Blood makes noise

[Malice]

Crashing the lunch

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.

:: Diana feigned a look of being "impressed" as Delilah got worked up. Didn't this little girl know who she was dealing with?::

That's right. Be the stupid, short sighted little girl I KNOW you are. Show everyone in this bistro that you're a mutant.

:: Malice said softly as her blue eyes sparkled with a sinister glint::

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

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

Why would I do that, when there are sacrificial lambs just waiting to be slaughtered right in front of me?

:: She was waiting for Delilah to do something STUPID. The girl had no emotional intelligence whatsoever and her mental state NOW? It was like leaving honey out for a BEAR to Malice::

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.

:: Diana saw Haleigh TOO. A smirk curved up on her lips as she watched Delilah pathetically try to be protective of her, as if SHE had any power to hide from Diana, the TRUE nature of Haleigh's distress::

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.”

:: Diana tilted her head as she continued to stare Delilah down. Again, she briefly pretends to be wounded by Delilah's pathetic display of bravery::

Ooh. So clever.

I suppose all these long nights of wallowing in your own pathetic grief has given you plenty of time to catch up on your favorite movies and find material to add to your rather marginal repertoire.

Speaking of falling houses, that's a fate for most WITCHES isn't it? How ARE your friends, Alison and MORGAN, these days?

:: Delilah said nothing::

Oh yes, that's right, you HATE them. You want to KILL them. You blame THEM for your eternal FAILURE as a woman...a MOTHER. You showed them what I once told you before. You're NO kind of friend, to ANYONE. You can't even take care of YOURSELF.

You know, I always DID enjoy Harbinger and Spellbinder. They never pretended to be anything other than what they were. Whether or not others accepted them was not their problem. Not like you.

What's the matter? Looking for assistance from those two? I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. One only tolerates you out of sympathy for your status as the weak willed mother in mourning; The OTHER would rather spend time on you as a charity case rather than focus on HER OWN glaring needs and deficiecies.

:: The other two ARE noticeably SILENT. Not leaping to Delilah's defense. But what could they say? What would it change? They ALL knew the truth. She looks down at Cameron, smiling to him as a mother would her child::

::He held a special place in Malice's "horror hall". Some victims manage to shine throughout history, like Sharon Tate. Cameron was on that level with Malice. His family had been a feast for her and HE was apparently the main course. Even now, he was shaking, seething, but he knew better. He knew he was no match and he knew what would happen to him if he made a move and wound up in her clutches again. ::

Cameron knows his place. As does Haleigh.


Without me, Haleigh wouldn't even be ALIVE right now...and Cameron? Well...I've more than taught him lessons in humility he won't soon forget. But YOU? You never seem to learn ANYTHING.

So that leaves you were you were the LAST time you crossed swords with me. ALONE.

We've played this game BEFORE little lightengale, and you LOST. You ended up at the bottom of the sea, like the DEAD WEIGHT that you are.

:: She rolls her tongue around her closed mouth as she tries not to laugh out loud in Delilah's face::

But Cameron COULD learn something from you. You see...he's always been a good SCREAMER. So easily broken and so theatrical in his wails of pain. YOU? You're doing a MARVELOUS job of playing the "bad girl". You're showing them all, how BAD you are aren't you? With your self imposed isolation. You're hiding from YOURSELF in your own weak and fragile mind, You're lashing out like a wounded animal against anything and anyone that forces you, for even a MOMENT, to recall the reality of FAILURE THAT IS YOU.

But it's okay, little girl. I know what's wrong with you.

:: now pretending to hold a baby for a moment.::

The empty armed madonna. Mourning the baby that never shouldve been born, but she was too stupid to realize that. Angry at her friends and herself for being INEPT and massively incompetent and now struggling to try to live and find PURPOSE for her worthless existence, knowing the baby is in better hands then she could ever hope to be, trying to reinvent herself as a bad girl when all she'll ever be is a weak, sad, pathetic little lamb...doomed to carry the vivid memories of tragedy and loss..and repeat them time. and. AGAIN.

Be of good cheer, one day you'll accept your place in this world as the eternal failure you always were and now without Morgan and Alison to prop you up, it's just a matter of time before the NEXT time you die, it sticks! The Six will be better off without you. They won't have to struggle with any consideration for the whore and her boyfriend and their life draining baby.

And trust me, Alexia is far better off with Ororo than she ever would have been with a mother like you.

:: Malice smiles widely at Delilah::

 

[MorningStar]

Balthazar

That's right. Be the stupid, short sighted little girl I KNOW you are. Show everyone in this bistro that you're a mutant.

The corner of Delilah’s mouth turned up into a half smile.

“I’m not afraid of anyone knowing I’m a mutant.”

Green laser light flickered around the hand dangling at her side.

You know, I always DID enjoy Harbinger and Spellbinder. They never pretended to be anything other than what they were. Whether or not others accepted them was not their problem. Not like you.

She shook her head in the negative.

“No, not like me. As a matter of fact, why don’t you invite those two psycho bitches to join your little club? Then they can self-destruct right along with you as seems to happen to everyone else on your side of the table.”

Delilah clicked her tongue.

“Good thing there are so many alternate versions of you out there in the universe to be spare parts.”

She held up a hand.

“Oh, excuse me, I meant target practice.”

”What's the matter? Looking for assistance from those two? I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you…Without me, Haleigh wouldn't even be ALIVE right now...and Cameron? Well...I've more than taught him lessons in humility he won't soon forget. But YOU? You never seem to learn ANYTHING.

“You know, I had that same exact problem in school: I was always way more intelligent than the teacher. As for ‘these two’ – they know I can take care of myself. And you.”

One day you'll accept your place in this world as the eternal failure you always were and now without Morgan and Alison to prop you up, it's just a matter of time before the NEXT time you die, it sticks!... And trust me, Alexia is far better off with Ororo than she ever would have been with a mother like you.

Delilah moved around the table so that she was only inches from Malice.

“You know what? My daughter may be with someone else, but she is also in a place where you can’t touch her. So that leaves me free to do as I please.”

She laughed, turning to her right to look at Haleigh and Cameron, and with a wink, swiveled her body back to center unleashing a right cross with hit home in the center of Malice’s face. Blood gushed down the telepath’s face, staining her white attire. Delilah smiled with satisfaction.

But she knew there was a good chance Diana would see that coming, so she decided to save it for another time instead.

She leaned in further.

“The only thing you know about babies is how to kill them.”

Referencing James Marcus’ baby son that Malice had viciously murdered.

She scoffed.

“Imagine you, a mother. Is there anything more horrifying?”

Laughing she turned and looked at Cameron and Haleigh, for real this time.

“I mean, if you had to think of a WORSE parent to have, who even holds a candle? Britney Spears?”

Turning back, she smiled menacingly into Diana’s face, lowering her voice.

“You are incapable of love, and worse for you, incapable of being loved. You are crazy as a bag of cats if you think I’m scared of you and I would rather be dead that have to be you for one single second.”

She paused, her face filled with disgust.

“What?”

Now smiling, her face was almost touching Malice’s.

“Go ahead. You know you want to. Use your powers on me. Break the truce. [whispering] I dare you. I’m not afraid to die. And I’m not afraid to kill you.”

 

[Malice]

Game, set and MATCH

Good thing there are so many alternate versions of you out there in the universe to be spare parts.”

She held up a hand.

Oh, excuse me, I meant target practice.

And that's still a step beyond you, my dear. Now? You're nothing but a fractured FARCE of who you once were, you're every heart beat & breath is spent trying to hide from the truth inside your wretched soul, so it's easier for you to lash out and play at being the very thing you claim to HATE, Morgan, the QUEEN of all bitches. But even as a 2nd BANANA, you didn't cut it.

You know, I had that same exact problem in school: I was always way more intelligent than the teacher. As for ‘these two’ – they know I can take care of myself. And you.



Delilah moved around the table so that she was only inches from Malice.

:: Diana smiled. Nodding and laughing softly.::

I like prey that fights...it's so much more FUN

You know what? My daughter may be with someone else, but she is also in a place where you can’t touch her. So that leaves me free to do as I please.

You practiced that many times in the mirror, didn't you? between the drinking binges, the chain smoking and the mindless wanton sex. You've rehearsed that to nausea as you seek to ward away the tears of knowing you were powerless to do anything about Alexia. You couldn't take care of her. You can't take care of yourself and once again, it was left to OTHERS, to fix your colossal mistakes. One word for you- sterilization.

Save the world...and any other child with the damnation of having you as a mother...from that pain.

She laughed, turning to her right to look at Haleigh and Cameron, and with a wink, swiveled her body back to center unleashing a right cross with hit home in the center of Malice’s face. Blood gushed down the telepath’s face, staining her white attire. Delilah smiled with satisfaction.

But she knew there was a good chance Diana would see that coming, so she decided to save it for another time instead.

:: Diana was now in her DIAMOND form::

Don't try it, little girl. Your hand will SHATTER against my diamond form and before your nerves can even SEND the signal of pain to your brain? I will have reduced IT to nothing but MUSH with my psycho blast.

::she WARNED both telepathically and then verbally...::

That's right...GIVE me a reason to perform a psychic lobotomy on you right here. right now and leave you LESS than a mindless vegetable. Then your daughter will be an orphan. But even THAT is better than the alternative, isn't it?

She leaned in further.

“The only thing you know about babies is how to kill them.

Referencing James Marcus’ baby son that Malice had viciously murdered.

Yes, that WAS rather classic, wasn't it? But then again, Marcus KNEW who to turn to when he wanted the job done RIGHT. Can you ever do anything right? I wonder if we asked your teammates, what they'd say about that?

She scoffed.

“Imagine you, a mother. Is there anything more horrifying?”

Laughing she turned and looked at Cameron and Haleigh, for real this time.

:: Diana's eyes followed Delilah's every physical move. Her smile faded slightly::

Ask Cameron, just how much MORE horrifying things can be when I'm in control. The only thing worse than established precedent...is setting a NEW ONE. I'd HAPPILY do that...with YOU.

:: She looked at Haleigh, whom Delilah kept taking glances at::

And don't kid yourself, lightengale. You're all alone here. Even in the presence of these two. That should horrify you because you've alienated yourself from the only real support system you ever had. When push comes to shove? They won't lay their lives down for you. You've prooven time and again what a liability and a BURDEN you are. You've done them A FAVOR by trying to run away...and yet, here you are, accepting CHARITY from the world's greatest victim (Cameron) and cybertronic bio hazard (Haleigh), the only two people in the Six who can even stomach your presence now.

I mean, if you had to think of a WORSE parent to have, who even holds a candle? Britney Spears?

We'll ask ALEXIA that when she comes of age...and knows the truth. That is, if Morgan doesnt decide to STEAL her away from Ororo and feed her to the DEMONS. If you think what she and Alison did THEN was bad....and they did it out of love and concern for you? IMAGINE what they'll do out of the HATRED they now harbor for you. Psycho-bitches they may be...but YOU apparently have forgotten what they're CAPABLE OF when crossed.

Alexia, in LIMBO, where Spellbinder holds sway? And you're okay with that? There's those GREAT maternal instincts shinning through once again.

:: winking::

Turning back, she smiled menacingly into Diana’s face, lowering her voice.

“You are incapable of love, and worse for you, incapable of being loved. You are crazy as a bag of cats if you think I’m scared of you and I would rather be dead that have to be you for one single second.”

She paused, her face filled with disgust.

So. You've taken time to REMEMBER who i am. Good! Then you'll know that murdering you with the speed of thought is LESS than child's play for me and would be regarded more lightly than one would crushing a piece of paper!

“What?”

Now smiling, her face was almost touching Malice’s.

“Go ahead. You know you want to. Use your powers on me. Break the truce. [whispering] I dare you. I’m not afraid to die. And I’m not afraid to kill you.”

:: Diana hadn't moved an inch. If Delilah came any closer, she'd be TOUCHING Diana and if she touched her? All bets were OFF.::

:: Diana says nothing. She shows no reaction. Her eyes sparkle for just a moment.::

Little girl: Mommy! That's a mutant!

Two Servers, dropping their trays and turning to point at Delilah: Hey! THAT'S A MUTANT.

Woman with a stroller walking past: THAT'S A MUTANT! MY BABY ISN'T SAFE AROUND MUTANTS!

Table with a group of women: LOOK AT HER! SHE'S A MUTANT!

others around them: Is that a mutant!? THAT'S A MUTANT! SHE'S HARRASSING THAT WOMAN!

:: people ALL AROUND Delilah, Haleigh and Cameron started taking out their cameras, camera phones and pointing them at the trio, NAMELY Delilah and now had her image on screen::

::A police officer walking by suddenly SNAPS his glare toward the group, and comes toward them as a now HYSTERICAL server runs to him::

Server: OFFICER HELP US! A MUTANT TERRORIST IS HERE AND SHE'S THREATENING THAT WOMAN!

:: Unbeknownst to Delilah until now, Malice began seizing and posessing EVERY mind around them, compelling them to speak the words she put in her mind and draw t heir devices to capture Delilah, Haleigh and Cameron on them. She then began to AUGMENT their perception and FEAR of Delilah, who to THEM looked like a meancing woman with glowing green eyes and sparks of energy flaring out of them. To THEM, they saw her PHYSICALLY harrassing Diana, who looked like a NUN!::

Officer to Delilah: GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT WOMAN, MUTIE!



:: Taking out his baton and ready to strike her at any moment as the two servers come to DIANA'S aid and pull her away from her FACE TO FACE stand off with Delilah.::

:: by now, TWO Purifiers, who just happened to be in the area, had their attention drawn to what was happening. To THEM, it also seemed that Diana (who appeared to be the victim) was now being harrassed by a "MUTIE". They wouldn't stand for this. They would DEFEND "Their own!"::

Purifiers: Get your fucking hands off that woman, you disgusting mutant piece of FILTH! Officer! DO SOMETHING about her! We DECENT human beings should be able to go about our business without FEAR of being accosted by GENE-TRASH like HER!

:: Violently pointing at Delilah as Diana SMILES WIDELY::

:: Delilah, Cameron and Haleigh had just been CHECKED by Malice. She hadn't attacked them but she was using the ENVIRONMENT around her. If Cameron TRIED to undo her psychic web, he'd cause more harm than anything else::

Your move, Delilah.

Show them, how much you DON'T CARE about their safety and well being, just like you don't really care about Alexia's. Show us how BAD you are!


:: One false move, and it was over for them. Was Delilah REALLY going to take her so-called team mates down this path of destruction to proove to herself just how "BAD" she was :fdevil: ::

 

[MorningStar]

Balthazar

Delilah feigned yawning as Malice tried to upset her with her little jabs.

“I’m bored Diana. I see your lips moving, but all I hear is ‘blah blah blah’.”

Delilah motioned talking with her right hand and rolled her eyes.

“You are ALL talk and NO game.”

As she faced off with Malice, Delilah gradually became aware of the voices and stares around her.

Officer to Delilah: GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT WOMAN, MUTIE!

As the officer approached her, raising his nightstick, she turned her head to him.

“Touch me with that and I’ll have your badge, Officer. You’ll spend the rest of your career writing parking tickets.”

Her gaze found Malice again, but the movement of the crowd closing in was not lost on her.

Your move, Delilah. Show them, how much you DON'T CARE about their safety and well being, just like you don't really care about Alexia's. Show us how BAD you are!

Her eyes narrowed.

“You fucking coward.”

Delilah smirked and shook her head.

“In the end, Diana, a cheap whore for Mystech MEN is all you’ll ever be.”

She raised her right hand into the air and unleashed a massive flash of white light, effectively frying the censors on the camera phones and security cameras in the area as well as blinding the people around her. Then, moving her body at the speed of light, she instantly traveled several city blocks away, stopping in an alcove and then ducking into the subway. As she was hopping onto a train heading back downtown towards the Parthenon, she pulled out her phone to text Cameron.

>>> Pay the bill and go to the car. Get Haleigh out of there – something’s not right with her. TTYL.

She didn’t like to leave Cam and Haleigh with Malice, but the best way for her to diffuse that situation was to disassociate herself from them asap and remove Malice's ability to taunt her. And she knew Cameron could wipe his and Haleigh’s presence from the minds of the onlookers. Her’s? Probably not, but Delilah wasn’t worried about that right then. Right then, all she wanted to do was kill Malice.

 

[Isis]

The Parthenon- Isis' suite

::By now, Dominique didnt hear anything was saying, to her or anyone else. She was washed over with a tidal wave of GRIEF and anguish! That night a week ago wasnt the sole source of her anguish( although it was still bad enough) , it seemed to be the "key" that unlocked a DAM of emotions she'd blocked away for some time! Nicolas "saw" and FELT a glimpse of the torrent from her mind as she was no longer actively BLOCKING him from her thoughts as she normally did. But itwas more than even he could have bargained for, which caused him to send a telepathic SHOUT to Zachary Armani.::

:: A short time later::

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??"

:: She wasnt immediately aware that Zach had taken hold of her. But as his own empathic abilities alleviated her of HEART BREAKING anguish and her mind, her EYES began to clear from the deluge, she sat up straight, QUICKLY removing herself from Zach's grasp as she struggled to get a sense of just what was going on and WHO was in her private suite::

:: Her eyes darted from Nicolas to Zach, then around the around the room of her suite they were in. ::

:: Everything was returning to normal...or as normal as it could be for her now. She was regaining her bearings. Her vitals were stabilizing.::

....Thank you.

:: She said softly. She looked at Nicolas, who was kneeling right beside her. she took one of his hands into her's and held it. She knew now that he'd seen more glimpses of his mother as SHE rememebered her on that tragic night that Set attacked their village. She never would have consciously allowed him to see that, but what's done is done. He didnt run or waver. He got her the help he promised he would and for that, she was grateful. She squeezed his hand::

I am...Dominique Deveraux.

:: She recognized Zachary as the companion of Haleigh Davidoff. But the two had never been formally introduced before. ::

And I thank you for your assistance.

I have been having...a difficult time the last several days. Due to the onset of...unusual circumstances.

:: That was the MOST she was going to say about it right now. She may have recognized him, but she hardly knew him. Just because NICOLAS trusted him, didn't mean SHE would.::

I believe now with your empathic alleviation, I will be fine.

:: She said with increased certainty as the normal cold tone to her voice returned::

 

[Harbinger]

Parthenon- Shopping & Lunch

:: After a making their way down to Spectra Boutique, Alison proceeded to shop with a VENGEANCE. She placed a platinum card on the wrap and directed the astonished staff member to ring up her purchases. ::

::Alison asked if Sally was in, but was informed that she was out of the office on business and would not return until later::

Oh I see. Well, I know how to get in touch with her directly, so that's no problem.

:: Alison smiled rather smugly at the snobby attendant::

Have these things wrapped and delivered to Miss Cassadine's room please.

:: Signing the bill and DROPPING the pen on the desk rather than handing it to the attendant::

Thank you.

:: haughtily tossing her blue/black hair back at the attendant as she turned on her high heel and walked out of the store with Ava.::

The nerve of that...SALES GIRL.

:: Alison says before laughing a bit::

As if I couldn't afford everything I just bought? Hmph!

No matter, that was fun! I'll catch up with Sally soon and let her know how much I enjoyed her store. Cameron's really done a great job since Morgan sold the Parthenon back to him. No wonder you'd rather live here!

Now, let's grab a quick bite, shall we?

:: On to Le Bella Mafia. They were seated and had ordered, now enjoying their food, Alison looked across the table at Ava, smirking::

So...

:: Ava stares at Alison rather blankly::

Oh you KNOW.

:: Alison says with a knowing tone::

Simon Pratt?

I dont even have to have a subsription to TMZ. I can "SEE" for myself. He's been ALL OVER you, LITTERALLY.

:: Snickering a bit as she kept her voice down, knowing how Ava was about these things::

 

[Black Widow]

NYC: Balthazar

Haleigh pulled up short, coming back to reality. Her headache had changed, it was subsiding.... but it felt COLD, like a brain freeze that was starting to go away. Everyone was staring at her and Cameron. A police officer was two feet from their table, his baton raised.

fuuuuuuuckkkkkkk....... what did I do during my blackout this time?

But it wasn't her. The crowd was starting to talk again, about a flash and a crazed blonde lady just disappearing. Haleigh looked at Cameron and Delilah-- no, Delilah was gone. Had she flipped out and used her powers? Haleigh glanced around for environmental clues. There was a little clump of metal slag on the table, and a card from Tiffany's.

Diana: 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.

Aww, MOTHERFUCKER.....

So whatever had happened was Diana's handiwork. Haleigh raised her hands as if to show she wasn't a threat, standing slowly. She knew she must diffuse the public situation.

"Officer, (reaching in her pocket and pulling out a small leather wallet, she opened it to reveal her SHIELD badge and the accompanying picture ID) I'm Agent Romanov with SHIELD...."

She removed her sunglasses for the first time, tossing her mahogany hair back. There were gasps of recognition and whispered words of admiration. This was the ONE TIME Haleigh was grateful for her celebrity. She was a city-wide hero, with a gun and a badge and the support and gratitude of city council and the powerful and influential. Her and Tony were the poster girl and boy for the effort, much to everyone's chagrin, herself and Tony included. But the public liked the wisecracking, handsome man in the iron suit and the roundhouse-kicking, beautiful femme fatale with a gun, and SHIELD liked positive public relations. So they all kinds of went along with it. The public knew she saved the city-- but she'd been careful to avoid any broad daylight shows off power for the cell phone cameras. NO ONE knew she was a mutant/robot/zombie (whatever she was).

"You may recognize me--"

Officer: Black Widow!

He exclaimed loudly. She raised her voice a little as well.

"Yes, that is correct. (Addressing the crowd) everyone please calm down. There's no more danger, I won't let anything happen to you."

Where was Zach with his emotional release valve when she needed him? She glanced at Cameron, giving him the 'help me out here' eyes. She manifested a NYPD badge on Cameron's belt to help the story she was about to spin. She dropped her voice and spoke directly to the policeman.

"This gentleman here with me is Detective Joey Quinn. We'll handle the situation from here, please help us disperse this crowd."

Officer: but THAT Blondie MUTIE that was here--

Haleigh's eyes narrowed on him and he seemed to grasp instantly that he shouldn't continue speaking.

"That WOMAN is a retired NYPD detective, and she deserves more respect than you just showed. Keep your racial epithets to yourself. While you wear this uniform, you represent our fine city and you set the example for our civilians. Now you return peace and order to this area, officer-- that's an order."

He yes-ma'amed her and complied, and it was clear that Cameron was working his magic as well. Haleigh dropped three 50 dollar bills on the table and her and Cameron smoothly walked away, getting into Haleigh's gunmetal grey Aston Martin Vanquish, which she'd managed to parallel park right across the street. The engine roared to life as she pulled out and expertly merged with traffic before weaving smoothly through the openings and zooming off.

She didn't say a word. She finally had a moment to reflect on the substance of the flash that had overpowered her consciousness. This had happened before, with disastrous results. But this time, either nobody had noticed because they were preoccupied, or she hadn't projected the memory outwardly like before.

But what the fuck was it?

She had experienced it like one of her own memories. And yet, she couldn't remember actually experiencing it. It just felt so.... familiar. Could it be a compartmentalized part of her life that she'd locked away to protect herself? Had she experienced some trauma, some loss that she'd purposely hidden from herself, that was now resurfacing? She had inexplicably felt younger during the memory, like this had happened many years ago. And the environment..... it was definitely familiar, it looked like a place she'd been before.

Her thoughts and emotions from the memory were familiar too. The sense of outrage, the anger she was all TOO used to feeling. But the codenames Zeus and Frankenstein were unknown to her. Another thing compartmentalized? She must have succeeded in destroying them if she'd been able to erase them from not just her mind, but the WORLD.

They'd stolen something from her. Her DNA, presumably. With which they'd created a living human being...... the baby. She'd felt a connection to it. Was it really HER baby?? Such a bizarre concept..... but even NOW, reflecting on it, she remembered the last coherent 'feeling' of the memory: a growing warmth.

 

[Rampage]

:: She wasnt immediately aware that Zach had taken hold of her. But as his own empathic abilities alleviated her of HEART BREAKING anguish and her mind, her EYES began to clear from the deluge, she sat up straight, QUICKLY removing herself from Zach's grasp as she struggled to get a sense of just what was going on and WHO was in her private suite::

:: Her eyes darted from Nicolas to Zach, then around the around the room of her suite they were in. ::

:: Everything was returning to normal...or as normal as it could be for her now. She was regaining her bearings. Her vitals were stabilizing.::

....Thank you.

Nicolas looked to Zach as well. He was well aware that Zach probably dropped things to come to his - and his AUNT'S - aid.

What she said. I seriously owe you Zach, and I apologize for the shout.

Nicolas shook his hand and gave him a small neural jumpstart to help him recover from both the shout and the absorption of so much anguish. Zach would feel like he could wrestle a bear.

:: She said softly. She looked at Nicolas, who was kneeling right beside her. she took one of his hands into her's and held it. She knew now that he'd seen more glimpses of his mother as SHE rememebered her on that tragic night that Set attacked their village. She never would have consciously allowed him to see that, but what's done is done. He didnt run or waver. He got her the help he promised he would and for that, she was grateful. She squeezed his hand::

I am...Dominique Deveraux.

:: She recognized Zachary as the companion of Haleigh Davidoff. But the two had never been formally introduced before. ::

And I thank you for your assistance.

I have been having...a difficult time the last several days. Due to the onset of...unusual circumstances.

:: That was the MOST she was going to say about it right now. She may have recognized him, but she hardly knew him. Just because NICOLAS trusted him, didn't mean SHE would.::

I believe now with your empathic alleviation, I will be fine.

Nicolas kept her hand as he stood to his full height.

Thanks again Zach. I am sorry for snatching you away from what you were on but I was having a crisis. I will see further to my aunt and then I need to speak with you about some assistance that Alycia required. But that can certainly be at your leisure. Send Hales my best.

And with that, Nicolas waited until Zach exited the suite, his hand firmly but gently holding Dominique's. As the door closed, Nicolas knelt back down and hugged Dominique. He pulled away suddenly and stood quickly, turning away from her so she would not see his tears.

Then Nicolas turned and the facade was complete. His eyes were dry and a serene smile returned as he looked upon her. He clapped his hands.

So...you wanna talk about...THAT? Or would you prefer I leave you be? Or...door number three, we hang out a while and do whatever you want? Your choice.

Nicolas waited for her to choose what she would prefer. He WANTED to help her but he had grown enough to realize that she would have to make that choice.

 

[Prophet]

Here's To The Ladies Who Lunch!

Everything seemed to be going smoothly for the three of them. They were having lunch together, enjoying each other's company. When the topic switched to Dominique, Cameron was puzzled at their reaction about her. This was a woman they seemed to despise when compared to the other women that were a part of The Sisterhood, Dominique seemed to be the only one capable of helping The Six out and actually remaining good on her word with regards to the truce. While he was relieved to know that although there WAS a truce and that his teammates despised The Sisterhood as much as he did, he couldn't help but wonder then why they had AGREED to a truce in the first place. It made sense in the heat of the moment, to defeat Set together. He got that it was bred out of necesity, but just like Alycia had told in regards to his relationship with Haleigh...at what point does that not matter anymore? Cameron was being a team player but they had come to an understanding with a group of women that Cameron despised with every fiber of his being. They had aligned with a woman who set about a course of action that stole away his life before it ever began. He didn't understand how Delilah and Haleigh could be okay with the truce but then speak on how horrible Dominique was.

And then...

A server came up to the group and delivered a package to the table for Delilah. Cameron was instinctively on edge about this man because he displayed the key traits of a person being mentally possessed. As he delivered the package, Cameron saw a white halo for an instant circling the man's head.

"Diana!"

He thought to himself as the package was placed in front of Delilah.

Delilah: "Hey buddy, you might want to lay off the drugs for a while."

Cameron's body tensed up.

Delilah: "Cam, did you do this? You should have gotten something for Haleigh too..."

He stood from his chair for a moment, trying to stop her from opening the package.

"Delilah! Wait! Don't open it! It's from Dia--"

Cameron glanced down at the box as Delilah was already opening it. Inside was a silver rattle from Tiffany's with a note congratulating Delilah on her new arrival. Cameron grimaced with pain for his friend.

"Diana...it's from Diana..."

Delilah: "With love from Malice..."

And then she appeared in front of them. Diana herself. Cameron had not seen her since The Viper Caper and it was really too soon. He couldn't say that if he never saw her again, he would be fine because the ONLY way Cameron would EVER be fine in regards to Diana would be to hold her decapitated head in his hands and watch her eyes gloss over.

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

Cameron wanted to stand up and lay waste to her, but he knew he couldn't. Not because of the truce itself, but because of Diana. She was a woman who TRULY enjoyed watching people unwravel and she was a telepath, she knew how he felt about her without him having to say it. Anything you said to Diana could be used against you, and only served to make the person arguing with her look like a fool. You couldn't insult Diana because she just truly had no capacity for shame or remorse.

Delilah: "Don't you have some kittens to sacrifice, Diana? Be gone, before someone drops a house on you too."

Diana: "That's right. Be the stupid, short sighted little girl I KNOW you are. Show everyone in this bistro that you're a mutant...and why would I do that? When there are sacrificial lambs just waiting to be slaughtered right in front of me."

Well...this was off to a great start. The two engaged in a back and forth and Cameron wasn't sure exactly what to do. He KNEW he would not be able to stop EITHER woman from going in on each other but the things she was SAYING...were horrible...and it left Cameron wondering just exactly WHAT she was doing here..This seemed...incredibly juvenile even for Diana. She had her favorites among the group that she liked to torture, to push their buttons and NORMALLY that was Haleigh or Cameron. Why Delilah? This was a calculated move.

Malice: "But Cameron COULD learn something from you. You see...he's always been a good SCREAMER. So easily broken and so theatrical in his wails of pain. YOU? You're doing a MARVELOUS job of playing the "bad girl". You're showing them all, how BAD you are aren't you? With your self imposed isolation. You're hiding from YOURSELF in your own weak and fragile mind, You're lashing out like a wounded animal against anything and anyone that forces you, for even a MOMENT, to recall the reality of FAILURE THAT IS YOU."

He tried to shrug off the mental images of his torture at the hands of Diana as fast as he could. None of The Six ever knew just how BAD it was...if they DID, they would never have agreed to a truce. Diana had brutalized him. Mentally, Emotionally, Physically and Sexually, and she did it with the same smile she was returning to Delilah right now. He had been murdered by her and the fact that he remained would ALWAYS make Diana want to continue their 'story'. But in DOING what she had done...Cameron had actually learned a few things. He learned that although he was on a different path in life, there was a very possible point in his life where he could have TURNED INTO her. Where he could have shut everything off completely. He already KNEW he was capable of doing the things she was capable of doing...he had done things like that before...he also learned how to strengthen his abilities. The psychic assault she unleashed on him was incredibly brutal...she had done things to him that would make even HALEIGH crawl in her own skin, but she had shown him ways to use his abilities that he hadn't thought of before and in torturing him she had only strengthened his resolve. In reality, while Cameron HATED her for EVERYTHING she had done...he HAD learned from her in the way a student does from a teacher..the skill set was just nothing to be proud of. Cameron was NOT the same man she had captured and killed so many years ago, and Diana would learn of that before she died. Cameron would see to it.

And then Delilah punched Malice in the face. Cameron stood up.

"Oh this is enough! Diana?! This seems trivial...even for YOU. Why are you even here?"

:: Diana hadn't moved an inch. If Delilah came any closer, she'd be TOUCHING Diana and if she touched her? All bets were OFF.::

:: Diana says nothing. She shows no reaction. Her eyes sparkle for just a moment.::

Little girl: Mommy! That's a mutant!

Two Servers, dropping their trays and turning to point at Delilah: Hey! THAT'S A MUTANT.

Woman with a stroller walking past: THAT'S A MUTANT! MY BABY ISN'T SAFE AROUND MUTANTS!

Table with a group of women: LOOK AT HER! SHE'S A MUTANT!

others around them: Is that a mutant!? THAT'S A MUTANT! SHE'S HARRASSING THAT WOMAN!

:: people ALL AROUND Delilah, Haleigh and Cameron started taking out their cameras, camera phones and pointing them at the trio, NAMELY Delilah and now had her image on screen::

::A police officer walking by suddenly SNAPS his glare toward the group, and comes toward them as a now HYSTERICAL server runs to him::

Server: OFFICER HELP US! A MUTANT TERRORIST IS HERE AND SHE'S THREATENING THAT WOMAN!

:: Unbeknownst to Delilah until now, Malice began seizing and posessing EVERY mind around them, compelling them to speak the words she put in her mind and draw t heir devices to capture Delilah, Haleigh and Cameron on them. She then began to AUGMENT their perception and FEAR of Delilah, who to THEM looked like a meancing woman with glowing green eyes and sparks of energy flaring out of them. To THEM, they saw her PHYSICALLY harrassing Diana, who looked like a NUN!::

Officer to Delilah: GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT WOMAN, MUTIE!



:: Taking out his baton and ready to strike her at any moment as the two servers come to DIANA'S aid and pull her away from her FACE TO FACE stand off with Delilah.::

:: by now, TWO Purifiers, who just happened to be in the area, had their attention drawn to what was happening. To THEM, it also seemed that Diana (who appeared to be the victim) was now being harrassed by a "MUTIE". They wouldn't stand for this. They would DEFEND "Their own!"::

Purifiers: Get your fucking hands off that woman, you disgusting mutant piece of FILTH! Officer! DO SOMETHING about her! We DECENT human beings should be able to go about our business without FEAR of being accosted by GENE-TRASH like HER!

:: Violently pointing at Delilah as Diana SMILES WIDELY::

:: Delilah, Cameron and Haleigh had just been CHECKED by Malice. She hadn't attacked them but she was using the ENVIRONMENT around her. If Cameron TRIED to undo her psychic web, he'd cause more harm than anything else::

Your move, Delilah.

Show them, how much you DON'T CARE about their safety and well being, just like you don't really care about Alexia's. Show us how BAD you are!


:: One false move, and it was over for them. Was Delilah REALLY going to take her so-called team mates down this path of destruction to proove to herself just how "BAD" she was ::

"Oh Jesus Christ...Really, Diana? You have just as much to lose with this kind of ridiculous showboating. We get it..you're a BAD BITCH...now just go the fuck home."

Delilah: "You are all talk and NO game. In the end, Diana? A cheap whore for MysTech MEN is all you'll ever be."

Delilah unleashed a BLAST of white light that filled the area blinding everybody in sight except Cameron who essentially didn't need eyes to see. He watched as Malice made her escape and grimaced at knowing that she had just created a big mess for him and Haleigh to clean up. Thankfully Haleigh seemed to FINALLY snap the fuck back into reality and went STRAIGHT into action.

"You may recognize me--"

Officer: Black Widow!

He exclaimed loudly. She raised her voice a little as well.

"Yes, that is correct. (Addressing the crowd) everyone please calm down. There's no more danger, I won't let anything happen to you."

Where was Zach with his emotional release valve when she needed him? She glanced at Cameron, giving him the 'help me out here' eyes. She manifested a NYPD badge on Cameron's belt to help the story she was about to spin. She dropped her voice and spoke directly to the policeman.

"This gentleman here is Detective Joey Quinn. We'll handle the situation from here, please help us disperse this crowd."

Officer: but THAT blonde MUTIE that was here--

Haleigh's eyes narrowed on him and he seemed to grasp instantly that he shouldn't continue speaking.

"That WOMAN is a retired NYPD detective, and she deserves more respect than you just showed. Keep your racial epithets to yourself. While you wear this uniform, you represent our fine city and you set the example for our civilians. Now you return peace and order to this area, officer-- that's an order."

He yes-ma'amed her and complied, and it was clear the Cameron was working his magic as well. Haleigh dropped three 50 dollar bills on the table and her and Cameron smoothly walked away, getting into Haleigh's gunmetal grey Aston Martin Vanquish, which she'd managed to parallel park right across the street. The engine raised to life as she pulled out and smoothly.

This was a NICE move on Haleigh's part and one of the ONLY benefits that her being a SHIELD operative afforded people in The Six. She was one of the faces of the 'heroes' and she was using this ability to get them out of a sticky situation. Cameron used his own mental abilities to further ease the panic as well as his empathy to instill a general feeling of calm in the area. As they zoomed off in the car, Cameron used his abilities to warp the situation in the minds of everyone around, spinning the story in their minds so that people would think that The Purifiers were harrassing normal citizens in the city, accusing them of being mutants. It was a PR move and he hoped it might shed some negative light on The Purifiers who were becoming a menace in New York.

Both Cameron and Haleigh were silent for a moment, before Cameron decided to break the silence.

"Diana wants the truce broken, Haleigh...She's begging for it. It's why she went after Delilah. She knows she is the only one of us that is basically PRIMED to do so...we need to figure out why and we need to do it QUICKLY. The only reason she isn't doing it herself is because it saves face with Dominique and saves her from the immediate wrath of Alison and Morgan...."

[he eyed her up and down for a moment]

"And YOU Haleigh...what the fuck just happened with you there? You're blacking out again...and ever since you came back your mind has been BLOCKED...and I KNOW it's by Diana..I know her energy signature intimately. What did she DO to you when she was in your brain...furthermore...what did YOU see about her that would cause her to close you off completely..."

Cameron watched Haleigh who seemed to be lost in thought as they continued to drive.

 

[Recall]

The Clocktower - NYC

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

Vivica laughed.

"Aww shucks..now i'm ALL blushing and shit..."

She smirked as Oracle continued.

Oracle: "Why the Purifiers...why the children."

"Well..I guess if we--"

Zach appeared before them.

Zach: "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."

"Well like usual our government is about six steps behind...but then again, they don't have our GIRL over here...Good to see you, Captain.." [tilts her head towards ZiZi]

Oracle: "Oh heaven's Zach. What do I have to do to get you to call me Zizi? 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."

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

Oracle: "A girl's got to have her privacy."

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

Vivica rolled her eyes.

"Oh ya'll are making me want to vomit. Let's get down to business shall we?"

Zizi gave him the lowdown on what the two of them had just recently discovered regarding Dominique Devereaux.

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.

"It COULD be that The Purifiers are threatening whatever it is that The Hellfire Club is cooking up next...but my experience has been that if THAT were the case, these incidents would be covered up a LOT better...The White Queen doesn't leave room for error in protecting what she needs to protect...something tells me there is something personal at stake..."

Zach: "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."

"Don't we all, Captain?"

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."

"Yeah, definitely bring in Ashley. She might have more first hand accounts with The Purifiers and the case with the children. I could talk to Cameron..but we have to be careful right now as to how much information we give The Six. We need to have a bigger story before we let them know that their sometimes ally is causing anti mutant hysteria across the globe, no matter how NOBLE her cause might seem. We need proof and a motive..."

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

"Right into the belly of the beast...I like it. Zizi and I will work on something too. Meet us back here as SOON as you leave Dominique's suite...but remember to be careful abou what you say. If WE reveal we know too much about Dominique in front of her...we could end up NEXT on her list..."

Zach dissappeared and Vivica and Elizabeth were left by themselves again.

"On second thought...Cameron might not be such a good source. He and Dominique had an affair or so I hear...and I know him better than anybody...he'd alert her that she is a person of interest. I COULD ask Blaze..but I feel bad..I've been so busy here at The Clocktower, at Clandestine and in the gallery that I haven't had much personal time...I wouldn't want her to think I was just using her for intel..."

Vivica grabbed her phone from her bag on the counter and looked down.

"And she's been calling me about some modeling thing she wants me to do for her new business endeavour. I swear that girl will do anything to get me into as little clothes as possible, but she ain't gotta do all THAT...seriously, all this girl needs is a little romance, a little liquor and a good meal and I start purring..."

She looked up from her phone.

"Well..since we are waiting on Zach...I'm going to head down to the gallery..I just got a google alert about some kind of issue that happened at Balthazar today involving The Purifiers. Might be worth doing a little recon.."

Vivica put her phone back in her purse as she walked over to Zizi and gave her a hug and a big kiss on the forehead.

"And I know I say this everytime I see you...but thank you EVERYTHING you've done for me. You know I am eternally at your service..."

She slinged her purse over her shoulder and began to walk towards the elevator door. As the doors began to close she said her goodbye.

"Alert me once Zach returns...or if Ashley has some kind of mental break and thinks she could use a little bit of HELP..."

Vivica winked as the doors the elevaor shut and Zizi was left alone in the clocktower, back to her work.

 

[Isis]

The Parthenon- Dominique's suite

Nicolas kept her hand as he stood to his full height.

Thanks again Zach. I am sorry for snatching you away from what you were on but I was having a crisis. I will see further to my aunt and then I need to speak with you about some assistance that Alycia required. But that can certainly be at your leisure. Send Hales my best.

:: Dominique's countenance was softer, less stern than normal when in the presence of strangers or indirect acquaintances. She nodded again, with thanks to Zach for his kindness and assitance. Once he left, she exhaled slowly, sinking back into her chair::

And with that, Nicolas waited until Zach exited the suite, his hand firmly but gently holding Dominique's. As the door closed, Nicolas knelt back down and hugged Dominique. He pulled away suddenly and stood quickly, turning away from her so she would not see his tears.

:: She noticeably DIDN'T resist his hugging her, nor did she end it as quickly as she normally would. She simply allowed him to do what he felt the need to do, this time. Even as he turned away, she knew what was happening. The familial bond worked BOTH ways. She may not have been his mother, but now, she was his only living blood relative. Despite the friendship or connections either of them might have had, ultimately, they were each ALL the other had in ways no other could understand. Some things are just BEYOND "good and evil."::

Then Nicolas turned and the facade was complete. His eyes were dry and a serene smile returned as he looked upon her. He clapped his hands.

So...you wanna talk about...THAT? Or would you prefer I leave you be? Or...door number three, we hang out a while and do whatever you want? Your choice.

Nicolas waited for her to choose what she would prefer. He WANTED to help her but he had grown enough to realize that she would have to make that choice.

Nicolas. Sit down.

:: She gently commanded.::

I REALIZE that the "mystery" you're trying to solve is, in large part, what lead up to my near emotional break down that you helped pull me back from, but... now that I am...more MYSELF again...I am going to be able to do what I need to do to put a STOP to the growing symphony of negative and distress that has been HAUNTING ME around this city.

:: She looked at him with certainty.::

But BEFORE i begin THAT quest, I want to talk to you...about my sister. Your mother.

The images, the MEMORIES that flooded from me to you before Zachary arrived...I NEVER would have allowed you to "see" or "sense" them under normal circumstances. Not because I want to PUNISH you, but because I NEVER wanted you to know what your MONSTER of a father did to your mother....my sister. What he did...that *I* couldn't stop...despite my best efforts.

I did not have the power then that I do now. Had that been the case? I can assure you, the OUTCOME of that night would have been QUITE different.

But that is neither here nor there now. YOUR here and so am I. When I first came to New York, my mission...my purpose was REVENGE...VENGEANCE for my sister and myself and that was to be accomplished through YOUR DEATH at my hands.

I had lost my way, even as Isis herself had revived me in the desert and called me to restore balance and correct the damage Set had caused.

But here WE are...NOW...and as I've told you many times since, your mother displayed more serenity, more courage than *I* had in the months, days, FINAL HOURS leading up to your birth. She believed in YOU more than anyone in the world. She would be...proud to see who you are NOW. She would be HAPPY to see us...being able to have moments like this.

:: a pause...::

Nicolas...there is one thing that I simply CANNOT ABIDE. To see the weak...and the truly INNOCENT be abused...hurt...or worse. It touches me in a way that FEW other things do. I do not CARE if that puts me out of step with the Hellfire Club. As I have told Diana and Helena from the start...mylife is MY OWN and I will live it as I choose.

There are others...who, likeyour mother, are being brutalized...I've been sensing their cries...night after night. Going back to when i first told you that my spirit was troubled, several months ago.

A week ago...I finally SAW two such victims. I attempted to go to their aid.

and I...was too late. Too late to SAVE them. But NOT too late....

::FLASH!::

All 3: GUN HER!

:: To give them credit, these Purifiers are definitely locked and loaded to the hilt with powerful energy weapons. They draw and fire with form and speed, but its NOT ENOUGH.::

:: Isis doesnt move. As the blasts charge for her, her opal blue eyes glow, turning solid white as chimes sound off and she TRANSFORMS into her EXPLOSIVE SAND CLOUD FORM. The winds HOWL as her sand cloud form explodes and expands, swirling with VIOLENT effect around the area.::

:: Her voice can be heard with haunting resonance all around them::

Your weapons and power are FINITE. Your minds and your "Mission" are PATHETIC and now? Your lives have ENDED!

:: Isis' explosive sand cloud form ENVELOPES the purifiers. She begins to scour and RAVAGE THEM, completely tearing them apart on all levels. Their screams are almost swallowed by the eerie howl of the winds in her form and soon, all that's left? are SKELETONS that now lay on the ground, partially clothed by the tattered, torn, shredded remains of their uniforms.::

:: Soon, Isis returns to her regular human form, standing over the skeletons::

You will NEVER hurt ANYONE again.

:: Soon, she turns to face the bodies of the children. Slowly drawing near, she reaches forward and removes the "MUTIE" sign that was hanging around Mark's neck. CRUSHING it in her gloved hand, the paper vanishes in a swirl of golden orbs::

I regret that I....could not get here...to YOU sooner, children.

:: Isis says with a pained tone in her voice as she reaches forward and solemnly closes both childrens' eyes::

to AVENGE them.

:: She said coldly as she looked into Nicolas' eyes.::

I have a task that I MUST complete. I cannot be stopped...not by you...or anyone of your group.

:: This was certainly MORE than she'd said to him BEFORE, but still, she was stopping short. There was something she was still keeping from him and NOW she was once again BLOCKING from him any sense of what else happened...just what she'd done. BUT he may have had an idea::

I'm asking...I COMMAND you not to betray my confidance in you. Do NOT tell your friends of my activities. Do NOT lead them to me or try to stop me. Is that clear?

 

[Persephone]

Alison was having the time of her life, looking like she was in an 80's movie montage as she grabbed various items of clothing from Spectra Boutique. Ava stood there with her aviators still on, looking less than thrilled at what was unfolding in front of her. Alison gave her a few jabs and told her to loosen up....sighing, Ava grabbed an emerald necklace with a VERY hefty price tag that was displayed near her. Placing it on top of all of Alison's clothes, she gave her an 'are you happy now' smile as the sales girl began to ring it up.

After shopping, Alison and Ava headed to La Bella Mafia for lunch. Finally, a place that served alcohol. Ordering a double Goose Red Bull, a little booze and a little energy would do her body wonders. She then decided on the fire grilled Ahi salad. It didn't take long before their food was given to them and they were enjoying it.

Alison: So....oh you know...Simon Pratt? I dont even have to have a subsription to TMZ. I can "SEE" for myself. He's been ALL OVER you, LITTERALLY.

Smirking as she chewed, Ava then took a small sip of her drink.

"He's a good lay. Great stamina. [she stated with a grin] I'm enjoying myself with him."

Shrugging.

"But it's only sex. I'm sure we'll get bored of each other soon."

 

[Black Widow]

NYC streetscape

Cameron: Diana wants the truce broken, Haleigh...She's begging for it. It's why she went after Delilah. She knows she is the only one of us that is basically PRIMED to do so...we need to figure out why and we need to do it QUICKLY. The only reason she isn't doing it herself is because it saves face with Dominique and saves her from the immediate wrath of Alison and Morgan....

(Shaking her head) "Diana doesn't give a DAMN about the truce, one way or the other. We all agreed to it because it was both vitally necessary and mutually beneficial. We've kept it going because it's easier than the alternative. But she's getting restless and bored. She craves another challenge, another soul to poison..... She craves an outlet for her malevolence."

She spoke without vitriol, offering instead her understanding. Some would be deeply disturbed by Haleigh's perspective, not because it reflected poorly on Diana, but because it drew attention to the fact that on some level, Haleigh possessed the capacity to RECOGNIZE the 'WHY' of Malice in the same instinctive way she'd recognized the killer in Cass: it takes one to know one.

Cameron: And YOU Haleigh...what the fuck just happened with you there?

She could feel his scrutiny, see it in her peripheral vision. There was a picture-in-picture feature on her personal heads-up 'display'. Only SHE could see it, but to her it appeared as a projection in the top left of her field of view. It was a still frame shot of the memory; the image of the baby in the embryonic tube.

"I suffered another memory glitch. My migraine must have been a warning sign.... it's gone now. I'm just relieved I didn't project like last time-- that would've made the situation even worse."

Cameron: You're blacking out again...and ever since you came back your mind has been BLOCKED...and I KNOW it's by Diana..I know her energy signature intimately.

"She's put up a firewall of some kind...a psi screen. now that I think about it, that's probably what prevented me from subconsciously broadcasting like BEFORE."

Cameron: what did YOU see about her that would cause her to close you off completely...

"I saw....."

her tragic childhood..... her parents murdered in front of her.... her violent beginnings.....

"I saw her origin....."

Haleigh wasn't about to share it. Knowing MALICE, she probably installed some kind of dormant virus that would lobotomize --or rezombify -- Haleigh if she exposed Diana's childhood victimization.

"I saw what made her....."

poisonous like ME.

"Malicious."

 

[Harbinger]

Parthenon- La Bella Mafia

"He's a good lay. Great stamina. [she stated with a grin] I'm enjoying myself with him."

Shrugging.

mmmmHMMMM!

:: Alison took a long gulp of her sunrise sangria as she listened and watched Ava. She didn't fold up over the mention of Simon, that was a first. Usually Ava was quite private about her personal endeavors. In that detail, she was much like Karen. BUT Ava was not afraid of a good roll in the hay, wherever the need or WANT my strike her::

"But it's only sex.

Isn't that enough?

:: She said with a laugh::

I used to tell Morgan, sex burns quite a few calories. She should use Nicolas more often!

:: Alison smirked at the thought of those two. she even thought of her OWN exploits with Diddy, that felt like a LIFE time ago. He looked so good to her back then and he was QUITE enthusiastic in the bedroom. NOW? He was all hot air...and hardly anything to look at. ::

Maybe while I'm here, I'll discover my OWN boy toy. But you know...men these days are rather fragile. You can't even say something in a MORE than "normal" tone to them without them getting upset.

I'm sure we'll get bored of each other soon.

Ava, in all your years of living...in this and OTHER lifetimes, you mean to tell me the KAMA SUTRA didn't have to publish a supplemental because of you? I'm surprised Simon's lasted THIS long though.

Speaking of which...He's coming here, you know. He's had a "bad day" and he wants to be cheered up.

Shall I "true freeze" him in his tracks for you?

:: Alison said teasingly, trying to lighten Ava's mood a bit. But he WAS coming, Alison could "see" that, and she wanted to give Ava a heads up in case she DID want to duck out before he showed up.::

 

[Prophet]

Haleigh's Car

Haleigh: "Diana doesn't give a DAMN about the truce, one way or the other. We all agreed to it because it was both vitally necessary and mutually beneficial. We've kept it going because it's easier than the alternative. But she's getting restless and bored. She craves another challenge, another soul to poison..... She craves an outlet for her malevolence."

Cameron rolled his eyes.

"She's not some mythological beast, Haleigh. I get that you two have some weird kind of connection, but speaking from somebody who has experienced decidedly depraved torture from her firsthand, she always has a reason. She didn't just wake up and 'decide' to fuck with Delilah. The way she did it..was calculated. It was meticulously planned...she is getting ready to end the truce, but she is trying to get us to make the first move...which really, is fine by me..but there are extenuating circumstances behind that...."

She could feel his scrutiny, see it in her peripheral vision. There was a picture-in-picture feature on her personal heads-up 'display'. Only SHE could see it, but to her it appeared as a projection in the top left of her field of view. It was a still frame shot of the memory; the image of the baby in the embryonic tube.

"I suffered another memory glitch. My migraine must have been a warning sign.... it's gone now. I'm just relieved I didn't project like last time-- that would've made the situation even worse."

Cameron: You're blacking out again...and ever since you came back your mind has been BLOCKED...and I KNOW it's by Diana..I know her energy signature intimately.

"She's put up a firewall of some kind...a psi screen. now that I think about it, that's probably what prevented me from subconsciously broadcasting like BEFORE."

Cameron: what did YOU see about her that would cause her to close you off completely...

"I saw....."

her tragic childhood..... her parents murdered in front of her.... her violent beginnings.....

"I saw her origin....."

Haleigh wasn't about to share it. Knowing MALICE, she probably installed some kind of dormant virus that would lobotomize --or rezombify -- Haleigh if she exposed Diana's childhood victimization.

"I saw what made her....."

poisonous like ME.

"Malicious."

Cameron watched Haleigh as he spoke, before he rolled his eyes.

"Haleigh...whatever it is you have going on with Diana...KNOCK IT OFF."

He threw his hands up in the air for a moment, exasperated.

"Sorry...it's just you seem to almost be ROMANTICIZING this newfound connection with Diana, when in reality we both know that you're too smart to share her secrets and she's too smart to give you the chance...so if you think you've got one UP on her this time? Think again...She's not stupid and the sooner you get whatever is going on in your head figured out, the better...because now that's she's made an appearance..she has set the stage. Her games have begun..and i'll be DAMNED if i'm going to lose ANOTHER person in my life because of HER..."

Cameron stopped talking for a moment. He wasn't mad at Haleigh as much as he was frustrated with Diana and he REALLY didn't like what he was sensing from Haleigh because try as Malice might to block the memories from coming unwraveled she had no control over the EMOTIONS that Haleigh was experiencing and what Cameron was picking up was startling to say the least...Haleigh had SYMPATHY for malice...She felt some kind of strange kinship between the two of them.

"All I'm saying...is whatever you are hiding...sounds pretty damn dangerous to me...and with all this anti mutant activity going on...we NEED you to in tip top shape because who do you think is going to have to lead the team when shit hits the fan? It's US, Hales."

[he put his hand on her shoulder]

"Just promise me you will let me know BEFORE you head into disaster."

 

[Persephone]

Alison: Isn't that enough?

Raising her glass to that, Ava smiled as she took a sip of her drink.

Alison: Ava, in all your years of living...in this and OTHER lifetimes, you mean to tell me the KAMA SUTRA didn't have to publish a supplemental because of you? I'm surprised Simon's lasted THIS long though.

Now that made Ava laugh out loud.

"I am too."

But their girls day was about to be cut short by the very person they were talking about.

Alison: Speaking of which...He's coming here, you know. He's had a "bad day" and he wants to be cheered up. Shall I "true freeze" him in his tracks for you?

Ava debated this for a moment....honestly, she wasn't in the mood to entertain anymore or 'cheer them up'. But considering he was just now walking through the door and spotted her, Ava shook her head gently as she shifted her eyes back to Alison.

"Too late."

Seeing Simon approach, Ava looked down at her watch.

"Mr. Pratt...off work early I see? Here's to hoping you got everyone on my to-do list done?"

 

[Longshot]

Parthenon - La Bella Mafia

Simon had been experiencing a very long day. With Ava out of the office and Cameron gone for what felt like hours, much of the day to day running of things had gone to him. While he loved the work and was rather good at it, he had worked his fingers to the bone in order to ensure that both Cameron and Ava would be pleased with his work.

Thankfully, he managed to fly through the day's list of things to do in record time. Everything left would need final approval from Ava or Cameron before they could proceed. This left Simon with the very rare ability to leave work a little bit early and he definitely took the opportunity. As he got into a Town Car and began to head back to his penthouse he thought for a moment.

Ava had not been in good spirits lately. In fact she seemed to have closed off on him altogether. And she was still having the nightmares, though Simon didn't dare mention it to her again. He was trying to give her the space she needed and keep things casual as possible but with the amount of time they spent together at work coupled with late night trysts it did cause him to worry a little bit about her. He mentioned for his driver to stop at The Parthenon instead of his place. He would check in on her...among other things

First he decided to stop at La Bella Mafia...If Ava wasn't feeling all that well she might need some soup and La Bella Mafia had some delicious creamy italian soups, and plus he realized that it was always easier to coax Ava with gifts.

As he entered the restaurant his eyes immediately went to her. She was sitting with a tall and intimidating looking woman with blue black hair and a gaze that matched it. He nodded to Ava as he made his way closer to the women.

Simon: "Mr. Pratt...off work early I see? Here's to hoping you got everyone on my to-do list done?"

Simon cracked a half smile and smirked.

"Well...there's still ONE thing left...but that can be taken care of later..."

Simon and Ava's eyes met in 'that' kind of way as he turned his attention to the mysterious woman in red.

"Hello there....I'm Simon Pratt. Nice to meet you...though you DO look familiar...are you a friend of my family?"

 

[Harbinger]

La Bella Mafia

"Too late."

:: Indeed it was...::

Seeing Simon approach, Ava looked down at her watch.

"Mr. Pratt...off work early I see? Here's to hoping you got everyone on my to-do list done?"

"Mr. Pratt" indeed.

::Alison thought as a smirked creeped on her face as she watched Ava's reserved interaction with Simon.::

Simon cracked a half smile and smirked.

"Well...there's still ONE thing left...but that can be taken care of later..."

Simon and Ava's eyes met in 'that' kind of way.

:: He was cute. Alison wouldn't deny that. A bit SCRAWNY for her taste, but still cute. She could see herself playing with him...like a cat plays with her favorite toy! the idea of it made her laugh softly even as she watched eyes at Ava, who seemed to unconsciously shift into a slightly sultry mood in his presence::

::AHEM!::

:: Alison cleared her throat as she shift in her seat a bit, tossing some of her blue/black hair back and eyeing Simon up and down::

He turned his attention to the mysterious woman in red

Hello there....

:: She looked at him rather curiously with her colbalt blue eyes. Ava could TELL she was not only sizing him up, but "LOOKING" at time threads leading to/from him. HE might have thought she was "Undressing him with her eyes." In fact, she KNEW he was thinking that, which made her laugh softly once more.::

:: She nodded slowly as he greeted her::

I'm Simon Pratt.

I'm sure you are.

:: Alison said in a tone of voice that Ava would recognize. She was testing him a bit. Seeing if he was as BOLD as he played at being.::

Nice to meet you...though you DO look familiar...are you a friend of my family?"

Your family?

:: Alison rested her hand on her ample bosom, looking at Ava and smirking a bit before looking back at Simon.::

I'm sorry, I've never heard of you, until now.

:: A lie, but she was having fun teasing him a bit::

I'm not from around here. But maybe you know of MY family.

The OWNER of the Zenith Group is my baby BROTHER, Cameron King?

I'm Alison Marble.

:: She extends her hand, taking his hand into her own. Her touch is COLD AS ICE::

Nice to meet you, Simon.

:: Smiling at him in a way that was rather unsettling::

Wont you sit down? Tell us about your day?

:: She'd already told AVA that he'd had a BAD DAY. He wouldnt expect Alison to know that, but there she was, leading him out just the same::

 

[Longshot]

Parthenon - La Bella Mafia

Your family?

:: Alison rested her hand on her ample bosom, looking at Ava and smirking a bit before looking back at Simon.::

I'm sorry, I've never heard of you, until now.

:: A lie, but she was having fun teasing him a bit::

I'm not from around here. But maybe you know of MY family.

The OWNER of the Zenith Group is my baby BROTHER, Cameron King?

I'm Alison Marble.

:: She extends her hand, taking his hand into her own. Her touch is COLD AS ICE::

Nice to meet you, Simon.

:: Smiling at him in a way that was rather unsettling::

Wont you sit down? Tell us about your day?

:: She'd already told AVA that he'd had a BAD DAY. He wouldnt expect Alison to know that, but there she was, leading him out just the same::

Simon's eyes squinted for a second as he watched the beautiful woman look him up and down. She was checking out the merchandise no doubt, but there was something else in her eyes that caused him a little bit of concern. It was almost...predatory.

As she spoke Simon couldn't help but LAUGH.

"Well, Alison Marble...Cameron King's sister! That's where I've seen you...your picture is plastered all over this hotel!"

Simon grabbed a seat from one of the empty tables and sat himself in between Ava and Alison. He made sure to do all of this before Ava could say no to her friend's invitation. He waved the waiter down and ordered a martini.

"And pretending to NOT know of me or my family in order to check my incredibly large ego..."

the waiter returned almost instantly with his martini as he took a sip and gave the precog a cheeky smile.

"I like you, already...Alison."

[sitting the glass down on the table]

"And today..well..it sucked for the most part. I'm used to being Ava and Cameron's right hand man but they BOTH seemed to dissappear from the office today..No matter really..I'm a capable man..."

One again he eyed Alison up and down with curiosity before leaning back in his chair.

"But really...nobody cares about MY day..you look like a person who always has the inside scoop...is our girl over there [tilting his head to Ava] really sick or did she ditch the day to hang out with you? Not like she could get in trouble for hanging out with boss's sister..but I'd like to know...I was here to get her SOUP and bring it up to her room...and now well..."

He placed his hand over his head dramatically.

"I can't help but feel as if this all just one big lie and Girl Friday is playing me for a FOOL!"

Simon cast a glance over at Ava, who did NOT seem pleased. He readjusted himself.

"Oh come ON, Ava...I'm just having a little fun..."

[turning back to Alison]

"So...are you here to visit with Cameron? Good luck, he's been tied up with that Alycia Barnett for a few months now...it's as sweet as it is disgusting..."

 

[Black Widow]

She prickled at his response. Whatever ELSE had happened between them, they just weren't 'clicking' like they used to, and Haleigh did NOT like it at all..... because the way it used to be-- the acceptance and understanding they used to have for each other-- had gotten lost somewhere. Cameron was starting to draw all these little lines that Haleigh wasn't supposed to cross, he was implementing all these RULES that Haleigh couldn't abide.

Cameron: She's not some mythological beast, Haleigh. I get that you two have some weird kind of connection, but speaking from somebody who has experienced decidedly depraved torture from her firsthand, she always has a reason.

"Oh for fuck's sake. You act like you're the only one who's ever been tortured or abused. You act like you're the only one who has seen the face of depravity and been determined not to flinch. (Shifting gears down to give herself more torque and acceleration to run a yellow light) Same old short-sighted, self-absorbed Stud. I don't know WHY you insist on pretending you've found some moral high ground to stand on. You're exactly like you always were, and you can't FOOL ME just because you cleaned out from underneath your fingernails."

Cameron: Haleigh...whatever it is you have going on with Diana...KNOCK IT OFF.

"Well it's not like I'm sitting up on the Hellfire Club roof, smoking cigars and drinking brandy and swapping spit with her, OKAY?? I don't have 'something going on' with her! You think I LIKE this any MORE than YOU DO? She did what she did to save my life, Cameron. I saw something she didn't WANT me to see, and so she... I don't KNOW, upgraded my software or something.... and it left an awareness behind. Or maybe the understanding has ALWAYS been there, so fucking WHAT! You USED to understand me, and I think we've ALL agreed that I HAVEN'T CHANGED, so clearly the problem is YOU!"

He'd struck a nerve, obviously. And now they were trapped in this car together, racing through the city, Haleigh driving like an aggressive maniac cab driver, which actually didn't stick out amongst Manhattan traffic, but only served to punctuate her defensive words.

Cameron: Sorry...it's just you seem to almost be ROMANTICIZING this newfound connection with Diana, when in reality we both know that you're too smart to share her secrets and she's too smart to give you the chance...so if you think you've got one UP on her this time? Think again...She's not stupid and the sooner you get whatever is going on in your head figured out, the better...because now that's she's made an appearance..she has set the stage. Her games have begun..and i'll be DAMNED if i'm going to lose ANOTHER person in my life because of HER...

She glanced at him directly for the first time since they'd gotten in the car together. It dawned on her that they were alone together again, which they'd been careful to avoid ever since the kiss. The cabin, luxurious and spacious for a sports coupe, seemed suddenly claustrophobic. They were both silent for a second, unbearably awkward.

Cameron: All I'm saying...is whatever you are hiding...sounds pretty damn dangerous to me...

(Sighing) "it's not dangerous. It's just an explanation that you probably don't fucking CARE to hear. And you KNOW she'd call it a violation of the truce.... and I'M not going to be the reason we break it if I can HELP it, okay? So let me keep this one stupid thing from you."

Cameron: with all this anti mutant activity going on...we NEED you to in tip top shape because who do you think is going to have to lead the team when shit hits the fan? It's US, Hales.

He reached out to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. It was meant to be comforting, and that was the problem. Cameron was perpetually trying to have his cake and eat it TOO. He couldn't declare that they keep their distance, but then keep closing the distance himself. She shook her head softly.

"Don't, please.... don't touch me."

She said, taking her hand off the shifter long enough to gently push his hand away and break the connection.

Cameron: Just promise me you will let me know BEFORE you head into disaster.

"Cameron..... I promise you..... I've got ME under control. Whatever this.... glitch.... is, whatever it means, I'll handle it. If I need someone to lean on, I've got Zach, so....."

She pulled up to the Parthenon and stopped in the drop off zone.