Future Leaders at the Castle [Open]

[Melodee Riker]

Notes from a well tuned piano chimed through the air. The sideboard table had been laden with finger foods and all the accompanying plates, napkin’s and drink stuffs. Melodee’s household was ready for the onslaught of members of the Young Republican’s Club. It had started as a Gould thing specifically, but with the invitation being extended to friends, and friends of friends it didn’t much matter anymore.

Politics, as Melodee had thought earlier, were about crossing borders with diplomacy. Gould and Silver certainly had borders. The two schools were known rivals, but happily that hadn’t seemed to extend to a good portion of the attitudes outside of the schools walls. Times were changing and with them the youth who would lead the world tomorrow had to change with it.

Connie, or Ms. Hernandez was patiently waiting by the door to show the members of the club in and back as they arrived. Her uniform (which she, and not the Rikers had insisted she wear) was neatly pressed in it’s black fabric. Her shoes were so polished one might have been able to use them as a mirror should they be so inclined.

Mrs. Riker was bustling about the kitchen, happily singing (slightly off key) to whatever song she was playing in her head as she continued to make more treats for her daughters friends than they could ever eat in a single sitting. Teat boxes would have to be taken away as each left the castle like house.

When the chime sounded indicating that someone had come through the gate and was making their way to the front door, around the center fountain outside, Connie reached for the handle and timing the opening of the door expertly greeted the first of Miss Riker’s guests.

“Good day. She’s expecting you, please follow me,” the woman’s clipped and slightly accented voice intoned. She could have been a recording.

[Bartholomew "Mew" Fischer]

They had been meeting here almost a month now, yet Mew still found Melodee's dwellings impressive -- and her staff intimidating. They were even more intimidating now that her non-boyfriend had threatened him.

Non-boyfriend, indeed. Judd may have claimed they were only friends, but the geeky youth knew exactly how that went and he wasn't entirely convinced the other boy had been honest with him. He could be lying to himself about the state of his relationship with the gorgeous senior, as well. Seeing as he couldn't read minds, he couldn't say for sure, but he thought there was something between the two that they weren't saying for whatever reason.

He peered around Ms. Hernandez, hoping to catch a glimpse of Phil, but it seemed that the Korean boy hadn't yet arrived, and Magdalena wasn't there, either. He couldn't possibly be the first arrival, could he? He wasn't sure how he could talk to Melodee if he were the only one there, usually he addressed Phil and relied on the other boy to communicate anything important to the girls.

And Judd...he hoped that Judd hadn't said anything to Melodee, although he wasn't sure what could be said. Did she know that her boyfriend -- friend -- was a psychopath who liked to taste his own blood? Mew could understand self-loathing, but when it came to bloodlust he much preferred to victimize those he thought superior -- although he kept that particular tendency locked up so tight he didn't believe he had it. He was far too timid to do anything about it as things stood, in any event.

He stopped just inside the doorway to the dining room, staring longingly at the piano Melodee was stroking. "Ummm." He managed to announce his presence, "Hi. I'm...I'm not early, am I?" He fidgeted, trying to refrain from pouncing on her piano; he could ask her to play a duet, of course, but that sort of request would require more courage than he could muster at the moment.

[Tyler Durnham]

After an admittedly amusing morning at the mall, not that it made Tyler any more keen to spend further time in that shopping mecca, he starting to make his way to the palace that was known as the Rikers’ house. He was early yet, so he slowed down, enjoyed the drive, not to mention, the many admiring looks he and his Aston Martin received.

Speaking of looks, he wouldn’t have minded seeing the look on Greg’s face when he found out about the attention Tyler had been paying to young, impression, cute, sweet Sandy. Or was it George, Geoffrey, Gordon, the footballer couldn’t quite recall. Greg sounded right though, fitted a soapie star who would probably fade into away into obscurity the moment he lost his teenage looks. He liked Sandy, not in the way that she liked him, he was well aware, but he liked her, and that ought to count for something. There were more boring people to while away some time with on a weekend. He just might continue his little game. Which reminded him, he had to call Maggy. Wouldn’t want the girl to think he lost interest.

Pulling up at the front of the overly large house, he paid little attention to the surroundings. After all, they were what he was used to it after all. Adjusting his shirt, he slipped his sunglasses into his jeans pocket, walking up the front door, ringing on the chime. It had been some time since he had seen Melodee, apart from quick greetings in school, and he was surprisingly looking forward to the chance to ‘catch up’. She was one of the very, very few women he could consider a friend, probably because she was so like him. Not that he would refuse the chance to take their relationship to a more intimate level, even for a night. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. He had heard something about her and the rather oafish, overbearing Judd Nixon. It would be interesting to ask her about that. Maybe he and Maggy weren’t the only ones with their games. After all, she couldn’t honestly be interested in Judd.

He offered a polite smile and not, but nothing more, to the housekeeper who answered the door, following her to where Melodee, and someone whose’s name he could not quite remembered, were gathered. “And here I thought I might be the first one to arrive.” he chuckled lightly.

[Melodee Riker]

The voice that ran a countenance of it’s own, and none that Melodee was using while playing her piano gave the girl an opportunity to look up. And smile. She had to smile, he was a guest in her home, though it never seemed to bother her that he was, she assumed, beneath her own social standing. Reminding herself once again that Politics were about more than doing what you wanted when you wanted. There were rules, and games as fine as any she and some of her peers played in the halls of high school.

In order to answer his question properly, Melodee gave a cursory glance at the clock. “You are, by about ten minutes, but that’s perfectly all right.” Once more she smiled, a little more honestly this time. It was all right, after all. It showed an actual interest in what they were doing. What they were all building themselves to become. It amused her to see how he was eyeing the instrument of her choice. In truth she had two pianos, one Steinway, an old favorite of artists nearly everywhere, and the Fazioli before her now. A newer favorite, but a truly stand-out model for a Grand Piano.

If Mel weren’t careful she’d have to ask Connie to grab some cloths to wipe the drool from Bartholomew’s chin. Mew, she reminded herself. He preferred to be called Mew.

“Would you care to play?” She asked, hoping that his fingers were clean. If he banged away on the keys, she could always have someone come out and fix the instrument with the understanding that she wouldn’t let the boy near it again. Not even to breath.

Looking up as another boy entered, Melodee’s smile brightened that much further. Tyler. Thank God. Someone of her own standing, of a like mind. Though he tended to pursue the women around him rather than to increase his veritable fortune. He had a sharp mind, wit, and was not in the slightest dull to look at. A fine companion for anyone, particularly her. It was nice that he’d decided to join their little club, and take time out from his girl-chasing.

“Tyler, you’re losing your touch. Barth- pardon - Mew here beat you to the door.” A subtle reminder of the boy’s name, and a gentle jibe in the process. “I had just invited him to try his hand on my Fazioli, he seemed interested enough.” But now that there were two very well-to-do people in the room, she wondered if the seemingly shy boy would even try. He looked nervous enough and very out of place. Though as that thought passed and another entered it was of Kaylie. Melodee did hope that the girl remembered to bring her instrument, if she could even make it that afternoon.

[pinky]

Kaelyn, dressed in a blue and lime paisley halter dress with a pair of Bo’em brown leather strappy sandals with bronze accents, stepped out of her limo and pulled out her cello case after her. The driver tried to take it from her but no one but her touched her baby. When she flew she would purchase an extra seat in first class so that it wouldn’t have to go into the cargo hold. She also pulled out a dish with miniature quiches, that her mother told her how to make that morning. “I will call you when I am ready,” she said and walked up to the front door of the large castle like place. It was impressive, but she preferred their beachside home a lot more.

She rang the bell and was promptly escorted into a room where Melodee and two boys were talking. She smiled shyly at Melodee, her eyes gleaming when she saw the beautiful piano. “Hi Melodee, where should I put these?” She lifted the container with the quiches. “Your house is impressive and the decorating impeccable,” Kaelie said sincerely. It wasn’t her style but was still beautiful.

She didn’t recognize the boys at all which made sense since they were from Gould and probably not from Santa Monica. She gave them each a friendly smile, but waited to be introduced if Melodee wished to do so.

[Bartholomew "Mew" Fischer]

Mew had rushed to Melodee's house from synagogue, afraid that he would be late, and he still managed to beat his friends. He glanced up as another presence joined them, trying to hide his disappointment that it was Tyler instead of Phil or Maggy. He had no idea how to talk to people like the two wealthy, attractive people now in the room with him, although he reckoned it didn't matter much, they would do their own thing and more or less ignore him.

The offer to play the piano took him by surprise; he had never actually told Melodee he played, how did she know? He assumed that Phil must have said something, unaware that his body language and facial expressions gave away more emotion than he would have been comfortable with, had he known.

"R-really? It's okay?" Blue eyes swept longingly over the piano, then flicked back to the other red-head, unsure if she were being serious. It seemed that she was, however, so with some hesitation he seated himself on the bench, running his fingers lightly over the keys in awe that he was really touching this most delightful instrument. "Wow." He breathed, wishing his parents could afford a piano of this quality. Of course, they managed with an old Yamaha, which was more than some people could afford, but Melodee had a piano he could only dream of.

He looked up as a blonde girl he didn't recognize made her way into the room. She had never been at the meetings before, although Phil would be beyond delighted that new people were attending. If he ever got here. The bespectacled red-head gave a nod at the girl, offering a quiet, "Hey, welcome." and then returned his attention to the piano, trying to decide exactly what to play...he had been practicing a good bit of Rachmaninoff's Moment Musical op. 16 no. 4(Presto in E Minor), which was fun but difficult, and he might as well use this as a chance to see how well he had it memorized, as his teacher was quite insistant that he play sans music. He began softly, because he still couldn't quite believe he was touching this most amazing of instruments, but picked up speed and volume as he became more immersed in his playing.

[Melodee Riker]

The polite smile she’d had for Mew had turned into a brighter one at the sight of Tyler, and brighter still as Kaelie entered, instrument case in tow. The quiches were a surprise, but not unwelcome. Not that Mel would be partaking in any of the food. Not really. She’d nibble, pretend to eat here and there, but any sustenance would be gained purely by accident.

“Kaelie, you found the place all right?” no missed turns, or detours were what Melodee meant by the question, lifting the dish of miniature quiches from the blonde’s hands and deftly placing it among her mother’s creations. They didn’t look out of place, and Mel was glad of that. This Kaelie girl was certainly an interesting one and, for the moment at least, Mel didn’t want her to feel out of place.

“Allow me a to introduce you to Tyler,” she paused to allow the two to exchange whatever greeting they chose before she gestured to Mew who, she finally noticed, was playing something she would have though beyond him. Composing her surprise into a smile of delight Melodee continued, “And this is Mew.” Whom she had expected to have to wipe her keys after and have the Fazioli retuned.

“We’re still missing a few others, but please don’t hesitate to make yourself comfortable, Kaelie. If you’d like to set your cello by the piano, you’re welcome to. I had the liberty of getting a stand for it.” It wasn’t a usable stand for performance, but a wooden chello stand that looked much like a magazine rack might. The differences were obvious to those who bothered to pay attention to such things. Instead of a center handle and a uniform “box” shape, the wooden box had a slightly larger, and curved back as well as a deep curved Vin the front. Of course, Kaelie could keep her instrument in the case if she so chose, but Mel had thought it a nice gesture on her part to provide with a stand just the same.

It didn’t do to skimp when it came to guests.

“Mew, that’s lovely,” Mel commented. The unspoken second half of her comment was that she had no idea he played so well. Perhaps she’d have to pay more attention to people in the future, not just those she thought would be of some use or another to her. Be it companionship or something more… business like.

[Tyler Durnham]

“Losing my touch? Now, I very much doubt that.” Tyler chuckled, genuinely amused as he crossed the room to where Melodee stood. He took her hand, brushing his lips against her soft skin, eyes locked on hers all the while. “You look stunning Mel, as always. Though, I’m sure you realise that.” he commented, a smirk playing across his face. She was exactly the kind of woman Tyler knew his father would like him to date, beautiful, same social standing, proper social graces. And he knew he would indulge his father in the future, after all, it was expected for him, marriage, kids of his own. He also didn’t want to run around chasing women when he was sixty, that was far from attractive or acceptable.

Mew, now, for a shortening of a name, it sounded terrible, to Tyler anyway. Surely even Bartholomew would be better. But, if that was what the man wanted, he would comply. “The Fazioli? Well, that is quite a privilege, you must be some player Mew.” he grinned broadly, planning on being nothing less than friendly. He just remembered why Mew seemed familiar to him, he was a friend of Maggy’s. This required Tyler’s best behaviour then, it would set him back slightly for Mew to complain to the girl. He knew how girls often put their friends opinions in high regard. “So, any of your other friends coming? Maggy perhaps?” he inquired, letting himself sound just the slightest bit hopeful.

Very good behaviour, he realised would mean downplaying his normal flirty nature, with the arrival of Kaelie. She was new, otherwise Tyler would have been on much closer terms with her. At the introduction, he took her hand, repeating the greeting he had just shown Melodee, though his lips lingered just a fraction of a second longer. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Kaelie. You’re going to play for us?”

But before the woman could answer him, they were all distracted by the sound of the piano, and Tyler turned to see it was Mew playing, to his considerable surprise. He knew practically nothing about the instrument, but the boy was good. He met Melodee’s gaze, offering a raised eyebrow.

[pinky]

Mew really was quite talented and it was very tempting to pull her rosewood Cello from its velvet lined case, but she thought that would be skirting on the edge of good manners. “Melodee and I were going to play together after the meeting. We haven’t done so yet so I don’t think we are performance ready. Playing duet is much different than playing solo. Do you play, Tyler?” Kaelyn asked, thinking he didn’t seem the type, but looks were deceiving. He was decorative enough without talent though and could see why Melodee seemed to hang on his every word. He was obviously of the right background and economic level to please her new friend.

So far it seemed that it was going to be an interesting diversity of people to discuss politics. She had never belonged to this kind of club before. Kaelie had belonged to a model United Nations group, but that had been a far different kind of thing, more global than national. She had always thought it would be fun to do one that was based on the Senate, but she had never heard of anyone doing that.

[Melodee Riker]

Ah, Tyler. The charmer. He was rich enough, sure. Of well standing in social circles, but he was what he was, and as far as Mel could tell he wasn’t going to change that. Besides, when one had so little time for dating amongst all her other plans and ambitions, Melodee took the attentions with grace. Knowing they were due her. She worked hard on her appearance, after all, made some major sacrifices. There were things she missed when it came to food, but the waist line must be managed.

Meeting Tyler’s querying eyebrow regarding Mew with a subtle shake of the head. No, the shake said, I had no idea. She had been merely polite, and taking a risk, in letting Mew even touch her instrument, but she was willing to take the risk. She had the ability to correct it after all, should he have been terrible.

With his greeting to Kaelie as well, Mel smiled. She wasn’t so over protective of her new friend as to warn her of Tyler’s ways just yet. And she figured the other girl would be sharp enough to pick up on it herself. If she wasn’t then perhaps Mel would mention it after the meeting, before they started to play together.

“Yes, I was fortunate enough to meet her at Jasper’s party last night and learning of her talent, asked her if she would like to play duet at some time. Kaelie was kind enough to agree.” It was a bit of a secret how much Melodee actually liked her music. How much she clung to the artists both old and new and their genius works. She would never be a composer herself, and had known this from the moment she first started playing, but she would and could enjoy the works of others.

“I’m not quite sure where the others are though,” Melodee allowed a slight frown to touch her lips for a brief moment as she glanced at the clock. Worry? “I hope they’ll be along soon, though.”