Starting Over
The Embraer Lineage 1000 cruised along smoothly at just under 40,000 feet. Other than the two human flight staff the large liner had only three occupants on its long flight from London to Nachton. Inside the private cabin, the blonde lay on her back, staring at the ceiling silently. Hands folded to rest at her slender waist, long legs clad in a soft second skin of faded black denim with her ankles crossed. The heavy black smartwatch at her wrist vibrated and broke her concentration. Golden eyes flicked down as she lifted her arm and read the status update from the captain. With a soft sigh, she plucked out one earbud and the haunting orchestral notes of Tchaikovsky's Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty Ballet filling the small cabin. She rose in a single fluid motion, swinging her legs over and down as she sat up. At almost six feet tall she was still comfortable and able to stretch languidly thanks to the jet's extra tall ceiling height. It took only seconds to slip her feet into the recently discarded black leather combat boots from Chanel there beside the bed. With their subtle pearl accents, they walked the fine line of rough and elegant like their wearer.
Exiting the cabin she walked into the TV area and paused to eye her cousin. The petite redhead was slouched back and busy balancing a small throwing dagger on the tip of her finger while watching one of the original Evil Dead movies for what must be the millionth time. Pale blue eyes flicked over to the blonde and she nodded when the blonde held up a hand indicating 5 minutes before their approach.
Continuing on through the plane she sat down in one of the seats to get comfortable and stared over at the last occupant. A brunette version of the redhead she'd just passed, this cousin sat staring out the window as she twirled the platinum band on her ring finger. With a soft sigh, blonde brows drew together as she studied the shorter woman.
She jerked and glowered as a large black tomcat leaped up onto the back of her chair and used her shoulder as a stepping stone to leap down onto her knee then spring across to the seat holding an open cat carrier the blonde was now leaning over to secure. Scrambling behind him mewing loudly was a second smaller feline with a silvery gray coat. The two hissed at one another before the blonde growled softly and they both disappeared into their travel carrier silently. A soft ding went through the cabin and she reached down to secure the seat's lapbelt into place with a click. Through the open windows she could see a city spread out below them now, lights dancing in the summer night air.
Behind her, she heard her cousin and sister settling in for a landing. Reaching down to secure her own belt she realized it had never been undone since take off. She let her hand drop down into her lap, the other lowering to lay along the arm of the chair. Her foot began to tap in agitation, sending the metal tips of her knee-high combat boots' laces thwapping. Smoothing down the hem of the black slip dress she wore for no real reason she resisted the urge to touch her ring again.
"Final approach," the pilot said smoothly over the intercom as the plane rolled gently into position. The pair behind her shifted in their seats some and the brunette turned to look over her shoulder at them. Their eyes all met... with jaws clenched and subtle nods given they prepared for landing and whatever this latest chapter would bring them.
The driver's door opened and for a second she faltered, wondering if it would be Roger. She still remembered him well from her previous time here in Nachton. But this was a different figure who emerged. Taller, broader in build with a pleasant smile. She chided herself. It had been over a decade. Of course the human had probably either moved on or up in responsibility. He swooped in to open the driverside rear door for her and greeted her warmly.
"Good evening, Ms. DeEspionne... I'm Harry. Welcome to Nachton!"
Amber-colored eyes swept him up and down and she gave him a slight smile and nod. Leaning into the passenger space she secured the carrier and her handbag then straightened. Straightening she tugged her clingy black t-shirt back into place and retucked it securely. Without a word still, she turned to walk to the van where the driver was opening the large side slide door as the terminal staff wheeled over the first load of large steamer trunks. A black checkered print, one checked in a rich brown, and then a third with cream and brown monogrammed canvas. The sturdy luggage was elegant in its luxury but took two grown men to hoist each as they groaned under the weight of the items packed within. The blonde smirked faintly. Silks and shoes weren't nearly as heavy as the weaponry and armaments the trio also traveled with. A second load followed and only once everything was secured in the back of the van did she spin on her heel smartly and return to the limo.
"Good evening gentlemen," she slid to the side to let her twin walking down behind her with the flight crew pass. Hands clasped behind her back, Chandra rocked to her toes and back, sending her well-displayed bosom bouncing. Naturally, their eyes were drawn to it and she repressed a smirk. "Why don't we go somewhere more private," she pushed Command into those words before continuing, "and go over the cargo manifests and passports?" The taller one on the left with glasses nodded and swept his clipboard indicating where she should head as the trio walked off into the shelter of the hanger past the open rolling doors. The redhead brushed past the men and put a little extra swish in her walk so the tight leather shorts could really show off her ass. Nothing better than having them eating out of her hand before she nibbled on them for her meal.
It took longer than she liked to debrief and discuss with the pilots the girls’ plans for the jet to remain in Nachton for a few days before returning to New Orleans. While Amberelle was positive they would be welcome to stay at Helfor indefinitely, Cel wasn’t as sure of the welcome they’d receive. If there was too much scrutiny from the Elders around Gustav’s death then she wanted a way to get out of town quickly. Not that she wanted to return to New Orleans. As much as her heart ached to see the children she’d left behind the Creole knew she was not good for them to be around right now. His family was doing an excellent job if the emails from their Uncles were to be believed.
“Ma’am?” the copilot asked quietly, looking at her somewhat nervously and Cel realized she’d drifted off in her thoughts. Instead of admitting she had no idea what they’d been saying she just fixed the humans with unwavering icy blue yes, a cold sneer, and raised one eyebrow. They both shifted and finally Jensen, the pilot, nodded.
“Of course, we’ll just contact the staff at the Manor about a hotel. I shouldn’t have even asked.” Satisfied that her tactic succeeded, she simply nodded once and looked away, clearly done with the conversation. After a moment Cel looked back and sighed.
“Are we done?” Cel asked, annoyance coloring her tone. The pilots both nodded quickly and excused themselves. Swirling on one foot she stalked over to the limo as she dug around in a jacket pocket to pull out an engraved silver case and slim lighter. She paused at the vehicle’s door to pluck a sweet-smelling clove from her case and lit it while the driver greeted her with a warm smile. She took a long drag and exhaled while she looked him up and down. He was hardy and strong-looking. Cel knew she could do worse for livestock. Plus low hanging easy to find fruit was about all she had the patience for recently.
“You belong to someone?” she asked casually while returning the items to their home in her beat-up leather jacket. He blinked and actually flushed a little. The corners of Cel’s mouth twitched slightly as she repressed a laugh.
“Ah.. uhmm.. No, ma’am. Not anymore.” Harry stammered out. He looked her up and down discreetly. She wasn’t as stuffy or creepy as many of the manor’s other options and while the blonde sitting in the limo was way more his type he wasn’t going to be picky. His last… owner… had moved to Europe after a long stint in Nachton and decided not to take him with. Which left him in that strange limbo and nervous around the residents.
“Huh. Well, I will keep that in mind.”
The brunette Creole actually let one corner of her lips lift in a half smile at the confusion in Harry's green eyes and she leaned against the limo, ignoring him and smoking in silence while she stared up at the night sky and watched the planes coming and going.
Several soft pings echoed in the limo as she fired off texts to Chandra. There was no response and after five minutes Amber shifted and started to scoot towards the open door when she spied movement and saw the two airport employees emerge followed by her cousin. The men looked dazed, but that was more alive than Amby had feared finding them. Snapping her fingers, she caught Cel’s attention and motioned to her approaching twin. With a quiet grunt, Celeste dropped what was left of her clove and ground out the butt under her heel before slipping inside.
From inside the limo, Amber watched quietly as Chandra signed several forms and seemed to be giving the pair instructions they nodded glassy-eyed to. When the redhead climbed in a minute later with a smug smile both women just stared at her.
“What?” Chandra asked with a slightly defiant tone, her lower lip jutting out in a pout as she glowered back and forth. “I was hungry, it was a long flight.” With a loud hmph she crossed her arms and turned to look out the window. Cel looked at Amber and shook her head softly while the blonde’s jaw clenched. Amber banged on the roof to signal the driver they were ready and Harry shut the door to the rear cabin with a soft click and slid in behind the wheel. The two cargo vans headed out followed by the limo and they began winding through the airport towards the highway.
((OOC – all out))