The White Queen

(Hey guys! So this is quite hard but I think it’s time for me to step back from the site. My precious son was so amazing in Civil War and it’s unfair for me to hold him hostage when somebody else could do him justice. I think Meg and Major are the bomb diggity and they have done an amazing job raising this site from an infant! I’m also really glad I got the chance to know most of you. You’re all super awesome people and I wish you luck! I’ll still be around on skype anytime you wanna chat or even rp random things ((I just can’t stay committed to this amount of rp  & my work schedule is so weird that I’m never in the chat when the party is happening and I miss you guys lol)). Anyways, thank you all for being wonderful and sorry to those I didn’t get the chance to interact with. I’m certain you are awesome too! Have fun everybody)!

One eyebrow lifting a bit higher a cunning smirk made Loki’s lips twist a little bit upward for a second as he turned to look at Emma. She was questioning his words, how entertaining. To find someone who didn’t believe everything he told was like a breeze of fresh air. It was a challenge and what made him like it more was that she was using words instead of swords to get the answers she wanted.

However that small smirk lowered, though smoothly, and that shine in his eyes vanished the moment she repeated the question he had left without attention. His gaze turned away from Emma and without a specific direction Loki just let his eyes look at the park and the view in front of them.

“I had a brother,” the response left his lips, voice steady but without any kind of emotion. Yes, he once had a brother. But no more. He was not Thor’s brother anymore, and he had never been. It had been only a game that had ended when the Jotun grabbed his arm in Jotunheim. “Not anymore.”

predator-heart:

The change in attitude from his smirk to his blank face, subtle as it was, was noticeable. It felt cold. It was a familiar cold. Emma had done the same many times. It was the facade faltering. It was the actor forgetting a line. She had struck a nerve, she was certain.

His words were true. Quite possibly, the first truth she had heard in their entire conversation. She decided to reward that truth with one of her own.

“I did as well.” she touched his arm gently. Unlike the past physical connections, this was soft. It wasn’t flirtatious. It was simply there. A comforting notion of camaraderie. “He died.” she offered as she looked towards him and paused a moment.

He’d seen her walk over people in thousand dollar heels without sparing them a second glance. It was refreshing to see someone with Emma’s particular attitude nowadays.

He raised an eyebrow at her smirk. He couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped him. As different as Erik and Emma were they did have plenty of similarities. Thankfully one of the things they agreed on was their opinions on humans. They really were very fragile and stupid creatures, afraid of their own shadows and anything that was even slightly beyond their comprehension.

It’s true. I was wasting my potential there.Emma gave a small smile as her rook took his bishop. I’ve accomplished far more in the years since. Still...I miss it sometimes. The thrill of the unknown. The constant adrenaline. The chaos. Her eyes lit up a bit as she looked up at him. Is this what we’ve been reduced to Erik? Two of the most powerful creatures on the planet transformed into a lonely grandfather and a grade school teacher? She couldn’t help but to laugh at the ridiculous irony of it all.

If her younger self could see her now, she would be appalled. Had she forgotten where she’d come from? Had she forgotten what she’d been through? Had she forgotten what she was capable of? No, but she had lost that fire. All of that anger, it was subdued. She wasn’t fending for just herself anymore. She had others to think of now. She wondered if this was how Erik had felt when he had finally laid down his sword.

She was having too many ‘feelings.’ She should have known. Erik’s face, though old and haunting now, held too many memories. Looking at him just reminded her of who they used to be and how she longed to be that woman again. She needed to avoid going down that road once more. It was time to deflect.

Something like sadness passed over her face and somehow it only made her more beautiful. Maybe because it added a touch of fragility to this otherwise invulnerable woman.

It was gone almost as quickly as it had arrived and while Clint was glad that she wasn’t in pain, he almost missed it.

She straddled the bike like a pro and put the helmet on her head like it was a crown. He let all of his surprise show on his face, knowing it would give her some satisfaction. “Ms. Frost, you’ve already shocked me a few times tonight, how much more daring can you possibly have? Are you planning to drive us?”

predator-heart:

Emma gave a small smile in response. She had almost forgotten she had just met him. It was remarkable really. He was everything she had always hated with every fiber of her being (crass, clumsy, uncouth, uncivilized...) but he was honest. Though she knew there was something he was hiding, it wasn’t his personality. Clint Barton was Clint Barton, there was no show and no pretense. He was what he was and though she hated to admit it...what he was, was fun.

Jubilee had never been great at fitting in, but this was worse than normal. This place was practically Stepford in its pastel uniformity. Nearly all the women were in the same range of blonde to brunette and nearly everyone glowed that shade of orange that only purposeful tanning can get you. The room smelled like flowers, stale cigar smoke and too much perfume.

“Yo.” She replied, giving an awkward little wave.

She was wearing her new coat, but it was open and did little to hide the fact that the rest of her clothes were eclectic at best. She felt eyes on her as they were shown to a table and but she kept her chin high, maybe taking a leaf out of Emma’s book.

Cause the haters gonna hate hate hate and the fakers gonna fake fake fake I’m just gonna shake shake shake, shake it off, sh-ake it off.

She turned her internal soundtrack up to eleven and felt a little better about the situation by the time they made it to the table.

predator-heart:

Emma was too focused on keeping the thoughts of all the obnoxious ‘aristocrats’ out of her head to tune out Jubilee. So she got a full ear full of the Taylor Swift song, loud and clear. She couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit. It was amazing how much this girl reminded her of her students.

She glanced around the room as she took her seat. “They have no more right to be here than you do.” she whispered with a tiny smirk. “That is the key. Everywhere you go. Just keep that in mind.” she shot a small group of women by the door a glance out of the corner of her eye. They all turned and pretended they hadn’t been staring at the pair.

For the most part she seemed legit. Pietro wasn’t exactly the best judge of character. He’d trusted Strucker and that hadn’t turned out all that well for them in the end … Still, she seemed to be the type of person who could be trusted at the very least to be consistent. She wasn’t pretending to be a hero or trying to ensnare him. She was concerned about protecting her own. He could resepct that.

And then she questioned the Avengers …

His brow furrowed. He wanted to trust them. Wanda seemed to trust them. Sam and Clint especially had tried to get through to him. He knew Rogers tried with Wanda. “I think so.” Pietro said but he sounded uncertain. “My first battle with them I …” He hesitated because he knew how crazy it sounded. “Honestly I died.” He admitted.

He gestured to himself then, hand moving up and down his body. “And as you can see I’m no ghost.” It was hard not to brag there. He, Quicksilver had looked death in the face and lived to tell about it. Never mind it had been through sheer miracle (and Stark tech) that had made it possible.

predator-heart:

Emma couldn’t help but smile upon his response. He was so young. So unsure of everyone around him. So innocent. It was at that moment she realized that she had been too harsh on him. He was no different than her students back in Massachuetts. He didn’t know what he was or who he could trust. That struck a cord with her.

“Is that so?” she raised an eyebrow at him. The ability to come back from the dead had always seemed a feat only dear Jean Grey could manage. Honestly, the woman was like a cockroach. It was her greatest trick and the one even Emma was jealous of. She was strong, she was very strong and her will power was nearly unmatched but she could still die and there was no coming back from where she was headed...if Stark somehow managed to defy death...he could be a very helpful ally indeed.

Loki had some knowledge about the countries outside Europe and he had heard bout those other countries Emma mentioned but otherwise those were quite unfamiliar to him. But the same could be said if he mentioned the places he had visited. He doubted that she had heard about Vanaheim or Nidavellir.

Luckily though Europe was somewhat more familiar and he could describe some of its countries a little better. At least he could speak about the subject instead of changing it like an amateur.

“It’s quite difficult to decide just one particular place since there are good memories from many,” the sorcerer replied, eyes looking at the park that was quite silent around them. “There was a time in Germany that was quite interesting but I could probably say my time here has been intriguing as well.”

He shrugged briefly, eyebrows twitching a little. “There are small things or events worth remembering, not exactly places. That makes it hard to choose just one.”

predator-heart:

Another classic avoidance technique. It seemed the man beside her was determined to maintain his air of mystique even when asked seemingly simple questions. Partly that sparked her curiosity further but mostly it annoyed her deeply.

“That is a very clever way to avoid the question all together, Randy.” she smiled in his direction as if to say ‘score one for you.’ “However, I do believe my first question is simple enough that you can not possibly avoid answering it. Do you have brothers?” There was a hint of annoyance but it was masked well beneath innocent curiosity.

“Emma Frost? Wow, that’s really pretty! Like a movie name.” She had to admit, even though her aura was intimidating- and her powers even more so - Cassie’s gut told her told her she didn’t have anything to be afraid of.

Her eyes narrowed slightly behind the domino mask, her lips pursing in question at the ‘all special’ line. It was quickly replaced with a smile once again, however.

A  tiny chuckle escaped her painted lips at the comment. “Like a Bond villain?” she joked lightly.

“I would deeply appreciate it if you did not inform Mr.Stark of my presence dear.” her voice was stern but far from cold. It was a motherly tone she took on. “I am making my way through introductions slowly and I am under the impression that he and I will not get on.” her eyebrows raised as if to say ‘do you understand?’

🔫- Has your character ever killed someone?

⏳- What was the hardest time in your character’s life?

📞- If your character could talk to one person one more time, who would it be?

📺- What is your character’s biggest regret?

🔄- What is something your character tried to prevent, but happened anyway?

😢- When was the last time your character cried?

💭- If your character could change one thing about their past, what would it be?

Jubilee really didn’t know what to make of this woman. She was dangerous, years of tagging along with the X-men had taught her what to look for in that regard, but she didn’t seem to be dangerous to Jubilee herself.

She followed Emma’s gaze to two women leaving a nearby shop, they walked by, chins held stupidly high, looking down at both herself and Emma.

Oh. No. They. Did. Not.

Her first instinct was to calmly and rationally use her powers to light the women’s skirts on fire. Luckily, along with all the bad habits he’d given her, Logan had also taught her control and she didn’t let a single spark fly.

“I haven’t,” She replied slowly. “But if you’re offering what I think you are, I think I could stand to expand my horizons.” She grinned.

predator-heart:

“Welcome back, Ms.Frost!” the man standing at the front door of the country club grinned. He was an older man in a blue polo shirt and a pair of khakis. It worked with the feel of the club which was old money. The club house had been the home to one of the first governor’s of New York and it had been donated to the city when he’d died.

Emma had been a few times upon her visits to New York City, it was one of the few placed in the state one could get away from the consistent stream of people. “It is good to be back.” she smiled lightly as she searched around his mind for his name. “James.” she continued as she stepped aside to bring Jubilee into view. “This is Miss Jubilee. It is her first time to the club so I expect the royal treatment.” her voice was cold and stern.

That was when Emma had decided she would never be told what to do by the likes of them again. Her new family, her mutant family, was a class higher. They deserved her respect. It took a great many years for her to realize that mutant men were the same as human men. Small, petty, weak. Not worth her time in the least. Women were better. Women were made better. Mutant or human, they were stronger. They could withstand more. They had the will to protect themselves and those they cared for.

Thus she frowned at Pietro’s command. “Don’t mistake my civility for weakness, Pietro.” she warned as they reached the bar. “I am here because I heard the reports of ‘Inhumans’ and I needed to determine my allies. A simple battle tactic really. Though I will say, you avengers are proving more of a challenge than originally planned.” her face softened again with a small smile.

Pietro didn’t like her. She was beautiful, yes, and powerful. But she held herself in a way that implied she believed herself to be better than he was. He may not have always thought highly of himself but damned if he’d allow someone to treat him like that.

“I never said you were weak. I’m just making sure I get all the facts here.” He wasn’t swayed by her compliment of the Avengers. Hell, he didn’t care what she thought. After all, the papers were saying all kinds of shit and that didn’t particularly phase him.

He folded his arms over his chest, not willing to let himself be swayed completely. She’d stopped compelling him to follow her instructions in his head now. So now he was able to be more vigilant.

Her heels stopped clicking against the ground as she turned towards him. “I am not here to start a war. A war will happen on it’s own.” she warned as her voice grew softer. “That is the way of the humans. They like to destroy what they can not understand. That is how they’ve always been and they are terrible at learning from their past mistakes. They know how when they are young but somewhere along the way their egos and pride and fear get in their way and they no longer flinch when their fingers touch the stove. Instead they press harder until their entire hand is burnt.”

Her heels began to click again as she stepped to the door and open it. “Do you believe they’ll protect you? Your Avenger brethren? Are they trustworthy?”

Right?

So he had to get to the bottom of what she wanted here and he didn’t think being forceful about it was going to get him what he wanted. So as he followed her out he stood defensive, putting himself between her and the gym lest she head back inside to wreak havoc.

Emma got a strange flashback in that moment. He spoke to her like a scolding parent. It reminded her of her mother. That was the way she spoke. Out of concern more so than anger. The anger was always her father.

“My plan was to get to know you, Captain.” she smiled innocently. That was mostly true. She wanted to know more than his personality though. She wanted to know his limits. That’s what truly interested her.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head. If I wanted those people to get hurt. I would have had them doing the attacking.” she joked lightly. It was true, though she never would especially not now.

That vicious part of herself had softened. She no longer had a thrill for violence for the sake of violence.

Loki gave a short hum as his lips twisted a little bit upward. “Those travels were mostly hiking so naturally I learned how to function in the wilderness, though I am sure that does not interest you,” he said. Mostly those had indeed been hunting trips to where ever Thor and his company wanted to go. Loki had just followed them with mild interest if not less. However sometimes they had returned with good souvenirs.

“However the travels I have done to places where people are actually around, those have taught me something about different cultures. Mostly though the gift of those journeys were the languages they taught.” That was partly true, though he left out the part where he could return with new spellbooks or other objects as precious.

“How about you?” Loki asked, looking at Emma who sat beside him. “You mentioned that your sibling’s business brought you to Norway so am I right to assume that you have had your fair share of traveling as well?”

predator-heart:

‘Randy’ was correct in thinking that the wilderness held minimal interest for the woman beside him. She was never a nature person. She found dirt and grime to be appalling and below her stature. However, survival was her main goal. So that portion did interest her. “You don’t strike me as the particularly outdoorsy type either.” she smiled nonchalantly back.

She had met plenty of ‘manly men’ who were never happier than to be gallivanting through the woods with nothing but a lighter for company. Her companion was not one of these men. “Brothers?” she quipped with an innocent smile.

Emma had done plenty of traveling both in childhood and on her own. However, ‘different cultures’ were never all that appealing to her. Most seemed vastly inferior to her own. So most of the time was spent in ‘sophisticated’ countries such as those in Europe. There were very brief stints in India and Saudi Arabia when she was very young. Those countries had been quite entertaining once she seduced their leaders. Still, misogynistic countries tend not to like a woman in charge and compelling an entire country was a little beyond even her power.

Oh, Clint liked this woman. She was powering though all her discomfort and rocking it. Anyone else would have thought she was fine with everything that was happening, but Clint caught that pinched expression.

“You don’t have to. The looks good the way it is, the boots would just add another level, but it’s not important.” He started leading her out of the store, letting her keep the security her shoes apparently offered her. He walked her around the corner until they came up to his bike. He offered her his second helmet, the one that shares time between Kate, Natasha and now Remy.

“Ready for this?”

predator-heart:

To say Emma had never ridden on a motorcycle would be a lie. It had however been years. Memories flashed forward as she grasped the helmet in her manicured fingers. A tall man with long unruly hair and a five o’clock shadow replaced Clint for a moment. He had been her first taste of ‘love’. He had been her rebellion after Christian died. How her father had hated him. How she had hated him after he left.

She shook the thought away as she slid onto the bike. He had no right to sully this new memory and she was ready to see what other oddities this night was going to bring.

“Well, it should be pretty clear to you now that if I meant you harm, this conversation would be drastically different.” she gave a small giggle as they reached the end of the street. There was a bar on the corner, she had been to this area a few times since coming to New York. When Emma did recon, she didn’t mess around; she had no idea what exactly she was dealing with with these people and her trust issues definitely didn’t help.

“Also, do you really think I’m fool enough to just waltz into Avengers’ Tower and what? Stage a cu?” she gave a tiny laugh as her fingers brushed against his shoulder. “Don’t be silly. Terribly over dramatic actions that may or may not get one killed have always been more of the style of those I kept company with than myself.” She smiled thinking of all the foolish men she had once fought alongside. Their horrendous egos getting in the way of any semblance of plan they ever had.That was why they ended up in prison or dead and she was a multi-billionaire without a care in the world.  

Pietro’s brow furrowed as he followed Emma across the street. She had a point. If she’d meant him harm she’d have done it already. She was a telepath. She didn’t have to lure him anywhere to do something to him. But he needed to know more about her. He needed to know if she was a threat to his sister. Sure, she might mean the Avengers harm later and he could try to find that out but above anything else, Wanda was his priority.

“So tell me about what brought you here then.” He reasoned. “Don’t leave anything out.” He liked to think he’d know if she was lying to him. Then again he wasn’t exactly the best judge of character. Baron von Strucker and Ultron were testament enough to that.

That was when Emma had decided she would never be told what to do by the likes of them again. Her new family, her mutant family, was a class higher. They deserved her respect. It took a great many years for her to realize that mutant men were the same as human men. Small, petty, weak. Not worth her time in the least. Women were better. Women were made better. Mutant or human, they were stronger. They could withstand more. They had the will to protect themselves and those they cared for.

So strong but yet so weak. It was quite the conundrum. “As you wish, Captain.” she gave that devilish smile once more as glided through the door. She instantly wished she had heels on for that occurrence. It would have made a far stronger impact. Still, plenty of onlookers watched as she walked by. Tiny beads of sweat just beginning to trickle down her exposed skin.

Emma was on display. Emma was always on display. Her father always told her ‘People will stare. They will stare at your beauty but you must make them stare at your power as well.’ That was why every move she made was perfectly calculated. From the bat of an eyelash to the heel of her foot hitting the ground. It was choreographed. This was a show and Emma Frost was the star.