[color=gold][center][h1][i][b]DELTΔ HYPER[/b][/i][/h1][/center][/color]

[color=gold][center][h2][i][b]Kais Zenix and Paul Mulder[/b][/i][/h2][/center][/color]

[@MrSkimobile]

[hr] 

After the crash at Silverstone, Paul had flown home to Belgium for a few days. Paul didn’t keep a private residence of his own. He didn’t see the need and it would be a waste of money since he spent most of his time traveling or at headquarters. He had a private apartment in one wing of his mother’s ancestral home. The Mulder Family Estate was a historic residence outside Brussels that sat on 25 acres of property. The large family estate had been restored and updated through the years. The property was a short 15 minute drive outside Brussels. Paul’s apartment was cleaned and maintained when he was not there by his mother’s staff. His father had shared his passion for collectible cars, which were stored in a climate controlled secured garage built on the grounds. His apartment had its own outside private entrance and the grounds had security and was gated. He and his mother both had their privacy but could spend time together when they were both here without tripping over each other. Paul was never more grateful for the peace, quiet, and privacy of his family’s home. Paul had ordered his digital AI assistant to monitor his phone calls. He had a short list of people that Paul was willing to talk to. 

This was a good time for him to work on the Fundraising Gala for the Mulder Foundation and spend some time hanging out with his mother. Working on the gala was low key and would occupy his mind and time while his body was healing. His mother had been receptive and cleared her evenings to spend time with him. Paul had flown home on Monday morning after sleeping in and taken it easy the first day. He had checked in with the Foundation Monday afternoon to see how the planning was going. Things were going just fine without him. He hoped to rope a few more of his fellow pilots into helping with the fundraiser. He had woken up Tuesday morning feeling stiff and like someone had worked him over like he was a heavy bag. He decided to try some light yoga and stretching this morning. He was still sore and tender in spots but the movement was helping the stiffness and tightness in his shoulders and back. He had a massage therapist come in and spend some time on his neck and back afterward. He then lounged around in a hot whirlpool bath and felt almost human afterwards. 

Paul had managed to send Kais a private text through the driver group chat the Monday after the Silverstone Grand Prix. He wasn’t sure how receptive Kais would be to his proposal. He understood enough from watching Kais at interviews that he didn’t really like the attention or the press. Paul admired Kais’ strength and skill as a pilot. He smiled remembering how awkward he could be at times. He always seemed on the edge of violence or anger. Paul wondered if it was a result of his time as a soldier. He saw the same thing in Alexander occasionally. Maybe this would help soften his image a little. Kais got as much crap from the media about his supersoldier past as Hyeon-Ae got about her rigid public persona. Kais certainly didn’t help his situation with the media but Paul couldn’t help but feel that Kais simply didn’t care what other people thought or no one had ever taught him how to deal with them. He didn’t seem to understand other people well. 

Paul was still determined to befriend as many of the rookie pilots this year as he could. They might all be competitors but there were things that only another Formula AG pilot would understand. The pressure to perform, to win, pressure to appear the way sponsors and your team wants you too. It was a lot of pressure where other people had expectations of you and often didn’t see you as a person but more as a tool or asset. Paul smiled as he thought about the grumpy ex-soldier. He was certainly keeping Amy on her toes. He sent the private message off to Kais. 

[color=fff200]Paul Mulder: Hey Kais, I have a proposition for you. I am putting together a fundraiser and awareness campaign for the Mulder Foundation. It is a nonprofit that was started by my mother Alicia Mulder to honor my father after he died. They provide funds to help low income kids with financial support to pursue sports including racing. They also provide art supplies to children’s arts programs in Europe. Is this something you would like to be a part of? Bea Ward is doing an art piece that will be printed and auctioned off at the Charity Gala. The design will also be on t-shirts for sale to the masses. Hyeon-Ae has offered to donate some signed Zygon stuff for the auction. You would be mentioned in the press as a sponsor and donor. You don’t have to attend unless you want to. The charity gala is being planned for the Friday between the Spa and German races. It will be held in Brussels.[/color] 

Kais hadn’t expected this. Few people asked for his participation in these kinds of events. He supposed it wasn’t the best PR to have an association with someone that still had the image of a fallen-upwards drone-beast to a lot of people. But Paul was Paul, and Kais felt that meant there was no ulterior motive at least. He remembered their conversation after the Tokyo race, how he talked fondly about his mother. Kais sighed as he read the message. For some reason he still couldn’t shake the resemblance with a certain other person in his past. Trying to drag him out of his shell. And how that ended for him… Kais wondered what to do. He was sure they had enough security at the venue, at least, though with the events and revelations during the last few races in mind, maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to be there, just to keep an eye on things. Especially with a certain someone being involved... Plus, if there was anyone Kais would want to guard from whatever it was he was involved in now, if necessary, it would be Paul. And there was something else… The fact that it was for his mother and father somehow spoke to him. And so, Kais answered:

[color=orange]Kais: Hello, Ace. 

Kais: I’ll come check it out.[/color]

[color=fff200]Paul: “I would love to have you join us. I will wait to hear back from you.” [/color]

[Some days later]

Paul was still at home on Wednesday when he heard back from Kais. He was moving better today. He had done some laps in the pool after a yoga and stretching session. The light exercise helped to ease the stiffness and soreness from the injuries from the crash. He had been video conferencing with Dr. Montgomery the team’s medical lead and restorative medicine doctor, Sasha Volkova the team’s physical therapist, and Agnes Poulsen his trainer. They had approved of the exercises and were monitoring his progress. They wanted him to come back to the campus but understood his request for some personal time away after the accident. Alexander had backed his request so they had backed off. He was due to leave and return to headquarters at the end of the week. Paul had needed this respite. He had seen how worried his mother had been and knew that him being here and watching his recovery had reassured her.  Paul had just been sitting down to his desk to work after his workout, massage, and hydrotherapy session when his phone indicated an incoming call. He smiled as he saw a video message from Kais. He clicked accept. 

[color=orange]Kais: How’s this: 

Kais: [Picture of a motorcycle. It’s not exactly prestigious-looking, a bit of a mechanical Frankenstein’s monster, to be honest. And for some reason, it’s been spray painted completely white]

Kais: Got it back from the shops this morning. 

Kais: I don’t do art, though.

Kais: So you’ll have to supply the kids to paint it at the event yourself.

Kais: And try Nora. I think she knows how to handle a spraycan. She could teach them.

Kais: And hey, in Monaco? You did good.[/color]

Paul looked over the picture at the white bike in confusion before he continued to read Kais’ message. His smile bloomed as he understood Kais’ intention. Paul’s smile and good mood were infectious as he got more excited about the upcoming event. Paul knew that Kais struggled with the media attention. This would be a good way to show another more human side of him to the world. The kids would love to meet one of the AG racers. Paul’s excitement about the idea came out as he contacted Kais back. 

[color=fff200]Paul: “The kids will love that! Do you want to come join the kids and meet them as they paint the bike? I can of course reach out to Nora and see if she would like to join in on this as well. The media would love that you know. We could get pictures of you with the kids working together to paint the bike. We could use them in the promotion of the event and we can auction off the bike at the Gala. You are going to come to the Gala right?” [/color]

Paul finally wound down enough for Kais to reply and answer him. His excitement was palatable. 

[color=orange]Kais... hadn't [i]quite[/i] expected that. He had done some photo-ops before, but those were mostly with cats. He didn't think he'd have one anytime soon with actual human beings (Layla being the one exception, and even then technically questionable), [i]let alone[/i] kids. In short: this was something entirely out of his ballpark, but Paul’s enthusiasm felt inviting, and with Beatrix’ comments on how she made her art still in his mind -just go with what strikes your fancy, don’t think about it too much-, Kais was curious to try. If push did come to shove, after all, children were tiny, he could handle them. Even [i]with[/i] Beatrixian underthinking.

Kais: Wasn't my first thought. But I’ll give it a shot. I’ll be there. 

Kais: See you then.[/color]

Paul smiled at Kais, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He knew this would do wonders for Kais’ public image. The kids would absolutely love it! Now he just had to convince Nora to join his media zoo for a cause campaign. He would message her next. 

[color=fff200]Paul: “Thank you Kais. I truly appreciate your support with this. I will make the arrangements for you and get you the details.” [/color] 

Kais had already disconnected after a brief nod to him. Paul shrugged and decided no time like the present to hit up Nora. 

[@sylvan]     @NitroNora 

Paul sent Nora a private message through the pilot chat app. He smiled into the camera as he made his appeal. 

[color=fff200]Paul: “Hello Nora! I am reaching out to ask for your help with a personal project. I am working on putting together a fundraiser for the Mulder Foundation. I have been reaching out to my fellow pilots to ask for their support. The Mulder Foundation was started by my mother to honor my father’s memory. It supports sports and arts programs for low income children across Europe. They even sponsor a few upcoming racers. I was hoping you would be willing to lend your presence and talents to this endeavor. Kais Zenix has agreed to join me in this. He is donating this motorcycle.” [/color] 

He sent her a picture of the all white motorcycle that was a custom rebuild. A very nice Frankenstein monster in steel and chrome. 

[color=fff200]Paul: "Kais suggested that the children paint the motorcycle before it is auctioned off at the Gala. I suggested that he join with the children to paint it. He suggested I contact you to help with that. He said that you might know you were around a paint gun. So what do you say Nora? Will you come help me help some kids out? I think Kais might need some backup with the wee ones.I think I heard him mumble something about ankle biters.” [/color]

Paul’s eyes twinkled mischievously. [color=fff200]“Come join us to paint the bike and you will have a front row seat to all the glorious chaos that happens. I also think you will have a good time. You can donate your own thing to the Gala and are welcome to attend. I am happy to include you in all the press as well. It helps out those children whose parents can’t afford to pay for a sports uniform or a ship to race in.” [/color]

Paul’s face became more serious and exuded his sincerity. [color=fff200]”I am glad you are okay. Let me know if you want to talk about the details. I hope to hear from you.” [/color]