Questions

"So you said you knew my uncle?" Vivienne asked Claire as they moved through the elaborate mansion to the outside patio. The back patio of the estate had railings that lined the entire patio as it was raised above the garden behind it. Behind the garden was an expansive forest that seemed to stretch on forever. The moon gleamed and stars shone over the tree line in the navy blue sky, a cool and crisp Autumn wind blowing through. The two leaned against the railing as they continued to talk.

"Oh yeah." Claire said after taking another sip of her drink. "I mean everyone does. Well you know." Claire looked at Vivienne and suddenly realized based on Vivienne's expression. "Oh... Oh my God he didn't tell you anything did he?" Claire asked in a hush tone, leaning in towards Vivienne. "No, nothing." Vivienne took a sip of her red wine as she watched Claire roll her eyes. "Ugh, I don't know why some people do that. So you're, like, completely new to all of this then aren't you?" Vivienne nodded. It was nice to have someone that understood what she was going through. "Okay well here's the really condensed version of this. Your uncle was the vice president of The Council so just be prepared for that revelation." Vivienne's eyes widened. "He was what?!" She asked shocked.

Her uncle had told her absolutely nothing about this, basically sealed the deal for her to be a member before he passed and she had no idea. To find out that he was one of the highest ranking members of this was shocking to her. She knew he was heavily involved, but this was almost like a stab to the heart. It felt like a betrayal. There was so much she didn't know about the one person she thought she was closest to for most of her life. Claire nodded. "Yeah, like I said, big deal. Okay so look this is going to be a really long night for you and they really like to make it a shocking experience your first time, so... Just be prepared, okay?"

Now Vivienne was even more nervous. Shocking? "Like what, like... I mean I kind of figured this was a cult, so." Claire threw her head back in laughter. "Yeah pretty much." She affirmed. "Lionel kind of gets ahead of himself." "Ugh. That guy." Vivienne retorted with distaste before sipping her wine again and looking off into the forest. "Yeah he's an asshole, isn't he? I mean he means well and he really does a lot of good things, but his approach could use some work." Claire rolled her eyes again and looked off in the distance. "How do you know him? Just from this?" Vivenne asked. "Oh no." Claire smiled. "He's my step-father."

Again Vivienne almost spit out her wine. She tapped her lips from the bit of red wine that had started to come out. "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" "Oh please." Claire stopped Vivienne from profusely apologizing. "He's not my favorite person, okay? I mean we get along just fine and all but you know. I see it." Vivienne nodded. A bell began to ring a few times signaling that the meeting was going to begin. "Well I guess we better head inside." Claire smiled enthusiastically and Vivienne agreed. "Yeah, let's go." "Welcome to the club, Viv!" Claire wrapped an arm around Vivenne's shoulders and guided her inside. "I'm happy to finally have someone in my decade and you know, not another grandpa trying to make me his sugar baby." Claire laughed as they walked in.

Lionel stood at the base of a grand, wooden staircase that wrapped around the room. He held a crystal glass with scotch in it that he tapped his fingers against gently while waiting for everyone to enter the room. A crowd had gathered to hear him speak. "Welcome, Council! I know it's been a little while since we last gathered. Tonight is a very special evening. We have a new member to induct. Miss Vivienne Westing." Lionel raised his glass in her direction and their eyes met. Vivienne gave a gentle smile as the crowd turned to look at her and clap, enthusiastic smiles all around. Claire clapped quickly and happily as she stood next to Vivienne, her new friend.

"Leaders, this means we will need to meet to conduct our ceremony. If everyone would head to the library we will get started."