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Cosgrove Villa- Post Dinner

Posted Dec. 30, 2018, 9:26 p.m. by Civilian Halai Cosgrove (Head of Science and Terraforming) (Lindsay B)

The slider moved through the Residential District up the hill to where many of the large single dwellings were. Moving around the corner past a stand of large-ish trees that had been planted after the dome had been built, Halai spotted her villa. Until recently she had well and truly considered it a home, but now there was a reluctance in her heart about the place. One might suggest moving, but she was’t one to run away from a problem. This would simply take time.

The villa came into view and she did mange to smile slightly. There was a large tree in the front by the that offered shade. The villa looked somewhat small from the front as it was one level and was narrower at that side. The roof was a terracotta looking substance that was a modern and efficient material and the sides of the house were of a light coloured stone. This of course you couldn’t get a full glimpse of because there was a black wrought iron fence around the perimeter of the property and the lush gardens out front had grown up enough to offer some privacy.

The slider stopped at the entrance where a large wrought iron gate guarded the pathway to the villa. At first one might dismiss it as just a gate, but a closer glance showed the detailed craftsmanship that depicted a vine weaving through the bars and included flowers. It was really quite a piece of art. “I’m actually looking forward to showing you this place. I haven’t had any company in… well, awhile,” Halai said quietly as they exited the slider. One of her bodyguards, the imposingly broad Rob, offered a hand to both ladies as they exited with their food in hand.

“Thank you Rob. All quiet?”

He nodded and smiled at both women. “Paul checked in when we left. Not a peep. Though it seems like the Colemans next door are done moving out. We’ll be keeping an eye on that place a bit too.”

Halai nodded and gave a slightly nervous glance to the property on the right. The idea of an abandoned place next door was unsettling, as if her imposed isolation was being reinforced by outside forces. But she pushed that away so that she could enjoy the rest of the evening.

Walking up the short stone path to the gate, Halai entered a code and had her thumbprint confirmed. The gate unlocked with an audible click and she carefully swung the heavy door open wide enough so that it would not swing back shut on Astrid as she walked in behind her.

Up the slightly winding path through a lush shade garden with lots of green foliage and blue and purple flowers, Halai reached the arched front door and went straight in. The house was unlocked, but only because her other bodyguard was there watching over the place.

“Oh honey, we’re home!” she called out cheerily, if forced. The front entrance was a cozy space to hang coats and take off one’s shoes before it opened up into a very expansive L-shaped space. They were standing at the long end of the L and you could see right across the living and dining space to the solid wall of windows that offered an extravagant view of the colony from their hilltop position.

A chuckle sounded from the slender man sitting in an arm chair in the sitting area. He stood up and grinned at them. “How was it? Rob said there was some… excitement?”

Halai chucked her heels beside the bench and moved across the stone floor that actually felt warm under one’s feet. “Not the kind I like, trust me. That’s what I get for trying to be social these day,” she grumbled. Turning to Astrid, she gave an apologetic look. “Astrid, you already met Rob Jensen. This is Paul Reyes, my other bodyguard. While it’s probably not necessary, they’ve decided that one of them should always be on the property, even when I’m not here. I’ve told them they might as well get comfy if they’re going to live here.” She really didn’t have to explain why her bodyguards looked like they lived there, but it was perhaps an usual arrangement.

The sitting area had a long taupe plush sofa and a couple blue arm chairs across from it with a coffee table made of glass and metal in between. There was a clearly abstract handwoven rug underneath that resembled the colours of a forest floor. In fact, as Astrid looked around, despite the modern and clean look to the place, every item and material was chosen to evoke warmth and comfort. This was apparent especially in the artworks on the walls, both in painting and textile form. A clearly special barkcloth skirt that looked very old was hung gently on another wall and there was a long and narrow carved wood mask with painted marking in black, white and terra cotta resting on a floating shelf.

On display too were many of Halai’s intricately carved stone sculptures. Missing though was the former flying bird centrepiece of the room that had hung from the ceiling , as evidenced by the large hook that hung empty above the sitting area. Halai looked over her shoulder as she took off her coat, revealing her back tattoo in more detail than had been seen at the party. It was a vine that swirled up to the top of shoulder blades, ending where it could be easily concealed if she wanted it to be. The vine was several shades of a rich green with graceful tendrils and small intricate and long shaped flowers in pale pink and red with yellow centres. Amongst the seeming wildness of the vine that swerved back and forth and up her back where other symbols incorporated in the same soft black as on her face. And particularly keen eyes would see the almost hidden portions in white that on her warm coloured skin were less noticeable. They were deeply intricate filigree work with some sort of alien writing in them and their colour gave them a sense of mystery, as if they were there but not there at the same time.

“Care for a tour?” Cosgrove asked as she draped her coat over the back of one of the chairs.

“And that’s my cue to make myself scarce,. Ladies,” Paul said, bowing his head to them before moving out of the room.

~Halai Cosgrove, Head of S&T


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