As Promised (Kestrel & Others?)

It had been a while, and Mary was curious whether or not David had made his choice. It was clear where his mind was going, but things can change quickly.

She entered the Castle the usual way, and walked towards the bar. Tonight she had left her Victorian chic at home, and was wearing a corseted gown of red and black satin in a more modern gothic style that left her arms and much of her décolletage bare. Her hair hung loose almost to her knees, and She walked with a swagger. 

As as she rounded the corner, it became clear she wasn't alone. A young man, in jeans and a hoodie, wearing a bandana around his head, held her hand, and walked slightly behind, as if he were letting her take the lead. 

Mary spotted David, leaned back to whisper something to the other man, then waved, and headed in David's direction.

David glanced up from his glass and caught the sight of Mary and what appeared to be a young man in tow with her. Slowly he stood up from the chair and table he was seated and bowed graciously to Mary. "Evening Del Belmonte." David slyly smiled and looked to the young man and bowed slightly in respect. "And to you as well."

Turning to the table David removed the rather large stack of proprietary paperwork and placed it on the table. "As promised. Six clubs now owned soon be to operated after some renovations, one will be used as a centralized location as well. That one will need a bit more work." David spoke straight forward.

Grabbing his glass he took a drink and after setting it down looked to the both of them. "And I am here to give you my decision."

Exo did indeed sit and looked rather comfortable with Mary draped across his shoulders, like a loving cloak. For all of his near ghetto/thug like looks, the young looking Korean sat properly and looked right into David's eyes with his own ink black irises. A hand moves up to almost lovingly caress Mary's cheek as his eyes lock and watch every one of David's moves. "Ah yes...the Son of Discord. Good evening. I am to understand that my Mary here has been speaking to you about...who we are." A small smirk appears, but his eyes do not share the mirth and they do not leave his.

"Tell me, Songbird. Tell me about yourself. Tell me about these clubs you have secured. Tell me why you are a benefit to the Sword..."

Mary watches the interaction between the two. She doesn't comment, or interject, merely warptches. After David finishes speaking she undrapes herself from Exo's shoulders, and goes to the bar, bringing back two glasses of bloodwyne. She then sits in Exo's lap, lounging back, offering a cup to his lips.

"Indeed you are correct your grace. I am well aware of the target on my back. The one thing that my sire did explain to me before my very long slumber. I have grown used to said target and I do not fear being hunted, being a privateer taught me that lesson very well. If they should come then so be it and see where the bones fall so to speak." David finished and another taste as his glass came back to the table.

"With all due respect I am well aware of my rarity and yes even with my age I understand what you are saying but at the same time to pass on one such as I, it would be hard to do." He spoke very calmly and his eyes never left Exo's not once.

"You feel the nightclubs would not be enough? I can see where you are coming from but at the same time with the supply lines that I can provide it is a lucrative offer on the table none the less. Of course more work will be involved and finding ways to tame the authority of the kine society is a must which will be looked into and dealt with." Now to the last part and this is where David sat up a bit more straight.

"I will stand up the front lines if called to do so. Through my years I can provide strategies to different situations that are required. For example instead of a direct approach the opposition could be brought under control or even wiped out with an attack from within. Or turning one's allies against the other with a hum of the lips if that is what is required. You all need warriors, fighter, strategists, tacticians, infiltrators for what is to come I can provide such service to the Sword of Caine. My mentality in battle and war has not changed in 300 years and will never."

David paused for a moment. "Most importantly you need ones that are loyal, that you can trust to do what needs to be done and to spread what needs to be spread, that I can do as well. As a bonus if you wish to look at it that way your grace I have four under me that would give their unlives for me without question. They do what is needed, always have and are great at what they do thus why I personally selected them as my band mates. I do not associate with cowards. They understand what my decision is and what it entails and none have shied away from my decision and desire to move forward with me."

Another sip. "So if I am truly what you are looking for your grace then I shall give you my decision and if not and I have wasted your time and Lady Del Belmonte's as well then accept the current properties in New York as compensation and do with them as you will for I have kept my promise to Lady Del Belmonte of acquiring said properties for adequate supply lines of kine for your sect." With that David went quiet and waited to see where this would go.

Exo had listened to every word of what he was and could bring and money and kine and blah blah blah. Exo nearly sighed out loud and was about to simply walk out when Mary spoke up. He blinked and grinned almost wickedly before he looked at David.

"Seems you have a supporter and she knows that I don't much care about your money, clan or years. Money I have and can get easily. Blood...vampires with age. Rare clans. I know them all. It's you I want to know about, Songbird."

"Tell me about David Alexander and why I should care..."

Mary looks David right in the eyes ....

"Yes," she whispers to him. "More!"



-------
Blah blah forget it, let it go red.

Exo grinned as he caressed Mary's cheek before looking up at David.

"You see...powers and kine and blood and age? These are facts and tools. Nothing more. Easily gotten from a hundred others that even need to be kindred. What you are showing me here? Heart, passion...not can you do something? But will you? That is what I have been looking for." He sits back as he watches him. "You have these things Songbird. But you rely too much on your disciplines to get you by. Before powers? Before ability? There is something deeper that needs to burn. If I had a fire here, would you have the stones to face it?" He is quiet for a long moment.

"I think you do, Songbird. But I think you need time to find those stones. And perhaps...perhaps we can help you with that." He looks up at Mary. "I will perform this rite for you. His rite. But we need to discuss some things first I think..."

Exo chuckled and gave her a grin. "It's been some time since I was able to conduct a Ritual. Allow me for this one...and when we get to the Dance? I will gladly love to watch as you lead us in the rhythm." He chuckles before looking at David. "Where exactly are you and your band currently, Songbird?"

Mary murrs happily ,,, looks up at David.

"Five. The perfect pack. Are they happy that your decision includes them? Did you ask them, or tell them?"

She picked up her own glass, taking a long drink, leaving a small drop down one corner of her pale mouth, that she deftly wipes away with one finger.

David finished his glass and nods respectfully to Mary. "Indeed they are elated with the decision I have made. They were told and I gave them one time an out and they are fully on board with me." David's voice still cold but his smile full of dark passion of wanting to let his pipes burst forth. "I may be cold but performing in my element then my passion seen your grace." David looks to Mary once more and bows his head in deep respect.

"Lady Del Belmonte honors me greatly and both of you will not be disappointed." His voice now letting loose the passion of wanting to sing from his lips as he kept the desire restrained but still showing none the less. "Is there anything more you both wish of me before I depart to start making preparations?" He asked respectfully.

Exo says nothing during this exchange. Instead he locks eyes with David and only moves when Mary is nibbling on his earlobe. At that point he reaches up to find her cheek, caressing it softly before sliding fingers into her hair. He waits silently, wondering just what he would say to her...

Mary nuzzles Exo's hand, then straightens, standing tall behind him with her hands on his shoulders, fingers kneading gently.

"While we appreciate your offer of hospitality, you will of course excuse our refusal ... until you are one of us and beholden to our laws. We will take care of our own lodging and feeding until after your rites are complete."

She bends down as if to whisper to Exo, then looks up again ...

"We would very much love to attend one of your concerts, though. Perhaps the last of a series, to give you and your pack-to-be a chance to recover from your exertions before needing to appear in public again.?"

David simply nods that he did not need to be concerned about accommodations but after when they spoke of when they would see his performance his passion flooded his eyes and his body movements as he adjusted in the chair showed excitement and just how much David truly loved to perform for the masses. "It will take me one week's time to arrange for such a grand tour for us to perform and I can spin it that it will be our last for a brief time." David looked to the table as the thoughts were flowing through his mind as immediately he unlocked the satchel grabbing paper and pen and both would see him going writing crazy on the paper as Mary saw him the last time he was at the castle.

"Three clubs.....ending......yes.....central park.....so many legions I can have there......" David began to laugh but it was a laugh of passion. "Mmmmm the shear thought of all those people of New York......" He shivers. The ideas were fully flowing. "The system must be huge......for all to hear......yes.....enthrall.....all mine to......so much fun......" His smile was ever growing as his head tilted as he continued.

"Lighting, oh yes......all those heartbeats.......ahhhhhhh" The last part was the sounds of an orgasmic rapture. Now they were seeing his passion that had been wanting to pour out tonight.