Chapter 3: Negotiations

June 24, 2009, Wednesday

Celeste made sure that the guest wing in the middle of hers and Frederick's was ready and prepared. Alex would be arriving shortly, and she wanted to make sure it was prepared properly. She also wanted to make sure that she changed her look. She was tired of the long hair, and decided to go with a shoulder length bob instead. She felt lighter already, and Frederick had approved of it. He said that it gave less for her opponent to work with, and if they still wanted to pull her hair they would have to get in close.

In the end, she informed Frederick that he would work as a security of sort, and keeping an eye out for this woman. Albert may have done some sort of business with her, but she never talked to the woman otherwise. However, she knew better than just too blindly trust another Wesker again. He agreed without much thought. Again, she already knew his stance on Albert. So she didn't ask for further reasoning about Alex.

She leaned against the chair in the lounging area, and Frederick was there idling eyeing some books. She figured that this was a better place to talk to Alex. All things considered she can't have everything looking like it was official. It would rise suspicious among her family. Many were already wary of her new biology. Nervous, definitely nervous. She draped her arm over the back of the chair as she crossed her legs. She was wearing a light blue silk blouse tucked into business pants.

There was a knock at the door before a tall blonde woman walked in. She wore a white dress, and white heels. Celeste cocked a brow at the sight of her, but she was dressed appropriately. "Please," Celeste began with a graceful sweep of her hand. She was almost perfect in her way of combat. She could kill her in a heartbeat if need be. "Have a seat." She said to her guest. Alex only did so after a careful glance towards Frederick, who barely acknowledge her existence.

"Body guard," she inquired as she sat.

"Bold," Celeste warned. She was not going to make the same mistake as she did with Albert. There was going to be no doubting her position in this agreement. "Now, about the sample I gave your people. Find anything interesting?" She asked. She was curious to see what she would find, especially since she had no resources of her own.

"Not quite," she admitted after a moment, however, the people I have sent to retrieve the sample held on to it for quite some time. She rose a brow, but for the most part believed what she had told her. The question in her mind that her smell wasn't quite right. She smelled… Sick. She wondered if this was a new adaptation of the virus.

"That's unfortunate," Celeste agreed after a moment. "So how are we supposed to do business?" She didn't want to waste time. She wanted to get started on her work.

"Perhaps you can get settled on my island, and we can work from there," she suggested. She wanted some home ground territory advantage.

"Your own island?" She asked as she cocked a brow.

"Yes," she nodded slowly. "I've been ruling there for quite some time now." She told her, and Celeste can detect a hint of pride.

"Your parents must be so proud," She answered rudely, with a sincere smile. Alex's face twisted in disgust for a moment, but smooth out a moment after. She wasn't as good at hiding her emotion as Albert was. However, maybe Celeste was so obvious that he did the same, and she ignored it. She sighed. "That sounds agreeable." She said at last. "However, he comes with me." She looked at Frederick who was keeping himself busy.

Alex seemed to think about it for a moment, "Very well. If it makes you feel safe. I will agree to it." Her tone did not go undetected.

"Be careful now," she warned the woman, "I'm the one who merged with Uroboros like Albert wished. My DNA is superior to both of yours." She voiced was a low purring tone.

"Of course." Alex agreed.

"Besides, I would be a fool to trust another Wesker again," she added. She learned from her mistake.

"My brother has clearly undervalue you, and underestimated you." Alex replied with a smile playing along those red lips.

"Clearly," she smiled, "Now, how do we do this?" They went into hours of discussion, and negotiation of where Celeste, and Frederick would be stationed. It was clear Alex didn't have much trust for her in return. She was going to have them near her, and they have agreed that Frederick would stay with her in her room.

Alex also made it clear that she would be the one drawing the blood from Celeste when it was time for testing, and she was hoping that she would get her own way to get past her diseased. It stinked, and it was nothing like Celeste has ever smelled before. She wondered if Alex was using her so somehow cure her of her disease.

In returned, Celeste made clear that she was in charge of the experiment conducted with her blood. In counter, Alex suggested that they both should be in charge of it. Two heads are better than one. After debate, and heated discussion about that topic alone, eventually they agreed that they should be both in charge of the operation.

July 8th 2009

By now Celeste was just as proficient in combat as Frederick, and he said he would add more training on as they went along. But now she was a force to contend with, and she was pleased with that fact alone. It wasn't very hard to convince her parents to let her visit her friend, however her grandmother was a little more difficult to convince that there was no hidden schemes.

Frederick loaded their things onto the private jet, and soon they were loading themselves onto the jet. He sat calmly looking outside of the jet watching the world underneath them. "What do you think about this agreement?" She asked him, and at this point now she trusted his opinion.

He looked up at her, and his gray-blue eyes deep in thought. "I believe that you handled it better than I thought you were going to." She rose her brow in reply. He shrugged his shoulders. "I mean no offense, but there was a very good reason why I stayed away from both of them." He said honestly. She was growing more, and more to like his deep thoughts, and well thought out sentences. In a sense their communication was more, and more becoming on a pleasant terms.

"I agree with you now," she said as the plane took off. "However, you know that this is the only way that I can learn more about my biology." She explained, and he waved his hand at her. He went silent after that again, and she sighed. Though she was now able to get somewhat of a decent conversation with the man, he still kept his thoughts to himself. After all, he was a soldier that was trained by the U.S.S., and their training was legendary.

She occupied herself with reading reports from the bloodwork she was able to manage to squeeze past the company's own security. The bloodwork was interesting to say the least, and she was sure that this would make things more peaceful between Alex, and herself. She was determined to get what she wanted from her, and leave her the way Albert left her.

Hours later, they came across a dingy island that Alex was proud to call her own. She snorted, but the further they gotten along, she realized that where she would be staying was a lot more polished than she could have hoped for. After all, what funding was Alex receiving that Lord Spencer was decease now for years?

As the airplane landed, she was able to see how was greeting them. A woman who was tall, slender, and brunette. She was wearing a pencil skirt with a white blouse tucked in. As they walked down the steps she greeted them eagerly. "Ms., Travis," she said with almost a slight bob of the head to show respect. "We are honored to have you here amongst, and Lady Alex is definitely most pleased." She said her voice cheerful, and professional. The perfect PA for the "Ruler of her own island".

"It is an honor to work with her, and see what our combined efforts will result in," Celeste answered smoothly as she ran her hand through her short hair. The woman chattered as she led them to their room. It was basically an apartment, as she gave a short tour, and when Frederick escorted her to the door she handed them two keys.

"I hope you enjoy your stay, and discover many things about yourself, and with the aid of our Lady Alex," She said at last, "Oh," she paused, and her red lips pursed for just a moment. "Lady Alex's room is right next to yours." She informed. "When you have rested, and made yourself comfortable. She would like to see you as soon as it is convenient."

"I will be sure to pay her a visit." Celeste promised, and closed the door. "Never in my life had I heard a woman talked nonstop like she did." She complained, and Frederick a smirk, and low chuckle.

"Must be annoying," he said as he checked the room for bugs, and cameras. He found none, and nodded to Celeste.

"I suppose I should visit the woman since she was so gracious to let us share this." She said as

She grabbed the folder off the table.

"I will stay here, and unpack," he told her, and she glared at him. "Just my things I promise you."

"Good," she said as she strode out, and knocked on the door, and it opened to reveal Alex in a robe with it slightly open to reveal some of her bosom.

"I'm so happy that you were made it safely," she said, "Please come in." She motioned into her own estate. She walked in wondering why Alex would present herself in such a manner.