An odd foundation

[petal_storm]

Who: Orchid, Magnus, any?
When: About a month after she arrived injured at the spa.
What: A grand re-opening.

The invitation was beautifully written on actual paper, delivered in an actual envelope and with hand illustrated margins showing thorny vines, sands, and battle grounds. A true piece of archaic penmanship likely courtesy of Orchid and it added a touch of high end grandeur to an open invite. And 'open' meant 'anyone who wishes to experience an evening of mingling and new, far more interesting definition of spectator combat'. The spa likely recieved the widest invitation, as it included any employee (or owner) thereof and any date they wished to bring.

A subtle way to demand Markux's presence, but also allow his old pet, Poppy, to attend.

After all Poppy had to miss being properly assured of his place instead of being a mere 'employee'. Such a disappointment that really. He'd had high hopes for Poppy's ability to crack Markux's facade. Ah well, he could still provide opportunity to reassure the boy of his place in life.

There was comfort in having a role after all, Orchid assured him of such, though she was quite capable enough to replace many less efficient (and caring) people he'd employed prior. It truly was something else to his comfort and entertainments to have a creature that adored him and put his pleasures paramount. Money couldn't buy a dedication like that.

Regardless, the upcoming reopening of the arena in C was the talk of the town, and a hell of a conversational topic in the spa as well. 'High dress' was the listed code, though all other amenities, from food and drink, to 'mild' drugs were provided sans charge. Tonight was an exhibition after all, a way to display WHY they should return and spend money betting later.

Magnus himself was dressed in simple, dark green silk tunic and pants; Orchid was his ornamentation wearing delicate gold chains and stones only in a wash of light and glitter over purple skin as they greeted people and mingled out of the pristine sands. It was the largest area for a party of course, but there were several raised platforms showcasing some of the intended lineup, and more empty ones for patrons to add fighters to later.

Comments

[petal_storm]

Her hand shivered and dropped back to her lap, it sounded like a cruel dream honestly..."my master is a sadist," she noted hollowly.

[code_jaeger]

“He’s a terrible one.” Jeager noted. “He’s a monster that needs to be put down.”

“Would you… would you like to read our laws…?”

[petal_storm]

She needed...a moment. She didn't dare stop, ever, to let her circumstances affect her...if she didn't think about it she could living. Moving. Planning.

These men...shattered that...unintentionally. "Please," she asked numbly.

[code_jaeger]

Jeager nodded passing her a tablet to read from.

It was… a shimmering crystal of a thing far FAR more advanced than anything in the area.

[petal_storm]

She took it with trembling fingers and...lifted her hand to check the effect on her skin after a moment. Most foreign pads...burned her. "Has anyone yet informed you that you are a bitter dream?" She asked softly.

[code_jaeger]

“Yes.” He nodded quietly. “Many in places that we’ve gone to. Korea was much the same as this place when we got there. There are so many that haven’t let themselves hope for anything different. Hope can break people. I know that. It’s never my intention. All we can ever do is show them. Give them the information and resources we have and let them come to terms with it.”

As for the pad it was cool to the touch and felt like actual crystal. It could have passed for a lavish jewel. It felt… clean.

[petal_storm]

"I have...certainty," she admitted quietly. It was better than Hope in her mind. She would destroy Magnus, she would make a better mark on her world. She had no room for doubt in that.

Clean was...such a nice change really. "You must think us barbaric here." Below his standards by far.

[code_jaeger]

“This place is cruel and barbaric yes. But so was Japan at one point. Now it is a safe haven for people. A place to thrive.” He nodded utterly believing what he said.

“But there are shining points in it. People worth building up and helping. People take places back. I’m not… good at people but I try and when I mess up, like I did with Markux I try to learn so it doesn’t happen again.”

[petal_storm]

"The loudest, flashiest people are cruel. Their examples are followed by some...but there are far more quietly good people her..." she admitted. She protected those she found.

"You're young in a sense," she smiled, "older than me, as most are, but...young too. I am glad you learn."

[code_jaeger]

“Yes. Given enough chance and support those people can reclaim this place. Purge the rot and sickness in it.” He nodded.

“And yes. Young and far from perfect. I let my ego lead and it was the wrong thing to do. Luckily we all survived it and now the two of them are with their other mates in Japan. Though them and Shinose both being distracted by mates meant Ixi and Poppy had to go back and take over for a bit.”

[petal_storm]

"Yes, they can." That was...fact. She knew it and strive to show the way.

"...Poppy will be overwhelmed at first but adjust. He's smart and kind," she smiled.

[code_jaeger]

“Ixi will take good care of him.” Jeager nodded. “He’ll be safe.”

[petal_storm]

"I have seen them together, I know," she smiled. "They are...very well suited."

[code_jaeger]

“Excellently suited.” He agreed. “After all the official business Ixi will likely take him out to tour the clubs and such. Probably take him to their studio.”

[petal_storm]

"Studio?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

[code_jaeger]

“Ixi designs clothes and jewelry. They designed what most of us were wearing last night.”

[petal_storm]

"Ah, alright, for a moment I thought you meant film..." and no.

[code_jaeger]

“No. Ixi does have modeling shots done with his clothes sometimes.”

[petal_storm]

"I trust them just...the film industry here is..." very damaging.

[code_jaeger]

“Ah, it is much cleaner at home now than it was. Sex work in and of itself is legal but has strict laws around it to safeguard people mentally and physically. Health screenings etc. though healthcare is free for everyone save cosmetic augmentations not made for medical or gender reasons. We try our best to treat people as people no matter their jobs, genders, sexual orientation, wealth or status.”

[petal_storm]

She chuckled softly, "that...sounds like a brochure. Memorized that line because you have to say it often?"

[code_jaeger]

“As a royal I am required to know our laws.” He chuckled.

[petal_storm]

"And say them as needed?" She smiled, amused.

[code_jaeger]

“Mmm,” he nodded.

[petal_storm]

"You'll be pleased to know care here is free as well, and anywhere my influence reaches." Funny to have a slave talk of influence but here they were!