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[color=90EE90]"Former Duchess Fernidad Alma has been staked."[/color]

Eris had never sat up so fast, practically flinging the sheets off him as he kept his phone at his ear. [color=ccff99]"Are you sure? Can you verify this?"[/color]

[color=90EE90]"Word has spread around quickly enough but I will double check,"[/color] Ismene replied. [color=90EE90]"I've also emailed you my findings and Antigone has also forwarded his. I think you'll find it his results interesting...although I do have some concerns. Unlike Duke Horvath, Derek Horvath has a preference to games of chance as opposed to the opulence that his father likes. If you choose to investigate, it has its risks in more ways than one."[/color]

The fact that they took his bait at all was both assuring and alarming. He had to be careful, for all her knew they'd start keeping tabs on him. The one good thing about being an active celebrity was that people would know if he went missing, but if they were so extreme that they'd stake the duchess, Eris figured they could come up with a ruse to get to him, too. He had to admit the thought didn't deter him in the slightest, the validation fueling something in him.

[color=ccff99]"Hang on while I skim your email, I'll instruct Antigone separately on what to do next,"[/color] He said, checking his phone. While he was only skimming, he tried to see what would stand out. Morgan Le Fey was Landar's opposite and was [i]grateful[/i] to vampires? Now [i]that[/i] was surprising--why wouldn't vampirekind hold her in esteem the way they did Landar? Everyone knew Landar hated vampires, but Morgan was essentially erased with exception to her establishing summoning magic. That was just...weird. He slowed down to read everything carefully, and his first question came to mind immediately: [color=90EE90]"She was afraid to pass on her magic, but you didn't detail what that magic was."[/color]

[color=90EE90]"No one asked. It was not a topic anyone dared approach,"[/color] Ismene told him. [color=90EE90]"My colleague had already drawn attention asking about the possibility of any descendants and barely got away with dismissing it as curiosity--if we weren't in Marivaldi territory, I couldn't tell you what would have happened. My assumption is that she could have been one of the first blood or bone mages in recorded history, but finding details on that while trying not to get caught has proven unsuccessful."[/color]

Eris ran a hand through his hair as he tried to think. It was coming together, but he felt like he was missing something. He was onto something for sure, but without details, he had no idea where to go next. Obviously he needed to find out [i]who[/i] the supposed progeny was, but getting to Nelson was impossible now. [color=ccff99]"...See if you can set up a meeting with Derrek Horvath. If there's anything to find, it will be in either Triblet's museum or home."[/color]

[color=90EE90]"That could draw unneeded attention to you,"[/color] She warned him. 

[color=ccff99]"If Horvath was as eager to get me to stay, then people will already know that I've been lounging around him, it's too late for that,"[/color] He pointed out as he tried to think. [color=ccff99]"In the meantime, I need to find something to gamble away that would catch Derek's attention...if our old manor hadn't burned down that could've been something, but..."[/color]

There was a short moment of silence before Ismene let out an uncharacteristic sigh. [color=90EE90]"I still think it's too risky."[/color]

[color=ccff99]"Have Antigone or Angelique or someone take a tour of the museum, it'll set up my interest in it,"[/color] He ignored her. [color=ccff99]"I enjoy history as it is, so it's not [i]that[/i] weird that I'd send someone there. Then....then they'll tell me all about it, spark my interest, I'll take a tour, learn about Derek Horvath...okay, yeah. That'll work. And as for gambling..."[/color] He had to admit he wasn't entirely happy with leaving things to chance, but as he watched Maxie scuttle away to Max's room, an idea came to mind. [color=ccff99]"I'm going to have to see what I can do to get more luck on my side."[/color]

[color=90EE90]"...yes, sir,"[/color] Ismene agreed reluctantly, although she cleared her throat. [color=90EE90]"You've also received an invitation from Mrs. Nikolette Samael. She would like to see you during your upcoming break."[/color]

Eris lit up, nearly jumping for joy at the news. [i]That[/i] is exactly what he needed. He'd have to make some arrangements and see how he could schmooze his grandparents, but now all the pieces were falling into place. [color=ccff99]"I can't very well say no to my grandmother. Make sure you have the night off, we'll spend a day or two over there until I can get what I want,"[/color] He said, checking the time. [color=ccff99]"[i]Allons-y[/i], I'll review everything in detail and let you know of any changes, I have a [i]soiree[/i] to attend. Keep the intern around for a little longer in case I need more blood."[/color]

[color=90EE90]"Yes, sir. Enjoy your evening."[/color]

[color=ccff99]"[i]Au revoir[/i]!"[/color] Eris hung up and pressed his phone against his chin. My oh my, he was feeling luckier lately, wasn't he? Still, Ismene's worry definitely had a point. He'd push forward, carefully of course, and make sure to watch his back going forward. He had to admit he understood Derek Horvath's love of gambling--something about going up against the odds [i]was[/i] thrilling. But Eris was a winner, and he'd be damned if he lost after getting this far. For now, however, it was time to get ready. At least this evening would hopefully be entertaining.

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Perfection was such a difficult thing to achieve for most people. Fortunately, he was Eris fucking Samael--perfection was just his usual self. It was a narcissistic thought, but honestly, there were so few vampires that could compare in looks alone that really he couldn't help but admire himself in the full length mirror for a good five minutes. The suit was just a little on the understated side, but he figured the tailcoat would add a little movement to it, the vimeo blue tie adding the perfect touch of color. Sunny was right on his tie choice, it really brought out his eyes.

Tearing himself away from his beautiful reflection, he figured it was high time to tackle his main issue of the evening. Feliks' suits would only take Wells so far, and Eris had already been on something of a losing streak comparing him to the other mages--his blood was as appetizing as licking a wall. Fortunately the second he read the invitation he had already ordered Ismene to snatch a bottle of blood from one of the interns to use as a substitution. Nothing too fancy, he didn't want anyone asking for more, but decent enough to nod at. Aside from Varis, no one would know. 

After passing the comb through his own hair, he had to admit he was getting fond of the 'neater' look, but now he needed to concur the mess that was Wells' hair. Why someone with silky locks like his preferred to just leave his hair as it was when he rolled out of bed was beyond him. With comb in hand, he waited outside of the kid's bedroom and honed in on his hearing. Once he heard a pair of footsteps head away, he knew he had his chance. 

Bursting into the room and rushing in, Eris made sure to trap the kid in the bathroom. [color=ccff99]"Hold still,"[/color] was the only thing he said before assaulting his hair. He was pretty sure he could feel everything metal around him shaking, but for once he was able to completely ignore it as he focused on smoothing out every lock of hair, slicking most of it off to the side.

[color=ccff99]"And...there!"[/color] He stepped back to admire his work, turning Max's face a few times as he passed the comb through the side of his head to get some stray hairs. [color=ccff99]"Perfect. Not as perfect as me, but y'know, for a little one."[/color]

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[sub][right]Styling up [@Scribe of Thoth] against his will[/right][/sub]