oh no, you let the wrong word slip

RP blog for @paxtonrp

[ijemma-okafor]

Name: Ijemma "Jem" Okafor Age/Birthday: 38 (July 31, 1986) Gender & Pronouns: woman, she/her Occupation: Chief Information Officer Affiliation and Position: Obsidian Holdings, Executive Board

"You know good things are happening when the jackboot needs to jump."

BIOGRAPHY.

Born, raised, and educated in the nation's capital, Ijemma Okafor Roosevelt is the result of generations of strong, patriotic citizenship. Her grandfather immigrated from Nigeria to attend Howard University and quickly became one of DC's most successful private investigators. Her father managed one better--worked his way up to Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the CIA. A third generation Howard graduate, Ijemma realized that working for the government meant an awful lot of effort and risk for not nearly enough reward.

After graduating with a Master's degree in IT Management, Jemma spent a year working for the CIA. But her undergraduate minor in business administration piqued her interest in the corporate sector. After a surname change to reclaim her heritage--and break the nepotistic line of prim government service--she found Obsidian Holdings. The irony, of course, was that they loved her connections to DC.

She discovered she had a knack for research early in her career. She was better than most IT people but not as skilled as some. She proved to have a set of skills that made it handy to catch so-called criminals. As a result, most of her career in the CIA revolved around cyber-crimes. Her work with Obsidian requires the same kind of research, but often to totally different ends.

She began her work with Obsidian as a consultant. But once she was hired on permanently and made a board member, she had no trouble uprooting her life and moving to Arizona. Her abrupt departure from the CIA and equally sudden move across the country left her father devastated.

Jemma is a realist. Generally in life, she aligns with good over evil. but she's of the opinion that her work is truly neutral. Information is information, there is no morality attached. If someone gets destroyed because of her work, it wasn't her doing, it was the information.

She knows deep in her bones that she's working for The Man and that her personal morals don't align with that, but she's not ready to admit it to herself yet--she may never be ready.

CONNECTIONS

TBD

PLOT ARC.

As the master of secrets, she tends to know things before most everyone else does. Whether or not she chooses to share everything she knows is entirely up to her, as she's been known to withhold information until it benefits her ambitions…which this town is only a small piece of the bigger picture.

[jake-campbell]

"That is an improvement -- who knows, maybe, in another six months you'll be adopted into the fold," Joel smiled. If things were different, he might have felt warmer about laying down roots in the small desert town. As it stood, all he really liked was the view. The food was 50/50, but he figured this might tilt the scale more in the town's favor. In that way, he was always a numbers guy, looking for the gains.

Jem's question, thankfully, called on the one thing he liked so far about Paxton. "My host's good at his job; I also think his property has one of the nicest views, if not the nicest in town," Joel genuinely meant that, too. If there was one thing he wouldn't lie about it was the scenery of his travels. Sometimes, moments like these made Joel miss the days he was disappointing his family. "Although, I hear your place isn't anything to sneeze at. Have you started renovating, or are you waiting until we've settled in more?"

[ijemma-okafor]

She'd started a basic file on the Blue Rooster Ranch--there was lots of information to add, given how old and prominent it had been through the years. But none of it seemed particularly juicy. A legacy ranch handed down to eldest sons generation after generation like some kind of modern day monarchy. Felt a little old fashioned, in her book. But apparently it worked. None of the inquiries Obsidian had made while she worked for them had won even a centimeter of ground.

"I keep meaning to head out there one day and get a look at it. Haven't really had occasion to visit, but now that you're there, I guess I have an excuse." She took a sip of the complimentary wine they'd passed out and pondered on her own place for a minute.

"I bit the bullet. Found a decent contractor who's nice enough to explain what he's doing instead of treating me like a clueless laywoman. It's not total chaos yet, but I'm bracing for it."

[grayson-hall]

“I do. I don’t think our actual dining table has been used for anything other than a project corner for about five years,” Gray said. Between his own projects, folded laundry, and the kid’s backpacks the table hardly had enough place for a glass.

“I can start as early as the end of the week — I’ll send you a quote tomorrow. If all looks good, do you have times you don’t want work to be done? Not that I plan on working all hours of the day and night, but I know some people prefer to be present, or have days that they don’t want their home turning into a construction zone.”

[ijemma-okafor]

"Oh gosh, growing up, my mom was a stickler about family dinners around the table. It was good, probably! I think there was a whole ad campaign when I was younger about...the family that eats together stays together or something?" It was a quaint idea for people who lived in a family. On her own, she was prone to eating in front of her laptop while she worked.

"Anyway, a quote sounds great! And I have no particular schedule preference. I try to make myself sleep in on Saturdays, but even then, it's only until 8 or 9. So any time other than that is fine." The nosy part of her wanted very much to be around for every moment of construction action, but that was neither necessary nor realistic. "Whatever works best for your team is good by me."

[jake-campbell]

The thing about being between houses was Joel had even more reason to avoid cooking. Yet, there he found himself, roped into a cooking class, nonetheless. It was something about the company employees, especially the executive board, needing to support their businesses. United fronts and altruism and all that. It seemed Jem took the spiel to heart, too, as she arrived at the front of the kitchen.

When she came closer, Joel happily waved a hand to the empty space. "Consider it team building," he said, happy to have Jem join him than Hector himself. Joel cleared more space for Jem to put down her things. As he glanced towards the front of the class, no directives yet, he thought about the last time he saw Obsidian's CIO in-person. "Do you feel like a local, yet? You've been here since..." he trailed off, "How long has it been now?"

[ijemma-okafor]

The sight of Joel was such a relief, she didn't even try hiding the way her shoulders slumped in relaxation. "Coming up on six months. And no, don't feel a bit like a local. But I feel less like a total outsider, so it's an improvement."

People in Joel's line of work were an interesting sort of conundrum for Jem. First and foremost, she respected their shared interest in learning things and gathering information. But that almost always meant that they could pose some kind of competition. In business, Jem felt most comfortable when she was the most-informed person in the room. That was no guarantee around Joel. But business aside? She felt a sort of kinship with him. Taken altogether, it made him a perfect partner for this kind of outing.

"What about you? And that ranch you're at--how's home on the range?"

[grayson-hall]

"Thank you. I was nervous when Jaime wanted to intern with Obsidian; Raina wasn't employed in the way that most of you who moved here are, but Castle Rock always fell under the umbrella and that was the last place anyone saw her," Gray revealed. None of what he said wasn't already reported, but it felt necessary for the words to come from his mouth. At the end of the day, he would never feel that everything was quite right with his wife during those last weeks. Some people assumed it was Gray or something in their marriage, but as far as Gray knew the only stressor in their lives was her work. All those people every day, all wanting something different under their own timelines, why weren't any of them looked at? Why just him? As if Obsidian Holdings, or any company like it, kept all their business clean. "I didn't stop Jaime because she'll ultimately make her own decisions, but I'm telling you that because that wound isn't healed. So, just, if it ever comes up from anyone, just know she doesn't react kindly to questions."

He was willing to leave it at that, and happy to return to the business at hand. The clap of Ijemma's hands was like a mood shifter. He considered the idea and pursed his lips. "We could probably fit a custom-sized on. Shorter and thinner than usual, but an island with some extra counter space."

[ijemma-okafor]

Good for her, was the clearest thing Jem thought in reaction to all of that information. Good for Jaime that she wasn't forcing something to heal up that still stung her. Jem had worked and studied in male-dominated fields all her life, so she knew how young women were so often encouraged to make themselves quieter and more amenable in all scenarios. So she'd always have a fondness for brash ladies who would submit.

Privately, she also decided that any future digging she did in regards to Raina would be with Grayson in mind. She wasn't ready to tell him that yet, and she certainly wouldn't be telling her employer. But no one could patrol her thoughts, and as far as those were concerned, she was now aligned with the Hall family.

"That sounds great! Definitely doesn't have to be big, just a little something for prep space or eating when I don't feel like setting a whole table, y'know?"

[grayson-hall]

It wasn't that Gray didn't want to talk about Raina He just mentioned her, hadn't he? He just didn't like to talk about her disappearance like she wasn't someone before it. Like she hadn't been his best friend, the mother of their children, his wife, his world. Yet, he didn't completely balk at the question or the sympathy. It really depended on the day. Sometimes sympathy was a knife to the back. Sometimes it was welcome. Sometimes his world didn't spin backwards on its axis. So, Gray gave a tight nod. "I'm not surprised she still comes up when people research this place -- I get emails and all that from the YouTubers and the Podcasters a couple times a year," he sighed. It was always strange to have people asking for his side of the story like the case wasn't still open even if it was cold.

"Thank you, though. It's been about seven years now. A lot has changed for us," he said and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "If you have questions, I can try to answer them. There's somethings I can't talk about because of her case, but there's a lot of bullshit out there, too. Half of why Jaime got grounded a few weeks back."

[ijemma-okafor]

Jem had never had much of a poker face, so as soon as he mentioned Youtube personalities and armchair detectives, she was sure her disdain was clear as day. She didn't begrudge anyone the impulse to do research--encouraged it, in fact. But decency mattered, too. Information was innocent on its own, but folks sure knew how to use it to be jackasses. The idea of calling up a widower to get nosy about his dead wife for podcast fodder? Oof, it made her skin crawl.

"You don't have to answer anything to me about all that. I've just never been good at pretending I don't know something. Which is to say it's out in the open now. Especially as far as Jaime's concerned." The internship still had a long while to go, and Gray made it sound like whatever had gotten Jaime grounded might not be a singular occurrence.

"Anyway," she clapped her hands together softly. "Tell me, in your professional opinion--can this kitchen fit an island? I'd love a little more counter space."

[ijemma-okafor]

Open Starter Where: Anvil When: Not Another Boring Dinner (cooking lesson)

Now that her kitchen was being actively remodeled, Jem had run out of reasonable excuses for her less-than-impressive cooking repertoire. It helped that Obsidian staff got a discount on the class--always interesting employee benefits from the company, she'd give them that much.

But without a robust social circle, Jem had wandered into the foray all by her lonesome. And they were meant to be learning in pairs or groups...flashbacks of her high school physics class came whirring back until she shut that down. No time for wallowing in memories of adolescent awkwardness. She even ran her tongue across her front teeth like she expected to feel braces.

With a shake of her head, she looked around to see if she could spy someone by themselves. When she finally spotted a solo soul, she approached with as much faux confidence as she could muster. "Any chance you're also in need of a cooking partner? I didn't know we were meant to bumble through gourmet cuisine in pairs."

[dana-faust]

Dana: Some will find a way for a time, no doubt.

Dana: But, Jemma, we all know that increased rent allows for better amenities, more prompt maintenance, access to employment in the very same building as well as proximity to said businesses.

Dana: If Obsidian has to ground up reno to bring things to code it would make sense that those quality of life improvements would also add to the cost for value.

Dana: Right?

[ijemma-okafor]

Jemma: I'm no bleeding heart, don't get me wrong, free market and all that. Jemma: I've just seen first hand in DC how messy it gets when cheap housing gets cut out of the equation. Jemma: Guess that's not really Obsidian's problem to deal with, though.

[fterrell]

he thinks the look she gives him is a little bit suspicious, like she wants to figure out his whole deal right here, right now, which—fair. chet would be doing the same thing if he weren't so tired. he sort of recognizes her, seen her around town here and there but she's clearly not a native. chet isn't one himself but he'd know. you're here long enough, you're able to pick up a thing or two.

still, that's a non-issue, since chet's used to treating everyone like his friend. it'd be a shit business practice if he didn't. "not even one drink? won't even have to tip," he says with a smile, open, inviting. "promise we're a very fun place. best in town, don't listen to anyone else."

[ijemma-okafor]

He had the face and the quick wit of an exceptional bartender--an archetype of person that Jem had always found endearing. The sort that had probably existed since the beginning of time and did more of humanity's heavy lifting than most anyone realized. Skeptic that she was, Jem was no longer able to be entirely charmed by anyone. But he was doing a decent job.

"Honey, you don't have to sell me. Came here for a drink, and I don't listen to anyone anyways. But what kinda person do you think I am, that wouldn't tip my bartender?" The question was teasing, in a gentle way, but she meant it. She might be working for the big bad corporation, but she always tipped her servers.

[grayson-hall]

"The young bloods on the crew call that soulless chic -- the stainless steel and the white marble," Gray observed. Technically, he called it that, but it was easier to pin the insult on the younger guys who weren't there. The cracked vinyl, yellowed with age, was undoubtedly worse, though.

Gray was peering at the hinges on the cabinet doors, frowning at them, when Ijemma asked him for recommendations. He mentally went through the list of places Raina knew about -- trying to remember which ones hadn't closed over the years. "Trailblazer has some home decor, but for furniture you'd be surprised what people sell at Main Street Market on Fridays; outside of that, my wife-," Gray paused, he always struggled between whether or not to use the past or the present tense when talking about Raina, "- there's a place off the exit to Payson; looks like a red barn. It's a huge property that sells furniture and just about anything you could think of. 'Think the owners said they source the furniture from estate sales over in Europe or something. They also do this picnic basket lunch thing. My family used to make a day out of it."

[ijemma-okafor]

She made mental notes of all the places Gray recommended--Trailblazer was a new lead, and though she'd been to the Market, she'd have to pay more attention to the pockets of antiques now that she had something to be looking for.

The mention of his wife, though, took full priority in her mind. Jem knew she was nosy, but she at least managed some decorum where personal sensitive information was concerned. If Gray didn't seem like a halfway decent guy, she probably would've found an excuse to mention the ordeal with his wife by now. But she just couldn't bring herself to be so casual about it. Here, though, Gray was opening the conversation--not wide, mind you, but enough that Jem was hooked.

"Red barn," she repeated. "Duly noted. I appreciate it." One more beat of silence, and she went for it. "I was sorry to hear about your wife. I--well, research is kinda my job, so when I moved to Paxton and started learning more about the town..." Raina Hall's disappearance had made lots of headlines. "Anyway, maybe it's in poor taste for me to even bring it up, ignore me if so. You just have my sympathies."

She found she actually meant that.

[dana-faust]

Dana: You'll have to come see.

Dana: Maybe she'll dose Mr. Astor and we'll all get another lecture from Legal.

[ijemma-okafor]

Jemma: Okay, bigger fish to fry... Jemma: Oceanview Jemma: Is anyone actually putting up with the rent hike? I figured that high an increase is purely to boot people.

[grayson-hall]

Starter for @ijemma-okafor

Where: Jem's Place in Seton Village

When: Present

With Jaime's phone privileges restored, Gray hadn't expected a call from Ijemma. Truthfully, he figured Ijemma would rather call a different contractor for her fixer upper. Yet, when he answered the call, he wasn't all that surprised. His work spoke for itself and sometimes, luckily, it spoke louder than the rumor mill.

Gray was letting himself be led through the house, she hadn't lied about the 80s aesthetic, and found himself pleasantly surprised. It was a nice place but not ostentatious, either. It'd clean up nice, he thought. It was when Ijemma turned around that he drew away from his thoughts. "You weren't joking," Gray said whistling at the sight of the kitchen cabinets. It was always kitchen's that got the brunt of it. "So, I'm guessing this is where you want to start, or is it the bathrooms?"

[ijemma-okafor]

She shouldn’t have been surprised that Gray hit the nail on the head in one try. The discolored vinyl covering on the cabinets wasn’t vintage in a charming way—they just always looked dirty, no matter how much she cleaned them.

“I actually really like throwback kitchens. Never been one for all the stainless steel and marble that people put in to update.” He wasn’t an interior decorator, but she figured he’d been in the field long enough to understand some basic aesthetics. “But this is not what I’m going for.” Mid-century modern was kitschy in a cute way. Peeling vinyl was just depressing. “If you’ve got recommendations for local places with good selections, I’d be happy to hear them. And I’m willing to pay a little more for quality.” The house had been an excellent deal, so she knew she’d have to invest a little extra love in it. “I like a bit of character. Just…not this much.”

[dana-faust]

Dana: The carrot of profit helps one overcome many things.

Dana: It's legal in more states now. Research shows it trending among WASPs and TT influencers.

[ijemma-okafor]

Jemma: Wait, so...are you telling me she brought a giant edible to work? Jemma: Or did she just bring a cake recipe for us to try? Jemma: 'Cause my heavy work is done for the day, not opposed to taking the edge off, but I do not trust that woman to dose things right.

[ijemma-okafor]

She could respect that Mr. Hall had a standard of discipline for his children, even if she didn't care at all to know its nuances. Jaime seemed like she'd be just fine, provided the world didn't hand her too much more shit. Of course, that was unlikely. The world was rarely kind to motherless young women who cut their teeth on injustice. Jem figured it was better that Jaime be a little too sharp than a little too soft.

She was going to wave off his offer for help, but she had just purchased a bit of a fixer upper. And while she hadn't planned to start any renovations until springtime, Mr. Hall was probably a good person to get to know. His professional expertise would definitely come in handy. And the intrigue surrounding his family...well, she wouldn't be so rude as to pry, but she wanted more information that public news stories had provided.

"I might just take you up on that. I bought a house out in Seton Village recently, just a little one story bungalow, but I don't think it's seen much love since the 80s."

[grayson-hall]

At the mention of Seton Village, Gray nodded knowingly. Seton Village was hit or miss sometimes when it came to neighbors. Some neighbors were better maintained than others. At the mention of the house Ijemma purchased looking like it belonged in the 80s, Gray couldn't help but chuckle. "That doesn't really surprise me. 'Been in quite a few of those over the years," He said.

Pocketing the schedule, Gray placed his hands in his pockets. He was starting to feel awkward surrounded by all these glass walls. "Thank you, again. I think I've taken up enough of your time, but don't be a stranger if you decide the '80s isn't your decade."

[ijemma-okafor]

//END THREAD

[grayson-hall]

"It's a shame, if that's true -- about not looking out for your kids," Ijemma had said. Gray didn't have to say the obvious: it was a damn shame; his kids never deserved to get wrapped up in all the speculation. His kids deserved a community that supported them through the loss of their mother. Not people with microphones and video cameras surrounding their home and forcing Gray to send them away; only for those same people to follow them online.

"Thank you," he said with a brief smile. He always found it hard not to feel a source of pride when it came to his kids -- especially, when other people realized how impressive they were becoming. "You're probably one of the few people that sees the positive in her not being afraid to speak up. I just need her to sharpen her discernment, then she can keep her phone and not get grounded."

He said the last bit as Ijemma handed him Jaime's schedule with her cellphone number across the top. Gray looked over the dates and nodded. "Thank you, again. I appreciate what you're doing for her -- if you ever need any sort of construction work you can give me a call. If I can't help, I'll at least be able to send someone skilled your way."

[ijemma-okafor]

She could respect that Mr. Hall had a standard of discipline for his children, even if she didn't care at all to know its nuances. Jaime seemed like she'd be just fine, provided the world didn't hand her too much more shit. Of course, that was unlikely. The world was rarely kind to motherless young women who cut their teeth on injustice. Jem figured it was better that Jaime be a little too sharp than a little too soft.

She was going to wave off his offer for help, but she had just purchased a bit of a fixer upper. And while she hadn't planned to start any renovations until springtime, Mr. Hall was probably a good person to get to know. His professional expertise would definitely come in handy. And the intrigue surrounding his family...well, she wouldn't be so rude as to pry, but she wanted more information that public news stories had provided.

"I might just take you up on that. I bought a house out in Seton Village recently, just a little one story bungalow, but I don't think it's seen much love since the 80s."

[dana-faust]

Dana: That's more like it. Dana: The idea is baking kits specifically to use with cannabutter or oil. Dana: Take-and-Bake. 🥁

[ijemma-okafor]

Jemma: Are you being serious right now? Jemma: Sue Ellen who almost called the police on the IT guy she didn't recognize? Jemma: I could've sworn she was the type to blaze it and end up in the ER with a panic attack.

[dana-faust]

Dana: Ew I've only been there once. On a dare.Is it that identifiable?

Dana: The CIO doesn't know the birthday of each employee?

Dana: It's a pitch. Take-and-Bake.

[ijemma-okafor]

Jemma: The CIO DOES know the birthday of each employee, that’s why I added a second question mark.

Jemma: Dare I ask what the pitch is for this time? Obsidian’s gonna make its next ten million in home baking?