[center][b][color=FF0000][sup][h1]R E N E  B E L M O N T[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center]
[COLOR=FF0000][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Special Zone, 2021[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]WareHouse District, 9:20pm[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Rene had to admit he was enjoying watching the grasp of control slip from Simon and Audrielle’s caretakers. He always knew that the day would come but to see the slow descent. Well it was delicious. “Well that is two votes in favor.” He looked across the table towards Simon. The elder vampire was quiet but clearly aggravated. Rene wanted to smile and bask in his minor victory. He refrained from doing so. It was better to allow Simon and the others to facilitate their own demise. Why jeopardize his plan when they could do all the work for him. “Lady Eve may be in favor of a guardian Belmont.” The older source blood began to reply. “However her caretakers have done an exemplary job so far.” Simon pointed out. “I don’t see any reason to disrupt the status quo.” Rene looked blankly at the statement. While it was true that Audrielle hadn't come under any harm in their care. She also hadn’t progressed much in her skills as a vampire let alone a source-blood. It was time for that to change.

“I see your point Simon. Aida and Louis have done a [i]adequate[/i] performance in their endeavor to raise Audrielle.” Rene paused for a moment as he pretended to ponder over the elders words. Simon frowned he saw where this was going. He hated Rene’s games. They always had a tendency to benefit him and him alone. Which was what was infuriating about all of this. He was using Audrielle. Simon hadn’t any idea why. All he knew was that something in all this played right into Rene's hands. He looked at the younger source blood.Wishing that he could give into his baser instincts and snap his neck. He didn’t of course but because Simon was sure this would only help Rene’s aims further. 

“I doubt you do Rene.” Simon retorted back. He looked between Aida and Louis urging them to help him end this nonsense. Louis chimed in agreeing with him but Aida. She sat there awkwardly joining in agreement with Rene and Audrielle. Simon shut his eyes to hide his annoyance. He did not like to be outmaneuvered. “That is three in agreement now.” Rene chimed back in. Simon did not even bother replying back. Anything he said more would only feed the younger source blood. Audrielle jumped back into the conversation. Simon could hear the excitement in her voice as she bypassed Louis objections. No doubt she was thrilled. Audrielle had been sheltered most of her new life and a guardian would provide her free she had never had in Louis or Aida’s care. 

Rene’s motion tonight offered her the keys to the kingdom. Simon knew there was no way she was passing that up, which was probably what Belmont was banking on. Simon hated this. He did not want to be the bad guy and take this from Audrielle. However her safety was much more important then friolouis desire. Audrielle had a legacy to protect. It was paramount that she remained secluded til her vampire abilities chose to activate. There were too many threats out there who would love to get their hands on the chaotic bloodline. Which made Simon wonder if Rene was beginning to be one of them. He had to nip this in the bud before the situation grew out of hand. 

“If this subject is to be pursued.” Simon rejoined the conversation. He had heard the last bit as Audrielle redirected the conversation back to Rene. She left it open for him to advise on suggestions for potential candidates. Simon took the opportunity to add his own services to the mix. “My assistant can put together a list of suitable candidates for  Audrielle.” Simon looked to Louis with a telling gaze. He would of course create a list for Aida and Louis to vet through. “I should be able to come up with something in a few weeks.” That would give Audrielle’s caretakers enough time to redirect the younger source bloods attention elsewhere. 

“Let's say we reassemble then to push hunt further.” He suggested. It was a sound step to take and one that allowed him time to maneuver the control of the situation back into the proper hands. If they waited til then the source blood of the path bloodline would make their official return. They generally voted with Simon, so it would place Rene’s and Audrielle vote in a stalemate that would put this subject on the back burner. Rene sat back in his chair holding his amusement in check. He saw the desperate wheels in Simon’s head turning. He reveled in it. It was not everyday one got the best of a source-blood. Especially Simon. The old fox hadn’t achieved such heights of power without being cunning or strategic. It was just unfortunate that tonight Rene had made sure those skills would not serve him. He’d left nothing to chance.  

“While your offer is admirable Simon.” Rene nodded to him, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I thought Audrielle would enjoy something more enjoyable while she searches for guardian.” Simon frowned, confused by the statement. “What do you mean?” He inquired. Rene didn’t bother focusing his attention on him. He instead looked to Lady Eve and smiled. “I will be hosting a party two night from now.” He began. “Many of the most prominent vampires who have potential to be Audrielle’s guardians will be there.” Rene continued to explain. “I propose that Audrielle be the guest of honor at the event and mingle among the guests to begin her search.” Simon’s hands clenched into a fist underneath the table, as realization of Rene’s words hit him. The younger source blood had been planning all of this a hell of a lot longer then he was letting on. This meeting was just a prelude to whatever he truly had in store. Audrielle was just the bait. [i]Bastard[/i] Simon whispered under his breath. Cursing the day the fount ever made Rene Belmont his equal. 



[center][b][color=FF0000][sup][h1]N I C H O L A S  B L A C K T H O R N[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center]

[COLOR=FF0000][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Special Zone, 2021[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]High Town, 10:00pm[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

He needed a haircut. Maybe even a shave. Nicholas stood in front of the bathroom mirror of his hotel suite. He had just finished taking a showering and was glad to be rid of the grim from his flight. The room that had been booked for him was courtesy of Rene. Though he was certain even this overture had certain strings attached. It always did when it came to Belmont. At least, that was the impression Nicholas had gained during his conversation with the elder vampire. Rene was indeed plotting something. The old blood only wished he knew where he fit into those plans. The last thing Nicholas wanted was to be the center of a source blood’s power games. He had enough of that life. 

The council. The Kolas children. They had already taken so much. Audrielle was gone. She was never coming back and he needed a fresh start. Nicholas’ time in exile had allowed him to come to terms with the past. He looked down at his hands. They looked so pruney after his shower. So clean...yet under the surface tainted. He had the blood of thousands. Nicholas would be lying if he admitted to feeling guilty. He didn’t. What he had done paled in comparison, to what had been taken from him. What the world would have become, if he had not embraced the darkness. The kolas lineage had been a threat that nearly wiped out both vampires and humans alike. Guilt was the last thing he felt for ending such abominations. 

Their king killed Audrielle. Nicholas stepped away from the mirror, exiting the washroom. He entered the main sleeping area of the suite, as he sat upon the bed. His luggage was sat just a few meters away. Nicholas knew he should probably change and relax a bit. He needed the rest. He hadn’t any idea when Rene would call or barge in. When Nicholas had originally accepted the elders vampires aide in his decision of ending his exile. He hadn’t thought much of what the source blood wanted in return. It wasn’t like his insolation had left him with much in the way of assets. So he had taken the offering thinking it was friendly assistants. Nicholas shook his head. That was becoming a mistake he was fast coming to regret. 

His arrival was only a few hours in and the scheming was already a foot. Nicholas wished he knew what the current political climate of the covens as well as the special zone was at the present. It would go a long way in helping him figure out what Rene was up to. Nicholas made a mental note to touch base with a few of his old contacts in the coven. Not many would be happy to see him but they owed him a few favors he could cash in on. He would call in the morning. Whatever Rene was planning, Nicholas was determined to be well out of dodge. Heck the council would probably thank him in the end. Nicholas smirked at the thought. If only that was possible. 

The council had been all too happy to see the back of him after the rebellion. Nicholas hadn’t cared, he’d wanted to leave. So it worked out well for both parties. Though he wondered how the council would take the news of his return. Rene he was certain would not be letting the cat out of the bag as of yet. His phone call early had made that definite. Nicholas sighed, looking at the clock posted on the stand. It was getting late. He stood up and walked over to his luggage. He needed to get dressed and head to bed. He had a lot to accomplish if he was going to begin his fresh start on the right foot.