West, North-West

[The Cedar Witch]

Zoheret was incorrect in her assumption, but Chtahzus'aak made no move to correct her.  None of the other District Leaders had contacted him after the announcement was posted, though most of them knew (or at least guessed) that he would be making the move to take back the West.  He had gone only to Lan Bao after the fact to celebrate.  The memory of that evening briefly brought a mischevious twinkle to his eye and a smirk to his face.

That wasn't to say that he was ignorant of the situation in Central.  The demon was well informed.

"I am aware that McCloud's leadership has been challenged, yes."  He watched her intently, waiting for her to reach what he assumed to be her main point and probably the true reason for her visit.

[Saiketsu]

His response didn't happen to light upon the point she was heading towards, so Zoheret assumed he hadn't been aware of the nuances of Ben Samson's campaign declaration. She had the great fortune of Saraekiel's blow-by-blow update of the event via text, and then again reflected upon after the fact. Without it, she too may have been left out of the know, scrambling to pick up the pieces.

She inhaled deeply through her nose in irritation, though the frustration was directed at the situation rather than Zeus' lack of knowledge. "It's not that his leadership has been simply challenged out right. Samson also challenged McCloud's right to Central's rule. Samson used his gathered audience at the opening night of that vampire academy to announce his campaign to run against our dear friend McCloud.

"As a new democratically elected leader in Central," she emphasized, hoping he would grasp the subtle insinuation without having to explain it. He was a smart man. Perhaps he had already put these pieces together. Democracy, after all, was no leader's friend. "A fascinating suggestion, wouldn't you agree?"

[The Cedar Witch]

Again, things that he already knew.  But her ignorance of this was no fault of her own--he wasn't exactly plain with what information he had.  Chtahzus'aak was known to play a close hand.  He wanted to hear her explain from her point of view, in her own words with her own emphasis and implications. 

That was far more valuable information.

"That's one word for it."  Zeus allowed his disdain and irritation to subtly color his tone. 

[Saiketsu]

She paused, allowing him the time to respond further. When he didn't, she sighed quietly through her nose and waited further before explaining, unsure of whether he knew what she was about to say.

"It certainly is. Especially for those of us who were not democratically elected into our districts." She meant herself as well as him. The night that the Oligarchy fell, she grasped for her home district. It was where many of the city's dark angels resided, due to the proximity of the ocean. Being so close to the sea meant that flight was still possible, even if it was still technically forbidden by a crumbling government. Zoheret herself had lifted the ban for those who needed to stretch their wings at night. As long as the Masquerade was still obeyed and no humans found out.

"It's not too far of a grasp, then, to wonder if the effects of elections for Central may... overflow."

[The Cedar Witch]

Chtahus'aak thoughtfully stroked his jaw with one hand before replying.

"If it does we will have to ensure victory, now won't we?"  His eyes locked on hers, lips a tight smile.  "Tell me, Zoheret, are you worried that your constituents would not reelect you if given the opportunity?"  His words could have been read as patronizing or in friendly jest.

[Saiketsu]

"Most certainly not," she responded quietly and immediately, inflamed by the insinuation and his tone. "I have done all I can to ensure my constituents were satisfied with their privileges and protections under my rule since the Fall." There was a vicious undercurrent of her own insinuation, flavored by that honeyed voice she knew men loved so well. She had been there governing, cleaning up the messes left behind by the Oligarchy, establishing boundaries and making the North-West prosper. Chtahzus'aak had not. Should he chose to continue his jest, she would be sure to remind him of that. Zoheret smiled humorlessly.

"I'm merely suggesting that it would be a pity to see a city full of vampires have a popularity contest over each of the districts because two young ones fought over who could win the metropolis. Especially when there were so many other kinds of immortals present in this wonderous city." Another heavy pause as she adjusted her bracelets and raised her glass to her lips. "My concern is that the vampire population would seek to out all other immortals from their positions. If Ben Samson were to win Central, who is to say that our dear friend Jake McCloud wouldn't seek to sabotage the District Leaders who stood against him once the Brat Prince has fallen?" She took her sip and looked into the fire nearby, waiting for his response with a softened, but blank expression.

[The Cedar Witch]

Ruffled feathers sparked his interest.  The demon grinned, hiding it behind a sip from his glass.

The implications she made pointing, yet again, to his absence were not missed--nor were they commented on. 

"Of course."  They shared the same concerns.  With exception to McCloud, it was in Zeus' opinion that the District Leaders' positions remain as is with no further shifting.  It wasn't as though there were major catastrophes occurring at their hands and everyone (except McCloud) appeared to be more concerned with keeping to themselves without expansion.  Still, he found it fascinating that she saw the city full of vampires when they were not the largest demographic by any means.  Semantics. 

Were the vampires primarily represented in the city?  Sure.  But that was to be expected considering how the Oligarchy was constructed just before the Fall.  Perhaps the city should be divided into further districts which each breed to their own corner?  A ridiculous notion, and there would be territory still to squabble over.  Really, the city's leaders should be rethinking their entire form of governance before any campaigns were announced.

"What would you see being done about this?"  His tone was markedly more serious.

[Saiketsu]

Her eyes hardened and her smile returned. "What can be done?" Zoheret asked with a rhetorical finality, uncrossing her long legs and standing. He was not her ally, and he, therefore, deserved no further look into her thoughts. Not until he could be trusted, anyway. He knew her reputation and had heard her words. Hopefully the combination would be enough to have him reach out to her when the time was right.

With a measured step and fluidity, she made her way over to where he remained sitting, her drink in hand at her side. Zoheret stood above him, closer than would be ordinarily considered polite. She made sure to have one of his feet between both of hers, preventing him from standing comfortably should he feel unnecessarily threatened by such a position. The dark angel looked down at him, trying to read his reaction - would he enjoy her being so close? Feel threatened? Think nothing of it? Ignore her, even? Zoheret put her glass of whiskey down on the coffee table near his armrest with a specific slowness, her eyes never moving off of him. She said nothing and made to step away from him, as if placing her glass where her ultimately intention.

Wild card, she thought as she went to turn away from him.

[The Cedar Witch]

Interesting.  Chtahzus'aak was motionless as she approached him, maintaining steady intense eye contact.  He had half the mind to stand, despite their proximity.  He had half the mind to do a number of other things, too, but the demon remained poised.  His eyes glanced over her from the floor back up to her gaze.  What did she expect him to do?  What were her intentions?

He was far from intimidated.  If she intended to somehow put a spell on him, she would be sorely disappointed.  He was not swayed by such things, but that wasn't to say he wouldn't play along if given the opportunity.  Perhaps she wanted to bait him into attempting to put her in her place.  The notion was sorely tempting.  He couldn't help but entertain the idea of taking her from behind with one fist in her hair and the other gripping her throat.

Zeus said nothing in response to her final comment, nor to the strange way she decided to place the glass down on the table.  His eyebrow raised slightly and his lips twitched with a smirk.

Fascinating creature. 

[Saiketsu]

She took note of his reaction, interested in both what he did and didn't do. This one would be a hard nut to crack. She liked that. Plenty of men had cowered before her beauty, looked upon her in awe and fascination. Bent themselves to her will. She enjoyed it thoroughly, of course, but it was the ones that resisted her that kept her interested a bit longer.

"This conversation of ours simply must be continued." She re-adjusted her clothing and accessories with a stiffly pleasant smile on her face. Impassable. Zoheret gazed around his office, taking in the decor and what it must say about him. Neat. Clinical. No nonsense. Her steps spun her in a slow circle as she spoke, observing his workspace, her words accented by the clicks of her heels. Under their glamor, she shifted her wings, very much appreciative of the space to do so without striking anything. "However, I have another engagement I must attend to. I'm sure you have enough work cleaning up McCloud's mess to keep you busy without me here."

[The Cedar Witch]

"Indeed."  He watched her for a moment as she looked around his office, wondering what was on her mind but unwilling to ask.  He had the feeling that it was unlikely she'd answer truthfully.  Chtahzus'aak was at his feet by the time she spoke again, leisurely joining her side.

"Of course," Another charming smile as he led her to the door, "I look forward to our next meeting."  There was no hint of humor or sarcasm as he met her eyes.  He wanted to know what that whole standing over him at the couch thing was about.  Something to discover another time.

With the door open, another shadow demon in human skin snapped to attention at the end of the hall by the elevator.  He would bring Zoheret upstairs and through the exit.