Showing my hand (Elsa)

[Ellen Banks]

Honestly it was a sad state of affairs when one of the head mistresses of the school insisted on behaviour like a petty child but then again it was something she had grown to expect from Elsa.

Ellen made it a point to know everything that happened in the school information was power after all or so she it was in her experience, and she had her secret few of informants dotted around the school to let her know about any juicy parts of gossip that would be of interest to her (Of course most of them didn’t have a clue that they were in fact informants for Ellen. One of the many perks of being a hypnotist) So it wasn’t hard to discover the little group Elsa was planning

…Almost too easy.

First off it was more then apparent who was behind this group? Secrets and deception was practically Elsa Bellefonte’s calling card, Erika was too impulsive to keep such a secret, and another thing, Elsa Bellefonte had been dealing with Ellen Banks for years. She knew exactly what kind of reaction Ellen would have to knowing something was kept from her. If she really wanted to keep her little group a secret from Ellen she could have put forth a better attempt then this. It wasn’t hard to figure out what was going on. Elsa knew that Ellen would like nothing more then be in that inner circle, to be one of the chosen few in the know. And of course Elsa knew that Ellen would be a prime candidate for such a council, there was no question in Ellen’s mind that Elsa would want her to be involved in that.

She wanted the pleasure of Ellen putting aside her pride and asking Elsa to consider her.

Well, if she needed to do so, she wanted to get it over with, with a sigh she quickly walked over to Elsa’s office and knocked on her door

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa happened to be flipping through a list of demands from the Director of the Indian school with the overcomplicated name. it appeared as though this "Priya Kaur" needed a suite and wouldn't be satisfied without one. Great, because Elsa really needed to deal with yet another entitled rich person.

Speaking of: Elsa quickly skimmed the mind of whoever stood outside her door, soon smiling. Ellen must've finally put two and two together. Or, in this case, four and four. Elsa actually looked up from the paperwork, folded her hands over her desk, and called out a "You can come in, Ellen," to the other girl, both allowing her entrance (though Elsa was surprised that Ellen just waltzed in) and letting the other girl know that Elsa knew why she was here.

Probably frustrated too, though Elsa didn't immediately know that: she was a mind-reader, not an empath. She did smile at Ellen. "So, what brings the indomitable Miss Banks to the Headmistresses' office today?"

[Ellen Banks]

God, she was going to draw this out for Ellen wasn’t she? Elsa knew that Ellen rather eat her own foot them to ask Erika or Elsa Bellefonte of anything. Of course if the roles were somehow reversed Ellen wouldn’t exactly make things quite and painless for Elsa, she couldn’t lie to herself and say that she would be any less petty in dealing with this situation.

So Ellen skulked into the room, given the ever present scarf around her neck to make sure it was tight before folding her arms in front of her chest watching Elsa sit at the desk, couldn’t help but notice that she looked almost comfortable behind that desk, The role of headmistress seemed to suit her to a tee, Certainly she was still adjusting to the role but from what she had heard she was handling the job like she had been doing so for years.

…Wouldn’t Grandfather be so proud…

“…Tell me why do you insist on playing these games?” Ellen began softly shaking her head a little “…I never understood why you insist on asking people, why they come to you when you know exactly the answer? Have you just fallen into a routine of fundamental small talk or do you just enjoy wasting other peoples time?” Ellen said making sure to put up the old familiar mental defenses blocking off Elsa’s power. The last thing she wanted was Elsa probing Ellen’s brain

She looked at her for a moment before sighing “Well, if you insist on playing these games, I’ll indulge you: This group you’ve started- Ellen let that dance in the air a letting her know, that yes she did indeed know about it…Not that it would be particularly shocking to Elsa “If you wanted me to be involved all you had to do was ask. You shouldn’t play hard to get”

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"I only insist on playing games if there's a decent player to play against," said Elsa, frowning slightly. She didn't like thinking of all her work as a "game" though she could certainly understand Ellen's frustrations. She had, after all, practically bullied Ellen into coming here, and the Banks girl had never been one to enjoy having the power shifted. However, Elsa couldn't help but feel slightly indebted to the other girl. Plus, last time they'd had an indepth conversation and Ellen hadn't been dying, Ellen had been the one holding more cards.

"I'm also a master of small talk, actually,' said Elsa archly. "It's a skill you pick up when you attempt to be social with--" she stopped at the sigh and the continuation, waiting for Ellen to get that out. Elsa raised her brows for a moment.

"Well, seeing as that group is technically secret, you only really know because I let you," she replied, nodding. "And I'm quite sorry that I didn't think of contacting you. Are you certain you want to join? I might be able to find a spot..." in the chair that had Reserved for Ellen Banks labeled on it, but Elsa had to make sure that Ellen understood the larger movements here.

[Ellen Banks]

It occurred to Ellen that this was the first time, she had an extended conversation with Elsa Bellefonte ever since the events of the shooting, was Elsa there when Ellen was shot? She couldn’t be sure, the events of the day were a blur between getting shot and waking up a few days later in the hospital, she had a vague memory of more then one person standing over him while she convulsed in pain before she was sedated but she couldn’t be sure, what a different a few months made. She would never guess that Elsa would be in the position that she was at the start of the year, She can only hope that, things won’t be as chaotic this year.

No, Ellen was in no mood whatsoever to indulge Elsa and her teasing. She had rubbed Ellen the wrong way nicely with the way in which she had handled her “Recruitment” (Or lack there of) Of Ellen to her council. But that was the point she assumed, Elsa did enjoy teasing her, she had ever since they were children and this was just another example of that.

“Oh, I agree” Ellen nodded once making a gesture with her hand in Elsa’s general direction “Meaning you had a reason to let me know” Ellen let out a little laugh before continuing “Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not that I want to join, its that you need me to be apart of this, because you know, you need someone that thinks just like you and is capable to do what’s needed. Erika? She’s too stubborn for her own good. Trevor Paige? We all know he only looks out for number one Vera? Can’t separate heart from head at the best at times. Honestly if I didn’t come along you would be in trouble

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"You don't think I'm capable of doing what needs doing? Odd," said Elsa, tilting her head and smiling tight, "I seem to be the one building a clandestine group of individuals that involve people who have connections to known enemies of the school, ranging from SPECTRE to a mutant mercenary group. Oh, and you forgot Liz, Beau, Franck and Roxana, if we're going to be going through all the people involved."

Elsa paused, locking eyes again with Ellen. They both knew that each was effectively immune to the other's mutant abilities, and they both knew that the other represented one of the few at the school who matched them mentally and socially. They even both had about equal amounts of information on one another.

"But let's not be stupid: I do need you to help. Naturally I reserved a spot for you and intended that you come to me and ask. You should also know that about half of the group has asked me for permission to punch you," she ended that by smiling tightly and raising her brows, clearly amused and figuring that Ellen would be feeling very much the same way.

[Humphries]

Humphries purred, thrilled with the fact that he'd managed to catch some students in the act of committing some truly heinous rule breaking. Add in that he'd so recently hacked into Jack McCarthy's phone, and the cat was practically skipping along the hall. He'd just come short of the Headmistress's office, having already worked to wear Miss Elsa Bellefonte down considerably thanks to key information in the past.

Just as he was about to paw the door, however, Humphries stopped. His ears twitched as if rotating to match what he'd heard, and he crouched down, shifting his head to better listen. Was that... Ellen Banks? Speaking willingly with the Headmistress? Or unwillingly, potentially. Either way, that was worth noting simply on its own: they were two of the most powerful women at the Academy after all.

So what were they discussing? Something about a group of students? Some kind of club? Wait, was that... Trevor Paige? Liz? Beau? Wait, had Elsa said something about a clandestine group?

Humphries had to fight to keep his purr down. He certainly didn't want to give away his position now, of all times.

[Ellen Banks]

She was enjoying herself now. Ellen can tell Elsa was having the time of her life sitting behind the desk knowing full well the power that position of headmistress gave her. Ellen was honestly surprised that she hasn’t threatened expulsion yet “Say sorry or I’ll kick you out of the school” Or something in that vane. Really flaunt that power in Ellen’s face. How often has Ellen had seen that face on Elsa’s face when they were growing up together? How often was that thin smile and that little twinkle in her eye preceded by Elsa taking a quick look through her inner most thoughts. They both knew Elsa thoroughly enjoyed messing with Ellen as often as she possibly could.She did then and she did now.

Not that Ellen was taking the moral high ground she took every chance she could to mess with Elsa it was an eternal game of one-upmenship between the two that was quite probable never ending.

“You really think I would think so low of you?” Ellen said legitimately irked at Elsas words “I’m saying you’re the only one who knows what’s need to done in desperate situation and actually has the gail to pull it off, really the others would just hold you back, you’ll be carrying the group. That’s why you need me to lessen the load.”

Ellen had time to utter a sharp little laugh at Elsa’s words that most of the group wanted to punch her up the face, oh didn’t Ellen just know it. After all she was never the most popular person in the school due to her actions after the last few years or so. Most likely Ellen had crossed each and everyone of them at one stage. “I haven’t exactly endeared myself to them have I?” Ellen said idly running his hands through her hair “If I was afraid of people trying to get their “Payback” after what I did to them, I would have left the school a long time ago.Karma hasn’t gotten to me yet” Ellen said but as she spoke her mind for what must have been the 100th time drifted to what lay behind the scarf around her neck, touching it idly if that wasn’t Karma what was? “Besides with Roxanna there, nothing will happen to me” Ellen confidently started tilting her head “I would assume that you know about her. I would imagine your family is of great interest to her” if Roxanna had reached out to Ellen, then there was no doubt she was protecting the most powerful family in the area

“I assume you know bringing me into the fold isn’t going to win you any friends. I would so hate to bring up and divide the happy little family you guys are”

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa was tempted to respond with the question about how low Ellen would think of her with a simple "yes," but she refrained from doing so, if barely. She accepted the compliment with some grace, nodding slightly, showing that she fully understood what Ellen was saying or, at least, what Ellen was trying to say. She also happened to agree that Ellen would very much help reduce the load. So nods all around.

"No, you haven't," replied Elsa, adding a sly little smile. It did surprise her, if slightly. to hear that Roxana was purposefully watching out of Ellen and that Ellen knew about it. Perhaps Roxana wasn't nearly as good at the whole stealth thing as Elsa had expected. After all, she'd only found out after ransacking the woman's mind. Then again, Ellen could have done essentially the same thing.

"There were certainly difficulties," said Elsa, nodding. "Vera nearly said no the moment I hinted that you'd be involved, and I don't know how thrilled Erika is either. I frankly don't care: I'm not attempting to build a friendship circle here. We need to be better prepared for what's coming," she looked into Ellen's eyes again, and again, she remembered the danger of doing so. "The best way for us to do so is with your help. You've still quite a bit of power and influence after all. Even if," Elsa smirked, and raised her brows, "I have usurped your throne as head bitch of Bellefonte," which actually didn't please Elsa overmuch. She never wanted to be in the spotlight, or so she kept telling herself. Yet she found herself there more and more... and thriving when she was.

[Ellen Banks]

This why way, Ellen felt that her relationship with Elsa was so stable (Most of the time) There was no illusions or attempts to pull the wool over the other ones eyes. After all what was the point? Each potential lie was bond to instantly get exposed, due to the others power. So there was no bad blood between them, consider they were both as brutally honest as the other and they both knew that they didn’t take whatever was said to heart. They were far above insulting the other after all.

“I’m mpt surprised in the least” Ellen said admitting that, the news that there was such a violent reaction to the possibility that she might have a say it such important matters “Trust me, Vera is so quick to anger don’t you think. It was almost too easy to pull those strings. It’s her own fault for being so tightly wound up. As for Erika-“ Ellen allowed herself a small bitter little smirk “Well, I hardly need to tell you, how little she trusts me. I would imagine every opinion I put forward she would instantly shoot down, not trusting my motives” Ellen mealy nodded at Elsa serious words regarding protecting the school, she didn’t need to impress the importance of such things on Ellen. Spectre was only the beginning, only a fool would think otherwise and they needed to be ready for when the storm came and Ellen had no doubt that it would. Even though she guessed that others might question her and the way she conducted business, one fact she held above all else: This was her home. Bellefonte was the halls she walked through and foes would have to walk over her dead body before she let it fall.

She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Elsa’s words that she had somehow taken up her roll. “Well, you’ll get no argument from me. you're welcome to it. Nothing that the student body hates and fears more then a ruthless headmistress with a chip on her shoulder, add to the equation how young you are and of course your last name and you’ll be public enemy number one for the rest of your days. Even though-“ Ellen began before stopping abruptly her head falling forward momentarily blinking “One could make the argument, that I helped you out. Once they see me vulnerable I knew I would lose most of my power over them. Nothing says venerability more then death right?”

Ellen shifted uncomfortably for a moment side to side forcing herself to look Elsa in the eye (Which was quite rare she was quick to note Elsa knew better then most that looking Ellen in the eyes made it easy for her to use her power) “I never…I never thanked you and your family for what happened that night” Ellen said softly, it was clear she was uncomfortable. This wasn’t how she operated, especially not in front of Elsa but she felt that she needed to get it out one way or another as her hands absentmindedly “I don’t know if you were involved, I don’t remember a lot of what happened, besides a lot of pain and a lot of blood, but I assume you were with your grandfather that night. He didn’t have to do what he did, he could have lived on for a good number of years instead of reviving me, but I guess that was the kind of person he was. Like I said, I haven’t exactly endeared myself to your family so I can understand if bringing me back from death wasn’t for personal reasons. Lord knows what my father would have done if I was killed in school grounds. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I guess I’m in your families debt. I’m sure admitting that amuses you doesn’t it?”

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa's eyes narrowed dangerously as Ellen talked poorly about Vera. Strangely, the talk about her sister didn't seem to bother her. The animosity there ran deep, and Elsa knew all too well that Ellen had done far more to earn it then Erika. That was a scar though, and it never hurt to prod a scar. A tender spot though, one that kept bruising, that was something else entirely. Had Elsa not practiced at keeping herself in check, she might have said something. But not even Erika knew of Elsa's opinion toward Vera, her... feelings there.

Somehow though, Elsa couldn't believe that Ellen would just so tamely go along with Elsa taking her crown. Ellen loved crowns, after all. Yet Elsa didn't believe that what Ellen said quite had bite to it: It wasn't that she'd shown vulnerability, it was that said vulnerability had made Ellen skittish. Well, that and the constant presence of the living ray of sunshine known as Frank Cox.

Just as Elsa opened her mouth to say as much, Ellen spoke. Elsa listened, surprised to find their eyes meeting. So Ellen didn't know, or didn't remember. Elsa had been there, had helped get her grandfather to where he needed to be. It all passed in a blur. "It doesn't, actually," she said as Ellen ended, looking away for a moment. "I'd rather it not happened at all. For that matter, I'm not sure you can really say you're in our debt: it was our actions that pushed SPECTRE past the breaking point and put you in that situation," Elsa looked back at Ellen. "Though if you like, I'm more then willing to hold onto that favor you think you owe us," Elsa grinned, "since you know I'd just love to have a Banks owe me."

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen, knew Elsa long enough to know when she had hit a sore point. She had been trying to do exactly that since she was five years old so she knew what to look out for. Of course unlike all those times she wasn’t deliberately trying to pull Elsa’s strings like she had tried to do for so many years but it seems like she had stumbled on to it accidentally and she was quick to notice that her reaction was linked with Vera of all people. Why would that provoke such a reaction? After all she didn’t say anything Elsa didn’t know. Vera was infamous for her bad temper and she was tightly strung. She could practically still feel the bruises of her jaw after the time Vera was nice enough to punch her right in the face. Why on earth would she have that reation to that news?

Curious indeed…

Yes it was true, once apon a time Ellen would have fought tooth and nail disagreeing with Elsa about her position, her crown was the one true love in her life and woe be apon anyone who tried to take that from her. But this harked back to what Ellen thought to be a issue with joining up with this group. Elsa knew what she wanted, she wanted the Ellen Banks she knew for years. Ruthless as she was cunning…but now? She wasn’t sure if she was that person anymore. Things have seemed so different somehow. Like she had somehow did die in that training ground and now she was walking around as somekind of ghost. Everything was different about her, like she was a machine that was missing several vital pieces to help it work. Take now for instant. Elsa was maintaining eye contact with her, and Ellen could only assume she wasn’t reading Ellen’s mind. Only a few months ago she would have been tried to use her power on her. If she did it fast enough with enough mental force there was a chance she could overwhelm Elsa before she had a chance to put defences up…but now? Now that was the furthest thing from her mind. It was like she had lost the killer instinct that made Ellen what she was.

She knew exactly what Elsa wanted Ellen to be but she didn’t know if she could anymore….

“That’s a round about and flawed  way of thinking and you know it” Ellen sad crossing her arms “No one could have possibly predicted that they would open fire on a school full of children. There’s no one person to blame for what happened. Trust me I would have found it if there was” Ellen said “If you were there with your grandfather I should probably apology. The blood probably ruined your clothes” Ellen smirked trying to lighten the awkwardness she felt by trying to take back control of the conversation “ That’s all I remember really, a lot of blood and p-pain.!” Damn it she hated the fact that she stumbled over the word.” Once again Ellen blinked rapidly taking a calming breath “Oh, I bet you would” Ellen said smiling at Elsa’s matter of fact words “You’ve been waiting to have something over me for years I bet… I’m going to regret this aren’t I?”

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"That much is true, yet it was still our actions that caused SPECTRE to act. Had Erika not gotten kidnapped, had I not opted for a violent assault on their headquarters, then it wouldn't have happened. And yes," said Elsa, drawing back, "you did ruin a perfectly good set of clothes."

And Elsa's expression grew flat as she remembered all too well. What she hadn't told Ellen was that she'd kept those clothes, tucked them away in a drawer, more or less unwashed. The stains had been left on her, why shouldn't they be left on her clothing? She certainly had enough reminders of the incident around, including the girl who sat in front of her now.

She chuckled at the last comment, realizing that Ellen needed to joke about it nearly as much as she. "You most certainly are. Just as you're likely going to regret when you end up on the council and about half the group is telling you that you're a cruel bitch while the other half sits by and nods." Elsa raised her brows. "Just guess which half I'll be a part of?"

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen never thought it much use to dwell on “What ifs” and what could have been done. It only served to make a person more regretful about past mistakes, It was pointless really dwelling on such things. It was best to accept what had happened and try and move on….Of course the irony of words being that Ellen was still trying to come to grips with what had happened to her. She guessed there was a chance she would never truly comes to terms with it.

“If I leaned over and slapped you right in the face There’s very little I could do in the aftermath of that isn’t there? Sure I could apology with all my heart and soul for slapping you right in the face, but I can’t physically go back in time five minutes and stop myself from doing so. You can’t change the past, so it’s pointless thinking of “What ifs” Ellen nodded putting her hands behind her back and tilting her head somewhat. “If it’s any consolation I’m more then willing to buy you a new outfit… The least I could do really”

Yes she was well prepared for the backlash that pretty much every member of the council will have great pleasure in giving her, but she as hopeful that they would see that the suggestions she’ll give were nothing if not logical. She just hoped they would see it that way “You’ll be on the same side you’ve always been on in terms of me…Your own, your opinion is ever fluctuating ”

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa raised her brows as Ellen spoke about slapping. It did sound like something the Banks girl would be bold enough to do unprovoked, though Elsa generally needed to get at least a little further into the conversation before the subject of slapping arose. However, Ellen soon made it clear that she was making an analogy and essentially saying that things were done.

"Would you like me to buy you a scarf as a thank you?" asked Elsa tartly, smiling once again. she waved a hand and looked down at the work on her desk for a few moments.

"I know that you're useful, and you've an independent, sharp mind, one that also happens to be quite good at manipulating the pieces of the game to suit your own plan. So I'd rather have you on my side then against me." Elsa looked up at Ellen again, "and ideally standing beside me, with your arms where I can see them."