Post by Xavier Darnai on Mar 12, 2014 0:52:02 GMT
Strange Hex: The flight to Madrid was uneventful and rather quiet. Since Xavier took care of travel plans to and from the city, Alexandra tended to their brief stay arrangements and their ride for the brief journey to and from. Upon their landing, there was a car already waiting on them. A nice Lincoln Continental, driver included. Typical town car as opposed to a limousine, with darkened windows and a partition that separated back from front, should either of them feel the need to discuss things without the ears of their driver. Not that the partition really meant much, but this entire thing was about keeping up appearances as it was trying to find DeValois' angle. Their hotel was higher quality without being presidential suites. Practical, clean, next door to each other offering a variety menu and plenty to see or do for the touristy types. Alexandra only booked the room for the night of the gala, and the day after considering Xavier's inability to travel during the day, so they would take their leave the night after, unforeseen circumstances willing.
With only a couple hours to prepare and dress for the event, given the late hour that was set to start (shortly before midnight), a politely late arrival had been agreed on. Couldn't rush perfection. In short order, cleaned and dressed, primped and preened in Alexandra's case and it was a short ride to the gallery in the heart of Madrid later that they arrived and their driver opened the rear passenger's side door. The building was four stories with a slightly Greek air to it, tall columns between tall windows and was curved not quite into a crescent around the drive way and gardens that the drive circled. Twin doors stood wide open, allowing all invitees to enter freely after handing over their invitations to an employee standing to one side or the other of the door. Men in fine tuxes, women in designer gowns, it all sparkled like something straight out of the past when such huge galas were far more popular.
Alexandra'd heard from Francia, who was set up in an undisclosed location for her own safety, after having it decided that someone speaking in their ear, pulling up important identities, was a good idea. Alexandra wore the camera, but it'd never be noticed. When she told Xavier that she'd be dripping in champagne diamonds, she wasn't that far off. The very formal gown she wore was the subtle shade of candle light gold with a dim shimmer, certainly nothing overwhelming about the elegant garment with its spaghetti straps, dangerously low dipping back and floor length hem. The blue in her hair well hidden with her hair pulled back in loose waves pinned here and there with pearl pins and a single strand of choker-length pearls lay at the base of her neck. She tipped her head to the right, giving her earlobe a brief tug, listening to Francia test volume and clarity from her location.
Xavier Darnai: It had been a long time since Xavier had gone to Spain for anything meaningful. He could hear the Old Man in his ear, drilling him on the language as a young man, teaching him how to be wary of his accent. A slip here, a twist there, all of that could mean the difference between suspicion and death when dealing with diplomats. He hated it. But he learned. He learned the language that ended up being useless to him considering how everything played out. As he sat there in the plane, staring out the window over the Atlantic, his mind was obviously somewhere else, and in the car ride it had yet to join them. Still preoccupied with his failure, it seemed. But it was best that he lent his focus to it while he did not have more important details to attend to.
It was no secret that Hex could clean up, and she did so in style, though he was surprised that she hadn't gone so far with her peacock feathers as to let the blue beneath show more. Her dress was quite elegant, and Xavier showed that he too could in fact clean up. It had been some time since he had needed to wear a tuxedo, but his own was custom tailored. The charcoal grey fabric helped blend him into the night sky in an open field, but he did not disappoint by bucking the establishment, a red silk shirt, buttons hidden by an equally toned tie to complete the ensemble. Even his hair had been given a slight adjustment. As thick as it was there was little that could be done with it without trimming it down, and a simple haircut had done the job. He would still stand out, certainly, but he wouldn't look quite like the walking black torch through the crowd. Everyone had their accessories to fashion, and Xavier's were in a pair of red lensed glasses; an artifact by his lifetime's standard. They had been a trademark to his daily routine once upon a time, and there were always rumors about them.
Some said they let him talk to the devil, others said they were so keenly his that anyone else trying to wear them would lose their head. That second rumor was not far off, but the glasses were truly one of his most useful toys. A tweak of the frame allowed him to adjust the volume of the speakers built in to the temples of the glasses, letting the sound vibrate directly into his ears without the chance of being overheard. For the time being he kept his left hand in his pocket, not wanting to draw undue attention to the bandages that kept it wholly covered. Glancing over the frame of his glasses to Hex for a moment, he pushed them back over the bridge of his nose. "Looks aside, let's avoid any sense've a body count, neh?" Grinning a bit, he pulled the invitation out of his jacket and offered it over to the man at the door.
Strange Hex: While she had neglected the blue feathers that certainly would have established her as a peacock, she was sure that the nearly scandalously bare back would be enough to make up for it. Being a distraction without being completely obvious to wanting the attention was only part of the secret to drawing the right kind of attention. Neither she nor Francia had been able to come up with any sort of guest list for the gala, which meant there was little chance of knowing too many of the faces or names before hand. Where Xavier was sure to draw in female attention, and equally their names, Alexandra would do the same on the other end of the spectrum. "Where would be the fun in that? Just one or two for bragging rights to the Lady DeValois." Cheshire grin tugged at the corners of her mouth, face lightly touched with just enough make up to enhance already lovely features.
The man at the door took the invite, opened it to compare the name within the envelope to the name on his list, then ushered them in. The interior was a bit more spectacular than the exterior. Marble from floor to ceiling, all hued in a light tan that gave a very warm and welcome feel with the eye-friendly lighting. Grand stairs that led to the upper floors, were lined with black velvet as a sign that all guests were meant to climb the stairs. Sonja was likely where ever the party was being held, where she could mingle and greet as she saw fit rather than just whatever order people came to the door. Mid-way to the second level, the stairs split left and right, but opened up into the same open space that looked something like a ballroom with crystal chandeliers and ornate archways. It was the gala in full swing with soft music playing in the background and people, mostly vampires, roaming about the hundred or so works of art on display. Everything from stone statues to canvas paintings, metal works and living art. However, it was all meant for a darker crowd, heavily swayed by macabre influence and darker themes. Likely the reason it was a guests only party. Having kept in stride with him up the stairs, passing glances here and there to eye cameras beneath dark domes in the ceilings and exits, both doors and windows, her attention then drifted over those milling about as couples or small cliques.
"I'm glad I practiced my polite yawns."
[Francia Marie]: "Should have practiced sleeping with your eyes open." Francia chuckled.
Xavier Darnai: Well prior to the event he had made sure to go through his typical routines. Well fed to avoid the look of hunger or distraction of the beast, his pace maker active to keep a heartbeat going for those that would be listening, and a clean filter for his prosthetic lung to make sure his breath was fresh. Grooming was always important for the living, but the dead typically had a few extra steps to take. Especially the ones that had every intention of being confused for the living. Xavier was careful, he never fed in public, he never fed openly, and even before his siring he was hardly known for daytime activity without full cover. His whole life seemed to be the perfect attempt at a masquerade.
His recognition software hadn't been updated in some time, but the database he was drawing from had been quite thorough. Still, he preferred not to rely on it unless it seemed like it would be pertinent to do so, and so after making his way in he did spend a few moments looking at faces long enough to gather names and tie them to their locations. With his satellite locked over Madrid, he would let it do the majority of the work, tracking motion and doing its best to keep proper positioning on anyone he could tag. A few swept eye movements cleared the function from his vision, letting the process run in the background. Every second surrounded by them left a little tick in his head as he brought out another sliver of the person he needed to be in the moment. Grinning, he looked around once and let out a slow breath. "Really? And here I thought you'd've been happier to've practiced your stealth quips." His left arm was offered to her with a nod. "But then, I'm the arm candy. Care to lead, Madame' Mikos?"
Strange Hex: Wouldn't do to have a vampire with bad breath. He might knock his date out instead of off her feet. With what few references Alexandra had, there were very few that she could point to by name, but there were a couple. Taking Xavier's arm, she smirked. "I can snob-yawn with the best." In case he had any doubts, she confirmed it verbally. Only time would tell if she had to display her fine art of snob-yawning. Into the mix she moved with a casual, all too confident gain. While it looked as though she was taking in the dark, grotesque, blood-smeared or otherwise semi-disturbing works of art, she was more so taking in faces. She spotted Sonja near the corner of the open space, towards the front of the building, with a tall, dark haired, eyed and skinned male with her. "That's Felix." A subtle tilt of her head in Sonja's direction. "He's her tongueless companion that drives her around. From what Francia saw, Sonja rarely goes anywhere without him." And it was the hostess they were making their way towards. In passing, a waiter passed with a tray of champagne. Two glasses picked up in one hand, she offered one to Xavier.
Xavier Darnai: Taking the glass by the stem, he looked to Felix a moment before glancing back to Hex. "Tongueless, neh? That'd certainly cut back on the snarky back chatter, wouldn't it." It was an idle threat and they both knew it. He valued Hex' ability to stand up verbally and taking that away was just going to leave her as a piece of art to be seen and interpreted, the sort of 'help' that only the rich and self-believed powerful bothered with. In honesty the idea behind it could have made him laugh. Such a pointless gesture of power. Tilting the glass back, he took a sip of the champagne before looking around the gallery as they approached the pair, occasionally taking in the sights of gore and violence that lined the gallery. Vampires, always so willing to display their porn for everyone to see. The showing was to be expected. "Quite the collection of works, Ms. DeValios."
Strange Hex: "You'd miss my snarky back chatter." Whispered softly into her glass as she took a drink.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja looked every bit the eccentric vampire that she was, in some grand dress of black velvet that was only slightly over the top. Those how knew her came to expect it, though. She was a diva if ever there was one. She spotted the pair coming and put on her most charming of smiles. "I wish I could take credit for them, but alas, I cannot. Young Master Torro is fully credited." Her own glass holding hand motioned across the way to a young man who couldn't have been more than seventeen, maybe eighteen if he was lucky, when he was turned. Fair enough to be considered the perfect Aryan poster boy with soft blond curls that reached his ears and big blue eyes. He was a fledgling. He didn't have the same aire that older vampires had. "I see you brought your little frost fairy with you. Miss Mikos, it's a pleasure to see you."
Strange Hex: Alexandra had taken in view of the star of the night, but returned her attention to Sonja. "Fairly sure you've seen me before." A darling smile given to the woman.
Xavier Darnai: The back and forth exchange was watched in silence for the moment, though he did turn his head back to take a quick glance at the artist. If their boasting wasn't enough, acts like that could have been more than sufficient reason for Xavier to hate the bloodsuckers, but fortunately he was in no shortage of reasons. Equally as valuable however was his ability to work in a civil manner with people he utterly despised. Turning his attention back to Sonja, he decided it was time to step in to the discussion before Hex rightly decided to plant several rounds in the woman's chest before most of the party was aware of what had taken place. There was no doubt that many of the vampires present could be fast, but he was impressed by her ability to draw quickly. Though retrieving a weapon from within the gown she was in might have been a touch trickier, there was no denying that the champagne flute could make a very convincing shiv. "Young Master'd be the proper way to put it. Though something tells me he's educated well beyond someone his age ought to be." It was hardly a condemning tone, his own course of life had started well earlier than it should have, he could understand the twist of luck, and even cruelty.
Strange Hex: Alexandra had that dress prepared specifically for this party. Even if Sonja and Xavier had been the only two vampires there, she'd made damn sure she had quick access to the small handgun holstered closer to her inner thigh.
[Sonja DeValois]: The hostess was ready with a quick reply, but Xavier stepped in. Her smile was one of obvious amusement as she looked over towards the young artist. "An early education is required of anyone who truly wants to survive in life, rather than simply exist in life. Educated though he is, he is still quite raw and...prone to giving in to his desires."
Strange Hex: The latter of her statement drew her attention to Alexandra only briefly, before the pale blue gaze once more set to Xavier.
[Sonja DeValois]: "But everything is well in order tonight for a party and receiving of his talents to those who would appreciate his gothic displays."
[Francia Marie]: "His name is Benjamin Torro. No information yet on his sire, but he's there strictly with Sonja."
Strange Hex: "Well, I am so very pleased that you left room on Mr. Darnai's invitation. This is an event I'd rather not miss."
[Sonja DeValois]: "It wouldn't be proper to not invite a new acquaintance." Sounded like she might have been attempting to flirt. "Miss Mikos, would you mind terribly if I stole your company? Just for a short while. There are introductions to be made."
Strange Hex: Oh, all the ways she could have answered that.
Xavier Darnai: Prone to his desires. A statement like that had a very specific double meaning and he wasn't terribly fond of her insinuation. Glancing back to the artist again, his eyes looked to the paintings in very keen focus. Something about it gave him pause. It wasn't simply the scenes that he painted, but the materials he was using that caught his interest now. Even with the moment of focus on Torro's substance it was impossible for him to entirely tune out the discussion between Hex and Sonja. Turning his head back to the women, he raised one brow while bringing the glass up for another sip of the champagne. He was never terribly fond of the wine, but it had its place at celebrations apparently. He couldn't fault the French for their contributions to cuisine, just everything else.
Sonja's request had been rather unexpected. Perhaps that had been her plan the whole time; the invite had been for three, and who else would he have brought as a third but her? Wheels and gears began to turn in his mind as he looked to Hex and gave the slightest of nods to her. There was no doubt he trusted her to handle herself. "Suppose I'll have to find someone else to be arm candy for while you're off." Besides, if she was in trouble, he'd hear it.
Strange Hex: Bring on the double edges. If Alexandra was the least bit concerned by it, it never surfaced. Her expression remained neutral, if not a bit skeptical, but her skepticism could have been towards anything, really. "I'm sure Sonja would be happy to have you as arm candy for a short while." Removing her hand from Xavier's arm, she turned to begin to walk away, but stopped and looked at Sonja. "No breaking him, now. Otherwise I'll have to return the favor." There was no chance given to respond before Alexandra was walking away to mingle since blending, as a human, was about impossible.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja watched her walk away and laughed a tea party sort of laugh. "She is quite the feisty one. I can see why you keep her company, but I can't imagine why you'd bring her along." With or without invitation, she slipped her arm around his and motioned them into the fray of lingering bodies that milled about.
[Francia Marie]: You should watch it, Hex. You're in the shark tank and it looks like they haven't been fed for a while. Gotta love the peanut gallery.
Xavier Darnai: As soon as her arm went around his elbow the first of his own many secrets would be immediately given away. Though it wasn't much of a secret for anyone that had vetted him thoroughly. While his medical history was not attainable-- he had been exceptionally careful --but the video of the attempt on his life had been everywhere for a while, and the loss of his left arm was hard to miss. Organically designed to the most part, there were few form factors to catch or snag on his clothing, but just in case that is what the bandaging had been for. Still, it was impossible not to notice that it had no give. Looking back over his shoulder as Hex made her way off, he turned his attention back forward again, keeping Sonja in his peripheral as she lead him wherever she intended. "Same reason you keep the mountain about, I imagine. Good conversation." It was an off-handed remark, but it couldn't be helped. "Other side've the coin, can't say I'm sure why you'd sent the invite in the first place."
[Sonja DeValois]: What she noticed and what she didn't were kept to herself. After all, if life couldn't be a game, then at her age, it became maddeningly boring. Quite literally so. For the moment, they were simply going to walk. "If you're referring to Felix, he's excellent at most things. Conversation, however, is not one of them. He is pretty, and takes the trash out without having to be asked." Her close proximity would lend that whatever they discussed it was just between the two of them to those beyond their little space bubble. A nod here, a smile there, a wave in the other direction, the pace was kept at a leisurely stroll. "I meant that in all seriousness, though. I hadn't placed you as the type to share your toys." A pointed look given to him, waiting to see if he could read between the lines. To his comment of flip sides of the coin, she shrugged. "One of two things will happen. Either we'll find a way to bed each other into another form of prosperity, or we'll desire nothing more than to rip each other to shreds. The gallery is mine, but it's been far too long since I've called Madrid home, so I thought it a good, fairly neutral ground to test the waters. I'd much rather scratch your back than remove your spine, but I will do what is necessary."
[Francia Marie]: The man between the windows near what looks like a waterfall of blood is Vincenzo Moretti. He runs several real estate franchises, mostly in Europe, but two in the US. All of his properties are multi-billion dollar penthouses and estates."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was testing fate by introducing herself to Benjamin.
Xavier Darnai: Unsurprisingly she caught the joke, but in typical vampire fashion missed the humor. Contrary to popular belief, Xavier did in fact have a sense of it, though it was rare to show itself. Felix got another brief glance before looking forward again. Smirking a bit, he shook his head once. "Ownership's overrated. I prefer to be more the communal sort. Makes it easier to avoid responsibility when your toys cause damage." Taking it as a warning might have been wise, but also unnecessary. There was no doubt that Sonja knew just how dangerous Hex could be. When she announced her intentions, the smirk pulled into a full grin as he lowered his head just a touch. Out it came. "I've no intention to bed you Ms. DeValois, your business and my business have little to cross with each other in a civil matter, but I'll be clear. A bloodied war will hurt you far more than I, as you have far more to lose." Threatening her was not his intention, there was not even a significant barb in the statement. Turning his head to her again as he followed along, he took a breath, exhaling off to the side. "But I've no interest in the expenditure of resources it would take, so tell me, what's your vision of my network intertwined with your own conglomeration."
[Sonja DeValois]: Their pace slowed, but continued. A sign to the onlookers that they, she, were not yet free to open conversation. "Overrated, perhaps, but so much more willing to be shared." There were reasons that most of the guests were vampires, but their invited guests were human. She wasn't sure if he picked up on that or not, but Alexandra would be quite tasty. frosty or not. Her amusement never faded while listening to him speak and watching Alexandra in the company of Benjamin, who offered his arm and to be her tour guide to look over the artwork. Sonja turned her head just enough to look at Xavier from the corner of her eye. "I'll be honest that I don't know everything your little frost fairy's found about me. Really, there's no telling. But I will disclose this for you. While my businesses tend to be a bit on the more...flighty end of things, at least at face value, the depths of it all is movement. I move things, Mr. Darnai. From state to state, country to country, over oceans and through the air. I move small loads, I move large loads, and I do so invisibly. From what I've heard and what I've discovered, you enjoy moving things around." Pointed rise of both brows, as if she was showing a card, and now it was his turn.
[Francia Marie]: "There's a pale woman with unnaturally red hair near the stairs. That's Gena'Vieve Cain, Sonja's kin. The two women with her are two of her three fledglings. Chastity is the blonde and Isabella's the brunette." And they followed the redhead like they were on leashes.
Xavier Darnai: Language was always a very specific tool, and a lot of things could be learned by how someone used it. Sonja's emphasis on sharing caught his attention and he carefully brought his hand up and tweaked the frame of his glasses. His rust red eyes darted back and foth behind his glasses for a moment as he kept step with her, listening to the details of her offer. "She's shown me enough to have learned what it could all be a front for, and I can't say that I'm surprised with the heavy of it. Still, Sonja, you should've told me you were planning on taking a bite. I'd've saved you the trouble." Lowering his glass again, he tilted it back to drain out the rest of the champagne before setting it on the tray of a passing server. "My business isn't about money, and looking to expand isn't my goal, and you may find that getting into bed with me's more likely to get you killed than it is to help you flourish. Though I imagine an arrangement could be beneficial." Stopping in his walk, he turned to face her full on, every bit the model for Mephistopheles in his ash black suit and blood red accent. "So tell me your actual concerns, Sonja."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was still in the company of Benjamin, and now a few others, semi-circled around one of the living statues, which changed position so slowly over any given length of time it was early impossible for the human eye to see it if they watched steadily. All for the show, she seemed to be enjoying herself with a still, mostly full glass of champagne.
[Francia Marie]: "Shark tank, Hex. Shark tank."
Strange Hex: The comment came after Xavier's divulgence of information, for which there wasn't even a flinch from Alexandra.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja laughed softly, though in a very eccentric manner, to the quip of planning a bite, but made no further comment on it. For now. Rather, she stopped as he did and turned to face him. "I have found that every endeavor is dangerous. Just existing can be quite the hazard. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't taken any risks. Some risks are more beneficial than others, while some yet are strictly for the purpose of amusement. I have no concerns. Only an interest. With my shipping businesses and your preoccupations, we're bound to cross paths more than either of us have the foresight to acknowledge at this moment in time. Whatever your reasons for business, they're yours to keep. I'm not interesting in the reasons. I'm interested in the money, and while money won't promise anything amongst each other or others of our kind, there's never any harm in arranging a retainer of sorts." Her glass lifted, she took a drink of the contents, then took a step back and smiled. "All for your consideration, Mr. Darnai. Nothing more. Do enjoy the party. Oh, and I would suggest that, if you're truly not going to share that lovely little thing you've accompanying you this evening, you both take your leave by the stroke of two. Doors lock on the second chime." With a flirty waggle of fingers and a wink, she turned to join a small group of others, greeting them like the best of friends.
Xavier Darnai: Standing there and watching her go, he set his jaw and twitched his thumb a few times against the pleat of his pants. Giving it more than enough time to assess that her attention was elsewhere, he turned away and started back into the crowd. There was no question that he felt fully at home with the sharks, and had long before he was one of them, but he was more than willing to let them give him a wide birth at the moment. Propositions came in all shapes and sizes, and this was most definitely one worth considering. As a rule he didn't need the money, his cash flow build up at this point did more than enough to finance what he needed, and if he was ever truly in short supply he would find a way. With the chess moves planned out in his head, he continued through the gallery on autopilot, playing the frighteningly charming Xavier Darnai, financier and facilitator, testing his reputation against the choppy waters of the blood thirsty socialites. Between groups, he let his warning through. "Chumming the waters at two." It was an interesting piece of intel that she was willing to share, and it was going to be something to investigate.
Strange Hex: Whether it be premeditated spread of reputation, some other means of familiarity with his name or the air that he carried himself with, berth was wide but remained socially polite. He was welcomed amongst groups and cliques, introduced to people that he'd quite likely never hear of again after this, and asked if he'd be joining the feast of friends that wasn't too far off. All the while, Francia was in both his and Alexandra's ear, tipping them off to this person or that person as she could identify them, either by face recognition scans or the names they offered while socializing.
News of the feast never reached Alexandra, aside from Xavier's earlier warning, and she played the part of the distraction well enough. Being human, being secondary in the food chain, or further down than that based on personal opinions of party-goers, they all felt at ease to speak business and casually to one another, but never came right out to say what was lined up for later in the night. As rule of thumb, wouldn't want their more skittish meals to find out what was on the menu and run away. It was quite possible that Xavier had been the only one to receive such a warning. Of course, it was quite possible that at least some percentage of those in attendance were more than familiar with how Sonja's parties went, and expected as much.
Alexandra did veer away from the Cain trio, however. They appeared to be the hungriest sharks in the tank and she wasn't allowed to shoot anyone. Eventually her mingling stroll brought her back around to meet with Xavier again. "Please tell me we are done here." It seemed that she'd had about all of the partying she could take for the night.
Xavier Darnai: He looked a touch confused every time the subject came up, as if he was unsure of what they were referring to, doing his best to sew seeds of doubt of his nature. Those that relied on their ears would certainly have plenty to doubt, and those that relied on the sense of temperature had the same. He was careful about it, Xavier did not need others knowing his secret needlessly; it bred complication. Offering his left to her again as she stepped into place beside him, he gave the slightest of nods. "We are. I've found what DeValois is after. We'll discuss it in the car, there're going to be arrangements to make when we get back." Brisk and businesslike as ever as soon as their company was exclusive, he started leading her towards the door before checking corners of the gallery for signs of drainage. If the place had been chosen at random, he didn't believe there would be any, but the slightest tilt of a floor towards the walls and he would be able to guess that they used this gallery for such a frenzy often.
Bloody vampires. Once they were in the night's air, his right hand reached in to his tuxedo to withdraw a black pack of cigarettes with a single red star on the packaging. Their paper was red from tip to filter. Pinning it between his lips, he traded the pack for his flip top lighter, nickel plated and embossed with a red star. It was old and worn. Tossing it up, his left hand finally came free of his pocket, snatching it out of the air and snapping it to life. He watched the fire as he took the first hit, exhaling a quick plume of light smoke that smelled like a mix of tobacco and burnt tea leaves. Snapping the lighter closed again, he returned it to his pocket and removed the cigarette from his lips, looking to the stars. They'll always look wrong. "Learn anything of worth in there, or just that they're a smug group of rotten bastards."
Strange Hex: There was nothing to lead anyone to believe that their feast of friends happened within the gallery. Not the upper floors, at least. For all appearances and purposes, it was exactly what it was supposed to be; an art gallery. Art of lighter nature, humor, make and design littered the first floor, which had been closed off for the night for the express purpose of the exhibit on the second floor. The same men who had been standing there upon their arrival still manned the doors, keeping those who were not privileged enough to receive invites from entering, and bid them return tomorrow. With little more than a nod, his arm was taken and escort followed through and out into the open air. She wasn't sure she'd even been so grateful to leave something like that. Not that she was really bothered by the guest list, or knowledge of what they were, but she couldn't stand their smug ways and stuffy air.
As he went fishing for his fix, her arm slipped free of his. "Apparently the party will travel, though the guests seem transfixed on where it will be next. They're never given any details until the invites are received. I heard several guesses on the topic, and vague stories about previous exhibits of similar fashion." Their driver had already spotted them. The car was keyed and brought to quiet life, lights turned on and in the process of being brought around.
Xavier Darnai: "It's very much about hiding in plain sight for that sort. Wherever it's done there's likely to be a legitimate reason for people've that nature to gather, and if enough've'em're repeats to the event then it'd be relatively easy to track down the places they'd all happened to be at once." Travel history, logistics, all relatively simple tasks that were easy enough to hand off to people who did not need all the information. Looking back to the gallery, he let out a long, slow breath filled with smoke before shaking his head. The thought of what one well placed firebombing could do for the world passed through his head more than once as he stared, but as the vehicle came pulling around he cleared it from his mind and opened the door for her. "It was an attempt to find out just how well we can play together. It'd be safe to say she believes she's got the upper hand."
Strange Hex: Though a keen ear was kept to what was behind her, Alexandra was watching the car slowly roll around the circular driveway, around the garden, to come pick them up. "Really, she's the only one we'd have to track if we felt the need. Or so might be the easiest way to find out, in a broader spectrum, whom she associates herself with. It all can be looked into once we return, or after our next venture." The car was geared into park and the driver got out open the rear passenger door for them, offering a hand to her in gentleman fashion. For the moment, she held any further commentary as she slid across the seat to make room for Xavier and slid the partitian up to separate the two halves of the car. Settle comfortably, she waited for the door to close after Xavier before looking over to him. "That doesn't surprise me. She seems like the type to always assume she'd got the upper hand."
Xavier Darnai: Hex was right, DeValois was in fact the easiest way to figure out where the past gatherings had been, but there were other considerations. "Tracking her's likely to raise more attention than I'd want to risk right now. There's no way most've those guests are of the mind to wonder who's looking into them, or know why." Too many of them had been far too forward with their names and information. There were even a few faces he recognized from his days prior to Redcastle, simply operating Darnai Motors. Lavish businessmen and women after little more than hedonism, and DeValois had given them the perfect way to do it. Still, it seemed that the shadows were Sonja's game, and she preferred them, which made her connection to the Cains that much more of a leverage point. Stepping into the town car, he took another long hit of his cigarette exhaling out the door before closing it behind him. "She doesn't seem to want me to stop my shipments, she's just after the money they can provide. It's the second most polite attempt at an extortion racket I've ever seen."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was quietly thoughtful for several long moments. Her visual attention drawn past the glass of her window, but audible attention remained with Xavier. Most of it, at least. Francia confirmed their safe leave, and that was cue for her to leave her location and hop a plane. "Perhaps it would be more beneficial to just have DeValois watched as she has been until now." A slow blink brought her from her staring contest to look at Xavier. "Just for the time being. Until we return from the next venture. She might prove to be a diversion if one is needed. Make them think you're in one place with important matters when in fact you're somewhere else completely." Just another diversion. The latter of his commentary was found amusing, as was evident by the smirk. "Well, at least she's got some modicum of manners, right? She's certainly not the worst of vampires I've met. Can't say the same of the Cain's though. They looked at everything on two legs like it was a meal." Human or vampire, didn't seem to matter. She just shook her head and looked back through the darkly tinted glass.
Xavier Darnai: "Also, but not only. Watching her as we've been needs to continue just so she doesn't think we've lost interest." Once again Hex was on target. The Kansas City Shuffle was a favored tactic of the man, and Xavier had enacted it on multiple occasions to great success. "She'll be useful for a good deal of reasons if we're careful about it. Now that she's tipped her hand we should be ready to keep eyes out for where we might've infringed her shipments, or where we might in the future. For now all she's after is the money." Xavier's concerns for profit were non-existent. If this simply meant paying DeValois off to continue moving as he needed, then that would gladly be done, so long as it did not cut into the operational funds.
"I've met types like the Cain brood before. I'm not overly fond've'em." His opinion on vampires was not a secret, and types like those were largely the reason for it. "If the Cains are heavily interwoven into DeValois holdings, we're going to need to know it. Beyond that, I want to know how she found out what I am." There seemed to be an assumption that Sonja had that he had brought Hex to drink from her, and he wanted to know how she formed that opinion. He knew there were some that could discern it through specific methods, but if she was capable of that, then his approach would need to take that into consideration.
Strange Hex: "Watching will continue." Confirmed with a nod. Though, it likely wouldn't be Francia. Francia's skills would be put elsewhere, despite Alexandra's confidence in her abilities. It was just best to move her away from things. At least for now. Alexandra would find the right watcher. Perhaps not a human, though. Habitually, she smoothed her dress and looked back to him. "If it's the money, then why not just ask for a pay off to stay out of your hair?" Alexandra felt as though they were missing something key there. The payoff would have been much easier, and likely wouldn't require the bristle of feathers with the gala as far as Xavier was concerned. There was something more that she was after, but it was too early to tell what it was. "Meh." Was the sound she made. Stupid vampires.
Keeping up with the slight changes in topic, she nodded again. "Well, if she's having you, or us, followed like we're doing her, it's not beyond the imagination that she's picked up hints here and there. Or perhaps it was just something that she suspected and attempted to guage through verbal jabs." Anything was possible. Again, they just didn't know enough about Sonja, or her distant cousins. It was the cousins that Hex was more curious about. They seemed the more vile type than Sonja did. The car began to slow as it pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, towards the main entrance.
Xavier Darnai: "Like all things, it'll be money and power. If she's getting a slice've the pie, she'll believe she's in control in some way." A rough estimation based on how she managed herself around the others. There was a lot to learn about Sonja DeValois still, but so far the more he learned the less he liked. But it would not be the first time he did business with people he did not care for. Raising a brow, he looked back to Hex at her surmised pick-up. With a twitch in his lip, his right hand came up, rubbing at the bridge of his nose before dragging down over his mouth and jawline. “No more public drinking. No deliveries outside of confirmed safe houses. Runs to the banks only on request, and double check any of the staff at the banks we've used since I've had you look into her.” Cursing himself for having been so thoughtless about his own security, and sure there was somewhere he had let it slip, he stared at his reflection with more self-loathing than usual.
“...leave the Cains alone for now.” It was a back track of his initial thought that he needed to know if they were involved, but there were wheels turning in his head. “If she is watching us, and we haven't figured out how yet, then poking at the beast's sure to draw attention we can't afford. Let's get the Vee Kay Ess's'n the Sahara run off've our plates before we go forward with anything more. This'd been a polite request to consider involving her in our business, there'll likely be another request before a demand, and that'll give us some time to put our affairs in order.”
Strange Hex: There was no telling. Surely Sonja hadn't been around as long as she had, and built the empire she had (whatever that might truly be at this point), without learning tricks of the trade. And picked up tricks of others. Or at least signs of them. It was always better to over estimate other members of the game until they proved otherwise. Unworthy. An almost inaudible grunt accompanied a nod that she agreed they wait for any further action against Sonja until after the trip to the Sahara.
"We only need one plate at a time to deal with. Sonja can burn on the back of the stove for the time being." A place she'd be watched with a keen eye to make sure she didn't set fire or explode, but not seem to receive much more attention than that. Even that might rouse her ire, but it was what it was. "I'll have her under watch." She'd like to have the Cains watched, too, but she do as she was told in this case. Xavier was more knowledgeable than she in these cases, and she'd trust that as she always had. The car pulled to a stop and the driver put it in park before getting out and opening Xavier's door. "Thank the gods, I'm so ready to get out of this damn dress."
Xavier Darnai: "For the birds, neh?" A quick little snippet about her being ready to change as he climbed out of the car, offering a sizable tip to the driver as he stood, straightening out his suit. "Right then, I'm sure you've got travel arranged to the air field, and the pilot should be with the plane when we arrive. I'm going to see about a drink in the bar and make a phone call." An unusual amount of weight was in his voice as he mentioned the call, breaking away from the vehicle at his typical slow yet determined pace. "Have a pleasant evening, Alexandra. Try not to get into any trouble."
Strange Hex: Following him out of the car, she stood and thanked the driver for his services, then turned to look at Xavier with a nod, though she eyed him for that weight cast into his voice. "Travel arrangements are made. We leave tomorrow night after sundown." For a moment she just stood there, watching him. "You as well, Xavier." Then ventured off her own way to get out of the dressy duds and heels and pins and jewelry.
With only a couple hours to prepare and dress for the event, given the late hour that was set to start (shortly before midnight), a politely late arrival had been agreed on. Couldn't rush perfection. In short order, cleaned and dressed, primped and preened in Alexandra's case and it was a short ride to the gallery in the heart of Madrid later that they arrived and their driver opened the rear passenger's side door. The building was four stories with a slightly Greek air to it, tall columns between tall windows and was curved not quite into a crescent around the drive way and gardens that the drive circled. Twin doors stood wide open, allowing all invitees to enter freely after handing over their invitations to an employee standing to one side or the other of the door. Men in fine tuxes, women in designer gowns, it all sparkled like something straight out of the past when such huge galas were far more popular.
Alexandra'd heard from Francia, who was set up in an undisclosed location for her own safety, after having it decided that someone speaking in their ear, pulling up important identities, was a good idea. Alexandra wore the camera, but it'd never be noticed. When she told Xavier that she'd be dripping in champagne diamonds, she wasn't that far off. The very formal gown she wore was the subtle shade of candle light gold with a dim shimmer, certainly nothing overwhelming about the elegant garment with its spaghetti straps, dangerously low dipping back and floor length hem. The blue in her hair well hidden with her hair pulled back in loose waves pinned here and there with pearl pins and a single strand of choker-length pearls lay at the base of her neck. She tipped her head to the right, giving her earlobe a brief tug, listening to Francia test volume and clarity from her location.
Xavier Darnai: It had been a long time since Xavier had gone to Spain for anything meaningful. He could hear the Old Man in his ear, drilling him on the language as a young man, teaching him how to be wary of his accent. A slip here, a twist there, all of that could mean the difference between suspicion and death when dealing with diplomats. He hated it. But he learned. He learned the language that ended up being useless to him considering how everything played out. As he sat there in the plane, staring out the window over the Atlantic, his mind was obviously somewhere else, and in the car ride it had yet to join them. Still preoccupied with his failure, it seemed. But it was best that he lent his focus to it while he did not have more important details to attend to.
It was no secret that Hex could clean up, and she did so in style, though he was surprised that she hadn't gone so far with her peacock feathers as to let the blue beneath show more. Her dress was quite elegant, and Xavier showed that he too could in fact clean up. It had been some time since he had needed to wear a tuxedo, but his own was custom tailored. The charcoal grey fabric helped blend him into the night sky in an open field, but he did not disappoint by bucking the establishment, a red silk shirt, buttons hidden by an equally toned tie to complete the ensemble. Even his hair had been given a slight adjustment. As thick as it was there was little that could be done with it without trimming it down, and a simple haircut had done the job. He would still stand out, certainly, but he wouldn't look quite like the walking black torch through the crowd. Everyone had their accessories to fashion, and Xavier's were in a pair of red lensed glasses; an artifact by his lifetime's standard. They had been a trademark to his daily routine once upon a time, and there were always rumors about them.
Some said they let him talk to the devil, others said they were so keenly his that anyone else trying to wear them would lose their head. That second rumor was not far off, but the glasses were truly one of his most useful toys. A tweak of the frame allowed him to adjust the volume of the speakers built in to the temples of the glasses, letting the sound vibrate directly into his ears without the chance of being overheard. For the time being he kept his left hand in his pocket, not wanting to draw undue attention to the bandages that kept it wholly covered. Glancing over the frame of his glasses to Hex for a moment, he pushed them back over the bridge of his nose. "Looks aside, let's avoid any sense've a body count, neh?" Grinning a bit, he pulled the invitation out of his jacket and offered it over to the man at the door.
Strange Hex: While she had neglected the blue feathers that certainly would have established her as a peacock, she was sure that the nearly scandalously bare back would be enough to make up for it. Being a distraction without being completely obvious to wanting the attention was only part of the secret to drawing the right kind of attention. Neither she nor Francia had been able to come up with any sort of guest list for the gala, which meant there was little chance of knowing too many of the faces or names before hand. Where Xavier was sure to draw in female attention, and equally their names, Alexandra would do the same on the other end of the spectrum. "Where would be the fun in that? Just one or two for bragging rights to the Lady DeValois." Cheshire grin tugged at the corners of her mouth, face lightly touched with just enough make up to enhance already lovely features.
The man at the door took the invite, opened it to compare the name within the envelope to the name on his list, then ushered them in. The interior was a bit more spectacular than the exterior. Marble from floor to ceiling, all hued in a light tan that gave a very warm and welcome feel with the eye-friendly lighting. Grand stairs that led to the upper floors, were lined with black velvet as a sign that all guests were meant to climb the stairs. Sonja was likely where ever the party was being held, where she could mingle and greet as she saw fit rather than just whatever order people came to the door. Mid-way to the second level, the stairs split left and right, but opened up into the same open space that looked something like a ballroom with crystal chandeliers and ornate archways. It was the gala in full swing with soft music playing in the background and people, mostly vampires, roaming about the hundred or so works of art on display. Everything from stone statues to canvas paintings, metal works and living art. However, it was all meant for a darker crowd, heavily swayed by macabre influence and darker themes. Likely the reason it was a guests only party. Having kept in stride with him up the stairs, passing glances here and there to eye cameras beneath dark domes in the ceilings and exits, both doors and windows, her attention then drifted over those milling about as couples or small cliques.
"I'm glad I practiced my polite yawns."
[Francia Marie]: "Should have practiced sleeping with your eyes open." Francia chuckled.
Xavier Darnai: Well prior to the event he had made sure to go through his typical routines. Well fed to avoid the look of hunger or distraction of the beast, his pace maker active to keep a heartbeat going for those that would be listening, and a clean filter for his prosthetic lung to make sure his breath was fresh. Grooming was always important for the living, but the dead typically had a few extra steps to take. Especially the ones that had every intention of being confused for the living. Xavier was careful, he never fed in public, he never fed openly, and even before his siring he was hardly known for daytime activity without full cover. His whole life seemed to be the perfect attempt at a masquerade.
His recognition software hadn't been updated in some time, but the database he was drawing from had been quite thorough. Still, he preferred not to rely on it unless it seemed like it would be pertinent to do so, and so after making his way in he did spend a few moments looking at faces long enough to gather names and tie them to their locations. With his satellite locked over Madrid, he would let it do the majority of the work, tracking motion and doing its best to keep proper positioning on anyone he could tag. A few swept eye movements cleared the function from his vision, letting the process run in the background. Every second surrounded by them left a little tick in his head as he brought out another sliver of the person he needed to be in the moment. Grinning, he looked around once and let out a slow breath. "Really? And here I thought you'd've been happier to've practiced your stealth quips." His left arm was offered to her with a nod. "But then, I'm the arm candy. Care to lead, Madame' Mikos?"
Strange Hex: Wouldn't do to have a vampire with bad breath. He might knock his date out instead of off her feet. With what few references Alexandra had, there were very few that she could point to by name, but there were a couple. Taking Xavier's arm, she smirked. "I can snob-yawn with the best." In case he had any doubts, she confirmed it verbally. Only time would tell if she had to display her fine art of snob-yawning. Into the mix she moved with a casual, all too confident gain. While it looked as though she was taking in the dark, grotesque, blood-smeared or otherwise semi-disturbing works of art, she was more so taking in faces. She spotted Sonja near the corner of the open space, towards the front of the building, with a tall, dark haired, eyed and skinned male with her. "That's Felix." A subtle tilt of her head in Sonja's direction. "He's her tongueless companion that drives her around. From what Francia saw, Sonja rarely goes anywhere without him." And it was the hostess they were making their way towards. In passing, a waiter passed with a tray of champagne. Two glasses picked up in one hand, she offered one to Xavier.
Xavier Darnai: Taking the glass by the stem, he looked to Felix a moment before glancing back to Hex. "Tongueless, neh? That'd certainly cut back on the snarky back chatter, wouldn't it." It was an idle threat and they both knew it. He valued Hex' ability to stand up verbally and taking that away was just going to leave her as a piece of art to be seen and interpreted, the sort of 'help' that only the rich and self-believed powerful bothered with. In honesty the idea behind it could have made him laugh. Such a pointless gesture of power. Tilting the glass back, he took a sip of the champagne before looking around the gallery as they approached the pair, occasionally taking in the sights of gore and violence that lined the gallery. Vampires, always so willing to display their porn for everyone to see. The showing was to be expected. "Quite the collection of works, Ms. DeValios."
Strange Hex: "You'd miss my snarky back chatter." Whispered softly into her glass as she took a drink.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja looked every bit the eccentric vampire that she was, in some grand dress of black velvet that was only slightly over the top. Those how knew her came to expect it, though. She was a diva if ever there was one. She spotted the pair coming and put on her most charming of smiles. "I wish I could take credit for them, but alas, I cannot. Young Master Torro is fully credited." Her own glass holding hand motioned across the way to a young man who couldn't have been more than seventeen, maybe eighteen if he was lucky, when he was turned. Fair enough to be considered the perfect Aryan poster boy with soft blond curls that reached his ears and big blue eyes. He was a fledgling. He didn't have the same aire that older vampires had. "I see you brought your little frost fairy with you. Miss Mikos, it's a pleasure to see you."
Strange Hex: Alexandra had taken in view of the star of the night, but returned her attention to Sonja. "Fairly sure you've seen me before." A darling smile given to the woman.
Xavier Darnai: The back and forth exchange was watched in silence for the moment, though he did turn his head back to take a quick glance at the artist. If their boasting wasn't enough, acts like that could have been more than sufficient reason for Xavier to hate the bloodsuckers, but fortunately he was in no shortage of reasons. Equally as valuable however was his ability to work in a civil manner with people he utterly despised. Turning his attention back to Sonja, he decided it was time to step in to the discussion before Hex rightly decided to plant several rounds in the woman's chest before most of the party was aware of what had taken place. There was no doubt that many of the vampires present could be fast, but he was impressed by her ability to draw quickly. Though retrieving a weapon from within the gown she was in might have been a touch trickier, there was no denying that the champagne flute could make a very convincing shiv. "Young Master'd be the proper way to put it. Though something tells me he's educated well beyond someone his age ought to be." It was hardly a condemning tone, his own course of life had started well earlier than it should have, he could understand the twist of luck, and even cruelty.
Strange Hex: Alexandra had that dress prepared specifically for this party. Even if Sonja and Xavier had been the only two vampires there, she'd made damn sure she had quick access to the small handgun holstered closer to her inner thigh.
[Sonja DeValois]: The hostess was ready with a quick reply, but Xavier stepped in. Her smile was one of obvious amusement as she looked over towards the young artist. "An early education is required of anyone who truly wants to survive in life, rather than simply exist in life. Educated though he is, he is still quite raw and...prone to giving in to his desires."
Strange Hex: The latter of her statement drew her attention to Alexandra only briefly, before the pale blue gaze once more set to Xavier.
[Sonja DeValois]: "But everything is well in order tonight for a party and receiving of his talents to those who would appreciate his gothic displays."
[Francia Marie]: "His name is Benjamin Torro. No information yet on his sire, but he's there strictly with Sonja."
Strange Hex: "Well, I am so very pleased that you left room on Mr. Darnai's invitation. This is an event I'd rather not miss."
[Sonja DeValois]: "It wouldn't be proper to not invite a new acquaintance." Sounded like she might have been attempting to flirt. "Miss Mikos, would you mind terribly if I stole your company? Just for a short while. There are introductions to be made."
Strange Hex: Oh, all the ways she could have answered that.
Xavier Darnai: Prone to his desires. A statement like that had a very specific double meaning and he wasn't terribly fond of her insinuation. Glancing back to the artist again, his eyes looked to the paintings in very keen focus. Something about it gave him pause. It wasn't simply the scenes that he painted, but the materials he was using that caught his interest now. Even with the moment of focus on Torro's substance it was impossible for him to entirely tune out the discussion between Hex and Sonja. Turning his head back to the women, he raised one brow while bringing the glass up for another sip of the champagne. He was never terribly fond of the wine, but it had its place at celebrations apparently. He couldn't fault the French for their contributions to cuisine, just everything else.
Sonja's request had been rather unexpected. Perhaps that had been her plan the whole time; the invite had been for three, and who else would he have brought as a third but her? Wheels and gears began to turn in his mind as he looked to Hex and gave the slightest of nods to her. There was no doubt he trusted her to handle herself. "Suppose I'll have to find someone else to be arm candy for while you're off." Besides, if she was in trouble, he'd hear it.
Strange Hex: Bring on the double edges. If Alexandra was the least bit concerned by it, it never surfaced. Her expression remained neutral, if not a bit skeptical, but her skepticism could have been towards anything, really. "I'm sure Sonja would be happy to have you as arm candy for a short while." Removing her hand from Xavier's arm, she turned to begin to walk away, but stopped and looked at Sonja. "No breaking him, now. Otherwise I'll have to return the favor." There was no chance given to respond before Alexandra was walking away to mingle since blending, as a human, was about impossible.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja watched her walk away and laughed a tea party sort of laugh. "She is quite the feisty one. I can see why you keep her company, but I can't imagine why you'd bring her along." With or without invitation, she slipped her arm around his and motioned them into the fray of lingering bodies that milled about.
[Francia Marie]: You should watch it, Hex. You're in the shark tank and it looks like they haven't been fed for a while. Gotta love the peanut gallery.
Xavier Darnai: As soon as her arm went around his elbow the first of his own many secrets would be immediately given away. Though it wasn't much of a secret for anyone that had vetted him thoroughly. While his medical history was not attainable-- he had been exceptionally careful --but the video of the attempt on his life had been everywhere for a while, and the loss of his left arm was hard to miss. Organically designed to the most part, there were few form factors to catch or snag on his clothing, but just in case that is what the bandaging had been for. Still, it was impossible not to notice that it had no give. Looking back over his shoulder as Hex made her way off, he turned his attention back forward again, keeping Sonja in his peripheral as she lead him wherever she intended. "Same reason you keep the mountain about, I imagine. Good conversation." It was an off-handed remark, but it couldn't be helped. "Other side've the coin, can't say I'm sure why you'd sent the invite in the first place."
[Sonja DeValois]: What she noticed and what she didn't were kept to herself. After all, if life couldn't be a game, then at her age, it became maddeningly boring. Quite literally so. For the moment, they were simply going to walk. "If you're referring to Felix, he's excellent at most things. Conversation, however, is not one of them. He is pretty, and takes the trash out without having to be asked." Her close proximity would lend that whatever they discussed it was just between the two of them to those beyond their little space bubble. A nod here, a smile there, a wave in the other direction, the pace was kept at a leisurely stroll. "I meant that in all seriousness, though. I hadn't placed you as the type to share your toys." A pointed look given to him, waiting to see if he could read between the lines. To his comment of flip sides of the coin, she shrugged. "One of two things will happen. Either we'll find a way to bed each other into another form of prosperity, or we'll desire nothing more than to rip each other to shreds. The gallery is mine, but it's been far too long since I've called Madrid home, so I thought it a good, fairly neutral ground to test the waters. I'd much rather scratch your back than remove your spine, but I will do what is necessary."
[Francia Marie]: The man between the windows near what looks like a waterfall of blood is Vincenzo Moretti. He runs several real estate franchises, mostly in Europe, but two in the US. All of his properties are multi-billion dollar penthouses and estates."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was testing fate by introducing herself to Benjamin.
Xavier Darnai: Unsurprisingly she caught the joke, but in typical vampire fashion missed the humor. Contrary to popular belief, Xavier did in fact have a sense of it, though it was rare to show itself. Felix got another brief glance before looking forward again. Smirking a bit, he shook his head once. "Ownership's overrated. I prefer to be more the communal sort. Makes it easier to avoid responsibility when your toys cause damage." Taking it as a warning might have been wise, but also unnecessary. There was no doubt that Sonja knew just how dangerous Hex could be. When she announced her intentions, the smirk pulled into a full grin as he lowered his head just a touch. Out it came. "I've no intention to bed you Ms. DeValois, your business and my business have little to cross with each other in a civil matter, but I'll be clear. A bloodied war will hurt you far more than I, as you have far more to lose." Threatening her was not his intention, there was not even a significant barb in the statement. Turning his head to her again as he followed along, he took a breath, exhaling off to the side. "But I've no interest in the expenditure of resources it would take, so tell me, what's your vision of my network intertwined with your own conglomeration."
[Sonja DeValois]: Their pace slowed, but continued. A sign to the onlookers that they, she, were not yet free to open conversation. "Overrated, perhaps, but so much more willing to be shared." There were reasons that most of the guests were vampires, but their invited guests were human. She wasn't sure if he picked up on that or not, but Alexandra would be quite tasty. frosty or not. Her amusement never faded while listening to him speak and watching Alexandra in the company of Benjamin, who offered his arm and to be her tour guide to look over the artwork. Sonja turned her head just enough to look at Xavier from the corner of her eye. "I'll be honest that I don't know everything your little frost fairy's found about me. Really, there's no telling. But I will disclose this for you. While my businesses tend to be a bit on the more...flighty end of things, at least at face value, the depths of it all is movement. I move things, Mr. Darnai. From state to state, country to country, over oceans and through the air. I move small loads, I move large loads, and I do so invisibly. From what I've heard and what I've discovered, you enjoy moving things around." Pointed rise of both brows, as if she was showing a card, and now it was his turn.
[Francia Marie]: "There's a pale woman with unnaturally red hair near the stairs. That's Gena'Vieve Cain, Sonja's kin. The two women with her are two of her three fledglings. Chastity is the blonde and Isabella's the brunette." And they followed the redhead like they were on leashes.
Xavier Darnai: Language was always a very specific tool, and a lot of things could be learned by how someone used it. Sonja's emphasis on sharing caught his attention and he carefully brought his hand up and tweaked the frame of his glasses. His rust red eyes darted back and foth behind his glasses for a moment as he kept step with her, listening to the details of her offer. "She's shown me enough to have learned what it could all be a front for, and I can't say that I'm surprised with the heavy of it. Still, Sonja, you should've told me you were planning on taking a bite. I'd've saved you the trouble." Lowering his glass again, he tilted it back to drain out the rest of the champagne before setting it on the tray of a passing server. "My business isn't about money, and looking to expand isn't my goal, and you may find that getting into bed with me's more likely to get you killed than it is to help you flourish. Though I imagine an arrangement could be beneficial." Stopping in his walk, he turned to face her full on, every bit the model for Mephistopheles in his ash black suit and blood red accent. "So tell me your actual concerns, Sonja."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was still in the company of Benjamin, and now a few others, semi-circled around one of the living statues, which changed position so slowly over any given length of time it was early impossible for the human eye to see it if they watched steadily. All for the show, she seemed to be enjoying herself with a still, mostly full glass of champagne.
[Francia Marie]: "Shark tank, Hex. Shark tank."
Strange Hex: The comment came after Xavier's divulgence of information, for which there wasn't even a flinch from Alexandra.
[Sonja DeValois]: Sonja laughed softly, though in a very eccentric manner, to the quip of planning a bite, but made no further comment on it. For now. Rather, she stopped as he did and turned to face him. "I have found that every endeavor is dangerous. Just existing can be quite the hazard. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't taken any risks. Some risks are more beneficial than others, while some yet are strictly for the purpose of amusement. I have no concerns. Only an interest. With my shipping businesses and your preoccupations, we're bound to cross paths more than either of us have the foresight to acknowledge at this moment in time. Whatever your reasons for business, they're yours to keep. I'm not interesting in the reasons. I'm interested in the money, and while money won't promise anything amongst each other or others of our kind, there's never any harm in arranging a retainer of sorts." Her glass lifted, she took a drink of the contents, then took a step back and smiled. "All for your consideration, Mr. Darnai. Nothing more. Do enjoy the party. Oh, and I would suggest that, if you're truly not going to share that lovely little thing you've accompanying you this evening, you both take your leave by the stroke of two. Doors lock on the second chime." With a flirty waggle of fingers and a wink, she turned to join a small group of others, greeting them like the best of friends.
Xavier Darnai: Standing there and watching her go, he set his jaw and twitched his thumb a few times against the pleat of his pants. Giving it more than enough time to assess that her attention was elsewhere, he turned away and started back into the crowd. There was no question that he felt fully at home with the sharks, and had long before he was one of them, but he was more than willing to let them give him a wide birth at the moment. Propositions came in all shapes and sizes, and this was most definitely one worth considering. As a rule he didn't need the money, his cash flow build up at this point did more than enough to finance what he needed, and if he was ever truly in short supply he would find a way. With the chess moves planned out in his head, he continued through the gallery on autopilot, playing the frighteningly charming Xavier Darnai, financier and facilitator, testing his reputation against the choppy waters of the blood thirsty socialites. Between groups, he let his warning through. "Chumming the waters at two." It was an interesting piece of intel that she was willing to share, and it was going to be something to investigate.
Strange Hex: Whether it be premeditated spread of reputation, some other means of familiarity with his name or the air that he carried himself with, berth was wide but remained socially polite. He was welcomed amongst groups and cliques, introduced to people that he'd quite likely never hear of again after this, and asked if he'd be joining the feast of friends that wasn't too far off. All the while, Francia was in both his and Alexandra's ear, tipping them off to this person or that person as she could identify them, either by face recognition scans or the names they offered while socializing.
News of the feast never reached Alexandra, aside from Xavier's earlier warning, and she played the part of the distraction well enough. Being human, being secondary in the food chain, or further down than that based on personal opinions of party-goers, they all felt at ease to speak business and casually to one another, but never came right out to say what was lined up for later in the night. As rule of thumb, wouldn't want their more skittish meals to find out what was on the menu and run away. It was quite possible that Xavier had been the only one to receive such a warning. Of course, it was quite possible that at least some percentage of those in attendance were more than familiar with how Sonja's parties went, and expected as much.
Alexandra did veer away from the Cain trio, however. They appeared to be the hungriest sharks in the tank and she wasn't allowed to shoot anyone. Eventually her mingling stroll brought her back around to meet with Xavier again. "Please tell me we are done here." It seemed that she'd had about all of the partying she could take for the night.
Xavier Darnai: He looked a touch confused every time the subject came up, as if he was unsure of what they were referring to, doing his best to sew seeds of doubt of his nature. Those that relied on their ears would certainly have plenty to doubt, and those that relied on the sense of temperature had the same. He was careful about it, Xavier did not need others knowing his secret needlessly; it bred complication. Offering his left to her again as she stepped into place beside him, he gave the slightest of nods. "We are. I've found what DeValois is after. We'll discuss it in the car, there're going to be arrangements to make when we get back." Brisk and businesslike as ever as soon as their company was exclusive, he started leading her towards the door before checking corners of the gallery for signs of drainage. If the place had been chosen at random, he didn't believe there would be any, but the slightest tilt of a floor towards the walls and he would be able to guess that they used this gallery for such a frenzy often.
Bloody vampires. Once they were in the night's air, his right hand reached in to his tuxedo to withdraw a black pack of cigarettes with a single red star on the packaging. Their paper was red from tip to filter. Pinning it between his lips, he traded the pack for his flip top lighter, nickel plated and embossed with a red star. It was old and worn. Tossing it up, his left hand finally came free of his pocket, snatching it out of the air and snapping it to life. He watched the fire as he took the first hit, exhaling a quick plume of light smoke that smelled like a mix of tobacco and burnt tea leaves. Snapping the lighter closed again, he returned it to his pocket and removed the cigarette from his lips, looking to the stars. They'll always look wrong. "Learn anything of worth in there, or just that they're a smug group of rotten bastards."
Strange Hex: There was nothing to lead anyone to believe that their feast of friends happened within the gallery. Not the upper floors, at least. For all appearances and purposes, it was exactly what it was supposed to be; an art gallery. Art of lighter nature, humor, make and design littered the first floor, which had been closed off for the night for the express purpose of the exhibit on the second floor. The same men who had been standing there upon their arrival still manned the doors, keeping those who were not privileged enough to receive invites from entering, and bid them return tomorrow. With little more than a nod, his arm was taken and escort followed through and out into the open air. She wasn't sure she'd even been so grateful to leave something like that. Not that she was really bothered by the guest list, or knowledge of what they were, but she couldn't stand their smug ways and stuffy air.
As he went fishing for his fix, her arm slipped free of his. "Apparently the party will travel, though the guests seem transfixed on where it will be next. They're never given any details until the invites are received. I heard several guesses on the topic, and vague stories about previous exhibits of similar fashion." Their driver had already spotted them. The car was keyed and brought to quiet life, lights turned on and in the process of being brought around.
Xavier Darnai: "It's very much about hiding in plain sight for that sort. Wherever it's done there's likely to be a legitimate reason for people've that nature to gather, and if enough've'em're repeats to the event then it'd be relatively easy to track down the places they'd all happened to be at once." Travel history, logistics, all relatively simple tasks that were easy enough to hand off to people who did not need all the information. Looking back to the gallery, he let out a long, slow breath filled with smoke before shaking his head. The thought of what one well placed firebombing could do for the world passed through his head more than once as he stared, but as the vehicle came pulling around he cleared it from his mind and opened the door for her. "It was an attempt to find out just how well we can play together. It'd be safe to say she believes she's got the upper hand."
Strange Hex: Though a keen ear was kept to what was behind her, Alexandra was watching the car slowly roll around the circular driveway, around the garden, to come pick them up. "Really, she's the only one we'd have to track if we felt the need. Or so might be the easiest way to find out, in a broader spectrum, whom she associates herself with. It all can be looked into once we return, or after our next venture." The car was geared into park and the driver got out open the rear passenger door for them, offering a hand to her in gentleman fashion. For the moment, she held any further commentary as she slid across the seat to make room for Xavier and slid the partitian up to separate the two halves of the car. Settle comfortably, she waited for the door to close after Xavier before looking over to him. "That doesn't surprise me. She seems like the type to always assume she'd got the upper hand."
Xavier Darnai: Hex was right, DeValois was in fact the easiest way to figure out where the past gatherings had been, but there were other considerations. "Tracking her's likely to raise more attention than I'd want to risk right now. There's no way most've those guests are of the mind to wonder who's looking into them, or know why." Too many of them had been far too forward with their names and information. There were even a few faces he recognized from his days prior to Redcastle, simply operating Darnai Motors. Lavish businessmen and women after little more than hedonism, and DeValois had given them the perfect way to do it. Still, it seemed that the shadows were Sonja's game, and she preferred them, which made her connection to the Cains that much more of a leverage point. Stepping into the town car, he took another long hit of his cigarette exhaling out the door before closing it behind him. "She doesn't seem to want me to stop my shipments, she's just after the money they can provide. It's the second most polite attempt at an extortion racket I've ever seen."
Strange Hex: Alexandra was quietly thoughtful for several long moments. Her visual attention drawn past the glass of her window, but audible attention remained with Xavier. Most of it, at least. Francia confirmed their safe leave, and that was cue for her to leave her location and hop a plane. "Perhaps it would be more beneficial to just have DeValois watched as she has been until now." A slow blink brought her from her staring contest to look at Xavier. "Just for the time being. Until we return from the next venture. She might prove to be a diversion if one is needed. Make them think you're in one place with important matters when in fact you're somewhere else completely." Just another diversion. The latter of his commentary was found amusing, as was evident by the smirk. "Well, at least she's got some modicum of manners, right? She's certainly not the worst of vampires I've met. Can't say the same of the Cain's though. They looked at everything on two legs like it was a meal." Human or vampire, didn't seem to matter. She just shook her head and looked back through the darkly tinted glass.
Xavier Darnai: "Also, but not only. Watching her as we've been needs to continue just so she doesn't think we've lost interest." Once again Hex was on target. The Kansas City Shuffle was a favored tactic of the man, and Xavier had enacted it on multiple occasions to great success. "She'll be useful for a good deal of reasons if we're careful about it. Now that she's tipped her hand we should be ready to keep eyes out for where we might've infringed her shipments, or where we might in the future. For now all she's after is the money." Xavier's concerns for profit were non-existent. If this simply meant paying DeValois off to continue moving as he needed, then that would gladly be done, so long as it did not cut into the operational funds.
"I've met types like the Cain brood before. I'm not overly fond've'em." His opinion on vampires was not a secret, and types like those were largely the reason for it. "If the Cains are heavily interwoven into DeValois holdings, we're going to need to know it. Beyond that, I want to know how she found out what I am." There seemed to be an assumption that Sonja had that he had brought Hex to drink from her, and he wanted to know how she formed that opinion. He knew there were some that could discern it through specific methods, but if she was capable of that, then his approach would need to take that into consideration.
Strange Hex: "Watching will continue." Confirmed with a nod. Though, it likely wouldn't be Francia. Francia's skills would be put elsewhere, despite Alexandra's confidence in her abilities. It was just best to move her away from things. At least for now. Alexandra would find the right watcher. Perhaps not a human, though. Habitually, she smoothed her dress and looked back to him. "If it's the money, then why not just ask for a pay off to stay out of your hair?" Alexandra felt as though they were missing something key there. The payoff would have been much easier, and likely wouldn't require the bristle of feathers with the gala as far as Xavier was concerned. There was something more that she was after, but it was too early to tell what it was. "Meh." Was the sound she made. Stupid vampires.
Keeping up with the slight changes in topic, she nodded again. "Well, if she's having you, or us, followed like we're doing her, it's not beyond the imagination that she's picked up hints here and there. Or perhaps it was just something that she suspected and attempted to guage through verbal jabs." Anything was possible. Again, they just didn't know enough about Sonja, or her distant cousins. It was the cousins that Hex was more curious about. They seemed the more vile type than Sonja did. The car began to slow as it pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, towards the main entrance.
Xavier Darnai: "Like all things, it'll be money and power. If she's getting a slice've the pie, she'll believe she's in control in some way." A rough estimation based on how she managed herself around the others. There was a lot to learn about Sonja DeValois still, but so far the more he learned the less he liked. But it would not be the first time he did business with people he did not care for. Raising a brow, he looked back to Hex at her surmised pick-up. With a twitch in his lip, his right hand came up, rubbing at the bridge of his nose before dragging down over his mouth and jawline. “No more public drinking. No deliveries outside of confirmed safe houses. Runs to the banks only on request, and double check any of the staff at the banks we've used since I've had you look into her.” Cursing himself for having been so thoughtless about his own security, and sure there was somewhere he had let it slip, he stared at his reflection with more self-loathing than usual.
“...leave the Cains alone for now.” It was a back track of his initial thought that he needed to know if they were involved, but there were wheels turning in his head. “If she is watching us, and we haven't figured out how yet, then poking at the beast's sure to draw attention we can't afford. Let's get the Vee Kay Ess's'n the Sahara run off've our plates before we go forward with anything more. This'd been a polite request to consider involving her in our business, there'll likely be another request before a demand, and that'll give us some time to put our affairs in order.”
Strange Hex: There was no telling. Surely Sonja hadn't been around as long as she had, and built the empire she had (whatever that might truly be at this point), without learning tricks of the trade. And picked up tricks of others. Or at least signs of them. It was always better to over estimate other members of the game until they proved otherwise. Unworthy. An almost inaudible grunt accompanied a nod that she agreed they wait for any further action against Sonja until after the trip to the Sahara.
"We only need one plate at a time to deal with. Sonja can burn on the back of the stove for the time being." A place she'd be watched with a keen eye to make sure she didn't set fire or explode, but not seem to receive much more attention than that. Even that might rouse her ire, but it was what it was. "I'll have her under watch." She'd like to have the Cains watched, too, but she do as she was told in this case. Xavier was more knowledgeable than she in these cases, and she'd trust that as she always had. The car pulled to a stop and the driver put it in park before getting out and opening Xavier's door. "Thank the gods, I'm so ready to get out of this damn dress."
Xavier Darnai: "For the birds, neh?" A quick little snippet about her being ready to change as he climbed out of the car, offering a sizable tip to the driver as he stood, straightening out his suit. "Right then, I'm sure you've got travel arranged to the air field, and the pilot should be with the plane when we arrive. I'm going to see about a drink in the bar and make a phone call." An unusual amount of weight was in his voice as he mentioned the call, breaking away from the vehicle at his typical slow yet determined pace. "Have a pleasant evening, Alexandra. Try not to get into any trouble."
Strange Hex: Following him out of the car, she stood and thanked the driver for his services, then turned to look at Xavier with a nod, though she eyed him for that weight cast into his voice. "Travel arrangements are made. We leave tomorrow night after sundown." For a moment she just stood there, watching him. "You as well, Xavier." Then ventured off her own way to get out of the dressy duds and heels and pins and jewelry.
