Stroll through the castle

[Aeolas]

Dusk in central park, the sun already almost in bed the lights coming up and there he wandered through it all. Smiling at a pretty jogger here and there and watching them almost stumble over themselves as he glided with his steps. Finally he stood in front of his destination the castle, it had drawn him from his first weeks here. The grandeur and scale of it all, felt comfortable and homey.
Then he'd made himself a larger fortune and now as of late had very little time for these visits. His pizza chain had taken off and it made him laugh just thinking about it, humans loved themes and vampires it seemed.

His first original restaurant had been moved from the small place in brooklyn to manhattan and he was on his way there to check things but first the castle called him. Up its steps and inside nodding to the night staff because they knew him by face, since vampires came out of hiding the hours here at the castle had been extended for night time visitors and for that privilege the patrons donated well to keep it staffed and well tended. For most from the european climes it held something of nostalgia even tho it was in no style seen in the countries of their birth. Castles still felt like castles he supposed no matter what one you were in.

The smell and feeling of the air, soothed Aeolas it was a tiny concession to his days at court with belle. The happier memories he liked to hold to when her malice was pointed elsewhere. It also felt strange that he was in fact older than this place but the americas were fairly young compared to most other places. It was funny to think back on what he was doing at certain parts of its history where he was and who with.

[Eliachem]

Eliachem hated flight or more specifically he hated airplane flight. Yet it was a necessary evil otherwise his trip would have taken considerably longer than the one hundred twenty-five minutes of boredom it’d cost him. It would also mean that his trip would have been one of days instead of a nights work. So as loathed as he was he ‘d had himself sealed inside a light tight crate. All in all it wasn’t as horrible as the flight back would be he would be fully awake and crammed into first class. Though in truth even with the title of premium he would know it was considerably less.

He wasn’t fond of castles he’d lived in far too many during his sojourn with the council and he was lathed to do so again. Palatial was far too smothering for him he longed strangely enough for the open places. He supposed it was a genetic anomaly even immortality could not route. He supposed that it was a holdover from the primordial days of man. Which would mean that he was a holdover on at least a microcosmic level. The thought was strangely warming to his way of thinking.

He called out for Aeolas in the only way that mattered. It was a hailing of equals a hailing of old friends and a hailing by lieu of greetings. He knew hwta he was set to accomplish was no small undertaking but he knew the city deserved him. Chicago had Isadora and New York would have him. He didn’t have as many strong allies as her nor was he anyones favorite but he was sure the undertaking would be worthy of him. His first steps would be in reconnecting then setting the Church of Eternal Light on its ears. The current master was all but a devotee of the twisted religion and it made him angry.

Angry enough to declare an all out war aginst it and drive it from the city. He could not do so in any true fashion this would be a shadow war of the extreme. One to which he would be able to apply the fullness of his being. He hoped Flame would make it to the meeting but if not he knew he would reconnect with her soon as he would need her strength to accomplish his goals of conquest.

[Aeolas]

The feeling in the air changed and he paused in front of a tapestry depicting a hunting scene, turning the blue orbs widened. Well well well, that was strange it was a very long time ago when he'd last seen the man walking toward him but still he remembered him clearly. A smile tugged at his mouth and he waited till the space between them was negligent " well old man what brings you to the apple much less to this place? Am I that hard to miss?"

He could have sworn he shielded better but it was more a taunt then actual concern. Arms crossing in the dark three piece pinstripe suit he wore over an almost white blue button down. Shoes shined to mirror polish and dark as sin, tapped lightly on the stone. Having heard some things on the wind he was surprised but not overly so. Waiting to see what he would hear and debating if this warranted him to call the restaurant and tell them hed be late which would shock his manager shelly because he was never late.

[Eliachem]

Eli closed on the man opening his shields spreading his arms as well. He’d come unarmed this time. He meant no harm to the man in front of him but he was sure that would be hard to prove should the matter if his past come to the fore. He was after all a rent an enforcer for the Council last time they were in congress. This time he was coming not to investigate so as to punish any of Aeolas’s allies or friends. " Old is a relative term. And I suppose you would be. You are one of the more quick witted of my past associates. Aeolas"

Crossing the boundary of space he greeted the man with a hug. It would allow his intentions to be laid plain as well as insure he was as armless as he appeared. It was no small feat as even unarmed he was a force to be reckoned with. So to was the man before him and while not gifted with the taint of warfare so directly he had been a quick study. Lust could easily be an equal to a raised blade at times. He did not forget nor would he ever the salons held by Belle and Morte working in congress.
As he wrapped his arms around the man he spoke low and easy “I have a proposition.”

[Aeolas]

He'd laugh genuinely no tricks or additions, and accepted the hug. Olle didnt need to be armed what he could do with his gifts made sure of that but he still knew how to use a blade. Few could stand against lust or passion even war could be equated to a lust for blood and a passion for violence. Seems he lost one dragon and now here was another. Calliope whom he heard was known now as Chidera had been a friend but he'd understood well why she wanted to leave. The current master of the city was a bit of an idiot to tell the honest truth. He'd just been tougher then the last and Aeolas didn't want New york just to live in it, so he'd stayed under the radar and made no waves.

Hearing Eli he pulled back and head tilted brow raised on that angel face and asked. "Do you really?"

Stepping back enough but then motioning they should keep walking so as not to be over heard, letting his pace be enough for the other to keep along side. He would listen to his old acquaintance an harbored him no ill will, so it didn't phase him a bit this visit more amused him and made him wonder at the motivation behind it. Maybe if he was lucky Eli was here to punish the church as the master of the city had not done for some strange and unknown reason.

[Eliachem]

Walking alongside Aeolas Eliachem allowed a moment to pass as they placed more distance between themselves and anyone else. The castle was mostly empty as it was. While it was a tourist attraction Central Park was never safe even in the brighter shinier New York Central Park was a place after dark where things went to die. Usually hope but on occasion it was the living. All the same New Yorkers tended to shy away from the park. Even the Masters attempt at bringing more tourism by creating a tourist trap in the park had failed. It made Eliachem smirk the thought of it. Glancing off to the east he spotted the hot lamps lighting the night sky.



Shoving both hands in his pocket as he had not consumed any blood. In fact he had fed only ephemerally in the last few weeks. He would need to feed soon he might even take in show while he was here. Now however he needed to speak his mind. He could sell the pitch to Aeolas but he knew that if he did it would be shot down faster than plummeting jet. "I do. Aeolas, I intend to take this city as my own. I want to insure you would not stand against me. I know you are not pleased here or else the city would in fact be yours. I know Isadora would welcome you with open arms. I also know that Chicago would suit your Grecian blood far more than this coastal New Amsterdam."



Smiling he moved a pace giving Aeolas his back as he watched the few passerby. He was sure the gesture wouldn’t be missed by the man. It wasn’t a rudeness but an opportunity to lay bare any potential issue in the here and now.

[Aeolas]

Aeolas went still as stone when they stopped it was born of genuine surprise and almost a wonder at who had read his most secret thoughts to be rid of the current rulership in this city and here he was practically handed the deliverer. It was to good, moving again like statue to life he laughed and the sound was rich and filled with velvet. That one laugh held pleasure and amusement all rolled into one. The greek had no want to settle old, grudges with him especially as having left the council and court behind had let him see all those but the actual council themselves were puppets on strings himself and the man next to him included. Eili had never done any harm to him not ordered by someone else tho he still remembered a time or two when could he have lashed out he would have.

He truly was not happy here and found it boring and backwards, the restaurant was doing well and if what the other told him was true it could be time to move the chain in a westerly direction. Stroking his chin. " Well my friend seems the universe is favoring me at the moment I have wanted to leave here and expand but had not yet picked a place. So you say your Isadora would be welcoming then?"

Had he forgotten the man knew some of the woman, knew they both controlled the same beast as their animal to call? That after being under a womans rule for centuries he would more then likely not again so willingly take that yoke. Maybe he did know all that and maybe that was the plan to have him do what he planned here or her keep him out of the way and from returning here. It was well played either way and had his curiosity piqued." Seems I need to book a flight then to scout locations of course, come I will show you how my money is made"

[Eliachem]

Eliachem knew that the matter was all but settled. Aeolas like many of his time didn’t speak on matters that weren’t a fait accompli. It was all but a done deal the matter would be the close. He would now be able to speak on his plans he’d laid into place almost a year past. Since he assisted the Lions and Isadora clear the city of Sion's influence. He’d heard the lions had branched the groundwork into a network. He would love to see how far the reach of this mysterious network had spread. He was unsure where its roots had touched down. He was not however to speak on such things as he’d had no proof that such a thing existed. The furry coalition yes the mysterious lion’s only group was another. It was tantamount to the once used Star Chamber.

"It is not as if there would be much she could do to stop one such as you. Especially if her Temoin spoke on your behalf. Not vouching for your character but instead for your abilities, business acumen, and drive to find your own happiness."

Eliachem allowed the mention to slide by. He was sure that his position was known to the older vampire. What he knew the vampire wouldn’t know was that in the intervening time that Eliachem had been taking properties the city had abandoned. " I’ve already purchased a few locations that I am sure you would approve of. As well as a venue where you will have access to quite a large cross section of mortals to make yours."

[Aeolas]

He listened to his words and smiled softly, many had said he had an angels smile and others the devils depending on the situation and person receiving it. The man was correct that in truth Isadora would have very little choice in his visit she, could allow it with hopes he wanted to come in under her or try to stop him and end up crushed by force and he'd come anyway. Aeolas nodded and again was surprised by his acquaintance.

"well played, file mou I see the dragon's penchant for far thinking and tacticality has served you well. If only I could be such a good planner instead of so damned handsome right?"

The venue of mortals interested him some he liked a steady bevy of playthings. Liked to create lust amongst them and see what would transpire it often was thoroughly entertaining to If not then when shall we set this little party in motion heh?"

[Flame]

Flame knew she would be late to the meeting long before the plane she was on touched down. It felt like it took forever to unload and get through security. She didn't mind riding airplanes but her issue lay with having to go through the airport and all the crap they subjected you to before and after boarding. Finally she was able to make her way through the front doors and out into the night.

Even though Flame had been all over the U.S at one point or another she had never been to New York before so she didn't know where she was going. All she really knew was that she was supposed to be meeting Eliachem and the vampire he was meeting with tonight. She stepped up to the curb and hailed a cab telling the man to take her to the Castle figuring he would know where she meant.

The drive took longer then she would have liked but eventually the cab pulled up in front of her destination and she paid the driver then got out. Stopping for a moment to take in her surroundings she searched for traces of Eli and found him and who she guessed to be the other vampire inside the castle just like he told her. With a bit of a sigh she headed up the walk and into the building.

Stopping just inside the door Flame peered through the crowd. It took her a few minutes to find them as they were standing quite a ways off from everybody else. She made her way towards them stopping next to Eli with an easy smile for both of them. "Hello boys, sorry I'm so late. I miss anything?"

[Eliachem]

Eliachem knew that knowledge was power. It was a much trotted out chestnut. What he understood more intimately was that the sharing or not of knowledge was actually the real value of it. So to that end he was playing this as far above board with Aeolas as he dared while hoping to take the soon to be deposed master by storm. Though storm would not quite some up what he had in mind. First he would remove the most problematically powerful vampire form the area. Then with the Master deprived of that strength he would take everything from her. Her beast, her venues, her Kiss and if she could not be brought to heel her life. He was okay with the plan in the broad stokes but he also knew this was not a task he could truly perform alone save for perhaps a quick assassination. However he also understood that the Master of the City needed to be there to help by dint of resistance the cities transfer of hand. If not it would create a vacuum and nature abhorred such a gaping maw. He was planned yes but only so much as the beginning and knowing which steps were next not necessarily in where those steps would lie.

"Thank You, though I think it is more the individual than the blood. Most dragons I have met prefer the maelstrom to the storm." Shrugging he looked towards Flame as she entered the space. He wasn’t sure if Aeolas had passed her way in his travels but she would provide the strength he needed and then some. He smiled knowing that once she was turned loose not much would stand in her way. She was as far as masters he’d met singular in her ability to seem for all the world the least harmful thing in a room even despite her lines affliction and predlictions.

“Only the beginning of the opening gambit. That first step is always interesting but hardly necessary. Flame, Aeolas; Aeolas, Flame. Fellow conspirators well come, and a for when shall we begin? We already have I suppose I was intent on taking a city from the moment I found that despite my would be masters attempts I could breathe on my own. The problem I see is that neither would be Master realized their lack of action was in fact our call to arms."

[Aeolas]

Listening to his responses Aeolas nodded and then felt it, another of some strength coming to them. He watched and when the blond arrived he grinned widely. Almost about to charm her when they were introduced, his voice laced with that velvet rub again and flexed" If all your support is as stunningly lovely a this  then you most assuredly have my help and backing"

Giving a rather courtly bow, he couldn't help him self pretty women made him wish to flirt dead or not. Walking around her like he was appraising a car for value then looking at the other male and smirking wondering if he'd bedded her as such yet. Then attentions returned to Eili" What I meant is we used to have another of your line here.. her name was Calliope you know the one that killed her maker after centuries of torture. The same who watched him slay the village as a child, taken in by council dark as night but  deadly and beautiful. She was here but our current clime was not for her she left leaving Ny crippled one less good tactician she like you could telegraph a fight or battle like id never seen. It was a blow, but from word on the wind the Master in New orleans has already started using her to his advantage"

He knew at some point they had crossed paths in court and in council dealings even if it was brief.

[Flame]

Sliding her hands into the back pocket of her jeans Flame stood still and looked Aeolas over from head to foot while Eliachem introduced them. It was hard not to appreciate his body much the same way it was hard to ignore Eli's. She looked sideways at the man standing next to her comparing both of them in her mind, they both had their attributes and she could find no fault with either.

Her smile became bigger as her new acquaintance showed very obvious appreciation of her looks and body. The smile that had been present since she appeared dipped at the corners as he walked around her. She did enjoy the way he was looking at her but at the same time it irritated her a bit more then she would have liked. She was not a filly being shown for sale but she wasn't sure if that was how he meant it.

Flame looked to Eli "well you already know I'm here to help you in any way you need. Whether you want me to stay after you have taken over I don't know. But perhaps you should explain at least some of your plan so we can get this started."

[Eliachem]

Eliachem was never one to lay all of his cards on the table but he would unveil the scope of his plan as well as a few steps already underway. He knew that the two vampires before him could both breath on their own which meant that their aid could in turn be vital. Flames willingness to help was a pleasure he hoped to deserve. "My support is that and more Aeolas. Isadora the soon to be Master of Chicago has endorsed my play. She is being beckoned away there is only so much longer she can hold out against the insistent call of her sires sire. She doesn’t know just how personal I take the happenings here. She knows that while I would make a great Master if I accept her support locally I will be hers a debt would be owed. So to stave off any ties to her line and vicariously her sire New York will be mine. Two bird’s one stone. I am hoping you will take Chicago as your oyster and rule as she cannot with her attentions being focused elsewhere."

Eliachem moved to Flame giving her a greeting that was warm, hugging her to him and yet he knew she would not truly understand. Her mind did not work in manners most vampires would recognize. He would need that view askew especially if he were to keep the powers that existed off kilter. He didn’t plan on an ostentatious take over. He would move first against the Master directly. He knew what she brought to the table her and her stalking horse of a Temoin. He’d shared space with the man and knew what to expect in the presence of him. He had taken steps to slowly disarm him already. Smiling as he thought of the fall he moved on.

" I know of her many died by her hand I am glad that she is elsewhere sorely used or not she is creative and implaccable. She was also loyal to her masters call in ways I could never be. Perhaps it was her age or the fact that her eyes had not been pried” Shaking his head he moved on. “My plan is two fold in the offing. The Church run by that pretend enlightened pedarist is pulling the strings of the Master she means well but intentions are not actions. As such I am waging a mental war against her Temoin Stalking horse. She believes she is safe as few know who she actually is. I will use that against her as her Temoin has been drinking deeply of two of my former charges he has ingested a portion of my blood and has not broken their ties to me. As such my little blue and white haired neonates have been making it possible for me to crawl around his power finding ist limits as well as working against his psyche... Without being able to draw on your abilities Aeolas they can not individually stand against me. Together with Flame we can end their beings in one fell swoop of my choosing. I have amassed my own fundings and with the backing of the Master of Chicago I can easily subsume their financial interests. Removing cash flow for the Kiss as well as shaking their support in their master.”

Knowing that both vampires had watched as empires fell he spread his arms punctuating the end of the overview of his plans awaiting either their continued support or their concerns of failure.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

Monica just happened along and blinked at the vampire meeting then wandered back off again through the castle this place was swanky.