Damage Control (Invite)

[Carmella Blackheart]

It was supposed to have been an exhibition. A simple preseason show and some PR material for the XWA. It turned out becoming an all-out war. As Carmella sat in her office, her inbox was bursting. Damages that had to be paid as result of the roster...her roster's actions.

A fight in the men's dressing area between two men who were supposedly to have settle their grievances in the ring.

An altercation inside of an airport that miraculously nobody was arrested for.

And a fight in the women's dressing area that resulted in a hole through a wall that was going to cost thousands to repair. As if she didn't already give the government enough of her money.

Maybe staging an event in a military installation wasn't such a good idea, she thought. Or maybe...it was.

All that though went onto the back burner when she opens up the document marked "Financial Report". There was the X's and O's of the profits and expenses of each event. Medical. Repairs. This is all s=things she's used to, but there was one column that caught her attention.

OTHER

The other usually pops up when she approves or performs some function that adds into the expenses. Extra money that needed be spent for anything. Catering. Transportation. Bail at times. But she made no such authorization. She clicks in to see what it is. Perhaps the GM had to make some sort of accommodation. She'd know in a few seconds. Every single penny in her fortune, was accounted for by her personally. Every cent spent and made had a name on it and place where it should be. So it popped up plain as day what this instance was.

TRANSPORTATION: Charter Flight 408 from South Carolina
RECIPIENT(S): Creighton, Lilith
AUTHORIZATION CODE: None

COST: 7000 USD

Now, 7,000 dollars was chump change to a millionairess such as Carmella, but that's not the point. This was violation of protocol. This was overstepping one's boundaries. This was, in financial vernacular...freeloading. Slowly she presses the TALK button on her intercom.

Candice?

"Yes, Ms. Blackheart?"

Please contact Ms. Katja and inform her that I would like to have a word with her client immediately?

"Yes, Ms. Blackheart."

And Candice?

"Hmm?"

Tell her that I want to speak to Lilith...alone.

"Ooooooh...uh...yes. Right away Ms. Blackheart."

Candice was all too familiar with the "calm voice" of Carmella Blackheart. When she spoke in that soft, almost mechanical-like prose, it meant she was pissed off. That was the time to go on a coffee break. She did her job and contacted Katja, delivering the message verbatim.

Behind the personal assistant meanwhile, Carmella swung her door wide open.

Candice? You can take the rest of the day off. You'll still be paid for the day, so don't worry. I don't want any witnesses.

This was the Carmella Blackheart Candice's friends told her to be scared of. The one they said she was crazy for taking the job of being her secretary. She lets out a slight "ummm", but says nothing afterward. She simply grabs her bag and retreats for the elevator.

"Have a good day Ms. Blackheart?"

Oh, I will. I assure you...I will.

You could almost see flames shooting up from the window behind her. Where did the city go, Candice wonders?

"God I hope she doesn't find out I went on that date with Kozmos..."

[Lilith]

The hell were you thinking?

-- I thought it was genius actually.

Yes well your BOSS disagreed.

She's just being mellow dramatic.

Lilith sighs in her semi-victory as the two make their way down the hall of their suite in 1 Penn. The flight back? It had been quite comfortable. Oh yes. Private First Class business expense, allll the way from Fort Bragg back to New York. She enjoyed it. It seemed however, for 'some' reason, Blackheart didn't. Shame that. Her mini assistant had already been aggravated about being left behind for the Tribute, but frankly Lilith didn't want to go through the whole ordeal of introducing her to people. Seemed like a drag. Lilith had changed, jet lag existed, even in a...

Private First Class business expense trip.
Just had to reiterate that.

Finally being back on solid soil and enclosed airspace, Lilith was able to wear her beloved line of laced blouse like attires. Such a soft and frilly feeling. Tis good, tis good. The top two and bottom two sets of buttons of the blouse remain undone. You know, cause she's Lilith. She has a reputation to uphold. Cut off with frayed ends were her vinyl tightly hugging hip shorts. And of course, her heeled boots. Can't go anywhere without the heeled boots. Katja continues to go on and on about this and that. Honestly Lilith didn't care. She knew doing what she did would have a blow back, she didn't need her Chibi Assistant reminding her of it.

Katja, relax, calm down and go back to the suite. Play with Doc or something.

-- Have you lost your mind?! I may not be able to go in with you, but I'm sure as hell going to be waiting outside the offi-

Look.

Lilith stops in her tracks just before the elevator that would take her up to the 'Feeding Den' of Blackheart. She sighs and rubs her eyes with the tips of her fingers for a moment before breathing out long and hard. She was starting to get tired. Like legitimately. The jet lag of the flight over was killing her. And she was almost entirely sure that if she had left last night at some ungodly hour, it might be the next Friday at 7 AM or some shit. Okay well not THAT bad of a time difference, but you get the point. She'd had barely enough sleep to constitute itself as 'sleep'. She wasn't going to be reamed out by her OWN Goddamn assistant.

Blackheart, will huff and puff I've no doubt. She will be mad. That's fine. But you can't possibly think she'll fire me. I'm worth money. She likes money, it's one of the things we have in common. I will be fine, she'll probably fine me or something..
Who knows, if she really IS into S&M I may get lucky and have some 'play time' with the boss lady.

Lilith laughs off the sarcastic scoff before entering the elevator quickly. She waves to Katja with a big smile as the metallic doors shut themselves behind her thusly. Before she even knows it, the ride had ended and the doors flush open. Laying itself before her field of vision is the door to Carmella's office. The sound of her heeled boots clicks against the hard floor as she enters the waiting area.
No assistant in sight.
Oh - ho. Lilith lets out a bemused sigh as she nods her head slightly to herself. This was probably noooooooot a good sign. She brings herself up to Blackheart's personal door. She smooths out her hip shorts for a moment, letting her fingertips brush against her exposed thighs. Speck of dirt. Bastards. She flicks it off before straightening out her blouse, making sure the specific buttons of choice were left open. She runs her fingers through her hair one final time before tossing it about, and opening the door to Blackheart's office. She strides in with a happy smile and waves at Carmella across the room.

Did you miss me -that- much that you had to call me in personally? No assistants, one on one. You're not going to go 'Callisto' on me and spring a film crew led by PornStar are you?

Lilith was at times, made of Innuendo. It was like a trademark. Sure other people did it, and in some cases over did it. But it took a master of the art form to pull it off wisely.
Sure, now was probably NOT the best time to enact it. But what the hell, she's in trouble anyway. In for a penny, in for a pound.

[Carmella Blackheart]

A film crew, Lilith? That's pretty funny, except that if I were filming anything at this point it wouldn't be a porno...

She was sitting calmly at her desk. Reclined back in her chair, relaxed. A nail file in one hand, filing her others to almost claw-like tips. She certainly didn't sound upset.

...it would be a snuff film.

Or at least, not yet.

I would offer you a seat, but it appears you've already taken some lengths to accommodate yourself already.

Care to explain yourself?

[Lilith]

Oh come on. It WAS pretty genius. I mean seriously, look at it from an outside perspective right. International incident in an airport... after a Tribute for the Troops -- With the 'Jewel' of XWA. And THEN charging a personal jet to the boss?

I have to get points for creativity somewhere in that.

Lilith smiles for a moment before striking it from her face with a twinge. She huffs out in annoyance before tossing her hair back once more.

You know, it's not my fault that some of your so-called 'Diamonds' run amok like school children. If you have a problem with how I conduct myself in my personal affairs, then you can speak up about it. As far as your precious precious jet is concerned, it's not damaged. The paint isn't scratched, and I didn't violate any of the cute Swedish stewardess on board. Besides, was it not in YOUR best interest? It may have been from the hip and full of shit, but my suggestion to the crew as to WHY I was being chartered back was not false;

Do you really think me and Gianni could have co-existed on the plane? You could have put the entire length of the hull between us and we still would have found a way to tear something or someone apart if it was in our way. I'd of thought you'd be used to publicity nightmares at this point in your career Carmella. I mean, come on;

Lilith glares at Blackheart. Her eyes narrowing slightly before she lets out another arrogant and more than likely ill-timed huff of air.

-- This couldn't have POSSIBLY been A-N-Y worse of a P.R. incident than Gallas yanking the rug out from under your perfectly toned ass and dropping you like a rock, could it?

How could you tell Lilith had a problem with authority figures aside from herself?

I'm not seeing an issue here. All of your roster thus far returned intact. Your jet is in one piece, and neither myself or Amber ended up strangling the useless airport security on national television -- And DON'T think that wasn't possible. I'm sure there was SOME little S.O.B. in the crowd with a Goddamn cell phone uploading it to YouTube.

[Carmella Blackheart]

Lilith, honey...you should know when I'm being sarcastic and when I'm not.

Carmella rises from her seat. Green eyes piercing straight through the woman as she slowly walks around to the front of her desk, and leans against it.

When I said "care to explain yourself", I was actually expecting an apology for dipping your grimey, grubby little fingers where they didn't belong.

You already had two strikes against you. You're little spat with Amber if I'm not mistaken is the second barfight-slash-catfight you've had with one of the established members of the XWA roster since you've arrived.

You seem to be bound and determined to make enemies out of everyone here. I would hope that you're not trying to make me into one of them.

Lifting her hips from the desk now, she slowly made her way towards Lilith.

You take risks. Big ones. The biggest of which is underestimating my "good will". Let me make one thing abundantly clear to you, Ms. Creighton...

She stops, face to face, eye to eye.

You are in my world now. My company. Nobody touches my toys unless they ask me to do so first. Perks and privileges come to those in the XWA who've earned their keep, and all it is I've gotten from you thus far a couple of police reports.

What you need to realize, and quickly I might add, is that I have the power. Power to help you rebuild your career. Power to help you to become a household name again, more than just a has-been showing off her ass in Maxim because you're too chicken-shit to take it all off and go to Playboy...

...or the power to hang your bloody carcass like a piece of meat on a stick for the wolves to chew on until there's nothing left, and I know of quite a few Diamonds out there who can eat you alive. How's your neck feeling by the way? Security showed me some surveillance a few weeks ago of you getting reacquainted with Hayley Jonas that I found quite...amusing.

An evil smirk creeps over her pert, pouty lips.

It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of a public execution, and you've given me a good reason to take it under consideration.

And another thing...

(With permission)

From face to face, Carmella moves herself a few steps behind Lilith now. Just far enough to swing her own leg around and deliver a kick to the back of Lilith's knee that send her down to the other. Now that was an unexpected move, one that she probably didn't see coming a mile away considering up until this point. Carmella had been pretty conservative. But this is Carmella Blackheart afterall, she has that last name for a reason. Few have incurred her wrath, but those that do...their lives become a little difficult.

Lilith still down on one knee, Carmella reached down and pulled her by the hair, wrapping it up tightly in her balled fist yanking her face back up to a forward position. She bent down slightly, resting her lips by Lilith's ear, and quietly spoke her next statement.

...If I here that name come from your lips in my presence again, or anything that has to do with that name, I will make you that bloody carcass to be hung on the stick personally. You really don't have a clue who I am, or what I can do to you, do you? Well, let me just say this...you don't want to know the answer to that.

Do we have an understanding, Lilith?

[Lilith]

...... !

Seriously, God really hates Lilith. More to the point, Lilith was beginning to hate parts of herself. The singular part of herself that she hated right now, was the incensed logical part pleading with her own mind to NOT retaliate. She was F-U-R-I-O-U-S. Has-been? HAS BEEN?! Blackheart was placing Lilith in the SAME CATEGORY AS HUNTER?!

Snap goes the twig.

Lilith scuffles back, falling from her knelt state down to the ground. She rolls through and comes up to her feet in a frenzy. She was almost literally -seething- with rage. There was so VERY much of what Blackheart had just said that was sending her entire emotional state into a Goddamn downward spiral. She snarls under her breath before wiping her ear off with fury. Bitch. BitchbitchbitchbitchbitchbitchBITCH! Lilith runs her fingers through her hair slowly, methodically as she stares at the smug looking Blackheart. Ohhhhh how backwards all of this was. The entire fucking situation, the whole GODDAMN CITY. Lilith, LILITH.. was the one who always had power. Who always had influence. Now... now someone was telling her she was a 'has-been'?!... The thought by itself was enough to induce a rage beyond repair.
Playboy? Gaaaaaaaaah! Lilith lets out a primal yell at Blackheart's words from the inside out. Amber. Gianni. Playboy Model. Amber. BitchbitchbitchbitchbitchbitchbitchBITCH!

Jonas. Blackheart had seen it. Blackheart had enjoyed it. Bitch... BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH!! Lilith was being overloaded with everything. The month the week the day the year before it. Everythingeverythingeverythingeverythingeverythingeverything die die die die die die die die die die die die die -- Everything Must Die.

-Your- World.... Understanding.. ? .... Jonas... Amber...
... -Has been-?! HAS BEEN?! I'm... I'm.. !

Lilith was soooo far from coherent. She holds her face in her hands, she can feel it trembling. Her face felt hot. Not hot as in really good looking or spicy Gyros. Hot as in heat. She could feel it almost radiating off of her skin. Her entire body was just a conductor of heat. She was shaking in legitimate mind numbing must-kill-all-beings styled rage. She begins slowly, very slowly, walking backwards. Her head hung down low, her eyes were fixated on the ground beneath her. Her mind somewhat... froze. She stops, her back against the door. Suddenly, without warning, she bolts forward. Blackheart in sight. Her right leg swings backwards and propels itself forward with all of her might in a vicious sadistic pendulum motion punt;
But Blackheart is not the aim of this motion.

CRACK!!!

She had Blackheart in her sights, but it was not Carmella that Lilith had rushed too. And it was not Carmella who had been cracked in twain either. It was one of Blackheart's many cabinets of God-knows-what. Whatever it was, Lilith had just driven her foot almost clean through the damned thing. She steps back, panting heavily. Her hair fallen from it's grace. Covering her face from the sided angle Blackheart was getting. Lilith slowly lifts her right hand, pointing a finger at Carmella while her own gaze stays fixated on the broken cabinet before her feet.

... I am not.... what everybody thinks I am. You.... you would do well to remember that...

-- And that's not a threat... 'Boss'...

Lilith lifts her head up and turns it to the right slowly, her right eye peaking through her fallen blood Red hair for a moment as it glues itself to Carmella and her frame.

.. It's a fact.

... You seem to have an assumption of me, and I one of you.... it will be interesting to see... how over the progression of this next year..
-- Which one of us is right.

Lilith turns around, lifting her heeled boot out of the wreckage at her feet. She walks to the exit of Carmella's office before taking a look back at the shattered cabinet. She turns her gaze to Blackheart once more -- Without the usual hint of predatory sexual glee or excitement.

.. Take it off my next paycheck.

She scoffs out before opening the door, and promptly slamming it behind her. Part of Lilith enjoyed that. It's fucked up it is but some small glint of her very being kind of enjoyed everything Blackheart had just dished out. But she didn't know why. No. No... some part of her knew, she was just going to fight it off for a little while longer. It's no fun giving into your own mind without kicking and screaming. She makes her way through the waiting room and heads down the hall to the elevator, pressing the button for it to come up, so she could get the hell out of here. She stares back at the door leading to the waiting room once more before huffing out as the doors open. She steps inside before they close, and the elevator goes down.

... Swear to God I'm going to kill someone before this season is through -- I can almost feel it.

[Carmella Blackheart]

As she looks over the wreckage that Lilith made prior to her exit, Carmella couldn't help but smile a bit.

I suppose we will see, now won't we?

It had been a while since she had to bring out the fangs. Most people probably forgot she had them. Normally, she wouldn't want to show them.

Yes, maintenance? I need you to come up to my office. Thank you.

That was her first call. The next was to Accounts Payable.

I'm going to need for you to make a reduction to the salary of one Lilith Creighton, under XWA contract. 8,000 dollars. You should have the reports on file already.

If this woman's going to cost me this much money, I see I'm going to have to put her ass to work...

END