A Weekend Affair # 4 - The Black Gala

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Gala

So far her conversation with Bretta was going quite pleasantly. If there was one thing Erika had been well versed in it was small talk at parties. Kelly trotted them around like prized ponies at events from a young age, each of them expected to dazzle the crowd like dancing monkeys to show that intellect and wit ran in the King family. Kelly was never not plotting and planting seeds. She took a sip of her hemlock as she inquired as to whether or not Bretta had any intentions to bring things courtside.

Bretta: "As a matter of fact, I do have plans for business here in New York. As I'm sure you're aware of, my new Princess, Cassandra Johnson, has a nightclub here. Cassandra and I plan to have a walk through tomorrow and see what needs to be done, if it needs renovations, that sort of thing. It will be the first American business under the Reddington name."

"I look forward to seeing the Reddington name destroyed in the press."

It took Erika a great deal of restraint to stop herself from laughing. She had never been to Cassandra's club, nor did she have plans to. If the club was anything like the owner, she decided spending a night in some kind of stuffed animal pin next to a holocaust memorial was not really her cup of tea. But she certainly wasn't going to say that out loud, and who knew, perhaps Bretta could make it something. If Cassandra was going to be her Princess, she was going to have to.

"How lovel--"

At that moment, she watched her mother enter the room on the arm of Stavros Cassadine, announcing themselves to be married. Erika was shocked but not surprised. Kelly had been spending much of her free time in Greece over the last few months. In fact, Erika saw the ordeal to be of great value, if only in comedic terms.

"Ava's going to lose her shit..."

And she did, barrelling through the crowd as her brother stalked forward quietly, his PSI blade buzzing with energy. Erika rolled her eyes.

"How could he possibly be this angry..with who HIS wife is."

Bretta: "Stay here, darling. Your mother can handle herself."

Erika cocked an unamused eyebrow at The Red Queen. And then Bretta touched her. Somebody had not informed Bretta O'Malley that one should never touch a crazy person.

Bretta: "I know it's hard, but I don't want to see you get hurt."

Thankfully Erika was preoccupied with the scene unfolding in front of her, because otherwise she would have let Bretta O'Malley know that Erika was not some dainty flower and had this been any other night of the week, it might have been Erika barelling through the ballroom like a rhinoceros - just in better shoes. Thankfully things seemed to diffuse and since Cameron's wife didn't even make a move to defend him, Erika felt okay staying at the table. The new Black Rook made his way over towards the table, and soon The Red Queen and AJ arrived as well.

Ashley: "Bretta! You've been hiding, you naughty thing. And Ben, Erika."

"Cthulu."

Ashley: "What a lovely show of inter-court amity. So, tell me, are you enjoying yourself? Though I supposed an event like this is old hat to you. A clubowner like yourself. I find it very entertaining myself. The swords on fire, especially."

Ashley was getting on her last damn nerve. At every turn, there she was, with a well time compliment and a worldly charmed. And no other court seemed to catch on to it.

Bretta: "Well, I know about that. I certainly have never seen an event where both tigers and peacocks are able to walk freely amongst the guests. Although, this is on part with some of the parties I have thrown."

"Well, I'm certain it won't beat the finale of The Red Hunt, but it is a stunning event none the less."

Erika took a sip of her hemlock as a man name Damien McAllister, the European Red Rook. The White Princess was just relieved to know that there were actual other members of The Red Court in the flesh. She was beginning to think they were a myth.

Bretta: "Damien, I'd like for you to meet some people. This is Erika King, Benjamin Lewis, the Black Rook, Ashley Oldenburg, the Red Queen, and Arther John, the Red Knight. This is Damien McAllister, my Red Rook."

Damien: "Pleased to meet your acuaintances."

And then he bowed towards Ashley. Erika nodded in his direction.

Damien: "Your Majesty, it's an honour and privilege to meet you."

And once again the attention went to Ashley. This was getting brutal to sit through.

Ashley: "Well, he has manners, I'll give him that."

"And he's quite a looker. Well done, Bretta."

Ashley: "It's so good to get to meet more of your court, Bretta. It's a pity the other courts didn't bring the rest of their people. Next time, perhaps."

"Agreed. Perhap--"

The American Red Queen interjected, saddling over AJ and reaching for Bretta's hand.

Ashley: "I think it's time for dancing. You must come Bretta! I'm sure your Rook will oblige you."

And they were gone. Ashley - 2, Erika - 0. Sighing heavily, Erika looked at Damien and then back at Ben, who was last seen speaking to Brienne at The Red Hunt. Erika looked over at Damien with a smile.

"Damien, darling, it's been a pleasure to meet you, but unfortunately I must take a moment to interrogate The Black Rook..."

Erika slid from the booth and extended her hand towards Ben with a mischevious smile.

"Be a dear and escort me to the bar?"

Benjamin nodded quite eagerly as the two left the booth and made their way over towards one of the private bars as Erika leaned over the counter, shooting a glance towards Ben as she ordered.

"I'm getting positively sick of hemlock."

[to the bartender]

"I'll do a hit of absinthe, but can I get two sugar cubes? I like it a bit sweet."

[turning her attention to Ben]

"I saw you speaking to Brienne Shaw earlier, so I assume you prefer something with bitters?"
 
The Black Gala

Both Ava and Cameron spirited away with their respective parent, leaving the party before any real fun could be had. He had really been looking forward to seeing Ava scratch Kelly's eyes out. And, of course, was hoping for some hair pulling that would net him a very nice prize. Brienne expressed his sentiments exactly.

Brienne: "Well that was boring."

"Anticlimactic for sure."

He let security know to watch the two royals and former royals for any further dramatics, then drained the rest of his drink.

Brienne: "Seems your Black Queen can keep her shit together far better than I thought. And here I was hoping for a dramatic ending."

"Our luck she'll flay him alive in private, where none of us would get to see it. Or join in."

He set down his glass next to Brienne's.

Brienne: "Despite there being no weave pulling, I think a little fun is in order after that Oscar Worthy performance."

That perked him right up, in more ways than one. His smiling eyes brimmed with anticipation, and he followed obediently when she took his hand and led him off the beaten path, so to speak. When they were out of sight, she began kissing him, which he hungrily returned. He appreciated her directness, and the way she got right down to business, her hands already undoing his pants. The proximity of her to his cock made him stiffen even more, and the frightening thought flashed through his mind that she had brought him out here to get him going and then leave him to deal with it himself.

She had leaned up against a tree, and he pushed against her while his mouth ravaged hers. She turned them, pinning him against the tree, and he grinned.

"I love it when you get dominant."

Her hand slid into his pants, grasping him, making him moan.

Brienne: "Oh good....you're hard already..."

"For you, baby? Always."

And then she made good on her promise, going to her knees, her mouth closing around him. His eyes closed and his head rested against the tree trunk, his hands pushing her loose curls out of her face.

"Oh, Brienne..."

She was good at this. Very good at this.

His dick felt like it was on fire, like any moment it would shoot off his body. He picked his head up, and looked down at her kneeling in front of him. She made him feel like a god. He wanted to be inside her, to feel her warm and wet, to feel her come.

But she's wearing those damn leather pants.

He reached down and grabbed her upper arms roughly, lifting her so his mouth could take hers again. His hand slid down so that one wrapped around her back under her jacket to hold her, while the other went to work at unzipping her pants and shoving them down. He used a foot to he push them off, or near enough that he could lift her so her legs straddled him as he leaned back against the tree.

"God I want you so fucking much Bree..."

He slipped inside her, his eyes catching hers as he pulled her hard onto him and began to move his hips.
 
Hellfire Mansion - The Black Gala

Once Ben had cleared the private exit, he was back on the scene assessing all areas of the conservatory, looking for anybody who might feel confident enough to make some kind of move during all the chaos ensuing around him, all the while hoping that Ava would in fact lose her shit and rid the world of Kelly King once and for all, and if she acted, Ben would back her play. She had been a thorn in the side of Hellfire for too long and he was actually surprised nobody had lost their shit and attacked before this very moment. Unfortunately for him personally, but good for him professionally, the situation seemed to temper as Stavros and Ava left as did Cameron and Kelly. Ben rolled his eyes.

"Of course they live to fight another day. Bloody bastards."

Stavros and Kelly had always been two peas in a pod. He had watched Stavros bend and mold and shape Ava her entire life. Whenever he was in the mansion, Ava was a different person entirely. Only when he left did she relax. When they were teenagers, they used to raid the black parlor and sit on the roof comiserating over their parents. While Ben had none, Kelly had served as his surrogate mother, though often he felt as if he were living in an orphanage and Kelly King was the headmistress who didn't want him there to begin with. Knowing what he did now, he realized that he actually had quite a bit in common with Ava with regards to Kelly. He too was a child of one of her lovers by another woman, and as such, she had always given him the short end of the stick while manipulating him into believing she was the only one who was looking out for him. But the past was the past. Kelly was on her last leg, and now it appeared Stavros was as well. The Black King came on over the com link.

John: "Ben, get yourself next to Erika."

That was all he heard. He was both exhilirated and a bit scared. The last he heard, Ben was to keep his distance from Erika until the news was revealed to her that they were in fact brother and sister. Perhaps this was John's way of throwing him a bone. Outside of his drunken stupor on Saturday morning, Ben had been performing quite well. He'd been a gracious breakfast guest, and he had brought in a large kill at The Red Hunt, bringing the black court a bit of praise. He decided that it was best not to think about it, and just go.

[via Com Link]

"I'm on it."

Ben arrived as Erika was being very uncharacteristically polite. Bretta and Erika were serving each other small talk and everything seemed to be pleasant. Erika didn't even seem bothered by the events, which led him to believe that she either knew about this beforehand, or she simply didn't care. From an intel sweep earlier, he had learned that Erika was about to become The White Princess, which was surprising to say the least. Erika had never shown much interest in becoming a member of The Inner Circle, that and for all intents and purposes, Erika King was certifiably insane. But she was his sister. An actual blood link to him in this world. He would no longer be alone in Hellfire. Although he couldn't say anything, he was going to make sure they started on the right foot, if only because he wasn't sure as to how she would take the news.

The Black Rook was characteristically quiet as The Red Queen arrived with The Red Knight, deciding to rely on his ability to be overlooked while he still could be. He had earned a bit of err from The Red Knight, and he wasn't sure if that information had been shared with the Queen yet. Almost as if by fate, before long, he was left alone with Erika and Damien, and he felt a bit of sweat developing in his palms. And then fate went a step further.

Erika: "Damien, darling, it's been a pleasure to meet you, but unfortunately I must take a moment to interrogate The Black Rook.."

Ben smirked nervously. You never really knew with Erika where the line of sarcasm and reality actually met. She could have very well intended to take him down to the Aqua Ring and rough him up a bit for any number of things.

Erika: "Be a dear and escort me to the bar?"

That was a good sign. Benjamin said his goodbyes to Damien as the two made their way over to the bar, Erika seeming very comfortable in front of a bar counter.

Erika: "I'm getting positively sick of hemlock. I'll do a hit of absinthe, but can I get two sugar cubes? I like it a bit sweet. I saw you speaking to Brienne Shaw earlier, so I assume you prefer something with bitters?"

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. He was speaking to his sister. Talking to her. He could even probably touch her if he wanted. He felt like the grinch, feeling his heart grow several sizes as he surveyed her face for any similarity. All of the Kings shared the trait of cobalt blue eyes, but Erika's were different. They weren't cobalt, they were ice blue, just like his. He throttled himself back into reality.

"Close.."

[turning to the bartender]

"I'll take a Pisco Sour."

Ben took his glass and raised it in celebration to Erika.

Erika: "To virtually anything besides new beginnings."

"To good liquor."

They clinked their glasses together and took a sip, noting they both had a bit of the same sense of humor. Ben sat his glass down on the napkin on the table.

"Brienne is a bit of a sour puss, but duty calls. And come now, you two haven't always hated each other."

Erika: "That's right. I forget just how long you've been around Ben."

Ben watched her eyes look him up and down in a way that decidely not sisterly. He gulped.

Erika: "But I couldn't forget you now...I haven't seen you in a few years, but it appears you have been eating your Wheaties."

"Okay this is awkward."

He blurted out the only thing that he could think of to diffuse such a thing.

"Well...Amanda prefers a beefy man. Just trying to please my dame."

He took another quick drink as Erika seemed to adjust.

Erika: "Well la di dah...I assume you were tasked to ensure I didn't go after my mother?"

"Hey, can you blame them? Honestly, I was a bit dissappointed you didn't at the very least drunkenly shout something. It's so unlike you. Is Erika King intending to turn a new leaf? Or did you not see?"
 
Ava admitted to John that this whole love thing was new to her. She had never let anyone into her heart, only her bed. And the only love she had ever known was a manipulation from her father. She loved John so much it hurt; the only man who had stuck by her since day one. The only man who knew all there was to know about Ava and still didn't run for the hills. She held his face gently, looking into his eyes.

John: "You are my everything, Ava. No matter what you choose to do in life, I'm with you. I don't care about anything but being with you."

"Me too. Since the moment I let you into my heart the thought of you not being there kills me. I didn't mean to shut you out. I was embarrassed that I let him effect me that badly. Everything he said to me.....and I still let him go. I didn't feel like I deserved your support...so I pushed you away."

She shut her eyes, sighing out at her admission to him. Remembering his arms around her as she sobbed and feeling not worthy of his comfort or touch. Stavros pushing her to that point. It was a horrible feeling, one she didn't want to feel ever again.

John: "Ava..."

Ava lifted her eyes to meet with John's, her expression soft as he took her hand within his, interlinking their fingers so their rings touched.

John: "For so long, you have been two halves of one whole: Mother Nature and the Queen of the Underworld. But now, you have me. I can be the other half of your whole. You can take strength from me whenever you need it. I will never judge you for it - I have seen you at your best and your worst, and I love them both. You must learn to trust me. To believe I would never betray you. You don't have to do this alone anymore."

Ava looked upon John with a vulnerability that she would have never allowed anyone else to see. Squeezing his hand that held hers, she nodded gently as her other hand went to his face to softly caress it. Looking into John's eyes, through her soft expression was a conviction as she spoke. She would never doubt him or his love again. She wouldn't let herself be alone again. And she sure as hell wouldn't push him away again, not when she needed him the most.

"Never again. I promise."

John smiled gently, Ava mirroring him before his lips touched her with a kiss. His arm moved around Ava's back, pulling her even closer against his chest as they continued to kiss, that was until they both felt a vibration between them. John pulled back and reached into his pocket for Ava's phone.

John: "Oh, I forgot, your phone..."

Taking it from him, she didn't bother looking at it as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips close to his.

"Not yet. You owe me four more minutes."

She smiled with a little laugh, the first actual sign of levity from Ava since Stavros and Kelly arrived. Pressing her lips against John's deeply, she pulled her body closer to his, passionately kissing him like the rest of the world didn't exist. She was lost in him, her mind clouded with love, melting into his touch like it gave her new life. The minutes went by far too fast before Ava finally parted their lips, her forehead resting against John's as her eyes remained closed.

"I needed that. I needed you."

Something she would have never admitted before, but openly would now anytime she needed John. Opening her eyes finally, she smiled at her king before finally bringing her phone forward so she could look at it. Still sitting in John's lap, she saw it was a text was from Haleigh causing her to immediately sigh.

"It's Haleigh..."

Reading the text, Haleigh wanted to talk.

"She probably saw what happened in the lounge. Knows I let Stavros go..."

Haleigh and Ava hadn't spoken since their huge fight during the Queen's meeting earlier that morning, so it was only logical to assume the White Queen was going to rake Ava across the coals for letting her father go. Haleigh knew Ava had a very turbulent relationship with Stavros, one just as corrupt as the one she shared with Diana, but considering they weren't on good terms at the moment, Ava expected the worst. Locking her phone, Ava decided now was the perfect opportunity to show John she was serious about what she said. She would lean on him for support and let him help her.

"Care to give me some back up on this one?"

She slightly grimaced.

"I have a feeling it's not going to go well after what happened this morning."
 
Hellfire Mansion - The Black Gala

Amanda was at the ready to defend her Queen if necessary, but she soon dissappeared with her father and Kelly shimmered out of the building to Cameron's study. The Black Knight order a security detail to post outside The White King's study, waiting until she could get there. She nodded at John's instructions and began to move at rapid pace through the conservatory until she was stopped by Cassandra Johnson.

Cassandra: "You look amazing, Mandy! I love that outfit."

The Black Knight grimaced. She had just made peace with Cassandra, but she was no longer a part of the black court, and duty superceeded light social interaction.

"Thank you, Cassandra. But really, I mu--"

Cassandra: "The ring looks as if it was made for you, not that that is of any surprise."

"It was a lovely gift. Really I thank you, but--"

Cassandra: "Is there anything I can do for you, after what had happened?"

She knew that The Red Princess was just being friendly, but The Black Knight didn't have the time.

"I'm working, Cassandra. I can't talk right now. If you want to help, do me a favor, if you so much as sense Kelly King entering this arena, let me know. But I need to get out of here."

Cobra smiled warmly as she stalked through the area, grabbing The White Knight as she moved, knowing that she would need a force on the white court if she wanted to get through without any problems. Her security detail was likely being stalled on their way into the white corridor.

[to Heidi] "You've got a King to protect, and I've got a former Queen to look after and a hair trigger itching to take a kill shot. Escort me to the study?"
 
Hellfire Mansion - The Black Gala

Haleigh: "This may not be something we can make easier. All our enemies must be destroyed. That being said...don't take it upon yourself to do anything yet. Be prepared to prove your allegiance to your Queen with more than just a new jacket color and some complimentary comments."

Daniel monitored the scene as Haleigh spoke, watching court members take positions like actors in a well rehearsed play. It was everything that the European Court was not. Well oiled, meticulous and proficient. As she finished speaking his eyes went back to The White Queen.

"You'll find that I am nothing if not prepared."

[he took a sip of his martini]

"Speaking of preparations..."

The Black Bishop spoke in a lower tone.

"While my primary reason for stopping by has been to get a more intimate audience with The White Queen, imagine my surprise when I sensed that I would be sharing an audience with another..."

Daniel looked down at Haleigh's stomach before returning his gaze back up to her.

"As in the fact that your hours old embryo has some kind of sentience, at least in the emotional response department. Now, I am one to pat myself on the back for my abilities as an empath, but I'm not that good. I don't know what any of that means per say, but I felt it important to mention to you. If I can sense him..it stands to reason that others might as well...and as he grows?"

He paused for a moment, unsure as to whether or not he was going about this the right way, still a bit exhilirated from what he had just experienced.

"Well..again, I felt it important to mention, if only so you can decide as to how to protect your family. I've gleamed that the black and white court leaders share a great deal of loyalty with one another. It would be treacherous for me to sit on information like this, that's all."

"And again if there is any way I can help..."
 
Brienne took Alek's mouth, kissing him heatedly as she back herself into a tree, Alek taking the opportunity to pin her there. But she wasn't about to let him get the one up on her, not when she was ready to make a meal out of him. Brienne circled them both around, pinning him to the tree as her hands did masterful work with his belt and pants.

Alek: "I love it when you get dominant."

She grinned like a cheshire cat.

"Be careful what you wish for."

Brienne slipped her hand into Alek's pants and grasped his already hard cock. She playfully stated that she was happy to see him already hard for it; it saved her unnecessary work.

Alek "For you, baby? Always."

Brienne's grin remained spread across her lips as she lowered herself to her knees, never breaking eye contact with Alek. It wasn't until she took him within her mouth that she shut her eyes and got to work, Alek groaning out immediately. She took every inch of him, sucking him rapid and deep while her free hand pulled his pants the rest of the way down so they dropped to his feet. She felt Alek's hands pushed back her hair making her look up to meet his eyes but not stopping the act itself. She made pleasurable noises, loving the look in his eyes, the feel of him in her mouth, and knowing she would love how he tasted. But Alek stopped her, grabbing her by her arms and roughly pulling her up until his mouth collided with hers. Moaning into his kiss, he began to unzip and push down her pants, somehow getting the tight material off completely. He moved them both so Alek was pinned against the tree, Brienne wrapping her knees around Alek's waist as he broke the kiss, both panting heavily.

Alek: "God I want you so fucking much Bree..."

"I want you too, love..."

She moaned, connecting herself to Alek just as he slid deep inside her so he could feel exactly how badly she wanted him, and how fucking amazing he felt. Brienne began to move up and down, Alek's hands holding her ass enough to support her as she met his thrusts. The music was loud, even across the conservatory, so Brienne didn't hold back as she began to moan loudly, fucking Alek with a hunger and letting him feel every bit of it.
 
Hellfire Club – Black Gala


:: Unfortunately for Erika King, Bretta simply wasn’t that impressed with the girl. Though she seemed nice, and very polite, Bretta kind of felt...trapped. Bretta was relieved when the Black Rook joined them, but alas, he wasn’t much of a talker, even though she congratulated him on his new promotion. :rolleyes: ::

Somebody help!

:: As if she had telepathy, Ashley Oldenburg arrived at the booth, and she was escorted by her Knight. Bretta could’ve kissed them both but she chose to stay dignified and composed in front of Erika. There was no harm, as far as she could see, in complimenting the young woman. Of course, she didn’t really think that she was lovely or delightful. It wouldn’t have looked right if she trashed Kelly King’s daughter in front of her, though, so she chose to go high. Talk turned to that of Benjamin Lewis, who still had yet to say something. Bretta briefly wondered if he was even useful. ::

I honestly don’t know about him. He seems truly unimpressive.

:: That thought only bolstered Bretta’s original impression of him...which wasn’t much to begin with. Talk soon turned to Bretta’s opinions on the party, and Bretta admitted that this was on par with some of the parties she had thrown. Damien made his presence known by making a comment about the Red Hot Party – which was the absolute truth. He then slid in beside her and kissed her on the cheek. ::

Ashley: "Well perhaps someday we'll get to see it in person."

“Oh, that would be lovely!”

:: She then had a little tête-à-tête with Damien about Cassandra, which she then included the group on and told them that Cassandra had been excited about reconciling with her friend. Then she introduced Damien. She was pleased that he had his manners and that he included Ashley with a personal greeting. ::

Ashley: "Well, he has manners, I'll give him that."

Damien: *gallantly*: “Why, thank you, Your Majesty.”

Erika: "And he's quite a looker. Well done, Bretta."

:: Damien leaned over her to look at Erika. ::

Damien: “Thank you, Miss King. You’re pretty lovely yourself.”

:: He gave Erika a wink and pulled back, wrapping his arm around her [Bretta] waist.

Ashley: "It's so good to get to meet more of your court, Bretta. It's a pity the other courts didn't bring the rest of their people. Next time, perhaps."

Damien: [grinning devilishly] “I truly apologize for the unannounced visit. I just wanted to surprise my Queen – and my Princess. Looking at both of them, I’m sure you can see why I was so eager to make the trip.”

[blushing] “Damien...”

:: Ashley reached across the table and grabbed her hand. ::

Ashley: "I think it's time for dancing. You must come Bretta! I'm sure your Rook will oblige you."

:: Bretta allowed herself to be pulled out from the booth. ::

“Damien, are you coming?”

:: Damien showed up a few moments later and he spun her around on the dance floor before holding her close. He whispered in her ear. ::

Damien: *whispering*: "Somebody needs to call security, because the Black Rook is all alone with that nutter.”

*softly; chiding*: “Damien, please...”

:: He winked at her and then he dipped her before bringing her back up and kissing her on the neck. Bretta sighed happily. ::

“I saw you with Cassandra. You two seem to be getting along quite nicely.”

Damien: “There does seem to be a spark; a connection. I can’t wait to explore that.”

:: He twirled her around again and then they were back facing each other. He had a questioning look on his face. ::

Damien: “If that’s okay with you?”

:: Bretta smiled. It was nice that he was asking for her permission to pursue Cassandra. ::

“Of course it’s okay with me, my Rook.”

:: As he dipped her again, she spotted Cassandra at the bar watching them. When he brought her back up, she gestured to Cassandra. ::

“Our Princess might like a dance now.”

Damien: “Your wish is my command, my Queen.”

:: Bretta laughed gaily as he ran over to Cassandra and pulled her out onto the dance floor. Bretta walked over to the bar where Cassandra had been and watched her Princess and her Rook dance to their heart’s content. ::
 
Hellfire Club – Black Gala


:: Cass had a look of dismay when Amanda rebuffed her, but then realization quickly set in. She had forgotten how serious and business-like Amanda was. ::

Who will make sure that you’ll have time for fun once I’m gone?

:: So she asked if there was anything that she could do to help after what had happened. ::

Amanda: "I'm working, Cassandra. I can't talk right now. If you want to help, do me a favor, if you so much as sense Kelly King entering this arena, let me know. But I need to get out of here."

:: Then she was off on her mission, leaving Cass to stare after her. Sorrow began to fill her as she walked to the bar. Perhaps it had been wrong of her to invite Amanda to come visit her in London. She already knew that Amanda would never come for a visit. A business trip, yes, but a casual, friendly visit? Definitely not. ::

I miss her, and I haven’t even left yet.

:: She arrived at the bar and sat down, watching members of both Red Courts dance. Damien and Bretta looked like they were having fun. Bretta then spotted her and smiled wide, gesturing to Damien that he should ask her to dance. Cass couldn’t help but smile as Damien got this look of pure joy on his face as he came and literally hauled her out to the dance floor! She couldn’t help but laugh as he held her close, with her arms around his neck, and spun her around before he planted a kiss on her forehead. Damien was an incredible dancer, but then, so was she. :D They both had fun dancing and soon Cass forgot about her worries. ::
 
The Black King & Queen's Suite

He reaffirmed for Ava that all he cared about was being with her - not the title, or power, or anything else.

Ava: "Me too. Since the moment I let you into my heart the thought of you not being there kills me. I didn't mean to shut you out. I was embarrassed that I let him effect me that badly. Everything he said to me.....and I still let him go. I didn't feel like I deserved your support...so I pushed you away."

"You don't ever have to be embarrassed in front of me."

He told her he was there now, for her to lean on. To be her strength. Her partner. She promised never to push him away again. They kissed tenderly, and that was when he felt the vibration from her phone in his pocket. He handed it to her, but she didn't look at it.

Ava: "Not yet. You owe me four more minutes."

He smiled.

"I think it's you who owe me four more minutes."

And then they kissed like teenagers, there in each others arms.

Ava: "I needed that. I needed you."

"I'm here."

Finally, Ava looked at her phone.

Ava: "It's Haleigh...She probably saw what happened in the lounge. Knows I let Stavros go..."

John scoffed.

"After everything with her mother in law? She can't say shit."

Ava: "Care to give me some back up on this one?"

He smiled.

"I would be delighted."

Ava: "I have a feeling it's not going to go well after what happened this morning."

"She owes you an apology for that, and this would be a good time for her to give it. Tell her we'll meet her at your office."

No reason to not start on home turf.

"And be firm: you didn't do anything wrong."

Ava had made up with Ashley, so there was really nothing Ava had done for Haleigh to be upset about. And it would be good for her to clear the air, instead of assuming everyone was looking down on her about Stavros.

He stood, keeping hold of her hand, so they could walk together towards's Ava's office.
 
A Dark Corner of the Conservatory

How did he get this woman to stay in New York? Fucking hell, she was like six orgasms rolled into one.

She had him up against a tree, sucking his dick, and it felt like her mouth was on his entire body at once. And as amazing as what she was doing felt, he needed more. So he picked her up and was soon inside her, ratcheting his feeling up to ten.

He was sure she was doing something to him, because his need for her ramped up as well. He felt like he was going to die if he didn't come in her. He held her up and helped her ride him, bouncing her up and down on him.

"Fuck..."

He was slamming into her, needing to be deeper and deeper, like a junkie trying to get more and more. He didn't want it to end but couldn't bear to keep going either. He wasn't being slow or gentle, and when he came he groaned out loudly, feeling the pulsing in his cock until he was finished. He set her down on the ground, his mouth still invading hers, and this time it was his turn to move her so that she was pressed against the tree.

His mouth moved to her neck, his hands groping under her top. He slowly kissed her chest, then down her abs and stomach, his eyes looking up at hers as he did so. And then his hands moved her thighs apart, still slick with him. And then his mouth was between them, his tongue circling her pearl, mouth sucking and licking her tender flesh.
 
After making out with John for far too short of a time, Ava finally looked at her phone to see that it was Haleigh who had texted her saying they needed to talk. Ava was already anticipating Haleigh's wrath.

John: "After everything with her mother in law? She can't say shit."

"Didn't stop her this morning."

She countered in regards to Haleigh's heated words to Ava this morning. Giving John a little smile, she took this opportunity to ask him for some back up just in case Haleigh was still in a mood. Ava had mended the bridge between her and Ashley, but Haleigh was still shaky at best. John agreed, and Ava could tell that he was happy she had asked him. And frankly, Ava really didn't want to get screamed at again. She had enough of that shit with her father.

John: "She owes you an apology for that, and this would be a good time for her to give it. Tell her we'll meet her at your office. And be firm: you didn't do anything wrong."

Ava let out a little scoff as she opened up her text conversation with Haleigh.

"Haleigh is about as bad as I am with apologies."

Haleigh>> "Meet me in my office."

Sending the message, it was back to work. Standing from the bed, John took Ava's hand and she gave it a little squeeze before heading out of their suite and down the hall to Ava's office. Before closing the door, Ava turned to one of the Black Guards stationed outside.

"No one outside of the White Queen is to enter, understood?"

The Guard nodded, going into a military attention pose in front of the door as Ava shut it behind her. Taking a seat on the sleek black leather couch positioned adjacent to her desk, she crossed her leg at the knee and adjusted her barely there dress making sure it was covering everything properly. Ava then turned her body towards John, taking his hand comfortably and intimately.

"So...Paris? After the Europeans leave? I need to get the fuck out of this place for a few weeks."

She smiled at the thought.

"Or do you want to travel throughout France? Maybe Monaco?"
 
Brienne couldn't remember a time when she wanted someone so badly. Maybe it was the filthy American air. Maybe it was the competition factor involving Haleigh. Or maybe it was because she found an equal in Alek. But God damn did she want to feel Alek's cock inside her despite giving him one hell of a blow job. As much as she wanted him, she would make him come to completion if that's what he desired; she would just have him fuck her senseless later to make up for it. But it seemed like Alek was on the same wave length as her, and not due to her abilities either, because he roughly picked her up so he could fuck her. Brienne's knees anchored herself to Alek's body as he leaned against the tree and used his hands to help her move against him. She bounced as he thrusted, her cries muffled by the loud, booming music of the party. She gripped his long hair, her arms circled around his neck tightly as she felt her body responding to him with such a heightened need. At the point Brienne had connected them together, letting Alek feel her need for him and how much she wanted him, and it was like it fueled him in his goals to make himself come. His thrusts became harder and finally Brienne's body couldn't take he onslaught anymore and she began to come as Alek groaned loudly finding his release as well.

"So much better a climax than that fight...."

She panted out, letting her head dip back as her body trembled and her sex pulsed in aftershocks. Lifting her head, Alek took her mouth just as heatedly as he did in the beginning, making her grin against his lips. He lowered her then turned them both around so Brienne was now pinned to the tree. He began to kiss down her neck, his hands exploring under her tiny crop top.

"Mmm..."

Brienne wanted to say something witty, but all she could do was moan while feeling Alek's mouth travel down her chest and stomach. Her eyes lowered to see him between her leg, looking up at her like a starving child. Fuck this man was incredible. He parted her thighs and immediately the tables had been turned. Brienne had started off by making a meal out of him, and now Alek was finishing by making a dessert out of her. Feeling his tongue move up the length of her, her head fell back against the tree and eyes rolled shut, pushing her hips against his mouth.

"Fucking hell, Alek..."

She placed her hand on the top of his head, to hold him in place, lifting her one leg up and placing the crook of her knee on Alek's shoulder so he could have easier access. Alek would feel the warmth of what Brienne was feeling flood his body, his skin tingle and heart racing the more he flicked his tongue across the most sensitive parts of her. And when he went deep, the low moan that came from her mouth was guttural in nature, making her feel like a fucking God. She needed to figure out how to get him to London because there was no way she couldn't fuck this man once every few months.

Brienne's body tense, Alek being able to feel the build up of pleasure piquing within her. Then finally she began to shake against him, gasping in before letting out a loud moan over and over again, coming hard. Her body felt like it was on fire and weak with pleasure, and when the wave of pleasure began to temper she slowly lowered herself onto her knees, unable to keep from standing. She was now eye level with Alek, her fingers grazing along his temple and down his beard. Brienne slowly moved her lips to his, tasting herself as she kissed him deeply. After a few long moments, she pulled back.

"Skirts for the remainder of the trip..."

She smirked.

"I promise."
 
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The Black King & Queen's Suite

Steel tried to bolster Ava, who was sure that Haleigh was pissed off because of Stavros. He told her that she didn't have a leg to stand on, considering the way her mother in law behaved on a regular basis.

Ava: "Didn't stop her this morning."

"Haleigh can have a temper too - she'll have rethought what she said by now."

He smiled, raising an eyebrow.

"Plus, she can hardly say you've accomplished nothing now."

He might not have liked being kept in the dark, but Haleigh wanted Archer gone as much as Ava did. The acquisition of SubZero was a coup for the New York club, even if it was a dangerous one. Ava texted Haleigh back, asking her to meet them in Ava's office. They walked there hand in hand, and after Ava left instructions that no one but Haleigh was to interrupt them, they both took a seat together on the couch. She took his hand, and he welcomed the opportunity to touch her. It meant everything to him that she had asked him to come with her; it still hurt that he had had to wait outside while her father browbeat her.

Ava: "So...Paris? After the Europeans leave? I need to get the fuck out of this place for a few weeks."

"Absolutely."

He leaned down to kiss her hand.

Ava: "Or do you want to travel throughout France? Maybe Monaco?"

"Paris, for sure. And I think we should stop for a few days at a country chateaux...just the two of us."

He looked into her eyes, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand.

"Alone."

He leaned in and planted a kiss on her neck.

"Other than that, whatever my Queen desires."
 
A Dark Corner of the Conservatory

He didn't need for her to use her powers to make him want her. He wanted her, all of her, all at once. He found it hard to hold back with her, taking her with primal urgency, coming like he never had before. And when she shared what she was feeling....shit, it was better than any high.

So he didn't want to come without being inside her. And then when he came he didn't want it to end. So he knelt before her, spreading her thighs again, tasting her, teasing her. And he could tell from her lack of witty barbs, silence except for the moans and noises she made, that she was wanting him as much as he did her. She hooked her leg over his shoulder, and he swirled his tongue over her. His skin began to tingle, heat spreading through him, his breathing picking up. He knew that was coming from her, and it only spurred him on. His tongue pressed deep inside her, and he felt her body tense, and then he started to moan as he felt what she was feeling, the build up and then the release as her body shook and jerked.

She lowered to her knees, her mouth kissing him, he holding her upright against him.

Brienne: "Skirts for the remainder of the trip...I promise."

He let out a chuckle, studying her face.

"You are a mind reader."

He kissed her neck softly before finding her eyes again, reaching up to tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

"So. What does my Queen command for an encore? Drinks? Dancing? A little recreational torture?"

The corner of his mouth turned up into a grin.

"Anyone you haven't met that you want to?"
 
Brienne slowly dropped to her knees, her body weak from pleasure. Alek pulled her close against him, the feeling more incredible than she would have liked to admit. She slowly traced her fingers along his face before taking his mouth with her own, slowly kissing him and enjoying every second of it. But finally, she parted, smirking as she told him that she would wear skirts from now on.

Alek: "You are a mind reader."

Alek chuckled causing Brienne to smile and shrug one shoulder up.

"Not quite. Educated guess."

Knowing how spontaneous they had been thus far, Alek must have been annoyed not to have easy access. Hell, Brienne was annoyed and she was the one who wore the damn pants. Fucking fashion. Alek dipped his face to her neck, softly kissing her skin and causing her to close her eyes to savor it. She ran her fingers along his scalp, gripping his hair gently to keep him in place. But he pulled back, his piercing blue eyes meeting with her icy ones. And in a move that was far more gentle than anything he had done to her thus far, he tucked a few pieces of her blonde hair behind her ear. Brienne enjoyed the gesture, smiling softly and without the usual harden desire.

Brienne: "So. What does my Queen command for an encore? Drinks? Dancing? A little recreational torture?"

My Queen? She liked the sound of that. However the mention of torture made her grin.

"Ooooh..."

Alek grinned and Brienne chuckled.

"You certainly know the way to a girls heart."

Alek: "Anyone you haven't met that you want to?"

Brienne knew she hadn't been doing the best job at mingling with the Americans. But in her defense, she already had a target on her back since the moment she walked into the weekend because of Archer, which made her actively defensive and dismissive. It was getting fucking annoying to be honest because Brienne wasn't a fool. She was Queen for a reason, and it had nothing to do with her last name or her money. She was powerful and she was savvy. Juliette, Liam, and Bretta all knew this very well, but the American's had yet to see it. Or they were underestimating her which was always fun for Brienne. It made rocking their world that much more satisfying. Regardless, Archer's cat and mouse games with Ava had tarnished a possible growing relationship with everyone else. The only one who seemed to be giving her a chance was Alek.

"I have yet to speak with Haleigh or Cameron..."

Brienne started, trying to gauge Alek's reaction.

"But considering Kelly just blew in like the Wicked Witch of the West, I highly doubt they want to speak to the Wicked Witch from across the pond."

Rolling her eyes in jest. She then leaned in to whispered, acting as if the next thing she said was a huge secret.

"Plus they don't like me very much."

Lightly laughing, Brienne glanced over to where the main party was at.

"Maybe we could dance? Drink a little. Find a beautiful servant girl to fuck and torture...."
 
The Conservatory

If Alek had his way, he and Brienne would hole up in his room for the rest of her visit, a stockpile of liquor to sustain them as they fucked their way to oblivion. But, Brienne was here for a reason, and he couldn't disappear completely. So after he had kissed and held her a bit, he asked her what she wanted to do next. Making sure to throw torture in there as an option...

Brienne: "You certainly know the way to a girls heart."

He grinned at her devilishly, tracing a line with his finger tips up her ribcage to her heart.

"I do. Which I would be happy to demonstrate for you..."

He knew she hadn't really be hobnobbing with anyone other than him for the most part, so he offered to introduce her to anyone she hadn't had a chance to meet yet.

Brienne: "I have yet to speak with Haleigh or Cameron...But considering Kelly just blew in like the Wicked Witch of the West, I highly doubt they want to speak to the Wicked Witch from across the pond."


She leaned in towards him, and he thought she was going to kiss him again, but instead she whispered.

Brienne: "Plus they don't like me very much."

"Well, Cameron doesn't like witches because of his mother and sister."

Until it serves his purpose.

"And Haleigh..."

He smirked.

"She is probably just jealous."

He mimicked her whispered tone, a playful smile on his lips.

"But I will make her play nice with you if that's what you want."

Brienne: "Maybe we could dance? Drink a little. Find a beautiful servant girl to fuck and torture...."

He smiled, genuinely, and stood, helping her to her feet.

"Well, then, there are a gallery of choices for you to pick from, while I whirl you around the dancefloor."

He certainly wouldn't say no to having her pressed against him while everyone looked on with envy. He scanned around the ground for their pants, and finding hers, held them up.

"Yeah, skirts are definitely better."
 
He could feel the cold and mystical steel of Talisman's Omni Pistol against his temple as he gritted his teeth, knowing what was about to happen. Cameron knew that throwing his mother out of a window wasn't going to kill her, but he didn't want to kill her...just yet anyway, and it had been very very satisfying.

Kelly: "I'm your mother, Cameron. I will fuck with you any day of the week I so choose."

<< BAM! >>

He felt the handle of her gun blast into his head as he winced out in pain, before the incredibly long stiletto heel of her shoe dug into the base of his spine, throttling with pain as he flew into his bookcase and slung down to the ground. He instinctively got up, the air coursing with his energy signature as he biceps rippled, ready to attack her once again. It was a dance they had often done over the years as a way to even the playing field between them. But they hadn't been in this bloody of an altercation since Cameron was a teenager. He moved forward as Kelly aimed the pistol straight for his forehead.

Kelly: "You make another move, and I will ensure your wife's misscarriage is so bloody and painful that she will not suffer to ever have you inside of her again."

"You threaten my wife or my son again and I will tear you apart with my teeth."

The two looked at each other for several moments in silence, before backing down so to speak, his mother making the first move.

Kelly: "Now..can we have a discussion? Or is there another surge of testosterone that you need to expell before we continue?"

"You're a bitch. There, I'm done."

Kelly: "It's been a long time since anybody caused me a bit of bloodshed. You really are my son..."

"Or maybe Stavros just isn't much of a man."

Kelly: "But one thing you are not? Is my keeper. There are quite a few holes in your monologue here, Cameron, and they need to be addressed. I LIVE...by my hand."

Cameron watched as his mother pulled out one of her magickal cigarettes, one that would negate this conversation from existence the second she extinguished it. He knew she was going to have a lot to say, but he was beginning tired of getting lessons from a woman he had overthrown, and a woman who's life hung delicately in the balance. If he gave the word, any number of members would be glad to take her out, but he was curious at to what she had to say.

Kelly: "You did not come to my rescue. You didn't do me ANY favors. It was Stavros who alerted me to your ill conceived rebellion, and do you know WHY he did that? For the same reason your little black queen told her father in the first place - LOVE."

The White King knew what happened between Ava and her father, and Kelly was right, Cameron didn't save his mother. But when the chips fell and everybody was looking for Kelly, who was nowhere to be found, Cameron didn't have the option to say that she had gotten the run on him, so he lied to protect himself, and so that Ava was not the only one who couldn't pull the trigger.

"Oh that's right, I forgot...Stavros LOVES you. Tell me..did he love you when he got another woman pregnant and then married her? Or did he love YOU when you got pregnant from another man, lied about who the father was and later had him killed? I'm just trying to keep up with the timeline."

To listen his mother talk about love like she knew what it was infuriated him. She bred into them loyalty. Never love. She considered emotions a weakness, and Cameron was a powerful empath, one who rarely felt anything radiating from his mother, even beneath the surface - she was as cold as they came. He wasn't going to let her manipulate him into thinking he didn't love his mother enough. His love, deep and twisted as it was, was the only thing keeping The King Family afloat, and he wouldn't let her forget that.

Kelly: "Everything I worked for...that The Sisterhood worked for was about to be taken from us, and my son stood complicit..[laughing] No..not even that He was an active participant in trying to destroy his own mother's legacy, one that he is STILL benefitting from today..."

"This is why people wanted you all dead, Mom. You always looked to each other, and never the other pieces on the board, when THEY were the ones that gave you the ability to do what it is that you did. We ALL played our parts in making our courts successful. You were crafting a path towards power that had no other destination than to BLOW up. If anything..I SAVED your legacy by keeping our family alive and keeping a King KING."

Kelly: "I returned when the dust settled because I knew that your eyes were bigger than your stomach. You've always wanted adoration. For people to WORSHIP you, but you've always lacked the discipline it takes for that."

"Oh fuck you."

Kelly: "You take and take from those around you and expect people to be GRATEFUL for being given the opportunity to be Cameron King's pawn."

"Sound familiar?"

Kelly: "You wouldn't be able to afford a Starbucks without my help. I mentored you, I tried to get you to see how to succeed where the others would fail - through HARD WORK and discipline, for always being a step ahead, for capitalizing on your own strengths in a way that would make your influence UNDENIABLE."

"As long as it was in your best interest, in the industry you wanted, in the field you wanted, in the WAY that you wanted it. You were so up your own ass our entire lives that you never realized that you're children WEREN'T clones of you. The only one who was even close was Alison, and you fucked that one up royally now didn't you?"

As children, it was made very clear to them that Alison was the heir apparent of the King throne. As brutal as Kelly was to both Erika and Cameron, she was ten times worse with Alison, so much so that one day, they woke up to find Alison had ran away. To this day, Kelly employed a task force to looking for her daughter, but she had never been found. Sometimes, Cameron felt jealous and other times, he felt angry. Her leaving had sent the spotlight to him, and he was no doctor, no brilliant mind of science. It was turning point for him and his mother, one they never came back from.

Kelly: "And what did you do? Not start your own business and become a titan of industry, No you stabbed your own mother in the back and claimed her work for yourself. And Ava and Haleigh followed suit. The three of you have created NOTHING and yet you pat yourselves on the back for making already incredibly successful endeavours more successful, which is INFURIATING."

"What's infuriating is watching what has been promised to you get run into the ground by three women who were so consumed with being the alpha that they made stupid and foolish decisions that threatened EVERYTHING that had been built. We went in and QUICKLY fixed your mistakes and kept things afloat. Without US, there would be no MysTech or Cassadine to CLAIM. And that's the fact. Do you know how HAPPY people were to be rid of you? How much more PRODUCTIVE and INNOVATIVE they became when they realized they were working for something bigger than some aging bitch in stilleto's ego?"

Kelly: "And EVEN outside of all of that Cameron, I returned to your side, because I knew - that without me? Ava and Haleigh would run right over you. And while I have never been more dissappointed in you in my life than the night I found out you were about to betray me, I would sooner die than to see Hellfire or MysTech ran by the likes of Haleigh Davidoff and Ava Cassadine."

"Please don't pretend like you were doing me any favors."

[Cameron shook his head]

"You came back because you wanted your company, and needed to find a way to get it. You were planting seeds then just like you are trying to plant them now."

He watched her meticulously fix his desk, which caused him even more rage. None of this was hers anymore, she couldn't wave her magick wand and fix everything, restore things to her liking. This was HIS era, and she was going to have to fall in line, be honest with herself, or DIE. It was that simple.

Kelly: "I crippled the court I created to HELP you Cameron. Do you REALLY think I thought Cassandra was the right woman to be Black Princess? I knew her installation would create adversity in the court, and I did that so you could TAKE their instability and strengthen your own court. But once again your short sightedness prevented you from being grateful. You just used it as a way to bond with Ava over how horrible I was. It's pedantic, really."

Cameron sighed.

"First, get the fuck away from my desk, it's fine. And secondly, open your eyes. You think I didn't know what you were doing? I used you as a meat shield, Kelly. The reason I didn't slaughter you the second you stepped foot back at Hellfire was because I realized that I could USE you to get what I wanted. To take heat off of myself. They didn't like a decision I made? I just slapped your name on it. I needed to get something done in the shadows? I made sure you felt motivated to do what it is that you do best, make a mess of things and distract people. You have no real power here, outside of the pretend amount I give you based on what I need done. And that's the truth."

Kelly: "And even after ALL of that, I gave you an heir. Something to CENTER you and you and your WHORE of a wife to give you purpose, and to unite you in a way that would be UNBREAKABLE against the other courts..and you managed to FUCK that up as well.."

Cameron telekinetically hurled a stack of books at his mother.

"I told you to lay off Haleigh. That's your last warning."

He loved his wife for what she had given him, but hated the deal she had made. It has been his own fault, he had been successfully using his mother for quite some time, that even his wife thought she might have a little bit of sway with him. Now she was pregnant, and Kelly was responsible, and worse she had MysTech. Kelly knew what she was doing and it wasn't trying to give her son and his wife what they wanted. She wanted MysTech back more than anything and she knew that a baby would cause them great strife, or at the very least knew it would test their relationship.

Kelly: "You all have this whimsical idea of a Hellfire that is united, where you make decisions together like a democracy. It's a fallacy. And I have four DECADES of evidence to back that up. No country or nation has ever been ran by THREE KINGS and three QUEENS, Cameron. Hellfire is and always will be winner take all, and the LONGER you all ignore that, the easier it will be for the one who realizes it to take control of EVERYTHING. And THAT'S why I took MysTech back for myself."

"Hellfire is whatever it's leaders want it to be, Kelly. We lived under your regime our entire lives. We know how things go here more intimately than anybody else, because we didn't just see you at court events, we didn't just WORK for you. We were your CHILDREN. You put us to sleep at night, taught us to walk. We saw every bit of weakness that you all had, in quiet moments, peeking through keyholes to see you crying, of sharing notes with each other about what our mother's were up to. We got to this point because we stood TOGETHER, and we made a pact that OUR Hellfire wasn't going to run like it ran before. That our successes WOULD be each other's successes and that together, we would take the world by the throat and take a BIG piece of the pie for ourselves. We are Kings and Queens by title, but we are a family by CHOICE. And all the things you thought were terrible about us? Our emotions, our connections to each other? They will be the things that take us where YOU failed to go. Remember THAT."

Kelly: "My future...my DESTINY in this world is so much bigger than anything this incarnation of Hellfire could even dream. In fact, it was FOOLISH of me to work with Helena and Diana for so long. I don't want the world shaped in THEIR image, I want it shaped in MINE. You think I underestimate your desire to be a GOD? To be the King of the World? Sorry my dear boy, but if you want that? You're going to have to go through ME."

Cameron laughed haughtily at his mother, before fixing himself a martini, realizing in this moment what he would do. He took a long sip as she continued her monologue.

Kelly: "And now, since we've gone so far past the realm of what caused your little outburst..when it comes to Stavros? That man loved me when nobody, not even my son or daughter loved me. He knows me more intimately than anybody on this planet, and he can still look at me like none of that matters. That my decisions, no matter how dubious or duplicitous, are the ones that had to be made. He GETS the bigger picture I am running after, and to be frank? He was mine before he was EVER Ava's. She had her time with him..and now? He's MINE. I'm done apologizing for my actions, Cameron. I'm DONE being ignored, and I am most CERTAINLY done listening to my son speak as if he doesn't know that without ME, HE is nothing."

Cameron took another long sip of his martini, biting into a garlic stuffed olive as he spoke, not giving her the respect of finishing chewing before he spoke.

"Well, you're right about one thing. You're done. You have creative control over MysTech, but I'm starting to realize that with all these new allies around, we don't really need the organization's help any longer. I mean, the T Virus has been great, don't get me wrong, but I think it's time we tried to be a little more...innovative don't you think? Consider the bond between MysTech and Hellfire broken. I'll tender my resignation by Monday and let my contacts know the company is back in the hands of my bitch of a mother. We'll see how many of those contacts still stand by the end of the week. Perhaps you're right, perhaps I need to become a titan of industry, stand alone. Consider this a first step..."

The White King sat his drink down on his desk as he walked over towards his mother, a wry smile on his face.

"And since MysTech and Hellfire no longer have any affiliation, it stands to reason that you no longer have any business inside of Hellfire, and I've just alerted all security details of that fact with my "useless" powers. You step into this building again, and you will be killed on the spot, and to sweeten the deal, I am going to place a bounty on your head. That should keep you fairly busy while you live this new and exciting life you seem so desperate to have..also don't plan on hearing from Erika for awhile. It won't take much to get her to turn on you - she has a shiny new title, she wants to make me happy. All I have to do is massage that crazy little ego of hers, give her a kiss, tell her I love her, and she'll be more primed than I am to take you out. I know you'll just shimmer out of here tonight but before you leave...but let's get a few things straight."

[gritting his teeth]

"If anything should happen to my son or my wife, I will gut Stavros Cassadine like the floundering fish that he is. I will gut him and I will make you watch. Or maybe I'll just take over his mind, have him beat you around a little, warp him into fucking other women? Warp him into a divorce? Perhaps even make him a vegetable so you can spend the rest of your married life wiping his ass or emptying his colostomy bag. Would you like that?"

[lowering his voice]

"It is by MY hand that you walk out of here alive, Talisman. And it is by MY hand that you walk out of here stripped of every single tie to Hellfire you have. Let's see how resourceful you are when all you have left are your ideas and a man who only loves you now because all other options have been exhaused. Just know that if you decide to play with Hellfire, we will have no mercy..."

[smiling]

"I don't need to murder you to feel better about myself, so should the necessity arrive to end your life? I will make sure that you die at the hands of Haleigh Davidoff or Ava Cassadine. Do I make myself clear?"

He put his hand up, shushing her before she could speak.

"I forgot. You're not a member of Hellfire. You're not ANYTHING anymore, so I don't really need to confirm whether or not you understand. You'll either fall in line or you won't. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a party to get back to."

The White King sauntered out of the door, looking back at his mother, he gave her a wink and blew a kiss.

"Good Luck."
 
Erika didn't just want to get to know Ben out of process of elimination. Had he not popped up in front of her, she still would have sought him out tonight. For whatever reason, when she saw Ben speaking with Brienne at the Red Hunt from the window of a chopper taking her back to the mansion, some sort of mystical alarm had gone off in her mind. She didn't know what exactly it was, but she knew it was important to explore. So she led him to the bar, she ordered a drink and she threw a little shade at Brienne to see if he was a gentleman.

Ben: "Close...I'll take a Pisco Sour."

She liked his answer. As the two received her drinks, Erika took a moment to look The Black Rook up and down. She had known Benjamin Lewis her entire life, but she knew virtually nothing about him. All the kids of Hellfire have that one memory of a time where Ben helped them or took them out to do something human and carefree. For Erika it was shooting whiskey bottles off a fence post at Arklay and spookin' the horses. And as she continued to look, she couldn't help but to notice what an incredibly tall and hulking man he was. And that beard..

The White Princess raised her glass in celebration.

"To virtually anything besides new beginnings."

She took a sip of her absinthe, getting enveloped in it's sweet warmth.

Ben: "To good liquor. Brienne is a bit of a sour puss, but duty calls. And come now, you two haven't always hated each other."

Erika smirked, reminiscing for a moment on one of those times as she placed her hand on Ben's incredibly large hand.

"That's right. I forget just how long you've been around Ben...but I couldn't forget you now...I haven't seen you in a few years, but it appears you have been eating your Wheaties."

She figured she had given Zach free reign of Brienne for the evening, she could have a bit of fun herself. Only The Black Rook didn't seem to be on the same page as her.

Ben: "Well...Amanda prefers a beefy man. Just trying to please my dame."

Inside Erika felt a flash of rage, but on the outside, she simply smiled and batted her eyes. A man that shirked her advances once, was not a man who would ever have her at all.

"Well la di dah...I assume you were tasked to ensure I didn't go after my brother?"

She changed the subject quickly.

Ben: "Hey, can you blame then? Honestly, I was a bit dissappointed you didn't at the very least drunkenly shout something. It's so unlike you. Is Erika King intending to turn a new leaf? Or did you not see me?"

Erika laughed.

"Well...between you and me, I'm about to be sitting in a court position. I can't well have them know exactly everything they've been signed up for. That wouldn't be any fun."

[thinking for a moment]

"But let's talk about you, mister this suit can barely contain my muscles. You're different, and not just physically. I don't know you always kind of just sulk at these things or dissappear after awhile. Amanda must be a good influence..."

Okay, she couldn't help but pry just a little bit.
 
"That little piece of shit."

She was alone in Cameron's study, seething over the audacity of her son's ego. And although the words they had just exchanged had forever changed their relationship, Cameron was going to have to realize that Kelly was not done with her son, not by a long shot.

"And he better be prepared to play the long game."

The White King had drawn a line in the sand with his mother. He had chosen the New Order and finally made his allegiance known, and her Omni Sight had alerted her to the fact that Ava had just done the same thing with their father. Kelly had intended to rattle them, and now she had just increased their standing within The Inner Circle. They finally got people to believe that they weren't secretly loyal to their parents, and their parents got to keep their lives. For Kelly it was win/win - leaving her alive was the greatest mistake her son could have made. Likewise for Ava. The White King and The Black Queen had just made enemies of the two of the people largely responsible for making the Hellfire Club the success it was.

Kelly decided not to use her magick to heal the cuts she had from her son hurling her from a window. They would give her a bit of street cred. She wasn't going to just shimmer out of Hellfire. No, if this was going to be her last time in Hellfire, if her son had truly declared war on her, she was going to make one hell of an exit.

"Let the games begin..."

Kelly shimmer into the attic levels, into the same room she had met with Haleigh earlier in the day. Kelly summoned her work bag, as she brought out a mysterious cube like device that clicked on and began to scan the room entirely before recreating it in her Body Shoppe. Setting her bag on the counter, she produced a glowing white crystal, charged with a high level amount of her techno magick, jamming it into the wall, sealing it off from The White Queen's intrusions. She puffed from her cigarette as she shredded several books in the center of the office as she poured a bottle of vintage cognac over the pages. She looked down at the pages, soaked in alcohol and she hesitated for a moment. Perhaps there was an easier way out of this? Maybe she didn't have to go this far? Kelly was a thrillseeker, and now, she really had nothing to lose.

She dropped the cigarette as a cascade of flames fanned up in the room, casting an amber hue against her face. It would likely be put out quickly - it might not even cause a stir, but to Kelly, it was symbolic. If her son wanted to burn bridges, she was going to show him what that looked like. She waited until the fire had caught onto some of the furtinure and drapery where she shimmered into a chopper, stopping Stavros and Archer before they started to speak.

"What are you newbies? Haleigh probably already has this thing on lock! Honestly why would you circle the chopper for me? I am my OWN mode of transportation."

Holding her hands out, Talisman surrounded the chopper in a mystic shield, her magick scrambling Haleigh's technopathy for the moment. She looked at both of them.

"It went as bad with Cameron as it did your daughter. I'm sorry, and I will spend the rest of the night apologizing, if we ditch the ice bucket and shimmer out of here before The White Queen has a chance to tap our signals."

[she turned to Archer]

"Whatever offer my husband may offer, it is only contingent that you survive the weekend, Fairchild. Those kids are gunning for you, but after tonight, we trust noone who will remain loyal to such an ungrateful bunch of neophytes."

She grabbed him by the collar.

"Survive the weekend and relinquish your crown, and we will be in touch."

And with great ease, she flew him from the chopper, as the soft buzz of of Kelly's shimmer power indicated that Stavros and Kelly had fled the scene, ordering the chopper to be grounded and then destroyed. She didn't know exactly what her next step was, but she figured she'd much rather try and figure it out in Greece.
 
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