11691/Shiva and the Court

Shiva and the Court
Date of Scene:	21 June 2022
Location:	The Inner Sanctum - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Sebastian Shaw, Tessa, Elektra Natchios, Sandra Wu-San

---

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
It has been a typical day of business for the Council of Cardinals of the Hellfire Club. Presiding over the meeting was Sebastian Shaw as Black King, but there has been representation from both sides as business has been conducted. Pawns have been promotes, compliments and snark have been exchanged (although a surprisingly favorable compliment to snark ratio), and all has beeen well.

Shaw looks over towards the White Queen, Susan Richards, and the White Bishop, Elektra Natchios. "The business from the Black Court has been concluded. Is there any business that the White Court wishes to raise?"

Tessa has posed:
Having presented the new Black Squire with a gift of the traditional Club attire, Tessa walks back to the Black Throne. She herself is in that same 'traditional Club attire,' which is to say that by the standards of anywhere /not/ the Hellfire Club, she's only half-dressed. She once more stands to Sebastian Shaw's right, and her hands fold in front of her lap. Watching, listening, ready.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
That Blake went and chose the black Court is perhaps not too much a surprise for Elektra. The woman had been introduced by Shaw after all. Yet will the White Court not take any of this meeting? Not entirely. For Elektra still has a card up her sleeve.

"We do." A faint smile to the assassin's lips. "I would like to present someone to our Court." she announces, gesturing to where Shiva is at, "Someone that I believe has the kind of ability that may benefit us." there is a measure of respect in Elektra's tone which might be surprising. But then again we are talking about one of the most accomplished martial artists in the world.

"Please come forward and present yourself."

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Out of respect for tradition, Shiva took in her first Inner Circle meeting wearing an all-white lingerie set inspired by her former Queen whose life she sometimes protects.

Today, however: Lady Shiva is here on her own terms, her own merits-- in her own black leather duster, black and red blouse, and black leather pants. If there are metal detectors, she didn't ping them; if there were mercenaries on hand to frisk her, she didn't allow them. The flawless, sun-burnished texture of her skin's marred by a single slender cut down her cheek, a day or two old at most and healing cleanly.

She and the woman who now bids her to stand and present herself had to have reached this accord SOMEHOW, after all.

"I am Lady Shiva," she states, stepping forward from the place just beyond the margins she's occupied since the meeting began, still and silent enough to blend utterly into the surroundings if not for the presence of a psychic. Hands clasped loosely before herself, she gives her hair a little toss while she approaches Shaw.

"And I seek a place among you who have placed yourselves above the shambling dreamers of this world."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Inclining his head towards Lady Shiva, Sebastian Shaw looks towards Susan Richards for a moment. She has been proposed by the White Court, after all. Receiving a nod of approval to proceed from Susan, Shaw turns his attention back to Lady Shiva.

"Welcome to the Hellfire Club. To have the White Bishop speak highly of you gives you immediate and worthy consideration. Please, share with us why you believe that you have earned the privilege of being among us. What value could you bring to the Hellfire Club?"

Tessa has posed:
Tessa remains at Shaw's side. She takes note of the respectful tone in Elektra's voice, because Tessa takes note of everything.

The Black Herald's eyes remain fixed on the woman who introduces herself as Lady Shiva. She's silent for now, but she's studying Shiva. Every aspect, every detail, every everything.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
With Shiva coming forth to introduce herself Elektra examines her as well. It is one thing to know someone of reputation. Another entirely to be face to face with them. And even if this is not a battlefield across rooftops it doesn't mean it's less deadly. And she still had the marks of that previous meeting. Even if less visible at the moment..

Elektra doesn't speak though for she is curious and attentive on what Shiva will bring forward as to why she wishes to join. Even if her action earlier had demonstrated it partially already.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"It is said that I am the deadliest woman alive -- that I possess knowledge which those who have spent decades plumbing the depths of their arts envy, and talents which defy both belief and expectation."

Not only is this pitch delivered without an ounce of ego, or even ATTACHMENT-- it is delivered without so much as a hitch or a glance in Elektra's direction as Shiva holds her gaze steady on Shaw's.

"I've taught agents of SHIELD and assassins in the Demon's employ alike how to better themselves. I have seen corners of this world barely dreamed of in my life's journey; I've ended dynasties with a stroke of the wrist and raised champions from the dust," she intones. The surface of her thoughts is as still as an ocean on a clear spring day; the depths beneath, a deep and forbidding plunge of effortless, shameless honesty teeming with shadows which seek to dart beyond perception.

"You would own the world -- shepherd it, guide it on a path which suits your whims," Lady Shiva states.

"I am of this world, supernal and inextricable."

The way her boots clack and resound with each step she takes towards Shaw, filling the space with softly rolling thunder-- it is wholly intentional.

"I am Creation and Destruction; I am the antithesis to the stasis which tends to lurk in the hearts of those who ensconce themselves in the refuge of their own power."

Again, she stops-- with nothing to spare between herself and the Black King but a few inches of empty air.

"And given peers," she concludes, a notch softer, "I am willing to share."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
If Lady Shiva was expecting a dramatic reaction - or any reaction - from Sebastian Shaw, she will be disappointed. Her words break on the same way her fist would. Not that she likely knows that.

He sits and listens, watching the theatrics at play. Then finally he nods. "You present yourself well. How do you propose to prove the accuracy of your words?"

He looks back at her, seeming not to be concerned at her proximity. Maybe a little part of him is hoping to be part of the demonstration.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa is an emotionless observer. When she speaks, her voice carries no accent, no hint of what ethnicity or culture she might claim as having spawned her. Her voice is soft but clear. This, like everything else about Tessa, is precise and intentional.

"There would be situations that require placing the wellbeing of the Hellfire Club above the needs or desires of any one individual member," Tessa says to Lady Shiva. If she's concerned about Shiva's proximity to Shaw, she doesn't show it yet. "Would you be willing to offer your services to the Club in such situations, even if there was no compensation beyond the Club's gratitude?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The Hand assassin continues listening for the moment, she too not too worried with the proximity between Shaw and Shiva. There are powers which even she has yet to break. Yet there is always a first time for everything..

The question from Tessa brings a nod of approval from Elektra, the bishop then adding. "You have been here before. Serving the previous Queen. You know that if anything we tend towards the same objective. We may have our differences as we all should but the goal must be what set us on our path. If you share those same goals we would be willing to work together.." a glance then to the Black King.

"And it is only fair that we are given opportunity to grow our ranks considering the Black Court has been so popular this night." a faint smirk to her lips. Yet of course that at the mention of a demonstration Elektra is glad to provide. Not that she gets up from her seat. No.

Instead what happens is that one of her various hidden weapons comes down a sleeve. A small blade which she throws with unerring accuracy at Shiva.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Shiva looks at Shaw. Shaw looks at Shiva, unconcerned.

"Were I a member of your order, my fate intertwined with yours...? Of course you would have my talents to further its aims and protect its sanctity, should they be required," she replies while reaching forward, reaching up-- touching the tips of her fingers to the Black King's cheek.

Maybe a little part of him is hoping to be part of the demonstration.

"Money is a way to further my pursuit of knowledge; I did not pursue said knowledge to enrich myself." Shiva must moisturize religiously; her fingers are softer than feathers as they trace the line of his jaw down to the dense musculature of his neck.

"I cannot be possessed, owned; I am not a weapon to be wielded in service of, but a hand to reach for in times of strife."

Ever so slightly, her hand -- her fingers -- curl inwards.

A beat later, a dark, threaded brow arches; the beginnings of a smile touch her lips.

"You are not a king who takes readily to being checked," she whispers, just for Shaw, "are you...?"

Featherlight care gradually slips away as Shiva negotiates with skin, muscles-- a body tougher, hardier than her knowing eyes tell her it SHOULD be; her head cants, slow and curious while well-practiced digits sink ever nearer to Shaw's carotid artery, intent on filling his unconcerned gaze with steadily encroaching darkness.

"And I am-- of course a woman who understands the value of gratitude."

Which is why she then tilts her gaze briefly towards Elektra, a small blade pinched between two fingers of her free hand.

"Thank you," she offers, "but I've a feeling that this wouldn't be of much use just now."

A flick of her wrist places the knife's handle in her grip; she then sets it aside, ever so gently.

"Would it?" she addresses back to Shaw, checking in on the man as the pressure intensifies.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
While Shaw generally has an unimpressed expression on his face at most times, resting Shaw face, there are times when he foists it away to be replaced by one of - not necessarily impressed, but less bored. He does so as Shiva begins her demonstration. He is not scared, of course, or intimidated, but he likewise does not want to insult her, and so he adopts a neutral expression.

When she asks her question, as her fingers move along his body, he nods slightly. It is not an answer to her question, and it is accompanied by the slightest elevation of his fingers on the hand off to the side towards Tessa. She will know the meaning of the signal - he has authorized whatever may be about to happen. Which is good to convey, because if some ill fate were to befall him, reaction would be swift and likely fatal.

When the last question comes back to him, Shaw's gaze remains fixed upon Shiva. He has not withdrawn or even slightly moved as she has pressed her advantage. "No." comes his soft reply.

He waits with a strong sense of what he suspects this demonstration shall achieve.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"No," Shiva softly repeats.

She's a slender woman at a glance, tall and willowy, built for speed. Careful observation leads to the taut striations bunched beneath and clung to proudly by leather trousers; the subtle twitch and ripple of abdominals beneath the blouse; the lethal tension of her shoulders, tightly and efficiently bundled.

And to whatever extent he can, Shaw FEELS this sheathed, meticulously honed strength bearing down ever more upon him. A hand hardened by striking sand and stone becomes a vice wrapped in silk; what began as feather-soft digits exploring rugged features has become a simple, yet boldly direct show of worth.

A lesser man might've begun bleeding by now; a lesser man might've sunk to his knees, leaving his violently sheared flesh to fall from her fingers; a lesser man might've begged mercy before either grim outcome.

The Black King of the Hellfire Club is treated to an opportunity to glean answers, instead-- to sample a taste of Destruction from the woman who would style herself as a goddess.

A lesser man would feel her fingertips brushing raw, red muscle by now.

"I don't know your talents," she admits, just as softly. "Your abilities, whatever they may be. But your bearing, your presence-- they scream confidence."

"They scream inviolability."

"The beaming comfort of absolute safety, even in the face of utmost duress."

"... and a thirst for blood," she whispers, "for violence, whether suffered or inflicted."

"One deeper than a fleeting moment such as this could ever hope to slake," she admits, "but just the same:"

"Are you satisfied, yet?"

"For now?"

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is a feel of silence and tension that hangs over the room as Shiva stares at Shaw and Shaw stares back at her. He sits and endures her demonstration. Tessa is close enough and knows Shaw well enough to know that whatever is happening must be excruciating from the reactions he is showing.

When she asks if he is satisfied, his mouth moves wordlessly accompanied by a nod.

As soon as he does so and Shiva's hand comes away, the color comes back into Shaw's face. He speaks softly, not necessarily impacted, but perhaps.

"I am convinced that your talents merit inclusion among our order," says Shaw, despite all of this his voice projected enough to echo throughout the chamber.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa is watching, from a veritable courtside seat. Her own face betrays none of the discomfort that Shaw feels. She might as well be watching this from behind glass. She neither tenses when Shiva is acting, nor relaxes when Shiva relents. All of this is data. She's gathering it, sorting it, processing it.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Back to Shaw's cheek, stroking as if he were made of porcelain for a beat before stepping back. She flips Elektra's knife into her hand, takes a beat to make SURE she has the other woman's eye, then flicks the weapon back to its owner in a slow, high arc.

She then bows at the waist before the Black King, holding a respectfully low angle for a moment before straightening to meet his gaze again.

"Thank you," she replies, just as gentle as before. "And in return for this consideration, I gladly offer my talents and perspective to this Court-- and humbly accept a seat among equals."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra remains in silence, observing just as Tessa does when Shiva and Shaw interact. She seems pleased with both the display but also the result, the dark skinned assassin dipping her head just so.

"As the Black King has spoken then it shall be so." She focuses her gaze fully on Shiva and gestures elegantly with one hand. "We'd offer a seat on the white court for Lady Shiva to join our ranks." she then offers.

"The black court swells their numbers, but so do us."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is a nod towards Tessa as Shaw leans back, and then he addresses Lady Shiva. "As earlier, the Black Court also offers a seat," he says but it is clear from his tone it is an indication of respect and formality - he fully expects her to select the white.

Tessa, as before, presents Lady Shiva with two boxes, one white and one black.

"Which Court shall be lucky enough to have you join, Lady Shiva?"

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"It would be rude to spurn an invitation so sweetly delivered," Shiva muses, touching her cheek and glancing briefly towards Elektra before bringing her attention to the boxes, "wouldn't it...?"

There are a few moments of thought, still, before she reaches for the white box.