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Ian had just entered the living room when he noticed the door opening once more. He turned around, only to see Quentin ushering in a fellow member of his 'family'. A boy who almost looked like he was dressed for Halloween as a vampire, or perhaps some avant-garde new fashion that harkened to the gothic style. Of course, that was a privilege afforded only to a vampire whose apparent age was that of a child. Someone like Ian would look out of place were he to try hiding in plain sight like Enzo was. Ian did find it amusing that for his youthful look, in terms of experience in the world of vampires and the rest of the supernatural forces, Enzo was definitely on the more experienced side, having spent almost his entire life as either a ghoul or a vampire.

As Ian was about to greet his fellow latecomer, their 'mother', Edwina pulled the two of them into a hug. Truth be told, despite having been part of this family for a while now, Ian had never fully bought into the idea of this 'family'. Edwina and Ludwig were always kind to him, and Ian had no issue reciprocating and playing—what in his mind was—a charade family. Perhaps it was more his paranoia, having spent 93 years as a Kindred, but Ian had always felt there was something off about their entire idea of altruism. To Ian, Edwina and Ludwig's adoption was less out of pure altruistic reason but more so that they felt they had done something good, fulfilling their desire of having 'a family'. 

Ian would be glad to be proven wrong, of course. And regardless of their reason, Edwina and Ludwig had helped Ian and the others a lot, including but not limited to seeing to their safety. Therefore, while Ian might not have fully bought into the idea of a family, he was more than happy to think of them as his trusted allies, a coterie in the truest sense.

[i]“It is so nice to see you again. How have you two been? Your sister Elizabeth is here as well. Although I am not sure if the others are coming,"[/i] Edwina said once she released Enzo and Ian.

[color=9e0b0f]"I'm well, Mother.Thank you,"[/color] Ian greeted her somewhat jovially. Ian remembered that it was weird calling someone who looked much younger than he was 'mother'. But if that was what Edwina and Ludwig wished, Ian saw no reason not to do so.

He then continued, [color=9e0b0f]"Apologies for somewhat arriving late. You mentioned talking about an urgent matter?"[/color]

Edwina then ushered everyone to take a seat in the living room as she explained how Ludwig had been kidnapped, with the only clue left being a matchbook from a club named Sheol.

Ian's first thought was that if Ludwig was indeed kidnapped, they were most definitely dealing with someone who spelt trouble. Ludwig was an old Kindred of the 9th generation. In modern nights, after the Beckoning compelled many of the older generations of Kindred to the Middle East, there were not many among Kindred who could have kidnapped a 9th-generation Kindred like Ludwig.

But speaking of the Beckoning...Was it possible that—

“[color=f7941d]Don’t worry mutter (Mother) we will find Ludwig, right?[/color]”

Ian's train of thought was interrupted by Elizabeth, as she looked icily at Ian and Enzo as if daring them to disagree.

Elizabeth...she had always been the one among Ian's 'siblings' who bought into the idea of this 'family' the most, so Ian was not surprised that she was fully committed to finding Ludwig.

Edwina, perhaps trying to smooth things over before Elizabeth inadvertently caused unnecessary conflict, spoke again [i]“Thank you, Elizabeth, but I do not want to force all of you to do something that could be very dangerous. But if you are going to investigate his disappearance, your best bet is to visit this Sheol club. I only hope you will be able to find Ludwig while keeping yourself from any serious harm."[/i]

Ian nodded at Elizabeth, [color=9e0b0f]"Don't worry, of course we'll help Mother out, won't we, Enzo?"[/color]

If nothing else, having Ludwig with this 'family' meant extra safety. While refusing to help would be detrimental to this mutually beneficial arrangement of theirs.

He then turned to Edwina, [color=9e0b0f]"Though, if I may ask, Mother...You said that Father was kidnapped, how do we know that? Do we have some evidence that points to that being the case? Just to be safe, he...hadn't exhibited any signs of the 'malady' that had beset many Kindred of your generation, had he?"[/color]

The Beckoning was said to affect Kindred of 9th-generation and lower, after all. Ian hoped that wasn't the case, because that would...complicate matters. And the matters were already complicated enough with them possibly dealing with someone that could took on an old 9th-generation Kindred like Ludwig.