About The Other Night... [Lilith]

[Tha Nightmare 187]

"So... How do I look...?"

Murda: "My honest opinion? You look like shit."

...His darker mirror image had responded, commenting on how Tha Infamous One looked right now. It wasn't exactly a pretty sight. His head was bandaged around his forehead where his bandana would normally be tied. No doubt from the end results of his triple threat match at Tribute to the Troops or what resulted in the aftermath. His nose was also bandaged up from when he had his face slammed into the concrete floor during his scuffle with Kenji Katana. He wished he had an explanation for how he looked, but unfortunately this wasn't his doing. It was his dark shadow's doing. It was also his dark shadow's doing that he was currently standing in the hallway outside the suite of The One and Only, Lilith Creighton. He had been here for a few minutes already. Pacing back and forth. Figuring out what exactly he was going to say. Trying to keep his conversation with himself to a whisper in case anyone had come walking by. It was a pretty bad situation. If this was a guy? Yeah. He could probably squash the beef with no problem. But he didn't really ever have a female angry at him. Scratch that. He didn't have a female mad at him that he cared about. It was worse when she was someone who was 'family.' Those ties run as deep as they can without actually sharing the same DNA. Again, he wished he could have be here in some less than apologetic circumstances. He didn't know what the Hell his dark shadow had said in order to send her off in an angry rage. He knew there was something about tongue kissing her in the mouth after Lilith had disposed of Justice Asuka. But the details get fuzzy from time to time when he's not in the driver seat, so he had to just go on instincts. It was insane. First, they were on good terms. Then, they're on bad terms. And now? He had hoped this time it would be back on the right track...

"You think she's still mad...?"

Murda: "Probably. You hear the word about what happened between her and Amber? Shit got ugly."

"Fuck."

He did hear about that. Was that after his encounter with her? Did he set her off so bad that she went on a rampage through the backstage area? Guess they did have more in common than he thought. That wasn't the only backstage brawl that took place that night. That's why he looked like a Goddamn mummy right now.

"Well... It's your fault. You're the one who fucked this all up."

Murda: "Fucked up? Nah. I put you right where you want to be. In her mind. Like mothafuckin' Inception. I'm like some kind of mind ninja. Sneaking around in her head and giving her wet dreams."

"You should think about seeing a psychologist."

Murda: "Good idea. Maybe I'll see your psychologist and see the kind of mysteries locked in her head."

"Come on. Let's get serious now. This the right stuff, right?"

He held up a bottle of Vodka. He was almost certain what Lilith liked to drink was Vodka. More specifically, she liked to drink White Russians. However, it would be kind of weird to show up on her doorstep with a mixed drink in hand. It was less strange to show up with a brand new bottle of alcohol. His dark shadow simply nodded his head. He knew it was the correct poison Lilith picked. Then he took a deep breath and let out a sigh. Trying to relax himself. He couldn't do the whole mumbling and stumbling thing he's gotten accustomed to as of late when he froze up around Lilith or the things she did. That wasn't how he normally acted. He had to be confident. He had to make things right between them. For better or for worse. He drew another breath. Let out another sigh. Then he raised a fist with his free hand and proceeded to knock on Lilith's door...

Knock, knock... Knock, knock, knock... Knock, knock.

"Hope she's home."

[Lilith]

Hm? Aah.. Doc, can you hold on a moment.

Yes yes ignore the celestial knowledge bearing being because someone knocked at the door. And you wonder why humanity is falling into the abyss-

I'll be right back.

... I hate humans.

Katja springs up from her bed and plops down by it's side. She picks up the two hair ribbons laying errantly and begins tying up her hair in the long twin-tailed pony tails she'd grown used to over the years. Slowly she brushes her long Blonde hair with her comb. Yawning slightly as she gets up, opening her closet to reveal the array of various one-piece dresses. She liked French Dresses. They just felt so proper. She plucks one from the selection, slipping it on carefully as to not wrinkly the edges of the short sleeves. She stares at the clock across the room. Hmmm.. Lilith should probably still be asleep. After she came back from her meeting with Carmella, it didn't seem like Katja's employer was in a good mood. The mini Russian slips on her slippers before trotting out into the den. Another yawn as she stretches her tiny lithe body out. Katja was in her twenties, but if you didn't know this prior -- You'd swear she was younger. It was something Katja was not a fan of. She didn't like being constantly asked for her I.D. while buying things. Sadly, being only 5'1 and barely over 100lbs was not helping that situation. She pokes her head into Lilith's room, barely opening the door enough to peer inside. Indeed, Lilith had hastily thrown her outfit in various places and crashed like a log. Katja sighs softly before closing the door softly as she makes her way across the den.

Hmmmm.... well, she didn't get fired, so this can't be security.... Ugh, then again I wasn't able to go with her. Maybe she attacked Blackheart and she hasn't been discovered by security yet... No no, that's impossible Lilith isn't tha-..
.....

Katja stops in her tracks. She hangs her head down. Her long long 'tails' of hair manage to almost reach the ground as she does so. A large sigh. She couldn't honestly say 'Lilith isn't that crazy'. She'd gotten a large deal of info on Lilith Creighton from her predecessor, and Step-Father; Iggy Lezzard. And for all intents and purposes... it was not outside of the realm of possibility that Lilith was in fact -THAT- crazy. She tugs a bit at one of the hair ribbons around her long long hair, tightening it up as her fuzzy, oh so fuzzy, slippers continue to shuffle across the plush carpet. She reaches the door and opens it slowly.

... Hm?

Katja tilts her head to the side for a moment. She stares up, and up a little bit more, at the man standing in the door way. A blank look on her face for a moment before the recognition part of her brain kicks in.

Ahhhhh! You're Adrian Taylor right? My name is Katja. I'm Lilith's new assistant. I'm sure you have business with her...

Katja had honestly already heard from Lilith about the situations that transpired over on Fort Bragg. But she wasn't going to announce that either, it wasn't her business.. well not entirely anyway. She sweeps her left arm across the doorway and opens the door fully to allow access into the suite. She plays off her assumption in a timely fashion;

I assume so because of the 'Water' you've brought yes? Come in.

[Tha Nightmare 187]

Murda: "Yo. Do you see what I see? Or am I the one who's seeing things now?"

"Yeah. I would be Tha Infamous One himself."

He said, both answering Katja and his dark shadow with the first part and continuing to further answer Katja about his identity. That was pretty convenient. Why can't more conversations sync up like that? It would make conversations go a lot smoother when he was being followed.

Murda: "She's got to be like... fuckin' twelve. Or thirteen Thirteen at the oldest. But she's just so Goddamn... Tiny. And she called the Vodka 'Water.' That's just priceless. And what is she wearing? It looks like some kind of... Uhh... What the Hell are those called again? French Maid outfits? Yeah. Those. You think that's intentional or Lilith's idea of a joke? Damn..."

While his dark shadow was going to have to take a moment to digest the fact that Lilith's personal assistant is nothing more than a pre-teen, he began to step into the suite like Katja had said. It was a bit peculiar that Lilith would pick someone like this girl to be her personal assistant. He knew she had people in this city who sort of acted like her clean up crew whenever she made a mess, but you would think she would have picked someone a little... older. He didn't really know what to think about Katja and he wasn't really in any position to pass judgement. His clean up crew happened to be himself, which made it much more difficult to explain to authoritative figures when questioned about his actions. It didn't help he couldn't remember a good portion of the carnage that unfolded in his absense. But that was neither here nor there... He had to get his mind back in focus. He came here to make up with Lilith and possibly try to come up with a convincing way to explain why he said the things he said. If he could fuckin' remember the words that passed through his lips... He figured letting Lilith's personal assistant know what his business with her employer was would be a good start.

"I do have business with Lilith. I mean, she doesn't know that I was planning on coming. I'm sort of arriving... unannounced. I know. Probably rude of me to do, but I sort of thought if I did call... She would probably try to avoid me. It's not like I'm stalking her or anything. We go way back. We just had some... complications... the other night. And I was hoping I could make amends. And I know that she likes... Umm... 'Water.'"

Murda: "Smooth like Super Fly. Heh,heh, heh,heh."

...His dark shadow snickered. It was better than acting like he had a speech impediment. He personally would have omitted some of those details. Like the 'not being a stalker.' Yeah. Only stalkers claim to not be stalkers. It makes you look suspicious. He probably would have omitted Lilith wanting to avoid him too. That, again, puts the idea in someone's head that... Yeah. You might want to avoid this person. He had to commend Adrian for one thing though. At least he didn't go all out. It might be February already, but he was glad the fool didn't go out and buy Valentine's Day cards. That would have been embarrassing. But the show must go on...

"Is Lilith in?"

[Lilith]

Yes.. I had believed so.

Ah, about that. Vodka and Water share the same wording in my country, the translation into your language is the verbatim. It's been a quite discussed choice of translation over the years actually.

Katja closes the door softly after Mr. Taylor's entrance. She softly slinks her dainty fingers around the neck of the bottle before taking it into the kitchen. She rummages through the cupboards for a moment before pulling out two small curbed ice glasses -- And one long necked larger draft styled one. She places the larger glass across the counter before slowly opening the bottle with a twist and a pop.

.. Yes. She is in. Currently however she is resting. I will awaken her for your arrival though.. I assume there was much that happened at Fort Bragg. I will not pry... to be perfectly honest, little of me cares. It is between you and my employer... would you like some Vodka by the way?

The sounds of the bottle being tipped and the liquid filling a glass can be heard softly. She fills the larger draft sized glass first, before pouring some into one of the smaller glasses. And finally filling the second of the smaller containers. She twists the lid back onto the bottle before opening the cooler in the kitchen and placing it inside. She comes around the corner, two glasses in hand. She places one of the smaller glasses on the table in front of Mr. Taylor. Within her dainty fingers resides the second of the smaller glasses. She slowly takes a sip before tilting her head to the side and nodding softly.

Not bad quality at all... But yes, Lilith is in. As I said, it does not entirely concern me... nor does the reason exactly interest me at it's core... but I find myself curious about one thing so far Mr. Taylor...
If I may...

Katja leans over the table, looking at Adrian Taylor - At 'Seven' closely. She tilts her head from side to side curiously before taking another small sip from her glass. Slowly raising her left hand and pointing at the side and top ridge of the new found guest's head.

What exactly happened there... and there -- And I think there's some over there as well. This.. wouldn't happen to be my employer's work would it?

[Tha Nightmare 187]

"Oh? Water and Vodka are the same thing? I did not know that. Guess you learn something new everyday."

Murda: "She's drinking Vodka. She... A pre-teen... is drinking the Vodka. That's like... illegal. Like, stupid illegal. Like, you get laughed at for being locked up for that shit stupid. Bad ass fuckin' kids these days. I won't tell, if you don't."

"As for this mess on my face..."

...He ignored his dark shadow's comments. He had one good eye left too. He saw it just the same as he did. It did concern him, but what Lilith and her assistant did behind closed doors... Well, it wasn't his business. He'd hope to make his business some day. But currently, it did not concern him. For the moment. Hopefully. He leaned forward and retrieved the glass from the table that Katja had placed before him. Then he proceeded to take a quick drink. Vodka had a kick to it. It wasn't necessarily the kind of drink that he had been accustomed to. He personally preferred the Hennessey. But he wasn't going to complain. Perhaps it'll take the edge off and he could relax some more. He took another drink. Then he began to point at his face and said...

"I wish. Not that I'm one of those kind of people..."

Murda: "*coughbullshitcough*"

"No. It was just an altercation I had with one of the guys in the back who started talking trash and needed a good kick in the... buttocks."

Murda: "Buttocks? What the fuck?"

Another one of his many flaws was that he didn't really know how to respond to the youth. He could respond to fans. They were a whole different breed of their own. Sign an autograph. Take a photo. Make them smile. But in a situation where the kid wasn't impressed with who he was? Well, it was kind of awkward. He normally didn't censor himself. He was known for his foul mouth. But, he didn't want Katja's parents giving him a call because their daughter came home learning a new word. This was probably another reason for the awkwardness of this conversation. Let's put Sadist up there with Stalker and the Must Avoid List. Let's just paint a wonderful picture for this poor innocent soul and warp her fragile mind.

"I guess I got a little messed up from it all. But you should see the other guy. You'd hardly recognize who he was. Lilith is probably going to wonder what happened to me too. The first time we made contact in that Lounge place, my face was all bandaged up too because of some fists being thrown."

Murda: "And you're welcome. You would've had your ass handed to you on a silver platter without my help."

[Lilith]

Hmm... I see.

What do you think of that explanation, Lilith? Does it match up?

Katja asks the question as she takes another sip of her drink, a larger one. Her eyes scan from Mr. Taylor to the hallway behind him. She'd figured Lilith was up. The scent of Vodka must have swirled it's way into her room.

Yeah... I figured you'd have a run in with Katana after you were 'finished' with me Seven.

Lilith rubs her temples slowly as she walks out into the open. Wearing nothing but a short undershirt blouse and a pair of panties. This was her suite, she was going to be comfortable. And something told her after the 'event' with Seven, he wasn't in any position to complain to the contrary. She walks past Seven in his seat and makes her way over to Katja, she stares at the glasses and chuckles a bit under her breath.

I'm amazed he didn't try to stop you.

I assume he had thought about it, his eyes were piercing the glass. You specifically left him in the dark about my existence didn't you Lilith?

You're my assistant, you should be calling me 'Miss Creighton' -- Don't count on that anytime soon. Any-way. Where's my glass Katja?

In the kitchen on the counter.

Katja closes her eyes in frustration as she finishes off her glass. She sits down in the seat across from Mr. Taylor as she watches her employer stride into the kitchen. She would never say it out loud... well, okay, she -WOULD- but... her 'boss' could be quite the psychotic bitch at times. Certain times. Alright. Sometimes a lot of the time. But Katja knew reasons as to WHY. Information not many outside of Lilith's direct bloodline knew. And to be honest... a lot of it..
It scared her.

-- Seven... I've had a bad week. A really... really, bad week. Jonas tried to cave in my throat with her shin... and I STILL don't know what-

It was a modification of a Gogoplata. She dubs it the 'Good Night Bitch', or the G.N.B. The main difference between the G.N.B. and your 'S&M Lock' is that her submission prioritizes the use of her tibia. The Shin is the strongest bone in the human body. Compared to the 'Scream and Moan' Lock of yours, which has the use of your forearms and upper body weight..
The G.N.B. is significantly more dangerous, Lilith.

........

The room fills with silence. But somewhere in the back of Lilith's mind, she can almost.. -almost- hear Doc laughing somewhere in the suite. She slowly peeks her head out of the kitchen, staring blankly at Katja before grabbing the long necked draft glass and coming back out into the den.

... Why, thank you... for that fucking buzz-kill Katja. I appreciate that.

You're welcome.

..... I hate you. You know you love me. .. I'm going to kill you in your sleep one of these days. Oh? So you watch me sleep do you?

Lilith's right eye begins to twitch after the brief exchange between her and her so called assistant. She scoffs it off before sitting down in the large, plush and luxurious sofa. She takes a large gulp of the Vodka in the large glass before breathing in deeply through the liquor and staring at Katja, before her glance shifts it's focus to Seven.

.. As I, was saying... I've had a bad... bad week. After my encounter with Jonas, I ended up going to the Gym and had to deal with Fury and all of her 'hidden' Male testosterone. She, was the first one to get in the way of my... appreciation, of Asuka--
So that's what you're calling it these days.
-- AND... after that, I had to deal with more troubling information. And all of that led up to Fort Bragg... both of us, lost our matches. Both of us, were left upset about it... but as -I- recall, Seven?...

Only -ONE OF US-... forced their tongue down anothers throat. So... if you will..

Lilith crosses her bare leg up over her other exposed thigh. She leans back a bit in the sofa. Slowly tipping the glass as it meets her lips. She savors the sip before tossing her hair back and 'combing' it through with her fingertips as she places the large glass down on the table in the middle of the three sitting around it.

.. Please... give me, an ACTUAL... explanation this time -- As to why you felt possessed enough.... to jam your tongue down my throat, without my consent.

[Tha Nightmare 187]

Murda: "What're you looking at me for? It ain't my fault you don't have eyes in the back of your head."

He had given his dark shadow a quick glance. It would have been nice for someone to have told him that Lilith was standing right behind him. Ugh... Having a second pair of eyes seemed just pointless when all his dark shadow did was make things more difficult on his. His gaze quickly shifted back to Lilith when she had asked for an explanation for what had happened at Fort Bragg. His dark shadow chimed in again because he found her choice of words to be kind of ironic. He brought the glass of Vodka up to his lips and took a drink from it.

Murda: "I think that about covers it. 'Possessed' would be the correct answer, but I don't think that's what you should tell her."

He didn't know what to tell Lilith. The whole situation was difficult to read. He didn't know whether or not Lilith was angry that he had kissed her. He didn't know whether or not Lilith was cool with him kissing her. He couldn't tell what she was thinking from her body language, nor could he really identify in her tone of voice. There was a hint of annoyance, but that could be from the little back and forth she just had with her personal assistant. Or it could be because of the problems she's having with all the other Diamonds she had encountered in the previous week. Either way, he was confused. He didn't know what to say. He took a drink from his Vodka again. Liquid courage. His dark shadow could sense the disturbance in Adrian and it was probably up to him to give him some guidance. If they were going to do this, they were going to have to do this right. He plopped himself down on the couch beside Adrian and proceeded to speak while they both looked at Lilith and Katja.

Murda: "Alright. There's a few different reasons you could give her. She seems to have a ''Bullshit Detector.' You could tell her about me and the evil deeds we do when we're on the hunt. Then again, you don't know how she would react knowing just how fuckin' loopy you are in the head. If she was cool with it, there would be the excruciating doubt in your mind. Does she actually have feelings for you? Does she have feelings for me? It'll all be problematic. She could completely dismiss it because it'll just be plain weird to be with a guy who's got more than one person living in that cranium of yours. I personally wouldn't recommend telling her about me because it's not the most comforting thing in the world to know that you've got a certified homicidal maniac sharing space in your brain."

This was true. How do you tell someone about a problem like this? How do you let someone know that you will on occassion not always be the one in the driver seat? He did have a point about the whole doubt thing. He didn't know if she took an interest in him personally, or if she would take an interest in his more sinister self. That option seemed like the least likely reason he would give Lilith. His dark shadow then began to point at Lilith while he continued to speak.

Murda: "You could tell that it was you and the reason you did it was because you wanted to show how you feel. This too could be problematic. I mean, if you tell how you really feel and she goes for it... Awesome. You no longer have to be the poor and miserable sad sap that you are. If she declines, well, then it just gets awkward. She'll always know there's that thought in the back of your head that you have feelings for her. Everytime you see each other afterward, it'll just be weird. I know you won't be one of those desperate mothafuckas who's going to mope around the apartment all day and night because you failed."

There was a 50/50 chance that this explanation could work. It would actually be a true and sincere explanation. Things would be easier if he had more experience in these kinds of scenarios, but no one ever said starting a relationship was an easy feat. He wasn't exactly the one who did the kissing, but he wouldn't have been opposed to it either. He was the one who actually had the feelings for Lilith. His dark shadow was more so just attracted to the kind of lunacy that Lilith was capable of and the display of violence is what set him off at Fort Bragg. It's not that he minded that. He was known for his own displays of violence that would get the blood thirsty crowds to be on their feet and cheering wildly. Then his dark shadow looked over at his mirror image of himself and pointed at Adrian.

Murda: "Or you could just tell her you did it because you can. It would be kind of funny because that was a real popular phrase she used to say when she was on the mic. But then again, you don't want her to take it the wrong way because that whole 'Dominance' thing kind of threw a monkey wrench into the evening. She did say she had a bad week, but I don't think we should risk getting thrown out on your ass. But you need to say something quick because sitting here in silence can't be reassuring for those girls over there."

What to say? What to say? Only one of those options actually sounded like the right thing to tell Lilith. It was the truth. However, it was equally as dangerous as the other two options he was given. He could just make up some kind of bullshit, but that would be no way to start things off. It was already going to be kind of difficult to do this with his dark shadow's tendencies. He was going to have to just jump right into it and see what she says. For better or for worse, he took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. This awkward silence had gone on long enough. It was going to be difficult, but he had to come clean. He began to slowly nod as he began to say...

"Well, Lil'... The reason I felt compelled to do what I did... is because I wanted to. I wanted to do it because... Well... Isn't it obvious? I've... got feelings for you. Not lust. Actual, legit feelings for you. I guess, I just wanted to show you."

[Lilith]

Wait... wait, what?..

Oh my.

The room fills with silence once again. Lilith's own personal mind begins to turn. The wheels begin to click and clock as they move around in her cranium. Did the teasing fire Seven off the deep end? Feelings? Feelings? Feelings?--
Wait... what?

... Wh... What?
.. I believe Mr. Taylor said he had romantic feeling- I HEARD HIM! --.. Just checking.

... I... ho-...

Lilith was absolutely just. What? Seven? Someone from 'The Family' having feelings for her ASIDE from the lust that was running rampant between various members? She was reminded that the 'King' pretty much attempted to thrust his hips in the direction of any female with attractive qualities. How on Earth could anyone from the relic actually have feelings beyond that of the primal instincts? She had known Seven for years. And yes there had been times of teasing and toying with and tormenting. 'The Family' had been around for the majority time of her relationship with Jonny. Seven had never said a damn thing about it. What the hell was this?!

Hmm... I think you short circuited her.

Katja mumbles softly under her breath. She watched from afar as her employer no doubt begins to battle with her own conscious. Katja leans forward, grasping her glass before she stands up slowly. She dusts her dress off before heading into the kitchen. She leans her head out once slowly, trying to view if her employer was still fiddling with her own mind. Indeed, she was. Katja lets out a small sigh before opening the cooler and grabbing the bottle of White Russian Vodka that Mr. Taylor had brought as a gift. She opens it once more, pouring herself another glass before re-sealing it and putting it away. A small sip and a quip.

... My my.... she's not good around males anymore is she..

It had been something Katja had an assumption about when she first got the dossier of her new 'boss' from Iggy. Lilith seemed like the kind of person who was overly dominant against other females. From what Katja could tell, her employer seemed to enjoy the Cat & Mouse style 'game' of courtship between herself and other females. Katja slowly trots back into the den, re-claiming her seat as she crosses her leg up over her knee under her dress. Another sip. But ever since her last relationship with a male having been a one Mr. Styles - And having had his ex [At the time] revealing she had a child of his.. It seemed, Lilith's capacity for dealing with any romantic involvement with Males had...
Gone to hell.

... Wait... Alright... let's, assume.. I believe you. Let's assume, that for some Ungodly reason.... in all the years of us knowing one another, you decide -NOW- of all times to be the one for you to bring this to me-
Technically according to his dossier, the majority of time you and Mr. Taylor have known each other has been occupied by either your involvement with other people or his own. - K-a-t-j-a... why are you still here, exactly?

.....

Another moment of silence. Katja can almost feel the stare of both Lilith and Mr. Taylor. She exchanges glances with both of them slowly, one by one. She raises her glass to her lips, taking in a large gulp of the Russian Water before bringing it down, resting it in her palms against her lap. She tilts her head to Lilith and utters matter-of-factly;

Moral support- Bullshit! Look you little Lolita, this is a deli- I've asked you to stop calling me that Lilith. You know I have a complex about my appearance -- And I think it's adorable you think I CARE RIGHT NOW! Get the hell out of here! Jesus, can you NOT read the heavy atmosphere?! But it was just getting good.

Lilith props up from her seat on the sofa and just barely restrains herself from lunging at her assistant. This was noooooooot the time to be screwing around with her right now. Her state of affairs was becoming more and more and more confusing.
Katja waves off sarcastically as she gets up out of her seat and gives a small polite bow to Mr. Taylor before finishing off the rest of her glass. She sets it down and stares at Lilith for a moment.

I do not know much about this.. 'Family'. But I do know one thing for certain. As far as public knowledge goes;
You two are the last ones left in the spotlight.

Lilith, you were never officially indoctrinated into the group. But you were as close and privileged as outsiders get without having jumped up and down in 'The King's' lap. You should take note of your actions from here on out..

Katja's gaze shifts to Mr. Taylor for a moment before she snaps away her gaze and trots out of the den without another word.

.... Tch. She'd be cuter if she wasn't so Goddamn annoyingly 'insightful'...
Remind me Seven, next time an assistant dies -- I'm getting a younger model. Maybe something in a Eighteen or Nineteen. And something from Sweden or maybe Tuscany... not sure yet..

Lilith's thought process tracks itself back to the matter at hand once she confirms the exit of Katja from the room. She sighs heavily, plunging herself back down into the sofa. She turns on her side and lays down, her head resting against the arm rest farthest from Seven -- So that her sight could still meet his. She props her left heel against the bottom arm rest, bending her knee before crossing her right calf and thigh up over it. Another heavy sigh. A small flick of the wrist as she brushes off her undershirt blouse softly. Her eyes trace up from her clothes and land on Seven.

... Alright.
I understand half of the equation. But you're going too having to give me the other half. You've known me a long time Seven... and granted, what Katja said was true, the majority of that time either of us were usually with other people. But..
-You've known me for years-
That has significance. -Usually- people who know me for long periods of time either hate me, despise me, wish for me not to be alive anymore -- Or want to fuck me because of who I am. Now you're telling me you have romantic... you know, the things that usually lead to either 'happy happy happily ever after' or absolute-I'm-going-to-kill-you-bitch-where's-my-half-of-the-stuff kind of feelings, for me?..

....

.. Did you get hit a little too hard by Katana? It's me. I'm Lilith. Lilith Creighton. I'm a Woman-Eater. Sure people can call it whatever they want, and as much as I H-A-T-E Amber right now, her crack of '78 Million Ex's' was -kind- of funny looking back on it now. You saw how I looked at Asuka, you know cause it very well seems to be how you look at me.

Why would you care for someone like that Seven?

[Tha Nightmare 187]

Murda: "I'm going to take a cue from the little French Maid and leave you two alone to sort this out."

He turned to look back at Lilith, his dark shadow gone from the couch, leaving the two of them alone in the room. It didn't turn out to be as bad as he had expected. She didn't understand the reason, but it also didn't seem like she was totally turned off by the whole situation. That had to count for something, right? He began to nod slowly. She was correct. Someone who was on the outside looking in would wonder where the rest of the screws in his head have gone. Lilith had a reputation. It wasn't the greatest reputation, but she had one nonetheless. She had a history. What on Earth would possess someone to actually seek out a person like her? Fortunately, he was not just some random Joe Schmo who saw Lilith one day and fell head over heels for her. No. This was someone who knew Lilith more than what people saw on the TV screen. He was a friend. 'Family.' He answered Lilith's question...

"Why not? I'm not saying everything would be sunshine and roses from here on out. You've known me for years too. I've never professed to be a saint. I've hurt people in the past. Badly. I've done some less than admirable things in my 29 years living on the planet Earth. I've done some things that I wouldn't say I wasn't proud of, but I also wouldn't say that I'm clean of the blood all over my slate."

He lifted his glass of Vodka to his lips and finished it. Then he leaned forward and set the glass down on the table in front of them. Leaning back on the couch, he looked back at Lilith and continued...

"I suppose most people would look at you and see some kind of mean, evil, heartless bitch. You know what I see? I could be wrong, but here's what I gather from observation. There's got to be a reason for all the predatorial hunting. I would find it hard to believe that it was all just for shits and giggles. I would assume it would be for the thrill, but why need that thrill? What causes one to seek out that thrill? It leads me to believe that you might be trying to fill a void in your life. You might not know what it is that you want, but you'll damn sure continue hunting until you find out what that something. Now, again, I could be wrong. I could be overanalyzing or I could just be talking about something I know nothing about. I've known you for years, but there does seem to be a pattern."

He turned his body to face Lilith. He didn't know if he was close or not with these thoughts. He didn't exactly know how her private life was. He didn't think anyone in the 'Family,' knew what each other's private life was like. Wouldn't you think the 'King' would have made mention as to why 187 would drink so much his feet could barely support his body on the walk home? It was one of those things he kept to himself. It was one of those things that made him more of a 'Lone Wolf' of the 'Family.' He decided to bare it all. Tear down his protective walls brick by brick.

"I see someone who is damaged. Not in a bad way. I see someone who needs another to be there for them. I see someone who needs another who understands what it's like to hurt. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why I feel this attraction... I know you've had it rough. You know very well that I'm in a similar boat. I go on my predatorial hunts because I feel like if I'm destroying something... Maybe it'll ease the pain. Maybe if I crush my foes beneath my boot heel... It'll stop. Maybe if I come to find my own self destruction... It'll stop. It doesn't. It just gets worse. I look at you and I see someone who is just as damaged as I am. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I got it all wrong. But I feel right about this. Maybe I should have mentioned it years ago. Maybe I should have said something before all the turmoil and madness and just everything that has happened. But I guess I'm trying to make up for lost time. I don't know if you feel the same, but there it is. That's the honest and sincere truth. This ain't no Infamous 187 banter or anything like that. This is the real Adrian Taylor talking to you and putting it all out there on the table."

He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Lilith. This would probably be the most honest he has ever been with another human being. It would probably be unexpected. Most think of the name Tha Infamous 187 and think of the ultra violent foul mouthed psychopath going to war with his enemies. Underneath that hardened and cold exterior, there was pain and anguish and that sad little eighteen year old Adrian Taylor sitting in his bullet riddled living room, clutching the lifeless body of his younger brother, and wishing that God would have taken him instead. This was the cold, hard truth.

[Lilith]

A void... that's cute.

Lilith gets up off of the sofa. She walks across the ben and opens a cabinet on the far side of it, she pulls out a large Carmel colored looking 'book' of sorts. Only, it isn't a book. Did you not just get the air quotes? ' ' ? She unwraps the colored cloth to reveal framed pictures. She tosses them across the room, letting them land in disarray on the sofa she was previously on. Old frames, but still sturdy. The pictures were older. And a clear symbol of what they contained;

-- Those are pictures of me and Starry.

Lilith kneels down, reaching further into the cabinet in deeper sources of storage space. She was making a point. She knew her reputation, and honestly? Part of it was true. The rest of it? It served as a good deterrent for situations just like this. She didn't hate Seven. If she hated him, she'd of fucking immobilized him when he forced his kiss onto her at Fort Bragg. But things had to be seen. Information had to be sorted. And Seven had to realize things he may not be aware of. Lilith continues her rummaging, she pulls some more frames, newer in age but still at least a couple years old. She tosses them into the seat Katja had been residing before she left. Her voice peeking out from the cabinet.

Those are pictures of me and Sylas -- Before I found out Hunter had kids with him.
.. Why that was such a 'fun' event...

Lilith stands upright. Stretching slowly before she holds up her finger slowly. Indicating 'one moment'. She passes by Seven in his seat and makes her way into the hallway, heading for her room with haste she's stopped momentarily.

Do you think this is wise? Showing someone mementos of former lovers, when the person cares for you... isn't that a bit cruel?

No, it's not a 'bit' cruel. It's out and out sadistic. Then why do this? You don't hate Mr. Taylor-- No. But he needs to be aware of things.

[/color] Like what? I do not know the man nor what your response to this might be, but even I find this unnecessary- - He needs to realize;
?

That I didn't forget them.

......

Katja closes her mouth quickly. She nods her head once before opening her bedroom door and disappearing behind it. She understood what Lilith meant from that solitary sentence. From the dossier sent by her Step - Father, Katja had discerned the kind of person Lilith was. Or at least, the kind people believed her to be. From the looks of it, her employer was trying to prove a shift in that to Mr. Taylor. Katja plops down on her bed with a sigh as she hears Lilith continue her walk in the hallway.

... I have a bad feeling about this.

Lilith pulls open the bedside table next to her bed. She lifts up three objects of grave, grave importance. Staring at them for a moment before closing her eyes, she exits her room and makes her way back out into the den with said objects in hand. She carefully, carefully. Places one frame upright, folding out it's little stand to prop it up on the table in front of Seven.

-- .. That's me and Alexis. You may not be as aware of who she is given the name alone... you'd know her better as 'Anjyl'. She was the 'Icon' of VWE in Ohio for it's... ungodly reign.

Lilith then slowly pulls a key from her collection. An ornate, antique looking key. One you wouldn't find on a normal kind of key chain anymore. She stares at it for a moment before setting it down in front of the picture of herself and the 'Icon'.

That's her apartment key.

-- And this... well.. this -everybody- recognizes...

Lilith slowly sets a long necklace down on the table. A single solitary ring encircles the leather cord. Beautiful and bright, brilliant and... a source of great, unequaled sadness. Lilith sits down in the sofa, collecting up the pictures of her and Starry as to not accidentally crush them. She leans her head back with closed eyes.

.. And that's the ring Jonny gave to me when he proposed....

... I never forget 'them', Seven. Anyone I've 'preyed' on, anyone I've 'conquered'. I remember them all. And the ones I have actually -relationships- with? I have mementos of. Not a very extensive list is it?..

Jonny.. Starry... Sylas.. Alexis... ah..
... And I'm sure you remember Elijah...

Five people Seven. I'm twenty nine years old... I've had five, legitimate and deep romantic relationships. I remember them all, I remember how they started, I remember how long they lasted...
-- And I remember how they ended....

Lilith takes in a long deep breath before tilting her head to the side, in the direction away from Seven. She breathes in and out slowly, her chest almost heaving with each gasp. She mumbles out under baited breath.

... And I'm one of the main factors each one ended Seven.... I show up, I have a large impact in a company? And it will fall. I love someone... legitimately... and truly, love someone....
.. And they will too...

... I -AM-... 'The Kiss of Death'.... just..

Lilith raises her hands, slowly trying to 'push' the air between her and Seven. Weak willed and completely utterly useless motion. But she tries and tries. Finally slumping forward, her eyes scan against all of the items layed out in the room enclosing her and Seven. She closes her eyes, forcing them shut, squeezing them tightly. She grinds her fingernails against each other before mumbling out softly.

... Please.. leave. I need to be alone right now.... -- I can't give you an answer right now..
.. I'm not sure I can ever give you an answer Seven. I will not apologize, and I will not lie about it either. So I say to you honestly... I don't hate you. But that is all I can give you right now... so please...

.....

Leave.

Lilith's eyes do not open. The tighten up further and further. She was in pain. All kinds of it. Emotional, physical, everything. She squints her eyes harder and harder before resting her face in her palms in emotional defeat.[/center][/font]

[Tha Nightmare 187]

His gaze fell upon the mementos that Lilith had laid out before him. All people that he was quite familiar with. He was there during most of these relationships. Signs of happier times in the life of Lilith Creighton. However, this was also further proving his point with her needing to fill a void in her life. Why else would she keep the mementos? To remember them by? Sure. To not forget a time when she felt happy? Probably. But it is things like this that continued to feed into that pain she clung onto so dearly. It was practically throwing salt in a wound to look up these items. And now he was being asked to leave this suite. Again, he had never professed to be all knowing when it came to situations like this. But his train of thought was interrupted by...

Murda: "Alright. I couldn't resist coming back here. Wandering around this suite gets kind of dull and boring when there's no one to entertain me."

...His dark shadow said, reappearing among the scene at probably the most inopportune time. And he thought he could have been rid of him for the evening, but that was just wishful thinking. On the other hand, he didn't exactly know what to do right this very moment. She wanted him to leave, but he wasn't sure if he should. This was another example of Lilith building up her walls. Making an ice shelter around her and refusing to be vulnerable. She couldn't be seen like this. This is why she wanted him to leave. She was in pain. She was grieving. But this seemed like a time that she would need him now more than ever. If there is one thing that he knew about the female population of this planet, it was that they were a confusing bunch. Sometimes they tell you to do something and they want you to do the complete opposite. Sometimes they say they don't want something and get mad at you for not presenting that something when they expected you to. This seemed like one of those times. If he did get up and leave right now... Two thoughts run through his head. One, he leaves and Lilith holds him in a negative light because he just up and left her while she was in pain. Or two, he stays and tries to console her because that's what friends do. Not just friends. That's what 'Family' would do. His dark shadow chimed in once again...

Murda: "Come on now. What're you waiting for? You know what you need to do, so just do it already. Gah... It's like one of those damn soap operas. This is why I wish real life had TiVo."

His instincts told him this was his opportunity to prove that this is real. His instincts told him this was a situation where he should stay. What kind of friend would he be if he left her here? Sometimes the toughest thing to do is to allow someone inside and accept their help. It was time that he made his next move. He had decided. He was not going to leave. It was time to make a move. For better or for worse. If he is to lose his hand for what he is about to do, so be it. He leaned forward and slowly extended his hand out to Lilith. Then he placed it down on her thigh and said...

"No. I don't think I will leave, Lil'. I will tell you why. This? This here? This thing that you're doing to yourself? This is what I'm talking about. That pain you hide deep down in the pit of your soul where no one can find it... It sits there. It becomes infected. It infects you. It festers inside like a disease. Eating away at you. Yeah. You crack a smirk. You pretend people are crazy when they say they notice somethings wrong. Or maybe they don't notice at all. Maybe the mask you've built for yourself works great. No one knows. No one has to know. You keep your emotions snug in that little bottle of yours. Breathe in. Breathe out. Put the mask on and go to work. No one will ever know the difference."

He slowly begins to nod his head. He's speaking from experience. You think there weren't times where he wanted to be alone? Let's take the year 2010 for example where he literally turned into a hermit and disappeared from the public eye. It's been like this for years. He'd retreat back to whatever hole he was currently calling his place of residence and sit in solitude. Even in the 'Family's' glory days, this became a common practice for him. To maintain his own personal sanity and to fine tune the mask he had to put up when he was among the 'Family.' He continued...

"I'm just saying... You don't have to pretend with me. You don't have to hide behind the safety and comfort of your own solitary confinement. I understand you're Lilith Creighton. The One and Only. You think I don't know that? You think it bothers me that you have a history behind you? No. I don't. If you dwell too much on the past... There can never be a future. Is that what you want? I have a feeling you've spent a lot of cold and lonely nights in solitude. I've reached my hand out through the fire and smoke... All I ask if that you trust me enough to take it."

[Lilith]

I think that's far enough for tonight.

Lilith's already damaged mental state and emotional turmoil turns her head to the hallway slowly.

Katja walks out into the den without a care, a heavy sigh escapes her as she heads into the kitchen -- Totally disrupting the entire situation and unbridled heavy atmosphere. She opens the cooler, grabbing the Russian Water once more and pouring herself a third glass. She doesn't peek her head out, but begins speaking anyway.

That was quite impressive. And if it were directed towards anyone else, I'd clap and nominate you for an Oscar. But the problem is, it's directed towards my employer...

Katja places the bottle back into the cooler, she heads out into the den-

Katja! I am seriously begging you to get the hell out of here! This is NOT your busine- It -IS- my business. It is things like this VERY situation that my Step - Father had trained me to be his replacement for. As a personal assistant I am to attend to your health, regardless of the form, but more importantly... on a personal level..
If you get much worse than you are now..

Katja stands next to the sofa Lilith was sitting on, across the room a ways from Mr. Taylor. Her eyes can the various items her employer had taken out. She knew this was a bad idea. A soft shake of her head as she takes a sip from her drink before clearing her throat loudly.

-- It will directly effect your work relationship with me, and everyone on the roster. And frankly, your work relationship with everybody on the roster is already strained. As far as I can count, you already have sour situations regarding yourself and;

Manami Kuroguchi;

Jamie Fury;

Justice Asuka;

Kenjiha Katana; -- And that, is in no small part because of you, Mr. Taylor...

Katja's eyes shoot to the man across the room with haste.

Wait a second! You can't -BLAME- Seven for my own involvement in his situations. He didn't FORCE me to deal with Katana, I MET the little bastard before I even found out Seven was in XWA! This is true, but you're involvement would have ended at mere annoyance from afar had it not been for the information of Mr. Taylor's emotional stake in Mr. Katana.

And lest we forget you're absolutely dire state of involvement regarding Hayley Jonas and Amber Gianni.

The season is no where near starting, and you've managed to pick up a slew of enemies already. I would rather not take chances and see how many more you can get if you have a mental break down because of this-

KATJA!

....

Lilith yells out in anger. She didn't want to admit it, but at least SOME of what her assistant was saying was indeed true. But at this point, she really just couldn't take anymore. She understood what Seven was trying to say, trying to do. She too understood what Katja was trying to say and do. But this was too fucking much. Lilith was legitimately at a breaking point. And she'd rather not cry in front of an assistant who barely had any respect for her, and a member of the infamous 'Family' who had just dropped an emotional Atomic Bomb on her. Lilith gets up out of the sofa and paces back and forth for a moment before heading to the door. She opens it with haste and hangs her head briefly before snapping her gaze up at BOTH Seven AND Katja.

Out. Now.

.. Wait you can't possibl-

I SAID, LEAVE!
.. I get it Seven, I get it. And Katja yes I'm not exactly miss popularity right now in XWA, and frankly that's fine with me... but right now... BOTH of you are causing more stress than I can handle --

Lilith! I am trying to help here, Mr. Taylor is the one who-

BOTH OF YOU... are causing stress right now, that I -don't- need. I lost to Marisol, and Asuka managed to bring me to my knees with little more than her -own-. I lost my incursion with Jonas, and even AFTER getting a small small smallllll sliver of revenge against Amber after she told me she tainted Alexis before I ever got to her...

Blackheart, managed to find a way to humiliate me in her office..
What? What happe-

THAT... doesn't, matter... just... Katja, you're my assistant. And let's be honest, you've been little more than a bitch to me the entire run so far. Seven, you say you care for me. That's sweet and romantic and all that...
But right now?.. I need both of you to... 'prove' it to me.

-- By leaving for now. I need to relax. I need to think everything over. I need to not have to think at all right now. Please... just... let me try and compute everything that's happened over the last 48 hours..

... Lilith..

Katja bites her tongue momentarily. She'd seen this in the dossier on her employer also. There was indeed a 'limit' to what Lilith could stand. The prolonged exposure to mental and emotional damage in the past had stockpiled itself up and up and up. And had cracked her in small bits over and over and over. She sets her glass down slowly, smoothing her dress out before heading over to the door. She passes through the doorway slowly, stopping outside of it and glaring back at Mr. Taylor on the inside.

.. Lilith, are you sure about this.

... Yes. I need the suite to myself....

[Tha Nightmare 187]

"Alright."

...He said, nodding his head head. It seemed like she was for real this time. He had come here hoping to make amends for what happened at Fort Bragg, but it seemed like he only made things worse. He pushed himself up off of the sofa and stood there for a brief moment. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. It's been a heavy situation. He looked over at where Lilith was standing and continued...

"Alright. I'll leave."

Murda: "That it?"

For a brief moment, his eyes shifted to his dark shadow. Just the look alone let him know that they've done enough for one day. He didn't want to dig the hole any deeper than it has already become. And he didn't need his dark shadow making the situation any worse than it already was. Then his gaze returned back to Lilith and he said...

"For what it's worth... I never meant any harm. But... Yeah. I'll take my leave."

He began to slowly head for the door. Thinking he really shouldn't say much more. He looked out the doorway at Katja. Yep. She was giving him the evil eye. Don't know what the Hell her deal is. He was just trying to help and she was saying he was the issue? Guess you can't win everyone over. He stopped at the doorway and looked back over at Lilith. He said...

"If you need to talk or get a hold of me... You know where to find me."

With that said, he walked out of the suite and into the hallway. He passed by Katja and gave her a quick glance before continuing. He figured he shouldn't try to talk to her. It seemed she already had a low opinion of him, so there was no point in trying to have Lilith's personal assistant put in a good word for him. He was going to have to wait for now. He would have to be patient and wait to see what Lilith does. His dark shadow following closely in tow.

Murda: "You cool? You want to go out and get a drink?"

He wasn't sure getting a drink was going to be the best thing to do right now. He starts throwing back more alcohol into his system, his dark shadow being stuck to him by the hip, and the off chance that some loud mouth is going to say something that'll set him off. No. He thinks a bar brawl would not really do anything to help him out now. He'll just have to find another way to occupy his time while Lilith does what she has to do.

[Lilith]

... I have to admit, though I was against his presence that was somewhat cold- Leave, Katja.

What? You can't be serious. I thought all of that was just to get rid of Taylor- No. I was serious. Neither of you are helping at the moment. I will sort of the situation with Seven, alone. You did nothing but act as an antagonizing agent the entire time he was here. But he was making it worse!

Lilith snaps her gaze towards her assistant, sharp as a dagger.

SO WERE YOU!

Lilith slams the door to her suite shut, locking out her assistant from within. She slowly slumps down the door with a heavy sigh. She hangs her head down low and firmly grasps her temples with her palms. It hurt. It hurt. She didn't know exactly what it was, but it was all in pain. She got the emotional part, and that leading to physical exhaustion and pain. But there was something else that just... hurt.

Humans have limitations.

Lilith lifts her head quickly. Ah... yes. She'd tried her best to forget that Doc was still in the suite. She should have tossed his ass out with Katja.. Lilith gets up from her seated position on the ground as Doc hops his way into the living room. She passes by him and heads into the kitchen, trying to ignor-

You can't ignore me, you know that.

..... Damn

.. Yes. But you can't blame a girl for trying.... Look.. I am reaallllllly at the end of my rope Doc. If it wasn't for the fact that I adore my body, I'd probably be somewhat suicidal at the moment. So if you have something to say please...
Don't.

Just shut up and leave me alone.

Lilith says emphatically as she pours herself another tall draft glass of the Vodka Seven had brought. She sighs heavily, tossing her hair back as she peeks her head out. Her gaze falls on the items she herself had taken out. It was kind of a bit much... but a point had to be made-

I can tell you why you're in pain.

... ! ..
.. What did you say?

I know, why you're in pain. It is a very easy answer, you yourself know it you just refuse to acknowledge it's possibility to exist.

....

Lilith clenches her jaw as she exits the kitchen, she's just about to break out from the den into the hallway when the odd black & white rabbit speaks up once more.

Humans, have limitations, Lilith.

.......

She grinds her teeth before making her way through the hallway. She knew what he was saying. And it infuriated her to NO end. The entire situation, the entire two years before coming back to New York. ALL OF IT had been centered around the very core. The very essence of the entire Goddamn problem. She enters her bedroom, slamming the door shut before placing her glass down on the bedside table. She flops onto her bed and buries her face in her pillow. Allowing a long, hard, and very much needed.... scream, to be funneled and muffled into the fabric before her. She breathes in and out a couple times, lifting her face from the soft fluffy pillow as she stares at her right arm. Her eyes close slowly as she bites down on her bottom lip, and shakes her head in anger.

... But -I- never used to have those limitations...

She grabs her right arm firmly, covering the Seal upon the upper part of it. She huddles down in her bed, curling up slowly as she blankly stares out the window across her room. Everything went to hell. And now everything's getting worse. It indeed did seem that without the Lilium Strain Virus... every single part of Lilith was weakened. She had assumed it would only effect her -physically-...
But no... it seemed this had a large effect on her emotional and mental status as well. She lets out an angry sigh before slowly closing her eyes.

.... God..

....
.... I hate you so.. very ... much.

~Checkmate~

Emotional Turmoil x 3!
Lilith on the ropes of her own mental compass!
A sudden confession by 'Family'! How will it end?
The Chibi Russian ejected for the time being! Will she stir up shenanigans?!

Find out next time on;

Three's Company - But Foursomes Are Extra