(no subject)
9/11/2005
Logfile from Emma.
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Hellfire Clubhouse - Hidden Basement
One by one (for the world should be thankful there aren't /two/ of each), the pieces comprising the White Court arrive, weaving their way through the tunnels of the Hellfire Clubhouse to the Hidden Basement (yes, I had to use capital letters). Minds of unfriendly pawns are masked to their presence, though electronic records will no doubt later reveal the activity. But for now, they assemble in relative anonymity. The White King and Queen arrive separately, taking their seats with the barest of polite exchanges and awaiting the settling of the room.
Sabitha is an early arrival. She prefers to watch as others enter, one by one, than to be watched. She stands along the wall of the room, with stick-straight posture and hands that twine loosely together in front of her. For her part, she's chosen businesswear. In white, of course, a skirted suit.
For this particular meeting, Travis has replaced his traditional black with a lighter shade of clothing, still closer to grey than white, but, hey, points for the effort. The cloak-and-dagger of the secret entrance isn't lost on him; in fact, it's rather amusing, and a smirk appears as he makes his way down the steps, disappearing as he approaches the room and enters. Not first, not last. He glances around the room, his eyes settling on Sabby, although he offers just a polite nod before crossing the room and settling into his seat.
Percy has a talent for sprawling languid across furniture with casual elegance that is almost feline, no matter the indignity inflicted on him by his chosen costume; court's finery is lounged in, after he drops into his bishop's chair, as effortlessly as though it were a business suit or, for that matter, a dressing gown. The younger Talhurst scion also sports a light tan. His legs crossed and attention on his manicured nails. Wholly, apparently: as of yet, he spares no eye contact for anybody.
While Tyanna is here on time, she's rarely early for anything. Dressed in loose black pants, a white sleeveless lace blouse, and boots, she heads into the room and starts for her chair. She nods politely first to the White King and Queen, then to Sabby before settling down. A glance is given the man in the bishop's chair, but her attention is now more focused on her hair, which is back to it's normal black with vibrant red streaks. Her eyes are also their normal bright red.
Once the rustling has quieted and the silence from the thrones has drawn most of the looks of the curious, Emma stands, flicking a glance to the winged gentleman at her side before tipping her chin up in arrogant stubbornness. "Thank you for attending. Most of you know each other from the normal Circle meetings, but I thought it was time that we showed each other all of our strengths and weaknesses" (Percy is tipped a bemused look) "since we are now facing increasing pressures from not only outside the Circle, but from within." The White Queen leans forward onto steepled fingers and pulls her gaze around the faces presented.
Sabitha barely looks at Travis as he enters and nods. Her eyes slide over him, past him, and onto the next person. Spending attention on Travis is, at the moment, entirely too tiring. Tyanna's nod is met with a bit more attention, a brief nod of her own, and then... there's Percy. Her eyes /do/ linger there, fixing tightly somewhere near the top of his head, while her expression remains entirely blank, outside of a tightness at the corners of eyes and lips. And then, finally, she looks at Emma, and her hands tighten together.
Percy cants his head slightly to one side, propped up on one hand. He smirks faintly at Emma in answer to her bemusement, a gleam in amber eyes. Shame? Thanks, but he'll pass. It might be noted that Sabitha's glance, more than that of any other, is studiously avoided.
Tyanna flashes a tiny smile as Emma starts talking, but she quickly composes her face into one of interest as she props her chin up on her hand, elbow resting on the arm of her chair. The new Knight gets a quick look, but no more as she refocuses on her Queen.
Travis notes Sabby's response, apparantly she's had more forewarning than he. Though he's should have expected asmuch as to see her here. For now, though, he lets his gaze circle the room, hovering just briefly on each occupant, recalling the faces he knows, making note of the ones he doesn't, and trying to fill in the pieces in between. Then his attention returns to Emma.
"So," Emma continues, nodding toward the few Pawns standing at attention along the wall. A name, and the services offered, and another, and then "Alison Pellegrani, the computer savant responsible for the MRA database. We've been able to retrieve 43 viable names for our purposes." A small pause to allow Mouse to make her acknowledging gesture, and Emma's eye's slide to Sabitha, holding on her measuringly. "Sabitha Melcross. Our contact within Senator Williams office." And then she moves on. Williams. Not Shaw. "There have been additions to our ranked pieces as well. Tessa Lesair has realigned herself with the White King as his knight, and I've taken on Travis Reed's services in that capacity for myself."
Sabitha remains where she is, silent, steadfast, tense, and watching Emma. Her own gaze stays firmly away from any other familiar faces. Not so much as a glance at Travis upon his introduction, or a nod to the others at her own.
Percy's glance flicks from face to face as introductions are made. Including Sabitha's, eyes drawn inexorably for a moment as her name is spoken, but it is not long before they slide on to Tessa and then Travis.
Tyanna's gaze flicks over Mouse, and Sabby once again. The other Pawns get a sparing glance, and then her gaze settles on Tessa for a moment, flashing her a small grin, and then she has an opportunity to get a better look at Travis.
Travis gives a nod around the table as his name is introduced. Not that it's really necessary--most people probably know which are the newer faces, but then he's not entirely in the passive mode, noting in particular the mention of the other Knight, letting his gaze linger there a moment longer. Important bit to note.
The rest of the positions are named off, including, "Tyanna Fiske, Rook. She resides at the Sigma Iota Nu mansion, and oversees the training of my students." Most there have an inkling of the existence and function of the Hellions. "And Percy Talhurst, of Geotal. Bishop. He will coordinate all information brought into the Court unless arrangements have been made to report to me directly." Another pause and glance to Warren, who tips his head and waves her on. Emma straightens and inhales slowly, looking down at the desk in front of her as she spins out, "I have begun to fear as of late that Sebastian's judgment is once again showing signs of... erraticness. You will recall that this was a reason for his initial...enforced sabbatical." Blue eyes flick up and bore into various members of the court. "He has introduced a viper into our midst, and instilled her as Black Queen. Jean Grey. Noted activist and incorrigible do gooder."
And now Sabby /does/ look at Percy again, long and hard and with a quiet twist of a humorless smile curling at her lips. Don't worry about Percy Talhurt, indeed. Her gaze lingers there for a moment, even once Emma's moved on, although new bits of information are tucked away with what might be interest, or possibly shock, if she had room left for either.
On being identified, Percy waggles the fingers of one hand - the one not being used as a prop for his head - in an idle imitation of a wave. On hearing the news of the Black Queen's appointment, dark brows arch, eyes steady as they rest on the White Queen.
Tyanna arches an eyebrow at the mention of Jean Grey. While discipline does keep her from jumping up or shouting 'what??', whoever is sitting next to her will notice a rise in the room's temperature before she gets hold of herself. The hand under her chin tightens, and she has to take a deep breath and force it loose.
For all the response in the room, Travis doesn't seem to react to the mention of Jean. For him, there's little change in /that/ interaction. It's always been Emma vs. Jean. Only now in a more official capacity. The others' reactions, though, say quite a bit in their silence, and he neatly files that away.
"If you do not understand the implications, allow me to spell them out." Emma edges out from her chair and around the corner of the desk. "Jean Grey is closely linked with Xavier's group of self-righteous, law-abiding interlopers. They are not the type to be bought and sold, or intimidated easily." Emma should know. She dated one for a year. -.- "And Sebastian has now waltzed her into the Monarch's role. He is playing a game, and he just made it that much more dangerous for us. We are going to have to find out /what/ that game /is/, and neutralize the threat before we can move on to final stages of production on the prototypes." Well, the older members of the Court know what she's talking about.
Sabitha is not, we might note, an older member, and confusion finds its way onto her face before she sweeps it away again. Her hands shift, smoothing down over her skirt and then sliding behind her back to touch the wall behind her, seeking the bracing comfort of the solid surface.
Percy lets his hand drop from his cheek, lacing his fingers together to steeple two in front of his mouth, though he remains poised for listening.
Tyanna smirks a little at the description of Xavier's people. She lived with them long enough to know that it's all true. She shifts position just a little, leaning back in her chair and letting her arm fall along the armrest. Her gaze sweeps the room, but doesn't linger on anyone before it returns to Emma.
Prototypes. Well, Travis hasn't been around long enough to know, so he awaits further explanation with a mental note to investigate. For now, it's just absorbing information. Maybe later, he'll have something to contribute, but at the moment, he's still feeling the meeting and its attendees out.
Emma drums her fingers on the desktop at her side and monitors the thoughts of the various members, noting hesitations and eagerness alike. "You are all capable, and I do not need to tell you how to be of most benefit. Bring us information, brings us ideas, bring us your resources. We do not intend on letting foolish and petty bickering bring about the Circle's downfall, but we need your support to ensure our anonymity. Now. Is there any other business?"
Sabitha is silent. And, one might suppose, from the twitch of fingers against the wall behind her back and the quiet reshuffling of her weight, anxious to leave.
Percy shakes his head slowly, aware that any facetious suggestion that they all adjourn to the nearest karaoke bar would not be worth the resultant getting smacked around.
Tyanna gives a brief shake of her head, unable to think of anything. Settling even farther back in her chair might indicate she's going to stick around, though.
Travis sits motionless in his chair, watching the others' responses. It's no hard trick to see who leads the meetings, although he'll have to check up to see if they are typically more dialog or dictation. After a moment, he too offers a headshake of declining.
We thought Percy /liked/ getting smacked around. ;) When no one shows any signs of speaking, Emma nods her dismissal, stopping "Percy. Travis. A moment please," as the group stirs and files out.
Context, darling. It's all about /context/. Percy, as addressed, stays sprawled in his chair, lifting his head; his glance is lit with curiosity.
Sabitha glances briefly at the pair, and then takes her leave with quick, sharp steps that don't hesitate in the least.
Travis nods toward Emma, not changing position other than a glance toward the door as the room begins to empty, watching the various occupants take their exit.
Emma scoots back onto the desk top, facing the pair she'd called out, and ignoring Warren's watchful eyes on her back, as well as Tyanna's continued presence. It is an assumption she doesn't particularly mind. "How much additional information do you have on those on the list?" she begins without preamble, addressing Travis.
"That would depend on the individuals," Travis replies. "Oddly enough, there's a few that are entirely clean, despite their recent associations. And a few of the recent additions that are not as casual as it appears; at least if their investment histories of the past three years are any indicator."
Percy continues to watch in silence, thumb's brush thoughtful against his lower lip. Perhaps this date should be marked on the calendar.
Tyanna sticks around mostly for the fact that she needs to have a word with Emma than anything else, wrapping a red lock of hair around one finger. One must maintain the image of the ever watchful bodyguard.
Emma nods, eyes focused and bright in the intensity of her thoughts. "Fine. There are a few more names I want you to add to that list. Ryan Bach, attorney, working for Stagram & Wolf. And, obviously, Jean Grey. /She/ is your top priority. I want to know what the hell she's doing in Sebastian's pocket, even if she claims to not be in his bed. Turn whatever information you find out on the others over to Percy. Percy, pet, you /do/ look enchanting."
"Ryan /Bach/?" Percy asks, sitting up abruptly straight, eyes widening. "I live to entertain you, my Queen. What's this about Bach, now?"
Travis gives a brief nod toward toward Percy, eyes widening slightly a touch at his response. "Is there something I should know in advance of this Ryan Bach?" he queries, open-ended, glancing between the two.
Emma slides her attention to Percy. "I'm not sure. Percival? You know this Bach? Oh, by the way, Travis, dear. He's a mutant. Telepathic and empathic suppression, at the very least. Scared the hell out of me. Return the favor please?"
Percy stares at Emma for a moment and then lets out a hooting laugh. "My God, really? Fuck me sideways," he snorts into more laughter, springing out of his chair to straighten his period costume with absent fingers, "I only tried to shag the bastard about five /hundred/ times at school -- if I'd've had that angle ... well, never mind."
"Consider it done," Travis nods toward Emma. At Percy's response, even Travis can't suppress a bemused smile from crossing his face. "Are you looking for information on the firm itself, or merely the employee?" he asks, turning his attention back to Emma.
"The employee mostly, but you know the drill. If you come across something interesting..." Emma replies, her attention still focused on Percy. Her head tips to the side, her eyes narrowing as she actually parses Percy-speak down into "/Why/? Thrill of the chase, one that got away, and all that?"
Percy blinks at her as though this question is completely puzzling. "Well," he says slowly, "at first it was delicious fun flustering him, and /then/ ... it kind of snowballed from there, poor harassed darling." He sighs wistfully, mouth curved into a slight smirk. "Ran into him not that long ago, actually. Didn't try and shag him. There's only so much disappointment a man can /take/, you know."
Travis just sits back, listening through this vein of conversation. Personalities are everything in this business.
Emma's eyes twitch thoughtfully, but thankfully, she doesn't voice the thought that affected them so. "What are your impressions of him, then? Travis has a list of people that I'd like you to review with him. I want your opinions of the ones you know, and I want you to meet the ones you don't." She stops and slides off to amble close to the two men. "You'll do that for me, won't you pet?" she purrs, giving Percy a familiar and practiced empathic ear scratch.
Percy arches his eyebrows at her, amusement reflected in the amber eyes. "Of course," he answers, head tilting ever-so-slightly. "At Travis's convenience, of course." He cants a sideways appraising look at the Queen's Knight. "My impressions of Ryan," he murmurs. "God, I don't know. Quiet. Clever. Mastered the art of speaking without saying anything. And as aforementioned, extremely difficult to pull." The wry grin flashes across Percy's tanned face.
"Perhaps later today or this week, failing that," Travis nods. "I tend not to carry my notes around on my person, for obvious reasons." He pauses a moment. "I'm sure you'll have insights as to his habits. I'll be glad to glean from them. His position within his firm?" he says, glancing back toward Emma. "Does he carry much influence there?"
Emma glances over to Travis and shifts to shrug. "I don't know. I just know Sebastian is involved with him, and the current turn of events makes me... twitchy. Tyanna," she lists her voice to call the Rooks attention. "You have a Black counterpart, did you know. Sal Harper."
Tyanna looks up from her seemingly inattentive state at the sound of her name. There's a quick nod. "So I've been told. I haven't had the chance to meet her yet, though it surprises me that Shaw would take a woman as his Rook."
Percy nods to Travis in response. "Excellent. We'll be in touch, then." He covers the side of his face with one hand, smiling slightly. "Ah. Ms. Harper," he says dryly. "So delightful." Isn't he pleasantly full of editorials today?
Travis slips back into listening mode, now that that is done. Much to be learned about the opposite players still, despite the investigations.
"He has little problem with women as subordinates," Emma growls quietly, shooting a querying look at Percy. Just how much interaction has Percy had with the opposite court? Clearly, she needs a debrief. Among other things. But this conversation is brought to a close by the rise of the White King from his throne. "I want a summarization of your joint conclusions by Wednesday," Emma finalizes, straightening herself and offering the pair a heavy-lidded smile. She turns to follow Warren from the room, a hand reaching out to summon Tyanna to her side.
Tyanna rises gracefully from her seat, her face virtually expressionless. Sliding around the table, she joins Emma on the opposite side, holding the door open for her and motioning for a Pawn on the other side to keep it open until the room is empty.
"Well, that leaves us," Travis says, nodding toward Percy. "Is your schedule free this evening? We can compare notes. Perhaps over dinner or drinks, once we've had some time to regroup?"
Emma sails out of the door and holds Tyanna back in the foyer until Warren has passed on. "Darling, I think I'm going to scream," she states calmly, slipping her arm through Tyanna's.
Tyanna slips into the role of escorting Emma with ease, a tiny smile on her face. "Why is that, my lady? Because of Dr. Grey, or is there another reason?" she inquires, her tones just as calm. Waiting for the others to scoot away, she waves a Pawn off and starts for the stairs up to Emma's suite.
"I cannot believe that Sebastian brought that bitch into our midst. What is his /game/, Tyanna?" Emma hisses in an undertone.
"To make you do precisely what you're doing."
Emma blinks and looks over at her young Rook. "And what, precisely, is that?"
Tyanna looks at Emma oddly. "You can't stand her. Bringing her in sets you off and puts you off balance."
"True. But why would he compromise the security of the Circle to do that? Ah, pet," Emma shakes her head tiredly . "You wanted to speak with me? On something unrelated?"
"Maybe he thinks that she can protect him from you? Or maybe she offered him something he thinks he needs." Even as she says it, Tyanna seems to be dismissing the idea, shaking her head as well. "Honestly, I wanted to get your opinion of Julian Keller. And I idly wondered if you'd forgive me if I decided to turn him into a eunuch one day." A mischevious grin is offered her Queen.
"Then what is /her/ game," Emma muses darkly, ruminating on it for a moment before pushing it back into a much abused compartment of her mind. "Julian? Oh, darling, not a eunuch. At least not before you collect his sperm. He /does/ have impressive gentics, even if his attitude leaves much to be desired," she winks.
Tyanna smirks at Emma. "Genetics he's very proud of. If we can get past the God's gift to women attitude and the desire to shag anything in a skirt, he might just be salvagable. Though I don't think it will be long before he notices the oddities that go on in the mansion, with regards to the Hellions." A laugh, and Tyanna shakes her head. "I refuse to collect a man's sperm in any way other than the traditional, my lady. Many things I will do for you, but that's not one of them." Her tone is definitely teasing, despite the odd subject.
"Well then, we must hope that he learns his place before he learns about the place, mmm?" Emma replies, her voice drifting off as her attention seems to do likewise. But just for a moment. "Do you have any suggestions /short/ of castrating him?"
Brushing Travis’ conscious thoughts aside gently, Emma inserts a request swathed in heavy layers of desire. << Do stop by before you leave, if you have the time. I would adore another demonstration. >>
Tyanna has to think about it for a minute, but she shrugs. "I honestly don't know. He's already curbed himself a bit. I would like to be nice to him, Miss Frost, honestly. But he's a pompus ass." Shaking her head, she tucks a lock of black hair behind her ear with her free hand. "The discipline of the Hellions might just do him a world of good, but I couldn't trust him to keep the secret."
Emma nods and pats Tyanna's arm. "I'm not ready to introduce his attitude into the team dynamic just yet either, but I think if we keep reminding him that he's in a much different pond than he's used to, he might become biddable."
Tyanna nods in return, pausing as they reach the top of the stairs and the entrance to Emma's suite. "Perhaps. I'll see what I can do." she responds with another of her trademark grins. Looking at the door, she slides her arm away from Emma's. "Is there anything else you need?"
Footsteps sound on the stairs, and a moment later, Travis rounds the curve to the last landing before the second level. Emma returns the smile and slides a quick glance down at the man, turning her smile into a wink for her Rook. "No. I think I'll be adequately cared for a bit. Go on darling. Be back here tomorrow morning for my appointment."
Tyanna smirks at Emma, merely shaking her head. "Of course, my lady. Have a good evening." Her eyes flick to Travis and back to Emma before she turns and starts down the stairs.