Day and Night
Ten
David Xanatos cut a fine figure in a tux, the off gray cloth hugging his nicely muscled body. He looked fit and capable, his brown hair neat and his beard trimmed. Through a perfect smile he noted to his companion, "I hate this garbage."
Fox Xanatos, his wife, looked amused as she stood beside him in a shimmering black dress. Her fox head tattoo didn't even draw a remark as she smiled winningly as she picked up a drink, taking a careful drink. "So why are we here?" she asked mildly.
"Public relations," David admitted, chuckling slightly.
All around them the charity luncheon was going on, this time in the great hall of Castle Wyvern itself. It was a strange and beautiful sight, to see both the ancient castle and modern business types together. Some of the men and women seemed a bit nervous, but most looked around them in awe at their surroundings.
"Don't give me that," Fox said as she drank from her sparkling water, "you could have just done a donation, instead of inviting them up here." She smirked, "Just the chance to get up here was enough to double the charity's take, I bet."
"I suppose," David admitted, scratching his chin slightly. Changing the subject he asked, "Has Demona arrived yet?"
"Dominique," Fox corrected, "don't forget. If you slip, it could make things rather hectic."
"Right, sorry," David chuckled softly. "You have to admit, I spent much longer calling her the other name," he pointed out.
"Fair enough," Fox agreed, "and no, I haven't seen her." She paused as another figure cut through the crowds, "Why did you invite Maza?"
"Elisa Maza is a very charming young woman," David said with wounded innocence. He grinned roguishly, "Plus, her being here is added security in case anything goes wrong."
"You think they'll be trouble?" Fox asked.
"You, I, Maza and Dominique are all going to be here," David noted, "and Halcyon Reynard. What do you think?"
Fox made a face as she murmured, "Point taken." She covertly touched the radio at her side that connected directly to Owen, who was watching over her and David's son.
Almost as if mentioning his name drew his Halcyon Reynard wheeled up, using a older style wheelchair pushed by his minion, Preston Vogel. The old man studied them both intently, then looked at David thoughtfully, "So what's your scheme this time?"
"I'm surrounded by people who think the worst of me," David sighed dramatically. "My scheme is making the charity some money."
"We think the worst with good cause," Halcyon noted, pointing at him with a wizened finger. A slight smile tugged on his lips, "Thank you for letting me see my grandson."
"He likes you," David shrugged casually.
Fox smiled warmly as she bent down and hugged him warmly. "It's good to see you, Daddy," she told the old man warmly.
"You too," Halcyon agreed with a sigh.
"Well," David looked over at Preston Vogel calmly, taking in the almost wooden minion, "burned any forests down this week?"
Preston gave David a disapproving look, "That was a unfortunate laps of judgment on my part, but Mr. Renard has forgiven me."
"Luckily," David smiled coldly, "it's only his protection that's saving you."
Tilting his head sideways Preston noted, "I do not fear the Inca Gargoyles."
David smiled coldly as he said, "It's not them you should be scared of, it's Demona."
Fox pulled away from her father then calmly elbowed her husband in the ribs. "Kindly stop scaring Preston," Fox said seriously, "Demona has turned over a new leaf." She paused, "Well, mostly, She still beats criminals bloody..."
"Fox," David chided, fighting back a smile as Preston went even more pale.
"I'll see you later," Halcyon chuckled softly as he made Preston push him off to another part of the busy party.
"You really hate him don't you?" Fox asked, nodding towards Preston.
David hesitated, making sure there was no one near enough to hear. "I do," he admitted, "because he's so petty in his villainy. He'll do anything, but just for... profit."
Fox looked at David, and was once again struck by how much he had changed since they first met. While following a code of sorts he had started out as cold and ruthless as Preston. Now, though, he was a man who valued friends and allies, kept his word yet was still as dangerous as he ever was. It was a hell of a transformation.
"What?" David noticed her gaze, "Do I have something on my shirt?"
"No, you look fine," Fox reassured him, taking his arm. She swept the crowd with her eyes, then noticed a familiar figure, "Look who's here."
The attractive redhead known as Dominique Destine struck quite a figure in a black tuxedo, one tailored to her attractive form. Beside her a slightly less attractive but still beautiful woman followed her, the blond dressed in a slinky little dress that left very little to the imagination.
"That's young Miss Savarius," Fox noted quietly, "I didn't realize they were quite that close."
"Either way," David noted thoughtfully, "it's a interesting development."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Oh my god," Alicia breathed out as the younger woman looked around her in awe, "Xanatos really put a castle up here?"
"He did," Dominique agreed, "moved it stone by stone from Scotland and had it rebuilt atop Xanatos tower, not to mention figuring out how to reinforce the tower to keep it from falling. It was a incredible feat for the company."
And then a voice declared, "And one we couldn't have managed without you."
Dominique narrowed her eyes as David Xanatos strode over, then calmed her expression as Alicia looked at her in confusion. "You exaggerate, David," she said smoothly. Looking over at Alicia she quickly improvised, "I simply consulted with Xanatos Enterprises on the project, as you know I'm deeply interested in antiquities."
"It's good to see you, Dominique," Fox smiled slightly as they shook hands, "I'm glad you were able to come."
"Thank you for the invitation," Dominique answered warmly. "David, I don't know if you've met my date, Alicia?"
"It's a honor," David took Alicia's hand, then brought it to his lips for a kiss. "You are lovelier than a rogue like Dominique deserves," he smiled.
"Thank you," Alicia blushed sweetly as she drew her hand back and said, "but I'm quite happy with Ms. Destine."
"Well said," David nodded briskly. He smiled, "If you wish, I could give you both a tour later."
"Let us look around a bit on our own first," Dominique told him, giving David a not-quite-mock glare, "we'll see you later."
"I'll look forward to it," Fox smiled as they moved off to mingle.
Alicia stayed close as they moved through the rich and famous of New York, nodding to Mayor and Governor, the Chief of Police and others. "Everyone seems to know you," she noted quietly.
"Casually," Dominique admitted as they walked through the great hall, admiring the stained glass and sculptures, "I've had to learn to maintain such connections for the business, but I can't say I enjoy it much."
"Too insincere?" Alicia asked curiously.
"Something like that," Dominique agreed as they went out the open doors at one and of the hall, and out to the exterior of the castle. A great stone wall rose up on one side and a protective outer barrier circled the castle, leaving a walkway they could follow.
The afternoon sun splashed on the stone, coloring it rose and gold, even as it danced along the stone gargoyles outside. The figures were almost frightening, especially the tallest one in the thinker pose, but they were also quite beautiful.
"They're incredible," Alicia breathed out, her eyes wide with delight.
"That they are," Dominique agreed, looking at Goliath's sleeping form with a odd pang. Standing there she suddenly wanted to tell Alicia everything, reveal all her secrets to this sweet innocent who walked beside her.
"You have the oddest look on your face," Alicia noted, concern in her voice.
"I...," Dominique started, then a voice rang out from behind them.
"I did not expect to see you here, Dominique," the faintly accented voice said, a man who by the sound of it was holding back irritation.
With the experience of centuries Dominique spun around, even as she tugged and pushed Alicia behind her. "Wha...!" Alicia yelped, holding onto Dominique's arm.
Dominique glared at the older man, his beard streaked with gray yet still looking as tough and vital as ever. "Macbeth," she growled out, teeth flashing. 'Damn you Xanatos, you KNEW he would be here and didn't tell me!' she thought.
Macbeth looked good in a suit, a older styled one that suited him well. He raised his eyebrows at the woman that Dominique was protecting, then studied the redhead thoughtfully. "I know we parted on bad terms, but it wasn't that bad," he joked, covering up their conflict in front of a outsider.
Dominique relaxed just a bit, glad he wasn't airing gargoyle business in front of a innocent. "Sorry," she relaxed just a bit, "I guess I overreacted."
"I guess so," Alicia noted, keeping a wary eye on the older man. She trusted her boss, clearly, as she asked, "Dominique said your name was... Macbeth?"
"Lennox Macbeth," he bowed slightly, his expression apologetic as he said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have surprised you that way."
"You nearly started something dangerous, I think," Alicia pointed out.
"True enough," Macbeth noted. He backed away slightly, "I'll leave you alone, ladies, though I hope Dominique will not object to my catching up later." With that he turned and walked away, bearing proud and steps determined.
"That was interesting," Alicia noted after a moment. "Are all your friends like this?"
Dominique had to grin at Alicia's slightly mocking tone. "A few, yes," she admitted, "I know a few... unusual people."
"Well," Alicia stepped close to her and smiled, "lead on, MacDuff."
"It's lay on, but that's fine," Dominique chuckled as she took Alicia's arm, the two walking back to the main hall together. "Let's hope this lunch goes better..."
"Famous last words?" Alicia quipped, and the two headed in.
To be continued...