A Weekend Affair # 2 - The Black Breakfast

[Ruby]

Hellfire Club – Great Hall


:: Cass had been running to make it to the Great Hall. She felt completely horrible about the note she had written to Ava. Even though she still wanted to destroy Gia, it was completely unfair and wrong to have dragged the Black Queen into her beef with the White Bishop. Sort of like what Ava had been doing to her. Kelly had forced Cass into the role of Black Princess and it had pissed off Ava so much so that Ava was now taking it out on Cass. Well, the buck was going to stop TODAY. Breathless, she arrived one minute after Ben. ::

Ben: "I trust our Black Princess is on her way? I hope so…”

*gasping*: “I’m…here. I’m here.”

:: She pulled out a chair and sat down, slipping her sandals back on. She stood up, patted down her jumpsuit, and made her way over to Ava. It was time for her to be the bigger person. She cleared her throat. ::

“My Queen, I am truly sorry for being late. I never should have dragged you into my thing with the White Bishop. That will never happen again. It was unfair and wrong of me to have disrespected you like that. Please accept my humble apologies.”

:: She had only left Bear because the veterinarian said that he would be fine. Still. She had an aide go fetch her cell phone from her room so that the vet could let her know how Bear was doing. ::

 

[Silver]

Hellfire Club – Great Hall

:: Bretta asked Daniel how his night was. ::

Daniel: "My evening was...not particularly earth shattering, but I have made headway with the ABQ. An alliance with Cassadine Industries would be foolish to not consider."

“Mmm. That’s good.”

:: Bretta asked if she had missed anything interesting. ::

Daniel: “Well nothing out of the ordinary. Booze. Boobs. Shots. Cocks. Same old, same old.."

:: Bretta chuckled. ::

“Of course…”

:: Daniel asked what information she had learned. She leaned in closer towards him. ::

“OUR Black Court is more rock solid than the American one…”

:: She gazed at Cassandra Johnson as the succubus rushed in, seemingly out of breath. ::

*thoughtfully*: “Maybe we could use the succubus instead…”

 

[Avalanche]

Hellfire - Black Wing

The Black King's suite was pitch black as he liked it. The darker the room, the better he slept. A beautiful drunken slumber was interrupted by a notification on his cell phone. Pissed, Archer's sculpted naked body twisted and turned against the black silk sheets as he pulled himself up on the bed, blindly feeling for his phone and snoozed it, until he remembered he was at the American Hellfire Mansion and there was a breakfast he needed to attend. He sat up, shifting his feet over to the side of the bed and rubbed his face for a few moments in the pitch black. He picked his phone up again and groaned at the time. He was running late.

"Time for the ole' multivitamin..."

He grabbed the black rosary he wore around his neck. It was the gift given to him by Brienne when he became king. Archer was not a sentimental person, but this gift had meant something to him. Despite his bravado, he was somewhat uncertain of his ability to rule the Black Court. He had always lacked a certain finesse, but he was used to having Evelyn Pierce soften his edges and endear him to other people. He had been worried that he would run the Black Court into the ground, but Brienne changed that. They were not married. They were not even really lovers. But they both shared an incredible belief in themselves. A confidence that couldn't be throttled, despite it's arrogance. They were partners in ever sense of the word. He was Tony Montana and she was Elvira Hancock. Unscrewing the bottom of the cross on his rosary, he promptly did two keys of coke from the hidden chamber, before screwing the bottom back on and letting the cross fall against his neck. All of her gifts to each other were a bit twisted, but that was the fun of it.

"Let's see what the morning brings us."

His breath was visible in the air as he made his way through the icy cold master bedroom into the bath, promptly turning the shower on it's coldest setting as he began to rinse off his body. Brienne had done exactly what she was supposed to do last night. After a night with The Black Queen, Alek would be unable to resist her feminine wiles. Ashley and Alek were mercenaries, and good ones. They could viciously expand Sub Zero and The Black Court's empire. Archer wanted them on his side, and Brienne knew this. He was supposed to get to Ashley, which was a decidedly harder task.

He dress in an all black chino and long sleeve button up, pairing his look with a deep blood red suit jacket, a subliminal message to the red court that he was ready to talk business, as he put on a pair of Gucci bifocals, purely for drama's sake. As a boy Archer used to have vapid fantasies of being filthy rich when he was an evelen year old ship loader in Hackney. He would get lost in fantasy, watching british soaps, obsessing over labels. And now he was one of those people who's outfits tended to cost more than some people's annual salaries. And he really embraced that feeling.

"Started from the bottom, now we're here."

Archer made a shot gun gesture into the mirror at himself, winking as he grabbed his phone and exited his suite. The Hellfire Mansion was not nearly cold enough for him, which always set him a bit on edge, or drove him a little bit mad. He found himself doing any number of scandalous things to beat the heat. He had been hoping to run into Ava Cassadine before the breakfast officially began, but that was a foregone conclusion. He found himself rather drawn to her..she had the moves of a cat, and the wit of an Amazon. And she had one fine speciment of an ass. He was a bit taken, and he found himself enjoying the fact that she seemed ready to wage a war against him. In fact it turned him on..but he had fumbled his first play, overestimated his charm. He had planned with Brienne to make a connection with Ashley, but found himself drawn to Ava. The Black Court had a powerful and strong court. Ava had every member's undying loyalty. It was clear in the way they moved, watching her every move, ready to call to arms at a moment's notice. Now, that was a skill Archer could use. Perhaps he had found his Selina Kyle.

As he entered The Great Hall, he gestured to Brienne who was lost in her phone, completely unbothered. Thanks to well time late night phone call, Archer had made sure that he would be sitting across from Persephone and next to Valkyrie. He would not fumble in the second quarter. Taking a seat across from Ava, he smiled at the American Black Court.

"Good Morning, your highness. Black Court. Last evening was splendid."

He eyed Ava up and down slowly and seductively before meeting her gaze, his mouth smirking into a half smile.

"I trust I'm not the only one who found themselves a bit trouble, am I?"

 

[Prophet]

Hellfire - Great Hall

Haleigh: "You know it's really AWKWARD when you turn me on in front of your mother."

"Awkward for you. Amusing for me..Oh the things I wanna do to you right now, my Queen. Promise we will have a few moments before the day's big events?"

He saw that Ava and Alek must have gotten his mental message as they both appeared shortly after in The Great Hall ready to work. He beamed at Ava as she entered with John, glad that he hadn't had to inspire John to take what was rightfully his. It made him proud. He had a friendship with Alek, but there had never been three kings ruling in Hellfire at the same time. His arrival would usher in a truly new era, and Cameron was aroused at the idea of the men working together for a common goal. He respected John for the way he protected Ava. He was to Ava as Heidi was to Cameron, despite the fact that he was married to Haleigh. And to be honest, Cameron loved the drama and the regalia of a man ascending his way through the courts, pursuing his Queen with such grace.

Ava: "Don't ruin it asshole. I know you know."

to Ava: "Come now Ava, you know I love a bit of ceremony. I wouldn't dream of ruining this moment for you."

The White King was happy for Ava. She was the sister he always wanted. They had grown up side by side, and as The Black Prince and Princess, they had crafted immense power together. Outside of Haleigh, Ava was the person in Hellfire he trusted the most. And John was an excellent selection for King. He would never not protect her. For a woman who didn't need anybody's protection, Ava certainly had a way of convincing people they were called to it. He loved the way she ruled his birth court, and he was excited to see what John would bring to the table.

Ava: "We need to talk about your BIshop when we're finished here. While I despise Cassandra, Gia did intentionally make an attack against her. I won't let that slide, Cam."

[to Ava:] "Can we not talk about Gia and say we did? I haven't gotten laid yet this morning, and I'm worried I might just kill both her and the Black Princess out of sheer sexual frustration.."

Ava: "We have other matters to discuss as well..."

[to Ava:] "How VERY cloak and dagger of you, Ava. Alright, we'll head out into the conservatory as breakfast winds down. When people are too day drunk to notice."

He eyed The Black Court as they settled in. They seemed to be a united front, and even Cassandra made an appearance. Ava was cornering the mystery market this weekend. The EHC seemed to flocking to her, which was made evident by the arrival of Archer Fairchild, the EBK, who took a seat across from Ava. In this moment, he was regretting his wife's decision to meet with his mother before breakfast. They had made a strong first impression, but they couldn't afford to fall behind. Speaking of behind, Cameron began to wonder where his Knight, Bishop and sister were. He was looking forward to seeing how Zach had handled Erika.

 

[Pathfinder]

Hellfire - Great Hall

< Zach was as good in the shower as he was in her bed. So much so that she barely paid attention to the clock as she got ready, half hoping that Zach would attempt to take her again as they got dressed for breakfast. She was feeling a bit insecure. A new man was always a risk. She had to play her cards right, and she was afraid she had just showed a bit of her madness that she couldn't explain away. Being with Erika was a rollercoaster ride. She was manic and there were not many men who could actually handle her. But the fact that he had gotten into the shower with her had meant something. Perhaps he was able to see through her crazy, her grand speeches, and get to the heart of where she was coming from. She needed that in her life. >

< She got ready, slipping into a chic maxi dress, relieved that she didn't have to dress in a specific color. She still chose a dress that encompassed all of the courts in it's own way. Princesses dressed for show, and Erika wanted to make a statement. As she lotioned her legs at the edge of the bath tub, she watched Zach, who had gotten his outfit couriered to her room get dress, which was a damn shame. >

"Maybe you should just go shirtless, Zach. Let the people know what they're missing."

< Before long they had finished getting ready and headed to The Great Hall, taking their seats to the right of Cameron as Erika greeted the people around her. >

"Good morning, Cameron. That watch is perfection!"

< She gave him a kiss on the cheek as she grabbed his wrist to take a closer look before setting his hand back down on the table. >

"Where is Haleigh? I'd like to thank her for such a wise rook appointment."

< Erika flashed a smile at Zach before catching the gaze of Ava Cassadine before promptly groaning. Ava had always been so incredibly jealous of Erika that it was hard for her to be in the same room as the woman. It was like she desperately wanted to be a King. But she wasn't. She was a filthy Cassadine and she was going to have to live with it. Erika did not like the closeness that Ava and Cameron shared, and she wasn't afrad to show it.

"Ava looks well..I'm glad she finally took my advice regarding her eyebrows..."

< From across the room she noticed Brienne much to her surprise. Erika and Brienne were sister witches. They had partied together MANY of times, both growing up in a very elite social circle. They knew all the same people and when they were together, their antics were a bit infamous. >

"Brienne Shaw! You get your waspy little but over here and sit next to me!"

< She hugged the woman fakely. >

"Oh Goddess...I am so glad you're here!"

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Wing

Ash: Can’t I decide whose right it is?

“I don’t know, My Queen.”

He answered honestly. She was probably right. A Queen could decide whatever She wanted, including who Her King was. His Queen had already chosen Alek for that.

Ash: But I also worry. That if Alek knew I was only with you, that he would do something to you, to punish me.

Savage’s chest shook with laughter. His voice dropped low with amusement.

“What could the little bear really do? He plays at being a beast, but isn’t one.”

He replied in her ear, and then She tried to tell him that he could have anyone else he wanted, that he wasn’t obligated to Her just because She was his Queen. He told Her the truth, that there was no one else he wanted, and finally She smiled again. She told him she needed him, wanted him by her side, and he was happy fulfill that role.

Ash: I don’t want you to be with me because I asked, I want you to want to. Do you? Really?

“Yes, really.”

Her arms slid around his neck, and She kissed him. He wrapped both his arms around Her now, relishing the closeness. And he absolutely wanted to do all the things She asked of him. But he didn’t want to stand around and listen to her business.

Ash: Because I could try not to have business with anyone else. I’ll always have to flirt, but I could try. Some things in my life I cannot control, AJ. But no matter what happens, you are the one I want to be with. The only one.

He kissed her hungrily for a moment.

Ash: Maybe you should mark your territory so Juliette knows I’m taken.

“My Queen, I think you’re right.”

He agreed with a smirk. He carried Her past the carpenters and through the open doorway to his suite, his mouth on Hers needily. As soon as Her legs were around him, his hands were sliding under Her thighs to grip Her ass. He had never wanted Her more than right this second, he wasn’t entirely sure he’d make it all the way to the bedroom.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club - - The Old War Room

Haleigh gave a mild smile as Kelly toasted to ‘Hellfire Incorporated’, and she waited for the real reason she was here. Kelly wondered if there would be room for her in this grand scheme.

“If there wasn’t room for you, you’d have been killed with the rest of them.”

Haleigh told her mother-in-law matter-of-factly. Kelly had made some deals to survive the regime change, sure, but what she might not have realized was how much trouble it had been for Haleigh to get some of the others to honor those deals. Ava, for instance, would have much rather killed the former Black Queen when she took power. And Ashley made the argument that none of their opposition should have been allowed to live. But Haleigh knew Kelly wasn’t useless, and so she and Cameron stood in the gap, so Kelly could keep breathing. Sometimes they questioned if they’d made the right decision, but most of the time they knew there was some benefit to keeping Kelly around.

Kelly: You and I both know that I am the only one capable of continuing the kind of work required for you take hold of the world with vicious glory. I may be old Haleigh, but not all that glitters is gold...I'm twenty four karat.

Haleigh’s expression remained calm, neutral, as she let Kelly continue unabated. She remained reticent throughout the sales pitch, her gaze steadily trained on Kelly all the while. Kelly spoke of the history of Hellfire, and Mystech, and what belonged to whom. And she started to put her cards on the table. One of the things she wanted was Mystech. In fact she believed she deserved it.

Kelly: But should you not think so...I can make it worth your while, Haleigh.

“And just how do you plan to make it worth my while? What is it that you think you can give me, that no one else can, and that I can’t simply take for myself if I wanted it?”

Kelly: MysTech is part of the King dynasty, and every dynasty...should have an heir...

Haleigh’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Kelly was making an implication, that was obvious. But was it the implication that Haleigh thought?

“Please, feel free to elaborate.”

 

[Persephone]

Ava playfully ribbed Cameron mentally once entering the Great Hall, seeing the look on his face at the sight of her and John together. To everyone else it was just the Queen and her Rook per usual, but he knew better.

Cameron: "Come now Ava, you know I love a bit of ceremony. I wouldn't dream of ruining this moment for you."

>>"I know, Cam....you've been wanting this for me for a while. You know how stubborn I can be..."

She smirked as she took her seat. Cameron and her had grown up together, along side Haleigh within the walls of Hellfire. When she wasn't at the Hamptons with her mother, Ava was playing in the catacombs with the other legacy children. It was a little fucked up thinking about it now, but back then as a child it was so much fun. So she knew Cameron only wanted the best for her, and when they took over the Inner Circle and Ava was the only court without a King, it made her feel as if maybe the Black Court was the weakest link, although she never admitted as much. Ava then mentioned needing to talk about Gia and Cameron all but asked not to because he hadn't fucked Haleigh this morning and he would probably kill her from sexual frustration.

>>"Ohh....tell me more, baby."

She let out a little chuckle at her seat, her midnight eyes playful as they meet with Cameron's. Taking a sip of her latte, despite not wanting to deal with the Gia/Cass mess, they both knew they had to. As well as Ben and Erika. The entire mental conversation took all but a few seconds, so no one around the table would be the wiser. Ava greeted Amanda after pointedly giving Gia a deadly glare. Ava told Amanda that Cass had been excused from the breakfast, playing ever the professional in front of other court members.

Amanda: [in parsel tongue]: "Can she be excused from every event?"

"In due time."

Ava answered in English, giving her Knight a knowing look.

Amanda: "I am sorry to have left you to your own devices last night, my Queen. It will not happen again. That being said, I found myself working on something very pressing with The Red Knight, which explains his absence. Limping to the Great Hall from the Red Wing can't be easy."

Ava laughed out loud.

"Pressing indeed. A snake and a wolf? Sounds like an endeavor i'd like to witness..."

She teased with a grin. Amanda was a consummate professional, and while John was upset that she hadn't reached out to check on Ava last night as a Knight should, Ava was a little more lax about it. Amanda rarely allowed herself to have fun in such a way, so she knew it wouldn't become a habit.

"It's perfectly fine, Amanda. I'm glad you had fun."

Ava looked up to see Ben enter the Great Hall looking refreshed and together. Good, keep the mask on tight my Bishop.

Amanda: "Whatever you got into last night has done wonders for your skin. You're glowing..."

"Hmm?"

Ava looked over at Amanda realizing her Knight said she was glowing. She smiled, glancing at John for a moment before shaking her head, her smile broadening. But luckily in that moment Ben took a seat, greeting everyone in the process. She nodded to him as he settled.

Ben: "I trust our Black Princess is on her way? I hope so. I'm positively famished."

"Actually--"

Cass: *gasping*: “I’m…here. I’m here.”

Ava lifted a single brow, looking up at Cassandra slightly impressed that the girl pulled her shit together enough to show up. Ava couldn't even go as far as to say she was late considering the Red Court and White Courts hadn't shown up yet.

"Feeling better, princess?"

She wasn't concerned about her state, just her presentation in front of the guests.

Cass: “My Queen, I am truly sorry for being late. I never should have dragged you into my thing with the White Bishop.

Ava cut her off, whispering in a stern tone as if reprimanding a child. She would not allow any of their guests or other courts to hear about the dramatics between Cass and Gia.

"Keep your voice down."

Cass: "That will never happen again. It was unfair and wrong of me to have disrespected you like that. Please accept my humble apologies.”

She stared at Cassandra for a long moment, debating if it really would be in bad taste to claw her jugular out at the breakfast table. But Ava was notorious for having an eerily calm exterior while her mind churned with different ways to brutalize someone, no one ever quite knowing which path she would take. Fortunately for the princess, she decided on the less bloody one.

"I'll be dealing with the White Bishop later. Take a seat."

As Cassandra sat down, Ava looked over at John. She had that same look on her face that she had in the bedroom. It was then Archer decided to grace them with his presents - because dealing with Cassandra wasn't enough of a headache.

Archer: "Good Morning, your highness. Black Court. Last evening was splendid."

Ava's eyes shifted to Archer as he took a seat. He blatantly fucked Ava with his eyes, looking her up and down like she was some prized meat to be had. Her eyes narrowed just enough before smiling at him.

"Enjoying the morning view, your highness?"

She cocked up a brow, giving him a cheers with her latte before taking a sip. Archer seemed very persistent about making nice with her, opting to sit with her court as opposed to seeking out Brienne who was isolated in the corner on her phone. It was very telling. Ava may not have liked the fact that Archer had stolen nukes from her company and sold them on the black market, but she wasn't a fool. He had connections and ties that would be beneficial to her and her court, and with how he was looking at her? He was just as interested in her as he was with the weapons she manufactured. Perhaps Maxim's untimely death was a blessing in disguise - it meant the hit on Archer's men died with him.

Archer: "I trust I'm not the only one who found themselves a bit trouble, am I?"

"It wouldn't be a Hellfire party without a bit of trouble now would it?"

She added with a smirk.

"Just wait until tonight. The Black Court always throws the best parties."

The Blackout Party being the most notorious within both branches of Hellfire. It may have turned into a club wide event, but it was originated by the Black Court first. Ava looked up at one of the servers as she came over to take away her empty latte cup.

"May I have some fruit? And a mimosa."

The servant nodded respectfully before going to fetch Ava a plate of fruit and her drink. Everyone seemed to be taking their damn time and Ava was starving for not only food, but to reveal her new King.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Wing

She said how he had never asked her not to sleep with anyone else. He said he didn’t have the right to. That frustrated her. Didn’t she get to decide who could ask her that? She just wanted him to say what he wanted. Not what he was supposed to say. She wanted him to say he wanted her, and didn’t want to share her.

“I don’t know, My Queen.”

“Well what if I said it was?”

But he had brought up Alek, and there was a problem there. Alek didn’t usually get jealous over her anymore, but if he thought someone else had won her heart, there was no telling what he would do. At the minimum, he could use Savage to hurt her. This was another reason she wasn’t exclusively with AJ. And she told him that, trying to make him understand she wasn’t trying to hurt him.

AJ, however, laughed at that, and whispered in her ear.

“What could the little bear really do? He plays at being a beast, but isn’t one.”

She loved this confidence he had, among so many other things about him. He wasn’t intimidated by anything. But she didn’t want him to fake it with her, or to deny himself for her, which she knew he absolutely would do. He was so loyal, and she would not reward such perfect loyalty with a chain around his neck. Did he want her? Really?

“Yes, really.”

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him for that. His arms came around her, and she sighed, feeling protected once again. She laid herself bare then, if he would only ask, she would try to make him the only one. Because he was the only one she wanted. Really wanted. The others were just sex. He kissed her, and she could feel how much he needed her in that kiss. And it brought back her confidence, which soon turned her voice & expression sultry. So she suggested maybe he needed to mark his territory.

“My Queen, I think you’re right.”

She giggled as he started to carry her back to his room, but then he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back. One arm was hooked around his neck, the other went into his hair, pressing him mouth to hers. As soon as they were inside his room, her legs went around his waist and she felt his hands on her ass. Her fingers went to the fly of his jeans, deftly undoing the buttons.

“Here, right here.”

She couldn’t wait any longer, and began to pull him down, so he would have to lay her down on the floor. She was already guiding him inside her with one hand while the other undid the tie of her dress so it hung open to reveal her nude body underneath. Her knees gripped his hips.

“I’ve missed you.”

A day was too long to go without him. Her body writhed at his touch, every connection like a jolt of the best drug imaginable.

“Oh, baby, there’s no one who makes me feel the way you do.”

 

[Talisman]

Hellfire - Attic Floor

Haleigh: "Please, feel free to elaborate."

"The way you were brought into this world was under severe circumstance. And while your body is a modern movel of the advancements of science and technology, it is lacking in certain ways. One of them being your ability to have children.."

< It wasn't a rough spot between Haleigh and Cameron, but it was common knowledge that Cameron wanted a child, and that was the only thing The White Queen couldn't give her King. Kelly crossed her legs once more, her black spiked heel bouncing up and down for a moment. >

"You may be around for a very long time, but my son does not share your longevity. When he dies..when his sister dies, and goddess forbid something should happen to me.."

< She gave Haleigh a perverted smile. >

"Who of his blood will carry his name and continue his legacy? Surely you won't move on and forget him as quickly as you have your mother?"

< Kelly gestured her hands as she spoke clearly and concisely. >

"You may not put much stock in the importance of bloodlines, but The White King does. Nobody is under the assumption that either Erika and myself are allowed to live because we are such loveable creatures..."

< Thinking. >

"We live because of him. He understands our importance in his life, despite his petulant whining at times. Cameron wants to be a King of Arthurian legend. He wants to weave himself into the fabric of history. And though he would never bring it up to you, because he loves you so much, and because he is afraid to ever feel as if you might not be able to give him everything in the way that he can give you, he wants a child. He wants a boy or girl to nurture, to bring up under his tutelage, to take his helm, to continue his blazing path through history...and that is something you are unable to provide, but it's not impossible."

< She looked at Haleigh for any signs of weakness or emotion and saw none, but she knew this would either enrage her or intrigue her, and considering the fact that there were a bunch of interlopers downstairs ready to receive her presence, murdering her mother in law was not the most desireable option. But she wouldn't put anything past Haleigh. >

"Your little rebellion has caused a shift in priority for me. I've realized what is important to me - my work..and my children. Cameron has spared my life and I need to repay him. And what greater of a gift than the gift of hope, of new life. Of a baby that is both parts himself...and his loving wife? He would want for nothing more after for his entire life...."

< Talisman leaned back grabbing her flute of hemlock. >

"A quick trip to The Body Shoppe...or a spell? And I can give you the ability to bare your King a son or daughter."

[flatly]

"All I ask in return...is MysTech...AND..."

[smirking]

"Installing my daughter as your White Princess."

 

[Steel]

Breakfast

Steel sipped his OJ while glancing around the room at who was and wasn’t there. The wasn’t included most of the Black Court, save Amanda. That was good, because she had something to make up for. Ava’s hand was on his thigh, and it made him want to carry her back to bed immediately. He leaned in to whisper to her.

“That’s very distracting my Quuen.”

"Ben should be here momentarily, Amanda. While Cassandra has been excused from the event."

John’s jaw tightened ever so slightly in annoyance. Ava’s hand gripped his leg harder, and he knew she was trying not to lose it. He put his hand on top of hers, trying to calm her. Ava asked Amanda about her night.

"I trust you had an entertaining evening last night?"

“It must have been.”

His meaning apparent.

"I am sorry to have left you to your own devices last night, my Queen. It will not happen again.

John nodded. He liked Amanda, and it was good that she saw the error in judgment she had made. But then she went on.

That being said, I found myself working on something very pressing with The Red Knight, which explains his absence. Limping to the Great Hall from the Red Wing can't be easy."

Oh she didn’t. Not this weekend. Ava thought it very amusing, but Steel did not share that feeling. They weren’t at the moment trying to piss off the Red Court.

"Pressing indeed. A snake and a wolf? Sounds like an endeavor i'd like to witness..."

He raised an eyebrow at Ava for that comment, then turned back to Amanda.

“Was that wise, Knight? You know he is the favorite of the Red Queen. It’s bound to cause bad feelings.”

He looked to Ava.

“Might I suggest, my Queen, that you speak to her, smoothe things over.”

Who knows what Ashley would do if she felt threatened. Amanda was laughing, not seeming to grasp the situation. Ben arrived then, so they wer all accounted for, though they still waited for the other courts.

"Lookin' fresh, Johnny. Like a regular Kensington bastard."

“Well sometimes one must make sacrifices for one's Court.”

He didn’t particularly like wearing suits, but he knew it was important to look the part.

"I trust our Black Princess is on her way? I hope so. I'm positively famished."

“She’s not coming.”

No raise for you, my friend.

And then, the Black Princess did in fact appear, looking a hot mess with her shoes off.

“My Queen, I am truly sorry for being late. I never should have dragged you into my thing with the White Bishop. That will never happen again. It was unfair and wrong of me to have disrespected you like that. Please accept my humble apologies.”

Ava warned her to keep her voice down, and that she would deal with the White Bishop herself later.

“How did things go with Bretta last night?”

But then Archer joined them for some reason. Strange, considering Ava’s very apparent feelings towards him.

"Good Morning, your highness. Black Court. Last evening was splendid."

Steel nodded to Archer, but he did not like the way he looked at Ava. Neither did she, and she handled it beautifully.

“Interesting wardrobe choice.”

Wearing red sent a very particular signal, and John took it as a personal affront to his Queen.

"I trust I'm not the only one who found themselves a bit trouble, am I?"

“What kind of trouble would that be?”

Steel smirked.

"Just wait until tonight. The Black Court always throws the best parties."

“True. Tonight is not to be missed, Mr. Fairchild. Our Queen has prepared something very special indeed.”

 

[Orion]

The Hellfire Club - - The White Wing

Zach brushed his teeth at the sink in her bathroom, and then tamed his hair. He was smoothing down his beard, watching her in the mirror, as she rubbed some kind of cream on her legs. Something about that act was incredibly sexy to him. Maybe it was the feminine nature of it, or just the fact that it showcase her legs. Either way he was getting a bit aroused. His khakis were feeling a bit tighter, and he was considering taking her again right on the rim of the tub.

It didn't seem to matter that they'd had each other a dozen times already since last night. He wanted her still. Her emotive palate was quite the experience. He'd wanted to get her addicted to him, but in the process he'd become quite hooked himself. He managed to remain the gentleman for now, as he forced himself to pull on his white Henley shirt. She made a comment encouraging him to go shirtless, which made him chuckle.

"Princess, if I go shirtless, you'll be fighting off all the women -- and probably a few of the men -- all morning long."

He said, as he stuck his feet into tan suede boots, as she stood up from the tub and came near him. He slid an arm around her waist, pulling her into the kiss he planted on her neck.

"By the way, you look fantastic in the morning sun."

He escorted her to the Great Hall with a satisfied smile on his lips. There were many here already, but of his court, there was only Cameron.

"Your Grace."

He said in greeting, while Erika lavish her brother with pleasantries, then mentioned wanting to thank the Queen for his appointment as her Rook. Zach smiled warmly.

"Well thank you, Darling. If you'll excuse me now, I must attend the European White Queen."

She had arrived in a hooded white cape, with her King at her side. Unfailingly, she stayed the shadow he cast, as they crossed the hall to the part of the table where the staff had ensured the windows were shuttered. It was at the far end, and noticeably darker, but it was here that the European White Queen sat. Zach approached in his usual calm confidence.

"Good Morning King Liam, Queen Juliette. I trust you had a good night."

Juliette: Von of dze best, een fact.

"Excellent, My Queen will be pleased to hear it. Liam, the server will be by to take your breakfast order any moment. Juliette, I'll be providing your meal again this morning, and I was just wondering if you had a preference?"

Juliette: Some-dzing salty. Male.

"Very well, that shouldn't take long."

He replied, shifting to leave and smoothly exiting the hall. There was a beacon already, he could feel it. Many beacons, really, but of the flatscans, there were two in particular. One was somewhat uncomfortably ashamed. That wouldn't do for a Vampire's breakfast. Still, Zach turned down the corridor of the Red Wing, because there was another man in the hall, who was aroused and intrigued, and that was something that would be very easy for Zach to manipulate.

"Hey bud. What's going on here?"

He asked, as he approached two men in overalls, who appeared to be in the midst of repair work, except the excited one wasn't working at all, while the embarrassed one was working hard enough for both of them. And then Zach realized what the man was gawking at. The Red Knight had his Queen on the floor, and it was easy to see what they were doing. Zach vaguely envied AJ for a moment, but then it was back to work, as he threw his arm around the voyeur's shoulders and began to guide him back to the Great Hall, to his death.

"Well if you thought that was exciting, I've got something you'll REALLY like, my friend."

He told the flatscan, while Ash and AJ started to make a great deal more noise as they walked away.

 

[Persephone]

Despite having to keep up pretenses that John was still her Rook, Ava felt extremely comfortable sitting next to him, her hand going to his leg and gently rubbing it absentmindedly. She just wanted to touch him already without giving clue to a change in the Black Court dynamic. To show that they were now a very formidable unit inside and outside the court. The announcement was a power move on Ava's part, that was for certain.

John leaned in to whisper in her ear, a smile slowly forming on her lips.

John: “That’s very distracting my Queen.”

She pursed her lips together to keep from grinning before whispering back to him.

"Perhaps a little higher then?"

She slid her hand up to the inseam of John's pants, her eyes daring in their motives. But she soon slid it back down to his thigh with a smirk, slowly easing off the trigger before they both got too hot and had to leave breakfast before it even began.

"After I speak with Cameron....we're going to celebrate. You can do whatever you want to me, my King."

Her voice was sultry as she whispered to John that he would be having not only a celebration at the Black Party that evening, but a more private one after breakfast. She let him sit on that as she spoke to Amanda about her bedroom endeavors she had with Savage. Ava found it amusing, John did not.

John: “Was that wise, Knight? You know he is the favorite of the Red Queen. It’s bound to cause bad feelings. Might I suggest, my Queen, that you speak to her, smoothe things over.”

Ashley did have a tendency to be a toddler when it came to sharing her 'toys'. When she latched onto something she held onto it for dear life, and while it was no secret she had feelings for AJ, she hadn't acted on those feelings yet. She was still playing the game of being Alek's Queen and him her King, but there was no denying Ashley wanted to be with AJ and only AJ.

"If Ashley gets pissed off at Amanda for fucking AJ while she's off entertaining the Europeans, that's the pot meeting the kettle, John. However I will speak with her and tell her that it was all in good fun - no ill will towards her or the Red Court. Amanda knows well enough than to taste the forbidden fruit if it's already been picked."

Ava and Ashley had a good relationship, and she knew she would be able to smooth things over with Ashley if the Red Queen really was pissed off about Amanda and AJ. The conversation continued forward until Archer arrived and decided to sit with them instead of seeking out his own Queen.

John: “Interesting wardrobe choice.”

"Playing both sides are we, Archer?"

Ava leaned in a bit, mock whispering to him, not caring who heard her.

"Be careful, Ashley gets a little protective of her colors."

Ava smirked, hearing the reports of Savage having to intervene with Cassandra's dress choice at the White Party. But Archer seemed to be to distracted devouring Ava with his eyes to care less about his choice of wardrobe. It wasn't lost to her, and she knew it certainly wasn't lost to John. Ava made a flippant remark before shifting onto the Black Party that was being hosted later on in the evening.

John: “True. Tonight is not to be missed, Mr. Fairchild. Our Queen has prepared something very special indeed.”

"Very special. Not a fish bowl in sight."

She smirked knowing that her party was going to be quite entertaining to say the least. Ava looked up to see Zach escorting Erika King into the breakfast, Ava resisting the urge to grimace. Anytime Erika was in the building nothing ever went smoothly....and the fact that now she was Ben's half sister? It was a fucking train wreck waiting to happen. But Ava couldn't think about that just yet. Right now, it was about her court and John. Hot on Zach and Erika's tails were the European White King and Queen, entering shortly after them. Leaning into John, she whispered into his ear.

"Almost time, babe..."

She smiled at him, knowing they were waiting on only a few more people.

 

[Ruby]

Hellfire Club – Great Hall

:: She had arrived – out of breath, maybe – but she had finally arrived. It was a new day and so Cass had decided that today would mark a new beginning for her. She was more than ready, and more than willing, to leave ol’ Kelly King in the past and focus on her future. She only hoped that her fellow Black Court members would allow her to do that. As soon as she made sure that she looked presentable in her jumpsuit, and making sure there were no unintentionable wardrobe malfunctions, she approached Ava. ::

Ava: “Feeling better, princess?”

“Yes, very much so. Thank you.”

:: She wasn’t actually thanking her, just keeping up appearances. Cass did hope, though, that she could find an opportunity to ask Ava for a sit-down with her. She just wanted a frank discussion about her and Ava, and where they could/should go from there. She knew that she had fucked up majorly while under Kelly’s control. She knew that Ava wasn’t pleased with her. She knew that Ava wanted Amanda to be Princess. She knew that she hadn’t been the person that she could be, the person that she should be. But she was ready to put all of that behind her. She was ready to be the person that Ava deserved to have standing beside her. She was ready to switch loyalties. She was ready to learn from Ava. It all started when she went up to apologize for her apalling behaviour earlier. ::

Ava: *sternly*: “Keep your voice down.”

*chastened; softly*: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

:: She owned her shit, and apologized for that as well. Ava just stared and Cass was worried that she really would kill her on the spot. ::

Ava: "I'll be dealing with the White Bishop later. Take a seat."

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

:: Cass supposed she should’ve felt lucky, but she had no doubts that Ava would – and could – kill her in her sleep later on. ::

John: “How did things go with Bretta last night?”

“Pretty good, I think.”

:: That was all she could get out before Archer showed up, so she turned and went over to the breakfast bar to gather some food, plus a small takeaway container of bacon for Bear, and made a stop at the coffee bar set up in the Great Hall to get her chai latte before bringing it all back to her seat beside Ben. She noticed Gia out of the corner of her eye and laid a hand on Ben’s arm. It wasn’t a friendly gesture, more of a professional one. ::

*whispers*: ”Please keep me from killing the White Bishop.”

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Wing

If there was anything happening outside the two of them, AJ was not aware of it. Right now there was only Her, and how much he needed Her. He intended to carry Her to bed, but thankfully She couldn’t wait that long.

Ash: Here, right here.

She told him as She pulled him down. He knelt quickly to carpet as plush as moss. She was underneath, making short work of their clothing. She took him quickly, as he kissed Her body as if he wished to kiss every inch of Her.

Ash: I missed you...

"And I, You."

He confessed, as his hips sought Hers, eagerly. She told him that no one made Her feel the way he did, as he knelt over Her, his hands roaming Her body.

“I want... to be... the only one.... who gets to... do this... to You.”

He admitted, finally saying it out loud, with no regard for the consequences. He hooked Her knees in the crooks of his elbows and planted his hands down on the carpet beside Her, finding the right angle, and attacking it with a sense of urgency.

“Let me... be the only one.... My Queen....”

He leaned forward slowly, until he could take Her mouth with his again.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club - - The Old War Room

Kelly: The way you were brought into this world was under severe circumstance. And while your body is a modern marvel of the advancements of science and technology, it is lacking in certain ways. One of them being your ability to have children...

"Well, Daddy didn't want me to be able to reproduce on my own."

Haleigh replied nonchalantly. Still, she wasn't sure exactly WHY they were discussing this fact, as though it were something important or controversial, when it was really common knowledge and had been so since they were all teens.

Kelly: You may be around for a very long time, but my son does not share your longevity. When he dies..when his sister dies, and goddess forbid something should happen to me...

There was a flash of cold hard fury in Haleigh's eyes.

"IF my husband dies, Kelly, something will MOST CERTAINLY happen to you, AND to your daughter, if she is to blame. So you'd do well to ensure he survives you, Mom, because no King will survive him, mark my words."

She promised severely. She didn't like this talk of Cameron's mortality. She was going to do everything in her power to keep him alive as long as possible. She already had Jasper working on creating a solution using her blood.

Kelly: Who of his blood will carry his name and continue his legacy? Surely you won't move on and forget him as quickly as you have your mother?

"My MOTHER hated me and constantly abused me. Despite my attempts to make myself in her image, she only saw what I inherited from my father. She only saw my flaws, and she never let me overcome them. She doesn't DESERVE to be remembered by me, or anyone else here."

Haleigh replied coldly, in a tone she'd gotten from Diana.

Kelly: You may not put much stock in the importance of bloodlines, but The White King does. Nobody is under the assumption that either Erika and myself are allowed to live because we are such loveable creatures...

"Well, I wasn't going to say it, but I'm glad you two aren't as delusional as some people think."

Haleigh joked, and then Kelly went on to say that Cameron wanted a child. It was not something they'd ever talked about before. When they were teenagers it was quite convenient to not worry about surprise conception, and as they grew to adults there was never any reason to discuss having children, since it was well-known to be impossible. And though Haleigh didn't like the way Kelly was hanging a lantern on her inability to reproduce, she listened patiently, because clearly Kelly was bringing up a 'problem' to which she already had a solution.

Kelly: Your little rebellion has caused a shift in priority for me. I've realized what is important to me - my work..and my children. Cameron has spared my life and I need to repay him. And what greater of a gift than the gift of hope, of new life. Of a baby that is both parts himself...and his loving wife? He would want for nothing more after for his entire life....

Haleigh mulled that over. Cameron had always been eager to give her everything she wanted. If this was something he truly wished he could have, how could she not grant him that?

Kelly: A quick trip to The Body Shoppe...or a spell? And I can give you the ability to bare your King a son or daughter.

"You know I share my husband's mistrust of spells, and deals with the devil."

She replied, downplaying her interest in this whole proposition. Best to avoid any indication of enthusiasm.

Kelly: All I ask in return...is MysTech...AND...Installing my daughter as your White Princess.

Haleigh's gaze steadily assessed her mother-in-law for a moment.

"A steep price indeed."

She said, her mind calculating the cost. Giving Kelly control of Mystech wasn't so bad, really. Haleigh may not have trusted Kelly with any of their lives, but in the lab, Kelly was second to none. If she had ambition to improve Mystech, it would benefit Haleigh and all the rest of them as well. But Erika as her Princess..... that was highly undesirable. She would basically be in Ava's boat, with a borderline insane underling that had no loyalty and the propensity to undermine her. It was not a hassle Haleigh wanted to sign up for. But to give Cameron something he wanted....

"You will keep your daughter in check. If it comes to a conflict between me and my 'princess'..... you will side with ME. And if she rises against me, Cam, or our future heir.... YOU will strike her down, or your corpse will lie beside hers. Do we have a deal?"

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Wing

Things had been smoothed over between them, and moved on to something more. She wanted his hands on her, to feel how much he wanted her, and she couldn’t wait for him to carry her into the bedroom. She pulled him down onto the floor on top of her, guiding him inside her. His mouth was on her body, like it was the place it was always meant to be.

Her soul was laid bare. There was no pretending she didn’t need him, that he was just the closest male, to be replaced when her mood changed. It had been less than a day, but still she missed his touch. And she told him so, and he said he missed her in return. He was taking her urgently from his knees so his hands could explore her body. She moaned, telling him that no one made her feel the way he did.

“I want... to be... the only one.... who gets to... do this... to You.”

She found his eyes, her breath hitching from his movement.

“I don’t want anyone else...I just needed to hear you say it...”

He pulled her knees to her chest, and she whimpered at how amazing it felt. Hepicked up speed and she moaned, knowing she wouldn’t last long.

“My Savage...”

“Let me... be the only one.... My Queen....”

“Yes...yes...only you...”

He leaned down to kiss her, and she accepted it eagerly, never wanted it to stop. She poured all her emotion into that kiss, not stopping as her body tightened. She clutched his back as she came, her body bucking and shuddering. He was hers, and she was his.

“I’m yours...”

 

[Hex]

Perfect. Her diabolical mind working overtime as she scrolled through her phone in the corner, ignoring the people who began to trickle in to the breakfast. Brienne's mind was on more pressing issues at the moment. Life and death issues. Issues that required her utmost attention. A triumphant smirk appeared on her lips.

"Got you."

She whispered, and the deal was done. The limited edition black crocodile skinned Birkin with silver hardware and dark navy gradient was hers. Only ten made in the entire world. It paid to be a Shaw. It paid even more to threaten the Hermes team with bodily harm if she didn't get hers first before the actual release date in a couple of months. She enjoyed designer luxuries and playing with fashion, but always made she sure was ahead of the trends. Why follow them when she could start them? And being a socialite and model in London, it was easy to get what she wanted. Being the Black Queen in Hellfire? Even easier. Now that her business was done, Brienne looked up from her phone knowing she had to actually take part in this fucking event. But upon seeing Alek enter, maybe the morning torture session wouldn't be so bad. Her icy blue eyes filled with a lust as a devious smirk tugged on her lips. She wondered how quickly he could get hard and fuck her on Ava's place setting. Would that be rude? She didn't fucking care.

Erika: "Brienne Shaw! You get your waspy little but over here and sit next to me!"

Bloody hell.

The shrillest voice brought her from her sexual fantasies and back to her unfortunate reality. Erika King. To say Brienne hated her was an understatement. However she was a King, and in turn a Shaw. No relation of course. And while Brienne couldn't stand the obnoxious American cunt, her mother was one of the most powerful witches in the world. So Brienne was taught early in life by her grandmother Cordelia to always play nice with Kelly's children. And so she did, much to her displeasure. Build bridges until you can burn them to the ground and stand tall in the rubble, my love. Her grandmother's words echoing in her head. So with that, Brienne left her perfect little corner and headed over to Erika who stood to give her a hug. To say it looked as fake as can be was an understatement, both woman looking like they would much rather be hugging an acid covered cactus. Brienne smiled.

Erika: "Oh Goddess...I am so glad you're here!"

"Finally a friendly face. Erika, it's been ages."

Brienne gave Zach a once over, the man gorgeous and causing her smile to become a bit more lecherous. She remembered him from the airport, and that was saying a lot since she was high off her ass. He was an empath, she could feel it within her bones. Now that would be a fun fuck if he weren't tethered to Erika's crazy ass. Brienne may have been crazy, but there was a world of difference between her crazy and Erika King crazy.

"Are the American's always this late to a court wide event? Or is this a special breed of classless and rude?"

She asked flippantly as she took a seat next to Erika, her eyes catching a glimpse of Alek who had yet to sit at the table. Perhaps he was waiting on his horse faced Queen. Perhaps he needed a reminder he was waiting on the wrong Queen.

"I would have killed everyone and called it a morning."

Brienne deadpanned, though she was entirely serious. This was fucking ridiculous. She needed another drink.

 

[Masque]

Hellfire Club – Great Hall

Amanda had been saying something about the dog, or animals in general, but the truth was that Gia wasn’t really paying attention. She was still riding high from her sadistic outburst and the hell with anyone trying to ruin it for her. Then she noticed that Ava Cassadine was shooting lasers out of her eyes at her. Gia exaggeratedly shrugged at her before waltzing off to the bar.

Fuck the Black Queen…

She ordered a mimosa and took it from the bartender without saying thank you. It was getting harder to be here, surrounded by these people, these…traitors. Sure, she, too, was a legacy baby but she had never wanted the uprising. She never wanted Diana, her true Queen, to die. Because of these bitches, she had lost Diana, her lover, Samuel, and her father. While it was true that her father had perished while incarcerated, Gia had no doubt that somebody within these walls made it happen. That was why she couldn’t take it anymore and broke down and told Cassandra Johnson about her feelings. She was batshit crazy after all, and also it was her word against Cassandra’s. Who the hell would believe an insane person that she, Guiletta Nefaria, was guilty of treason? Nobody, that’s who; nobody here even liked her. Kelly King’s control over her had worked entirely in her favour.

Cheers to Hellfire

Gia thought sarcastically as she took a sip of her mimosa. She went over to the breakfast bar and got some more banana bread as well as a slice of lemon poppyseed loaf. Then she took it back to her original spot over by Cameron.

“Morning, my King.”

She hated that she had to call him that. She had known him and Haleigh since they were all wee babes. Calling them King and Queen was just weird; as if they had never played together when they were in their youth.

 

[Talisman]

Hellfire - Attic Levels

Haleigh: "You know I share my husband's mistrust of spells, and deals with the devil."

"The devil? Oh how you compliment me, Haleigh."

She wanted to roll her eyes. Cameron had never been one for magick. In fact, he had developed quite the ripper-esque habit of hunting down witches and taking them out with a macabre sense of pride. Initially, it had been Kelly's doing. The less witches around, the better for her. But somewhere along the way, the seeds that Kelly had planted in Cameron had grown into something different altogether, which was unfortunate. And Haleigh was just biologically and diametrically the opposite of magick in the physical sense. She lived connected to technology and machinery in a very deep way, it was her own natural order and she did not like things that could circumvent all reason, being a reasonable person herself.

"All I ask in return...is MysTech...AND...installing my daughter as your White Princess."

If SHE couldn't get the magick flowing in the halls of Hellfire anymore, she was going to have to use her daughter, which meant Erika needed a position of power.

Haleigh: "A steep price indeed."

"Standard market rate, I'm afraid."

Kelly watched as Haleigh weighed the options in her mind. This was a good thing. Haleigh had a quick and often sarcastic annoying answer for everything, almost immediately. Though she wouldn't show it on her face, she was seriously considering this, much to Kelly's delight. Perhaps she would live to crack a few heads together after all.

Haleigh: "You will keep your daughter in check. If it comes to a conflict between me and my 'princess'...you will side with ME. And if she rises against me, Cam, or our future heir...YOU will strike her down, or your corpse will lie beside hers...do we have a deal?"

Kelly laughed.

"Trust me, my dear daughter. This is not a Black Court situation repeating itself..No, that one [installing Cass as The Black Princess]...I just did be a bitch. Ava Cassadine took my court..I wasn't going to make it easy for her..."

She gazed down at her watch, before looking up. They had made this deal in record time, even for them.

"Erika needs work. But she WILL come of use to you in the days to come. A mystical arm in the branch of The White Court will be an invaluable tool, and the second she takes a title, I will whip her into shape..."

Kelly was positively excited, but as usual, her excitement register as an icy cold smulder on her face. Erika was in fact a very smart girl, and her madness had been a bit encouraged by Kelly over the years, to keep her asset protected. Her insanity caused people to be annoyed, even enraged at times, but they didn't regard her as a power player, despite the fact that she had the skill to be one. In other words, Erika was a card that Kelly had been waiting to play at the right time. And now was the time.

"She will wear a tiara, but there is a thick pair of lab gloves waiting for her at MysTech."

[flatly]

"But yes...we have a deal."

From inside her black prada bag, Kelly produced a mechanical looking needle of sorts, containing a vial of a mysterious liquid, and before Haleigh could even think, Talisman had pricked her with it just underneath The White Queen's collar bone.

"The nanites introduced into your bloodstream have been preprogrammed to carry out the operation required for you to conceive in a discreet and rapid manner.."

[smirking]

"I like to work quickly."

Talisman stood from the couch as she faced her daughter in law.

"In a few hours, the operation will be complete with no downtime required from you. You might experience bouts of nausea, slight abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding..."

"Just kidding about that last part."

She extended her hand out towards The White Queen.

"The paperwork has been prepared for my taking the helm of MysTech, and as you are my son's wife, only your signatures will be required. As for Erika..I would LOVE to announce her promotion at The Black Party, but I supposed I've tortured Ava enough lately..I shall leave that to you..."

[thinking]

"But for now? We have a breakfast to attend."

She began to head towards the door.

"You can now give the gift of life, Haleigh. Do not forget the responsibility that comes with..You can no longer be as impulsive as you'd like..not without consequence. But welcome to being a woman, I guess. My legacy and my son's legacy is now squarely in your hands. Remember that.."

She lingered in the doorway.

"And should you consider to reneg at our deal? Take the gift and cut ties? Those nanites? They just might have the ability to unlock the TO virus coursing through your veins in such a way that you will be a rabid TYRANT by evening's end if promises remained unfilled...so consider this the first step in use trusting each other. You don't draw your sword? I won't draw mine..."

Kelly dissappeared from the doorway, on her way towards the Great Hall.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Haleigh."