Medical City Hospital
Bright, wide lights hang from the ceiling, casting the clean and sterile surroundings with brilliant light. A reception area sits centered before the door where people can check in, or ask for directions to other areas within the hospital. Past the desk is a small hallway with elevators leading to the upper floors, and signs that point to radiology.
Two large metal doors to the left of the entrance lead outside to the ambulance loading dock. The doors are marked 'EMERGENCY ONLY' in large red letters.
With each passing day Hugo regains more strength, more memories, and more coordination. The doctors seem pleased with his progress and it looks like there has been no notable brain damage. All good news in Hugo's book as well. The only part that isn't to his satisfaction is the vampire sitting in his room every night. For the first few nights, Hugo didn't even realize he was there, sleeping more often than awake. But last night was the first night he woke up to find the vampire sitting there, still as a statue, watching him sleep. Their conversation was brief at best. He got the vampire's name and that he was ordered to guard and protect him, but no more. Finally, after endless unanswered questions, Hugo proffered a request - that Charles would kindly inform his employer that Hugo wished to speak with him at his earliest convenience. And so he watches as the sun goes down, waiting till dark, for the vampire to appear, desperately staving off the need for sleep in the light, or this case dark, of possible answers to his questions.
~*~
This isn't the first time Marius has entered this hospital room. The first was, ostensibly, to interview the figure in bed, but as he was still indisposed, there was another that shed some illumination upon the issue at hand. Now that the vampire is a little calmer, and some discussions and inquiries have been made, the .. request is granted for an audience.
Entering the room silently, the blonde is dressed as is his wont.. clichéd black attire, t-shirt under a black, thin lapelled jacket that holds a little bit of glimmer to it in the form of brass pin. Black doesn't show the blood of his vessels..
While his expression is blank and impassive, his German accented words sound almost conversational, even if they state the obvious. "You are awake."
~*~
He was expecting Charles, but Hugo effectively covers his surprise when Marius enters the room, one brow lifting up as he replies mildly, "I was waiting for you." He resists the odd urge to tag onto that, 'big boy'. Well, a bit of a stretch. He was waiting for someone. Hugo is somewhat dismayed that the vampire in question is, well, Marius, so he notes, "Josephine mentioned that she had bartered for my protection from a William Grant. Am I to gather from your presence that she is mistaken? Or do you represent Mr. Grant?" He isn't afraid. Part of him realizes that he should be, but there seems almost no point at this juncture. If Marius is offering him protection, then it is unlikely that he will harm Hugo. Unlikely. The human looks better now that he's conscious again. His face still slightly bruised, but his gaze is keen and he is sitting upright.
~*~
"She is mistaken. Josephine spoke to.." Marius pauses for a heartbeat before continuing, "Chloe. Chloe contacted me. Just as she had at Mary's regarding this same issue."
The vampire approaches the bedside slowly and deliberately, reaching out to touch the covers as if to look at the extent of injury beyond the obvious. "Your friend said that her injuries were sustained in the car accident." Statement, nothing more. "The vampire had reached for you and pulled you from your vehicle. I do not wish to assume, so if you will name him."
~*~
Hugo nods slowly, internally wondering about the whole matter, but in the end realizing that it is moot. If the vampire involved is Marius, then it is Marius to whom the debt is due. As the vampire touches the covers, Hugo informs him, "Just the arm at this point, though the doctors wish to keep me here a little longer to make sure I'm not suffering from any further complications," his right hand lifting to tap at his forehead lightly with one finger before dropping back down to the covers. "Some cracked ribs that are mostly better and bruises. The rest of me is fine." Taking a breath, Hugo notes, "I cannot confirm or deny what happened. My memory of the accident has been spotty at best and, in truth, I lost consciousness early in the game. I remember a car hitting mine, but saw neither the make or the driver. Someone reached in and tried to pull me out by my broken arm. Before I could even see who it was, I had passed out. But," he offers, reaching over to one side to pick up a pad of paper. "I made a drawing of Tareq and Paige identified him as the one who had tried to take me." He hands over the sketch to Marius, an excellent and detailed likeness of the Egyptian vampire.
~*~
Marius' hand rises from its spot, the fabric of the light blanket undisturbed. "When you are released, you will be staying with a friend until you are fully healed. At that time, when you return to your home, I am certain he will appear to you." As of yet, the Egyptian hasn't announced his presence and intentions within the City Limits, and thusly, has set himself up to chastisement.
"Your friend had stated to me that she attacked him, blinding him after he had taken you. It was then that he attacked her. The same goes for another." Here, he waits to see if Hugo understands the meaning of the timeline of events. "Until it can be determined otherwise," that is, if he knew there was another in the vehicle and the intent was serious harm, "we do not consider a vehicle accident to be an attack."
~*~
One brow lifts as he asks, "Are you suggesting or telling me this? And do you mean a friend of mine or a friend of yours?" Hugo shakes his head, slowly so as not to aggravate his injury over much noting, "Tareq will not come to my apartment. Not again. There is no point in it. He has been dis-invited, so he cannot enter and he knows that. He knows that I will be on my guard. That is precisely why he tried to take me during the accident. I was wounded, unable to resist, and he most likely was going to use that opportunity to strengthen his bond and his claim on me, once again without my permission." He listens to the rest, the vampire's words matching what he's been told by various and sundry others, but his brow lifts again at the idea that smashing into his car and potentially almost killing both him and Paige would not be considered an attack. But to this assessment he merely rumbles softly, "I see…"
~*~
"A friend of yours."
Marius stares at Hugo, his blue eyes devoid of anything, and his voice cants low, almost a whisper, but still perfectly audible. "Do you harm him in the least with your resistance while in good health?" If it was anyone else, there'd be measure of incredulity attached to it. As it is, it is deadpanned, perhaps meant to point out the absurdity of the notion. "If he wished you dead, I am certain the accident could easily have been more severe."
The vampires expression shifts to something that looks a little more 'alive', though it displays something of an impatience, and with a wave of his hand, finishes the thought, "That is what you had said before. Without your permission. It is upon this that some of this matter hinges. By your admission, he saved your life and in exchange, you willingly served this vampire in his requests of you. I cannot come to the bottom of this until Tareq is in my presence. And this can most easily be done by your aid," Marius can't help but to add, "seeing as he did not leave to New York as you had suggested that perhaps he had."
~*~
At that question, Hugo almost laughs noting, "Me? Harm Tareq? I hardly think that's possible, do you? And as I told you before, until this last encounter I had no reason to think he believed me to be his property and no reason to even want to hurt him." Of course, if forewarned, Hugo would be prepared to defend himself with silver, but he sees no point in informing Marius of that fact. Shaking his head carefully again, Hugo notes, "Not dead. No. That was not the point. Injured, yes." But the rest is pure speculation, so Hugo stops there. His brow furrows at the point that Hugo might be either lying or delusional and with a soft snort he counters with a hint of impatience, "One's perception is one's reality. You think it is unrealistic for a human not to understand the nuances of vampire culture and beliefs when you keep then shrouded in secrecy. To a human, being willing to do favors for one who saved your life would be completely understandable and commended, but no human would say that your life was owned by the one who saved it. Not in this day and age and in this country." His mouth opens to continue before snapping shut once more. "My …. aid. What are you proposing?"
~*~
"You have never heard the phrase oft spoken, 'I owe you my life'?" Vampires, it seems, take things a little more literally than most? "Or, a life for a life? 'I am in your debt'?"
Marius waits until Hugo finishes speaking; perhaps the lamb will come to his own realizations by himself, that is, there was no gain to the vampire to injure Hugo. Resistance would have been the same— useless and pointless. "And the reason you had first sought aid.. was this not in complaint of an attack upon your person? At Mary's?"
Still, be that as it may, there is work before them, and Marius speaks again when the final question is asked. "If you wish him caught, the easiest way is to have him seek out his own." And like it or not, that is Hugo. "No harm shall come to your person, and we will take possession of Tareq." Just in case there is question, the vampire finishes, "With no debt owed to us."
~*~
"Those phrases exist, and in certain times, certain cultures, they were sometimes true. But this 'claim' that you speak of is more like slavery than a debt of honor, allowing the saver to do whatever he or she wants to the savee? This is not how it works between humans. Look," Hugo points out. "Tareq has already broken many laws by human standards. He used a car as a weapon and smashed it into my car in order to injure me. Big no-no. He tried to kidnap me, another illegal action. He did not obey a police officer who told him to back off and down. Another illegal action. See, this is the problem. Vampires do not believe that they must obey human laws, but expect that humans must obey vampire laws? Laws that we don't even know exist? It is … unreasonable and egotistical. If you had no true interest in integrating into human society or vice versa, why did the vampires go public in the first place?" Hugo does not reach the conclusion that Marius has, because Hugo understands a little better how Tareq thinks. He can totally understand why the vampire chose to ram his car in such a fashion and take him. Sighing, Hugo's right hand lifts to pinch the bridge of his nose. "It was my sister who sought aid, not I. Just as she has done again, apparently." But he listens quietly to Marius' proposal, nodding as he sees logic in it, but his head lifts abruptly, Hugo's eyes narrowing and focusing on Marius', warm blue meeting cool as he asks again, "No debt? What about for the protection that Josephine arranged? Is there a bill for Charles' services?"
~*~
"Tareq drove in a manner to cause an accident. Not something, by human law, that is cause for arrest. He will pay a fine," Marius' voice is low. "If you wish, I will bring an attorney here and they can enumerate all the ways in which Tareq would be freed. The police officer fired when it was obvious that his bullet could have hit you, thus injuring you further." He'd spoken to Paige who had said the vampire was holding the breather as a hostage, as it were. "Kidnapping… again, his claim upon you must be cleared before further argument may be given." Are the human laws such that they recognize vampire claims? Marius couldn't care less. In his mind, it is completely cut and dry.
"It was your sister who sought aid, and it is your sister that incurs debt for my aid in your temporary protection. It is in taking possession of the vampire that you will not be in our debt."
~*~
A small humorless smile touches upon Hugo's mouth as he counters, "I can see that this argument will go nowhere. You are firmly entrenched in your beliefs, even when they run contrary to human laws. Neither the twain shall meet. And you're wrong. Running a red light will get you a ticket. Reckless driving with intent to injure is definitely an arrestable action. And sure, he could get off on bail, but there are numerous other charges that would keep him under lock and key that is if a vampire could be kept under lock and key, which seems quite frankly ludicrous." Leaning back into the cushions, Hugo would cross his arms if he could but instead he notes, "Since I am the one being protected, I insist on taking on my sister's debt. She is not in a position to pay."
~*~
"You assume he will say that there was intent. You breathers run red lights every day. Stand at any corner." Marius walks almost everywhere, and has seen his share of.. vehicular oopsies.
However, there is a difference of opinion; vampire vs. human, and Hugo is correct— never the twain shall meet. As a result, his expression is impassive, as still and unreadable as a granite statue. The next and more important subject is given his fullest attention.
"She is the one who requested the protection for you, and therefore, she incurs the debt, and whatever it is that is asked in payment, she will be capable of doing so. We cannot say if you would have requested such a thing for yourself, and therefore, until you are declared unclaimed, I shall not take such a thing from you. Should we take possession of the vampire in question, however, I shall revisit your request."
~*~
"I think the part where he ripped off the door and tried to kidnap me helps with the whole 'intent' part." Hugo's teeth practically grind together in frustration at Marius' refusal to take Hugo's payment rather than his sister's though. "And that is the final word on it? Well, if you should change your mind, please consider my request to be the payee of her debt, since it was incurred on my behalf." His eyes lift though at that final comment, confusion coloring his gaze as Hugo inquires, "You just said there was no debt for you taking possession of Tareq, but now you are suggesting otherwise? Or do you mean to say you will reconsider my offer at that time to take on Jo's debt?" Reaching up, Hugo runs his hand through his hair and mumbles, "Okay, right. So the plan is that you want to set a trap for Tareq, and I'm the bait, yes?"
~*~
"I will reconsider transferring your sister's debt to you, when the time comes." And if it pleases him to do so.
Marius inclines his head at the last question, a gesture that seems at odds with the lack of expression upon his visage. "Yes. He will seek you out, and I prefer if it is in a location that makes it easy." Small to no crowds, just in case. "I would that it not attract a great deal of attention." The vampire takes a step back; there is some planning to be done on his side as well, regardless of how the pair work it out. "Do you know of a place where he would seek you out?"
~*~
Well that's something at least and Hugo's head bobs in agreement. Probably would be good to know what the debt might be before asking to pay it, but it doesn't really matter. He can't let Jo be the one to pay. "I know that the AVL was thinking of hiring me for my services as an artist, for some pro-vampire publicity." Oh the irony. "I don't know if that is something that would involve you, but it is an optional payment possibility, should it be of interest to you and yours." Hugo quietly ponders the matter before noting, "Not my apartment. He won't come there again. I think he was watching me before. Or sensing me. However that works. I think he waited till I left the coffee shop for the same reason. Late at night. No crowds. Not a lot of attention." He frowns as he thinks, murmuring finally, "There are a few places that I've gone before. Studio 10. A few restaurants and clubs. Or we could find a new place for me to 'frequent'. One that meets your criteria."
~*~
Payment may not come this week, this month or even this year. Regardless of when, it will always be well within the ability of the debtor to pay. If it isn't, what is the point?
"It will be of my choosing at the time of my choosing."
Listening to the list of potential places, Marius remains quiet through them, giving nothing away. Finally, the vampire makes a decision, and also looks as if he's preparing to leave, "We will find a new place. You will attend with Charles." An idea forms even now.. "This will require some organization. I will contact you when it is I wish you to put yourself into position. Until then, Charles is to be your constant companion."
~*~
Taking a deep breath, Hugo bobs is head in assent, agreeing to Marius' terms for no other reason than he has no other choice. "As soon as I've been released, I'm ready. Just let me know." He's not sure how he feels about Charles being his 'constant' companion, but so long as the vampire doesn't mind lurking outside of his apartment, Hugo supposes that he can deal with that. One thing is for certain - he certainly isn't planning to go out at night for a while. And though it almost kills him to do so, he offers to the departing vampire, "Many thanks - for your assistance and willingness to consider a transfer of the debt."
~*~
"You will be contacted."
Marius turns now and exits the room, and in his place, the somewhat familiar form and figure of Charles takes up his place. Seating himself, the vampire looks to Hugo for a long moment before offering the barest hint of emotion in the form of the shake of his head as his duty begins. What that might mean, the newly arrived vampire isn't telling.
