Touble with Friends is...

They did it, they were finally in the office with the power. Alright he really had nothing to do with it, Masin had gotten the position and he was simply going to be the head of her security team, something he had been doing for the last few years. Taking a deep breath he walked around the room and looking out the window looking for any security risks, so far there were none that he could see but he would do a larger sweep in the coming hours right now he was going to celebrate with his friend. He set a fairly large towel on her desk as she would need it in a few minutes. Smiling when he heard the door handle turned he moved to greet his friend and when she walked in his hand came up with the tin foil pie base full of whipped cream. When he heard the satisfying sound of whipping cream connecting to her face he moved to the side so she could see the towel. "Congratulations Chancellor." His tone was light and he laughed a little, "Looking good on your first day Masin."

created by rynstone

@masin

She had done it. It was her first day in Office. She had sent Riley in ahead of time, he had insisted that he must go ahead of her to make sure no one tampered with anything during the transition. Masin was fairly popular, sure, but there could still be people who wanted her dead. Or wanted her to be a made a fool.

And a fool she was made. She walked into the door only to have a load of whipped cream planted firmly on her face. She stopped and lifted her hands to wipe the cream off her eyes. "I'm going to kill you," she said, though her tone was also light and she was laughing a bit as well. She reached out and punched him hard in the arm before grabbing the towel, dabbing at her face.

"So, no bombs or anything? Besides cream bombs, I mean," she glared as she massaged the cream out of her hair.

@david

"I'm going to kill you," Masin said though she was laughing in her own way and he smirked as he responded, "Only if you can catch me and willing to find another head of security who you actually trust." As she dabbed her face he took a seat in the chair facing her desk and smiled knowing that though it wasn't his best work it still helped to lighten the mood after everything that had happened. "So, no bombs or anything? Besides cream bombs, I mean," Her glare could kill if he wasn't already used to it over the years. Crossing his legs he looked around and said, "Oh you mean besides the one on your chair and out the window on your left? He smiled as he shook his head, "Nope its all clear, you have nothing to worry about for today at least. So what is on the agenda for today?" He chuckled a little again letting her know that he was kidding earlier and that everything was all clear.

created by rynstone

@masin

Riley had a fair point. Masin barely trusted anyone as a friend, least of all as her head of security. She rolled her eyes at his words and just laughed a little, "fair point," she announced, stepping away from him in order to move toward the bathroom that was connected to her office. She didn't go in just yet, as she waited for Riley to answer her question.

"Good, good. I don't think anyone really hates me just yet, but you never know. I've broken a lot of hearts," she winked, completely joking. Breaking hearts was something she had done, sure, but Masin never had any idea it was happening. Oblivious, this one.

"Well, first, lemme get the rest of this out of my hair," she half growled as she slipped into the bathroom and washed her hair in the sink. She stepped out again, her hair blow dried, "secondly, there is a box of files Ember left for me to go through... files that need to be sorted after the attack," she explained. The box was on the desk with files on all citizens, and the deceased needed to be moved somewhere else...

Riley took a look at the box on the desk and sighed a little, he hadn't been here to help. He had been on an assignment that took him off the island and it was a failure because Camp Bast had wanted to pull people away from the island. He felt his body tense at the thought of losing Juliet or even failing Masin and Ember because he had requested the assignment. "I am just glad the people I care about made it, but I should have been there. I should have seen through Camp Bast's desire to pull fighters away from the island." He closed his hand into a fist and as he began to breath slowly so as not to engage his power. "I'm sorry I should control my emotions better, just the thought of not being able to defend the island. If you would like any help I would like to help you, it is the least I can do at this point in time." Riley added once he had calmed down enough for the time being.

created by rynstone

@masin

"Hey, you can't beat yourself up about that," Masin said, walking toward him and gently touching his arm with her hand, "no one had any idea. That's the problem," that's what she was going to fix. The lack of protection that they had that night. She really had thought they were safe, but they had gotten lax. Now, it was her job to make sure that didn't happen again.

Even if that meant taking Camp Bast by storm. Once she found it...

"I'd love help," she said, gesturing to the chair across from hers as she left him and sat down. She opened the lid to the box. "They're filed by position and then alphabetical. We'll start with the Magisters," she explained.

The first few were easy to sort, she placed them to the side, "these should be color coded. Use the... blue highlighter for magisters and-" she stopped as she pulled a file out of the box.

Zane Tobias Greyson.

She was suddenly hit with a wave of emotion. She hadn't even stopped to think about it until this moment. She froze, holding the file up, no emotion on her face while her insides were screaming.

Riley nodded and though she tried to help there was still that deep seated guilt deep in his gut, people he cared about had been hurt or killed and he hadn't been there to help. Masin was right though, it was a problem that no one had any idea. He was glad he could help and was reaching to grab the blue highlighter like she had asked when he saw her freeze. A single file in her hand he reached for it and saw the name, though he hadn't been close to the man he had known him and it once more fueled the guilt he felt.

Setting the file down he moved closer to Masin and wrapped her in his arms for a moment, knowing he would probably get punched or swatted away, it would be better than not hearing her tell him what was wrong. "I'm sorry, I know you knew him better than I did. Do you need to talk about it?" He let go of her but stayed close enough in case his friend needed him. They were in her office and knew that there was a better chance that she would talk to him here rather than anywhere else.

Suddenly, at least it seemed sudden to Masin in her state, Riley was beside her wrapping his arms around her. She didn't move, she didn't even tense up. He spoke, then pulled away from her, still sitting close. She didn't say anything for quite some time, at least it seemed like an eternity to her. How was she supposed to talk about it? Did she want to? Did she need to? Her and Zane weren't even that good of friends... their relationship was strictly physical, as horrible as that was to say. Still, they had a few laughs and some really great times together. People couldn't lie around him without him knowing, and that was something she liked. No bull-crap was allowed.

She shook her head once, her eyes starting to water. "I just..." what was she supposed to say about it. How was she supposed to say that she really hadn't known him that well either. "He was great." There, that was something.

Riley watched as she had trouble speaking, as she shook her head he say the tiny glimmer of tears forming in her eyes. In the end all she said to him was that Zane was great, so maybe he was wrong and his friend didn't know the man as well as he thought but still she knew him and it was a loss that hurt her. He placed a hand on hers and smiled as he said, "Well then lets make sure he and all the others we lost are not forgotten, and I will help you and the other Magister's work to make sure this tragedy doesn't happen again."

Letting go of her hand after a small squeeze he picked up a file and began to get to work, frowning when he saw a name he recognized on the dead or injured pile. He was still guilty but it would do nothing to help him here during this task to get angry. It wouldn't honor any of the memories he had, even if they were brief or from people he didn't care about. He kept checking on Masin as they worked though, wanting to make sure if she needed anything he would be there for her.

Riley was handling this incredibly well, Masin thought. She nodded, forcing herself to release the file into the desk and push it toward Riley. She quickly regained her composure. "Make a pile for the deceased. It can be moved to archives this afternoon," she said, her voice completely normal again as if nothing had happened.

Soon he released her hand and they both got to work. Once, when Riley was clearly checking on her, Masin paused, giving him a smile and a not that many 'thanks'. He would understand.

After some time Masin stopped, leaning back a little. "Maybe we should take a break."

Taking the file for Zane Greyson he put it in the pile of deceased comrades, friends, family. "As you wish, Masin." Turning to her he quickly said, "I mean Chancellor Delisle, we are after all working now. It won't happen again if I can help it." As they started to really get to work he kept checking to make sure she was still handling it alright. She caught him and smiled, he was happy to know she knew he cared enough to worry but wasn't voicing it. In this room and out there he was the Director of the Secret Service here on the island, he could have chosen to simply stay behind the desk and order others to their posts but he didn't want to stay there.

When Masin suggested they take a small break he opened the lowest desk drawer and pulled out a new bottle of his favorite scotch, smiling he said, "I agree and I know I shouldn't have this hear or really in my office but you know as well as I sometimes you need a little break, that and I thought it would be nice to share this with a friend and congratulate you again." Standing he moved to the coffee table that held a tray with some glasses and a decanter of water. He picked up the two glasses and brought them over to the desk and poured some of the amber liquid into both. Handing one to Masin he said, "Lets honor those we lost, and strive for a better tomorrow. To friends and family here and in the underworld we are what remains." He lightly touched her glass before he drank his scotch in a single sip before he poured himself another.

Masin smiled and shook her head a little as Riley corrected himself into calling her 'Chancellor DeLisle'. She had known him for years, since before the island. He was one of two people who didn't need to correct themselves, still, it was nice that he did. If there were other people around, he would need to address her that way so it was good to get practice apparently.

As Riley pulled out the scotch, Masin raised an inquisitive eyebrow. She took the glass as he offered it, smiling softly as he gave his toast. She nodded once, "To them," she agreed before tapping his glass and tipping hers to swallow.

"Riley," she started, setting her glass down on the table, "how are things at home?" she asked slowly, knowing this was a delicate subject.

Riley took a few small sips of his drink before he felt he was calm enough to answer. Main knew the stupid stunt he had played on Jules and saw the strain it caused on him when the memories were to overwhelming. Sighing he said, "Things are better, when I got back I had to find Jules. I had to make sure she survived and I am sorry for failing in my duty to you but its been two years and if she were gone I would never have been able to tell her that I was a fool and an ass. I got that chance and she let me stay. I learned just how foolish I was and what it cost both of us. Though if I had to compare this to the last two years you will finally be able to breath easier." He finished his drink and looked at the bottle knowing it was probably enough for now since there were names that would come up who were injured severely and they might have to make official visits to see, if Masin would have the time for them that is.

Masin waited for Riley to be ready to answer, knowing full well that it was a touch subject. She nodded as he explained it all, finishing her drink as he finished his. "That's great to here. I would be upset if you had stayed with me instead of going after her," she added, reaching a hand forward to place it on his arm, "I look forward to the future." She said, turning her head back to the files on the desk and sighing before leaning back in the chair. "There's so much work to do, and after all the paperwork there is all the physical work," she added, butterflies in her stomach. She was excited for all the things she had to do. This was what she wanted.

Riley smiled at Masin and chuckled, "Well thanks for the vote of confidence." Looking at all the paper work he saw that they had finished with all the deceased islanders and the first file he saw of the wounded as a friend, gritting his teeth he handed it to Masin. "The Garrison is without a first captain for a while it would seem. Based on this First Captain Tyrell, Dante nearly died in the hospital siege. Didn't you come back from a lunch with him a few days ago smiling more than usual?" Riley teased and chuckled, he knew it was probably nothing but she did seem to have an extra spring in her step after that lunch and was more determined to work on the campaign, almost as if there was some extra confidence that found its way into an already confident woman. "Though it could have been that you actually had gone out for lunch and talked to someone other than me for the first time in days, at least regarding your future plans."