A beautiful, deadly Rose

[Persephone]

She could still feel him on her. His lips. His hands. His very essence permeate her--VIOLATING her. Then the memories....the flood of forgotten images that overtook her in a tidal wave. The memories he forced onto her as he forced HIMSELF onto her.

Alison had warned her....she had told her this path she was going down would lead her to even more pain and suffering. She had no idea how much so. At EVERY TURN there was someone there beating her down. But she kept getting up--kept going--kept FIGHTING. She needed to. She wouldn't leave Haleigh alone with these people. She wouldn't let her suffer alone. She wasn't going to turn her back on her sister the way everyone in the six and birds of prey were doing. Ava would endure it.

The Morning Room was quit and mostly empty. Ava had been there for nearly an hour just staring out the window to the busy city streets below. She was lost in thought....her mind racing. Shutting her eyes, she could still hear his mechanical laughter. Him taunting her. It made her physically sick knowing the hold he had on her in that moment.

Alek: "Good morning. Mind if I join you?"

Gasping, Ava's body jolted, startled.

"Jesus....Sorry....I didn't see you."

Ava gave him a small smile as he took a seat beside her. She gently traced the rim of the coffee saucer that sat in front of her.

"So, Haleigh released you already? You're lucky, most men don't escape her web unscathed."

She teased, giving him a knowing smirk.

 

[Enchantrah]

Diana: Your little viking....has certainly acquainted himself well with Scion....AND her "sister". Did YOU test him out first?

Helena grinned. Aleksander was the perfect specimen of a man. A brute. Charming. Physically attractive. Loyal. He was everything Helena could ask for in a Red Knight. But there was one thing Alek was not, and that was her play thing. She drew the line with him, looking at him as more of a son than a sexual conquest.

"Bite your tongue. That young man will stay virginal when it comes to me."

Helena laughed, knowing how ridiculous that sounded coming from HER.

Diana: And while we're on the subject of Berserker, did he tell you we had an INTRUDER yesterday? Your eternal failure of a red rook, Ashley Oldenburg came crawling in here, hoping to pry "intel" from Berserker, doing her best Mata Hari impersonation. He promptly reminded her of her status...or LACK thereof within these walls, particularly among the Inner Circle...and HIS bed. But what displeases me, is that SCION happened upon them BOTH, and ALLOWED Ashley to WALK out of here.


Helena rolled her icy blue eyes. Ashley Oldenburg was like the stray cat in heat that wouldn't go away. You think it got hit by a car, but sure enough it returns the next night howling outside your damn window.

"MYSTIQUE informed me about it....among OTHER things. She followed Ashley back to The Clocktower. Needless to say, little Valkyrie sobbed herself to sleep. So while Scion let her walk away, in the end....having Ashley suffer a broken heart is far more entertaining that Haleigh RIPPING it out."

Helena grinned maliciously at Diana.

"But all in due time."

Diana: I'm well aware of the sorted history between Berserker and Valkyrie, but he certainly did an excellent job of humiliating her, which I'm sure was far more damaging than any physical attack could be. However, SCION should've known what was required when dealing with Oldenburg.

Helena understood Diana wanting to mold Haleigh into a mini version of herself, but the omnimorph found it much more satisfying knowing Ashley was shot down by Alek, sent away with her tail between her legs, and left sobbing for him rather than being killed on the spot. It was far sweeter of a hit than a kill shot.

"Well, I give Haleigh a gold star. BUT you are her mother....and mother knows best."

Diana: She'll have to pay the penalty for that.

"Wire hangers?"

Helena quipped, laughing along side Diana. But soon, they were interrupted by the deliciously gorgeous White King.

Lord Ravena: The pair of you look as lovely as ever. I hope that I have not overly disturbed you. I promise that I will not be long, I have some business to attend to in short order.

"Ohhh, but I like it long."

She grinned wickedly, teasing the young king. But unfortunately he was there strictly for business, and of course it had to do with her wayward Red Rook, Persephone.

Lord Ravena: In speaking with her this morning concerning this breach of protocol, she felt the need to threaten me and attack me. This provocation I leave to you Helena, in conjunction with Diana of course, to deal with as you see fit rather than behaving....rashly.

Helena's eyes widened hearing that Ava had ATTACKED him. Quickly looking at Diana, she could see her friend's eyes ignite with fire.....so their plan WORKED. Helena smirked, her own eyes gleaming with perverse joy.

"How delightfully perfect. She took the bait."

Turning to Ravena.

"I will join you wherever you want sweetheart, you just made my morning!"

Ravena disappeared just as quickly as he came. Helena turned back to Diana.

"Well....I can think of a good punishment for your Scion to endure...."

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs- Control Room

Good day ladies.

Lord Ravena materialized in the Control Center, before both of the assembled Queens. His face was even, serious, but not grim.

The pair of you look as lovely as ever. I hope that I have not overly disturbed you. I promise that I will not be long, I have some business to attend to in short order.

My Lord Ravena,

:: Malice said in a low tone, as she and Enchantrah looked upon him with equal parts curiosity and "undressing" him with their eyes::

, ALWAYS a pleasure.

You REALLY should come down here and PLAY a bit more often.

:: She looked at him knowingly while enjoying a long drink from her flute of champagne.::

He crossed his hands behind his back as he continued.

My nation, Ahadi, is completing several strategically important deals stemming from connections during the Blackout Party. As a part of a familiarization initiative of my creation in conjunction with the Queens, I have been inviting members of our Inner Circle to some of these events as my guest. Helena, your Red Rook was messaged by me and invited to one such meeting. She failed to even open my message, much less decline to attend. In speaking with her this morning concerning this breach of protocol, she felt the need to threaten me and attack me. This provocation I leave to you Helena, in conjunction with Diana of course, to deal with as you see fit rather than behaving....rashly.

He stopped and looked at the pair of them,

:: The White and Red Queens looked at him, and then each other::

Helena's eyes widened hearing that Ava had ATTACKED him. Quickly looking at Diana, she could see her friend's eyes ignite with fire.....so their plan WORKED. Helena smirked, her own eyes gleaming with perverse joy.

"How delightfully perfect. She took the bait."

Turning to Ravena.

"I will join you wherever you want sweetheart, you just made my morning!"

I will not tarry in interrupting your meeting. I have to set up a crucial manufacturing center in Ahadi. I would be honored if you two would be willing to witness and celebrate the upcoming groundbreaking. You have been welcoming to me and I would love to return the favor. Look for my invitation. Good day ladies.

Well Helena, We ARE overdue for a little jaunt overseas to visit that rat tag European branch. Beyond your would-be BOY TOY, Archer Fairchild, There's some BUZZ now, since the arrival of their new Red Queen, Amanda Sefton. Word is, she's rather intense... MAGICK user. We seem to have MORE of them...

:: looking at Helena and then Ravena as she noted ::

....POST Blue Moon. Very curious.

:: Still eyeing Ravena a bit, after all, she KNEW who he REALLY was.::

A little tour of Lord Ravena's domain, followed by a stop at the European Branch, and then Sheena Island.

Should we try to PRY Talisman from her little ....what is it...the little shop of horrors?

:: Pretending to ponder it....::

OH that's right, her BODY Shoppe, and bring her along? The DEVIL only knows what SHE'S doing in there.

:: Both she and Helena have a laugh.::

Don't stay away TOO long, Ravena. You'll MISS OUT on the fun right here!

:: She winks at him as he bids them farewell and disappears::

It IS far more interesting in these halls now with our CURRENT roster, wouldn't you say?

:: She and Helena clink their glasses. Many had come, many had gone, MOST wouldn't be able to tell their story. DOMINIQUE was one notable exception, Ashley was another, but Dominique, at least, left with her head held HIGH. It was just so deliciously ironic that she would wind up on the same rat tag team of amateurs that Ashley had been relegated to! Everytime Diana thought about it, it gave her a GOOD laugh.::

Ravena disappeared just as quickly as he came. Helena turned back to Diana.

"Well....I can think of a good punishment for your Scion to endure...."

:: The smile fades from Diana's face now.::

Spare the rod...spoil the child.

:: Diana said coldly, shifting to her diamond form, and CRUSHING her crystal flute, as she looked at images of Scion in a deeper area of the catacombs, and Ava above ground in the morning room.::

::Scion had been spoiled ENOUGH during her time with the Six. She actually thought she was something....someone who deserved the trappings of a normal life? Friends? family? She actually thought that ANY of the psychobabble that Shadow Weaver had preached applied to HER!? ::

:: Malice smirked as she looked upon Haleigh with a glint in her opal blue eyes. Sometimes, an artist had to DESTROY her art in order to find any true satisfaction in it. A sculptor would sometimes have to FLATTEN her creation and put it BACK in the fire to create something more suitable. THAT is what Malice has been doing with Scion since black out party.::

:: And for every attempt Haleigh makes to COPE, Malice finds a new way to make it hurt WORSE. She would SMASH any secret hope that Haleigh had, while making sure that external forces worked OVERTIME to destroy her reputation to those she'd left behind. If MALICE couldn't possess her, she'd make SURE that no one ELSE would WANT her back. She'd make sure that Haleigh would BEG for the comfort of DEATH.::

:: She shifts her gaze to Ava and Alek, rolling her eyes::

There's no doubt that your viking is incredibily virile. But I would apreciate it if they did not try to recreate 9 1/2 weeks in the morning room?

:: Diana says as she smirks and nudges Helena.::

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs

She reloaded and reholstered her pistols, and reached for her shotgun. As she started to slide the shells in, the sounded of a clap startled her. She flipped the gun back over and lifted it quickly to her shoulder, racking the slide and remaining knelt, sweeping the area smoothly. It was impossible to tell where the person was, not only could she not see them... but the sounds were echoing off the stone.

Mystique: Impressive. Your reputation proceeds you.

The Red Bishop said, and stepped out into the open with her hands mockingly in the air. Haleigh lowered the shotgun, then flipped it back over and resumed her task of reloading it, keeping her eyes trained on Mystique. They had passed each other in the halls but not really had much interaction. Haleigh was intrigued by the invisible woman, and how effective she was when it came to collecting intel. She'd make a great addition to Clandestine, that was for sure.

Mystique: I come bearing gifts. Information you may find quite interesting.

"Is that right?"

She asked in reply, as she appraised Mystique carefully. When her shotgun was full again, she stuck it back in place along her spine, and lifted her AR from its slung position, removing the magazine, checking to see if she'd filled it all the way, making one more round appear in it before returning it to the firearm, and tapping it against her raised knee to ensure it was fully seated.

Mystique: It could potentially put you in good standings with your mother......or at the very least......even WORSE standings with The Six.

Haleigh pulled the charging handle to engage the bolt carrier group, the slapped the side of the receiver to drop it into battery. Mystique smirked at her as she asked if Haleigh was interested in what she was selling. Haleigh slowly rose to her feet, reaching in the collar of her battle suit to scratch at the bite mark on her neck, the remnant of her tussle with Alek the night before. It was almost healed now, just a little pink mark, like the ones visible on her knuckles, and quite a few more that were covered by her suit. All the bruises he'd given her were nothing more than faint green shadows on her skin, and in another hour or so, they'd be gone too.

"Alright, you have my attention. Tell me something I DON'T know."

 

[Orion]

Clandestine Intelligence -- Board Room

Specter: What, was it in code? We have a vast number of different ciphers, I could run the message through our decryption program.

"No..... it wasn't code. It was a..... video."

Specter: Oh, well let's see it then. Maybe with enough trained eyes on it we can figure it out.

"Ah, I don't have it, and honestly, I don't think I'd want to share it if I did."

He could see them trading confused looks, and suspected there would be more than a few of them who would press him on the issue until he came clean. Griffin leaned back in his chair, and the expression on his face confirmed that answer wouldn't be accepted. He sighed, rubbing his eyes as he tried to find the words.

<<FLASH>>

Berserker leaned in and bit the skin of her neck, just enough to draw blood. He removed his hand from around her neck, instead grabbing a hold of her hair and pushing her face into the floor, holding it there as he drew back with his right and peppered her back and side with punches.

"It was a recording of a man attempting to beat her into submission. She put up a decent fight--"

Verdict: Why would you want to withhold THAT from us, Zach?

<<FLASH>>

He grabbed her right hand and rolled her, so that he was now on top. He laced his fingers through hers, their faces inches apart. His body rocked against her’s, as if he was unable to remain still. He just looked down into her face for a long moment, his body bruised, cut and bleeding, taking rapid breaths. And then his mouth clamped down onto her’s.

"He has to be at least as strong as she is. She didn't fight him for very long. The struggle turned.... sexual. I'm not entirely sure it was consensual."

There was a very long silence in which everyone at the table looked varying degrees of shocked and appalled. Cassie reached across the table and placed her hand on Zach's, giving him compassion with a somber expression.

Specter: But, it COULD have been consensual.

"Anything is possible, Griff..... including mind control and emotional extortion. There are many people for whom Haleigh would sacrifice ANYTHING to protect."

Specter: That's precisely what I mean. Haleigh knows the value of..... [he clears his throat] tactical sacrifice. She's very cunning, it's not outrageous to think she'd use sex as a strategic maneuver.... I find it much easier believe that, as opposed to the alternative, that she'd ever let ANY man force himself on her. And who could control HER stubborn mind?

"Malice."

Bandolier: Why aren't we taking everything we have at our disposal to rescue Haleigh and destroy that woman and her organization?

"Haleigh never went after Hellfire directly for a number of reasons --"

Mirage: You mean other than her desire to get in bed with them?

Headhunter: Audrey, seriously?

Mirage: Listen, I've seen first hand the kinds of scenes the Director and her associates who call themselves 'The Six' leave in their wake. They aren't so benevolent and merciful. From what I understand about Hellfire, the Six would ALL be right at home if they joined up.

Headhunter: This assessment coming from a former Black Ops Commander?? You sent Haleigh to do the Navy's dirty work for years. You judge her harshly for what she does NOW? She has led this company to do GREAT DEEDS, and she has lifted us ALL up along with her. Her work with the Six is an extension of that.

Mirage: I'm not judging her harshly, Charlie. I'm just being realistic here. We need to acknowledge the very REAL possibility that after all this time, Haleigh finally grew tired of being a hero.

"It's a REMOTE possibility, maybe. I'm more concerned that she's going to have to make some horrible compromises to survive that place."

Sentry: Let's just take the temperature, and then go from there. Enter your preliminary votes on your consoles.

Several minutes later, Zach was staring at the consensus. 5 of them voted in favor of suspending Haleigh's authority, 6 against. They needed a unanimous vote, and he couldn't imagine how they were going to get it. They needed more to go on, a sign that could indicate which was the better decision to make, but all they had was her horrible message, and his inability to understand it.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Morning Room

As he spoke, Ava jumped about a mile. He looked down at her quizzically. She wasn’t someone who startled easily, certainly not by someone who wasn’t even trying to sneak up on her…

"Jesus…Sorry...I didn't see you."

He sat down at the table with her, setting the newspaper down next to his place setting. He studied her. Yes, she seemed…out of sorts. Was she still upset about last night?

She smiled at him, but was fidgeting with her coffee cup. His eyes watched her hands, then slid back to her face. A servant brought his breakfast and set it before him. He dropped his napkin into his lap then picked up his knife and fork and began to cut his omelet.

"So, Haleigh released you already? You're lucky, most men don't escape her web unscathed."

He smiled, taking a bite.

Jealous, are we?

“That’s not the kind of arrangement I have with Haleigh.”

He wiped his mouth, and said into his napkin, “And I’ve never been in her web.”

He looked up into her eyes and held them.

“I did take a bath though.”

He looked down at his plate and put another large bite into his mouth. His mind wandered to last night, the feel of her close to him, his hand under her chin, his lips on hers…

He looked up, tilted his head as he looked at her face.

“Did you do something to your lip? It wasn’t like that last night.”

 

[Mystique]

Haleigh: "Alright, you have my attention. Tell me something I DON'T know."

"Considering you severed all ties--technological and otherwise--with your agency, i'd say you don't know much anymore."

Mystique rounded Haleigh, eying the room and the variously hidden trip minds being careful as to where to step.

"But I digress."

Mystique finally looked back to Haleigh, giving her a long smile.

"Delilah Trelaven....has it stuck in her moderately pretty little head that you are covert. That this is nothing more than a ruse to protect The Six an Birds of Prey..."

Mystique's eyes narrowed, studying the blank expression on Haleigh's face. Soon her eyes 'smiled', tauntingly.

"We both know THAT isn't true.....BUT because of her views she's become isolated once again within The Six. After your little jaunt with Cameron King, he's closed himself off from everyone. Her relationship with the Victory's are rocky at best....so there's poor Delilah, left in the ruins again."

She purposely left out that Cameron purged his emotions and now him and Delilah are in better standings thereafter. Mystique moved to a single silver trey that held a few weapons Haleigh hadn't been carrying with her during her training session. Picking up the Glock 43 Mystique popped out the mag looking at the line of bullets within it.

"But she has found solace once again in the arms of Maxim Sheremetyev. If she doesn't call him at least once a day, she's over at his apartment with him. Long talks about how she doesn't believe you're a monster.....that she knows you....that there's a grand plan and she won't EVER turn her back on you. It would be adorable if it wasn't absolutely nauseating."

Pushing the clip back into the glock.

"I know what you're thinking....this is old news...."

Mystique placed the glock back onto the metal tray and began to walk towards Haleigh.

"But read between the lines Scion, and you'll know EXACTLY what I just gave you. A means to an END....on more than one level."

 

[Titan]

Spectra

"What's the matter with YOU, Drew?"

The girl I love broke up with me, my best friend in New York broke up with his fiancée, who turned out to be evil, her sister tried to kill my OTHER friend, my teammates turned on each other and broke a building, the evil fiancée is sending kinky sex tapes, Sally’s in LA and you want to close the office in the middle of the morning.

He arranged some papers on the desk.

“I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

"We ALL have plenty to do here, but all work and no play makes some people uptight and grouchy, and Sally wouldn't want that!"

Somehow he thought Sally would want him to work longer than four hours in a day but…

"Oh, he's COMING. He's probably just as HANGRY as Rich. You know how these men are...they won't turn down a good meal!"

“These men”? He sighed. He wasn’t going to get out of this, but he wasn’t looking forward to it either.

"Drew, I'm no more OR less of a BITCH than your ex-girlfriend. Try getting to know me on your own terms rather than being lead by her opinion. I'm really NOT as bad she says I am."

Yet, you did kick your teammate when she was down…

He looked over at her. He didn't like her calling Delilah a bitch. Only HE could call her a bitch. And not out loud. Except to Zach. Who understood.

“Oh, I’m able to make decisions quite on my own, you can be sure.”

"Smooth move earlier. One of these days you should come play with Cass and I in the Danger Room. You two, Richie! Special people like us don't have ordinary recess, and I've got some kick ass programs that I think you'd all enjoy."

Andrew picked up his suit jacket and slid into it.

“Thanks, maybe sometime. The Birds of Prey have something similar they’ve been training with.”

He buttoned his jacket, and motioned for the other three to go ahead of him, who were holding hand like Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. At least the food at Ambrosia was good.

 

[Persephone]

Alek: “That’s not the kind of arrangement I have with Haleigh. And I’ve never been in her web.”

"So you think."

Ava responded smoothly, smiling despite herself.

Alek: "I did take a bath though."

"Mmmm, did you?..."

She watched him take a bite of his food, her amethyst eyes studying his face as he stared down at his plate.

"So did I."

She finished, her lip tugging into a small smirk as he looked up at her. But his expression changed.

Alek: “Did you do something to your lip? It wasn’t like that last night.”

It was like a punch in the gut, Ava immediately looked out the window and shook her head, recollecting herself.

"What? I was in a huge battle last night. I have cuts everywhere."

She looked back at him doing the only thing she knew how to do to divert the path they were going down. Moving her hand under the table to Alek's knee, she began to slide it upward.

"I can show you."

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs

Mystique: Considering you severed all ties--technological and otherwise--with your agency, I'd say you don't know much anymore.

Well now.... How does SHE know THAT?

Haleigh wondered, as Mystique overstepped some trip wires on her way closer to Haleigh. The Red Bishop went around her, and Haleigh reached out, brushing her fingers through Mystique's red hair as the woman passed her.

Mystique: but I digress.

"When are you going to stop TEASING me and start THRILLING me?"

She asked, mirroring Mystique's smile, because anything was fair game if it meant Haleigh could improve her circumstances. She listened patiently, her facial expression carefully controlled, as Mystique relayed the intel. So.... Delilah still believed in her. It pained her to hear it, though it wasn't all that surprising. Their friendship over the years had only gotten stronger, and it was her own fault. She'd made a habit of defending Delilah when no one else had, because she had always believed Delilah to be the best of them, she had always admired Delilah, and felt herself improved by the friendship and influence. The night she'd left the Six, she'd rebutted many arguments, and none of them were easy to shut down, but it was Delilah that had nearly broke her resolve. It was Delilah that had driven her to escape, and abandon the attempt to convince them any further.

This was hard still, because she had to forsake it all, over and over again, until they got it, until they understood that they were right: Malice was going to destroy Haleigh in every possible way. The truth of this could not be denied, even by Haleigh, though somewhere deep down, she still wanted to keep something for herself. When it came to her former friends, though, she was actively trying to force them to let her go.

Nicolas, she'd coldly rejected right at the start, while she was fueled by anger and only a FRACTION of the self-loathing she felt now. If he didn't hate her yet, it was because he understood her, but she had no doubt he'd fight her without hesitation, especially for Morgan's safety.

Cameron, she'd been able to strike savagely, because they'd done that to each other before. And when they met in battle, it would be vicious, angry, bolstered by the sting of betrayal, and hopefully inflamed by the memory of the video she'd sent. Mystique seemed to confirm as much.

Morgan and Blaze, may now be her sisters, but Haleigh knew they wouldn't try to talk her back down, they didn't need convincing. They'd do exactly what was necessary, because they had rage in their hearts somewhere, and it would be easy for Haleigh to provoke it.

Cass wouldn't hang on to hard, even though Haleigh had bonded with her well in the short time they'd known each other, there wasn't SO MUCH history that Cass would be unable to turn it off as soon as Haleigh hit her.

But Delilah.... Haleigh was truly afraid of the power Delilah had over her, and as long as Delilah still loved and believed in Haleigh, she'd have that power, and Malice probably already knew that. She had to do something about it. She had to hurt Delilah, badly. She had to convince Delilah to hate her enough to give up on her.

Mystique's information provided Haleigh with the opportunity to do so, in her revelation that Bishop, of all people, was the one encouraging Delilah to hold on to hope. This could not be allowed to continue. Haleigh's expression darkened as she thought of Bishop, and all the ways he'd vexed her in the past. He was more than merely a pain in the ass, he was now a detriment to her success. He was also the solution to her problem. It would be easy for her to beat Bishop to a pulp, and she had wanted to many times in the past. Brutalizing him would prove to Delilah that it was too late to save Haleigh, and that holding out hope was foolish. It was time for her to send another message.

If they still love me, they will SUFFER FOR IT.

Mystique: But read between the lines Scion, and you'll know EXACTLY what I just gave you. A means to an END....on more than one level.

Mystique closed back in on Haleigh, who locked eyes with her and smiled.

"So the tease is worth the thrill, and you're more than just a pretty face. Well, I truly appreciate your efforts, Mystique. If there's ever anything I can do for you.... you know where to find me."

 

[Mystique]

Haleigh: "So the tease is worth the thrill..."

"It always is."

Haleigh: "...and you're more than just a pretty face.

"Aww, you flatter me."

Mystique walked past Haleigh, dragging her finger along the bruised bite mark on her neck as she passed.

Haleigh: "Well, I truly appreciate your efforts, Mystique. If there's ever anything I can do for you.... you know where to find me."

Mystique began to walk toward the exit.

"There won't be."

She then quite literally disappeared from sight.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion - Morning Room

"So you think."

He gave her a look.

“I’ve known women like Haleigh before. Don’t mistake my charming nature for naivety.”

The words “charming nature” had a tinge of sarcasm in them.

And then Ava admitted she had taken his advice on the bath…

“Oh, really?”

The mental image he had conjured the night before returned to his mind. He smiled, raising an eyebrow suggestively. But when he asked her about her lip, Ava visibly flinched and looked away.

"What? I was in a huge battle last night. I have cuts everywhere."

He put down his knife and fork, a little too forcefully, and leaned back on his chair. He looked at her hard, then shook his head.

“No…not there. What’s going on, Ava?”

He looked down into his lap, then back up into her face, feeling Ava’s hand on his thigh.

"I can show you."

She said it so seductively, all he wanted to do was have her on the table right there. But…

He closed his eyes, trying to ignore what his lower extremities were doing right then. After a calming breath he grabbed her hand and pulled it up so he held it firmly over the table. All of the playfulness and innuendo was gone from his voice, his eyes cold, hard, piercing.

“Your mouth was perfect last night, I remember. And now you’re jumping like a frightened kitten, which is definitely not the Ava I’ve seen so far. So tell me. What. Happened.”

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs- Control Room


:: Diana continued to monitor Alek, Ava, and Scion both using the systems in the control room, AND with her psi powers. Alek was...interesting. She'd never seen Helena feel an OUNCE of maternal feeling toward ANYONE, especially considering.... ::

:: But Diana COULD empathize. Helena viewed Alek as her "son." Scion was Malice's daughter. ::

:: Malice HATED her. ::

:: She was ultimate example of what the MEN in mystech thought they could do to ANYONE, even HER. Christopher HARVESTED Diana's ova...and from that egregious violation, combined with more of his demented machinations....would come this little girl. The MOMENT she evoked something even REMOTELY "maternal" in Diana (the night Diana had Alice spirit Haleigh away from the Arklay Mansion before she and Helena laid total waste and destruction to the mansion and everyone in it), Diana felt that she'd faltered and that SCION had caused her to do so. She NEVER forgot...OR forgave. From that moment forward, the relationship between Malice and Scion was equal parts intriguing, demented, and...at times...mutually beneficial. Through Alice, Diana monitored and at times, MANIPULATED the course of Scion's life to suit HER desire. but WHY? Ultimately, Malice and Christopher had ONE thing in common...they BOTH wanted to see a part of themselves CONTINUE. However powerful, however DEADLY a psionic force Malice was, she was still...human...and THAT was at the HEART of what Christopher had done to her, what SHE in turn did to everyone in that mansion, and everyone ELSE sense.::


:: She wanted ensure that she POSSESSED one of the few things that WAS evidence of her humanity, her DAUGHTER, and make sure that if Scion prooved to be too much of a reminder, that she could DESTROY her as she did anyone ELSE who crossed that line::

:: She allowed her mind to shift for a moment, to more pleasurable thoughts- namely her powerful and confident White King and her beautiful White Knight. She ALSO noted the incoming reports and the very psychic emminations she was receiving from the Six AND the birds of Prey. They were suffering, fracturing. The Six was further up the river than the BoP, but when word of the Silver Swan savagely attacking Valkyrie reached Malice's mind's eye, she reveled in it. That was on the heels of Berserker HUMILIATING Valkyrie within this very mansion! And Zachary Armani was suffering. She'd already planned to PERSONALY assist him in shedding his mortal coil, but how NICE of Sharon, Alycia, Dominique to...TENDERIZE him for her. He WASN'T ready for her, and HALEIGH wouldn't be ready for THIS!::

:: Things were coming together quite nice. The Inner Circle was nearly at full capacity, and its diversity would be its strength. Malice was pleased with NEARLY everyone on the current roster, but she had no ATTACHMENT, no HISTORY, or PERSONAL connection to anyone EXCEPT Helena ( and... Scion ). Malice and Enchantrah were the ONLY one that each other trusted, for various significant reasons. Talisman was IMPROVING, but only time would tell if she would stand that ultimate test, OR if she would end going the way that Witchfire did. ::

:: Truth be told, it HAD been a blow to lose Isis. her magickal powers and her knowledge of nature and other key topics had been a perfect compliment to the "Sisterhood." Diana wouldn't have just let her leave if she had not had Talisman waiting in the wings. She'd even considered brokering some sort of deal with Dominique because she knew flat out going after her would've been a lengthy and troublesome campaign when factoring Nicolas and various members of the Six into it. But that was a bridge that she'd never have to cross now that she had Talisman AND Lord Ravena. Not JUST magick users, but two individuals with KEY connections, key paths to directly vex the Six in big ways. ANYONE who knew Malice knew she expected competence and STYLE::

:: Since her arrival at the Hellfire Mansion, Scion was DISAPPOINTING Malice on BOTH fronts. This recent dereliction of duty regarding Ashley Oldenburg, the disgraced and BANNED ex-red rook, would NOT go unaddressed OR unpunished. ::

SCION!

:: She telepathically SHOUTED in Scion's brain::

Your presence is required in the control room, IMMEDIATELY.

 

[Persephone]

She could see it in his eyes, it was working. He wanted her, right then and there. It didn't matter if there were people in the room, they would give them one hell of a show. Ava's fingers slipped closer, feeling his leg tense when suddenly he grabbed her hand and moved it out from under the table, holding it firmly. Ava's eyes were wide in shock, seeing the aggressiveness radiating from him. His eyes were steely and serious, all hints of playful banter were gone.

Alek: “Your mouth was perfect last night, I remember."

Ava pulled her hand away roughly, now she was getting pissed off. Moreso because she didn't like feeling cornered by his questions. And like a cornered animal, she lashed out.

"I'm surprised you remember any details from all the women you fuck in these halls."

She hissed.

Alek: "And now you’re jumping like a frightened kitten, which is definitely not the Ava I’ve seen so far. So tell me. What. Happened.”

Ava didn't look at him, she just shook her head mentally kicking herself for getting herself stuck in the current situation. But within the walls of the Hellfire Club, for some unknown reason she felt a level of SAFETY with Alek. She knew because she was apart of the Red Court, he would protect her, Mystique, and Helena above anyone else. It was a slight comfort to know, even if it was only because of the color she wore. And she needed allies anywhere she could get at this point.

"Just another hazing from the higher ranks."

She quipped, her eyes finally returning to his. She could tell he didn't buy it. Ava let out a slow breath, lowering her eyes once again. She could feel the tears filling them which pissed her off. She HATED showing any sort of vulnerability, ESPECIALLY at the Hellfire Club. But what Ravena did....it was still fresh...raw....the feeling was horrific. The whole fucking situation was horrific.

Blinking back the tears, she refused to let them fall. And she refused to look at Alek until they were gone.

"Ravena forced himself on me..."

She trailed off, remembering his hypnotic stare, how she felt paralyzed and unable to defend herself.

"In a very personal way only vampires can appreciate."

Her voice was now dripping with resentment and disgust. She finally returned her gaze to Alek, her eyes colder now.

"I handled it. I struck him back."

 

[Steel]

Midtown Manhattan

Steel parallel parked the Navigator on a side street and hopped out. He was the worse for wear after the previous late night, and already looking a bit rumpled in his shirt and tie.

He kept checking in with Zizi via text.

He wanted to stop in and see Ashley, but decided against it at Oracle’s advice. A bunch of people “dropping in” wouldn’t fool her, and she was likely to get more pissed off and shut herself off from all of them. Zizi advised caution, and he was taking her at her word. So he just told her to pass on that Ashley had been given the day off, and not to worry about coming into the station.

The last night had been all kinds of fucked up. Their second act made Ashley’s argument that the BOP were better off without Isis and the Amazons look not altogether inappropriate. They had not had a problem working together before they joined the group. And Sharon…

Steel liked Sharon. Liked her a lot. And was Ashley abrasive? Sure. But did that justify throwing her through a wall? Certainly not. Especially not with the intention to harm and humiliate her. What happened to “sticks and stones” and all that rot? Add to that their threatening to leave the group over something so petty…

Steel just shook his head. Helt felt for Zizi, who he knew wanted the team to work and for everyone to get along. He just didn’t see it happening. But they couldn’t dwell on these problems; they had to concentrate on where they would be attacked next, and protecting their own and taking care of those they watched over.

He entered the coffee shop and ordered a large one. It was going to be a long day.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Morning Room

She pulled her hand away, and he saw that fire back in her, that snake-like ability to strike. Which meant she wasn’t completely broken. Good.

"I'm surprised you remember any details from all the women you fuck in these halls."

“We aren’t teenagers, Ava. What do you care who I fuck as long as I come when you call. And make sure that you do as well?”

He wasn’t a schoolboy. He wouldn’t follow her around with flowers and chocolates begging for a look. He owed her nothing, beyond the loyalty that came from sharing the same court, and the same went for her.

"Just another hazing from the higher ranks."

She looked him in the eye, dismissing whatever it was as nothing more that posturing from the old guard, but he could see it had been much more than that.

His voice softened.

“Did Helena…?”

The ONLY person authorized to ‘haze’ the Red Rook was the Red Queen, and by extension, him. And he had heard nothing of either. Ava looked like she was going to cry, something he KNEW Helena could not do to her.

"Ravena forced himself on me..."

Alek’s face turned stone hard, his lips pressed tightly together and his jaw clenched.

"In a very personal way only vampires can appreciate."

He put both palms on the table, and bowed his head. Every inch of him began to quiver with barely suppressed rage.

"I handled it. I struck him back."

“No one.”

He stood up slowly, still looking down at the table.

“NO ONE violates a member of the Red Court in that way. How dare he touch you.”

His eyes flashed over to Ava where she sat. It was like explosions were going off in his mind. All he could see was red.

Tick tick

He growled.

Boom

“I will KILL that motherfucker for this. I will wring his FUCKING NECK. I will SLICE HIS HEAD OFF AND PLAY FUCKING FOOTBALL WITH IT.”

He was fuming, his fists clenched, pacing back and forth, only seconds from exploding through the mansion and seeking his target. His eyes narrowed. He grabbed a servant that happened to be passing by them by the collar.

“I want to know where the White King is. NOW.”

 

[Artemis]

NYC- Midtown Manhattan

:: A day had passed, and Alycia was feeling calmer, but not much "better."::

:: She certainly LOOKED refreshed. ::

:: She decided to treat herself at a coffee house in midtown manhattan , something she would do during her days as the ADA. Sometimes, she got her best work done here sitting at one of the tables near the back corner, with her laptop and other documents spread out before her. The atmosphere in this place was calming to her, and the drinks, while certainly over priced, were delicious::

:: And so, here she was, sitting in the coffee house, in her black one shoulder top, figure flattering jeans, and feminum bracelets, working on her device, and going over some routine documents. She took a sip of her drink when her hazel eyes happened to catch sight of.::

He entered the coffee shop and order a large one. It was going to be a long day.

::Sigh::

:: Was she going to be petty, and ignore him? They once worked together, and did so very well! She remembered him back when she first put Zizi on the path that lead her to where she is now.::

:: Was Alycia going to treat him and any other person from the Birds of Prey as someone she didnt know or would rather forget? No. She was angry with Zach, she was LIVID at Haleigh, and she wished that Cameron would disappear from the face of the earth. She also didn't agree with Ashley and the tolerance of her behavior. She knew Zizi very well, but had she misjudged her?::

The lawyer in me knows that walls don't help. COMMUNICATION does.

John.

:: She calls out loudly enough for him to hear her voice, and when he sees her, she nods and beckons him over::

Do you have some time?

Please, sit down. I'd like to talk with you for a moment.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs

Mystique reached for Haleigh's neck, and though Haleigh could have easily broken her arm if that had been a move of aggression, she remained still and calm, as Mystique brushed over the souvenir from Alek. Half of her mouth turned up in a smirk, and she waited for Mystique to make a comment about it, but the Red Bishop only insisted there was nothing Haleigh could do for her.

She watched Mystique go, and said nothing else. She highly doubted that she'd been given this information free of charge. In fact it was likely that if Mystique didn't want anything from HALEIGH, it was because she'd already made a deal with someone else. That was fine too. Haleigh wasn't above letting herself get used, obviously. Sometimes the best way to get what she wanted was to let other people believe it was THEIR idea to give it to her.

Malice: SCION!

OUCH, shit, what did I DO NOW?!

Malice: Your presence is required in the control room, IMMEDIATELY.

She ran her left hand through her hair, down the back of her head, to her neck, which she stretched side to side.

Coming, Mother.

Time for more punishment, in retaliation for what provocation, she wasn't sure. Simply existing? She appeared in the control room almost instantly, still armed and battle suited from before. Her mother looked displeased, which was entirely normal, and not at all a cause for Haleigh's concern.

"Whatever I did to piss you off this time, I apologize, and it won't happen again. Now if you don't mind terribly, I'm gonna go beat the bullshit out of Bishop. He's so full of it, I might kill him in the process. That'll be satisfying to me, and when it breaks Delilah's heart and fills her with white hot rage, it'll be satisfying to YOU, too."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi took a long slurp of her Big Gulp. After a long night with not much to show for it, her body was weary. She locked her fingers together and pushed them out in front of her, feeling a good stretch down her arms and into her back.

She wanted to believe what Vivica has said about bringing them all together again. But Zizi wasn’t sure. She hoped that it was just take time, and space to adjust. But it wasn’t something she could really predict. She knew they had to get back on track, though. And the first step in doing that, was contacting Rose.

Zizi picked up her phone and dialed Alycia’s number. It went to voicemail. Zizi tried not to assume that Alycia was ignoring her, but it was difficult. She smiled brightly as the message beeped.

“Hi Alycia, I just wanted to check in on you this morning and see how you were doing. Also wanted to check and see if you still were planning on contacting Rose? Well, call me back when you get this. Bye!”

She hung up, and the smile was gone from her face. Alycia was her friend, her ally – but her association with the Birds of Prey hung by a thread.

She heard the click of the door to the lower level, and Ashley emerged into the suite, dressed for work. Zizi put the warm smile back on her face for Ashley’s benefit.

“Good morning – how are you feeling? I’m sorry I thought you were going to sleep longer. John called, he said you didn’t need to worry about coming in this morning. And those came for you.”

She pointing to an arrangement of flowers on the kitchen island.

 

[Persephone]

She watched as he tense, his palms of the table, his head lowered like he were a rocket about to explode. And he did.

Alek: “NO ONE violates a member of the Red Court in that way. How dare he touch you.”

"I said I handled it, Alek!"

Alek: “I will KILL that motherfucker for this. I will wring his FUCKING NECK. I will SLICE HIS HEAD OFF AND PLAY FUCKING FOOTBALL WITH IT.”

He completely lost it, in such a way that it surprised Ava enough to back away in her seat and stand up in shock caused by the tumultuous reaction. She knew he was protective of the red court, but she didn't expect him to blow up quite the way he did.

"ALEK!"

He grabbed a servant by the collar and lifted him up with ease, demanding to know where the white king was. Ava immediately went over to him, grabbing his bicep and forcing him to look at her.

"Put him down! He doesn't know anything!"

The servant was shaking, protesting that he didn't know where the white king was. Alek finally relented and dropped the boy onto the ground. That's when Ava gripped his arm and pulled him OUT of the Morning Room where the few people that were in there were all now staring in shock. They were now in an empty corridor, away from everyone. She pushed him against the wall and placed her hands on his chest. She could feel him breathing heavily under her touch, his eyes fiery with rage. He was like a caged bull ready to escape.

"Hey...HEY...look at me!"

Ava grabbed his face with both hands forcing him to look her in the eyes.

"You CAN'T go after Ravena! You have no idea what he's capable of...."

Her eyes were pleading, trying to search his for any ounce of sensibility he had left.

"You go after him, you start a civil war among the courts! I DON'T want you getting hurt because of me!"

He was still in a rage. It was like a flip had switched in the Morning Room. Moving close to his face, she rested her forehead against his, her hands moving down his cheeks trying to coax him down from his rage high.

"Stop....stop..."

She whispered between them, her lips inches from his, still trying to calm the beast.

"Just calm down..."

She would be damned if Ravena hurt anyone else because of her.