Sayora

The council

"We built castles with our fears and sleep in them like kings and queens. How little do we know that a mere thunder storm would cause those castles to break down"

Eva's POV:-

After leaving Abelia's place I went straight back home and got ready before Claire could finish her shift and come back. Her being oblivious to who I really was gave me a certain protection that would not have been possible if she knew and swore to not talk about it.

I had received an invitation for a party hosted by the city's council and all the ancestral families who had long inhibited this city. Word of these parties reached my ears all those years I was away. A custom introduced by the Alesina's after they expanded their rule. This was their technique to get all the ancestral families under control. Finger food and expensive alcohol.

Evangelic Whitmore. The heiress I had walked as in this city, it was a duty to present myself at the party. She was the only kin that was left of this ancestral family and on my way here I had to take care of that. The way that I chose to do it, allowed me to absorb all pieces of information from every last person who knew about the ancestral link of the Whitmore's to the city. No matter how regretful it was I didn't see any other way.

I would like to believe that what I have done and what I do in the present or the future should become easy now. However the blood is not just in drops now it was dripping way before I started treading through this journey and it has been overflowing out of my soul and my conscience for a very long time. I cannot wash it off.

Whitmore. This family was also extremely wealthy and owned a large amount of properties in the city, me being Eva was now the rightful owner of it. I didn't know how to feel about that but the Whitmore's seemed as though each generation was absolutely nuts and the only good that was ever born in this family was Evangelic. Sometimes I feel that the world will engulf me in a sea of blood. Blood that I dropped and made an ocean.

Last time a Whitmore sat at the council was about a few 100 years back when Ira Whitmore was alive. Eva's grandfather. He was a class 2 bender mastered in fire water and air. But Eva's father didn't turn out to be a bender as his mother and he was never seen after his father died. Although he may have known about everything still walked away. This was the only family I could use for my ulterior motives seeing as nothing was left of it and it was not forgotten yet.

I would be moving to a mansion tomorrow, again the Whitmore family name playing its role. This moving was also necessary because I cant keep renting in Claire's house until I get what I want. Which has no prediction of going without blood and violence. Who knows how much time that would take plus if I am about to set foot in this thing then it should look convincing.The family mansion can help me.

I put on a black slightly embroidered knee length dress also covered my head in a black scarf. And put on my black heeled pumps.This is exactly why I avoided parties but they happen to have a way of sneaking up on me especially with when I was in command. I figured, you really can't avoid something that you host.

Covering my head is the most important thing. I can never let this come upfront to people I may have to know for a long time. Ergo the Council or Claire or even Abelia. This covering was never a need before because I was constantly moving or as I recall DiMarco phrasing it to be "on the run from my own life."

I never really put on much makeup given the life I have been living where any makeup would be done for in the first few hours of the day, however this is a formal event so I did do a few things.

The council consisted of the ruling ancestral families of the city. These were the power of the city. Alesina family the most higher positioned ones. Then it was the Gibbson's, the Wanning's, the Hemming's and the Sephora's along with more connected names.

The Whitmore's all died with only one heir left whom I was impersonating and then there was a member of the human faction and the Sharpe's who had been long forgotten. Amidst the dead and the dust. I wonder if the council itself knew about them because they died a millennium back. I wonder if any of the olden day council members lived like the Alesina's.

When I came to the city my letter to the city council had reached before me to inform of my arrival. My uninvited arrival was not the only announcement I made. Whitmore council seat being filled with mu presence was also sent out where the council decided they wanted to meet me at this party.

This may be my only chance to infiltrate the council and make my position here. If I become Eva and make a place I can do easily, what I came for either being Evangelic Whitmore or the girl who ran away from this city so long ago.

Stepping inside the doors I pulled off my coat and a servant girl came and took it from me.

The first thing I felt walking inside those doors was the presence of more than 20 bender's at this party and they all were from different classes but none from class one. It was quiet overwhelming and all too familiar at once.

Walking further inside, my eyes scanned every corner of this mansion formulating every possible scenario I could regarding the end of this party. Once fully inside I felt eyes on me. Disregarding it I asked a man nearby of where I could possibly locate any council member.

I was directed to a man standing nearby. Tall, mid forties, black hair and black suit. He was holding a champagne glass in his hand. Talking to some lady wearing a champagne pink dress.

I approached him and greeted. "Excuse me". He turned his gaze towards me, eyes as if shining emeralds. I had not seen such a beautiful colored eyes in a long long time.

"Hello, my name is Evangelic Whitmore. We are not familiar with each other but I sent a letter earlier announcing my return in Sayonara and the council and I received an invitation to this party." He seemed confused at first but soon realization hit him.

"Oh yes, yes I remember your letter I read it to the council myself. My name is Clark Gibbson." he pushed his hand out and I shook it firmly. He seemed like a class 2 bender and had more than one elements at hand also not to forget quiet charming.

"Actually I don't know anybody here so I was hoping if you could tell me why I was invited here and not for a meeting directly" I asked him.

"Oh Miss Evangelic matters such as this require occasion and when one is not found the council is known to creat one. Do not worry I will introduce you around and as for the invitation, well we have a private meeting of the council members after dinner and you were invited here so that you could get to know about the council and we could decide if you have the potential to work as a council member."

"But my letter was not a proposal. It was clearly an announcement of my return." I knew I had to fight for this.

"Why don't we leave this conversation to be discussed at the meeting. We want you to enjoy around." he turned towards me "Here have a drink and I will introduce you to a few people." he handed me a glass of champagne.

He did introduce me to some people around but I didn't meet any of the council members and when I inquired about it. Clark said none of them had arrived yet. unfashionably late I must say.

Clark seemed quiet reserved he didn't talk about how things worked here, but he seemed eager to see me in the council, I could tell that. Soon he got caught up with hosting the people at the party so I hit the bar.

Couldn't they have asked my presence at a formal meeting. This party was so boring. I hated such parties they were just a distraction and tedious work. Sighing I took the last sip of my drink and made way to the porch to get some air.

I was looking at the city lights when a thick husky voice came from behind me. "Seems like you are not quiet enjoying the party. Too dull for your taste?" Even with trying to hide the accent in those words this person was unable to do so successfully.

"Well parties like these bore me. I've had my fair share of hosting such tedious gatherings. I'd rather call moving freely without judgement and pointing ulterior motives as a party," I said shrugging and turned.

The first thing I noticed about him was how the colours of his eyes kept changing in just a few split seconds they were different altogether. Quiet positively I could say that this was the first time I was witnessing something of the sort. One second they were blood red and the other they were purple then blue then gray, and green and so on. I kept staring in his eyes for a few moments finding myself lost in the transitions and he did the same but seemed confused. My presence was never as peculiar as his reaction to seeing my face. Soon I broke the staring contest realizing it wasn't appropriate.

He was a tall handsome guy. Undeniably attractive. Black suit dirty blond hair more towards the brown side. Seemed like he worked out a lot. His eyes were the most capturing thing about him and the aura his presence threw off told me he wasn't human as well. However it was difficult to figure which class he belonged to as a bender.

"My unfashionably late presence to such event may be looked down on but indulging in finger food and cheap wine is not really that appealing. This city is to be enjoyed down at the town square and the streets not in old over the top fruity smelling mansions like this. Like an old grandma." He said smiling and two dimples appeared. He sure was charming.

"Seems like a nice idea. I am going to take it for the future." I replied to him smiling.

"My name is Raaky Alesina." Realization hit me like a brick wall.

Its him. Finally.

"Evangelic but please call me Eva."

"Well then, Eva would you like a drink"

"I just had a drink but thanks anyway. I'll see you around" I walked back inside and away from him. My heart was thumping against my rib cage and my palms were sweaty.

I had finally met him. I had finally met the reason why I couldn't lead a normal life. It was unreal seeing him stand infront of me not at all the person I remembered. I could not catch any indication of the fact that he was alive. Had time changed him so much?

Soon the dinner was served and finally a servant came up to me and asked me to give my presence at the private meeting and that everybody was waiting for me.

I took a long breath before entering the room through the large double doors. Head held high back straight and chin up. Here goes nothing.

I walked in to see a large table where all the members including Clark and Raaky were seated. Raaky was seated at the head chair and Clark besides him. I made my way to the vacant seat at the other end to where Raaky was and settled in.

I saw shock clear on his face and smiled at him. It was clear that he was a little out of it or maybe just didn't care enough to realize it before when I introduced myself to him.

"My name is Evangelic Whitmore and I am the only heir left to the Whitmore family. My presence here is solely to take my position in the council."

This was going to be soo much fun.

X-------------------------X

Hope you all like it.

SMR.