Baptism by Fire

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

Delilah was transported to Dominique’s suite at the Parthenon. It was strange that she would allow Dominique to use her magick to transport her, but for some reason this time, she didn’t mind at all.

Please be seated...Things are a little...unorganized at the moment. That boorish cow, Ashley Oldenburg, and her toy soliders "searched" my suite a few hours ago....

Delilah *thought* Oldenburg was one of Steele’s unit, but she wasn’t certain. But she HAD been in the Parthenon earlier in the day when the police had arrived to take Dominique in for questioning.

“Yes, I was in the Parthenon earlier today when the police arrived.”

She looked around at the apartment – clearly they had not been gentle with things.

“I have a few important contacts to make. I have a trusted ally working on this from another end for me.”

That peaked Delilah’s curiosity, but she didn’t ask. She didn’t really need to know. All she wanted right now was to put her fist into the face of some Purifier piece of crap. She sat down on a settee and waited. It wasn’t long before Dominique returned.

The baby is warm, comfortable and enjoying a bottle. She will be taken care of. I will see to that.

Delilah still hadn’t acknowledged the baby’s presence, didn’t want to think about it.

Would you care for some water, tea? I am waiting for a member of my Black Court to arrive, and then we will proceed.

Delilah said no, thank you to a drink. Getting to see another member of the Black Court would be interesting – obviously the Six had most of their dealings with the White Court since Malice had been such a bitchy thorn in their side.

She had a thought and smirked.

“Did you warn them I was going to be here? I’d hate to be mistaken for an assassin.”

 

[Artemis]

::Recall had apparently brushed up on her own physicality but One of the benefits of being an Amazon, was the incredibly high level of durability and resilience, as well as increased physical stamina.::

::Even with a burst of adrenaline, Vivica would tire out long before Alycia would, but this was merely the beginning of a grudge match and it was obvious Vivica had been waiting, perhaps FANTASIZING about this for some time. If she wanted to fight, they would fight, if need be, to the DEATH::

:: Vivica rolled her eyes and elbowed Alycia in the face, knocking her head dead smack into the wall before taking one of the shelves from the bookcase and connecting IT with the top of her head, bringing it down hard before scrambling to her feet. She was definitely injured and bruised but it was one of those things where adrenaline and pure anger could cause incredible feats of strength and endurance and Vivica was CHARGED. ::

:: coughing and laughing at the same time as she slowly wiped blood from her nose and ran her tongue over her teeth around her closed mouth, the Amazon doesn't look up at Vivica just yet::


It'll take more than a couple of BOOKS to bring me down, you ...pathetic failure of a woman...

:: Alycia said in a low tone::

"Get up, Barnett..."

:: grimacing for a second, wiping blood from her nose. ::

"I said GET UP!"

:: She snap kicked Alycia in the stomach. ::

::Charope CATCHES Recall's leg at the ankle as she kicks her::

::SNAP!::

:: BREAKING Vivica's ankle, Alycia IMMEDIATELY stands up, YANKING Vivica off her feet and upending her, now holding her upside down by her broken ankle::

You want to play ROUGH?

Let's.

:: SWINGING Vivicia to the side like a RAG DOLL, using her Amazonian strength and SLAMMING the woman face first into the wall::

PLAY.

:: SLAMMING Vivica DOWN into the floor::

ROUGH!

:: She COULD have put Vivica THROUGH the floor, but even as her ANGER was spiking, Alycia still felt like this was tragic and ultimately unnecessary, but Vivica had a BAD HABIT of being pushy and if she thought Alycia was going to be pushed OVER by her? she was mistaken. She back flips twice away from Vivica and lands in a crouched down position before rising up into a battle ready posture::

I will not accept ANY of your FLAWED, BIASED, INACCURATE OPINIONS ABOUT ME. EVERYTHING I have done, I can account for and have no feelings of shame over because they were MY CHOICES. I KNOW where I stand with my FRIENDS. Those who have proven themselves to me as I prove myself to them. NO arrogant little HO like YOU is going to cause me to doubt that. I operated with the courage of my convictions, my BELIEFS and because of that, I was taken SERIOUSLY from the START. You're just MAD because you NEVER got that from ANYONE, apparently not even CAMERON, why ELSE would he ABANDON you without a moment's thought?

You're just another BITTER woman, JEALOUS that someone had their shit TOGETHER in a way YOU never could. You think I have to validate or VERIFY my status and authenticity as a black woman to YOU? You cry about sisterhood, respect and being wronged, BITCH clean up your OWN mess before you try to take somebody to task for THEIRS because if you HAD been WOMAN ENOUGH to confront CAMERON LONG AGO, MAYBE you wouldn't be the walking PITY PARTY that you are NOW!

You think attacking ME is going to prove something? Cement your desperately wanted "CREDENTIALS" . All you're doing is REAFFIRMING why I think SO LITTLE OF YOU. You think you can judge ME? You think because something BAD happened to you and people, INCLUDING the man you IDOLIZE, made MISTAKES that gives you the right to haunt and VEX THEM? You're not the first, NOR will you be the LAST person to have something BAD happen to them and have people FAIL them. GET OVER IT, YOU STUPID BITCH! NOBODY OWES YOU ANYTHING.


You're CHIDLISH, PETTY, BITTER, IMMATURE, RUDE and NOT WORTH THE TIME OF DAY.

You're just an OUTSIDER looking in, who seems to think she deserved something and again...that's ALWAYS been YOUR problem. You're not getting an apology from me, you're not getting ANYTHING from me! Not an APOLOGY OR ANYTHING ELSE! I don't RESPOND to women like you.

And for the record? Self defense...is NOT murder. That was the case with Stavros...and it's ABOUT to be that with YOU!

:: Alycia meant it. She was now seriously considering MURDERING Vivica right there in her office. Her thoughts were like BRIGHT RED LIGHTS from a fire truck and would ring out to Nicolas King quite strongly. He would become aware of the thoughts and emotions raging up on the top floor of Charope, Inc as Recall and Charope battled each other with words AND physical violence.::

 

[Persephone]

Zach wasn't the only one picking up on Ava's heavy emotions. One of Sharon's Gryfalcon's landed next to Ava, almost cooing as it steadied itself on the edge of the building. It made it's way closer to her , fluffing it's feather's happily as Ava's delicate hand gently began to stroke the bird's wings.

Zach: "That wasn't your fault. You did the best you could, we all did. But sometimes..... even WE can't stop all the evil in this world."

Ava didn't see it that way. She had always been headstrong and stubborn, especially when it came to dealing with personal issues that didn't concern others. But this time around, her issues were now causing issues within the team and how effective she was on it.

Zach: "I understand if you don't wanna talk about what's bothering you, but it seems like you've realized that bottling it up is doing more harm than good...."

"I know, I know....but the moment I want to say something? I can't. I feel like I should be the one to deal with it because I brought this on myself. It's my past...my problems. But I just feel like i'm stuck in quicksand and keep sinking every time I'm close to getting out."

Sighing, Ava continued to pet the Gyfalcon almost as a stress reliever. The bird sat contently with it's eyes close, allowing Ava to use him as a source of calm.

Zach: You're one of the strongest, most capable women I know, Ava. It's okay if you need someone to lean on every now and then. I won't think any less of you. And if you want to talk about it, I'm right here. If you DON'T? Then I can still help you unload some of this pain you're carrying. Please don't check out on us, Ava."

Ava stopped petting the Gryfalcon and finally looked at Zach. Shaking her head gently, she placed her hand on his.

"I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

I fought too hard to come back.

"But I will accept your help...to lessen the load...FOR NOW. Until Cameron and Cass are safely home. And once they are.....i'll talk to Karen...and do this the right way."

The Gryfalcon screeched softly, causing Ava to look back over at it. Lifting her forearm, he immediately hopped onto it causing Ava to smile softly.

Go. Tell your mama i'm fine. And thank her for defending me....I won't soon forget it.

The bird again screeched, but this time more loudly and almost triumphantly. Raising her forearm, the bird took flight, soaring into the sky to meet with it's brother. Ava could feel herself becoming more centered now. It was a feeling she had missed...turning to Zach, she gave him a small smile.

"Thank you.."

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass was, once again, lying on the cold floor of the dungeon. Her eyes were open, but she was staring at nothing in particular. Her beautiful blue eyes, once filled with life and vibrancy, were now bloodshot and red. He beautiful face was tear-stained and covered with bruises and cuts. She had a black eye and her lower lip was split. Her arms were RAW from when she struggled and STRUGGLED against her chains trying to get to Alison. But the physical pain didn’t even compare to her EMOTIONAL pain. ::

I KILLED her. I killed ALISON.

:: Cass had tried to keep her cool while in captivity, she had TRIED to stand her ground when all seemed lost, but her very spirit was shaken when she could only watch as Alison was in trouble. She could not have done anything about it but that didn’t matter to Cass. As much as she tried to keep her mind on other things, her mind went back to that awful moment in her life, that MOMENT that set Cass’ course for her future… ::

<<An empty hallway, one that looks like an ordinary hospital corridor with empty stretchers and cots against the walls, save for a young girl around maybe nine or ten years old, walking towards a brightly lit playroom for children. She was rubbing her eyes. She had been through an experiment that had something to do with her eyes and it made her eyes itchy and they hurt. But…she could still SEE.

She made her way to the playroom when the SS guard smiled at her. She looked at him warily. She didn’t know what to make of these men. They were warm and friendly one minute and then the next they were mean and cold. BRYDA JESKO didn’t like it.>>

SS Guard: *German*: “Hallo, kleines Stück eins. Wie geht es dir an diesem schönen Tag?”

*German*: “Meine Augen weh, aber ich bin in Ordnung.”

<<The guard chuckled and ruffled Bryda’s black-brown hair as she walked past. Bryda had a unique beauty about her, and she knew that the mean men were friendlier towards her than any other child. It made her uncomfortable sometimes and so she tried to keep her distance from them. She headed straight for the bookshelves, as there were many books there to read and sometimes there were new books to be found amongst the older ones. Bryda loved to read and her playmates liked it when she read to them. She had become like a ‘big sister’ to them, though some of them were her age and older. Even though they were all treated cruelly, Bryda and her friends were glad they could band together and find solace with each other. Curiously, there used to be hundreds of children like them all playing in the playroom together. Now there were roughly fifteen children left including Bryda. Nobody knew what happened to the children; they just kept disappearing steadily every month or so. Still, that just made their little ‘club’ band together in these uncertain times.

Soon, both Bryda and the guard heard the cries of her playmates as they slowly made their way into the playroom. They were complaining that their eyes hurt as well. Unlike Bryda, however, they were grasping onto each other and onto whatever was near them. It soon became apparent to Bryda that they could NOT see! They were blind! They were crying and calling out for Bryda in their own languages. Bryda discovered that she had a natural knack to learn languages as well as the correct accents while she was here. The people in charge of this place, however, wanted them all to learn, as well as speak, GERMAN. She put down the book of fairytales she was holding and went to them, taking them by the hand so that they would know that she was there.>>

Child 1: *Hungarian*: “Bryda, én nem látlak! Nem látok semmit!”

Child 2: *Polish*: “Bryda, gdzie jesteś?”

Child 3: *Romanian*: “Eu nu pot vedea, Bryda!”

Child 4: *Dutch*: “De lucht is donker, kan ik niet zien! Bryda, waarom kan ik niet zien?”

*German*: “Kinder, bitte! Sprechen Deutsch. Es ist das, was wir gelernt haben. Alles wird gut sein, wenn Sie zu beruhigen. Ich bin für dich da.”

<<Many of the children were still sobbing as they grabbed hold of Bryda, wanting that human contact in this frightening experience. Taking them one by one, she helped them to sit in the reading corner.>>

*German*: “Jetzt weiß ich, die Dinge sind beängstigend, aber ich habe eine Geschichte vorlesen.”

<<She set them down gently, handing out stuffed animals to them so that they would have something to hold on to and moved to her spot in front of them. Just then, another guard came into the playroom and spoke to the first in soft whispers. The first guard nodded and smiled at Bryda, turning towards her and the children.>>

SS Guard 1:*German*: “Kinder, wie würden Sie gerne gehen und draußen spielen?”

<<The children shouted with glee before they realized they wouldn’t be able to see anything. Bryda calmed them down.>>

*German*: “Kinder, es ist okay! Sie werden immer noch in der Lage, das weiche Gras unter den Füßen, die Wärme der Sonne auf Ihrem Gesicht, und der weiche Wind weht durch ihr Haar zu fühlen.”

<<She helped the guards round up the children, helping them walk towards the doors going outside, single-file. This was a treat! NOBODY was allowed outside for ANY reason! The children were chattering to each other about how happy they were and then they started chattering to Bryda, their HERO, about how happy they were that she was with them. She and the children waited until the guards gave them the all clear. Unfortunately for them all, they had no idea as to what would happen. If they did, they wouldn’t have been so happy; in fact, they would’ve been SCARED at hearing the guard’s words. Once Bryda got them all settled, one of the guards came up to her and suggested she go back to the playroom and get that book so she could read to them outside. She nodded and started back to the playroom. Halfway there, she heard the most sickening sound.>>

RAT-A-TAT-TAT!! RAT-A-TAT-TAT!! RAT-A-TAT-TAT!! RAT-A-TAT-TAT!!

<<Bryda heard the sound of gunfire and went FLYING back to the doors. She could hear the kids SCREAMING and crying, calling out…for HER. They were SCREAMING for her to come and help them and they were crying when she didn’t come. She threw open the doors…and was stopped by a guard. He had caught her around the middle and she watched as her friends were MASSACRED before her very eyes! She SCREAMED and one of her friends came running towards the sound of her voice. He was almost at the doors when Bryda watched as he fell down on his face from being shot in the back! She couldn’t do anything to help them! She was helpless. The gunfire ended and Bryda closed her eyes against the horrific scene. She had stopped struggling and the guard let her go, kneeling down to look her full in the face. A wicked smile was on his lips.>>

Guard: *German, cruelly*: “Nun schauen, was du getan hast, kleines Stück eins. Welche Art von Freund würde ihre Freunde in den Tod zu führen? Schäm dich! Niemand wird jemals wie Sie jetzt. Sie sind ein schlechter Freund zu haben, kleines Stück eins. Sie sind nicht berechtigt, mehr Freunde haben."

<<Bryda looked as if she had been SLAPPED. The guard was RIGHT. She DID lead those precious children to their deaths. Young Bryda Jesko, who was manipulated by the guard through NO fault of her OWN, made a vow on the spot that she would NEVER let anybody get close to her ever again. For however long she was here on this planet for, she would not have ANY friends. After all, she’d only lead them to their deaths. Bryda ran from the guard, her ears ringing with the sound of his cruel laughter, and went back to her cell. She never went back to the playroom ever again.

Her heart hardened and her entire character became HARDENED by what had transpired. Still, there was always HOPE for Bryda Jesko and, as she went on to become CASSANDRA JOHNSON, the tides of life slowly shaped her into what she was today…and she wasn’t done YET.>>

NO! Nooo, please no!

:: Anguished screams erupted from the succubus. Feelings and emotions, long since buried deep, came bursting through from that long ago memory. Cass had never dealt with them before, somehow she’d managed to bury them deep within her, but seeing Alison in deep trouble, and not being able to help her, took its toll on her and she had what can only be described as a psychotic break. ::

*crying*: “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

:: Her body shook with every sob that she made, every scream that erupted from her. THIS was why she was a lone wolf. THIS was why she was standoffish and cold when she met up with The Six. She hadn’t told ANYBODY about her experience in the lab, not HIM, not Blaze, not Sharon, not even KAREN; certainly not Ella or Bryan. It was just too painful and now she was experiencing it FULL FORCE. Cass curled up into a ball and shut down. Her psyche was too fractured to comprehend the here and now. ::

:: When Bryda had made her escape from the German lab, she refused offers of shelter and friendship. After all, if they got close to her and she got close to them, they would DIE somehow because that was what happened to everybody that she had loved and cared about. Her mother, father, and brother all died, her guardian, Maria Mościcki, died, and the friends that she had made in the lab all died as well. Being sixteen, Bryda had blossomed into a beautiful young woman and she had caught the eye of more than a few men. But Bryda did not have the time nor did she have the desire for companionship. She was too busy seeking revenge for the deaths of her loved ones. Being locked away in the lab, Bryda was only taught that sex equalled POWER. After all, she witnessed this over and over again as the women around her, including Maria, was subjected to rape repeatedly and daily. So Bryda used sex as a weapon, using many a men as she went about her business, stealing and swindling them for their money…as well as to ferret out where the Nazi and Nazi sympathizers were. ::

:: Once Bryda was satisfied that her plan of revenge was over, she had changed her name to Cassandra Johnson and headed for London. Her life in London, England, would be the first time that she felt that she had ‘atoned’ for what had happened back in Germany. Still, she guarded her heart against people... ::

:: …and even against those who welcomed her with somewhat open arms, the Siren sect of vampires. Cass went about her business and new life and, looking as if she were twenty four, she was pursued by…HIM. HE wanted her and HE wooed her and HE was like a dog with a bone, not giving up on her until, finally, she relented and her heart began to thaw. Slowly but surely she fell in love with HIM and for eighteen months she began to feel that she deserved the life that she was living until it culminated on the night of HIS betrayal. Cass was DEVASTATED and, again, she made a vow to never let that happen to her again. Cass felt as though she was not allowed to be happy, that she was still being PUNISHED for what had happened back in Germany. Why ELSE would these modern-day NAZIS [MysTech and HIM] want her captured? So she kept everybody at arm’s length…except for her best friend, Ella Price. Though she welcomed Ella into her inner circle, she still kept things from her, thinking that she was protecting her. ::

*screaming*: “I…I didn’t mean to! I DIDN’T MEAN TO!!!”

:: There, alone and afraid, badly beaten and crushed, Cassandra Johnson ceased to exist…in her mind, that is. Seeing Alison Marble’s life in jeopardy was too much for the psionic succubus to bear, and so Cass suffered a psychotic break. In her mind, she became seventeen year old Bryda Jesko again, her heart and character hardened by what had transpired in the German lab. She didn’t have a split personality, but she DID revert back to her former self. It would seem that all was lost for poor Ruby, but sometimes you needed to break DOWN before you can break THROUGH. ::

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Oracle ignored Ashley’s commentary on Dominique Devereaux, just letting her vent in her general direction. She wasn’t sure WHAT Dominique had exactly done, or why, and until she found out she was going to reserve judgment.

“So, what’s next?”

Zizi folded her hands in her lap.

“I think you and I need to get down to the site of the bus explosion. Clandestine has probably cleaned most of it up, but they might have left something behind. Or it might at least give us some insight. Then we get started on finding out where the people who did this are hiding. WHERE is now more important than WHO.”

Ashley pointed behind her at something at the screen.

Ashley: “Um, who’s that kicking the shit out of Vivica?”

Zizi turned around to see Alycia Barnett’s face on her monitor.

“Oh, no. No no no no.”

She immediately began pressing buttons to get her coms online.

“Orion? This is Oracle. Are you reading me? We have a situation. Charope and Recall seem to be having a…I believe the term is ‘catfight’. Top floor.”

Both Zizi and Ashley groan in unison as Alycia audibly BREAKS Vivica’s ankle. Ashley leaned over Zizi and flipped the switch to turn on the mic on their end of Recall’s feed.

Ashley: [into the mic on the console] “Don’t take that from her Viv - punch her in the face!”

Zizi covered the mic with her hand and turned around with a shocked expression.

“You can’t tell her to do that!”

Ashley: [into the mic on the console] “Punch her in the stomach! Come on, knock the bitch down!” [to Oracle] “What exactly happened to the Six again?”

“Their SUV got hit with a missile. Viv tried to leave to help Zach with the bus accident, but then Cameron King got kidnapped and a bunch of Purifiers dressed as Sentinels showed up. They defeated the Purifiers, then all met back up at Charope Inc, where Zach told Ava she was to blame for the accident with the bus, and some of them wanted to call Karen Victoria, and Simon Pratt (of THE Pratts) started screaming about it, and then Nicolas King almost went full on Set on him. And I think that's about it."

Ashley: “Did you pick me up a Big Gulp?”

 

[Matrix]

The phone was ringing, unanswered. Richard was getting more angry with each ring. There was going to be REAL trouble in the HC tonight. He closed the connection and started to exit the room when he heard a familiar voice in his head.

RICHARD, be at peace, my Black Knight. I take it that your assignment went as well as expected? I am at my residence at the Parthenon and I have an infant who needs to be placed in protective care immediately. I'll fill you in on the details when you arrive, now make haste!

He yelled a warning as he made his way up the stairs, half a flight at a time.

I know you sumbitches hear me! The Queen saved someone's life just now!! Next time I expect a call when you plan to take the night off!

Reaching the rooftop, he began to run at an incredible speed before leaping into the air....

...as a white-throated needletail swift, one of the fastest birds in the world. In seconds he was dive-gliding at over 100 miles per hour and he reached the Parthenon in less than two minutes.

Instead of taking the path more often traveled, he changed from swift...to Nitrogen, filtering his way easily into the Hepa filter air exchange system for Dominique's suite. He reformed between the pair of women, somewhat shocking the pretty blonde he recognized as Delilah Trelevan, aka Morningstar. He was aware of the truce and they body language was read as easy between the two, but he still made a point to materialize BETWEEN them, just in case. He took a knee quickly and grasped Dominique's hand, kissing it. In front of outsiders he was sure to observe all protocols until he knew to do otherwise.

My Queen. I wished you had informed me of your whereabouts when you decided to forego your security detail. The streets are unsafe, even for one such as yourself. You will has been...ENFORCED.

Turning as he took his full height, he nodded to Delilah.

It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Trelevan. My name is Richard and I am the Knight for the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. I take it your visit with us is indeed peaceful?

He was polite and his statement was said in truth. He indicated no aggression from himself, but he was capable of going from 0 to 100, REAL QUICK. He flashed Delilah a smile and seemed to relax.

 

[Recall]

"It'll take more than a couple of BOOKS to bring me down, you ...pathetic failure of a woman..."

::Charope CATCHES Recall's leg at the ankle as she kicks her::

::SNAP!::

:: BREAKING Vivica's ankle, Alycia IMMEDIATELY stands up, YANKING Vivica off her feet and upending her, now holding her upside down by her broken ankle::

You want to play ROUGH?

Let's.

:: SWINGING Vivicia to the side like a RAG DOLL, using her Amazonian strength and SLAMMING the woman face first into the wall::

PLAY.

:: SLAMMING Vivica DOWN into the floor::

ROUGH!

"UGH!"

:: Vivica heard and FELT the snap into her ankle. It was broken and it hurt...LIKE HELL. Alycia was proving to be a MORE than formidable opponent, but Alycia was overly confident and that kind of self delusion often led to mistakes and an underestimation of your opponent. ::

:: Recall did NOT have time react as Alycia rose from the floor and picked the mutant up by her broken ankle and proceeded to treat her like a rag dall for a moment. The attack was BRUTAL and the pain was HIGH..but this was the type of thing that Vivica was trained for. She was not a civilian. She was a well respected field agent. She had undergone extensive field training which included how to survive in the field when one was captured or with little to no backup. How to defend yourself if you were injured or how to survive torture. Clandestine was BUILT by a woman who was LEFT BEHIND due to morally ambiguous protocol and was tortured for days on end. When she brought new agents in...she made SURE they received the skills necessary to get out of these situations alive. ::

:: It was this kind of training that would give her an edge against Alycia. She was so confident that she could simply wipe the floor with Vivica that she was essentially just showboating. Another thing that Alycia had not counted on was the general nature of Vivica's own abilities. Having spent time in battle with Alycia, she had a basic understanding of her fighting style and during this face off she had learned even more. ::

:: Alycia's movements were seemingly choreographed. There seemed to be a ceremonious and overt nature about them. It was almost like a dance..but she had a few tells that indicated to Vivica what Alycia's moves she favored. Alycia knew that she had injured Vivica pretty severely with the snapping of her ankle but she was smart enough to try and create space between them. The SECOND that Alycia went into form, Vivica recognized it based on the various forms of gymnastics, martial arts and other fighting/dance techniques that she kept in her brain for combat situations. ::

:: She COULD have put Vivica THROUGH the floor, but even as her ANGER was spiking, Alycia still felt like this was tragic and ultimately unnecessary, but Vivica had a BAD HABIT of being pushy and if she thought Alycia was going to be pushed OVER by her? she was mistaken. She back flips twice away from Vivica and lands in a crouched down position before rising up into a battle ready posture::

:: Nope..it wouldn't be that easy to get away. As Alycia flipped backwards, Vivica used her good leg to KICK a stack of papers in a manila folder to the exact point where Alycia would land based on Vivica's calculations. The second Alycia's feet tried to stick her landing she found herself on a SLIPPERY and unstable MESS, causing her to CRASH onto the floor. ::

"Take that you BITCH."

:: Vivica wasn't done yet. Her leg was KILLING her and she knew she HAD to keep Alycia down if she wanted a chance to give her the beatdown that she fully deserved. Another trademark was Alycia's feminum bracelets which was an ace in the hole to her and something she used FREQUENTLY. Vivica GRABBED a series of decorative vases and other projectile like objects that had rested on the bookcase before it's crash. When Vivica made HER approach if Alycia acted as expected, she would easily dispatch the projectiles but allow Vivica to get the STRIKE she was looking for! ::

I will not accept ANY of your FLAWED, BIASED, INACCURATE OPINIONS ABOUT ME. EVERYTHING I have done, I can account for and have no feelings of shame over because they were MY CHOICES. I KNOW where I stand with my FRIENDS. Those who have proven themselves to me as I prove myself to them. NO arrogant little HO like YOU is going to cause me to doubt that. I operated with the courage of my convictions, my BELIEFS and because of that, I was taken SERIOUSLY from the START. You're just MAD because you NEVER got that from ANYONE, apparently not even CAMERON, why ELSE would he ABANDON you without a moment's thought?

You're just another BITTER woman, JEALOUS that someone had their shit TOGETHER in a way YOU never could. You think I have to validate or VERIFY my status and authenticity as a black woman to YOU? You cry about sisterhood, respect and being wronged, BITCH clean up your OWN mess before you try to take somebody to task for THEIRS because if you HAD been WOMAN ENOUGH to confront CAMERON LONG AGO, MAYBE you wouldn't be the walking PITY PARTY that you are NOW!

You think attacking ME is going to prove something? Cement your desperately wanted "CREDENTIALS" . All you're doing is REAFFIRMING why I think SO LITTLE OF YOU. You think you can judge ME? You think because something BAD happened to you and people, INCLUDING the man you IDOLIZE, made MISTAKES that gives you the right to haunt and VEX THEM? You're not the first, NOR will you be the LAST person to have something BAD happen to them and have people FAIL them. GET OVER IT, YOU STUPID BITCH! NOBODY OWES YOU ANYTHING.


You're CHIDLISH, PETTY, BITTER, IMMATURE, RUDE and NOT WORTH THE TIME OF DAY.

You're just an OUTSIDER looking in, who seems to think she deserved something and again...that's ALWAYS been YOUR problem. You're not getting an apology from me, you're not getting ANYTHING from me! Not an APOLOGY OR ANYTHING ELSE! I don't RESPOND to women like you.

And for the record? Self defense...is NOT murder. That was the case with Stavros...and it's ABOUT to be that with YOU!

:: Alycia meant it. She was now seriously considering MURDERING Vivica right there in her office. Her thoughts were like BRIGHT RED LIGHTS from a fire truck and would ring out to Nicolas King quite strongly. He would become aware of the thoughts and emotions raging up on the top floor of Charope, Inc as Recall and Charope battled each other with words AND physical violence.::

"Oh who's the human tape recorder NOW bitch!?! SHUT UP! Just shut your GODDAMN mouth! for ONE SECOND!"

:: Vivica THREW the items in RAPID succession as she said a silent prayer to herself and LEAPED forward, springing off her good foot and into the air as Alycia would need to dodge what was coming. She grabbed HOLD of the light fixture on the ceiling and used the for FURTHER momentum as she LEPT onto ALYCIA, using her NECK, gripping around it TIGHT with her hand as she used it almost like a fire pole to break her fall and take the woman down in a SWEEPING motion and HARD. ::

:: It all happened in seconds thanks to Vivica's own enhanced biology allowing her to move at peak human speed and agility. ::

:: As Alycia HIT the ground, Vivica managed to land on her only not injured leg, before spinning around to face the woman. She immediately was upon her as she DUG her SPIKED heel RIGHT above Alycia's collar bone...a pressure point known as the "Empty Basin." The pressure point was tiny and often not able to be reached by a finger, but the tininess of of the heel point connected and the result was PHYSICAL paralysis as long as the pressure was maintained. This left Vivica resting on her broken ankle, a painful feeling shot up her spine but considering that her weight was being barrelled down onto Alycia..she could deal with the pain...for NOW. She looked down at the woman a mixture of emotion and rage all over her face. ::

"When are you going to REALIZE that I'm not trying to COMPETE with you!?! It's not about who's BETTER Alycia..it's about what's RIGHT! My best friend died. A man that I helped RAISED. He was KILLED. And you CUT me out of EVERYTHING! You didn't have to do that! AND YOU KNEW IT WAS WRONG! Erika was going crazy! Emotions were HIGH! So I kept my damn head down and I HELPED because WHAT GOOD WOULD IT HAVE DONE for me to act like you THINK I should have ACTED?! I was LEFT FOR DEAD ANYWAY! I CAN'T WIN WITH YOU! If I say something it's TOO LITTLE TOO LATE! If I don't say something, I'm weak and INEFFECTIVE. I don't want a MEDAL. I don't want a PRIZE! I just want you to UNDERSTAND where I was COMING FROM! I CAN be accountable for my faults! and I was just now! But YOU just heard a SOB STORY. WE don't have to LIKE each other..but like it or NOT?! I'M BACK...and we are BOUND to cross PATHS..and I can't have THIS continue! We have MORE IMPORTANT things to worry about! I LOST it for a minute..and I'm SORRY..but ALYCIA? I'm NOT going to go through this again. I'm NOT going to be walked over or disregarded..NOT ANYMORE..."

 

[Rampage]

:: Alycia meant it. She was now seriously considering MURDERING Vivica right there in her office. Her thoughts were like BRIGHT RED LIGHTS from a fire truck and would ring out to Nicolas King quite strongly. He would become aware of the thoughts and emotions raging up on the top floor of Charope, Inc as Recall and Charope battled each other with words AND physical violence.::

What the hell? Geez....be back in a bit.

Nicolas teleported upstairs in time to see the pair at it like a pair of Tasmanian Devils. Vivica was favoring an obviously swelling and likely broken ankle while she seemed to be giving as good as she got to Alycia. Nicolas moved qucikly, grabbing each woman by the arm as he separated them easily, holding them both rather gently and hoping to use charm to defuse this situation.

Ladies! Ladies! No need to fight! There is plenty of me to go around. Just try to take turns or pick a day. Hell, there is enough for all of us! No need to fight like this....

 

[Isis]

The Parthenon- Dominique's luxury suite

I can assure you, MorningStar, that my Black Knight will honor the covenant between the Six and the Sisterhood, as would any member of any Queen's court.

:: Dominique said matter of factly, and then, almost as if on cue, Richard Martin appears and forms between them. He takes care to greet his Queen, even as Delilah watches::

Rise, my bold knight.

:: Dominique says as she holds his hand while he stands to his full height::

Your concern is appreciated, but the call of those in need of aid was too strong for me to ignore, and my security detail would have just..."gotten in the way."


Indeed, even I am not immune to all the devices of the Purifiers, as I found out THIS EVENING. However, MorningStar's timely intervention ensured that I not seriously injured and another triad patrol of purifiers was destroyed by us. Sadly, I could not save the parents of the infant that is now resting in my master suite, only the baby herself.


:: He introduces himself to Delilah and asks about her intentions::

Richard, MorningStar honors the covenant between the Six and the Sisterhood, just as I expect you to.

:: Looking at Delilah::

Richard represents the..."up and coming" generation of mutants and metahumans in this world. Were it not for a twist of circumstances, he too may have been cut down by the purifiers.

He is a most competent and capable young man, who serves me faithfully as my Black Knight.

:: She says with a noticeable tone of approval as she turns to look at Richard::

Now, I am PLEASED to know that the assignment I sent you on earlier has been successfully completed.


:: She smiles knowingly at Richard. Ashley Oldenburg had served a purpose that even she was not aware of, and though the woman had offended Isis and even attacked her with her power, she still unknowingly bought Isis and her black knight the time they needed to DISPOSE of William Stryker and they now had a powerful piece of leverage at their disposal::


While Delilah and I go HUNTING, I want you to assume the proper form ::meaning she wanted him to take on the form of Stryker himself:: and enter this suite in the Hellfire Mansion.

:: she hands him the key card to William Stryker's suite and continues to communicate her instructions via the "hearing thoughts" spell she cast between herself and richard someime ago::

Once inside, I want you to access any and all files on his computer. His posessions should still be in the suite, as he was planning to be there for the weekend. Find anything you can that might indicate where the money he's giving to the purifiers is going, an address...SOMETHING. THEN, I want you to CUT OFF ALL FUNDING to the organization. THAT should cause an itch that they WILL stop to SCRATCH.

Copy all his files securely and then destroy his computer along with any hardware he may have. Stryker & all his holdings, have just become property of the BLACK COURT, and we shall use them to try to flush out the purifiers before DESTROYING Stryker's legacy.

:: Looking at Delilah::

While Richard continues with his next assignment, I think we should try to find out just where these purifiers are coming from and going to. Perhaps we can bait them and lure them into a trap.

 

[Artemis]

Top Floor of Charope, Inc

:: Recall THREW some manila files across the floor and the papers flew out of them, making the traction for Alycia's landing less than perfect::

WHOOPS!?

:: What should have been a perfect landing actually ended up with Alycia falling on her butt, looking slightly startled. She was much more graceful, careful and agile than that! She had the speed, skill and reflexes of an AMAZON, but the last thing she was accounting for was Recall's ability to study, analyze and memorize a person's moves and their patterns. It was a subtle detail of her power that would have been easily over looked by Alycia, a sad irony, considering that the Amazons were an extension of ATHENA, the goddess of wisdom and war and they specialized in strategy, physical skills, hunting and more. But Alycia had made the grave error of NOT letting Athena's wisdom guide her, as she sought to use her powers to address a personal situation that had been left simmering too long.::

:: But even as she slipped and fell, she was back on her feet mere seconds later. her reflexes and her reaction time would allow her to compensate even for slip ups like that!::


::Vivica began THROWING things at her! Alycia dodged most of the objects and BLOCKED other larger objects with her feminum bracelets. One of the aspects of her power as an Amazon allowed her to be able to block just about ANY projectile that came at her using those bracelets, no matter the speed that objects came at her.::


If you think THIS is going to stop me, you've got another thing COMING...

:: As the Amazon blocked and dodged the onslaught of flying objects, Vivica launched herself across the room, using a light fixture to carry her the rest of the way to crash into Alycia and knock her to the ground::

You think you can over power me!?

:: Alycia bellowed as she prepared to not only thrust Vivica off of her but deliver another upclose, brutal physical attack while doing so::

You're NO MATCH for me you...

:: Vivica attacked her via the "empty basin" pressure point above her collar bone::

Athena....

:: Amazons had long ago learned how to overcome the affects of physical restraint and paralysis, due to their need to escape the poisons, bindings and restraints imposed upon themby heracles. That knowledge and skill became part of the training of amazons for centuries to come. Still, when it came to control of the body, while Amazons DO have GREATER control of their physical bodies and motor functions than any normal baseline human and MOST metahumans and mutants, it DOES take a bit of TIME to overcome physical paralysis. It requires concentration and a centering of the Amazon's mind and the one thing that had occurred during this battle was that Alycia had lost all sense of restraint and clarity as she now sought to FATALLY INJURE Vivica. Vivica's quick thinking had allowed her a key moment of advantage now::

GET OFF ME, YOU PIECE OF TRASH!

:: Her hazel eyes flash with rage as she stares at Vivica::

This is the BEST you've got. Your body CAN'T sustain you at this rate for much longer, I've made SURE of that. You've ONLY got ONE LEG to work with. And between that and the immense physical PAIN you're in, it WILL fail you. The MOMENT that happens?

You're FINISHED. I'll TWIST YOUR HEAD AROUND LIKE A WIND UP TOY AND PULL IT OFF YOUR NECK!

:: It shouldnt have come to this, Alycia SHoULD have let the wisdom of ATHENA guide her instead of her own contempt and hatred for this woman before her. NOW she was in a situation that she SHOULD be able to get out of, and had the means to do so, but time was not on her side.::

"When are you going to REALIZE that I'm not trying to COMPETE with you!?! It's not about who's BETTER Alycia..it's about what's RIGHT! My best friend died. A man that I helped RAISED. He was KILLED. And you CUT me out of EVERYTHING! You didn't have to do that! AND YOU KNEW IT WAS WRONG! Erika was going crazy! Emotions were HIGH! So I kept my damn head down and I HELPED because WHAT GOOD WOULD IT HAVE DONE for me to act like you THINK I should have ACTED?! I was LEFT FOR DEAD ANYWAY! I CAN'T WIN WITH YOU! If I say something it's TOO LITTLE TOO LATE! If I don't say something, I'm weak and INEFFECTIVE. I don't want a MEDAL. I don't want a PRIZE! I just want you to UNDERSTAND where I was COMING FROM! I CAN be accountable for my faults! and I was just now! But YOU just heard a SOB STORY. WE don't have to LIKE each other..but like it or NOT?! I'M BACK...and we are BOUND to cross PATHS..and I can't have THIS continue! We have MORE IMPORTANT things to worry about! I LOST it for a minute..and I'm SORRY..but ALYCIA? I'm NOT going to go through this again. I'm NOT going to be walked over or disregarded..NOT ANYMORE"

::Alycia's hazel eyes widen for a moment. She felt, in some way, that the chaos raging in her was finally beginning to subside. But she was still astounded by a few of the things she heard::

If THIS is your way of accounting...your way of CORRECTING yourself; if this is your way of APPEALING to REASON...you leave ALOT to be desired.

"...YOU wont allow?!" :: Alycia scoffs:: DON'T flatter yourself, little girl. what are you going to do, stalk everyone who you think has wronged you & demand they treat you differently? you only CONFIRM what I've been saying ALL ALONG! You WHINE and you CRY about being left for dead. SO. WHAT. you knew the risks...just like I DID! YOU chose to come along FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU CHOSE TO COME. YOU knew the risk and you took it anyway. SHOULD you have been left behind? No. Even if I might have thought that BEFORE, I could not, in good conscience think that way NOW.


I was attacked and BITTEN by ZOMBIES in Arklay Mansion. I nearly DIED. But I didnt walk around with a violin chorus, complaining about EVERY BAD THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME and BLAMING IT ON EVERYONE AROUND ME like YOU do. Don't you see? THAT is what makes you look WEAK! THAT is what makes you look CHILDISH. OWN your choices AND the consequences that come with them. DON'T look to me to kow tow to you on ANYTHING because I WON'T! ACCEPT responsibility for the situations YOU placed yourself in.

YOU dont know WHAT would have happened differently, had you operated OUTSIDE of your bias and prejudice toward me. YOU'RE just as guilty of what you've accused ME of doing to you. I have NEVER turned my back in someone in need of HELP. But unlike YOU, other people know how and when to ASK for that help.

I "cut you out" of the process of executing Cameron's will because I had a JOB to do, and it DIDN'T include coddling YOU. you WERE taken care of by provisions in his will. Was I OVERLY cold and harsh?...I can look back on that and say yes. If I hurt you or made you feel excluded, for THAT, I'm sorry. But you need to understand something. Just like The Six and Myself didn't take YOU into account,YOU didn't take US into account. We were grieving the loss of a teammate, a confidante, a FRIEND. We didn't know who YOU were. You showed up, practically OUT of the blue and expected US to just what? welcome you with open arms? The Six has a history of being BURNED by STRANGERS. We learned hard lessons about trusting new comers, especially those who seem to have an agenda, which YOU did. Regardless of your PAST with Cameron, you WERE a STRANGER TO US. Under different circumstances, perhaps it would have been handled differently, but what's done is done and I for one am not going to dwell on it, no matter how you try take us back there.

I OWED you NOTHING. You were not my client, you were not my teammate. And with that being said, I realize now why it was pointless to ask you where YOU were when the Six was outed & we were all marked for death & had to retreat into exile. You didn't owe us anything either. By the same token, it really NULLIFIES this claim you think you have on being so supremely wronged during the Greece Caper. Regardless of what group we were in or not, we were ALL united for a common reason, against a common foe. You want to talk about what's right and decent? make SURE you hold that mirror up to YOURSELF because there are MANY things the Six ...that I could ask YOU to explain regarding your choice of action.

If you want to blame somebody for you not being more warmly regarded or accepted into the six, i hate to say it, but you shouldve taken THAT greivance to CAMERON. HE was your link to that group. NOT ME. HE shouldve been the one to see you properly introduced BEFORE and at LEAST regarded as a "next of kin" contact in the absence of Alison. I will NOT be held accountable for HIS mistakes or ANYONE ELSE in that group you blame. I don't know why the Six left you behind, and I'm not going to try to answer that, and YOU CAN'T HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE for that. I'm truly SORRY that happened to you, but I'm NOT going to go to the cross for the sins you think I've committed, Vivica. I've been at peace with myself about ALL the choices I've made. I've lived through...and in some cases, SUFFERED the consquences of those choices, but I let NOTHING stop me from achieving my goals.

And just because you're BACK doesnt mean ANYBODY needs to roll out a red carpet for you. NOR does it mean I will change anything *I* am doing. So self centered are you, that you fail to realize that I have only recently RETURNED from Themyscira myself! I didnt stomp around demanding a tiara and a parade because of that. CONGRATULATIONS on your second chance. We're BOTH fortunate to have been able to return but again, UNLIKE YOU, I didnt feel the need to trumpet it like i was OWED ATTENTION because of it. Just be sure, in your attempts to be self righteous, that you remember all the people around us that DON'T get one of those.

OBVIOUSLY you have the right to live your life and pursue your interests. You can do what you want...as long as you're prepared to accept whatever consequences come of your actions. You have as much right to live as I do. You OBVIOUSLY wanted this moment with me for some time and now you've got it, but I promise you, it'll be the LAST OF IT'S KIND. I have prooven time and again that I can work with people I don't like, but you were too busy reveling in your distorted view of me to realize that. so If YOU can't handle MY presence, then make it easier on yourself! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE, OUT OF MY BUILDING and DON'T COME BACK. BUT DON'T you DARE DEMAND ANYTHING from me, Vivica because I will NEVER respond to that.

:: She had strayed completely away from the core of Amazon principals ny using her powers in an attempt to batter and abuse someone for no valid reason. She'd made a mistake and while part of her could understand Vivica's need to at least be acknowledged and allowed to live her life free of unfair scrutiny and abuse, the woman always managed to INFURIATE Alycia with her sense of entitlement. That's what it always came down to for Alycia. But if nothing else, things could not continue like THIS.::

:: Alycia's rage had made her see RED up to this point and the horrible irony was that her rage and underestimating of Recall was what gave Recall the small advantage she needed. Alycia had greater physical power and under different circumstances, Vivica would have been HARD PRESSED to match or keep up with her, but Charope's long standing dismissal of Recall and her "showboating" as it were, ultimately prooved to be her stumbling block. Alycia had not allowed Athena's wisdom to guide her in dealing with this issue which really should have been religated to her PAST. But now, as Vivica herself said, she was BACK. And Alycia didnt realize just how unprepared she was to face it right now. Again, NOT in a physical way, but the mental and emotional weight of it. Some issues simply don't go away unless they are FACED. Hypolytta AND Athena would tell her as much and she was given a name that meant "BRILLIANT CONFRONTATION". She did not run from her issues, she faced them and she did so in a way that had evoked praise from the queen of the amazons as well as the goddess of wisdom. ::

::But NOW, in THIS moment? she had not lived up to that reputation. attempting to beat Vivica to death is not the way, just as her verbally abusing Haleigh several months ago was not right either. If Alycia carried out revenge against Vivica, hurt her anymore than she had already tonight, or murdered her, what would that accomplish? Who would be left with the shattered reputation? How much MORE would Alycia lose in the fallout of that, And ultimately, WHAT purpose would it serve, spilling the blood of someone who had done her best to proove her courage and help others before? Had Vivica won the right to LIVE free of Alycia's scrutiny? ...YES. No amazon takes pride in BULLYING someone. Recall tried her best to address them and account for herself, AND address her grievances with Alycia. Was she not at least "entitled" to that? Even a criminal has his or her day in court!::

Ladies! Ladies! No need to fight! There is plenty of me to go around. Just try to take turns or pick a day. Hell, there is enough for all of us! No need to fight like this....

:: She didn't have to try to work through the amazonian technique to break free of the paralysis and truth be told, in her recent state of rage, she wouldnt have succeeded. it was only NOW that she was beginning to calm down even further but resentment still lingered::

:: Nicolas seperated them and kept them apart. Alycia had an opportunity to lash out at Vivica once more, she could have connected a punch to Vivica's face that would have dislocated her JAW, BUT She corrected the mistake she made in the first place. She allowed herself to be guided by the wisdom of Athena and STOPPED all physical aggression, but She was still TOO ANGRY to speak any further though and if she did so just now, the WRONG THING would come out. But she WOULD listen. With Nicolas here, they had a MUCH NEEDED buffer. Someone who could chide them BOTH as they deserved AND speak to both of them with an unbiased attempt to appeal to reason!::

::Whether Charope and Recall realized it or not, the seeds of understanding and progress HAD been sewn, even in this confrontation. the two women had laid out fair and valid issues and concerns, and each of them had heard...if not completely LISTENED to the other . But sometimes, a bridge was needed to help close the gap and achieve true connection and understanding. Nicolas needed to make up for time lost down stairs and now was his chance.::

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

I can assure you, MorningStar, that my Black Knight will honor the covenant between the Six and the Sisterhood, as would any member of any Queen's court.

Sure, until it suits them otherwise…

The idea that ALL the queens’ courts were some honorable, upstanding community organizations was laughable. She didn’t laugh out loud, though. Watching Dominique interact with this young person was odd, to say the least. She’d rather be shot than kowtow to someone like that, OR treat someone so subservient.

However, MorningStar's timely intervention ensured that I not seriously injured and another triad patrol of purifiers was destroyed by us.

Delilah nodded to Richard at the mention of her name.

It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Trelevan. My name is Richard and I am the Knight for the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. I take it your visit with us is indeed peaceful?

“If it wasn’t, you would know it already.”

Richard, MorningStar honors the covenant between the Six and the Sisterhood, just as I expect you to.

Dominique gave instructions to the young man regarding the Hellfire mansion, but Delilah wasn’t really listening. She didn’t really CARE what the Hellfire people were doing. There were more important things going on right now.

While Richard continues with his next assignment, I think we should try to find out just where these purifiers are coming from and going to. Perhaps we can bait them and lure them into a trap.

“And then bring down wherever they’re hiding on top of them.”

 

[Rampage]

They had stopped somehow, but it was still tense. And the emotions and anger in this place was...SADDENING to Nicolas. he gestured to to chair for them to sit, waiting until each of them had done so. He kept supporting Vivica so she could sit without limping. His face set in an uncharacteristically grim position, Nicolas looked at them both as they gave him their attention.

Can you imagine what it's like to hear thoughts as a Black person? Has it occurred to you at all? Either of you?

Neither of them moved. Of course they could not, but the idea of it started to sink in.

It took YEARS for me to understand and deal with the idea that so many people could take one look at me and assume so many terrible things about me. And the sad part for me is to see two stunningly beautiful, incredibly accomplished and talented young Black women do the same shit to each other.

Nicolas stared through Alycia, silently demanding that she hold his gaze as he continued.

Alycia, you took one look at Vivica and her brashness, her disdain for protocol in favor of getting things done and you stopped at "ghetto". It took her almost kicking your ass in your own office for you to BEGIN to look past her presentation and appreciate her PURPOSE. This woman, just like Ana-Leigh, is young and smart and pretty and of COLOR and no one knows better than YOU how hard it can be out there for women like that. She deserves your regard and your help and your SISTERHOOD and you know it. We BOTH KNOW what Athena would say if she were here and I expect you to think long and hard NOT about her attitude and mouth, but about what YOU could and SHOULD have done for her and with her as someone making their way along a path with the Six, something you know a LOT about and FAILED to share with her.

Nicolas held her gaze a second longer before turning it to Vivica, She would not be spared.

And Vivica. It is time to STOP IT! You have been far too long dismissive of Alycia as some bourgeoisie princess who has had no trials in her life and could not possibly appreciate you and your path. Do you REALLY think that her achievements weren't against a wall of sexism and racism and anti-mutant hysteria as she worked? You KNOW they were and yet YOU still cling to stereotypes. How in the hell can you treat her that way knowing how YOU have been treated? HOW can she possibly take steps towards you if you are consistently failing to try to get along? EVERYONE in this room knows that you have been not treated as well as you should have by the Six in the past. But now you have come to us EXPECTING to be mistreated, looking for mistreatment at every turn because of what happened before, and adding every slight, REAL or PERCEIVED to some tally in your head that stretches back for years now. That is not fair to us, not fair to ME at least. I opened my arms to you and I have tried to be there for everything you would allow me to be there for. I cannot go back in time and help you then, but I can build a better tomorrow with you now. And so can Alycia. But at some point you have to find a way to get at the anger in your heart and put it to rest. Besides, we ALL know that it is displaced, that the person who you REALLY need to talk to in order to put it to rest is not in this room.

Nicolas gave a nod to her relationship with Cameron and then grew silent a moment as he looked back and forth between them. He sighed, his smile slowly returning and then continued.

So now is the time. Figure it out. We will not be leaving this room until you two can coexist. Because the next time I see some unnecessary shit like this between you two, you will find yourself strangely teleported to a wading pool containing six inches of baby oil, sans clothing, with cameras running. If you two want to catfight like two THOTS at the hair salon over the last shea butter hair moisturizer, I plan to make certain that the next time I am far more amused at the spectacle.

Arms folded, Nicolas sat back and waited. He was apparently serious. They were being held here until they got their collective acts together.

 

[Recall]

If THIS is your way of accounting...your way of CORRECTING yourself; if this is your way of APPEALING to REASON...you leave ALOT to be desired.


"...YOU wont allow?!" :: Alycia scoffs:: DON'T flatter yourself, little girl. what are you going to do, stalk everyone who you think has wronged you & demand they treat you differently? you only CONFIRM what I've been saying ALL ALONG! You WHINE and you CRY about being left for dead. SO. WHAT. you knew the risks...just like I DID! YOU chose to come along FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU CHOSE TO COME. YOU knew the risk and you took it anyway. SHOULD you have been left behind? No. Even if I might have thought that BEFORE, I could not, in good conscience think that way NOW.

:: Vivica glared at Alycia as she continued to apply pressure to the point. ::


"I wasn't WHINING and CRYING for God's sake, Alycia. The only reason it's even come up NOW after all this time is because the MOMENT we saw each other at The Parthenon for Blaze's party, ALL of that unresolved stuff..it came BACK for BOTH of us...in the WORST way. You keep thinking that my even being back in the city is because of some last ditch effort to get The Six RESPECT me..and that's not it at ALL. I've been gone for FOUR YEARS, Alycia. I came back to New York because the woman with the skill to fix the wounds I sustained after being shot in the neck was here. I stayed because of a unique opportunity to take my ART to the next level. And I DID choose to come to Greece..but it's not like I inserted into a random situation looking for camaraderie. My best friend in the entire world was murdered...it didn't seem like much of a CHOICE looking back..."

"I was attacked and BITTEN by ZOMBIES in Arklay Mansion. I nearly DIED. But I didnt walk around with a violin chorus, complaining about EVERY BAD THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME and BLAMING IT ON EVERYONE AROUND ME like YOU do. Don't you see? THAT is what makes you look WEAK! THAT is what makes you look CHILDISH. OWN your choices AND the consequences that come with them. DON'T look to me to kow tow to you on ANYTHING because I WON'T! ACCEPT responsibility for the situations YOU placed yourself in."

"It's REALLY not fair for you to say that. I don't complain about every bad thing that ever happened to me and I don't blame everybody around me for anything. I brought a specific situation that specifically pertained to you and in my anger I revealed a few bitter feelings that I had about Cameron, which YOU yourself have admitted I am entitled to feel. For THAT I am sorry..but to marginalize me...YET again as a petulent little child for feeling raw about something that I only brought up because it pertains to how I feel about YOU is a FAR cry from me BLAMING the world for anything I have experienced.

"YOU dont know WHAT would have happened differently, had you operated OUTSIDE of your bias and prejudice toward me. YOU'RE just as guilty of what you've accused ME of doing to you. I have NEVER turned my back in someone in need of HELP. But unlike YOU, other people know how and when to ASK for that help."

"It IS a two way street, Alycia..but you always come at it with a ONE WAY perspective. You sit here and talk about had I operated outside of my bias things might have been different..but while I may not have liked you personally..or SEVERAL members of The Six for that matter..I did what I was told and when I was told to do it and I didn't complain. At the very LEAST I DID show a level of respect to The Six and their allies. You took care of their legal affairs and I took on a LOT of the business affairs going on at the time. When Cameron and Morgan were at each other's throats and the world was watching the Parthenon/Illustra endeavour I filled in the cracks. I wasn't looking for praise, I don't have a chip on my shoulder so don't mistake this for me being MAD at the world. I'm just stating a fact. I may have been obtuse or redundant but I did play my part in accordance to what the others were looking for me. Asking for help when The Six could barely interact with each other without drawing blood would have made me look as redundant and pointless as you always thought I was. I did what they needed me to do and I think I did it with no mistakes."

I "cut you out" of the process of executing Cameron's will because I had a JOB to do, and it DIDN'T include coddling YOU. you WERE taken care of by provisions in his will. Was I OVERLY cold and harsh?...I can look back on that and say yes. If I hurt you or made you feel excluded, for THAT, I'm sorry. But you need to understand something. Just like The Six and Myself didn't take YOU into account,YOU didn't take US into account. We were grieving the loss of a teammate, a confidante, a FRIEND. We didn't know who YOU were. You showed up, practically OUT of the blue and expected US to just what? welcome you with open arms? The Six has a history of being BURNED by STRANGERS. We learned hard lessons about trusting new comers, especially those who seem to have an agenda, which YOU did. Regardless of your PAST with Cameron, you WERE a STRANGER TO US. Under different circumstances, perhaps it would have been handled differently, but what's done is done and I for one am not going to dwell on it, no matter how you try take us back there.

"That's not necessarily true Alycia. You certainly wanted to guide ALISON and ease her through the process. Of course THAT'S understandable. I was heartbroken...but it's not like I was RAMPAGING like Erika. I mean thank you for apologizing for being overly cold and harsh, but I DID take you into account Alycia and The Six DID know who I was..I was there the day that Morgan, Cameron and Alison even met. I was attacked at The Rainbow Room on the night that bonded The Six together forever during The Citadle. I partnered with Morgan and Alison and Blaze for the Parthenon/Illustra deal...I tried to guide people to safety during the Inferno and I tried to FORCE a better relationship between Cameron and Morgan and Alison many times. I always knew who they were and I kept their secrets and I worked alongside many of them..not saving the world but helping us ALL make money. I wasn't a stranger. I just wasn't. So don't dwell on it if you don't want to..but come on. Your reasoning is weak and it's just NOT the case of what happened."

I OWED you NOTHING. You were not my client, you were not my teammate. And with that being said, I realize now why it was pointless to ask you where YOU were when the Six was outed & we were all marked for death & had to retreat into exile. You didn't owe us anything either. By the same token, it really NULLIFIES this claim you think you have on being so supremely wronged during the Greece Caper. Regardless of what group we were in or not, we were ALL united for a common reason, against a common foe. You want to talk about what's right and decent? make SURE you hold that mirror up to YOURSELF because there are MANY things the Six ...that I could ask YOU to explain regarding your choice of action.

"You may not have owed me Alycia..but THEY did. Even if they were hurt. Even if they were going through unbelievable pain and sorrow. I was too. No matter how much they thought I contributed..or how USEFUL they thought I was. I had respect for them and I trusted that if I could extend my own hand that they would in return..because I had done NOTHING to earn anything else from them. I sat paralyzed in a pool of my own blood unable to move or do anything but have it rain down on my face. I'm not BLAMING you but you want to constantly champion their decisions and look me in the face and say that they don't have anything to answer for in that regard. And I don't think it's right. You didn't owe me anything but you are the first to justify the actions of a really shitty situation that shouldn't have happened. I've healed from what happened to me..but all I had ever been looking for was somebody to look at me and say "You know what? It was REALLY shitty what happened to you and if I could go back, I would have done things differently." That's it. I'm REALLY not as dramatic as you seem to WANT me to be."

If you want to blame somebody for you not being more warmly regarded or accepted into the six, i hate to say it, but you shouldve taken THAT greivance to CAMERON. HE was your link to that group. NOT ME. HE shouldve been the one to see you properly introduced BEFORE and at LEAST regarded as a "next of kin" contact in the absence of Alison. I will NOT be held accountable for HIS mistakes or ANYONE ELSE in that group you blame. I don't know why the Six left you behind, and I'm not going to try to answer that, and YOU CAN'T HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE for that. I'm truly SORRY that happened to you, but I'm NOT going to go to the cross for the sins you think I've committed, Vivica. I've been at peace with myself about ALL the choices I've made. I've lived through...and in some cases, SUFFERED the consquences of those choices, but I let NOTHING stop me from achieving my goals.

"Cameron made a LOT of mistakes and trust me..he KNOWS. I am resolved to work through those with him. I know that he will come from a place of understanding and I know we will end up being fine. We always are. But he DID properly introduce me to the group. I mean you consistently talk as though my FIRST interaction with anybody in The Six was during the reading of Cameron's will and that's simply not the case. At all. It may have been one of YOUR first encounters with me..but I've been there since the day The Six came into fruition. I've been there since Day One. They know who I was and what I did. The ONLY thing that YOU are being held accountable for is the WAY you've been to me since I've met you..treating the CLOSEST person in your "client's" life like she was a footnote barely worth mentioning...but all this has shown me is that when it comes to you? ALL that I just mentioned seems to be my fault alone. The REASON it continues to get so damn VENOMOUS between the two of us is because you TREAT me as I didn't exist until you laid eyes on me. Once that attitude comes across it puts me on edge, Alycia. It makes me...MAD AGAIN about ALL of those little things I left behind me. There is a LOT that Cameron still needs to answer..and while The SIX may be responsible for leaving me behind...you have been a consistent and DEFINING voice to a lot of them in their that they were justified and right with regards to what happened and that I wasn't worth the time anway..."

And just because you're BACK doesnt mean ANYBODY needs to roll out a red carpet for you. NOR does it mean I will change anything *I* am doing. So self centered are you, that you fail to realize that I have only recently RETURNED from Themyscira myself! I didnt stomp around demanding a tiara and a parade because of that. CONGRATULATIONS on your second chance. We're BOTH fortunate to have been able to return but again, UNLIKE YOU, I didnt feel the need to trumpet it like i was OWED ATTENTION because of it. Just be sure, in your attempts to be self righteous, that you remember all the people around us that DON'T get one of those.

"This is another one of those times where you look at the smallest hint of anything I might have said and just run with it in a direction that makes me seem INSANE. I need to make this VERY clear to you, Alycia. I am NOT BACK FOR THE SIX. Just because I am back in the STATE that I lived in for many years, doesn't mean I've come back on some kind of mission to hold The Six hostage until they give me what I want. Everything that is going on now? Happenstance. I came to Blaze's party in a spirit of accepting an invitation from Cameron who has reached out..understanding there are things that he and I need to work through. I enjoyed myself at the party and have found something I think could be really...REAL with Blaze. I didn't enter this world again to get a team badge or a certificate. I happened to be with Blaze and Sally when they were BRUTALLY attacked. I stood strong with those women and I helped Sally because she NEEDED my help. I was ALREADY personally working on a lead with Purifiers with my OWN team. They hadn't begun brutally planning HITS on members of The Six..but just in case you feel the need to question my integrity..HAD I gotten the intel that they were planning something involving ANY of YOU..I would have alerted you..and I would help. I wasn't clear on the terms of a TRUCE between The Hellfire Club and The Six...but I'm helping NOW. The WAR that is brewing outside of these walls has necessitated the need for us to work together. And that's what I intend to do..if you will LET me."

"OBVIOUSLY you have the right to live your life and pursue your interests. You can do what you want...as long as you're prepared to accept whatever consequences come of your actions. You have as much right to live as I do. You OBVIOUSLY wanted this moment with me for some time and now you've got it, but I promise you, it'll be the LAST OF IT'S KIND. I have prooven time and again that I can work with people I don't like, but you were too busy reveling in your distorted view of me to realize that. so If YOU can't handle MY presence, then make it easier on yourself! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE, OUT OF MY BUILDING and DON'T COME BACK. BUT DON'T you DARE DEMAND ANYTHING from me, Vivica because I will NEVER respond to that."

"I HAVE wanted this moment for a long time. And while I don't feel MUCH of a resolve, it's better than it was. I can work with people I don't like EITHER Alycia but this ISN'T a one sided thing. I came in here to check on you. I didn't want to. But I did it. You bit my head off...and I BIT BACK. That is going to be a continuing theme if that's what I get from you. That's not a threat or a demand. That's just the facts. I'm going to respond to you based on HOW you are...just as I expect you to..."


:: At that moment, Nicolas enters and immediately tears them off each other, trying to use a joke in order to lighten the mood. She appreciated his effort, but that just wasn't going to happen..not now. While they had sprayed enough venom and were beginning to calm down, it was clear that it was going to take a LOT of work on BOTH of their parts before any more progress could be made. ::

 

[Recall]

Post Continued...

:: Nicolas took them aside and spoke to each of them. He spoke the truth and she had never thought about what it might be like to be a black TELEPATH. The amount of subconscious racist remarks he's must have heard throughout the years made her sad. As she listened to him speak to Alycia about things, he was glad that he understood in part where she was coming from...but then he turned this back on her. ::

"And Vivica. It is time to STOP IT! You have been far too long dismissive of Alycia as some bourgeoisie princess who has had no trials in her life and could not possibly appreciate you and your path. Do you REALLY think that her achievements weren't against a wall of sexism and racism and anti-mutant hysteria as she worked? You KNOW they were and yet YOU still cling to stereotypes. How in the hell can you treat her that way knowing how YOU have been treated? HOW can she possibly take steps towards you if you are consistently failing to try to get along? EVERYONE in this room knows that you have been not treated as well as you should have by the Six in the past. But now you have come to us EXPECTING to be mistreated, looking for mistreatment at every turn because of what happened before, and adding every slight, REAL or PERCEIVED to some tally in your head that stretches back for years now. That is not fair to us, not fair to ME at least. I opened my arms to you and I have tried to be there for everything you would allow me to be there for. I cannot go back in time and help you then, but I can build a better tomorrow with you now. And so can Alycia. But at some point you have to find a way to get at the anger in your heart and put it to rest. Besides, we ALL know that it is displaced, that the person who you REALLY need to talk to in order to put it to rest is not in this room."


So now is the time. Figure it out. We will not be leaving this room until you two can coexist. Because the next time I see some unnecessary shit like this between you two, you will find yourself strangely teleported to a wading pool containing six inches of baby oil, sans clothing, with cameras running. If you two want to catfight like two THOTS at the hair salon over the last shea butter hair moisturizer, I plan to make certain that the next time I am far more amused at the spectacle."

:: Vivica sighed and looked softly at Nicolas ::


"Nicky..of COURSE I understand what her experience has been like..maybe I haven't been fair to her and maybe I do cling to an outdated stereotype of her..but to be honest...we've never really given the time or the opportunity to show our similarities to each other. It's always gotten BOGGED down by this MESS around us."


"I don't EXPECT to be mistreated by MOST of you. This current roster of The Six...hardly any of you were actually THERE for that. I am not keeping tally. I'm just trying to live my damn life. All I hear is that I am PUNISHING The Six for what's happened to me..that I am looking for trouble and conflict from you...but can EITHER of you...REALLY give me ANY concrete situation where that's happened since I've been back? Nicolas...have I looked for conflict or trouble from you? From Blaze? From Cass? Hell..I've even been able to work successfully with the woman that SHOT me. Thanked her. Given her credit. I haven't ruffled ANYBODY'S feathers. I haven't threatened or gone off or said a goddamn thing about ANY of what I went through until TODAY when I was forced to answer for my own personal contacts...contacts that help SAVE us in the field just now. When has my anger in ANY way thus far hindered me from working with any of you since I've been back? It HASN'T...."


:: Thinking for a moment. ::


"And I don't have disdain for protocol. I am a decorated field agent for the biggest intelligence entity in the world. I have worked on countless teams I have logged countless hours in the field in an industry where following protocol down to the letter is the ONLY way to ensure safety and survival. Maybe I wasn't like that THEN..maybe I was more emotional THEN..but FOUR years in the field have more than proven my ability to follow protocol..and MUCH of my service to Clandestine has been at a time where I DIDN'T have my powers to help me along the way. The last few years of my life have changed me...and I guess it's only fair to assume they've done the same to ALL of you. And as long as Alycia can acknowledge that this "round the way" chick ISN'T what she appears to be and that she might need to dig a little deeper...I'll do the same for HER. But I'm sorry, Nicky..and I cannot allow myself to feel like I did before about everything. I won't. I am PROUD of who I am now. Proud of how far I've come. I don't need a medal for it..or a red carpet. I just need room to breath. If a bi-product of that ends up earning your respect..then so be it. But I can't continue like this..."

 

[Rampage]

"I don't EXPECT to be mistreated by MOST of you. This current roster of The Six...hardly any of you were actually THERE for that. I am not keeping tally. I'm just trying to live my damn life. All I hear is that I am PUNISHING The Six for what's happened to me..that I am looking for trouble and conflict from you...but can EITHER of you...REALLY give me ANY concrete situation where that's happened since I've been back? Nicolas...have I looked for conflict or trouble from you? From Blaze? From Cass? Hell..I've even been able to work successfully with the woman that SHOT me. Thanked her. Given her credit. I haven't ruffled ANYBODY'S feathers. I haven't threatened or gone off or said a goddamn thing about ANY of what I went through until TODAY when I was forced to answer for my own personal contacts...contacts that help SAVE us in the field just now. When has my anger in ANY way thus far hindered me from working with any of you since I've been back? It HASN'T...."


:: Thinking for a moment. ::


"And I don't have disdain for protocol. I am a decorated field agent for the biggest intelligence entity in the world. I have worked on countless teams I have logged countless hours in the field in an industry where following protocol down to the letter is the ONLY way to ensure safety and survival. Maybe I wasn't like that THEN..maybe I was more emotional THEN..but FOUR years in the field have more than proven my ability to follow protocol..and MUCH of my service to Clandestine has been at a time where I DIDN'T have my powers to help me along the way. The last few years of my life have changed me...and I guess it's only fair to assume they've done the same to ALL of you. And as long as Alycia can acknowledge that this "round the way" chick ISN'T what she appears to be and that she might need to dig a little deeper...I'll do the same for HER. But I'm sorry, Nicky..and I cannot allow myself to feel like I did before about everything. I won't. I am PROUD of who I am now. Proud of how far I've come. I don't need a medal for it..or a red carpet. I just need room to breath. If a bi-product of that ends up earning your respect..then so be it. But I can't continue like this..."

Nicolas nodded as she spoke to him. This was progress. He replied to her, his voice even more warm as he appealed to her.

You know what? You're RIGHT. You HAVEN'T mistreated any of us and you haven't kept score...except HERE.

Nicolas points back and forth between then two ladies.

Alycia has become the focal point for what you feel is a lack of regard by the Six and while you do not go about SEEKING it, you are right to EXPECT it and you KNOW it. And I know that you are flawless when it comes to protocol. It is a part of your damned POWER to remember every detail!! But trust me, I have seen it, each of you have an expectation of what you THINK that the other sees, and you have BOTH lived DOWN to that expectation in each other's presence. Each of you has had the opportunity to be your best selves and repair this rift with each other and you have managed to end up destroying thousands of dollars of custom-made office furniture and harming one another instead. I am not here because I want to make EITHER of you feel bad. I am here because I care as a friend, as someone who loves you BOTH , and as a man of color who is tired of seeing the Black Housewives of Atlanta- Six style when I should be seeing two leaders help drag our sorry asses out of this SHIT.

You two make me proud. You two make me happy to try to help you in any way I can. But you two drive me crazy because you have so far refused to show each other what you show ME, to see in each other what I see in you. I cannot continue like this either Vivica...and I am still waiting for you two to fix it.

 

[Matrix]

“If it wasn’t, you would know it already.”

Rich liked her already. She seemed to have a low bullshit level, much like himself. He nodded knowingly as he received his instructions from Miss D. Now ready to proceed and satisfied that the Queen was safe, Richard turned again, grasping Dominique's hand softly, in a way that was more familiar than one would expect for a mere servant, even one as valuable as a member of a court, and took his leave.

The Queen's will be done. I will see you soon.

And just as quickly, the young man seemed to dissipate, turning into...

Nitrogen, a trained base form. Ubiquitous and unfilterable, he was able to gain access anywhere while in this form and capable of moving at extreme speeds when riding air currents, which he did at this time until he found himself...

...around the corner from the Hellfire Club and then...

...materializing out of a shadow by the alleyway adjacent, making a serious entrance as a very famous man having a walk to his own exclusive club. He was now Senator William Stryker, from tip to tail.

Entering, he easily passed all of the HC protocols identifying him and logging his entrance for easy recovery later should the need arise. He took the guest elevator to his suite and opened the door using his thumbprint.

Once inside, he began the next part of the operation.

 

[Matrix]

This part was actually the easiest. He meticulously went over all the other effects first, refolding them so as to memorize everything that he saw as he worked. The strength of his mind was a by-product of his 'death', the sight of things imprinted with him; they would not be forgotten.

The other effects taken care of, Richard placed his hand beneath the laptop that William Stryker used. The technology was amazingly simple considering the man's stature. Richard supposed that is what happened when you thought yourself untouchable, you became sloppy and easy to be taken unawares. Richard allowed his hand to insert itself into the computer as a gas, finally forming as a second hard drive onto which he easily blunt force-copied all of the contents of the computer before him, only now de-crypted and password modified so as to be easily retrieved at a later time. He had everything: all financial records, all emails and plans, anything that this man had copied into this machine he now 'had' in his possession. The only thing left now was to destroy the old once the transfer of the new was complete. He started the next phase of the plan, unhurried, making sure it was done in a thorough and meticulous manner.

The Queen's will be done.

 

[Artemis]

Charope, Inc. - Alycia's office

:: Alycia sat down in a chair, folding her arms and looking rather grim herself as Vivica spoke, and then Nicolas appealed to her. ::

:: Nicolas spoke from a truly personal place as he appealed to them both. He REMINDED Her of the shared obstacles the three of them especially had to face. It didn’t matter how accomplished, gifted or unique any of them were…all three of them would face certain universal, ugly things that should be able to help each other through. There was no need for finding reasons to build walls or division between herself and Vivica, but she would NEVER accept sole blame for the difficulties they had between them.::

::Nicolas confirmed what she had already come to realize and accept, about the lost opportunities to reach out and help Vivica when she truly did need it. But he also said it best when he addressed Vivica, NONE of them could change the past, they could only start building a better TOMMOROW. Nicolas was willing and…so was ALYCIA! But was VIVICA ready to let go of her emotional trump card and MOVE ON as well?::

:: She took a moment to look around her office, a large portion of it had been trashed by this senseless catfight. Not only that, but she had injured Vivica. VIOLENCE is not the “go to” choice for an Amazon when dealing with personal conflict. She knew that. Even before she became an Amazon, she knew there were always better ways to resolve personal issues, THAT was a key part of her making key and lasting contacts in her work as a lawyer in many specialities, her time as the ADA and even when she became a federal agent.::

::She had abandoned core principals in a moment of weakness. The issue was still at hand, but it was only in the last few moments that they were not only TALKING, but LISTENING to one another and Nicolas was helping that along.::
:: Vivica made her case more plaintively and this time, it resonated with Alycia. The ball had been dropped on several occasions, and Alycia HAD been unkind, dismissive and disregarding of her. Nicolas reminded her of her own struggles AND pointed out to Vivica that it had never been a walk in the park for Alycia, regardless of how it seemed. Again, All THREE of them had that common theme to their lives and instead of standing together in solidarity and support, Alycia and Vivica had wasted precious time. Well, the only thing to do after finally facing mistakes and unresolved issues, was to address them going forward, without hesitation.::

::A few moments of silence pass before she speaks, she too had conflict in her heart, it was time to get it out, bury it and move on.::

It’s rather telling, Vivica, how EASILY you give Cameron the benefit of the doubt, but showed LITTLE desire to extend the same courtesy to myself or other members of the Six, but then you wonder why I or others might be slow to respond to you in a positive manner? ::Nicolas had touched on this as well::

Your close personal friend obviously saw the good that I have done, and still offer. As does Nicolas, but you think you see something about me they don’t? You think Cameron, Nicolas or others of the Six haven’t seen me at some of my worst moments and displaying questionable judgment?

You may have always “been around”, and you may have an eye for DETAILS that defies description, but you HAVEN’T been there for MY moments of loss OR glory…or even my life changing choice to accept Athena’s offer, so while you want to “fill in the blanks” for me about yourself? Perhaps you should be willing to LISTEN TO MINE as well. You’re NOT the only one who has suffered and LOST because your association with this group. Even now, you address HIM in a way you have not addressed me, with a display of depth and understanding I’ve NEVER seen you exhibit in your communications with me.

It IS a two way street, Vivica. You may THINK I only view it as one way, but I don’t. You might mistake my intolerance for certain behaviors as my being completely uncaring, but that’s not true. I simply feel that your APPROACH has been WRONG on some occasions. It’s not about “kissing ass”, it’s about dealing with people in a way that fosters open communication and inspires accommodation. If you stopped pointing fingers for just a little bit and took time to LEARN about ME, you’d know that I have been VERY responsive to people, even those I wasn’t necessarily fond of OR close to[at the time], when the approached me the right way. Haleigh is one example, Ava is another, as is Nicolas, for that matter. And in ALL THREE cases, not only did paths open up, but PROGRESS was made not just professionally, but also PERSONALLY and there's a level of RESPECT and SINCERITY between myself and others in this group that doesn't waver even when we are at ODDS.

It’s about sincerity, which I have always felt you LACKED when it came to me. You confirmed it when you came up here to “check on me”. We both know you weren’t here for me, and that you didn’t care. THAT offended me DEEPLY and I would rather you have not come AT ALL than do what you did. THAT’S why I attacked you. It was the cherry on top of a large cake of CRAP that you’d been displaying toward me for a long time now. But even so, I should not have abandoned the code of an Amazon when dealing with personal conflict. I lashed out in a moment of emotional distress and weakness and I caused you injury.

You wanted someone to acknowledge that what happened to you in Greece was a shitty thing? I DID acknowledge that, just now, and again, I’m sorry for what happened to you, because you WERE someone in need of help and even *I* dropped the ball on that. In my quest to avenge Sharon’s murder and strike another blow to Mystech and any tentacle of it, I overlooked a casualty. I think about what that would have been like for ME…if the Six had left ME behind in Arklay Mansion, or GAVE UP on trying to save me from the virus after I was bitten….and I shudder to think of what would have happened. You have my sincere sympathy for the ordeal you suffered.

You spoke of me advocating for the Six. Well Vivica, that was MY JOB for a LONG TIME. I went from being Morgan’s legal counsel to being the Six’s LEGAL voice and a KEY connection for them in the legal world as well as to the baseline human community, a bridge between them and law enforcement on multiple levels. I, along with Sharon, DID advocate for the Six and for mutants in general. There were MANY instances, from the Inferno onward, where it WAS my responsibility to SPIN things in their favor when scrutiny was hitting too close to home. ADVOCATING for those IN NEED has been my calling for A LONG TIME, Vivica. That’s what allowed me to ascend the ladder in the legal and political worldQUICKLY, it’s something that even the Queen of the Amazons and the Goddess of Wisdom and War saw in me. But I have no interest in standing in the way of your legitimate grievances with any member of the Six. You DO have a right to be heard.

:: standing up ::

I admit that I HAVE treated you like a “foot note”, or “minor character” in the story of Cameron, or even the Six. That wasn’t fair of me. But you seem so wrapped up in your own bitterness, you can’t even HEAR when someone is meeting you where you want them to. I have had MANY times that I have to step back and reexamine situations and people. It’s a key part of what I’ve always been involved in. But most people, who want me to do this for them, try to make it EASY for me to see why I SHOULD. Your behavior has long left a bitter taste in my mouth and really hasn’t inspired any real sense of consideration from me, but unlike you, I would NEVER PRETEND.

I don’t have a problem with answering for my mistakes, but I will not deal with someone who is UNREASONABLE about it, someone who says one thing and appears to do quite the opposite, and that’s what I feel you have been.
I apologize for turning a blind eye during the times you needed help, but I can’t change the past.

:: Taking steps over toward Vivica as Nicolas watched::

I’m also very sorry for injuring you this evening. I’ll make sure that you’re ankle is healed.

As Nicolas has said, TOMMOROW is before us now and I…will gladly build a better one with YOU, for Cameron’s sake, for ALL our sakes, but I will NOT make this effort for nothing, I won’t extend myself only to be met with bias and bitterness.

Just as I know what I must do, You need to MOVE FORWARD and just like you want to be seen as you are TODAY? SO DO I! Don’t tell HIM,

::gesturing to Nicolas::

TELL ME that you understand that? Because ONLY THEN, can that process begin.

:: The feminum bracelet on her wrist gleams as she extends her hand toward Vivica in a sincere gesture of good will::

 

[Recall]

:: Nicolas definitely spoke the truth about the two of them. He hit it on the mark. For whatever reason BOTH Vivica and Alycia had made some kind of assumption about each other that they all but FORCED out of the other whenever they were together. They forced the roles on the other and they didn't care to look any deeper. It was a mistake on BOTH of their parts. Vivica was about to agree with Nicolas as Alycia decided it was time to speak her peace. ::


:: Vivica listened to Alycia speak and this time she was impressed. For the first time in a long time Vivica felt as if Alycia was actually saying something TO her and not AT her. The mutant began to feel a tinge of remorse as Alycia spoke to her with such a clear head. Vivica had only ever encountered Alycia in times of great strife among The Six...in their early days of struggle. She hadn't been there when Alycia had went through the horrifying experience of nearly becoming a zombie or when she lost it all trying to protect the team from Bishop. Vivica had never been present for the moments that had earned Alycia the respect and reverence she had from The Six..and vice versa. Alycia hadn't been there to watch Vivica in the field. To watch her go from a clouded and frenetic mind to an ASSET..to a woman who was respected and counted on at Clandestine. She wasn't around when Vivica really found herself. So many missed opportunities. ::

:: Just as Vivica was BEGINNING to show this personal transformation to people she hadn't seen in years...it seemed that Alycia had JUST come out on the other side from her own. The two could really end up teaching each other a lot. And while Vivica suspected there would ALWAYS be a somewhat catty relationship between the two of them..probably for no good reason, Vivica realized that she needed to give Alycia a chance..it was what she had just offered the woman. ::

Charope: "I admit that I HAVE treated you like a “foot note”, or “minor character” in the story of Cameron, or even the Six. That wasn’t fair of me."

"Wow..."

:: Taking steps over toward Vivica as Nicolas watched::

I’m also very sorry for injuring you this evening. I’ll make sure that you’re ankle is healed.

As Nicolas has said, TOMMOROW is before us now and I…will gladly build a better one with YOU, for Cameron’s sake, for ALL our sakes, but I will NOT make this effort for nothing, I won’t extend myself only to be met with bias and bitterness.

Just as I know what I must do, You need to MOVE FORWARD and just like you want to be seen as you are TODAY? SO DO I! Don’t tell HIM,

::gesturing to Nicolas::

TELL ME that you understand that? Because ONLY THEN, can that process begin.

:: The feminum bracelet on her wrist gleams as she extends her hand toward Vivica in a sincere gesture of good will::

:: Vivica looked at Alycia up and down a little carefully for a moment before extending her own hand. ::

"Alycia. Thank You. Thank you for words..and thank you for your gesture of good faith..but mostly, thanks for talking TO me..and for LISTENING. I apologize for the way I've approached you..and for certain situations involving The Six. I understand what you are saying and I think it's time to bury this..and with everything going on in this WORLD right now? ALL of us can benefit from allies...and friends."

:: This had been an INTERESTING interaction to say the least. However.. ::

"Now..as NICE as this has been..we need to get back to the people downstairs..and we have to come up with a way to get our FRIENDS back.."

:: She winced for a second as she took off her heel that housed her broken ankle. ::

"And I gotta get some ICE on this at the very least..."

:: The group made their way downstairs and were met with a SUPRISING number of curious and confused looks. Vivica looked at Alycia and at herself. Their clothes were a mess..there was bloody wounds, disheveled hair and a hopping Vivica. As she watched the wide eyes survey the two of them, Vivica hopped up on a med bed and propped her foot up. ::

"Don't worry...I went up to check on Alycia and it went about as well as I'm sure any of you could imagine. I slapped her, we flew through a bookcase..she broke my ankle..I tried to paralyze her..Nicolas tore us apart..we talked...we're good..."

:: Thinking for a moment. ::

"Now what's the plan?"

 

[Rampage]

Well, will wonders never cease. Two WOMEN deciding to bury the hatchet in part at the insistence of a man? Meanwhile, hell was freezing over. Nicolas had the fleeting desire to check but choked it back and focused on the situation at hand.

Vivica's pride and one leg took her downstairs rather than accept him carrying her. Fair enough. Nicolas silently allowed the pair to continue to reach out to each other. Once they emerged, he smiled widely at how bad the pair looked. He should have just tossed the baby oil on them...it might have helped.

"Don't worry...I went up to check on Alycia and it went about as well as I'm sure any of you could imagine. I slapped her, we flew through a bookcase..she broke my ankle..I tried to paralyze her..Nicolas tore us apart..we talked...we're good..."

:: Thinking for a moment. ::

"Now what's the plan?"

First things first, we get Ma on the horn and heal what wounds we can. THEN once Cam is found, and I plan on finding him, we kill everything that had anything to do with any of this.

Taking a corner, Nicolas began to levitate in a quick meditative stance, legs folded in air. He was finishing what he had started before Vivica and Alycia decided to go all Ali and Frazier on each other. As he calmed down, he sent a thought to Mike.

Big Mike! We need Ma pronto. We have some injuries. We will need you to take things up a notch until we can get you more backup.