Jinstain - Bayan Province ~ Conor Brantley
As winter began to thaw in Bayan Province, Conor found new life in working with the kids at the community center. Cara and Peter were an amazing pair as they helped him prepare for the spring Gala with the help of Amber Morrison. Amber organized the kids into teams based on where they lived and set them on scavenger hunts with photographers from Peter's team. They were each to seek out members of the community and ask them what one activity they would want to have at a community center. Then they had to get a photo with them whereever they currently did that activity.
Conor couldn't help but laugh when he followed Cara and her gang of little girls up to a couple of old men playing a board game in the old park. When the girls fearlessly hoped up on the bench next to the men and asked them what they were playing the transformation on their faces was priceless. At first Cara snapped photos of grumpy grandpa's pissed off that their morning game was being interrupted by chatty little kids. However, soon, they began to crack smiles as the kids took a genuine interest in learning how to play. As they asked questions, the men seemed to find a new lease on life as they introduced their passion to a new generation.
Conor's one regret was that Anna seemed to not be as excited about this part of the adventure. She thrived on the planning and networking with other agents as they sought to navigate the legal hurtles of acquiring the land needed for the new community center. Dealing with the kids, however, seemed to be a damper on her mood. She spent more and more time working on opening new office branches around the different districts of Jinstain, and would travel back to visit her family in southern Targu. The office there seemed to be thriving as well and needed her attention more and more.
Little Hannah ran over to him, jarring him out of his thoughts, "Mr. Conor! Come see!" she tugged on his hand pulling him over to the boardgame. ""Mr. Conor this is Mr. ummm Mr."
The older gentleman held out a frail hand with a kind smile, "Mr. Takeo. This young one was telling us that you are planning some big new building. Tell us about it."
"Well, it really depends on people like yourself. May I ask you a question first?"
"I suppose. What do you want to know?"
"Are you aware of the community center near the center of town?"
"You mean the old Sahsun building?"
"I don't think I have heard it called that before but I think that is right. Sahsun, village?"
Mr. Takeo smiled, "Very good, yes, we call it the village building. Community center is apt as well. I know the place but it is not worth the trip. Nothing there for me."
"If a new building were to be build, over at the fields near 'The Dens' apartments, would that be of interest to you?" Conor asked.
"Could be I suppose. Depends on what it had. We like our tables. The park here is a bit far for us but it is peaceful and these tables allow us to play. No one messes with us," he explained.
Conor smiled, "May we get a few more photos with you and little Hannah and Megan here?"
"Sure, these youngsters have been fun to talk to today."
Conor snapped photos with Hannah grinning while holding a game piece in front of a smiling Mr. Takeo. He thought about how to incorporate this park into the design of the new community center, both with tables outside, as well as indoor gaming rooms for the elderly. There were so many opportunities to provide for this community and he was determined to make sure he captured the heart of the people here.
The next afternoon, Conor watched as Peter took photos of Cara and Parker playing basket ball with several of the older kids on the community center's broken hoop. The kids didn't seem to mind the missing net, but there was no way to replace the shattered backboard without massive renovation to the entire mounting system. Conor wondered if replacing it now would be worth it even if they would be moving the community center, likely to condemn this building to being torn down.
A slight movement caught Conor's attention, and he noticed an older man watching Cara from an alcove. Conor signaled to Parker, who glanced in the direction Conor indicated only to see a shadow fade into the darkness of a hallway. He jogged over to Conor.
"What was that?"
"Someone was watching Cara very intently."
"You sure it was Cara and not just the game?"
"Yes, he tracked her even when the game play was on the other end of the court."
Parker frowned, "It's not like someone to do that around here. Don't get me wrong, she is cute, but that was down right odd."
"I am going to check with Peter and see if he might have caught a picture of him." Conor looked around for Peter and was surprised when he didn't see him. He had just been taking photos, and since they had been back, Conor couldn't remember a time that Peter had let Cara out of his sight for more than a few seconds. He looked down one of the hallways where he had last seen Peter and shouted for Parker when he spotted the man with his forearm against Peter's neck, pinning him to the wall.
"Parker, Hurry!" They rushed down the hall but the man didn't flinch at their approach, continuing his glare at Peter.
"Hello, Dragoon Townson." Came a deep resonating voice.
Conor skid to a halt and took in the bald man's powerfully muscled build. He carried himself with effortless power and wisdom of years, but age seemed to have hardly diminished him. The strength of his forearm pinning Peter to the wall looked like he was effortlessly holding him off the ground. Conor looked at him again with a trace of recognition, as if he had seen him in a dream. Conor turned to Parker, "You know him?"
"Conor, meet Dragoon Colonel Eli Johnson."
"Colonel Eli? You wouldn't happen to be Cara's uncle Eli would you?" Conor asked.
"I would indeed. and you would be Conor Brantley," Eli Johnson replied calmly, still holding Peter hostage.
"I see you have done your homework."
"I always recon when I receive a request. Nuri's letter got to me. Sorry it took a while. I have been out of the country."
"I see. Umm, any chance you would mind letting our friend Peter go?" Conor asked, eyeing Peter's panicked face.
"Depends on his intentions toward my niece. I saw him taking photos. He seemed rather keen on watching her."
"Well, about that. I believe if we can all sit down together, and possibly bring Cara over this can all be explained."
"There better be a damn good explanation, otherwise this one can find out what the bottom of the ocean looks like." Eli said, the set of his eyes cold and deadly.
"Uncle?" came a small voice from the end of the hall.
Conor watched as Eli's countenance softened and he released Peter, holding out his arms to Cara. "Come here you!"
Cara ran to Eli and wrapped him in a hug, "It's been years! Where have you been? I missed you!"
"Oh Cara, dear. You know Uncle Eli couldn't stay away forever. Plus, you asked me to come back, how could I refuse?" he spun her in a hug before setting her down and pointing at Peter. "But we need to talk about this one."
Cara blushed and Conor couldn't help but grin as Peter gulped. Peter tried to cut in, "Umm, Sir, I know you mean a great deal to Cara, but I promise, I mean to take care of her."
Eli glared as they found seats in the bleachers, "That may be so, but since my brother passed, I promised to do what I could to look after her. She was safe enough when I left, with a job and a roof."
"Uncle, I have that and more now." Cara held Peter's hand, their fingers intertwining. "Peter has an amazing job and we work together."
"Doing what?"
"Well, we take photos and sell them," She tried to explain, a bit lamely to Conor's ear.
"You expect me to believe selling a few photos is a living?" Eli said hotly.
Conor cut in, "Colonel Eli, I know you may not believe this but you said you did your homework on me, correct?"
"I did, young Brantley. I have been tracking you for many years from a far, believe it or not. Your mother..." his voice choked and he left the rest hanging.
Conor pressed forward, "Then you know of my company?"
"Vokrizin? I know of it. Seems to be a bit of a shell if you as me. That Nuri fellow seems to have locked down your financials rather tight. Even my sources couldn't get a firm read on things."
Conor grinned at that. "Well, have you heard of ApeturePhoto recently?"
"That big new marketing company? Suppose to be the hottest thing since the dragons first gave us fire."
Conor chuckled at that, and pointed at Peter, "That man, Peter and I share ownership of that bit of dragon fire. I dare say our dear Cara here could live happily for a good few years on just a month's salary if she so chose. I give you my word, Peter is taking good care of your niece, whom I also consider a dear friend."
Eli pondered that for a minute before glancing to Parker, "And what say you, Dragoon? Is this Peter an honorable man?"
Conor watched as Parker chewed on his words before speaking, "In the time I have known him, he has treated your niece with respect and courtesy. I have never seen him treat anyone poorly, and he is a skilled businessman. He is also friends with Conor here. If he thought Peter was unworthy of Cara, I doubt Peter would still be breathing. I serve the Deinmaar and trust in Celia's wisdom in this matter."
Eli's head snapped to attention at the mention of Deinmaar but when no one else flinched at the use, he didn't pursue the issue. "Very well, I will trust in Celia's wisdom." Turning to Peter he said, "I will be keeping my eye on you."
"Of course, Sir. I would expect nothing less."
"Mr. Brantley, I believe you and I have some things to discuss. Shall we go to your office for more privacy?"
"Of course. Peter, Cara, you two want to stay here and keep working with the kids? Parker, will you pull the car around?"
Peter gave Eli a wary look, "Umm, why don't you get Colonel Eli here settled. Cara and I will arrange to meet with him later." He and Cara disappeared, perhaps to play with the kids some more, or perhaps just to get Peter out of Eli's line of sight.
Parker trotted off to get the car, with Eli watched after him, "You have a Dragoon acting as chauffeur?" he asked Conor.
"I keep him nearby as often as I can. I figure if you are beside me now, it doesn't hurt to have him a few steps away."
"You feel that safe with me already? No fear I might attack?"
Conor looked Eli dead in the eye, "My Mother trusted you with her life. I trust you now."
Conor watched a flash of pain crossed Eli's face. "We can discuss that later."