Six Months Later - A Return To Public Life

[hellfire_child]

A Lifetime Ago

Sebastian Shaw was dead. It was over. It was... it was finally over.

It was time.

The dust hadn't even had time to settle before Alistaire invoked his authority as the Black King and called the Inner Circle to order. Once everyone was assembled and the usual formalities were out of the way, the Black King snapped his fingers and a Pawn brought an item draped in cloth to the center of the floor, before being dismissed.

"Lady Selene, esteemed others.. this is the end." He drew back the cloth, revealing a stark black filing box and a steel drum. "My time as the Black King, as any member of this organization is complete. I am departing peacefully, and taking nothing from your ranks or your resources for myself." He laid a hand across the lid of the box. "This was my previous way out. My... means of mutually assured destruction. Meticulous files, really. Compiled by the very best."

Another glance around the room, with eye contact in all the right places, before he let out a breath. He produced one of his favorite blades with a flick of the wrist, and smoothly cut open the box. He upended the contents into the drum, giving the exterior of the box a firm tap against the rim, before dropping it in as well. He reached into his pocket and swapped the blade for a lighter. He ignited it, then dropped it into the drum. He watched as it took a moment for the contents to ignite. The smell of burning paper, tinged with a hint of metal and plastic from clips and discs and thumb drives, wafted through the room.

Alistaire let the white noise of the fire and the furtive murmurs of the Inner Circle hang in the air for a long moment. "But I think I like this better." He signaled for the Pawn again, and the drum, still burning, was wheeled out. No sense leaving any scraps to be investigated. There were instructions to add accelerant and repeat as many times as necessary. Resurrection was too common a theme in his family to allow the information the same opportunity. "I can't honestly say I wish you all the best, but I can leave one piece of gentle advice. Something I read somewhere or other...

"'There will always be fools who believe that if a man dislikes violence and goes to great lengths to avoid it, it is a sign of weakness and vulnerability.'

"Goodbye."

Six weeks and three days ago

The courtship had been particularly public, and suitably extravagant. The wedding had everyone who mattered invited, and everyone who could be found on such 'short' notice showed up.

At the end of the day, there was a Mrs Reiko Shaw.

Six weeks ago

"I just need to cut out a few last cancers... I'm changing things going forward." He kissed his wife on the forehead. "Let me do this, and keep you out of it. I'll be back as soon as I can. If anything happens, go to my aunt."

Five weeks and one day ago

"Breaking News: Efforts were mobilized by the US Coast Guard in cooperation with neighboring national authorities today, in a search for wealthy socialite Alistaire Shaw. Shaw's ship is believed to have been destroyed in an unexpected storm while at sea. Although trace wreckage has been found so far, there has been no indication of the crew or any passengers' fate--"

Now

"Hello, Mrs Shaw? Your husband has been found. We were instructed to contact you, along with his aunt, to inform you that he's left against medical advice, and being transported directly back to Manhattan by private security. He should be arriving at your primary residence with an armed security and medical escort within the next few hours."

Comments

[midori_majutsu_shi]

Reiko actually fell into a chair when she heard the news. She bit her lip silent a few moments. "Ha, I mean I understand. I'll make sure he gets the care he needs." She didn't add 'and throttle him for scaring me', she just knew now he was coming home.

She had waited, calling his aunt when he had gone out of contact, now that he was coming home... Strangling could wait, she wanted him healthy before she ripped into him for worrying her.

Reiko toyed with the ring on her finger as she hung up, her eyes closed, thanking whatever spirit had protected her husband as she got up, intending on greeting him at the door.

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

For the most part, Alisa had remained silent and emotionless for the past six months. She would watch over Reiko and Alistaire diligently, making sure they were well protected and secure to do as they saw fit.

But when Alistaire ordered her to stay behind and watch Reiko, there was a pang of worry in such an order. Her worries were eventually justified. Now, he was found and coming home.

Alisa stood by Reiko, offering her a cup of tea as she sat back in her chair. She was dressed in a rather professional manner for a personal assistant and body guard, save for her four eyed mask she had begun to wear more and more these past months.

[midori_majutsu_shi]

Reiko blinked when she was handed the tea. She had actually forgotten that Alisa had been there!

"Gomen nasai, I am slipping... I should be more attentive." It was probably a good thing that she had taken a leave of absence at the clinic when Alistaire had disappeared. No one had questioned it, and a few of the staff had come to check on her at least. "Domo arigatou." She knew she could stay with Either Japanese or English with Alisa and it wouldn't matter, but flipping between the two was easier for her in her stressed and worried frame of mind at the moment.

Without really thinking about it she hugged Alisa tightly. "He's coming home."

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"That is good. I shall prepare security detail for Alistaire's arrival, then." She gave a nod of her head as Reiko suddenly hugged her. Alisa remained somewhat emotion-less, her four eyed mask blinking as she looked down at Reiko.

"Do not worry, you will both be well protected."

[midori_majutsu_shi]

"I'm not that worried about that Alisa. If they were going to make a move they would have when we were on our honeymoon. They wouldn't wait this long." She bit her lip a moment. "Just relieved. Sorry." She stepped back, glad she had at least been careful not to ouch exposed skin. The cybornetics still were something she couldn't deal with with her powers.

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"It is still best to have our guard up. If Alistaire is in... bad shape, his enemies may jump on that." Alisa shook her head, before giving Reiko a pat on her covered shoulder.

"Perhaps you should contact your sister-in-law? I know that the facility Alistaire was in no doubt had done so, but perhaps if you two spoke to one and other it could ease some tension and stress over his return." Her voice remained matter of fact.

"Is there anything more you need of me?"

[midori_majutsu_shi]

"If they try, they'll have to go through us." She'd fight if she had to. After all it's what she knows.

"Your right, I need to make the call." She said calmly. "No, I'll be fine. Can you tell me when they're at the gate? I'm going to make the call and grab a shower."

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"Oui, I will radio you when they reach the gates." Alisa gave a polite bow, before leaving the room. She would grab various security personal on her way, discuss where everyone should be placed, before heading outside and waiting for Alistaire's car.

[midori_majutsu_shi]

"Thank you.". Reiko snatched up the phone to make the call she was sure would be difficult. She had after all only spoken with his aunt during difficult situations.

"Tell her it's her nephew's wife. I'm inviting her over. Figure it's time we meet in person without a wedding distracting us." When she was told that Stephanie was just too busy she politely left a message telling Stephanie it was an open invatation to visit, before she hung up, understanding that Alistaire's relative was probably incredibly busy with everything involved in the family business.

Heading down to the main floor the ninja girl bit her lip, worried about what kind of shape her husband would be in when he got home.

Barbarian at the Gate

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

Alisa had arranged for some of the security staff to be well armed, and hidden from view as she made her way down to the front gates. The katana that Alistaire gave her in Japan was at her side, the sheath tied to her belt with an elegant red rope. Her mask, with it's four eyes, watched the road. She was just waiting for someone to show up.

She could only hope it was Alistaire in the car, and not someone trying to take or harm Reiko. Regardless, no chances were taken.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[hellfire_child]

In typical fashion, Alistaire made a spectacle. A convoy of black SUVs escorting an ambulance pulled up to the front of the building... only a minute before a helicopter landed atop it. A medical attendant and a heavily armed guard escorted Alistaire across the roof, while the personnel from the automobiles ensured no-one entered the building meanwhile.

Alistaire looked terrible. Where a normal person being without proper hair care or cosmetics would be just that, with Alistaire's usual obsession over appearances, it looked like he was at death's door. Not that he was feeling particularly spry, anyway. Still, something in his eyes had changed. In the way he set his shoulder. Like every edge had been ground to sharpness in a way it had never experienced before.

He's moved directly to bed once in the master suite, the medic rattling off specific instructions for the rest of his recovery period.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

For the most part, Alisa remained silent. Alistaire looked incredibly fragile and pale. Never had Alisa ever seen him appear in such a way. Had her emotions been on, she would have fretted and asked him all sorts of questions. Instead, she remained eerily silent for the time being.

It was not until she escorted him into the Master Suite and helped him into bed that she did say something.

"Is there anything you would like me to get for you?" Her head tilted to the side, the four eyes of her masking blinking in unison for a moment.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[midori_majutsu_shi]

Reiko stayed silent as she listened to the doctor. Her eyes showed she was hurting seeing Alistaire's condition.

"All of you, out. Please, I'm pretty sure I know how to take care of him." She glanced at Alisa though. "We'll need the tea in the jar on the top shelf in the fridge." She was going to wait until they were alone and ask him if he would allow her to heal him or not.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

Alisa said nothing more, she gave Reiko a nod of her head, and went to go fetch the tea that was on the top shelf of the refrigerator. She took her time, knowing that Reiko more than likely wished to speak with Alistaire in private.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[hellfire_child]

Alistaire reaches up and puts a hand to his wife's cheek, pulling her in for a long kiss. When it finally breaks, he gently leans his forehead to touch hers. "No, beloved. The time to sit and think will do me more good."

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[midori_majutsu_shi]

Rei sank to the bed next to him nodding when he spoke. "You, don't mind the company do you? I kind of want to make sure that you really are here." She trailed her hand over his arm. "Though prefer it if you did at least attempt to drink the tea. I promise that I won't heal you unless you want me to, but I'm also going to make sure you're better." She gave a small smile. "In a much better condition than the hack doctors insist is right." She leaned forward hugging him. "God I missed you. I, I've been a wreck while you were gone."

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[hellfire_child]

"Be polite, beloved. They're the best money can buy... that aren't exclusive to anyone else, at least." He gives a weak smile, stroking his fingers through her hair.

"Of course you have, I'm exceptional. But I've missed you as well." He holds her as tightly as he can manage. "I was so certain I was going to die. I felt everything slipping away. My lungs were going to burst every time I went under, and I felt like I was being hit by a car every time a wave hit me."

The corners of his mouth stretch into a rictus grin, revealing a missing tooth, courtesy of a blow to the face during the shipwreck. "I was meant to survive, Reiko. I understand that now."

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She still huffs a little, blame it on her not trusting anyone else with him or Alyssa. "Sorry, just..." She lets it drop, after all they did care for him until he came back here.

She's careful with her hug. The missing tooth has her touch his jaw lightly. "I never doubted you wouldn't come back to me." She did pull a little of his pain from him, she didn't care if he knew it. After all there was a dad that kept bringing his daughter into the clinic. She could maybe teach the bastard a lesson so he wouldn't keep pushing the kid around. Brushing that thought from her head she snuggled up against Alistaire. "Dear, you do need rest," She whispered softly. "And I'm not letting you go anywhere without me again. Hope you realize that.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[hellfire_child]

He knows. Alistaire may not have the capacity for emotion of a 'normal' person, but he knows flesh better than most, pain and pleasure alike. He shifts his jaw from side to side testingly.

"I've never thought of myself as particularly weak, but just the same, I never expected to be a shipwreck survivor. Washing up on some miserable mass of rock and birds. Not even so much as a pig to take down for food. I've had my fill of fish and waterfowl for some time.. and I can't say I recommend iguana." He looks at the roughness of his hands, as if they were someone else's body. "I suppose I should be glad I at least can manage a decent throw with a sharp rock. It was almost two weeks before anything useful from the wreck washed up." If he heard the urging for him to rest, he's ignoring it, lost in trying to recount the events.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She let him talk, staying curled around him, her soft hands folding into his.

"Then I will refrain from making sushi for us for a while." She smiled faintly already planning what she'd make for him once she felt he was ready to join her for dinner at the table. She had become decent in his time gone at making more American dishes, hopefully he'd enjoy them.

"We looked all over, I even... Pulled in favors from those who were left alive from Grandfather's men. most people told me to stop looking after the first week and no sign of you." She bit her lip. "You know I did keep insisting I should go with you, we wouldn't have been parted for so long."

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[hellfire_child]

He falls quiet again.

"Did Stephanie tell you to stop?"

There's a hint of vulnerability behind the inquiry.

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She shook her head. "It was more everyone else. Pretty sure Stephanie was doing her own search as well." She traced a pattern lightly on his chest. It was something she had found in her father's old journals, a rune for good health, that she thought looked nice.

"Alistaire, she knows you're home. I'm sure she'll come over when she can. For now, you should rest. I promise I won't leave your side alright?"

Re: Barbarian at the Gate

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

Alisa had finally made her way back with not just the tea, but the tea pot, and a hot plate as well. She moved about the room, looking for a proper spot to set it up, so Reiko could make Alistaire something to drink.

Once things were set up properly, she moved to stand by the door of the room, ever so silent, and just observing for the time being.