[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/211206/2727061f105f332d7febaf86402dbfb8.png[/img][/center] [h3][b][i][center][color=e5e4e2]Six Hours Till Midnight[/color][/center][/i][/b][/h3] [center][hider=Jayce's mask][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/de/4a/36/de4a36f2fa349b37f17c209eb72cb97f.jpg[/img] (a reference to the mask he's wearing) [/hider] [/center] The long day full of crunching numbers and apt negotiation had called for a celebration and Jayce found himself at the local watering hole enjoying a nice cool whiskey on the rocks at the bar in the hotel bar. As he sat and watched the people come and go he couldn't help conjure a life that each one had and their stories in his head. In a way he was comparing his life to the ones they had in his imagination and feeling himself superior because of it. As he was lifting his glass to take another sip of his drink the sound of a gruff almost growling noise behind him cause him to pause a moment, the momentary fear of the unknown gripped him as he turned around to gaze at the figure that called his name. This man seemed unnaturally broad with eyes that almost seemed to gaze through him as he gathered the nerve to respond to the menacing figure, [color=e5e4e2][b]"Y-yes, may I help you?"[/b][/color] The figure will look Jayce up and down for a moment, as if sizing him up, the silence, the unanswered question, seeming to stretch out, before the low growl finally comes again. [b]"Lady Wilde sends her regards. There is a carriage waiting for you outside."[/b] The tall figure will shift slightly, and one black-gloved hand will gesture towards the door. [color=e5e4e2][b]"Lady Wilde you say? Well best not keep the lady waiting."[/b][/color] Jayce quickly downed the rest of his drink and gathered his things and walked towards the door. He had spent weeks trying to gain an audience with the elusive Wilde family to pitch to them, with the family in tow Silverhand could exponentially increase their earnings. Another victory to celebrate. As they walked towards the door Jayce couldn't resist probing the stone-faced attendant, [color=e5e4e2][b]"So, what does the Lady want with me this late in the evening? Seems quite sudden to be calling on a gentleman?"[/b][/color] Looking at the figure, Jayce will notice the crest of the Wilde's on his breast pocket, the quality of the heavy jacket that he wears. The dark hair on the man's head, cut short and neat, half covers a pattern of scars that mark the left side of the man's face. Almost as if the man can sense Jayce's eyes on him, the figure will glance across, and for the first time, Jayce truly appreciates the size of the man. Broader at the shoulder, and standing several inches taller, he towers over Jayce, and the crowd quickly clears a path for them as they make their way across the room. At Jayce's questions, the figure will turn again, his stern features giving nothing away. The silence that follows speaks volumes though, and for a brief moment, Jayce feels out of his depth. His family and his standing has seen him cross paths with dozem of servants, but this man is something different. There's an authority to him that almost catches Jayce's tongue, makes his usual jibes and wit feel empty and out of sorts. As they leave the hotel, Jayce will see an impressively grand motor car sitting on the street, all black paint and silver metal. The presence of the towering figure at his back is motivation enough for Jayce to feel inclined to approach it. The deafening silence of the towering attending gave him everything that he needed to know everything, there was no digging any further with the walking vault of silence. His towering size dictated the sense of imposed silence Jayce needed to have. As the "lurch" of a servant gestured to the impressive motor car he couldn't help but be jealous. His car was nice, but his was on another level, being gestured into the back of the car he sat in demure stillness. The ride would be something else. As Jayce steps towards the motor car, the door swings open, and a cloud of smoke flows out. As the smoke clears, Jayce would be able to make out the glow of a lit cigarette, somewhere within the car, before a shape steps out into the half-light of the street. The man is handsome, all sharp features and expensive suit, and he looks to be a few years younger than Jayce. His hair, snow white, is slicked back and neat, his eyes dark and wide, an ornate blue and gold mask sits on his face. The man tilts his head slightly as he looks Jayce up and down, before taking a slow drag from the cigarette in his hand. His voice sounds as expensive as the car looks, polished and carefully enunciated. [b]"Thank you for finding the gentleman, Adams."[/b] The towering figure at Jayce's shoulder nods his head slightly, before moving across to the car, his hulking frame clambering into the driver's seat, the entire frame of the car rocking for a moment under his weight. The white-haired man in the doorway turned back to Jayce, and his thin lips part into a smile, a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. [b]"Good evening. Shall we?"[/b] Staring into the hazy motor car cabin and gazing into the eye sockets of the obviously expensive Venetian that accentuated the rest of the ensemble Jayce knew that this was someone that he could relate to. This was another socialite, and better yet, he would even assume that this was a member of the Wilde family come to pick him up. Now he would be in his element. He turned and gave a hearty slap on the shoulder of the man-servant and gave a wide grin, [color=e5e4e2][b]"Thanks for the escort Jeeves, I think the grownups can take it from here."[/b][/color] As soon as Jayce's palm hits the hulking figure's shoulder, he notices three things. The first, is how broad the shoulder beneath the jacket is, the second is how unnervingly cold the touch is, and the third, and the one that might begin to seep a little wariness beneath the easy confidence of the heir of Silverhand Chemical, is how quickly the man tenses at the slap. His words are barely out of his mouth before the man, this Adams, turns to face Jayce. Or rather, to look down at Jayce. The stern features have darkened, the eyes burning into Jayce's own. Adams stands several inches taller than Jayce, and he is significantly broader. There is something behind those eyes, something dangerous, and the shadows around the two men suddenly seem to lengthen, to close in around them. [b]"That will be all, Adams!"[/b] The voice of the white-haired stranger is abrupt, and Jayce can't help but notice that the authority that had echoed in it before faltered for a moment, and there was something worryingly like desperation, almost pleading, in it now. Adams doesn't move for a moment, as if he is deliberating over something, and then he takes a step back, although his shoulders do not relax. His voice is a growl now, rough and low. [b]"Of course. Sir."[/b] The sound of the stranger shook the miniature battle of wills caused Jayce to turn to the sounds origin. He took a moment to clear his throat and gathered himself to deal with man in the car. [color=e5e4e2][b]"Mhmm, that's quite a man you have there. Good help is hard to come by isn't it?"[/b][/color] He stuck his hand out in a gesture that held multiple meanings, [color=e5e4e2][b]"The names Brennaman, Jayce Brennaman. What's yours?."[/b][/color] The stranger by the car smiles at Jayce's comment, taking another drag from his cigarette before he replies, glancing across at Adams. [b]"Oh believe me, you don't know the half of it."[/b] At Jayce offering his hand, the man smiles again, composure entirely regained. Dropping his cigarette to the floor, grinding it into the pavement for a moment, the man steps forward and taking Jayce's hand in his own, shaking it firmly. [b]"I know who you are, Mister Brennaman, but for the sake of my... For the sake of Lady Wilde, perhaps we keep up the appearance of masquerade. We are dressed for the occasion after all."[/b] Releasing Jayce's hand, the man takes a step back, looking Jayce up and down one more time before he speaks again. [b]"For tonight, call me Mister White. We can talk more in the car, unless you have any errands left to run?"[/b] Jayce took a moment to pull a cigar out of his pocket and went through the steps to light it and discard the waste. So, if not a Wilde then someone close, this is just as good. [color=e5e4e2][b]"Not at all [i]Mr. White[/i]. This is what I've been waiting for. To Lady Wilde we go."[/b][/color] Taking the offer made, he sat down in the car and sat with an air of confidence foot resting on his knee as he exhaled his own billowing cloud of smoke into the car.