part two - NEGOCIATIONS

The room was large, if by no means the arena like dimensions of the notorious X-men training area called "the Danger Room." Though more modest in size, the room held far more critical things in common with the facility it was based upon. Shi'ar technology, the advanced science of an intergalactic empire that the X-men had several encounters with, had been provided to Charles Xavier, the one time consort to Empress Lilandra of the Shi'ar. That technology had allowed the X-men to create the most enviable of training environments, a small dominion of space where any customized setting from primeval jungle to science fiction spacescape could be reproduced with astounding realism. Solid light holographic projections that would put to shame a master illusionist could bring any fantasy to vibrant tactile life.

The X-men used their "Danger Room" to battle countless faux foes and face down epic, yet ultimately contrived peril and jeopardy. There they could battle fiercely against the very hosts of hell, yet remain secure from true harm by the installed safety protocols. The Hellfire Club's newest addition was meant for more intensely private and personal use, where the true threats in the heart of the fantasy would come the room's patrons, and not the room itself. One might think it's more cheerful and appealing appellation meant this smaller facility was for more kind and gentle purpose than it's X-men counterpart, but like all things Hellfire, what seems the most innocuous was often the most hazardous of all. No one was more keenly aware of this truth than the woman garbed in a familiar white costume as she paced the confines of the "Pleasure Room."

"How did I let myself be talked into this?" Emma's words were half mutter, half groan. Sage had been too clever by half at using long standing debts against the former White Queen, but it was that extra appeal to her covetous nature that had provided the final push. To be no longer owing, but owed by the black haired cyberpath had been a heady thought… before the full weight of what Tessa was asking her to endure had fully dawned on Emma. The costume had been the first indication of how far Tessa planned to take her machinations. The corset top of soft, supple leather was a white so pure it nearly glowed against Emma's own fair skin. Tessa had taken it upon herself to cinch tight the laces, making sure the corset's confining embrace would press Emma's captive flesh to the point of breathlessness, until the trembling swell of cupped breasts that were so aggressively thrust forward threatened to spill past the costume's confines.

The brief white triangle that was the bikini bottom covered her sex, and scarce anything else. Matching white thigh high boots actually covered more flesh the rest of her outfit combined. Sleek white leather that smoothed snug over long, sleek legs, and ended in wickedly high spiked heels. It was almost her old White Queen costume, sans the rich, fur trimmed cape, and without the opera gloves that she'd always felt added a touch of elegance to an otherwise blatantly erotic ensemble. The only touch of color to Emma's outfit was the red jewel set in the collar Tessa had added as a final touch. It's crystalline glow like a drop of living blood at her throat was more than decorative, the jewel and collar laid Emma far more bare than the scant leather costume. Again the telepath tried to scan for any thoughts other than her own. Again, the faint throb that using her power gave her was the only result. How it galled her that she'd allowed Tessa to collar her with an inhibitor device. How had she let herself be manipulated so? The argument over the details of their agreement had twisted in and out like a snake, and somehow she'd let her challenged pride overcome her common sense… worse, her keenly honed sense of self preservation. She should walked out the moment Tessa had made this part of the scenario. But she hadn't… Emma's fists clenched, the manicured tips of her nails biting into her palms. Why hadn't she just walked away? Even though Tessa had coded the device to deactivate if Emma spoke her safe word, the feeling of utter vulnerability of being even temporarily shriven of her mutant powers made her shiver. Ah… now she remembered…

"I know you Emma, once Storm begins to get rough with you, your instinctive reaction to use your power will kick in." Tessa's calm and reasonable tone had made Emma want to grit her teeth. Did the cyberpath not realize just how outrageous her statement was? "And let's face it, with your tempestuous nature, keeping control of your primal responses has never been your strongest suit. You'd either be in diamond form before you'd even realize it, or worse, trying to dominate her mind. Wear the collar. It will curb your abilities just enough that you won't be using them out of sheer reflex."

"You are mad, Tessa. You can't expect me to put myself at Storm's mercy without my powers!" Emma's ice blue eyes burned, "That woman hates me with the very core of her being. I could be ash and cinders from a lightening strike before the session even begins."

"You forget how well I can read you Emma, you don't really believe she'd do true harm to someone unable to defend herself." Tessa's slight smile mocked the blonde woman's passionate protests, "Why don't you admit the real reason you are afraid to face Storm without your diamond or psychic armor?"

"Please! As if I'm afraid of that white haired weather witch! Even if she doesn't take advantage of having me in a state of weakness, self righteous prig that she is…, " Emma's voice trailed off into a soft growl. Then, with a sigh of exasperation, she let the smooth fall of her blonde hair slide back over her shoulders as she raised her chin with an imperious arrogance, "Tessa , it's simply just a waste of our time to spend a session together, especially here of all places. She'll no doubt waste it all preaching at me about morals and ethics and how I lack either. Why should I allow you to deprive me of my powers just so she can lecture me to death?"

"If all you fear is being lectured, what will it matter if you use the collar? It's merely a precaution, since your safe word will disable the collar if there is a true, real need arises. Unless…" Tessa's voice warmed with a delicate derision, "You so totally lack self control you can't even get through a harsh lecture without using your safe word. My, how the once might White Queen has fallen."

Emma's glare could have peeled paint. "The day I need to use my safe word with the likes of Storm is the day I'd let you put the whip to me, Tessa darling."

"Is that supposed to be an incentive?" Tessa's teeth shone whitely as her smile turned from sly to feral. "I'll match you then. If you can last an entire session wearing the collar without giving Storm your safeword, I will give you a marker to redeem as you see fit. I know you value my skills."

"You are mad." Emma's eyes widened at Tessa's offer, then narrowed, "But I'll take that wager. You are selling yourself far too cheaply, but I'm not one to disdain a bargain."

"In the meantime you will no doubt benefit from the humbling feeling of vulnerability the collar will give you." Tessa's voice grew crisp as the final accord of their bargain was set into place.

And then suddenly, Emma wondered if she'd gotten such a bargain after all…

The electric hum of the Pleasure Room's entrance sliding open broke Emma's reverie and she tensed, waiting for what was to come.

To Be Continued...