The old order changes

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen maintained understanding and patience with Haleigh. She noted the woman's sarcasm and attempts to dull the serverity of the emerging issue. Everyone had their "mechanisms" and this was CLASSIC Haleigh.>>


<< The fact that these two women could even be in a setting like this showed how far they'd come in matters of mutual trust and respect. But they each had their lingering reservations about the other. It was only natural. Still, if they'd learned nothing else from the events of late, it was the need to work together and help each other so that the team would be at it's best and most healthy state possible. They BOTH knew there was ONE BIG "FAMILY" ISSUE that had yet to be resolved, but they couldn't let it stop them from addressing other important problems, such as the one Haleigh was facing>>


<< It became clear that there WAS one general pattern, everytime Haleigh was faced with a pressing problem or emergency, an episode occurred. That ALONE was an indication that something was indeed wrong.>>

She took a deep breath and focused on recalling the next event, her brow furrowed.


"The third event was in the car, responding to an emergency call by Ava, regarding Sharon and Zach. Isis had just been taken into custody. I was driving.... We were almost there when the missiles were launched. I..."


She paused, glancing back at Karen, not sure she wanted to say it out loud, least of all to KAREN, who'd been so judgemental of Haleigh in the past. But if she hid anything, she might limit Karen's ability to actually solve the mystery.


"I had to choose which vehicle to save. Ours, or the bus. I chose ours. I succeeded in preventing a direct impact. The crash knocked me out. When I woke back up, the purifiers were upon us. Cameron was taken shortly thereafter."


She sat forward, her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands. She remained still for a beat, then ran her hands through her hair with a sigh.

<< She saw the reluctance in Haleigh's eyes as the hybrid looked at her before revealing the choice she had made, a choice NO ONE should have to face and one where neither outcome was desired. Karen did not pass judgement, which may have come as a surprise to Haleigh, but the doctor had grown in her understanding of the woman. She also knew the many "no win" situations that The Six had found themselves in even before the Purifiers.>>

Since your return, you have had to assume leadership of the Six. You inherited several SERIOUS issues...and been faced with several "NO WIN" situations


<< There was no need to list them. They both knew, one in particular>>


To say that the burden is great is a gross understatement.


And there IS a pattern that is apparent. Every episode you've had so far has happened when you were faced with urgent to extreme issues or threats. FORTUNATELY you have either had others to immediately cover for you or you were somewhere where you could "move through" the episode without any further danger. But that fortune may run out at the worst possible time for you AND your teammates.

"Well.... yes, they kind of FEEL like memories. It's not like... I'm not a passive SPECTATOR when I blackout. I PARTICIPATE in the experiences. I think and feel.... say and DO things.... I play a pivotal role."

<< She continued making notes. The crystals , and pentagram they cast around Haleigh glowed AND flashed brightly once more>>


Since your....restoration by Malice, following the Viper caper, the techno-organic virus altered vitals of your body remain at the newly defined normal levels.


I want to talk about the nature of these memories you're experiencing, and then I'll want to run an EEG...


So....tell me about what you've been seeing...EXPERIENCING during these blackouts.

 

[Harbinger]

From the Starlight Lounge, to the 93nd floor

ASTOUNDING. She would be over three THOUSAND years old at LEAST. I wonder if she would be willing to speak with me?

You'd FLATTER her if you offered that as your guess of her age.

:: Alison said, smirking as she imagined the look on Ava's face just now if she were present::

Your emotions can be a wonderful drive when focused by your mind. You were a BRILLIANT strategist a few days ago, and even the brilliant are not infallible.

::This wasn't entirely unlike what Haleigh had tried to get her to understand when they talked. She WAS the Six's tactician at one time...but no one is perfect::

You have a gift that very few GODS possess by Pantheon, according to the writings that seem more real every day I live. That is one hell of a burden and you cannot expect yourself to be perfect on that path. Knowing the path and navigating it are two different things. If you cannot find a way to forgive yourself when mistakes happen, you will not be able to see clearly enough in the future...and the stakes apparently are quite high.

Hmm...

:: She looked down at her drink for a moment. Xavier GOT IT. He didn't have some wild, unrealistic idea or expectation regarding precognition::

:: She thought about their Olympus caper. Even in that period, when she portrayed herself as Persephone's soothsayer, she proved herself to the Olympians be more accurate and more powerful than any other who professed to have the gift of prophecy. She even caused Athena to take notice of her. It WASN'T a novelty, NOR was it something that just ANYONE could handle or bare. She tried to get Bishop to understand that and it wasn't until the very END of the Blue Moon caper, that he seemed to realize it. Haleigh came to understand when Alison came to her with the visions about Master Mold. Nicolas had come to her before, expressing HIS regret at underestimating her burden. But it was one of her BEST FRIENDS, who always seemed to trust her and seemed to understand...that suddenly FLIPPED OUT on her about this very thing.::


:: Still, the part Xavier and others had said about her not being INFALLIBLE was inescapable.::

:: She'd come to accept that she HAD made a mistake. She DIDN'T tell Delilah, because she and Morgan AGREED that Delilah's judgement couldn't be trusted...they wanted to save her and give her and Alexia a CHANCE, but maybe...maybe Delilah WOULDN'T have wanted that, and as INSANE as that was? It was still HER CHOICE to make, and...in the name of protecting her, Alison took that choice AWAY from her.::

:: It was the wrong thing, done for the right reason...but still the wrong thing. STILL a mistake::

:: But her regret was battling against her utter lack of understand and CONTEMPT for a woman who had proven capable of entertaining the choice TO throw her life away. Like she'd said before...some people just don't WANT to be saved. As INSANE as it is...it's THEIR CHOICE. She had was coming to terms with it, slowly but surely, and Xavier was right, she HAD to find a way to forgive herself. She knew what her intentions were, and that wouldn't change no matter WHAT Delilah said about it.::

Thank you...It's nice to talk with someone who doesnt speak out of ignorance or bias.

Xavier reaches out and places his hand on hers, giving it a good-natured squeeze.

You need to decompress, hang out, have fun, not be burdened by your mantle. And since you are immune to my charms and I am APPARENTLY no danger to someone as MIGHTY as you are, you may as well hang with me a bit. I offer entertainment services as well as unsolicited advice. For starters, I thought all you witches drank Hemlock?

::The precog looked down at Xavier's hand. He "DARED" to make physical contact with her, but she...DIDN'T feel offense or outrage. She felt...RELIEF and APPRECIATION. She smiled a bit as she looked at Xavier and squeezed his hand in return before gently pulling away::

:: She laughed softly, in spite of herself at Xavier's acknowledging his charms not working on her and her being far too MIGHTY for him to be a threat to. She DID have a sense of humour, it was just well hidden, like many aspects of her being.::

It is said that the true measure of someone's MIGHT is their capacity to show MERCY. So I suppose keeping company with you is not out of the question.


Witches DO enjoy Hemlock. It's an absolute DELIGHT for us, while utterly DEADLY for non magick users. So I suppose offering you a sample is out of the question.

:: Though she HAD offered a glass to Haleigh AND Nicolas on various occassions, in an attempt at dark, back-handed humour.::

But you know what they say about too much of good thing, So sometimes I can enjoy certain mortal concoctions. My good friend, the one who I mentioned KNEW Kassandra personally? She helped me to discover the joys of vintage wine. BEYOND what most mortals in this world would be able to lay their hands on.


:: Looking Xavier in the eyes as she smirked once more. She eventually looked away and surveyed the lounge, spotting Vivica Lennox. Recall wasn't there by accident. She was looking FOR Alison and, in many ways, for sometime.::


I find your offer of company, conversation and...entertainment to be acceptable, even appealing.

:: A sign that Alison was taking Cameron and Ava's advice and loosening up a bit...opening up to things outside of her close knit, tightly controlled world::

But I DO have a previous...PRESSING engagement. The person I was waiting for has arrived and she needs to speak with me.

:: She'd known since she first returned to NYC that this moment was coming.::

Since you're not leaving the hotel...AND since you've waited this long, I already "SEE" that another hour won't be too much for you.

:: looking at him for a moment::

But let's ...rendezvos on the 92nd floor, the VIP Clubhouse. in 2 hours.

:: She HAD said an hour, but she decided to give herself more time. It was much a TEST for him as it was a matter of her exercising her right to change her mind::

And make sure you're wearing that same outfit when I see you again.

:: sliding off the bar stool, she she brushes past him, tossing her blue/black hair as she takes her leave of him, allowing her cold aura to wash over him. As she puts distance between herself and Xavier, making her way toward Vivica,
she can't help but smile a bit at the intrigue of it all. Sure she could "look and see" what would happen, but the irony was, for a man who could move so fast, this aquaintance was worth taking his time for.::

:: And now, her facial expression became more cold and serious as she walked with a slightly quickened pace toward the table Vivica was sitting at.::

:: Finally reaching the woman::

Hello, Vivica.


:: Alison greeted her::

I've been expecting you. But this is not the place for the conversation you want to have. I took the liberty of reserving the conference room on the 93rd floor.

Shall we go?

:: gesturing for Vivica to walk with her, the make their to the restricted access elevator. Alison swipes her card and they zoom up to the 93rd floor. Exiting, they make their way down the hall and into the conference room, which offers a breath taking view of the city and comfortable setting, as well as privacy.::

:: Seating herself, Alison gestured to Vivica to take a seat::

This moment has been a long time coming for you. So begin whenever you're ready.

:: The precog sat back, in a relaxed pose, looking at Vivica directly::

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon - Cameron's Penthouse

Cameron poured himself two fingers of some vintage Bourbon at the large bar just off his living room. Swishing around in his crystal glass and taking a moment to breathe in the scent he takes a long and much needed sip. The last few months back in New York had shown wild growth for everyone and a symptom of that was an incredible amount of talking. People were speaking their truths and figuring out who they were. It made Cameron feel good...but as a telepath it made him feel positively EXHAUSTED. Ever since The Blue Moon he had taken a far more prominent role in The Six and he was slowly starting to feel the effects. He wanted a long and uninterrupted nap but he knew there would never be time.

So for now he took a few moments to sit and compose his thoughts. He was a little nervous for Vivica and Alison to speak but channeling an aspect of his flash premonition ability he could see that the end result would be beneficial for BOTH of them. He also knew that tonight he needed to speak to Haleigh. He was glad that she was finally owing up to the fact that she had a problem with something..but there were still loose ends to tie up in their own relationship. Things had been tense but civil ever since their kiss atop the rooftop of The Parthenon and unfortunately nothing had really been resolved. Cameron was hoping to scare Haleigh into action and the best way to scare the black widow...would be to give her what she wanted.

His thoughts were jarred and disturbed by the doorbell followed by some OBNOXIOUS knocking.

"Well...here come The Banger Sisters.."

Cameron begrudginly walks to the door of his penthouse and opens it giving Blaze and CJ an entertained but surly stare.

"Oh..Sorry. I ordered two BLONDES!"

He smiled and went to slam the door when Blaze pounces on him wrapping her legs around his waist as Cass tackles his feet sending him to the floor as Blaze pins his arms behind his head.

"HI!"

"We were in the area, and thought we'd come see you!"

Smiling sweetly at Cameron

"...and maybe HAVE OUR WAY with you!"

Laughing as she gets off of Cameron and easily helps him up.

"But first...How about a drink?"

Cassandra: "Hi Cameron!"

It was sometimes impossible to stay mad at Blaze and Cameron had definitely TRIED when she was in her full outrageous party girl mode. He took her hand and gave both of them a hug.

"Better for you two lushes to be up here with me instead of forced upon the poor guests of the hotel. The bar's that way..." [points to the Living Room]

Cameron returned to the living area/lounge as he sat back down with his bourbon as the girls prepared their own drinks. He somehow never made a drink "strong enough" for Blaze so he had learned to let her be.

"It's good to see people in high spirits again. I think we all needed a few days to just decompress."

[tilting his head to the side for a moment, he stared at Cassandra.]

"I'm also glad to have you staying at the Parthenon, CJ. You know...all signs seem to point to New York. Have you given any thought to maybe staying here on a permanent basis? I mean there's an entire penthouse available to you, to be remodeled to your specificity. I mean I know you love managing that club..but honey, you're a member of The Six! I say it might to be time to think about your next step!"

 

[Recall]

The Parthenon - Conference Room

:: Just as Vivica had expected..Alison had been anticipating her arrival at the lounge. ::

Alison: "Hello, Vivica."

"Alison..Good to see you under better circumstances."

:: There was no hug. No warm embrace. Not even a handshake. There was simply a nod which was indicative to the relationship the two had shared for the last seven years. A relationship that was nearly non existent. ::

:: Alison greeted her::

"I've been expecting you. But this is not the place for the conversation you want to have. I took the liberty of reserving the conference room on the 93rd floor."

"Shall we go?"

:: gesturing for Vivica to walk with her, the make their to the restricted access elevator. Alison swipes her card and they zoom up to the 93rd floor. Exiting, they make their way down the hall and into the conference room, which offers a breath taking view of the city and comfortable setting, as well as privacy. ::

:: Alison was good at what she did. Vivica almost felt like she was going into a contract negotion or something. An insider tip for negotiation was to change the venue at the last minute to one that was more comfortable to you in order to gain a slight advantage. ::

:: She knew Alison wasn't doing this but it highlighted how "all business" Alison could be at times. They made their way to the Conference Room as they both took a seat opposite each other at the large and beautiful wood table. A table Vivica had picked out herself during the initial Parthenon remodel. Vivica smiled softly. ::

:: Seating herself, Alison gestured to Vivica to take a seat::

"This moment has been a long time coming for you. So begin whenever you're ready."

:: The precog sat back, in a relaxed pose, looking at Vivica directly. ::

:: Vivica frowned for a second. ::

"Alison..I'm not here to plead my case. This isn't some cloak and dagger interaction..and I know you are a Seer..but keeping it one hundred..don't treat me like you know everything I'm about to say and do. It's a little smug. The feelings I had revolving around Alycia and other members of The Six as well as Cameron were crippling. Mentally and physically. But when it comes to you..this isn't going to be all that difficult for me to express..."

[thinking]

"I'm a little conflicted when I think about you. I don't hate you...and I know you wouldn't care either way if I did, but I will admit..I HAVE carried a certain amount of anger for you for quite some time.."

"But maybe not in the way that you think. I mean when I was younger sure..when Cameron told me you were his sister I was upset. Here I was his world for so long and then you come along and the rest was history..but that's short sighted and after talking to Cameron I can't blame him. You were his SISTER. There was no way I could have stood in the way of that regardless of my observations about you."

:: She interlocked her fingers together on the table. ::

"Here's the thing. You left your home as a child. Your reasons are your own, I don't need or warrant an explanation for WHY you left..but you left your family in order to forge your own path and forget where you came from. Regardless of what the circumstances were, you left your baby brother and sister behind."

"It's not even THAT..I mean you were so young. There was no way you could have taken care of the two of them on your own. My ISSUE was when you MET the man that was your brother, you treated him like shit. Worse than shit. You had found this new family in Morgan and Karen and you wanted nothing to do with him. You crucified him for his behavior when YOU were a HUGE factor into what Cameron had been through in his life. You yourself have explained your icy and cold exterior..it's a biproduct of what you went through..but you couldn't accept that SAME excuse from Cameron. It bothers me. I have no regrets for my relationship with Cameron but you can bet your ass that I wanted better than what my mother and I were able to give him. We only had him in his teen years. We didn't know him when he was a homeless goddamn CHILD on the streets. By the time I met Cameron..the damage had already been done. "

"I know you are regretful and I'm not here to try and shame you..I just..I'm not sure really. I don't know if the two of you have ever worked out those feelings or spoken about them..but if you haven't? You should. You two are in a really good place right now but I will have you know that for him? The sun rises for YOU. You are his hero, Alison. You are the person he looks up to and despite how it might come across, he is STILL scared..even now, that someday you will wake up and he simply won't be good enough for you anymore. He would never tell you that. But we both know how much your approval has meant to him..for a long time..and from where I sat..it should have been in reverse. YOU should have been the one who had to prove yourself to HIM. YOU should have been the one that had to change...and I'll give it to you, you HAVE definitely changed..as we ALL have...but it doesn't change the fact it's how i've felt for a very long time."

[she stopped for a moment, thinking]

"I've always felt that you've gotten this relationship with Cameron not so much because you've deserved but..but because of how much he wanted and was willing to do in order to make it work. He's so passionate and he has a way of getting into people's hearts that if we only look at YOU..is testament enough to his power. You get to enjoy the benefits of being his Sister in way i'll never know. Does it make me a little bitter? Yeah..I'm woman enough to admit that. But then I know there are things I know about Cameron that you might never know..not even being a Seer. Not even going through the timelines and watching his life..."

"Did you know his favorite color is red? And that in every place he's ever lived he's had a single red wall? He saw on some home improvement show and it stuck with him. The first movie he ever saw? It was "The Land Before Time". Apparently before he left the orphanage he would walk around with a blanket that he called his "tree star" and attempt to find dinosaurs, and if you were to scour his apartment you would find the DVD of that very same movie in his bedroom? Did you know that he is allergic to shellfish? Or that when he gets nervous he will rub his index finger and thumb together and refuses to believe that he does this? Do you know where he had his first kiss and with who? Shana Griswell...in MY bedroom while some horrible Usher song played in the background and I pretended to be his neighbor so the girl wouldn't think he didn't have a bedroom. She was either stupid or didn't seem to mind the girly decor of the room. Or that whenever he is stressed out he dreams of fish or that his favorite school subject was History? And that he loves historical documentaries? Or that he was the FASTEST kid in the whole neighborhood, often challenging other boys to races for cash?"

[waving her hands in the air]

"...All of these little things that makeup the nature of a person. All of them seemingly insignificant until you see that all these little small things made him who he was as much as the big things..the things he survived with you and The Six. THESE are the things his sister should KNOW.."

:: Vivica paused for a moment. She looked at Alison who remained icy in her presentation. ::

"I know it's just habit after years of me being so protective over him, but when I see you..all I can do is think about how LUCKY you are that your brother even acknowledges your existence much less wants a relationship with you..and i'm worried FOR him that at some point...he is going to falter. Going to make a mistake that causes you two to be in the same situation you are in with Delilah. That might be harsh and for that I apologize...but I'm looking out for HIM and I'm just making it clear; That boy would give it all for you. You wanted to be his sister..and that means LOVING him and BEING there for him no matter what. No matter WHAT he does Alison."

:: placing her hands to her side. ::

"One could say I'm speaking WAY out of line. It COULD be said that none of this is my business and that your relationship is just between the TWO of you...but I really wouldn't care. I've taken care of Cameron my entire life. I gave him room to fly and find himself, but i'm always going to stand up for him. His business IS my business..and if I have to help that boy through ONE MORE family relationship that ends in disaster...I'll lose it."

:: tucking some hair behind her ears. ::

"Also...the SLIGHTEST bit of acknowledgement of WHO I have been to Cameron at some point would have been appreciated. One LOOK across the timeline should have shown you that. I've never brought that up to you because I've aways known how important your relationship with Cameron is and I never wanted to mess anything up, but you've seen what's been going on around here lately. People are finally reconciling their pasts and moving forward. I've fixed things with Alycia..I've patched things with Cameron..and now I'm coming to you..."

:: She leaned back in her seat. ::

 

[Tachyon]

Will you look at that. The old girl COULD actually relax a bit. She warmed up well enough to even offer wine that would be apparently ancient in vintage without turning into vinegar. Interesting...SHE was interesting. And for far more that what she could do for him as a woman. Refreshing. Though, the woman part was not bad in and of itself EITHER.

Since you're not leaving the hotel...AND since you've waited this long, I already "SEE" that another hour won't be too much for you.

:: looking at him for a moment::

But let's ...rendezvos on the 92nd floor, the VIP Clubhouse. in 2 hours.

:: She HAD said an hour, but she decided to give herself more time. It was much a TEST for him as it was a matter of her exercising her right to change her mind::

And make sure you're wearing that same outfit when I see you again.

No idea what she thought he would do in two hours to change outfits but what the hell. He nodded and said nothing...she had already said it all. He decided that he would get roaring drunk for 90 minutes and then metabolize himself back to simply charming before heading up to meet the sorceress right on time. He made sure not to blink as she left with one of the prettiest Black women he had ever seen. She had been at the battle before and he had NO idea how she managed to have such an AMAZING figure. Yep...he was beginning to like New York very much.

 

[Longshot]

Rose's House - New York

< As he started to leave, Rose halted him and began to speak to him with the clarity he needed. >

Rose: "In order to to be kind and helpful to others, you must first be kind and helpful to yourself. Everyone has different levels of awareness, due to the environments they operate in. Your eyes have been opened to a very unfortunate, long standing problem and with new awareness and perception, there often comes a tremendous feeling of anxiety and disorientation. That's to be expected. But as the old saying goes, when you know better....DO better. You can't reach the goal until you take the first step forward, and in order to make each step foward COUNT, you must have a clear and open mind."

< Simon nodded. >

"That..."

<< pointing to the flask>>

"Will not help you."

"On the contrary..This is about the ONLY substance that can get me to be truthful. Otherwise right now you'd be stuck with a shitload of double entendres and me trying to get your pants."

< She rose a wide eye to him, arching her eyebrow before pressing forward. >

Rose: "Nor will punshing yourself for your ignorance. What matters now, is what you do from here on, knowing what you know.Will you be like these politicians..so called "philanthropists" and some of the other glorified metahumans that want to make a PRODUCTION out of tackling a proclaimed "social cause" or will you plant a real seed of change, nurture and tend to it, and see it come to fruition? The former makes it about YOU, the latter makes it about what/WHOM you're trying to help."

< He sat back down in his seat. >

"That's kind of the problem. It's always been all about me. It runs in my family, most of whom are on the opposite side of this cause. I want to say that I'd do the right thing..but if i'm being honest..history has shown my propensity for just the opposite. Nobody is going to look at Simon Pratt and think he's a standup guy and I don't blame them."

< Simon rose to his feet. >

"I want to change things. I want to stop this, but it's one HELL of a leap. And worried that some of the only people i've found in the city who are like me..will turn their backs on me. I just don't want to hide in the shadows anymore...and I don't want anyone else to either."

"I mean it sounds good right? The Six can't possibly want to LIVE this like everyday. We NEED people to come out of the woodwork. Show that mutants come from all walks of life. We need people the public can admire."

"What's being done now? You have to up your security and there is no retribution for the lives lost. No justice at all. They're making it sound like The Purifiers were some smal vigilante group. But they're not. They were well organized and incredibly armed and even after THAT shows on the news..the resounding message is STILL that mutants are dangerous and we should be scared of them..."

< He rested his hand on his arm and leaned his elbow onto the armrest of the sofa. >

"I guess..the only question now is where to start?"

< Takes a swig from his flask. >

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon – Cameron’s Floor

"Better for you two lushes to be up here with me instead of forced upon the poor guests of the hotel. The bar's that way..."

:: Cass blew Cameron a sassy kiss before following Blaze to his bar where she immediately started fixing up a Vodka Collins.

"It's good to see people in high spirits again. I think we all needed a few days to just decompress."

:: Cass grew somber. That Night was horrible, as well as the days that preceded it. She was glad she was safe and sound. ::

“Yes. The past several weeks have been somewhat hard and trying.”

:: She was handed a shot by Blaze, who obviously wanted to keep the party going and not have her family members be depressed anymore. Cass willingly gulped it down. ::

"I'm also glad to have you staying at the Parthenon, CJ. You know...all signs seem to point to New York. Have you given any thought to maybe staying here on a permanent basis? I mean there's an entire penthouse available to you, to be remodeled to your specificity. I mean I know you love managing that club…but honey, you're a member of The Six! I say it might to be time to think about your next step!"

:: And there it was; the question that she had been dreading AND anticipating. She had always known that The Six’s time at Melrose Place was fleeting, but she made damn sure not to dwell on it. After all…what ELSE could she do? After Dark was her quasi-family and she absolutely LOVED Ella and Bryan, as well as the other colleagues. She pretended to still be fixing up her drink, trying to give herself some time to come up with an answer. The truth was that she DIDN’T know what her next step should be. She wasn’t a model, like Morgan and Blaze. She wasn’t interested in real estate, like Nicolas. She wasn’t interested in owning other companies, if that’s what Cameron did. Heck, even though she appreciated art, she wasn’t passionate about it, like the way Vivi was. She didn’t know what to do with her life if she ever left After Dark…and from the sounds of things, it seemed like it was coming up sooner than she would’ve liked. She kept her gaze focused on her drink. ::

“I don’t know, Cameron. I absolutely LOVE my job, you’re right about that. I don’t know…”

:: Cass sighed, and then looked at Cameron. ::

“I don’t even know what to do! Hell, I don’t even know what my next step is.”

:: She brought her drink over to where Cameron was sitting and sat down across from him. She had…weird memories of this city. ::

“You guys don’t know this, well, BLAZE knows this, but I actually lived here in this city for quite some time…and it just left a bad taste in my mouth.”

:: She picked at some invisible lint on her jeans. She hadn’t thought about HIM until recently. She had left New York because HE was here…and it had hurt knowing HE was in the same city as she and wanting to KILL her. ::

He’s probably dead by now, Cassie. You’re safe…

:: That was what she always thought of when something triggered her to think of HIM. The thought of his death made it easier to live. ::

He’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead...

:: She hadn’t realized the mere stray thoughts were making her seem anxious and trembly. She GULPED her drink down. She turned to Blaze and Cameron. ::

“What would I even DO here? Manage a nightclub?”

:: She laughed sharply. ::

“That’s Blaze’s bag now…”

:: She toasted Blaze with her now empty glass. ::

"No offense, sweetie."

 

[Isis]

The clock tower- Zizi's apartment

“Please, call me Zizi. Everybody does.”

She smiled warmly before continuing.

:: Dominique lifted one of her eyebrows with a bit of a surprised look on her face. This young woman was very friendly, WARM and...there was no PRETENSE about it.Time spent with the young RICHARD MARTIN had helped Dominique to appreciate times of being LESS FORMAL than she normally was. It had it's benefits, allowed for a more candid, depth of a communication ::

Very well, Zizi. And please...call ME Dominique.

:: She smiled at Zizi. One good turn deserved another::

“I asked to meet with you tonight, in order to ask for your help. I know that must seem presumptuous, after all that you did for us at the Cathedral.”


She took a small sip of her tea.


“But what happened that night made me realize that in the same way The Six can’t defend this city alone, I can’t either. Recall, Valkyrie and I – we’ve been doing what we can to help people, on the ground, in the streets, but we aren’t enough. Zach – Orion – helps, and Steel does too when he can, but we need a real team, like the Six. You are strong, experienced. You’re a magick user, a healer – and I know you care about the innocents who can’t help themselves. I’ve SEEN that for myself. I want to invite you to join this new team – The Birds of Prey. Help us help this city. Please.”

:: Zizi couldnt know that Dominique was on the cusp of a huge change in her life, but she hit so many of the RIGHT NOTES in her appeal to Dominique.::

:: Even a melody most pleasing to the ear could be RUINED by ONE wrong note. In THIS instance, the record came SCRATCHING TO A HALT when Zizi mentioned VALKYRIE. ASHLEY OLDENBURG.::

...

:: She stared at the woman, momentarily forgetting herself. She sets the tea cup and saucer down and looks at Zizi::

Zizi, you are a remarkable young woman though we initially met under LESS than pleasant circumstances, I appreciate the opportunity to see you again in this far better situation.

:: moving forward in her seat, Dominique's body language suggests that she's about to stand up and prepare to leave at any moment.::


But I must say...I'm rather disappointed. I thought you had something SERIOUS to discuss with me.


There is absolutely NO WAY I would EVER work with that BOORISH COW, Ashley Oldenburg. Quite frankly, I can't believe that a young woman of your serenity and grace would work with someone like that EITHER.


:: She recalled saying something SIMILAR to Steel at the police station::


I said much the same thing to Detective Steel regarding HIS association with her when after she interrupted my set at the Parthenon, allowed her uniformed underlings to tear through my suite, and then proceeded to threaten and use her POWER on me.


All based on the FOOLISH ASSUMPTION that *I* was behind the deaths of those children...children that *I* AVENGED.


Quite frankly, the entire thing was a FARCE and it was only out of a desire to keep things QUIET for the Six that I AGREED to be questioned. I have LITTLE use OR regard for the NYPD or many OTHER MORTAL institutions.


AND I do NOT suffer threats OR assaults upon my person lightly, Zizi. Ashley has committed BOTH.


It was only due to the arrival of Detective Steel to play "good cop" that I did NOT STRIKE HER DEAD then and there.


The night we all came together against the Purifiers, she made a threat against my black knight, Richard Martin and I FULLY intend to ANSWER that threat should I see her any time soon.

 

[Artemis]

Parthenon rooftop

:: Sharon and Alycia stood together, looking out over the city::

Alycia: We never did this at Illustra.

Sharon: It wasn't something you or I would have THOUGHT to do. Now, I can fly at super sonic speeds, and you can travel the skies and the stars above with Dome.

Alycia: But we both feel the need to STAY here....now that we're back.

:: It was something they both knew in their hearts. They BOTH felt responsibility for the catastrophic LOSS that Rose sustained. Even though it wasn't their fault, ROSE was a good friend of theirs...and her children...those orphans...::

Sharon: We can help Rose again...even MORE than we could before

Alycia: She's powerful and has considerable resources of her own...but no one is an island.

:: They talked amongst themselves, as if they needed to CONVINCE themselves!::

:: Soon though, another set of foot falls was heard coming up the same stairwell that Alycia had emerged from a little while ago. She, Sharon AND even the gryfalcons turned to see Zach Armani coming through the door!::

He pulled up his hoodie and zipped up his jacket before shoving his hands in his pockets. Then he spotted Sharon and Alycia and smiled warmly.

"Hello Ladies. I didn't expect anyone to be up here, but it's nice to see you both."

:: Alycia smiles and approaches Zach, giving him a hug::

Alycia: Hello Zach!

Sharon: Hello Zachary :: The mutate says in a friendly tone:: It is good to see you again as well.

Alycia: Yeah, I caught Sharon trying to leave. I threatened to chase her in DOME if she tried it.

:: Yes, Alycia "TOLD" On Sharon. She knew that Zach would have something to say about it and that Sharon needed to hear it. ::

:: Sharon looks away from Zach as the cold breeze blows again::

Alycia: She's been having a very hard time over Mary Justice, who was the sole survivor of HER original attack on the cathedral.

Sharon: Zachary of all people should know...understand why I feel as I do. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Delilah killing her. Delilah did the RIGHT THING and I'm GLAD that she made it QUICK for Mary. Mary had degenerated into her madness BECAUSE OF ME and she'd lived a twisted, damned existence LONG ENOUGH.

But yes...Alycia DID catch me in the near act of taking flight. AND she stopped me.

:: She looked at Zachary::

Sharon: beyond that, I...WE...have been talking about your offer to work with...JOIN Oracle's team.

Alycia: So it's rather fitting that you came up here when you did. Still, there is ONE big point of reservation we BOTH agreed on.

Sharon AND Alycia: ASHLEY OLDENBURG.

:: They BOTH looked at Zach, less then thrilled about HER::

Sharon: She prooved herself in battle, She's a powerful warrior and will not give in. But there is nothing redeeming about someone who goes around deliberately antagonizing people. How can Oracle POSSIBLY hope to foster a TEAM DYNAMIC with someone like HER in their midst?


Alycia: We want to help you, Oracle, Steel and Vivica. We want to get down to business. But that bitch Ashley needs a GALACTIC SCALE attitude adjustment. There are MANY things we CAN do, but You don't make key contacts and get favors and influence by being a BATTERING RAM in every situation...

 

[Harbinger]

The conference room

:: Vivica began alright, and as she did, Alison felt ....RAGE::

Alison..I'm not here to plead my case. This isn't some cloak and dagger interaction..and I know you are a Seer..but keeping it one hundred..don't treat me like you know everything I'm about to say and do. It's a little smug.

Oh Hecate...give me STRENGTH.

You would be so much more effective, so much easier to TOLERATE if you weren't so obtuse and needlessly confrontational. Your worth and value to CAMERON will be something that remains UNIQUE to HIM. It is ONLY for HIS sake and HIS happiness that I have even ALLOWED this meeting to take place.

I moved this meeting to a PRIVATE setting out of RESPECT and CONSIDERATION for YOU, but so convinced are you, that EVERYONE in the Six is out to get you or see you RUINED that you dont even know a COURTESY when it's being extended to you!

:: Vivica continues , she REMINDED Alison just WHY Alycia called her a TAPE RECORDER. She was REMINDED of WHY this woman rubbed MORE THAN ONE PERSON the WRONG WAY! CAMERON had picked up MANY of her BAD HABITS and they were on FULL DISPLAY in the beginnings of the Six.::

Be careful, Vivica.


:: Alison said coldly::

I have hurt...and KILLED people for LESS disrespect than what you're showing right now.

That is not a threat. That is a FACT.

And it is ONLY that you address the woman you see before you TODAY that you are NOT, at this moment, SPLATTERED ACROSS THE WALL. And NOTHING in your "computer brain" will PROTECT YOU from me if I decide to do that.

:: Alison leaned in close::

CAMERON may tolerate your impertenance. But *I* WON'T!


I have had ENOUGH of IGNORANT people LIKE YOU attempting to tell ME how to BE. I can no more stop myself from perceiving YOU and anyone ELSE around me through the lense of my precognition, and REACTING ACCORDINGLY, than the SUN can stop SHINING.

If the fact that I CAN "see" THROUGH YOU and that I DO know what you will say and do bothers you THAT MUCH...get up...and walk out the door. Otherwise GET OVER IT.


:: There was silence. Alison had ALREADY scanned the most PROMINENT time threads from most likely to least likely and IF Vivica was stupid enough to try her the way she tried Alycia? she was prepared to HANDLE Vivica quite brutally if necessary. Alison stared at Vivica with such a predatory scowl. Cameron's fears might have been JUSTIFIED. Vivica remained silent for a few moments longer, but soon, she CONTINUED. ::

Something that your computer-brain doesnt seem to comprehend, is that you may know the pieces, but NOT THE PATTERN. Let me fill in some IMPORTANT blanks for you, Vivica.

My mutant and magickal powers manifested PRE-ADOLESCENCE - age 10 to be exact . Due to EXTREME emotional and physical DISTRESS!

:: Alison THRUSTS her hand AT Vivica al'a Piper Halliwell. the SPACE around them begins to SPIN clockwise...but then it STOPS...and with the mournful toll of a bell, the space around them begins to spin COUNTERCLOCK WISE.::

:: Vivica LOSES SIGHT of Harbinger, but would still hear her voice, ALL around her::

Harbinger: Our mother provided care for me because she was REQUIRED to by law. She regarded Erika as a potted plant. She utterly LOATHED Cameron and NEVER passed up the opportunity to say/show it. My sister and I were LUCKY because we were WITCHES, we had HER legacy. But Cameron? He was "merely a mutant." that MARKED him for punishment nearly EVERY DAY of his life...punishment like THIS.


:: Vivica finds herself in a small, modest home. Dimly lit and sparcely furnished. It's a FAR CRY from the surroundings She would associate with Cameron OR Alison today.::

:: Vivica is now "moving" through the house with a "first person perspective" and she hears a VERY young boy crying, and the sound of PHYSICAL violence.::

:: VIvica would SOON see Kelly King, who was BEATING a young Cameron King mercilessly due to his having an ACCIDENT in the bed::

:: Across the room, a slightly older Erika King huddles in a corner, covering her head and ears, shaking and crying softly.::

Kelly: STUPID, MESSY LITTLE BOY! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO NAUGHTY, MESSY LITTLE PIG BOYS LIKE YOU!

:: She screams as she beats Cameron with a belt. A little girl with striking blue eyes and blue/black hair stands in the door way...tears streaming down her face. her fist balls up.::::

Alison (at age 10): MAMA, STOP IT!!! It was an accident! He had a NIGHTMARE...he was SCARED!

Kelly: ALISON, GO TO YOUR ROOM!

Alison: NO! STOP HITTING HIM! STOP HURTING MY BROTHER!

Kelly: ALISON, GO TO YOUR ROOM NOW, OR YOU'll GET SOME OF THE SAME!

Alison: ::her colbalt blue eyes FLASH as tears continue to stream down her face:: I'm....I'M NOT SCARED OF YOU! AND I WON'T LET YOU HURT HIM ANYMORE!!

:: She NARROWS her eyes...and a rushing/chiming sound is heard as Kelly is HIT by TELEKINETIC FORCE and HURLED into the wall::

:: Despite her being 10, Alison's power manifested QUITE strongly. Her EMOTIONS were high and her body was in overdrive as she desperately desired to PROTECT Cameron from Kelly::

Alison: GET OUT OF HERE! LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE!

:: the house began to SHAKE as if there were an EARTHQUAKE!

::Kelly, who was visibly stunned and shaken by being moved/THROWN by her daughter, looks at Alison and raises her hand. But Alison's eyes narrow once again and the belt FLIES from her hand ::

Alison: I WON'T LET YOU DO IT, MAMA! Not to ME, not to Erika and NOT TO CAMERON!


:: Kelly looks at Alison with a mix of wonder and utter contempt, but surprisingly, she BACKS OFF. She leaves the room, and Alison calls Erika over to her and they both go to Cameron and huddle around him, With Alison trying her best to be brave, be strong, be "the mother" over them::

Harbinger: From that night, onward for the next 4 years, my magickal powers continued manifest and GROW, and the TRAINING I had? LITERALLY FIGHTING MY MOTHER OFF to keep her AWAY from Cameron! Erika was too WEAK...Cameron was TERRIFIED...and I? When I wasn't waking up SCREAMING from NIGHTMARE/VISIONS, CONVINCED that I was GOING INSANE, I was SQUARING OFF for 13 rounds with KELLY KING!


::FLASH!::

:: Images of an adolescent Alison standing between a bruised and bloodied Cameron and a raging, abusive Kelly King. Images of them FIGHTING. Alison using her PRECOGNITION to anticipate her mother's moves...ATTACKS and immediately BLOCKING them! The FIGHTS would usually END with Alison HURLING Kelly into a wall, up to the ceiling and HOLDING her there...or level EVERY kitchen knife and sharp object she could "grab" with her TK at various points in Kelly's body. But the battles and "victories" came with their price. Alison sustained BURNS from Kelly using MAGICK against Alison, she endured scathing verbal abuse and had to DROP OUT of school on account that she couldn't leave Cameron (and Erika) alone with Kelly NOR could she control the increasingly vivid and TERRIFYING VISIONS/NIGHTMARES she was having that were making her doubt her sanity!::

Harbinger: I was going OUT OF MY MIND, Vivica. The lines between waking reality and the possibility of ANY NUMBER OF OTHER "REALITIES" were BLURRING for me. I saw FAR MORE than ANY child should ever know and I didn't KNOW what to do. I had NO help, NO guidance from Kelly King. She was too busy cavorting with what YOU would know as Mystech. She was prepared to DONATE her OWN SON to Alexis's father- Adam Chandler, and Morgan's father- Christopher Victory, for SCIENCE and DISSECTION. I wanted to believe it was just a nightmare. But I knew it wasn't I also knew that I couldn't stop them, protect HIM. I was JUST A LITTLE GIRL.

::FLASH!::

:: Images of Alison writhing as she slept,sheets twisted around her body, which was drenched with sweat images of the most terrifying images of human experimentations being conducted in the Citadle were playing out in her mind's eye as she "dreamed"...SAW::

Harbinger: I saw things that would have left YOU in a WET BED, Vivica. Things a little girl like YOU would have ran CRYING to mommy over and would have had the LUXURY of being HELD, COMFORTED and ASSURED "it was only a dream!"

I had NO help...NO one to turn to...and I was LOSING MY MIND. My visions were making my SKULL want to crack. So I LEFT. It wasn't something I was capricious about. I was DRIVEN from the HELL that was my home by something BEYOND me.


:: the bell TOLLS once more and the space around them SPINS, this time CLOCKWISE and Vivica is BACK in the conference room, with Harbinger STANDING OVER HER. Her face enshrouded in shadow and her eyes now GLOWING as her blue/black hair FLOWS to the side::


Yes, I went on a...wild and haphazard "journey", until I encountered another witch, a high priestess named HAZEL. She saved my life, she...took me in, helped me to CALM and CENTER myself, she TAUGHT ME and made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my life as I began t
"SEE" my own true destiny. She made a KEY difference in my life path, seeing a destiny that was driving me before I even comprehended what it was!

 

[Harbinger]

Part 2

You imply that I ABANDONNED my brother? You're WRONG.

::Vivica loses sight of Harbinger AGAIN as the space around her SPINS, counterclockwise, taking her BACK in time to several years ago, a view of ERIKA KING.::

Harbinger: I would have IMMEDIATELY gone back for Cameron, and with HAZEL'S help! Together would have taken him AND Erika away from Kelly, by FORCE if necessary...but there was a problem. I didn't remember...didn't KNOW I had a brother.

My "SWEET" SISTER ERIKA, in ALL her INFINITE WISDOM, cast a SPELL on me, on CAMERON, to BLOCK our memories and KNOWLEDGE of each other and so LOST was I in the CHAOS of visions and "sight" I didn't yet understand, I wasn't ABLE to account for HER doing that! I had been so...ACCUSTOMED to focusing on KELLY, that it never OCCURRED to me to worry about ERIKA doing something so...STUPID!

:: All around Vivica, images of Erika, Cameron and Alison going through their individual lives, trials and tribulations...seperated by circumstances AND manipulation::

Harbinger: So there we were....far flung from each other...the broken family portrait that was Kelly King's legacy and thanks to ERIKA KING, I had NO IDEA that Cameron EXISTED. It took a computerized voice...and an electronic FILE from the office pool in the Citadle for me to FINALLY learn the truth! YOUR story fits in there between the time I finally had to LEAVE Hazel and move on my journey, and the time Morgan and myself finally met Cameron.

Forces were at play, that YOU knew NOTHING about and those same forces that drove US apart? Positioned YOU in Cameron's path. You were to him, what Hazel was to ME.

You want acknowledgement, Vivica Lennox? HERE is your acknowledgement: YOU and your family were NEEDED, to ENSURE that Cameron would SURVIVE and ultimately reach his TRUE destiny, that of the Six. Like it or NOT...his life was NOT meant to be tied to yours forever . He was MEANT to stand against a vast, TERRIBLE POWER that his MOTHER helped perpetuate...but because of forces BEYOND his control, he was nearly LOST. I did ALL I could for him ...more than ANY CHILD should have to at the age that I was, until I was on the verge of catatonic shock due to my precognition. By the time I began to TRULY harness that and my other powers, I couldnt go back for Cameron because I had NO MEMORY of him. But that's far from the case NOW and it will NEVER be that way again. Not as long as I live.

By the time Cameron and I DID meet? We still were both suffering from the effects of Erika's spell. and we were both very dysfunctional adults, DESPITE YOUR efforts on HIS behalf and Hazel and Karen's efforts on MINE. We went at each other worse than any enemy would and we used words that would leave lasting wounds long after any physical wounds had healed. And once again, Erika, in her "wisdom" didn't see fit to LIFT the spell that blocked our memories of each other until the INFERNO began. I don't think I need to take you back to THAT, you were there for it.

Did you know I journeyed to HELL to FIGHT Morgan to SAVE my brother? I nearly DIED in the process. I stood in the gap for him when no one else could.

But let's be quite frank. The INFERNO began because Cameron, who had been so DAMAGED by Kelly King, now had a deep seated HATRED for female magick users. Suddenly he was confronted with NOT ONE, but TWO and he has ADMITTED HIMSELF that he went out of his way ON PURPOSE to try to BREAK Morgan's hold on sanity, for SPORT. it was a PERVERSE THING for him to do and he KNOWS it. He's ADMITTED IT and he's expressed sorrow and REGRET. Most of all? He was FORGIVEN.

Morgan, Cameron, myself, HALEIGH, we've ALL accepted responsibility for the roles we played in the Inferno's genesis. We ALL have vowed NEVER to let something like that happen again- NONE of us are the people now that we were then. And like a FAMILY, we have MOVED ON. Why can't YOU?

Through EVERYTHING that's happened since we rediscovered each other, from the citadle, the Inferno, through Malice and Erika even as recently as the Blue Moon...we have been on a journey of discovery and of HEALING. It's not about itemizing who did what to whom anymore. We BOTH did terrible things and were BOTH capable of doing MUCH WORSE. But we BOTH see each other and we know what a precious gift we have...chances that some others in our family and circle of friends did NOT get. We make the MOST of that. Who are YOU to question that!?


:: Vivica finds herself back in the conference room, with Alison standing over her once more, still looking haunting and as if she might ATTACK Vivica::

I dont have to explain ANYTHING else to you. Not the nature of our relationship, not why or HOW we make it work, NOTHING. I choose to indulge you right now out of KINDNESS and...A VERY REAL SENSE OF GRATITUDE for you fullfilling the ROLE you were called to by fate, for starting the process of ALTERING the course that Cameron had been originally thrust on! For following your heart, heeding that call and HELPING him.

But my GRATITUDE DOES NOT translate into tolerance for DISRESPECT, which you have dished out PLENTY of in this conversation and I've had ENOUGH of it. You have broached topics with me that are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS and while YOU may think it's "cute" or "endearing" in some misguided, ARROGANT way? I DON'T.

Cameron will NEVER have to worry about "waking up" to me "deciding he's not good enough for me". NEVER. and the fact that you would even SUGGEST such a thing shows what a NASTY, SUSPICIOUS mind you have and it makes ME wonder just how valuable or even HEALTHY continued interaction between the two of you is.

Instead of you recognizing TRUE progress and seeing the GROWTH that has occurred in the surviving members of a family that was DOOMED from the start; instead of CELEBRATING the HAPPINESS and STABILITY Cameron has found and that he has ONE SURVIVING BLOOD SISTER LEFT that will and HAS gone to HELL to protect him, YOU DARE to make accusations and cast judgements?

Vivica...if it WEREN'T for Cameron...if it werent for my PROMISE to make SURE he isn't HURT like he was before? I could KILL YOU right now. That's how ANGRY you've made me.

You can play all the bravado you want and that might work with Nicolas or the others, but NOT ME.

I've seen more than you'll EVER be able to "COMPUTE" and where Cameron and myself are concerned? I'm CAPABLE of doing things that are BEYOND anything you WANT to imagine.

:: Alison inhales deeply, and shudders as she exhales, losing the dark visage around her that she had manifested...and slowly working to calm herself ...she turns away from Vivica.::

 

[Black Widow]

Karen: Since your return, you have had to assume leadership of the Six. You inherited several SERIOUS issues...and been faced with several "NO WIN" situations. To say that the burden is great is a gross understatement.

"Indeed."

She replied with a grave look, as Karen went on to confirm something Haleigh had suspected; the fact that the blackouts were triggered by stress. The only thing that tied all four experiences together was the amount of stress she'd been under at the time of the episode. Which meant quite obviously that Haleigh would need to avoid stress until they got this under control.

Karen: Since your....restoration by Malice, following the Viper caper, the techno-organic virus altered vitals of your body remain at the newly defined normal levels.

"Yes, my body has become..... QUITE advanced."

There had been MANY advantages she noticed since Malice brought her back. She wondered if it was something Malice had done on PURPOSE, or if it was just the way Haleigh's powers had compensated for the experience.

Karen: So....tell me about what you've been seeing...EXPERIENCING during these blackouts.

"Right. The memories."

She replies, shifting her weight again. Not wanting to put her knee-high leather boots up on the couch, she slipped them off, then turned to lay on the couch so that she could stare at the ceiling while she recounted the memories. She didn't want to have to analyze's Karen's reactions to everything she was saying while she was also trying to work through the details. She reclined onto the arm of the sofa, brushing down her hemline and pulling a throw blanket over her bare legs, more out of habit than need. She focused on the ceiling tiles.

"They are centered around a child, very young at first, but growing in age as the experiences progress. When I'm there.... I feel as if the child is mine. She looks.... like a PICTURE of me at that age."

She rubbed her temples gently, then closed her eyes, but continued to speak.

"It started as an experiment.... not something I was involved in.... something that was done without my consent. It was grown in a tube at a lab somewhere. I wanted to... DESTROY it. I wanted to destroy the ones who created it. That was the essence of the first flash. In the second, I was initiating some kind of attack on the lab and the people responsible. I went into the lab and freed the toddler. I had her captors killed. I told the technician to give the kid away. I didn't want anything to do with it. In the third memory, I tried to tie up the loose end... I.... rolled a truck over... with my daughter and the adoptive father inside. The man driving died but the girl LIVED. In the last flash..... the child was a preteen. I was 'checking up on' her. I wanted to see that she was as much like me as she looked. I wanted to know what her powers were."

She finished, then fell silent, waiting for Karen to make sense of it all. To tell her she was experiencing some kind of alternate universe memory glitch, and accidently syncing up with another version of herself. Or simply that she was truly clinically insane, and suffering from multiple personality disorder, or schitzophrenic delusions, or something else equally treatable. There was also the scary possibility that these really WERE suppressed memories, and that Haleigh had some kind of engineered offspring out there. Engineered with her DNA and that of a man named Zeus.

She was prepared for any of those outcomes, or at least as prepared as one could be to receive that type of news. She just wanted a diagnoses so she could deal with it already, before it ended up hurting someone she loved.

 

[Recall]

Parthenon Hotel - Conference Room

Alison: "You would be so much more effective, so much easier to TOLERATE if you weren't so obtuse and needlessly confrontational. Your worth and value to CAMERON will be something that remains UNIQUE to HIM. It is ONLY for HIS sake and HIS happiness that I have even ALLOWED this meeting to take place. I moved this meeting to a PRIVATE setting out of RESPECT and CONSIDERATION for YOU, but so convinced are you, that EVERYONE in the Six is out to get you or see you RUINED that you dont even know a COURTESY when it's being extended to you!"

:: Vivica waved her hand somewhat dismissively. ::

"You are no better than me, Alison. To The Six and the world of magick you may be a heavy hitter, but none of that applies or matters to me. Just because you've commanded respect in the world of magick and to your team, doesn't mean you've earned that respect from ME. So stop talking to me like that or thinking that your better than me because..we both know you came from the same trash you used to try and BURY my brother with...and it stinks JUST as must as mine or any other "human" being out there. Knock it off. You don't have the right OR the position to "offer" me a courtesy."

:: This was the inherent problem she had with Alison. There were few people in this world who would dare to stand up against the Keeper of Time..even before she took the position in destiny she had now. Vivica was not one of those people. She didn't deal in magick. They had but one commonality and that was Cameron and so to Vivica anything else really didn't matter. To Vivica, they were equals. She wasn't talking to Alison as she was in her current position. She was talking to Alison woman to woman, and in that respect Alison did not have ANYTHING over her. ::

Alison: "Be careful, Vivica. I have hurt...and KILLED people for LESS disrespect than what you're showing right now. That is not a threat. That is a FACT. And it is ONLY that you address the woman you see before you TODAY that you are NOT, at this moment, SPLATTERED ACROSS THE WALL. And NOTHING in your "computer brain" will PROTECT YOU from me if I decide to do that. CAMERON may tolerate your impertenance. But *I* WON'T! I have had ENOUGH of IGNORANT people LIKE YOU attempting to tell ME how to BE. I can no more stop myself from perceiving YOU and anyone ELSE around me through the lense of my precognition, and REACTING ACCORDINGLY, than the SUN can stop SHINING. If the fact that I CAN "see" THROUGH YOU and that I DO know what you will say and do bothers you THAT MUCH...get up...and walk out the door. Otherwise GET OVER IT."

"Alison..you're not an amateur. Your "eye" focuses on what it wants. I'm asking you to address me as a human being. That's not being confrontational, that's not being marginal and that's not my limited computer brained not getting it..It's a reasonable request...and I sure as hell don't OWE you anything, and all I am saying is that I appreciate that you would treat me as such. I'm not telling you how to act in ANY WAY..so however YOU might be feeling about your OWN behavior is YOUR business, but don't project that about me."

[upon Alison's lasts words]

"You don't see THROUGH me Alison because that would require effort to LOOK. Trust me. I'm over it. I've been over the way you operate for quite some time. So stop. I have to say what I have to say and none of this [gesturing her hands] pontificating scares me."

:: There was an uncomfortable silence until Vivica continued. Alison WAS a scary person, but Vivica had seen her share of scary people. She had experienced a lonely and heartbreaking near death experience and that had taught her life has no formula for when it ends. One day you're sitting there and the next you're six feet under. It affects everybody the same way. So why would Vivica be worried about the power that Alison wielded when at the end of the day, Alison could be taken out by a stray bullet like the rest of them. ::

:: As Vivica continued to speak Alison halted her. ::

:: There was silence. Alison had ALREADY scanned the most PROMINENT time threads from most likely to least likely and IF Vivica was stupid enough to try her the way she tried Alycia? she was prepared to HANDLE Vivica quite brutally if necessary. Alison stared at Vivica with such a predatory scowl. Cameron's fears might have been JUSTIFIED. Vivica remained silent for a few moments longer, but soon, she CONTINUED. ::

"Something that your computer-brain doesnt seem to comprehend, is that you may know the pieces, but NOT THE PATTERN. Let me fill in some IMPORTANT blanks for you, Vivica."

My mutant and magickal powers manifested PRE-ADOLESCENCE - age 10 to be exact . Due to EXTREME emotional and physical DISTRESS!

:: Alison THRUSTS her hand AT Vivica al'a Piper Halliwell. the SPACE around them begins to SPIN clockwise...but then it STOPS...and with the mournful toll of a bell, the space around them begins to spin COUNTERCLOCK WISE.::

:: Vivica LOSES SIGHT of Harbinger, but would still hear her voice, ALL around her::

"Our mother provided care for me because she was REQUIRED to by law. She regarded Erika as a potted plant. She utterly LOATHED Cameron and NEVER passed up the opportunity to say/show it. My sister and I were LUCKY because we were WITCHES, we had HER legacy. But Cameron? He was "merely a mutant." that MARKED him for punishment nearly EVERY DAY of his life...punishment like THIS."

:: The room warped around her as she was pulled begrudgingly into Alison's magick, which really just irritated Vivica. None of this was going to be new information. It was simply an opportunity for Alison to show off and scare people with her magick..like she always did. ::

:: Vivica finds herself in a small, modest home. Dimly lit and sparcely furnished. It's a FAR CRY from the surroundings She would associate with Cameron OR Alison today.::

:: Vivica is now "moving" through the house with a "first person perspective" and she hears a VERY young boy crying, and the sound of PHYSICAL violence.::

:: VIvica would SOON see Kelly King, who was BEATING a young Cameron King mercilessly due to his having an ACCIDENT in the bed::

:: Across the room, a slightly older Erika King huddles in a corner, covering her head and ears, shaking and crying softly.::

Kelly: STUPID, MESSY LITTLE BOY! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO NAUGHTY, MESSY LITTLE PIG BOYS LIKE YOU!

:: She screams as she beats Cameron with a belt. A little girl with striking blue eyes and blue/black hair stands in the door way...tears streaming down her face. her fist balls up.::::

Alison (at age 10): MAMA, STOP IT!!! It was an accident! He had a NIGHTMARE...he was SCARED!

Kelly: ALISON, GO TO YOUR ROOM!

Alison: NO! STOP HITTING HIM! STOP HURTING MY BROTHER!

Kelly: ALISON, GO TO YOUR ROOM NOW, OR YOU'll GET SOME OF THE SAME!

Alison: ::her colbalt blue eyes FLASH as tears continue to stream down her face:: I'm....I'M NOT SCARED OF YOU! AND I WON'T LET YOU HURT HIM ANYMORE!!

:: She NARROWS her eyes...and a rushing/chiming sound is heard as Kelly is HIT by TELEKINETIC FORCE and HURLED into the wall::

:: Despite her being 10, Alison's power manifested QUITE strongly. Her EMOTIONS were high and her body was in overdrive as she desperately desired to PROTECT Cameron from Kelly::

Alison: GET OUT OF HERE! LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE!

:: the house began to SHAKE as if there were an EARTHQUAKE!

::Kelly, who was visibly stunned and shaken by being moved/THROWN by her daughter, looks at Alison and raises her hand. But Alison's eyes narrow once again and the belt FLIES from her hand ::

Alison: I WON'T LET YOU DO IT, MAMA! Not to ME, not to Erika and NOT TO CAMERON!

:: Kelly looks at Alison with a mix of wonder and utter contempt, but surprisingly, she BACKS OFF. She leaves the room, and Alison calls Erika over to her and they both go to Cameron and huddle around him, With Alison trying her best to be brave, be strong, be "the mother" over them ::

:: It was a brutal scene to witness for sure. Cameron had told Vivica the flashes he eventually would remember about his mother many years later. Kelly King was an absolute monster to him. Though Vivica was glad that Alison DID attempt to help protect her brother and sister, she still couldn't shake the BITTER feeling that she had. It didn't matter that any of this happened...because Alison still left. So SHOWING Vivica a scene of humanity didn't have it's desired effect. It only showed that Alison had the CAPACITY to be a decent woman..not that she would CONTINUE to be one. ::

"I saw things that would have left YOU in a WET BED, Vivica. Things a little girl like YOU would have ran CRYING to mommy over and would have had the LUXURY of being HELD, COMFORTED and ASSURED "it was only a dream!" I had NO help...NO one to turn to...and I was LOSING MY MIND. My visions were making my SKULL want to crack. So I LEFT. It wasn't something I was capricious about. I was DRIVEN from the HELL that was my home by something BEYOND me."


:: the bell TOLLS once more and the space around them SPINS, this time CLOCKWISE and Vivica is BACK in the conference room, with Harbinger STANDING OVER HER. Her face enshrouded in shadow and her eyes now GLOWING as her blue/black hair FLOWS to the side::


"Yes, I went on a...wild and haphazard "journey", until I encountered another witch, a high priestess named HAZEL. She saved my life, she...took me in, helped me to CALM and CENTER myself, she TAUGHT ME and made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my life as I began t
"SEE" my own true destiny. She made a KEY difference in my life path, seeing a destiny that was driving me before I even comprehended what it was!"

You imply that I ABANDONNED my brother? You'RE WRONG.

::Vivica loses sight of Harbinger AGAIN as the space around her SPINS, counterclockwise, taking her BACK in time to several years ago, a view of ERIKA KING.::

"I would have IMMEDIATELY gone back for Cameron, and with HAZEL'S help! Together would have taken him AND Erika away from Kelly, by FORCE if necessary...but there was a problem. I didn't remember...didn't KNOW I had a brother."

"My "SWEET" SISTER ERIKA, in ALL her INFINITE WISDOM, cast a SPELL on me, on CAMERON, to BLOCK our memories and KNOWLEDGE of each other and so LOST was I in the CHAOS of visions and "sight" I didn't yet understand, I wasn't ABLE to account for HER doing that! I had been so...ACCUSTOMED to focusing on KELLY, that it never OCCURRED to me to worry about ERIKA doing something so...STUPID!"

:: She saw mentally the effects that Erika's spell had on the already splintered family and it made her stomach turn, but if it weren't for Alison's words and the hunch that Vivica had that she was finally maybe getting somewhere REAL with her, she would have attempted to leave. Vivica didn't like the smoke and mirrors thing to highlight a point. ::

:: And Alison's WORDS were aggressive enough. She had NO IDEA of where Vivica came from. She had no clue about the drive bys, the many funerals she attended as a girl, the absolute and present danger she faced simply by rounding the corner as a child. The murders, the drugs, the gangs, the overall abject violence and poverty. So for Alison to sit there and talk and complain about her imeasurable power and white privilege of having the cold heartedness to leave her family just didn't sit right with Vivica. She would have gone mentally insane before leaving the side of her mother. It was just that set in stone with Vivica. She couldn't comprehend, not even in the worse circumstances leaving somebody behind in that, as much as she was trying to understand. ::

 

[Recall]

Part Two

"So there we were....far flung from each other...the broken family portrait that was Kelly King's legacy and thanks to ERIKA KING, I had NO IDEA that Cameron EXISTED. It took a computerized voice...and an electronic FILE from the office pool in the Citadle for me to FINALLY learn the truth! YOUR story fits in there between the time I finally had to LEAVE Hazel and move on my journey, and the time Morgan and myself finally met Cameron."

"Forces were at play, that YOU knew NOTHING about and those same forces that drove US apart? Positioned YOU in Cameron's path. You were to him, what Hazel was to ME."

"You want acknowledgement, Vivica Lennox? HERE is your acknowledgement: YOU and your family were NEEDED, to ENSURE that Cameron would SURVIVE and ultimately reach his TRUE destiny, that of the Six. Like it or NOT...his life was NOT meant to be tied to yours forever . He was MEANT to stand against a vast, TERRIBLE POWER that his MOTHER helped perpetuate...but because of forces BEYOND his control, he was nearly LOST. I did ALL I could for him ...more than ANY CHILD should have to at the age that I was, until I was on the verge of catatonic shock due to my precognition. By the time I began to TRULY harness that and my other powers, I couldnt go back for Cameron because I had NO MEMORY of him. But that's far from the case NOW and it will NEVER be that way again. Not as long as I live."

"By the time Cameron and I DID meet? We still were both suffering from the effects of Erika's spell. and we were both very dysfunctional adults, DESPITE YOUR efforts on HIS behalf and Hazel and Karen's efforts on MINE. We went each other worse than any enemy would and we used words that would leave lasting wounds long after any physical wounds had healed. And once again, Erika, inher "wisdom" didn't see fit to LIFT the spell that blocked our memories of each other until the INFERNO began. I don't think I need to take you back to THAT, you were there for it."

"Did you know I journeyed to HELL to FIGHT Morgan to SAVE my brother? I nearly DIED in the process. I stood in the gap for him when no one else could."

"But let's be quite frank. The INFERNO began because Cameron, who had been so DAMAGED by Kelly King, now had a deep seated HATRED for female magick users. Suddenly he was confronted with NOT ONE, but TWO and he has ADMITTED HIMSELF that he went out of his way ON PURPOSE to try to BREAK Morgan's hold on sanity, for SPORT. it was a PERVERSE THING for him to do and he KNOWS it. He's ADMITTED IT and he's expressed sorrow and REGRET. Most of all? He was FORGIVEN."

"Morgan, Cameron, myself, HALEIGH, we've ALL accepted responsibility for the roles we played in the Inferno's genesis. We ALL have vowed NEVER to let something like that happen again- NONE of us are the people now that we were then. And like a FAMILY, we have MOVED ON. Why can't YOU?"

"Through EVERYTHING that's happened since we rediscovered each other, from the citadle, the Inferno, through Malice and Erika even as recently as the Blue Moon...we have been on a journey of discovery and of HEALING. It's not about itemizing who did what to whom anymore. We BOTH did terrible things and were BOTH capable of doing MUCH WORSE. But we BOTH see each other and we know what a precious gift we have...chances that somes others in our family and circle of friends did NOT get. We make the MOST of that. Who are YOU to question that!?"


:: Vivica finds herself back in the conference room, with Alison standing over her once more, still looking haunting and as if she might ATTACK Vivica::

"I dont have to explain ANYTHING else to you. Not the nature of our relationship, not why or HOW we make it work, NOTHING. I choose to indulge you right now out of KINDNESS and...A VERY REAL SENSE OF GRATITUDE for you fullfilling the ROLE you were called to by fate, for starting the process of ALTERING the course that Cameron had been originally thrust on! For following your heart, heeding that call and HELPING him."

"But my GRATITUDE DOES NOT translate into tolerance for DISRESPECT, which you have dished out PLENTY of in this conversation and I've had ENOUGH of it. You have broached topics with me that are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS and while YOU may think it's "cute" or "endearing" in some misguided, ARROGANT way? I DON'T."

"Cameron will NEVER have to worry about "waking up" to me "deciding he's not good enough for me". NEVER. and the fact that you would even SUGGEST such a thing shows what a NASTY, SUSPICIOUS mind you have and it makes ME wonder just how valuable or even HEALTHY continued interaction between the two of you is."

"Instead of you recognizing TRUE progress and seeing the GROWTH that has occurred in the surviving members of a family that was DOOMED from the start; instead of CELEBRATING the HAPPINESS and STABILITY Cameron has found and that he has ONE SURVIVING BLOOD SISTER LEFT that will and HAS gone to HELL to protect him, YOU DARE to make accusations and cast judgements?"

"Vivica...if it WEREN'T for Cameron...if it werent for my PROMISE to make SURE he isn't HURT like he was before? I could KILL YOU right now. That's how ANGRY you've made me."

"I've seen more than you'll EVER be able to "COMPUTE" and and where Cameron and myself are concerned? I'm CAPABLE of doing things that are BEYOND anything you WANT to imagine."

:: Alison inhales deeply, and shudders as she exhales, losing the dark visage around her that she had manifested...and slowly working to calm herself ...she turns away from Vivica.::

:: Vivica pressed her fingers over the bridge of her nose as she tried to take in all of Alison's words. It was clear she had struck a chord but that's what she really wanted from the woman in the first place. ::

"Alison..nobody is going to argue how impossible your situation was...but forgive my frankness? All of this? I've heard it before...from ANOTHER one of his sisters and she ended up GUTTING Cameron like a fish. What you've said to me..at the end at least..we have DIFFERING opinions about The Inferno, but I guess because it's easier NOT having to have been an absolutely terrified OUTSIDER in that event LIKE I WAS, than it was to have been a member of The Six..., is what I've needed to hear from you..."

:: She waves her hands in the air exasperated. ::

"I know the situation was impossible..and Alison, I really AM glad that you've found your place together..but ME being SUSPICIOUS? Regardless of how unwarranted YOU might think it is..is VALID. His mother tried to kill him, his sister SUCCEEDED and I've been faced with this woman who seemed almost BOTHERED by his very existence..."

:: Thinking for a moment. ::

"You've given me perspective as to why things went down the way that they did, and have FINALLY given me the gratitude that I did DESERVE...which by the way, I'm getting a little tired of feeling BAD for that. I shouldn't have to feel BAD about being responsible for helping to raise him, and I'm not going to let anybody make me feel as if I wear it like some badge of honor begging for respect. It's a simple thing that humans do for each other. Give THANKS where it's due. So that's what I am going to do. Thank You..."

"I haven't disrespected you Alison. I've asked you some questions that have MERIT and I've said things in which I feel completely entitled saying. So just because I haven't addressed you in the way in which you've become accustomed, doesn't make me disrespectful. It just means I am approaching you in a way that challenges what you are used to. I HAVE proven myself more than once to this team, no matter anyone might think..so at this point? I'm resolved to just let people have their opinions and let that be that..."

"I DO celebrate progress and growth, but YOU know as a Seer that History has a way of repeating itself. I get it. You're a badass..but to ME Alison, I don't look at you as some uber powered being who has had to constantly make terrible choices...I look at you as my best friend's SISTER. The HUMAN woman and the HUMAN aspects to the situation. I don't care what you've seen. I don't care what you are capable of as long as that capability extends to the man I regard as my brother. Just the way that MANY on The Six seem wary of Oracle's team..I am JUST as validated in feeling wary of you.."

"You all want me to MOVE ON from things..and that's what I'm doing. I've just been gone a LONG TIME. Just as there are things I NEED to get used to..the same goes for all of you. I haven't had the opportunity until now and so I am taking it. Do I feel at peace? A little. I still feel like for every quality somebody presents about myself that is full of gratitude they take another to cut me down. So if you all want to understand why I always walk into a room with guns LOADED..it's not hard to see why. I love Cameron..and begrudgingly I understand that his destiny lies with The Six...but MINE doesn't. Which means..I am NOT governed by the same rules you all are. It also means that if I feel he is going to be let down or betrayed..I'm GONNA say it..and I'm not going to apologize for it anymore..."

"Alison..many of the things you've said to ME just now are things better suited for HIM to hear. All I wanted to know from you is that your love for him IS genuine..and you've promised to me that you WILL take care of him. THAT'S ALL. You can't blame me for feeling how I feel because that Alison I knew was a BLOODTHIRSTY and COLD woman who cared only about herself and didn't have time to fit in her own brother into her life. Things change...but I still needed to see SOMETHING from you that resolves my SOUL. That lets me know he IS safe with all of you...because sometimes I don't know, Alison. Sometimes I wonder if he would have been better of not even meeting ME. That he might have avoided all of this pain altogether..."

"I'm always going to be protective of him..and I'm sorry you don't think I have the right to, but that's on you. Not me. I've earned my right to be nosy and to be weary and suspecting of those in his life and I'm not making any apologies about that...Not anymore."

"So as long as we can come from this with the understanding that we BOTH had an important part in his life.. a part that is EQUAL to one another. If you can come from this respecting me..even if it is ONLY because of Cameron and the capacity that I had in his life...I'm fine with that. But Alison...nothing i've said has been incredibly over the line. They are genuine questions from a woman who has been GENUINELY concerned about Cameron her whole life..."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Things were going better than expected with Dominique (including being given the go-ahead to call her Dominique). But then, yet again, the goddess surprised Zizi. Her tone had led Zizi to believe that she was receptive to her proposition, but then her words stated the opposite.

But I must say...I'm rather disappointed. I thought you had something SERIOUS to discuss with me. There is absolutely NO WAY I would EVER work with that BOORISH COW, Ashley Oldenburg. Quite frankly, I can't believe that a young woman of your serenity and grace would work with someone like that EITHER.

I said much the same thing to Detective Steel regarding HIS association with her when after she interrupted my set at the Parthenon, allowed her uniformed underlings to tear through my suite, and then proceeded to threaten and use her POWER on me. All based on the FOOLISH ASSUMPTION that *I* was behind the deaths of those children...children that *I* AVENGED.

AND I do NOT suffer threats OR assaults upon my person lightly, Zizi. Ashley has committed BOTH.

It was only due to the arrival of Detective Steel to play "good cop" that I did NOT STRIKE HER DEAD then and there.

The night we all came together against the Purifiers, she made a threat against my black knight, Richard Martin and I FULLY intend to ANSWER that threat should I see her any time soon.

Zizi took another sip of her tea, her calm visage not showing any apprehension about Isis’ apparent imminent departure. She set the cup and saucer back down on a side table before speaking.

“In all fairness, Dominique, you gave no reason for them to believe that you hadn’t harmed those children. If you had told them what had really happened out there, I believe things would have ended differently.”

Holding up her hand gently against Isis’ protest.

“John Steel is very passionate about his work. Like you, he will fight to the death for an innocent’s life. He would have done anything that might have helped get those children back safely. Including peeve you off. I know that probably means very little to someone who was on the receiving end of it, but if it was my child out there missing, I would want him to do whatever it took. And I know that he would.”

She paused, giving Dominque a small smile.

“As for Valkyrie: as someone who was in the Cathedral that day, I would think you would understand why someone would work with her. The thing you have to understand about Ashley is: she’s been on this earth a very long time. She watched her people, her culture, disappear along with the reason for her existence. Anyone she knew or might know, she will watch them die. It’s taken its toll on her. She is abrasive because it’s what keeps her from feeling any of it. She needs this team more than anyone – to show her that it’s okay to depend on others.”

“I work with ‘someone like her’ because she needs me to. She’s just as lost as any of us.”

She looked directly into Isis’ eyes, her tone becoming harder than Isis would have seen from Zizi so far.

“She is one of MY people. And I will give my life to protect her, from Purifiers or whatever else may come. Even from you.”

Zizi broke eye contact, and the smile returned to her face.

“If you don’t want to help us, I can understand that. All I can do is ask you to reconsider. But before you go, I believe I can clear up the trouble about your Black Knight.”

“One of Valkyrie’s powers is to see death glow. She wasn’t lying that when someone’s is very strong, they don’t last hours. It IS highly irregular. She wasn’t threatening your Black Knight, she was trying to help you save him. If she wanted him dead, she would just have let him die.”

 

[Firebird]

Cameron's apartment

Blaze happily made herself two vodka tonics and sauntered over to where Cameron and Cass were sitting. She plopped down next to Cass, setting her drinks down on the end table and starting on the first one. Moments like this were what made going through the darker moments worth it. They were MORE than the bad times. Life was too short NOT to enjoy your loved ones, even in excess!

"I'm also glad to have you staying at the Parthenon, CJ. You know...all signs seem to point to New York. Have you given any thought to maybe staying here on a permanent basis? I mean there's an entire penthouse available to you, to be remodeled to your specificity. I mean I know you love managing that club..but honey, you're a member of The Six! I say it might to be time to think about your next step!"

She gulped down half the first vodka tonic in one move.

“What would I even DO here? Manage a nightclub?”

:: She laughed sharply. ::

“That’s Blaze’s bag now…”

:: She toasted Blaze with her now empty glass. ::

"No offense, sweetie."

"Mmm."

"Remember what we talked about earlier? Most people don't get to ponder "what to do" after living for 8 decades. Your life is before you."

"I don't think you should just BLOW OFF AfterDark, but, don't feel RESTRAINED by it either. You could ease your transition out of the club, installing a new management team, and if necessary, offer your resignation when the time is right."

"You've got more than enough INVESTORS among your team mates to help you start your own personal venture OR...if you're not ready to "do" anything right now, DON'T. Just BE. Be an adventurer, be a member of the Six, hone your skills and powers, and build on that part of you that you showed at the Cathedral. Even depowered...you stood up to protect yourself and Cameron. Imagine how MUCH MORE you can do now? And with continued training, you can do it with STYLE and PIZAZZ!"

"Shortly after I first arrived here, I chose to live at Minerva's Aerie. I wasn't working like I am now."

"Still, Cameron's thoughts do raise an important question: If more than one person feels ready to relocate to NYC, what will Morgan do with Melrose Place? And somehow...I don't imagine Morgan living in the Parthenon. "

Looking at Cameron.

"Nothing against you, Cam. But my sister is NEVER going to live in a building where a MAN lives on the top floor!"

Laughing at bit as she recalls the days of Illustra.

 

[Rose]

"On the contrary..This is about the ONLY substance that can get me to be truthful. Otherwise right now you'd be stuck with a shitload of double entendres and me trying to get your pants."

< She rose a wide eye to him, arching her eyebrow before pressing forward. >

In my short time in this world, I have traveled many places. There have been other men, with far more experience and wiles than you Simon, that have tried chasing me, and they never caught me.

<< The young man was a bit of a mess really, which was sad because he really did have the potential to be so much more, but the most valuable diamond can often be found in a dirty, unkept piece of coal>>

<< He settled...somewhat, moving back and forth between moments of genuine enlightenment and other moments of self absorbtion. It was almost like watching a small child trying to ride a back without training wheels for the first time>>

The need IS there, Simon and it runs very deep. But your understanding of the greater picture does not match the scope of the need yet and if you try to act...especially in the state that you are in now, you will do more harm than good.

You will disgrace the souls of those lives lost in the massacre , ENDANGER the lives of those you are now associated with, and you will truly be no better than people currently perceive you.

Change starts from WITHIN, Simon. After that? EMPATHY.

There is no such thing as a civic minded "play boy", nor can someone who has consciously and unconsciously benefited from privilege and the insulation that comes with it POSSIBLY understand, much less be any real use to people that will never operate in the petty trappings that concern you.

My children don't have the luxury of worrying about many of the things that concern you Each day is a struggle for them mentally, some physically- those who's mutations OBVIOUSLY mark them as different and make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to do SIMPLE things like go to school, or play in a park.

<< Rose once again gave Simon a pass. He kept referencing the bus accident as if SHE hadn't been there, as if she hadn't ALREADY been in the process of trying to EVACUATE her children to AVOID the very thing that ended up happening. For all his desire and well meaning, he truly didn't realize how misdirected he was right now>>

My day is filled caring for and protecting these children, being the mother figure, attempting to fill a painful, tragic vacuum in their lives that can never truly be filled. Knowing that, it still doesn't stop me. Their need supersedes any thing else and I spend my time DOING and creating solutions as I go along. I can't stop...even as I grieve for the nearly 4 dozen children I LOST in one night. I don't have the LUXURY of diving into a pool of despair when there are lives still depending on me.

But that doesn't mean I don't believe in justice...or even the justification of VENGEANCE. Sometimes, you have to meet the enemy head on and DRAW THE LINE. The Six understands that, that's why they are good at what they do.


The Purifers are a manifestation of an ages old flaw in humanity, which has burdened itself with other needless constructs like categories of race, class and religion

You're still reeling from the fact that that sad...and often fatal flaw in humanity has now managed to pierce even YOUR insultation from it. For all your privilege, you are no more immune from the cruelty and danger that comes from it than I am, or the Six.

The things that you think aren't necessary or effective, are in fact VERY necessary, to ensure that the next person or group that rises up, will NOT be able to do what the Purifiers did. Moreover, there are OTHER considerations- namely an increase in "outside" scrutiny of my sanctuary from individuals who wish to "save face"...."save the children" and force their ill conceived notions upon them.

I sense that you believe "COMING OUT" will somehow help. Help WHOM? You may be a mutant, but you are HARDLY the FACE of mutant kind, nor would you be received as such. Nor is the Six, and they KNOW that. That's one reason why they "hide in plain sight".

 

[Longshot]

Rose's House - New York

< He listened to Rose's words with more of an open ear this time. The things she was saying were the things that he needed to hear. He wanted a subjective opinion and he was getting one. She may have knew of him but the benefit of talking to Rose was that she wasn't addressing him like many WOULD have addressed Simon. Either discounting him altogether or attempting to use him in order to get something that he wanted. >

"My day is filled caring for and protecting these children, being the mother figure, attempting to fill a painful, tragic vacuum in their lives that can never truly be filled. Knowing that, it still doesn't stop me. Their need supersedes any thing else and I spend my time DOING and creating solutions as I go along. I can't stop...even as I grieve for the nearly 4 dozen children I LOST in one night. I don't have the LUXURY of diving into a pool of despair when there are lives still depending on me."

"But that doesn't mean I don't believe in justice...or even the justification of VENGEANCE. Sometimes, you have to meet the enemy head on and DRAW THE LINE. The Six understands that, that's why they are good at what they do."

"The Purifers are a manifestation of an ages old flaw in humanity, which has burdened itself with other needless constructs like categories of race, class and religion."

"You're still reeling from the fact that that sad...and often fatal flaw in humanity has now managed to pierce even YOUR insultation from it. For all your privilege, you are no more immune from the cruelty and danger that comes from it than I am, or the Six."

"The things that you think aren't necessary or effective, are in fact VERY necessary, to ensure that the next person or group that rises up, will NOT be able to do what the Purifiers did. Moreover, there are OTHER considerations- namely an increase in "outside" scrutiny of my sanctuary from individuals who wish to "save face"...."save the children" and force their ill conceived notions upon them."

"I sense that you believe "COMING OUT" will somehow help. Help WHOM? You may be a mutant, but you are HARDLY the FACE of mutant kind, nor would you be received as such. Nor is the Six, and they KNOW that. That's one reason why they "hide in plain sight"."

< He looked somber for a second. >

"I'm sorry..i've been going on and on about the accident. As if you haven't been effected by that more than anyone. I shouldn't be staking claim on that pain..I'm REALLY sorry."

< Simon looked at the flask and set it down on the table. >

"Maybe you're right about this too."

"I guess I'm getting ahead of myself with all of this. I just..I felt a little bit useless. Even fighting along side people who can do these incredible things. It helped save us, but I don't know about you..but I don't feel SAFE anymore..I guess that's where all this comes from..."

"You're right..my understanding of the big picture DOESN'T match the scope of the need. But perhaps that's something I can change...I guess I don't need to "come out" in order to help people. Perhaps it's a smaller step.."

"I know people in this city that can help. Help me understand the need and help me get to the point that we need to be. Maybe it's time to put all this money and privilege to good use. I can start there. Gather the right voices, make a presence known and go from there..."

< He looked at Rose with a calmness and clarity. >

"Perhaps I should take you up on your offer for coffee..if it still stands.."

< Rose dissappeared and returned with a piping hot cup of delicious coffee. He cupped the mug warmly as he took a sip. >

"Thank You. For everything by the way. For letting me poke around here and feel useful..even if it's only for a few hours a day. I want you to know going forward..and I'm sure this is a promise you've heard MANY times from people and found to be empty, but I mean it...anything you need from here on out..you let me know. I may not be good for much right now, but I am from a family of fundraisers and luncheons and empty causes. It would be my honor to actually help with a WORTHY one. There is so much beauracracy going on this town..so don't underestimate the value of a well placed phone call.."

< taking another sip. >

"Since you've sat here and listen to me go back and forth like a toddler..It's only fair I offer you the same courtesy. Are you okay? Is everything fine with the orphanage..you aren't getting any heat about..the accident?"

 

[Orion]

Alycia: Yeah, I caught Sharon trying to leave. I threatened to chase her in DOME if she tried it.

"You aren't the ONLY one who would chase after her either. Sharon, I can take a guess on why you might want to leave based on how you are feeling right now, but I'd rather hear it from YOU."

Alycia: She's been having a very hard time over Mary Justice, who was the sole survivor of HER original attack on the cathedral.

Zach nodded, looking to Sharon as she spoke. He had sensed the guilt, even back at the cathedral. He just hadn't had a chance to talk to Sharon this week, with all the changes done to Rose's, and his work at the UN, and trying to find time to spend with Haleigh.

Sharon: Zachary of all people should know...understand why I feel as I do. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Delilah killing her. Delilah did the RIGHT THING and I'm GLAD that she made it QUICK for Mary. Mary had degenerated into her madness BECAUSE OF ME and she'd lived a twisted, damned existence LONG ENOUGH.

"Sharon, I understand feeling responsible, I really do. There are many things in my life I wish I could go back and do differently. There are people who have died because I couldn't help, or didn't. Just last week we experienced ANOTHER fight that could generate any number of 'Mary Justices'. As far as YOUR responsibility, Sharon, everyone who knows you knows that you weren't YOURSELF when you came back as the Silver Swan. You were fragmented psychologically, you were brainwashed, you were drugged... and you can hardly have been expected to control yourself at that point. Even NOW, we ALL will make mistakes, and have to face the consequences of our actions... but I have ALWAYS believed that we are doing the RIGHT thing, and that's why *I* don't leave. The unfortunate reality of our situation is that we are faced with a level of responsibility that should never rest on the hearts of just Six people."

It was a subtle hint to what he had proposed earlier to both of them: joining Oracle's 'team'.

Sharon: beyond that, I...WE...have been talking about your offer to work with...JOIN Oracle's team.

"That's GREAT. You'd both be an excellent addition to our efforts."

Alycia: So it's rather fitting that you came up here when you did. Still, there is ONE big point of reservation we BOTH agreed on.

Sharon AND Alycia: ASHLEY OLDENBURG.

UH OH....here it comes.

And it did. They both aired their grievances, and neither of them had an unfounded stance. Ashley could be quite abrasive, and she didn't care who she upset because of it. She was always just brazenly HERSELF, and if nobody liked it, she couldn't be bothered. Zach chuckled after Alycia finished talking about Ashley's need for an attitude adjustment.

"Hearing you both say that.... it reminds me of the early days of the SIX.... and the way Morgan and Alison just couldn't BEAR suffering Haleigh's presence. I remember Haleigh telling me about the two of them, and how antagonistic they all were in the beginning. Haleigh would even tell me that she'd TRY to push their buttons because it AMUSED her to see them unhinged, and the EASE of doing so was enjoyable."

He looked from one woman to the other, an expression of understanding, and diplomacy.

"I know defending HER isn't going to win me any points with either of you.... but I would venture to say that like Haleigh, Ashley is the way she is for a REASON. I could go so far as to suggest that like Alison and Morgan, the two of YOU may eventually find that as frustrating as Ashley is right NOW, there will come a day when you understand and appreciate having someone with her specific 'skill set' and 'perspective' on your side. The thing about people like Ashley, and indeed Haleigh too... the depth of pain they have suffered, the way they learned to COPE with that pain the things they've had to do to negotiate the obstacles of their lives... may be quite dysfunctional and disturbing to the rest of us, but it certainly makes them weapons of MASS destruction, and having them as allies rather than enemies gives us an incredible advantage."

 

[Isis]

The clocktower

Zizi took another sip of her tea, her calm visage not showing any apprehension about Isis’ apparent imminent departure. She set the cup and saucer back down on a side table before speaking.

“In all fairness, Dominique, you gave no reason for them to believe that you hadn’t harmed those children. If you had told them what had really happened out there, I believe things would have ended differently.”

:: Dominique looked at Zizi in astonishment::

That's ABSURD!

Regardless of my association with the Hellfire Club, There are somethings that are abhorrent even to those who you might describe as "evil."

:: Well aware that her association with the Hellfire Club would cast her in that light::

:: Zizi continued, understandibly shifting to match Dominique's agitation and defending her position, as well as Detective Steel and even Valkyrie. Dominique calmed herself, and LISTENED to the young woman.::

...

You've nothing to fear from me, Zizi. It will never come down to YOU having to protect her from me. I have a right to my offense over her rude behavior, but I am not without reason OR empathy.

You see, I know what it is, to be nearly the last person left in one's bloodline or group. I know the effect of watching your family , village or group being WIPED OUT can have on you...and not so long ago,

I came to this town, dead set on VENGEANCE and I destroyed many lives along the way to get to my target. In the process of that, I was REMINDED of my true purpose. It has not been easy to balance that with my emotions and feelings, which are still RAW at times, but I have worked at it...and here I am now.


:: She settled back, looking at Zizi with her aqua blue eyes before sighing and looking away::

I despise Ashley's behavior toward me, but I saw what she did at the Cathedral. I saw her brave and unflincing stance in battle AND i saw her guide the souls of the victims...particularly the children...to vengeance and ultimately, to PEACE.

Zizi, I am the avatar for Isis, the goddess of rebirth and magick. I am sensitive to the plight of the weak. It is one of the things that ALWAYS made me stand apart from my colleagues in the Inner Circle.

Matters regarding my nephew, Nicolas are now in stable place, and following recenet events...I have made the descision to LEAVE the Hellfire Club.

But I have NO DESIRE to join Nicolas and his teammates.

:: She paused for a moment, thinking about things Zizi said, and her own feelings.::

You are a trustworthy, honest woman. I sense that. You believe in fairness and balance. You reached out to me in a way that I can't find fault with.

But there is the matter of Richard Martin.

He is my ward and when I leave the Hellfire Club, I will be taking him with me. Ashley's "warning" sounded like a THREAT to me, one that I will not hesitate to ANSWER.

::But Zizi explained the TRUE nature of Valkyrie's warning, which Isis could actually appreciate::

I have guided and trained Richard for sometime and he is quite capable, powerful and resourceful.
But I want MORE for him. I believe you and perhaps...even Detective Steel and Valkyrie could provide him with additional training.

Will you extend that to him?