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 Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:45 pm
Shopping was something he loved to do, he always had, but sometimes things simply couldn’t be bought in person. There were shops he liked but they didn’t exist in Destiny city and that meant he had to shop online and have things delivered. Also, in some cases it was just easier to get things shipped rather than going to the store, less hassle and better prices.
He’d done a bit of shopping, what he considered a bit of shopping, online and all morning he’d been checking the tracking on the various packages. They were due to arrive today; all of them. He’d gotten some clothing, he needed a new coat, and some sweaters for when winter came. There were candles and he’d ordered a new cologne for himself as well. He was trying a new scent which he’d tested on himself a few weeks back, he’d ordered a discovery set from the company. Also arriving was dog food and other things for Mason’s dog Anubis.
Everything was set to arrive and was out for delivery and he knew a few things he might have to sign for, so he was waiting for the doorbell to ring at any point. He’d been on edge all morning as he made breakfast for himself and cleaned up around the large home. As he cleaned, and even threw in two loads of laundry, the ashen blond took note of a chair which had some marks on it and could likely use a go over from a professional before the problem spread. Leather chairs, and couches, were just not something you left in the hands of untrained people to fix and restore. Shaking his head he headed for the kitchen, to make a note of that on his callander, so he’d remember to call the professional his family used for such things.
That was one thing about his family, the person, or company, one family member used for a service - everyone in the family used. If a person was good enough to gain the attention of one family member then they told everyone in the family, so they all had the same numbers in their cell phones and phone books. If someone fell out of favor…the whole family left. This person was a favorite of his grandmothers, they’d been around that long, so he’d call them as soon as he could.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:46 pm
Melody had done her due diligence with the note that Benitoite had given her. She had found out that the general her brother knew only through the negaverse had a similarly crappy social standing based on flaking out on things one after another, or so it seemed. Now that she knew what they were both involved in, it made at least some sense. She thought she would visit though, maybe not really bring her family name into things for her brother’s sake. Curiosity is what really drove her this time, especially after the immensely fun time she had tearing down another higher-status family recently.
Dressed formally as she usually was, she drove over to the address in her car instead of her brothers. The architecture was simple but classic, from a different era than that of her own family home. Walking up to the door, she noticed a few packages piled up from various vendors. A few company names she recognized from her own online shopping but others she didn’t. She knocked, just once, very firmly and loudly on the door. It would be another of her games in a way, finding herself in the household of another high-society family. What things could she learn from coming to visit? If this is where the team Benitoite had spoken of met, she could very much get used to this.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:47 pm
Figuring it might be a package he needed to sign for, he knew at least one he’d need to sign for, he made his way to the door. Nearly slipping on the wooden floor in his socks, he was in a bit of a hurry really. Opening the door however he spotted someone else, and some packages. Interesting, his phone had no said any had arrived yet, and he’d checked only ten minutes ago. “Can I help you?” Ashen hair was tied back nice and neatly and the petite figure was, as usual, well groomed and dressed well…just like the female at his door. Was she someone he knew….?
Thinking about it, and about who he knew, he wasn’t sure he could put a name to her. Though he was certain, going by her looks, that she was someone he could know. If he didn’t it was likely due to age, which seemed an obvious thing really. She clearly ran the same circles as himself and his family, though he knew whispers tended to follow him. He was one of the few black sheeps in his family…someone who didn’t find his niche right away and wandered a bit before figuring themself out. He knew he’d get it right this time with a degree in botany.
Stepping aside he motioned her inside, he’d get the boxes in after she stepped in. “Come in.” If she wasn’t what he thought she was he’d handle it, he was more than capable. The boxes were piled up just next to the door, he’d handle them later. The inside was dark wood and the floor bare, save for the throw rugs set about neatly in the living room. The place was filled with silver candleholders, with candles set into the holders, and the heavy woods which dominated the living room were matched by the dark colors of leather and brocade. It might have a dark color scheme but was sturdy and inviting…something out of a bygone era in a country that was not this one.
“Shoes.” He motioned to where shoes were left before entering the living room. “Anything to drink?”
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:48 pm
With a polite curtsy, she entered. “Nice to meet you in this fashion, you did give me your address when we last spoke. Or did you forget because I don’t look like my brother when I’m like this?” Carefully taking off her boot heels, she looked around at the furniture and interior design. It reminded her of her own home in a way, now that Aloysius had all the carpeting removed. “Water if that is alright with you.” At that, she made her way toward the living room while she admired all the decor.
“It is very nice in here, I appreciate the architecture and decor greatly. Alexandre was it? I did a little digging just to make sure of things before coming over. You understand that right? It is better to play some things safe especially when in new places.” She meant no harm with her curiosity and said most things matter-of-factly. “You had a lot of things come in, I saw a few clothing brands I’ve ordered from in the past. Good choices though.” In fact, the coat she was currently wearing had come from one of those brands. It was an older one though that she dared not wear out in her circles but that was comfier than most others that she owned.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:51 pm
“Mmm, of course. I’m sure once you noticed who I was you did some digging on me personally and my family. I’d expect that from certain people, I can’t say it’s something most officers would think to do much less have the connections to do either.” As he locked the front door and made his way through the living room and into the kitchen, to get her drink. “Most I find don’t play in such circles, a few do however. But most see such a world and really don’t know what goes on or how to navigate much less who to stay clear of.” Though some in those circles would point him out as someone to keep away from. He couldn’t fault them for their ignorance, or for jumping to judge him.
They had no idea what he did with a good part of his life nor why he was just so scattered at times, such as when it came to what to do with his adult life. He wasn’t entirely comfortable and satisfied in what he did. Teaching art was good in a way but grading art…that was hard to do, impossible really. But he’d wanted to indulge in something he enjoyed and it was a way to find time to indulge in art. He didn’t get nearly enough time to sit down and paint…that at least saw to the allowance of time. Now he was focusing on plants..a lot of plants really.
Perhaps if the war would do them all a favor and end he could settle in and be comfortable in things, in his life, and live up to his family name a bit better. But he did try by putting in a showing at nearly ever social event on the callander and while he came on his own, or with his elder cousin Hudson, he put on a good showing and was on his best behavior.
“I didn’t get your name however.” He hadn’t thought to look, or ask her brother either .He seemed rather private with such things.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:52 pm
She could agree with most of what he said, it made her wonder how many of those from the upper echelons were actually also involved with either Order or Chaos. Normally locked doors set her on edge because they usually led to fights but she was a guest and wouldn’t say anything about it. “I like to try and try to do my due diligence and find out information just to make sure. Better safe than sorry, especially when you have someone like my brother slacking on his social requirements. At least you try on that front, though I think at this point his work has been noticed enough that it is just considered the eccentricity of his craft.”
“I, unfortunately, can’t reveal my family name because my brother is hell-bent on keeping things separate between his personal life and work life. But you can call me Mel, my friends and family do at least. I hope that is alright with you for now, maybe in the future he might reconsider. He really is a hermit when it comes to stuff like this and I do apologize on his behalf.”
With that out of the way, she took a seat and looked around even more. There was an old yet cozy feeling here, definitely not based on the stuff from the city even in times long since passed. “I mostly wanted to take a look around since you mentioned the team can come by here if needed. I think I’m more inclined to look into that on a serious note given I have had a bit more practice put in on things so I know a bit more about what can be done with what I have.”
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:53 pm
“Of course, something I can certainly appreciate as a civilian and even as an officer. Though I don’t tend to go looking into personal lives, some things I just want to keep my nose out of. Some personalities he just didn’t want to deal with or get too close to. He’d look if he needed to but typically if an officer could do the job he was ok with it. It was in his civilian life that he vetted people, something he should have done more when he was younger and having dating issues. At least now he was certain he’d found someone who could understand him and accept him.
Laughing he nodded his head as he came back into the living room, juice for himself and water for her. He’d brought a small glass pitcher, so she could refill her glass with iced water. “I do try, I figure eventually it’ll balance out with where I’ve fallen short. People won’t forget it but they will move on in time, they always do. It’s just good to know who was around for the fall and remembers it, it’s unwise to cross them because they know and remember the past.” And they might gain a knife with your name on it, whether literally or not it didn’t matter much. “Unless you have more information on them…then you bring them down first.” And no one would notice them pointing the finger at yourself, as they had taken the larger tumble and everyone would notice.
“So long as my balancing act keeps my grandmother pleased I know I’m doing good enough by society's standards to skate by.” If he fell too short his grandmother would let him know, and quickly. She wasn’t about to let anyone fall out of line in the family, not even a child's name got by without her approval first. “It’s alright, everyone has things they wish to keep close and not share. The Negaverse is a bit like the social circles we waltz with. Different people and you don’t look at family names and industries but rather their actions, the team they’re with, all that matters. It’s so similar that I’ve grown bored caring what they think of me. I can hold my own as a General and I’d like to see most of them try and cross me.” Shrugging as he spoke, already seated comfortably in a chair.
He might not kill a fellow officer, or even a corrupt senshi, but let them cross him and find out just how tolerant he really was. His own team got to see his good side, most did, but his tolerance only went so far.
“Of course, and yes I allow my team to come here when they need it. If one were to need a place to crash, to hide injuries, I’d allow a guest room and time to recover. I’ve hosted meetings in the past as well. Something which was both good and bad for me, in the long run, but it panned out well enough.” He’d learned that keeping secrets wasn’t always good….but neither was dating a civilian and trying to keep them safe from this war.
“I don’t go giving out keys, this is still my home, but anyone can contact me and ask for a room and I won’t mind. I’ll help with training, information if I can provide it. I’d like my team to work like a family…so we’re all on good terms with each other and work well together. I want everyone to better themselves and each other.” He also understood civilian lives being important, he had to, his own was hard to ignore really.
“Is there anything I can offer you at the moment? Or any questions?”
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:54 pm
There was a lot for her to take in, he was at least understanding of the situation with her brother. That was something that she herself was still figuring out, how strong the line between both civilian and senshi life would be. There was a lot that they had in common it seemed though and it made her smile a little. “Oh I have done my fair share of mudslinging over the years, in fact, I take pride in my work on that front. It’s fun if I do say so myself.” Taking a sip of her water she thought of how things were going in the aftermath of her plans with that family that had bothered Liam. There were so many ways it could go in the long run and it just depended on how far she wanted them to fall.
“I know I would like to meet a few of the members of the team when they’re free and able. I also think that it is nice of you to allow those injured to hide out here for a bit and rest up. With a doctor on the team that also removes the trouble of someone going to a hospital and trying to explain things, or not explain things.” She could only imagine someone trying to explain it away as a wild animal attack or something even less likely to cover up any number of injuries that could happen from magic. At least if someone’s eardrums blew they could maybe say it’s from a concert or something more mundane.
She liked Alexandre, he came from a good family and seemed to have things under control with all his responsibilities on both sides. It was very admirable. “I honestly think if it were not for the age difference we probably would have met sooner in at least a social manner. It’s rather funny, is all.”
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:56 pm
“Yes, that would have likely happened long before now, I figure I’m far closer in age to your brother.” It seemed however that her brother didn’t attend such events, so he hadn’t dealt with her brother. “I do what I can for my team. If they are bonded, and like family, they are more willing to help and fight for each other. That way we don’t worry about our backs being left unguarded.” Or someone running out on you in a fight. That was how people got killed - fighting alone.
“I’ll see what I can do about you meeting other members of my team. Some of them I’m sure can help you with training, I have a few corrupt on my team as well.” Noctua especially..she was beyond loyal to him and to his team. She was one he could trust no matter what. If he pointed and told her to go and fight she would, almost without question, it was why he had to be careful and not abuse her and step in when she needed to back down - she wouldn’t do it herself. It meant he had to responsibility of not putting her in too deep and keeping her safe. It was a big trust thing really.
“Perhaps now that we know of each other, and the circles we run in are the same, we could meet properly at the next event. People wouldn’t think it so odd then if they ever were to see us out.” And who knows how that may come in handy…
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:57 pm
In a way, she understood what he meant, because she had just worked with Liam to protect both of their reputations. At the same time, it was still hard for her to feel any type of way about a family. It almost put her in a sour mood, thinking back to how her own family came crashing down over money. “I agree at least to a certain degree but family is not something I feel strongly about. Friends though might be a more apt way of thinking about it, for me at least.” It was something she would maybe work on in the future.
“I think that would be nice, I want to learn more about the others and see what else I can learn about magic as a whole. I have been reading through some things from the database that I have access to as well as from my experiences with another senshi that is on the side of chaos but slightly different. They specifically have been really helpful in uh… testing the variability in my magic.” She still felt bad for how she had almost blown his ears out but at least it fizzled and popped out quickly.
“I think that would also be lovely, I do know that I have finally gotten my brother to show up to an event in order to show off some of his abilities with music. Though it may not be something you are going to be in attendance of unless you deal in musical arts.” She had said it a bit questioningly as she knew a bit about his hobbies with painting and botany. “It is also nice to have someone to join me in general as a second pair of ears for gossip if you wouldn’t mind that?”
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:58 pm
“If that is what works for you, then friends. Most people relate more to family so I go with that.” He put his family high up on his list of things he cared about, they were blood after all, but he also put Mason up there equal to his family…whether the other knew or not. He was glad to know she’d been reading what she could, it would be helpful, and another chaos aligned senshi who wasn’t their sort of chaos.
“Ahh, a dark mirror senshi. We once had an alliance for them, I don't know what caused it to break, but I’ve kept to it. So long as they don’t come against me I don’t go against them. I’m rather close with their prince as well as a few other members of their court. They are be very useful allies to have.” There were a lot of good reasons to work with the members of the dark mirror court, aside from just liking the company of their members.
“I might not be much for music, not like yourself or your brother, but I don’t mind attending. If you give me the time and date I’ll be sure to make myself available.” He liked classical music but not enough to typically attend a concert of sorts, but he could certainly be convinced to go. “It would be good to introduce ourselves formally to each other there. It won’t be odd for you to be there and I’m sure I can find a convincing enough reason as well.” He’d certainly help with listening for gossip, he did so anyway at such events, he just normally didn’t share the information. He didn’t need to…but he didn’t mind at all.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 9:00 pm
“Understandable, the family situation with my brother and I is complex, to say the least. I know it’s semantics but thank you for the consideration.” Nodding a bit before continuing, she thought of how close of allies her brother was with Liam at least and tried to laugh outwardly at that fact. “Yes I have built a good rapport with them and I agree that he is a great ally especially given my current uh… condition.” It was a bit embarrassing in a way though that she still had to have some sort of bodyguard to keep things in line but one day that would change.
“Oh yes, it is a social for the arts coming up. He will be performing and I may make my appearance depending on the situation, there is an understanding that I handle more of the other social events outside of performances since those actually seem motivating to him.” In a way, it was like pulling teeth to get him out but they had worked together on being understanding of all sides of that argument. It also helped that he was in a much better mood with things lately. “I think it would be something you might at least appreciate in essence given there is a wide variety of things going on at that event.” She wrote down the information on a sheet of paper from the small notebook she had hidden in the breast pocket of her coat.
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 9:01 pm
“Everyone has something which motivates them, it’s good he has something.” He perhaps had re-found that something, from the sound of it. It would explain him lacking in fulfilling his General duties for so long…a lack of motivation. He could, to a point, understand it. He’d dealt with enough loss that it took ti’s toll at times, it had to, they were still all human after all.
He’d offered her a pen, seeing as he doubted she was carrying one in her pocket, and once she’d written down the information he’d taken it and tucked it into a pocket of his own. “I’ll do my best to turn up at the event so we can meet properly. I will, either way, be in touch with you about contacting the rest of my team.” So she could get some help and a better support team around her, in case she needed it.
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