Chapter 21: Young and Wild
"So how's our marketing VP doing? Having fun?" Leon asked in a jovial manner while assisting TED in preparing a slew of sound equipment on one of the upper floors of his family's home.
"Do you even have to ask? Mal's parties are always a smash. I was hoping to find Liv though and ask for a dance before the line gets too long" a cheerful, well dressed guest pleasantly replied.
The towering stranger was sporting a pair of black designer shades and an expensive pair of blue slacks with a matching short sleeved shirt that displayed his tattooed forearms which were covered in intricately designed flames that formed into the shapes of running wolves. He was also wearing a pair of diamond studded earrings that were slightly hidden by his long auburn hair. He was often affectionately referred to as a rock star by many of his friends due to his musical preferences and appearance but he took the title in stride.
"Easy there, Stan. Liv gets enough attention as it is and it's starting to piss us all off." Leon warned him.
"The struggles of a being a brother." his friend playfully mused. "You and Lou won't be able to watch over her forever. After the three of you complete your training, you'll likely being going in different directions."
"We'll have a way to keep an eye on her and the three of us will always be connected. We did share a womb you know." Leon joked causing Stan to laugh a little. "By the way, what's the situation with our guns?"
"The next gen models in our particle weapon series have already been completed and are being distributed to the Terminus Wolves. The Fangs are being provided with the current models and we just signed a deal with the Quarian military to equip their marines with the present variations too. Urdnot Wrex has been buying the older prototypes in bulk and outfitting the Krogan with them. I guess he liked what he saw during war. Some of our Volus investors have also been trying to convince us to open our market to the Alliance and Turian Hierarchy." Stan casually explained.
"They can keep dreaming." Leon scoffed. "Pop will never sign off on that and we won't either. Let those dipshits fumble around with the basic replicas that they reverse engineered from the Prothean's gun. We're the only ones who've taken the technology to the next level and we'll keep it that way. They can dick around with their thermal clip BS for all I care."
"No sympathy for the rest of the galaxy?"
"The Quarians are trade partners and the Krogan have always been cool with us but that's as far as our diplomatic hand is gonna extend. If anyone else wants particle weapons, they'd damn well better figure out how to make them themselves. You said it yourself, we already make enough credits selling the old stuff to the Krogan and the modern variations to the Quarians. We don't need to open our doors to the Turians or the damned Alliance." Leon heatedly explained.
"The Turian military represents a huge potential contract but we all happen to feel the same way. We need every advantage we can get in case relations between us and the Council ever go awry." Stan amicably explained. "You're actually thinking a little bit like a leader."
"Stan, don't make me hit you." Leon humorously retorted. "And here." he promptly added before tossing him a guitar. "TED and I are about to shake this place up, you in?"
"It's been a while but sure." Stan agreed before strumming a few strings and chuckling.
"Relax, take a deep breath and ease into the shot." Nate calmly whispered while guiding the arms of a teenage partygoer as she attempted to hit an eight ball into the center pocket of a pool table they were amusing themselves with in an empty corner of the lounge.
A moment later she sent the cue ball rolling towards its intended target with a tap from her stick and sank the shot. "Yes! I did it!" she happily exclaimed.
"See? I told you it was easy. If you gave me a chance, I could teach you a lot of things before you run off to join the Blood Fangs." Nate suavely proposed.
"There's no end to that cockiness of yours, is there?" the girl joked.
"No, I'm afraid there isn't." an amused voice interjected as the charming woman to whom it belonged calmly made her way towards them. "Do me a favor and run along, Sweetie. I'd like to have a few words with our young heartbreaker here."
The girl quickly obliged while laughing, leaving Nate to face his new guest. "So Adriana, what can I do for you? Have you reconsidered my offer?"
"The apple does tend to fall in odd ways, doesn't it?" she mused. "I sometimes find it difficult to believe that you and your brothers are related. Lucas, Ray, Jordy-they're all reserved gentlemen and even Leon lacks your more brazen attributes. Are you trying to stand out?"
"You sound like Ray." Nate disdainfully responded. "I'm just being myself and be honest, you like it." he mischievously added.
"Do I?"
"Why else would you go out of your way to track me down? I'm guessing after our last little chat, that lovely dress of yours got a little damp somewhere."
"Does your mother have any idea what comes out your mouth these days?" Adriana asked, slightly taken aback by his previous comment.
"Nope, but then again my mouth has also been plenty places that she probably wouldn't approve of. I could enlighten you later if you'd like-"
"I suggest you refrain from finishing that thought, little boy. At the rate you're going, the only person you'll be amusing later is yourself. I hope your hand is warm." Adriana cut in scathingly before swiftly walking off.
"Damn, so close." Nate muttered while watching her leave.
"Not really."
"That was pitiful."
He was quickly startled by the sudden appearance of his younger twin sisters who were already standing beside him. "You have a long way to go and a lot of work to do before you'll be of any use. But I suppose we can let you slide on this one. Adriana is in a league of her own." Layla casually remarked.
"We took the liberty of sending you a few books on body language for both human and asari and how to pick up on quarian subtext through breathing patterns. But after that pathetic performance, I guess we'll have to send some specific guidelines on how to properly flirt too." Sasha added before taking a few notes on her omni-tool.
"Where the hell did you-Nevermind." Nate sighed. "I really am just a gigolo to you two, aren't I?"
"Yes and a lousy one at that. Step your game up and do it fast otherwise we won't have a reason to include you in our future plans." Layla warned him.
"Yes ma'am." Nate replied sardonically. "One more thing-" he quickly added but stopped short after noticing that his sisters had disappeared. "Did they actually learn how to cloak before I did?" he pondered incredulously. "This family really is full of monsters."
"Don't worry. You'll get to see them before the night is over, I promise. But right now their friends are gonna be hogging them." Vince assured Angelica while leading her through the pandemonium that was surging across the mansion. Leon was now performing in the center of the packed living room with TED and a mystery man who certainly looked the part of a rock musician. "Stan, figures." Vince chuckled while escorting Angelica through the crowd of frenzied teenagers.
After reaching the stairs and climbing up several floors, they finally managed to put enough distance between themselves and the concert for the commotion to slightly subside. "This is crazy." Angelica stated in a mild state of awe. "I was expecting a big celebration but this is incredible. I had no idea they were so popular." she added. "I might really miss my chance to see them."
"No you won't." Vince vowed. "We'll get them alone at some point."
Afterwards, he took her hand and led the way to a balcony to get some air but unfortunately discovered that it was already occupied, very occupied. Ray and his 'friend' Grace were in the middle of a rather passionate exchange behind a pot of lilies.
"Ray? Grace? What are you-"
"V-Vince! W-We were just, I-I should leave!" Grace stammered while adjusting her blouse and blushing in embarrassment. She then disappeared into the house leaving behind a furious Ray.
"Goddammit Vince! Of all the places you could've wandered into, you just had to stumble into our private time! Can't a guy get any privacy around here!" Ray exploded before storming off after his girl. "Grace, wait up!"
"Hi Ray, we're really sorry-"
Angelica's greeting and attempt at an apology were promptly ignored as Ray rushed past her.
"I'm gonna kick his ass later, that's a promise." Vince grumbled.
"I feel terrible, Vince. I hope we didn't embarrass them."
"They'll both be fine and I still think she's too old for him anyway." Vince replied dismissively. "Come on, I said I'd get you an audience with the evening's celebrities and I meant it." he resolutely added before leading the way back inside.
The sounds of music were still booming from the lower floors which meant that Leon was likely still on stage and surrounded by screaming admirers. Lucas was probably spending some quality time alone with Rain and Vince wasn't eager to spoil it for him especially given what he'd just experienced with Ray. He didn't have a clue where Olivia was but he was certain that she'd likely be swarmed by a bunch of overeager teenage boys, a thought that slightly annoyed him. He decided that the best course of action would be to wait until right before the big gathering in the mansion's ballroom where the triplets would be presented with their gifts and Mal would say a few words. With any luck, Angelica would be able to meet with them alone and offer her own presents instead of missing her chance entirely and being forced to leave them with Mal and Tess. For the time being they would have to find a reasonably quiet place to wait and avoid the stampedes of teenagers and young people who would be fighting tooth and nail to get good seats at the final assembly.
"Maybe we should head to the game room. I doubt anyone's there and we can pass the time with a few diversions." Vince suggested.
"You do mean games, right?" Angelica teased.
"Of course. Why Angelica, has your mind devolved into thoughts of depravity since our last encounter? I'll have to keep that in mind for later." Vince joked before being playfully shoved.
After climbing a few flights of steps and heading down a large hallway, the sounds of singing and laughing quickly met their ears as they approached the mansion's game room. They discovered why after opening the door and finding the area packed with preteens who were busy amusing themselves with videogames and surprisingly, a karaoke machine. There was a small crowd around the device cheering as a familiar little Hunter finished the final verse of an extremely old and obscure human love song.
"…Yes, I pray that you do love me too."
The applause that followed the end of the song seemed to explode all at once. "Damn Jordy, I didn't know you could sing!"
"That was amazing! You could get a recording contract if you really wanted!"
"Do a duet with me next, please!"
"I'll think about it, right now I need a break." Jordan replied in exasperation before leading his group of friends to a table full of refreshments. "When I find out who loaded that song…" he quietly complained before grabbing a bottle of water and taking a drink.
"I don't know why you're so angry. You sounded really good." Cherish assured him.
"Jordy, you and I are gonna have to have to hit the town one of these days." his friend Travis joked.
"Human females seem to appreciate the ability to harmonize vocally. That talent of yours might come in handy some day." their batarian friend, Damen agreed.
"Don't you start with me too." Jordan grumbled while his friends laughed. A moment later he noticed his older siblings standing near the doorway. "Vince? Angelica?"
"I really want to hug him Vince. Has he reached the stage where that's too embarrassing?" Angelica whispered as Jordy approached the pair with his friends.
"You probably shouldn't. Tess babies him a lot and he can't stand it." Vince warned.
"When did you guys get here?" Jordan asked after reaching them.
Throwing caution to the wind, Angelica quickly swooped in and embraced him. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."
"Yeah, I understand. I'll only make an exception for you, Angelica." Jordan replied warmly while returning the embrace.
"I'm glad that I've gotten to see at least one of you tonight. It seems like the triple threat are either being swarmed by fans or MIA." Angelica sadly remarked.
"What about Nate, Ray, Layla and Sasha?" Jordan curiously inquired.
"I suppose we could say hi."
"It has been awhile."
The Hunter twins once again appeared out of nowhere and startled everyone present with the exception of Jordan. "Did you have fun sneaking into the adult areas?" he humorously asked.
"We had fun watching Nate make an ass of himself." Layla chuckled.
"That's always a good pastime." Sasha pleasantly stated. "Hello Angelica." she cordially added after turning to face her older sister.
"It's good to see you two again. You've both gotten taller and prettier." Angelica greeted. "Layla, have you gotten any interesting messages recently?" she playfully added while thinking of her younger brother Keith. She quickly grew to regret the decision after witnessing Jordan's spastic arm waves of warning behind the twins' heads as they narrowed their eyes at her simultaneously.
"What? What?" Vince anxiously asked. "Whatever it is, she didn't mean it!" he added somewhat frantically.
"I'd watch myself if I were you. Both of you. Daddy is a dangerous man to anger." Layla ominously stated before once again disappearing along with her twin.
"You really did it now." Jordan sighed. "I'll catch up with you guys later. I think I'm gonna have to protect these two while they search for Lou, Leon and Liv." he announced to his friends before turning to face Vince and Angelica. Teasing the Hunter twins, playfully or otherwise was always a bad idea.
"What's wrong?" Rain quietly asked while laying across the expansive rooftop of the mansion with Lucas as the sounds of partying continued to echo below.
The roof was actually one of the few areas that was vacant at the moment but that would likely change as the celebrations elsewhere grew more hyper. But for the moment, they were alone and peacefully staring into the neon displays that were dotting the sky above the Hunter Mansion while holding each other.
"Nothing much, just thinking." Lucas casually replied.
"About what?"
"Us, the family business, my brothers and sisters, basically all the usual stuff." Lucas explained. "I spoke to Adriana earlier. Apparently, they all want me to take the lead once Dad steps down."
"That's good, isn't it? You'd be a fantastic leader." Rain assured him.
"I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility Rain. I'm just a merc." Lucas replied, instantly causing her to laugh.
"You and Mal should really have a talk." she urged in between chuckles.
"We will but right now my only plans involve finishing my training, getting a ship with a crew and scooping you up the minute you finish your own instruction." he earnestly stated while gazing at her. "I should probably get in as much work as I can before you join me though. I foresee a significant drop in my output once you're aboard." he joked before kissing her.
"Is that so? Aren't you being a little overconfident? I still haven't accepted your invitation." Rain teased after they parted. "I think I might need a bit more convincing." she whispered seductively.
"Damn, it's almost time for us to meet up in the ballroom!" Leon shouted while dancing with his girlfriend, Keiko, who'd joined him on stage where he was still performing. "Stan, can you and TED keep up the pace while I go get changed?"
"Do what you have to, Leon. I've got this covered." Stan assured him before electrifying the crowd with an impressive riff on his guitar.
"Showoff," Leon chuckled. "I'll catch up with you later." he quickly added while kissing Keiko. "You'd better." she responded after promptly pulling him back for another kiss before he departed.
As he raced past crowds of cheering friends and acquaintances, he immediately noticed that he'd received a hastily written message from his older brother on his omni-tool. "Geez, Lou. Well, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing if I were in your shoes." he humorously stated before laughing. "I guess we're gonna be running a little late."
"Liv, I'm just asking that you be more careful." Rabbit coolly stated while lounging in a chair by the colossal indoor pool inside yet another recreation area of the Hunter Mansion.
The soft hum of electronica was playing in the background and several soft, white lights were illuminating the room and casting shadows from several large and unconscious figures. The immobile young men who were lying on the floor beside the pool had made two unfortunate mistakes, flirting with Olivia Hunter in the presence of her most ardent bodyguard and picking a fight with him to top it all off.
"I could've handled them, Rabbit. But I will admit to getting a good laugh from watching you take out three superhumans with a stun baton and a pyjak plushy." she joked while splashing in the pool with a small group of her friends and a mischievous asari cousin.
"A rabbit who slays giants. You're a curious one, aren't you?" Zel'me mused.
"You know it sexy." Rabbit casually responded before popping a pair of shades on and watching the frolicking young women with a smile. "This rabbit happens to slay other things too."
His latter remark caused several giggles to erupt among Olivia's friends while Zel'me continued to observe him. "You put on a strong front and hide your emotions well. If it makes you feel any better, I'll cheer for you Mister Rabbit." she said in an uncharacteristically sympathetic tone.
"It's nice to see you're still playing to your strengths." a mysterious figure suddenly commented lazily from the shadows before releasing a yawn while sitting up in the chair he was occupying on the other side of the pool.
"How long have you been here, Dylan?" Rabbit calmly asked, completely unfazed by the mystery man's unexpected appearance. "And why aren't you off somewhere kissing Vince's ass?"
"Easy little man. I'm not looking to rile you up so I suggest you return the favor." the stranger warned him. "I was in here napping long before you guys showed up. You're not the only one who's good at concealing his presence without cloaking. I could've actually joined your outfit if I wanted. Mal gave me a carte blanche to join any division I wanted after I finished my training."
"Well aren't you special?" Rabbit scoffed.
"This attitude of yours is starting to get old, little man." Dylan replied dully before getting to his feet and stretching. "Maybe it's about time you stopped taking your frustrations out on me and Vince."
"What's the deal with you two? And what does Vince have to do with anything? Do you have a problem with each other?" Olivia asked in confusion, peaking her friends' curiosity.
"Something like that." Rabbit replied sternly while glaring at Dylan across the pool who simply smiled back at him.
"You want my advice, little man? Let. It. Go." Dylan slowly advised before taking a stroll past the pool and smiling at the gaggle of teenage girls who were eyeing him. "I don't suppose any of you have turned eighteen yet?" he playfully inquired causing Olivia to irritably splash him.
"Keep walking skirt chaser before I tell Adriana on you." she threatened.
"Whatever you say, Your Highness." Dylan replied in a laid-back manner before bowing and continuing on his way.
After reaching the entrance to the pool room, he almost bumped into another Hunter heir. "Hey Dylan." Leon casually greeted. "Is my sister down here?"
"Yup and looking pretty good too. She and her lovely friends are busy playing in the pool." he responded in a nonchalant manner while nodding in Olivia's direction. "Shouldn't the three of you be getting ready? Mal's already sent out the messages and everyone's probably making their way to the ballroom by now."
"Yeah, well, we uh, we're probably gonna be a little late. Lou is kinda preoccupied at the moment and-"
"Say no more." Dylan quickly interrupted. "If I were Lou, I'd be running late myself, especially if I had a hottie like Rain."
"I figured Liv and I could get changed now and meet up with him to bring his suit before the big ceremony so he could do the same. Mom and Dad won't be too annoyed and Nate can keep the crowd amused until we get there." Leon explained.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Dylan leisurely replied before taking a moment to check the other messages on his omni-tool. "Well, things just keep getting more and more interesting."
"Why do you say that?"
"Apparently your big sister is here and she's with Vince and Jordy. Right now, they're all trying to find you." Dylan explained. "Vince always did know when to send a message at exactly the right time."
"Damn it." Leon muttered.
"Problem?"
"Not really or at least it shouldn't be." Leon replied in exasperation before sighing. "Why couldn't she have found us before meeting up with Vince?" he desperately pondered. "Alright, alright. I guess we'll just have to rendezvous with each other. We'll definitely get swarmed again after the gift giving and I doubt Angelica can stay the night with her schedule. And knowing her, she probably really wants to see us before we leave."
"It's tough being caught in the middle, isn't it?" Dylan wisely surmised.
"You bet your ass it is." Leon wearily replied. "I guess we'd better hurry up and get this over with. The sooner we get it out of the way, the better. Sorry for making it sound so burdensome, Angelica." he quietly lamented.