The Hellions - Let The Games Begin

[Seer]

<< In the earliest moments of dawn, those brave enough to remain in The Hellfire Estate were beginning to stir. The events from the night before had left more than a few of them unable to sleep, and for some the slow rising of the sun meant they had loyalties to prove. >>

<< Bretta O'Malley had just awakened from a magickal slumber thanks to Lord Ravena. He had warped her perception of what she had seen and she was preparing to meet with The Red Queen to tell her that she wouldn't need to worry about The Black Court..but she was about to receive a visit from a very special guest that had a few things to say and possibly...a few bones to break. >>

<< Juliette had completed her half of her deal with Archer in brutally taking out The White Knight in a way that only she could. News of The White Knight's death was already reaching some members left in The Hellfire Estate as Juliette was about to unknowingly be before The White King &
Queen to answer for her crimes. While The White Court would be preoccupied with Juliette, Archer was preparing to take on Heidi Scarborough, The White Bishop, a water elemental. Two people with power sets that had the ability to cancel each other out...a battle that would not be easily won. >>

<< Rebecca would be meeting with the members of her courts today, to discuss what they had seen after last night's suprise ending dinner. While Bretta was asleep and Alec began to plot for the death of The Red Queen...The Red Bishop remained vigilant and was about to stumble upon information that would prove QUITE useful to Rebecca Everhart. Would Alec be able to verify his whereabouts and still feign loyalty to Rebecca, or would he crack under the pressure? >>

<< Lord Ravena had been up for quite some time, as he did not require much if any sleep. He was waiting for The White Princess to return with a trophy of war to give to Archer. >>

<< And so as the sun begins to rise at The Hellfire Estate, we watch! >>

 

[Discord]

Early To Rise...

:: In the early hours of dawn, Daniel returned to the sight of the maze, where members of the court had met the night before. During his surveillance of their meeting, he had a bad feeling that whatever he was feeling wasn't genuine. The people were moving their mouths, they were going back and forth and they were flailing their arms in the air, but Daniel was an empath of the highest degree and there were traces of what he saw that seemed as if the motley crew had only been going through the motions. Something was fake and Daniel was determined to get to the bottom of it. ::

:: He made his way through the gardens of the estate as a rolling fog made it damn near impossible for him to see in front of him, but he let his intuition guide him as he walked, sipping a piping hot cup of coffee that was left for him upon his waking by the many members of the wait staff who worked within the estate. Daniel took a deep sip, as the steam from the cup tickled his nose. ::

"The Brits definitely do hospitality better than anybody else, that's for damn sure..."

:: For a moment, he wondered if he could get away with having his own group of servants to follow him around the world and take care of his every whim. He would look into it the next time he was in New York. People in the city will do ANYTHING for the right price. Smiling, he began to meander through the deep forest green walls of the maze. It was such a classic and old world accent that added a sense of wonder to The Hellfire Estate. He tried to ignore the many screams and cries of the residual energy left behind by the many who had perished in this maze over the years. ::

"Just about there....aww, that's it."

:: Daniel was now standing in the very same spot as the others were last night. He set his cup of coffee down on the concrete bench where Archer sat waiting last night as he began to walk in circles, with his hands out, palms up and to his side. He began to draw on the energy of the space around him as an electric and deep shade of royal blue began to outline his body like an aura. The Red Bishop began to channel the residual thoughts and emotional impressions in the area as his brain began to see a clear picture of the conversation that transpired earlier. In front of him in an almost holographic like manner before him, replaying the conversation...to a certain point. ::

:: He saw Archer on the bench. He watched as Lord Ravena appeared. ::

<< Flash! >>

His wait was not very long as Ravena emerged from the shadows, his hands clasped behind his back as he began to slowly pace in front of Archer. He stopped and looked, then smelled the air.

So, our Princess is absent? A pity. Given her familial associations, I can easily see why, though I find it irritating. That means that we know already who will be the next Black Queen. They key now is...

Lord Ravena leaned in very close to Archer as he said the next words. They were barely above a hissing whisper.

Are you prepared to be a strong King? What are you willing to do to stop a Cordelia Shaw puppet regime?

He stood to his full height and took a step back. This was clearly his test, and he was looking to see if Archer wanted it as much as he would need to in order to control the court.

<< Flash! >>

"Vell vould you LOOK at dzat! Ve 'ave 'appened upon friends!"

She said theatrically, as her and Alec slowed to a halt. She didn't waste any time.

"Rav, you know, dzat is not dze only question ve should be asking ourselves. Vhat are ve villing to do to stop dze 'ellfire Club from becoming anemic and dismembered?"

<< Flash! >>

Archer flung his hands in the air.

"You are all speaking as if the battle is already won. I would love a chance to rule the court, but it's not as easy as MURDERING everybody who gets in our way. I agree...the Courts have gone soft. We haven't done anything worth writing home about in quite some time..."

He stood from the bench he was sitting on as he continued.

"But that doesn't changed the fact that somebody MURDERED Evelyn. Somebody who had a plan in place and before I make ANY move...I am NOT about to jump in bed with her murderers.."

[turning to Juliette]

"The Inner Circle's reign doesn't END at their deaths. They all have connections...years of accumulated ALLIANCES with people. Whoever wants to start a revolution? Well they are willing to start war with the entire mutant/mystic/other population of Western Europe. Forgive me for sounding FAR more concerned than I usually care to be..but this isn't as simple as BANG BANG BANG and putting on a crown..."

[looking to Alec]

"The Red Rook is right...we all know The White Court ISN'T looking for Evelyn's killer..."

Archer turned back to Juliette and Lord Ravena.

"What is going on with The White Court...why aren't they HERE...and DID they have anything to do with Evelyn's death?"

<< Flash! >>

Alec: Personally, I think whoever killed Evelyn killed the WRONG Queen.

"Dzey keeled dze STRONG Queen."

Alec: Speaking of which, have you NOTICED that out of all the Kings and Queens on The Court only ONE representative has been in attendance here tonight?

"MY toast at least vas sincere: she vas dze voman dzat kept us to-ge-dzer. Now dzat she is gone, dzere is a clear divide. Ve are no longer a club; ve 'ave become a collection of Courts. YOU (Alec) are concerned vit dze Red Court, YOU (Archer and Lord Ravena) are concerned vit dze Black Court. I am concerned vit dze organization and dze future."

Archer: You are all speaking as if the battle is already won. I would love a chance to rule the court, but it's not as easy as MURDERING everybody who gets in our way. I agree...the Courts have gone soft. We haven't done anything worth writing home about in quite some time...

"Fortune favors dze bold, darling. If ve do not take action, ve vill be subject to dze vill of dzose dzat DO take action. Dzat is just dze law of dze jungle."

Archer: But that doesn't changed the fact that somebody MURDERED Evelyn. Somebody who had a plan in place and before I make ANY move...I am NOT about to jump in bed with her murderers... The Inner Circle's reign doesn't END at their deaths.

"Tell dzat to King Louis."

She quipped, though she knew the boys probably wouldn't know the monarch of her human years. They might remember Napoleon from history class, but as it is told now, Napoleon is the hero of the story. Yet that was precisely her point.

Archer: They all have connections...years of accumulated ALLIANCES with people. Whoever wants to start a revolution? Well they are willing to start war with the entire mutant/mystic/other population of Western Europe. Forgive me for sounding FAR more concerned than I usually care to be..but this isn't as simple as BANG BANG BANG and putting on a crown...

"You show me dzeir allies, I vill show YOU dzeir enemies. I VILL go to var if I must. But dzis is not my first revolution, you see. I know from experience dzat once dze bodies start 'itting dze floor, allegiances vill shift like so many avalanches."

Archer: The Red Rook is right...we all know The White Court ISN'T looking for Evelyn's killer... What is going on with The White Court...why aren't they HERE...and DID they have anything to do with Evelyn's death?

"I 'ave my suspicions, but speculation proves little. Dze White Queen does not trust dze Red. Dze White Knight and Bishop vill not make any appearances vitout dze one dzat keeps dzem in power. Dze King lost a true friend and really DOES vant to find 'er murderer, but dzat requires 'im to keep an eye on 'is Queen and 'er lackeys, a task dzat requires dze assistance of dze Rook. Now riddle me dzis........ vhere does dze Black Knight stand in all of dzis, aside from atop dze table?"

<< Flash! >>

Intelligent. Calculating. Evelyn was right about Archer. After Juliette dropped the charade and decided that sneaking was not going to work, he gave a brilliant assessment of what he DID know and what that might get them. He gave a pointed question to Juliette who gave a damned honest answer. But there were too many ears. FAR too many.

Ukudukisa

A potent Zulu Shaman spell, only the 4 speaking now would receive what was said. Anyone else would hear them bicker and accuse, would see Juliette fail at playing the room, would come away finding this group falling apart instead of coming together. But in truth...

Upon hearing Lord Ravena's words, Daniel grabbed his head in pain as the illusion he was projected dissipated into the air. He felt a writhing pain in the back of his head for a few moments as he took a seat on the bench to steady himself.

"So...Ravena got the RUN on me...filthy magick user!"

:: Daniel was an omega level mutant and the ways in which he was able to use his abilities were indicative of that, but magick users were another beast altogether. They tended to find ways around things easily and their bark usually was only exceeded by their BITE. Still, as an EMPATH many magick users would find themselves hard pressed to resist his deadly attacks. The Red Bishop may not have been able to see it all, however he had seen plenty. Part of his empathic abilities allowed him to be able to physically SEE the emotional ties people had with each other in the air, like strands of energy attached to them. Though none of the relationships between The Black, White or Red Courts, he DID see an INCREDIBLY strong emotional bond from The Red Rook to The Red Princess. He cared about her...and then some. In fact...his feelings were bordering on love. This had been the kind of thing that Rebecca had been looking for. ::

:: He leaned back, taking another sip of coffee to his lips. ::

"So the Lothario has feelings for Tinkerbell...Now THAT'S something, isn't it.."

:: Cracking a smile, he took a moment to enjoy the space that he was in and the calm that would be lacking in the next day or two. There was a war being planned, and pieces being moved into place. This left Daniel in a compromising position. He was loyal to The Red Court. He had no reason not to trust Rebecca and she had no reason not to trust him as he had never made any relations with others in the Court. Daniel was not a threat, he wasn't a risk, which was polar opposite to how he lived his professional life. The fact is...if Daniel wanted to move forward in this club, he most certainly could...even if he had to warp the minds and emotions of everyone in his way to get so..but there was no SPORT in that. There were those who would be warriors, there were those who would be tacticians, and then there were people like Daniel who would wait until the scales had been tipped before choosing his side, and sadly it looked as if his Red Queen might be one her way out. Still, he wouldn't let her go down without one HELL of a warning or a fight on her behalf. People often forgot the value of loyalty in battle. Some might view it as an Achille's Heel...but to Daniel it meant one was valorous...and trustworthy..and those skills were worth two in the bush compared to somebody willing to bash ANYBODY'S head in to get further. ::

:: He stood from the bench as he began to make his way out of the maze. The Queen would need to hear this information before she had a chance to meet with The Red Princess (who he was surprised was not in attendance of the meeting). She would need to plan her day accordingly. ::

[heading back to the estate]

"It looks as if the games have truly....began..."

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Estate - Red Princess Suite

:: Bretta was in her sitting room, eating a delightful breakfast with tea, fruit, and buttery croissants with clotted cream along with some Greek yoghurt with granola. As soon as she was done, she was going to see Rebecca about what she heard last night, about how The Black Court was not involved in anything as they all were in disagreement as well as the belief that The White King and Queen were planning to take over the Club. That is what Bretta heard last night. Speaking of which… ::

<<FLASH!>>

Bretta was cleansing herself in the shower when a deep voice startled her. Lord Ravena offered to wash her back for her and for reasons she couldn’t explain, she let him…

<<FLASH!>>

Ravena carried her to her bed and Bretta felt a frission of excitement within her…Bretta’s back arched slightly and she moaned softly as her hands gripped the sheets while Ravena was doing things…Two bodies becoming ONE as both Bretta and Ravena rolled around in her bed, soft cries and moans coming from BOTH of them…

<<FLASH!>>

:: Bretta felt her face turning red as she REMEMBERED what had happened. Not that she was a prude; FAR from it. No, she just felt weird about what had happened considering last night was an event to honour his late consort…girlfriend…lover. Whatever Evelyn was to him. Bretta took a sip of her tea to calm her insides. ::

 

[Duke]

Hellfire Estate - Red Rook Suite

Alec rolled around in bed for a bit, trying to get back to sleep. He had a late night and then he laid wide awake in bed while figuring out how to approach Mr. American. Not only that, he also had to find a way to keep this from Bretta so she could still appear blameless in front of the old cow. IF Rebecca did suspect anything he certainly wasn’t going to let The Red Princess take the fall. He REALLY liked Bretta.

To hell with what Archie says, I still want Bretta to advance before me…

He got up and went over to his closet door, opening it and going inside to get dressed. He came back out and went into his little sitting area. His suite wasn’t as opulent as Bretta’s, or even Rebecca’s, but he liked it. One of the chambermaids had a cart filled with tea, coffee, croissants, muffins and fruit standing at the side waiting for him. He padded over and made himself a nice cup of tea before bringing it with him to a chair. He sat down and thought again how he could approach the American in their midst. Maybe he could start a conversation on the American Hellfire Club? He wasn’t sure. He sighed and finished his tea before helping himself to some fresh fruit and a muffin for breakfast. Once he was done, he left his suite and went prowling around the grounds looking for…whoever happened to come his way.

Let’s see what I can find out TODAY…

 

[Avalanche]

Metro London - Hyde Park Area

A thick fog made it's way through the streets of metropolitan London as Archer made his way through the eerily quiet downtown area. The city seemed as if it had yet to awaken and it was one of those rare mornings where one could walk down the street with a warm cup of coffee and not be disturbed. Taking a swig of his piping hot Americano, Archer rounded the corner and found himself walking along the edge of Hyde Park. A little digging had pin pointed The White Bishop, Heidi Scarborough was staying in one of the residences at The Mandarin Oriental, a luxury hotel that also maintained a number of incredibly luxurious condominiums and flats. It was a fitting place for a woman as spoiled as Heidi.

He had encountered The White Bishop many times over the years, and when he had first met her, her reputation had proceeded her. The White Queen was very excited about her appointment and spoke ad naseum about the power and potential the water elemental seemed to have. However, whenever Archer was in her presence she seemed more concerned with pointless and superficial endeavours. He had watched Heidi turn into a less intelligent version of Rebecca Everhart. Still, just because she seemed like an easy enough kill didn't mean that she couldn't surprise him..and with their similar abilities made Archer curious as to how everything would play out. The White Queen wasn't stupid and if she believed in Heidi's ability, he knew it was smart NOT to underestimate her.

Making his way past the park, he promptly dumped his coffee into the trash can as he made his way past the giant and ornate front doors and into the Reception Area. Surveying the area for a moment, he quickly found the private access elevator and promptly pressed the button for the top floor of the hotel, where the luxury residences were located. He waited with a quiet calm as the elevator zoomed high into the air.

Archer began to think of the agreement he had made with Juliette for a moment, and he wondered if she had been successful in her attempt to murder The White Knight and grab the attention of her court. He was counting on the other court members to have their attention on Juliette and allow him free reign to dispatch The Bishop as he saw fit. The next few hours would either solidify Juliette's plan or cause it to completely fall apart...but Archer had made his decision..if Juliette failed, he would simply carry on. He was confident in his ability...but hopefully Juliette would prove capable. The elevator dinged as the doors slid open and Archer made his way down the hall and promptly knocked on the door marked "2347". He spoke in an elevated tone.

"Heidi, love...Archer Fairchild here to see you! Rise and Shine!"

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Estate - The Black Queen's Chambers

"Waltzin' through the hall...in a pretty red dress. And oh, she looks so good, oh, she looks so fine and I got this crazy feeling that I'm gonna ah-ah make her mine!"

:: The sounds of Patti Smith filled Maxine's headphones as she sat in the middle of The Black Queen's bed at The Hellfire Estate. It was the only place where she felt truly comfortable and new that she wouldn't be disturbed. She had been up for much of the night, as she was most nights, on her incredibly cutting edge laptop. She had hijacked Evelyn's own personal computer and was now cross referencing e-mails, documents and pictures with members of The Inner Circle. She was looking for something...ANYTHING that might lead her to Evelyn's killer. Evelyn's usually pristine living quarters were now decorated with stacks of paper, pictures and various other remnants of The Black Queen's life. ::

:: She took a glance at the clock that rested on Evelyn's nightstand. It was in the early hours of morning, and with the click of a few buttons on her computer, Maxine began to shift to an overall blueprint of The Estate, taking a look at the infared sensors located throughout the mysterious castle. ::

"The SHEEP have begun to stir..."

:: The Black Knight moved from the bed and into the bathroom. She took a look at herself in the mirror as she took her headphones off and let them rest around her neck. She LOOKED tired, though nobody would ever be able to tell the difference. She had been burning the candle at both ends lately, and as "enhanced" as she was, even SHE was beginning to feel the effects it was having on her body. She opted for a cold shower as she put on her standard black tank top, leather jacket, black jeans and combat boots before running her fingers through her monster of a mohawk. Cracking her neck side to side she smiled at her reflection. ::

"We've got a lot of work to do today, haven't we?"

:: She said out loud. ::

"And just in the knick of time...I have a TIDAL WAVE of aggression to work through..."

:: Maxine made her way out of Evelyn's suite quickly, so quickly in fact that she had failed to notice the flurry of activity happening on her computer. Alerts from several contacts had discovered the body of The White Knight at the hands of Juliette De La Creux! ::

:: In no time, Maxine was at the door of Bretta O'Malley. She did not knock...but she also didn't break the door down like a wild animal, to which Maxine was proud of herself. ::

"Time to ruffle the faerie's feathers..."

:: She walked through the doors and down the hall, until she found Bretta enjoying a rather luxurious looking breakfast spread. Maxine sauntered right over to the table, grabbed a croissant, took a seat, propping BOTH of her legs on the table and bit into the bread rather aggressively before WINKING at The Red Princess and smiling. ::

"Morning, Tinkerbell. How ARE you doing this morning?!"

 

[Lord Ravena]

:: He stood from the bench as he began to make his way out of the maze. The Queen would need to hear this information before she had a chance to meet with The Red Princess (who he was surprised was not in attendance of the meeting). She would need to plan her day accordingly. ::

[heading back to the estate]

"It looks as if the games have truly....began..."

Indeed they have, Mr. Reed. But what could you have expected with the outright murder of a popular forward-looking Queen?

Lord Ravena looked refreshed, stepping out from a hedge BEHIND the American. There was no way to know how long he had been there; it seemed that he emerged from nowhere at all.

The Bishop...one of my favorite chess pieces. Especially potent because of his ability to work all of the angles. Kings and Queens lean on him to protect their flank even as they simultaneously position to strike offensively.

The Lord walked around the American slowly with no sign of apparent aggression. But his reputation preceded him, and he was physically imposing in any case. He continued.

So Crimson Bishop...think of what you know and BELIEVE to know and tell me: at what point do you move to a different angle? How does one balance sacrificing oneself for another versus remaining on the board? Especially when there are players capable of dumping the entire board over?

Lord Ravena stopped in front of the man. His voice was even, betraying no malice as he spoke one last time.

I look forward to seeing you ascend the ladder here. Let me know if there is a way I can be of assistance. Send Rebecca my best.

Lord Ravena turned and walked around the corner at an unhurried pace...

 

[Discord]

The Hellfire Estate - The Maze

"Indeed they have, Mr. Reed. But what could you have expected with the outright murder of a popular forward-looking Queen?"

Lord Ravena looked refreshed, stepping out from a hedge BEHIND the American. There was no way to know how long he had been there; it seemed that he emerged from nowhere at all.

A tacit smile appeared on Daniel's face for a fleeting moment as he turned on his feet and was greeted by the infamous Lord Ravena.

"I assumed somebody would be keeping tabs on me, but I never guessed it would be you..."

The Red Bishop began to walk slowly towards Lord Ravena surveying him up and down. He was an incredibly intimidating yet attractive man. He could understand how Evelen Pierce went frequently into his arms. Daniel preferred a man who was far easier to dominate.

"Good to see you, Lord."

"The Bishop...one of my favorite chess pieces. Especially potent because of his ability to work all of the angles. Kings and Queens lean on him to protect their flank even as they simultaneously position to strike offensively."

The Lord walked around the American slowly with no sign of apparent aggression. But his reputation preceded him, and he was physically imposing in any case. He continued.

"Well, you know what they say...the future belongs to he who has the bishops."

"So Crimson Bishop...think of what you know and BELIEVE to know and tell me: at what point do you move to a different angle? How does one balance sacrificing oneself for another versus remaining on the board? Especially when there are players capable of dumping the entire board over?"

Lord Ravena stopped in front of the man. His voice was even, betraying no malice as he spoke one last time.

"A fair question. But we need only to look at the game we've been given our titles from to see that. A bishop gains his power towards the end of the game...but only if he isn't hemmed in by pawns in the opening or middle of the game. I know very well the role I play in this game, Sir..."

"I look forward to seeing you ascend the ladder here. Let me know if there is a way I can be of assistance. Send Rebecca my best."

Lord Ravena turned and walked around the corner at an unhurried pace...

The Red Bishop furrowed his brow for a moment as he slowly followed after Lord Ravena.

"You've piqued my interest. You would only appear to me if I had some kind of value that would be of benefit to you. You are after all, a master at chess...and from what I hear [smirking] on multiple boards at once..."

Daniel had heard rumblings from The American Court about Lord Ravena, but Daniel knew the importance of maintaining one's value and keeping one's mouth shut.

"Furthermore, if I was in the way of your wishes, you would have dispatched me by now.."

He was now side by side next to Ravena.

"You are not a member of The Court System and the one who sought your advice the most has been murdered. Not to mention I'm pretty sure I just saw what looked like the birth of a revolution before you ignited that tricky little spell of yours...I have to ask, my loyalty to The Red Court aside for the moment...WHAT is in all of this...for you? REALLY?"

 

[Lord Ravena]

The Red Bishop furrowed his brow for a moment as he slowly followed after Lord Ravena.

"You've piqued my interest. You would only appear to me if I had some kind of value that would be of benefit to you. You are after all, a master at chess...and from what I hear [smirking] on multiple boards at once..."

Daniel had heard rumblings from The American Court about Lord Ravena, but Daniel knew the importance of maintaining one's value and keeping one's mouth shut.

"Furthermore, if I was in the way of your wishes, you would have dispatched me by now.."

He was now side by side next to Ravena.

"You are not a member of The Court System and the one who sought your advice the most has been murdered. Not to mention I'm pretty sure I just saw what looked like the birth of a revolution before you ignited that tricky little spell of yours...I have to ask, my loyalty to The Red Court aside for the moment...WHAT is in all of this...for you? REALLY?"

Wisdom. Discretion. This one could be more useful than previously imagined. His reputation in America was quite good, but Ravena could not help but smile as Daniel Reed approached him.

Are you familiar with self-actualization? The innate drive to be the very best? I have lived my existence by this creed, and I expect it from those around me. Most people I encounter fail my evaluations and therefore are simply used for my purpose for them.

The European Hellfire Club was no exception. It has always been great for a party and it provides beautiful women to satisfy my more profane....urges. But it was beneath my notice.

And then along came Evelyn Pierce.

Lord Ravena held out his hand and an image of Evelyn stood in the palm. She was beautiful.

Her body belonged to me. Her mind was her own and was exquisite, her spirit infectious. I agreed to help her raise the level of this pitiable association to what it SHOULD BE rather than where it was. And now-

Lord Ravena closed his hand tightly, the image shattered.

Someone has touched something that was mine. And if that were all there was to it, I would have come in here and killed everyone, razed the Castle to the ground and salted the earth beneath this very maze in a fit of pique. Perhaps that is what I SHOULD have done.


He paused, looking at the Red Bishop.

But I decided that the European Hellfire Club now carried my brand, was associated with me. That now meant that Evelyn's dream had to be realized, and that it would have to rise in stature. So I am here. And everyone is to be judged. Some have been found wanting, and the winds of change are set to wipe them from history.

Lord Ravena stepped forward, then set his face even with Daniel's.

YOU know what is going on here. YOU know which way those winds are blowing. And you can step into that wind...OR you can accept a very special gift from me and be more than a shiny red spyglass. What you do now will determine much, Crimson Bishop. I will leave you to your cerebrations.

And with that, Lord Ravena's form dissipates...

 

[Juliette De Lacroix]

They sat out on the common court terrace, enjoying the beautiful morning. Ben was eating breakfast, Juliette was soaking up the sunlight while she still could, her eyes almost as bright a gold as the sun itself. She wore a white linen baby doll sundress and gladiator style sandals.*

White Rook: So how was the wake? I wanted to go....

She didn't answer. Something caught her attention. She continued to lounge as if nothing had changed.

"Fantasteek..... 'ere come dze Storm Troopairs."

They were dressed in white, with molded armor and what looked like motorcycle helmets. Modern, but Juliette liked to joke that they looked like the bumbling imperial army. They were the White court's royal guard. Juliette had twin guardsmen, and Ben as well had a pair, but they stood behind her and were dressed in business suits. This was a pack of six, ready for battle, and they were headed her way. She wasn't really surprised.

Guardsman: Princess, the King and Queen wish to see you.

"Splendeed."

Guardsmen: With respect, you will come with us.

White Rook: ooo, you're in trouble.

She accompanied them, not that she had a choice. Being summoned like that wasn't a request. The Guardsmen surrounded her and escorted her back into the castle, her own guards trailing wordlessly. There were several bystanders at other tables staring, and whispering started.

Juliette knew the secret, knew this was coming, and knew how to spin it.

White Queen: Her eyes, Liam, look at her eyes!

White King: Camille, let's hear what she has to say about it. (Turning to Juliette) Damien was found dead, along with his guards.

" 'ow tragic."

White Queen: YOU were seen going to his room last night. Let me guess, he tripped, fell, and landed on your fangs? Or will you admit you've been encouraging his advances?

"I 'ave done NO such dzing."

White King: Your eyes are still gold, Julie.

"I did not say I did not kill 'im. Only dzat I did not encourage 'im."

White Queen: What were you doing in his room in the middle of the night then?

"Returning a bottle of blood dzat 'e 'ad delivaired to my chambairs."

White Queen: that's it? No thanks Damien, keep your refreshments and your flattery to yourself from now on?

"I may 'ave trown dze bottle and a few 'arsh vords in 'is direction. I vould 'ardly call 'is attention 'flattery', 'e 'as been relentlessly vulgar in 'is ill-advised pursuit."

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Estate - Red Princess Suite

:: Bretta heard the door open and knew somebody was coming. She assumed it was one of her maids to check on her during breakfast so she kept eating and drinking her tea. What she didn’t expect, though maybe she SHOULD have expected it, was The Black Knight announcing her presence in the only way that she could. She sat down, swung BOTH her legs on top of the table and grabbed a croissant all BEFORE speaking. And then Maxine winked at her. Bretta knew that something was up; she just didn’t know what it was. She set down her cup and looked over at The Black Knight. ::

*facetiously*: “Sure, why NOT come in and make yourself at home?”

"Morning, Tinkerbell. How ARE you doing this morning?!"

:: Bretta gave Maxine a withering glance. When she first came to the Hellfire Club, and her true self got out, she had to endure many, MANY, jokes about Tinkerbell, Neverland, Captain Hook, and who can forget about Tink’s BFF, Peter Pan? But working with Rebecca closely had taught her to approach everything, and EVERYONE, with grace. She decided to let the Tinkerbell comment go. She picked up the yoghurt and ate a bite of it before setting it down and picked up her cup of tea, kicking off her flats and tucking her legs underneath her on the loveseat she was sitting on. She cradeled her cup with two hands. She smiled at Maxine. ::

“I’m doing great, actually. I’m just eating breakfast before I go meet with Rebecca about something.”

:: She tossed her dark brown hair back. ::

“I suspect that you aren’t here on a social call. How can I be of service to The Black Knight?”

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Estate - Red Princess' Quarters

Bretta: "Sure, why NOT come in and make yourself at home?"

:: Maxine laughed as she watched Bretta flitter back and forth between wanting to smack The Black Knight and wanting to keep her composure. ::

“I’m doing great, actually. I’m just eating breakfast before I go meet with Rebecca about something.”

:: She tossed her dark brown hair back. ::

“I suspect that you aren’t here on a social call. How can I be of service to The Black Knight?”

:: Maxine dropped the remains of the croissant on the table next to her as she leaned up in her chair, her haunting ice blue eyes focused right on the dark faerie. ::

"Oh, Bretta. Can't a girl sit and take tea with another girlfriend without suspicion?"

:: The Black Knight grabbed an empty cup as she poured herself a steaming hot cup of proper tea, a rare treat for her as she had spent the past few months in the states, where Americans served something that seemed more like an INSULT to actual tea than tea itself. ::

"As to how you can be of SERVICE? Well, carefully what you ask for, Crimson Princess. I'm sure I have space in my DUNGEON for a beauty such as YOURSELF."

[winking]

"Rebecca can WAIT...besides I left her with one hell of a shiner last night..but I digress. I told everyone that I would be here to assess the courts, Bretta..and so here I am. I've read a lot about you...and your family...a girl after my own heart. We BOTH murdered our fathers for their betrayals. Word around the estate is that you are Rebecca's right hand woman. And yet...I can't help but notice the relationship you have with a man who would sooner see The Red Queen strung up like a turkey and hanged in public...I can't help but wonder...WHICH one are you playing? The Rook or The Queen?"

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Estate - Red Princess Suite

"Oh, Bretta. Can't a girl sit and take tea with another girlfriend without suspicion?"

Not when it comes to YOU, dearie…

:: Bretta shrugged. If Maxine wanted to play, that was fine. Bretta could play too. ::

“By all means…”

:: She watched as The Black Knight helped herself to some tea. ::

"As to how you can be of SERVICE? Well, careful what you ask for, Crimson Princess. I'm sure I have space in my DUNGEON for a beauty such as YOURSELF."

:: There was that weird wink again. Bretta could not, for the life of her, figure out what The Black Knight’s angle was. She gave Maxine a dirty look. ::

"Rebecca can WAIT...besides I left her with one hell of a shiner last night..but I digress.

“And you LIVED to tell about it? Brave woman…”

There have been times where even I wanted to do that same thing.

:: Though Bretta was loyal to The Red Queen, she WAS getting tired of being treated like a servant all the time. But she wasn’t about to let Maxine know that. ::

I told everyone that I would be here to assess the courts, Bretta..and so here I am. I've read a lot about you...and your family...a girl after my own heart. We BOTH murdered our fathers for their betrayals.

:: Bretta bristled slightly when Maxine mentioned her father. She hadn’t thought of her father in YEARS, even though she was the CEO of his company and she still had a hand in some day-to-day operations and projects. She was actually planning on heading for the office in a few days for some hands-on projects that they were currently dealing with such as talking about expanding from Europe to Asia or maybe to the Americas… Bretta gritted her teeth. ::

“I only did what HAD to be done.”

:: Bretta unconsciously twirled her SILVER ring on her left hand. She hadn’t thought about her family in a very long time. She didn’t even know if her mother had other siblings or not. As far as she was concerned, she had no family…other than Rebecca and The Red Court of course. She was pretty close to both Alec AND Rebecca. ::

Word around the estate is that you are Rebecca's right hand woman. And yet...I can't help but notice the relationship you have with a man who would sooner see The Red Queen strung up like a turkey and hanged in public...I can't help but wonder...WHICH one are you playing? The Rook or The Queen?"

:: Bretta narrowed her eyes at the woman. It wasn’t her damn business what went on between Bretta and Alec.::

“I don’t know where you got your information, Maxine, but Alastair and I are not in a ‘relationship’. We’re just good friends. Yes, I’m sure you have heard that we have sex on occasion but that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. We care about each other, and we trust one another. But no. We are not in a relationship.”

:: Bretta took a sip of her tea. She would’ve thought it would be obvious. Both Alec and Bretta were the biggest whores in the Hellfire Club - THEIR own words - and they made no apologies for it. Bretta had MANY men in her bed over the years just as Alec had MANY women in his. So it was quite natural for them to gravitate towards one another and bed EACH OTHER on a regular basis. After all, they were both extremely beautiful people with certain…appetites that needed to be sated. :wigglingeyebrows: ::

“As for which one I am ‘playing’? Neither one of them. Alec has his own thoughts and so do I. Rebecca has been nothing but kind to me so I see no reason NOT to trust her.”

 

[Crimson]

The Beast Awakens...

"Your observations have proved useful once again, Daniel. You've given me much to think about...and it looks like my work is just beginning. Based on what you have revealed to me...it appears that I am going to have to test the loyalties of those in our court with a little game..."

The Red Queen spoke to Daniel while sitting in front of her vanity, obsessively powdering her face. She was attempting to hide the rather aggressive bruise that was beginning to appear underneath the circle of her eyes. A parting gift from The Black Knight.

"She's got one hell of a left hook...I'll give her that much."

She placed the puff down on the vanity as she turned back to Daniel who was standing behind her. As she stood, the bottom of her silk red robe draped the floor like a rose as she walked over to him and placed her hand on his cheek.

"The work you've done for this court is not to be unnoticed. If all goes according to plan...you will be rewarded handsomely."

Rebecca watched as Daniel slowly began to recoil from her touch. She laughed.

"My dear boy, you have nothing to worry about. I know you don't much prefer the company of women...but even I have to say, that's a tragic shame.."

The Red Queen let her manicured fingers crawl down the Red Bishop's shoulder as she made her way into her expansive and plush walk in closet, dropping the robe as she went, revealing a body that was most certainly not indicative of how old she was and would put any number of women far YOUNGER than her to shame.

"Unless you'd like to stay and zip me up, Daniel. You are free to go..."

As Daniel Reed made his way out of her chambers, Rebecca selected a strapless red lace dress and paired it with a deeper red leather fitted jacket, paired of course with a pair of fetching red stiletto heels. Giving herself a once over in the mirror, she had styled her hair into a lose french twist and applied a layer of her signature crimson lipstick. Once again her eyes went to the framed picture of her and Evelyn on her vanity from many years ago. Thinking for a moment, she placed the picture face down on the table.

"What's done is done..."

Heading out and down the stairs of the Estate she rounded the corner, heading into The Red Wing of The Hellfire Estate. Walking down the hall, her high heels clicking with haunting resonance. Soon she appeared into large doorway of The Red Sitting Room, a plush and expansive place with gorgeous artwork, antique furniture and a roaring fire place. She noticed Alistair sitting there, enjoying what appeared to be a book. She clicked forward with deliberate movement.

"You know...sometimes I find myself wondering if people think I speak only to hear myself. It's not a wrong assumption to make..I mean, I DO enjoy hearing myself speak...but it appears that my court has all but decided to IGNORE my requests for information on the events of last night...have I lost my touch, Alec?"

 

[Domino]

The Hellfire Estate - Red Princess' Quarters

:: Bretta bristled slightly when Maxine mentioned her father. She hadn’t thought of her father in YEARS, even though she was the CEO of his company and she still had a hand in some day-to-day operations and projects. She was actually planning on heading for the office in a few days for some hands-on projects that they were currently dealing with such as talking about expanding from Europe to Asia or maybe to the Americas… Bretta gritted her teeth. ::

“I only did what HAD to be done.”

:: Bretta unconsciously twirled her SILVER ring on her left hand. She hadn’t thought about her family in a very long time. She didn’t even know if her mother had other siblings or not. As far as she was concerned, she had no family…other than Rebecca and The Red Court of course. She was pretty close to both Alec AND Rebecca. ::

A smile crept across Maxine's mouth as she watched Bretta think reflectively about her past.

"Perhaps there is a fire in this girl YET..."

Maxine inquired about her relationship with Rebecca and Alec.

:: Bretta narrowed her eyes at the woman. It wasn’t her damn business what went on between Bretta and Alec.::

“I don’t know where you got your information, Maxine, but Alastair and I are not in a ‘relationship’. We’re just good friends. Yes, I’m sure you have heard that we have sex on occasion but that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. We care about each other, and we trust one another. But no. We are not in a relationship.”

:: Bretta took a sip of her tea. She would’ve thought it would be obvious. Both Alec and Bretta were the biggest whores in the Hellfire Club - THEIR own words - and they made no apologies for it. Bretta had MANY men in her bed over the years just as Alec had MANY women in his. So it was quite natural for them to gravitate towards one another and bed EACH OTHER on a regular basis. After all, they were both extremely beautiful people with certain…appetites that needed to be sated. ::

“As for which one I am ‘playing’? Neither one of them. Alec has his own thoughts and so do I. Rebecca has been nothing but kind to me so I see no reason NOT to trust her.”

:: Domino rolled her eyes at Bretta's response. A canned answer EXPECTED from the progeny of Rebecca Everhart. Maxine decided to up the stakes a little bit. ::

"My dear, Bretta..."

:: Within an INSTANT Bretta would feel a SHARP pain through her left hand as he looked down to see that Maxine had taken a butter knife from the breakfast spread and PLUNGED it through the center of Bretta's hand, essentially PINNING her hand into the arm of the couch. ::

"You are definitely a woman of the RED COURT...but you see, on The Black Court we interact a little differently, and by that I mean, we have no time for BULLSHIT."

:: The Black Knight stood from her chair and moved to the coffee table across from Bretta, sitting across from her directly now, her wild eyes completely engaged with the Dark Faerie. ::

"Attempting to DEFLECT my questions with tid bits of salacious information that HELEN KELLER could detect will get you NOWHERE. Now we are going to play a little game, Bretta. It's called 'You answer my questions honestly and I don't cut your tongue out and make your little boyfriend EAT it...which I am SURE he would do willingly..."

:: She GRABBED The Red Princess by the chin, their faces a few inches apart. ::

"We'll go in another direction, since you are as of yet UNWILLING to admit that there is a deep and DARK part of you that would love NOTHING more than to decapitate the Red Queen and hoist her head on a STICK...If you truly ARE so close...then you MUST know something about Evelyn's MURDER. SURELY Rebecca confided in somebody..."

:: Maxine JAMMED the top of the butter knife with her fist as it dug deeper into the couch. ::

"And I'll remind you that your loyalty to Rebecca won't save you from the very real possibility of me braiding your entrails together...WHAT did she do...and WHAT is she planning on doing? Has she promised you the Black Court..and has ANYBODY ELSE approached you to overthrow the courts?!"

 

[Duke]

Hellfire Estate - Red Court Sitting Room

After looking around for Daniel Reed, Alec decided to hole up in The Red Sitting Room, reading. Actually, in all honesty, he WASN’T reading but rather waiting for a certain Red Bishop to show up. After all, he was bound to appear in the Red Sitting Room sometime.

Hurry up, Reed. I need to talk to you.

He heard footsteps in coming closer but they weren’t the sound of MALE footsteps. No, these sounded like the clackety clack of a pair of HEELS which can only mean ONE thing…

Oh no…

He made sure to appear to be reading when SHE arrived.

"You know...sometimes I find myself wondering if people think I speak only to hear myself. It's not a wrong assumption to make..I mean, I DO enjoy hearing myself speak...but it appears that my court has all but decided to IGNORE my requests for information on the events of last night...have I lost my touch, Alec?"

He looked up, an expression of surprise on his face.

“What? I mean, no, NO, my Queen.”

He closed the book and got up, walking towards Rebecca with a soft, soothing expression on his face.

“You have not lost your touch at all, my Queen. I don’t know what you mean by requesting information from last night but I expect people are talking about what The White Princess did last night to her OWN Court’s Knight.”

He took Rebecca’s left hand in his and gave it a chaste kiss.

“Luckily WE don’t have to worry about OUR Princess, hmmm?”

 

[Crimson]

The Hellfire Estate - Red Sitting Room

Alec: “What? I mean, no, NO, my Queen.”

She watched with an almost scary curiousity as Alistair adjusted himself to her untimely arrival. He really was a slimeball, but that was actually what Rebecca liked about Alistair Thatcher. He had the charm of The Cheshire Cat and she often found herself amused by his outlandish sexual antics.

Alec: “You have not lost your touch at all, my Queen. I don’t know what you mean by requesting information from last night but I expect people are talking about what The White Princess did last night to her OWN Court’s Knight.”

Rebecca's eyes widened for a second at Alec's words. So it appears that Juliette's little tryst through the gardens was beginning to become something more serious. She was grateful to Daniel...but now Alec's new which he probably assumed would be of great value to her had only confirmed that he might be one of those who wished her bodily harm.

"So it appears our little vampire's skip through the garden has actually amounted to something worth watching..."

Alec: “Luckily WE don’t have to worry about OUR Princess, hmmm?”

She allowed Alec to kiss her hand as she motioned for him to return to his seat and she promptly took hers righ next to him on one of the plush and large red sofas. Rebecca looked at him calmly.

"MY Princess, no...but I'm beginning to think I might have to worry about my Rook. Tell me, Alec. How was your little meeting in the garden last night?"

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Estate - Red Princess Suite

"My dear, Bretta..."

:: Bretta cried out in pain as she looked down and saw that the ol’ bitch had essentially STAKED her left hand to the couch’s arm! ::

“You BITCH!”

"You are definitely a woman of the RED COURT...but you see, on The Black Court we interact a little differently, and by that I mean, we have no time for BULLSHIT."

:: The Black Knight stood from her chair and moved to the coffee table across from Bretta, sitting across from her directly now, her wild eyes completely engaged with the Dark Faerie. ::

"Attempting to DEFLECT my questions with tid bits of salacious information that HELEN KELLER could detect will get you NOWHERE. Now we are going to play a little game, Bretta. It's called 'You answer my questions honestly and I don't cut your tongue out and make your little boyfriend EAT it...which I am SURE he would do willingly..."

:: Bretta GLARED at Maxine as the Black Knight grabbed her chin. ::

"We'll go in another direction, since you are as of yet UNWILLING to admit that there is a deep and DARK part of you that would love NOTHING more than to decapitate the Red Queen and hoist her head on a STICK...If you truly ARE so close...then you MUST know something about Evelyn's MURDER. SURELY Rebecca confided in somebody..."

:: Bretta cried out in pain as Maxine JAMMED the knife further into the couch. ::

"And I'll remind you that your loyalty to Rebecca won't save you from the very real possibility of me braiding your entrails together...WHAT did she do...and WHAT is she planning on doing? Has she promised you the Black Court..and has ANYBODY ELSE approached you to overthrow the courts?!"

“Okay, okay! I admit it: sometimes I WISH that she would just drop dead. But seriously…”

:: Bretta gasped in pain as she looked at Maxine. ::

“If Rebecca DID kill Evelyn, she revealed NOTHING to me. In fact, she never explained her plans and ideas for the future of this Club and establishment to me. NEVER.”

:: It was perhaps the first A-HA! moment Bretta had with regards to Rebecca. Rebecca had been keeping things from her for awhile now and only now Bretta was starting to get the sense that her OWN Queen didn’t trust her. Bretta winced in pain. Whether it was from the knife in her hand or from the realization that Rebecca didn’t seem to trust her with anything of importance, Bretta didn’t know. ::

"Nobody ever approached me about overthrowing the courts OR about taking 'ownership' of The Black Court..."

 

[Duke]

Hellfire Estate - Red Sitting Room

Rebecca motioned him to take his seat and so he did when Rebecca sat down RIGHT beside him.

This can’t be good…

"MY Princess, no...but I'm beginning to think I might have to worry about my Rook. Tell me, Alec. How was your little meeting in the garden last night?"

Oh shit.

Alec smiled widely and gazed at Rebecca with a fond expression on his face. He had many, MANY, experiences where he had to act like he was enjoying himself when he really wasn’t. He chuckled.

“If her Grace is displeased I didn’t report for kitchen duty, Juliette de la Croix wanted me to escort her through the gardens and maze. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and we both know how fatal it COULD be saying ‘no’ to a vampire…”

He sighed and turned on the charm.

“You have nothing to fear from me, my Queen. We were merely just talking about Evelyn’s murder and how odd it was that YOU were the only representative out of all the Kings and Queens here. The White Queen and King didn’t bother to show up. I find that odd..."

He shifted in his seat.

“Don’t you find it strange that you are the only Queen here, right now? If that Black Knight wasn’t around, I’d be calling in a few more security teams to come and protect YOU. I’d hate to see somebody try to murder YOU…I mean, not that you couldn’t handle yourself because you definitely COULD…”

He stopped talking and gazed off into space as if to contemplate what he just said.

 

[Hydra]

Unwelcomed visitor

"Heidi, love...Archer Fairchild here to see you! Rise and Shine!"

:: the door FLIES open as Heidi reclines on her chaise lounge, wide eyed for a BRIEF moment as her chocolate brown hair flows in the fleeting breeze of the opening door. Her look of astonishment fades into one of annoyance. ::

:: scoffing::

Archer, what do YOU want?

:: Her voice and tone were light but she made no effort to hide her emotions, most of them were shades of contempt and an overall sense of haughty entitlement.::

:: Eyeing his overall look::

The number to my image consultant? I've been thinking you could use her services for some time now.

:: Heidi was already up. The girl had nothing but time on her hands as she was another rich bitch socialite who wanted for nothing, but she made the most of her time in excessive indulgence and pursuits of personal pleasure and fun, whether it was at the expense of others was of no concern of her's. Heidi, true to form for any water sign, was rather MERCURIAL in her demeanor. Some people understood this and found it endearing...but most dismissed it as her being ill mannered.::

:: Archer and Juliette were two people, however, that she couldnt just RUN OVER or dismiss, and that infuriated her to no end. She felt Juliette was beneath her...WAY beneath, and belonged 6 fix under like any other CORPSE, but the girl was there and had leapfrogged OVER her for the position of WHITE PRINCESS in the Hellfire Club on the White Court! It was an INSULT that Heidi could HARDLY contain herself over.::

:: Archer, as far as she was concerned, was a good-two-shoes and overall annoying as hell! What was the POINT of him!?::

:: Still, there they were, time and again, always in her face, in her way. Though they saw her as a bitchy little snob, she'd prooven more than once that she was more powerful than she looked. The White Queen understood that as a water elemental, Heidi was incredibly formidable with a huge promise of potential just waiting to be honed and fullfilled!::