You Are Cordially Invited... [Tsair x Ironic]

[Tsair]

On an island located somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, there was a paradise that held an impressive mansion. The building stood towering over it's surroundings, almost a castle in its structure. The tropical locale made the building seem almost out of place, yet it contained itself well within the scenery. Surrounded by lush forests, various forms of wildlife could be seen throughout the terrain.

Standing upon a cliff overlooking the ocean near the back of the manor, a tall man stood with his hands folded behind his back. He ran a hand up through his auburn hair, as he turned to head back to the mansion. There were preparations to be made, after all. He walked through a lush garden, a hand slowly stroking a petal of a rose as he walked past. The smell was intoxicating, the various plants creating a carnival of scents.

He arrived at the door to the building which swung open as he approached, a bald man in a tuxedo bowing slightly and showing him through the door. He continued up a grand staircase, taking each step luxuriously as he approached a set of doors at the top; his study.

He entered the room and pulled out a blank sheet of fine parchment, along with an inkpen. It was a bit old fashioned, but it held a vibrancy to it that a simple typed letter could never replicate. He began to write, his handwriting elegant and refined.

If you have received this letter, you are cordially invited to a banquet being held in an exclusive resort location upon the isle of Regalia. Only a select number of people will be permitted to attend, and all expenses will be covered during your stay. As I imagine that you may be hesitant or distrust this letter, but know that this is a once in a lifetime experience. You will be generously compensated for your time, in the manner of a one million dollar package.

As you have been carefully selected for this endeavor, I will see to it that any demands you wish for in return for your attendance can be discussed and fulfilled to the best of our ability. Enclosed within this letter is a business card for a liaison who will assist in coordinating this venture.

I do hope you can attend.

With Regard,
The Marquis of Regalia ​

Once the letter was complete, he rolled it up, giving it to his hired courier to be delivered to the woman he'd chosen. He hadn't been turned down for his invite yet, and he was confident in his newest selection. The day of the banquet was one month away. He needed to ensure that the entire island was prepared for her arrival; after all, anything out of place could ruin the game.

 

[Ironic]

A typical Tuesday afternoon, nothing out of the ordinary. Lydia was on her lunch break and decided to take her hour break at home, saving leftovers of a chicken casserole from the previous night. Upon entering her apartment complex parking structure, the mailman seemed to have finished his rounds and was entering inside of his vehicle before exiting to continue his route to another street. It was convenient for her as she was already out and near her mailbox.

Unlocking her mailbox, the number 114 edged into the front, her mail awaited her. Casually, she picked up the small stack before locking the box and making way towards her apartment. Upon entering, she would carelessly set the mail on her kitchen table before raiding her fridge to gather the leftovers. She nuked it in the microwave for a minute, pulling out her plate as if she just made it all over again. Taking a seat at her table she would eat her lunch, eyes darting to the mail before she picked up the scattered mess to read them.

Water bill, gas bill, credit card invitation from Capital One, life insurance advertisement, and… a letter from Regalia? Perhaps a scam? Intrigued, she used her thumb nail to pry the letter open, revealing a neatly rolled letter for her to ponder on. Her typical Tuesday afternoon shifted with no warning, becoming nothing but interesting now.

Unrolling her surprise letter, her hues drank in the words, admiring the penmanship of whoever constructed it. She knew it wasn’t typed as each letter was written differently than its counterpart, the fine lines of what seemed to be an ink pen bleeding through the paper slightly, the ending of some lines being deeper in color than others as the tip of the pen was held too long on that spot. Usually scams didn’t have a way to contact them back in a business card form, usually contact information being printed on the same paper, small text on the bottom disclosing any rates and fees if you looked careful enough.

Pinching the thickened business card between her thumb and index finger, she would rotate it skeptically, almost wanting to turn down the too-good-to-be-true invitation, but a quick call wouldn’t hurt, right? Dialing the number listed, she would press her cellphone up to her ear before hearing the ringback tone. It rang a few times, another good sign that it wasn’t automated. When the other line picked up, she cleared her throat and began her questions.

“Hello, I just recently received a letter in the mail regarding an invitation to Regalia. The letter didn’t disclose all too much, but it provided this number to call. I’m a bit skeptical, can you please enlighten me?”

 

[Tsair]

The other line picked up, a pleasant sounding woman responding to Lyida as she made the call. The other side introduced herself as Anita Verson, and asked a few introductory questions before going into a longer response. "I'm glad to hear from you, Miss Reed. I'm glad to assist with information regarding the banquet. We will provide transportation, accomodation, meals, and all assorted expenses that made be incurred over the course of your stay. We will also provide one weeks worth of compensation for missed income."

She went over the generous package regarding the banquet, as well as providing information regarding how transportation could be acquired. Any questions Lydia asked would be answered with courtesy and confidence, displaying complete validity and inspiring faith in the venture. There was no sign of anything strange with the banquet, other than the fact that it seemed Lydia had been selected specifically, for undetermined reasons. All that Anita could say was that the host of the banquet had specifically invited her.

From the information, there would be plenty of time for prepararion, allowing departure in one months time. She would be allowed to board a private jet, that would take her straight to the island. It was made clear that this was an exclusive invitation, and likely a once in a lifetime experience.

 

[Ironic]

Hearing the woman talk so soothingly put the worried girl at ease, sitting back further in her chair as she crossed her legs. “Even compensation for missed income?” She restated, biting the inside of her cheek in contemplation. “If you wouldn’t mind, I would appreciate it if you sent over the paperwork and ticket information in the mail or email it to me.” Lydia asked, wanting more validation to settle any lasting skepticism she had. Obediently the woman complied, recommending sending it over via email. After giving her the email address, almost instantly she received a new message in her inbox from Anita Verson. “Thank you for all of your help, I look forward to it.”

Inspecting the email, she would see the banquet would take place June 10th, a month from today. It was the perfect time of the year to get away from work, already fantasizing laying in the warmth of the sand as the ocean water caressed her skin. Images of the island were attached, and she could smell the flowers as she eyed over their elegant shades. If she wasn’t sold on the idea yet, she most definitely would be now.

On the bottom of the email, it asked to submit ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in regard to her appearance, and after glancing at the photos and information once last time, she would click on ‘Yes’, hitting the submit button. Ticket information about her private jet, paperwork to allow the money to flow into her bank account while she was away, and other additional information was sent after she agreed on going. It was all legit, and the sinking feeling of the reality of it would take a while to settle.

---

It was the big day to board the jet, still having to drive to her local airport to board it. With help from the airport staff they would direct her to a gate where she would have to present her ticket for validation purposes, and once granted access, allowed her to board the jet. Already the extravagant journey was beginning, the jet holding elegant furniture inside with name brands that she could never afford.

Letting the staff take her luggage away, she would sit down stiffly in her seat, unsure to touch anything or ask for something. If there were more people coming, why was she the only one on the Jet? Did they get their own private jets too? If so, it would’ve been easier and probably less expensive to board everyone up together. She let the question linger in her head, not wanting to ask.

 

[Tsair]

The ride was smooth and the staff was accommodating as possible, and Lydia found herself treated as though a princess. All needs were treated as top priority, and the view from the windows of the jet soared over the landscape until they reached the ocean. Many miles of water in every direction, it was hard not to feel a little unusual. It was a total flight time of a few hours, seeming to get very far from her homeland as they went further out onto open water.

The waiters were willing to make idle conversation if sought, though none could provide much information about Lydias destination, other than that it was a magnificent locale. Sure enough, one of the attendants came up to Lydia, smiling politely as she gestured towards the window. "Miss Reed, if you are interested, the island is just entering sight." Sure enough, there was a large island out in the distance. It still looked far, but the plane was beginning its slow descent, making the transition as smooth as possible.

As it came closer, the island got clearer. The southern edge was a gorgeous beach, as though it were from a magazine. The sand looked pristine, and there was a substantial shoreline, along with docked boats near a pier that was nearby. Towards the middle it turned into a lush treeline, as though it were a jungle. It was hard to see past the canopies, but there seemed to be occasional paths cut into it. The western shore held a small series of buildings and roads, though not a single car could be seen driving along them. Towards the east, a large open plains led to talk grass, followed by a cliffface overlooking the water. Near the edge there was a massive lighthouse, seeming to tower over it's surroindings.

Finally, the North end of the island was dominated by massive structure that could only be described as a castle. Many wings, multiple floors, it would be an atrocity to simply call it a mansion. It took up a ridiculous amount of space, and was placed just before the northern cliffs. Nearby the structure, was the landing strip that was their destination.

After landing, there was some minor wait time as Lydia found herself being disembarked. The plane was refilling at the depot as she stood outside the front doors of the structure, a well dressed man wearing a tuxedo waiting in front of them. "Miss Reed, I presume? I do hope your flight went well. Might I be able to get you anything before the banquet? The master is truly looking forward to meeting you," he said in a pompous tone that still carried a heavy amount of respect.

 

[Ironic]

Lydia found herself quiet for most of the duration of the ride, eyes peering out into the window as her forehead rested against the chilly glass. Small ice crystals formed towards the top of the window, the sky blending in with the waters, unable to tell which one began and which one ended as they blended beautifully together. As the woman announced their presence near the island, Lydia quickly sat up in her seat to take a better look, mouth widening to see the luxurious space of land before them. After witnessing that this vacation was indeed true, she grew excited about her decision in coming.

She could feel her heart racing as they approached closer, only moment before they would land. The engines churned a different tune as it readied itself for landing, a small bump rocketing the avian as it landed on the cemented base of the landing strip. Lydia would wait to be given the ‘okay’ to get up and descend from her ride, being greeted by perhaps a butler.

“Hello there, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Happily, she chimed back at the warm welcome, extended an inviting hand towards him to initiate a polite handshake. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but where are the others that were invited? I don’t see any additional crafts coming and no one boarded with me.” The luggage that she brought was rolled towards her before the well dressed man took it upon himself to grab it, helping her make the trip as easy as possible for her, even if it meant carrying her light luggage.

 

[Tsair]

The man took the question and seemed to handle the response professionally, as though he'd been ready for it. "I believe that is a question you will find answered at the dinner. As it is, do be aware that your stay in this manor will be one where every need is taken care of. Should you need anything, there are various phones throughout the building that will connect you to house staff. State your name, and you can receive any amenities or treatment you wish," he announced with a warm bow as he carried her luggage towards a grand staircase. He gestured for her to follow as they made their way up to what would be her room, a luxurious master suite with a bed that looked like it cost more than some cars.

Her luggage was placed on a table for her to access at her leisure as the man spoke once more. "My name is Kingsley. Should you need anything, just say the word. You are welcome to go anywhere on the manor premises, but please head to the banquet hall at five." He placed a guidebook that had plenty of activities and a map of the manor, along with the rest of the island somewhat mapped out, on the table. With thay, Lydia found herself alone in the room as the man walked away,

It was likely a bit worrisome to see no other guests, but her stay was the most luxurious thing she'd likely ever experienced before already, with more to come if the guidebook were to be believed. It had various spa experiences, a theater, gourmet cooking at request, and a ballroom with listed events occasionally. If it were just her, it was definitely a ridiculous amount of expense for just one person.

 

[Ironic]

Kingsley’s response didn’t necessarily answer her question, only making her inquisitiveness about the others spike until dinner time would come along. She felt welcomed and invited, everyone was friendly, and no warning signs flashed besides not knowing the whereabouts of the others. “Thank you for your hospitality, it’s appreciated.” She nodded in his direction to bid him farewell before clasping her hands around the guidebook, quickly scanning over font once she found herself alone in her bedroom.

The lists continued, seeming to never end on the options of what she could do here. Images filled her mind as she pictured herself in each luxurious scene; cucumbers on her closed eyes as she soaked in the sauna, a mixed drink in hand as she laid out on the sandy shores to shimmer in a heated tan. The clock ticked. 2:45pm. It was getting closer to five, and she took it upon herself to shower and prepare her hair and makeup. Fitted neatly in her luggage was a sequined teal dress that hugged her curves elegantly, showing off her feminine biology. A quick mist of sweet perfume coated her wrists and neck before closing her bedroom door.

Lightly her heals snapped against the marbled floor, her hand holding onto the railing for support as she didn’t trust herself in heals. As if on que, Kingsley was waiting towards the bottom with an extended hand, helping her off from the last step before guiding her towards the banquet hall.

 

[Tsair]

Kingsley was as regal as ever as he gently led Lydia through the corridors, entering a massive banquet hall with a bevy of tables, each sizable but still small enough to facilitate conversation. She was led to the head table, where there was a tall man with smooth auburn hair bearing a warm smile for her. He gestured to the seats.around him, allowing her to pick how close she say at the table.

"Miss Reed... such a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure you're full of questions, allow me to answer what is undoubtedly the most prominent... You are the guest of honor, and the only guest during this visit." He wasted no time beating around the bush, seeming to be the type of man to be confident in his decisions, and unafraid of how others may react. "You were personally selected by me to come to this island as... my unique interest. I apologize for the misdirection, but I needed to ensure you would willingly come... you see, this getaway... it will be something you were expressly not expecting," he admitted. His words were slow and calculated, his voice smooth as butter as he delivered his words.

No servants were in sight, this conversation being kept directly between the two of them. He seemed to notice he'd been dominating the conversation, slowing his speech to allow space for Lydia to talk. Upon the table, there was already a lavish meal.

 

[Ironic]

To her surprise, there was no one else occupying the table except for a lone man. Confusion occupied her already apprehensive mind, her head rotating to glance at each doorway just incase the other guests were arriving, but to her dismay it was only her and the man left in the banquet hall. Just as she pursed her lips to begin her interrogative speech, the unidentified man took the honor to explain what was going on. Her expression was calculated as her once soft features twisted in fright. Albeit his words were reassuring, the misdirection of her stay now left her wary of what else was kept away in secrecy.

Regaining her composure to the best of her ability, she cleared her throat and straightened her posture, keeping herself at bay and not walking closer to the man who invited her. “I appreciate your kindness in choosing someone like me to be your guest of honor, but I don’t understand why just me?” Her stomach rumbled as the scent of the lingering meal before them trailed into her widening nostrils. She hadn’t eaten since riding the avian, but her concerns outweighed her hunger.

Her knees shook involuntarily, buckling in as if she were about to collapse to the ground. Her hands would grip against the nearest chair beside her before pulling it away from the table. She would sit down on the padded cushion of the chair, the strain in her legs feeling relieved.