Aliandra: nymph: Book 1 The Nymph chronicles (21 page)

"I'm back" said Fossy. "We need an opening event with everyone present. A lot of hoo-haa."

"Pardon?" asked Ali.

"We create excitement and a sense of occasion. Make it formal and exclusive. Issue exclusive invitations to the counsel and a limited number of elites. Strictly keep the numbers down, keep them begging. The best of everything served. A private event in an exclusive club. Something they will talk about and create envy. Can you manage that?" Fossy asked.

"Yes, I have connections to do that."

"I can MC it" said Fossy.

"Pardon?" asked Ali.

"MC, master of ceremonies. The host speaker" he said. "It's a good fit for the society and fashion rags and we can get the paps too for the pics. Invite two elite rags to cover it as a freebie too."

"The what for the which?" asked Ali.

"Paps are paparazzi, you know magazine photographers who take pics. Pictures" he explained slowly. "The other worker ants will soon get the buzz" he finished with a satisfied smile.

Ali just had to assume the general gist of his final sentence was positive since he smiled.

"I'll write this up and send it to my PA" said Fossy.

Ali just nodded a little vacantly.
This man either intends to confuse or he needs his own personal translator.

Donny returned after work and asked how the meeting went. "Good, I think. I'm not quite sure of everything he said. "He was saying something about paps, pics, freebie and rags. Oh, ants, buzz and his PA" finished Ali.

"So it was good then" smiled Donny.

"I suspect so. At least I am cautiously optimistic since he hazed out my brain" she replied. "He suggested olympium as the name of the composite."

"He is brilliant! Didn't I say?" boasted Donny.

"Can you just get him to put it in writing and then you translate it for me?" asked Ali.

"His PA can do that" said Donny confidently.

"Nooooooooooooo! I have no idea what you just said. PA? What is a PA?" asked Ali.

"Personal assistant" he provided.

"Why didn't he just say his assistant? It isn't that hard" grouched Ali. "I suspect that a group of dim-witted men invented this office-speak so that they felt unjustifiably superior by confusing their educated female rivals."

"Perhaps so" chuckled Donny.

"I know so!" insisted Ali. "Do not leave me alone with Fossy without a translator present!"

"Amirael knows management and will know what he is saying. Perhaps she can attend as your assistant?" asked Donny.

"Yes, good idea" said Ali tautly. "How is Fossy supposed to speak at the exclusive product launch when no-one there will understand him?"

"We have speech-writers that will produce speeches tailored to any type of audience. Fossy just memorizes the speech and turns up in appropriate costume to host it. He does it all the time" explained Donny.

"How do we make it memorable for all the right reasons?" asked Ali.

"We plan it down to the smallest detail" supplied Donny.

"I have it! When I spoke to the tribal elders before my first keening we discussed memorable dinner parties. It wasn't the standard things they remembered, it was the outlandish and extraordinary. We can make it luxurious just like every other event but we cannot let it blend in with every other experience. Something to surprise, excite and dazzle" announced Ali.

"What?" asked Donny excitedly.

"I don't know exactly but I have a course of action. We will start with luxurious but inventive food for the guests. Add a twist to everything to excite their palates. Serve it differently. Perhaps buffet-style. Cocktail drinks to start. Provide entertainment with mystery and suspense. Create a different atmosphere to their usual galas. Make it a spooky and frightening demonstration of the suit. I have it, invite Hades and then attack him!" she finished.

"Attack Hades? The ruling god of the underworld?" gasped Donny.

"Yes, I will meet him and arrange the fight between Hades and Vidarr. He will enjoy the deception and it will be thrilling!" said Ali triumphantly "We can all laugh about it later when we finally reveal the truth."

"How do you expect to get Hades involved in this scheme?" asked Donny.

"Easy. I will offer that Hades gets his new suit of armor delivered  five days before Zeus'" crowed Ali. "They shall all pay steep prices for the privilege but it will be something Hades can boast of to infuriate Zeus. I will contact Vidarr now and meet with Hades tomorrow."

Chapter 44

Ali coolly walked into the throne room of Hades the next morning and announced "I have an interesting proposition for you to deceive Zeus and the counsel and end up having Zeus seething in anger and frustration" started Ali.

Hades sat forward on his throne "You have my interest. Elaborate."

I have developed a new composite metal that is very light, diamond hard and can be made to be flexible. No-one else can replicate it except me. When you buy it then it will be the best suit of armor you have ever worn. This is a sample of the new metal. We call it olympium" said Ali.

"You are here to ask a favor yet you expect me to purchase it?" quizzed Hades skeptically.

"You will want to purchase it. So will Zeus and every other Olympian god. I am arranging the exclusive product launch entertainment, something memorable. I ask you to wear your old armor I made and pick a fight at the launch with Vidarr, who has the new armor, and you will be thoroughly beaten, of course. Your old armor and weapons will be quickly destroyed by the weapons made of this composite. The duplicity is that no god, other than you and Vidarr will be in on it. They will be completely fooled until we choose to reveal the deception" said Ali.

"My armor will be destroyed and you do not replace it with the new suit?" scowled Hades.

"No, you will buy a new suit at this price." She handed Hades a piece of paper with the price on it. "However, I will agree to deliver your suit of armor five days before I deliver Zeus' armor. You will have the boasting rights of having the best armor first. Zeus will be seething with envy as you show your new armor and weaponry to all before he has his suit" finished Ali.

"How do I know the suit is as you say?" asked Hades deviously.

"I do not underestimate your reach, Hades. You certainly have spies in the Norse realm. You have already heard of the incredible properties of the prototype belonging to Vidarr or you would not have been so keen to see me. You know that it has been battle-tested and has not received a single scratch. It cuts through rock and metal with ease. There is none comparable; it is light and moves like a second skin in combat. You current suit is now second-rate on the battle field. I want to prove that with this demonstration at the private launch. I will only invite Apollo on the condition he is ready and able to provide healing to any of my guests at the launch. You will be thoroughly cut down and then you will rise up laughing at the shock on the faces of the Olympian counsel. You will continue to laugh when you know your suit will be delivered first. If you are not interested I can leave now" offered Ali.

"I did not say I held no interest for this scheme" interjected Hades. "This price is too high. I will pay half this!"

"The price is not negotiable. You buy it or do not buy it. It does not concern me too much because the product is exceptional and exclusive" she retorted. "I know you want this armor so badly you can taste it. You want to trump Zeus even more. I am the only one who can deliver this to you. Do we have an accord?"

"I will pay your price. You will make and deliver a new suit of armor for Persephone along with mine" ordered Hades.

"The deal is for one suit of armor. If you want to have Persephone's armor delivered before Hera's, then that is another deal and you will owe me a very large favor" said Ali. "Any armor must be paid for up front at the time you submit your order, before I begin to design and make it. Pay now and you are effectively first on the waiting list, be aware all payments are non-refundable. If you want Persephone's armor to be delivered along with yours, for a double triumph, you will sign a contract effectively saying that you will remain in my debt. To pay the debt you will immediately grant me any request I ask without question or deceit. This is a limited time offer, what is your decision?"

Hades scowled "I see you have learned to bargain hard, youngling" said Hades. He stood and prowled around muttering to himself. "Advise Vidarr I will acquit myself well in combat. You have a deal for two suits of armor as agreed."

"You can tell Vidarr yourself because you need to agree on how the fight will begin to make it look very convincing. One suggestion, if Persephone attends with you and if Vidarr becomes amorous to her, you fly into a jealous rage and draw your weapon to start the fight. Persephone will love you more for fighting to defend her honor and then for providing her with the first suit of armor when everyone else will be desperate for their own olympium armor. I want to drive fear and excitement into the hearts of every guest as they watch this epic battle. If Persephone tries to strike Vidarr down with her powers from behind, even better, because the new suit will deflect or absorb all such attacks. Remember that this is simply a game of pretence, Hades. I, too, will be practising my acting skills for when I rush to your distraught Persephone after the battle to bring her back to your side. Whereupon we will reveal to her the deception and her invaluable prize. I hope you take a great deal of delight in the duping process and outcome. I know Vidarr loves a good fight. They will remember this for centuries to come, it will be a launch party like no other" promised Ali.

"I assume you have all the contracts drawn up?" grumbled Hades.

"You assume correctly, Hades" said Ali with a grin. "Read the contracts through carefully, we need witnesses for our signatures, your seal of office, process the payment for both suits to my account then the agreement for the delivery of the suits is made. I will commence work when the payment is cleared into my account and not before. I will come here to measure you and Persephone after the launch party. If you acquit yourself well and work hard on your acting then I will considered extending the contracted time slightly. Perhaps practise your acting and moves with Brand until he is satisfied it is entirely believable. I will advise you of the delivery date when I am close to completion. The processes are tricky and if I rush there will inevitably be more setbacks."

Hades summoned two of his many lawyers to witness the signatures and he stamped it with his seal of office. He then arranged the payments and fast-tracked them through.

"Someone will eventually steal your secrets and make a lot of profit in your stead" said Hades snidely.

"I have already heard you stole some of my scrap to replicate the olympium and consistently failed. I will save you some time and wasted effort; only I can make this metal and craft it. Even if I told someone all the secrets of the processes and they learned all the elven and Olympian forging techniques perfectly, still no other smith could make it. Thus, if any danger lurks around me then it is in your interests that you do your utmost to ensure my safety; at least until your suits and weaponry are complete or you will lose your armor, weapons, payment and your five days of triumph over every Olympian god. It seems we have become rather unlikely allies for now, Hades" said Ali as she bowed and left with all the finalized contracts.

The next day Ali confirmed to Hades the full payment was in her account and she would begin preparations to manufacture the suits. Ali paid a visit to Hephaestus and took a sample of olympium with her for him to thoroughly test and attempt to replicate if he so wished. Ali told him of the upcoming product launch and asked him to give his opinion on the new metal at the party. Hephaestus agreed and said he will be waiting impatiently for the invitation. Ali sent another sample of olympium to Melian with a note asking her to test it and try to replicate it. Ali told Melian of the product launch and said she would send Melian an invitation to speak but would understand if she were too busy working. Melian said she would come if Ali 'ported her direct to the event and 'ported her back immediately after her speech, to which Ali agreed.

Next was the function room. Ali 'ported to Dionysius and asked him to rent her his most exclusive function room. Dionysius took her to show her the room and Ali decided it was big enough for her purposes so she asked him when it was available to hire out? Dionysius looked at her strangely and said she could just order him to do anything she wanted. Ali asked again for when the room was free to hire. Dionysius got out his book and provided her with several dates and Ali picked one, noted it down, paid the deposit and 'ported to Apollo.

Ali advised Apollo he would receive an invitation to her product launch only if he agreed to heal anyone present that may require his care during the launch party. Apollo looked at Ali cautiously and slowly nodded his head. She said he could now expect to receive his invitation to the launch party in due course. When Ali left, Apollo stood scratching his head looking bewildered.

Ali 'ported to Amirael to ask her to draw up the short guest list. They then discussed invitation choices and where to get them. Amirael listed several shops and they 'ported to each shop together until they agreed on one and submitted their order instructions. The shop owner did a double-take when he read the guest list and promised expert work and fast delivery. They paid the bill and went looking for a designer decorator who could dress the room according to their instructions.

Unfortunately this was the most difficult task, the designers kept pushing them towards a standard party atmosphere. Ali decided to go to Prometheus, at the college, and ask him to get the interior design students to solve the problem and learn to think outside the box. It took a group effort but they eventually arrived at a result Ali was satisfied with. Ali told them she would hire them and pay them the amount she would have paid a design team. They would receive their full payment at the conclusion of the job. Ali left them with a deposit to make their purchases for the job then provided them with the date and place. The students were excited and kept working on other ideas to perfect the look Ali had described.

Ali and Amirael returned to the attic house to talk to chef. Ali explained her concept for the food. Nothing standard but everything luxurious and fresh. Every recipe had to have a twist. Ali told chef of some of the memorable dishes the elders told her they were impressed with at previous dinner parties. Chef and his team began to experiment with flavors, colors, textures and ways to plate up the dishes after Ali told chef the theme of the party was dark, exciting, mysterious and dangerous. Chef suggested they use black and red fine china to plate up and Ali waved her hand and produced a selection for chef to choose from.. Chef said her would practise with all the selections and make his decision later so Ali left him to it.

Ali decided the serving staff would be demons so she sent a note to Hades asking to hire some of his demons for the night as serving staff. He replied 'Is this the favor you ask?'

Ali replied 'No, I will pay you the standard income for serving staff for the number of hours they work. I ask for twenty demons. If it is too much trouble I will hire vampires instead.'

Hades responded 'My demons will be there.'

Ali replied 'Choose the scariest looking ones. I will forward the standard contract for you to sign and deposit the specified amount into your account as soon as the contract is completed and returned to me.'

When it came to the cocktails Ali decided to draw up her own menu of scary cocktails for the gods to choose from. They could go to the bar and say their order from the menu then the desired cocktail would appear before them. Among the drinks choices were Apocalypse, Banshee, Black widow, Island voodoo, Satan's whiskers, Vampire blood, Zombie brew, Halloween punch, The undead, Brain hemorrhage, Hurricane, Hangman's blood, Death in the afternoon, Zombie, Gimlet, Dark and stormy, Bloody Aztec, Bloody Mary,  Peaches and scream, Devil's punch, Voodoo priestess, Death adder and Wake the dead. Ali invented her own cocktails too; Kill-zone, fear, Malevolence martini, Demon lord, Insanity, Treachery and The undertaker.

Ali decided to go as a leper with an extra-creepy makeover, Gramma chose to wear a headless ghost costume, Amirael dressed as a ghoul schoolgirl with an axe through her head and Riv chose to be a hangman with his noose. Chef had worked out the menu and the plates he wanted. Ali told him to put whatever he prepared onto the attic house dining table and she would 'port it straight to the venue. The arrangements were all done.

The day arrived and everyone was busy preparing. She checked on the student's venue design and declared she loved it. Ali verified the position of the tables so she could 'port food in at any time. She checked Hades and Vidarr had worked out their act. She checked Melian would be ready on time and in costume too. She verified Hephaestus was prepared and ready to go. Check, check, check, done! Ali walked around with Rom in the forest until it was time for her to prepare, 'port and do her thing.