Riley's Cruise
Dec 4, 2017 15:15:58 GMT -8
Post by redpandroid on Dec 4, 2017 15:15:58 GMT -8
“Simander, must away to Milan to prepare the spring collection. Bit of an administration change coming to the island. Take care of yourself and your people and please give my very best regards to the Duchess. XOXO Riley”, she hit send and, with a last look over the moon-drenched island, Riley closed the hatch of the submarine.
“Zeit zu gehen.”, she said to the crewman saluting her. Time to go.
The crew efficiently swept into action as Riley settled into her luxuriously appointed quarters, her uncharacteristically somber mood in stark contrast to the bustling energy about the ship. Nahema was safely underway to her secret new home along with Enzo and Esmerelda. Asa and Katarina were aboard on their motley little cruise to Milan. The Nosferacrew were (hopefully) entrenched in a part of the tunnels where even Miroslav couldn’t find them, and Albert had been set free on his path (well, as free as he could be until the Blue Steel wore off)… so why did she feel so sad? She stared into the empty eye-sockets of the Holy Handbag for a long moment, sighed, then tossed it into a tufted velvet armchair.
Perhaps a new project would lift her spirits, she thought, as she fixed her hair in the mirror, then stalked out to find her Captain.
Riley spent the first leg of the trip re-ghouling her new crew, starting with the highest ranking officers. Katarina had ensured her they would be loyal, but a little blood bonding could only secure the chain of command further. By the time they reached the British Virgin Islands for a much-needed outing and restock, they each had a tidy little herd of very loyal men. To some small surprise, Asa returned to the sub when it was time to set out once more. She didn’t seem to like the confines of the vessel and kept mainly to herself, but would sit and chat with Riley from time to time. They talked of Milan and new beginnings. Riley avoided bringing up the past or prying with questions.
The long Atlantic crossing passed with fashion sketching, language lessons, and most importantly DIVERSITY TRAINING. With some strategic application of her Toreador talents, Riley brought the crew into the 21st century, ridding them of any lingering nationalist or supremacist ideologies and teaching them about acceptance and respect for all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, and religion. When they reached Morocco, Riley gathered up some shore-leave outfits and sent the men off to enjoy the sights of Casablanca with their new outlook. As she toured the streets with Katarina, admiring the Mauresque architecture, a satisfied smile began to spread over her face. Visions of the crew’s uniform re-branding danced in her head; the sharp Hugo Boss cut could stay, but the rest would have change. Decidedly more rose gold and entirely less skulls or lightning bolts, thank you. Riley dashed off some design specs to the Milan office from a cozy little café and then dove into the garment district for more inspiration.
The last leg of the cruise was the shortest, just enough time to finalize the spring collection sketches and find a courier waiting on shore in Venice with new uniforms. She’d have the most elegant personal security detail in any city! Katarina remained in Venice with half of the crew; there she could enjoy the splendors of the Floating City while her ghouls guarded and maintained the submarine. Asa, Riley, and the other half of the crew made the short flight to Milan in the VLD jet and ensconced themselves in the new office/haven overlooking Piazzale Libia. The office itself was a whirlwind of models, sample fittings, and one very relieved Sean Thomas, personal assistant to Riley. He carried a stack of invitations to the spring fashion show for her approval. She plucked one off the top, “This one, I’ll sign personally” she said, inscribing it with a little note and an elegant signature. She placed it back in the gilded envelope addressed “Her Grace, Duchess Ailios” and handed it back to Sean.
“Perfect”, she said, turning towards Asa with a bright smile on her face, “Now, let’s go shopping.”
“Zeit zu gehen.”, she said to the crewman saluting her. Time to go.
The crew efficiently swept into action as Riley settled into her luxuriously appointed quarters, her uncharacteristically somber mood in stark contrast to the bustling energy about the ship. Nahema was safely underway to her secret new home along with Enzo and Esmerelda. Asa and Katarina were aboard on their motley little cruise to Milan. The Nosferacrew were (hopefully) entrenched in a part of the tunnels where even Miroslav couldn’t find them, and Albert had been set free on his path (well, as free as he could be until the Blue Steel wore off)… so why did she feel so sad? She stared into the empty eye-sockets of the Holy Handbag for a long moment, sighed, then tossed it into a tufted velvet armchair.
Perhaps a new project would lift her spirits, she thought, as she fixed her hair in the mirror, then stalked out to find her Captain.
Riley spent the first leg of the trip re-ghouling her new crew, starting with the highest ranking officers. Katarina had ensured her they would be loyal, but a little blood bonding could only secure the chain of command further. By the time they reached the British Virgin Islands for a much-needed outing and restock, they each had a tidy little herd of very loyal men. To some small surprise, Asa returned to the sub when it was time to set out once more. She didn’t seem to like the confines of the vessel and kept mainly to herself, but would sit and chat with Riley from time to time. They talked of Milan and new beginnings. Riley avoided bringing up the past or prying with questions.
The long Atlantic crossing passed with fashion sketching, language lessons, and most importantly DIVERSITY TRAINING. With some strategic application of her Toreador talents, Riley brought the crew into the 21st century, ridding them of any lingering nationalist or supremacist ideologies and teaching them about acceptance and respect for all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, and religion. When they reached Morocco, Riley gathered up some shore-leave outfits and sent the men off to enjoy the sights of Casablanca with their new outlook. As she toured the streets with Katarina, admiring the Mauresque architecture, a satisfied smile began to spread over her face. Visions of the crew’s uniform re-branding danced in her head; the sharp Hugo Boss cut could stay, but the rest would have change. Decidedly more rose gold and entirely less skulls or lightning bolts, thank you. Riley dashed off some design specs to the Milan office from a cozy little café and then dove into the garment district for more inspiration.
The last leg of the cruise was the shortest, just enough time to finalize the spring collection sketches and find a courier waiting on shore in Venice with new uniforms. She’d have the most elegant personal security detail in any city! Katarina remained in Venice with half of the crew; there she could enjoy the splendors of the Floating City while her ghouls guarded and maintained the submarine. Asa, Riley, and the other half of the crew made the short flight to Milan in the VLD jet and ensconced themselves in the new office/haven overlooking Piazzale Libia. The office itself was a whirlwind of models, sample fittings, and one very relieved Sean Thomas, personal assistant to Riley. He carried a stack of invitations to the spring fashion show for her approval. She plucked one off the top, “This one, I’ll sign personally” she said, inscribing it with a little note and an elegant signature. She placed it back in the gilded envelope addressed “Her Grace, Duchess Ailios” and handed it back to Sean.
“Perfect”, she said, turning towards Asa with a bright smile on her face, “Now, let’s go shopping.”