|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Jun 20, 2021 21:53:47 GMT -8
 It was the first of June, and the house had been quieter without Anthony. The end of first first year had been marked with a week out camping by Las Vegas Bay with a large group of mixed friends and new acquaintances. The expected number saw an uptick when one of them leaked the event that also happened to roll into Cartwright's 19th, but he didn't seem too perturbed—he had been trying to grow his anemic social circle since The Christmas Purge that only left him with Serena and a couple of other Union students, and the act was likely in good faith.
Ivory wasn't naïve to expect the time out would probably be swimming in alcohol and the loud drama of new adults, and and would hear all about it once he son was back for their own shindig. However, she couldn't deny something weighed on her heart this evening as she ate with her motleymate.
Kai hadn't experienced a Broken Promise yet, but Summer roared in her head as a supernatural betrayal snapped the bonds of trust made on the Wyrd.
Whether is was being drunk, malicious, or emotionally volatile, Tony had talked. |
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jun 20, 2021 23:03:25 GMT -8
It was about three seconds after the Polychromatic had finished washing up in her ensuite before getting back to the table when Kai flipped a table in her bedroom.
The clattering of wood hitting the floor and her frustrated roar was more than enough to indicate that Something Bad had happened. If that wasn't enough, a furious shout echoing through the hallway into the main part of the house was more than enough.
"Mother-FUCKER!"
Drawers opened and shut with slams as the Polychromatic grabbed some gear for the outdoors, shoving it into a spare kit to attach to her go-bag. Her compound hunting bow was drawn from the closet along with a quiver of arrows, the kind of thing you'd bring with you if you had to leave the Wards and didn't necessarily want to cast Contracts, and she was already on the phone drawing up directions to where she knew Tony was heading.
She'd tried his cell. Twice. Nope.
"Ivory! We've got to move! Anthony breached his fuckin' promise!"
If it was bad, Winter was going to have to get involved. This was precisely the kind of shit she had hoped to avoid!
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588 
|
Post by Ivory on Jun 20, 2021 23:33:00 GMT -8
Ivory had brought home some good, cheap Chinese takeout for her and Kai as dinner that night. On one hand it was something fun to do and had absolutely zero labor involved, which was a blessing considering Ivory's cooking skills had yet to evolve to a more practiced refinement. On the other the food was a comfort to alleviate for whatever it was that had been bothering her. The slam upstairs made the Fairest jump, chopsticks dropping from her hand to clatter on the floor. The yell, though, made her freeze and, eventually, rise to peek her head in the foyer looking out to watch Kai in her flurried movements. The Pale Dragon's features were best described as something between concern and confusion, but, when Kai finally spoke of the reason for her outburst, golden eyes widened with alarm as the Pale Dragon hurriedly moved to her office and retrieved her purse with: Cash, ID, Phone, a phone charger, and car keys. The mounting stress of the situation showed on Ivory's door as she sped out of the office. Frustration and fear painted her features as she moved to the door, her anxious energy causing her to tug the door before she had unlocked the dead bolt, prompting a frustrated grunt from the Fairest and a sound slap on the wood. Finally getting open she brought out her key fob and unlocked her new, more inconspicuous whip in the driveway as she hollered back.
"Meet me at the car!" Ivory's faced with flushed and anxious. She didn't need Kai to tell her what this could lead to. They had spoken on the matter many times before. |
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jun 21, 2021 9:52:27 GMT -8
Kai didn't rush out immediately. She was pissed, not stupid, and after what had happened to the crew that went out into the desert during the Revenant Crisis, she grabbed what they needed - including clothing for Ivory in case they got caught out at night. She also directed Ivory to stop by a store to pick up some sensible outdoor survival gear and vehicle repair basics. Was she good at crafts or first aid? Fuck, no. But if a tire needed to be patched or changed, she wanted to have items that would help make up the skill gap. Part of that included lighting and extra batteries. After all, she wasn't a Beast. Darkness wasn't ideal. A map was always helpful, too.
"You can decide if you want to get the beads from Nimbus or Solomon. If you do choose Nimbus, call it a family emergency or something if he asks questions, I guess?"
This was her kid. Subjecting Anthony to Solomon probably was not her idea of a good time.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jun 21, 2021 14:47:17 GMT -8
As Kai finally exited the home, the Pale Dragon was already in the driver seat, seat belt on and hands gripping the wheel. Once Kai was ready, she would exit out of the driveway, hitting her fob again to close the gate behind them as they moved on.
Stopping by the outdoor rec store at Kai's suggestion, the Pale Dragon opted not to go simple. Ivory may be a creature of luxury, but she understood the desert could be dangerous. Thus, with the help of associates at the store, Ivory was able to locate and piece together an advanced survival gear kit specialized for a desert environment. A good quality map of the Las Vegas Bay and its environs was also purchased. A dip to a hardware store also resulted into the purchase of a set of automotive tools for the Honda.
As Kai suggested she call in for a set of beads, Ivory nodded, wiping away a frustrated tear as she dialed the number of her patron. When Nimbus answered a clearly upset Ivory explained she had a family emergency at Las Vegas Bay and she made the request for a set. Noting her concern was genuine the airy Knight of Rains directed her to contact Noir. The Archivist in turn asked few questions upon contact. Given the nature of the request as a family emergency, he agreed to send her a set of beads following another phone call, explaining a hob would deliver it. Kai, however, would need to contact her own patron.
While they waited, Ivory shared that she was able to get a set of beads for herself, but not for Kai, suggesting that she may want to ask Solomon for a set.
Shortly thereafter, one of Noir's "dragonflies", a faerie dragon, popped into the car it's shimmering eyes searching the vehicle as it offered the beads. The beads were not free, however, and the little hob requested a trinket in return. After a moment longer it requested Ivory's dolphin shaped air freshener. Upon being given the trinket, the hob dipped the beads into Ivory's hand before disappearing with audible pop.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jun 21, 2021 14:57:37 GMT -8
Kai was brimming with anger, Summer's blessings upon her pelting Ivory constantly with forced critical self-reflection. Her skin was boiling with red and crown, flicking between the fury of a scorned Fae with anxiety about what was going to come next. Noir being unable to help was unfortunate and led Kai to call Solomon. Her explanation was simple: there was an emergency involving Ivory's kid outside of the Freehold Wards. She provided the location, and indicated that she expected to be out about a day, outside of cell service. She had the right equipment, and this was not going to be a revenant crisis situation.
Directing them to where they needed to go to retrieve the beads, she noted to Ivory that this was the last stop before they rolled out to the campsite unless she had any other Super Urgent Stops on the way.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jun 21, 2021 15:23:33 GMT -8
Through it all, the reality of the situation ate at Ivory. It was evident by the occasional tear as she kept her eyes on the road, lips pressed lightly together as her jaw clenched from the anxiety of it. Most notable, perhaps was Ivory's silence as they drove on, speaking only when she needed to and keeping it brief.
Naturally part of this was due to her great concern for Anthony. The boy was her family and her Touchstone. He was her responsibility. However, he had also betrayed Kai's trust. The circumstances were yet to be known, but the reality was that Kai had every right to be angry. The other reality was, depending on how far back you tread along this road, it was ultimately Ivory's fault. She had made the decision to reveal herself to Anthony. Sure, he and "Serena" already had a thing, but from what Anthony had explained she was treating it like she was the only one. Likely to protect him, now that Ivory thought about it. In that way, the harpy had seen to Anthony's security in a way that Ivory was unsure she ever did.
And that was hitting hard. Tonight was the result of Ivory's own failure to two members of her little family.
"I'm sorry, Kai," she offered, her apology quiet as she complied with the Polychromatic's instructions. She doubted the Wizened would want to hear it, not right now, but it weighed on Ivory far too much for her to say nothing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Jun 23, 2021 22:01:44 GMT -8
 The grounds chop between explosions of vegetation to sand dunes around a large lake that stretches into the horizon. The sun was nearly set by the time Kai and Ivory arrived at the closed gate. Before Kai resolves start breaking locks, Ivory notes that the grounds Anthony indicated were much further out. An off road vehicle would have been more ideal with the service road, the signal eventually cutting as they left amenities behind with the nicer sites close to the ranger's office with trailers and tents becoming fewer and fewer. The lights came on they dipped into the isolated valley, darkness coming swiftly with the lack of light sources.
The site Ivory's son was at appeared to have been abandoned, with a fresh firepit of half-burned wood and stirred earth from plenty of foot traffic and most of the equipment still set up. A bill for leaving food out for the wild had been tacked onto someone's truck. The site stunk like ozone.
Kai growled in frustration as Ivory tried for a signal again, only for the pair of them to be startled by a younger man looking just as startled to see them. He had a mess of wet brown curls and was pale under the flashlight, wearing a hoody from UNLV. An older tanned woman was right behind him, watching them carefully as she folded her arms over a sorority shirt.
"You guys lost?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Ivory's slick ride. The younger man tended to gathering some of the coolers and sighing at the bill.
"I thought they didn't come out this far," he scoffed quietly. |
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jun 24, 2021 10:03:26 GMT -8
Kai nodded to the apology but didn't say much else, her teeth gritting as she struggled with the map. Her skin was red mottled with gold veins, anger contained by an effort of will as the Polychromatic tried to calm herself by Keeping It Real; how bad could it be with a bunch of kids isolated in the bush? Right?
It was small comfort.
Driving around the site and getting further out from the nicer area near the ranger's office got them closer, but where the hell were the college kids? Looking around and frowning at the mess remaining, Kai cocked her head to the side and sniffed. "Ozone?" she muttered to herself, a scientific mind doing the rapid-fire calculations about how that made any sense at a campsite. Kai's colors shifted from angry red to brown and back, tinges of worry as Ivory tried for the signal and --
People. Okay.
She turned and flashed them a smile. "No, no. We're all good. I'm Kai. This is Abby. We're just looking for Tony, and there's no cell service up here, that's all. You know him?" She gestured to the site. "Was there a lightning strike or something? Smells like ozone...?"
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jun 27, 2021 16:12:06 GMT -8
Ivory did her part. Driving across the sand as need permitted to reach the more remote site. It's selection did not surprise Ivory overly much, as Anthony was underage, likely so were many of his friends.
Unable to find a signal, the Pale Dragon groaned in frustration before jumping a little as they came upon the boy. Ivory let Kai take the lead on this for the moment, offering the pair a disarming smile as Kai made introductions and began her questions. Words were important, but, for the moment they needed these college kids to understand they weren't a threat...
However, somewhere along the way the act was lost. Behind the fake smile, Abigail Cartwright's face spoke of a desperation that she was unable to hide.
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Jun 30, 2021 18:21:18 GMT -8
As far as Kai can tell, it smells that way because someone spilled chemical in the fire, or there was a lightning strike no one saw while coming up. The younger man kept his head down, side-eyeing Ivory as he quickly disappeared around the truck with his task. The sorority member saddled next to the truck as well, smiling mildly,
"Um, yeah he's around. I think...?" She did a shoulder check with the other, shrugging. "I don't know why there's a smell. Maybe something died in the bush. What're you folks needing?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jul 3, 2021 15:50:35 GMT -8
Holy shit, Steve Buschemi. How do you do, fellow kids much? They were what, a few years younger than her at most? Kai glanced over at Ivory as she made a very normal social situation weird.
"I'm his housemate. This is his mom. Quick chat about a personal matter, then we'll be out of your hair."
She chuckled, amused.
"You know. Unless you wanna party with Tony's mom."
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jul 3, 2021 22:12:18 GMT -8
Ivory moved her gaze to the older sorority girl as she asked about what they needed. There was a blink. Were these two deflecting or had they just not heard them right?
After Kai shared introductions, the dragon would offer a slight nod.
"As she said, just a word with Anthony, nothing more," she said, "You said he's around? Whereabouts?"
The jest from Kai elicited a genuine chuckle from the dragon.
"Somehow I doubt they would," Ivory responded, her tone amused in turn.
Ivory wasn't in the business of embarrassing of college students in fields they felt they were dominant.
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Jul 9, 2021 16:30:30 GMT -8
The younger woman slowly raised an eyebrow when Kai indicated that the posh lady close to her own age was this guy's mother. However, the Polychromatic was an open book and she muttered something about a damn good skincare regime.
"Oh hell yeah, you should totally come," the student laughed, earning an annoyed look from the Sorority sister. He sounded genuine—they were both attractive and the novelty alone was compelling.
"We don't have a problem with that...I guess..."
She didn't take her eyes off them as she gestured for the blonde to take the lead, following behind as they were led down the embankment to a parked canoe. Kai and Ivory brought the stuff they needed—just in case—with Kai determined for it to in fact, not be another Revenant Crisis. The tanned woman being suspicious might have been do to Kai's obvious anger, which the blonde seemed curious about but didn't dare pry. He would see the drama play out if he kept his mouth shut.
As the rowed around the bend of foliage, they passed two cabins before arriving at the one that was clearly occupied—a few even swimming with a casual setting of different groups that had clearly coalesced into a larger shindig.
Their arrival was weird, a few of the guys and one girl dropped what they were doing to glare suspiciously. The sorority sister called out, "They're accounted for. Mel—you passed your last exam by lying to the TA that your grandmother died."
The younger one flushed deep red as the other two started laughing, mood flipping as they helped everyone get onto the beach. Ivory spotted Anthony easily, smoking as he chattered to a pair over the barbecue—having not noticed what was going on just yet. Kai's anger surged again, with a intrusive thought that the others here might know, and that was why everyone was acting so fucking suspicious. Ivory was passed a beer by the younger man, making true on his welcome. People were starting to notice, watching them to see if they belonged there or if there was going to be a problem.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jul 9, 2021 19:24:26 GMT -8
Was it a little weird being at a college get together? A little. Despite the fact that Ivory was close in age to the assembled, she had spent little time among them in a social setting.
However... parties is what the Pale Dragon does.
The familiar feeling of cold aluminum in her hand as the beer was passed along helping kickstart the Pale Dragon's reentry into her comfort zone. The kid passing her the beer was met with a relaxed nod and a loose smile, Ivory mouthing the words 'Thank you' as she moved to mingle.
From there the Pale Dragon begins to make her way through the crowd granting an infectious smile here and some pleasant small talk there as she proved damn well that she belonged. Ivory made sure to move with Kai as well, the need to ingratiate themselves with the suspicious college students being apparent. Ivory understood the suspicion, chalking it up to the two being unknowns and Ivory having been introduced as Anthony's mother to the sorority girl early on.
Nonetheless, Ivory would move to slowly make her way towards Anthony's environs, socializing on the move and, hopefully, with Kai in tow. They had come here for a reason, after all. Fun would have to wait.
|
|
