Owner	Pose
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake has returned to the Hellfire Club. the reason was a definite lack of Pixie lately and a dip in his funds. A few hours at the gaming tables had alleviated his boredom and smoothed the dip out. It was getting harder. The longer term members were aware of his skill. He had to lose several games tonight before setting a pigeon up to rake in an enormous pot. It was a lot like hunting though so still not a problem. He had pissed off one member from out Wst who proclaimed poker a cowboy's game. After trouncing him he pointed out the cowboys played a game called Faro. Then he added they liked mixing their horrific liquors in punch to kill the taste. The man actually went for a knife. We find Thomas, pocketing his winnings, a large Bowie knife before and dealing out cards for a game of Spider solitaire. A bottle of fine sipping whiskey is at hand which he is also... sipping.
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie-Ange Colbert is not the type of person that one thinks about when thinking about the Hellfire Club. The French girl is practically an innocent in many ways. The type of person this place would eat alive... ...but the right eyes watch over her, and while she can be naive, she's far from stupid. She works for the club as part of its 'Entertainment' department, officially, though unofficially many of those who have partaken of her services as a tarot card reader have raved of her accuracy. For her part, she doesn't deny these claims. She states openly that the cards allow her a view into the future, that she is merely fate's messenger. Of course, being 'entertainment' does mean dressing the part to an extent. Her 'uniform' is flowy and reserved, reds and purples that appeal to the eye without being scandalous unlike a number of the Club's other employees in its traditional uniform. Even her head is partially covered by a deep purple scarf: much more Miss Cleo than Victoria's Secret, but it fits her role, adds to her mystique. She's stepping into the room in order to begin her 'shift', which only really ever starts 'officially' if someone asks for her services. The flash of steel doesn't go unnoticed, though, green eyes lingering for a moment on Thomas and the weapon before she continues forward. The Club meant safety. Emma may no longer be the White Queen, but her mentor still had sway, and her precognition -- recognized as the genuine article by the Black Herald herself -- made her a valued asset, rather than an expendable one.
Thomas Blake	Green eyes lock with Marie-Ange's own green eyes, in itself a rare occurrence statistically. Those eyes were witness to violent acts -both meted and received. They soften taking in the French girl. The initial glimpse she got was mercifully brief. Thomas smiles at her and sweeps the knife away. It vanishes... somewhere. "I'm sorry, I forgot that was left behind. A fellow was a big loser at cards and thought he was Davy Crockett or John Wayne. My name is Thomas Blake. Please join me. I promise to behave. What are you having?" He stands to pull a chair out for her. Marie-Ange can see very finely healed and very old scars on his hands and a few on his face, not that they spoil his looks.
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie is polite, friendly enough... and while still definitely an introvert, she's strangely comfortable within the Club's walls. It wasn't entirely dissimilar to Xavier's in that way, and probably the best way for someone to get to know her without her friends surrounding her. The smile is returned with a slight bow of her head and a demure smile of her own. "As you wish, Monsieur Blake." Marie responds, her accent fully intact despite a couple years of living in New York, now. Without further adeiu, she walks with graceful steps towards the offered chair, bowing her head in a brief thanks before moving to take the seat. "A gentleman. Monsieur's manners are most appreciated." What's she having? "I will have a Shirley Temple, c'est vous plait." A decidedly non-alcoholic drink; even within the Club's walls, she obeys the Country's laws, it seems. "...and how rude of me not to introduce myself, my name is Marie-Ange Colbert, I perform tarot readings here at the Hellfire Club. I suppose if this," motioning towards where the knife was. "man was, how you say... a sore loser, that means you were a big winner, oui?" A pause for confirmation, and a smile that follows. "My congratulations."
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake "Vraiment. Merci, mademiselle. Enchante, mais je suis Thomas cest vous plait," he says in passable French. The accent is not continental, African perhaps. Thankfully he doesn't continue in French. He sweeps the cards into a deck. "You do Tarot readings. Do you do magic, Marie-Ange? I mean -real magic. I've experienced it. If so I would like a reading. Regardless, stay with me. That lout who lost to me before returned. I'd hate a charming young woman like you to be bored by him.
Marie-Ange Colbert	"Tres bien, Monsieur!" Marie replies, clapping her hands with excitement. While many people might generalize the French as snobs, the seer takes more after the Japanese stereotype; if you use her language, she'll compliment-and-encourage. It's the little taste of home that does her good. About all of said home that she wants, really. On the subject of magic? "My grandmother did." she admits. Whether he believes her or not, she'd rather be honest. "...and it was her who taught me to read the cards. As it stands, they are the closest thing to magic which I know." At least so far. She's recently picked up a tutor on that side of things... but has not taken enough lessons to accurately claim that she can do magic herself. The compliment, though, draws a blush to pale cheeks. "As you wish though, Monsieur Blake. I appreciate your kindness in saving me from such a fate."
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake has done a lot of bad things. This is true. However, he never leaves a woman, any woman to suffer duress. Marie-Ange's innocent blush draws a bigger smile from him. Innocence is not weak or foolish. It is merely hoping and believing people will show you their best. Thomas doesn't remember a time he was ever innocent. His father took great pains to knock it out of him. It was weakness and weakness was not to be tolerated. Maybe watching over the innocents is a way to justify some of the things he did or atone. "Magic is real. Trust and believe and if you say you have the Second Sight I believe it."
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie, in turn, as a club employee isn't about to refuse a simple request from a member of the Club that doesn't endanger her; and the list of things that would qualify? Is admittedly not that long. Marie's a firm believer in fate; if something happens to her, it was meant to be that way. That's not to say she won't withdraw from an uncomfortable position... but Thomas, in her eyes, has been nothing but a gentleman. She's been given no reason to! "I agree." she admits freely. "The cards allow me to hear fate's plans for our world, Monsieur. What I see, with few exceptions, will happen." She speaks not so much with ego or confidence, but more earnest knowledge; she fully believes her predictions will come true, and has seen it happen often enough to have resolve about this. She pulls out a small, velvet pouch from somewhere within the folds of her attire. Withdrawing a deck of tarot cards from within it, and absently beginning to shuffle. "Do you have a question to ask of fate, then?"
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake hmmmms. Everyone wants to ask Fate or whatever you call it questions. Few take the time to figure them out and have them handy for such occasions. He rubs his eyes a moment. "The problem is not asking questions. The problem is asking a question I do not dread the answer potentially. Do you get that a lot?" He ponders the question again. Finally he asks, "Will I rise above my past, or repeat it?"
Marie-Ange Colbert	"I do." Marie admits; while she views as the contents of readings to be a certain sacred trust, general questions like that she's happy to answer. "In fact, my very best friend refuses to allow me to read for her... she does not wish for fate to dictate her life." It was something Marie never understood; she was always comfortable with things like knowing the date of her death so that she could tidy up her affairs beforehand. ...at least, until she got back together with Mary. Marie consults her cards on almost everything. She's decided to ignore fate's guidance on that one, and just make the most out of her moments. The deck is set on the table, and Marie forces herself to make eye contact. "Cut the deck to your liking. Multiple times if you wish, in doing so you impart your energy into the cards, allowing me to see into your future, rather than just my own."
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake complies and cuts the deck three times for no particular reason. "I wonder what my girlfriend would make of this. She's a fairy. I mean wings, the whole bit. Cute as a button." After he cuts the cards he pulls out his phone and shows Marie a picture of Pixie on the Africa jaunt. Green swimsuit by a waterfall. Wings spread.
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie's about to reach for the deck to commence the reading when she's shown the picture -- green eyes go wide rather suddenly. "Megan?" she says in surprise, blinking owlishly for a couple moments. Yes, she knows the purple haired girl with the wings! Not /well/, mind you, but even at a school where everyone's... a little different than normal, there are some people that stick out head and shoulders above the crowd. Pixie is most certainly one of them. "I did not realize she was seeing anyone..." A pause. She certainly looks happy enough, though, and that's the important part. "...how wonderful!" Yup, there's no judgement -- card or otherwise, from Marie. She's been judged -- rather unfairly -- her entire life, growing up in a convent with interests in the occult. She's not about to do that to someone else.... especially because happiness is the most important part of a relationship. "But, to business," For now. She does have questions, but her duty, to fate itself, not the Club, supercedes all. She reaches for the first card, turning it over. The Hanged Man, upright. "The first card in this spread shares context of your current situation." She purses her lips for a moment, tracing her finger along the noose. "The Hanged Man represents a certain sense of discomfort, or feeling of entrapment. You mention that you are trying to rise above your past... but there is a part of you that feels like... what is the expression... a tiger trying to change his stripes?" English isn't her first language, but she's gotten a little better about idioms. "Your past haunts you, perhaps you doubt your ability to be better than you were." She moves a pale hand to the deck again, taking another card and turning it over next to the first. "The second card represents where fate wishes you to focus your efforts," It's with a smile that she taps the upright Six of Wands. "The Six of Wands is a very good omen. It represents triumph, pride... victory. Here, fate tells you to keep your eyes on the tiger." Eyes on the prize, Marie. Whoops. "Your efforts, if you stick to them, will not be in vain. You have it within you to make the change you desire." Moving her hand back to the deck, she continues speaking. "The final card in the reading represents the outcome of your effort, should you heed fate's advice." When she turns the card over, though, she pales. Which is hard for the already alabastor girl. Nonetheless, she sets the third card down... the Three of Swords, upright. It's with a deflated tone that she continues. "The Three of Swords suggests that while you can succeed, doing so will come at a cost. This card..." She pauses for a moment to compose herself, sighing. "...it represents heartache, Monsieur Blake. Fate itself wishes for your success, but that success will come at a heavy emotional cost. You may have... quite a decision to make, when the time comes. Reach the goal you desire, but lose something which means much to you."
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake reaches over to take Marie-Ange's hand and pat it consolingly. "What you're talking about is life. So I have options. Nothing s dreadful except now I want to put the smile back on your face and the roses in your cheeks. You started this evening so bubbly and happy. You smile and light up a room, much like Megan, more when she smiles just for me. Thank you for the reading. I want you to have a little something." He reaches for his nightly winnings and places a very generous tip in front of Marie-Ange.
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie bows her head a little, "Oui, Monsieur Blake, you have options." she agrees, taking a breath to center herself, and then letting a demure smile reclaim her lips. "...and you seem a kind man, so I do hope you find the option that is best for you, whatever it may be." Plus, he's dating a classmate of hers, which gives her even more reason for her to hope he finds a good outcome in what looks like a potential no-win situation. Then the tip comes, and, well. If making her blush was the goal, mission succeeded. "Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Blake... I appreciate your generousity very much." The biggest thanks, really, is just having someone who believes in her readings -- that's always the kind of thing that warms her heart. Reading over, though, it's her turn to ask. "...if you do not mind my prying, how long have you and Mademoiselle Gwynn been dating?" Marie's very much a hopeless romantic at heart, so these are the kind of things she loves to talk about.
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake smiles. It is good to be thought kindly of, though that is hardly his whole story. "About a year. If you can call it dating. We spend a lot of time together. W enjoy each other's company. I keep her fro getting too soft. She keeps me from getting too harsh. We both get judged unfairly by people. She actually started out asking me for fighting lessons. I had no idea she had designs on little me." H bats his eyes a little. "I was very surprised the attraction was mutual. Flattered. She, like you, could have anyone she wanted. You just have to realize this."
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie's just one of those people who sees the best in people. Her best friend, after all, is essentially the Regina George of their school... but she still manages to see the good in Jenny. "That is a lovely story... l'amour... is is grand. There is no better feeling in this world, and I am glad you have found one another." she replies, taking a moment to collect and put away her cards -- and said generous tip. The comment about Megan being able to have anyone she wanted -- like Marie? That causes a dedeper blush, and a coy look away whiel she digs for her own phone. "Monsieur is most kind indeed to say such a thing of me... and I cannot argue those words." Thumbing through pictures until she finds one of herself and Mary, dressed like Dragon Age characters at a Renaissance Faire, holding hands and looking rather adorable. "I have the one who I want. She... she sets my heart aflame in all the most wonderful ways." That tone of voice? It's the tone of someone who's head-over-heels, without a doubt.
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake looks over the picture. He recognizes that tone. Megan uses it talking about him. "You two are adorable. I am asking Pixie to invite you to our home. You may come alone or with this lovely and outside the club, I will only answer to Thomas. You can come by, have some libations, enjoy some barbecue, meet my tiger -Rasputin. He loves pretty young ladies... but he can't eat a whole one. It's a joke. You're in no danger with him when I'm around and after he gets to know you." He moves his seat around the table and leans in close to whisper to her. He's one f those people who seem to radiate their body heat. "I want to break the rules now and give you a hug. If Mr. Shaw comes, slap my face and spout some angry French. It's fine. I almost have a hairless hand imprint on my cheek from all the times it's happened."
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie pauses a moment to look down towards where she'd stowed her cards -- a quick check if fate will allow it -- and then offers a fond smile, "I would like that very much, it sounds like a wonderful time." Thomas definitely strikes her as nice enough and getting to know Megan a bit better is also a plus! Not to mention, a tiger? The cards would tell her if it was a danger to her, and she already has a few cats that surround her life. The Black Panther. Catseye. One more would fit right in! When he whispers about the hug? She glances around momentarily. No sign of Shaw. Then nods once, letting her voice drop to a quiet tone. "I would like that." Marie is very much a hugger, these days. She wasn't always, but her time in America has changed that.
Thomas Blake	Thomas Blake reaches out and... his arms are so muscular, possessing both quantity and tone, a hug by him is like an onslaught or a glomp by a human sized cat. He's careful not to squeeze too hard. Then again he judged by Megan who has built a tolerance for it and put on some muscle. Marie-Ange's hair smells very nice. It is sometimes an effort of will to not hug some people based on their shampoos and body chemistries. He lets her breathe.
Marie-Ange Colbert	Marie keeps her arms close to her body, to prevent from being too demonstrative, but Thomas will likely feel her hands on his sides gently returning the hug in kind. While she's toughed up some under T'Challa's tutelage, she's still very much a delicate flower of a girl, not the one that anyone would put their bets on in a fight -- at least unless powers came into play. So there's a little squeak from Marie, but it's more surprise than pain, and when she pulls away, offers a gentle smile. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Monsieur Blake. I will look forward to recieving the invitation from Mademoiselle Gwynn to see you both again -- we attend the same college, so I will not be hard to find." With that, she hears her name being called as another guest of the Club is looking for a reading. "Au revoir until then, Monsieur!"