CHARLES DAVID KENNEDY .

ROWAN FEELS LIKE A FLOWER finally being given water and sunlight after so long in the dark. when she steps out of the plane and into the bright, california air, something seems to revitalize within her and she floats ahead of him with her arms spread out wide, just absorbing the warmth soaking into her skin as she twirls in place. she only had the outfit she’d worn when she arrived at the mansion, a little sweater dress that barely fell mid thigh. even just the thought of having nicer things to wear, her eyes glitter excitedly and she turns back to face charles. “i think i deserve just a bit of doting for how much i’ve endured.” she means beyond just her time at bates but she’s also being dramatic in the hopes of bringing a smile to charles’ face. his promise of buying her enough beautiful things for her to wear for beyond just this weekend sounds too good to be true so she doesn’t dwell on it too much.

she wants to stay out in the sun, even if it’s just to lay out on the tarmac and gaze up at the cloudless blue skies. it’s much too beautiful a place for her not to appreciate it but, eventually, she allows charles to coax her into the car with a hand pressed to the small of her lower back. rowan couldn’t stop staring the entire ride, taking in every inch of their surroundings as they made the short drive to their destination. her feet, which didn’t quite touch the ground, clicked together almost like an excited child and when they slowed to park, she finally turned to give charles a bright white grin. “it’s so lovely!” she praised happily, having already caught sight of high fashion just walking the streets. everyone was dressed to impress and if she wasn’t about to get new clothes herself, she’d almost feel out of place. hell, rowan does feel out of place with her status as a pet but she knows charles will change that for her. once they’re out of the car, her hand moves towards his; walking rodeo drive seemed less intimidating with the idea of his large hand clasped around her smaller one.

#Rowan #Okay wow that took so so long and I'm sorry #I am the worst

It was abnormally balmy as the two stepped out of the car, but luckily the heat was toasty and comfortable. If the weather was much hotter or more humid Charles knew that he wouldn’t subject the young lady to the strains of walking all the way down the drive, even if it was only a few blocks long. “Oh, of course you do. I’ll make sure that you’re well taken care of today.” He followed the promise with a charming smile as warm as the outside temperature as he gently squeezed her hand and began the short stroll up the street. He noticed a plentiful amount of lovely looking girls about Rowan’s age, with their arms brimming with designer shopping bags while they waved around their platinum credit cards. Charles couldn’t help but want her to be among them, feeling like it’s where she belonged, while also maintaining the desire for her to be just as perfect as she was in that moment.

He gazed at the wide array of shops before them, attempting to make out their names and see if there was anything that would be of immediate interest to Rowan. To his right he saw quite a few smaller stores that he did not recognize, like Missoni, Lara Marks, Etro, Frette, and Bottega Veneta. The master let out a deep sigh of relief when his eyes turned toward the shops on his left, however, as he did recognize quite a few of those, like Brooks Brothers, Juicy Coture, Ralph Lauren, and Giorgio Armani. Charles’ hand left Rowan’s and made its way up her back, rubbing small circles between her shoulders. “This is your day, sweetheart, not mine. Do any of these look good to you?” He chuckled, gesturing towards the pristine buildings in their line of sight. He had to admit that he was immensely curious about what her taste would be like, and he knew that he would probably be sneaking off to buy her something himself before the day was out.

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“yeah? that’s neat. if ‘m ever feelin’ the journalism vibe, i’ll remember that ‘n take a read,” he flashed a cheery grin in return. “‘s all right. i mean, i think i’ve had time t’ adjust, i think, bein’ here two weeks now. still very different from the life i led before, but i suppose this place ain’t an absolute hell. ‘m treated okay, yeah.”

Charles was happy to meet another pet who seemed to be taking his situation in stride, rather than mope around the mansion. Of course the master believed that the pets had more than enough reason to mope if they were brought unwillingly, but he still enjoyed seeing smiling faces far more than melancholy ones. “Oh, that’s about the same amount of time as me. I’m glad to hear that your master treats you well, I hear about too many here who mistreat their pets.”

#Atlas

MIKEL LAUGHED, SHAKING his head as he fiddled with the pages between his fingers. The man certainly wasn’t wrong, as far as he knew. “Luckily my work rarely strays out of America. They were still pretty strict on keeping an early schedule, however,” he nodded. “Well, if you care for some advice, you’re not bound to whoever you get suggested to,” he shrugged. “I think your real dilemma would be figuring out you like both. Which could be avoided by claiming the pet you have now and not bothering with the suggestion at all. Right?” he gave a small smile, crossing his arms as he sat over an armrest.

“Really? What do you do, if I may ask?” The question was an innocent one, as his curiosity about the man was getting the better of him, and Charles always wondered what other career paths would allow someone to be wealthy enough to enter the mansion as a master. He had essentially advised him to do what he himself had been aching to do since he left Rowan’s side, but it was difficult for Charles to admit to himself that he felt so strongly for another person, and even more difficult to shake the disapproving looks that his family would be giving him if they knew who had become the apple of his eye. “I guess you’re right. I don’t like not knowing who my suggested pet is, but I think she’s better than anyone I could have hoped for in the first place.”

“THAT COULD EXPLAIN your affinity towards it,” he laughed, “I don’t think my parents ever even picked up a newspaper. They were more about figuring stuff out via gossip.” Mikel gave another polite smile before drawing his hand back, “Pleasure’s all mine, Charles.” He gave a quick laugh at the question, looking down as he shook his head, “Boredom. Habit,” he shrugged. “My internal clock apparently hasn’t registered that I’m on vacation. And it’s not like I’m used to — “ Waking up alone. No, he wasn’t going to say that. “Not used to being caught up. No work to do and whatnot,” he forced out a laugh. “So why are you up so early, then?”

“Well, newspapers are probably half gossip and half fact anyway,” he admitted with a grin. Thus far he hadn’t had much to do with the actual content of the Times, but he hoped that in the future that would change. “Ah, I know how that is. I travel so much that I feel like I’m perpetually jetlagged,” he remarked, nodding in understandng of the man’s situation. “I guess I’ve had a lot on my mind. I still haven’t met my suggested pet, and I found one that I really enjoy the company of.” He hadn’t intended on telling the truth, but it was too early for him to think of a suitable lie or to think of a good reason to.

stovkholm

charles himself seemed BRIGHTER and HAPPIER. it was refreshing. she knew he’d end up successful and happy he always had that drive about him. small smirk makes its way onto her lips at his words. ‘ her name is olivia. very SHY. i’m still learning about her though. and you? ’

atlasjcnsen-deactivated20170313

The second the name Olivia escaped her lips, Charles balked. He was unsure if it would be awkward for her or for both of them that he had won a weekend with her in the auction. Nothing of note happened aside from him cheering her up a little bit, but he still felt glad that he didn’t develop any exceptional kind of fondness for her now that he was aware that she was spoken for. “Oh yeah, I know her very well. She seemed kind of down, so I bid on her at the auction and won. I don’t have a pet of my own as of yet, but I have my eye on one.”

#Vivian

“it is, actually,” atlas nodded happily, looking back up to the other shortly after. taking a few more steps, he picked up the book that had been shoved his way and looked over the cover. “ain’t never heard of it, no,” he flipped it over to the back cover, skimming over it. “how’re ya likin’ it?” he placed it back down, moving to sit on one of the couches close by. “atlas. good meetin’ ya, charles. ‘m a pet, how ‘bout you?”

“Oh, I love it. I’ve read it a ton already, though. It’s been on my dad’s bookshelf since the day it was released, probably. My family’s in journalism and this is considered one of the best books about it ever written.” Charles offered Atlas an enthusiastic smile. “I’m a master. How are you liking it here? Are you treated okay?” He didn’t want to bring up any sore subjects but the man seemed happy enough, so he figured they were appropriate questions to ask.

#Atlas

AS MUCH AS SHE ENJOYED the conversation and just being with charles in general, rowan finds that she’s extremely glad when her companion’s announcing their arrival. flying, even in the luxury of first class on a private jet, still gets her anxieties agitated and, honestly, if it weren’t for charles there beside her, the girl is certain she would have had a full blown panic attack. she’s excited though and not just to be landing and out of the air. over the course of a few hours, she’s found reason to be excited to see rodeo drive and even more excited to spend time with charles. she finds herself leaning across his lap so that she can peek out the circular window, heart giving a happy twirl as the ‘stereotypical’ beachy appearance of the ground below slowly comes into focus. “oh, it’s lovely,” she beams, slipping her hand into charles’ right as he reaches for hers.

her grip tightens once again but with charles speaking, she’s better able to focus on what he’s saying as opposed to her fear of falling out of the sky. “if i’m being compared to that, i feel like it’s not much of an accomplishment to be the most exciting,” she giggles, obviously teasing in her tone. she finally allows his hand to drop when all wheels are on the ground and sneaks her hand back into his at the earliest convenience. she feels like she should have some luggage but the attendants have taken care of the flowers over the course of the flight so she has nothing else to carry besides the clothes on her back. “remember? i’ve never been. all i know that i want is to go in the stores like in pretty woman. where all the people dote on her, you know? a fancy little shop where i can get a pretty dress and pretend i have someplace important to where it.” rowan even swings their hands a little as they deboard the plane. her eyes are wide as saucers, taking in the gorgeous california scenes spreading out before her. “oh wow.”

#Rowan #Sorry this is so long!#Class has been crazy!

Charles hadn’t been to Beverly Hills often, only on the occasional business trip, and only his mother frequented Rodeo Drive. He was also fairly anxious to see the lavish city once more, though he would never admit it, and he felt that it had been far too long since he had taken someone along with him for a trip. Most of his peers in New York wanted to stay there, the women content with Fifth Avenue, and the men content with Wall Street. The master had never been fully content with the city at all, and while he wanted a home there someday he still couldn’t envision himself staying in one place for very long, with the lone exception of Bates. So far everything was turning out better than he’d hoped for the mansion, and if staying there for an extended period of time meant the opportunity of seeing Rowan, he was more than willing to comply. “I think excitement is a wonderful quality to have. It’s refreshing compared to the other people I’ve met at the mansion so far, that’s for certain.” He avoided saying the word pet because she didn’t feel like one to him, and he didn’t want to hang any fact over her head. If it were up to him, she wouldn’t be a pet, so for the present time he ditched the term.

“Well, if doting’s what you want, you’ll have all of that and more. Besides, you can wear something nice for dinner, and there will definitely be more dinners to follow even after we’re back home. You’ll have nothing but beautiful things to wear from now on.” He didn’t want to jump the gun or scare Rowan, but he had half of a mind to tell her that he didn’t plan for her to ever see the dorm that she came from again, no matter what it took. Charles descended the stairway that led them off of the plane, once again opening the passenger door first before climbing into the driver’s side of the vehicle, this time a glossy Bentley. He pulled up a map of Rodeo Drive and headed for the southernmost point with the intention of the two working their way north. Rigid palms lined the skyline and luckily for the two of them the drive was brief. Within minutes Charles found a parking garage in a prime location and escorted Rowan onto the sidewalk, leaving the car with one of the valets beside the street. “Looks like we’re here,” he remarked, beaming at the young woman before letting his eyes drift along the many shops that filled the drive.

AS SHE HAD EXPECTED, the rocky feeling of the plane taking off from the runway had her reflexes reacting before her common sense could tell her not to. her hands unfurled from one another and the one which was nearer to charles’ intertwines their fingers with a vice like grip. she finds that she’s holding her own breath when a dizzy feeling pricks at the corners of her vision and its only when the air smooths out that she’s both letting her lungs deflate and loosening her death hold on charles’ hand. “sorry,” she giggles out of embarrassment, looking down at the little moon shaped marks on his skin made by her fingernails. “nervous flyer, i guess?” slim shoulders lift in a shrug and she unlocks their hands entirely when they’re reaching a safe cruising altitude.

“you’re making me out to be much more intelligent than i think i deserve credit for, charles,” she smiles gently. her cheeks feel rosy with the warmth of a pleasant flush. he doesn’t seem to be giving her any moment’s break from all the compliments, a phenomenon to which the girl was not accustomed whatsoever. “i’m not sure anyone would take me seriously in a classroom setting – i’m barely five feet tall and don’t think i even break one hundred pounds soaking wet.” rowan’s nose crinkles and she tries to think back to when she still had the optimism to dream. “i guess there was a short span of time where i wanted to be, like, in fashion design? that sounds so silly compared to journalism and law and, like, things that make a difference. but when you’re little and you have to figure out how to rewear your clothes so that no one notices you’ve repeated the same outfit three times that week – well, it gets a child’s mind working anyways, i guess?”

she’s never admitted that to anyone before and it makes her a little glad that charles steps away to grab the champagne and glasses. she’s impressed not only by his mastery of the beverage but the smooth way he moves around the plane itself. he’s effortlessly comfortable in the luxury of a private plane, that much is obvious. “thank you,” she smiles and accepts the flute in between her fingers. “to the both of us having a good time.” her drink clinks against his and, to assure him that, so far, he’s done a good job of making her want to try this again, she nudges her ankle against his where they were seated. rowan doesn’t want to attract attention to the gesture though so she’s tipping the drink to her lips, eyes fluttering closed as she swallowed the pretty bubbles down, making her feel lighter than air.

#Rowan #I decided to shorten it some so we can get through everything they want to do faster

The three hour plane ride to Beverly Hills would usually be a long and tedious one for Charles, but he and Rowan filled it with laughter, champagne, and quality conversations. In fact, the two made it seem ike hardly any time at all passed between the time that the plane’s wheels left the runway and when they eventually made their touchdown in California. The master also made sure to keep his hand in a comfortably reachable position during the duration of the flight, not wanting to cross any of her boundaries but also allowing the option for comfort to be there if she needed it. “It looks like we’re almost here,” he noted, pointing out of the plane’s window at the miniscule palm trees and pools below and moving his body to make sure that she would get a good view.

Slowly but surely the plane made its descent, and the master’s hand instinctively reached out to clasp Rowan’s, making sure that she was alright. “That was probably the most fun that I’ve had on a flight. Usually my mother just gabs to my father about what she’ll be throwing money away on next while he just reads the paper.” Charles’ comment made him wonder what it would have been like if she was present on one of the family’s planes, how she would be recieved, and how the two would fill the hours before they would reach their destination. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he attempted to focus on the afternoon and evening ahead as the plane came to a complete stop. Unfastening his seatbelt, he quickly rose from his chair and headed for the aisle, holding out his hand for his companion. “Do you have any idea where you want to go first?” he asked, himself having only some idea of which shops would be there but still curious about where exactly a young woman like herself would want to go.

atlasjcnsen-deactivated20170313

he smiles when the other says it’s all right, and actually engages in conversation. his eyes drop back down to the book in his hands, and he takes a few short steps over towards the other. “dr. jekyll and mr. hyde,” atlas answers, briefly flicking through the pages which, from the rather ragged appearance, had been flipped through many times before. “i was hopin’ t’ find it here. what d’ya got there?” he nods down to the book he’d set down.

Charles gave the stranger a surprised nod in response, taking another look at the book which he held. “Is that a favorite of yours?” Of course it appeared to be, but the master was only attempting to make conversation. “Oh, I’m reading All the President’s Men. Have you heard of it?” He pushed the book in the other’s direction with a pleasant grin. “I’m Charles, by the way. Are you a master or a pet?” He inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.

#Atlas

HE GAVE A SHORT chuckle at the other’s statement. “I actually used to be quite the history buff — so I certainly have an idea of what I’m in for,” he laughed. “Yes! I saw the movie, actually. It’s been a while, but I remember enjoying it.” Mikel raised his brows, hand reaching to hold the object handed to him, “Oh, well thank you.” He gave the man a polite, acknowledging smile, “I’ll let you know how it goes.” He leafed through the pages swiftly before looking back up at the stranger, “I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet, have I?” He extended a hand, “I’m Mikel.”

“Really? I come from a family of journalists, so this was basically required reading. I still love it regardless.” Charles watched as the stranger took the book in his hands, and he shot back a grin of his own in return. “Sounds good to me. Oh, I don’t think you have. I’m Charles Kennedy, nice to meet you,” he responded, shaking the hand that was offered to him. “I think this early we can excuse the lack of formalities. Why are you awake so early, anyway?” He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to hear the answer, especially because he knew that he’d be hesitant if asked the same question.

SHE WASN’T QUITE SURE her hypothetical vote meant as much as he said it did but it’s a nice sentiment nonetheless. the fact that she even felt comfortable joking with him at all is a testament to the leve of trust she’s already relinquished. she hadn’t though it possible to feel this free while still abiding with the contexts of bates mansion. perhaps it’s as simple as the fact that they’re off the mansion’s grounds that’s accounting for the lowering of her guards although the more time they spend together, the more she considers something else being the reason for the hammering of her heart and the ease of her smile. right now, though, she doesn’t have time for something else. she’s too focused on the present and keeping up with his verbal cues.

at his compliment, roundabout though it may be, she can’t help the flush that colors her cheeks. “i don’t know much about this talk of sons and family traditions but i really do believe that people should follow their dreams if they’re within reach. but so long as you consider it someday, i suppose that’s just as well.” she tips her chin forward to allow a curtain of hair to hide her shy expression, a rosy smile blossoming upon her lips. “you do have a point though. i’d probably have ended up with far less talkative company – and i doubt i’d be on a private jet about to go shopping on rodeo drive. so we can both be happy with the direction your life has taken.” a musical peal of laughter accompanies the admission and she lifts her gaze to turn her smile onto him.

rowan perches herself on the seat he’d indicated, hands folding primly in her lap. she’s a little surprised when charles’ hand moves over to cover her own smaller one but she makes no move to pull away. in fact, she rather appreciates it – most of her travels had been by car or moving van, leaving her experience with planes a bit lacking. she has no doubt that she’ll be gripping onto his hand on more than one occasion during this flight and she appreciates it just being there, letting him know with a smile. “i’m nineteen,” she confesses. “i can handle one glass of champagne though, i promise.” maybe she just likes the idea of drinking a fancy drink on a private jet – she’ll keep that to herself, thank you very much.

#Rowan #I'll def timeskip after this

It was only a few more moments before Charles felt the plane dart down the runway, lifting off of the ground with immense speed. Takeoff occurred almost as quickly as he had begun wrapping himself up into her life, and despite the warning signs that flashed in his head, the master didn’t intend to put on the brakes any time soon. Rowan was already beginning to mean more to him than he thought anyone could, and he was already willing to do just about anything to keep her by his side. He was glad to hear how content she was with the way that things were playing out, and if nothing else Charles felt incredibly relieved when he was with her and didn’t feel obligated to put on any kind of facade. Better still, he knew that he’d be more than happy to take her on excursions like this one whenever the mood struck the two of them.

“Well, what about you? You must have some dreams too, even if you haven’t chosen a career path.” The deflection of her point was instinctual, and though normally he wouldn’t want to get her hopes up considering the fact that she was stuck in the mansion for the present time, he was willing to make an exception just to get a glimpse into her mind. “With the amount of knowledge that you appear to have, you’d make a great teacher, or even a professor or a librarian.” Charles took the opportunity to imagine her writing her name on a chalkboard in front of a group of small children, or wearing a pair of cat-eye spectacles while surrounded by mountains of books.

Once the light above him shut off and indicated that he could stand, he made his way over to the rear of the plane, carefully popping the cork of one of the vintage champagnes in his storage. He poured a glass for Rowan and another for himself and escorted the flutes back to the front of the aircraft, being careful not to spill a drop. Taking his seat once more, Charles set his own champagne down on his tray and handed the other to the lady in his company. Usually he was far more eloquent when making a toast, but this time it took a few moments for him to find the right words. “To the hope that maybe you won’t be running in the other direction by the end of this, and maybe we can do this again sometime.”

r2--d2

#( * ░ charles' life . )

charlottethelittle-deactivated2

“I’m sure there’d be something else illegal. Maybe they’d be offering some kind of illegal drug for their clientele?” she suggested as if it was nothing. “But I’d definitely hide away the money too. Who even wants to pay those amounts of taxes?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. A friend of mine who was here was joking about it, but you never know what some of the people here could be hiding.” He chuckled at the comment, remembering how many headlines he had read for his newspaper about corrupt billionaires cheating the tax system. “Next to no one. Believe me, I know all about it.”

#Haylee

“A MILLION?” MIKEL chuckled as he repeated the assertion, “It can’t be too shabby, then.” He took a moment to look around the library again, sighing as he gave the other a slight shrug. “Nothing of interest. Either I’ve read it, I have no interest in it, or I’m not ready for that much commitment,” he joked, giving another quick laugh. “All the President’s Men is certainly something I’ve been considering for a while now. So I thought I would bother you. Unless you have any other recommendations, of course.”

“Well, maybe not that many times, but it’s been on my bookshelf since I was old enough to understand it.” The master felt sorry that the other man hadn’t found anything worth reading, but then again Charles hadn’t done much looking and still wasn’t sure what the library had to offer. “Nope, I’d recommend this book to just about anyone. It’s historical, but it’s still really exciting. They made a movie about it too that’s really good.” He took out his place and handed the novel over with a smile. “You’re free to try it, I already know how it ends. Besides, I might have better luck with the shelves and it’s about time I read something else anyway.”

stovkholm

vivian’s arms come to fold across her chest. body seemingly TIGHT && TENSE. charles was a reminder of what she was— what she was supposed to be. specifically with him. parents could be quite controlling when they wanted to be. luckily her and charles had broke that cycle. she didn’t have any foul feelings towards him for they did end on a m u t a l note after all. ‘ VERY FITTING if i do say so myself. ’ she agrees with a grin, chuckling at the thoughts of past memories. ‘ i’m praying for the poor toy that falls into your lap. ’ she teases him dimples making an appearance as she chuckles softly.