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[center]And[/center]
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[center]In[/center]
[center][u][b]Ain't that a kick in the head[/b][/u][/center]


Surrounded by jars of varying substances and scented candles a circle lay chalked on the floor as Carol read words of great power speaking in an unknown tongue and lost language as Barron stood off to the side going over various reports of magically inclined individuals of interest.

As the circle reached the ceiling and soon a form began to appear Carol spoke first welcoming her guest. “Ah. Mrs. Valis there are things we’d like to speak about, myself and my husband. Roman Adessi’s death is a tragedy, but one wholly brought upon himself. The Five Families or is it four now? No matter. They’re actively dismissing our armed escorts in favor of their own inadequate security details. We cannot defend them if they set us out on the streets and give us false addresses.”   

Hekate’s face was grim. As the smoke which conjured her presence cleared, it was apparent to the Vanderbilt’s that she had been in mourning for some time, and her expression was dark and unyielding. This wasn’t the time for such discussion, but Hekate had put herself at their mercy. She answered to their call because she had to, because keeping herself distant would only hurt their already strained relationship. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”Mrs. Vanderbilt,”[/i][/color] Hekate greeted Carol with a heavy sigh. She straightened herself, trying to hold back her grief and rage. [color=mediumpurple][i]”These are trying times for the Fi . . . Four Families. It is only recently that they have been brought together in peace, and so soon after, one of their own was taken.”[/i][/color] Hekate held back a sob. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”They are stubborn, I must admit. Traditionalists, all of them. In their eyes, they are the only ones fit to look out for their own, and given what has just transpired, I would say that they are understandably cautious of giving out the location of their strongholds to just anyone.”[/i][/color]

Barron slipped his arms to his sides with his left holding a tablet. [color=cd0000]”Forgive me if I seem callous, death was more common than shit in my last world, but we should use this tragedy to galvanize the rest of the families. Bring them to action and while terrible use this event to strengthen their alliance. Because I don’t intend to sit idly by, if someone lights a fire I find them and burn them with their own flames. I’ve been thinking it’s about time we get on the offensive. I’ve been gathering reports, various Champions are rising again, Excalibur has returned. And since Broker is also a concern one I no longer have a viable option to deal with.”[/color] Barron said while a scroll laid on his desk.

[color=cd0000]”You knew that. I know that, I may not have the magic nor the wisdom. But I know god complex when I see it. You aren’t the first to play this game with me, Robert House tried this too thinking I wasn’t capable of pulling a stunt to outsmart him. But I’m big enough to put this behind me, we have more pressing matters to deal with.”[/color]

Hekate perked up at the sight of the scroll. She wondered how long it would take for Barron to get past her rouse. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”I’ll not deny that I deceived you, used your ignorance of magic to give you false hope. But while we’re on the subject, allow me to explain. This isn’t something that needs to be looked over.”[/i][/color]

Hekate positioned herself between Carol and Barron, speaking to both but more so to Barron. She crossed her arms and spoke sternly. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”This attitude you seem to have, the idea that you can ‘outsmart’ or ‘one-up’ myself or any like me, that is what I’m trying to circumvent. You, Mr. Vanderbilt, suffer from the same affliction as Mr. Adessi . . . hubris, blinding hubris. You think yourself superior, that given you stature and ambition you have power enough to turn the tide ever in your favor, and this simply isn’t true.

“I offered you a false cure for Broker because there is no cure, there is no way of dealing with him in the manner you wish, and that you believe so shows how little you know. This world is so full of monsters and horrors, older and greater than yourself, with powers that should make you shudder. They care not for you for to them, you, even an Elder Vampire, are a grain of sand. You said that there were no gods in your world, but there are billions here. Beings of power that will use you to their own ends. It is to your benefit, Mr. Vanderbilt, to learn this quickly. A time may come when you do not have someone like myself to remind you of it, and then where will you be?”[/i][/color]

Hekate came off as harsh, but it was necessary. She wished to ensure that Barron knew just how unpredictable this portion of the world was, how the unseen world would be his undoing lest he heeded her warning. 

Barron smiled, it was malevolent, filled with a sense of excitement and bloodlust.[color=cd0000]”See, see. That’s what makes it exciting. My world had no gods, no masters, only man. It was flesh and teeth, bullets and disease. You could fire a gun and someone surely would die. As much as I enjoy living I love being tested against what would inevitably kill me. I am aware that  yes, I lack a lot of power compared to gods and sure I’m far too cocky for my own good. But I also know I don’t have to do this alone, nor do I intend to. If Broker becomes a problem I will have an answer, if you fail to see one that is your shortsightedness. There is always an answer. And I will find it. Even if I have to use others to obtain my ends. I will use everything at my disposal.”[/color]

Shuffling back over to his desk he placed his hands atop the corners and smiled as he looked back. [color=cd0000]”And where will I be then. Thrilled. Should death take me I’ll give everyone a good thrashing, should I stand victorious I toast to my enemies. But I will win in the end. That is the Vanderbilt way.”[/color] Turning back to face Hekate. [color=cd0000]”And what will you do? The Hounds of Humanity are closing in, this may be the darkest hour facing many supernaturals who cannot defend themselves. I plan to have a counter measure. A team. Champions who will defend us, question is where do you stand? I have no intention of taking a seat on the sidelines. My home lies in flames, the Fae are riled up. And the Families can’t turtle up hoping this passes quietly.”[/color]

[color=mediumpurple][i]”Do not be fooled, Mr. Vanderbilt,”[/i][/color] Hekate replied, lowering her arms to her sides and calming her posture. [color=mediumpurple][i]”Neither myself nor the remaining families intend to sit idly by while this city burns. I have a plan in mind, not unlike your own. And despite my single transgression, we have a standing contract. My small betrayal was no betrayal at all, only a warning, a test. You and I shall yet work towards a common goal, and I welcome any measures you plan to implement in dealing with these Hound filth.”[/i][/color]

Hekate sighed. She wasn’t sure what it meant, if it were a sign of defeat or compromise, but it was heavy with feelings she couldn’t put to words. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”To that end, I shall speak with the families on your behalf and remind them that you are to be trusted, as are your men.”[/i][/color] 

With pause Carol spoke. “And I think I’ll take your offer as well. Deepen my studies in magic.”

Barron placed his hands on her shoulders.[color=cd0000]”Really!? That’s great news. Would you kindly Mrs. Valis?”[/color]

Hekate looked uneasy. Carol did interest her as a potential student. She had all the makings of a powerful witch . . . but she and her husband’s ideas on magic were less than traditional.

[color=mediumpurple][i]”Tell me, Mrs. Vanderbilt, do you intend to fill the void left by Roman and his family by taking up witchcraft?”[/i][/color]

“It is tempting. But I don’t think they’d accept me just yet. I’d need a few years to be close I think. For now we’re just the Vanderbilts. Your Swords, your Shields.”

[color=mediumpurple][i]”Very well,”[/i][/color] Hekate replied with a wide grin. [color=mediumpurple][i]”I shall ignite that vital spark within you, grant you the witch-fire and instruct you in the craft of the wise. But know this, to the other families, witchery is their life, it is their legacy. They trace their roots back to the colonists of the 17th century, some further into the Old World. Magic is a tool, yes, but in order to one day be seen as a member of the Five Families, you will need to treat witchcraft with the respect it deserves and demands. It is not a frivolous art. Well . . . sometimes.”[/i][/color] 

Hekate smiled. It had been some time since she oversaw another witch’s instruction. This would be fun. Quickly, she turned to Barron as an aside. 

[color=mediumpurple][i]”That does not mean, however, that you can’t have your associates dabbling in other arts. Though your wife and her subsequent students must uphold a proper witching tradition, you and those you know may do as they wish, as I’m sure you were already aware.”[/i][/color]