Quote:
The Charity Benefit (1) - A number of the local businesses in the area have come together to organise a charity benefit. In addition to a silent auction, there is also an evening charity ball. The community has been wanting to raise funds to fix up a few public areas for some time now and in the spirit of the Star Festival, these businesses have donated several prizes to the event to encourage people to attend. As one of the local residents you have been kindly invited to attend! Formal attire is encouraged but only required if you plan to attend the Ball.
Alexei did not want to be at the charity ball. It wasn't that he had anything against the cause--on the contrary, he fully supported it.
It was the sheer amount of spectacle that came with situations like this. It was unnecessary to donate to a good cause and have to be publicly acknowledged for it.
If he didn't go, it was no skin off his back. But it meant that he'd have to make an appearance another public outing--probably one more pretentious, more demanding, more obnoxious.
Alexei was a judge in Destiny City; it wasn't like he was a celebrity, but he had enough eyes on him that he knew he needed to keep himself in a good light. Just in case some scandal ever broke out.
Not that it would, of course.
He was careful.
Sipping at a glass of champagne as he pretended to be interested in this or that.
He wasn't looking for antiques. He had no interest in bidding on an object when he could just cut a check afterwards. It was less to deal with; if he bought anything now, he'd just wind up having to find some way to dispose it. It would be his luck to accidentally offend someone in the process, so the safer method was just showing up, looking pretty, making small talk, and leaving early.
There were photographers here, reporters. There would be a news segment no doubt, but he suspected the cameras would be rolling after the auction was done. He'd stick around for just long enough to make sure he was noticed--a painful thing, given how he would rather be at home, working.
Or resting, preparing to go out tonight. There were too many people roaming the streets, too many people that didn't deserve their freedom. Too many people who had escaped the law.
It was charity that he would tend to them, tonight. To see that they got their just rewards.
He swirled the liquid in his glass, trying not to look bored. He couldn't say that he was excited about going out at night, to handle the criminals who escaped the law by fluke or technicality. A murderer free, completely, obviously guilty. Out on the street, not charged, because key evidence had gone missing.
How fortunate to have a brother in law enforcement, willing to clean up after you.
Alexei had never been one to rush to judgment. He never acted rashly. Four months had passed and he'd done his due diligence.
Both were guilty. Both would pay.
If they didn't want to play by the laws of the land, they were subject to his law, and Mamertine was far less forgiving.
There was no chance for repentance. Only punishment. But such was the way of the world.
They made their choice.
He would be judge, jury, and executioner if it came to it.
He raised the glass to his lips and finished the last of the liquid.
Eyes sliding to the clock across the room, time couldn't pass quickly enough. He had far better things to do than parade around with everyone here.
Justice had waited long enough.
