Dream a little a dream

[Seer]

<< Nighttime. Somewhere ELSE in the world.>>

<< A beautiful, starry night sky sparkles over a sleeping village as a soft but definitely rhythmic melody plays in the air.>>

<< We see a beautiful dream faerie playing the music on her flute and one by one, she hypnotizes all the children in the village as they begin to emerge from their homes, their eyes open...but displaying an eerie, vacant stare.>>

<< Soon, the the faerie beckons the children to follow her, as she continues to play the music, leading them to a large, mysterious SHIP. The children climb aboard and the ship lifts into the night sky, sailing off in the air before shimmering out of view!>>

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

<< A week has passed since the clash between the Purifiers and the Six and an emerging new group of heroes lead by Oracle. Now we take a closer look as these individuals move on in their lives in the aftermath.>>


<< At Oracle's residence and base of operations, the Clocktower, her guests- Dominique Deveraux and Richard Martin have settled in for the time being. Today, Dominique is meeting Haleigh Davidoff for a private lunch, while Richard Martin, is enjoying "time off" and getting to know his new surroundings. On this particular day, with Dominique already out for her lunch/meeting with Haleigh, Zizi takes this time to check on Richard and talk with him.>>

<< Sharon Kelly and Nicolas King are also spending time together, having traveled back to Melrose Place together to check on the property in the prolonged absence of Spellbinder and the rest of the team. It gives them a chance to talk privately, away from prying eyes and minds.>>

<< In the parthenon, Cameron King and Delilah Trelevan visit each other. Through thick and thin, Cameron has remained true to his promise to Morgan to look after Delilah. But now, the topic of their discussion is not Delilah or any issues regarding her and Cameron's sister, Alison (though those things still hang heavy in the air among the Six and those observing the group). It's about a common foe, a common threat, one that seems to be creating more danger for them, particularly Haleigh.>>

<< Speaking of Alison Marble, she has been enjoying the company of Xavier Wintston. The intrigue and pleasure is mutual between them and they have spent quite a bit of time together, so much so, that Alison has agreed to take Xavier on a trip to visit HER domain- Minerva's Aerie. Now on the mysterious island, Alison is giving him a tour of the sprawling mansion and their final stop on the tower is the underground technological wonder that is "THE VAULT", the place where the "secrets of the world" are kept. For Xavier, this is a trip unlike any other. He has prooven to be knowledgeable about the occult, but he is also quite comfortable with magick and magick users. The witch and the speedster have been sharing and exchanging ideas and information, and for Alison, a fresh face was just what she needed...even if it didn't solve the problems plaguing her family and her heart...it REMINDED her that she too was human and deserved to enjoy OTHER aspects of her being.>>

<< While they are talking and moving through the mansion, there is activity elsewhere on the island.>>

<< For sometime now, there has been something...SOMEONE moving across Harbinger's time thread, someone from her past, that is NEEDED in her present now more than before!>>

<< Blaze Victory, Cassandra Johnson and Vivica Lennox are visiting Sally Spectra in her private hospital suite. The fashion maven has made a tremendous recovery from her ordeal in the Purifiers caper thanks to the life saving efforts of Recall, along with the surgical prescision of Clandestin Inc's Sawbones and the healing magick of Shadow Weaver. As they visit with Sally, Andrew Murphy arrives, as he has every day so far over the past week to personally deliver a comprehensive report to Sally. He is momentarily caught by surprise to see the three women in there, now all staring at him. He knew of them, mainly from Delilah, and he had some close interaction with Blaze, who was acting CEO of Spectra Couture, Morgan Victoria's wing of the House of Spectra.>>

<< Ava Cassadine has an appointment with Dr. Karen Victoria, but in the hour before, she enjoys time with Simon Pratt in the Ambrosia restaurant. The two have a chance to "catch up".>>


<< Life, or something like it, unfolds as we watch>>

 

[Matrix]

Even HE could not BELIEVE he had eaten it all.

Richard had a sheepish look on his face, the refrigerator open and now empty, several platters holding the debris of a morning eating binge.

Miss D kept him well fed generally, but he quickly realized in their new situation that she was not used to getting it...herself. So he had been eating less and pretending that it was good enough, but he could feel the hunger growing in his belly. And so, with the Queen away, he could not help himself and he ate EVERYTHING. Even the jars of condiments were now empty...and he was STILL HUNGRY. He was thinking of what to do to either (a) eat more or (b) get his mind off eating. So far he was doing shitty at both. He decided to exercise, hoping that breaking a sweat would calm the rumbling in his belly. Off came the shirt, leaving him in sweats and sneakers, and he decided to go for a thousand pushups to begin...

1...2...3...4...5...6

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon - Penthouse

“She’s gone TOO FAR this time, Cameron.”

A furious Delilah paced in Cameron’s penthouse suite at the Parthenon, wearing a very form fitting black dress with crocodile appliques. Her heels were practically wearing a groove into the floor.

“Haleigh and the others might not call her on her bullshit, but I will.”

She gestured wildly as she fumed.

“I mean, what were we thinking letting someone like that into our lives? After all that she has done to you? And never having to answer for it? We don’t NEED her, and I am DONE watching us all be too weak to do anything about it. It’s time someone made her pay.”

She stopped pacing, crossing her arms and looking down at Cameron expectantly.

“That garbage with Dominique last week was the last straw – Diana needs to be dealt with. She hasn’t honored that truce for one second – she has been plotting and planning behind the scenes the entire time. Her little ‘drop in’ on our lunch? That was a calculated move on her part and she used her powers against us – against me. She threatened you, me, Haleigh, and MY CHILD. As far as I’m concerned she’s broken the truce already. So what do you say, Cam?”

One side of her mouth curled into a mischievous grin, a single eyebrow rising with the question.

“What the hell, let’s KILL MALICE.”

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi hummed brightly to herself as she transferred hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies from a cookie sheet onto a cooling rack with a metal spatula. Removing the pot holder from one hand, she downed the last of the coffee from her extra large mug and set it into the sink.

Turning off the oven, she untied the apron from around her neck before transferring the warm cookies onto a serving platter and setting it across her lap. She made her way to the private elevator and rode it down, exiting right outside Dominique and Richard’s door. She knew from her security sweep that Dominique was out, but Richard was in the apartment below alone. She reached up and rang the bell.

 

[Titan]

The Hospital

Andrew straightened his tie and ran a hand through his hair, smiling at his reflection in the mirrored elevator doors. He glanced at the flowers in his right hand and clicked his tongue.

“Who needs flowers with a present like this?”

With one last smile, the elevator doors opened and Andrew exited onto Sally’s floor at the hospital. He had a spring in his step as he walked the familiar hallway to Sally’s room.

“Well good day to you gorgeous, your Prince Charming is here to brighten your day and-“

He burst gregariously into Sally’s room, only to pause momentarily in surprise. She had visitors. Excellent.

“Ladies.”

He eyed the three as he continued into the room, past them to Sally’s bedside. He kissed her forehead gently.

“Now, Sally, it is me who should be bringing YOU presents, not the other way around.”

Setting the flowers he had brought down at her bedside, he smiled broadly down at Sally.

“So, how are you feeling today, my love?”

 

[Matrix]

235...236...237...238...

And then the doorbell rang. He KNEW it was not Miss D; she would have simply come in.

He stood up, stretched, and then walked casually over to the door, opening it. Zizi was on the other side, and she had....COOKIES! He chewed his lip unconsciously a second before speaking.

Hey.

He did not immediately let her in, though his tone and demeanor was generally inviting. What she would notice is that he never took his eyes off of the plate of cookies.

 

[Ruby]

The Hospital – Sally’s Room

:: Cass had taken Blaze’s advice to heart. She was just enjoying BEING…and not doing. She had received a text from Ella Price, her friend and owner of the ultra-hip nightclub that she managed, After Dark, telling her not to worry about work, but rather focus on herself and her recovery from being captured. Ella also told her to not come back to work just yet but take all the time that she needed to reclaim her life. So Cass was doing just that. She had already gone for a long run - or two - in Central Park and she enjoyed every moment of them. It was nice to have that bit of nature right in the middle of all the skyscrapers and she was glad that it was there. It was a glorious experience. She also took advantage of Bar Six, the pub in The Parthenon; she had heard that their nachos were delicious and she wasn’t disappointed. She had been smiling a bit more and there was a bounce in her steps again. ::

:: Now Cass was visiting Sally Spectra with her friends, Vivi and Blaze. She had sent a bouquet of yellow roses – yellow roses signified friendship – to inaugurate her friendship with Vivica as well as to thank her for what she did back at the cathedral. She had told Vivi some of her backstory and she knew that Blaze had told the dark beauty that it was a sign that Cass really liked and trusted her enough to let her know some of her history. Cass was glad for that, as she was glad that she had let Blaze in on her feelings. She knew that Blaze would never tell ANYBODY about something so confidential, and Cass was glad that her close friendship with her was blossoming. It made her realize that she didn’t WANT any romantic entanglements for the time being and also it gave her something to tease both Blaze AND Vivi about. They had wanted to share a ride to the hospital but Cass pointed out that she didn’t want to be a close spectator of their ‘tonsil hockey’. She was laughing as she smacked Blaze on the behind as she said it and she was still laughing as she headed up the street to her OWN ride. She was really respectful of Blaze and Vivi’s fledgling relationship; she truly was. But, as she had teased Blaze one night, she still expected to have ‘bestie dates’ every now and then to reconnect and hang out with one another. ”But not like THAT,” Cass had teased the fire elemental, her ice-blue eyes sparkling with mischief. She had spotted an opulent flower shop during her journeys out in the Big Apple while her teammates were working and she had wanted to stop there to pick up a flower arrangement for Sally. ::

:: Coincidentally, she had arrived at the hospital the same time as both Blaze and Vivi and all three had shared an elevator on the way up. Cass had let out a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes in mock-exasperation.

*teasingly; dramatically*: “Oh…GRRRRRREAT!”

:: Then she winked at them and stuck out her tongue. Giggling, she shifted Sally’s flowers in her arms and continued to giggle as the three women made their way to Sally’s room. ::

“Hey, Sally!”

:: She made her way to the other side of Sally’s bed and arranged her flowers on her bedside table. ::

“BOLD and BEAUTIFUL, just like you!”

:: She grabbed a small stool and placed it by Sally’s bed and sat down. Sally then received another visitor. ::

Well good day to you, gorgeous, your Prince Charming is here to brighten your day and-“

“Ladies.”

:: Cass nodded in acknowledgement and watched as he made his way to Sally and paid his respects. Vivi and Blaze, and even SALLY, would notice a WICKED and MISCHIEVIOUS glint in her eyes. ::

“SALLY!”

:: She made a giggly face at her two friends. ::

“You have been holding out on us! I should’ve known he was your secret man!”

:: Cass smoothed down her lingerie-inspired dress. ::

 

[Sybil]

Meanwhile...A World Away...

<< Many who live among the hustle and bustle of the city often come to the conclusion that at some point a "return to nature" is required. Even those who's lives have been lived in skyscrapers and penthouses feel a connection when they are faced with overwhelming beauty and design of nature. For Hazel Hawthorne, though she had lived many different lives in many different places all over the world she always made a point to see herself ground in the ultimate and supreme power of nature. >>

<< As her magick was intimately tied to the Earth, the effects of The Blue Moon had nearly killed her. Immediately she took refuge in her cottage hidden deep in the forest and protected by the strongest of natural protections. She had been there for a few weeks healing herself from the inside out; a strong combination of herbs and magical concoctions to steeping herself in meditation and vision work. The last twenty one days had shown her that one thing was certain; she needed to find Alison Marble. Her many years as witch and coven leader had made her a mentor and guide to many other witches. Never able to conceive a child herself and not wanting to use magick to upset order, the women and men she helped along their path to the mysteries of the occult were like family to her, and though she knew it was wrong to have favorite, she loved and missed Alison the most. >>

<< And recently, Hazel could sense that it was time to help Alison on her path once more. She had remained distant from Alison for a very long time in order to allow the Seer to fully realize her destiny and because she knew that above all else no matter much she loved her brother and her "family" now, she was and always would be a lonewolf, much like Hazel was herself. >>

<< The sun begins to descend in the forest as the windows of her cottage begin to glow an enchanting amber hue. The sounds of Stevie Nicks begin to fill her cottage as Hazel began to slowly dance and twirl around her living space singing the words out loud. >>

"Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night...wouldn't you love to love her..."

<< Her beautiful and soft yet smoky rich voice filled the air warmly as she continued to twirl and light candles throughout the area. For all of the years she had been practicing the craft, she had seen many trends come and go. Many different ways to access and tap into one's true potential and power..but Hazel was from an older school of thought. She loved ritual and intentional movement and she knew that in order to channel the incredible amount of power contained within her body, she needed to connect with the deepest and most pure parts of her. She had always loved to sing and over the years she had realized that it was in the moments she was lost in song that she truly changed her vibration and cleared her mind. >>

<< Outside of the cottage warm orbs of glowing light began to flicker around the area. They were fireflies and they had come to listen to her sing, a sign of her deep connection to nature. Soon the smells of sandalwood and lavender began to fill the air as Hazel moved from her living room in her long silk kimono and into her kitchen, where she felt the most at home. She smilled and threw her hands up into the air, singing along. >>

"All your life you've never seen a woman...taken by the wind..."

<< She began to rifle through the cabinets filled with an astounding amount of apothecary bottles and ornate fixtures containing mystical herbs and concoctions she had created herself. Every witch had her wheelhouse and this was Hazel's. There was nobody on Earth who could match her ability to heal and afflict using materials naturally existing and those forged in magick. On the counter next to her was a mortar and pestle and soon she began to mix different herbs together in the object and mix them around as a beautiful smoke began to churn from the mortar. >>

"Will you ever win...."

<< A smile curled in her face as a mystical energy began to form behind her in a flurry of red, silver and grey orbs before a beautiful and majestic looking fox stepped forward and sat obediently. She spun on her heels and faced the fox warmly. >>

"Well there you are!"

<< She nestled down and gave the fox a warm kiss on the cheek and patted his head sweetly. This was Apollo, her familiar and constant confidant on her path. He was a familiar in the most mystic of senses with a range of abilities and wisdom to offer her. He had came to her years ago on a vision quest and had never left her side. He had seen her through her darkest hour and pushed her to her limit. He was a gift and she treated him as such. Hazel did not believe in pets, she could not justify claiming ownership over another living creature, but Apollo was almost like a part of her. >>

"Almost ready my love..."

<< She mixed the herbal concoction with a peculiar looking liquid before drinking it down in one gulp as the infusion surged through her body, clearing her head and bringing her deeper into a relaxed and open state. The night had taken over the landscape and covered the forest in a beautiful blanket of darkness as various creatures began to stir, drawn to the lights in the middle and by the energy she was channeling. Everything appears to be peaceful as the animals of the forest settle in for the night and some begin to get curious about the woman of the woods and make their way closer to get a peak. >>

<< Grabbing various supplies, the back door leading into her garden flutters open as she heads out into the night, passing the various flora and fauna she kept on her property. Behind her, quietly and confidently, Apollo followed her into the woods as she continued to hum, her silk kimono flowing behind her. Soon she had shed the robe to reveal a beautiful gossamer gown that was elegant yet simple as she headed to the very center of the woods where her altar and sacred space were kept. >>

<< As she walks various eyes can be seen glowing in the distance all seeming to understand what Hazel is about to do and all wanting to be a part of it. As she reaches a clearing, she casts out her hands in a deliberate and flowing motion. >>

"Let it be seen..."

<< Orbs that resemble the fireflies constantly outside of her cottage begin to swirl around with rapid and beautiful outbursts before a shimmering effect is lifted to reveal a beautiful clear area with a brilliant and blinding orb of fire in the center. With her roots in celtic magick, she always kept a fire burning in rememberance and reverance of the Goddess. Hers was crafted from fire in the purest form and those who did not have magickal eyes would find their retinas burned completely upon viewing it. The orb of fire laid in the center of a beautiful pentagram traced in salt and encompassing nearly the entire area. The warm orange and yellow tones reflected against Hazel's alabaster skin as her athame manifested in her hands and she took her seat at the center of the pentagram in front of the fire with Apollo at her side. >>

<< She had attempted to locate Alison in recent weeks but with the threat of The Blue Moon and Alison's raw power had left her at a dead end. But Hazel was nothing if not resourceful. Alison's home was most likely protected by incredibly strong magick, in fact she knew it was. Had it been anybody else, Hazel would have been able to go there in an instant. In order to find Alison she would have to go a different route. For now she closed her eyes and pointed her athame right in front of her with her hands extended as she moved in each direction. >>

"To those in the North..I welcome thee. To those in the East, I welcome thee. To those in the South, I welcome thee. To those in the West, I welcome thee. To those above, to those below and to those in my heart, I welcome thee. May only good be wrought here, may The Lord and The Lady keep guide me. So mote it be.."

<< The pentagram began to glow with a haunting soft green hue illuminating the area even more in it's brilliant sparkle. She took the athame in and pricked her finger with it, letting the blood drip into the beautiful and large orb of flame. >>

"I offer myself as a conduit of sight and to show my reverance."

<< A soft wind began to blow through the area as in the distance, several doe began to appear in the clearing, watching Hazel with wild curiousity. The comfort and protection of the animal race were a constant for Hazel. She laid the athame down next to her as she began to invoke her spell. >>


"Those who are lost must now be found,
By way of those who still have one foot on the ground.
One here on Earth, the other beyond the veil.
The souls of the lost who can still tell their tales.
I invoke the willowisps and their infinite sight,
to guide me through the shade of night...
Outside of time and outside of pain.
Show me her face as I invoke her name..."

<< A brilliant blast of magick began to swirl around the area in brilliant shades of blue. Hazel had invoked the spirit of the willowisps of lore; lost souls who were unable to move on to the next realm and who spent their days guiding lost travelers and tricking those who had ill intentions in her heart. As she ignited the spell, thousands of willowisps appeared in front of her almost as if she were looking into the night sky. Her body coursed with energy as she began to commune with this hive, feeling the energy of thousands of lost spirits course through her body. Her hair billowed in the breeze. >>


"Alison Marble..."

<< In an instant Hazel's body began to glow a brilliant white as she along with Apollo were absorbed into the hive as the clearing in the forest became instantly dark as if nothing had been there to begin with. Hazel felt her body move through time and space almost as if she was in a blackhole. She was no longer in corporeal form as she began to move with the hive guiding her body to the location. The many deaths that The Blue Moon had brought to the island had created many willowisps in it's wake and made finding the island this way far easier than she originally thought, something that brought her relief mixed with a great amount of pain at the thought of the lost lives there. >>

<< All at once she felt herself catapulted into her own body and onto the cold and damp Earth, her gossamer gown billowed around her in a circular shape. Her heart was beating fast in her chest as she began to acclimate herself to her surroundings. At first she didn't know where she was exactly but as her magickal senses became fully alert, she realized that she was on the island of Aerie where Barbara Minerva had lived and where Alison now resided as The Harbinger. She had made it. Rising to her feet, Apollo licked her hand and pointed his head with his nose in front of them as Hazel began to see a path appear in the form of the willowisps who were now offering to guide her towards Minerva Mansion. >>

<< She could IMMEDIATELY sense Alison as well as countless other magickal beings in the area. Every step she took she could feel Alison stronger and after a long but peaceful journey she found herself at the gates of the mansion and in front of two guards who seemed immediately on edge at her presence and did not want to grant her access. >>

"Look..both of you are very cute..and if I were some marginal basic woman I might even be petrified. I have come to see the Mastrix of The Island and I would rather not use brute force in order to accomplish that..."

<< Apollo began to become enveloped in ethereal flames as her own energy source began to course around her body in a sparkling way. >>

"I WILL if necessary..but I think it's best for ALL of us if we keep this peaceful."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Rich opened the door, and looked like he’d been exercising. Hmm, maybe he was ultra-health conscious? The thought melted away. Who didn’t like cookies, really? Zizi smiled brightly and held up the tray.

“Come to the Dark Side – we have cookies!”

She laughed at her own joke.

“These are for you - welcome to the building! How are you settling in? Are you finding everything okay? Anything you need?”

Zizi was talking her trademark mile a minute. She paused and looked up at Rich, smiling.

“I’m Zizi by the way, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced.”

She held out her hand for him to shake.

 

[Matrix]

“Come to the Dark Side – we have cookies!”

She laughed at her own joke.

“These are for you - welcome to the building! How are you settling in? Are you finding everything okay? Anything you need?”

Zizi was talking her trademark mile a minute. She paused and looked up at Rich, smiling.

“I’m Zizi by the way, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced.”

She held out her hand for him to shake.

Rich smiled and shook her hand, then stepped to one side.

No one can resist cookies. Thanks Zizi. I am Richard, but people generally call me Rich.

He accepted the tray from her as she made her way inside. She was pretty and it was good to see she was as nice and friendly as Miss D said she would be. But that was a fleeting thought as he began to eat the cookies like he had never had anything to eat in his entire LIFE. It was the move of someone starving, a point that Oracle would no doubt notice. But the cookies were TOO good and he was still VERY hungry. BY the times he looked back up, seconds later, he had eaten nearly the entire plate. He looked sheepishly, almost apologetically at Zizi.

Sorry about that. I guess I got carried away. There are a couple left if you wanted some...

Richard offered her the tray back with the pair of cookies. His face was mixed with...was it SHAME? In any case, the young man now held the tray in silence, waiting for Zizi's next move.

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - Top Floor

:: The last week had shown Cameron to be somewhat struggling. While had come so far in a short period of time, there were still things had left him feeling unsettled and unsure. One of them had been Haleigh, which for as strange and scandalous as their encounter had been last week, it had actually helped to fix things between them. They finally knew where they stood with each other and were able to start on the path of moving on with their lives. He hadn't yet told Alycia what had happened and he wasn't exactly sure he knew how. She wouldn't take it well and Cameron was afraid that she would end things completely, which he couldn't blame her for. ::

:: He was worried about his sister and he was worried about Delilah, but after her reappearance at lunch recently, he was beginning to once again worry about Malice, as if he ever stopped. Cameron wanted Diana dead. He probably wanted that more than he wanted his own true happiness. It wasn't a pleasant feeling to sit with, but he couldn't change it. She had personally and intentionally destroyed just about every semblance of a family he could have ever known. Because of how she manipulated Kelly, Cameron ended up an orphan, a street beggar and for most of his life he felt alone and angry. And she continued to hurt the people he loved in the most horrible of ways. When he returned to active duty with The Six to find a truce with The Sisterhood, he felt betrayed by his own team. He knew it had been necessary, but there was a big part of him that could not and refused to understand how they could have ever agreed to work with let alone force HIM to work with the woman who had taken destroying the King family as a personal hobby. ::

Delilah: “She’s gone TOO FAR this time, Cameron.”

:: Cameron sat on his couch as he watched Delilah pace back and forth frantically. There was something a bit resolved in her since The Purifiers incident. She had gone out and found her own brand of justice and it had seemed to actually help her. He was hopeful that this was going to be a continuing trend. ::

"This time?! You mean EVERYTIME.."

Delilah: “Haleigh and the others might not call her on her bullshit, but I will.”

"Don't even get me started on that. You were at that lunch. You saw how Haleigh was acting. When I tried to confront her on it, she flipped her lid. Malice was in her HEAD, Delilah. There is NO WAY that she didn't do something while there. Something that is going to be BAD. For all of us..."

:: Delilah continued. She was really worked up. Still, it was nice for Cameron to see somebody having an authentic and logical reaction to Diana's actions rather than cloak her in mystery and attempt to find the good in a person where there was none. And Cameron was the kind of person that ALWAYS tried to find the good in someone. ::

Delilah: "I mean, what were we thinking letting someone like that into our lives? After all that she has done to you? And never having to answer for it? We don’t NEED her, and I am DONE watching us all be too weak to do anything about it. It’s time someone made her pay.”

:: She stopped pacing, crossing her arms and looking down at Cameron expectantly. ::

Delilah: “That garbage with Dominique last week was the last straw – Diana needs to be dealt with. She hasn’t honored that truce for one second – she has been plotting and planning behind the scenes the entire time. Her little ‘drop in’ on our lunch? That was a calculated move on her part and she used her powers against us – against me. She threatened you, me, Haleigh, and MY CHILD. As far as I’m concerned she’s broken the truce already. So what do you say, Cam?”

:: One side of her mouth curled into a mischievous grin, a single eyebrow rising with the question. ::

Delilah: “What the hell, let’s KILL MALICE.”

:: His eyes widened in disbelief but also a strange sense of comfort. Delilah really was his friend. And while she may not have been in the most clear of emotional states it was good to see her feeling something besides apathy. And to be honest, it was like she was dangling a carrot in front a course. He looked at her seriously for a moment. ::

[calmly]

"Ok."

:: Cameron stood from his chair and pressed a button behind his bar activating the security defenses of his penthouse. He had technology specially created in order to perserve his living space as a telepathic stronghold. White noise technology and quicksilver technology as well as specially enhanced construction that had been infused by magick. Essentially, no words that were uttered from this moment on would be heard, detected or sensed by ANYONE..other than those who were already in the room. Not even Malice would be able to crack this code. It was something he had dedicated a LOT of time to..specifically for a purpose just like this. ::

"The room is clean. But before you leave..I'm going to need to be able to go into your mind. I'll have to reroute your memory of this conversation in an effort to conceal it from Malice. She may be operating under the guise of the truce, but the way I see it is once Dominique left The Hellfire Club..all bets are off..and I know she sees it that way...Now, follow me..."

:: Prophet led Morningstar to his home office which was sleek and modern. Pulling a book from the giant bookshelf he revealed a wall safe that could only be unlocked via his telekinetic signature, he pulled out a series of file folders and other documents. He handed them to Delilah. ::

"This is everything I've got on Malice. Every bit of history I could find, every name that could have ever been tied to her, any alias she might have used. I haven't shown anyone this and I've reprogrammed my memory to only remember the location of this safe in quarterly cycles. We're lucky we are one on..."

:: He offered Delilah a seat on one of the couches to take a look. ::

"Taking down Diana isn't as simply as just cutting her head off...We've done that before. She needs to be destroyed so utterly that not even her soul has a chance to move on. We can't afford her moving to another timeline. Malice needs to become extinct...and it's become a pasttime of mine over the years of attempting to figure out ways to do so. This is all the culmination of my efforts..."

:: He sat down next to her. ::

"Before we dig in here..what do you think? What's been your idea?"

:: Cameron and Delilah were operating on dangerous territory. Attempting to do something like this and failing could have deadly consequences for all of them..but when it came to Malice..Cameron didn't care. All she brought was death and pain. He had lost so much because of her and there was a dark part of him that knew he didn't care who he had to take down in order to see her life extinguished permanently across all timelines. ::

 

[Longshot]

New York City - Downtown

< Simon had been a busy man this past week. Although grateful that his loss of control over his emotions was seen only by Rose it was something that Simon did not like experiencing. Immediately after leaving Rose's orphanage he pulled himself together, remembered that he was Simon Pratt and that he had no time to sit around feeling sorry that his silver spoon had been somewhat melted. >

< The next few days he juggled his responsibilities with The Zenith Group as well as pulling together the necessary funding, space and people necessary to move towards his next step. His work for The Zenith Group had been mainly mergers and acquisitions and it was why he had been tapped to work on the Parisian Parthenon. Working in this field gave him a pulse on multiple markets, businesses and inside tips on who was about to go under and who was ready to takeover. Coupled with the extensive connections being a Pratt had brought him, he had accomplished in seven days what it would have taken others months even years to accomplish. As he stood outside of the building he had just purchased outright which would serve as the headquarters for his new endeavour, watching as an extensive construction crew continued their work to bring the building up to code and ready to go, he felt a surge of pride and not in the usual superficial way he felt proud. It was different and it put him at ease. Scared the hell out of him, but put him at ease. >

< The city had been a buzz with rumors that Simon Pratt, the Prince of New York City himself was up to something big, though most of them assumed he was trying to open a nightclub or something, which Simon was fine with. Although it may have been a serious business endeavour, Simon was going to do it the only way he knew how; with style. He had watched his mother raise millions of dollars for pointless charities over the years so he knew how to get people to open their wallets and give money, but this was something different altogether. This wasn't just about money, this was about protecting the rights and civil liberties of the mutant population in this country. Of course it cost money to do so, but Simon also needed people. That was the next step. Still, he was edging ever closer to his goal, things were falling into place and he felt good...useful. He looked down at his watch. He needed to get to The Parthenon for dinner with Ava. >

< After leaving implicit instructions for the construction crew he took off through the city. He had felt better about being alone in the days following The Purifiers attack, there was still a little part of him that felt jumpy or taken aback if anybody approached him too quickly or suddenly. But what else could he do? This was HIS city, not theirs and he wasn't going to back down anymore..from anyone. >

< Soon enough he arrived at The Parthenon and entered the hotel's flagship restaurant Ambrosia getting a table for him and Ava near the back away from the view of the public. The press was still incredibly interested in the romantic entanglements between them and Simon just wanted dinner with a beautiful woman uninterrupted by camera bulbs and hushed gossip. >

< He sat down at the table and ordered a bottle of incredibly expensive wine as he waited for Ava. The two of them hadn't done much talking since the night at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fucking? They had done plenty of that, but talking hadn't been on the list. Simon had been adversely effected by the events and this seemed to be just one more thing in a long line of bad things that had happened to Ava, things she STILL wasn't keen on talking about. Simon wasn't like that. He may have been arrogant and selfish and proud but when he needed help, he asked for it. His talk with Rose had helped him center himself and he had still been visiting the orphanage regularly playing with the kids and helping out whenever he could. He was also ensuring that Rose was not receiving anymore heat due to the bus accident. >

< Simon glanced at his watch, waiting for Ava to arrive. >

"Come on, Cassadine..."

 

[Firebird]

Sally's hospital suite

As Blaze and Vivica exited the car that brought them to the private hospital where Sally was recovering, the fire elemental was dressed for success at the office, but THIS visit was FAR more important. She walked with Vivica, carrying a beautiful floral arrangement of Sally's favorite flowers.

Cass arrived there a second after them and met them at the elevator. Picking up from where they left off earlier as Cass acted like she couldn't bare to be in the same space as them

"Oh Shut up and get your ass in here!"

Blaze commanded.

And once inside the elevator...they were all silent for a moment until...

"And I don't know who you're think you're fooling either, sweetheart! You KNOW you like to watch!"


A playful, naughty dig at Cass regarding Blaze and Vivica, KNOWING that would stir both Vivica and Cass at that moment on the way up to Sally's floor.

*DING!*

"Ohhh!!!"


Quickly cutting both of them off.

"Here we are!"

Laughing softly to herself.

Clandestine Inc staff quickly recognized the three women, who checked out, and they were allowed to pass.

"Hi, Sally!!!!"

“Hey, Sally!”

:: She made her way to the other side of Sally’s bed and arranged her flowers on her bedside table. ::

“BOLD and BEAUTIFUL, just like you!”

Nodding in agreement

"Forever young..."

Setting her arrangement on the opposite bed table

"...And no doubt RESTLESS!!"

She leans in to hug an approving Sally, who squeezes her tightly. Blaze closes her eyes, sighing with relief that her friend was ALIVE and doing so well. she seats herself by Sally's bedside.

"I can't tell you how happy...how RELIEVED I am that you're okay..."

A few moments later, the door opens again, and all the women turn to see ANDREW walking in!

Well good day to you gorgeous, your Prince Charming is here to brighten your day and-“

He burst gregariously into Sally’s room, only to pause momentarily in surprise. She had visitors. Excellent.

“Ladies.”

He eyed the three as he continued into the room, past them to Sally’s bedside. He kissed her forehead gently.

“Now, Sally, it is me who should be bringing YOU presents, not the other way around.”

Setting the flowers he had brought down at her bedside, he smiled broadly down at Sally.

“So, how are you feeling today, my love?”

"Hi Drew."


Blaze said as she smirked a bit, noting how well he cleaned up from the last time she saw him. He was unusual to say the least, but She'd interacted with him several times recently in a professional capacity and she knew he cared very much for Sally.She ALSO knew he had some kind of THING going on with Delilah. With everything that had happened recently, there was still not much in the way of change regarding the rift between Delilah and several members of the Six. Blaze DID think about her, often, and watching Andrew now, the idea of taking him aside privately after visiting Sally to ask him how Delilah was doing crossed her mind.

 

[Isis]

Museum of modern art

:ominique sits across from Haleigh at the Museum of modern art's restaurant. This was a meeting that Haleigh requested and Dominique agreed to, and the first time they've seen each other SINCE Dominique's departure from the Hellfire Club.::

::Since that time, the EX-Black Queen has been laying low with her young ward, Richard Martin, at Oracle's Clock Tower. She looks calm and refreshed and this perhaps gives Haleigh less apprehension about the purpose of this meeting. ::

::They ordered and while waiting for their food, they begin to converse.::

I suddenly seem to have so much MORE time on my hands, since my...departure

::No need to say from WHERE. They both already knew.::

I felt like this before, when I realized that my goal shouldn't be to DESTROY Nicolas, but rather to watch over him and protect him.

:: Looking at Haleigh::
I'm sure he's told you about my decision to accept Miss York...

::A thought in her mind...::

PLEASE, Call me Zizi!

...Zizi's offer to join her emerging team, rather than to become a..."Six Reservist"

:: She had a way of saying it that made it sound almost...MENIAL, but that was almost to be expected from Dominique Deveraux::


My very life lines seemed to have become more tied to...almost ENTANGLED with that of the Six's. I had no interest in sipping tea with Shadow Weaver OR watching her "PLAY HOUSE" with Arsenal.

 

[Silver Swan]

Melrose Place

:: Silver Swan COULD have flew from one side of the country to the other under her own power, and had done so before, but Nicolas wanted to "give her a lift" via shunt across the astral plane and so she indulged him.::

:: They arrived at Melrose Place, checking the perimeter before meeting inside in the courtyard. It was quiet, no one was home. Indeed, most were currently in NYC at the moment and the land lady of the complex was off-world.::

:: With everything that happened, they wanted to make sure there were no loose ends, no "cells" of the Purifiers or anyone emboldened by them to strike out at Melrose Place, although the Six had done a pretty good job of living/hiding in plain sight in this curious complex without much incident over the last two years.::

:: They searched/checked all the units, until all that was left was Delilah's apartment and Morgan's.::

We can check these together.


:: Sharon said quietly, as they made their way to Delilah's apartment. Inside of apartment 1, things were peaceful, silent, very still. Some dust had settled on a few surfaces, that was to be expected, since no one had been home in a while. Sharon noted various touches and trinkets around the apartment, things that spoke to Delilah's personality and interests.::


I feel for Delilah.


::Sharon said aloud as they quietly moved through the apartment.::


She is a woman of courage, honor. She has a good heart! A genuine spirit. ...and she is hurting...LOST in the pain of losing her child.


:: She and Nicolas meet back in the living room. She spots a picture of THE SIX together in the Melrose Courtyard. Sharon herself was in the picture too!::

My...one-time status as an active member of the Six was marked with violence and misunderstanding. My friendship with Delilah suffered greatly, among other things.

She and I found our way back to each other, but I could do nothing to help her in her darkest hour.

:: She looked at Nicolas::

 

[Rampage]

He and Sharon arrived at Melrose Place, easily checking through the other apartments, nothing out of place to be seen or sensed. The last two apartments - Delilah and Morgan - they decided to check together. They started with Delilah's apartment.

I feel for Delilah.


::Sharon said aloud as they quietly moved through the apartment.::


She is a woman of courage, honor. She has a good heart! A genuine spirit. ...and she is hurting...LOST in the pain of losing her child.


:: She and Nicolas meet back in the living room. She spots a picture of THE SIX together in the Melrose Courtyard. Sharon herself was in the picture too!::

My...one-time status as an active member of the Six was marked with violence and misunderstanding. My friendship with Delilah suffered greatly, among other things.

She and I found our way back to each other, but I could do nothing to help her in her darkest hour.

:: She looked at Nicolas::

Nothing EITHER of us could do...ANY of us. Hell, none of us even KNEW she needed help. And now, I cannot find a solution for her. And while I can empathize with her anger at Alison, it is hard for me to figure out what she wanted us to actually do. Not SAY...but DO. Because if Alison had not done what she did, that child would be orphaned. And I cannot see how that is better than the alternative.

Nicolas paced a bit as he spoke, stopping in front of Sharon as he ended. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

One thing I DO think I could have done more to stop was you leaving us. I wish you had not felt the need...I wish I had been there more for you somehow.

 

[Persephone]

Walking into The Parthenon, Ava shielded her face from the flash bulbs of the photographers that were stationed outside the hotel. Obviously Simon was already at the Ambrosia because the paparazzi were screaming questions at her about if she were meeting with him, if they were an item, if they were on the rocks. At any other time Ava would have been annoyed. They were relentless and obnoxious....but now? She just didn't care. It had only been a week since the purifiers had been stopped, but it didn't mean the wounds weren't still fresh. She still felt the heavy burden of loosing those children, and the guilt of knowing she helped facilitate it. However her sessions with Karen were helping....although it was hard to admit certain things and open up about other things, she needed this. Someone neutral to listen to her in confidence--almost like a safe zone. And despite it only being a week, she could already feel the heavy weight lifting off her chest.

Entering the Ambrosia, the host immediately directed her toward her table. As expected, Simon was sitting at a secluded table with a bottle of no doubt the most expensive wine on the menu waiting for her. Ava unzipped her jacket as she approached Simon, leaning into him and giving him a small peck on the lips as he stood to greet her.

"Sorry i'm late--traffic."

Taking a seat, Ava settled herself and crossed her leg at the knee. Sitting back, the server immediately poured them both a glass of wine. Picking up her glass, she took a small spit.

"Mmm...good choice."

Now, down to business.

"So Pratt, why are we here? Usually our lunches consist of working off the calories, not ingesting them. Everything all right?"

 

[Recall]

Hustle & Flow

:: After everything that had transpired last week, Vivica Lennox made it a point to throw herself into her work and it definitely paid off. She had spent the week plannning the next TWO shows for Belle Epoque and she had been commissioned by Simon to create a piece of art to be displayed in the offices of his new venture. She had also been pulled from her normal assignment detail at Clandestine in order to fully be able to committ to Birds of Prey, something she was very excited about, even though it contained faces from a past she had finally begun to move on from, thanks in part to the efforts of Morgan Victoria. ::

:: The day had been hectic but incredibly productive and Vivica began to wrap things up and delegate tasks that could be in order to ensure that she would not be late to visit Sally Spectra. Though she did not know the woman very well, Sally had been nothing but warm and incredibly complimentary and she just sort of made everybody around her feel pretty and important. She could see why others adored her in the same way that they did. ::

:: She began to clean off her desk taking a moment to peer in the mirror, tucking a lock of hair around her ears. Ever since her return to New York and her wild success in the art world, Vivica had joined the gliteratti of the city, the ultra chic and hip group of artists who helped run the New York Social Scene. People were looking at Vivica in a way they hadn't before. She had always been used to being in somebody's shadow and for a long time, she preferred it. She remembered how nosy people had been about Cameron and his life. She had seen the amount of press that seemed to always be following Simon Pratt and Ava Cassadine. It hadn't usually been her thing. But she had to admit, for now it was kind of fun. After years of being Vice President or Project Manager, Vivica was finding herself in the spotlight and she was beginning to like it. ::

:: Satisfied with her contemporary business casual look, she said goodbye to the staff of Belle Epoque and walked out front where Blaze was waiting for her with a town car. She got into the car and smiled. ::

"I love a woman who's on time!"

:: Vivica gave Blaze a kiss on the cheek and the two zoomed off. The two of them hadn't really had a lot of time to spend together with both of them incredibly busy with business. Plus there was no formal committment between each other at this moment. They simply got along, were attracted to each other and were enjoying each other's company in more ways than one. They arrived at the private hospital as they were greeted by Cassandra on the way to the elevator. ::

"Hey CJ! Girl you looking pretty scandalous! All this free time has got you frisky, ain't it?"

:: She laughed as Blaze ushered a somewhat uncomfortable seeming Cassandra into the elevator. ::

Blaze: "Oh Shut up and get your ass in here! And I don't know who you think you're fooling either, sweetheart! You KNOW you like to watch!"

:: Vivica widened her eyes and rolled them with a mixture of laughter and disgust. She playfully smacked Blaze on the shoulder. ::

"Blaze! You need Jesus."

*DING!*

:: The arrived to her suite and each of the women gave Sally a warm welcome. It was finally Vivica's turn. She walked over to Sally and gave her a warm hug. ::

"Miss Sally! Always good to be in the presence of a DIVA! You look well!"

:: At that point Andrew arrived at the suite to say hello to Sally. She had lightly met Andrew at The Watchtower a few days ago when Zizi and Zach had gathered them together to meet as a team for the first time. From what she had seen...she liked Andrew. There power sets were pretty similar and if anything Vivica was looking forward to them being able to teach each other a lot. In Clandestine she had a partner and she was looking to find a friend here as well. She was hoping that could be Andrew. ::

Cassandra: "SALLY! You have been holding out on us! I should've known he was your secret man!"

:: Vivica laughed as Blaze regarded him a little cautiously. She had known Blaze was uneasy about some new team sprouting up from out of nowhere. ::

Andrew: "Ladies."

"Titan."

:: She smiled. ::

Andrew: "So, how are you feeling today, my love?"

:: Vivica smiled softly and nudged Blaze's shoulder with her own, wispering to her for a moment. ::

"See?! He's sweet..."

[turning her attention back to the conversation]

"Well from the looks of all those nervous male nurses out there..I think she's doing just fine."

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's Aerie

:: The past week had been...UNUSUAL for her. Keeping company with the curious Xavier Winston had been a pleasant distraction and a source of help for her in different ways, not the LEAST of which was CARNAL.::

:: She grew tired of New York, despite it being her home for so long, and decided to return to Minerva's Aerie, since there was no immediate need for her to be in the city right now. She was about to leave again when Xavier asked to visit Minerva's Aerie. Initially she refused,
but after thinking on it, and some not-so-subtle persuasive efforts on Xavier's part, the precog agreed to let him visit.::

Welcome to Minerva's Aerie, a place beyond the eyes and reach of mortals. I invite you to be my guest...for several days even. BUT...

:: She was colder again, more formal. But from their talks, Xavier understood the nature of her role as Harbinger and as mistress of Minerva's Aerie. He hopefully would not take this part personally. ::

While you are here, you will follow my rules and security protocol. NO sudden moves or dashes anywhere.

Not only is this my home...but this place...it is the barrier between the world and things that mortals in this world are not supposed to know or have access to.


::Upon returning to the island, and the sprawling mansion, she advised her staff and security team of her guest. She laid down some ground rules for her speedster guest as well. There was much to see and explore both in and around the mansion and while it would take DAYS for the average person to cover the grounds of the mansion, Xavier could do so many times over in MINUTES. In a place like THIS, that posed a HUGE security issue.::


:: After the incidents involving Bianca Ceasul, as WELL as Maxim a.k.a. BISHOP, Alison refused to leave ANY room for error.::

::Xavier was accustomed to being a step or two ahead of most people, but Alison had established that she could not only keep up with him, but ALSO trip him up if necessary.::


:: As she lead him down a hall, toward a stairwell that would lead down to the entrance of the catacombs where the VAULT was housed, as a security precaution for Xavier's visit to the vault, Harbinger quietly warps the temporal field around him, activating a TK TRAP. It won't effect him at normal levels of activity and movementShould he try to rush forward and lift any item or artifact, the TK trap will cause him to richochet off the "walls" of the warped temporal field around him.::


:: But BEFORE they could begin their descent, there was a YELLOW ALERT now in effect around the mansion as the commanding officer for the Alpha security shift contacted Harbinger via com-link::

Officer: Miss Marble!

Alison: Yes?

Officer: Ma'am, there's someone at the main entrance of the mansion, a woman, demanding entry, asking for you! Scans show that...

::Alison GASPS as she places her hand on her chest. Xavier looks at her as she seems to be staring out blankly for a moment::

....after ALL THIS TIME!?

:: Even as Xavier cautiously grasps her hand to try to get her attention and her officer attempts to inform her that their scans indicate their visitor is a high order magick user, Alison shakes her head::

It's....it's ALRIGHT!

Our visitor is no threat! She....she's a FRIEND! She's FAMILY!



:: Alison looks at Xavier::

Our visit to the vault will have to wait for now. I must go to the main entrance, and you're coming with me.

:: Without another word, Alison BLINKS herself and Xavier to the large, circular foyer and the main entrance where the guards are standing in heightened alert::

Stand down.

:: Alison says quietly as she makes her way toward the double doors, past the guards and even as the sounds of nature and the ocean outside fill the space around them, she sees standing before her a beautiful, familiar face.::

by the dark moon!

HAZEL!?

:: Alison says with astonishment- in spite of her being a precog! She stands there, almost transfixed at the sight of this woman...who meant SO MUCH to her at a KEY TIME in her life! A woman she hadn't seen in SO LONG and NOW, with everything that happened in the recent months, her return NOW couldn't have been fortuitous::

You're HERE!?


:: She felt this...SURGE of emotion, the kind she liked to convince herself she'd SET ASIDE long ago. The kind that VIVICA LENNOX had tapped into just a week ago, but in this instance, it was not WRATH, it was the SURPRISE and JOY of seeing a LOVED ONE, the woman who filled in much of the GAP of a mother left by Kelly King!::

:: Even Xavier was unsure of what to say or do at the moment as he watched Alison's reaction to this mysterious woman at the main entrance of the mansion, but it was CLEAR there was a story here! One that NO ONE in the Six up to this point was aware of!::

 

[Longshot]

Ambrosia Restaurant

Ava: "Sorry i'm late--traffic."

< Ava sat down and took a sip of her wine, closing her eyes and enjoying the taste. >

Ava: "Mmm....good choice."

< Simon smiled. >

"Good choices? I know a lot of people that would love to argue that sentiment."

Ava: "So Pratt, why are we here? Usually our lunches consist of working off the calories, not ingesting them. Everything all right?"

< He gave a sort of glazed over look as she spoke and crinkled his nose for a second. >

"I gotta hand it to ya, Ava. You really know how to make a guy feel special."

< Taking a sip of his wine. >

"Everything is fine..great actually. Don't get me wrong, I realize how weird that is to say after what happened to us last week but I think i'm getting there..."

< He set his glass down on the table and watched Ava's perplexed expression. >

"What?"

"Look..Ava, this fuck buddies thing has been nice but it's boring me."

< Simon looked at her seriously. >

"This whole thing has changed my world. I need to be able to have a conversation with you from time to time."

< He brushed over the issue. >

"Anyway..I did need to talk to you. I felt like you should be in the loop...especially with how our spending time together has caused a sensation in the city.."

[pausing for a moment]

"After what happened. After all that bullshit.... [shaking his head] After all those fucking CHILDREN dying..it kind of threw me for a loop. Not kinda actually..REALLY...I couldn't just sit around and live all of [waving his hands] this without doing something that actually fuckin' meant something..so I'm doing it..."

< Simon pulled out his iPhone, entered his passcode and brought up a document before handing it to Ava. >

"I'm calling it "Vanguard"...and it's a Political Action Group...specializing in mutant rights and civil liberties. We are going to storm the country...promote legislation that protects the mutant population and we are going to hold those accountable for their atrocities against our kind.."

< He watched as she looked at the mission statement and other information about Vanguard on his phone, almost with a look that said he really did want her to be proud of him..a feeling he was unaware of. >

"I know it doesn't sound like me. Trust me..I've been mulling it over..but, I can't be who I am anymore..without doing something to upset the balance. It's not right."

< He sighed. >

"And really..if i'm being honest here..my power gives me the unfortunate feeling that everything good that happens to me is a biproduct of the ability. If it's true..I guess it's time for me to use that to help others..otherwise...they might as well just reserve my seat in Hell...if hey haven't already."

< He looked at her carefully. >

"Whaddya think..do you hate it? Make you anxious? Don't like it?"