What's the matter with Rose?

[Recall]

The Parthenon - The Starlight Lounge

Blaze: "Well I certainly feel better, now that YOU are here too."

:: She smiled a bit. ::

:: Blaze placed her hand on Vivica's though, but Vivica couldn't help but noticed that Richard's hand had found his way to Blaze, which was...curious to say the least. She was starting to have second thoughts about even coming here. She was enjoying herself, but she couldn't help but feel quite a bit of guilt for that. ::

"I should be back at The Clocktower...helping the others."

:: There was so many things that needed her attention. Vivica and Zach had barely cracked the surface of the idea that the body that Haleigh Davidoff was in was not her own, that she could have clones, that there could be a million versions of her running around. Not to mention everything that was going on surrounding Rose and the very clear and present danger that she seemed to be facing. How could she rationalize just sitting there having a cocktail when a WAR was being raged outside the walls of this hotel she no longer felt comfortable in. She was TRYING to give Blaze the benefit of the doubt, she was trying to live in the moment and find happiness where she was and where she could, but she couldn't help but feel like she was dead smack in the middle of BLAZE trying to deal with her OWN feelings about what was happening, and it worried her. ::

:: She seemed WILDLY unaffected about what had transpired over the last few weeks. Blaze hadn't mentioned a word. She seemed more interested in figuring out a man who was very clearly trying to sleep with Morgan Victoria and accepting the advances of Richard Martin. She wondered if Isis would approve of such an interaction. Vivica had bigger things on her mind and if Blaze wasn't going to address things, she was. Vivica couldn't sit around much longer like she didn't have a care in the world, because she DID and there were...more important things to be doing...than any of this. ::

:: Perhaps Blaze was just shutting off and refusing to deal with the fact that Haleigh Davidoff was her sister. That her new sister's betrayal and the loss of Ava Cassadine had caused a fracture in her team. Blaze was one of the heart's of The Six, along with Cameron. She normally tried to piece things back together, tried to get people to see each other for who they really were, bring them together. She had tried to do that for VIVICA back when she first arrived in The Parthenon so many months ago. She convinced Vivica to soften her resolve on The Six..and Cameron. She turned out to be completely wrong on all accounts, or so it seemed these days, but it was clear that Blaze was in rare form and was going through something that she didn't know how to process. ::

:: As everyone was talking around them, Vivica leaned in and whispered to Blaze, lower so that the others couldn't hear. ::

"Not to damper the mood...but are we going to talk, or are we going to pretend that everything is fine and that nothing about this group of people gathered together is strange?"

 

[Wallflower]

The Parthenon Hotel - Cameron King's Penthouse

:: She stood over Cameron King's bed, staring at what she had done. Her hands were bloody. Wet and warm. As she stood there, with Cameron only a few feet away, in his study, watching the many security cameras of The Parthenon with an obssesive gaze as his former friends gathered in The Starlight Lounge. He was so preoccupied with his newfound purpose that he was already beginning to make mistakes. Her physiology made it hard for telepaths to track her as she was more animal than human these days, and the blood? Well, that belonged to a person that was already dead. Amanda looked at his room. So many expensive and luxurious things, toys and trinkets that signified wealth and power. He had all of these things. His sheets were 1500 thread count of Egyptian Cotton. His nightstands were expensive and dark imported wood. The artwork on his walls were expensive and original. Her eyes flashed into their YELLOW snake like form for just a moment before returning their natural brown. ::

:: He was a gluttonous pig who had taken everything from her. She wondered...if he ever thought of her, and what he had done to her family. Breaking it into pieces because he could. He had brought death to her and he was rewarded handsomely. With money, power, people who loved him. In her old life, she had thought of him frequently, and when she was high enough, she began to think of all the ways she would hurt him if she could. Of all the things she wanted to take from him. The Black Queen had found her when it seemed as if all of those ambitions were foregone conclusions, things she would never attain. All she had to do was give over her body, and she would get the chance to exact a path of revenge on Cameron King that would break him entirely. To know that others wanted to destroy him as much as she did was simply a happy coincidence. She had waited most of her life to gaze her eyes upon him. Knowing that he lived but a few blocks away from her, it took everything she had to resist her animal urges, to capture and DEVOUR him like her namesake. But in watching the way that things worked in The Hellfire Club, she knew that she must orchestrate a symphony, a beautiful, operatic experience that would satisfy the deep rage that she held in her heart for all these years. To Cameron, she would become The Count of Monte Cristo. ::

:: A slight hissing noise could be heard as a rather large King Cobra writhed on the ground next to her, lifting itself up until she was face to face with the beast itself. The two shared a hypnotic glare with each other, before Amanda gave a soft smile. She shared a telepathic bond with those of the serpent family. She gently stroked it's hood. ::

"How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure."

:: The words of The Count filled her mind as the snake knowingly moved to the side and into it's rightful place, back in the shadows of Cameron's bedroom. She moved forward, her long silken hair flowing around her until she stood on the bed, walking forward and removing the large photo that hung over his bed. She looked at her hand, which was still dripping with blood. She licked her finger, before taking her hand, writing on the wall with LARGE strokes with her hand. Before long, she was done. Everything was in place. Satisfied with her work, she stepped over to the window, which had been cracked open just a bit. Cracking her head back and forth, she began to contort and flatten her body until she was very small, working her way through the crack in the window, bonding her body to the side of the building with all of her might until she was threw the window, and still with a birds of view of the scene she had set. Returning to her normal size, she clung to the side of the building, taking her hand off the wall and SLAMMING the window shut with a brute force that shattered the glass entirely as wind began to bellow into Cameron's bedroom. ::

"Time to remember what kind of man you are, Cameron..."

:: She waited. ::

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon - Cameron King's Penthouse - Study

:: He watched them, albeit a bit obsessively as they gathered in The Starlight Lounge. They all looked happy, even Vivica which killed him. By removing his feelings for Haleigh, it left quite a bit of time in the day to obsess over things he normally wasn't worried about. Why had Blaze gathered them here like this? Was she planning on going rogue to? Gathering allies before she switched allegiances? She hated Delilah and she would most certainly never forgive him because he DEIGNED to have an opinion about her mother. Though he felt bad for what he said to Karen Victoria, the sentiment was there and it would not change no matter what anybody had to say about it - Kelly Shaw was in the timeline and he would go through all of them if it meant that he could experience her on his own terms. Done were the days of Cameron King not doing what he wanted to do because he was afraid it would piss people off or hurt their feelings. None of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was figuring out the best way to dispatch of his former teammates and moving on with his life. Those that couldn't handle him were just going to have to deal with that. He had sacrificed the biggest part of himself in order to save them, so either they would be grateful or they could leave. ::

:: Clicking on one of the cameras he zoomed in on those in The Starlight Lounge further as he noticed the rather curious chemistry between Blaze and Richard Martin, his mind drifting towards Vivica yet again. He wanted to go down there and apologize, to say whatever was necessary to have her back at his side, but he knew he couldn't. He had sensed her pure and unadultered rage. She was done with him. So he would let her be. It was a bit offensive to him, to see Blaze sitting there, drinking cocktails and carrying on as if they weren't friends, as if despite everything, he had worked so hard to help her realize where she belonged. Put on one hell of a show to keep her in this timeline, to prove that somehow it would be different. Not a text, not a phone call or single thought call to him. It was clear that she was angry at him over multiple things, but to see not even a flicker of care or concern in her eyes, it enraged him. ::

"Next time, she can jump right through that Siege and save me the headache."

:: Cameron went to click to another camera, to check in on Delilah..see if she were anywhere in The Parthenon, when an error message popped up on his screen along with a skull and crossbones logo. He angrily clammered at the keys, trying to figure out just what the hell else could possibly go wrong in his life when he heard a CLAMMERING crash and the sound of GLASS breaking. It was coming from his bedroom. Ignoring his computer woes, he ran down the hallway and opened the door, his eyes widening at the horror that befell him. ::

:: On his bed, was a dead body...one that had been badly mutilated. It was the body of a person that Cameron knew. An older, homeless woman that lived in Central Park. A few times a month, Cameron would play chess with her in the park. She would dispense wisdom and maniacally chatter at him about any number of things. She was a bit insane but for some reason, he enjoyed her company, and her advice. She always refused money he tried to give her, but on more than one occassion requested a pastry or two from one of the kitchens of the hotel. She was somebody that was his. Nobody really knew about her. A simple relationship that was easy. He could talk to her because she was crazy, she didn't know what he was saying, and he always felt better afterwards. She was like some kind of lunatic mother figure to him. That was over. This woman's body had been mutilated, her stomach torn open..her GUTS hanging out of her body, a look of complete fear and SHOCK all over her place. ::

"Oh my GOD!"

:: Her clothes. She was wearing different clothes than she normally did..and for some reason, he felt like he remembered them. From where, he couldn't place. Cameron quietly moved forward, his pulse racing as it became clear that she was holding something in her hands. ::

"A picture..."

:: Swallowing hard in his throat, not having the emotion for tears just yet..he tore the picture frame from the woman's cold and dead hands, which were wrapped TIGHTLY around the frame. Turning it over, he looked at the picture. It was a woman he knew...intimately. She had been the one he murdered..when he was a teenager. When he thought that a gang was what he needed to survive. The price of admission seemed simple. He just had to murder a stranger. This was that stranger. Kimberly. ::

:: When he had JAMMED the knife into her body several times, his mutant powers had manifested. He saw her entire life. Her apartment, her three children, the two jobs she worked to support them, the community service she did, what she worried about, how much she loved the people around her. He dropped the knife, fled the scene and it was only Vivica Lennox's family that protected him from MURDER CHARGES and the fury of the gang he had then turned his back on. While he thought of this woman throughout his life, this scene...this juxtaposition of one motherly figure, the dead homeless woman to another, it sent chills down his spine. It was like something out of a book. ::

:: He began to breathe rapidly as a few solitary tears streamed down his face, as he looked up at the wall to find a message scrawled in blood. ::

"MURDERER. GLUTTON. SWINE."

:: This had to be a Hellfire Club attack. It HAD to be the work of Malice..the only problem was, this was a story he simply did NOT tell. The only people who knew LIGHTLY about it...were Haleigh, Alycia and Karen Victoria, from those years ago in their counseling session. But they didn't know the details, the timeline, nothing. It was a thought he kept incredibly guarded, and he KNEW that if it were Malice, she would have played this card sooner. Either way..he needed to get OUT of his room and contact SOMEBODY. ::

"HISSSS!!!!!:

:: Turning his head, he DODGED the strike of a king cobra within SECONDS as it hurled itself BACK around, striking with GREAT speed as Cameron GRABBED it by it's neck JUST before it's venomous fangs made contact with his face. ::

"AAAGGHHH!!!"

:: He THREW the snake across the room and just as it was about to strike yet AGAIN, Cameron squinted his eyes, TK'ing out the side of the building, through the broken glass of the window. He was alone again. Just him and another dead body. Was this real? Or was this fake? Like Haleigh. Cameron was hyperventilating and before long, he found himself on the floor, trying to catch his breath, clutching his heart. This was too much. What was real and what was imaginary. Who was coming after him. Was it Malice? Was it Haleigh? Who could help him? Who was LEFT to help him. ::

:: Tears fell from his face. He was having a panic attack. The breathing wouldn't come. His lungs wouldn't take in air. Did it matter? Would anyone care if he ever muttered another word? Eventually, he seized out, trying in one LAST desperate attempt to get air to his body. ::

*coughing*

"Hellpp...meee.."

:: But there was no more help, and maybe there never would be again. Cameron passed out cold. ::

 

[Wallflower]

And So It Begins...

:: It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The expression on his face. The fear and pain, the realization that somebody was after him, and he didn't know who. It sent chills down Amanda's blouse as she watched in silence from outside the window of The Parthenon. He was so easily broken, so receptive to pain and all the emotions that came along with it. She could see in this moment why the man was a favorite type of prey for The White Queen. She watched as he gasped for air with delight. It was like watching a fish out of water, flopping around. So helpless. So very pathetic. ::

"And we've only just begun, Cameron..."

:: She pressed a button on her phone, delighted with herself as she sent the footage in separate text messages - one to The Black Queen and one to The White Queen, both with the same message. ::

>>Thought you might enjoy this. -Amanda

:: When the footage and messages had been sent and Cameron King had passed out cold, she wondered if she should check on him. See if he was still breathing, but she decided against it. His breath was not her problem, and if he truly were in danger, his pesky sister would be on him in an instant. For as alone as he felt right now, he truly wasn't. Though Amanda would make sure that any and all connections that Cameron King thought he had would crumble around him, would end in the most perverse and destructive way. It was the least she could to honor the woman he had murdered...Amanda's MOTHER. She looked up at the night sky as she watched the peaceful moon for a moment, letting the winds of this altitude sweep through her hair. Closing her eyes, she inhaled and then exhaled very deeply. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. But things were ready to be taken to another level back at The Hellfire Club and as she was the only member of The Black Court with any real sway or pull or ways into the others that walked the halls, she would need to be there. Knowing her bones wouldn't break, knowing that she would bounce back, she smirked for a moment, let go of her hands, and began to FREE FALL from the side of the building. ::

:: She would land with a smack and form a grotesque puddle on the ground, but she would reform into the deadly, near indestructible beauty that she was, and before long, the clicking of her stilleto boots could be heard on the sidewalk as she made her way back towards The Hellfire Mansion, satisfied with the work she had done tonight. Getting shown up by Rose had been one thing, but this? It would intrigue Malice and satisfy Talisman's expectations of her. Win. Win. Win. The Red and White Courts weren't the only ones in play anymore. Not if Amanda had anything to say about it. Amanda walked through the halls, not stopping in the bathroom to wipe the blood off her hands, before heading towards The Black Court's Quarters and into her private suite, falling forward onto her bed, allowing herself a few esctatic moments of screaming into her pillow out of joy of what she had just gotten to witness. Things were looking up. ::

 

[Fathom]

The Hellfire Catacombs -- Hydro Lab

They stood side by side on the steel mezzanine. Heidi leaned forward, her elbows resting on the rails, her gaze turned down towards the water. She pretended not to notice the way he was looking at her. It would soon be feeding time for the biohazards below, and she could tell they were restless with anticipation. there was more than one dorsal fin circling the surface of the water, and occasionally the water sparked and glowed with the excitement of the eels.

Jack was telling her more about how he'd developed the creatures. She looked over at him, a gleam in her eyes, and mischief in her smile. He kept talking, his enthusiasm for his work evident in his tone and expressions. She began to peel off her clothes, savoring his look of surprised interest.

Jack: What are you doing?

"I feel like going for a swim."

Jack: Heidi...

He cautioned, his gruff voice incredibly sexy, as always. She was down to bare skin now, and she watched him take in the sight of her. Turning slowly to face him, she leaned back against the railing, placing her hands on the top, and smoothly lifting herself up to sit on it, her ankles crossed, the ball of one foot resting on the lower rail.

Jack: They'll eat you alive.

"No they won't."

She assured, and she leaned back, pushing herself away from the rail and diving into the tank below. Jack's knuckles were white as he gripped the rail and searched the choppy waters. The Neptunes were moving feverishly, making the water churn and froth. It seemed like forever before she resurfaced, slinging her hair back with a playful smile.

"Oh, the water feels FANTASTIC, you should join me."

Jack: Except they have already TRIED to eat ME alive, so no, but thank you for the offer.

"I'll protect you. Come on Jack.... Don't you want to swim with them? [she gives him a suggestive gaze] Don't you want to swim with ME?"

He hesitated. She laid back and let herself float on the surface. A young Moréia surfaced near her knees and began to wrap its body around hers a couple of times, like it intended to squeeze the life out of her. After wrapping at her knees, her hips, and her ribs, it nosed up out of the water next her face. Its mouth gaped open, revealing rows of long fangs that crackled with electric energy for a moment, but then it nudged her cheek gently and she smiled and stroked the side of its snout and neck.

She'd told him the night they met that she could swim with them, but he'd found it difficult to believe, based on his own experience. Jack had never seen anyone other than himself survive swimming with the creatures. They were increasingly aggressive and the only reason HE hadn't died was because the neptune that got a hold of him had been young and relatively small. He'd been able to fend it off and quickly pull himself out of the water. But Heidi clearly had some kind of connection with the animals. After convincing himself that she could control the behavior of the biohazards, he stripped down and took a leap of faith.

When he resurfaced, he wiped the water out of his eyes and searched for her. She was gone. All he saw were the dorsal fins, circling closer and closer. Something smooth bumped his hip, and he felt his heart skip a beat, fearing the worst. He considered starting towards the edge of the tank, he could probably swim there fast enough, if he didn't get shocked on the way. Then he felt her hands traveling up his chest, her body rubbing against his, and she came up out of the water smirking as she put her arms around his neck.

 

[MorningStar]

Times Square - The Pig N’ Whistle

Delilah and Sharon found seats at the bar, and then Delilah excused herself to the restroom to fix her makeup. Looking at herself in the mirror, she confirmed that she did in fact look a sight. Walking back to the bar she sent a text message to the Six members:

Haleigh tried to kill Bishop/Ava tried to kill Vivica. Watch your backs.

She had expected that a meeting was going to be called, but until then they needed to know what they were up against, all personal feelings aside. Putting her phone away she sat back down next to Sharon, the weight of the emotions of the day hitting her. She felt tired – exhausted. She looked out over the wood bar and the brick walls of the bar. She had spent many an evening here, especially back when she'd been a cop. It was like slipping into an old familiar pair of jeans.

They ordered drinks and then Delilah turned to Sharon and put a hand on hers.

“Are you okay, Sharon? Something seems wrong…”

 

[Bishop]

Charope, LLC

Despite what he had promised Delilah, he could not stand lying in that bed one minute longer. So when Alycia told him he was free to get up and move around, he took that opportunity to wander. It was strange to be in a place that was so Alycia, someone who he was pretty sure would spit on him as soon as look at him. But he couldn’t really blame her for that. They had a history, and it was complicated. But there was part of him that was surprised she hadn’t slit his throat the moment Delilah left.

He wasn’t stupid. He knew the reason she was doing this was Delilah. And it wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate it. But finding himself in her care was a strange place to be indeed.

The medical unit gave him the creeps, so he made his way up to the office floors. Alycia had done well for herself it seemed. She seemed so different from that girl back in Arklay so long ago…

A crash drew him out of his reverie. And then more noise, the sound of smashing. He reached for his gun…and then realized he was wearing a hospital gown.

He silently cursed, rolling his eyes to the ceiling.

He crept down the hallway to the source of the ruckus, and found that it was Alycia. And she appeared to be destroying her office. He stood in the doorway and watched her, saw her slump to the ground and begin weeping. In spite of everything he couldn’t help but feel bad to see her like that.

He slowly entered the room and as she began to stand he put a hand on her shoulder.

“Alycia…”

BISHOP! How LONG have you been standing there!? How DARE you eavesdrop on me!

That’s the Alycia he knew.

“I heard a CRASH and I wanted to see if you were OKAY.”

He pulled his hand back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Jesus.”

 

[Titan]

Starlight Lounge

"I mean techinically...yeah, we would be rivals once my women's line launches, but...Sally tends to do things a bit different. She's not really competing with anybody but herself. We aren't trying to do the same thing...I'm pushing the envelope instead of delivering it so to speak."

He signaled for another beer.

“Colleagues, then.”

He smiled. The guy wasn’t so bad.

“How about a story from those wild 90s? I’m sure we could all use something to lighten the mood.”

He looked over at Vivica, who he could tell was having the same misgivings about being here that he was. But he wasn’t about to leave HER alone.

“Ever make your way across the pond? That’s a little before my time, but…?”

 

[Persephone]

He was good. He knew exactly the way Ava liked to be touched and her body responded accordingly, like muscle memory from the days they used to date when Ava was younger. She was laying against the seat of the booth, Gabe on top of her now. He kissed her neck as he finished, Persephone mildly out of breath. He certainly was no Berserker, but he did satisfy her in the short amount of time they were with each other. Gabe began to push himself up, Persephone smirking as she sat up as well.

"Satisfied?"

More of a statement than a question, because he was more than satisfied. Lifting herself up, she hiked her dress down smoothing the material.

Gabe: "You're different."

Persephone looked over to him, watching him tuck his shirt back into his pants before fastening them shut.

Gabe: "The way you feel.....your eyes..."

Persephone sight narrowed.

"Stick to analyzing computers, Jerome."

She pushed the table away from the booth before standing. She felt his hand quickly grab hers causing her to look over, her eyes flashing with anger.

Gabe: "I was with you for two years, Cassadine. I think I know you pretty well. What's going on?"

Persephone pulled her hand from his grasp before leaning down so her face was close to his. Her midnight eyes locked with Gabe's and she could see he was very uneasy and wary.

"Thank you for your excellent work today."

She stated evenly, her eyes unwavering as she watched him trying to figure out what was going on with her. Smiling, Persephone stood and grabbed her clutch, rounding the table of the small room before parting the hanging wooden beads that secluded it.

"Look for the wire transfer to arrive in your account by 7pm tonight."

Turning to look over her shoulder, her eyes were smoldering as she met with his again.

"And i'll throw in an extra million for making me come."

She stated facetiously before turning back around and passing through the beads.

"I'll call you if I need you again."

Her voice raising loud enough for him to hear as she made her way through the small restaurant and out the door, disappearing from sight.

 

[Cypher]

His body immediately reacted to hers, not being able to take it slow anymore. He moved both of their bodies so hers was now against the seat of the booth and he was on top. His movements quickened, his desire building as he felt her shudder beneath him. Finding her neck, Gabe ravaged her skin before he finished with a low moan.

"Jesus."

He murmured through labored breaths, pushing himself off Ava and back into a sitting position. She felt fucking phenomenal, made clearly evident by what just happened. But she also felt DIFFERENT. She acted different, looked different. He knew Ava for a long time and there was no way she would fuck him in the back of a run down restaurant as payment for a simple job he could do in his sleep. He wasn't complaining by any means, but he was a little put off by the sudden change in behavior.

Persephone: "Satisfied."

Gabe watched her situate herself, his eyes analytical in their approach.

"You're different."

That seemed to catch her off guard. He tucked his shirt into his pants and buttoned them up. He couldn't tell if she wanted to fuck him again or kill him; it was kinda hot either way. But still, he couldn't get past her eyes. Not just the color, but the person BEHIND them. It was almost...demonic. Shit, Ava was a bitch, but this just looked scary.

"The way you feel....your eyes..."

Persephone: "Stick to analyzing computers, Jerome."

They hadn't been together in a while, and hadn't spoken in over a year. But that didn't mean he still didn't care for Ava. They had a long history, one that was bumpy mainly due to his fuck ups, but regardless he didn't want to see her get hurt. Grabbing her hand, it was a risky move. Shit, at least he would die happy after what just happened between them.

"I was with you for two years, Cassadine. I think I know you pretty well. What's going on?"

She ripped her hand from his grasp, her eyes seemed to go darker if that was even possible. He slowed his breathing down as she moved just inches from his face. Yep, he was going to fucking die. Staring into her cold eyes, did it make him a bad person that even then, he would fuck her again? Jesus he needed to get his priorities in check.

Persephone: "Thank you for your excellent work today."

And then she moved away. He expelled the breath he didn't realize he had been holding as he watched her prepare to leave.

Persephone: "Look for the wire transfer to arrive in your account by 7pm tonight."

He didn't respond, just watched her as she parted the beads to leave. Then she looked back at him, looked as seductive as ever.

Persephone: "And i'll throw in an extra million for making me come."

Fuck. She disappeared, saying she'd call him if she needed anything else. He felt like he had just run a damn marathon, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You have my number."

He mumbled, shutting his laptop before running his hands roughly down his face. He heard the beads again, and for a moment he thought she had come back as he looked over.

Owner: "You okay?"

"Yeah....yeah mate, i'm fine. Some more sake would be good."

The owner looked a little skeptical about what had just transpired but he nodded.

"Actually, bring the whole bottle."

The owner nodded again before disappearing. Gabe huffed out, digging his iPhone out from his jeans pocket. He scrolled through his contact list before finding exactly who he was looking for.

"Christ, Jerome. Come for a quick business transaction then fuck your ex who might not be your ex."

He called the number, putting the phone to his ear as he groaned out.

"Fucking great though-- [the caller picked up] Zi...we need to talk."

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Mansion

:: The Inner Circle had been very busy lately. The Blackout Party had seemed to revive them. All throughout the mansion, each member was engaged in their machinations of espionage, destruction and revenge. For Maxine, it was all pretty exciting. What had been accomplished in the last forty eight hours alone was more than she had seen done in Europe in months, if not years. Malice had kept her promise which meant Maxine would stick around. Plus the eye candy strutting around in stilettos, barely there dresses and pouting lips, just begged Maxine to see what kind of trouble she could get herself into. There was one downside of not knowing any of these people, on The Six and Birds of Prey. She had no personal vendettas. They could all die in any number of ways and she couldn't have cared less. Nobody to vex. Nobody to kill. She had ensured that all holdings that the club had were in perfect working order and she had even partnered with Ravena to look after the grand expansion he was planning in his own nation. This was all well and good, but Maxine was a brass tacks kind of girl. She wasn't going to be satisfied in keeping the shop for much longer. ::

:: Watching a number of cameras from her own private quarters, she tapped her hand mindlessly on her desk. Cobra had vexed her Cameron, Persephone was playing cat and mouse with a number of men and Scion was pursuing a path of destruction that was rather delicious. And Maxine was watching computer screens. Looking at a private feed in the bottom right hand corner of her screen, she noticed two women talking in a bar. It was Delilah and Sharon. Likely both trying to offer one another comfort and strength during such a dark time. Her smile turned devious when she thought of Sharon Kelly and the brutal sexual encounter they had during The Blackout Party. Her rage and strength was unlike any she had ever experienced, though in the end, Domino had won out. Gotten the woman to give into her desires, into her wild nature. It was...satisfying to say the least. Maybe she DID have her own personal vendetta. Silver Swan was the strongest woman out there. Whatever team she ended up on would receive great defensive and offensive benefits. But there was a part of Sharon that she couldn't resolve, the part of her that believed she didn't belong anywhere. Her anger was her biggest hindrence, and if she wasn't careful, it would be her undoing. ::

:: If that meant Sharon Kelly could somehow wind up back down in the catacombs of Hellfire in adamantium chains with Domino as her warden, then so be it. She could have fun with Sharon in many ways, just like she had Juliette De Lacreaux and Bretta O'Malley many moons ago in Europe. She wouldn't break as easily as the two of them, but that only presented a unique opportunity for her to finesse her work. ::

"Hmm..perhaps I should meet the swan and the light bulb out for a drink?"

:: In an instant, she had traversed the halls of the mansion and found herself in to catacombs, entering through to the Hydro Lab. As she walked forward on the steel mezzanine, she didn't see anybody. Looking down into the murky waters, she began to make out two human forms. A smile appeared on her lips as her haunting blue eyes simmered, looking down at Heidi and Jack. ::

"Have I missed the musical number? I did always enjoy that little rascal Sebastian."

:: She called out to them. ::

"Heidi...while I'm never one to interrupt a great white when there is blood in the water...but.."

:: Looking away ::

"I'm bored as all all get out. Let's have a bit of fun."

"And if we don't do something now...Scion is going to have all the fun. There will be nothing left for us."

:: Maxine lept over the edge of the bannister, dangling her own body in the air. Her one hand clinging to the balcony, keeping her dangling there with ease as she was now closer to Heidi and Jack. ::

"Silver Swan and MorningStar are at a dive bar in Time's Square, consoling each other - likely because of their terrible codename choices. Let's go and fuck with them...pretty please?"

:: Domino batted her eyelashes furiously for a moment as her pouty lips pursed into a smile. ::

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Her team was still working the problem: what was the best way to find out what they needed to about Rose? Zizi wished Alycia was there…aside from everything else, her intel on Rose and Terra Save would be invaluable.

Zizi excused herself as her phone rang. She looked at the caller id and almost said a swear.

Gabriel Jerome.

Now there was a name she hadn’t seen in a long while. She wheeled herself into the living area to take the call. She smoothed back her hair before pressing the answer button.

“Gabe?”

Zi...we need to talk."

He sounded worried.

“Uh, okay. Is everything alright?”

She looked at her watch.

“I can meet you at Think Coffee in ten?”

Hanging up with Gabe, she wheeled back into the control room and moved to get her coat.

“I’m sorry, but something important has come up. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

 

[Cypher]

Her familiar voice was a breath of fresh air after what had just happened the past hour. He hadn't spoken to Zizi in a while, but it was a type of friendship where that didn't matter.

Zizi: "Uh, is everything alright?"

That was a loaded fucking question. The owner of the restaurant returned with the bottle of sake and Gabe took it from him, holding the iPhone with his shoulder as he unscrewed the bottle.

"Honestly, I don't even fucking know."

Swigging the sake straight from the bottle, he placed it down on the table and began to put his laptop away.

Zizi: “I can meet you at Think Coffee in ten?”

"Thanks, peach."

Hanging up the phone, that was the thing about Zizi--she always came through. He was an asshole, she was a sweetheart, it was a fucked up friendship but one he appreciated. Throwing down a few hundreds onto the table, he pushed his way through the beaded door, making eye contact with the owner as he gestured toward the room.

"Sorry bout the booth."

He compensated more than enough to fix it, but you know, he was trying to be polite and shit. Exiting the restaurant, Think Cafe wasn't too far from where he was located. Deciding to walk, he needed some air and to collect his thoughts, but after about 10 minutes he had already arrived at the Cafe and his mind still unsure of what exactly happened.

Zizi was already there, waiting for me. He gave her a smile.

"Wheels, long time no see."

Bending down, he gave her a kiss on the cheek before taking a seat.

"Thanks for meeting with me."

Placing his laptop bag on the floor, he crossed his leg, resting his ankle on his knee. He got straight down to business.

"That group you told me about--the one you're working with now. That includes Zachary Armani, yeah?"

 

[Oracle]

Think Coffee

Zizi pulled out a mirror from her purse and fixed her lipstick. He had sounded pretty shaken up on the phone. She hoped everything was alright. Fidgeting a bit, she told the barista who came to take her order that she was waiting for someone.

"Wheels, long time no see."

She blushed as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks for meeting with me."

“Of course, Gabe, you know I’m always here for you.”

She stretched out her hand to put it on his, but pulled back at the last second.

“What’s up?”

"That group you told me about--the one you're working with now. That includes Zachary Armani, yeah?"

Now she was getting suspicious. Why was he asking about Zach? Was Zach in some kind of trouble? (Trouble that didn’t involve an Amazon?)

“Yes…Zach’s on the team. What’s going on, Gabe? Why are you asking about Zach?”

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: “Yes…Zach’s on the team. What’s going on, Gabe? Why are you asking about Zach?”

Groaning out, Gabe ran his hand roughly down his face as he sat back. He never personally met Zach, but he had heard about him through Ava. The two had been long time friends, so he felt like Zach should know there was something going on. Shit, maybe Zizi's mysterious group already did know and HE could get some answers.

"I just had a meeting with a one Ava Cassadine."

There it was. Zizi had a shit poker face, always had.

"So you know her."

Gabe sat forward, closing the distance between him and Zizi. He lowered his voice.

"She hired me to do some 'work' for her involving getting Cassadine Enterprises away from Zenith. Needless to say I did it flawlessly..."

He grinned.

"Not that there was any doubt. But..."

That's when Gabe's face became a little more serious.

"She was different. I dunno, Zi. I was with that girl for two years and she just wasn't the same person today that she was before."

He sighed, his hands clasping together in front of him as his eyes lowered.

"I know Ava was close with Zach, and I know you work with him now....just thought i'd let you know. Maybe give him a heads up or something."

He looked up, a small smile on his lips.

"Damn Wheels, your good samaritan shit is starting to rub off on me."

 

[Oracle]

Think Coffee

"I just had a meeting with one Ava Cassadine."

She gasped, then tried to hide it with a cough.

"So you know her."

Zizi nodded, still a bit shocked.

“Are you okay?”

He leaned in, and Zizi mimicked his movement.

"She hired me to do some 'work' for her involving getting Cassadine Enterprises away from Zenith. Needless to say I did it flawlessly..."

She put her elbow on the table and rested her face in her hand.

“You always did have the most beautiful code…”

But he went on.

"She was different. I dunno, Zi. I was with that girl for two years and she just wasn't the same person today that she was before. I know Ava was close with Zach, and I know you work with him now....just thought i'd let you know. Maybe give him a heads up or something."

He smiled at her, and she did reach out her hand this time and clutch his in warning.

“Stay away from her, Gabe – Ava Cassadine is not the same person she used to be. At least I don’t think so. She’s been doing some very bad things. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

"Damn Wheels, your good samaritan shit is starting to rub off on me."

She quickly looked away and took a drink of her tea, and promptly started to choke on it. She waved him away that she was alright while she coughed. Recovered, she eyed him across the table.

“You know, Gabe, there’s always room for Cypher on the other side if you ever want to play for the good guys.”

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: “Stay away from her, Gabe – Ava Cassadine is not the same person she used to be. At least I don’t think
so. She’s been doing some very bad things. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

He was right. Whoever that woman was back there was NOT his ex, despite looking exactly fucking like her. He didn't know the specifics, and odds are they would make his brain fucking hurt, so he didn't bother asking. A part of him was concerned, wondering if Ava was okay. The other part wanted to fuck that other woman again and see how far he could go with her. Focus. He shook his head, scoffing a bit.

"I doubt she'll hurt me Zi. I just got her multi-billion dollar company back to her in less than five minutes."

And other specifics he wouldn't divulge.

"I'll be fine."

Zizi: “You know, Gabe, there’s always room for Cypher on the other side if you ever want to play for the good guys.”

He felt her hand take his and gave her a crooked smile.

"Ahh, you know me....the good stuff is too boring. Doesn't pay as much."

Gently rubbing her delicate hand, his eyes met with hers. He would love to be able to work with Zizi again, because if there was any other person who truly 'got' him it was her. They were the biggest fucking nerds, though he would never admit to that.

"But you know if you need anything from me, i'm there. Hacking, programming, you name it. Or, you know... just to talk."

Patting her hand, Gabe stood from the table and leaned into Zizi giving her another kiss on the cheek.

"Good to see you, Liz."

He whispered, giving her hand a squeeze before he withdrew it and picked up his laptop bag. Swinging it onto his shoulder, he gave her one last smile before exiting the cafe and heading down the street.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone arrived back at the Hellfire Club, parking the Lamborghini into its reserved spot marked "Helena Quartermaine". Bitch stole her necklace, she stole the bitches car. Well borrowed really, but the specifics weren't necessary. Climbing out of the car, Persephone immediately went to her contact list and clicked on Helena's name opening up a new text message. Turning to the car, she snapped a picture of it and loaded it into the new message.

- Berserker wasn't the only fun thing I rode today. - P

Sending the text, Persephone grinned as she locked the car and tossed the keys to the parking attendant who looked rather freaked out that she was able to steal the vehicle without his knowledge. Walking through the parking garage to the elevator, she made her way back up to the main floor of the Hellfire Club, heading back to her room.

Her phone vibrated.

Helena: Bitch! There better not be any scratches!

Grinning, she opened the door to her chambers, texting back.

- On Alek or your car? [wink emoji]

Tossing her clutch onto her dresser, her eyes scanned her room noting that it had properly been cleaned as she requested. Her phone vibrated one more time.

Helena: I'll be SPEAKING with you LATER.

Persephone laughed, kicking off her heels and climbing onto her bed. After Helena found out exactly WHY she took her vehicle, the Queen would have no reason to be angry with her. Grabbing her laptop, she began to scan through her emails seeing the one Gabe had sent her with an attachment of the paperwork she needed to sign to make the transaction official. One E-Signature and a forward later, and Cassadine Enterprises was now all hers again--and in turn--affiliated with the Hellfire Club.

 

[Fathom]

The Hellfire Catacombs -- Hydro Lab

He was an excellent swimmer, far better than any human she'd ever seen. Not all that surprising, given his choice of profession, but she could see he was almost as comfortable in the water as she was. She guessed his discomfort stemmed from the biohazards. He had helped to engineer them, he cared for them as if they were pets -- but undomesticated pets that could kill you in a single heartbeat. He had a very healthy respect for the animals, she could tell.

What did surprise her, though, was how long he could hold his breath. As they swam together, he kept close to her, and never left her side to go back to the surface for air. After several minutes, she would always lead them back up, concerned that he'd drown himself trying to stay down with her, but he never seemed to gasp when they came up, so each time they stayed down longer. The longer they were in, the more relaxed he seemed and eventually he seemed to forget the nonexistant danger altogether and they started to have a lot more fun after that.

This time when they went towards the surface he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, and she smoothly ran her hand up his muscled forearm, bicep, and shoulder, as they came up, heads and shoulders out of the water. He kicked his feet to stay afloat, but as she wrapped her legs around his waist he found that he didn't need to worry about that at all, which was good, because she started to kiss him and after that he didn't care if they sank to the bottom.

Domino: Have I missed the musical number? I did always enjoy that little rascal Sebastian.

Heidi was REALLY starting to enjoy herself when Maxine's voice echoed throughout the lab. She glanced up over Jack's shoulder, at Maxine, then rolled her eyes. Everybody thought they were SO BLOODY FUNNY with the Little Mermaid jokes. Jack, surprised to have been disturbed so boldly, stopped moving and Heidi's eyes snapped right back to him.

"Well don't STOP just because SHE showed up!"

Maxine: Heidi...while I'm never one to interrupt a great white when there is blood in the water...but..:: Looking away :: I'm bored as all all get out. Let's have a bit of fun.

"In case you couldn't tell I'm busy, presently. Perhaps later?"

Maxine: And if we don't do something now...Scion is going to have all the fun. There will be nothing left for us.

Heidi narrowed her eyes as Maxine hung from the mezzanine. What did she mean, exactly, about Scion having all the fun? Scion had basically been GROUNDED all week, how could SHE possibly be engaged in any activity that was making Maxine feel competitive? Whatever it was, Heidi wasn't ABOUT to let that little blonde bitch get all the glory.

Maxine: Silver Swan and MorningStar are at a dive bar in Time's Square, consoling each other - likely because of their terrible codename choices. Let's go and fuck with them...pretty please?

A...... dive bar?! Heidi almost changed her mind right then and there. But wasn't Morningstar one of Scion's goody-two-shoes friends? In fact, wasn't she the one who tried to save Frost and failed miserably? Yes, that's right.... she'd even called Heidi a bitch. Heidi smiled darkly. It WOULD be fun. A little 'girls night out', if you will.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming."

Jack started moving a bit more feverishly and Heidi giggled. That was a PARTICULARLY good angle. She could feel his fingers wrapping around the nape of her neck, and she started to moan, not so quietly in his ear. Maxine got her musical number after all.

When they were done, Heidi lifted them both up on a column of water next to the mezzanine. Jack gave Maxine a wink and a smile, as he 'toweled off' using his shirt, and then pulled his jeans on. Heidi grabbed his damp shirt from his shoulder and slipped into it, because there was no sense trying to fight her way back into HER clothes at this point. It was way too big for her, and clung to her body but she didn't seem to care. She could dry off properly and put on something worthy of a night out in her chambers.

"I'll need time to get ready, or did you want to watch me do THAT as well?"

She asked Maxine playfully, a gleam of wicked pleasure in her eyes.

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs

:: Diana did not take time to meet someone where they were. They other got on board with HER plan and HER rules, or they got left behind AND/OR RUN OVER and crushed. One of the FEW exceptions to this was Helena Quartermaine.::

:: During the Viper caper, the question of if Malice had ANY friends was brought up by a member of the Six. If anyone could qualify as a "YES" to that, it would be Helena. Theirs was a history that was shrouded in mystery, and no one in the CURRENT incarnation of the Inner Circle knew their back story. Indeed, no one actually knew that Diana was in her SECOND body, and the present day Helena Quartermaine was the more powerful cross time alternate of the original - that spoke to the depth of their relationship, that it was not bound by physical bodies or even dimensions. ::

::And one of the reasons why the two of them ALWAYS survived when the system and structure around them came crashing down was because they knew who the could rely on when the chips are down. Talisman needed to take a lesson in this, and spend less time in her body shop and MORE time conversing with her fellow Queens, and King.::

Making her way down to the catacombs, she spotted Diana alone, waiting for her. Helena held up her hand before she had a chance to say anything.

"I know you had nothing to do with what happened with Ava. I was angry....it was a trigger, but it's over with now. She's fully integrated into Persephone..."

Helena smiled deviously at her friend.

"Our plan worked perfectly."

:: Diana handed Helena a flute of fine champagned, and nodded to her, smirking as they clinked their glasses together::

Another powerful weapon added to our arsenal. Another LOSS for the Six, for even IF they were some how able to wrest her from our clutches, they would not find the woman they knew or cared about.

Scion is going to be in for a little surprise when she returns.

Speaking of that, I'll be addressing that little house keeping matter regarding Ashley Oldenburg with Scion when she returns.

:: And though Helena was calm and centered again, Diana had one thing she wanted to be let known.::

Helena...you and I are survivors. But more than that, we TURNED THE TABLES on the men who thought they were going to subjugate us. We TOOK from them what gave them their power, and used it to DESTROY them.

WE did that. No one else in this current Inner Circle...not even TALISMAN, since she wasn't HERE for it, can hold to that.

Ravena is here for a REASON that will benefit ALL of us.

The witches among the Six, consider themselves so special...they couldn't possibly imagine that anyone ELSE in this world could have a LINK to the legacy they hold so dear.

:: It was the first time Malice had teased anything like this about Ravena to anyone in the Inner Circle, and she was only doing it NOW to assuage Helena's concerns about Ravena::

Beyond that, Ravena represents an entirely NEW avenue of resources for us that he is WILLING to share. He's not like the OTHER men we have dealt with in the past.

And YOU know me, Helena.

:: Malice looks into Helena's eyes. ::

I wouldn't jeopardize EITHER of us...after what we've been through. What we've OVERCOME.

:: She takes a drink. Certain that things were clear and settled between them.::

I've been scanning Persephone since the personality change, and the Ava Cassadine persona is dormant.

:: She leans forward::

WATCH her, Helena, AND Berserker.

Not everyone can BALANCE pleasure and power.

My telepathy and empathy register the VOLATILE nature of their relationship, it could have UNINTENDED consequences for the Red Court AND the Inner Circle.

:: Sitting back a bit, as they both survey the various floating monitors around them::

I made a SPECIAL delievery to MorningStar just a bit ago. It was quite satisfying, watching her crumble to the ground like the fragile house of cards as she is, over the destruction of her beloved MEAT HEAD, Bishop.

My little Scion DOES know how to..."TENDERIZE" her meat, doesn't she?

:: Another drink::

And SPEAKING of MorningStar.....

It appears my White Knight and Domino are looking for some trouble.

:: Tapping into the camera feed of a dive near Time Square, showing images of MorningStar and Silver Swan::

And they've just found it.

THIS should be interesting to watch.

It'll pass the time while we wait on Scion.

Where is Talisman? I want her here as well.