Rose of Destruction II

[Verdict]

The Sanctuary -- Library

Alycia: We'll have to see about that, Darren. As I said, your company is the one with the liability and image problem. The burden is NOT on my client, and she will need time to make an informed decision.

Darren gave her a bemused smile. She was very sharp indeed. He was quite pleased to be working with her, instead of some cardboard cutout of an attorney. She would keep him on his toes. He loved a good challenge, like a workout for his mind.

But he was even MORE thrilled to have met Sharon, and he was very much looking forward to this evening. He caught Sharon's silver eyes with his gaze, and held the contact for a second.

Alycia: Well! This was a productive meeting. I have your documents, and your contact information.

Darren snapped out of his reverie, looking at Alycia as she stood, and he did the same, slowly.

"Excellent. I'll be expecting your call."

Alycia: After I have reviewed this, and conferred with my client, we'll follow up with you when she's ready to make her decision! Thank you for your time and effort today, Darren.

She stepped around the coffee table and offered a handshake, and Darren politely accepted.

"And thank YOU, Alycia. You've been a very pleasant professional to work with. Certainly everything I've heard about you is true."

Rose: Till next time.

"Yes, Rose. I'm sorry we had to meet under this circumstances, but please believe, I'm not a blood-sucking vampire of a lawyer. I DO want to help you protect these kids, and so does Clandestine."

Sharon: I'll walk with Rose. We'll be in touch....Darren.

He gave her a delighted smile, and a nod, and watched her walk out of the library.

Alycia: Okay...I saw ALL of that... AND the way you two were standing so close together when we first arrived! What's going on with you and SHARON?

Darren looked at Alycia, still smiling.

"She's captivating, isn't she? We'll be sharing a meal later. You wouldn't happen to know what her favorite flower is, would you?"

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Gabe: Affirmative on that, Cap.

Zach fought the urge to roll his eyes. He got that joke from time to time, though less often now that he'd grown out his beard. Clean-shaven, he looked very much like Steve Rogers, or so he'd been told. It wasn't an insult necessarily, it was just weird. He couldn't say how many times he'd been asked for an autograph when he and Haleigh were out at lunch together. Haleigh had always encouraged him to go with it, but he didn't really like stealing the hero's spotlight like that.

He told Zizi the Gods honest truth, which was that she looked incredible, and was rewarded instantly by her radiant smile. She thanked him and patted his hand, and he smiled warmly. Zizi and Gabe traded compliments and spoke of getting drinks. Gabe mentioned his vintage Camaro, and Zach noted that at least the guy had good taste in cars.

Zizi: There are some beers in the fridge if you two are thirsty.

Gabe: Doubt they're thirsty for beers, love.

Zach tried to keep his smirk to himself, as he wrapped an arm around Ashley's waist. Zizi blushed and it was adorable, but it made Zach wonder what all Ashley had told her.

Zizi promised to be back after dinner. She really didn't need to rush, but Zach didn't say so, because Gabe was already telling them to have a good night. Zach waited for the door to close behind them.

"That guy is a MORON."

He commented, and then thunder rumbled outside. He wrapped Ash up with both arms now, and nuzzled her neck.

"Ooh.... sounds like you were right about the weather. I love a good thunderstorm. We could have Chinese food delivered... and snuggle up on the sofa under a warm blanket... and watch a movie..."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

“Are you sure you don’t want to do a smoky eye?”

Ashley whispered to Zizi as they were leaving her room.

“How do you even know what that is? Today is the first time I’ve seen you wear makeup since I met you…”

She shrugged.

“I heard it somewhere and it sounded good.”

She moved aside to reveal the masterpiece and went to stand next to Zach, slipping her hand into his. Ash was pretty sure Zizi’s ovaries exploded at seeing Gabe all dressed up. Expecially because the next thing out of her mouth was to announce that she wasn’t wearing underwear.

Ashley facepalmed, and mumbled under her breath.

“That is not what I meant.”

She wasn’t sure if Zizi started to panic about that, or about whether or not her tattoo was visible. Thankfully it wasn’t, because she was pretty sure Zizi would have gone and changed, which would have totally ruined the “sexy dress no underwear” look.

If Gabe was any type of man he would have drug Zizi back into her bedroom right then and there, but alas, he seemed to be lacking in that respect. Zach at least complimented Zizi, which led led to an incredibly bad joke about braces and prom dresses from Gabe. Ashley may have never attended a prom, but she had seen enough movies about them to know that Gabe wasn’t being very complimentary, and even if she hadn’t known that, Zizi’s face would have told her everything she needed to know. It was a mixture of embarrassment and sadness, and it made Ashley want to punch Gabe in the face. Possibly with a golf club.

He finally told Zizi she looked beautiful, and then went for a quick exit. Gabe made a crack about what she and Zach were thirsty for, and Ashley narrowed her eyes at him. She opened her mouth to say something, but then she felt Zach’s arm wrap around her waist and she decided against it.

Zizi didn’t seem all that excited any longer, and acted like she wasn’t even thinking about doing any time in the back seat of that Camaro tonight. She actually sounded like she was going to rush home from dinner, like always. She watched the door until it shut behind them.

"That guy is a MORON."

“TOTALLY. I want to take that guy, and drop him off the top of a building.”

She paused, thinking.

“Do you get the feeling that whole thing should have gone a lot differently? I mean…she looked like a knockout and the guy barely noticed. I mean, you’d fuck her, right? I’d fuck her.”

She shook her head, her eyebrows knitting together.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

Thunder rolled in the distance. Zach put both arms around her, his beard tickling her neck. The crinkle between her eyes disappeared as she relaxed into his arms.

"Ooh.... sounds like you were right about the weather. I love a good thunderstorm. We could have Chinese food delivered... and snuggle up on the sofa under a warm blanket... and watch a movie..."

“Mmmm…I could eat. Let’s order tons. And don’t forget…I was promised several inches tonight.”

She turned in his arms, and planted a kiss on his lips, before starting towards the kitchen, letting her hand trail along his chest as long as possible.

“Beer?”

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zach commented on how utterly moronic Gabe was being.

Ashley: TOTALLY. I want to take that guy, and drop him off the top of a building.

"Too bad he makes Zizi swoon."

The dude may have been a genius, but he didn't have a clue when it came to what was happening between him and Zizi. It was painful to watch, really.

Ashley: Do you get the feeling that whole thing should have gone a lot differently? I mean…she looked like a knockout and the guy barely noticed. I mean, you’d fuck her, right? I’d fuck her.

Zach flashed to Admiral Ackbar shouting IT'S A TRAP!!! He just chuckled instead of responding to that dangerous question.

Ashley: I have a bad feeling about this.

Zach did too, but he'd already warned Gabe, and hopefully that would be enough. The rumble of thunder gave him the opportunity to wrap Ashley up and change the subject. He mentioned dinner and a movie, and snuggling on the couch.

Ashley: Mmmm… I could eat. Let’s order tons. And don’t forget… I was promised several inches tonight.

She said, and kissed him. The way he kissed her back suggested she was DEFINITELY going to get what he'd 'forecast'. She extracted herself from his grasp and offered beer.

"Yes, please. I'll get the movie started."

He knew Zizi had to have it here somewhere. He found the bluray box set without much difficulty, and picked his favorite episode. After a brief setup, he hit play on the main menu. Ash came back in with beer for both of them. On screen, words appeared.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.....

Zach smiled like a kid on Christmas morning, as the opening scroll for Return of the Jedi began, along with the iconic theme.

 

[Cypher]

They arrived at O'Malley's in record time. Even HE was impressed....all the traffic lights were green, hardly any traffic to begin with, and a fucking parking spot right out front. It was meant to be. Getting out of the car, he situated Zizi in her chair before looking up at the churning sky.

"Damn, looks like rain."

It was gorgeous and blue about two minutes earlier. Global Warming.

"Grab us a seat, i'm gonna put the top up."

Zizi made her way into the bar as Gabe hopped back into his car. Once she disappeared out of sight, he let his head fall back onto the cream leather seats with a sigh.

"Fuck."

He wasn't oblivious. He SAW the look on her face when he cracked that prom joke--a joke she would have normally shot back at him at. A joke that friends would of ribbed each other about. But in that moment? He saw her eyes and how sad they looked. He saw the way she looked when Zach and Ashley were hanging all over each other like horny teenagers when their parents left for date night. He saw the look of envy and AGAIN, sadness. This wasn't good, AT ALL.

It began to drizzle, thunder cracking in the air with flashes of lightning. It snapped him out of his thoughts long enough to turn the car on and put the top up before the rain fully started.

"Alright....we can play this one of two ways Jerome. Be an asshole or be the guy she wants you to be."

Sighing.

"Why the fuck did I have to mess shit up and kiss her. Everything would be normal and we'd be playing darts and getting drunk."

Looking down at his crotch.

"This is YOUR fault."

Groaning out, Gabe finally climbed out of his car and locked it up before entering the pub. Zizi was at the bar with a free stool next to her. His friend Liam was bartending.

Zizi: “A Smithwick’s for me, and whatever he’s having, on my tab.”

Gabe gave Liam a smile, greeting him with a casual hand slap and fist bump.

Liam: "Hey, hey! Guinness or Bud Light?"

"Terrible joke. TERRIBLE."

Liam laughed as he grabbed Zizi's Smithwick and Gabe's Guinness. Taking a seat, he picked up a couple bar nuts and ate them.

"So, a Doctor Who tattoo huh? And here I thought I knew everything about you."

He joked with a coy smile as Liam placed their beers down in front of them.

 

[Artemis]

Secret Garden- Old World Library

Darren looked at Alycia, still smiling.

"She's captivating, isn't she?

:: She smiled as well::

For as long as I've known her.

:: She said with the abiding love of a best friend, AND sister amazon::

We'll be sharing a meal later.

:: Now she eyed Darren knowingly::

Oh REALLY?

:: Smirking a bit::

Go 'HEAD, Sharon!

You wouldn't happen to know what her favorite flower is, would you?

Oh I would.

:: She replied, still eyeing him::

But before I answer that, I want YOU to know that Sharon Kelly is my best friend. We've quite literally been through HELL and back together.

We've seen the best AND the worst that this world can offer, and SURVIVED through all of it so far.

Sharon has been through A LOT, and I would LOVE for her to experience the JOY of a budding friendship or even romance, if that's what this truly is.

But sometimes...the DEADLIEST surprises come in the...

:: looking him up and down::

PRETTIEST packages...

:: He WAS FINE, and his demeanor had managed to melt even Rose's icy exterior. But what did they KNOW about him? Alycia would certainly be looking into HIM, but she thought she'd give him the opportunity now to say something, as WELL as hear this WARNING.::

::Returning her hazel eyes to look into his eyes, holding his gaze::

I certainly HOPE that's not what's going on HERE.

Because if it IS?

I WON'T need to be Sharon's legal counselor to HANDLE IT.

I hope we UNDERSTAND each other on that, Darren.

:: She was very serious. ::

:: After Darren's reply, Alycia nods, and smiles again::

Good.

Now about her favorite flower?

Have you heard of the Iceberg Rose? It's a white rose that was imported from Germany. Some variations of it have a silver tint, and Sharon LOVES those. She also loves the fact that they are hardy and resilient, much like the woman herself.

:: winking at Darren.::

And WHERE will you be sharing a meal with Sharon this evening?

 

[Firebird]

Aroma- Fight

"That's rich coming from someone who wanted to LEAVE her sisters and END her life by jumping into a mystical rock. OH! Maybe you can throw me a debutant ball? A Quinceanera? Sorry, I don't exactly know the proper etiquette for PITTY PARTIES that are thrown for attention seeking, self involved children."

Persephone snapped back with a venomous bite.

Blaze lifted her finely shaped eyebrows, and smirked a bit.

Scoffing with a bit of a laugh.

"I don't care WHAT you think, honey. "

"I'm here NOW, and I'm in YOUR face, and you're gonna PAY for what you've done. That's ALL that matters right NOW. "

"You know NOTHING of my past, Blaze. NOTHING. So keep talking, BITCH. I would LOVE to rip your tongue out and SHOVE it down your FUCKING THROAT."

"You say BITCH like it's a...BAD thing?"

"And I know you're a self centered, backstabbing, twisted tramp, who could never be a real friend to another woman, or reliable to ANYONE in a crisis. "

Firebird watched as Persephone struggled. She couldn't help but grin a bit. She was about to crumble on the ground like a house of cards, and she'd never even know what hit her.

"Want to know a fun fact about Ava? She DOESN'T LIKE YOU. In fact, she can't STAND you, Blaze. You're a obnoxious, cheap version of Morgan who rides on her coat tails because you can't stand on your own two feet without her. You think I'M useless? Look in the fucking mirror. You think I'M heartless? You were nearly SALIVATING when you found out about Haleigh being your sister. You were a tactless BITCH--like ALWAYS-- about it in front of your so called friend [Ava]. So you coming at ME saying you actually CARE about Ava is FUCKING LAUGHABLE. The only person Blaze Victory cares about is BLAZE VICTORY. I may have done some shitty things in my past to Hecate, but I OWNED UP TO IT and we got PAST it. You just hide behind Morgan like her shadow, sucking her TIT like a needy infant. YOU'RE the pathetic one Blaze. And i'm going to do EVERYONE a favor and finally make you DISAPPEAR."

Firebird tilted her head.

"Oh please."

Waving her hand dismissively

"You'd say ANYTHING (regarding Ava), now that YOU'RE in the driver's seat. We really should see about having an omega level telepath WIPE YOU OUT of this body, so that you can go back to doing what you do best...which is NOTHING. "

"You want to talk about someone clinging to someone's coattails? Seems like YOU should take a look in the mirror. WHERE are you now? Following Black Widow into a situation you weren't ready for?"

"And Look up the name Demeter or better yet, HECATE and there would be YOUR name with an asterisk by it."

Snickering as she rolled her apple green eyes.

"Oh, I think I'm doing pretty well with my life, and I don't need validation from a walking VENUS FLY TRAP to know that."

"And I'm certainly NOT hiding behind Morgan's shadow NOW."

"You'll make ME disappear? Not likely. You can barely stand right now! And I wouldn't worry about shadows, since the one casting over YOU is about to lead you into the arms of unconsciousness. "

<< Persephone's blood began to boil, seething from Blaze's assumptions about her past with Hecate, the Masters of Evil, and throwing Haleigh in her face. But aside from anger, her blood was also quite LITERALLY boiling. Her body temperature up to extreme levels. She could feel herself getting weaker and weaker by the second. And then she realized....it was FUCKING BLAZE. The bitch was doing something to her....it was too fucking coincidental that she was suddenly feeling this horrible while in the midst of Blaze. But she had to give the fire elemental credit, she had kept Persephone's mind so focused on the shit she was spewing out of her mouth that she almost didn't realize what was happening. ALMOST.>>

Persephone about to collapse! The fact that she was even still STANDING was a testimony to her own innate durability. ANYONE ELSE save a person with the right mutation or specific physical constitution would've been on the ground, unconscious, and in most cases, DEAD by now, as the HARSH environment created by Firebird was more than enough to cause severe heatstroke.

During Blaze's monologue, Persephone already began to counter act the attack the fire elemental was doing on her by changing the temperature of the air around her to nearly below freezing. It was like putting an ice pack on an inflamed muscle or joint, it instantly began to reduce the heat. She was done entertaining this bitch. And she was done listening to her grade school insults. Persephone reached back and SLAMMED her fist into Blaze's face. Her enhanced strength causing Blaze to FLY THREW Aroma's window SHATTERING it, and THREW the barista counter SLAMMING into the exposed brick wall on the other side of the cafe. Blaze's body IMPRINTED into the brick and mortar.

"BRING IT BITCH."

UGGGN!

Firebird went FLYING back, crashing through the picture window of Aroma, and flying back crashing through the barista counter before finally slamming into the back wall. Her red flame energy aura had caused the GLASS and the counter to DISINTEGRATE upon contact, lessening SOME of the impact, but that SUCKER PUNCH was something else!

Firebird slid down to the floor...winded...and coughing.

"Oh....shit!?"

She said with a mix of astonishment...and even a choked laugh.

"You been working out..."

Coughing....

"...HO?"

" I guess you'd need to, in order to keep Hades from dragging your ass back to hell by your hair like he does EVERY turn of the season."

::FLASH!::

<< At that moment, Spellbinder would receive a FLASH call from Firebird with the details of what was going on. Spellbinder and Rampage immediately left Limbo, with the sorceress sending an emergency "call" to Prophet, MorningStar, Isis and Matrix in the Parthenon. Meanwhile, there was ANOTHER person, who would be VERY interested in what was going on, who also happened to be in the area, and she was drawn to the sounds of conflict>>

Wiping her mouth, and shaking her head as her skull finally settled

"Well that's good to know. I was hoping you'd at least put up SOME kind of fight as I dragged your chia pet garden ass from one side of the street to the other. "

Persephone created a backdraft of wind sending the hundreds of large broken shards of glass flying INTO the cafe and directly at Blaze. The wind blew the goddess' dark chocolate locks forward, creating an almost demonic-like look to her as her BLACK eyes glares mercilessly at Blaze. Dark clouds began to roll in as thunder CRASHED around the city. Persephone was going to EXTINGUISH this bitch once and for all.

"I don't THINK SO!"

"It's better to GIVE than to receive!"

And with that, Firebird quickly "blows a kiss" sending a VIOLENT torrent of powerful red flame energy outward, the broad beam of red flame energy EXPANDS and ENCOMPASSES all the glass and debris that Persephone sent flying at her, and CONSUMES it. Firebird herself quickly stands up, and takes to the air, flying at high speed charing DIRECTLY THROUGH her own flame attack

"MOVE BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY!"

and BOWLING Persephone over like a run away bowling ball slamming into bowling pins. Firebird was physically stronger than her original counterpart, Foxfire. She was stronger than most average mutants, but this wasn't her "official response" to Persephone's attack, she was just "making way" as she came charging out of the cafe, and was now back outside, in the air.

"I'll BRING you something alright, starting with the PAIN you caused Vivica, Zach, Simon, and Alycia! "

"Nobody beats on my loved ones!"

She hovers, with her auburn hair flowing, and her red flame aura glowing brightly around her, showing look of darkness and ANGER on her face to match Persephone's own demonic aggression

"NOBODY!"

And with that, Firebird hovers in a "standing" position, and activates her ATTACK! Thrusting her hands forward, she fires upon Persephone. To be HIT by this celestial fire attack would be like being plunged into the heart of an industrial BLAST FURNACE as it EXPLODES, and the concussive impact of this attack had enough power to BLOW UP a battle tank.

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon - Delilah's Penthouse

In order for us to address this...it will require a MEETING OF THE MINDS as well as a pooling of physical resources and efforts. I do not dismiss your insight. Please be willing to allow me or others uniquely qualified to ADD to it, so that we may gain the clearest possible picture for ALL of us to act accordingly.

Delilah nodded.

“We are all in this together, Cameron. This doesn’t rest on your shoulders alone.”

She felt like Cameron was shutting her out, and it worried her.

"This is a mess."

:: He could sense the worry from Delilah. He could sense the worry from Isis, as well as her fear that he was becoming arrogant. The fact of the matter, at the end of the day was that he was just trying to stand up in a time where everything seemed really scary and uncertain. He was trying to assert himself as the member of the team that he WAS. He thought they NEEDED somebody solid and strong to help them. He was a "telempath" and the flurry of emotional energies surrounding him right now from his own team as well as The Birds of Prey, it made him want to help them. To ease their worry and their thoughts. He had done what he did in order to make it so that the others WOULDN'T have to worry about him. He also didn't want Haleigh to be able to get to him, especially after the video she had sent. But now...it seemed that everybody was worried about him. He had forgotten that he was often an emotional anchor for the team. They could communicate honestly with him and he would return the favor, he could deeply understand their feelings by the nature of his power. But now, because his own feelings were becoming a bit closed off, he himself was becoming a bit colder, it was causing those around him to get a bit suspicious. ::

:: Cameron knew that both of them were coming from a good place. Delilah was trying to be understanding and help him through this. Be supportive and solid, like she always was with him, but he couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse upon looking at her. She was a MOTHER now. In a perfect world, she should be able to raise her child and MOVE ON WITH HER LIFE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON. And here she was, sitting here, trying to figure out a way to help both Cameron AND Haleigh. It was EASY when he had to defend Delilah, when he had to protect her, because she had always been so good to the team and himself. It was easy for Haleigh too. It was NOT easy to let Delilah help HIM. Because it meant that despite how strong he had been for her, his weakness was shining through. It made him uncomfortable. ::

:: Isis was trying to get him to see the larger picture. Objectively, he did. He would do what needed to be done, despite any personal feelings. He let go of Haleigh, and in doing that, he would play second fiddle to what her true sisters (Blaze & Morgan) wanted. He knew they would not return the favor when it came to his dimensional mother, but he would burn that bridge when they got to it. He appreciated that Isis was still here. She didn't have to be. The fact that she was checking up on him...even offering advice, it meant that whatever she was going through on The Birds of Prey was certainly worth it. She was changing. ::

"I know it doesn't rest on my shoulders alone. I know that. And I know it's a fool's errand in the world WE live in, but I can't help but try and shoulder SOME of the burden off of ALL of you. It's just part of my nature."

As it is now, I sense an...imbalance in you. You're still REELING from the extensive modification you performed on yourself, which itself suggests you might not have been READY for this. I CAN "tweak" this with my magicks, and "calm" you , and help you NOT to be so focused on one thing that you lose the long range vision you'll NEED in order to be TRUE to your desire to become that "hard edged" weapon against your foes.

Delilah looked up at Dominique.

“Whatever you can do, Isis, please help.”

She turned to Cam.

“I’m worried about what this will do to you.”

:: He turned to Delilah ::

"Delilah...please, I did this so you don't HAVE to worry about me. I'm just protecting myself against the biggest vulnerability I had going into all of this. That's all. I'm still Cameron, I'm still your best friend. I'm still me. I'm more than just my love for Haleigh. Just because that's gone doesn't mean I have no emotion, that i'm driven by my love for the others. Like my love for you..and your daughter, and Alison, and Blaze...Nicolas. Cass. Morgan. You've always seen me as I am, Dee. And I've always seen who you are. So I know that this worries you, but please..just trust that I am strong enough to deal with whatever the fallout from this may be, because you know I'm strong enough. I've suffered through worse and came out stronger.."

:: Cameron stroked her face. He truly loved Delilah and he didn't know where he would be without her. It hurt him to see her so concerned, but the only thing he could do was to keep his head up and move forward, prove to her and the others that he would be FINE. ::

"Onward and upward."

If only I'd had ANY indication of what she was going to do after I EXTRACTED her from the mansion following her meeting with Alice. I would have contacted Shadow Weaver immediately. But Black Widow gave me no reason to believe she would make such an INEXPLICABLE CHOICE!

“You can’t blame yourself – you had no way of knowing what was going to happen. None of us did.”

"I agree with Delilah. We've ALL been feeling this way lately."

“Cameron, you have always taken on the burden for all of us. You’ve been there, right there with us. You don’t need to prove anything.”

She sat and looked at Cameron. She didn’t pretend that it didn’t hurt her to be labeled a second class member of the Six, simply because her parents weren’t terribly people and because she hadn’t been there on that very first day. What was he doing, though? Why was he acting like he and Morgan were the only ones who had a stake in this?

"I do need to prove something, Delilah. To myself. I HAVEN'T always been there. I've RAN AWAY...a LOT..for things far more petulant than what's happening right now. I lost Alexis because of it. If I had been there, perhaps things could have changed. Perhaps I could have saved her. I've been thinking of her a lot lately. The irony of the situation we are experiencing is not lost on me. I know I am a different person now, but I also know how willing I was to leave all of you behind for Haleigh. To run away with her. To end this. I said as much to her when she left. Everything I went through...all the progress I made and I still thought of running. I thought of letting people who should have NEVER had to fight this fight take the lead, and do the work I should have been doing. That is what I meant by 'legacy' members standing up. To know that Morgan has such a plan..and what am I doing? I've been here since the beginning and I just feel AS such that I should be doing more. That I SHOULD be bridging the gap, standing strong, BE a force..not a scared man who wanted to runaway."

[pausing]

"I'm just doing the best I can, you guys. That's all I can really offer at this point anymore. I am doing what I think is necessary to stick this out, be a source of strength for the team and The Birds of Prey. In removing my love for Haleigh, while it has been freeing, it's caused a lot of other emotions to come into the forefront. I get that. Right now my anger is running a little hot. As is my need to protect my emotions. But I can filter through these. I can incorporate them in the right way, because they are far less complicated than my love was."

Speaking of your sister....Karen and Michael will be leaving for Minerva's Aerie soon. Will you and Delilah be saying goodbye to them? Would you like me to perform the buffer spell on you now?

“I would like to see Karen off, yes. Cam?”

:: Cameron nodded. ::

"Karen and I have..fixed things for the time being. I would like to see her off."

:: He grabbed Isis' hand and looked into their eyes as a GLIMMER of the chemistry the two shared flashed between them. Cameron flashed a half smile. ::

"Dominique. Thank you for your words. I am thankful for your concern..and you've given me a lot to think about. I want you to know..going forward, that I've heard you. The Six and The Birds of Prey will come together in this. I will not continue to let myself feel so personally attacked by this. I realize that my relationship with Haleigh isn't the final word and authority on her. You've proven that to me. She may not have thank you, and I might not care about her in the way that I did...but whatever help you offered her, I want to thank you for that. I'm not sure she deserved it anymore, but thank you on her behalf."

:: squeezing her hand. ::

"And also...thank you for still being here. You see a change in me? I see a change in you. And it's for the better. Despite what anybody might think..I KNOW..that you are growing and that you...are a FAR different even BETTER version of yourself than when I first met you. We are LUCKY to have a woman like you around, so just remember that at least at The Parthenon, you are ALWAYS welcome, and you will ALWAYS have an ally in me. No matter what form of psychic surgery i've performed on myself. You are a TRUE ally, and we need those now, more than ever. I hope that you continue on with The Birds of Prey.."

[thinking]

"Even if..it's a little selfish because I also want somebody to keep an eye on Vivica, to be there for her..in a way, that..."

[voice breaking for a moment]

"I just wasn't...or haven't been."

:: shaking his head. ::

"So.."

[pausing]

"If you have that spell handy...I'm ready to receive it."

 

[Persephone]

Blaze: "I'm here NOW, and I'm in YOUR face, and you're gonna PAY for what you've done. That's ALL that matters right NOW. "

"You talk a good game, Blaze. But that's all you do--IS TALK. Nothing but HOT AIR and BULLSHIT."

Blaze: "And I know you're a self centered, backstabbing, twisted tramp, who could never be a real friend to another woman, or reliable to ANYONE in a crisis. "

"Honey, I don't NEED friends to SURVIVE. I'm more than capable of turning you INSIDE OUT on my OWN. But GO AHEAD. CALL Spellbinder. Prophet. Morningstar. The FUCKING POPE. It's obvious that YOU are the one who isn't capable of doing ANYTHING ALONE."

Blaze thought SHE was a snake? Persephone was there on her own, ready to beat the ever loving shit out of her. But she KNEW how Blaze's mind worked, and she knew this bitch was probably telepathically crying to Spellbinder now saying the big bad goddess was after her. It was a classic Firebird tactic. She continued to spew her insults about Persephone being a nothing and how she was only relevant behind Demeter and Hecate. Persephone scoffed, a fire in her eyes.

"I've been around THOUSANDS of years, Blaze. And YOU? You're barely a ZYGOTE in HISTORY. In fact, i'm about to ABORT YOU NOW."

Persephone attacked Blaze with a power induced punch that sent her flying through the cafe.

Blaze: "Oh....shit!? You been working out..."

"NO. It's called being SEASONED."

Persephone growled as she sent a backdraft of wind flying into the cafe, picking up all the shards of glass in the process. Blaze quickly countered the attack by 'blowing a kiss' of fire, incinerating the glass.

Blaze: "I guess you'd need to, in order to keep Hades from dragging your ass back to hell by your hair like he does EVERY turn of the season."

If Persephone's eyes could have gone darker than black at that point, they would have. Her body was tense and shaking in fury. Blaze had the AUDACITY and GALL to talk shit about what she only READ about--what was FABRICATED and LIED about. She was a little girl who knew NOTHING of true turmoil or hardships. Persephone was going to make sure she UNDERSTOOD the MEANING of TRUE PAIN.

"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU."

Blaze: "Well that's good to know. I was hoping you'd at least put up SOME kind of fight as I dragged your chia pet garden ass from one side of the street to the other. MOVE BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY!"

Blaze went flying out of the cafe, SLAMMING into Persephone and causing the goddess to fly across the street and into a parked car, denting the metal and knocking the wind out of her. Hitting the ground, Persephone groaned and looked up seeing Blaze hovering in the air. The wind whipped around the street, the skies flashed with lightning, and the grey and black clouds churned like a brewing tornado in the midwest.

Blaze: "Nobody beats down my loved ones. NOBODY!"

Persephone gathered to her feet just as Blaze sent out a powerful celestial fire attack toward her. The wind's intensity picked up immediately, creating a 'stream' of air as Persephone thrusted her hands out toward the car, the wind slamming into it and sending it HURLING upward. Blaze's celestial fire blast HITS the car creating an explosion in the air between them.

"TRY AGAIN."

Persephone lifted her hands into the air, the skies above sending down a RAIN of LIGHTNING onto Blaze. Even for as fast as Blaze was, the sporadic and continuous attack would make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE for her to avoid getting hit.

 

[Verdict]

The Sanctuary -- Library

Darren remarked that Sharon was captivating.

Alycia: For as long as I've known her.

They shared a look of mutual understanding, and Darren told her that he had a date with Sharon this evening. Her smirk was amusing to him. He decided to tag the best friend for some intel, namely, which would be the best choice for the bouquet.

Alycia: Oh I would. But before I answer that, I want YOU to know that Sharon Kelly is my best friend. We've quite literally been through HELL and back together. We've seen the best AND the worst that this world can offer, and SURVIVED through all of it so far.

He regarded her with curiosity, even though he was pretty sure what that comment was a preface for. He waited patiently for it.

Alycia: Sharon has been through A LOT, and I would LOVE for her to experience the JOY of a budding friendship or even romance, if that's what this truly is. But sometimes...the DEADLIEST surprises come in the... :: looking him up and down:: PRETTIEST packages...

He pretended to be scandalized.

"Miss BARNETT, you're making me blush...."

She just about rolled her eyes, and then she got quite serious with him.

Alycia: I certainly HOPE that's not what's going on HERE. Because if it IS? I WON'T need to be Sharon's legal counselor to HANDLE IT. I hope we UNDERSTAND each other on that, Darren.

His eyebrows raised up and his head cocked to the side, as a disarming smile crossed his lips.

"Okay?! Best friend, lookin' out, huh? It's cool, I understand. And I solemnly swear: I have no ill intentions towards her."

Alycia: Good. Now about her favorite flower?

He nodded with interest, and she gave him the details he needed. But quid pro quo, she had a question of her own. Where would he and Sharon go for dinner?

"Ambrosia, at the Parthenon. I'll have to pull some strings to get us a reservation on such short notice.... but I'm sure I can get us a nice booth. I'd better get ON IT though."

He said, buttoning his jacket back up.

"It was very nice meeting you, Alycia. I hope we can find a win-win solution for Rose and her Sanctuary."

 

[Recall]

Meanwhile

:: Vivica made her exit out of the backdoors of Charope. She had done a LOT of talking in the last twenty four hours and she just didn't have it in her to deliver another monologue on the virtues of teamwork should the opportunity arise, so she took some time for herself. She knew it was dangerous to walk the streets of the city alone right now. It was still daylight outside and she was close enough in the city to any number of people should she find herself in need. She may have been attacked by Persephone, but she knew that in the grand scheme of things, Hellfire was treating her exactly as The Six had before - as an afterthought. The attack on her was supposed to be an easy way to ruffle feathers without attacking a main roster member of The Six. She was supposed to be collateral damage. While that use to really annoy her, in this instance it gave her comfort. ::

:: Pulling her headphones from her purse, she connected them to her phone as she began to work on a few business ventures, replying to e-mails and approving stills from the music video she had directed a few days earlier. It felt good to feel like a human for a few moments as she weaved in and out of the foot traffic of the city. Rounding a corner, she decided to stop and grab another coffee. Caffeine was something that was becoming a pivotal part of Vivica's existence at this point and to say she was addicted was putting it lightly. She made her way over towards the general area when all of a sudden... ::

<< At that moment, Spellbinder would receive a FLASH call from Firebird with the details of what was going on. Spellbinder and Rampage immediately left Limbo, with the sorceress sending an emergency "call" to Prophet, MorningStar, Isis and Matrix in the Parthenon. Meanwhile, there was ANOTHER person, who would be VERY interested in what was going on, who also happened to be in the area, and she was drawn to the sounds of conflict>>

"What the hell is going on over there?"

:: Squinting her eyes she could see a cloud of debris in the now busted windows of Aroma before she laid her eyes on Persephone and her heart fell all the way into her butt. Running forward, she could make out the woman that the goddess was fighting. It was BLAZE! ::

"Oh SHIT!"

:: Vivica charged forth with her peak human speed, closing the gap between herself and the cafe in a few moments as she clicked her temple and tried to make contact with Oracle. ::

>>Recall to Oracle. Persephone and Firebird are engaged in a firefight at Aroma Cafe! I'm going in.

:: The sky darkened and rumbled as lightning cracked in the sky. ::

:: She watched with wonder as BOTH of the women attacked each other and countered each other's movements with brilliant accuracy. ::

Persephone gathered to her feet just as Blaze sent out a powerful celestial fire attack toward her. The wind's intensity picked up immediately, creating a 'stream' of air as Persephone thrusted her hands out toward the car, the wind slamming into it and sending it HURLING upward. Blaze's celestial fire blast HITS the car creating an explosion in the air between them.

"TRY AGAIN."

Persephone lifted her hands into the air, the skies above sending down a RAIN of LIGHTNING onto Blaze. Even for as fast as Blaze was, the sporadic and continuous attack would make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE for her to avoid getting hit.

"BLAZE!!"

:: Vivica looked at the lightning attack that Persephone was creating. It was chaotic but there were factors and reasons behind where lightning struck and applying that knowledged she ran forward dodging the blasts as she made her way to Blaze, her eyes seeing RED as she looked at Persephone with a bitter and unbridled rage. ::

"Haven't you had your ass kicked ENOUGH by the people in this city?!"

[lowering her tone]

"Back the fuck BACK you old ass miserable ass TIRED ass, triflin' BITCH. You come for ONE of us, you come for ALL of us."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Ashley suggested seeing just how durable Gabriel Jerome was, but Zach brought up a valid point.

"Too bad he makes Zizi swoon."

“True.”

She thought about it.

“He’s the only guy I’ve ever heard her talk about since I met her. And she talks about him like the sun shines out of his ass. I should have known something was up when I hadn’t met him in person.”

She frowned.

“And it’s not like we know any guys to set her up with. Andrew, hung up on Delilah for some reason. And, he’s Andrew.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Steel.”

She shivered.

“Like watching your parents have sex. Which, wasn’t actually a thing when I had parents, but I get the creepiness.”

She counted the rest off on her fingers.

“Xavier: hung up on Amazons for some insane reason, so no. Rich: too young plus Isis would never allow him to get any. Bishop would be good…but again the Delilah thing. Maybe they’ll break up.”

She laughed.

“Who am I kidding? Of course they’re going to break up.”

She went to the kitchen and pulled two beers from the fridge, while Zach fiddled with the movie player.

She sat down on the couch, leaning her back against Zach and snuggling in against him. She held up a beer to him.

“Hope you like Pacifico.”

She took a drink from her own as the movie started.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

She turned her head to look at him, an unbelieving expression on her face.

“Are you serious?”

Zach only smiled. She turned back to the screen and pointed at it with her beer.

“See? What’s this ‘long time ago’ crap? I lived a long time ago: it didn’t look like this.”

She pulled the blanket over the two of them and smoothed it down.

“I don’t know what else to do to help her…”

She sighed, then pointed at the screen.

“Okay, now here’s something with potential: the thermal detonator. Should have set that thing off and killed all those assholes, taken whatever she wanted.”

 

[Oracle]

O’Malley’s Pub

Zizi went into the pub alone. She waved to the barman who she knew was a friend of Gabe’s. They weren’t very busy, so he came over to help her to a seat.

She tapped her fingertips on the top of bar while she waited. She had really thought the dress and the makeup and the painted fingernails would do it. The kisses earlier had obviously been some sort of fluke. She should never have listened to Ashley. It wasn’t the same as it was for her. She had to fix this, somehow.

Liam brought her draft and she took a long pull on it.

"So, a Doctor Who tattoo huh? And here I thought I knew everything about you."

“Oh you knew about that, Gabe. Remember? It’s my name in Gallifreyan.”

Actually, it was Lizzie in Gallifreyan.

“I got it during my black hair and nose ring phase.”

That was back when her hacking didn’t always toe the right side of the line. When she was more like Gabe, actually.

“Maybe I should go back to that look.”

She didn’t know what to say, really. Or do. So she downed the rest of her pint and signaled to Liam for another. Maybe she should pretend to be interested in Liam? Naw, Gabe would probably just think she was a lunatic.

“So…how’s your mum doing?”

 

[Firebird]

The wind whipped around the street, the skies flashed with lightning, and the grey and black clouds churned like a brewing tornado in the midwest.


"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU."

Firebird's red energy aura flashed and flared against the gray and black sky and storm clouds. She glared at Persephone with contempt, and the goddess looked upon her with the look of a savage predator in her eyes.

"Is this how you looked when you murdered Arsenal on Aerie?"

"How about when you betrayed Hecate? "

"Or when you were revived in Ororo's garden by US..and you realized that once again, somebody ELSE had to prop you up?"

"Is that Black Widow is doing for you NOW at the Hellfire Club? "

"I'm sure Malice wouldn't want a two faced COW like you on her Inner Circle, but the only reason why you're allowed to remain is because of Haleigh."

"I may be just a "glamorous extension of Morgan" in your eyes, but when it's all said and done...I WILL have my own life to show for it. YOU? You're nothing but a GROUPIE, moving from one setting to the next, until you fuck it all up with your treachery and deceitful ways!"

"But why wait for you to create your own downfall? I've got PLENTY of reasons to FUCK YOU UP NOW!"

Firebird attacks with her celestial fire attack, but Persephone quickly parries that powerful thrust!

The wind's intensity picked up immediately, creating a 'stream' of air as Persephone thrusted her hands out toward the car, the wind slamming into it and sending it HURLING upward. Blaze's celestial fire blast HITS the car creating an explosion in the air between them.

"TRY AGAIN."

"Oh You BET I will!"

Balling her fists, the fire elemental was about to activate ANOTHER attack when...

Persephone lifted her hands into the air, the skies above sending down a RAIN of LIGHTNING onto Blaze. Even for as fast as Blaze was, the sporadic and continuous attack would make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE for her to avoid getting hit.

Firebird looks up, and her apple green eyes widen as a bolt of lightning flares and comes crashing down at her.

GASP!

When it came to aerial combat and and maneuverability, Harbinger and Arsenal had noted that Firebird was perhaps second ONLY to Silver Swan. This was another key difference between her and Foxfire, who did not have the power of flight, and was not nearly as seasoned and combat honed as Firebird.

She DODGES the first lightning strike, but then MORE begin to come, and their pattern was...RANDOM and unpredictable, still, Firebird was not one to be pinned down, ESPECIALLY out in the open like this!

Firebird flies with high speed, in a TIGHT pattern, dodging and EVADING bolt after bolt. She moves with splendid form and grace. Arsenal would be PROUD in this moment.

"HAH, you withered old tree branch! You're a LOUSY shot! If it wasn't for gravity, you probably couldn't even hit the GROUND!"

"BLAZE!!"

Firebird's look snapped to where that voice was coming.

Oh goddess!

"Recall! Get away!!!"

Firebird couldn't HELP but feel a flash of concern...FEAR for the safety of her loved one...and it was that moment, which left her DISTRACTED enough for...

::THUNDER CLAP! ZAP!::

AGGHH!

That last bolt of lightning...it "KNICKED" her down her BACK, and she felt like she'd been shot out of a cannon as her body seized for a moment!

:: Vivica looked at the lightning attack that Persephone was creating. It was chaotic but there were factors and reasons behind where lightning struck and applying that knowledged she ran forward dodging the blasts as she made her way to Blaze, her eyes seeing RED as she looked at Persephone with a bitter and unbridled rage. ::

"Haven't you had your ass kicked ENOUGH by the people in this city?!"

Recall faced Persephone down, and her question rang out in the air above the elemental chaos! Firebird had the precious few moments she needed to RECOVER from that "NEAR MISS!" She counteracted the flash burn with her own powers, and the PAIN began to subside, allowing her to think clearly as she regulated her breathing again.

OH. HELL. NO!

NOW SHE was mad!

She swoops down

[lowering her tone]

"Back the fuck BACK you old ass miserable ass TIRED ass, triflin' BITCH. You come for ONE of us, you come for ALL of us."

Landing beside Recall, the fire elemental smiles genuinely at Recall, as she and Firebird squeeze hands for a moment, before Blaze takes one step forward and slightly in front of Recall.

"Persephone...I'm going to remind you of HOME just now. Maybe you'll recognize this feeling, if the memory of being under Hades' HEEL doesn't over shadow it!"

"TAKE THIS!"

With that, Firebird takes aim, and ATTACKS ! She unleashes a RED HOT bolt of LAVA, channeling the geothermal power of the EARTH itself. the Lava bolt charges MADLY for Persephone and upon contact, it would ENVELOPE her in a volcanic BLAST that would leave her as nothing more than a statue of ASH!.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah’s Suite

So I know that this worries you, but please...just trust that I am strong enough to deal with whatever the fallout from this may be, because you know I'm strong enough. I've suffered through worse and came out stronger."

“I do know how strong you are, and what you’ve been through. But…Haleigh thought she was strong enough to take this all on her own too.”

I lost Alexis because of it. If I had been there, perhaps things could have changed. Perhaps I could have saved her. I've been thinking of her a lot lately.

“So have I,” Delilah whispered. The loss of Alexis, what had happened, it weighed heavily on Delilah, and had for a long time. Which was one reason she was having such difficulty giving up on Haleigh. She didn’t want to make the same mistakes she had then.

To know that Morgan has such a plan...and what am I doing? I've been here since the beginning and I just feel AS such that I should be doing more. That I SHOULD be bridging the gap, standing strong, BE a force…not a scared man who wanted to run away."

“It doesn’t matter that you wanted to run away, Cam: it’s that you stayed. You have been there for all of us when we needed you. It doesn’t make you less than Morgan because you’re not off doing witchy woo in Limbo.”

Cam said that he too would like to say goodbye to Karen. Delilah reached out and took his hand when he talked about not being there for Vivica. Delilah knew he had been there for her, and he would be again. It would just take time to heal.

Delilah felt a wave of relief as Cameron assented to Isis’ spell. She was afraid he might refuse. All she could do now was be there for him, as he had been for her.

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: “Oh you knew about that, Gabe. Remember? It’s my name in Gallifreyan.”

"Seriously? I don't remember you telling me about that....you certainly haven't showed me. I think I would remember considering the placement."

Fuck why did he say that.

"Sorry, that's not what I meant."

He chugged his beer.

Zizi: “I got it during my black hair and nose ring phase.”

Laughing.

"Ahh Gothy Liz. Yep, I remember those days. Back when you were on the darkside....and apparently the inked side too."

He joked, remember when Zizi used to use her hacking for nefarious tasks. She was a little more rebellious back then being all tatted up and pierced.

Zizi: “Maybe I should go back to that look.”

Gabe's brow crinkled as he shook his head while taking another gulp of his beer.

"No way, you look WAY better now. But I mean...whatever makes you happy.."

He didn't want to impede on her fashion or self expression. Definitely didn't want to get slammed for saying she should LOOK a certain way. Frankly, he didn't care what she looked like, he loved Zizi's spirit above anything else. But looking at her now, it was like her spirit had been squashed. She wasn't the same girl he met with a few days ago. It was like her light had dimmed.

Zizi: “So…how’s your mum doing?”

Gabe huffed out a sigh, pushing his empty pint glass away as he turned toward Zizi.

"My mum? Really? We're doing that?"

He got real with her.

"Common Liz....don't do that. Don't pull the awkward mum card that people use when they don't know what to say."

He looked into her eyes.

"It's ME. Why are you acting so weird?"

Stupid question considering he knew PARTLY why. Shaking his head.

"I kissed you. I made it fucking awkward...i'm SORRY. I really am...."

Liam wisely slid him another pint, a sympathetic look on his face as he did so.

"I didn't mean to hurt you."

 

[Oracle]

O’Malley’s

"Seriously? I don't remember you telling me about that...you certainly haven't showed me. I think I would remember considering the placement."

She rolled her eyes at him.

“It’s just on my back, Gabe.”

She reminded him about the time when she dressed goth, and suggested maybe she should go back.

"No way, you look WAY better now. But I mean...whatever makes you happy…"

Zizi gave him a small smile.

“Good to know.”

She made small talk, and Gabe turned to her in a huff.

"My mum? Really? We're doing that? Common Liz....don't do that. Don't pull the awkward mum card that people use when they don't know what to say."

Zizi was a little taken aback by his forcefulness.

"I like your mum."

"It's ME. Why are you acting so weird?"

“I…I thought I was coming down with something so I took some cold medicine earlier. I think it made me a little loopy…”

"I kissed you. I made it fucking awkward...I'm SORRY. I really am...I didn't mean to hurt you."

Zizi swallowed. He was sorry about it. That was that then.

And then she smiled and waved her hand.

“Forget about it. We’ve been friends a long time, it was bound to come up eventually. And now we know it’s ridiculous, so, we don’t have to worry about it any more.”

And a little piece of Zizi died as she said it. But she would rather keep Gabe as a friend than lose him like this.

“Another pint? YOU can pay for this round.”

Suddenly Vivica was in her ear.

>>Recall to Oracle. Persephone and Firebird are engaged in a firefight at Aroma Cafe! I'm going in.

[via com] "Recall, no, wait for backup, it's too dangerous."

Zizi pulled the control pad she usually wore on her arm from her purse and set it on the bar. A laser keyboard appeared in her lap and a small projection screen materialized in front of her.

There was definitely something going down at the café. Lots of damage already. Her fingers flew as she flipped through cameras and trackers.

[via com] "Recall, be advised, Isis, Matrix and the Six are mobilizing to come to your aid. Hang in there.”

 

[Cypher]

He saw her face immediately shift, just the slightest, but enough for him to noticed after he apologized about kissing her.

"NO! That's not what I meant--"

She waved him off.

Zizi: “Forget about it. We’ve been friends a long time, it was bound to come up eventually. And now we know it’s ridiculous, so, we don’t have to worry about it any more.”

Shaking his head, for someone multilingual in not only languages but coding, he certainly couldn't figure out how to say ANYTHING to Zizi right. She was saying her words without conviction, and it was breaking his heart. He KNEW Zizi, and he knew when she was trying to be nice.

"Look, Liz....I'm not sorry I kissed you. I'm sorry I made things awkward between us..."

Sighing out, he didn't know what else to say at this point.

Zizi: "Another pint? YOU can pay for this round."

Defeated by what had just went down and his inability to get his point across correctly, Gabe gently nodded.

"Yeah...sure.."

Waving Liam over, he asked for two more pints and to put it on his house account.

Zizi: "Recall, no, wait for backup, it's too dangerous."

Gabe's brows furrowed as he looked over at Zizi who was talking via com link. She pulled out a small com pad that created a laser keyboard and projection image.

"Oh shit...nice tech.."

He said with admiration, leaning in a bit to see what was on the projection. The streets in the image looked like a war torn country and he saw two women...one in the air with fire and the other on the ground with lightning.

Zizi: "Recall, be advised, Isis, Matrix and the Six are mobilizing to come to your aid. Hang in there.”

Zizi was flipping through different camera angles until Gabe's eyes IMMEDIATELY went wide.

"HOLY SHIT! That's AVA!"

He looked around realizing he said that really loud. He leaned in closer to Zizi.

[in a loud whisper] "What the FUCK is going on?! She can shoot lightning bolts now!?"

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Ashley: Hope you like Pacifico.

He looked at it skeptically for a beat, and then shrugged.

"It's cold, it's convenient."

He said, as she settled in next to him. She realized what movie they were watching and asked if he was serious. He just gave her a big smile, and she relented, so he kissed her cheek and pulled her close as she smoothed the blanket over him.

Ashley: See? What’s this ‘long time ago’ crap? I lived a long time ago: it didn’t look like this.

"BABE. It's in a galaxy far, far away. Have YOU been to a galaxy far far away?"

It was a rhetorical question. Zach remembered that if they wanted to eat Chinese food, they would have to order it first, and he whipped out his phone. Life was so much better now that there was an app for everything. He ordered all the best entrees, and then what Ash said she wanted.

He drank some of his beer as Ash lamented not knowing how else to help Zizi. Zach rubbed her arm supportively.

"Well, I made a complete jackass out of myself, but hopefully it at LEAST got the point across to him."

He replied, as the movie played on.

Ashley: Okay, now here’s something with potential: the thermal detonator. Should have set that thing off and killed all those assholes, taken whatever she wanted.

Zach gave a short laugh.

"That's how we can help her! Get her a thermal detonator, and then she can threaten to use it unless she gets to play with Gabe's light saber."

He joked, and tipped his beer back again.

 

[Goliath]

St. Patrick's Cathedral

:: She didn't pull away from his kiss, which spoke volumes to him. This meant he still had an in, he just wasn't sure what he was going to do with it. Talisman had made it clear to him earlier that she was highly interested in poking and prodding the mutant, study the effects of the experimentation and torture she had endured at the hands of the Nazis up close and personal. He promised that he would help her and by signing on the dotted line, his life somewhat depended on it. It was the same situation he had been in years before. He failed last time. He was a failure to his father Finn. He let everybody down around him and he didn't want to do that again, but damnation, she still looked so bloody good. ::

:: Cassandra pulled him close to her, her mouth resting dangerously close to his earlobe as a sensation shot up and down his spine at her touch. ::

Cassandra: "Go back to Prague, Ben. Go back and forget that you ever knew me. These people...they will DESTROY you. They don't care about ANYBODY. As soon as you outlast your usefulness, they will no doubt KILL YOU. Leave this city. I don't want you to get hurt."

:: This was rather unexpected. He had anticipated anger, agression and rage. Hell he thought she would full on attack him. He had seen the mission logs that Hellfire had on her and it was clear that she had grown as a fighter since their time together. She was in control of her power now, and he couldn't believe that she was STILL so receptive to him and his words, after everything he had done to her. Was it an act? Was she just playing this game in order to protect herself? Being in the walls of the mansion had caused him to constantly question everybody's words. Everybody was working an angle, nobody could be trusted. Perhaps Cass had learned something from them. ::

<< SLAP! >>

:: His face recoiled as he staggered back a few steps. Cocking his head back, he grabbed his face with his hand, giving her a look of surprise and amusement as he rubbed his cheek, trying to figure out what exactly her angle was. ::

"Well, I have to admit love...this has been nothing like what I had imagined."

:: Benjamin stood before her, his beautiful and piercing icy blue eyes seeming to peer into her very soul as he spoke. ::

"I could say everything you have just said back to you, Cassandra. You wanted to be a hero, that means facing the villains."

:: cocking his head to the side. ::

"Tell me...where is your family now? I mean the ones that stayed at The Parthenon, not the ones who live with me now. Have they been keeping you informed Cassandra? Do you know what's going on with them..better yet. How many of them have reached out to YOU? Checked in on YOU and made sure that YOU were okay, and safe?

:: looking around ::

"Seems to me they are nowhere around. And during such a dangerous time..."

"It's curious is all."

:: He was dangerously close to her face now. ::

"Perhaps you should reconsider your options. Maybe get out while you can..find your OWN allies..or at the very least your own 'playmate'..."

:: Benjamin wiped a few hairs away from Cassandra's face. ::

"I'm telling you this because I have already signed my life away to them. To The Black Court. They don't want to just defeat The Six. They want to take over the world, and they will. The Six just happens to be in their way, but from the looks of it..not for much longer. I go where the power is Cassandra, I always have, and because of that...that means I WILL face off against The Six when it becomes necessary, and that will mean I will fight you."

[smirking]

"And I won't fail this time.."

"It doesn't mean that I WANT to..it's just reality now. A matter of time."

"Of course...you could always join us? I'm sure Talisman would love to have a member of The Six on her court. It seems to be the trendy thing to do these days, and you've always looked good..."

:: leaning in, he bit her ear gently ::

"In black..."