The old order changes

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Oracle blew a large bubble with her gum as she swiveled back and forth in her desk chair. She was watching the Hellfire Club, and all was quiet. Not very exciting.

Things had gone well with Dominique, better than expected, really – and they had gotten Richard Martin in the deal. Zizi knew she was the right thing for the team, but convincing the rest of them that? Not so easy. But when things came down to it, they would do what needed to be done, she was certain of it. Like tonight.

“Ho ho ho!”

Oracle stop swiveling and skooched in closer to the screen, waving her hand over the control pad to zoom in on a few of the cameras she had borrowed control of.

“Well, hello boys.”

Hellfire troops had taken up position around the building.

[over com]: “Be advised, we have Hellfire activity in the area.”

Valkyrie [over com]: “So can we waste these assholes or what?”

[over com]: “All units – HOLD your positions. We’re just here to watch. Let them flinch first, Valkyrie.”

Valkyrie [over com]: “You are no fun.”

Oracle had put Valkyrie, Steel and a couple of his people on the ground, at a distance, just in case she needed someone to move in to protect Dominique. She had full faith that Isis would have arranged for adequate protection for herself, but it never hurt to have a couple faces the Hellfire Club wouldn’t recognize in the vicinity – just in case.

Oracle watched as Malice showed up to the farewell party. Something nagged at her about the White Queen. Isis and the Six had sworn up and down that Malice could not be involved with the Purifiers, but Zizi wasn’t so sure. That woman had SOMETHING up her sleeve, regardless. And if she was a betting girl – which she wasn’t – she would risk all her marbles on Malice not letting Isis leave quietly.

Speaking of not letting Isis leave quietly…Black Widow had just approached Malice.

“She’s as bad as Ashley.”

[over com]: “An altercation is brewing on the front steps of the Hellfire. Wait for my go-ahead, but be advised this could go off, real quick.”

 

[Matrix]

RICHARD, I have secured us accommodation away from the Parthenon for a few days following our departure tonight to give us BOTH a chance to truly decompress and prepare for our new future.

Oracle has also agreed to help gauage and further train you in your abilities. I am en route to the Hellfire Mansion now. Keep your guard up and I will see you soon.

He knew the drill. And he was not going to allow anything to derail it. Everything was already packed and most of what he thought best to touch was already prepared for shipment. And so he waited and got his mind right for what he knew would happen.

Soon enough she was there and she teleported away everything she wanted, scrubbed the place of her presence and now was taking one last look in the mirror. She definitely had things on her mind and who could blame her? Meanwhile, the tone with the help became more hostile. Maybe he would have to fucck someone up after all.

Miss D! Everything is ready for whenever you want to leave.

WE can leave at anytime, Richard.

:: She reminded him as she saw him in the background of her own reflection in the mirror she stood in front of::


I'm not leaving you behind.

:: She turned around to face him::


Time grows short. Let us take our leave of this place.

He knew that is what would happen, but it felt good to hear her SAY it. But he did not trust either Queen and he suspected a trap, and so he placed a hand on her hip, peering around the corner before exiting.

I'll take point. None of these jerks can touch me.

We shall walk TOGETHER, Richard.

I am no longer your QUEEN, but you ARE still my ward and your wellbeing is still my concern.

He stopped her, taking the rare (even for them) moment to touch her face, causing her gaze to meet his.

It takes more than a Club to make a Queen.

His point made, Richard walked with Dominique as the moved to exit this place. But of course, nothing could be easy. This bitch had the mercs out, also known as the cannon fodder but whatever.

Mercenaries!

:: Mere HOURS earlier, Dominique herself could have called the Hellfire Mercenaries into action, but now, only two other people had that authority in this place and she was quite certain which one of them had done so.::


Richard, stay by my side. NO overt displays of aggression. We're departing...not starting a fight!

Loud and clear ma'am. And things were good, until SHE made her play. Richard stepped in front as she began to speak.

DOMINIQUE.

:: The White Queen stands there, BLOCKING the way out for Isis and Richard. Nicolas, Haleigh and Oracle ALL see the arrival of the White Queen and the face-to-face confrontation that is unfolding::

I couldn't LET you leave.

Rich wanted a go at this old lady, but she was the one that Miss D said to leave be. Apparently some idiot drew up a truce with Dragon Lady and now she had to be allowed to be a superdouche at will as long as no one was hurt. And she was taking FULL advantage.

Calm your little action figure, Isis. Before I psionically convince him he's an animated broom from Fantasia.

Yep, he was gonna haveta kill her.

Richard was slowly changing, thinking of what could kill everything in the room when...

:: Isis moves Richard to her side, extending her arm over in front of him::

Diana, this is a FOOLISH move on your part. I informed you, from the BEGINNING that my time with the Hellfire Club would be at MY choosing. And do NOT threaten Richard, unless you want to face ME in combat.

WE WILL take our leave of you, AND this place and you will not stop us.

It was now a standoff, and Diana tried her best to get in Rich's head, incite him further, when he heard...NICOLAS?!

Stay cool. She is talking too much. We have your back.

Strangely enough, Rich began to relax. They did not always see eye to eye, but he knew that Nic hated this crowd as much as he now did, and he would not let Miss D come to harm. But who else was outside? Who was the the WE?

Haleigh opened her car door and stepped out into the street, strolling right up to the front, looking quite cavalier in a little black cocktail dress. Halter tops always looked great on her, and the chilly temp didn't bother her in the least. She looked ready for a night on the town, even though she didn't really plan on one. Her heels clicked on the stone steps as she approached.

"WHY would she be afraid, Diana?? You said YOURSELF.... the TRUCE STILL STANDS......'as long as BOTH sides abide by its terms and conditions'."

Gotcha. The ball was now in Diana's court...

 

[Rampage]

Haleigh caught up with Nicolas, insisted on going. Fine by him. She was a good friend, damn good fighter and pleasant to look at. 3 for 3. They took the Aston over to the designated spot and waited. Right on time, the show commenced. Malice and Isis were face to face and it was obvious that she was trying to bait him and DEFINITELY baiting Richard. Nicolas tensed, but the fell of Haleigh's hand on his arm was enough to help him re-center.

Malice: What's the matter, Dominique? AFRAID of what might happen?

"Nic, play it cool. If you let her see a bruise, she'll poke the SHIT out of it."

Haleigh opened her car door and stepped out into the street, strolling right up to the front, looking quite cavalier in a little black cocktail dress. Halter tops always looked great on her, and the chilly temp didn't bother her in the least. She looked ready for a night on the town, even though she didn't really plan on one. Her heels clicked on the stone steps as she approached.

"WHY would she be afraid, Diana?? You said YOURSELF.... the TRUCE STILL STANDS......'as long as BOTH sides abide by its terms and conditions'."

Nicolas stayed in the car, he touched his communicator and whispered into Haleigh's ear.

I am not the play, Rich is. I have him.

• Stay cool. She is talking too much. We have your back.
  
  Rich seemed to be holding so far, but there was still a standoff. It might be time to notify the OTHER piece in play...only time would tell.

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon – Cameron’s Floor

"Please...as if you could offend THIS wanton trollop!"

:: Cass nodded her touché and chuckled. Blaze answered Cameron in typical Blaze fashion. ::

"When you see a wanton trollop, babe, you give her a KISS!"

:: Cass laughed at Blaze’s expression. It felt really nice to be able to laugh again. Cameron turned to her with an unreadable expression, almost as if he were sizing her up for some reason. ::

"Come on. Sit Down."

:: He gestured to the spot next to him and Cass went over to him, sitting down. Cameron grabbed her hand gently. ::

Cameron: "I don't know if he's dead, darlin’...but whoever he is…if he's not and he comes for you…we'll take care of it..."

:: Tears welled up in Cass’ eyes as Cameron sent her a thought call. She should’ve known that he would pick up on her anxious thoughts, but it never even occurred to her. She hugged Cameron. ::

”Thank you SO much.”

:: She turned her face away from Blaze, so her friend wouldn’t notice the few tears sliding down her face. She had unresolved issues when it came to her ex-boyfriend, and she WAS afraid of him; she was. After all, while their entire relationship had been a LIE on his part, she held nothing back and so while she didn’t know HIM, he knew HER. His intimate knowledge of her – in EVERY sense of the word – made him a huge hypothetically formidable foe in her eyes. So that was why thinking about him as dead was a comfort for her. ::

”I promise that when there’s more time, if there’s more time, I’ll go more in depth on this.”

:: She squeezed Cameron’s hand and took a few seconds to collect herself. Blaze was in party mode and Cass didn’t want to be the one to drag everybody down. Blaze’s voice broke in. She was giving her opinion on what Cass’ next step should be. Cass discreetly wiped her eyes and smiled at Blaze. ::

"Mmm."

"Remember what we talked about earlier? Most people don't get to ponder "what to do" after living for 8 decades. Your life is before you."

"I don't think you should just BLOW OFF After Dark, but, don't feel RESTRAINED by it either. You could ease your transition out of the club, installing a new management team, and if necessary, offer your resignation when the time is right."

"You've got more than enough INVESTORS among your team mates to help you start your own personal venture OR...if you're not ready to "do" anything right now, DON'T. Just BE. Be an adventurer, be a member of the Six, hone your skills and powers, and build on that part of you that you showed at the Cathedral. Even depowered...you stood up to protect yourself and Cameron. Imagine how MUCH MORE you can do now? And with continued training, you can do it with STYLE and PIZAZZ!"

"Shortly after I first arrived here, I chose to live at Minerva's Aerie. I wasn't working like I am now."

"Still, Cameron's thoughts do raise an important question: If more than one person feels ready to relocate to NYC, what will Morgan do with Melrose Place? And somehow...I don't imagine Morgan living in the Parthenon. "

"Nothing against you, Cam. But my sister is NEVER going to live in a building where a MAN lives on the top floor!"

"Hey...nobody said she had to live here. But I have to admit it would be [gazing off into the distance dreamily] pretty funny [flashing a cheeky smile]."

"Yeah...and it'll be even FUNNIER if Morg decides to MOVE The Parthenon to LIMBO! She'll show YOU who's ON TOP!"

"Blaze is right though CJ. The Zenith Group has pretty diverse portfolios with holdings in a number of different industries. Just shoot me a list of your interests and i'll arrange a tour. We can see what strikes you..."

[thinking for a moment]

"I think after what we went through together at St. Patrick's it might be just what you need. Speaking of that night..."

"I want to thank you for what you did to me. I have to admit I didn't know what was going on with you. I just knew I wanted you back. I was frustrated and maybe I wasn't helpful...but I want to thank you for saving me when I couldn't save myself. I won't forget it and I hope you know I would do the same for you."

:: Cass hugged Cameron again and took hold of his hand, squeezing it gently. She had a serious expression on her face. ::

“I…had some deep trauma in my past that had to be dealt with SOMEHOW. It just happened during a very unfortunate situation. I don’t know if this is the right time to try to explain it to you, especially with Party Girl over there wanting to celebrate life…”

:: She gestured to Blaze. ::

“…but I would very much like the opportunity to explain myself sometime.”

:: She smiled at both Blaze and Cameron. ::

“I think I’ll follow Blaze’s advice of just BEING and not DOING…” *michieviously*: “…but I won’t follow her advice of living on Aerie.”

:: She took a deep breath. ::

“I need to figure out who I am…”

:: Her face took on a pensive expression. Cameron proposed a toast. ::

"So a toast perhaps?! To new beginnings?!"

“I’ll drink to that!”

:: They clinked their glasses together in a toast. Cass wasn’t sure what the future held for her. She was tempted to go find Alison, so the seer could give her a few hints as to what’s in store for her, but she wasn’t sure if that was even allowed. She could discern that Cameron felt a bit uneasy for a few seconds, but it had past and Cass didn’t want the night to go downhill after just toasting to new beginnings so she didn’t do anything. Cameron brought up the new group. Cass had noticed there were others at the cathedral, but she didn’t know who – or what – they are. ::

"So..Blaze..are you feeling any better about this new team of Elizabeth--excuse me.."Zizi's"? I'm not sure how I feel about it myself. It's weird. Another dog in the yard so to speak..I can tell you've been feeling a certain way about it."

"I'm about the same as you on that, Cam.

I really think Zizi is awesome! She's a high powered information broker and in this day and age, that puts her in a powerful position. What mutant or meta-human WOULDN'T want her as an ally? But...I am not so certain about that Ashley Oldenburg. That is one seriously aggressive viking. Yeah she's GREAT in battle AND she's babe-a-licious, but...she's...there's just something WRONG with her!"

:: Cass snickered at "babe-a-licious. ::

"Zizi, Steel, that vamp...Mina, they represent something I never got to see in my own timeline...at least not until AFTER the "mainstreams" came and helped us take down Mystech and we got to Canada. OTHER mutants and metas, who want to HELP.

The Six has largely had to stand alone and WE are the ones destined to protect the world from Mystech...an entity most of OUR fathers and/or mothers are responsible for. But there are OTHER issues, OTHER burdens all around us."

"This latest issue with the Purifiers, the fact that we NEEDED HELP...it was..."

"...Well it was humbling for all of us. But at least Zizi and her people aren't RUBBING OUR FACES in it. "

"Maybe we're just so accustomed to doing that to EACH OTHER about things that we expect OTHERS to be just as...dysfunctional as we are sometimes?"

"Still, it IS a source of relief to know that there are others out here who can and WANT to help. Who knows when the next "CIRCE" might come thundering in and we get sucked into a temporal vortex! there will still be people that need help here...and how about that guy...Tachyon? Was HE cool? I've never seen a live speedster before."

"And Andrew Murphy, Sally Spectra's driver! The Nimrod identified HIM as a mutant! Can you believe that?"

"AND...he clearly has a thing for Delilah. I've noticed THAT before. He's either incredibly brave, OR a glutton for punishment."

:: Cass was listening to the back and forth between Blaze and Cameron. She wasn’t sure who they were talking about. She didn’t know Zizi, Steel, Mina, or Ashley Oldenburg, but she did know Sally Spectra’s driver by sight. ::

“I don’t know who Zizi and all those other people are, but if Ashley Oldenburg is the Valkyrie, she is definitely a handful. I’ve come across some Valkyries during my time in Europe and they are about THE biggest bitches you’ll ever meet. Even when captured, which had astounded me, they were just…awful.”

:: Cass had encountered a few Valkyries during her time in Eastern Europe and they WERE a force to be reckoned with. They looked down on pretty much everybody around them and they were pretty obnoxious. Cass had grown up hearing stories about them, never really knowing for sure if they were real or nor, but she did have the opportunity to engage with one during her time in the lab. She was seven years old and she had been hearing stories from adults in the lab that Valkyries were in fact real and how strong in battle they were, and so Cass was shocked to see a SS guard bring one in. She was beautiful and she was strong. There was fire in her eyes that Cass could see but once the Nazis broke her down, and no matter how long it took, they ALWAYS broke you down, she could see that the Valkyrie just checked out. She didn’t go insane, but rather she just went inside of herself. She didn’t eat, she didn’t talk, and she was just…there, curled up in a corner with her chains wearing a fierce expression on her face. Because of her mother’s teachings, Cass took pity on the warrior and did what she could to help her. She left her bits of her meager meals, and gave her her own threadbare blanket when she spotted the woman shivering. Cass never received so much as a thank you but the Valkyrie did acknowledge Cass with a nod once and just with that simple gesture, Cass knew that the Valkyries prided themselves on loyalty. One day, Cass went to see how the Valkyrie was faring and was saddened to see that they had taken her away. She had encountered more of them when she finally made her escape and they all thought they were something special…and everybody else wasn’t. Cass didn’t like them. ::

“With regards to Andrew, I think he and Delilah would make a cute couple. After what she had gone through, she deserves some fun.”

:: She looked over at Cameron. ::

“Speaking of Delilah, if you talk to her, tell her that I said thank you for saving our friend. I know she only killed Mary Justice because of you and only you, Cameron. I doubt she would even want to hear it from me.”

:: She had gotten up and refreshed her drink. ::

“She was kind of a bitch from when I first tried to talk to her.”

:: She took a drink. ::

“I won’t be making THAT mistake again.”

:: Realizing that what she had said could come out sounding wrong, she shook her head. ::

“I really do care about her, you know. She's our team mate, and also part of our family. Just like I know that when the chips are down, I know that I will always have AVA's back and I know Ava will have mine...hopefully."

 

[Persephone]

Alison: I'm getting TIRED of people thinking it's okay to dismiss, mock and minimize ME because I'm a precog, but expecting a level a recognition they themselves aren't willing to give.

Despite Alison denying that Vivica was worth her energy, whatever had happened between the two of them really irritated Alison more than she would have liked to admit. Ava sat there quietly and allowed her friend to vent. But the moment she started saying that people minimized her abilities, the goddess shook her head.

"No one has ever dismissed or minimized your abilities Alison. Despite what has happened in the past, everyone understands the burden you carry as a precog....whether they are willing to admit it or not."

Ava was obviously referencing the recent events involving Delilah. She knew well enough not to bring that subject up.

Alison: Ava, thank you very much for hosting me during all this.

"Of course...you know you're welcome here anytime, Alison."

Alison: One thing the Purifier situation reminded me of, is that I need to not miss any opportunity I have to tell my FRIENDS how I feel about them.

Ava gently nodded in agreement. After loosing her family and teammates in her own timeline and never getting a chance to say goodbye, the goddess knew just how precious something as simple as a 'thank you' or an 'i love you' could be. More recent events gave her a painful reminder of that as well.

Alison: You're a great friend and I never feel like I have to "dumb it down" to talk to you. I can't say that about too many other people.

"The same can be said for you Alison. Aside from Haleigh, you're the only person I feel I can be myself around without any judgement. You two always have my back, even in my darkest hours....which are quite a lot...

Ava stated with a small laugh.

Alison: So much has changed since Illustra fell. For us, for this city...everything.....I know you've been seeing Karen since the Purifiers confrontation...don't worry, I won't say anything. You made a promise to Zach, and you're keeping your word.

Ava looked away from Alison, her eyes finding the flickering flames of the fire that roared in her fireplace. She had just said not a moment earlier that she could rely on Alison to have her back...to never judge her...yet here she sat, unable to open up to her friend about something that she NEEDED to let out.

Alison: I'm relieved that you didn't retreat into yourself or withdraw from the resources of help [Karen] that are available to you. You know you can tell me anything you want at anytime as well.

Ava knew Alison was aware of what had happened....but she still didn't say a word. She didn't push her or threaten to expose the truth, even AFTER what had happened to those innocent children. It was a courtesy that Ava didn't deserve...but very much appreciated.

Finally looking at Alison.

"I know you know....and I want to express to you how much I appreciate you letting me open up about this on my own terms. I've dealt with horrors in my past...and for thousands of years i've relied on myself alone to get through them. It's hard for me to open up, so naturally I retreat into myself.....I wasn't ready to come back to the six...I needed time--I needed space....but this team needed me more."

Looking down at her mug of tea and hemlock, Ava downed the rest of it and placed the cup on the end table.

"So I came back. Unfortunately it did more harm than good. But, Karen is helping....I don't feel like a TOTAL fuucking mess anymore."

Ava stated with a sardonic laugh.

 

[Rose]

Rose's Home

Rose's House



< Simon shook his head. >


"Christ, that's awful.."


< He thought for a moment. Maybe he could help. >


"Perhaps this might be a good first step for me, Rose. What's the most pressing and biggest hurdle there is to face right now..and how could I possibly help?"

<< Rose looks abit concerned as she finishes her tea and sets her cup and saucer down. Sable is now on her lap, mewing and purring as Rose gently pets her>>

Zach and Alycia are using their channels right now, keeping ahead of things and shoring up any areas of weakness that outsiders might use to try to bring scrutiny here.

The biggest advantage we have is TIME at the moment. The city, particularly the NYPD and the Mayor's office, is under the microscope of the state and the FEDERAL officials for their complicity in the threat of the Purifiers and their LESS than"full effort" in responding to it. Plus the emerging scandal of senator William Stryker.

I assume you saw this evening's broadcast from Lauren Danvers?

<< Rose looked a bit more calm now as she extended her hand out and the GLOWING deck of tarot cards lifts off the table where the erriely glowing crystal ball was. The dect floats over to Rose's waiting hand and she directs it down to the coffee table where it immediately spreads out, all cards facing down>>


I am not prideful. I have always believed that networking and accepting help from those who are willing is important. My own power allows me to divine who's motives are true and pure, but for those who's motives are not, I know how to send them on their way
without them knowing my REAL reasons for rejecting their help and involvement.

Your heart, your soul, they ring true, but you have yet to find true balance between the reality of light and dark within your soul. That is why you're struggling now.


This deck of cards is to me what Harbinger's time staff is to her.

It is a very important tool and with it, I can divine all sorts of important information and indicators. It also responds to the person I wish to READ, so know that the card(s) I draw are no random thing.

<< a card moves forward and TURNS face up. It's the HANGED MAN card>>

<< She points at the hanged man card>>

As you already know and have expressed, you are at a major crossroads in your life. That is why you came here this evening. You needed to discuss things with someone whom you felt could understand and not dismiss you or condescend you over your ignorance.

You have a strong desire to address a problem that you are only now seeing the larger scope of, but you don't know exactly what to do about it. But be encouraged...

<< the fool's card slides forward and turns UP>>

In order to effect ANY kind of change outside, you must first start from within.

The fool's card is a positive one. It generaly indicates a newness and deep soul searching. That is you, as you yearn to try different approaches to bring balance to your life, to reconcile your past and present with your future, and you desire a deeper understanding of the mutant plight and just where you fit into it. The fact that THIS card presented itself for YOU means that you are MORE than merely on the right track. You will make great progress, as LONG as you continue to operate with pure motives.

<< The card REVERSES itself>>

You SECRETLY harbor deep doubts about yourself, and you're more than aware of the doubts harbored about you from others around you. THIS will be a stumbling block for you because you know that true changes requires a sustained effort, it will require you to move OUTSIDE of your comfort FOREVER. Even with your power and resources...change is not for the faint of heart, Simon, and you can't sail through life, "stacking the deck" in your favor.

<< the MAGICIAN card slides forward and turns UPWARD>>

This card is about energy, and the querent who desires to make higher, BETTER use of his power and resources. You may notice many synchronicities, which point towards deep, life alterting events taking place regardless of the "importance" of their superficial appearances. You should be finding that you have the knowledge, strength, and inspiration needed to meet your challenges. In general this is a very positive time for you.

<< Pointing at the magician card>>

This card also indicates you have met someone new and the likelyhood of that relationship rising to a deeper level of emotional committment is VERY strong. Your professional and personal lives are already intertwining and it couldn't have happened
at a better time for EITHER of you.

<< Looking at Simon>>

How well this goes, as with everything else, depends on YOU.

<< the card slides back and turns down again>>

I offered you these things so that you would find some comfort, peace and certainty about the new orientation you are taking...

and to confirm my own perceptions about certain things

<<FLASH!>>

<< Just a little while EARLIER this evening, while Lauren Danvers' program broadcasts, Rose sits at the table, giving HERSELF a reading with her tarot deck>>

<< what Simon DIDN'T know, was that shortly before he'd arrived, she did a reading for HERSELF regarding the matter of the children and the card that came for HER was...>>

<<DEATH! Not a PHYSICAL death , but a moment of FORCED choice...transformation. Something WAS coming and she would find herself making a FATEFUL choice to try to protect her surviving children.>>

<< The OTHER card that came up for her was THE DEVIL. Because she KNEW something was coming, that she'd find herself in a situation that even SHE couldn't get out of because of a choice SHE'D make, the DEVIL card indicated that she needed to explore ALL her options, even ones as untested and uncertain as Simon Pratt. He WOULD be a key player in an upcoming situation and so, his VISIT to her tonight was more than a mere "coicidence"...one might say it was even "in the cards!">>

 

[Harbinger]

Parthenon- Ava's apartment

"No one has ever dismissed or minimized your abilities Alison. Despite what has happened in the past, everyone understands the burden you carry as a precog....whether they are willing to admit it or not."

:: Alison's nerves WERE on FIRE after her confrontation with Vivica but Ava was unknowingly echoing what Haleigh had said several weeks ago, and now what Xavier had said just a little while ago this evening. ::


She dared to question me, Ava...she dared to question the authenticity of MY love for MY brother! After EVERYTHING we've been through...SHE thinks she can...CONDUCT AN AUDIT!? It is ONLY because I recognize the significance she DOES have in Cameron's life that I didn't ERASE HER FROM THIS TIME AND SPACE after what she said to me!

UNLIKE some OTHER people on this team :: She and Ava BOTH knew she was refering to Delilah:: I LEARN from MY mistakes. I don't hold on to something that could DESTROY me out of some FALSE HOPE when I KNOW the truth!

:: But Ava now stood in the same elite space that Morgan and Haleigh did when it came to Alison. They BOTH could express and decompress in front of each other without fear of judgement, no matter how deep, messy or OUT THERE it manifest.::


Cameron and I BOTH survived SO MUCH...in cases...survived EACH OTHER, and now we occupy this PRECIOUS SPACE with each other. I KNOW the damage Kelly, Erika and yes...even I caused him.

He and I BOTH know that some of the things that happened to him AFTER we became fully aware of each other were the direct result of choices HE made. But WE understand that! He's faced his actions, made ammends...and along comes this pot stirring TAPE RECORDER MEMOREX ::Vivica:: Trying to reopen wounds!

What the hell is WRONG with her!?

I'm ALL that he has left from OUR bloodline, Ava. AND I'm his big sister! Of COURSE I would do ANYTHING to protect him...

:: But she stopped. She looked at Ava with an almost PAINED expression on her face and in her colbalt blue eyes. The goddess KNEW why this was. Alison did "whatever she had to" to protect DELILAH too and look what it cost her.::


I'm NOT going to let HER cause me to doubt myself. She wanted to speak her peace, fine. She got that chance. NOW I hope, for HER SAKE, that she FINALLY MOVES ON with her life since she's been trying SO HARD to show "the six" how "OVER US" she is.


:: they continued to talk...::

Ava knew Alison was aware of what had happened....but she still didn't say a word. She didn't push her or threaten to expose the truth, even AFTER what had happened to those innocent children. It was a courtesy that Ava didn't deserve...but very much appreciated.


Finally looking at Alison.


"I know you know....and I want to express to you how much I appreciate you letting me open up about this on my own terms. I've dealt with horrors in my past...and for thousands of years i've relied on myself alone to get through them. It's hard for me to open up, so naturally I retreat into myself.....I wasn't ready to come back to the six...I needed time--I needed space....but this team needed me more."


Looking down at her mug of tea and hemlock, Ava downed the rest of it and placed the cup on the end table.


"So I came back. Unfortunately it did more harm than good. But, Karen is helping....I don't feel like a TOTAL fuucking mess anymore."



Ava stated with a sardonic laugh.

That's not true, Ava.

:: Reaching over and taking Ava's hand into her own::

If you HADN'T come back when you did...we wouldn't even be sitting HERE right now. We ALL would have perished during the Blue Moon and Circe would have the World under her heel.

You came back, in spite of how difficult it was to leave the comfort zone you found for yourself in the aftermath of your personal trauma. That alone shows how far you've come! You came back because you knew deep down that you couldn't KEEP doing it the way you'd done it...even if it worked...or SEEMED to work for 1000's of years. You and Cameron BOTH told me that there's NO SHAME in admitting you need help and support. Now I'm reminding you of that.

I'm not the only one with burdens of any particular nature, Ava. Being an immortal goddess who has lived more life times than ANYONE ELSE on her team gives you a unique perspective on things, you also have SURVIVED things that many of our teammates would NOT have.

But you're MORE than a goddess now. You have been ever since you passed through the seige perilous and merged with Ava Cassadine. You have the full spectrum of HUMAN feelings and emotions now...and they can bring such pleasure...OR pain.

The PAIN you've been in...the humiliation you endured during your... most recent ordeal

:: Squeezing Ava's hand::

THAT is a burden you've been carrying, and what happened during the Purifiers confrontation was what happened to Morgan, Nicolas and others on this team at one time or another...it overwhelmed you.

You're not to be blamed. And just like you and others gave me understanding and support, you have that from me, Haleigh, Zach and many others in the group. Believe that.

And you're pulling yourself together.


:: She wanted Ava to hear this. It was important that she hear it now::

Ava, when that...situation presents itself again? You WON'T be alone this time.

:: it wasn't just a mere promise. it was DEFINITELY pointing to what would be coming for Ava sooner rather than later::

But right now, you're doing the right thing.

:: She smiles at her dear friend and a few moments of silence pass between them before Alison looks at a clock on the wall::

I'm supposed to be meeting Xavier Winston at Club V.I.P shortly.

:: Knowing Ava would be intrigued by the revelation that Alison was meeting a man at the Club downstairs, wicked smile forms across her face::

You're not the ONLY ONE with pull in this town, babe!

:: lightening the mood with her little joke as she teased Ava about herself and Simon Pratt::


Will you be okay?

Scratch that...you WILL be okay. We BOTH will.

:: pulling Ava into a hug::

Now....don't wait up!

:: Smiling sweetly as she winks at the goddess and BLINKS OUT.::

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Club

Haleigh opened her car door and stepped out into the street, strolling right up to the front, looking quite cavalier in a little black cocktail dress. Halter tops always looked great on her, and the chilly temp didn't bother her in the least. She looked ready for a night on the town, even though she didn't really plan on one. Her heels clicked on the stone steps as she approached.

"WHY would she be afraid, Diana?? You said YOURSELF.... the TRUCE STILL STANDS......'as long as BOTH sides abide by its terms and conditions'."

:: An evening breeze whistles in the air as Diana HEARS Haleigh Davidoff's voice. Following Black Widow's restoration at Malice's hands, the White Queen had made a few..."modifications", seemingly for Haleigh's benefit. The most noticeable one was that Haleigh's mind was now CLOSED to telepaths. HOWEVER, there was now alevel of AWARENESS shared between Malice and Black Widow and so, Malice would ALWAYS sense the PRESENCE of Haleigh on a variety of levels even beyond telepathy.::

::It was an almost...HAUNTING resonance. But haunting for WHOM?::


:: The White Queen turns to see Haleigh and Nicolas standing there::

Well, well. I EXPECTED the BULL-IN-THE-CHINA-SHOP ::Nicolas:: To show up, but YOU, Haleigh Davidoff...

Feeling a little...HOMESICK?

:: Noting Haleigh's manner of dress, her demeanor and the fact that she herself came to the Hellfire Club this evening, Diana teases Haleigh a bit, knowing full well what she was referring to::


You can fool the others, but you can NEVER fool ME, my dear...


::"Speaking" to Haleigh.::


You NEVER forgot my offer to join the Hellfire Club. It has stayed with you, just as much as the DARKEST parts of yourself that you THINK you have "moved past" in your life as it is NOW!::


There's more "MALICE" in your soul than you DARE to acknowledge to your precious little girl and boy scout teammates.


You're quite right, Black Widow. The TRUCE still stands. But there are OTHERS here, who never DID quite grasp the meaning of simple things like...RESPECT.


::Returning her penatrating gaze to Richard Martin::



Dominique Deveraux's precious little ward, Richard Martin.



I remember what it was like to torment Nicolas King. You see..he takes HIMSELF way too seriously too.


You want...SO DESPERATELY to protect your beloved "QUEEN"...but your own desire is also your GREATEST liability.


:: Looking back at Haleigh::


I believe YOU know more than a little about how much DAMAGE acting on desires can cause, don't you Haleigh?


By the way...WHERE is Morgan these days? She's missing out on all this FUN as the runaway flashbulb :: Delilah:: tries to hide how WEAK and AFRAID she is behind her "TOUGH, TAKE NO PRISONERS" mask. If there's anything more sad than her being an eternal failure....it's watching a weak helpless VICTIM as she makes her last growl of defiance before she is swallowed into the oblivion of her own self loathing madness, and who BETTER to know about THAT, than everybody's FAVORITE damsel in distress...CAMERON KING!


Think VERY carefully, Dominique. Once you leave here? THAT :: gesturing toward Nicolas and Haleigh's:: is what you have to deal with. A bunch of weak, self involved, short sighted fools who are only as great as their next MELTDOWN.


Although Haleigh might be aware of that, which is why she came here tonight? Maybe SHE'S decided to walk UP these stairs as you descend them for the last time. Perhaps SHE can appreciate POWER WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE in a way your..."sterling" nature would never allow you to, hmmm, Dominique?


Your "Black Knight" is SHAKING, Dominique. He's almost...BESIDE himself with rage. CLEARLY he is not as disciplined as you. But that's not really saying all that much, is it?


:: Malice delighted in taunting everyone, knowing some were closer to biting her bait than others. BACK to Richard::


Ohhhh Richard. So strong....so BRAVE.


You want me to get out of the way? Well go ahead!

All you have to do....

:: Leaning in close and lowering her tone::

Is. MAKE. ME.


:: As she smiles with a gleam of EVIL across her face, her eyes glow once more. She's not attacking Richard telepathically...but his own EMOTIONS are SWELLING and she can sense it. They BOTH know what he wants. Even as Nicolas TRIES to keep him steadyShe KNOWS he wants to attack her, to KILL HER. ANd the moment he lashes out, she'll seize his mind and turn him INSIDE OUT in more than one way. OF COURSE, this will create the ultimate "domino effect" for HER, as Dominique will immediately retaliate, then Nicolas and so on. The only person MORE AWARE of how much she WANTS them to all participate in this cascade FAILURE of the truce is Haleigh. Again, having this...UNIQUE perception and understanding about Malice allows Haleigh an advantage others in the Six just don't have when it comes to her. But is this newfound development WORTH the COST?::

:: there were OTHER witnesses to this confrontation nearby. Namely Steel and Valkyrie. Valkyrie possessed a psi screen, and so Malice was not immediately aware of her, BUT Steel's mind...as structured and as compartmentalized as he kept HIS thoughts, registered. The Hellfire Club's exterior ALSO had an audience in the form of Oracle. She and Malice hadn't crossed swords directly, YET...but it was just a matter of time, ESPECIALLY once it became known that Oracle and Dominique would soon be TEAMMATES! Oracle may have gained a tremendous asset in recruiting Isis, but she would ALSO earn herself a DEADLY ENEMY in the process.::

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - Top Floor

:: Cass hugged Cameron again and took hold of his hand, squeezing it gently. She had a serious expression on her face. ::

“I…had some deep trauma in my past that had to be dealt with SOMEHOW. It just happened during a very unfortunate situation. I don’t know if this is the right time to try to explain it to you, especially with Party Girl over there wanting to celebrate life…”

:: She gestured to Blaze. ::

“…but I would very much like the opportunity to explain myself sometime.”

:: She smiled at both Blaze and Cameron. ::

“I think I’ll follow Blaze’s advice of just BEING and not DOING…” *michieviously*: “…but I won’t follow her advice of living on Aerie.”

:: She took a deep breath. ::

“I need to figure out who I am…"

:: Cameron rolled his eyes and laughed a little bit at the irony of the situation. Seven years ago, this was basically him. Thrown into a group where he had real and genuine ties and then having to face all these terrible mistakes he had made. He was so emotionally raw and unadulterated. Although Cassandra was older than Cameron, she had spent much of her life hidden and really closed off from things in general. It had left her with that kind of sweet naivety of a young girl who just moved to the big city and just wants to be loved. He just never thought in a million years that he would ever be looking at ANYONE and be able to offer up advice and guidance that was appreciated and respected. It made him think of Simon as well. Cameron had brought Simon into this circle of friends because he had essentially just "sensed" that it was the right thing to do. It was these kinds of moments that paralleled the similarities between Cameron and his sister, both who usually had the same goals with entirely different approaches on how to get there. He actually did laugh out loud this time and shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. ::

[looking Cass up and down humorously and a little taken aback] "You know CJ?! You remind me a lot of MYSELF. And I'm now beginning to realize what a headache for everybody i've been that's tried to help me..."

[he softened]

"Look..EVERYBODY wants to figure out who they are...but you're never going to get the full answer. There is always something in the horizon that holds something new or dark that you didn't even know was a part of you. There is always going to be some horrible mistake you've made catching up to you and there is always going to be some variable you can't account for...."

:: He thought of what his sister was going through at the moment. The last words he said to Cass had made him realize that she must be feeling a similar way right now. She knew who she was better than anybody else, or at least she always portrayed herself as who she wanted people to BELIEVE she was..and eventually everybody just accepted it..or she beat them into accepting it. Either way, the fallout with Delilah started to make a little more sense to him in terms of how Alison was feeling. He still strongly agreed that Delilah should have been told, that she should have gotten some kind of goodbye to her child, and on that any other number of counts, he would defend Delilah. But he also felt his sister's pain and while he had never experienced any kind of vision on the level at which his sister did, he too had found himself in situations where he had seen very bad things that were about to transpire and said nothing..and the reason he said nothing was for the exact reasons that Alison was facing right now. She would always be the slightest bit braver than him. ::

"Right now, you just need to take stock of what you have in this moment right now. Options. And if you keep avoiding death like you have been for the last eighty or something years, you'll have plenty of time. So don't feel like you have to figure anything serious out in the immediate future. Just trust your gut and go to where your heart tells you to go. It will all work out. There's no such thing as failure, there is only the universe moving you in another direction. What happens in that direction...is entirely up to you..."

:: As they cheers and raised their glasses, Cameron took a moment to ask Blaze what she had felt about Oracle and this new team that seemed to have formed right under their noses and in an instant! ::

Stretching before sitting back down, Blaze thought for a moment.

"I'm about the same as you on that , Cam. "

" I really think Zizi is awesome! She's a high powered information broker and in this day and age, that puts her in a powerful position. What mutant or meta-human WOULDN'T want her as an ally?"

"But...I am not so certain about that Ashley Oldenburg. That is one seriously aggressive viking. Yeah she's GREAT in battle AND she's babe-a-licious, but...she's...there's just something WRONG with her!"

"Zizi, Steel, that vamp...Mina, they represent something I never got to see in my own timeline...at least not until AFTER the "mainstreams" came and helped us take down Mystech and we got to Canada. OTHER mutants and metas,
who want to HELP."

"Ashley played a pivotol role in rescuing all of us..and I hate to burst everybody's bubble. But she's no more abrasive than any of US haven't been in our lives. She's guarded and smart. And if I can stand next to the woman who has taken every opportunity she's had to destroy any remnants of any family I ever had in this world because of a verbal truce that *I* would have never agreed with..the rest of you can deal with Valkyrie. At least THIS bitch is on our side..."

"And I think you're right..it IS... [crinkling his nose] weird to see OTHERS involved. I mean it's not like we didn't know other people like us didn't exist...but."

"The Six has largely had to stand alone and WE are the ones destined to protect the world from Mystech...an entity most of OUR fathers and/or mothers are responsible for. But there are OTHER issues, OTHER burdens all around us."

"This latest issue with the Purifiers, the fact that we NEEDED HELP...it was..."

Blaze looked very serious as she looked at Cameron and Cass

"...Well it was humbling for all of us. But at least Zizi and her people aren't RUBBING OUR FACES in it. "

"Maybe we're just so accustomed to doing that to EACH OTHER about things that we expect OTHERS to be just as...dysfunctional as we are sometimes?"

"It's scary. We have been the ones tasked with protecting our kind for so long..but at the end of the day, there is a reason WE are The Six. Everything this other group of heroes has gone through IS still a direct result of the actions of the people who had a hand in CREATING us. That will never NOT be the case..."

"Still, it IS a source of relief to know that there are others out here who can and WANT to help. Who knows when the next "CIRCE" might come thundering in and we get sucked into a temporal vortex! there will still be people that need help here...and how about that guy...Tachyon? Was HE cool? I've never seen a live speedster before."

"And Andrew Murphy, Sally Spectra's driver! The Nimrod identified HIM as a mutant! Can you believe that?"

"AND...he clearly has a thing for Delilah. I've noticed THAT before. He's either incredibly brave, OR a glutton for punishment."

"To be honest...that guy moved so fast I could barely even get a read on him. He seems to have attracted the attention of my sister.."

:: A devilish smile flashed across his face. ::

"In fact...it appears that our boy Xavier is waiting in the VIP Clubhouse for Alley Cat right now. Let's just hope he brought protection...and by protection I mean a suit of ARMOR!"

[laughing]

Cassandra inserted her opinion on the new team as well.

Cassandra: “I don’t know who Zizi and all those other people are, but if Ashley Oldenburg is the Valkyrie, she is definitely a handful. I’ve come across some Valkyries during my time in Europe and they are about THE biggest bitches you’ll ever meet. Even when captured, which had astounded me, they were just…awful."

[Cameron laughed again as he walked over to the bar refilling his scotch and shaking his head]

"No..the biggest I've ever met..all live in New York and they've lived in two buildings. Here [circling his hands around] and what used to be Illustra Inc. I think we'll be fine."

:: Blaze and Cassandra both mentioned Delilah and her new boy toy Andrew. ::

Cassandra: "With regards to Andrew, I think he and Delilah would make a cute couple. After what she had gone through, she deserves some fun."

"I don't think she's looking to be a COUPLE...."

Cassandra: "Speaking of Delilah, if you talk to her, tell her that I said thank you for saving our friend. I know she only killed Mary Justice because of you and only you, Cameron. I doubt she would even want to hear it from me. Speaking of Delilah, if you talk to her, tell her that I said thank you for saving our friend. I know she only killed Mary Justice because of you and only you, Cameron. I doubt she would even want to hear it from me. She was kind of a bitch from when I first tried to talk to her. I won't be making THAT mistake again..I really do care about her, you know. She's our team mate, and also part of our family. Just like I know that when the chips are down, I know that I will always have Ava's back and I know Ava will have mine..hopefully."

[smiling]

"I thought Simon was the one having's Ava back these days? In any case..when it comes to Delilah, we just need to give her the space that she needs. There is no "fixing" her because she isn't broken. She doesn't want to hear about what happened, she doesn't want to be around people close to the situation, no matter the part they played. She is looking for distraction and she's looking for somebody she can talk to without any judgment..and if that's what Andrew is providing for her, then we should thank him because he's doing a hell of a lot better job than we are right now..."

:: He thought to himself for a moment as a wave of sadness hit him. In that moment, he really MISSED Delilah. They really had gotten close while living at Melrose Place and Delilah promised to look out for him and then she did. Without question. That was Delilah. So he in turn did the same for her. Their friendship with each other was the easiest in comparison to their relationships with others because they simply kept each other in check. Delilah told Cameron when he was ridiculous. Not in a judgmental way, but in a way that Cameron knew she was coming from a good place. He missed the monotonous things they would do together. He loved trying to make Delilah laugh and when she wasn't in "cop mode" she could be a hilarious woman. Cameron thought about how long it had been since he had heard true laughter from Delilah. ::

:: Cameron shifted thought. ::

"And Ava does have your back. Like I side..Ava just kind of hates you until she doesn't..and when she doesn't, she's pretty fabulous. And you could probably learn a lot from her in terms of dealing with trauma and becoming a juggernaut from it. She's also got a lot going on..and [looking away] the bus accident didn't help. She's getting help, but just know a lot of her feelings towards you probably aren't very personal. I mean..Ava is a lot of things..but she isn't PETTY..."

:: He took a sip of his drink reflective of how much he had just TALKED up his teammates..something he would have never been able to do. For as much as things really do stay the same...sometimes they just change in ways that could have never been anticipated. ::

"Outside of all that..I'm glad there are people keeping a better eye on this city. It's definitely been helping me sleep better. I mean everything that's happened in the last few days has been highlighting some BIG changes coming our way. We need all the help we can get!"

 

[Isis]

Hellfire Club

:: Isis and Malice stared each other down. Seconds passed like the slowest MINUTES. The ONLY thing that interrupted them was the announced presence of Black Widow and Rampage.::

:: This was the 2nd time Haleigh had come to her aid in this way, and while the hybrid confronted Malice, Isis sensed Richard STRUGGLING to restrain himself, and in that moment, NICOLAS reaching out to him. Nicolas and Richard had a sort of....rilvary about them. Nothing that Dominique encouraged or would even TOLERATE if it became TOO pronounced, BUT she understood that they had to establish their own comfort levels with each other and that was something SHE could not do FOR them.::

:: Still, in this moment where a CRISIS could happen, it pleased Dominique to know that her nephew acted beyond his own issues on behalf, just as she had for him many times SINCE the aftermath of Set!::


Diana, your attempts to bait me are becoming...repetitive, to say NOTHING of how ELEMENTARY they are. Perhaps if I operated with a more childlike mentality like your Red Queen, Enchantrah, you'd get the response you YEARN for.

If this is INDEED the Hellfire Club, must you continue to parade about, acting as though this is a schoolyard PLAYGROUND?

:: Diana focused on Haleigh and Nicolas, offering a withering run-down of the Six and who they were as a group. It was one of those moments where even just a few WEEKS ago, Dominique would have been inclined to AGREE with Diana on some of them, but her increased personal interactions with them had shown Dominique something about them, something that made them STRONGER than their individual parts::


No, Diana. The Six are a FAMILY and REAL families, for better OR FOR WORSE, stick together.


POWER is no substitute for that. Not on the level that COUNTS.

:: Dominique spoke from personal experience. She had attempted to use the power given to her by ISIS to DESTROY Nicolas, but in the end, it was the covenant that she made with Isis, and the loving memory of her sister, HIS MOTHER, that allowed her to PREVAIL over Set and help put Nicolas on a different path that would see even HER relationship with him IMPROVE to where it was now!::

NOR does it outshine virtures such as HONOR and COURAGE.

:: Thinking about her partnership with Delilah against the Purifiers, and that experience of working with MorningStar.

The "Sisterhood" will never be for YOU what the Six is for my nephew. You will NEVER have the true HONOR and SUPPORT of PEERS. All you know how to command is FEAR and BASE INSTINCTS but in the end, HIGHER REASONING will PREVAIL, just as I will prevail NOW!

I do not NEED the Hellfire Club, Diana...OR YOU.

I made my own way BEFORE I met you, and I will continue to do so NOW, AFTER YOU. There is NOTHING you can do to change that FACT.

Richard Martin represents CHANGE, Diana. He is VERY MUCH disciplined and understands the importance of honoring a covenant. Can YOU say the same?

Are you so PETTY and SHORT SIGHTED that you want to pick TONIGHT, THIS MOMENT of all things, to make some sort of POINT?

::Nodding back toward the double doors and a shadowed figured just a few steps behind her::

Don't think I haven't NOTICED the "Changing of the guard" around here even in the weeks before this moment. It's OBVIOUS you have something you're setting in motion.


Richard and myself are now "the past" when it comes to the Hellfire Club's history. WE are fine with that, since we have control of our destiny and it is not tied to the vain hopes and dreams of a woman who doesn't know the meaning OR VALUE of a friend OR family. For all the Six's failings...that is, perhaps, the one thing they always have over you, WHITE QUEEN...and whatever battle lines are drawn by my departure, SO BE IT.

No threat, no PROMISE of yours will stop me from moving as I choose.


:: She locked eyes with Malice. Daring HER as much as SHE was daring Richard. But as she stared the woman down, she became AWARE of something...::

 

[Black Widow]

As she approached the threshold, steadily mounting the steps, she felt almost a magnetic pull. She glanced around to see if any of the guards had a charged EMP wand, or an energy baton, but no, she didn't spot one. The closer she got to Diana, the more the slight headache faded, replaced with the familiar 'brain freeze' she'd had when Malice had been in her head.

Malice: Well, well. I EXPECTED the BULL-IN-THE-CHINA-SHOP ::Nicolas:: To show up, but YOU, Haleigh Davidoff...

Haleigh gazed back at Diana with a steely determination. She could SEE the delight in Diana's eyes, the amusement she was taking from seeing Haleigh show up. She could almost SENSE where Diana was going to go, what strings she was going to pull. And Malice didn't disappoint.

Malice: Feeling a little...HOMESICK?

[scoffing] "You WISH I called this place home. No, I'm afraid you won't be trading a Black Queen for a Black Widow tonight. I'm only here to make sure YOU AND I are on the same page regarding the TRUCE."

She said aloud, but there was a whole other conversation going on between them mentally. They were locked in eye contact.

Malice: [mentally] You NEVER forgot my offer to join the Hellfire Club. It has stayed with you, just as much as the DARKEST parts of yourself that you THINK you have "moved past" in your life as it is NOW!

"No.... I haven't forgotten. I hold an angel, a demon, and a psychopath within me.... and I haven't 'moved past' so much as I have FOUND A BALANCE. Your offer may entice the psychopath... it may FREE the demon, but I stand to lose TOO MUCH of myself and my balance by accepting such an offer."

Malice: There's more "MALICE" in your soul than you DARE to acknowledge to your precious little girl and boy scout teammates.

"That's TRUE, and there's no sense in DENYING it.... there's more darkness in me than most of them can bear to look at... and it seems even CAMERON can't stand it nowadays.... but while YOU may laugh at the notion of me trying to be GOOD and it's obvious... I'll never be an 'angel'... I CHOOSE not to be a slave to my instincts. I CHOOSE a path of enlightment and self CONTROL."

Malice: You're quite right, Black Widow. The TRUCE still stands. But there are OTHERS here, who never DID quite grasp the meaning of simple things like...RESPECT.

Diana went on to deliver a scathing review of the members of the Six, and Haleigh listened with mild impatience. Malice highlighted their weaknesses, and overlooked their strengths. She had ALWAYS done that, and that was part of the reason why the Six had always shut Diana down when they faced off. Diana could not see the strength they presented as a united front, because she did not know what FAMILY meant, nor did she grasp the concept of LOVE. It was BEYOND her understanding, and maybe it always would be.

Isis presented a thorough rebuttal, negating the need for Haleigh to do so, and Haleigh could see that Dominique HAD truly outgrown this place. It was definitely a good thing that she'd decided to move on. The Hellfire Club may have been an important part of her history, but as she'd pointed out, it WAS history.

"Well, Diana, if you're done trying impotent provocations, I think we'll be going. Have fun killing kittens or sacrificing babies or whatever it is you do in your free time."

 

[Seer]

Hellfire Club- Departure/Arrival

<< The others were so easily bruised and goaded. No matter how far they came, none of them could ever escape the fact that MALICE was at the heart of their destiny. They HATED HER. But with Haleigh, it had ALWAYS been different and now...there was this unspoken level of awareness and insight that they shared. It was intriguing to Haleigh and AMUSING to Malice. Cameron King was the only one among Haleigh's group that had even a HINT of this new found "dynamic" between the White Queen and the Black Widow and it horrified AND offended him all at once.>>

<< Worse, Haleigh seemed to DEFEND her newfound "outlook" on Diana, which was something neither he NOR Delilah could wrap their heads around and it was an issue they hadn't had a chance to revisit as the Purifiers required their attention.>>

<< But NOW, in this moment, Haleigh found herself being TESTED by Malice, just as Isis, Richard and Nicolas were being tested. The closest one to BREAKING was Richard and all the adults knew this.>>

<< But even as Malice was slowly but surely luring Haleigh "FURTHER IN", Isis' rebuttle was like a bucket of ICE WATER being dumped on the whole situation!>>

<< Black Widow informed Malice that they would be leaving, with Isis and Richard now and at that moment, Isis, refusing to wait a moment longer, takes Richard's hand and STEPS FORWARD.>>

<< It looks as though she'll COLLIDE with Malice, which causes Nicolas and Haleigh to tense up for a moment but to nearly everyone's surprise, Isis and Richard PASS RIGHT THROUGH Malice!?>>

<< The sorceress makes her way down the steps as Nicolas and Haleigh flank her and Richard. At ground level, she turns around. Malice HERSELF is actually INSIDE the doorway of the mansion, where she'd been the WHOLE TIME. Her telepathic illusion was "real as life" and encompassing, an experience that Nicolas (among others) had been through before, BUT OTHERS like Harbinger (and now Isis) had prooven able to somehow RECOVER from the illusion before being sucked ALL the way in.>>


<< Malice, once again, had succeeded in allowing someone's own issues and insecurities to drive them to the edge and nearly OVER IT without her having to lift a finger. But Haleigh and Dominique prooved able to resist the TEMPTATION to lose control and be their own worst enemy, doing Malice's work FOR her!>>

Isis: Your telepathic POWER is undeniable Malice, as are your empathic abilities AND the twisted ways in which you use them. But as I said to you BEFORE, *I* am not governed by ANYONE. You may be at the heart of some deep seeded issues as they relate to the Six, but you do not hold such prominence in MY life. I have ALREADY faced my OWN "Life Ruiner" [Set] and while you are indeed capable of a level of violence and destruction that spans time, space and GENERATIONS, your efforts to SCARE me just now? Rather PEDESTRIAN.

Goodbye, Diana.


<< Isis turns away, guiding Richard along side her as Nicolas and Haleigh walk with them.>>

<< As they all load into a car, Isis provides Haleigh with the location of where to take her and Richard. She will not be returning to the Parthenon tonight and will be AWAY for several days as she and Richard begin the process of starting their new path. Haleigh and Nicolas would know where she was, but no one else on the Six would be immediately aware of her little "vacation".>>

<< As their car drives off, another car near by departs as well, THIS car has Steel and Valkyrie inside of it, with Oracle keeping an eye on the mercenaries still outside the club just in case anyone gets the idea to try to FIRE upon the departing vehicles.>>

<< All the while, Malice herself stands inside the mansion's main hall, watching them all, looking very calm and unmoved by what has occurred. She is not alone either...as the shadowed figure who had kept her distance earlier has now made her way to Malice's side.>>

Malice: This is hardly goodbye, Isis. You were RIGHT. Change IS coming and you did EXACTLY what I wanted. Still, You'll rue this day...and I'll be seeing you soon...::Her eyes glow once more:: BOTH of you ::and she wasn't referring to Richard...::.

<< She said this softly as she eyed the car carrying Nicolas, Haleigh, Dominique and Richard departs, followed by the second car.>>

<< Isis' departure from the Sisiterhood and the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle was the first obvious sign of significant changes coming. Now, another sign, in the form of a new member to the Inner Circle was standing next to Malice, watching the cars fade into the distance.>>

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Club - In The Shadows

:: Her haunting crimson eyes [a side effect of having absorbed the Crimson Gauntlet upon the European Red Queen's Death] watched wildly as Diana and Dominique began to exchange words. A sinister smile formed on her rose red lips. The deal she had made with Malice on Sheena Island was beginning to suit her quite nicely. Though both were still incredibly wary of one another, there was an interesting level of respect the two women had built over the many bodies that had fallen by their hands. Things were going exactly as planned. Malice had seen Isis leaving the Hellfire Club for quite some and had already made arrangements to ring in a new regime for the club. ::

"All the things she could give up and she decides to let go of being The Black Queen. I guess we can only hope she comes to the same conclusion about her music career..."

:: Domino had spent the last few weeks gathering information. Her thoughts were like quicksilver which made her incredibly hard to detect...even by somebody like Diana. She had gone to The Parthenon and she had tracked several members of The Six to various places covering both business and pleasure. She was intrigued by them no doubt. These "special" creatures who managed to survive the sins of their fathers and stand strong against them, much like she had. In fact, under different circumstances she might even like or respect these people. But she saw them as foolish and short sighted. They spent all their time trying to protect a world that wanted to destroy them, if only for the praise they got from those ignorant enough to believe that they had done any measure of actual good. Thanks to Malice, she was well versed in the intimate history of The Six, The Sisterhood and The Inner Circle. It became apparent to Maxine that most of their battles ended in their deaths and that without the interference of forces that should be so far above caring about what happens to a group of mutants, nearly every single one of them would be dead. This was why she respected Malice. She didn't need all of that. She didn't anybody and that was something Maxine could identify with. They had both gotten through life by sheer will and cunning, a skill that was becoming highly underrated amongst those with the power to destroy the world with a thought or a spell. ::

:: She watched as Haleigh and Nicolas arrived and eyed them up and down as she began to make her way closer towards the end of the hall. Domino was immediately aware of the virus coursing through Haleigh's veins. She had come to realize that this was a side effect for those who survived it. They would always know who had it and they would always have intimate knowledge of how it worked. Domino had questions for Haleigh in the same way that she had questions for Jessica, but she had been given specific instructions not to lay a hand on ANY member of The Six because of a last ditch truce. But that seemed to be changing with the departure of Isis. Did she realize what she was about to unleash? ::

"I've got to give the American Hellfire Club credit. They know what they're doing!"

:: Still..Maxine was getting bored and she wasn't one to wait to find trouble. She needed to be able to smash something very soon and while running a patrol sweep she had noticed Steele and Oracle on the lookout as well. She thought about quietly and viciously ending their lives for sport, but for now she would follow orders. Maxine was still trying to navigate the newfound freedom she had since burying the Inner Circle of the European Hellfire Club and for now..that meant siding with where the real power was. Just how long her allegiance to Malice and The Hellfire Club would last would be dependent on The Inner Circle itself. She had already seen several incarnations of her home headquarters erupt in flames. She wouldn't stick around long enough for it to happen here. ::

Isis: "Don't think I haven't NOTICED the "Changing of the guard" around here even in the weeks before this moment. It's OBVIOUS you have something you're setting in motion."

:: Maxine laughed. ::

"And here I thought I was being a good houseguest.."

Haleigh: "Well, Diana, if you're done trying impotent provocations, I think we'll be going. Have fun killing kittens or sacrificing babies or whatever it is you do in your free time."

"Please...if there were kittens to murder I wouldn't be as BORED as I am.."

Isis: "Your telepathic POWER is undeniable Malice, as are your empathic abilities AND the twisted ways in which you use them. But as I said to you BEFORE, *I* am not governed by ANYONE. You may be at the heart of some deep seeded issues as they relate to the Six, but you do not hold such prominence in MY life. I have ALREADY faced my OWN "Life Ruiner" [Set] and while you are indeed capable of a level of violence and destruction that spans time, space and GENERATIONS, your efforts to SCARE me just now? Rather PEDESTRIAN. Goodbye, Diana."

:: Maxine narrowed her brow as her she began to step forward before stopping at Malice's side. The two of them simply stared forward. ::

Malice: "This is hardly goodbye, Isis. You were RIGHT. Change IS coming and you did EXACTLY what I wanted. Still, You'll rue this day...and I'll be seeing you soon...BOTH of you."

"Sooner rather than later I hope...i'm itching to get my hands dirty..."

[thinking for a moment]

"So that was the infamous Black Widow and Rampage? I have to admit it was nice to see the face of the woman whose agents I've been routinely slaughtering for quite some time now. Certainly lives up to her hype."

"..I however am NOT a fan of Dominique Deveraux and her entourage...and not just the should be PSI Hound (Nicolas) or the Boy Wonder (Richard). I assume you noticed the other car leave? This could prove to be troublesome. Is our lady-in-waiting on Sheena Island ready to move back home?"

[her deep red eyes flickered with excitement before returning to normal.]

"This COULD be a unique opportunity, Malice. There is still a truce between The Sisterhood and The Six...and considering the fact that Dominique is now NEITHER, it might be time to put her out of her misery and it could play into your hand. Should The Sisterhood choose to go after Isis..The Six wouldn't able to intervene or they'd be breaking the truce.

[shaking her head]

"And from what i've seen it appears that one of them might be willing to break that truce FOR The Six in order to defend his [air quotes] "Auntie D". I wouldn't mind ruffling the feathers of Isis and her new allies..in fact I would enjoy it thoroughly."

"This could be the right time to have that truce work in your favor. Just say the words."

 

[Malice]

Until we meet again

:: Malice made SURE that Black Widow "HEARD" this parting word. The Hybrid would hear it...as well as feel that "FREEZE" effect that she felt the first time Malice restored her. It was chilling and yet, it seemed to have SETTLING effect on Haleigh!? The woman could even see/FEEL Malice's glowing blue eyes even as they drove away::

I'll be seeing you soon...::Her eyes glow once more:: BOTH of you

:: A sign of the changes Malice was indeed orchestrating was now present in the form of Maxine Dupont, a.k.a. Domino. She was a newly arrived house guest of the Hellfire Mansion and she was operating under the DEAL that she and Malice had struck during their first meeting on Sheena Island. Initially, Malice had come close to disposing of Domino AND her newfound "BFF"...Jessica Marcus b.k.a. VIPER, BUT Domino made Malice an offer she would have been foolish to pass up.::


:: Domino had a certain quality that Diana could appreciate. She was a clever, cunning young woman and never one to miss an opportunity. She knew POWER when she recognized it. She had made a key ALLY[ Lord Ravena] during her dealings in the London Branch of the Hellfire Club AND she had SURVIVED an encounter with [the CLONED] Viper!, and she now had the UNIQUE responsibility of keeping Jessica Marcus under control. THAT wild card was yet another item Malice quietly added to her arsenal as she began to set her sights on THE SIX once more. Domino was also TREMENDOUS at reconnaissance, and where Black Widow and even Oracle would be concerned, that was a major asset to have.::

"Sooner rather than later I hope...i'm itching to get my hands dirty..."


[thinking for a moment]


"So that was the infamous Black Widow and Rampage? I have to admit it was nice to see the face of the woman whose agents I've been routinely slaughtering for quite some time now. Certainly lives up to her hype."

Black Widow is quite a ....delight.

How SWEET of her to visit. She knows that every step, every breath, every conscious, coherent thought she now has is owed directly to ME. She can't even close her EYES OR her mind to that fact. EVER.

:: Malice said with a tone Domino had heard when she spoke to Ravena. It was all at once intriguing...and a bit disturbing. Domino had ALSO learned that ANYONE who held Malice's attention or fascination was destined for something TERRIFYING and TRAGIC. ::

"..I however am NOT a fan of Dominique Deveraux and her entourage...and not just the should be PSI Hound (Nicolas) or the Boy Wonder (Richard). I assume you noticed the other car leave? This could prove to be troublesome. Is our lady-in-waiting on Sheena Island ready to move back home?"


[her deep red eyes flickered with excitement before returning to normal.]

John Steel was in that car. ::laughing a bit:: OH HOW AMUSING! One of NYPD's "FINEST", a mutant...hiding in plain sight, hoping that his efforts will hold off ANOTHER "BISHOP EFFECT". Through his eyes, I saw he had a passenger, a woman. But HER mind was completely CLOSED to me! THEY had an interest here tonight as well and if they ARE aiding Dominique in anyway, then they are TARGETS.


Dominique Deveraux's loss COULD have posed a tactical problem for us. She IS a POWERFULL sorceress, and the Six have 3 distinct and incredibly powerful magick users in theier midst, although ONE is noticeably ABSENT at the moment. Which makes the timing of this shift all the more advantageous for US. Yes, my..."house guest" on Sheena Island should be ready to relocate here at anytime now, along with OUR OTHER ally :: referring to Lord Ravena::.


As for my house guest....I've been subjecting her to several "TESTS" to proove her effectiveness before even considering her entrance into the Inner Circle, AND Her "TEST RUN" with the PURIFIERS prooved to be quite amusing AND productive! Isis left one lasting contribution when she and her eager beaver Black Knight murdered Senator William Stryker and dropped that expose' bomb. It has sent shockwaves through every level of government and will allows US plenty of room to restructure without anyone being the wiser!


:: ORACLE was RIGHT, Malice HAD been the ULTIMATE force behind the Purifiers! But who would know that? who would BELIVE IT?Malice had been VERY careful to make SURE there was no possible logical link between HER and the Purifiers, and no one OUTSIDE of her, Domino and Ravena would be aware of the "Woman-in-shadow" herself at this point.::

"This COULD be a unique opportunity, Malice. There is still a truce between The Sisterhood and The Six...and considering the fact that Dominique is now NEITHER, it might be time to put her out of her misery and it could play into your hand. Should The Sisterhood choose to go after Isis..The Six wouldn't able to intervene or they'd be breaking the truce.


[shaking her head]


"And from what i've seen it appears that one of them might be willing to break that truce FOR The Six in order to defend his [air quotes] "Auntie D". I wouldn't mind ruffling the feathers of Isis and her new allies..in fact I would enjoy it thoroughly."


"This could be the right time to have that truce work in your favor. Just say the words."

The truce...is fast losing it's relevance, for reasons you are already aware of. Dominique spoke of Richard Martin representing change. Well, so do YOU, Maxine.

BUT we will not make a move against Isis just now. you WILL have a chance to get at her newfound playmates. I want to find out just WHO she IS consorting with NOW. I know her well enough to know that she will NOT join the Six. She is NOT a "reservist" type. NOR would she tolerate working along side so many emotional, dysfunctional young people.


NICOLAS is...a special case. Like it or not, and I DON'T...any DIRECT attack on Isis must be put on HOLD for now, due to the very real threat of SET, a threat that matches and in some ways SURPASSES Viper.

But OBSTACLES, no matter how immense, CAN be overcome and with OUR new line up...I'm quite sure we can come up with a "FINAL SOLUTION" that will NEGATE the need to leave him AND Isis alone for much longer.

The Six ARE a unique group, there is no denying that. BUT they OWE their existence to their mothers/fathers...to ME. They ALL know that in their minds, no matter how deeply they push it down, it drives them.

Maxine, vexing the Six is like enjoying a fine wine. It must be savored AND revisited more than once. The TECHNIQUE to it as akin to plucking a finely tuned instrument. In some cases, all one need do is provide the MEREST HINT of a push and anyone of them will go RACING OVER THE EDGE. They will unravel before our eyes.


In the case of several of them in particular, push any one of them TOO hard, and they'll DESTROY EACH OTHER and then DIE from the heartbreak that they were NO BETTER than their parents or the "EVIL" they thought they would protect themselves and the world from.

They may indeed be a "FAMILY", and they may be experiencing tremendous personal and professional success right now, but in spite of all of that? whether any of them wants to ADMIT it or not? There are DEEP hurts, wounds and insecurities among that group and the only thing more delightful than defeating and DESTROYING them, will be DECONSTRUCTING THEM to a point BEYOND catatonic shock.


And their blood, their tears, their CRIES of agony will light our path to what really matters...total. and. complete. DOMINATION.

 

[Black Widow]

For a second she'd thought Dominique was going to bowl Diana over, but no, she passed right THROUGH Malice... or what must have been a projection of her. Haleigh tapped into Oracle's com link frequency as they loaded into the car.

"We are Oscar-Mike. I don't advise you guys sticking around."

Malice: I'll be seeing you soon...::Her eyes glow once more:: BOTH of you....

The words hung over her, echoing in her mind. As she drove them away, she could see Malice's glowing eyes smirking at her in the rear view mirror, like the cheshire cat gloating in the background. Haleigh felt like she was in Wonderland right now, experiencing some kind of surreal dream.
Cold.... her very BRAIN felt cold, but it wasn't painful, it was oddly..... COMFORTING. the realization gave her a new kind of chill. She knew she wasn't SUPPOSED to feel this way. Diana was a well documented sociopath. She was filled with depravity, consumed by the darkness that Haleigh managed to hold at bay. Haleigh wasn't supposed to find any thing Malice did comforting. She was supposed to be appalled, outraged, disgusted even. So why WASN'T she?

She gripped the steering wheel with one hand as she drove through the city, shifting so smoothly that it felt like an automatic. She dropped Isis off at her destination of choice, agreeing to withold the former Black Queen's whereabouts for now. There was a shift in the dynamic between Isis and the Six, but Haleigh felt no differently about Dominique than she had last week. She drove back to the parthenon and bid goodnight to Nicolas. Despite being delayed by Malice, Dominique's extraction had gone as intended. The Truce still remained, but how LONG it would last remained to be seen. Haleigh had a feeling Malice was just biding her time.... and that soon enough, they'd all face off once again.

Haleigh had been too distracted by Malice to notice the OTHER predator lurking inside Hellfire: a long lost 'sister' of sorts.... Domino. Similarly afflicted, Domino presented a whole new set of challenges. How WOULD Haleigh recieve the news of another living being that was THRIVING after being infected? Only time would tell.

For now, she let herself into a dark penthouse. Zach must be out. The lights flickered on and she looked around, not knowing exactly what to do with herself. Her headache was returning, now that Malice's cooling effect had worn off. There was ANOTHER effect of seeing Diana face-to-face.... it left Haleigh feeling a bit disjointed. The 'balance' she'd spoke of to Diana didn't feel so steady. It was as if she were balanced on razor wire now and standing here in this penthouse, she realized now was NOT a good time to be alone with her thoughts.

She turned the lights back off, go in the elevator, and pressed the button. She had put it off for a whole week. As long as she never mentioned Diana's name, and didn't make any physical contact whatsoever, this would probably be awkward, but enjoyable. Checking in on him would give her something ELSE to focus on anyway, and allow her a few minutes repreive from everything that had been weighing on HER. If she could find a way to avoid totally fuccking it up, it might even be the first step in the right direction for them BOTH.

"Hey."

She started, not so smoothly, when he opened the door.

"Can I come in?"

 

[Prophet]

Parthenon Hotel - Top Floor

:: After several more rounds of drinks and debauchery, Cameron decided that it might be time to think about taking that long and much deserved rest he had been thinking about since before the bobsy twins arrived ready to party. Slowly but surely he began to usher them towards the door. Blaze was in a far better state than Cassandra but that was usually the case. It didn't seem like Blaze ever STOPPED drinking. Cameron shut the door behind them and leaned against it for a second exhaling. ::

:: He unbuttoned the top collar of his shirt as he headed into the kitchen pouring himself a glass of water and drinking it quickly. Cameron didn't want to wake up with a headache. As he pounded the glass down on the kitchen counter when he heard a knock on the door. He assumed that it was Alycia or maybe his sister..but when he realized that he couldn't telepathically lock on to what was behind his door, he knew it was her. ::

"Haleigh.."

:: This was a surprising development considering the fact that the two of them hadn't been able to figure out how to be around each other without pissing the other off or making things tense for everybody on the team. And then there was the thing with Diana. There was something going on there. And it was something that Cameron did not like nor would he put up with in the slightest. But he figured that if she had come to him it was probably to try and FORGET what was going on with her. So he slowly made his way to the door and opened it, their eyes locking onto each other instantly. ::

Haleigh: "Hey."

"...Hey, Hales..."

:: She started, not so smoothly, when he opened the door. ::

Haleigh: "Can I come in?"

"Uh..yeah, of course! Come on in.."

:: He guided her through the door, taking note of the smell of her hair as she brushed past him. There were still all of these little things he thought about her that were out of his control. For as far as he had come, he still caught himself thinking of her the way he used to think about her. Before things got messed up. ::

:: The two made their way towards the kitchen. ::

"I was about to make a sandwich before bed. I spent the last few hours drinking with Blaze and Cassandra..which is fun, but draining. You want one?"

:: Cameron began to pull condiments and different groceries out of the fridge and set them up on the counter next to him and began to mindlessly prepare. He shot a look to her. ::

"How was your night?"

:: He continued to make his sandwich as he caught her hair reflected in the moonlight shining behind her from the breakfast nook window. Cameron was reminded of the days of Illustra when the two of them would hang out on the roof and just kind of watch the moon, talking until the sun came up. It was so much simpler then because they only had each other. Nobody had been expecting anything from them. If they had only had the courage back then to act on how they felt, there was no telling where they would be now. But that didn't happen and right now they were standing an awkward distance apart talking about sandwiches. Now they had responsibilities. In fact, they had gone from the two most polarizing people on The Six to two people who were looked up to as leadership. They had to keep things together if only because right now they were the only two founding members of the team left. There were other hearts at stake. Zach. Alycia. There was just more mess. Cameron had been thinking of different ways to force this change between them..a change that needed to happen. But Haleigh was as impulsive as he could be and she was a master at avoiding an issue until it suffocated. The only problem was the energy and connection between them wasn't going anywhere. There was a part of him that knew he was going to have to scare Haleigh into realizing the need for BOTH of them moving forward and growing as people, and he knew that the best way to scare Haleigh Davidoff..was to give her exactly what she wanted. ::

:: But there was a BIG part of him that knew that opening THAT door might undo everything he had been working towards and that she was trying to maintain since returning after a long absence... and he didn't know that he would be strong enough to carry it out like he had planned. Still..he was going to give it a shot. He had to, and he couldn't care what the others would think about it. ::

"I'm glad you showed up tonight..looks like we haven't totally lost the ability to communicate with each other. Good to know."

[winking]

"Meanwhile..I forewent the magickal healing, but these lashes seem to be healing nicely.."

:: Cameron lifted up the back of shirt all the way to his shoulders as Haleigh would see DEEP and painful looking lash marks from Sister Mary Justice's chain all over his muscular back. ::

"She was a crazy bitch but she was one hell of shot."

:: pulling his shirt down he finished making his sandwich and cut it in half. ::

"I'm just glad we all made it out okay..and by okay..I mean alive. I didn't realize the effect that woman would have on me..it took me to a place I hadn't been in a long time.."

 

[Tachyon]

Well, two hours to burn. No problem.

Xavier changed out of his clothes to workout gear and took a quick jog...to San Diego, California and back. Seemed like a good idea and when he returned, he took a hot shower, ate, groomed himself meticulously, and put his suit on exactly back into place, walking into the Lounge with 3 minutes to spare. Taking a seat where he could be easily seen, he waited, figuring that a mistress of time itself would only be SO fashionably late.

 

[Matrix]

AND........AND....

that was it. It was a goddamn illusion. A parlor trick.

All of that mouth, and no action. Punk bitch.

Whatever. Richard almost had to stifle a laugh at himself as they got into the car. This elderly heffa had him SO mad and it was all a game. That taught him an important lesson, and he would not soon forget it. Malice was deadly, and he respected her power, but he would never give her more power than she already had by sweating her words. She got in his head without even...getting in his head. He almost played himself over nothing. Lesson learned.

Miss D gave the short thick blonde directions to where they would be staying and he stayed quiet, focusing on the former Black Queen's exposed thigh from her dress slit as it was illuminated by the streetlights because...why not? It was there and it looked GOOD and it took his mind off of wanting to kill all of the HC.

They soon arrived and he silently exited the car, holding the door open and helping Miss D out of the car. He acknowledged Nic and Haleigh (?) with a nod and allowed himself to be led by Isis to their new destination...

 

[Harbinger]

VIP Clubhouse

Well, two hours to burn. No problem.

Xavier changed out of his clothes to workout gear and took a quick jog...to San Diego, California and back. Seemed like a good idea and when he returned, he took a hot shower, ate, groomed himself meticulously, and put his suit on exactly back into place, walking into the Lounge with 3 minutes to spare. Taking a seat where he could be easily seen, he waited, figuring that a mistress of time itself would only be SO fashionably late.

:: Time spent with one of her dearest friends, and some truly AUTHENTIC Hemlock helped to not only SETTLE Alison from her encounter with Vivica, but actually lead her to look FORWARD to the rest of her evening and the company she'd be keeping!::


::She arrives at the VIP Clubhouse, knowing Xavier was there and waiting. He'd waited THIS long, a few more moments certainly wouldn't hurt! ::

:: She CARRIED the bottle of hemlock from Ava's apartment and she soon spotted Xavier, making her way over to him.::

Things got a little...lengthy with my meeting. BUT, here I am!

:: That last sentence was said in a faux "chipper" tone::


Let's move to one of the private booths, shall well?

:: Once they were seated in the dark, private space, Alison quickly poured herself a flute of the Hemlock::

You better order yourself something quickly. It's no fun to drink alone, and since Hemlock is not an option for you...

:: She drinks from her flute and clearly enjoys the taste of the erriely blue glowing liquid::


...I'm sure you can find something that can help you...KEEP UP!

:: She seemed different than when they met a few hours ago. Xavier had no idea what had happened between her and Vivica, but Alison decided she'd had ENOUGH of other people projecting their foolish insecurities on to her and that while she was still here, she WOULD enjoy herself. She DESERVED IT and her REAL friends like Ava, understood that::

It's a shame that you CAN'T have any of this! It's such a DELIGHTFUL concoction!

:: pouring herself ANOTHER flute before settling back to look at Xavier. Her colbalt blue eyes were striking, even in the dark space that they sat in, and she stared at him quite intently.::

 

[Tachyon]

::She arrives at the VIP Clubhouse, knowing Xavier was there and waiting. He'd waited THIS long, a few more moments certainly wouldn't hurt! ::

:: She CARRIED the bottle of hemlock from Ava's apartment and she soon spotted Xavier, making her way over to him.::

Things got a little...lengthy with my meeting. BUT, here I am!

Indeed. Good on you to decide to have some fun!

Right on time, and she was easy on the eyes. At her suggestion, they took a private booth. He was a bit struck as the rich blue of her eyes. He noticed it before, but the darkness of her hair and her fair skin seemed to frame it much better when she was having a good time, which so far she seemed to be.

:: Once they were seated in the dark, private space, Alison quickly poured herself a flute of the Hemlock::

You better order yourself something quickly. It's no fun to drink alone, and since Hemlock is not an option for you...

:: She drinks from her flute and clearly enjoys the taste of the erriely blue glowing liquid::


...I'm sure you can find something that can help you...KEEP UP!

Without a doubt, ma'am. Vodka on the rocks and an extra flute please.

She was enjoying her hemlock. Witches always did, and he enjoyed watching her get a bit of buzz from the magical elixir. Finally the server was back with the flute and the vodka. He downed the drink quickly and tapped the table for another as he calmly lifted the bottle of hemlock, pouring what appeared to be a drink for Alison and saluting her, teasing her by placing it near her lips before he DOWNED IT HIMSELF!