capeandcowllogs | There's no place like home...

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There's no place like home...

WHO: Madelyne Pryor

medea_recast and open to those that could feel this.
WHERE: A small warehouse in the wrong part of town, in other words, the perfect location for a demonic safe-house.
WHEN: Sunday night.
WARNINGS: NPC transfiguration, and villains making plans?
SUMMARY: Maddie's taking a break from her Alaskan vacation to make herself a new home as outlined HERE. She might go shopping for curtains, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
FORMAT: TL;DR Para to start, then I'll match all taggers?

Power. She could feel it coursing through her veins, giving her life, setting her on fire. But it came slowly. To sink her claws into this one building, it had taken her nearly a full day. An equal time was dedicated to twisting the soul of the poor man that had stumbled in on her as she began. Twenty-four hours and counting. Without Limbo to draw on, everything took longer... but as the magic continued to build under her skin she began to laugh. Despite everything, the power was still there and here it was hers. No demons to be beholden to, no deals to honor, just her and the power. To build, to destroy, whatever she wanted.

So tonight she bent the world, just a little. With a final cry, she released the power within her, feeling it spread out into the building she'd claimed like life's blood through veins. She felt the floor shudder beneath her and settle. The walls began to change, pulsating with life of their own, almost organic as they darkened and twisted. Air through the vents sounded like breathing, and the creaking of supports and timber were like old bones, just beginning to move again. It became hers, and extension of self and will that none could enter without her permission, a home that was truly hers and reflected the darker nature of what passed for her carbon-copy of a soul.

With a smile she slowly turned to face what was left of the intruder laying on the floor behind her. She knelt beside him as he quivered in fear, running a finger down his nose, over his face and down to his chest. Pressing her palm to his heart, she released the remainder of the power she'd built. His features melted into something more primal, something out of nightmare and darkness. Hands twisted into claws, skin turned to leathery scales and wings stretched out from his back. He shuddered, the last scream of his humanity ripping from his throat before he hung his head, shaking.

Drained, she staggered back, barely able to stand on her own feet. As if summoned, a chair appeared behind her, perfectly placed for her to sink into as a ragged voice spoke from the floor. Her newly-made servant looked up at her even as he pressed himself downward in a show of submission. Mistress are you well?

She smiled, closing her eyes. "Just tired my pet, I need a slight break before I go back to Alaska." There were images to be maintained after all, she couldn't remain in the city much longer.

Still, minutes passed and she opened her eyes, a thought occurring to her. "Perhaps I should go outside for a bit, get some air." She needed to check the outside of the warehouse. The spell had been done with the intention to keep the exterior looking the same, but it wouldn't hurt to confirm it with her own eyes. Picking up the hooded coat she'd been wearing upon her arrival she ran a hand over it's length, transforming it into a dark cloak. Should anyone see her outside, it was all they would see.

"Follow." She headed toward the door, her demon pet following and they stepped into the cold city night to begin her inspection.

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Madelyne walked along the side of her building, running a hand along the brick exterior, feeling the hum of the power inside. She gave it an affectionate pat, the spells were holding, although there was a slight draining sensation, like some of the power slipping like water through a sieve. She had the sneaking sensation that she'd have to renew the spells but she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

But there was a shadow on the building opposite that didn't belong and she looked up, peering out from under the dark cloak.

"Darling, we have a visitor."

She placed a hand on her familiar and simply... watched.

The source.

He didn't need to ask, he simply knew. From a distance, it would have been impossible, as his awareness of such things was hardly precise, but given the proximity, it was nigh impossible not to pick up on demonic energies in such a high concentration. It bothered him, but less than it could have under the circumstances. Despite the stench of hell in the air, the aura differed, somehow, from his own, and the fact that this was neither Trigon nor any of his offspring was already apparent. Still, caution was still required.

As a test, he let a little of his power flare, heat gathering about him in a slightly reddish tinge. He wasn't going to attack -- he had no reason to -- but if she hadn't sensed the demonic energies about him before, she'd be able to now.

It was a power different from her own, but then that was hardly surprising, but it was power, dark and demonic. Another fan, apparently. She chuckled as he gathered his strength, surely he wouldn't attack her on what was, for all intents and purposes, her home turf? But as she waited, he remained still, not moving toward her, not moving away.

"My pet, why don't you fly up and invite our guest down."

The demon took flight, heading toward the roof and the man watching her there. It landed nearby and fixed him with a gaze.

My Mistresss would like to sssee you.

He watched the creature approach, taking noting of its features with a critical eye. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen before (at least, in person), but the purpose it served was obvious enough. His mouth quirked at the invitation.

"Far be it from me to keep a lady waiting."

That being said, Slade vaulted over the edge, landing on the street below with inhuman grace and poise. He straightened, pulling his power within him as he approached. It wouldn't do to be rude, after all, now would it?

He stopped short of the building -- of her -- his skin still prickling with the sensation. Interesting.

"I take it this is yours."

Edited 2010-02-01 04:36 (UTC)

"It is." There was little sense in denying it and she had the distinct impression that he wouldn't be fooled. She noted the preternatural ease with which he'd come down from his perch, and considered his strength as she watched him approach.

Her familiar returned, sitting on his haunches just behind his mistress.

He considered her for a moment, struck briefly by the familiarity of the voice, though he didn't show it. Something to be investigated later, when he had the time.

"You've brought hell with you." The way he said it, he might as well have been commenting on the weather. "You're human?"

"More or less." Was a clone human? She supposed technically she was, but really, did it matter?

"And as for hell, don't we all carry our personal versions of it? Mine's just a tad more... visible."

'More or less.' A fair enough answer, considering the residents of the City. Slade, for instance, was certainly human, but more than that thanks to the experiment that had granted him his abilities. Really, though, the question had been to confirm whether or not she was a demon -- those were, in general, more dangerous to deal with.

"And yet more subtle than what I've seen." Lucifer, Mazikeen, the Seven Deadly Sins -- none of these had been remotely concerned with hiding what they were. This woman, on the other hand, was different -- a human endowed demonic powers. Like him.

Curious.

"Your name?"

He didn't expect her to give it -- not her real one -- but a title would work just as well.

Madelyne debated her answer. She intended to limit those that knew the name of the Goblin Queen, even to the point of limiting her usage of that very title. After all, it wouldn't do her very well to have the name 'Goblin Queen' being whispered in the shadows where it might be heard by the wrong person. Such a simple thing, a name, but it would be enough to topple the precarious house of cards she was building.

Still... she missed being called by her former glory. There was an honesty, a truth to it that she craved. Gently stroking her familiar's head, she spoke.

"I was once the Goblin Queen, and may yet be again... should the opportunity arise. But there are those that would see me dead before I saw the light of day. I trust that that name will not be spoken out of my presence?"

Her pet growled, a rumbling warning of what may happen should her wishes not be followed.

He smiled ever so slightly at the name. A little dramatic for his tastes, but then, everything about about the world of the cape and cowl was rife with such things, so he couldn't really complain. He didn't recognize the title, but it was mystery that would be unraveled soon enough. For now he'd satisfy himself with this.

"Information is my trade, my dear. I do not share secrets that are not mine to tell."

Which was true enough. He guarded what he knew and only made exceptions when there was something to be gained. Here, there was that potential, possibly. He'd have to see.

A professional, how reassuring. She'd met so few.

"And can you do me the courtesy of returning the favor?"

It only was fair after all, and if this became someone useful to her she'd need to call him something.

"Slade."

He'd debated giving her his alias, but really there was no point in it. Who he was, was rather public knowledge by this point.

"I take it you have an interest in meeting like-minded individuals?"

"Charmed."

She considered for a moment, but beggars couldn't be choosers. She was limited in the amount of direct action she could take in the city, and that meant she needed to find others to work through.

"Yes. After all, when one is cut-off from her former allies, new ones must be found." She gave her familiar a friendly pat. "Or made."

'Made.' He understood the implications of that well enough, though it did lead him to question just how much her powers allowed her to do. It wasn't something he'd ask, but it was food for thought, at least for now.

"There is a gathering of individuals, all of which possess different skill-sets, backgrounds, and origins. At least one of them should be able to provide what you need. Are you interested?"

"You have a club?"

He couldn't see the raise of her eyebrows, but he could probably hear the disbelief in her voice. She gave a short laugh, "It's almost worth seeing for the novelty."

He couldn't resist the slight smirk that twisted his lips. Yes, a 'club' -- he'd thought it was absurd when it was proposed as well. Still, some good had come out of the Coalition so he couldn't really mock it, much as he was sometimes inclined to.

"Think of it more as a listing of people with similar ideals. There are no obligations; only opportunity."

"Hmmmmm."

Madelyne turned her head, looking out over the city. Contacts would be useful...

"I may be interested. If so, how would I contact you?"

"Over the network," he said. "Or if you prefer something more discrete, that can be arranged as well."

Either way, it made no difference to him. He'd grown accustomed to his apparent role in the city as the point of contact for others of a similar persuasion to himself.

It suited him.

"Discretion is of the utmost importance, although if you have some encryption I could use.."

She had her own, but comparative to the X-Men's skill they may not be enough for this sort of communication. If he did business over the network regularly, it may be to her advantage to see them.

"I do."

Technology, after all, was his forte. Encryptions, robotics, nanotechnology -- all of these were at his disposal and more.

"There's also a number I can give you, untraceable in all aspects, should you wish to contact me more directly."

"I'd like both if at all possible."

He might be more useful than she thought, but time would tell.

His mouth quirked at the reply. As I thought.

Ever-prepared, Slade reached into a compartment in his belt and withdrew a small flash drive. Connecting it to his communicator, Slade transferred a copy of his encryptions as well as a number to reach him by onto the device. Then, the task complete, he disconnected it and handed it over to her.

"Everything you need, you'll find on this."

She took the flash drive and tucked it underneath the cloak. She'd have to find someone to show her how it worked. She was good enough with the comm to do basic encryptions, but there was a lot of technology she was still getting used to.

"You have my thanks."

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There's no place like home...

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