The rose fades to black

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Chambers

She was starting to regain all her faculties. Someone was in the room with her. She tried to divine which room she was even in, and then she heard the sound of a door shutting, which sounded like a very faint gunshot. Her mind flashed back to the horror of seeing that little boy fall. She groaned. She hadn't meant to shoot him. If Rose hadn't fought her for the gun, it wouldn't have happened, and she wouldn't have been so stunned that she stopped putting up a fight. She'd have been able to grab the kid once she'd clipped Rose for good, if he hadn't been harmed in the scuffle.

She rolled over, stopping that train of thought. There was no use for regrets now. She heard her sister's voice, and opened her eyes to see a glass of scotch being set down next to her.

Ava: So you're not dead. Pity.

"Yeah, and believe me, I tried."

She replied, taking the glass and propping herself up on her elbows. As she did so, it occurred to her that her sister's tone was off, and that she wasn't being sarcastic like usual, but rather, it was possible she was actually saying exactly what she meant. Haleigh glanced at her over the rim of her glass, taking a sip of scotch. Blood swirled through the liquid as it had dropped down from her nose, and she reached up with her other hand to wipe her face, but the blood was everywhere it seemed.

Ava: You look like shit.

"Yeah, well I FEEL like shit. And what the FUCK is wrong with you? I just tried to steal a fucking orphan for you, and then I made DAMN SURE to keep Malice's anger focused on me so she wouldn't blast YOU for my 'derelictions of duty'."

 

[Persephone]

Haleigh: "Yeah, well I FEEL like shit. And what the FUCK is wrong with you? I just tried to steal a fucking orphan for you, and then I made DAMN SURE to keep Malice's anger focused on me so she wouldn't blast YOU for my 'derelictions of duty'."

Persephone tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"Oh, you did that for ME. Is that right?"

She laughed before downing the rest of her scotch.

"WRONG."

Persephone placed the empty tumbler down on the table beside the chair, her eyes unforgiving as they met with Haleigh's.

"Let me rephrase that for you. You stole that kid for AVA. You kept Malice's anger focused on you so she wouldn't hurt AVA. But really, none of that mattered because Ava was ALREADY hurt. And now she's GONE."

Persephone stood tall now, her midnight eyes glaring at the woman who 'used' to be her 'sister' as she slowly moved closer to her.

"She left the moment Ravena attacked her--VIOLATED her. Where were you then? Fucking Bishop? She left the moment Malice sent a psi blast so powerful it nearly KILLED her. Where were you THEN, sis."

Persephone looked down at Haleigh, eyes unwavering and cold.

"But lets be honest....you really don't care do you? In fact, you're probably relieved."

A sly smile tugged on Persephone's lips as she lowered herself eye level to Haleigh. Her fingers brushing the blood stained locks away from the princesses face.

"No one to blame. No one to protect.

Persephone whispered between them.

"She was holding you back."

Persephone ran the pad of her thumb along Haleigh's bottom lip removing the fresh blood that stained it. Her dark eyes locked with the blondes.

"With Ava gone.....all your failures are YOUR OWN now."

Persephone growled as she pushed Haleigh's face away before standing up right once again and walking away from the bed and back to the wet bar.

"Another drink?"

She asked cheekily, grinning as she turned around holding the open decanter of scotch.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Chambers

Ava: Oh, you did that for ME. Is that right?

"RIGHT."

Ava: WRONG.

Haleigh stared at her sister, a cold feeling creeping up her spine, as she realized something was very wrong here.

Ava: Let me rephrase that for you. You stole that kid for AVA. You kept Malice's anger focused on you so she wouldn't hurt AVA. But really, none of that mattered because Ava was ALREADY hurt. And now she's GONE.

"Persephone."

She acknowledged, as she understood immediately that a personality switch had happened. It was like a weight being lifted off her chest, knowing that the Goddess had taken over. That was excellent news, the best she'd had all week. Persephone could get Ava through this Hell, and Haleigh didn't stop to consider what that might cost. The end result was that her sister would survive this in some way. The relief was probably visible briefly, until Persephone spoke of Ravena having violated Ava. Haleigh sat up sharply, enraged, about to demand details when Persephone called her out.

Persephone: But lets be honest....you really don't care do you? In fact, you're probably relieved.

The goddess leaned down to push Haleigh's hair back, and Haleigh stared into dark eyes.

"I'm relieved BECAUSE I care. I never wanted Ava to come here. She didn't deserve any of this."

Persephone: No one to blame. No one to protect.

"I'll still protect YOU."

Persephone: She was holding you back.

"No..... but she WAS holding YOU back."

Haleigh whispered. Why WERE they whispering? Why was Persephone touching her face? Was it a distraction to get her close? Was there a blade about to slip quietly between her ribs? Was THIS how Malice wanted her killed, by the hands of her own sister? Or did Malice think she'd fight back and KILL her own sister? Persephone shoved her away, and went back to the bar. Haleigh let the air escape her lungs as the Goddess offered her another drink.

"Better bring the whole fuckin' bottle, and tell me EXACTLY what Ravena did to my sister."

 

[Jezebel]

Meanwhile In Brooklyn...

< In a fast paced city like New York, sometimes you just needed to take a few moments and relax, and that was exactly what she was doing. From the top floor of her Brooklyn brownstone, with the window slightly open in her music room, Rae Ann Reynolds strummed her guitar, playing and singing a favorite song, as her dog Cherry, a beautiful and on in her years red labrador slept near her feet. The music room was an ecclectic and vintage inspired room that looked like something out of the seventies, complete with beautiful silk scarf covered lamps, an old upright piano and record player with an entire bookcase full of albums. Her favorite album covers decorated the walls of the room, with one of them being the cover of her very first album, released a million years ago to no reviews and little to mixed concern. Rae had always just sang because she loved it, and living life the way she did, music was the perfect way to pay the bills when the world was still afraid of psychics, much less offering them any kind of real money for readings. >

"Thank God for Patricia Arquette."

< Rae Ann was taking an undetermined leave from her work as a psychic, specializing in demonic possession and mediumship, to re-focus on her music. The last few years she had seen herself travel to the darkest reaches of the astral plane, doing work that was incredibly draining and mostly soul wrenching. Her ability had always spoken for itself, and in a time where every Tom, Dick and Teresa Caputo were toting their skills on television, making YouTube videos and taking the money of desperate housewives in order to act as paid for entertainment, Rae Ann was the REAL DEAL, and being the real deal often put her right on the path of very dark entities. So she decided to lay down some roots..for awhile anyway. Her ex husbands and her daddy would comment that no man or city could tie Rae Ann down for too long. She bought a brownstone in Brooklyn, because even though she was a southern girl at heart, her gritty nature and generally not "sunny" disposition made her identify with the people of Brooklyn immediately. >

< She had a few ties to this place - Rae Ann was good friends with Danny Donnelly, like every other New Yorker and she had helped him through some VERY dark times when he became deathly ill over events in the city that he couldn't really explain and Rae couldn't really remember. He let her play in his bar whenever she wanted and he was always a heavy pourer, which Rae Ann loved. >

< Pausing from strumming, she brought a short glass of whiskey with a solitary ice cube to her lips and took a sip, while she grabbed a lonely cigarette that was sitting in the ash tray next to her, and took a puff. Though Rae was a bit of a chain smoker, it helped "dull the spirits" and keep her grounded so to speak, this was the only room she allowed herself to smoke in. >

"Keep a fire burning in your eye...pay attention to the open sky.."

< Rae continued to sing as her mind wandered towards Rose. She had known Rose for years, uniquely qualified to understand her power and the necessity for her mystique. She was one of the FEW people in this world that could pull Rose back from the brink should it become necessary, based on Rae's own nature as a "traveller" - one of those who was well versed in traveling the astral plane, a gift she had since birth, though she was no mutant. As a pyshic..Rae often experienced visions, apparitions, energy, entities and signs from the Other Side, quite frequently. Most of the time, she could ground herself enough to keep them at bay, to keep herself centered and not a babbling idiot - hence the smoking and drinking, but sometimes - these visions, or these signs broke through, stronger than her own control. >

"In the end there is one dance you'll do alone.."

< The second she spoke the last words, spectral images began to form in her mind. A beautiful crystaline rose encased in glass. Immediately she recognized it as Rose. The Other Side spoke to Rae Ann in pictures, and once she understood these symbols and the meaning behind them, they repeated the imagery to..."speed things up" so to speak. Whenever she thought of Rose, she thought of that beautiful enchanted Rose from Beauty and The Beast, slowly losing it's petals, but none the less beautiful. >

< All at once, her mind is drawn to a close up of the rose in glass as the container begins to CRACK and fracture, before BURSTING completely. The delicate and soft pink petals begin to turn black! Withering and FALLING at a rapid pace. >

< She feels a PRICK on her hand, much like the thorn of a rose as she FEELS the energy signature of Rose's power crackled throughout the astral plane before a vision of the hospital Rose was at in this very moment. >

< Coming back into her own senses, she knew that Rose was channeling a DARK aspect of her power and that she was on the cusp of doing something that she would REGRET. A red bouncing ball formed in her mind - a symbol representing children to Rose. >

< She looked at Cherry who's ears perked up for a moment. >

"I gotta go see Rose, girl. Hold down the fort would ya? There's a rib eye bone in it for ya if you're a good girl."

< Grabbing her leather jacket, she was immediately in the streets, hailing a cab and finding herself at the front of the hospital she had seen in her mind. Her boots clacked across the asphault as she had already lit a cigarette and was halfway done with it when she saw quite the altercation happening outside. >

[ It all happened so FAST! Before anybody could say or do anything, Rose pointed, SHOUTED, her voice echoed as they were enveloped in her power signature. Then they were being spun around as if in a dryer, before they suddenly found themselves being "dropped" OUTSIDE on the ground]

Charope: ...wha...:: a bit winded as she sat up and got her bearings::... what just happened!?

[There was no time to do anything! But thankfully, Sharon was well nigh invulnerable, and they were dropped from any significant height. Rose just...]

Silver Swan: She...threw ALL of us out!

[ They all needed a moment to right themselves. Sharon shook her head, standing to her feet, and then helping Alycia up]

Silver Swan: I don't understand...She's never used her power on US before!

[ But Simon's words started coming back to her. Rose's shift in behavior and attitude lately...this had to be an example of what he was referring to!]

[ But before she could think of discussing it with Alycia, Zachary was up on his feet, and making his way back toward the entrance of the hospital]

And WHERE do you think YOU'RE going?

[ Silver Swan ZOOMS in front of him, cutting off his approach but Alycia wasn't going to allow Sharon and Zach to even come close to FIGHTING each other out here in front of the hospital. She'd seen this kind of scenario TOO many times in the past when she was a private attorney, even when she bcame the the ADA and had to work with families of victims in certain cases.]

Charope: Zach, just go back to Oracle, OKAY? WE'LL stay here and help Rose. You have...too much that you've CHOSEN to take on, and Rose needs people who will stay by her.

Silver Swan: She needs people she can TRUST, and by the sound of her reaction to you, I would say YOU don't qualify. Not anymore!

He couldn't overpower ONE of them, let alone both, and they all knew it. He could feel anger rising up, angry at THEM for keeping him out, angry at himself for the helplessness he felt, angry at Hellfire for whatever they had done to convince Haleigh to attack CHILDREN. He turned away from them, before he did something irrevocable. He'd go back to Oracle, he'd help the other kids, but he needed to cool down first, so he walked off, shaking his head.

< These were associates of Rose. She hadn't met them, but she didn't need to be a psychic to know that they were fighting over her. All this talk about protecting her and who's fault it was that a boy was shot and that nobody had managed to see Rose in DAYS despite their obvious concern about them. >

< She could FEEL Rose's anger on the astral plane. Rose needed all the help she could get right now, that much Rae knew. She couldn't let these people leave, but she wasn't the kind of woman that usually fostered communication and personal growth. Not in her personal life anyway. Still the tug she felt to help Rose was enough to get her to intervene. >

[she called out to Zach with her raspy and sultry voice]

"Hey JACK. Get back here!"

< She closed the gap as she found herself right next to Alycia and Sharon. >

"You can't just leave Janet and Chrissy like this!"

[smirking]

"Not to mention...Rose."

"MOM!"

< Immediately Rae felt the presence of a young boy right by her side. He was VERY persistent. Blonde and beautiful. He was the son of the blond woman in front of her. He showed Rae Ann his name. >

"Kyle."

< This was a POWERFUL little boy! But most children who crossed over were. Rae Ann didn't know this woman and as a best practice for her own gifts she wasn't about to lead in with "Hello! I'm a psychic and your dead kid wants to say hello." But it immediately humanized the blonde woman for her. >

< As the man became perplexed by her and walked back towards the group, in her head, Rae saw the man eating a pomegranate and choking up the pieces. The African American woman had a crown on her head, a nod to a past life that she had lived, a spectral representation of something that she had carried with her from one life to this. A psychic tie. In short - these people were fucked up and Rae Ann felt herself trying to get her barings quicker than she was used to. >

"I'm not one for small talk darlins', my name is Rae. I'm a close friend to Rose. I'm also a psychic with affordable rates. Forgive me for intrudin', but..."

< cocking an eyebrow. >

"Why are you motherfuckers out here fighting about who loves Rose the most and can protect her while she's alone in there with a fatally wounded kid? Tryin' to win some kind of friendship olympics?"

< she put up her hand immediately towards Sharon. >

"Honey don't try it. I'm a psychic...and also a lousy fighter. I may not be at peace with the face that I have now, but I'd like to keep it as is. So just put the down the fists."

< Looking at the group. >

"Look. I'm not one for inspirational or movin' speeches, that was my daddy. But I DO know Rose. I love the girl. She's a fuckin' saint and she needs help. So...maybe ya'll should calm down for a moment and come with me. I might be able to help, if you're willin' to listen."

< Taking one last drag of her cigarette, she dropped it to the ground and squished it underneath her boot. They didn't seem impressed. Rae rolled her eyes. >

"Or don't. For fuck's sake, it's not like *I* need any new friends."

< She made her way through the double doors of the hospital towards one of the more private waiting rooms. They would come. She knew it. >

 

[Persephone]

Haleigh: "I'm relieved BECAUSE I care. I never wanted Ava to come here. She didn't deserve any of this."

"Keep telling yourself that."

Persephone sneered, pouring herself another scotch before dropping two cubes of ice into the glass. Haleigh went on to confirm that despite the shift from Ava to Persephone she would still protect her.

Haleigh: "I'll still protect YOU."

"How sweet. I DON'T need your protection. But cute sentiment."

She grinned as she took a long swig of the malt, peering over the rim of the glass. Haleigh deflected saying that Ava wasn't holding her back, but in fact holding Persephone back. She chuckled as she swallowed the cool liquid, feeling the burn coat her throat--savoring it.

Haleigh: "No..... but she WAS holding YOU back."

"Absolutely she was. So for that, THANK YOU. Without you, I wouldn't be here, live and in living color."

She gestured with both arms holding them out so Haleigh could take a long look at what was now the end result of her poor choices. She grinned, Haleigh asking for the bottle of scotch as opposed to the drink Persephone had offered her before.

Haleigh: "Better bring the whole fuckin' bottle, and tell me EXACTLY what Ravena did to my sister."

Persephone walked over, casually handing the crystal decanter to Haleigh with a smile.

"Does it really matter? Ava's DEAD. Gone and buried."

But in truth, Ravena's attack was still very fresh in Persephone's memory. Because it wasn't just an attack on Ava, it was a DIRECT attack on HER. He confirmed just before that they knew each other--that he was angered she couldn't remember him. She vaguely remembers a flash of something....a memory? But it was like trying to remember a dream after waking up. Persephone assumed it was Malice's psi blast that was clouding the truth.

Taking a seat on the edge of her bed, she crossed her legs at the knee.

"No use beating a dead horse. Or sister."

She joked maliciously, grinning over at Haleigh.

"Oh lighten up, you knew this day would come. You got a flash of it back on Aerie with Mike."

Ahh, memories. All the blood. All the screams. The sound of teeth crushing bone. So much fun.

Sipping the scotch.

[flippantly] "Plus it's not like she's your real sister anyway. You have...what? Three of those now? Two? I can't keep track."

 

[Silver Swan]

Outside the hospital

"Sharon, I have been in Jake's life since he was a BABY. He's the closest thing I'll ever have to a son. Get OUT of my way."

[ Sharon jutted her jaw with an annoyed facial expression as she stared at Orion. And yet...his words, HIS facial expression, it SMASHED through her hard heart.]

[ Alycia added her voice to Sharon's and Zach relented, turning away, and walking away slowly.]

[ The two amazons looked at each other for a moment. Sharon had a flash of impulse to call out after him. Her EMPATHY for his feelings regarding Jake was overriding her feelings of contempt for him and his behavior....but....]

[she called out to Zach with her raspy and sultry voice]

"Hey JACK. Get back here!"

< She closed the gap as she found herself right next to Alycia and Sharon. >

[ Both Silver Swan and Charope look over to see this mysterious woman now standing beside them]

Both: !?

"You can't just leave Janet and Chrissy like this!"

[smirking]

"Not to mention...Rose."

[ Both amazons stared at her in slight confusion until...]

Charope: I beg your pardon...but do I KNOW you?

Silver Swan: The better question might be, just WHO does she think she is!?

"I'm not one for small talk darlins', my name is Rae. I'm a close friend to Rose. I'm also a psychic with affordable rates. Forgive me for intrudin', but..."

< cocking an eyebrow. >

"Why are you motherfuckers out here fighting about who loves Rose the most and can protect her while she's alone in there with a fatally wounded kid? Tryin' to win some kind of friendship olympics?"

Charope: EXCUSE ME?!

Silver Swan: How DARE you, woman...I'll...

< she put up her hand immediately towards Sharon. >

"Honey don't try it. I'm a psychic...and also a lousy fighter. I may not be at peace with the face that I have now, but I'd like to keep it as is. So just put the down the fists."

< Looking at the group. >

Charope: Well, you may not be one for small talk, but how about DECORUM? You show up here, out of the blue, claiming to know Rose, and then insulting us, making light of a...difficult situation? If you KNOW so much, why werent YOU here BEFORE?

< Looking at the group. >

"Look. I'm not one for inspirational or movin' speeches, that was my daddy. But I DO know Rose. I love the girl. She's a fuckin' saint and she needs help. So...maybe ya'll should calm down for a moment and come with me. I might be able to help, if you're willin' to listen."

< Taking one last drag of her cigarette, she dropped it to the ground and squished it underneath her boot. They didn't seem impressed. Rae rolled her eyes. >

"Or don't. For fuck's sake, it's not like *I* need any new friends."

< She made her way through the double doors of the hospital towards one of the more private waiting rooms. They would come. She knew it. >

[ Sharon and Alycia look at each other in disbelief, and then at Zach! He seems just as surprised as THEY are, so he must not be responsible for this. The two amazons turn and follow after Rae, intending to confront her. Zach can't help but feel compelled to follow too, and NOW, it seems he won't be barred by the amazons.]

[ Both amazons move with a purpose, and a quick pace]

Silver Swan: HOLD IT!

[ She commands as they finally catch up to Rae]

Charope: You can't just come in here and toss out such wild claims and offer NOTHING to substantiate them! That's NOT how the real world works, that's NOT how to foster communication OR good will. We're here to try and support Rose. Sharon and I .have worked with her for YEARS. Our colleague ::gesturing to Zach:: Has been working with her recently, and is...has been a mentor/father figure to the child that she's here with now.

If you know something that could help us HELP ROSE, please TELL US!

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Chambers

Persephone: How sweet. I DON'T need your protection. But cute sentiment.

"Call it sweet or cute or unnecessary, you still have it."

She replied with a shrug. She knew it wasn't her sister talking, but that didn't mean her sister wasn't listening. Persephone opened her arms and grinned, thanking Haleigh for bringing her out to play. She had nothing to say to that, except maybe:

"Thank YOU for being a bitch cold and hard enough to survive Hellfire."

Persephone grinned, and brought the bottle. As it changed hands, Persephone tried to avoid the question about Ravena by driving home the idea that Ava was dead. Haleigh took a long drink from the decanter. She didn't believe the Goddess, but she DID find it interesting that Persephone was so insistent. How many times had Persephone said Ava had left, or was gone, or dead in the space of this conversation? Five, six times?

Persephone: No use beating a dead horse. Or sister.

That made seven, not including all the ways Persephone had referred to Ava using past tense. Haleigh eyed the form of her sister, and covered her reply with another pull from the bottle. She told herself that two identities were forged together, and that one couldn't live without the other, because the alternative was not acceptable. If Haleigh lost Ava to this place, thousands of missiles would rain down in an instant.

Persephone: Oh lighten up, you knew this day would come. You got a flash of it back on Aerie with Mike. [flippantly] Plus it's not like she's your real sister anyway. You have...what? Three of those now? Two? I can't keep track.

"Who COULD, I seem to be collecting them and destroying them as fast as I can."

She reached out, placing her hand on Persephone's wrist.

"If what he did to you didn't matter, you wouldn't have brought it up. You can tell me, and I can help. And if you REALLY don't want my help? Then tell me anyway, one woman to another, because he's my King and I need to know what I'm dealing with."

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel

Cameron...as you implied, I AM aware of your history, moreso than anyone else around at the moment.

A dead body was found in your room, blood on the bed, the walls, a SNAKE...this was no mere coincidence, and that someone could so easily bypass the security and your own methods of detection is VERY telling.

And you're clearly still very shaken, despite Isis' healing of your physical body. She may not recognize the signs of mental distress, that is MY area of expertise.

<< She pauses for a moment, and glances at Michael. >>

<< She really DIDN'T want to help ANY of these other "children" anymore. She was TIRED of ALL of them, AND their bullshit. Haleigh, Ava, Cameron, ALL of them. They never listened, they always ended up doing the most maldaptive, destructive things, and rationalizing it, knowing that somewhere in the back of their minds, they knew that Shadow Weaver would be their safety net. She was SICK of that. No one cared when she nearly lost HER life after Talisman stalked and attacked her...but she was supposed to watch out for THEM!?>>

<< Arsenal stood tall, strong, silently supporting her, with his hand on her back>>

Do you need assistance?

There are things that I can do that Isis can't...wouldn't KNOW to do.

<< And Karen WAS familiar with his case, but she was NOT going to force him to accept her help. Secretly, she hoped he would say NO. HER problem...her obligation in this instance would be SOLVED at that point.>>

:: This wasn't right. For as separated from his emotions as he was right now, he couldn't just let Karen go. It wasn't that simple. She had wanted to be the matriarch of this family, and Cameron was a part of this family. He had isolated so many people in such a short period of time, but even in his restricted state, Karen was one that he regretted. ::

"Karen...The Hellfire Club is after me. They've found something they think they can exploit..and they are starting to do just as much. But I can survive that.."

"Ugh..."

:: Was he REALLY going to open this can of worms right now? Of course he was. He was Cameron King, that was what he did. At this point in their lives, who was to say what was the last time they'd all see each other. As angry and tired as he was, he didn't want to waste any more time. He NEEDED...his family..he only hoped that Karen would still consider him to be that. ::

"What I can't survive...is what's happened between us."

:: Mike made himself busy..knowing all the possibilities of what was about to transpire. ::

"What I said...was in a moment of extreme anger...and panic."

"Morgan...she just totally eviserated my character and then you were there...and you SIDED with her. It hurt my feelings, Karen."

[pausing]

"It hurt because...you know..you've seen my journey. You've seen everything it is that I've tried to do over the last decade to fix the mistakes I made. You KNOW I love these people. You know that I would give my life for them..you know, that I quite literally put EVERYTHING aside in my life to stand with them...to have them respect me and LOVE me.."

"You know things about me that the others don't..and I know that Morgan is your daughter..and I know that you want to protect her, and you'll do anything to make sure that she is safe and protected...but on that same token..maybe I'm stupid for thinking that..but along the way...I thought we crafted a similar dynamic. I trusted you. I told you things about me...that I will NEVER tell the others. They will NEVER know parts of my story that you do..so when you stormed in...and you just...NEGATED..everything that we went through together...everything that you HELPED me with..."

:: shaking his head. ::

"I snapped. I went for the juggular...because I felt so afraid. I felt so threatened...Like, if someone like YOU...who KNEW everything about me..and KNEW what my intentions were..if someone like you could know that, and still...treat me.."

:: Cameron's breathing became heavier. ::

"Like I was...that guy. That person...that man I feel so far away from sometimes and yet still so close to..it just hurt. I said whatever came to my mind, Karen. And I apologize for it. I'm REALLY sorry.."

:: There were a few tears that formed in his eyes as he grabbed Karen's hand. ::

"What Talisman did to you..IS unforgivable...I admit that. And my hesitation? About Frost? It was in the better interest of you and Blaze. I couldn't be sure that it was really HER..and I couldn't have lived with that feeling if something had happened to the two of you..if she turned out to be some horrible machination that I didn't stop because I wanted you to have her back so badly."

"We haven't always had the easiest relationship..but with everything going on...with everybody trying to make me feel like a monster..I need you to know Karen..that...despite our differences of opinion...despite our fractured interactions in the past...when the Blue Moon happened and I watched every single person... [getting more emotional] crumble around me...every person I thought was stronger than me...more powerful than me...you were the only one that was there. The ONLY person that I could look to for help...and we HELPED. We did a LOT OF GOOD...despite what anyone might think now. The chips were down, Karen...and we were the ONLY PEOPLE who were able to see above the fray...and HELP."

:: Cameron had a few solitary tears fall from his eyes as he wiped them away from his face. He was fighting EVERYTHING in his body to be this vulnerable with the MOTHER of Morgan Victoria..but he knew what was coming for them. He KNEW that if there was ANY chance that they survived all of this..he NEEDED Karen. More than that...he WANTED her..by his side...as a part of his family. ::

"In those months..in the work that we did together..I just saw you in a different way. It was the first time I had ever seen you just truly be a beacon of HOPE for the team, without ANY kind of restriction. You WANTED to help us...you wanted to help ME because you KNEW what I was doing was the right thing. It was the first time I saw you as Karen Victoria...and NOT as Morgan's mother...and.. maybe it was stupid? But I kind of looked at you...as my own mother. Because you've been the only woman...that listened. I may not agree with you...on a LOT of things...but you were there...and maybe I just didn't show that enough for you to even feel so INCLINED as to understand that the revelation of a carbon copy duplicate of the woman who BIRTHED me walking around might cause me to...just not be ME."

"I can't change what she did to you Karen..it's a total violation on every level. And outside of all of it...I need you to understand that I DO...get it. I'm not stupid. It's just...I was alone for so long in my life...this darkness...this horrible DARK ENERGY that Alison and I have. This destructive CHAOTIC part of our SOULS that cannot be DENIED...she [Talisman] has it in her too. I know it's selfish...but I'm not crossing destroying her off the list...I just...I know...it sounds sooooo stupid. But I just want to see her, Karen. I just want to know what she's like. I just want to understand this PAIN. This perpetual DARKNESS that my sister and I have...I want to understand it...I want to know it...so that I can FIX us..."

:: He was crying a bit at this point. ::

"So I can FIX us...Karen? I just want to fix us....I just want to make us NOT be the DISASTERS that we are. All my mistakes...my indiscretion with Haleigh...my POOR treatment of Alycia...Karen, you know me.. You KNOW that these are things I can overcome...and make RIGHT. But the only thing that I need to make right..the only thing that matters...is my sister. I can't lose her...so I have to know. I have to know WHY and WHERE this darkness comes from. How to change it. How to make it better, for all of us..."

:: Cameron gripped her hand tightly. ::

"You've been more of a mother to me than any woman I have ever known...and it kills me...that I disrespected you so much that it seems like you..and Blaze have turned your back on me. But please...I'm just asking you...BEFORE you kill her, before you just TAKE AWAY...one of the ONLY TIES to my past...a past I spent completely ALONE...that I just...get to bare witness. To who she is. To how she's like me..."

"I know it's not fair...I know it might enrage you...but PLEASE....Karen. When will I have done enough for you for you to know...that I don't want to destroy you...that I don't want to destroy Morgan...or ANY OF THE PEOPLE AROUND ME? When are my debts going to be paid off? When am I going to be able to rely on you? Like a son....should be able to rely on his mother?"

 

[Orion]

The Hospital

Some lady was calling for Jack, and shouting that he couldn't leave somebody else. He paid it no mind, until the lady dropped Rose's name too. Then he stopped and turned to look. Whoever she was, he didn't recognize her. Whether she was friend or foe had equal odds. He'd be remiss if he kept walking away now, so he tried his best to harness his frustrations. Maybe he'd just avoid speaking for a few minutes.

Rae: I'm not one for small talk darlins', my name is Rae. I'm a close friend to Rose. I'm also a psychic with affordable rates. Forgive me for intrudin', but...< cocking an eyebrow. > Why are you motherfuckers out here fighting about who loves Rose the most and can protect her while she's alone in there with a fatally wounded kid? Tryin' to win some kind of friendship olympics?

He was walking towards the woman, trying to gauge her, while Sharon and Alycia directly spoke with her. There was some dialogue, and then the stranger put out her cigarette and strolled into the hospital like she didn't care whether or not they all followed.

Sharon and Alycia looked at Zach like HE knew what was going on, but he just shook his head. The Amazons turned to catch up with Rae, and Zach followed, because now Sharon wasn't trying to keep him out, and this strange lady would have them believe that they could make progress with Rose.

He was all for it, if it got him to Jake.

Charope: You can't just come in here and toss out such wild claims and offer NOTHING to substantiate them! That's NOT how the real world works, that's NOT how to foster communication OR good will. We're here to try and support Rose. Sharon and I have worked with her for YEARS. Our colleague ::gesturing to Zach:: Has been working with her recently, and is...has been a mentor/father figure to the child that she's here with now.

OH, I'm your colleague again? Not the total disappointment I was five seconds ago?

He thought bitterly, his facial expression blank. He reminded himself to be patient, and that it was a step in the right direction. Alycia pleaded with Rae to tell them how to help Rose. Zach watched her carefully for any signs of suspicious emotions, but the woman seemed to genuinely care about their current topic.

 

[Persephone]

Haleigh: "Who COULD, I seem to be collecting them and destroying them as fast as I can."

"Well you have the destroying part right."

Persephone quipped with a chuckle as she casually finished off her scotch and glanced at the wet bar to see what other options she had. That's when she felt Haleigh's hand on her wrist, immediately causing her to turned her head so her eyes were on the woman's grasp.

Haleigh: "If what he did to you didn't matter, you wouldn't have brought it up."

"I brought it UP because you were so adamant about protecting Ava."

Persephone finally lifted her gaze to meet Haleigh's. Her eyes narrowed.

"And you failed."

She cooly stated with a lift of a brow. Haleigh had a great poker face, but she knew that would sting in all the right places.

Haleigh: "You can tell me, and I can help. And if you REALLY don't want my help? Then tell me anyway, one woman to another, because he's my King and I need to know what I'm dealing with."

Persephone's face remained even as she stared at Haleigh for a moment, contemplating what she was asking. She didn't want her help, nor did she need it. But Ravena was a wolf in sheep's clothing. And he didn't deserve the respect of ANYONE on his court. The only thing he deserved was a long and painful DEATH.

Persephone lowered her gaze back to Haleigh's hand grasping her wrist. Using her own free hand, she picked up one of Haleigh's fingers between two of her own as if she were picking up a piece of trash, the blonde wisely releasing her grasp. Lifting her eyes back up to meet with Haleigh's, they were darker now.

"He's a pig. He uses his powers to get what he wants from women. He rapes you down to your very soul....so you shouldn't have an issue, Princess."

Persephone's eyes didn't waver as she spoke about the harsh truth of what happened to herself AND Ava. And the even harsher truth that Haleigh's self proclaimed 'soullessness' might end up being her greatest defense.

"And when he's done with your soul, he savors it all while also savoring you [blood]."

Her eyes remained locked on Haleigh's as she took the bottle of scotch from the woman's hand, taking a slow sip from it, never breaking eye contact.

"Men like him are the reason women like Malice exist. And now she beds one."

Persephone made a soft reprimanding sound with her tongue.

"The irony."

Finally, she handed back the bottle to Haleigh, a small smirk curving the points of her lips.

"THAT is who you're dealing with."

 

[Jezebel]

Hospital

Charope: You can't just come in here and toss out such wild claims and offer NOTHING to substantiate them! That's NOT how the real world works, that's NOT how to foster communication OR good will. We're here to try and support Rose. Sharon and I .have worked with her for YEARS. Our colleague ::gesturing to Zach:: Has been working with her recently, and is...has been a mentor/father figure to the child that she's here with now.

If you know something that could help us HELP ROSE, please TELL US!

"I'm sorry...i'll be sure to attend the Learning Annex class on how to [mockingly] "foster" communication later. I assume that since you just completely belittled one of the only allies that Rose has left because you were being a petty little BITCH..[smirking].. that it WON'T be you who is teaching that class? You've all worked with Rose for years and you know NOTHING about her..and you've done NOTHING...as of late..to HELP her. So maybe get out of the driver's seat for a moment, and calm the fuck down, Jasmine Guy."

< They followed just like she knew they would. As they made their way to an empty waiting room in a less than desirable location in the hospital, Rae took a seat and lit up another cigarette right there in the waiting room! As she puffed on in, she surveyed the three of them, discerning the dynamic that was holding them back at this moment. >

[exhaling]

"Ya know? You two bitches need to soften your resolve? Because this guy?"

"He's good stock."

"That boy in there loves you, Zach. He does. And he doesn't blame you, he's young enough to not understand what's going on...but he loves you. And on a personal note?"

"Every spectacular sense that I have tells me that you would be one HELL of a father. I see eagle wings in my mind, which lets me know that you are more free right now than you've ever been. It's just something to consider is all."

[taking a drag]

"Outside of all that...the reason that any of you are here...is because of ROSE. Whether or not you've pledged your allegiance to her or not..it doesn't change the fact that she was attacked, and that between the THREE of you...NOBODY seemed to be present enough to help her SAVE one of her children."

"But Rose isn't a novice. And really? She could probably kill any of you with a thought. But she doesn't...because our girl has a long history. One where she LEARNED what's important..and what she should keep her mouth SHUT ABOUT."

[taking another drag]

"I met Rose YEARS ago..long enough ago that I'm not inclined to mention it because I don't want you assholes to secretly be calculating my age in your head..."

< Laughing >

"I'm in my sixties. ANYWAY. We found out that we had a lot in common. I was a preacher's daughter who loved everything bad..and well she was born in Genoa, Italy to two people who were members of a DOOMSDAY cult who thought her to be a MESSIAH because of her power, and her naughty little hair color."

"Thank GOD the cult was the subject of infighting...They destroyed themselves and little baby Rose was put in the foster care system...but not for long."

"She was adopted by an older couple...VERY well suited to take care of her. Her mother...she was a fortune teller..showed her the cards and how to use them."

< Thinking for a moment. >

"Look..I'm assuming that I'm in mixed company. That you all are mutants. I'm not...but i'm also not without my gifts. I'm not your everyday run of the mill psychic. I'm what's known in my circles as a traveller. As a little girl I would astral project in my sleep, travel the astral plane freely.."

"At one point in my life...I realized that there were others like me. Children...travelling farther than they knew...to a place called "The Further" ...where the astral plane goes black..where EVERYTHING that goes bump in the night lives. These kids...they don't know where they're going.or what they're doing, and almost every time...they bring something BACK with them..."

< Cocking an eyebrow. >

"Rose was no exception. Her travelling and her mutant based incredible psionic power garnered the attention of a psionic being known as "The Unloved" which sough to possess her body and her power. I diidn't know her at this point, so things went a way that were irreversable."

"The Unloved murdered her adoptive parents and tried to attack Rose. This was the first time that Rose manifested her power from SOUL to..."

[pausing]

"PSYCHO power. She thought she destroyed this beast..and why wouldn't she? Her power destroyed her family home and a fifty mile radius around her...That was the moment she became WHO she was in this world."

< Ashing the cigarette on the floor around her. >

"Now...after that..it's a blur. Rose wasn't open with me in regards to that part of her life...and that's whatever. Every girl needs a bit of mystery...but there's a common theme that is presenting itself."

"She's been orphaned not once but TWICE! And people only seem to want her for her power. The HELLFIRE Club has tried to tempt her...even Terra Save. She feels like she's not a person..."

"The only reason that she seems so serene is because is because she KNOWS that she can protect herself and has the power to face nearly ANY FOE that confronts her. Her weakness? What's she's going through right now?"

[exhaling]

"It ISN'T external...it's INTERNAL. When somebody is treated like an object...what are they supposed to do?"

"Look...Rose has the dinero to support herself from now until the end of time...she doesn't objecively need anybody's help. But The Hellfire Club is pushing her...trying to get at her..."

< She looked at the three of them seriously. >

"The world will not survive what Rose could do. And after tonight...I'm worried that, thanks in large part to the bickering invisible friends around her, she is poised to cross a line she won't come back from. Ya'll sit there and persecute each other...and every second of time that you waste...it gets worse for ROSE. I can SENSE that all of you are afraid of her..and what she can do...and with good reason. Why can't the three of you just shut up and rally behind a woman you KNOW needs your help?"

 

[Tachyon]

They had managed all in their own ways to get the children's mind off their troubles. But they were still in a bunker. And the cold surroundings were still a dampener of their spirits.

[via com]: “There’s a courtyard up above ground – take the children there. It will give them room to play in familiar surroundings. Isis and I will teleport with the babies and meet you there.”

Xavier looked at the other guys and nodded. Steel went to take point and re-open the heavy door.

OK everyone! We have the all-clear to have a free play time in the courtyard. Follow my large officer friend up to that area and NO ONE WANDER OFF!

Tachyon did a high speed count - three times to be sure - and ran flank as Andrew cajoled and coaxed the stragglers up and out into the courtyard area. Thankfully there were items for play and so all he had to do was stand watch as the kids found things they liked to do and started doing them. He made a silent promise to come back, to give back if allowed.

 

[Firebird]

The Parthenon- Dominique's Diamond Suite

:: Cass let out a choked sob. ::

“An innocent BABY has been hurt. HALEIGH did that. SHE hurt a BABY!!!”

:: She looked at Blaze, two tears running down her cheeks. ::

“Haleigh…and Persephone: they are no longer OUR Haleigh and Persephone, are they?”

Blaze gently placed a hand on Cass' back.

"That's what they're trying to tell us. So we should BELIEVE them."

Blaze said coldly. They Wanted to make enemies, they HAD them, and Firebird was going to make sure they KNEW what the fires of COMBAT felt like!

" They aren't OURS anymore, so we don't treat them with CARE, OR handle them delicately."

“But WE [the Six] do need to handle this. And I’m with you every step of the way on THAT.”

"Spellbinder is ready to take action."

As soon as she finishes rolling around on the floor with Derek Dick Dastardly

OOOH Blaze was going to have to say about THAT!

"We just need to get little boy blue (Prophet) and mary mary quite contrary (MorningStar) on board. They're the only ones trying to keep hope alive."

Blaze looks between Cass and Rich.

"And Cass, take it easy, okay? You don't have to LIKE Rich right now...but he's not your enemy. He and Dominique came here to help and support us. "

"We need to work with the few allies that we have left, not alienate them."

Blaze stood up and stretched her arms up over her head, sighing as she noticed her reflection in a mirror

"We're not doing so hot around here, Rich...as you can see. Someone [Vivica] reminded me that living in a bubble isn't the answer either. So I guess for the moment...I'm "sobering" up. We've got to get ready, and instead of waiting for them to come here, we take it to THEM."

 

[Isis]

The Sanctuary

Zizi smiled at her and nodded.

“All of the children are accounted for, and uninjured. Dominique knows them well.”

Smiling at Isis too now.

"She was just about to teleport us and these precious babies up to join the others."

:: Tachyon, Steel and Titan guided the children up to ground level, and into the enclosed courtyard. Dominique and Zizi got the babies ready.::

:: By now, Sable had decided to make herself comfortable on Oracle's lap, and Recall had arrived. She was still...verbal as ever, but there was some substance to her communication after all.::

"Sorry..not trying to interrupt. Though I have to say...I'm really glad you're here, Dominique. These kids...they like you..."

[thinking quickly]

"Not trying to be selfish...but there is a boy here...his name is Julian..he's a telekinetic mutant...a GIFTED painter. I've held a few "classes" with him the last few months, trying to help him express himself...is he..have you known that he's okay?"

:ominique paused for a moment before igniting her teleporting spell, still holding the baby she'd rescued in her arms::

Julian is already in the courtyard, with Titan, Steel, Tachyon and the other older children. Now that the babies are ready, we (Katie, Oracle, Sable, the babies, Dominique, and now Vivica) will join them.

:: And with that, the sorceress activates her teleporting spell, and brings them up top. the babies are placed in the specially designed area of the courtyard for them, where Dominique and Oracle keep watch over them.::

I believe you'll find Julian over there, near the jungle gem with Andrew.

:: Dominique takes care of feeding time for the babies, with help from Katie, who demonstrates a remarkable "take charge" attitude.::

:: Oracle entertains Sable with a laser pointer, and the cat shows her remarkable speed, and physical prowess as she chases after the right light::

:: And we see the Birds of Prey, making a difference in a way that truly matters, helping to COUNTERACT the terror and CHAOS that Scion brought to this one safe space these children, the unwanted, and the weakest, call their home.::

:: Some time later after much needed play time, exercise and distraction, Oracle, Titan, Tachyon, and Recall watch as Isis entertains the gathered children who are now sitting in a circle around her, and a special, magick golden "fire" that casts warmth and comfort upon ALL of them (the adults and the chidren) dances and changes into fun, mysterious shapes. Some of the children are sitting with Steel, Julian sits with Vivica, others with Tachyon and Titan. While Sable once again sits on Oracle's lap.::

:: Isis entertains the children with her gift of SONG, singing them a sweet melody with her beautiful voice that soothes their hearts and brings them to a place of tranquility. The Birds of Prey see the songstress using her gift and it's easy to forget, in this moment, just how icy and aloof she normally can be.::

:: And the children...this IS their home, and they feel safe once more. They believed "the magic lady" when she told them their beloved Rose would be home soon, and now...as they begin to tire, they can fall asleep, in the beds, let the gentle arms of sleep wrap around them.::

:: One by one, she teleports each child into their bed, as the Birds of Prey follow her inside, and they look in on each child.::

:: Soon, all the children, and the babies are sleeping, with Isis herself laying the baby she was holding gently in her crib.::

:: Soon, she rejoins the others, in the monitoring room of the orphanage house::

All of the children are asleep, and my warding spells will keep any physical breach of their bedrooms from occurring.

:: She looks at Oracle::

Something has to be done about that woman ::Black Widow::. She has crossed a line that is unforgiveable.

My primary duty will be to safeguard these children, but if she's STUPID enough to try another pass? I'll pick up where ROSE left off...and FINISH her.

:: Not an idle threat on Dominique's part::

I saw what she did to Bishop. If Silver Swan hadn't called me when she did, he would not have survived.

Sharon was right.

I SEVERELY misjudged Black Widow. I believed her to be a woman that would NEVER lie down with the enemy...the very woman responsible for the worst events in her life and the lives of those she claimed to care about, but that's what she's done.

The attacks that have happened are but a prelude of what is to come.

She has to be stopped. She has to be PUT DOWN, her AND that renegade goddess, Persephone.

 

[Hellion]

Go Time..

<< Derek was not faint of heart, OR fragile it seemed, as she soon returned and stole ANOTHER kiss from her. Only this time, she made no attempt to pull away as she ran one of her hands up his back, the back of his neck, then his crown of hair, YANKING IT to pull his mouth and embrace away from her's>>

DON'T interrupt me, DEREK!

<< things were too hot and heavy now. She could barely think straight! Parts ofherself that should be locked away were rushing to the surface, the energy and aura that she reserved from darker activities was now flaring around her. There was only ONE way to address it>>

TONIGHT ONLY, Derek.

<< She says as she TEARS his shirt open.>>

Now...DRIVE FAST before I have second thoughts!

"DONE."

:: Derek kissed Morgan with unbridled passion as they were teleported instantly to his estate, colliding right into the wall that housed the life size version of "The Creation of Adam" painting that decorated his foyer. He pushed Morgan against the wall as his face became BURIED in her neck. The kinetic energy between them was insane. He pinned her arms over her head as their eyes met for a brief moment. ::

"You're going to regret telling me I can only worship this body for one night."

:: Gripping her hands tightly in his own, his face went down in between her breast as he nuzzled her lightly, the scruff of his light beard tickling the middle of her chest as he kissed her passionately. As he kissed her, he began to let his "darker" side come out to play. His groping became a bit more rough, his kisses more passionate, biting her lip as he went, holding her FIRMLY in place. Derek pulled her top to the side before RIPPING it from her altogether, leaving her standing there in only a strapless bra as he freed one hand from hers and delicately caressed her thigh. ::

:: In yet another moment, they were teleported to the TOP of his estate which housed an elegant and LUXURIOUS pool area, complete with discreet seating, a grotto and a breathtaking view of the city around them. They were now on one of the many large and plush couches that decorated the area as Morgan layed underneath him, her hair cascading around her face as she looked up at him. ::

:: Derek began to unfasten her skirt. ::

"I'm going to do to you what I should have done to you in Los Angeles."

:: He reached for his own belt buckle and unfastened it before flashing his beautiful eyes towards her for a moment. ::

"You're a beautiful...twisted creature Morgan. One that requires a specific hand."

:: Derek cupped Morgan's breasts. ::

"And I've got VERY skilled hands.."

:: He leaned in and whispered into her ear, his tongue delicately and intentionally playing with her ear lobe as he spoke. ::

"It's time to let go, Morgan..."

:: Smiling. ::

"What do you want me to do to you.?"

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Chambers

Persephone: I brought it UP because you were so adamant about protecting Ava. And you failed.

It was an accusation intended to wound, and it did, but Haleigh's expression didn't betray that. Her face remained, as it was before, a grim and stoic mask.

"Yes. I have failed many people lately, myself included. I must continue anyway."

She took a drink for that, as Persephone peeled Haleigh's hand off her wrist. Haleigh could see that the Goddess was deciding whether or not to tell her about Rav, and for a few moments, there was a heavy silence.

Persephone: He's a pig. He uses his powers to get what he wants from women. He rapes you down to your very soul....so you shouldn't have an issue, Princess.

"Touché."

She grimaced, as she stared back at her sister. She wanted vengeance, but she made herself drink instead. It was egregiously difficult to remain calm, and Persephone would easily be able to see the steely mask slip from Haleigh's expression, and reveal the savage rage beneath.

Persephone: And when he's done with your soul, he savors it all while also savoring you [blood].

Haleigh passed the decanter back, locked in eye contact, taciturn for the moment.

Persephone: Men like him are the reason women like Malice exist. And now she beds one. The irony. THAT is who you're dealing with.

Haleigh took the bottle back, and drank some more. The scotch wasn't doing much, except maybe giving her something to do so she wouldn't RAMPAGE. She took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. She wanted to say she was sorry, she wanted to hug her sister, to beg her to leave this awful place and never look back. But Persephone wouldn't be receptive to any of that. When she spoke, her voice was a thick, husky growl.

"Today he is protected by his position as the White Queen's consort, and we are bound by obligation to serve and obey. But there will come a day when none of that matters, and nothing -- in this realm or the next -- will be able to save him from US. On THAT DAY, sister..... he will PAY for what he did to you."

 

[Persephone]

Haleigh's stoic exterior faded immediately after hearing what her King was capable of, and that he did it to her own sister. It was satisfying seeing a crack form in her robotic armor. To see her FEEL something for once instead of locking it away. There was rage in Haleigh's eyes Persephone had not seen in quite a while--it was taking everything the princess had not to leave the room and kill Ravena.

"My sentiments exactly."

She offered cooly, wanting so badly to do the EXACT same thing.

Haleigh: "Today he is protected by his position as the White Queen's consort, and we are bound by obligation to serve and obey. But there will come a day when none of that matters, and nothing -- in this realm or the next -- will be able to save him from US. On THAT DAY, sister..... he will PAY for what he did to you."

That caused pause in the Goddess, her eyes meeting with Haleigh's. She wanted so badly in that moment to HATE Haleigh, for her recklessness, her foolishness, and her carelessness. She wanted Haleigh to suffer at the thought of her sister being violated by her own King and not being able to do anything about it. She wanted her to feel HELPLESS. But instead, Persephone felt somewhat validated that Haleigh understood exactly what Ava had sacrificed for her--endured for her despite Haleigh's efforts to push her away. The true loyalty and love Ava had for her sister. It was something Persephone couldn't help but understand because SHE experienced it as well from Ava's point of view. It was frustrating for Persephone NOT to want to take the crystal decanter Haleigh was holding and smash it over her pretty little head.

"He WILL pay. I'm going to rip him limb for limb and BEAT the remaining life from his body."

She growled through gritted teeth. She could feel the rage building within her at the thought of what Ravena had done. She was calm about it when telling Haleigh--almost nonchalant. But it was a facade. Persephone was FURIOUS and HURT by what happened to her, and Ravena WOULD pay.

The fury was almost encompassing, causing Persephone to stop and refocus. She needed a cooler head in order to continue down the path she was on in the Hellfire Club. She couldn't be reckless like Scion and get punished. She was DONE being fucked with. That was when her eyes met back with Haleigh's, a small smirk appearing on her lips.

"Still want to fuck him now, Scion?"

She quipped, grabbing the empty decanter of scotch they both polished off before sliding off the edge of her bed. Walking over to the wet bar, she placed the empty bottle down before turning around with a wide grin.

"I'd stick to Alek. Get your jolly's off with someone who isn't a pig. Or emotionally unstable [Cameron]. Or hates you [Bishop]."

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Quarters

Persephone: He WILL pay. I'm going to rip him limb for limb and BEAT the remaining life from his body.

Haleigh rested her forearms on her knees and watched her sister speak with a fury that mirrored her own. It was strangely comforting to see that strength and determination, and to know, without a doubt, that Persephone was not speaking FIGURATIVELY. Haleigh fully believed that the Queen of the Underworld would dismember a man without hesitation.

"Good. I'll clean up the mess..... and make sure you get away with it."

Persephone smirked at her then, and looked over at Haleigh again.

Persephone: Still want to fuck him now, Scion?

A look of disgust twisted her mouth, but afterwards, she looked to be calculating the possibilities.

"No. But it sounds like I may not have a choice. And even if I do have a choice.... I might need to distract him from you.... [she tilted her head a bit] Or distract him FOR you."

Not an attractive idea, but she was willing to do whatever it took. Persephone took the empty bottle back to the wet bar. Haleigh dangled her legs over the edge of the bed for a moment, and she ruffled her hair as her sister turned back a smile.

Persephone: I'd stick to Alek. Get your jolly's off with someone who isn't a pig. Or emotionally unstable [Cameron]. Or hates you [Bishop].

"Oh excellent... you still plan to share the Bear."

She replied, pushing herself to her feet. She sauntered over, looking for eye contact again. When she'd broached the topic earlier, her sister hadn't been able to look at her. Ava had deflected, but Haleigh suspected Persephone would not. It wasn't a test, per say, more like an experiment, to see how honest they were going to be with each other.

"Speaking of sharing.... you really SHOULD have your way with Zach. He's a LEGENDARY lay, very..... eager to please."

She says with a reminiscent smirk, behind which she watched Persephone's expression.

 

[Persephone]

Haleigh: "Oh excellent... you still plan to share the Bear."

Persephone pondered for a moment, realizing how ridiculously unusual the thought of sharing a sexual partner with someone was--like sharing Leggos or a Barbie. She shrugged, realizing she honestly didn't care.

[casually] "Sharing is caring."

Turning back around to the wet bar, she picked up a few cubes of ice with a pair of tongs and placed them into her glass.

"Fair warning though, he's quite into the idea of fucking both of us together. Usually I wouldn't oppose, but in these circumstances..."

She looked over at Haleigh raising a single brow.

"Never going to happen."

She was Greek, but even THAT was taking it a step too far. Turning her attention back to her drink, she picked up another crystal decanter, this time filled with cognac.

Haleigh: "Speaking of sharing.... you really SHOULD have your way with Zach. He's a LEGENDARY lay, very..... eager to please."

Persephone's eyes 'smiled' as she poured the malt into her glass. She could feel Haleigh's eyes on her, watching her--waiting for a reaction. Finally she smirked, tuning to Haleigh and leaning her hip against the wet bar.

"Stop being so coy....we both know I already FUCKED him. And we both know that Ava is an extremely private person about certain things, which is why she didn't tell you right away."

Taking a sip of her drink.

"I on the other hand could draw you a diagram of the different ways he made me cum. I really don't care."

Lifting her glass giving Haleigh a cheers.

"Which were ALL fantastic, by the way."

She quipped with a grin before walking past the blonde.

"Such a shame I only got to fuck him once."

She stated, knowing that soon enough Mr. Armani would be nothing more than a soulless sack of meat on the sidewalk, unrecognizable to even Haleigh once Persephone was done with him. The imagery turned her on.....damn, where was Alek when a girl needed him.

Persephone was now standing next to her bed. Lean/sitting against the edge, it was HER turn to see just how far Haleigh was willing to take their 'honesty'.

"Maybe Cameron's available for a joy ride. Care to share him, sis? [with a malicious smile] Or maybe I should just disembowel him......make him SCREAM my name in other ways."

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Quarters

Persephone: Sharing is caring. Fair warning though, he's quite into the idea of fucking both of us together.

Haleigh looked at her sister for a moment, wondering if she was about to get a proposition, or a challenge. Just as Haleigh was examining the new nuances of her relationship with Persephone, she fully expected Persephone to do the same.

"That's a bit.... Game-of-Thronesy."

She non-answered, and then Persephone closed the book.

Persephone: Usually I wouldn't oppose, but in these circumstances... Never going to happen.

The goddess was pouring herself another drink, and their conversation shifted to Zach.

Persephone: Stop being so coy....we both know I already FUCKED him. And we both know that Ava is an extremely private person about certain things, which is why she didn't tell you right away.

Haleigh smiled at Persephone's boldness.

"THAT is why she didn't tell me? We've talked about sex before. I thought she wouldn't admit it because she was afraid I'd be angry."

Persephone: I on the other hand could draw you a diagram of the different ways he made me cum. I really don't care. Which were ALL fantastic, by the way. Such a shame I only got to fuck him once.

"Indeed, a shame. I assure you, he didn't show you ALL his moves the first time around."

She replied with a wink. She paused to appreciate a few flashbacks of her favorite times with him.

And now I'll be needing to see Alek soon.

She thought, taking a turn off memory lane, her expression a bit more serious now.

"You know Zach is never going to give up on us. The others will have no problem hating us for what we're doing. Even DELILAH will abandon me after what I did to Bishop. But Zach.... he won't. He knows how we FEEL -- Well, he knows how Haleigh and Ava feel. He won't accept that we are now Scion and Seph down to the core."

She warned, and then Persephone threw her a curveball.

Persephone: Maybe Cameron's available for a joy ride. Care to share him, sis?

Should she be a bit possessive of Cam? Should the idea of him with any other person inspire jealousy? She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Sure, why not? I'm actually surprised if you haven't ALREADY. After all, I was pretty sure he'd fucked all the women in Manhattan before he mustered the courage to throw me down on the hood of that car."

Persephone: [with a malicious smile] Or maybe I should just disembowel him......make him SCREAM my name in other ways.

There was a pause where Haleigh tried to determine just how serious her sister was being.

"Be CAREFUL..... Cameron King has the power to put YOU back in your cage before you even draw your blade."