The Times They Are A'Changing(Hieronymous)

[Samuel]

He ended the call as Aeolas concluded the business form his end. He could be in New Orleans in Four hours from now. Looking at his watch he did the math quickly four hours to New Orleans. Two hours give or take negotiations and three hours from New Orleans to Chicago. Nine hours two flights and several calls. Then there was the set up. He smirked he knew by reputation who Aeolas was gunning for. He himself had all but taken the man out previously.



He sighed as he’d stayed his hand due to his friendship to Mouse. Yet on multiple occasions the man had stood in nearly direct opposition to Samuel. He was not one to let many stand in his way. He unfortunately had to involve Mouse as the Abstract while a great thing could be restricting considering he wouldn’t want to troubles that had befallen the Cibolla to be exacerbated due his business with Aeolas. They hadn’t talked of price but Samuel remembered Aeolas from the previous regime in New York. While his dealings had been predominantly with the Church of Eternal Life he had enough run-ins with the Kiss as a whole that he was familiar with their holdings.



In fact one of his subsidiaries still delivered to Aeolas’s New York locations. Normally Mouse would be the first call but in this he had several to make. Firstly his Detective.
Dialing her number, he thought better of it. They didn’t have standing plans for the evening but … He had planned on spending some time with her all the same. Texting her he moved through the calls he had to make.



Next and most directly he called the New Orleans Pride house having known of the climate change due his offices there in the city. He could have called the hacker directly but that would have been a step to far Rex or not it would have been ride to bypass the Regina even As Calli was acting second Regina. He wondered how that worked but so long as it did he could care far less. He’d never spoken with Pepper but he’d heard decent things of her and knew she cared based on what he’d heard.



Once the call there was completed he sighed looking at the time and called Mouse directly. It would be by far the most difficult call. Mouse’s loyalty was unwavering unquestioning and such a part of him Samuel would have to present what he was after in the most circuitous way.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

His phone ringing paused his steps he drew it out looking at the ID. A frown returning to his face. He loved his brother but Mel was not the sort to call to catch-up just to do so. As they’d recently spent so much time in each others company he didn’t expect to hear from him again until their birthdays. Especially as he’d sandbagged him with Tam and the blood they spilled resulted in him taking a step he’d been putting off for far more years than most Rex’s had been infected.



“Yeah,” he answered in their simple monosyllabic coded unease. He never could figure out why since finding each other alive that they did their best at times to tweak the others nose. Usually in small ways but he had scored the last big way and knew the other shoe would drop soon enough. Mel never forgot anything.

[Samuel]

Samuel didn’t waste time usually but he thought of dragging this out as long as he could. In truth Mouse could tell him not to darken his door step. As such Samuel played his hand as wiley as he could. It was much easier over the phone, even with someone as powerful as Mouse.



“I am being contracted and need to be operating in your city. I know you are busy but it is a large contract.”



Business was one thing Mouse would never fault him for and he knew that once he gave his word Mouse would tear himself apart to keep it. It was a little bit of a tweak especially once he realized that he would not be coming alone. He would be enlisting aid of another lion and be dethroning one of his friends and allies. It was a tricky line but one that he was sure he could walk especially as he was not overtly or directly opposing Sabin. He was simply growing his business interests that Sabin saw to subverting.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

Hiero listened to his sibilance and knew this was the other shoe. He couldn’t see any real reason to not allow Mel to come for a visit. In fact it would be a boon to have his brothers pragmatic mind around. He knew that Mel kept a few satellite offices as well as operatives here. Exauda was a huge deal in the import export and delivery business. They had to retain ties to the city. He’d thought at one time to have 3C attempt to partner or buy them out but Mel was a crafty businessman. Too crafty to allow near 3C’s moneybags.


“Okay I know there is a lot you aren’t saying but fine come eat drink be merry do business. What time are you arriving?”

[Samuel]

“Later tonight,” he said ending the call. He wouldn’t take that bait. Mouse was loyal but a lie would void the contract so to speak. So he didn’t bother even opening that path.