A Minute of Your Time

[Saiketsu]

Reserved for The Cedar Witch

It had taken him a few days of debate to make up his mind. In the end, he had picked up the phone and made the appointment. When he hung up the phone, there was still a lingering question about whether it was a good decision after all.

The night of the appointment, Damien had dressed himself cleanly in a neat and trim black suit, coiffed his hair appropriately and received a kiss from his human before heading out in his Lexus for the west end of the city. He kept his apprehension out of his expression but there was that unspoken thing that remained understood between them, tainting the pleasantness of their time together. Undercurrents of guilt, frustration, and fear that neither of them approached.

As he drove across the city, he tried to keep himself focused on the simplicity of the questions he needed to ask and the information he needed to offer. There was a sort of weight that hung about his shoulders now that he was Jake's campaign manager and he needed to make sure that that fact didn't obscure his objectives.

Not long after the Lexus crossed the border of into the West, something about the atmosphere changed. At first Damien thought he was imagining it, that he was just... apprehensive about the meeting with District Leader Chtahzus'aak. He tried to keep his eyes on the road but found himself wondering if he could trust that his eyes were telling him the truth about what he was seeing. Every so often, at every stop sign and red light, every darkened corner, there was a flicker of things almost unseen. As the frequency of the occurrences increased and shadowy trails lingered longer in his visual field, he understood what was happening.

He was being watched, followed.

The recognition made him furious - who would be following him? Could it be Laurent, hiding in the West under Zeus' new direction and jurisdiction? He hoped not, assumed not, but couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, nor that Laurent could be the one doing the watching. His thoughts flew to Rachel, who of course was home with but Quinn and Pierre, a panic trying to take hold of him. Damien knew enough to not stop and chase after these shadows despite feeling the ache to finally confront and destroy Laurent.

But that was ridiculous, he had to remind himself, turning his attention away from darkening thoughts. Why would Zeus have anything to do with Laurent? He would never have been able to maintain such a powerful position in the city under as much criticism while dabbling in the abduction and trafficking. That was the hope, anyway.

Damien only stopped the car only after he had pulled into the Block, gave his name at the gate and was allowed inside. He parked and made his way in towards the front desk, ignoring the snickers from the demons nearby in the shadows. With purpose and a cool expression, Damien buttoned his jacket and said to the receptionist:

"Damien Evans here to see District Leader Chtahzus'aak, please." Damien gave the demon at the desk a pleasantly polite smile.

[The Cedar Witch]

The demon at the desk nodded while typing a few things into the computer.

"You can go right up, the elevator is that way," She gave Damien a tight smile before pointing behind her.  "Second floor, last door at the end of the hallway." 

Once Damien reached the large elevator doors, a hulking figure standing guard stepped to the side and swiped a card-key.  The doors slid open and the demon's stare remained fixed on Damien's face, hard eyes seeking his as if in challenge.  The demon waited a moment for Damien to enter before pressing the button for the second floor, doors closing shortly after.

Damien would find the door to Zeus' office closed over, expectant.  The demon himself stood in front of the fireplace with hands clasped behind his back, waiting. 

Chtahzus'aak expected this was a political visit, and permitted it only because McCloud had obeyed the terms of their agreement so far.  While he'd banned McCloud's own from going about the West, he knew Evans to be more of an outsider to the McCloud rabble that typically swarmed the Rabbit. 

He couldn't wrap his head around why an ancient - a businessman, no less - would associate himself with the Anarchs.  It went against everything Zeus knew about the clan the Brat Prince had dominion over.  It was absurd, and could only mean that there was some bigger plan behind Evans' decisions for aligning with McCloud. 

And it was for that reason, more than all others, that he agreed to see the vampire.

[Saiketsu]

When the demon hesitated in Damien's path, clearly posing the beginnings of a challenge, Damien paused, the politeness in his expression dropping into something blank. A fleeting comparison of perceived strengths and weaknesses passed over the vampire just as the demon cleared the path. Thankfully, he would have no need to physically defend himself tonight against a demon who towered more than a foot over him. The interaction, however short, did taint his expectations for the evening and as the doors of the elevator closed Damien began to truly regret not taking Kerr's advice and avoiding the former demon Oligarch.

By the time he entered Chtahzus'aak's office the mask of politeness had slipped back into place, but didn't quite reach his eyes.

"District Leader? Damien Evans. It is good to finally meet you," he said cordially, extending a hand to be shaken. His had was taken into one of the firmest - not painful nor aggressive, just firm - handshakes he had received and Damien tried to show no surprise by it. Something about the gesture made his anger at being followed and blocked upon his arrival ebb a bit, reminding him that this man was known for being a professional and careful. When Zeus gestured and invited him to sit, he would, choosing the opposite space to the District Leader and making himself an appropriate amount of comfortable.

"Your compound is impressive," Damien said in the ways of small talk, sussing out whether such things would be more acceptable than diving right into his point. He couldn't decide which was better, especially as the campaign manager of an enemy. "I have always wondered what could be in this building with no windows or doors."

[The Cedar Witch]

Zeus leaned back in his desk chair, clasping his hands lightly in his lap and gaze falling intently on the vampire before him.  When Damien went the route of small talk, his lips pressed together ever so slightly, responding to the compliment with the barest twitch of a smile.  An ally to his enemy wondering about the interior structure of his compound made him glad for the multi-layers of protection that were in place. 

"Tip of the iceberg," the demon remarked dismissively, though there was a darker glint in his eye before a polite smile obscured it.  Couldn't have McCloud assuming that whatever Mr. Evans observed during his visit made for the bulk of his defenses - not that he was expecting any moves now, but they were immortals, after all, and there would be time for planning.  There was no telling what sort of tantrum McCloud would have after losing the election.

He exhaled briskly through his nose before crossing his arms over his chest.  "How goes the campaign?" 

[Saiketsu]

Damien's smile tightened. Clearly there would be no idle talk between them. Perhaps it was for the better, but he didn't believe so.

"I'm here on a more... personal matter, actually." He picked up the folder that he had laying in his lap and offered it to Zeus. "My business here has actually nothing to do with District Leader McCloud, and I come to you as a citizen without ill intention. Seeking advice, actually." He watched the shadow demon closely, hoping that what Kerr had told him was true. If it wasn't he was back at square one. But if Kerr's information was correct, well, then Damien would be trekking through a political minefield of Jake's making. Nevertheless, he studied Chtahzus'aak's expression like a hawk as he opened the folder and examined the contents.

[The Cedar Witch]

Chtahzus'aak kept his expression carefully guarded as the vampire disclosed the purpose for his visit.  While the demon wasn't entirely convinced that their meeting would be devoid of any political implications, he was not about to turn Mr. Evans away now.  He made brief eye contact with Damien before he silently took the folder.  With his chin perched in the fingers of his left hand, elbow propped up on the desk, Chtahzus'aak flipped it open. 

Zeus could not hide the flicker of a scowl crossing his face as he glanced the pages over.  The report was headed with an impeccably well-done sketch of Va'tamal - named Laurent and Adam on the page - suspected of being a fire, smoke, or shadow demon due to a cocktail of reported abilities.  The document went on to detail a list of "aggressions" committed, from assault to trafficking, some instances bearing exact dates and times - all of which occurred before Zeus' own dealings with the demon.  Of course, he knew that Va'tamal was in illegal trade, but that made up the extent of his knowledge of any details.  It stayed out of the city - so he'd been told - and it was better that he did not know.  The assumption was always drugs or prostitution, things that put the other demon in a position for gathering hard-to-find information. 

He should've been more careful, should've cut ties with him earlier than he did.  There was a growing sense of dread blooming in his gut - did Mr. Evans know of their connection?  Was this document a threat - blackmail?  Thoughtfully he sucked on his teeth.

The document remained open before him as he tented his fingers, leveling a serious gaze at Mr. Evans.

"What exactly are you asking me with this information?"  He spoke carefully.

[Saiketsu]

He found Zeus' reaction to the folder fascinating, as well as his question of inquiry. It struck Damien as off, though he couldn't say why. There was nothing to say that Laurent was known to Zeus, per se, but there was a feeling in the air that this was not the first time that he had seen Laurent's face. Jake had sent along the information to Zeus as well as the other District Leaders concerning Laurent a few weeks before and it was difficult to say what exactly could be surmised from Zeus's face.

But that question... Like the words of a man who was playing a similar game. Damien would also have to speak carefully.

"This man," Damien said, pointing casually at the folder and corresponding report in front of the District Leader, "has been responsible for stalking and terrorizing my family in the past. He burned my son so terribly that he will bare a scar for the rest of his immortal days. He kidnapped and tortured my partner for several months before I found her, all within a few miles of this city." Damien crossed his leg over his knee, remaining otherwise poised and still.

"Inside that report are all of the things that we know about the man named Laurent Craiton. We believe him to be a demon, but we are not sure of what species. Any associate of mine seemed to suggest that due to his powers, he may be a shadow demon. As you can imagine, I am largely unfamiliar with the abilities and experiences of shadow demons." He paused, flipping a mental coin and deciding his next words on the result. "As the former Oligarch for demons, I was wondering if you had ever come across any information about this man."

[The Cedar Witch]

He splayed the fingers of his right hand against the paper and drummed them lightly - twice. 

On the one hand, he had no use for Va'tamal anymore.  Evidently, that connection should never have been entertained - far too risky, but that was beside the point.  On the other hand, should their past connection come to light - it would be a most unflattering light.  Guilty by association, some might say.  Ignorance was a graver sin the worse the atrocities committed were.  But if he provided information on Va'tamal, controlled the narrative of their past dealings before anything else came bubbling up from the sewage of Va'tamal's dealings...

Maybe.

"You are hunting him then, I presume?"  His tone was carefully controlled, striking that hard-to-achieve balance between nonchalance and interest.  He was not unaware of the fact that he'd set aside Mr. Evans' question for the time being. 

[Saiketsu]

"No," Damien said firmly, as if it were the only possible response. "This document is the same one I give all of my lineage so that all the information is readily accessible to those who need it." He debated telling Zeus what he had told Jake, that he was in fact actively hunting the demon and needed resources to do so. But talking to a shadow demon about hunting another shadow demon was not only bad business as the political opponent to one of the city's most notorious vampires, it was also just a way of building walls between supernatural factions that didn't need to be there. Especially in the months after the reclamation of the west. "I am simply looking to protect my family as best I can."

He attempted to steer the conversation away from such dangerous turf. "I approached District Leader McCloud about the finding and removing of Laurent from the city and he agreed that it was safest for all that he be found and tried for crimes he stands accused of. If I'm not mistaken, District Leader McCloud has sent out intel to all of the District Leaders concerning the dangers he poses to both the supernatural and human communities."

[The Cedar Witch]

A smirk passed his lips for a moment at Mr. Evans' denial.  A demon allegedly attacked his fledge, allegedly stalked and terrorized his family and love, and he was not seeking retribution?  Did the vampire really expect him to believe that?   

Zeus' eyebrows lofted briefly at the mention of McCloud, or more specifically the fact that the Brat Prince of all people thought it best to bring a demon to trial.  Where was that restraint months ago?  He resisted the urge to scoff openly at the suggestion, settling for a perfunctory nod to acknowledge the last bit of what Mr. Evans stated.  Yes, McCloud had sent a bulletin of sorts with the name Laurent.  It lacked the details that Mr. Evans' report outlined, and since there were no reports of missing women in the West that he was aware of, Zeus did not go out of his way to pursue it.  The timing of the bulletin's release left a bad taste in his mouth, there were no follow-ups, and besides - he was the last one willing to assist McCloud in a demon hunt. 

It seemed that McCloud was unwilling to actively pursue this Laurent - a smart choice, all things considered - forcing Mr. Evans to court a political enemy for answers.  And still, he was to believe that Mr. Evans was not hunting the demon that stalked his family. 

No, he was denying it for the political implications.  Understandable, of course, but it bordered insulting his intelligence.

A slow exhale released from his nostrils.  "To protect your family the best you can," he repeated slowly with a soft smile.  His fingers drummed another two times atop the report, glancing again at the sketch before seeking the vampire's gaze.  His expression was grave.

"This demon," he tapped the sketch with a single finger, scowl returning to his features, "is known to me as Va'tamal, soul-ripper,"  his voice hung in the air, indicating he had more information at the tip of his tongue.  Instead, he narrowed his eyes.  "He will not stand trial, should you capture him."  Zeus straightened his back against the chair, his arms falling naturally to the armrests. 

"Let us set aside the political tip-toeing.  You are hunting him."  His eyes bored across the desk.

[Saiketsu]

There was a flare of annoyance in his chest as Zeus mocked his words. He had stepped out onto a tight-rope and hadn't expected Zeus to call his bluff so forwardly. He was a crafty one, this demon, and it made Damien trust him even less than before. Not only did Zeus know of Laurent - Va'tamal, Damien logged somewhere in the obsessive part of his mind - but there was some implication that he was fairly well known to the Oligarch.

It also confirmed that Laurent was indeed still alive and nearby. He would keep that piece of information to himself for the time being, thinking about retracting Rachel's ability to be out during the day.

"No," Damien responded evenly to Zeus' assumption, his expression remaining as stoney as he could manage, dropping all semblance of being human. "I was hunting him. Now I am District Leader McCloud's campaign advisor and manager. I was informed that I would need to give up my hunt in order to gain that position. And so I did." What he didn't tell Zeus was that he no longer needed to hunt Laurent at all - he would find Damien all on his own now that he was making himself more visible. There was something in Zeus' words that left Damien wondering, however. He couldn't put his finger on it, but from his tone and presumptuous words, Damien sensed that Zeus would be eager to see the end of Laurent as well. That fact made Damien pause in his pursuit of information from the demon.

If Zeus wanted the end of Laurent as well, what information was Damien missing?

Damien clicked his tongue against his teeth. "I am curious, however, to know what information you have that I don't about him." Damien pushed back against the District Leader of the west. "You seem to be less than pleased to know he is still around.  Am I to assume that you are also interested in finding him?" Or perhaps you already know where he is.

[The Cedar Witch]

Interesting.  Perhaps the Brat had learned from previous mistakes.

"Fair enough, Mr. Evans,"  Smiling bitterly and shaking his head, Zeus slipped an innocuous hand into his pocket as his eyes flicked briefly to the ceiling.

He would not willingly withhold information from Mr. Evans after being directly asked.  The question now was how much to divulge to avoid outright suspicion.

"I knew Va'tamal on the Other Plane, though I cannot say where he is now," his gaze slid back to Damien's, confident and unwavering; words flavored with a hint of distaste. 

"What I can tell you is this; his reputation - his talent for acquiring and using souls exceeded that of many others I knew."  Something in his face shifted toward concern for a brief moment.  "If you are perusing him -" he held up a hand to stop any further denial.  "I know, you are merely a campaign manager.  For now."  A dry smirk obscured any hint of sympathetic expressions, "Know that his capabilities extend past his natural abilities.  Given your description here," he leaned forward, tenting his fingers lightly on the report, "he has a powerful soul in his possession that he is drawing power from."  He leaned back in his chair again, hand still in his pocket.

"Do you believe he poses an active threat to you," A pause, "and yours?"

[Saiketsu]

The more Zeus spoke, the more uncertain of him Damien became. It was not the information that he doubted to be true, but the purpose behind telling Damien at all. When had Jake sent out the information about trying to locate Laurent? And Zeus had been sitting on this information all this time? He refused to let any of his misgivings show in his expression as he listened to the District Leader speak but he couldn't help but be reminded of Domitius, one of Lucretia's older fledges from long ago. He was a snake of a man who had earned his way into Lucretia's circle by being good at gathering information and turning allies against each other. Instinct informed him to keep his distance from Domitius just as it told him to keep his mouth shut about the truth behind what Damien's next steps would be.

If what Zeus was saying was true, then Laurent may be more dangerous than Damien was originally thinking. His thoughts flickered over to Pierre and the night was burned, anger alight in his chest, before engaging in a private debate of what to tell the demon. In the end, he decided that, while a lie would be safer, it would cast suspicion upon him.

"I do, yes."

[The Cedar Witch]

A sigh pushed through his nose as a tight solicitous smile crossed his lips.  Zeus was quiet for a moment, thoughtfully stroking his jaw.

"What has led you to this conclusion?"

[Saiketsu]

Damien exhaled through his nose, weighing each word as if it would trigger some pressure plate and be used against him. The former Oligarch had just admitted to knowing Laurent - Va'tamal - from the demonic plane and understanding his strengths. The information was worrisome to say the least. Damien wanted to know how recently the had been in contact, but figured that such a question would backfire immediately, shutting Zeus up and closing down any access to truth - if there was indeed truth to be had. Damien still tried to take everything that Zeus was saying with a grain of salt, though he could feel himself becoming emotionally attached to the information he was being given - true or not.

"I have been informed that he is an exceptional hunter who doesn't like to lose," Damien said stiffly. "He's lost something I am told that he valued immensely. He also knows I am in possession of said... thing." He grimaced inwardly, hating that he had just referred to Rachel as an object lost. But neither did he feel it appropriate to spill Rachel's personal history of torture with a man who, best case scenario, knew Laurent casually.