Act I
Chapter 2-3
The Villa
Week 24 - Day 2
The sounds of small groups of people talking could be heard both inside and outside the villa. Well dressed, wealthy people were busy socializing with other well dressed, wealthy people. They talked about various topics like politics, war strategy, business success and business endeavors. Some people talked about less serious topics like food, entertainment, and other activities. Everyone had a smile on their face. Everyone except for Alessia. "Alessia...!" her grandmother's voice called. Alessia sighed. She put a fake smile on her face and then went to where her grandmother was.
"This... is my granddaughter," Alessia's grandmother said, as she pulled Alessia forward to be introduced. "Alessia, meet Connor Brigham. Connor meet Alessia St. Claire."
"A pleasure," Connor said, extending his hand.
"Likewise," Alessia said, shaking his hand.
"Mr. Brigham," Alessia's grandmother said, "is a Lieutenant in the UEN's Joint Military."
"Oh, really...?" Alessia said sarcastically, "What do you think about the UEN's using military force to install themselves in places where the population holds the UEN in not so high regard?"
"Alessia...!" both of Alessia's grandparents exclaimed.
"It's okay," Connor said, "I have a daughter just a little younger than Alessia. To answer your question, Miss St. Claire, if you've ever visited one of the places in question, you'd know that they are chaotic places. No law or order whatsoever. The UEN's methods may seem a bit harsh from an outsider's point of view, but I assure you it's better after we've established order there."
"Well... Mr. Brigham, I have been to one of these "chaotic" places that you speak of. Anatolia. Use to be called Turkey... heard of it?"
"Alessia...! Manners." Alessia's grandfather scolded.
"Sorry..." Alessia apologized, "excuse me...". Alessia left her grandparents and Mr. Day. She grabbed a drink from one of the waiters then made her way to the villa's balcony. She stood on the balcony, looking down at all the guests who socialized around the villa's swimming pool. When they bored her, she looked up to the starlit night sky. She stood there for a while and just stared at the stars.
"Need some company," a man's voice asked from behind her. The man walked up to the balcony's stone railing, standing next to Alessia.
"Good company," Alessia said sarcastically.
"What counts as good company?" the man asked.
"Anyone not at this little gathering..."
"Well you must be horrible company..." the man said jokingly.
"Considering I'm the only one here that doesn't want to be here... I'd say I'm the worst..."
"Noooo... You're not that special," the man said, "it just so happens, that I don't want to be here either."
"Really? Then why are you here?"
"Reasons... business... my wife..."
"Oh really," Alessia said coyly, "don't you think your wife would be angry if she found you out here flirting with another woman?"
"Perhaps... but I'd actually have to be flirting first."
"Touche."
Alessia and the man stood there on the balcony with Alessia looking up at the night sky while the man looked down at the other guests, both silent. Alessia took a quick glance at the man, noticing the man's black hair that framed his face and his clothing, a black suit, similar to what a business man would wear. The man began to turn his head towards Alessia and Alessia quickly diverted her gaze back to the sky. "So... what kind of business are you here for?" Alessia asked.
"That's complicated... in the pre-war world, I would've been considered a stock trader or broker..." the man said. "I buy, sell, and trade depending on what my clients require..."
"Oh," Alessia said, "sounds fairly boring."
"It is," the man said. Both of them laughed when he said it. "What about you," the man asked, "why don't you want to be at such a splendid party?"
"Reasons..." Alessia said sarcastically, imitating the man, "There's this exhibition going on at the Paris Arena... North American champions are fighting the European champions."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. Team Dread Scythe and team Tri-Seraph?"
"You know AC teams?" Alessia said, surprised. "I thought you were a stock trader-broker...?"
"Well I am... my current client is a sponsor of the Anatolia Arena. He wants me to find and obtain a few assets for it's opening in the upcoming season."
"Wow, I thought you said what you did was boring...!" Alessia said. Her face's expression showed how amazed she was with the man.
""Mostly. My client has me purchasing assets from a team Dread Scythe beat-"
"That's a long list," Alessia said, interrupting the man. His last few words drew Alessia's full attention. "What team?".
"I probably shouldn't say. The information hasn't been made public yet..." the man said. When he saw Alessia's stern look he decided to continue speaking. "but the announcement is coming out in a few days so... The team's name is Black Raven."
Alessia's expression became one of dread. She grabbed her drink and drunk it all in one gulp. She sat the empty glass back on the stone railing then ran through the door back into the villa. She made her way to her room which had been one of a few sectioned off areas to keep guests from going into her and her grandparents's rooms. Once there, Alessia shut the door behind her and removed her black dress. She put on some normal clothes, a long sleeved shirt and sweat pants. Then she grabbed her suitcase from beneath her bed and opened it. It was empty.
"Shit..." Alessia said to herself.
Alessia began piling clothes from her dresser and closet on the bed. When all her clothes were on her bed, she began sorting through them. "Alessia," a voice called out from the otherside of her door, "are you in there?". It was Rita.
"Come in," Alessia told her. Rita entered Alessia's room only to be taken by surprise at the mess Alessia was creating.
"Christ, girl...! What are you doing?" Rita asked in shock.
"Packing..." Alessia said as she continued sorting through her clothes. "Trying to at least..."
"Packing...? For what-where are you going?"
"Oh, Rita, could you book a flight to Circle City for me? A morning flight, earliest they have."
"Slow down, Alessia!" Rita said, shutting the door. "Why're you trying to go to Circle City?"
"The team's being disbanded."
"And what're you gonna do about it? Do you have a plan?"
"Thinkin' of one now..."
"Alessia! You're being ridiculous. Your eyes are still healing. You can't just take off on your own."
"I can't just stay here and do nothin' either."
"I'm sorry, Alessia. I have to tell your grandparents."
Alessia stopped sorting through her clothes and turned to face Rita, with a sly smile on her face. She jumped up and hugged Rita. "You're a genius Rita. Could you go get them now and bring them here?"
Rita, was confused but left Alessia's room to do as Alessia requested. Minutes later, Rita returned with both of Alessia's grandparents in tow. Mixed looks of anger and concern adorned their faces. They sent Rita to attend to the guests and closed the door behind her. The three of them, Alessia and her grandparents, stood silent until Alessia sat on her bed. "So..." Alessia said.
