<<< Hail to the Queen, HFC

[Max_Coleridge]

Jan 23 @ 4pm



Like New York City itself, the Hellfire Club never slept, but unlike the great city it governed, it did close (on rare occasions). This day, the doors were closed and all the members of Hellfire, from the pawns who served drinks to clients up to the kings and queens, were gathered together.

From atop the dais, Max looked out over the sea of black and white that filled the Great Hall; everyone in their finery for the special occasion. The murmurs of hundreds of voices whispered around them in a fever-pitch of excitement. At his side, Max spoke in low tones with his equal and opposite, the White King, and Betsy, beside her king. The chair on Max's other side was empty. In the weeks since that disastrous holiday party that he suspected had altered the path of his life, he'd struggled to sort out the memories that were real from those faked by Selene. But it was a slow and difficult process, she'd spent more time with him, twisting his mind, than she had on the others. When he looked at the empty seat at his side, for an instant he still expected to see her there and wondered why she wasn't.

But the seat wouldn't be vacant any longer.

"Time to start," he excused himself from Forge and Betsy and rose to his feet. As he did so, a hush spread over Hellfire and all eyes turned to the Black King. A swirling portal of darkness bloomed at the king's side; it was Tessa's cue to step through and join them on the dais.

"Ours is an elite organization. Few are given the honor of joining, fewer still manage ascend through the ranks. Tessa Ayasli's excellence was evident from the moment she joined Hellfire. None can doubt that her meteoric rise from Pawn to Queen is a testament to her extraordinary skills and ability." Max held out his hand and invited Tessa to his side.

"Longshot," he summoned his knight forward, holding out his hand for the special ring he'd entrusted to his lucky clone's care. It was newly created and if his knight saw any stories in the gold and black diamond ring, they would be solely Tessa's. He took the ring, regarding it for a moment, a more feminine version of the same ring that he wore. "So light and delicate," he said in a low voice that only those close by could hear, "but it carries an enormous weight of responsibility... and privilege," he concluded.

Turning his face slightly toward the audience, "I present to you your Black Queen."

Slowly, he slipped the ring on her finger, giving the ceremony the feel of an almost-marriage, which in truth, it was - they were now king and queen. The hall suddenly filled with claps and murmurs and smiles. Max lifted her hand to his lips. "Come," he coaxed her with a slight (and recently rare) smile on his lips, "and let them greet their new queen."

[Tessa Ayasli]

For this. This is what she had been working so hard for. It is what she had fought for. Others had sought out the position. Others had come in forcefully and claimed the position. But no one held it firmly until now. Like it or not, protest it or not, it was on it's way and it was becoming official. Through her time of servitude as a pawn, her display of talents on the island of distorted time, her use of her mind to assist the sick during the Purifier's attack on the X-men's home, her time spent bedside next to Betsy, organizing and maintaining the security of the club (not physical security, obviously, though she may see to that now that they have been infiltrated), many other good works, and finally her successful coup of Selene.... she had earned the right to stand here.

Sage stood near the rear of those that were gathered and yes, it almost felt like a marriage ceremony. Today, she was officially going to be named the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club in New York. No other club was as great or matched the integrity of this one, and it was an honor to claim and accept the crown. For most of the afternoon, she had sat among several of the Black Pawns, each of which were busy preparing her for the ceremony. Her hair was let loose from it's usual restraints and her hair fell loosely down around her shoulders, displaying that it had some curl in it. She wore more make up than usual, which the pawn named Jem took a great amount of time with. Finally, she wore a black gown , which was a great departure from the closet full of white clothing that she currently owned.

When she was finally called to the dais, Sage moved forward between those that were gathered, her eyes locked onto her King. Despite how fancied up she was, Tessa held that stoic and focused look on her face, almost making it look as if she was unable to smile. She walked up to where Longshot and Max stood and nodded once to the Black Knight, then moved to Max's side in order to face the small crowd. She did not smile or make any other expression until her announced her as Queen and then she looked towards Max and couldn't help it. Even for her, the emotion of it finally broke through, and Sage smiled brightly as the ring was placed on her finger.

"Thank you," Sage said to Max, nodding her head to him once before looking towards those that were gathered. She then spoke to the Hellfire Club properly, the smile fading from her face only slightly as she began, "It is my honor to accept this position as your Black Queen. The spot has been vacant for some time because Max demands perfection from any suitors that were looking to obtain it. I started my journey to this position not so long ago, and I made a giant leap from the White Court to the Black. But I assure you all, that Max has not chosen me because I was the easy choice. There were others that looked to take this seat... there were others who wrongfully claimed it... but I have displayed myself time and again that this is where I belong. Forcefully when I had to. Smartly, when it was required."

She looked through the crowd, spotting familiar faces, but not letting her gaze linger on one person or another for too long.

"I want to thank those of you that helped me to get here. No one acts alone. To the White King and Queen, thank you for your guidance and your allowing me to work with the Black Court. To Longshot," she looked back towards the Knight. "I would not be standing here without you. Above anyone else, as it should be, you have my trust. To the Black King," she continued, her gaze moving to him. "Thank you for seeing the potential that I possess and putting me in the position to realize it. And to everyone else," Sage looked back to the crowd. "Thank you for your support. As Black Queen, I will strive to help make this club stronger. I seek nothing else but that. We will move forward, even in troubling times, and show the world why Hellfire has been on top for so long."

Sage looked down into the crowd towards Moses Magnum and extended a hand towards him. As planned, she went through with her first official act as the Black Queen.

"Ojore Musa," Sage said, beckoning him towards the dais with her hand. "Come forward please. As you all know, to maintain the strength and standing of the Hellfire Club, alliances are often made with certain other factions. As my first act as the Black Queen, and in agreement with the Black King, I welcome you to the Hellfire Club." She waited until Moses was before the crowd and beside her. Sage then reached out and placed her hand on the small of his back, as if presenting him. "Ojore Musa, better known as Moses Magnum, is now a member of our ranks," she said, then looked to a nearby pawn and extended a hand. Less grand than the one she was given as Queen, but still grand by normal standards, the pawn gave her a ring with the insignia of a bishop carved into it's stone. "Moses, we welcome you to the Hellfire Club, and expect only the best from you. With the authority given to me as Queen, I grant you the title of Black Bishop. Serve us well."

[Betsy Braddock]

When Betsy had been recruited to the Hellfire Club, her own presentation had been somewhat different, but due to everything that had happened, Sage was deserving of the pomp and circumstance. No two Queens were alike, in the same way that no two Kings were either. They each had their own strengths and indeed weaknesses, balanced out within the Courts and together as an Inner Circle. It was what made them powerful, the balance that is. Together they could accomplish much and now that the Black Queen’s seat was finally filled with someone worthy of the title, they would accomplish even more. It had been too long since someone had sat beside Max, but it was necessary to fill that spot with only the best woman for the job. When she had been approached for her own role as Queen, Psylocke had known very little about the Hellfire Club and she had learnt as she had taken up the reins. Sage however, had served the Club for a long time now and even if she had not, her brilliant computer mind would guarantee that she was able to spring into things with a graceful speed.

Max withdrew from where he had been with herself and the White King, beginning the ceremony. Betsy shifted her position to listen intently, applauding Tessa with the others. She was far beyond the level of Pawn and the White Queen had been given the inkling some time ago that she coveted the position that she had found herself within. It was one of the only reasons that she had not been promoted to a higher rank in the White Court – why give someone the sky when they are reaching for stars? It was also good to see Max smiling. The events a few scant weeks ago had left marks upon nearly all of them and none more so than the Black King. Betsy only hoped that with Sage by his side now, that such things would not happen again…Although with the Shadow King now free…

The thought made her uncomfortable all of a sudden and she shifted upon her throne, slender fingers digging into the arm of the regal seat. She was dressed in finery that befitted her station, but suddenly the dress was too tight and the necklace pulled at her throat. Then the feelings were gone and the telepath lifted her head to listen to what Tessa had to say.

It would do Longshot good as well, to have a Queen once more…He served well, but he was at his best with people to fight for. He had served her well in times past, but he was the Black Knight and while occasionally his sword had been required by Betsy or others, the clone deserved his own Queen to protect and serve.

After her own presentation, Sage then summoned forwards the new Black Bishop. He was a member of the Brotherhood and while their links were stronger than ever, Betsy hoped for his own sake, that the man’s allegiances were carefully set. It would not do it a part of him stayed loyal to his original leader if it got in the way of the Club, or indeed the other way around. The strong survived and if he could not alliance himself correctly, then the man would soon be losing that ring. She trusted the judgement of Max and Tessa to elevate the man in the first place, but the rest would be up to him now.

Rising from her seat, the White Queen moved forwards to Tessa, embracing her and kissing the younger woman on both cheeks. “You came to us to serve and we could not have asked for more. In Hellfire, the strong prevail and you have shown us strength. The White Court has benefitted from you and all you have done for us and the Club at large. I now embrace you as a fellow Queen, my equal.”

Now...if only they could find a White Knight...

[Longshot]

Sage worried him, when he first met her, because she was difficult for him to read, even with psychometry, it was on occasion difficult to tell what it was real around her. Sometimes what he saw in her wake, he wondered at the validity of it... but then Selene had come and Sage had not only saved them all, but she had done so in a decisive way that made her rise to Queendom the exact sort of chess move that befit the royal court, the inner circle. There was no denying her suitability, and most importantly, there was no denying her loyalty. It was the only thing that Longshot required of his king and queen. Loyalty and respect, which went hand in hand. No one understood, perhaps, that his servitude here as the Black Knight was not because of innate make up as a slave, but because his King fulfilled that preprogrammed need for a master by allowing Longshot's usefulness to speak for itself, freedom through free will.

Through his interaction with the new Black Queen, Longshot had no doubt that this continued respect would remain, and he had vowed his loyalty to her. So, would he protect her, as he protected his King and as he protected the White Court in the absence of their own knight. He was quite the useful little blade, wasn't he?

Watching the ceremony, and serving as the ring bearer for this pseudo-marriage, Longshot was not unaware of the goings on around him, and the White Queen stiffening in her place, did not go unnoticed. He reached out a hand, silently, and placed it on her arm, a bold move perhaps, as one did not show the weakness of the Queen, but Longshot was afforded a certain amount of leeway given his nature. She seemed to recover quickly though, and Longshot was quite certain it was because of his quiet support. Who would not feel secure when he was there to protect them?

As the New Queen introduced the new Bishop and everyone clustered around like this was some cocktail mixer, Longshot folded his hands behind his back in a gesture of faith. I won't be reading your history tonight.

Longshot slipped up to his king in the midst of the clustering and said, quietly, "The court is filling, my King, soon we will be complete and then perhaps you will not need your poor pretty little knight to keep your affairs in order. How sad I'll be to be so useless." He was teasing, lightly, taking advantage of his King's smile.

[Moses Magnum]

Tessa's coronation was a thing of massive proportions. He'd been told of the time and made sure he was fashionably early; of course being late would have been the thing to do at say, a movie premiere or fashion event. This however was so much more, and it would be his second official act as the Black Bishop; being late now would not help him. He'd gone through all the aesthetic intricacies to make sure he was dressed with the best. A custom made, black suit with slightly lighter lines and highlights. His hair and beard trimmed to perfection; the works. It wasn't often he looked as good as he did at this very moment; a testament to just how serious he took this, as he knew he too would be introduced to the entirety of Hellfire as well.

He watched as people filtered in one after another, until the last person found their way in and the doors were sealed for the ceremony. He made sure he stood near the front of the gathering, near his fellow Black Court members Longshot, Mastermind, and Icarus. He stood and waited while the Kings and Queen conversed, waiting for the right moment to start things off; it wasn't long before Max broke off and went towards the dais to announce the beginning of the ceremony. A portal by his side manifested and Tessa stepped through; impressive to say the least. He spoke eloquently and of her best qualities, even whispering low in a voice he wouldn't have heard if his powers didn't allow him that extra little something.

When given the request, Longshot ascended the steps and handed him the ring that was to be given to their new Queen. That ghost of a smile he always seemed to wear when he was pleased spread over his face and he joined in with the roaring applause of the entirety of Hellfire. After words from Tessa, she held her hand out and summoned him forward; it seemed that Hellfire would know his name sooner than he'd expected. He stepped forward and stood beside her, holding his head high as he was being introduced; he stood even taller when he felt Sage's hand lay on the small of his back.

He took the ring that was presented to him and slid it onto his otherwise bare hand; it fit perfectly, as it should. He politely nodded his head to the crowd, then turned to face his Queen, King, and those of the white court. He bowed with his arm crossed over his chest, something he rarely, if ever did; this was a sign of deference and immense respect. They had his, and unless they did something to change that, would keep it. "I assure you, my Queen, only the best is what you will get. The full extent of my abilities and resources are at your, and of course our King's command." Afterwards he maintained a respectable distance, and watched as Betsy embraced Tessa as her equal. Things were going well, and would only get better from here.

[Jason Wyngarde]

On the day of the coronation of the new Black Queen, Jason somewhat begrudgingly made an appearance. It was more or less expected of all members of the Inner Circle, and there were so many others there that to fail to show up would have been seen as a kind of social blemish. Ultimately, nothing was to be gained and much to be lost by not showing up to Tessa’s coronation. He sat in the front, one leg crossed over the other as Black King Max made the announcement and set the stage for Tessa to appear.

When she did, Jason studied her carefully, as well as the reactions of the people all around her. People liked Tessa, that was for sure. Jason didn’t have the luxury of letting himself like very many people. And in this case, he seemed to be the only one with any amount of reservation about the situation at hand. And then, as Tessa spoke he listened carefully-gauging not only her words, but the effect she was having on people in the room.

The fleeting thought passed through his mind that somehow this whole thing had been set up. That somehow they were all being duped once again. But he found himself clapping along with everyone else, standing with a believable but not over the top smile on his face as she was officially named. The smile did not reach his eyes. At length, the ceremony was complete with the symbolic ring on her finger.

Her first act as Queen was to welcome a newcomer to the Inner Circle. Jason watched Moses closely, eyes narrowing as he was freely given something that Jason worked years to deserve. Seeing someone welcomed into the club and promoted to Bishop in one fell swoop further rankled him, but this was not exactly something he hadn’t seen before. He also knew something of how Moses had come to become affiliated with the club. Regan’s hand was in it somewhat, though he wasn’t exactly sure to what extent.

And then Queen Betsy stood and crossed the room. Every eye was on her as she stood before the former White Pawn and then took her into what appeared to be a sincere embrace. Jason wasn’t completely sure how there couldn’t be some amount withheld on Betsy’s part. A certain amount of this whole procedure could be written off as politic for certain. It was something he planned on finding out from her at a later date.

Stifling his disgust for the time, Jason held back and waited for the right opportunity to address Queen Sage himself.

[Icarus]

It had been a few weeks since the party that just had gone horribly wrong when Selene intruded into the rather joyous event that the Club had been throwing. It was supposed to be a chance to rejoice that they still stood despite everything that had happened in the last year. Only for them to be attacked from within. However like some shining angel to banish the evil witch appeared in the form of the then White Pawn who quickly named herself Black Queen afterwards. Which the Black King did not object to.

Now here he was weeks later, the day after dealing with a giant sentient tree in Central Park, a few bruises hidden by his suit he wore for the event that seemed much closer to a wedding ceremony of some sorts than he really expected it would have been. Then again he wasn't sure what to expect. He wasn't even sure what sort of Queen Tessa would become, but it did set a bar for every pawn in the Hellfire Club, Jay could sense that. The Black Pawn could sense that, because even he felt it now. He was asked to be a Pawn, but if he ever wanted anything more... he'd have to take it for himself.

He clapped with the rest as the Kings and Queen acknowledged and welcomed Sage as the new Black Queen. But then her first act as Queen was to grant the title of Black Bishop to an outsider. A member of the Brotherhood if Jay remembered correctly. It made him feel uncomfortable considering his background, where he came up in the world of mutants. Despite what happened when the Purifiers attacked, X_Men and Brotherhood were not friends or allies in the slightest. He would not question the King or the new Queen's decisions, but with the sudden inclusion of someone from Magneto's ranks at such a high ranking position, he wasn't sure how far he could trust anyone in the Club anymore, or if he should have ever started.

[Max_Coleridge]

JP between Max and Longshot

Max watched on, his hands clasps lightly behind his back, as Tessa increased their number with the addition of the Bishop. It would cause turmoil and disrupt people, which was good. The worst thing was complacency. Routine dulled the mind and senses. The new Bishop took his place and publically vowed his support to them. The Black King bowed his head, accepting the Bishop's pledge. In truth, they were just going through the motions, the details and negotiations, assurances given and accepted on both parts weeks ago.

When Betsy came forward to hug Tessa, Max's smile went instantly wooden and he moved away with the feeling an icy grip squeezing his chest. Turning toward the musicians, he gave them a nod and music filled the air. What had happened a few weeks ago hadn't been Betsy's fault, he reminded himself yet again, she'd been drugged and couldn't stop Selene. But she hasn't been of help to him since then either, countered that unforgiving bastard part of himself; the part that he'd used to cut a bloody swath to the Black throne and then chained up for decency's sake. Not that he would accept help, but it didn't escape him that she hadn't offered it.

Longshot had a gift for being lucky, and for timing; his chirpy, happy comment breaking into his Master's thoughts and pulling him from the brooding darkness they tended to drift towards. "The court is filling, my King, soon we will be complete and then perhaps you will not need your poor pretty little knight to keep your affairs in order. How sad I'll be to be so useless."

Max's lips crooked into a genuine smile. "You have nothing to fear about that. More people just means there'll be more for us to do. Besides, the Bishop has his strengths but they can't compare to yours, my knight. You were once with the Brotherhood," Max said, dredging up a time that he doubted Longshot's poor memory actually retained. "Perhaps you'll have some common ground with him."

"I find, my king, that I rarely hold common ground with anyone," Longshot said, enjoying the thought that he had brought a smile to his lips, "Even amongst my own kind, I'm a rarity, an extra extra special little bit of fluff and blade." He looked around at the court and said, "The various talents we have here... it's becoming very apparent that we have it in us to be a formidable power in this world. Where will we be taking this, do you think? We're not the Brotherhood, terrorism is so passe, and we're not the X-Men because do-gooding simply doesn't pay the piper. So... where are we going to stand when the lines are drawn?"

"Ha," Max laughed, letting himself give in to Longshot's charm for the happy occasion. "Longshot, we will stand, as always, whatever we please and do as we please. We will stand on the line, and be the ones to draw its course because no one else can. We are black and white but together, Hellfire is grey. It's a balance that neither the X-Men or the Brotherhood have." He half-snorted with laughter again. "Those two," he shook his head and sighed, "so blind in thinking that there are only two choices."

"One is lead by a man in literal rose colored specs and the other locks his mind away in a shell like a great metal turtle," Longshot said, dismissively, "Really, what can we expect from them? They have their use in specific moments, but honestly, one can't get blood from a turnip..." He tilted his head and said, "Well, I probably could."

Max nodded, "Such men are good at making war, Longshot. Not at making peace, except through the defeat of their enemies. If their personal dictionaries do include the word compromise, it's in a section they don't often thumb through. But, as long as the humans don't start any problems, they should be quiet for a while longer. In the meantime, we can deal with other thorns." Max smirk, "As effectively as our new Bishop dealt with the London Branch of Hellfire, those brain dead idiots who let themselves get taken over by the Purifiers."

Waving his hand dismissively, Longshot said, "Whenever one cultivates a rose garden, they invariably find thorns." He smiled, prettily and said, "But look, I keep you from your queen. You're pleased with her, aren't you? I was very much hoping you'd approve of her."

Max smiled, "Yes, Longshot, you did well by aiding her. I think, she should work out fine," if she remains loyal, he added to himself. "Hopefully, her ambitions don't get the better of her. It would be unfortunate to lose another queen so quickly," he said blithely. "I've run through too many, in only eight years."

"It's hardly your fault that women are fickle, and falliable creatures," the little clone shrugged, "How could you possibly know?" He smiled again, "But no more of such things. Do you need a drink? I can summon a pawn for you."

[Tessa Ayasli]

"Thank you, Bishop," Sage said, nodding her head towards him and motioning for him to mingle with his new faction. She turned away from him and immediately found Betsy Braddock, a woman who, during her time as a pawn, was as much of a friend and mentor to her as she was a Queen. Tessa smiled brightly, her face glowing due to the honor that she had just received.

Moving to meet the White Queen halfway from where she had been sitting, Tessa embraced her equally, hugging the woman one time around the waist. As she was kissed, she returned the gesture and then took a step back in order to look Betsy in the eye. For the first time, officially, she was allowed to stand and look at the Queen eye to eye as an equal. Though she felt like they had built enough of a friendship when she was a pawn that she did not have to remain as formal as some others, she always maintained respect for Betsy's position. Now they stood together for the first time as the Queens of Hellfire, which is something she had pictured happening many times in the past.

"I will always look back fondly on my time within the White Court, Betsy. You have earned my respect many times over and I will never forget that," Sage promised. Though many people played games and words such as these within Hellfire could be taken lightly, she actually meant them. Tessa reached up and put a hand on Betsy's shoulder and leaned in towards her in order to speak softly. "If there is ever a time that you need me, White Queen, the door to my chambers will always be open for you. I am not simply the Black Queen to you, I am your friend."

Tessa backed away from Betsy thoughtfully and gave her another genuine smile, which was truly rare for her. Most of her displayed emotion was thought out and almost robotic in nature, but since her encounter with Selene, emotions were beginning to come much more naturally for her. Fighting the urge to hug Betsy again, Tessa simply bowed her head to her one last time and then turned away in order to mingle with other guests.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of Jason Wyngarde and since she hardly cared for him, her eyes passed him over until they settled on Jay Guthrie. The student of the X-men that had joined them after he had been rescued from the Purifiers. Truthfully, she had few dealings with him outside of passing glances and quick greetings. She did not want to deal with him because of his former allegiances, but thus far, she had seen nothing to cause worry. Sage made her way towards him, pausing here and there to shake someone's hand or be congratulated by someone else. It only took a little under a minute to reach the pawn, who she suddenly had an interest in since he was now under her rule.

"Jay Guthrie," Tessa said as she approached, her dark eyes looking the pawn over quickly. He was a handsome young man. It was easy to see why he had fit in thus far. She continued, "I am sorry that we have never spoken until now. I must get to know every Black Pawn in finer detail than I already had and since you seem to be one of Max's favorites, I figured I would come say hello to you first."

Tessa smiled. She was in a good mood, obviously.

"I want to put it out there though, so you can notify the other pawns. I do not expect much. You have all kept Max happy thus far and if you continue doing what you are doing, then things will be fine," Sage said, referring to all of the pawns and not just Jay. She reached up to touch Jay's cheek briefly and said, "I do not require much, not yet, but I have heard your lovely voice around the club. Perhaps one day soon, I can call you to my chambers and enjoy a song for myself?"

It still felt very odd to her, having the authority to make a request and already knowing that the pawn had no choice but to say yes.

[Icarus]

The congratulatory party seemed to start to die down into separate conversations, many eager to greet the new Queen of the Black Court. To suck up to her more like it and move in for a chance at improving their standing. Or at least that was how Jay was understanding how things sometimes worked around here, depending on who one dealt with at least. He wasn't sure if he should have joined them with being so forward in their welcome, or just, as cliche as it sounded, be himself.

"Jay Guthrie," The Black Queen spoke out loud as she approached him. 'Oh crap.' The young Black Pawn immediately thought, thinking he was going to be in trouble right from the start with her considering her desire not to work with X-Men which Jay had learned about in his stint with the club. He was expecting that she would throw him out just as easily as she made a newcomer into a Bishop. However his worries may have been for not as he was greeted with a smile instead.

"My Queen." Jay said bowing to her to return her greeting, "There is no need to apologize, I imagine your former court kept you quite occupied as my King has kept me during my short months serving the Black Court." Jay stood up from the bow. The mention of him being Max's favorite took him by surprise, but smiled because of it. "I can not speak on the King's behalf, but you do flatter me more than I deserve, my Queen." Jay responded in a more soft spoken tone that he was accustomed to, though seemed happy nonetheless, Tessa's mood rubbing off on him.

"Very well, I shall begin informing them of your wishes as soon as the celebration in your honor is over... or now if you prefer?" He asked for clarification, not wishing to step on any toes. Then her hand touched his cheek, if this were a few months ago, before the Club and Purifiers he may have blushed in his youthful shyness, however that was gone for the most part now. The Black Pawn smiled and reached up to her hand with his own, He kissed the knuckle of it briefly before letting go. "I shall begin writing a song in your honor, my Queen." Jay responded to her asking him to sing for her in private. As a pawn, he could not refuse, so why not impress instead?

"Might I be so bold to say you look stunning in black." He added with a wider smile, approaching a grin.

[Betsy Braddock]

Tessa hugged her back, a very genuine and warm gesture for someone who was more logic and machine mind than heartfelt emotions. While she would always keep back just a little wariness for members of the Inner Circle – although some members she trusted much more than others – Betsy felt she had made the right judgements when it came to Sage. The younger woman had revealed her desires to her months previous and so the White Queen had known this day might happen. It did up the ante for both of them however; now there were once again two Queens (and rightly so) there were those who had also coveted the Black Queen’s vacant seat that was now inhabited. Potentially it made things a little dangerous, but a little danger kept one sharp. Psylocke was confident enough that Tessa was strong enough to defend her position if necessary and it was likely, just as it was likely that she would have to keep a careful eye out herself. One Queen’s throne was as good as another when both were taken.

“My door is open for you, should you need it as well,” Betsy returned the promise. While the Club did operate with its separate Courts there were such times when together they were stronger and such alliances were healthy. Rivalry was also healthy, but they all had to know when to put it aside and thankfully they did. Potentially it might have been one of the reasons why the New England branch of the Hellfire Club was the strongest, albeit far from the main reason. They were an odd little family of sorts.

After parting gestures, the telepath separated from Sage who moved away to immerse herself within the crowd. The new Bishop for the Black Court, who still remained loyal to the Brotherhood had been formally introduced and again Betsy had to ponder on his precarious placement. Did the man truly know what he had potentially set himself up for, should things go wrong? She did not allow herself to dwell on the thought, nor to stare overtly at the man, sparing him a simple and brief glance.

Max was attended by Longshot, the eternally faithful Knight. It pleased her that he now had a Queen to serve, just as it pleased her that Max had a Queen once more. He was a magnificently strong ruler, but with a Queen there was more potential for him, more room to manoeuvre with Tessa there to assist him as necessary. He had been affected perhaps more than anyone else by what had happened with Selene and while he was not one to accept any help of a telepathic nature (although he was far from alone in this) Betsy hoped that Sage would be able to offer a more practical form of support.

Winding her way through the crowd, Betsy paused by Jason and gave him a knowing smile. The Bishop did not look too happy and the Queen was not sure if it was because he wanted his daughter to be wearing the crown, or even simple personal jealousy of Sage’s rapid advancement. “Chin up, dear. It isn’t all that bad,” she smirked and motioned for a Pawn to bring her a drink.

[Jason Wyngarde]

Jason kept a vigilant watch on the new Queen as she scanned the present attendees. Nearby a handful of Pawns fell and tripped over one another to cater to the new royal bitch. Jason smirked slightly as her eyes passed by, locking momentarily on him. She then continued her probing glance without revealing the slightest clue of what was going on within her mind. And in part that was what perturbed Jason about the silly girl who now wore a Queen’s crown. Her mind was the most distressing thing about her. With everyone else he could find a way…find something about them that served as a way in. There was always some sort of fear or desire. Nobody was devoid of their humanity.

Almost nobody.

And Jason had always kept a close eye on her, as he did with all the elite members of the Hellfire Club. At first with wonder on the possibility of bedding her, and later intrigued with how he could best make use of her particular…abilities. As he watched her, and as he had her watched he tried to pick up on certain weaknesses. Little things that to most people went unnoticed in everyday speech were the things that Jason had learned to zero in on and the things that he had learned long ago how to exploit.

But she had always been an enigma, on the surface she seemed all but devoid of emotion. Somehow he knew that wasn’t true. There were times when he saw her in the morning looking very much like she hadn’t gotten much sleep. What was it that kept her up at night? Sadly, he never did find out.

Now that she was Queen he had to find out more about her. Research was already underway.

“Chin up, dear. It isn’t all that bad.”

Torn from his dark reverie, Jason glanced up to Queen Psylocke as she passed by. He held up two fingers to the Pawn with raised brows. Right now was not the time to address any of his musings, so he did his best to turn on the charm. “She does look magnificent, does she not?” He glanced over. “Oh…not nearly as much so as you, my Queen.” Jason smiled at her, lifting the glass off of the tray that the Pawn was holding up to them and handing it to her with a slight bow before taking his own. He looked back up at the two, speaking to Betsy with lips hidden behind his glass. “The Black Court has needed something to unify them. I can’t help but imagine how vulnerable the club was in the wake of Selene’s attack.”

It was the last thing they needed, any outside force thinking they had the right opportunity to come in and take over the club. It wouldn’t be the first time, and that was precisely why Jason had informants working for him that were connected to various clubs.

“You know how the French can be,” he said a little self-effacingly. Then he smiled at her.

[Moses Magnum]

He noticed the White Bishop eying him during he and Sage's little back and forth. He could never tell just what was going on with Jason, but the look in his eyes, his face, all of his features expressed disdain and a form of hatred. The reasons were obvious, and it brought him a slight bit of playful joy that he now carried the title and ring of a Bishop, something he was sure the elder Wyngarde had worked long and hard for. He didn't let this show of course; every advantage and scrap of knowledge was to be saved until it could be properly utilized. He'd known this long before he was approached by Hellfire, but he kept that thought even closer to the forefront of his mind now that he was in their midsts; to do less was the paramount of foolishness.

He'd be keeping an eye or both on the White Bishop; not only was he his rival in both court and position, but he was a cunning little man who was as cutthroat and ruthless as the rest of them. And considering the vibes he was giving off, surveillance would keep him abreast and hopefully inform him if a preemptive strike was necessary. For now though, they were celebrating a joyous and momentous occasion; official business could be conducted later. After his talk with Sage, she gave her thanks that he was sure she meant as sincerely as possible; and then she directed him to the others of his court. He would mingle, do this that and the other as he was expected.

He may even have a little fun. Leaving her side as she conversed with Betsy and Jay, he gracefully weaved through the crowd, accepting congratulations and talking when the opportunity arose. He'd all but secured three business deals by the time he stopped in front of Maximillian and his ever present bodyguard and Knight, Longshot. "My King, Knight." He nodded his head respectfully to both of them and smiled. "Greetings to you both."

Max he'd had time to speak with and get to know; Longshot on the other hand was an enigma to him at the moment. A quirky individual with a personality like no other and skills to match; his loyalty to the court and especially Max was also evident. It was a good thing he wore the color so well. "Everything appears to be going without a hitch...no one's even bothered revealing the blades they hide so they can stab that unlucky someone in the back. It is still early though, I suppose." He made it clear that his eyes were falling on the elder Wyngarde once again; call it slight paranoia or even a bit of "friendly" office rivalry, but he felt something there, something none of the other White Court gave off. He'd know one way or the other eventually; everyone had to play their hand to proceed to the next round after all.