The Magnificent and The Maleficent by Heron Djenne Canvasback

Chapter Seven: Explanation Plantation

Cordelia and Geoffrey visited the Berkeley Plantation for a date. Plantation dates happen quite a bit in the American South. They are especially prevalent in the thirteen original colonies, with their plethora of colonial historical sites, Antebellum cultural artifacts, and Civil War landmarks. Seeing as Richmond, Virginia, the state capital, was once the capital of the Confederacy, and Virginia was below the Mason-Dixie line, historical horrors have been embedded into the landscape and culture.

As they toured the interior, Cordelia was inspired by the aesthetics of the environment. She dreamed of controlling the atmosphere, of her future hotel. She wanted to design to degree that the Berkeley Plantation has no coincidences, in its style. They explored the grounds, with gardens galore.

"I can tell that you're really enjoying yourself." Geoffrey grinned. "What are you thinking about?"

"I've never been here before." Cordelia looked around. It's a lot of history to take in. Have you been here before?"

"No, I haven't. I'm glad that I picked a good place for you."

"Yeah." She smiled. "You did."

"There's something that I've been wondering."

"Why does Virginia glorify and romanticize the violent past?" Cordelia chuckled "Who knows!"

"I mean, I was also thinking that." Geoffrey chuckled. "It's a beautiful place despite its past."

"It is. This a quirk of Virginian culture."

"Is it now? Well, my point was this. Why haven't you reported your attacker yet?"

"If I do that, how would be he able to help me?"

"Is he helping you?" Geoffrey raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't he want you to convince you to not report him?"

"He isn't a bad guy. It's complicated. I have no idea what I'm doing. You know more about werewolves than me, but I was bitten by one. It's all so confusing! My life has been turned upside-down."

"I know that it must be a lot on you. I can see you struggle. I can feel it." He held her hand. "We have to be prepared to put your best interests over top of your attacker's wants."

"I know." She sighed. "Other than lying to the werewolf authorities, about not knowing who my attacker is, I have to trust him."

"You don't think that there is another way? Doesn't he have resources?"

"He is an alpha lone wolf." She looked down. "He's on his own."

Geoffrey gritted his teeth. "That's even more irresponsible of him."

"I feel like they set him up to attack someone. The way that they kicked him out made him a threat."

"Why did they kick him out of their werewolf pack?" Geoffrey asked.

"He said that the new alpha didn't want another alpha in the pack."

"This is all completely unfortunate. Where does it leave you?"

"I haven't the slightest idea. Apparently, werewolf politics is more convoluted than American politics."

"Are you saying that none of the werewolf authorities will help you, because you were bitten by a lone wolf? Are you serious? How is that fair to you?"

"It's not fair to me at all. I am working with him to find a mean of recourse."

"I will ask around too. I only know that basics. Werewolves don't tell humans everything."

"Thanks. I am considering what you're saying. I just can't afford to make the wrong decision. I already have so little say and choice in the aftermath."