Chapter Text
Part 15a: Gentlemen's agreement
Erik (Magneto) and Sebastian Shaw were seated in a very plush and private small lounge hidden away on one of the upper floors of the Hellfire club. It was a rainy New York evening and rivulets of water were streaking down the room’s windows.
The two were sitting in those old style English gentlemen's club high back riveted leather chairs facing each other over a small table that held a decanter of Scotch. Shaw always felt that Scotch was the drink to seal deals with; the more important the deal, the better the Scotch. This was Dalmore Constellation 1964, very old. Very very good.
Erik was dressed as the white king. He had on a three piece suit with a white shirt and white gloves; his socks were grey and his shoes were black. Shaw was dressed in his usual formal black attire while wearing grey gloves.
“Wasn’t really sure you’d actually accept my dear fellow” mused Shaw as he took another sip of his drink.
“One does what one must in such difficult times” stated Erik as he too took another sip.
Shaw savored his drink, took a deep sniff from the glass, and then continued. “I like that you have resumed your old look. Hairlessness... does not suit you”.
Erik scowled in remembrance of... things. “I am forced to agree. And the taunts were very… infantile”.
“Yes… Baldneto was the term I believe”. Chuckled Shaw as he poured himself another two fingers worth of liquid gold. Then he switched topics.
“A competent selection for our black bishop” prompted Shaw on Erik's pick.
“Ms. Releigh is a lady of many talents. One does not need powers to exceed” agreed Erik.
“But they do… help” murmured Shaw.
Erik agreed. “Yes… I suppose they do”.
“But Monet is not really… sufficient for the role of White Queen” murmured Shaw. “She has an appropriate power set but lacks... experiences at such levels of command. Yes she’s vain, arrogant, intelligent, powerful, beautiful, decadent, self obsessed, rich but not by her own works, and so loves dressing the part but she is lacking in…”.
Erik finished. “Leadership. She’s tends to be problematic on leading or directing others other then by shouting or demeaning them”.
“And bitchy… don’t forget bitchy”. Was Shaw's less then helpful comment.
“And yet you agreed to her being the new White Queen”?
“Well… we needed somebody. She… suffices for now”. Finished Sawn. “Any additional thoughts on my suggestion as to a possible Black Queen. Or might Red be a better color for her”?
Erik eyed Shaw. This new and yet so similar Sebastian Shaw took some getting used to. The old Shaw was filled with double dealings while this Shaw... appeared... to be more... trustworthy. Not that Erik was going to trust him very much but... the man was... improved. He replied.
“She is not… appropriate. I somehow don’t think the Hellfire club's recreational… proclivities would appeal to her”.
“It is not required that she… indulge herself”. Was Shaw's observation.
“No… but you have not seen her at her worst. I have. Also she is wont to disregard orders and direction, and tends to get… annoyed if one attempts to keep secrets from her; and there are so many secrets here that are being kept from some of those we know”.
“And yet Storm has no problems managing her”.
“Because mostly she doesn’t manage her. Storm does not lie or misled her. And she is not a subordinate”.
“Shame, her assets and abilities would be a great boost to our efforts”. Was Shaw’s mild response. He took another sip.
Erik tossed in an extra tidbit of information. “And Monet does not get along with her at all. Oil and water thing; although gasoline and fire might be the better analogy”.
“It's… not completely surprising to hear that Monet has such issues as I’ve noticed the phrase (Has problems working well with others) describes Monet so well, but the choice of people is”.
“The whole she’s a demon thing I believe. Which is somewhat surprising considering Monet's… history”.
“Yes… I suppose that does cause… issues with some. Shame though, can you imagine Frances hitting on her in the main ballroom and the possible responses”?
Frances was a non inner circle club member who was known for his sexual escapades, and being total dick towards most women in general.
Erik choked as he had been sipping when the Frances comment was made and the Scotch had gone down the wrong pipe. Erik gasped and sputtered for a few moments while Shaw looked on with mild concern. "Careful old boy. Sip it, don't inhale it".
Erik finally regained his composer. “I can imagine as I have seen it once and would pay to see it again with Frances”.
He then briefly regaled Shaw with an episode he had observed in a total dive of a bar that he had once visited with Illyana while in pursuit of some information.
"This happened after I left the group as I still have occasional contact with her. We were teammates after all and we both tend to view certain problems the same way. I've done a few favors for her and she recuperates with no one the wiser. I was in pursuit of the identify of a certain gentlemen who had hired people to harm certain... mutants. This was one of those favors she did for me as her transportation abilities are very useful when you have a short time table to get something done".
"We ended up in this wretched bar with the name Sister Margret's school for wayward girls. Not sure if it was an actual converted old school or just a very sarcastic name. Complete seedy dive with the usual scum. But this establishment was a hangout for thugs and mercenaries and a bit of a job center as the establishment acted as a broker for folks to hire certain individuals. I was incognito but Illyana was in her field costume which... I suppose was... unfortunate".
...
...
Part 15b: Sister Margret's (Part 1)
It was raining outside and the bar was dark. There were scattered pool tables and the New York no smoking in restaurants and bars law as being vigorously ignored as the room was filled with a pungent smoky fog. A two scantily clad waitresses were moving about serving drinks while two beefy biker dudes were discussing, with their fists, just who had cheated at who at pool.
The smell of stale beer, urine (the toilet was backed up again), and cheep perfume assaulted Erik and Illyana's nostrils as they entered. Music was blaring loudly, which of course had the useful side affect of make sure that no listening devices would work correctly.
It was AC/CD's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.
If you're havin' trouble with the high school head
He's givin' you the blues
You wanna graduate but not in his bed
Here's what you gotta do
Pick up the phone, I'm always home
Call me any time
Just ring 36 24 36 hey
I lead a life of crime
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
(Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap)
(Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap)
...
...
Erik was wearing a brown trench coat and hat but Illyana was dressed in that black bit of nothing she liked wearing, plus her black boots and the armor on her left arm. However her soul Sword was not present.
Erik walked up to the bar, Illyana just stayed behind him and observed the room while Erik attempted to talk the bartender into giving up the location of a Mr. Zeederman. Erik had no real interest in Mr. Zeederman, his interest was in who had hired him. He wished to... talk to Mr. Zeederman about that... something that he did not share with the bartender.
Like all such bars, the bartender had never heard of him. Erik sighed to himself, looked like it was going to have to be the hard way. But, before he did anything, a red costumed individual (known as Deadpool, Erik knew him well) walked up behind Illyana and grabbed her ass with both hands gave it a full squeeze.
"Ohhh, daddy like! Bit lean for an waitress ass, but honey you need to lose the spiky armor, wouldn't want to poke a customer's eye out now". Was Deadpool's comment as he then walked past Illyana and went to the bar.
Illyana just stood there. A look of outraged shock on her face.
Deadpool continued to dig the hole deeper as he ordered a beer "Or are you a cosplay chickie who got lost from the convention center? I heard Adult Com was back in town".
Then Deadpool noticed Erik (Hey that's Mags!) and started to reconsider what he had just done. Black scanty costume, black spikes in her hair, armor on left arm... that would make her... Rutro (for those Scooby do fans).
The bartender commented as well before Deadpool got done putting two and two together. "You look the part so pay is $8 bucks an hour plus tips. Oh... and if you hook then the house takes a fifteen percent finder's fee".
The song finished like a fuse burning down.
...
...
Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT
(Done dirt cheap)
Neck ties, contracts, high voltage
(Done dirt cheap)
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, do anything you want me to
Done dirt cheap
Dirty deeds, dirty deeds, dirty deeds,
Done dirt cheap, ahhhhh
Things... kind of went to hell after that (I think it was the hook comment that did it).
...
...
Part 15c: Sister Margret's (Part 2)
A few minutes later.
Erik was still at the bar but now sipping from a bottle of cheap Bourbon and gazing upon the spectacle.
Half of the bar was now in ruin and most of the bottles behind the bar were broken (which was why he was sipping the cheap stuff). Two of the pool tables looked like somebody had hacked them up with a giant sword. Assorted bodies were strewn about the place (still living) and there were more then a few spent shell casing littering the floor.
The rest of the customers were cowering against the far wall (as far from Illyana as they could get) as she was near the main entrance.
Deadpool was pinned to the floor, face down, with Illyana's sword thrust through his abdomen and Illyana standing over him with horns on her head and red glowing eyes kicking him as she shouted at him. She was leaning on her sword as she kicked, which let her really put her back into it for that full bodied kick.
"DO"! kick
"NOT"! kick
"EVER"! kick
"TOUCH"! kick
"ME!" kick
"LIKE"! kick
"THAT"! kick
"AGAIN"! kick
Deadpool was busy exclaiming back after each kick
"Ow"!
"Ow"!
"Ow"!
"Not the twins! Not the twins! Noooooooo"!
"Ow"!
"Oh the humanity of it all"! Yea, sarcastic even while getting a beating.
The Sound system was now stuck and was just endlessly repeating Dirty Deeds.... scratch... Dirty Deeds.... scratch.... Dirty Deeds... like a broken parrot.
Illyana finally stopped kicking Deadpool and snarled at the crowd.
"Any body else here want to fondle my ass"!
Which... was an unfortunate word choice as half of the group didn't know what the right answer was. Several hands hesitantly went up, along with one brunette waitresses' hand.
You could feel Illyana's growl of irritation at the response.
Erik commented before she could... express that irritation. "Magik I think it would be more appropriate to ask if anybody wants to... well...to do that without your permission".
All of the hands went down.
Erik promptly got the information he had come for and the two of them left. It goes without saying that Illyana was remembered at Sister Margret's.
"Hey, remember the time when that Darth Vader like chick with tits showed up and...".
Part 15d: Back to the hellfire club
Now it was Shaw choking has he laughed with Erik grinning at the end of the story.
Finally Shaw recovered while wiping a way a tear of mirth.
Hmmmm Shaw chucled to himself. That would be a good way to remove… certain people without any blame or suspicion falling upon him. He needed to keep that in mind. He decided to ask some follow up questions.
“She was on that team of yours back in Utopia. How did you find her to be back then”?
Erik replied. “She was locked up at the time and we did not converse much. After… things fell apart, post Phoenix, she sought me out as she felt that I could provide some overall leadership. That was when I first learned that... that she was... well I had thought to recruit her brother but he was very damaged from the whole experience. Angry, bitter, even homicidal towards his sister as they were now estranged, which I might add was completely one sided in that all the rage and hate was on his side as she.... she was... concerned for him. From that I learned that she made... interesting choices about... things. And now that she was free from her cell and bomb jacket she was more... willing to express herself".
Erik continued. "I then used her to help free Scott, and later Emma, from confinement. The four of us decided to form a new school and choose to renovate the old Weapon-X facility. She was… mostly quiet but in that I will choose to disregard you if I want to while I make some snarky comments. Oddly somewhat like Monet, but with without the… spite and more… inability I think to understand certain things. Things that I think she started to comprehend shortly before I left, after… Dormmanu. She was different after Dormmanu".
“Emma and Scott were horrified by what happened with Dormmanu, but I gathered that they were not surprised in some ways. I suppose they already knew exactly what lay at her core due to that whole Phoenix 5 union that they had. Knew and were rather… concerned about it. That was one of many issues that prompted my departure from that group”.
“Any other reasons to not... pursue her”? inquired Shaw.
Erik frowned in thought, then replied. “I have had the great misfortune of seeing her having a bad day”.
“That bad”?
“Hellacious would literally be an understatement”.
“Just what happened with this Dormmanu”?
"He... tried to take over that hell dimension she rules. In so doing her... guise was changed. All that we could see of her in that hellish fight was a thing of darkness and flame. Sometimes I wonder just how much of what we see of her is actually real. Just how… mortal or human she really is; and just how much is… makeup as it were”.
“Sounds like the description of Tolkien’s Balrog when the Fellowship was in Moria”.
Turns out Sebastian is a closeted fantasy fan. Which makes sense, I mean, just look how he dresses, total Victorian cosplay all the way.
A thoughtful look from Erik. “Rather appropriate now that you mention it. Though Lord of the Rings did not mention anyone in the Fellowship losing control of their bladders”.
“That happened”?
“Yes… a fellow, with the unfortunate code name of Gold Balls, was very distressed. To be fair this was his first real combat experience. And I must confess that I too would have possibly shared that distress but I had… unburdened myself shortly before the unfortunate event”.
“The others must have greatly razed him over that”.
“No… no they didn’t”.
“Why? Oh… do you mean to tell me that…”.
“I’ll just say that more than a few people were… distressed by finding themselves literally in hell and leave it at that”.
Shaw had a contemplative look as the conversation briefly fell silent. Now it was Erik's turn to refill his glass.
Shaw then returned to the topic of Monet.
“I do ask that you to speak to Monet about this whole I’m great and you suck attitude that she loves projecting. Apprehension is… not a bad thing from subordinates that you wish to keep in their place but behaving so… well… forgive me but she tends to be quite the bitch and does it repeatedly with people she shouldn’t”.
Erik sighed. “That is Monet, subtle is not her strong point. But I continue to remind her that maturity is... multi facetted”.
Shaw continued to make his point. “People do not tend to have any loyalty to those who only sneer at them. Important point for both subordinates and peers. Something that the born rich tend to not learn. I am rather surprised that so many of her former teammates actually have positive feelings towards her based upon her displayed attitudes and behaviors”.
“She is not always… difficult”.
“Bitch with a heart of gold”?
“No… but she does tend to fight harder for her teammates then her words would imply. Deeds do tend to help on forming team spirit”.
“And breaking it as well”.
"Well said" was Erik's comment.
"I just wish we had some... leverage to influence Magik" was Shaw's comment as her returned to the topic of Magik (he really did think that she would make a great Queen).
Need to nip that in the bud thought Erik. “Tell me Sebastian, how do you manipulate or influence people”?
“I find out what they value. What motivates them. What they hold dear. Learn who they are and you learn what can influence them. What form of coin they value and what their price is”.
“And if there is nothing”?
“There is always something”.
“True… but what if that something is beyond precious”?
“Then you have your leverage if you need it”.
“Do you”?
“What are you getting at Erik”?
“That which she holds truly dear is likely death to anybody who tries to use it against her”.
“Hmmm, I… think I get your point. So absent that leverage point…”?
“I… we… have nothing she wants. Unless those whom she cares for were to join us. Then… then there would be leverage but applied not by us but by…”.
“Her brother or Ms. Pryde”.
“Exactly… who are not very welcoming of what you, and this club, stand for and if Illyana felt that undue influence had been done to them then she would likely behave…”.
Again Shaw finished. “Exactly as the worse case scenario you just described. I… agree. It must be her own idea, or those whom she cares for must decide upon the path with no... influence from us. To do otherwise would be… unwise. Hmm... her former companions from her school days might be… candidates. After all da Costa was once even the Lord Cardinal of the club. But... I think he's lapsed on his dues... I'll have a reminder sent”.
“Yes… some of them, but I think she was closest to Dana”.
Shaw fished the topic. “I can understand her attachment to her brother, but when a friend is that important then my experience has been that the person wishes to be more than a friend. Well, something to think about. If her brother and her friend are so important to her, imagine if she had a child or one whom she thought of as her child”.
Erik had a musing expression. “Extreme momma bear syndrome. Very good idea to never explore that topic if it were to happen. I think... I think it would be even worse the Dormmanu".
“Yes… momma bears due tend to be… very unreasonable about certain things”.