08
Mari's special day
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"My father confessed many things upon his death bed, his greatest sin was arrogance."
-Alexander Graves
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Tuesday, December 25th, 1973
Nordkirchen Castle
Germany
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Charles Graves sat in the back seat of his friend's chauffeur-driven limousine, it had been dispatched to pick up both him and his son. Alexander understood the finer etiquette of attending these functions, these gatherings of the world's true powers. The castle that his friend had claimed as his own was as grand as he recalled, they were passing now through the lavish grounds. Trees and well-maintained grass, it was little wonder he had based his own home on this design. The Graves estate was somewhat more modest, for nobody could match the accumulated wealth of Keel Lorenz. They had flown overnight, in first class of course since nothing short of the best would do for a family of their lineage. There had been times during world war two that he had feared losing his life, he had been twenty-four at the outbreak of hostilities. The war had proven to be a truly existential threat to the world, back then SEELE had been but an idea floating in the wind. It had been during the war that he had met Lorenz, a then down on his luck refugee from Berlin. The young Lorenz and he had discovered a mutual love of the arts, and a shared growing dissatisfaction with humanity. When the war had been won he had helped his friend recover his family wealth, and had joined him on a venture to Japan.
Japan had been ravaged by the war and subsequent bombing, yet Lorenz had known something, something incredibly profound. In a cavern, hidden under the towns of Ubako and Sengokuhara within Hakone in the Kanagawa prefecture, lay the source of all life. There they discovered the black moon as it was called, and within it the creature they had named Lilith. That however had not been their only discovery, for within the structure they had uncovered the manuscripts, the guiding principle of their organization. The scrolls had to be interpreted like any ancient text, and this one was ancient beyond comparison. It seemed to all intents and purposes to provide a guide, a guide to achieving immortality. From that time onward they had sought out like-minded individuals of great wealth and intellect, and the organization of SEELE had been born. The problem they had encountered was a technological one, science might be advancing rapidly, but what they required was a ways off yet. So they plotted and they gathered more wealth and more power, attending rituals and renewing their vows to one another. "He will be here, I haven't even met the man and I detest him," Alexander muttered under his breath. Charles considered his reply carefully.
"Alfredo is a necessary evil, I can only hope his twelve years have educated him." Capaldi, the man might well have rotted in jail but for the passing of his father. Giovanni Capaldi had been one of the founders alongside himself and Lorenz, the Sicilian had run things very smoothly from the shadows. Never courting one family over another, Giovanni had been possessed of impressive negotiating skills, his son on the other hand was not. "I will gladly forget such meetings with him, pity you do not have that same luxury father." Alexander grimaced, his son was indeed afforded much more respite than he was. The car crossed the bridge, the water of the moat looking quite unappealing given it was frozen over. "I just hope the fool does not do anything to draw attention to us." If anything was to cause Capaldi to fall from favour, it would be bringing disgrace to SEELE. They pulled into the courtyard of the castle, several people already making their way inside. "Let's get this business over with shall we, I do detest these Christmas get-togethers." The car came to a stop and the doors were opened for them, the butler was wrapped up for the weather. "This way sir, master Lorenz is waiting for you." Charles gestured for his son to head to the main entrance, then followed the butler.
They entered through a side door, one that Charles knew would put him closer to his friend's study, the castle was at least being kept warm. A knock on the large and ostentatious oak doors and they waited, "enter," the call came from within and Charles was left on his own. Inside the room was enormous, lined with ancient-looking bookcases. On the floor was an enormous rug depicting the tree of life, and if you knew where to look, the seven-eyed mask of SEELE. He spotted Keel standing by his desk and with him, "Ah, Alfredo. I see you made it over without issue?" Charles forced himself to be pleasant, the younger man turned his head inclining slightly in greeting. He had gained weight since the pair had last met in August, then he had been quite a bit thinner. His nose was crooked, likely from some disagreement while in prison along with a small scar under his left eye. He was not as tall as his father had been, though at least he was well dressed and groomed. "The flight over was okay, a little choppy at times." Graves let out a grunt as Lorenz handed him a glass of whisky, "I was telling Alfredo just how much is riding on him now, his job is an important one." There was the hint of a grimace from Capaldi, that discussion had likely been rather firm. "I've informed Lord Lorenz that there won't be any trouble from me, I'm a reformed man."
For some reason, Graves found he did not believe the man at all. Alfredo had been notoriously vindictive as a Mafia soldier, now he was the boss of what was formerly the Bonano family. A glance at his friend told him Lorenz doubted the younger man's honesty, however, he would be offered the chance to prove himself to SEELE. "At any rate, I understand I am to assist in the acquisition of cash for the organization." That much was at least true, SEELE would need vast wealth at its disposal if the project was to be realized. A toast was made to each other's health and the prosperity of SEELE, Capaldi made his way out to the main hall at Keel's request. Once the door was shut Lorenz sat down swearing, "that pompous little ass, if not for his father's memory I would not let him anywhere near our operations." Charles let out a sigh as he contemplated the issue, "we can keep him monitored, if he steps out of line he can be replaced by someone less… problematic." Lorenz nodded pulling out a schematic onto his desk, it was a design for what they intended for the cavern in Japan. "The Black Moon is stimulating plant growth, even underground." Graves marvelled at this; if they could find a way to direct sunlight into the cavern. "It will become a Geo Front, a shelter for mankind, and the cradle of our rebirth." Charles nodded, it was but a matter of keeping the faith.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 1973
Oak Grove Farm
West Virginia
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"You asleep?" Mari asked him in a hushed whisper, "no, too excited." They had gradually pieced together the holiday over the last few days, Santa Clause was a jolly fat man who delivered gifts to people on Christmas day. The news yesterday had covered the upcoming festivities, now they were not naïve. The likelihood of a jolly fat man coming down the chimney with gifts for them was improbable at best, yet they had humoured their hosts before bedtime. A plate of cookies and a glass of milk had been left out for this Santa Clause, along with carrots for his reindeer. Sam had shown them pictures of reindeer in a book, insisting with a twinkle in his eyes that under certain circumstances they could fly. Shinji was a little too jaded to believe something like that, yet Mari seemed truly taken with the idea, so he had decided to roll with it. As they had lain down to attempt to get to sleep, Shinji had a mental image of Pen-Pen riding a slay pulled by Buster. Misato was alongside him wearing a Santa costume, dolling out gifts to all the girls and boys, well mostly the boys. It was the Shaws excitement that was infecting them, and despite their best effort neither he nor Mari could sleep. It was like being wired up to a super battery, he just wanted to see what would happen tomorrow.
It was astonishing to think that the holiday had been abandoned, the second impact claiming yet another casualty in their own time. Then again, who could actually afford it in 2015? Whole countries were starving to provide Nerv and specifically Tokyo three with a budget, and it was barely even enough. He supposed it made sense when you considered it in that way, the world simply did not have a Christmas spirit after all that had happened. Kali snorted in her sleep, the only one of the three of them that had managed to drift off. The husky was splayed out across the bottom of the bed, her body keeping their feet warm as she did so. It was one in the morning, time dragging by in that insufferable manner it seemed to do when Kali suddenly sat up. She cocked her head and let out a low ruff, Shinji sat up stroking behind her ears but she was staring at the ceiling. Then he heard it, a barely audible jingle sound that had Mari sitting up with him. Shinji focused on straining his hearing now doing the same as the dog, another jingle, and this time he swore he heard movement on the roof. Mari was all but vibrating with excitement next to him, 'yeah definitely no sleep tonight.' Shinji mused.
Finally, this movement was punctuated by a loud call of, "Ho ho ho!" Smirking Shinji slid out of bed gesturing for Mari to stay put. He crept to the window and peered through the curtains, no sign of anything until from Sam's room came a cry. "I got him!" Well, that did it, Mari shot out of bed like a bullet from a gun and out the door. "Hoo boy, pretty sure Santa wrestling is not a national sport." Shinji peered out the room expectantly as Mari returned, holding a large red boot. "He got away," Mari grumbled, she was unable to keep a straight face however causing him to laugh. "Better luck next year, we'll set a snare on the roof." He guided her back to bed chuckling, and once laid back down he broke out the SDAT. Mari lay her head on his chest as he slid one bud into her ear, they lay listening to the music on low volume when slowly, finally they drifted off. His dreams were populated with Misato Clause, and by the time he woke up his face was wet with tears. Mari was gently stroking his hand, her face a picture of concern. "I'm ok, just a dream, really silly dream." It was as he was gathering himself that Sam peered into the room, "You know, Markus would up really early at Christmas when he was little." "Then again, he knew something you two don't."
Shinji looked at the clock and almost swore, it was half nine in the morning, "Ahh the animals!" Mari cried out as she realized they had slept in." Sam left the room chuckling to himself as they darted around in a frenzy, pulling on clothing without a thought for Amanda's rules. Downstairs and coated up he paused to look at the tree he had helped Sam bring in, Mari had aided in decorating it with shiny baubles and lights but something was different. Various parcels sat beneath the tree wrapped in gaudy paper, shaking his head he led Mari outside and they set about checking on the farm. It was already done, all of it had been sorted out for them already. A fresh layer of snow did nothing to hide the tire tracks, tracks that had not been there last night. "Huh, maybe Santa drives a car?" Mari mused playfully as they completed their checks, Shinji however had suspicions of his own. Trying not to be obvious about it he flicked a glance at the roof of the house, sure enough footprints, that had been made by someone trying not to fall off. "You head inside, be with you in a sec." Mari looked at him curiously but did as he asked. Once she was out of sight he veered around the side of the house, there he spotted more footprints and a ladder lying on its side.
Checking to make sure he was not being observed he wiped the footprints out, then carried the ladder into the barn. Task completed he retraced his footsteps and headed back inside, giving a conspiratorial wink to Sam as he entered. Mari's mouth was going a mile a minute about last night, and Shinji played along. 'As childish as it might be, it's good she's having fun.' he found himself thinking, he had already made his mind up that Christmas day was Mari's special day. A day that only got better from there, for it turned out that a sizable chunk of those gaudily wrapped parcels, were for them. He was stunned, suspecting that these gifts had been bought and paid for by the Shaws. They both received a new watch each, various articles of clothing as well. Shinji felt an odd glow as he watched Mari so enthusiastically open her presents, the girl was overjoyed with each gift no matter how small. For his part, Shinji found himself being much slower in the opening of his gifts. Even chocolates or a new pair of shoes, a book about mechanical repairs which he knew he would be reading as soon as he could. The smile both Teens gave their hosts was broad and genuine, "Arigato!" they both intoned bowing before offering out hugs.
Yet if they thought that was the last of it they were both wrong, Sam getting up and heading upstairs only to return with two large cases. Shinji knew almost instantly what the one marked for him contained, so familiar was he with its shape. As he opened it a grin split his face, a cello so incredibly like the one he had left behind. Mari was sat wide-eyed as she held her instrument, a guitar, "this is… this is too much." He found himself whispering, he pondered if Jack had seen to it they had extra money to spend? He stood up adjusting the cello's strings and then picked up the bow, closing his eyes he searched his memories for the music and then began to play. With his eyes closed, he could not see the expressions on the faces of the others, he had never been that invested in his old cello. It had been given to him to keep him occupied more than anything else, when Mari had come into his life he had barely touched the damn thing. This cello though was special, it was given from a place of caring, and as he played tears began to streak down his cheeks. He finished and wiped his eyes feeling slightly embarrassed, Amanda was also wiping her eyes with a broad affectionate smile on her face. This he realized was what family was meant to be, this truly could be home for them.
The rest of the day seemed to go past in a blur of food and celebration, Jack arriving just in time for dinner which confirmed Shinji's hypothesis. The FBI man had been the one up on the roof jingling a bell and losing a boot, Shinji remained silent on that fact. As they sat recovering from the heavy meal he had helped prepare, he helped Mari with her guitar. It would take her time to learn how to play, but he suspected it would be worthwhile. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "we need to get something for them, not fair we get all this." He nodded softly, yet he also knew that while they had been spoiled rotten, it had given the Shaws something in return, their gratitude. "Next year, we make it up to them." He whispered back, he drew her down so she had her head laying in his lap. They dozed as various Christmas movies played on the television, now and then the squeak of one of Kali's toys came from behind the couch. Shinji lost count of how many times Jack had to get up; and fish the squeaky toy out from beneath the couch. Today had been an incredible day, one he would not let himself forget as long as he lived. Shinji closed his eyes, and when he next opened them he was tucked into bed with Mari, he sleepily rolled over and drew her to him. Yes, he decided as he once more let sleep claim him, he liked Christmas.