Business as Usual? Or a total Cluster? [Open]

Starlette watched as Yata gave his new ability a try: his skateboard moved around the room and even did tricks by itself – or rather, that's how it looked. Starlette was sure Yata likely had something to do with controlling its movements.

She returned her grandmother's one armed hug and couldn't help but smile a bit more: she had all but given up on the idea of getting her diploma and having a chance at going to college. But, now it looked like she wouldn't have to worry about her grandmother's safety at all and could indeed go back. The thought caused a butterfly feeling in her stomach: nervousness.

Starlette watched as her grandmother took the card the Junior held out and nodded. She tucked it away safely into the pocket of the light coat she always wore over her dress and snapped the pocket shut. ”Alright, I'll do just that if anything comes up.”

And then Starlette's attention was turning to Junior as he glanced back at her while preparing to leave. At his question about being a magician she nodded: it was indeed one of the names her and her family went by these days – at least the magical ones. She listened as he said that several positions within the Company had just opened up. He suggested she come by Darkman Tower in her spare time for an interview to see if she was Company material, and mentioned expensive benefits for Company members. While her mind was busy doing a whole bunch of 'I can't believe this, is this really happening?' happiness she grinned and nodded to Junior in response. Oh yeah, that wasn't an opportunity she planned on passing by.

Her grandmother simply chuckled and gave her shoulder a gently squeeze. ”See, Starlette. I told you I had a feeling things were going to turn around for the better.” Starlette nodded again, momentarily beyond speech at the moment, while listening as Junior gave Yata the job of keeping an eye on the store and the neighborhood, while mentioning that if he did a good job perhaps a promotion would be in order for him.

She would then watch Junior leave before sitting down on one of the stools and letting out a slow breath. ”Wow... I didn't expect all of this when I first woke up this morning...” As she talked Gran went over to their computer next to the register and booted it up, searching for something.

The Jr dude said he was impressing him. Yata had never heard anything like that from his parents. All of their attention was always on those other loser siblings of his. The Jr dude went on to say that the neighborhood and the shop were under his watch now, and that if he did a good job he'd promote him. Yata nodded his head with a grin. it seemed like he had 3 jobs now: a Company member, a bouncer and a bodyguard.

Jr asked him to supervise the installation of the security stuffs and then left. Not too soon after, a black van pulled up, and 3 guys in dark colored jumpsuits got out. Yata opened the door to let them in. After walking around the shop the guys began to install the equipment. One of them put in a burglar alarm that would alert The Company and the police when tripped, another set up a CCTV system with small, inconspicuous cameras, and the 3rd ran wires and set up the power supply.

These guys seemed like they knew what they were doing so most of the time Yata sat on his skateboard out of their way and read the book that Granny gave him. Though he wasn't really reading the words; he was moreso wondering what kind of reaction his people would have if they knew about all the good he was doing now, after so long of being considered a bully and a troublemaker. All this time passed with him being gone and no one came to look though, so he figured they wouldn't even care. Fuck them was how he felt about the whole situation.

Gran continued looking around on the computer for something until several short moments later she pulled up the bank account information for her and her granddaughter: twenty five thousand credits had been added to their account. Gran reached over, tugging on Starlette's sweater as she had been busy watching the new arrivals set up the security system. Starlette glanced over to the computer screen curiously and then her jaw dropped at the figure she was seeing. Junior really had set the pair of them up nicely: that was more then enough money to keep them comfortable for quite a while, on top of whatever they would end up making from Afterlight's sales.

”Wow, Gran... “

”My thoughts exactly, dear.” Her Gran then looked over to the trio setting up the security equipment and then back to Starlette. ”I'm going to go call the school and get you enrolled, again. I'll be upstairs if you need me.” Gran closed out of the page she was on after logging off, and then got up and disappeared behind the purple curtain to head back upstairs.

Starlette glanced Yata who looked to be reading his book, and then to the book she herself had been reading before the Templar's had shown up. As if reading her mind her grandmother called down the steps, ”You should finish reading that book, Starlette. It'll prepare you for our next lessons.”

Starlette blinked, glanced back at the curtain that she knew wasn't see-through, and frowned in a stumped kind of manner. ”How in the world does she do that...”, she wondered out loud. She then glanced to the clock on the wall: she had every intention of heading to Darkman Tower as soon as everything was set up – the idea of perhaps having a chance to work for the Company wasn't one she planned on allowing to pass her by.

Word Count: 3,273

The tech guys set up flatscreen TVs in the back room. They were linked to the cameras in the front room covering all angles, outside covering the front door, the sides of the building, the back alley, and the roof.

Another tech guy installed the alarm keypad behind the front counter, explaining that all one had to do was type whatever code they wanted on it, and the system would recognize that as their personal code. Typing it in every night before bed brought the system online. Should someone try to break in, if the police didn't show up, a Company member would. There were also buttons to directly contact the police and The Company.

"Better hope the police show up first, for their sake," added Yata.

The tech guys even installed a door buzzer, intercom and a new doorbell. One flatscreen was behind the counter with Starlette linked to the camera at the front door. She'd be able to see whoever was trying to enter and buzz them in from where she sat. She'd also be able to flip between all of the cameras in and around the building.

"Alright Mr Yata, everything's set up," said one of the Techs as they were gathering their things after cleaning up the mess they made.

Mr Yata. It made him grin some. "Ok, good job, fellas," Yata said, feeling sort of like a boss himself. "I'll put in a good word with the boss. Be careful out there, buncha weirdos and freaks around."

"Oh we know," said another tech. They waved to Yata and Starlette before leaving.

While the tech guys worked Starlette picked up her newest spell book and got to reading: it was more complex then the others she had read up until that point. This one spoke of making runes and magical symbols on the fly, as they were needed. It sounded dangerous to put it lightly, and she knew she was going to have to practice before she could rely too heavily on that sort of ability.

When the tech guys explained about the keypad she listened, choosing a date that both her and her grandmother would instantly memorize: 1692. It was the year of the witch trials, something that had affected the Tempest family indirectly, but had affected them all the same.

She listened to the rest of the instructions; including the button, the door buzzer, and the screen that would not only allow her to see everyone at the door but allow her to go through the other various cameras now around and in the store itself. She wouldn't have to worry about anyone coming into the store that they didn't give permission to be there now: and anyone stupid enough to try and force themselves in was looking at either dealing with the police, or a member of The Company.

Her grandmother came back down the steps then and Starlette made quick work in showing Gran how everything worked so that they would both be on the same page. Gran learned quickly and when Starlette was done explaining everything she hugged her. ”Good, now you've got nothing to worry about if you're not here. I have you enrolled in school; they're getting a course schedule ready for you and it'll be at the office when you go in on Monday. If you're going to go up to that big tower for that interview you should go soon, Starlette. It'll be dark soon, and I don't like the idea of you walking the streets at that time alone – not with those guys out there. I'm sure they're not happy you told them no.”

”Alright, Gran. Wait.. how'd you know I'd go up there?”

Her grandmother chuckled. ”Instinct, dear. Remember, I always tell you not to ignore it. That's why humans have lost that extra perception throughout the centuries... You've got to learn to trust your gut. When you do that your gut instinct will grow stronger, and one day you'll know things like me.” Gran then looked over towards Yata. ”Did that book help you out? I could find another with more information if you need it.”

Word Count: 428 + 3,273 = 3,701

"Oh no ma'am, I think I got the hang of it. What you gave me was more than enough help," Yata responded to Granny.

He was going to have to practice more, get it to the point where he felt no mental strain, and there was no delay in manipulating his board when it was away from him. it seemed like he was adding more and more onto his arsenal. This would be a good thing should more of those Templars show up.

Yata looked at his watch. "Well i'd better go too, or i'll be late for work," he said, calling his board to him. The skateboard rolled to him seemingly on its own accord to flip through the air to his outstretched hand. "Jr dude and the door guy should be expecting you, Starlette. Jr dude will probably have cameras aimed at you when you head over there, so don't worry about those Templar fuck-- I mean, buttheads. Good luck with your interview, yeah?"

Yata gave a wave to Starlette and Granny before stepping outside and rolling off...


[Exit]

2,793 Word Count

Starlette's grandmother would nod with a smile: she was glad that she could be of some help, especially after Yata had taken care of those Templar's. Starlette would nod at Yata's words – it didn't surprise her that Junior had the ability to keep an eye on someone, even from that large tower, and it would mean that she didn't have to worry about the Templar's trying to mess with her and no one being around to help. Her and Gran would wave goodbye to Yata and then Gran would turn towards Starlette, grinning.

Starlette eyed her grandmother wearily: she didn't like it when the old woman got that look on her face. ”So, he seems like a nice young man...”, her grandmother started to say, which caused Starlette to blush a deep red color and roll her eyes.

”Oh, Gran. Don't start...”

”Well, he does.”

”Gran, I'm too dorky for any boy to like me, let alone notice me.”

”Oh, Starlette. You're too hard on yourself. One day you'll find a boy who notices you.”

Starlette just rolled her eyes with a smile. She gave her grandmother a kiss on the cheek and then grabbed her apothecary sashel that held all of her stuff in it. ”I'll be back in a little while, Gran. Do you want me to pick something up for dinner on my way home?”

”We'll just order some Chinese when you get back. Good luck!” Starlette would wave and then walk out the shop. She'd glance around quickly and then turn and head off towards Darkman Tower.


Word Count: 264 + 3,701 = 3,965