The Hellions - Let The Games Begin

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Sundown. The daytime did not deter him, but the NIGHT...ah! The possibilities of the night.

Lord Raven was one the phone, a secured disposable sat-line with encrypted signal and a spoken spell that made anyone listening outside of that phone hear only garbled nonsense.

Is everything ready? The planning room must be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. And all anti-invasion protocols in effect. I want to be prepared for EVERY POSSIBILITY. Prepare food and places of rest. Send home all unnecessary staff with double pay. Those who stay get quadruple. Make it so, you have at most 180 minutes, likely less.

No one had disturbed him all day. Such is wisdom.

Lord Ravena rose and cleansed himself. Normally by now he would have a visitor or explore the grounds, but not yet. For now, things needed to happen without him. He needed people to understand what was at stake, and how far they had to be willing to go. Once realization gave way to understanding, only then would people be ready to TRULY act. It was easy to kill annoying nobodies with pretensions. I was far harder to upend Kings and Queens, even if they were otherwise incompetent. Lord Ravena sat in front of the window, waiting for word to come back of what had transpired...
 
Return To The Estate....

"No, the exchange is still happening. We agreed on an amount, Fletcher...don't tell me you are starting to get cold feet..."

Archer chatted away on his bluetooth as he zoomed down the London countryside in his vintage 1965 Aston Martin DB 5 convertible. The sun was beginning to set. On the passenger seat was a white box with black ribbon that contained the various remains of what was left of Heidi Scarborough. Even with everything going about to transpire, Archer still had a business to run and he attempted to tie up some loose ends on his way back.

Fletcher: "But Archer...that's an insane amount of drugs to run through the border. We only have two mules..."

"That stopped being MY problem the second you agreed to what you agreed to. It's time to man up and make good on your end of the deal...I'd hate to see anything happened to Mara and the girls.."

Fletcher: [silence] "How...how do you know my wife's name..."

Archer laughed.

"Because *I*...unlike yourself am a good businessman. Look, I've got other things to attend to. Get the merchandise to us by midnight and your daughters won't have to endure the loss of BOTH their parents."

The Black Rook pressed the button on his bluetooth as he pulled into the gates of The Hellfire Estate. He had made good on his word to Juliette and she had on hers. The revolution had started. Archer was unaware that Heidi had managed to OUT his involvement to The White Queen moments for her death, and had he...he might have chosen a different location to meet with Juliette and Lord Ravena.

He still had a little bit of time as he hopped from his car, grabbed the box and began to make his way towards his private quarters, to shower and change from clothes that were now stained with blood, unaware of the hit that had been taken out on his life by The Red Queen herself. Alistair had been tasked with killing him in order to gaurantee the safety of his precious Red Princess. It would only be a matter of time before The Red Rook made his move.
 
Hello There!

<< BAM! >>

:: The force of Maxine Dupont's arm came SWEEPING across Juliette's throat as The Black Knight effectively clotheslined and then sweeped the vampire to the ground. ::

"Juliette! What a pleasure to FORMALLY meet your acquaintance!"

:: She grabbed The White Princess by the arm as she hurled her down the hall, knocking her into an end table and mirror that rested on the wall several feet away. Maxine let out a soft laugh as she watched Juliette slowly get to her feet. ::

"I've got a lot of a questions for you my dear...but FIRST?! Well...I'd kind of like to beat the smug look of VICTORY off your face!"

:: Maxine began walking slowly towards Juliette. She wasn't just fighting The White Princess to fight her. She was genuinely interested in the woman. Her name seemed to be on the tongue of everybody in The Hellfire Estate and all signs pointed to the very real possibility that she was at the HELM of a REVOLUTION. If this woman truly believed she could turn the courts on her head, she was going to have to prove herself to The Black Knight. Maxine was also still wary of The White Court in general. All signs seemed to point to THEM when it came to Evelyn's murder and she wanted to ensure that Juliette had not been STUPID enough to take out The Black Queen as her first act of WAR. ::

"The White Knight was a SNACK, Juliette. I think you might need something a little more....filling. And don't bother with any poignant speeches or soliloquies. I've reached my capacity for MEANINGLESS words today. Though I DID enjoy making Bretta O'Malley my BITCH..."

:: Maxine gestured to the White Princess ::

"The floor is yours..."
 
A Meeting...

Rebecca had spent much of the day pouring over as much information as she could. She had managed to secure security footage of Archer murdering Heidi Scarborough. It was gruesome indeed, but it had confirmed her suspicions. She had left the task of dispatching Archer up to Alistair, almost knowing he would most likely fail. At this point she was looking to rid herself of ANYBODY in her court who showed the SLIGHTEST bit of discomfort with her. She wouldn't kill Bretta, the Red Princess meant too much to her. But she WOULD use her as bait to light a fire under Alec in order for him to do what needed to be done. She was still had every confidence in the players she had on the board carrying out what was required of him. She just might be able to make it out of this one without any MORE blood on her hands.

The one thing that DID concern her was that Bretta was nowhere to be found. This was HIGHLY out of character for the woman who usually checked in with The Red Queen every morning to fill her in on the details of the red court. Still, she trusted that Bretta was simply doing the job that Rebecca had asked of her. The next few hours would be crucial. All she needed to do was ensure that Archer would be killed...and if Alec failed, she had placed Daniel on the assignment, a far safer bet. Next on her list would be Juliette, a task that might prove harder than she would have liked.

Just then a text message came in on her phone. It was from The White Queen.

"It's me. We have to meet!"

Rebecca stopped herself from rolling her eyes as her perfectly manicured fingers scrolled through her phone.

"Well the heavily medicated has FINALLY risen...and just before the 11th HOUR..."

In a flurry of crackling red energy, Rebecca dissappeared from her chambers in The Hellfire Estate and appeared in front of Camille Rowe in The White Court's Stronghold. She walked over to the woman who appeared to be lying on the stomach of a live TIGER. This time, Rebecca allowed herself to roll her eyes.

"Must you ALWAYS appear to look so absolutely PATHETIC, Camille?! If you haven't NOTICED we are in the midst of a war!"

She made eye contact with the tiger, poised and ready to blast it to oblivion if it so much as LOOKED at her the wrong way.

"Tell me...have you FINALLY gotten over your reservations and decided to actually FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE?! Because lord knows Liam will be of NO help to you...and Juliette?! Well...she has been eyeing that sceptor for quite some time now."
 
Pas de deux

It wasn't often that Juliette was caught unawares. Maxine was able to knock her off kilter and even toss her across the hall. But by the time she went airborne, she was already reacting, an was able to gracefully land on her feet. She still jostled the table, and had to react quickly to catch the vase that tipped over, but nothing was broken. She even had time to fix her hair in the mirror while Maxine breezed through the formalities.

Max:I've got a lot of a questions for you my dear...but FIRST?! Well...I'd kind of like to beat the smug look of VICTORY off your face!

She laughed loudly, a melodic but short laugh, clearly amused. And then she stopped, and locked eyes with the Black Knight.

"Please try."

Max:The White Knight was a SNACK, Juliette. I think you might need something a little more....filling. And don't bother with any poignant speeches or soliloquies. I've reached my capacity for MEANINGLESS words today. Though I DID enjoy making Bretta O'Malley my BITCH...

She seemed to disappear. With inhuman speed, she leapt over Maxine's head and landed silently behind her, then clamped her arm across the woman's chest assertively. Cheek to cheek, Juliette drug Maxine backwards, kicking open a door and taking them into a dimly lit ballroom.

"No speeches.... Just a simple request. May I 'ave dzis dance?"

She caught an elbow from Maxine with ease. Their speed and strength was so well matched that Maxine couldn't pry Juliette's arm off of her, and they were locked in a battle of wills. Juliette took advantage of her position and kneed Maxine in the tail bone, sending a shock up her spine.

"Are you going to be one of dzose gurls dzat fights to lead dze step? Because if so, I dzink I VILL 'ave a drink before ve start."

She whispered in Maxine's ear before sinking her teeth into the girl's neck. She drank deep and fast, knowing Max would squirm and break the bond, even WITH the rush of euphoria Juliette's bite would induce.

And when Maxine tried to break free this time, Juliette released her, licking her lips. There was a slight crease in her brow, a look of mild surprise. Most women were sweet, to warying degrees. Maxine was spicy. In over two centuries, Juliette had never tasted spicy. What was more, it almost seemed to INCREASE her thirst.

"My darling Maxine.... You taste quite unique. Perhaps ve should get to know each odzer better."
 
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The Red Queen appeared. Sheena raised her head abruptly, twitching her tail in annoyance, but she was tolerable of guests unless they attacked Camille. Then they became dinner.

Rebecca: Must you ALWAYS appear to look so absolutely PATHETIC, Camille?! If you haven't NOTICED we are in the midst of a war!

"Perception is a powerful ally, Rebecca. You may like to look invincible, but I have learned the value of being underestimated. And of COURSE I've noticed. My court members are dropping like flies. It's that vamp tramp. She's behind it, and now she's got Archer Fairchild under her spell."

Rebecca: Tell me...have you FINALLY gotten over your reservations and decided to actually FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE?! Because lord knows Liam will be of NO help to you...and Juliette?! Well...she has been eyeing that sceptor for quite some time now.

"I've been trying to tell Liam that since her appointment, but she bats her eyelashes and he's like putty in her hands. THAT is what pathetic looks like. Have you got a plan to stop her or what?"

If she seemed like she had her emotions under control, it was the work of pharmaceutical fantasy. She did not seemed bothered by the death of both her in-court allies, nor did she seem alarmed by Juliette's uprising. She waited for Rebecca to solve the problem, as she always had. She could be a powerful ally but had never been a strategist.
 
Hellfire Estate - Black Rook Quarters

Alec had been all over the main floor of the Estate looking for Bretta, but nobody had seen her. NOBODY. Not only that, but it seemed that The Black Knight had vanished as well. Alec was growing desperate. He NEEDED to find The Red Princess in order to ensure her safety because there was no way he could ever KILL The Black Rook!

Rebecca is an evil, EVIL, bitch! DAMN HER! Damn HER!

As he rounded the corner to the main entryway, he got word that Archer had come back from taking out The White Bishop. He could picture Rebecca’s evil grin when she had told him that in order to prove his loyalty he had to kill Archer Fairchild…or she would have Bretta O’Malley killed!! Her OWN Princess. And yet she claimed to love her.

Bullshit, Rebecca. You DON’T love her; the only person you love is yourself.

He sighed and started up the stairs that would take him to The Black Rook’s quarters. He didn’t want to kill Archer, but now that he couldn’t find Bretta ANYWHERE it seemed as if Rebecca had left him no choice. He grumbled threats and curses to Rebecca under his breath even as he knocked on the door. The knock was just a formality; he entered in and walked down the hall towards the sitting room. He made himself comfortable and started to twirl his athame in his hands. He was going to do his best NOT to kill Archer…at first.

He heard footsteps and looked up to see Archer staring at him with a confused and surprised look on his face. Alec sighed loudly. He got up halfheartedly and looked at The Black Rook with an apologetic look on his face before walking over to the fireplace.

“Hello, Archer. I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here.”

Alec placed his athame on the mantle of the fireplace and turned around, a look of defeat on his face.

“Rebecca…Rebecca is on to me, Fairchild. Despite my best efforts to portray myself as being loyal to HER, she’s on to me. BIG TIME.”

Alec did not look happy AT ALL. He sighed again.

“That BITCH had threatened the life of BRETTA if I didn’t do this one thing to prove my “loyalty”…”

He made quotation marks with his hands on the word ‘loyalty’.

“She told me that I had to kill YOU since you were the one who killed The White Bishop…”

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“I DON’T want to do it, mate; I really don’t but the old COW left me with no choice. She TOOK Bretta somewhere and now I can’t find her ANYWHERE. It was Rebecca’s doing; I’m sure of it!”

He smirked. In an effort to avoid the inevitable, he chose to engage Archer in a little conversation.

“Good on you for killing Heidi. How’d that go?”

Alec never really liked Scarborough. She was too snooty and she acted like she was BETTER than everyone else. He was actually glad she was dead.
 
White Court Stronghold

Camille: "Perception is a powerful ally, Rebecca. You may like to look invincible, but I have learned the value of being underestimated. And of COURSE I've noticed. My court members are dropping like flies. It's that vamp tramp. She's behind it, and now she's got Archer Fairchild under her spell."

Rebecca was somewhat relieved to know that Camille was at the very least AWARE of what was going on around her. She had a history of letting the others solve problems for her, which is part of the reason Rebecca liked to have her around. She may not have been as cunning as the others, but she was a solid vote and a reliable ally when needed. It was why Rebecca was working with the woman to begin with.

"Juliette DOES have her ways, doesn't she?"

Camille: "I've been trying to tell Liam that since her appointment, but she bats her eyelashes and he's like putty in her hands. THAT is what pathetic looks like. Have you got a plan to stop her or what?"

The Red Queen made her way over to a sitting chair opposite of the couch and took a seat, taking a moment to adjust and smooth out her dress and jacket as she let out a lofty sight.

"The plan has never changed, Camille...you just unfortunately decided to flip the script when the heat of Evelyn's death came down upon us...retreating to this stronghold and leaving me all but alone to deal with the aftermath.."

She began to look at her perfectly manicured red nails and assess them as she continued to speak.

"We knew that if anybody was planning on pulling a stunt, they would use Evelyn's death as their way in. Juliette IS a capable woman, as she is proving right now...but she is not above reproach. There are ways to deal with her. At this moment I have tasked Alistair Thatcher with the task of murdering Archer Fairchild...using his love for Bretta O'Malley as bait..and AS of yet, Maxine Dupont has not put all the pieces together, and I made sure to light a match that would lead her to The White Princess..."

[cutting her glance back to Camille]

"All we need to do is provide The Supreme Council with PROOF that Juliette De Creaux murdered Evelyn Pierce...even if she DIDN'T. You are a metamorph, Camille...your ability to change your appearance is down to the molecular level. We need you back at the estate...SURELY you can provide them with SOMETHING that prompts them to murder the vampire outright. We need you to be able to sew the seeds of dischord...and should push come to shove...*I* need to be able to know that you WILL fight for your life..."

As Rebecca peered across the room at the layout of The White Queen's living room, she saw many empty prescription bottles and pills cast about in a sloppy yet deliberate looking way. The Red Queen shook her head.

"We mortgaged our souls in order to rule our respective courts, Cami...we have TOO much blood on our hands and skeletons in our closets to stop now. If these children want a FIGHT, then we must SHOW them a FIGHT. Months ago, we trusted each other...and often times we've been stalwart allies. We had a vision, and we began to execute it...now we are on the BRINK of something that could see all of that fall apart. Do you REALLY want Evelyn's death to be in vain?"

The Red Queen stared at the medicated woman before her. Rebecca was not much of a people person. In fact, most of the time she was incredibly irritated by nearly everyone around her, but even she had her soft spots. Bretta O'Malley was one, and Camille Rowe was another. If there was anybody that she would ACTUALLY in an honest way call a FRIEND..it would be her, and it troubled Rebecca to see Camille in the state she was currently in.

"Are you ready to fight? Because if so...we have no more time to waste. I need you back at the estate."
 
Ballroom Tango

Juliette: "No speeches...Just a simple request. May I 'ave dzis dance?"

:: A smile curled up in the mutant's lips as she watched Juliette move. The vampire was a lot more durable and agile than she immediately thought as Juliette grabbed Maxine by the elbow and jolted her into one of the many ballrooms that the estate had to offer. ::

Juliette: "Are you going to be one of dzose gurls dzat fights to lead dze step? Because if so, I dzink I VILL 'ave a drink before ve start!"

:: Maxine winced as Juliette kneed her in the tail bone, senting a jolt of pain through her spine before aggressively SINKING her teeth into her neck. The Black Knight's eyes widened for a second. Maxine Dupont had INCREDIBLY invulnerable skin. She could take on some SERIOUS energy projections and weapons before getting wounded in the slightest, so when Juliette's teeth were able to PIERCE through her flesh and begin to drink, Maxine was all at once surprised and slightly aroused. Juliette was beautiful and to see the juxtaposition of such a prim and proper woman engaging in such a primitive and uncouth transaction, well...it kind of turned The Black Knight on, being the masochist that she was. Still, the pain was considerable. ::

"Ughh!"

:: She struggled to break free. Maxine was considerably stronger in terms of strength than Juliette. In fact she was stronger than most people she met...by FAR, but she wasn't going for the kill here. She was testing to see what Juliette was capable of, and so far The White Princess was proving herself to be worthy. Maxine struggled and finally was released by Juliette as blood began to dribble down her neck. ::


Juliette: "My darling Maxine.... You taste quite unique. Perhaps ve should get to know each odzer better."

:: Maxine cracked a smile as she took her index finger and lightly dipped it into her wound, before bringing it to her lips, taking a taste for herself. She eyed the White Princess. ::

"Ah yes, the sweet taste of iron...and the VIRUS that courses through my body. Be careful how much you drink, we wouldn't want that heart of yours to start beating now WOULD we?"

:: She charged The White Princess as the two began to exchange a serious amount of blows, back and forthe as they moved backwards on the ballroom floor, their fight looking like a WELL choreographed and rehearsed sort of dance. Every move they made, the other had a counter for it. The kicks were blocked, the punches were parried and their movements were FURIOUSLY fast, at times appearing like a BLUR. ::

:: As the two made their way over to the incredibly large windows of the ballroom, Maxine ducked a punch from Juliette and countered with a brutal sweep as she jumped into the air, landed squarely on the vampire's shoulders as she went down and flew HIGH towards the ceilings, grabbing for the railing of the velvet curtains that covered the views of the back of The Hellfire Estate...and at a time when the sun was beginning it's descent, it offered a rather awe inspiring view of the bright burning star as it began to fall behind the HILLS. In other words...it would be VERY..VERY bright. ::

"Might as well take this time to test those vampire myths!"

YANK!

:: Maxine tore at the curtains with her hands as the entire set of curtains began to rip from the wall, dopping elegantly to the floor as The Black Knight basically RODE the curtains like a carnival ride as she made her descent, scooping The White Princess in her arm as she used the momentum from the large curtains to swing Juliette with incredible force as they both CRASHED through the large and ornate window, Domino using Juliette as a buffer against the glass before they were both sent rolling through the grass like a wheel. The sun had made the entire area around them a brilliant red and orange color. It wouldn't last for long and although Juliette had just taken a drink from Maxine, she wouldn't be able to face this amount of sunlight for an extended period of time. The Black Knight immediately separated herself from Juliette as she watched The White Princess continue to roll forward in a jerking and fast motion. Maxine grabbed several large shards of glass as she aimed and furiously threw them towards the area that she had ascertained that Juliette would stop rolling. She called out to The White Princess. ::

"How's THAT for taking the lead?"
 
Backyard Ballet

Maxine divulged in the slightest, referencing a 'virus'. Juliette's interest was peaked. Vampires were thoroughly immune to human borne illnesses, being technically dead, they could no longer be a host for parasites or viruses. But if Max had a virus that gave her abilities, it had the potential to affect Juliette in unique ways. The only way to know for sure would be to drink more.....

Maxine: Be careful how much you drink, we wouldn't want that heart of yours to start beating now WOULD we?

"Ah, but 'ow poetic if it vere true....to say my 'eart only beats for you? And to dzink all dzis time I 'ave been craving faeries, I did not know vhat I 'ave been missing."

They joined in step together, trading attempts at mild injury. Juliette was just getting warmed up, but she was impressed with Maxine's speed and skill. The Black Knight met her every advance, and even fought back, testing Juliette's defenses and stamina. Juliette still wore the smile of the deeply amused.

"I 'ope dzis is not all you 'ave to give. I am no dainty, delicate little faerie, Max. (Blocking a roundhouse kick with an open hand) May I call you Max? It seems a bit intimate but--(catching Maxine by the wrist and pulling her in close, Juliette grabbed the back of Maxine's neck and leaned bodily against her, attempting to draw blood again) I feel ve are on dze vay to being very vell acquainted...."

Maxine was able to hold Juliette off though, and keep her from getting her arms locked around Maxine. After a struggle and a forceful shove, Juliette took a step back. They were extremely well matched, and it looked like they could keep this up for quite some time. It wasn't until Juliette fully committed to aggression that she over extended and left herself open to getting swept off her feet, literally.

The next thing she knew, Maxine had ripped down the curtains and tackled her through the windows, spilling them both out onto the west courtyard amid shards of glass and bits of window frame. Juliette felt the heat of the setting sun on her skin, and rolled into the shade provided by a statue of Henry the eighth on horseback. She began to swat down pieces of glass as Maxine threw them.

Max: How's THAT for taking the lead?

Juliette brushed off the splinters of broken glass and dirt before stepping out into the sun.

"An admirable attempt, but it vill take much more dzan glass and grass and crass redecorating to take ME down, Max. Unlike dze odzer two Princesses, I vill not just lay down and let odzers 'ave dzeir vay vit me, even dzough I am beginning to dzink I might quite enjoy vhichever vay YOU vould 'ave me....."

Her irises still had rings of gold in the centers, but the mere sip she had taken from Max would be spent very quickly with all the effort she was expending. Would the sun set fast enough, or would Juliette get burned by the last rays of daylight and the fury of a worthy opponent? She didn't want to find out..... She needed to end this fight quickly. She lunged at Max, tackling her to the lawn, straddling the little wisp of a girl, pinning her with slightly superior body weight and raining down punches like a prize mma fighter. Not as graceful or feminine, she went a bit more brazenly brutal. Juliette just needed to knock her out and drag her back into the mansion where she'd be safe from harmful uv rays.

"Better (punch) block (punch) dzat (punch) beautiful (punch) face (punch) darling."

Not just to prevent unsightly swelling, but also because if Max focused her defenses on her face, Juliette could reach her with a left hook behind the ear and really ring the girl's bell.
 
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Juliette: "An admirable attempt, but it vill take much more dzan glass and grass and crass redecorating to take ME down, Max. Unlike dze odzer two Princesses, I vill not just lay down and let odzers 'ave dzeir vay vit me, even dzough I am beginning to dzink I might quite enjoy vhichever vay YOU vould 'ave me....."

Maxine crinkled her nose for a moment, impressed with the moxy of The White Princess.

"That's what they ALL say, Jules...until they wake up in my DUNGEON!"

:: The Black Knight watched as Juliette put on a brave face against the rays of the sun. With the way that the two had been going back and forth, Maxine knew that she needed to change the environment to one that would favor her and weaken her opponent. She knew that Juliette would be looking to END this fight sooner rather than later, after all the sun was out and she had a revolution to lead. ::

:: Soon Juliette ran at Maxine once more tackling her down to the ground, able to gain the feat by using her own body weight and agility to execute the move. She was rather well trained, but she expected nothing left for a woman who had seen her fair share of battles over the years. Her fists began to fly FURIOUSLY at Maxine as they once again began their dance of block, punch and parry. ::

Juliette: "Better (punch) block (punch) dzat (punch) beautiful (punch) face (punch) darling."

:: Bam! Maxine took a hit to the nose. She winced for a moment before executing an incredibly forceful headbutt, her head knocking RIGHT into Juliette's as the vampire was blasted back. For as hard as Juliette was hitting her, Maxine was incredibly durable and would NOT be that easily knocked unconscious. Repositioning herself, she flipped the script, crawling onto Juliette and as she did the White Princess would notice that The Black Knight's skin began to flicker with an almost SILVER tinge as the sunlight began to reflect on her silohuette. Maxine's skin, including her face, was now coated with a THICK layer of techno organic steel, giving her an INCREDIBLE boost in strength as well as resistance to physical blows. All that remained "human" looking on Maxine were her hands. She was able to pin down Juliette's arms under the strength of her knees. ::

"Watch that confidence, my little french rose...and SINCE we've gone tit for tat...You've seen how I taste...well, I'd like to see just how you FEEL"

:: Maxine began to press her bare hand on Juliett'e chest. Within a few seconds The White Princess would feel an INCREDIBLE burning sensation where Maxine's hand was as she began to feel almost as if she were BURNING a hole straight through her body. ::

"HEAT...that is still an effective way to kill a vampire, no?"

:: The Black Knight was manifesting her mutant ability to decay organic matter and she was quite literally BURNING through the chest of Juliette...but Maxine was incredibly finessed in the use of her ability and though Juliette may have felt an INCREDIBLY surge of pain...she was feeling NOTHING compared to what those who have had their life ended by it. Just as Juliette had a hunger to FEED, so did Maxine..and often during long periods of physical altercation, she would feel the NEED to consume as well, the need to destroy. Domino's pale blue eyes began to shift as they now flickered a brilliant bloodstone red. She locked eyes with Juliette for a few flickering moments before she creeped down and whispered, her lips dangerously close to the vampire's earlobe. ::

"Bonne nuit, ma princesse. Nous allons parler bientôt."

:: In a flash of movement, she released her white hot hand from Juliette's chest as hers hands worked in unison, each taking a different side of her neck, triggering a pressure point that was capable of knocking The White Princess unconscious. There was a small circular wound in Juliette's chest that would heal and quite possibly scar which Maxine had left intentionally as a memento of battle for the vampire. She stood over the woman for a few moments, ensuring that the vampire was not pulling some kind of trick. After all, she didn't really breathe and there was not MUCH of a way that Maxine could check to see if Juliette were truly unconscious. ::
 
The Hellfire Estate - Archer's Chambers

Archer drew a gun immediately from his jeans and pointed it at the man who entered his private suite without knocking.

Alistair: “Hello, Archer. I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here.”

Hesitating for a moment, Archer decided to put the gun. He placed it on the dresser next to him as he began to make his way over to The Red Rook. He was already untrusting of the man and now here he was...alone and without Juliette or any of the others. It concerned him.

"Look I know you have a way with the women in this place, but you're REALLY barking up the wrong tree on this one."

He watched as Alec placed his athame on the fireplace. Another strange move from the mad.

Alistair: “Rebecca…Rebecca is on to me, Fairchild. Despite my best efforts to portray myself as being loyal to HER, she’s on to me. BIG TIME.”

The Black Rook's shoulders went tense as he looked back at his gun. He could get to it again in about seven seconds and fire a hole right into Alec's head before the man had a chance to counter. Archer stood still as he watched Alec continued to speak.

Alistair: “She told me that I had to kill YOU since you were the one who killed The White Bishop…”

Archer shook his head in disgust. He had been cornered into a hole because of his weakness and affection towards Bretta. It was the VERY thing he had warned the young man about.

Alistair: “I DON’T want to do it, mate; I really don’t but the old COW left me with no choice. She TOOK Bretta somewhere and now I can’t find her ANYWHERE. It was Rebecca’s doing; I’m sure of it!”

As Alistair tried to make small talk about the death of Heidi Scarborough, Archer was holding the handle of his gun, a feat that took him EXACTLY the amount of time he expected. He fired the gun as a bullet tore through The Red Rook's shoulder. Archer stepped forward on edge.

"Cut the fuckin' CHIT CHAT, mate. You just came in here, telling me you have to kill me and now you want to congratulate me on a job well done?! I TOLD the others you were worthless!"

Looking over at the mantle, Archer squinted his eyes for a moment as Alistair would notice his athame become coated in a VERY thick shell of ice, nearly fusing it to the wall as a cold wind blew threw the suite. A BONE CHILLING cold that would send shivers down the neck of Alistair Thatcher. Behind him the fire went out as frost began to light coat the walls of the room in beautiful and severe shapes and patterns.

"You're a bloody FOOL, Alec and the red court has all but NEUTERED you...so i'm giving you a moment to rethink your STUPID decision before I blast you into oblivion...but I gotta tell you.."

Another COLD blast tore through the suite as Alistair would begin to find it VERY hard to breathe, his breathe showing in cold smoke throughout the air.

"My patience with you was ALREADY on thin ice..."
 
Juliette chuckled as she unleashed a second volley of heavy punches. Did Max REALLY have a dungeon? Or was it just her witty sense of humor? Either way the young girl continued to build on her reputation of being deeply depraved and, in Juliette's opinion, darkly delightful. Juliette scored a direct hit, but Max's nose felt like it was made of steel. Juliette took a moment to massage her knuckles, thinking she had surely stunned Maxine but NO, the girl answered with an immediate, aggressive head butt that caught Juliette in the mouth, busting her lips and slamming her back, giving her a serious case of whiplash.

Max overtook Juliette, who was starting to suffer under the sunlight. Juliette barely had time to lick the blood from her lips before Max had fully mounted her, pinning her arms down. Juliette's smile slipped as Maxine turned SILVER, a true concern for the vampire. But the girl wasn't really covered in silver, it was some other kind of metal, and Juliette sighed with relief as she realized that fact. Still, the sun was glinting off Maxine's new 'skin', further wilting the vampire's resolve.

Max: Watch that confidence, my little french rose...and SINCE we've gone tit for tat...You've seen how I taste...well, I'd like to see just how you FEEL

"Vell DZAT is a bit forvard of you..... but it vould appear I 'ave laid down for you after ahhhhh--"

There was an intense burning sensation, and Juliette's confident, coy smile was finally laid to rest. She began to realize that she might be in some trouble indeed, and began to writhe and wriggle beneath the Black Knight, with very little success.

Max: HEAT...that is still an effective way to kill a vampire, no?

(Struggling) "Vell..... not..... dze MOST effective vay.... but I must know...... 'ow DO I feel?"

She replied haltingly, still trying with all her might to weasel her way out of her terrible position. Their gazes locked, Juliette's eyes transitioned quickly from chocolate to charcoal, as Max went from ice blue to blood red. Despite her impending demise, Juliette was still struck by the beautifully deadly transformation of the Black Knight before her very eyes. She had never seen anything quite like it. Her fangs dropped out of need and desire.

"Max..... ve vant dze same dzings.... I can 'elp you find and destroy Evelyn's killer.... I can make you a Queen..... Ve could rule Europe to-gedzer....."

She managed to wrest her hands free as Max reached for her throat. She grabbed Maxine's wrists, trying to stall the inevitable, but the sun had not set soon enough, and Juliette had expended TOO much energy. Maxine was in a heightened state of strength and Juliette began to dramatically weaken.

"Max..... s'il vous plaît...."

Maxine: Bonne nuit, ma princesse. Nous allons parler bientôt.

It was the last thing she heard before the darkness overtook her.
 
Rebecca: The plan has never changed, Camille...you just unfortunately decided to flip the script when the heat of Evelyn's death came down upon us...retreating to this stronghold and leaving me all but alone to deal with the aftermath.

"That was all Liam's brilliant idea, just like tweedle dee and tweedle dum standing guard out in the hall. The lone King didn't want to leave His court vulnerable to outside attack. Which is comically ironic, given that Juliette is gutting us from the inside. And I couldn't exactly be like 'don't worry about it Liam, we are perfectly safe' without looking a tad suspicious...."

She replied flippantly, lounging against the luxuriously shiny fur of her pet tiger. It didn't seem natural, this giant, feral creature laying on the sofa, but Sheena was no ordinary tiger. She was an enchanted animal called a 'familiar', given to Camille as a gift by a witch.

Rebecca went on to explain that she had sent her own Rook to feel with Archer, a risky move, as Alistair Thatcher was as smarmy and duplicitous as they came. Camille wouldn't be at all surprised if the Red Rook joined Juliette's little motley crew of would be usurpers.

Rebecca also mentioned the Black Knight, who's return was news to Camille, and disturbing news at that. Camille had been a good friend of the DuPonts, back when they were alive. She still remembered when Maxine had been a young hippie girl, a free spirit with a punk-gypsy style who wanted nothing more than to be an artist and a groupie, touring Europe in a dirty grungy van, sleeping around with wannabe rockers making noise and calling it music, finger painting and calling it art. How pitifully embarrassing she had been for her parents. But that was BEFORE...... NOW she was unhinged and uninhibited.....a sadist and a serial killer and without Evelyn around to give her direction..... She was a loose cannon. A look of terror crossed Camille's face, but all she could say was:

"Maxine is here?? Marvelous......"

Rebecca: All we need to do is provide The Supreme Council with PROOF that Juliette De Creaux murdered Evelyn Pierce...even if she DIDN'T. You are a metamorph, Camille...your ability to change your appearance is down to the molecular level. We need you back at the estate...SURELY you can provide them with SOMETHING that prompts them to murder the vampire outright. We need you to be able to sew the seeds of dischord...and should push come to shove...*I* need to be able to know that you WILL fight for your life...

"Yes of COURSE I'll fight for my life, I may be a raving lunatic but I'm not suicidal. Maybe I can plant Juliette's DNA and prints all over Evelyn's place, make it obvious that she was the last one there..... think we can lay low and let the necrophiliac knight 'avenge' her dead Queen....."

Rebecca: We mortgaged our souls in order to rule our respective courts, Cami...we have TOO much blood on our hands and skeletons in our closets to stop now. If these children want a FIGHT, then we must SHOW them a FIGHT. Months ago, we trusted each other...and often times we've been stalwart allies. We had a vision, and we began to execute it...now we are on the BRINK of something that could see all of that fall apart. Do you REALLY want Evelyn's death to be in vain?

"Oh.... ah...... no?"

Rebecca: Are you ready to fight? Because if so...we have no more time to waste. I need you back at the estate.

"Okay, yeah, let's show these little sluts why we were crowned in the first place!"
 
A man burst unannounced into his observatory, forcing the White King to stop what he was doing immediately. Nuclear fusion was not something you did without the most intense focus. He looked up, recognizing the man as one of Juliette's assigned guardsmen. He looked panicked and disheveled.

"What is it?"

Guard: the Black Knight! She attacked the princess in the halls of Hellfire. Juliette fought back and pulled her into the ballroom!

The King stood quickly, called his own guards, and opened portal to Hellfire. They found the site of the struggle quickly, and stormed the ballroom in support of their Princess. But she wasn't there and neither was Maxine. Juliette's other guard was taking cover underneath a catering table. Liam grabbed him by the collar and ripped him out from under his hiding place.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!?!"

He thundered, incensed. The coward bumbled an explanation of the fight then revealed that Maxine had sped off with an unconscious Juliette in her arms.

"Why didn't you DO something?!"

Man: are you kidding? That crazy little emo kid was tossing HEADS around, I don't get paid enough to piss HER off!

"Well NOW you've pissed ME off!"

He growled, and every one else in the room was forced to shield their eyes as a binding bolt of lightning shot through the open window and struck the man. Liam scorched him through and through before letting go of his now tattered shirt and allowing his electrocuted body drop to the floor. He turned to Juliette's remaining guard.

Man: please, sir! I came to get you! I thought Juliette would hold her off until we returned!

Liam took a deep breath. Killing the first guard had been very satisfying. Going on a rampage now wouldn't help find Juliette.

"Go get Phoenix and take him to my chambers. We have a Knight to capture."
 
"Go get Phoenix and take him to my chambers. We have a Knight to capture."
Click to expand...

Do you now?

Lord Ravena emerged from a shadow stepping out into the open. His face held a warm smile, betraying no animosity.

Had you been here for Evelyn's memorial you would know that the Red Queen has agreed to allow the Black Knight to test the courts as she sees fit. Combat is as good a crucible as any to test one's mettle. And given the threats against Juliette in the last day, I expect she has taken her somewhere safe to recover.

Lord Ravena continued, now pacing.

I will locate Juliette and speak with Maxine about her methods. But we must be clear, I have guaranteed the safety of the Black Court in honor of Evelyn. So I cannot allow the Knight to be brought to heel with no Queen to represent her interests. Surely you can understand my position Liam?

Ravena stopped cold, his gaze even. The ball was now firmly in the White King's court.
 
Hellfire Estate - Black Rook Quarters

“SON OF A BITCH!”

Alec yelled as bloody Fairchild put a BULLET in him. He glared at the man.

“What the HELL was THAT for? I already told you I didn’t WANT to kill you!”

Archer said:
"Cut the fuckin' CHIT CHAT, mate. You just came in here, telling me you have to kill me and now you want to congratulate me on a job well done?! I TOLD the others you were worthless!"
Click to expand...

Alec noticed that something very strange was happening to his athame. It was becoming coated in very thick ICE.

Oh, I see how it’s going to go...

That was all he could think before he felt colder than the coldest he’s ever felt. He looked sharply at Archer.

Archer said:
"You're a bloody FOOL, Alec and the red court has all but NEUTERED you...so i'm giving you a moment to rethink your STUPID decision before I blast you into oblivion...but I gotta tell you.."

"My patience with you was ALREADY on thin ice..."
Click to expand...

Now Alec was finding it hard to breathe. But he still had a couple of tricks up his sleeve. He, too, squinted his eyes and Archer suddenly found himself flying backwards through the doorway. Alec had TK’d the ice elemental!!

Now what!?

Alec was on his knees, gasping for breath. The room was so cold; so…very…cold. With Archer in the other room, Alec knew it was only a matter of time before he got up. He looked around the room wildly, his eyes searching for ways to get rid of this insanely cold atmosphere. He winced in pain and looked at his shoulder. He grimaced and pulled the bullet from his wound before using his TK power to clot the blood.

“Okay…what’s next?”

He looked around and finally his eyes fell on…the window. He smiled and squinted his eyes, BREAKING the glass, letting the warm air flow in from outside. He coughed and then walked/ran at Archer and hurled himself onto the guy, punching him in the face.
 
The Hellfire Estate - Archer's Chambers

Duke: “What the HELL was THAT for? I already told you I didn’t WANT to kill you!”

Archer laughed out loud, his gun still cocked and ready to go.

"You are flippin' twisted, mate! Just because you don't WANT to kill me doesn't me you won't try, and really? I've already gotten myself in enough hot water by listening to the bloody VAMP. I'm not gonna let it go to waste because you want to save your BOFF buddy!"

BAM! Archer was blasted back and into the wall behind him thanks to Alec's telekinetic force. The gun flew from his hand and began to slide across the cold wooden floors as The Red Rook shattered the window next to him, causing shards to fly at his face. He reflexively covered himself with his hands.

Duke: "Okay...what's next?"

Alec LUNGED at Archer, tackling him to the floor before wailing him with punches. He was a man with magical abilities but the STRENGTH of a normal human being. Archer began to shift into his ICE FORM, watching the blood mix with the cold moisture of his form as Alec's knuckles began to split open with every hit. Squinting his eyes for a second, large SPIKES began to form from his body as Archer jerked his knee up, connecting the jagged part right into Alec's ass, piercing through flesh as he used his hands to lift the warlock UP and off his body, HURLING him a few meters away. Archer rose to his feet.

"What's NEXT, is me showing you just how USELESS you've made yourself. Piss off and DIE!"

He cast out his hands as several large and JAGGED icicle like CONSTRUCTS began to shoot through the air with the incredible speed that ice can form as they barreled into his body, attempting to impale him completely.
 
Ravena: Do you now?

Lord Ravena revealed himself, and Liam turned to meet him. Evelyn's lover wore an easy smile, but it didn't ease Liam's concern in the least. Still, there was no reason to be impolite. They had always been cordial with one another.

"Ah, the Lion of New Anatolia....... I heard you were in town. I'd love to catch up with you, mate, but YES.... I DO have some pressing business with Miss DuPont, so if you'll excuse me...."

Ravena: Had you been here for Evelyn's memorial you would know that the Red Queen has agreed to allow the Black Knight to test the courts as she sees fit. Combat is as good a crucible as any to test one's mettle. And given the threats against Juliette in the last day, I expect she has taken her somewhere safe to recover.

Liam raised his eyebrows, with an 'is that so' expression. He smoothed his silk Oxford, then slid his hand into the pockets of his slacks before he leaned against the broken window sill.

"The Red Queen's word is not law, contrary to what she'd have everyone believe. If she wants to 'authorise' Miss DuPont to test HER OWN court, that's one thing. But Juliette belongs to the WHITE court, and resides under MY protection. Any questions should have been directed to ME first. Sparring to develop battle experience is acceptable, attacking people in the halls is NOT."

Ravena: I will locate Juliette and speak with Maxine about her methods. But we must be clear, I have guaranteed the safety of the Black Court in honor of Evelyn. So I cannot allow the Knight to be brought to heel with no Queen to represent her interests. Surely you can understand my position Liam?

Liam nodded slowly, his eyes steadily trained on the Lord before him. So he was 'guaranteeing the safety', eh? Sound like he was drawing a line in the sand. It was fine if he wanted to defend the Black Court against aggression, but they could NOT be allowed to run amok. SOME bloodshed had been a part of the plan..... but Liam could not recall the part of the plan that involved Juliette getting taken.

"Yeah, that's all good and well, Ravena, except that *I* cannot allow an open attack on my Princess to go unanswered. In the past 12 hours, the Black Court has twice attacked the White. Heidi Scarborough has gone missing, and now Juliette as well. What kind of King would sit in his castle whilst his women were disappearing? I didn't much care for Heidi, but Mr. Fairchild must answer for his crimes, and I understand Camille and Rebecca are taking care of HIM...... which means it's up to me to stand for Juliette. Surely YOU can understand MY position."
 
"Yeah, that's all good and well, Ravena, except that *I* cannot allow an open attack on my Princess to go unanswered. In the past 12 hours, the Black Court has twice attacked the White. Heidi Scarborough has gone missing, and now Juliette as well. What kind of King would sit in his castle whilst his women were disappearing? I didn't much care for Heidi, but Mr. Fairchild must answer for his crimes, and I understand Camille and Rebecca are taking care of HIM...... which means it's up to me to stand for Juliette. Surely YOU can understand MY position."
Click to expand...

A strong King. He would be necessary for the new Court as it comes together. Any pretense of Liam as a shrinking violet meant that he was successful in managing the Queens. Lord Ravena took two steps forward, still smiling.

Indeed I can, White King. And given that I can trust the COMPLETE SAFETY of my Knight should you find her, I leave you to your search. The Queens, however, are not so easily trusted. And so my focus shifts. I leave you with good tidings.


kebingungan


And with that, the Lord vanishes. Little would Liam realize, at least for now, that he and his attendants had been stricken with a mild Javan curse. The CONFUSION would plague them for a couple of hours and completely frustrate anything requiring communication, such as tracking Maxine's whereabouts. Lord Ravena had bigger things to monitor.
 
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