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[center][b]Much Ado About Nothing
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Carol had a lot to prepare for, this Evil Cabal was soon to be formed and for that they’ll need something on this Broker figure, an unknown, a dangerous unknown. Among the things Barron and Carol discussed were contingencies for if Broker betrayed them or vice versa. With a tall sparkling glass filled with some sort of champagne as a summoning circle lay before her. As papers relevant to Broker littered the desk as the circle lit up and glowed something began to come out. 

A thin mist surrounded Carol, a wispy black spark collecting all the shadows from every corner, coalescing into a solid form. At first, this was nothing more than a dark apparition with a vaguely feminine frame. Slowly, however, the shadows peeled away, revealing the goddess in her mortal splendor. There stood Hekate, known and seen by others as the Greek witch, Lydia Velis. She took a moment, stretching her arms above her head, her mortal garb as graceful and flowing as her divine counterparts. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]Ah, Mrs. Vanderbilt,[/i][/color]” Hekate greeted the woman with her usual sultry tone, “[color=MediumPurple][i]To what do I owe the honor?[/i][/color]”

There was a moment, where Carol pondered if she’d should learn that trick, popping into a place from anywhere. Still she get down to business. “Morning Miss Velis, if you are not quite aware, a Demon of Greed, the Sin Himself Broker approached us just today, asking us to join his Cabal, or Council of sorts. A Evil Inc so we, don’t trip over each other’s plans. Still, the thought of dealing with demons is troublesome, I know not how well we’d deal with him should we have a disagreement of the violent sort.”

As Carol paused to pass some files towards Hekate, she continued. “I’ve done some research in the short timespan before calling you, other than his dealings that are known and his Gluttony Daughter we have few options aside from full frontal confrontations, and we’re not about to put our power to the test against Sin Demons if we have other options. Which Is why I called you here today, if Broker proves to be more risky or even treacherous to our plans, I’d like to have a contingency.” 

Hekate smiled at Carol’s cunning. It wasn’t often that mortals were so wise to the underhandedness of Otherworldly forces. It was refreshing. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]You are certainly a clever one. I see why Barron is so fond of you.[/i][/color]” Hekate remarked, glancing at the files placed before her. She certainly knew of the Broker. Certain witches in her company had the displeasure of dealing with him in the past. Surprisingly, the two’s paths had never crossed, though Hekate assumed that would no longer be the case. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]The best way to arm yourself against a being such as Broker is to keep your secrets close; always have a back door, a loophole. Not only that, but you must be aware of most, if not all the ways in which he will try to trick you. That you’ve done this much research shows me you’re prepared for both of those instances, at least in part. In terms of a contingency, I may have a few tricks up my sleeve . . .[/i][/color]” 

Hekate began to pace around the room, thinking, deciding on the best course of action. A few simple spells were the obvious first choices. Powerful effigies or fetishes of Carol, Barron, and their assets might do the job, but perhaps that was too simple. She knew all manner of protective charms and amulets, but none, she suspected, would keep the Broker at bay for long should he become violent . . .

And then it came to her. 

She turned back to face Carol, a large, ornate chest had materialized in her hands. Hekate placed the box on a table next to Carol, stepping away and pointing at it. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]This is how you shall protect yourself. Inside that box is a small fragment of an ancient alchemical manuscript, written in Aramaic and lost to time. My witches and I have been working tirelessly to recover what of it we can, and this piece, however small, possesses just the item you need.[/i][/color]” 

Hekate snapped her fingers, the ornate lock twisting and springing open, allowing the box to reveal its contents. Inside was a small, burnt fragment of a scroll. Carefully, she lifted it from the box, bits of dust floating away from where it had been sitting for who knows how long. Hekate opened the scroll and pointed to a particular passage, the faded image of a bottle surrounded by arcane markings. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]The item has no formal name, but it combines the earliest of alchemical teachings with an old form of sorcery that I scarcely recognize. It was used in those times to capture powerful spirits, demons included, and is one of the only artefacts that could conceivably trap Broker’s essence should the need arise.[/i][/color]”

There was a smile, a thin grin appearing on Carol's face. “That should do nicely. Though I’m also not above utilizing the Heroes of this world if such a need arises. Many would serve well for  a distraction and if we are lucky may have ways of dealing with him themselves although unlikely. Still for now we keep this safe, as I continue to dig up more info on Broker and keep our cards close to the chest.” Carol had brought out a bottle, and set it on the desk. “If you’d like any it’s a good year, it’s not much but it’s thanks for your time. As for our current plans everything is still on track.”

Hekate took up a glass and poured herself a small amount of the libation, a respectable gesture, though certainly not her favorite. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]There may be another way to thank me, one that might be more conducive to both of our time and efforts.[/i][/color]” Hekate began, hoping that their conversation had put Carol in the giving mood. “[color=MediumPurple][i]Such an item is difficult to procure, even for one such as myself. Circumstance may dictate that my witches and I have greater access to your shared resources in order to perform our duties to you and your husband more diligently. I know that Mr. Vanderbilt keeps a fine collection of magical trinkets in storage, doling them out to the Families when needed, and it has occurred to me that, should I or any of the higher ranking members in my company have direct contact with these resources, we may be able to more aptly supply you and your husband with our services. This would also grant me the means to creating greater protections for you and your husband.[/i][/color]”

This was all a half truth. Sure Hekate would uphold her contract with Barron and Carol, she didn’t have a choice. And of course greater access to Barron’s resources would further his reach, but so too would it further hers. Hekate could likely have taken whatever she wanted from his warehouses, but that would have eroded Barron’s trust. Asking for permission, while not the most dignified move, was also the more hospitable one. 

Carol thought about it, sure within reason allowing access would be acceptable but there’d need to be limits, a system to track any borrowed items even if it’s a simple one. Not only that but Hekate was far more powerful than her she’d obtain what she wants one way or another, allowing Hekate to grow in power unchecked could cause problems. Still. “That would be acceptable, however there’d be limits, a inventory and a trust system when borrowing items. Wouldn’t want anything missing or damaged for too long after all. They’d be inaccessible for obvious reasons should anyone else need them.”

“[color=MediumPurple][i]Of course. I will have a ledger made with dates and times of certain items’ removal.[/i][/color]” Hekate went to shake Carol’s hand before leaving, wanting to explore Barron’s warehouses now that she had the option, but a thought crossed her mind, something she had wondered in the few months that she had known Barron and Carol, but had only now considered asking since she and Carol were alone. 

“[color=MediumPurple][i]Mrs. Vanderbilt. You are an extraordinary woman, as I’m sure your husband tells you all the time. Have you considered, at any point, taking up the skill of witchcraft to further you and your husband’s endeavors?[/i][/color]” 

“I have actually.” She said sitting her glass down and stopped just before she was about to sit in her chair. “Although it’s not just Witchcraft I’ve thought about, Magic is an interesting thing, it’s its own Science of sorts. But how far has it really progressed? How well has it adapted the new technology of this age, and what can be done to modernize it, weaponize it? Magic is the Firearms of the fifteen hundreds, if anyone could use magic like a gun then that’d be a force above all others.”

Hekate was displeased with her response. It was philosophical to be sure, an interesting query, but not one that interested Hekate. Still, she didn’t allow her unease to show. Instead, she would indulge Carol’s interest.

“[color=MediumPurple][i]Much of the old magic is seated in tradition, and what isn’t is left up to skills taught by outside forces and entities or experimentation on the part of the witch or magician. I suppose that my system of magic, witchcraft, has ‘progressed’ in the sense that many modern witches have come to utilize new age symbolism in their workings, items and reagents that didn’t exist in years past. It is a craft of cunning and ingenuity, after all. And I would argue, Mrs. Vanderbilt, that it is the mystery of magic that makes it so alluring, so deadly. Not just anyone can use magic like a firearm or other weapon. It isn’t quite as transparent as these mediums of destruction. And, what’s more, it is not itself just a weapon, but a tool. A gun has but so many uses, very few of them subtle. But magic has infinitely more.[/i][/color]”

“It is more utilitarian, however other magics are more likely to be utilized in a more convenient delivery system. I do intend to fully investigate magics, I may be a novice, but a lab has been created to study some in a more conventional space. It would certainly be a great asset.”

“[color=MediumPurple][i]Well, should you wish for any formal instruction in witchcraft and sorcery, you need but ask.[/i][/color]”

“I may take you up on that offer, for now, it’s been a productive day.”

Hekate gave a sinister smile. “[color=MediumPurple][i]Indeed it has . . .[/i][/color]” With that, she vanished behind a thick cloud of darkness, along with the dusty manuscript, off to her haven among Las Vegas’s witches, off to discover something new.