A Quiet Arrival (Radiance)

[Jia Xin Kao]

[[Continued from The Kao Orchid]]

A private jet saw her safely into Moscow, where she was met by a chauffeur and limousine. Liyana had been correct about the hideous cold, though Jia Xin was wrapped warm against it for the short walk that saw her into the luxury of heated seats. Her people had made all the arrangements at her direction, and she felt no anxiety to be here alone, yet it was strange to be so unsurrounded. When she stepped into the hotel lobby it was with some private amusement that she observed what she considered to be ordinary life flowing all around her. Radiance was among the city’s most luxurious and expensive hotels, of course. Yet normally Jia Xin would have no need to approach the desk herself in order to check in.

She was not staying as a Kao, of course – that was the whole point of leaving all the usual fuss back at home. Not that she would be here unprotected for the duration of the business she had arranged in Moscow either, but that was for later. For now, she would acclimate to the time zone and the new and foreign city in the decadent suite reserved for her use.

[Edurne]

Edurne wasn't sure what to expect of Moscow, but it certainly wasn't the glamour. The stories she had heard of the city did not do it justice, and as Edurne stepped off of the plane and into the armoured Rolls Royce limousine, she felt that she could finally relax. Flying from Spain to Russia was only about five hours, and she had flown private after all. While she sat in the back of the vehicle, Edurne crossed one leg over the other and pulled out a cigarette- the brand being black devil. They were pure black save for a red ring around the filter, and tasted exactly like cherries. Winding the window down slightly, Edurne embraced the One Power and used a simple thread of fire to light the end of the cigarette, before releasing it and taking a drag. It was a frivolous use of the power perhaps, but the feeling that came with having the power flow through her was euphoric enough that she channeled at any given opportunity. Yet the memory of what had happened to Roshni still haunted her, and Edurne was cautious about channeling too much of the One Power at any given time.

Once they finally arrived at the hotel, Edurne stepped out of the vehicle clad in a flowing white silk dress with flared sleeves, and was dripping head to toe in gold and diamonds. Her golden hair was loose around her shoulders and down her back, and her makeup was lightly done. Entering the hotel alongside several bodyguards on her payroll, Edurne's heels clicked against the marble flooring as she made her way over to the front desk. "Ferrón Arriaga," she said simply. The woman working behind the desk, an elderly lady with wire-rimmed glasses and graying hair.

"Lady Ferrón Arriaga," the woman responded, to which Edurne nodded. She hadn't quite shrugged off every heritage that her parents had bestowed upon her, and she was technically still a part of landed gentry. The weave of compulsion she had used on her parents didn't seem to have struck them as odd, given that they wired more than a few million CDD into her new bank account. Besides, it wasn't as if they were going to miss it. They earned more than that in a few months with the amount of business and companies they owned. Shrugging her shoulders, Edurne flipped her hair over her shoulder and leant against the counter, drumming her French manicured nails against the marble.

When she was given the key to her room, the penthouse suite comprising of several floors, Edurne nodded her thanks and took the key from the woman. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a woman, not one that she recognised. When the elderly woman said that there were no bellstaff available at the moment to take her bags, Edurne raised an eyebrow. "Perdona?" She asked in Spanish, unable to believe her ears. "Are you serious?" Edurne's accent wasn't too thick, but it was definitely noticeable. "What am I supposed to do with all of my luggage?" There were several suitcases at Edurne's feet, and with a huff she briefly considered using the power to compel the old lady into carrying them herself.

[Seven]

Seven crossed the modern, resplendent lobby like a king in his court. He recalled that wild night—one filled with laughter, the haze  of intoxication, and the thrill of a night passed with Jay and two women for company. Conversations with Nox, Sage, and others had only deepened his curiosity about his dear friend Jay, who had since vanished like a wisp of smoke.

Determined, Seven strode toward the reception desk. He was not here as an employee but as a guest with a purpose. His fashionable winter wool suit and open white shirt conveyed both confidence and style, while the pair of golden sunglasses that had shielded his eyes were now looped on the pocket of his sport coat.

Behind the counter, an elderly woman was working. Her gentle features, though warm, carried an unmistakable aura of resolve. Seven suspected that beneath that kindly exterior lay the hardened spirit of someone well-versed in the power plays of Moscow—a matriarch, perhaps, to a feared lineage, or a spy planted by Radiance to watch over the lobby.

In that moment, as Seven paused before the counter—his mind rehearsing the inquiry about Jay—the murmurs of frustration reached his ears. His gaze shifted to a striking figure: a woman adorned in a flowing silk dress, gleaming in gold and diamonds, who now stood before the desk with a  vexation as she regarded a cluster of unattended luggage. The absence of bellhops was evident in the air, and her expression spoke of exasperation at the burden of her many suitcases and the impatience of waiting.

The thought stirred something within Seven—a quiet resolve to ease another’s troubles, even as his own quest for an old friend lay momentarily on hold. With a subtle smile and a hint of his distinctive Swedish lilt, he stepped forward and addressed her, “Allow me, madam, to lighten your load this evening.” As he gestured toward the elegant luggage, there was a gleam in his eye as if his offer were a double entendre.

[Edurne]

The frustration and annoyance that Edurne was experiencing melted away at the sudden appearance of a man beside her. He was blonde, handsome, and spoke with the sort of lilt that could only be described as Swedish. Returning the smile, Edurne felt the whole world fade away as she found the answer to the issue at hand. Her security turned to face him, puffing out their chests in that sort of manly manner of making oneself seem all the larger. Rolling her eyes, Edurne dismissed them with a wave of her hand, and immediately they all relaxed. The security retinue was more for defense should Edurne not be able to foresee a threat to her body, and were unable to channel the power that she could touch fast enough. Otherwise, they were wholly unnecessary. Straightening her back, Edurne tapped her nails against the marble counter once, twice, and then hummed.

"I appreciate the offer. I'm staying in the penthouse." Glancing back to the woman behind the front desk, Edurne added, "thank you for all of your help." Not that there had been much in the way of help, but manners were free. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, Edurne looked down at the various suitcases and bags that littered the ground. They were expensive in design, reliable, and filled with her most prized belongings. Staying at the Radiance Hotel was just a temporary measure until Edurne was able to find a more permanent home, but it would do for now. "Edurne." Offering her hand to shake, the Spaniard smiled as she extended herself towards the newcomer.

While Edurne got to greeting the man, her security detail began scooping up the bags and wheeling away the luggage, leaving just a small suitcase that the man would easily be able to tow. Edurne would, but she'd really rather not risk breaking a nail. That wouldn't do at all. "Are you from Moscow?" It was a valid question, but one that Edurne already thought she had the answer to. With his very Swedish appearance, Edurne would be surprised to learn he were Russian, if that were the case. Smoothing down her dress, Edurne smiled as she waited for him to collect the suitcase, after which point she would lead them towards the elevator.

[Edwin]

Eddie had just finished his first probationary contract with Pervaya. It wasn't anything difficult. He had just had to watch over a Volstok family's daughter, Ina, during her 18th birthday celebrations. The family had liked him, mentioning his manners and professionalism. They said they would be sending their compliments to the office on his performance. Really, he hadn't done anything, but it was good to hear anyways. After the contract was done, they had invited him to the Radience for a drink as thanks. Since he was no longer on the clock, he hadn't refused.

They were finishing up and he bid the folks a farewell, but as they walked away he spied a man brush up against his former client. A hand dipped into her purse and pulled out a nice pair of earrings with emerald studs. They would catch quite a price. Eddie sighed. She wasn't his client anymore, but he still couldn't let this happen. He moved through the crowd, the thief and the family still in close proximity they passed a pair of individuals. A very wealthy woman as well and a well dressed man who appeared to be helping her with her luggage.

Eddie caught up to the thief then and turned him around catching his former clients attention in the process, and took hold of him by the collar. "Eddie, what is going on?" Ina said in surprise.

"No worries, Ina, just dealing with a little thief here," he said to her and turned towards the other pair. "My apologies." Eddie turned back to his captive. "The earrings - give them back."

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out the earrings handing them to Ina. "Now apologize," Eddie said, and surprisingly the man did.

Hotel security arrived at this time and Eddie complied when they told him to let the man go. Mr. Volstok spoke to them, telling them what had happened. Hotel security would deal with the thief. Eddie wouldn't be held because his former client had told security what his relationship was to them - that he had indeed protected their assets.

The Volstok's thanked him and left. Eddie turned towards the others. "Once again, my apologies for the inconvenience," he gave them a disarming smile.

[Seven]

He agreed to take one a piece of luggage, quietly wondering where the bellhops had vanished to, though he assumed they would return in a trice. Yet before either could take a step toward the elevator, a ripple of tension cut through the air and his gaze shifted to the subtle disturbance nearby.

The would-be thief was either brave to attempt such a sleight of hand in this part of Moscow or he was foolish to think he would get away with it as they were likely immersed in a sea of hidden cameras.  Seven watched the situation unfold with an air of casual interest, as if he was watching a scene in a play. In that moment, he couldn’t help but admire the quiet efficiency with which the situation was resolved. A man—his presence marked by calm authority—had intervened, handling the disturbance with such deft resolve that even the residual tension seemed to dissolve into the opulent atmosphere of the Radiance lobby.

He assumed that the young lady’s personal guards would attend to her welfare, but Seven’s honor demanded satisfaction for himself. “Are you alright?” he inquired, but by the narrow glint in her expression, guessed she was right as rain.

The would-be victim of the pickpocketing was being doted over by her parents while the white knight that was her hero seemed content to step onto the sidelines until the family was out of sight. Humility, then, Seven guessed the man possessed, and he was even more impressed. 


“Very nicely done. I wish you had been with me when I was in Tehran last year.” He then addressed the lady in white. “Someone in District 5 gained a very lovely pocket watch.” If Seven held a grudge over the incident, his smile did not betray as much. 

“My name is Seven…” he began, his voice carrying the crisp lilt of his Swedish origins, a spark of mirth dancing in his eyes, as he introduced himself to both. “Yes, like the number.”

[Edurne]

When the man, now known to Edurne as Seven, agreed to take a piece of luggage she beamed at him. It wasn't every day that a handsome man offered to take Edurne's luggage for her, and the fact that he was so polite about it as well made it all the more charming. While the bellhops had seemingly vanished into thin air, Edurne couldn't help but feel grateful to the man for his offer. Yet before she could continue making conversation, tension swam through the air. Instinctively Edurne embraced the power, only to release it a second later when she realised what was happening.

A theft had occurred right underneath their noses, and Edurne clutched at her diamond-studded golden necklace that clung around her throat. Smoothing down her dress, Edurne watched wide-eyed as the would-be thief was caught, and she was genuinely in shock. So far her entire experience of Moscow had been that the hotel, as gorgeous as it was, lacked bellhops, and a theft had been attempted in the lobby. With her security detail having taken her luggage up to the suite and leaving Edurne alone with Seven, she couldn't help but wonder whether anything had been taken from her person.

When Seven asked whether Edurne was alright, she opened up her black leather handbag and checked through its contents. "I'm okay, thank you for asking. Looks like the thief got caught before he could pilfer anything from anyone else." Plus, if he had stolen from Edurne, he wouldn't have made it very far before she restrained him with a lash of air. The best thing about learning to use the power was that she no longer felt so afraid of the world. It hadn't abated all of her fears, but it was enough to allow her to live a more stress-free existence.

Once Edurne was completely assured that nothing had been stolen, her posture relaxed. "Encantada, Seven," Edurne said, holding out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Edurne." It wasn't completely unusual for Edurne to place such faith in strangers, but knowing that she had the backup of using the power to change his mind about any nefarious intentions was definitely something that made her more trusting. Reaching up a hand, Edurne pulled her golden hair around one shoulder and smiled. "Shall we?" Without waiting for a response Edurne made her way to the elevator, trusting and hoping that Seven was following behind. "The name Seven, is that the name you were given when you were born?"

[Edwin]

The woman and her baggage handler, Seven went on about their business and that was fine with Eddie. Based on the short amount of conversation he had heard, the two had just met and her use of Spanish meant she was likely a visitor or new around here. It was odd to have someone to carry one bag up, which, along with her choice to stay at the most luxurious hotel in the city meant she was rich. Eddie came from money himself, but it wasn’t something he cared for to much himself. The soldier’s life did that to you. You learned to live with little.

Eddie gave Seven a brief wink, allowing him to follow the woman. Seven, what an interesting name, had been more concerned about the woman and Eddie felt alright letting him go with her. He was surprised the woman didn’t have a security detail, perhaps if he saw her again, he could give her a card for Pervaya. It would look good to his boss to try to drum up more business.

Still the woman hadn’t given him a glance. It wasn’t something that bothered him at all. He wasn’t here to work, and since he was here and Radience was known for its fine accomdations, he simply returned back to the bar. ”Scotch please, neat,” he opened a tab and sipped at his beverage and wondered what Rhi was up to.

[Seven]

Once she assured him that she was fine, his lips curved into an easy smile. "Good. Thieves can be quite the nuisance. Lucky for us, that one chose the wrong lobby to try his hand at dishonesty.”

His golden sunglasses twirled idly in his fingers as he observed her composure shift, the tension from before slipping away. He had met enough people to recognize confidence when he saw it, and Edurne carried herself like someone who did not often worry about such things as petty crime. That, too, was interesting.

She extended her hand, and Seven took it with grace, his grip light but firm. “Encantada, Edurne,” he repeated, his Swedish accent softening the distinctly Spanish phrase.

“A pleasure, truly.”

He was about to make a remark about the curious state of the Radiance Hotel—what kind of five-star establishment had no bellhops at the ready?—when she turned, leading them toward the elevator. Ah, the kind of woman who expected others to follow. That made him smile under his breath as he picked up the small suitcase and fell into step beside her.

Then came the question about his name. He had been expecting it.

A small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He glanced at her, his blue eyes bright with amusement. “Now that would be quite the joke for a child, wouldn’t it?” he said, voice laced with warmth. He tapped a thoughtful finger against the suitcase handle as the elevator doors slid open, revealing a gleaming interior.

“No, it wasn’t my given name,” he admitted as they stepped inside.

“But it’s the one I go by now with great insistence. And if you’re wondering, yes, there’s a story behind it, but  I am certain you have many far more interesting ones to share. Perhaps over a drink?” He cast her a sidelong glance, waiting to see if curiosity would win out.

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing them into a moment of quiet as the world outside faded away.

[Edurne]

"You don't say," Edurne all but whispered to herself. She could only be glad that the thief hadn't pilfered his way through her own bag. The man now known to Edurne took her hand and shook it, his grip light but firm. Edurne couldn't help but smirk at Seven's response in Spanish, but she thought that it was best not to embarrass him. After all, he was doing her a favour. Combing her fingers through her hair once they reached the elevator, Edurne smiled at Seven. "I hadn't expected such a renowned establishment to make such a poor impression. It's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the thief? The lack of staff? I can't deny that I'm shocked." Everyone within Edurne's social circle had recommended Radiance, so for it to not match up to her expectations was truly a disappointment.

"That it would," Edurne couldn't help but smirk. If his parents had called him Seven at birth, then that was just plain cruel. "Then if Seven is what you go by, then Seven is what I shall call you. Your business is your own, Seven, and I'm not generally in the habit of prying into people's secrets." The elevator doors closed, sealing the two of them away from the world. Punching in the code to the penthouse, the lift smoothly began its ascent. Tapping her foot nervously against the floor, Edurne couldn't help but feel nervous about what to expect.

Yet when the doors to the penthouse slid open with chiming sound, Edurne sighed in relief. It was gorgeous. Marble flooring, high ceilings, huge floor-to-ceiling windows dominating the outer walls of the penthouse. Smiling, Edurne stepped forward and gestured towards a large table in the centre of the foyer. "Please, feel free to place the suitcase anywhere. Thank you so much for that, I really appreciate it." Nodding her head, once the bag was placed back down she headed back towards the elevator with a smile.

"Very well. Stories over a drink, but only if you care to share some of your own." Smoothing down the white silk of her dress, Edurne gestured for Seven to join her.