Rose of destruction

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The White Princess's Suite

Alek: Yeah, they do. Persephone talked to Helena before she came to me last night.

"And?"

She asked with interest.

Alek: She handled Helena well, but as you know, we can’t count on Helena not deciding to punish her for it later. Or Diana. Depending, of course, on what you drive them to do.

"Not much I can do about Helena, that's up to you. My Queen, however, I intend to keep happy from now on."

She said, and then they discussed the likelihood of Seph returning to him with contrition. He was overly confident that Seph would come back around. She gave him an agreeable smile when he winked at her. She looked down at his hand on her body, then back up with a smirk.

Good, we've still got him. Now I'll just have to convince HER to keep playing.

They briefly discussed re-ordering room service. He offered to make the call, and suggested she used that time to think about what she wanted to do to him.

"You think I haven't been considering it this entire time?"

She asked, raking her nails through his chest hair as she locked eyes with him, a devilish gleam in her gaze. An object came flying across the room, and she reached up and caught it, then pressed it into his hand. It was the phone.

"Go ahead, call. Try to sound normal."

She said huskily in his ear, before she began to kiss her way down his body.

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Ashley got angry on his behalf. She was so sexy when she was vexed. He kissed her neck, trading irritation for excitement.

Ashley: No THAT is bullshit. Why are we placating people who go off and do stupid things that almost get people killed? Cause we didn’t have enough people around who might go batshit crazy at any moment?

"I don't know Ash, your guess is as good as mine."

He told her about Jake, and she listened, more attentively than Haleigh ever had. He realized now, more than ever, that he'd made the right decision breaking up with her. He should have done it sooner, really.

Ashley: When I was eight, I wanted to be a raider like my father.

He chuckled warmly.

"That's because astronauts didn't exist when you were eight, and Raiders WERE superheroes in your culture, weren't they?"

He mentioned wanting to get Jake a telescope, to encourage him to pursue his dreams. She suggested that he SHOULD do that, and not let Rose or Sharon stop him. He hoped this whole mess would be fixed by then. It'd be so much better if they didn't fight him every step of the way. He looked at Ash with a smile, and suggested she meet Jake. Even though she laughed at his idea, it seemed like the best sound in the world.

Ashley: People don’t ‘love’ me Zach. You only do because I let you do things to me when I’m naked. I doubt that will work with an eight year old.

He feigned consternation.

"Ugh, THAT hurts my feelings. You REALLY think sex is the only reason? Don't get me wrong, it's pretty phenomenal sex, but perhaps I think you're amazing, strong, brave, clever, funny? Perhaps I'm feeling a real connection here, have you considered that? Are you always so suspicious of the motives of others, Detective? Perhaps we should spend some time together with our clothes ON, and I can prove I'm not just an animal."

Ashley talked about her brothers and sisters, and how she liked teaching children things, but admitted that she wasn't sure what to do now. He smiled and gently touched her face, finding her gaze with his own.

"Just be yourself, Ash. That's how you hooked me."

He replied, and kissed her softly.

 

[Valkyrie]

Charope, LLC - The Infirmary

"That's because astronauts didn't exist when you were eight, and Raiders WERE superheroes in your culture, weren't they?"

“Yeah, I guess so…”

She shrugged.

“I think I just wanted to matter, and for my father to be proud of me.”

She suggested that an eight year old wouldn’t appreciate her for the same reasons Zach did.

"Ugh, THAT hurts my feelings. You REALLY think sex is the only reason? Don't get me wrong, it's pretty phenomenal sex, but perhaps I think you're amazing, strong, brave, clever, funny? Perhaps I'm feeling a real connection here, have you considered that? Are you always so suspicious of the motives of others, Detective?

She looked at him, a little taken aback. She didn’t mind that he liked her for the things they did in bed. He was kind to her, stood up for her – and gods knew she enjoyed his body every bit as much as he enjoyed hers. She liked being with him and whatever reason he was there was small price to pay. But the idea that he really did like being with her…it was still so alien to her that she had trouble believing it. But if she was honest with herself, it didn’t feel like just sex. He would have told her he needed his rest and made her go by now if that were the case. When they were together, the rest of the world went away.

Could he? Could she let him?

Laying there next to him it almost felt like she couldn’t control her own body. She knew she could get hurt if she let this go on, if she let herself feel, the way he’d told her he’d wanted her to. But there? Right then? She never wanted to leave his side.

Perhaps we should spend some time together with our clothes ON, and I can prove I'm not just an animal."

She pressed her body into his, giving him a pouty look.

“But I like it when you’re an animal…”

She kissed his chest before settling back in against him.

“I’m trying.”

She told him that she wouldn’t know what to do with a child nowadays.

"Just be yourself, Ash. That's how you hooked me."

He kissed her, and she closed her eyes. Opening them, she laughed.

“I can just imagine Zizi following me around saying, ‘Language!’”

 

[Persephone]

Amanda began to open up about how she could related to the duality of herself and Ava. It was very interesting the way she explained not being in control because of her addiction, and how the REAL her was like a spectator watching someone else live her life. In that circumstance, yes...Persephone agreed. Being in the background as Ava took the helm was frustrating, especially because Ava relied so heavily on her emotions to guide her whereas Persephone put little stock in the emotional baggage most people carried with them. Emotions were messy and unnecessary, and she would rather be a cold, heartless bitch than be hurt or taken advantage of.

Persephone listened as Amanda spoke about Talisman, taking a sip of her wine as the woman went on about how Kelly gave her a new lease on life and how essentially she owed everything to her, including her loyalty.

Amanda: "Don't get me wrong...I'm not unaware of the reason she picked me. It was smart really. Digging through the past of her would be son to find a crime he never really answered for."

Now THAT piqued Persephone's interested as she raised her brows in curiosity.

Amanda: "Cameron King murdered my mother."

Letting out a low laugh, so the golden boy of The Six wasn't so golden after all. It seemed Cameron was one giant fuck up whose secrets were just spilling out of the closet at an astronomical rate.

"Is that a fact?"

Amanda: "Insert foster care system..separation from my family...and a real bad, but...[laughing remorsefully] INCREDIBLY hot boyfriend who liked to get high and hit me sometimes..and here I am."

Amanda got up and took the empty glass from Persephone's hand. She walked over to the wet bar to refill it with more wine.

"Without a doubt you deserve your retribution."

Amanda: "They were choices I never would have HAD to make if not for him. And with Talisman's help...I intend to make him pay."

"Make it HURT."

She walked back over to the couch and handed Persephone the replenished drink. She smirked as she clinked her glass against Amanda's.

Amanda: "To revenge."

"How sweet it is."

She said with a grin, sipping the liquid and watching Amanda sit back down.

Amanda: "So now you know any number of things that you could use against me. More so than any of the others in this place. Don't get me wrong...I don't mention this as a threat of things to come..or even request your silence. No secret is really safe here, is it....[in Parseltongue] Kore.."

[parcel tongue]"Information is leverage...and leverage can be used in many ways."

She had no reason to use Amanda's past against her, nor did she have a reason to use what information Amanda just shared about Cameron against her either. HOWEVER, that didn't mean Persephone couldn't use it against Cameron to hurt him when the time was right.

There was a moment of silence between the two, Amanda seemingly lost in thought. Persephone allowed her eyes to roam the Knight's face taking her in.

Amanda: "Lost in Hell, Persephone, Take her head upon your knee; Say to her, 'My dear, my dear, It is not so dreadful here.' "

"Yeah well she certainly wasn't there."

She deadpanned, loving how these poets and writers loved to romanticize her marriage to Hades and her time in the Underworld. They had no idea the hell she endured before finally KILLING the bastard and becoming the sole ruler of the domaine.

Amanda: "Edna St. Vincent Millay. She was a poet. Feminist. Wrote about you quite frequently, actually. You should check her out. I'm reminded of it..because it's about sisterhood. Not in a braid each other's hair or comiserate over cosmopolitans type of way, but one of silent solidarity."

"Well, if you need help ripping someone apart..."

She offered, more than willing to get her hands dirty. Hell, she'd rip someone apart for a donut, it really didn't matter the reason.

Amanda: "Oh..I'm quite adept at dismemberment..and other forms of amputation...And despite my newfound virginity..I've always been a girl who likes it a bit rough."

Amanda placed her hand on Persephone's, using her strength to squeeze both of their hands tightly around Amanda's neck. Persephone's grin grew....so she liked it rough huh? Rough sex was her specialty.

"It seems we have a lot in common..."

Amanda: "So I don't need help ripping anybody apart...but..I could use a little stimulation around here."

She moved a bit closer to Amanda, her eyes darkening and her fingers moving along her cafe.

"I'll more than stimulate you. I'll make you scream."

She warned, her voice laced with seduction. She loved fucking women, they were delicate...soft....but so much more complicated than a man. It took effort to please a woman--to satisfy them and make them reach their limit. But Amanda quickly shot her down causing Persephone to smirk. She was a tease...but the game was fun.

Amanda: "Ah ah ah...Not just in THAT way. Though...you are one of the more appealing prospects that lives in these walls."

"Aw you flatter me."

She replied sarcastically.

Amanda: "You have power. REAL power. Power that doesn't just come..."

Amanda grabbed her hand and Persephone flicked her eyes down to it as she began to drag it up the length of her thigh, past her skirt, and right to where Amanda wouldn't allow anyone. Lifting her eyes to meet with Amanda's, Persephone had almost a sadistic smile on her face laced with desire. She traced her fingers down the length of Amanda's satin panties, applying just enough pressure.

Amanda: "From HERE."

Persephone watched as Amanda reacted to her touch, seeing the desire in just that one brief, singular touch. But Amanda quickly pulled her hand back out from under her skirt, their eyes never wavering.

"I DO. But I also know the power of sex and what it can do to someone. You can literally make someone feel unequivocally alive....or utterly destroyed. One action, so many different reactions. THAT is power. THAT is a weapon worth using."

Amanda: "I could learn a thing or two from you, Persephone...and as long lived as you are..perhaps you could learn a little something from ME."

"Celibacy and habits really aren't my thing."

She quipped as she grabbed her glass of wine and sat back. Obviously Amanda was true to her stance about no sex in her new body. Such a shame....it would have been quite the limber romp in the sack.

Amanda: "None of us can trust each other here, Persephone. All we can do is minimize the burn that every word we speak will most certainly cause. I don't know you. I'm not your sister...and..sinful looking as you are, I'm not your lover. What I am...or could be..is a distraction. And a rather attractive one at that. Just putting it out there..."

She let out a short laugh.

"Noted."

Amanda: "My Rambunctious Red Rook..Alliteration gets me hot."

"I'm glad something does."

She teased with a roll of her eyes.

Amanda: "In any case..I'm a fan of reciprocity. I want POWER...so tell me..what does PERSEPHONE want?"

Swirling the wine in her glass, now that was quite the loaded question. She remained quiet for a moment, letting the question sink in....she wanted many things. Most of which she wouldn't share with her charming snake friend. So she said what needed to be said to those who were listening inside AND outside her chambers.

"To cause havoc and torture those Bird of Prey cunts....especially Silver Swan. Tear The Six's world apart and make them wish they never brought me to this timeline."

Her voice dripping with distain.

"Fuck you, but obviously that won't be happening."

She added with a cute smile. But then her face became serious again.

"Show everyone exactly who I am. And why Ava is a NONE FACTOR now."

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Ashley: Yeah, I guess so… I think I just wanted to matter, and for my father to be proud of me.

She said, trying to make sense of her aspirations as an eight year old. Zach nodded in understanding, realizing that at the same age, he'd wanted the same thing. Before he really knew about his father, before he was aware of the way his father had broken his mother. But by the time Zach had avenged his mother's emotional abuse, he couldn't have cared less about his father, and he'd been pleased to find that nobody cried at his father's funeral.

Her voice brought him back from inner reflection, as she insisted she liked it when he was an animal. A lecherous smile played on his lips. She kissed his chest, and then laid back down, telling him she was trying. He wished he could hurt whoever had taught her to be so afraid to let herself feel.

Ashley: I can just imagine Zizi following me around saying 'Language!'

She said, and he laughed, and then reached for his phone on the bedside table.

"Oh, that reminds me."

He explained, resting his phone, in hand, on his abs. He'd made a promise to Bishop earlier. He scrolled all the way to the bottom of his contacts.

To Zizi>> Hey, Alycia's going to be sending you the video recovered from Bishop's. DO NOT WATCH IT.

Send. Then, to elaborate:

To Zizi>> It's another sex tape, so all you'll need to do is run it through that software that found Haleigh's last message and see if she put anything on this one.

Send. Then he looked up at the door, because somebody was twisting the handle, good thing he'd locked it. No, they had keys. It was the nurse from the night before, the one he'd charmed into getting him real clothes. She had a mild smile that fell when she saw he wasn't alone.

Nurse: You're supposed to be recovering.

"I feel better than ever, thanks to my warrior woman here. Any chance I'll be free to go soon?"

Nurse: That's up to the doctor. I'm here to check your vitals for him.

 

[Valkyrie]

Charope, LLC - The Infirmary

He reached for his phone. She pulled herself up on one elbow and feigned offense as she watched him text with one hand.

“Uh, hello.”

She waved.

“Naked chick right here.”

Of course before she could exact payment from him on the grievous error in judgment...a nurse walked in.

“Strippogram?”

She asked Zach, laughing.

You're supposed to be recovering.

Ashley slapped Zach on the chest, making absolutely no effort whatsoever to cover the fact that she wasn’t wearing any clothes or to move off of the bed.

“Oh trust me, he’s recovered.”

"I feel better than ever, thanks to my warrior woman here. Any chance I'll be free to go soon?"

Ashley made a poor attempt at being serious.

“Yes, there is an important meeting we need to get to. Pronto.”

That's up to the doctor. I'm here to check your vitals for him.

Ash kissed Zach's cheek then finally did get up and moved to the bedside chair, still naked, and crossed her legs at the knee.

She gave the nurse a sultry gaze.

“Like what you see?”

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Ashley: Uh, hello. Naked chick right here.

"I know, but I promised Maxim discretion."

He said apologetically, and was about to promise to make it up to her when the nurse came in. Ashley tried to convince the nurse that they had an important meeting to get to, but the woman didn't seem particularly moved by that.

Ash kissed his cheek, and got up, and Zach watched her slink around to an armchair and sit, cross legged but still naked. Her self confidence was so sexy. Could he convince the nurse to come back in like an hour? Probably not, since he was getting an annoyed vibe from her. Ashley asked the nurse if she liked what she saw, as Zach got out of bed too.

The nurse, who must have seen Ashley going fight club on Delilah earlier, very professionally went about timing Zach's pulse and listening to his lungs. She seemed to be making an effort to touch him as little as possible. It wasn't until after she'd smoothed the blood pressure cuff onto his arm, and she was standing with her back to Ashley, that Zach caught her looking down. He looked over her shoulder, at Ashley.

"Hey."

He said, and he could see the nurse look up and blush in the foreground, but he kept his focus on Ash, and the nurse covered her embarrassment by writing notes on his chart.

"I talked to Morgan Victoria. She says she's got a plan for Ava and Haleigh, but didn't share any details. What did I miss at the team meeting last night?"

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Mansion


<< The past few weeks… >>


The past few days have been, well, BORING. It completely irked Gia that, not only did she have to navigate her way through her father’s business, but that she also had to navigate her way through the politics and various alliances within the Hellfire Club. She still didn’t know who she could count on in this building. One thing was for certain: don’t get too close, or else you will get BURNED.

Life at the Hellfire Mansion kind of sucked. The White Queen put a demand on the other White Court members to not engage the White Princess in ANYTHING. That was too bad, considering that Gia thought that they had the beginnings of a friendship happening. NORMALLY, she would’ve interacted with Scion anyways but because she, too, was on thin ice with Diana, Gia couldn’t risk her wrath. However, that also meant that she was completely isolated from her OWN court since the Knight and Rook apparently didn’t like her. Ah well. She didn’t need them either. It was also too bad that Diana didn’t want anybody to engage Scion because she had found a ‘present’ from her spinning a web in her closet. Gia had kept it as a pet, going out and buying a terrarium for it and everything, and she had named it…HAYLEY.

On one day, she could be found doing karaoke with some of the Hellfire Club members that were NOT part of the Inner Court. That was kind of fun, if not totally awkward. Okay, okay, okay! She had a blast doing it. Sandra, the ringleader, and her girlfriends were all pissed drunk in the middle of the afternoon so they decided that karaoke was the best idea in the world. Grabbing hold of Gia’s arm as she walked by, Sandra pretty much dragged her to the stage where they all engaged in a rousing version of “It’s Raining Men”.

On another day, Gia received a summons from the White Queen to come down to the catacombs. Can’t keep the Queen waiting, she thought as she quickly made her way to the spot where everybody was gathered. She noticed Heidi looking at her with a smug expression so she gave her the double finger salute in return. As it turned out, Diana wanted to humiliate Scion while also making her an example as to what would happen if anybody, not just Scion, tried ANY of the Queens. It was brutal to watch, and Gia found herself feeling sorry for Haleigh. Oh, Haleigh, I tried to warn you… After it was over, Diana looked at everyone there and told them that it was lesson for ALL of them. Then she dismissed them all. Gia headed back to her quarters and just laid down.

<< Present… >>

Gia was dressed [without the sunglasses] and she was feeding Hayley some bugs that she had bought from the exotic pet store. She could hear crashing come from one of the rooms in the White Wing.

*amused*: Sounds like SOMEBODY is getting something…

Gia replaced the top of the terrarium, making sure it was firmly in place, before walking away to her living area and sitting down with her phone…the phone that was MIA for several hours a couple of days ago. Gia was unnerved about that because she always had her phone. ALWAYS. It was her lifeline, pretty much, and it had disturbed her that it was missing. She went scrolling through ALL of her apps, making sure nothing was amiss when she was semi-startled by the LOUD MOANS that were now coming through the wall.

“Good grief! AGAIN?!”

Shaking her head, Gia continued to make sure all was well with her phone when she came across some curious PHOTOS; photos that WEREN’T of her.

“Oh dear lord…”

Gia clicked on a few of them…and immediately wished she didn’t.

“OH GOD!!”

SOMEBODY had taken her phone and took photos of Persephone getting busy with an average-looking man.

I HAVE to tell Haleigh about this!

Another moan came through the wall. Apparently, that would have to wait. Speaking of Persephone, she had heard that she was around Hellfire instead of Ava. Gia wasn’t too clear on how that whole thing worked, but as the White Bishop, she felt that she should welcome her to the Hellfire Club…and she wouldn’t say anything about those photos. Gia chuckled. She could totally imagine her, some random bitch, going up to Persephone and being all, ‘hey, somebody took photos of you using my phone’. THAT would go over SO WELL. Gia stood up and went to her closet. She pulled down a travel pouch and put her phone inside it, before putting it on under her shirt. She wasn’t going to take any chances.

She picked up a box full of cat treats, cat toys, and some catnip, and headed out the door. Her ‘spies’ had told her that the White Queen had gotten a new kitten so Gia thought she’d give the little furball some presents.

Walking past the White Princess’ quarters, where it was now QUIET, Gia felt a little mischievious. Shifting the box to one arm, she POUNDED on the door.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Then she laugheed hysterically as she walked away, setting down the box, along with a card from her, in front of the doors to the White Queen’s quarters before making her way out of the White Wing.

Arriving in the Red Wing, Gia made her way to the Red Rook’s quarters. She knocked politely on the door and waited.

 

[Persephone]

The conversation with Amanda had been going smoothly enough despite the serious lack of sex play. But she respected the Knight's decision to not use her sexuality as a weapon. It may have been stupid within the walls of Hellfire, or completely brilliant. Time would tell. As she sat finishing off her glass of wine, there was another knock on her door. Persephone scoffed, seriously wondering if she should just get one of those circular revolving doors they had in shopping malls at this point.

"It seems i'm incredibly popular today."

She remarked with an annoyed undertone. Standing, she placed the empty glass on the coffee table.

"Excuse me."

Walking to her door, she opened it seeing a mousy little thing dressed in white. Couldn't be more than 5 foot 2 and 100 pounds soaking wet. She was the new White Bishop that had been appointed the night of the Blackout Party. Cute....though her gorgeous brown doe eyes were quite alluring.

"Why hello there."

She greeted with a grin. This was an interesting development. The Black Knight AND White Bishop visiting her in one day? Persephone certainly was causing a stir within the Inner Circle it seemed.

"Gia, right?"

The White Bishop confirmed as much.

"It seems i'm getting multiple Inner Circle visitors today."

Persephone pushed her door open revealing Amanda sitting on her crimson leather couch behind her.

"So, are you here for business or pleasure?"

She asked with a coy smirk.

 

[Valkyrie]

Charope, LLC - The Infirmary

"I know, but I promised Maxim discretion."

“Discretion about what?”

She tried to sneak a look at his screen and failed.

The nurse came in and started to do her thing, and Ashley watched her like a hawk. One hand out of place and Ash would tear it off.

Zach was looking at Ashley, but the stupid bitch of a nurse was blocking her view of most of the good parts.

"I talked to Morgan Victoria. She says she's got a plan for Ava and Haleigh, but didn't share any details. What did I miss at the team meeting last night?"

Ashley looked skeptical.

“What kind of plan? This is the first I’m hearing about that.”

Ashley looked at the nurse, now getting annoyed at her proximity to Zach.

“Okay, Nurse Ratched, he’s fine…move it along.”

She focused back on Zach.

“Oh, you know, they talked about Rose, and how she seemed better when they got home from the hospital…Zizi was worrying, as usual…Steel wants to get Rose and Sharon and go on the offensive…Viv & Andrew want to sit back and let Rose and/or Malice take out Haleigh for us…Zizi wants everyone to work together with rainbows and fluffy bunnies. She’s working on something to neutralize Black Widow’s powers. Vivica and Xavier were supposed to be looking into ways to stop Persephone. Zizi’s also not very keen on the Six right now – she doesn’t want them to drag us down with them, the way they are right now.”

She thought for a minute about anything else she could remember.

“Oh, yeah, and Steel and Zizi are now all aboard the Team Sharon train and think she’s the most wonderful thing since sliced bread – meanwhile, none of you actually remember a time before sliced bread and let me tell you, it really sucked – and they have COMPLETELY forgotten what Sharon did to me. You should have HEARD John defending Sharon – and Zizi being all, ‘Thank you Silver Swan, you’re our only hope’ [mimics sticking finger down her throat] after Rose trashed the Sanctuary’s security system. Crazy bitch.”

She remembered something else from their conversation with Sharon.

“Oh.”

She got up from the chair and walked over to Zach, putting a hand on his forearm.

“One other thing: Rose is blaming you for supposedly leading Haleigh there. Zach, you need to be careful.”

She looked into his eyes with concern.

“Did Sharon…did she tell you about Haleigh and the 42 children?”

The spite from the day before was gone – she only cared right then about how Zach had taken it.

 

[Ruby]

Charope, LLC – The Infirmary



Alycia: “Cass!”

:: Cass smiled as her friend held out her arms and Cass stepped into them, giving her a hug and handing her the flowers. ::

Alycia: “They’re lovely! Thank you for thinking of me! Believe me when I tell you, I needed this time. The last 24 hours have been HARROWING to say the least. But thanks to Isis, and another gift from Spellbinder, as well as the mending of friendships/relationships...I feel better inside AND out, and not a moment too soon! Rose is having some problems, and needs my help.”

“That’s awesome! I’m really glad to hear that! But I’m really sorry to hear about Rose.”

:: Cass assumed that the Rose Alycia was talking about was the Rose who was looking after those babies. Before she – or anybody else – could say another word, Alycia had transformed into her costume. ::

Alycia: “Cass, I must be going, but we'll see each other again soon. You be SAFE, you hear me? Things are VERY uncertain for all of us right now. Be ready to defend yourself, your friends, your FAMILY, with LETHAL force if necessary.”

*taken aback*: “I…I WILL…”

:: Cass watched her friend make her way out of the room. She heard her RUNNING at top speed through the hallway. She turned to Vivica. ::

“It’s so nice to see her up and running! I was SO worried about her. And Zach.”

:: Zach. That reminded her of something. She set her chai tea latte down and got out her clutch. Fishing through it, she found her phone and pulled it out. She looked apologetically at Vivica. ::

“Sorry, but I just remembered I had to text somebody about something.”

:: Cass picked up her latte and made her way out of Alycia’s empty room and walked into the waiting area, where she sat down in a chair and drew up Zach’s contact page. She wrote him a text. ::

Hey you! How are you feeling? I’m here at Charope wanting to visit with you, see how you’re doing. I actually have something that I need to talk to you about. :/

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Ashley: What kind of plan? This is the first I’m hearing about that.

"Not sure, she just said she was Sorceress Supreme and everybody in Hellfire would learn what that meant."

He replied, as the nurse removed the blood pressure cuff from his arm. He sensed Ashley's patience wearing thin.

Ashley: Okay, Nurse Ratched, he’s fine…move it along.

The nurse moved off, and if she rolled her eyes, Zach never saw it.

Nurse: Everything looks normal. I'll let you know what the doctor decides.

"Thank you."

Out she went. Ashley discussed the meeting from the night before, and what had come of it. Zach sat back on the bed casually and nodded as he listened.

Ashley: Zizi’s also not very keen on the Six right now – she doesn’t want them to drag us down with them, the way they are right now.

He rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

"What if, instead of them dragging us down, WE lifted THEM up? Time and again, I've seen the Six rise to the occasion and pull out a win even when all appeared to be lost. But this one's different. Maybe they just need some help?"

Ash talked about how Zizi and Steele were 'Team Sharon'. She wasn't pleased about it, and felt slighted by the idea that they'd forgotten about the way Sharon had acted. Zach frowned and sighed.

"The way Sharon attacked you was unacceptable. I haven't had a chance to really talk to her about it, but I DID talk to Alycia about the way SHE has been treating you. I'm not going to just stand by and let them continue to antagonize you, and I highly doubt Zizi or Steele will either, even if they've decided having Sharon as an ally is important."

He replied, as she got up and reached for him, compassionate.

Ashley: One other thing: Rose is blaming you for supposedly leading Haleigh there. Zach, you need to be careful.

"Yeah, apparently that's the 'valid' reason I've been banned from the Sanctuary."

Ashley: Did Sharon…did she tell you about Haleigh and the 42 children?”

"Yeah, she told me."

He said grimly.

"I know how her mind works, logic and rationale to determine the lesser evil to deal with. I know she had to make a decision, and it's hers to live with now. I can't make excuses for her. She's not a bad person though, Ash. If she could have stopped both missiles she would have. And all the blame doesn't belong on her shoulders. Rose was there, and so was Sharon. Why didn't either of them stop the bus from being hit? Why didn't I do more, or Ava? Because there just wasn't enough time, that's why. We can't crucify each other for all our past mistakes. What happened to those kids was tragic, but that was the work of the Purifiers."

His phone buzzed, and habitually, he checked it.

"It's Cass, she's here, says she needs to talk."

He stood up, and pulled her into a warm hug.

"This is NOT me trying to get rid of you. But maybe it would make her uncomfortable if we were naked?"

 

[Valkyrie]

Charope, LLC - The Infirmary

She asked Zach what kind of plan Morgan had in mind.

"Not sure, she just said she was Sorceress Supreme and everybody in Hellfire would learn what that meant."

Ashley rolled her eyes.

“I see. The Isis method of problem solving.”

They started talking about the Six, and Zach rubbed his beard as he thought. It was incredibly sexy.

"What if, instead of them dragging us down, WE lifted THEM up? Time and again, I've seen the Six rise to the occasion and pull out a win even when all appeared to be lost. But this one's different. Maybe they just need some help?"

Ashley shrugged.

“We’re already helping, aren’t we? I mean, what have they done? We all stood together against the Purifiers. I’m happy to do that again. But not if it’s going to get me, or someone I care about, killed because they can’t get their shit together.”

It surprised her that Zach took her side in the great Sharon debate.

"The way Sharon attacked you was unacceptable. I haven't had a chance to really talk to her about it, but I DID talk to Alycia about the way SHE has been treating you.

Her eyes widened.

“You did? Really?”

"I'm not going to just stand by and let them continue to antagonize you, and I highly doubt Zizi or Steele will either, even if they've decided having Sharon as an ally is important."

He couldn’t imagine what what he’d just said meant to her. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

When she finally let him go, they had to discuss what Haleigh had done to piss Rose off so much.

"I know how her mind works, logic and rationale to determine the lesser evil to deal with. I know she had to make a decision, and it's hers to live with now. I can't make excuses for her. She's not a bad person though, Ash. If she could have stopped both missiles she would have. And all the blame doesn't belong on her shoulders. Rose was there, and so was Sharon. Why didn't either of them stop the bus from being hit? Why didn't I do more, or Ava? Because there just wasn't enough time, that's why. We can't crucify each other for all our past mistakes. What happened to those kids was tragic, but that was the work of the Purifiers."

Ashley nodded. He was so adamant, it was hard to disagree with him.

He checked his phone.

"It's Cass, she's here, says she needs to talk."

Ashley crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

“What could SHE have to talk to you about?”

He pulled her into a hug, and she let him after only a microsecond of resistance.

"This is NOT me trying to get rid of you. But maybe it would make her uncomfortable if we were naked?"

Ashley scoffed.

“I don’t give a shit if she’s uncomfortable or not.”

But after looking at him for a moment, she picked up the scrubs where they had been discarded and pushed them into his chest.

“But there’s no way in hell she is coming in here while you have no pants on.”

She paused.

“Wear the shirt too.”

She put her arms around his waist and leaned in close to him.

“I should probably check in on Zizi…and then I could bring us back some food? What would you like? Your wish is my command.”

She pressed her lips against his.

“Anything else you want me to bring back with me?”

She somehow made it sound suggestive.

Reaching down and giving his ass a squeeze as she turned, she picked her dress up off the floor but didn’t make a move to put it on. Leaning against the doorway, she called out to Cass.

“Hey. You even think about putting your hands on him, I’ll rip them off, kay?”

Steel was gaping at her, and she wagged her finger at him.

“We both know I ain’t the first woman you’ve seen naked, with that Silver Fox thing you got going on, so don’t act like you’re shocked.”

She did wrap the dress around her and tie the belt, before walking out into the elevator bay.

As she waited for the elevator to arrive, she rattled off a quick text to Zach.

>> Already horny. You'd better be ready when I get back.

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Mansion – Red Rook’s Quarters



She didn’t have to wait long before Persephone opened the door. Gia flashed her a winning smile.

Persephone: “Why, hello there.”

“Hey.”

Persephone: “Gia, right?”

“That’s me.”

Persephone: “It seems I’m getting multiple Inner Court visitors today…”

Persephone opened the door further so that Gia could see the Black Knight sitting on her couch behind her. Gia just shrugged. So. It seemed as if the Black Knight had the same idea as her.

*calls*: “Nice to see you again, Amanda.”

Persephone: “So are you here for business or pleasure?”

Gia took the initiative to just WALK RIGHT IN and sat down on the other end of the couch. Because she was getting bored just standing out there like a reject. She crossed her legs.

“Well, I just wanted to welcome the new Red Rook to the Hellfire Club, so THAT’S business…but as for pleasure? I’m game.”

She turned to Amanda.

“It looks as if you had the same idea as I did. You know what they say about great minds…”

Gia grinned.

 

[Ruby]

Charope, LLC – The Infirmary



Ashley: “Hey.”

:: Cass’ head shot up and then she made the mistake of looking in the direction of the female voice. Under normal circumstances she could definitely appreciate the female form but here, in public? It was totally awkward and somewhat inappropriate…and she knew BLAZE VICTORY. ::

Ashley: “You even think about putting your hands on him, I’ll rip them off, kay?”

:: The man in the room with her looked shocked at the sight of her [Ashley], but she just told him to stuff it. Chuckling, Cass got up and made her way to Zach’s room. She couldn’t resist saying SOMETHING. She raised her head up and locked eyes with the pretty blonde. ::

“I’m going to HUG him to death.”

:: Cass didn’t even blink. She refused to be intimidated by this one. Besides, Zach was HER friend too and she was allowed to touch him in a friendly manner. In fact, not only was he her friend, but Cass considered him part of her FAMILY. So if she wanted to hug him, then she was damn well going to hug him! ::

So there.

:: Cass’ eyes lit up as she entered Zach’s room. Considering that a naked chick was hanging out of his room, she didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that he was feeling…MUCH better. :garrick: She bounded to his bedside and gave him a BIG hug. Sorry, Pretty-Blonde-Naked-Chick. ::

“ZACH! It’s so good to see you! I was so worried!”

:: She gave him another hug. ::

“I couldn’t believe it when we heard the news about you and Alycia.”

:: A look of concern passed over Cass’ face as she pulled up a chair and sat down. ::

“We also heard that a child was injured by Haleigh. How are they doing now? Do you know?”

:: Cass did need to speak to Zach about something, but there was no reason why she couldn't indulge in a bit of a chat. Besides, she really was worried about the child. ::

 

[Orion]

Charope, LLC -- The Infirmary

Ashley: I see. The Isis method of problem solving.

He smiled in spite of himself, because her delivery was quite amusing.

"I know she's quite haughty, but without Isis, we would not be having this conversation, because I would be D-E-A-D. So maybe her method has some merit?"

He suggested gently, just to get the idea out there. He realized that the best he could ever hope for was for some people --Like Ash and Isis-- to just TOLERATE each other. In order for that to even be possible, those who saw the potential were going to have to occasionally present some positives about one to the other. He didn't push it any further, and the conversation moved on to the Six. He suggested they might need help.

Ashley: We’re already helping, aren’t we? I mean, what have they done? We all stood together against the Purifiers. I’m happy to do that again. But not if it’s going to get me, or someone I care about, killed because they can’t get their shit together.

He nodded, because he could understand where she was coming from. He felt Ashley's surprise when he said he wasn't going to let Sharon and Alycia continue to verbally abuse her. Why would she assume he'd be okay with that? Was she just THAT used to every-man-for-himself? He told her about Cass's text, and she crossed her arms.

Ashley: What could SHE have to talk to you about?

"I'm not sure...."

He showed her the text.

"It's got one of those slant mouth smilies at the end. So that's technically a frownie?"

He supposed, and then suggested they get dressed. Ashley declared she didn't care if Cass was uncomfortable, which he believed, and then she stopped to consider something.

Ashley: But there’s no way in hell she is coming in here while you have no pants on.

"Oh, you DO give a shit about all these women getting a free peek, then?"

He teased, and wondered if he should mention the fact that Morgan had tried to strip him down the night before, and magick his scars away. No, that would only make Ash hate her before they even MET. He stepped into his pants.

Ashley: Wear the shirt too.

"DAMN, there it is!"

He said gratefully, as she pulled him into an embrace. Shirt in hand, he wrapped his arms around her.

Ashley: I should probably check in on Zizi…and then I could bring us back some food? What would you like?

"Something bad for me."

He replied with a smile.

Ashley: Your wish is my command. Anything else you want me to bring back with me?

If she kept talking in her bedroom voice, he wasn't going to be able to let her leave. She gave him a squeeze, then leaned down to pick up her dress, and he couldn't resist the urge to slap her ass. He tried his best to look innocent afterwards, and slipped his shirt on. She went over to the doorway, still naked.

Ashley: Hey. You even think about putting your hands on him, I’ll rip them off, kay?

He chuckled, unsure about the degree to which she was joking. Cass insisted she was going to hug him to death, and he moved to Ashley's side to give her a farewell kiss on the cheek. He dropped his voice low to speak in her ear.

"Well, at least she's not threatening to blast my -- correction, YOUR -- balls off my body."

He watched her walk down the hall, and finally get dressed, even though everybody had already seen her. Cass pulled him into a friendly double hug.

Cass: ZACH! It’s so good to see you! I was so worried. I couldn’t believe it when we heard the news about you and Alycia.

"Thanks, it's good to see you as well."

She was a true sweetheart, and he gave her a kind smile as he gestured for her to sit.

Cass: We also heard that a child was injured by Haleigh. How are they doing now? Do you know?

He nodded and lowered himself into an armchair as well.

"Yes, Jake was hurt, but I've been told he should make a full recovery, so we can thank the Gods for that."

His phone buzzed and he glanced at the text.

From Ashley>> Already horny. You'd better be ready when I get back.

A smile of anticipation crossed his lips, and he shot back a quick response.

To Ashley>> For YOU, I can be ready at a moment's notice.

He slid his phone back into the breast pocket of his shirt, and his gaze settled on Cass.

"How are you doing, Cass? I imagine Haleigh's departure hasn't been easy for you."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Ashley pulled open the front door and called out to Zizi.

“Zees do you still have the Princess Leia costume? The sexy one not the hair buns one…”

She came into the common area to find a MAN sitting there. And he was HOT.

“Hello.”

She looked from him to Zizi and back again.

Zizi: “Ashley, this is Gabe.”

Ashley put her body between him and her, and mouthed, “OH MY GOD!!!” to Zizi.

Zizi: “He’s helping me with the security system for the Sanctuary.”

She smirked.

“That’s funny. Looks a lot like Call of Duty.”

Zizi looked like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Zizi: “We were just waiting to hear back from Rose…”

“Uh huh.”

Zizi: “Let me go look for that costume…”

Zizi wheeled away, and Ashley sat on the counter of desk, appraising him. She smiled.

“So, Gabe, you’re really good looking for a nerd.”

And he was. If she had seen him first she would have had no problem ripping his clothes off.

"I've heard a lot about you."

She crossed her arms and smiled down at him conspiratorially, and nodded to where Zizi had gone.

“You tapped that yet?”

She leaned forward.

“Trust me, she's a total wildcat in bed. You know what they say, angel in the kitchen, whore in the bedroom.”

She winked at him.

"I wouldn't want you to miss out."

 

[Wallflower]

Hellfire Mansion - Red Rook's Quarters

Persephone: "To cause havoc and torture those Bird of Prey cunts...especially Silver Swan. Tear The Six's world apart and make them wish they never brought me to this timeline."

:: Amanda eyed her curiously. That statement was rather telling, though she couldn't be sure that the Red Rook wasn't bluffing. It was clear to everybody in The Inner Circle that during The Blackout Party, Ava Cassadine followed her sister here. Most likely to protect her. Persephone was in the forefront now, but the sisterly connection was still there. Or at least Amanda thought so. To see her so brazenly turn her back on the people who made it possible for her to even EXIST in this timeline, it gave Amanda pause. It was clear in this moment that Persephone answered to nobody, which really made her all the more alluring. ::

Persephone: "Fuck you, but obviously that won't be happening."

"Well..not TONIGHT anyways."

Persephone: "Show everyone exactly who I am. And why Ava is a NON FACTOR now."

"If I believed in God...I'd give you a hallelujah right about now."

:: Cobra was about to say something poignant and well timed about the benefits of duality when there was a knock at the door. ::

Persephone: "It seems i'm incredibly popular today."

"I think it's your genuine smile and naturally warm demeanor."

:: Amanda smirked. ::

Persephone: "Excuse me."

:: She waved her hand, sipping on her wine. ::

"By all means."

:: Persephone went to her door. It was The White Bishop. Gia. She was somewhat of an anomoly around The Inner Circle. Her father was well known and the accounts of his lothario like nature were well known. But Gia had yet to prove herself. Get her hands dirty. Nepotism was alive and well in The Inner Circle, and she had secured her spot by the death of her father, which was understandably going to make people concerned or nervous. For Amanda...Gia was a little bit too curious about the goings on in the catacombs. Talisman's work was important, and she already usually had Diana on her back for it..she couldn't be certain that Gia wasn't playing spy. She had also been incredibly late to The Blackout Party and incured the wrath of Diana for it. She was a curious guest to show up at The Red Rook's quarters...to say the least. ::

:: The two exchanged pleasantries as Gia barged in and quickly made herself at home. They made eye contact. ::

Masque: "It looks as if you had the same idea as I did. You know what they say about great minds..."

:: She grimaced at the notion that Gia could possibly consider their minds to be even the slightest bit equal, but she didn't want to appear to be a complete and TOTAL bitch...at least not yet. ::

"I'm not neccessarily one for colloquialims..but yes, I know the saying. Hello Gia."

:: Leaning back. ::

"I missed you at The Blackout Party. Though I heard you had quite the encounter with Scion."

:: smirking ::

"In fact..I heard she nearly painted you like one of her french girls."

 

[Cypher]

He took a quick bite of an egg roll, his eyes flicking from one screen to another as he quickly grabbed his controller again.

"Oh shit! They're all on B Flag!"

He quickly tapped his controller, super focused on the game.

"Go around the side of the house, back door! Back door!"

Leaning in toward the monitor, the game was almost out of time and they were down 3 points. They just needed one more kill from the flag and...

"DAMN. Ugh, so close."

Sitting back in his chair in defeat, he heard the front door open with a woman yelling out for Zizi.

Ashley: “Zees do you still have the Princess Leia costume? The sexy one not the hair buns one…”

Cocking a brow he looked over at Zizi with an amused smile.

"You have a sexy Princess Leia costume?"

Ashley: "Hello."

Gabe turned to see a gorgeous, statuesque blonde enter the room. Raising both brows up, fucking hell Zizi hung out with Amazon's now?! Okay, maybe joining the Birds of Prey wasn't such a bad idea.

"Hey."

Zizi: "Ashley, this is Gabe. He’s helping me with the security system for the Sanctuary.”

"Nice to meet you."

Gabe stood a bit from his seat politely giving her a nod before sitting back down. His eyes surveyed her legs as he lowered himself, wondering if they felt as smooth as they looked.

Ashley: "That's funny. Looks a lot like Call of Duty."

Zizi: “We were just waiting to hear back from Rose…”

Ashley: "Uh huh."

"Don't blame Liz. I tempted her with Chinese and double XP. But as soon as Rose gets back to us with the okay, i'll have my men working on getting The Sanctuary completely secured."

He wasn't exactly sure of the specifics of how the Birds of Prey worked, but Zizi looked pretty fucking nervous, and Ashley looked like the boss. So he just went with it, hoping that Zizi wasn't in trouble because of their lunch break.

Zizi: “Let me go look for that costume…”

He watched as Zizi rolled away, still pretty damn amused that she would have a sexy Leia costume. He wondered what other sexy costumes she had...

Ashley: “So, Gabe, you’re really good looking for a nerd.”

Looking back at Ashley, she had sat herself on the desk in front of him. Letting out a small laugh, she was brazen--he liked it.

"I try not to live up to the Urkle stereotype."

He joked with a smile. So she thought he was hot. So far so good.

Ashley: "I've heard a lot about you."

"Yeah? Hopefully all good things."

Picking up his coke, he took a sip.

Ashley: “You tapped that yet?”

He choked on the soda, coughing out as he looked at Ashley with wide eyes.

"What?!"

That surprised the shit out of him. He had known Zizi since he was a kid. There had never been anything remotely romantic between them. Or even sexual for that matter. He didn't even know how to respond.

Ashley: “Trust me, she's a total wildcat in bed. You know what they say, angel in the kitchen, whore in the bedroom. I wouldn't want you to miss out."

Shaking his head, he let out a nervous laugh. So this chick was hot but crazy. Noted. At least he found out before trying to fuck her. Then again....crazy was kinda hot. But was it worth it? Seeing the hem of her jacket dangerously close to revealing what was underneath....maybe it was.

"No...no, Lizzie and I are just friends."

Running his hand roughly on the nape of his neck.

"I'm an asshole, I wouldn't do that to her. She deserves better than someone like me."

And it was true. Zizi was the type of girl you would take home to your mom. He was definitely the type of guy you would lie to your mom about.

"I might be a 'nerd', but I think with my dick a little too much."

He admitted with a shrug.

 

[Persephone]

Gia didn't even answer Persephone's question before boldly barging past her and into her chambers. A little taken aback by the action, the goddess mockingly gestured into her room.

[sarcastically] "Please, come in."

Gia immediately took a seat, getting comfortable next to Amanda.

Gia: “Well, I just wanted to welcome the new Red Rook to the Hellfire Club, so THAT’S business…but as for pleasure? I’m game.”

This girl was brave, that was for damn sure. In any other situation Persephone probably would have hurt her...but Gia was amusing in the way she carried herself, and bold. It was entertaining. She would put up with it until it got old.

"Is that a fact? Well, thank you for your warm yet INTRUSIVE welcome. And i'll take the second part into consideration...."

Persephone said with an amused smirk. She would break Gia like a toothpick.

Gia: “It looks as if you had the same idea as I did. You know what they say about great minds…”

Amanda: "I'm not neccessarily one for colloquialims..but yes, I know the saying. Hello Gia."

Persephone grinned as she turned around to the wet bar. So Amanda wasn't impressed. It was quite funny. Pouring another glass of wine, she might as well offer the girl some alcohol...perhaps it would open the door to some even more entertaining possibilities.

Amanda: "I missed you at The Blackout Party. Though I heard you had quite the encounter with Scion. In fact..I heard she nearly painted you like one of her french girls."

Turning around, Persephone smirked as she walked over to the couch.

"Now Amanda...she's much more beautiful than those French Girls."

She teased as she handed Gia the glass of wine. She then moved to the arm chair positioned next to the couch, taking a seat. Crossing her leg at the knee, she picked up her glass of wine before sitting back.

"Speaking of Scion, I heard the White Court has been icing her out per Diana's orders."

Persephone took a slow sip of her wine, peering over the rim of her glass at Gia. There was a reason the Bishop was there, and it wasn't just to welcome her.

"Can't hang with the Princess so you come to what? Make nice with her sister?"

She used the term 'sister' loosely, but it delivered her point. Feeling her phone vibrate in her back pocket, she reached behind her and grabbed it, seeing a new text message.

"I'm beginning to get a complex."

She feigned, knowing how everyone was falling over themselves about Scion being Diana's daughter and how they could work that to their advantage. She assumed Gia was there for the very same reason.

Reading the message quickly, it was from a gentleman visiting from the European Hellfire Branch she had a brief encounter with the other morning at breakfast. He was gorgeous and had an accent. There wasn't much more that needed to be said. Persephone smirked as he asked her to lunch, replying that as long as dessert was him. He didn't take long to respond with a time and place. If Alek wanted to play games, she would fucking play games.

Looking up at the Bishop and Knight, Persephone locked her phone and put it beside her.

[sarcastically] "I'm beginning to wonder who will show up at my door next. Emiko?" [with a laugh] Now THAT would be an entertaining twist."