Acquisition Strategy Essay Example for Free

Acquisition Strategy Essay In today’s market it is very important for company’s to remain competive in order to maintain an edge over its competitors. The days that a company can rely on its reputation to continue making profits are gone. Today, everyone is looking to save money by buying less expensive items like economy brands, considering that the diffrences between the two products are similar and the features that are not offered are of little value. This will make a consumer buy the less expensive item. Like consumers, companies are also looking to save money and maximize profit. One way of doing this is through acquisition strategies. Combining the operations of two companies is a very good option for companies that are looking to stregnthening the company’s competincies and competitiveness, this will ultimately open new market opportunities (Gamble/Thompson, p. 119). The benefit of this type of strategy, unlike alliances, they do not go far enough for the resources needed and a very important factor, ownership. In the following paragraphs, I will give two examples of two different companies in different industries and explain how they will stregnthen their market position through acquisiton, to include resources and competive capabilities. The first example I will use it Wells Fargo Co. results from the acquisition of Wachovia Corporation. During the economic crisis Wells Fargo Co. acquired Wachovia Corp in a bail out to keep the bank from going under. At one point Wachovia was Wells Fargo’s competitor. After the acquisiton it made Wells Fargo a banking giant absorbing its competion. Earnings from that acquisition have earned Wells Fargo Financial Co. a 21% earnings since the acquistion, reporting record profits. This acquistion has allowed them to gain market share, this was mostly created by winning new customers. Mortgage loans was the top earner and low rates and prices of homes falling to record lows has allowed the company to grow even in these tough economic times. Additionally, the acquisition of Wacovia Corp. moves Wells Fargo as the second largest bank, second only to Bank of America. The strategy has allowed them to acquire a larger share of the financial market. The second company I will discuss is DuPont Nutrition Health and Applied BioSciences acquisition of Danisco Corp. Once a long time partner of DuPont, is a very good and proven company, is a good fit because of their proven market science business and offers clear synergy for them. The acquisition will make them the clear leader in industrial biotechnology with inovations in global challenges in food production and fossil fuel. This effort will position the company ahead of all rivals addressing dramatic growth in human population in the years to come. Danisco is well established company that has research and application capabilities. This will create a more cost efficient operation of the combined companies. The applications do not need to be duplicated, meaning their buying power will increase, administrative functions do not need to be replicated, and will further create more cost savings by downsizing. This acquisition will also allow them to enter new product categories, for example 65% of Danisco’s revenue comes from specialty foods, product substitution items such as sweetners and enablers. This will allow them to enter renewable materials and addressing food needs. In conclusion, I have discussed Wells Fargo Co. , and how their acquisition of Wachovia Corp has allowed the company to gain a larger geographic coverage has helped it create a more cost efficient operation by allowing to cut overhead costs by elliminating duplicate processes. Second, DuPont Nutrition Health and Applied BioSciences acquisition of Danisco Corporation has allowed DuPont has made them the clear leader in industrial biotechnology with inovations in global challenges in food production and fossil fuel.

Motivation and Conflict Management Essay -- Workplace

Motivation and Conflict Management Organizations strive for creative ways to enhance employee motivation and resolve conflicts with the desire to have employees perform better within the workplace. To motivate one has to be motivated. Motivation within the workplace has to be constant and requiring a goal. Motivation, if not repeated will not last. Therefore, learning to determine how different organizations apply motivation theories to motivate employees, analyzing conflict management strategies and what approaches work best in different organizations will influence the success of an organization. Motivation Theories and Organizational Behavior Motivation is the concept of stimulating or arousing a person to achieve a goal. Motivation has much to do with desire and ambition, and if they are absent, motivation is absent too (What is Motivation and How to Strengthen It, para. 1). Motivation theories are unique to each organization. Some organizations have come up with motivation theories such as setting work goals, job performance evaluations, and fair treatment policies within the work environment to keep employees motivated. The impact that individuals, groups and structures have on behavior within organizations is Organizational Behavior. Motivation is affected by organizational behaviors, which is why different organizations apply motivation theories to motivate employees. Applying Motivation Theories to Motivate Employees Keeping workers motivated in today workplace can be not just a job, but also an adventure. In many organizations this is a challenge because the workplace is made up of a diverse cultural environment. Managers are still the driving force for any business and the responsibility and demand to ac... ...ional behavior. Team B was able to discuss and analyze different conflict strategies used in the workplace. The research educates Team B to how organizations implement various theories and strategies in accordance with their work environments. Works Cited Lewis, Clive (2007) Human resource management international digest. Bradford: 2007. Vol 15, Iss.4: pg. 3. Sasson, R. (2001-2010). SuccessConsciousness.com. Retrieved from http://www.successconsciousness.com/strengthen_motivation.htm Swinton, Lyndsay (2006). Workplace Conflict Management: Strategy for Successful Resolution. Retrieved November 14, 2010 from http://www.mftrou.com/workplace-conflict-management-strategy.html John R. Schermerhorn, James G. Hunt, Richard N. Osborn (2008). Organizational Behavior 10th ED. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from Academic Search Motivation and Conflict Management Essay -- Workplace Motivation and Conflict Management Organizations strive for creative ways to enhance employee motivation and resolve conflicts with the desire to have employees perform better within the workplace. To motivate one has to be motivated. Motivation within the workplace has to be constant and requiring a goal. Motivation, if not repeated will not last. Therefore, learning to determine how different organizations apply motivation theories to motivate employees, analyzing conflict management strategies and what approaches work best in different organizations will influence the success of an organization. Motivation Theories and Organizational Behavior Motivation is the concept of stimulating or arousing a person to achieve a goal. Motivation has much to do with desire and ambition, and if they are absent, motivation is absent too (What is Motivation and How to Strengthen It, para. 1). Motivation theories are unique to each organization. Some organizations have come up with motivation theories such as setting work goals, job performance evaluations, and fair treatment policies within the work environment to keep employees motivated. The impact that individuals, groups and structures have on behavior within organizations is Organizational Behavior. Motivation is affected by organizational behaviors, which is why different organizations apply motivation theories to motivate employees. Applying Motivation Theories to Motivate Employees Keeping workers motivated in today workplace can be not just a job, but also an adventure. In many organizations this is a challenge because the workplace is made up of a diverse cultural environment. Managers are still the driving force for any business and the responsibility and demand to ac... ...ional behavior. Team B was able to discuss and analyze different conflict strategies used in the workplace. The research educates Team B to how organizations implement various theories and strategies in accordance with their work environments. Works Cited Lewis, Clive (2007) Human resource management international digest. Bradford: 2007. Vol 15, Iss.4: pg. 3. Sasson, R. (2001-2010). SuccessConsciousness.com. Retrieved from http://www.successconsciousness.com/strengthen_motivation.htm Swinton, Lyndsay (2006). Workplace Conflict Management: Strategy for Successful Resolution. Retrieved November 14, 2010 from http://www.mftrou.com/workplace-conflict-management-strategy.html John R. Schermerhorn, James G. Hunt, Richard N. Osborn (2008). Organizational Behavior 10th ED. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from Academic Search

Nhs Database Administrator Criteria and Job Description

? On of the tree jobs I chose to research is as an NHS Database Administration in this page I will explain some of the tasks that a Database Administrator will do and how many files need updating. And why the job role is available and what skills I would need to have to apply for this job. The role of a database administrator is to: Ensure patient medical records are correctly updated Make appointments Check in arriving patients using an internal database system Problem solving skillsTelephone work both internally and externally Administration Support In this job there are a large number of files that need to be updated because they have incorrect information included in them. This problem is solved by the database administrator who investigates the files and resolves any issues that crop up so that the information in these files is completely correct and filed correctly. Part of the reason this job is available is because clients have a back log to get through.Database Management Sy stem and DataI think this job would be good for me because it is a temporary ongoing position that requires the person that gets this job to be flexible in the tasks asked of them. The skills I would need for this job are as follows: Experience working within the NHS. Minimum of 1 year of administration experience. Good IT skills using Microsoft word and excel. I would need to be able to work towards meeting and meet the agreed deadlines. And I would need good communication skills.

1998 Dbq - 1014 Words

During the early 1800s, two parties were developed having different perspectives on government and the Constitution. The Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were always characterized by following the strict construction of the constitution. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, were characterized by following the broad construction of the constitution. The presidencies of Jefferson and Madison proved this characterization to be somewhat accurate. Although the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists did support their own ideas and views, they also did many things that contradicted them. The Democratic Republicans started out by supporting their ideas fully and confidently. In Jeffersons letter to†¦show more content†¦He recommended a charter of the national bank and a tariff to protect young industries. In Document F, John Randolph implies that Madison has surrendered his republican ideals and is emulating a more federalist point of view when the administration called for the tariff of 1816. In conclusion, Madisons actions did not coincide with the original ideals of the party. The Federalists also were greatly confident in their views of the Constitution and the government. Once again, in Document A, Jefferson states that the views of the Federalists were wrong. By stating this, it simply displays the views of a Federalist. The letter shows that the Federalists had different perspectives and the disagreements the two parties had. During Jeffersons term, John Marshall became the most dominant Federalist figure in the federal government. Under Marshalls domination, the Supreme Court retained a Federalist outlook even after Democratic-Republican justices achieved a majority in 1811. The Court consistently upheld federal supremacy over the states and protected the interests of commerce and capital. Over the years, Marshall significantly increased the Supreme Courts power over the country, demonstrating the idea of a Federalist, the idea of a powerful central government. Just like the Democratic- Republicans, the Federalists also had a hard time with their principles. In the speech byShow MoreRelated1998 Dbq Essay1116 Words   |  5 PagesVirtual vs. Reality 1998 APUSH DBQ Essay-Sam Ingalls-1st Hour Although Republicans and Federalists were characterized as having particular views towards the implementation of the Constitution, the Jefferson and Madison presidencies prove that even though virtually they believe one thing, realistically they could very possibly act another way. Following the making of the Constitution, James Madison brought forth the warning of political factions or parties as we know today in one of his manyRead More1998 Ap Ushistory Dbq Essay1078 Words   |  5 PagesNardine Salama 1998 DBQ ESSAY AP. USHISTORY The origins of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties can be traced back to the early 1790s. Initially, the Federalists, or broad constructionists, favored the growth of federal power and a strong central government. The Federalists promulgated a loose interpretation of the Constitution, which meant that they believed that the government could do anything by the implied powers of the Constitution or that congress had the right toRead MoreA Brief Note On History And History Classes Across America751 Words   |  4 Pagesconnections with the historical information. They have gained technical skills to validate sources based on their historical knowledge of the content. Teachers have wanted to assess history students like an historian using Document Based Questions (DBQ) to identify if students are grasping the historical material. DBQ’s are a series of primary or secondary sources that are used to support and argument in answering the questions or writing an essay. I selected this curriculum because DBQ’s are becomingRead MoreMath Essay843 Words   |  4 PagesGeneral Information on the DBQ The required DBQ differs from the standard essays in its emphasis on your ability to analyze and synthesize historical data and assess verbal, quantitative, or pictorial materials as historical evidence. Like the standard essays, however, the DBQ is judged on its thesis and argument. Although confined to no single format, the documents are unlikely to be the familiar classics (such as the Emancipation Proclamation or the Declaration of Independence), but theirRead MoreApush Dbqs Essay2248 Words   |  9 Pages2011 DBQ: (Form A) 1. Analyze the international and domestic challenges the United States faced between 1968 and 1974, and evaluate how President Richard Nixon’s administration responded to them. (Form B) 1. Explain the ways that participation in political campaigns and elections in the United States changed between 1815 and 1840, and analyze forces and events that led to these changes. 2010 DBQ: (Form A) 1. In what ways did ideas and values held by Puritans influence the politicalRead MoreAztec Essay838 Words   |  4 PagesBurstein, Stanley M. and Richard Shek. World History: Medieval to Modern Times. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006. Carrasco, David and Scot Sessions. Daily Life of the Aztecs: People of the Sun and Earth. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. De Bustamonte, Carlos Maria. A History of the Ancient Mexico. Fisk University Press, 1932. Del Catillo, Bernal Diaz, J.M. Cohen, translator, History of the Conquest of New Spain. Penguin, 1963. Duran, Diego. The History of the Indies of NewRead MoreLyndon Baines Johnson And The Civil Rights Act Of 1964974 Words   |  4 PagesFlawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print. Dallek, Robert. Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973. Print. Gallup, George H. The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion. Random House 1935-1971, 3rd ed.: n. pag. Print. Johnson, Lyndon B. The American Promise. Congress. 15 Mar. 1965. Speech. Politics or Principle: Why Did L.B.J. Sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964? The DBQ Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016. . The Chicago Tribune 1964: 417. PrintRead MoreEssay about Who Killed Reconstruction?1873 Words   |  8 PagesCalled Reconstruction by historians, this era saw an increase of freedom for former slaves. However, there was also great resistance to change. In 1877 attempts to reconstruct the South officially ended, leaving white-only governments in power. This DBQ asks you to decide who, North or South, was most responsible for the end of Reconstruction Background Essay North or South: Who Killed Reconstruction ...the slave went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again toward slaveryRead MoreNorth or South: Reconstruction after the American Civil War Essay1762 Words   |  8 PagesKu Klux Klan attacked government officials and judges who supported Reconstruction and had the power to pass laws that would harm the KKK and their beliefs (Tourgee). The image of Alabama lynching from the Independent Monitor in Document A of the DBQ was drawn to warn Republicans in the South and to threaten Carpetbaggers and Scalawags. The donkey walking away from the Carpetbagger and Scalawag hanging from the tree symbolized the Democratic Party, which meant that they were connected to the Ku

What Make a Text Difficult - 2967 Words

INTRODUCTION Reading is an interactive process which involves many factors like the text, the reader, fluency and strategies. In this process the readers have to combine the information from the text with their background knowledge to comprehend the content of the text. However the text sometimes is above the readers’ level, this makes them difficult to achieve its content. And so comprehension may be broken down. To help learners solve this problem during their learning process, the teacher should be careful in selecting a text so that he can create his learners’ interest to go through the text. As a teacher of English I recognize that one of the factors influencing the reading process is the text itself. Giving students reading†¦show more content†¦Texts that lack logical connectives require students to infer relationships that could have been stated explicitly and inferring relationships may cause problems for some students. Some textbooks, in an attempt to make material more accessible for students, use artificially shortened sentences that are hard to read and do not convey concepts well. Some authors vary sentence length as part of the literacy style. And texts that do not have the sound of real language make students confused. In general, materials that contain a very large percentage of complex sentences are likely to present difficulties for younger and less proficient readers. 3. Length An obvious but sometimes overlooked factor influencing the difficulty of a selection, and the likelihood that a less avid reader will make a real stab at finishing it, is its length. Particularly for students who do not read fluently, length alone can be a very formidable obstacle (Grobe, 1970). In our real life, it is difficult to find a long text that workers read for comprehension. If they do, they only scan it to see if there is anything useful there and then set it aside to read later. Or they may also skim it to look for the information they need, record that information, and then continue routing the document. So the longer text makes students feel bored, too. Students are never interested in reading long texts becauseShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Millard Meiss ´ Painting in Florence and Siena after the Black Death1276 Words   |  5 Pagesmy Millard Meiss is addressing an area of study that is lacking. This text while informative is difficult to follow and the puts a lot of pressure on the reader to connect the dots. The content of the early renaissance can often be a difficult time in art history to nail down and discuss just because it is on the cusp of the late medieval and the renaissance itself. As any time of transition it can be difficult to understand what is happening in the world of art but may have been more convincing ifRead MoreReader, Readability And Relativity In The Criticism Of Propp, Barthes, And Fish Literary Analysis1095 Words   |  5 PagesReader, Readability, and Relativity in the Criticism of Propp, Barthes, and Fish  Ã‚   What exactly constitutes a text? What classifies a text as having canonical quality, what meaning can be derived from that text, and who exactly makes these types of decisions? Welcome to the world of literary criticism, where the approach to the text and the level of reader inclusion varies based upon the school a critic identifies with in his endeavor and/or the individual reader may happen to take most interestRead MoreIs Text Mining Different Than Data Mining?1541 Words   |  7 Pages 2. (10 pts) How is text mining different than data mining? Text mining is a process which collects information and knowledge from large amounts of unstructured data sources. When I say unstructured data sources, I am talking about Pdf files, Word documents, XML files, text excerpts etc†¦ Text mining collects information from text. Text mining is different than data mining because data mining is a process which collects information and knowledge from large amounts of structured data sources. StructuredRead MoreOutline Three Advantages and Three Disadvantages for Both the Tutor and the Learner for the Following the Teaching Resources1400 Words   |  6 Pageswhiteboard this may make the student feel valued and promotes individual and group participation. There are some disadvantages in using a whiteboard for the tutor, keeping notes simple may be constraining, students may concentrate on writing rather than learning, information on a whiteboard can be wiped off therefore losing all the information. Students may find writing notes in class distracting and a hindrance to learning, students with poor eyesight will find it difficult to read, students withRead MoreOnline Dating : Becoming An Art1611 Words   |  7 PagesBars and clubs have long been the stomping ground of beautiful, socially outstanding individuals. For the remaining population, these places have long been intimidating, awkward, and stuffed full of unsuitable prospects. What would it mean to a lonely person to know that the next big love of their life could be just a few mouse-clicks away? Enter the online dating sites, with its anonymity, lists of potential dates, compatibility indicators, and virtually instant results. A guaranteed sellers marketRead MoreWriting Is A Difficult Process. Not Everyone Can Pick It1022 Words   |  5 PagesWriting is a difficult process. Not everyone can pick it up as easily as others do. There are steps in order to have a good piece of writing. Once that is accomplished, there are infinite possibilities to what writing can do. Writing is a magical medium that requires time and practice to master. Writing is extraordinary, it allows the author to express himself in ways they wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. In â€Å"What Writing Is: from On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, author and novelist StephenRead MoreMy Writing A Text Is Difficult1027 Words   |  5 PagesReading a text is difficult, but what is really difficult is trying to understand or remember what you have just read. Our brain alone is just not strong enough to catch on to it in a push of a button. That is why they invented a long term plan to put into action called reading strategies. Some of them include, predict, visualize, identify, infer, etc. although it depends on the person who is using them. Some works wonders but others fall short and doesn t help us at all, no matter how hard weRead MoreIntropersonal Communication1279 Words   |  6 Pagesmaking understanding ones tone and view on a conversation difficult to understand. People aren’t necessarily able to express emotion over tex t, regardless of punctuation. One still isn’t able to determine if a person could be joking, serious, sarcastic, or lying because sending a text isn’t the same as speaking to a person face to face. Me personally, I have reaped the repercussions of jumping to conclusions with my conversations through text. With personal experiences, research, and findings I willRead MoreHow Autism Spectrum Disorder Affects Students Reading Comprehension1261 Words   |  6 PagesDifferences are what shapes individuals into who they are, and who they want to become. Individuals learn differently, and the same is true for children with Autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects children up to three years and older. (Autism Speaks, N.D.) This disorder affects an individual’s ability to communicate, understand language, and relate to others (NICHCY, 2010). Children with Autism take longer to pick up on social cues and have tough time reading what others are thinkingRead MoreAudience Analysis, Ethos, Logos, And Motivating Action843 Words   |  4 Pagesyou to understand your message from reader’s perspective. Checking who the audience is, what your relationship with the audience is, how the audience will likely react, what the audience already knows, and what unique about the audience is helps to analize the audience (107).† Understanding the audience is the basic point to persuade people. The audience is different every time, so who a decision maker is, what she/he want, and why she/he should read or hear the message are also different. People

Summary On The Online Video Shopping Market - 993 Words

Week 2 Assignment 2 Shelby D. Williams Mid America Christian University MGMT 3213 Professor Annette Gunter 04 Feb 2017 Decisions in the Online Video Shopping Market Case Summary Cassidy is the co-founder of Joyus, an online video shopping market. She had previously worked for other online video shopping markets, prior to her founding Joyus. The company s that she worked for helped pave the way for her career. The success of Cassidy s company was due to the fact that her company website would provide video examples of each product marketing them, and showing the item in use. The company had great relationships with well known brand names, and this was due to the video marketing. Cassidy s reason for success, is now her downfall as†¦show more content†¦If not, what are the differences between the actual versus the desired? While assessing the current situation, we will begin to identify the problem fully before making any assumptions. We will need all parties to participate, and make it feel like a mutual learning experience. If participants feel as if they will be punished for making mistakes, this will decrease the success of this process, so we wil l need to make sure all individuals involved do not fear this. We want everyone to feel as if they are a key player and important. Problem Definition Analyzing the problem is an important step, and we must ensure that it is defined accurately. We will do this by creating a cause and effect chart for the issue at hand. We will evaluate each problem that is discussed, and document all of the issues that problem causes. We will turn this into a chart, and evaluate which of them cause an effect of poor company performance. We, as a group, must next agree on which problems should be solved. We will evaluate this by creating a Parcto chart. This chart identifies which problems should be solved first, and will allow us to see which problems will help us get to the objective faster, if solved. Decision Making We have to establish decision making criteria. This is written objectives of what needs to happen for the problem to be solved. Developing action alternatives is where we will generate as many solutions as possible to meet criteria, and make sure peopleShow MoreRelatedSephora Case Study1205 Words   |  5 PagesSephora Case Analysis Summary: Sephora start operation in 1969. Today, the largest prestige beauty special retailer in the world. Sephora generate 2 billion revenue from U.S, Canada and Sephora.com website. The reputable selling products cosmetics, fragrance, hair and skin care products. Overview: Sephora strive to continually build brand through direct marketing and Digital marketing platform. Sephora allocated 1 million budget on social media, mobile apps, and videos marketing. Bornstein SeniorRead MoreSocial Media, Video And Mobile1243 Words   |  5 PagesWith $2 million marketing budget designated for Social Media, Video and Mobile in 2011, it is important to allocate the money according to the nature and return on investment (ROI) of each categories. In summary, out of the $2 million, $450,000 should be allocated to Social Media (22.5%), $500,000 to Videos (25%), $500,000 (25%) to Mobile, $250,000 to social partners (12.5%) and $300,000 (15%) to Store Kiosks. The detailed breakdown is shown in Table 1 below. Under Social Media, a large portionRead MoreBusiness Models in Ecom1049 Words   |  5 PagesModels E-tailer/Storefront model Portal model Content Provider Transaction Broker Market Creator Service Provider E-tailer/Storefront Model The customers and the seller interact directly, e.g. amazon.com, dell.com, play.com Organise an online catalogue of products Take orders through Web site Shopping cart technology Accept payments in a secure environment Send merchandise to customers Manage customer data Market Web site to potential customers Revenue through product sales Low barriers toRead MoreAmazon Case Study996 Words   |  4 PagesBusiness-2-Consumer e-retailing. Although, Amazon.com started as an online bookstore, according to eRetailNews , they have since spread its wings into other industries such as music, DVD, toys, videos etc... Subsequently, this has created a multitude of direct competitors for Amazon.com in several different industries. As Amazon.com continues to grow and create new alliances with other industry s leaders, the competition for global online market share grows intensively. Amazon.com SWOT analysis is basedRead MoreCompetition in the Movie Rental Industry: Netflix and Redbox1710 Words   |  7 PagesFebruary 22, 2013 SUBJ: A Look at the Competition Within the Movie Rental Industry EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Analysis: The competitive forces in the movie rental industry are quite strong, as I will explain through the five forces model. There are a vast amount of substitutes for watching a movie. You can go to a play, sporting event, concert, out the lake/beach, go for a run, watch regular television, go shopping; I could go on and on. Also, torrenting or pirating movies is growing increasingly popularRead MoreHow Intelligent Business System Is Vital For A Business1556 Words   |  7 Pagesbusiness system. An intelligent business system is vital for a business with an online presence. This system must be able to process and analyze large amounts of data and communicate with other systems. We have reviewed your request and have compile the requested data in order to suggest viable solutions to help incorporate a e-commerce strategy that will help your company be successful in the current and future markets. Intelligent business system help companies collect, compile and then analyzeRead MoreWhy We Buy : The Science Of Shopping1303 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping† (by Paco Underhill) Book Review Summary Having studied and analyzed the retail industry for more than 20 years now, Paco Underhill gives his readers a glimpse into the retail world through his book, â€Å"Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping†. He is the owner of Envirosell, which specializes in helping companies attract customers and sell them products and services. Envirosell uses its employees (called â€Å"trackers†) and video cameras to observe customers and theirRead MoreWhat Are Consumers Buying? Cars, Food, And Stuff For Their Home1206 Words   |  5 Pagesname: Paul R. La Monica Webaddress:http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/11/investing/retail-sales-consumer-spending Keywords/ Search terms: Consumer demand, consumer preferences, sales, consumer spending, consumer purchases, consumer salary, retail, news Summary: According to government officials, retail sales have significantly risen over the past month, which is a positive sign for the economy. When gas prices dropped, economist, expected a higher amount of sales, instead people chose to pay off debt andRead MoreEssay about Redbox Case Analysis1287 Words   |  6 Pageshigh traffic shopping locations. Its products and operations include Kiosk DVD rental, online disc rental reservation, no late fee, recently released movies, and video game rental. 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The Indigo Spell Chapter Four Free Essays

string(49) " was joking if his face wasn’t so serious\." I FROZE. I didn’t trust myself to respond. What was Adrian thinking? Putting aside all the drama between us, it was absolutely unforgivable to ask this here, in front of other Moroi and Alchemists. We will write a custom essay sample on The Indigo Spell Chapter Four or any similar topic only for you Order Now Maybe in Palm Springs, where things were a little more casual with my friends, it might not be that crazy a request. But here? He risked exposing that we knew each other, which in turn risked Jill. Almost as bad, it could be a tip-off of his feelings for me. Even if I insisted that I had no matching feelings, the fact that things had progressed this far could get me in serious trouble with the Alchemists. As all these thoughts raced through my mind, a more concerning one suddenly popped up. A good Alchemist shouldn’t be worried about any of those things. A good Alchemist would have simply been horrified at the immediate problem: dancing with a Moroi. Touching a vampire. Realizing this, I quickly mustered an outraged expression, hoping I looked convincing. Fortunately, everyone else was too shocked to pay much attention to me. Good relations only went so far. Stanton and Ian wore legitimate looks of disgust. The Moroi nearby while not appalled, were astonished at the breach of etiquette. And yet . . . I also saw a couple exchange looks that said they weren’t entirely surprised Adrian Ivashkov would suggest something so outrageous. This was an attitude I’d seen a lot with him. People often shrugged off his behavior with, â€Å"Well, that’s Adrian.† Ian found his voice first. â€Å"She . . . no! She absolutely can’t!† â€Å"Why not?† Adrian glanced between all our faces, his expression still sunny and unassuming. â€Å"We are all friends, right?† Abe, who was rarely shocked by anything, managed to shake off some of his surprise. â€Å"I’m sure it’s not that big a deal.† His tone was uncertain. He knew that Adrian wasn’t a total stranger to me but undoubtedly assumed I had the usual Alchemist hang-ups. As tonight had demonstrated, most Alchemists still struggled with handshakes. Stanton seemed to be waging a mental war. I knew she thought it was an outlandish request . . . yet she was still conscious of the need to keep things pleasant. She swallowed. â€Å"Perhaps . . . perhaps it would be a nice gesture.† She shot me a sympathetic look that seemed to say, Sometimes you have to take one for the team. Ian jerked his head toward her. â€Å"Are you crazy?† â€Å"Mr. Jansen,† she snapped, conveying a stern warning in just his name. All eyes turned toward me as everyone realized that ultimately, it was my decision. At this point, I didn’t know if I should be shocked or scared – and the thought of dancing with Adrian made me feel both. I met Stanton’s eyes again and slowly gave a nod. â€Å"Sure. Okay. Good relations, right?† Ian’s face turned bright red, but another sharp look from Stanton kept him silent. As Adrian led me to the dance floor, I heard a few whispered comments from curious Moroi mentioning â€Å"that poor Alchemist girl† and â€Å"there’s no predicting what he does sometimes.† Adrian put his arm around my waist, perfectly proper and distant. I tried not to think about the last time I’d been in his arms. Even with appropriate spacing between us, our hands were still clasped, our stances still intimate. I was hyperaware of every single place his fingers rested on my body. His touch was light and delicate but seemed to carry an extraordinary heat and intensity. â€Å"What were you thinking?† I demanded once we were moving to the music. I was trying to ignore his hands. â€Å"Do you know how much trouble you may have gotten me in?† Adrian grinned. â€Å"Nah. They all feel bad for you. You’ll achieve martyrdom after dancing with a mean, wicked vampire. Job security with the Alchemists.† â€Å"I thought you weren’t going to pressure me about . . . you know . . . that stuff. . . .† The look of innocence returned. â€Å"Have I said a word about that? I just asked you to dance as a political gesture, that’s all.† He paused for impact. â€Å"Seems like you’re the one who can’t get ‘that stuff off your mind.† â€Å"Stop turning my words against me! That’s not – no – that’s not right at all.† â€Å"You should see that Stanton woman watching us,† he remarked with amusement, glancing behind me. â€Å"Everyone’s watching us,† I grumbled. It wasn’t like the entire room had come to a standstill, but there were certainly a number of curious onlookers, gawking at the unlikely sight of a Moroi and a human – an Alchemist, at that – dancing. He nodded and swept me into a turn. He was a good dancer, which wasn’t entirely a surprise. Adrian might be brash and impertinent, but he knew how to move. Maybe dance lessons had been part of growing up in an elite tier of Moroi society. Or maybe he was just naturally skilled at using his body. That kiss had certainly show a fair amount of talent. . . . Ugh. Adrian was right. I was the one who couldn’t get over â€Å"that stuff.† Unaware of my thoughts, he glanced over at Stanton again. â€Å"She’s got the look of a general who just sent her army on a suicide mission.† â€Å"Nice to know she cares,† I said. For a moment, I forgot my dance floor woes as I thought angrily back to Stanton’s â€Å"need to know† attitude. â€Å"I can pull you closer, if you want,† he said. â€Å"Just to see how much she cares. I’m always willing to help like that, you know.† â€Å"You’re a real team player,† I said. â€Å"If putting me in danger is for the greater good, then Stanton probably wouldn’t do anything about you moving in on me.† Adrian’s self-satisfied smirk faded. â€Å"Did she ever come clean about that guy you were trying to find? Martin?† â€Å"Marcus,† I corrected. I frowned. Her denial still bothered me. â€Å"She keeps claiming she doesn’t know him, and I can’t push too hard if I don’t want her to get suspicious.† â€Å"I thought of a way you might find him,† said Adrian. I would’ve thought he was joking if his face wasn’t so serious. You read "The Indigo Spell Chapter Four" in category "Essay examples" â€Å"You did?† I asked. The Alchemists had vast information at our disposal, with hands in all sorts of agencies and organizations. I’d been scouring them these last few weeks and found it unlikely that Adrian would have access to something I didn’t. â€Å"Yup. You’ve got his picture, right? Couldn’t you just do the same spell you did the other night? Locate him that way?† I was so surprised, I nearly tripped. Adrian tightened his grip to keep me from falling. I shivered as that small gesture brought us closer. The tension between us kicked up a notch, and I realized that along with our bodies being nearer, so were our lips. I had a little difficulty speaking, both because of how it felt to be so close to him and because I was still stunned by what he’d said. â€Å"That’s . . . wow . . . that’s not a bad idea. . . .† â€Å"I know,† he said. â€Å"I’m kind of amazed myself.† Really, the circumstances were no different from finding Ms. Terwilliger’s sister. I needed to locate someone I’d never met. I had a picture, which was what the spell required. What was different was that I’d be initiating the spell myself. It was a difficult piece of magic, and I knew Ms. Terwilliger’s coaching had helped me. There was also the moral dilemma of working that type of spell on my own. My conscience had an easier time handling magic when I felt coerced. â€Å"I couldn’t try until next month,† I said, thinking back to the spell book. â€Å"I mean, I have the picture with me, but the spell’s got to be done during a full moon. This is the last night for the current one, and I’d never be able to get the components in time.† â€Å"What do you need?† I told him, and he nodded along, promising he could get them. I scoffed. â€Å"Where are you going to get anise and hyssop at this time of night? In this town?† â€Å"This town’s full of quirky boutique shops. There’s some herbal place that sells soaps and perfume made of anything you can imagine. I guarantee they’ve got what you need.† â€Å"And I guarantee they’re closed.† He swept me into another flourish-filled spin, and I kept up with him perfectly. The song was wrapping up. The time had flown by faster than I’d thought. I’d forgotten about the onlookers. I’d even forgotten I was with a vampire. I was simply dancing with Adrian, which felt easy and natural, so long as I didn’t think about our audience. His roguish look returned. â€Å"Don’t worry about that. I can find the owner and talk her into making an exception.† I groaned. â€Å"No. Not compulsion.† Compulsion was an ability vampires had to force their wills on others. All vampires had it to a small extent, and spirit users had it in excess. Most Moroi considered it immoral. Alchemists considered it a sin. The song ended, but Adrian didn’t release me right away. He leaned a little closer. â€Å"Do you want to wait another month to find Marcus?† â€Å"No,† I admitted. Adrian’s lips were a breath away. â€Å"Then we’ll meet in two hours by the hotel’s service door.† I gave a weak nod, and he stepped back, releasing my hands. â€Å"Here’s one last sign of good relations.† With a bow that could’ve come straight out of a Jane Austen novel, he gestured to the bar and spoke loudly. â€Å"Thank you for the dance. May I escort you to get a drink?† I followed without a word, my head spinning with what I’d need to do in two hours. At the bar, Adrian astonished me by ordering ginger ale. â€Å"Nice restraint,† I said, realizing he’d need to stay sober to work spirit. I hoped he hadn’t indulged too much already. For him, the only thing better than an open bar would be a case of cigarettes showing up at his door. â€Å"I’m a master of self-control,† he declared. I wasn’t so sure of that but didn’t contradict him. I sipped my Diet Coke, and we stood there in comfortable silence. Two Moroi men sidled up the bar near us, talking with the volume and exuberance of those who hadn’t held back on sampling free liquor. â€Å"Well, no matter how liberal that girl is, she’s certainly easy on the eyes,† one guy said. â€Å"I could look at her all day, especially in that dress.† His friend nodded. â€Å"Definitely an improvement over Tatiana. Too bad about what happened to her, but maybe a change of scenery was for the best. Did that woman ever smile?† They both laughed at the joke. Beside me, Adrian’s own smile vanished, and he went perfectly still. Tatiana, the former Moroi queen, had been Christian’s great-aunt. She’d been viciously murdered this summer, and though Adrian rarely spoke about her, I’d heard from a number of people that they’d been close. Adrian’s lips twisted into a snarl, and he started to turn around. Without hesitation, I reached out and grabbed his free hand, holding it tightly. â€Å"Adrian, don’t,† I said softly. â€Å"Sydney, they can’t say that.† There was a dangerous look in his eyes, one I’d never seen. I squeezed his hand harder. â€Å"They’re drunk, and they’re stupid. They’re not worth your time. Please don’t start a scene here – for Sonya’s sake.† I hesitated. â€Å"And for me.† His face was still filled with rage, and for a moment, I thought he would ignore me and throw a glass at one of those guys. Or worse. I’d seen angry spirit users, and they were terrifying. At last, that fury faded, and I felt his hand relax in mine. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, they were dazed and unfocused. â€Å"No one really knew her, Sydney.† The sorrow in his voice broke my heart. â€Å"They all thought she was some draconian bitch. They never knew how funny she was, how sweet she could be. You can’t . . . you can’t imagine how much I miss her. She didn’t deserve to die like that. She was the only one who understood me – even more than my own parents. She accepted me. She saw the good in my soul. She was the only one who believed in me.† He was standing in front of me, but he wasn’t with me. I recognized the rambling, consuming nature of spirit. It messed with its users’ minds. Sometimes it made them scattered and distant, like he was now. Sometimes it challenged people’s grip on reality. And sometimes, it could create a despair with devastating consequences. â€Å"She wasn’t the only one,† I told him. â€Å"I believe in you. She’s at peace, and nothing they say can change who she was. Please come back to me.† He still stared off into someplace I couldn’t follow. After a few frightening moments, he blinked and focused on me. His expression was still sad, but at least he was in control again. â€Å"I’m here, Sage.† He removed his hand and glanced around to make sure no one had seen me holding it. Thankfully, the bride and groom had taken to the dance floor, and everyone was too mesmerized watching them. â€Å"Two hours.† He knocked back the rest of his drink and walked away. I watched him until he disappeared into the crowd, and then I returned to my own table, glancing at the clock along the way Two hours. Ian jumped out of his seat at my approach. â€Å"Are you okay?† No Moroi well-wishers were around, so only Stanton was nearby to hear him. She seemed to share his concern. â€Å"I’m sorry you had to endure that, Miss Sage. As always, your dedication to our work is admirable.† â€Å"I do what I can to help, ma’am,† I said. I was still worried about Adrian and hoped he wouldn’t slip back into spirit’s grip again. â€Å"Did he hurt you?† asked Ian, pointing. â€Å"Your hands?† I looked down and realized I’d been rubbing my hands together. They were warm from where Adrian had touched me. â€Å"Huh? Oh, no. Just, um, trying to rub the taint off. In fact . . . I should probably go wash up. Be right back.† They seemed to find this a perfectly reasonable idea and didn’t stop me as I hurried to the restroom. Free of their concern, I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d dodged two bullets here, by not letting the Alchemists know that I was friendly with a vampire and also that I was plotting magic with him. â€Å"Sydney?† I was so distracted when walking out of the restroom that I hadn’t noticed Rose standing nearby with Dimitri Belikov. They stood arm in arm, smiling at my surprise. I hadn’t seen Dimitri tonight, and his black and white guardian attire told me why. He was on duty here and had undoubtedly been one of the shadows darting among the trees of the greenhouse, keeping a watch on everyone. He must be on a break now because there was no way he’d be standing so casually here, even with Rose, otherwise. And really, â€Å"casual† for Dimitri meant he could still leap into battle at any moment. They were a striking couple. His dark-haired, dark-eyed looks matched hers, and they were both dazzlingly attractive. It was no wonder Adrian had fallen for her, and I felt surprised at how uncomfortable that memory made me. Like Sonya and Mikhail, there was a bond of love between Rose and Dimitri that was almost palpable. â€Å"Are you okay?† asked Rose, eyes kind. â€Å"I can’t believe Adrian did that to you.† She reconsidered. â€Å"Then again, I kind of can believe it.† â€Å"I’m fine,† I said. â€Å"I think the other Alchemists were more appalled than I was.† I remembered belatedly that even if Rose and Dimitri knew I knew Adrian from Palm Springs, I still couldn’t act too at ease here. I put on my earlier look of outrage. â€Å"It was still out of line, though.† â€Å"Propriety’s never been Adrian’s strong suit,† Dimitri observed. Rose laughed at the understatement. â€Å"If it makes you feel any better, you guys looked really good together out there. Made it hard to believe you’re mortal enemies . . . or whatever it is Alchemists think.† She gestured to my dress. â€Å"You even coordinated.† I’d totally forgotten what I was wearing. It was a short-sleeved silk dress, almost entirely black save for some splashes of royal blue on the skirt. That was a bolder color than I would normally wear, but the black tempered it. Thinking back to Adrian’s shades of blue, I realized our palettes had indeed complemented each other. You guys looked really good together. I don’t know what expression I wore, but it made Rose laugh again. â€Å"Don’t look so panicked,† Rose said, eyes shining. â€Å"It was nice seeing a human and a Moroi look like they belong together.† Belong together. Why did she keep saying things like that? Her words were messing with the cool, logical demeanor I tried to maintain. I knew she was speaking in that friendly, diplomatic way that everyone was pushing so hard for. But as progressive as Rose and Dimitri were, I knew even they would be shocked if they knew the truth about Adrian’s feelings and that monumental kiss. I spent the rest of the reception with a knot of anxiety building within me. Fortunately, I didn’t have to hide it. Moroi and Alchemist alike expected me to feel that way. In fact, Stanton soon got her own share of â€Å"diplomacy† when a middle-aged Moroi guy asked her to dance, obviously taking a cue from Adrian’s display of goodwill. Apparently, as outrageous as Adrian’s behavior had been, some Moroi thought it had been a smart move and decided to follow suit. Stanton could hardly refuse after encouraging me, so she took the dance floor with gritted teeth. No one asked Ian to dance, which was probably just as well. He didn’t look at all disappointed. Adrian stayed away, presumably to gather my spell components. Time ticked down, and as the two-hour mark approached, I realized that although I’d brought Marcus’s picture with me on this trip (I rarely let it out of my sight), it was still in my room. I excused myself from Ian, telling him I needed to go back to the inn to change shoes and would take one of the cars that had been ferrying wedding guests around town. Ian’s face immediately grew protective. â€Å"Do you want me to go with you? It’s not safe out there.† I shook my head. â€Å"No, you need to stay here. Stanton’s in more danger.† She was standing near the bar, speaking to two Moroi men. I wondered if she had another dance in her future. â€Å"Besides, it’s early, so there’s still more of them here than out there. At least the inn is run by humans.† Ian couldn’t fault my Alchemist logic and reluctantly let me go. Catching a town car was easy, and I was able to make the round trip in almost the perfect amount of time. I even changed shoes so that I’d have proof for my story. Although I’d worn heels to the wedding, I’d packed flats in my suitcase, just in case. That was just smart planning for any occasion. When I reached the service door, however, I realized my clever planning had failed. Filled with haste and anxiety, I’d left my warm, heavy shawl in the car, which was probably long gone. Now, waiting for Adrian in the bitter Pennsylvania cold, I wrapped my arms around myself and hoped I wouldn’t freeze before he showed up. He was good to his word, though, and arrived at exactly the appointed time with a tote bag over one shoulder. Even better, he was completely back to his normal self. â€Å"Ready to go,† he told me. â€Å"Seriously?† I asked, my teeth chattering. â€Å"You found everything?† He patted the bag. â€Å"You ask, I deliver. Now where do we need to do this?† â€Å"Somewhere remote.† I scanned around. Beyond the hotel’s parking lot was a vacant field that I hoped would suffice. â€Å"There.† Walking across the well-salted parking lot wasn’t a problem, but once we â€Å"off-roaded† into the snowy field, even my practical flats were of no use. I was also so cold that I suspected my skin was as blue as my dress. â€Å"Stop,† said Adrian at one point. â€Å"We need to go a little farther,† I protested. Adrian, who’d had the sense to put on a wool coat, was taking it off. â€Å"Here.† â€Å"You’ll be cold,† I protested, though I didn’t stop him when he stepped forward and helped me put the coat on. He was taller than me, so the three-quarter length was mercifully full length on me. Its scent was a mix of smoke and cologne. â€Å"There.† He pulled the coat more tightly around me. â€Å"I’ve got long sleeves and the jacket. Now come on – let’s hurry.† He didn’t have to tell me twice. Aside from the temperature, we had to do this before we were caught by others. Even I wasn’t going to be able to explain this away to the Alchemists. The moon was still crisp and bright when we finally found an acceptable spot. I sifted through Adrian’s bag, amazed that he’d come through with everything, from the mirror to the dried leaves and flowers. He stayed quiet as I set it all up, only speaking when I was just about ready to go. â€Å"Is there anything I can do?† he asked gently. â€Å"Just keep watch,† I said. â€Å"And catch me if I pass out.† â€Å"Gladly.† I’d memorized the spell when Ms. Terwilliger and I had performed it. Still, I was nervous about going solo, especially since the environment was so distracting. It was kind of hard to find the mental focus I needed while kneeling in snow. Then I thought back to Stanton and the lies the Alchemists were telling me. A spark of anger flared in me, creating warmth of a different sort. I used that to direct my thoughts as I stared at Marcus’s picture. He was Adrian’s age, with shoulder-length blond hair and a pensive look in his blue eyes. The tattoo on his check was a tangle of indigo crescents. Slowly, I managed to sink into the spell. I felt that same euphoria as the mirror shifted into a city image. No fog blocked me this time since presumably Marcus wasn’t wielding the kind of protective magic that Ms. Terwilliger’s sister had been using. The scene before me showed what looked like a very modest studio apartment. A mattress lay on the floor, and an ancient TV sat in one corner. I looked around for any identifying features but found nothing. The room’s one window finally gave me a clue. Outside in the distance, I could see a Spanish-style building that looked like a church or monastery. It was made of white stucco, with red-roofed domed towers. I tried to get a closer look, to fly up like I had in the other spell, but suddenly, I became aware of the Pennsylvania cold seeping into me. The image shattered, and I was back to kneeling in the field. â€Å"Ugh,† I said, putting my hand to my forehead. â€Å"So close.† â€Å"Did you see anything?† Adrian asked. â€Å"Nothing that’ll help.† I stood and felt a little dizzy but managed to stay upright. I could see Adrian ready and waiting to catch me in case I did indeed keel over. â€Å"You okay?† â€Å"I think so. Just a little light-headed from the blood sugar drop.† I slowly gathered up the mirror and bag. â€Å"I should’ve had you get orange juice too.† â€Å"Maybe this’ll help.† Adrian produced a silver flask from his suit jacket’s inner pocket and handed it toward me. So typical, Adrian helpfully offering alcohol. â€Å"You know I don’t drink,† I said. â€Å"A few sips won’t get you drunk, Sage. And it’s your lucky night – it’s Kahlua. Packed with sugar and coffee-flavored. Trade me and try.† Grudgingly, I handed him the bag and then took the flask as we began walking back to the hotel. I took a tentative sip and grimaced. â€Å"That is not coffee-flavored.† No matter how much people tried to dress up alcohol, it always tasted awful to me. I didn’t understand how he could consume so much. But, I could taste the sugar, and after a few more sips, I felt steadier. That was all I drank since I didn’t want to get dizzy for different reasons. â€Å"What’d you see?† asked Adrian, once we reached the parking lot. I described the spell’s scene and sighed in frustration. â€Å"That could be any building in California. Or the Southwest. Or Mexico.† Adrian came to a halt and slung the bag over one shoulder. â€Å"Maybe. . . .† He took out his phone from his jacket and typed in a few things. I shivered and tried to be patient as he searched for what he needed. â€Å"Did it look like this?† I peered at the screen and felt my jaw drop. I was looking at a picture of the building from my vision. â€Å"Yes! What is it?† â€Å"The Old Mission Santa Barbara.† And then, just in case I needed help, he added, â€Å"It’s in Santa Barbara.† â€Å"How did you know that?† I exclaimed. â€Å"What that building is, I mean.† He shrugged. â€Å"Because I’ve been to Santa Barbara. Does this help you?† My earlier dismay transformed into excitement. â€Å"Yes! Based on the window’s position, I can get a pretty good idea of where the apartment is. You may have found Marcus Finch.† Caught up in my elation, I squeezed his arm. Adrian rested a gloved hand on my cheek and smiled down at me. â€Å"And to think, Angeline said I was too pretty to be useful. Looks like I might have something to offer to the world after all.† â€Å"You’re still pretty,† I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Another of those intense moments hung between us, the moonlight illuminating his striking features. Then it was shattered by a voice in the darkness. â€Å"Who’s there?† Both of us flinched and jerked back as a black-and-white-clad figure seemed to materialize out of the shadows. A guardian. It was no one I knew, but I realized I’d been foolish if I thought we could slip in and out of the hotel unseen. The grounds were probably crawling with guardians, keeping watch for Strigoi. They wouldn’t have cared much about two people leaving, but our return would naturally be challenged. â€Å"Hey, Pete,† said Adrian, putting on that easygoing smile he excelled at. â€Å"Nice to see you. Hope you’re not too cold out here.† The guardian seemed to relax a little upon recognizing Adrian, but he was still suspicious. â€Å"What are you two doing outside?† â€Å"Just walking Miss Sage back,† said Adrian. â€Å"She had to get something from her room.† I gave him a puzzled look. The inn wasn’t in this direction. Pete looked dazed for a moment. Then he nodded in understanding. â€Å"I see. Well, you’d better get back inside before you freeze.† â€Å"Thanks,† said Adrian, steering me away. â€Å"Make sure you get a break and try the canapes. They’re amazing.† â€Å"You compelled him,† I whispered, once we were safely out of earshot. â€Å"Only a little,† said Adrian. He sounded very proud of himself. â€Å"And being outside to walk you is a valid reason, one he won’t think too much about later. Compelling someone into believing a story works best if there’s a little truth – â€Å" â€Å"Adrian? Sydney?† We’d almost reached the back of the building now and were suddenly face-to-face with an ivory-clad figure. Sonya stood before us, a fur stole wrapped around her. Once again, I was struck by her beauty and the happy glow she seemed to radiate. She gave us a puzzled smile. â€Å"What are you two doing out here?† she asked. Both of us were speechless. Adrian had no brash words or tricks. Sonya was a spirit user too, and compulsion wouldn’t work on her. Frantically, I groped for some excuse that wasn’t: We were out using illicit magic in a continuing effort to uncover secrets the Alchemists don’t want me to know about. â€Å"You can’t tell,† I blurted out to her. I held up the flask. â€Å"Adrian was letting me sneak some of his Kahlua. Stanton’ll kill me if she finds out.† Sonya looked understandably startled. â€Å"I didn’t think you drank.† â€Å"Tonight’s been kind of stressful,† I said. It was hardly a lie. â€Å"And it’s coffee-flavored,† Adrian pointed out, as though that might aid our cause. I wasn’t sure if Sonya was buying it, so I attempted a change in subject. â€Å"Congratulations, by the way. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you earlier. You look beautiful.† Sonya let go of her inquisitiveness and offered me a smile. â€Å"Thank you. It’s kind of unreal. Mikhail and I have been through so much . . . there were times I never thought we’d reach this moment. And now . . .† She glanced down at the diamond sparkling on her hand. â€Å"Well, here we are.† â€Å"What are you doing out here, Mrs. Tanner?† Adrian had recovered himself and was back to his outgoing self. â€Å"Shouldn’t you be inside gazing adoringly at your husband?† She chuckled. â€Å"Oh, we’ve got a lifetime of that ahead. Honestly, I just needed to get out of the crowd.† Sonya took a deep breath of the crisp, cold air. â€Å"I should probably get back soon. We’re about to throw the bouquet. You aren’t going to miss your chance, are you?† That was to me. I scoffed. â€Å"I think I’ll sit this one out. I’ve already caused too much speculation tonight.† â€Å"Ah, yes. Your infamous dance.† Sonya glanced between us, and a bit of her earlier puzzlement returned. â€Å"You two look very good together.† Awkward silence fell for a few seconds, and then she cleared her throat. â€Å"Well, I’m getting in where it’s warm. Hope you’ll change your mind, Sydney.† She disappeared through the service door, and I resisted the urge to beat my head against the wall. â€Å"She knows we’re lying. She can tell.† Spirit users were good at reading subtle cues from people, with Sonya being one of the best. â€Å"Probably,† agreed Adrian. â€Å"But I doubt she’s going to guess we were out working magic in a field.† A terrible thought came to me. â€Å"Oh God. She probably thinks we were off doing – you know – romantic type, um, things – â€Å" That amused Adrian far more than it should have. â€Å"See, there you go again. That’s the first thought that comes to your mind.† He shook his head melodramatically. â€Å"I can’t believe you keep accusing me of being the obsessed one.† â€Å"I’m not obsessed!† I exclaimed. â€Å"I’m just pointing out the obvious conclusion.† â€Å"Maybe to you. But she’s right about one thing: we need to get inside.† He anxiously touched his hair. â€Å"I think my hair gel’s frozen.† I handed him back the flask and opened the door. Just before stepping through, I hesitated and glanced back at him. â€Å"Adrian? Thanks for helping me.† â€Å"What are friends for?† He caught the door from me and motioned for me to go inside. â€Å"Yeah, but you went above and beyond tonight for something that has nothing to do with you. I appreciate that. You didn’t have to help. You don’t have the same reasons I have for cracking open the Alchemists.† Not knowing what else to say, I gave him a small nod of thanks and went inside. As the warmth and noise of the crowd swallowed us, I thought I heard him say, â€Å"I have different reasons.† How to cite The Indigo Spell Chapter Four, Essay examples