The Blackout Party

[Seer]

night and day

<< scorpions, strange women, coerced sales and violent meetings. it sounded like par for the course where Malice or Enchantra were concerned, but neither of them seemed to be involved in the attack on King Enterprises or its charities. the fact that inspite of the interviews no one could give an exact account of the woman they dealt with or were confronted by was definately something to ponder.>>

<< The members of the Six were slowly pieces together of the puzzle which was starting to show that Nicolas was a bigger part than he'd realized and that Dominique was quite possibly a bigger menace than they could have suspected.>>

<< but even moreso, they had willingly plunged into the heart of "darkness". crashing the Blackout party and staying now to the point of the mansion being sealed and the "blackout" going into effect. They were now well within the spider's web and thinking about going to the center of the web. bravery? or foolhardy courage? they knew fighting with Malice and Enchantra was no small task and with the addition of the new Black Queen, there was no telling just how high the violence would be in their eventual encounter.>>

<< they were asking for information, and they were well on their way to getting the answer, but they might not like it.>>

on the other side of the world, where the day is BEGINNING as the NIGHT is in full effect for those of the Six in NYC

<< Alison has finally awakened. Greeted by Morgan first, the two "sisters" hugged one another, with Morgan asking Alison's forgiveness. Unlike Ava, Alison seemed very understanding. It was an accident, Morgan didnt PLAN to send them there and Alison knew the risks associated with the discs and traveling through Limbo better than most.>>

<< Karen arrives shortly after, and she along with the medical staff quickly proceed to examine Alison. Unlike Ava, Alison is more charitable with the staff and she understands why Karen is checking over her so. Alison may be allright now, but then again, the last true source of agitation for her before she fell in the disc is not in the room...NICOLAS. She remembered everything, she knew that she and Ava had been through something extraordinary and nearly fatal but like a flower that closes up after a storm, she seemed to open up when the time was right.>>

<< Mike, Delilah and Pandora came to great Alison. All that was left, was Ava, who strangely had been the LAST to arrive in the suite to see Alison.>>

 

[Persephone]

:: Inhaling a deep breath, Ava walked down the long stretch of hall leading to Alison's room. She could head Karen and Delilah talking; their tones so much happier than they had been the past couple days. It seemed their tight little family was finally whole again. Taking off her sunglasses Ava propped them on top of her head as she finally reached the doorway leading into the bedroom. Everyone was surrounding Alison's bed, including doctors and other medical staff members. Ava caught the sight of alburn highlights mixed in with a mass of ebony hair, but that was the extent of it. A medical staff member finally broke away from the flock of people, heading Ava's way. Stopping him before he exited the door, the goddess decided to inquire about Alison's condition. ::

"How is she?"

Doctor: "She's doing fine, Miss Cassadine. Vitals are strong and psychologically she seems sound."

:: Nodding to the doctor Ava allowed him to pass as she took a step forward into the room. Folding her arms across her chest Ava was finally able to see Alison [besides her hair that is ]. ::

"Hey...you look good."

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's mansion- the suite

:: sitting up now in her plush bed. one of the two nutrient feeds was removed from her arm and Alison was clearly looking serene and refreshed. ::

:: using the strength and resiliency that helped her to repell IMAGIOMG'S attempted posession of her over a year ago, as well as to heed Ororo's call back to life after her battle with Blackout, the seer was once again awake, vital and in full posession of her mind and body. She felt a bit stiff, and was itching to get out of bed...but Karen insisted she wait until all final tests were completed and she was given a clean bill of health. ::

:: Alison was gratefull....she was LUCKY. Her body had been broken, but MysTech didnt have the sufficient mystical power in its resources to attack her on the astral plane where she did everything she could to preserve her mind and soul. the BODY could be restored...the mind and the soul were not so easily remedied. She was LUCKY...Ava was not...and Alison KNEW that. She was too weak in the body to do anything for her friend...they suffered through the nightmare together...if nothing else...they had each other to walk...hand in hand to the welcoming arms of certain death and oblivion...and in that hellish experience, Alison knew that when the chips were down, though Ava was just as badly hurt as she was...the woman would not have left her alone. THAT is what a team mate...a FRIEND does.::

:: Ava arrived and Morgan smiled to Ava, quickly moved over to give Ava room to see Alison. Alison held out her hand to the goddess as the woman greeted her.::

So do you, Ava.

:: Alison's voice sounded a little scratchy, but the breathy lilt was still there.::

:: she looked at the others.::

Karen, Morgan...could I have just a moment alone with Ava?

:: the doctor and her daughter nodded with understanding. Karen gently ushered Delilah, Mike and Pandora out as well to give them a few moments. Alison knew the doctor would understand. Survivors of such traumas often ended up being bonded on a new level of friendship. and so as everyone left, Alison looked at Ava once more.::

we went through hell....and I know i've been ..."out" for a while...but i had no choice. it was the only way i could recover. are you allright now? It looks like Karen and the staff did an excellent job helping you to get back to health.

 

[Persephone]

:: Taking Alison's hand Ava gave her a small smile. The precog asked for the others to leave, no doubt to inquire about how she was and what had happened. Looking over her shoulder, Ava watched Morgan, Karen, Delilah, and Mike all exit the room; the door closing behind them as they left. Looking back at Alison, she stated the obvious...that they had been through hell and explained why she remained unconscious for so long. ::

"You don't need to explain, Alison. I only wish I could have healed in the same fashion....it would of saved me from hours of wonderful therepy sessions with Karen."

:: Playfully rolling her eyes, the goddess finally cracked a smile as she ran her thumb along the back of Alison's hand. It had only been over a week since they had been rescued, and a couple days since Ava herself had regained consciousness....but it felt like she had been dealing with this for MONTHS. She envyed Alison for being able to stay asleep until she was ready to face the world again. It definitely would of saved Ava a hell of a lot of embaressment dealing with her 'issues' without an audience. ::

are you allright now? It looks like Karen and the staff did an excellent job helping you to get back to health.

"I'm fine...my body was weak initially, but it only took a few hours for my system to get back into sync again. The only risidual effect is that i'm thinner than I was before...which i'm sure Haleigh won't hesitate to point out once she returns from New York."

:: Laughing softly, Haleigh always jabbed at Ava for being so thin. To eat a burger or seven. Looking up at Alison, Ava became more serious now...all jokes aside. ::

"I was really scared that I had lost you, Alison. I was told so many times that.....[pausing, Ava looked back down] I could take the torture...I could take the pain......but...I couldn't take not knowing that you weren't there anymore."

:: A single tear fell down Ava's cheek, immediately prompting her to wipe it away and stand from the bed. ::

"Okay, i'm not going to do this. We're both alive and healthy. That's what counts, right?" You awake now, and everything can get back to normal..."

 

[Arsenal]

Minerva's Mansion

Mike saw to it that his wolves were well cared for. Maybe Nic was right when he said that the line from wolf to dog was decades and not centuries in descent. In any case, he was warming to them as the attendants were aure to be VERY careful with the large animals.

He went quietly to see that Ava was doing quite well. He nodded to them both quietly, smiling. He knew that they would need their time to recuperate, and that a few days was often not enought to put things right. So he nodded again, before leaving them with one comment.

If you ladies need anything, just ask.

After they left, he walked over to where Karen had taken a seat and took a knee in front of her, leaning forward as he whispered to the witch.

Karen, how about we go for a walk? I am certain we still have much to discuss and I would like to enjoy the island with you for a bit.

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's mansion- the suite

:: Alison listened to Ava and smiles a bit.::

"I was really scared that I had lost you, Alison. I was told so many times that.....[pausing, Ava looked back down] I could take the torture...I could take the pain......but...I couldn't take not knowing that you weren't there anymore."

"Okay, i'm not going to do this. We're both alive and healthy. That's what counts, right?" You awake now, and everything can get back to normal..."

Do what? be HUMAN? Listen, I played that role long before you joined this team...trying to be as hard as my namesake..."Marble"....and its just like Karen has said. You either learn to bend when the winds come, or you SNAP at the slightest breeze. We're alive and healthy...but thats not the end of the story, not for either of us, and not for the rest of the team.


When we were captured I did everything i could to try to keep their focus from you on to me. I'd seen what Mystech could do before and I thought that if i could resist Imagiomg's attempts to possess me, that I could some how..."handle" this. But i was wrong...we both were.

I dont really know WHAT i was going to do, considering they pulled out all the stops to neutralize our powers. to break us to our very core. It was a horrid nightmare ava....worse, it was the vision that i had initially seen for US in OUR timeline...had things just gone SLIGHTLY different during the Arklay Mansion /Bishop incident!

But even when I lost consciousness...even when the thought of letting go seemed most appealing, I knew that i couldnt leave you behind either. It was only a matter of time before the others came for us.

The whole thing..it was an accident Ava. Morgan didnt mean for us to fall through that disc. She never would have allowed it to happen on her own...but Nicolas....he was upsetting her.

:: she looks across the room, toward the ocean.::

Nicolas...that asshole. He told me that i was useless at best...that my being a precog was a walk in the park...

:: she speaks with bitterness.::

and yet...i wonder what HIS "learning" experience was during the cross time caper. I wonder if he realizes how much of a role HE played in all of this?

:: she looked back at Ava. HER memory of that night on Aerie BEFORE falling the disc was what stood out the most. Nicolas' dreadfull behavior toward her, her own prophecy against him...and though she didnt know it first HAND, he'd already seen just how BAD it could get for HIM in several of the timelines...had he learned enough? she didnt CARE at this point. as far as she was concerned, he was still an ass and Morgan needed to DUMP him. ::

we're back now...and it may take time for both of us...but we have our friends and our family, something that are alternates in the timeline we nearly died in...DIDNT HAVE. Once again, we have the opportunity to go in ANOTHER direction.

:: squeezing ava's hand a bit.::

so dont be afraid to FEEL whatever comes Ava...and dont be embarrassed. You've nothing to be embarrassed about.

 

[Persephone]

:: Walking back over to the bed, Ava sighed out as she sat down. Everything Alison said Ava already knew but didn't want to admit. It was her stubborness coming out full force; her survival instincts kicking it. ::

"I'm a control freak....you know that--EVERYONE knows that. I've always been that way. But when I was there...that control was ripped away from me. I felt like I was free falling in this never ending black hole. I felt WEAK for the first time in my entire life and it scared the hell out of me. I've never been a victim to anyone....so when I woke up here and I saw Morgan, I wanted that control back. I wanted to feel some semblance of normalcy and power. I NEEDED that....so I lashed out at her. I blamed her for everything. I know it wasn't her fault...I know that she would never send us to a place like that....but I needed to blame her otherwise I would of fallen apart. [shaking her head] God...I still feel like I MIGHT fall apart."

:: This was the most Ava has ever said to ANYONE since waking back into this world. She felt comfortable with Alison...they had been through this horrible nightmare together. Alison knew how it felt...how numbingly terrifying it was. So the goddess opened up. ::

"I'm not used to opening up like this....I usually just put everything in a bottle and put the lid on so I don't have to deal with it. I guess I just hate the prospect of looking weak and vulnerable....like that would somehow define who I am as a person. I don't know.....I may be a few thousand years old, but this is all definitely new to me."

:: Laughing softly, Ava listened as Alison spoke about Nicolas. Ava understood where the precog was coming from. He had said some pretty harsh words to her that night....which resulted in her, Alison, and Pandora leaving from the dinner and heading back to Ava's house where they disappeared. Some COULD say it was actually Nicolas' fault that they were sucked into a stepping disc. Regardless, Alison's tone indicated she was still upset with them. ::

"Well I guess we have some demons here to face as well. [taking Alison's hand] I'm just..really glad you're okay....I don't know what I would have done if I lost you there.."

:: Leaning forward, Ava embraced Alison with a hug. Shutting her teary eyes, she just stayed there for a little while, feeling comforted for the first time since returning from the alternate timeline. ::

 

[Seer]

and so

<< Alison was still sorting herself out, even now. There was no magick cure for everything and she knew that. while she may have given herself extra time to ease recovery, being "back", having to PICK UP where she left off, including RESUMING her responsibilities as the "Keeper of Time" and "artifacts" was secretly NOT very appealing to her right now. having went through what she did...it left her feeling...different. just how deep that went, even SHE didnt know yet.>>

<< but for now, she wanted to make sure that Ava would be okay in her recovery too. it wasnt just about the body, it was the mind, and it wasnt just about her or alison...they had a team, a FAMILY that wanted to be there for them..>>

<< and then there was the matter of Nicolas as neither Ava nor Alison was fond of him BEFORE the incident and though they didnt know how he risked being murdered by Darkchilde, how he saw a timeline where he had become a monster, killing his wife and the mother of his child and so many other horrors...the two women couldnt help but remember his role in the events leading up to them falling through the disc.>>

<< meanwhile, Mike , now at Minerva's Mansion while his newly adopted wolves were being cared for, asked Karen to take a walk with him. the doctor would change clothes and soon join him. >>

back in NYC

<< as the team decided to go straight to the Queens, they would find that task easier said than done. back out in the halls, the darkness seemed far more immobilizing than before. it seemed that there was a complete blackout that encompased ALL forms of sensory input. It had to be the work of Malice or Enchantra, as now NO ONE could see past the immediate area where the group stood.>>

<< the halls seemed to lenthen, twist and turn. the spatial bearings Haleigh and Nicolas once had seemed to BLUR as well. the MIND may have told them one thing, but the "reality" clearly said something ELSE. Maybe they werent the ONLY ones interested in "taking the fight to the other?">>

<< either way, they were in too deep now and they were not leaving this mansion tonight...not without a fight..or worse.>>

<< and so we watch.>>