Well, Beatrix wasn't on house arrest punishment any longer but it did take Bill a fucking long time, five days until he called her again. As she pulled into the circular driveway there were already two parked cars. Maybe he was going to give her an assignment? She wouldn't mind that. It'd give her something to do as she had been slowly crawling back into the black hole of boredom. She shut the door of the car and red cowboy boots crunched against the gravel as she walked across the driveway. Before she reached the door she could hear the buzz of another vehicle pulling into the drive way. The tall blonde turned to watch in a questionable manner. The hot red convertible parked and out stepped a young woman, perhaps a few years older than Beatrix. She wore a long clinging black dress, black sandals, and had locks of raven hair up in a half ponytail, the rest falling over her shoulders. She obviously appeared of Japanese and perhaps French origin. The unfamiliar woman sauntered across the drive way but stopped as a rather annoying ring tone went off. She quickly took out a cellular phone from her pocket and began speaking in a fluent French dialect. Beatrix watched this all transpire with little to no emotion on her face.

This went on for a total of two minutes before the stranger hung up, began steps to the door, and stopped in front of Beatrix. She gave the blonde a look and viewed her over. Beatrix did the same. Heat seemed to flicker between the two strangers before the woman let a smile cross her red lips. "Hello."

The tall blonde gave a tight nod but didn't speak. "You must be Beatrix. O-Ren's told me much of you." Beatrix raised a curious brow but still didn't speak.

"I'm Sofie Fatale," the now no longer a stranger introduced.

When Beatrix and Sofie finally entered the house after their little.....stand off, they were greeted first by the joyful and bright persona that was Elle. She was wearing a rather short red skirt that showed off her long legs and a white sleeveless top. A pair of high heeled white sandals topped off the revealing outfit. All of her nails were of course painted in matching red.

"Bea," Elle pursed her lips, leaning on the wall near the opening to the living room. "Sofie," she nodded to the dark haired half Japanese woman, "Black....nice color for you," she added with a small smirk. Elle was here unfortunately, but apparently not Vernita.

Bill was loitering near the patio doors, cell phone to his ear. He appeared to have regained back his dignity and decided to go back to shaving. He seemed back to his "normal" self, and was chatting away in rapid Spanish into the phone wearing his typical attire. Although, he was sporting some fancy looking silver tipped cowboy boots....that for some reason Bill could pull off as being "cool." He spotted the new arrivals out of the corner of his eye, and gave them a quick nod and wave of the hand.

Elle spoke up again from her leaning spot, "So.... Sofie, what's it like being the new girl on the block? Bea here hasn't tried to stab you in the back yet has she?"

Beatrix shot Elle a challenging glare. She should have had Bill promise to never have them both in the same room, period. Speaking of Bill by Beatrix's spot in the living room and her view of the man near the patio he looked very put together. At least that brightened her mood. The whole drinking to wash away your sorrows and grubby appearance wasn't appropriate. Just as her appearance a few days ago spoke volumes. She wasn't wearing braids but had her hair down and had on a casual pair of jeans with a white and dark blue peasant blouse.

"Oh no, she hasn't. Why? Would she?" The 'new' girl said with a good amount of humor in her voice but the façade she wore showed she was concerned.

"Maybe," the tall blonde quipped in with a playful grin. "But, I'd be more concerned about Elle being that back stabber seeing she's stabbed me numerous times." The temperature in the room seemed to be elevating. Beatrix wasn't a hundred percent sure why she felt the need to defend herself and so suddenly. It could be due to the presence of the new Sofie Fatale and the fact that Bea found her highly annoying. Elle pursed her lips threateningly and like a frazzled cat, she pushed off the wall...taking a few long steps toward Beatrix..her blue eye glaring death to the other blonde...

"Ah! Sofie!" Bill's voice caused Elle to stop dead in her tracks, in an attempt to cover for her movement, she pivoted and sauntered over to the bar...as if that had been her destination all along.

Bill, who apparently was through with his phone conversation, came towards the two women looking extremely pleased. " Sofie my dear your looking beautiful as always today," he held her at an arm's length by her hands and kissed her on both cheeks in European fashion. Pulling away he smiled....as if assessing and finding himself happy with a new project. " Sofie....if you haven't already been introduced...this is Beatrix Kiddo aka Black Mamba." He let go of Sophie and put an affectionate arm around Beatrix's shoulders. An innocent gesture when one was as affectionate with his female employees as Bill tended to be. Still holding on to Beatrix, he gestured to Elle at the bar, "And this of course is Elle Driver aka California Mountain Snake."

Elle gave Sofie a cool nod and switched her long crossed legs to the other side. They'd already been introduced.

Bill, who was always seemingly undaunted by Elle's bitchiness, continued, "Ladies, this is Sofie Fatale...a fairly recent protégé of mine." He gave the dark haired woman a proud nod, " Sofie's specialty lies in more....subtle matters. She comes to us a former lawyer...although, she's also one hell of an accountant. She's been working quite a bit with O-Ren as of late. I have been very pleased with her progress thus far," another pleased smile.

When Bill put his arm around her Beatrix felt inclined to tilt her head against his shoulder. It was a motion that many would take as an action that read she wanted protection from or the idea of having something comforting. Although Beatrix was far from someone that needed any type of protection but perhaps used that psychical interaction to rest her head which was mildly throbbing. "An accountant and a lawyer, aye?" She reinstated quietly. "Sounds like a tough job."

Sofie always felt flattered by Bill and was one of the many reasons she decided to become his protégé. She settled dark eyes on Beatrix whom she wasn't sure how to judge yet. "Not nearly as tough as yours."

Bea's slender brows narrowed unsure how to take that comment. She wanted to make a smart ass remark pertaining to Bill's last protégé and how well that went. But, she was on decent terms with Bill and didn't want to fuck it up. So, she didn't reply and nestled the top of her head against Bill's neck in a mixture of affection. Bill was mildly, but pleasantly surprised by Beatrix's affectionate posturing. Of course, he wasn't about to complain. It was often difficult to tell if she was going to kiss him, slap him, or attempt to rip his fucking throat out. He rather liked that unpredictability about her though.

Elle was still sitting at the bar, watching the whole subtle proceedings with an undisguised frown on her face. Bill chuckled, " Sofie may not be a killer per se...but I think most people would agree that lawyers are just as sneaky and bloodthirsty as assassins." He gave the dark haired woman a wicked grin. Bill made it very clear that he was extremely proud of Sofie's progress. She was a highly successful "project" of his, and the results had thus far been very promising. He was a little regretful in letting her side so closely with O-Ren, but he felt that O-Ren would perhaps need the legal support more than himself in the years to come. His arm still around Beatrix's shoulders, he gestured to Elle, with a small frown. "Elle....would you at the very least like to welcome Sofie into the "fold" so to speak." Bill was always trying to attempt to make Elle a little more....personable. After all, being personable was a very valuable trait for a killer. Unfortunately, Elle hadn't proved very good at it so far.

Elle groaned, "Hi..... Sofie ....wonderful to meet you....," she said in a flat, completely insincere voice, "It is very nice to have a new member in our lovely little organization of killers and psychopaths. How was that Bill?" She scathed.

"Terrible," Bill replied, looking disappointed.

"Can't please 'em all," Elle shrugged, grabbing a bottle off the nearby shelf.

Bill gave Beatrix a knowing look, before looking back to Sofie. "Don't let Miss Driver deter you Sophie. We're not all that bad to be with, right Kiddo?" He gave Beatrix's shoulders a squeeze.

Beatrix hadn't been smirking during the exchange of words between Bill and Elle but even though she was showing no psychical reaction on the outside she was laughing uncontrollably inside. Elle and personable were not words to put together in a sentence. She envied Bill for trying to encourage Elle to be more pleasant to be around but it failed every time. It was a lost cause but she still envied Bill for pursuing a failure. She forced a pleasant smile at Sofie when Bill squeezed her shoulder. Unlike her blonde counter part she could pull of being personable in the most unlikely of circumstances. "Course, Bill. The only one that no one gets along with is Elle. So, you aren't out of the loop." A side glance was given to Elle before returning to Bill's new protégé.

Sofie stood there feeling a tad awkward but she held her composure very well. Her head held high and shoulders back in that black dress. Beatrix found herself reminded of an episode of Star Trek she watched the other night. Only reason being that Sofie looked a hell of a lot like one of the villains. The Star Trek villain cleared her throat and said, "Oh, I'm more than positive I will do quite well getting along with everyone. I can be very friendly."

Beatrix blinked. Damn this woman was cocky. I can be very friendly too but you don't see me goading about it, she thought to herself but knew better than to speak them aloud. "That's always a cool trait."

Bill, who disliked cockiness just about as much as he disliked murdering people, gave Sofie a small smile of proud approval on her self confidence. "That's my Sofie," he said in a nurturing tone. He spoke to Beatrix, whom he was still holding onto, " Sofie here graduated in the top third of her class with honors." He didn't say the school in mention, but there was no doubt that it was ivy league with a tuition that accumulated well into six digits. It was a times like these that it was glaringly obvious to anybody but Bill that he possessed at least a few parental instincts...even if they were selfishly derived.

Elle gave a little snort from her corner at the bar....obviously voicing her opinion on that matter. Ignoring Elle, Bill seemed undeterred, "I must say I am very pleased to have tapped into each of you're individual qualities." No, Bill didn't shy away from cockiness. When he had first seen Beatrix he had known she was a killer....when he had first seen Sofie he had known she possessed a great amount of cunning. Elle....well Elle was a completely different story. "I only hope," he raised his eyebrow in Sofie's direction, "You will prove to be as good as I believe you to be." Again, typical Bill....insanely high standards and a way of being extremely blunt about it.

Sofie didn't seem to be daunted by this but put on a genuine smile. "No need to worry about that, Bill." She casually clasped hands behind her back in a very professional stature. Beatrix felt like gagging but kept her pink lips in a tight line. It seemed like Sofie wanted to say more but she was caught off by the abrupt ringing of a cell phone. She quickly snatched the phone from her pocket and put it to her ear. A fluent dialect of French pursued and she made a motion to Bill that she had to take this and of course would be right back. With that she turned on her heels, phone in hand, and mouth yapping left the room. At least she was being courteous.

Once gone Beatrix turned her blonde head to Bill. "I'm pleased to have tapped into each of you're individual qualities?" Words reprocessed in a mockery and mild shock. "She's got a shit load of 'individual' qualities there, Bill." She wasn't disapproving of Sofie she just didn't 'like' her and wanted to make that clear.

Bill's arm dropped off of Beatrix's shoulders, as did his friendly façade. "That's an extremely unfair conclusion," he said darkly. He tilted his head away from her in annoyance, "Let's see...I've known Sofie for at least six years...and you've known her for...what six minutes? Don't mock my judgments," his voice took on a bit of a nasty tone. He didn't care how much he cared for her...or what he'd done with her, he wasn't about to let Beatrix make judgments on his protégé's....especially Sofie. "I think I can make my own conclusions on her individual qualities. Your biased feedback is not always needed nor appreciated." He hadn't meant for that to sound so low, but it was true nonetheless.

Elle remained quiet, but she watched this exchange with extreme interest. Even though Bill was speaking in a fairly low tone of voice, which with him could be pretty quiet, she seemed hell bent on trying to eavesdrop.

Bill produced that ever threatening forefinger, "Not amusing Kiddo....not at all. At least, in this case, you can be rest assured your not going to be stuck on assignment with her now are you?" He smirked turned acidic.

For a daunting five seconds Beatrix Kiddo stood there with no reaction because she wasn't sure how to react. But soon enough she was flooded with the appropriate reaction. Her lips parted to admit a cynical laugh and her blonde head tilted down and to the side. "Right..." she pursed her lips. "That's very generous of you, Bill."

She turned her blue eyes back up at him that clearly read she wanted to rip his fucking throat out. It was truly astonishing how one can go from caring to despising in a matter of seconds. A love and hate relationship. Fuck love, she dawned on hate. Actually, this time she had every right to be irate with him. She was putting in her two cents, her opinion. When was it a crime to speak your mind? Obviously now it was a death sentence.

"I'm all about generosity," Bill replied flippantly, running a hand through his hair in an irritated but overconfident gesture.

Her eyes flashed. She'd let this go but felt inclined to go on. But than again Elle was in the room and the last thing she wanted was to be shot down by Bill in front of Elle. She scowled, apparently defeated on the present subject.

He returned Beatrix's murderous glare. He didn't give much leeway for his other employees to insult one another...why should he allow her? He knew she was simply stating her own twisted opinion...but sometimes Bill didn't want to hear anybodies opinion but his own. He crossed his arms, not budging on this. In his mind he'd already allowed Beatrix more than enough privileges. He lowered his head, scowling at the tall blonde.

Elle coughed again, "Are you two gunna fight each other or fuck each other...because seriously, if it's the latter...I think I've got some shopping to do or something.....Christ.."

Bill slowly turned to look at Elle, his anger suddenly projected in another direction, "Elle....just.....be quiet...."

Elle threw her hands up, "Ok, ok...just trying to help."

Bill turned back to Beatrix, but after Elle's comment, he seemed to have briefly lost his train of thought. "Well....I think you know how I feel on that matter Kiddo. Sofie is as important to me as the rest of you....I would...appreciate at least an effort to be pleasant.....especially from you. Agreed?"

Beatrix hesitated a response but it finally came out through a thick throat, "Agreed." A quick glance was taken to Elle whom she was having trouble reading, not that Elle was an easy book to skim. She blinked coming back to her own train of thought.

"Sorry about that," Sofie said as she re-entered the room in what appeared to be a tizzy. She was pulling herself back together from a recent phone conversation that involved high standards. But she got through it with flying colors which was a major reason Bill hired her. She flashed an overly enthusiastic smile at the group obviously not sensing the tension that was still mustering the room. "My, I really do feel at home here. I know Bill so well and I've been finding each of the Vipers so fascinating."

Bea raised her eyebrows and stepped away from Bill, her eyes transfixed on the overly cocky and perfect Sofie. "Sofie, I'd love to help you feel more acquainted with everyone by giving you some...advice." Beatrix was trying to be 'pleasant'.

"Really? I'd love that."

The tall blonde narrowed in as a snake would stalk its prey. "First off, don't think you're any better than the rest of us. We're all equal when it comes to our unique talents. Second, don't underestimate any of us. Elle's a vindictive bitch, Budd's an idiot, O-Ren is..well..you know O-Ren...Bill, he's a bastard. And me," She was now face to face with the new protégé. "I'll let you figure that out for yourself."

Bill shook his head. A hand coming up to rest across his face. Beatrix was Beatrix...she'd always be Beatrix...no matter what he tried to do. "Being Beatrix" included not listening to him and just coming out and saying whatever the fuck she wanted to say. He generally adored that quality....but at times...he found it a Especially when this was Sofie's first day "on the job" so to speak. He was hoping she'd go at least a day before finding out about the deep rooted dysfunction that reined in the Deadly Viper Association. He gave Sofie a heavy look, pursing his lips. "Beatrix....while perhaps not the most tactful person I've known," he cast her a sideways glare, "Is fairly correct in her evaluations."

Elle's head came up from its former resting position, "What the fuck? Did you just call me a vindictive bitch?" She snarled. "I'd like to tell you," she pointed a long finger at Sofie, "A thing or two about who's the bitch around here...oh yes I-"

"ELLE!" A rare shout from Bill.....which worked quite well. Elle fell silent once again, looking irate.

Sofie never heard Bill yell before and jumped at the shout but she was quick to gain back her composure. She knew from O-Ren what she was getting into when joining the Deadly Viper Association and it was only from O-Ren and her persuasive words did Sofie plan to stay. She put on a straight face. "As for making judgments myself, I judge that you," her eyes on Beatrix. "Are the bitch of this organization."

If only Bill didn't seem so fucking infatuated with Sofie would Beatrix strike her for that. Long white fingers curled up at her sides and blue eyes burned. That pretty blonde head made a jerky tilt to the side, her features hard. "You've got a lot of guts for a first timer; I'll give ya that, Sofie. But, if you ever refer to me as a bitch again, I will..." She rose up her own threatening forefinger. "Mar you."

Bill's face clouded over with disappointment and irritation at the turn of events. This seemed to be becoming a regular event as of late. "Ladies," he stepped between the two of them, a hand falling on each of their shoulders. "Let's just calm down and dispense with the throwing of insults shall we?. I would like to think....we are all beyond that, seeing as we are all over ten years old at this point."

Elle was obviously still smarting from being yelled at and continued her irate vigil from the bar. Elle was something of an observer....she'd strike only when she felt fully ready.

At times such as this Bill regretted having an almost entirely female organization. Then again, with men they would all just end up killing each other if they had problems....well, that and they were hardly as nice to look at. "Now," Bill continued in that same soft tone of voice, his hands still making sure that Beatrix and Sophie stayed a few feet apart, "Perhaps you two should say adieu for now...."

Sofie appeared frazzled by the treat but didn't put it past her. But she was calming down by Bill's hand and soft words. She gave a sharp nod. "Gladly." Her dark eyes bored into Beatrix's blue. "Adieu," her French accenting kicking in as she kicked up her heels and sauntered to the door. She had phone calls to deal with so her exit didn't seem like a complete waste.

Unlike Sofie Beatrix didn't find Bill's words all that calming. She was furious and flared nostrils, heavy breathing, and flashing eyes exaggerated this. The room took on an eerie silence after the front door closed. Beatrix slowly brought her gaze to meet Bill's. She knew she'd crossed over a few boundaries in the past fifty seconds but she didn't regret it. Like Bill she regretted little to nothing. "Bye," she stated flatly and turned for the door.

"Oh no, I don't think so," Bill, who's hand was formally on Beatrix's shoulder, slid down to clasp onto her wrist as she attempted to turn and leave. He yanked her back rather forcefully, "Good try Kiddo....." he said with an amused twist of his lip.

Elle, despite perhaps being somewhat psychotic was still more than a little uncomfortable in the same room with the two. Besides....the sight of the two of them together caused a very deep rooted anger in her to begin to flame up. She stood up suddenly and sauntered down the hallway towards the restroom...the high heels of her sandals clicking loudly on the wood flooring.

Bill's attention was completely focused on Beatrix, a hard but perhaps slightly amused glare zeroing in on her, "What the hell was that all about exactly? Enlighten me, because I must say I'm really curious about what such fucking childish behavior really is all about."

First thing the tall blonde did was yank her wrist away but she found the more she yanked the harder he clasped. She grit her teeth as she came to the bitter conclusion that progressing with this would only cause herself and Bill unnecessary pain. So, she stopped and let him have her wrist.

Her features remained tight and blue eyes gave him a defiant stare. "As I tried to put across before," she began in a low tone of voice. "I don't like Miss Fatale." She wasn't about to add that she found Sofie to be so fucking perfect that it irked the blonde nor would she enlighten Bill that there was a spark of jealousy in her actions. "But, as you asked of me before, I was trying to be pleasant. Apparently our views on pleasant are complete opposites." Her chin tilted down to her chest. "And, I won't deny I didn't deserve it but it sure as hell wasn't her place to call me a bitch. Just as it wasn't my place to be judging your protégés. But, considering the protégé...I believe I judged her accurately."

Bill raised an eyebrow; his grip on her wrist still planted firmly, "That was pleasant?" He smirked very broadly. "Yes, apparently our views do differ somewhat there." He narrowed his eyes at the tall blonde in front of him. Pleasant? How the fuck was that pleasant? Beatrix threatening that she was going to "Mar" Sofie was not exactly....pleasant. Bill didn't give a shit about the "she called me this first" and "But she did this" sort of crap and Beatrix should know that. Although, he was pleased to know that she admitted that it was not her place to judge his protégés. Damn straight.

"Well..." he began in a somewhat calmer tone, "Then that's your prerogative....but I ask you not to so.....forcefully voice those opinions next time." How many goddamn times had he already said things like this to Beatrix...not to mention Elle? He knew Beatrix had her own "reasons' for instantly not liking Sofie, but she never was going to tell him and he knew it...thus there was no point in even asking. Besides, he often found her reasons highly unreasonable and irrational.

Bill took a noticeable deep breath, "Do you see this," he tugged at a stand of his graying shoulder length hair, "Your causing this.....if I start going bald, your in deep shit." There were sparks of humor in his gaze, which generally signified Bill was letting the issue die....for the moment.

As pissed off as she remained at Bill she couldn't help the smirk that graced her features. A single hand came up and Beatrix began to tenderly stroke his graying hair. "I'm sorry, baby," she cooed in a more sensitive tone. If Bill was going to drop it she'd drop it but she wouldn't drop her view on Sofie, she'd just be more chivalrous and less forthcoming about it. Well, she couldn't make any promises but she'd try her best.

Her warming gaze turned away from Bill at the familiar clicking of high heeled sandals on the floor. She effectively ripped her wrist from Bill as it was now a dulling pain in her bones.

Bill gave Beatrix a slightly complacent look at her tender words and action. He gave her a small smile leaned in...was about to say something further, when Beatrix turned suddenly at Elle's reappearance.

"You and Sofie were getting along well," Beatrix suggested in an all out civil tone but it was hard not to miss the hidden hostility in her eyes. She'd never change her opinion on Elle nor would she ever be chivalrous unless she was pretending.

Elle had come to faulty stop at the sight in front of her. One of her hands instinctually fell on her hip, as she titled her head up threateningly. Her eye narrowed. "Hrm, well...I don't think Sofie and I are getting along as well as you and Bill here," she said in a smooth tone.

Bill frowned, taking a step away from Beatrix. "Buuuuuut..," Elle continued, "If that's the angle your going for Bea....well...sure, Sofie and I got along just dandy. I think she's a good addition...and it's nice to see some new blood around here," she flashed a wicked grin. Interesting that Elle hadn't said more than five words to Sofie...but now she was saying this.

"Well, that's good to hear," Bill replied flatly...obviously unimpressed.

"Agreed." Although Elle and Beatrix's views on fresh blood were complete and utterly opposite. Beatrix wasn't about to give her opinion on if Sofie and she got along. In the last few minutes it was apparent that the tall blonde and the Star Trek villain weren't going to be the best of friends. Bea took a small step away and made a movement to maneuver further but she stopped abruptly. Her head turned sharply to Bill but there was a good amount of warmth still remaining in her gaze.

"Do I have your permission to leave now?" A slender brow raised in mocking question.

"Of course you do," Bill replied, a smirk still lingering on his face. Elle didn't even ask for permission to leave. She simply turned on her heel and left.