Blood makes noise

[Black Widow]

The Parthenon

Delilah: This is personal: someone is specifically targeting the Six. So it's not just anti-mutant or someone who acquired MysTech's toys at a black market garage sale. Who hates us enough to not only kill us, but to make it hurt? Haleigh, what do your agents on Bishop and Bianca Ceasul say?

"As far as I know, Bianca is laying low. And if Bishop isn't being a good boy after what happened recently? I'll beat his ass. I'll request an update on them both, but I don't think either of them is involved."

Delilah: And I hate to state the obvious, but we did see Malice today...

Haleigh sighed. She didn't want to get the same reception here that she got from Cameron in the car, but the idea that Malice could be involved with these clowns? It was offensive.

"Come on, let's be logical. Diana wouldn't be caught DEAD with a group like the Purifiers. They're fucking tacky, and besides: if Diana wants to come after us? She'll come after us HERSELF, she wouldn't hide behind some religious nutbags. She'd want us to KNOW that it's HER. That little 'visit' she paid us today? Purely for the entertainment of it. She knew we were in town and thought a little mindfucking would be more fun than masturbating, so she made a scene..... or rather, she got YOU to make a scene."

Alison came back in, with a somber looking Cameron and equally grim Ava.

Alison: Haleigh? I need to see you.

"Uh-oh. I'm in trouble again, aren't I?"

She joked, following Alison to a small office where they could talk privately. Alison spoke of trusting Haleigh, and Haleigh immediately reassured her that of COURSE she could. Then again brought up Delilah.

"Alison, not only do I NOT like it, I WON'T ALLOW the two of you to interact until I'm confident you won't try to KILL each other. Yeah-- that's right, you can't hide PREMEDITATION from me. Now at this point it doesn't matter to me who hurt WHO or how badly. What matters to ME is that two of my best friends are at each other's throats and its WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE. Don't think for a SECOND that I'm going to sit here quietly while you and Delilah think of creative ways to rip each other's hearts out."

Alison: (holding up her hand) But I didn't call you to a private audience to talk about HER. Haleigh, all of this will get worse, before it gets better. I need you to understand that, take this seriously and be PREPARED. I can't be with you during this caper. Not directly. I have a job to do on the back end, one that will give you all a fighting chance. You must LEAD this team through this. You must draw on the strength, the support of Firebird, Charope, Rampage, Persephone and Prophet while he's still here.

while he's still here..... the words were like bullets she couldn't stop, perforating her heart. Haleigh had the utmost confidence in her own ability. She wasn't worried about leading, or being strong in a time of crisis. Haleigh THRIVED in crisis, and excelled under pressure. But the last time Alison spoke with such certainty, Morgan had died. She seemed just as certain that Cameron would be taken..... but Haleigh couldn't accept it.

"Alison, I'm not going to just LET--"

Alison: You're struggling...just as you were when the Silver Swan first emerged. You've had at least two "black outs" within 24 hours.

They locked eyes. Haleigh responded with a measured tone.

"Whatever the deal is with..... this kid...... I'll handle it AFTER we take care of these 'Purifier' motherfuckers."

Alison: Do NOT spread yourself too thin, Haleigh. LIVES are at stake. Both within this team, and scores of INNOCENTS who are in the path of the Purifier's rage. I've been where you are...you've been where I am. We understand each other...and that is why we were able to come together when the team was facing it's darkest hour. Now we must work from opposite ends, to meet the shared goal.

"I UNDERSTAND the stakes. That's why I'm keeping this little hiccup of mine quiet. If I need help, I'll get it. For now... the blackouts are brief, and I have enough warning that they're coming to prepare."

Alison: With that in mind, HEED my warning. Whatever happens...particuarly in the next 24 hours. Whatever you see...do NOT overreach in your attempt to control the situation. If you do that, you will REMOVE YOURSELF from my crystalline chessboard and you will leave the scales tipped in TERRIFYING favor of the Purifiers. Lead with consistency, for the team will need it. Do NOT let emotions make you waver.

"I never do."

Alison: Do NOT try to stop Delilah...when she DEVIATES from the team.

"When she what? Deviates? WHAT THE FUCK? You don't want me to try and fucking stop her?"

Alison: Ruby and Prophet's LIVES depend on that. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!?

"ALISON!"

Alison: You've trusted me, just as I've trusted you. Remember the night I revealed to you the events of Master Mold and what I told you you could NOT do and WHY. REMEMBER that as I have shared this warning with you now. It is not a subjective vision...it is a precognitive WARNING.

"I don't fucking like this, Alison. Is Delilah going to be in danger on her own? I mean....... is she going to be in mortal danger? Because if I have to fucking choose who to save, them you'd better tell me that right fucking NOW, so I can make the decision with full awareness of the consequences."

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas is not 'noticing' anything around him. He is meditating, searching, reaching out and being rebuffed by his aunt. But he is not giving up. He has resorted to walking the street in astral form, looking for her. SOMETHING in his gut says that she should be answering him and the reason she isn't is NOT good.

He snaps back and looks around quickly. Haleigh is leaving with Alison while Cameron and Ava have returned. Cam looks like he has seen a ghost.

Nicolas looks to Blaze, who is still beating herself up over Sally.

"The Purifiers struck hard...and they knew to hit where it would hurt. I feel like I've gotten lazy. I should've been prepared. I went through something like this in my own timeline, when Mystech, backed by the government, struck hard and KILLED over a dozen of our loved ones in one deadly pass. Cameron and yourself were among those casualties."

"I'm no little bo peep, by any means...but this group, they're acting with supreme confidence and urgency. They have something we don't see yet...and until Harbinger takes that advantage away from them...there's no telling what they'll do next."

"They've TAKEN Ruby! They could be doing ANYTHING to her and we don't know where they are and Prophet is next. There are people in this room who still manage to doubt the clarity or accuracy of Harbinger's visions, but I don't. Not only did I see her visions come to pass in my timeline, but also in this one. "

Nicolas stood and walked over to the pair, placing a hand behind each of them as he hugged them.

Blaze, stop beating yourself up. Sally is an adult and she has retrieved her own car countless times. This was a well-executed hit by a group that was prepared to hit us in a way that would be successful in part due to some sort of precognitive help. You did what you could when you had the chance. And you-

Looking at Vivica.

You did incredibly well. I thank you for saving Sally. I only hope that you can still look at me the same as I go about the business of avenging her and Cassandra.

His tone was quiet and even. But his eyes burned ominously.

 

[Harbinger]

Parthenon- Private office

Alison, not only do I NOT like it, I WON'T ALLOW the two of you to interact until I'm confident you won't try to KILL each other. Yeah-- that's right, you can't hide PREMEDITATION from me. Now at this point it doesn't matter to me who hurt WHO or how badly. What matters to ME is that two of my best friends are at each other's throats and its WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE. Don't think for a SECOND that I'm going to sit here quietly while you and Delilah think of creative ways to rip each other's hearts out.

:: Alison paused. Something about what Haleigh was saying, the WAY she said it, it was almost as if SHE "KNEW" something Alison didn't? Not in a regular way, but in a way only someone with a gifted sense of awareness or perception would. YES, Alison HATED Delilah and would LOVE to give her a hefty dose of telekinesis from the INSIDE OUT, but what then? What would it change or solve? Cameron was right...even SHE didn't want to find out the COST of that action. But Haleigh seemed to speak in a way that it was more than likely to...OCCURR?? She eyed Haleigh for a moment, much like she did in the conference room when Haleigh bellowed, as if to DROWN OUT any possible response from the others. What was this feeling? ::

:: But Alison relented, realizing that if nothing else, Haleigh showed she CARED. Whatever Alycia or any other might think of the hybrid, the woman DID have a heart. It was bittersweet though that it was usually in dark or uncertain moments between them as they looked upon some looming threat together that Haleigh's heart showed as it did, but better SOME confirmation than NONE AT ALL::

:: moments later in the conversation::

When she what? Deviates? WHAT THE FUCK? You don't want me to try and fucking stop her?

:: Alison sat, and continued to look upon Haleigh even as the hybrid shouted. She nodded.::

Yes, Haleigh, that's EXACTLY what I'm telling you.

Ruby and Prophet's LIVES depend on that.

:: Now ALISON was the one bellowing with emotion, as she thought of Ruby and of PROPHET::

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!?

ALISON!

:: How FAR had these two come? That they could even HAVE a moment like this, working through it TOGETHER instead of finding some way to turn it into a bitchfest or serve threats of violence and bodily harm to one another? ::

I don't fucking like this, Alison.

I know you don't. I also want you to know that I do NOT take joy in telling you this, but I'd be WRONG for not revealing THIS to you. You need to be prepared. This has nothing to do with me OR my personal feelings toward Delilah. I want you to have the BEST POSSIBLE timethread leading to SUCCESS. For you, the team, saving Ruby, PROPHET and STOPPING these Purifiers before they advance any further.

Is Delilah going to be in danger on her own? I mean....... is she going to be in mortal danger? Because if I have to fucking choose who to save, them you'd better tell me that right fucking NOW, so I can make the decision with full awareness of the consequences.

:: Alison shook her head to the negative and held her hand up gesturing for Haleigh to reign herself in::

NO. Absolutely not! Delilah is NOT in any mortal danger due what I have divined from my precognition of her time threads. Of everyone involved on OUR side, She and Nicolas are perhaps in the BEST positions. While Nicolas' aunt, Dominique is a key figure on my crystalline chess board, Nicolas' position remains relatively unchanged. He will be a crucial in the group's RESCUE efforts, and please know, there will be SEVERAL for the Six along the way, not just of our own teammates but others who are in the Purifier's crosshairs. DELILAH has been on this course for several months. I observed it even when you and I first confronted each other on Aerie back then. She's doing what she's meant to do. She is not in mortal physical danger, BUT if you devote too much time and attention to trying to kEEP HER with the group, you will experience, FIRST HAND, the depths of her contempt, just as Morgan and Myself have, along with Blaze, Nicolas and most recently Cameron, to a lesser extent. Truth be told, Haleigh, it's LITERALLY only a matter of TIME before she [emotionally] turns on you. I KNOW you don't fear that from her. NEITHER DID WE.

But Now, with what you're facing within yourself as well as the burden that is growing on ALL of us with this caper, you must accept your LIMITATIONS in the matter of Delilah. For the sake of YOURSELF, the others and our team mates, LET HER GO. You will now the moment when it is at hand. But despite her deviation, it is NOT a betrayal. She will still be involved and she will still have a key role to play in the final confrontation.

You will have PLENTY of decisions and choices to make. The tasteless and undesireable choice of "who to save" will NOT be one of them, as long as you let Delilah go when she is meant to.

 

[Ruby]

St. Patrick's Cathedral

:: Cass was thinking about her phone. Well, not her PHONE phone, just her pictures that she had on it. Most of them were of nature, pictures of her and Blaze was a close second. She smiled at the thought of the goofy pictures she and Blaze took for shits and giggles. Some of them were sweet, some of them goofy, and some of them were just plain naughty. She smirked at the memories of each one. She chuckled out loud of one with her, Blaze, and Vivica at Blaze’s party in XS. All three women were dressed sexy and were smiling at Cass’ phone. However, when they all looked closely at it, they could see CAMERON photobombing them in the very back. Cass smiled and felt warmth inside as she mentally went through her pictures one by one, the faces of her teammates appearing in her mind. She had taken a lot of photos of her team. They would definitely keep her sane, her pictures. ::

Oh, the things you think about in captivity!

:: The first time she was captured, during the Holocaust, she was insanely upset for six months afterwards. Not just because she was cruelly taken from her family, but because she had to leave her pet rock, Skalny [Polish for ‘rocky’], behind in the front garden when they were rounded up in the dead of night. She was worried Skalny would forget about her and also that nobody would take care of him while she was gone. The complicated problems of a six year old. She sighed and grabbed her ruby pendant, her hand brushing against something... ::

What's this? A...COLLAR?! I'm wearing a COLLAR like an animal? Is THAT why I can't use my powers?

:: She glanced down, holding it and feeling it, looking for a way to get it off. No such luck. She glanced down and sighed, her right hand grasping her ruby pendant. ::

Bored now.

:: She got up and looked around her. A bare room with no furniture save for a table and chair? She spotted hooks lining a wall. ::

Hmmm. Possibly an old Sunday School classroom?

:: She began to warm up her voice. The acoustics were great in the room. She sang a few melodies to get her voice warmed up enough and then… Then she DANCED provocatively and sexily, hanging on to the hooks, as she sang “Touch a Touch a Touch Me” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show! She figured if anything could bring somebody down, that song surely would! It was sung in a place of worship no less. Still…after that fabulous performance nobody showed up! Cass was somewhat disappointed by that. ::

SERIOUSLY? Nobody shows up?!

:: Cass sighed and did a few exercises, trying to quell the feeling of despair and loneliness that was slowly creeping up inside. She did NOT enjoy being left alone. She hated it back then and the feeling did not change now…in the present. She wrapped her arms around herself and went to a corner and sat down, her back up against a wall, her legs pulled up to the side. She rested her head against the adjacent wall and fell asleep. She slept this way as well back in the lab. Funny how old habits had a way of coming back after years of not using them, huh? ::

<< A couple of hours pass…>>

:: Cass woke up feeling thirsty. She mewled as she got up again and walked to the door. She didn’t bother checking to see if it was open; she knew it would be locked. She knocked on the door. ::

“Hey, is anybody out there? Could I please get some water?”

:: She paced back and forth, thinking about her team. AGAIN. What were they doing now? Were they looking for her? Were they planning an attack? Did they find out who had captured her and attacked Sally, Blaze, and Vivica? And perhaps the million dollar question of all... ::

Why the FUCK did Alison not see this [her capture] in her vision of this new threat?!

 

[Silver Swan]

Clocktower

Elizabeth.

[ She paused for a moment...]

"Zizi...."

[ Her vocal tones and inflections had changed along with the rest of her and she was not known for using nick names or pet names when addressing even those closest to her, so it was rather amusing to Zach, whom she'd ALWAYS called "Zachary", hear her utter Elizabeth's perferred name.]

[Sharon studied Elizabeth..."Zizi." The girl was young, bright, vital and not a hint of deception in her presentation to Sharon. She had a sort of optimism to about herself, the kind that comes from the confidence of knowing that you're doing something for true motives.]

[ Surprisingly, it DIDN'T bother Sharon to learn that Zizi was aware of her and had seen her in action. The woman declared her many deep running ties into the mutant/metahuman community. That was something Sharon as well before she changed...was TURNED into the Silver Swan.]

Thank you...

[ Sharon said as she gingerly reached for some of the freshly sliced fruit. As she did so...]

One good turn deserves another...

[...she mentally commends her silver eyemask to recede away from her face, allowing Ziz to view her face without that eyemask. Again, Zach remembered Sharon having BLUE eyes, but now they were metallic silver. Definitely unusual, but for the Silver Swan, they were perfect]


[ She trusted Zachary. She had no reason to suspect he was up to no good and Zizi was actually winning Sharon over without having to try too hard. Even Zach would sense that the Silver Swan was calmer NOW than when she first arrived.]

As for Katie…my team was monitoring security and satellite feeds for any sign of the Purifiers when we landed upon the group that was after Katie. And then you ‘landed upon’ them.

Zizi laughed at her own joke and smiled.

It was very impressive, the way you helped that girl. And you know Zach.

[Sharon smiled a bit, inspite of herself]

Yes...

I have known Zachary for sometime now.

[ Sharon left it at that as she looked over at him, even as their hostess was already smiling at him, and then Sharon looked back to Elizabeth....Zizi.]

I’m not going to lie – we could use your help on this. Not only because you have an edge in finding these guys, but because you know someone else we’re looking for: Dominique Devereaux, Nicolas King’s aunt, code named Isis. We think she is behind the bones that were found in the park – definitely Purifier, her MO, and there’s footage of her in the area at the time of the murder. We also think she took the bodies of two young children that the Purifiers most likely murdered. But we don’t know why.”

She anticipated an argument from Silver Swan.

I may not be a mutant but I’ve worked with them my whole career – they’re my friends, my family. This is a threat that faces us all – and we don’t have the luxury of time to figure it all out.

[ The fruit was delicious. Even as Zizi immediately cut to the chase, Sharon enjoyed the fruit while she listened. She didnt immediately respond]

Elizabeth,

....Zizi

Please forgive me. I am not in the habit of addressing individuals by pet or nicknames...

I sense no attempt at deception from you. You're as concerned about the children...ANY of the victims of the Purifers as Zach is, as I am, now that I'm aware of them. My ties to the mutant/metahuman community go deep and far back as well, long before I became the Silver Swan. I have no reason to be overly suspicious of you, especially since Zachary is the one who introduced us, but I don't feel it would be right of me to discuss Dominique without speaking to Nicolas.

[ Sharon and Nicolas had a longstanding relationship. She met him when he was a young boy, while she was seeing his father, Gustav. From then, till the present, the two have always maintained a close bond of friendship. Dominique was...a COLLEAGUE of Sharon's, for lack of a better word. Sharon still maintained the membership to the Hellfire Club that her husband had been granted. She was NOT a member of it's inner circle, but she was more than acquainted with all who WERE and of all of them, the only one she had a civil relationship with was Dominique. ]

Dominique is definitely having a rough time of it..... I don't want to betray her confidence, but based on what I got from her earlier, I'd say she's definitely going to be inclined to continue confronting purifiers, and if she's interested in joining forces? She'd make a powerful ally.

[ Something had happened before she arrived in the city. She heard "whispers" of it from the birds and elsewhere. If Dominique was involved, it was without a doubt that she was OPPOSING the purifiers ]

One thing I will say about Dominique is that follows her own code and instincts, which OFTEN have set her APART from the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle. But they too view her as a POWERFUL ally. Even IF you are able to gain an audience with her, I don't know how you could possibly persuade her to leave the Inner Circle...or that they'd even let her go...without a fight. But regardless of her affiliation, she is VERY sensitive to any child or weak person in plight.

[ Sharon didn't yet know that Dominique was practically "one foot out of the door" of the Hellfire Club in her own mind now anyway]

[ It was obvious that Zizi and Zach were anxious to gain an audience with Dominique, not only to see if SHE would join their efforts but also to learn of what happened to the bodies of the children]

One other thing about Dominique I will say, Eliza...Zizi...,even though I wasn't THERE to see for myself, I do know her well enough to know that if she did take the bodies of the slain children, it was to ensure they were properly buried and that their memories would be preserved in peace and dignity. That is all I will say about her now, until I speak to Nicolas.

[Sharon ALSO knew that Dominique did not like even the IMPLICATION that she was being "Zeroed in on" or ambused. She was FIERCELY protective of her privacy. Zach had said more than she would have allowed him to had she been here herself]

Silver Swan – Sharon – why did the Purifiers mention St. Patrick’s Cathedral to you? I know that’s where you first… appeared. Why was it important to them?

[ Sharon actually STIFFENED in her posture a bit as she paused, simply STARING at Ziz]

You know, it fell into disrepair after..... the...... events......of the debut of Silver Swan. For a while, I was afraid they'd demolish it, I was talking with Infrared about her possibly purchasing the place and keeping it for photo shoot opportunities, but then they began the renovations..... it's been closed this whole time, I think. It's be a great base of operations for a misguided mob of religious zealots.

[ It had been a while since she TALKED about this. When she referenced her SANITY earlier in the evening when talking to Zach, THAT was the first time she'd addressed anything relating to the Cathedral incident in several years now. She hadn't even returned to the site...to "ground zero" of her DEBUT as the Silver Swan, even though her sister Amazons srongly suggest she face that part of her "2nd origin" and truly see if she'd come to terms. Now was as good a time as any to address it, especially since the PURIFIERS knew about it and it seemed they had INTIMATE knowledge that was MOTIVATING them.]

[ Finally, she breaks her stare at Zizi and blinks a few times]

....

St.Patrick's cathedral...is the place I first arrived, after I was somehow RESURRECTED from death and turned into the Silver Swan, by MYSTECH.

I was meant to be their newest and most powerful "bio weapon" and to be USED to COLLECT another piece of [in their minds] PROPERTY. Black Widow.

The process they used to resurrect and transform me into this ALSO left me INSANE and they used that to their advantage, programming me with a mix of psi manipulation, other mental "therapy" and technological means.

I had ONE THING on my mind, the brutal capture of Black Widow. If she'd happened to DIE in the process...so be it.

She didn't die...thanks to her own resourcefullness and resilience, along with the help of her teammates, the Six...but OTHER people DID..

[FLASH!]

<< St. Patrick's Cathedral. The day Haleigh and Zach visited the church. Rapid fire images of The Silver Swan on a RAMPAGE. She SLAUGHTERS the entire staff of the church, including the priest. His broken body lays at silver high heeled boots. Blood is splattered and sprayed over the walls, body parts EVERYWHERE.

Haleigh managed to survive my FIRST assault on her with the help of Spellbinder and MorningStar. She escaped the cathedral. I pursued her.

[FLASH!]

<< Birds of ALL species could be seen attacking civilians and law enforcement around the city.>>

Silver Swawn's destructive rampage continues to ILLUSTRA where she DEMOLISHES Haleigh's apartment and then faces off against a powerful cyborg, one of many devices in Haleigh's security protocalls

In the end, though I did beat her in combat, I did not succeed in killing her. But MANY OTHERS died...

[ She said that last part softly]

The Six destroyed the director of the mystech project who was responsible for turning me into this BEFORE he could kill me. Spellbinder and Rampage used their skills and command over magick and science to FREE me of Mystech's programming and the poison that was coursing through my body and mind.

[ Regarding Zach's comments on the cathedral]

Alycia Barnett insured that the cathedral was quietly closed. Her Force Works team had combed the entire church for any survivors, they didn't find any. She....she made that "go away"...and for the most part, no one seems to realize that Silver Swan is actually the [supposedly] deceased Senator Sharon Kelly.

But what will never go away...is what I did. I was insane...but those deaths...they are on my hands.

[Bowing her head, she sighs. It's a few moments before she looks up again]

Those Purifiers in the park. They spoke as though THEY had been there and survived, but that isn't possible. Two of them would have been TEENAGERS at the time and there were NO teens or adolescents in the building that day.

[She looks at Zachary]


I am well aware that I have been regarded as a "mass murderer" by those who ARE aware of me.

[ She looks Zizi directly in the eyes]

I have killed before. I will kill again.

I understand that this may not be...palatable for you. Even some members of the SIX were initially taken aback by me in my new form. I never realized how much it would hurt...especially coming from people I had championed so strongly in my career as a senator...people that I ended up DYING trying to help.

[ She abruptly stands up]

If what I have said to you is upsetting, I will leave now. I quite capable of making my own way alone in dealing with this emerging threat...

 

[Tachyon]

Bell, Book and Candle

There is a knock at the door.

The clerk and witch opens it to find a bouquet of plants, all of which were freshly plucked and from all over the world. Each plant was important either to a deity of some sort or to witches. With it was an envelope and a note. Bringing the bouquet inside, the note was read.

Please accept my apologies for jostling you during our earlier encounter and for distressing you as I re-appropriated a certain rune stone. Enclosed you will find enough money to pay for the artifact plus a gratuity of 25% for your trouble. Be advised that I plan to trouble you no longer provided you will take a moment to carefully reconsider using a certain pair of unreliable sourcing distributors who I will notify you about in a later correspondence.

As for now, be sure to inform the lovely raven-haired interloper of our amicable resolution of this messy affair.

Regards

Meanwhile, Xavier was done showering at the Parthenon, and had changed into something more appropriate for the evening.

Making his way to the lounge, he ordered a scotch and relaxed, taking in his surroundings while he decided what to do next. The sorceress intrigued him...hell, the TOWN did. In a way it had never done in the past. He decided he might stick around a bit, see what the fuss was about.

Xavier grabbed a newspaper for the day that had not been left on the counter and not yet disposed of. Flipping through the pages he read the contents, stopping at a story below the fold on Page Six that caught his eye. Not long on details, but there seemed to be an uptick in anti-metahuman sentiment and rumors of missing persons that MIGHT have to do with that. It was a Page Six story so, grain of salt...but he WAS British and one knew that the back of the paper often held the closest thing to unvarnished truth in the entire damnable thing. So he noted the story and hoped it wasn't true while acknowledging that prejudice was as old as man itself.

 

[Seer]

And speaking of Dominique

<< One name that was apart of this unfolding story from the beginning was Dominique Deveraux. The deeper the Six got into it, the more burning the question became, WHERE was Dominique Deveraux right now?>>

<< Oracle, who had been attempting to track her earlier, could no longer find her at the Parthenon and the Hellfire Club was decidedly DIFFICULT for Oracle to bypass their security defenses which scrambled outside scans.>>

<< Nicolas King attempted to reach out to his aunt multiple times after the attack on Sally Spectra, but there was no response. Even an astral search yielded nothing.>>

<< Zachary Armani rightfully concluded that she was not done confronting Purifiers and the chance, slight as it seemed, that she would join forces with Oracle was enough of a motivator for him and Oracle both to ask Silver Swan about her whereabouts as well.>>

<< WHERE was Dominique Deveraux?>>

 

[Recall]

The Parthenon - Conference Room

As Alison continuted to engage in several private meetings with certain members of The Six, Vivica took a moment to somewhat relax. She was feeling a lot better now, especially since she knew that Sally and Blaze would be alright. She was trying not to focus on what might happen to Cassandra as much as how they were going to get her OUT of the situation she was currently in. She rested her head on Blaze's shoulder as Blaze's apple green eyes looked upon the mutant with concern.

Blaze: "Viv...you saved my life."

Vivica exhaled slowly for a moment.

"I didn't do it all by myself...Ava and Nicolas were right there with me when we needed them the most."

Blaze: "Sally's too. Sally was hurt because of ME. I let her go outside and I shouldn't have."

Vivica tightened her grasp on Blaze's hand as Blaze continued.

Blaze: "You know...I tried to tell Morgan that sometimes, in her efforts to protect her loved ones, she could sometimes be CONTROLLING with it...but now? I'm wondering...is that REALLY such a bad thing? I mean, I certainly wouldn't have disrespected Sally, but I just...I just should NOT have let her go out there and by the time we got to her, it was too late. All I COULD do...all i WANTED to do was..."

Sitting up in her seat all the way, Vivica's deep brown eyes looked upon the elemental with concern and intrigue as she brushed a bit of hair out of Blaze's face.

"Blaze, are you kidding me? Sally was hurt because a group of religious zealots wanted to make an example out of her, not because you didn't force her to stay inside. There were two other people there at the club with you and how could have we ever possibly known something like that was going to happen?...and it's just like Alison's visions...certain things come to pass no matter what we do. If they hadn't gotten Sally when they did they would have planned something different...so yes..being that controlling IS such a bad thing...if only because it will drive you crazy trying to change or protect things that the UNIVERSE has other plans for...."

"The Purifiers struck hard...and they knew to hit where it would hurt. I feel like I've gotten lazy. I should've been prepared. I went through something like this in my own timeline, when Mystech, backed by the government, struck hard and KILLED over a dozen of our loved ones in one deadly pass. Cameron and yourself were among those casualties."

"I'm no little bo peep, by any means...but this group, they're acting with supreme confidence and urgency. They have something we don't see yet...and until Harbinger takes that advantage away from them...there's no telling what they'll do next."

"They've TAKEN Ruby! They could be doing ANYTHING to her and we don't know where they are and Prophet is next. There are people in this room who still manage to doubt the clarity or accuracy of Harbinger's visions, but I don't. Not only did I see her visions come to pass in my timeline, but also in this one. "

"Well guess what, honey? We struck back JUST as hard. Sally is alive and so are you...and we'll make sure to protect Cassie and Cameron TOO. You aren't lazy. You AREN'T in an apocalyptic timeline and acting like you are won't serve anybody. Sometimes...there are things you just CAN'T prepare for...that was one of them. If there are people who can throw even ALISON off guard, what do you think YOU are gonna do about it, sweetie?"

Vivica embraced Blaze in her arms as she watched her get emotional over the current situation. Vivica was always usually a more relaxed person. Even in times of high stress she managed to keep herself under control, coupled with her training at Clandestine she had learned more or less the importance of compartmentalizing things that weren't going to be of use towards the task at hand.

"Cassie has got a fire about her...and Alison WILL stop their advantage...she's just that good. When it comes to Cameron? Well, that boy has probably the ULTIMATE pedigree when it comes to being captured and tortured. It's impossible not to worry, Blaze..but YOUR team needs you to be strong. I mean...I'm not even ON this team and just by looking around this room...it's clear that the UNITY isn't all the way there. So much pain and confusion...they need a woman like you. Somebody who cares and somebody who will get the job done. You and Cameron are the two most passionate people I know, and with Cameron sitting out...it's up to just you. You need to motivate them where Haleigh can't...keep them together..."

She kissed Blaze on the lips for a moment.

"And i'll be here to help you with whatever you need help with...."

At that moment Nicolas came over to the two women, giving them each a hug.

Nicolas stood and walked over to the pair, placing a hand behind each of them as he hugged them.

Blaze, stop beating yourself up. Sally is an adult and she has retrieved her own car countless times. This was a well-executed hit by a group that was prepared to hit us in a way that would be successful in part due to some sort of precognitive help. You did what you could when you had the chance. And you-

Looking at Vivica.

You did incredibly well. I thank you for saving Sally. I only hope that you can still look at me the same as I go about the business of avenging her and Cassandra.

His tone was quiet and even. But his eyes burned ominously.

Vivica smiled.

"That's what I was trying to tell her Nicki..."

and then he spoke of her. She blushed a little bit.

"Thank You for your words...but really...it was Ava that gave me the diversion I needed to take action. Without her, things MIGHT not have turned out the same. And don't worry Nicolas...Sometimes...when FAMILY is on the line...the only choice you HAVE...is to get UGLY. On MY end at least? Next time...I won't leave a bitch unconscious...I'll leave her drooling and pissing herself for the rest of her life!"

She looked at Blaze when she said this. She could tell that Blaze seemed almost ASHAMED of what she did to The Purifier, when in reality...she acted quickly and had she NOT dispatched of the one she did..they might have ALL died...Vivica might not have had time to assist Sally..and what's done is done. Vivica knew Blaze's true nature.

"So...what's next...where do we go from here?"

 

[Isis]

The Black Court

<< The Hellfire Mansion>>

:: The organization was legendary, with long reaching tentacles of power and influence in various aspects of society including politics and various industries. The Hellfire Club was ALL about "power without consequence" and it's members were all elite. The INNER CIRCLE ruled the elite. ONLY mutants/meta humans could hold positions in the Inner Cirlce but that requirement was not immediately known to ALL members of the Hellfire Club.::

:: Dominique Deveraux was the Inner Circle's BLACK QUEEN, her counterparts were Helena Quartermane- The Red Queen, and Diana- The White Queen.::

::The Black Court, much like the Queen herself, was composed of mysterious but no less powerful individuals. But one in particular held SPECIAL favor with the Black Queen.>>

:: His name is RICHARD MARTIN. He represents "the next generation" of omega level mutants in this ever changing world. He's an ultra-morph, under the same general umbrella as The Red Queen, who is an Omni-morph. A rare breed among mutant metamorphs and far beyond them in terms of power and capability.::

::His early childhood was pleasant enough, but that came to a tragic and abrupt HALT when he too was touched by Mystech's maleficence and his powers manifested shortly before the onset of puberty due to extreme duress and life threatening circumstances.::

::In the aftermath of the relevation of his status as a mutant, his life took a dark and uncertain turn, leaving him homeless, Not unlike a certain Cameron King. But the fates smiled on him and he was rescued from a tragic fate of being all potential and no direction. His salvation came in the form of Dominique Deveraux. One night while exiting the home office of her record label, she was accosted by three would-be robbers. The sorceress could have easily defended herself and dispatched her assailants, but a young Richard Martin came to her aid.::

:: Dominique sensed there was something different about the boy, his MANA stood out to her and her magicks. Even after he was satisfied with merely subduing her assailants, Dominique DISPATCHED ALL OF THEM with a violent blast of dark magick. This action shocked him , but it was a TEST on her part to see JUST what he would do. He didn't panic, he didnt RUN. He was taken aback, but INTRIGUED. Unsure of what to do next, Dominique insisted that he remain and she took him to dinner, sensing that he was suffering from fatigue AND hunger. She was ASTONISHED at how much he could EAT, despite his relatively small frame. Over a meal, the boy shared his story with her and at that moment, she decided to take him away from that hard life, offering him MORE than just membership to the Hellfire Club (which itself would have done MUCH to raise him out of his homeless status) but a spot on HER BLACK COURT.::

:: Just as she had advised/WARNED Cameron King, when he approached the idea of joining Dominique's black court, she advised Richard that along with the many PERKS and benefits of being her BLACK KNIGHT, he would be REQUIRED to to show allegiance to HIS QUEEN. He was not hesitant in his acceptance and he seemed to understand the scope of what was being offered. ::

:: Thus began his new life as the Black Knight on Isis' Black Court. A new life, a new luxurious home within the Hellfire Mansion, access to privilege beyond one's wildest dreams.... all of this along with instruction and training from the Black Queen herself? It was quite a change for him.::

::He grew in his confidence, SKILL and POWER, now that his need to sustain his incredibly high metabolism was being satisfied.::

::Along the way, he developed a sort of..."crush" on his Queen and strove to surpass any member of the Black Court in competence, drive and initiative, not to mention strength. Dominique's taste in men was certainly ECLECTIC, but Richard was a bit TOO YOUNG, even for her. Still, she DID dote on him and display a fondness to him that was NOT often seen by any other member of her black court or anyone ELSE in general. Cameron was one exception (during the time of their PHYSICAL relationship) and Nicolas was another, due to their familial bond, but the nature of Dominique's and Richard's relationship was curious to say the least. One might even suspect that Nicolas might be a bit...JEALOUS of Richard...or vice versa. ::

::But right now, that was the least of Dominique's concerns.::

::Hours earlier, she commanded Richard to attend her and so he did.::

:: She explained to him under no uncertain terms that he would assist her, in ASSASSINATING William Stryker, a notable member of the Hellfire Club.::

::When she explained to him WHY he had to die and that months ago, RICHARD might very well have suffered the fate of the children she failed to rescue several weeks ago, ANY hesitation he might have had EVAPORATED.::

:: Sitting on her throne in HER area of the underground catacombs of the Hellfire Club, Isis extends her gloved hand out to Richard. He comes forward and takes her hand, bowing and as he stands up, she gently caresses his face with that same gloved hand::

You have once again satisfied my expectation of of your loyalty and service, Richard. You continue to justify my decision in installing you as my Black Knight.

Tonight we shall ELIMINATE one of the vital paths of support to these..."Purifiers."

Be of good cheer, my brave young warrior. This is to the benefit of the Hellfire Club and mutants...CHILDREN all around us. Stryker is a threat to the security of the INNER CIRCLE and all therein. That includes YOU.

::She went over the plan of action with him. He would assist her in not only springing her trap , but handling the "loose ends" after SHE eliminated Stryker herself.::

 

[Matrix]

:: Sitting on her throne in HER area of the underground catacombs of the Hellfire Club, Isis extends her gloved hand out to Richard. He comes forward and takes her hand, bowing and as he stands up, she gently caresses his face with that same gloved hand::

You have once again satisfied my expectation of of your loyalty and service, Richard. You continue to justify my decision in installing you as my Black Knight.

Tonight we shall ELIMINATE one of the vital paths of support to these..."Purifiers."

Be of good cheer, my brave young warrior. This is to the benefit of the Hellfire Club and mutants...CHILDREN all around us. Stryker is a threat to the security of the INNER CIRCLE and all therein. That includes YOU.

::She went over the plan of action with him. He would assist her in not only springing her trap , but handling the "loose ends" after SHE eliminated Stryker herself.::

Yes, my Queen.

He smiled as she touched his face. When they were alone she was fine with him calling her Dominique or Miss D, even asking him to if he stayed too formal. But in front of any of the court OR on her throne? NO. She was the Queen, his queen. And if a shady-assed Senator had to die, well then he had to die.

It was intriguing to say the least. Rich was not a bad guy and, truth be told, neither was the Black Queen. Was she as pure as the driven snow? NOPE. But thousands of people walked past his hungry ass and gave nary a damn. SHE took him in and fed him, cared for him. And it was not over some idiots that she was ready to kill anyway. She CARED. A LOT.

So if Miss D said you were dead, yo ass was dead. Especially bigots like this guy and the Purifiers. She had so far forbidden him from fucking them up. But it looked like things were changing.

He listened as she gave him instructions, not missing a single syllable and capable, in part due to his power, to even repeat it all back if needed. He did not even blink as she spoke...

 

[Persephone]

Walking down the hallway back to the conference room, Ava saw the door open and Alison hold it for Haleigh. She and Cameron must of looked worse for the wear because Haleigh gave her a look as they passed each other. Ava's eyes moved away from her sisters as she entered the conference room once again; Haleigh and Alison disappearing down the hall. Vivica, Blaze, and Nicolas were all talking--probably discussing what had happened to Sally and Blaze. And Delilah was alone....it seriously made Ava sick to her stomach how much Delilah hated her. And to know that she was going to defect? How did this all happen? How did it get to this point? She loved Delilah and they had become very close before Ava left the six...and it was becoming quite clear that it would never be like that again.

Walking over to the wet bar, Ava poured herself another scotch. Between seeing Delilah again, knowing Cameron was definitely being taken despite their best efforts, the use of her powers nearly knocking her out, Haleigh's own blackouts, and the possibility of being the cause of multiple innocent children's deaths? Scotch was not nearly strong enough. But she knocked one back anyway, closing her eyes as the burn radiated down her throat into her stomach.

Placing the glass tumbler on the bar top, she let her head hand for a moment, her eyes staring blankly at the silver surface of the bar top. Her thoughts went to CASS. She couldn't stand the girl....but she knew the purifiers were going to torture the hell out of her. Make her suffer just because they could. Make her wish for death because it was an easier option. Ava knew those feelings all too well...she experienced them with Alison when they were tortured. It was a haunting memory of what the world could be like if the purifiers weren't stopped.

Vivica: "So...what's next?..."

Wait for Cameron to be taken.

Ava thought grimly to herself before casting a glace over to Vivica and the others.

Vivica: "...where do we go from here?"

The million dollar question. Ava remained quiet, not bothering to answer. She would wait for Haleigh to get back before discussing strategy.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

"Dominique is definitely having a rough time of it..... I don't want to betray her confidence, but based on what I got from her earlier, I'd say she's definitely going to be inclined to continue confronting purifiers, and if she's interested in joining forces? She'd make a powerful ally."

Oracle put a finger to pursed lips, her brow furrowed in thought about approaching Dominique to join them.

“IF she’s on the right side of this.”

She wasn’t convinced. She wanted to give everyone the benefit of the doubt BUT the Hellfire Club’s members – especially the Inner Circle – had done a lot of truly evil things. Trusting Dominique would not be easy.

Their conversation turned to the Purifiers’ interest in St. Patrick’s cathedral.

It's be a great base of operations for a misguided mob of religious zealots."

Zizi gave him a sideways look.

“Well surely someone would have noticed if a terrorist group was hiding out in an abandoned cathedral in New York City?”

She turned attentively to Sharon as she started to speak again.

Please forgive me. I am not in the habit of addressing individuals by pet or nicknames...

Zizi waved her off.

“Oh honey, you can call me whatever you want. I’m not fussed by names.”

I have no reason to be overly suspicious of you, especially since Zachary is the one who introduced us, but I don't feel it would be right of me to discuss Dominique without speaking to Nicolas.

She held up a hand.

“Say no more. Just so long as you recognize that I’m not going to stop looking into this myself.”

Even IF you are able to gain an audience with her, I don't know how you could possibly persuade her to leave the Inner Circle...or that they'd even let her go...without a fight. But regardless of her affiliation, she is VERY sensitive to any child or weak person in plight.

“Well I’m not holding any membership drive, and I’m certainly not looking to fight the Hellfire Club for one of their members. And I would certainly hope that members of the superhuman community wouldn’t be assisting a group such as the Purifiers. However – despite my fabulous skin – I was NOT born yesterday and I’m not ready to trust the Black Queen just yet.”

Zach was pretty gung ho about it, but it would take more than a nephew on the Six to prove she wasn’t up to something no good. Still, in the back of her mind Zizi hoped Zach and Silver Swan would be proven right about her.

Oracle’s face softened with sympathy as Silver Swan spoke about what had happened to her after she “died” and returned. It was heartbreaking, really, to see how much what she had done bothered her. And what was done TO her – well, it was amazing to think that anyone could come back from that at all.

But what will never go away...is what I did. I was insane...but those deaths...they are on my hands.

Silver Swan bowed her head. Zizi reached out and gently laid a hand on top of Silver Swan’s own. It didn’t occur to her to be frightened of the formidable mutate in front of her. She was just a woman who had known pain and loss reaching out to another.

Those Purifiers in the park. They spoke as though THEY had been there and survived, but that isn't possible. Two of them would have been TEENAGERS at the time and there were NO teens or adolescents in the building that day.

“There has to be something about it that’s important. I’ll call Ashley and have her pull the police records on those in the cathedral that day.”

I am well aware that I have been regarded as a "mass murderer" by those who ARE aware of me. I have killed before. I will kill again.

I understand that this may not be...palatable for you. Even some members of the SIX were initially taken aback by me in my new form. I never realized how much it would hurt...especially coming from people I had championed so strongly in my career as a senator...people that I ended up DYING trying to help.

If what I have said to you is upsetting, I will leave now. I quite capable of making my own way alone in dealing with this emerging threat...

Silver Swan was now standing in front of her, as if ready to leave – or be kicked out. The way this woman just assumed she would be the outcast in every situation made Zizi’s heart ache for her.

“Please, sit back down. There’s no need for you to leave.”

Oracle motioned with her hand that she was welcome to sit. She was quiet for a moment, choosing her words.

“You know, I may not have died when I was put in this chair, but I came close to it. And I know something about team mates treating you differently when you go through a physical change like that.”

She looked away for a moment before continuing.

“I don’t know what kind of team you’re used to being on, but if you don’t mind me saying so, it seems to me you’ve had to go your own way alone way too much.”

She tilted her head to one side, returning the silver gaze.

“Very few people could have survived what you did. You are strong and you have overcome amazing odds. That is something to be proud of. You may have killed in the past, and you may do it again, but I can tell from talking to you that you are not a killer. We could use your help, yes, finding these psychos and taking them down, and with Dominique, if you so choose. That is your decision, and I won’t try and force you if you turn us down. But regardless, Silver Swan – Sharon – some day you are going to have got to forgive yourself for the things you couldn’t control.”

 

[Firebird]

The Parthenon-Conference room

Blaze, are you kidding me? Sally was hurt because a group of religious zealots wanted to make an example out of her, not because you didn't force her to stay inside. There were two other people there at the club with you and how could have we ever possibly known something like that was going to happen?...and it's just like Alison's visions...certain things come to pass no matter what we do. If they hadn't gotten Sally when they did they would have planned something different...so yes..being that controlling IS such a bad thing...if only because it will drive you crazy trying to change or protect things that the UNIVERSE has other plans for....

Vivica embraced Blaze in her arms as she watched her get emotional over the current situation. Vivica was always usually a more relaxed person. Even in times of high stress she managed to keep herself under control, coupled with her training at Clandestine she had learned more or less the importance of compartmentalizing things that weren't going to be of use towards the task at hand.

Now it was BLAZE'S turn to be brought back down to earth and grounded by words of wisdom. Blaze and Vivica were completely reversed in their roles in this conversation as opposed to one they'd had over a month ago regarding Vivica's disdain for Alycia and Ava. The events of tonight actually allowed Ava to see Vivica in a bold new light as well, although Blaze was rather PREOCCUPIED and didn't see that.

Well guess what, honey? We struck back JUST as hard.

That they did. Firebird destroyed two of the purifiers outright and CASS, she took another one down. They hurt Sally...but in the immediate short term? They paid for it dearly and as far as Blaze and Nicolas were concerned, they werent FINISHED paying.

Sally is alive and so are you...and we'll make sure to protect Cassie and Cameron TOO. You aren't lazy. You AREN'T in an apocalyptic timeline and acting like you are won't serve anybody. Sometimes...there are things you just CAN'T prepare for...that was one of them. If there are people who can throw even ALISON off guard, what do you think YOU are gonna do about it, sweetie?"

"Damn!"

Blaze said as she exhaled with slight astonishment.

"Now who's counseling who??"

She said as she looked over to Vivica with a smile on her face.

"You're right. I'm not even going to argue you and I know that if there was something I needed to here, you'd tell me. Friends speak the truth in love , not to use it as a weapon."

Her smile fades slightly as she keeps thinking about Cass. Vivica wasn't a telepath, but she read body language quite well. She seemed to know exactly what Blaze was thinking. She was WORRIED about Cass, what could be happening to her RIGHT NOW even...

"Cassie has got a fire about her...and Alison WILL stop their advantage...she's just that good. When it comes to Cameron? Well, that boy has probably the ULTIMATE pedigree when it comes to being captured and tortured. It's impossible not to worry, Blaze..but YOUR team needs you to be strong. I mean...I'm not even ON this team and just by looking around this room...it's clear that the UNITY isn't all the way there. So much pain and confusion...they need a woman like you. Somebody who cares and somebody who will get the job done. You and Cameron are the two most passionate people I know, and with Cameron sitting out...it's up to just you. You need to motivate them where Haleigh can't...keep them together..."

She kissed Blaze on the lips for a moment.

"And i'll be here to help you with whatever you need help with...."

Sighing

"If anyone ever doubts why you're necessary, why it was time for you to strengthen your connection to the Six, I think THIS more than prooves it beyond all doubt."

"Sally will survive and She's SAFE. She's at that private hospital and under the protection of Shadow Weaver, Arsenal and CI. THAT frees US up to do what we need to do."

"Cassie IS tough. She wiped out one of those goons tonight too."

"I even told her back during my celebration weekend that she was tougher, more resilient than she gave herself credit for. *I* need to remember that and hold to it. We WILL get to her and rescue her."

Thinking about Cameron, Vivica touched on something Cameron and Blaze had discussed several months ago. They'd talked about the differences between their respective counterparts and each other. How things unfolded Blaze's timeline and how they unfolded here. As it turns out, those two WERE the heart of the Six. They were...ARE the passion.

"Cameron's tough too...and a survivor. He's NOT some damsel in distress. Even IF we can't stop him from being taken, we'll get him back...and we'll PILE ON those Purifiers and make em regret the day they crossed us."

Nicolas stood and walked over to the pair, placing a hand behind each of them as he hugged them.

Blaze, stop beating yourself up. Sally is an adult and she has retrieved her own car countless times. This was a well-executed hit by a group that was prepared to hit us in a way that would be successful in part due to some sort of precognitive help. You did what you could when you had the chance. And you-

Looking at Vivica.

You did incredibly well. I thank you for saving Sally. I only hope that you can still look at me the same as I go about the business of avenging her and Cassandra.

His tone was quiet and even. But his eyes burned ominously.

Blaze took hold of Nicolas' hands even as he stood behind her and Vivica and held it to her face, tilting her head slightly as she rested his palm on her cheek. She sent him a thought call, directly responding to his last statement about avenging Sally and Cass.

You WON'T be the ONLY one doing that, I guarantee THAT!

When Blaze first met "mainstream" Nicolas in HER timeline, he immediately recognized HER for being the more powerful (and glamorous ) counterpart to Foxfire, but he also noted her status as a brawler in a real rough house situation. HE was that too and then some. She had a feeling they were gonna need to all the heavy hitting power they could muster in this caper. She also knew he cared deeply for Sally. ALL of them did, but Blaze and Nicolas were the closest to Sally after Morgan. Viv and Nic were right, nothing Blaze could have done would have altered what was coming. The Purifiers attacked Sally to make an example of her and to hurt The Six. Well...now it was time to pay them BACK.

Vivica smiled.

"That's what I was trying to tell her Nicki..."

and then he spoke of her. She blushed a little bit.

"Thank You for your words...but really...it was Ava that gave me the diversion I needed to take action. Without her, things MIGHT not have turned out the same. And don't worry Nicolas...Sometimes...when FAMILY is on the line...the only choice you HAVE...is to get UGLY. On MY end at least? Next time...I won't leave a bitch unconscious...I'll leave her drooling and pissing herself for the rest of her life!"

She looked at Blaze when she said this. She could tell that Blaze seemed almost ASHAMED of what she did to The Purifier, when in reality...she acted quickly and had she NOT dispatched of the one she did..they might have ALL died...Vivica might not have had time to assist Sally..and what's done is done. Vivica knew Blaze's true nature.

"So...what's next...where do we go from here?"

Blaze noticed Ava not too far away at this point. She and Cameron had just returned and now Alison was talking to Haleigh. Cameron was nearby. Delilah kept her distance from everyone. That was her choice and it was for the best, as far as Blaze was concerned. She hated them and there was nothing they could do about it. It wasn't right...not just her hating them or them being completely unable to do anything about it...it was the WHOLE THING surrounding her distancing from The Six. She was as much apart of the core as anyone else! For her to be so detached...it was chilling to say the least, but again...what could any of them do? All Delilah saw Blaze as was "Morgan Jr." at this point and Blaze, despite Cameron's powerful defense of her months earlier during their talk, was not entirely convinced that she ever TRULY knew Delilah either.

"Ava, Cameron?"

She beckoned the goddess and the telepath over to them.

"I just wanted to thank you again for helping me...US."

"You know me...apparently I'm prone to meltdowns ACROSS the timestream..."

Blaze said with a laugh, even though SHE was generally more composed and emotionally intelligent than Foxfire, she was still passionate, FEELING person.

"But I've had some great help here [ Vivica and Nicolas] getting myself back together. They hit us where it hurt...and now we're gonna hit them BACK."


She looked into Cameron's eyes. He had something on his mind for sure.

"Things ARE different here, Cameron. You told me about this group and I see that now. I promise you, whatever happens...we've got YOU covered...one way or the other!"

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon - Executive Board Room

"As far as I know, Bianca is laying low. And if Bishop isn't being a good boy after what happened recently? I'll beat his ass. I'll request an update on them both, but I don't think either of them is involved."

Beat his ass? Delilah would KILL his ass. That would be something…after Cameron was safe of course. She could hunt him down and make it last…wipe that eternal smirk off his face as she incinerated his body parts one by one…

"Come on, let's be logical. Diana wouldn't be caught DEAD with a group like the Purifiers. They're fucking tacky, and besides: if Diana wants to come after us? She'll come after us HERSELF, she wouldn't hide behind some religious nutbags. She'd want us to KNOW that it's HER. That little 'visit' she paid us today? Purely for the entertainment of it. She knew we were in town and thought a little mindfucking would be more fun than masturbating, so she made a scene..... or rather, she got YOU to make a scene."

“Huh, I didn’t think you were paying attention to that.”

You know, because neither you nor Cameron did shit, just sat there leaving me to stand up to Malice alone…

“Still, she wouldn’t want to come at us publically…she’d get someone else to do it for her just like today. And if Cameron’s a target…”

She let her voice trail off. Haleigh was clearly convinced it couldn’t be Malice. A little TOO convinced. Delilah’s eyes followed her as she left the room with Alison. The Malice thing was definitely weird, especially coupled with how she’d been at lunch.

“Seriously, I could have just left the room and then she could talk to you all at once. We’re wasting time.”

There was nothing to do but sit there and wait for Haleigh to come back. At least Vivica the human VCR tried to get down to business.

"So...what's next...where do we go from here?"

She turned her head and looked Cameron in the eyes.

“Well, I hate to say this, but Cam, we know they’re coming for you. If you’re going to try that mind link thing with Ruby, you should probably do it now. We might not have another chance.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Parthenon

Alison assured Haleigh that Delilah would not be knocking on death's door after leaving, and Haleigh's relief was palpable.

Alison: DELILAH has been on this course for several months. I observed it even when you and I first confronted each other on Aerie back then. She's doing what she's meant to do. She is not in mortal physical danger, BUT if you devote too much time and attention to trying to KEEP HER with the group, you will experience, FIRST HAND, the depths of her contempt, just as Morgan and Myself have, along with Blaze, Nicolas and most recently Cameron, to a lesser extent.

"Well you may be right, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to give up on her. She wouldn't give up on me. She'll get the best I can offer until she's gone, and no less."

Alison: Truth be told, Haleigh, it's LITERALLY only a matter of TIME before she [emotionally] turns on you. I KNOW you don't fear that from her. NEITHER DID WE.

"I'll deal with that when it comes. Right NOW, I've got to focus on the problems at hand. I can't be bothered by emotional obstacles I'm going to face later."

Alison: But despite her deviation, it is NOT a betrayal. She will still be involved and she will still have a key role to play in the final confrontation. You will have PLENTY of decisions and choices to make. The tasteless and undesireable choice of "who to save" will NOT be one of them, as long as you let Delilah go when she is meant to.

"That's good to know. It'll make it more bearable when the time comes."

She sighed deeply, and ran her hands through her hair, trying to put her thoughts together.

"Okay, I should get back in there. Do what you need to on your end..... I'll take care of mine."

She headed back into the conference room, keeping her expression as neutral as possible as she glanced at her sister, then Cameron, certain that they were all on the same grim page. Her gaze fell on Delilah. It was difficult accepting that she was going to leave. It was difficult accepting that Cameron was going to be taken. Hell, it was difficult accepting that Cass was ALREADY GONE.

I'm going to get them all back. WHATEVER it takes, I'll get them ALL BACK.

She traded eye contact with Nicolas and Cameron.

"Have we gotten in touch with CJ yet? We need to let her know we're coming for her. She's been held in captivity before...... but that experience doesn't help very much when you're being tortured. She'll be marginally more equipped than most to handle whatever pain they're inflicting..... but the weird religious shit will make anyone lose their grip."

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zizi: Well surely someone would have noticed if a terrorist group was hiding out in an abandoned cathedral in New York City?

"You'd be surprised. Most people only look up from their coffee and newspaper when there's a car crash, some don't even do that. The situational awareness of civilians is appalling."

Sharon: One thing I will say about Dominique is that follows her own code and instincts, which OFTEN have set her APART from the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle. But they too view her as a POWERFUL ally. Even IF you are able to gain an audience with her, I don't know how you could possibly persuade her to leave the Inner Circle...or that they'd even let her go...without a fight.

Zizi: IF she’s on the right side of this.

"We don't have to draw any lines.... just because she's working in concert with US, doesn't mean she has to abandon what she has with Hellfire. I don't really care about her other affiliations, as long as we're ALL trying to stop these animals from hurting any more supers."

Sharon began recounting her resurrection, and Zach simply sat quietly, inspecting a strawberry before munching on it. He remembered it all too well, but from a different perspective; that of a man watching his carefully constructed life be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Hurricanes took longer and did less damage than the Silver Swan upon resurrection.

But like he'd told her, it was all water under the bridge. He was done being upset about it. He and Sharon had enjoyed a great friendship prior to that, he KNEW what she was like, he knew her behavior in the beginning had been out of character for her.

Sharon: In the end, though I did beat her in combat, I did not succeed in killing her.

Zach smirked, pretty sure that Haleigh herself would recall that quite differently. He didn't care to argue, though, so he said nothing, just enjoyed the humor on his own.

Sharon: Those Purifiers in the park. They spoke as though THEY had been there and survived, but that isn't possible. Two of them would have been TEENAGERS at the time and there were NO teens or adolescents in the building that day.

"Perhaps they know someone who was there, or they were on the streets that day when the fight spilled out of the cathedral."

Zizi: There has to be something about it that’s important. I’ll call Ashley and have her pull the police records on those in the cathedral that day.

Sharon: I am well aware that I have been regarded as a "mass murderer" by those who ARE aware of me.

"Well..... the event WOULD actually fit the criteria for a mass murder classification."

He said, matter-of-factly, then he realized that it was another thing he probably should have kept to himself, like Haleigh's version of the event, or even his own. It wasn't exactly helping. He didn't ALWAYS say the right thing. Every now and then he stepped on his dick.

Sharon stood, offering to leave, and the emotion in the room swelled a little. Zizi was quite adept at dealing with people, however, and she said exactly what was needed. Zach let their connection grow organically, and allowed their mild emotions to run their course. He knew when to be helpful and when to trust people to help themselves, and he knew enough about both Sharon AND Zizi to know they were doing just fine.

 

[Rampage]

She traded eye contact with Nicolas and Cameron.

"Have we gotten in touch with CJ yet? We need to let her know we're coming for her. She's been held in captivity before...... but that experience doesn't help very much when you're being tortured. She'll be marginally more equipped than most to handle whatever pain they're inflicting..... but the weird religious shit will make anyone lose their grip."

Nicolas eyed Haleigh and then Cameron. There were lots of secrets here, but Alison did what she did for a reason. He placed a hand on Cam's shoulder.

Best that YOU try...I can use my power to bolster yours. Maybe we even get a location and we can end this early.

Nicolas' eyes began to seep psionic energy as he fed some of his strength into Cameron...

 

[Seer]

<< The events from the day had taken a great toll on The Six. The Purifiers had proved to them that they were not an upstart group of religious zealots but a well organized and lethal strike force hell bent on ridding the world of mutant kind..and now they were targetting members of The Six. >>

<< Cassandra had been taken. Sally Spectra had been brutally attacked and nearly killed and Blaze had lost herself in anger resulting in MURDER. Alison had delivered a brutal and harsh truth to the group that Cameron would be next on The Purifiers list and that his kidnap was not something that could be avoided. And with Cameron soon to be removed from the group and Blaze reeling from the fact that she had taken a human life, the "heart" of the team was down...and they were now in the capable hands of Haleigh Davidoff as the team leader who was herself going through a rough transition back into The Six after a long absence. >>

<< Ava had realized that all of the pain she had been keeping bottled up in side could soon prove to be fatal as the lives of countless CHILDREN hung in the balance. Would she be able to rise to the occassion and face her demons...or would her own personal suffering render her incapable of acting in time? >>

<< Nicolas had been missing Morgan incredibly and coupled with what his aunt Dominique had told him earlier in the day, he was worried. Something that didn't happen to the demigod often. He was also in the sensitive situation about how much to reveal about his Aunt to the group. Would his silence about Dominique's involvement in the murders of Purifiers put him at odds with the group? >>

<< Finding herself in a similar situation, Vivica Lennox was also sitting on information about The Purifiers that she had yet to reveal on top of her discreet affiliation with Clandestine Intelligence. Regardless of her motives for withholding what she knew about The Purifiers and her involvement with Oracle and Zach, she had more than proved her worth tonight using a mixture of quick thinking and smart moves which was bound to turn MORE than a few heads (as much as those heads might CRINGE at the thought of being turned). Now, she was acting as a buffer and SUPPORT system for Blaze as the fire elemental was dealing with some uncomfortable emotions about her actions and the incredible guilt she felt over the attack and assault of Sally. >>

<< Delilah was finding herself increasingly annoyed by her teammates and it was becoming hard for her to be in the room with more than a few of them. Still, despite her outlandish and uncharacteristic behavior, she remained with the group, and although she was remaining relatively calm, it was clear that her relationship with Cameron was keeping her there. She was truly concerned about him and thanks to the warning from Alison it would become clear that if Delilah felt the need to break OFF from the team in order to be the "Justicer" of the situation, she would do as she saw fit. >>

<< As The Six began to find their way to navigate through this upcoming ordeal, it was now clear that there were "others" in the city of New York on the job as well. Others who seemed to KNOW more than the "Super Team" and were closer to bringing it all together. Oracle or "Zizi" had shown her incredible technological savvy as she wielded her title of "Information Broker" with great effectiveness, working in tandem with associate of The Six VIVICA in trying to figure out just what Dominique's involvement with The Purifiers meant. Another suprising development was the revelation that in addition to Vivica, Oracle and Valkyrie had another ally in Zachary Armani who was now bringing Silver Swan to The Clocktower in order to broker a deal for them to work together in this cause. For as usually on the Pulse as The Six WAS, they didn't seem to realize an entire group of people operating right under their noses with an effectiveness and awareness that they didn't have. >>

<< The Six ALSO failed to realize that Dominique Devereaux was about make a BIG statement about her feelings towards The Purifiers as she along with her Black Knight Richard Martin were about to EXECUTE State Senator WILLIAM STRYKER...an important member to The Hellfire Club leaving her open to GREAT strife at the hands of Diana and Helena, the other members of The Sisterhood. Was Dominique going rogue, and if so...what did that mean for the truce between The Six and The Sisterhood? >>

<< And So...We Watch. >>