Blood makes noise

[Seer]

<< one problem ends, MORE rush in to fill its place. Even as it seemed that justice for Sharon Kelly was FINALLY achieved and it seemed that Stavros Cassadine would pay for his criminal ways...things went from bad to worse. Stavros, somehow freed from a maximum security holding facility, came to ILLUSTRA and attempted to attack Alycia in an act of revenge. Alycia defended herself and sent the man falling to his death. In one act...things changed and the dynamic of The Six is now strained AGAIN as one of their own pulls a shocking and unreasonable stunt at the most INOPPORTUNE times.>>

<< we return to Illustra, on the 99th floor where Spellbinder, MorningStar and Rampage are united against Black Widow's attempt to black mail Alycia and jeopardize not only HER life...but their lives as well.>>

<< it is a situation that shows no signs of easy resolution as Alycia just just revealed the "change" that Alison had forseen..she is to gain a position of considerable power in the U.S. Government and if Haleigh doesnt back down...Alycia will make SURE the woman regrets it. >>

 

[Rampage]

Alycia's Office--Floor 99

Nicolas steps between the two women, facing Haleigh. At this point he has No faith in Haleigh and what she might try to do to Alycia.

"You don't get it, do you? You have NO SWAY HERE. Alycia will walk in this situation no matter what you do to the tapes, and pushing this further will do nothing for you. You have pulled enough power plays that you should realize that this one is not working. Release the tapes or do not release the tapes, it matters not to me. But it will matter much to YOU."

Nicolas stays between the two women, ready for anything. He does not want to fight Haleigh, but he doesn't trust what she might do to Alycia. He contacts Delilah via telepahy.

Would she PHYSICALLY harm Alycia? We may need to evacuate her from this room...

 

[Harbinger]

Illustra-99th floor

:: Guardian looked sharply at Haleigh and her cobalt blue eyes conveyed nothing but disapproval.::

:: Morgan and Delilah had a go at her first, Morgan making it known that the tapes WOULD be released whether Haleigh cooperated or not, Rampage spoke as well. It was a united front, but it was unfortunate that it was against one of their own.::

enough of this...let my powers as a SEER convey what HALEIGH seeks to try to hold as a bargaining chip!


:: Alison thrusts her hand forward and waves it in a circle. a stream of dark orbs flows around quickly as a scrying pool shimmers into view.::

:: the exact events of the confrontation between Stavros and Alycia play out in full sound and vision. from the moment Alycia came into the office and Stavros revealed himself, their conversation, his DELIGHTING in Sharon's death and vowing to kill Alycia, her backing away and telling him to stay back and the moment where he ATTACKS her and she slams the golf club into his head and sends him crashing out of the window and down to his death, the last image is that of Alycia standing at the now shattered portion of the panoramic window, the wind blowing her raven locks back as she looks down in shock and horror.::



There is no doubt of the truth to Alycia's story. The bottom line is that Stavros was a FEDERAL FUGITIVE who was tresspassing AND attacked an agent of the court.

Haleigh, what you're doing is both foolish and short sighted. This is NOT the time to try to exact some misguided "revenge."

Your sister isnt dead, she REALIZED to preserve her own life she had to pass through the seige perilous and that is what she did. so this talk of Alycia's "murdering rampage" is NONSENSE. She did what was NECESSARY and instead of trying to ruin Alycia's life or jeopardize OURS, you SHOULD be looking to PERSEPHONE. The Seige gave her Ava's emotions, a portion of her personality...she is intended to be YOUR LINK to Ava in this world as well as cementing her own transition from her world into ours. You are VERY MUCH distracted from what MATTERS and this moment prooves it.

What you're doing threatens OUR LIVES and that is not an attempt to "appeal" to you. that is a FACT. It is YOU who will facilitate Alycia turning against US and YOUR actions that will pave the way for her to ALLOW our secret to become publicly known...to endanger our lives and our freedom. Alycia's relationship with the six is going to change EITHER WAY due to the position she is being appointed to by the president of the united states. It will give her a wide range of legal and political powers...a position that can either HELP US strike out at foes while maintaining our anonymity and our freedom OR a position that will allow her to send the full weight of this government down on US and other mutants, meta humans and witches.

the most PROBABLE time thread does NOT show Alycia betraying us. it is not within her heart to hurt those of us she cares for..but YOU are a different matter all together. WHY you have chosen to do this...I am not quite clear on....


:: standing along side Alycia::

BUT...As the second in command of The Six, i firmly back Morgan. you WILL release those tapes or we will TAKE THEM and if you try to harm Alycia..we will STOP you.

What you're doing now..is intolerable and there's NO justification.

:: turning to look out of the window::

Morgan, we're going to have to make a descision. Nicolas delayed the EMS and other officials from converging on Illustra's office park, but they're coming again.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh's eyes flashed anger... if Alycia wanted to play the blame game... well so could Haleigh.

"Alright, FINE... i dropped the ball... but dont let your memory get selective, honey. YOU were the one who watched Sharon slip RIGHT through your arms... YOU'RE the one who was THERE when she got hurt... and you DID NOTHING! In FACT... if I remember correctly, that's a statement that can sum up your WHOLE INVOLVEMENT that night.... you stood around with your head UP YOUR ASS while we BUSTED ours trying to STOP that mechanical titan! YOU held her tight... and YOU let her die, right in your very arms.... HELPLESS to save her! AT LEAST I DID SOMETHING WORTH MENTIONING THAT NIGHT!!!"

Nicolas stepped in, putting himself between her and Alycia... not a very wise choice, but Haleigh had the clarity of thought to realize he was probably worried about her HURTING Alycia... so she didn't attack him.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY, Boy.... why don't you go LICK MORGAN'S ASS or something?"

She said, sidestepping him to get an interrupted view of Alycia again, who'd now explained away her tyraid in Greece with US government backing.

"OH HORSESHIT! You know DAMN WELL that wasn't the reason YOU WENT, Alycia.... why don't you tell the REST of the group what YOU TOLD ME about your agenda.... i think you remember.... you know.... the part about wanting to DESTROY MY FAMILY..."

Alison cut in and Haleigh turned a glare on her.... she'd already HEARD it all before and she was tired of being cut off.... and while she couldn't ARGUE with the seer... she still responded.... albeit... more sharply than she should have. "just SHUT UP.... you STAY OUT OF THIS, ALISON!"

It was all she could say to her, really.... as alison was undeniably RIGHT. Alycia went on to threaten Haleigh with legal action... but Haleigh didn't seem affected.... She didn't much care. She clapped her hands together and gave a witty smile....

"Oh? What are you going to do.... throw me in jail? FINE... I'd dont give a FLYING FUCK what you do.... GO AHEAD.... do your very worst.... but there you go again... trying to use you LEGAL POWERS for PERSONAL GAIN. the mark of PURE EVIL. you don't DESERVE that chair on the committee. you don't deserve to attach your name to the GOOD we do.... I used to think you were the greatest lawyer... and one of the greatest women in the WORLD.... but now... you DISGUST me. You.... EMBARASS me. It should have been YOU in Sharon's place. You know what.... I'll get my OWN lawyer to keep my name out of the papers.... Here's your goddamn tape.... stay AWAY from me."

Haleigh said, tossing a VHS tape at Alycia and turning on her heel, shaking her head and stalking out the door... She was entirely fed up.... and whats more... she felt her anger growing and growing and KNEW that if she stayed much longer things might come to blows.... and so instead.... she took off in the same direction Persephone had gone.... in need of 'fresh air' as well, it seemed.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas watched Haleigh closely as she continued her tirade. He heard the expected swipe at him and Morgan, bristling but continuing to stay outwardly calm. As Alison displayed the night's events, he knew that she realized that her ploy was not going to work. She screamed more venom at Alycia, then threw a VHS tape at her. Nicolas deflty intercepted the tape and watched Haleigh storm out. He "looked" around and noticing a TVw/VCR/DVD in a cabinet panel, he placed the tape inside to see what was on it. He wasn't sure IF Haleigh had the power to doctor it, but he wanted to make sure she hadn't. While he placed the tape in, he used his TK to keep track of her movemebts, in case she would need to be retrieved.

"Let's make sure we have what we need."

Nicolas turned the VCR on and pressed play...

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra-99th floor

<< Morgan continued to stand square shouldered, ready to take the tape by FORCE if necessary as well as to protect Alycia. She couldnt fathom WHY Haleigh had done this...it made no sense! Stavros meant nothing to her..at least that's what she told THEM when her secret first came out before their journey to Greece and then there was Persephone, the woman was acting very erratic. her behavior suggested she was struggling internally and she had departed the office on the 99th floor abruptly.>>

<< as things continued to escalate, Alycia stood up to defend herself and dropped the bombshell of her position in the government, pending her officially accepting the president's offer. Morgan KNEW this would change their friendship's dynamic..it was to be expected but as Alison pointed out, Haleigh's actions tonight spell disaster for them all later.>>

<< Morgan watched as Alison used her powers as a Seer to relay the events of Alycia's story...it happened as Alycia described. Morgan hadn't doubted her friend in the slightest but HALEIGH was attempting to damage her credibility and again, it totally confused Morgan.>>

<< as Nicolas stood between Alycia and Haleigh, Haleigh lashed out at Nicolas, then Alison and Alycia again. The remark against Nicolas and Morgan was totally tasteless and insulting, her abruptness with Alison, someone who had been the most objective in this discussion was uncalled for...and her cruel remarks to Alycia about SHARON....wel that was the last straw>>

You're OUT OF ORDER, DAVIDOFF! CLOSE YOUR DAMN MOUTH!

<< Morgan was about to demand she leave the area, but Haleigh took that action on her own...but not before hurling the tape at Alycia. Nicolas caught it and Morgan watched to make SURE that Haleigh left.>>

Alison, keep an "eye" on her. IF it even appears that she is doing something she shouldnt...i want her access to Illustra's control panel REMOVED and we will just have to depend on magick to protect Illustra.

<< as Nicolas put in the tape to review it for integrity, Morgan looked up and ran her hands through her blonde, double highlighted hair.>>

<<sigh>> What the hell just happened here!?

Alycia killing Stavros is one thing. I honestly dont even CARE about that...but Haleigh and Persephone...they are acting like ...i dont know..like they are STUCK ON STUPID! I would expect this ridiculous behavior from someone like BLAZE...but not Haleigh.

What the hell is wrong with those two? Alison, Nicolas...can either of you detect any kind of abnormaility? possession or mental malfunction?


<< as the tape plays, it relays the footage and audio of the confrontation and attack.>>

the tape is in tact. Make a copy of it. Delilah, place that in a protective casing and get that to the police A.S.A.P. Nicolas, stay with Alycia at all times for now.

meanwhile, i'll see to getting the physical integrity of Alycia's office restored

 

[MorningStar]

Would she PHYSICALLY harm Alycia? We may need to evacuate her from this room...

[ As Nicolas spoke telepathically to her, she responded immediately. ]

No, no, she wouldn't go that far. Of course not.

[ But after she "said" it, she realized she had doubts. Guardian had her say and replayed the events before they had all arrived, prooving that Alycia had acted in self defense. Haleigh continued her own "rampage" and stormed out.

What was going on with Haleigh? She had always been the proud, slightly holier than though member of the Six that Delilah had to work really hard to not claw her eyes out. But even so - this behavior was not like her. And at the same time, it didn't seem that she was under a spell, or a drug, or mind control or any of the others things she had come to expect with the Six. Delilah began to think Haleigh really had lost her mind.

She wanted to help her...but she honestly thought the more she tried to talk to Haleigh the more insults would be thrown back at her. Haleigh wasn't in a place to believe that anyone was not against her. And right at this moment, they had to forget about Haleigh and deal with the most pressing issue facing them. ]

"I'll get the tape to the precinct right away."

 

[Rampage]

Alycia's Office--Floor 99

As the tape played the scene as Alycia relayed it. Nicolas rewound it to the beginning of the attack and handed it to Delilah for copying and delivery. As Morgan asked whether there was any sign of mental possesion or impairment, Nicolas scanned for any. He responded to her.

"With Persephone, I am getting a feedback that I am thinking comes from what happened to her with the Siege Perilous. On one level she seems OK, but there are other, conflicting feelings that I think are attributable to the Ava part of her. As for Haleigh, I sense only anger at Alycia. No possession."

He the moved closer to Alycia, speaking to her.

"Are you going to be all right? We cannot leave yet of course, but I can have anything you like brought here, one way or another. I will try o get this situation to be as short as possible, maybe have you give a statement tomorrow. The tape should serve as proof enough of what happened for now."

Nicolas turned back to Morgan and Delilah.

"No need to deliver the tape or clean up the mess, The police are coming and will be here in MOMENTS. I can mentally usher them here and speed up this process but the cat is out of the proverbial bag.To do otherwise would require more...forceful mental persuasion. It is probably best to just let them do their thing quickly, then clean up later..."

 

[Prophet]

The Past - A Few Days Ago

A Few Days Ago - London, England

He was stalking his victim like an owl stalks his prey at night. The crisp and cold air of London creeped around every corner and alleyway, causing anyone who was alone on the streets to tremble with fear and the feeling that they were not alone. This was the kind of night that Ethan Spencer loved to do his work. He had been trailing his hit for a few days now. A prominent businessman in London who had been embezzeling funds from a false charity he had created to support his secret passion in the weapons trade among other things. The purchaser was an angry and rich investor in the charity who wanted to make sure they got their money's worth. Ethan found it funny how people delegated in right and wrong. Here he was about to kill a man who was a criminal and he was hired by a mostly charitable man who now sought out death as a revenge. How funny his money could be swayed either way, to have people live or die. Money made the world go round and that was the philosophy Ethan lived by. People determined morals by how much money they could afford to get people to do what they wanted. Lost in his thoughts, Ethan almost forgot about his hit altogether, until he saw the man step out of a hole in the wall strip club and out into the foggy night air. Ethan was on him in an instant but completely unviewable to anyone who might have been watching. The man turned into an alley so as to make sure nobody would be tracking his whereabouts. Unfortunately for him, somebody already in fact was. Making his way further down the alley a chill of the cold night air went rushing past him as he turned around, leaving only a flashing street light for comfort from the eery scene.

Man: Is anybody out there? Hello...

Ethan was standing right in front of him but of course, the man couldn't see him due to Ethan's ability to turn invisible at will. Cracking a smile he walked right up to the man and breathed into his ear, causing chills to run up and down his spine. He trembled with fear as Ethan walked behind him and delivered a crushing KICK to the his lower back, sending him flying into the brick wall of the alley. Clammering to his feet, he got up and adjusted his glasses, looking around at whatever could have thrown him against the wall.

Man: (voice trembling) Who is there! I know somebody's here!!! Come out! You can have all my money! I only have my wallet on me.

Now, it was time for the kill. Ethan was in front of the man in a blink of an eye, talking in a cold and even tone, still without making himself known. His words were cruel and vicious but they were no doubt the truth.

"You steal from the poor and give to the rich.. Tell me, do you ever feel bad snorting up the cocaine you buy with the money that is supposed to keep orphaned children clean and out of harm's way, or do you get off on it.. You're a bad man Richard.. and people want you dead.. did you KNOW that?"

The man starting crying tears not so much of remorse but of terror

Man: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I will give you anything! Who are you! Where are you!? Oh GOD!!"

Ethan cracked a smile. It was funny to see what man would do when faced with death. They always were apologetic and forgiving, thinking that whatever they did in the past could be taken away by the few words they uttered before pissing their pants. Appearing in front of the man like a ghost, Ethan took away the smile that was once on his face and replaced it with stone cold anger.

"Too late Richard.. you're time is up.. Somebody's paid me a pretty penny to end your life, and unlike with YOU, they will get EXACTLY what they paid for. Say goodnight.."

Lifting the man up the brick wall by his neck, Ethan continued to strangle him, all the while looking him dead in the eyes. He watched as the man lost all color in his face and his eyes began to roll into the back of his head, a part of Ethan craved the kill. As the body stopped fighting off his strength and became motionless, Ethan let him fall to the ground as he dusted his hands off and came out of the alley, pulling his foot lengthed leather jacket closer to his body. As he walked down the street, he received a call on his cell phone. Calmly he pulled it out of his jacket and answered with his thick British accent

"Maverick... Yes, I got the files.. I will be headed to New York soon. That is a high yielding paycheck for the head of an attorney. Are you sure she is worth it? I fly out this morning... yeah..."

Closing the phone and putting it into his pocket he headed back to his penthouse apartment where he began to pack his things to head for New York. Before leaving the apartment, he passed a picture by his door of a young man, smiling on a beach, happy as could be. Ethan's strong demeanor softened as he picked up the picture and kissed the frame.

"I won't be gone long Drew... a few days at the most.. I love you..."

He put the picture down and headed out the door. It was early morning in London and he only had a few hours before his nonstop flight to New York left. As he reached the streets, he hailed a taxi cab and made his way to the airport, thinking about Alycia Barnett and just why somebody would want her dead.

 

[Artemis]

Illustra-99th floor

:: Alycia locked eyes with Haleigh again, not showing any fear, not backing down even as the woman berated her again. Nicolas stepped between them and even Alycia felt his immense size was "getting in the way" of her confrontation. SHE KNEW that if Haleigh was stupid enough to attack her then Morgan, Alison and Delilah would stop her in her tracks.::

Haleigh, you're a joke. Always playing the big tough bad ass when you're nothing more than a scared little girl who DESPERATELY hides behind the facade of strength and cunning.

this caper in Greece...it prooved how scared you were. You werent concerned about Sharon, you werent concerned about striking another blow to MysTech. All you wanted to do was protect your pathetic SECRET...as if I couldnt have found out one way or another? Your sister WAS fair game she interefered with government business and had she been killed, it would have been JUSTIFIED. Agree with it or not..thats the way it is.

:: as Haleigh hit below the bet with Sharon, Alycia glared at her.::

You speak of someone being sick and disgusting? take a look in the MIRROR. You've lived your whole LIFE deceiving people, killing, defrauding, and more. The night that Sharon died...where were YOU when it all began? MORGAN was the only one there trying to help us. I was unconscious...and there was nothing I could do... where were YOU when MORGAN was desperately trying to help us? YOU who claimed to offer "the best" in protection? Maybe if YOU had been there from the start, Sharon could have LIVED but it doesn't matter now...I've BUSTED UP youre family...the people who played a major role in Master Mold's creation and that's all there is to it.

If you DARE to black mail me or interfere in my affairs, i'll do MORE than have you hauled to prison..I'll have you TAKEN APART by the department of superhuman affairs like the runaway vacuum cleaner that you ARE!

:: Alison spoke up and Haleigh lashed out at HER as well as Nicolas before throwing the tape at Alycia. Nicolas caught it.::

and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out..BITCH!

:: as the worst of that confrontation ended, Alycia leaned back on her desk and put her hand to her forehead.::

I swar to god..I'm going to nail her to the wall and show her what it means to get a "lesson in humility".

:: more than a threat..it was a VOW and it was something that would not soon be forgotten.:

:: Morgan gave out instructions and Nicolas asked her if there was anything she needed.::

Just, take me to some guest quarters. I'd rather go to my own loft in central park west but since Alison feels that's a bad idea, i'd just like to go somewhere and cool out.

:: Nicolas spoke about her making a statement::

I know the drill. Remember I've been doing this for a while now.

:: she turned to Morgan, Alison and Delilah.::

I'll want to see the three of you later...when the time is right. There's some things I need to tell you.


:: Alycia was finally getting her mental state back and order, as she shook her head and went into the lounge area of her office suite.::

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra- down to the crystaline lobby

<< Listening to Nicolas, Spellbinder nodded.>>

there's no time to waste.

Alison, make it look as though NO ONE has been here but Alycia and Stavros. we want to make ourselves scarce . After that, go up to the control room floor and make sure the security systems of this building are not malfunctioning.

Alycia, as you're now apparently a federal agent, I'll need you to stay with me to talk to the police and since i'm the owner of this property, the police will be expecting me to have responded to the alarm. i will wait for them down on the ground floor in the crystaline lobby...WITH THE TAPE. I will have Alycia with me and once they recognize her and see what has happened, they will no doubt close the investigation before it even starts. Delilah, i want you there too but out of sight...just listen to everything that's going on so we can make sure this is all on the up and up.

Nicolas, if you would please prepare the guest quarters for Alycia, stay there until we get back and make sure there's nothing unusual going on. Alison said that Stavros had HELP getting into this building...and i dont want any surprises.


<< with that, Morgan, Delilah and Alycia leave for the main floor of Illustra, WITH the tape in their posession to meet with the police. Alison begins to repair the damage in office and makes sure the building appears to be in "after hours" mode so as not to suggest the six actually live there on the private residential floors...and Rampage goes to secure the guest quarters for Alycia.>>


<< the police are converging on Illustra just as Morgan arrives, appropriately dressed and with a look of "surprise and concern" on her face.>>

<< whispering to Alycia and Delilah>>

Let's get this overwith.

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - 99th Floor to Lobby

[ Delilah rode down to Illustra's main floor in silence, still shocked at Haleigh's behavior. She did believe that Alycia going off on her own to Greece had been the wrong thing to do...but there were some lines you didn't cross for personal reasons. And Haleigh had crossed them.

As they got out of the elevator and Morgan spoke, she stopped to have a word with them before going on. ]

"Now Alycia, you know this, but don't offer any more information than they ask for. Just answer their questions. Short and sweet."

[ She gave them both a reassuring smile before taking her place in a side vestibule, out of sight of the police but where she - with her enhanced eyesight and hearing - had a front row seat for what was to happen next. ]

 

[Black Widow]

105th Floor: Davidoff Residence

Haleigh burst through the front door, slamming it behind her in a storm of fury. Zach stood out on the balcony, leaning over, but he turned quickly at the noise to spot Haleigh, who looked flushed and depleted. She put another cigarrette in her mouth and lifted the lighter up to it, but her hand shook so badly that she tossed it vehemently to her left, grabbing the cigarrette out from between her lips and throwing it to the ground at her feet angrily, and she held her hands tightly as if to stop them from shaking. Zach came in from the balcony, distracted at first, before finally looking worried at Haleigh's state.

"Haleigh.... what's going on? There are police lights outside... and somebody sprawled in pool of blood so big i can see it from up here.... what happened? [moving closer and getting a full look at her] Haleigh? Are you okay?"

Haleigh looked up at him, bewildered... she obviously wasn't. "Compared to WHAT??" She asked, blinking several times and looking close to apoplectic.

Z:"What's wrong? What happened?"

Haleigh looked around as if to get her bearings.... as if she felt like a stranger in this apartment. "Alycia.... killed Stavros.... I was the first to respond.... and I let her have it.... even with the others there... I... I think I blackmailed her... and I put out my cigarrette on her desk.... right NEXT to the $50 glass ash tray she has out for her clients... and i... I don't know what came over me... it was just like... I had NO self control whatsoever... NO reservations.... everything I felt just... it just FELL OUT OF MY MOUTH... and I DONT REGRET ANY OF IT... I..." Haleigh was breathing heavily... and near tears. She rubbed her eyes and staggered forward into his arms, shaking her head. "This place... its CRAZY... this is NOT an environment that is CONDUCIVE to sanity! I.... i think i'm going CRAZY.... I... can't DO this anymore Zach... every TIME I turn around some one ELSE is dying on me... and I can't... I have to get OUT of here!"

Zach pulled her into a tight hug, as she buried her face in his chest with a sob. He held her silently for moment... and then tried to talk her down from the ledge. "Haleigh.... you know you can't do that. You TRIED that once, remember? This PLACE... these PEOPLE... this CAUSE... it's ll you care about... and you'll just come BACK... because... you really aren't very good at running away."

Haleigh laughed between tears... what he said was TRUE. "Zach...." She said weakly... "I don't think I can STAY..."

 

[Persephone]

Illustra - Roof

:: After leaving suddenly from Alycia's office, Persephone made her way up to the roof of Illustra. Standing on the edge of the building, she looked down to the streets below, her advanced vision giving her a front row 'seat' of everything that was happening. Wind blew violently around the high rise building, sending her locks of brunette hair twisting around her body and face. Even at the top of the building, Persephone could hear the sirens wailing as more cops arrived and entered Illustra's lobby. The entire scene was something out of a movie...something Persephone would have normally enjoyed. But right now, she wanted it all to stop. ::

:: Struggling with these unusual emotions was something the goddess wasn't used to. She was extremely reserved, calm, and collected. She thought out situations logically and didn't act on impulse or emotions. But ever since her trip through the SP, it seemed that she had an entire other personality within her that she needed to learn to control. Almost like a split personality of sorts. She just wanted everything to go back to normal, to be "sane" again. Persephone literally felt like she was going out of her mind. ::

:: Appearing in a cacoon of ash, Ares stood a few yards away, staring at Persephone near the edge of the building. Regardless of Rampage's attempts, breaking news stories were coming on the television left and right about Stavros' murder. Something that Ares knew Persephone could care less about...but that Ava would be having a very difficult time dealing with. ::

Ares: "Are you alright.."

:: Turning her head to look over her shoulder, Persephone watched as Ares slowly made his way toward her. Turning away, she shook her head looking into the distance. ::

"What are you doing here."

:: Her voice even and cold, she felt him stop by her side but didn't look to him. ::

Ares: "I know what happened to Stavros--"

"And that gives you an invitation to come here and harrass me?"

:: Cutting him off in mid sentence, Persephone snapped coldly at Ares, before looking back down at the scene below. Ares too, looked back down at the scene before turning his attention back to Persephone. ::

Ares: "Persephone....I know you're hurting."

"No. I'm not."

Ares: "Seph..."

:: Reaching out to touch her forearm, Persephone quickly whipped it away, stepping back away from Ares. ::

"Don't touch me! You...You don't know what i'm going through, okay?! I don't even know what i'm going through! I have all these emotions building inside me that I have never felt before. Emotions that makes me feel small and inferior and weak! About a man that I don't even know! About a situation I shouldn't care about! But I do! I feel these feelings. I care about this situation. And I want it to stop! I want it--I want it to stop.."

:: As her voice cracked, an indication that she was on the verge of tears, Persephone tensed her jaw and looked away from Ares with a stern expression on her face. She would not cry. She refused to. She just needed to calm down and put herself back into check. ::

:: Ares wasn't a sympathetic man. In fact he was the complete opposite. But behind his male ego and pride, he had always hada soft spot for Persephone. And seeing her on the verge of loosing control for the first time since he had known her, further prooved how lost she felt right now. Moving forward, he placed his hand on her bicept, feeling her muscles tense and her body instinctively move back. ::

Ares: "Hey...hey, it's okay."

:: Gently pulling her toward him, Persephone closed her eyes finally allowing him to 'help' her. Feeling his strong arms wrap around her thin frame, she rested her head on his chest, inhaling a few deep breaths. For the first time since this entire ordeal, Persephone finally felt a bit of calmness within the raging storm. ::

 

[Artemis]

illustra- crystaline lobby

:: down the elevator, Delilah offered some last minute encouragement. Alycia sighed and smiled a bit as she looked at Delilah.::

thank you, Delilah.

:: she straightened her blazer a bit...as they exited the elevator now on the main floor of Illustra and walking through the dark crystaline lobby. Morgan carried the tape and put on a look of "concern and displeasure and Alycia allowed herself to feel the remnants of the uncertainty and dismay she felt from the moment this first happened.::

I can't believe this happened! I wanted him to pay...i had my own thoughts of his death but i ...i didnt think THIS would happen!

:: the lights of the police and emergency vehicals shinned into the lobby as the two women slowly walked forward. police were already requesting access. Alycia grabbed her badge, and was ready to identify herself once they asked what was going on....she saw outside the doors and a few feet a head...the broken body of Stavros..::


I killed him!

 

[Seer]

the police @ Illustra

<< and so it went, Morgan opened the doors to Illustra and greeted the police with an agitated presentation. they in turn asked her what had taken place here. The sorceress played it off as if she had arrived only moments ago and just discovered the damage in Alycia's office and retrieved the security tape.>>

<< the officer went on to question Alycia, but was carefull with his tone once he saw her badge and realized who she was as well as who the dead man in the office park was.>>

<< homicide detectives were on the scene, and asked to see the office where the "accident" took place. Morgan obliged but berated the detectives officers for being "incompetent" enough to allow a federal fugitive to break into Illustra, let alone get that close to Alycia, the detectives were presented with the evidence that would completely clear Alycia of any wrong doing. Back down on the main floor and out on the grounds of the office park, the body of Stavros was collected and Illustra's office park was roped off as a police area. The detectives were more than a little offput by the bitchy, prima donna attitude of the super model and Alycia seemed very much shook up, but that was to be expected. all the while, Delilah trailed behind...carefully hidden out of sight, listening to the tense proceedings.>>

<< Morgan DEMANDED that this be taken care of before Illustra's business day tomorrow so that clients and employees would not have to see this first hand and the detectives assured Morgan that this would probably end quickly.
After asking bothe Morgan and Alycia to remain available over the next 24 hours until the tape could be reviewed, the detectives left and soon, the police and other officials left the scene as well.>>

<< back on the main floor, Morgan and Alycia stood and watched as the police left...the sirens fading in the distance. Stavros' body was gone..that was a portion of the problem solved.>>

<< Illustra was quiet on most of its 107 floors...with Persephone on the roof and Haleigh in her suite on the 105th floor. but the internal strife among the team was far from over.>>

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas' Suite.

After receiving his orders from Morgan, Niicolas came up here to get the guest quarters of his suite ready, To him this would be the best place to keep her for a while. There was nothing that happened in his suite of which he was unaware. He constantly used part of his mind to scan it both telepathically and telekinetically. Even Morgan and Alison did not travel so as to not trip off EITHER. At least not YET. He smiled to himself.

Is there ANYTHING these ladies cannot do?


Then he frowned grimly.

The biggest threat to Alycia may still be in the building...

He made sure that the guest area was suitable and simply waited until he "saw" that the police were finished with their investigation. He then teleported back to Morgan and Alycia. Reaching out smoothly to both women, Nicolas spoke in a calm, reassuring voice. He realized that the night had been quite trying and he was hoping to make them feel better.

"Ladies!! I have my guest quarters prepared for you, Alycia, and I was hoping you two would accompany me. There is something that I wanted you BOTH to see."

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon

Ethan stared out of the window in his top floor hotel suite at the famous Parthenon Hotel in New York City. He sighed, desperately missing his home in London. This was a cheaper and much dirtier version of the place he called home. In the distance he could see the towering building of Illustra as he turned his thoughts back at the task at hand. Going over to his bed, he looked over his bed where he had a cornucopia of files and pictures on everything he could dig up about Alycia and even the Six. He picked up the files and went over them in his head.

"I don't get it. These people. They all live in Illustra, and it appears to be covered up, as if they dont want people to know that these people live in the building. Still, it appears that each of these people have a case file that Alycia has handled, they are all connected in someway and she seems to be protecting them. They all have what appear to be aliases of some sort.. I found the codenames Black Widow, Spellbinder, Guardian. Haleigh Davidoff looks alot like Samantha Jordan who actually used to be Rebecca Meridian. Now with this murder case against Stavros Cassadine... I need to take care of this..."

He began to think more and more that Alycia and her friends were connected to Mystech somehow. He didn't know if they were working for the organization or against and quite honestly he didn't care. Mystech took away the biggest part of his life and he was not about to be swindled by them again. Ethan wanted those people dead and he wondered the bounty if he took out all of the people staying on the top floor of Illustra. Whatever he decided, he would have to choose fast. Ethan knew that these people protecting Alycia or vice versa were powerful and capable of all the things Ethan was himself. This would be his toughest kill yet.

 

[Spellbinder]

Illustra-100th floor hallway.

<< as Nicolas met with Morgan and Alycia after the police had left, he asked them to accompany him.>>

<< Morgan lookd at Alycia who seemed to be okay and back at Nicolas.>>

well, lead on.

<< she said in any icy voice>>

NOW that they are gone, Alison can repair Alycia's office.

<< thinking for a second, Morgan went to the wall and pressed a button.>>

Alison, have you found anything unusual on the security sensors or equipment?

 

[Harbinger]

illustra-control room floor

:: Alison sat at the main wrap around control counsole, looking at the large main view screen, while several other small view screens surrounded the perimete of the main screen.::

:: there were other counsoles and screens and devices elsewhere around the nerve center of the control room as well.::

:: the room was dark, save for the lights from the computers and other devices and Alison moved over the control panel with ease as she navigated the systems.::

:: as Morgan beeped in, Alison didnt stop what she was doing as she replied.::

A security sweep of Illustra from the sub basement to the roof has revealed no unusual or out of place findings of a mechanical or biological nature. the sensors are all online, and seem to be functioning as they should.

It confirms my belief that Stavros Cassadine had HELP of a super human nature to get in. it also has something to do with that elusive presence that i sensed out in the office park...it was as fleeting as quick silver.

Haleigh is in her suite on the 105th floor and Persephone is on the roof. Both women are struggling with emotional disarray but are fine otherwise.

For now, we appear to be fine. As long as Alycia is here, she is safe.

Tomorrow and the days to come...may proove to be not so simple.

I have a personal matter to attend to once I am finished fine tuning the sensors here

:: Alison closed the channel and continued on.::