To New Beginnings [Oscar Levine]

[Victor Adler]

1st of January, 2062

Fireworks exploded overhead, sending sparks of lights all over the glass façades of the Elysian skyscrapers, exciting the groups of New Year’s celebrators into cheering and applauding. Victor Adler, immaculately dressed in his best suit, stepped away from the panorama window and dropped the velvet curtain. A new year had passed. Another one filled with discoveries and triumphs was just about to make its entry. He was looking forward to it; 2061 had brought him great fortune, and he saw no reason why this new one wouldn’t do the same.

Turning back inside, his dark eyes fell on the guests mingling around in the dinner room. He liked how they complimented his furniture; this was what his house was designed for after all – social interactions; making new connections. His New Year’s parties were always the to-go of the evening, and Adler liked to bask in the glory of it all. The dinner had been superb, of course, and he had made sure that every single one of his guests was treated as king or queen for the day by his servants. All of the elegantly dressed people attending seemed to be pleased with their evening; he heard light-hearted chatting, a snippet of a serious conversation, someone laughing politely… Business cards exchanged hands, and here and there some hard-driven workers shook hands on new deals. Not even on New Years Day, those shivering new minutes of the newly arrived year, did the commerce of Shangrila stop. How he loved it.

Lynette was nowhere to be seen, of course. His wife preferred the privacy of the room whenever it was time for mingling. It was hardly befitting, but the man did not want to lecture her on proper manners while the house was full of people. They would have a discussion about it tomorrow… For now, Adler would mix with the crowd and be a good host; with his wine glass elegantly held in one hand, he strode towards the closest group of guests, noticing a familiar face.

“Mr Levine! So glad you could make it!” he greeted. They had, of course, exchanged pleasantries upon Oscar’s arrival, but that had been short – too many people to care for, too little time to properly talk…

[Oscar Levine]

Another year, and once again fireworks lighted up the evening Shangrilan sky. Now the inhabitants of all the city’s four layers celebrated another year of surviving the rockets, with even more rockets; how ironic. But it had this special, poetic charm to it that made him glee on the inside: he loved his city, and he loved all the cultural phenomenons that dwelled within.

The city’s founder knew how to dress up for this kind of occasions, even if he always preferred the neutral grey suit in front of the luxurious black. Even so, he made the right impression: his shoes was polished, the white shirt ironed, the blue tie carefully knot, and the pocket square carefully folded. Of course, someone had made sure that Mr Levine had something to drink in the late evening, and now he slowly twirled the foot of his glass whilst engaging in some simple conversation. At the familiar voice next to him, he turned, and raised his eyebrows ever so slightly, impressed with Victor Adler’s ability to join a crowd with natural grace.

“Missing your New Years-party would be like missing the beginning of the year” smiled Mr Levine, and he meant every word. He didn’t hesitate to praise people whenever they deserved it: impress him, and the reward – mutual or materialistic – was generous.
“… And we wouldn’t want that now, would we?”

[Victor Adler]

”Of course not, of course not”, meant Adler good-humouredly, and his face lit up in a polite, carefree smile. It didn’t reach his eyes; it seldom did. Moving closer, discretely taking note of whether Oscar’s glass was still with some content or not (which it was), he nodded at the rest of the crowd, still smiling. Then he raised his own glass towards that of his boss, indicating a toast. “What do you say – to the New Year?”

Acting naturally with the man who had started this little haven was not hard. After all, they’d know each other for years upon years, and Adler was well aware of some of Oscar’s most dirty little secrets – just like Oscar knew some of Adler’s most private little facts. However, it was nice to pretend now and again that everything was perfectly normal between the two. Like nothing had ever happened to put tension between them. Being the host of the party, the highest position currently available in this little clique, while playing pretend with Oscar was always interesting. Especially when there was some fine beverages involved.

[Oscar Levine]

The green eyes widened a bit with a more sincere smile, and he raised his glass to carefully clink the exquisite surface against Adlers’.
“To the New Year! Let us hope it’ll be a year of changes and surprises…” and after this, he gave up a short laughter. It didn’t seem out of place for a potential listener, but such a clever man as Adler would certainly get his point.

Ah, yes, surprises indeed, even if he might not… retire quite yet. The old man absolutely hated routines, so, something to stir it all up would do the city good. But there was always something lurking around the corner in the city of business, secrets and plots, something big or something small, waiting to strike, so… Oscar was positive that he wouldn’t get bored during the coming year.

[Victor Adler]

The blonde man’s smile widened ever so slightly in amusement as Oscar Levine laughed out; he could indeed take the hint, even if he did not know what it meant to its full extent. What he did know, however, was that Oscar had a son, that he kept locked up in a luxurious, spa-like environment, whom he’d once given a young girl to in order to keep him company. Said girl had been a vital part of his own rise to fame so many years ago… Speaking of…

“How are the youngsters nowadays? Still doing well?” he wondered casually, but the dark eyes were slightly narrowed in meaningful interest. Something within them sent a spark through them, like an impulse, illuminating them as vividly as the fireworks had done. Would Oscar get the hint? … would he accept it? And would he reply? Victor Adler was curious, both as to how the boy was doing, and how the girl was coping with the situation. It was, after all, far from normal.

[Oscar Levine]

”They’re doing just fine” admitted Oscar, as if this was perfectly normal to talk about on a New Year’s Eve celebration. However, what got him speaking wasn’t his pride, the alcohol, or that he trusted Adler; especially the last one wasn’t involved at all.
“Got the usual report today that the boy is still refusing to eat dinner on this particular day… Funny, isn’t it, how some routines are very simple to imprint, while others might just… pass by…?”
He made the appropriate motion of his hand to gesticulate something that’s easy pushed aside, but he still smiled. He had, however, taken a step back from the crowd and individually turned to Victor Adler, to keep the conversation – even if not secret, or sensitive as such – private.
“And the girl… well… she keeps on with her busy schedule. There have been no major letdowns from her side during the last two week, so she’s making progress.”

[Victor Adler]

It was a sensitive topic, but one they rarely touched upon. So many other things involved in keeping their little paradise up and running to allow time to focus on those two individuals. There were the attempts at break-ins from outside from time to time, the security risks inside of the wall itself, not to mention his own and Oscar’s busy schedules. Now, however, before they broke up and went on their own separate ways, they could take some time off to talk about it.

Adler was always very interested in listening to what Oscar had to say about the boy and his companion. The detatchment in the other man’s voice; how casually he spoke of how he’d effectively robbed them both of their freedom… it intrigued the scientist. He wanted to know more about it. Why had his boss demanded such a girl to keep his son company? And why had he, of all places in Elysia to keep the boy until he was older, chosen that one place? Being one of the Shangrila Inc. Officials, Adler knew the business involving the pretty people held in that facility – the Agalma. But what he still had not figured out, and always tried to touch upon whenever he had the chance, was why Tobias Levine was one of them.

“Good, good”, he commented in a mock good-heartedly manner and nodded before taking a quick sip of his wine. “I’m pleased to hear that is the case. Perhaps it is time for one of my check-ups soon again, hmm?”

[Oscar Levine]

The seemingly younger man, by a decade or so, continued to twirl his glass of champagne between his fingers, and let his green eyes temporarily glance out in Adler’s fabulous living room. So many people who thought they knew so much… but he didn’t blame them. Neither did he blame Adler when he turned back at him. It was all very natural to never know the whole truth, so very natural…

“Whenever you want to, you know the girl if free to just be called upon. But please, try and alert us one day before you do? I don’t want any fuss if she stays away for too long.”
His son wasn’t the one who reacted if she left, he turned indifferent at a maximum of one minute when she went out. However, he knew Gabrielle could grow restless if separated from him in hours without a warning (due to a former lesson well taught), and he didn’t want for her to experience how Adler dealt with impatience. It was important that she didn’t suffer any fatal accidents… well, for now at least.

[Victor Adler]

Adler cocked an eyebrow and this, then smiled widely, obviously pleased by Oscar’s words. It had settled that well in her, had it? Then his little project had definitely been a success. Soon enough, he would have to check up on the other two as well; with adulthood on the threshold, their adolescence soon over, he was curious as to what new turns the manipulation that had been done upon them would take. Would their adult state change anything?

“Of course. I never come unannounced” – to places that are not mine, mind you – “you know that, Oscar.”
His head tilted slightly, and he let his eyes sweep the room, before adding:
“And the business? Any new customers of note?”

[Oscar Levine]

Oscar smiled and shrugged his shoulders at Adler's first words; he himself never hesitated to stroll inside a partner's business quarters on random occasions, not even giving a hint that he might drop by. He only did this because it seemed natural: and, of course, if someone of his friends dropped by his industries, he made sure to give them a warm welcome if he had the time. That was what he was all about: to satisfy any pleasure or need...

"Just the usual clients. None of particular wealth or interest, it’s the same old rich men and women needing something more in their life…. But how about you?" wondered Oscar, and added with a sly smile and whisper: "Haven't you grown tired of your wife yet?"
He nodded discretely with his chin towards Adler’s ring, before taking a sip of his champagne.

[Victor Adler]

”Oh…” The smile faded, as if it had never been a natural part of his facial expression anyways. His eyes grew darker, and he took another, much more nonchalant, sip of the wine while the party continued around them. “… well… yes. She is beginning to tire me…”

The restraint in Adler’s voice told another story. Not only was he tired of her; he was bored. Boredom was more dangerous than him being tired. The latter could always be fixed, while the former… was a more or less permanent state. Perhaps old Lynette had finally played out her role. He had been considering it for a while, after all, and now that she couldn’t even be bothered to show up for his New Year’s Eve hosting – his moment to shine! – she was hardly worth the time and attention he put into her. It wasn’t the first time. He had been a very patient man, but she just didn’t seem to be able to … learn. Someone a bit more obedient would be a nice change of pace. Hadn’t he thought so earlier this evening as well?

[Oscar Levine]

This... was what Mr Levine was all about. His business. His area of expertise. His company. His lifework. Oscar’s enthusiasm over the probability to help a friend in need was clearly shown in his gleaming eyes when he leaned a bit closer.
“Ah, yes… I’ve noticed that your woman isn’t here today, either” he murmured softly, and let his eyes once again slide out over the crowd just to prove his point. “And I tell you this, friend; they’re all the same if they keep their independent will given by nature…”

Levine himself preferred natural, real women… the first one was always a thrill a minute. But, of course, one or two Agalmas with programmed personalities had lived in his apartment now and then, just for the fun of it.

[Victor Adler]

The blonde man laughed humourlessly at this, and turned his gaze back to the colleague. Of course Oscar would be interested in Adler’s failure at marriage. It was always interesting to see someone fall – and hard, too. But Victor wouldn’t let him laugh behind his back. He wouldn’t let Lynette get the last word in this. With dignity, he stretched his back and tossed the head in annoyance before snorting.

“You’d recommend me one of yours?” he wondered, a tad bit sceptically. His eyes gleamed interestedly, however, suggesting he might not be totally closed-minded to the idea…

[Oscar Levine]

“Why, of course” smiled Oscar, and captured a brown lock of hair on the run to put it behind his ear again. “Or we can just make a few, minor adjustments to what you already got... But those bodies are something out of this world, I can tell you that, and the possibilities… endless.”
Oscar gave up a silent snicker, and fell back onto his heels.
“But I suppose you would know? Old Jenny still doing fine~?”

Even if the look upon his face insinuated that he knew a lot, he didn’t know more than anyone else. But, it wasn’t so hard to guess at the end of the day... Adler’s lover remained officially single after all, and Oscar seriously doubted that Adler single-handedly could give such pleasure. And best friends shared, right?

[Victor Adler]

Not a muscle in the host’s face changed. He knew what Oscar insinuated, but refused to acknowledge it by any ways or means. Instead, he nodded as if replying to a question such as “does she still have her health?”, unconcerned with what the young man had really tried to said. Adler was simply too proud; half the town knew, but he didn’t care. Just because he didn’t care, though, didn’t mean that he had to provide information about what really went on. Dignity and pride… image.

“You could hardly believe it’s been almost twenty years…” he confessed slowly. Emerich, as far as Adler, knew, was still more than happy with his secretary. She was very pleasant, always polite and helpful, but nothing less was to expect of Mr Levine’s handiwork. Considering how fateful she was, she had been a pretty good candidate too… No wonder Emerich did not want to switch her for a newer version.