2890/The Inner Circle Meets

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The Inner Circle Meets
Date of Scene: 12 August 2020
Location: The Inner Sanctum - Hellfire Club
Synopsis: The Inner Circle gathers and plots.
Cast of Characters: Emma Frost, Talia al Ghul, Sebastian Shaw, Lex Luthor, Slade Wilson, Elektra Natchios, Malcolm Merlyn, Erik Lensherr




Emma Frost has posed:
The Hellfire Club's Inner Circle has a dark and vaunted history.

The men and women holding these positions throughout history and now, even those with the most well-known and trusted faces to society are, to a person, some of the most ruthless human beings on planet earth. Parenticide, fratricide, utter destruction and humiliation of their opponents in business and politics? This is the bread and butter of the Inner Circle... or as it is publicly known, the Board of the Hellfire Club.

The courts, black and white, have always struggled for control historically... the black seeking power at any cost, the white tempering that with public perception.

Centuries of this struggle has led to a balance of sorts. In no previous iteration of the Circle have both Kings been truly at accord. The grasp for power perfectly tempered by the white glove of public facing. From the outside, perhaps, the court looks warmer, friendlier. From the inside, however...

The last couple of generations of the "Board" have been split. Malcolm Merlyn, once Black Knight, had defected to the White and taken up the vaunted Bishop's role with his play to kill the then-White King, Robert Queen. That had thrust young Lex Luthor, only White Rook at the time, into the commanding role, even as his best friend Sebastian Shaw had murdered the Black King, his father Hiram, to claim the same from his position as Pawn.

No one batted an eye then.

And Robert's son Oliver had no place on the court. Unlike nobility, the ever-twisted chess board that is the Inner Circle has no expectations of mere familial ties indicating future roles. No, new blood and old blood both spill just as easily on the marble floor of history, and so the Inner Circle seeks the best for their companions, their allies, their enemies based on skill and soul.

Emma Frost has posed:
There are several among the VIPs of the club who come from the loins of former members of the Circle. Not just Oliver Queen, but Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne, Brian and Betsy Braddock, Roberto da Costa, Norman Osborn and his son Harry. Others.

In this current generation, these children or grandchildren of their predecessors are seen as soft, weak, unwilling and unable to do what must be done... and so they are not among those who walk the granite and crystal floors of the Inner Sanctum.

But those who do know the feel of the thrones of power circling the marble chess floor in the center of the sanctum are, without a doubt, regardless of who had ancestors who also held these seats... some of the most dangerous and cunning minds on earth. No, they do not mindlessly throw self-styled robots at other nations and their heroes in search of mere physical domination.

No, for generations, the Inner Circle has always worked in more subtle ways. Acquisitions. Mergers. Bribes and donations to politicians to push through their desired laws and policies. Quiet assassinations of those who might stand in their way. Noisy ones that are pinned on others. A slow filtering of power, control, and money-- because what is money if not power and control?-- into their hands to be spent and distributed as they see fit.

Oh, and make no doubt: it is distributed. The members of the Inner Circle are never the type to grasp and grasp and hoard for the simple sake of hoarding. Their wealth is great, but it is *used* to many ends. The charities they support are numerous and broad-reaching (if not fully under the thumb of one member or another), there are uprisings in many places that are funded by money coming from some member or another because either the chaos or the end result furthers one goal or another... propping up regimes and letting others fall. Building loyalty... they say it cannot be bought, and that is true... not with one expenditure, but with many, it certainly can be.

How fortunate then that Shaw had brought Talia al Ghul, of the League of Assassins, to sit on the Circle, bringing with her the power and subtlety of that League at her back? But with that move, how could Luthor have not countered with raising Elektra Natchios, heiress and ranking member of the Hand to Knight of his own court? And that countered still with the addition of Deathstroke to the Knight of the black?

Even allied, the courts vie for the reins of power.

Today will mark the first full meeting of the court the newest members have seen.

Today will mark the last meeting of the court one of their own will see, but never remember...

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost, the White Queen and the youngest member of the Inner Circle, arrives first and early, taking a crystal champagne flute from one of the Pawns on hand to see to the light refreshments (which are light indeed: only drinks). In her usual uniform of high-heeled, thigh-high white boots, a snugly-fit white corset and undergarments not suitable to be seen in public with, she makes her way unconcerned to her throne and takes a seat, sipping from her glass.

Fashionably late may work for some, but she prefers to already be watching and waiting as the others of the court filter in. Besides, she has an advantage on arrival, as her personal suite is only a few floors down from the sanctum. She has her own marching orders for the day, and while she doesn't see a problem with them, she is musing on exactly how to fulfill them with the minimum of... problems.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul is the 'new' face, only recently granted the role of Black Rook, to the Inner Circle. Tonight, she is wearing hard leather corset, a buckled strap coming down from shoulder to the opposite waist, and a small pouch on the hip. Around her throat, a collar, attached to the corset, and her waist is swathed in black lace that trails down to her feet, clad in black leather boots. Black lace fingerless gloves go up to her elbows and finish off the look which appears to put Talia's own personal spin on the Victorian theme that so often goes with the Hellfire Club.

She moves into the room precisely on time, and glides with an elegance to her appointed seat, next to Shaw. She sits smoothly, and silently waits, watches, observes, as the others arrive much like Emma with the infinite patience of a true assassin.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
As the Black King, Sebastian Shaw makes no effort to hide himself, almost as if he was cast in an accurate Victorian documentary, though eschewing the top hat and the reservation of black for mourning. The Black King instead has a black coat and dark red waistcoat, taking to his throne and a glass of sherry from a Pawn with only the briefest nod of thanks.

Shaw scans the room and gives nods and waves as he recognizes others, it is a day of business, though business is never boring, not in their field. Talia and Emma each get their own nods, the newly appointed Black Rook and the reigning White Queen are known well enough to Sebastian. The Black Kind makes himself comfortable in his thrown, his stern expression evident as he scans the room, watching for new arrivals.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Dispatching with the fanciful clothing of the Inner Circle, Lex Luthor arrives dressed in a suit the colour of cream, the American flag pin he wears on the campaign trail replaced with one denoting his rank as the White King. He sighs as he enters, this was just one of many things he had planned for the day now that he was back to his campaign. However this was certainly the most important.

Striding in and helping himself to champagne he nods, to those assembled, "Shaw, Emma," he says. "And you must be Talia," he says looking over to Miss al Ghul. "I've had the pleasure of meeting your father a few times. He's a very interesting man. Anyhow, welcome to the Inner Circle." He inclines his head politely before moving towards his seat.

Slade Wilson has posed:
Slade Wilson deemed that it was not necessary to be "military punctual" with his arrival (IE 15 minutes early), but he does make sure to be precisely "normal" punctual. While he was fitted for this particular outfit weeks ago, this is the first time he's actually had occasion to wear it. He wouldn't normally consider himself a "lacy cuffs" kind of guy, but hey, a dress code is a dress code, and Slade only violates decorum when it serves a purpose. With the benefit of the finest materials and a superb tailor, it's not as if the outfit is particularly uncomfortable. He just feels...a tiny bit silly, perhaps, at least at first.

Then, however, he steps out into the sanctum to claim his space, and he gets an eyeful of what most of the ladies are wearing, and suddenly he's just fine with the dress code. He doesn't leer or the like, but as he crosses the room to take his seat, his good eye does linger on Emma perhaps a moment longer, before, for one reason or another, the corner of his mouth ticks up in a somewhat chagrined smile, and he inclines his head towards her, not-quite-apologetically, but in acknowledgment of something likely shared only in his head. The ghost of a smile fades back to his usual stony facade in but a moment, as he settles into the chair beside the Black Queen, granting Selene and Shaw a respectful nod, and waits to see how things proceed.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Fashionably late may work in many occasions but tonight Elektra chose to be right on time. The ambassador's daughter knew well the restraints of time that those who belonged to this Inner Circle had, each with their own agenda, their own plans, some in common, others not. And more importantly they have all gone past that need of posturing, of showing off.

This was a place where there was no need to hide their true nature.

Not that the occasion did not require proper dressing. And if there was one thing that was expected was to dress well. Leather and lace framed her legs tightly, white-colored, about them a flowing skirt that dragged down behind her as she walked. Instead of boots, or high heels, she prefered sandals which wrapped about her feet, giving her an ease of movement. As for the top she wore a white colored corset, laced with deep red straps and to finish 'pauldrons' that gave the impression of old age armor, also of a deep red color, a statement to her Knight position. Finishing the look was a gold necklace, a dark gem hanging from it.

She made her way across the room, dark eyes taking in the various gathered a bow of her head given to the group in both acknowledgement but also respect, impeccable manners. And then she finally takes her seat next to the White Queen, one leg sliding over the other. "Good evening."

Emma Frost has posed:
Wilson Fisk's large form moves disturbingly gracefully for his size as he steps in, taking his appointed seat on the White Court side. His attire is somewhere between Shaw's opulence and Luthor's pragmatism, but in the white of the court he is part of. Likewise, slinking in just a touch late, is Selene Gallio, the Black Queen for quite some time now. She is dressed almost exactly like Emma, save in black, and her look of distaste towards the White Queen is almost expected by this point. Neither of them have ever gotten along. She takes her seat in the queen's throne by Shaw, lounging with a bored look on her face.

Malcolm Merlyn has posed:
    More in lines with Luthor's sensibilities, Malcolm Merlyn steps into the Inner Sanctum with a white suit obviously tailored for him. The jacket is open, unbuttoned, allowing view of a white vest over a white dress shirt, but with a red tie upon his neck. With a nod to the gathering circle (and a wink towards Talia for good measure), Malcolm makes his way over towards his seat, claiming the Bishop role for the white court.

Erik Lensherr has posed:
     One of the last arrivals, Magneto stepped into the inner sanctum, dressed in a black suit, white tie, and a black variant of his iconic helmet, accented in silver.

  Taking the Black Bishop seat, the former monarch of Genosha maintains a stoic visage. Regarding the others with glances, and small nods.

  The helmet removed, and placed looking outward towards the rest, his silver white hair a stark contrast to the theme of the black court.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma gives the incoming members of the circle a icy smile as they arrive, though Slade gets narrowed eyes and an almost-imperceptible huff of annoyance. She mentally swats him like an annoying gnat, with a mental snap of 'You're old enough to be my //father//.'

Once everyone has arrived, however, she lifts her glass in a mock-toast. "Well, it seems everyone is together again, though some for the first time. I know we have a lot of business to attend, but first I would like to welcome our new members..."

"Ms. Al Ghul. Ms. Natchios. Mr. Wilson." She smirks slightly. "And sadly, it seems our previous bishop had a forgetful spell. So, Mr. Lensherr, we are glad you could step in for him."

Slade Wilson has posed:
Slade Wilson watches as the others arrive, making note of the tensions and interplays evidenced in expression, motion, and body language. He never would expect to pack a room full of egos this size (his own most certainly included) and have it all run entirely smoothly. Magneto gets an eyebrow raise. He knew the composition of the Inner Circle when he was brought on board. If nothing else there were handy portraits and photos in the foyer. It was definitely someone else in that position.

But now a bigger fish has entered the pond. It's an important insight into the nature of this club-within-a-club. Gives one thought about who might have occupied their chair before...and who might replace them if they don't maintain their usefulness.

But little of all that plays on Slade's mostly-serene face as he accepts an iced tumbler of dark liquor from one of the servants, taking a sip before resting it on the arm of his chair. Emma effectively calls the meeting to order, and he inclines his head at the mention of his name, lifting his glass in response to the mock toast, and in a manner of silent greeting to those assembled.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia returns Malcom's wink with a perfectly cat-ate-the-canary smile back to him, though it is brief. She regards both Fisk, then Magneto with a measure of more stoic, silent observation and a nod in return to Magento's own before she sits back in her seat, crosses one leg over the other and folds her hands over her lap.

She watches the others and awaits the purpose of the meeting and for it to get officially underway.

As she is greeted, verbally, by Emma she inclines her head in response. Her brow lifts, briefly at the mention of the 'previous' Bishop, but she voices neither concern or question.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Shaw stays in his seat and nods to the new arrivals as they take their seats, especially those taking their seats among the Black Court. He stays in his throne, lording over the room quietly until everyone is ready,

After Emma speaks, Shaw takes a moment to say a few words, "I have full faith in the abilities of our new bishop, who shall be an asset to our organization." Magneto gets a polite nod in acknowledgement before he looks to the room as a whole, "To the newcomers, welcome. Though there is business before us today, I thank you for accepting the invitations to join us." Shaw keeps his perfect posture, taking a moment to look to everybody again before taking a drink.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Indeed, welcome to you all," Lex says from his seat. "The Club is stronger for your presence." He gives a general nod of greeting to those new arrivals. "And my thanks to our existing members for being here today. As Sebastian and Emma have mentioned, there's much to be done," a glance is given in their direction. "Shall we begin?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The entrance of Fisk, Merlyn and finally Magneto brings Elektra's curious gaze upon them, measuring each in turn. Silent and studying. She is quiet, fingers steepled together while she awaits, brief nods of acknowledgement given to those now joining in. And of course that those interactions are visible for her, she offering just a faint smile..

Her eyes go to Emma when she speaks, then to Shaw. "It is my honor for certain." her tone smooth, the accent visible.

And as they begin moving towards business she silently awaits, curiosity ever present in her expression.

Erik Lensherr has posed:
     "The pleasure is all mine, Emma, Sebastian." Erik gives a raise of his glass as Shaw does. Decorum of course, but he keeps mostly quiet for the time being.

  Not much had been heard from Magneto since he established Asteroid M orbiting the earth. But he had been invited to fill a role, by some he considered friends, of course it also presented opportunities for his own plans for his mutant utopia in space.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
Shaw nods to Magneto again and takes a sip, setting the glass down before taking a breath and looking to the assembled Inner Circle.

"Very well," Shaw says as business has begun. "As you all know there is a presidential election coming up and it is in our interests to support a particular candidate's candidacy." He nods to Lex, "And as such, certain items must be dealt with, especially given the situations that have recently beset us and the fact that the other candidate," Shaw snorts, "is someone who is, quite frankly, unpalatable and not one that we can trust as well as the White King. As such, I am curious if anyone has any suggestions, especially with the new members present, of ideas to further that aim."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma sits up a bit more straight. "We're ruled out the usual-- hidden foreign campaign contributions, et cetera... but I feel going on the attack against Kelly may prove valuable. Obviously, we don't want anything dirty that might reflect poorly on Lex coming IN to the Luthor campaign, but that doesn't mean we can't dirty up Kelly, or make him look more like a monster than he is."

She hmms. "His anti-mutant stance is quite easy to attack, on its own, but we've had some small problem finding other salacious issues to bring up as well. The man simply isn't... like other politicians. No affairs, no secret children. It's quite aggravating, really. So any other ideas on how to deal with him..."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia looks thoughtful, exchanges a look with Slade, and then Elektra before looking to consider Lex, and finally settling back on Emma and Shaw.

"If there are no skeletons in his closet to bring out and rattle, if you cannot attack the man himself then shift the attack itself. We deal with his choices. His platform can be addressed in open forum," she nods to Lex, briefly, "And through media channels. We, instead, focus on those he's chosen to surround himself with. From his running mate to his campaign manager, and top advisors."

Talia suggests, "We don't have to have something to attack him on. We can create the idea of it. And let the media, and the simple minds of the American citizens and their penchant for presuming the worst in people to do the rest."

Slade Wilson has posed:
"Just how hands-off do we want to be?" Slade queries after another sip of his drink. "You don't want to go after Kelly directly, he's primed for martyrdom, and given what I've seen of the man possibly welcoming it. But you don't have to hit the man directly to make it harder for him to get elected. As Talia says, he's got a running mate...a campaign manager...people backing him that could very well be a lot dirtier than he is, and bringing that out into the light may not be as damaging as having dirt on Kelly himself, but every little smudge helps."

"Or you just pick off one or two...obviously in a manner that looks innocuous...and send the campaign into crisis mode a few weeks before the election. Wouldn't recommend it though, might garner a sympathy vote. Either way I'd put our resources on to finding dirt on the running mate, or maybe manufacturing or exaggerating some if there's not much to work with, but I can't imagine an ideologue like Kelly is going to have been able to secure his nomination without a pragmatic insider as his running mate, and those guys ALWAYS have dirt." Slade opines.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Lex takes a sip of his drink before setting down his glass and reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket to produce his Omniphone, and tap a few buttons. "I've just sent you what my campaign has gathered about Kelly's campaign personnel and associates as well as his full legislative history. As you say, Kelly himself is clean with no close personal ties to leverage, but his advisors are not so fortunate. I naturally want to keep my hands clean of any of this, especially with people like Clark Kent and Lois Lane always sniffing after me, but I trust you fine people will be able to find something useful in all of that to exploit."

He picks up his drink again, "And it goes without saying that when I am President, I fully intend to pay my debts to each of you in full."

Malcolm Merlyn has posed:
"Our esteemed Mr. Wilson is correct." Malcolm leans forward, placing both of his hands upon the table before him. "Kelly may be relatively clean, but the people around him cannot possibly be. It is a statistical anomaly to have that many people be free of incrimination within politics." A slow smile appears as Malcolm continues. "Find the weak link in his entourage and he is tarnished by association."

    Malcolm offers a nod with Lex adding what he has. He doesn't offer verbal affirmation that Lex should stay out of the dirt digging, but his body language does certainly show agreement.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Another option could be to work on Mr. Luthor's own candidacy." Elektra says after a few moments of silence while she listened to the others. "Make that division between Kelly's views and our candidate more pronounced. And if we wanted to get really hands-on we could even have an 'attack' be orchestrated on Lex. Maybe by one of those anti-mutant groups that are around." a beat. "Purifiers, isn't it?" she asks, resting one hand on her chin.

"It would immediately associate that extreme group with Kelly along with getting Lex the sympathy of the American people." The assassin says.

Emma Frost has posed:
"What benefits the court benefits us all," Emma says dryly, draining her champagne, and with a flick of her fingers one of the pawns brings another, his eyes blank and unaware of anything in the room. Having a telepath around has benefits. "I won't go near Kelly myself," her nose wrinkles in distaste, "but with my abilities I could see if there's anything else besides what Lex has provided that I can dig up in a more... direct way."

The Purifiers idea actually has Emma leaning forward slightly. "It's true. Lex has set himself up as the pro-mutant candidate. That would only serve to underline this."

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Red flag can be risky, it could backfire and if it fails there needs to be a way to make it work without the beans getting spilled. But associating Kelly with the more extreme branches of his side would certainly help." Shaw notes.

"You don't get as far as Kelly without playing mostly by the rules," Shaw notes, "But yes, if we want to make life difficult, what can be done is make sure he does not get access to prime venues, or at least make him pay more for them. If you can't hit his credentials, his morals, or similar. Make him bleed in his financials." A sip, "Convince donors to stop giving, suddenly reservations at hotels are cancelled with particular buildings are bought and having to go under cleaning the night before a major speech. Let alone if we can get direct our PACs to target specific legislation and strawman it, we should get some movement." He looks to Lex and nods, "You have my trust," though Emma's comment gets an understanding frown, "Definitely do not envy you if you go that route."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
     "This one is right." Gesturing to Slade. "Attack those around the man, not the man himself. And, as Sebastian mentioned, hit him in the wallet. I'm sure between us we know of at least one young person with a penchant for making funds disappear."

  Magneto lets his drink rest on the table before he looks about. "As long as that man doesn't step foot in the Oval Office. I do not care about the how."

Slade Wilson has posed:
"Probably worth trying to play up the sympathy bump mutantkind is currently enjoying. Create a couple of overnight PR and marketing companies through some shells to run pro-mutant advertisements, especially in the battlegrounds." Slade comments, glancing towards Magneto, "Though, no disrespect intended, that may require you being more on the quiet side for a few months. However understandable your rhetoric might be, you have a tendency to scare the normal folks just by existing, much less making public statements, and you can be sure Kelly will jump on any opportunity to remind them of that."

Lex Luthor has posed:
Lex nods at all the suggestions put forth, anything that could be done for my campaign would be welcomed as well as anything that hurts Kelly's campaign financially. I've avoided throwing my wealth around to make things difficult for him because of the negative view of billionaires in this country but if you people were to do that on my behalf, I would not object."

As for Elektra's idea, Luthor gives the woman a respectful nod, "As a matter of fact I have some recently acquired technology that would ensure my safety in such an attack, so I have no objections to the idea as long as I'm given sufficient warning."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma smirks at Slade's comment. "Personally, if it wouldn't cause more trouble than it's worth, I'd revel in watching almost anyone here have a 'personal chat' with Kelly face to face. Alone. And preferably, where he doesn't walk out." The thought of Shaw beating the man to death, or any of the newest members having their own particular methods with Kelly's tragically human and surely soon to be lifeless body pleases her, though sadly, it is not to be.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia nods slowly to Elektra. She considers, "Precautions would have to be taken, but the idea has some merit," she agrees. "As well as some dangers." Mainly, to Lex's person and the risk it would all go south. She gives a half-smile then, before nodding to both Erik, and Slade in turn.

She looks to Lex at his embracing of the idea, looking thoughtful. "Correctly orchestrated, if we could arrange for another hero to be there - someone held in irrefutable high esteem - while such an attack on your person was made? That would be sublime. Not a mutant, of course, that would not fit with a proper story. But, someone not associated with mutant-kind at all. It would give another boost to your ratings. Some people would see it as an almost sort of endorsement."

Emma Frost has posed:
"Mm, but not an alien," Emma notes idly to Talia's suggestion.

Slade Wilson has posed:
Slade smirks altogether wryly, "Any chance we could get Iron Man?"

Erik Lensherr has posed:
     Magneto chuckles regarding Tony Stark. "The irony, would be palpable."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Of course." Elektra says about precautions, her smile gaining just the hint of a twist as she looks towards Talia. "But between the talent of us all here I am sure we can make it so no danger comes to our candidate." eyes straying to Lex afterwards. She nods at the mention of that technology. "As for attacking Kelly himself, yes, I agree. And my own resources are at the circle's disposal. I believe our only care must be not to be too overt on our actions but so far all seems subtle enough.."

The mention of a hero being there makes her lift a brow. Amusement follows soon after. "Who else if not Iron Man?" she considers.

Lex Luthor has posed:
A rich chuckle escapes Lex's lips at the suggestion of his former rival being the man to save him, "I like that," he says with a grin around the room. "I think we should put this plan into play, some sort of technology round table should draw out Stark, if we can suitably prod the Purifiers to strike at a time of our choosing." He looks to Elektra, Talia, Merlyn and Slade, "Even if we have to provide them with the plans required to circumvent the secret service." He smiles, clearly enjoying the idea of having to hand-hold his own would-be assassins through carrying out their plans.

"As for any threats to Kelly himself, the less I know about that the better, but I expect we've got the talents in the room to see it done," he says.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"Oh, it's doable," Shaw says with a nod, "I just advise being very sure it is done properly with no loose ends." He ponders, hold back a chuckle at the pun. " Iron Man is suitable. It's a good optic. Ideally we'd be able to somehow get someone else to fall on this grenade and look bad without costing us much in terms of personnel or treasure."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma taps her temple. "Can't have loose ends if people don't remember anything in the first place," she teases lightly, mimicking a meme kids her age seem to like referencing.

Malcolm Merlyn has posed:
A soft chuckle. "Ah...well, that is always rather convenient. Saves having to resort to a more permanent solution." Malcolm leans back in his chair. "Oh, but yes, I am sure it wouldn't all that difficult to arraign a show. These groups are nothing if not predictable...and if we can pull the strings on the Purifiers, then we can certainly arraign for a hero-type to be in the vicinity as well."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia nods again, moving to take herself a drink as well, sip from it slowly. She smiles at Elketra. "I have resources as well that can be utilized, when, or if needed. I'm certain the Purifiers won't be too hard to locate, or for information to get into their hands when things are closer to being ready. I will play my part," she assures willingly enough.

Another sip of her drink is taken.

Slade Wilson has posed:
"I can find the Purifiers easy enough. I'm unfortunately familiar with places both racist morons and Bible-thumping hypocrites meet and mingle." One of the downsides of the dark business Slade Wilson has spent the better part of his life engaging in. "We'll probably want to use some of our Soldiers for the approach. Folks whose loyalty is assured, and aren't going to be swayed by Stryker if they hear him bleating, but can pretend like they are."

Lex Luthor has posed:
Lex nods, taking in the Circle's assassins, "Shall I leave that in your capable hands then?" he asks about the attack. "I can set up the suitable event on my end."

A smile and a nod is given to Emma. "May need your services in that regard when this is all said and done. Plausible deniability and all of that."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
     Erik didn't have much to offer regarding the clandestine nature of things. "Whatever I can contribute, let me know."

  He was content in being a part of things and to help where needed of course.

Sebastian Shaw has posed:
"So we have a plan, then," Shaw says, "Make Kelly's wallet bleed, and make Luthor look good via an unfortunate turn of events." The latter is said with the obligatory dryness. "Anyone have any concerns or questions? If so please speak up, I'd rather no good ideas be left out from this."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
"I think it's a fine dual-edged attack," Talia agrees, simply, nodding her head. She lifts her glass in 'toast' to the other Inner Circle members. "It will be a more than sufficient start to Lex's inauguration, I'm certain."

Malcolm Merlyn has posed:
    "I do believe there are no questions. At least from me." Merlyn doesn't have a glass to toast with, so instead just offers a warm smile as he leans in his chair. He is certainly in a good mood, and is more than willing to show it.%