4915/Clandestine Conversations

Clandestine Conversations
Date of Scene:	14 July 2018
Location:	Hellfire Club, New York City
Synopsis:	Taskmaster meets with Selene. She offers him an opportunity to prove himself.
Cast of Characters:	Taskmaster, Black Queen

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Taskmaster has posed:
The Hellfire Club is the scene of the evening's meeting. Taskmaster has arranged a sit down with a member of the Light. He waits quietly, alone, in the private area of the Club, looking over the furnishings before turning to face the fireplace, his cape billowing slightly as it catches the air. The masked mercenary seems deep in thought as he rests a hand on the pommel of his sword, staring at the flames.

Black Queen has posed:
The doors swing open to allow in Selene. Her high-heeled covered feet make audible clicks against the ground as she walks in, covered in black. This is a meeting with a Light member, there's no reason for her to dress the part of a normal human in a normal world. No, instead, she is the Black Queen in all her glory and a very fashionable black furred coat. The fur likely from some endangered, or now extinct, animal. The doors shut, seemingly on their own, as she walks in smiling, "Hello. And welcome. Do you need anything? Refreshments? Food? A person to rest your feet on?" And she makes her way over to the seating area in this room nearby the fireplace.

Taskmaster has posed:
As the Black Queen enters the room Taskmaster turns his head slowly to look at her, his body following shortly. Inclining his head towards the powerful woman the man in the skull mask seems to study Selene for a moment as he returns her greeting, "Good evening. Thank you for meeting with me." The hooded head shakes, "No, thank you. I'm fine. Don't let me keep you from enjoying yourself, however."

Taskmaster follows Selene towards the chairs, slowing down to allow the lady to take her pick of the seats.

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio finds a regal high backed chair that has winding wooden arms, the seat itself looking in good condition but if you know old furniture it looks like it's probably from the 16th or 17th century at the newest. And from some royal courty of that era. There are a few of these chairs situated around a small coffee table, in the middle there's a decanter and wine glasses. Selene sits easily and crosses her legs while kind of waving her hand a bit, and smiling, "Oh, it is not a bother at all. I have nothing, if not time. Now, was there something that you wished to speak about in particular? Or was this more of a social visit?"

Taskmaster has posed:
After Selene seats herself Taskmaster places himself directly across the table from her so that they can converse easily. He sits straight up in his chair, "A bit of both." The skull mask lifts it's chin slightly, "I wanted to make sure that the group I'm going to be working for knows what I'm capable of." He pauses for a moment, "I know that the Club has hired me before to train it's most elite, but I do more than educate warriors. If there's anything you need accomplished I'm likely able to do it for you."

Black Queen has posed:
There's a moment of squinting and thinking back. And Selene nods, "Oh, that was you. My sincerest apologies, I forget who we hire at times to do this or that. Though, yes, I seem to recall now." She mentions and is seated with her posture impeccable against the chair, letting her coat covered arms lay against the wooden arm rests, hands lightly dangling at the ends, "This group is more than just what each can do for one another. I am sure that you are rather... capable, in your own right. Lex would not of brought you in without thinking highly of you. My... talents, and area of expertise, however, does tend to be far more into the realm of the mystical than that of the mundane. I have uses for highly skilled individuals still, just be warned, where my interests lie you may find grave dangers. Though recently... some martial artist cat person... took something from me."

Taskmaster has posed:
"That's absolutely fine," Taskmaster waves dismissively. He's worked with all sorts and if the woman before him can forget a man in a skull mask that's her business. "I feel as though the mystical arts are where my own skills are lacking. It's good know that I'll be working with someone with the right skills." When he speaks next it sounds as though he might be smiling behind his mask, "I face serious threats regularly. There aren't very many things on this planet that give me pause." At the mention of a cat person Taskmaster leans forward in his seat, "Did they? It seems to me that they've made a terrible mistake, haven't they?"

Black Queen has posed:
"Most certainly they have made a mistake. They took from me a sword, of which has little value to me. There's an object, hematite in nature, that has mystical powers and could be very useful toward one of my goals." Selene has seen skull masks, and trainers, and oddities for thousands of years. She also remembers everything that every one of the countless millions of souls she's consumed remembers, and so, she is the kind of person who might forget a skull mask. Though more likely with her haughty posture and eyes down over her nose at even a fellow Light member, it's more likely some other reason she mentioned it. "This person is bothersome. He took out some thralls, and I put a shadow imp on him to find him and report back his location. If you would like to utilize that task as a measure of showing off your worth, I would certainly hand it over to you."

Taskmaster has posed:
"I'd be more than happy to rectify that mistake. My arrangement with your organization has been quite rewarding so far," the mercenary sounds almost amused behind his skull mask. There have been very few challenges he's been unable to overcome and the threat of a 'martial artist cat person' doesn't seem to worry him. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances you should have your property back quickly. Do you happen to have any video of this cat person in action?"

Black Queen has posed:
"Video?" Selene gives an odd sigh, almost frustrated a little, "I do not believe any of my thralls were recording at the time. I can describe him." She mentions and tilts her head to the side a little bit. There's a moment of sublte squinting of her eyes as she thinks for a moment longer, "No. None of them seemed to have been using their phones to record while shooting and attempting to run over this cat person. This is a mundane task, I do not believe he has any mystical powers, merely a drunken kung fu artist... and unfortunately most of my thralls are not well versed in the arts of combat. And summoning demons to go after someone like that draws a lot of attention. I could do it, but I am currently busy with other more pressing matters. I believe I have a line on a powerful ally that may be of use to our group."

Taskmaster has posed:
"If your shadow imp can get me to him I'm sure I won't be able to mistake him for anyone else," Taskmaster says. "I only asked if there was video because once I see someone fight I can predict what they're going to do in combat. Not that it will help him at all." He pauses to think, going through the combat systems he knows. His voice sounds like he's smiling again, "You should focus on bringing in your new ally. I'll take care of recovering your property for you." Leaning forward in his seat he nods thoughtfully, "Let me handle your light work, so to speak. Stuff your thralls aren't equipped to deal with."

Black Queen has posed:
There's a smile that stretches across Selene's lips as she looks to Taskmaster, "If you are attempting to ingratiate yourself to me, it is working." Selene nods her head, "Once my shadow imp has tracked him down, I will make sure that the information is relayed to you. I often send messengers... and rarely call. Just so that you know what to expect." She laughs lightly, "Well, excellent, and if you have need of something in the future. Please, do ask. I am sure that I can aid you."

Taskmaster has posed:
"Excellent. I'm sure we'll do a lot of good work together in the future," the mercenary replies with a nod. "However you want to get your messages to me is fine. I'm nothing if not adaptable." And based on his reputation that is likely to be true. "I'll be certain to ask for your assistance in any arcane dealings I have."

Black Queen has posed:
Selene Gallio rising from her seat, she stands and lingers in front of the table for a moment before saying, "If you have other questions I am more than happy to entertain them. Otherwise, I am working on acquiring that ally I had mentioned. It is a difficult task, but hopefully a surprise worth having in the not too distant future." She smiles lightly, eyes staring off a moment toward the 'prize' that she seeks. "And I will send message as soon as I know anything. Shadow imps are very good at finding their way to a target, but they are also prone to mischief. It can be a variable amount of time till it returns. I have found that time reveals all truths or makes them moot."

Taskmaster has posed:
Standing up when the woman does so, Taskmaster moves smoothly. When he's at his full height he nods, "I have no further questions, but I am looking forward to hearing your good news. If there's anything else you might need me for you know how to get in contact." Behind his mask he grins, "I'll make sure I'm ready for when you reach out to me. I'll look over drunken boxing for when I need to take down the cat man." With a slight gesture the masked man flicks out his cape so that it hangs behind his back, getting ready to depart.

Black Queen has posed:
"Very good." Selene mentions and just snaps her fingers, and her costume alters to more mundane clothing. An olive colored blouse for a top and some black pants. Still highly fashionable but far less appropriate for the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle. "I am sure you know how to get out of here? It just will be simpler if I do not walk. Have a good day." She bows her head ever so slightly, and then without gesture or words spoken, she simply disappears from here, and will reappear somewhere else in New York.