Blood makes noise

[Persephone]

Sitting on an oversized chair on her balcony, Ava's eyes were half open; her line of sight cast out towards the New York skyline. It was a beautiful sunny day in the city, the temperatures reaching a record high of 65. Considering how much snow the east coast was getting this past winter, everyone in the city was thoroughly enjoying it. But Ava didn't take a day off from work to soak in the gorgeous weather....she needed to get away. Working for Zenith Group was fantastic, for the first couple of days. She worked well along side of Simon, and so far every idea she threw on the table Cameron loved. They were all working like a well oiled machine--except Ava was running low on oil. The near months of little to no sleep were really starting to take a toll on the goddess. She was becoming more moody and irritable; and work was becoming more of a chore than something she enjoyed for the sheer fact she was tired of keeping up appearances. And it wasn't just work appearances, it was SIX appearances as well.

Blinking slowly, Ava was wrapped in a plush blanket that covered most of her body. Her eyelids felt like weights....slowly, they began to close--the bright sunny city becoming dark. No, she needed to stay awake. Opening her eyes fully, Ava rolled her head back and sighed. She didn't know how much longer she could do this. It felt like she was going crazy.

BANG!

Jumping, Ava quickly turned her head towards the entrance to the balcony where she heard the noise come from. It sounded like a large object had fallen from the shelf. Her brows furrowed as she stood. Onyx wasn't here....she was still on Arie with Alison. Walking into her bedroom [her balcony was off the bedroom], Ava began to make her way down the hallway towards the location of the noise.

"Hales?"

Cameron probably told her she took the day off. In true Haleigh fashion she was either here to check up on her or check up on her.

"Haleigh?"

As she came to the end of her hallway, Ava stopped...her eyes cast down to the floor, watching as stream of red liquid started to pool in front of her. Ava's chest could be seen visibly moving at this point as her breathing started to escalate. Slowly she stepped over the liquid, and exited the hallway, now entering her livingroom. In horror, Ava gasped. Her hand covering her mouth and her eyes instantly filling with tears. There was Haleigh--her SISTER--hanging from the ceiling by her own entrails, gutted and mutilated. Her body covered in blood. But it wasn't just Haleigh. It was Cameron, Nicolas, Delilah, Blaze, Morgan, Alison, Karen.....EVERYONE. All hanging in a row. All butchered. All maimed. All DEAD. Shaking her head, Ava audibly coughed out a cry of anguish.

They are the cause of this....

Ava heard the haunting and familiar whisper. Slowly she began to back peddle away from the scene. Her head shaking 'no'.

They keep you from me....

"STOP!"

They will all die.

"I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU TOUCH THEM!"

Ava screamed, tears falling from her rage filled eyes.

They will all die.....

Ava felt large arms wrap around her from behind. The whisper now directly at her ear.

And you will be mine.

FLASH

GASP! Ava sat upright from her chair, quickly looking around to try and regain her barrings. She was still out on the balcony.....the sun was still shining....the noise of the city below could still be heard. Her escalated breathing began to slow after realizing where she was and that it was all just a dream. Burring her face into her hands....she shook her head gently. It may have been just a dream....but it could very well become reality...and that terrified her more than anything.

 

[Harbinger]

Parthenon- Ava's penthouse

:: Ava wasn't the only one with images of Minerva's Aerie in her mind's eye. The MISTRESS of that Arie herself was on the move. From that secluded island in the Aegean Sea to the technological gem in NYC, the Partheon.::

:: Several moments earlier, Alison had BLINKED IN to Ava's penthouse apartment in the parthenon. She looks very refreshed, seemingly completely recovered from the Blue Moon ordeal and it's aftermath, and she was even wearing a color OTHER than blue or black!::

:: She made her way to where Ava had been having a frightful dream, quietly standing there until Ava woke up with a start. Alison seated across the way would be one of the first things she saw in her waking reality. The precog looked concerned for Ava.::

The nightmares are getting worse? You can't get HIM out of your head...and you're afraid he's coming back for you...

:: In this moment, it's more than a little bit of role reversal from the night Ava had paid a visit to Alison 24 hours before the dawn of the Blue Moon.::

 

[Persephone]

Alison: The nightmares are getting worse?

Ava didn't respond. She rubbed her hands roughly up and down her face before finally sitting back in the chair and looking over at Alison.

Alison: You can't get HIM out of your head...and you're afraid he's coming back for you...

Alison meant well, but it still bothered Ava that she was here asking questions. And it bothered her even more that she flat out said Ava was AFRAID.

"I don't want to talk about it, Alison."

She stated flatly. But Ava's face softened as she looked over at her friend, realizing that she was here, in New York City and not at Aerie. It was rare that Alison left the island, especially after what happened with Delilah.

"What are you doing here?"

 

[Recall]

The Clocktower - NYC

"You're damn right it doesn't make any sense."

Vivica Lennox stood behind Elizabeth York as she watched the woman do her magick on the many complex computer screens on the top floor of The Clocktower, Zizi's home and base of operations. The two became close nearly a year ago after Clandestine Intelligence had tracked the tech diva down hoping they had found a solution for the problems that Vivica was experiencing due to her gun shot wound. Zizi had designed a chip that when put in place, restored her abilities to full power, catalyzed a few new ones and allowed her to essentially store the information from her brain to a live server that only Zizi and Vivica herself had access to. From this server, the information could be uploaded and translated to computer screens and other forms of technology. To say that Elizabeth York was a genius would be a gross understatement.

The last few months had seen Vivica rise to the top of the Artist Scene in New York with her first Artistic Debut at Belle Epoque being a SMASHING success. Her collection sold out in a matter of hours and her name seemed to be on many people's lips in the city. Many of her associates from The Six were in attendance...including Karen Victoria, Michael Armstrong, Nicolas King, Simon Pratt, Cameron King, Blaze Victory, Cassandra Johnson and even Zizi York. For now, Vivica was enjoying her success. When she wasn't busy painting or schmoozing with the art elite of the city she was slowly finding her groove with her new cell at Clandestine Intelligence. The hours were long and the work was taxing, but it was THERE that Vivica felt truly like she was doing some good in the world. She had been a few very busy woman lately, and now she was working on something personal.

Elizabeth: "Do me a favor, Viv - press that button over there. That one. Yes."

Vivica nodded as she went to push a button on the far right of the giant computer base. As soon as she pressed it, Zizi's EYES lit up in horror and Vivica recoiled.

Elizabeth: "No not that one! Oh GOD! Don't press the red one! Holy Jesus!"

She panicked for a moment.

Elizabeth: "Just kidding, I meant the red one."

Vivica rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Girl! I told you to stop doing that shit to me!"

Soon Zizi was right back into her work as she spun around in her wheelchair and pointed to the center of the room where an image was projected of Dominique Devereaux.

“So. Dominique Devereaux. What do we know? Songstress, celebrity, record label magnate, Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. But what else?”

Pause.

“That’s right. Nothing. She didn’t exist two years ago. Seem strange to you? On the other hand…”

Pressing on a control pad on the arm of her chair, the information on the central screen changed.

“The Purifiers. Attacks all over the city. Strategic, calculated, and always directed at mutants and their families. There aren’t enough hours in the day to read all the coverage of them.”

A flashing red alert at the top right of the screen informed them of yet more breaking news items on her search term.

“See?”

The central screen goes split screen, one side showing additional news coverage of the previous night’s horrific murder of two parents, their children missing and presumed dead, while other bodies linked to the Purifiers were also found – the other, security cam footage of Dominique Devereaux in the area at the time of the murders. It wasn’t the greatest camera angle, but Zizi had cleaned it up as much as she could.

“And you’re absolutely sure that’s Dominique?”

She waited for Vivica’s affirmative before continuing, looking back and forth between the two sides of the screen.

“What’s the connection? Why was she there?”

This was the reason that Vivica was here. The Purifiers were all over the intelligence world at the moment. Every agency wanted to know who they were and what they were doing. Vivica had been briefed on them and CI was trying to figure things out. Something about these murders seemed off. She had a feeling that it somehow might be connected to The Six and if it was, she wanted to find out as much as she could so that she could alert them to what was going on. Clandestine may have been worried about The Purifiers but they were a global organization with thousands of giant threats happening at any given moment. The Purifiers weren't HIGH on their list overall.

Vivica walked around the image that Oracle was projecting, staring at the picture of Dominique for a moment before looking back at Zizi.

"Well...just based on my own connections I know Dominique is Nicolas King's aunt. Obviously because of her work at The Parthenon, she is an associate of Cameron King. No relation. However, Nicolas and Cameron are both members of The Six, a group that is NORMALLY listed as a high priority enemy of The Hellfire Club, but from what I've gathered it seems as if the groups are involved in some sort of truce..."

[she continued to circle]

"Now, just by her position in The Hellfire Club she has GOT to be something more than baseline human...There is no way the others would allow her to be a member of The Inner Circle if she wasn't...and MY money is on the fact that she is a magick user. A HIGH end one at that. From my weekend at The Parthenon a few months ago, I did hear tidbits here and there about her...including Nicolas King calling her a sorceress...as well as the fact that she has a PSI Screen...which is usually an indicator of a powerful magick practicioner..."

[tilting her head to the side as she smiled a bit]

"No matter how common it seems..."

As Zizi split the screens, now showing the crime scenes of the Purifier attacks on one side and security camera footage of Dominique near the area on the other.

"The connection....."

Zizi would notice Vivica's eyes darting back and forthe as she surveyed the side by sides, appearing deep in thought. Suddenly, Vivica's eyes widened and she snapped back to reality.

"The connection is....Dominique Devereaux MURDERED these Purifiers..."

She looked at Zizi who didn't seem all that convinced.

"Look...you worked your magick...now let me work mine."

Vivica walked closer to the images.

"Zoom in on these skeleton photos of the corpses. Don't you think that's interesting? They're just skeletons, Zizi..nothing on them...no muscle tissue, no skin...NOTHING. They almost looked bleached...Once I noticed THAT, my recall abilities just kind of started stirring..."

"A few months back I saw Nicolas and Dominique at The Parthenon having dinner. Though my hearing is enhanced I couldn't quite make out the conversation. But I knew something was up with this woman...I used my ability to cross reference her face with every known encounter I had heard, seen or read that was connected with The Six as well as the access I have to certain records regarding ALL of them...and now...it's clicked. Access the server and project what i'm sending would you?"

Vivica pressed her finger to her temple as she filtered through her brain, finding the right information before syncing it with the server as images began to be projected on the screen.

"Turns out when Dominique Devereaux first came into town, Nicolas' business had a rather disturbing news story. Nearly ALL of their shareholders were coming up MURDERED, and in a rather bizarre way...It turns out that Dominique was trying to clear a path to get rid of Nicolas, which obviously didn't happen but look at those bodies, ZiZi..."

The images that popped up on the screen were Crime Scene Photos Vivica had seen thanks to her access to certain records at CI. They showed the bodies, no not bodies but skeletons of various shareholders of King Enterprises.

"...like they've been STRIPPED of all flesh and muscle tissue completely. JUST like these remains of The Purifiers in the Park! It must be an aspect of her power...What else could DO something like that? This also might mean that she has the bodies of the children."

Vivica nodded pleased with herself. Many people had regarded her as somewhat of a human tape recorder but few ever got to see her use her ability in a way like THIS. She turned around and faced Oracle, her brow furrowed a little bit.

"The only question *I* have...is if she is truly acting alone or on order's from The Hellfire Club. She doesn't seem like the type to TAKE orders...but she could be protecting the club's best interest. Either that or she's snapped and is on some kind of vengeance mission..."

"What do you think, Oracle?"

The connections that Vivica had drawn had led her right back into the orbit of The Six but if something like this was going on with one of their own 'allies', they needed to know about it in order to protect themselves...plus after what Zizi had done for her, she would NEVER not try and help the woman out when she could.

 

[Ruby]

'Wichcraft NYC

"Oh Cassie, there's nothing to it, you'll see!"

:: Cass opened her mouth to reply but Sally beat her to it, in that charming Spectra way of course. ::

…and even IF our fabulous Blaze didn't have an eye for spotting natural beauty, *I* do. I don't drape my designs on rubbish, my dear. You're a fresh face! The "industry" is expecting us to rely on the trend of "celebrity models" to launch this latest project, but we're going to surprise them with a NEW, FRESH face

:: Sally reaches out and gently cups Cass' face with her hand under her chin::

And you, my dear, are definitely that. Fresh as a daisy!

:: Blaze laughed softly as she nodded and Sally winked at Cass::

:: Cass wrinkled her nose. DAISY? Daisies were the most wholesome, innocent flowers out there…unless you counted the buttercup. No, in the last couple of months she had been embracing a new, sexier Cassandra Johnson. Prior to the trip to New York, Cass had even enlisted some help from Blaze who was all too happy to help out. Since the night Cass went to Blaze’s penthouse for some advice on personal matters, she and Blaze had become close friends….along with the occasional benefit from time to time. But then, if you were closer-than-close friends with Blaze Victory, you could pretty much guarantee on THAT. :haha: ::

“A DAISY? I don’t want to be seen as a DAISY. That’s ONE of the least sexy flowers out there…if not THE least sexy…”

:: She winked at the fashion maven to show that she understood that it was just a figure of speech. ::

“But seriously, though, I’m ready to embrace a new, sexier, ME. I want to show people that Baby Girl’s not what they think.”

"And I'm also working on the choreography for the burlesque show I'm putting on. I'm hoping that Viv will agree to join us in that, along with Alycia. We'll make the pussy cat dolls wish they'd never gotten into the business."

"Everything's going to work out just fine...you'll see! The WIND is at our backs..."

“Oh I’m SURE they’d be happy to help.”

:: She winked at her friend. ::

*teasingly*: “ESPECIALLY Viv…”

:: But she hoped Viv would join them later, if not right at the moment. She really liked the dark beauty and she couldn’t wait to get to know her better. :nod: ::

 

[Harbinger]

The Parthenon- Ava's penthouse

Alison meant well, but it still bothered Ava that she was here asking questions. And it bothered her even more that she flat out said Ava was AFRAID.

"I don't want to talk about it, Alison."

She stated flatly.

I know you don't, but that's part of your problem...one that's only getting worse. You should know by now that *I*, of all people can understand the weight of terrible burdens that I don't feel anyone else can carry. But you and I have been through too much as the individuals we are...and TOGETHER as teammates, as SURVIVORS (the two of them specifically) for you to try to shut me out when I KNOW you need help.

:: Alison was accustomed to members of the Six rebuffing her insight and precognition, whether it was out of reflex or DEFENSE on their part. She didn't take it personal...most of the time ...and in this case, she wasn't offended by Ava. She knew her friend was losing the battle to push out the memories of a trauma that wasn't as "resolved" as she tried to make herself believe it was::

But Ava's face softened as she looked over at her friend, realizing that she was here, in New York City and not at Aerie. It was rare that Alison left the island, especially after what happened with Delilah.

"What are you doing here?"

:: She play this game with Ava, for the moment. But they were FAR from finished riding on this carousel of unrest::

I have business here.

:: Alison said softly::

I have seen the spark and growth of danger. It is spreading like a cancer and has already made strongholds in various parts of the city. Anti-mutant hysteria and it's expanding...rapidly, but it's more organized, SANCTIONED by complicity from areas including law enforcement and politicians. It's starting to happen again...like before...with Bishop.

The Six has only JUST begun to take steps toward coming BACK here, as I always knew they :: she noticeably did not include HERSELF in that statement:: would... and already I can see the team will encompassed by it. They may even be CONSUMED by it.

:: Ava thought she might know what Alison was about to say next...::

Ava, Cameron and Cass are in trouble.

They're going to be BADLY HURT...one of them may not survive. The death glow is SO STRONG but it shifts from one to the other with each view i take of the time threads surrounding them.

I can't help the Six.

Not on the front end. I have already "seen" that.

In order for me to be most effective in helping to neutralize this threat I must deal with a specific source...a charlatan who plays at being a PRECOG, using a dangerous method to afford this new threat every advantage. "They" (he or she) could expose ALL OF US, AGAIN...and RUIN what precious progress and ground that has been gained. We don't need that and I don't want to see my brother or Cassandra destroyed.

I must find the "false one" and remove their advantage, which in turn will give the SIX their best chance at stopping threat on their end.


Cameron doesnt know I'm here. Not yet. And I can't go to him right now. I'm not exactly thrilled to be "state side" again. ESPECIALLY knowing that that ungrateful wench Delilah is in the vicinity.

I can't afford to let my emotions interfere with my better judgement again.

If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here with you for the time being. I'll secure my own accomodations in the next day or so.

:: It seemed odd to Ava that Alison wouldn't think she could stay in the Parthenon. She once OWNED it and there was no doubt that her baby brother had a floor reserved just for her. But she'd already said she couldn't go to him now. NOR could she directly HELP the six!?::

:: Alison would let Ava take this in and respond, before she pressed on::

 

[Persephone]

Alison: I know you don't, but that's part of your problem...one that's only getting worse.

Shaking her head, Ava looked away from Alison and out to the skyline of the city.

Alison: But you and I have been through too much as the individuals we are...and TOGETHER as teammates, as SURVIVORS (the two of them specifically) for you to try to shut me out when I KNOW you need help.

That made Ava reflect for a moment. They HAD been through so much, and she considered Alison her closest friend...but even so, it was so hard to talk about. She knew Alison meant well, and was there for her--like everyone else in the six would be--but it was something she truly believed she could get past on her own...it was just taking a little longer than she anticipated.

But Alison let the situation go for the moment. She answered why she was there. Cameron and Cass were in trouble. Looking back at Alison, Ava's brows furrowed hearing that it was unclear to Alison that one of them could die. Something big was happening--something that was big enough to bring Alison back stateside.

Alison: Cameron doesnt know I'm here. Not yet. And I can't go to him right now. I'm not exactly thrilled to be "state side" again. ESPECIALLY knowing that that ungrateful wench Delilah is in the vicinity. I can't afford to let my emotions interfere with my better judgement again.

Ava sighed hearing Alison regard Delilah in such a negative light. Obviously distance didn't make Alison's heart grow fonder.

"I understand....but we need to warn Cameron about what you've seen. [giving her a look] You want ME to warn Cameron...alright, i'll speak with him and Haleigh later. I believe they're still at work."

Alison: If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here with you for the time being. I'll secure my own accomodations in the next day or so.

"Of course....you know you're always welcome here. But you know Cameron has a suite for you here. You don't have to look for a place to stay."

 

[Harbinger]

The Parthenon- Ava's penthouse

Looking back at Alison, Ava's brows furrowed hearing that it was unclear to Alison that one of them could die. Something big was happening--something that was big enough to bring Alison back stateside.



Ava sighed hearing Alison regard Delilah in such a negative light. Obviously distance didn't make Alison's heart grow fonder.

"I understand....but we need to warn Cameron about what you've seen. [giving her a look] You want ME to warn Cameron...alright, i'll speak with him and Haleigh later. I believe they're still at work."

:: Alison nodded, looking calm at the moment.::

That is exactly what I knew you would do. He SHOULD be warned. It won't change the collision course he's on because of the unnatural advantage the threat has at this time... BUT it will give him give him a MUCH better chance of surviving, and helping to keep Cassandra alive as well.

:: Apparently Alison already "saw" this moment as well. Having Ava go to Cameron and Haleigh, who would ultimately be the one tasked with LEADING the Six as this danger was coming their way, was the best move at this time. If ALISON went to Cameron. She wouldn't leave his side. She even even "saw" herself TAKING HIM AWAY from there against his will in one possible time thread and while it would be to protect him, to save his life...he wouldn't want that and if she learned ANYTHING from the Blue Moon...it was that sometimes, no matter how much you care for someone, you can't SUPERCEDE their control over their own life even in the name of protecting them.::

:: If SHE got directly involved, there were a NUMBER things she WOULD do that would cause more hurt and harm than help. She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't let her emotion or her anger get the better of her AND she needed to keep her distance from Delilah. The woman got her licks in the LAST time they were face to face. Alison wouldn't allow it this time and she might just go OVERBOARD in "defending" herself. Ava could see the contempt in Alison's colbalt blue eyes as she spoke of Delilah. HALEIGH saw it when Alison announced that Delilah was BANNED from Minerva's Aerie. A confrontation between THOSE TWO was simply NOT NEEDED right now. Alison understood that, so again, she was being proactive, something she was normally recognized for before and was now getting back to.::

"Of course....you know you're always welcome here. But you know Cameron has a suite for you here. You don't have to look for a place to stay."

I know...it's just...

It's just that, this is my first time, BACK "in the driver's seat" if you know what I mean? I spent MONTHS "in recovery" at the Aerie. I had help from you, Karen, Michael, Cameron...even Haleigh among others. For the first time since all that, I feel like MYSELF again.

I have already "seen" all possible time threads leading to/from Cameron and Cassandra in this situation. It is BETTER for them...for The Six, if I keep my distance from the majority of them, for now.

:: She looked at Ava, speaking with certainty::

When you speak to Cameron and Haleigh LATER and ALONE, with no one else there beside them...send a "thought call" to Cameron. Tell him to "keep an eye out" on the Astral Plane.

He'll know what that means.

:: Alison looked at Ava and smiled a bit. Alison would "see" her brother and communicate with him in a way only they could. They didnt always have to be in each other's presence to communicate. that was one of the benefits of being a witch, a psi AND siblings.::

Thank you for your hospitality.

Now...while they're occupied, why dont we go to Spectra Boutique? I haven't seen it since they announced it would be arriving here the night of the big ceremony in the Crystal Room. Minerva's may be many things? But a clothing store is NOT one of them...

:: Standing up, she takes a moment to look at herself in one of Ava's mirrors::

And if THIS outfit is any indication of what they have to offer, I want more!

:: It was RARE to see this side of Alison. But she WAS immersed in the fashion industry wiwth Morgan for years and always made it a point to step out in style.::

Then we can have lunch at La Bella Mafia.

:: quickly turning to face Ava, who thought she was "off the hook" about Alison's EARLIER question::

OH and don't think I'm finished with you on THAT.

:: Eyeing Ava knowingly::

I'm just giving you a break of sorts. Instead of talking about THAT, we can talk about SIMON PRATT?

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Text from Nicolas>> Can you meet me in 100 minutes at my suite? I need your help via your empathic abilities.

An hour and a half? Yeah, he could probably make it. He wasn't sure what kind of help Nicolas had in mind, but he was always willing to lend a hand. He had a stop to make first, though. He sent a text back.

To Nicolas>> text me when you're ready, I'll give you an e.t.a. I've got a meeting in the mean time. It shouldn't take long.

Zach may look like a million bucks in a three piece suit, but he didn't feel like it. He was too preoccupied with the situation at hand. The Superhuman rights committee had their hands full with this Purifiers problem.

They were targeting kids now too. That was the part that really pissed Zach off. Mutant children often didn't have powers until puberty. They were as defenseless and innocent as baseline children. And they couldn't control what they were. It was something you were born with. To hate someone for the way they were born was the worst thing possible. To KILL them based on that reason? That deserved a fate worse than death.

Zach was working on pulling together enough info and the right people to handle this task. And by handle, he meant probably track down and destroy. But it was more complicated than just find/kill. This group was well organized, and secretive.

He appeared inside the Clocktower. Oracle and Recall were already there.

"Hello Vivica, Elizabeth. I've just come from a meeting at the U.N. there are reports of skeletal remains found at a park..... remains that may belong to people tied to the Purifier movement. Please tell me something that will improve my day."

 

[Black Widow]

Balthazar

Cameron: Since when do you get migraines? I thought you couldn't even get SICK...

"I DON'T... that's what worries me. I felt fine this morning..... but ever since I arrived, it's been worsening."

Delilah: Maybe you should change your face again, Hales. Perhaps someone younger this time? That doesn’t get migraines?

Cameron: Something tells me that if she dies and winds up on the other side AGAIN...we won't WANT to see the face they give her!

"Yeah..... maybe I should just go back to being blonde or something. What do flatscans do when they want to change their appearance?"

Cameron: Something has been bothering Ava..I can tell...and it's not Simon. Something is up with her..but you know her, she's not going to tell anybody anything unless she absolutely has to...That is...Unless her sister might have the scoop?

"Unfortunately not. I can't get her to talk about whatever it is, but I agree she seems..... preoccupied."

Talk shifted to news of Delilah's new squeeze. Haleigh was a bit surprised that Delilah was taking part in such a..... casual relationship, considering Delilah had previously been so very TRADITIONAL when it came to men. In fact, as far as Haleigh knew, Delilah had only ever been involved with Bishop, in one form or another. But other than that, Haleigh didn't think much of it. Delilah could nail every male in the city and Haleigh would only inquire after Delilah's health.

Delilah: Satisfying.

Cameron: I'll Bet...Damn...

There was a shirtless picture of Andrew being passed around.

"Eh.... I like my men with a little more meat. But whatever makes you happy, Delilah. I'm sure he's fine."

Delilah: Trust me, he’s fine. And if you’re nice to me, I might let you borrow him one of these days, Cam...or BOTH of you.

Cameron: Delilah! Hmm...I LIKE the fact that you are all too willing to pimp out that tasty little morsel...but I don't think I would get the greenlight from Alycia.

"Agreed. No offense at all, but Alycia is quite 'monogamous'. Which means YOU are TOO now, Mr. Two-month committed."

The waiter came back for their lunch choices. Haleigh let the other two order then have up trying to pick something.

"I'm in the mood for a pannini. I don't care which, surprise me. But I don't like onion, mushroom, or olive surprises, just so you know."

Cameron: Well...I'm glad we're doing this...but is anybody else a little nervous lately? It's been a little...TOO long since something has tried to kill us or attack us. What's up with that? You think people are finally going to start leaving us alone?

"NOT a chance. We'd better start looking over our shoulders. Which reminds me, Delilah.... Zach has been getting some disturbing reports regarding anti-mutant hate crimes here in the city. I KNOW you can take care of yourself, but be extra cautious, okay? You're kind of out here on your own. I understand you wanting your space, and I'm not saying you can't have it.... I'm just concerned that distance is our enemy here. I dread the thought that something might happen to you because we couldn't reach you in time."

Cameron: Plus...I think something is going on with The Sisterhood. Invoking circle of trust but something is definitely going on with Dominique Devereaux. Right after everybody went back to Los Angeles something happened to her. I don't know what but I picked up a crazy amount of distress from her suite...I've tried to contact her several times...and then she showed up into my office...WITHOUT an appointment like usual and proceeding to THROW Simon Pratt down the Reception Hall and LEFT...I talked to Nicolas...and I think he is going to try and talk to her...

"To be honest, I don't really care WHAT is going on with the sisterhood as long as they don't break the truce. But as far as Dominique goes..... hopefully Nic can get through to her. It's a shame she joined the sisterhood, really. She'd be a great asset to our cause.... (taking a sip of her water) and her music is very soulful."

She commented casually, as if Isis's ability to shred a person's soul with sorcery and her musical talent were in any way related.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi steepled her fingers, deep in thought as she listened to Vivica go through her deductions. That girl had a mind palace most people would get lost in, but Zizi loved it.

”Nicolas and Cameron are both members of The Six, a group that is NORMALLY listed as a high priority enemy of The Hellfire Club, but from what I've gathered it seems as if the groups are involved in some sort of truce..."

Zizi’s eyes took on a mischievous smile as she raised her eyebrows at Viv.

“Well aren’t they being naughty! I wonder how Morgan Victoria feels about another dark sorceress so close to home? Not that she’s home at the moment…or so I hear.”

But then Vivica made the leap:

"The connection is....Dominique Devereaux MURDERED these Purifiers..."

Zizi gave her a look – trying not to imply that her friend was crazy was a task and a half. She gestured at the pictures of Dominique that were adding themselves to the screen.

“Seriously Viv? Why would she do that? Dominique looks like she would as likely EAT children as save them…”

But she wheeled herself a little closer, as she looked more carefully at the bodies of the dead Purifiers.

”They're just skeletons, Zizi..nothing on them...no muscle tissue, no skin...NOTHING…Access the server and project what i'm sending would you?"

“You got it, babe!”

With a flourish, Zizi keyed something in to a keypad and images seemed to fly from the console to the central screen.

”It turns out that Dominique was trying to clear a path to get rid of Nicolas, which obviously didn't happen but look at those bodies, ZiZi... It must be an aspect of her power. This also might mean that she has the bodies of the children."

She looked horrified.

“Ew – why?”

She shook herself, then turned herself to give Vivica a big smile.

“Great job, though, Viv. I love that big beautiful brain of yours. Especially when I get to tinker with it.”

After a quick wink, she got serious again, looking back to the screen. Not really speaking to anyone:

“Why the Purifiers…why the children…”

"The only question *I* have...is if she is truly acting alone or on order's from The Hellfire Club. She doesn't seem like the type to TAKE orders...but she could be protecting the club's best interest. Either that or she's snapped and is on some kind of vengeance mission..."

"Hello Vivica, Elizabeth.

“Oh heaven’s, Zach, what do I have to do to get you to call me Zizi?”

She looked him up and down for a second.

“And you know I love you honey, but the next time you visit me be assured that contraption [the Transporter] won’t work in here. So use the door.”

She winked to let him know there were no hard feelings, but made a mental note to put something together to create a dead zone of her apartment where he couldn’t beam in.

“A girl’s got to have her privacy.”

I've just come from a meeting at the U.N. there are reports of skeletal remains found at a park..... remains that may belong to people tied to the Purifier movement. Please tell me something that will improve my day."

“Well you are in luck because Vivica here and I were just tossing around some theories on that very thing. Remains: definitely Purifier. We also have surveillance of Ms. Dominique Devereaux in the area at the time of the murders, AND Miss Viv here has traced the remains back to Dominique’s power set. So we know the who, but not the why. Let’s see…back to what you told me, Viv.”

She started slowly wheeling herself around the open area, pacing as she thought out loud.

“So she let Nicolas King live…and apparently come to some sort of agreement with The Six…defection? Proving to them she’s not as bad as the Hellfire Club wants you to believe? Or genuine care for the mutant condition? I don’t know if I buy that. But possible. She’s killing indiscriminately and we got lucky? Doubtful. No one’s that lucky. There must be something in it for her.”

She stopped, then turned her head back toward the other two.

“We’re going to need some more bodies on this – preferably someone who can give us the skinny on Dominique. You two know anyone in the Six who might want to lend us a hand? I'll bring Valkyrie in as well - we can use the muscle. Plus the department's been giving her extra shifts and you know how she hates that - she could use some cheering up.”

 

[MorningStar]

Balthazar

Cameron: Since when do you get migraines? I thought you couldn't even get SICK...

"I DON'T... that's what worries me. I felt fine this morning..... but ever since I arrived, it's been worsening."

Delilah stuffed another piece of bread into her mouth.

“Hey, Hales, maybe you’re pregnant.”

She continued eating as if nothing was wrong, despite looks from the other two. The discussion turned to Ava, and Delilah didn’t care if that bitch got hit by the frakking Goodyear blimp. So she zoned out until talk moved to Andrew.

"Hmm...I LIKE the fact that you are all too willing to pimp out that tasty little morsel...but I don't think I would get the greenlight from Alycia."

Delilah scoffed.

“Since when are you monogamous? Where’s that famous playboy Cameron King we know and love?”

It was her turn to order. Her face scrunched up in indecision.

“Do you have pizza?”

Once the waiter was gone, Cameron continued.

"Well...I'm glad we're doing this...but is anybody else a little nervous lately? It's been a little...TOO long since something has tried to kill us or attack us. What's up with that? You think people are finally going to start leaving us alone?"

“Hell, I could use a good fight.”

Delilah held up her two fists in a fighting pose.

“I say, bring it on. Whatever comes at us, I’m ready.”

She took another long drink from her beer glass.

“That’s what we do, right?”

”We'd better start looking over our shoulders. Which reminds me, Delilah.... Zach has been getting some disturbing reports regarding anti-mutant hate crimes here in the city. I KNOW you can take care of yourself, but be extra cautious, okay? You're kind of out here on your own. I understand you wanting your space, and I'm not saying you can't have it.... I'm just concerned that distance is our enemy here. I dread the thought that something might happen to you because we couldn't reach you in time."

“We’ve been through hate crimes before – and I’m not exactly defenseless.”

She rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, creating sparks that looked like a mini fireworks show.

“But if it makes you feel better, I’ll ask around about it, see what I can pick up.”

"Plus...I think something is going on with The Sisterhood. Invoking circle of trust but something is definitely going on with Dominique Devereaux. Right after everybody went back to Los Angeles something happened to her. I don't know what but I picked up a crazy amount of distress from her suite...I've tried to contact her several times...and then she showed up into my office...WITHOUT an appointment like usual and proceeding to THROW Simon Pratt down the Reception Hall and LEFT...I talked to Nicolas...and I think he is going to try and talk to her..."

“Oh who cares about those batshit crazy old biddies? Maybe they’ll finish each other off so we won’t have to.”

But as far as Dominique goes..... hopefully Nic can get through to her. It's a shame she joined the sisterhood, really. She'd be a great asset to our cause.... (taking a sip of her water) and her music is very soulful."

Delilah gave Haleigh a look.

“’Her music is very soulful’?? When did you become a music critic?”

 

[Seer]

Closing in/ CRASHING IN

<< Across the street from Witchcraft, an unmarked van sits, with two figures inside and another in the back, operating very sophisticated computer counsel. The van is soundproof and scrambles any attempts at external scanning. >>

Purifier 1: What do we have on the red head?

Purifier 3 (in the back): Scan keeps popping up with a file on FOXFIRE, Blaze Fielding, but the visual feed doesnt match. This woman is taller, leaner and her energy readings are BEYOND that of anything we have for Foxfire. This woman on our visual has several key differences in her physical appearence and cerebra scan is nearly popping off the charts for her power scale.


Purifier 2: Did Foxfire have a sister?

Purifier 1: Spellbinder. Morgan Victoria. Her whereabouts are unknown. She's historically hard to track anyway, due to her status as a celestial scale teleporter.

Purifier 3: Well, no matter. She's confirmed to be a mutant. A powerful one. That makes her a target.


Purifire 3: Scan ALSO confirms the one next to her is Cassandra Johnson, RUBY. Cerebra alarms are going off, SHE'S THE ONE.

Purifier 2: THE SUCCUBUS! We should GUN those gene-jokes NOW.

Purifier 1: Keep it together, soldier. We're doing surveilance only, besides, there's a HUMAN CIVILIAN with them.

Purifier 3: SALLY SPECTRA. MAJOR figure in the fashion industry. She's rich, very well connected and powerful. If something happened to her, it WOULD be noticed.


Purifier 1: Are we SURE we want to do HER? She's HUMAN.

Purifier 3: She's ALSO responsible for making the witch SPELLBINDER seem LEGITIMATE to the masses. She's a mutie-lover. We've got photos and footage of her with nearly EVERY known member of the Six. We also have information that she enjoys the company of male vampires at the den of iniquity known as After-Dark in Los Angeles.

Purifier 2: She's no better than the gene-jokes. She's a disgusting species traitor and she deserves what's coming to her.



Purifier 3: She's ALSO very well connected to and PROTECTED by The Six. If we get her, that will most CERTAINLY bring THEM to our door. It will also cause a tremendous wave in the media.

Purifier 2: SO WHAT? Let them see. Let them UNDERSTAND this is what happens when you consort with the DEVIL'S CHILDREN! We've got a positive LOCK on that succubuss! She MAIMED my brother at that hell hole of sin, the PARTHENON, when that WHORE [Blaze Victory] was cartwheeling TOPLESS down the catwalk of the club! She left him catatonic after she touched him, molested him...DRAINED HIM of his very life force! That PLACE is FILLED with MUTANT FILTH. Sister Mary Justice wants HER brought in. She wants to USE HER for the "EXAMPLE"

Purifier 3: Sister knows best. She's guided us with a strong, CLEAR hand and vision. She's clearly receiving divine vision and we must trust her.

Purifier 1: Alright. Alert the base that we have a positive confirmation on Cassandra Johnson and we are on course to collect her. Sally Spectra will be eliminated...as "collateral damage" and the other one...

Purifier 3: WAIT...additional scan indicates the red head is FIREBIRD. There ARE NO available records on Blaze Fielding...anywhere. Her name is Blaze VICTORY...she's the current acting CEO of her sister's company, Spectra Couture, under the House of Spectra.

Purifier 2: Sally Spectra gives JOBS to the mutant filth? She might as well keep them as PETS too.

Purifier 1: Victory....Victoria. She's related to Spellbinder. She has to be. She even has a stronger resemblance to her.

Purifier 2: Must be more of their mutant fuckery and witchcraft at play here.

Purifier 3: No matter. She's confirmed and she's a target. But her power levels are beyond anything our files have on Foxfire have. She must be handled with extreme care.

----------------------------------------------------------

<< Across town. Balthazar. >>

<< Even as they all converse on a variety of topics and Dominique is mentioned, they don't realize that they aren't the only ones wondering about her or taking a CLOSER LOOK at her. >>

<< Cameron and Haleigh do well to realize that things have been almost...TOO QUIET and going TOO well for them and those close to them. But unforunately, Delilah is not so connected...not so aware. A pity that.>>

<< a Server brings a package to the table, FOR Delilah. He informs her that it arrived a few moments ago and the person who delivered it INSISTED it be brought to her IMMEDIATELY. Something was wrong with him. His speech seemed a bit slurred. His eyes...the pupils were dialated. He seemed as if he was being "pushed along"..."CONTROLLED"...it was an effect of POSESSION.>>

<< He did NOT answer Delilah's questions of who sent it or why. He simply wandered away, awkwardly at that.>>

<< At that moment, CAMERON saw it...a flickering image of a WHITE HALO around his head. He HAD been posessed! And there was only ONE person capable of doing it to such the degree that this poor man was being controlled. But He couldn't SEE...HER. >>

 

[Malice]

Long time no see

:: Delilah was opening the box.::

Right on time.


:: Inside, was the most beautiful, exquisite baby rattler, from TIFFANY & CO. With a card that read...::

Congratulations, on your little bundle of joy, Alexia. What a joyous thing for you, I'm sure. And I just know you'll be a great mother, just like you're such a good friend and teammate to the Six! All the best, DIANA.

:: The card and a gift were a DELIBERATE slap in the face to Delilah, JUST as MALICE had intended them to be.::

:: A pair of white high heels move across the length of the bistro, carrying the White Queen herself, who is wearing a white jacket and skirt that flattered her toned figure.::

:: She steps with the confidence and style knowing she's the SHARK in these waters and that no one can stop her. Her blue eyes BURN their gaze into Cameron and Delilah in particular as she smiles widely, like a cheshire cat, reaching the table as their emotions are already SKYROCKETTING from the "gift" she just had sent over.::

:: She finally reaches them, and looks upon HALEIGH, licking her lips as if she was eyeing her latest snack to devour.::

Hello GIRLS.

:: Her voice drips with an evil resonance as she deliberately NEGATES Cameron's status as a MAN ::

I see that you've received my little gift, Delilah?

I hope you like it! It should go nicely in Alexia's little crib.

 

[Isis]

A woman in distress

:: Dominique and Nicolas enjoyed a quiet lunch at the Fashion Cafe, it was not TERRIBLY far from Witchcraft, where some of Nicolas' teammates and friends were eating.::

:: Dominique couldnt deny that she was a bit...famished. She enjoyed her lunch.::

:: She seemed a bit less edgy and agitated, but she would NOT indulge Nicolas' attempts to try to find out just what happened a week ago.::

:: Once they finished and left the cafe, outside, Nicolas once again helped her into his vehicle. She asked him to take her back to the parthenon. She no longer felt "comfortable" being out in the open right now.::

There's too much....too much NEGATIVITY in the air!

:: she said as she rubbed her temples once more::

I feel as if I'm being beseiged from ALL sides!

:: Even KNOW, the enmity that radiated from the collective FORCE of the Purifiers and their deciation to the "mission" was hammering at Isis' senses. The blood of the victims, the souls of those recently lost were calling out to her! Nicolas quickly returned to the Parthenon and to her suite::

Nicolas...I would never knowingly allow myself to be in a position where I would NEED to depend on you...but I...

:: She began to shudder as the images of Mark and Jill crying out for help before they were murdered began to push themselves back to the forefront of her mind, which in turn gave way to her remembering her SISTER'S cries in full stereophonic memory::

I....

:: Shutting her eyes...TEARS begin to fall::

Please...help me...


:: She begins to weep::

Help me....get them all before....

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!


:: He didnt know WHO she was referring to, but he'd NEVER seen her like this before. Her vitals were spiking and he began to perceive the images of...HER SISTER, his MOTHER...as SHE remembered those moments of trauma that she'd buried so long ago. In the MIDST of those PAINFUL memories, he saw only BRIEF flashes of the children from the other night, but he had no idea who THEY were or how they figured into all THIS turmoil that his aunt was now in. needed Zach and FAST.::

 

[Rampage]

Dinner seemed to be going well. Dominique was more relaxed and he loved to watch her eat. She always watched her figure but today...she ate her fill.

He paid the check and ushered her back into his car when her mood shifted. He FELT it..it was subtle...but DEEP. He roared away as she exclaimed.

There's too much....too much NEGATIVITY in the air!

:: she said as she rubbed her temples once more::

I feel as if I'm being beseiged from ALL sides

He felt it as well but had no chance to pinpoint the sources, such was his worry. He hustled her out of the vehicle and, as the valet pulled it away...

..he emerged with her at her suite, wasting no time to get her 'home'. What happened next placed Nicolas in a panic.

Nicolas...I would never knowingly allow myself to be in a position where I would NEED to depend on you...but I...

:: She began to shudder as the images of Mark and Jill crying out for help before they were murdered began to push themselves back to the forefront of her mind, which in turn gave way to her remembering her SISTER'S cries in full stereophonic memory::

I....

:: Shutting her eyes...TEARS begin to fall::

Please...help me...


:: She begins to weep::

Help me....get them all before....

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Aunt D!

With that, his aunt crumpled into tears into his arms. Nicolas was trying to figure out WHAT to do while he tried to sort out her distress, he sensed images of..HIS MOTHER?! Him as a BABY?! And more children? What the fuck was going on?

Nicolas placed her on her chaise. He needed Zach NOW. Sending out a psychic ping, he located him and sent him the first thing that came to him...a psychic shout. Viv and Ziz would be one the wiser, but it would sound to Zach like Nicolas was ROARING in his head.

Zach...this is an emergency. I need you in my Aunt Dominique's suite at the Parthenon NOW!

Zach would 'know' the exact coordinates, courtesy of Nicolas...

 

[Black Widow]

NYC: Balthazar

Delilah: Hey, Hales, maybe you’re pregnant.

Haleigh blinked without expression, then shook her head.

"No, definitely not. I can't get pregnant anymore. (Off their perplexed looks) The T.O. virus."

They seemed like they were going to offer condolences, but Haleigh waved them off. She was fairly certain that she was one of those people who SHOULDN'T procreate.

"It's not a big deal. Let's not act like I should actually raise a human being. I'm barely one myself."

Delilah: Since when are you monogamous? Where’s that famous playboy Cameron King we know and love?

(Smirking playfully) "He's been domesticated."

Delilah talked of enjoying a good fight, but Haleigh dropped back out of the conversation, closing her eyes behind her sunglasses for a second. It was extremely bright out here, but she wasn't about to mention it again. She didn't exactly want them to know how bad it was, she didn't want to alarm them. But the last time she had headaches like this, she'd had those memory glitches.

Delilah: ’Her music is very soulful’?? When did you become a music critic?

"What, I can't like music? Oh, because I'm a robot zombie, right? Hey, don't underestimate me. I happen to have heard of things like art and music, and I even have mild opinions about such topics. Zach has enriched my life in many ways, that being one of them."

Her voice sounded weird to her, and so did the approaching footfall of the waiter. Haleigh closed her eyes again, thankful that her sunglasses would hide that fact.

And then the sound dropped out.

She walks slowly down the corridor, the only sound at first is that of her heels clicking on the hard wood floors. Soon even that is muted as she crosses onto an ornate woven rug that runs the length of the hall. Thunder rumbles the old Gothic styled mansion and the heavy drumming of rain takes over the silence. She passes many closed doors on her way, concerned with none of the alarming noises that punctuate the symphony of the rainstorm. She is consumed by the thoughts that have driven her here. The nightmares of the baby.....

She reached her destination with a sense of dread and opened the door. A technician named Alice looks up from her clip board, then back down.

Alice: Good evening.

"Which one is the Genetic Experiment codenamed Scion?"

She asked, and the technician pointed, instructing her to the eighth one down, on the left. And so she went, with hesitation. There it is..... the creation.... the monstrosity that had haunted her ever since she became aware of it. A baby in gestation in a tube of embryonic fluid.

Alice: Amazing, isn't it? She's 32 weeks along now, and almost done! The first baby ever grown full term in a lab. If those idiots on Capitol Hill would legalize stem cell research, we wouldn't have to do this underground. We could share this accomplishment with the world!

She didn't respond. She didn't want to share it with the world, she wanted to destroy it! A child.... a living being.... THAT is what Zeus and Frankenstein created with what they stole from her! It was the final straw..... they could not be allowed to get away with this. They had to be eliminated...... but it was too early. She needed them still. She would exploit them the way they exploited her until she was in the prime position and THEN....... Then she would crush them. BOTH of them.

 

[Orion]

the Clocktower

Oracle: Oh heaven’s, Zach, what do I have to do to get you to call me Zizi?

"Ah, but Elizabeth is such a beautiful name. Fitting, since you are such a beautiful lady."

He replied smoothly, the hint of his Italian accent in his words, as he gave her a winsome smile. He loved paying compliments. Even if the person receiving thought they were smarmy and over-the-top, they STILL felt good, and Zach enjoyed bringing joy to people. A boost for them was a boost for him TOO.

Oracle: And you know I love you honey, but the next time you visit me be assured that contraption [the Transporter] won’t work in here. So use the door.

He feigned hurt feelings as leaned against the Roman numeral 'eight' of the clock face, next to her desk.

"Aww, come on, I thought we were friends!"

Oracle: (winking) A girl’s got to have her privacy.

"Mmm.... very well. I can respect that, I suppose."

They got down to business; specifically, the purifier murders and their suspected perpetrator: Dominique.

Oracle: So she let Nicolas King live…and apparently come to some sort of agreement with The Six…defection? Proving to them she’s not as bad as the Hellfire Club wants you to believe? Or genuine care for the mutant condition? I don’t know if I buy that. But possible. She’s killing indiscriminately and we got lucky? Doubtful. No one’s that lucky. There must be something in it for her.

"Maybe she's as troubled about kids getting hunted as I am. She wouldn't be the first vigilante killer in the world..... I know one or two myself."

Silver Swan leapt to mind. She'd come back with a vengeance, and run around the city confronting abusive men.

Oracle: We’re going to need some more bodies on this – preferably someone who can give us the skinny on Dominique. You two know anyone in the Six who might want to lend us a hand? I'll bring Valkyrie in as well - we can use the muscle. Plus the department's been giving her extra shifts and you know how she hates that - she could use some cheering up.

"I--"

Nicolas(in thought): Zach...this is an emergency. I need you in my Aunt Dominique's suite at the Parthenon NOW!

It was a mental scream, deafening in Zach's mind. It was not possible to ignore it.

"I may be a able to get Intel on Dominique myself. Nicolas is calling me to her suite, he's declaring an emergency."

He flicked his wrist, shaking his watch clear of his sleeve cuff. He turned the dials, setting the coordinates Nic had given them.

"Please excuse me, ladies. I imagine I'll be able to explain when I return."

He appeared and was immediately overwhelmed with emotions. He reached out to Dominique, closing his fingers around her slender wrist, his eyes glowing as he absorbed her anguish. He felt a knot forming in his throat and tried to swallow. A pained expression darkened his face, but it soon began to dissipate. When he had confidence that his voice wouldn't fail him, he spoke.

"What happened??"

 

[Persephone]

Alison: I have already "seen" all possible time threads leading to/from Cameron and Cassandra in this situation. It is BETTER for them...for The Six, if I keep my distance from the majority of them, for now.When you speak to Cameron and Haleigh LATER and ALONE, with no one else there beside them...send a "thought call" to Cameron. Tell him to "keep an eye out" on the Astral Plane. He'll know what that means.

Obviously what had happened with Delilah changed the way Alison approached situations. Instead of just taking matters into her own hands, she was weighing all her options and choosing the best path. Whether that would be a positive move or not was yet to be determined, but Ava understood her reasons. Nodding, she gave her a faint smile.

"Alright, i'll let him know."

Alison: Now...while they're occupied, why dont we go to Spectra Boutique? I haven't seen it since they announced it would be arriving here the night of the big ceremony in the Crystal Room. Minerva's may be many things? But a clothing store is NOT one of them...And if THIS outfit is any indication of what they have to offer, I want more!

Groaning, Ava wrinkled her nose in protest.

Alison: Then we can have lunch at La Bella Mafia.

"Alison, i'm tired."

It was saying something when Ava didn't want to go shopping.

"And Sally's clothing is so....bright this season."

A little self jab at her own gothic styling choice. But she could tell that Alison was excited and really wanted to have a girls day. Relenting, if anything, Ava hoped it would get the precog's mind off of her personal issues.

"Fine, let me get change."

Alison: OH and don't think I'm finished with you on THAT.

Obviously not. Rolling her eyes as she passed Alison, Ava disappeared into her walk in closet.

Alison: I'm just giving you a break of sorts. Instead of talking about THAT, we can talk about SIMON PRATT?

"Oh for Christ sakes, go back to Aerie."

She deadpanned lightheartedly. A few minutes later she exited her closet wearing a casual outfit that was breathable and appropriate for the warmer weather outside.

"Lets go before I change my mind."

 

[MorningStar]

Balthazar

Delilah licked her fingers and wiped them on her napkin so she wouldn’t get anything on whatever was in the box a server had placed in front of her. He was acting really odd – including not even answering her when she asked where the box had come from.

“Hey, buddy – you might want to lay off the drugs for a while.”

She gave Cameron and Haleigh a look and laughed at the poor server while she began unwrapping the box.

“Cam, did you do this? You should have gotten something for Haleigh too…”

Delilah gasped.

Inside was a silver baby rattle.

She tossed it back into the box and pushed it away from her. She was visibly pale.

“With love from Malice…”

And then the geriatric bitch in question sauntered over to their table. Delilah stood up quickly, knocking her chair backward as she did. Her eyes burned electric green with her power, narrowed in hatred.

I see that you've received my little gift, Delilah? I hope you like it! It should go nicely in Alexia's little crib.

Delilah picked up the rattle, twirling it in her fingers.

“Don’t you have some kittens to sacrifice, Diana?”

She pushed her power into her hand and the silver melted, dropping onto the table in a molten heap. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Haleigh, who didn’t look well. She had no idea what was wrong, but this wasn’t the time to ask. Delilah covered Haleigh’s hand with her own, not taking her eyes off of Malice.

“Be gone, before someone drops a house on you too.”