Activated Part 24

Activated Part 24

Author: The Architect

Authors note: Well, I have been writing, just not publishing. So, this will be a long one, we're going to move the story forward till after graduation.

Calliope PoV

Going to be a busy week for me. Mr. Stevens is coming by today. I'm going to show him around and maybe pitch a future project. Later today Cassy is coming for her weekly visit, I really look forward to those visits. And Thursday I'm getting a follow-up interview from Mr. Carson.

And maybe I will paint some stuff.

Around 1pm I was told a car was pulling up, when he got out, I was informed it was Mr. Stevens, I met him at the door.

"Mr. Stevens, please come in."

He first steps back to take a look at the house, "Your house is quite amazing, did you have a hand in its design?"

We move into the house and I lead him into the living room. "Yes, the outside is all me"

"May I call you Calliope, my name is Paul."

"Of course, Paul."

"Calliope, I'd love to see your workshop. Then let's talk about the new project."

As he gets up, he walks over to the fireplace where the group picture is hanging, "My goodness, look at that."

"Remember how I had my friends and family at the Lincoln picture event? I got them to let me take that picture."

"I am always amazed at your pictures; they always seem to bring up emotions."

"Thank you, that one was easy, I love everyone in that picture."

We make our way through the house into the corridor leading to the workshop, the click of the locks as we approach rings out.

"Those sound like some formattable locks."

"I have a dear friend who is very concerned about security, she had a part in the design of the interior features, I sort of have a tendency to turn out the outside world when I'm painting, a sort of fugue state. I can paint and feel safe because of her."

"So here is the first floor of the workshop, I have a more comfortable studio upstairs but down here we have things like woodworking and a kiln for pottery. Over there is the area the girls insisted on for their mad scientist stuff, sorry they insist on 'unbalanced engineer; stuff. I stay away from that part."

We take the elevator upstairs. "So, I can either get someone to pose here or if I take a picture of them, I can rotate and paint images I can bring up on this huge display that I do not want to know how much it cost."

"This is an amazing setup you have."

"After the first show I wanted to build a home, we became excited and it got away from us. Leading up to this, it was either me painting in a park somewhere or in my kitchen in my old Raleigh apartment. I sort of originally wanted a cute little house with a room where I could paint. Thankfully I've done fine or I'd worry about paying it off."

"I was going to do a painting; would you like to watch and then we could talk about the project."

"I would like that."

I pull out my sketchbook, I had been sketching out Tina and her daughter for a few weeks, I want to paint it out so I can show them today.

"I think I mentioned that I turn out when I paint, the house locks down when this happens, don't be concerned."

He nods, not sure he gets it but he will in a moment. I setup my sketchbook and pick up the paints.

"Calliope, you were focused for 31 minutes. Paul Stevens is in the workshop. Lockdown is deactivated."

"I see what you mean about the lockdown. The picture is amazing, who is the little girl?"

"She is the daughter of the lady that cleans my house, she brings her daughter over and I watch her while she cleans. I have been meaning to paint her for a few weeks, figured I'd use this moment for it. I think this picture of the two of them will go over well."

I take a good look at the painting; they will love it. "Let's bring this downstairs, I have a place where I let them dry and then we can talk about the project."

We make our way downstairs and the new painting takes its place in the drying area alongside the picture of the sunset that was taken from the plane by my friends last yes, I finally got around to painting that one. We settle down in the chairs in my office area.

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Are you familiar with James Armistead?"

"A figure in the revolutionary war?"

"He was a slave that was a spy for Washington. They didn't treat him as well as they should for his service but he was such a good and loyal person. I'd like to tell his story and I envision a picture of the meeting between James and the Marquis de Lafayette when they met up in 1824."

"Let me bring that back to the foundation but I wouldn't anticipate any resistance."

"I'm going to research it and paint it, when I read the story it moved me, it is dying to get out."

"I look forward to another collaboration, your last picture keeps getting rave reviews."

We went back to the main house and I made him coffee and we talked. At 3pm I was informed that Tina just pulled in.

"I have to get going, I do have one more thing to ask. Could I see it when you show them the picture?"

"I don't see why not."

Tina and Cassy come into the kitchen to check in.

"Well hello you two, I want to show you something before we get started. This is Mr. Stevens; I did a painting for his foundation last year and we're considering a new project."

I led them over to the workshop, then to the area where I have the paintings drying. Tina draws a sharp breath when she sees it. "Hey, that's me!"

"Yes, it is my dear, once it is dry that is my gift to you."

"Calliope, it is beautiful, thank you so much."

"Well, I've really enjoyed hanging out with Cassy, it was my pleasure."

Mr. Stevens is standing in the back smiling, "Calliope, I'm going to get going, I'll be in touch after I present your idea to the foundation. Thank you for the tour." He then nods slightly at Tina and Cassy staring at the picture, he enjoyed seeing me show it to them.

I escorted him out and met Tina and Cassy in the kitchen. "I can't get over that picture."

"Well, I admit, I've been sketching you two for weeks now, getting what I needed to do a painting. Let's let it sit for at least a week and then you can take it home." I texted Tina a picture of the painting in the meanwhile.

Cassy and I got snacks and started on her homework; her mom made her way around the house looking for things to clean.

+-+-+

"Good morning Mr. Carson, how are you today?

"Doing well, thank you for meeting with me today."

"Come on in, let's talk in the living room."

"I know we talked informally at the fall event but I'm probably going to readdress some of that."

We make our way to the living room; he pulls out his recorder and turns it on.

"So, it has been quite a ride since we last talked after your summer show, we had the Smithsonian project and your winter show."

"Unlike anything I have experienced."

"Can you tell me about the Smithsonian project?"

"I was contacted through the gallery to see if I had interest in creating a piece for the museum of history, while most of my works are of landscapes I didn't see a history-theme painting as something beyond my reach. I actually had a very good teacher of history in my youth, they treated it as a story and not facts and dates, I did better with that format and history was my favorite subject. I was excited to present a story through my art."

"The subject ended up being suggested by a friend of mine. I was always fond of Lincoln but even more so after researching him. I enjoyed the challenge."

"The piece has been well received since its installation in December, very popular."

"I'm happy to hear that, I really need to go see it in person."

"Next we have a life change for you, I see you are engaged."

"Ah, we can talk about that on background, I wouldn't want that in an article."

"Got it. So, who is the lucky guy?"

"I started dating Michael Card last Thanksgiving and this year he proposed. He is the younger brother of my best friend Sandra."

"Well, congratulations. Let's move on to the winter showing. It was a smashing success I understand."

"Yes, I have been blessed. My understanding is we had a bid competition on a few works, I am just happy they found homes where they will be treasured."

"That leads me to the big question, you have previously remained anonymous but at that showing they introduced you as Euterpe,"

"I had talked to Mr. Kline from the gallery, we felt it was inevitable and best to do it now. Of course, we only introduced me as Euterpe, not my real name but that was figured out in a few days."

"Did this cause any problems?"

"No actually. When I built this house, I didn't actually plan on something as fancy as this, my security consultant impressed on me the need for certain features. My privacy is very well protected it seems, even without a moat filled with sharks."

"Sharks?"

"I think she was joking; sharks are salt-water after all, not well suited for a moat."

"Are you planning on attending future showings?"

"Good question, I am torn over it, I like interaction with the patrons but large crowds are tough to handle. Mark that down as a maybe, I guess. The gallery is happy that I will finally let them do an artist profile. Also, I may do a few more interviews at some point."

"Do you have any projects coming up?"

"I have another history related project I want to do but very early in that process. Also, I am looking for some new source material."

"Thank you for meeting with me today. Maybe we can touch base in a few months."

"I would like that."

Sandy PoV

This is the week; spring break is almost here and we're all set to explore. The three of us are going to take a hop up to DC and meet Poppy for the long flight to Seoul. Unlike the last time when we were all about the beach and other activities this time, this time we have matured. Also it probably isn't going to be the sort of trip to pick up guys, even if that was on our minds.

I carefully packed away gomorrah-2, it has proven it is great at taking pictures although it doesn't have Calliope's understanding of light, it makes up for it by talking as many pictures as possible.

Mike came over early, just before noon, as we were getting ready to head to the airport.

"Guid mornin', how's everyone daein' this fine day?"

"What the heck?"

"Ah'm workin' on mah Scottish accent, how am ah doin'?"

"You are something else."

"Ach, whit ye gonnae dae next week? Ye gonnae bide at the flat?"

"Yes, I am going to hang out here and keep Alex company. Are you going to be talking like that all day?"

"Aye, I'm goin' tae practice aw day."

"I'm going to miss you."

"Ah, laddie, Ah'm gan te miss ye too."

Jen exits her room with a suitcase and brings it to the door where Becca and mine are waiting.

"Did ye overpack this time? We only need a week and a half o' comfortable clothes."

"What??"

"She's practicing a Scottish accent today."

"Okay. And yes, I'm packed efficiently."

"We're gan tae hae sae much fun!"

"Yeah, that won't get old very quickly. "

I turn to look Mike in the eyes, my hands on his shoulders, "I'm gan tae miss ye, Michael."

"I'll miss you too, have some fun."

"Oh, we're gan tae hae tae talk when we get hame. How dae ye feel aboot movin' tae Texas? Nae income tax sae ah stertit rentin' an apartment in Austin."

"I think I understood that, promise me no accents when you get home."

"Weel, maybe a Korean or Japanese yin."

Alex came out into the main area, "Okay everyone, a journey of 7000 miles begins with a trip to the airport, let's load up the car."

And with that our vacation began.

+-+-+

The flights went fine, met up with Poppy in DC and had a very comfortable flight to Seoul, we arrived quite rested,

This city is so amazing, once we got checked into our hotel I setup the drone and let it go explore. I gave it a list of landmarks and I spent a day researching any local restrictions on drone flying. It isn't exactly controlled by an AI, more like a very complex ruleset and I give it a list of rules to follow like staying away from airports. I am confident it will come back with some good shots and some not so good. I wish I could capture Calliope's skill with the light, that is a long term project.

I won't bore you with a play-by-play, we explored Seoul for a few days and then took the train down south to explore Busan before returning to take our flight to Tokyo.

Tokyo was also amazing, a very busy city. We rented a car to get around in Japan because we wanted to go to Mount Fuji and a few of the traditional cities. We even went to Hiroshima which is amazing when you imagine what happened here so many years ago.

Everywhere we went Calliope had her trusty camera taking pictures, as equipment master (and part of the security with Becca) I was kept busy keeping all the pictures secure and the memory cards ready to use.

As for security, I am happy to report we didn't have a single problem. Jen and Calliope are formattable on their own, if someone tried to mess with the 4 of us they wouldn't stand a chance.

The only disappointment on the trip is we came too early for the cherry blossoms, we saw a few early ones but we needed to come a little later for the full effect. On the whole I think we got enough for at least another year of masterpieces.

As we were making our way to the airport for a pampered flight home, I thought about this vacation and it was just amazing. I spent time with my best friends in the whole world, no arguments and there was laughing most of the time we were exploring. Again I thought about Calliope and Rebecca, both of them who turned their lives around, I am proud of my part in that, I see either of them smiling and giggling and it melts my heart.

We settle in and I see Jen is already asleep before the plane takes off. In 12 or so hours we'll be in DC and catch the connecting flight home, I can't wait to see Michael.

Michael PoV

"Hey Alex, the girls get set at the airport?"

"No problems, I expect they had it timed to the minute."

I look around, "So we have the place to ourselves till they get back, any plans?"

"Not really, studying mostly, maybe we could play PS5 a little bit. What do you think?"

"We're so boring, that was my plan too. Might see if Gerg wants to come over."

He looks thoughtful for a moment, "Is it wrong that I'm looking forward to getting some rest this week?"

"Nope, I had that thought in the back of my mind as well."

And that was how we started our spring break.

+-+-+

The middle of the week while the two of us were playing Call of Duty I actually got a little surprise conversation out of Alex.

"Hey, I never heard your take on the Texas trip. Anything interesting happen?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Well you heard about the meeting and how we went horseback riding. They did leave out one thing, and you have to keep this to yourself."

"Who am I going to tell?"

"Jen."

"Mike, they tell each other everything."

"Good point. Friday night after we're riding and shooting we stopped off and picked up ice cream."

"Oh boy! They seem to get wild when they sugar up."

"Yep, I went to bed but they stayed up on the patio talking. I turned in and I figured they would eventually calm down and go to sleep also, the next day we didn't have anything major planned so we could rest. The opposite happened, they got sooo worked up."

"I know where this is going."

"I was exhausted, it was a really full day and I was out like a light until suddenly the two of them descended on me."

"Yep, there is no way Sandy and Rebecca didn't tell Jen this."

"I still feel a little guilty, Sandy keeps apologizing, she got carried away, they both did."

"When they get going like that there really isn't any stopping them."

"I know! Did that ever happen to you?"

"Not with Rebecca, but in the early days when Jen and I were dating Sandy sometimes got in on the action. I felt guilty too and it stopped happening."

"I'm kind of glad you mentioned that, it wasn't just me. I mean Rebecca is amazing but I still feel weird being around her."

"That'll probably go away, and it's better for your sanity since those two are working together more and more."

"I'll keep that in mind. Did I tell you that she mentioned something about moving to Texas in that Scottish accent she was practicing, at least I think that's what she said."

"That kept up in the car on the way to the airport. Texas?"

"Said something about taxes, she's always planning something."

"Well, you have the hat for it." My phone announces a text.

"Oh, Greg is on his way over, I think I might order pizza and we'll make this a proper guys night."

+-+-+

I got a few WhatsApp messages from the girls with pictures, looks like they are having a fun time. By Thursday I think Alex and I were feeling their absence, we even cleaned the apartment. We probably should have done it sooner, the mini drones take a tour of the apartment from time to time, I don't think she is spying on us, they probably do that anyway but it is certainly recording what it sees, we don't want a lecture when they get back.

Of course we were still spending most of the time studying and playing PS5.

+-+-+

A little problem today, Alex's car wouldn't start, looks like the starter failed. We were out at the store and had to get it towed to a garage, we Ubered home. I let the girls know we wouldn't be picking them up.

"His starter? How much is the repair?"

"I think Alex said $500."

"I'm going to message him, see if he needs a loan, I can help."

"I think he'd appreciate that. How is the trip going?"

"It is amazing here, everyone is so nice. We went to this town with all wood construction and they have these automated fire suppression systems that are hidden around town. We lucked out and were there for their test, these buildings open up and spray water all around. Poppy got some amazing pictures, probably a bunch of rainbows."

"That sounds epic. I look forward to you getting home."

"You better rest up, I aim to misbehave."

*shocked face emoji* "I love you, see you soon, stay safe"

"I love you too." *bow and arrow emoji*

Then a few seconds later, *water pouring emoji* Oh I know what that one means.

+-+-+

Sandy did convince Alex to take a loan to cover the car, making the argument that he has been carting them around for months and they really owe him. I'd be surprised if she lets him actually pay her back in the end and I think he knows that too.

I look down at my phone, the flight tracker app, their flight took off from DC and will be here soon. No doubt Michael has already picked up Calliope, I hope he rested up this week.

Alex and I have been cleaning for the last 2 hours, we didn't make much of a mess this week but it's best to make sure. Did the laundry, made all the beds, ran the dishwasher, the works. The only thing we didn't do was touch the workbench, we know better than to go there.

+-+-+

The door opened and a fanfare played, in the voice of the Enterprise computer, "Announcing the return of Lady Card and her entourage."

The look on Jen's face was epic but it lasted until her eyes connected with Alex. Rebecca turned to look at Sandy as she put down her luggage, "Is it going to say that every time we come home?"

"Nah, just this time." She raised her arms in the air and shouted, "Konbanwa minasan, tooi sekai kara modotte kimashita!"

Rebecca translated, "She said 'Good evening everyone, we have returned from a world away'. How have you been Michael?" Jen had already dragged Alex and her luggage into her room.

"We have been good, all rested up."

At this point Sandy was done with her luggage and I braced for impact. After a few minutes of hugging and kissing, "I missed you so much!"