The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
What motivations got them here exactly? What motivated Chrysanthemum to bring her old friend from the literal brink of death? She had a soft spot for Tses; she always did. Was she always meant to be a plaything to have her fun with, or did she need someone to sate a loneliness she was unaware of? She had no clue Tses would be such a good submissive, but she knew she liked Tses, so she was just happy to have her back.
Now that the lovely blonde was part of her life again, even Chrysanthemum was surprised by how much she was sharing with her new companion. She could have kept Tses at the apartment leashed to the bed and her pet probably would have accepted that. Instead, she was becoming a genuine part of Chrys’s life, infiltrating her affairs, personally and professionally.
Tses was getting the hang of her role at Atlantis, becoming one of the gatekeepers for The Syndicate. She was also keeping her schedule open for social engagements where Chrys might need a woman on her arm. Maybe it was a risk being so public with someone she was using to front her criminal organization, but it felt right having Tses be the one she brought to keep her company.
Today, Chrys found herself in need of a personal assistant. Payton, the girl who performed the role, was very under the weather and Chrys convinced her to stay home for the week. She did not need an assistant who was going to be working through a mental fog while dragging a disease fog around with her.
Enter Tses! Some tasks were being passed along to her executive assistant, but Chrys wanted someone around to manage her calendar and alert her to email and phone messages as they came in. It was particularly beneficial if they knew about The Syndicate and could carefully relay notifications related to that enterprise.
Tses could handle these tasks, but more importantly, it gave Chrys an excuse to keep Tses around with her during the day at Van Hart Enterprises. It also came with the ability to dress Tses up, and that was one of Chrys’s favorite pastimes. For an assistant in an office setting, she chose a black pencil skirt that went down to Tses’s knees, opaque black hose, and a light blue button-down blouse.
With a doorman leading them through the glass door of Van Hart Tower, Chrys resisted the urge to keep her hand at the small of Tses’s back. This was her domain as an executive and she had to be professional. Sure, Tses was not about to go to HR, but she had an image to maintain. She did gesture to the handbag that kept the devices Tses would be managing. ”Okay, so the red mobile should have my work emails and phone calls routed to it, and will alert you for any upcoming work calendar events. The blue phone will do the same for personal notifications. The silver one is for our extracurriculars.” That, it went without saying, was The Syndicate Phone and was not registered to her.
Of course, Tses was still learning, not just her role as an assistant, but something more basic that she was still self-conscious of: reading. ”How have your lessons been going, dearest? If necessary, you should be able to use the text-to-speech functions on the phones. It’ll play through your earpiece, and it’s understandable if some of what you get today is a little overwhelming.” She did not want Tses feeling like she was too stupid to do something, because nothing could be further from the truth. She was getting a late start, but Tses was remarkably competent. It was what made her such a good right hand.
Well, one of the many things on that list, she was finding.
Watching Tses make a drink, focusing less on the drink and more on the beautiful woman making it. If Tses or anyone at the bar saw the way Chrysanthemum watched her, they would clearly see her undressing the bartender with her eyes. It was easy to do when she was the one who dressed her in the first place.
Sharing things with Tses was becoming a habit, but sharing the truth of her operations was a big step of trust. "First of all, my father, hell have his f*cked up soul, was the one who owned the store. I was still just a broken brat running around back then," she reminded Tses. She had not gone deep into what made her such a shattered psyche, but Tses had been given glimpses of the trauma Chrys had to work from. "Rest assured, my skills in empire-building and mischief-making have improved as I got my head more squarely on my shoulders." Yep; she was definitely the picture of mental health these days.
Chrysanthemum sipped the drink and hummed, pleased with Tses's work. They really had learned a lot over the last few years and now they were sharing those lessons with one another. "You really are quite the diligent little pet, aren't you? If I want to keep the loyalty of a marvel like you, I have to be the kind of Mistress you deserve." She set her glass on the bar and leaned in to murmer low, "After you wrap up tonight, whatever you'd like, I will make it happen. I just want to treat my princess tonight." Of course, Chrysanthemum had her appetites and Tses would fulfill them if she was up for it, but Chrys knew that was not Tses's priority. After a successful night like this, a good pet deserved the reward she wanted.
As much confidence as Chrys could have in Tses, there was still certainly risk to putting her around people in a service role. It could be a good experience; not necessarily a sink or swim learning environment, but a safe immersion with close guidance. If Tses could handle this, she would prove it here.
So far, she succeeded. In fact, Chrys expected a minor confrontation, so Tses was doing better than anticipated. She would fulfill the role of a bouncer soon enough in addition to her job as a bartender, but there was no rush to get those lovely knuckles scuffed or bloodied. ”Color me impressed. I know you’re good at following instructions, but it isn’t easy to resist the urge to punch a douchebag.”
While it was fun being a distraction, Tses did have a job to do, and she offered to do it for Chrys. ”A gin martini, love.” That should be a simple enough order for day one. She wanted to encourage Tses to succeed, and little wins beget greater wins.
”So, were you surprised? Finding out the kinds of enterprises your mistress has her hands in so deeply?” Chrysanthemum recalled their youth with a cheshire grin. ”A step up from raiding a convenience store in a domino mask, I suppose? Meanwhile, I always knew my favorite pet was a bit of a delinquent.” That was clear in their early time together, which revolved around stealing more often than most friendships.
Chrysanthemum was not just some heiress who took over her father’s company after his “untimely” demise, despite the claims of her detractors. Chrys inherited her father’s business sense, got a business degree on her own merit, and learned on the job. If it had been his choice, she would never had been his successor; he never trusted her. Thankfully, his retirement came earlier than he expected, and Chrys had positioned herself as the best person to fill his shoes.
The original deal she made with The Syndicate was made with Poseidon, but Jayda saw value in Chrys’s business sense and the vast resources she brought to the organization. They spent most of their meeting arranging distribution. There were things, like M, that they needed either moved between hub locations or out to the greater public. Expansion was thrown around as another topic, but they needed to focus on the bases of operations they were currently managing first. They only had so many Willows, sadly.
The business talk dragged on, but Chrys was engaged until things wound down and the conversation became more informal. “I was told you brought that companion of yours. Business or pleasure?”
”Oh Jayda, you know how I like to blur that line,” she joked over the rim of her wine glass.
“I trust your business decisions, but should I be concerned with your decision-making when it comes to bringing your playthings into the workspace?” It was not spoken sternly, but Chrys knew it was a legitimate question.
And she would answer accordingly. ”I want to avoid jail as much as you, Boss. She understands the operation and she’ll work her cute little ass off to do whatever needs doing.”
Jayda smiled with the confidence that came with being untouchable. They both knew s**t would have to completely hit the fan for the trouble to reach her. “Well, if that’s the case, everyone else should watch out for Syndicate’s new power couple.”
The faintest hint of pink rose on Chrys’s complexion. ”Oh, we’re not…” Chrysanthemum was unaccustomed to talking about relationships in such standard terms. She had boyfriends and girlfriends for public consumption, but they were nothing genuine. It felt odd saying her and Tses were a couple. ”She’s special, and I’m possessive.”
Her mind did drift to how her special pet project was handling her first night learning about her new cover job. She was confident Tses was capable, but she was not predisposed to such a crowded atmosphere. Chrys would find a way to reward her when they got back to the apartment. Until then, when she wrapped up her meeting with Jayda, the counselor returned to the club.
The bar Tses was stationed at was the closest to the back exit, so Chrys watched nearby as tensions seemed to rise at the bar. She could not hear from where she was, but was that oaf giving Tses trouble? The cool, collected woman glared, her blood starting to simmer. She stepped closer, ready to bring this trouble, (or maybe this man) to an end.
Except… as she got closer, the man stood and walked away when Tses commanded him to leave. Despite her… to put it generally, lack of social acumen, Tses managed to handle the matter without raising a fist. Eyes wide with surprised, Chrys found her way to the edge of the bartop and leaned across it. ”My my, someone has found her authoritative big girl voice, it seems,” she called out, looking to get Tses’s attention amidst the rest of the less important patrons. ”And here I was expecting we might have to clean that man off the walls when you were done with him. Well done, pet!”
Self-confidence was not something easy to teach and Tses was prone to being uncertain of herself. She knew she had faith in her trained abilities, but she doubted her capacity to learn. From what Chrys had seen, that was an underrated skill. While not everyone could walk around with the self-assurance of Chrysanthemum, she did still want her pet project to believe she could do anything.
Chrys was not the only one with impressive subordinates. Jayda had struck her own gold finding Willow. Having someone with a near-photographic memory to recall the Syndicate membership was helpful, but having that same person inhabit multiple bodies with the same shared consciousness? Invaluable.
”Well, Artemis, you can consider today your first day under the employment of The Atlantis Club.” And The Syndicate, it went without saying. ”You will be shadowing Willow tonight while I meet with someone in the back offices.”
Leaving Tses alone, Chrysanthemum wanted to be certain her orders were clear. ”If Willow asks you to do something, you’ll do it, but otherwise just observe. I know people are not your favorite thing, but do your best to smile. I’ll be returning to spend some time ogling you at the bar when my meeting is done, so feel free to use that as a pick-me-up,” she suggested playfully.
Chrysanthemum placed two fingers against Tses’s cheek and traced them from her cheekbone down to her jawline. ”And please, only start a fight if Willow tells you there’s a problem we need addressed.” Satisfied with her instructions, Chrys kissed that cheek and whispered, ”Make me proud, my moonstone,” before heading to her meeting with the Boss.
Artemis suited Tses, which pleased Chrysanthemum. It was beautiful without being fragile; she could not have picked a better name. Chrys kissed the back of her hand so Tses could feel the act of affection and approval. ”My mighty Artemis.”
The role she offered Tses would not be a natural transition for her and Chrys was prepared for that. Tses was not alcohol-savvy. More importantly, she could not read. Her mistress responded with a warm smile. ”Oh, darling, you learned to be a hacker without first learning to read. Do you know how impressive you are?”
On cue, Willow returned and stood behind the bar over Chrys’s shoulder. ”Willow can help you learn your way around the bottles and orders. She’s a resource to you here. She is mentally tied to over a dozen other Willows in various Syndicate establishments, so she can keep you filled in on trouble to look out for and verify potential members. She’s also a competent drink maker, which is nice.” But they did not want her being too visible to the point where people would connect her with her other identical selves.
Chrysanthemum stood from her seat and placed her hand beneath Tses’s chin, leaning in for a surprisingly chaste kiss. She spoke quietly for the sake of Tses not having to feel like her secrets were being broadcast. ”As for reading, I will be getting you a discreet tutor. This is just one more skill to add to the Tses we are building up together. And just like with everything else I've seen from you, I have no doubts you will impress.”
With the Canadian coin deposited in Tses’s bra, Chrys felt the cool surface of the coin on her own skin. It was a nice reminder they were still sharing their bond.
Raiding the coroner’s office was proving to be one of Chrys’s better decisions. She was happy to have Tses around and their connection had deepened since the resurrection, but she kept finding new benefits from a practical standpoint. Tses was skilled, practical, and evidently comfortable with existing as a ghost. This gorgeous woman was multi-talented and Chrysanthemum had yet to be left unimpressed.
Social skills were not part of Tses’s repertoire yet, but her mistress only smiled. There would be time to improve those, but it was not a priority. ”Oh love, you don’t have to turn on the charm unless you want to. Or I ask you to, but we can work on that.” After all, in a position like this, it might be nice to have Tses lure people back to her. ”Though for your cover here, I have two questions: first, do you have any preference on a fake name?” Ghost or not, Chrysathemum would not have Tses burned if The Atlantis fell.
Chrysanthemum smirked, resting her hand on the surface behind her. ”And second, how quickly do you think you can pick up bartending?” Tses could be a bouncer, but she would stick out like a sore thumb doing that and it would not keep her where Chrys needed her. ”From behind this bar, you have a clear view of much of the club. You’ll also be the one who knows when a coin handed to you trips the RFID scanner in our registers. Plus, I think it’ll be hot having you serve me when I visit.” Not the most important benefit, but it was a benefit.
Chrysanthemum did not doubt Tses’s choice, but she did want it to be her choice regardless. Tses wanted a place where she belonged, and she had that in Chrys. Her mistress wanted The Syndicate to be that for her, as well.
”Lovely. Keep that coin on hand at all times, pet. It’s encoded to identify you and grant you access to any Syndicate hub or safe house in New York. There isn’t much worry of you spending it-- well, unless I take you on a wild trip to Montreal.” After deliberating between which kind of coin they would use for RFID access, they settled on a Toonie. Primarily because it would not get lost in a thief’s pocket change, and secondarily because the coin was called a Toonie and was objectively better than other coins.
Looking over her shoulder at Willow, Chrys nodded and the other woman vanished into the backroom to allow the pair time alone. ”There’s so much you can do as a soldier just using Syndicate resources. Right now, you’re legally deceased. Think of how much trouble you can cause as a ghost.” A thief, a hacker, and a competent fighter everyone assumed was dead? She could have her pick of jobs.
Except that was not all Chrys wanted from Tses. ”But there’s more I’d ask of you. While The Syndicate has diversified its bases, this club is the epicenter of organizational activities. More people will come in and out of this place looking for work, and more people might come looking for trouble.”
Chrysanthemum tugged on Tses’s dress, pulling her in, guiding the blonde into her lap. It was practical for a hushed conversation. She also liked Tses in her lap. ”I need someone who can keep a discrete eye on this place. Recognize when soldiers come in. Keep the club work and gang work separate. And if trouble walks in… I need someone to either call me or deal with the problem. Depending on the nature of the problem. ”So what I am asking is if you are willing to be my eyes and ears. The Gatekeeper of Atlantis.” Yes, she just made up the title, but it did have a lovely ring to it.
The explanation of The Syndicate’s purpose did not bother Tses. Rather, the former delinquent seemed to feel natural in a setting like this. Not the club; she clearly needed to adjust to that. Dealing with a network of criminal fronts and illegal networking, though? This was apparently in her wheelhouse.
The mistress expected Tses to hesitate with Willow nearby, but she made Chrys proud by following the order. That pride grew, because Tses had a wide range of talents. Her little doll was quite useful… and did Chrys not promise to help her be a better version of herself?
Willow actually whistled low, her expectations clearly surpassed. ”I know, right?” she agreed. ”My darling here has a lot to offer. Boundless potential.”
With a nod to Willow, the record-keeper of The Syndicate tossed a coin to Tses. ”Well, this decision I leave to you, pet. The Syndicate wants you. Not just in the network, but so much more… if you’re willing to join and hear more, of course.”
Chrys had plenty of toys over the years, but she rarely kept them as long-term projects. There were a few willing players she kept around longer and might have even brought out into public. No one batted an eyelash when a rich socialite had a pretty thing on her arm. Chrys still liked Tses being the one on her arm. Maybe it was their more personal origins, but Tses was welcomed company, even without the unique quirks of their connection.
A steady pet also gave her time to play with pet names and decide how she liked things. Tses was her treasure, so she tossed around Moonstone to see how it felt. She played with Tses’s hair a lot, but had decided she still enjoyed Tses’s trademark look sporting half-pigtails the most. Sure, she would change her up to suit her whims, but that one felt nostalgic.
Tses, to her credit, had the desire to be attentive and helpful. This was why she was being brought into the fold; she had talents, but she was also loyal. That was a key for people who would be included to this degree. ”That is why you’re my favorite, my pet,” she rewarded, leaning over to kiss Tses’s cheek.
The lavish club was empty with the exception of employees preparing for a busy night. Any employee knew enough to be aware of what Chrys needed to explain-- the basics, at least. ”Since the Rift closed, The Syndicate has been working its way into the criminal underworld here.” New York, America, this Universe. The reach would continue to spread. ”It was a crime family, but under proper guidance, it’s being turned into a more useful network. This is my project outside of the company.” Everyone needed diverse interests, right?
Chrys wanted to give Tses a moment to process her mistress’s role in New York’s crime scene, but Willow chimed in just ahead of them. “Mistress Ivy has been working with The Syndicate’s leader to spread out our influence, establishing hubs and connecting with the talented individuals of New York and beyond.”
Glaring at the woman for stealing some of her thunder, Chrys settled down; Willow was vital, after all. ”We want The Syndicate to be what someone searches for when they have a need. Arrange a theft. Commission a hit. Blackmail. A mutant first organization through which crime inevitably passes through.”
The got to the bar at the back, currently unmanned. Chrysanthemum took a seat on one of the stools, crossing one leg over the other. Willow retreated behind the bar to fiddle with the register. ”Now if I remember my old friend right, you were not shy around questionable legal actions, yes? My pet, please, tell me your experience. Your skills. I want to know the trouble you learned to get into in my absence.”
In many ways, particularly in business, Chrysanthemum developed the reputation for being cold and unfeeling. Her habit of… breaking some of her toys did not help her image. It was a fine persona to give to the outside world, but she did have the capacity for warmth. Yes, her conditions for sharing warmth were unique and some may say twisted, but she liked to believe this was the best side of her. She owned Tses, but Tses could leave. She pushed Tses, but she was mindful of what she could or could not handle. Tses was not her victim, and Chrys wanted to make her better without toeing the lines of abuse.
Wen Tses touched her own shoulder, Chrys felt it and smiled. She stepped forward to her fully dressed doll and kissed the bare shoulder offered by the dress. The owner beamed as Tses proved to be willing to help her in any way she could. ”I know you will, darling.” She offered a single tender kiss to Tses’s lips and pulled back. ”And that’s why you’re my favorite.”
They were almost ready to go. Chrys just had to pick out a warm coat and shoes with a manageable kitten heel to make sure her pride and joy was ready for the outside world.
The trip to the Atlantis Club in Chrysanthemum’s private car was a quiet one. As with most trips where she took Tses along, she spent much of it making sure strands of Tses’s hair fell just so, and otherwise offering small touches to the blonde to remind her she was in Chrys’s thoughts.
When Chrys stepped out and assisted Tses in doing the same, the pair was met by a young woman in neat, professional dress with a clipboard. ”Good day, Willow.”
“Mistress Ivy. We appreciate you making an appearance today,” the site manager greeted politely. “And your companion. Is this fine?”
Chrysanthemum expected the question, but she would not have brought Tses if she was not certain of her choice. ”It is. This is my precious Moonstone. I trust her implicitly and her loyalty is unquestionable.” Chrys brushed her fingers beneath Tses’s chin as she praised her, affirming that no one should question whether Tses belonged there. ”She will be my eyes and ears in this operation, and will be respected as such, understood?”
“Of course, understood. Then if you can both follow me, we have much to review.”
Letting Willow lead them into the club, still preparing for its daily opening, Chrys hooked her arm around Tses’s elbow. She was not going to be shy about proclaiming the woman as hers in public. ”Are you doing alright, dear? There is much about my operations you will be learning, so I want you in the right headspace.”
Chrys’s gaze moved from the wardrobe to Chrys’s gorgeous, scarred figure, and back to the clothing. She had hangups when it came to her appearance. Chrys could understand that, even if she could not emphasize; her power kept scarring from being an issue for her.
Still, Chrys wanted her favorite plaything to feel more confident in her skin. There were things she could make Tses do on command, but occasionally, subtlety was worth employing. Easing Tses into certain changes would help her accept them naturally and willingly.
After the opaque stockings concealed Tses’s legs and hips, Chrys allowed herself an indulgence, kissing a trail up Tses’s waist. This triggered her power of course, and she felt the sensitive tingling of her own kisses along her midsection.
”You’re going with me because I’m telling you to,” she replied clearly, wanting to remind Tses that this was the dynamic she willingly accepted. ”I am taking you with me because there are certain… projects I am involved with outside the corporation. Projects that need attention I can’t always provide.”
After some deliberation, Chrys found the piece of clothing she was looking for: a long-sleeved knitted dress. It was light blue, complimenting Tses’s eyes and blonde locks, but it also had cut-out sections at the shoulders and a neckline dip that went nowhere near cleavage but would at least expose collarbone. It was a small amount of skin to experiment, so hopefully Tses could handle it.
Chrys walked over and gestured with her eyes for Tses to raise her arms so Chrys could slip the dress over her head. ”Clearly I need someone I can trust. Discretion, competence, loyalty. Who else would I pick but you, kitten?”
Chrys straightened out the dress once it’s soft fabric clung to its wearer. ”Perfect,” she purred, feeling the knitted texture against her own skin.
Chrysanthemum was expected at the Atlantis soon, but she was never one to rush. She promptly arrived to her appointments, but Syndicate just knew to anticipate her. No one was going to convince her to move at anything other than her own pace. For anyone, it was a good rule of thumb to let Chrysanthemum set her own rules.
A certain blonde-haired moon girl was learning this lesson first hand. Chrys wondered if Tses would run one day. Come to her senses, as one might accuse, and abandon this experimental new life Chrys was putting her through.
It would not have been a monumental shock, and yet, much to her surprise, Tses found her way back home and into her bed each night. Tses had the autonomy to do as he wished while she was out in the city, provided she followed any conditions Chrys set for her along the way. And boy, were some of those conditions fun.
One thing Chrys did love exerting her control that was non-negotiable came each morning. The stood there in the walk-in closet Chrys was now using exclusively for the expanding wardrobe she was building for Tses. After all, what fun was a doll you could not dress up.
Chrys analyzed her options while Tses waited in the lacy underthings her mistress had already picked out. ”When we arrive at the club, it’s early, so it should not be busy. Still, you’ll be staying close to me unless I say otherwise, is that understood?” Before Tses could reply, (and Chrys did still expect a reply,) Chrys muttered to herself, ”This should work for those legs.”
Striding over, Chrysanthemum pressed her hand lightly on Tses’s chest to guide her so she would sit on the small bench. Chrys had picked out a pair of leggings and she could not slip them on Tses while the young woman was standing.
Today would be an interesting test, because Chrys had kept the details of their appointment today secret. Tses had to learn how to be a good pet, and that meant trusting her even when she said nothing.
Most people would not call Chrysanthemum a tender person. She was not ruthless in business like her father was, but she was practical when she had to be, empathy be damned. Employees, even high on the ladder, were as good as their competence, and their employment hinged in the ability to justify them. They were the pieces of her project, Van Hart Enterprises.
Her direct reports were a different story. Directors made it to their positions by demonstrating both competence and unquestioning loyalty. Secretaries and personal assistants were also treated specially by the CEO, because these people were hers. Maybe it was unhealthy that she put so much value on control and ownership, but it did lead to the few genuine human connections she found herself comfortable making. She never crossed inappropriate lines with those work subordinates, (well, okay, maybe one time,) but she would do anything to keep those loyal to her happy and appreciated.
Maybe she was being hopeful, but she could see the broken pieces that made up Tses in need of care. She always liked Tses, as odd as she was with her troublemaking habits and questionable approaches to relationships. She was convinced there was plenty to nurture in this broken woman with the right hand to guide her. The first hurdles were the protective walls she kept up and her fear of letting herself enjoy something.
Now that they were making slow starts toward progress, Chrysanthemum wanted to keep the thief close to keep this progress… well, progressing. ”As long as you wish, kitten. As long as you want to stay by my side, I’ll keep you,” she assured her, brushing away plastered blonde strands from Tses’s forehead. ”We can even be cliché and have a contract written up if it lets that lovely head rest easy.” It would not be the first time she had to justify to legal council why she needed a legal document for her private affairs.
”Let me fetch you some water and leftover lobster mac and cheese from the fridge. I’m fairly certain I spent all the strength in your still-recovering body.” In hindsight, she should have attempted to be more careful. Eh, the past was the past. She could get Tses clothes as well, but if she was going to do that, she was going to control that. She had to get Tses used to the idea of letting Chrys push her out of her comfort zone. ”Maybe even get you a nightie.”
Before she left, Chrysanthemum leaned in and planted a soft, almost tender kiss on Tses’s cheek. ”Until I return, just rest and enjoy and think about whether you want this. You aren’t like other dolls, Tses; you get to make the choice to be mine.” With a grin, Chrys stood straight and headed out of the room to get to her kitchen.
Coming down from a high like this was a gradual process. Being able to share sensation was a helpful way to connect with someone, but Chrysanthemum could not read her partner’s mind. How was Tses handling all this? The girl just came back from the dead. From the brink of death to an overwhelming amount of life; how does anyone process that? Chrys worried she might have actually broken the girl after all.
Chrys’s question was met with a sheepish, almost docile kiss. This was a new side to the woman and it would be interesting to see how long it lasted. How well Chrysanthemum could nurture it.
”Mmm, I bet,” she murmured, slowly getting to her feet from the floor. ”I could feel you responding intensely. I’m glad you appreciated it. You deserved to,” she assured her as she picked Tses’s still trembling form up. Chrysanthemum was by no means big or strong, but Tses was of similar height and build; she could handle carrying the blonde a few feet.
Walking from the study toward the bedroom ,she ran her fingers through Tses’s hair. ”You’ll stay in my room,” she commanded, if her intentions were not obvious already. She did not put a timeline on it; would she stay tonight or indefinitely? Much of that depended on how Tses felt in the morning. ”I’ll get you a snack and maybe even something to wear. You were a very good girl, after all.”
