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 Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:13 pm
Quote: The line for Santa is miles long and doesn’t seem to be moving. At the front, it appears there isn’t enough help to keep everything running smoothly. Suddenly you are tapped on the shoulder and turn around to find a woman dressed as an elf looking at you with panic in her eyes. “There you are! Where have you been? Why aren’t you dressed? Hurry up! We need more hands up there!” It appears she has mistaken you for one of the missing elves. Do you go along with it? Set her straight?
Since Giulia's little Halloween soiree, Jada and Ciel Karpusi had been trying to schedule a meeting to go over the work proposal that Ciel had approached the model with. It had seemed, however, that time after time something was getting in the way of the meeting. It had taken almost 2 months to schedule this, and when she'd gotten the time and location this time, Jada could hardly refuse. A few days before Christmas, in a small bakery in the local mall. It wasn't the ideal location, but at this point, beggars could not be choosers, and Jada was ready for these discussions to be had.
She missed working- the young woman hadn't been tied down to one place for so long since she was 18 years old. Oh, she'd taken the trips to Europe in February, but it had been months since her return, and there were weeks still until her next trip. New York from February 8th through 16th, then London until the 20th, Milan until the 27th, and Paris until March 6th... assuming she wanted to see all the shows. There were probably some more then others, and... well. She might not even be able to make it to all of them, since Yvaine would possibly be due around that time, and she couldn't leave the twins with Elzo if a newborn might be involved.
Outside of the patisserie, she could see the lines for Santa, still and anything but silent. Kids were eager for their meeting with the jolly santa, but the harried elves seemed to be preparing to panic. She lifted the Noisette, sipping; then tore off a piece of the freshly-baked croissant- probably a heathen, but she hadn't had breakfast. Ciel would be here shortly, she was certain; the other woman had probably been trapped in the standstill that was the santa line two days before Christmas.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:37 am
Ciel was happy to finally have this meeting it was regrettable that it was kinda thrown together at the last minute, it made her seem very unprofessional which was the opposite image that Ciel wanted to project. But this was still better than nothing.
She was wearing a snow white faux fur coat because of how cold it had gotten recently. She was carrying a folder with information about the job prepared by some of her employees. She technically could not actually get her to sign any contracts because of her age but she could give information about the job and then have an employee actually get the final signiture. She considered this good practice for when she took over the company.
She was more than a little surprised at the super long line to see Santa, it seemed like all of the elves were running around in panic. She finally managed to make her way through and saw Jada at a table out side of the patisserie they had agreed to meet at.
"Hey sorry I'm late its a crazy line. But I brought some information about the position and I can answer any questions you might have." She said as she took her coat off and sat down.
As she was talking a woman dressed as an elf walked over to them an annoyed scowl on her face. "What do you two think you're doing!? We don't have time for you to sit on your asses and why aren't you in costume! Come on get moving." She said as she hauled a confused Ciel out of her seat.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:53 pm
She was comfortable enough as she waited, though the sheer amount of people who kept passing in and out of the patisserie made the heat almost stifling at moments. But the smell of the bakery made up for the occasional discomfort, and the coffee was sublime. The croissant wasn't half-bad either. And there, at last, was the young Ciel, making her way through the crowd and towards Jada. The model rose to her feet as the other woman approached, holding out her hand in offer of a shake. "No need to be sorry," she said cheerfully, flashing a professional smile, "It is probably what I get for being so unavailable around the holidays."
Information about the position. Calling it a position made it sound like there would be long-term work involved, not just a few days of shots- and that was interesting. Jada had been a bit distracted at the masque, and she wished she'd had more time to discuss what Ciel was looking for, but that was why they had this meeting, now. "I did bring a few copies of my comp card and a portfolio for you to take back with you," she managed to get out as they sat back down.
What she was going to say next, however, was lost, as a harried-looking elf thundered in their direction, rudely gripping the younger Ciel and jerking her back out of the chair. "Pardon?" Jada asked sharply as she rose again, gripping at the other woman's arm to try and keep her from further manhandling the younger girl. "I think you've made a mistake." she gave the aggressive woman a smile, not letting go of the arm. "We're not supposed to be in costume. Unless there is something you didn't tell me, Ciel." Not that she figured it. But what awful timing.
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 6:56 am
Ciel tried to tug her self out of the woman's grip. She wanted so badly to just become Hyperborea, she'd be able to easily break free of the woman. As it stood though Ciel was 5'4 and 107lbs, admittedly a very fit 107lbs since she constantly exercised, and this taller woman had a steel grip on her collar. "Nom de Dieu!" She cursed under breath.
"Nope no clue what she's talking about." Ciel responded as Jada came to her defense.
"Are you two really doing this? Now of all times!" The elf woman growled. "Fine go play your game but know you aren't getting paid a single cent." She said as she stormed off still clearly convinced the girls were lying.
"Geeze what was that about, guess the holidays are really getting to some people." She said in a huff as she fixed her top.
She was blushing furiously as she sat back down. "Merci, thank you for your help." She said to the older woman, so much for trying to look professional. She felt so embarrassed being manhandled like that.
"Maybe now we can actually talk about the job." She said as she handed the woman the folder, that had the pay, expectations, a description of the kind of things she would be modeling for and other important job information. She took the woman's portfolio and looked it over.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:55 am
The way that Ciel was struggling against the woman's grip was good enough for Jada, even before the verbal confirmation that the girl had no idea what the woman was going on about. Her grip tightened, manicured nails digging into the other woman's arm, firmly now. "We're not your employees," she informed the spiritless elf, before the woman stomped away at last, "And thank goodness for that." the last was for Ciel alone, as they were at last able to retake their seats. "Elves don't have it easy this time of year, I suppose. No excuse for that performance." Holding her skirt carefully, she settled herself back down in the chair, crossing her ankles neatly.
"No reason to thank me," Jada assured the younger woman with a smile, "I'm sure being accosted by elves is covered somewhere in the girl code." Or maybe that was just in the burgeoning angry mom code- she'd have to consider that one later. Reaching out for the folder and passing over her portfolio in return, she flipped it open and started a quick scan. The pay was generous, and would make a nice donation to Jada's charities- where all the proceeds of her modeling work went. Jada appreciated that the company was doing a lump buyout of the pictures in lieu of residuals- that always made things a little bit cleaner. It looked like there were only a few days she'd be booked for, at least initially. And- hmm. She flipped through to the next page, considering the details carefully.
The first few pages of the portfolio that Ciel would see when she opened up the portfolio was a copy of her profile page. Age, basic measurement stats, problem areas, the fact she had a tattoo and where it was located, for covering up if needed. Next were the fairly generic photos- the headshot, from shoulders up, with minimal makeup and an unsmiling face. A full length body shot, her commercial shots, an elegant swimsuit shot. Then there were a few tear sheets of work she had been published in, and a trio of her favorite shots closing up the portfolio. She'd been told again and again- people only really remember the first shots and the last, make them count.
"Tell me a little more about your company," she said after a moment, setting the folder down. She'd look over it a bit more in detail, of course, but she was curious as to what the young woman would say. She'd done a little research, of course, but she was always interested in the sales pitch- especially when someone went out of their way to approach her to help present their brand, even in this small part.
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:15 am
She chuckled. "Yes definitely in the girl code."
She looked through the portfolio, nothing unexpected but it did further her belief that she would make a good model. She was impressed with some of the things she had been published.
"Of course, lets see, The company began when my grandfather opened a clothing store in Paris in the 1950s, since then it has grown into a multi-national brand. We produce high quality clothes, make up and jewelry all designed by in house designers, originally that included my grandfather however because of his age he has stepped back and only handles administrative work now. As we are based in Paris alot of our designs reflects that. We also have several branch off companies, including a furniture store, a toy store, a music and movie studio in France, and a restaurant in France. We work with several multi national charities, including charities for hunger, Aids, and disaster relief." She took a breath after her long spiel. "Any other questions." She offered with a friendly smile.
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:43 pm
Jada listened with interest, her hands neatly folded on the table before her- elbows off, of course. Under the table her legs shifted, ankles recrossing, and she leaned in. It was body language meant to express interest and attention, and even if she hadn't been listening it was a pose that was familiar to her after so many years of people expecting her attention.
Paris, 1950s- not long after World War 2. Older company, growing out of post-occupation, could likely mean older values. Still willing to take a chance on a younger face- because she carried an old name and her own great-and-grand-and-father's older conglomerate at her back? There were layers. Not that she was like to turn the job down- and maybe it was a simple transaction. Interesting choice of places to branch out. Furniture and toys, a restaurant- Ciel's grandfather liked to have his fingers in an eclectic assemblage of pies. The charities were nice to mention- most her modeling earnings went to charity, since she had her own money, and it would be interesting to nose into which charities. Because she was helplessly nosy.
"Not any major questions," Jada said with a smile, and leaned back again, "Just one more. You don't have to answer, of course. Something I typically ask though, especially when I am approached, instead of going through the usual casting call." her hands shifted, twitching on instinct- her hands waved a lot when she spoke, and keeping them down for business was surprisingly difficult. "Why was I approached? Usually when I am approached, the client is shopping for a certain body type or part, or they are local designers and art schools without international resources, looking for a local model for a few hours. Your grandfather's company would have those resources." her smile was quick, a flash of straight teeth. "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I'm jusy hoping to nail down what you, or your scout, if hoping I'll bring to this particular project."
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 6:44 am
"That is a fair question." She chuckled. "You aren't wrong my grandfather already has models. But I supposed you could say its a bit of a personal project for me." She explained.
"I want to help my grandfather out with running the company, even if its in a small way. I've seen some of your work before, and if you'll forgive me for being blunt you are very beautiful Mademoiselle Chamberlyn. Then I saw your invitation to the masquerade and I thought c'était couru d'avance. I decided then to approach you and see if you would be interested." She said taking a sip of her drink.
"You have modern yet also very dignified look about you and I think that would be perfect for our line." She said giving the woman a friendly smile.
As they talked the sun went down and the mall began to empty out. "Ah I suppose it is time for to go." She said noting the stores beginning to close. She stood up and waited for the woman to follow her. "So do you think you would be interested in position?"
As they were talking outside a low animal like growl could be heard from the shadows. Out of the shadows stepped a demon like polar bear, undoubtedly a youma. Ciel instinctively stepped in front of Jada to protect her. She bit her lip trying to decide if she should transform infront of Jada or not.
As the youma charged at them she made her decision. In a flash of light she had transformed into Hyperborea. She knocked the youma of its charge with a swift swing her staff to the monster's head sending it crumpling to the side.
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Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:08 pm
She was a little surprised to receive an honest answer, and her lips quirked in a slightly crooked smile at the response that Ciel gave, allowing her shoulders to relax a hair. It didn't hurt that Ciel called her beautiful- she really did like compliments. Beyond that, she was a bit surprised to see someone of Ciel's apparent youth with a genuine interest in helping with the running of a business. Jada knew too many young women who would be content with the fruits of their inheritance- like Szelem would have been, and like she had endeavored to teach her daughters to be. Lucas was the one who was supposed to have an interest in it, but he wanted to be a doctor. Zora had more interest in tech, and Jada... well.
Taking another sip of coffee, the older woman watched the line standstill, the elves growing more and more stressed as the children grew more and more agitated. "Yes," she said after a moment, and gathered her purse, dusting off the last bit of her snack, "You are probably right. As for the position, I'll look over the legalese later, but I do always like a new challenge."
Jada pushed open the door, holding it politely for the other girl- and heard the growl before she saw the creature stepping from the shadows. Oh great- youma. Mall. Christmas. Someone around here would be guaranteed to see the wrong thing if she powered- Or maybe she wouldn't need to. Ciel was much less fearless with her identity, it seemed, but Jada... Jada had to let the other woman fend off the be-ouma, at least until she could duck out of sight and yank her henshin pen out of her purse.
Monster was already down when the senshi poked her head back out. "Scylla's Hunger." Her magic wasn't dramatic, and she didn't have to pull it up and have to focus the greed- it tore its way from the sidewalk, thick tentacles wrapping around the crumpled youma and pulling. She stepped the rest of the way out, shaking leaves off her anklet, and waving a faintly tattooed arm. "You should be more careful. For all you know I could have been a Negaverse agent."
She wasn't even looking at the monster. It was a bit.... tied up, anyways.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 4:39 pm
Hyperborea's eyebrow raised when a tentacle bust out of the sidewalk and began strangling the youma. She turned around to face the eternal senshi. "I suppose you're right but at the same time there are not very many Negaverse agents I am afraid of." She said with a chuckle.
"I guess I wasn't the only one with a secret." She said with a grin.
Her grin faded through as the Youma howled trying to make its presences known. "Back to the void with you." She muttered as she walked over to the restrained monster and stabbed it in the chest with the point of the star that topped her staff.
With the youma turned to dust she turned her attention to the senshi. "Wait I've seen you before. You were in the park during the fight with that giant wraith, right?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:34 pm
It was always nice when someone took giant tentacles in stride. "You might not have been meeting the right agents." she replied with a small laugh, reaching up and instinctively reaching to where her tiara had once been; not finding it, she brushed an invisible hair out of her eyes, trying not to look ruffled by the loss of almost eight years of comfortable habit. "In any case, every woman has to have a few secrets." Jada, and other females with magical power, she supposed, just had a few more than most.
Behind the knight, the angry youma howled, and Jada gave a wince as teeth tore into one thick arm, the pain shooting down her spine. Blue 'blood' oozed from the wounded tentacle, but it tightened still further as Ciel approached- holding it still for the knight to stab it in the chest. As it fell to dist, the arm sank back into the sidewalk, the blue blood thinning and melting with the release of Scylla's magic.
You were in the park during the fight with that giant wraith, right? It wasn't how she'd want to be remembered. It was an experience she wanted to remember. She'd had nightmares about it for... it had put her so far behind on her psychiatric appointments, and almost restored her to raging alcoholic status. It had been Kallichore's accidental intervention that...
"Scylla," Jada said with a smile, holding out one hand, "Senshi of the Kraken. And you're right. I was there- not my best moment, though."
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:51 am
Hyperborea giggled. "I think its the opposite, I've seen the worst the Negaverse has to offer so why be scared of the rest." She said with a laugh and a shake of her head.
She noticed Scylla wince in pain when the monster had tore into the tentacle, she wondered if damage transfered from her tentacles to her. Better safe than sorry.
"Here let me see." She said walking over and gently taking the woman's arm. She pushed her pure energy into the woman through the arm.
"Women like us have more than most I suppose." She replied.
Hyperborea shook the offered hand. "Hyperborea, Transcended knight of the Cosmos. And don't worry that wraith brought out the worst in everyone." She waved away the girl's worry.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:09 pm
Scylla didn't disagree with the woman's assessment- they had both survived different things. Jada lived in fear of dragons, monsters like Tanzanite and Obsidian, and traitors wearing the skins of friends. She remembered days when the city burned, before the Negaverse had gotten wiser, and this had been every day. Seen the worst? Perhaps. Everyone had fought their own battles.
The knight reaching out and grabbing at her arm was startling, but meant kindly, and Scylla managed to keep from pulling away. The energy did little to help her, really- the pain was only a flicker, and when the magic faded the pain went too- it was only the memory that stayed. "Thank you, Hyperborea."
It took her only a moment to glance around- no cameras in sight, this angle, and she didn't feel any more chaos auras. In the next moment, Jada Chamberlyn was adjusting her purse on her shoulder, waggling her keys at the knight. "It is late, however. I have to get home to some family. Will you be alright?" It was better than trying to discuss... that. The wraith, what she'd seen, the spectacle... yeah.
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:50 am
Hyperborea leaned on her staff. "Merci, but no need to worry about me I'm used to staying out late and if anyone tries anything stupid I can take care of myself." She assured the older woman.
"But stay safe yourself, I would hate to have our business arrangement fall through because some p***k nega stole your starseed." She said with a grim joking tone.
"But seriously if you ever need help feel free to call me, Order fighters need to look out for one another." She said as she powered down to match the woman.
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 6:01 pm
Jada's smile to the other young woman, as she powered from the shimmering Hyperborea to the bright Ciel Karpusi, was warm and open. "Go easy on them," she said lightly, "They know not who they mess with."
Nodding, Jada tapped where her phone was hidden. "I'll definitely reach out to you." the agreement was quick and easy to make. "Same to you, or if you just want company. I'm not free for patrolling on Tuesday or Thursday nights, but anything else is negotiable."
She slipped her keys out of her pocket, offering a wave to the other woman. "Have a good evening. I'll get back to you on business soon." And then she slipped away, heels clicking against the concrete as she made her way to the car.
Well. One good thing about this assignment would be that at least her boss would know where the occasional bruise came from.
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