Once the long shadows of twilight slowly gave way to the all-enveloping darkness of night, a black sedan slowly made it's way along the streets of Sacramento. The BMW seemed to move on its own accord; the young woman behind the wheel knew the route to their destination by heart, she had driven there so many times over the years. And in the back seat, a lone figure looked out through heavily tinted windows as the miles slowly slipped away under the tires of the sedan.
Samantha knew better than to interrupt her master at a time like this. She wasn't sure why they had come back to the city, or why the thin man in the back seemed so pensive since their arrival in Sacramento. All that mattered was that Max had wished it, and that was enough for the Ghoul. For his part, Max was lost in his own thoughts ever since leaving the hotel tonight; though, he wasn't alone in them...
Alright, so, one more time: Why the hell are you coming back here again?
We've been over this before...
Indulge me, please...
Sacramento represents the best chance we... I have at building something permanent. The Order had a solid foothold in the Domain, and I was a respected member of the community. Assuming nothing major has changed, I can at least use that to begin rebuilding.
All of which you threw away, I'll remind you...
Yes, I know.
To go chasing after some skirt that didn't even have the decency to tell you goodbye
Yes, Aziz; you've reminded me of this fact. Every night. For the past year...
Well here's something you might not have thought of: What if it isn't a happy reunion? What if everyone isn't overjoyed to see you?
If the current Grand Wyrm sees fit to ostracize me from the local Chapter, it wouldn't be the first time I've conducted my research on my own...
I'm not talking about the damn Dragons. I'm talking about Asa Clarke. Remember him? Remember what he does to people that piss him off? He turns them into Dust Buster stuffing, that's what!
I can only hope I've earned a little leniency from him. But no matter what happens tonight, the running stops here.
Running away from, or running after?
Both...
The pale Mekhet finished the argument with himself just in time to register a change in the motion of the car. It slowed, then came to a soft stop in front of the club that, as far as Max knew, held the offices of the Domain's officials. "We're here, Max..." Samantha called out softly over her shoulder; unable to hide the twinge of concern in her voice. The Mekhet simply nodded his head in acknowledgment. "If I'm not back by sunrise, you know what to do..." He answered, then stepped out of the car.
Despite his trepidation, Max had to admit there was a comforting familiarity in once more standing outside the Ava... Nox Populi?
The slim Mekhet couldn't help but stand there for a few moments, blinking in confusion at the transformation that had overtaken the building. Maybe Asa had remodeled? Or sold the business to someone else? Either way, at least it had a Latin name; that seemed in keeping with the Invictus philosophy. Even if the syntax was a bit errant... Taking a moment to force blood through his veins, Max reminded himself to breath as the Blush asserted itself, then made his way towards the line of club-goers eager to get into the building.
At least the Bouncer knew to let him through, that much hadn't changed; even if the Kine screamed bloody murder that a scruffy looking nobody in jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers got in before they did. Scanning the interior of the club, it was clear someone had remodeled the whole place; but at least the stairs leading down to the Kindred Only basement seemed to remain untouched. Max made his way over and down, relieved to find a notice for the upcoming Court conspicuously posted once inside and away from the eyes of Kine.
That one piece of paper held a wealth of information for Max; It seemed Sage was still around, and had added a few titles since he'd last seen her. The same for Martha; if anything it was a relief to see the Order had been in her capable hands, at least recently. And while not named specifically, the titles of the man calling the Court to order made it clear that the Princedom was one position that hadn't changed hands...
Still, as Max read the posting, an almost imperceptible unease crept into the back of his mind. It took him a moment to realize why; the silence of the space. Usually, Martha would be waiting to greet new arrivals; or appear shortly after their feet first touched the floor of the lower level. The distinct lack of straw bowlers at the moment seemed to indicate his fellow Dragon was elsewhere tonight...
Which really only left one option, hope that Asa Clarke was in for the evening. It was a long shot, but the Prince had been known to make use of his office within the Elysium. And if he did find the Ventrue, at least Max would have his answer tonight; one way or the other...
Making his way around to the back part of the Elysium that housed the offices of the Domain's officials, Max quickly found the door behind which the Prince's chambers lay. He knocked three times on the door; hard enough to get one's attention, but softly enough as to not demand it...
@West