A Less Than Welcome Reception

[The Cedar Witch]

[ for Idrial ]

After leaving the catatonic Nikolai just outside the outskirts of the city, Laurent brought Mitch down the secluded private access road that led straight to the compound.  It was a secure route, guaranteed to circumvent any Prying Eyes.  The car they arrived in had been borrowed from one of Laurent's people stationed at his hotel.  It was an inconspicuous common sedan--black of course--and was kept immaculately clean.  The demon would've much preferred darting through the shadows to get here, but had his very corporeal companion to consider.  He didn't particularly care for driving and avoided it as much as he could.

Laurent hadn't informed Zeus that they would be arriving, but he was sure that the other demon would be interested in knowing what information Mitch had.

The shadow demons posted at the back gate recognized the vehicle (and its driver) and opened the way before it reached the gate, so that the car could continue its speed into the gated compound.  The gates closed securely behind the car as soon as it passed and came to a stop in one of the spots in the small parking lot off to the side of the entrance to the underground compound itself.  Before exiting the car, Laurent gave his passenger a cheeky smile.

"We're here."  his tone was devious. 

Laurent led Mitch to the front of the Block, the demonic sigil glowing a dull red at the demon's approach.  Placing a hand on the surface the stone door dematerialized at his touch, allowing them to pass through.  It solidified again as soon as the two were inside.  There were two demons at the front desk, several shadow demon security roaming about, a handful of street demons in the waiting areas.  It wasn't as busy as it had been in its prime, but it was getting there slowly.

Laurent bypassed the front desk, Mitch in tow, and gave the demons there a wink.  One of them--a power demon--scowled back at him.  He leaned toward Mitch and whispered "She doesn't like me," with a smile.  She definitely heard him, and huffed as she turned back to her computer, typing more furiously than before.

He strolled confidently up to the guard--in the form of tall shadow demon--posted at the elevator, who looked down his nose at the pair before him.

"Second floor," Laurent stated firmly.  The guard looked from Laurent to Mitch, and back to Laurent again.

"Just you.  He stays."

"Uh, no.  Zeus will want to--"  There was a sudden flurry of whispers traveling along the dark corners of the walls--both Laurent and the guard were still, listening.

"Just you."  The guard firmly repeated.  Laurent, frustrated but compliant, turned to Mitch.

"Give me a minute to get this sorted out.  You can sit wherever."  He motioned over to the more comfortable--and less occupied--seating area.

[Idrial]

The car ride was full of intricate details, his talents as an assassin kicking in full force. The windows had been blacked so he could remember every twist and turn of the road, he didn't have to hide for once. Lauren's vehicle was that anal clean hard to find these days, he would have to ask later who he hired to clean. Mitchelletto was impressed and could use someone with these skills make his targets disappear. Returning his gaze out the window almost in a trance, his mood remained in high spirits. Laurent had promised him an audience with the demon known as Chtahzus'aak, whom he knew of from his days in the city. Once an Oligarch for the demons before the Oligarchy fell, a man well respected among his own people. A demon Mitch could get behind, for the right price of course; everything had a price to Mitch.

Taking note of the fortified compound called 'The Block' the gates closing as Laurent announced their arrival, Mitch smirked at Laurent before exiting the vehicle in one fell swoop. His massive height would be noticed among the demons, staying close to Laurent as he put his hand on the stone. Mitch's eyebrows popped up as he gazed upon the sigil, so is this how they keep the general populace out? Only a theory but a good one, he followed Laurent through the stone only for it to solidify behind them.

Mitch kept his face neutral to the comment that the woman did not like Laurent, something the shared in common. His thoughts on wondering what her blood would taste like? His gaze moving from one side of the room to the other, a tall shadow demon in his true form stood at the elevators. Then problems began to arise, one that Mitch did not see coming, was Chtahzus'aak not expecting him? Denied entry there was now a stir of frustration forming in his belly, had Laurent been overconfident? Mitch nodded briefly picking a dark corner, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his fingers steeped at his chin.

[The Cedar Witch]

Zeus had been in the middle of a meeting with a leader from a notable fire demon family when word reached him that Laurent had entered the property.  With a vampire.  This forced him to cut the meeting short, and Chtahzus'aak was not pleased.  Fortunately, there was little left to discuss with the fire demon.  There was rumors of a very special fire child--something that would need to be further investigated--that was to be coming of age (and strength) over the course of the next few months.  There was much that the shadow demon had left to do.  There were several meetings he had yet to handle, as he had insisted on meeting with each of the scattered clans himself individually.  An interruption was the last thing he wanted tonight, and he sincerely hoped that whatever Laurent needed to say to him would be worth his time.

The vampire with him was another matter entirely.  Bringing a vampire into a building serving shell-shocked demons was insensitive.  Had Zeus been made aware of this visit, he would've closed for the evening.  From what he saw of the camera footage on his computer, he didn't like the look of the man.  Greasy and shifty looking.  Precisely the type of ilk that Laurent associated himself with. 

Zeus had seen the fire demon politely to the door and watched her enter the elevator before turning back into his office.  He sighed with agitation and crossed back over to the front of his desk where he stood with arms folded over his chest.  As much as he disliked the other shadow demon, Laurent was good at finding dirt.  He was good at finding people who were good at finding dirt.  His specialty was torture, twisting it out of unwilling individuals and prying into their minds like pulling back the lid of a can.  So long as he kept the mess contained and ensured that nothing would lead back to his doorstep, Zeus had a use for him.  They had known each other in hell and he had seen how Laurent worked there.  It was malicious but effective.  He had a reputation for getting results. 

The time it took for the elevator baring the fire demon to descend, unload, and for Laurent to get on was short.  Not three minutes passed before the elevator returned to the second floor.  Zeus glared at the door as it opened, maintaining eye contact with Laurent as he approached the desk, watching as the other demon's expression went from confident to pensive.

"Why did you bring a vampire in here?"  Zeus' tone was deceptively calm. 

"I have brought you information--"

"And you lacked the forethought to clear this with me prior to leading him straight in here?"

"He's fine you can trust--"

"No, I can't."  His steady, challenging stare forced Laurent to look away out of supplication.  How could he trust a vampire he hadn't met?

"What's the problem?  I found you some dirt on Jake--"

"And it better be fucking good for you to be coming in here when I have a lobby full of demons and a to-do list longer than your prick."  Zeus barked, turning angrily and stalking to his chair to sit.

Laurent remained standing, hands clasped behind his back and expression carefully containing any emotional reaction.  Zeus could spy a slight shaking--as if the other demon's fists were clenched violently.  Laurent was thinking quickly, assessing his options, enduring the interruptions and insults as best as his pride would allow.

"He fought with McCloud.  The insight could be--"

"So you brought me someone who is already known to McCloud, who fought him, and you still fail to recognize what a risk bringing him here is?"  Zeus spoke lowly.

"We used the back entrance.  No one saw us."  Laurent was sure of that much.  He was careful in that regard. 

"So he now knows of the existence of that road."  Zeus sighed in frustration, leaning back in the chair and rubbing his temple.
"Next time send word ahead.  Is there anything else you wish to tell me before you go."

Laurent licked his lips and tentatively looked up at Zeus.  "I've promised him protection in the West in exchange for the information."

Zeus was deafeningly silent, staring at the other demon in disbelief.  The information that this vampire had couldn't possibly be worth that sort of thing. 

"You what?" he spat, standing again and leaning forward with both palms flat on his desk.

"He knows--"

"You do not have the authority to be granting that kind of immunity."  He slammed his hand down to punctuate the point, and Laurent flinched.

"Chtahzus'aak--"

"Don't,"  He warned, "I leave you to gather information, to do what you wish provided it stays out of the city and does not jeopardize what I am doing here.  I don't care about whatever the fuck you do in order to get the information I require but do not think for a second that it means you can make these kinds of decisions above my head."  There was a long pause as he stared Laurent down.  "Do not bring your trash to my doorstep again."  And with that he sat back down, turning his attention to the computer monitor in front of him.



Laurent stood there for a moment, containing a seething rage beneath.  He knew that Chtahzus'aak was the stronger demon, and it would be suicide to try to challenge him.  He hadn't forseen this reaction.  Something else must be going on that Laurent was unaware of.  Now was not the time to ask.  It was clear that he had been dismissed.

He gave a respectful nod to his superior, a nod that was left unseen as Zeus focused abruptly on other work.  Like a scolded child, Laurent turned and walked out of the office.  His steps were deliberately calm as he entered the empty elevator, carefully keeping his composure in front of the shadows teeming in the hallway.  As soon as the elevator doors slid shut, Laurent punched the back wall once.  The material, unearthly in its construction, reverberated with the force and gave with a slight dent. 

Zeus had made him look like a Complete Fucking Fool.

The elevator came to a stop at the first floor and Laurent stepped out, keeping his composure now.  Mitch had been left waiting less than ten minutes, sitting in an unoccupied dark corner.  Laurent's face gave nothing of the exchange away, though his smile was tight.

"There have been some complications in regards to your protection in the city."  He began, rather diplomatically and devoid of the usual cocky playfulness.  "I'll be working things out, not to worry."  He assured Mitch with a wink.

[Idrial]

It wasn't more than ten minutes before Laurent had come down, empty-handed and alone Mitch knew something was up. It appeared Laurent had overstepped his bounds, his smile a little too tight for Mitchelletto's liking and he only nodded when he was informed there were complications. Mitch doubted Laurent could work things out, his smile forced beautifully on his face. He would have to send a letter to the great Zeus himself and try to salvage whatever chance he had left. Mitch would not remain in the city any longer than necessary but he would return before his visit with Zeus, he needed current and past information.

"Then I shall return to the outside of the city. I do not want to take a chance with the brat, " a few demons looked his way.

In time he would be escorted back out the way they came, his high spirits dampened by leaving the compound. He came out empty handed not a result that sat well with Mitchelletto, he needed to return to thay shady little inn. He needed to feed and fuck the frustration he felt out of him, that blonde boy that liked poppers. Eager to please while high and his blood tasted like wine, a smile on his lips as he re-entered the vehicle. His own fangs vibrating at the thought of the young blonde's neck in his teeth, he would drain him dry if the blonde didn't have a talent with his mouth.

He destroy that mouth and throat tonight and perhaps the blonde's ass too, that was one hole he hadn't tried yet. His mouth was just unbearably good, his tongue could dance around his dick like no other human he had experienced in a long time. Perhaps he would make a pet out of the boy, at least till he found someone better. It always happened. This boy was good but there was always someone better and Mitch would abandon this boy like the many others before him. Addicted to sex and drugs only to be kicked out and left to fend for themselves. Unable to break the cruel cycle Mitch would leave as a parting gift. Every time they would beg and cry and it made Mitch laugh, they were just objects to be used and nothing more.