-

Things were quiet in the sanctuary. Some of the family members were off on contracts, but some had simply left because it was the weekend and wanted--or needed--to keep up appearances in their "normal" lives. There were only a very small few who didn't have normal lives to keep up. Mainly, Ocheeva, her brother, and Vicente. Lucien too, but he rarely ever stayed in the sanctuary anyway. He was always off doing some work or other with the Hand. Ocheeva sometimes worried for the man, but she was well aware that he could easily take care of himself. If not for Ungolim, he might even have been Listener by now--which wasn't necessarily a good thing. Of course Ocheeva was fond of him, despite the man having become someone difficult to like, but she didn't think it would be good for the Brotherhood for him to lead. It would be a lot of power, and men like him had a certain love for it. Lucien liked being in control, and that is what concerned her. So even if Ungolim was an ass, she was thankful that he was still alive. If Lucien vied for his position, there was no telling what the other Speakers would do.
Well, anyway. That was all moot at this juncture.

It was then that Ocheeva noticed the night-watchman standing at her shoulder.
"You don't surprise me any more, Vicente."
Ocheeva could tell he was amused.
"Is that an insult, Ocheeva?"
"You can take it as one if you like." There was a glint in her eye.
The Breton laughed quietly. It wasn't a pretty sound--more often then not, it made her skin prickle uncomfortably, but such was his nature.
"Well, I suppose if you're up, it must be time for the rest of us to sleep. What time is it?"
"Late. Too late."
"How do you mean?"
"Venasa of House Indoril is late on return. But I expect she'll be here shortly."
"Indoril?"
"Yes."
"The letter didn't say."
"No, it didn't."
"Is Ungolim keeping secrets?"
"None that I am aware of."
"How you manage to figure these things out is beyond me."
A grim smirk.
"And I suppose you'll be out here to pay her."
A pause. "Ah, you were wondering why I had left my room."
"You don't, often."
"Indeed not."
Another pause, then Ocheeva roused herself. "Well then, my friend. Enjoy the solitude while you can, because you might not have it for long if Venasa is about to arrive soon."
"Sleep well."
Ocheeva cringed. "That always sounds terrible, coming from you. Did you know?"
Another quiet laugh. "Yes, I suppose it would."
Ocheeva excused herself, leaving the shadowy figure to himself.

-

Vicente tilted his head at her. "Of course, there's plenty of jobs free for the taking. But you won't be "assed" to do them either. I don't assign contracts when the rest of us are sleeping." He smirked, then set down a clinking sack of septims for her.
"Go and rest. You'll need it."

-

"Yes, I'm quite aware." The Breton's voice could be heard as he pushed open the heavy door. "It is always open, for future reference." Today, the vampire was actually unhooded for once, and his hair was loose. It was a light brown in color, marred only by one or two streaks of silver. Sadly, it wasn't enough to beautify his otherwise unhealthy appearance, though perhaps made him look significantly less "mysterious".
Now not being shadowed by a hood, his eyes clearly glinted red in the dim candlelight of his room, which was extremely orderly, though largely undecorated, the only furnature being a desk, a small table with two chairs, and a bookcase which housed a collection of very old-looking books. Naturally, there was an absence of rugs and tapestries, allowing the room to remain very chilly indeed. It was to the desk he went next, retrieving another parcel of paper similar in appearance to the first contract he'd given her.
"This one requires a little more finesse... but I'm sure you can handle it, hm?" He offered her another of his sly smirks to go with her new contract.
"Follow the instructions of the contractor successfully, and I've been given leave to offer you a bonus, which you forfeit if you choose to carry out the murder in your own fashion."

-