The Melaswen Paradox (Read 328,043 times)

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone!

---

Next week...

They thought he was gone...
STEVE: Aren't you supposed to be dead?

...but he's got bigger surprises in store for them.
EREBUS: My benefactor will be so pleased to see all of you.

Meanwhile, Claire's confrontation with Noelle continues.
CLAIRE: Look, it's really not that big of a deal.

And an old face returns to town.
WILL: What are you doing here?

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

This all looks great! Can't wait to see who Erebus' benefactor is and what Claire has to say to Noelle. And I wonder who Will runs into?

Thanks for the previews André DiMera!

[Kpatch]

Wonder who's returning to town! All sounds good. Thanks André DiMera!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 420

SALEM HIGH
CLAIRE: That's it, isn't it? You're jealous of Ciara.
NOELLE: Geez, what're you like? Why on earth would I be jealous of Ciara?
CLAIRE: Well, you keep going on about how you think she thinks she's perfect. Or, how you think she's perfect, anyway. So, what am I supposed to think?
NOELLE: I'm not jealous of Ciara.
CLAIRE: Yeah. You keep telling yourself that. Maybe you'll believe it someday.
NOELLE: Look, I wouldn't even be jealous if she didn't have people falling all over her. Tripp, Theo, Trix. It's insane!
CLAIRE: First of all, Tripp was a creep. Secondly, she and Theo tried, but they decided they're better off as friends. And as for Trix...wait, I got it wrong, didn't I? You're not jealous of Ciara. You're jealous of Trix.
NOELLE: You saying I'm gay?
CLAIRE: No. But, would it be such a bad thing if you were?
NOELLE: No, but...it doesn't even matter, right? Even if I did...feel that way, there'd be no point in admitting it. She's with Trix, and if today is anything to go by, I've royally screwed my chances over.

SALEM PLACE – MELASWEN
STEVE: Wait a minute, aren't you supposed to be dead?
EREBUS: Aren't you?
JOHN: How did you end up here?
EREBUS: Victor's nephew, Deimos Kiriakis, and I were cellmates at Salem County Jail. One night, Deimos drugged my dinner with a chemical that mimicked the symptoms of death. I awoke here and met our host, as well as my benefactor. And I'm sure they'll both be pleased to know that you're all here.
SHANE: You speak as if they're two different people. I figured that André DiMera would be in control of this place, as well as providing you with anything that he felt you needed.
EREBUS: Not quite. Though, Mr. DiMera is officially in control here, and has final say in what goes on, there is another who oversees day to day operations. You will come to find that Melaswen has quite a different set of laws to your precious Salem, and those laws are upheald by the benefactor.
BILLIE: So, this benefactor, can we see them?
Erebus smiled.
EREBUS: The benefactor does not normally allow visitors. However, because you are rather special guests to Mr. DiMera, I will have a word with the benefactor and see what can be done.
SHANE: Right. Well, you do that. We'll be right here waiting.
EREBUS: Do you think I'm stupid? Do you honestly believe that I would let you all just stay here? No. Ms. Reed and Mrs. DiMera will come with me. The rest of you are being watched. Don't even think about trying to escape.
ANNA: Now wait just a min-
Billie put a hand up.
BILLIE: We'll go with you. I'm curious to see this benefactor of yours.
Erebus pulled out a gun.
EREBUS: I will give you directions. Both of you walk in front of me, hands on your heads. I can promise you, no harm will come to you as long as you do exactly as I say.
TONY: Oh, and they've got your word, have they?
EREBUS: That's all that means anything here. Now move.

[heroicmuse]

I suspected Noelle was into one of the girls from the way she was acting. Her behavior won't score her any more points than Tripp's did, though.

Erebus is very dangerous. I'm curious about this benefactor too but I'm worried about Anna and Billie. Especially Anna since she doesn't exactly follow directions. LOL

Great chapter André DiMera

[Kpatch]

I'm curious to see who this benefactor is also.

[fluffysmom]

I wonder who the benefactor is.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 421

SALEM HIGH
CLAIRE: I mean, did you really think that saying she's easy would somehow make her want you?
NOELLE: No. She wasn't even meant to know that I was the one who did it.
CLAIRE: Then what exactly was your plan here?
NOELLE: I wasn't trying to get her to fall in love with me with those posters. I was trying to make her unattractive to Trix. I thought, maybe if Trix thought she was easy or slept around that she'd break up with Ciara. I tried to make it look like one of Tripp's friends from the basketball team was the one doing it. Then, I would progressively start being nicer to her again and we'd eventually fall in love. It could have worked, too, if Joey hadn't ratted me out.
CLAIRE: Joey's already been through a lot of stuff with a troublemaker. After being fooled by Jade for so long, he wasn't gonna be fooled again. So, was any of your attraction to Joey real?
NOELLE: Not really. Joey's just a mate. I didn't think of him as anything more than a friend.
CLAIRE: Well, it was kinda crappy of you to lead him on, and of you to do all of this to Ciara.
NOELLE: I know. I shouldn't have done any of it.
CLAIRE: Then why did you?
NOELLE: I just...I wanted so badly to be with Ciara. Once she sat me down and explained the situation with the island, I forgave her, at least in my heart. But, by the time she figured out she was bi, it was too late. She was already interested in Trix. That's why I started lashing out. I know it sucks, and I know I had no right to do any of it. If I could take it back, I would in a second. I just wish I could find some way to make it up to Ciara.
CLAIRE: I hope you can think of something. Noelle, don't take this the wrong way, but I think you need help. Acting the way you've been acting isn't going to do anything but push Ciara further and further away. I'm sorry if that's hard to hear, but it's the truth.
NOELLE: I deserve that, I guess.
Claire looked at her watch.
CLAIRE: I have to go. I really hope you're serious about wanting to make it up to Ciara.
Claire turned and walked away. Noelle leaned her head against her locker.

BRADY PUB
Will had gone to the Pub for lunch. He was on the phone.
WILL: Yeah, of course I can pick up Ari from daycare. All right. If you talk to T, tell him I hope he feels better. Okay, I'll see you at home tonight. Love you, too. Bye.
Will hung up. The door opened.
WOMAN: Well, well, well. What have we here?
Will looked up when he heard the voice.
WILL: Kinsey?
Sure enough, Kinsey stood in front of him.
KINSEY: Hey, handsome. It's been a while.

[Kpatch]

Kinsey! Blast from the past. Interesting.

[heroicmuse]

I hope Noelle takes what Claire said to heart though I doubt she will.

Kinsey. This should be interesting.

Great chapter André DiMera

[fluffysmom]

Kinsey's return should be interesting.

Hopefully Noelle starts acting nicer to everyone.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 422

BRADY PUB
WILL: It certainly has. What are you doing here?
KINSEY: Well, that's a lovely way to say hello.
WILL: No, I mean what brings you back to Salem? Last time I heard from you, you were living it up in Chicago with Chloe.
KINSEY: Chloe and I are still close, but it was time for me to go out on my own. Anyway, I was just passing through the neighborhood. And by that, I mean I'm moving back home.
WILL: Really?
KINSEY: Mmhmm. Got a call a few weeks ago that a business was looking for models and, hey, you know me. If there's free clothes and shoes involved, I'm all in.
Kinsey sat down across from Will.
KINSEY: So, how's Gabi? Still in prison for offing some wackjob, I assume?
WILL: How did you know about that?
KINSEY: I hear things. News travels fast.
WILL: Last I saw her, Gabi's doing fine. Well, as fine as can be expected.
KINSEY: Must be hard carrying on a relationship with someone behind bars. I could never do that.
WILL: Apparently not all news travels that fast. Gabi and I haven't been together for years. Actually, I'm married.
KINSEY: Ooh. That's exciting. Who's the luck girl?
WILL: No girl. I'm gay, actually. And it's Sonny.
KINSEY: Wow. When did that happen?
WILL: About four years ago.
KINSEY: Heh. And here I am thinking I knew all the latest news in Salem. Looks like my sources aren't nearly as reliable as I thought. You and Sonny, huh? Well, this is an interesting turn of events. How does Mia feel about this?

DIMERA MANSION - MELASWEN
Erebus led Billie and Anna into the Mansion.
BILLIE: Why would this benefactor of yours be living in Melaswen's version of the DiMera Mansion?
EREBUS: Mr. DiMera gave the benefactor free reign of the island, as long as he doesn't do anything to displease him. This means he could stay in the Mansion, if he so chooses, so long as he does not deface any of Mr. DiMera's property.
As they walked through the main room, Anna cringe.
ANNA: Ugh! Even in the fake Mansion, that portrait makes me feel like Stefano's watching from beyond the grave.
Erebus stopped when they got to a closed door.
EREBUS: When we enter, do not say anything. Follow my lead exactly. Do whatever I do. And most importantly, don't look at the benefactor unless you are given permission.
Erebus knocked on the door.
VOICE: Enter.
Erebus opened the door, then he, Anna and Billie walked in, looking down at the ground. Erebus knelt on the ground. Billie and Anna subtley gave each other a look, then proceeded to do the same. Erebus put a hand to his heart, then extended it in front of him, as if he were giving a salute.
EREBUS: My benefactor, we have visitors. These two women, Billie Reed and Anna DiMera, and their companions: Shane Donovan, Steve Johnson, John Black and Count Antony DiMera. They wish an audience with you.

[heroicmuse]

Oh man! We have to wait to see who this benefactor is? Lol

Um Kinsey what difference does it make what Mia thinks? Will is gay and that's the way it is.

[Kpatch]

I'm with heroicmuse. We have to wait to see who the benefactor is?

I like Kinsey.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 423

BRADY PUB
WILL: In short: don't know, don't care.
KINSEY: Well now, I'm sure that's not true.
WILL: Yeah, it is. Kinsey, I haven't seen or heard from Mia in a very long time. And I'd rather keep it that way. Besides, even if I didn't feel that way, her opinion on my love life would make no difference to me. At all.
KINSEY: We'll see.
WILL: What's that supposed to mean?
KINSEY: Oh, didn't I mention? When I knew I was coming back, I decided to look up some old friends.
WILL: You and Mia were never friends.
KINSEY: Doesn't matter.
Kinsey looked at her phone.
KINSEY: Looks like I've gotta go. But, now that I'm back, I'm sure I'm gonna see you around a lot more. And so will Mia.
WILL: What?
KINSEY: After I told her I was coming back to town, she decided that she would, too. And she is very, very excited to see you again. It'll be just like the old days. Well, ciao, darling.
Kinsey got up, blew Will a kiss, winked, then walked out.

SALEM PLACE – MELASWEN
Erebus, a weapon in hand, walked to Salem Place, where Steve, John, Shane and Tony were waiting for him.
TONY: Where are Anna and Billie?
EREBUS: You'll see them very soon. The benefactor has granted you all an audience with him.
Erebus pointed the weapon at Shane.
EREBUS: Start walking. All of you.
So Tony, John, Shane and Steve began walking, with Erebus giving them directions, but watching all of them to make sure nobody tried to escape.
JOHN: And I suppose that all we have to go on that nothing's happened to Anna or Billie is your word, right?
EREBUS: As I said, John, that's all that matters around here.

DIMERA MANSION – MELASWEN
The group made their way there.
STEVE: So, this is where the mysterious benefactor lives, eh?
EREBUS: Indeed. Now, I will tell you exactly what I told your women. Do exactly what I do. Do not speak unless spoken to. And most importantly, don't look at the benefactor unless you are given permission. Understand?
Everyone else nodded. Erebus opened the door and he and the other four entered. Immediately, Erebus knelt down and saluted, as he had before. John, Steve, Shane and Tony gave each other looks, but knelt down, anyway.
EREBUS: My benefactor. Your guests, as requested.
Everyone heard a man chuckle slightly.
MAN: Excellent. Rise, my friends, and face me.
JOHN (thinking): Where do I know that voice from?
All five stood and looked. They were in the main room of the DiMera Mansion, which now looked like a throne room. Billie and Anna stood on either side of the throne, while its occupant was a man that three out of the four of them recognized.
SHANE: Oh my.
STEVE: I don't believe it.
JOHN: Thomas Banks.
Thomas smiled.
THOMAS: Hello, John. It's good to see you again. It's good to see all of you. Especially you, Special Agent Donovan.