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.
Paige thought about his question. He was right. Those involved in their mess were tending to have shorter lifespans recently. She still wasn't sure what Elvin was being hauled off for, but could rest assured it wasn't because Nikki planned to congratulate him on a job well done in acquiring more property for the Syndicate. She still didn't trust him, but by experience she knew his type. He was an opportunist and she knew no matter how much she may have saved his backside, he would not hesitate to stab her in the back if it suited his interests. Shaking her head a little, she thought about Dustynn and not putting her in danger any more than she unknowingly was already. âI don't think weâll have to coach her.â She said still looking away and thinking, considering how many ways circumstances could play out. âI will bet you Elvin is trying to buy up the Club and set it up as another racket job for Nikki. Shannon told me Sol is his big move to take over and he's puttinâ down roots.â
She glanced back over at Milo. âLosing Jackie was only a speed bump for him.â Paige knew he already knew what she was going on about, but was only thinking out loud. âWe just need Dustynn to tell us what's happening from the inside and not ask too many questions.â She said. âShe's close with the owner of the Club too⊠If they made an offer and he turned it down, then they're just gonna try harder until they can get him to budge. They've already bought up most of The Run already.â She reached and straightened the collar of Milo's shirt with one hand and met his eyes. âNotice all the bad press that place has been getting lately?â It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't even told him about the visit from Agent Barrett earlier that day. âI know we're getting close⊠Some Fed from Detroit dropped by this morning and tried to threaten me to get off the case.â
Ugh⊠Here comes the baggage cart. Joel thought to himself as Sio confirmed that she did indeed have what could be referred to as a stalker. He scratched at his healthy stubble as she explained and let his mind wander on the fact that he hadnât really shaved in a considerable amount of time. She seemed to like it though and shaving was a pain in the ass so it was a win-win. He liked win-wins. What he didnât like was the name, Bradley and for some reason couldnât stop picturing some fresh, scarf wearing hipster with rich parents and skinny jeans. Whatever disagreement that prompted this apparenting stalking was auto related which was amusing in a way. Joel found it comical when people who knew nothing about a given subject got into arguments.
Glancing around as the meal came to a close, Joel remembered it was Tuesday night which in some circles meant Tipsy Tuesday, but around Western Shore meant most people would be headed home for bed and work the next day. The restaurant was easily attending to its ever- decreasing, weekday evening clientele and there were no live sports on any of the networks which meant the atmosphere was mostly subdued. He didnât particularly want to go back to the shop, but wasnât really in a mood to party either. He couldnât stand to be bored though his bizarre schedule often clashed with the regular inhabitants of Sol City. To her credit, Sio was doing a good job of keeping up and he allowed himself to look over at her figure in the booth next to him before considering her question with a light shrug. âI dunno,â He said looking away at one of the televisions hanging above the bar area. âI donât really wanna go back across the bridge yet.â
After any good meal, like clockwork, he had a strong hankering for a good cup of coffee and it would be a little drive up to Riverside to really get a cup of something other than the big chains. He was wide awake though and was pretty much up for anything. Having her along on his regular late-night wanderings felt strangely welcome, like sheâd always been there. âI could go for a good cup of coffee, and you can tell me about how you wound up with a stalker.â He said nonchalantly indicating he was more entertained by her story than at all worried.
Normally a phone call at the dinner table would have been enough to pluck Joelâs nerves more than a little, but considering that he was the one who brought it up, he had to let it pass and as she talked he perused the rest of the motorsports news from around the world while listening in on her conversation. He let his mind drift, thinking about the race team and all the traveling that was in front of him. Jamaica was just the first stop. Kenya, Turkey, Monte Carlo, Nepal and others would follow. The distance felt exhausting, but the driving was like a medicine for his soul and it came very natural to him even more so than GT racing. The cars were simpler and the controls were quick making pushing the envelope easy and downright exhilarating. The shift and balance of the weight against the grip of the tires, controlling the drift and using the torque of the engine to point the nose. The rally felt more about finesse and technique while the track was all about discipline and consistency. The little VW Polo was a blast to drive. Joel had never been a dancer nor had any desire, but throwing that little car through the woods sideways or swinging the tail around a hairpin turn felt like it must be something close.
âYeah, youâve told me about her before.â Joel said bringing his mind back to the present as she finished her phone call. âShooting people seems to be one of her favorite activities.â He saved a small story about Le Mans on his phone for later as he spoke, turning back to her as she again focused her attention towards him. He snorted a little in amusement at her tale of âBradleyâ. Hereâs the baggage. He thought to himself and gave a light shrug and small grin thinking about how funny it was for an apparently grown man to keep going by the full name of Bradley instead of just Brad or something less pretentious sounding. Bradley sounded like someone who fell out of J. Crew catalogue. He shook his head. âSo youâre saying you have a stalker? Is that it?â He chuckled. âI take it young Bradley is not a fan?â
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