The old order changes

[Persephone]

Viper grabbed Persephone's wrist in the midst of shoving her back, causing the goddess to pull Viper towards her in a lock up.

Viper: Talk is cheap, you wilted potted plant!

"Yet you're the only one running their mouth!"

She shot back, both woman letting go of each other, but Viper getting in a strong head butt to Persephone's face causing her to stumble back. Jessica used her enhanced speed to get on her again, shoving her back even further before appearing BEHIND her and connecting a powerful roundhouse kick right into Persephone's stomach as she turned around. Her reaction time was slower than usual, causing the kick to send her FLYING back and SLAM into a tree. The wind was immediately knocked out of her as she fell to the ground, hunched over and grabbing her stomach.

Viper: You've been alive longer most bacteria on the planet, and you're STILL WEAK AS WATER VAPOR!

Gasping in, Persephone shut her eyes tightly as her hair shielded the pained expression on her face. She heard Jessica turn her attention to Alek, giving the goddess a few seconds to get to her knees. Looking up through pieces of chocolate strands, she saw Viper using her whip as a means to keep Alek back. Gritting her teeth with a mixture of fury and pain, Persephone put her palm down on the ground in an effort to get up when she felt the tree root against her skin. Looking down at the root, then lifting her eyes back up at Jessica....this bitch was going DOWN.

The perfectly landscaped grass began to raise up as if a snake had burrowed under the soil and was moving UNDER it; charging for Viper who was facing away from Persephone and focused on Alek. Suddenly the root of the tree shot up from the ground and wrapped itself around Viper's ankle PULLING her back toward Persephone with enough force to pull her completely off her feet and FALL to the ground. Persephone--now standing--lifted her hand as the root hurled Jessica up into the air allowing Persephone to jump and meet her mid air, TACKLING her to the ground with a powerful SPEAR to the torso.

"DIE YOU ACIDIC HARPY!"

Unleashing a fury of punches and forearms to Jessica's face, Persephone's snake cuff transformed and revealed her TRANSFIGURING WHIP, allowing her to wrap the whip around Jessica's throat, CHOKING her as she pinned her to the ground.

 

[Viper]

Hellfire Mansion- Conservatory

:: Viper laughed once more, that same taunting laugh that Persephone and Black Widow had heard several years ago when Viper FIRST emerged from stasis::

This is SUCH FUN!

Uh UHHH!!!

:: Berserker tried to dash again, but Viper accounted for him with her speed and reflex, and CRACKED her whip at him once more, this time, the strike came PERILOUSLY close to his chest, and he fit the STING of the flare of her venom blast energy. It didn't touch him, and he still fit it's power, just imagine how it would feel if it HIT him.::

You're not going ANYWHERE, you big OAF!

The perfectly landscaped grass began to raise up as if a snake had burrowed under the soil and was moving UNDER it; charging for Viper who was facing away from Persephone and focused on Alek. Suddenly the root of the tree shot up from the ground and wrapped itself around Viper's ankle

Whaaa?

ULLING her back toward Persephone with enough force to pull her completely off her feet and FALL to the ground. Persephone--now standing--lifted her hand as the root hurled Jessica up into the air allowing Persephone to jump and meet her mid air, TACKLING her to the ground with a powerful SPEAR to the torso.

UGH!!!

:: Were it not for her enhanced physical constitution, and the regenerative abilities afforded her by the T-Veronica virus...this would be a problem, a potentially fatal one!::

"DIE YOU ACIDIC HARPY!"

Unleashing a fury of punches and forearms to Jessica's face,

Get...OFF me....you DIRTY bitch.....

:: Jessica hisses with gritted teeth. Persephone had leverage...at the MOMENT...but she was also COMMITTED to this assault which meant Viper could once again LATCH ON to her and turn the tables...but...::

Persephone's snake cuff transformed and revealed her TRANSFIGURING WHIP, allowing her to wrap the whip around Jessica's throat, CHOKING her as she pinned her to the ground.

:: Jessica, still gritting her teeth, grabbed hold of Persephone's wrists once again..::

Let....go....

:: Her eyes began to sparkle, and then GLOW a solid green hue::

LET...GO....

:: green energy begins to spark and CRACKLE::

LET GO OF ME!

:: she finally manages to SCREAM as she unleashes a VENOM BLAST in a BALLISTIC field from her body, that totally encompasses Persephone.::

:: Persephone, due to her physiology, was protected from the corrosive and poisonous effects of Viper's venom blasts, but those bio electric blasts STILL packed CONSIDERABLE concussive power, enough that on the upper level, they could smash a tank, or punch a hole through a mountain.::

:: In THIS instance, Viper doesn't unleash a full powered blast, but she is blown away from Viper, and sent flying, UP into the top of a TREE, and suddenly scores of birds and other creatures come flying and leaping from the tree, squawking and vocalizing their agitation, at their unwelcomed "guest.::

::Viper , coughing, gets to her feet::

You BITCH!?

:: she bellows, but then coughs again, as she looks down at her side, where the spear had hit. How DARE that woman, who was CLEARLY beneath Viper, sully her body with her grubby hands!::

:: her body's regeneration was already working...but if this fight was going to continue, she'd have to up the ante, using her powers, not just her physicality. She had PLENTY in her arsenal to keep Persephone busy ::

You're nothing but a sad, second rate, boring, incompetent COSPLAYER! Olympian goddess my ASS.

::laughing once more::

I've seen mutates in my father's lab that were more put together than you, you ugly, 20,000 year old HAG.

Being up a tree is JUST where you belong!

:: Alek ONCE AGAIN tried it. Viper was not fooling around with him. He'd hear buzzing in the air, as a SWARM of giant wasps was now flying through the air, looking like a black cloud, and closing in. Viper had psionic control over these mutated insects and other bio hazards that were lurking in this forest under the program Alice was running. The wasps were ready to ATTACK , and Berserker would be the perfect target!::

You take ONE step, you muscle bound meathead, and you'll die an AGONIZING death.

The sting and venom of just ONE those mutated wasps is enough to put down a DOZEN men, and the process of dying is NOT quick OR painless. They're ALSO meat eaters. They'd happily feast on YOUR corpse for DAYS

:: the giant wasps buzzing is much louder, and Viper offers him a teasing smile once more::

 

[Persephone]

Jessica was struggling beneath Persephone as she tightened her grip on her whip, SQUEEZING Jessica's throat CLOSED with perverse pleasure. Her eyes were black and filled with heated rage as she gritted her teeth feeling Viper trying to push her away, protesting for her to let go. But the more she fought, the tighter Persephone pulled her whip. Viper's eyes turned a brilliant apple green, seemingly crackling with electricity as she bellowed out.

Viper: LET GO OF ME!

Viper unleashed a massive venom blast HURLING Persephone into the air with enough force to literally break the entire Hellfire Club in half. Persephone's body flew high above the tree tops, the goddess using her whip as a means to latch onto a branch and stop her from going any further and OUT the glass roof of the conservatory. Crashing into the limbs of the tree, she disturbed the birds and other animals that were relaxing moments earlier, sending them fleeing for their lives. Groaning out, Persephone had already felt weak before the fight, but now her body was screaming for mercy; her muscles burning and her head feeling like it was about to crack in half. Taking in a few ragged breaths, she heard Viper's child like voice taunting her even from high above, like nails scratching down a chalkboard.

Viper: You're nothing but a sad, second rate, boring, incompetent COSPLAYER! Olympian goddess my ASS. ::laughing once more:: I've seen mutates in my father's lab that were more put together than you, you ugly old HAG.

[to herself] "I'm going to kill her....I'm going to kill her and i'm going to STUFF HER like the CHUCKY DOLL she is!"

She growled out in absolute fury. She could hear Viper snapping her whip at Alek, threatening him again to stay back. Then she heard the familiar sound of buzzing as she caught sight of a BLACK MASS of wasps afar, flying directly for Alek.

"Not today, BITCH."

The winds within the conservatory began to pick up, blowing violently around the enclosed structure, causing the window panes to billow and flex in an effort not to shatter. The mass of wasps were BLOWN APART and sent flying AWAY from Alek as Persephone stood from a branch and SWAN DOVE from the tree; the wind carrying her body down with gale force speeds as she SLAMMED into Viper sending both woman tumbling across the grass. The sheer force of her hit could blast a hole through the Empire State Building--KILLING a baseline flatscan AND mutant alike. But Viper was lucky with her physiology and could take the hit, but she would most definitely FEEL IT.

As their bodies rolled across the grass, both woman continued to punch, hit, and kick each other in an all out BRAWL; both SCREAMING in fury as they attacked one another brutally and without restraint.

 

[Domino]

Hellfire Club - Conservatory

:: Maxine watched with a smug satisfaction as Alice recouped from her uppercut. Watching her intently, she was exhilirated as Alice's eyes shifted in color. ::

"Now there she is!"

:: Domino backed down from nobody. The only time anybody garnered ANY bit of respect from her was when they showed her that they could fight back. When they gave her a REASON to respect her. Alice was a quiet character, and Domino was never a fan of quiet. In Hellfire, you had to let a bitch know what you could do, and be prepared to DO it should the time come. Humility was for pussies. ::

:: Alice's eyes narrowed as Domino was PRIMED and ready to follow the force of the woman's telekinesis. Instinctively, she dodged and WEAVED, but just as she had played fawn with the medical tool earlier, Alice had done the same thing to her. As SOON as she leaped out of the way, she immediately realized Alice was warping the field around her. NARROWLY, she dodged a boulder and a number of sharp objects that began to flank her. ::

Alice: "Get out of your OWN way, you THROW AWAY BIOLOGICAL MISTAKE!"

:: Domino grimaced, ready to POUND down to the ground and use the force of her strike to cast away these projectiles surrounding her when... ::

Alice locks onto the blood stream, in Domino's BRAIN with her TK, and ATTACKS.

"Oh NOT FAIR YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

:: Domino STRENGTHENED her mind to the highest degree, something only those who had gone through what she had were able to do, but it was no match for Alice's power. It felt like a cop out. Sure. Maxine could have DISSOLVED Alice in a matter of MINUTES or consumed her entire body with SHROUD energy. But she didn't. Because she knew she couldn't. Alice was flirting with danger and Maxine would keep this in the record banks for the NEXT time Alice thought she would flex her power against the mutant. ::

:: The PAIN was excruciating! ::

That FEELING you're experiencing as you lose your sense of balance, your vision, your ability to TALK, and your body begins to spasm?

That's the onset of a STROKE, courtesy of my TELEKINESIS.

I ALSO have the power to TURN OFF the virus in your body.

Just as she'd done to Black Widow

You think I WOULDN'T have the means to CONTROL CREATURES like you?

Alice stands, and increases her attack, pushing the blood vessels in her brain to the point of nearly rupturing and spilling out onto her brain tissue. She was pushing Domino herself to the verge of a full on hemorrhagic stroke.

:: No. This bitch would NOT have the satisfaction of watching Maxine die. She thought she was hot shit, she thought she had the upper hand..she...didn't...but the PAIN! ::

What do you think would happen to you, if I turned OFF the very thing that ensures your survival?

Oh that's right, you can't TALK!

Don't worry, I'll make it quite clear.

You'd DIE

CROSS ME AGAIN, and that's JUST what will happen.

And with that, Alice thrusts her hand out, and sends Domino FLYING into a nearby body of water.

"AAAAHHH!!!!"

:: Alice released her TK assault as she HURLED Domino into a body of water, but the SECOND that Maxine felt that attack RELAX, she was not wasting another SECOND. She was DONE with people taking control of HER BODY! ::

:: Maxine came THRASHING up from the water in RECORD time, her regenerative abilities bolstering her, as well as the fact that Domino was used to and LIKED quite a bit of pain. It gave her an edge and it got her OFF. She CANNONABLLED out of the water like a ROCKET and FLUNG herself into Alice, this time her hands encased in a scarlet red color as she GRABBED Alice by the throat, using her born gift to decay organic matter as she began to DECAY Alice with a RUTHLESS and POWERFUL grip. ::

"The VIRUS...does...NOT...DEFINE ME!"

:: GRIPPING TIGHTLY AROUND ALICE. She could SMELL Alice's flesh smuldering and DECAYING, but she was going on SHEER bloodlust. This bitch was NOT going to have the last laugh...not TODAY! ::

"I don't care what your abilities are you, you dumb FOOLISH bitch! I have DESTROYED EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER GOTTEN IN MY WAY...and gifted as you are?! You are NOOOO EXCEPTION! REMEMBER THAT!"

:: The compuslory need to use her decaying ability was fighting to take HOLD of Maxine when she saw from the corner of her eye. ::

"Not today, BITCH."

The winds within the conservatory began to pick up, blowing violently around the enclosed structure, causing the window panes to billow and flex in an effort not to shatter. The mass of wasps were BLOWN APART and sent flying AWAY from Alek as Persephone stood from a branch and SWAN DOVE from the tree; the wind carrying her body down with gale force speeds as she SLAMMED into Viper sending both woman tumbling across the grass. The sheer force of her hit could blast a hole through the Empire State Building--KILLING a baseline flatscan AND mutant alike. But Viper was lucky with her physiology and could take the hit, but she would most definitely FEEL IT.

As their bodies rolled across the grass, both woman continued to punch, hit, and kick each other in an all out BRAWL; both SCREAMING in fury as they attacked one another brutally and without restraint.

"Oh for fuck's sake!?"

:: Was there an instance since her arrival where Persephone DIDN'T complicate or FUCK things up even FURTHER. She looked down at Alice's beautiful eyes...and she loosened her grip. ::

"You're lucky that what you DO.is MORE IMPORTANT than my DISDAIN for you."

:: Maxine KISSED Alice on the lips and TURNED Alice's head, her death touch aura receding from her hands. ::

"That dumb bitch Persephone is at it again. YOU grab Viper, and I'LL placate Persephone."

:: She said it begrudgingly. Jessica trusted Alice, and Maxine didn't want to grab hold of Viper and have her feel slighted or controlled by somebody LESS than her. Domino SLAMMED Alice's head on the floor, knowing she could take it and she FLEW into action, covering QUITE a bit of distance between her and Persephone in SECONDS as she grabbed the woman by the HAIR and winked. It was a STRUGGLE but Maxine wrastled the goddess from Viper, and took HOLD of her, Maxine's skin covered in her techno organic steel now, her arms warping into large circular platforms, making it near impossible for Ava to break free. Ava was strong as hell, but Maxine was stronger. ::

:: Persephone fought against her grasp. ::

"Can you go a single moment without fucking everything in your life UP?! I mean I admire your moxy, but DAMN, madmoiselle..even I know when to call it quits."

:: She looked to the left, where Maxine and Persephone's faces were side to side as Domino restrained her. ::

"I can see why Alek likes to stick it to you. You're hot. A little too sexually fluid for my tastes...but HOT!"

:: Domino watched as Alice restrained Viper. ::

 

[Black Widow]

Hook Mountain State Park

She worked her way across the terrain. Each step got easier, but she was still favoring her side. A couple more miles, and she'd make it to the road, where she could find some transportation. She couldn't wait to get out of these clothes, and take a shower.

A wolf appeared silently on a ridge ahead on the right, and Haleigh trudged on, until another emerged from the low brush on her left. Then a third, at her 10 o'clock. Then two more, cutting off her retreat. Haleigh's left hand clutched at her ribs, as her pistol appeared in her right. She pulled the slide back with her mind. Five wolves, ten rounds.

She looked around, bracing for the attack that would set her in motion. Wait, these weren't wolves. They wore collars. That red one had a scarf. Haleigh was fairly sure the one on the log was smiling at her. She lowered her firearm, and quite suddenly, four of the dogs sat in position. Behind her, there was a deep voice.

Man: Hey lady, you okay?

Haleigh pivoted to face him. She was not expecting him to be stark naked.

"Holy fuckin hello. Who the fuck are you?"

Man: My name is Arthur John Savage.

"Savage."

Savage: A.J., if you like. You can put that down, I'm not going to hurt you.

She was absentmindedly aiming at him, her pistol raised to the level of her hip. She lowered it again.

Savage: You look badly hurt. Are you lost? Do you need help?

 

[Berserker]

The Conservatory

Seph told him she was going to take them back to the Conservatory, where she would be strongest. In that, truth be told, totally awesome display of winds, they both arrived back there almost instantaneously. He turned to look at her with concern, and could see her eyes were shut and she was taking a steadying breath. She nodded to him, answering his unasked question. He wanted to wrap her in his arms again, but knew he couldn't do that here.

When she opened her eyes, she was giving him that dark stare that made him shiver. And not the kind of shiver that happened in his pants. Okay, well, maybe a little bit.

"Satisfied, Berserker? The club is completely fortified against The Six. If they attack when the Queen's are gone, we'll HANDLE it."

God, I love her.

"I don't want it HANDLED, I want it AIR TIGHT."

He scowled at her, matching her tone as she brushed past him.

"I'm really getting sick of your micro managing bullshit. Maxine may think she put you in charge, but we both know you're not man enough to step up [turning around mid walk with a sneer] Isn't that right, baby."

"Stop CALLING ME THAT!"

He marched angrily after her, until he saw her slow up. Max and Alice were arguing - not a surprise, since they hated each other's guts.

"Looks like your BFF [Maxine] isn't happy. Then again, I wouldn't be either if I was set to wrangle that unhinged salamander, Jessica Marcus."

"Max is very protective of her."

Viper finished off the creature she was fighting in a blinding flash of green light. Alek raised a hand to shield his eyes. When the flash dissipated, the creature was there, smoking, but Viper was gone and Alice and Max were starting to come to blows. He thought for a split second about stepping in, but he knew Max could take care of herself, and it would probably do the two of them good to have it out.

He grunted as something large BOWLED him over, knocking he and Seph to the ground. Viper. He sighed, not in the mood for her particular brand of crazy just then.

HI Persephone! How NICE to see you again, you old HAS BEEN. It was so easy to sneak up on the two of you! Clearly you haven't improved since the LAST time I kicked your ass!

"Is short term memory loss a side effect of psychosis? As I recall I had you bent BACKWARDS, muzzled, and electrocuted the last time we met. Your handler [Domino] had to rescue you."

He would have loved to have seen that. Seph was glaring daggers at Jessica, and pulling no punches. He got up from the ground, and began brushing off his clothing.

"Jessica. You're looking lovely today."

She turned her attention to him.

And what are you two doing HERE? Tip toeing through the tulips?

"Just instructing our new Rook on proper Red Court procedure."

He gave Jessica a languid look that said, you know how tiresome that is.

He must be the only person in this mansion who can actually stand to be around you. Everybody else hates you, thinks you're an easy slut, and wishes you were DEAD.

Alek didn't allow his expression to change in the slightest, but inside, he was beginning to boil. He wanted to rip the fangs right out of this bitch. But Seph beat him to it, stepping forward and attacking with a volley of punches.

God she was sexy when she was beating the shit out of someone.

It didn't take long for Jessica to retaliate, sending Seph careening into a tree, knocking the wind out of her. She was on the ground, and he couldn't just stand there and do nothing. Whether he was supposed to be hating Seph or not, he wasn't going to let this psychopath beat on her. She was a member of his court and he had a right and an obligation to protect her. And if that served his purposes, all the better. He moved forward to grab Viper, but he was BLOCKED by venom blasts from Jessica's whip.

STEP BACK, MOOSE!

"YOU step back. An attack on members of the Red Court is highly improper."

He darted forward, but she blocked his advance again, this time the whip came close enough for him to feel it. But as long as she was blocking him, she wasn't attacking Seph. Who took the opportunity to execute an absolutely kick ass move where she pulled Jessica backwards towards her with a tree root, then brought her up in the air before tackling her and thrusting a spear through her middle. Then Seph was on top of her, punching then choking her. Junior liked this a lot.

"DIE YOU ACIDIC HARPY!"

Alek had a fleeting thought about how killing one of Malice's pets was probably not a terrific idea, but he shrugged it off. She had attacked them first, and Kelly could always make another one.

LET GO OF ME!

Jessica blasted Seph away from her and into a tree.

You're nothing but a sad, second rate, boring, incompetent COSPLAYER! Olympian goddess my ASS. I've seen mutates in my father's lab that were more put together than you, you ugly, 20,000 year old HAG. Being up a tree is JUST where you belong!

"If you like trees so much..."

Alek reached out to the nearest one and pulled it out of the ground, moving forward, ready to use it as a club to beat Viper with. A black cloud of giant wasps once again blocked his path. But he wasn't afraid of bugs, and he continued on.

You take ONE step, you muscle bound meathead, and you'll die an AGONIZING death. The sting and venom of just ONE those mutated wasps is enough to put down a DOZEN men, and the process of dying is NOT quick OR painless. They're ALSO meat eaters. They'd happily feast on YOUR corpse for DAYS.

What the entire fuck? Where did they come up with this shit?

It started to get very windy inside the conservatory...something which shouldn't happen. Seph. She was blowing the wasps apart and away. He gave her a little salute of thanks. Seph rode the winds like a championship diver, slamming into Viper and rolling across the ground with her. He wanted to stand up and cheer for her. If this was what she could do when she was tired and feeling sickly, imagine what she could do at full strength. The two women were now screaming at each other, kicking and punching.

He ran over towards where the two had landed, and suddenly Max was there, pulling Seph off of Viper, and Alice was taking care of Jessica.

"Okay, okay. Max, you can let her go now."

He stepped so he was standing between Alice/Jessica and Max/Seph.

"Go back to your room and cool off."

He took a stern tone of voice with Seph, while surreptitiously trying to discern if she had been hurt at all.

"And Max, you need to keep your kid sister AWAY from the Red Court."

They let someone like this wander around the place, but it was the Red Court causing problems? Right.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone and Viper were rolling across the ground about to rip each other apart when she felt someone strong grab her from behind and pull her off Viper. She assumed it was Alek, but the frame she felt against her body was much thinner as she struggled to break freak. Then she felt like she was fighting against metal plates as they enveloped her body in a stronghold. Domino.

Max: "Can you go a single moment without fucking everything in your life UP?!

"She attacked me!"

Persephone growled while still struggling against Domino's grasp, losing the battle to break free.

Max: "I mean I admire your moxy, but DAMN, madmoiselle..even I know when to call it quits."

Alek: "Okay, okay. Max, you can let her go now."

"I'll QUIT once that bitch is air locked in her TANK!"

She snapped back with venom, glaring darkly at Viper who was being held back by Alice.

Max: "I can see why Alek likes to stick it to you. You're hot. A little too sexually fluid for my tastes...but HOT!"

"Oh, shut UP."

Persephone flicked her head to the side in an effort to get the hair away from her face. She stopped struggling at this point, knowing there was no point to fight Domino's hold. The bitch was strong; stronger than her even when she wasn't in her weakened state. But as soon as Persephone finally stopped fighting against Domino, she released her grip causing the Rook to pull away from the woman.

Alek: "Go back to your room and cool off."

"And fuck YOU."

Her tone was laced with frustration and anger.

"The NEXT time you want to do a security sweep, check to see if the INMATES are locked away in their CELLS."

Persephone pushed past Alek while pointing at Viper.

"Keep that BITCH away from me or she's going to end up in Kelly's body shoppe for reconstruction!"

Her warning wasn't idle due to her long and tumultuous history with Viper. They were foes to the strongest degree. Storming out of the conservatory, Persephone turned the corner to head down the hallway when she finally slowed to a stop and placed her hand against the wall for support. Exhaling, she leaned her body against the wall and shut her eyes; her arm immediately holding her stomach as she felt it turning in pain.

"I'm going to skin that cunt the next time I see her."

Persephone grumbled under her breath while wincing in pain; the adrenaline from the fight starting to leave her body and the full effect of what Viper did starting to hit her.

 

[Black Widow]

Hook Mountain State Park

Haleigh looked around at the dogs, still sitting pretty around her, each about ten feet from her. Then she looked back at Savage, and sized him up. He was barefoot, and unarmed. Extremely attractive, and obviously insane. Who walks naked through the forest with their dogs in broad fuckin daylight? When she decided it was okay to turn her back on him, she started hiking again.

"I'll live. I'm not lost. And I don't need any help."

She said, without looking back.

AJ: Riiiiight.

He said, then followed her, and his dogs trailed after them. When he caught up to her side a few seconds later, Haleigh stopped.

"Listen Mowgli--"

AJ: Yes, yes, I heard you. You don't need any help. But there's bears around here--"

"Oh SHIT, I did not realize. Bears."

She said sarcastically, with absolute disregard for that little fun fact as she returned to her hiking.

"I can handle bears."

AJ: This assurance coming from a woman that looks like a bear just 'handled' her? Forgive my lack of confidence.

"Fuck off."

She growled, and his laugh was a deep rumble as he kept up with her.

AJ: Feisty little thing, aren't you?

Haleigh huffed with annoyance, and continued to make her way to the nearest road.

"Motherfucker, if you don't stop following me, I'll have no choice but to hurt you."

AJ: You could try.

He said, with a smile that showed his canine teeth. She couldn't decide if the gleam in his gaze was supposed to be sexy, or if she was just imagining it. She sighed, because she knew if she made good on her threat that probably meant rolling around on the forest floor with this complete stranger. She weighed the pros and cons, as she started searching databases for his name.

"You know one of your dogs wandered off, right?"

AJ: Nah, they're all still here. Nice try though.

"Whatever, Savage. There WERE five of them, and now there's only four."

 

[Nogitsune]

The Catacombs

Miss M did not seem worried about her trip, but she didn't disregard what Emi had said, either. She shrugged.

Thank you, Emiko. Before you go...a gift."

Two of Miss M's shatei brought in a large piece of meat, still alive. She looked at Malice, eyes going wide. She pointed to herself, then looked at the present in front of her and clapped her hands, smiling wide.

He works with that no-talent HAS BEEN, Ashley Oldenbug, you MIGHT remember her, she was ONCE on Helena's red court? Now she's about as relevant as a RED HERRING.

Emi wrinkled her nose. The red panda didn't like her anymore, so neither did Emi. Plus, she didn't live here anymore and she had never wanted to play with Emiko anyway.

This poor, unfortunate soul will now go from being an officer of the law, to a MISSING PERSON.

Emiko threw back her head and laughed loudly, right from her belly.

Enjoy.

Emiko snapped her fingers, and she was holding a chain saw. She looked down at the thing on the floor, licking her lips. But then she looked up as Miss M started talking to her again.

But NOT here, my dear. I have another private meeting, and the screams of your toys will be a bit...distracting.

Emiko seemed to consider that for a moment, then nodded in agreement. She pounced on top of her new friend, and with a *POP* the two of them disappeared.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone had made her way back to her chambers, the lock around her door already fixed by the time she got back. Closing the door behind her, she pressed her back against it and let out a long, deep sigh. She may have stepped up against Viper without wavering-- dishing back out what Jessica was serving her-- but the moment her bedroom door shut and she was away from public view, the facade dropped. Racking her fingers back through her hair, she hunched over with a grimace. Her arm loosely held her stomach while her breathing was more ragged.

I hate that bitch. I hate that bitch. I hate that bitch.

Kept repeating in her head as her muscles burned and her stomach turned. She could feel the wave of nausea overcome her causing her to grip the edge of her dresser in an effort to steady herself. Slowly she took a breath in, focusing on the small notch on the floor in front of her trying to ease herself. But her breathing hitched in her throat and her hand quickly went to her mouth feeling the vomit rising in her throat.

Running to the bathroom, Persephone barely made it to the toilet before vomiting up BLACK bile; her body heaving and contracting. Coughing, she gasped in shallow breaths before vomiting again, choking out while lowering herself to the tiled floor. Her eyes were watery as she looked at the black liquid massively concerned, swallowing hard at the realization that this was far from normal.

Flushing the toilet, Persephone lowered the lid and propped her elbow on top of the seat; holding her head with her hand and closing her eyes. For a split second she thought about going to Kelly for help...but no. HELL no. That bitch would probably draw her blood and make some kind of bionic plant creature that would ultimately be used against her later. Plus, showing any kind of WEAKNESS, especially now? Would be detrimental. Helena and Diana were both waiting for Persephone to falter--she wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

 

[Alice]

Hellfire Mansion- The Conservatory

:: Maxine came THRASHING up from the water in RECORD time, her regenerative abilities bolstering her, as well as the fact that Domino was used to and LIKED quite a bit of pain. It gave her an edge and it got her OFF. She CANNONABLLED out of the water like a ROCKET and FLUNG herself into Alice, this time her hands encased in a scarlet red color as she GRABBED Alice by the throat, using her born gift to decay organic matter as she began to DECAY Alice with a RUTHLESS and POWERFUL grip. ::

"The VIRUS...does...NOT...DEFINE ME!"

Oh but it DOES, as does your status of being a cheap knock off, a walking trial and error that should've been DISPOSED of.

:: GRIPPING TIGHTLY AROUND ALICE. She could SMELL Alice's flesh smuldering and DECAYING, but she was going on SHEER bloodlust. This bitch was NOT going to have the last laugh...not TODAY! ::

"I don't care what your abilities are you, you dumb FOOLISH bitch! I have DESTROYED EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER GOTTEN IN MY WAY...and gifted as you are?! You are NOOOO EXCEPTION! REMEMBER THAT!"

Alice was unmoved by this walking pile of genetic garbage's bravado.

::FLASH!::

<< An INTERNAL view of Alice's systems, down to the cellular level. Her DNA had bonded with, and ALTERED the T-VIRUS within her system on a cellular level, due to the fact that she was not a baseline human (as she and Marcus had originally believed all those years ago when she agreed to be his first test subject) but rather a human with an ANOMALOUS gene structure, like Sharon Kelly, meaning she had mutant genetic potential, but the X-gene had not been excited enough to activate, UNTIL the moment she was exposed to the VIRUS.

Domino's attack was like fire burning on top of a body of water, even though it would cause some evaporation, it would NEVER consume that body of water. So while her neck area was being subjected to acute necrosis, the T-Virus, the PURE form of it from Marcus' early experimentation when it evolved from the Progenitor Virus, was CONSTANTLY renewing, reviving, bringing her cells- skin, muscle tissue, blood, BACK TO LIFE.

Domino had committed herself to this up close and personal attack.

Put...an ASTERISK by that declaration.

Viper and Malice ALONE were two examples that proved OTHERWISE regarding Domino's statement that she destroyed whatever got in her way, and there was about to be ANOTHER.

I AM the exception, you walking pile of GARBAGE.

Her eyes shifted once more.

She retaliates, using her telekinetic power to SEIZE Domino's nervous system and muscoluskeletal system, and causing Domino to be subjected to LOCKED-IN SYNDROME, ALL her voluntary muscles, and her bones are now completely PARALYZED.

At the same time, a vibranium SWORD that was leaving on the table where Alice's medical grade table was lifts off, and turns in the air...now aimed at Domino.

I am as BEYOND YOU as the human as BEYOND the amoeba!

She grabs Domino's wrists, and begins PRYING them loose from her person, and the ENDLESS cycle of death/renewal that was happening about her neck region as her T-VIRUS cells countered acted Domino's decaying attack was quite evident as the skin, strands of blood, and veins in her neck were GLOWING green, the same color of the infamous leeches that Marcus had originally created the virus in.

You have NOTHING going for you, but your tunnel vision, your brainless brutality, and your one dimensional physical powers. I have the power of the MIND and the building blocks of LIFE at my disposal, you pathetic CRETIN.

Her oddly colored eyes FLASH and the sword ZOOMS through the air , there's a faint whizzing sound as it slices through the very molecules of the air, and charges right over to where they are, and reaches's Domino's neck. Even if she WEREN'T paralyzed, she'd NOT be able to match the power of Alice's will to take control of the sword, as it now GRAZED her neck.

You move faster than any normal human, and most mutants. But you CANNOT move faster the speed of thought, and WITH a FRACTION of a thought, I will DIVORCE your head from your frankenstein BODY and END you.

And in that moment, much to the shock of Berserker, Alice WAS about to DECAPITATE the now PARALYZED Domino when the sound of Viper's escalating confrontation drew BOTH their attention. As Domino indicated she was standing down, Alice sent the sword back to its original location...

"You're lucky that what you DO.is MORE IMPORTANT than my DISDAIN for you."

Maxine KISSED Alice on the lips and TURNED Alice's head, her death touch aura receding from her hands.

Alice, disgusted by the touch of Domino, SPIT in her face

Luck has NOTHING to do with it, you walking petrie dish.

YOU live, because there is a more urgent matter at HAND.

Alice RELEASED Domino from her paralysis, and of course the common gene joke took the opportunity to get a CHEAP, and ultimately POINTLESS shot in, slamming Alice's head down into the grassy ground.

Alice hissed with contempt.

she FLEW into action, covering QUITE a bit of distance between her and Persephone in SECONDS as she grabbed the woman by the HAIR and winked. It was a STRUGGLE but Maxine wrastled the goddess from Viper, and took HOLD of her, Maxine's skin covered in her techno organic steel now, her arms warping into large circular platforms, making it near impossible for Ava to break free. Ava was strong as hell, but Maxine was stronger. ::

:: Persephone fought against her grasp. ::

"Can you go a single moment without fucking everything in your life UP?! I mean I admire your moxy, but DAMN, madmoiselle..even I know when to call it quits."

:: She looked to the left, where Maxine and Persephone's faces were side to side as Domino restrained her. ::

"I can see why Alek likes to stick it to you. You're hot. A little too sexually fluid for my tastes...but HOT!"

:: Domino watched as Alice restrained Viper. ::

A blurring image trail of Alice is barely perceived by Berserker as Alice dashes past him, and grabs hold of Viper, pulling her back from Persephone just as she was about to viciously BITE Persephone in the FACE. ::

NO, Viper!

:: Viper was fully triggered by Persephone, and ready to FINISH what she'd started with her all those years ago on Sheena Island. Viper was incredibly strong, and if Persephone had not had the durability of an Olympian, she would've already been maimed or dead after the physical punishment Viper had dished out. But Alice was more than capable of restraining her in this moment, not only physically, but by activating her power to subdue her in much the same way she had done Haleigh. Domino hadn't felt THIS from Alice, YET...but their conflict was FAR from over.

STOP, Jessica.

You've shown her what you can do...now that is enough!

"She attacked me!"

Persephone growled while still struggling against Domino's grasp, losing the battle to break free.

You're one of her triggers, and you KNOW that.

Alice replied coldly.

"And Max, you need to keep your kid sister AWAY from the Red Court."

They let someone like this wander around the place, but it was the Red Court causing problems? Right.

MAXINE is not the only one responsible for Viper's care, Berserker, and YOU would do well to follow protocol and keep your sloppy red court members under control.

Persephone pushed past Alek while pointing at Viper.

"Keep that BITCH away from me or she's going to end up in Kelly's body shoppe for reconstruction!"

It's your own fault. If you'd bothered to check the schedule for the conservatory, you would've have seen that the past several hours were blocked for training and testing with Viper, and it was RESERVED for AUTHORIZED and essential personnel ONLY.

It was OBVIOUS that Persephone and Berserker had not checked, because they hadn't BEEN there. ANY time Alice was conducting tests, she sent out electronic notification that the queens passed to the courts, it was understood that certain individuals, NAMELY Persephone and Black Widow were NOT to enter the conservatory when Alice was training Viper in there. That directive was further endorsed by Malice and Enchantrah, who desired as LITTLE drama as possible where Viper was concerned.

Perhaps we should revisit this matter with Malice and Enchantrah, since once again, the two of you seem to think the rules don't apply?

Meanwhile, YOU stay away from Jessica. You'll do NO harm to her, and if you TRY? You'll answer to ME.

Persephone stormed out, leaving Alek and Maxine standing there, as Alice calmed the enraged Jessica.

 

[Viper]

Hellfire Mansion- The Conservatory

"YOU step back. An attack on members of the Red Court is highly improper."

HAH! What do you know about propriety? You BARELY escaped the most recent mess YOU caused with your balls in tact!

:: She taunted as she kept him at bay with her vine wipe, and the threat of her venom blasts::

Like I need some meat and potatoes dullard telling ME what's proper. I'm BETTER than you TOO, AL-ICK

:: She said his name with mocking contempt::

You would've been nothing more than a test subject in my father's lab, and looking at you now, you seem to be halfway toward some sort of mutation into a hairy backed beast!

:: laughing at him::

"If you like trees so much..."

Alek reached out to the nearest one and pulled it out of the ground, moving forward, ready to use it as a club to beat Viper with. A black cloud of giant wasps once again blocked his path. But he wasn't afraid of bugs, and he continued on.

:: Alek ONCE AGAIN tried it. Viper was not fooling around with him. He'd hear buzzing in the air, as a SWARM of giant wasps was now flying through the air, looking like a black cloud, and closing in. Viper had psionic control over these mutated insects and other bio hazards that were lurking in this forest under the program Alice was running. The wasps were ready to ATTACK , and Berserker would be the perfect target!::

You take ONE step, you muscle bound meathead, and you'll die an AGONIZING death.

The sting and venom of just ONE those mutated wasps is enough to put down a DOZEN men, and the process of dying is NOT quick OR painless. They're ALSO meat eaters. They'd happily feast on YOUR corpse for DAYS

:: the giant wasps buzzing is much louder, and Viper offers him a teasing smile once more::

"Not today, BITCH."

The winds within the conservatory began to pick up, blowing violently around the enclosed structure, causing the window panes to billow and flex in an effort not to shatter. The mass of wasps were BLOWN APART and sent flying AWAY from Alek as Persephone stood from a branch and SWAN DOVE from the tree; the wind carrying her body down with gale force speeds as she SLAMMED into Viper sending both woman tumbling across the grass. The sheer force of her hit could blast a hole through the Empire State Building--KILLING a baseline flatscan AND mutant alike. But Viper was lucky with her physiology and could take the hit, but she would most definitely FEEL IT.

AHHHH!

:: She shrieked with primal RAGE as she began clawing at Persephone, pulling/tearing at her hair, kicking and punching, as the two rolled across the grass, and were now fighting like two wild cats! Anyone else would've been dead by now, but these two were almost..."PERFECTLY SUITED" for each other, a fact that drove their disdain for one another.::

As their bodies rolled across the grass, both woman continued to punch, hit, and kick each other in an all out BRAWL; both SCREAMING in fury as they attacked one another brutally and without restraint.

I'll KILL YOU! I'll DEVOUR you!

:: She meant it too, as she bared her now fanged teeth, dripping with venom and was about to STRIKE at Persephone with more ferocity than a Cobra (pun intended ) but her bite wouldn't be like a snake's bite, she would unleash a torrent of acid flame the moment she took a chomp of Persephone that would make a ZOMBIE blush! She couldn't INFECT Persephone with any viruses, poisons or toxins, but she could damage her down to her internal systems with that acid flame!::

in SECONDS as she grabbed the woman by the HAIR and winked. It was a STRUGGLE but Maxine wrastled the goddess from Viper, and took HOLD of her, Maxine's skin covered in her techno organic steel now, her arms warping into large circular platforms, making it near impossible for Ava to break free. Ava was strong as hell, but Maxine was stronger. ::

:: Persephone fought against her grasp. ::

"Can you go a single moment without fucking everything in your life UP?! I mean I admire your moxy, but DAMN, madmoiselle..even I know when to call it quits."

:: She looked to the left, where Maxine and Persephone's faces were side to side as Domino restrained her. ::

"I can see why Alek likes to stick it to you. You're hot. A little too sexually fluid for my tastes...but HOT!"

:: Domino watched as Alice restrained Viper. ::

LET ME AT HER!

:: Viper lunged::

A blurring image trail of Alice is barely perceived by Berserker as Alice dashes past him, and grabs hold of Viper, pulling her back from Persephone just as she was about to viciously BITE Persephone in the FACE. ::

NO, Viper!

:: Viper was fully triggered by Persephone, and ready to FINISH what she'd started with her all those years ago on Sheena Island. Viper was incredibly strong, and if Persephone had not had the durability of an Olympian, she would've already been maimed or dead after the physical punishment Viper had dished out. But Alice was more than capable of restraining her in this moment, not only physically, but by activating her power to subdue her in much the same way she had done Haleigh. Domino hadn't felt THIS from Alice, YET...but their conflict was FAR from over.

STOP, Jessica.

You've shown her what you can do...now that is enough!

:: Alice's voice...it triggered memories, of those EARLY years in Arklay Mansion, when Alice would have to STOP Viper from mangling one of her father's early bio hazards, and when Viper was reaching adolescence and her own genius intellect and powers were emerging, Alice was the perfect addition to her father's adoration. She encouraged Viper to br brave, and to never be afraid to take the path less traveled, using unconventional means. And Jessica took that to heart, as she helmed one of Alice's research's projects on exposing various INSECTS to the T-Virus.::

:: Alice's voice...AND Alice using her own unique power to "put the brakes" on a person who was powered by the T, T-Veronica, or G-Virus, began to work...but not ALL the way...not yet!::

"She attacked me!"

Persephone growled while still struggling against Domino's grasp, losing the battle to break free.

You had it coming, BITCH. You're ALWAYS in the way, you're ALWAYS in my space! You're not a goddess, you're just a pretender. TREE MOSS is more important than YOU!

The only reason you SURVIVED the first time we fought is because you had half a dozen other people to help you.

I'll GET YOU!!!

He ran over towards where the two had landed, and suddenly Max was there, pulling Seph off of Viper, and Alice was taking care of Jessica.

"Okay, okay. Max, you can let her go now."

He stepped so he was standing between Alice/Jessica and Max/Seph.

"Go back to your room and cool off."

He took a stern tone of voice with Seph, while surreptitiously trying to discern if she had been hurt at all.

"And Max, you need to keep your kid sister AWAY from the Red Court."

And YOU keep that ANCIENT venus fly trap on a short leash, or I'll run her over!

:: Viper was LIVID that Alek called her Maxine's "Little sister." Viper PRE DATED Maxine, she was her father's DREAM COME TRUE! SHE was the QUEEN of Mystech, and everyone, even Auntie DIANA knew the truth, which is why she'd kept her a SECRET from the Six for all those years.::

You're nothing but an overdeveloped LICKER with too much body hair.

:: She fired back at Alek with disdain for him calling her Maxine's little sister::

ersephone pushed past Alek while pointing at Viper.

"Keep that BITCH away from me or she's going to end up in Kelly's body shoppe for reconstruction!"

Oh you just TRY IT, you decrepit WEED!

:: Viper sneered as she once again LUNGED for Persephone, but was firmly held in check by Alice::


:omino and Alice REBUKED Persephone, and Viper began to calm a bit as her arch rival stormed out.::

I can't STAND that ugly old GARGOYLE.

Alice: She's gone now. And Berserker is LEAVING as well. See? They're ALL gone. You've done VERY well today, Jessica.

I have the data and figures to go over with you, and then we will begin packing for our TRIP!

:: Alice immediately began engaging Jessica in other more appealing things, as Maxine looked on, keeping an eye on Berserker as he finally took his leave.::

Alice: :: Looking at Domino:: Perhaps, instead of skulking about the halls to see who you can provoke, you might be better served to make sure these ARROGANT and SLOPPY Inner Circle members follow protocol! If those two had checked the information feed, they would've known this testing session was in progress. Persephone and Scion are NOT to be in here are running tests with Viper. CLEARLY they didn't get the Red Queen's communication. I'll be bringing this up to Diana. Meanwhile, it's time to get ready for the trip.

 

[Berserker]

The Conservatory

Alek told Max to keep his sister on a tighter leash. And that not only pissed Jessica off, but Alice as well.

MAXINE is not the only one responsible for Viper's care, Berserker, and YOU would do well to follow protocol and keep your sloppy red court members under control.

"The only person here who is out of control is your charge, Alice. Which is why she should be watched more closely. If YOU weren't over there making out with your girlfriend..."

It's your own fault. If you'd bothered to check the schedule for the conservatory, you would've have seen that the past several hours were blocked for training and testing with Viper, and it was RESERVED for AUTHORIZED and essential personnel ONLY.

Oh give me a break.

"The security of the mansion trumps any 'training' activities. I have authorization for the entire mansion. Plus, that's why we have training rooms - away from the common areas that exist for the use of club members. This isn't Arklay."

Perhaps we should revisit this matter with Malice and Enchantrah, since once again, the two of you seem to think the rules don't apply?

He smirked, staying perfectly calm.

"And what rules are that, eh? Go right ahead, sweetheart. Let's see what the queens think about Jessica disappearing on you, because you weren't paying attention, and ATTACKING two members of the Inner Circle."

If she thought threats were going to scare him, she had another thing coming. But Alek needed to extricate Seph from this situation, before she got hurt, or more likely, punished by Malice. So he told her to go to her room.

I'm going to pay for that later.

"And fuck YOU."

Alek waved his hand in the air in annoyance, his tone of voice in his reply pissed off.

"Oh go fuck yourself."

"The NEXT time you want to do a security sweep, check to see if the INMATES are locked away in their CELLS."

He called after her as she pushed past him to storm out of the conservatory.

"Maybe I'll start with YOU."

He huffed, glaring at Alice, who was busy coddling Viper. Regaining his composure, he turned to Maxine.

"I'll see you later, Max. Text me if you want to have a drink before you leave."

He turned to face the group, with a sweep of his hand.

"Ladies."

And he exited the conservatory. He had to force himself not to go to Seph's room and see how she was doing, or text her. He would have to wait. He just hoped she was okay.

 

[Domino]

Hellfire Club - The Conservatory

"Miserable fucking son of a bitch."

:: Maxine was FUMING over her altercation with Alice. She was so smug. So SURE of herself, that it sent Maxine into overdrive. Alice dripped of the same self assurance that Maxine's FATHER did and it caused Domino's blood to boil. This little scuffle, it would not be the last between the two women, and if she didn't have to stop Persephone from killing herself to make a point, she would have ENDED the woman then and THERE. She was starting to question her decision to enter an alliance with Diana. She respected Malice. They both had a VERY similar mode of operation, but she was feeling unfullfilled. She was promised a kingdom when she arrived at Sheena Island. And so far? All she was given were keys to strongholds she didn't care about and were HARDLY useful anymore. She didn't want to mind the store, she wanted to CARVE a path for herself, and Diana seemed preoccupied with her court and her precious daughter. Maxine was questioning whether or not she made the right decision in coming to the American Court. She had helped a revolution succeed in Europe. She had made real change there. They respected her there. They REVERED and FEARED her in Europe. Here? Everybody thought they were so damn important. She had killed her father and MURDERED the Supreme Council in Europe because she refused to be tamed, and now she found herself bowing and playing the same boring social games she had been forced to play in Europe. She thought Malice more of a woman than that, and she was questioning her position in things. ::

:: And then she remembered who the fuck that she was. Maxine couldn't be put into a box. She played by her own rules, and she could no longer let herself be guided by these social norms, these pathetic verbal ways of moving pieces. Alice comforted Viper and brought her back down to the Earth and Persephone threw a hissy fit and walked out of the room. ::

Alek: "I'll see you later, Max. Text me if you want to have a drink before you leave."

:: It presented a unique opportunity. Alice wanted Viper all to herself, that much was clear. But Maxine took comfort in the fact that Viper was far more like HER than she would ever be like Alice. If anybody ever truly threatened Jessica? She would end their life in any number of UNIMAGINABLE ways. Maxine had proved herself a sister and an ally to Jessica. Maybe it would take some time for Jessica to remember that, and Maxine could wait. She truly cared about Jessica, but it was SO MUCH just to take care of her. She was looking for reciprocation. After what they had gone through, Maxine thought the two women to be so closely bonded..and Alice seemed hell bent on making sure that Jessica forgot that. It was a painful feeling, but then again..Maxine had only ever given her heart to but a few people in her life. Two of them were dead, and the other was under the control of people she didn't trust, and it looked like those people were winning. ::

:: Maxine made her exit from the conservatory. She was angry and pissed off, and she was lucky that nobody caught her gaze as she made her way through the halls of the mansion and towards the outside. She had a little bit of time before the others clamored like cattle towards the private tarmac that would take them to New Anotlia. SHE had been there before, SHE had fought as Ravena's own KNIGHT, TEARING through Tyrants and fighting against Viper in a way that NONE of the others could. Without her? NOBODY in Europe would have been able to stake claim in their role. She was TIRED of working UNDER people, feeling like a nobody. Malice may not have intended to have her feel worthless, but Domino had put her trust in Diana, and as of late, Diana had failed to deliver on many of her promises. Domino was tired of treading water, and she realized, that if she came back from this trip feeling nothing more than she had before hopping aboard, it would be time for her to jump ship. If Diana didn't want to utlize an asset, that was on her. ::

:: She moved through the streets of New York City, rounding the corner and entering the Meat Packing District as she pulled out her phone, sending a text to the Red Knight. ::

>> I'm pinging you a location. Be here in thirty minutes. Come alone.

:: She communicated with Lord Ravena with her thoughts, carefully choosing her words. ::

"My lord, I require a bit more time stateside. I will be in New Anatolia as soon as needed, please setup a portal?"

:: Maxine trusted and loved Lord Ravena. She would not do anything crazy without his counsel, but he was so close to Malice. In that last few months, he had come so close to...this PLACE, that despite how much she trusted him, she couldn't help but feel a bit left out. Had she been forgotten? Had HE forgotten Evelyn and everything he promised her? Only time would tell. ::

:: Entering a security code on the outside of a non descript building, she entered and got into a large freight elevator, reaching the top floor which ended up being her own private office and setup, something she had been establishing since she arrived to New York City. An avid hacker it was filled with an impressive amount of tech and security, including any number of anti PSIONIC devices. It was a room full of white noise, free of psychic detection, a place in the city that she could call her own, where she could do wherever she wanted and not be detected. It was a place that was all hers. ::

:: Sitting down in her desk, she opened a crystal decanter full of scotch, and took a long swig as she filtered through security feeds of the mansion and other strongholds, making sure everything was okay. She waited for The Red Knight, second guessing if she was a fool or not for calling him there. ::

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion

Alek walked down the hallway to his room, passing Seph's door and pausing only a microsecond before moving on. She wasn't screaming, at least, which was about as good a sign as he could get at the moment. He figured he would at least hear her from his room if she really needed him, so he went inside and sank down on the couch. He hated not being able to help her, not knowing what was wrong with her. And not being able to touch her or speak to her. He knew how strong she was so that gave him some comfort, but this place...his home...it could never be their home. Everything was changing, and he needed to make sure they came out of it alive.

His phone buzzed in his hand and he glanced at it.

>> I'm pinging you a location. Be here in thirty minutes. Come alone.

Well THAT sounded ominous.

He got up and put on his previously discarded jacket, slipping his phone into the pocket. He exited the mansion and cut over a block before hailing a cab to the location Max had given him. He arrived at a plain old building, not a bar as he had anticipated, with a locked door. He could pry it open, but that seemed a little excessive. Suddenly the door clicked open.

He went inside to find a freight elevator. He got in and pressed the button for the top floor. No way Max would be anywhere but.

Stepping out again once he reached his destination, he found Max amongst a bunch of tech gear, drinking scotch.

"Maxine, darling, are you trying to seduce me? If so, at least pour me a drink first."

 

[Black Widow]

Hook Mountain State Park

She pointed out the fact that one of his dogs was MIA, but he just guffawed in response. Why was that so funny?

AJ: So, do you have a name, or shall I just call you fallen angel?

"What -- Why would you call me that?"

She asked in a bemused tone. As she picked her way through the undergrowth and emerged onto a trail.

AJ: Well, you made that crater, did you not?

Haleigh's gaze shifted over to his. One of the dogs pushed his head under her left hand, trying to encourage her to pet him as he trotted along beside her.

"Did you SEE me make that crater?"

She asked him carefully as she scratched behind the ears of friendly pup at her side.

AJ: No, but yours is the only scent trail coming away from it.

After filtering out the false leads, she found the best match for his name, but curiously there wasn't as much intel as she was expecting. And the records she found were highly suspicious.

"Arthur John Savage. Born 1873?"

AJ: No no, angel. I'm not answering any more of your questions if you won't answer mine.

There was no death certificate on record. That was weird. She found a scan of a drivers license from 1910. It sort of looked like him.

Interesting.

She thought, as she arrived at the trailhead, which opened up into a hard packed dirt parking area with two vehicles to choose from. Some yuppie economy car, and an old Jeep. Haleigh paused to look at her unexpected companion, wanting to solve that mystery still, knowing it would have to wait. Bishop had taken up her entire afternoon, and now she was pressed for time. She headed for the Jeep. Savage and his dogs hung back, at the edge of the forest.

"Well, thanks for the escort service, Savage."

She said, not waiting for his response as she climbed into the driver seat and fired up the Jeep. She shifted into gear and took off. She searched flight service for the info she needed, and came up with a flight plan filed for their trip. It was only a 30 minute drive to Westchester County Airport from here.

She pushed the Jeep as hard as it would go, and when that wasn't going to cut it, she gave it a boost. She made it to her destination in ten minutes flat, and pulled the jeep right out onto the ramp where the jet was getting ready for taxi. She honked the horn as the jeep skidded to a stop, yelling for the flight attendant to hold the door as the lineman signaled the pilots to hold their position.

She left the Jeep in neutral, engine still running, as she ran up the boarding stairs two at a time. Her formerly white outfit was covered in blood and dirt, but the flight crew seemed to take it in stride. Obviously they'd seen some shit before this. The attendant welcomed her aboard and asked her if she had any luggage.

"No, I'll just buy new stuff when I get there."

Haleigh replied casually, thinking that Rave's subjects would probably appreciate the business. She sank into the leather seat next to Heidi with a sigh.

"Made it."

Heidi: Bloody Hell. What happened to you -- no, wait, let me guess. Did you get your knickers untied?

"I wish."

Haleigh grumbled, and Heidi went back to her magazine.

Heidi: Well, the Queen's pretty ticked that you weren't here on time.

"Of course she is."

 

[Domino]

Meat Packing District

Alek: "Maxine, darling. Are you trying to seduce me? If so, at least pour me a drink first."

:: Maxine's icy blue eyes gestured for him to have a seat as she poured him a glass of scotch and it on the table in front of them. She leaned back propping her feet on the desk and singling. ::

"Seduce, Murder..Who's to say? They're such close emotions."

:: laughing ::

"Thank you for coming, Alek."

:: pausing ::

"This isn't a place for friends. We both know that. And I don't much like to give away my moral compass, so do not take this lightly, but I trust you."

:: She watched his face as she spoke, trying to gauge his interest and response. ::

"Not that trust has much stock in these parts. I'm having a bit of a rough go lately, Red Knight."

:: Maxine scooped her legs off the table and sat upright in her chair, interlocking her fingers. ::

"None of what has been promised to me here has come to fruition. And all this newness - the appointments, the need to run this club as a finishing school for girls? Well...it has me pissed."

:: She gripped her fists for a moment before relaxing them. ::

"I'm not sure what you know of me. It's either mostly true or mostly false, but what I can tell you is that I watched my native courts decay because of the compulsory need to piss all over everything everyone has when they run a court."

:: Maxine spoke with a bit of bitterness in her voice. She felt like she was right back at Hellfire Europe before she was The Black Knight. Awaiting instruction, kept in the dark. USED. ::

"Diana had me believe that things were different here. That this was a place of enterprise and forward thinking..and so far..what I've seen?"

[flatly]

"The same indentured servitude as always. The Queens and Kings line up their pieces and play a game of chess. Only there is no winner, and the pieces end up dead once they've served a purpose they are never quite aware of."

:: laughing ::

"Oh there's talk of big things. But most of them revolve around the size of Diana's dick. And I'm growing tired of minding the shop, wandering the halls like a groundskeeper. I don't enjoy being in anybody's pocket, Alek. Unless my finger is in that pocket and I'm about to bring a woman to the brink of ecstasy with it."

:: She eyed him for a moment. Maxine was never this on the level with anybody, but it was clear that she was being kept out of the loop. She needed allies. Helena would sacrifice Alek if she had to, but Maxine had seen it would be difficult for her to do so. The rest of the Inner Circle members were too far up The or queens asses to approach. ::

"I made an agreement with Diana because I believed in her hype. When I looked her in the eyes, I saw a kindred spirit. And I thought I saw that reverberated back to her. But maybe I was mistaken..."

:: bitterly ::

"Lord Ravena has all but forgotten Evelyn Pierce. Moved on to "better" things. And I'm faced with a conundrum."

:: She thought of Evelyn and her heart skipped a beat for a moment. She missed the woman dearly. And the fact that she was sitting here, seeking counsel from The Red Knight, it was ironic, considering her own past with a former Red Knight. But it was also comforting. ::

"I need to create other options for myself. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not bowing out of the game just YET, but it's clear I'm..."

[begrudgingly]

"Not the power player here I assumed I would be. And the timing of a trip to the place I grew up in (London Hellfire Estate), well..it seems ominous. And left me thinking that...perhaps I shouldn't return. Perhaps I should go back to my place of power...where I REIGN supreme."

:: smirking ::

"If that's the case...well I can't go back empty handed. I need a few things. And that's where you come in."

"I've thought my legacy lied with Viper. That as two survivors of Hellfire we could forge a new path together. But it's clear that I might never get her out of these walls. But I CAN make sure that her legacy..and my own, live on in a way that is right for the BOTH of us."

:: Maxine leaned in ::

"You are minding the store during this trip. If perhaps, a sample of Viper's DNA were to go missing..."fall off the truck" if you will..I could make it worth your while...depending of course..on what you might want from me.."

:: Maxine leaned back once again. She was interested in talking shop with Alek. She had never approached a member of The Inner Circle this way and she was beginning to think this had been her first mistake. ::

"Now of course I've just been very frank with you and if you disagree with me or rebuke me I will be forced to kill you.."

:: smiling ::

"But what do you say? Care to help a girl spice things up? If I find on this trip that I wish to stay, well you can put the sample back and enjoy a STRENGTHENED alliance with one of the toughest women this place has ever seen. If I do leave, and you help me out..who knows what reward you might get, if you aren't too scared to ask for it."

:: She watched the Knight, awaiting his response. ::

 

[Berserker]

Meat Packing District

Alek sat down on the opposite side of the desk, sarcastically asking if Max was trying to seduce him. She poured him a drink and set it in front of him.

"Seduce, Murder...Who's to say? They're such close emotions."

"I know you well enough to recognize you wouldn't waste good scotch on a dead man."

He chuckled, and raised his glass in a salute.

"But if I have to be murdered by anyone, Max, I couldn't ask for anyone better at it."

"Thank you for coming, Alek."

"That's what she said."

He grinned, taking a sip of the scotch.

"But seriously, your cryptic summons has me intrigued."

"This isn't a place for friends. We both know that. And I don't much like to give away my moral compass, so do not take this lightly, but I trust you."

He smirked.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Not that trust has much stock in these parts. I'm having a bit of a rough go lately, Red Knight."

"You just need to make a visit to a certain avian acquaintance, that'll put you back in good spirits in no time."

But Maxine wasn't joking around, he could tell by her expression as she sat up, and the amused look left Alek's face to match.

"It's been a rough time all around, lately. Things have certainly changed."

He took another sip, savoring the feeling of the liquor burning down the back of his throat. Six months ago he would never have believed Helena would deny him anything.

"None of what has been promised to me here has come to fruition...Diana had me believe that things were different here. That this was a place of enterprise and forward thinking..and so far..what I've seen? The same indentured servitude as always. The Queens and Kings line up their pieces and play a game of chess. Only there is no winner, and the pieces end up dead once they've served a purpose they are never quite aware of."

Alek looked down and away, his meeting with Helena where she refused to see the fault in losing an asset like Seph forefront in his mind. It didn't used to be this way. Helena had drilled into him the need to always protect the court. But now, it was like she was intentionally destroying it.

"I need to create other options for myself. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not bowing out of the game just YET, but it's clear I'm...Not the power player here I assumed I would be. And the timing of a trip to the place I grew up in (London Hellfire Estate), well..it seems ominous. And left me thinking that...perhaps I shouldn't return. Perhaps I should go back to my place of power...where I REIGN supreme."

A hint of a smile played across Alek's lips.

"Cheer up, Max, maybe they're going to take over London and put you in charge of it."

He was only half joking.

"So far I haven't heard anything that points to you needing me. What are you asking for, Max?"

"You are minding the store during this trip. If perhaps, a sample of Viper's DNA were to go missing..."fall off the truck" if you will..I could make it worth your while...depending of course..on what you might want from me.."

Alek leaned back in his chair, blowing the air out of his lungs. His mind was already working, working out how he could do it, how he could spin it if he got caught, if he should do it. Or if he should tell Helena about it.

"Now of course I've just been very frank with you and if you disagree with me or rebuke me I will be forced to kill you.."

"Of course."

He gave her a weak smile.

"But what do you say? Care to help a girl spice things up? If I find on this trip that I wish to stay, well you can put the sample back and enjoy a STRENGTHENED alliance with one of the toughest women this place has ever seen. If I do leave, and you help me out...who knows what reward you might get, if you aren't too scared to ask for it."

"You wouldn't lie to me, would you, Max? A bear caught in a trap is a dangerous thing."

He studied her face, gauging whether this was some test, or if she was serious. He took another long drink. She wouldn't have bothered to take him outside the mansion if this was a trap. Domino was smart, but she wouldn't waste time and energy like this. He leaned forward.

"If I decide to help you, this is what I want. It's no secret that my relationship with Helena lately has been...bumpy. Nothing to worry about, of course, but it has made my position somewhat less...certain. What you may or may not know is that I've also entered into negotiations with her to be named her Red Prince."

He paused to see if Domino had known about that already.

"I want you to guarantee me your backing. If things become...problematic for me here, if they try to eliminate me, I want your protection. Physically, if necessary. And should Helena name me Red Prince I want you to back me with Diana, help me garner favor with her."

He leaned back and then sat up again.

"Oh yes, and should you leave New York to return to London, I want to be guaranteed sanctuary there, should I need to make an exit myself."

He leaned back again, resting his ankle on his knee, and looking at Max expectantly.

"Take it or leave it."

 

[Domino]

Meat Packing District

Alek: "If I decide to help you, this is what I want. It is no secret that my relationship with Helena lately...has been bumpy. Nothing to worry about of course, but it has made my position somewhat less...certain. What you may or may not know is that I've entered negotiations with her to be her Red Prince."

:: Maxine cocked an interested and amused eyebrow. ::

"Prince is a vanity title, Alek. It's something that the courts dangle over members of The Inner Circle's heads, promising it to be the last stop before getting crowned. But it is just that...the last stop."

:: She smirked a bit. ::

"Does Helena seem to be the kind of woman that likes to share?"

:: She said knowing he would know the answer to that question. ::

"You only have to leap across the pond to see. People died for a revolution, to move themselves up the ranks. Some of them succeeded, but it came at the DEATHS of their predecessors. And some of them...remain Princesses. So unless you plan on killing Helena? I'd stay a night. To be her Prince would be to hand her your balls."

:: laughing ::

"And besides...Knights have more fun."

Alek: "I want you to guarantee me your backing. If things become...problematic for me here, if they try to eliminate me, I want your protection. Physically if needed. And should Helena name me Red Prince, I want you to back me with Diana, help me garner favor with her."

:: Maxine leaned in. It was very interesting to see these tough characters being so honest and rather vulnerable with each other. Maxine grinned. ::

"I have no problem thwarting authority. You do this for me and I will back your plays. It would all have to be under cloak and dagger of course, but growing up around these kinds of people have given me a unique set of skills to navigate through bureaucracy."

Alek: "Oh yes, and should you leave New York to return to London, I want to be guaranteed sanctuary there, should I need to make an exit myself."

"If I go to London, you can have any room you choose. Even if I have to..."make a vacancy."

:: Pausing ::

"But tell me, Alek. What of Persephone? Could you leave her? Could you kill her? Are you willing to do either to move yourself forward or break free?"

"Knights are always lovers. Their conquests are legendary, but this one? It seems rather significant. I ask only because it seems like she might potentially complicate what would be a beautiful working relationship between us."

"I know both of your lives are on the line...and I need to know, before I agree...that you've chosen yourself."

 

[Berserker]

Meat Packing District

"Does Helena seem to be the kind of woman that likes to share?"

"Helena won't be here forever. It's just a fact of life. And I deserve to be named as her successor. I'm tired of being treated as an unproven child."

She agreed to his demands.

"If I go to London, you can have any room you choose. Even if I have to..."make a vacancy."

He smirked.

"Just make sure it's the one with the best view."

"But tell me, Alek. What of Persephone? Could you leave her? Could you kill her? Are you willing to do either to move yourself forward or break free?"

Persephone had been the entire reason behind Alek even entertaining doing this for Domino. If he could leverage it into a way to give the two of them protection, should the shit hit the proverbial fan, the risk was worth it. But there was no way he was trusting that information with Max. She may have been his friend, but still he knew her, and it was one risk he was not willing to take. His face relaxed into a bored expression and he waived a hand leisurely in the air.

"Persephone is just a woman."

"Knights are always lovers. Their conquests are legendary, but this one? It seems rather significant. I ask only because it seems like she might potentially complicate what would be a beautiful working relationship between us. I know both of your lives are on the line...and I need to know, before I agree...that you've chosen yourself."

"There will be no complication. Persephone lied to me about her feelings, and I have no use for liars. BUT"

Alek leaned in.

"Should any of these eventualities present themselves, I want the same protection afforded to any members of my court forced to flee with me."

He gave a shrug.

"You never know who your allies may end up being, and I won't leave anyone who stays loyal to me out in the cold."