In Dreams [All Company]

[Avian Morrison]

In the night you’ll hear me calling
You’ll hear me calling
And in your dreams you’ll see us falling
Falling
-M83 and Susanne Sundfør, “Oblivion”

8 October 2014, 8 PM
Monet Ballroom, Bellagio
Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
Outfit

Aside from the attendants, Avian was the first person to enter the room. She had rented the Monet Ballroom in Las Vegas’ Bellagio for a special event. The Company was large, after all, and she wanted to get to know as many of her agents as she could. Being a new face to them, she was sure they would feel dubious regarding her leadership, which was part of the reason behind this get-together. The other part was for the agents to get to know each other, as some new faces and some older ones had joined their ranks. Additionally, Helena Rahal had been named co-director along with Avian, so this would be a chance for the others to adjust to Helena’s authority.

The night was a warm one, at eighty-two degrees. Avian was glad for that. It gave her the opportunity to wear a dress she seldom had the occasion to use, but that looked wonderful on her. The blue heart-necked evening dress displayed every curve of her “plus-size” frame. A touch of silver and diamanté here and there added to the look, and a sheer silk-chiffon shawl was wrapped over her back and wound around her upper arms. Surprisingly, that scarf was the most expensive item she had chosen for the evening. It had been a present to her from her mothers.

The Monet Ballroom had four separate rooms, all of which opened onto a patio that overlooked the pools and courtyards below. It was a stunning sight, especially on a night like this one, with the sky mostly clear and the Strip all lit up. Avian paused for a moment to enjoy the view, then left to examine the four rooms. She had taken all four, for privacy and by design.

The first room was the one through which the guests would enter. Here would be a welcoming array of soft lights and chilled champagne. The second room had various fingers, such as cookies and sandwiches and fruits. The fourth room was the one with the music; there was enough room to dance and a small chamber orchestra in the corner, as well as a bar.. The third room was the one in which they would hold the official discussion, with a podium set up and chairs and tables available.

She moved to the entrance to receive the agents, ready to introduce herself as they entered. This would need more of a personal touch.

[Alice Taylor]

"Mother, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Alice had been travelling a lot lately, be it for work or for defending the nation. This would be the first time she flew on a plane with her daughter. Everywhere she had went lately had been filled with danger, with the last incursion robbing Alice of a very dear friend. Why was she left guarding a building that was in no danger whatsoever? Had she known Kilvayne's lot occupied the White House, Alice would have hurried down to the battle against the terrorist known as Lilith, and maybe... just maybe... there was something she could have done to change the outcome.

The thought of Sparrow and the other that lost their lives in D.C. that day still saddened Alice, but as the young woman exited the limousine that brought her to the entrance of the Bellagio, baby Sharon softly sighed in her mother's arms while shifting her tiny body about to find a comfortable position, Alice smiled gently. Through the sacrifices of countless brave souls, this nation was retooled under strong and proper leadership, bringing forth peace and security across the land. This beautiful country was where Sharon would get to grow up in, free from discrimination regardless if she was a special or a civilian.

One world, one heart, Alice thought to herself, and kissed her daughter on the forehead before heading up to the Monet Ballroom.

It had been a long time since Alice had been to a formal event, and she was dressed for the occasion, even if people would laugh at her. Not to be outdone, Sharon also had a pretty fancy dress herself. Her daughter liked Frozen, and Alice still had enough Hollywood connections with costume designers to have the gowns made. As Alice walked, a figure unseen by others accompanied her. She was about as tall as Alice, with long and wavy brunette hair in the same shade as Charlie Baker's, but the dazzling bluish-green eyes were definitely from Alice. The way this illusionary woman smiled was every bit like her mother. Having their minds linked, Alice and Sharon often conversed in this manner, where Sharon took on a projection of herself as a grown up so Alice would feel comfortable speaking to her in a manner other the one you would use with a 15-month old baby girl. Alice still wondered why Sharon would choose to look older than her mother. The projected Sharon still dressed like Princess Anna.

"Mother, what would your peers say about you, knowing that I am--" Before illusion Sharon could express her concern, Alice hugged the real Sharon, giving her a light squeeze. Baby Sharon grinned and closed her eyes, feeling the warmth from Alice. The illusion mirrored the expression as she kept pace with Alice.

"What they say about me is not important. What I need them to know is that I am not ashamed of you, and that Dad and I love you, and always will." With that said, the illusion of Sharon faded away into a puff of white smoke before disappearing completely, just as Alice made her way to the room entrance where she had spotted her new boss.

"Good evening, Director Morrison. Finally we meet face to face." said Alice cheerfully with that famous movie smile, extending her left hand out to Avian, her right arm occupied with carrying her child. Sharon also peaked over at the woman, but made no sounds nor showed any expression.

[Helena Rahal]

We always start with good intentions,
But we lose ourselves along the way.
This is the time that we let it go.

A ball had not been her ideal scenario for her first address to the agents at her command as their new Director. Though if that scenario was to be before giving them orders or a state of the agency... well perhaps she would not have hid the opportunity to give herself a moment alone. It had been months since the incident with Lillith and yet it still felt like yesterday for Helena, feeling the power that the woman could command. Then learning that Sparrow... dearest Sparrow had so valiantly tried to stop her, only to...

Months had eased the feel of loss into something more dull but present, Sparrow had always been more than just another agent. The woman had been her friend and pulled her through some rather tough times in her life, when it seemed like Helena had found herself in a whirlpool. Now she was gone, gone because she had done her duty faithfully to the very end, trying to protect the nation from that monster. She was one of many who had given their lives that day... some of which had moved on to the hereafter because of Helena's own actions.

Forward was the way though, the past only served to bog one down and served as no true north star. The needle on the compass pointed forward, to whatever it was the laid on the horizon, the past was only there to be learned from, not determine the course of events. Perhaps a ball was the ideal scenario then, to cast off the cloak of burdens past and take the dance to a new day without that added weight, light on ones feet.

Helena had decided to dress fairly formal for the event, opting for a purple ensemble rather than something more she fancied like green. There was something amusing about the fact that her entire outfit was only the cost of one tenth of the clutch that she had brought with her. Not that money was ever an issue for Helena, the Rahal-Soler fortunes were vast and ever growing. It was remarkable how the right networks and promising ventures had seen Vital grow from a small fish in the large ocean, to one of the alpha predators. The twins would never want for anything...

Vegas was warm but it was contrasted by the cool ensembles of both Helena's codirector and one of her agents. Avian and Alice had both opted cool blue colors, the former in the guise of one of the characters from some recent film. Helena wondered what Alice was feeling right now, Sparrow had been a friend to her as well, and she to had been in D.C. during that history changing day. Whatever she was feeling, her guest was rather content, with the warm smile that filled their faces. It was most... intriguing.

"An unseasonably warm day, reminds me of home, though without the nagging humidity." Helena smiled with a bit of joy as she came up to the pair, wondering how many of the agents would show up for the event. Would any of those who had been undercover, would any of those who were presumed missing might show? More importantly, how would the agency take to their new Directors?

[Marcus Grant]

Dreams of earthquakes. Dreams of hurricanes.
Dreams of pouring rain. Dreams of tidal waves
To wash us all away. Dreams of guns blazed.
Dreams of fire rage. Dreams of swollen graves.
Dreams of hollow pain. All gone.

Marcus Grant had barely survived the battle in Kingston, and his recovery dragged on for months. Wounds to heal, traumas to heal. He had been through it before, in his prior experience as a combat veteran. He had seen the devastation of war before, but that did nothing to make it easier this time. He saw an innocent girl turned into a weapon. On the twenty four hour news networks he had seen that same girl die. He also mourned for his fellow agent in the Company who had lost her life to Lilith's onslaught. Sparrow had been recruited by him, and he felt responsible for her being in that place. She should have been a million miles away. He would have been there, if his injuries hadn't kept him out of commission for the battle. So many things had gone wrong. So many mistakes. The former government had paid the ultimate price for those many errors. The world had a new most powerful man in it, and his name was Lucius Kilvayne.

Marcus was unsurprised at how that had turned out, he had to admit. It was a possibility that had long troubled him, that a special with the right network of allies could perform a coup of this nature. He was uncertain of how the world would fare under the control of this man who had so quickly risen from the head of a multinational corporation's Pharmaceuticals division, to being that company's CEO and acquiring two unrelated firms, one of which was a competitor and the center of some controversy in its own right. And his road brought him to the Oval Office of all places. Somehow. It was quite an insane trajectory. This was the nature of their times, he mused. Adapt or die.

Marcus sighed, reflecting that the non-special element of society never had a real chance to win this war they were so eager for. He wanted to defend the powerless initially, but his own tragedies had shown the futility of that. Peace was clearly going to be dictated entirely by the Specials and their chosen ones.

He noticed Alice Taylor and Helena Rahal had arrived before he did, and had already greeted their new management. Well, Helena was part of the new management technically. Marcus nodded to Alice and Helena, who were probably surprised he even showed up, he supposed. He was a Company man, to the bitter end. There had been many changes in what direction this organization would take over the years, and this would be no different. Harper was gone, and so was Rook. Those that remained of the Old Guard would hopefully be able to influence positively whatever new recruits Avian's leadership would bring into the mix. Hopefully. New recruits were always something to reserve judgement on.

"Hello, Director," Marcus said cautiously, " I am Marcus Grant, and I want you to know that I intend to remain with this organization in spite of everything that has happened this year. I have some misgivings, but tonight is not the time for that, I should think. We are here for pleasantries, I understand."

[Avian Morrison]

The first agent to approach Avian was Alice Taylor. Avian recognized her not only from her Company files, but also from her role in several movies. The first had been Ascension, which had starred stuntwoman and former Company agent Sparrow Akiyama. Avian knew that Sparrow had died trying to defend their nation’s capital from being destroyed by the woman who had called herself Death, and that the death had shaken many Company agents to the core, but especially Alice. Avian had set up a grief counseling service through the Jung Facility, but was not sure how many of her agents were taking advantage of it, as Jung had accepted the commission only on the basis that the agents remain anonymous to each other… among other terms. Nevertheless, the program was there, and the Jung Facility was the best psychological facility in the nation, not to mention their excellent work in the medical field.

Alice had brought her daughter, Sharon, with her. Avian had heard that Sharon was an exceptionally well-behaved child, and that seemed to be the case here, with such unfamiliar surroundings and people around her. “Good evening, Agent Taylor,” Avian said pleasantly, shaking the young woman’s hand with her own left hand. “It’s a pleasure. I take it this is Sharon.” Avian peered down at the baby. “She’s beautiful.” Avian gave Sharon a smile, then looked back up to Alice. “Please, make yourself comfortable. More agents are on their way; there will be plenty of socializing to do.”

Helena joined them then, commenting cheerfully on the weather. She, too, Avian knew, had been deeply hurt by Sparrow’s passing. Avian had to admire the woman’s strength. Avian had nothing against Helena, really. They just clashed for some reason. No, Avian corrected herself, she knew exactly why Helena did not like her. It was Avian’s past, or, rather, Avian’s apparent lack of one. Connections had ensured that Avian Morrison started with a clean slate. Otherwise… Avian was certain she would not be where she was now.

“Director Rahal. Welcome.” Avian gave her a smile that was a little thin. “You are right, the weather is odd this evening. But it gave me an excuse to wear this dress, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain.” Avian brushed her hands along her dress and chuckled. She turned to Alice then. “You both look wonderful tonight. As does little Sharon.” She gave a little nod as another agent entered.

This was Marcus Grant, a man who had been on leave for some time yet still managed to keep abreast of the changes within the Company. This was another agent who had connections to Agent Akiyama - Agent Grant had trained her, and also seemed quite distraught, according to reports, over their loss of her. This might turn out to be a more somber occasion than Avian had expected. Then again, Sparrow had been popular and much loved within the Company, and even by the public due to her work in the film and video game industries.

“I did hope for us to have a bit of cheer tonight, but please, come to my office anytime and we will discuss your concerns.” She gave him a slight smile. “And I am glad to hear of your devotion to the Company, as is Director Rahal, I’m sure.” She briefly turned to her co-director with a smile, then turned back to Marcus. “You three,” she said, including Helena, “are some of the Company’s most seasoned agents, so I would think you have at least crossed paths. Tell me a bit about your relations.”

[Helena Rahal]

This is the world we live in
These are the lands we were given.
Stand up and lets start showing
Just where our lives are going to

"An excuse to wear something that flatters you so should always be taken I'd say. We are allowed ourselves some little pleasures whenever they present themselves." Life was too short to pass them up, Lillith had put a very solid emphasis on that. Too much had passed Helena by because she was caught up in the now and not enjoying life, that needed to stop. Her wife, her children, she needed to let life be now and then, to enjoy the little things. "And thank you kindly, you are looking marvelous tonight as well, the both of you."

Helena noticed as one of the more senior agents moved towards their collective group. It was none other than Marcus Grant, another who had suffered great tragedies in their time, though Helena was not entirely sure Marcus had come out from under the despair such events brought. Neither had she honestly, yet she knew how to wear the masks of strength and stability when need be, though women were inherently better to mask their lingering wounds Helena believed.

Helena was content to hear that Marcus was as loyal as ever, even if there were things he was uncomfortable about. Of all the agents that remained, he was the closest to Director Harper and was a good friend of Rook as well. Helena was sure that their M.I.A. status did not sit well at all with Marcus. Perhaps as things truly began to settle down, they could once more put in some resources into trying to track down those who were missing. Maybe it would come up with nothing, maybe they would find their missing friends and agents, the rewords were worth such allocation of resources.

"Director Morrison is right, your loyalty is to be commended." Helena was about to go on when Avian surprised her with her next inquiry. It made Helena pause as she thought about all of the time she spent with Alice both as an agent of the Company and their more personal affairs. That had ended in a very bad way and had strained their relationship for a time, though all things that begin end as well. They were cordial if a bit distant these days.

"I've performed a handful of missions with agent Taylor and have had some run ins outside of Company affairs, including the event that ultimately brought me to the Company. Agent Taylor is very adept at handling herself in an evolving situation. I can't recall a mission with agent Grant however, though we were typically stationed at different locations if memory serves."

[Marcus Grant]

It's been years since anyone could be a friend
It's the fear that kills the feeling in the end
Can we face it? Can we shape it? Can we really die?
If Rain Is What You Want...
All you have to do is close your eyes

“I did hope for us to have a bit of cheer tonight, but please, come to my office anytime and we will discuss your concerns.”

Marcus nodded. He was not one to let his mood bring others down if he could help it. The various forms of loss he had dealt with in his life had built up to the point where coping was all he ever did.

“And I am glad to hear of your devotion to the Company, as is Director Rahal, I’m sure."

Devotion was not what he had for the Company. He had devotion for Ania. He had devotion to his family. He had devotion to his country, to ideals for a better future. But all of that was gone. What he had was a survival instinct. A new world had been made, and he was going to find a place in it regardless of what had come before. He had the potential for devotion when it came to the Company. It had to hold up its end of the bargain, first. New management could be a good thing, he had to admit. It could also be a bad thing.

"Director Morrison is right, your loyalty is to be commended."

"Thank you," Marcus said to both women, " I have to keep myself busy somehow."


He offered a smile with his words. There was enough to celebrate, he supposed. That the Company could even try to reforge itself in the new world was a victory he hadn't hoped for. Those in power now must have seen a use for it. Maybe the goals of those people and the Company were not so different. The jury was still out on whether that was comforting or not, Marcus decided.

“You three,”

Marcus noticed the way that Avian deliberately took an interest in the agents who had been involved in so much of the changes in the Company and had been through a lot of their own turmoil and life changing crises as well. She had the makings of a good leader, it seemed.

“are some of the Company’s most seasoned agents, so I would think you have at least crossed paths. Tell me a bit about your relations.”

"I've performed a handful of missions with agent Taylor and have had some run ins outside of Company affairs, including the event that ultimately brought me to the Company. Agent Taylor is very adept at handling herself in an evolving situation. I can't recall a mission with agent Grant however, though we were typically stationed at different locations if memory serves."

Marcus breathed in, as Helena spoke. He wasn't sure how much Avian knew about his...relations to fellow agents but he had to at least put it out there, he thought.

"I fell in love with someone in the ranks," Marcus said, " I know that is a violation of policy but Directors Harper and Keaton didn't do anything about it. Rook and I held up the fort for a while, so I suppose I technically misused that power. If you want to take disciplinary action against me, I understand."