17547/The Force of Attraction - A Bishop Returns Home

The Force of Attraction - A Bishop Returns Home
Date of Scene:	01 April 2024
Location:	The Inner Sanctum - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Harry Leland makes his return, and Tessa and Sebastian offer a warm welcome.
Cast of Characters:	Sebastian Shaw, Tessa, Harry Leland

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Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Under ordinary circumstances, Sebastian Shaw does not typically linger within the chamber of the Inner Council unless it is for a meeting. The large thrones on opposing sides of the room, a pair in black and a pair in white, often sit empty unless they need to be filled for official business. And of course, the White King's throne has not had someone sit in it for some time. The White King is too busy being the most powerful man in the world.

But today, Sebastian Shaw has found himself there, awaiting the return of one of the few people he can truly call friend - Harry Leland. It has been some years since Harry set foot in the Club that he helped Sebastian wrestle away from a group of bigots, but he was still very much welcome there and despite the length of time, he was still the Black Bishop for the New York Hellfire Club.

Wearing his typical attire, a bespoke black Victorian overcoat inlaid with silver thread over a white silk shirt, ruffles and lace spilling out at the collar and sleeves, and finished by black breeches around his long and powerful legs, Sebastian Shaw sat upon the Black King's throne. He knew that Leland would arrive any minute now, and there was much, so much to discuss with his friend and ally.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa swept into the room with her usual quiet. The hem of her Victorian dress seemed to glide just above the floor without touching with every step, the heel of her boots silent but just tall enough to keep the fabric from dragging. The dress was a proper reproduction, and the sharp tailoring of the jacket served to highlight the curve of her hips as she came to a stop next to Sebastian. "Mr. Leland's car has just pulled into valet, and he'll be inside shortly," she said, settling just to the left of his throne with a small smile. "The bar is ready to send drinks up as well."

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry had a horrendous trip back from Europe - overall, he accomplished most of what he wanted to get done but even the comforts of first class weren't enough to allow him to truly relax. As such, he arrived at the Club in contemporary dress, a usual no-no for him. But each few steps had him pause to hack a cough into an elegant silk handkerchief and all he really wanted was to meet an old friend, have a drink, and _relax_. It had indeed been years since he'd been in the Club but at least out here among the Outer Circle, little had apparently changed. Sure, the players were different, men and women and those that defied classification chasing their desires with varying degrees of gusto, but once he was out of their grasp and on his way up to the Inner Sanctum he could start to feel the stress that gripped him like iron bands across his chest finally start to lessen. He wanted a drink, more badly than he wanted to admit to himself, and he promised himself a proper tipple once he had properly greeted Sebastian.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Excellent." Sebastian's gaze drifts over towards the door for a moment before languidly returning to Tessa. He grants her that smile of appreciation that few have a chance to see, most often the others receiving that fake one that he is so good at. "Please do me a favor and arrange to have a selection offered to him upon his return." A grin is cracked. "While I think that the blonde that just started down in Purgatory may be mostly to his taste, please do include the redhead that is training to be a hostess in the steakhouse. And perhaps two others of your own choosing. I am sure you can predict more than I what sort of mood he might be in."

And then Sebastian settles back into the seat. He does not even glance to the side as the beverage cart arrives, and an attendant lingers there waiting to serve, in whatever way necessary, the Black Bishop upon his arrival.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa nods in understanding, already tapping away on her tablet as she pulls up profiles and curates a selection for the Black Bishop to choose from once it time to retire from the necessary business. "I do believe you are right, unless Europe has drastically changed his tastes," she murmurs, nails scraping lightly across the back of Sebastian's neck as her gaze flits between door, attendant, and tablet. In short order she has a rotating selection set up for the week, with a note to evaluate and refine as needed.

Harry Leland has posed:
Finally the elevator opened revealing the coughing Black Bishop. He tucked away his handkerchief and walked into the Sanctum like he belonged there - which, he felt, he did. "Sebastian!" he said in his warm, charming baitone. "It's been too long, old friend." he said with a smile on his face. "And what's this? A vision of perfection itself! Good evening, Tessa. Delightful as always to see you." he asked before he sank into the Black Bishop's chair. "Apologies for my dress, truly. The trip back was simply _abysmal_." he said with a frown. "Zurich is a truly infuriating city to do business in. At least I got to enjoy myself in Prague - you remember Prague, don't you Sebastian? That delightful little excursion?" he joked with a grin.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Nothing could change Harry's tastes," murmurs Sebastian with at least a slight hint of regret in that. But he always spoke his mind in front of Tessa. He allows himself to relax a bit at her ministrations, as she knows precisely what is necessary to distract him from some of the currently overwhelming matters so he can focus on the correct things. Tessa, for one, Harry for two.

As Leland arrives, Sebastian gives him the Black King smile. "They have to make it horrible so that you more greatly appreciate the arrival." He nods in agreement, and then laughs in spite of himself. "I believe there are at least two days of time that I cannot recall, although according to Tessa's accounts I rather enjoyed myself for the duration."

The smile is warm now, extended towards Leland. "I am glad to see you are back. Too much new blood in here, not enough appreciation for our tradition."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa allowed a flash of smirk to cross her face before it settled back into her typical neutrality, calm and almost flat as Leland took a seat. She nodded at the attendant as Shaw talked, watching from the corner of her eye as the muted clink of bottle and glass added to the conversation. "You both rather enjoyed yourselves," she replied, giving the Black Bishop a very shallow curtsey and dip of her head in acknowledgement. "As flattering as always, Mr. Leland. Welcome home."

Harry Leland has posed:
Leland smiled at Tessa. Always so observant, so attendant to everyone's needs. And she herself needed so little. "By the by, Sebastian, I've done it. Took me months but I've finally got somneone inside UBS Group. Not cheap and we shall see if they stay coerced, but for now, we have a pipeline in." he said with a sigh of relaxation. He then eyed the drink cart. "Shall I get us somethig worth toasting with?" he asked his friend as he heaved himself to his feet. One did, after all, serve the King before one's served one's self.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Of course, by all means," replies Sebastian, waving a hand to indicate for Leland to make the choice of drinks. He, for a moment, considers accepting Leland's proclamation for what it is. "That is excellent news, indeed. We have been trying to get a line on that for a while, and it would be rather strategic." There is a but coming. Or one up man's ship. Sebastian weighs it for a moment. Let Leland shine?

"I have successfully convinced Susan Richards to join, and she sits as the White Queen now." A pause. "We have access to the starport through the Fantastic Four's technology, and whatever else they have a hold of."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa shifted as Leland moved closer, subtly positioning herself between the older man and the attendant. Rather, the bottles near the attendant's hands, expertly mixing their preferred drinks with ease. "Please, keep your seat," she said to him with her polite smile. "It's been a long day. I'll handle the beverages." Officially, she was the lowest ranking member of the Court present, and it was her duty. Less officially, her tendency to control the details meant that the vetted attendant that had been called would be the only one making drinks in this room tonight.

In no time the drinks were mixed and in her hands. She stopped next to Sebastian with the first offering, then turned to Harry, standing patiently until he was able to accept his drink before moving back to her spot at the Black King's side.

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry sank back onto his throne with a grunt of gratitude and the alcohol - a Scotch, very nicely aged - hit him like a brick. "Ahhhh." he said in sheer appreciation and almost cried at his good it tasted, how it steadied his nerves. "Truly?" he asked Sebastian, never having known the man to jest about such things. "Bringing in new Queens does not always, dare I admit, go well for us. You're sure about this?" he asked, then waved his own words. "Of course you are. How foolish of me. Well, there's a tremendous amount of highly-advanced technology passing through that may happen to, how did they used to say it ... fall off a truck and into our hands?" he mused. "Quite lucurative, if we play our cards right." he added after another sip of his drink. "Quite the coup." he admitted.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
There is a slow nod from The Black King. "Oh. Quite sure." He presents a warm smile towards Tessa and a nod as she arrives with the drink. Tessa was there the day that Sebastian induced the Invisible Woman to murder a man, in cold blood, in recompense for a life of crime. And she had ensured that the footage of the incident was safely tucked away in case that same Invisible Woman decided to no longer give in to her dark side. "I have always been looking for top talent, Harry, and as you know, when I see it, I scoop it up." Leland had been. Tessa had been. If there was one thing Sebastian did well, it was judge the talent of others.

"Now I think that you probably should get a bit of rest to recover from the time zone change and reacclimate to New York.

He glances towards Tessa and grins. "Tessa and I have arranged for a few of our more talented employees to be available to you to help you ... relax...and sleep as needed."

Harry Leland has posed:
Harry, to his embarrassment yawned. "I did want to touch base with you as soon as I landed, but to be entirely honest I'd appreciate a good night's sleep. We can talk tomorrow, when I am least am not embarrassing myself with my lack of proper attire. Tessa, Sebastian, thank you for the welcome. And the drink." he said, then stood up to go head back to his usual chambers. "Ah, but perhaps a nightcap to end the night properly would not go amiss." he said at the mention of assisted relaxation.

Tessa has posed:
Tessa nods, fingers tapping in concert with the now audible click of her boots. "Your selection is ready and will be waiting in your usual room, Mr. Leland. Have a good evening."