New Island Breezes RPG Story Thread

[Foxee]

THE HOWLING MONSOON had become a subconscious lullaby, the air in the suite golden with the scent of wax. Half-empty dishes of soup and palusami sat on the coffee table, the crystal dessert bowl of fruit closest to the sofa. The bottle of medication sat apart like a poor relative.

Anya curled up on the sofa, barefoot, a red chenille throw draped over the blue dress, devouring a strawberry. A pair of narrow rimless reading glasses perched on her nose as she turned the pages of the small book in her lap, a distraction from the lingering quivers of fear.

The little journal was perhaps seven inches square and a half-inch thick. Even a good wipe down hadn’t been able to remove the dust ingrained in the reddish leather from the book’s long internment inside the wall. Thick cream-colored pages were covered in pen-and-ink drawings and handwriting.

Anya’s favorite was a sketch of the hotel, as it must have looked when first built. Little more than a big Victorian house, no wings to either side, no low front section with the stacked stone walls and pillars. Stately and simple. The artist had added the coastline and a few seagulls.

Flipping through she reached for a slice of papaya and settled down to read.

Monsters are a part of the native culture, of course. One has only to watch the festivals to know that otherworldly beings are very real to them.

During my time on the island I’ve heard many stories of a monster that eats people. It is all superstition, of course, although I do wonder if any culture living so close to a volcano might not begin to believe in hellish beings…

[crazed scribe]

"It is always nice to have privacy, after you are tired of being in the spotlight. To unwind, if nothing else."

The thought that was dominating her mind was, who is Anya Dering? If she has the money to afford something like this and needed to get out of the spotlight maybe she was someone well known?

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

She smirked, it was one of those smiles where you try and hold it in but it just gets stronger and bursts open on to your face. If nothing else well at least Chad had seemeed to take the edge from some of the tension which had built up. If only the draconian bodyguard would lighten up a little bit they might be able to relax!

“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.”

That was who she was, Anya, an international superstar! She had just met a superstar! How could she not have remembered her? Well, she had only been fifteen. When these people are said to be dead they generally stroll out of your mind, forgotten however prominent and famous they once were.

Tai brought her the food.

"Thanks!" She said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible about the food which was put infront of her. She could eat the fish and prawns but truthfully the leaves didn't look to appetising.

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

This would be interesting! Now her hunger pains were slowly beginning to eb away she was beginning to fell curious about all the other employees and the fortress she'd found herself.

[slayerofangels]

“Ummmm … do you eat the leaves or take them off?”

Blake fought the urge to smile. The others seemed to have made a fine start on their food and he didn't really want to put them all off. Well, almost.

"The leaves are only poisonous until properly cooked," he said, "so you should be fine either way."

No other questions were forthcoming, and for a moment he wondered if he might have been too harsh with Adam. He dismissed the notion almost immediately; he had to establish position right off, and if no-one was speaking up, it was working. Besides, given Adam's rather...improbable...history, he should have known better than to draw attention to himself on his first day. Though from the look on his face, Blake could have sworn Adam enjoyed being put down. Perhaps that was his imagination. He only hoped the man was a fast learner, and that none of the rest were too keen on testing out whether or not he'd fire them. It would be a shame to have to lose people so early, but he was nothing if not fair.

"Since no-one else has spoken up I'm going to take it no-one has any questions," he said, shaking his head slightly as Tai moved to give him a plate. "Conrad O Brian, Bruce Thompson, Maria, Chad Anderson and Kari Snider report to Desmond Mitchell in the grounds tomorrow morning at eight o clock. Adam," Did he have a surname? "Adiel Barnum, Marissa Williams and Jingla Li'D'Sangre report to Jean-Marie Mitchell in the kitchens at the same time. The plan at the moment is to have your work day end around five or six in the evening, depending on what needs to be done, after that your time is your own. You may leave the grounds anytime after you finish, but you must be back before one in the morning or you'll be locked out."

That covered most of the main points fairly succinctly. If anything else arose, he deal with it then.

"I'd advise that you go out in pairs if you leave at all, and try not to anatagonise the locals," he said, "they tend to get...vocal...with those they see as interfering. Its been a pleasure meeting you all. Enjoy the rest of your meal."

Nodding once to them, he turned smartly and strode of the room, closing the door softly behind him as he did so. For a moment he stood there and listened, then he shook his head and walked through to the kitchen.

[Cold Twilight]

"Mr. Blake, I do have a question." One of the men on the other side of the table spoke up, a laugh in his voice. “Ummmm … do you eat the leaves or take them off?”

Jingla smiled at the half-joke, feeling the tension in the room ease, even as she turned her attention back to Adiel as he answered her question. "Why not? We have a cowboy, bouncer and a superstar all we need now are the special effects." He laughed.

Jingla took a few more bites of the delicious food, glad to be able to enjoy it rather than have her mind run through a critique of the flavors. Adiel turned toward her and spoke again. "So may I ask, what you did before taking this job?"

Jingla hesitated, then half-smiled. "Well, several things." She paused and looked up as Blake began to speak.

"Since no-one else has spoken up I'm going to take it no-one has any questions," he said. "Conrad O Brian, Bruce Thompson, Chad Anderson and Kari Snider report to Desmond Mitchell in the grounds tomorrow morning at eight o clock. Adam, Adiel Barnum, Marissa Williams and Jingla Li'D'Sangre report to Jean-Marie Mitchell in the kitchens at the same time.
The plan at the moment is to have your work day end around five or six in the evening, depending on what needs to be done, after that your time is your own. You may leave the grounds anytime after you finish, but you must be back before one in the morning or you'll be locked out.
I'd advise that you go out in pairs if you leave at all, and try not to anatagonise the locals," he said, "they tend to get...vocal...with those they see as interfering. Its been a pleasure meeting you all. Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As Blake turned and left the room, she memorized the information she'd need and resumed her conversation with Adiel. "I was in a partnership with a fellow dancer for a cleaning company in London. Before that I have variously been with several restaurants, acting as sommelier, among other things." She smiled.

[IvanTiger118]

Tommorrow morning at eight. Desmond Mitchell. That was the information he was waiting for. Blake left the room, so that meant everyone was free to do whatever they wanted, or so it seemed. Conrad rose, pushing the plate aside. It still felt like it was 150 degrees in here! He quickly walked out of the dining room, down the corridor and into what looked like a library. Everything was dark, but he could make out the books all lined up on the shelves. He took a deep breath and found a corner.

He shut his eyes and kneeled down on the ground. What was wrong with him? He hadn't had this problem in years? Why was he freaking out with all these people? Then it dawned on him. Since the war, if he had met anybody new, Rebecca had been with him. He couldn't remember anybody he met where she wasn't around. She must have somehow comforted him enough to keep these feelings inside.

[Darn Dame]

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

Marissa heard Conrad’s deep chuckle beside her. She glanced at the military man beside her as he grabbed his fork and delved into the fare set before him.

Well, he seems to have held on to his appetite. I bet he's had to eat things I wouldn't dream of putting in my mouth.

"The leaves are only poisonous until properly cooked," Blake said, "so you should be fine either way."

He’s enjoying torturing us. Marissa thought as she watched a repressed smile play around the man-beasts steely lips. She glanced back at Conrad who was still shoveling in food like a starving man.

Quit being a baby.


Marissa eyed her plate and dug her fork into the foreign food. Carefully she lifted it to her mouth, her lips set with determination. The lines around her eyes relaxed as the flavor of the exotic dish hit her mouth. Her appetite sparked, she forked another bite.

From time to time she glanced around the table, meeting the gazes of the other diners. Then she noticed Conrad awkwardly drop his fork on the table.

What’s wrong with him? Oh god! Did they cook this long enough?

Marissa peered down into her dinner, examining it closely.

"Since no-one else has spoken up I'm going to take it no-one has any questions," Marissa’s attention was torn from her food back to Blake. He told the diners where, when, and who to report to in the morning along with other details about their stay there. Blake then left the room.

She turned to Conrad to ask him about the likeliness of a nearby hospital. He was hastily making his exit from the room. Worriedly, Marissa stared at his retreating back.

“Excuse me,” she said as she placed her napkin on the table and rose. She pushed in her chair and followed Conrad.

When she found him, he was hunched down in the library breathing deeply and evenly. He hadn’t stirred when she entered.

She was reminded of an incident with her Dad. They’d vacationed at the lake one summer. A storm had brewed up and they had been working their way towards shore. The sky had darkened with storm clouds. The rain had been cold and driving. The wind whipped around them, pulling them to and fro in the water. Thunder and lightening exploded everywhere around them.

In one instant her Dad had been reassuring them they would all be fine, the next instant he began talking about ‘Charlie.’ He’d ordered them to stay low and began to detail how he would slip into the water, swim to ‘Charlie’s’ boat, and take them out.

Marissa, just a teen then, had been terrified, first from the storm and then from the eery change that had taken over her father. From the look in his eyes, she knew he was somewhere else. They’d tried to talk to him, to bring him back into the present. Marissa had finally clung to him trying to stop him from leaving their pontoon with a knife, intent on killing the boaters next to them. She'd cried out, “Daddy, please, Daddy!”

She didn’t know if it had been her terrified screams that had broken the hellish spell he was under but he had stopped. His eyes clouded and he’d awkwardly crumpled onto the pontoon’s floor.

Marissa shook her head, erasing the memory. Softly she walked over to Conrad and lightly placed her trembling hand on his shoulder. Her voice was gentle and low.

“You ok?”

[Aurasheild]

"Mr. Blake, I do have a question." A man nearby asked. “Ummmm … do you eat the leaves or take them off?

Adiel looked over at the man's confused face, laughing to himself, he took a bite of his desert. It was sweet and fruity, simply a wonder to devour. Jingla seemed to find the cowboy funny too, looking around the room Adiel saw that most people did.

Jingla hesitated, then half-smiled, it was clear from her face that his question had disturbed her.

Wrong timing I guess.

"Well, several things."

Before she could continue, Blake spoke again. His voice was firm but yet, even he seemed amused by the dude's statement.

"Since no-one else has spoken up I'm going to take it no-one has any questions," he said. "Conrad O Brian, Bruce Thompson, Chad Anderson and Kari Snider report to Desmond Mitchell in the grounds tomorrow morning at eight o clock. Adam, Adiel Barnum, Marissa Williams and Jingla Li'D'Sangre report to Jean-Marie Mitchell in the kitchens at the same time.
The plan at the moment is to have your work day end around five or six in the evening, depending on what needs to be done, after that your time is your own. You may leave the grounds anytime after you finish, but you must be back before one in the morning or you'll be locked out.
I'd advise that you go out in pairs if you leave at all, and try not to anatagonise the locals," he said, "they tend to get...vocal...with those they see as interfering. Its been a pleasure meeting you all. Enjoy the rest of your meal."

He seemed to palter for a moment, checking for any questions again, before leaving the room. Jingla waited for another few moments, mentally taking a note of what she was meant to do. The others were doing the same.

"I was in a partnership with a fellow dancer for a cleaning company in London. Before that I have variously been with several restaurants, acting as sommelier, among other things." She finished, she smiled afterwards although, Adiel was unsure whether the smile was forced or not.

Shrugging it off, Adiel noticed that since he had arrived on the island, Jingla was the only person, he had talked to.

Huh? Thats not like me at all.

Although, spending the night in a strangers house located on a private island wasn't like him at all, not even mentioning the black out and storm.

Sighing, Adiel was unsure whether he should socialise with another, or keep trying with Jingla. Both seemed to have more down points then positive ones. However the the others in the room, seemed content with eating rather then talking, in fact two people had got up and left the room.

There was too much tension in the room, yet some people seemed immune to its effects, take the cowboy for example. Not one had he seemed to dragged down by it, nor had he seemed to take any notice of it.

Either way, it wasn't fair to ask about Jingla's past, and not share his own. But then again she hadn't asked, which either meant she didn't want to pry, or she didn't want to continue talking. Adiel was more in favour of the latter one, if he was to be honest.

[Suzip]

"Conrad O Brian, Bruce Thompson, Chad Anderson and Kari Snider report to Desmond Mitchell in the grounds tomorrow morning at eight o clock.”

Kari’s eyes widened with hope. Report to the grounds, that sounded like something that might work. Finally something seemed to be going right. She pushed her soup bowl to the middle of the table. She really didn’t feel like eating anything, unlike many of her companions so it seemed. Some were already tucking into the dessert.

Just as she was wondering how long they were supposed to hang around there she saw the tall ex-soldier leave the room at a hurried pace….Chad she thought his name was. He was shortly followed by the woman with the ponytail.

Kari like the idea of working outside. Some sunshine. Some exercise, and of course hopefully horses if she was really lucky.

On the other hand if she was really unlucky she may find herself working with that cowboy with the bad attitude. She felt her lip curl with distaste at the very thought.

[seigfried007]

Despite his lack of appetite, Adam finished his soup with delicate haste and excused himself from the table with a polite nod to the table. His room should be cleaned and turned as though for a master before sunrise and he should be bathed, dry and ready to work at the cook's disposal at eight o'clock the next morning. So much to do. Such a small amount of achingly dreamless, empty sleep to look forward to if he squandered his time fulfilling such pointless appetites as small talk and eating.

He stole to his quarters and set to removing such trivial spots of filth as the dust atop white-painted wooden trim on the walls and water spots on faucets.

So much to do.

[IvanTiger118]

"You ok?" a female voice said. A hand was placed on his shoulder. It was soft, gentle, like a caress from a feather. He opened his eyes and looked up at the woman. He recognized the woman from the table. Marissa.

He smiled weakly. "Yeah, Becca. I'm fine. Was it me or was it a bit warm in there?"

Crap! Did he just call her Becca? He knew that it wasn't Becca standing in front of him. "I mean, Marissa,' he quickly added.

[Darn Dame]

"Yeah, Becca. I'm fine. Was it me or was it a bit warm in there?” Conrad said.

Recognizing his error, he quickly corrected. “I mean, Marissa.”

Becca? Who’s Becca?

Marissa stared into Conrad’s eyes, fearful of what she might see there. His eyes were shadowed in the darkness but evidence of his struggles was reflected in the lined shadows around his eyes and the valiant curve of his lips.

“It was a little stuffy in there.” Marissa reassured him.

He’s ok. Just a little stressed. Hell, who wouldn’t be after the arrival we’ve had?

They remained there for several seconds, the silence turning awkward.

Marissa couldn’t think of anything to say. Then she realized she was staring and that her hand still rested on his shoulder. She hastily pulled her hand back as if the warmth from his body had burned her. She put a few feet’s distance between them.

“Um…well…ok,” she cleared her throat as her feet began to paddle backwards, “I think I’ll hit the sack, big day tomorrow, got to get up early you know, don’t wanna make Blake mad, oof” Marissa side stepped the large bookcase she had backed into.

“Bookcase.” She offered in explanation.

Arms now outstretched acting as feelers she continued her backwards retreat.

“Well, uh, have a good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs...” This last remark was interrupted by a thump as her rear connected with a small round table. A sickening brittle crash immediately followed. Turning quickly, Marissa’s feet tangled and she fell to the floor.

“OOOhhhh!” Marissa felt something bite into her rear, leg, and hands.

Marissa sat in stunned silence. Her eyes were wide and her mouth open. Slowly the sting of her injuries came to her.

Marissa stared down at the remnants of something dark, glass, and something she was sure was very expensive. She lifted her hands noticing small bits of the dark fragments embedded in her skin. As she did so, her full weight rested on the floor and a piercing pain penetrated her bottom. She caught her breath and instantly placed her hands on the floor to alleviate the stinging in her rear. Pin pricks of pain reminded her of the glass stuck in her hands. She instinctively rotated her hips to the side and held her upper body upright on the tips of her fingers.

“Son of a bitch.” The remark came out more of a cry than a curse. The suppressed emotions Marissa had battled with all day rushed to the surface and were emitted in big rolling tears that silently streaked down her face.

[Suzip]

As Kari was quite sure now that she wouldn’t eat anything else, and the woman next to her seemed to be deep in thought, not seeming to have heard her question, she decided to make a move. She wanted to be in the security of her room. She wanted to be alone. Besides she was tired and wanted to get up in time for a run before starting work in the morning.

“Think I’ll call it a night,” she said to no-one in particular. She used her legs to push her chair back and it screeched as its legs dragged across the floor. She wasn’t sure but she didn’t think anyone noticed her, but as Parker always said, it was better that way wasn’t it.

She picked up her candle where she had left it on the mahogany sideboard near the doorway. She lit it with one of the matches which had been left there to use, and made her way out into the hall and headed for the stairs. She passed the library that she had stuck her head into before, when she was looking for the dining room. The couple who had left a few minutes before were there. The man was on his knees, his face pale and the best word that Kari could think of to describe him was “lost” he definitely looked lost. I’m right there with you, she thought. Lost described how she felt most of the time. The woman hovered over him, apparently trying to comfort him for some reason, but Kari really didn’t want to find out why, she had her own issues going on.

She continued towards the stairs, walking slowly in the glow of her candle, not really able to see very far in front of her. She found her way to the second floor and counted the doors on her left, her fingers running over the wooden surfaces as she went.

“One… two… three…. me!”

Kari pushed the door open and pressed the light switch. It flickered for a split second but went out again. She set the candle on the bedside table. Her luggage was still on the large bed. There had barely been time for a quick change when they had first arrived. Her discarded t-shirt was in the bath in the small bathroom, where she had chucked it earlier. She took off her shoulder bag that she was still wearing and buried it under her mattress. She then opened her holdall and pulled out a large bottle of vodka.

Always reverting to the drink eh? Parker said. Can’t get rid of me that easily.

Kari’s eyes began to sting as they reddened.

She unscrewed the lid and began to drink.

[alanmt]

"The leaves are only poisonous until properly cooked," Gareth Blake replied after a moment, "so you should be fine either way."

Chad assumed the tall serious man was joking, but it was hard to be sure. He cut through the leaves and scooped a large bit of the dish, leaves and all, into his mouth. It was good! He nodded to himself, pleased. Whatever else the job entailed, at least the position came with a good cook.

Everyone seemed a bit uncertain, and his fellow diners’ few efforts at small talk seemed to fall a bit flat, so he concentrated on enjoying the food, and pondering Gareth Blake’s directions. Gareth had given a staccato burst of instructions and then left, almost abruptly as Anya Derring had. His comments left Chad with much to think about.

First, it seemed he would be on grounds duty, which suited him perfectly. He really had done enough laundry to last him a lifetime. Hopefully he would be doing pool maintenance primarily, but as long as he was out in the sun, he would be happy.

The man in charge had answered another of his questions. He had wondered since seeing the island if there were indigenous natives, and he was glad to learn that there were. Sounds like they may be a little standoffish, suspicious of strangers. That was no big deal. Chad was confident they would soon be his friends. He wondered, though, what Gareth had meant by them disliking “interference”. An odd choice of word. He’d have to find out exactly what the man meant later.

When Chad finished his dessert, many of the others had already gone. With a polite “Excuse me,” to the remaining diners, he rose and returned to his room.

He left his room door ajar. He would have opened a window, but the rain was still pelting against it. Slipping off his sandals and shirt, he yawned widely. He was tired. But he might as well get unpacked tonight. He inserted his earphones and turned on his ipod.

“Hoyt’ ist mein tag!” sang Blumchen exuberantly into his ears.

Chad’s lips silently echoed the lyrics as he pulled his clothes from the duffel and deposited them into the small bureau and closet nook. He set his toiletries in a haphazard row on the counter next to the sink in the bathroom. He pulled out a hard briefcase from the bottom of the bag, and then tossed the duffel into the closet. Sitting on the bed, he opened the case.

Everything was there and in good shape. His cell phone. His laptop. His digital camera. And a camcorder. He hoped the electricity would be back on soon. He closed the case quickly, and put it in the closet, under the duffel. He picked up his still-full backpack and carefully placed it in the other corner of the closet, slipping out his machete to make sure it had made the trip safely. It had.

Chad lay on the bed, arms behind his head, to contemplate what lay ahead. But the long day of travel and the time change caught up with him. He was asleep in minutes. The candles flickered fitfully as a blast of wind hit the house, but the soft rising and falling of his chest was undisturbed.

[Cold Twilight]

Jingla quietly finished eating as almost everyone else made their excuses and left. It had been a long day for her as well, but this storm. She could hear it around the house, feel the energy that crackled even in the still air of the house. She felt a smile creeping into her eyes, twitching at her lips. This was the best thing she'd found so far on the island. Storms.

A crash sounded in the other room, and she started to get up...and stopped.

She was being rude. She really should try to continue her conversation with Adiel... What would be a good subject? He might not want to talk about himself, although most people did. Perhaps some of the things he liked to do? Yes, that should be safe enough.

She took a sip of her drink and glanced over at Adiel. He had seemed enthusiastic, but now he was more withdrawn. She hoped it hadn't been something she'd said. "If it would not be a bother, what do you like to do?" she queried lightly, flashing him a smile. "We're almost the last people here, but if you don't wish to talk, let me know."

[Blossom]

Hayley leaned back in her seat as she finished her meal. She had almost forgotten how delicious Jean-Marie’s meals were; she felt absolutely stuffed, and her eyelids starting to drift closed. The two remaining guests across the table seemed unaware of her presence, so she quietly got up from the table and headed out of the dining room.

She intended to find someone to ask if she could get into her lab, but as she passed the library her eye was caught by the glittering of glass shards scattered over the floor. Pausing, Hayley turned back and stuck her head through the door. One of the women – what was her name? – was awkwardly positioned, to avoid the glass she had obviously fallen on. Tears were streaming silently down her cheeks. Across the room one of men was kneeling, seemingly unsure what to do.

“What happened?” Hayley asked, coming fully in and stepping awkwardly over the glass to help the woman up. “Careful, it’ll need cleaning and possibly stitching. You didn’t try to pull any out, did you?”