Last woman at Melrose Place

[Spellbinder]

<< Melrose Place- Courtyard>>

<< Sally Spectra arrived, and after big hugs, kisses, and a moment of happiness, the fashion maven did indeed dress Morgan down! Morgan knew how much she owed to Sally. Her career. And Sally had always been an unwavering advocate for mutants, many of whom worked throughout the world of fashion.>>

<< Morgan knew that had it not been for Sally, Blaze and Nicolas, among others, her recent venture with the fashion house of Spectra would not have survievd, and not everyone, CEO or otherwise, can take such an extended HIATUS, OFFWORLD no less.>>

<< Morgan understood Sally's real concerns.>>

Sally, I can't say anything other than...THANK YOU for the support that you've shown me...US. I owe you, and I owe BLAZE for being a most capable acting CEO in my absence. Rest assured I am renewed, refreshed and ready to reinvest in our shared passion.

Sally: Oh, I KNOW you will, darling. I can see it in your pretty little face! You ARE fresh as a daisy, and just in time too! The Forresters are having some of their infamous...infighting. I tell ya, nothing has been the same with them since her royal highness, Stephanie Forrester, passed away. If they keep at it like this, they're gonna experience MORE than being left in OUR dust on the runway, someone's gonna come along and pull the rug out right from under them...AGAIN.

<< It wasn't malicious, what Sally said, it was truth. The House of Forrester had NOT been on solid ground for several years now, largely due to infighting, internal power grabs, and wars over "majority shares" in the company. The Spectra house started with a real motley crew, and Sally, in her EARLIEST days, was known as the "QUEEN OF THE KNOCK OFFS." But she had no shame to her game, and in time, she CHANGED the game. So much so, that even a few Forresters, namely the founder Eric's OTHER son, THORNE, had even come to join the House of spectra, lending his fine designing talents, and helping Spectra bring the fire to the FC clan on the run way like never before!>>

Blaze: Yeah...I like Steffy, I love her style, and I'm pretty sure she could be plied with the right amount of top shelf...but her father...is a real piece of work and he's going to ruin their chances if he doesn't get over his massive ego. He hasn't had a hit line himself in almost a decade, while Steffy's "California Freedom" line last summer was...

Sally: Sensational. Yes. But let's not have stars in our eyes for them, when we have PLENTY coming down the pipeline of own! SO....

<< There they were- in the courtyard of Melrose Place Morgan, Karen, Blaze and Nicolas, along with Sally Spectra, and a couple of clandestine inc soldiers, who now shadowed Sally. One of the many changes, since the purifiers caper, when Sally herself nearly became collateral damage. Sally stands with Nicolas next to her, and she's got her arm wrapped under his.>>

Sally: [to Morgan] ...I understand you're looking to sell this place, huh?

Morgan: Oh Sally, I've been BEGGING to sell it...<< making it sound as though she couldn't get it off her hands, and looking a bit dramatic to boot. Sally wasn't buying it in the least.>>


Sally: Yeah, right. This zip code is very hot, my dear. And this property? Are you kidding? I KNOW about this "Place." The OTHER skinny blonde, what was her name, AMANDA Woodward? She did some some very memorable add campaigns for Spectra in the mid to late 90s, right around the time we were getting YOU set up in New York!

Morgan: Yes, I remember. Would you believe that part of the reason I bought this place WAS it's previous history? And now....even though this is a day I knew would come eventually, I don't just want to turn it loose on the open market for some silicon valley asshole to come buy it, only to dismantle it and turn it into some generic tech hive.

Sally: Bah! this is L.A., not silicon valley. Let them have their cold hardware. That stuff goes out of style five minutes after it's released! WE set the style, we provide ART and appeal, and we offer something that can be either CLASSIC or serve for reinvention in a cycle or two!

<< Blaze "smiled" with her eyes.>>

Sally: More to the point, I want a place like this to house the next generation of models! The less they have to worry about, the more than can succeed in passion and their calling, brining my designs to LIFE! SO << removing her arm from Nicolas' and wrapping it around Morgan, leading her away from the others>> , let's talk business, shall we?

<< The two women seat themselves at one of the patio tables, while Blaze, Nicolas and Karen check in the various apartments, making preparations to transport any personal belongs left by the members of the Six.>>

<< As Sally and Morgan discuss, the found of footfalls can be heard on Melrose Avenue, just before the entrance to Melrose place. The foot falls slow, and soon come to a stop, as a handsome man stands just in the entarnce way, taking in the look of the property, and overhearing the voices of Morgan and Sally.>>

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - Delilah's Penthouse

Delilah: "What DO you want, Cameron? To save her?"

:: That was a loaded question. What did he want? Any attempt he ever made at trying to maintain a relationship with his biological family ended in disaster. It seemed like a curse, that alone The Kings could survive and even thrive, but in the orbit of each other, pain and suffering soon followed. Still...anybody who knew Cameron knew that more than anything he needed to be rooted into this Earth. He needed to know where he came from. So much of his life had happened to him without any rhyme or reason. It was only by luck and his own clouded morality that had kept him alive all of these years. For years he had questions...and then he met Alison and Erika and only found more questions. Then his mother was revived and went on a path of destruction to kill him. As much as he wanted to believe Alison, that Kelly King was evil to the core, a twisted and sadistic ill woman who had tortured them all..as an empath, those kind of conclusions weren't as easy to draw. What sent her down that path? Was it Diana? Her own mental illness? Somebody loved her enough to father three children with her, despite her proclivities. At some point, she had made a decision to keep these children. There had to be a reason for that. Members of The Six had tried to destroy the world and each other and some of them had succeeded. They were tainted by fate. They were tainted by the war they had been born into. Cameron had to believe, if only to somehow rationalize the person he would later become, that there was good in each of them. Erika had betrayed them, but that wasn't always the case. For everything that he had done to her at the hands of Malice, every knife she had dug into his body, every maniacal laugh that filled his mind every now and then in nightmares, he forgave her. She was a casualty of war. Had she remained her distance, had she not gotten in bed with things so against her nature, she might still be alive, and Cameron knew deep down that if Erika, her true soul and energy of everything she was, could see what she had done to him, that she would have destroyed herself and done anything in her power to change it. Even if he was faced with his doppleganger and she appeared to be true evil, Cameron knew that he couldn't bare to destroy her again. Enough had been done to his family. ::

"I...I won't know what I want until I'm faced with her. I'm sorry it's not an easy answer, but it's the truth. I have to see her."

:: Delilah embraced Cameron into a hug and he warmly received it. ::

Delilah reached over and pulled him into a hug.

“It’s okay…”

She held him tight.

“You’re allowed to feel emotions Cameron – you don’t have to be a block of marble like your sister. You can lean on me, I’ll hold you up.”

She pulled back, giving him a half smile.

She shook her head.

“I don’t know where you’ve gotten this idea in your head that you are some terrible person on the inside who’s trying to claw his way out. People get angry. You could have brought the Parthenon down around us but you didn’t. Shit, the table was only broken for about one second before you put it back together. You are a good person, Cameron. Your nature is to be a good person, a hero. You don’t have to be perfect – you’re not a robot, none of us are. And when you slip up, we’ll be here to catch you. If Morgan Victoria can kill Haleigh and almost destroy the world, I think we can forgive a little earthquake under the Parthenon.”

:: He tried to accept the compliment, but history had shown him, that when it came to The Six that unless he was absolutely perfect in every way. Unless he was even tempered, agreeable, selfless and kind, he would always be the Cameron that nearly drove Morgan over the edge, no matter what he did. Cameron wanted to believe he was a good person, and he wanted to believe Delilah's words, but she didn't know the darkness that truly lived inside of him. It was a thing that only a few knew. Haleigh and Alison for one...and Diana for another. Cameron knew that maintaining homeostasis was a conscious and tiring effort and that the next time he let go, and just said fuck it, it would end in disaster. ::

"You're really too good to me, Delilah. Thank You."

:: He mentioned the kiss. ::

She looked at him silently for a few moments. She couldn't say she was surprised.

“Well, it seems like you do feel bad about it, or you wouldn’t be telling me about it now and looking embarrassed.”

She tilted her head.

“Having said that – you and Haleigh have a past that is too complicated to be called complicated. And if we’ve learned ANYTHING it’s that, life’s too short, man. If you love Haleigh, tell her so, be with her. And if you don’t love Alycia, she needs to know that too. Don’t string her along. Give her a chance to find someone who does. But you need to decide who you want to be with.”

She gave a sarcastic laugh.

“I’ve been sleeping with someone who I’m not in love with and who I knew was in love with me. That is pretty messed up. I am the last person who could judge you on your love life.”

:: She was right. For as poised as Delilah was, there was one thing that she really DID take risks for, and that was love. There was no denying how deeply she loved Bishop and vice versa. They were together, they had tried to make it work despite everybody in the free world condemning them to Hell. Their relationship had nearly destroyed the future of mutants, what horrors could POSSIBLY be suffered by Cameron admitting to Haleigh how he felt, by jumping in head first. However, his senses appealed to him and he thought of Alycia and Zach, and while he hated Zach deeply and bitterly, he would sooner DIE than have Orion be RIGHT about him. ::

"You needed to be touched. You need to feel...SOMETHING. We can say that he didn't know what he was getting into...but let's face it, he kind of did..."

[shaking his head]

"Love sucks."

“Don’t you dare say that. It’s not stupid. You’re still a person, no matter what’s happening with the Six – or what they think.”

She smirked.

“And I don’t really care what they think about this. We’ll deal with whatever comes at us, together.”

"The truce IS over. Whether they want it to or not..."

:: He smiled and hugged Delilah again. ::

"I'm glad you're back..so to speak. I've been needing somebody to talk to. You make me feel sane...and I appreciate you, you know that?"

 

[Hellion]

Bad Boy to Melrose!

<< VROOM! >>

<< The tires of a pristine white 458 italia Ferrari blasted down the 101 with great speed, weaving in and out of traffic with reckless abandoned as loud rock and roll music blared from the speakers, reverberating against the others cars as it went. >>

"For the love of GOD, get out of the way, ASSHOLE!"

<< Smirking at the irony of that statement, Derek Forrester continued his commute, his fingers tapping to the music, flinging expletives left and right as he made his way towards Melrose. He had been in Los Angeles for several days on business, or at least that was what he had told his publicist. To be honest, he came to the City of Angels, because despite it's name, there was a defecit of heavenly creatures walking around. Los Angeles was the real city of sin, and Derek needed to quench his thirst. Partying up and down the streets, getting into a number of physical altercations and paparazzi blow outs, the trip had been just what he needed to center himself, or at least quietly drown the part of him that was trying to make him walk a better path. >>

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.."

<< The bible verse came easily to his mind as he jetted down the freeway, John 8:12, but he quickly pushed it out of his mind as he took an exit with a screech and continued on his way. He was tracking some powerful dark energy he had felt manifest in the late hours of the evening last night. It was not often that Derek felt an energy that matched his. He needed to see where it had came from, if only to kill whoever was channeling it and absorb it into his own. Letting his senses guide him, he could sense that he was close. Swerving towards the sidewalk, he parked near the curb and got out of the car, pressing his suit before looking at the parking meter. >>

"Now THESE things are the root of true evil.."

<< Waving his hands, the meter went from expired to full of time as Derek pounded the pavement, letting the residual energy he was experiencing guide him towards his location. Before long, he came across the front of an apartment complex where the sign read "Melrose Place". Derek cocked an annoyed eyebrow until he heard two voices talking loudly.

Sally: Yeah, right. This zip code is very hot, my dear. And this property? Are you kidding? I KNOW about this "Place." The OTHER skinny blonde, what was her name, AMANDA Woodward? She did some some very memorable add campaigns for Spectra in the mid to late 90s, right around the time we were getting YOU set up in New York!

Morgan: Yes, I remember. Would you believe that part of the reason I bought this place WAS it's previous history? And now....even though this is a day I knew would come eventually, I don't just want to turn it loose on the open market for some silicon valley asshole to come buy it, only to dismantle it and turn it into some generic tech hive.

Sally: Bah! this is L.A., not silicon valley. Let them have their cold hardware. That stuff goes out of style five minutes after it's released! WE set the style, we provide ART and appeal, and we offer something that can be either CLASSIC or serve for reinvention in a cycle or two!

<< Blaze "smiled" with her eyes.>>

Sally: More to the point, I want a place like this to house the next generation of models! The less they have to worry about, the more than can succeed in passion and their calling, brining my designs to LIFE! SO << removing her arm from Nicolas' and wrapping it around Morgan, leading her away from the others>> , let's talk business, shall we?

<< The two women seat themselves at one of the patio tables, while Blaze, Nicolas and Karen check in the various apartments, making preparations to transport any personal belongs left by the members of the Six.>>

<< One voice he recognized instantly as Sally Spectra. Hers was a voice that was hard to forget. The other seemed vaguely familiar. One thing was for sure...whatever had "arrived" in Los Angeles last night was DEFINITELY here in front of him. He smirked, genuinely curious as he looked towards the left and the right, opening the gates of the complex and walking through the corridor to the courtyard towards where Sally and Morgan were sitting. His eyes widened for a second. >>

"Her...it came from...her?"

<< He was intrigued. >>

"I thought I heard the voice of Sally Spectra."

<< Derek began to walk over towards the woman, his eyes drawn to Morgan Victoria. Her power emanated from her body, her energy signature called to him in a very deep and provocative way. >>

"I hope you'll forgive my breaking and entering.."

[smirking]

"One of the lesser charges I've incurred this year. But I was on my way to do a little bit of shopping, when I heard the voice of the siren herself..."

<< He embraced Sally Spectra in a hug. She was a fashion urban legend at this point. Everybody knew her, and everybody accepted her as a fixture of the fashion world - a place he was very much a part of. >>

"Good to see you...and GLAD to see you are in good health.."

<< Derek started at the tip of Morgan's toes as his eyes travelled slowly up her body before meeting her icy violet eyes dead on. There was an INSTANT attraction between the two of them. There were sparks that he could almost feel. For a moment, he was almost overwhelmed by his energy, and he could tell that he was having the same effect on her, though her resolve remained icy. >>

"And if it isn't...Morgan "The Legs" Victoria. Well...I haven't seen you since my modeling days. We did a swim wear shoot in the Maldives together, remember..." [looking her up and down once more before smiling] "because I certainly do..."

<< He reached for her hand and gave it a small kiss that had a static shock when his lips met her skin. Derek pulled back for a moment. >>

"Well...appears our chemistry remains the same."

<< Derek spun back on his heels, spinning around to face the two women, adjusting the expensive watch on his wrist. >>

"I hope I'm not disturbing some underground fashion meeting. Plotting to destroy my upcoming Spring Line, my separation from Forrester Creations was going to create shockwaves, that much I knew..but I didn't expect you to outright attempt to destroy me!"

<< He smirked. >>

 

[Spellbinder]

Melrose Place- Courtyard

<< The unexpected voice of a man caused Morgan and Sally to turn their heads toward the main entrance of the courtyard!>>

"I thought I heard the voice of Sally Spectra."

<< Derek began to walk over towards the woman, his eyes drawn to Morgan Victoria. Her power emanated from her body, her energy signature called to him in a very deep and provocative way. >>

"I hope you'll forgive my breaking and entering.."

[smirking]

<< Sally waved away the Clandestine Soldiers who were RAPIDLY approaching. This one was okay, at least with SALLY. MORGAN on the other hand, glared at the...HANDSOME man...with her violet eyes>>

<< She replied in an icy voice>>

As a matter of fact...this IS private property, and we WERE conducting private business?

Sally: Oh he's alright, honey. I've known this naughty little puppy since he was << lowering her hand down>> YAY high?

"One of the lesser charges I've incurred this year. But I was on my way to do a little bit of shopping, when I heard the voice of the siren herself..."

<< He embraced Sally Spectra in a hug. She was a fashion urban legend at this point. Everybody knew her, and everybody accepted her as a fixture of the fashion world - a place he was very much a part of. >>

"Good to see you...and GLAD to see you are in good health.."

<< Sally stood and hugged the handsome young man. She greeted him warmly, but not quite in the way she would have Nicolas, Zach or Cameron. There was almost a MATERNAL familiarity there >>

Sally: Derek, BABY. << her hands on his arms now>> Only not a baby anymore! << winking at him>>

<< Indeed she knew him well. Long ago, she and his FATHER had been an item, and of course, Sally had more than a little involvement with the Forrester Family. Derek was not content to be trapped in FC. He inherited THAT from his father. But Sometimes, he did get ahead of himself, and with the sweet Kristin or the shellshocked Clarke were unable to keep up with him, SALLY could snap him back a bit, as any "AUNT" would.>>

and I must say, I am definitely in fighting shape. In fact, I haven't felt this good in YEARS.

<< she laughs as they embrace once more, and she then presents him to Morgan. By now, Morgan was standing too, with her arms folded. She studied the man. She'd seen plenty of handsome, charming, if not a tad bit ARROGANT business men before, especially in THIS town. But he was different. There was an aura about him that went BEYOND the normal energy or resonance of a flatscan or even a non-magickal mutant or metahuman. His manna was STRONG, it was almost...CAPTIVATING.>>

"And if it isn't...Morgan "The Legs" Victoria. Well...I haven't seen you since my modeling days. We did a swim wear shoot in the Maldives together, remember..." [looking her up and down once more before smiling] "because I certainly do..."

<< He reached for her hand and gave it a small kiss that had a static shock when his lips met her skin. Derek pulled back for a moment. >>

"Well...appears our chemistry remains the same."

<< Without even thinking, she had extended her smooth, well manicured hand, allowing him to take hold of it, and kiss her hand.>>

<< Her violet eyes widened a bit, as Sally smirked >>

<< She DID remember...>>

Morgan: Yes. I do remember. It was wet...wild...and...

<< FLASH!>>

<< Flashbulbs pop off, and with each one, a shot of Morgan and Derek at the hot, and WET swim shoot, in various poses, including a very suggestive, "up close and personal" one>>

....productive.

We made "water modeling" the IN thing all over again.

So, aquaman, what brings you to Melrose Place?

<< Derek spun back on his heels, spinning around to face the two women, adjusting the expensive watch on his wrist. >>

"I hope I'm not disturbing some underground fashion meeting.

Oh it's not a fashion meeting. But you ARE disturbing.

<< She eyed him up and down, smirking as he was QUITE aware of himself, strutting around like a peacock.>>

Sally: Have you been in touch with your father? All is NOT happy in the Forrester Kingdom as of late.

Plotting to destroy my upcoming Spring Line, my separation from Forrester Creations was going to create shockwaves, that much I knew..but I didn't expect you to outright attempt to destroy me!"

<< He smirked. >>

Sally: << waving her hand dismissively>> Pffft, honey please. I'm in the market for real estate. And for where? Well, you're standing in it.

Morgan: We were just about to finalize the agreement. SO, wet and wild Forrester, if there's nothing else?

<< Morgan couldn't help but smile knowingly at him as she snickered a bit. he was something else....but not in a BAD way. Where the hell had HE been when they FIRST arrived at MP?>>

Maybe I should stay a bit longer....

<< Her violet eyes WIDEN as she suddenly seems surprised, even a bit dismayed about something>>

WHAT am I SAYING!?

<< Clearing her throat and returning to an icy demeanor>>

It's always nice to run into a colleague. And you've certainly done well for yourself. But now, I think it's time you were going.

Sally: Tell your father I said he better get it together....before Ridge and Rick Jr try to run him through over there at FC! << And one last thing>> The next time you show up at one of my parties...I trust I don't need to remind you that LOGANS are NOT on the guest list...EVER?

<< A brief STERN look flashes across Sally's face. When it came to the Logan tarts, she didn't mess around. Her contempt for them was almost as legendary as Stephanie Forrester's>>

<< Morgan studied him some more. Where HAD he been all this time?! He was...NOT going to leave her mind's eye anytime soon. >>

 

[Hellion]

Melrose Place - Courtyard

Sally: "Have you been in touch with your father? All is NOT happy in the Forrester Kingdom as of late."

<< Derek gave a knowing shrug, still eyeing Morgan discreetly with one eye. Her magick was STRONG. >>

"Can't say I'm not to blame for a chunk of it. They didn't want to listen to my ideas, and now my men's line is outdoing their women's fall collection entirely. They're trying to woo me back into their good grace's...and Dad is trying to keep them off my back. He seems to think I'm still a good investment, so until that wears off, I'm throwing myself headfirst into my own fashion house. It's got the family's feathers in a ruffle, but really, when isn't that the case?"

Sally: << waving her hand dismissively>> Pffft, honey please. I'm in the market for real estate. And for where? Well, you're standing in it.

Morgan: We were just about to finalize the agreement. SO, wet and wild Forrester, if there's nothing else?

<< Morgan couldn't help but smile knowingly at him as she snickered a bit. he was something else....but not in a BAD way. Where the hell had HE been when they FIRST arrived at MP?>>

Maybe I should stay a bit longer....

<< Her violet eyes WIDEN as she suddenly seems surprised, even a bit dismayed about something>>

WHAT am I SAYING!?

<< Clearing her throat and returning to an icy demeanor>>

It's always nice to run into a colleague. And you've certainly done well for yourself. But now, I think it's time you were going.

Sally: Tell your father I said he better get it together....before Ridge and Rick Jr try to run him through over there at FC! << And one last thing>> The next time you show up at one of my parties...I trust I don't need to remind you that LOGANS are NOT on the guest list...EVER?

<< A brief STERN look flashes across Sally's face. When it came to the Logan tarts, she didn't mess around. Her contempt for them was almost as legendary as Stephanie Forrester's>>

<< Morgan studied him some more. Where HAD he been all this time?! He was...NOT going to leave her mind's eye anytime soon. >>

<< Derek smirked back at Morgan. They were feeling the same vibes. This made Derek know there was a chance to get to experience the intriguing mystery of a woman that was Morgan Victoria. >>

[to Morgan]

"Or...I could stay."

<< He moved closer smirking in a cheeky, devious manner as he began to move closer to Morgan, now able to smell the scent of her perfume. Derek was a man who had seen heavenly things, quite literally. He had seen the beauty of darkness...and she was like a perfect mixture of the two. When he realized how absolutely cheesy that just sounded when replayed in his head, he knew it to be true. Sally bid him farewell. He laughed at Sally's condemnation on the Logans. >>

"Oh Sally, I would never want to cause such a stir...From here on out, I promise...I'll only bring Brooke!"

<< Laughing he gave her a hug, before turning his attention to Morgan once again, this time...VERY close to her. He maintained eye contact. >>

"You...it was good running into you..."

[reaching into his pocket, producing a business card]

"I'd very much like to see you again. Buy you a drink...reminisce about the good old days perhaps?"

<< The business card read: Derek Forrester - House of Derek James in a very expensive, very impressive font and texture as he slipped it into Morgan's hands, making sure let his fingers linger for a few extra seconds. >>

"I promise you'd enjoy yourself..but don't make me wait too long, or else I'll have to track you down..with your permission of course."

<< They gazed at each other intensly for a few moments before he spun around and began to make his way out of the courtyard of Melrose Place. >>

"Always a pleasure, Sally!"

<< His hand in the air, his back turned towards them, walking. >>

"And Morgan...I'll see you in New York!"

<< The sounds of tires screeching could be heard in the distance as Derek hit the open road, thoroughly excited. >>

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon - Delilah's Suite

Cameron had put so much on his own shoulders. Delilah had not realized what a toll that was taking on him. What a toll taking care of HER had taken on him. She looked at him. This was bigger than simply fallout from being on the streets, or having a horrible mother. This went back to Inferno, before that, to finding out Alison was his sister. Cameron felt like if he wasn’t perfect, Morgan would kill him and his sister would hate him. His “mother” arriving was just compounding an issue that was already there.

"I...I won't know what I want until I'm faced with her. I'm sorry it's not an easy answer, but it's the truth. I have to see her."

“It’s okay not to know – it’s not an easy situation. But whatever you need, Cameron.”

She smiled as he hugged her again.

"I'm glad you're back…so to speak. I've been needing somebody to talk to. You make me feel sane...and I appreciate you, you know that?"

“Is this where you hand me a Hallmark card and a refrigerator wrapped in a big red bow?”

She laughed, but then her face grew serious.

“I’m so sorry, Cam – I’ve put so much strain on you. Taking care of me…you shouldn’t have had to do that. I haven’t been there for you, but I will be now. I promise.”

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas was hanging out as the ladies talked shop quite a bit away when suddenly, a guy shows up. Nicolas was immediately on alert but their reception to him was warm and he calmed down. It was obvious that the guy was trying his best with Morgan but, interestingly enough, her response was....unexpected.

Nicolas was not generally a crazy-jealous or possessive, but he noted her behavior, especially given that he was very good while she was off-world and it seems that she would not make it through the morning after her return! After the gentleman left, he walked over, sly grin on his face and he hugged first Sally, then Morgan again. He whispered in her ear...

Hey, how about we ditch everyone and spend some time while loverboy there has you properly heated up?

It was irreverent, it was mostly joking, but it also let her know that he saw her reaction to the man who had just left. He squeezed her and then stood, chuckling. Winking at Sally, he began to joke with her as well.

SALLY!!! Will there be an apartment for me here as well or am I being retired?

 

[Persephone]

It was the middle of the night as Ava sat in the war room reviewing all of the reports from what happened with Karen and Jasmine Klein. She had never met Jasmine previously but she had read up on her bio and background when she first joined the six. The girl was a loose cannon, but she was also a victim of some horrific torture at the hands of her own father Christopher. It was no surprise why she wanted to leave this timeline and start over in another. But as Ava scanned through the reports from Delilah, Karen, Sharon and Alycia, it was more surprising to Ava that ALISON knew nothing of it. She was with the precog for a better part of four days while this entire situation was going down, and not once did Alison "see" what was happening. Whatever or whoever brought this "part" of Jasmine back obviously was able to damper Alison's visions, which was why Ava wasn't actively there to help the others. It concern Ava that someone could block Alison's powers....Diana didn't have that ability, but someone the Sisterhood was working with now did.

Placing the iPad down on the table, Ava sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. Sleep was something she was used to going without these days, but for whatever reason she was TIRED. Maybe it was her minds way of preparing her for the shit show that seemed to be brewing behind Hellfire Club doors. Sighing, Ava opened her eyes as she sat back upright in her seat. Grabbing her phone, she scrolled through her contact list until finally clicking on Haleigh.

Via text: Hey, just read the reports. It's obvious something bigger is going on with the sisterhood beyond them wanting to torture Karen for sport. Haven't seen you since I left for Minvera's....want to grab coffee and brainstorm? Or scotch....seems like a hard liquor kind of talk lol.

Ava waited a few minutes, but there was no reply. Haleigh was notorious for responding to texts in record time considering they basically appeared in her head. But she wasn't answering any of Ava's.

Via text: Well when you decide to stop ignoring your sister, i'll be home ready to talk shop. Miss you Hales.

Looking at the empty text screen on her iPhone, Ava bit her bottom lip gently and turned off the phone.

"Lights off."

Standing from the table, the war room lights turned off as the goddess exited and made her way up to her suite.

 

[Spellbinder]

Melrose Place- Courtyard

[to Morgan]

"Or...I could stay."

HMPH.

That's what YOU think, Buster.!

<< She thought, imaginging for a moment, what his facial expression would CHANGE to the moment he found himself falling out of a stepping disc into the pacific ocean!>>

<< He moved closer smirking in a cheeky, devious manner as he began to move closer to Morgan, now able to smell the scent of her perfume. Derek was a man who had seen heavenly things, quite literally. He had seen the beauty of darkness...and she was like a perfect mixture of the two. When he realized how absolutely cheesy that just sounded when replayed in his head, he knew it to be true. Sally bid him farewell. He laughed at Sally's condemnation on the Logans. >>

"Oh Sally, I would never want to cause such a stir...From here on out, I promise...I'll only bring Brooke!"

<< Morgan scoffed. Even SHE had heard of Brooke Logan, a.k.a the Slut from the Valley! That woman was TRULY infamous, sleeping her way through multiple generations of men in the same family. Come to think of it, maybe she was friends with Claudia Zacchara! They both acted like ally cats in perpetual heat, and were about as welcomed among any woman Morgan knew as the bubonic plague! >>

<< Laughing he gave her a hug, before turning his attention to Morgan once again, this time...VERY close to her. He maintained eye contact. >>

"You...it was good running into you..."

[reaching into his pocket, producing a business card]

"I'd very much like to see you again. Buy you a drink...reminisce about the good old days perhaps?"

<< The business card read: Derek Forrester - House of Derek James in a very expensive, very impressive font and texture as he slipped it into Morgan's hands, making sure let his fingers linger for a few extra seconds. >>

"I promise you'd enjoy yourself..but don't make me wait too long, or else I'll have to track you down..with your permission of course."

<< They gazed at each other intensly for a few moments

<< She began to take hold of the business card, and didn't immediately pull her hand away from his lingering fingers. She raised an eyebrow as she surveyed him up close with her violet eyes...and took in his own unique presence, his body chemistry, and again, his manna.>>

<< BUT to his last little declaration...>>

Oh you could TRY. << she couldlnt help but smirk and reply with a bit of a laugh at his forwardness and his not-so-subtle pass>>

But I happen to be one of the few women in the WORLD who can be IMPOSSIBLE to find when she wants to be.

<< and that was no exaggeration.>>

"Always a pleasure, Sally!"

<< His hand in the air, his back turned towards them, walking. >>

"And Morgan...I'll see you in New York!"

OR NOT.

<< Morgan called out after him as she held on to his little business card>>

...MAYBE. IF I let you...

<< she thought...again, wondering what she was thinking THAT for. I mean after all, this was a man she had worked with ONCE. She hadn't seen him in YEARS, and now he thought he could just sweep in and...ENVELOPE her like that!? >>

Hmph!

<< The sounds of tires screeching could be heard in the distance as Derek hit the open road, thoroughly excited. >>

He's out of his mind. I've dealt with Ridge Forrester before and HIS ego entered the room five minutes before he did. Derek is CERTAINLY a Forrester.

<< Sally moved over to Morgan's side>>

Sally: Eh...don't let that bravado fool you, my dear. He's a lovable boy with a sincere heart, just like his daddy. a naughty puppy at times, but nothing a good spanking can't fix.

<< She looks at Morgan, who looked away with a bemused expression>>

Sally: Uhhh huh! I SAW you! you were wondering what it might BE like to spank him!

Morgan: Ohmigawd SALLY!?

<< Sally nudged her and laughed heartily>>

Sally: Ohhh LOOSEN up, honey! You've been back here for 5 minutes and you're acting like bambi in the woods!

<< and soon, Nicolas joined them, followed by Karen and Blaze, who had made the rounds to the various apartments.>>

He whispered in her ear...

Hey, how about we ditch everyone and spend some time while loverboy there has you properly heated up?

<< Morgan's mouth opens with disbelief as she looks at Nicolas now but soon her expression turns into a smile and a bit of a laugh>>

Loverboy my ASS.

HE COULD probably use a good spanking on on that...round ass of his!

<< She darkly thought, as Sally's observation BRIEFLY conjured an image of Morgan, in her DARKCHILDE aspect, "DISCIPLINING" the arrogant and the VERY BAD, Derek Forrester!>>

....

That was just a colleague, who happens to from Fashion Royalty, a.k.a the Forresters, and he's apart of the same fashion solar system that Sally helped created.
Gawd, Nicolas! is there NO END to your debauchery?

<< She replied as she rolled her eyes. Realizing she still had that card in her hand, she dropped it in her purse, and wrapped her arm around Nicolas'. She suddenly wondered if she SHOULD part with Melrose Place! This was where they all ended up as they began their slow and careful return from EXILE following the Bishop caper. This was where Morgan launched her massively successfull COMEBACK into the world of fashion. This had ALSO been the place where the Six had experienced some of their more recent personal dramas, AND survived an attack by BARBAS.>>

<< This "Place" had such an INFAMOUS history, one that Morgan and her Six family, along with the Zaccharas, had DEFINITELY added to, and now, with the sudden, unexpected "reunion" with Derek Forrester, along with Morgan's lingering reservations about returning to OTHER aspects of her life, maybe it would be a good idea to keep this place...in "reserve?">>

<< she was SERIOUSLY thinking about this for a few moments.>>

He squeezed her and then stood, chuckling. Winking at Sally, he began to joke with her as well.

SALLY!!! Will there be an apartment for me here as well or am I being retired?

Sally: Now Nicolas, don't play that naive routine in front of Morgan! You KNOW the policy!

<< looking serious for a brief moment before grinning mischieviously>>

Sally: My FAVORITE boys ALWAYS stay with ME in the big house!

<< She WAS, of course, referring to her sprawling estate out here in LA. She lived in the most exclusive of neighborhoods, her "neighbors" INCLUDED the Forresters and the Spencers. She'd hosted Cameron King, Zachary Armani, and many others in the past, and her showplace was known for the exclusive galas she hosted as well.>>

Sally: AND there will be an inspection and MEASUREMENS taken! << something ELSE she was known for, particularly with her MALE clients! >> I simply MUST make sure my designs fit PROPERLY, ya know!

<< winking BACK at Nicolas.>>

Sally: Now speaking of apartments, Morgan dear, do we have a deal? Or....are you having second thoughts? I know that look on your face just now quite well.

Karen: Is something wrong, Morgan?

<< Morgan looked pensive for a moment. The brief thought about Derek, WILD as it was, WAS just that- BRIEF. OTHER thigns were now weighing on her mind, including what letting go of Melrose place truly meant. There would be no more delays. She would HAVE to proceed with her plan in New York. YES, she COULD stay at the Parthenon, and judging by Blaze's initial reaction to her plans, many were EXPECTING her to do so. They WERE a team, and a family, and it did make sense for many reasons, BUT her personal plan was just as relevant and necessary. >>

<< There were other things...and PEOPLE waiting for her in NYC too. Morgan wasn't AFRAID, but just....wasn't sure if this would all be WORTH it. But that concern alone is precisely why Ororo commanded Morgan to return, before she LOST her connection to what DOES matter in her life, the reasons she NEEDS to be here. Nicolas gave voice to it last night as well.>>

<<sigh>>

No mom, everything's fine.

<< Looking at Sally, and smiling>>

No second thoughts. But I do have a request. Apartment 4 to remain available to me, or any member of the Six that might need it.

Sally: Fine. << nodding>> OH, and make sure Haleigh's impressive friends KEEP those security enhancments on the building. Ya know...after all that with the "PURIFIERS"...a girl just CAN'T be too careful these days!

Morgan: Oh you've got it Sally!

<< Morgan and Sally hug warmly>>

Sally: SPLENDID. We'll deal with the formalities of all this later. Before you all go rushing off to NYC, let's have lunch and a drink, shall we?

<< Everyone agreed, with Morgan preparing to teleport them, when Sally places a hand on her shoulder>>

Sally: no no...no need for THAT. I've got a car out on the avenue!

<< and with that, Morgan, Karen, Blaze, Nicolas and Sally begin to exit Melrose Place. >>

<< On their way out of the courtyard, Morgan paused, turning back to look around the courtyard...and then...>>

Blaze: Guys, look! I found this in my old apartment. It was taken by Haleigh.

<< It was a picture of the Six, including Sharon, along with Karen and Michael, all standing on the spiral stair case. It had been taken shortly after the conclusion of the Barbas caper, and CAMERON was back among them. >>

<< Everyone present looked at it. They had all been there for that moment, save Sally. Of those who were- they each had their own personal recollections of how they were feeling the night, the moment this photo was taken.>>

Morgan: It's a tradition, you know...

<< she says thoughtfully, as she runs her manicured nails gently over the picture, noting her look, along with everyone else's. Her violet eyes finally rest on her other "sisters"- Delilah and Alison. When THIS picture was taken, the three of them were tight as could be- "Charlie's Angels" for the new millennium", as Blaze called them. But NOW? Morgan and Alison still had their bond...and Delilah hated them both.>>

<< That would be something ELSE this "PLACE" would forever be associated with, at least for Morgan. For the night the Blue Moon dawned, they were HERE.>>

Karen: << also looking at the picture, and then noting her daughter's facial expression.>> Well you just said so yourself. It's a six tradition. I recall you doing one of these at Illustra as well. so you'll have to get moving, so that we can all ADD to the growing picture gallery.

Sally: And I don't EVEN have to ask WHO you'll be wearing for this little family photo shoot?

<< Laughs and agreement can be heard as everyone gathers around Sally Spectra, and they all exit the courtyard onto Melrose Avenue, together.>>

 

[Rampage]

That was just a colleague, who happens to from Fashion Royalty, a.k.a the Forresters, and he's apart of the same fashion solar system that Sally helped created.
Gawd, Nicolas! is there NO END to your debauchery?

She explained it all away and it was cute to see her flustered. But she DID keep the card and he chuckled at himself as he stood. Sally was ready to joke right back with him.

Sally: Now Nicolas, don't play that naive routine in front of Morgan! You KNOW the policy!

<< looking serious for a brief moment before grinning mischieviously>>

Sally: My FAVORITE boys ALWAYS stay with ME in the big house!

<< She WAS, of course, referring to her sprawling estate out here in LA. She lived in the most exclusive of neighborhoods, her "neighbors" INCLUDED the Forresters and the Spencers. She'd hosted Cameron King, Zachary Armani, and many others in the past, and her showplace was known for the exclusive galas she hosted as well.>>

Sally: AND there will be an inspection and MEASUREMENS taken! << something ELSE she was known for, particularly with her MALE clients! >> I simply MUST make sure my designs fit PROPERLY, ya know!

<< winking BACK at Nicolas.>>

Fair enough ma'am. I want to warn you, I am a special case. Things tend to be CLOSER and LARGER than they might appear at first glance!

After some hesitation, Morgan decides to sell with the exception of Apartment 4, which would stay with the Six. Sally noted the desire to keep the defensive enhancements to the place, and Nicolas made a note to send Mike by periodically to check on things as long as she had the place.

Sally offered to treat for drinks before they left, and they all started for her car when he saw the picture they took together post-Barbas. Thinking about how much they had gone through, it was hard to see himself without Morgan, even when she was in Limbo she made some time for them to spend time, and not just sexually. But now she was back and he was looking forward to growing with her even more. And anyone who stood against them would be in for a rude awakening. Both of them had made peace with their darker selves, and that brought each of them even more power. He looked forward to the times ahead.

 

[Seer]

<< And So>>

<< After a nice lunch and round of drinks, came one last round of affection among the group, including a gentle scratch behind the Tinker's ears, and a gentle pet on the head of the fluffy white kitten, from Sally. The formalities involving the sale of Melrose Place from Morgan to Sally would be handled by "their people" and it would go smoothly.>>

<< And so, the page turns, the chaper of the Six living at Melrose Place would come to an end...but this will not be the last time we see this infamous "Place.">>

<< A little while later, Morgan, her two cats, Karen, Blaze and Nicolas return to NYC, arriving in the Parthenon, specifically Blaze's sprawling apartment. >>

<< This was the first time Morgan had been here (NOT counting the dream time event) SINCE she returned ownership of the hotel back to Cameron King.>>

<< For the "moment", Morgan accepts Blaze's insistent offer to "hang out" in her spacious apartment. It'll take several days to get the ball rolling, and several months- even WITH the talents of Haleigh's Best and Brightest, along with the designer Nicolas is bringing on deck- to get the construction of the Sanctum Sanctorum well underway.>>

<< So far, things seemed to be falling into place for the sorceress as she began the process of settling into being back "home." But like most puzzles, some pieces would not be easily found or "fit into place" without some effort.>>

<< Two such "pieces" were Cameron and Delilah. Cameron was reeling from the news that Kelly Shaw was present and active in this timeline. He immediately assumed that Diana had something to do with this. But he had no proof, other than instinct, and not even ALISON seemed to be aware of Kelly's presence yet. If he didn't proceed with some kind of clarity, he'd come across looking as "odd" as Karen did at the height of the Frost debacle. Like it or not, he had no proof that Talisman was directly involved with Malice, and neither he nor Delilah would be able to bring down Malice alone. for EITHER of them to act without the others against the teams premier adversary would be beyond foolish, and would expose them and those they thought they were helping, to mortal danger. Did he REALLY want to be seen as a loose canon again? A trouble maker? Someone who could NOT be trusted to act with sense? >>

<< Blaze wastes no time contacting Ruby, Cameron, Ava and Delilah to inform them that Morgan has returned.>>

-------------------------------------------------
<< The Hellfire Mansion>>

<< In the Hellfire Club Mansion, preparations were underway for the decadent BLACK OUT party. A truly glamorous, and sinful event that immediately follows the debut of a new member to the Inner Circle, the cabal (consisting solely of mutants/metahumans) that rules over the Hellfire Club. In this case, it will be Lord Ravena, as the White King, standing with the White Queen, reigning over the White Court.>>

<< All three courts will be on the dais, the Red court Diana's right, the Black Court on Ravena's left.>>

<< This Black Out party's guest list not only includes general hellfire club members (though there's nothing "generic" about anyone who could gain access to this centuries old, ultra-elite establishment), but several VIP guests, AMONG them: ALICE, VIPER, SHARON KELLY, KRISTIN PRATT.>>

<< The last Black Out party, that marked the debut of Dominique Deveraux as the Inner Circle's Black Queen, was truly a mind bending affair to remember, especially for those would-be CRASHERS among the Six who rode in on Sharon's status as a life time member. THIS Black Out party, with a noticeably larger, different roster for the Inner Circle as a whole, would no doubt be another one for the memory books, especially NOW that they they've been informed by the Red Queen, Helena Quartermaine, that the "TRUCE" with the Six is officially DEAD, courtesy of an attack on Diana by Black Widow (Diana's wording, of course). >>

<< And so, we see activity throughout the Mansion, let's have a closer look at those various members of this new Inner Circle, starting with some of the "new blood" - Fathom, the White Knight, a powerful water elemental; Cobra, the Black Knight, an enigmatic mutate; Domino, ex-Black Knight of the Hellfire Club's London Branch, currently a "special guest" of the American Branch's Inner Circle (while secretly serving as a "CLEANER" for Diana); and rounding out this new batch, is Nogitsune, the White Rook, a mysterious dark kitsune.>>

<< Of them all, Nogitsune is perhaps the biggest MYSTERY of this new roster. No one is quite sure of her back story, and Diana has not been interested in explaining it. What IS clear, is that she is on the White Court, and is perhaps the most whimsical of the bunch, someone who randomly "pops in and out" on everyone among the Inner Circle, to varying degrees of reception among the individuals on the different courts.>>

<< Ravena, who is new personal quarters in the mansion. Sumptuous as his new dwelling is, as powerful as he is, now aligned with JUST as powerful a group of people, with similar ambition, Ravena CANNOT escape his own secrets, his orgins. MALICE knows his secret, who he is connected to, and what price he will pay if the truth comes out. Not necessarily at the hands of anyone he is currently alligned with, but someone ELSE. So far, Diana has not shared shared his secret with anyone...but it HAS afforded her a certain amount of leverage, and the person RESPONSIBLE for her gaining that leverage is Nogitsune, who's real name is Emiko. And as Ravena sits in his new personal dwellling, Emiko "POPS IN" to say "hello", as only SHE can. >>

<< And while Emiko visits, and vexes Ravena, we see Fathom, Cobra and Domino prowl the halls in the upper levels of the mansion that are accessible only to the Inner Circle. Like Domino, Fathom was originally a member of the Hellfire Club's London Branch. Literally a lifetime ago, THEN she was known as Hydra. Her real name is Heidi, while Domino's is Maxine. THEY know each other, and Domino has come to see Fathom in a whole new light following her big "SPLASH" against Frost in the Citadle, but now THEY are investing the newly arrived, Cobra. >>

<< In the CATACOMBS of the Mansion, we find Diana and Helena in the Command Center, discussing the events on Sheena Island. The White and Red Queens have a longstanding, close allignment. They trust each other more than they do anyone else around them, and with good reason. Moments like THIS allow them to "compare notes.">>

<< Kelly Shaw is not there with her fellow queens. She has been a bit scarce lately, since her confrontation with Diana following the Citadle. She's an "interloper", a status that she does not shy away from. But she is STILL new to this world, and the adjustment has not gone as smoothly as she had assumed it would. She's Dominique Deveraux's successor in the role of the Black Queen, a magick user, and she's in this for the long haul, but Diana and Maxine both had managed to ADD to the seed of uncertainty planted by her confrontation with Hazel during the Frost caper, and now she is analyzing her situation, but in a place of solitude. She knows she has to be back at the mansion before the Black Party begins, to be in costume and ready to present with the rest of the Inner Circle, but for now, she needs this time.>>

 

[Talisman]

An Unknown Location

< The last several weeks had wreaked havoc on The Black Queen. Called to the carpet in a room full of subordinates, her actions questioned, her motivations unclear. The effects of her anti-empathy spell had shielded her from much of the anguish she might have experienced, but where their words had landed, a seed had sprouted, something that had compelled her to enact a level of change. In her native time line, Dr. Shaw had been a woman possessed of great passion and dedication to her work. The dedication was there, but the passion had gone somewhere so far away, she was no longer able to see it. Since arriving in this alpha time line, she had been able to hide in shadow, to work in private, alone, where she normally preferred. Away she was from the members of The Six and their associates, acting in secret, using others to further “the work”, a construct she had created some time ago, a simple term used to blanket all of her actions in importance. As much as she didn't like to admit it, Malice and Domino had been correct. She had been overreaching since returning to New York, being so close to these cross time connections, being so curious about them. She had tried to convince herself that her interest in them was purely analytic. And then she found herself tempted by Karen Victoria, a woman she had been friends with in her time line, a woman who had destroyed her world in grief. Her anti-empathy spell had worked in a place where she could control the variables, where she knew how the players would act. Here, there was too much that was unaccounted for. Moving into a world she didn't belong, she began to find that her very energy signature was changing, that she was changing. She thought she had been unaffected by The Blue Moon, but it was becoming clear to her that she could not continue down the same path she was on. She would not allow herself to be countered in such a public way by any member of The Inner Circle again. Talisman was a woman full of pride and ego, a hallmark quality of those who could do what she could, especially as a woman in a field of men just waiting for her to fail and fall. After everything she had gone through to get here, she needed to listen to the winds of fate as they whispered to her, and right now they were telling her that transmutation was required. She had been looking for her path, both in her old world and this new world, and her confrontation with Malice and other members of The Inner Circle had inadvertently shown her the way. She may have been an interloper, but often times it took an outside presence in order to place things in the order they needed to be. They said she shouldn't be here. She would prove them wrong. For weeks now, she had sensed a wisp of a power emanating in the world, something that called to her, wanting her to reach out. >


<< FLASH! >>

< We see a split screen of Talisman's cobalt blue eyes next to an ominous and a dark, abandoned, almost haunting looking army hangar – a place that had not been in use in quite some. It had been destroyed in order to protect the work of the government, and the countless souls that lived and worked there called to her from the fade – what she called the other side. Since arriving in this time line, she had learned immediately of the potency of calling upon the energy of massacres, of mass graves. It had been a part of her larger destiny with those who had risen from MysTech's ashes. But now, the spirits were calling to her for other reasons – she had a mantle to take, something to experience. A zooming out view shows Talisman walking into the large hangar area – a mixture of cold steel and concrete, completely abandoned yet buzzing with an unknown and powerful energy. She retreats deeper into the space. >

< This place had once been a beacon for cutting edge technology, and as Kelly moved through the area in total darkness, letting her Omni Sight guide her deep into the belly of the beast, so to speak, she began to feel a pulsating buzz of energy as she passed the various, now defunct machinery and modules that once powered the place. The smallest details had been taken into account with this space, Talisman knew that much. As far as government entities go, this was a technological gem, but like most flatscans, they had destroyed themselves from the inside out and moved on without a second thought. These stories were not unique anymore and this was a genetic mistake that Talisman had wished to correct. She had no use for the human race. The existence of mutants and witches had shown her that humans had long overstayed their welcome, and had managed to maintain a great amount of power in the world without any real reason. She had dedicated her life to evolution, to moving society towards it's next step, to end the suffering that was humanity. The people who held the real power in all time lines were persecuted and murdered, in order to protect the weak, to keep them at the helm. While power without consequence had been one of the original ultimate goals of MysTech, for Kelly, it had never really been. She DID believe in balance, in her own way, and her deep love of alchemy made her a fervent believer in the law of equivalent exchange. >

”Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.”

< She had come to this world against the natural order of things, and she would have to sacrifice something of herself in order to stay. Following the enigmatic buzz in the air, Kelly found herself at the center of this abandoned facility, the eagle's nest. It was clear that this had been the place where many a decision was made, situations involving life and death, national security. Memories of the place began to flood her mind as she became aware of a powerful magickal energy crackling in the air, causing a static like charge around her. These people believed they were doing good work, they believed they were contributing to patriotism and a sense of unity, by protecting the world from the terrorists that threatened to destroy it. They had no idea, but these humans had created their very own citadle, though none among them were wise enough to see the true value of a place like this, too certain were they that they, the humans, were the important ones in this place. They were dead, and yet, it remained, covered in vines and various flora and fauna that had managed to survive through all of this, now slowly claiming it's dominance. It was a highly important image, a testament to the kind of woman that Kelly Shaw was. >

< A slow moving close up of Talisman standing in the center of this decaying yet beautiful combination of nature and technology. She saw a deep beauty in this as she watched the green plants and other organisms slowly taking over these once great machines of power and war. Her icy and cerebral voice filled the area as she had a righteous realization. >

“Where science ends, magick begins.”

< In that moment, her sparkling blue eyes widened in shock. She knew why she was here. >

< Casting her hands out, she began to weave her once reliable magick, as she felt something new entirely wash over her. This was the most powerful magick she had ever channeled, and it did belong to her, but it was decidedly different. It was like the synergy of everything she had ever loved in her life rolled into one thing as she felt something STRANGE happening inside of her. She felt a tug, deep inside of her. Like a snapping guitar string. The anti-empathy spell she had cast so long ago was changing, perhaps even BREAKING. >

< She is pulled into a vision. >

<< FLASH! >>

Another Time & Place – GREECE

After excruciating contractions, and no medical drugs or tools at her disposal, Kelly had given birth to a beautiful and bright eyed baby girl. With a full head of dark black hair and the same sparkling and icy blue eyes that belonged to her mother, she was perfect. Kelly had made sure the baby was healthy before resting with her for a few hours. As dawn rose on the island, Kelly awoke with the baby in her arms. She looked down at her and smiled.

“Good Morning, My sweet little angel..”

Kelly nuzzled her baby's cheek and picked her up, walking over to the shore before sitting down, letting the tide wash over her feet as she playfully put her daughter's feet in the water, watching her face well up with joy as the water touched her feet. Kelly sat there in silence, completely lost in thought. She had done this... she had survived the many attacks of Diana and she had given birth to this beautiful baby girl. It should have been over. She should have been able to relax. Instead, Kelly found herself in a whirlwind of emotion. What was she going to do? Every plan she had concocted thus far still left her newborn at great risk. The life she had chosen to lead was one that could NOT be lived with a family. She thought of The Consortium. She couldn't just walk back into The Hellfire Club with a baby on her hip, stick her tongue out at Diana and return to work. A small part of her said to give up the work completely. To stay hidden with her daughter, and lead a life of being on the run. That wasn't fair to her daughter...or her for that matter. She had worked so incredibly hard on the Progenitor Virus. SHE was the brains behind the operation. SHE was the one that delivered the genetic sequence they needed to further their work. She had given her LIFE for the work.. and Diana had already killed her daughter's father.

“Oh, Goddess... what am I supposed to do here...”

Tears began to well up in her eyes. She thought of what had become of James Marcus' children. Jessica.. and the little boy. They had been doomed from the start simply by being born into the MysTech family. They had paid the ultimate price for the sins of their father. Adam was planning to STEAL the Quartermaine baby to experiment on and use at his own discretion and she had no doubt that once Karen Victory delivered her baby that Christopher would be plotting the most horrible of things. How could she have brought a baby into THIS world? She couldn't walk away from her work. In Christopher and Adam's hands it would mean absolute perversion and conceit, and they were already drunk with power. And with Diana calling the shots...LISTENING to those two peons, believing that they wouldn't run MysTech in the ground, this could spell trouble for ALL of them. And quite frankly, Kelly had done too much to walk away. She lowered her daughter into her lap and looked at her curious and watchful eyes. She seemed so happy. But for how long? Eventually, they would break a cloaking spell... eventually they would FIND her and USE her. They would taint her. Kelly was also afraid of herself. She had no problem condemning Duncan to a destiny he wasn't sure of simply because it had to be done, and knowing that when he returned, fully conscious of what happened to him, that she would have an ally. He would come back to her, and she would use him as necessary. To know that she had this capacity for callousness inside of her. It scared her.

The more she stared in the eyes of her daughter, the more vacant she became, the more the thoughts raced through her head. Before long it was if Kelly had completely left her body. She felt like she was watching herself from high above, in an areal view. She had mentally checked out of her body, because she knew what she was about to do. With an expressionless face, she took a hand and stroked her daughter's cheek.

“Alison...I'll call you Alison...”

Slowly, she took Alison in her arms and scooted on her knees until she was waist deep in the water. Taking one last look at her daughter, again with no expression in her face and eyes, she slowly lowered Alison down, until she was completely submerged in the water. Her hands trembled as Alison attempted to struggle, though the weight of a newborn baby was nothing against the cold and shaky hands of her mother. Kelly looked high in the sky as a single tear fell down her cheek. She had only two choices: Fail at being an Agent of MysTech, or Fail at being a mother. Her choice became clear. She couldn't let the child live in the world that she was helping to create. She had been selfish in thinking it was possible, and she had been stupid for not realizing it sooner. She had chosen MysTech long before she had chosen to be a mother, and unfortunately for Alison, that meant that because of the sins of her mother, her mother could not spare her to live.

Within moments, the commotion of the water stopped. And everything seemed still. Kelly only heard silence. No ocean, no birds, just silence. She let go of the grip on her daughter as she rose to her feet, clumps of sand being blown into the air from her legs. It was at that moment, that the humanity Kelly had, the superiority felt by Helena and the others had completely died. No matter what she ever did for the rest of her life, she would be no better than them. She would never get over this because she would never allow herself to feel EVER again.

Kelly turned around, and instead of blinking back to her cottage, she began to walk down the beach, and embrace the silence of everything around her. There was much to do. There was much to think of and as she walked away from the ocean, she couldn't help but realize that she had left a large chunk of her humanity and soul on that beach, and with every step she took, she was walking towards something that she would most likely not get out alive from. But still, she walked, and she plotted. Only time would tell if her fears would become realized, and she was going to do her best to ensure that they WOULD.

< The moment that changed her. The exact second she had made a choice that most in the world found depraved and utterly selfish. As the energy of the anti empathy spell began to warp and change, she could feel a well of emotion come over her. The first time she had experienced true RAW emotion in quite some time as power flickered around her in a bright emerald green pattern, a stark difference to the normal pattern she weaved. For a moment, she was allowed to grieve, she was allowed to openly weep for the loss of her daughter and the irony of an adult version of her existing her. The revelation of having more than one child. For all of this, she cried black tears of mourning, of loss and suffering, of everything she had given up to do what she wanted to do. Though the feeling was raw and powerful, it was fleeting as she felt her entire being shift into a different perception. >

”I am not Kelly King....”

< The spell she had crafted so long ago had been ALTERED at the realization that these children, Alison, Erika and Cameron were not hers. They belonged to a woman who shared her likeness, and nothing else. They belonged to Witchfire, Kelly KING. No longer was there remorse, no longer was there this lingering feeling of remorse for her actions. >

< Flashes of Cameron, Alison and Erika fill her mind. The mistakes they made, the loss they suffered for simply being who they were. Talisman had made the right decision in her timeline, however poorly timed it was. This was the reason for the ruin of this time line. The Six had been suffered to live. How much farther along would they have been without them? How much longer would the superior race have to suffer because of the existence of these TRAITORS. Now that she had been allowed, even just a brief period to grieve, she would never spend another moment reflecting on it. This decision caused her deep emotional senses to return as she began to see the world around her in a new way. Her surroundings brought her pleasure, she felt anger at Diana. She felt the ominous wind now blowing through the area in a way she hadn't experienced in quite some time. She could feel again. >

< Casting her hands out once more, a beautiful vibrating green energy continued to pulsate and flicker in the air around her yet again, this time with great intensity. She was tapping into a power so familiar yet so different from hers. A loud, charging sound of energy echoed in the air as the various pieces off technology began to appear to POWER UP again for the first time in years. The lights around her began to wobble on and off in a chaotic pattern. This new magick flowing through her body and hair had a deep and intimate tie to technology. Most magick wanted to surpass technology, this magick wanted to work with it, wanted to dance with all of it's components. The Law of Equivalent Exchange called to her once again. As she had yet another moment of realization. She was the alpha version of herself. Across the multiverse, SHE was the most dominant, the most powerful of her counterparts. If she wanted to stay here, which she did, the multiverse required a a sacrifice. To stay here, she would have to channel this new and mysterious power coursing through her body, she would have to become a brand new woman. The Blue Moon had caused magick to be in a state of flux, desperately searching for conduits to express itself. This type of magick had no host here in this time line. So powerful was this energy, that it seemed to silently speak to Talisman. She felt called to it's whisper, desperately wanting to take on this power. >

< A close up on Talisman's sleek black trench coat shows Talisman's black manicured hand reaching inside to the black lace garter underneath, bringing forth her most cherished “talisman” of all, her Omni Pistol. Clasping it with both hands, she elegantly and gracefully extend her arms in front of her, before extending them up over her head, her chestnut brown hair now billowing in the wind as the sounds of machines powering up and some of them OVERPOWERING themselves, and exploding, sparks of flame dancing in the chaotic air, mixed in with the crackling green energy signature. It almost looked like a beautiful dance. >

”I.....TALISMAN....The BLACK QUEEN...Kelly Shaw...accept this decision of the multiverse. I EMBRACE this power in spite of ANY consequences...and I will wield it...”

< FIRING the OMNI PISTOL as it's sound explodes in the area, the bullet leaving a BRIGHT green chaotic jet stream of energy in the air as it met the SWIRLING magick in the air. >

”To change this world FOREVER!”


<< KABOOM! >>

< Talisman is bathed in a bright green light, COMPLETELY filling the entire area, making it impossible to see anything but the magick that was burning through the facility like FIRE as thousands of mechanical clicking sounds could be heard. She closed her eyes, ready to exist as this magick required. In a BEAUTIFUL magickal explosion, The ground around her began to rumble, and shift as if it was being UPROOTED. She was puling the power towards her, she was channeling it at a level of which she had never experienced and she was about to manifest her GREATEST expression of power. She could feel it as she opened her mouth. >

< A blood curdling SCREAM of release and emotion RATTLED throughout the surrounding area, easily heard by anybody in a fifty mile radius. The energy CRACKLED and warped. >

< And then there was nothing. Complete and total silence. Talisman and the underground facility had disappeared, as if both had never existed. Just WHERE these two entities were could not be clearly seen, but one thing was certain. Talisman had given what was required of her to stay in this time line, and the outcome of her decision to be an “interloper” had gone surprisingly in her favor. She had done so much since her arrival but she didn't know until this very moment...she was just BEGINNING. >

 

[Black Widow]

Clandestine Intelligence -- Medical Division

Haleigh sat on the edge of Sawbone's desk, patiently taking deep breaths while he worked his hand up her shirt. The stethoscope was only cold the first couple of seconds. She searched his ice blue eyes for any indication of abnormality or concern.

Jasper: Haleigh.... are you sure? The last time we tried the MRI it nearly KILLED you.

He reminded her tentatively, withdrawing his hand and hanging the stethoscope back around his neck. She handed him a syringe, and he opened a drawer to get a pair of gloves.

"I'm sure, Jazz. I want every test done that is possible. A full medical profile. I need to know EVERYTHING."

He donned the gloves smoothly, and drew blood with practiced ease, softly shaking his head. There was no arguing with her when she was like this, steely-eyed and calm, but insistent. He sealed her blood sample in a hard case labelled 'bio-hazard: TO Virus' and immediately stripped his gloves.

Jasper: Alright, let's go to radiology. Don't forget to 'disconnect' your mind from the networks so we don't get that feedback in the computers.

"Done."

She replied, following him out. It was a short walk down the hall to their destination, and Sawbones directed the staff to prepare for her scan. Somebody hands her a robe, and she starts to pull off her clothes.

The MRI, loud and oppressive, began its imaging process. Jasper sat at the desk, monitoring the scan and Haleigh's response to it. He wished he could say this was odd behavior for her, wanting a full battery of tests even when she was clearly in perfect health, but Haleigh had requested this multiple times before. What WAS strange was that she'd called him up in the middle of the night and needed the results immediately.

Jasper: How are you doing in there, Haleigh?

"It feels like this thing is crushing me."

Jasper: That's because your carbon-fiber musculature is diamagnetic, and is trying to repel the MRI field. How much pain are you in?

"Eh, level 2 maybe? It's not as bad as I remember, but it's really hard to breathe. I'm experiencing some vertigo and mild nausea."

Jasper: If it gets above a 5 or you feel like you're going to pass out speak up and we'll stop. Can you determine your vitals?

"Heart rate is 23 BPM, 4 respirations per minute, BP is 99 over 65, temperature 120."

Jasper: That heart rate is low, even for you. And your respirations are a quarter what they should be, but that's good blood pressure and your temperature is only about 5 degrees higher than your norm. We're almost done, it should only get easier from this point on.

When they pulled her out of the tube, she glistened with perspiration and her whole body trembled. She sat up slowly, her muscles felt like they'd been worked almost to the point of failure. Jasper handed her a handkerchief for her nose bleed.

Jasper: Last time you came out of this thing your veins were black, you looked jaundiced and you were in so much pain you couldn't move. This time.... you seemed to have handled it better.

"Do we have any of those reverse-engineered electro-magnetic batons? I want to test them on me, see if they are as effective."

Jasper: No, let your body recover from the magnetism. We'll hook you up to the ECG and run you through a cardiac stress test. If there's nothing alarming from that, THEN I'll let you torture yourself.

 

[Wallflower]

The Hellfire Club Estate - Upper Levels

:: For the first time in a long while, Amanda had the night off. There was no training, no rigorous study, just the comfort of her plush suite in The Hellfire Club and a delicious glass of red wine. One of her new found passions since her "rebirth" had been literature. It had been a formal requirement of The Black Queen that she become a well rounded woman, versed in a number of disciplines, but it was reading the written word that brought her comfort. Being underground in the catacombs for months, recovering from her multiple procedures and intensive combat training, she would escape into so many different worlds without ever leaving her quarters. However, she had graduated from "finishing school" and no longer needed to remain in the shadows. She could leave the compound, so to speak, and as such, there became a large part of her that wanted to go out and explore the world around her, one that could not be found in books. ::

"I probably shouldn't have just finished reading Frankenstein before desiring to see the world with my new eyes..."

:: Her pupils flickered for a moment, shifting from their dark and glassy hazel to the bright yellow, snake like eyes of a COBRA. Just one of the many changes she had gone through since arriving at the mansion several months ago. Then she was a drug addled convict serving a life sentence. Now, she didn't really know WHAT she was, but she knew one thing: Dr. Shaw had given her a new life, as well as the opportunity to seek vengeance on the man that had destroyed her old one, and that wasn't something that Amanda was going to screw up. If The Black Queen wanted to string her up like a turkey for the next twenty years, she would gladly agree. She would be forever loyal. ::

:: Putting her book down, she began to survey the silence of her room. Everything was so posh and modern....expensive looking. A far cry from a solitary confinement cell. But still, the two rooms were devoid of life. At some point, she was going to have to fill this space with characters, with trinkets and pictures of who she was now. That meant living. Rolling off of her bed, she brushed her long and beautiful hair and put on a simple black tank top and leather pants. She finally had the luxury of wearing anything she could possibly imagine to wear, and that in and of itself seemed like another full time job. ::

"Thank God I serve on the BLACK court...certainly makes dressing a whole lot easier..."

:: Opening her door, she peeked down the hall and she heard voices talking in the parlor. They belonged to Fathom and Domino, her would be companions. Fathom had just arrived and seemed to be fitting in nicely. She was naturally used to living such a lifestyle, she had been born for it. Domin had a perverse fascination with her, as well as Talisman in general. She was always stalking the catacombs, monitoring Amanda's vitals, asking if she had been in any pain. She knew that it had something to do with the stasis tube of the raven hair woman she had seen downstairs. Domino was extremely protective of the person contained in that tube, and it began to make Amanda wonder why. Talisman had told her that these woman might be aggressive, might pick at her to find her weaknesses and that she must remain strong and even tempered. ::

:: Amanda decided it was time to say hello in a formal and indicative way. ::

"Here's hoping they don't come at me with pitch forks..."

:: She smirked for a moment as she flexed for a moment. Having complete control of her musculature, she pushed forward with a wooshing sound as in an INSTANT she was in the doorway of the parlor, as fast as a cobra could strike! ::

:: Amanda leaned in the doorway. ::

"It appears that salutations are in order..."

:: She moved over towards Heidi and extended a hand. ::

"Welcome to The Hellfire Club, Heidi Scarborough. You seem to be fitting in quite nicely.."

:: Turning to face Maxine ::

"And, here I am, out of captivity, Domino! I haven't been able to tell if you'd be pleased by that or annoyed..."

:: She took a seat next to them as a staff member immediately brought the glass of wine from her room. ::

"In any case, I thought it might be a good time for us girls to get to know each other, before the Blackout party or...before things get a little more complicated around here..."

"I'm Amanda Soto...Black Knight of The Inner Circle..."

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Mansion - Parlor Room

:: Domino and Heidi were playing chess in the parlor, discussing the events as of late as Domino moved on of her pieces, taking a sip of her glass of Brandy as she moved. ::

"I'll be interested to see the kind of perverse social mating rituals that transpire at this Blackout Party. Far sloppier than the Brits, I'm sure..."

:: She smiled as the brandy stained her lips, burning on the way down. ::

"Though I can't imagine the survivors of our little revolution would be much fun at parties these days..what with the appetizers needing to be served liquified and through feeding tubes..."

:: Maxine cackled as she recounted in her mind all the pitiful lives she had taken in London, murdering the entire Supreme Council one by one with vicious and operatic beauty. It had been an act of freedom for the mutant, the final piece of rising above and crushing the skulls of the people who abused her for years. ::

"Still...The Blackout Party will be a good opportunity for those of us who originated across the pond to expand our connections, see what kind of trouble we can get into."

[thinking]

"And our Inner Circle is far more appealing to look at...in more ways than one."

:: She found her eyes staring for a second at the ample cleavage of Heidi Scarborough as Fathom took her turn on the board. ::

"Even that shut in Lady Eloise is quite the looker. You'd know if she ever left her self contained prison.."

:: Maxine had been very curious about Amanda's transformation. Maxine, Jessica and Sharon had all been mutated and experimented on against their will. They wielded their power with vengeance, so it was hard for her to wrap her head around the fact that somebody would undergo this WILLINGLY. She was keeping an eye on both Talisman and Cobra, wary of their relationship and deep down Cobra's well being. ::

:: With Perfect Timing ::

She smirked for a moment as she flexed for a moment. Having complete control of her musculature, she pushed forward with a wooshing sound as in an INSTANT she was in the doorway of the parlor, as fast as a cobra could strike! ::

:: Amanda leaned in the doorway. ::

"It appears that salutations are in order..."

:: She moved over towards Heidi and extended a hand. ::

"Welcome to The Hellfire Club, Heidi Scarborough. You seem to be fitting in quite nicely.."

:: Turning to face Maxine ::

"And, here I am, out of captivity, Domino! I haven't been able to tell if you'd be pleased by that or annoyed..."

:: She took a seat next to them as a staff member immediately brought the glass of wine from her room. ::

"In any case, I thought it might be a good time for us girls to get to know each other, before the Blackout party or...before things get a little more complicated around here..."

"I'm Amanda Soto...Black Knight of The Inner Circle..."

"A mixture of both really. Attempt to come at me that quickly ever again and I'll rip both your arms off..."

:: She watched as she said her hellos to Heidi, before getting up from the parlor chair and walking over to her. ::

"Yes yes...we know who you are...the question...is why are you HERE? What person in their right mind lets that cybotronic spell caster experiment on them willingly?!"

:: Narrowing her eyes ::

"Inquiring minds want to know, Amanda...what are you getting out of this?"

:: She was asking for herself as well as Diana. The woman's past seemed murky at best and it was time to get answers before this mutate FORGOT who she was and lived as if it never happened. ::

 

[Nogitsune]

Hellfire Mansion - Ravena’s Quarters

*POP*

Emiko blinked into Ravena’s chamber, appearing directly behind him.

“LORD CROW!”

She yelled, then POPPED out again, reappearing a second later, laughing, sitting cross-legged on his bed. She was wearing a Japanese-inspired – but by no means traditional – outfit. The top was white with silver embroidery on the wide sleeves, collar and hem, matching to the hem on the wide-legged pants. Tiny white slippers once again embroidered in silver completed the outfit. Her black hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail tied by a white ribbon.

She cocked her head as she asked him, sincerely:

“Why is a Ravena like a writing desk?”

She uncrossed her legs and slid to the floor, her feet padding across the floor silently as she closed the distance between her and Ravena. She turned her head and spoke to the air.

“No, we will NOT leave!”

Inclining her head back towards Ravena, her face slowly broke into a smile. She waved her hand in the air at the room around them.

“Lots of nice things here, Lord Crow…”

She snaps her fingers and all the furnishings and objects disappear from the room.

“But so fleeting…”

Snapping her fingers again, everything is restored as it was.

With a *POP* she blinks to the other side of him, now sitting on a writing desk, one leg crossed over the other. She fingers the objects on the desk for a few moments before resting the elbow of her right arm on her knee and putting her chin in her hand.

“You might lose it all, Lord Crow. This path you are on.”

She snapped her fingers, and a picture appeared in her hand. She let it fall to the floor at his feet.

“No one will be able to save you, if you incur her wrath…but you know that, don’t you?”

She touched a finger to her lips and looked skyward, miming being deep in thought.

“Are you tired of this life, Lord Crow? Is that why you’re throwing it all away?”

 

[Wallflower]

Hellfire Club - Parlor Room

:: She listened as Domino spoke, her face even tempered and her eyes still maintaining a somewhat hypnotic charm. ::

"Well, this certainly didn't take long..."

Domino: "Yes yes...we know who you are...the question...is why are you HERE? What person in their right mind lets that cybotronic spell caster experiment on them willingly? Inquiring minds want to know, Amanda...what are you getting out of this?"

:: Amanda may have been a new woman, but she had not forgotten where she came from. There were many women like Domino in prison. Boisterous and aggressive personalities who seemed to take pleasure in asserting their dominance over the other women, because in a place like that dominance was power. The new more cerebral mind she had wanted to believe that much like the characters in her books that Maxine Dupont suffered from a deep rooted emotional pain that guided her behavior, and that at closer glance, one could find her fallible and likeable. Amanda had not the time nor the concern to peel back the layers of Domino and see where her personality came from. In prison, there was one way to deal with a woman like this. ::

:: Cobra recoiled her hand to deliver a mighty punch as Domino GRABBED it immediately and began to squeeze with an incredible amount of power! ::

Domino: "I am NOT the one little girl! I'll crush you before they ever let you see the outside of this building!"

:: The pain was incredible, but then again...so was Amanda. She watched Domino's eyes widen in amazement as Amanda used her unique physiology to completely flatten her arm and SLITHER out of Domino's grasp, and just like a snake about to go in for the KILL, she grotesquely contorted her body until she was WRAPPED around the mutant with GREAT strength, using the entirety of her musculature to constrict and CRUSH Maxine. Though Domino was MUCH stronger than Amanda, she didn't know what she was dealing with ::

"My bones cannot be crushed...much like my spirit!"

:: Her eyes flashed into their yellow, snake like form as her gaze met Maxine's and the two were locked in eye contact. Snakes were known to often have a hypnotic stare, one that was hard to pull away from, at least not without a great deal of mental effort. Amanda opened her mouth as her front molars now appeared FANGED as a curious liquid seemed to seep from the teeth in small beeds. ::

"It appears that I may have been misunderstood...and for THAT, I apologize.."

[CONSTRICT!]

"I came her to introduce myself and say hello..not feed my life story to a woman who's own past is in question. You are not of the courts, you are here ONLY by The White Queen's invitation..and unfortunately for you, I DON'T answer to The White Queen!"

[CONSTRICT!]

"I...like you...and our friend Fathom over there..."

:: She broke character for a second as her head slithered like a snake over towards the direction of Heidi. ::

"Which by the way...SO sorry about this little scuttle. I swear...I really am a pleasant person..it's just..."

[turning back to face Domino]

"I'm not about to let this one think I'm her little BITCH is all."

[CONSTRICT!]

"Are ALL here on second chances...on new leases!"

"S0 can you stop your incessant badgering of me and pour us all a drink in celebration of...."

[smirking]

"Sisterhood?"

Domino: [gritting her teeth] "You...little...BITCH...[coughing] ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT!"

:: Domino flexed her strength as she CATAPULTED free from Amanda's constriction as Amanda fell to the ground, popping her joints back into place as Domino gripped the table behind her, catching her breath for a moment. ::

:: Amanda rose to her feet and dusted herself off. ::

Domino: "I didn't kill you just now because my hands are tied by beauracracy...and also...I have to say sweetcheeks...that was a little impressive..."

:: Domino walked over towards the bar and grabbed three glasses. ::

Domino: "That...contortionist trick...you can do that with..."

[surveying her up and down]

Domino: "ALL of your limbs?"

:: Amanda laughed. This woman was a disgusting pervert, but if flashing her cleavage and entertaining her flirtations meant peace, Amanda was more than willing to oblige. She'd done a lot more for a lot less. She gestured Heidi to the bar as Domino poured them some hard liquor straight up. The three women clinked their glasses together and took the shot. The burn of alcohol hit Amanda's throat. A few years ago, this would have been a trigger. One of these bad boys could have set her into a three day tail spin of god knows what. Thanks to Talisman, she had evolved from that..she was no longer biologically capable of addiction. ::

"To The Hellfire Club! May this be the start of something beautiful..."

[smirking]

"Now...more importantly..what does one wear to a Blackout Party?"

 

[Fathom]

The Hellfire Club -- Parlor Room

Domino: I'll be interested to see the kind of perverse social mating rituals that transpire at this Blackout Party. Far sloppier than the Brits, I'm sure...

Heidi tossed her hair out of her eyes, then ran the tip of her tongue along her upper lip as she lounged in her arm chair, watching Maxine make her move. She gave some consideration to Maxine's statement, and to the way the pieces on the board were affected by Maxine's move.

"Sloppier? You're being sarcastic. Nothing could be messier than those sycophantic tweens and their constant sexual posturing. One would think they'd JUST discovered sex for the first time. All their interactions consisted of them basically daring each other into public indecency."

Domino: Though I can't imagine the survivors of our little revolution would be much fun at parties these days..what with the appetizers needing to be served liquified and through feeding tubes...

Heidi didn't bother hiding her smirk. She lifted a steamy mug of green tea, swirled it a bit, then took a sip.

"All the people of worth left that horrid little club, Maxine. One day perhaps we'll go back and clean house."

Domino: Still...The Blackout Party will be a good opportunity for those of us who originated across the pond to expand our connections, see what kind of trouble we can get into.

Heidi chuckled, looking at Maxine knowingly, as she leaned forward to finally make a calculated move of her own.

"Well we're off to a winning start already, aren't we? You and I made minced meat of those girl scouts at the Citadel-- And we were severely restrained by the Queens in our engagements. Now that the truce is over, we'll REALLY be able have some fun. Who are you going after first, that silver bird lady you copped a feel of? You know she has a membership here, right? She could turn up..."

Domino: And our Inner Circle is far more appealing to look at...in more ways than one.

Heidi could hear the lust in Maxine's tone, and looked up from the chess board to catch the woman's gaze on her chest. Heidi just rolled her eyes. They trained together regularly now, as Maxine coached Heidi on her new weapon, and Maxine was always coming on to her with clever quips, always enjoying the view of Heidi's battle costume. Heidi reveled in the flattery, even if she slapped Maxine's hand away when she got too fresh. Maxine was never subtle about her desires, and Heidi had grown used to it. It was no different now, as Heidi just waited patiently for Maxine to look up.

Domino: Even that shut in Lady Eloise is quite the looker.

"Who?"

Domino: You'd know if she ever left her self contained prison...

As if summoned, a woman appeared quite suddenly. Heidi shifted her hips in her seat as she heard the whooshing noise, and felt the soft displacement of air that the Black Knight created as she rushed over.

Cobra: It appears that salutations are in order... Welcome to The Hellfire Club, Heidi Scarborough. You seem to be fitting in quite nicely...

"Thank you."

She said simply, grasping Amanda's hand politely.

Cobra: I'm Amanda Soto.... Black Knight of the Inner Circle....

Domino: Yes yes...we know who you are...the question...is why are you HERE? What person in their right mind lets that cybotronic spell caster experiment on them willingly?! Inquiring minds want to know, Amanda...what are you getting out of this?

Domino, ever the aggressor. Cobra couldn't resist the challenge. Heidi sipped some more tea as the other two got a little physical with each other.

Cobra: I...like you...and our friend Fathom over there... Which by the way...SO sorry about this little scuttle. I swear...I really am a pleasant person..it's just... I'm not about to let this one think I'm her little BITCH is all.

"Do what you gotta do girl, but we WERE playing chess here."

There was a little battle of the wills, in which Cobra attempted to squeeze Domino into acceptance and after a moment, Maxine relented and escaped, then headed over to the bar and poured three shots. Heidi reluctantly joined them, and raised the tiny glass in toast.

Cobra: To The Hellfire Club! May this be the start of something beautiful...

"Cheers then."

She replied, and tossed back the shot. Her expression afterwards, and the short cough, made it clear she wasn't a drinker.

Cobra: Now...more importantly..what does one wear to a Blackout Party?

"Oh, didn't you hear it's a theme party? Yes, we're all supposed to dress up as Disney princesses. You'd be the shoe-in for Mulan."

Heidi deadpanned, half hoping Amanda would be gullible enough to believe her.

 

[Lord Ravena]

Lord Ravena's Chamber

Lord Ravena was getting dressed. This was his night, a night of revelry and he was actually looking forward to something. He was putting on a relatively exotic white suit when...

*POP*

Emiko blinked into Ravena’s chamber, appearing directly behind him.

“LORD CROW!”

In an instant, Lord Ravena's magic manifests a fearsome SWORD and slashes where the interloper had attempted to surprise him. But she was not there and then he realized...it was once again the sprite, or IMP, or whatever it was. The mystery was intriguing, even as the being herself could be quite ANNOYING.

Emiko...to what do I owe this....pleasure?

“Why is a Ravena like a writing desk?”

She uncrossed her legs and slid to the floor, her feet padding across the floor silently as she closed the distance between her and Ravena. She turned her head and spoke to the air.

“No, we will NOT leave!”

Inclining her head back towards Ravena, her face slowly broke into a smile. She waved her hand in the air at the room around them.

“Lots of nice things here, Lord Crow…”

She snaps her fingers and all the furnishings and objects disappear from the room.

“But so fleeting…”

Lord Ravena rolled his eyes. This was a trick he would normally play on someone and now he knew why. It could be maddening to see what was done be undone. He spoke 3 words.

Bring. It. Back.

Snapping her fingers again, everything is restored as it was.

With a *POP* she blinks to the other side of him, now sitting on a writing desk, one leg crossed over the other. She fingers the objects on the desk for a few moments before resting the elbow of her right arm on her knee and putting her chin in her hand.

“You might lose it all, Lord Crow. This path you are on.”

She snapped her fingers, and a picture appeared in her hand. She let it fall to the floor at his feet.

“No one will be able to save you, if you incur her wrath…but you know that, don’t you?”

The picture was recognizable, but at once it should have been impossible. He was not aware that this person had ever taken a picture. In any case, he was now fully in control of himself and he had no intention of betraying his emotion to this...whatever this was. He decided to focus on her form and characteristics. She was pretty, lithe, clearly intelligent and seemingly insane. He had not not seen anyone utilize magic the way that she does, besides himself, in a VERY long time. He continued to study her as she talked.

She touched a finger to her lips and looked skyward, miming being deep in thought.

“Are you tired of this life, Lord Crow? Is that why you’re throwing it all away?”

She touched a finger to her lips and looked skyward, miming being deep in thought.

“Are you tired of this life, Lord Crow? Is that why you’re throwing it all away?”

Lord Ravena stared at the sprite for a moment before replying.

Perhaps. But as much as you know of me, you KNOW that I have died before. I am not afraid of dying. I am afraid of wasting my time EXISTING rather than doing what I wish, no matter the cost. What are you living for, sprite? To move around my things? To be tolerated by those you try to vex? What, pray tell, is your role?

This was a real question, though he had no expectations of this being telling him anything about her - assuming it is even a her - DIRECTLY. He imagined finding a way to disrobe her only to see that had nothing, like a living, breathing, insane Barbie doll. The thought made him laugh out loud as he regarded the being before him.

 

[Nogitsune]

Hellfire Mansion – Ravena’s Quarters

Perhaps. But as much as you know of me, you KNOW that I have died before. I am not afraid of dying. I am afraid of wasting my time EXISTING rather than doing what I wish, no matter the cost.

She sat up and folded her hands primly in her lap.

“It will be a high one.”

She examined him closely.

“One way or another.”

With a *POP* she was now standing behind him.

“Even I, who corrupts Inari’s sacred creatures knows better than to attack a wolf.

What are you living for, sprite? To move around my things? To be tolerated by those you try to vex? What, pray tell, is your role?

Emiko sat down cross legged on the floor and began drawing invisible patterns on the floor with her finger.

“I am not a woodland creature of your fairy tales, Lord Crow – I am no sprite.”

She looked up distractedly into the air. After several moments she realized again that Ravena was there, and turned her attention back to him.

“My ‘role’, you ask? My role is simple, yet complex. I have no role. I have many. Chaos, pain, strife. And you will see it all.”