The room was filled with music and a lot of people chit-chating to one another. Honestly its nothing but an annoying game, that he has to deal with one that despite the years of teaching, still doesn't make it fun.
Sighing, he quietly adjusted his gloves in a bit of a nervous habit, as he scan the room. His mother was talking to some business association for his father (said man was dancing about with out a care in the world it seems)
As he continued to scan the room his cousins were still taking part in the begum play book so give the time they still be busy trying to win over investors and donations to their causes, in hopes to keep from being last place and thus forced into a contract marriage, though unlike with his mother's generation; it wouldn't be rigged by an outside party. That thought had him look to his perternal grandparents.
Said adults seemed to be talking to other older people who chaim was sure were shareholders for a few different companies. And he can even see his favorite grandparents not to far from them they also seem to be talking with their shareholders.
He sighed once more, with this being his father's party it meant he couldn't vanish like he normally would, and he didn't even get to enjoy spending time with Irfan. Since the bird hated these type of environment. Which to be fair, so did he.
But his mom's rules are for the best after all they are true. Since his family is the host his presence is always watched, while if others hosted so long as people thought he was there (ie greeting everyone) than he can leave. So long as he returned before the party ended, (Which he does) to wish everyone good night, than no one will realize he left in the first place.
Either way thats all besides the point, no right now he wanted to just feel the wind whip around him as he did something but be here. Sighing again he grab a glass from a waiter that happen to be walking by and took a sip from the glass.
Though it had been for a moment he felt a odd burning sensation as he pulled the glass from his lips and looked at it. His hand moving slightly to swirl the liquid in the cup. It didn't see off and moving the glass closer to his nose and he gave a small wiff. And while his nose wasn't as sensitive as the others in the begum blood line (mostly cause of training) he could still smell the difference.
"Rotem." He held the glass slightly away from himself and out for the other male who was been hovering behind him this whole time.
Chaim spoke quietly as not to draw unwanted attention to the issue at hand. "There seems to be a mishap."
The glass was gently taken from him and after a moment, most likely the drink was being tested. "I will see to it being fixed. But try not to get into trouble while I'm away."
He laughed softly. "Trust me, I wouldn't dare dream of bring shame to the family name."
From the sounds of it chaim knew, rotem didn't believe him after all if he did he wouldn't have be scalffed at. Either way as his retainer moved to walk past him, so he could go catch up to the waiter that was carrying the drinks.
Watching the two talk for a bit they both quickly moved though the room to head back to the kitchen to dump the rest of the drinks most likely since now their going to have to really do double checks on the drinks since if he recalled their are a few people who have alcohol allergies along with a few in different stages of sobriety. So it would be best not to cause issues with that.
How many times will he sigh? Who knows, but he's doing it again as chaim walked over to another waiter that was meant to have non alcoholic beverages. at least according to the waiter vest color, since there were five colors and depending on what it was meant to be a sign as to what they had. (Two were for drinks and three for food)
Either way he took a glass. This time it was perfectly fine. A good thing as he decided he'll wait in the corner for his cousin to finish up with the smooching, but than again maybe he should use this to get more info for future heist, a chuckle found him, if all was going well with his men than they should be hitting a few different warehouse as they speak.
While most should be fine he did have Irfan working on the hardest of the heist mostly because out of most of his men, his familair was the most trust worthy of the bunch. Though he rather be out there doing the heist, he has to do what he has to do. Thus the hardest job was given to his second (mostly for his poseable thumbs) and familair while the rest of the thirty-eight had been divided into groups of six, while the last two were given interface and were currently making sure law enforcement were distracted while everything was going on.
Sipping from his drink he wonder if he should tap into Irfan vision to see how it was going (something he is able to do with his familair) though as he had moved to a conor where he can look out the window, chaim suddenly felt a chill go down his spine.
Turning his head he saw what set the alarm bells and he cursed quietly to himself. He had double checked the guest list thrice and no where had this bastred been on the list and quickly looking forward he hoped maybe he can slip behind something or someone and maybe he hadnt been spotted?
Chaim sadly only manged to walk a few steps as he unfortunately it seemed the elder not only spotted him, but seemed to have darted over to him as he soon felt a large hand fall upon his shoulder.
The heavy hand on his shoulder and heat of a body much to close to his back gave him the ick, didn't help when the bastred spoke. "Ah! My sweet little moonbeam, it has been much to long since we have seen one another, I do hope you have been doing well."
Chaim forced himself to chuckle while also suppressed the urge gag. Instead he took a sip from his glass. Wishing instead he had kept the alcoholic drink.
"I am, though I am surprised that you somehow manged to arrive mister Maedin, from what I last recalled you were on a business trip in the kingdom of heros."
Chaim could feel the hand on his shoulder slowly creeply moving down his arm as the elder continued to speak. His face seemed to move closer to his neck and chaim could feel the gross feeling of the elders hot breath.
"How cold~ is the time away long enough that you have forgotten my name?" That hand that had been on chaim's arm seemed to jump from his arm to his waist.
Chaim shivered in disgust while his eyes quickly scan the room looking for a way out. "If I recall correctly you have a habit of hating when others use your name since you are in training to take over your father's company."
The elder laughed and pulled the younger male closer. "That is very true my sweet moonbeam. But you are one of the few exemption. So feel free to use my name in every way you can think of." Lips brushed against chaim's neck and a chill of disgust was view as pleasure.
Taking a deep breath to try and calm his nerves chaim spoke hoping his voice was steady and didn't show any amount of negative emotions that he was feeling. "Mourad. We are at a party my father is hosting the type of things you are saying is rather inappropriate, for the setting." His voice had shook a bit but it came out well enough."
Mourad hummed and shifted only slightly away his hand remaining on chaim's waist and took a drink from the glass he held. "How right you are, I wouldn't want to give my future in laws a bad impression of me."
Chaim frowned. "Is that so?" He decided that now that he had more space he would slip away from the male's hand as the grip on his waist had lighten enough that it shouldn't be an issue an the perfect excuse was coming close. So with quick steps he moved away and reached for one of the hors d'oeuvres that was on a plater.
Seeing the frown on Mourad face had chaim smriking. "The eel really is good, i have to thank the chefs that they do a good job smoking the flesh." Smiling brightly he finished it off and than looked for one of the waiters taking things back to the kitchen. Though once he found one he turn to face the male who he sense was coming for him again and he rather him not be behind him.
"You know you never did answer my question, as to how you are here?" Because he shouldn't even be here.
Mourad hummed and swirl his drink before taking a bit of a large swig. "Well i simply finished sooner than I had thought and simply passing though when I heard their was going to be a party today so I quickly had arraignments to contact my one day father in law so I could have an invite." Mourad gave chaim a look that only gave the younger the creeps.
"Than wouldn't it be wiser to spend time with them rather than with me?" Chaim made a note to himself to have his mom yell at his dad for this. Since he should know better than to add last minute guest. Though for now he was going to play dumb and act like he didn't know who the jerk was talking about.
"That it would be." Mourad moved over so he could reach out for chaim, who took a step back dodging the hand as he try to keep distance, though the elder wasn't going to back down as he reached to grab the younger arm his glass of wine set down randomly with out a real care as he pulled the younger close.
"I had a thought, it has been a while since we seen one another, so why don't we have a dance? After all the music is playing and you are very well skilled in movement."
Chaim clutch his drink tightly while debating if he should splash it on the elder in order to free himself, while is other hand push at the other hoping to be let go. "I can not ahinder to your request, since I need to be making rounds rather soon."
"Than one dance should be enough before you have to leave?" Mourad hands seem to grip on tightly not tight enough that chaim couldn't brake away if he really fought but tight enough that it might be a bit awkward to get away.
Taking a moment he knew there would be no way to run with out turning heads, and while he truely hated the thought one dance wouldn't kill him. even if it made all the alarm bells go off and he wanted to run, taking a deep breath to try to steady the nerves that if he didn't control would trigger his signature spell (the fight or flight feeling away kicked it up) none the less he rather reluctantly nodded. "One dance, than I really must be off to check on how everyone is doing, though I will need to find a waiter to set my glass down. After all it is poor manners to just leave dishes everywhere and makes more trouble for the staff than their needs to be." He also hoped to use it as an escape attempt.
Though Mourad only laughed. "I always forget how adorable you are, treating the help as if they mater is just so cute."
Chaim really wanted to punch the guys lights out or at least toss him across the floor. Instead he chose to respond. "Their humans only doing their jobs, and to treat them any less than human is a shame and an insult to not only them but ourselves, and we as people should be willing to help those that help us."
Mourad lifted a hand to garb chaim's chin. "You're so naive, and I must admit I find that adorable, even if you are wrong. Though I guess I do not wish to upset you to much my sweet little moonbeam, so if you wish to hand your drink to the help than I will do so." He flick his hand and the glass was gone.
The smirk on the elders face just ticked chaim off. And not to mention his excuse to escape. "I hope you did the same with your glass from before, since I do not see it in your hands."
Mourad sighed and flicked his hand again before pulling chaim to the open area. "Now. No more excuses. And let me lead you in this dance."
And so he found himself being lead to the floor. Chaim wonder if it would cause to much of a scene if he pulled his arm away and ran so while he was being tug along he reached for his phone and activated the s.o.s function so hopefully he can get out of here quickly.
Though Mourad didn't seem to notice, because by time the elder would have turn around chaim would have hand out of his pocket and with a bit of a rough tug chaim was in postion for the dance. And it seemed Mourad was taking the lead.
Chaim found his right hand grab and his waist held so that the male pulled him close (most to close for his own liking) and with not to many places for his left hand put it on the other's arm.
"So shy, my dear moonbeam, i wonder what I can do to make you feely accept my affection?" Mourad chuckled and begin leading the dance, in which chaim had to fall in step too
Chaim for his part could only think of was for the jack ass to die, but he didn't say that aloud rather he decided to switch topics. "So how long are you planning to stay in silk city?" Perferablie not long.
Mourad hummed. "I was thinking anywhere from a week to a month depending on how things play out."
"I see, that seems a bit of a difference, any reason why their would be such a disparity of the time frame?" Chaim slightly tilted his head putting on his best 'cutesy' act. After all he hated this jack ass but information is always good especially if it helps with his next heist.
"Ah, well it simply depends on how work plays out is all. Since it honestly should take a few days. But I have to account for that low life king of thevies." Mourad snarled at the thought.
While chaim had to keep the smile off his lips as he was glad he could fuck with this fucker, if he wasn't trying to peddle illegal shit maybe he wouldn't have to worry. The corrupt fucker. "Oh, how true. it is rather scary to think of all of ones hard work to go up in smoke." His words were dripping with a fake sweetness that did mildly annoy himself, but this jerk liked that for some reason.
"Ah but don't worry my beloved moonbeam, i don't have to worry about that bastred, since I have bested that man. To the point that he's ran for the hill many times over!" Mourad lied though his teeth. While his hand seem to lower.
Which was maybe a good thing because it perverted chaim for making a slide remark since he was in fact the king of thevies and chaim very much recalls every time he made the elder eat dirt. And the fact of the mater he hasn't lost to him yet. But at the moment their was something more important than that. "You are being rather inappropriate again, and I rather you stop it."
The hand did move back slightly up but enough if you asked chaim "Ah, do forgive me, I hadn't even noticed it moved, it seems I was distracted by your stunning features."
"You say that, but it makes no sense for that to happen, and I would really rather you keep your hands from dipping that low again." Chaim huffed as he glared up at the taller male.
"I will do my best, but I can't make any promises...." Mourad leaned close and chaim leaned away not liking how close he was leaning to his face.
"I would rather prefer if you did." Chaim was debating on what would cause less of a scene stepping on his foot or kneeing the bastred. What he hadn't expected was the elder to suddenly stop dancing and it made him bump into the elder the hand that held his grip on tighter and the hand on his side moved to froceable grab his chin.
"You really seem to want to try my patience today, so if you want me too keep a promise. Than shouldn't I get an reward?" Mourad smirked in a way that send chills of disgust and panic though chaim.
Chaim than used his one free hand to shove the elder away only to be pulled back by the hand that was holding tightly to his own and he tried to yank it away. "Let go."
"And why should i? You need to stop being so shy and just allow me to show you everything you need." Chaim wanted both punch the fucker and throw up but their was also the deep panic he was feeling.
Because he wasn't here on the ballroom floor but in a dark cave and rather than be where he was he was in the same postion his elder sister was in and the tone and words were the same ones as well. His breathing hitched as he shook.
"Sir Maedin. I request you let go of my young master." Rotem was late and his voice full of venom as he glared at the slightly taller male (only a five inch difference really).
Mourad who hated those he saw less than him had him quickly letting go of chaim to try and slap away the hand that held onto him. But rather than have his hand knocked off rotem's hand gripped tighter to the point it was going to leave bruise.
"Unhand me you worthless help!" Mourad hissed and rotem decided to do so but only after roughly shoving the male. And quickly turning to chaim who was shaking and struggling to breath, a golden glove covered his mouth as he struggled to steady it.
Making his way over, rotem knelt so he was more at face level with his young master. "Can you walk? Or do you need me to fetch you a chair?"
Chaim removed his hand long enough to get the word walk before coving his mouth again to try and get ahold of his breathing.
And rotem knew for a fact that chaim might be better off being pushed in a char but at the same time chaim needed to feel safe and having some control over things helped in a bit of ways unfortunately the one who started this wasn't quite done but rotem unlike chaim didn't care if he made a scene after all a lot of these rich folks simply saw him as the help and maybe he wasn't against ticking off his grandparents.
So with practice ease rotem made sure Mourad would find himself at the sharp end of several sharp blades. His hand gently holding on to chwim to try and help him stand stright and as more guards came to see what was gone rotem begin to speak.
"Take this unwanted guest out of here, and someone fetch me some water this instant!" Rotem snap at both guards and the other staff and given who he was people were quick to do as he order. All the while Mourad was cursing up a Strom at the guards man handling him. And how he was better than them and how they aren't worthy to even place a finger on him, not that rotem gave a shit what that bastred thought.
But chaim felt embarrassed and shame cause he could just feel the eyes that were boring into him. Yeah he still was struggling to breath and he kept almost vomiting into his own hand as his body trembled.
Meanwhile Warda Asim had been looking for her son in the hall ever since the sos went off on her phone and she cursed these stupidly large and crowed ball room that the asim seemed to love so much, and she been about to just call her son in hopes the problem had resolved itself only for the camotion to draw her attention and she quickly went to it.
She was soon reminded of one of those sence in a movie where a bunch of bystander are watching the bully go after their victim or two students in the middle of a fight, though given what was going on it wasn't to off. For it was quick to figure out what was going on by a quick glance.
"Everyone, leave now!" She spoke loudly that everyone could hear her and when no one seemed to move she pulled out her phone and sent a text and announcement was made over the speaker that everyone is to leave post hast. Only than did people begin to leave.
Once that was done she turn to to the guards and the unwanted guest. "Men. You can hold off for now why I speak to mister Maedin." The guard did as told and let go while the man in question attempt to fix himself.
"It is a pleasant day to behold the woman know as the desert flower. And the most well loved wife of the current head of the asim family."
"I am not a fan of empty flattery, what I wish to know is why you are causing trouble in my home." Warda glared darkly and it was very clear where chaim was in fact his mother's child.
Dusting off his clothes a bit Mourad more and tried to move closer but was sort of stop by the blades that still rather closed to him and glared at the origin of them.
"As you can see i was simply enjoying this lavish environment when the dreadful help decided to go crazy." Mourad waved his hands as if to act like he was the one wronged.
Though like son like mother and the words out of Mourad mouth just annoyed her. "I trust my son's retainer more than I trust most, so if he believes you are a threat to my son, I will put my faith in his word. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut and leave, otherwise not even the branch families will deal any business with the likes of you and your company."
Mourad open his mouth before closing it again and simply nodded but it was clear on the look on his face that he wanted to say something but knew better than to speak at the moment. And honestly warda found him even more annoying than the one before him. How is it possible that blood line grows worse every generation?
None the less she made a motion and rotem drop his signature spell "guards. Please take young maedin back to where ever it is he is staying."
The guard gave an affirmative before they had tried to grab Mourad only for him to pull his arm away from them and say he can walk before heading out trailed out but the guards to make sure he did in fact leave.
Sigh once that child was out of ear shot she turn to look at her lady in waiting. one she still didn't fully trust, even if it wasn't fully her own fault, given how the woman was raised, but warda wanted those loyal to her and not her husband in her most inner circle. And unfortunately the woman had her bias. "Najmia, go speak to my husband and have him go to my green room, I will be their shortly once I am sure my son is alright."
Najima would agree to her request like warda knew she would. Professional, cold, and to the point. Something while fine isn't something she wanted, it was like a contract that she didn't want but was force to sign, and sure that fine for marriage life, but for someone who was meant to be in her inner circle? Not so much. And what was the most depressing was that she seen the woman from a far be normal, more human.
But that was all beside the point at the moment since she needed to catch the woman before she walked to far. "Oh and najima? Do tell those old sods to leave your son alone. And that i fully endorse his actions tonight."
"But of course, I will see to it." The words were more life like than the earlier response. But than again it made sense given that warda had basically given najima a shield to defend her son from her parents cause the elder vipers were very upright about many things that warda herself found annoying.
But with all that now she had more important maters to deal with. So now that every thing else was delt with warda moved over go were the boys were. Rotem was such a good kid, and he didn't deserve the grandparents he was saddle with.
"how is he?" As she spoke she kneeled beside her son who was a least a lot calmer than before.
"Better, though I still wouldn't risk skin contact at the moment." As he spoke rotem was gently patting chaim's back.
Nodding warda took off her kaftan and used it to cover her son's head and it seemed rotem was correct as the fabric begin to change to gold which had he sigh softly and pull her son close into a hug kissing his head though the fabric. While also quietly reminding her little boy that he was ok, and if he could tell her what happened.
Chaim didn't speak for a while as he held onto his mom though the fabrics that kept them from accident touching and he hated this curse of a spell. But their wasn't anything he could do about it, but that also brings up the point of does he want to tell her how stupid he was being?
But than again he didn't want to dispoint her. But could he actually talk about it? "..... i... they.... i... wh-when...." ugh why was it a struggle to even speak! Forcing him self to calm down took much to long but he did get to a point he thought he could do so with out vomiting and or stuck between sobs.
".... the... the men who took us... told that to farah, before i...." he trailed off, as I child of almost six he hadnt realize what he did, but now? Now he knew, those two men evil as they were, were in fact the first two people he killed. Self defense yes, but to be able to do so with out meaning to and with something that if not for the fabric on his head could do the same to his own mother with out meaning wanting too.
"Mom.... i.... I'm sorry." Chaim felt his mother hold him tightly and even though the fabric he could smell his mother's favorite scent if it was from her or her clothes who's to say. But it was at least comforting
"You have nothing to feel sorry for, I just wish I could have done more back than." Warda held chaim a bit tighter hating how much her little boy suffered. After all he was the last one to see farah alive and that was a heavy burden for any child to hold.
"We both know your sister loved you so much that she would kick herself for the pain you feel, but know this you're safe, and ill do what ever I can to keep it that way." In response she kissed his head (even if it was though fabric)
Chaim just hug his mother tighter while a part if him hated how childish he was acting and how shameful he must have made his mom feel she didn't seem to be angry and for that he was greatful.
Warda for her part never thought anything bad about her son, she just wish she could take away his trauma, but he was alive, she may have lost her daughter, her first born baby, but she still had her little boy, and she'll do what ever she can to keep her last baby safe.
-------- a few days later --------
It was nightfall despite the heist going somewhat fair a few days ago (he did have to do clean up the following day) today he needed to put in some solo work.
As he darted over the roof top taking a moment to set things up so he can scale down to the window and little effect cut the window open so he can slip inside.
A task that was to easy and he already tested to be sure nothing would go off.than carefully he lowered the glass and set it aside and smirking he open the laptop and quickly turn it on before put in a USB knowing it would do as he wanted.
The only worry thing is that unlike if he had asked meri to make him something similar the task might have been faster but he would never want to get his normal friends into the life he lived at least this version of it anyway. But his one of his men was very good with technology none the less which is why he asked him to make it and a reminder that he should get him to a normal job in the light. Just a few pushes and he was sure he could help him walk away from this life he lives now.
Though that was a thought for later, for now while he waited he could look for paperwork and try not to think about the last time he was in here. Just recalling that time several years sent a chill of disgust though him, thankful it wouldn't be noticed though his layers of fabric.
Opening though the drawers and quickly going though them was easy work almost child's play and he begin making a stack of papers he was definitely taking and another set he was going to make copies with using the copier in the room since he saw one in the corner as he had enter.
While he was going though the desk the laptop made a soft ding and chaim moved to swap the USB since now he was going to make a full copy of the laptop so he can go though it when he's safe to do so.
Once that was set up chaim moved to get the copier going and with a bit of magic made it so the pages would change on their own (though it did mean he was taking the originals with him but that's fine)
So while that was waiting he'll mess with a few things just to be petty. Like messing with the carpet so the expensive carpet will have to go get cleaned and that would be a bitch to do and maybe swip some stuff from the show case shelves.
Only to be meet with one of his old rings that he knows for sure that bastred didn't get because its sort of hard to forget getting a ring shot off your hand (it mostly just grazed his hand but the leather gloves he wears pervented to much actually damage to the hand but it had really hurt and the bullet had mostly hit the mage stone he had on it.
Looking at it more he had to bite back a laugh because their was a plaque under the glass box that held the broken ring with the words engraved 'proof of besting a theif' who does this pathic moran think he is? He is so taking and trashing the ring just to be petty because this fucker think he's cool, and was this what he was bragging about? Because as the person shot at he knew for a fact that it had been a police corporal getting a lucky shot on him but than again he had also been offical fourteen so their was that.
It took a few moments make sure their isn't anything that would set off an alarm chaim than grab the box and open it than putting it in a zip lock bag so he can just toss it in the nearest dumpster once he left a good thing he had been snacking on some trail mix when he had been waiting on the roof for the secretary system to be hacked into thus all the videos are just showing old repeating video of empty area.
Humming chaim went to the laptop to make and send a print job to the printer, luckly the copier can also print. So with a few things which honestly isn't hard to pull up word dock. Put it on comic sans and the smallest font with the question 'and when did you do that?'
Just thinking about it made him chuckle as he looked over to the papers moving about and he sort of wish this could go faster since he rather get out faster but one can't rush somethings. After all that reporter isn't going to take something half baked. So might as well get comfortable.
