Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 7 February 2005 |
| Who: | Edmonds, Fernando, Hadrian, Inarin, Nicodemus, Sapphira |
| What: | Those aligned with the Horde aren't sitting back on their lapels either and manage to have a meeting with minimum fuss. |
Lux
A three-tiered, refined establishment, businessmen from cattle brokers to car manufacturers mingle about. The dress is stylish, no one clad in anything less than Sunday best. Tastefully appointed in earthen tones, accented with gold trimmed crystal, there's money in this establishment, both legit and otherwise. Chandeliers cling to the high ceilings and cast warm radiance over the main floor. Reminiscent of a nightclub fashioned in the Art Deco era of the late 20's, round tables serve groups of two to four. A raised stage inlaid with black, malachite, and white patterned tiles hosts acts ranging from standup to grand piano serenades accompanied by throated redheaded bombshells.
Bay windows opposite the bar provide a breathtaking view of the Colorado River. The labradorite-finished counter is serviced by mostly silent, well groomed and respectful staff. The shelves behind the bar is well stocked with potables that make drinks of the common man like Hennessy look like a joke. An opulent staircase winds upward in a regal S curve to the living area of the proprietor and his more affluent clientele. Business and private revelry takes place in this aerie. Interestingly enough, the door leading to the basement is locked, and even the owners and shareholders aren't seen loitering about the edifice.
Edmonds is dressed a touch differently from normal as he approaches the back door of the Lux. His business clothes replaced by good solid 'outdoors' clothing, ballcap and sunglasses replacing his usual pair of reading glasses. Having heard about the meeting indirectly, he checks the door tentatively before determining it is unlocked and pushing it open and heading into the club.
Sitting on the edge of the stage, not as dressed down as Edmonds, Hadrian remains in his blazer and slacks as he scrolls through his PDA's screen. He's been here for awhile, waiting for the arrival of any other Infernals in the city.
Fernando chews on his lower lip as he trundles in, his coat fitting poorly over the hefty sling around his neck. He looks less cheerful than normal, eyes squinted behind sunglasses as he shoulders his way in -- with the good arm.
Edmonds pulls off the cap and stows it in a pocket, and unsnaps the sunglass covers off of his glasses. A thin smile flickers over his face when he spots the Deputy Mayor, moving quickly out of Fernando's way, moving towards the stage calmly.
Sapphira catches the shutting door with the flat of her hand, pushing it back open before sauntering in after Fernando. She's dressed in one of her usual casual outfits and has apparently left the evening gown back home tonight.
Like the deputy-mayor, Nicholas Lyman was here all along. Hunched over paper work with a pen in hand, he is at the bar going over the Lux's numbers, their first weeks of sales. He can only shake his head at the nights they were forced to close. When the others arrive, the Austin industrialist rises from his seat, regarding each newcomer with a pleasant smile.
'Rin doesn't go through the backdoor. Nobody here really -knows- him as far as he can tell, he only knows one person in Austin as far as he's concerned, but that's all swell. Instead, 'Rin decides to go through the front. Yes, it's locked, but -really-...'Rin doesn't have to worry too much about that. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small piece of wire...and fiddles around with the lock for a few moments before....click!
'Rin has moralistic problems with sneaking through the back. He didn't just do it to be a bother. Really. Pocketing the wire, 'Rin nudges the door open with his cane and walks inside, his cane making a soft 'tic' noise with each step. He seems relatively unconcerned. "What a quaint establishment..." He murmurs calmly, eyes closing.
Edmonds returns Nico's smile with a slight nod of his own, claiming a table next to the stage and removing his coat. He has his laptop case with him, but he leaves the computer there for the moment, instead taking the time to look over his fellow arrivals - and probable Infernals.
Fernando snaps his head around to stare at Sapphira as she saunters in. "Oh you've got to be kidding," he groans out, recognizing her belatedly as the shoe store owner from one of his less memorable moments.
The deputy mayor remains sitting, scrolling through his PDA and making notes every once in awhile. Hadrian's eyes glance up as people enter, causing only further notes to be taken in his PDA. One thing on his mind, is wondering who exactly who set up this meeting.
Sapphira's gaze skims over those gathered that she can spot. Fernando is fairly easily recognized, and his back gets a faint scowl of annoyance. He's one that she won't forget anytime soon.
Inarin notices that nobody really notices his entrance, which is fine with him. 'Rin uses his suddenly achieved ninja stealth to head over to a pillar, if there is one, and lean against the opposite side so that he's out of sight. If there are no pillars at hand, then he merely sits down by the piano without a word, his eyes remain in between stages of half-closed and fully-closed.
Edmonds idly watches the emotional interplay between Fernando and Sapphira, resting his folded hands on the surface of the table in front of him. Inarin recieves a quick glance thanks to his more... unorthodox entrance, for all that he came in the front door - so the man didn't get in completely unobserved.
For tonight's festivities, Lyman has chosen the grey Versaci suit, complete with sapphire cuff links, that his company's most recognizable marketing campaign made famous. An elegant black coat, that once complimented this ensemble, is now draped over his chair. Sweeping the coat up, the Austin businessman eyes the curious man at the front doors. Inarin is met with a more rigid smile and some friendly advice, the kind you know isn't that friendly at all, "Just a reminder, the instructions were to enter through the back. And, if you could just relock the doors so there are no further disturbances..."
"Since we're all here now, I'm assuming we're all aware of the situation in Austin..." Hadrian decides to take the lead on the proceedings, for the moment to get things going. Standing, he turns off the PDA for the moment and slides it into his pocket, "That there are two very 'interesting' people roaming around, and that at least one is neither of the Host or of the Horde, Christian."
Inarin looks to Nicodemus, "Can't with this. Need the key.", is all he says. He doesn't defend himself using the front entrance rather than the back one, but he just seemed it made more sense to go a different route than everybody else was supposed to. He doesn't smile, but he chuckles with no emotionat the mention of 'Christian'. He adjusts the piano bench a little and prods one of the pedals with his cane.
"I'm only moderately aware of the situation," comments Edmonds, "Until the direct appearance of at least two Archangels, it seemed more reasonable to continue working on my primary duties." He leans forwards to the table, bracing his elbows on the edge and interlacing his fingers together. "However, given that Yves seems to be taking a personal interest..."
Sapphira offers Fernando a saccharine smile that's beyond sweet before sashaying towards a table with open chairs. She takes a seat and crosses her legs out of habit. "I haven't heard anything first-hand," she comments, muttering to herself, "For once."
Pacing away from the bar, Lyman starts methodically toward the gathering, his gaze fixed on the lock pick at first. He maintains the questionable smile over the course of his short journey. "As the majority shareholder in this 'quaint establishment," Lyman says, bowing his head, "I trust you'll be gracious enough to pay for any damage you may have caused." That is when Lyman stops, choosing just to stand within the boundaries of the group and when Hadrian decides to begin. After a scan of those in attendance, the industrialist speaks, "I've encountered this Christian, yes. He knows nothing of subtlety. But the other?"
Fernando screws up his face at Sapphira, asking, "Hey, what are you laughing at?" However, as he hears them talk he nods, "Yeah, I know about that stupid Christian guy. Him and Dominic..."
Inarin says, softly, "I believe the other would be a woman with a shopping cart," but doesn't say anything else about it. He doesn't answer Lyman, apparently choosing to direct the conversation to the 'mission at hand'. Besides, he didn't break the lock. He's better than that.
"Yes, a woman whom has an uncanny ability to control the weather and make it rain." Hadrian sits back down at the edge of the raised platform for the stage. "She's not the main concern. This Christopher is. Both Dominic and Yves have appeared in relation to this guy. We need to find out who he is, and if it's someone useful, get him on the Infernal side. Otherwise, he needs to die."
Edmonds shakes his head slightly. "Side? No - if Yves is involved and this Christian isn't on the side of Heaven or Hell, our concern should be directing him to his Fate. Because I assure you that Yves will have his servants working towards his Destiny." He cups a hand in the air. "Certainly, if it's not possible to do so, then he must die lest he be 'saved', but hasty action could end up serving Yves and Dominic. As for the woman... weather control is not her only ability. She turned water to wine."
"Shit, get that bitch down to the Studios, yo. She can be our coffee girl for Extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeme RAWK!"
Edmonds arches an eyebrow at Fernando.
"Ah, the rain woman," Nicholas says, commenting on the information from the lock pick. There is nothing more to these Lyman's words, his restrained distaste for Inarin having been drained from his voice. Evidently, now that the meeting has commenced, Lux's co-owner has put the unpleasantness behind him. Indeed, Lyman is all business, so when Fernando speaks out, he receives a charged glare from the industrialist. Still, Lyman manages to go on without comment, "Agreed, heaven seems to be conflicted over Christian's role...Dominic wants him dead. If he is powerful, than turning him will be crucial. However, it may be in our interest to simply observe...see how heaven intends to settle the matter."
Inarin says, "Mm.", he's personally more concerned with the one he actually saw. "If you need his death, I'll be around," he stands up, dusts himself off, and adds, "If Dominic wants him dead, and he isn't of use to you, then you can let Dominic kill him. Suggest offering protection. Use heaven's weakness against heaven, make it hard for cooperation.", he leans back onto his cane, -smiling- at Fernando.
Fernando's comment simply gets a *look* from Sapphira. She doesn't try to contribute anything and instead listens to what the others are saying.
Looking between Inarin and Fernando, the Austin businessman tracks the smile. Though nothing registers on his tanned features, Lyman can't be pleased. Still, he doesn't allow the meeting to be sidetracked, "I don't know if this man can be reasoned with. From what little I've seen of him, he has no love for heaven anymore. He was particularly sour about the topic of justice. But, Hell was certainly not an option...he rambled something about being saved."
Hadrian nods ever so slightly as he looks between Inarin and Nicodemus. "Let's just assume for now he's one of their Soldiers... as that's the only thing that makes sense as to why he's managed to live this long anyways. He can't possibly be one of the Host itself, and Saints are damn hard to corrupt. If that's the case, we should figure out who he served. I think it's almost better to grab this guy and bring him in for some 'questions'. You think you two can do that?"
Inarin murmurs, "Hard to corrupt, but not impossible," he's an old guy. He's seen things. He taps his cane on the ground thoughtfully, murmurs, "Don't know, no real intel. Might not be able to keep him alive if he's wirey. Need to seal off escape routes. You can buy grunts?" He glances over to Nicodemus expectantly. Despite whatever feelings the two may have for each other, he doesn't seem to mind much of anything if work's involved. "If'n we be showing our hands, gotta slip as many aces into our hand as we can."
Fernando keeps his yap shut for now, even as he listens still.
"We can," Nicholas states, automatically accepting the assignment from the deputy mayor. Likewise, any dislike that Lyman harbours for the lock pick seems buried, as he turns to more fully regard the lock pick. "That won't be a problem," he says, "I have men at my disposal, as well as one of our own." Then, his gaze drifting between Hadrian and Inarin, Lyman adds, "The question is, when we have him...where will we take him? I recently acquired an old sports bar. It's downtown. Abandoned until we begin renovating." A look along with a faint smirk goes to Fernando, "The studio is always a possibility."
Fernando considers for a moment, actually being useful for once. "We do have soundproof rooms, muah ha." He narrows eyes and rubs hands together, before sitting back in his seat.
Inarin considers that it might be tracked, but he doesn't care much. Lyman surely took this into account himself. And it's hardly his sports bar. "That works for me." He says, "Just muscle here," he adds, giving another smile to Fernando.
"Soundproof rooms would do nicely.", and then the smile goes away again. 'Rin never smiles for long because when he smiles for too long people start getting nervous. At least, that's his experience so far in Austin.
Abruptly, Hadrian's cellphone rings. After a few minutes of mumbled conversation, he makes his way out without so much as a word to the others.
"The studio it is," Lyman says aloud, on his way over to Inarin. From his jacket pocket, he produces a business card, which he promptly hands over, "Call me at this number here. In the mean time, I'm going to see if I can't track down this lost soldier of heaven." With that said, Lyman turns and starts off, leaving behind Hadrian. "Don't worry to lock up," he states dully, "Staff will be arriving within the hour to open the bar." There seems to be nothing more to that than bland instruction.
Fernando wrinkles up his nose. "Well ain't that sweet," he mutters, before looking over towards Sapphira. "Can't you go kick him in the ass with a stiletto heel or something?"
"Why?" Sapphira asks the rocker. "He hasn't done anything to rouse my ire. At least he has yet to."
Inarin takes the card, "Mm.", and with that he nods, and looks to Sapphira and Fernando for a few moments before heading out the -back- entrance this time. Can't he make up his mind?
"For treating us like slaves? I dunno." He stands and then begins to plod for the exit.
Sapphira shakes her head slightly as she remains where she is for the moment. She rather enjoys soaking up the atmosphere of the Lux.
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