Information Exchange

Sheriff's Estate - The Vault

This room covers almost the entire ground floor of this house. The majority is taken up by a stylish reception area; three chunky, white leather couches places in a neat U-shape, with a low table in the centre. Another corner holds a modern, black table, six comfortable chairs placed around it as though for conference. The final feature is a bar, well-equipped behind it and with a pair of chunky fridge-freezers, containing a variety of synthetic blood. In one corner is a staircase, leading upstairs. On the same wall is a door through to the only area on this floor not part of this room, where sits a small bathroom and the route downstairs, a featureless door, metal constructed and lockable from one side only, though plated to fit with the design of the house.
Three walls are white, the fourth covered in ceramic panels to give some colour to the place. The floor is tiled, in a pleasant, neutral shade. Windows at regular intervals stretch from floor to ceiling, concealed blackout blinds above them. One wall bears a huge flatscreen television, and one aware of their surroundings will spot the speakers concealed at various points in the room. The general feel of this area is a clinical style, a blank, neutral canvas for whatever happens to be going on. Those who know Will generally refer to this area as The Vault, for the round pillars that stretch up to the roof.


Night is passing quickly; warm and muggy as it is, the Vault is blissfully air-conditioned; a habit brought about by Will to allow for the more alive members of staff. The King of Texas is stretched languidly across a sofa, eyes closed and fingers tapping gently against his leg; clearly deep in thought. A total of four empty bottles of synthetic blood are placed on the small table adjacent to the couch. He is otherwise motionless.

The night has been quite silent. Very… humanless, with the likely exception of Will's right-hand-daytime person Erica. Be that as it may, Chloe is being escorted into the estate at the moment. She has been avoiding it as much as possible due to the visiting dignitaries. Tonight though, she's come to see if Will has gotten her messages and to let him know that she's not heard a word from Ivan since she left them. Could this have been done over the phone? Certainly. Truth is, she missed him though.

Even before the door opens, a lazy and languid, « Chloe. Good evening, » is sent though the mental link the pair share. Will is relaxed this evening, it seems. Slowly, he stands from the couch, taking quiet steps over towards the kitchen to seek further sustenance.

« Is it safe now then? » Not that being near the Queen of Iowa was unsafe, but Chloe would rather be… comfortable safe than just… alive safe. "Will! Did you get my messages?" She moves toward the couch, taking a seat near where he was laying back on it. Then she crosses her legs in front of her and watches him in the kitchen.

« Always, Chloe, for the property of the King, » Will replies, with humour threading through his mental tone. Cheerful, almost. Two bottles of synthetic are rapidly cracked and shoved into the microwave in a single, graceful movements. "I did," he responds, verbally. "Does he still wish me to act upon him?"

« Be that as it may, your visitors worried me a little. » Chloe smiles, then untwists her hair from the bun it was in. "I honestly don't know. I've not heard from him since that day. I'm guessing that means he was just highly charged emotionally… or that he'll contact you himself with a different offer." Her shoulders shrug upward and she sighs. "I've been rethinking working for him. All things considered since it was a vampire that took Faith from Cabo, I'm guessing he's not really on your side any longer."

"Who was it that worried you?" Will wonders, mildly. "Tanwen is a force for humanity and light in the dark world of immortality, Chloe." He extracts the synthetic blood from the microwave after the customary 'ding', and begins to walk over towards the couches once more. "I once had great aspirations for Ivan, and have done nothing but open arms to him. Alas, since his lady friend was assaulted, he has had little to do with me."

"She is just so… old. It's a bit unnerving is all. Besides, my last dealing with royalty that wasn't you was, shall we say, likely frowned upon by others of your kind." Chloe may not have dealt the deadly blow, but she helped to rescue Will from the old King of Texas. Surely if anyone heard her part in it, they'd be less than thrilled with her. "He's a man, Will. As such he's guided by his…" Cough. "… emotions. You had no control over what happened to Faith, just like you have no control of when another vampire makes a claim in your state. You are the law, but you can't stop actions that have already happened."

"Tanwen is older than my religion," Will tells Chloe, "yet she the most human and kind of any vampire I have met." He sips at one of the bottles, before sliding into position alongside Chloe. "He is a dark and dangerous individual. I led Fontane to the culprit, yet he seems still beyond ability to show thanks or alliance with me. It is beginning to test my patience."

Like Chloe said: old. "So she wouldn't mind my part in dealing with Kegan then? It wouldn't bother her that I helped in a… regicide?" Curiosity is all it is, really. Leaning in toward Will, she lays a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I think that trait runs in the family. His grandfather, from all that I've read, is a senator or something. Same attitude. Same… volatility? I don't know, but I'm not sure if I should keep with the job or not. I know you have worries over it too… but if you want me to keep an eye on him, I'll do it for you."

"Perhaps not, though best not to discuss it at great length," Will responds, still mild and largely unresponsive to the kiss. Slowly, his head shakes, and he pauses, as if seeking the correct words. "He is a killer," he says, quietly, "and whilst I do not deny that I also am such, I do not torture when authoritative justice is a viable option."

"Wait… who's the killer? Ivan or his grandfather?" While Chloe has no doubt that the senator or whatever he is has a killer instinct, it's not something she would have ever pegged Ivan for. "If you want eyes and ears in the mayor's office, I'll grin and bear it for you," she offers again. "It's the very least I can do for you, Will."

Will simply says, "Perhaps both, but definitely Ivan." He shakes his head, once. "The choice is yours; I do not believe that he will harm you, but I felt it necessary that you be made aware. Please never inform Ivan that you know this, since I intend to use the information and proof as a last-ditch effort to protect my race if it becomes necessary."

Never inform Ivan? That's a very tall order. How does one work with a murderer day in and day out and not let it be known that they know the secret? Chloe has always been good at hiding things, and has become increasingly adept at skirting the truth when necessary. She has a look of shock in her eyes, but on her lips? A forcibly bright smile. Trying her best to mask it, and knowing that she will fail. "A murderer and a torturer? Ivan?" Though her expression may mask it a bit, her voice certainly is less controlled. "You have my word. More than that, I offer you a blood promise. Should I speak of it you can drain me dry without turning me."

"Murder is a strong word," replies Will. "He was consumed with rage for the actions of the individual at the time." He glances to her, and his lips twist towards a smile. "Making me a killer for similar reasons? I accept your promise, Chloe. Think of it like this; this is your real test, your real indoctrination to immortal life. The knowledge you possess that speaks of wrong, but is one of the strongest cards held to keep your race and your species safe from marauding politicians."

"Anger killing is still murder, Will." At least in the eyes of human law. "Even your friend Marius knows this, and he's able to maintain some semblance of control." The bruise on her cheek has now healed, but still she brings a hand there. "You would hardly be a killer, as I'm offering my life to you. I will make it legitimate and legal and write up a contract if you'd prefer?" Thoughts of death no longer bring fear to Chloe's eyes. A far cry from when they first met, and she was terrified that he meant to snack on her. "I will do anything to protect you, because I love you."

"Regardless," says Will, "this avenue of discussion will not take us anywhere well." Something like a shrug touches at his shoulders. "Nor do I believe the Futile Care Law covers those who break their word." His amile flickers towards the amused as he takes another draught at the bottle, sitting largely motionless with Chloe beside him. "I appreciate the sentiment, Chloe."

"You should, because it's the truth. It's how I feel." He may be a motionless lump of a man, but Chloe is feeling exceptionally affectionate this evening. Thus, he gets another kiss to try to draw him out of the statuesque form. "I should tell you, though I'm sure you've heard, I took Marius with me to the renaissance fair last weekend. He wanted to see the wares of the blacksmith there, and I wanted the protection without bothering you and distracting you from your guests."

"You realise that Skylar Murphy is a supernatural, likely a psychic akin to yourself?" Will replies, answering her with what he hopes is disarming ease. Another look flits her way, at least a reaction to the kiss this time. "He also seemed to believe that Marius was your boyfriend." Dry and amused now.

"He's not. He's… well I can't explain it. Other psychics… their minds feel comfortable. Skylar is…" Chloe frowns a little. "How on earth did you know his name, or that his mind is all funny?" Drawing back from him a little, she eyes him curiously. "More to the point, how do you know he thinks that Marius is my boyfriend?" Has someone been spying on her? Doubtful. He's not the superly jealous type.

"Anyhow, he's not. His mind is funny. He doesn't make a barrier of his mind or put up a wall. It's like… his mind is the barrier. Every time I try to get through it, he gets a headache. As though my attempts physically pain him. I stopped trying. I don't want to hurt him." She rolls her eyes. "Yes, he kept calling Marius my boyfriend. Though really, the way Marius treats me, I really don't think anyone should have made that mistake. I'm just another lamb to him. The difference is, I'm protected."

"Because, Chloe," Will responds, amused, "I made it in to his mind, albeit not all the way in. I withdrew when it became clear he was in great pain." Eyes flit across to her once more, with a brief smile touching at his lips; it seems her efforts are starting to thaw the statue. "He has repaired one of my weapons for me, and mentioned you, therefore I checked his mind."

"You made it into his… you went to the faire!" An exclamation and accusation. Suddenly, Chloe laughs. "Here I thought you were drawing it out of me somehow due to me being so close to you. What did you see in his mind?" Hopefully not the gift, though if that's the case she'll own up to it. It's not as though Marius didn't see her uploading the pictures or hear all about it while they were at the faire.

Head tilts in acquiescence. "I did," Will admits, with a dip of that same head. "I saw little; you, Marius, little else of import. I was somewhat peturbed by his defenses, more than anything." He leans back into the couch now, less upright, more relaxed. "Is there anything else interesting happening?"

"I don't know why I'd be on Skylar's mind. I hardly know him." Chloe bites her lip, then owns up to it. "I've got him making a gift for you, which should be ready in a month or two." She shifts her position on the couch until she's half sitting in his lap. "Nothing else interesting has happened, no. Josephine's brother asked me out to dinner to thank me for introducing him to Marius… but other than that, nothing of importance."

The vampire finally chuckles, though it's brief, and one hand moves, starting to trace along and up Chloe's leg. A fond touch. "I was not prying," he says, clearly well amused now. "You seem to be doing well with the gentlemen. I must admit to surprise than any mortal would thank you for an introduction to the Whip."

"Hugo?" Chloe shrugs, kicking off her shoes to get more comfortable. "He's got a vampire problem, and that's the Whip's job, yeah? Take care of vampire problems. I think he was claimed without his knowledge or will or something. Either way, Marius will take care of it if the issue becomes more than what it is." She may not particularly care for the Whip, but she knows he'll do the right thing if necessary.

"Indeed," Will agrees, with a faint flash somewhere through the link of a faint irritation - it is no longer his role, so it rankles that he does not know absolutely everything going on. "I despair of some of my species, Chloe. They breach simple rules without thought or dream. Though, I admit, it is the same for mortals. Why do they do it?"

"I don't know. To stand up to authority? To prove that they are better than the one they seek to insult? Because they merely feel like it." There are other reasons, sex, drugs, money. Chloe hears them all and doesn't like them. "Humans are probably worse though. To be honest, we tend to break rules at every turn. Even if they're just minor." Twisting her body so that she's now atop his lap fully she leans in to playbite his neck. "Calm yourself, Will. Your irritation is unfounded. You are above it all, and I love you."

"I was being," says Will, dryly, "rhetorical. Expressing my discontent at the youth of day. Showing my age, perhaps." He allows the touch, even lets his touch on her leg start to wander, though he's still staring across the room. "Mortals are foolish and impulsive, perhaps we should settle for that?"

"Rhetoric aside, it's true. We are foolish and impulsive, and guided by our emotions." Unlike vampires with their steely resolve and neutral masks. Chloe lifts her head, then nips at his neck playfully again. "I've missed you," she says finally. "I don't like being away from you so long."

"It is depressing," Will laments, "but it is true. Foolish mortal." In a rapid movement, he's suddenly to his feet, complete with a Chloe in his arms, effortlessly carrying her with prodigious vampiric strength. "It is a by-product of my role in society," he tells her, looking her directly in the eye now. "I can apologise for it, but it will serve no purposes; it will not change.

There is a joyful laugh as she's hoisted up so effortlessly. "You are forgiven. I know you'll be busy sometimes and unable to be with me. It doesn't bother me so much except for the sense of unease I have when you aren't near." Chloe wraps her arms about his neck, hugging to him while ensuring that should he decide to drop her she doesn't immediately fall. "Should I show you how much I missed you?"

"Once you are settled in immortality," Will tells her, looking her in the eye once more, "you may be able to come with me." Though in what capacity he does not explain. Lips quirk towards a half-smile, as he leans his head forwards, offering the first of what is likely to be many kisses.

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