#and yet they are almost as equally as possessive over Evelyn as she is over them because... in part... imperialism

[fumblingmusings]

I love Eva with pearls. Maybe because they're generally worn by the royal or wealthy, or that they have a pale, ethereal, ghost-like vibe, or the association with the ocean and tears, but whatever the reason I just always picture her dripping in pearls. And her having to choose whose pearls to wear is just *chefs kiss*. I can imagine Jack's bitterness at already knowing Eva favours Alfred over him, only to then see her wear Kiku's pearls instead of his own. Just love how much they can represent.

Ahhhhhhh yesssssssss. This is gonna come up in the next couple of chapters for sure!! Female England and pearls is just a combo I could not ignore, especially for the turn of the 20th century.

So like, Japan made the first cultured pearls in 1893 and ten years later had perfected it and now Akoya Pearls are considered like a staple for jewellery havers because they're the standard pearl. They let the pearls go to Europe but were a bit stingier in the US market initially. They tend to be on the smaller side though, the pearls that is, and having said that, the most valuable and largest are South Sea Pearls, which Australia has one part of the market covered.

But it's genuinely a fight in the 1900s acting as a microcosm of where England's attentions and loyalties should actually be. With Japan or with the Dominions? Who does she pick? And then with the Imperial Conference in 1921 you get the dreadful answer of... neither. She picks America (and incidentally Canada), managing to dump both Japan and Oz at the same time with the end of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, thus exposing Australia to danger in order to placate America and protect Canada from danger. Rather incredible Catch-22 situation there.

But in that moment, it's just the much smaller issue of 'whose pearls do I wear', Jack's statement pieces made for his mama or Kiku's strings made for his partner?

And don't get me wrong, Eva is a bit (a lot) of a magpie but she's not like... Queen Alexandra level of extravagance.

Do you ever just... well. You could have shot her and the bullets would have just bounced off a la the Romanovs.

But you should know that I love hunting for antique jewellery online, and thus, I've grown to love the idea of Jack giving his Ma endless pearls and opals and sapphires, even to this day. Like during special occasions or some anniversary, she'll get a new brooch or ring mined and set by him. The idea of Jack being a bit of a master jeweller is such a fun headcanon to me.

In the early 20th century, once he's been upgraded to a Dominion and Commonwealth, he is simultaneously more and less secure in his position in the family. He can occupy his space quite happily, Mama's little gem, but the way I vision Oz is that, yes, he can get rather jealous and snippy and bitter when he feels people are barging in and taking over a role that he does particularly well. He had to carve out a space which wasn't just a replacement for joyful and sweet Alfred nor simply the less respectable and dutiful version of Matthew, so he gets touchy when something (he perceives) is intruding in his sphere.

[pharmakonkairos]

Introductions: ICIA and CIU

One fact about the ICIA that was not released to the public—its possession of exceptional technology that allowed for the efficient detection and persecution of perpetrators.

Author’s Note:

This story is a part of Pharmakon: Kairos, a time travelling story about ordinary people forced to travel back in time to save those that they love.

Character profiles/summaries can be read here.

Stopping just in front of large black gates, Hayden gazed at the building that stood just beyond. Glass covered the sides of the building, reflecting the light of the morning sun directly at him.

  One fact about the ICIA that was not released to the public—its possession of exceptional technology that allowed for the efficient detection and persecution of perpetrators. Each team possessed such a device and each device had a different role in solving a case. The Rolmac team—the team Hayden was assigned to—possessed the VsFB, a device that allowed the team to hear the final words of the victim. While such evidence could not be used in a court of law to persecute the suspected perpetrator of a crime, it had its uses.

  “Name?” A voice echoed from the speaker attached to the gate, starling Hayden from his thoughts.

  “Ah….H-Hayden Griffith. I-I am assigned the Rolmac team starting today.”

  “…”

  There was silence for a moment, leading Hayden to wonder if he had said something wrong. 

“I see. Agents are to enter through the side gate. Your ID should open the gates.”

 The voice was notably more hostile than before. Or perhaps he was over thinking it…

  “Thank you…”

  As per instructions, he made his way to the side of the building. Two guards stood guard at this entrance, which was strange, considering that there had not been any security at the front gate.

  “H-hello…”

The guards simply took a glance at him, then proceeded to look forward, a grim line on their faces.

  “…”

  Maybe he had not been clear enough in his greeting.

  “M-my name is Hayden Griffith. I’m starting today…”

  The guards didn’t show any sign of having heard him, so Hayden continued, albeit reluctantly.

  “I-I was told that agents are to enter here…”

  Again, no response.

  “…”

  “…”

  One of the two guards jerked his head toward a small touchpad embedded onto the gate. Hayden gazed at the device, then back to the two guards.

  “Good morning!” A man’s voice came from behind him, a burnt brown shade in color. The guards’ frowns quickly shifted to smiles as they greeted the man—presumably another agent.

  “…”

  Puzzledly, Hayden scanned their faces for a moment before turning to the newcomer.

  Underneath his ICIA jacket, he wore a cleanly pressed dress shirt and a tie. Confidence radiated from him from his stance alone. Unlike the guards, the man gave him a grin as soon as their eyes met.

  “Good morning!”

  His cheerfulness and enthusiasm was contagious.

  “G-good morning…!”

  “So you’re Hayden? My name is Cadmus. Cadmus Nevitt. But Cad is fine.” It seemed like he had heard the words that Hayden had exchanged with the guards earlier. “I’m what you would call the co-leader of the team. Or well, I like to call myself the co-leader.” He laughed.

  Relaxing at the friendliness of his words, Hayden gave him a smile.

  “Well, if you’re ready, let’s make our way inside.”

With one swipe of his hand, Cadmus ran his ID through the scanner, which glowed blue. The gates opened with a loud creak. “Scan your ID there. It’ll also scan your fingerprint. ICIA precautions.”

  Hayden did as he was told and the touchpad glowed again.

  “Great! Let’s go in.” Cadmus made his way in first, leaving Hayden trotting after him. Their height difference was quite noticeable, as he barely stood to the other agent’s shoulders. The agent was probably a good foot taller than him, Hayden guessed, and Hayden had to walk twice as fast to keep up with the long strides that Cadmus made.

  “Don’t worry about them. They’re not supposed to show emotion—or so they claim. In reality, they’re probably just trying to scare you. They do that to newbies.” Cadmus gave him a reassuring smile. “Actually, you’ll find that most of the agents will do that to you here for a while. Dan will, I bet.”

  Seeing Hayden’s confusion, Cadmus clarified, “Oh right, Dan is our team head. He might look intimidating at first, but he’s relatively harmless despite the permanent frown etched on his face. But don’t tell him that I said that. Tell him that you heard it in the lobby.” With a mischievous grin, the agent continued. “I’m sure Leanne and Evie would love to meet you. Evie’s been practically bouncing off the walls ever since that we got news that we would get a new agent on our team.”

  They had entered the ICIA lobby. The floor was covered with black marble, polished to perfection. Sleet blue sofas stood to their left on top of a gray carpet. Several agents were resting there, whispering something to themselves. It seemed like they were being watched, for heads turned to look at them everywhere they went.

  “Oh but, do me a favor?”

  “Yes?” Hayden looked at the older agent curiously.

  “You see, I didn’t get my coffee yet today. Overslept a little.” He scratched his head sheepishly. “I would appreciate it if you could help me carry some cups? Wish I could grow some more hands, but…” He chuckled, “Well, coffee will help dispel some of Dan’s irritation. He’s not a morning person. Or well…I guess he’s not an afternoon…or evening person either…” With a shrug, Cadmus led him to the lobby coffee shop. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air along with the chatter from nearby agents, which overpowered the low rumbling of what seemed like a coffee grounds processor.

  Cadmus ran through the basics of ICIA: its background, the creation of teams, and the story behind their team, the Criminal Investigative Unit—shorted to CIU. Hayden looked at him in awe, wondering how he could remember and list off so much. After a while, he stopped, and gave him another cheerful grin.

  “But I’m talking too much. Though wait until you meet Evie. Try not to lose your ears just yet, you’ll need them later.” It was then that they had arrived at the front of the line. Four orders were made, then the agent turned to him. “And what would you like, Hayden? Coffee? Tea?”

  “Huh? A-ah, no that’s okay, I-I’m not much of a coffee or a tea person…”

  Cadmus looked almost comedically shocked at his response. “Don’t worry, you’ll be one soon!” The agent replied with certainty before turning back to the cashier. “And a cup of ice water please.”

  “I’m glad cupholders are a thing…” With the three coffee cups in the cupholder and his own in his hand, they were taking the elevator to the fifth floor. Hayden wondered why he was asked to come along in the first place, seeing as Cadmus didn’t need his help at all. He held the cup of water in his hands that Cadmus had gotten for him, insisting that he couldn’t let any of his agents leave a coffee shop empty handed.

  The doors opened with a high pitched ding. Agents filled the room, some standing alone the hallways. All eyes turned toward them as the elevator opened and suddenly, it felt like déjà vu again like in the lobby. Did they really draw that much attention?

  “Good morning!” Cadmus’s voice rang out and murmurs of greetings came from the agents in response.

  “G-good morning…” He mimicked, averting his eyes to the ground. Again, a murmur of responses. Their eyes were still directed on the pair, however.

  “Don’t mind them. Let’s go.” A low, reassuring whisper from Cadmus. He made his way through the rest of the agents and Hayden followed in turn.

  “This is our place.” Cadmus stopped in front of a door. The letters C, I, and U were carved in a silver plaque and hung in front of the door. Underneath, the words “Criminal Investigative Unit” could be seen. “Sorry, could you get the door for me?”

  “Ah, o-of course!” Hayden stepped forward to reach for the doorknob, only to pull back—though slightly too late—when the door opened on its own.

  “-should be here-“

  The door slammed open, startling Hayden backwards. A female agent, her light brown hair cut into a bob, looked equally surprised.

  “A-ah…”

“Ah! I’m so sorry about that! I didn’t think there would be someone behind the door!” The woman exclaimed, hand flying to her mouth. Her voice was a bright orange color, Hayden noted. Before he could say anything, she continued.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you, I promise! But ah, you must be Hayden! We were told that you’d me coming today and I’ve been dying to meet you! Well, not literally, but you get the point. Which, now that I think about it, that phrase doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I mean, why would someone be dying to meet someone. Oh, is that for me?” It seemed that she had finally noticed Cadmus, who had his an amused grin on his face. The flurry of words left him stunned and he simply blinked, unsure of what to say in response. Luckily, Cadmus came to his rescue, likely sensing his dilemma.

  “Evie. You forgot something.” Simultaneously, he nodded to a cup on the cupholder, which she took gratefully before giving him a look of confusion.

  “Huh?” She frowned, a pursing her lips before her eyes lit up. “Oh right! Did I not introduce myself? I didn’t, did I? My bad! I go off on tangents sometimes. People tell me that it’s a bad habit, but I don’t think it is, do you? It gets people to talk, so it all works out in the end. I’m Evie Kirchner. Actually, my real name is Evelyn, but no one really calls me that. My mom used to only call me that when I got in trouble, so it still freaks me out when someone calls me by my full name even today and-”

  “Evie, you’re scaring him.” Another female agent came out from the room. This time, the voice was a burgundy color. Her dark hair was braided neatly over her right shoulder. She had a pleasant smile on her face. “Hayden? My name is Leanne Landreth. We’re also in the CIU. I suppose that Cad explained everything to you?” With a nod from Cadmus in confirmation, she continued, “Well then, please don’t hesitate to ask us anything if you have any questions. It can be quite overwhelming on your first day.” She took a cup from Cadmus, thanking him as she did so.

  “I-it’s nice to meet you both.”  He could already see that this would be one interesting team.

  “Have you met the boss yet? Just you wait! Oh, but don’t worry, he looks like he’ll bite your head off, but in reality, he’ll probably just hold you in his jaws for a while until he deems that you’re adequate enough to his standards. Then he’ll gently place you to the side. Won’t lose any limbs, I promise! Though you might be bruised and battered and perhaps mentally scarred by the time it’s over, but he doesn’t have bad intentions!” Evie reassured him with Leanne and Cadmus simply smiling at him. Was their boss that intimidating?

  “Can someone explain why we’re talking in the hallway and not inside?”

  The steel blue voice startled him and he turned, only to find himself nearly face-to-face with a grim faced agent, who had stealthily somehow managed to make his way right next to Hayden without him even noticing.

  With a deepening frown, the man began to visually scrutinize Hayden. His black hair was neatly brought back on his head. He wore a black dress shirt and gray trousers; his ID hung from the shirt pocket reading “Daniel Rolmac”.

  “Oh, nice timing, Boss! This is-“ “Hayden Griffith.” Dan interrupted Evie’s ramblings. She didn’t seem to mind, however, and nodded enthusiastically.

  “Yep! Isn’t he cute? So innocent! Try not to rip him up too much, we need him intact for now! After all, I don’t think a half-eaten agent will be of help at all. Honestly, a half-eatened anything isn’t really all that useful. Well, unless you consider that half-eaten food is still food and it’s still edible, even though it is half-eaten. I would eat it if I was really hungry. Half-eaten food is still better than no food. But a half-eaten Hayden won’t be any good, so don’t eat him up too quickly! Actually, scratch that, don’t eat him at all, that would probably be for the best.” Turning to Hayden she grinned, “Of course, I don’t mean literally. That would be unethical…and wrong on so many levels. After all-”

  “We have a case.” Evie stopped midsentence at Dan’s words and her eyes lit up. Dan made his way into the room, stopping only to grab the remaining coffee cup from Cadmus, followed by a still chattering Evie.

  “Yep, that’s everyone.” Cad chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. “They may be queer, but they have the best intentions in mind.” Leanne too, gave him a reassuring smile and he found himself again relaxing.

  Perhaps he could get used to this.