Before entering the Hall's, Megan stopped by the stairs and looked at Gray's tattered clothes, and not wanting him to enter in that state, she asked Anna to fix them. Anne examined Gray's clothes and then looked at a guard who looked like a brute that was a giant, easily towering over her, but he was in a similar outfit to Gray.
Walking to the guard, turning and looking at Megan, she asked "Is this one okay, my lady?"
"Yes, I preferred an apex over a mere prey," Magan said, giving a sharp look.
The guard turned red as a tomato, and tried to protest, infuriated by being called a prey, but Anna cut him off and quietly said that they are going to triple his pay if he helps her and leaves. The guard quickly changed his attitude, rubbed his hands together, and agreed to the proposal.
Anna brought the guard over to Gray and placed her hand on both of them. Anna closed her eyes concentrating, Gray clothes started to repair themselves, while the guards' outfits were noticeably shrinking to a point where they started to rip. And just like that, Gray's clothes were restored and the guard's clothes looked like they had been through a shredder. Her drawback was overcompensating, using far more to repair than intended.
Seeing the cuts on his arm, Anna took out a tin of ointment from her pocket and spread it on his arm. "Does this contain Ether?" Gray asked.
"Yes, it does contain a highly concerning amount of Ether," Anna said as she put the ointment back in her pocket. "Just give it some time to heal." Taking her phone she turned to guard and asked for his payment info.
Entering the Hall, Gray's face twitched, for being overwhelmed seeing the northern entrance was decorated lavishly, the floors were made of black marble, and a carpet with a red and gold pattern. The walls fit the same color theme as well, it truly felt like the upper class. Page noticed his face twitch, understanding that he was not used to the environment, and would rather be outside on perimeter duty rather than dealing with the elites.
"Ortiz, Page?" Magan asked and both Page and Gray stepped forward. "Please follow me and the rest can wait here."
Entering an office, with just a long table and chairs, comparing from the entrance it was normal and bland. Luke sat at the head seat while Megan sat at the seat next to him. Taking a seat, Gray leaned back making himself comfortable, while Page was sitting upright with both her hands on the table.
Maverick was standing by the door and again noticed how relaxed Gray was, while Magen averted her gaze to Page trying to ignore Gray, wondering why Berkley made someone lazy and rude to the vice head.
Luke cleared his voice, and said "Alright before we start, Ortiz I'll ask you to show proper manners during this meeting."
Gray quickly apologized and sat up. Magan smiled, pleased with Luke's response, understanding she likes proper manners and elegance.
"Alright lets get started."
Anna walked into the room holding a tray and a binder underneath it. Handing over the binder to Page, and placing the tray down. The tray has four teacups, a teapot, and macarons. Anna started to serve them, first the guest then Megan, and Luke.
The security is going to be divided into three teams. The inner hall which is the auditorium and the ballroom. The outer hall which works on security checks. And the outside works on perimeter patrol. The auction generates millions, and the protection of the guest is crucial.
Page reviews the details, see how they want security spread out. Outside will have the majority, while the inner hall will have the least. Normally she would have the outer hall as the least, but with Gray's barriers, the guests are more than safe.
Taking a sip of tea, she placed the cup down and said "I have no objections."
"Ok, then that leaves placements as the head of each section. Since Ortiz is staying near me I assume that he is the head of the inner hall."
"Correct, and I'm going to manage the outer hall for proper security check, and for outside I'll give the assignment to a capable employee."
Megan placed down her cup of tea, "I'll ask something from Ortiz before we continue."
Gray turned his head looking at her to have his attention "As a Vice, what would you do if a guest or a subordinate was causing trouble?" she asked, trying not to sound condescending.
Gray understood why she was asking, he is sixteen after all, for someone young it is normal to have doubt.
"We'll handle it with discretion and the utmost care. It doesn't matter if it's a guest or a subordinate, if it is not done properly then it makes a fool out of all parties involved. If any of my subordinates step out of line they will be corrected, and if any guest causes a disturbance they will be warned and both will be dealt with if pushed."
Magen found his answers acceptable, he spoke confidently and without boasting, unlike most who just say "They wouldn't do such a thing." or "Our team is the best around." and yet they show questionable results.
"One more question, what is the best quality of a captain?" Megan asked, while having her hand on her chin and giving a sharp look.
"It's their judgment in decision-making."
Megan smiled, "This concludes our meeting, the event starts at 4:00pm and everything must be set. Luke can handle the rest while I'm gone." She stood up and left the room, taking Anna with her.
Luke started laughing after she left. "Wow, she really likes you," he said while having a wide smile. Taking a sip of tea, a pen burst through the door, flying at Luke.
Gray reached out over the table to grab the pen. "I think she heard you."
"You think?!"
As a few minutes passed, Page's phone began to ring. Answering her phone, she informed Luke about their arrival of the security. Luke allowed her to leave to organize the team.
That leaves himself, Gray, and Maverick. Luke waves to Maverick to take a seat, and he does as he was told.
"Ortiz, I'd like to confirm something," Luke said, looking sure what Gray's answer was going to be. "What color are my flames?"
"It's blue with a white outline," Gray said while feeling the sense of calm and warmth from him.
"I know it, your veil has been lifted."
"Veil?"
"We all live in an illusion, either the way we see the world or the world presented to us, that is the veil. Tell me this do you know the seven deadly sins"
Gray remains silent, clearly not understanding his question.
Luke took a sip of tea, his eyes turned cold, and said "The depths of human nature are nothing more than inhumane. People prefer easy pleasure, the love for money, bathe in their own image, their unchecked rage, the wants of others' achievements, they laze around expecting a difference, and having more than their fair share."
"I still don't understand, why do I see the flames?"
Luke lifted his head and smiled, "There are those who wish to seek something more, their eyes open to the darkness of the world and wish to go back, but if you keep going the beauty of life will be revealed. It is called Disfrutar, or the enjoyment of life, and the flames are souls."
"Soul?"
"The soul will emit different colors. Blue for calm or neutral. Red for negative intent. And there's the outline with white for close to Disfruta. Black for denial of Disfrutar."
"Interesting, what about the color pink?"
Luke clapped his hands and slammed on the table. He stood up, "Let's go check on the items." He said, trying to avoid the question.
Gray looked at Maverick to see if he could answer but he also stood up and opened the door.
"He's innocent." they both said in their head.