September 12, 2005 – 09:00 (Montreal Time)
Sebastian and Stephanie slept at Coralis's and Frank's, and so did Erik, Henry and Gus.
"Yup, I think it's time for us to start looking for a house," said Frank while making coffee.
Coralis sat on a stool, facing him.
"As usual, I don't think I'll have time to search for that anytime soon, at least not until the district is fully established and running smooth, clean and free of cockroaches. If you find something you think would be good for us, go for it and just give me the price tag."
"Speaking of house-hunting, that's what we'll be doing today," said Erik, coming out of the bathroom. "Either that or a condo, we aren't sure yet."
"I'd help you out, but my ass needs to be leaving for Winnipeg in less than 30 minutes," said Sebastian, putting his shirt on. "Do you know how long the meeting will last?"
"I have no idea. From my understanding, it's the first official meeting between the Core Elders and the sub-ones, and they want the seconds to be there. They explained the new CMMA organizational structure last night and announced who the district elders are, but today they'll give us the details of what's expected from us and how things will go down. Something like that."
"Is Panjik going to be there?" said Sebastian.
"No, he's spending the day with his mate and will look into relocating to our district as his house is in Emery's. When the meeting is over, I will let him know what's up, but I think what we will need to do after the meeting is search for a property to establish the headquarters. My living room will do for now, but I don't think my neighbours will be thrilled to find out they're living next to Blue Thunder."
"They might think this building will go up in flames next," said Henry.
"I work this afternoon, bet I'll be asked a million questions at work," said Stephanie.
"Want me to talk to Pat this morning?" said Jeremie.
"Yes, please. I'll call Veronica later today to inquire about potential vampire liaisons, she is usually asleep at this time. Hmm, I need to reach out to the shadows on my way to the meeting."
"People will also expect you to make a statement or something like that," said Stephanie.
"Ewe, yeah, let me not think about it for now! I've been dodging press statements for my entire flyball career. I made one after escaping jail, but it felt like a chore."
"I'm also a press-dodger… but this is different. We'll figure this out, but we need to get going before we end up skipping the meeting," said Sebastian.
On the way there, Coralis mind-linked the Shadow Elementals.
"Plans have changed, I won't be able to make it to the briefing today. The CMMA has announced their reform and decided I had to be included."
"They said something to me about them considering you to lead one of their districts, did they go ahead with it?" said Riwik.
"Yes, they've put me High Mage of what's now District VIII, and I didn't exactly have a choice. I'm on my way to a meeting to find out more, but then I'll have to set it up and clean the area."
"That's a good thing. The war is dying down. Within a few weeks, we'll probably disperse again," said Malkya.
"When you start cleaning the area, let us know if you need us or if one of the other elders does. They cancelled the meeting I was supposed to have with them yesterday, but if they went ahead with their reform plan, they should be fine without us," said Whazk.
"I'm very much looking forward to retiring with my mate somewhere in Thailand. Your mate must be happy with the appointment. If you're now High Mage of a district, it should keep you local," said Alejandro.
"I didn't want the job, but he thought I should do it, so yes, he's happy about it."
"Blue, if it's fine with you, I'll join you when we disperse," said Matasia.
"Of course, it's fine with me, so long as it doesn't create bad blood between us and the Shadow Elementals."
"It won't, you're fine. Unlike those who left to go to OSB, your elders approached me first, and their reform doesn't have the same purpose as OSM does. I understand why they needed you as such, and I think it would benefit us when the day comes for us to regroup again," said Riwik.
"If Matasia wants to join you, she'll be free to do so, but she might have to juggle between us both until we disperse," said Milkya.
"Fine with me. I need to think about what I'll do next, post-war. I'm not going back to EBEE, and I'm not joining OSB either. I don't know what the CMMA reform entails, but it sounds like a lovely idea to me."
"I'll know more when I walk out of my meeting, but I'd say you'd probably be doing something similar as you did the first time we met 11 years ago. Paperwork departments aren't in my hands."
"Minus the corruption within higher ranks. Count me in."
Coralis glanced at Sebastian flying beside her. She was about to tell him the recent development but figured Erik and Henry would also want to know about this one, so shared the news through the mind-link she has with the three of them.
"BROS! You remember the French EBEE agent Matasia Sarali?"
"Of course. We spoke with Agent Milleri when we tried contacting them 2 years ago about the Silverling necklace, and we can never forget that incident at the flyball tournament," said Henry.
"Matasia, as in the former EBEE agent who joined the shadows? As in, the pug who was with you and Alejandro at that South Africa compound after you escaped jail?" said Sebastian.
"Yes, that one. The shadows think they'll be dispersing soon. Matasia wants to join us."
"Holy gods from above! Sonylla will be pleased with that addition! I mean, we're talking about a former EBEE decent agent who trained and fought with the shadows. She was with you in South Africa and whatever you did there, resulted in our flat getting burned. That's great news, sis," said Erik.
Shortly after they were done with their conversation, Coralis and Sebastian landed by the CMMA Headquarters. They had to check the coordinates twice, as they couldn't recognize the building standing in front of them.
"Holy gods from above, what happened here?" said Coralis.
"We've been wondering the same," said Emery, joining them with Eva. "It hasn't been that long since I came here. Sebastian, of course, I see you here today."
"I was here yesterday for training, it wasn't looking like that," said Eva, smelling the air. "I'm smelling a very thick concentration of elven herbs."