From Diana, with love

[Ruby]

The Parthenon




:: Now that Cass had said that she would be going with Blaze and Morgan to another location for the time being, she was feeling…MIFFED about it. She SLAMMED her door as she entered her penthouse, and sighed in frustration before stomping towards her bedroom. Throwing open her bedroom door, she groaned out loud. ::

“WHY the fuck did I say that I would GO?!”

:: Blaze was acting irrational. Cass KNEW that she was acting irrational. Cass also knew that it was much safer HERE, at the Parthenon than any place else. But Cass being Cass, and the fact that she seemed to be the team’s peacemaker, said that she would go to smooth things out between Cameron and Blaze. How she would go about doing that, she didn’t know. ::

I don’t want to go!!

:: With a snarl, she opened her walk-in closet door and scrabbled around looking for her duffel bag. Then she began tossing various items of clothing into it, not really caring what they were. She hoped that this was only TEMPORARY. With another annoyed sigh, she picked up her duffel, left her bedroom, and then left her penthouse, locking it behind her before making her way back to Blaze’s. Knowing that Blaze had left it unlocked, Cass kicked the door open. ::

*flatly*: “Honey, I’m home!”

:: And then she noticed Karen and Nicolas. Deciding that she didn’t really care what they thought, she shrugged and threw her bag beside the couch before collapsing onto it. ::

Karen: *concerned*: “Cass, are you okay? You seem…tense?”

*sighing*: “I’m just peachy. Don’t mind me.”

:: She didn’t want to talk about it. So she pasted a big smile on her face and turned to Nicolas. ::

“So, Nicolas, are you happy that Morgan is back for reals this time?”

:: The white kitten jumped into her lap and started purring. Cass immediately relaxed. There was something about a purring cat that was comforting. ::

 

[Valkyrie]

Central Park

Ashley was annoyed. She was outside, at night, in Central Park East, following up on some ridiculous lead about a drug ring Steel thought was being led by a mutant who could spit acid from his eyes. I mean, really? It made her want to LET the guy spit acid into HER eyes.

Her phone dinged at her.

From Contact “Nice Ass”>> DTF?

Oh HELL no.

Fortunately, Oracle had installed “Find My Friends” on all their phones, so she knew EXACTLY where Zach was.

She thought about it.

The Parthenon WAS only a few blocks away. And this investigation was going nowhere. So she legged it out of the park and over to the hotel bar.

She burst through the doors and marched right over to where Zach was sitting at the bar.

“You did NOT just try and booty call ME, did you?! *I* do the booty calling around here. You do not call ME, understand. I CALL YOU, and THEN you come running to ME. I do not come to YOU. Capisce, paisan...? If you think you’re going to call ME then you had better have brought a friend, because you, little man, are not NEARLY enough for a woman like me.”

She noticed Andrew sitting beside him.

“Hello.”

She eyed him. He was pretty drunk.

“I’ve seen you at the Clocktower.”

She looked at Zach, her eyes narrowing.

“Well, are you going to buy me a drink or do I have to drink water?!”

She pushed the guy sitting next to Andrew off his stool, then picked it up and centered it between Andrew and Zach before sitting down.

 

[Harbinger]

The Parthenon- Delilah's suite

Tears were in Delilah’s eyes.

“I wasn’t INSANE, I was a mother! Hecate gave me an impossible choice, and only seconds to make it. Whether YOU thought it was the wrong decision or not, it was MINE, and even if it was wrong I needed your SUPPORT, your HELP with what the hell I was going to do now that I had made it. But you decided that anyone who didn’t do what you would do must be crazy and needed to be stopped. Do you understand how that sounds?! I needed BOTH of you, and you SHUT ME OUT.”

Drops rolled down Delilah’s cheeks.

::As Delilah plaintively pointed out that Morgan and Alison had shut her out, Alison simply nodded in agreement. Alison looked at Delilah with remorse. A rare thing indeed for the precog, and after this? It would likely not be something they saw from her anytime soon.::

You're right. You weren't insane.

:: but even sane people make BAD choices. It was her choice to make, and Alison wouldn't argue that again. Delilah didn't need to hear Alison's personal thoughts on that anymore.::

“Tell me this, Alison. If you could have killed my child after I refused Hecate’s offer, would you have?”

She looked away a moment before continuing, not wanting to see the answer in Alison’s eyes.

:: Alison's eyebrows lift a bit and her cobalt blue eyes widen for a brief moment before she erases the look of astonishment on her face at this terrible question. She couldn't fault Delilah for even wondering if she would have, Alison WAS cold, brutal, and capable of doing things that others didn't have the heart or stomach to do. ::

No. Of course not.

:: To kill a child. Under certain circumstances, Alison WOULD kill even a child. She and Morgan even talked about what she would want done IF she had found out she was somehow impregnated by IMAGIOMG.::

:: But Alexia was not a malevolent creature who's purpose was to bring about the destruction of the world. It wasn't Alexia's fault that her mutant powers worked the way they did. She was a rarity among mutants, with her powers being active at BIRTH. No, Alison wouldn't have killed her...unless...::

:: She couldn't help but recall Dominique, and what SHE had tried to do when her sister was raped by the demonic god Set, and became pregnant with NICOLAS. Dominique wanted, AND TRIED to kill Nicolas both BEFORE AND AFTER he was first born. His origins werent his fault. He didn't ask to have a monster for a father OR to be orphaned at birth. In time, ISIS herself would come to see that destroying him was the wrong thing to do. He deserved a chance just like they all had been given. ::

She looked away a moment before continuing, not wanting to see the answer in Alison’s eyes.

“Danger was all around us that night. Did you ever stop to think about what would happen if you had failed? What if Circe had killed you all and I had died – Alexia would have been in Circe’s hands! And you didn’t think I needed to know about that risk?”

::The truth was, Circe wouldn't have been interested in Alexia, she wanted Morgan, because she felt that Morgan usurped HER rightful place as Hecate's chosen avatar. That Red Moon/Blue Moon, Circe...Hecate...Bishop hated the goddesses, Delilah probably did too now, they had revived her after she died while giving birth to Alexia, but they warned her THAT was their way of balancing the scales for their inadvertent role in bringing BISHOP back, and that if she returned to her life as she knew it, there would be no more assistance from THEM regarding it.::

Oh I did more than think about it. I "saw" what would happen...

:: she said with a thoughtful, grim tone::

<< If Morgan had been murdered by Circe, and her body possessed by that sorceress, and Harbinger, Shadow Weaver, and Isis had failed to stop the attack on the aerie... NONE of them would have been here to contemplate anything else. The entire mansion, the island itself would have been destroyed, as Circe came blasting back from Hades to our world...in Morgan's body, with all of Hecate's power. She would have cracked the earth open like an egg...and that would have been the end of life for ALL, leaving her to be able to remake this orb in her twisted image. It wouldn't have been any kind of world for Alexia or any human.>>

But telling Delilah that wouldn't help her right now, so why bother?

:: she placed her hand to her temple...she started feeling..."HEARING" something ...it was distant at first, but it was coming "toward" her....from the astral plane! The tone became more audible to her and she realized it was her BROTHER and he was FRANTICALLY looking for her! ::

:: She looked at Delilah, she started feeling the sensation of a headache coming over her, not from this interaction, but from the growing sound of her brother crying out for her help::

I have to move...

Delilah shook her head. She couldn’t believe not one of them had gone against Morgan’s orders and TOLD her what was going on. Not one.

“We should have made that decision together. You should have…you could have let me say goodbye…”

She broke down then, lowering her head and crying freely now. She covered her face with her hand, shielding it from Alison’s gaze.

Yes.

::a slow nod of agreement, and that look of regret::

Delilah was silent for a long while. When she finally spoke, tears were still falling from her eyes.

“I don’t WANT to feel this way. I don’t WANT to hate you.

But you do, and I can't help that...not anymore. But now, at least you know the truth...

:: Alison thought as she looked at the woman. Alison had recovered from a nervous breakdown. She was HERSELF again, and while she had LEARNED, She swore to herself, Ava, Karen...and most recently Cameron, that she would NEVER allow ANYONE to affect that kind of reaction from/in her AGAIN. She didn't even bother to use her precognition to "SEE" what Delilah's response would be, or what kind of LONG TERM effect it would have. ::

"But you…”

She closed her eyes for a moment.

“You and Morgan betrayed my trust so deeply. You acted like you didn’t know me at all. Like I was some person – some CHILD - off the street you had to make decisions for because they were too incompetent to make them themselves. I can’t…I can’t have that and be part of this team. I can’t…pretend like it’s okay that you don’t TRUST me. That you will make decisions about my LIFE for me.”

She stood up, the hurt still apparent in her eyes.

“I can’t pretend it didn’t happen,

Neither can I.

:: Alison said with sympathy and understanding::

::Someone like Alison ESPECIALLY could not::

:: Delilah still believed that Morgan and Alison might do this to her again, or someone else. ::

:: Like Morgan, Alison knew there'd be some lingering concern. She may not appreciate it, but she couldn't blame Delilah for it::L

:: Still, If Delilah didn't return to a place where and trust her own team- the WHOLE team, then she would be doing herself a disservice by remaining and ultimately the team's strength and ability to fullfill it's destiny would be in jeopardy. Alison hoped that if nothing else, Delilah would come to realize things would be different. She wouldn't be treated like that again. ::

You won't be treated like that again. Everyone has learned something from all of this.

She looked around for the words.

“I can give you the chance to earn back my trust. That’s all I can offer right now, I’m sorry.”

Okay.

:: She said calmly. Delilah was offering something other than venom and strife, and that was a sign that SHE TOO was healing, which Alison was glad for. ::

:: Alison would leave it here. She wanted Delilah's forgiveness. She wanted Delilah to know she didn't set out to hurt her, nor did she consider her the enemy, AND that she had learned something from her mistake! She would treat Delilah with courtesy and respect, and NOW she knew Delilah would do the same toward her. They could WORK together for success and fulfillment of the Six's destiny, but ultimately Alison too was prepared to move on without Delilah as a personal friend.::

:: After a few moments, Alison nodded with understanding.::

I'm very glad that we could make peace. I'll... see you later.

Sooner than she dared suspect...

:: And with that, she takes her leave, out of Delilah's apartment, into and down the hall, and back into the elevator. Inside, the "DING" is heard as the elevator doors close and it begins to descend. Alison exhales slowly, shutting her eyes tightly.::

::On a personal level Alison TOO had a lingering concern- and she would be very careful about letting herself be as open with Delilah as she was BEFORE the blue moon. She would never let herself be placed in such a "no win" situation like that again. ::

:: But now, she knew she'd done the right thing, and it was time for her to address another emerging issue...one that was now causing her clear distress as her headache had grown worse. Cameron was trying to PULL HER to him on the astral plane. She RESISTED while speaking to Delilah, and while at full strength, Cameron could never breach her psi screen unless she allowed it. Something was WRONG!::

::GASP!::

::FLASH!::

:: Crying. ::

:: Using his sibling bond, he cried out to Alison, his visceral and guttural reaction THROTTLED through the astral plane. He needed his sister. He needed Alison to make this better, to explain the unexplainable. He needed the Harbinger. ::

<< The Astral Plane>>

<< As Cameron flows across the astral plane, radiating pain and grief....a colbalt blue sphere begins to pulsate into view, growing in size until finally Harbinger herself manifests in one of her astral forms and holds her arms out, WAITING for Cameron. She KNOWS what's wrong with him. And she knows that he is...MISTAKEN. But she CAN'T tell him what's really going on. Everyone has to learn TOGETHER.::

:: Still, she CAN help him!::

ALISON: CAMERON!

:: She calls out to him urgently, as she intercepts and gathers him in her arms, holding him in her embrace as she PULLS him back to "TOGETHER" with her own movement power. ::

I'm here now, baby brother, and I'll be with you through all of it.

:: gently stroking the side of his head as she held on to him and helped him to STOP spiraling off into emotional oblivion.::

There's MORE going on than you know. Come BACK to the parthenon at once. I am there, waiting for you and Ava BOTH.

:: She calmed him with her aura, and allowed him to "hold" on to her as Ava carried them both back to the Parthenon and to the war room.::

:: Once there, his mind was calmer, he felt a "cooling" sensation from his sister's touch, and she assured him that she was in the building and on her way.::

:: She wasn't finished with her other tasks. She had to STOP the Victoria family from leaving the Parthenon, in order for things to go the way they needed to, everyone had to be together....to learn...::

 

[Rampage]

Calm. That was the order of the day. There was enough attitude and concern and emotion out there right now. Cam went too far, but he had confidence that he would get his shit together. So he would make sure that the ladies were good at the brownstone and make it as fun as possible and they would sort this out soon enough.

Cass comes thundering in, riding her bag by the chair and her body next to him. She was being coy but he could sense her irritation. He 'spoke' to her.

I know you are irritated and concerned. Just relax, take this as a weekend slumber party and we will clear this up soon enough. Trust me on this. People need time to chill out.

Nicolas felt a tremor, noted it for later study due to its unusual nature. He was about to speak with Cass when he was jolted by a psychic scream. He began to track it down when it stopped suddenly.

Nicolas stood up quickly, unwittingly getting everyone's attention. He was at alert, the scream having scrambled his head for a second. By now he could scarcely hear anyone calling him and he had his axe in hand...

 

[Orion]

The Parthenon -- Bar Six

Zach had just ordered them another round. How many had they had? No matter.

Andrew: She's gonna castrate you bro!

Say... what?

Andrew pointed emphatically to the woman pushing her way through the crowd. She looked angry as HELL. He remembered the last time she was so upset and shuddered in anticipation.

Ashley: You did NOT just try and bootie call ME, did you?!

"Well. Technically, it was a text."

He interjected with a goofy smile.

Ashley: *I* do the booty calling around here. You do not call ME, understand. I CALL YOU, and THEN you come running to ME. I do not come to YOU. Capisce, paisan...?

"Oh.... oh, [shaking his head] no capisce. [salaciously] Insegni?"

Ashley: If you think you’re going to call ME then you had better have brought a friend, because you, little man, are not NEARLY enough for a woman like me.

"HA! I've seen the men you choose, so don't play."

She pushed a man off his barstool. Oh yes, she was EXACTLY what he needed right now. He shifted on his seat so he was more directly facing her as she stuck herself in between him and Andrew. He didn't need to pay attention to ANYTHING else.

Ashley: Well, are you going to buy me a drink or do I have to drink water?!

Terry to the rescue. THAT GUY was getting a giant tip. His drinks appeared at precisely the best second. He slid them both towards Valkyrie.

"Lady's choice, but I recommend the 21 year old whiskey."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon- On the way out

*sighing*: “I’m just peachy. Don’t mind me.”

:: She didn’t want to talk about it. So she pasted a big smile on her face and turned to Nicolas. ::

<< Karen narrowed her eyes as she looked knowingly at Cass. The little girl would have to do better than THAT to be convincing, but there was no need to press the issue, the doctor could guess what was eating her. >>

<< The doctor recognized that this was not Cass' preferred choice. She may not have agreed with Blaze on all of her points, but she was being supportive of Blaze, and that demonstration meant something. Karen appreciated it very much. >>

<< As Cass began to talk with Nicolas, Karen moved about Blaze's apartment making some final preparations. She also made it a point to summon the RUNES she was gifted by Bell Book and Candle shop mistress ALIX. She would fortify the brownstone they were relocating to with POWERFUL defensive spells that only the truly brave or truly FOOLISH would try to breach.>>

<< Her mind churned...flashing back and forth between her own desire to strike Talisman DEAD, and the distress her daughters were feeling.>>

that despicable woman [Kelly]....she NARROWLY avoided my crushing her skull with my mace! She stalked me, she vexed me on a DEEPLY personal level, she violated my serenity and peace. She ATTACKED ME and tried to KILL ME! She USED the lingering remnants of FROST to her own twisted, perverted machinations! By the soul of Hecate...she will PAY for ALL of it!

<< And Cameron thought HE would stop her!? Her anger toward him was fast becoming CONTEMPT.>>

<< Morgan and Blaze were both upset, and so was Karen! Their guilt and grief over Frost, the ANGER and the desire for vengeance against Talisman, and the resentment over Cameron's behavior were all at the forefront of the doctor's mind. Cameron cast Morgan out, and Morgan- who had no intention of living their full time anyway- was fine with leaving. Her treatment angered Blaze, who decided she would leave with Morgan. Now that her daughters had done as she asked, and at least SPOKEN to Delilah to address their issue, Karen wanted BOTH of her daughters out of the Parthenon for the time being, and no one, not even Cass was going to stand in the way of her acting on behalf of her family.>>

<< Michael was ALREADY upset over what happened to Karen during the Frost caper, and Nicolas, who vowed to make sure Morgan knew she had support, and viewed the doctor as a mother figure, was happy to provide accommodation for her (and anyone else who wanted to come) AND he was ready to FLATTEN Talisman. While Karen wasn't someone who "lived for the battle." She could be quite deadly and implacable when crossed. Evidence of this had been seen by various members of the Six, ACROSS timelines, and as Malice said-

"Karen's violence is among the worst for them. That is their beloved matriarch, but but before she's anyone's mother...she's SHADOW WEAVER.

<< Even Talisman had wanted to see if mainstream Karen was as capable of such violence as her crosstime counterpart. The woman got MORE than an object lesson in that "research." >>

I know you are irritated and concerned. Just relax, take this as a weekend slumber party and we will clear this up soon enough. Trust me on this. People need time to chill out.

<<Nicolas had been rather timely in his response to this emerging issue, and his concern...his ANGER over how she had been treated mattered to her. But what was even more instrumental right now was his ability to offer a BUFFER because even KAREN could not remain objective over this. She and her daughters were not going to be dismissed OR barred from avenging Frost AND exacting revenge for what had been done to Karen.>>


<< She found Blaze sprawled out across her very large bed in the master suite.>>

Blaze...

<< she came over to the bed and reached for Blaze's hand.>>

We're ready. I've just sent Morgan a communication via our bond as mother and child, she'll meet us on the main floor of the Parthenon. Do you have everything you need?

<< Blaze indicated she did, but Karen could see that she was a bit distracted. She knew why.>>

Honey... Don't try to look at the outcome of your conversation with Delilah in some sort of "measurement" of success or failure. What matters is that you faced her and you spoke your peace. You didn't react to her "justicer"comment, you kept calm, and you spoke from your heart. There's time. There's hope.

For THAT at least...

We'll have plenty of time to talk about things this weekend. I think we all need, first and foremost, a BREAK from this place. MUCH has happened lately.

<< That was putting it mildly. Blaze KNEW that Karen had been seeing Haleigh in her capacity as a psycho therapist, but she didn't know the ultimate OUTCOME of that situation. THAT, along with everything else, up to and including Morgan's return?>>

We'll be able to spend time with Morgan and help her get settled. If you want to stay with her while she lives there until her Sanctorum is completed, that's fine. Nicolas can mind your apartment while you're gone .

<< She smiles and gently pulls her daughter up.>>

Now, come along. It's time we were going, and once we're at the brownstone, we'll have a nice dinner.

<< Karen said this, at the moment COMPLETELY unaware of the chain of events that were unfolding from Zenith's offices back to the Parthenon.>>

<< Blaze (and Tinker) followed Karen out of the master suite, down the stairs and to the main level of the penthouse apartment.>>

Is everyone ready?

Good, let's be on our way.

<< She says, as Nicolas helps her with her wrap over her outfit>>

<< Moments later>>

<< The elevator dings, and the door opens to the main floor, the lobby of the Parthenon. >>

<< Karen emerges, with Nicolas escorting her on his arm. Blaze is to her left, with Cass beside her. The cats are both in custom designed carriers and while Tinker is not happy with being in the carrier, with all the hustle and bustle in the main lobby, not many people notice the protests of the Siamese, who would rather walk freely.>>

<< Nicolas has a car waiting for them outside and Michael was already at the Brownstone waiting for them.>>

 

[Valkyrie]

The Parthenon – Bar Six

He tried to get smart with her.

"Well. Technically, it was a text."

“Shut up.”

She almost slapped him.

"Oh.... oh, [shaking his head] no capisce. [salaciously] Insegni?"

“Non scopare con me, Armani. I mean it.”

Drinks came. She needed about twenty.

"Lady's choice, but I recommend the 21 year old whiskey."

“They’re BOTH mine.”

True to her word, she downed the whisky and chased it with the beer. She signaled the bartender.

“Again. On his tab.”

Turning to Andrew, leaning into the bar and putting her back to Zach.

“So…why do you look so down in the dumps? And why you hanging out with THIS asshole?”

She hooked her thumb at Zach.

 

[Titan]

The Parthenon – Bar Six

Hurricane Ashley entered the pub, which was enough to sober up any man. She had a few choice words for Zach.

And then after mentioning what he thought sounded like a threesome, she smiled at him and said hello, which suddenly made him feel very uncomfortable. But he could roll with it. Just because she scared him just a little, didn’t mean that his considerable charm wouldn’t work on her.

Zach was trying to be cute with her, but it wasn’t working.

Too much, man, play it cool…

He watched her throw back two drinks at a time with no small amount of admiration. Maybe Zach was right after all…and he needed to get back on the horse as soon as possible. A little friendly competition never hurt anybody…

“So…why do you look so down in the dumps? And why you hanging out with THIS asshole?”

“Well, my fair Nordic princess, alas we both have had our hearts broken by evil, heartless females today. And have chosen to drown our sorrows together, in the spirit of brotherhood.”

He took a drink, looking solemn.

“I’m not sure it’s working.”

 

[Rampage]

DEPARTURE FROM THE PARTHENON!

<< Blaze (and Tinker) followed Karen out of the master suite, down the stairs and to the main level of the penthouse apartment.>>

Is everyone ready?

Good, let's be on our way.

<< She says, as Nicolas helps her with her wrap over her outfit>>

<< Moments later>>

<< The elevator dings, and the door opens to the main floor, the lobby of the Parthenon. >>

Nicolas escorts Karen out into the lobby and sends a thought to Mike.

17 minutes to arrival. In the lobby about to disembark.

Mike is standing outside waiting for them. The Brownstone has been swept for anything bigger than atoms, the two adjoining brownstones already purchased long ago to form a security perimeter and connected to the main structure for more room. Half a dozen maids have been dusting and turning back beds for their arrival, the refrigerators restocked and dinners being planned. He nods as he gets the 'message' from Nicolas. He speaks into his communicator and the supervisor inside gets a message.

You have 10 minutes to finish then back to two attendants onsite. Thank you for your hard work.

Nicolas continued with Karen, taking a second to look over at Cassandra and wink flirtatiously...


[/quote][/quote]

 

[Valkyrie]

The Parthenon – Bar Six

“Well, my fair Nordic princess, alas we both have had our hearts broken by evil, heartless females today. And have chosen to drown our sorrows together, in the spirit of brotherhood.”

She laughed and looked from one of them to the other.

“Both of you?”

She laughed some more.

She turned to Zach.

“So Bitch Widow finally dumped your ass? I told you she’d always be the MAN in any relationship. And you”

Turning to Andrew.

“Weren’t you banging that Delilah chick who’s friends with the Amazons? Trust me, with friends like that, you’re better off. You’d wake up one day and your balls would be on a spit.”

She grinned mischievously.

“What you boys need”

She motioned for the bartender to come over.

“Is copious amounts of alcohol and some actual FUN in your lives.”

She slapped them each on the back.

“And NO ONE does fun like me.”

The bartender looked at her expectantly.

“Set ‘em up and keep ‘em coming. We’re having a party. And there will be strippers.”

 

[Orion]

The Parthenon -- Bar Six

Ashley: Shut up.

She snapped, and looked like she was thinking about hitting him. So sexy, he could hardly stand it.

Combative, CHECK!

Ashley: Non scopare con me, Armani. I mean it.

The way her mouth wrapped around his native language was damn near pornographic. And she sounded SO serious. Zach tried to stifle a chuckle but failed spectacularly, and instead managed to give himself hiccups. Zach gave Andrew a straight face with wide eyes.

"I think you're [hic] right bud, she's going to [hic] castrate me. You know, [hic] I thought for the longest time, [hic] Haleigh would be the last woman I ever slept with. [hic] This is one instance in which I am not [hic] happy to be right."

Valkyrie took BOTH his drinks, then ordered more, and told the bartender to charge Zach.

Confident, CHECK!

He nodded slyly to Terry, agreeing to fund this affair, because she was on a roll and he expected a little crazy to start showing as soon as she relaxed. He held his breath to try to interrupt the hiccups, as Ashley emphatically turned her back to Zach. He eyed the dragon on the back of her neck with a smirk of anticipation. She called him an asshole and paid attention to Andrew. Andrew, for his part, did fairly well, mentioning their recent breakups. Ashley laughed and threw a look at him. Zach didn't look quite so amused.

Ashley: Both of you?

"Aw, come on, don't laugh. It's really not funny. This guy is crushed."

He said, gesturing to Andrew.

Ashley: So Bitch Widow finally dumped your ass? I told you she’d always be the MAN in any relationship.

"ACTUALLY--"

Ashley: And you, weren’t you banging that Delilah chick who’s friends with the Amazons? Trust me, with friends like that, you’re better off. You’d wake up one day and your balls would be on a spit.

Well THAT's an unpleasant mental image.

Ashley: What you boys need.... Is copious amounts of alcohol and some actual FUN in your lives. And NO ONE does fun like me. [The bartender looked at her expectantly. ] Set ‘em up and keep ‘em coming. We’re having a party. And there will be strippers.

AND a little Crazy, CHECK! Ladies and Gentlemen, she's pulled off the hat trick.

Here came another round. Zach lifted his glass of whiskey in her honor.

"You know Ash.... even if you shoot me down, I'm glad you're here, so cheers, bella donna."

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon- Blaze's penthouse

<< The glowing violet hue of a stepping disc can be seen in the center of the main level of Blaze's penthouse, and Morgan emerges from the stepping disc.>>

Blaze?

<< she looks around>>

Mom??

<< She looks in some of the rooms on the main level of the penthouse>>

Tinker??

<< but no one is here it seems. Mom said they were ready to leave, but Morgan had been....distracted. >>

<< her interaction with Haleigh had been the furthest thing from what she expected, but somehow, it feel easier almost natural to interact with her like that. That was truly a sign of how far Morgan and Haleigh had both come, but what Morgan didn't know was that it could just be the calm before a truly big storm.>>

<< After a brief search around the apartment, Morgan could see that someone had packed rather quickly and the apartment had been powered down. Her cats were gone too, and she knew Blaze would leave the babies behind.>>

They must be downstairs.

<< Exiting the apartment, makes her way to the elevator and then down to the main floor of the parthenon.>>

<< This place no longer held the emotional draw it once had from the time she was first here, or during the period when she and Alison shared ownership of it. Even now, with signs of Spectra Couture and other little accents, Morgan no longer wanted to be here. She didn't want to be reminded of anything to do with Cameron, and were it not for her new found serenity, she would have laid him out on the floor during their confrontation earlier..his smug face...his horrible, inaccurate words still echoing in the back of her mind.>>

BASTARD!

<< She took a moment to straighten her leather jacket as the "ding" is heard and the elevator doors open to the main floor and she steps out.>>

<< She looks around the busy area.>>

<< She considers going to the front desk, but now, the last thing she wants to do is rely on people who work for Cameron. So instead, she breathes in/out slowly, and concentrates, "reaching out" to sense her mom and her sister. >>

<< Moments later, she sees Nicolas escorting Karen, with Blaze beside Karen, carring Tinker, and Cass beside blaze, carrying Morgan's small white kitten.>>

Mom, Blaze, wait up!

<< She calls out to them as she makes her way across to reach them.>>

Karen: Morgan! Finally!

Blaze: What happened, you get lost?

Morgan: Nope. I had that meeting at Clandestine Intelligence regarding my Sanctorum project, and after that I was kind of...distracted. I may not recognize the jerk who owns this hotel, but I know this place very well. I used to own it...

Karen: << she places her free hand on Morgan's arm>>

Morgan: He's so damn arrogant, he really thinks their lives are BETTER because of HIM.

Karen: Yes, that IS rather arrogant for him to think that way, as if no one among us was capable of getting what they want out of life without him? As if they're not living unless they're doing it HIS way?

Blaze: Let's not stand here out in the open talking about that. Let's just get to the brownstone and get settled. We're all on edge for different reasons. Once we get out of here, we can exhale.

Karen: Agreed.

Morgan: I'm ready.

<< But from a few paces behind them all, a voice calls out to them.>>

Alison: WAIT!

 

[Harbinger]

The Parthenon- Main Floor

:: Alison Marble stood behind them in her blue corset, black short skirt, and high heels. Her manner of dress was provocative, but the way she carried herself was in contrast to that. Most women in this outfit would ONLY evoke lust or condemnation. But Alison still commanded respect, and this way of..."blending in" among the throng of people moving about.::

:: As the group turns to see them, Morgan and Alison lay eyes on each other for the first time since the "dream time" event, truly since the BLUE MOON.>>

::FLASH!::

<< a horizontal split screen view. Alison's colbalt blue eyes along the top, Morgan's violet eyes on the bottom.>>

All of you, please...wait.

:: Alison said after she and Morgan broke their eye contact.::

Morgan: ALI!

:: Alison couldn't help but smile as the two women made their way to one another and embraced, hugging each other tightly::

Alison: Morg, welcome back. Welcome HOME.

Both: I missed you.

:: Blaze, Nicolas, Karen and Cass gather around the two witches as they revel in this moment of reunion::

Morgan: You're OKAY??

:: Morgan asks as they let go one another and step back from other, but still holding hands as they look over each other::

Alison: Yes, I am. Ava and Karen...they took good care of me. They helped me through the darkest part of that experience. What about You?

Morgan: I'm on the other side of it now too. Oh gawd, Ali.... I'm so sorry...

<< Morgan pulls her into a hug again, as Karen places a hand on Morgan's back and smiles, as she looks on>>

Alison: That's enough of that. It wasn't your fault. What my brother said wasn't accurate.

Morgan: Maybe not...but...It didn't even occurr to me to TAKE YOU WITH ME...

Alison: You weren't supposed to. I COULDN'T just LEAVE Minerva's Aerie. I NEEDED to recover in the safety and seclusion of my domain, just as you needed to do the same in yours.

:: they let go of each other once more::

Alison: As I told Ava earlier, that happened the way it was supposed to. Please don't blame yourself for me. We BOTH made a mistake. We were trying to help Delilah, and we made a mistake. It's over now. We're not here to let others hold us in the past.

Blaze: AMEN! ::nodding in agreement:: Welcome back, Ali! You look good!

Karen: Yes, it's good to see you again, Alison. I'm very glad that you, Blaze, and Morgan went to Delilah. You couldn't move forward without addressing that and speaking to her first.

<< Blaze and Karen both hug Alison. Alison take a moment to greet the kitties, before looking over to Cass.>>

Alison: Hello, Cass, Nicolas. Nice to see you both.

:: Nicolas wraps his arms around Alison and lifts her off the ground in a tight hug! She cant help but smile a bit and laugh::

Alison: I've missed you too, @Rampage .

Karen: Alison, we're just on our way out. I'm taking my daughters to one of Nicolas' properties. Morgan has just returned, and I think it would help if had some time to spend with her away from the Parthenon. Cass is accompanying Blaze, and Michael will be there. Nicolas will be looking in.

Morgan: Blaze will likely only there temporarily, but I'll be there until the construction of my sanctum sanctorum is complete. That's something I'd like to talk to you about, Alison.

Blaze: I'll be staying with my sister. She's not welcomed here at this hotel. Cameron told her to leave, so if she has to go, I'm going.

:: Blaze said bitterly. Karen didn't correct her either.::

Morgan: Oh Blaze...honey it's okay. I don't care about Cameron's petty attempts to flex because this sardine can is his building.

Karen: That doesn't mean he shoud've said it. It was unkind and unecessary, and he had the gall to demand you treat him with respect...or a sort of REVERENCE, while he MOCKED you and your mental health crisis!

:: Cass and Nicolas BOTH hard the sharpness in Karen's voice::

Morgan: I was only going to stay here temporarily as YOUR guest, Blaze, in your penthouse. I never had any intention of living here permanently. But you've made a home for yourself here. You, have your friends- Cass, Nicolas, even Cameron....I saw you two at Melrose Place. You don't have to leave just because of me, Cameron has no power to stop us from seeing each other when/where ever we want. He certainly has no power or preeminence over ME...OR anyone else around here for that matter.

Blaze: Yes, I do, Morgan. You JUST came back. Mom and I...we JUST lost Frost...AGAIN...and he hasn't said ONE THING to us about that...

:: Blaze was getting upset again...::

Blaze: ...and you JUST came back, and he wants to throw you out because you didn't check in for any of his CRAP? NO...if you're not welcomed here, than NEITHER am I!

:: Alison watched and listened to them. She perceived KAREN speaking to her about Kelly Shaw once they settled in at Nicolas' brownstone. She was aware of that situation, and that Karen wanted her endorsement for hunting down Talisman. Alison would AGREE with this and ASSIST Karen. But that entire conversation would have to wait...::

Karen: Blaze...don't upset yourself again. Remember where we are. :: She looks at Alison:: Once we're settled in at the brownstone, I'd like to talk with you about recent events.

:: Alison smiled at Karen::

Alison: Oh don't worry Karen, I'll be AVAILABLE to you for that...

:: Alison's way of saying she'd speak with Karen, AND help her to destroy Shaw without getting into all of it right now where they were.::

:: She sighed as she looked at them all. She knew the Victoria family very well. She understood Morgan, and Karen very well, and she cared for Blaze. She HATED to be the person that would prevent them from leaving the Parthenon tonight, but it had to happen.::

Alison: But...in the meantime, I can't let you walk out those doors.

:: The group looks at her, rather puzzled.::

Alison: I already knew about the fight between Morgan and Cameron. I'm aware of what happened with Frost, and Talisman. Cameron may have "issues" regarding her, but I don't. She's not my mother. But now is not the time to discuss that. Right now? I must ask you all to REMAIN in the parthenon for the time being....for TONIGHT if nothing else.

Morgan: Alison?

Karen: And why is that, Alison? I am not comfortable with my daughters being here right now, not until they've had a chance to calm down and readjust. I need to calm down and readjust. I can't even look at their not-so-gracious host right now....his arrogance, his rudeness...

Alison: Karen, I wouldn't ever try to stop you from taking care of your daughters. I also wouldn't be here to prevent you from leaving, if I didn't have a REASON.

:: Nicolas and Cass heard the tone in Alison's voice. Something was wrong, and she was speaking as a precog.::

Alison: And as for Cameron, don't be too hard on him. None of us has ALWAYS said what was on our mind in the best way EVERYTIME. Right now... He's not well. :: She looks at Blaze and smiles:: He didn't want anything to happen to you during the Frost caper, Blaze. He wanted you to be safe. :: she offered that clarity to Blaze, again, speaking as a precog, and continuing to do so now:: in the long run the confrontation between Cameron and Morgan won't matter. Our experience in the dream time event served as a reminder that we need each other, we HAVE to be able to work together. Our personal lives are our own, but each of us is a piece of a much larger picture....our destiny has not changed or gone away. NOW, the pieces of a vast...terrible power that we had toppled, have been coming back together. If we're going to be able to stop it, WE must come together. Disasters don't wait.

:: She looks at the Victoria family, along with Nicolas and Cass::

Take it from a precog, you'll eventually kiss and make up, sooner than you might imagine.

Please trust me, and stay here through tonight...you will know when and where you are needed in this place soon enough. You must all be TOGETHER to LEARN at the same time.

:: It sounded rather ominous, but it was true.::

:: Karen broke the silence among them as they all looked at Alison in various states of wonder, concern and even some anxiety::

Karen: Very well, Alison. On your word, we'll delay our departure tonight.

:: Alison nodded. She and Karen already knew the truth. KAREN wouldn't tell anyone because of doctor/patient confidentiality. ALISON wouldn't tell because it was not meant for her to do so. It had to happen a certain way, and she intended to keep the timethreads ordered in a way that would be FAVORABLE to them all after this truth bomb.::

:: and Haleigh would NEED Karen to be there with her in that moment, that was ANOTHER reason why Alison had to prevent the Victoria family from leaving.::

Alison: Thank you for listening, and for trusting me.

:: She notices Morgan and Blaze looking at each other before Morgan looks back at Alison::

Morgan: Well...I guess we better take our things back up to Blaze's apartment from now.

Alison: Nicolas, call Mike inside. He must be present as well. You and He will stay by Karen, Blaze and Morgan.

 

[Rampage]

DEPARTURE FROM THE PARTHENON?

Karen: Agreed.

Morgan: I'm ready.

<< But from a few paces behind them all, a voice calls out to them.>>

Alison: WAIT!

Nicolas turned quickly, but the voice was unmistakable. Alison was there!

And he was WAY down the totem pole as she greeted everything up to and including the potted plants first. He chuckled as she did so because it would soon be his turn and.....

BEAR HUG! He picked her up and held her there until she had no choice but to laugh and acknowledge him!

:: Nicolas wraps his arms around Alison and lifts her off the ground in a tight hug! She cant help but smile a bit and laugh::

Alison: I've missed you too, @Rampage .

Of course you have. I am GORGEOUS!

The moment of levity is short-lived however, as it became apparent that Alison wanted - NEEDED- them to stay at least tonight. The lo0k that came over her was one he had come to respect and though he could not penetrate her mind, they often were on the same page, so he sent a thought to Mike.

Change of plans for the night. Bonus of 5 grand for everyone, have the people staying to shut it up tight and YOU get in the car. When you pull around back I will 'port you and it to the private garage at the Parthenon. You have 100 seconds.

:: She looks at the Victoria family, along with Nicolas and Cass::

Take it from a precog, you'll eventually kiss and make up, sooner than you might imagine.

Please trust me, and stay here through tonight...you will know when and where you are needed in this place soon enough. You must all be TOGETHER to LEARN at the same time.

:: It sounded rather ominous, but it was true.::

Nicolas extended a hand to grasp Blaze's shoulder to calm her down. She was still very upset but Nicolas knew that she would have to take it down a notch somehow, something was coming. This was no longer Alison. This was the Harbinger. They were the same but they had very different roles. He respected what she was doing here.

Alison: Thank you for listening, and for trusting me.

:: She notices Morgan and Blaze looking at each other before Morgan looks back at Alison::

Morgan: Well...I guess we better take our things back up to Blaze's apartment from now.

Alison: Nicolas, call Mike inside. He must be present as well. You and He will stay by Karen, Blaze and Morgan.

Good old Ali. She knew Mike just exited his car outside. The demigod nodded and pointed without turning as Arsenal entered the lobby in double time and immediately picked up Karen and Blaze's items. Nicolas grabbed Morgan's bags.

You ladies just get the cats up. Mike and I have these.

He looked at the elevator doors and they opened. He gestured for them all to enter...

 

[Prophet]

Astral Plane to The Parthenon

:: She found him on the astral plane as he called out to her and grabbed him into her arms. For a moment he found himself in a respite from the pain he was experiencing, from the outburst of emotion he wasn't able to control. ::

Harbinger: "I'm here now, baby brother, and I'll be with you through all of it."

:: He kissed her cheek as he buried his head into her neck. He had needed to hear those words from her in this moment. The woman he had built a large part of his understanding about himself around had just died and Cameron needed his sister, his backbone more than anything. ::

Harbinger: "There's MORE going on than you know. Come BACK to the parthenon at once. I am there, waiting for you and Ava BOTH."

:: Cameron nodded, now able to control himself a bit more as he returned from the Astral Plane and back into his body, finding himself at The Parthenon and in The War Room with Ava. Alison calmed him once again as she left the room and Cameron looked at Ava, who seemed as if she was about to take the entire building and city down if she had to. He had been stupid. He shouldn't have mentioned Diana to somebody as powerful as Persephone, but she was in pain, and he wanted to give her some kind of answer as to what had happened. ::

:: Slinking down in his chair..he found himself calm. As calm as he could be. The outpouring of emotion had left his body, and now he was left with somewhat of a numb feeling. The dull absence of emotion, of release that people feel when they explode. They needed to know what happened, and he couldn't be falling apart when that happened. Somebody had to make sure Ava didn't go full on rogue and the fact that she had taken off her ring, well it wasn't going to be pretty. Once they knew, they would swarm around Ava - they wouldn't let her breathe. He didn't want her to do something she regretted. And so, he manned up. He took that pain he was feeling, that deep and dark pain and he channeled it into a distress call that broadcast to the ENTIRE TEAM. ::

"TO THE WAR ROOM OF THE PARTHENON NOW! NO EXCEPTIONS AND NO DELAYS! EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!"

:: Prophet looked over at Persephone. She seemed stone cold in her appearance. Angry but stoic, which was usually how she operated, but he could sense the rage permeating from her skin. They made eye contact. ::

"I'm...here. When you need me. I'm here."

 

[Persephone]

They had arrived in the war room. The lights were dim and it was silent. Cold. Ava stood quietly by the head of the table, gripping her hands on the edge as she stared down at the metal surface. The expression on her face spoke volumes.....there was none. Her face was even and her stare blank. Everything on the outside was calm and collect, but a raging storm was brewing on the inside. She didn't want to be there. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want to hear their shock and grief. And she sure as hell didn't want to hear their condolences. She didn't want anything from them except to agree to back her when she stormed the Hellfire Club to rip Diana's throat out. And SHE would be the one to do it. She wanted to feel Diana's life drain from her body and stare her straight in the eyes as it happened.

Cameron: "TO THE WAR ROOM OF THE PARTHENON NOW! NO EXCEPTIONS AND NO DELAYS! EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!"

Ava's eyes lifted as she heard Cameron send out the distress call to everyone. For the first time since seeing Haleigh's dead body, she finally saw Cameron again. The devastation radiated from him, and she could see the pain in his eyes. It was too hard to look at.

Cameron: "I'm...here. When you need me. I'm here."

Ava didn't answer. Averting her eyes, she finally moved from the head of the table and walked over to the far side of the War Room, away from the door. Folding her arms across her chest, she held herself and waited.

 

[Titan]

Yellow Cab – NYC

It hadn’t taken too many morning rounds before Ashley had announced, “Strip club!” and the three of them had piled into a taxi. Andrew was getting a second wind thanks to several varieties of fried American foods to soak up the alcohol, plus he mood had lightened considerably, as only a lot of beer and booze will do.

He looked out the window of the taxi as they sped down West Broadway towards City Hall. The city was alive, people were out and about, and he was having a good time with two people he barely knew but increasingly liked. He actually felt more like his old self than he had in a long while.

But that might have just been the alcohol talking.

Not able to make the left, the cab pulled over at Murray street and let them out. Valkyrie let Zach pay the fare, hooking arms with him and pulling him around the corner and up the two stairs into New York Dolls.

A very large bouncer winked at Ashley and scrutinized him and Zach as he checked their IDs in the small bar in the anteroom, curtained off from the main club. Ashley didn’t wait for them as she strode through the curtain like she owned the place and took a seat at a table next to a banquette running along the wall, with a good view of the main stage as well as the smaller elevated poles scattered at strategic points through the club.

He looked at Zach.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

After Alison’s visit, Delilah had given up on going out to eat and instead had ordered room service. The waiter wheeled in the cart, complete with a red rose in a vase on top. She thanked him as she signed her chit and handed him a tip, and she was alone with her meal.

Finally!

And then it was a like a freight train burst from her skull.

TO THE WAR ROOM OF THE PARTHENON NOW! NO EXCEPTIONS AND NO DELAYS! EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!

“Fuck me.”

Delilah looked sadly at the tray of food, pulled the cover off her plate, and took a giant bite of her burger before heading out the door to the elevator with a handful of fries in her other hand.

Delilah wondered if this was related to the earthquake they had felt earlier. But you would think he would have called sooner. And having everyone come to the war room rather than to the scene of some new apocalyptic threat was odd. She hoped this wasn’t some sort of “intervention” because that would just be the cherry on the top of this day.

The door to the war room opened for Delilah, who saw Cameron and Ava already inside, looking grim.

Okay, now she was concerned.

“What’s going on, guys? Has something happened?”

 

[Valkyrie]

Yellow Cab – NYC

She sat in the taxi, between Andrew and Zach. Thankfully, Andrew had cheered up some and Zach had stopped acting like a total tool. And she had had enough to drink to forget about her horrible day job and (almost) about being angry. They were out for a good time and she was going to have it.

She trailed a finger of each hand lightly across the legs on either side of her. The cab pulled off to the left side of West Broadway and she exited on Andrew’s side, linking her arm with his.

“Zach will get it.”

She didn’t look back at him as she pulled Andrew around the corner and into the club. A bouncer who had eaten about a thousand too many buffalo wings tried giving her the eye. She had seen him before, and he wasn’t getting any less repulsive. Still, no need to cause a scene that might force them to go elsewhere, so she let him look her over as he checked her id and then went on ahead into the club, passing through the deserted bar.

There was a good crowd in the main club, though. Excellent. Weekday nights could be slow. She sat down on a cushy banquette and stretched her arms out along the back. When the waitress came to take their drink orders, Ashley put her credit card and a hundred on the table and told her to open a tab. She ordered a bottle of whiskey for the table and a beer for herself, then sat back to enjoy the atmosphere.

Of anything in this modern world, this most closely resembled life in HER time. Unapologetic, unashamed – taking what you wanted and not asking for anyone’s permission or approval.

She gave the boys a sideways grin, raising her eyebrows.

“Welcome to my ‘office’.”

 

[Orion]

The Parthenon -- Bar Six

A few more rounds and Zach had forgotten all about his awkward breakup and the flash heartache. He signed for his tab at the bar, adding on a couple hundred extra for Terry. They shared a cab to a place Ashley recommended. He was not at ALL surprised that she had a strip club in mind. Zach was in the happy-drunk stage and couldn't keep that mood from being contagious. Both of the others had perked up as well.

Ashley continued to play 'hard to get' all evening, and Zach continued to consider what he wanted to do to her first. She helped matters considerably in the cab, stroking his thigh teasingly. The thing about physical contact with an empath, is that it presents a certain amount of 'feedback' to the other person.

Oh, you know exactly what you are doing...

She linked arms with Andrew and volunteered Zach to pay the fare. Zach chuckled and paid cash to the cabbie.

Challenge ACCEPTED.

He passed the ID check with Andrew as Ashley left them in her dust. Andrew looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Zach smiled knowingly and threw an arm around Andrew's shoulder, guiding him the way a big brother would.

"Better believe it, bro. And by the way, if it's your first time here, I'm buying you a lap dance."

Zach replied, patting Andrew's back and releasing him. Andrew plopped down on the near side, and Zach crossed by in front to sit on Ashley's other side.

Ashley: Welcome to my 'office'.

She grinned, and Zach smirked as he glanced around. He hadn't been in a joint like this since college. Not much had changed in the profession, apparently. His gaze returned to her.

"What lovely staff you have. Makes a man wonder who could be a Valkyrie's favorite."