[center][u][h2][b]  Following Misfortune [/b][/h2][/u]
[h3][b]Location:[/b] Kenan - Darius' Mansion [b]Time:[/b]  Morning[/h3][/center]

[hr]

Darius waited several moments after Szayeis had fully departed. His eyes watched until the Western Lord had vanished outside his office, the steps echoed throughout the hall until finally they ceased leaving him in utter silence. It wasn't until he was fully assured Szayeis was gone did he feel the aftermath in his choice. He shuddered, his left leg crumbled underneath him as his arm shot out to catch himself. He gripped the desk edge, his knuckles white, in an attempt to remain upright. His essence certainly different. Hollow, emptier perhaps, compared to earlier making his heart still in panic. [i]What have I done?[/i] His mind knew the reality but accepting it fully was another matter. Most demons failed to show their emotions outward and to all others, often appeared made of stone. A matter never completely true. Even himself wasn't above common sense or emotion, to lack it altogether merely made one a puppet for others. 

Szayeis' words echoed in his mind, his throat burned with a sourness as he resisted the gag reflex that followed. Slowly his eyes closed, leaving his body to inhale slow and steady breaths. All around him white eyes started to materialize to gaze upon his too still body. One by one, shadowy foxes started to form and casually reach him, looking to his next command. Darius had been counting down in his head over and over. Each number let a moment trickle by just to let his mind settle down, his spine forced to straightened up fully. Suddenly his eyes snapped open to see the eyes watching, waiting, and requiring direction all around him. His lips tightened in a firm, serious frown when he started to move. 

It was time to get to work. 

His feet clipped in a quick pace bring him from his office to the front door, his pace increasing only when he hit the stairs then reached out to the yard. Those  unfazed by Szayeis, unsurprisingly some kin to nightwalkers, had already been busy counting the missing and aiding those locked in shock. At seeing Darius approach, one female, [url=http://www.wallpapersct.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Blade-Girl-Shadow.jpg]a Nightbane[/url] strolled forth. Her hand was tight on her shadow blades, her body pausing long enough bow her head then receive one in return. Not missing a beat, Darius watched her twist about to walk beside him, keeping up with his fast clip easily. Linage, her given name, hastily glanced back to note a growing pack of foxes tailing him. It was extremely rare to see his full force out in their natural form, often their shapes melded with the shadows or twisted into humans. As if hearing her thoughts, Darius' lips tightened and his foxes' forms started to shift. Their forms shimmer into various human guises. Several defected to one side , breaking from the pack, and rushed to aid those still affected by Szayeis' influence. 

He had wished Szayeis hadn't devoured so many but it was impossible to tell the Western Lord what he could and couldn't do. Not if one expected to stay unharmed at least. Linage was the one he had put in charge, her immediate actions showed his wise choice when she spoke.  Her voice was strong and calm, despite its ethereal echo rasping through her feminine voice,“Originally from the earlier fire fight, several were wounded while about ten humans were killed in action and all bodies are gone. The rest of the missing, likely devoured, are a total of thirteen and are as listed. Five angels, a tamer, miracle, and three battle. Eight demons: two sirens, three vampires, two nightbanes, and one wild wind. Six are still in shock from the experience, mostly demons who are kin to nightwalkers and at least a miracle angel, yet survived. Four out of the twenty-two in the second wave are unfazed or show minimal effect from the experience. Myself , a weindyn,  and two nightwalkers.”

A few more steps she finally asked the question he was waiting on, “Are we retaliating?” 

Darius noted the hesitation and the choice of words, his eyebrow raised only slightly. He wasn't surprised she was upset or worried, but rather that she would even consider attacking the Western Lord  after being absorbed almost. “No, just tend to those still in shock is the first order of business. Followed  up with a list of dead, damage report, and put out a fetch order on Juan Barette and Emmet Matthews. The compensation being a fairly larger amount then normal. Barrette will be wanted dead or alive, but Matthews I require alive. Make it clear any other way will receive nothing. The other tasks include quarantining warehouse  9's  area section, rounding up one of the local gangs should do the trick. We've almost had a containment breach and I rather not see any of Juan's projects escape, so make up a believable reason for it. At least until we have someone willing to check it out tomorrow. It might be ideal to contact Margrethe, get her price and interest, and set her on the task with a few musicians on hand. I rather not have a repeated incident due to underestimating one of Juan's little 'project houses'.”

“I understand. I'll bring up the car shortly, but I fear your driver, Joseph was consumed,” She said, noting Joseph was one of the vampires. 

Darius' pace slowed but he never stopped. Mainly cause he knew if he did  then he would suddenly collapse, a matter that didn't settle well. His pride demanded he remain on his feet through out the presence of his subordinates, largely due to his weakness being a blow to their morality and blood to the sharks hidden in his organization. Crumbling was a  luxury he had  taken away when he started his career and didn't suit him anymore, least of all in present company. He waved his paw to brush off the airy apology from the Nightbane. It wasn't her fault none of them expected Szayeis to appear, the news delivered still heavy in his core and mind, while he approached the garage, “Very well, but I'll end up driving myself then. As for that tone in your voice, to answer your inner thoughts, no, it's not your fault. No one can be actually prepared for the Lord of the West's arrival or defend against it. After all, it is in his nature to come and go as he pleases. I have only known him that way and I expect it will never change, even in another thousand years.” 

Darius was a little amazed at himself for sounding so calm, then again Szayeis' absence seemed to have lifted a weight from his chest. A relief that was likely only temporary. He knew it was likely to get chaotic and messy in Kenan under his watch, his connection with Szayeis bring little good or aid to his own people, resulting in a power struggle later down the road, if that happened. The fox knew any attempt to control the Lord was impossible. To even consider trying was a means to failure, possibly the very definition of it, and bring about consequences from it. So he would merely have to be content in damage control. A fact he hated more than anything. 

He made an effort not to bring up the current situation about Inaniae, there was little use in causing panic or in making the situation more difficult, knowing it would take time to at least locate possibly fragments. It also required him to access information he hadn't bothered to use in a long time. This meant a detour trip to Loom's Library for a while and finally hours spent researching what he could. The next few hours were spent surveying the damage first and finishing up here. 

[center]~Midday~[/center]

Darius had finally made time to settle down. The essence chunk taken by Szayeis had left him weak and wobbly inside, his round about  to survey the damage was more of a ruse which barely paid off. Mainly it saved him from collapsing and curling up on the floor in the darkness. Anyone seeing him weak was the last thing that would help him now in this game he played. Still feeling rather pitiful, he had managed to turn on the desk top computer then watched the surveillance video for the last hour. His paws folded under his chin while he absorbed the scene playing out. A man, average looking in the fox's opinion though likely tainted by his nature, approached the guards at the gate before being stopped and shortly  the scene turned into a mini war. It started with a message mention then fell into a firefight rather quickly. Mostly it was human personnel he had on the premise which was unfortunate as it meant they would need replacement.  

He clicked a key causing  the image to pause, the frame froze at a clear shot of the apparent human. Golden eyes studied him closely and drank in every detail, setting it in stone and pushing it into memory before reclining in his desk chair. Then he clicked on the keys typing in the data base he had acquired though  a combination of law enforcement, private research and tidbits thanks to the connections in the Academy. After several minutes, nearly half an hour, something popped up over the  image's owner.  Crow, thirty-four and an non-magic user, his public record revealed a few brushes with the law in his youth which resulted in arrests, fines and minor repercussions, going cleaner in his later years. Recently there was nothing that screamed illegal activity while Darius' claws typed harder in his search. A few charges issued were sprinkled here or there through association, though none ever stuck resulting in them being dropped soon after. Darius frowned slightly at the oddness  that a human that held no links to Darius himself would create an unwarranted attack. Even more curious was  that this Crow person had helped to aid  Juan in retrieving Emmet.  One faint possibly was that Juan and Crow knew each other though with Juan's paranoid and enigma nature,  the fact was highly unlikely.  

Darius rubbed his temple  softly with his finger tips. Something was wrong in this picture and he intended to discover what it was, hopefully leading to Emmet in the meanwhile. After a few moments he let his headache subside before he clicked copy, downloading a duplicate of the video into a file on his flash drive and exited off the screen. It went black just when a light on his phone blinked. Catching his eye, Darius leaned farther into his chair and picked up the phone. He held it to his ear while noting the man on the other line. An angel named Neil Patrick spoke, his rich and calm tones entered the receiver.

“Hey, Abigail can you can set Liška on the line?” 

“Yes, what is it Mr. Patrick?” Darius asked cold and business like, his expression neutral to the conversation. Of course any attempts to wire the line was being monitored as it was difficult to tell who was ears dropping within the police office. After all, nearly anyone could walk in since the police causally worked at their desks working or otherwise occupied causing the fox to click a few buttons at the thought, “I assume you have something important to discuss?” 

The fox immediately was reminded over his arrangement with Mr. Patrick. The angel was an old associate, a former guardian who turned detective after his charge's lifespan concluded naturally. The angel already had recalled three lifetimes which doubled his own and explained how he managed to still be breathing even when his old assignment was six feet under. In the past, Darius had offered Patrick a job in becoming his daughter's personal body guard only to have been turned away. A fact Darius respected, though he was less than pleased about it. To show no ill will and the fact the angel still was willing to work under him, the fox had discreetly aided the angel into being hired by the local authorities as well as his own personal inside man. Few actually knew Mr. Patrick answered to Darius since the connection was hidden under more paperwork, back door deals, and worse that it would've taken at least a century to discover even a trace. In addition, the ex-guardian had never lost his charges due to sloppiness. Ever. 

“Hey, baby, how's it going? You having fun at your sister's?” Patrick started his charade, the dull droll of the Kenan police station hummed in the background, “I won't be over any time soon.." 

He paused, pretending to listen for an answer before continuing, "You sure you want to know why? Alright. First off, looks like it will be another long night as some bigwig's little girl got snatched. Several witnesses reported the grounds keeper being murdered before the bitch took off chasing the girl down a crowded street, detouring to an abandoned alley. We've got a good description of the woman though we've still not found the girl or the scum that took her.”

Darius gently informed Mr. Patrick about Aeris' involvement when the topic came about Olivia, “That has already been attended to. My daughter is safe and currently under the charge of someone I trust dearly. Did you receive the charges against her brother and his associate, Juan Barrette?” 

“Yeah, I hope so too hun. In addition, an hour ago a bulletin went up for two guys' arrest warrants and suspected vandals as well. Bastards, according to Phil made a really damn mess of the same guy's place while they shot, gassed it and worse,” Mr. Patrick commented, his tone edging into a lighter and on a friendlier tone, “Can't say I feel sorry for asshole they targeted. I think the guy deserved it personally as he just seems like an over dressed punk.”

“Good.” Darius said, ignoring the cheap shots at his image by his contact.

“I knew you would understand and agree,” Mr. Patrick continued, his voice became cheekier on the phone, “It's why I love ya,  though I will admit your ass and breasts are a bonus. The worse part, that's not the highest priory of the day right now.”

Darius' eyebrow raised in interest when the angel paused, waiting for his answer, “Continue.” 

“I don't think you would like this one at  all,  Liška. Even with your morbid sense of humor. Currently there was several calls concerning some racket down in the slums of Kenan, in the 12th District. No idea what they were doing there but something happened, next thing we know the officers call in back up and followed by the swat teams. Blood, gore and some macabre singing that still gives me the fucking shivers. Most the guys from here as well several other precincts are trying to mop up the mess which means someone's likely to report to the Academy and that is no longer our problem. Granted they likely already know but, meh, you know procedures Liška.” 

“Well, looks like something I'll need to take care of the aftermath in one manner or another. Keep me informed, Mr. Patrick and good bye.”

“Yeah, I promise to make it up to you when I get a chance, sorry about this babe. I rather be there with you and Abigail than cleaning up this bullshit-fuck gotta go. Chief is waving my ass over to the office, likely to chew me out for this... love ya, and bye!” Neil Patrick rushed the rest of his little act before the call ended with an abrupt click.

Darius let the call end, his hand setting the receiver down, then rose upright. It was time to head to the Academy though it would seem he would end up making it there some time around afternoon. He sighed, disappointment filled him as he knew he would have to warn Aeris about Szayeis' appearance though he was certain the Western Lord has already visited his little 'pet'. Recalling Szayeis' name for Aeris, Darius' claws dug a little into the desk's edge. The wood splintered slightly at the curved points yet no farther damage was made. Either way he would have to warn her that Szayeis had seen the family photos and to keep a close eye on Olivia, namely as she couldn't come home now. To allow her would encourage disaster into her life. Something neither Aeris or he would allow in end, at least not without a fight. 

It only took a few minutes to travel down the stairs and onto the lawn, his route taking him into the garage. Though he could afford numerous expensive cars, Darius was practical enough to keep a small selection which was for his own personal use. His pace slowed when he came to his favorite, a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c3/82/22/c38222883a37892bf83c7a2626f9cf2d.jpg]2213 Bentley[/url] remodeled and only a few years old. Darius took a brief time to admire the white finish and touched the graceful curves before he reached the door, opening it softly. It had been some time since he driven though most would assume it was strictly because he didn't know how, a fact which was very, very incorrectly concluded. Mildly he lowered himself inside then shut the door closed. His paws wrapped about the steering wheel, his mind remembered the blurring scenery, his paws manipulating the stick gears, and ticking by the seconds in a speed most could lose themselves in. Darius smirked when he also recollected sirens flashing their blue and red lights in his rear view mirror. Usually they were left in his dust when his car drove across a docking ramp to land safely into the rear of a barge departing the bay. He was a good transporter after all as an earlier start to his career, his skills still alive but rarely practiced. 

A devil may care expression on his muzzle, Darius clicked the ignition and registered his identity. Once through he slowly reversed out onto the driveway then booked it onto the street where he vanished in literal seconds.