A Weekend Affair # 3 - The Red Hunt

[Persephone]

Ben: "I think the entire Inner Circle could use a nap before the evening. That...and a Percocet."

"I'm sure Brienne has enough for everyone."

Ava deadpanned with a roll of her eyes.

Ben: "Before the two of you leave, is there anything special you need from me this evening? Anybody I should talk to, make nice with, kill?"

"Actually..."

Glancing over in Brienne's direction, it seemed like she was in a heated conversation with Erika. She knew they had a past, but this seemed a little bit more than casual jabs about each other's outfits.

"Work Brienne. I need to see where her head is at. So far Archer has made all the effort in regards to their Black Court mingling with us [Americans], and none of our courts have attempted to make nice with her. Lets change that, shall we?"

In reality Ava really wanted to gauge how Brienne felt about Archer's sudden bout of illness. The European Black Queen may have been aloof, but she wasn't stupid. She knew her king, and she knew what he could and could not handle. If Brienne actually cared about Archer's well being then she would be dangerous and need to be taken out immediately. If she only cared about herself as Ava suspected, the queen likely would thrive being the only ruler of her court.

"There are some more changes in the horizon, Ben. Possible cross court trades involving our Princess. Be prepared."

Ava knew the news about John was sprung on everyone last minute which shook a great deal up within her court. But that was her prerogative to do so as queen. As for trading Cass? Ava wanted to at least warn Ben because of his and Cass' history. They may not have been lovers now, but they were before and it was only fair that he at least know that Ava was trying to get rid of her by trade. He would be smart enough to know the alternative would be death.

As John stood, Ava gave Ben a parting smile.

"We'll see you later."

Linking her arm with John's, Ava began to walk toward the train. She let out a long sigh as she walked, a dull ache behind her eyes. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Ava then slid her fingers back through her hair before looking up at John.

"Do you mind if we take the trains back? It'll be nice to have a half hour longer of being alone."

And not at Arklay or Hellfire. Ava thought, knowing the trains took a bit longer to get back to Hellfire than the helicopters.

"I don't even want to go to our party tonight. This entire day has been one problem after another. And everything comes in threes."

The breakfast, the hunt, now her party? She knew something would happen tonight - the dramatics far from over.

 

[Orion]

Arklay -- Bar

After punching out the bartender, Zach apologized to Brienne, just in case. She smirked and leaned in, dismissing his apology as unnecessary. He sensed arousal from her, and smiled darkly, asking her about it. When she admitted to getting off on violence, he sincerely offered to take care of any needs she may have. He was happy to do so, not only for his own enjoyment but also because he owed Alek a cock block for the interruption in the garden yesterday.

From the look of her, he was right about to get lucky, when Erika's voice broke into their conversation. that was okay, he could work with that. They were usually catty with each other, but that didn't mean Zach couldn't encourage a threesome. Before he could even try, Erika was reaching for him, pulling him into a hug.

Erika: It's okay Zachy baby..you may not have won the Queen's heart, but you're a winner in my book.

Brienne: Zachy? Oh darling....never let her call you that again. How degrading.

Zach gave a nonplussed smile, but he knew better than to comment. Erika was ordering a drink from the bar, saying that she didn't know how Brienne could stomach the 'cheap stuff'. Brienne ordered another round for Zach, and one for herself, clinking their glasses together before throwing hers back. Oh yes, he could definitely take both of these women to bed.

Brienne: As you can tell, Zach graciously punished the bartender for me. Such a gentleman.

"Not always..."

He said in a low tone, about to start infusing them both with passion, when Erika brought it all to a screeching halt. She mentioned hoaky magick, and how it had peaked the interest of her brother. Then Brienne gleefully told them she'd used magick on their Queen while she was fucking the Red King. When she told Zach she loved sex, he managed only a flat smile.

He should be all over Brienne right now. He half wished he was. But he couldn't ignore what he'd just heard. Haleigh and Cameron really mistrusted magick, and would view any used on them without their consent as a veritable attack. That explained why Erika was pushing Brienne's buttons right now, and it meant Zach wasn't going to get the European Black Queen into bed, no matter how disgruntled that made him.

Brienne: Is that any way to speak to a Queen? [glancing at Zach] Or have the American's lost ALL respect for hierarchy.

"No, your grace. But OUR Queen comes first."

He replied firmly. Erika said that she hadn't known Brienne was even a Queen, which could have been true. Erika hadn't been around for the Inner Circle briefing on this visit. She made a point to be abrasive about congratulations, and Brienne bristled, threatening to break Erika's neck. Zach threw back his scotch, lamenting the idea that he was about to have to break up a chick fight. He had to stop himself from smiling at Erika's reply, that she'd always enjoyed Brienne's positive attitude.

Brienne: You're a psycho who only hangs around because mommy makes your brother keep you around. So, watch your mouth, King. I'm a GUEST by your sister in law's invitation.

It was a god point, except that Erika's counter-point was most salient. There was some more back and forth, and really Erika was handling herself quite sufficiently (and more than a little attractively), so Zach paid extra special attention to his scotch.

Brienne: [to Zach] Is this a fair representation of your White Court? And here I thought we were becoming friends.

"We were--"

He started, but he stopped when Erika interjected.

Erika: Yes, Zach, you're a diplomat. Make it [gesturing between Brienne and herself] better.

"No, I really shouldn't."

He said with a vexed tone. He turned to Brienne, sliding off his bar stool and onto his feet. He gave a heavy sigh. It really was a shame, but he was between a rock and a hard place. His Court came first, surely she'd understand that.

"I can't abide moves against my Queen, or threats levied at my Princess, your grace."

He finished, before Erika mentioned Archer falling ill, which was honestly a surprise to Zach. Of course, Erika wasn't wrong when she said everybody wanted Archer dead. He hadn't made himself any friends this weekend, in fact he'd made sure to collect enemies, the most notable of which was the American Black Court.

Erika: Care to escort me back to the helipad? Or is this going to take a minute to finesse?

Zach smiled, but it was devoid of joy.

"Sweetheart, there's no finessing this. It's positively impolitic."

He replied, shifting his gaze to Brienne. He gave her a respectful nod, because he couldn't in good conscience burn a bridge he didn't have to.

"Your majesty."

He said in goodbye, and then he slid his arm around Erika's waist, and led her away before he really did have to break up a fight.

 

[Hex]

Erika: "Forgive me, Brienne. I hadn't been made aware that you were a Queen now. I was late to the party last night, my apologies.. "

"You're late to everything."

Brienne sneered as she gestured at Erika's outdated outfit.

Erika: "Well, you finally got what you wanted. [Condescendly] Good for you."

"No. I TOOK it. There's a difference, darling."

Erika was throwing a hissy fit about Brienne using magick on Haleigh. She decided to go the voyeuristic route by saying she was simply heightening Haleigh and Alek's emotions to get a better show. It would fit right into how everyone viewed Brienne, and it was harmless. Win, win. But Erika had a bit of a bomb to drop about magick users and how Cameron and Haleigh didn't particularly like them. Ironic considering he was related to Erika and Kelly. That put a bit of a kink in her plan, and not the good kink.

Erika: "And as a guest by my sister in law's invitation, you saw it fit to use magick on her without her knowledge or consent? When The Inner Circle here has always had a bit of a murky relationship with magick users at best? Especially my brother?"

"Oh how the hell was I supposed to know THAT, Erika? Considering you and your mother are witches I didn't think a little magickal viagra for my viewing pleasure was going to be a fucking death sentence."

Erika: "Oh sorry, I was just knocking on Morgan Victoria's grave to let her know that the significance of her death has finally been forgotten amongst her friends and peers."

Brienne rolled her eyes and scoffed out.

"Oh come off it. You yanks are such fucking sticks in the mud."

Brienne was done with Erika's passive aggressive bullshit and threats. For being a guest she was literally getting treated like dog shit. Everyone should have been begging HER for an alliance instead of Juliette and Liam. Brienne could quite literally stake herself in the chest and Juliette would be all but a vaguely interesting memory to these cunts.

Erika: "There's nothing passive about me and you know it. And I'll be sure to pass your message along to both Liam and Juliette, I'm sure they'll appreciate the sentiment, but since we're making threats? You said it yourself...I'm a psycho. A psycho who's now been tasked by The White King himself to make sure that you don't pull any more garden variety parlour tricks during your stay here, so tread lightly."

"By all means. They're quite aware of my worth AND my mouth."

Threatening to tell Juliette and Liam the truth was hardly a threat considering they've dealt with Brienne and her attitude for years. Brienne stepped closer to Erika with a sadistic grin.

"Why tread when I can demolish? Go away little girl. I don't deal with crazy."

Erika: "Then keep your magick to yourself and you won't have to."

Brienne's eyes narrowed as her grin turned into a sly smile as she snapped her fingers, dark purple like smoke streaming out from every single Inner Circle member - American and European - who participated in the hunt and into Brienne's hand. No one would feel anything, only see the essence of her magick leaving them. But more importantly, it would look as if she used her abilities to watch everyone while also leaving a magickal imprint on them, not just Haleigh and Alek during the Red Hunt.

"Noted."

Brienne turned to Zach, asking him if this was a fair representation of the White Court. She had heard through the grapevine that Erika had been promoted to Princess - yet another step below her brother as always. It was hilariously embarrassing.

Erika: Yes, Zach, you're a diplomat. Make it [gesturing between Brienne and herself] better.

Zach: "No, I really shouldn't. I can't abide moves against my Queen, or threats levied at my Princess, your grace."

Brienne raised a single brow while folding her arms across her chest.

"Correction, Rook. I have made no such moves against your Queen. As for the latter..."

Brienne gave Erika a little wink, not denying her threats on the newly crowned White Princess.

Erika: "As fun as this has been, I should probably be getting back to the mansion. It's going to be an eventful night, I can tell. Adieu."

"Ciao."

Rolling her eyes as she watched Zach slink his arm around Erika and escort her to the helipad, Brienne made a mental note to castrate the White Rook and shove his dick down Erika King's throat.

"Fuck these dried up old cunts."

Turning back around on her stool, Brienne snapped her fingers and made the bottle of hemlock Erika had requested appear in front of her in a haze of dark purple smoke. Pouring herself a glass, she needed to get far more intoxicated to have to deal with these bitches the rest of the weekend.

 

[Steel]

The Tent

Ava had left he and Ben alone in the tent while she ran damage control. John took the opportunity to get a little more into the Black Bishop's head, and take the pulse of the court. He asked Ben what he would have done about Amanda.

"I think the punishment fits the crime. Amanda is very prideful - public embarrassment is worse to her than losing a limb or being blinded even. I don't foresee her slipping up anytime soon.."

[pausing]

"That being said, I just found out my biological sister is also the sister of The White King - somebody I've watched live a life of wanton privilege without consequence while I've been made to live in the shadows - and while I had a moment earlier, I've certainly been able to keep it together for the most part. Amanda knows better..and while I do care about her, and love her as both a friend and an ally, she needs to know boundaries. She can't just do or say whatever and rely on her closeness with Ava to pull her through, and while I know Ava isn't going to let her walk all over her - I think that puts you in the uncomfortable position of being "bad cop".."

It was a good assessment, one worthy of a Bishop. Ben did his job well. And he was right about Amanda - it was her job to be controlled, to keep her emotions in check. To act with purpose. And in truth, John was pretty sure Amanda had acted with a purpose: to let people know she felt she should have been named king.

"The upside there is that your suspect is a truly loyal person. She trusts you. She respects you..but this was kind of thrown on us, my king. There is going to be an adjustment period for everyone - some shorter than others. I think now that the situation has been addressed, we can all move forward.."

John raised his shoulders in a small shrug.

"It's not as if Ava announced that the court was being disbanded and everyone was being sent to other branches. Or that Alek was her new king. I guess I expected it to be less of a transition than others. And it's not as if we'd been sitting on the information..."

"But if you would like me to keep a closer eye on Amanda than I normally would, I will."

John pursed his lips, and nodded.

"I don't want you to spy on her or anything like that, just watch her. See if she's acting strangely. Because obviously her behavior of the past two days is not what we would usually expect from her. It's odd."

John hadn't really been paying attention to the utterly ridiculous conflict between Alek and AJ. AJ needed to know his place and Alek should respect his queen. But Ava soon returned, which made him smile.

"That was an utter mess. We're in the eye of the storm....but who knows for how much longer.

He shook his head.

"We need to make sure Amanda stays away from Savage."

The Alek-AJ-Ashley triangle was only getting more heated, and their knight did not need to be in the middle of it.

I'm going to head back to Hellfire. I've had enough drama to last me until tonight."

He reached for her hand.

"I'll come with you."

"Before the two of you leave, is there anything special you need from me this evening? Anybody I should talk to, make nice with, kill?"

"Actually...Work Brienne. I need to see where her head is at. So far Archer has made all the effort in regards to their Black Court mingling with us [Americans], and none of our courts have attempted to make nice with her. Lets change that, shall we?"

He had to hand it to Ava - this was an excellent mission to give to Ben. It would be a good test of his aptitude for the empty Rook position.

"There are some more changes in the horizon, Ben. Possible cross court trades involving our Princess. Be prepared."

"All for the good of the Court."

He stood up, ready to escort Ava back to the mansion. He nodded to Ben as Ava said her goodbye, then John put his hand on top of Ava's as she linked arms with him.

"We'll see you later."

"Do you mind if we take the trains back? It'll be nice to have a half hour longer of being alone."

"Of course I don't mind."

He smiled at her.

"And when we get home, a cup of tea and some rest before tonight."

"I don't even want to go to our party tonight. This entire day has been one problem after another. And everything comes in threes."

"It's all up from here. We'll meet with Bretta, bring peace to our Court, Cassandra can stop being miserable... Amanda and Ben will see what we're trying to do... We're over the rough stuff, babe, I promise."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Stables

She brought Savage into the relative seclusion of an empty stall, and he took her needily, pinning her against the wall as her legs came around him. His mouth seemed to be everywhere at once, and their motion became more heated until she came then quickly came again. She called to him, and he answered.

“Yes, yours, my Ashley....”

The way he said her name gave her goosebumps. He came hard, and then wrapped her up in his arms, their bodies still pressed together as they slowed. Her lips found his mouth and anything else she could reach with it, the heat of his skin so soothing. Finally with faces inches apart, she smiled, her eyes connecting with his. Her hands slid over his shoulders, rubbing them as her feet found the ground again.

"You always keep me safe, my protector."

She reached her hand up to cup his cheek.

"Are you hungry? Do you want to get something? Or we could just go back..."

Her hands slid down his chest, and she moved away enough that she could lie down the fresh hay in the bottom of the stall. She put one hand behind her head and looked up at him.

"Or we could stay here a while..."

She winked at him mischievously.

"See if anyone walks in, give them a shock."

She laughed melodiously.

"What do you want to do? I'm all yours."

 

[Prophet]

Arklay - The Red Event

Juliette: "Oh, before? No...I vill be at dze ballet vit my King. Perhaps after dze partee?"

For whatever reason, the moment Juliette said 'ballet' - Cameron found himself getting a bit of a premonition, only this time it was of something that had transpired in the past. He saw the helicopter ride with Fathom and the wild and aggressive behavior of her new pet bird, which had been a gift from Daniel Reed. It was a curious coincidence. He snapped back into reality.

"It's a date, Juliette."

Cameron smirked as his wife's voice filled his ears, instantly sensing her irritation, though he didn't pay it much mind - a bit of jealousy was good for a relationship.

Haleigh: "Why were you NOT the first to know? Why wouldn't you know as soon as I did? We are usually so connected, that you know what I am doing even from across the city of New York."

The White King furrowed his brow a bit. He loved his wife, but from what he had just seen in the woods, it appeared she was treating the opportunity to bare a child as something to get over with quickly so that she could go back to doing what she wanted, which apparently was Alek. He couldn't blame her, she had never even entertained the idea of being able to be pregnant. He didn't expect her to become the Virgin Mary and eat only organic from this moment out, but he did expect a bit of reverence for what they were about to enter into. Now, she had celebrated the moment of conception of her child with Cameron by fucking The Red King in the woods. This was uncharted territory for both of them. He would never demand Haleigh to be anything other than what she was. He loved who she was with a fervor so deeply it threatened to kill him at any moment. But he couldn't help the way he felt in the moment - having a baby in Hellfire was difficult enough. Some things were sacred, and if they were really going to do this, they needed to have a conversation about what this next chapter looked like for both of them. He quelled his jealousy by remembering that this was something his wife did without hestitation. The offer was put on the table and she took it without question, without regard and true concern for whatever devious notions his mother might have had for doing it. He would never forget that.

[to Haleigh]: "Sue me for wanting a bit of ceremony, Hales....[pausing] Sorry. I never thought we'd have a baby so I'm not exactly sure what it is exactly that's stirring up in me, but I don't like it.."

Things went south as Alek awarded the heart to Liam. Cameron congratulated him while sending a distress call out to Ashley to see what course of action he should take.

Ashley: "I fucking know it's unacceptable. But this is not the time. Right now, we must keep them apart."

Cameron gritted his teeth for a moment. Alek was making a mockery of ALL of them, especially Ashley. He could FEEL the humiliation run through her body, and to know she had no outlet, that she had to push it so deep down inside of her, despite almost everybody around her knowing how she probably felt was heartbreaking. It was in that moment that Cameron decided enough was enough. He was going to kill Alek in that very moment. She had put up with enough. She had played her part and despite her distance and their mutual hatred, she spoke of him with respect and THIS was how he repayed her?

"No. This will not do."

The White King began to channel his psychic energy, sharpening his "knife" that would render The Red King dead at a moment's notice. Juliette's words were almost an echo to him.

Juliette: "Vill dze duel? 'oo are ve rooting for?"

"The QUEEN."

Haleigh: "Neither, really. The loss of either of them would be a detrimental blow to the Red Court."

His wife's words only added fuel to the fire. In his mind's eye he began to look at Alek's brain. His mother had been a strict disciplinarian. Both Erika and Cameron had spent time in the lab, learning practical skills that she saw fit. With Cameron, she helped use her own medical knowledge to increase his telekinetic and psionic ability. The more he knew about the brain and the way it worked, the deadlier he would be. He honed in, ready to sever Alek's carotid arteries.

The Red Knight and King appeared to be at a standstill, ready for the other to make a move, not knowing that there was a third in this fight that would end BOTH of their lives if need be, and he would have, if he had not seen the interference of The Black Queen herself, Ava all but pulling Alek away and helping remedy the situation. The White King caused himself - he was a bit of a ripper, reveling in the shock and the awe of messy kills and even messier aftermaths, but he was not stupid. He was in the midst of building an alliance with Ashley, whom he believed could shape The Red Court into something that The White Court could work with, and he couldn't risk ruining that. Ashley and Cameron would continue with their plan. His reports had indicated that Archer had survived whatever happened in the woods, but he would not survive the end of the weekend. Alek would soon receive information on Archer's betrayal, and Gia would be given information as well, information that would make it near impossible for her to not kill The Black King. If all went well, Alek would either be on the scuttle bus back to Scotland Yard by sundown on Sunday, Archer would be dead, and things could move FORWARD.

Liam soon rejoined the group and presented his prize nobly. Cameron respected Liam's tact in this situation and he played it perfectly. He was finding himself quite enamored with the EWC and that was a good thing. They were the only stable unit who had came to PLAY. They also appeared to be coveted, and there was nothing that Cameron loved more than showing how much more deserving of things he was over other people.

Liam: "Ashley requests you show it off at the Red Event tomorrow night."

Juliette: "But I 'ave no dress vor-dzey of dzis jewel..I am tempted to vear dzis and nodzing else."

Cameron swelled in his pants at that thought.

Liam: "Perhaps you could do that, but just for me, and not the others?"

The White King laughed.

"Hey now, Liam. Her body her rules. In fact, I think it might make the perfect accessory to our little date later.."

Cameron eyed the gem for a moment.

"It IS an impressive reward, though I can say without question that if I were to plop my queen's heart on the table right now, you'd be weeping and infuriated."

He looked to his wife, who he knew was probably still upset with her. Cameron winked anyway.

"But alas, my wife's heart is not mine to give. Perhaps that was Alek's first problem."

He downed the rest of his martini.

"I don't know about you but I've had enough excitement for one afternoon. I'd ask the both of you to escort us back to the mansion, but..don''t."

Cameron gestured around him.

"Stay here awhile. Honestly, when is the last time you've been in the sun for this long, Juliette? The two of you should stay here until the others leave. Maybe spend some time in the heat alone. Take it in.."

The White King rose from his seat and gestured around before turning his head back towards Juliette and Liam.

"Yes, that jewel is a fine prize, Liam. But the Red Queen's heart? Well...I think we're standing in the center of it right now. Food for thought."

The comment was two fold. One, he really did want them to enjoy such an incredible gift, but he was also running damage control for Ashley. Since their arrival, Liam and Juliette had quite literally been lavished with jewels. And Ashley had just been humiliated in front of everyone. Despite how well she handled it, Cameron wanted to make sure that when push came to shove, Juliette and Liam understood that Ashley knew what truly mattered. It was the small things, like sitting in the sun without spontaneously combusting. And he wanted THEM to know that HE knew that as well. He extended his hand to Haleigh, giving her a sweet smile.

"My Queen? Can I escort you to the helicopter? I promise you can sit in my lap as much as you want, or beat me into submission for moving you. Your call, though I must warn you...I'll enjoy both."

 

[Wallflower]

Arklay - The Red Event

Cassandra: "I know. I know. You have to understand this, Mandy. I did fight for you because you DID - you DO - deserve the Black Princess title. I did fight for you there. Maybe I didn't fight hard enough, and that's completely on me, but I did fight for you. I did."

"That's sweet, Cass. But there was nothing you could have done. Kelly wanted what she wanted and she was going to get it. Like mother like son. But I'm beginning to realize that feeling like I deserve something is what's been getting me in trouble."

Cassandra: "As for Ava... *sighing*: Let's face it, though. She never saw me for me. She only saw Kelly."

Cobra paused for a moment.

"Maybe that's true."

Then the hard stuff came.

Cassandra: "I was happy..we were happy - and in love. So in love. Then she took that away. She had NO right to do that."

"We signed away our rights when we joined, Cassandra. We both knew that."

Cassandra: "It's all true. I did live in the past. It...really couldn't be helped. Literally. My suicide attempt was the beginning of the end for me. Kelly was beyond pissed. After I recovered, she punished me ruthlessly. I had lost the love of my life and she...she wouldn't let me mourn that properly. Hell, she wouldn't let me mourn that AT ALL."

Amanda was lost in a moment, recollecting all of the things that Cassandra said, surprised to find that she did have a bit of regard left for Kelly in her body.

"It's because she thought you were another Erika, Cass. Look..there's one thing that people really overlook about Talisman, something that really drives her. Every opportunity she ever had to be happy...to be in love. It was taken from her, and it was from the ashes of those relationships that she...BECAME what she was. She views love as weakness...because everytime she let herself fall in love, she lost greatly because of it. I think she saw you and Ben, and she saw herself, a bit more than she would have liked..and she..."

Amanda threw her hands up in the air and exhaled loudly, shaking her head in disbelief at her own words.

"I know..it sounds...fucking crazy, but I think she was trying to protect you. Trying to make you both better. She never had to worry about that with me. And then when she saw how you.....reacted to it, it made her think of how she couldn't save Erika from her own mental illness. In short, you kind of bore the brunt of everything that Kelly saw as her failures, and she punished you severely for it. It wasn't fair..and it wasn't right. The only thing I can say is that I don't want you to leave here thinking that you were just the whipping boy. I did care about you, Cassandra. Kelly DID care about you in her own way. And if Ava didn't care about you? She's never been afraid to fuck with Kelly...she would have taken you out."

Cassandra: "I reacted rashly. I know that now, but at the time...I just needed him. So I showed up in his bedroom one night not looking for sex - I..I just wanted, needed, him to hold me and he couldn't - wouldn't. All I wanted was a bit of, I don't know, maybe it was healing? So, yes, there were a lot of tears and dramatics back then...until there wasn't. I always was an emotional person - I can't help that and I won't apologize for that either. Kelly...Kelly made it so I couldn't show any negative emotions on the outside. I don't know how she did it, but those emotions could not come out and instead...they drove me to insanity."

It was a sentiment that Amanda could understand objectively, but didn't apply to her. Amanda was raised in a very emotional household. One that begged for her to express herself and go out into the world and find those like her and tell them she loved them and braid her hair and be an artist and a humanitarian, and that was all well in good, but there had been no greater high that Amanda had ever experienced - not in her time as a geisha, or in an ashram, than she did when she sunk her venom dipped fangs into her first victim and teared them apart like they were a squirrel who had ran into the side of the road. If all she had to do was sacrifice her emotions and she could be like that forever she would. It was an interesting feeling, she had come to Cass fairly certain that it was going to be a one sided conversation where she would simply placate and calm The Black Princess, but she was beginning to come full circle. Cassandra had suffered through Hellfire, while Amanda had thrived. These recent changes, this feeling of being here without the woman who used to be her right arm, it had made her forget who she was. Worse, it had made her feel insecure and vulnerable. Well even worse, it had made her feel at all. She had believed in Talisman, and she still did believe in the retired Black Queen's work, but she always felt her loyalty was a biproduct for what Kelly had done for her - made her a mutate. Ava was an ally..a QUEEN that she chose to stand by, and that was what was making her feel so crazy. That she had put herself out there. That for the first time in Hellfire she was really making herself vulnerable - her mouth and her actions weren't helping matters either. But it did bring her relief - it was symptomatic.

"Cass..I know this was hard for you. Please, you don't have to relive this..it's done. Please.."

But she persisted.

Cassandra: "It was awful because I couldn't deal with them and so they continually ate at me, driving me madder and madder. It was scary too because while I hated Kelly for what she was doing to me, I still loved her. She made it so. She made it seem like the only person I could trust was her - and nobody else."

"Oh I believe you, Cassandra. BELIEVE me. I'm the only one here who understands that as well as you do. She was all encompassing. I still feel her here, even though she hasn't lived in the mansion for so long now.

Cassandra: "Even though in my madness I felt that I couldn't trust you or Ben, I still had loyalty towards you both deep down inside. It was awful. The madness had taken it's toll on me. Though I ate lots of food...you were right. I was a shell. It affected my life. I couldn't really sleep, so I got up and wandered the halls of the mansion several times a night. I couldn't hunt, so I had to make do with the prisoners. I couldn't go outside without an escort, probably because they were ardaid I'd jump in front of a car or something. Hell, I probably would have."

Amanda felt a few tears well up in her eyes. She knew what had been going on with Cassandra, but at the time, The Black Princess was like a lepor. Nobody dared go near her and Kelly made sure that people only knew what they needed to. She felt like a bitch and a traitor for not being there for her.

"Cassandra..."

Cassandra: "It was terrifying. What was even more terrifying was that I wanted help - I needed help. I craved help, but I couldn't even ask, couldn't even beg for it. I didn't know how."

Amanda only felt worse.

Cassandra: "I don't know what happened, but last night during the White event at Aquarius I was talking with Bretta about the Black Court and...I don't know. Something triggered in my mind and it was like that story in the Christian bible about the city's walls coming down? It was as if the walls around my mind started crumbling down. It was as if everything was in full colour and I could breathe again. For the first time in a long while, I felt HOPE. I tried to find you afterwards, but you had already left the event."

The Black Knight felt as if she were taking gut punch after gut punch after uppercut. Cassandra had been going through so much in secret. She had needed a friend, and Amanda kept her eye on a crown she would never get, and turned her back on her. Not only that, but hours earlier Amanda found herself in a passionate encounter with the man that Cassandra loved. While she had been given insight into what was going on with her lately, The Black Knight did not feel any better. In fact, she felt like a piece of garbage.

Cassandra: "Amanda, I'm so sorry that I wasn't there for you; that I wasn't strong enough for you. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most. I had FAILED my best friend, my sister, and no amount of words or gestures will ever add up to how sorry I am, and will always be, for that."

Amanda laughed a weak laugh as she began to cry freely as well, enveloping the black princess into her arms.

"My god, are you insane?! Sorry...too soon."

[hugging]

"I should be saying that to YOU Cassandra. I shouldn't have turned my back on you. Kelly loved me..I could have made things easier for you..but I didn't. Not even when she left. That was such a mistake. You didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve ANY of it really.."

Amanda wiped some tears from her face.

"Look...whatever you have going with Bretta I say ride it until the wheels fall of. I'd love to say there is still room for you here...but there isn't. It just is what it is...The Red Queen likes you...and the Queen liking you is half the battle at Hellfire. RUN WITH IT...BUT.."

She gripped The Black Princess' hand tightly.

"If you EVER start to feel like you did..when you thought you couldn't ask for help. When you felt alone..I want you to reach out? Do you understand me?! I don't care if I'm being a bitch on wheels..."

[pausing]

"Just...PLEASE. Let me know. PLEASE..."

"Now WHEN is this..."trade" going to happen?"

 

[Persephone]

The entire Red Hunt had been a cluster fuck to say the least. Alek had used the event to humiliate and degrade Ashley, and it was a surprise to even Ava that Ashley hadn't gone Carrie on him and take him out in the middle of the greens. It showed the queen's restraint and internal power to be able to face what she did and not react immediately. Ava didn't know if she had the will to do that had she been placed in a similar situation. But she had hoped that maybe her talk with Alek got through to him. That hearing how despite Ashley's hatred for him she still respected him as king and sang his praises. Regardless, the entire day had started off in an utter mess and was continuing strong through the afternoon. With a sigh, she asked if they could take the train back for a longer ride, not wanting to arrive at Hellfire just yet.

John: "Of course I don't mind. And when we get home, a cup of tea and some rest before tonight."

Ava gave him a half smile.

"Such a Brit."

She teased. He was the only man who could literally rip a person in two and then drink a cup of tea afterwards; it was pretty hilarious yet extremely hot. John was the type of man who looked so put together and reserved on the outside, but when push came to shove, his temper rivaled that of Lyssa [Goddess of Rage and Fury].

As they approached the train, Ava expressed how she didn't even want to go to the party because she knew it was just an invitation for more drama.

John: "It's all up from here. We'll meet with Bretta, bring peace to our Court, Cassandra can stop being miserable... Amanda and Ben will see what we're trying to do... We're over the rough stuff, babe, I promise."

Ava nodded despite the knot in her stomach. Something just felt off going into her event.

'I know...once we secure the trade that will make up for the insanity of today."

And the last bit of Kelly King will finally be out of my life for good. She thought as she boarded the empty train with John and took a seat. She would only have to deal with Kelly professionally now that the bitch ran MysTech, but even then Ava would have Cameron handle his mother unless she absolutely HAD to deal with her.

The train began to move, Ava and John its only passengers as Ava had hoped. Resting her body against John's, Ava laid her head on the crook of his neck and looked out the window.

"I feel so bad for Ashley. And I was such a bitch to her earlier."

When push came to shove Ava understood Ashley's reaction at the breakfast. She was stuck with a king who despised her enough to humiliate her in front of everyone while Ava now had a king who would do anything to make her happy. She had been furious before, but the reasons seemed so trivial now. Haleigh had been right. Ava was only thinking of herself in the moment and no one else's feelings mattered.

[softly sighing] "I'm the one who needs to apologize to her..."

The entire queen's meeting was one giant cluster fuck, and even though Ava was still pissed at the way Haleigh had treated her and screamed at her, she realized that her anger toward Ashley wasn't justified. Especially after what happened at the Red Event. Staring at the tree line zoom by quietly, Ava's eyes slowly closed. Despite her mind racing with thoughts of courts and parties and trades, she fell asleep against John for the remainder of the journey back to Hellfire.

 

[Black Widow]

Arklay -- Gazebo

He brushed her off, mentally telling her that he'd give her everything she wanted, even though he wasn't the first to know about the pregnancy. She found that hard to believe, since he always seemed to know what she was doing and thinking, even from across town, and she questioned him on it.

Cameron: Sue me for wanting a bit of ceremony, Hales....

You've got a strange way of showing it. I did this for YOU, and no one else. What more do you want?

She thought bitterly. She'd entered the gazebo happy and excited, only to be cast out of his lap like a child, which stung, even if she acknowledged her own hormones were a bit high. It was only made worse when he implied she was responsible for his inattention, because she hadn't explicitly told him first. She knew him well enough to guess why he was so bothered. He was sounding jealous, and not in his usual humorous way, now it was something serious.

Cameron: [pausing] Sorry. I never thought we'd have a baby so I'm not exactly sure what it is exactly that's stirring up in me, but I don't like it...

I don't either. What is it, my King? When I COULDN'T get pregnant, you were fine with my extra-marital relationships. There were no consequences, except that it meant you were allowed the same freedom. You never thought WE would have a baby. I wonder, did you think you'd bestow a child on some other woman?? Your secretary, your KNIGHT? Is THAT how you hoped to propagate your bloodline? But now you don't have to have an illegitimate heir. Now your WIFE can bear your children, and suddenly you feel a bit more possessive, is that it? A little less willing to share me with others, my King? I may be growing our son in my womb, Cameron, but I'm still ME. With the same needs and desires and habits as I had yesterday.

She thought back, as Cameron carried on with the White King and Queen about Liam's kill and his likelihood of winning. Haleigh didn't join in, and didn't say much as Alek announced the winner and the whole train threatened to come off the rails. Juliette asked who they were rooting for, and Haleigh explained that neither loss was desirable, considering the damage it would do to the Red Court. She glanced over at Cameron, about to put their personal stuff on hold to suggest they make plans to deal with the clusterfuck, when she saw the look on his face.

She knew that look very well. It was an expression of premeditation, and it was locked on Alek. A chill ran down her spine. This was worse than she originally thought. Luckily, the impending fight was diffused by the others, and the group broke up. Ashley led Savage away to cool off, Ava took Alek around a corner to talk him down, and Liam returned with his prize. Liam relayed a request from Ashley that Juliette wear the necklace to the Red Event, and the vamp joked that she was tempted to wear nothing except the necklace. Liam requested she only do that for him, which made Cameron laugh.

Cameron: Hey now, Liam. Her body her rules. In fact, I think it might make the perfect accessory to our little date later...

Oh, so he was still thinking it was business as usual for himself, romancing whomever struck his fancy? Haleigh fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Juliette: Oh stop, Camairon, your vife ees right dzere.....

“It’s fine, Juliette. I’m willing to share him.”

Cameron: It IS an impressive reward, though I can say without question that if I were to plop my queen's heart on the table right now, you'd be weeping and infuriated.

The White King said, and then he had the nerve to wink, even though there was no doubt he knew that Haleigh was still irritated with him. She gave him a cold smile.

"No one wants a lump of coal, Cameron."

Cameron: But alas, my wife's heart is not mine to give. Perhaps that was Alek's first problem.

No, his problem was much more complex than that, but Haleigh wasn't about to discuss it with foreigners present, and she was already so peeved that she decided it was best not to get into it mentally.

Cameron told the others he'd had enough excitement, and suggested they stay behind and enjoy the gazebo a while longer. He got up, and offered a hand to Haleigh. She glanced at his hand, and after a beat took it, because despite her frustration with him she wasn’t about to publicly snub him. He commented that she would be allowed to sit in his lap on the helicopter, or beat him into submission for setting her aside before, as if this were some frivolous thing they were joking and being cutesy about. She laughed along, but even though she tried it still sounded fake. After they left the gazebo she let go of his hand, her gaze in the direction of Arklay mansion, as she turned from the helicopters on standby.

I think I’ll visit my lab while I’m here....and spend some time by myself.

 

[Silver]

Arklay – The Red Event


:: Bretta had noticed that the American Black Knight was getting a public humiliation from her Queen as she was walking back towards the tent and she wrinkled her nose in distaste. She didn’t use fear and humiliation as tatics to keep her Court in line. Nothing could be gained from that. Bretta was the sort of Queen who honoured, respected, and cherished her Court members, Alastair included. Sure, it made her look weak, but the Red Court loved her for it. Well, minus one person it would seem. Despite her dislike of the American Black Court for treating Cassandra less than what she deserved, Bretta couldn’t help but feel bad for Amanda Soto. She would never treat her Knight like that. ::

If Ava is doing this to make it look as though she isn’t to be trifled with, she’s doing it wrong. It just makes her look like a bitch.

:: Sighing she accepted a flute of champagne from a servant and looked around. The entire Red Court looked about ready to throw it down – and in public no less! Bretta wasn’t worried nor was she filled with disgust. There was an Alpha Male in every pack...and her sister Court had two [Alek and AJ]. Bretta shook her head and smiled when she spotted Giuletta sitting with Heidi. Bretta made her way to the seat across from the White Bishop and soon Giuletta engaged her in some conversation about her ride. Then Heidi asked a question about Giuletta being rude and antisocial and Giuletta laughed and said that she was trying something new. Bretta chose that moment to leave and she got up from her spot and went over to where Daniel was sitting. She was slightly amused by the sight of his dog, Ladybird. She knelt down on the ground and petted the old girl. ::

*warmly*: “Hello, sweet girl.”

:: Ladybird licked her hand and Bretta looked up at Daniel, arching one of her eyebrows. ::

“It’s quite a long way to courier your dog for just a few days, Daniel.”

:: Bretta stood up and looked at him. ::

“I would like to go for a walk with you, if you don’t mind.”

:: She could tell that he was having trouble reading her, thanks to her spell. Still, he did get up and went over to her. That was something. They began walking away from the gathering. Bretta could tell that he didn’t like that he couldn’t read her. His body was all tense, but he still walked with her so that was a good sign. Once they were both far enough away, Bretta turned to her Bishop. ::

“I truly apologize for cloaking myself from you, Daniel. Unfortunately, it is a necessity because I need to be sure of something. I would love to have a conversation with you but I want you to be completely honest and transparent with me. I cloaked myself because I’m afraid that if you read my emotions, you won’t be completely honest with me and you’ll just...bluff your way off the Red Court.”

:: Bretta looked deep into his eyes. ::

“Can I trust that you’ll be honest with me?”

:: Bretta smiled. ::

“This isn’t between Queen and Bishop, Daniel. This is going to be between Bretta and Daniel.”

:: Bretta then muttered another spell under her breath and, just like that, her emotions were now uncloaked. She sighed and smiled sadly at Daniel. ::

“You aren’t happy being the Red Bishop, are you? I know that you have been having a hard time since Rebecca...passed.”

 

[Steel]

The Train

Ava asked as they left the others if they could take the train back, which of course he agreed to. Time alone for them was going to be precious, he knew, so he was going to take any opportunity. He also knew the day had taken a toll on Ava, and she was feeling very low at the moment. Which meant it was time for him to take care of her. He suggested tea and a rest once they got back to the mansion.

"Such a Brit."

"That's right, and when it makes you feel one hundred and fifty percent better, you can thank me."

He gave her a warm smile, and as he stood aside to help her to board the train, she said how she didn't even want to go to the party. Steel frowned. This was her night, her time to shine, and it was unlike Ava to be this dejected. It worried him. He told her that everything would be up from here.

'I know...once we secure the trade that will make up for the insanity of today."

"Things will be much calmer, for certain."

They took their seats, and Ava leaned against him. He slipped his arm around her and held her against him, kissing the top of her head and breathing in her scent.

"I feel so bad for Ashley. And I was such a bitch to her earlier."

"I think there was plenty of 'bitch' to go around this morning. Don't beat yourself up about it. But the situation is not a good one."

[softly sighing] "I'm the one who needs to apologize to her..."

He reached over and clasped her hand in his.

"I think she probably could use a friend right now."

He imagined that it must be lonely where she was. It had been lonely enough for him, and his situation had not been nearly as bad. But there wasn't a good solution, at least not one that was readily apparent. For Ashley, the only solution looked like the death of her King, which would create a multitude of other problems. That or a complete personality transplant for her king. He glanced down to see Ava had fallen asleep, and smiled. He enjoyed the rest of the trip, her cuddled against him. It was incredibly soothing, more than he could have imagined. When they arrived at the station in the city, he gently slipped his hands under her and lifted her into his arms, carrying her to their room and tucking her safely into bed.

 

[Pathfinder]

"Then keep your magick to yourself and you won't have to."

She watched The Black Queen for a moment as her eyes narrowed. Slowly a smirk crept up in Erika's lips. Brienne was covering her tracks and it was very clever. Suddenly, Erika felt a bit excited. The two women had always thoroughly enjoyed playing with one another in this way. The White Princess's mind went back to a particularly devious summer years ago, when Brienne and Erika had hijacked the Cassadine yacht and spent three days sailing the coast of Greece with a few girlfriends, which resulted in the deaths of most of them, after Erika and Brienne were through pitting them against each other for fun. But this was whole new territory. Both women were in their prime, and it was clear that both of them had severely upped their magick game in the years since they had last seen each other. This was going to be fun.

"Smart move."

Erika got up to leave, as Zach smartly backed her play. She wasn't jealous of Zach and Brienne because Zach was not hers. Not yet anyway. She was still unsure of how much she could trust him and his answers gave her pause, even though they were complimentary to what she was saying. Erika knew that Zach would do the same thing if it had been any other member of his court. His support was not indicative of how he felt about her. And if Brienne needed her sloppy seconds, she was more than willing to feed the hungry.

"Yes, Zach, you're a diplomat. Make it [gesturing between Brienne and herself] better."

Zach: "No, I really shouldn't. I can't abide moves against my Queen, or threats leveid at my Princess, your grace."

The White Princess crinkled her nose in both pleasure and slight annoyance. Her coronation had not been announced. She had been hoping for a bit more eleganza, or an event where everybody would be held captive and forced to listen to her and compliment her. But the pleasure was for how Zach made such a stand for the white court in that moment. While she still viewed him a bit duplicitously, he had a cock worth writing home about and she loved that he was not afraid to defend his court's honor, even in the presence of a Queen.

Brienne: "Correction, Rook. I have made no such moves against your Queen. As for the latter..."

The White Princess returned the wink.

"As fun as this has been, I should probably be getting back to the mansion. It's going to be an eventful night, I can tell. Adieu."

Bretta: "Ciao."

Zach: "Your majesty."

Erika made her way back with Zach's arm around her waist as the two began to talk as they walked.

"I didn't mean to spoil your fun, Zachary."

She gripped his hand on her waist.

"I just can't help myself around her."

[pausing]

"That being said....I think you should pursue her. Archer will be dead by the end of the weekend. The moon has told me that much. But I don't know the circumstances. Brienne and I may hate each other, but we have a sense of loyatly that extends beyond Hellfire. It's why she didn't just eat my face right now. When her King dies, she will need protection. So far only Alek has made a connection. She may be a bitch, but she was right...nobody has made any attempt with her, and she'll remember that when she's looking at the lifeless body of her king. If you can get close to her, possibly fuck her senseless, we might figure out what her goal with Haleigh is. Outside of that, it will leave three people on a court that she might trust - me, Cameron and you..."

[smirking]

"It could make all the difference. We need all the magick on our side. It's a currency we can't afford the others to have.."

They soon arrived at the heliopad as Zach helped her in. She immediately rested her head against his shoulder, her hand in his lap.

"Today was a good day...I saw the buck you brought in...very hot.."

Erika laughed.

"Tell me you squeezed the life from it's body with your bare hands?"

 

[Goliath]

John: "It's not as if Ava announced that the court was being disbanded and everyone was being sent to other branches. Or that Alek was her new king. I guess I expected it to be less of a transition than others. And it's not as if we'd been sitting on the information."

"True. But information is power here. All I am saying is we could have minimized potential fallout. But nothing transpired we can't easily fixed, so we might as well not dwell on it any further."

The Black Bishop asked if he should be looking at Amanda closer, though his motivations were secretly devious. Ever since he had kissed her lips, he had been wanting another taste. Though if she proved herself to be a traitor to her Queen and King, he would not hesitate to end her.

John: "I don't want you to spy on her or anything like that, just watch her. See if she's acting strangely. Because obviously her behavior of the past two days is not what we would usually expect from her. It's odd."

Ben nodded before Persephone arrived, to which he stood at attention.

Persephone: "That was an utter mess. We're in the eye of the storm...but who knows for how much longer?"

John: "We need to make sure Amanda stays away from Savage."

"I think I can hold her attention."

They made a joke about Brienne before Ben asked if there was anything the king and queen wanted from him for the evening.

Ava: "Work Brienne. I need to see where her head is at. So far Archer has made all the effort in regards to their Black Court mingling with us, and one of our courts have attempted to make nice with her. Let's change that, shall we?"

Ben looked over to see Brienne sitting alone at the bar look positively pissed off. He shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll see what I can do. That being said, my wardrobe budget for the evening is going to have to triple if we have any hope of me catching Brienne's eye."

Ava: "There are some more changes in the horizon, Ben. Possible court trades involving our Princess. Be prepared."

Once again, Ben nodded though he was a bit concerned. A trade meant they would be gaining a member of the court, and the only option seemed to be Daniel Reed, who was a Bishop as well. Ben pushed the thoughts to the side. He had a job to do, and he trusted Ava and John to run the ship.

John: "All for the good of the Court."

"I'll roll with the punches as they come. I just hope The Black Prince's quarters are ready for me."

He joked with the two of them.

Ava: "We'll see you later."

As they left, Ben was left with his thoughts as he once again glanced at The Black Queen alone at the bar. No better time to get in her peripheral. He made his way over towards Brienne.

Brienne: "Fuck these dried up old cunts."

"Spoken like a true Brit."

He nodded to The Black Queen.

"I had been wanting to introduce myself earlier, but there was the hunt, and then it appeared as if you became quite popular for a moment. Though judging from your words just now, it must not have ended well."

Ben had his scotch refilled as he lifted a glass.

"Benjamin Lewis. Black Bishop. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, your majesty."

[smirking]

"Is that right? I never know what to call royalty. Your majesty, your highness, your grace. I just pick one at random and hope it sticks."

 

[Prophet]

Haleigh: "I don't either. What is it, my King? When I COULDN'T get pregnant, you were find with my extra-marital relationships. There were no consequences, except that it meant you were allowed the same freedom. You never thought WE would have a baby. I wonder, did you think you'd bestow a child on some other woman?? Your secretary, your KNIGHT? Is THAT how you hoped to propagate your bloodline? But now you don't have to have an illegitimate heir. Now your WIFE can bear your children, and suddenly you feel a bit more possessive, is that it? A little less willing to share me with others my King? I may be growing our son in my womb, Cameron, but I'm still ME. With the same needs and desires and habits as I had yesterday."

The White King remained silent while they finished their interaction with the European White King and Queen. His joke landed badly with his wife and as they made their way out of the gazebo she pulled her hand away from his, ignoring the helicopter blades behind them.

Haleigh: "I think I'll visit my lab while I'm here...and spend some time by myself."

"That's not fair."

Cameron grabbed her hand again, this time walking them to the manor, up the stairs and into the white wing master suite, where they would be truly alone.

"That was some really messed up shit you just said. That my trust in you is dependent on your ability to carry a child? That i'm so driven to spread my seed that it didn't matter how I got an heir, just as long as I got one? Tell me something. How many more times am I going to have to choose you over my family, over every other person in my life for you to believe it?"

[he shrugged his head and threw his hands in the air]

"Have I stopped you from anything you've ever wanted to do? Have I EVER put my foot down? Made you feel trapped? Confined? I haven't. But you just found out you were pregnant, told the Red King you [his voice lowered] loved him, and then fucked him senseless in the woods. Don't make me feel like I'm being an asshole for having a feeling."

The White King leaned against the back of the dresser as Haleigh sat down on the bed.

"Haleigh, YOU made this choice. I didn't. And you are not free from the consequences of your choices. You are going to have a BABY...something that is going to RELY on you to live for the next nine months. It's NOT going to be easy, and it IS going to require a shift in priority. At least a little bit. If anybody saw your tryst in the woods? While KNOWING we were trying to have a baby? I can assure you, before we get back to the mansion the rumors that Alek is the father of your baby will have already started."

[sighing]

"And if they heard what you said..."

Cameron shook his head.

"You're using our connection to avoid any responsibility for what happened with Alek, and what's worse, is you are also using it to make me feel bad that I have a problem with the fact that you celebrated the conception of our CHILD by telling Alek you LOVE him."

He hated having tension with his wife. It was apparent on his face.

"It creates distrust between Alek and I as well. Do you know what he thought after you told him? Do you know how feels about YOU? He was over the moon you told him before me. He wants you. It's MORE than just some sexual fling. You say we are usually so connected, well have you forgotten that I can sense your feelings for him too? You didn't have a freudian slip. You do love him, and since you seem so keen on making ME feel like an asshole for having a reaction, it causes me concern. Forgive me, for all my super powers, I am still a HUMAN."

The White King awaited his wife's response.

 

[Persephone]

Ava's mind was racing with everything that had happened from the start of breakfast all the way until her conversation with Alek. It was strange how the moment the European's arrived their Inner Circle seemed to be struggling the most. Or perhaps everyone's hidden issues were finally boiling to the surface.

As the tree's zoomed by in a blur, the humming of the train slowed Ava's mind and eased her to sleep. Not even John picking her up into his arms woke her, Ava's head just naturally laying against his chest as he cradled her in his arms. It wasn't until he placed her in their bed that she was pulled from her sleep. He pulled the black velvet throw blanket over the bottom half of her body and turned away. Ava slowly opened her eyes, capturing John's hand before he could leave.

"Can I ask you something?"

Her voice was a little horse as she looked up at him. Her mind was on Ashley and Alek - it had been since the moment she saw Ashley's eyes after Alek awarded Liam her 'heart'.

"If you ever start to resent me for whatever reasons.....tell me. I don't think I could bare you ever looking at me the way Alek and Ashley look at each other."

Ava paused, her thumb sliding across the black ring on John's finger.

"I know i'm frustrating sometimes...impulsive...bullheaded...wrong even when I think i'm right. I know I lash out and hurt people when i'm hurt....i've done it to you..."

Her mind went to Maxim and her eyes shut at the thought. Ava then sat up, never letting go of John's hand.

"I know i'm impossible, John. Which is why I know that it could happen one day. And if that day comes, I want you to be honest with me. I don't-- [shaking her head]--I can't have you hate me. I can't watch us turn into them."

Ava's midnight eyes were softer than normal, the vulnerability of the conversation portrayed within them.

"I can't watch you turn into him."

The thought of John becoming bitter and resentful like Alek was like a knife to the heart. Ava had ignored it for so long because Ashley and Alek had hidden it well enough publicly. But the blatant disrespect and hatred displayed by Alek was enough to make Ava need to say something to her own king. To make sure that from that moment forward they were open and honest with each other about their feelings. And for Ava, this would be a step outside of her comfort zone because she was always taught by her father that displaying any feelings was a sign of weakness, which was why her walls were so strong and so high. But with John, she let those walls down, and would continue to do so as long as he let her.

"This is new for us [looking around the room] this life. I don't want it to ruin us like it's ruined so many people in the past."

 

[Discord]

Daniel passed the time by watching Brienne and Erika throw jabs from afar, and for a moment he felt a bit at home. For a minute, he sat back and relaxed, enjoying the scenery around him and running through a number of different scenarios in his mind. He could use this bit of information he had about Amanda and Archer to his advantage, perhaps broker a deal for himself with Ava. It was clear that the stakes were raising by the minute and The Black Court was going to need people to trust. If Daniel could figure out what was going on, he could work with the information to help tip things in John and Ava's favor. That being said, it appeared that tonight would not only be for pleasure. He had some digging to do.

Just as he finished his drink, he was greeted by Bretta as Ladybird got excited as she often did whenever anybody made their presence known to her. Daniel rose from his seat.

Bretta: "It's quite a long way to courier your dog for just a few days, Daniel."

The Red Bishop smirked.

"She deserves a change of pace, just as anybody else does."

He winked at Ladybird as she took her seat next to him, her ears flopping over her face as she settled herself into a nice warm nap in the sun.

Bretta: "I would like to go for a walk with you, if you don't mind."

Daniel cocked an eyebrow as he searched for motive within her emotions, but found nothing which immediately set him on edge. Was this really Bretta? Or was this some kind of ploy? or test even. Whatever the case, Daniel agreed and the two began to walk around the pond, Bretta's hand wrapped around Daniel's bicep. Once they were a good distance away from the crowd, she spoke.

Bretta: "I truly apologize for cloaking myself from you, Daniel. Unfortunately, it is a necessity because I need to be sure of something. I would love to have a conversation with you but I want you to be completely honest and transparent with me. I cloaked myself because I'm afraid that if you read my emotions, you won't be completely honest with me and you'll just...bluff your way off the Red Court."

Now this was an interesting development. One because Bretta had never been this frank with him before and two, she assumed he would need to lie in order to move courts.

"Fair enough, I guess.."

Bretta: "Can I trust that you'll be honest with me? This isn't between Queen and Bishop, Daniel. This is going to be between Bretta and Daniel."

"I've never been anything but honest with you...[hesitantly] Bretta."

Suddenly, he was able to sense her again, read her. He was confused and still wary of the entire scenario. But he waited to see what she had to say.

Bretta: "You aren't happy being the Red Bishop, are you? I know that you have been having a hard time since Rebecca...passed."

Daniel grunted for a moment.

"If we're going to be honest, then let's call a spade a spade. Rebecca didn't pass, she was murdered. And nobody thought to clue me in. So..you'll excuse me if I find it laughable that now people seem concerned with my happiness..."

[pausing]

"That being said, my emotions have never gotten in the way of me doing my job. So what is it that you are actually asking me, Bretta? Have I not been performing? Are you unhappy with me?"

 

[Hex]

Ben: "Spoken like a true Brit."

"Ugh, what now?"

Brienne grumbled hearing someone behind her speak. She didn't recognize the voice. Didn't care to. She just wanted to get drunk and high and forget that Erika King existed until she could actually make her disappear. Downing her hemlock, the man decided to take a seat next to her. Brienne didn't bother acknowledging him because she didn't care to.

Ben: "I had been wanting to introduce myself earlier, but there was the hunt, and then it appeared as if you became quite popular for a moment. Though judging from your words just now, it must not have ended well."

Finally Brienne's narrowed eyes shifted to meet with Ben's.

"Is there a POINT to this?"

Ben: "Benjamin Lewis. Black Bishop. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, your majesty."

Now she vaguely recognized him. She waved her hand dismissively as if to say, 'pleasure to meet you' in a very condescending way. She then went back to her drink, ignoring him once again.

Ben: "Is that right? I never know what to call royalty. Your majesty, your highness, your grace. I just pick one at random and hope it sticks."

Apparently he wasn't getting the hint and kept talking. Taking a long sip of her hemlock, Brienne licked her lips and rolled her eyes shut before finally fully turning in her seat to face Ben.

"Your majesty. It always baffles me you Americans can't grasp the concept of royal titles."

Brienne's eyes roamed down the Black Bishop sizing him up. He was a thick one, she could tell with him even clothed. Interesting that he was a Bishop and not a Rook - with a stature like his he would have surely been an enforcer and not a information gatherer.

"Bishop, huh? Well, Bishop....are you a lover and not a fighter? I can quite imagine Ava appointing someone like you to be her errand boy."

Brienne's index finger trailed up the curves and cuts of Ben's bicep before retracting it back with a smirk. She then sat back in her seat casually.

"What exactly do you want, Benjamin Lewis? I have a distinct feeling that Ava sent you here for a purpose, because God knows the rest of the American Branch wants nothing to do with the European Black Court."

Brienne's eyes were even and cold as she spoke, locked with Ben's and unwavering. She wouldn't let him try to lie his way out of whatever mission Ava had him on, not without having to lie directly to her face. Lets see how good this Black Bishop was of Ava's.

Brienne raised her flute of hemlock to her lips.

"Enlighten me."

 

[Black Widow]

Arklay -- Mansion

Haleigh was angry, wanting some time alone to simmer down before she really got into a fight with her husband, so she let go of his hand, and told him she was going to visit her lab. He refused that, taking her hand again and leading her into the mansion. She could have overpowered him, easily, but she resigned to let it happen. They were obviously going to fight about it, now, or later. Might as well get it over with. In the White Suite, she pulled her hand from his grasp, crossing her arms this time, glaring at him.

"Out with it, then."

Cameron: That was some really messed up shit you just said. That my trust in you is dependent on your ability to carry a child?

"Well, what the fuck am I supposed to think?? What's the difference between yesterday and today?"

She asked, and then she held out one hand.

"Yesterday I couldn't get pregnant. You were absolutely fine with Alek and I."
She held out the other hand.

"Today I can get pregnant, and now you're acting like you caught me cheating. Obviously there's something bothering you. Our marriage has always been open and honest, now you’re acting weird, so...."

Cameron: That I'm so driven to spread my seed that it didn't matter how I got an heir, just as long as I got one?

"Well, you won't talk to me about it, so I'm left to draw my own conclusions."

She shot back, her tone frustrated and defensive. He asked her how many times he’d have to choose her over others. She grimaced, shaking her head slowly.

"Don't even. I've never MADE you choose me over your family. I never WOULD make you choose, and don't try to make it sound like I haven't returned the fucking favor. You're the White King because I killed my own mother."

Cameron: Have I stopped you from anything you've ever wanted to do? Have I EVER put my foot down? Made you feel trapped? Confined? I haven't.

"No? Not even just now, when I clearly expressed my desire to have some space, yet you dragged me into this bedroom to have this fucking fight??"

She interjected facetiously, then he gave an account of recent events, and accused her of making him feel like an asshole.

"I'm not an empath, Cameron. I can't make you feel anything. If you're feeling like an asshole, maybe it's because you're acting like one."

She replied, and he tried to tell her pregnancy wasn’t going to be easy. Haleigh's eyes narrowed.

"Don't you DARE patronize me like some dumb trophy wife incapable of understanding the complexities of life."

She warned him. He focused on her having sex with Alek, worried about the rumor mill and she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Oh who gives a fuck what the rumors are? I'm pretty sure there's rumors floating around that I'm more robot than human. I'm not going to concern myself with what those beneath us think. And it's not like everyone doesn't already know that I've been fucking Alek since he broke up with Ash. What do you want from me? Post the fucking paternity test results on Facebook if it matters so much to you."

Cameron: And if they heard what you said...

"Cameron, please."

She said, but he pressed on, accusing her of avoiding responsibility for what happened with Alek, as if something happened. He also tried to say she celebrated the revelation of her pregnancy by telling Alek she loved him, which just wasn’t true. She did say it, no denying that, but it had been totally unrelated to her pregnancy.

"No matter how many times you frame it that way, it didn't HAPPEN like that. Stop trying to make it sound like I professed my undying devotion to him, or like I just fell head over heels. And anyway I said it before I knew I was pregnant, let’s not conflate separate issues here."

Cameron: It creates distrust between Alek and I as well. Do you know what he thought after you told him?

"Um, NO, because I can't read minds Cameron."

Cameron: Do you know how feels about YOU? He was over the moon you told him before me. He wants you. It's MORE than just some sexual fling.

He said, and she scoffed.

"Come on, babe. This is the Red King we're talking about. He sneers at love. He wanted Ashley once too. Look how THAT'S turned out."

She pointed out, and then he continued to insist he could sense how she felt, that it wasn’t just a slip when she told Alek she loved him. She sighed, her expression softening. So that was what was bothering him. She closed the distance between them, her hands framing his face as she looked up into his eyes.

“Babe. Ever since I understood what love was, I have loved you. You know that, don’t you?”

She asked, her arms sliding around his neck as she leaned against his body.

“With Regards to Alek..... We collaborate on a lot of Hellfire issues, and I’ve come to appreciate some of his better qualities. He’s intelligent, he’s ruthless, he’s strong. He’s a good King and a great ally to our cause. I admire him, sure. Is it so different from the way YOU feel about Ashley? Or Ava? Don’t try to tell me that you aren’t a little bit in love with Heidi. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and never held it against you like you’re doing to me now.”

 

[Goliath]

Brienne: "Your majesty. It always baffles me you Americans can't grasp the concept of royal titles."

"Well I'm not American. Hackney boy through and through, but I guess that just makes things worse for me, doesn't it. Sorry being in the states must have dilluted my accent. Here.."

Ben grabbed a flower from one of the displays at the bar and winked at The Black Queen.

"Wahtna bouy ah flowwahh?"

She did not seem impressed, but Ben didn't mind much. This was Hellfire. The preset dial for most people here was to be a bitch. It was like dogs sniffing each other's arses. You threw a barb out, saw how somebody responded, and decided if that was in line with how you decided that day you wanted to be treated, based on title.

Brienne: "Bishop, huh? Well, Bishop...are you a lover and not a fighter? I can quite imagine Ava appointing someone like you to be her errand boy?"

Ben sat the flower down on the table and eyed Brienne up and down, taking his glass to his mouth and taking a sip, making sure to flex his biceps as the glass met his lips.

"Nobody told me I had to choose..but both. Perferably at the same time, but thanks for asking. Though to my Queen's credit I wasn't always so...beefy."

The Black Queen liked what she saw and traced her finger along his bicep before retracting it back with a smirk. Ben may have not filled the traditional role or look of a Bishop, but he did have his benefits. In Hellfire he was invisible, always quiet and to the side. It let people speak freely in front of him because they didn't view him as a threat. In the field, though it was still new to him, he felt a bit more free to use his sex appeal to gather information. Ben knew what it was like to want attention, and more often than not, if you gave a playful smile or even displayed the basics of human deceny to a person, they would sing like a canary. He was diverse.

Brienne: "What exactly do you want, Benjamin Lewis? I have a distinct feeling that Ava sent you here for a purpose, because God knows the rest of the American Branch wants nothing to do with the European Black Court. Enlighten me."

Ben smirked.

"Of course she did, your majesty. See? I'm a fast learner. She wants me to seduce you and steal your cutting edge fashions for herself before throwing you off the rooftop of the mansion, through the glass of the conservatory. It's going to be quite the scandal."

He pondered for a moment as to whether or not The Black Queen actually wore underwear.

"This is Hellfire, Brienne. Everybody just moves towards the shiniest thing in the room. Last night was The White Party so everybody is still love drunk on Liam and Juliette. And they rarely leave each other's side so it makes it easier for them to spot. It's nothing personal, though I agree - it's a bit fucked up. But look around.."

Ben gestured over to the groups of people who could be seen whispering and gossiping about all the days events as their eyes tried to carefully avoid Brienne's stare.

"The gossip mill is in full effect. Tonight is The Black Party...and after what just happened with Archer today in the woods? You are going to be the belle of the ball. You'll have your pick of the litter."

The Bishop turned his glance back towards The Black Queen and gave a cheeky smile.

"We can get into court semantics later. I just wanted to make sure you capitalized on this moment, and that when you do, you might remember the beefy bearded guy and save him a dance?"

He had to play carefully with Brienne. Archer and Ava were not on good terms, and the day was still young. Ben couldn't dive deep. Not now. He had to gain her trust, or at least a bit of her favor before she would give him any information as to what she was thinking. Where her head was at. This was going to have to be a bit of a slow game.

"Or if dancing isn't your thing, I'm open to suggestions."

 

[Prophet]

Well this was getting nowhere fast, and Cameron knew deep down that they could not and would not leave this room until there was some kind of resolve. Their relationship aside, the weekend was too important to be spent fighting. Their biggest attribute was their united front and that couldn't be risked in mixed company. He knew he was being jealous, territorial even. But there was something deeply primal inside of him that was brewing that he didn't like. Haleigh was his wife and she was now carrying his son. And there was no body or brain that he wouldn't cut through to protect that, but he wasn't giving his wife enough credit and that wasn't fair - though he was still not impressed with her relationship with Alek. And it was still eating at him.

Haleigh: "No matter how many times you frame it that way, it didn't HAPPEN like that. Stop trying to make it sound like I professed my undying devotion to him, or like I just fell head over heels. And anyway I said it before I knew I was pregnant, let's not conflate separate issues here."

"Alright, alright. I'm being jealous I know that. But come on..the semantics are weak there."

He tried to impress on her what he felt was the dubious nature of The Red King's feelings for Haleigh, but she seemed to want to deflect which gave him pause.

Haleigh: "Come on, babe. This is the Red King we're talking about. He sneers at love. He wanted Ashley once too. Look how THAT'S turned out."

"EXACTLY, Haleigh. You don't do what he just did if you didn't love somebody. If he thinks that this can be anything more than what it is and he feels rejected, who knows what he will do? He made a VERY bold move today, and I'm not entirely sure he would have made that move if he didn't feel secure in doing so. It's a problem."

Haleigh: "Babe. Ever since I understood what love was, I have loved you. You know that, don't you."

Her cold hands framed his face as he softened for a moment. Their love was palpable. He could feel it in the air around it. But sometimes you just couldn't help the way that you felt. Love was strong but it was also fragile. It needed to be tended to. These conversations were not easy, but they needed to happen. He kissed her lips for a moment, allowing himself to be lost in their love. She leaned into him.

"I would die without you, Haleigh."

Haleigh made a case for Alek, which made her touch seem less genuine.

Haleigh: "With regards to Alek...We collaborate on a lot of Hellfire issues, and I've come to appreciate some of his better qualities. He's intelligent, he's ruthless, he's strong. He's a good King and a great ally to our cause. I admire him, sure. Is it so different from the way YOU feel about Ashley? Or Ava? Don't try to tell me that you aren't a little bit in love with Heidi. I've seen the way you look at her, and never held it against you like you're doing to me now."

Cameron kissed her again, knowing that what he was about to say might make her very angry, but he couldn't not say anything. He had struck a deal with Ashley. He meant what he said when he said he would give his wife anything she ever wanted, but in this case, Haleigh was going to have to really look at things, and decide WHAT exactly she wanted.

"He is a great ally for you. He doesn't have Ashley's best interest at heart. Or mine. Or Ava. He just publically humiliated his Queen, and all of us in the process. His knight does not respect him. And interactions I've seen with my mind's eye lead me to believe he's moving his path of destruction right through the black court next. Ava is softening on him. That may seem good, but it's not. He will make a move on Ava, or vice versa, and John is not me. He won't tolerate that. Alek is walking a dangerous path. THAT is what I am holding against you..."

[sighing]

"He may be an asset in terms of his relationships with the Brits..but I am telling you right now, in all seriousness, if he doesn't start running a campaign to fix his ties with those around him..the matter will be dealt with..and the wheels are already greased."