In Seasons of Wither We'll Stand and Deliver ((Open to HFC Inner Circle Members))

[ngm_hellfire]

After the ranks for the Inner Circle were given, Selene disappeared for a few days to handle business with other chapters of the Hellfire Club. When she returned to New York, she had invitations issued to the newly ranked members of the Inner Circle. They would each be shown to a different room from the one where they received their ranks.

The large, circular room had a black and white tiled square in its center. Where the pawns should have been on the large chessboard were two long tables. There were ornately carved and appropriately colored chairs at each spot for the rooks, bishops, and knights. No chairs sat in the white king and queen spots nor in the spot for the black king. The black queen's position had a familiar throne in it.

At each position was a triangular name plate made of gold with each person's name and rank. A couple positions had "Reserved" on their name plates: one of the white bishops and one of the black knights.

Comments

[kinetic_assault]

Brianna turned to toward the speaker and offered a polite smile.

"Thank you, much appreciated. I'm Brianna." the Englishwoman said, offering a hand.

The woman was familiar...

"Eva Worthington?" she inquired.

Could be mildly awkward if she was who Brianna believed her to be.

[light_as_a_rock]

"Yes, Eva Worthington. Ah think we may have almost met before, although it's been a while since Ah've been to the school."

Eva shook Brianna's hand.

[kinetic_assault]

"I'd believe it." Brianna said.

"How are you enjoying the party so far? I know almost no one here." she said.

[light_as_a_rock]

Eva chuckled, and tilted her head towards Brianna in a conspiratorial manner.

"One does not enjoy these kind of parties. the object is to just get through the night without too much collateral damage."

She straightened up, and accepted a glass of Chardonnay from a passing attendant.

"Ah recognize a few of the other guests, but Ah can't say as I know any of them."

[kinetic_assault]

"Okay, I don't feel quite so bad that I don't know anyone else." Brianna said with a chuckle.

"How many of these parties have you been to, Eva?"

[light_as_a_rock]

"Well, this is the first soiree Ah have had the pleasure of attendin' for this particular group, but Ah deal with morally flexible people who may or may not admit to wantin' to take over the world every day as part of my job."

She sipped her wine.

"It is highly recommended that you read the Art of War before attendin' any charitable meet 'n' mingle function in this town. For some of 'em, Urban Warfare and Defense wouldn't be outta line, either."

[kinetic_assault]

"I'll put those on the reading list immediately." Brianna said, taking up a glass of water and trying to keep her nerves at bay.

"The Club is...dangerous. We all know that. Do you ever think maybe it can be used to better the world rather than just for making the rich richer and the powerful even more so?" she asked.

[light_as_a_rock]

That was the pitch Selene gave Eva, and apparently, Brianna too.

"Ah don't know. But Ah believe that it would be a bad idea to leave the direction the Club may take entirely in the hands of those wearin' a little too much black to this party."