Kings Pawn to ...

[Deleted]

Demetrius walked into the 'Vamp Club' as the Excalibur had become known. It'd seemed as if every City these days had a slew of Vamp themed or owned nightclubs. It was sheer sinfulness in his estimation. He knew there weren't too many honorable businesses that those such as he could properly maintain. However since they had all come out of the shadows he longed for the chance to carry on a semblance of a normal life.

The decadence of vampire-kind while alluring and oh so risque to the mortals after a few decades wore thin. It got under his skin and the stench of it made him wish to end his being. If committing suicide wasn't a sin he would have done so a century and a half ago. Shaking his head he scanned the crowds looking for the Master or one of her lackeys.

As loathe as he was he would conclude his masters business here so that he could be one step free of Johnathon. He would also pray that she could impart how She had escaped his grasp. He unlike Katrina had no intentions of taking a city. He merely wanted free of the monster. He stood near the bar watching the crowds of mortals who had come to catch sight of an actual undead. He hoped that Katrina would soon deign him worthy of her time. He was sure that Johnathon had properly arranged things.

[hiero]

Stepping from the umbral ether that was the ever-pressing gloom of the club Andrius extended his hand to the startled vampire. A razor blade smile firmly in place. Its sharp edges matching the crease of his midnight Blue slacks. His dress slacks looked to be poured form the stuff of dreams. Its color so close to the black of his shirt as to be indistinguishable even to some of the gathered vampires. As he had every intention of properly vetting this Demetrius and his message out he'd dressed down only wearing the two piece sans jewelry or tie. His footwear to the casual observer was some square toed European loafer. In truth they were a new brand of utility footwear that he'd found the secret service wore. They were designed to easily fit into any situation while retaining the same effectiveness as combat boots.

"Good evening, Demetrius. I hope your wait hasn't been too unpleasant."

Though his words were by no means threatening nor sinister Andrius ticked off a merit in Demetrius' favor for instinctively shielding himself and steeling himself versus potential attack. While it was standard fare when vampires met the man managed to do so with no outward sign of stress nor strain. Most vampires despite themselves had similar tells. Similar subtle betrayals of their inner state. Demetrius evidenced nothing more than a general startled state.

Andrius knew from his sources that Demetrius was no master and in truth probably never would be. But the man marshaled himself even going so far as to smile in return. That tact and poise was most assuredly why Johnathon would have sent this one. It was a fools errand but Andrius would allow the Master of Detroit to waste their mutual time. It would give him a glimpse of his end game. So far the war between the two city-states had been of the coldest varieties. However with the rumors of St. Louis' break from the council being proven true in all but name things would heat up and in fact already had.

[Deleted]

Startled by the sudden appearance of this male vampire Demetrius struggled to maintain his poise and calm. Even having spent so long in the tender care of his master such a display was troubling. Her searched the recesses of his mind for the tell-tale evidence that he had been rolled. Finding not one trace of an interloper the Vampires sudden materialization was even more troubling. That meant that he either was that fast in truth or had really appeared wholecloth from the shadows themselves. Neither option filled him with any sense of safety.

All he could do now was hope that he would be able to make the offer that Johnathon had sent him here for. That and make his own plea. Katrina was younger by at least a century yet she had wrested control of this city and won her freedom. Her takeover had been one of the first bloodless coups he had heard of. If she would grant him safety he would swear an oath to her, taking his chances. He had never treated her unkindly hoping she'd remember the small kindness his loathing of touch afforded her.

The vampire before him now was slightly more pressing as he took the vampires offered hand. vampires as a whole generally did not touch so casually as humans. As such he steeled himself for the testing of wills that he was sure was to come from this little exchange. As the offered hand really and truly was nothing more than a handshake it was all he could do from being bowled over with shock.

"I am Demetrius and I believe at a complete loss. I am sorry to admit that I know nothing of you..." He said honestly. He left off why there was even a chance that he would. Johnathon for years had his sights set on annexing Chicago. Siphoning its riches into his own coffers. As such he had moles, spys, and outright fifth column members embedded throughout the cities infrastructure. Knowing such he had assumed to have knowledge of Katrina's entire court. This Vamp was a complete mystery.

His age was apparent in the silence that engulfed him. Normallly a younger or just young vampire had a hum of power about them. As the saying went they were just too loud. Their power was always rustling about them. This ones power was as silent as the grave. Demetrius could have attempted to gain the measure of it.But thought better of it immediately. Katrina had done well for herself to have gained the sword of this one. Sadly if she would not accept him into her Kiss then soon Johnathon would know of her hidden weapon all too soon...

[kitty]

Katrina moved through the crowd with the ease and grace of someone who'd grown accustomed to the large spaces filled with humans.

Tonight she was dressed more sedately in something a hostess may well wear she blended in with the patrons and with the vampires easily being a face lost in the crowd. This was often how she moved about the club instead of in one of the wild costumes she wore when she was announcing.

She had seen him on the cameras. Demi. He was sent. She sighed a very human gesture. She remembered him. She also remembered just what he once was on many accounts. She was Jonny's Dolly to play with and to torture. He well he had the so called honor of being one of the higher end lackeys. Not quite a made man but always one who could be trusted to do certain duties and known to refuse others.

She saw Andy meet with him and she wondered how it would play out. This would have to be very carefully laid. But They had done just this as they slowly replaced and burned out the moles and spies one by one.

She approached them. Her make up having been expertly applied so that she looked human and she kept a very taught reign on her own ability pulling her shields close and becoming as much a void as she possibly could.

"Demetrius. How wonderful to see you again. But this is a surprise that you would be sent."

And that it was. In the old days before she returned to the Big C Jonny didn't let go of certain people out of the city and she wondered if this was a ploy.

[hiero]

Andrius smiled as he watched the younger Vampires mind churn through god knew how many differing scenarios all within a matter of seconds. As quick witted as he was he was all too slow nonetheless. Andrius was merely here to gauge the threat he posed. He knew it was oh so like the Master of the Haemon Kiss to have sent an assassin instead of a diplomat. Andrius fed on the shifting emotions of the vampire tasting a surprising flavor in the mix of it all. releasing his hand Andrius smile brightened.

Hope.

Hope was a strange thing to sit nestled in the heart of any vampire. It could and usually meant only one of two things. He kept from showing his piqued curiousity. He instead merely began playing the role that Demetrius would surely expect of him. Hired muscle as it were. He nodded to Katrina silently speaking that this one seemed on the verge of defecting.

If so he could be used to gain even more information about the state of affairs within Johnathon's retinue. It had been nearly two years since Katrina had arrived and he was sure that like any mad power hungry paranoid that Johnathon had in fact done all that he could to insure that she could not use what she had known against him. Even as he turned the kernel of that morsel over in his head he stayed laser like focused on Demetrius. the least micronuance might as well have been projected onto a jumbotron.

[Deleted]

Sparing no time in placing some mental distance between himself and the strong arm that Katrina had brought to herself Demetrius nearly ran to her. He would not allow his need to make a fool of him. He needed free of Johnathon, but he would be no ones sycophant.

As much as he chastened himself against doing so her words and the chance of being here stirred a deep seated hope of freedom. Not in the truest sense but he would gladly wear her livery verses the yoke of his current master. Johnathon was a monsters monster. He was a devilish psychopath that could elicit peals of pleasure and shrieks of terror in the same breath from the same victim. For his sanity if for nothing more Demetrius needed free of him.

He'd practiced his speech a thousand times over he knew what he wished to convey and yet now that he was here all that he could think to do was beg. He would not. Could not yet the compulsion was so strong as force him into a precious few seconds silence, so as to not grovel.

Clearing his throat he closed the distance some.
"Katrina my dear the pleasure is mine even under the burden of my labors. I ask however that I may be allowed to speak to you frankly before I execute the duty to which I was charged."


Judging from her subdued humanly glow he saw that Masterdom agreed with her. Yet there was something about the steady tremors of power about her that said all was not as it seemed. She had ever been one for secrets so he dared not push as the answering of them might in fact ruin his chances. He needed her to allow him to stay he needed her to bring him out of the slavery he was trapped within.

"Katrina," glancing at her obvious enforcer then back, "I mean mistress Katrina, I apologize if I am too forward. But it is of the greatest personal urgency to which I speak of..."

The idea he had in mind, the very mention of it was akin to treason. It would give him value and make his wish more likely to be fulfilled, yet he had to tread with care as that selfsame reason would also indelibly make him untrustworthy in her eyes. Hopefully she would remember how Johnathon ruled the Haemon Kiss. If she did there was a chance she would not have him slain or worse coffined for all of eternity.

[evangeline]

Angel watched the three vampires with a smirk on her face, she wondered if Johnathon was ok or something went wrong. Her black leather foot tapped the floor as she looked like a normal person for a change a short black skirt and a nice club style even it was different from what she wears but she had too this time when she heard the weak one was coming in. She swore if he turned on her love and master he would be tore apart and she would bathe in his blood.

She took a sip of the rum and pineapple as she watched and waited. Demetrius was the one she kept an eye on as she wondered if he even knew she was there in the city. If he did then he needed to check in with her so she could find out what was going on. Her body held tight as she had anger flare in her for a second; he been with her Johnathon while she was stuck here.

Taking a breath as she downed her drink and ordered another one at the waitress that came by. Growling a bit as she took the other drink and sighed calming down as she waited for more information to be leaked out.

[kitty]

She lifted her hand and extended a finger to place it across Demi's lips. "I know you are here on Johnnys Behalf. I am as fond as I have ever been of him. He holds such a special place near my heart. We shall retire from the floor to speak further. But it is good to see that you are so well."

She smiled a friendly welcoming smile. Tucking Demetri's arm to her's more like he was her escort instead of the other way around. She looked up at Andy. "I expect that you will be joining us?" As she began to lead the way into the back to her office.

[hiero]

Andrius paused as he felt the wash of extreme emotion emanating from the bar area. He smirked as he scanned the people and wereanimals gathered there. He could have probed their minds but chose not to just yet. It would be a good task for Katrina to accomplish. They'd rooted out many of Johnathon's servants yet he was growing more wily in his placements. He was smart enough to know that ability-less humans and to a lesser degree Were's were harder to detect than there more powerful brethren.

He smiled doffing an imaginary cap to the watchful eyes he knew were there. Perhaps if they proved amusing he would engage them. Right now there were more pressing matters to attend. Demetrius in and of himself was no catch he would not bring much to the city yet each lessening of Johnathon was a minor victory. He already had considered assigning him to Malikai's hands. What might not be gained by strength could sometimes be taken by softness. Perhaps with any luck Demetrius would prove competent in a more managerial role. His inner strength while no where near formidable enough to make him remotely a master might gainsay another use.

The growl was enough certify whom Johnathon had sent. The feel of a beast marked the young woman. Andrius marked her down in his memory. A few well placed calls would have her life laid bare. With a bit of effort he would discern whether she was worth the effort of turning, exiling, or killing.

Andrius sent a silent call to the guards alerting them to remain on their fullest alert as he , Katrina, and Demetrius made their way further into the recesses of the club. He wouldn't attract their attention to the young Were but a show of force should be sufficient to curtail any attempt by her to eavesdrop on the meeting. Part of him hoped she would not be deterred. Seeing her in action might prove interesting. She might be a much better tactical advantage than Demetrius.

"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else at this moment." Andrius said his voice devoid of emotion . Moving past the guards who secured their path he stepped in front of Katrina opening the door for her and Demetrius to enter the office that they used to greet visitors. It was not the true hub of the building merely a facsimile of such a room. Nothing pertinent to the true workings of the establishment were actually within.

[Deleted]

Ever the student of behaviors Demetrius caught the subtle shift in Katrina and her guard. Her language while on the surface said more in the pauses and spaces between her words as she did with them."It is then such a good thing that my masters message is such as it is. A continued relation between the cities is ever that he is after; If I may be so bold as to surmise his goals."

He smiled his best friendliest smile even as pangs of guilt stole strength form his heart beat. Accepting her seemingly casual embrace he steeled himself for what might come but never did. Having been made full aware as to her true nature he understood what her touch was. It was with no small amount of strength that he calmed himself and carried on as if all was in fact well. Not for the first time he carefully considered what exactly it was he was planning."I am glad to be accepted into your graces Mistress Katrina." He said allowing the ultimate truth to sink into his words.

Her guard he felt watching the happenings between measuring his words. For all of his attentions her guard was in fact very lax. At this close of proximity if he had been sent here to assassinate Katrina there was no way that he could have been deterred. Though she was a good deal harder to end at this range even an attempt of simple physical means might have more severe ends.

He spared a few thoughts to attempt to remember the twists and turns of the back areas. He knew that it would take A few more travels to fully ingrain the path into his mind. As it was he was sure that he would be able flee should the need arise. He hoped that such actions wouldn't be necessary. Though Johnathon had prepared such an escape clause Demtrius hoped to never have to use it.

Nodding his thanks to her guard he bowed so that she might enter first. It was a show of his understanding her status. As the youngest Master aside from Chicago's former Sion she had become a media darling. Not just here but nationally. News of her club openings and the like circled news of St.Louis and L.A. like a moon to their suns. He like many often wondered what had become of Augustine but like every other vampire who heeded such things he knew it was best left to vague hints. Some truths were simply too dangerous to know.