---

Lilith glanced over at Aria as she drove, her smile only growing after she had heard the nickname Aria had let slip. It was cute. Short and cute, just for Lilith liked it. When the topic of cars came up, Lilith hummed softly and tapped her fingers over the steering wheel. "It's easy to go along with stuff because it's you." She reaches over to squeeze Aria's hand for a bit before retreating it to the wheel. "It gets boring when everyone in this city takes everything so seriously and has a stick shoved up their ass. It's just nice to see that not everyone is so stuck up. Besides, I love talking to you and just being stupid and goofy." Lilith grinned at Aria before looking back at the road. It was really refreshing to have someone she could just be herself and complain about the world with her. Aria was real. She didn't act or put up a farce of herself. Lilith loved that about her.

"A Hyundai? I never thought about it." Lilith said after a bit. "I'll look into them and compare the prices. I'll probably just end up buying the car that looks the prettiest." She admitted with a sigh. Now that Lilith had the money to afford a new car, she would probably end up buying what looked like the most expensive with the best paint job. Or best seats, one of those.

Once they finally arrived at Corona Park, it took Lilith about five minutes to find parking. It was clear that the park was a popular destination for today's festivities. After finally finding a spot and parking, Lilith offered Aria a smile before climbing out the truck and rushing to Aria's side to open the door for her and holding out her hand. "My lady," She grinned and gave Aria a little curtsy. "Shall we?"

Runways, Race cars and the Rumba

Marinalia
marinalia glanced up, from what Lucile's gestures told her, it was time to leave as the elegant woman was pacing a bit off to the side. Though she was fairly nee, Marlin knew her a bit, Max's former PA had decided to settle down and wanted yo start a family, so flying all over and long hours were hardly fitting with her life goals. "Mademoiselle and Monsieur Olympus, the cargo should be ready, loadmaster reports cargo is transferred to Deadalus Cargo" Making up a coffee for Joel, her careful questions gaining that he took it mostly plain, and made up a black coffee with milk and little sugar. Merlin's coffee was rather different, sweet to point even she would turn it away. Max was easy, she knew his choices off by heart by now, thankfully her predecessor had left a handy cheat sheet of all the basics. "Thanks, there good, whatever it is be waiting." adding a little displeasure at being kept in the dark, knowing the airport better than most, she lead off the white Land Rover and a large black SUV following den the runway as aircraft in various states sat by, ground crews in distinctive high via colours and brightly marked support tugs, fuel and many other purposes acting as a best of ants round the rather barren facility.

Pulling into the well-lit hanger she spotted a deep black sports car in that was definitely new and not a regular with a man though she could not tell much detail thanks to transitioning into the near day like conditions of the hanger. A large pallet sat covered, urgh... Cars? Behind her Grandfathers, SUV stopped close by on the diagonal to the whatever the sleek matt black sports car was and jumping down feeling the cold in her long skirt and a red leather jacket. It really was colder out here. Wait...Joel! What was going on? Heading over with Lucile to help her grandfather down, Family first as the brunette in tailored Channel suit dusted self off and looked around heading to the gathering. "Monsieur Nicolsi? je me presents Lucile Marchand, PA to Monsieur Olympus, we have emailed but not met. I have the documents, please sign where marked and take the top copy to keep. All as agreed including the main budget plus reserve fund for works needed, and the completion bonus" Giving a French greeting kissing both cheeks, with a little smirk, he was famous. This was fun, yet remained professional as she held out a leather-bound folio with the contracts, paperwork and all bits pre-assembled. "Got the Coffee's Grampa, what toys are you playing with now? joel? What are you doing here? Here? Is this that silly rumour of the Le mans record? Not had chance to talk to mum this week. coffee, plain, boring and only 3 components, just being polite, no nefarious intent, its just coffee. No potions, just caffeine."

Though she did make a mistake with the order of the coffees, handing over her rather sweet gingerbread syrup version rather than the black coffee with minimal ingredients and Malin in faint writing she not notice. Headed over a little slower and more carefully offering a hand to shake dressed in an overcoat and a bespoke suit fitting his position "Agh, Mr Nicolosi, or Joel? I'm sure you know my granddaughter, my blessing of a PA Lucile Marchand. Thank you, Marlin, getting Lady grey here is difficult. Yes, before you say, No I did this on my own, my money, Maria, Marla voiced their displeasure quite clearly. I know you all have shares, Mike was unwilling to side against his sisters, Milo, He more worried about looking after Marla, bump to be and the there son.

I've signed all my sections, we just need yours, and its all legal, money transferred in 24 hours. If you need anything, inside are contacts enclosed. We can buy or fabricate parts, tools, anything really if required bespoke.

Well, that's not the GTR I helped fund, you seem to have a few friends in automotive places. Looks ready for a top gun movie, not a racetrack. Good as she looks?" Admiring the GTR, black, more like a stealth fighter than the car in colour barely able to tell where one part ended and another began. Whoever had built it had a real eye for detail down to the last seem and seal. If it raced liked it looked, it would be a real asphalt eating monster.

Marinalia rolled her eyes a little at the car talk, glancing over at the work on the C130 with a smile. One of the names below the window was the pilots, Valkyrie was visible in silver as she yet to acquire full flight status and was effectively a trainee on that class of aircraft still. Ignoring the whistle from the ground crew about an odd place for a date, with some returned banter and teasing."Just worry that engines ready to run when we next up north boys. Sorry taken Boys, better luck next time.

Back on cargo Grampa, only this time its not older than me and latest generation Civilian model, working heaters thank god. So, what's in the mystery box? Can we open it? it's not warm up here, you're not wearing a skirt and Strappy heals" keeping her jacket around her for warmth, the outfit was pretty but she did have a fairly light skirt and top on under the leather jacket that ended above her hips. "Once the paperwork is signed Mademoiselle Marinalia, Though very Jane bond? James? I agree the weather here is definitely cooler than the city. Do we need to wait for your époux? Oh, partner or team members?" Lucile responded, while she could appreciate not wanting to be in the chill dressed for what seemed a date or evening with some friends on the town. A little unconventional but she soon learned on her job. The Olympus family was not normal.

---

Appwndix




Mentions
@Pilatus

Paige Kennedy & Milo Ventri

Milo glanced over momentarily from his musings and considerations of the shop’s floral wares when he heard the sound of his voice seeing Siobhan, Paige’s taller and much younger friend. “Ah, hello Siobhan." He said with some surprise noticing her fairly particular clothing choice. He looked down briefly noticing he was still holding the arrangement of tropical flowers and gave a slight shrug. “You know they’re not exactly her thing,” He said with a slight chuckle. “I think she’ll like these though. Were you here for pictures only?” He said nodding towards her camera. He didn’t know a great deal about photography, but it seemed like a fairly expensive type and she tended to have an eye for detail about such things. “Or were you getting something for your friend as well? Still the race driver?

It was about this time the owner of the shop appeared. He seemed slightly disheveled, but cordial though his comment about not buying flowers often seemed a bit odd. He’d bought flowers plenty of times. Ana had a careful eye for them, as good as anyone he’d ever met. Though he knew it was just an ice-breaker for a sales pitch and he apparently knew Siobhan to some extent. He looked briefly at the tattoos on the man’s forearms before making eye contact. “No, not recently,” He said with a small grin. He noticed another young woman moving quickly across the store with a large bouquet of roses and felt more reaffirmed with his choice. “I think, I’ve found what I came for though.” He said motioning with the arrangement he still had in hand.

@Pyxis@Almalthia

>>Prince Fumbling, rather than charming- Vika@PrinceAlexus. Hey gurrrrrrlllll- @Otterpop -Ryan is acting like Sakata Gintoki, if you're familiar.-

---

Hicc

"Hey, Mannnahh-mi. Konbannn~wa. Watashi wa Kobayashi Satoshi. Genki desuuuu kahhh?"

Ryan did his best there, ok? He was properly drunk by now. He wracked his brain for the remnants of Japanese, fro what seemed to be like a past life at this point. Whether or not Manami reciprocates is of minor importance to Ryan currently.

Hicc

"Nah. I'll handle your mans drunk or not. I just want my questions answered..."

Ryan pulled back slightly at the peck on the cheek. Was it just friendly? Was it a typical European thing? Or was it more? The alcohol coursing through Ryan's brain is leaning towards the last option. But, his inhuman self control and inhibition is holding him back. Offering the bartender his best 'I'm sober, get me a beer' look, he reached out and grabbed the malted beverage and taking a sip. As the drink settled, he continued

"Yeah, you're a grown woman alright." Hicc "Sorry Maaaanami-chuan, I need to steal your friend for a second."

Ryan leaned in, and did something unthinkable.

He spoke softly to Vika and said "I'm not as drunk as I seem. And your man isn't as present as you're making it sound...That peck on the cheek, friendly and European as it might seem, please refrain from that. I don't need to have my feelings messed with anymore than it already has..."

Joel Nicolosi

Joel accepted the woman’s flashy European greeting with a light smile and took the leatherbound documents giving them a brief glance before tucking the whole kit under arm. The binder was substantially lighter since there would be no transfer of ownership and what was waiting underneath the cover would never see a public highway. It was Max’ toy and though he was present at delivery, Joel would still technically be the consignee and likewise wanted to make sure everything was in order before he signed his name as accepting the shipment. It was just good business. He gave Marlin a wink as he approached Max and exchanged a firm handshake with the elder Englishman. “Good to see ya again, sir.” He said. Joel’s grip was like an iron vice, but so was Max’ with the sort of aged power that would never fade as long as he could still get around. It’d been a few months since the Grand Prix and Joel was genuinely glad to see he was still on his feet. Unlike the rest of Marlin’s family, Max had a level head and was as down to Earth as anyone he’d ever met. Joel rested his hand on his hip and turned back towards the GTR. “I made a little side bet with our Japanese competitors back before the race, this was what they owed me if we won.” He said slyly.

The coffee was passed out, still easily steaming from the open lids in the cold. Joel accepted the cup even though he had just had one back at the Lighthouse mostly out of courtesy. He stepped around the side of the car looking for the cover tie when he caught wind of a familiar scent coming from the cup in his hand...burnt antifreeze. He visibly winced at the smell and looked over at Marlin. “I think this one’s yours, chicky.” He said exchanging cups with her and keeping an even glance. She was considerably disarmed being without her work entourage and not feeling the need to indulge her extreme competition anxiety. He turned and stooped down to untie the cover. “No Le Mans yet,” He said working the knot in his hands as he spoke. There wasn’t as much need for sentiment as when he’d taken delivery of his car. The project beneath the cover was business and he fully intended to cash in on the “completion bonus”. The thick cord unravelled and the cover began to fall away as the line retracted. “This one is going to be a little bit closer to home for you.”

The cover slid away smoothly from the wide rear spoiler and flowed over the driver’s side as it fell away over the hood. So clean was the paint, there was a light static charge in the air as it moved over the body panels and slid down to the floor. Joel stood back up and crossed his arms, running one finger back and forth across his lips discerningly at the car in front of him.

Battleship gray with blue trim around the grill and the signature Aston Martin neon green along the mirrors, air dams and dive planes, the body was devoid of any markings save for the large lettering on the spoiler and the Olympus Heavy Industries logo embossed across the rear fenders in matching blue, however the customary workman in the midst of the massive sprocket had been replaced by the characteristic triskelion of the Isle of Man making the amalgamation appear as a single giant gear emblazoned on the side of the car. Joel nodded approvingly as he looked it over. It was a clever bit of marketing. He ran his hand along the inside of the fender as he walked and drummed his fingers on the binder while his eyes continued to search for any sign of damage from shipping. Joel was a perfectionist
and his demeanor was completely focused for a moment as if the others were not even in the hangar. Like an artist examining an exquisite painting, he made his way around opening the “passenger” door and glancing inside for a moment. They would have thirty days to protest any mechanical defects with Aston Martin, but he doubted any of that would be necessary as he came back around to the rear wing where Marlin was standing. “You should be able to appreciate this being a pilot,” He said matter-of-factly tapping the pen from the binder on the spoiler endplate. “Your granddad had a clever idea.” He lifted lightly at a seam on the interior of the spoiler’s surface demonstrating that the wing actually separated in two allowing air to pass through unheeded. “This wing has a drag reduction function like an F1 car.” He said glancing back towards Max. “Mr Olympus likes to study the rule book.”

@PrinceAlexus

---

"Ah, shall we head to the ball first?" Lilith kept their little scene going, adding the most stereotypical British accent she could muster. She stifled her laughter as she locked her truck and led the way to the path. "We can go to see the band first. I think they're just love song covers, I think." She mirrored Aria's shrug. Lilith wasn't so sure what to do in the park other than walking around and maybe judge some people on what they had chosen to wear. Either way, she took Aria's hand and intertwined their fingers as they began to walk down one of the paths.

"So, what are you going to do with your new boom in fans and followers?" Lilith looked at Aria as they walked. They had talked about it just briefly the night before but didn't go too much into dept with the conversation. "I know it happened over there in Korea, but I bet the fans will start spreading it over here." If a celebrity liked something, their fans did too. Nothing really stayed in one place either, things spread over and spilled to other circles and countries. "It's still so awesome." Who knew if Lilith was dating the next superstar- or producer or artist! It didn't matter, as long as Aria saw growth in her work. Lilith wanted to be there for all the goods and the bads.

Runways, Race cars and the Rumba

Victoria
Victoria noted the reaction, yeah Peas went to cold way too fast and sprouts, thankfully American's seemed not to have taken the abomination of winter vegetables to heart and soul. Though their idea of portions was crazy. Victoria was tiny and yet so many places served enough to feed her happily twice over. Even kids potions would be fine for her at some diners. "Ok, il take adorable. Could explain things. If I copied my family of sorts if be hunting for tall, handsome, dark haired and in a service uniform" it easily was a pattern, Marla, Maria both had a type, a clear type. Mike was in one, the attraction seemed to be universal across the generation.

Manami really seemed to be tearing into Ryan, granted most of it was well deserved and assuming she was Japanese and spoke the language. Victoria did not she did not but not everyone was taught second languages like she was growing up fully fluent in Russain. The fact she was protecting Victoria made her smile, she definitely was a friend worth having. Staying softer, Victoria tried to keep him calm, and emotions in check. This situation did not need any more piling in."Ryan, I'm not going to let you make a really stupid drunk mistake and say who." Ignoring the comment, nope. Was it a compliment or not? She was tiny, slim built though her clothing and jewellery kept her not looking like a perpetual teenager. Embarrassingly she had been given a reduced under 16 ticket before when she really was in her 20's.

Not as drunk? That would be a surprise, he seemed utterly hammered and not very much sober. "Your not as Sober as you think either. I'm... I'm managing, whatever happens, il manage. I have to. The clock will keep ticking regardless of my situation or what i want." a little bit of her rather confused emotions escaping but she would follow through regardless, Letting her child down was never going to be an option. Alone, supported she would manage however the future fell. "Scared of me? Friendly, if I wanted more than that tonight, you would not be confusing the meaning. I'm not shy about expressing feelings. Nore would I play with yours, you're a decent guy, there pretty rare to break one." Adding with a small smirk and a slightly flirty smile. Ok, Manami was right, Victoria was cute in her own way, Deep raven black hair, pale skin and striking dark grey eyes. It worked for her anyway. Was she entirely convincing? The last thing she wanted to do was play with his feelings like a fiddle. Ok she teased him a bit but he was timid round a woman getting on for half his weight, and over a foot shorter. Seriously, standing up she barely reached his shoulder if she was lucky.

Once she had tried to calm and deflect Ryan as gently as possible from subjects she did not want to truly face herself. Careful as it went, she would make all this up to her friend. Nodding she was alright and not scared, just a little emotional hinting in her dark grey eyes. Giving her a hug through a little care in regard to her own situation."Thanks, Manami, you where here first, so you decide if you want to go, i don't want to hold you up if you gotta be places?

Afternoon tea at Continental? Or we can drive up to Atlas resort on a good day? Girls afternoon a free day? I can drive us." a day out would be a nice distraction for them both. A spa day was out question however much heavenly, she had go be careful but she could find ways to enjoy self plus she wanted to help her friend, not sure how. Victoria could least offer Manami a day out that should be free from dramas and disasters. "Don't worry Miss, I am keeping an eye on Miss Romus, she only going where she wants to." Isosef has not missed anything but saw that the softer approach of Victoria was the answer to defuse conflicts. He could have intervened but some called for a heavy hand, others a gentle one. He was well-meaning, just drunk and concerned. All in all, a fairly know risk at present and easily so far gently brought to heal.

Mentions
@Otterpop Top shelf mystery team
@Infinite Cosmos Drinky Chef of Sol

>>Sobering.@PrinceAlexus@Otterpop

---

Well, that woke him up a bit from his drunken haze. Sure, Ryan has had more than his fair share of drinks tonight. But, to be called a jerk shook him a bit. As he finished his words with Vika, he leaned back to look at Manami, noticing her physical appearance more this time around. He has definitely seen her somewhere. In his current state, he was not able to pinpoint where.

"Ah. Miss Manami, I did not mean to assume. I apologize for my assumptions." He was trying a lot harder, perhaps even a little too hard, to speak properly now. "If you would give me the chance, I would like to apologize in the best way I know how. I'm a cook, by trade, so if you would give me the honor I can have something simple prepared for you at my humble restaurant..."
Now he is just babbling on too much.

Taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts a bit. He turned back to Vika. "What you want. You say that a lot but never really let your true intentions or desires show. Whether that is because of your family heritage and its implications or just for your own vanity I cannot tell you. But, one of these days you've got to let loose. Pregnant or not."

With a soft shrug and a gently roll of his neck, Ryan softly addressed both woman. "I can see that I've interrupted a rather nice evening for you two, for that I again apologize. Hopefully I get the chance to make things right by the both of you. With that. I bid you two farewell. Ms. Manami, if you wish to grace my restaurant with your presence, Vika--Uh-- Ms. Victoria can point you in the right direction." With that, Ryan stood and lingered for a moment.

Then he leaned in and gave Vika a soft kiss on the lips before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

How is that for timid.

Runways, Race cars and the Rumba

Marinalia
Marinalia watched as Lucile handed over the relevant documents, finding a second much lighter folio for later. The woman was a miracle worker when it came to making sense of chaos. She had impressed most of the family. "Please sign when your ready Monsieur" The French woman checking she had not missed anything, they could and documents to sign but that would hurt her professional pride about getting things right the first time around.

Marlin watched Joel greet her grandfather and the wink. His self-confidence could have been used to self propel and launch an oil tanker into orbit. "Good to see you're doing well, Americas up and coming Rally prospect I hear. And dating a rather attractive red head artist, cars don't keep you warm at night.

Have fun while you can, I'm sure they hated handing this beauty over. Got 3 children, in-laws, grandchildren and 2 more including a 4th generation on the way making sure I'm sensible." Max was old, he was a bit slower and sure he needed to be careful but he was not letting that stop him doing what he wanted long as mind and body kept working. The family was rather protective of him, though that had eaten into his fun hobbies of youth around fast cars. He had to tease Joel a bit about and a bit of advise. Fun as racing was, it was not a woman.

Her coffee did not smell quite right, wondering if it was just less syrup in there she had ignored it, though his reaction, that definitely was not Joel bears porridge. Why people made such faces at her coffee choices was, why? Just a little sweet. Chicky, of all the names to stick for her. Chicky? Seriously?"It's just a little sweeter. You might even like it one day. Don't know if you try. We just concerned Grampa, we don't want to lose you.

Yet, I'm more concerned what the next one is. This one is dangerous already" she really had no idea white how you could top a speed record on a track where the safety barrier was a solid stone wall. Le men were probably one of the most currently in use potentially lethal racing events about. Maybe a Paris to Dakkar? Or a rally though the Congo? While not a fan, it was impossible not to grow up with such a grandfather and not know something about racing. Ok, the car surprised her, a battleship grey Astin, race trim? Custom paintwork, this really was not some flight of fancy. Joel, British racing car? Why did that just feel strange? Shaking the thought she watched Joel admire the car and go over it. That moment she recognised, Marlin could be the same about flight checks and ensuring her Aircraft was perfect. "Ok... That is a nice car... Sorry, Anne Marie 2, your still my favourite cargo plane" Glancing over to the 100J sat in Daedalus colours dominating the corner of the hanger.

"Delivery Mistake, Enjoy Valkyrie, least it's not more of that Japanese stuff last time"Max had to smile at Marinalia's reaction when tossed a large bag of cereal marshmallows. She had always had a sweet tooth since she had teeth and perhaps before. Maria had craved sweet stuff heavily when pregnant. "People have different meanings of sweet to you Mali, you been same since you had teeth. You lot are over-cautious, You all take after my Marinalia like that, she always saw the risks first. Your as bad as Maria when it comes to being protective.

Should be perfect, Told you id find something nice, Just need you to sign something too Mali" Joel had challenged him to find a winning car, well he had delivered. There were a few foreign manufacturers who he had contacts at but this was a British record. It would have a British car holding it even if driven by an American.

Marinalia jumped a little from when Joel swapped from the whole zen car budda monk mode to her. The rear wing did look a little strange then included a split-wing and a feature she did not quite understand fully but worked out it would be fast. Put that feature on an aircraft and it would be plain, or even plane terrifying to not have tall controls. "Grampa always was a bit of a racing nerd. Preflight managed to meet your standards?

That's an interesting way to get extra speed, least that one that makes sense to me. Your gonna handle like on black ice on anything but a straight line I'm sure though. Be careful, it's rather dangerous to track.

I'm stick to my Land Rover, bit safer." Marinalia only had a basic understanding but fast object + no downforce = very little steering. "Excuse me, Mademoiselle, we need a shareholder signature alongside your grandfathers." Handing her a much lighter document, Marinalia sighed and signed a little shakily. Much as she enjoyed a nice income to supplement her lifestyle it would have been nicer to have met her grandmother. "Il sign Lucile. I inherited off my grandmother, I hold shares and few other things." glancing over to her diamond ring, the ice blue glittering in the brightly lit hanger. "Few others Joel, but that definitely the big one. I'm proud of that one. Does she needs much work before you ready for testing?

Thank you Mali, I'm sure she happy with you and what you done."

Mentions
@Pilatus

_{LOCATION & TIME : GOLDEN FLOWER
INTERACTIONS : ASSOCIATES
MENTIONS : Milo - @Pilatus , Siobhan - @Almalthia
OUTFIT OF THE DAY: ♦}

---

Alejandro glanced down at the flowers the man was holding, eyebrows arching up just the slightest. Ah, so it was one of those. "Perfect!" He brought back his customer-service smile and motioned to the cash register. "If you are done, I can check you out- if not feel free to look around. We also have catalogs you can look at-" A young man walked past them, dressed in jeans and a black shirt withe the flower shop's logo on his back. He was carrying a large sun flower arrangement, it looked small around his heavily tattooed arms. "Ahem- anyway, we have other options you can look at by the counter."

With another smile, he looked at Siobhan. "You too, feel free to wonder around the front of the shop. If you want to take pictures of anything in particular just let me now if I can help." He needed to keeps tabs on her and make sure she didn't try to sneak behind the counter like the journalist almost had. Jesus, Alejandro should have just said no to the lady and keep his piece of mind.

All of this trouble and he still had the rest of the day to look forward to. Great.

Runways, Race cars and the Rumba

Victoria
Victoria"s confusion only grew. Did she admit what was really going on behind the slate-grey eyes that cool "mask" slipped revealing a rather confused woman who was doing her best to hide weaknesses? Yep, he was right, she held a fair few secrets personal, family and work-related. The words caught her off guard, he was utterly pissed? Surely... Who was that eloquent pissed? And the Kiss? Where did she even begin to unravel that one?

He was nice, she was pregnant with someone else kid? Why was he after her? What did she want and why where her hormones deciding to go silly and want to pin him against a wall there and then after that? The damn body was just pushing her with random hormones for fun. "Talk when your Sober Ok? And have a safe trip home." trying not to sound like she was threatening him, that really needed explaining and more context than a drunk chat and a stolen kiss.

Waiting till Ryan left, she would decide how to even handle that situation later and laid head on arms at the counter with a noticeable sigh. "That was me inheriting a drama Llama herd following me to America." ok her Russain English mix could deliver a pretty solid deadpan.

Knowing she could not leave her friend on that answer, she did deserve some context though maybe not everything with too many ears and eyes about as she gestured to Isosef with a Yawn and gesture to confirm she was ready to leave soon, and he would have to drive tonight confirmed by a small nod. He had worked with Victoria enough to know her cues over the years and body language. "I owe you that much.

Short answer. Ryan is not the father, umm. I got caught in the moment, he was really hot... Passions running high. Blizzard, power cut... Found a way to keep warm, that should be rather obvious. We both never planned for it. Well. Oops. Oven time. Not sure how everything stands.

Sadly not my boyfriend either! He seems to have a thing for short brunettes though " giving the rather shorthand, she had a choice to make, though would Ethan hurt Ryan? friend, boyfriend or any other descriptor she did not want him hurt. He had looked after a stranger on a cold morning closed, that stuck with her. Giggling at Ryans potential type and two of them sat there both filling the requirements rather well. She had to admit they both where pretty attractive women with no lack of funds or confidence at times.

"Text me, or pop over over, we can sort something out. One for the girls it is. Let me know which place as I need to book ahead. Still a little envious of your skin. See you soon Manami." Giving bet a hug before she could leave, Victoria was very thankful for the few good friends she had gained in Sol City. Ending on an upbeat comment, it was too flawless. Eating well and good skincare aside, she had to least be a part witch to achieve it.

Once Manami had left, Victoria paid her bill and whatever Ryan added leaning on the cane looking at the busy people, happy couples and so all about. Would be nice... Charles was off enjoying self, she could always annoy him in the morning by being happy, chipper and generally not hungover!

Making her way slowly down the lane back to her Bentley, spotting the pretty guy, yeah. Well, 90% sure. You never could be 100% certain these days. Modern life could throw a few surprises about, she knew we'll as anyone to not judge books by covers, half the family was definitely a surprise in some way or the other. He was with some woman, wait the same woman. That was interesting, the woman who helped him, now talking. Add a little romance, the evening. It could be fun. Ok, fine...the mayor's silly event was addictive in its own way.

Memtions
@Otterpop@Infinite Cosmos@KatKook

Joel Nicolosi

Joel opened the binder and propped up one foot on a rear tire and started flipping through the pages as he got hear the tired spill of, ‘cars don’t keep you warm at night’ again. Lighthearted advice as it was, he smirked a little as he scribbled a signature and flipped a few pages, looking for the next line. He’d heard similar versions of that old saw for no less than the past decade. Some similarly to Max’ tone while others were more determined in their attempts to shame him for his perpetual singleness. No, a car could not keep a man warm at night, but lots of money could certainly do the job effectively. He could feel Marlin’s eyes on him and he shrugged a bit at her comment regarding the dangers of taking on the challenge agreed upon with her grandfather. Some dark part of him hoped he could punch out of existence in such grand style instead growing old and falling apart slowly. He never felt more alive than when he seeing how close he could come to touching that point.

His eyebrows lifted slightly at the rare seal of approval voiced by Marlin as he signed another line without looking up. He’d done it so many times, it was nearly muscle memory on some of the forms, but a shipment from Europe carried slightly more legalese than one from Asia. He placed his finger on a page to study a block of text more carefully. “Worried I’m gonna get hurt?” He said finally glancing up at Marlin and clicking the pen closed. His tone with neither teasing nor serious and was more a statement than a question. He flipped the binder closed with his other hand and handed it back to Lucile. “I’m racing for the Germans this weekend, we have the Vineyard Rally in the southern mountains,” He said turning back to Max. “Then we’re off to Argentina in another couple weeks.” He looked back at the car briefly. “Everything looks good,” He continued. “And with some help from the mayor, the airport authorities are good with our terms as far as testing here so we should have plenty of time to shake things down before the Fall when I’ll see you in Wales.”

@PrinceAlexus