toward her. It wasn't lost to Ava that she put off a very cold and aloof persona amongst...well, everyone. She wasn't nicknamed the Ice Queen for nothing. But once in a while, when Ava allowed it, she would show people a side of her that only few saw. A bit of warmth amongst the cold.

Bretta: “Well, I must say...” *chuckling*: “I am a bit surprised by this. I mean, I certainly wasn’t expecting this at all.”

Ava took no offense to Bretta's admission.

"I wasn't exactly the most welcoming royalty thus far. That title is usually reserved for Ashley and Cameron. [shrugging her one shoulder lightly] But I'm working on my approach."

Ava cracked a smile as she took a sip of her sparkling water.

Bretta: “I will admit that my impression of your Court has been...less than impressive.” [smiling wryly] “Your soon-to-be former Bishop boorishly dumped Cassandra promptly and callously at my feet almost as soon as they both arrived at the White event last night."

Fantastic. The news of the former lovers having yet another quarrel in public was frustrating. Ava pursed her lips, less than thrilled that it was displayed amongst the guests. Yet another reason why Cassandra would be better suited in London.

"Yes...to say they have a heated past is an understatement."

Bretta: "You don’t need to make excuses for him, I’m sure that it probably hasn’t been easy living in the same space as somebody who had been driven to insanity by a madwoman. However, I took that opportunity to take her under my wing and she turned out to be an enjoyable person to be around.”

"And that is exactly why we are here, Bretta."

Ava laid all her cards out on the table in regards to Cassandra, telling Bretta exactly why she had such a turbulent relationship with her. She didn't hate her Princess, she hated the circumstances she and Cassandra were both put in by Kelly King. But now, there was an opportunity for a fresh start for BOTH of them. Cassandra finally getting a Queen who understands her, and Ava finally appointing the Princess she had wanted since day one of her Queenship. Bretta spoke of Kelly and Cassandra, but she questioned why Ava wouldn't use Cassandra as a 'trump card'.

Bretta: “If I had somebody thrust on me by someone who has been a constant thorn in my side for years, I’d attempt to gain the upper hand. I’d befriend her, groom her, coax her to my side of things. It wouldn’t have been easy, but I’d keep at it until I won her trust, friendship, and loyalty. If I had someone like Kelly King in my life, and Rebecca Everhart probably was like that to others, I’d do everything in my power to come out on top and make the most of a horrible situation.” *curiously*: “I’d like to know why you didn’t use Cassandra to your advantage.”

John: "We want the best possible situation for all involved. It is not our desire to punish Cassandra."

Bretta: *tenderly*: “No, of course not.”

Ava inhaled deeply and shook her head.

"I'm going to be frank with you. I didn't think I should have had to craft a plan involving Cassandra to come out on top of Kelly King. I already came out on top when I took the crown from her head. This was just one more way for Kelly to try and show dominance over me, and unfortunately as you know, Kelly is Cameron's mother, so my hands were tied in that aspect. Yes, I could have nurtured Cassandra, but I let my bitterness and anger cloud my ability to do that. I just....I couldn't see Cassandra beyond being a knife in my back from the King's."

Ava always felt a bit of resentment toward Cameron for allowing his mother to steam roll over Ava by placing Cassandra as her princess. They had been friends since childhood, and both him and Haleigh knew how heated hers and Kelly's relationship was. It went beyond just Kelly being the former Black Queen, it dated back all the way to Kelly and her father having an affair when Ava was a child and breaking her mother's heart. This was deeply personal, and unfortunately Cassandra was collateral damage. Ava expressed to Bretta that she truly believed Cass would be happier under her leadership. Bretta could teach her and support her far better than Ava ever could. Even if Ava TRIED to turn over a new leaf with her princess, there would always be a lingering distaste for her because of Kelly.

Ava then spoke of Daniel and how he was most obviously itching for some changes. He had been going from court to court trying to get a feel for the American Branch, but he was always coming back to the Black Court - to Ava. She believed that she would be able to give Daniel what he had been craving: some much needed change.

Bretta: “Yes, I do have to agree with you there – about both Cassandra and Daniel."

John: "Which is to say nothing against your court. But sometimes a change of scenery does wonders for one's outlook. Daniel's been through a tough time lately, and perhaps he can work through his difficulties here, away from so many memories."

Bretta: “Both of those things are true – a change of scenery does do wonders for one’s outlook and Daniel has been through a really rough time in recent months. However, I do have a big concern about leaving him here. *confidentially*: “I’m sure you both are aware that he had been close to Helena? I just want to make sure that he’s safe, that he will be okay here.”

Ava slowly nodded, very much aware of Daniel's relationship with Helena.

"Yes, i'm aware."

It spoke volumes that Bretta was concerned for Daniel's well being. But Daniel had nothing to worry about as long as he realized Helena was dead and gone while Ava was very much alive, present, and ruler.

"I've spoken to Daniel in passing in regards to Helena. He's very much aware that I spearheaded her death, and that John made the kill strike."

Ava placed her hand on John's thigh, comfortably and supportively.

"The relationship he had with Helena doesn't bother me, as long as he knows that sovereign is in the past and I am the present. I made that clear to him and he's shown no issue. Everyone has a history, his just happens to be with a Queen we overthrew. So to answer your question: no harm will come to Daniel....as long as he doesn't pull a Gia Nafaria."

Ava was sure Bretta was aware of the rocky ground the White Bishop was on, especially after Haleigh shooting and killing one of Diana's supporters during the Red Hunt. Everyone this weekend seemed to be having an issue with at least one member of their court.

"But we both know Daniel is far too smart for that."

Ava smiled at Bretta as she sat more upright at the realization that both the Black and Red Courts have come to a mutual decision.

"So...it's settled then?"

Ava looked at John with a smile before turning her attention back to Bretta.

"Cassandra Johnson is now the Red Princess of the London Branch, and Daniel Reed is now Black Bishop of the American Branch."

Ava lifted her hand to the bartender to have him bring three glasses of champagne over.

"And hopefully a start to a new relationship between both of our courts."

 

[Steel]

The Red Lounge

Bretta toasted him, lifting her glass.

"Congratulations on your new appointment as King. That's quite the honour."

"Thank you."

He nodded, a little embarrassed, and took a drink of his water to hide it. He tensed as Bretta spoke about the bad impression Ben had made on her. Though, to be fair, John knew the kind of things Cassandra might have done to evoke such a response. But still, it was clear that Cassandra had done a good bit of talking, much of it not flattering. The entire situation saddened him, but it only became more clear as time went on that New York was not the place for the Black Princess. But Bretta had taken a considerable liking to her, and their personalities seemed to meld much better than did Ava and Cassandra's.

He was a little taken aback by the way Bretta called Ava out, as if she should have embarked on some campaign to make friends with Cassandra. That was not the job of a queen, nor was it to make a square piece fit in a round hole.

"Cassandra's issues on our court were not something that could be relieved simply by Ava 'trying harder'. If they could, she would have done so. None of us wanted a conflict within our court. And we are here now because we want to alleviate it."

He told they wanted the best situation for everyone - they were not trying to punish Cassandra by sending her away.

"I'm going to be frank with you. I didn't think I should have had to craft a plan involving Cassandra to come out on top of Kelly King. I already came out on top when I took the crown from her head. This was just one more way for Kelly to try and show dominance over me, and unfortunately as you know, Kelly is Cameron's mother, so my hands were tied in that aspect. Yes, I could have nurtured Cassandra, but I let my bitterness and anger cloud my ability to do that. I just....I couldn't see Cassandra beyond being a knife in my back from the King's."

They seemed to be in agreement about Cassandra at least, and Ava switched the topic to Daniel. John suggested that Daniel might get over his anger over the European coup by a change of scenery to New York, with them.

“Both of those things are true – a change of scenery does do wonders for one’s outlook and Daniel has been through a really rough time in recent months. However, I do have a big concern about leaving him here. I’m sure you both are aware that he had been close to Helena? I just want to make sure that he’s safe, that he will be okay here.”

"Yes, i'm aware. I've spoken to Daniel in passing in regards to Helena. He's very much aware that I spearheaded her death, and that John made the kill strike."

Ava put her hand on his leg, and he placed his over hers. It wasn't an easy thing he had done, as much as it may have seemed so. But he had done it for her.

"The relationship he had with Helena doesn't bother me, as long as he knows that sovereign is in the past and I am the present. I made that clear to him and he's shown no issue. Everyone has a history, his just happens to be with a Queen we overthrew. So to answer your question: no harm will come to Daniel....as long as he doesn't pull a Gia Nafaria. But we both know Daniel is far too smart for that."

John leaned forward, towards the Red Queen.

"We want to have a good working relationship with you, and have appreciated your frankness thus far, and have been so in return."

He looked at Ava for confirmation.

"And I am going to speak frankly again in the hopes that it may put your mind at ease: if there was an issue with Daniel and his relationship to Helena, he would already be dead."

He took another sip of water.

"We would not take the time or make the effort to bring Daniel onto our court, just to murder him or allow him to be murdered. It would firstly make our court look ridiculous and untrustworthy, and secondly would be unsettling for our people. We are not going to move another member out of the Bishop position for someone we don't truly want. Plus, Ava and Daniel are friends. My Queen would welcome his company on our court, and I support her in that."

It was against his usual way of doing things to admit to Bretta that they wanted Daniel, but she seemed truly concerned for his well-being, and so he felt being honest would win them more success than being careful.

Ava smiled at Bretta, and he felt like he could see the tension and uncertainty that had hovered over her since the coup evaporate from her demeanor.

"So...it's settled then?

Ava glanced at him, and he nodded.

"Cassandra Johnson is now the Red Princess of the London Branch, and Daniel Reed is now Black Bishop of the American Branch. And hopefully a start to a new relationship between both of our courts."

The bartender handed them each a glass of champagne, and John held his up.

"Hear hear."

He took Ava's free hand in his own, giving it a squeeze. It felt like their reign had finally begun.

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Club – Red Lounge



:: Bretta had admitted to being surprised as to how receptive both Ava and John were to her. ::

Ava: "I wasn't exactly the most welcoming royalty thus far. That title is usually reserved for Ashley and Cameron. [shrugging her one shoulder lightly] But I'm working on my approach."

:: Bretta chuckled. ::

“I’m sure that isn’t true. I haven’t even met the Red King or the White Queen as of yet. Perhaps I will tonight.”

:: Bretta also admitted that she didn’t have a very good impression of the Black Court due to the former Bishop’s ‘antics’ at the party last night. After all, if Ava was being honest with her why couldn’t she be honest with Ava in return? ::

Ava: "Yes...to say they have a heated past is an understatement."

:: Bretta raised her eyebrows in surprise. So Cassandra did have a romantic relationship with him at one point. Cassandra had mentioned that she wished to have him back as a friend. She wondered if that meant that Cassandra no longer had feelings for him. Bretta was quick to smooth things over and even sympathized with having to live with somebody who had, in fact, been driven insane because it certainly couldn’t have been easy. She also made the point to say that she even took the opportunity to take Cassandra under her wing and, as a result, Cassandra was enjoyable to be around. ::

Ava: “And that is exactly why we are here, Bretta."

“Precisely.”

:: Ava was honest with her in the way she described her lack of a relationship with Cassandra due to Kelly King – who sounded positively wretched – and Bretta found it completely understandable from Ava’s point of view. Still, Bretta wanted to know why Ava didn’t utilize Cassandra – not to shame her or make her feel bad, but because she was honestly curious about it. Also, since Cassandra was going to be her Princess, Bretta thought that it would give her an idea of what to expect. John, however, seemed to have taken it as some kind of personal attack. ::

John: "Cassandra's issues on our court were not something that could be relieved simply by Ava 'trying harder'. If they could, she would have done so. None of us wanted a conflict within our court. And we are here now because we want to alleviate it."

“Oh, I meant no offense by it, not at all.”

:: John said that moving Cassandra wasn’t about punishing her, which Bretta agreed with. ::

Ava: "I'm going to be frank with you. I didn't think I should have had to craft a plan involving Cassandra to come out on top of Kelly King. I already came out on top when I took the crown from her head. This was just one more way for Kelly to try and show dominance over me, and unfortunately as you know, Kelly is Cameron's mother, so my hands were tied in that aspect. Yes, I could have nurtured Cassandra, but I let my bitterness and anger cloud my ability to do that. I just....I couldn't see Cassandra beyond being a knife in my back from the King's."

[smiling] “As I already mentioned, I meant no offense by what I was asking. I was just curious and I just wanted to have some idea as to what to possibly expect once Cassandra comes on board.”

:: The topic then moved to Daniel and how maybe making a change, such as leaving her Court, would be fruitful for him. Bretta agreed, but she did bring up a concern regarding his previous closeness with Helena. She wanted to make sure that he would be safe and that he would be okay. ::

Ava: "Yes, i'm aware. I've spoken to Daniel in passing in regards to Helena. He's very much aware that I spearheaded her death, and that John made the kill strike."

:: Bretta couldn’t help it: she blinked a couple of times in surprise. She did have an inkling, though she never had any proof as to who was behind Helena’s demise, but she never expected Ava to just throw it out there. An uneasy thought hit her then. ::

I certainly hope Daniel isn’t planning anything stupid.

Ava: "The relationship he had with Helena doesn't bother me, as long as he knows that sovereign is in the past and I am the present. I made that clear to him and he's shown no issue. Everyone has a history, his just happens to be with a Queen we overthrew. So to answer your question: no harm will come to Daniel....as long as he doesn't pull a Gia Nafaria. But we both know Daniel is far too smart for that."

:: Bretta gave a slight smirk at the mention of Giuletta. The staff here at the American Hellfire all seemed to be Gossipy Gertrudes in the way they just blathered on about who’s doing what; trying to curry favour with the visiting dignitaries for their respective Courts, no doubt. John chimed in. ::

John: "We want to have a good working relationship with you, and have appreciate your frankness thus far, and have been so in return. And I am going to speak frankly again in the hopes that it may put your mind at ease: if there was an issue with Daniel and his relationship to Helena, he would already be dead. We would not take the time or make the effort to bring Daniel onto our court, just to murder him or allow him to be murdered. It would firstly make our court look ridiculous and untrustworthy, and secondly would be unsettling for our people. We are not going to move another member out of the Bishop position for someone we don't truly want. Plus, Ava and Daniel are friends. My Queen would welcome his company on our court, and I support her in that."

:: Bretta sighed, her worries allayed. Daniel was safe here, he was wanted. She could rest easy knowing that he would be cared for. ::

*relieved*: “Thank you. I truly appreciate your words.”

Ava: "So...it's settled then?"

:: Bretta sat up even straighter. This was it. She would hand over Daniel and be given Cassandra in return. ::

Ava: "Cassandra Johnson is now the Red Princess of the London Branch, and Daniel Reed is now Black Bishop of the American Branch."

“Indeed, they are.”

John: “Hear, hear.”

:: All three of them took their flutes of champagne in a toast. ::

Ava: "And hopefully a start to a new relationship between both of our courts."

:: Bretta grinned broadly. It was done. Cassandra was her Princess now. For reasons Bretta couldn’t see, Cassandra still cared deeply about Amanda Soto and Benjamin Lewis and because of that, Bretta figured that it would be a nice thought to invite them both over whenever they wanted. ::

“Absolutely, and speaking of that, Cassandra has expressed her desire to continue her friendship with both Amanda Soto and Benjamin Lewis. I’d like to issue the American Black Court a standing invite to the London Branch, so that Cassandra’s friends can come and visit her whenever they’d like."

:: Bretta still held her champagne up in the air and echoed Ava's sentiments.. ::

"To new beginnings and new relationships."

 

[Pathfinder]

Zach: "Your highness, if there's one thing I've learned about women, it's that if I want to retain my chances of fucking them senseless, I should make an effort to take their side whenever a dispute arises. But I didn't side with her. I sided with you. Brienne's not going to forget that. My opportunity to win her over to the White Court just went up in flames."

He helped her into the helicopter as she gave a delicate laugh and took a seat, smoothing her dress over her silken legs before crossing them and exhaling.

"Well Zach, if there's one thing i've learned about women it's that if they know you can make them cum like a geyser, they won't much care about anything else. She's a Queen - she knows how these things work. She has plenty of people to side with her, and besides, we can't let The Red Court take them so easily. Alek made a messy display today, and while I personally thought it was hysterical, albeit a little pedantic, but he's winning all sides of this visit. The White Court shouldn't go down without a bit of a fight. We have to keep our options open.."

She settled into him as she spoke of the day and inquired about the hunt.

Zach: "No, no. It was a matter of mounted marksmanship."

Erika smirked as she rested her head against his should, his large arm wrapping around hers as his hand fell to her lap. She interlocked their fingers.

"Getting mounted. What a fun thought."

Zach: "Speaking of very hot. You spent the afternoon politicking. Tell me, how did it go?"

Erika thought for a moment.

"Not far."

[sighing]

"But I guess it's a matter of branding really. I'm not the girl who returns home with charm and a smile. I'm the girl who returns home drunk and manipulates petty dramas until they end in acts of violence. I'd do well to remember that. I need to make a more lasting impression..."

She looked out the window to see Benjamin Lewis and Brienne Shaw chatting at the bar, becoming smaller and smaller as the helicopter lifted through the air. She gestured for Zach to look.

"Sooner rather than later. Benjamin is cozying up to Brienne...Daniel appears attached to Ava's hip. The Red and Black Courts are scooping up allies left and right, and all we have...is a [hesitantly] a baby on the way...."

She turned back to Zach, her eyes getting lost in his for a moment as her cheek's turned a shade of pink rose. Erika kissed him on the lips as she cupped her hand to his face.

"We need to be everywhere tonight. Heidi as well. We failed at our own event, but we can still take The Black Party. In fact, we have to."

Erika nestled into Zach's shoulder once again, breathing in his warmth as her mind raced with scenarios, varying from diplomatic to downright sadistic as she reminded herself to take another swig of elixir when she got home to the mansion. Either that, or forego it and really show the other courts what they were dealing with when it came to her reign as The White Princess. Whatever the case, Erika felt determined to spin the weekend in favor of the white court, and ultimately her brother and as the helicopter zoomed through the sky, returning to the mansion, she felt a surge of energy.

"This is going to be fun."