The Blackout Party

[Masque]

Hellfire Mansion – White Bishop’s Quarters to the Portrait Hall

Oh don't be so naive or dramatic, Chrissy. If you'd been here ON TIME, my emissary, Kristen Pratt would have prepped you, briefed you on your fellow White Court members, and what they can do.

:: The White Queen shifted her weight a bit over to one of her high heels, rolling her other ankle, and tilting her head a bit as she watched the girl collect herself and then sit down::

Nogitsune is my White Rook, and a trickster. She's a mistress of riddles and ILLUSIONS. She LOVES her play time, though sometimes, she plays a bit ROUGH, and some of the people she's FRIGHTENED have been quite literally scared to DEATH.

*sarcastically*: “Well, THAT goes without saying.”

Your father is ALIVE, but how WELL he is, depends on who you ask, considering his current status ::Federally incarcerated:: He was one of the many men who overreached, trying to play a game of black mail with my "delightful" daughter...and he LOST.

A look of such relief came over Gia’s face. She placed a hand on her heart.

“Thank GOD.”

Gia brightened for a bit.

“You know, I like my playtime TOO. Perhaps Emiko would like to be playmates sometime.”

Malice would be getting a MINDFUL as Gia thought about what she could do to little Mulan. After all, Gia was a SADIST.

“Oh. Oops. Sorry.”

The only reason you're NOT DEAD right now, is because of the nature of the relationship I had with your father, Count Nefaria.

:: Little Gia didn't know the HALF of it! ::

He was a capable, POWERFUL man, who served the White Court, served ME well. His slip up and CAPTURE caused his membership and rank/title in the Inner Circle to be passed to YOU, and so far, you're doing a LOUSY job of carrying the mantle.

I told you earlier, I DON'T tolerate sloppiness, and I'm sure my White Knight and Rook delivered the same warning.

Gia wouldn’t – COULDN’T – think about what Diana may have meant by that, ‘nature of her relationship with him’.

“I truly apologize, Your Majesty.”

Malice: “Your apology is accepted...”

Gia grunted as Malice grabbed her by the chin and forced her to look up.

FOR NOW. If you continue to be sloppy, AND harbor these FLIPPANT thoughts about the White Court in your head...to say that I'd make you wish you'd NEVER BEEN BORN would be an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Gia gasped as she was YANKED out of her chair.

Malice: “Now, you're coming with me. We have something to discuss with the White Princess.”

Gia yelped as Diana swung her around and practically TOSSED her into the White Corridor.

Malice: “Get moving.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

And Gia walked, PAINFULLY AWARE that Diana was right behind her, through the hall and up to the Portrait Room where Diana grabbed her arm and swung her around, throwing her into the chair.

You see, Chrissy. I don't like MESSES, OR loose ends.

If you'd BEEN HERE on time, we could have addressed this already, and NOW because of your TARDINESS...granted, it was a tributary to an issue that has to do with your father and my daughter...I am once again DELAYED in having MY fill this evening...and I'm losing my PATIENCE.

Now, we're going to fix this problem, and I EXPECT from this moment FORWARD, you will occupy the position once held by your father with a MODICRUM of competence...or ELSE.

“Whatever you need, Your Majesty, the White Princess and I shall provide.”

Gia cocked her head.

“May I ask what that problem is?”

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion- The Portrait Hall

:: CONTRARY to Haleigh's attempt to imply otherwise, Malice let NO ONE, not even a MAN derail her from what was her driving desire...POWER and DOMINATION. HALEIGH might be getting a little...TOO comfortable in her new trappings, but Diana was THROUGH warning her. Wouldn't it be IRONIC if the girl SLIPPED and FELL over the same SLOPE that her FATHER did? She could then join him in HELL and they could commiserate over their folly, AND Diana, while DIANA would continue on, in POWER WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE.::

:: Not too far away, Helena's powerhouse Red Knight was giving AVA a "word to the wise" regarding Diana, and Ravena. Even HE had sense enough to know that Diana's sexual appetite had nothing to do with her long range goals. The reason why she and Ravena had such raw chemistry was that DIANA was JUST as insatiable as Ravena was...and somehow, the two of them managed to satisfy EACH OTHER in an unhold mix of physical, psionic and almost MAGICKAL components. It was one of the reasons why he chose to present himself to HER rather than the other two queens.::

:: But beyond that, Diana DID have a POWERFUL piece of LEVERAGE on Lord Ravena. One that was not known to anyone else, beside Diana and Emiko, not even DOMINO. But Ava couldn't shake the feeling that she somehow KNEW HIM. A pity that she didn't adhere to that old adage "trust your instincts." The girl was so BENT on following after her "sister," that she didn't even know that she now presented HERSELF to the face of a clear and present danger...to HERSELF. ::

:: ALL of this, Ravena, Haleigh, Kelly, ALL of these things and PEOPLE were here by Diana's choosing, and anyone who thought she was slipping or getting sloppy would REGRET underestimating her, even Berserker acknowledged that!::

“Whatever you need, Your Majesty, the White Princess and I shall provide.”

Gia cocked her head.

“May I ask what that problem is?”

Some people ONLY learn their lessons through PAIN, Chrissy, and your thoughts indicate that PAIN is a very powerful stimuli for you.

:: She slowly paces back and forth a bit, before standing and facing Chrissy::

I am the White Queen, The WHITE COURT is a reflection of ME.

I do NOT tolerate sloppiness OR insolence.

I'm FORGIVING your tardiness, because you were detained due to circumstances not of your doing.

:: But they WERE of Scion's doing::

You've given me the names of the men who detained you. The same ones who nabbed your father.

I'm going to have them taken care of, and the WHITE PRINCESS is going to do it. We'll also have whatever "file" they've compiled on you WIPED.

After all, we're going to have our hands plenty full with business and people to face off against after this night. The last thing I need is for two annoying flatscan GNATS following after my white bishop like flies to a cowpie.

AND, if you prove yourself worthy of any FURTHER consideration from me, we may even discuss LIBERATING your father.

Afterall, do you REALLY think something as...ELEMENTARY as the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT can truly overpower US? ME!?

My dear child, it might amuse you to know that MANY of them are on OUR payroll, and here in this very mansion TONIGHT.

But one thing at a time.

My White Princess will address the mess she inadvertently caused, YOU will straighten up and act like you ARE Count Nefaria's daughter, WORTHY to serve as my White Bishop, and we'll go from there.

 

[Persephone]

Without reverting her eyes Ava took the flute of champagne and held it a moment before taking a small sip, peering over the rim.

Aleksander: "Our illustrious new white king. Came over from the European arm of the HC. Vampire. Creepy son of a bitch."

Finally Ava looked over at Alek after he stated that Ravena was a vampire. No wonder her skin was crawling. Fucking vampires....she HATED them. She had a long drawn out history with them that dated all the way back to Ancient Greece.

Aleksander: "Likes to flirt, so watch out."

"I'd rather Diana psi blast me into a vegetative state than entertain him. Believe that."

She hissed with contempt.

Aleksander: "Despite what you see going on there, he's Diana's new consort, which means she's fucking him a lot. And often in view of other members of the Inner Circle. There's been talk about Malice's behavior - allowing a man to influence her to such a degree. Giving him such a high position on her court, etcetera. Like she's slipping. But only a fool would think so. And only a fool who wanted to be very dead would say it out loud."

"Interesting. So people are starting to doubt her? She must love that."

But knowing Diana there was more to the story. She wouldn't simply let someone like Lord Ravena into her court if it didn't benefit her in some way. She loved power and loved showing how powerful she was. To appoint someone as her KING was very telling.

Aleksander: "Malice keeps dropping hints about his 'noble lineage' or something like that, but no one knows exactly what it is. Or if they do, they aren't sharing it."

"Is that so..."

Ava's voice trailed off as she looked back at Ravena. Her instincts were screaming that she knew him, but HOW? She would remember someone like that, ESPECIALLY if he was a very powerful vampire. The fact that he was from noble blood added another mystery factor.

Aleksander: "But if you ask me, it's the reason Malice has allowed him to get so close to her; she wants something from him. And it aint his cock."

"I agree with you there. Diana doesn't simply act without knowing how she's going to benefit from it. The White Queen certainly does have an Ace up her sleeve though, doesn't she?"

Aleksander: "I don't normally give a damn whether the other courts implode, as long as it doesn't hurt Helena, but friendly advice: if you care about your sister, tell her to tread very lightly. She's used to speaking her mind to Diana and doing as she pleases, but she's in a whole different world now."

Ava's eyes then shifted to Haleigh.

"Trying to tell anything to Haleigh is like banging your head against a brick wall--with SPIKES."

Ava knew Haleigh could handle herself, but she WAS there to HELP her sister. Ravena screamed bad news and Alek confirmed that there was more to what was going on between him and Diana than just a King and Queen fucking. Haleigh enjoyed games much like Ava did, but she worried that even now as White Princess she was getting in over her head when it came to Ravena. She would heed Alek's warning and at least warn Haleigh, despite knowing her sister's resistance to listen.

"Thank you for the information..."

Ava finally looked at Alek. She knew he was there on orders from Helena, but he didn't have to divulge what he just told her. She appreciated it, but she also knew he was playing a game with her. He was Helena's chess piece after all. But it didn't mean she couldn't play back.

"But, work aside....you owe me a dance."

Running her thumb along his bottom lip, her eyes glimmered seductively as she took the empty champagne flute out of his hand and placed it behind him on a table. Moving a little deeper onto the dance floor, everyone still had their eyes locked on the White King and Princess dancing that it made her and Alek almost invisible, except for a select few that were close enough to realize what was going on between the Red Knight and Rook.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Lunar Ballroom

He thanked her and returned the sentiment, since they shared the spotlight of Hellfire tonight. They were making the most of it, too. He spun her out to arm's length, and then reeled her back in against his body. She expressed gratitude for the dress he'd given her, and he looked down at it like he'd very much like to take it back right about now, but instead of saying so, he complimented the way she wore it. They only got through ONE song before Malice screamed her name.

Diana: SCION!

Haleigh's eyes closed briefly at the feedback, and luckily the song ended, with her tightly wrapped in the White King's embrace, so she didn't miss a step.

Oh come on mom, you CAN'T possibly feel threatened by this... I mean it's CHASTE by Blackout standards, barely enough to merit a PG rating.

She thought, and then looked up at Ravena with a devilish smile.

"Uh oh, Mommy's MAD. Or is she aroused? Sometimes I really can't tell the difference. Our relationship tends to lean towards sadomasochism, which I was totally fine with in the past, but now that I know we're related... I'm not sure, it seems kind of icky.... but I just.... can't..... stop!"

Diana: Your presence before me is required, in the portrait hall. NOW!

Haleigh knew she could push her luck no further, and so she indicated to Lord Ravena that she'd been summoned, and they should BOTH head up to the Portrait Hall.

Alright, alright, keep your panties on, we're coming. No, not like THAT. I'm bringing him up to you now. I just wanted to toy with you a bit. We both KNOW you like it. Honestly.... I'm gonna need a flow chart or something to determine what I can and can't get away with here. Whatever happened to the whole 'WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE' concept? It's ONE of the reasons I decided to join, but I've known nothing EXCEPT consequences since the moment I arrived.

As they left the dance floor, Haleigh eyed Ava and Alek, who were just taking the dance floor. Haleigh applied her Xray sight filter to the big viking, and found extensive bone remodeling consistent with repetitive breaking and healing. She also noticed some kind of talon in his pocket, which, judging by the size, had to have been a bear claw. After giving him the formal once-over, she fully checked him out. The man had a warrior's body, and she found herself wondering if he had a libido to match. Alas, she was going to have to delay her socializing, and answer her mother's call first, but she'd make SURE to talk to them next.

So, Mother Dear, how do you feel about cross-court relations? There's a bear I'd like to tame, if you know what I mean.

They reached the place where Diana and Gia were, and Haleigh let Lord Ravena's arm go, as he went to stand by his Queen. Haleigh looked down at Gia, who was quite clearly at Diana's mercy. At least she was still CLOTHED.

Diana: My White Princess will address the mess she inadvertently caused, YOU will straighten up and act like you ARE Count Nefaria's daughter, WORTHY to serve as my White Bishop, and we'll go from there.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Gia, didn't you think my mother ought to know I ALREADY said I'd take care of the agents who kept you? It's kind of pertinent information, given the Queen's distaste for loose ends. Or did you avoid revealing it to get back at me for your father's predicament? If so, BRAVO.... you're more devious than I expected."

Haleigh said, and then her gaze shifted to her mother.

"The mess I made WAS completely intentional.... The Count overplayed his hand, tried to taunt a spider without realizing he was already caught in her web. He deserved the discipline he got for it. When I was still pretending to be a good girl, I didn't give a damn about the collateral damage. The whole Nefaria operation could've gone down, for all I cared. Now that I'm with you, it wouldn't do to sustain the splash sabotage, so of COURSE I'll clean it up. Burning off the fuzz will be a walk in the park. Is there anything ELSE your Princess can do for you, or am I permitted to finally enjoy the party? "

Why don't you take the King into your bed now, and get out some of that pent up aggression? I'll go think about being a bad girl with somebody ELSE.

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Mansion – The Portrait Hall


Malice: “Some people ONLY learn their lessons through PAIN, Chrissy, and your thoughts indicate that PAIN is a very powerful stimuli for you.”

Gia flushed with pleasure. Pain WAS, indeed, a VERY powerful STIMULI…

I am the White Queen, The WHITE COURT is a reflection of ME.

I do NOT tolerate sloppiness OR insolence.

I'm FORGIVING your tardiness, because you were detained due to circumstances not of your doing.

:: But they WERE of Scion's doing::

You've given me the names of the men who detained you. The same ones who nabbed your father.

I'm going to have them taken care of, and the WHITE PRINCESS is going to do it. We'll also have whatever "file" they've compiled on you WIPED.

Gia tentatively raised her hand. A GLEEFUL expression was on her face. She was absolutely ECSTATIC about finally getting her hands on them.

“Can I…can I punish them first?”

After all, we're going to have our hands plenty full with business and people to face off against after this night. The last thing I need is for two annoying flatscan GNATS following after my white bishop like flies to a cowpie.

AND, if you prove yourself worthy of any FURTHER consideration from me, we may even discuss LIBERATING your father.

Afterall, do you REALLY think something as...ELEMENTARY as the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT can truly overpower US? ME!?

My dear child, it might amuse you to know that MANY of them are on OUR payroll, and here in this very mansion TONIGHT.

But one thing at a time.

“Yeah…Haleigh already told me.” *bitterly:* “Too bad THOSE agents weren’t two of them.”

Haleigh showed up, then, and with the new White King in tow. Gia looked at him with interest.

Malice: “My White Princess will address the mess she inadvertently caused, YOU will straighten up and act like you ARE Count Nefaria's daughter, WORTHY to serve as my White Bishop, and we'll go from there.”

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Gia, didn't you think my mother ought to know I ALREADY said I'd take care of the agents who kept you? It's kind of pertinent information, given the Queen's distaste for loose ends. Or did you avoid revealing it to get back at me for your father's predicament? If so, BRAVO.... you're more devious than I expected."

Haleigh said, and then her gaze shifted to her mother.

"The mess I made WAS completely intentional.... The Count overplayed his hand, tried to taunt a spider without realizing he was already caught in her web. He deserved the discipline he got for it. When I was still pretending to be a good girl, I didn't give a damn about the collateral damage. The whole Nefaria operation could've gone down, for all I cared. Now that I'm with you, it wouldn't do to sustain the splash sabotage, so of COURSE I'll clean it up. Burning off the fuzz will be a walk in the park. Is there anything ELSE your Princess can do for you, or am I permitted to finally enjoy the party? "

Gia stared at Haleigh with a shocked look. If ANYBODY ELSE tried that tone with Diana, they’d be placed in the ICU faster than their head could spin…and THAT was only if they were LUCKY. She shook her head and looked at Diana.

“Yes, and is there anything else I can do for you?”

 

[Berserker]

The Ballroom

"I'd rather Diana psi blast me into a vegetative state than entertain him. Believe that."

He laughed in spite of himself. It was clear she was NOT as impressed by the White King as everyone else was.

"Good. Maybe I can keep you to myself a bit longer then."

And sway your loyalties a bit more to the Red side...

"Thank you for the information..."

He nodded. They were on the same court now after all, and looking out for each other was the name of the game. He had no doubt that given the opportunity, either of the other courts would happily destroy any of the Red's members. He watched Ava out of the corner of his eye as she sipped her champagne. Helena had chosen wisely with this one - as long as her sisterly feelings didn't get in the way. And if Alek could assist his queen in making that happen, well then surely his place would be strengthened even more than it was already.

"But, work aside....you owe me a dance."

Snapping out of his thoughts, he smiled and took her hand, leading her onto the dance floor.

Pulling her close, he locked eyes with her as they moved gracefully across the floor.

"Let them stare at their new royalty.The best looking couple in this room isn't wearing white."

 

[Nogitsune]

The Lower Levels

Nogitsune had popped down to one of the underground levels, where the Red Knight had left a present for her. So thoughtful, her Red Panda. She walked a slow circle around the heap of flesh and bone on the stone floor of the empty room.

He tried to speak, but it came out a groan, his face already too mangled for speech. She clicked her tongue. Perhaps her bear had been too enthusiastic. But the intruder was in a great deal of pain already, which was as intoxicating as alcohol to Emiko. But still, a girl needs to have her hobbies.

"There, there. You don't want to go home yet. We're going to have lots of fun together."

She poked him with the toe of her shoe.

"Right? Fun? You don't seem convinced."

She bent almost in half, her head inside down and inches from where his face should have been.

"I can be long, or I can be short.
I can be grown, and I can be bought.
I can be painted, or left bare.
I can be round, or I can be square.

What am I?"

An indistinguishable mumbling came out of the heap on the floor.

"What did you say?"

More mumbling.

"YOU'RE NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!"

She shrieked at him. Emi reached down and pulled the man's shirt open, revealing his bare chest. She splayed her fingers, showing off silver colored metal fingernails on each of the fingers of her right hand, each sharp as a scalpel. Slowly, she ran her nails down his chest, making precise cuts down its length. Then she did it again and again, faster and faster, increasingly agitated, until the chest looked like ground meat.

"DO YOU KNOW THE ANSWER NOW?!"

He whimpered, but hadn't yet passed out from the pain. Impressive. She wondered if Berserker had damaged his spinal cord. No time like the present to find out.

She pulled his shirt the rest of the way off, and gently, almost tenderly, took his arm in her hands and looked it over. She made a cut from shoulder to wrist, careful to avoid cutting the large veins. Then she began to peel back the skin from his arm. By the time she had removed most of the skin from the arm, he was screaming. So he had a voice after all.

"Excellent."

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion- Portrait Hall

Alright, alright, keep your panties on, we're coming. No, not like THAT. I'm bringing him up to you now. I just wanted to toy with you a bit. We both KNOW you like it. Honestly.... I'm gonna need a flow chart or something to determine what I can and can't get away with here. Whatever happened to the whole 'WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE' concept? It's ONE of the reasons I decided to join, but I've known nothing EXCEPT consequences since the moment I arrived.

POWER without consequence....not a SMART MOUTH. You might be my daughter, but if you think I'm going to suffer your insolence, I'll have you thinking you're an ANIMATED BROOM FROM FANTASIA.

So, Mother Dear, how do you feel about cross-court relations? There's a bear I'd like to tame, if you know what I mean.

:: Was Haleigh self destructing already? Did she confuse power, status and near unlimited resources with being a wanton slut, who's greatest pleasure was only in the arms of a man? Malice smirked and laughed softly, that laugh echoed in Haleigh's mind::

:: She'd give the girl the benefit of the doubt....THIS NIGHT of all nights. But if Haleigh didn't take a different tone and posture TOMMOROW, she was going to learn quite personally what kind consequences she'd have to pay for pissing off mommy dearest::

I feel that you should get all this childish impulse you've apparently had built up OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM....TONIGHT. Don't mistake GRACE being extended to you on one night for how it's going to be GOING FORWARD.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Gia, didn't you think my mother ought to know I ALREADY said I'd take care of the agents who kept you? It's kind of pertinent information, given the Queen's distaste for loose ends. Or did you avoid revealing it to get back at me for your father's predicament? If so, BRAVO.... you're more devious than I expected."

Haleigh said, and then her gaze shifted to her mother.

"The mess I made WAS completely intentional.... The Count overplayed his hand, tried to taunt a spider without realizing he was already caught in her web. He deserved the discipline he got for it. When I was still pretending to be a good girl, I didn't give a damn about the collateral damage. The whole Nefaria operation could've gone down, for all I cared. Now that I'm with you, it wouldn't do to sustain the splash sabotage, so of COURSE I'll clean it up. Burning off the fuzz will be a walk in the park. Is there anything ELSE your Princess can do for you, or am I permitted to finally enjoy the party? "

I don't CARE what happened then, or who's intention was what. I want this FIXED.

The fact of the matter is that NOW you and Chrissy are ALLIES and will treat each other accordingly, is that clear? The White Court has the advantage of POWER on a high scale, as well as NUMBERS. But NEITHER of those will mean anything if we do not apply them in a concerted effort, and our individual endeavors serve to bring more success to the whole.

:: Malice HAD learned from the battles she'd lost in the past, including the one in the Terror Dome where she lost her HEAD, and her consciousness projected across the astral plane, taking over the body of her cross time alternate in the "Shadows & Skulls" timeline, the same timeline where the current Enchantrah came from. ::

I EXPECT that my White Princess will know better than to expose any OTHER member of the white court to being collateral damage.

And you are "permitted" to CONTINUE your existence as you know it. How much you make of it, or how you SQUANDER your time, is completely on YOU, daughter.

:: Looking at Chrissy::

Don't assume that Scion's behavior is par for the course. She is a "SPECIAL CASE." One that I PERSONALLY handle. YOU had best get yourself together.
If you DON'T heed my warning, your FATHER will learn of how SLOPPY you have been in carrying his mantle, and I know him well enough to know he will NOT look favorably on that...OR YOU.

Why don't you take the King into your bed now, and get out some of that pent up aggression? I'll go think about being a bad girl with somebody ELSE.

Save your recommendations, Scion. You of all people should know that sometimes, the only way for me to come close to "get out" some of my "pent up aggression"...is by DESTRUCTION.

:: She looks upon Haleigh with a slight smile on her face.::

Sometimes an artist can only find fullfillment in DESTROYING what she has CREATED. YOU are my creation.

:: Diana stared at Haleigh in "that way" , and left it at that. The girl was smart enough to figure out the rest. Lord Ravena knew too. He'd seen this look on her face....right before she was about to attack Domino at the Arklay mansion replica. He stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist.::

Lord Ravena: Malice, This is a joyous night, is it not? Your white court has swelled in ranks and power, and it's a testimony to why I chose to JOIN you on this court. Let the White Princess have her time to bask in this evening's glory, and allow Gia time to collect herself. Trust me...they WILL strive to prove themselves worthy of your grace...AND MINE.

Sometimes GLORY is best savored with a goblet of fresh BLOOD, is it not, Ravena?

:: Definitely a reply with double meaning, for not only was Ravena a sorcerer, he was also a VAMP, and Diana was DEFINITELY feeling predatory and bloodthirsty toward her daughter right now, and it wasn't a good thing for Haleigh. It wasn't about Ravena. But between this issue with Chrissy, and Haleigh's OBNOXIOUS flexing of her newfound status, Diana was losing her patience, and others who were astute, like Berserker, knew that Haleigh wasn't as INSULTATED as she thought she was, and by extension, AVA was at risk too.::


:: Ravena holds on to Malice a bit more tightly, knowing that if she shifts to diamond form to pursue Haleigh, he'll have to WHOLLY commit from restraining her from assaulting Haleigh. ::

Lord Ravena: PEACE, my Queen.

MAYBE LATER, Lord Ravena. Before peace...there must be destruction.

You've MISSED the point of your being here, Scion. You overestimate your worth. I POSSESS you now, to do with as I WILL. I don't CARE how much time you devote to trying to create inventive "come backs" in our communication. And perhaps you WOULD do well to approach Berserker, and distract him, because AVA is LESS than uninportant to me. I would EASILY be able to convince Helena to disavow her and leave her completely unprotected from my wrath, and if you think I CAN'T force you to destroy her with your own hands, you're even DUMBER than you look right now, standing here trying to bait me.

:: Haleigh could sense a shift in Malice's presentation toward her now. It was not unlike those moments in her flashbacks where she shifted from regarding Christopher as an asset, to regarding him as an annoyance, to regarding him as a TARGET.::

:: She'd HAVE to fix this, if she wanted to continue forward, but for now, it seemed that Lord Ravena had interceded, as he attempts to soothe the savage heart of Malice.::

I'm finished with these two for the night.

:: Why couldn't they be more like Fathom or even Emiko? Why did they have to be so damn SLOPPY?::

Lord Ravena: Then come, let us begin OUR evening. I am your King now, you owe me a proper welcome.

I don't owe anyone ANYTHING....

:: He ignores her "hissing" and turns Malice away from the White Princesss and White Bishop, and Diana allows it. Ravena knows that he CAN distract her from DESTROYING Haleigh or anyone else, at least for the night. But her "EYES" are still upon Haleigh.::

There is NO place on this earth that you can hide from me. NO POWER that can protect you. You are MINE, BODY AND SOUL, and if you think you can defy me, you'll do so at YOUR PERIL.


:: The White Queen and King disappear from the Portrait Hall.::

 

[Mystique]

"A finger nail."

An answer to Emiko's riddle.

The voice was heard between the sloppy ripping of flesh from muscle. "Floating" above Emiko and the man, Mystique sat cross legged in the air, looking down at the woman.

Many knew little of Emiko, Mystique knew more.

"Who makes it, but has no need of it. Who buys it, but has no use for it. Who uses it but can neither see nor feel it."

Tilting her head to the side.

"What is it?"

An easy riddle for the trickster, but telling.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Portrait Hall

Malice: POWER without consequence....not a SMART MOUTH. You might be my daughter, but if you think I'm going to suffer your insolence, I'll have you thinking you're an ANIMATED BROOM FROM FANTASIA.

Haleigh smirked, her eyes on Diana, her expression a little less than impressed.

You can do insults better than THAT. Certainly it'll be hard to top Emiko calling me a 'toaster'. I can't even be mad about it. I mean, I'm 'the Six' model, I'm a blend of machine and human, I can 'download' into a new body upon death.... It's immensely clever. Do you think it'd be racist for me to call her 'Boomer' in return?

They were having multiple conversations at once, some internally for their own benefit and some externally for the heed of others.

Malice: I don't CARE what happened then, or who's intention was what. I want this FIXED.

"Your wish is my command..."

She replied, but the delivery was nuanced, as if laced with contempt.

Malice: The fact of the matter is that NOW you and Chrissy are ALLIES and will treat each other accordingly, is that clear? The White Court has the advantage of POWER on a high scale, as well as NUMBERS. But NEITHER of those will mean anything if we do not apply them in a concerted effort, and our individual endeavors serve to bring more success to the whole.

"Spoken like a true strategic genius."

Malice: I EXPECT that my White Princess will know better than to expose any OTHER member of the white court to being collateral damage.

"And I expect the other members of the white court will give their Princess NO REASON for such retaliation."

Malice: And you are "permitted" to CONTINUE your existence as you know it. How much you make of it, or how you SQUANDER your time, is completely on YOU, daughter.

"You're too generous."

Malice: Save your recommendations, Scion. You of all people should know that sometimes, the only way for me to come close to "get out" some of my "pent up aggression"...is by DESTRUCTION. Sometimes an artist can only find fulfillment in DESTROYING what she has CREATED. YOU are my creation.

Haleigh met Diana's cold stare with a steely eyed smirk of her own.

You can be such a tease sometimes.

WAS she self-destructing? She was certainly gambling by pushing Diana's buttons, and experimenting to see what kind of rise she could get out of her mother. Did she have a death wish? It was more accurate to say she placed little value on her own life at this point in time. If she found no reward in coming here, she'd have no interest in continuing on.

Lord Ravena stepped in to distract Diana, and talk her down from the filicide she was clearly considering. Diana was losing her patience, and they could ALL see it. Only Haleigh was brazen enough to not be cowed by it.

Malice: Sometimes GLORY is best savored with a goblet of fresh BLOOD, is it not, Ravena?

Diana addressed the question to her King, but Haleigh knew it was a thinly veiled threat directed at HER. Haleigh gave her mother a wicked smirk, but when she replied, it wasn't verbal, it was cerebral.

Come at me, then. Give me the satisfaction of having provoked you to violence YET AGAIN. Let's see if the latent psionic abilities you passed on to me are strong enough for me to project myself across the sea to a new body on Sheena Island. If NOT, and I meet my permanent demise, the next time you face off against my former friends, I'll be a distant memory, and when you tell them you killed me? It'll merely be a confirmation of what they expect from you. They will already have let me go, and the news of my death will have no power to hurt them.

The White King had to physically RESTRAIN the Queen. Haleigh simply raised her eyebrows expectantly.

Lord Ravena: PEACE, my Queen.

Malice: MAYBE LATER, Lord Ravena. Before peace...there must be destruction.

Malice: You've MISSED the point of your being here, Scion. You overestimate your worth. I POSSESS you now, to do with as I WILL.

Haleigh nodded.

Yes, keep repeating that, and eventually we might BOTH believe it.

Malice: I don't CARE how much time you devote to trying to create inventive "come backs" in our communication. And perhaps you WOULD do well to approach Berserker, and distract him, because AVA is LESS than unimportant to me. I would EASILY be able to convince Helena to disavow her and leave her completely unprotected from my wrath, and if you think I CAN'T force you to destroy her with your own hands, you're even DUMBER than you look right now, standing here trying to bait me.

Haleigh sighed, shaking her head, as if disappointed.

I'M not the only one who can SQUANDER this opportunity, mother. Certainly you can TRY to force a willful offspring to do anything, or simply eliminate me if I become more trouble than you think I'm worth.... but my VALUE to you should be MORE than just the torture you can inflict on the Six. You want to use me against them, EVERYBODY knows that. If you were to send me against them, it would be a WASTE of a unique resource. Even I would fall against the whole group.

Lord Ravena was getting closer to success in pulling Malice away, but the White Queen continued to threaten her daughter even as she was guided away.

Malice: There is NO place on this earth that you can hide from me. NO POWER that can protect you. You are MINE, BODY AND SOUL, and if you think you can defy me, you'll do so at YOUR PERIL.

Haleigh watched Diana and Rav walk away.

If you say so.

She allowed, and then turned to Gia, who was literally on the edge of her seat, having been a spectator to half of that exchange. The girl looked shocked that Haleigh was still alive.

"Shit, she was gonna whoop your ass until I came along and distracted her. You're welcome. Get out there and party, Hellfire STILL hasn't seen you as the White Bishop."

She said, and then turned back for the Ballroom. She sauntered out onto the floor, easily picking out the two in red amongst a crowd dressed in black. She approached her sister and the Red Knight, gave Ava a smile that said 'I know what you did', and then spoke.

"Mind if I cut in?"

 

[Fathom]

The Hellfire Club -- Lunar Ballroom

For a while Heidi and Emiko had a little mischievous fun with the guests. Emiko was deeply depraved, which Heidi found even more amusing than the anguish of their victims. And then, unceremoniously, Emiko popped out, and didn't come back. Heidi shrugged and made her way to the Ballroom. There was some boring dance beat being played when she first arrived, and she headed for the bar, pulling out her crystal vial in anticipation. She slid onto a bar stool and was given a flute of water, which she promptly poisoned.

The music melted to a song she hadn't heard in a long time, but at least it was one she liked. She gazed out across the ballroom floor and saw that many people were making room for something which became visible as the crowd parted. It was the White King, dancing with the White Princess. Mostly it was classy, but unmistakably they seemed to be tantalizing each other, and Heidi narrowed her eyes. She didn't like the look of it AT ALL. The White Queen was no where to be seen, but Heidi HOPED Diana would hear of this, and give Heidi the pleasure of sending Scion a message similar to the one she delivered to Gia earlier. Just a single dance and they left. Heidi considered following, but didn't think it appropriate to doubt the King, and so she stayed and watched a couple in red steal the spotlight. She was intrigued immediately, not just because they were both so attractive, but because the Red court was quite a mystery to everyone else. She sipped her drink and watched them dance, wondering if the Red court housed powerhouses equivalent to the White. The man on the bar stool next to her interrupted her reverie.

Drunkard: Sooooo, suhweet-heart, would-ja like-ta danz?

Heidi glanced his way, sized him up, and then gave him a withering, dismissive grimace.

"No."

He was too drunk for his own good, and started slurring something about liking to do more. His hand fell to her thigh, and made it all the way up to her bared hip by the time Heidi set her drink down. No reason to spill a perfectly good refreshment in the process of crushing this creep. Before she turned to address the idiot, his hand was forcibly removed and he was flipped off his stool and onto his back by a man in a finely tailored black-on-black tuxedo.

"I COULD HAVE broken him on my OWN, sir."

Man: Of COURSE. A woman as gorgeous as you, wearing THAT ensemble, MUST be capable of taking care of herself. However.... it's not a matter of CAN you, but should you HAVE TO.

He replied with a winsome smile, as he stomped on the drunkard's head, knocking him clean out. He dragged the fool away from the now available seat next to Heidi, and took his place.

"Well, I suppose that's true enough."

The bartender came over and the suave man nodded in greeting, gently running his index finger down the scar next to his eye.

Man: I'll take Kraken spiced rum, with pineapple, on the rocks. And splash a little blue curacao in it for me, please.

Heidi looked him over, pleased enough so far, and decided to let him stay for now.

"I'm Heidi Scarborough, the White Knight of Hellfire."

Man: I'm enchanted.

Heidi rolled her eyes, but giggled in spite of herself. His gaze graced her body, pausing for a moment on her bodice, but not for the reason that would be assumed.

Man: No, honestly, I'm Dr. Jack Chondrich.

"A Doctor, how prestigious. What field?"

Jack: Marine biology. Many call me Neptune, but you can call me Jack.

"Neptune, eh? So you think you're the god of the sea, do you?"

He smiled sheepishly over his drink as Heidi teased him.

Jack: Well, all doctors think they're gods, but that's not why I earned that callsign. I was the head of Mystech's Marine Research Division.... most notable for our shark-based mutates, the Neptunes.

She finally looked impressed, and regarded him in a new light.

"The Neptunes, delightful! I deeply enjoyed swimming with them recently. Were you also responsible for the electric eels?"

Jack had an expression of adoration, and Heidi found she very much liked his attention, and the way he smelled of a fresh ocean breeze.

Jack: You SWAM with Neptunes and Moréias unscathed?

 

[Persephone]

Aleksander: "Good. Maybe I can keep you to myself a bit longer then."

"Maybe."

The music was a little slower now, but still intoxicating to the crowd. Ava's arms were draped around Alek's neck as they moved in unison to the beat of the music, yet her eyes followed Haleigh as she left the ballroom with Ravena.

Aleksander: "Let them stare at their new royalty.The best looking couple in this room isn't wearing white."

Ava smirked, looking back at Alek. He was a smooth bastard wasn't he? It was enjoyable to say the least, but Ava could see the inner workings of his mind cranking. He was a strategist, and the way he spoke about Helena wasn't lost to her. He was more loyal to Helena than probably any other Inner Circle member to their Queen. Perhaps she could sway him away....or at least have fun trying to.

"No doubt about that."

They continued to dance intimately close, more people beginning to take notice. Running her hands under his jacket, she could feel his muscles contract at her touch causing her to smile.

Haleigh: "Mind if I cut in?"

And buzzkill. Looking over at Haleigh, she gave Ava a knowing look. With both Haleigh and security cameras around, it was impossible for anyone to have a private moment without her knowing. Ava just smiled, shrugging one shoulder up as if to say 'sorry not sorry'.

"Of course, you majesty."

She turned to Alek, her voice lower now, though making no attempt to hide what she was saying.

"I'll see you later."

Ava stepped away from Alek, her hand sliding from behind his jacket and trailing around to his stomach; a few fingers finding their way into the band of his pants before finally her hand left his body. Ava then looked at Haleigh once more before passing, giving her a little more serious of a look--the look that said they needed to talk soon.

"Have fun."

Making her way to the bar, she noted that the White Knight was having a conversation with a man. Taking a seat a couple bar stools away from them, Ava ordered a drink and began to study the crowd around her.

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Mansion – The Portrait Hall to Lunar Ballroom


So Malice ranted and raved about the mess that Haleigh had created for Gia, and because of that, Haleigh would be the one to ‘take care of them’. Then HALEIGH got up all in Diana’s face and somehow managed to SURVIVE…but barely. Luckily Ravena, the new White King, was there to drage her away. Gia looked from Diana’s receding figure to Haleigh.

“Ooh, girl! I’d watch my step, if I were you. I wouldn’t test her like that.”

Gia cocked her head.

“Unless you have a death wish.”

Haleigh: "Shit, she was gonna whoop your ass until I came along and distracted her. You're welcome. Get out there and party, Hellfire STILL hasn't seen you as the White Bishop."

Then Scion took her leave as well. Gia sighed. She may as well have SOME fun. She got up and headed downstairs. When she got down to the last step of the staircase she brightened considerably because there, waiting for her, was HIM.

Samuel: *low voice*: “Finally decided to join the party, huh, Giuletta?”

Gia thrilled at the sound of her name. Samuel was the ONLY one who called her by her first name. He was grinning devilishly at her. Gia shook her head before wiping somebody’s lipstick off his face. His bowtie was undone and his shirt was untucked. A few buttons were missing from his shirt as well. It also looked as if he had been doing some kind of drug.

“Looks like YOU had a fun night.”

Samuel smirked and held out his arm for Gia to take.

Samuel: “Some broad jumped me and straddled me. Before I knew it, her hand was down my pants and her lips were on my face.”

*teasingly*: “Naturally you didn’t pull away.”

Samuel: *wickedly*: “Naturally.”

Samuel grabbed her hand and kissed it before leading her into the Lunar Ballroom. She and Samuel knew each other since they were teenagers. Samuel was the son of her father’s Underboss. They had met one night at one of their organization’s get-together and bonded over their cocaine use – it was what they had used to get through the drab party and they both sat together and made fun of the other people. Yeah, they were both fifteen, but they didn’t care. A few days later, Gia had caught Samuel torturing a hurt pigeon and pleaded with him to join in. He relented and they had bonded ever since. They were both dark and they indulged each other in their macabre passions. They were best friends…and their freaky passions soon lead to MORE. They didn’t like labels, so they never referred to each other as boyfriend or girlfriend. Besides, they had fun times on the side…not that they cared what the other did. In fact, it only ADDED to their slightly freaky relationship.

As soon as they entered, several people came up to congratulate Gia on her new position as White Bishop.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. Yes, I hope that I will do my father proud. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go dance.”

Gia and Samuel made their way to the dance floor and began to dance. Gia wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She snuggled in closer. THIS was MUCH better.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Lunar Ballroom

Ava shrugged off the meaningful look Haleigh gave her and consented to Haleigh taking over as the song wound down. Haleigh gave a sharp but playful sigh at the 'title'.

"Actually, 'Your Majesty' is reserved for the King and Queen. A princess is more correctly addressed as 'Your Highness', or if you're feeling REALLY facetious, 'Your ROYAL Highness'."

She replied, her tone sarcastic, because if she didn't have a sense of humor about this, she was going to lose her fucking mind. Ava rolled her eyes and loudly told Alek that she'd see him later, and then gave Haleigh a glance that said they needed to debrief about their respective Hellfire developments. Haleigh gave the slightest of confirmation nods. Ava told them to have fun, and Haleigh half smiled. They were going to have SOMETHING, alright.

A new song was blended in. Haleigh moved into the space where Ava had just been, though not quite as intimate, Haleigh was not afraid to get close. At this proximity, he gave an even stronger impression of being 'bearish'. He was positively MASSIVE, nearly a foot taller than her, probably at least a hundred pounds heavier. It was difficult to avoid noticing the way he filled his suit out, or his earthy scent of blood, sweat, and sex. She looked up at him with evident curiosity.

"So.... YOU'RE the Red Knight. Anything in particular I should know about you before we move forward?"

 

[Berserker]

The Ballroom

"Mind if I cut in?"

It looked like he was going to get to see if the rumors about Haleigh Davidoff were true after all. He smiled graciously, allowing Ava to answer.

"Actually, 'Your Majesty' is reserved for the King and Queen. A princess is more correctly addressed as 'Your Highness', or if you're feeling REALLY facetious, 'Your ROYAL Highness'."

He hoped there was sarcasm in there, otherwise, this was going to be a hell of a long dance. Stuck up bitches he didn't need.

"I'll see you later."

She was hot as molten lava, and she knew it.

"Count on it."

He gave Scion a little bow before placing one hand gently on her waist and taking her hand in his with the other.

"So.... YOU'RE the Red Knight. Anything in particular I should know about you before we move forward?"

"Call me Alek."

He smiled down at her.

"What would you like to know?"

He expertly dipped Haleigh, then with some force pulled her back upright.

"I have a question for you...tell me, does virginal white suit the new white princess as little as it does her mother? Because I'd love to see Red in you..."

He paused just a little bit too long before correcting himself.

"I mean, on you."

He grinned wide, showing off white teeth, and subtlety switched his stance so that his shirt hung open to reveal his muscular chest.

 

[Nogitsune]

Somewhere in the lower levels of the Hellfire Mansion...

"A finger nail."

Emiko clapped her hands together.

"Yes!"

She looked up and saw Mystique floating above her.

"Who makes it, but has no need of it. Who buys it, but has no use for it. Who uses it but can neither see nor feel it. What is it?"

"Mystique! You've come to play with me!"

She grinned. On someone else, it would have looked child-like, on Emiko, it looked demented.

Her face morphed into an expression of deep thought.

"Hmm."

She sat down on the floor, cross-legged, mimicking Mystique's position.

She tapped an index finger against her temple.

"Let me see...that would have to be...a COFFIN!"

She jumped to her feet with glee.

"Is that right? Did I get it?"

Laughing giddily, she looked down at the heap of something that used to be human on the floor, then back up at Mystique.

"You wanna? He's not quite dead yet."

Emiko snapped her fingers, and a jeweled knife appeared in her hand, which she held out to Mystique.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Lunar Ballroom

He held her like he was afraid he might break her, which she found immensely amusing. The song started quietly with the pace of an adagio, so they swayed slowly along, and there was plenty of opportunity to talk.

Alek: Call me Alek.

"Oh, we're going with first names. I wonder.... do you already know what to call me?"

Her lips curled into a sly leer. The beat made it first appearance in the music, and Alek dipped her with practiced ease, and when he pulled her back up, he was less gentle than before, and there was something feral in his gaze. Haleigh found herself responding without choice. She could see exactly why Ava had received him the way she had.

Alek: I have a question for you...tell me, does virginal white suit the new white princess as little as it does her mother? Because I'd love to see Red in you...

There was a long pause, and then he 'fixed' his statement.

Alek: I mean, on you.

Haleigh laughed and shook her head.

"No you don't."

She challenged, and he offered only a predatory smile, and an open shirt. He didn't even really NEED a shirt, truthfully. She had a passing desire to rip it off, but she managed to control it. He turned her around and she leaned back against him, as he wrapped his rippled forearms around her. She wanted to be present, but every time she blinked the memory of being with Cameron blitzed her. She knew she couldn't possibly expect to ever have another night with Cameron again. The very thought of it could get him killed, so she pushed those sentiments down as far as possible and tried to convince herself that the sooner she destroyed any temptation, the better. Then she remembered that Alek had never answered her original question. In fact, he'd only deflected by asking if there was anything in particular she wanted to know.

"How about you tell something that I couldn't possibly have learned about you while you were in the Red Lounge with my sister?"

 

[Wallflower]

The Hellfire Club - Lunar Ballroom

:: Amanda danced the night away for quite some time, her eyes and ears on everything unfolding around her. She wanted to give in the night, and for a while she had. She was truly having fun. But there was something present in the room that was getting in the way a bit. For as much as the people in this ballroom tried to live by the credo of "Power Without Consequence" the absence of that was crystal clear to Amanda as the champagne began to take hold and she found herself in that familiar haze of awareness that every now and then pops up when the mind is a little less restrained. They would do what they will tonight, they would enjoy themselves, but their actions would be brought up again. The things they did in this ballroom and personal chambers would be used against them, their secrets traded as currency. They were fooling themselves into thinking that this night was somehow different from the others and The White Queen had tricked them into it. None of them were free, especially not those in The Inner Circle. Like her, they might have gotten new leases on life, but they still had masters to serve, they still had things required of them in order to keep their position. Their power was STEEPED in consequence, and the only person who that didn't seem to apply to was Malice. ::

:: The life that Amanda had lived before all of this had made her intimately aware of human nature, of basic instinct. She knew what people would do if they wanted something badly enough, what they were capable of when the thing they wanted most was held over their hand. She herself had done any number of horrible things to procure what she wanted when all she wanted was drugs and to feel numb. She saw that kind of need in Diana, though she didn't want drugs. She wanted power. As she made her way through the dancefloor, where the crowd was intrigued by the ever changing dance partners of The Red Knight, somebody, like everybody else on the Red Court, she had barely seen. Sitting at the bar, she switched from champagne to Chardonnay. Of course, because she was no longer some wanton woman looking for a fix, and rather now, a somewhat introverted, complex intellectual, her mind went to Steinbeck. ::

"Maybe we all have in us a secret pond where evil and ugly things germinate and grow strong. But this culture is fenced, and the swimming brood climbs up only to fall back. Might it not be that in the dark pools of some men the evil grows strong enough to wriggle over the fence and swim free?"

:: It was one of her favorite books and tonight, it's themes of good versus evil in East of Eden were very present. She had tried to attach many archetypes and characters to Malice since her arrival at The Hellfire Club, a hobby of hers while in the shackles of her re-education. A drunken man saddles up next to her, putting his arm around her as she crinkles her nose. Without speaking, she holds the man's arm next to her as it appears as if she is going to kiss his bicep. ::

Drunk Man: "Hell yeah. Kiss those muscles, Madame Butterfly!"

:: Her eyes narrow as just before her lips touch his skin, a pair of large and dripping FANGS can be seen as she BITES into the man's arm with a quickness and surprising brutality. The man's eyes widen as the effects of Amanda's venom come over him immediately and severely. She was not playing games with him as she was Archer. She shifted her weight, now face to face with him. ::

"Oops."

:: The man fell over and onto the ground, convulsing as the fang marks on his arm began to blister and the veins underneath the skin began to turn a shade of black. Soon, members of the black guard swarmed the location and dragged the man away from her, an abject lesson in the consequences of racism and buffoonery. And worse he had made her lose her train of thought. ::

"Where was I? Ahh yes, Steinbeck."

:: Diana was a complex woman and as she watched her leave with The White King in tow, after an awkward, but silent seeming power struggle between herself and the new White Princess, she continued to analyze the woman, and try to figure her out. It was clear that she was somewhat of a victim, though to call her that out loud would surely mean death. But she was. Somewhere at some point in her life, something very big had been taken from her, something that changed her, and something she wanted to punish the world for. For as mysterious as she was, her pain and her very essence was very recognizable to Amanda, who had lost something very precious to her at a young age. The two had just went down different paths. This kind of insight was precious and rare and she knew it, and she wasn't about to share these revelations with anybody. In any case, the sequence of events that had transpired tonight had made one thing very clear to her tonight. The person in ultimate control of this place and it's walls was Malice, and if Amanda wanted to protect herself as well as Kelly, she would need to continue to remain a loyal mystery. ::

:: As she watched the others give into the night, her mind remained clear. Rosters changed frequently in this place. People overestimated their worth, miscalculated their value and were DONE. Amanda would not be one of those people. And as The Black Knight, she would not let Kelly be one of those people either. She would let the other members of The Inner Circle sew their oats, and for some of them, their inevitable destruction and she would find a way to navigate around the fallout. Drug addicts were tricky that way. ::

:: Still, she couldn't help but be impressed with the night. If this had been a few years ago, she would have been running around with a lampshade on her head, willing to bed anybody that came her away. But not tonight. She had wanted to show the world who she was now. She had wanted to revel in the excess that came with membership to The Hellfire Club, but that wasn't who she was anymore. Now, she was a woman poised to do very well for herself, with a very specific plan on how to do that. If that meant there would be no stories of her being a sloppy mess throughout the halls, then so be it. Perhaps it was better to keep them guessing. Perhaps she also didn't care anymore. ::

"But how can you not in a place like this?"

 

[Berserker]

The Ballroom

"Oh, we're going with first names.

He stopped dancing, and looked at her, his face serious.

"The only person I address by their title is Helena Quartermaine. If you have a problem with that we can just say goodnight right now..."

I wonder.... do you already know what to call me?"

He started leading her around the floor once again.

"What do you want me to call you?"

His smile had returned, the tension gone from his body as quickly as it had come.

"How about you tell something that I couldn't possibly have learned about you while you were in the Red Lounge with my sister?"

He laughed.

"I heard you like to watch. Join us next time."

He pulled her to him so their bodies pressed together.

"That doesn't count? Well, then...let me see. I was dead once, so we have that in common."

He leaned in closer to whisper to her.

"And I've never met a woman who could go longer than me."

He pulled back, locking eyes with her.

"I've heard you like a challenge. And admit it, don't you want to know what it's like to be with someone you don't have to worry about breaking in half?"

 

[Domino]

Hellfire Mansion - Lunar Ballroom

"What a woman!"

:: The passion. The FIRE! The sheer brutality of it all. Sharon Kelly was a force of nature that Domino had knelt next to and drank from with wild abandon. They had laid waste to the Black Diamond suite and as they laid there in a huddled mess, with most of the patrons running off with fear, Maxine had a perverse expression of joy on her face. She always enjoyed a conquest, especially one as obstinate as Sharon Kelly. Domino was a rebel. She thrived in situations that seemed impossible and she reveled in getting with women the world told her she had no business in getting. All in all, despite Diana's nefarious attempts to use Jessica as a weapon against Haleigh and Ava, Maxine was definitely enjoying herself. In Europe, there was far too much custom, too much propriety and happenstance. Here in the states and under the firm and watchful eye of Diana, she was allowed to be herself without consequence and it was exciting to say the least. ::

:: Sharon Kelly lay sleeping next to Maxine, with Domin's arm wrapped around her. For a moment she stared at the blonde, silver eyed beauty and thought for a moment of sleeping there with her. Of making a proper night of things and cooking her breakfast in the morning. Thankfully, Maxine came to her senses, threw on her shirt and left Sharon asleep at the center of a broken table where they had ended up when the throws of passion became too much for her. She was a pretty bird and while Maxine would definitely be up for another round with the Silver Swan, she knew Sharon would act as if she was outside of her senses. She would play some kind of doe in the woods, as if she didn't want what happened just as much as Maxine had, and Maxine wasn't really the type of woman to play games like that. The two had experienced something deeply sexual, perverse and ritualistic and that was that. It probably wouldn't happen again, and Maxine was okay with that. But that didn't mean, that Maxine wasn't going to shout it from the rooftops. She had bedded Sharon Kelly in the walls of The Hellfire Mansion, which from what Maxine had heard, was standard operating procedure from Sharon. Pulling her tuxedo jacket over her shirt, Maxine left Sharon in a heap and made her way to the lunar ballroom where the entire Inner Circle seemed to be gathering in any number of ways. ::

:: It seemed like the party was dying down, and as the crowd began to thin out, ready to engage in any number of depraved activity, Maxine's haunting, icy blue eyes began to focus on Haleigh Davidoff and Alek Hallbjorn dancing in the center of the room, obviously engaged in some kind of sexy subterfuge. She cracked a wicked smile as she was on them in an instant. ::

Berserker: "I've heard you like a challenge. And admit it, don't you want to know what it's like to be with someone you don't have to worry about breaking in half?"

:: Maxine laughed. ::

"If that's the case, I'd say she's dancing with the wrong man."

:: She moved in between them. ::

"Alek. You hairy little bastard you. Might I get a bit of the White Princess's attention? I mean. Everybody is tripping over their dick to get to her and something tells me that YOURS has already been QUITE worshipped enough for one evening!"

:: Leaning in she whispered to Alek. ::

"Don't worry, mi amor. Mine has been too."

:: Maxine kissed Alek on the cheek. He was one of the FEW members of The Inner Circle that she didn't want to gut like a fish upon seeing them. He was strong and he was also a gentleman. A far cry from the depraved half breeds she had experienced thus far in her life. ::

"I promise, Red Knight. I'll have her back to you soon."

:: Moving AWAY from Alek, Domino took Haleigh's hand and began to lead them in a dance as the music continued. He would understand and she was on a high. Maxine DIPPED Haleigh on the dancefloor and pulled her up provocatively. ::

"Sorry for bashing your sister upside the head. You should take that apology as it doesn't happen often."

:: She leaned in and kissed Haleigh's neck with a cheeky smile. ::

"I also have come from giving a proper romp in the hay, as you Americans say, to the Silver Swan, so I am a little amped up."

:: Spinning around. ::

"I do rather like you, Scion. You remind me of myself. Please don't make me have to kill you. You and I. I think we might be able to do some very beautiful things together. I know you're digging for intel. It's what I'd do...So...consider it a welcoming gift. What would you like to know from somebody who knows the inner workings of things around here and is not bound to a court. A no agenda free for all if you will?"