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Oh how she wanted to squeak. How she wanted to talk out loud and pump herself up. After all, this was going to be the chance of a lifetime. A chance that should she win, she'd be able to sit down and do everything she wanted rather than follow the social life others always had planned for her. She couldn't wait to dance and sing in the privacy of her own room but she wasn't in there. Nope, in fact all she could see were cold eyes staring at her from the rear view mirror. It was the driver. He wasn't pleased with her it was obvious. The way he raised an eyebrow when he saw her enter. Rosalina laid back as she slightly closed her eyes so she could look at him without him getting irritated.

His eyes weren't soft has they seemed to have formed daggers at her. It was obvious that he didn't approve of her. She could tell. The way he'd shake his head after looking at her. The way he'd let out a sigh every now and then. Of course it he had also said "Kids these days." When she entered the taxi. Rosalina fully closed her eyes. Then he wouldn't have to try to talk to her and form some sort of civil discussion about the weather or politics. As if this sour man would even attempt such a thing. She was grateful about that.

The drive through the mountainous area ended up in a forest. Rosalina didn't see any of the sights as she kept her eyes closed. Instead she thought to herself about her novel idea. Bu then a thought popped in about food and pretty soon she was completely off her original thought and somehow began thinking about how a great movie The Frog Princess was. She was rudely interrupted however as a loud honking noise cause her to jump up. Followed by an abrupt stop that had her face meet the back seat in a face plant that would have had local skaters whooping and hollering. She silently cursed to herself as the driver barked out they were here. Rosalina just glared at nothing as she made her way out. Her hand was on her forehead as she brushed her black hair back so that most of it was behind her shoulder rather than her front.

As she closed the door and retrieved her luggage, she was given no reprieve as the taxi reeled away. The screeching of rubber against cement rang throughout the sky as Rosalina winced in response. It was over there. Rosalina was by herself. She gave a quick look around. No one. A second look to make sure. No one. A third one just in case something happened. No one. Now that she was triply sure of being by herself she let out a quick squeal as she hugged herself. It was real. SHE WAS LIKE A PRINCESS. A quick look at the mansion and... it hit her. This was actually creepy. The way the forest enveloped this small area like a little place secluded from the world itself. Sort of like a horror movie. Rosalina shuddered as she remembered the move 'House on Haunted Hill'. This was quite similar. Live an a building for a bit and win a lot money. Except in the movie it was haunted and you would be killed.

She'd have gotten further lost into her thoughts about other horror movies until the doors in front of her opened. She let out a slight yelp as she stepped back. She was met with a very clean cut fellow. One who made her take a second look at herself. A black tank top, short plaid miniskirt, and fishnets. She picked at her clothing a bit as it hit her that this was definitely a much fancier affair than she was prepared for. Just looking at the man and the inside of the building told her a lot. Well that's even better. What this meant was that other would keep their distance. Just the way she preferred it.

The butler fellow stared into her hazel eyes as he spoke softly. His eyes welcomed her along with his smile. He seemed to be the kindest old man she had ever met with how humble he was. Rosalina played with her black hair as she walked past him and greeted him. She was a bit more nervous than before now. She had no idea who'd she meet and what they'd do. It would be better if she kept her distance and try to limit her interaction. She wasn't here for friends. She was here for money. That was it. Then she'd go back home, done deal while screwing the banker. Take that Howie Mandel.

Raswell brushed off his shoulders as he followed the polite old butler into the mansion. His wavy hair, normally dangling down to chin-level, was tied back into a ponytail, revealing the small black studs in his ears. A plain black shirt and a pair of dark jeans was the closest he owned to a suit, but he still made up nicely. He had removed the silver ring from his bottom lip for the occasion; when you inherit the estate of a billionaire, he thought, you should at least seem like you earned it.

Ever since he read the letter, he couldn't help but question its validity. He had never met the man named "Renald Wallace," so the whole business seemed too good to be true. He wasn't even sure there was going to be anything out here when he gave the address to the cabby. Even now, walking through the halls of such a gorgeous home, it seemed too easy, too convenient. Still, when your back's against the wall, you have to take a chance, or you get knocked out -- a factoid he picked up from his fights. The inheritance was just too vast not to go for.

The butler gestured for him to enter the room before him, and Raswell indulged him by pushing the door open. There were two others sitting in the room already: a slick-looking man with a fedora, and a girl in fishnets and a miniskirt. He let his golden brown eyes linger on her outfit, taking in the angles. He was secretly glad that he wasn't the only one who had shown up underdressed. Raising a hand to say "hello," he thought better of it, and simply smiled. There would be little point in getting friendly with the people who came here today, especially once the inheritance was in the pocket of Raswell Esposito.

"Were either of you close to Mr. Wallace?" He couldn't help himself. He wasn't so heartless that he could just ignore them. What if they were Renald Wallace's kids, or something? His stomach flipped on itself, as the realization of that possibility set in. Could this absurdly wealthy man have cut his own flesh and blood out of his will, just to give it to someone who, for all he could remember, he had never met? He plastered what he thought was a kind smile on his face to cover up his uncertainty. If Renald Wallace had taken away whatever inheritance these other people would be getting, would he be able to walk out of here, filthy rich, in good conscience? Even if his life rested on paying off his debts with this money, Raswell wasn't so sure his heart was so cold as that.

"Sir? Are you alright?" The butler gazed steadily at him. Thomas swiftly ignored the man, too caught up in his crazy fantasies to interpret what the man had just said. Instead, he flounced through the huge doors, not a care in the world.

The mansion was undeniably huge. Big enough to hold his future creations... The young man grinned with outright excitement. Oh, there, that would be the lab....And over there, there would be a little guest waiting room...all for show of course...and then he could have the kitchen--

He glanced backwards at the old man behind him briefly. The butler behind him was looking at him with a slightly confused expression, but still held that knowing and kind smile. It irked him. Instead of marching straight up to him, he took a deep breath and gave a childlike wave. The old man, sensing he was masking his anger, waved back with a wisdom of a parent.

It made him annoyed and angry how that old man could have that knowing smile. Like he knew everything. In fact, the man didn't know anything. However, Thomas did. He always did. It was only a fact. He knew things about mechanics...sort of. ...Well, what did that old man know? Nothing. Maybe only to clean a table or s'methin'. He wanted to wipe that smile off of the aged man's face. He wanted to wrap his hands around that thin neck and...

"No, no," he tutted to himself, a thin smile curving his lips upwards as he faced forward. He began walking once more and continued his little exploration. "I need to be a good boy, now." The smile turned into a cheeky grin. Now, his arms were swaying with vigor. This was exciting.

Through his choppy and unkept bangs (what kind of inventor keeps himself busy with his appearance?), Thomas realized he was in a vast room, a bit too big to be called a living room. "Oh? he murmured out loud. "This must be the parlor. How cute." He ran his hands along a nearby couch. A thought hit him.

Honestly, what was he doing with his life? Making inventions, sure, but shouldn't he have had a back-up plan? Should he have stayed in the Navy? Maybe gone to college instead of nursing these wacky inventions? This parlor filled him with unwanted, melancholy thoughts. How unruly. He...

Suddenly, his reasonable side vanished all at once. There were way too many 'What if's buzzing around in his mind. What was there to worry about? All he had to do was move on and hope to get this guy's money. Well, not even hope he would certainly get the money.

And then with that money, it would fuel his desire to obtain his 'famous inventor' dream. Of course, after that, he would probably just...well, there was no answer to that. He'd probably...well...okay, well, maybe he'd do something awesome. Like world peace or something like that.

Thomas wasn't one to plan ahead, and was more like the one to move ahead bravely and confidently, slashing through the enemy called 'limits'. Hand in hand with his child-like behavior, of course. Those two were the best of team mates. 'Course, they didn't always agree with each other, sometimes.

Standing and brooding about in the mansion wasn't going to help was it? So, instead, Thomas plopped down on a couch. He kicked his feet up (shoes still on, of course) on the arm rest and gazed upward at the ceiling. Absently, he ran his hands through his shoulder length hair.

His overgrown bangs were starting to annoy him, nowadays, and he considered cutting them once more, but he was too lazy. What time did an inventor have to cut his hair? Zero. It was absolutely tiring. Having to sit there...wait for the stylist to get ready...and then take a seat in the chair...only having his thoughts with him...how boring.

Feeling bored enough already, he started twidling with his thumbs. When would he get the money already? This was getting irksome.

"Perhaps I should entertain myself with my imagination." he pondered thoughtfully. The auburn colored man began imaginaing the cracks in the ceilings as pictures, instead. They all turned out to be some sort of design for his humanoid robots.

"Oh, yeah," he thought, another wild grin lighting up his face. "Let the games begin."

The minutes dragged on and piled up. Kaine went from shifting in his seat to shoving his hands in his pockets fiddling with change or twirling his fedora again on his finger tip. There were too many questions that needed answered for him to be patient. It had been driving him crazy since the letter had arrived. Who was this mysterious man? Why was Kaine named in the will? And, most importantly, what exactly was the percentage that they took for inheritance tax these days? Each of these and even more questions were piling up and the wait was killing him.

Besides people were slowly filtering into the room only adding to these questions. When the guy with the ponytail voiced one such question Kaine’s eyes went passive and he shrugged noncommittally, “Not especially so. You?” His shaded gaze flicked to the young woman in the plaid skirt and fishnets with a smug grin as she admitted that she didn’t know the billionaire. Of course, he had never met or heard of Reginald Wallace before the letter in his life. But there was no sense in giving away any edge that he might have in the room. Should there be a legal battle for the inheritance, it would be hearsay as to who had a relationship with him. Unfortunately in today’s world it was too easy to DNA test for relations, even on a corpse, so there was no hope in lying to say that the old man was his father.

This girl seemed all about stating her thoughts even though they were crass and crude. Naturally he felt the same way. But he wouldn’t have said it. It seemed she wasn’t worried about making enemies. A family member, business associate or other beneficiary could have been offended and angered by her words. He wasn’t here to make friends, but it was a little too early for him to start making enemies.

It just seemed natural to be evasive and shrewd, but Kaine couldn’t help but wonder if he would actually be willing to get involved with lying and legalese to get a share of the money. He nearly chuckled at the thought. Four billion dollars, he would do whatever it took to get a piece of that pie. For god’s sake, one billion dollars, one MILLION dollars, could change his life totally and set him on the track that he desired.

Another figure appeared in the door, pulling his attention up. But rather than a family lawyer here to read the will, it seemed to be another attendant. A pretty young thing with bright eyes and dark hair. Her dress was tasteful and stylish, but her manner seemed a bit unsure. Her eyes searching and curious. She looked around the room the same way that he had, with marvel and wonder. She had never been in this room before. She didn’t know why she was here either. It seemed that Reginald Wallace had a few tricks up his sleeve and his will was his final jest to the world.

Kaine didn’t appreciate being the butt of anyone’s joke. However, he was confident enough in his own powers of skill and wits to come out of this on top. He straightened his cerulean tie against his starched black oxford shirt and pulled down his pinstriped vest before flapping the lapels of his Brooks Brother suit down and standing. Yet another new entry had come into the room and was studying the ceiling with bizarre interest which drew a stare of disbelief from behind Kaine’s sunglasses.

Walking up to where the second young woman to arrive had taken her seat, he reached out his hand in greeting. “Hello there, Kaine Kross.” Tipping his fedora down rakishly over his forehead with a smirk as he gestured to the seat next to her, “May I?” Without waiting for her assent, he slipped into it. Reaching up he slid his dark sunglasses off and pocketed them before turning to give her a smile and a full blaze of dreamy baby blue eyes. He had decided to feign familiarity to Reginald Wallace, but he was still deciding how he would say he knew him. His internet search had turned up very little.

In fact only two things, Mr. Wallace was wealthy and he had died of ‘mysterious circumstances’. That second one was just hitting him for the first time as he was sitting down next to a pretty stranger in the house of a likely murdered man. He, above all people, knew the dangerous power of intoxicating beauty. He smiled charmingly all the same.

”It’s a shame. He was a great man.” He began with a general gesture to the house around them, feigning a mild irritation towards the other female in the room. As though he might have been somewhat slighted by her words. ”Such a lovely place though, a shame to see it so empty.”

The last man to arrive was grinning feverishly at the ceiling and Kaine raised an eyebrow in his direction. He couldn’t make sense of the gathering in the room. They were all young. Judging by how they dressed, only he and the young woman at his side appeared to have any money. Which could be misleading since, despite all appearances, he had no money to speak of. No one had similar features that might suggest there was some far flung relation between them. So far, none of the others appeared to know one another. If he could venture a guess, based on their expressions, they were all as clueless as him. He didn’t like being clueless. So he was determined to act to the contrary.

Turning back to the woman on his left, he lowered his voice as his bright eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “I don’t know about you but I could do with a drink and a little walk to loosen up my legs after the long drive here. Accompany me?” In truth, he wanted a look around the house to see if he could get a hint about who Reginald Wallace was. Surely the butler was going to keep them out of the really private areas but if they could find some photos of the man, old newspaper articles, something. Even golf clubs or evidence of a dog, could give him something to work with. It seemed like the tension in the room was growing and he needed more ammo than he had brought with him.

{{TAG: All BUT ESPECIALLY Raina}}

Raina blushed when silence rang out, the rooms inhabitants going silent and that just made the dark haired girl even more self-conscious at the thought of interrupting the groups previous conversation. She was thankful though when the silence was broken when a new individual entered the room all but oblivious to everyone else in the room. Raina watched him for a moment, the light drone of the only other female's voice going in one ear and out the other as she tilted her head in a curious fashion at seeing the new man taking absolute fascination in the ceiling before letting her daze take over fully and her brain do the next option as the conversation continued, attention directed from her and not towards.

There is a god.

"Hello. Are you new here as well?"

'Strike that.' Raina thought as her eyes shifted from the dull grey world outside the windows and to burning determined hazel orbs of the girl who'd asked the question. Timidly, she nodded her head and mumbled out a small 'yes' and was only a little surprised when the girl continued on after the confirmation. "Well then I wonder if there is anyone else we will be dealing with today. I am sure we are all thinking the same. The less the better." the strange female said with almost a cutting edge in her voice, but Raina couldn't disagree much when it came down to it; she needed money and the fewer people it had to be split between the better.

Just as she was about to agree though a rather attractive older male approached her and pushed her back into silence. Kaine Kross. Such an unusual name, but it suited the rather unusual man. Raina couldn't hide the slight smile after he all but invited himself to sit next to her and got comfortable, the slight eagerness to interact a dead tell on what his intentions could be, and she took note on this and the mannerisms that would lead to her answer but that train of thought was derailed at his next words.

"It's a shame. He was a great man. Such a lovely place though, a shame to see it so empty."

Her thoughts were flashing through her brain a mile a minute!

'Does this Mr. Kaine know him? Is he a relative? A friend? Family acquaintance? Might he know something about my parents? God what if he expects me to know him? Oh, wait no, he introduced himself.'

He seemed to know what he was talking about, but Raina didn't know if she should play along and really didn't see any merit in pretending to do so but, no one was asking her relation and why not keep everyone on their toes the same way their mysterious host was?

"I'm Raina. Raina Aedi. And I can't help but agree. I never could imagine a single room of this place going unused. The first time I saw it I thought it similar to something out of those period films that are always teeming with party goers in ball gowns with masks and those gaudy wine goblets." she said with a smile and an appreciative glance around, mentally patting herself on the back at the comment but didn't have much time for the parade in her brain at the cleverness of her when Mr. Kross propositioned her to walk about the estate.
xxxxxxx"Ah, um of course. I-it'd be my pleasure." Raina said and almost hit her forehead when her voice betrayed her, striking blue eyes on her figure once more. With a deep inhale she stood and smoothed out her dress before turning to face Kaine. "Shall we?" she asked charmingly and gesturing to the doors similarly as Jeeves had earlier, her brain catching up a moment later to notice how out of character this was for her. But...this was a new place, and this Mr. Kross was very attractive and, be it for show or not, seemed interested in her. Why not live by the old adage and let herself enjoy this first time where she was coming across charming and mysterious? And it was these thoughts that kept her from taking too much interest in the new entree to the room.

The halls seemed colder than the parlor they'd just been in and Raina shivered a little at the feeling of being watched once more but resisted the urge to look around too much, keeping her eyes on Kaine's back as she followed just half a step behind him. He walked with such confidence in this place, it seemed like he might know it like the back of his hand, but she'd later look back and realize just how much his eyes shifted and the slight stop in his step as he must have debated which room was which. For the present moment though she was slightly taken with him. Steely, soul piercing eyes, a tall and muscular build that she did her best not to stare at, and his dress was sharp and he wore it as confidently as his attitude.

"What can I get for you?"

The question shocked her out of the slight daze that had reclaimed her mind and she looked at Kaine questioningly before noticing the glass in his hand and had a momentary freak out before noticing the tap on the bar and almost sighed in relief.

"Ah, just ice water is fine, thanks." Raina said with a quick smile before her nails started to pick a loose thread that was coming unwound from one of the buttons in the dark chocolate covered leather couch. She leaned against the left arm as she watched Kaine quickly make his drink, a little relieved to see that he wasn't taking to any of the more cheerful spirits, and accepted her chilled glass with a soft thank you.
xxxxxRaina smiled at the toast and nodded murmuring her own 'Here here' before taking a sip of the refreshingly cold liquid, eyes lingering on the gently shifting liquid when Kaine spoke up to break the silence that had befallen them once more, officially setting the pattern for being the more social of the two and also the more flirtatious.

"You're entirely too charming Mr. Kross." Raina said and cradled one of her blushing cheeks with a cool hand as she looked to the side towards an unlit fireplace as her fingers nervously played against the smooth glass. His next question was a little shocking and she knew any hopes of feigning knowledge was dashed at this point and saw no need to keep up such a facade and so Raina let loose a breathy laugh before glancing back to Kaine. "I suppose my earlier words might have gotten you to think that I would know something about this place, and I'm sorry that I mislead you to that thought, but honestly I have no clue what's going on here. I came, partly to see exactly what's been entitled to me, but my main motive is to get answers in all actuality. To maybe be told that this man is family...and that there may be living descendants that I can talk to about-...a-about some things. Sadly no one who's arrived has recognized me so I'm sad to say that I'm as out of place as most.
I am happy though, to know that you knew our passed host. I'm very sorry for your loss." she said and gave a sympathetic smile as she reached out to squeeze his free hand just as kindly, but quickly, retracting her hand and unconsciously letting it cross her chest and clasp onto the shoulder that her memorial tattoo was on; her fingers skimmed just under the luxurious material and her eyes focused just as quickly as they'd taken on a far away look.

"So, you spent summer here one year? I can only imagine what that was like." Raina said after another moment or two of quiet trying to lighten the atmosphere. "This place seems like a glorified country club. It must be beautiful when it's not all cold and dreary outside. N-not that it isn't now but, you know, it seems like something out of those murder mystery movies. Next thing you know the power will go out and the roads to town will be blocked off by fallen trees or something." she teased and smiled a little more genuinely even if only at her own joke.

Raina smiled as Kaine recalled the short tale of history he shared with Mr. Renald and her impression of this mysterious man only got more and more positive as Kaine kept talking. To invite someone who worked in such a position to your funeral, to even remember someone so insignificant in ones life, it said a lot about the man.

'...could I be related to such a kind person?' she wondered and couldn't help the frown that overtook her features as she remembered the years of her past when she was nothing but a royal ******** up and prayed that she had half the oppertuinity to have any kind of relationship with this man who seemed so kind even in his position.

Well, that is if what Kaine was saying is true. Then again, who was she to mistrust a sweet stranger that was making her feel so accommodated.

But, once more, Raina was pulled from her thoughts and inner debate by Kaine, though the physical contact was new. The onyx haired girl blushed, hard; no doubt in her mind that she could be very easily likened to a beet as the heat from the mans hand all but seeped through the satin of her dress as he guided her from her place against the couch.

"Shall we wander on a little further? We should hear them start as long as we stay in this wing. I don't mean to herd you along, but I confess my legs are restless after the drive here. Did you come from very far away to join us?"

Raina was silent a moment, legs moving with each step of Kaine's out of habit as her mind wandered a mile a millisecond. She hadn't had this kind of physical contact with a male, hell with anyone, in quite some months and while it wasn't unheard of at such an event where people longed for comfort and she'd pretty much done an equivalent earlier she couldn't help but bring herself to over analyze it. It wasn't even intimate but, somewhere in the back of her brain she was turning it into that. So soon as the thought was there though, it was gone and followed by a mental chastising.

But the hand still lingered, so did the heat, and his question.

'Crap! He's still waiting for an answer isn't he? How long have I been quiet? Ah, screw it, w-what was the question again? Uh, something about distance maybe; where I'm from?' she thought quickly and really hoped the fact that she was so flustered didn't show on her face as she pulled together a reply.

"Ah, i-it's fine, I don't mind. I mean, it's better than sitting around that room and stressing while waiting for goodness knows how much longer right?" Raina said half to reassure Kaine that she was fine with him taking lead in all this, and the other half to tell herself that it's fine to still be here with Kaine...alone, acting like a blushing school girl instead of the life-experienced high school graduate that was here for answers and possible tuition. "And I suppose, it was a little bit of a trip. Two buses and a taxi. Wasn't exactly cheap but the letter was just so...official, I could hardly keep away." she said and had to stop herself from mentioning her need for answers, pretty sure that revealing two buses and a taxi costing a lot for her debunking any thoughts on her outfit meaning she was from money. "How about you? Did you come from far away?" she fired back quickly before he could ask anything of her answers.