Your Move

                                        

                                              
Gideon was aware that this was neither a dream nor reality. She sat at a red table, in a white room, and across from her sat herself. It wasn't often Gideon got to see her full Fury side like this and she enjoyed the chance to see what she looked like when Primal. In between them sat a game board but instead of the standard chess pieces, the characters were recognizable as the people in Gideon's life. The traumatized face of Luna was one battered looking pawn, it's doppleganger in an onyx hue that was a twisted mockery of the girl. What she would be like if her darkest aspects reigned supreme. 
                              
Peter was next, looking young but proud and protective, finally standing with the shape of his Wendigo embraced around him. His alter ego in black was the worst of a man with the snarling cannibalism of the monster half. Ankou was huddled and suspicious looking, his piece tinted a decayed looking green on Gideon's side, and her Fury's piece was a ghoulish mirror image. Luc's piece was nude and timid looking, facing off agains his vicious self in full rampant posturing. Ebony's pawn piece was tinted with a slight flush, giving her the individuality she so desperately strived for while her alter was a burned, ruined pawn. 
                              
Trinity's piece worried Gideon slightly, it was a slightly grey piece, showing the girl's vicious and selfish nature was resisting all the attempts to help save her from becoming a monster that needed to be eliminated to help protect the innocent. Once a witch goes to Black magic, he or she cannot easily cleanse their soul again. The addiction will always be there. Sadly her mirror image was identical except a darkert shade of charcoal. It surprised Gideon to see Jasper was one of her pawns and she couldn't help the smirk that came to her face as she saw him looking pissed off and hateful as always, little arms crossed over a little chest. The pawn against him was the darkest form of Jasper's hatred, twisted and evil. The last pawn wasn't Virgil, which she suspected but instead was another of the Councillors, and she knew that Ashley was there because she really was a follower and not a leader. Her alter ego was a rabid dog, the worst of a werewolf gone mad. 
                              
Her first Knight was Xavier, a fact that made her smile. He really was suited to the role, his golem form hulking like a suit of armour. The soulless form across from him wasn't so much different looking as he was compellingly off. Her second knight was Lisa, her playful grin as wonderful as always. It hurt something in Gideon's chest to see her best friend given in to her foulest magical self, face rotted beyond recognition like a drug addict who fell into a chees grater repeatedly. 
                              
Two other Councillors stood as her Rooks, their pieces a parody of extremes, the demon self of one impossible to see reflected in the human shell and the other a vampire that was contained to one with no sense of restraint. Gideon gave a sigh when she saw Head Councillor Hassleberry was a Bishop. As much as she hated his weird fascination with her, she knew that he had her back. And not just because he liked to flirt with danger, but because he honestly believed in her. Sometimes at least. She felt a little guilty looking at his darker half, knowing that a man so well contained wouldn't want her seeing him at his very worst. And indeed Gideon knew she wouldn't view him with the same sense of contempt after seeing his potential for a violent and bloody end. She fully expected to see Virgil as her other Rook but it was Doctor Cyr. Her eyes darted across to the other side and she heard her Fury make the first noise yet. She chuckled, a throaty, sexy sound. 
                              
Gideon didn't feel the least bit contrite over being curious at seeing what the Dragon would be like evil. He was just so... neutral about everything. She'd expected to see a fire breathing dragon and was instead presented with him in his favourite form, looking no different than he normally did only in obsidian. It unsettled Gideon a little because there should have been something obviously sinister about him but there wasn't. 
                              
A grin stretched across Gideon's face as she saw herself as her Queen piece. So much for saying I can't be in two places at once when people are over working me. Here I am in four. Gideon thought to herself, not terribly surprised when the words echoed around the room for them both to hear. This was all in her head afterall, there was no more internal dialogue. She was as face to face with herself as she could get. 
                              
Last but not least Gideon saw Virgil as the King piece. She frowned, seeing the familiar grin and wicked, gleaming eyes. Across from him the King piece was a black, faceless piece. It was creepy and made Gideon wonder what creature could pass as an Empath when he clearly was something a lot more troublesome. A mystery, her instincts told her nothing on him. The pieces on the board moved as Gideon stared down at them, pieces in play. It looked nothing like chess and everything like the pieces fighting themselves for dominance. 
                              
This is a tiresome waste. Your fate is inevitable, so why do you fight this so? Gideon's Fury asked, voice a fascinating layering of seduction and contempt. 
                              
Because it is my nature to be obstinate. The reply was automatic and made both women grin at each other. 
                              
They looked at the pieces on the board, having met a time or two in the past when Gideon was forced to call on her darker self for a cause and then stuff it back down without giving it supper first. Gideon didn't always win with all of her pieces. Most of the time the kids left here still split between the two sides, and Gideon was happy with that. It wasn't her job to make them marvellous people, but to show them that they can be. The choice is theirs to walk what path they will. Sometimes Gideon lost a piece to the Fury's side, and that child was one of those like Gideon suspected Trinity to be, a lost cause. And just as often, Gideon won one entirely onto her side, like Peter proudly stood. 
                              
What do you expect me to demand this time? The Fury asked, smile enigmatic and taunting. 
                              
Gideon narrowed her eyes, suspicious. I'm not offering you anything. I am the Master, you are the Servant. 
                              
The Fury threw her head back and laughed, filling the entire air around them with the vibrations of her echoing laughter. Gideon just waited for her other self to calm down, long used to this dramatic posturing. They both knew that she would have to choose to give in for it to ever happen, but it was against the Fury's nature to admit defeat. Fight till death, then kick his ass too.
                              
I find it interesting that your match is the King. I wonder ever so much what secrets he holds. What delicious devilry we can achieve. The Fury mused with a smirk as she lightly touched Virgil's creepy replica. It disturbed Gideon because she agreed with herself and it was never a good sign when that started to happen. I think you might enjoy my demands this time, for I want what is best for us. Gideon felt both her eyebrows raise in a silent question. She'd learned that these meetings were easier if she kept her thoughts still. I want....I want us to investigate this match. This creature pretending to be a boy. There is a mystery there and we ache so to solve it.
                              
Gideon closed her eyes, feeling the temptation to do as her darker self pleaded. She needed to know, it was her nature and there were some things she couldn't deny herself. If this is what it took for some peace, she'd be doing her job and satisfying her curiosity all at the same time. There was a reason Gideon's own Queen piece was already in play on the board. 
                              
We are in accord. Gideon's voice filled the room.
                              
Then you better wake up. Her dark reflection warned. 
                              
Gideon opened her eyes as the sense of someone approaching her and she sat up. In front of her Head Councillor Hassleberry jumped as if she'd bit him. He muffled his startled yelp and gave Gideon this wide eyed look that reminded her that despite his crush, he still feared her. She raised her eyebrows at him, still shaking off the aftereffects of being on speaking terms with herself again. 
                              
"Luna's asking for you and Peter." he said softly. Gideon nodded and went to wake the slumbering monster.