Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 17, 2021 18:03:28 GMT -8
Though often well dressed and put together, Ivory had some semblance of a routine, one which Kai Rose would have become privy to having lived under her roof. Once every week or so, Ivory picked a day to remain solely at home. No shopping. No running out for coffee. Nothing. It was a day of chill, aside from the rare call from the company that managed her properties. Today was one of those days and Ivory had, for the last hour or so, been in the living room. It was silent for the most part, as today the dragon was reading, seated in an armchair with an Arnold palmer and a half-eaten slice of lemon tart on the sidetable next to her. Ivory was dressed casually in some olive green capris and a fitted gray t-shirt. Her straight, shoulder length hair hung loose, as it often did and her face was bereft of makeup. Even so, Anthony had popped in and chatted with her, explaining that he was dipping out to head to campus to study. Shortly thereafter, Anthony left, but, if nothing else, their interaction evidenced that the Fairest didn't care if people popped in for a chat. After all, if she wanted to be alone she could have gone to her office and shut the door or stayed in her room.
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 17, 2021 18:16:02 GMT -8
Kai walked into the room, wearing shorts and a black tank-top. April was getting warmer in Las Vegas, and though desert homes tended to have air conditioning, she was going to dress the part. There was a run to be had in the growing heat later. She waved at the Fairest, flashing a smile.
"Hey," she said, waving with the hand that wasn't carrying a glass of water. She found a chair to flop into. "How's it going? I saw Anthony come and go..."
She gave a hopeful thumbs up and a look of inquiry. Hopefully there was improvement there?
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 17, 2021 18:46:33 GMT -8
Golden eyes raised from the open pages, offering the Polychromatic a smile as she entered. Scaled fingers fetched a bookmark from behind the cover, saving Ivory's spot as she closed the book and set it aside. Big bold text read For Whom the Bell Tolls. The Pale Dragon was a fan of Hemingway, it seemed.
"We spent Pendragon's birthday together. For a little while at least," she said as she retrieved the Arnold Palmer and took a drink., "It helped. Gave us some time together outside of the house. We... still need to do a session together, but scheduling has been difficult. We will, though."
Relaxing into her seat, the Fairest would look back to Kai.
"Liking the shift in the weather? Your season is beginning to ascend," she offered.
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 18, 2021 15:57:41 GMT -8
"A good start," she agreed, flashing a wider smile as she settled into the chair. "I hope it was a carthartic time. That's... got to be a hard anniversary." Her colors flashed mournful colors, deep purples and navy blues. She had lost a lot, but never a husband. The fact that Ivory was blessed by Spring was a testament to her ability to cope.
The mention of Summer's coming brought a nod. "With all the shit that has been going on lately, between Autumn Courtiers getting a ton of people killed and everything that happened with Rose Water, I think Queen Uriel's reign will be good for everyone." She frowned. "But right now, I'm actually here because of something Springy." She gestured to Ivory with the drink. "My identity is coming. Soon. And we're not talking a fake ID. The real McCoy. Papers, everything I need, and I have you to thank for that. Nobody else gave a shit except for you and my Winter contact."
Kai tapped the side of her head.
"I had an idea. Something I think we could make a bunch of money off, given where we live. You interested in a potential idea?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 18, 2021 16:34:54 GMT -8
At the mournful tones and colors, Ivory granted Kai a solemn, but warm smile.
"Less difficult than before," she offered, "Even if we were only together for a few years, my time with Penny was... amazing. My grief for him will always be a part of me, but it doesn't have to be who I am. Anthony's outlook is improving on it too."
It was one element of their relationship that gave Ivory hope that maybe she wasn't complete garbage at this whole parenting thing.
Perhaps surprisingly Ivory would nod in agreement to Kai's comments regarding her sovereign.
"Indeed. The coming of Spring has given some a breather, but I doubt it has been as pleasant for some as it has myself and, between us, I think a heavier hand will do our Freehold some good," she said, "Given recent developments that is."
Eyes widened and a grin spread as Kai voiced some very good news.
"I'd offer wine to celebrate, but I presume the get-up is for more than the look," she said, gesturing to Kai's outfit. She assumed Kai had plans for something more physical than drinking wine and eating lemon tart. "The offer is open though. That or we can do dinner when it goes through... Congratulations, Kai. I'm uncertain how I helped... but I am glad my assistance proved helpful."
A curious expression peeled its way across the Pale Dragon's face as Kai turned the conversation to... business. Before Kai had her attention. Now Kai had her interest.
"Do tell," she said, leaning forward as she sipped the Arnold Palmer, "What can Las Vegas' premier token socialite do for you?"
A little self-deprecating humor. Ivory was aware of how some might view her. She had not yet made the waves she was hoping to, but that time would come.
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 18, 2021 16:45:44 GMT -8
Kai nodded and looked pleased when she said her grief didn't have to be who she was. That was huge, a real lesson some folks could stand to learn from. Perhaps it was part of the point of Winter. It wasn't just about being sad. It was about moving through it. She nodded as well at the need for a sterner hand, moving into the latter topics. "Well, think about it. Do you know how many needy motherfuckers there are in this Freehold? Every God-damned gathering, it's always something. Someone being a whiny bitch, someone throwing a tantrum, someone enabling bullshit, or whatever. It's like most people don't bother to give a fuck about people who look functional. The co-dependency is toxic. This Freehold could make a therapist rich. I could drown in it, feeling every fucking thing. They don't get it. They can't. You bothered to gave a shit and kept me moving forward, Ivory. You Sprung well. It means a lot."
The idea.
"Well, an ear is a start. So, here's what I'm thinking. You know those badass recreational facilities you see around town? Where they do shooting, or volleyball, or paintball, or laser tag or whatever? The tourists love it. They make a ton of cash, but I don't think anyone's doing what I want to do. I want to lease a ranch in Summerlin. Archery. Horseback riding. Obstacle courses. Target shooting. A facility where people focus on action and have a ton of fun doing training and classes. Tourists get short packages, but classes for locals, too. We work it up, and aim to start doing film support for crews from Los Angeles."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 18, 2021 17:15:06 GMT -8
Ivory accepted the compliment with grace, her face beaming. As the conversation moved swiftly to business, Ivory nodded, taking in the pitch as the Polychromatic spun it.
"I see," she offered, "From the sounds of things it would be useful for some of your peers as well. Being able to practice practical combat skills with a legitimate business as a front seems a wise way to help prepare your fellow Spears. I admire that. Your court won't take issue with a Spring gaining a sizable investment in their territory? I know the High Seasons are close, but I do not want to step on toes. Perhaps attaining the blessing of a member of the Knighthood would prove beneficial for the operation? Or do you believe I'm overthinking the matter?"
The idea was a good one. For a few reasons. However, Ivory wanted to ensure she was not at risk of damaging her ties to the Iron Spear by rashly sponsoring the lease and fostering an investment in their territory.
"I'm open to the idea," she affirmed, "And I think I might be able to help you make this work on the financial end of things. Where I can't, I'm certain my assets can help us locate someone who can. Were you hoping to gain a few more investors? Pros are obvious in that they would grant us more capitol and flexibility in finding a space that suits our needs. Cons, also obvious, they'll want to impact the packages and experience."
Money talked after all.
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 18, 2021 22:35:45 GMT -8
"I can ask Solomon if it's cool, sure. No harm in it, he's my liege lord." She chuckled. "Ultimately, it's a business we're setting up together. I can't imagine there being a big concern. My Court's pretty pragmatic when it comes to nonsense and tomfoolery. It's like... those Gritty memes?" Fuck around and find out. "If anything, the fact that you wanted to play it straight will make them appreciate you. After you helped me out with the Buck assassination case, you've definitely made inroads*."
The offer to help with the financial end was appreciated. "I think asking a commercial lawyer about the usual costs associated with this sort of thing wouldn't be a bad idea, but honestly, it's not that complex of a project, when you think about it. Lease, staff, animals, marketing, and the like? It just doesn't seem like a multiple investor gig. You and I are plenty." She shrugged. "Just enough up front so that I can qualify for a business loan to cover my half is probably enough."
OOC: *should totally buy Summer Goodwill
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 7:38:37 GMT -8
"Thank you," Ivory said, "I doubt it as well, but I'd rather be certain that I stand to generate no ill will with the move. Call me paranoid."
There was a soft chuckle.
"Straight is better," she said, echoing the Polychromatic's statements of her wishing to remain separate from the darker underbelly of the Emerald Court and the Freehold as a whole, "And I am pleased to hear my activities have generated some goodwill. I've made my value of the Spear plain and I will continue to assist, should you need it. You only need to ask."
As Kai pushed the conversation along with her assurances and the need to bring in a commercial lawyer, Ivory looks impressed.
"You've thought this through," the Pale Dragon offered.
The Pale Dragon rested back into her chair, a hand retrieving her glass as she stared off to the side, somewhere in the middle distance, and considered the proposal. The Summer did not need to wait long, however. Soon enough, Ivory's gilded gaze returned to her ally and friend.
"Consider me invested," she said with a smile, "Did you have a ranch in mind? I'd like to be there when you go to see if it's a fit. Otherwise, I can free up my schedule later this week and we can spend some time inspecting several, if they are available. Once that's done and the loan is locked in, we'll need to meet and make some decisions on staffing and management. If you need help building your business model in advance of your meeting with the bank, let me know. I'll assist where I can."
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 19, 2021 9:28:14 GMT -8
Kai gave a thumbs up to the offer of assistance to the Spear. It was true: Ivory had helped, in more ways than she knew. At the mention that she'd thought it through, Kai chuckled. "I know what I don't know, and can figure out who to ask." Lawyers. They were useful sometimes.
A drum roll would have been appropriate for the tension that built as the young Draconic considered her interest. When she said she was down, she grinned. "Yes!" She raised her glass as Ivory said she was in. "Very cool. I thought I'd start with you, see if you thought it was a good idea and invite you along to look for sites. My papers are still probably a couple of weeks out, so it gives us time to look. Want to do some online research, or hit up a commercial leasing agent and see what's out there that way?" A lot of those folks were into the Free Consultations so they could get the business. Why not put them to work?
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 16:04:37 GMT -8
Linking up with Kai for a little research and making a day of it to go to sites? Helping her Polychromatic friend avoid predatory loans? Possibly afternoon margaritas?
"How could I say no?" she beamed.
At the thoughtfulness of the Summer coming to her first, the Pale Dragon's look softened. There were many Kai could have approached, some of whom may have been even more equipped to help her. Instead, she chose Ivory. That this had been done as a symbol of trust was not lost to the Fairest... And she would do all she could not to disappoint.
"The idea is more than sound. People pulse through Las Vegas often. How else could this little artificial oasis of ours persist?" she said with a grin, "I think it's time Ivory of Spring and Kai of Summer take their small portion of the pie. We can start researching whenever you finish your workout and I can free my schedule, as I've said. This is an investment worth pursuing and I want to give it my full attention."
Ivory would take a healthy drink of her Arnold Palmer, allowing the high of the situation to settle in a little bit in a comfortable pause.
"There is one other thing I was hoping we could discuss, if you have the time," Ivory said, her tone gentle, "We've invested heavily in one another a few times there and you accepted a room in my home, not to mention our work in the Hollow. I wanted to ask about your willingness to deepen our bond to one another through a motley. I... know it's a big step and I don't need an answer right now, but you should know it's something on my mind."
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 19, 2021 16:40:13 GMT -8
And there it was. A fair question, to be honest; Ivory had done everything Kai had asked of her, sharing her home, her Hollow, her funds. Normally, it would be deemed to be inappropriate for a Knight to supervise a Motley pledge. It would be weird. With Solomon, he would disapprove if Ivory was shady. She hasn't done anything to piss him off, and she has helped with the Sunset Prince investigation and has very strong feelings toward the crime lord. She also provided information and material support for the hunt for Lyre.
She'd earned it.
"We live together. Now, we're going to be working together. It really isn't all that far of a jump. I think I need to make sure we're on the same page about what I do, to make sure you're comfortable with keeping the secrets of my life. I'm an investigator for crimes against the Freehold, the fucked up shit our people do sometimes. Sometimes, those investigations require me to take significant actions that require discretion, and sometimes, it's really dangerous. There will be things I can't tell you about, and other things, telling you about them is possible but would be dangerous. To know would mean you're involved, and I don't expect you to get involved, but... that's the picture. Is that something you're going to be okay with?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 17:26:03 GMT -8
Ivory listened, golden eyes transfixed upon the Polychromatic as she spoke. She took it in and, despite the dancing words Kai employed, the intent was clear. Kai was indeed an investigator, but she was more than that. She was, when necessary, a hunter. That word sounded better than assassin. Investigations also sometimes meant interrogation, but none of this was gigantic surprise. Ivory had her suspicions to some of it being the case. The rest was a reasonable stretch to accept.
"Well... I never figured you were doing pilates," she teased, an attempt to inject some light sarcastic levity in the mix. Then the dragon straightened clearing her throat and adopting a more serious expression.
"Kai I understand there are things you and I will not be able to speak on and if you are bound not to do so I do not expect you to," Ivory said, "I need you to understand that. However, if there is a matter which we can discuss that you feel I can assist with, let me know. If it comes to the point that I need to purchase the services of a security detail that can be arranged, either mundane or via the Tolltakers if you consider them trustworthy. With a little money and a little negotiation I can ensure I am less accessible and, in time, I'll probably need to do it anyway. Regardless of whom I ally with and what I do, there will be an element of danger and I am neither a gifted duelist nor a soldier. That is how our world works. That is why so many have died recently. What matters is having people in your corner that you feel you can trust and plan with effectively if things begin to fray in the way that we do not expect."
There was a pause.
"I would decline direct involvement, as you know, but I've already provided you information in the past, I see no issue why that can't continue," Ivory explained, "In a sense, once word spreads on where you're living, I'll already be involved in the eyes of those who might think of you as an enemy, whether I want to be or not. Even more so if they learn that we share a Hollow and that I've given you information before. That is why I think a motley is the play, but I am leaving the decision to you. It allows us to continue and grow as we are while also granting us the security of trust we might require moving forward."
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Post by Kai Rose on Apr 19, 2021 22:44:59 GMT -8
"The main thing I need help with right now is what you're doing right now... helping me to build something to hold onto that isn't Faerie."
With respect to the security issue, Kai actually thought that having some support wasn't a bad idea, but at this point, Ivory wasn't on anyone's radar of People Needing Killing to her knowledge. That was a real relief.
"It's a fair concern. While I don't think many would view me as an enemy and it is very unlikely that anyone would know you'd given me certain information, it's definitely true that once people realize that we're in business together that there is a close tie."
She paused.
"There was one thing I did want to ask... vassal pledge wise. Are you thinking about swearing to Chugunkin or Nimbus? Or..." She chuckled. "Sir Alexandrite, Her Majesty's Most Loyal Infiltrator? Your Season has blessed you. The Knights won't leave you be forever."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 23:08:10 GMT -8
"Then that is what we will do," Ivory said, granting the Polychromatic a smile as she expressed a desire to build something outside of the Fae.
"I will be sure to make preparations when the time comes then," Ivory offered in regards to security, her casual tone evidencing her comfortability with the idea of having a security detail, "Arthur was a Congressman. Security was part of our lives for a significant period of time."
The comment of swearing was an interesting one. It was one they had discussed before, but now? Things had shifted.
"I do not know Sir Alexanderite, nor do I know Philicia well," she said, starting with the easiest Knight to rule out, "I have no desire to attach myself to an unknown quantity and there is also the question of sincerity. If Sir Alexanderite is an infiltrator, he could easily show me a face that is not his own. The concept is an uncomfortable one I'd prefer to avoid."
Then came a sigh.
"Hence my conundrum," she said, "On one hand,I appreciate Nimbus' ideals and works. On the other, he seems to lack the want to act on his own and I feel Piper likely influences him too much. I understand he's an extremely skilled Hedge Duelist, but... I need more than that to convince me he can help me gain the respect and security I seek. If I am to be a vassal, I expect to deal with the Knight to at least some degree rather than dealing solely with his Esquire. And that is to say nothing of Piper's potential suspicions of my intent or my... less-than-kind encounter with them recently. Then there's Chugunkin..."
"On paper, he's a good choice if I wish to learn how to endure, deal with rivals, and fortify my place here in Vegas. In practice, he's likely highly sought after for those same regions. Even if I were to succeed, I wager I would be competing with a larger pool of vassals to learn these lessons," Ivory explains, "Then there is the risk of becoming associated with a known criminal. Chugunkin is not well loved and his status as a crime lord is perhaps may main deterrent. Even if it is an off-chance, I don't need myself to become a target for his enemies or rivals. I certainly don't want to risk that with Anthony. Then there is the question of whether I am truly playing it straight or not when my work ultimately benefits a Knight whose intentions are often criminal."
"In brief? If you had asked me some weeks ago, I would have told you Nimbus, but, having met the man, I just don't know," she said, "I suppose I'm still leaning towards him in some small capacity though. Due to the legitimacy of his life if nothing else."
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