Private Tales Golden Spoons and Gucci

[Alistair Krixus]

Though the beautiful sights before him were unseen, the warm kiss of the sun shined down upon Alistair Krixus, whose dull grey was hidden by a protective pair of glasses. His face failed to hide the slight annoyance from their delay. They should have already arrived by now, but either these sailors were incompetent or the ship was shit.

It didn't help that the deck was crowded with others who considered themselves of money, all of them treating this like some sort of vacation, they were all idiots. No this was business through and through.

The island of Dostan was the former home of so old noble family that had fought to the last man in honor of the former pre-revolution government. That same family's head now rested at the bottom of this very straight. Alistair would have to thank them later because the Republic was finally getting around to selling the property...the entire freaking island.

A toothy grin spread onto Alistair's face, he had been looking for a new construction project.

His ears picked up on the sound of footsteps behind him as he turned to meet one of his two companions for the trip. His little sister, although not as little as he seemed to remember, now stood before him. It already felt like she was up to no good.

"Mari, please nothing crazy until after this auction starts...I really want this one."

The sounds of laughter and talking were all around them. The truth was all of these families were from old money, still living off the fruits of the past, born with gold spoons in their mouths. They had not yet taken advantage of the opportunities that the Republic had to offer them and by the time they got around to looking for them, Alistair was going to have taken all of them.

He was going to walk up and snatch the golden spoons right out of their mouths.

Mariana

 

[Mariana]

Mariana wore a sleeveless blouse, a pair of trousers with speckles of paint across their surface and a flared coat with deep pockets that held several scones, rolls, and other snacks. Her hunger went beyond the norm. She was always hungry. At first Natasha and the rest of her family thought it was a lingering effect from having lived on the streets for so long.

But now it seemed due to her magic.

Always hungry and always eating but never a pound gained.

She finished off the scone in her hands. Krixus blue eyes stared indignantly back at her reflection found in her brother's shades. A new style and fashion to this island place. She didn't seem to notice the looks she got from the other young nobleman. It was true, her brother was right about one thing. She was no longer that scrappy young girl.

Okay, maybe a little scrappy. But her figure was filling out more into that of a young woman. And the elites of Vel Anir were noticing. She looped one arm through her brothers, already longing to shrug off her coat in this bright sun that reflected like glittering diamonds off that deep blue water. She wanted to paint...everything. Her eyes swept across the approaching land and strange trees she'd never seen as they grew closer to the docks. Dockhands waiting on the other end to grab ropes and tie down their ship and readying a gangway.

Everything was a feast for her eyes. Her artists' fingers twitching.

"I will be on my best behavior," she hedged, keeping one hand with fingers crossed behind her back. "I bet you'll get it," she clung to her brother as she looked out. Dark, loose hair swirling in the breeze.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Yeah, Alistair would believe that when he saw it, so likely never. He noticed his sister's reaction to the area around them, maybe he should look into having her meditate or something, but he could understand it on this occasion.

This area was supposed to be beautiful, located just across the straight from Viret, but more importantly to Alistair's purposes was that it was located on a ley line which resulted in rather unique interactions with the algae and sea life in the surrounding ocean.

"If you actually keep your word this time, then you can have the first pick of the rooms when we get this place up and running."

Almost as soon as he said that, he could tell that they must have been drawing near as voices paused in their merriment before quickly speeding back up now focused on the island. This was followed shortly by an announcement stating they would take one lap around the whole island before making landfall so that everyone could get a proper view of the place.

Mariana

 

[Mariana]

"Who said I'm staying here?" She muttered, knowing he'd snatch up her whisperings easily enough and half regretting saying anything out loud.

Mariana shifted restlessly beside her brother but finally released her hold on him, wandering to the railing. She knew more than most about the mask he wore. Those gentlemanly clothes. His 'relaxed' countenance. All hid the adept killer inside. Arms slumped on the wooden barrier that separated her from tumbling into the waters below. Blue eyes raked at the landscape as they made their slow, in her mind tedious, circle around the place.

She had never been one to sit still for long. Except when doing her artwork. Workers were readying crates on the other side of the deck. Pushing off the rail, Mariana decided to wander over and see what the cargo was.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

"I meant as a vacation stay. I'm not going to lock you away on an island. I'm not some evil wizard from a fairytale."

Alistair did his best to relax beside her, now that he knew that the real business would not conclude until the showing was done.

Even now, he could overhear others speaking about how that beach would make a lovely place for children to play and other dimwitted ideas. Alistair's thoughts were more focused along the line that the geography of the island made it easily defensible if the proper structures were put in place.

He could even see the tower of what remained of a falling apart old estate of the former owners which would need to be fixed up, if not outright demolished. There was even a small fishing village that supported the estate. If enough money was put into it, the place could even make some coin as a tourist destination.

All in good time, but he needed actually to have the place first.

" We'll get you into a high room, that way you can look out the window and see the whole island. It would make for lovely paintings...What do you think?"

Alistair was more than aware that his presence among his family in the past few months had been lackluster. He was so busy managing the family's affairs that he did not even spend time with his actual family, and that needed to change, starting with his mother, sister, and brother. His brother, Raziya, would be difficult as he was currently away in Elbion studying zoology, but he could at least focus on the others.

Mariana

 

[Mariana]

Mariana wandered back over to her brother as their ship began to dock. Sailors threw lines across, tying the vessel off. "Looks like most of the cargo is food," she said to her brother. "Fresh fruits and vegetables and some more popular brands from Vel Lameus."

The unassuming food mecca of Vel Anir.

"I think as long as you are around, too, any room would be fine." Although her brother's absence brought her a certain amount of extra freedom, she always missed him. She could tell Natasha did, too. "How long do we get to stay here?"

How long before he went away on other business?

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair could tell that there were some underlying emotions in those words, but what they were remained a mystery to him. He would have continued to think about them, but the crowd was unloading and they were being swept up in the tide of people. They were all met with finger foods and drinks, continuing some appearance as a sort of vacation.

"Well, the auction will be today, and then if we win the estate then I will stay for at least another two weeks to ensure all repairs or other projects are at least started...Whether I get taken away after said time is unknown." But it was likely, Vel Anir was currently preparing for war. While Alistair would not be placed on the frontlines, he would be just as busy as any soldier and likely asked to venture even further abroad.

"I want you to have your pick as this place will hopefully become our winter home while keeping the Krixus estate as our summer home."

The Krixus Estate was only a year-old sprawling complex that housed the extended Krixus family, located just on the outskirts of Vel Zrada. The complex was modern, peaceful, and a perfect place to unwind although Alistair often found himself making any reason not to be there.

Mariana