Sitting On Top Of The World

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:56 pm

Kelpie had gotten settled in to her new residence. After a good hot shower and a nice meal, she was lounging in a bathrobe next to the pool. The rest of the Jade Pyramid really didn't interest her, so she hadn't even given it a second look.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:01 pm

The door buzzer sounded.

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:05 pm

Kelpie got up slowly, walking to the door. She unlocked it, having opted to use both the physical and the electronic locks, just for good measure. She opened the door slowly, looking out to see who was disturbing her.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:12 pm

Apophis was there, un-armored, and dressed in a dark red business suit.

"Enjoying the accommodations I hope."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:15 pm

"Much better than the tunnels," Kelpie said, opening the door further and moving aside. "Come in." She wandered back out to the pool as if expecting him to follow.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:33 pm

He accepted the invitation and followed.

"Assuming the London Strip remains a neutral territory, this is one of the safest places in the city. Except for those with unpaid debts, who attempt the cheat the casinos of course, or who cheat Lady Neon."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:38 pm

"Well, I have none of the first and no intention of getting involved with the other two," she said, laying back again. Her eyes followed him, "I think the armor suits you better, even when it is torn up."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:49 pm

"I prefer the warrior image myself, but these high-rollers require a... lighter touch."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:04 pm

"People are such a trial," she said with a smirk. "So what's your next move? Let me guess... it involves hunting down those 'heroes' from the tunnels."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:18 pm

"Sadly, organizing the defense of my base of operations against the General's retaliation is a higher priority. I, however, will get to them soon enough."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:24 pm

"My advice: Leave them alone. Vengeance won't serve your business interests. In fact, they're just as likely to blunt the General's retaliation," Kelpie said, motioning to a seat next to hers.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:37 pm

"Perhaps you have a point," he admitted as he took a seat, "But will I not appear weak if I let them go unpunished?"

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:55 pm

"You're looking at this the wrong way," Kelpie said. "Spin it this way. You met a respectable foe. Rather than wantonly waste resources attempting to conquer the foe in some misguided hunt for revenge, you make common cause. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Wisdom mixed with power. At least that's how I would look at it."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:12 pm

He pondered her words.

"The only way for them to return home is indeed through the General. And should they fall, my enemies will still be weakened. I like your logic," he grinned.

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:02 pm

"The hard part is that you seem to have somehow pissed them off in your first encounter with them," Kelpie said. "I can't imagine how you could have done that." She smiled sweetly at Apophis.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:52 pm

"Things with them were going well enough until that sniveling coward Stitch fucked everything up."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:56 pm

"And how, pray tell, did she manage that?"

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:00 pm

"She snapped and told them to run. My ally, Nocturne, tried to kill her. For reasons I cannot quite grasp, they leaped to her rescue."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:21 pm

"They're heroes, it's what they do," she said with a snort. "Maybe if your 'ally' hadn't tried to kill her, you might not be in this predicament."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:29 pm

"Quite likely," he answered bitterly, "And if I hadn't have listened to that fool Domina I would not have even been there."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:48 pm

"And who is this Domina?"

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:52 pm

"Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, of which I am the newest member."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:04 pm

"Congratulations are in order I guess. Seems a rather massive expenditure though."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:13 pm

"The investment has yet to pay off, but my foot is barely in the door."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:21 pm

"For both our sakes, we should hope that your foot doesn't get broken in the process." She stood up and walked over to the pool, studying it for a minute.

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:39 pm

"And how do you suggest I correct my recent... oversights?"

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:53 pm

"First, we need to find these 'heroes' and 'make amends'. If nothing else, we need to know what they're up to." A group of miniature figures formed on the surface of the pool, approximating the team that Kelpie had met. "We also need to start accumulating other potential allies. We just need to figure out who they are."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:04 pm

"What end is it you have in mind?"

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:19 pm

"This will all come to a head at the General's headquarters. And when it does, you want to be on the right side and in the right position to guide things in a... profitable direction." She turned and smiled at him, "And for us, that means making it's a cat's game."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:58 pm

"Ah yes," he said, getting up and walking closer, "We prevent the domination of either side to ensure that my services do not become obsolete. In other words, we help these X-Men take the largest barrier ahead of them and the General's greatest trump card out of play. The Harbinger. She's disrupted the balance for far too long."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:02 pm

"You are kidding, right?" Kelpie raised an eyebrow at Apophis. "This plan only works if we survive the endgame."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:06 pm

He gave her a deeply annoyed look, but then sighed. "Fuck. You're right, I must remain realistic."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:18 pm

"Good, we both need you to stay focused. So first things first, we need to find the heroes. I want to handle the first contact. Maybe I can smooth things over and avoid a second... incident."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:24 pm

"An excellent idea."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:34 pm

"Oh, and be a dear and please inform this Nocturne that if she screws things up again, I will drown her." That unsettling gleam entered her eyes again. "Slowly."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:41 pm

"You should know that that, my dear, is something easier said than done. She is to the shadows as you are to the water."

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:54 pm

"It makes no difference to me. If she messes up this plan, I will put an end to her. One way or another."

by **Apophis** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:00 pm

"I certainly wouldn't want to be on your bad side," he smiled.

by **Kelpie** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:03 pm

"Oh, one more thing. After I make contact with the heroes, they may get the impression that I've 'brought you to heel'. I would appreciate it if you didn't disabuse them of that notion. It will likely help your case with them."

by **Apophis** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:45 pm

"Just don't start believing it yourself."

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