Moving On *Completed*

Chapter 70-Greek Reception

North Pov

I am curious to see what Emily and Gabe came up with. Quiet as it's kept, I know Gabe does excellent work at this kind of job and with him working with Emily, it's got to be great. I wonder how Si is doing. I know Si was busy and did not get a chance to help her like she wanted, and he has been concerned she will be upset. On top of that, he really misses Greece and Theo. As we approach the ballroom, I see she has her security firm set up to check everyone coming and going. Glad to see she still has security even though this is an Academy function. We see Rock and he nods his head at us. Once we make it past security, she has people checking coats and a lady sitting there playing a huge harp. There are people having their pictures taken at a picture station set up. There are various murals of different landscapes of Greece. She has people dressed as Artemis, Ares, Jason, Atlanta, Hephaestus, and Aphrodite. We took pictures with the actors, some with ourselves and with our family before we all headed to the ballroom. I noticed she added a white aisle runner bordered with red rose petals to lead the guests to the entry doors from the photo station. Ethereal fluffy white clouds, combined with gleaming gold, rich blues and purples, provide a dramatic background for the entryway. Pure white tulle and organza draped on the ocean blue doors and wound about an arbor frame the entrance itself.

As we walk into the reception, I see she has draped the walls behind the head table with billowing fabrics in white, barely blush pinks and soft iridescent sheers making it feel like you are in the clouds and it's so calming. Emily had flanked the entry and the head table with tall Greek columns. Shorter fluted columns serve as stands for trailing greenery around the perimeter of the room. Tall golden urns filled with greenery, peacock feathers, and white, blue and purple flowers flank the room, while twinkling lights twined through the foliage and behind the billowing fabrics highlighting the scene. She wrapped the support columns in white and added leafy grapevines and twinkling lights winding their way to the top. She even had some lighting man come in to make the lighting softer and attached more lights over the ceiling to represent the stars in the heavens. On one side of the room is a mural that looks like an aerial shot of Athens at night all lit up. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts and taking everything in, I did not hear Gabe ask me to move forward so he could see. I apologized and walked in hearing some great music. I look over to the left and see the band from Si's and I favorite Greek restaurant playing. The female servers are dressed in all white dresses with a peacock sash around their waist and the male servers dressed in all white with a peacock feather pinned on the shirts. The hostess gave us a small square white plate and a glass of wine. I wondered why until I noticed servers walking around offering roasted garlic cloves, feta cheese, olives, hummus and other treats for us to enjoy as we socialized.

As we head to our table, I see the main buffet table is covered with a white tablecloth and has a table runner to match the other reception tables. Scattered grapes, pomegranates and apples which are fruits associated with the Greek goddesses, are placed across the buffet table. Roasted and grilled poultry, fish, chicken kabobs with Tzatziki dipping sauce, and Greek meatballs in tomato sauce are being kept warm in chafing dishes. There is also a Greek salad with tomatoes and feta cheese and a rustic grapevine bowl with crusty artisan breads. The dessert table also has a white tablecloth and a gold table runner. There is Ambrosia on ice, Koulourakia, Loukoumades, Bougatsa me Krema, and Baklava Cups. While half the servers walked around offering Greek finger foods, the other half served the tables and worked the buffet lines.

On the individual tables, there are layered white tablecloths over the tables with gold lame, royal blue and purple table runners on every other table and all the chairs have white covers on them. In the center of each table, there was either a white or gold small urn filled with peacock feathers, white or blushing pink orchids, twisting willow branches painted gold and an assortment of greenery. Scattered small white bowls filled with a variety of olives were also on the tables. Gold chargers and gold flatware were used for the place settings. White dinner plates with gold-and-blue-patterned rims and clear goblets completed the place settings. Tiny gold-wrapped boxes filled with Candy-coated Jordan almonds are placed in the center of each plate to serve as favors. "Why does she have Jordan Almonds, Gabe? I thought those were for weddings." asked Kota as he pulled out a chair to sit down at our table. "The Sugarcoated almonds in traditional Greek weddings are called *Koufetta*. They are placed in little bags in odd numbers and are served on a silver tray. Odd numbers are indivisible, symbolizing how the newlyweds will share everything and remain undivided. She thought the same thought applied to this week's training and the Academy." answered Gabe. "She did an outstanding job of transforming this ugly looking banquet room."

"Yeah, she did North. It does remind me of outdoor evening block parties at home." states Si.

"Gentlemen."

I turn towards the voice and I see Mr. and Mrs. X approaching us. My muscles automatically tense as I remember the exchange this morning between Emily and her mother. I turn towards her and see they are dressed in costumes. Mr. X is Uranus and Mrs. X is dressed as Gaea.

"I think their egos suits their costumes." whispered Victor.

"Yeah, Vic and they got overthrown remember." stated Kota.

"Good Evening Mr. and Mrs. X. How are you?" countered Mr. Blackbourne as he greeted them.

"We are doing well. What do you gentlemen think of the reception." asked Mrs. X as she waved her hand around the room.

"I think Emily did an extraordinary job Mrs. X. She captured the mood and essence of an outside evening party in Greece."

"Well, you would know North so I am glad it meets your standards." shot back Mrs. X. I never wanted to really hit a female, but I feel my temper rising and Si puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze telling me he has my back.

"We just wanted to say hello and remind you of your mission, and what you all stand to gain if you complete it. I know you need the favors, but we wanted to reiterate to you our daughter is NOT Sang, and we will not stand for any of you treating her that way. If any of you do, I will personally make your life hell." stated Mr. X.

"Are you threatening us?" questioned Mr. Blackbourne with his eyebrow raised.

Smiling, Mr. X puts his hand on Mr. Blackbourne's shoulder and squeezed. "No, son. You know I don't make threats. I simply lay the facts out there for you all. It's up to you to decide what to do with it."

"I see some people who we need to talk to honey. Let's let them enjoy the reception. Enjoy!" Mrs. X pulls on Mr. X arm and walks them away towards some other people.

"I really don't like them nor do I trust them." stated Luke

"Neither do I. Mr. Taylor. Let's just enjoy ourselves tonight. We will not give them the satisfaction of taking our joy and excitement about this evening away. Lets get some food gentlemen."