12478/Black is the new Black

Black is the new Black
Date of Scene:	17 August 2022
Location:	The Inner Sanctum - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Sebastian welcomes Selene back to the Hellfire Club, and thirsts are slaked.
Cast of Characters:	Sebastian Shaw, Selene Gallio

---

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Seated atop the taller of the two Black Thrones, Sebastian Shaw is listening to the latest report from one of the Black Pawns. It is clear that the topic has failed to capture his attention from the way his eyes wander around, despite the fact that said Black Pawn is both busty and clad in far less than the usual Hellfire Club attire. Her report is _that_ boring.

He reaches up to absently rub his fingers against his chin, the white lace at his sleeves spilling out. He is wearing his standard formal attire - black victorian topcoat over a purple vest, white shirt beneath, and tight fitting black pants.

He glances towards the door and receives silent confirmation from the Page there that this is, in fact, the last of those coming to report. All Sebastian has to do is endure her prattling and then he can retire to better pursuits.

Selene Gallio has posed:
Two of the servants, scantily clad as they are, suddenly grasp at their throats, as if being choked, falling to their knees. They shudder, tears pricking at their eyes and running down their cheeks as they start to let out gutteral groans. They shift to all fours, crawling along util they abase themselves before the doors of the chambers.

Doors which promptly open to reveal the immaculate form of Selene Gallio, the Black Queen, Goddess of Death, Swallower of Souls. She's clad in the traditional garb of the HFC, a black bustier accenting her breasts and laced along the center, the cups designed to only barely preserve her modesty. Thong and thigh-high boots, along with elbow length gloves, all in shimmering black. Her dark hair spills behind her and her eyes shimmer with the power that no doubt simmers in her blood.

"Sebastian,"she says. "I have returned," she says.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
On an ordinary day, Sebastian might be annoyed at Selene's grandstanding entrance. But since it sends the Black Pawn doing the reporting scuttling for one of the secret dart holes out of the chamber, he views it as a rescue. "Why Selene, I had not even realized that you had left." He flashes a grin briefly towards her and then waves a hand, dismissing the remaining guards.

Rising up from the throne, Sebastian steps down from the dais and makes his way over towards the entrance. "Welcome back, truly. It has been simply a bore without you."

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene Gallio sighs and tsks, shaking her head, "How terribly inobservant of you," she says. "But I suppose I shouldn't chastise. You are so very busy, after all," she says, although the disdainful look she gives to the rest of the court seems to have a skeptical aspect to it.

"I'm more than pleased to see you as well," she says. "I had to attend to a few affairs in Europe. Cultists can be so very irresponsible if they're not properly motivated."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"You are the best motivator of cultists I know." Sebastian's gait has finally taken her to Selene's spot, and he leans in for a very polite European style double check near kiss. "Things have been quiet here. The revenue from the spaceport data is starting to come in, and it's higher than we thought. Which is nice, because we have a few special projects that that money is destined for." He glances over towards the white side of the room. "President King has not shown his face again. I swear, if he were not the most powerful man on the planet I would replace him, but..."

He turns his gaze back to Selene. "What about you? Have you returned to us with any schemes?"

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene Gallio returns the gesture, her body scented with orchid and lavender. She make a slightly dismissive gesture about the information - she has little interest in finance and has never lacked for money. Why should she, when she can make a pathetic billionaire simply crawl at her feet and offer her his wealth as tribute whenever she pleases? She considered trying it with Tony Stark once, but something about the man is simply odious to her.

"I tend to keep my intentions to myself, Sebastian, but if you have any part to play in them, you may be assured I will let you know," she says, casually patting the invulnerable man on the cheek with a manicured hand, her black nails shimmering like deepest night. "How go the affairs of the Court? When last I frequented New York, our ranks were, frankly, growing a bit...pathetic."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"I merely offered to help in case you had forgotten what it was like to do work, and needed the reminder." Sebastian offers a smile to her as she pats his cheek, enduring such things. It was their way, of course. It kept those beneath them guessing how strong their alliance really was. Themselves, too, sometimes.

"I have been expanding our ranks, actually. We have added five new members to the Inner Court in the past two months, and they are varied and capable. A master assassin, a vampire, some sort of flame demon..." He waves his hand vaguely. "It is hard to keep track, honestly. That is what I have Tessa for."

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene Gallio wrinkles her nose slightly, "Oh, there won't be any labor involved, I assure you. That's what servants are for."

"A flame demon? Hmmmm. Wonder if it's anyone I know," she says. Selene has allied herself (and sometimes found herself at odds with) countless demons over her millenia of life. "I always find the phrase 'Master Assassin' amusing. Are they part of a guild? Have they been accredited?" she says lightly. "So long as they are useful to us. It sounds as if you have kept busy in my absence. But you have always been something of an industrious type. Conquerors usually are."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
A hand reaches up to brush against Selene's cheek, something of a mirror to her earlier gesture. "If I am not conquering something, then I am stagnant. And stagnant conquerors become the conquered."

Sebastian gently pats Selene's cheek. "Are you hungry? I could have some snacks fetched for you." He glances towards where she had felled the guards. "Or, you know. More peons./"

Selene Gallio has posed:
Shaw is taking a risk few men would ever dare. Touching Selene is a rare, rare privilege and one that she allows to few. Most of those who would attempt such a patronizing gesture unasked would find their livers suddenly lodged somewhere in their esophagus. For a starter.

She moves past him, her statuesque body brushing briefly against his, tantalizing and exquisite even as she turns her back to him and stalks towards he rown throne before she takes a seat upon it, facing him again. "I wouldn't mind. A lady gets peckish after travel, after all."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Sebastian Shaw was nothing if not a risk taker. He was one of those fools who would take a risk purely for the sake of the risk. Such as just now. He turns to follow along with Selene, ascending to the dais as well and moving to take his own throne.

"Perhaps we should order up some delights for each of us." Sebastian settles down into his seat, turning to look over at Selene, and then looking towards the door. "What are you in the mood for tonight, My Queen?"

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene Gallio thinks things feel a little bit more 'right', with the two Black Monarchs upon their throne. She drums her hand casually against the arm of her throne as she crosses her legs, considering the offer.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare be choosy. I didn't give you time to prepare, after all. And I do so enjoy being surprised. And if whatever I'm offered displeases...well...I can have fun with that, too."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Leaning his head back against the Throne, Sebastian lazily turns it to the side. With his slightly greater height, the gaze towards Selene provides just the perfect angle to truly appreciate the dress code that their predecessors in the Hellfire Club had the wisdom to insist upon.

"Perhaps a lovely buffet so we can each choose our own delights is in order." He waves the hand bearing the signet ring of the Black King, and a page outside of the chamber moves to make the arrangements. Sebastian leans slightly over towards the Selene from his thrown, and murmurs softly. "I have missed you so, My Queen."

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene Gallio regards Sebastian with a long, intense gaze, the darkness of her pupils abyssal and inhuman. For all her beauty, it is worth remembering that ,underneath that gorgeous, sculpted body, there lies a predator of cataclysmic proportions, a beast that has presided over genocide and slaughter for thousands of years. She has taken her pleasures in fields filled with the corpses of the innocent and she has laughed to see them die.

"Of course you did," she says with a simple smile.