There was a light applause from the small assembly in the conservatory at Paigeâs bottle-opening trick and she gave a sly smile to everyone not just over the execution, but the butthurt look on Vikaâs face as she trampsed down to the bar without even a word to Sio, the guest of honor, in full view of everyone else. Paybackâs hell⊠She thought to herself though oddly enough she noticed the technique seemed to draw some appreciation from the older woman tagging along. It wasnât too flashy or really dangerous, one simply had to get it right the first time and Milo was a good teacher. She gave Marlin and Xia a playful wink as she returned the saber to its sheath remembering their conversation from the gym and content that she had made her point pretty clearly.
The champagne flutes came round and the slightly dishevelled barman resumed his duties in dispensing the bottleâs contents. Paige noticed the appearance of royal blue in the corner of her eye and instantly turned at the sight of one part of her alma materâs colors drawing a noticeable smile of surprise at the figure in the entryway and giving Sio a slight nudge. Knowing his experience earlier in the week had left him more reserved than his usual self, she put her glass down and approached him with a curious glance greeting him with a hug and a light kiss. âNice threads.â She said brushing away some of her hair stepping back and taking stock of his unexpectedly matching color choice with an inquisitive hand on her hip.
In her mindâs eye, she could remember how Milo and Ana had gone together in events like the art showing back home in Delta City and the quiet elegance they presented. She was glad he came, particularly after the week the two of them endured. Like her, a night of feeling like a normal person, even if just for a few hours, would be a healthy release and she wanted to make sure he could also enjoy himself in that same manner of class while no one knew anything of the battle they were fighting on the outside. The Marshal Service was able to keep him out of jail, though the weight of what had happened was still heavy on him. They talked about it and she recalled the first time she had taken a life in the line of duty as a Florida State Police Officer. Like him, it was kill or be killed. She could still remember it clearly.
The sword cane in his hand gave him a rather dapper appearance overall though she knew the reason he brought it. Releasing it to the person for whom it was originally intended seemed like it became a matter of principle for him- Even if that person had forgotten about it or no longer wanted or required it. It did look good with his ensemble. âI showed them your bottle opening technique.â She said with a smirk.
Paige politely returned Lexiâs cordial greetings as they entered the manor looking over the impressive Parisian-style decor as they walked together through the atrium and thinking how silly it was that only two people lived in the giant house alone. It was no wonder Marlin was a ball of nerves and Vika was just a spoiled brat, both proof enough that money alone was never a cure-all. There were a few of Siobhanâs paintings arrayed as they walked and Paige instantly scanned around for the one with the now-well-known, bullet holes, though not finding it. As she had figured, Sio dismissed it completely so Paige was free to enjoy the novelty though she still felt a small twinge of guilt about what happened. A few well-dressed onlookers greeted them warmly with high spirits as they entered the conservatory and Sio made her way to the bar.
For several weeks, Paige got to hear the story of the infamous Gala night from Sio and the childish demand from Victoria that Sio pay for her own drinks while everyone else indulged for free. Combined with the heavy scratch inflicted on her car, also by Victoria, that cost several hundred dollars to repair, the little rat had accumulated quite a tab against the two of them and Paige had it figured to around $1400. As Sio approached the bar assembly, Paige perused around the smaller room curiously admiring the ornate details of the interior architecture before she peeked around the counter finding the first item she was after among the bottles of liquor, wine and other assorted alcohols that the hosts had so proudly put on display and remembering that per the agreement, the homeowners would be covering the bar tab for Sio and her family.
âCancel that.â Paige said casually as Sio ordered a drink. The barman turned and regarded her strangely, unsure of what to say as the blonde dipped behind the bar as if it belonged to her and placed a black, textured bottle on the counter. âWeâll be having this one first.â
The man looked apprehensive eyeing the bottle hesitantly before catching the green glare in Paigeâs eyes as she tilted her head slightly with a playful insistence. He reached for the corkscrew, but Paige pushed it away. âNo, no, dear. This is a special occasion.â She had spied out the second item she was looking for encased behind the counter. âItâs okay,â She said, now fully behind the bar. âI got thisâŠâ
Being around Milo and his HEMA sword fighting hobby for so long had brushed off considerably on Paige. She was nowhere near Ana in ability, but liked sharing his hobbies with him, the same as when they went to the gun range together. Sheâd seen him do it more than once and demanded that he show her the technique: Removing the sabre from its casing, she slowly twirled it a revolution through her fingers scaring the hell out of the barman just as Vika and the rest of her trope descended into the conservatory like a wet blanket. Looking Victoria dead in the eye and with the chandelier light glinting off the polished blade, Paige removed the cork from the bottle in one swift motion.
Joel scratched at his stubble in the afternoon light. Leaned against the rally car, they were taking a short break before running one more late stage and he was glancing over a few messages from Sio on his phone. The girls were about to head over for her art showing at that gaudy mansion where Marlin and her sister lived and he shook his head with some disgust and disappointment. In truth, he had wanted to go, but after finding out about the unwelcoming change of venue, there was no doubt that his presence there would have only caused more problems and as Sio reminded him, he had to really start considering his image if he was going to be on an international stage. With the newness and shock of his win in the Sol City Grand Prix fading away, people were expecting, particularly his teammates and sponsors, to see driver Joel put up podium finishes and not drama laden headlines.
Glancing over his shoulder to the west, he could see the city in the distance from their temporary service area set up in the parking lot of the Mount Atlas Observatory. Taking in the sun setting behind broken rain clouds, his thoughts were mixed between Sio, getting his mind right for the drive and combining the two urges. Jamaica was primarily going to be about speed and power with fast switchbacks and quick turns over junctions from dirt to pavement and plenty of jumps. However the Blue Mountain stage was notoriously difficult and wound around what amounted to nothing more than a goat path requiring finesse and patience from the driver. Sio was going to come with him several thousand miles to support him, but he couldnât even go across town to support her and it irked at him as the teamâs mechanics worked on the car behind him filling the quiet forest air with the sound of pneumatic tools and ratchet gears. He was ready to put the pedal on the floor and finish out the night, but took a picture of the city from his vantage point and sent it to her along with two videos of some his previous drives earlier in the afternoon.
Joel and his co-driver, a Dutch South-African named Max with a last name Joel could barely pronounce, rolled out onto the parkway a few moments later, turning off the main drive and accelerating down an old narrow logging trail as they blazed around the side of the mountain heading for the valley below. They had drove together since Joel came onboard and with consistent practice, had a pretty natural working groove in the car. Max read the pace-notes in rapid succession, not getting too far ahead: Right four over crest, keep right⊠Left three, tightens⊠Sixty⊠Into hairpin left!. Joelâs hands worked the shifter and the wheel in response to the notes. The exhaust crackled and howled through the woods while the turbo chirped with each motion of the throttle. Melted snow and rain made the course a sloshy mess of mud and clay that sprayed in a fan from the back of the car. The bright orange Rebellion R on the side was barely visible under a layer of dirt as Joel gave the handbrake a quick pull and brought the tail around for the turn throwing gravel over the side of a near vertical escarpment. It was the last run of the day and he was pushing to let his frustrations out.
They broke out onto a long straight in the valley below and Joel had his foot on the floor, gripping the wheel tightly with both hands against the onslaught of the broken terrain as they flung âround another long turn so sideways he was watching the trail ahead through the side window. One-twenty⊠then big jump, Caution logs⊠And square right onto tar. Max announced over the radio. The car went airborne and Joel could see glimmering evening on Atlas Lake through the forest in his periphery as the tachometer needle beat against the rev limiter. They landed slightly nose down and Joel got on the brake to swing the squared double-corner where two large piles of cut timber awaited pickup in the morning. They came around the first one with the nose of the car nearly scraping away the sap bringing a cocky grin to Joelâs face that dropped instantly when he saw one misplaced cord jutting out and snapped the the wheel back hard to compensate before the passenger side mirror was instantly sheared off.
âDear GodâŠâ Max muttered as the car rocked from the extra input on the wheel and the tires screeched over the pavement dipping into the opposing ditch with momentum. Joel stayed in the throttle and jinked the wheel again to correct causing the car to rock back and forth before settling again. The course was over and he sped on down the highway towards their home base.
âThatâs probably enough for today.â Joel lightly snickered over the radio fully aware of how close they had come to destroying the car. His heart was pounding as the moment instantly replayed in his head. He was pretty sure he could see the the chainsaw groove in the log that had taken away the mirror. He shook his head as the adrenaline wore away and they drove on wondering how Sio was doing.
As promised, Paige and Sio arrived in front of the pristine white stone manor at late evening just as a gentle mist was settling outside and the first street lamps were beginning to flicker to life for the last gasps of day in Park View. The hand-laid, polished stone driveway reflected the bright orange paint of a certain Italian sports car that Paige had her eye on from several weeks ago. There never seemed to be a really good time to go for it, but she always checked-in with her contacts in the motor pool remembering her promise and hoping it would still be available. With her street cred at an all time high and considering their mutual disdain for certain members of the hosting party, the current arrangement seemed as good a time as any to make the move and âborrowâ it for the night so they could make a fitting entrance to Sio's big night. Heads turned as they crossed through the narrow iron gates into the driveway arch where a valet was waiting under an awning assembled at the front steps for distinguished guests.
The last time she wore a dress or any real measure of makeup was her date with Milo after they put-away the gangster, Jackie Costa and she had gone with an old standard from the back of the closet that night. However, for the Art Showing she let Sio talk her into buying a new one which was something she hadnât done in what felt like years. She protested a little, but it wasnât hard to see, especially for Sio, that she wanted to do it and didn't mind borrowing some of the redhead's arm bangles and earrings to match. Since she first landed in Sol, Siobhan had become like a sister to her and was the best friend she had since Ana. Whatever poor excuse was keeping her race car driver boyfriend away for the night didnât need to be justified to Paige, she was used to picking up menâs slack, although she couldnât be too hard on Sio about her boyfriendâs choices, there was always a chance Milo would get stuck dealing with some pushy customer at his shop. A part of her was glad Sio's squeeze had called out- they would have much more fun without the guys.
As they pulled up with a tap of the throttle, she smiled devilishly at the attention they were attracting and she had to admit to herself that she was already having a good time and didnât care about what anyone else thought of them, particularly the elitist, northwestern snobs of Sol City. Meeting up had been fun, the drive-over had been even more fun and she felt for a few moments like she was free of her burdens as a Marshal and was just a regular person for a night. It may have been a little high-schoolish, but the feeling was near therapeutic. She lifted the door as it slid elegantly vertical from her hand and placed a heeled shoe on the marble driveway rising slowly from the low driverâs seat that was nearly on the ground itself. The shoes Sio bought for her hurt like the devil lifting her several inches, but it was okay, they matched smartly with her royal blue dress, a color choice hearkening to her college days at UF and made Sio happy which was the most important part.
The valet cautiously offered his hand to accept the key catching the flash of her green eyes as she scanned around the outside of the large home with some curiosity and her small purse in hand. Her blonde hair was simply down, unfettered by its usual ponytail or braid arching away and flowing over her shoulders from the part above her left eye. She glanced over her shoulder to Sio then back at the young man daintily allowing the keys to drop into his hand. âNow you be careful,â She said politely in her customary southern accent. âA scratch on that car is gonna be a dent in your ass.â
saturday . Siobahan's Art Show Saturday Evening . Planned Event . Cool Winter evening with intermittent rain showers . Event Location Hephaestus Manor (Olympus family residence)
âNow then, let's come right down in here and put some nice big strong arms on these trees. Tree needs an arm too. It'll hold up the weight of the forest. Little bird has to have a place to set there. There he goes...â Bob Ross, The man, The legend, The happy tree
Culture means growth Bob... no.. that's a furry cup with googly eyes and a cocktail umbrella, not art... fine you're a modern artist...
So, the simple Version! We have a GM planned event hosted at the sisters' mansion. The Art show before, if you kept a close eye, had to move thanks to Dirty Harriet or the woman with no name bringing her trademark cordite air freshener to the private viewing on Tuesday morning. The shooting forced the show to be moved, and old rivals from chapter one to get closer than either would like!
We are going to have fun with this, while the events are not required they tend to draw the biggest crowds and always some juicy drama. To help people out, the location will have a basic floor plan to make sense of things and keep us all on the same page. Further details will be laid out in our posts, so please read them even if not directly reference you.
The General theme of the Manor is Parian, lighter, ornate details and plaster work etc. Ground Floor used for the main event.
There will be drinks, snacks and much art to admire, drama to be had, and bring your best, dress up, and may the most handsome and elegant win the day!
As always, any questions, send us a PM, Tag us, Discord, Raven, Post owl, though rocks with notes on windows may be returned by first class arm post :)
Other than that, Have fun and enjoy the party!
PrinceAlexus and Almalthia most glorious collaboration
Siobhan; Marinalia & Victoria
Location: Thursday
Interaction: Each other
Siobhan sits down at a table with Alexandra and they both order a black coffee. Siobhan kept late hours due to Joel and she really didnât mind she was a night owl not an early bird. No leggings or converse so instead of being pushed into a skirt or dress she rebelled in the most fashionable way that she could think of. The high waisted fitted suit was a oatmeal colored tweed that she had paired with a canary yellow silk shirt. To top it off she had done her hair in a very Anne of Green Gables style. She looked like she could have passed for Katherine Hepburn. Grinning over the coffee cup at Alexandra who was mock glaring at her. âYou said no leggings or converse.â
âSo you pull a Hepburn. Should have known. Well at least you look smashing. How did you manage to put all of your hair up there?â Alexandra reached out to touch Siobhanâs hair.
Siobhan leaned back quickly. âDonât mess with it, Lexi. You know I hate hairspray. Itâs a mass of bobby-pins that I finally got to work with my hair. Besides Iâm not letting you take this down, that goes to someone else entirely.â Alexandra laughed and leaned back looking over at the door that they were both facing waiting for the other ladies to join them.The Sisters and Maria thanked the desk after giving their names and headed over to the area where the two they intended to meet were waiting, Dressed in a smart but modern Italian designer ladies suit with a skirt, crisp English blouse and a click of the easily recognised red soled heels with a conservative 2 inch lift, Maria looked the part. Followed by Victoria in a dark wool coat detailed in silver wearing a office safe little dark purple dress and boots, and Marinalia in her normal office uniform, flight jacket but with dark shiny taller leather riding boots and a necklace of ice blue diamonds glittering on thick gold chain.
Maria seemed not to notice the sisters somewhat surprised seeing Siobhan, and a second well dressed woman next to her, barely even flustered by much at all with a upper class English accent and practically gold eyes. âGood Morning ladies, Shall we start then? Rather classic Miss Murphy, it suits you. Pot of regular and decaf coffee please, and some continental selections if possible.â Barely pausing, she politely asked for breakfast.
A rather surprised looking Victoria went somewhat icey as their last meeting was hardly a good one, eyes icey and a somewhat Russian tinge, though definitely the smallest of group. âAgh. Miss Murphy, Alexandra? ⊠oh, now I understand. The art showing. You want to use the Manor.â Somewhat cold, she sat down, deciding now was not a time to light the fires of past arguments especially round Maria, Victoria despite what thought at times was rather sharp when it came to some things.
Marinalia was more curious than vengeful, though she had hit on Joel like straight after the Gala, recent events had thrown a new perspective on things, and Ethan⊠the situation was definitely multi layered. âGood morning. Seeing as no one else got to it yet. My mum, Maria Olympus, my sister Lady Victoria Romus, and I'm Marinalia, Romus-Olympus. So, where do we start?âSiobhan kept the smile pasted on her face as she looked past Maria to the sisters. At Victoria's frosty comment she turned on her. âNice to meet you Maria and thank you. Please call me Siobhan. You look stunning. I was not aware that Vika and Marlin had control of the Manor or I never would have bothered. You see Vika is pissed that my best friend, Paige, is a better match to her ex than she ever could have been. And when it comes to these two Marlin follows her sister blindly. She really is a bad influence on Marlin. Although I have to say neither Joel nor I could really tell which of you retaliated in that bar fight not to long ago. News flash Marlin unless her name is âLadyâ you're in America. No one cares.â She took a sip of coffee. âBut that's neither here nor there. I need space and apparently it needs to be elegant. According to Lexi at least. So you have the space and I have the art. Let's brainstorm.â She motioned them to sit at an accompanying table sipping her coffee.Maria frowned at the situation being a lot more complicated than she ever planned or expected to be. Marinalia was definitely her daughter but Victoria she had a lot less defined position. Buying some time to think she took a bite of her small breakfast. Maybe she should have been more upfront about who and why. âThank you Siobhan, I must take some responsibility as I did not give every detail before hand. Alas, I think I need a brief pause to discuss things. And a lot longer tonight. â Nudging the two to a quiet corner away for a minute or two and expressions changing rather rapidly, before making a small sense of the mess.
Returning Victoria dialed down the ice partly, though only because Maria's influence but was thicker with Russian. âWell Marinalia was being formal as of her education. Bar fight. Not us, in fact as your so interested. Some fan girl of Ethan Aster who I met, an invite for drinks, a bottle flew. Blood. Then chaos. Self defense. Milo, I'd rather less said the better.â
Marinalia was somewhat thrown by the situation, the few minutes had let her reboot her viewpoint. But Ethanâs words from Tuesday where ringing in her minds corners. Joel nor I? Definitely dating or similar. Ethan certainly did not miss anything. Victoria's cold side was what made her excellent at her job. Just not diplomatic. âFor Maria's sake. I'll forget that one. We do, and I'm the one in control technically, so.
With a few terms. Second floor is private. Within personal use and sense. Third is entirely off limits. Gardens ours till the evening in question.
Cost wise. You clean up after and never notice it happened after, we get drinks⊠I'll call that our truce offer. Though we both know a certain racing driver is unlikely to attend so that's one less problem.â Cooler, but not icey like Victoria and falling into her taught cool crisp upper class English. Getting a if you must look from Victoria, she knew better than show a divided front.
Maria nodded along. Not the most warm, could be worse. The Terms where fair. Also why where they so tall⊠5â6 in heels. Then pulling out a floor plan, annotated in a neat cursive hand with ideas and options. âGround floor was designed for old social scene. You have room and light. Ballroom is better for art, much lighter. Save the other space for guests. Maybe bar under staircase. Gardens can be opened up. Any suggestions Alexandra? I'm sure you have a few requirements? Being the professional here.âThe woman in all black almost severe cut business suit jolted to the real world at the sound of her name. âAh yes. Well Iâd love to look at it so that we can plan out the arrangement of the collection. Siobhan care to come along?â
Siobhan is acting strange. She is normally at this point she has them eating out of the palm of her hand. Does she know those girls? Well getting her out of here is still the best bet. I just hope that Maria is the only one to go with us.
Marinalia gave the two a glance but mostly cast a eye to Victoria who eyes flashed like polar ice for a second, relishing about the raising comment, losing her mother at young age. That cut deeper than she knew. "Maria, I think we should get to work."
Victoria was cold, but some subjects where not places she liked to go. With a turn of dark hair and scarily calm slate grey eyes tinged with almost armour. "I probably should get to work, the digital crime wave has not abated. No... I only had letters and diaries." .
Marlin kept calm just going though the flight procedures for a rooftop landing she was teaching that day, they went to leave but Siobhan turned. Well this might be interesting. "Yes, Vika is. But as you said. Blood is a lot thicker and worth a lot more than a boyfriend who more often than not end. He likes Guinness by the way, and I've found fresh runways and hangers anew. Oh, I met a school mate of his Ethan, seems that Gossip column was correct after all. Not that I'm gonna run to press. But someone else may make the link." Well, she had her doubts, and issues. Not that that she would let on and show weakness. The last bit, she knew the Media where assholes, disliking her one thing. Leaving her to those scum was another.
Maria bid the sisters goodbye as they gave a polite goodbye, neutral but not quite as hostile as the start to Alexandra and Siobhan. Truce maybe. But not a warm one. Least they could agree to not quite laying into each other like last time. "Ladies, I shall take you over to the House then, Alexandra will know the Zip code. I'll have to check with my daughter tonight if you wish to do anything major change or addition wise."
You are hereby invited to an Evening of Art, cocktails and excellent company in the showing of a painting series by Siobhan Murphy
Located at Hephaestus Manor, Park View
Saturday Evening 'til late
Tickets available for a private showing of one of Sol City's most talented artists
Salutations, thanks, and we shall see you there!
...
WEATHER
SOL CITY is experiencing intermittent rain and fairly cool weather, luckily no snow is forecast and risk of ice is low as chance of freeze is minimal. Bring a coat but go out and enjoy the delights of the city indoor venues and events.
For a more detailed and up to date report on the go, download our app, SOL CITY WEATHER 24/7 on most popular app stores.
saturday . Siobahan's Art Show Saturday Evening . Planned Event . Cool Winter evening with intermittent rain showers . Event Location Hephaestus Manor (Olympus family residence)
âNow then, let's come right down in here and put some nice big strong arms on these trees. Tree needs an arm too. It'll hold up the weight of the forest. Little bird has to have a place to set there. There he goes...â Bob Ross, The man, The legend, The happy tree
Culture means growth Bob... no.. that's a furry cup with googly eyes and a cocktail umbrella, not art... fine you're a modern artist...
So, the simple Version! We have a GM planned event hosted at the sisters' mansion. The Art show before, if you kept a close eye, had to move thanks to Dirty Harriet or the woman with no name bringing her trademark cordite air freshener to the private viewing on Tuesday morning. The shooting forced the show to be moved, and old rivals from chapter one to get closer than either would like!
We are going to have fun with this, while the events are not required they tend to draw the biggest crowds and always some juicy drama. To help people out, the location will have a basic floor plan to make sense of things and keep us all on the same page. Further details will be laid out in our posts, so please read them even if not directly reference you.
The General theme of the Manor is Parian, lighter, ornate details and plaster work etc. Ground Floor used for the main event.
There will be drinks, snacks and much art to admire, drama to be had, and bring your best, dress up, and may the most handsome and elegant win the day!
As always, any questions, send us a PM, Tag us, Discord, Raven, Post owl, though rocks with notes on windows may be returned by first class arm post :)
Other than that, Have fun and enjoy the party!
PrinceAlexus and Almalthia most glorious collaboration
Siobhan; Marinalia & Victoria
Location: Thursday
Interaction: Each other
Siobhan sits down at a table with Alexandra and they both order a black coffee. Siobhan kept late hours due to Joel and she really didnât mind she was a night owl not an early bird. No leggings or converse so instead of being pushed into a skirt or dress she rebelled in the most fashionable way that she could think of. The high waisted fitted suit was a oatmeal colored tweed that she had paired with a canary yellow silk shirt. To top it off she had done her hair in a very Anne of Green Gables style. She looked like she could have passed for Katherine Hepburn. Grinning over the coffee cup at Alexandra who was mock glaring at her. âYou said no leggings or converse.â
âSo you pull a Hepburn. Should have known. Well at least you look smashing. How did you manage to put all of your hair up there?â Alexandra reached out to touch Siobhanâs hair.
Siobhan leaned back quickly. âDonât mess with it, Lexi. You know I hate hairspray. Itâs a mass of bobby-pins that I finally got to work with my hair. Besides Iâm not letting you take this down, that goes to someone else entirely.â Alexandra laughed and leaned back looking over at the door that they were both facing waiting for the other ladies to join them.The Sisters and Maria thanked the desk after giving their names and headed over to the area where the two they intended to meet were waiting, Dressed in a smart but modern Italian designer ladies suit with a skirt, crisp English blouse and a click of the easily recognised red soled heels with a conservative 2 inch lift, Maria looked the part. Followed by Victoria in a dark wool coat detailed in silver wearing a office safe little dark purple dress and boots, and Marinalia in her normal office uniform, flight jacket but with dark shiny taller leather riding boots and a necklace of ice blue diamonds glittering on thick gold chain.
Maria seemed not to notice the sisters somewhat surprised seeing Siobhan, and a second well dressed woman next to her, barely even flustered by much at all with a upper class English accent and practically gold eyes. âGood Morning ladies, Shall we start then? Rather classic Miss Murphy, it suits you. Pot of regular and decaf coffee please, and some continental selections if possible.â Barely pausing, she politely asked for breakfast.
A rather surprised looking Victoria went somewhat icey as their last meeting was hardly a good one, eyes icey and a somewhat Russian tinge, though definitely the smallest of group. âAgh. Miss Murphy, Alexandra? ⊠oh, now I understand. The art showing. You want to use the Manor.â Somewhat cold, she sat down, deciding now was not a time to light the fires of past arguments especially round Maria, Victoria despite what thought at times was rather sharp when it came to some things.
Marinalia was more curious than vengeful, though she had hit on Joel like straight after the Gala, recent events had thrown a new perspective on things, and Ethan⊠the situation was definitely multi layered. âGood morning. Seeing as no one else got to it yet. My mum, Maria Olympus, my sister Lady Victoria Romus, and I'm Marinalia, Romus-Olympus. So, where do we start?âSiobhan kept the smile pasted on her face as she looked past Maria to the sisters. At Victoria's frosty comment she turned on her. âNice to meet you Maria and thank you. Please call me Siobhan. You look stunning. I was not aware that Vika and Marlin had control of the Manor or I never would have bothered. You see Vika is pissed that my best friend, Paige, is a better match to her ex than she ever could have been. And when it comes to these two Marlin follows her sister blindly. She really is a bad influence on Marlin. Although I have to say neither Joel nor I could really tell which of you retaliated in that bar fight not to long ago. News flash Marlin unless her name is âLadyâ you're in America. No one cares.â She took a sip of coffee. âBut that's neither here nor there. I need space and apparently it needs to be elegant. According to Lexi at least. So you have the space and I have the art. Let's brainstorm.â She motioned them to sit at an accompanying table sipping her coffee.Maria frowned at the situation being a lot more complicated than she ever planned or expected to be. Marinalia was definitely her daughter but Victoria she had a lot less defined position. Buying some time to think she took a bite of her small breakfast. Maybe she should have been more upfront about who and why. âThank you Siobhan, I must take some responsibility as I did not give every detail before hand. Alas, I think I need a brief pause to discuss things. And a lot longer tonight. â Nudging the two to a quiet corner away for a minute or two and expressions changing rather rapidly, before making a small sense of the mess.
Returning Victoria dialed down the ice partly, though only because Maria's influence but was thicker with Russian. âWell Marinalia was being formal as of her education. Bar fight. Not us, in fact as your so interested. Some fan girl of Ethan Aster who I met, an invite for drinks, a bottle flew. Blood. Then chaos. Self defense. Milo, I'd rather less said the better.â
Marinalia was somewhat thrown by the situation, the few minutes had let her reboot her viewpoint. But Ethanâs words from Tuesday where ringing in her minds corners. Joel nor I? Definitely dating or similar. Ethan certainly did not miss anything. Victoria's cold side was what made her excellent at her job. Just not diplomatic. âFor Maria's sake. I'll forget that one. We do, and I'm the one in control technically, so.
With a few terms. Second floor is private. Within personal use and sense. Third is entirely off limits. Gardens ours till the evening in question.
Cost wise. You clean up after and never notice it happened after, we get drinks⊠I'll call that our truce offer. Though we both know a certain racing driver is unlikely to attend so that's one less problem.â Cooler, but not icey like Victoria and falling into her taught cool crisp upper class English. Getting a if you must look from Victoria, she knew better than show a divided front.
Maria nodded along. Not the most warm, could be worse. The Terms where fair. Also why where they so tall⊠5â6 in heels. Then pulling out a floor plan, annotated in a neat cursive hand with ideas and options. âGround floor was designed for old social scene. You have room and light. Ballroom is better for art, much lighter. Save the other space for guests. Maybe bar under staircase. Gardens can be opened up. Any suggestions Alexandra? I'm sure you have a few requirements? Being the professional here.âThe woman in all black almost severe cut business suit jolted to the real world at the sound of her name. âAh yes. Well Iâd love to look at it so that we can plan out the arrangement of the collection. Siobhan care to come along?â
Siobhan is acting strange. She is normally at this point she has them eating out of the palm of her hand. Does she know those girls? Well getting her out of here is still the best bet. I just hope that Maria is the only one to go with us.
Marinalia gave the two a glance but mostly cast a eye to Victoria who eyes flashed like polar ice for a second, relishing about the raising comment, losing her mother at young age. That cut deeper than she knew. "Maria, I think we should get to work."
Victoria was cold, but some subjects where not places she liked to go. With a turn of dark hair and scarily calm slate grey eyes tinged with almost armour. "I probably should get to work, the digital crime wave has not abated. No... I only had letters and diaries." .
Marlin kept calm just going though the flight procedures for a rooftop landing she was teaching that day, they went to leave but Siobhan turned. Well this might be interesting. "Yes, Vika is. But as you said. Blood is a lot thicker and worth a lot more than a boyfriend who more often than not end. He likes Guinness by the way, and I've found fresh runways and hangers anew. Oh, I met a school mate of his Ethan, seems that Gossip column was correct after all. Not that I'm gonna run to press. But someone else may make the link." Well, she had her doubts, and issues. Not that that she would let on and show weakness. The last bit, she knew the Media where assholes, disliking her one thing. Leaving her to those scum was another.
Maria bid the sisters goodbye as they gave a polite goodbye, neutral but not quite as hostile as the start to Alexandra and Siobhan. Truce maybe. But not a warm one. Least they could agree to not quite laying into each other like last time. "Ladies, I shall take you over to the House then, Alexandra will know the Zip code. I'll have to check with my daughter tonight if you wish to do anything major change or addition wise."
You are hereby invited to an Evening of Art, cocktails and excellent company in the showing of a painting series by Siobhan Murphy
Located at Hephaestus Manor, Park View
Saturday Evening 'til late
Tickets available for a private showing of one of Sol City's most talented artists
Salutations, thanks, and we shall see you there!
...
WEATHER
SOL CITY is experiencing intermittent rain and fairly cool weather, luckily no snow is forecast and risk of ice is low as chance of freeze is minimal. Bring a coat but go out and enjoy the delights of the city indoor venues and events.
For a more detailed and up to date report on the go, download our app, SOL CITY WEATHER 24/7 on most popular app stores.
Joel gave a playful resistance to her nips around his chin, feeling the breath of her words against his face. âYou better behave or I'm gonna make you sit in the Jeep.â He said with a mockingly and gently ran a hand through her long hair. The glimmer in her eyes sometimes made him feel old in a way. Being nearly ten years her senior he had to think back and remind himself what he had been like at twenty-three and that most real-life experiences were still completely new to her. In some ways he was a little envious and thought fleetingly about where he would be at twenty-three equipped with the knowledge he had at near thirty-three. His eyes briefly glanced up around the sparse parking lot and the slow stream of late-evening traffic of Western Shore seeing their breath rise past his nose. âI'm not promising I won't disparage your character [i]too much(/i]. He said playfully.
Swiftly he lifted her up by the legs and opened the Jeepâs heavy door which obediently swung open on its simple metal hinges and placed her in the driver's seat before jumping in behind her and helping her across the center console. He rocked the shifter a few times and started it up turning on the heater and thinking about what they were doing next. Getting some coffee and maybe just make a big loop around town was his first thought while just letting her tell the story. Since she wasn't from Sol, he figured she would enjoy it. The city could be very picturesque from certain angles, much like she had discovered the night they were stuck on top of City Hall and was much easier to admire when the vehicle wasn't traveling at over a hundred miles per hour. He put the shifter in gear and gave the pedal a couple light taps as he let the clutch out and they were on their way. âGo ahead, let's hear it.â He said with some comical anticipation.
Member
Snowdrops
PrinceAlexus
Chronic
Tlaloc
souleaterfan320
Bugman
Damycles
Noctis
Ithradine
Infinite Cosmos
