A Wilde Halloween|

[metatron]

Samhien, Halloween, All Hallows Eve, The day had so many names through out history. She remembered the celebrations from when she was alive. Mostly parties and high society affairs. She was cozy in the back of a nondescript sedan. Her driver carefully navigating the streets to take her to their destination. Jonas, was one of her escorts. Vampire and had a very aristocratic appeal. What Halloween allowed him to do however was to dress in the clothes from when he was taken into the Kiss. Think Jack the Ripper and you have it right, that was him. However our Master curbed his killing spree. He was no master he was strong but he would never be anything more than a subordinate. A lesser. And severed as the muscle and protection. But he was handsome and tall at 5‘11 with strange blue green eyes, and dark wavy almost black hair so many shades of brown that it looked like it was alive all its own.

Even with all her training her Master was weary of her being harmed thoughtlessly. She hadn’t announced herself when she arrived in Chicago to the master. It was in the air as to who exactly it was. At least amount the other cities. She had come from Detroit, however doing as a good girl does and following her Master’s orders. She was to show her support and to assist in any way necessary. Or at least that is what she was supposed to do. She wanted to gain the measure of the city first.

She was dressed for the holiday in her own way. A mini top hat with a sprinkling of mesh sat forward towards her face with the mesh draping across her eyes, her brown hair fell around her shoulders in a play of soft waves and curls. She wore an ivory colored corset with a matching rose on a ribbon around her neck. A long ivory skirt fluted to the knee and then extends slightly out barely giving enough room to walk. She wore matching heels. She had a silky sheer draping scarf that was buttoned into place at her elbows. She carried a petite clutch purse attached to her wrist with a simple white gold bracelet.

The finally arrived in front of the Excalibur. Her lips blushed with her feeding from one of their humans that traveled with them. She sighed seeing the line outside of the club. She detested that she had to wade into the conglomeration of people that weren’t even the least bit afraid of vampires. To commercialized she thought that’s what they had become the new hot commodity. She waited while the driver was stopped in front of the club as Jonas exited the car and came around to open the door for her. The press was even here apparently it was to be the Halloween party of the season. She stepped out of the backseat of the sedan taking Jonas’ hand, barely even blinking at the flashing lights of cameras. As Jonas’ closed the car door and their driver departed. She could summon him back when she needed to.

She looped her arm through Jonas’ as the walked up to the front door’s by passing the line the disappeared around the block. Jonas produced a prepaid ticket for them both which it was for VIP. One of their humans had purchased the ticket several weeks ago for them. Her visit was planned but unannounced. A test of the master of the city. She coiled her power about her self cloaking it dampening it down. It barely dulled her senses from so much combat training. She carried no weapons with her nor did Jonas. Tonight wasn’t about a show of power. It was to lend their support.

As they were let through she stared in disdain at the stamps being placed on hands and identifications being scanned under black lights. She wasn’t stamped nor was Jonas, They were escorted into the VIP area their ticket stubs in her clutch. Jonas wasn’t allowed to wander. In his own Victorian ensemble a silk top hat a coat with tails well tailored pants. He was the darkness to her light. She was allowed to use him at will and he knew not to give her cause to torture him.

She seated herself on a cushioned chair Jonas remained standing just behind her left shoulder as she flagged a waitress she took out a business card. That had a brief message written in Hebrew. Her Master had been in contact with the council so they knew whom was in the city. The message illegible to anyone except that she intended it for. Read simply a very polite and gracious greeting. From the Haemon Kiss’ representative wishing an audience. She had left out any mention of a gift. Of course she had brought one but it was not something for the display of the media’s attention. She held instead a picture of her inside the small clutch. The girl was well aware of what was to happen. And that she had made the choice of her own free will.

Katrina held the card out to the waitress she smelled human and she gave a sweet smile to the girl. “Will you give this to the owner its very important. I know he is here tonight with the event. Please bring me a bloody mary if you will after you have delivered the card.”

The Waitress looked at her. Obviously Katrina was some kind of important person to have never been seen before in the club. But to be escorted to the VIP area. The waitress had become adept at spotting the real vampires. The older ones simply went still and it was as if they were statues the Katrina woman was doing that. A red flag if the waitress had ever seen one. “Yes Ma’am I’ll see to it that he gets it I’ll be back with your drink.” With that the waitress sauntered off.

Katrina turned her gaze back to the crowd. Jonas standing a silent sentinel.

[hiero]

There were hundreds of thousands of ways to begin the game. Most with an opening and exchange or defense of pawns. asthere were so many openings there were also just as many defenses. Of course there was always pushing away from the table. However to do so would be admitting a horrible defeat. It would be akin to rolling over and dying. Abndrius had to admit that he'd been lax. he'd been moving at a glacial pace allowing the supernaturals to migrate and make themselves home. He'd wanted toallowing them time to carve out a niche for themselves. In the process he'd hoped that his blind would become nearly impentrable. Ah such is life not all things ever act as planned upon. He couldn't have the Haemon Kiss dig in too deeply, yet Sion wasn't nearly ready for what an all out secret war would entail. He could easily drop all pretenses and assume open control. To do so would afford his city a visit from the Harlequin at least maybe the actual council at worst. Neither was he in any mood to see. he could dispatch them but at what cost. If he dispatched any of them even the least of them they wouldn't hesitate to turn the full weight of their influence upon him and his city. That couldn't be allowed...

There were a cornucopia of defenses he could employ, yet a dark smile twisted his heart as he saw exactly which would afford him the most advantageous outcome. It was simple as only hard decisions could be. It in the doing would shore up any growing holes in the foundation of his city. The defenses would be nigh impregnable... No that would only lead to more of the same. Roughly shoving the deliciously repugnant thought to the recesses of his mind for later perusal Andrius used the secreted away entrance into the office. He ignored the scrumptious play of emotions wafting from the gathered assemblage instead he headed into the office. The monitors were on and atenuated every where. The cameras watched every parcel of space in the club. Most of the cameras were hidden as they were illegally placed. Andrius strangely never had a problem with inspectors. Chuckling at his own less than humorous joke Andrius turned his gaze back to the revelers. There states of swirling emotions called to him.

Sion was petulantly late the taming of the tigress had taken more out of the youth than he'd let on. Andrius knew how it would leave its mark on him. however until his kiss grew Sion would be the most used tool. While Sion was a fairly well honed blade his edge could be finer. To do so Andrius would have to sharpen him more and that unfortunately required repeated beatings against the anvils that flew there way. Stretchinghis concsious out seeking Sions exact wheereabouts Andrius brushed over the vampiress and her minion.Andrius knew it was an ancientelitist classism that made him view lessers as not quite vampires. Knowing such did not proclude him from instinctively responding the same way over and over again. Turning back to the nut of the two Andrius watched her emotions faint and sheilded. His raging but held tightly. Curious. He could quite easily eavesdrop on their surface thought but why bother. He knew the end result of their being here and what it meant. Sion was yet moments from the club and of course as per Andrius's orders would enter through the main entrance where he could be seen and ogled. The youth protested yet Andrius felt the rush and stirrings of his emotions when greeted by flock of mortals that cooed and fawned over him. Such a primadonna he was .

Hating to do so Andrius pulled himself from the monitors. These two needed to be seperated fromthe throng of revelers as that way Andrius could have at them at leisure. they'd expect nothingless from the Master of the cities indispensible human servant.

throwingon one of the extra flowing robes over his doctors costume Andrius slowly intercepted the waitress that carried their note. She of course was accustomed to Andy interceding on behalf of Sion. Andrius suppressed a chuckle as she was even withher experience torn about what to do. Smiling and easing her concerns Andrius removed the note fromher grasp. She'd need anotherraise as she was perilously close to deducingwhomwas the true power. Andrius should have replaced her months ago when he felt the slight brush of her faint psychic abilities. He just couldn't as good help was truly hard to find. Andrius read the note noticing its lack of names and any real identification as to whom the agentmight actually be. There were forms that had to be obeyed. The council no matter there own problems would allow sion as Master to mete out any punishments of a breach in etiquette. Unfortunately so to would they allow a private avengement on behalf of the Haemon Kiss. Andrius could spit. His ploy for having Sion as A Stalking horse had worked too well. The Haemon Kiss thought him weak and perhaps the council as well.This opening wasn't oneof outright quiet combat between equals as Andrius had suspected. This was an anexation of Chicago by those that believed this was over before it started. "Ye gods of upper and lower," Andrius muttered under his breath. Even with the distance and noise he was sure that the two had heard his profanity but didn't care. He mentally summoned security to the area. They would keep theredistance and act as a buffer between the mortals and this exchange. Putting on his game face Andrius stepped into there booth drawing the curtain closed behind him.

"Good Evening Lady and Gentleman I am here on behalf of the master of the city. As he has deigned this evening a night for revel if you would beso kind as to follow me to where you maybe more yourselves..." Andrius had never mastered the right sycophantic pitch for a supposed loyal servant he hoped that his blank facial features would be convincing assomeone who'd served long enough to know what those he served wanted beforwe they knew...

[metatron]

Katrina gave the man whom invaded the booth closing the curtain, a very critical eye. There just there when he spoke. The hitch in his voice. “You lie to me. Perhaps you should actually look at how my note is written.” It was in Hebrew. Not a common language. For passing these notes. “ And I see you are on your toes. I never even received my drink.” She sat with perfect posture and the most menial of thoughts glancing through her mind. “I would have liked to simply smell my drink of choice again. But I digress.” She had been studying the man. Her most immediate thought was what the texture of his skin would be if she was allowed to touch.

“A more private location would seem better suited to all our needs.” She lifted a hand to pat Jonas’ hand as she spoke. Her voice held a natural quality of warm silk gliding on flesh. A down fall even when she was a human. It was barely there, barely discernable to the human eye. But Jonas cringed underneath her touch. Even though it was gentle and light. “We will follow Sirrah. I believe proper introductions will be more appropriate outside of prying senses.”

She rose from her seat in a single fluid move. Slipping her arm through Jonas’. She looked on at Andrius with nothing but patience showing in her face her body and even in her eyes. And simple contentment drifting through her fore thoughts. If any tried to pry deeper they would me a wall of crashing waves and the harder they forced into those waves the strong the beating would become.

She turned her head looking back over the crowd knowing that none here would be able to satisfy anyone. Not really anyway. Johnathan was very much the stickler for the old ways and as such refused and shunned any kind of contact with the Media. That was Katrina’s position a lot of the time. The voice of the Master of the City. She glanced through Jonas’ thoughts seeing what he was envisioning and smiled barely perceptible.

[jackaz3]

It would be much easier to sneak in and avoid the press of the media and the talking heads that would critique his every nuance or lack their of. he had thedriver instead drive to the entrance as planned. Andrius knew best but the circus of reporters and sycophants was a bit much. Sion was beginning to think that maybethis arrangement was more trouble than it was worth. he did like the perks. he was never at a loss for a willing donor. nor ws any of his true needs ever not met. Still, there were times he'd gladly remain an anonymous invisible newbie vamp. Things would be harder but maybe just maybe the pain behind his eyes from theflash of the cameras would fade or not be there to begin with. Yeah right as if Andrius wouldlwet him wallow in a quiet afterlife squeeking by in a lesser status. Andrius had hisnumber from the outset. As much as he complained Sion really did enjoy the near constant attention. he just couldn't bring himself to blithely except his lot in life he had to grouse at least a little.

[hiero]

Andrius stiffened at the barbs that this new vampire threw out. Her speech was loaded with antagonistic bits of foppery. He could easily exact some measre of justice for his bruisingego. That however would afford him nothing. His game was dealt by his own choosing... To address her slights would or could prove to be his unmaking. That was not to be allowed. Better that she and her masters beleive the city maintained by lowly jackanapes than know who truly held the reigns here. So be it she wished to bandy such language then thus it would be.

Stopping in his tracks he looked over the two interlopers. It was a small jest but it could pay oh so many coins for the ferryman. Looking as if he were a bit confused Andrius paused allowing the press of flesh to ease perilously close to he and his retinue. Casting whiffs of enrgy back toward the male he allowed the fear that danced along his brow to raise. Just as the dancers and revelers seemed to block their forward progress Andrisu began moving once more. Containing thechuckle that rose as the males gaze flickered and bobbed about them Andrius stopped yet again. Turning his full gaze upon the two, " Sion has just arrived he will be along in a few moments. There are private suites this way Madam and Sir...rah. If you will." He smiled as the wheels of the males mind moved. He was obviously no great thinker. Andrius could feel the fear wafting off him in nearly visible waves. The woman was another story entirely. She kept her eyes on the crowd as well asAndrius. The man was the muscle and she was the brain of that particular outfit.

Escorting the two vampires into one of themany private suites hesent a message to Sion intstructing him to take anextra measure of time making his way through the club. t would afford Andrius time to suss out what he could. "Madame I understand that you hail from Detroit...That is some distance to cover to offer Chicago your aid." As she prepared what ever her retort would be Andrius quickly looked at his watch. "Oh will you excuse me. what is that you two might need... I'll return post haste with it." Not waiting on their response Andrius stepped to the door poking his head out.

[metatron]

Katrina didn’t even close her eyes as she siphoned off Jonas’ fear from him feeding herself and bolstering her shields into stronger form her eyes didn’t even dilate from the pleasure the fear gave her. She spoke softly to Jonas. In a unique shorthanded abbreviated language of their Master’s creation. A code to speak verbally without telling ones secrets. “Jonas, There is no need to fret over these simple matters. I know how much this pains you.” She in reality delivered a veiled threat that if he acted on impulse. She would seek out permission to exterminate him.

She looked back to Andrius. So the stalking horse had arrived. She still watched the crowd with jaded cynicism. There was to much wrong with the entire situation. There were several reasons she was here. Her master wanted an assement of the city. He was afraid what had happened here supernaturally would happen in his city. She made it through the press of bodies with Jonas still on her arm.

Yes the poor soul was beginning to look terrified in the eyes. She gave a false sigh after looking him over but she masked her feeding by only siphoning a very slow steady stream nothing that could be detected if any here had the ability to observe such auras mingling. As they entered the private suite she released Jonas. Because she did acknowledge that his fear was higher then it should be. She released her treat still however even for the succulence, and sustenance it provided her. She turned looking at Andrius.

“Truly I am here as a sort of homecoming. A punishment if you will. As well as to assist if it is necessary. Johnathan, is curious as to what happened here for all of the supernatural to be unable to be in the city. He wants to research the matter to see if it may be prevented to see what the signs were and what the maybe for future situations. He is afraid that in the city’s weakened state that without a strong kiss being present and supportive. Of the new Master here that things may rapidly deteriorate into an all out press of the throne among your neighboring cities.”

Katrina actually allowed sorrow refract across her face. “I am tied to this city. And so he selected me because I know the territory as well as any resident you now have.” She turned away not bothering to put on a show she made her face one again the mask she bore unto the world. A slight smile. The qualities of her voice hadn’t changed if anything it intensified with the blatant show of emotion and she schooled herself back under control.

She opened her small clutch. And withdrew a letter as well as a photograph. Of a tastefully dressed female. She wasn’t a common woman. She held some exotic features. She looked as though she could have been from northern Africa. However she was a white African. Brown hair and pale golden skin. The woman’s eyes however had a captivating nature. The were a brown that was almost gold.

“If you would give these to your master.” She held the letter as well as the photograph out to Andrius. Patiently waiting for him to take it. “It explains everything in my Master’s words.”

[hiero]

Andrius paused in the door for exactly one microsecond he toed with the idea of dropping his masquerade and putting this one in her place. He knew it was the heady mix of emotions already present in the club that made him of a mind to revel no matter how wasteful it might be. Ah what fun it would be raising metaphysical arms against one who might truly follow suit. the woman betrayed no pulse of power yet she was unperturbed by the rise in her muscles emotions. She'd even with a just a few words caused him to reign in the brewing storm in his gut. Ignoring the chuckle bubbling just beneath his facade Andrius turned. He paid extra attention to how quickly he moved with these two or more accurately with this one present every iota of the goings on in the city would be under scrutiny. Andrius knew thatSion wasn't up to this level of play but it would be intriguing to watch what would become of this.

Inclining his head and accepting the proffered letter of introduction. Andrus caught her eye holding for exactly two seconds. It was a small bit but it would do much to have her begin questioning things here. If the 'Human Servant' was sufficiently strong enough thathe might tempt such a thing it would give her just enough pause for Sions illusions to maybe take rot with her. Andrius strode from the room tossing " I shall make sure these are received by the Master of the City in the mannerof which they deserve." He immediately stretched a tendril of power out to Sion informing him to take a more circuitous route through the club. Andrius immediately began preparing a right and proper reception for his two guests...

[metatron]

The Letter

Sion Master of the City,

By the time that you read this I am sure either yourself or one of yours has met My Kat. You must forgive her Barbed silken tongue. She uses it well and is usually very diplomatic. However she holds some resentment towards myself over her presence in Chicago. And will likely goad you into banishing her from the city. Something that would please her.

I have sent her to you to assess the city in how its banishment of all things preternatural occurred. If such a thing is able to be set up I wish to have preventive measures in place. For this I will grant one boon. My Kat already has the human that I am willing to offer as well. She was my pome’ de sang. I have sought a new one seeing clearly that My Kat may insult when you were first meeting her. For that you have my humble apologies.

She has a few assets they may be useful, to your growing empire. Use her. My Kat has claws you will never see. Let us pray that she doesn’t become over zealous in her hunt for the facts of the city. She is very good at discovering ones secrets.

As for Jonas. Keep an eye on him if he is not with My Kat. For if they are separated he is off his leash and we do not need a repeat of the events in London not so long ago. I discovered him over one of his final kills he is violent and enjoys mutilating women. He is however a weakling. If he needs to return I will send someone else to be My Kat’s safety measure.

Now use them to your benefit. She has a tongue of silk that can sway many into being your allies. She has no need to use threats. But if she has to she will discover their greatest fear and use it to her hearts content.
In doing what you have requested of her.

And simply warn her if she does something of a punishable offense that I will send Sal to handle her.

My your city grow strong from this gift.

Johnathan

[metatron]

Katrina smirked after Andrius left the room. Yeah she’d bet her fillings that he would make sure they were received in the manor in which they deserved. She however wasn’t a fool to be drawn into his meeting of her eyes. Something tasted wrong here she could gain no more of a sense from him then he could of her.

Of course she knew what was in the letter and she could kill Johnathan for what he wrote about her. If there was anything she despised more it was the gawd awful nicknames the blood sucker came up with to play on her name. Unlike many she had retained her mortal name. Johnathan garnered a sick pleasure from having a pair of “Capones” in his brood. Nothing like an old fashioned father daughter dance.

He turned her to spite Sal and then tortured her to punish him. Creating in her more of a monster then her father every was in life or death. She had a feeling that like in the blade movie she to would kill her father. Sadly his enemies were all long dead and no longer able to appreciate his death.

She turned concentrating on the room letting such thoughts fall away a show of sorrow and a bit of truth go a long way these long nights. She held no love for this city. Her heart Died here as did her mother never knowing what happened to her daughter. She instead studied the room feeling out the pulse of the cameras. Her standard half smile in place. She took a seat and indicated Jonas could relax.

Muscle often times didn’t know when it was safe around her. However no one ever was. She could feed from them all in her own special way able to spread the fear like a wild fire to cause hysteria in masses as well as panic. She shivered remembering fondly some of the riots during the flower power years against authorities. Such delicate feasts of fear.

She smiled thinking of what she would do to her living family. The crime family had simply walked out of the spotlight with Capone’s death. Underground it was still busy trade. She considered how she would approach them. She entertained herself with these thoughts until someone came back to their private suite.

[hiero]

Andrius read and reread the letter. There was of course more here than met the eye. He gathered all of the possible loose threads and questions it raised. None of them tied together how best to proceed. When hard pressed it was always simpler to cut the knot than cipher how to untie the blasted thing.

The letter set in Andrius's hand as if it were a viper. It contained so much and so little. Andrius sent staff scurrying to provide for any of Kat her shields needs. Andrius hoped that the fool would try to practice any such gruesomness here. He'd welcome the chance to make him scream as he was sure he'd done to countless women over the ages. Andrius was born before the paltry ideas of chivalry were codified yet he had a t one point followed Ma'at and an abuse against life such as those were so contrary to balance that Andrius teeth stood on edge. The shield would have to go and soon. Andrius was well aware of how vices were either excercised or they grew in strength until one could do not but suffer from full fledged addiction.

Andrius sent yet another pulse of power to Sion. Things would have to progress quickly to better maximize their miniscule advantage. By offering Kat as a helpmate it would be just rude enough for John-boy to demand satisfaction from the council. however accepting such offered aid would just as easily provethat Sion couldn't hold a city. In theory it was a beautiful skewer. damned if you do damned if you don't. It was simpler to solve this than Andrius was sure that Johno had thought. A letter had to be composed dictating the wamrest regards and thanks for such a selfless gesture. Allowing Kat to join the Master of the citys kiss. This would be delivered post haste. It would give them just enough time to prepare things for Johnnie B. goods potential refusal or acceptance. However if Kat refused to become oath then she would of course have to leave. As no vampire could be oath to more than one master If she accepted anything Johnnie personally had planned would fall by the wayside.

Simple, direct, Ocham would be proud. Now where was Sion...