Selene
"Okay...well if you're sure..." said Selene with a slight frown as she danced around. She wanted to push Bri further – if he wasn't worrying about Calnith, then what /was/ he worried about? She could tell that something was bothering him...she fell silent for the rest of the song, torn between wanting to pester Bri until he came clean and figuring that he would tell her in his own time if he wanted to, and that dragging secrets out of people hadn't worked so well for her up to then...
The song stopped and people began applauding the band on the stage. Sel grinned down at Bri and kept him steady for him to step off her feet safely.
"Well that was fun! Thanks Bri...so...you sure you're okay?" she asked, thinking that maybe he would be more willing to tell her if he wasn't stood on her feet being danced around in circles.
((Joint post between myself and Fuyu - Chapter 1 - Skye and Brogan dislike each other immensely XD Brogan is in purple, Skye is in green ^_^))
"Cuh-home on Sih-Ciel," Skye called through the door. He shook his head a little, tugging at his tan collar. He disliked formal wear of any sort, which was why he had no tie to speak of. He wondered why Ciel was being so determined about this. It wasn't like a tuxedo -or whatever the kid was wearing- would stop him from hyperventilating."I-him shuh-sure you luh-look fine!" Ellie sat on his shoulder, a little blue bow around her neck. Her violet eyes blinked at him owlishly and at the door.
"Easy for you to say," Ciel mumbled, buttoning his blazer up nervously. "You're not from Lavender Academy. You don't have to impress anybody." He pinned his old school crest on his right side. He really didn't either but he was worried. His school was improperly funded, had been for years. It had just hit him impressing these people could get them a grant they so desperately needed. And so far panicking in the corner had not gotten him anywhere. His fingers trembled visibly as he clipped his Pokeballs to his belt again. Chika crooned, floating behind him. Sighing a little, he checked himself carefully in the cracked mirror again, flattening his hair desperately.
Skye shook his head as the boy exited. He would never have guessed Ciel worried about these sorts of things. Then again, he had just thrown a fit at the man who had attempted to help dress him. Hopefully the man hadn't received a concussion and that mirror could be replaced.
Brogan emerged out into the ballroom to a series of astonished gasps from those closest to the door – well, her custom-made dress was absolutely perfect, and her personal team of stylists had just spent 2 hours on her hair and make-up...she was polished and preened to perfection. Tossing chocolate, glossy curls over her shoulder, she smiled brightly as she made her way through the crowds to tap her Father on the shoulder, grinning widely as he turned around and smiled down at her.
"Darling, you look stunning as ever," crooned Mr Houghton-Taylor, embracing Brogan lightly and kissing her cheek. Brogan smiled and shrugged conceitedly - yes, she knew very well how stunning she looked. The antique gold strapless gown she wore was fitted, emphasising her curves to just above her knees, where a chiffon mermaid-skirt draped out to the floor with a slight train curving behind her, covering her black patent Louboutin stilettos. Ultimately - she looked gorgeous, but she knew it.
"Thank you Daddy, you scrub up very well yourself. I do love this lilac tie, perfect compliment for your skin tone. Anyway, I see that the vultures are demanding your time," she trailed off, arching a perfectly lined, filled-in brow over her smoky, dark lined eyes as she cast a glance over Mr Houghton-Taylor's shoulder and saw his cronies and clients waiting to take his time. "I'll leave you be for a while, I need a glass of Champagne anyway. Love you Daddy," she smiled, before turning and leaving. Mr Houghton-Taylor smiled as he watched her go - she was a spoilt brat, but that spoilt brat was his Princess.
Skye glanced behind him at Ciel, who was following him nervously through the crowd. Rama padded after them both, carrying a happily dressed up Pala. Rama was too cool to dress up, naturally. He had attacked the stylist who tried. Ciel managed a shy smile and Skye had the sudden urge to make a disturbing comment. However, it was rude and Ciel probably wouldn't have caught it anyway. Skye gave him a casual little wave. Ellie was crooning at the nearby Chika, the Togetic flying between the two boys.
Rama paused to growl a little, glaring at a girl who passed. Skye frowned and followed his eyes. He sighed and shook his head. It was just Brogan. This was her father's party; they'd end up running into each other. But would she be civil? He snickered a little at the idea.
Ellie rolled her eyes gently and nuzzled Skye's cheek. She had seen Cam, who was clutching a glass of cwhat had to be soda and talking cheerily to a brunette. Walking over to the larger man, he grinned a little. "Fruh-friend of yours?"
Cam glanced down and laughed, clapping a hand to his head. "Yes little brother. This is Caitlin, invited guest of mine." The woman looked at the younger boy and yawned a little.
"Charmed," she said after a moment before a small, slightly devious smile made its way to her lips. "You're the well-behaved one."
"Deh-hepends on huh-who you ah-ask," Skye replied happily, pulling Ciel from the tide of people. "Thih-his is Ciel." Ciel mumbled a greeting, looking down at his feet.
Caitlin smiled a bit. "A Psychic boy... you pick interesting friends."
"Luh-learned it fruh-from him," Skye replied, pointing at his brother. The elder chuckled and looked around, seeing Mr. Houghton-Taylor in deep conversation. Well it looked deep, Cam doubted it was. He was tempted to be rude and interrupt but Skye was right there and would bash him into the ground, in public or not.
"...so you see, Steve, /that/ is why we need to widen out our interests in Sinnoh! We have a decent market coverage but if we don't snap up the assets with /potential/ now then we'll end up-"
"Thank you, Josh, but could this not wait until tomorrow morning?" asked Mr Houghton-Taylor, the smile on his face was bright but completely forced as he hissed through his teeth at his colleague - even today, the one day of the year when work was pure /fun/ they wanted to talk shop. Then again, that ethos was why he had hired them in the first place...he clapped a hand on Josh's shoulder and nodded. "Good work. But I need a drink. I'll catch you and the guys later," he moved off toward the refreshment table - purposefully not stopping to speak to anybody whilst he walked, though he flashed wide smiles and 'hello's everywhere he went before stopping in front of the refreshment table.
"I'll have a sparkling mineral water, with crushed ice, please" he indicated to the woman on the other side of the table, looking round as he waited for his drink. Brogan's decor palette had certainly turned out impressively...
Skye looked around for the drinks, feeling the agitation rolling off of Ciel. "Stuh-hay here a muh-hinute whuh-hile I go geh-get some leh-hemonade." He walked off quickly toward the refreshments, trying to dodge people. He reached the table and bumped into a tall man with mineral water. "Uh-su-horry," he squeaked out, stepping back. He paled a little, recognizing the man in front of him.
"Suh-Sorry!" he exclaimed again, looking concerned. He hadn't felt the hit but he hoped he hadn't hurt Mr. Houghton-Taylor. Rama padded up at this point and growled a little before Ellie shushed him from Skye's shoulder, staring up at the man with a vague curiosity.
"Not a problem..." he said kindly, looking down at the boy in front of him, noting that he looked very familiar indeed. "Ah! I know why you look familiar, your Cameron's brother, correct?" he asked, passing his water from one hand to another before holding his right hand out to Skye.
"I'm Steven Houghton-Taylor, CEO of HoTa Corporation," he introduced himself - yes, he knew that any self-introduction after the whole Expo was completely redundant, but it seemed a good way to break the ice with the boy. He seemed nervous after all - a typical reaction from most people when they met him, particularly when they had just bumped into him.
Skye smiled a bit now, reaching out to shake the man's hand. "NUh-hice to fuh-finally meh-meet yuh-hou. Cah-ham ih-his ruh-rah-ther com-com-complimentary of you." He examined him, examined the power. His pendant was quiet behind his dress shirt, easing his tension. Honestly, the thing about Cam was a lie. Cameron gave the man grudging respect, little else. Skye paused a moment to think of something to add as he took a quiet breath. "Yuh-hou are quh-hite a guh-good eh-hex-ample for oh-hordinary people."
"Thank you Skye," nodded Mr Houghton-Taylor, accepting the compliment gracefully. "Cam is a very talented trainer. He knows that whenever he is ready to take a step back from Pokemon Training he has a job with my firm should he want to take it. So, Skye, what are you hoping to do with yourself when you graduate from the Academy? Follow in Cam's footsteps? Forge your own path?"
Skye smiled faintly. "Cah-ham can't suh-save from a pih-piggy bank," he said honestly, which was sadly true. Cam was terrible with almost everything to do with figures. "Buh-hut I'll reh-reh-remind him." Skye thought for a moment, debating how to answer the man's question. He supposed it wasn't going to get him in trouble for saying so. "I-hi will be Wuh-horking on the Nuh-new Pokedex ah-ah-and then going tuh-to the Ranger Uh-Academy." he knew by the time his research was done his Pokemon would probably be very tired of running around. "I-hi want to Beh-be a ranger wih-with a the-team.
"Then I suppose I'll have to get him a people-orientated position, there are plenty of those in my firm to go to the right people," he laughed, nodding to Skye. He raised his eyebrows in interest as Skye described what he was planning to do after the Academy. "A Ranger, hey? A very worthwhile career choice. Working on the new PokeDex, that will take some time though, it is a major project. I remember when the new Hoenn PokeDex was brought out, it was a huge project, not to mention all the glitches and hitches that made it last 4 times longer. In any case, I wish you the best of luck with your endeavours...I am living proof that you can make it if you have the determination..." he paused thoughtfully and stroked his chin lightly, watching Skye, scrutinising him with interest.
"You know...should you require any collateral for your research, I would be very interested in discussing numbers with you..."
"Thuh-Thank you suh-sir," Skye said honestly. He remembered all the issues that had come from the past Pokedex. The first two had been simple, but as time passed, they had all needed upgrades. The upgrades needed more before the year was out. It was quite a long task. "I huh-had tuh-ho Stuh-start already," he admitted, clutching at the strap of his bag, which he refused to leave behind. "You weh-were a guh-good example fuh-hor me."
Rama was quiet even as Pala squeaked happily on his back. Ellie purred at the older man, meowing politely at him. Skye suddenly heard te rest of the man's words and flushed in surprise. "I-i'd beh-be veh-veh-very grateful," he managed. "Thuh-thank you suh-so much!"
Mr Houghton-Taylor wasn't the Director of one of the largest Corporations in the world for nothing - the tightening of the grip around his bag, the flushing, the hurriedly rushed thanks, already having started on the PokeDex...surely he had his research with him. But neither was Mr Houghton-Taylor a ruthless man - unless said measures were called for with some of his more unscrupulous opponents - so he wouldn't pick Skye up on it.
Instead he nodded and smiled slowly. "Not to mention it, as I said at the start of the day, HoTa is all about encouraging young talent and advancement, it's good to see someone so young taking the Tauros by the horns so to speak. Now," he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his PDA, falling silent for a moment as he tapped around on it before nodding. "I'm fully booked for the next few weeks, but I'm sure that three weeks from now I should be able to set up a meeting, we can talk figures...I could have a word with Professor Oak, get you some special leave from school to be flown here to meet?" he questioned lightly, not wanting to put too much pressure on the kid.
From the side of the hall, Brogan frowned - when her Father pulled out his PDA it meant something business-related was going down. With /that/ kid? With Skye? Was he /serious/? She coughed, removing herself from the clutches of the handsome Suicune dorm boy who had asked her to dance and smiled at him.
"Please, excuse me for a moment," she said quietly as the boy visibly melted before her - typical, males were oh so predictable - and strode off towards her Father and Skye. She was determined to stop this before it began.
Skye thought about it. This man was almost the most powerful, if not the most powerful in the business world. He would have a tremendous advantage with this man's help. Contrary to popular belief, there was an unspoken competition for what young minds were going to develop the new Pokedex. The current models were useful of course, but it was more stumbling of old ground. The new ones and their upgrades were more useful than people would ever think, and it took quite a bit of brains to work on it alongside the professors. Also, not only would it be an advantage there, it would also help him understand aspects of the process he was well aware he didn't know.
To be honest, the man's praise had flown right over his head. He avoided compliments habitually, having heard way too many about his brother to consciously filter anymore. Skye knew the dangers, one of them being the man's daughter as a thorn and his schoolwork dropping possibly. Oh well. Battling was something he enjoyed, something he was decent at, but he would probably never be Cam nor wanted to be. He would learn all he could of course. That was just his style. Raising his head toward Mr.Houghton-Taylor, he smiled brightly. "I wuh-would luh-hike that veh-very much sih-sir."
Skye was vaguely aware someone was coming closer, not that it was Brogan. Rama had begun to snarl softly, and Pala let out a confused cry. Ellie silently twitched her ears and ignored the snobbish girl, Soothe Bell still chiming around her neck. She was not worth the trouble.
"Fantastic," smiled Mr Houghton-Taylor, locking his PDA and slipping it into his jacket pocket with a satisfied nod. "I'll get my assistant to set up the meeting and send word. I'm most excited to see where you will end up, Skye...oh, hello Darling," he frowned slightly, contradicting his smile as he embraced his Daughter tightly as she appeared beside him with a wide smile.
"Hi Daddy...I just wanted to have a word with my friend Skye, if that's okay?" she asked pleasantly, smiling brightly at Skye, though her eyes blazed so furiously as she stared at him that it was surprising his head didn't explode. She stepped away from her Father, as he nodded and put his hands in his trouser pockets.
"Of course Darling, Mr Oddell and I have finished our conversation anyway I believe. Have fun," he kissed her cheek lightly before moving away, and Brogan's expression instantly turned furious as she folded her arms, looking Skye up and down with evident hostility, scoffing at Rama as he snarled.
"Trying to worm your way in are you Oddell? Let's just say...I wouldn't continue this burgeoning correspondence with my Father if I were you. Things might just get most...unpleasant..."
"Thuh-hank you ah-again sir," Skye said to the man as he left, pointedly ignoring the glaring in his direction. He had seen the faint displeasure the man had displayed at the sight of his daughter interrupting. Skye supposed that was common for someone like her.
Seeing her fury, Skye frowned slightly. He really didn't understand what he had done this time. To be fair, he had instigated their whole mutual dislike of each other, but he had pretty much left her alone afterward. She could hold a grudge couldn't she? Wait, oh wait she had threatened him. Despite himself, the boy started laughing. That was pathetic, truly. He had almost nothing she could hold leverage on him over and anything she could was protected by two people that she had no chance of convincing, ever. Why was she even saying this anyway? "Ah-Are you jealous of muh-me?" he asked honestly, genuinely curious as the laughter faded. "Thah-hat's aw-awfully chih-hildish, sih-since heh-he gah-gave me theh-he offer. Huh-How would thah-hat affect yuh-you?"
Rama looked like he was about to rip off the girl's dress. Skye whistled softly, the Zorua relaxing a little. "I duh-don't like you beh-hecause yuh-you're fake. And I wuh-wouldn't threh-threaten you uh-over this ih-hin yuh-your position. Yuh-You're nuh-hot a good eh-example for the Huh-HoTa company..." Skye trailed off and waited. She was rather pathetic to be quite honest.
Brogan laughed loudly, almost hysterically as Skye spoke. After a little while, she managed to calm herself but a bright smile stuck on her face as she set both hands on her hips, shaking her head slightly.
"Jealous? Of /you/? Whatever would you have for me to be jealous about? No, no no no...I just immensely dislike you," she shrugged, tilting her head to the side as she surveyed Skye, somewhat as though he were an interesting display in a museum. "Silly boy...you have no idea what you are getting yourself into, do you? One day you will look back on this and wish that you had taken my advice, I know it,"
Her lip curled as she looked down at Rama, looking quite like the Zorua's mere presence was dirtying the floor around her designer shoes. She looked back up at Skye as he whistled and continued to speak.
"Fake? Well, perhaps. But we're all a little fake when we have to be, aren't we. In my position? And you would know what that is how? You know nothing about me or my "position"...or else you wouldn't say that now, would you? My Father may well be HoTa now, but anyone who is anyone knows that I am HoTa's future. And people like /you/ have no business here. He may seem rags-to-riches lovely, but my Father knows this too. You're so.../naive./"
She paused and looked Skye up and down before shaking her head, stepping backwards, smirking at the boy in front of her.
"You'll find out the hard way, I'm sure. In any case, I'll enjoy watching and causing the fallout. Have a good night, Skye Oddell," she curtsied to him before turning and walking away from him.
She reached into her bag and felt her fingers brush over the device that would win her this war. Her smirk widened.
Skye smiled sadly, watching her go. You poor, stupid child. "I-hi geh-guess weh-we agree oh-hon one thuh-hing," he commented casually. "Weh-he duh-don't uh-hunderstah-hand each other." He shook his head. "I hah-have suh-some things you duh-don't. Freh-Freedom. Ah-hand respect. Yuh-hour fah-hather luh-loves you buh-hut you've dih-dih-disappointed him hah-haven't you?" And you shouldn't call me naive for trying to understand something I haven't grown up with you insolent brat.
"Whatever!" Brogan sang back over her shoulder, not even bothering to look at Skye as she headed off. She had heard his words. But, as strange as some would find it, they didn't register on any level in her mind. Literally in one ear then out the other. Ultimately? She just didn't care, what Skye, or her Father, or anybody thought of her. Her future was set, she was going to have as much power as she could ever need, she would never want for anything. Her Father would never cut her out of that, even if she committed murder or an equally heinous act - not that she ever would, but just to illustrate the point.
Shaking her head, she smiled at people as she passed, looking for one person in particular who could prove useful to her.
Cam had watched this whole thing with a mixture of amusement and concern. This girl was gOing to be the next CEO? Boy the company was in trouble. He smiled a little and shook his head. Should he intervene? Nah... Oh hell yes he had to. It was just only right for the business community. So he looked around a moment, grinned at Caitlin and Ciel, and walked toward the business executive he struggled to respect. "Hello mr. Houghton-Taylor sir," he greeted casually when he approached from behind. "Fine and dandy shindig here, fine and dandy. Now I am hoping I am not overstepping my boundaries here but I happened to catch your daughter and my brother in an awfully concerning conversation. Normally I'd be quiet and let two kids duke it out but since your company could be at stake here I felt I should bring it up. Your daughter was incredibly rude." cam disliked beating around the bush.
Cam smiled a bit now. "She was rude and threatening, which being protective of my sibling as I am, set bells ringing. How do I know? Well that's a bit of a secret that is better left behind doors. Now I will not tell you how to raise your kid. I'm dumb but not that bad. Plus it's rude and I really think you should hit me if I do. But I am going to say impartially that threatening inferiors is a risky venture, especially if you don't have all the cards."
"Now I am not sure what can be done about it but there is someone I know who can cheerfully keep an eye out for you. She's going to be teaching at the Academy very soon. And my suggestion is to give your daughter an ultimatum: pass my pal's classes or perhaps, a certain position could be in great jeopardy." Cam smiled again. "It's your choice sir. I am just telling you what I saw and what I would do. Skye is smarter than I am and probably wouldn't say a thing, but I'm a big mouth. And I like to sow Chaos wherever I go."
Mr Houghton-Taylor turned when Cam spoke to him and nodded slowly in response to his greeting - he had always liked the Unova Champion, found him to have great potential. He listened to him speak, expression impassive, to an outsider it would almost look bored. When Cam finished he simply watched him for a long moment before nodding with a small smile.
"Thank you Cameron, you did the right thing by bringing this to my attention. But I am already well aware of Brogan's...in their current form, shall we say, faults," he stopped enigmatically with a smile, as though refusing to share any more information on the subject with Cam quite politely, as though he had overstepped his boundaries in bringing up such a personal matter in a way that suggested Mr Houghton-Taylor was blissfully unaware of his Daughter's misdemeanours. No-one knew Brogan quite like her Father after all.
"I'm sure your contact is most capable and will make a wonderful tutor at the Academy, but that will not be necessary. And as for spreading chaos," he stopped and smiled, though the smile did not quite reach his eyes, "I'm afraid you will need to find some other means to do that. Though preferably not on HoTa Corporation property, agreed?" he asked lightly, but there was a firm undertone to his voice that could not be mistaken very easily. Ever the diplomat, Mr Houghton-Taylor was as pleasant, polite and courteous as ever, quite the rarity in the world of business that he had decided to play in.
Cameron grinned casually. He did not stumble in the slightest. "Sir, I'll be quite frank: I don't quite know how to cause such chaos on your grounds. If I do I'm certain it will be quite by accident." Cam felt his smile widen. "I have the vaguest idea that I offended you. You will do your best as a father can and will I can tell." he sighed a little. "Perhaps I'm just jumping at shadows and my brother doesnt have too much to worry about. Ah well." he smiled brightly again. "Did my duty I suppose. Enjoy yourself sir and watch out for Joltik! They're pesky in the stormy times." he beamed happily and went to go bother his date. Skye glanced through the at Mr. Houghton-Taylor and gave a quiet, polite nod before going to yell at Cam.
Laughing, Mr Houghton-Taylor clapped a hand on Cameron's shoulder and shook his head slowly. "No offense taken at all, none at all. You were looking out for your brother, it is commendable, but I'm telling you that there is no need to worry. My Daughter is a little...headstrong, and can forget her manners at times to say the least, but I have it covered. I'm Steven Houghton-Taylor," he said suddenly, raising an eyebrow with a small smirk, "Of course I have it covered. Anyway, good to see you Cameron, enjoy the rest of your evening," said Mr Houghton-Taylor, bidding Cameron farewell. He nodded to Skye with a smile before turning away when they were no longer looking. He looked through the crowd and caught the eye of two large security guards, whose eyes never left him. With a small, surreptitious nod, they turned on their heels and moved through the crowds. Mr Houghton-Taylor sighed and smiled, gesturing for another sparkling water from the barmaid.
MEANWHILE:
Mr Houghton-Taylor's security guards had been subdued, watching the exchange between Vince and Calnith. When Vince walked off, before Calnith could follow him more than a few steps they strode right up in front of him, blocking his path with their sheer bulk, looking down at the boy from behind their sunglasses.
"Excuse me, you need to come with us," one of them stated in a deep voice, the clenching of their hands into fists enforcing the fact that they had given Calnith an order, not a suggestion.