<<< Nurturing in Shadows, Tag: Shroud

[Icarus]

Date: February 24th, 2012
Time: End of the business day

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"With the month coming towards a close, I would like to note that several of your clubs that I have visited this past month, Mr. Coleridge, have seen record highs in attendance and profit." Jay added as he came to an end of this weeks statement of business and accounts he received from the accounting department to inform Mr. Coleridge himself. Jay felt some pride in the fact that the clubs his King owned seemed to be doing better, and they just happened to be the ones that Jay visited on behalf of his employer. While Jay wasn't entirely sure if he was a factor in that, though him throwing around that wonderful voice of his probably helped some, though he was not going to say such arrogant things.

"So, all in all, seems like Coleridge Enterprises went nothing but up this week, don't you agree Mr. Coleridge?" He asked continuing with the delighted tone of voice with the business week ending on a high note. Closing a few windows on the computer tablet, held it at his side. "If it is not too presumptuous of me to ask, Mr. Coleridge, any plans for the weekend?" The assistant asked. "Either with the children, or perhaps the new Queen?" He was curious, Jay liked Max's kids, though Jay liked almost all children, and Max's were like a light in the place that the Hellfire Club could be. As for the new Black Queen, Jay did not have much of an opinion about either way yet. He did not agree with her on cutting ties with the X-Men, however without her, he'd be a mindless pawn to the witch Selene.

Jay himself was not sure of his own plans for the weekend, probably just do what he had been doing as a Pawn when he wasn't directly working for the king in Coleridge Enterprises. It was no secret that he had been growing into the Club compared to when he was first there. He just wondered if he changed as a person just because he grew to enjoy the Club lifestyle, even if though he did not give into certain sins the club seemed to specialize in.

[Max_Coleridge]

"That's good to hear, Jay," Max said as Jay finished wrapping up the week's business. "A successful place is popular. And a popular place, brings in people who drink and relax and, most importantly, talk. That's the real profit of those places - information." He smiled, "And of course, making new contacts." Max had been watching Jay for quite a while now, and while he didn't possess Longshot's preternatural charm, he had a gift for talking and charming. It helped that Jay genuinely wanted people to like him and those he talked to generally seemed to respond.

"The children," Max murmured and let the barest hint of a smile cross his lips. They were the only light in his dark life. Their innocence. Their simple joys. Luna was even learning to laugh now. "I wish. No," he sighed, "it may be Friday, but there is no rest from being king," Max told his young assistant as they both powered down and secured their things for the night. "The plans I have for the weekend are much the same as they are for any other night." For the last two months, ever since that disastrous Holiday party, Max had gone out nearly every night, running the roofs of his city. He was a controlled man who'd suddenly had that comfortable sense of control ripped violently away. From that night on, a boiling anger deep in his thoughts had been his constant companion. While he was running through the city - while he was being vigilant, he felt more in control. He'd always run the city with a firm hand - keeping the street gangs running and the organized mob in check, but lately the firm hand had become an iron fist. And his knuckles always seemed to have a faint bruising to show just how iron his grip had become.

"Tonight, the Nefaria family were going to have another upset in Little Italy," he said ominously and let the comment drop.

"And what about you, Jay?" Max asked as his desk went dark. "Going to take it easy and enjoy yourself this weekend?"

[Icarus]

Jay was some what disappointed to hear that his King was not going to spend his weekend with his children, but seeking to return to business of a different variety. The Black Pawn may have acted foolish in his youth at times, however he was no fool. He knew that his King viewed New York as his city and those who tried to claim it as theirs met a swift shadowy foot to their backsides, or worse. While it was a different concept to how he was raised, the longer he spent with the Hellfire Club the more it seemed to make sense. While Jay hoped that one day there would be a Utopian world where there would be little need for violence and no child would be robbed of a parent and mutants and man would get along. The Pawn prayed for a world like that, but he also lived in what the world really was.

What the Black Pawn frowned slightly at was the thought of Max feeling like he had to deprive himself of those few precious moments with his own children in order to do what he needed to do as the Black King of Hellfire. Jay put the tablet back into its case which would go into a small briefcase that he carried various things with him to work.

"My father gave me some advice before he passed, my King." Jay responded to Mr. Coleridge's question on his weekend, not exactly giving an answer yet. "Don't ever watch your supervisor dig. Makes more sense in a coal mining community, but basically it means that a good worker doesn't let their boss work alone." Jay explained building up to the point he was going to make.

"What I mean to say my King... perhaps I can take your place in Little Italy tonight so you can spend some time with your son and daughter." Jay finally suggested. Fighting wasn't exactly his forte, or preference, but it didn't mean he could not handle himself and he was without the will too fight for the proper reason.

"Perhaps that is out of turn for me to suggest such a thing, and if Longshot were here he probably would have given me a dirty look for it." Jay added but looked to Max. "But children are only young for so long, I just think they should spend as much time with their parent as much as they can." Family was something important to the young man, he lost his father at a young age, and Jay knew Max lost both parents at a similar age. The wingless angel would just hate to see either of the King's children end up in a similar age to either of them.

"Before you dismiss my proposition, let me make a preemptive counter. If you won't let me take your place tonight, or any night, then perhaps let me assist you, either to finish things quicker so you can be back with your son and daughter, or at least to help make sure they still have one in the morning just in case something happens." Icarus offered.

[Max_Coleridge]

Heading for the door, Max hooked his finger behind the knot of his tie to loosen it. He'd barely shrugged off his suit jacket when Jay surprised him with his offer to deal with the Nefaria family in his place. Taken aback, Max paused in his tracks and looked toward Jay. In spite of the dark glasses, or merely because Jay had learned to anticipate his king's reactions over the past few months, Jay continued as if he could see displeasure in the king's black gaze. It was for the sake of the children, he'd said. The faint hint that Max needed help, anyone's help, rankled and his jaw clenched. A hair's breadth away from laying into the young Pawn, his motives became clear - the children. The hard lines of his face softened as he let his ire drain away.


"You couldn't do what I do," he told Jay bluntly. "You're too soft-hearted." Max said as he slung his coat over his shoulder and let it dangle off his finger. "You're too nice. The Nefaria maggia eat nice, soft-hearted people for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To deal with the maggia, you have to be more ruthless than they are; fear is the only thing they understand. That and saving their own skins."

"Thank you for the offer but," Max began as they left his office. In the outer halls, the secretaries, pawns, and operatives were thinning out.

"Before you dismiss my proposition," Jay went on, this time offering to assist.

The older man paused, bowing his head in thought. "I believe that training, and taking your education to a higher level had been one of promises when you joined us. And so far, I've only seen your actions in the boardroom. Alright," he relented. "It's time you saw the streets the way we do."

[Icarus]

Seeing the facial expressions on the King, Jay was beginning to worry. He had seen it on The Shroud before, but never directed towards him. It was truly an intimidating site, however Jay kept his feet firm and did not cower, even though part of him wanted to. Jay couldn't back down from anything now. He had to keep moving forward and get better and stronger. That was all there was to it now. That did not mean Pawn would not look out for others, whether they wanted it or not. Especially when it involved young children. The Pawn was grateful when the mood lightened some as the Black King seemed to realize that it was for the children, thankfully.

However the satisfaction that Mr. Coleridge was not going to rip into him about suggesting anything did not last as the older man, and employer, told him a more calm manner of why he wouldn't let Icarus take the Shroud's place in the city tonight to deal with the Nefaria Maggia. Perhaps the King was right, despite the months within the Club, he had not the steel heart that many had, he did not walk around as if he had a dagger behind his back to remove any competition. He was harmless, or at least that is what he tried to portray to others. If he did not seem like a threat to others, then he would have to worry less about someone seeking to put a dagger in his back. He would just make his own movements where no other Pawns could see, and the King gave him a position to do so on a daily basis when he hired Joshua Guthrie months ago back when he was a broken and tormented young man just wanting his life back. Still, he was the former student of the Xavier mentality, and still an honest and moral young man.

Morals are a funny thing though, they evolve through perspective.

Thankfully the King accepted the second proposition the Pawn made, which was better than nothing. Potentially the better of the three options that were present, two of them together were likely better than either alone. Perhaps this would free up the King for the rest of the weekend with his children if the pawn helped the King thoroughly deal with Nefaria's group.

Jay bowed his head slightly to the King as he agreed. "Thank you my King, I shall not disappoint." The pawn responded, knowing that he now could not disappoint in the slightest. He offered up his services and if he did not deliver then... well, it was just better to focus on success than the alternative.

The Pawn followed behind the king closely as the pair exited the office. "Will we be dealing with the Count himself tonight?" Jay asked in a hushed tone never knowing who may be working at multiple angles. "Or perhaps his daughter the Madame?" He added, showing that the young Pawn was looking into things more than just business related. If he was to be assistant to the King, he needed to be well informed unlike any other pawn, or at least that is what the young man believed. A motto that was struck into him his entire life starting with a simple childhood cartoon.

Knowledge is power.

[Max_Coleridge]

Max and Jay JP

Later on the roof


Max stepped out of the dark portal onto the roof in the black armored suit; it was the best that Forge could make and had never failed him. Under his arm, the Black King carried the last piece, a nearly open-faced helm that left the lower portion of his face uncovered. Without his usual black glasses on, he kept his eyelids closed as he regarded Icarus. The black orbs that had been his eyes for over a decade were still his single vanity and his reluctance to have them on display showed.

"We'll fly over to Little Italy," he told Icarus as he slipped on the light helmet. Normally, he would've taken the most direct route via a darkforce portal, but flying was a challenge and he'd never had the opportunity to fly, in his case glide, with anyone who had actual wings and the in-born knowledge of using them. It would be a learning experience.

Icarus had followed his king through the portal, donning his own armor which was primarily black with red flares on it. The young man already had a domino mask over his eyes as well as a black hood. The avian mutant needed to remain light weight for maximum flight capabilities, which meant he had to sacrifice a little added protection to maximize that. Especially with the red obsidian blade strapped to his back within his sheath.

Once through the portal the Pawn activated his wings and the white hard light skeletal structure was consumed with a black mass of darkforce forming into artificial muscles and feathers. “Very well, Shroud.” Jay responded, choosing to alter his voice to a deeper tone for some for added security, though he figured it was unlikely anyone other than the Black King would ever recognize it.

The black winged Icarus moved over to look out at the side of the building and what was below, his wings stretching out preparing for flight, the young man’s control over them was second nature now, like he never lost the wings he gained from his mutation. “Then let’s fly.” Jay said with a slight smirk before jumping off the building, quickly ascending to look back at the King, waiting for him to join the young man in the sky.

Under the Shroud tutelage, Icarus was no longer the somewhat nervous and gawky young man he had been but he still retained the playfulness of young, of perhaps that was the essence of Jay Guthrie and would always remain.

"Indeed."

The Shroud walked to the edge of the roof and dove forward. He plummeted down, straightening his body to cut through the air. Closer and closer, the concrete rose to meet him. His pulse pounded as he let himself fall. One moment of lapsed concentration and he would be dead; it was a thrill that he never tired of, looking death in the eye until the last possible moment.

That moment came seconds before he would've plowed into the ground, and he sailed through a portal. He came out of the portal just above Icarus, giant black glider-like wings stretching out from him. Wind rushed past his ears but it was the sound in this quiet place, above the noise of one of the world's busiest cities.

"I see why you took the risk to join us all those months ago," he said as they soared through the darkness over the bright rivers and pools of neon lights below. "Giving this up... Did your friends understand?"

Jay was almost ready to flinch as he saw Max get so close to the ground, ready to see the King splatter to the ground which really worried him as that would have defeated the whole purpose of the young Pawn asking to join the King tonight. Jay wanted to make sure the man got to see another sunrise and be there for his children. Face planting not even five minutes out of the portal onto a New York sidewalk… Thankfully that did not happen as the portal opened above him and the Shroud glided into the sky.

Icarus followed just slightly behind him, knowing he could fly faster but did not want to get separated. However the Shroud’s observation and then question brought a hidden frown to the Black Pawn’s lips. “I really don’t know.” Jay admitted. “Most of them were already away at the new base of operations the X-Men have, wherever that is. The few that stayed at Worthington’s…” Jay thought back to that emotional discussion or argument with Noriko… “I’m not sure if they understood or have understood since.” Jay admitted softly, it wasn’t something he liked to think about all too much.

“Taller buildings have updrafts that help with ascending to higher levels that usually extend quite a bit more than the building’s height.” Jay offered advice seeking to change the topic to an impromptu flight lesson.

The Shroud nodded. He already knew that, and that it was a ploy for Jay to change the subject. The young man had given up much, nearly everything, to join the Hellfire Club. He knew that Tessa and others were perplexed about his decision to take Jay on, he wasn't usual Hellfire material - he wasn't ruthlessly ambitious, he wasn't devious, he had charm but wasn't as polished; whether any of that was true or valid, Jay was someone who had done what Tessa nor Regan nor any of the others had done, he had already sacrificed his life for Hellfire... to the Black King, and that was a gesture that Max respected.

"You're different than you used to be," he told Icarus as he banked close to a building to take advantage of the updraft Jay and just mentioned. "More confidence. It looks good on you."

Jay used the same current of wind to bring himself up higher, not that he needed it since he was not just gliding as the Shroud was, the pawn had actual wings to use to control his own flight path. Just barely behind the shrouded glider through the sky above New York City, even as late as it was the Big Apple was brighter than ever.

“Thank you my King.” Jay responded. “Flying… usually brings out a different animal in me sort to speak.” The pawn had commented. “It’s a different experience compared to walking as I am sure you have noticed. Freedom from everything that those walking in the streets or driving their cars don’t have.”

"I'm sure, but I wasn't referring to just this moment." The Shroud crested over a highrise and skimmed through low clouds that clustered at the top. "Six months ago, you would have been too self-deprecating to go to the clubs or confident enough to take responsibility for their increased profit. Don't be afraid of success, Icarus. It may be the Kentucky Way that humility is a virtue, but you will never fly if you keep holding yourself back."

“I am not afraid of success…” The Pawn responded as he came over the high rise himself. “I just don’t want undeserved success built off the backs of others.” He explained. He did not want to be one of those people in the club who just took advantage of others with no more reason other than personal profit. He wanted his success to come from his own work, through his own trials, it was the only way he would be happy with any success he obtained. “And the Kentucky way is through honest hard work, humility is just part of the entire Bible belt, not that you’ll find it much these days.” Jay smirked and flew ahead some more, spotting Little Italy far out in the distance thanks to his enhanced vision.

“We’re almost there.”