Remeeting

Who: Maya and Adriana
Where: The Walker Orphanage
When: Around lunchtime

Maya had put in her first appearance at the public opening of her family's new orphanage first thing that morning, looking like she'd just stepped out of a fashion page. And so she should - she'd been up since 5am getting ready and making sure she was perfect. She'd been preparing for this for days, weeks - maybe even months. After all, she'd been a major driving force behind the idea, wanting to do more - and also pointing out the benefits that having a ready supply of small hands and nimble fingers could do for the entire operation, never mind the ready recruiting ground of impressionable young minds.

But that was all in the future - once the children started to actually arrive over the next few weeks. For now, it was just poise and smiles, talking to the public, talking to the press, talking to the right people - and some of the not so right people, just for the photo opportunity. Maya had been playing this game for more than half her life, and she was good at it.

She really, really didn't want to see her family again so soon, but Adriana was planning for the future: if she attended the little things, like this, then the chances she'd have to go to the bigger events and galas would be drastically reduced. And while this particular shindig was crawling with media (a particular bane of Adriana's existence, considering being plastered all over the newspapers, the radio, and the rare television channel on a regular basis would make it incredibly difficult to act as though she had nothing to do with the city's mafia families), it was also crawling with the city's upper, middle, and lower classes. Blending in? No problem.

Of course, if Adriana was going to a party to celebrate something, she wanted to know what that something was, and it was with this in mind that she found herself wandering though the halls and rooms that made up Eidolon City's new orphanage. To her eyes, it looked like the Walker work it was. No one did things quite like a Walker did, just as none did anything quite like a DiGiovanni.

Maya had just finished making small talk with a young family: cooing over their small, yet adorable, daughter, when she spotted the familiar face through the sparse crowd. It had been some years, but Adriana DiGiovanni really hadn't changed that much, had she? Maya made her way over, tracking the girl until she walked into a quieter area, and only then did she make her move, walking up behind and then beside her. "Hello darling," she said, sweetly.

Adriana blinked, slightly startled, and spun, lighting up as she realized she recognized the voice - and the face. And it was a very welcome one, too: Adriana hadn't realized how much she'd missed her until this moment.

"Maya!" she exclaimed happily, a bright smile spreading across her lips. "It's been just forever; you look amazing! I swear, you haven't changed a bit - you sure you're really ageing?"

Maya smiled happily and leaned in to kiss Adriana on each cheek. "Always one with the ready compliment - how are you? I didn't know you were back in town," she said, drawing the younger woman even further from the crowds so that they could talk better.

"I'm well, thanks. And I haven't been back too long - just long enough to wish I'd never left Italy. It's so easy to forget this city for some reason," Adriana replied. "But I'm not surprised you haven't seen me at all; I've been keeping low-key. I skipped the Christmas gala, hid most of New Year's Eve... I'm not even living in any of the family properties." Which reminded her. "Oh, and Maya, I'm going by Adriana Rossi right now, so if I need an introduction to anyone, please use that."

Maya's easy smile segued into a more knowing one. "Whichever you like," she promised, filing the name away. "So, if I can ask: is there a reason for the change? Are you laying low, or just feel like staying out of the limelight for a while?" she asked, though staying out of the limelight was something which Maya had never done, and could never imagine wanting to do. Since she was little she'd been front and centre in the Walker family, poster child, then leading light and leading lady. Wherever and whatever was needed, she was there.

"A little of both," Adriana admitted. "I got used to not being famous - or infamous, whichever you'd like - while I was abroad, and developed a bit of a taste for it. But whoever set that fire I was in before I left was never caught, either, and surviving two fires in ten years is enough for me. I'd rather not see who the third time is the charm for. And whoever did it may not use something so... unreliable again."

And if the thought of getting trapped in another inferno wasn't terrifying, nothing was, though Adriana hardly let the fear of it show. She did wonder what happened to that police officer, however - the one who'd saved her and her mother in that first fire. She remembered the day she'd given him the medal, but maybe she could do more for him now.

Maya's eyes flashed, with mirth and a little something else. "You should get yourself a big burly bodyguard," she advised - the reason for the mirth. "Choose him right and you could just pass him off for your latest piece on your arm. There's bound to be some good quality to choose from - and play it right and I'm sure he'd take a bullet for you without pausing for thought." Men could do the silliest thing, if they were trained right, given the right little treats. "So, where are you living now? Or do I not get to know that - I can promise not to get you involved with anything you might not like, but I would like to know how to get in contact. We should lunch sometime..."

Adriana shook her head, amused, "Maya, getting a bodyguard would completely defeat the purpose of living like a regular person, don't you think? Lunch sounds like a wonderful idea, though - I'm just a couple blocks away from Fontaine Park; I'll write my address down before I go."

Maya rolled her eyes and smiled prettily. "Darling - only if you let the world know he's a bodyguard," she pointed out. "Having a hunk of man on your arm and calling him a 'boyfriend' wouldn't turn a single head - except in jealousy. You know, there's always ways of getting things done without attracting too much attention..." She knew all about that. After all, Maya had one of the highest profiles in the city, and yet she still managed to maintain large aspects of her life that never came anywhere near the public eye. "And good, I've missed you you know - things just haven't been the same."

With a laugh, Adriana replied, "Well, if you find anyone, then let me know, I suppose. But I don't date all that often, either, so I'm not sure that excuse wouldn't raise a few eyebrows anyway." But a bodyguard wasn't too bad an idea. At the very least, it'd be easier to rearrange her apartment. "And I can't imagine it's been that different without me. I never was one to take center stage - I'll leave that to those better suited to it. Like you, Maya. All those simpering reporters and gentry would irritate me from here to the moon, and I'd wind up plotting some way to drop them into a sinkhole. You have the patience of a saint to do what you do."

"Honey - raising eyebrows? I thought you said that you were living under a different name now? So you'd just be another girl in the city with a boyfriend," Maya pointed out. "Anything else and you may as well give up the game and just come right on back to the fold again. But, I'll keep an eye out for a suitable candidate for you - someone... interesting. And gorgeous, naturally. A girl has to have standards after all." And if a featured man couldn't have power, then he needed to have looks. As far as Maya was concerned, men needed to serve a purpose in life. "And me? I don't have the patience of a saint - I just know how to keep on smiling." She'd actually dropped a few people off the grid in her time - she just didn't do it there and then where people could see it.

"I still have acquaintances, Maya. I'm interning at a psychologist's office, and trust me, behavioral changes are analyzed with a microscope. Though I suppose if you're picking, he'll be handsome enough to stop them dead," Adriana joked. "And I still admire you for your perseverance in the field. I could never manage to do you what you do - though I suppose that's why I do what I do instead."

Didn't need to be in the limelight to run a criminal organization, after all.

"You mean behavioural changes like altering your name?" Maya asked, with a smile. "But a psychologist's office - that must be fascinating! Whatever made you choose there? Or are you trying to gain more of an insight into the human psyche?" she asked, sounding very much like she truly approved of that - which she did. One could never know too much about what made people tick, after all. "And do they know who you are? What background have you given yourself to go with your new identity?" she asked, honestly curious.

"Psychology was one of my majors, so it was a natural choice," Adriana explained. Her mouth quirked in amusement as she continued. "I also majored in criminology, but the two tend to intersect quite a bit. I'm learning a lot, though; it's not like sitting in a lecture hall in the least. I'm enjoying it, and I look forward to setting up a practice of my own eventually." And won't that be an interesting development? "But no, they don't know I'm using an alias. And if they look, there's nothing to say I'm anyone but who I say I am. It helps that 'Rossi' is Mother's maiden name, so that I have a whole family that knows me and will attest to my identity."

No one could say Adriana wasn't thorough. She made sure that every member of the Rossi family would swear they'd never met an "Adriana DiGiovanni," but wholeheartedly claim "Adriana Rossi" as one of their own. It was a task easily done, a distinct advantage earned by staying close with her mother's relatives on her own time. They were, coincidentally, also far more pleasant to be around than her own.

"Well, then, dear - I would think that, given you've been gone for a while, any of your old acquaintances you choose to contact would necessarily be aware of your particular choice - or, you've been away for long enough that they wouldn't be able to raise any eyebrows at how you've grown up in the meantime. People do, after all, change and you're not a nun," she said, with humour. "And any new acquaintances wouldn't know what 'Adriana Rossi' did or didn't do with her life. I hardly think that you acquiring a partner in life would really turn that many heads. Well, unless he's exceptionally handsome, of course. But then, they wouldn't be looking at you with anything other than envy in that circumstance, would they? And you simply must tell me how your internship goes - I'd be simply all ears." 'Confidentiality' was something that Maya felt applied to other people, after all.

"Alright, alright - you've won me over, Maya," Adriana laughed. "I won't fight it anymore. I won't go looking, but you're welcome to search to your heart's content. I'll give due consideration to each of your finds, as well. Okay? And I'm happy to tell you whatever you want to know about my new job - so long as what you want to know doesn't violate patient confidentiality."

Maya raised an eyebrow and smiled at that. "Patient confidentiality, Adriana? My my - have those years abroad developed you morals and a conscience?" she teased, ribbing the other woman and waiting for a reaction to that.

"You mean it's a new development?" Adriana asked, wide-eyed. The surprise and innocence in her voice and face were completely faked, but entirely convincing. She knew Maya had a pretty good idea of what she really did, the same way she had a shadow of an idea of Maya's true occupation, but she wasn't going to admit it for a moment. "I wasn't aware I presented such an image - that's a bit troubling."

"Image?" Maya asked. "Possibly not - and with your new identity, you can put forward any interest you wish, but you have to remember darling - I know you. And you wouldn't put a little something like patient confidentiality before family matters now, would you?" she asked. Maya's tone was light, almost joking, but she was very serious underneath it all. If there was something that was going on with any of those patients which the family could use to their advantage, then Maya for one expected that to be handed over to someone who could use it. Blood, after all, was thicker than water. Even if all of the families in their organization weren't actually related - family was family. And ties were ties.

"I intend to excel," Adriana responded. That was what she did: excel. Settling for second place was never something Adriana had been good at; being the best was ingrained into her very being. And the best psychologists never broke confidentiality, family or no. "I can hardly accept anything else."

Maya looked at her - wondering where that particular response had come from, and what had prompted it. "I don't for a moment doubt your ability, my dear. Of course, that was hardly my point," she said. "I do not believe that the two are incompatible..."

Adriana smiled thinly and changed the subject. "This orphanage of yours is a lot bigger than I thought it'd be. It's going to get a lot of children off the streets and into proper schools and jobs - I can't imagine how much work it must've been to get it all set up. You definitely deserve every moment spent applauding you tonight!"

Maya returned the smile, her's looking more genuine, but with the same feeling - or lack thereof - behind it. She knew a blatant change of subject when she heard it, and she noted down that dearest darling Adriana couldn't necessarily be trusted in the future to act in the best interests of their business. It was a pity - she did so like the girl. It would be a shame to see someone with more focused priorities take over her role in that. That never ended well. "Thank you my dear - yes, it has been some work. But we all must do our bit. Which, unfortunately, includes me - I'm afraid I'm rather neglecting my guests at current. I should go and show my face in the crowds," she said, with an air of regret.

Adriana smiled to show no hard feelings and agreed. "Don't worry about me. I'm just going to finish my wander through and be off. Go greet your guests, and I'll make sure I say hello at tonight's party."

Maya wasn't going to forget this conversation, Adriana knew. The older woman was probably already writing her off as a limited power. It was a mistake if she was. Yes, she did value this life - being unknown and normal was so comfortable, and so, so nice - but if it came down to choosing between Adriana Rossi's life and Adriana DiGiovanni's, well... She'd leave rivers of blood in Eidolon's streets before she'd give up her place at the top of the pyramid.

It wouldn't be her first massacre.

"Then I'll see you tonight," Maya promised, inclining her head and filing away what she'd learned. One day, she knew, the girl would have to make a choice between her two lives. The question was, what choice would she make? Something would have to be sacrificed, sooner or later. Maya would just be very interested, she decided as she walked off, back to the crowds, to see what that choice would be. And where it would lead.