The Illusion of Truth
It was four in the morning and Selene was sitting on her throne with a bandage on her head and feeling rather sorry for herself. Blackheart was also feeling out of sorts since Selene had drunk up all of his Bourbon so he had to make do with brandy. On hearing his mistress's delighted exclamation he looked up to see the last person he expected coming through the door. The demon frowned sensing something not quite right with this situation. It was clear that things weren't exactly what they seemed.
Hank was wearing the Hellfire Club attire that Selene had created and there was a gentle smile on his leonine face. Yellow eyes gazed adoringly at Selene as he bowed deeply to her. She smiled and held out her hand for him to kiss.
"Ma'am I am eternally yours," purred Hank.
Then before Selene's horrified gaze he dissolved into a pall of mist. The sound of mocking laughter filled the room as the sneering Martinique Jason swaggered into the room. One of Selene's fireballs hit her dead on but it was merely another illusion. Selene was cursing herself for a fool at being taken in by Mastermind's cheap parlor tricks. Sniffing the air she discerned the location of her tormentor and a gesture bound Martinique in a crackling web of electricity.
"How can you justify this trickery Mastermind? If you want to survive you had better have a good explanation," snarled Selene.
"I wish only to demonstrate the potency of my power Black Queen and that it at your disposal. Just think how useful I could be in ridding you of your rival Trish."
"Yes you're quite right Martinique and I've just thought up the perfect plan which will gain me Hank's undying affection. You see I've finally realized I've been going about this the wrong way by coming on too strong and being too seductive. An intelligent man like Hank isn't so easily taken in but this time he will be mine," purred Selene.
Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, Logan's room
Logan had finally staggered in after a hard nights drinking and just crashed straight down after taking off his boots and jacket. He was sleeping like a baby now and he presented an irresistible target to Selene when she teleported into his room. The first part of her plan was to make Hank think she was losing interest in him and this involved flirting with other handsome male mutants. Of course it helped that she found Logan most handsome and feral since it made the job so much easier.
Logan grunted slightly as he felt someone tickling the soles of his feet. Then a gentle hand started stroking one of his sideburns and he caught a vaguely familiar scent of perfume. Looking up bleary eyed he saw a beautiful rather scantily clad woman standing over him. Half-awake and mumbling something about Jean he didn't object when she embraced him and pulled him close. Their lips met and they kissed and then too his horror Logan finally recognized the scent.
Logan's angry roar woke up the entire mansion as snarling he extended his claws towards Selene.
"Yer in fer it now ya lousy witch," growled Logan leaping towards her.
"You really are cute when you're angry," purred Selene before vanishing again.
Snarling Logan stomped out of his room and went in search of a beer or two.
"I'd better go and see if Logan's alright Jeannie, he sounded pretty angry," said Scott as he stumbled to his bedroom door. To his considerable shock it suddenly burst wide open at a gesture from Selene and he literally fell forward into her open arms. She took advantage of his surprise to give him a deep passionate kiss which he seemed to enjoy.
"I bet she never kisses you like that does she Cyclops? Oh time to go," said Selene as she saw a very angry Jean coming towards her with a murderous expression. She blew a final kiss to Scott enjoying Jean's anger before teleporting herself. Scott was left all alone to face the wrath of his wife.
"Listen dear that really wasn't what you think… ugh," groaned Scott as the furious telepath cracked him over the head with the bedside lamp.
Early morning, Hank's laboratory
Hank had woken up to find a note left by Selene on his bedside table. He was feeling quite relieved as he read that she was very sorry but she was no longer interested in him and she hoped he would not be too upset. His good cheer was only slightly spoilt by having to deal with Scott's concussion. He was fine now but had followed Hank's advice and gone on a mission to investigate Brotherhood activities over in New York City. It would be much safer for him than being around Jean at the moment.
"Now Beak I'm sure Logan won't chase you up the tree again but it might be best if you didn't ask him how hot Selene is again."
Hank sighed as he watched his pupil leaving the room. It seemed that Barnell along with most of the other young male students was quite taken with Selene. If they had to endure her attentions he reckoned they would soon change their minds about her. His thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing and he hesitated to answer it at first, fearing it would be Selene.
"Henry McCoy speaking, oh hello Trish. Yes I can do lunch today, noon in Diamonds, yes that will be fine dear. Yes see you there then. Love you too. Bye."
Selene smiled as she observed the scene in her crystal ball. She glanced over to Martinique who nodded in understanding. It was time for the next phase of the plan to go into action and to deal with Trish Tilby once and for all.
Diamonds, an expensive restaurant at noon
Hank was wearing his best tuxedo and had his fur groomed to perfection as he walked into the restaurant. Intent on his dinner date he never noticed the waitress watching him intently. The waitress smiled wolfishly and for an instant her eyes shone green before Mastermind reinforced her illusion.
"Would sir like to place his order?" asked Martinique.
"Thank you ma'am but not yet. I'm waiting for a lady," said Hank.
Perfect the illusion was fooling him as easily as it fooled everyone else. Now Trish was walking through the door wearing a rather nice cream trouser suit. Martinique grinned and changed it to attire of a rather different nature. A black leather outfit worn by Selene for her wilder parties and a bullwhip in her hand gave the perfect dominatrix look.
"Hello Hank, as you can see I've dressed for the occasion," said Trish.
"S-stars and g-garters," stuttered Hank yellow eyes wide in shock.
Trish frowned as she noticed the looks of mixed outrage and disgust on the faces of the restaurant patrons. Then she relaxed as a voice came into her mind telling her what she had to do. For an instant she protested but the voice assured her that Hank would love this and that made it alright. Trish grinned and cracked her illusionary whip.
"Yes I know you want this Hank, after all you're just an animal so you might as well give in to your instincts. Come on Hank; show me just how much of a Beast you really are tiger,"
"Please Trish stop this immediately. I don't go in for this sort of thing, just please stop."
"Your mind says no but your body says yes Hank. Go on you're just an animal, you haven't got any morals or inhibitions so don't give me any of that crap about being a human being. I mean an animal like you loves this sort of thing."
"How dare you think that I've become a debased animal? Just because my appearance is more bestial doesn't mean I'm any less of the man I was. I thought you understood that but obviously I was wrong. At least Selene is up front about what she is unlike you. I never knew that this side of you existed before today and I can't bring myself to speak to you any more," whispered Hank sadly.
He got up and went to leave just as Mastermind released Trish from her telepathic control. She smiled with sheer malicious delight as she saw the confused Trish reaching out to touch Hank's arm. She smiled even more broadly when she saw the hurt in her eyes as he shook her off.
"What's wrong with you Hank? Why are you acting this way?"
"Ask those questions about yourself Trish. I'm afraid I don't think I ever want to speak to you again. Goodbye,"
Trish stood shocked and amazed still quite unaware of her illusory costume. She wondered why on earth people were gazing after Hank with such sympathy and such disgust towards her. She didn't even resist when the manager arrived with a pair of security guards and threw her out.
"I'm afraid that type of conduct is quite unacceptable in this respectable establishment. If I see your face here again I shall be forced to call the police," said the manager.
Trish came out of her confusion to see a forlorn Hank stumbling wearily down the road. Calling after him she ran to catch up anxious to find out what was the matter with him. Unfortunately Martinique decided at this point to switch the dominatrix illusion to one of Trish being completely naked.
"Hank, Hank, wait for me,"
"Stars and garters!" roared Hank and he increased to a pace that Trish could not follow scrabbling over a fence to escape the apparently stark naked Trish who was chasing him.
~* what on earth did Selene do to the person I loved?*~ the thought was passing through their heads simultaneously.
Martinique dropped the illusions entirely satisfied that with plenty of witnesses to Trish's apparent conduct, a career ruining scandal was just around the corner. Just to make sure though she had one more trick up her sleeve.
A park in Salem Center two hours later
Hank was huddled under the tree feeling utterly miserable. It was obvious that Trish had been more badly affected by her ordeal at the hands of Selene than he had thought. Maybe she had discovered she enjoyed that sort of thing or perhaps it was a psychological reaction. He didn't hate her so much as pity her and he would probably be able to forgive her in a month or two. However at the moment he already had enough trouble with one kinky woman after him without another one. To be honest he didn't even want to see Trish let alone speak to her for a very long time.
Hank's fur was matted with sweat and tears, his pointed ears were curled back and his eyes were blurry with tears. It all seemed just too much at the moment. It was at this moment of extreme emotional vulnerability that Selene played her trump card.
"What's the matter Hank, do you want to talk about it?" asked Selene sympathetically. She was wearing for once a costume that while flattering conformed to the laws of decency and she was doing her best to look genuinely sympathetic. In need of somebody to talk to, Hank told her everything.
"Oh Hank I've been going about this the wrong way and I've really screwed up haven't I. I mean for the first time in centuries I come across a man I could really care for and I treat him like all the others, a game, just someone I can seduce, have fun with and throw aside when I've done with him. You're not like the others though; you're kind, clever, caring and you deserve a better woman than me. Please Hank could we start afresh, just put my mistakes behind us and try again."
"Stars and garters, for the second time today a woman has shown me a side to her I never suspected. I suppose I might as well give you a chance to redeem yourself."
"We can take things slowly Hank and let you set the pace. I mean as an immortal I can afford to be patient and a slow courtship will be something new to me. You can be my Black King and you will be my equal in all respects and anything you want to do with the Hellfire Club I'll be happy to agree to. Look why don't you come tonight and just meet the others, a quiet dinner nothing more and you don't have to wear the uniform if you don't want to. See what you think and if you don't like it then leave and I'll let you go."
"Very well Selene I will consider it but I'm not making any promises."
She smiled sweetly and for a second looked almost innocent. She kissed him once on the cheek and with a last bat of her eyelashes vanished as quickly as she had come. Sighing Hank got up and took himself back home, he had a lot of things to think about.
Later that afternoon
Martinique Jason had made one final use of her illusion powers by disguising herself as Trish. She had then got into a heated argument with Trish's boss, insulted him and slapped him as a result of which Trish no longer had a job. What's more one of the main items on the news that afternoon was her rumored bizarre behavior. Bewildered and dejected Trish rang Hank hoping for a sympathetic ear.
"I'm sorry Trish but I really don't want to talk to you right now. Goodbye," said Hank putting the phone down firmly.
Scratching his furry chin with a claw he came to a decision. He might as well go to the Hellfire Club meeting and see what it was like. Of course there was always the possibility that Selene was setting a trap but he seriously doubted that was her intention. To be on the safe side he left a message telling Jean and Logan where he was. If there was any trouble the X-Men would be more than capable of dealing with the External. Humming Handel's Messiah he went to his room and took the costume Selene had made for him from out of his wardrobe. The clothes fitted perfectly and admiring his reflection he had to admit that he looked magnificent. He grinned for the first time that day and decided he might as well try and enjoy himself.
Hellfire Club, early evening.
"Do you really think he will come my magnificently scented mistress?" asked Blackheart anxiously.
"Who do ya think yer kidding demon, of course he'll come ta the party," growled Jack Russell.
"He certainly won't want to see Trish Tilby any time soon. I made sure of that," purred Martinique smugly.
Selene said nothing but simply smiled as she gazed into her crystal ball. She could see Hank arriving at the main door even as she spoke and being escorted by her Black and White Rooks Fitzroy and De Costa. She put the crystal ball down and did her best to look nonchalant.
"Now quiet everyone and try to look respectable. Oh and Jack dear, remember what utensils are for. Use a knife and fork on the steak not claws and teeth."
"Of course ya ladyship, what do ya take me fer?"
"Blackheart put away that whisky bottle and lose the teddy bear, oh and Mastermind no mention of your little tricks. Hank's not stupid and if he finds out the truth I'll lose any chance of winning his heart. That will bode ill for you."
Martinique shivered momentarily and nodded while Blackheart gulped down a Prozac or two and took a last gulp of whisky.
Then the door was flung open by Roberto as he lead Hank in, stepping respectably to one side of his prospective Black King. Hank reclined his head respectfully before being nearly bowled over by a very enthusiastic Fitzroy.
"May I present his hirsute highness, the wondrous, compassionate and furry one, our new Black King, Henry Philip, "Beast" McCoy!"
"Hank, Hank, Hank, Hank, Hank, Hank," chanted Mastermind, Jack, Roberto, Fitzroy and Blackheart.
"Welcome Hank and it is a pleasure that you decided to join us here today," purred Selene.
"Believe me ma'am the pleasure is all mine," replied Hank as he took his place at the table next to her.
He wondered just exactly what he was letting himself in for.
"Oh my stars and garters," he murmured thoughtfully.