Rose of Destruction II

[Talisman]

The Hellfire Club - Catacombs - Laboratory

There were a few moments of peace. The White Bishop had taken her place in the sun as her father's true heir, and Malice had gotten a kitten from her daughter. She half expected Danny Tanner to show up any moment to reiterate the lesson they had learned this week. While it was important for Gia to understand her place, she was beginning to grow a bit tired at having to attend a full blown event every time one of the members of the white court wiped their asses without any assistance. But Malice was riding a wave of success at the moment, so Kelly entertained these official ceremonies and long monologues. Their power and success was tied to each other. They would each have their moment in the sun. Before long, Talisman, like usual found herself bored. While she had opened herself up in the past few weeks, being a social creature was not necessarily her strongest suit. She was embracing this new side of herself as best she could, but she only truly found herself comfortable in the sterile environment of a lab or operating room. And that was where she found herself now - in her lab in the catacombs.

Talisman had spent her time in exile on Sheena Island to learn all she could about this timeline's work with The T Virus, comparing it to what she knew from her own timeline. This afforded her a great deal of insight and allowed her to streamline the way they could create bio hazards to sell on the black market or to use for their personal affairs. She stood in the center of the lab in front of a holographic computer system. The screens were flickering with double helix patterns, statistics and other medical monitoring standards. Just beyond the monitor was a white operational stasis tube with an unknown man inside who was sleeping peacefully with white pads connected to his body, monitoring his vitals.

To Talisman's left was a medical tray with several familiar vials containing a bright blue double helix pattern - a hallmark of the T Virus. She was just about to grab for one of the vials when her omni sight alerted her to the arrival of Haleigh Davidoff just before the sliding door open with a mechanical zoom.

"Scion."

Scion: "Good evening, Talisman."

"I figured you would come and find me eventually. Welcome to my lab."

Talisman spun on her spiked boots, her cobalt blue eyes meeting Haleigh's as she smirked, speaking in her signature raspy and breathy, even toned voice.

"If you've brought me a kitten, please, just dump it in the aqua ring."

Her feet clacked several feet forward as she closed the gap between Scion and herself, folding her arms together as her sharp black matte nails tapped her elbow mindlessly. She cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head in reflection.

"Nice move, though. It's clear the furball represents some kind of deep void in her life that you've now filled. Buys you some time. Gives you a bit of breathing room...which you needed."

Talisman snapped her fingers as a rush of energy could be felt in the room. A flickering green computer like energy swirled around Kelly's hands for a moment as a swarm of nanites appeared in the room, swarming around a glass of champagne that hovered over to Haleigh, offering it up to her as a glass of ice cold hemlock appeared in The Black Queen's hands, the smoke from the hemlock swirling out of the glass in a hypnotic power.

"I myself have had to do some maneuvering since my arrival in order to survive, so I can appreciate the sentiment."

She held her glass up to Haleigh in a somewhat celebratory way.

"To dying another day."

Talisman took a small sip from her glass before setting it down on the medical tray, dangerously close to the T Virus, a sign that she was more than comfortable manipulating and understanding it, placing something so close into a contamination field.

"Tell me, what brings you here?"

 

[Jezebel]

Rose's Sanctuary - Rose's House

:: Her eyes met Gabe's as they both said the movie title out loud. He smiled and she felt the fifteen year old girl inside of her writhe around like it was her first time on a horse. For a moment she surveyed his face with intrigue. ::

"Well isn't he a handsome little devil? I'm sure he'd like a spanking. But could I really steal a man from a bitch in a wheelchair?"

She thought to herself as she now spoke out loud.

"Well aren't you a handsome little devil? I think somebody needs..more wine."

:: She wasn't COMPLETELY obnoxious. ::

Oracle: "Watching a damn good piece of cinema is what he was doing."

:: Rae admitted how she knew Rose in a vague manner, just how the two of them liked it. You always had to leave a person wondering just exactly who you are. ::

Oracle: "I'm sure she was lucky to have someone be there for her."

:: She smiled at Zizi. What a polite girl. When Rae met a truly polite girl she couldn't fight the temptation to sin. She had to corrupt her in some kind of way, it was just part of the devil inside of her. The part of her that drove her daddy crazy. Zizi didn't seem like much of a drinker. A stoner perhaps? Computer geeks seemed to like to get high. ::

"Hmm..well, maybe I can just get her to say 'fuck' or 'shit' or something like that."

Oracle: "Not so funny when you have patrolmen following you around on all your dates in high school."

"I hear you on that, my daddy required every boy I liked to go to his Sunday Services for three weeks before they could ask me out, so he could get a sense of their character. Oh yeah, and he liked to chaperone."

Oracle: "Um...he pretty much thinks I'm just a teacher...and he likes that a heck of a lot more than he liked the idea of me being a cop, so..it works out."

For a moment she wondered if Oracle had been a cop and perhaps that was why she was in a wheelchair. In her mind, she saw a big tower in the sky. Headquarters of sorts. She saw a brave knight. A VALIANT knight. There was clearly MUCH more to Oracle than met the eye, which was a nice nod to her codename, Rae thought.

She pressed into Gabe a little bit, looking at his aura now that she had assessed his bangability. A bit of grey in his aura, but all the good ones had a little bit of grey. It meant they had character, and had been through a lot and survived it.

Oracle: "Gabe is a good person."

Cypher: "Can't say I don't like living on the edge a bit." [with a grin]

Rae grinned back.

"Honey, you have no idea."

Cypher: "Plus they pay good. But I steer clear when it counts, no worries there."

She raised her glass of scotch and nodded.

"Good boy."

Cypher: "So what do aura's look like if you don't mind me asking? Is it a bright light around us? different colors? How can you tell when someone is bad or evil?"

:: and he was actually inquisitive. She smirked as she looked at Zizi for a moment. ::

"You better find those balls and quick, toots. This man is looking tasty!"

:: Rae wasn't going to cross a line, but she could definitely discern a connection between Oracle and Cypher but it seemed like neither of them wanted to pull the trigger, and she couldn't tell why. Well she had an idea, but it really wasn't her business to get involved unless asked. But she had hope for them. ::

"Well..all of those things really. Most people can learn to discern auras with enough meditation and training. It's really just shifting your sight. Almost like how some animals have heat sight? I can kind of 'click' into this new field of vision and people's auras burn brightly around them, almost like a flame. And it's not like seeing somebody's soul, it's more about seeing what mental and emotional state they are in..they're frame of mind. The longer somebody is in a frame of mind, the more dominant that color becomes, and they all have different meanings..."

[taking a sip]

"A lot of you guys have orange. When it's bright it means courage, confidence, friendliness, success..darker and dull oranges..means sluggishness and ignorance. And so on and so forth."

[smirking]

"I've been reading auras for damn near forty years, and even to this day..it's a fuckin' trip."

:: Danny mentioned that he had invited Simon. ::

Oracle: Of course - Simon is a sweetheart. Though, I fear the last time we were together he had gotten a little more than he bargained for."

"Now that's the truth. But..you know something? He's so young, and slender...and waspy...and rich..and kinda cocky, but.."

:: laughing ::

"I like that guy. He's got a real good heart. And his ass ain't too bad either."

:: taking a sip. ::

"Now...who wants to talk to the dead?"

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs

Kelly: I figured you would come and find me eventually. Welcome to my lab. If you've brought me a kitten, please, just dump it in the aqua ring.

Haleigh smiled knowingly. No, she hadn't brought Kelly a kitten. As much as she joked about passing them out as candy, she knew better than to think she could actually do that for everybody. It had only worked for Diana because of the deep seated psychological connection that she had to the kitten she lost.

Kelly: Nice move, though. It's clear the furball represents some kind of deep void in her life that you've now filled. Buys you some time. Gives you a bit of breathing room...which you needed.

"Only because I lived a lot longer than I originally planned."

She replied, as the Black Queen produced a glass of champagne for Haleigh, and Hemlock for herself. Haleigh accepted her glass, staring at the nanites curiously as she did so.

Kelly: I myself have had to do some maneuvering since my arrival in order to survive, so I can appreciate the sentiment.

Haleigh glanced at Kelly, her expression neutral. The file she had on Kelly was thin, and mostly consisted of reports regarding the original Kelly from this timeline. She didn't really have much specific intel on this woman.

Kelly: To dying another day.

Haleigh smirked and raised her glass, then drained it in one gulp. She sauntered over to where Kelly had set her glass down, and she deposited her empty flute on the same tray, then in one fluid swipe she picked up a vial and held it up to the light. She inspected it casually, turning it over as Kelly asked what had brought her here.

"Curiosity."

She replied as set the vial back on the tray, then meandered over to a mechanical chair that looked like it might belong in a dentist's office, except it had some pretty hardcore restraints on the arm and footrests. Haleigh relaxed into it, making it recline back as she intertwined her fingers and put her hands behind her head. She moved the footrest so her feet were propped up as well.

"So, what are you doing with Bishop's DNA?"

She asked, just to get them started.

 

[Tycoon]

Molloy's

Delilah: You said, 'pushed harder'. Does that mean you were advocating for her removal before this latest attack?

He nodded grimly, setting his beer mug down.

"The company may have been Haleigh's baby, but most of us on the board have been there from the beginning. It's our company TOO. I've invested so much time and effort over the years.... I didn't want to see it become something to be ashamed of, and I KNOW the kinds of people she's getting involved with at Hellfire. What her plan is, WHY she did it, I don't even know, but the things she could DO if she still had full control of the company.... Shit, it's bad enough what she's done ALREADY."

He replied, and then they moved on, as she asked him what he did with his free time and he told her about his hobbies, which he doubted could compare to the excitement she probably say daily as a cop -- and a superhero. She downplayed the adventures she surely had, trying to say that her career had consisted of 90% paperwork.

"Okay look, in the future, let people believe you were the woman version of Bullitt, all burning rubber and slinging lead and fiery explosions. And you EH-SPECIALLY let the men you meet in dive bars think that, so they'll be too intimidated to try their cheesy pick-up lines on you."

Delilah: I don’t think I could jump out of an airplane…and I’ve actually never been on a motorcycle, or diving. I love to swim though. I lived for a time on the Aegean. That part was wonderful, being able to swim in the ocean.

"OH! I bet you'd LOVE diving, it's like a whole other world underwater, peaceful, gorgeous, and a great way to kind of, escape for a while, get away from all the drama and noise of every day life. I highly recommend it. I can teach you how sometime, if you'd like."

He offered, and she asked if he got a chance to ride his motorcycle in the city. He considered the question, then nodded and shrugged a bit.

"Yeah sort of. It's easy to get around traffic, but if you really want a great riding experience, there are some beautiful routes upstate that allow higher speeds and better scenery."

He mused, and then turned to her curiously.

"But what about you, Delilah? what do you do when you aren't saving the world? I can't imagine you like to swim in the Hudson River."

 

[MorningStar]

Molloy’s

Gavin confirmed that he had been trying to get Haleigh out of the company since the beginning of all this mess, which somewhat impressed Delilah. It might not have yesterday, but today it made him look like the most intelligent person in the room. Which, considering their surroundings, he probably was anyway.

"I've invested so much time and effort over the years.... I didn't want to see it become something to be ashamed of, and I KNOW the kinds of people she's getting involved with at Hellfire. What her plan is, WHY she did it, I don't even know, but the things she could DO if she still had full control of the company.... Shit, it's bad enough what she's done ALREADY."

Delilah nodded, looking away.

“Yeah, Haleigh’s not the person we thought she was. Not anymore. She’s just hurting people and she doesn’t even care. I was a chump to think she could be saved.”

She blinked back tears, before turning back to him and happier subjects.

"Okay look, in the future, let people believe you were the woman version of Bullitt, all burning rubber and slinging lead and fiery explosions. And you EH-SPECIALLY let the men you meet in dive bars think that, so they'll be too intimidated to try their cheesy pick-up lines on you."

She smiled, then finally let a laugh escape.

“Good tip. I'll have to remember that.”

He went through a list of his incredibly dangerous and crazy hobbies.

"OH! I bet you'd LOVE diving, it's like a whole other world underwater, peaceful, gorgeous, and a great way to kind of, escape for a while, get away from all the drama and noise of every day life. I highly recommend it. I can teach you how sometime, if you'd like."

She nodded and smiled.

“I’d like that.”

"But what about you, Delilah? What do you do when you aren't saving the world? I can't imagine you like to swim in the Hudson River."

“Only if I want to grow a third arm.”

She made a face, the disgustingness of the Hudson legendary.

“I used to do pentathlons when I was younger, if you can believe that, but now I guess I don’t have a lot of time for other things.”

She sat there for a second, realizing just how little time she spent on “hobbies”.

“The foundation I guess is where my free time goes these days. Huh. I hadn’t realized just how boring I actually was.”

She forced a smile.

“But I like dive bars and their close cousins darts and pool. And music. And talking to adrenaline junkie finance guys.”

 

[Cypher]

Both him and Rae smiled as they both referenced the movie she was talking about.

Zizi: “What were you doing watching ‘Boys on the Side’?”

Rae: "Watching a damn good piece of cinema is what he was doing."

Gabe laughed then shrugged a little.

"I grew up with two ladies, I have a vast knowledge of movies I probably shouldn't admit to watching."

He quipped with a smile. Before moving to the states, his grandmother moved in to help his mom out with raising him because his father was such an abusive deadbeat. So he was subjected to many a girly thing. He hated it back then, but he appreciated it now as an adult. They went onto how Rae really knew Rose, then Rae began to question Zizi a bit. Then him. Zizi placed her hand on his arm defensively as Rae suggested his aura had some grey in it--he wasn't surprised by that revelation.

Zizi: "Gabe is a good person."

He gently patted Zizi's hand as a way to let her know he wasn't offended.

"It's good, Liz. Can't say I don't like living on the edge a bit."

He admitted with a grin.

"Plus they pay good. But I steer clear when it counts, no worries there."

Rae: "Good boy."

He smiled as Zizi went on to talk with Danny while he inquired more about auras. As Rae began to explain to him how it worked, he found it incredibly fascinating--HER incredibly fascinating. This lady, so rough around the edges and blunt just casually talking about seeing radiating colors around people like it was no big deal. Gabe folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes, really trying to understand how it all worked. She explained it as if it were a heat signature, everyone glowing colors around them due to their state of mind, both mental and emotional. Each color represented a different meaning.

Rae: "I've been reading auras for damn near forty years, and even to this day..it's a fuckin' trip."

"Wow that's seriously pretty fucking amazing....do you have to be present with the person? Or can you gage people from video feeds?"

He enquired, his mind turning with ideas. Zizi informed them that a guy name Simon was coming. He didn't really care--didn't know the bloke. He just kept thinking about what Rae had said. Maybe if he showed her the feed of Ava, Rae could tell if there was still some good left in her--read her aura....see if there was a flicker of anything good left.

Rae: "So..who wants to talk to the dead?"

THAT snapped Gabe out of his own thoughts, looking at Rae with wide eyes.

"Fuck me."

He said in shock. This lady was GOLD. Okay, Carrie Fischer....no, no...Lenard Nimoy! Maybe someone super infamous in history....yeah, his mum would be pretty fucking pissed at him if he asked to speak with dead television stars instead of Princess Diana.

His phone buzzed, noting it was Ramsey at the main gate.

"Shit, my team is here."

Pointing to Rae with a big smile as he put the phone up to his ear.

"Don't you go anywhere! I'm SO taking you up on this dead people talk. I just gotta let my men in and brief them."

Now it was down to business, getting serious on the phone.

"Yeah, Rams...i'll be out in a sec."

He began as he disappeared down the hall toward the front door.

 

[Tycoon]

Molloy's

Delilah: Yeah, Haleigh’s not the person we thought she was. Not anymore. She’s just hurting people and she doesn’t even care. I was a chump to think she could be saved.

Gavin's brow furrowed deeply, and he reached over to put his hand on Delilah's shoulder blade.

"Hey, looks like I'm not the only one being too hard on themselves. You don't seem like a chump to me, and you aren't the only one who thinks she can be saved. Zach won't be convinced otherwise, and he knew her the best, right? I'd really like to believe him too, I just can't rest the fate of the company on it."

He'd seen the Clandestine surveillance feed of Haleigh at the Sanctuary. It looked like her, it sounded like her, but it was clear something was wrong. Some of the things she'd said.... she was obviously in trouble, and NEEDED to be saved, along with her sister Ava. But that wasn't Gavin's forte. He left it to the others to handle.

He got Delilah to laugh, and smile, and he found he liked to see her cheered. When he offered to teach her to scuba, she said she'd like that, and he grinned. He'd like it too, very much. She'd be a way better diving buddy than crotchety old Steve from accounting who constantly griped about his mother yet still lived with her. Not to mention the fact that at this point he'd take any excuse he could get to spend some more time with her. He asked her what she did when she wasn't saving the world, and admitted he couldn't imagine she'd enjoy swimming the Hudson.

Delilah: Only if I want to grow a third arm.

The delivery of her reply, coupled with the face she pulled at the thought, made him laugh freely.

Delilah: I used to do pentathlons when I was younger, if you can believe that, but now I guess I don’t have a lot of time for other things.

"Pentath-- what, triathlons weren't hard enough for you? Your stamina must have been incredible."

Delilah: The foundation I guess is where my free time goes these days. Huh. I hadn’t realized just how boring I actually was.

"Oh, come on. I find you very interesting."

Delilah: But I like dive bars and their close cousins darts and pool. And music. And talking to adrenaline junkie finance guys.

"See, that LAST hobby sounds promising, a very rewarding pastime. You should definitely devote more time to that, really focus on developing it as a skill."

 

[MorningStar]

Molloy's

Gavin laughed as she suggested that swimming in the toxic waste of the Hudson would grow her a third arm, and she laughed too. She really was having a good time, in spite of everything, and she almost felt guilty about it.

"Pentath-- what, triathlons weren't hard enough for you? Your stamina must have been incredible."

She lowered her eyes, smiling, not sure if that was a come on or not. She made a self-deprecating comment about how boring she was now.

"Oh, come on. I find you very interesting."

“Really?”

Then she covered it with:

“You need to get out of the office more if you think I’m interesting.”

And made a joke about talking to finance guys in bars.

"See, that LAST hobby sounds promising, a very rewarding pastime. You should definitely devote more time to that, really focus on developing it as a skill."

She smiled, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, swiveling her stool towards him.

“I’m thinking about taking some classes, actually – maybe hiring a personal trainer. Maybe buy some flash cards. You know, really get on my numbers game.”

She laughed, signaling another round to the bartender, then picking up her glass and finishing the last left in it.

“So…I can’t help but notice the accent…and British guys are famous for their prowess at darts…and I just happen to know that this particular pub has a dart board in the back. You wanna?”

 

[Berserker]

The Red Knight’s Quarters

Alek slept, with Persephone curled up next to him, her head fitting in the crook of his neck and her arm resting lightly on his chest. After a while he stirred, his eyes blinking open in the near darkness, the candles all having burnt out by now and the only light the soft glow from the television they’d left on. It wasn’t yet morning. Thank god.

He could feel the slow rhythm of her breathing, the rise and fall of her chest next to him. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, and for a brief moment he thought he had woken her, but she turned over, pressing her back to his chest, and fell back into peaceful slumber.

She was so beautiful. He had known many beautiful women over the years, but Seph really was unique. It wasn’t just her beauty, it was the way she carried herself, her attitude, the way she was completely uncompromising on what she wanted. He could imagine whole armies bowing at her feet. Alek couldn’t help himself, he lightly traced a line with his fingers, starting at her shoulder and moving down her arm to her wrist and then interlocking his fingers with hers.

He squinted in the light of the tv. There was something there, on the inside of her wrist. He gently rotated her arm to see it better. Some sort of symbol, a white scar on the tender flesh. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over it, before forgetting that she was asleep and bringing her wrist to his lips, kissing it softly.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone was in a deep slumber, her body completely relaxed for the first time in what felt like weeks. MONTHS really. It may have been the battle earlier, or the incredible sex. Or maybe she just felt completely safe with Alek. Regardless, she hadn't had a decent night sleep since before the Blue Moon, reasons only known by Karen Victoria. Then pair that with being within the walls of the Hellfire Club and she was lucky to even sleep, period. But as the evening went on, Persephone was finally able to just let her mind rest and body ease.

She hadn't felt his initial touch, only stirring in her sleep to a more comfortable position. But as his fingers ran down her arm and interlinked with her own, he slowly began to coax her awake. She felt the gentle touch of his thumb against her wrist before feeling his lips on the same spot, finally causing Persephone to slowly open her eyes. Now lucid--though groggy--she finally realized what he was touching and kissing....she turned her head as she moved positions a bit, now laying partly on her back but still pressed against Alek's body. Her interlaced fingers gripped his hand as she looked into his eyes.

"Mine's not as sexy."

She joked in reference to his scar, her voice soft and still a bit raspy from just waking up. She lowered her eyes to her wrist, his thumb gently moving across the raised skin. She was quiet for a moment.

"It means death in Greek."

She murmured.

"The literal translation at least..."

She paused for another long moment.

"It's Hades symbol.....He branded me with it."

It was small, faint, and barely noticeable unless someone really studied her wrist. Hell, half the the six probably didn't even know she had it. But he had noticed.

[softly] "I'm surprised you even saw it."

She said, twisting her wrist gently away from his touch while still holding his hand; pulling it and his arm around her body.

 

[Oracle]

The Sanctuary

Zizi chatted with Rae a bit, before Gabe asked her about auras, and she started to describe them. It was pretty interesting stuff, but also seemed a little too simple.

“Don’t you think people are more complex than that, though? Can you really judge someone based on a color? Does a bad aura really have to mean there’s no hope for them?”

Danny mentioned that he had invited Simon, and Rae had an opinion of him, too.

"I like that guy. He's got a real good heart. And his ass ain't too bad either."

Zizi blushed. Simon was very good-looking, but she would never come right out and comment on his body parts like that.

"Now...who wants to talk to the dead?"

Zizi took a sip of her wine. Being around Rae was like being around a tornado.

“Not me – that seems like something not to be messed with. Pretty much the basis of like 65% of horror films.”

But Gabe was all up for it. In fact, he seemed quite enamored of Rose’s friend.

"Shit, my team is here. Don't you go anywhere! I'm SO taking you up on this dead people talk. I just gotta let my men in and brief them."

He disappeared down the hall with not even a glance at her. She took another drink of wine. She kind of just wanted the evening to be over so she could go home. She had been excited to come, but now, she just wanted a pint of ice cream and Sherlock on the television.

And then she remembered: Simon.

She quickly got out her phone and typed out a text to Gabe.

>> FYI Ava attacked Simon too. I wouldn’t mention her.

Putting away the phone, she surveyed the room. Alycia & Xavier were thick as thieves, and that left Rae & Danny, who were still almost as much a mystery as when they’d arrived.

“So, Danny, have any talents you’d like to share with the group?”

 

[Berserker]

The Red Knight’s Quarters

Persphone shifted her body, waking, her dark eyes finding his.

"Mine's not as sexy."

“Everything about you is sexy.”

He whispered to her, his free hand stroking her hair.

His thumb kept its motion over the raised skin.

"It means death in Greek."

He smiled down at her.

“And you’ve brought so much death to the world, my little queen…”

He did find it incredibly sexy, her brutality, her ruthlessness.

After a long pause, she spoke again.

"It's Hades symbol…He branded me with it."

He froze. And then he tried to contain his anger. He removed his thumb from her wrist and instead squeezed her hand. He kissed the top of her head.

“I’m glad you killed him.”

No real man would treat a woman like that. Hades clearly wasn’t a man. He was a coward. And if he were alive Alek would find him, cut off his dick and feed it to him, the piece of shit.

[softly] "I'm surprised you even saw it."

“I notice everything about you.”

She pulled his arm around her body, and he hugged her to him.

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure no one hurts you again. I promise.”

 

[Persephone]

He continued to thumb the brand after she told him the meaning. He assumed she had done it to herself, a sort of representation of who she was and what she was capable of. She wished that were the reason.

Alek: “And you’ve brought so much death to the world, my little queen…”

She didn't correct him right away. She even questioned if she should. But she never lied about it before, she wouldn't start now. It was apart of her, quite literally.

"It's Hades symbol....He branded me with it."

Alek froze and his body tensed. Persephone lifted her eyes to meet with his as he squeezed her hand before kissing her forehead.

Alek: "I'm glad you killed him."

Killed. That term was used loosely when it came to Hades. She had killed him and he returned to torture her again. Ironically he would have been extremely happy to know that Persephone was in control instead of Ava right now--Ava being the reason WHY she was tortured in the first place. But that wound was still too fresh, even to share with Alek. She just gently smiled, burring her face into his chest.

"Yeah."

She softly responded, pulling his arm around her body and feeling him tightly hug her. She mentioned how she was surprised he even noticed it and he countered with how he noticed everything about her causing her to smile against his skin.

"Smooth talker."

She quipped with a small kiss to his chest.

Alek: “I’ll do everything I can to make sure no one hurts you again. I promise.”

That was a loaded promise....one that she knew was going to be hard to fulfill considering the pending circumstances with Helena. But she knew he meant it....Persephone moved her head to look into his eyes, staring deeply into the ocean blue orbs that had swept her away the moment they had met. It was a quick and sudden fall, one that she didn't expect or want. But it happened. Everything in her fought it--tried to stop it. But even the most spectacular love stories started out suddenly, quickly, and unexpectedly. Her stomach fluttered like a school girl as her free hand reached up to his face. She brought her lips close to his, her eyes never leaving his.

"I love you."

She whispered softly enough that only he could hear her words. Words she hadn't said to a man in years. Words that meant so much to her it was terrifying to say. But what she felt for Alek wasn't lust and it wasn't fleeting. It was like that old saying: love at first sight. She felt it that first night in the Red Lounge and it only intensified as the weeks went on.

 

[Berserker]

The Red Knight’s Quarters

Persephone looked into his eyes, and he held that gaze. It was so easy to get lost in her darkness, and he knew he could lay there and stare into her eyes for hours, just trying to work out what was going on behind them. That someone had once thought they could own her like property…it was ludicrous to imagine. She could never be possessed, never be tamed. Only a fool would try. Would want to. Her wildness was the best of her, what had drawn him in, something inside of himself recognize a body like itself, a kindred spirit. And despite the rocks, the circumstances, their predicament: she accepted who he was without horror or shame. And it truly felt like they were meant to conquer the world together.

Which is what made this so incredibly hard. He had to make the right choice, to keep her safe, but as time went on the lines of what was right blurred. Didn’t there have to be a way to save her without hurting her? Couldn’t they find a way to escape together? Haleigh was the wrench in the works, but maybe Malice would kill her and Seph would be free…

Her hand reached up and touched his face, and she moved in closer. He thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she whispered to him.

"I love you."

His eyes widened. Surprise didn’t describe the feeling at hearing those words from her. His heart felt like it would burst from his chest. This was everything he had wanted. For he didn’t want to possess her as Hades had; all he wanted from her was her love.

He moved his lips close to her ear, and whispered for her ears only, the words he had silently said to her a thousand times.

“I love you too, forever and always. Queen of my heart.”

He lifted his head, looking into her eyes again before leaning down slowly and pressing his lips against hers. When he pulled back again, he smiled, and kissed her again, keeping her in his arms as he stood up, and carried her back to the bed. He didn’t stop kissing her until he gently laid her down on the rumpled sheets, then climbed on top of the bed with her.

He stroked her arms as he kissed her soft lips once again, his body pressing against hers beneath him. There was no rush now, only the need to express the love he felt for her the only way he knew how. He raised his head to look into those eyes again, his fingers touching her lips before tracing a line slowly down her neck to the softness of her breast. He pressed his lips against her neck, tasting her skin, breathing in the scent of her hair before returning to her lips once more.

He felt her open to him, and he raised his hips just enough to join their bodies. And still he kissed her, slowly, tenderly, telling her I love you with every breath, every movement. He touched her gently, taking his time, because this time he was truly making love to her, a piece of his soul entwining with hers in eternity.

 

[Persephone]

She said it. The three words she so rarely said to anyone. But when she said them, she meant them fully--wholeheartedly. And she said it, to him. His eyes went wide and her stomach dropped feeling a sudden spike of fear that maybe she had misjudged the situation. Maybe this was one sided. But he moved toward her, his mouth going to her ear. Persephone's brows furrowed, her hand unconsciously clutching tighter to his.

Alek: "I love you too, forever and always. Queen of my heart."

She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her tense body relaxing and her eyes softening with a glassy finish as his eyes met with hers. He slowly kissed her, Persephone's eyes shutting wanting the moment to last a lifetime. Wanting to stay wrapped in his arms, his lips on hers, the warmth of his body--everything. But he pulled away, Persephone's forehead resting on his as they both smiled before Alek kissed her again. He began to sit up from the couch, picking her up as he stood.

There didn't need to be words between them, everything worth meaning had been said already. He carried her to the bed as Persephone passionately kissed him, her mouth exploring his deeply--feeling like he was the breath that she needed to breathe. Alek finally laid her down on the bed, their lips parting as he hovered over her. She looked up at him, her hand stroking down the side of his face as his body lowered onto hers. They kissed, softly and slowly. There was no rush, no instant gratification needed. They could of just stayed exactly as is and Persephone would have been happy. But as Alek pulled away, she looked up at him with such vulnerability that it made her heart race and her stomach flutter. So this was what the storybooks spoke about.

He placed his finger on her lips, Persephone kissing them before he moved them down her neck and to her breast; her skin chilling at his touch. Her breathing began to pick up as his mouth met her neck--his tongue tasting her. She licked her lips as she tilted her head back giving him more access before he returned to her mouth. Her hands ran up his back pulling his body closer to hers. She felt such a surge of electricity, excitement, love, happiness, EVERYTHING in that moment. She knew she wanted him wholly.

Persephone's hand ran down Alek's side, her body pushing down into the bed as she slip her hand between them; his hips lifting just enough as her legs parted. She took him, felt that he was more than ready. Breaking their kiss, Persephone stared up into his eyes as she slowly guided him until they were one. Her lips parted with a breathless gasp feeling him, her mouth finding his again as he began to slowly move. She wrapped her arms around him, clutching him close as he moved gently but perfectly, doing everything to make her feel every bit of pleasure possible while whispering over and over again that he loved her. This was true love making; her body response so heightened she broke their kiss as her hand gripped the nape of his neck. She buried her face into his neck, breathless with soft moans.

"Baby i'm...i'm..."

She couldn't finish her sentence, her hand gripping his shoulder as her breathing hitched in her throat. Her eyes shut feeling herself free fall over the edge, so powerful, so full, it was all encompassing. She moaned breathlessly against his neck as her body shuddered under his, the wave so powerful it felt like a surge of electricity had went through her body. She brought her lips back to his, kissing him deeply as she moved her body with his, his tempo picking up just a bit more as he was close to his end.

 

[Berserker]

The Red Knight’s Quarters

She had the ability to touch any place on his body as if it were his manhood, her caress eliciting an irresistible response from him, every cell of his skin reaching for her as if to a magnet. Her arms slid around his back, holding him to her, as his mouth stayed pressed against hers. He moved slowly against her, drawing her pleasure out, bringing her to a powerful crescendo. When her lips touched his neck, her moans like music to his ears, he thought that this must be what heaven is like. Her body, fitting perfectly to his, from her cheek against his neck to the places where their bodies interlocked – it was as if their bodies fought to keep from being separated. In her embrace he saw a world of possibility, of perfection.

He felt her body quiver under him, and her mouth returning to his as if coming home.

He didn’t want it to end, but there was no holding back the feeling she brought out of him. It wasn’t primal this time, but something more refined. A symbiosis. His pace quickened in anticipation, his body throbbing with need for her, but still he was gentle, not wanting to taint what was happening with violence. Because this was something more. As he moved, he imagined he could feel every inch of her, every inch of him responding. His hands were in her hair, were touching her face, her body, until with one final movement he cried out as if to god, but it was her name on his lips.

He wanted nothing more than to be locked in that moment with her forever. He slid his arms around her, pressing her tightly to him, vowing silently to himself to never forget the perfection he had found in the most unlikely of places, with the most unlikely of women.

 

[Persephone]

[Heroes]
We can be us....just for one day


She matched his movement, the intensity of his tempo. She clutched onto his back and looked into his eyes, watched as he found his peak--his release. His hands were in her hair, fingers latched around the base of her neck as he cried out, Persephone's own body responding to his climax. She arched herself into him, feeling his arm wrap around her back and pull her tightly to him. Closing her eyes, she found his lips again, pressing them deeply together wanting so desperately for the moment to last forever.

Their faces were close, noses touching, lips parted as they both caught their breaths. She could feel him begin to move and she gripped him tighter, gently shaking her head.

"Don't..."

She whispered.

"I don't want this to end....Not yet...."

Her voice wavering as she softly pleaded for him to just stay there, for a few moments longer, connected as one, feeling every part of him. Shutting her eyes, Persephone knew this feeling was too perfect to last. Whether it be Helena, Cameron, the rest of the Six or Inner Circle....or even the chance that Ava would reemerge and he couldn't love them both as he loved only her. There were so many obstacles...so many variables that would undoubtedly prevent this feeling from lasting. So she held onto it, for as long as she could.

"Promise me. Promise me....no matter what happens we're in this together....Don't shut me out..."

Persephone kissed him.

"Don't shut me out...."

She whispered again before kissing him once more, deeply and with even more passion, trying to will him to understand that whatever was happening, he didn't have to do it alone. They were stronger as a unit...together.

 

[Citadel]

Secret Garden - Rose's Brownstone

Oracle: "Oh, no, we're just friends."

"Well that's a damn shame."

:: He mentioned inviting Simon and the idea was generally well received, which was a relief. ::

Oracle: "Of course - Simon is a sweetheart. Though, I fear the last time we were together he had gotten a little more than he bargainned for."

Rae Ann: "I like that guy. He's got a real good heart. And his ass ain't too bad either."

:: Danny could sense the chemistry between Rae and Gabe and he could also sense that it had caused the slightest bit of tension with Zizi. She may have said that Gabe was just her friend, but Danny had listened to the trials and tribulations of straight girls his entire life. He knew when a girl liked a boy, and it was clear that Oracle liked Cypher. Gabe took a quick leave of absence as Rae mentioned talking to the dead. He gave a dissapproving look to Rae, who was just having a bit of fun, but not reading the room to get the temperature. ::

Oracle: "So, Danny, have any talents you'd like to share with the group?"

:: He flashed a smile. Now was a good a time as any to divert the attention away from Rae and get things more copacetic in the room. He rested his butt on the top of the sofa and crossed his leg. ::

[shrugging]

"I mean..I make a pretty good Manhattan, but other than that."

:: smiling he took a sip of wine crossing his arms. ::

"I own a bar in Brooklyn called Heritage. It's a few steps above hole in the wall, which means it's one of the only places left in Brooklyn that hasn't been taken over by hipsters."

[smiling]

"Not that I am THAT old and bitter of a man...yet."

[pausing]

"But I think you were talking more along the lines of powers..which you know, it's interesting..I can count on my left hand the amount of times I've spoken about my abilities to other people. Not that I don't know other mutants..I just..I don't know lookin' at yous guys, I guess I just forgot to register for the superhuman draft. But after all the crap goin' on in this city it looks like you and I might be seeing a lot more of each other, so I'll oblige."

:: laughing ::

"I don't really know what you would even call my power. But I did a bit of diggin' in my twenties to try and find out a bit more about what I could do. The closest thing I could come up with is that..I'm an elemental of sorts."

"Not the traditional kind. I can't control fire, or wind or that kind of stuff..but an urban elemental. Since I was about seven years old, I've had a connection to this city. I can..hear what it thinks, feel what it feels, what it wants. And I can act on it's behalf. I can bend the landscape, rearrange things, get people lost, move through it in an instant...I can phase through it with ease."

"I can see the pollutants that threaten the city, I can channel them. I can literally pool the smog in my hand, the radiation, and use it as a weapon. The neon in times square, I can shape..and manipulate..course it through my body. Use it to travel, use it offensively. I can see when the city likes somebody, when it doesn't. When I look at a person? I know where they live, what businesses they own, where in the city they frequent.."

[reflective]

"It's unique, I know..and it's not just limited to the city. I once went on a two week cruise in Greece, and after a few days, I could sense the ship. Knew which passengers it liked and didn't, could have steered it off course if I wanted. I don't know the scope, but I'm pretty sure that I can connect and manipulate to any urban landscape and structure..but the city I was raised in, she's my true mistress. She's where I am the most powerful, and she's the one I've spent my life trying to protect and preserve, despite everybody's attempts in the last decade to destroy it."

:: He smirked taking another sip of wine. ::

"I can also get a table anywhere in the city without a reservation..so there's that."

:: Danny eyed her up and down. ::

"What about you? You got this big team behind it. You're an information broker? That tied to any mutant powers. I only ask because mutants usually give off a certain smell. A biproduct of using their powers. It fades but it usually is on them for hours if not days depending on how much they use 'em. You smell clean...actually you smell pretty damn good. Chanel?"

 

[Talisman]

Hellfire Club - Catacombs - Laboratory

"Curiousity."

She replied as set the vial back on the tray, then meandered over to a mechanical chair that looked like it might belong in a dentist's office, except it had some pretty hardcore restraints on the arm and footrests. Haleigh relaxed into it, making it recline back as she intertwined her fingers and put her hands behind her head. She moved the footrest so her feet were propped up as well.

"So, what are you doing with Bishop's DNA?"

She asked, just to get them started.

< She cocked a somewhat unamused eyebrow. >

"By all means, Scion. Make yourself at home."

< For a second, in her mind, she thought it to be the perfect moment to take hold of Scion, string her up like a turkey and analyze everything she had learned from the scan Amanda had taken of the White Princess up close and personal. It caused a smile smile to escape from her lips for a moment, before it reverted back to it's stone cold almost pursed demeanor. >

Scion: "So, what are you going to do with Bishop's DNA?"

< There it was. The love and concern she still had for The Six. Her question was not merely satiating curiousity. Talisman stood over Haleigh as she reclined in the chair, her cobalt blue eyes simmering for a moment, before gesturing to the man in the stasis tube to the left of them. >

"Do you know how one makes a Tyrant?"

< Spinning on her heels, she grabbed a vial of the T-Virus in her black manicured hand as she set it in a delivery chute system towards the stasis tube. >

"Forgive the backstory, if you've heard it, but I'm trying to set a scene here."

[pausing]

"The T Virus is built like most other viruses. As it makes contact with a cell's membrane, it inserts it's genetic coding into the cell, which absorbs the viral genome into it's own genetic makeup. It takes over the cells functions. It produces offspring of the original virus and the new viruses are then released from the hot cell and infect the neighbouring cells..which start the process all over again."

< The vial shoots into the chute system and towards the stasis tube as it interacts with a series of fluid bags and other medicine being delivered intraveneously to the unconscious man. Talisman presses a button as the unknown liquid drains from the tube, and the man's eyes light up instantly, coughing, gasping for air. >

"Now the T-Virus..it can only properly function by consuming the cell in order to produce it's own energy. Eventually this causes a break down of the cell..and the breakdown.."

< presses another button on the holographic computer. At once the virus is introduced into the man's system. His eyes turn a BRIGHT red as he begins to scream and convulse wildly. The stasis tube is soundproof as both Haleigh and Talisman watch the man writhe and scream but completely silent. >

"Now..I've accelerated the process, but we can see necrosis beginning. As the virus incorporates itself into the host's DNA, it substantially alters it."

< A few moments later, the virus has quickly taken over the man in a much FASTER way than would normally occur in real life. His once contorted and painful face seems calm, and eery, like that of a wild animal. >

"Even now, we can see that higher brain function has been destroyed. Only the brainstem governs it's behavior. It's not unlike what you experienced in these very catacombs only hours ago. It becomes animalistic..and if you look closely..you can sense the EXACT moment.."

< The man's head contorts for a moment, his rotten flesh dripping from his body. >

"The hypothalamus becomes damaged. This produces a MASSIVE flood of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones like norepinephrine and dopamine. It creates a psychotic rage, persistent hunger and increased aggressiveness. This gives us our most basic state of the virus. The zombie state."

< Talisman presses another number of buttons on her holographic keypad as the man suddenly falls asleep and a number of fluids and liquids on his monitoring sytem begin to flux and wane, delivering fluids to the man. >

"Now..i've increased his infection to the later stages and rendered this subject unconscious."

[turning her gaze to Haleigh for a moment]

"Should a late stage human host be render unconscious, they will lay in a dormant phase..appearing as if they are dead."

< Talisman points to the monitors, and it's clear that there is no heart rate or pulse. >

"In actuality? This causes the T-Virus to become hyperactive, and causes a rapid mutation. In real time, within the frame of about sixty minutes, the skeletal and muscular system is reconstructed into a stronger and more durable form..let's speed things up."

< Again she flawlessly pressed buttons and gave commands to her computer system. She was giving Haleigh an up close and personal view of what the virus did to normal people, and with good reason. She wanted Haleigh to see just how thorough and precise she was with the virus, the knowledge she contained, both as a signal of her own strength and intelligence, showing her WHY she was The Black Queen, as well as making sure that Haleigh knew that Kelly could be a DEEP source of information to her. >

< The body began to mutate even further now, completely transforming once again. >

"Now we can see the development of sharp canine teeth and razor claws..Soon fresh blood will seep into the remaining skin to give it a reddish hue, and it's eyes will become a bright white. And that...as you will see in front of you, is how a CRIMON HEAD is made."

< Haleigh would see the white and aggressive eyes of the Crimson Head in front of her. It was the first time she had ever seen one be created. She had only FOUGHT THEM before. Now she had seen one's BIRTH..all stemming from the virus coursing through her body. >

"Now we call this stage the "V-ACT" stage..and results differ depending on the strain. Many strains will result in the creation of "Lickers" which as you know are completely blind and use their hearing to detect prey. Not to mention their tongues.."

< Entering a series of commands, Talisman's SHOCKS the subject in the stasis tube and renders it unconscious once more as liquid fills the tube. All is calm. The show is over. Talisman sits in her lab chair, crossing her legs and smoothing the bottom of her dress down once more, her glass of hemlock in hand. >

"Tyrants are a different story, the process is the same. They still go through "V-ACT" but Tyrants are special. They are human beings who's genome can stably splice with the T-Virus genetic material. They get all the enhancements of the virus without the degenerative weakness that result in zombies..enhanced skeletal-muscular frames, superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability. They even retain a sense of intelligence. They are able to listen to commands, carry out orders. In terms of T-Virus bio hazards, they are the crown jewel. Well..until you came along."

< tapping her foot. >

"Now, the odds of the average human, or even mutant having this reaction, when exposed to the virus is approximately one in TEN MILLION. You are one of those people.."

[smirking devilishly]

"And so is, as I expected..Bishop."

< She leaned back for a moment. >

"I've resolved myself to let go of the T-Virus. I fear that MysTech put far too much stock into it over the years. It was Christopher's baby.."

< smiling. >

"No offense."

"And I think we've seen the extent of what we can do with it. Or at least what I'm willing to do see. I've spent the good part of the last few decades working on work that was not my own, having my credit stolen by men who are dead in my own timeline and this one. This...moment in time, it presents an exciting opportunity."

< Talisman looked at her nails almost mindlessly, admiring them, looking for flaws. >

"To author a new governance in the world of virology. To do the work that I want to do, in the way that I want to do it. To do this work? I need good stock. I need to experiment on ONLY those capable of becoming tyrants..who's genes are strong enough to widthstand what I have planned. I intend to do great things. Things that are above and beyond just the trappings of the Hellfire Club. I intend on changing the world as we know it."

[flatly to Haleigh]

"Provided nobody gets in my way."

"When you first came here, I could sense..could see that it was because you thought you might be able to save them, even if it meant sacrificing yourself. It was why I approached you in the way that I did. Diana..she is not one that I would necessarily call my friend..or even my family..but she is a person that I will forever be tied with. In league with. Your presence here threatens that, even now..in this time of peace and kittens."

< smirking. >

"However, things have very apparently gotten more complicated than you anticipated. I've seen the readjustment, but I have also been in your shoes..in my own way. Held onto something longer than I should have because I was convinced that I could figure out a way to keep it, or to protect it...against Diana."

"I was wrong."

< taking a sip of hemlock. >

"My concern with you..is that you will not let go as I did. That you will continue to work against Diana, and by proxy The Sisterhood in shadows, in hidden messages...transmissions if you will.."

< Talisman was alluding to the fact that she knew more to Haleigh's game than she had previously admitted. >

"That they will not stop trying to save you, despite your best efforts to get them to stop."

"And let us not even begin to mention the mess of things that Persephone has made."

< The Black Queen leaned in. >

"My question to you, Haleigh Davidoff.. Scion...White Princess..is...what, exactly is your endgame here?"

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs

Kelly: By all means, Scion. Make yourself at home.

Haleigh smirked to see Kelly's expression of mild irritation, which morphed to a wicked smile that lasted just long enough for Haleigh to notice it.

Thinking of experimenting on me Doctor?

She hoped so. It had been one of the reasons she'd reclined in this chair. She asked Kelly about Bishop. The Black Queen came near and stood over her, but Haleigh remained relaxed and nonchalant, her hands tucked behind her head. There was something sinister in Kelly's eyes, but still, Haleigh reposed casually. Her eyes were locked with Kelly's, and her gaze was as insolent and daring as ever.

Kelly: Do you know how one makes a Tyrant?

"Well I've read all the files Mystech had. That's not to say I know everything."

Kelly: Forgive the backstory, if you've heard it, but I'm trying to set a scene here.

Haleigh smiled, a gleam in her eyes.

"Enlighten me, then."

And so Kelly began speaking, directing Haleigh's attention to the stasis tube off to her left. The mechanical chair she was lounging in whirred quietly as it turned so she could watch without craning to see. The man in the tube writhed and screamed, but the cries of pain were muffled. Haleigh watched with unflinching calm as Kelly walked her through the stages of viral development, zombies to Crimson Heads, then Tyrants.

Kelly: In terms of T-Virus bio hazards, they are the crown jewel. Well..until you came along.

Haleigh smirked as her gaze landed back on the Black Queen.

"Yes, I made a lot of projects obsolete, didn't I? But then, I guess I was engineered to."

Kelly: Now, the odds of the average human, or even mutant having this reaction, when exposed to the virus is approximately one in TEN MILLION. You are one of those people... And so is, as I expected..Bishop.

Haleigh's eyes flicked to the stasis tube again.

"How interesting. And here, I was just thinking you'd produce some clones with enhanced durability and superior strength. I kind of hoped to con you into giving me one to play with. I'd planned to make a pretty spectacular sextape to send to Morningstar."

Kelly: I've resolved myself to let go of the T-Virus. I fear that MysTech put far too much stock into it over the years. It was Christopher's baby... No offense.

Haleigh shrugged lazily.

"None taken."

She said, and then listened as Kelly elaborated on her intentions to change the world.

Kelly: Provided nobody gets in my way.

"You think I care to?"

Kelly explained her initial assessment of Haleigh's arrival at Hellfire, and she was pretty close to the mark. Haleigh said nothing, but noted that the Black Queen was quite astute, and not to be underestimated.

Kelly: My concern with you..is that you will not let go as I did. That you will continue to work against Diana, and by proxy The Sisterhood in shadows, in hidden messages...transmissions if you will... That they will not stop trying to save you, despite your best efforts to get them to stop.

"It's a valid concern, to be sure. But I've made my choice, and I'll see it through. Eventually all of them will come to accept it. It's only a matter of time. I don't begrudge you your doubts. There's no use in denying any of the reasons I came here. The bottom line is that I am here to stay."

Kelly: And let us not even begin to mention the mess of things that Persephone has made.

Haleigh made herself smirk.

"The Red Queen and I are working on cleaning that up."

Kelly: My question to you, Haleigh Davidoff.. Scion...White Princess..is...what, exactly is your endgame here?

Haleigh gave Kelly a wicked smile.

"Oh, your Majesty..... even I don't know that yet. My tactics are always evolving. YOU can affect them, by giving me reasons to adjust my motives one way or the other. We can be allies, you know. I think we could learn a great deal from one another."