(Private) A Welcome Back?

[Alessandra]

Vino Veritas had a sign on one of the doors announcing it was closed for the evening due to a private event.

But the right people could enter, Raul .

Inside the door, where the coat check was, one would find Gabriel, in a suit, waiting for the indicated Kindred to arrive. From the coat check, you could catch a glimpse into the main dining area, dimly lit. Tables and booths were scattered expertly, an extensive bar could be seen, a rich dark mahogany, as well as a wall with numerous wine bottles on display. Looking up would show more dining areas, but these were private booths.

He would offer to take any jackets and bags before leading him to a door and then leading them up a stair case and down a hall. There were a few doors, but the only thing of note were the private booths that overlooked the main dining space. These were setup for those who wanted a quieter evening out, overlooking the restaurant and their own personal waitstaff.

There was a large wooden door at the end of the hall, and Gabriel knocked, before entering a code on a keypad. The room they entered was fairly large, with a full-size piano, wet bar, seating area and a desk. Draped over the back of the desk chair was a gun holster, with two large 44 Magnums secured. The windows overlooked the restaurant, giving Ale a birds eye view of her customers.

The Savage was in the seating area flipping through some paperwork. The Ghoul motioned for Raul to go in, then exited and closed the door.

Glancing up, Ale allows her Beast its moment to be angry at the weakness before it, to have its fit before pulling back on the leash and putting it back in its corner. Blood red lips smile, “Mr Domìnguez, welcome, have a seat.” Putting the paperwork down and gesturing to the seats.
Raul Lionell

[Raul]

Raúl left for his meeting with the Sacramento Prince a bit early. He felt the need to catch a bite to eat before reaching the restaurant and he needed to do that out of town, just in case the Savage was upset with him. Don't want to risk it...

He arrives to Vino Veritas on time, a little early even. He arrives in a nicely tailored suit, sans tie. He gives a nod of greeting to Gabriel when the ghoul lets him in. The Savage looks around the restaurant as he's lead to the meeting room. He's been here before and always loved the look of the place. Very well put together. Much like it's owner.

As the ghoul is typing in the code, the Dragon reaches inside and grabs hold of his own Beast by the collar. Upon entering the room, he allows the Beast to stare down this other predator, to posture and almost growl before it's tugged back into the darkness of his mind. "Thank you for having me, Your Majesty," he says, nodding before taking one of the seats, his hand reaching up almost instinctively to unbutton his blazer as he sits.

[Alessandra]

A nod at the thanks as she leans back, looking to her cousin, almost studying him for a moment.

“So what brings you back to Sacramento? Are you looking to reestablish yourself, or simply looking to tie up loose ends?” she was aware of what his letter said, but sometimes you learned more hearing things said from the person in question.

[Raul]

The Dragon is silent as the Prince looks him over, studying him. His own gaze takes the other Savage as well as scanning the room. He doesn't expect violence from her, but the predator doesn't survive long by being fully relaxed.

He had expected the first question but the second caught him a bit off guard. "I..." he starts off, pausing for a moment. "I am hoping to reestablish myself here. I like Sacramento and the openness of the Court that you have established here. There aren't a lot of places as tolerant as this. I will admit that I will have to leave the area of Sacramento again in the future, from time to time. My mortal occupation sometimes requires it, but I do not plan on being gone nearly as long as I have this last two times." He pauses again, looking up and away for a moment as if lost in a thought. The thought looks less than pleasant.

[Alessandra]

A single nod as she listens. “Having to leave from time to time is less than ideal when establishing yourself. It can make it difficult to gain trust, but that is something you would have to work on with the Kindred of the Domain.” It wasn’t something she could help with. She hardly trusted anyone herself.

The flattery was ignored, as it always was, she wasn’t a Daeva, words didn’t move her.

“There is currently one other Dragon in the Domain, I don’t know much about him other than that he is a Shadow. He arrived a couple months ago, so I’m sure he would enjoy seeing another Dragon in the Domain.” At least there hasn’t been a hive mind yet.

“I don’t have an issue Acknowledging you. You’ve never been a Kindred that has caused problems for the Domain and have been helpful in the past.” She begins, “Now, are you bringing any trouble with you that I should know about to the Domain? I don’t like surprises.”

[Raul]

Raúl nods once in agreement. "Just means I have more work to earn and keep that trust. I've never been one to back down from more work."

A Shadow Dragon...? He pauses for a moment. "Does he go by Azoth?" he asks. I should catch up with him again.

He nods when she says that she has no issues with Acknowledging him. "No troubles that I know of. If any do arise, I'll deal with them.." he says, a bit of tone of finality to it.

[Alessandra]

“One of those things where time will tell.” The Savage never believed in the words other spoke. Unless they were backed with an Invictus Oath of course, but that was different. “And depending on who you want to rebuild trust with, you have a lot of work cut out for you.”

A thoughtful look, “I think the name sounds familiar, I didn’t spend too much time paying attention, seemed that one thought he gets to decide how trust works.” Sounding a bit bored and annoyed. “If that’s the one, good luck.”

Raising an eyebrow, “That’s all fine and dandy, but I would like a heads up if there is trouble coming to my Domain. You can deal with it all you want, but if it’s coming to my Domain, I know about it, that’s it. That’s final, there is no questions involved. We have enough problems going on that we don’t need to add more to them.” Looking to him to make sure he understood.

[Raul]

The Savage Dragon nods in agreement. "Quite probably, but then very few things are as sweet as those that are hard earned."

Huh. I should have a chat with him sooner rather than later it seems... he thinks to himself while aloud he says, "Hmmmm... I'll keep that in mind during my discussions with him."

A nod. "I completely understand your position on this," he says, before continuing, adding a little emphasis on his next statement. "I know of no trouble that would follow me. If that changes, I will absolutely make sure you are informed." He pauses for a moment, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Are there any specific problems addressing the city that you would like me to help with?" The Prince wasn't wrong, this former Whip does like to be useful. Tools must remain honed and sharp in order for them to serve their purpose.

[Alessandra]

“And yet so few are willing to actually work to achieve such things. There are many who would try and ignore any and all work and just it handed to them. It’s nice to see you are not afraid of hard work.” Would it pay off?

“Thank you, I try and not insert myself into personal affairs. Unless they affect my Domain, but it sounds like you understand.” And she’ll drop it. “There are a few investigations ongoing. Priscus Schneider of the Ventrue is someone you should contact, he’s been leading most of the investigations and should be able to bring you up to speed. So I would start with him and I’ll provide you with his contact information. An extra set of hands and eyes would be useful.” As someone who used to be more involved in investigations, all the help one could get was great.

“Do you have any other questions or concerns? Do you have a place to stay in Sacramento lined up?”

[Raul]

He nods. "Few deserve what they have, especially when it was just handed to them."

He nods. "Nor do I, unless invited," he says with a soft smile. He nods to the news of the leader of the Lords seemingly taking up some more responsibilities and he nods. "I shall get with him then as soon as I get resettled then."

He thinks for a moment and nods. "I believe I remember us having another cousin in town when i was last here. Are they still around or was I not the only Savage to go wandering this past year?" he says with a small smirk. "I'm hoping that my previous dwelling is still available. I had prepaid for the year.." he says. My landlord knew that I had to leave occasionally for indeterminate amounts of time for work, that's why I paid in advance...