New Island Breezes RPG Story Thread

[Darn Dame]

"Fifteen years." he answered. "Took a bullet in Iraq. It kinda shortened my career."

Marissa’s face winced when she heard about Conrad’s career ending injury.

Fifteen years. I bet he didn’t like leaving the front lines. No self respecting soldier would want to leave his buddies or feel helpless. Must have been hard on him.

Marissa nodded slightly expressing her understanding. She wouldn’t speak of it anymore.

Marissa startled a bit as a blonde-haired blue-eyed Adonis plopped himself next to her.

"Hey," greeted the man with the striking good looks.

Before she could echo a greeting, his attention had turned to Miss Perfect across the table. Marissa smiled good humouredly instantly thinking she hadn’t been attractive enough to garner much attention. Then she noticed, his gaze soon moved to the head of the table then onto the others at the table. He reminded her of a bee, buzzing from flower to flower, anxious to explore each new thing as quickly as possible.

“Hey yourself.” Her voice held the note of a smile.

Marissa noted the guests’ attention focus on something towards the dining room entrance. She turned her head inquisitively. Entering was a tall elegantly dressed woman, escorted by a sinister looking man-beast. Marissa noted the woman walked with a slight limp and was supported by man beside her. Conversation at the table quickly ceased and all eyes peered at the new diner.

The woman was seated and stared down at her dinner plate. Long seconds passed. Marissa fought the urge to peer down at the woman’s place setting too.

“Good evening.” Uncomfortable pause.

“It is good to see new faces here on the island. As you may have noticed there are no guests here. This is my private residence.”

The woman picked up a spoon. Her hand trembled with the movement.

“The wording of the ad you responded to was deliberately vague, I apologize for that necessity. I would also remind each of you of the non-disclosure document that you signed as part of the hiring process. I am Anya Dering-Thompson.”

Anya Dering-Thompson?! I thought she was dead!

Marissa’s eyebrows rose and her mouth went slack.

“I’m sure that I’ll get to know each of you, during your time here.”


Her statement ended breathlessly. For timeless moments she sat there quietly, eyes unfocused, until the golden spoon slipped from her pale fingers, bounced off the dining room table, and clanged loudly on the floor.

“Blake.” The name was spoken softly, pleadingly.

Immediately, the dark angel, Bruce, gathered her hand in his with surprising tenderness. With one delicate nod of her head in their direction, she was regally whisked from the room.

Marissa scanned the other diners for their reactions. Others looked as shocked as she was.

[Aurasheild]

"I'm sorry, I guess candle light really suits you." He laughed, hoping his embarrassment didn't show.

He sat there awkwardly. Jingla wasn't saying anything, and he resorted to playing with but not quite getting around to eating his soup. Not that he didn't like it, it smelled delicous, but he didn't want to conclude the evening by spilling on his pants. The rest of the passengers arrived quickly.

Maybe my employer will join us?

Abandoning his soup completely, he put his spoon on the table and turned his attention to the other guests. Not that he really wanted to know what they looked like, but he was bored and there wasn't much else to look at.

After a few tense minutes, the door at the head of the table opened and and the man he took to be his employer and . . . Anya Daring?! She's working here too?

“Good evening.”

That low voice, which was familar yet slightly alien, reminded him of something, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what.

“It is good to see new faces here on the island.” She took a breath, “As you may have noticed there are no guests here. This is my private residence.”

MY RESIDENCE?! WHAT!!!

Adiel felt his hand move to cover his mouth.

“The wording of the ad you responded to was deliberately vague, I apologize for that necessity. I would also remind each of you of the non-disclosure document that you signed as part of the hiring process," Taking another breath, she seemed to be struggling to find words.

“I am Anya Dering-Thompson. I’m sure that I’ll get to know each of you during your time here.”

Something was out of place, but he couldn't pin point what it was. The sound of a metal spoon hitting the floor broke him from his thoughts. Looking up he saw Anya leave the room escorted by a body gaurd.

The man from before took her place, he was old, in his late forties Aidel had guessed. The scar across his cheek, made Adiel jump to conclusion that it was caused when he was wrestling sharks.

The man gave his name, 'Blake' and a few details about Anya and the house, however he was disturbed by a small man, in a penguin suit. The man was gathering food for some reason, looking over at the guys meal, he realised that he hadn't touched his soup.

Greedy!

Blake seemed furious at the man's actions, his voice was serious but still at a normal tone, it scared him more then it would have if it had been raised. Both men exchanged words, both determined to win the argument.

Eventually, the man sat down and Blake was content, his earlier question still remained.

"Any other questions?"

"You know," he said leaning towards Jingla "They make tv shows about people like these."

Not that he really expected her to answer, after little french outburst earlier. But he felt like breaking the tension.

[IvanTiger118]

Anya Dering? He leaned back in his seat and chuckled. He remembered reading the article about her accident, and the unfortnate death of her husband, Derick. Anya's music used to play while Rebecca cleaned house, sometimes when she thought he wasn't looking, actually danced too also. She had wanted so eagerly to go to one of Anya Dering's concert. So, Conrad had gotten tickets. However, with the combination of doctor's appointments and the terrible accident, Rebecca had never had a chance to see her in concert.

So, this is what happened to her. Made sense. Why not retreat to an island in the middle of the Pacific. But why hire ten more people? The house seemed to have help already. What was the real reason all of us are here? None of it made any sense.

Before he had responded to the ad, Conrad had tried to do some research on the mysterious Velga Corporation. There wasn't much on the internet about it. From his time in the Pentagon, he still had a few friends from the Intelligence community and he asked them if they knew anything about Velga Corporation. They had found out a little bit more, but the actual owner was still unclear. Conrad was curious. It was that curiosity that had intially made him send that letter.

Anya was quickly rushed out of the room and the doors blocked by two other guys, right as a younger guy in a tuxedo tried to follow with a tray of food. Words were exhanged and the young man sulked away.

The other man walked to the end of the table where Anya had just been seated.
"My name is Gareth Blake," he said, without preamble, "the woman you just met is Miss Anya Derring. This is her house, but for the duration of your employment you will report to me. Before we go any furtherm there are two things I must make absolutely clear. First, the non-disclosure agreement. Anything and everything that happens within this house or on the grounds stays within the grounds."

Conrad snorted. Non-disclosure agreement? Please, he had to sign a lot more difficult contracts while at the Pentagon. He knew all too well about keeping things secret and confidental. He would keep things quiet. For now.

[Blossom]

Poor Anya, Hayley thought as the elegant redhead all but fled the room. It seemed the once confident celebrity was just as nervous and anthropophobic as she had appeared the previous few times Hayley had spoken to her. Perhaps even more so; after all, losing her husband could hardly have helped. Hayley still blamed herself for that, but hopefully this research trip would yield results.

Anya's withdrawn, anxious temperament had clearly done nothing to dampen her bodyguards’ loyalty, however; Chris and Tony had automatically moved to block the doors and Blake was firmly setting boundaries.

Hayley listened to Blake’s conversation with the small Asian man, Adam, with interest. Whether the man wanted to appear willing to his new employer, or was simply used to shouldering the burden, Hayley was unsure, but she guessed he would have get used to taking and accepting orders, even if he didn’t understand them.

He reminded her of an intern she had once had to instruct at the Royal Hospital. He had been very eager, willing to do anything she told him to do and to help in any way – but he had never understood when she ordered him not to do something. Unfortunately what had straightened him out was when disobeying an order not to do something had resulted in the death of a patient. Hopefully nothing that drastic would be needed here.

“Any other questions?”

Yes, Hayley thought. Can you please explain the message that brought me here? But it probably wasn’t prudent to ask that in front of everyone. Perhaps later she would be able to ask.

[crazed scribe]

As her employee was steered into the room Maria had the faint suspicion that she recognised her from somewhere but didn't quite no where from. What was wrong with her? Was she ill or something? Why did she need the support of her body guard? She was teeming with questions but daren't ask any.

She listened closely to the rather dramatic speech and exit. Poor woman she though she was obviously terrified of people. A woman who had obviously once been so confident and graceful.

"My name is Gareth Blake," he said, without preamble, "the woman you just met is Miss Anya Derring. This is her house, but for the duration of your employment you will report to me. Before we go any furtherm there are two things I must make absolutely clear. First, the non-disclosure agreement. Anything and everything that happens within this house or on the grounds stays within the grounds."

Non disclosure agreement? How could she have missed that! Well she had just signed on all the dotted lines (she couldn't be bothered reading all the contract). Honestly she didn't really understand what non disclosure was anyway.

They had been deliberately vague? She didn't get that either. If they were offering a job wouldn't they want to be as informative as possible? This place truly was confusing not to mention scary and weird. She just guessed if she waited long enough they would be told everything they wanted to know.

Almost immediately after she noticed a man gathering food. What was he doing?!?! The bodyguard was firm and forceful. It was this tone that had made a firm blow to the man. Good for him! She just couldn't understand the boy who she now thought of as the oddball.



“Any other questions?”

Yeah, loads. she thought but she didn't dare ask any!

[Suzip]

Kari watched Anya Derring leave the room as fast as her legs would allow. She frowned as she began to stir the soup in the bowl in front of her, staring blankly through it. Her head ached and all she wanted to do was sleep. Finding herself in the midst of this ever expanding situation of confusion really wasn’t helping.

No guests…..in a place this size? Were they kidding?

She just hoped they had horses. She had tried to see if there were some stables when they arrived, but what with the weather and the blackout she couldn’t tell. Damn I should have mentioned on my letter that I’ve worked with horses!

Kari lifted her head and looked at that Blake guy. If he brought out a cane she wouldn’t have been at all surprised.

"Adam, sit down. If you leave this room your job is forfeit."

She thought that was a bit harsh. That poor kid he looked so utterly confused. He looks so young, she thought. Younger than me. I wonder where he’s from?

Blake was speaking again. "Secondly, the third floor, specifically Miss Anya's suite is off limits unless you are otherwise instructed.”
Well that sounded more like an invitation she thought with a smile.

Kari leaned towards the woman sitting next to her.
“Sorry I know this is probably going to seem like a dense question,” she whispered. “But who the hell is Anya Derring?”

[Foxee]

THE BODYGUARDS’ talkies all emitted the same low two-note tone, Paula signaling that Anya was in her suite. Tony relaxed fractionally and Chris moved aside from the kitchen door.

Tai came through, his eyes bright and inquisitive as he wheeled a small cart with platters of fragrant Palusami and vegetables. There were also small crystal dessert bowls of papaya and strawberries.

Clearing away the soup course, Tai set out the main meal, smiling bashfully when he met anyone’s eyes. Though bursting with questions for the new people, he remained silent and as efficient as possible for his awkward limbs, sensitive to the fact that Blake had the floor.

[Cold Twilight]

Jingla absorbed the information in silence, ignoring the quick talk between this Adam and Blake. She didn't know what to expect now. She'd never worked for a single person before, always a company. Non-disclosure, yes, she'd noted that and signed anyway. It was no different from keeping a new wine secret from other restaurants. She shrugged a little. Anya Dering was very famous, but she was still a human being, and deserved whatever privacy she wanted. She was obviously known to quite a few of the people around the table as well, judging by their expressions.

Beside her, Adiel leaned over. "You know, they make tv shows about people like these."

Jingla glanced at him and smiled. "They do? Then let us hope this is no show." She winked and added more somberly, "It is always nice to have privacy, after you are tired of being in the spotlight. To unwind, if nothing else."

She nodded and smiled to the young boy who served the next course, murmuring a quiet "Thank you."

A quick look around the room revealed much the same puzzlement she felt, although, she mused, there was more than puzzlement, and much she was missing. Perhaps she should ask a question, as the man, Blake, had offered them? She shook her head a little and took a bite of the food, smiling as the taste moved over her tongue. Excellent food.

[Darn Dame]

The clang of dinnerware against china sliced through the silence. Marissa worked at not flinching with each ear piercing tone. Hesitantly, she peeked around the table. It looked as if most of the diners were making feeble attempts at eating. She lifted a spoonful of soup and swallowed. Her throat visibly contracted.

And I thought I would be getting away from all the stress. That’s a joke.

“First, the non-disclosure agreement. Anything and everything that happens within this house or on the grounds stays within the grounds." said Blake.

Did I sign a non-disclosure agreement? Her brows drew tight.

Conrad snorted. Marissa briefly lifted her eyes to see if Blake noticed.

"Secondly, the third floor, specifically Miss Anya's suite is off limits unless you are otherwise instructed. Anyone found there without my explicit consent will be summarily dismissed from their position and flown off the island at the earliest opportunity. Are there any questions before we go any further?"

Yes, were you born a butt hole or have you worked at it your whole life?

Marissa clapped her lips tightly shut and examined her nearly full soup bowl.

I might have just left Missouri but I wasn’t born in a barn for cripes sake. As if I would be snooping through the crazy lady’s rooms, puh-lease. I don’t care if she IS Anya Derring hyphen Thompson.

Marissa sat stiffly in her chair, each movement sharp and her brows drawn low.
Her head snapped up as an older exotic boy pushed a serving cart laden with their dinner. He wore a shy smile as he began clearing the soup bowls from the table.

“Thank you.” Her voice was low and husky.

As the young man worked to place their food on the table Marissa eyed Blake again. The overbearing oaf continued to stand at the head of the table in silence. She willed him to leave. He remained. She prayed for the sanctuary of her room and the solace of the secreted package of brownies she knew she could eat in peace.


For the first time in eight months, she wished she were alone.

[seigfried007]

Adam watched Tai refresh the table, and, though his every muscle twitched to get up and do it himself, Mr. Blake was still at the head of the table, his jaw squared and itching to fire another reprimand with perhaps disproportionate venom should he--not yet even so high as a servant, not yet bonded to the estate--should cough up the audacity required to aid the staff and thus insult them.

As Tai moved past, his face constipated with cheer and curiosity, Adam wondered if perhaps this was how he should act in Mr. Blake's presence--self-effacing, silent and yet brimming with cheer. Perhaps this was how men responded to the presence of their superiors? He would have to watch more. Watch and wait... and linger within earshot, yet unheard.

A good servant speaks only when spoken to.

With the finesse of a cat, he sipped his soup. Maybe another teaspoon or so of orange zest. Perhaps more basil was called for. Perhaps not. Who was he to know the tastes of the mistress?

Wait and see.

Wait and see... and listen.

[alanmt]

"Whoa!" said Chad with a burst of laughter, as the boy put vegetables and the leaf-wrapped whatever-it-was on his plate.

"Thanks, sport!" he said encouragingly to the youth, before turning his attention to the lump of cooked leaves.

He poked at the dish a bit, bemused. It looked - interesting, and smelled great. After a few moments, he looked up. A quick glance revealed the other diners looking askance at their plates as well.

He turned to his supervisor.

"Mr. Blake, I do have a question." He paused to make sure that he had the stern man's attention and smiled apologetically.

"Ummmmm . . . . Do you eat the leaves or take them off?"

[Blossom]

“Thanks, Tai,” Hayley murmured to the young houseboy as he took her near-empty soup bowl – which seemed to be the only one really eaten out of, presumably since Hayley hadn’t been perturbed by Anya or Blake – and set a plate of delicious smelling Palusami in front of her. Tai acknowledged her with a wide smile, then moved onto to the next diner. He seemed to have had a growth spurt over the last year, and was now even taller and more gangly than when she had met him.

“Sorry I know this is probably going to seem like a dense question,” Hayley half turned to the speaker, the girl sat beside her, as she took a sip from her drink. “But who the hell is Anya Dering?”

Hayley started in surprise and fully turned to stare incredulously at her neighbour. She was young, perhaps a decade younger than Hayley, but still, to have not at least heard of Anya … well, she must have worked hard at it.

“Anya Dering,” Hayley said, “The singer and actress? She was very big up until about four years ago, when she had a horrific car accident.”

As she finished speaking, she heard Chad’s voice from across the table. “Mr. Blake, I do have a question.” She turned, curious, and saw Blake’s iron gaze fixed on the blond American. “Ummmm … do you eat the leaves or take them off?”

Hayley closed her eyes, inwardly groaning. It seemed Anya’s new employees weren’t going to make the best first impression.

[IvanTiger118]

"Mr. Blake, I do have a question." The man said. “Ummmm … do you eat the leaves or take them off?”

Conrad chuckled as the young boy set the food in front of him. Without a word, he picked up the fork and attacked his food. He hadn't eaten in almost six hours. The food was delicious. He would enjoy it here if this was what he was served all the time.

He looked around at the people around the table. There was a wide variety of people. He suddenly had the feeling like the walls were closing in on him and every eye was on him. His breathing became shallow and it suddenly seemed to rise a few degrees. He dropped the fork onto the table, eying everybody. He just wanted to get done with the formalities and start the job he was hired to do, whatever that was. Why were they making him jump through hoops? Just like the government.

[Suzip]

Kari’s eyes followed the woman’s disapproving gaze to the loud American opposite.

“Oh I didn’t realise,” she replied trying to draw her attention back. "The poor woman. I would have been about 15 when that happened. A time when I wasn’t really up to date with that kind of thing.” Kari’s mind began to wander back to those days. “It was quite a turbulent period for me. I was orphaned when I was 11 you see and was moved around a lot. Kind of oblivious to much else.”

[Aurasheild]

Smiling Adiel watched a young teen place an intresting meal in front of him, then when the boy had gone, he turned back to Jingla.

"Why not? We have a cowboy, bouncer and a superstar all we need now are thr special effects." He laughed, as he went back to inspecting his food.

Unfortunatly it was Palusami, in otherwords it contained meat.

Crap! Maybe I should say something? Nah too much tension, that dudes after making an example of Adam, I don't want to be another. I'll wait til everyone is gone and then I'll ask him.

Adiel quickly turned to Jingla, making sure she was looking him in the eye and not at his hands, as they pushed the meal away and replaced it with the desert.

"So may I ask, what you did before taking this job?"