Special Delivery

The White Wing - Elena's Sitting Room

The pull of him - Cameron - was like a magnet. He was all she had been missing for so long...but now that he was in her grasp, she had to force herself to slow down, to think. Carolina was her everything, the way Cameron had been once. And now, she had to put Carolina first. Creating a family for Carolina was different from giving in to her own desires. She asked him for patience.

Cameron: "Patience has never been a virtue I've been very good at..but for you, I will try..."

"Gracias, amado."

Cameron: "But I'm not going to stop tempting you..."

She smiled laughingly, and he kissed her again softly.

Cameron: "Let me spend the night with her. Her nightmare was about me. I'd prefer for her to wake up with my arms around her...you deserve a night off. You deserve a million nights off..."

"There are no nights off as a parent."

She kissed his cheek playfully.

"But I think she would love it if you stayed with her. And so would I."

Cameron: "And...tomorrow...we can decide if you want to stay here in the mansion, or if you'd prefer a place close but outside these walls. But don't misunderstand. Wherever you go, I go..."

"That's good."

She squeezed his hand and stood up.

"But tomorrow..."

There would be a lot to talk about tomorrow, indeed. She headed towards her room, but turned back.

"Give her her stuffed turtle if she wakes up."

And then she went into her room to look for sleep that she suspected would not come easily.
 
NYC - The Blond

< Judging from Amanda's performance, The Black Court was in worse shape than she had originally thought. But she had to give credit to Calder for such a ridiculous dare. It was in the exact spirit that the game intended. However, this was Erika's night, and she wasn't about to let The Black Princess waltz into the place and power top it, considering she couldn't have been bothered to accept the invitation in the first place because she was too concerned with being her court's best girl. >

< Erika didn't really have much bad blood with Amanda, she'd just always found her pathetic, and far more duplicitous than anyone ever pegged her for. She'd arrived at Hellfire when Erika was fifteen, but she wasn't Amanda then. She was Cho. Her father was one of the richest men in Japan, her mother was an italian opera singer turned philanthropist. But mostly she was chum in the water for a shark like Kelly. A fan girl. Her father had set up an internship with MysTech after she had graduated college, and the rest was history. Amanda was fascinated by her mother, hung on her every word, and her mother used that fascination to turn Amanda into one of the most deadly assassins that The Black Court had ever known. But that was where Amanda messed up. Erika had learned a long time ago that her mother's praise and adoration often came with a steep price tag, one not worth paying if you wanted to retain any part of your autonomy, but Amanda paid. A few years later she was basically a robot, ready to kill at Kelly's command. And worse, Kelly paraded Amanda around like she was some shining achievement. Like she didn't brainwash every other fucking person in this place to be what she wanted. >

Amanda: But who's ready for a fucking truth?"

< Erika smirked taking a sip of her espresso martini. >

"Let's hope it's you...because i've got a few fucking notes on that performance."

Heidi: "I'll take you up on that, Princess."

< Yeah that wasn't happening on Erika's watch. Of the litany of things one might ask Heidi, most of those roads led back to her brother and the nature of her relationship. And Cameron couldn't take any more bad press. Heidi was a big girl, and she could handle herself, but sometimes even a court's knight needed protection. And she wasn't about to let Amanda steal one PARTICLE of her spotlight. She shot a glance to Adriana that said this was not a good move for anyone as she sauntered more into the center of the group. >

"No need, Heidi. I don't think anything can possibly top The Black Princess' performance. We're all hot, young, consenting adults. I think it's time for us to move to the part of the evening where we just continue to get drunk and make fun choices. Tonight is about genuine bonding..and I think if we push it any further we might just find ourselves in the hell of a corporate retreat..."

< She raised her glass to the group. >

"Look, shit is about to get hectic for all of us...but tonight, we've shown that we still know how to have fun, and that we aren't alone in this. The status quo in Hellfire is always changing, but we have a role in defining what that standard is. Something something tomorrow isn't promised, but let's just fucking enjoy tonight and not forget we actually like each other, okay?"

< The White Princess finished her drink in one last large gulp. >

"Cut to music, please?"

< And the music began to pour throughout the space. Tonight had been a good night. It had been successful. Her stock was rising, and it felt good. People would leave tonight thinking that she was healthy...in charge of herself. They would maybe come to her in the future if they needed something. But with that joy, came a lot of pressure. Pressure Erika was never good at dealing with. She turned to Adriana and gave a smirk, wrapping her hands around her neck and whispering into her ear. >

"Dance with me?"
 
The Red King and White Queen’s Suite

Haleigh had her release, and then she made sure his was just as formidable, all the while keeping her mouth pressed hungrily against his. She laid down, pulling him with her, her head resting on his shoulder. A gesture which was so affectionate coming from her that it surprised him, and he felt his heart expand. Her hand gripped his.

Haleigh: ”I love you, Alek,”

His arm snaked around her, and he stroked her hair. A smile spread across his face, his first inclination to hide it though.

Haleigh: ”And not just because your dick is phenomenal, for the record.”

He picked his head up from the pillow, and the smile became a grin, which he was not at all afraid for her to see.

"But just to be clear, my dick is phenomenal, right?"

Haleigh rolled over so she was looking at him.

Haleigh: ”Is there…anyone in particular you don’t want me to fuck?”

His brow furrowed ever so slightly.

"Is everyone else an acceptable answer to that question?"

He chuckled, looking up at the ceiling for a moment, then back at her.

"Look - I know I don't control you, you make your own decisions, I get that, really I do. But the truth is, I'm never going to be okay with you fucking someone else. I'm not your husband, but...how can a man say he loves you and be okay with you sleeping with someone else? You deserve better than that."

He ran his thumb across her cheek.

"Jesus, Haleigh - I love you so much. I thought I fell in love with you the first time I saw you, but the way I felt then is nothing compared to what I feel for you now. I didn't know what love was."

He stroked the small of her back, tracing tiny circles there.

"But it would be nice if it wasn't Cameron."

He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose.
 
The Blond

They were discussing romantic interests for Daniel, and Calder offered his skills to assist.

Heidi: ”From a pawn? Don’t want to just copy the skill from the King’s mistress, then?”

Calder looked at Heidi as if she had just suggested he set his own hair on fire.

"Without her permission? Yeah, I'd like to keep my head and my balls, thank you very much."

Even pawns didn't like him using his power on them, but they couldn't complain about it.

Adriana dare him to prank Amanda, but she was spying on them, and so was in on the game. But it did get her to come out and join them, so that was a win, he thought. When she arrived, Calder handed Amanda a drink, and gave her a dare. He was a little bit surprised that she accepted.

Amanda: "Never call me Mandy again....Cal..."

She gave him a soft kiss, her eyes seeming to entrance him.

Oh, he was so calling her Mandy now.

Amanda: "Thankfully...my mother...was an avid fanilow..."

He laughed at that, and watched as she proceeded to charm the DJ into playing her song, letting her sing. And she was amazing. In a way you'd never believe that Barry Manilow could be.

When Amanda finished, she was suddenly it seemed next to him, handing him a shot.

Amanda: "Now that was a good dare, handsome. Cheers..."

He saluted her with his glass.

"That was the performance of a lifetime, Manda."

He downed the shot, his eyes staying on her. It was hard not to watch her, in that outfit.

It seemed the game was then over, Erika being bored with it or something, as if she was their leader. But Calder didn't think it was his place to say so. He was at the point in the evening he was okay with mellowing out with a drink. Who knew when the opportunity might come again.
 
NYC - The Blond

Calder: "That was the performance of a lifetime, Manda."

Amanda smirked. There was something very unassuming about him that she liked. She'd come from a world of incredible privilege. People had their lives and their personal presentations picked out from preschool. Calder didn't have a lot of pretense. He was honest. And that was rare. Both in life and Hellfire. She made a mental note of that.

"Don't sell me short, Cal. I've got a few more great performances in me, yet."

She had teased the team with a truth.

Erika: "Let's hope it's you...because I've got a few fucking notes on that performance."

Amanda gestured to a waiter for one of the short glasses of cognac being passed around, as she broke her gaze from Calder, who's eyes she had not noticed before were a devastatingly beautiful blue. She was beginning to think she had a type as she avoided Ben's stare, spinning on her heels to face Erika with a smile.

"And I've got some notes for your performance tonight, as well. But let's have a proper princess catch up later.."

Erika had always been the most obnoxious girl Amanda had ever known. From the moment The Black Princess had touched down at Hellfire, Erika had hated her. Hated her beauty, hated her intelligence, hated her effectiveness. Because they were all qualities that Kelly held over Erika's head. Amanda could admit that she did find herself easily swept up by Kelly at first, considering all the woman would have ended up doing for her. But she knew who Kelly was. Or at least she did back then. She was a stepping stone to something greater. To something that wasn't the life she was going to have without her. Amanda had been the "daughter" that Kelly wanted. She beautiful, deadly, intelligent, and she never said no. Looking back, that had bit her in the ass. But she was still here, and now she was princess. And she wasn't going to let the likes of Erika King be her downfall.

"Like I said, who's up for a little truth?"

Surprisingly Heidi had stood up to volunteer. Amanda wasn't stupid, she wouldn't ask anything incendiary. In all honesty, she simply wanted to know who the better kisser was - Cameron or Jack? She had a feeling it was Jack, but she wanted confirmation. But Erika put a stop to it, to which a grin crept across her face. It had been quite some time since there was more than one princess in Hellfire, and for a moment, Amanda was wondering exactly what her purpose was, what her objective was. Erika was competition. Not in some kind of jealous or petty way, but good, old fashion competition. And that was something Amanda needed right now.

Erika: "No need, Heidi. I don't think anybody can possibly top The Black Princess' performance."

Amanda smirked.

"Well, now I want to hear those notes..."

Erika: "We're all hot, young, consenting adults. I think it's time for us to move to the part of the evening where we just continue to get drunk and make fun choices. Tonight is about genuine bonding...and I think if we push it any further we might just find ourselves in the hell of a corporate retreat..."

Erika was doing surprisingly well tonight. Something had shifted within her over the last several weeks, and part of Amanda was happy to see it. Erika always wanted everyone to love her, she wanted to be a star, one of the "big kids", and it was clear that Haleigh and Alek had been a good influence on her. Amanda was not however an idealist. No matter what anybody said, every Hellfire event was a working event. An opportunity. Amanda had been to concerned with John and Ava that she forgot for a moment the bigger picture.

Erika: "Look, shit is about to get hectic for all of us...but tonight, we've shown that we still know how to have fun, and that we aren't alone in this. The status quo in Hellfire is always changing, but we have a role in defining what that standard is. Something something tomorrow isn't promised, but let's just fucking enjoy tonight and not forget we actually like each other, okay?"

Amanda shook her head and smiled. She may have not been as eloquent, but she was just as good of a speaker and a talker as her brother and her mother, just in a different way. It wasn't worth it to say anything bitchy or incendiary. If anybody deserved a good night at Hellfire, it was Erika.

"Here here!"

She turned back to Calder and gave a smile as she raised her glass.

Erika: "Cut to music, please?"

And the music did play as the lights began to shift. People began to talk and converse, her gaze turned back to Calder's and she gestured for him to have a seat on one of the couches around them, sliding in closely to him as they both set down. She went to take a sip before pursing her lips and giving him a humorous glance.

"You gave quite a performance yourself, a few weeks ago. Running in, that forward flip..."

[imitating]

"It's poisoned."

She leaned back in her seat, making a choking noise, her hands over her neck for a moment before she let out a laugh.

"I know you were just doing your job, but you couldn't ask for better PR...people are taking notice of you..."

[pausing]

"And it made me realize...despite my connections, I don't know much about you. The accent is sexy..but I can't place it. Where are you from? What are your hopes and dreams? Do you like my outfit?"

She said in succession, playing with him a bit, feeling a bit of heat under her skin, to which she tried her best to maintain. Every now and then, the reptile in her wanted to come out to play. Wanted to hunt, wanted to seduce. It was part of the deal when Kelly had made her a mutate. She was, however, genuinely interested and curious about the man. She awaited his response.
 
The Red King and White Queen’s Suite

Haleigh was timing her post coital contractions, which admittedly were a little more intense than usual, but Alek wrapping his arm around her and his fingers in her hair made it bearable. She further distracted herself with telling Alek that she loved him, and telling him that it wasn’t just because of his phenomenal performance in bed, which was the part he wanted to focus on. She rolled her eyes softly, and smiled, before rolling over to look at him and ask if there was anyone he preferred she didn’t sleep with, since he’d ostensibly agreed to avoid Ava. She was expecting him to suggest Cameron, which would be about the easiest quid pro quo for her to agree to. Given how cold and cruel Cameron had been recently, there was no danger of sexual relations occurring even unintentionally. But Alek didn’t suggest Cameron. To Haleigh’s surprise, he suggested much more than that.

”Everyone??”

She echoed in a surprised tone, her eyebrows raising sharply. He tried to explain himself a bit, while Haleigh realized that Ashley had been exactly right during their discussion earlier. He did want to be exclusive, but curiously he was reluctant to make the stipulation. He said that he didn’t understand how a man could love a woman and be okay with her sleeping around, that she deserved better than that. Haleigh had never seen it that way.

”Well, I loved Cameron enough to make an absolutely insane deal with his mother to have children with him, but I understand I’m not the only woman in his life that he might be attracted to. For fuck’s sake you can’t turn around in this place without bumping into some smoking hot babe in one color or another. I allowed him his lesser pursuits, because I wanted him to be happy. As long as I was always his favorite I didn’t see any problem with it.”

She interjected, and then he ran his thumb over her cheek. It was an intimate gesture, followed up by him admitting that he loved her so much now that he realized he hadn’t known what love was when he first met her. She stroked his beard gently, a little smirk spreading across her mouth as she looked up into in his eyes.

”Aw, who knew you were such a romantic?”

She teased gently, restarting her timer for the third time already. He finally said that it would be nice if it wasn’t Cameron that she slept with, her initial suspicion confirmed, but she didn’t answer him right away. She considered his earnest request more thoroughly now. She found Cameron undesirable, and Zach had left for Europe. AJ was smitten with Ash, and while Jack was very good, Haleigh hadn’t been with him in a while and didn’t mind ceasing with him. Calder was an unknown but Haleigh figured she could do without him. John would die before he betrayed Ava. Ben wasn’t the kind to carry on with a woman he wasn’t in love with and Daniel wasn’t into women at all. There wasn’t a single pawn that Haleigh thought would be worth risking what she’d found with Alek.

“You know, for many years our open arrangement worked perfectly for my marriage. However, in retrospect it wasn’t without its flaws. Maybe it was a mistake after all, and it just took this long to realize it. I think it would’ve unraveled a lot sooner if Cameron had ever suggested I couldn’t have you.”

She said, rubbing his chest with her hand.

”There IS a certain appeal to the idea of having you all to myself. And, you’ve been seeing to my needs quite sufficiently since I left Cameron….”

She added with another smirk.

”I suppose I’d be willing to try an exclusive type arrangement with you. But does this mean that threesomes are out of the question?”
 
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NYC - The Blond

He was relieved that Amanda seemed game to show up. He had tried to tell her it was a mistake to stay behind, but she had been even more serious than usual lately. And she wasn't sharing intel, which made him worry. That being said, she sauntered into the place looking incredible and commanded attention, which pleased him. The Black Court had a bit of a PR problem. Daniel could do what he could, but at the end of the day, he needed Amanda and Ben to play ball. Tonight, there seemed to be something in the water as both of them appeared to be trying just enough to get over each other by peacocking.

Calder: "Convince the DJ to let you sing karaoke...and then do a hip hop rendition of 'Mandy'...Mandy."

Damn, Calder was so cute. He was just the kind of boy that Daniel would have romanced at home. A beautiful blonde, rough around the edges, soccer type boy. For as polished as Daniel was, and for as controlled as he was, there was a part of him that liked to express his more uninhibited side sexually, often choosing guys that identified as straight, or were of a supposed lesser status than himself. He'd gone through an endless amount of rich and proper lads like himself, and he just found it ending up to be another kind of social game, and he didn't want his body or how he liked to fuck and be fucked be used in that kind of way.

He expected Amanda to pull something to get out of this, because if there was any person in the entire Inner Circle he could imagine singing karaoke less than himself, it was Amanda, but surprisingly -

Amanda: "Thankfully...my mother...was an avid fanilow.."

"She's actually going to do this...brilliant."

And she did. Without missing a beat, she walked over to the DJ, worked her cobra like charm and started to command the crowd's attention.

Amanda: "I thought we'd take things down a few notches for a minute...everybody, grab that special guy or girl...and get ready...for the menthol cool vocal stylings of...Lady Cobra..."

He was both excited and very, very anxious. Daniel had never been able to stomach things like this very well. He could never sit through an episode of Britain's Got Talent, or The Voice, or things like that. Watching people who thought they could sing and could not, embarrass themselves in front of the world, it was a feeling to him that was worse than watching somebody be physically torn apart limb from limb. And while she was, for the most part, a pretty decent singer, as he could expect given her mother's background, he found himself swallowing hard for a moment, as a familiar feeling crept over him, hitting him with a wave of metaphorical and spiritual exhaustion.

"But of course..."

He grabbed the back of his ear lobe with his index finger and thumb and did his best to hide his ritualizing as he slightly pulled at it, pulsing it in his fingers no less than twenty eight, no thirty times. It was always an even number, and there was no cap as to how many times he tugged, or pulled, or tapped. He always just stopped when it felt safe to do so. As he felt a wave of calm rush through him, despite being very, very horrified by Amanda's performance in front of him, he was secretly a bit jealous. Daniel couldn't allow himself to be that vulnerable...to allow himself to be embarrassed like that and not care. Originally, it had been his belief that because he was a Reed and had a reputation to uphold. But as he entered adolescence, it took on a mind of it's own. If he was to be perfect, then things around him had to be perfect too. A lot of The Black Bishop's ticks involved cleanliness and order, but he had several physical ticks as well. Ones that manifested when he became uncomfortable or anxious, something in which the irony was not lost on him considering his power set. Because he could not control his feelings with his own power, he had to control his physical body and his surroundings in order to feel safe.

"Bloody hell, back in your body, Reed..."

Daniel shook his head and took a long sip of his scotch as the performance tied up and Amanda and Erika exchanged a few bitchy, but playful barbs. Erika then proceeded to make a speech about how they were likely done with the game and ready to just enjoy themselves for the evening, which Daniel was most certainly ready for himself. He enjoyed games, but not ones where dare was an option. He'd stick to mind games. After refreshing his drink, he made his way over to where the others were most closely gathered. He took a seat on one of the couches next to Heidi, crossing his legs, resting his ankle on his knee as he took a sip.

"Well this is certainly a lot more fun than the old London gatherings, eh, Hides?"

[pausing]

"And what do you know about that supposed bartender? I've tried Grindr, but it won't load in the mansion."
 
NYC - The Blond

Calder made sure to compliment Amanda's performance, because to take a dare and run with it to that extent was pretty amazing. She could have half assed it, but she didn't.

Amanda: "Don't sell me short, Cal. I've got a few more great performances in me, yet."

"Oh I don't doubt it."

In his short time at Hellfire, he already was quite aware that Amanda was a force to be reckoned with, and not underestimated.

The game of truth or dare appeared to be over, and Calder was slightly disappointed to not get to see what the others would choose, and what they would do. Amanda was still giving him her attention, though, which was interesting in and of itself. She gestured to a nearby couch and he took a seat. It had already been a long night, and it felt good to sit.

Amanda: "You gave quite a performance yourself, a few weeks ago. Running in, that forward flip...It's poisoned."

He looked at her, slightly questioning. She was talking like it was a performance.

"I couldn't just let her drink poison."

He shrugged.

"And precognition leaves you pretty scattered - it's hard to really think about what you're doing, with all that in your head. It's not like it's your own power, after all, that you're used to. "

Amanda: "I know you were just doing your job, but you couldn't ask for better PR...people are taking notice of you..."

Calder blushed. He didn't mind being recognized for doing a good job. But he wasn't sure that was the notice she was talking about.

"Some mutants don't like people like me...I make them uncomfortable."

Or angry. Or homicidal.

Amanda: "And it made me realize...despite my connections, I don't know much about you. The accent is sexy..but I can't place it. Where are you from? What are your hopes and dreams? Do you like my outfit?"

It took a second for Calder to process her rapid fire questions.

"Denmark. To be a Knight. Intensely."

He took a drink of whatever it was that had been passed to him by a waiter.

"And I am sure you will accept no less than being a queen..."

He smiled. He could see it on her, the way she held herself. She could definitely make it as a queen.

"It's impressive that Ava promoted you to princess. It feels like that's a title the regents keep close to the vest."
 
The Red King and White Queen’s Suite

Alek loved the time he and Haleigh spent in bed. Not just the time in bed but afterward, laying there together, whether they talked or not. It didn't feel like hooking up. It felt like family.

But he also wasn't stupid, and he knew she didn't look at things the same way that he did. So when she asked if there was anyone he didn't want her to sleep with, it felt like a trick question. Because how could he feel this way about her, and be okay with her fucking someone else? The answer was, he couldn't. He might put up with it, because the alternative was to not have her at all, and that was a scenario that was out of the question.

Haleigh: ”Everyone??”

He had tried to soften it, show that he understood she made her own decisions, but she still seemed shocked. He was concerned she would get up and leave. But thankfully she didn't.

Haleigh: ”Well, I loved Cameron enough to make an absolutely insane deal with his mother to have children with him, but I understand I’m not the only woman in his life that he might be attracted to. For fuck’s sake you can’t turn around in this place without bumping into some smoking hot babe in one color or another. I allowed him his lesser pursuits, because I wanted him to be happy. As long as I was always his favorite I didn’t see any problem with it.”

Alek shook his head, incredulously.

"I just don't understand how he could want anyone else, if he had you. I mean-"

He waved his hand in the air.

"The world is full of pretty people, but I don't have to fuck every single one of them just because."

He rubbed his bearded chin.

"I mean, I've fucked a lot of people, just to be clear - but if I had a favorite why would it make me happier to be with anyone else but her?"

It was strange, how much he found himself admitting to her. He told her about his love for how, how it was so much more real now that it had been when he had thought he'd first fallen in love with her.

Haleigh: ”Aw, who knew you were such a romantic?”

"Only when it's deserved."

He did mention that he would appreciate her not sleeping with Cameron, because if he only got one he ought to make it count, and the thought of Cameron's hands on her made him want to become violent.

Haleigh: “You know, for many years our open arrangement worked perfectly for my marriage. However, in retrospect it wasn’t without its flaws. Maybe it was a mistake after all, and it just took this long to realize it. I think it would’ve unraveled a lot sooner if Cameron had ever suggested I couldn’t have you.”

He smiled.

"Now that would have been a real tragedy. We might have had to have a duel."

Haleigh: ”There IS a certain appeal to the idea of having you all to myself. And, you’ve been seeing to my needs quite sufficiently since I left Cameron….”

He raised both hands in the air.

"Hey, I can increase production, if it's required."

He replaced his arms around her back and leaned in to kiss her neck.

"I wouldn't want you to have any unmet needs..."

Haleigh: ”I suppose I’d be willing to try an exclusive type arrangement with you. But does this mean that threesomes are out of the question?”

He looked at her quizzically.

"Is that a trick question?"

It felt like one. Another one.

He looked upwards, thinking for a second before responding.

"A threesome with a man or a woman?"

He grinned.

"I guess I'll leave that decision up to you."
 
NYC — The Blond

Adriana was very much enjoying herself tonight, much more than expected. Things were going quite well by the time she dared Calder to call up the Black Princess and prank her. Calder hyped himself up and then told Amanda that he and the boys on the Black Court had killed Adriana. It’d take a lot more than the three of them to take her out, but she was a good sport about it, fishing around in her clutch theatrically for a second or two before pulling her hand out to give Calder the finger. When Amanda suggested a lot of people wanted Adriana dead, she grinned widely and popped another pill.

Then Amanda revealed that she was aware of their attempt, which was predictable and also spoiled the fun a bit. The Black Princess made up for it by showing up a few minutes later, dressed to kill and prepared to perform her own dare. Calder mercilessly set her to task doing a hip hop rendition of some song Adriana had never heard of and hoped she’d never have to hear again. She sipped her sidecar and glanced around, observing the others while Amanda made a small spectacle.

Daniel was doing some repetitive thing with his earlobe that most might have overlooked, but Adriana had seen similar behavior at Blackwell’s. Curious. Adriana next glanced at Ben, thinking back to their kiss with a little smirk. She wondered if he was still thinking about it to. Calder had clearly forgotten already, smitten as he seemed to be with the arrival and performance of the Black Princess. Oh well. AJ was still going to town on the charcuterie, and Jack was cozying up closer to Heidi. Adriana stole a lusty glance at Erika, as Amanda finished her song and asked who was ready for a truth. Erika made a comment about Amanda’ performance, and the savagery of the White Princess’ wit made Adriana laugh out loud.

”Oh, the shade.”

She remarked. Interestingly, Heidi volunteered for the truth, but the look on Erika’s face made it clear that was a minefield they should not walk. Erika made a closing speech, something about consenting adults, getting drunk and making fun choices. Adriana hoped that meant what she thought it meant, which would result in more kissing at the very least. Adriana finished off the rest of her drink, tracing the rim of the glass with the tip of her tongue to get the last granules of sugar as she looked at Erika expectantly. Erika got mush closer than necessary to ask for a dance, but it made Adriana smile.

”Sure, we’ll start with that.”
 
It has been another day of unexpected developments. While some situations were proceeding exactly as intended, others were wrinkling in unanticipated ways.

The Inner Circle of Hellfire seems to be adapting well to their circumstances. Erika’s little soirée turned out to be a big hit. There were laughs and drinking games, and everyone in attendance seemed to grow a little closer and more comfortable with each other. Fissures and rivalries that seemed to exist before were much less evident as the night drew to a close. In some cases, new relationships began to form or show potential. A great night was had by all, but as the morning dawns, will the growing friendships be solidified, or evaporate with the morning dew?

Unbeknownst to those who went out for the night, there were big developments for the Kings and Queens of the club. Another heir has emerged, and there will soon be even more, as Haleigh edges closer to the moment of labor. Meanwhile, Cameron had an idea to settle the uncertainty of the new, post divorce arrangement in a creative and somewhat controversial way. How his idea will be received by the others is yet to be seen. Will he win over the support of his fellow Kings and Queens, or is the tumult of the time about to bubble over into an even less predictable situation?

A mass text is sent out, with digital invitations to an Inner Circle Breakfast intended to welcome back the Black King and Queen from their extended vacation. It’s sure to be an interesting social event, with revelations and maneuvering of varying degrees.

Let us watch…
 
The night had been long for Ava, her daughter restless and uneasy for the majority of it. The best she could do was comfort Lily, knowing that at six years old Lily was going through a massive change that any adult would be having troubles with, let alone a child. So by the time Lily fell asleep, the night sky was already starting to become brighter as Ava held her in her arms, stroking her fingers through her hair gently, coaxing her to stay asleep. Pulling an all nighter wasn't foreign to the Black Queen due to business and other affairs, but staying up with a child all night was a different kind of exhaustion that definitely required a cold shower and coffee as a pick me up. At around 8am, Ava was already two latte's deep and fully ready for the upcoming meetings. Dressed in a sexy black jumpsuit, her mid length chocolate hair was left in lose curls with her makeup smokey to emphasize her dark eyes. Knowing the announcements that needed to be made at the Inner Circle meeting and the Queens meeting, she needed to look the part of the Black Queen. She needed people to see that she was not a victim to the old regime despite what happened. She was Ava fucking Cassadine and she was going to make sure everyone knew it.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ava finished putting on her strappy black heels before looking behind her to see Lily still sound asleep enveloped in a mass of black blankets. She would have to wake her up soon, but for now, Ava let her sleep just a little bit longer knowing how rough the night had been for her. Quietly making her way across the room, Ava gently opened the adjoining door that lead into the Kings chambers, entering the room to see John getting dressed with his back to her. Walking up to him, he only had his pants on giving Ava free access to slide her hands to the front of his toned chest and stomach, wrapping her arms around him from behind, hugging her body against his. She gently pressed a few kisses up his spine, taking in the scent of his earthy body wash with a soft sigh.

"I'm sorry."

Ava softly murmured against John's skin before laying her head against the back of his shoulders, holding him.

"I hate that you had to stay in here."

The warmth of his skin against the bare parts of her body felt so comforting, causing Ava to shut her eyes for a moment and allow herself to rest against him.

"She just had a really rough night...."

Lifting her head, Ava ran her hands up John's chest before settling her chin on his shoulder.

"You ready for today?"

Because she wasn't. The thought of having to air out her personal business to the entire Inner Circle and the rest of the regents made her stomach turn. Truth be told, Ava's anxiety about everything was the reason she didn't get a few hours sleep in when Lily had finally fallen asleep herself. She was an extremely private person, especially with something so emotionally taxing. But as much as she wanted to avoid and withdraw into herself [ironically like her daughter], Ava would put on the mask of the Black Queen and go head on into the meetings, making sure everyone knew why she held the crown.
 
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Hellfire - The White Wing

Everything about it was amazing. The way she could sleep so deeply while thrashing her body around like a ragdoll. The way she could contort his body to hers in an inmeasurable number of ways. It was a warmth, a joy, and a feeling he had not been able to define until that very moment. And he didn't want to leave it for a second. But a King's work was never done. He stirred for a bit as he gained consciousness. Carolina's room was still dark save for the night light in the corner. She was wrapped around him with a tightness he didn't know possible, and he slowly and painstakingly unwraveled himself from the grasp of his daughter, slipping from her bed as he stood over her, replacing him with one of her stuffed animals as he gave a kiss on her forehead.

"Daddy has to go to work, my sweet. No need to stir. All is well. You are safe. You are loved..."

He mentally spoke to her dreamscape as he yawned loudly. Cameron had always been an early riser. Despite most of the inner circle believing him to be a pampered celebutante, Cameron worked more than any of them. Or rather, on paper, the hours he logged existed, and were tracked meticulously. Elena was still asleep as he made his way over to her part of the suite, sitting down on the bed next to her. He watched her sleep for a moment. She had agreed to stay. And it made his heart swell. It was a first step, but it was nowhere near the last. He wanted her, and she made it clear that if that was the case, he was going to have to prove it. And he wanted to. For the first time in a long time, he felt...energized. Like he had a say in what was to unfold in his life. No longer would it simply be a foregone conclusion. He gave her the same warm kiss on her forehead.

"Good morning, mi amor. You are so beautiful when you sleep..Carolina is safe and sound, and so am I. I have some things to tend to this morning...if you wish to speak further, i'll be in my gym...if not, please...enjoy the morning. As soon as I am able, I will find you both..."

He brushed a bit of hair from her head as he had half a mind to peel off his clothes and to crawl in bed with her. But he was trying to be a different man. Instead, he headed out of their room, down the halls of the white corridor and into his study, which housed his living quarters currently in Hellfire. After changing into his active wear, he exited his study and moved towards his own personal fitness studio, in between his study and The White Parlour.

Forty five minutes and some intense cardio later, Cameron found himself at the bottom of his salmon ladder, his mind thinking of the day ahead. Haleigh had told him he could have his own court if he could get the approval of the other kings. He grunted as he sat his pole at the lowest spot possible. He didn't need this. All he needed was the majority vote, but for now he would play nice. He chalked his hands and moved into stance. She had given him the kings on purpose. Try as he may, Cameron never was able to cultivate very strong relationships with the other men in his life. It had always been like that. He didn't know why. Whether it was a pissing contest, or what. Every man he ever met seemed diametrically opposed to who he was and how he operated no matter how similarily said men operated. Alek was a wild card, and he couldn't put much thought into it. He'd either agree or not. There was no swaying him. But as he hopped himself up to the next level, he was hopeful. Alek wanted him far away from Haleigh. Another court should be desirable. If only to shut Cameron up, and if there was anyone on the inner circle that hated Cameron talking, it was Alek.

"Grrr....ugh..."

His biceps flexed as he hopped up to the next level, his mind going to John. He felt unknowable. The only person who knew really anything deep about him was Ava, and while Cameron was close to Ava, he didn't know how she would feel about things...and John had yet to have his own voice in Hellfire. He assumed that John would just go with however Ava felt, and that made him feel worse, especially now that his feet were dangling below him, using only the strength of his arms to keep him centered and balanced as sweat began to bead up in his forehead.

"1.....2......3.....!!"

Once again he flung himself up to the next level. They would think he was just being selfish...and a large part of him was. But it didn't change things. If things stayed the same, Haleigh would hold the lion's share of power at Hellfire. She would be untouchable. No matter how much they loved her. No matter how much they trusted her, they had to protect their own interests. Cameron was offering a way to break that up. To have another vote, should it be needed. They would either resolve to die in the exact position that they were, or they would vote to do something that would shake up the club, for sure, but offered a way forward. His mind went to Ashley.

"Agghhhhh...."

He was higher than he'd ever been on the ladder as he thought of The Red Queen. He had tried to work with her, to ensure that Alek would be moved off the board, and he had failed. He hadn't forgotten that, but it was always hard to work with Ashley. He couldn't read her, and for all intents and purposes, it felt like she was resolved to just let Alek make a fool of her in perpetuity in an effort to be the most noble of them all. In his future at Hellfire, he wanted to work with her, but he didn't think she trusted him anymore. Not that he deserved it right now. But it was still frustrating.

An hour later, Cameron had worked himself up and down the ladder, his muscles surging and aching with both pain and accomplishment as he hopped off, grabbing a stark white monogrammed toweled, and wiping his forehead. He still had a few hours before they were to meet. Perhaps he should try and work John. Seee where his head was at? But that would have to wait. Stripping off his clothes, he found himself in the warmest shower of his life before heading into the main steamroom of Hellfire's public gym for the inner circle, leaning back on the the marble and sighing.

"It ain't easy being King...."
 
John's Suite

John was worried about Ava. She was so hard on herself, and she always thought people saw her as weak. When she was about the least weak person he had ever met. He had left Ava and Lily in their bedroom and gone to his own suite to sleep. As someone who had slept mostly alone for his entire life, he'd underestimated how much he would feel her absence. He was up early, preparing himself for what was to come.

He'd showered quickly and had slipped on a pair of black trousers. He was reaching for the grey sweater laying on the bed when he felt Ava's arms come around him, her lips on his back.

"Who could this mystery woman be?"

He smiled, his hands moving to cover her own.

Ava: "I'm sorry. I hate that you had to stay in here."

He felt her cheek press against his skin.

"It was the right thing to do."

Ava: "She just had a really rough night...."

"How is she this morning? How are you doing? Did you sleep?"

Ava's chin rested on his shoulder, and he leaned his head back to press his cheek against hers.

Ava: "You ready for today?"

He turned to face her, his hands sliding up her arms and around to her back, putting his arms around her. He studied her face, seeing the worry there. He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Piece of cake. We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. You've done nothing wrong."

He smiled, trying to find her eyes with his.

"You can do this Ava."
 
The Red King and White Queen’s Suite

Haleigh had never been a heavy sleeper. A couple of hours, at most, and then she felt well rested and ready to get up. She was used to being up by 0430, and going to her office to enjoy coffee as she reviewed the various reports and developments of the club. However, since she’d cut out coffee for her pregnancy and moved in with Alek, she’d been staying in bed longer, even if she didn’t need the sleep. She found she liked the cozy warmth of him next to her, and she liked to watch him sleep. She found it amusing that a man of such unmitigated violence could look so peaceful. Plus, she could review the reports digitally in her mind, so it wasn’t like she was missing a step or becoming less productive.

As she watched the rise and fall of his chest, she thought of running her hand over his skin, of snuggling closer, and waking him up. No, it was still early, and she had kept him up late. She would let him sleep a while longer. She checked the surveillance cameras around the club to see what was going on. At this hour most were still in their private quarters, and based on their cell inactivity, asleep. The staff was prepping for the day, and the semi-impromptu homecoming breakfast. Notably, Cameron was working out. Haleigh had used to love watching him do that, to see his musculature at work, and the way the sweat would bead up and roll off his skin. If she was honest with herself, it was still a bit sexy, but she didn’t need to ignore those thoughts. Just remembering his arrogant and self-satisfied smirk last night could kill the attraction all over again.

She wondered how Alek was going to react to Cameron’s proposal. Would he see potential strategic gain, or be suspicious of the restructuring? Would he even care to be her King, instead of Ashley’s? Twelve hours ago she would have assumed he’d want to remain in Red, that he might have some emotional attachment to the color. Now, after the recent revelation that Helena had essentially pimped him out and helped hide his own child from him, it seemed less certain. Of course, there was the possibility that Cameron would trip over his own dick trying to convince his fellow kings and botch the sales pitch. Haleigh was doing him enough of a favor by volunteering to persuade her sister Queens. She could have simply wished Cameron luck with trying to convince everyone himself. Yet, she too would benefit from his founding of the Grey Court, so she’d help him sell the concept.

Her thoughts transitioned to her Court appointments, and how they would be affected by this. Heidi was a lost cause, unfortunately. She was heavily invested in Cameron, and would follow him anywhere. It wasn't all bad news, though. Heidi‘s position on the future Grey Court, and her close proximity to Cameron, would put a strain on his relationship with Elena, so Haleigh had that to look forward to. She’d need a Knight to replace Heidi, though. There were a couple of prospects. The Captain of her White Guard, Griffin, showed promise, but Haleigh also wondered what Calder would do if Alek moved Courts. Would he follow? After such a bold move to save the babies from a poisoning attempt, Haleigh would gladly accept Calder as Knight if Alek suggested it.

Her Bishop was also in question. While Adriana had quite clearly demonstrated more loyalty to Haleigh recently than Cameron, Erika’s cellphone had ended up in the Bishop’s suite last night. Obviously Adriana had bonded with the White Princess at least well enough for a private after party. Erika was a wild card. Haleigh wanted to keep her in White, but the King family was notoriously loyal to kinship, and Haleigh wasn’t one of them anymore, though as Logan’s mother, she still had a tenuous attachment to the Family. Would Erika follow her brother, or could Haleigh convince her to stay?

She also needed a Rook, but that would likely get easier. Cameron had been blocking her suggestions, and wouldn’t be an issue going forward if he got his own court. If Alek did agree to join her, she’d welcome his suggestions, and was certain he’d at least consider hers fairly. Perhaps they could arrange some kind of competition for the open position, that might be fun, and she wouldn’t worry if one of Alek’s contenders won.

She couldn’t resist him any longer, and moved closer to him, her hand rubbing his chest as she nuzzled his neck. The familiar smell of him was heartwarming. She slipped her leg over his, making as much contact with him as she could. Her mouth moved next to his ear.

”Wake up lover, I need you now.”
 
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The White Bishop’s Quarters

It must have been a phenomenal night. The White Princess was still asleep in her bed, naked, tangled up in the sheetsin a rather provocative way. How could she be sexy even when she was asleep? Some things were a wonder. From the trail of garments, it looked like they hadn’t made it very far inside the door before they were stripping each other down. Even more revealing, there were things strewn across the bedroom that would no doubt scandalize the maid. The trouble was, Adriana couldn’t remember anything after some heavy petting at the club. Damned Cognac.

Fortunately, Adriana knew from previous experience that when she drank she was an exceptionally good lay. Even if she didn’t recall, she had been told about it afterward. She had a tendency to get a bit wild, but usually it was well received. She just hoped Erika would remember what happened. The only disappointment was that Ben had evidently not joined them. Surely Adriana would have tried to invite him. What kind of man turns down a threesome?? Maybe Erika had blocked it. Whatever.

She sat at her vanity, carefully applying a little eyeliner. She gave it a sharp flare at the corners of her eyes. Yes, that looked good. She would have preferred to sleep in, especially given the hangover she was currently experiencing. She didn’t give a rip about the return of the Black King and Queen, but unlike her sister, Adriana understood the importance of showing up. Maybe over breakfast she could get Erika to remind her just how good a time they’d had together.

When her war paint was on point, she moved back over to the edge of the bed, perching there next to Erika. The way the sheet draped over the Princess’ breasts was picture perfect and rather tantalizing. She smiled a bit, committing at least this part to her memory. Adriana brushed Erika’s hair back out of her face, and then gently rubbed the Princess’ arm.

”Hey sleeping beauty, rise and shine. We have a breakfast function to attend.”
 
The Red King and White Queen’s Suite

Alek was dreaming. He was in a grand hunting lodge, all stone and dark wood. Leather furniture, trophies on the wall, a fireplace big enough to walk into. The boys, their boys, were roughhousing with the dogs by the fire, and Haleigh was teaching his girls how to clean the rifles in preparation for the next day's shooting. Alek watched them all contentedly, from his highbacked chair, a scotch in his hand. Haleigh looked over at him and smiled. He reached out his hand and she came over to him to take it, slipping into his lap and wrapping her arms around him, joining him in surveying their happy family. It was bliss.

Haleigh: ”Wake up lover, I need you now.”

His eyes fluttered open. His heart skipped a beat to see her so close to him, as close as in his dream. His desire for her was instantly ignited, needing no time to distinguish dream from reality, because in truth they were one and the same. His mouth found hers hungrily, aggressively. One hand moved to the bulging stomach between them. It was just the two of them here, in this place, but not for long. Not for long at all now.

"Haleigh..."

In one word Alek expressed both need and love. HIs hand left her stomach and moved instead to cup her cheek, his other hand snaking around her back to pull her closer to him. Still he kissed her, not wanting to break away from the intimacy of it. He sat up, pulling Haleigh into a more comfortable position in his lap and guiding himself inside her. He paused and broke their kiss, but only pulling away from her enough to speak.

"I want every morning to be like this..."
 
The Red Queen's Suite

Ashley was sitting at her vanity, tying off the last in an intricate pattern of braids in her hair. She had been invited to a breakfast to welcome back Ava and John from their extended vacation, and Ashley wanted to look perfect. By making Alek and Haleigh's daughter her heir, Ashley had strengthened her position vis a vis Alek, but she was determined that it didn't come off as weakness to the other courts. She hoped that Ava and John's return would signal a return to normalcy around the mansion, but she doubted it. There were too many other balls in the air, any of which might drop at any moment. But it would not be the Red Court that would fall, that Ashley would make sure of.

She glanced over at AJ, still asleep. He'd come in late last night so she hadn't had a chance to find out what had happened at his little "networking event". She had to admit, she was curious what they had all gotten up to, and half wished she could have seen Savage out at a "club". She smiled, happy in the security of having him there, with no apologies needed to anyone for it.

Deciding to let him sleep, Ashley stood from her chair, pulling her robe tighter around her body and moved into the sitting room. She lit the fire in the fireplace, grateful for its flickering warmth. Yesterday had been a long day, and today was looking to be the same, so she would take this bit of peace where she could.
 
The White Bishop's Quarters

< It had been a perfect evening. Her first official 'event' as White Princess, and for all intents and purposes, she hadn't fucked it up like she was worried she would. In fact, for the last few weeks she has having more good days than bad, but that brought her no comfort. Sooner or later, something would trigger her, and her dreams were highlighting that to her right in that very moment. >

Alek: "You fix this right fucking now, Princess!"

< Her hands were covered in blood, in between The White Queen's legs. The birth had proven far more difficult than she anticipated. Despite how much she was training for it. Despite having gone to medical school. Everything that could go wrong had. Bex was breach. Logan had a cord wrapped around his neck. Both of these stressors had caused Haleigh to crash. >

Cameron: "You're KILLING her. You're killing all THREE of them."

< The beating of the pulse monitor began to bellow in haunting resonance in her mind as Haleigh flatlined. >

"I can fix this! I can save all of them!"

< All of a sudden, she found a scalpel in her hand, one she proceeded to use to cut open Haleigh from cervix to belly button as blood spilled all over the floor like that scene in The Shining. She DUG her hands in, searching from the babies, but they weren't there. >

Alek: "What are you DOING!? GET AWAY FROM HER!"

< But she couldn't, before she knew it she found herself STUCK. Stuck inside The White Queen. >

"I...I can't!! I'm sorry....Alek...Cameron I'm SORRRYYYY!"

< And then she found herself all the way sucked up into Haleigh's body entirely as everything went dark. She blinked her eyes open several times, gaining her bearings as consciousness swarmed over her. She was in Adriana's suite. A smile pursed on her lips as she closed her eyes, pretending to still be asleep. She wanted to soak this up. The White Bishop had come as a very welcome surprise. Adriana had a madness to her too. She felt like she could say anything to her and she'd understand it. Like she knew how Erika's mind worked. She could also, thankfully eat pussy like a goddamn professional as waves of heat crept up her body, recalling their night together last night. >

< It had been messy, and aggressive and passionate. But the one thing Erika had remembered was that last night, she slept with Adriana because she wanted to. It wasn't out of boredom, it wasn't out simply partaking in a gesture thrown at her by a member of the white court to distract her and keep her busy. She liked Adriana, and that scared her probably more than her nightmare of getting swallowed up by Haleigh's cervix. Because Erika did not like people lightly. She consumed them. She followed them home. She killed people who threatened them or her feelings for them. >

< She felt the warmth of Adriana's hand on her face and then her arm. It was as warm and delicate as she remembered. >

Adriana: "Hey sleeping beauty, rise and shine. We have a breakfast function to attend."

< Erika groined as she rolled onto her back, scooting up on the bed and placing her hands behind her head, leaving her exposed from the navel up as the sheets clung to her legs. >

"If I ever make Queen...the first thing I'm going to do is end breakfast events...or any events starting before 11 am..."

< She yawned a bit before staring back at Adriana, giving a soft smile. >

"You're eyes look cute. Love a winged tip...."

< Erika licked one of her fingers before gentling grazing Adriana's face, fixing the tiniest bit of smudge at the end of her temple. >

"There. Perfect."

< The White Princess winked as she leaned up in the bed, running her fingers through her hair. >

"If I wasn't princess, I'd have half a mind to blow off breakfast. Hellfire has some stupid events, but one welcoming back somebody from vacation? That's just stupid..."

< She paused for a moment. >

"Unless...maybe John and Ava got engaged? God I hope not. We have enough going on, and I swear to god I'd sooner kill myself than have to endure the months leading up to an Ava Cassadine wedding...in fact, I've TRIED to kill myself for far less...."

< Erika rose from bed as the sheets unfurled from her body as she grabbed her phone, mindlessly shooting off a few texts. >

"I can get ready here, right? I don't feel like finding where I left my clothes last night, and your showerhead looks pretty inviting.."

< She plopped her phone back on the nightstand next to her. >

"I'm having my dress sent over to your quarters. Not that I don't like your style, I just don't wear clothes that others have worn and haven't been tailored to my body."

< The White Princess smirked once again as she eyed Adriana, moving a bit closer to her. >

"Speaking of...you seemed to fit quite nicely last night. Like custom couture in fact..."
 
Ava held John from behind, pressing her cheek against his back as she shut her eyes, apologizing for having to kick him out last night. To say it was a rough night was an understatement, and truthfully Ava didn't know how to navigate this situation in the slightest.

John: "How is she this morning?"

"She's still sleeping."

John: "How are you doing? Did you sleep?"

She ignored his question, instead resting her chin on his shoulder and asking if he was ready for the meetings today. Ava stepped back as John turned toward her, running his strong hands up her delicate arms before his arms wrapped around her back. Her body was rigid despite his comforting touch.

John: "Piece of cake. We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. You've done nothing wrong."

Parting her lips to protest, Ava gently shook her head as she looked away from him.

John: "You can do this Ava."

That was when Ava's eyes finally met with John's.

"I know."

And that wasn't a lie. She was prepared to go into the Great Hall, look every single Inner Circle member in the eyes, and tell them that she had a daughter and that if the same agreements made involving Cameron and Haleigh's children weren't upheld with her child, she would gut them all like a fish. What she was really dreading were the details. Ava was and had always been an extremely private person, especially when it involved anything emotional taxing for her. Emotions were looked at as weakness to a Cassadine, and weakness was worse than death.

"I'm not thrilled that I have to air out my private business to the entire Inner Circle over scrambled eggs."

She moved past John, walking over to the edge of the bed where he left his gray sweater. Picking it up, she gripped it tightly as she stared forward, her back to him.

"They're going to question my ability to rule. To protect our court and this club when I couldn't even protect myself or my daughter."

Scoffing, Ava shook her head bitterly as she turned around.

"And truthfully I don't know if that's worse, or them realizing that i'm just another one of Alek's whores he can notch off on his bed post."

Throwing the sweater roughly back onto the edge of the bed with frustration, this was what was plaguing Ava all night. These thoughts of how to prove she could still rule and be respected when everything she was about to announce was proving otherwise. Rubbing the bridge of her nose as she shut her eyes, Ava expelled a heavy sigh of agitation.

"I'm sorry. I'm just... [through gritted teeth] tired."

Physically tired, tired of the entire situation she had been dealing with the last three weeks, tired of the unknown about how life will be after the announcement that she has a child with the Red King. She didn't mean to suddenly snap at John, not after initially coming in to get a few moments of alone time with him before she had to wake Lily up. But she was more on edge than she realized. Picking up John's sweater again, this time Ava extended it out to hand it to him, a peace offering amongst her frustrations.
 
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