Austin, Texas.
Hardly the vampire den that New Orleans is, but the vampire population of the state are well aware that the King of Dallas not only resides in the city of Austin, but rules over it as Sheriff. Several local businesses are owned by Kinnel, which is where he prefers to be rather than in the large home that is attributed to him.
This evening is different; a party is underway at the King's estate. Several followers, human companions, and willing donors are present, as well as the Austin were pack. Synthetic blood flows freely from decorative fountains, spilling down over ice sculptures, and is available in abundance. Kinnel is lounged back upon a couch, appearing to be rather bored of the occasion. Followers come to offer tribute, and he waves them off.
~
Through the security, through the door comes a sharply suited figure. Short of stature if not years, and with the delicate embossment of Armani gracing the breast pocket of his suit, William Grant enters the proceedings with quiet, measured steps. Open at the collar, his shirt is darkly formal for this particular brood, his impassive expression impeccably maintained.
He does not bother acknowledging most of the partygoers, though eyes lock briefly with an old acquaintance. Instead, he takes those quiet, measured steps directly towards his monarch. The Sheriff of Dallas is in town, folks, which means either something is up or he couldn't come up with a good enough excuse to turn down an invitation.
~
Without so much as moving, or feigning anything other than the boredom he feels, Kegan states, "Will. You deemed this event worthy enough of your presence?" A hand moves subtly to waft the more menial of followers away, allowing room for the Sheriff to take a seat should he desire to. "Though perhaps you have come due to the issues with this new terrorist cell in your illustrious city?" The presence of the Area 9 Sheriff is enough to put the King on edge, which is well noticed and causes a slight ripple effect within the room. Murmurs begin, conversations swiftly switching topics.
~
That Sheriff maintains the impassive facade, no matter the trepidation scoring through the back of his mind. He sweeps into a courtly bow, the bow long ago decided upon by himself as appropriate; the bow of a Baron to his King. "Your majesty," says Will, his voice neutral and pleasant.
He rises from the bow, indifferent to the murmurs around him. "Though I am, as always, honoured to be in your company, Sire, the answer to your question is," He pauses, for the briefest moment. "Both."
~
The bow is disregarded, Kinnel obviously not all the big on the pomp and circumstance of it all with his Sheriff's. Everyone else is a different matter. "Then welcome to the estate, please make yourself comfortable and partake in whatever you wish." The first sign of movement other than his lips is when he raises up, leaning forward. Legs spread, hands drop between them, fingers nearly touching. "Seeking answers or help on the latter?"
~
"Thank you, Sire," Will responds, moving sideways to place himself delicately on a seat. His movements are, for those accustomed to his languid stretch, stiff. Rigid, even. His face, however, does not, yet, give it away. "I do not feel that the situation yet warrants large scale intervention." Read, I ain't that weak, M'lord, "However, should there be alternative groups with similar aims showing themselves, it would be of service to my investigation. The Voluntary Vampire Extinction Movement, of all things, they call themselves, Sire."
~
"Ahhh, yes. We have heard of the group here in Austin." Kegan's expression is unchanged for the most part, though his lips drift into a wry smile. "What have you established about this rogue group thus far?" He motions to one of the human servers, and she promptly delivers two bottles of the richest synthetic available. One of which is offered to the Dallas Sheriff.
~
"Little," Will admits, "though there are individuals currently in the field investigating, from whom I hope to garner results in the near future." He accepts the bottle of synthetic from the server, waiting for the moment before drinking. One never knows.
"They are comprised of both mortal and immortal members," the Sheriff of Dallas comments, "and they evidently believe they have nothing to lose, so willing they are to sacrifice their own number. The true beginnings of my investigation will take place over the next week. I shall do it myself."
~
"What of the death of at least one of our kind by the hands of your followers?" Kegan grabs the other bottle, popping the top off of it and taking a swig of the extremely thick liquid. "I am well aware as to what has been going on, Will. Despite this being a terrorist cell, killing one of our own is a very serious crime." Though Will may not know of the two vampiric deaths, Kegan seems awfully well informed.
~
Allowing his liege to drink first, Will matches Kegan with a gentle crack and a sip of the bottle. "No concrete information as yet, Sire," says he. "Murderers are growing more careful in the modern era. Little evidence is being left, so routes of investigation are struggling."
~
"I was unaware that using the pointed, leafless branch of a tree was considered growing more careful." Kegan slowly smirks, setting the bottle on the table after another swig. "Or that stabbing one in the heart with a silver knife was. Or perhaps allowing that annoyingly insane woman with the rather insulting faux vampire teeth to take one out in a public park was careful at all." His relaxed posture tenses, a dark look settling on his face. "Were I not aware that you did not have a hand in any of these, I would see to your punishment immediately. These deaths are your responsibility, but should another of our kind die by the hand of one of your own, you will suffer for it as well." To a lesser extent.
~
The barest flicker of a cheekbone betray's Will's sudden flash of emotion, and the looks that skips across to Kegan betrays suprise if nothing else. "Of course," he accepts, mildly. "It would seem that your threads of information are superior to mine, Sire," he says, pleasantly. "Are you able to elucidate upon these? Perhaps a witness that has escaped my grasp that I may interview?"
~
"That," Kegan states, "is why I am the King." A point that he well knows likely irks the Area 9 Sheriff. "A human girl, one of whom is in my employ, has been glamoured and is working within the group, though she is also acting as my spy." Half-truths. "I do believe one of your followers mistreated her, another near choked her to death, and she is now being held hostage."
~
Lovely. Will's expression does settle back to his usual mask, he does not allow a visible reaction. "I shall endeavour to ensure that the girl is returned to you," he says, mildly. "I shall also ensure that there are no unwarranted deaths of our kind. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
~
"If she is not, it is no big loss." Humans, Kegan figures, are a dime a dozen. "The deaths of our kind do concern me. If you can make it known to your followers that it is better to subdue and extract information rather than going on killing sprees, I may just allow it to slide this time."
~
Will doesn't bother to mention that he's fairly certain he almost gave the okay for one of those deaths. Well, he did say not to get caught. "Such will be my pronouncement as soon as I am returned," says the Sheriff. He takes a second drag at the bottle in his hand, letting the thick liquid slide down his throat. "It seems that the velvet glove has not succeeded, so the time of the iron fist is upon us."
~
"So it would seem." Kegan's dark look subsides as he leans back upon the couch once more. "Now it is my turn to ask a question of you. Who is that delectable red head that was with you on that fateful night? Security footage shows that she is warning two of our kind. Is she one of yours, or is she available?"
~
By the faintest quirk of lips, perceptible to none but the most astute of supernaturals, Will was expecting this particular question. "By ancient right and tradition claimed as mine own," says he, carefully, his eyes drifting to spot any particular reaction from his liege. "Her name is Chloe."
~
Briefly, the consideration in his mind is to do away with the Sheriff and take what he wishes. "Then by ancient right and tradition, I shall leave her be." « Whilst you are still on this earth. » There is a long silence as the sound of the party grows and swells around them. When Kegan finally speaks once more his eyes are trained upon Will's face. "The other human woman? The insult to vampires. What are your plans for her?"
~
There is a moment where Will's mask slips, his eyes widen as they train on Kegan's face. Surprise shows, even his lips part for a moment. The pause in speech allows his compsure to return, his impassive look to settle back into place, though there is an inward disgust for allowing such in front of the King. Still, this is new.
"The girl is too prevalent in the public eye for her to be removed," says he, levelly. "However, it would seem that her previous encounters with our kind that left her insane have been dealt with, and her mind at least partially restored. I see no further reason to act, unless mortal authority can be brought to bear, implicating her in anything specific."
~
The slip is caught, Kegan's hand shooting forward to grip Will's throat. The swift movement is drawn back just as swiftly, leaving the Sheriff of Area 9 untouched for the moment, as though a thought may be more prevalent through the skin to skin contact. "You will keep yourself out of my head," he scathes at the Sheriff.
"See to it. She knows too much, and is therefore a danger to our kind."
~
"You should know as well as I that I should not be able to hear you," says Will, his chin lifting in gentle submission to expose his throat. His tone is neutral, though he continues to study the monarch with careful eyes. "Mine gift does not usually thread through the ether, but through contact, Sire. I apologise for the error I could not help but make."
"Should she put but a single foot wrong, I will ensure the wrath of mortal authority doth fall upon her," he replies to the latter, slowly bringing his bottle to his lips for another draught, finishing the remnants.
~
Kegan looks none too pleased by this development, uncertain as to whether it is his own susceptibility to such things, or Area 9's abilities growing stronger. His clenched hand reaches for the bottle of the richly thick blood once more, merely to close around something that is not the throat of one of his own men. "Mm," he offers quite irritably.
"You will remain for the next week at the very least, Dallas," he says, using the area name rather than Will's own name, all in order to show his displeasure. "As our guest."
~
A nod, filled with the respect due his liege's station, dips toward Kegan. "Your will, Sire," says he, oblivious to the pun. "I am at your disposal, as always. Perhaps we shall gain opportunity to discuss matters of lesser import." So Will can start seeing if he can hear anything else from his King. For there have only been two other vampires he can hear like that; one his Maker, the other his Child.
