Justyce
Admin Dude of Awesomeness
Posts: 317
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Post by Justyce on Nov 9, 2023 12:34:21 GMT -6
Aaron had mixed feelings about Wanda just taking off and being gone for close to a week. She returned and had a haunted look in her eyes. She had experienced things that she didn’t want to talk about and he didn’t push her either. He did however notice the absence of Skye and that was most likely the reason for her distance.
The BoM house was different after Skye didn’t return. Magneto was gone and had left a cryptic message about him creating a place for all mutants. It showed as they started to fracture and a small argument with his twin and eventually he took Cain and Victor and offered them a job with him. It was an easy job. They were going to boost cars and sale them to make money. He didn’t care because some of those funds he would funnel to his brother who looked to be taking command of the BoM house. That would probably cause friction with Pyro but he wasn’t going to worry about it. He was more worried about making money. Larissa was onboard and brought a few people to the table.
They went to work and all this was to ensure that they could have something for themselves and not have to depend on anyone. The first few weeks were rough as Cain and Victor tended to destroy the vehicles instead of steal them. Larissa and her crew brought them back whole for either sale overseas or breakdown for parts. It was a neat little business and brought in a good amount of money. It Wanda who suggested setting up a store to run the money through so it was legitimate and they could put it in bank accounts outside the US. It’s what the rich did and he wasn’t paying a damned cent in taxes to the government. So they hid their money. That brought on the need for an accountant. Wanda and Larissa found one to help with the money. They used encrypted laptops and never took their work home with them. As far as the government was concerned the boutique they ran was legitimate and all books for the shop were clean.
Aaron took a pause one day to review their work and found they had made a lot of money and were attracting attention of law enforcement. He quickly put everyone on vacation for a month and him and Wanda took a vacation to California. They did the tourist stuff in LA. Then after the extended vacation and the so called heat dying down they started operations again. This time they went about slowly and ensured they avoided notice of both local, state, and federal law enforcement. It was slower but it still made them money.
It wasn’t all business as he had other obligations and that was being Wanda’s plus one for her art showings. He attended those events and Wanda’s agent was shrewd and ensured she got the highest amounts possible for her work. Wanda was also gaining attention from overseas for her work. It showed as more and more foreign clients contacted her agent about the artwork and wanting to bid on future pieces.
Overall Aaron, Wanda, and Larissa’s efforts were paying off. They were funding the BoM house and getting it repaired and up to code so it wasn’t condemned. The one thing that bothered Aaron was the absence of Todd. He was a nice guy and looked like he may have died along with Skye. His wife was missing as well. He just chocked it up to casualties of some type of battle he didn’t take part in. A lot of loss in their lives but with everything happening it seemed they were distracted enough for the time being.
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pixie
Co-Owner
Posts: 310
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Post by pixie on Nov 14, 2023 20:34:32 GMT -6
A finger gently twirled a blond lock of hair as her red lips sipped from a sex on the beach, a drink popularized by her American friends in US. Rifling through a few papers, she took another sip before scribbling down a code of numbers. Coordinates to her next location. Grabbing a quick puff of her cigarette, leaving a smear of lipstick on the butt, she smirked. She new where the next target was.
Pressing the lit portion of the cigarette into a glass platter, she placed a map on the wall, pinning it with tacks. “I know where you’re hiding, little bug.”
Leaning back, she fell into her office chair, twirling back to her computer. She’d been at this all night. Fighting with coordinates, answering calls from the boss and catching naps in between. She wondered what time it was in the US. She missed them. She missed…him.
After being killed, she jetted away. It’s usually what she did when trouble was near. She always ran.
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Alagosa
Admin Lady of Awesomeness
Posts: 405
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Post by Alagosa on Nov 19, 2023 0:07:45 GMT -6
The battle at the compound took a toll on Wanda, one that she couldn't explain to anyone. Skye had been defeated. There were mixed feelings as Magneto treated Skye like a second daughter which caused her to get a bit jealous. Magneto always held her at arms length while growing up. She suspected it was the reason why he was insistent with mutant rights and a place for them.
He forced the leadership role upon her with the BoM. Something within her broke, Wanda fought with her father only to turn her back on him. She wished him good luck with whatever it was that he had planned and left him. It was her way of pulling out from being under her father's thumb.
She left the BoM house and lived at her art studio. Her twin brother reached out a few times. She responded to the last one with her reasons. She gave up on ever gaining their father's love or approval along with not wanting to be a member anymore. There was a weight which had been lifted from her shoulders. She took time to grieve the loss of her friend and leaving her former group. She took what little money that she had to go to a small vacation. She was able to grieve as she needed.
After she returned home, her new life started. She devoted a lot of time to her art. She would see Aaron often. He discussed his business adventure as well as the fight with his brother. She told the story of what happened along with her choice to leave the BoM. It was then that she had the idea to run a shop that specialized in the occult. She hired on a few different people along with various readers. The money from the side operation and the shop allowed them to live comfortably.
It was then she found that she had a nose for business. The first time in her life she felt that she had a purpose in life. It was the first time in which she was truly happy. She was able to grow as an artist. Her agent set up a lot more shows for her. She enjoyed having Aaron around, even found her feelings deepening. What should scare her, never did. There was something about him which drew her to him. It wasn't to say that she didn't resist him at first.
She offered for him to move in with her as the apartment he had was rather run down. It was an adjustment to make, though it took a day or two. It felt like she had a home for the first time in her life. Things couldn't be better.
During this time, she became rather close to Larissa. She viewed the woman as a sister. They worked well as business partners. They worked on keeping the store running, even hired an accountant. She learned to play poker during this time. She found that she enjoyed bluffing her way through things.
During the extended vacation, Wanda came up with another crazy idea which involved Aaron. She had talked it over with Larissa as they formed a plan of sorts. She hoped it would work. Larissa was figuring out what happened to Todd and Rhoda. She wanted a proper celebration for the marriage of those two.
She was in the back of the shop as she took in some inventory. She glanced at the time, wondering where Aaron was at. Normally he stopped by at this time of the day. It helped that there was a special evening planned for the two of them. Her bottom lip was eaten quite a bit as she had a question of sorts to ask him. She just needed to get things over with.
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Justyce
Admin Dude of Awesomeness
Posts: 317
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Post by Justyce on Nov 20, 2023 11:14:20 GMT -6
Aaron was running late and his driving showed he was running late. He was aggressively weaving through the traffic and putting on the speed when he could, safely, as Wanda would not have his bullshit of getting a ticket or any type interaction with law enforcement. He had finally adjusted to living with her and the cycle of their life.
The boutique was going well and he was glad Wanda didn't ask questions about where the capitol for her store came from an the capitol for the advertising came from either. Larissa though was the anchor and fielded all those questions for her. He finally arrived and saw that the spot reserved for him was open and he didn't have to call either Cain for Victor to come and remove the vehicle. He walked in and greeted the woman at the cash register and she told him Wanda was in the back. He frowned as she seemed to not understand the concept of delegation for mundane tasks but he wouldn't argue with her. He headed to the stock room and when inside he hugged her from behind.
"Wanda..."
He let out a sigh of love and contentment.
"...I have missed you. How are you doing today? I have our reservation for the staff for dinner. Cain won't be attending as he has some personal business."
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Alagosa
Admin Lady of Awesomeness
Posts: 405
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Post by Alagosa on Nov 21, 2023 22:29:40 GMT -6
Wanda's focus was on the shelf in front of her. She counted the rocks of Amethyst, Pyrite, Azurite, Citrine, Garnet, and Hematite. Her thin fingers counted over the various different stones as she noticed that they were running low. She marked it on the piece of paper as she bent slightly as she went to the next shelf. It was then that she felt the strong arms around her waist.
A smile filled her face as she turned around in his arms. Her hands wrapped around his waist as she kissed him gently. She laid her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. She was happy that they were able to spend this time together.
She bopped his nose. "You know a full work day is hardly enough time to miss each other. But I missed you as well. And I can't wait for dinner. Sounds like it will be a small crowd which is perfect."
She lifted her head up as she watched him as she answered his question. "Today has been a bit slower. I was able to get some of the more mundane things done for the shop. I have been debating about changing around the artwork. What do you thing? How was your day?"
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Justyce
Admin Dude of Awesomeness
Posts: 317
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Post by Justyce on Nov 29, 2023 22:42:01 GMT -6
Aaron kissed her back when she initiated and while he didn’t really like the whole stopping still was happy with it all the same. A full work day wasn’t enough time to miss here. Well that was disappointing but not in a bad way. She was right but still he had come to find her presence one he loved and enjoyed. So yes he missed her.
“Yes. It will be a small crowd. After we spent time building businesses we should celebrate and show our workers we appreciate their efforts. We wouldn’t be here without them, right?”
Her questions about the artwork were valid. He did love her work, even her darker and moodier pieces. They were hosting the dinner at her loft which showcased her work. He didn’t think any needed moved and were what should be there.
“No, your choices are what should be there. After all you did keep me from seeing your recent incomplete works. I hope to see them soon. Your agent even calls to tell me to leave you alone while you’re working.”
Her work here was what he called her focus time. She only came and did inventory when she wanted to let her mind wander.
“Mundane tasks seem to focus you for your true passion. It’s like turning wrenches on cars with Larissa for me. She has grown to have an appreciation of tuning up a car herself. Speaking of mundane tasks that was what my day was about. Ive found a few good classic cars and went to look at them. They are in rough shape and need a lot of work. That’s what I did a lot of driving.”
He was going to ask her if Larissa had any information on their missing friends.
“Has Larissa come up with any info on Todd or Rhona?”
She had been off for the last two days saying she needed to concentrate. He took it as wanted to drink and fight so he left her to it.
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Alagosa
Admin Lady of Awesomeness
Posts: 405
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Post by Alagosa on Dec 19, 2023 22:32:06 GMT -6
Wanda smiled as he returned the her affection. It was a simple thing which kept them fairly connected. The simple touch was all she needed until they were completely alone. She kept her arms wrapped around him as she flattened her feet. She gazed up into his face as a gentle smile filled her lips.
"Appreciation is a great thing when it comes our employees. We have a good group who works for both of us. I mean after all, it's why we are closing the shop early."
She laughed at the comment about her agent yelling at him about peeking at her unfinished projects. It was true that she didn't like having people see things she is working on. It often interrupted the creative flow that she got. It was the little thing that she did to ensure it came out like the image was in her head.
"Well I do have an idea that has started for the moment. It will be a few more days until my ideas come into full fruition. And as always, you will be the first to see them. One could say that you add a certain good luck to these works." She giggled and kissed his cheek. "Well you can ignore a bit of what my agent says. There are times that she doesn't want to delays in turning out artwork. I have earned the right to go at my own pace."
She nodded her head as they were similar with needing the focus time. While it was for her art, for him it was their businesses. It was something that endured him to her. They were not afraid of hard work when came to relaxing and letting things flow.
A frown formed as two of her teammates were missing. She talked with Larissa about how the search came up empty. Larissa said that she had an idea however needed a lot of time to get strong enough for it to work. She was confused by the last part.
"I am uncertain at this time. She said that she would check in a few days but that was like a week ago. I am starting to get slightly worried about this whole situation."
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