lituplikeaghost | At The Cove offices. {For Dani}

Entry tags:

At The Cove offices. {For Dani}

June is dressed to kill; a black, short-sleeved blouse with pencil skirt the color of blood that hitches well above her knees and a pair of silver Jimmy Choo heels sharp enough to double as weapons if she so chose. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail, highlighting the old, pearl necklace of her mother's that she wears around her neck and the diamond earrings she wears. June Thornton is not fucking around, and as she saunters through the offices of the Cove, she wants everyone there to know it.

"I'd like to speak with Dani Bradshaw, please," June requests of the secretary, a blonde woman now trembling from both the look in June's eyes and the ice in her voice. She drops the latest edition of the Cove on the desk before the woman. "It's something of an urgent, personal matter."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dani hears her name as she's crouched over a writer's desk, offering advice on how to achieve a more intriguing story. She straightens and looks around the corner to where the front desk is and sees none other than June Thornton. Poor Samantha, the secretary, seems to be shaking at the idea of talking to June.

Dani sighs to herself and walks over to the front desk. "Dani Bradshaw," she says, stretching out a hand to the young woman. Her tone is calm and her stance is steady. She's intimidated by no one. "Shall we talk in my office?"

June is surprised to find that Dani Bradshaw appears so professional; she holds herself well, not backing down in the slightest at the tone of June's voice. She doesn't want to admit it but, well. June is impressed.

"I think that would best, yes," June replies in a clipped tone, taking the offered hand and shaking it, even as much as the thought of shaking hands with the woman publishing personal details about her family's life makes her want to set herself on fire. She's a Thornton, born and raised, and she'll damn well not act anything but professional.

"Right this way then." Dani gives Stephanie a brief nod to let the woman know she has a handle on the situation. She then leads June past the tables and cubicles of writers, most of whom are busy chasing leads or defending the recently published issue. She turns down a long hallway, past the Cove's meeting room, and finally opens a large wooden door to reveal her office.

"Can I get you anything to drink? Or would you rather just get down to business, June?"

June follows Dani to her office, taking in the interior of the Cove building with a curious eye. She doesn't expect the place to be so organized, or look half as nice. If it were any other publication but Siren Cove's resident tabloid, she might even say the atmosphere appeared pleasant. But she doesn't forget what the paper has published about her family, and so her resolve hardens.

"I think getting down to business will be best," June says, moving to stand opposite the desk in the room. "I realize that you run a gossip rag, so to speak, and that us Thorntons are inevitably going to be a part of the gossip. I'd rather my brothers not be a part of it, as much as possible."

Her voice hardens then, and some of the control she keeps on her face slips. She's out to protect her family, in any way that she can.

"That's sweet," Dani comments as she takes a seat at her desk. Sweet in a misguided way since no underhanded scooping had been used for the story about Fabrice Coombs and Demetri Thronton, which Dani assumes is why June is here in the first place. As far as Dani is concerned, PDA is open territory for publishing. Still, she's interested in what June has to say.

"Sweet, but as you know, Thorntons and Coombs sell. And this has been our highest selling issue and it just hit the stands. So why on earth would I not publish about your brothers?"

"I am well aware of that," she says, bristling a bit. She knows what happens in public is fair game, but she still hates the idea of pictures of her brother winding up splashed all over town where everyone, more specifically, their father, can see it. "Look, as much as it is about public appearance, it's more about my father. He's a complete, controlling asshole and seeing Demetri like that...is not going to end well. And you can quote me on that."

The more she speaks, the more impassioned her words become, and she has to pause to catch her breath and resume the mask she usually wears.

"I realize I can't stop you from covering everything, especially major headlines, but what if I could offer you other stories in exchange for at least lessening the coverage on my brothers?" She says, staring Dani directly in the eye. "You can have exclusive access to everything I get up to in my social life. Trust me when I say I have quite the laundry list of scandals."

Her voice softens as she considers what she's proposing.

"If I could sell you all the shit my father's done, believe me, I would," she tells her. "But his lawyers are as thorough as he is; I'm the next best thing."

Dani stares at the girl before her and realizes that June Thornton is well beyond her years. There's something to be said about protecting your siblings at all costs, something Dani didn't get the chance to do when Aimee disappeared. She studies her and recognizes the look of utter determination, one she saw in herself so many times as she chased down leads in Russia just a few years ago. Nothing stopped Dani when she adopted that look and she thinks the same goes for the youngest Thornton.

Still, Dani doesn't show how tempting an all-exclusive ongoing story with June Thornton is. She keeps her face neutral even as her brain thinks up all the potential money she can make off this girl. It sounds terrible, she realizes that, Dani's not completely heartless. But June's escapades are rather well known and the juicy details normally kept under wraps are more than tempting. Besides, June is going places. These stories will more than pay for themselves.

"I have no problem squashing a story just as I have no problem publishing one," she continues. "Thankfully, your reputation proceeds you. I'm willing to make a deal with you, but you must first know what that entails. This doesn't leave this room, very few people know. But I'm a witch. And making deals is the top priority of my powers. I'm more than happy to come to a compromise with you concerning what publishes about your brothers and what doesn't. But are you willing to magically bind yourself to protect them?"

"Yes," June answers automatically, not even pausing to consider Dani's offer. She's never shared her father's fears of magic, nor James' distrust of it; like Daniel, magic fascinates her, rather than frighten her. Still, she's also aware of the significance of the word 'bind.' "I will do anything for them, even binding myself and all that entails."

She only finds herself more interested, the more Dani reveals about herself. That a witch with such powers runs a gossip magazine makes her wonder as to her motives; but Dani holds herself with the sort of poise June can only envy. She reveals nothing more than what she chooses to say.

"I can even help you with false rumors," June says. "Though one doesn't exist, I imagine a sex tape, or rumors thereof, would sell a lot of issues?"

"Oh, of course they do," she smiles, a bit wolfishly. There's something about June she has to admire, but also something that annoys her. Mostly the fact that June is sacrificing herself for her very privileged brothers. Dani doesn't know them personally, of course, just what prints and what rumours run rampant. But she can't help but feel a tad protective of the young woman before her who is so quick to magically bind herself for the older boys who should really know better by now.

Still, if she's smart, she can spin all this press in her favour one day.

"I'm interested in the deal. But would your father seek legal action against myself or The Cove for these stories?" It seems he'll be angrier with Demetri for this month's spread, but sometimes fathers are more protective of their daughters. Or he just doesn't give a shit as long as his own name is left out.

"Well, not quite yet, but that can definitely be something to consider down the line," June says. "When you need a really big scoop." She can only imagine her father's reaction to all of the stories she's just about ready to drop in the hands of the Cove; hopefully, the strength of his rage will end up giving him a heart attack.

She realizes, of course, that Dani doesn't know how much her older brothers have already done for her; Demetri has sacrificed his own wants and needs trying to appease their father and upholding the family name; maintaining an image of what he isn't just to keep the rest of them safe. James still follows his father's instructions, even when he doesn't agree with him. Even Daniel has his own ways of keeping June safe from their father. They've been standing up for her June's entire life. It's time she repaid them in kind.

"Is there a contract of some sort I can sign that proves I've come to the Cove myself of my own free will?" She asks. "To prove this isn't libel? If not, I have ways of ensuring that my father can't come after you or the company." June knows from experience that, in her father's eyes, she's just a pawn to be handed off to the highest bidder, when the time is right. He might allow her to go to school, and even pay for her classes, but June knows from the way her father looks at her; she's just a relic to be dispensed of.

Dani shrugs, honestly not even scared of Papa Thornton. "Neal Douglas is our lawyer. He'll welcome the challenge if your father so chooses."

"A formal contract for legalities, yes," she says as she opens a drawer in her desk and pulls out a four-page contract and passes it across the desk. It's a typical contract written up for magazines in general. Nothing special. What is special is the magical contract that needs to happen.

"The magical bind works both ways, you know." Dani gets up from her desk, tugging a long gold-chained necklace from under her blouse. At the end is a key which she uses to unlock a cabinet nearby. "The paper contract covers the legalities of the magazine. You're welcome to take it with you to look over or have someone else read if you'd like. Just a tip," she glances back to give June a serious look. "Always read the fine print. Even when your heart is in the right place."

Opening the cabinet door, she digs in a drawer for supplies. "The binding is a magical contract of sorts. As I said, it works both ways. You are not allowed to reveal the stories and neither am I. I'm magically bound to keep my trap shut on the contents of the contract. But if your brothers aren't careful, I can't guarantee the Daily Siren or someone else won't reveal their secrets." Finding what she wants, she pulls a thick piece of parchment from the cabinet, handing it to June to look over.

"I know you're not too familiar with magic, given your father's stance on it. Here's how this works: this is a blank parchment. It's been soaked and aged in old magic. I say a spell, and whatever we discuss as our terms writes itself onto this page. Once we're both in agreement, we sign it with our blood. Archaic, I know, but magic likes it that way. As long as this parchment with our marks on it is around, we're bound to its contents. I can always destroy it if you change your mind. It's annoying, but it can be done. I just want you to know exactly what you're agreeing to before you make a decision."

She watches June for a moment before continuing. "If you do go through with this and provide me stories? Depending on the scoop, I can offer royalties. Not much, but maybe money of your own will help you out in your studies, hm?"

At the mention of Neal working as The Cove's lawyer, June has to laugh, shaking her head. "That's good to know," she says. "Neal's a family friend and he's always giving my father grief. I'm sure he'd enjoy the challenge, too."

"Alright, I can sign those," she says, glancing through the pages as she reaches for the pen she always keeps in the pocket of her purse. She purses her lips as she reads through the various regulations, knowing this kind of jargon is the sort she needs to memorize for her own college degree. "That's what I'm doing now," she looks up at the other woman's warning.

"Understood," June says, watching Dani with her key as she searches for supplies. "I'll do my best to let them know that."

She takes the parchment, an old, weathered looking thing that surprises her with how heavy it weighs in her hands. June glances it over, wondering if, in fact, it is an artifact from this century.

"Also understood," she tells her, not even flinching when she mentions the signing in blood aspect of it. "I'm ready to sign it whenever you are. I know more about magic than my father thinks." Her father might shun the existence of spells and charms, but June is fascinated by witches and their magic.

She perks up at the mention of royalties. "That would be wonderful, I have to admit."

Once June agrees to everything, Dani sets to work in the cabinet. There's three different vials, locked away in a drawer, that she pulls out. Green, yellow, and a thick, murky blue. She pulls a bowl from the cabinet and sets it on her desk, carefully pouring a small amount of each vial into the bowl which she then waves her hand over, the liquids mixing according to her will. Dani takes the thick parchment paper and dips it into the mixture. The paper comes out of the liquid completely bone dry, and she closes her eyes, muttering an old enchantment into the paper. Once the spell is complete, she lays the parchment out on the desk again, taking a seat.

"The contract is ready. Just say your terms, and it'll draw everything up." She gestures toward the paper and speaks in an even tone. "This contract is to bind one June Grace Thornton and Danielle Rosemary Bradshaw on the following agreed upon terms." The very words she speaks begin to appear across the page in an old rusted colour. Dani looks back at June. "Just speak what you want from this deal."

June watches as Dani takes out the various vials, fascinated by the entire process. She doesn't bother disguising her curiosity as the woman mixes the concoction with a wave of her hand. She makes it all appear so simple; yet, from the enchantment she reads, June gets the sense that the spell is older and more complex than appearances would suggest.

June takes a deep breath, knowing that this will have consequences, both for the better, she hopes, and the worst. Her eyes widen as Dani's words appear on the scroll, before she concentrates on what she's trying to say. "I June Thornton hereby declare the terms of this contract: in exchange for willingly selling The Cove stories focused on my life and giving access to The Cove to exclusive insights into my life, The Cove and Dani Bradshaw, to the best of their abilities, will keep the focus of their gossip on me, June Thornton, as opposed to any of my three brothers. I understand that this contract is binding, and can only be broken between myself and Dani."

She pauses, hoping that covers everything, but still not entirely sure. "Should I add anything else?"

Dani raises an eyebrow, slightly impressed with June's poise and clarity as she speaks her terms to the scroll. Most people bumble through the process and make a mess of it. Dani usually has to pre-write something for them to speak in their own words. But June is true to her name and already has a grasp on legalities.

"Sounds about right. Clear and to the point." She turns her gaze back to the parchment. "I, Dani Bradshaw, agree to these terms and will not break this contract unless requested by June Thornton herself." The words appear on the paper followed by lines for both parties to sign. Dani removes a small jewelry box out of a drawer. She opens the box and pulls a fine-tipped needle topped with an old pearl from it. Pricking her index finger, she signs her name onto the magical contract.

"Your turn." She holds the needle out for June.

June only really hesitates at the sight of the needle; she's never really liked blood, so to speak. But she has no doubts about her own convictions, so she takes a deep breath, before taking the needle and pricking herself, wincing at the feeling against her skin before signing in her name in blood on the document.

"Okay," she says after a moment of silence. "Anything else?"

Dani gives a slight nod of the head, taking the roll from across the desk. "That'll do it. Simple, yes?" She tucks the document behind a normal, blank legal size page and utters a few words as she waves a hand over the contract. The ink from the contract appears to bleed through to the blank page, becoming a perfect copy of their deal. Dani folds up the normal-looking paper and tucks it into an envelope, passing it over to June.

"Your copy, of course. It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Thornton."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At The Cove offices. {For Dani}

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject