Firebird's dilemma

[Firebird]

Melrose Place-courtyard

Blaze was adept at handling many kind of vehicles with some flare! Another benefit of the training she received during her dark days as a black ops agent before joining Valiant in her own timeline. Nicolas’ “baby” like an apple just waiting to be picked and enjoyed! If he thought she’d be meek or subtle with it, he certainly got a surprise as she drove with wild abandon rivaling that of a ride at an amusement park.
Nicolas wasn’t faint of heart though. He held on and she, if only for a brief moment, enjoyed herself!


“Sometimes driving IS better than flying! WOOHOO!”

She says as she tears around the corner and is now on the last part of the home stretch to Melrose Place. Zooming down the street and into a parking spot, she stops the car and looks at Nicolas with an exhilarated expression on her face and a sparkle of delight in her apple green eyes.

“Oh Nic, what FUN! Did you see the looks on those people’s faces!?”

As they exited the vehicle…

“In my timeline, Haleigh used to take us for wild rides. She always said there was something about DRIVING that couldn’t be replaced by flying, “blinking” or teleporting. It’s been a while since I’ve handled a vehicle, especially one as sleek as this!”

For a moment, she ALMOST forgot what had been weighing on her heart for the last few weeks.

“Maybe I should get myself a “toy”.


Eyeing Nicolas as she catches him smirking and stifling a laugh.

"Not THAT kind of toy, you lech!”


"Nasty! I think you need a time out!"

She playfull hip bumps him as they walk together through the gates of Melrose Place, passing through the entrance way into the courtyard.


“I’m going up to Morgan’s to take care of the kitten and freshen up real fast and then we’ll…”


Blaze stops in her tracks and in a move similar to one Morgan would often do, she instinctively extends her right arm out to the side and slightly back, gesturing/halting Nicolas’ movement as well. They both see the pool in the courtyard, filled with clothes. After studying the odd sight for a few moments, she noticed a blue jacket, it was part of an ensemble, one that Morgan had given to DELILAH. These were Delilah’s clothes!


“….”


“Wow."

Looking over at Nicolas.

“I mean…there have GOT to be a better ways to make room for a new wardrobe! and now...where is anyone supposed to have a catfight?”


She smirks as she reminds her own catfight in this very pool with one of the Zacchara Sisters, & no doubt the many other catfights that occurred among the PREVIOUS residents of this "Place" Sometimes Blaze’s sarcasm and jokes were reflexive, like a defense mechanism or coping strategy. But she knew there was more to what they were looking at and it brought HER back down to earth, so to speak. The issues that were troubling her, depressing her…THIS was a reminder of what a large part of that was.

Shutting her eyes for a few moments, she swallowed hard. It was time to seek Delilah out. The fire elemental was not afraid and was not known for shying away from confrontation. She believed in following her heart and thought it was heavy with sadness…she still knew that THIS could not be delayed any longer.

“Nicolas…do me a favor?"


Handing him the keys to Morgan’s apartment, which sat at the top of the spiral staircase across the courtyard

“Please go take care of the kitty. I need to speak with Delilah.”


Nicolas hesitated and started to object, maybe he even thought HE should be involved but Blaze shook her head to the negative.


“No. It’s time Delilah and I had a talk. But it has to be just us. Please understand.”


The images and memories of Delilah from HER timeline, the recent memories of the aftermath of the Blue Moon, the destruction of a family dynamic and the departure of Morgan…these things were now all swirling around in her mind’s eye.

“Just…hang out a little bit for me, okay? We’ll connect very soon. But I have to do this now.”


She squeezed Nicolas’ hand and turned on her high heel to look toward the door of Apartment 1. As Nicolas went to Morgan’s apartment, Blaze went to Delilah’s. She paused for a moment, adjusting her tailored red blazer and smoothing her black short skirt before rolling her shoulders back and finally…knocking firmly on Delilah’s door and then waiting.

 

[Harbinger]

Meanwhile- Minerva's Aerie

:: As time passed on THEIR side of the world, Ava and Alison were now quite tipsy and enjoying themselves. Their conversation was bold, uninhibited and at times hilarious as the goddess and the witch laughed, drank, laughed…and drank::

:: By now, Alison had decided to pull her blue/black hair back into a bun. On several earlier occasions, while laughing loudly, some of her hair had gotten into her mouth due to the breezy air and of course as she sputtered a bit, Ava poked fun at her so she decided to remedy that little problem.::

:: Now then…::


Gawd…


::Alison noisily clinks the neck of the bottle of hemlock on the rim of her flute as she fills it up yet again::

Remind me again why I’m here!?
Oh waitwaitaminute that’s right…


::Holding up her hand in a “1 minute” gesture as she tilts her head back and takes a long drink::

To safeguard the wretched…pinhead POMPOUS!


:: she leans back in her oversized chair, stretching for a moment::

I mean…how DARE I? Right?


How DARE I help someone when they can’t help themselves!


:: Of course Ava knew what she was referring to…::

NEXT TIME…I’m just going to withhold any knowledge I have from my…..my precognition….and I’m gonna just let shit happen because apparently…that’s how you show you care! By LETTING someone die!


:: Waving her hand dismissively, Alison scoffs loudly::

You know…the reason why you and I…or Haleigh and I BEFORE you…started off the same way…

:: Another drink::

Despising each other…then forming a deep friendship, is because we’re cut from the same clothhh.

We know how bad things can get if we do nothing…and we know that sometimes making hard choices and taking extreme action is what’s necessary and we DO IT. And it's just like Madonna said: "Sometimes...you have to be a BITCH to get things done!"

well according to little miss lightengale, I'm all kinds of bitches, right?

:: Bowing her head and leaning forward as she laughs::

All this…


::Contorting her face in an expression of disgust as she sits up and forward a bit::

“Moral code” crap….what ARE morals anyway!? Made by a bunch of pretentious, lofty hypocrites


::She says as she waves her index finger, scolding no one in particular::

and upheld by people like HER. JUDGEMENTAL!?
Well…I don’t care what she thinks! Ungrateful WENCH!


It’s just ironic…ISN’T IT…that I didn’t “SEE” how she REALLY thought of ME…and Morgan…

:: Sighing loudly as she sinks back into her chair::

Oh dear…

:: She looks at the bottle::

Ava…we have a problem here!

:: tapping the bottle with her blue painted finger nail::

There seems to be a….a HOLE in this bottle! The hemlock is nearly gone!

:: sitting up again::

Welllll Cameron is going to have to explain himself on THIS!

I do not expect my baby brother to bring me a bottle of hemlock with a HOLE in it!

::Standing up and grabbing her flute and the bottle with one last drink of hemlock left in it::

Come along, Ava!

:: and with that, a swirl of blue/black orbs forms around herself and Ava as she TELEBLINKS them across the island, right into the midst of Cameron, Alycia and Michael::

JUST A MINUTE!

:: She loudly interrupts them::

Cameron King! I’m gonna whoop your butt!

:: Looking deadly serious at him with her colbalt blue eyes before finally holding up the bottle::

There’s a HOLE in this bottle!? It’s nearly empty and so is my flute!

 

[Ruby]

Melrose Place - Apt. 6

:: Cass invited them in and made tea for all of them. Sitting the mugs down on a tray as well as the milk and sugar, with some biscotti on the side, she carried them into the living area, setting it down on the coffee table. She then chose a chair to the right of the couch. ::

Here goes...

"I realize I am new at all of this, and I still have so much to learn, but, and I hope I say this the right way, how do you guys do all of this? I mean, how do you guys balance professional lives, as well of private lives, with the Six duties?"

:: The lovely succubus sighed. ::

"I don't know HOW to do this. I feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions with regards to both After-Dark and the Six, and I don't know what to do. I certainly don't want to CHOOSE one over the other..."

:: She took a mug of tea but just held it in her hands. ::

"I don't know, I guess I just feel like I'm neglecting After-Dark since I've been gone for a bit what with my training in New York and my training here as well as the whole situation with Circe... How do you do this? How do you balance things out?"

:: She looked away for a bit, feeling shy, and bit her lip. It felt good to talk this out with people she trusted. And, in this group, both Karen and Sharon were the only two people she trusted. She had trust issues she was still dealing with. Everybody she had ever trusted seemed to be gone from her life: her family, her surrogate mother, Maria Mościcki, her ex boyfriend...it was just too much. But she trusted the two women sitting in her living room. And even though Sharon told her time and time again that the rest of the Six would stand with her, she couldn't bring herself to welcome more people into her inner circle... ::

*quietly*: "I'm not sure I can do this..."

 

[Artemis]

Minerva's Aerie- North end

Upon taking her first drink, both Mike and Alycia cheered.

"Yay! There we go!! Come let's sit down for a spell..."

Cameron motioned them over to sit down on some plush patio furniture that was in the distance for people to sit down and observe training as well as relax and take in the scenery of the beautiful island.

"Ahhhh"

::Alycia seats herself opposite Michael and Cameron, taking a moment to let the breezy ocean air wash over her as she runs her hands through her raven locks and shuts her eyes::

The view, the FEEL here is almost as spectacular as that on Themyscira.

There is something to be said for living a life that puts you in contact with goddesses!
“A life without adventure…is not a life worth living.”
::Another phrase that Alycia had become known for since first uttering it the night Malice, Enchantra and Blackout stormed Illustra::

As Cameron had the bottle he took another swig as he sat it down on the glass patio table in front of him.

"I have to say..this feels good. I've been so busy in the city, this is the first chance I've had to stop and just relax..."

Cocking his head to the side though...

"Which reminds me...When are you guys coming to visit? You know I just spent a ton of money rennovating the upper floors of the Parthenon. There is Penthouse Luxury Suites specifically designed for each of you...well...FOR ALL of you!"

Hmm…

::It was appealing, TEMPTING even. To return to New York City. Not since the fall of Illustra had she been back and despite what the Six had been deceived into believing during the Viper caper, SHE was not present. A life model decoy, activated by Viper as a psychological ploy, had been sent to assume her role. Thankfully for ALL of them, the truth was revealed.::

[Turning to Alycia]

"Yours...is almost complete...if you visit TOO soon, you might, I don't know...have to stay with a friend..."

Cameron, I am many things…NAIVE and unaware is not one of them. I know about you and DOMINIQUE.
::Smiling at him with a knowing glint in her hazel eyes::

Still…I’m CONSIDERING your offer of hospitality and remember, You have a date with me in DOME. You haven’t LIVED until you’ve traveled in THAT. I wanted Haleigh to see it…but since she’s away on sabbatical, that will have to wait.

[Handing the bottle back to Mike]

"Come on now! Drink up, friends! How often to we get a "break" in the storm! We have to celebrate when we have the chance! Look around. This place is beautiful, the accommodations are to DIE for...it's about time we USE this place like we should...Plus.. I think my Sister needs some light and laughter! Yes...I did play the 'my sister is sad' card..."

Mmmmhmmm

::She couldn’t argue with that. On her first real return to the Six, she deftly assisted in holding back Circe’s forces and protecting fallen team mates. But the victory over the Blue Moon and Circe seemed HOLLOW in the aftermath as the true cost revealed itself in the form of Delilah being unable to be with her daughter lest she be drained of all her energy and die! Maxim and Alison did the only thing that COULD be done, and they paid a heavy price. In the weeks that past, things had been relatively calm…but the cold void from the rift that had formed between Delilah, Morgan and Alison was felt by all. The team, the FAMILY needed to find warmth, comfort and some form of fun amongst themelves where they could. ::
Alison has been very kind and hospitable and I must say…Having had a chance to see this place in the light of day, without monsters, dark magick or other deadly threats raining down, it is a truly spectacular place. I understand that it appears exactly the same in every manifestation of earth across time and space, like it’s original owner, Barbara Minerva.Who’s psionic ghost/astral echo still remained /haunted this place.::


:: What Alycia loved most is that for the first time in a LONG time…she had nothing BUT time in front of her. She could go anywhere she wanted…BE whoever she wanted! She wasn’t bound by any of the things that had once driven/defined her before the Six was outed, BUT those things would always be apart of her. Seeing Cameron NOW was part of that. He looked so different…a definite, YUMMY improvement and his passion for life matched his now stronger mana.::

:erhaps she WOULD take him up on his offer to reside at the Parthenon…and other things ::

:: Taking the bottle from Mike as he handed it off to her again, ALISON and Ava suddenly teleblink into view. Alycia’s hazel eyes widen as she is in mid gulp::

…ALISON!

:: The precog looked to be in rare form. Alycia couldn’t help but be amused! She hadn’t seen Alison in an altered state since that night on Haleigh’s yacht, but in THAT instance, it was due to a chemical agent that Mystech had released on to the ship. NOW it was due to her obviously enjoying a bottle of Hemlock. One that was nearly empty.::

Uh ohhh….

:: She looked at Cameron::

Did you bring THE HARBINGER a bottle with a HOLE in it?

Wait…

:: Placing her hand on her forehead and holding her other hand out::

I’m getting a premonition!

I see….Alison beating your butt!

:: She laughs as Alison and Ava join them, with Alison bumping Cameron to the side as she seats herself between him and Michael::

MAKE WAY, Boys! After all, I OWN the place!

:: Alycia snaps her finger in a “co-sign”. She looks upon Ava as she seats herself. The two women exchange direct eye contact and lightly regard each other. It’s calm, civil…but hardly the warm, in depth response that others among the team would have.::

Ava.

::Nodding to the goddess::

 

[MorningStar]

Melrose Place, Apartment #1

Delilah was in the kitchen, making herself a drink, still in her robe, when there was a knock at the door.

Grand Central Station in here today.

A minute to herself was clearly too much to ask.

Without stopping what she was doing, she called out.

"Enter!"

Who was it going to be THIS time?

 

[Rampage]

Devil in a miniskirt. THAT is what she was.

The Bugatti Veyron is the finest street-legal performance machine ever created and Blaze was driving this particular one like a Philistine. A practiced and gorgeous Philistine, but crazed and reckless nonetheless. It was fan-TAS-tic!!

Nicolas held on and laughed as Blaze went nuts driving to Melrose Place. she hopped out and noticeably kept the keys as she led the way inside.

“Maybe I should get myself a “toy”.

Nicolas could not HELP but giggle a little. He was still a young guy and that statement was taken the wrong way immediately. He began to make the telltale BUZZING sound when she interrupted him.

"Not THAT kind of toy, you lech! Nasty! I think you need a time out!"

She gave him a hip check as they entered the courtyard. Blaze suddenly stopped, her hand protectively reaching out and restraining Nicolas in the same way that Morgan had done so often. He was about to reach out for his axe when he saw that the reason, while physically benign, was symbolically quite negative.

Clothes. Lots of them. Many of them signature clothing that he remembered seeing Delilah in when she hung out with Morgan. They filled the pool and many had begun to sink, the chlorine ruining them already.

“Wow."

Looking over at Nicolas.

“I mean…there have GOT to be a better ways to make room for a new wardrobe! and now...where is anyone supposed to have a catfight?”

No way I lose this venue.

Nicolas 'ported the clothing out of the pool, depositing in in the dumpster.

Easy enough cleanup, but I will order more water and additional cleaning for the pool.

He saw that this had ruined Blaze's mood, and she was still transfixed on the pool even with it now empty of the clothing. He was searching for something to say when she turned to him.

“Nicolas…do me a favor?"

Handing him the keys to Morgan’s apartment, which sat at the top of the spiral staircase across the courtyard

“Please go take care of the kitty. I need to speak with Delilah.”

Nicolas had his own way to get in but he did not argue and took the keys. But he had no plans of having her go it alone with Delilah.

Are you sure this is the right time Red? She seems upset today in particular. At least let me accompany you-

“No. It’s time Delilah and I had a talk. But it has to be just us. Please understand.”
[\QUOTE]

Nicolas' could easily 'see' her memories, vivid ones, of the other timeline and the falling out there. It became clearer that Blaze was very much worried about that in this timeline, perhaps even a tinge of regret for coming here at all. The fact that these images were clearly in her mind, unguarded, signaled the importance of them. Her concerns were becoming hard to hide. He REALLY did not want her to be further upset by an encounter with Delilah was likely to be volatile. He was still hesitant...BUT she was a big girl so he had to trust her.

“Just…hang out a little bit for me, okay? We’ll connect very soon. But I have to do this now.”

Nic sighed heavily.

Very well. It HAS been a bit since I have seen kitty. Be careful Red.

Nicolas went to Morgan's apartment, deciding that he would not use the key. He 'ported inside and called out, picking up a small rubber ball as he did.

Who wants a toy? Who wants a treat?!

A tiny white face peeked out from behind the couch in the living room. As Nicolas knelt and held out the ball the kitten rushed it, tackling it and rolling around. As the cat played Nicolas stepped into the kitchen quickly and found some milk and cold blue tarpon filet. He chunked about 2 ounces and poured a small bowl of milk. Bringing them both back he placed them by the playing kitty who, after a sniff, began to eat.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Melrose Place- Cass' apartment

<< Karen quietly surveyed the décor of Cass’ apartment. Interesting little touches everywhere. It was also a sign that Cass was slowly starting to open up and consider herself more apart of this group. Karen sat across from Cass, on the other side of the coffee table, crossing her legs at the knee. >>

"I realize I am new at all of this, and I still have so much to learn, but, and I hope I say this the right way, how do you guys do all of this? I mean, how do you guys balance professional lives, as well of private lives, with the Six duties?"

:: The lovely succubus sighed. ::

"I don't know HOW to do this. I feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions with regards to both After-Dark and the Six, and I don't know what to do. I certainly don't want to CHOOSE one over the other..."

:: She took a mug of tea but just held it in her hands. ::

"I don't know, I guess I just feel like I'm neglecting After-Dark since I've been gone for a bit what with my training in New York and my training here as well as the whole situation with Circe... How do you do this? How do you balance things out?"

:: She looked away for a bit, feeling shy, and bit her lip. It felt good to talk this out with people she trusted. And, in this group, both Karen and Sharon were the only two people she trusted. She had trust issues she was still dealing with. Everybody she had ever trusted seemed to be gone from her life: her family, her surrogate mother, Maria Mościcki, her ex boyfriend...it was just too much. But she trusted the two women sitting in her living room. And even though Sharon told her time and time again that the rest of the Six would stand with her, she couldn't bring herself to welcome more people into her inner circle... ::

*quietly*: "I'm not sure I can do this..."

<< Karen waited a few moments, then spoke.>>

Cass, the very fact that you have these questions shows that you’re making progress. You’ve realized that your life, once again, has changed and that there IS a need for you to adjust. You’re doing yourself a FAVOR by accepting that fact and searching yourself for ways to do it.

That’s a sign of healthy, forward thinking attitude and for someone of you…longevity

<<referencing the fact that Cass was nearly immortal, having existed for 8 decades now. Technically she was “OLDER” than even Karen or Sharon although she presented as a young woman in her early-mid 20s>>

Being aware…being FLEXIBLE to change is a good thing! It could be very easy for you to have just become “Set in your ways” and that would do you no good.

You have to come to the understanding, the ACCEPTANCE that your life IS tied to the Six and vice versa. The Six needs EACH AND EVERY active and reserve member to know…to be committed because WE are all that the world has. Vast…terrible powers threaten this world. It is OUR lot to stand against them.

You should understand that ALL of the Six and their reserves have the same basic lot in life as you. Each one had a life that he or she was living, a set of goals, issues, desires…all the usual compliments of a “full life”.

ADD to that, the unique gift of being born a mutant or metahuman and finding yourself pulled in a direction you never knew existed because you are destined for something more…something special…IMPORTANT.


It’s an immense thing to ponder and you’re not the first to do so.


We’ve ALL held fast to the idea…

<<exchanging a look with Sharon before laughing a bit>>

The ILLUSION that we have complete control over our lives and destiny. People like US

<< gesturing among the three of them>>

Can…and WILL learn that it’s quite the contrary.

Sharon and I both sit before you as examples of women who had full, structured lives, managing to “balance” them with the EXTRAORDINARY circumstances, emerging demands and necessities that came with being apart of or even associated with the Six.

Each of us has come to know that the best thing we can do…is go forward with our eyes open. We work hard to make sure our own personal lives are as fulfilling, satisfying and secure as we can because THAT is what gives us the strength to carry on in this greater calling of the Six. We save the world, if for no other reason, because WE want to enjoy it! It's OUR world too!


It may sound a bit…selfish..but despite our powers and abilities…ALL of us are, as Alycia would often say “only human.”

There is no formula, Cass. You just have to understand…and ACCEPT and YOU have to stop being so standoffish, because it’s only going to make it harder for you. Alison, Morgan…ALL of them have had to learn, and so will you.


Sharon and I are not on the front line and will not always be here. Your PEERS are the ones you need to establish ties with and even if you and Morgan aren’t on the best terms, that’s okay. Start with those who you DO have an open door with and go from there.

As for “After-Dark”? I’m sure that Morgan, Alison, Nicolas or Cameron, among others in the group, could tell you…since they ALL have careers and oversee large operations, that while the business endeavors are important…they cannot supercede your calling or your duty to the Six.

You have intimate and first hand experience of seeing the weak being exploited, persecuted and destroyed, with no one standing up to protect them. Mystech carried on that tradition and the Six used their strength to protect the weak. You want to honor those who you lost in the Nazi death camps? You’ll do the same thing.

Take the time to set up a “management team” that can operate the club in your absence.

 

[Firebird]

Melrose Place apt 1

"Enter!"

Without hesitating, Blaze took hold of the door handle and opened the door, entering apartment 1. Shutting the door behind her,

“Hello Delilah.”

Knowing the woman would know who was in her apartment as soon as she heard her voice, Blaze made her way further in. How many times had she visited here before for movie nights, talking, laughing…Delilah was one of the family, HER family and they were especially close in HER timeline…but this situation was a cold reminder that THIS was NOT her timeline. Still, Blaze was not one to give up on anything or anyone.
But was she being real with herself anymore? She was increasingly on the verge of giving up and fleeing this timeline all together now with things going the way they were and nobody seeing just how WRONG this all was. That and another deep, personal issue that had become more of a problem for her in the passing months, one that she still had yet to vocalize to anyone.

“Were the washers in the laundry room broken?”

::referring to Delilah’s clothes in the pool as she looked upon Delilah, surveying the woman with her apple green eyes. The light was there…but it was not the way it was.::

“Karen called me earlier and told me you were coming HOME. I wanted to see you, welcome you back.”

 

[MorningStar]

Melrose Place, Apartment #1

She heard Blaze’s voice as she came through the door.

“Were the washers in the laundry room broken?”

Delilah took a long drink. She was about done with everyone being on her case. She came out of the kitchen.

“I just thought it was time for a change. I would be happy to pay for any extra pool cleaning my impulsiveness caused.”

“Karen called me earlier and told me you were coming HOME. I wanted to see you, welcome you back.”

“Thank you. Can I offer you a drink?”

 

[Silver Swan]

Melrose Place- Cass' apartment

[ Sharon was seated next to Karen.]

[ She largely remained silent as Cass and Karen talked, instead watching Cass and taking note of her overall presentation and listening to her body rhythms. She was improving, become more open, integrated. She would go a long way in AVOIDING the prolonged, NEGATIVE adjustment reaction that Silver Swan had as she struggled to adjust to a new life as a mutate. But there was still much to be done.]

[As Karen both encouraged and advised her, Sharon added to it]

Cass, There’s another side to ALL of this as well.


[Looking at Karen for a moment]

One that I believe you know deep down inside, considering your own past.
It will only take one thing…one moment to obliterate EVERYTHING you have built up in your life. It can happen in the passing of SECONDS.


<<FLASH!>>

<< New York City, several years earlier. The night when Senator Sharon Kelly won her bid for re-election! It was was supposed to be a joyous evening. She and Alycia were on their way to the Rainbow Room to celebrate, with members of the Six heading there as well. But in less than 10 minutes, EVERYTHING changed as MASTER MOLD invaded and ATTACKED.>>

::Sharon was screaming....and suddenly...the IMPACT. she had no way of knowing it was her friend Morgan who had been slammed into the limo...her eldritch concussive force detonating upon impact....but she had hit the FRONT end of the Limo...thankfully sparing Alycia and herself the WORST of the impact.::

:: seconds pass before Sharon stirs back to consciousness...shaking as she coughs hard and tries to sit up::


Oh...my god....


::the limo is twisted, crushed...there's smoke and shattered glass everywhere::

ohhh....my head...!

:: a cut across sharon's forehead as well as some bruised ribs tells her she didnt get off totally free of injuries....she slowly looks over to Alycia::

She's unconsious...ive got to pull us out of here!

::COUGH COUGH!!


ow!!


:: Sharon clumsily manages to get the back door OPEN!...she struggles...carefull not to snag Alycia on any of the jagged pieces of metal ....::

sorry Alycia...im not strong enough to carry you...

:: Sharon struggles as she drags Alycia away from the vehicle....as far as she can..which is a near by light post. it is very dark and there's the smell of fire and smoke in the air. a nearby fire hydrant has ruptured and water is gushing everywhere::


wha..whats HAPPENED...

:: she turns and sees a battered MORGAN laying on top of the front part of the Limo...which is completely crushed!! she's trapped in some kind of metal coil!! though sharon is shaken up and slightly injured...without fear she rushes back to the limo::


::Alycia begans to awaken:: ...uggnnnnnnn...what hit us...where are......oh no... ::she sits up..but she cant stand just yet. still too weak and dizzy. she weakly calls out to Sharon::

Alycia: Sharon....no! come back...wait for The Six to come help

us.....its ....too..dangerous....


:: she falls back into unconsciousness::

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

Sharon reaches Morgan...

Sharon: HOW did she get here...who DID this to her!? it must be MysTech.....they're going to try to destroy me on the night of the election...and Morgan came to help us!


:: she climbs up and begins to try to pry the metal coil loose...::

ARGHH!

MORGAN PLEASE WAKE UP!!!...I"M NOT STRONG ENOUGH!!


:: a large looming shadow begans to cast over them both::

<<FLASH!>>

<< Spellbinder SNAPS awake...seeing Sharon struggling to try to fry her...>>

Sharon!? what are you doing??

<<Spellbinder sits up...and immediately bends back the coils with her super strength....>>

what are you doing out here....I came to help....and...

<< Spellbinder herself was still groggy from the impact though her eldritch blast took the BRUNT of it...she just didnt have her bearings quite yet...as she tried to get totally free of the wreckage.>>

<< the shadow loomed over them and the sky was completely obscured by Master Mold>>

MASTER MOLD..thats why I'm here....Master Mold was about to attack!

Master Mold: >> two targets identified. Kelly, Sharon...human. Spellbinder, non mutant super powered. Both classified as extreme threat. final solution...termination...

Morgan: Sharon...get the hell out of here.....do you hear me?? I'll draw his fire... RUN FOR IT!!


<< Master Mold had locked on to both targets>>

Master Mold: >>Target, Kelly, Sharon is attempting to escape...Target, Spellbinder is holding position. use of lethal force is authorized...activating repulsor blast

Sharon: Morgan.....I....


<< a look of extreme fear comes over sharon as Morgan screams at her to RUN FOR HER LIFE. she heeds Morgan's command and attempts to flee. Master mold unleashes two MASSIVE BROAD BEAMED BLASTS from his eyes..the beams expand as the crash down and OBLITERATE the limo and the GROUND beneath it...the expanding shockwave from the blast as well as the blast radius field SLAMS into Sharon and she SCREAMS as she is blown forward and slammed down by blast....most of her clothing is burned off.>>

<< the limo is now a pile of melted slag inside a HUGE crater.....MORGAN is laying at the edge of the crater. her pentagram of protection having saved her....AGAIN...but now..she had NO strength. she couldnt get up...couldnt walk...and was trembling...barely conscious.>>


<< sharon was only steps from Alycia Barnett laying face down...blood from her mouth and nose...not moving...a car alarm was going off near by as small fires raged all around them.>>

Morgan: uhhhhh....i...failed......


Master Mold: >>Target, Spellbinder still functions. Energy levels and vital signs are extremely low. will not be able to survive another attack. locking on target with Destructor Beam....in 5, 4, 3, 2.......


Morgan: ...i think I'm .....done.


Master Mold: >> 1.......

I died in Alycia’s arms soon after…that SHOULD have been the end of my life…my journey, but MYSTECH, through it’s twisted synergy of science, magick and gleefull desire to violate nature, brought me back…as the Silver Swan.
But the thing to take away from that is…that night, I had just won my bid for reelection as New York’s senator. I had worked so hard to rebuild my life after I lost Kyle and Robert. I thought I had everything I wanted. I thought I had SUCCEEDED. My association with the Six, my being an outspoken advocate for “mutant rights” had made me a target but I didn’t care because in my heart I knew it was the right thing to do. STILL, in THAT MOMENT when I tried to help Morgan and Master Mold attacked us…ALL of the things that were “MY LIFE” no longer mattered anymore.

Since my return, I’ve had to find and FREE my son from the living HELL Mystech damned him to by killing him and then I witnessed ALL of the Six’s lives BLOWN APART when Bishop OUTED them. If none of them knew it before, they knew it THEN and they’ve all carried that with them since. I can see it in how they conduct their personal affairs.
They know the same thing I know, the same thing YOU should know. LIFE is a wonderful thing and it’s GOOD to make the most of it, but all these….”trappings” we immerse ourselves in…they ultimately DON’T MATTER. Something can happen and we can lose it all…INCLUDING our lives.


My time on Themyscira helped me as well.


It is a FAR better thing to be willing and to know to place personal things ASIDE in order to stand against the evils that threaten this world.


It’s time for you to grow up, little one. Despite your long lived journey, there are things that have been STUNTED in you, through no fault of your own. But just as I RETURNED to this world more a STRANGER when I first awakened as the Silver Swan, Here YOU are now…in this new time and place.


The people you live with are your lifeline, and you theirs. You must be willing to LEARN from them how to not only “balance” your life but how to be PREPARED to have it put on hold or even LOST. There is no escaping that. And you must let THEM learn from YOU.

After all, who better to educate them on who RUBY is, than Ruby HERSELF? Only when knowledge is present can understanding come and that works both ways.

That is why I, along with Cameron have been rather hard on you in training. We want to know who YOU are. You must not only be better able to connect and trust your team mates…but you must also be BATTLE ready. There will be times that you will have to FIGHT in order to preserve the balance in your life. Protect yourself, your friends, your business…the weak…these are principals as old as the Amazons themselves.

 

[Prophet]

Minerva's Mansion - Northern Estate

"Cameron, I am many things...NAIVE and unaware is not on of them. I know about you DOMINIQUE. Still, I'm CONSIDERING your offer of hospitality and remember, you have a date with me in DOME. You haven't LIVED until you've traveled in THAT. I wanted Haleigh to see it...but since she's away on sabbatical, that will have to wait.

Cameron smiled. Yes, he had on occassion enjoyed the company of Dominique Devereaux. But the two were grown adults, and the last thing in EITHER of their minds was running away together or even formally dating. They had fun, and their personalities, though seemingly polar opposite, complemented each other. Cameron had always had a love of music and more often than not, after their encounters, the two would enjoy wine and Cameron would listen to music together.

"What can I say? I have a sweet tooth. Dominique and I are HARDLY looking each other's way...though we do enjoy the benefits associated with our friendship.."

[listening to her finish her sentence]

"Alycia Barnett! Are you trying to give me a DOME RIDE? Is there something about yourself you've yet to reveal?"

He laughed and took another swig of the vodka bottle. The three of them engaged in some laughing and harmless ribbing, and they were thoroughly enjoying each one's company. It's funny...looking at them NOW, you would never think that this group of people had gone through what THEY had gone through...each one have a uniquely personal journey filled with violence and loss...and yet here they were, laughing and carrying on. A true testament to the strength of all three.

All at once, ALISON and AVA appearaed before the group, and it seemed that his sister was in full on Harbinger mode.

"JUST A MINUTE! Cameron King! I'm gonna whoop your BUTT!"

Cameron paused for a moment, half smiling, half a little concerned.

"Alison.. I'm sorry...it was just a VASE..I didn't see it on the table when I set my bags down! I'll replace it, I swear!"

All at once, her gaze softened and she cracked a smile.

"There's a HOLE in this bottle! It's nearly empty and so is my flute!"

He rolled his eyes, laughed and exhaled.

"Well then...forget about all that vase business from a few moments ago..."

Alycia teased him lightly.

"Did you bring THE HARBINGER a bottle with a HOLE in it?"

I'm getting a premonition....I see...Alison beating your BUTT!"

Alison burst through the men and squeezed her way in between him and Mike. Cameron eyed her for a moment.

"Alison...dear..."

He grabbed the tie that was holding her hair in a bun and pulled it out, letting her hair fly in the wind once more.

"You used to wear your hair like that all the time back when we wanted to kill each other...and I've waited a long time to say...it's NOT a good look."

[he laughed loudly]

"Now...about that HOLE..I am so sorry! I mean that truly is the only way to explain ALL that Hemlock dissapearing! I mean, surely there is no way my SISTER could have drank an entire BOTTLE..."

[looking at the rest of the group. He could see the tension between Ava and Alycia, and he couldn't help but smirk.]

"Oh come on, girls! Alycia, you killed her father..Ava, you killed MIKE. Alison, you tried to kill ME and well me? I've fantasized about killing ALL of you at one point! Potato...potahhhto.. With all the drama going on stateside..sit down, shut up and enjoy the GOOD company!"

[breaking the tension]

"THANKFULLY...I had Dominique bring me several bottles...however, they ARE in the mansion...and while i've enjoyed sitting around drinking like fourteen year olds...we COULD always freshen ourselves up and return to one of the dining halls in a bit..have some PROPER drinks and keep the party going? What do you say? I think my SISTER could probably use a nap.. All that Hemlock and well..NOTHING else in her stomach besides a few pieces of lettuce!"

[he laughed loudly at the group]

 

[Firebird]

MP- Delilah's

Blaze continued to gaze upon Delilah with her apple green eyes. This was the first time she’d seen Delilah SINCE that night, that night when everything just blew apart and started getting lost in the “black hole” that Alison referenced. In HER timeline, she wouldn’t see Delilah again after the fallout until her first appearance as “The Justicer” of Mystech. It was worse than a nightmare come true…it was just SICK.

Together with the “Mainstreams”, HER Six not only saved THEIR Nicolas and Alycia, but ALSO FREED Delilah of the brainwashing that had took her over the edge…but that was only PART OF IT. The ROOT of that shocking betrayal stemmed from Delilah’s OWN sense of loss, betrayal and abandonment by Morgan and Alison, coupled with Bishop’s death at the hands of Silver Swan…even though he’d been trying to kill her. It was all one big CLUSTERFUCK that Mystech was only too glad to capitalize on and just because Mystech wasn’t OBVIOUSLY looming on the horizon HERE didn’t mean that something BAD wouldn’t come of this fallout between Morgan, Alison and Delilah. Delilah was still hurting…and when a person hurts badly enough, for long enough…bad things can happen.

Looking at Delilah here and now, she could see the woman was a lot calmer but what lay beneath was hardly calm or agreeable. Her testy response to Blaze’s mere observation was a sign of that. The fire elemental lifted an eyebrow as she sat down. It amused her that Delilah would offer to pay for “damages”. Like Morgan or anyone ELSE would be that petty as to go there when it was something so easily fixed, as Nicolas had shown?


“You’re kidding, right?”

Seating herself and crossing her legs at the knee

“You can do whatever you want, but a mere observation warrants a testy remark? Please.”

“Don’t expect ME to act like I don’t see or notice things when they’re right in front of me. “

Nicolas and others had come to know THIS Blaze for being more direct and quick to retort. It was a source of amusement AND agitation for Haleigh, who was accustomed to the more passive Foxfire. But while Blaze wouldn’t bite her tongue, she also kept a calm, even tone.

Delilah seemed to believe and accept that Blaze was here to welcome her back, and offered her a drink.

“Yes, thank you. I could use one.”


Even though she’d had 3 lemon drops just a little while ago

“Change can be good. You don’t like something…you change it. That’s a sign that you know you can do SOMETHING instead of just sitting back and doing nothing…being completely helpless.”

As she takes hold of her drink, she looks up at Delilah, sitting across from her.

“But I know there’s more to it than that with you.”

 

[Isis]

Melrose Place- Apartment 4

:: From a few feet behind Nicolas and the small white kitten came a familiar voice::

Life is precious, isn’t it?

:: an odd, but melodic sound is heard as Isis (a.k.a. Dominique Deveraux)’s astral form shimmers into view, looking upon Nicolas and the tiny white kitten. She smiles a bit as the kitten seems very happy with the playtime and treats::

There’s an old adage, that you can tell the quality and character of a man by how he treats animals.

:: she looks upon her nephew::

It seems that spending time with this kitten is beneficial for you too.

You miss Spellbinder.


:: golden orbs swirl around Isis’ astral form::

You’re at a loss with MorningStar as well.

There is nothing you can do but be understanding, accept your limitations in this matter, and carry on.

 

[Persephone]

They were drunk. Shit faced, straight up, DRUNK. Hell, it felt good to just go and not have a care in the world. For everything to blur over and the constant state of tension to diminish. To feel HAPPY. Ava just laughed. Laughed as Alison went on a rant about Delilah, being a precog, hell even being out of Hemlock! She didn't care what Alison said. Hell, half of it she agreed with. Fuck everyone and their judgements! If people could just be happy like this all the time, there would be no problems in the world.

Before she knew it, Alison teleported them to Alycia and Cameron. The whirlwind of the teleportation gave Ava a head rush.

"Shit Alison, warn me next time you do your wiggly nose abracadabra thing."

Stumbling to a chair, Ava plopped down. It then dawned on her.

"Wait...that's not you! That's Karen. She does the wiggly nose thing! Wait...did Karen teleport us here?"

Ava put her hand on her head.

"I could of sworn it was you..."

It was most apparent to both Cameron and Alycia they were both drunk off their asses. But unlike some drunks who get angry and resentful, they were having a blast. Looking up, the room was slightly spinning, but she managed to focus her vision on Alycia.

Alycia: Ava.

Alycia greeted her and Ava greeted back by flopping her hand "dismissively" at her.

Cameron: Oh come on, girls! Alycia, you killed her father..Ava, you killed MIKE. Alison, you tried to kill ME and well me? I've fantasized about killing ALL of you at one point! Potato...potahhhto.. With all the drama going on stateside..sit down, shut up and enjoy the GOOD company.

"If you would have let me FINISH [even though Ava hadn't actually said anything ] I was going to point out that Alycia looks rather good! I mean....honestly Alycia, before you became an Amazon you just looked OLD. [Ava emphasized the OLD] Now, it's like you're a whole new woman. No wonder Cameron wants to fuck you like a rabbit."

Glancing over at Cameron.

"What? I'd fuck her too if I didn't have standards!"

Lifting her hands up, she gasped.

"Oh my GOD! The vodka's gone TOO!"

Becoming dizzy again, Ava let her head fall back against the chair as she closed her eyes trying to make the world stop spinning around her.

Cameron:...we COULD always freshen ourselves up and return to one of the dining halls in a bit..have some PROPER drinks and keep the party going? What do you say? I think my SISTER could probably use a nap.. All that Hemlock and well..NOTHING else in her stomach besides a few pieces of lettuce!

"HA!"

Ava laughed, finally opening her eyes and feeling like she could see clearly again. Standing up, she swayed where she stood.

"I think that sounds delightful! I think I will take a shower and meet you all for dinner!"

Taking a step forward, her legs gave out a bit and she stumbled right in ALYCIA. Grabbing ahold of the Amazon, she chuckled.

"Whoopsie! At least I wasn't near a WINDOW!"

She cracked, obviously a joke in reference to her father's untimely demise by the hands of Alycia. Holding onto the Amazon, it was a rare sight indeed.

"I do have to thank your people for what they did for me. Amazon's are a-okay in my book."

A cryptic "thanks", and one no one would understand. Ava wouldn't have even said anything had she been in the right state of mind. She patted Alycia on the shoulder and finally moved away from the amazon.

"I think walking has become a dangerous sport! I will teleport! Until later!"

Ava waved her arm haphazardly and disappeared in a tornado of winds.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas was getting a few last cuddles in when he heard a familiar voice.

Life is precious, isn’t it?

The chimes that indicate the coming of Isis chimed, but he immediately detected the arrival of her astral form. He turned to face her, still holding the feline.

There’s an old adage, that you can tell the quality and character of a man by how he treats animals.

:: she looks upon her nephew::

It seems that spending time with this kitten is beneficial for you too.

You miss Spellbinder.

He nodded, not bothering to put on a brave face for his aunt.

:: golden orbs swirl around Isis’ astral form::

You’re at a loss with MorningStar as well.

There is nothing you can do but be understanding, accept your limitations in this matter, and carry on.

He continued to nod as she spoke. She was right, and the fact that she was here for him gave him a chance to vent a bit. He set down the kitten and joined her on the astral plane.

Thank you for checking in on me. I have been carrying on but sometimes it is really hard Aunt D. Killing Medusa was far easier than any of this.

He walked a bit closer to her astral form as he continued. With his next words she could easily see he was changing the subject rather than fully opening up.

I am sorry that I have not been by in recent days. You...you look GREAT as always. Did you need me for anything?

 

[MorningStar]

Melrose Place, Apartment #1

“You can do whatever you want, but a mere observation warrants a testy remark? Please.”

“It was more than an observation and you know it. ‘Please.’”

She went back into the kitchen to fix Blaze a drink. Returning a minute later, she handed her the glass before sitting down across from her.

“Change can be good. You don’t like something…you change it. That’s a sign that you know you can do SOMETHING instead of just sitting back and doing nothing…being completely helpless.”

She held up her glass in mock toast.

“Yes, and we’re not helpless.”

She took a drink.

“But I know there’s more to it than that with you.”

“Dear Blaze – Karen’s already been here to psychoanalyze me. You really don’t have to bother.”

She leaned back in the couch.

“I know what you’re trying to do. You might not be the Blaze from my timeline but the two of you are similar enough. You don’t have to be the one that smoothes everything over for Morgan anymore. Especially with me. She’s made it quite clear that she’s going to do what she wants regardless of how it affects anyone else. You’re her sister, but that’s not all you are. You need to be your own person now before Morgan turns on you too. I mean, think about it – hasn’t she always kept you down? Beneath her?”

She pauses, then in response to Blaze’s look:

“Look, think what you want, but Morgan and Alison betrayed my trust in more ways than one. And the fact that they don’t even recognize let alone accept their own wrongdoing…I’m not going to put up with that anymore. I’m not their punching bag. Not anymore.”

 

[Arsenal]

Cameron knew how to party.

The sonofabitch had been here a couple of hours at most and Alycia was buzzed, Alison was drunk and Ava was damn near shitfaced. And while Mike was happily spoken-for, the view could DEFINITELY be worse.

Cam...we need to do this more often my man. Like this weekend. And every weekend.

He listened as Ava proclaimed that she would fuck Alycia. The only think better than the mental picture of that was the LOOK on Alycia's face when she said it. Mike almost died laughing as he leaned over and whispered in Alycia's ear.

DAMN girl. I knew you was FINE, but what kind of spell are you casting here? New perfume? Amazonian spell? These shiny bracelets?

By this time the alcohol and the antics had Mike ROLLING. And when Cam suggested a proper meal, he agreed wholeheartedly because, well..he is a 6'5" dude who works out a lot. That for him came out to over six thousand calories a day. He stood up.

Can everyone get to their quarters?

"HA!"

Ava laughed, finally opening her eyes and feeling like she could see clearly again. Standing up, she swayed where she stood.

"I think that sounds delightful! I think I will take a shower and meet you all for dinner!"

Taking a step forward, her legs gave out a bit and she stumbled right in ALYCIA. Grabbing ahold of the Amazon, she chuckled.

"Whoopsie! At least I wasn't near a WINDOW!"

She cracked, obviously a joke in reference to her father's untimely demise by the hands of Alycia. Holding onto the Amazon, it was a rare sight indeed.

"I do have to thank your people for what they did for me. Amazon's are a-okay in my book."

A cryptic "thanks", and one no one would understand. Ava wouldn't have even said anything had she been in the right state of mind. She patted Alycia on the shoulder and finally moved away from the amazon.

"I think walking has become a dangerous sport! I will teleport! Until later!"

Ava waved her arm haphazardly and disappeared in a tornado of winds.

Mike was laughing so hard by now that the tornadic winds pushed him right over onto the ground where he laughed another minute or two before he finally sat up and shook his head.

See you guys in a couple of hours.

Mike got up and started to make his way to the suite he shared with Karen.

 

[Firebird]

Getting it all out

The fire elemental shrugs as Delilah retorts in a rather feisty tone.

“Dear Blaze – Karen’s already been here to psychoanalyze me. You really don’t have to bother.”

Rolling right along with her…

“Well good thing for both of us that’s not why I came to see you. I mean let’s not even talk about the fact that Karen is basically wasting her time and that you’re just HUMOURING her, which itself is an insult, but I suppose this is what you feel is best to do because Karen has made the mistake of being “That bitch’s” MOTHER.


Shaking her head to the negative as she brushes off Delilah’s offense. If she can dish it out, she can take it.

And just so you know, I’ve ALWAYS “BOTHERED” when it comes to people I CARE about. YOU are…or at least WERE quite similar to MY Delilah as well…and I’ve seen what happens when the hurt and betrayal is too much for one person to even possibly get through. Whether you want to believe it or not…I’m not the only one who cares. And it goes BEYOND Cameron and Karen too. That DOESNT mean I'll kiss your ass, or coddle you though. ”

She leaned back in the couch.

“I know what you’re trying to do. You might not be the Blaze from my timeline but the two of you are similar enough. You don’t have to be the one that smoothes everything over for Morgan anymore. Especially with me. She’s made it quite clear that she’s going to do what she wants regardless of how it affects anyone else. You’re her sister, but that’s not all you are. You need to be your own person now before Morgan turns on you too. I mean, think about it – hasn’t she always kept you down? Beneath her?”

Blaze’s apple green eyes widen with some astonishment before she begins to show a mix of amusement and disapproval. But she simply sat back and nodded, taking it in for a few moments. Before finally responding.


“Funny how a statement can be accurate AND inaccurate all at once. Or Just show how short sighted a person really is all together.”

She pauses, then in response to Blaze’s look:

“Look, think what you want, but Morgan and Alison betrayed my trust in more ways than one. And the fact that they don’t even recognize let alone accept their own wrongdoing…I’m not going to put up with that anymore. I’m not their punching bag. Not anymore.”

“Oh don’t worry, I’ve been thinking and watching. And despite what YOU seem to believe, I AM my own person. I’M NOT some curious novelty simply because I’m a “more glamorous, powerful, capable alternate of Foxfire”…


"..NOR am I a mere derivative or hand maiden of Morgan because of this glamorous façade. I AM my own person. A person who is watching people that ive known and cared for all of my life just stand by and let this “black hole” SWALLOW their love, friendship and FAMILY . I’m someone who risked getting lost in Limbo, in time & space, FOREVER, to follow another Morgan and Six because for a brief moment…I saw a chance to be with my sister again…to enjoy a FAMILY again and avoid all the pitfalls, wasted time and destruction."

Setting her glass down, the fire elemental licked her lips. Delilah could make a fantastic drink! She continued

"You’re mistaken about Morgan. And just like you’ve shown that you don’t really know me, maybe YOU never really KNEW OR TRUSTED Morgan. SO I find it rather curious that you can accuse her or Alison of betraying your trust when they apparently never had it."

"I’ve seen her make her way through the world. She’s a ball buster, an ice queen, a diva, a bitch and …she’s all of that and sometimes she does TOO MUCH and she pisses people off. I don’t know anybody on the Six that hasn’t been guilty of THAT, by the way."


"But one thing Morg is NOT is FAKE. She’s REAL. Flaws and all. And though she may sometimes do things the wrong way for the right reason…her heart’s motivation is always true. MY Delilah knew that."

"Does that mean she gets a pass for making bad choices or honest mistakes or lapses in judgement? NOPE. Nobody gets that. She’s had to pay for her mistakes and errors in judgement many times but at some point, there was a chance for redemption, bridging the gap, FORGIVENESS and understanding."


"I’ve watched her take a lot of shit from people through the years…from Valiant on thru the Six. She’s plenty tough and can stand her ground and SOME of those situations were HER doing so she had to see it through."


"It’s one thing to be hated, despised or even distrusted by a mere acquaintance or ENEMY."


"But for a FRIEND, a LIFE LONG FRIEND to basically tell you that everything you do, including your mere presence is wrong and a detriment? Well Delilah, I don’t know about you, but if someone said that to ME? I’d leave too."

"And that’s just what she did. LEAVE. And it’s not even because you reached wayyy down to hit her and Alison below the belt as hard as you could in order to make THEM HURT even just a FRACTION as much as YOU are hurting. No the reason why she LEFT is because she HEARD you."


"You told her that you’d rather be DEAD than have a friend like her and that she basically ruined your life. If somebody told ME that? I’d leave too and I wouldn’t CARE what happens afterward because I’d just write them off as NOT WORTH IT."

"The first thing she did, was take you away from Minerva’s because you were losing your mind. EVERYONE could see that and we all understood that there was little else to be expected. She LEFT you with CAMERON. She didn’t toss you in the ocean or into Limbo. She left you with someone who she KNEW would be there for you. Someone you’d actually LET be there for you."


"And then SHE left. She left me, her mother…her friends, her team, her career, the EARTH. The reason why she did that was because from YOUR words, she realized that was ONLY THING she knew she could do RIGHT by you at this point."

"She wanted you to LIVE and RECOVER and if it has to be without her…at that moment, she decided that was what needed to be done. You told her that she and Alison were the source of your pain. She did her part to take away a portion of the pain. Nobody ELSE could do anything. It’s not like you would’ve heard or listened."

"Again…we understood. There was nothing any of us COULD say or do. We were powerless and there's nothing worse than being powerless to help a friend in someway. But unfortunately ...sometimes it happens."


Shifting in her seat to now turn and face Delilah directly, Blaze continued.


"I know my sister…I FEEL her via our psychic rapport, but at the same time…I HATE that this is what SHE felt she had to do at this point.

You told her EVERYTHING ELSE she’d done was wrong and while she can take that from other people who don’t mean NEARLY as much to her as you…to have it come from you?

Well…if you knew her like you play at…you’d know that FAILURE is something that is an anethma to her and you confirmed to her that she and Alison FAILED you."


"I think Morgan was mistaken not to tell you what was happening. I think in her urgency to try to protect you, she LEAPED over a lot of other things …like trying to talk to you, though I’M not convinced THAT would’ve been the best idea, but I digress.

She didn’t set out to “betray” your trust. NOR did she make the choices she made without great distress. B ut sometimes, when your back’s to the wall? You don’t have time to ponder EVERY LITTLE DETAIL. You’re in the moment and you’re trying to do whatever it takes to protect someone you care about. It isn’t just PARENTS who have a monopoly on that feeling Delilah. Siblings, FRIENDS, TEAMMATES…they have it too & it’s just as valid."


"Morgan CAN be controlling. But a person can’t do something that’s not already within them. Morgan has always had a somewhat, controlling nature. The NEED for that control stems from her childhood abuse. A FRIEND who’s been in her life SINCE childhood would know that. If you knew her…then you’d know her at her best, her worst AND what’s in her heart. Nothing you’ve said since that night suggests that you do…or ever did.

So I don’t know what she, Alison or anybody ELSE could’ve done that you would’ve liked!

I just know that from the moment she found out what was coming, the immediate concern and most desired outcome was for you to be ALIVE and that was achieved…at a VERY high cost. One that Alison was willing to pay.

I don’t know too many FAKE friends who would do that."


"Talking about trust…

How much of this has to do with THEM as it does with YOU and what you OBVIOUSLY have been feeling about them for YEARS. You could’ve easily exercised control and LEFT at anytime. No one was keeping you here. You’re a grown woman. "


"You dont even have to be here NOW, but you are. Why IS that?

And you play games. you don’t want any help from anybody that is linked to Morgan, that’s why you’re being fake to Karen. You keep expecting Cameron to turn on you in favor of Alison…FAKE again…and b/c of how fake YOU are, you just KNOW that Morgan is going to mistreat me or that I’m here as her misguided puppet. Talk about TRUST. I bet you think Alison will get JEALOUS and cast a spell on Cameron to MAKE him turn on you."

"You ALLOWED Morgan and Alison to believe, all this time, that they had more in common with you than they actually did. THEY weren’t being fake. What about YOU?
You could’ve ran off into the sunset with Maxim at ANYTIME. It’s clear that you two have HISTORY and will ALWAYS find your way to each other. Not even DEATH can stop that."

"You could’ve went away with him and had your baby. And you would have DIED and none of us would have known and we couldn’t help BUT you’d have what you want! You got to live your life your way and DIE, leaving your daughter without her mother and Maxim unable to cope, having NO WAY to explain to his little girl why her mom is gone. I suppose THAT outcome is FAR better than this one you're in, right?"

"The one thing about MY SIX …was that there was always this collective realization that despite personal problems, squabbles and all that…we had a GREATER DESTINY to fulfill and even at the LOWEST MOMENTS among ourselves, THAT would snap us back to reality.

But in one gloriously fucked up moment, Morgan, Alison and Delilah said TO HELL WITH THAT and destroyed themselves, damning the rest of us. You think YOUR life is so far removed from OURS that what happens to you doesn’t effect us?

Nobody in this group is saying you’re WRONG…not the way you think. You didn’t do ANYTHING wrong. But JUST LIKE Morgan and Alison, you DID make CHOICES and you have to live with those choices."


"It’s nobody’s fault that you became pregnant and had the baby. It’s nobody’s fault that the UNTHINKABLE happened and it turned out that your baby can kill you just by being in the same room with you. All ANYBODY wanted to do as save your life and give you AND your baby a CHANCE so that someday, SOMEHOW you’d be together again and you’ve got that."

"The two fake bitches who betrayed your trust helped you get that chance. Now you have nothing but TIME to figure out what’s next…oh and talk about how awful and depraved Morgan, Alison are."

"I love my sister. But that doesnt mean i BLINDLY FOLLOW HER and DO HER BIDDING and the fact that you would IMPLY that is not only INSULTING but it just reminds me how little credit I'm given by more than one person on this team."

"and I didn’t come HERE to lose her AGAIN but that’s just what happened. Alison has closed off and YOU are just wasting everybody’s time, acting like it’s impossible that ANYBODY connected to either of them could give a damn about you or that YOU'RE LOVED by more than one of us!"


Blinking back tears and inhaling sharply.

"I loved my Delilah…and I would KILL for her. I would do the same for YOU but I figured you’d try to hide out once you got back here and before you did whatever it is you plan on doing with your life, I had to come see for myself …one last time…this woman that the GODDESSES even felt the need to try to make amends with. But yet thinks that she has the right to condemn people who would go to depths of HELL for her without hesitation."


Blaze didn’t even REALIZE that she’d said “one last time”…in her mind and heart SHE’D already made up HER mind what SHE was going to do. Morgan, Alison and Delilah weren’t ever going to fix this…none of them cared enough about themselves, each other or anybody else effected by this to do that or to think of the future they may have set in motion.

It was a future SHE would not be here to see. She’d survived one nightmare…she wasn’t going to go through it again.

"Thanks for the drink."

Blaze quickly gets up and directly exits the apartment, slamming the door behind her as she raises her hand up and clutches her chest for a moment, shutting her apple green eyes tightly.

"DAMN YOU, MORGAN! WHY COULDN’T HAVE JUST STAYED AND AT LEAST TRIED…TRIED TO LISTEN TO DEE AND JUST...WORK THIS OUT"


She QUICKLY rushes across the courtyard and up the spiral stairs to Morgan’s apartment. Inside the apartment she makes her way to the restroom, where she looks at her pained, trembling face in the mirror, tears now flowing from her eyes that she doesn’t even try to hold back.


A few moments later, the sound of running water can be heard as she is now cleaning up her face and toweling it off. Pulling herself together as she REMEMBERED that Nicolas was still somewhere in the apartment.

 

[MorningStar]

Melrose Place, Apartment #1

“I mean let’s not even talk about the fact that Karen is basically wasting her time and that you’re just HUMOURING her, which itself is an insult, but I suppose this is what you feel is best to do because Karen has made the mistake of being “That bitch’s” MOTHER.

Delilah rolled her eyes. Blaze always had tended to be overdramatic – no matter WHICH Blaze you happened to be talking to.

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Blaze. You know better than that. And don’t forget, I never ASKED for Karen’s help. It was pressed upon me like everything else in my life.”

“Funny how a statement can be accurate AND inaccurate all at once. Or Just show how short sighted a person really is all together.”

“You know, if you just came here to be the same old broken record about how terrible a person I am, you should just go now – I’m not in the mood, and I’ve heard it all before.”

"You’re mistaken about Morgan. And just like you’ve shown that you don’t really know me, maybe YOU never really KNEW OR TRUSTED Morgan. SO I find it rather curious that you can accuse her or Alison of betraying your trust when they apparently never had it."

“Hmm, it’s funny how MORGAN’S words are coming out of YOUR mouth, Blaze. Another drink?”

Delilah picked up Blaze’s glass and her own and went into the kitchen to refill them. Coming back, she continued.

“Funny how MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE I followed Morgan and did what she said. Yet apparently that means nothing. It means I needed to be lied to and deceived. If there’s anyone in this situation who lacked TRUST, it wasn’t me. I trusted them to be truthful with me, and MORGAN and ALISON broke that trust.”

She held the glass out to Blaze, then sat back down, cradling her own glass in her lap, one leg tucked under her. And then she listened to Morgan Junior tell her once again how awful a person she was – but of course nothing was EVER Morgan Victoria’s fault. And Alison was so terribly burdened by her precognition that she couldn’t ever be held accountable for making a bad choice. Boo hoo.

She didn’t set out to “betray” your trust. NOR did she make the choices she made without great distress. But sometimes, when your back’s to the wall? You don’t have time to ponder EVERY LITTLE DETAIL. You’re in the moment and you’re trying to do whatever it takes to protect someone you care about. It isn’t just PARENTS who have a monopoly on that feeling Delilah. Siblings, FRIENDS, TEAMMATES…they have it too & it’s just as valid."

“Blaze…”

She sighed.

“If any of that were true – they would have owned up to their mistakes. But they couldn’t even agree that they should have told me what was going on with Circe. They never believe that they do anything wrong. And that is NOT right. They make everything someone else’s fault. If it’s not me, it would have been Haleigh’s, or Cameron’s, or whoever else. But NEVER THEM.”

How much of this has to do with THEM as it does with YOU and what you OBVIOUSLY have been feeling about them for YEARS. You could’ve easily exercised control and LEFT at anytime. No one was keeping you here. You’re a grown woman. You dont even have to be here NOW, but you are. Why IS that?

“Because I thought Morgan had LEFT Melrose Place. I didn’t know she’d left her mouthpiece behind. But don’t you worry about that – I’ll be out of here soon enough. But if you want to know why I haven’t left before – ask Alison. She doesn’t let people make their own choices. I tried to get out, and she WOULDN’T ALLOW IT.”

Delilah thought back to how, after she had killed Bishop, she had decided to leave the team. Had packed up her things and planned to move upstate. Alison hadn’t allowed it and forced her to go to Aerie. Maybe if they had just let her go, she wouldn’t have tried to kill herself.

And you play games. you don’t want any help from anybody that is linked to Morgan, that’s why you’re being fake to Karen. You keep expecting Cameron to turn on you in favor of Alison…FAKE again…and b/c of how fake YOU are, you just KNOW that Morgan is going to mistreat me or that I’m here as her misguided puppet. Talk about TRUST. I bet you think Alison will get JEALOUS and cast a spell on Cameron to MAKE him turn on you."

“Funny how when Morgan speaks her mind, she’s just ‘keeping it real’. When I do, I’m fake. You must get your hypocrisy from Christopher’s side of the family. Why are you here Blaze? You came in here all ‘I want to welcome you home’ and now all you’ve done is bash me in a twenty minute long rant.“

"You ALLOWED Morgan and Alison to believe, all this time, that they had more in common with you than they actually did. THEY weren’t being fake. What about YOU?
You could’ve ran off into the sunset with Maxim at ANYTIME. “

“I did the same thing I’ve always done, Blaze – SACRIFICED my own life for the team. Doing what the team wanted, what was right for the team. Never what was right for me. And NONE OF THEM CARED about my life. All they cared about was judging me, just like you’re judging me now.”

Nobody in this group is saying you’re WRONG…not the way you think. You didn’t do ANYTHING wrong. But JUST LIKE Morgan and Alison, you DID make CHOICES and you have to live with those choices."

Delilah laughed.

“I have absolutely no problem living with MY choices. Not one bit. Could you let the rest of the Six know that part about me not having done anything wrong, because I don’t think they got the memo.”

The two fake bitches who betrayed your trust helped you get that chance. Now you have nothing but TIME to figure out what’s next…oh and talk about how awful and depraved Morgan, Alison are."

“Well you’re doing enough talking about me that SOMEONE has to balance it out.”

"I love my sister. But that doesnt mean i BLINDLY FOLLOW HER and DO HER BIDDING and the fact that you would IMPLY that is not only INSULTING but it just reminds me how little credit I'm given by more than one person on this team."

“Oh waah. Why don’t you go have a pity party with Alison about how no one ever takes you seriously. Now if you’re done telling me how I never knew Morgan, how I’m a fake bitch, and how I can’t be trusted – let me ask you this: why do you care? If I’m all these things you’ve said I am, why not LET ME GO?”

She stood up, setting her empty glass onto the coffee table.

“It’s because deep down you know I’m RIGHT. Morgan could have admitted she was wrong for not telling me about Circe. Alison could have WORKED with me to find a way to keep Alexia with us. But they DIDN’T. All they did was come at me the same way you’ve just done. And next time, they’ll do it to someone else. Maybe even YOU.”

"Thanks for the drink."

Blaze got up and stormed out of the apartment. Delilah called after her.

“That’s it, LEAVE. Just like MORGAN.”

Delilah watched her go and laughed. Then she went to get herself another drink.

 

[Ruby]

Melrose Place - Apt. 6

<< Karen quietly surveyed the décor of Cass’ apartment. Interesting little touches everywhere. It was also a sign that Cass was slowly starting to open up and consider herself more apart of this group. Karen sat across from Cass, on the other side of the coffee table, crossing her legs at the knee. >>

Cass, the very fact that you have these questions shows that you’re making progress. You’ve realized that your life, once again, has changed and that there IS a need for you to adjust. You’re doing yourself a FAVOR by accepting that fact and searching yourself for ways to do it. That's a sign of a healthy, forward thinking attitude and for someone of your…longevity.

Being aware…being FLEXIBLE to change is a good thing! It could be very easy for you to have just become “Set in your ways” and that would do you no good.

You have to come to the understanding, the ACCEPTANCE that your life IS tied to the Six and vice versa. The Six needs EACH AND EVERY active and reserve member to know…to be committed because WE are all that the world has. Vast…terrible powers threaten this world. It is OUR lot to stand against them.

You should understand that ALL of the Six and their reserves have the same basic lot in life as you. Each one had a life that he or she was living, a set of goals, issues, desires…all the usual compliments of a “full life”.

ADD to that, the unique gift of being born a mutant or metahuman and finding yourself pulled in a direction you never knew existed because you are destined for something more…something special…IMPORTANT.

It’s an immense thing to ponder and you’re not the first to do so.

We’ve ALL held fast to the idea…

The ILLUSION that we have complete control over our lives and destiny. People like US
Can…and WILL learn that it’s quite the contrary.

Sharon and I both sit before you as examples of women who had full, structured lives, managing to “balance” them with the EXTRAORDINARY circumstances, emerging demands and necessities that came with being apart of or even associated with the Six.
Each of us has come to know that the best thing we can do…is go forward with our eyes open. We work hard to make sure our own personal lives are as fulfilling, satisfying and secure as we can because THAT is what gives us the strength to carry on in this greater calling of the Six. We save the world, if for no other reason, because WE want to enjoy it! It's OUR world too!

It may sound a bit…selfish..but despite our powers and abilities…ALL of us are, as Alycia would often say “only human.”

There is no formula, Cass. You just have to understand…and ACCEPT and YOU have to stop being so standoffish, because it’s only going to make it harder for you. Alison, Morgan…ALL of them have had to learn, and so will you.

Sharon and I are not on the front line and will not always be here. Your PEERS are the ones you need to establish ties with and even if you and Morgan aren’t on the best terms, that’s okay. Start with those who you DO have an open door with and go from there.

As for “After-Dark”? I’m sure that Morgan, Alison, Nicolas or Cameron, among others in the group, could tell you…since they ALL have careers and oversee large operations, that while the business endeavors are important…they cannot supercede your calling or your duty to the Six.

You have intimate and first hand experience of seeing the weak being exploited, persecuted and destroyed, with no one standing up to protect them. Mystech carried on that tradition and the Six used their strength to protect the weak. You want to honor those who you lost in the Nazi death camps? You’ll do the same thing.
Take the time to set up a “management team” that can operate the club in your absence.

:: Cass sat and listened to the – older? younger? – woman as she spoke, encouraging her that she did right by asking these kinds of questions and giving her some advice. She truly admired and respected the good doctor. Karen was one of the few people who knew her ENTIRE story, along with both Sharon and Ella. Karen made a lot of good points, and she had given her lots to think about. ::

*irritably*: But why is everyone telling me to put down my walls? What about certain members HERE? Shouldn’t THEY be given the same talk?

:: But Cass kept listening, showing no outward sign of what she was thinking. After all, they had her best interests at heart. Karen then suggests she set up a management team at the club, to help her when she’s gone. She looked thoughtful. ::

“I suppose I COULD set up some sort of team... Bryan has been wonderful these past few weeks. He SHOULD get some kind of promotion. I’ll talk it over with Ella.”

:: Then Sharon had her say. ::

Cass, There’s another side to ALL of this as well.

One that I believe you know deep down inside, considering your own past.

It will only take one thing…one moment to obliterate EVERYTHING you have built up in your life. It can happen in the passing of SECONDS. I died in Alycia’s arms soon after…that SHOULD have been the end of my life…my journey, but MYSTECH, through it’s twisted synergy of science, magick and gleefull desire to violate nature, brought me back…as the Silver Swan. But the thing to take away from that is…that night, I had just won my bid for reelection as New York’s senator. I had worked so hard to rebuild my life after I lost Kyle and Robert. I thought I had everything I wanted. I thought I had SUCCEEDED. My association with the Six, my being an outspoken advocate for “mutant rights” had made me a target but I didn’t care because in my heart I knew it was the right thing to do. STILL, in THAT MOMENT when I tried to help Morgan and Master Mold attacked us…ALL of the things that were “MY LIFE” no longer mattered anymore. Since my return, I’ve had to find and FREE my son from the living HELL Mystech damned him to by killing him and then I witnessed ALL of the Six’s lives BLOWN APART when Bishop OUTED them. If none of them knew it before, they knew it THEN and they’ve all carried that with them since. I can see it in how they conduct their personal affairs.

They know the same thing I know, the same thing YOU should know. LIFE is a wonderful thing and it’s GOOD to make the most of it, but all these….”trappings” we immerse ourselves in…they ultimately DON’T
MATTER. Something can happen and we can lose it all…INCLUDING our lives.

My time on Themyscira helped me as well.

It is a FAR better thing to be willing and to know to place personal things ASIDE in order to stand against the evils that threaten this world.
It’s time for you to grow up, little one. Despite your long lived journey, there are things that have been STUNTED in you, through no fault of your own. But just as I RETURNED to this world more a STRANGER when I first awakened as the Silver Swan, Here YOU are now…in this new time and place.

The people you live with are your lifeline, and you theirs. You must be willing to LEARN from them how to not only “balance” your life but how to be PREPARED to have it put on hold or even LOST. There is no escaping that. And you must let THEM learn from YOU.
After all, who better to educate them on who RUBY is, than Ruby HERSELF? Only when knowledge is present can understanding come and that works both ways.

That is why I, along with Cameron have been rather hard on you in training. We want to know who YOU are. You must not only be better able to connect and trust your team mates…but you must also be BATTLE ready. There will be times that you will have to FIGHT in order to preserve the balance in your life. Protect yourself, your friends, your business…the weak…these are principals as old as the Amazons themselves.

:: Cass tried not to take offense at Sharon’s exhortation to ‘grow up’. After all, she DID have much to learn. Even though it was a hard topic, Cass knew it was good that Sharon mentioned that as much as it was great she had a life; it COULD very well be FLEETING in a battle. Sharon, too, mentioned she needed to form ‘ties’ with her peers as they could help her and she them. ::

“Yes, I know I should form lifelines, as you call them, with the people around me, but don’t you agree that maybe, just MAYBE, the others need to hear this too about ME? I KNOW some of them hate me. I don’t know why, but I know that. They don’t exactly hide it either. Also, if somebody says shit to my face about me, I WILL defend myself. There’s no way in hell I’d sit by and LET them talk shit about me. I don’t care WHAT happens. I will defend myself.”

:: She sighed and took a sip of tea. ::

“I don’t know WHO this ‘Ruby’ is. I have been many places, and I’ve been around for a long time, but I feel like I have no clue who I am or who I’m supposed to be. Yes, I WAS in a ‘family unit’ of vampires and they treated me as one of their own. I’m grateful for them, really, but I don’t feel like I fit in with them…even though they stated I was always welcome with open arms. Poland? Poland was a different time, a different LIFE. I have memories of my beloved rodzina [Polish for ‘family’] but they seem MILES away; like they happened to someone else. I’ve never felt at home in Germany, as I was pretty much a lab rat in their secret labratories and London…”

:: Her expression took on a soft expression, one of affection for the speaker’s topic as well as melancholy.She smiled as if she was being warmed from the inside out. ::

“London had beautiful memories for me. That was a place where I felt most at home. I…”

:: She now gave a choking sob. It was clear she still wasn’t over her ex. ::

“I fell in love with a man and he…he didn’t return my affections. I love him and he just…threw it away. Like it was nothing; like I was nothing.”

:: Cass was now reliving her past. She completely forgot what she was saying. She was just speaking her heart as memories came and went. ::

“But Los Angeles…this beautiful city feels like home to me. I feel at home here, like I did when I lived in London. I do. I have had many changes in my life. Some of them good, some of them bad, all of them I treasure. However, I feel I don’t know who I am. I have been through many lifetimes and each one changed me. And I think that’s why I have a hard time knowing who I am. I have never been in a place long enough to plant my roots.”

:: She nodded. ::

“I have to find out who I am.”

:: She looked at both Sharon and Karen. ::

“Thank you. You have given me lots to think about.”