Orion Williams makes his way through the pre-auction area like a fat leaf on the wind, stopping for only an instant here and there to comment or drop a joke into the waiting ear of sellers and buyers alike. Slipping in and out of conversations with the expertise of a man who has been working rooms like this is entire like, and indeed he has, he manages to makes his way around the room unimpeded several times before something at last truly catches his attention. “Well well well, seems like my dear friend Alexi is trying his luck once again. . .Man I want that vampire. . .'[/i] Orion would never actually do anything underhanded to obtain Joseph, but on more than one occasion he's tried to buy the slave away from Alexi, even going so far as to offering slaves worth three times as much as the vampire. However Alexi has turned him down politely each time.

“Such a good guy. . .” he murmurs, flitting across the room surprisingly nimbly despite his heavy set figure. He's not overly fat, but he has more than enough extra poundage to pass for a mack truck at a full sprint. Slipping to Joseph's line of view he catches the slave's eyes before waltzing up and giving him a friendly pat on the back. While he in no way sees non-magicals as equals, he's never seen any reason to treat them poorly unless they deserve it. “Joseph, good to see you again!” He openly glances down at the slave's wristband before looking him in the face again. “I see you're all alone today. Alexi too lazy to come again?” It is clear from his tone that he does not expect a response. He chuckles lightly at his own joke and waves a hand. “Nah, I know he'd be here if he could.”

Looking around the room he sweeps hi arm out to indicate the room on the whole. “Quite the selection today. Got some new stock in last night. Sold off a few of my more interesting catches already.” Looking out of the corner of his eye at Joseph a sly calculating look come to his face. “I fact, I got in something very interesting, and I have a few people already ready to empty their bank accounts over it.” He chuckles again, pressing a hand against the vampire's back briefly to indicate he wants the slave to walk with him, the other coming up to motion them forward. Not waiting to see if Joseph is following he starts walking, talking just loud enough for the other to hear.

“Yes, a lot of buyers, and some really good families too. The Alvanies, the Russets, all with an eye on this one. I planned on showing it to Alexi first, but it came in late last night rather than in the afternoon like it should have.” He glances over his shoulder, still looking rather sly. “But, Alexi is such a good friend, and this is right up his alley, so I told the other buyers they had to wait until he saw it. I can't make them wait too long, so I guess you'll have to do.” They move through a couple swinging doors as he talks until at last they arrive at the top of a set of stairs and head down into the basement holding cells. A few large non-magicals sit in their cages, most looking quite disheartened in their shackles and other control devices. Williams walks in silence now, the nice blue lights on the walls making the walkway between the cells glow pleasantly.

It isn't until they reach the last cell on the left that he finally stops and turns. Facing the cell he looks over at Joseph and motions for him to get a closer look. “Don't get too close though, it's got a decent reach through those bars.” He says with a smile. The light from the walkway illuminates the ten by fifteen cell relatively well, but at first it looks rather empty. Then in a corner of the ceiling a shadow moves and with a rustling noise the slave in question rushes down the wall, leaping the last couple feet so it lands on all fours in the middle of the cell. The magical looks mostly human, it's bright green eyes staring out at the two men. It's long canines catch the light as it snarls at the two of them, it's tattered clothing hanging off if him like rags. On it's back are wings that resemble dragonfly wings, the tips dragging slightly on the ground as it stalks towards the bars. 

The young magical appears a little younger than Uwin, in relative human years, it's thick red hair settled like a mane against his back and framing his face. Crawling closer and closer to the bars, once he is in striking distance he leaps on the bars and lets out an almighty howl before leaping back and crawling up the back wall, his low growls echoing around the room. Despite his animalistic action, it is clear from his eyes that he is not a simple beast, a kind of intelligence that is unmistakable. Williams does not flinch back when the boy attacks the bars, his smile still in place as he waits for the vampire to say something. [i]'I know Alexi would recognize this one right away. They are so rare, and he's wanted one for years. I even told him that I'd have something he wanted today at the latest, and he still didn't show. . .I wonder what kept him away. . .'[/i]

~*~*~*~*~

[i]"Master Alexi. . .Master Alexi, we're almost home. . .”[/i]

Alexi's eyes slide open slowly, the short nap almost doing more damage than good as he wakes to the odd sensation of unease and confusion. Taking a deep breath he looks to the source of the voice and meets Uwin's worried gaze I the rear view mirror. He gives the young slave a warm smile before sitting up carefully. The familiar feeling of the sleek leather back seat and smell of the air freshener brings him back into himself and he gives his driver a questioning look. “Thanks for letting me know Uwin. . .What is wrong? You look concerned.”

The elf shakes his head and look back to the road. After a minute however he speaks up. “You, looked like you were having a bad dream Master Alexi.” He swallows hard, wondering if it is best for him to go on. He thinks about it only a couple seconds before the worried words tumble form his lips. “You've slept in the car a lot over the years, and it's always been the same. You never make a noise or move, or any of that, but this time you sounded so upset, and I could see you flinching every now and then, and shaking, and I. . .” He falls silent as he spots his master still smiling and sighs. “It's none of my business really. Sorry Master Alexi.”

Alexi lets out a sigh of his own, glancing out the window as they pass through the front gates. “Do not worry Uwin, and I thank you for your concern. Things have been rather hectic lately, and I did not sleep all that well last night. I also think I may be coming down with something, but I should be fine.” Uwin nods, accepting his master's words without question and smiling back at him as he parks the vehicle. Hopping out he runs around to open the door for Alexi, giggling slightly when the human ruffles his hair affectionately. The slave owner knows he has to be more careful from now on. Not all of his slaves are so trusting. Uwin sets to work arranging for the car to get cleaned, watching out of the corner of his eye as Alexi makes his way carefully inside.

Once out of the garage and into the house proper Alexi does his best to stand up a little straighter. [i]'Can not have them seeing me gimping about like an invalid'[/i] He hums a tune softly, the emotions flowing through him seeming to calm as he goes slowly over his plan, poking and prodding at it to check for holes. As none seem to present themselves his confidence counteracts the depressing emotions and he manages an honest smile as he reaches the door to his room. Checking to make sure there are no slaves around he slips into the room, propping himself up against the door after it closes. His smiles stays in place as he looks around the room for his “guest”.