Dalton Avery's appearance at one of his own hotels wasn't a rare occurrence, but it was rare for him to come in the main entrance, capturing the attention of all the staff on-sight. Not making a show of it like his daughters, he strode through in a navy blue business suit, an assistant on-hand on her phone conducting his business, and nods and smiles to extend to his employees. The women on the staff especially appreciated a glance and smile from his direction, with him being a former playboy that aged extremely well, with salt and pepper hair, a baseball player's physique, and handsome features that netted him his own small harem on occasion. The manager walked through the lobby to meet him and keep up with Dalton's pace as they went over his itinerary.
"Is everything prepared for the emergency meeting?" He asked calmly.
"Everything you requested is already set and ready," the manager happily relayed.
"And my suite?"
"That's also ready for you," or ready in a sense that some contractors finished their work for something special to happen after the meeting.
"Excellent work," Dalton complimented, something he rarely gave the hotel manager. Few knew that despite the laissez-faire front he could put up, he could also have his Howard Hughes moments of paranoia that made him a difficult employer, whether the source of it be annoyingly-public messes caused by Danielle and Deidre, or another hotel chain looking to dethrone the Avery name and standing. The manager didn't dare question his high spirits, but rather soaked them up while he was still there.
"Oh, and before I forget, there's going to be having a few...internal inspectors roaming the hotel," he absently recalled. "Be sure not to interfere with their duties."
"Of course," the manager agreed, a slight tinge of fear hidden behind professional poise as he didn't know what the hell an "internal inspector" was supposed to be. If this was the catch to catching his boss at a good time though, he'd take it. Peeling off from Dalton's walking path, the manager allowed his assistant to step up and hand his cellphone, the ringing in his ear lasting only for a few seconds before someone picked up.
***
"Hello Dad," Deidre almost answered her cell in her trademark tone of contempt when it came to speaking with her family, though she always employed a lighter touch when it came to her father. There was more of a ghost of it in her tone, spoken from a light-headed disposition. "Is it time already for the parolee check-up?" she half-joked, fighting the urge to yawn reactively.
"Hello to you too, Deidre. It is quite convenient that the 'parolee checks' as you call them should coincide with board meetings I would like you to attend yet again, like the one I'd like you to attend today. Would that be a possibility for once?"
There was an audible pause, followed by a long sigh on Deidre's end, telling her father she was already in the middle of a meeting she considered important herself. Dalton assumed she was at a spa, maybe even one in the hotel; she arguably was, sitting on a plush couch, vacantly staring at nothing, eyes occasionally rolling back as Dazzling's fingers stroked the back of her neck playfully, giving her pleasurable incentive to respond as commanded. Soon Deidre would be more than happy to behave however the hypnotist wanted independently, but after all it took to bring her down, and with another subject soon to be on her hook, she kept her influence hands-on.
"I think that's possible," Deidre spoke, stretching luxuriously to aid in the ruse while her Mistress smiled. "I think so too, for you Deidre," she quietly cooed in Dalton's daughter's free ear. It was tough to keep the sounds she wanted to make from a full-body shiver to herself, but she obeyed, which caused more tremors she had to suppress.
"When it is?" Deidre inquired.
"In about an hour," Dalton informed her, his own tone lightening at the sound of his youngest accepting an invitation to participate in the family business for once. "If your sister happens to come as well, I assume that won't be an issue, will it?"
"If I can play good daughter for an hour, I suppose I can play good sister while I'm at it," Deidre's honest feelings bled through the trance assertively, just before a shimmering amethyst pendant appeared from above, asserting to her with gleaming facets she followed as it lowered to eye level, twisting to show the facets as slowly as it rose back to eye level, stealing away all the emotional assertion Deidre just levied into the phone.
"I'm very happy to hear that for once, Deidre."
"I do like to make you happy on occasion," her tone lightened again, hanging on the edge of bliss.
"Then I'll see you in an hour at the central hotel."
"I'll be there. See you soon, Dad."
As she ended the call, Deidre let her neck muscles finally loosen as her head craned back to rest in the cushions and get a better view of the amethyst. A playful giggle preceded her neck being brought back to the upright position.
"Good girl, Deidre, but you don't get to sleep just yet." Eyes fixed on the amethyst, it barely registered to her how her own hand was being risen to grip the jewel's chain, until she found felt the strength to move it in her own hands, and bring it closer to her face, just above eye level as she wanted.
"Yes, just like that. Find every colorful flash of light like a soft command I give, or a sensual touch that rewards your obedience, because obedience feels so damn good, doesn't it?"
"Oh yes, Mistress."
"Excellent, than it will feel perpetually good to say this phrase, over and over until it rings in your head, and guides you for the rest of your day, or days if you're lucky..." Dazzling added wickedly before important words became echoed and totally absorbed.
"A Dazzling Lady has me swayed,
A Dazzling Lady must be obeyed."
"A Dazzling Lady has me swayed,
A Dazzling Lady must be obeyed."
"A Dazzling Lady has me swayed,
A Dazzling Lady must be obeyed."
The remaining slaves except for Gerald were set next to or near Deidre, hearing the mantra that became the only thought they needed, encouraged to join in and start a soft chorus permeating the office. Even Ursula felt a little bit of it while focusing on the next part of Dazzling's plan.
"So is the next step to wait for daddy dearest while dreary daughter is priming herself for specific suggestions?" Ursula asked.