Owner	Pose
Sebastian Shaw	The messages had been simple. The Black King advised the White Bishop that he had arranged for a visit from a particular prospect member - Susan Richards - that he knew she wished to speak with. Susan Richards had been told to come to the Hellfire Club to meet with ... someone. Sebastian Shaw sits atop his Black Throne, dressed in his typical finery, awaiting what he is sure would be an entertaining meeting to observe. Susan Richards, would-be White Queen, to have her first meeting with Elektra, the White Bishop. Would daggers fly, figuratively or literally? Certainly possible. And he had the catbird seat to watch the fun as it unfolds.
Susan Richards	As she has been with every meeting since this unique path she's found herself upon began, Susan is nothing if not punctual and business-like in approaching the club, that iconic blue jumpsuit foregone in favor of a black dress more fit for a night out... perhaps not quite as revealing as the Club's more private functions would call for, but the best she can manage on short notice. She doesn't dally once she arrives, ascending to a room she's only seen once... and that she's certainly not going to forget from that meeting. And so she steps in smoothly, gait confident, not quite casual but assured, controlled. Her face is an impassive mask, something different than her usual public image, so warm and welcoming, downright motherly even in the midst of business deals. This is Susan far more guarded. Careful.
Elektra Natchios	The Hand Assassin is already within the room when Susan arrives, currently sitting on a chair by the circle formed within the inner sanctum. She is dressed in a fine black dress, back left bare and a slice on the side of it revealing part of a long, tanned leg. She is drawing out of a quellazaire, of all things, when Susan comes in, blowing out the smoke before sharp eyes turn to look at the newcomer.. She says nothing for a few moments, simply observing, taking in the careful mask upon the woman's features until Elektra finally shares a smile that is more predator than warm. "Good evening." She tells the woman, "Come, join me." a beat, "I am Elektra Natchios." the late Greek Ambassador daughter?
Sebastian Shaw	The Black King remains perched on his throne as Susan arrives. He gives her a slow nod as she arrives, and then looks to Elektra as she starts to speak. This a meeting for the other side of the board, and he is there to observe only. He probably did not need to be there. But he so wants to be.
Susan Richards	Susan eyes Elektra with a cool, though hardly detached gaze. It's calculating, sizing up the other woman, perhaps trying to put a name to the face... and for a moment, Susan realizes that really, she _may_ be operating on a level of public notoriety that is going to be a disadvatange in and of itself. A datapoint filed away for further consideration. Her lips quirk in a slight smile as she bobs her head, wry, almost sardonic as she murmurs out dryly, "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Natchios! I'm sure we've attended the same parties a time or two even if our paths haven't crossed properly." There's no pause in accepting the invitation, heels sounding on the floor as she walks across towards the younger woman, measured, controlled, not drawing the process out any longer than necessary to get across she _is_ drawing it out at all. After all, Susan's not got actual hackles to let rise in response to the tension of this meeting. "And something tells me we're meeting because our paths are going to be somewhat intertwined in this new... status quo that's taking shape, hm? Susan Richrds... just to keep up the formalities, hm?" That grin grows a touch wider, and far more sardonic. Susan's far too used to introducing herself when it's entirely unnecessary.
Elektra Natchios	"We have." Elektra says with all the certainty of someone that would recognize Susan from anywhere. She's indeed quite the public figure after all. And they have roamed the same circles of high society. The quellazaire is set aside and her hand comes up to rest on her chin, taking her time to continue studying Susan in this new light. Or maybe it's a light that's been there all along and she had missed it. Which would only make it more interesting. She smiles more pronouncedly at that thought and gets up from her seat. "Formalities can be everything considering what we do.." She extends one hand to handshake Susan's, "But here is where we can drop our mask." or maybe it's where it's needed the most. "I trust Mr. Shaw has told you about us then?" she casting a look towards the throne and then back. "Who we are, what our aims are?" she asks.
Sebastian Shaw	There is a slight nod of the head from Sebastian. "She is aware of the deeper implications of our club."
Susan Richards	Susan's hand reaches out to accept that handshake as she obs her head, eyes trailing along the thrones as her lips quirk in a slight grin as she murmurs softly, "Yes, he's been a very helpful guide to the more... confidential aspects of the club's goals and functions." Those blue eyes narrow ever so slightly during the handshake as she murmurs dryly, "And the dangers of the club's true purpose being exposed." Her lips press into a thin line for a long moment, "And I've ensured he is aware I understand the necessity of the club, especially as the world opens to more and more of the galaxy. The planet cannot face what's coming fractured and squabbling." She rolls her eyes, "But we also haven't got the luxury of... letting the world come to a new equilibrium and hoping it all works out into being something that _can_ handle the new reality. So coaxing society along is the most rational option."
Elektra Natchios	The assassin returns a sharp nod as Susan speaks of the club's privacy. "I trust someone who leads a public life as you have know all about keeping those more private aspects of ourselves hidden." same way Elektra does, "We show what we want to the world. We are in control." a beat, "Or .., maybe that's what you are looking for? Control?" a faint smile creasing the side of her lips. She sits back down on her chair after the handshake and gestures wordlessly for Susan to sit if she wishes, "And correct, society is stranded. Self-absorbed in a vicious circle of struggles that lead nowhere." She leans forward on her chair then, dark eyes fixed fully on Susan, "But for someone like you ..., I am sure there would be many ways you could try and change the world for the better." she gestures, "Considering your status as one of the world's greatest heroes. But instead..., you chose to be here. And that's made me curious. What would make you believe -this- was the best path for *you*?"
Sebastian Shaw	Sebastian leans forward a bit on his throne. Watching Susan to see her answer, a slight nod to Elektra in appreciation of the question.
Susan Richards	There's a soft, almost rueful laugh from Susan before she's murmuring, voice dry as a desert, "Well, considering the amount of tabloid coverage my well-publicized best friend and fashion designer gets for _her_ partying ways, while I avoid the coverage myself... I know a little something about keeping things discreet, it's true." She laughs softly and settles down into that offered seat, hands smoothing her dress along her thighs. Gaze rolls back to Elektra, holding her own for long moments as she considers the question. "Because this is, perhaps, the one organization where if I am in control /I/ am in control. It's a meritocracy, no? It doesn't matter who you're associated with. All that matters is how you can handle your position. How you can manipulate and adjust the world around you towards your goals." She grins coolly and murmurs dryly, "And if such an organization exists, letting it exist /without/ being able to influence it is a fundamental lack of being in control, no? The Club is going to exist with or without me. I'd rather it be with me."
Elektra Natchios	There's an appreciate mmm coming from Elektra as she listens to Susan's responses before a brow arches, some amusement showing. Her eyes turn to Shaw, "Now, that's a breath of fresh air from previous ones, Shaw." white queens, that is! "Thinking they were the center of the universe." she lets out a quiet chuckle that has little mirth to it, "Regardless, perhaps a bit too altruistic, Mrs. Richards.", a beat, "But we can work on that." "We wouldn't want Mr. Shaw to run roughshod over the White Court after all, would we?" The playful, teasing smile hasn't left her lips for a bit now, "I think this will certainly be interesting.." she leans back on her chair again, crossing one leg over the other. "Now, do you have any questions for us?"
Susan Richards	Susan smirks and quirks one eyebrow high, "Oh, of course not. We might want him thinking he'd have the opportunity. Or perhaps I'm simply _too_ used to taking a more... behind the scenes position, hm?" She clicks her tongue softly, gaze glancing towards Shaw, "But my my, I'm sure I'll deeply appreciate having your counsel. After all, as much as Shaw described the Court being united in a final common goal... well... someone's always got to be on top." She sighs out and chews her lower lip thoughtfully, sinking back in her seat and lacing her fingers together, face a mask of serious consideration, "Oh, I'm sure I'll think of plenty of questions as things go on. I was half expecting this meeting to be some sort of demand to prove I was willing to do what was necessary again. I was also considering some sort of mask for my debut attire, but... I think facing things head on will likely be the most... prudent direction to make my debut."
Sebastian Shaw	"You can see why I thought she would an interesting addition now, hmm?" Shaw smiles. Certainly, her attitude does stand in contrast to recent White Queens.
Elektra Natchios	"No, Mr. Shaw was quite convincing that you were willing to do what was necessary. That was certainly not the aim of this meeting. I was curious on hearing what your views of our club are.." Elektra says, "And those were to my satisfaction." she assures the older woman. "I imagine he has told you the hierarchy somewhat. I am the White Bishop of the Hellfire Club." she then finally tells Susan, "And indeed if you do join the club we will be working together. As I said before, it will be interesting.." The talk about wearing a mask has her considering it thoughtfully. "You can wear one. Depends on how you wish to begin your association with the other members and the message you wish to send.." she smiles in a neutral manner. "They will be more likely to listen to you if you don't have one though."
Susan Richards	Susan's head bobs and she sighs out, "Yes, well, the mask idea was a flight of fancy about being _mysterious_ but... I'm afraid all too quickly it occurred to me that between my public profile, and penchant for being photographed in one shade of clinging bodysuit or another, I don't think a mask would really bring any reaction other than 'Why is Ms. Richards wearing that mask?' even if it completely covered my face." She sighs and shakes her head regretfully, "Alas. I'll have to wait for one of the public masquerade events to play at pretending I can actually disguise myself. But I must admit, knowing I've got someone who's clearly so competent and ambitious..." Her gaze flicks towards Shaw and she grins a touch wider, "Well, I think Mr. Shaw may regret us getting along so well, Ms. Natchios."
Sebastian Shaw	"I would regret nothing personally if it brought improvement to our council as a whole," replies Shaw. "While admittedly, it has been to my benefit to have such imbalance on the board recently, I yearned for a time when both sides were contributing to our overall good, and the friendly rivalry that it sparked." He nod towards Elektra. "Too long has the other side been without the support it needs, with one absentee leader and one ... vacant." A shrug. "Not that anyone would criticize the White King for being preoccupied with far more pressing and influential matters." He taps absently on the arm of the chair. "I think that the two of you are perfectly faired to guide that side of the board. As much as you may have different backgrounds from a traditional standpoint, you have more in common than you might think. You are both strong of mind and will, and incredibly clever and savvy. I would enjoy nothing more than to see you forge a close partnership. For the betterment of us all."
Elektra Natchios	"Friendly rivalry?" Those words seem to make the White Bishop amused. As if none of her rivalries could be friendly. She might also be teasing. Might! A smirk comes to her lips, "But true, the white king is, fortunately, quite occupied." being the President! A brief laugh and then Elektra states, "I don't think Mr. Shaw ever regretted anything in his life. But there's always a first, mmm?" she looks at Shaw and then back to Susan, "This went well." she then admits with a brief nod, getting up to her feet. "But now, if you will excuse me, I have another pending appointment. Next time we meet perhaps we can join for drinks up at the Lounge?" She nods towards Shaw, "Mr. Shaw has my contact."
Susan Richards	Susan laughs softly and eyes Shaw skeptically, her gaze locked on him and straying to Elektra now, focus somewhat shifted, eyebrow still lifted slightly. "Oh, I'm not so sure about that. I imagine he's regretted a few things in his time... after all, learning from mistakes is what makes someone dangerous. And Mr. Shaw does strike one as... dangerous, no?" Both eyebrows lift slightly. She smiles wider and nods her head, "Oh, absolutely! I cleared the rest of my day just in case, so I'm sure we can make time to meet up for drinks at some point. But I'm sure we don't want to delay you in further appointments. I do look forward to getting better acquainted with you, Ms. Natchios." She glances back to Shaw again, lips quirking in a wider grin, "Perhaps we can make Mr. Shaw nervous with just how well we mesh. To further the... _friendly_ rivalry of the council, of course."