Realistic or Modern The Witching Hours [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

It was going to be another long night at LaCroix Animal Hospital, Asher could feel it in his bones as he shrugged off his jacket after stepping in from the back at the employee’s entrance, revealing the navy scrubs. “Hey, Asher!” he hadn’t even been there five seconds. The man let out a deep sigh as he fixed his dark eyes upon Veronica, one of his coworkers, “Lily called in sick – we’re going to have to all play receptionist today.”

He frowned at the news, not exactly known for his stellar ability to deal with people. He preferred just dealing with the animals, “First or last shift are open.”

“First,” he’d get it out of the way.

“I figured,” she said, “good luck!”

She was always too cheerful, but it wasn’t terrible. He made his way to the front, and as soon as they opened, someone was already walking in with a dalmatian. Asher was efficient at getting people seen, and triaging the serious needs compared to the questionably serious ones. Some times, he really wished people would just wait until morning to see a regular vet, but he understood.

If he had a pet, he’d be a wreck over the small things, too. ‘Doubt I can keep a pet right now.’ Pia had no pets. He didn’t know if she’d allow one. Not that he planned to stay there his entire life, he knew this situation was temporary, but two years had flown by in the blink of an eye, and he wasn’t even looking at buying his own place yet.

He had the money.

He wasn’t sure what stopped him, other than his own sense of security. He knew Pia would let him use the vault whenever he needed it.

His shift at reception was coming to an end, when a woman walked in, so pale he almost wondered if she was a vampire. He didn’t notice the tell-tale signs he’d learned to look for, though, as the black haired woman entered.

There was no waiting at the desk so he gestured her forward, “Come on up,” he said, “what’s the emergency?” he looked for the pet to try and see what sort it was and what state it was in, as Greg began to approach for his shift at reception.

Asher figured he could finish getting her checked in and then take on the next patient.

~***~

“Salve, Trystan.”

A groan on the other end of the line brought just a hint of a smile to the vampiress's lips as she walked across the campus lawn of the University of Louisiana in LaCroix, one of the offshoots from the main campus, and a place where Pia spent every Tuesday and Thursday evening in a class about the Divine Comedy, with careful attention as well to Virgil’s Aeneid.

“Why are you speaking Latin?” Trystan knew it. He was the oldest vampire in the town, older than Rome – and he loathed Latin on principal.

“I’m being tailed,” she continued in Latin.

“So call your watchdog,” Trystan scoffed.

“Mm, I’m planning to head Adrianne’s way,” she said, keeping her blue eyes from ever glancing back or considering the faces around her much, “it’s not a stupid one, which is…interesting.” Only stupid hunters looking to make a name for themselves hunted her. She had working agreements with several hunters and hunting families, because she tried to keep the peace as much as they did.

Hunters who were a bit jaded and world weary understood they had to live alongside supernatural beasts.

Young ones, or fools out for revenge, were the ones who tried for genocide, and so tried their hand at people far out of their league, like her. This hunter, however, was not out of her league. She had noticed him following, blending into the crowd, and Pia was too familiar with hunters not to recognize when one was looking for an opening.

“What do you want from me?” he sighed at last, relenting his frustration to force the point. “You could be calling Adrianne. She’s always bloodthirsty.”

‘No, no she is not.’ Not compared to Pia herself, but she tried to leave that behind her. That didn’t mean the urges left her. Gods, no. They were a daily, hourly, secondly, struggle. What she wouldn’t do to just…hells, she didn’t even know anymore. She only knew she had confined herself into a neat little box, and she couldn’t step outside of it.

“I want you to alert Adrianne, and I want you to speak with Felix about doing a sweep of LaCroix. Hunters like this rarely act alone, we may have a problem. I’ll see what I can find,” with that, she hung up. The entire conversation had been in Latin on her side, anticipating the hunter may try and listen, and she hardly needed him aware she knew, as she took a turn into the downtown area of LaCroix, only too familiar with the shady alleys and questionable routes that existed, that only those with knowledge of the shortcuts would dare to use at this late hour.

She didn’t put her phone away, but acted distracted, brushing light hair back over her shoulder, and looking at her financial portfolio and her Disney shorts, which were paying off in spades. Sometimes, it worked to bet against the mouse.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen was in a particularly grumpy mood tonight. Maybe it was the fact that half her customers at the local had conveniently forgotten to tip her, or maybe it was the fact that she was stumped on this particular spell she was working on. She kept telling herself that if she took a break, walked away from it for a bit, maybe it would come to her... but instead, she found herself hunched over her Grimoire, sipping her coffee as she stared at the words and ingredients, completely stumped. A sigh escaped her lips as she glanced over to the clock. She really should get some sleep, but she wasn't sure it would ever come.

Oliver sauntered over, headbutting the witch's leg in a desperate attempt for attention. What could be so important that she'd forgotten him? She snorted softly, reaching down to scoop up the large tabby and pull him into her lap. "Hi Ollie boy." She cooed, a soft smile on her face. She scratched behind his ears, allowing the world to fade away from a moment. Witches could always find a kinship with animals, especially cats. It helped them to focus.

Suddenly, Oliver was hacking in her lap, practically wheezing. Panic set into her bones. What could he have gotten into that could make him sick? She was so careful with her herbs and plants. Nothing in her home was toxic to cats. "Fuck." After a quick Google search, Jasleen placed Oliver in the small carrier she'd purchased for him, and she was making the, albeit long, trek to the LaCroix Animal Hospital. It was a bit of a far walk, but Jasleen wasn't about to entertain the thought of something being wrong with Oliver. She wasn't sure how this would fit into her non-existent budget, either, but she didn't care. She'd figure it out.

As she entered, the broad receptionist motioned her forward. Something seemed... different about him. He wasn't a vampire, that was sure, but she couldn't quite put her finger on the read she was getting off of him, and he seemed to be trying to read her the same. "Uh, my cat." She blurting, snapping herself from her thoughts. "He's been fine all night, but he just started coughing and wheezing. It's not a hairball, and I don't have anything in my house he could have gotten into that would have made him sick." She told him concisely.

~***~

Annoyed was an understatement. Emmett had been tailing Pia for quite some time now. This wasn't one of his normal jobs, where he could get in and get out within a couple hours. No, Pia was smart. So much so that he was intrigued at first, and actually enjoyed studying her, until he realized just how difficult it would be to complete his mission. He canceled a fishing trip just for this case. His parents swore there wasn't anybody in the academy skilled enough for this job. He suggested putting together a team, but they insisted that would draw too much attention in the vampire world. "Best to take care of her discreetly." They'd said.

Emmett didn't much subscribe to the same ways of thinking as the rest of his hunter comrades. In fact, he really couldn't care any less how a vampire or werewolf chose to spend their time, as long as innocent people weren't being hurt. When he'd first looked through Pia's file, he couldn't understand why the Academy would bother with her. As far as vampires went, she was particularly moral, and even helped keep other vampires in check. Why did they care if she had been working with some warlock?

Then he read further. Even Emmett, who typically tried to stay out of supernatural affairs, understood just how serious this warlock was. If Pia really was trying to resurrect him, she had to good. No matter the good she'd done.

He sighed a little to himself as he tailed her. She was speaking to her companion on the phone in Latin, which meant two things: It was likely another vampire on the line, and she knew she was being tailed. For a moment, Emmett entertained the idea of taking one of those dead language classes the Academy taught, but his nose immediately scrunched at the idea. Boring.

As Pia led him into the intricate alleyways of the city, he closed in on her. There was no sense in trying to surprise her now- she was clearly aware of him, and he was growing bored of this cat and mouse game anyway. Some hunters enjoyed the chase, but he just wanted to get the job done. He waited until they were far enough away from any innocent civilians before he made his move- albeit a different one than most hunters would take.

"Pia Baptiste." He finally spoke as he followed her into the dark, damp alley. He pulled the wooden stake from his jacket, but didn't close in just yet. "The Astor Academy has founded evidence of your danger to society as we know it." He explained plainly. "I've been sent to remove you from the equation." With that, he descended upon her, moving quickly and raising his arm to strike.

 

[Lucyfer]

A cat fit into the carrier and it seemed it was having a bit of a coughing fit. “No vomit?” Already his mind was preparing what they might need to do if not, such as getting a scan of the lungs and respiratory tract. He could hear the poor thing in there.

He pulled out a clipboard with some papers on it and handed it across to the woman as Greg seemed impatient. Perhaps he wanted a break from the animals – could have had a bad one. Asher didn't know of any bring put down yet but that didn't mean it hadn't happened.

“Come with me, there's an open room, you can fill out the details while we get your cat looked at. What's their name?” He stepped around the counter to let Greg take his place and led to a room numbered ‘3’ that was indeed open. She'd be able to place the carrier on the counter if she liked.

Asher would shut the door after them.

The paperwork was a bit about the cat and a bit about her – as well as insurance information if she had it, and primary vet, if she had it. Basic items that he knew she didn't need to be out in the lobby to figure out while her cat suffered.
“How long has this been going on?”

His phone pinged but he ignored it, doubtful it was anything more than a meme someone was sharing. “And do they get outside?” They could come into contact with anything if they did. That could complicate treatment if it wasn't something easily seen on the scan.

His focus was almost entirely on the cat, not bothering to ask her name.

~***~

Finally, the hunter moved, albeit in a way that was foolish. He called out, giving her time to swipe off the financial app and tap open a locator as she turned to truly see her antagonizer.

‘Astor?’ mild surprise graced her expression. She had no agreements with them but she hadn't anticipated them annoying her, either. Nor with such a laughable claim. Had they gone genocidal? ‘More’s the pity.’

He lunged and she turned the locator on.

She knew Trystan. He'd be on his way no matter his complaints.

Pia shifted to the right, the close quarters of the alley not preferable but not terrible either, as she let her back hit the wall and she dropped phone and purse alike before sprinting just a few steps further and behind – not that she went in for a strike.

She wanted information before blood, and so gave distance rather than retaliation.

“I'm not sure what you mean, unless your family has finally snapped the way of genocide,” she took four throwing daggers from her jacket, each dripping gasoline. It was a tactic that scared most vampires, and some hunters, when they realized she wasn't as afraid of fire as she ought to be.

They tended to wonder if other things like stakes would even work.

A battle was won in the mind, and she flexed that supernatural gift, her next words oozing with that hypnotic charisma she was blessed with, “I haven't even drunk from a vein in centuries, so pray tell, little hunter,” he was far from little, “what threat have I caused to send you after me?”

 

[awkwardradish]

“No vomit.” Jasleen shook her head, answering his questions. She felt stupid- why the hell was her heart hammering out her chest over a cat?

Her only companion, but a cat nonetheless.

She took the clipboard from the large man, following him into the room blindly. Normally, Jasleen would be a bit more paranoid around people- especially with a bounty on her head- but this was Oliver. All logic was out the window. She placed the carried on the counter, chewing her lip thoughtfully as she stared at the clipboard. She couldn’t possibly put down her real information. She wouldn’t put it past Landon and the others to check some sort of vet records.

She was snapped from her thoughts, looking up at the man once more. “Oh, uh… probably two hours. It took me a bit to get here. He was a stray when I found him, but he’s been an indoor cat for a couple months now.”

She realized the door was shut behind them, and she felt the hairs stand on the back of her neck. She was sure she was just being paranoid. Still, there was something about this man that she couldn’t place… and her mother had always told her to trust her witch’s intuition.

She scribbled down a fake name and address. She wasn’t quite familiar with the area, so the address was probably less than convincing. She did write down her real phone number- just in case this was serious.

She was silent for a moment before speaking again. “I, er, have a lot of plants and herbs in my apartment.” She admitted. “But I’m careful not to bring anything into the house that would be poisonous or toxic to cats, but I’m a little worried that there was some cross contamination from the place I bought the plants.” She admitted.

~***~

A soft smirk graced Emmett’s face as Pia dodged the attack. He quickly turned, bracing himself for an offensive blow, but she thoroughly took him off guard when she put distance between the two of them. Why hadn’t she taken her opportunity to strike? Was she waiting on backup?

He backed himself against the wall of the alley. He wouldn’t allow anybody to sneak up behind him. He studied her a moment, his head tilting in slight curiosity. It was only fair to explain what had called for her execution, wasn’t it?

“I’m not the brains of the operation.” He admitted with a shrug. “I go where they tell me. And they tell me that you’ve been implicated in the resurrection of a very powerful warlock.” He absentmindedly twirled the stake in his hand.

“His name escapes me- but according to your file, you used to work with him some time ago.” He explained. “My question is- why resurrect him?” He narrowed his eyes. “What do you have to gain? Furthermore- I’d like to know how you got a witch to practice necromancy for you, when it’s considered black magic.” He hummed thoughtfully.

He made no further advances on her. No… in reality, he wanted answers just as badly as he did. Everything he read in her file pointed to her living a quiet life- why now? Had she grown bored? He continued twirling the stake thoughtfully, awaiting her answer. He was sure it was a breech of rules to interrogate her, but he didn’t care. Who would dare punish Emmett Astor himself, heir to the empire?

 

[Lucyfer]

The woman didn’t give him the name of the cat, but that was all right. Most responded well to ‘kitty’, and he opened the carrier door, before gently pulling the cat out. He placed his stethoscope on the cat’s neck, and chest, as she mentioned how long it was going on for, and the numerous plants she had.

If the cat wasn’t vomiting, they probably hadn’t eaten anything.

He couldn’t smell any of the usual poisonous substances, anyways. “We’ll have to scan him to see if there’s anything in his lungs or respiratory tract,” he said, tone taking on that matter-of-fact note, “It does sound like there may be some liquid build-up. It could be allergies, if you bought a new plant recently, he could be allergic to it.”

That would explain the coughing without vomiting.

“We can do an allergy test as well,” obviously, all these tests added up, and with the emergency nature of it…well, no one wanted to pay those fees, and so he admitted, “I don’t think anything life threatening is going on, if you want to take your cat home and wait to arrange it with your usual vet.”

But if not, he could get those tests arranged for her. However, he wouldn’t proceed immediately, and wait for her to chime in.

~***~

The Astor Hunter chose to speak, what some would have considered a terrible idea – except, that within the file, Pia hoped it mentioned she usually didn’t go against parley truces. It seemed what he had to inform her of was…actually quite terrible. She raised her brows, although at his questions, she couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle.

As if it would be hard to get a witch to do anything.

“And murder is illegal, but humanity still commits quite a bit of it,” she said sardonically, stepping forward as he opted to pin himself against the wall, “but I have not requested any acts of necromancy be done, and certainly not for Frederick Reynolds,” she knew the warlock he meant too well.

“I have a vested interest in him staying dead, actually,” odds were good he’d revive her sire from his torpor state, and she couldn’t have that. “Whoever provided you that information is quite wrong on my involvement, but if someone is trying to bring him back, I want the details. I’ll hunt them down myself.”

She paused, close enough that either of them could lash out at the other, but she didn’t make such a move.

She just preferred the advantage.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen wrung her hands together nervously as she watched Oliver, who mewed a little, seemingly still in good spirits. He bumped the man’s hand gently with his head, a sure sign that he was eager for some pets and attention. Jasleen seemed relieved at his words that it was nothing life threatening… She’d have to be more careful with her plants, but how could she do that when she had such important work to be done?

She didn’t tell the man that she didn’t have a regular vet. She barely knew anything or anybody in this town, but that wasn’t his concern. She nodded a little. “Oh, okay. Perfect.” Now she felt almost silly- all this worry and such a long walk over allergies?

She stood, ready to leave this place. Something felt off, like the air was dangerous tonight. She’d been cut off from her ancestors, so her magic wasn’t very powerful, but she did have her intuition.

“Thank you.” She said politely. “I’ll be sure to take him to the vet.” She didn’t mention her dilemma- she’d find a vet, even if she couldn’t afford one. “Uh… how much? For… this?”

~***~

Emmett laughed, a soft huff of a sound through his nose. He didn’t seem at all nervous that she’d positioned herself in front of him. In fact, there was a twinkle of amusement in his eye. It had been a long time since somebody didn’t cower before him at the Astor name, or mention of the academy.

“Of course you’d say that.” Emmett mused. “You see, I’ve found that when confronted with their sins that have called for their death, all creatures tend to resort to the same tactic: lying to save their own skin.” He once again twirled the stake in his head. “So tell me, vampire. Why should I believe you? The Academy would not have sent me unless they was ample evidence of your involvement.”

With that, he moved forward to strike again, the stake now poised at her chest as he lunged with all his body weight. Unfortunately for him, he was a lot bigger than Pia… which also meant slower.

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher didn’t ignore the cat’s request for attention and scratched the top of it’s head, as well as stroked down it’s body. The relief of the woman was palpable. As she stood, he stepped back to allow her to put her cat back into its carrier, and pulled his phone out to check the earlier ping – and to avoid looking at her as she asked about the bill.

Even without any tests run, the emergency vet had an $85 charge for taking up their time.

“Fuck.”

He couldn’t stop the curse that left his tongue. Power surged in his veins involuntarily. He couldn’t shift on command, but his body still altered when adrenaline pumped through his veins – and Pia’s locator pinging him caused it to surge through him. His body still seemed to bulk, and his eyes seemed to shift hazel – nearly yellow.

He recomposed himself with obvious agitation, pushing a hand back through his hair, “Nothing – no charge. Just pretend I ran out before I could do anything. Be upset with the service, say you’re going to the university vet or something.”

He didn’t bother to explain himself as he went and made fairly good on the ‘running out’ action, heading right towards the door after grabbing his jacket. “Hey! What are you doing?” Greg shouted at his back.

“My sister got assaulted,” the lie was smooth, his anger carrying it, as he pushed open the door to get into his car and get out of there.

~***~

Pia was not going to let this whelp off the wall he pinned himself to. At least, that was her plan as she moved her hand to grab the stake and braced to hold her ground. Pia was strong – stronger than her frame gave her credit for. However, Emmett had momentum, and weight, on her. Paired with his own strength, Pia was quick to see how badly she’d underestimated him when he crashed into her, and her attention had to focus entirely on keeping the stake out of her heart.

She had two options in the fall: release her daggers and hold with both hands, or readjust the aim.

Pia readjusted his hand, and her body, as best she could, feeling the stake go through the center of her chest, and probably a lung, instead of her heart, as she crashed to the ground. Hitting her head on the concrete didn’t daze her enough, and she lifted her dagger-fan to the front of his neck.

“Move. And die.” She’d feel if he tried to pull the stake out and try again. She wouldn’t give him a third chance. Two was enough.

She was looking at the sky, not him, trying not to cough up blood. She stopped breathing to combat that. Air wasn’t necessary, just a familiar luxury. It was necessary to talk, though. And she had to speak, “For someone with questions, you have a strange way of seeking answers. My corpse will offer nothing.”

Blood threatened to spill from her lips, so she ceased breathing again until it passed, “You can believe me…because if Frederick wakes, he will wake a demon that’s out to possess me. Perhaps—there was mention of Ishara in my file? And her mysterious…disappearance?”

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen was busy coaxing Oliver back into the carrier when she heard the man curse. It caught her off guard, and for a moment, she thought Oliver had scratched him or something. She turned, and when she did, she had to school her face to keep her surprise and uncertainty from showing. Jasleen always trusted her intuition, but in that moment, she didn't need the intuition. She could feel the power thrumming from him, and she could see the tell-tale signs of a werewolf when she saw them. Normally, werewolves could be trusted, save for the full moon, but Jasleen couldn't take any chances.

A werewolf. Right under her nose in the city. Of course, supernatural beings were everywhere... but she never expected to encounter one. She moved out after him, intending to follow his advice. She definitely couldn't afford the emergency vet bill, and she wasn't particularly interested in getting involved... or was she? Her curiosity was officially peaked. 'Damn it.' On a last minute whim, she found herself rushing out the door after him.

"Hey!" She called quickly. She wasn't sure why a werewolf would need any backup, especially from an excommunicated witch like herself, but it was the least she could do. Or maybe she just wanted an excuse to follow him. "Werewolf." She said it quietly enough that she wouldn't draw much attention to him. "I'm a witch. I can help. Consider it payment for the free vet visit."

~***~

Emmett clenched his jaw as the dagger was pressed to his neck. He hadn't expected to stake her that easily, but he had expected to take her off guard enough to disarm her. Pia was smart though... she knew she could survive the hit he'd given her, and now he was officially trapped in a stalemate.

Interesting.

When she mentioned Ishara, his jaw ticked. He had read about the demon before, but none of the files he had access to seemed to know exactly what had happened between him and Pia, or why. He narrowed his eyes down at her, tilting his head the slightest bit. "Keep talking, vampire." He said, an almost playfully tone to his voice. For some reason, he was enjoying this hunt far more than his others, and he didn't want it to end. He'd address that with himself later.

"There is strong evidence to suggest you have a hand in much of this, so I suggest you make your plight rather convincing." He smirked the tiniest bit, despite the dagger to his throat. He was a bit cocky for his position, but he was confident enough to take a calculated risk that she wouldn't kill him unless he tried to kill her. And for the moment, he wanted her alive.

"Maybe, if I like what you have to say, I'll return your information with some of my own." He bartered.

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher’s head whipped towards the one who called him ‘werewolf’, part anger, part fear. She introduced herself as a witch in the next breath and he tried to relax a bit, but couldn't. Not with the chaos of everything going on. He'd been warned to be cautious. Witches would want material from a werewolf, just as they did from vampires. Some of these were clandestine enough, but he wasn't about to part with his heart.

“Fine. Get in.” He wasn't even questioning it at this point, he didn't have time to question it, Pia didn't raise an alarm for no reason.

He unlocked the passenger side of his black Chevy to let her in as he slid into his seat. “I'm Asher,” he introduced once she was in and he'd turned his car on. He looked back as he reversed. “It's not my sister. It's Pia Baptiste – a vampire I owe my life to,” literally and figuratively.

“If that bothers you, you can wait in the car when I stop.”

His GPS was already chiming with directions as he spun out of the lot and took off in the direction of the campus.

“She sent up an alert and it's still up,” that didn't seem good to him. Combat was usually quick. She should have gotten to it to turn it off.

Or….

He tried not to think of that and kept his eyes on the road as he swerved around other vehicles.

~***~

Hunger raged within Pia. She kept it at bay by not breathing when she didn't need to speak. Something both pure hatred and intense respect bubbled to the surface at the hunter's play. He was smart enough not to move – but he still pressed like he had the advantage. His confidence didn't falter.

She hadn't met another with this sort of bravado in a while, not even among the supernatural. Pia shattered most fronts.

“You're bluffing,” she almost laughed, but that would have led to blood coming up. “You said yourself…you don't know the evidence. Someone pointed a finger…and you…went fetch like a good dog.” Only the Academy was wrong. She hadn't done anything to bring Frederick back.

“I've been here. Writing. Watching this community. Nothing else. Felix with the wolves keeps tabs…Trystan.” Another swallow as she tried to compose enough.

Hunger reddened her vision as the blood loss impacted in more ways than one, but her hand remained steady even where everything else seemed shaky.

“Check with them. My publicist,” a laugh, that turned to a cough. Blood finally left her lips. “There's no coven here. No one to work with. I've sent no messages out. I value my freedom. Frederick would take that…and more…for betraying him.”

A smirk, “I never would have betrayed him otherwise. And then you wouldn't be alive.” Frederick could have won. Pia was sure of that, if it hadn't been for betrayals of those close to him.

Really, he shouldn't have been planning to betray them. “He promised everything…and he betrayed that promise. I hold...exceptionally long grudges.”

 

[awkwardradish]

If you'd asked Jasleen what he night would have looked like, it wouldn't have been this. She hesitated for only a moment before she got into the passenger seat of Asher's vehicle. Every single inch of her intuition was screaming at her that this was a very, very terrible idea, but she couldn't talk herself out of it. There was also a pull... a curiosity, maybe.

"Jasleen." She muttered the name, gripping the seat as he weaved in and out of traffic. Fuck, this was more than she bargained for, but even then, she couldn't stop herself from needing to know what was happening. Her magic was just aching to be used.

"I've heard of her." Everybody who was anybody had heard of Pia Baptiste. She was one of the good ones... or at least that's what her mother used to say. "I'm not exactly a um... witch elitist. I'll still help." Fuck. This was a terrible idea. But if there was a hunter in the town, it would be among all their best interests to get rid of him, right? "Is it a hunter?"

~***~

Emmett could tell that Pia was struggling, especially with blood lust. He knew one of the easiest ways to distract a vampire during combat was to appeal to that same bloodlust, but that was a calculated risk he wasn't quite willing to take yet. After all, Pia had already proven herself to be more than capable, and he expected she had friends on the way.

He watched her as she talked. He made no move to further attack, or drive the stake deeper. Instead, he just simply mulled over her statements, an inner turmoil. On one hand, he could admit to himself- and only himself- that he didn't really want to kill Pia. Something about her was... intriguing. He realized he was having fun for the first time in a while. Not because he wanted to kill her, but because she could hold her own. She didn't cower at the Astor name.

He narrowed his eyes, watching her for a few more moments before he smirked again. "That's fair enough, I suppose." He decided then he didn't want to kill her. Not yet, anyway. Breaking the rules as a hunter so deliberately would often call for punishment, but he was Emmett Astor. Who would punish him?

"Tell you what, Miss Baptiste." He almost sounded smug, like this was something less than a battle of life and death. "I'm going to remove my hand from the wooden stake in your chest and allow you to remove it." He had another one in his jacket, so he wasn't worried about being weaponless. "Then, we can have a conversation. Does that sound fair enough to you?" He quirked an eyebrow, but didn't move while he awaited her response.

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher nodded when he heard the name, Jasleen. She promised not to be an elitist, and apparently knew of Pia. “I wouldn't know if you were or weren't. I try to keep to the human realm. I haven't met a witch before,” that was true. He didn't go out of his way to be involved in the troubles of the supernatural.

He didn't want to be one of them to begin with.

He didn't know how many really got that choice. He knew Pia hadn't.

“I don't know what it is, she just has a locator app I'm connected with. She said she'd activate it if anything ever happened. Doesn't come with an explanation.” It was just an emergency signal.

He saw Trystan’s familiar neon blue corvette and knew they wouldn't be alone as he arrived downtown and slid into a spot. “Hopefully, there won't be anything to do,” Asher said as he opened the door.

~***~

Pia wanted to bite him.

She so desperately wanted to bite him. She wasn't sure if was malicious at being pinned or sheer hunger, but she knew the urge hadn't been so strong in centuries. Even when she was feeding from the vein it wasn't a pull like this.

The hunter offered to talk like civilized people, and Pia had half a mind to refuse for his own safety. She didn't need to.

A step and a shadow fell upon them. “I think you might want to wait until I'm closer, Hunter.” Trystan’s voice cut through the air as the blue-haired vampire stepped onto the scene, holding a revolver aimed right at the hunter. “Pia, is this a truce?”

“Yes,” she ground out, understanding well why he asked.

“I'll make sure she doesn't bite,” Trystan said, adjusting the aim so it wasn't on the hunter, but not dropping the gun. “Move quick,” he advised, though he was grinning just as playfully.

For Trystan, it was a front. He was actually shaken to see Pia pinned. He wasn't keen on having to make sure she didn't lose it, either.

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett raised a brow at Trystan's presence. He wasn't exactly surprised, more annoyed than anything. He supposed it was in his best interest though. He could sense the bloodlust in Pia's eyes, and he didn't exactly want to become her snack. Especially if she had any sort of information about the resurrection of Frederick. Following Trystan's advice, he quickly removed his hands and stepped back, pinning himself against the wall again. He very much did not want anybody sneaking up behind him. If Trystan were here, there would very likely be others, and he wasn't willing to take any chances. "Start talking, bloodsucker." Emmett crossed his arms, watching her smugly.

Meanwhile, Jasleen clambered out of the car to follow Asher towards the alleyway. Every ounce of adrenaline was pumping through her veins, telling her that she should definitely run the other direction. The atmosphere felt dangerous. Like something was about to happen that nobody could take back. She was much shorter than Asher, so it took her twice as many steps to follow behind him. She quickly followed along, entering the alleyway shortly after he did to assess the scene.

"Great, more people." Emmett said flatly. "Now it's a real par-" He did a double take at Jasleen, who was just staring at the scene in front of her. "Fucking witch. I knew it!" He glared at Pia, as if she somehow had something to do with Jasleen being here. He'd been dumb to trust her in the first place. What coincidence would it be that a Salem witch, one implicated in this necromancy, and Pia were in the same city? He reached for his own gun, and panic rose in Jasleen's throat.

"Kae'ev!" It was an old Hebrew command, and as soon as she uttered it, Emmett let out a loud cry as he crumpled to his knees, but the pain he felt only last a moment before he was glaring up at the supernatural creatures, clearly outnumbered.

"You tell me you are innocent, and you bring a Salem witch here?" Emmett demanded, clearly angry.

"Oh fuck." The words barely left Jasleen's mouth in a whisper as she stared at Emmett, clearly stricken by his words.

 

[Lucyfer]

Trystan came forward as the hunter backed off and Pia sat up. She wrenched the stake out of her chest and blood immediately gushed up and out of the hole in her chest, no longer just leaking. She tossed the stake to the hunter's feet as a show of good faith, even as she keeled over her own knees and fought for control of herself.

Trystan stayed near but looked back as additional steps came, “Oh thank Christ, give me your jacket, Asher,” Trystan gestured, before chaos erupted thanks to whoever it was that Asher was with.

The hunter tried, and failed, to pull a gun. Asher had every mind to lunge at him – the scent of blood confirmed how badly Pia was injured – but Jasleen handled it.

His accusations against Pia were all the more confusing for the new arrivals. And Pia was deadly silent, too close to the brink to breath.

Asher asked, “What the hell is going on and why isn't he dead?” He pointed at the hunter.

“A very fragile truce,” Trystan remained pragmatic, “your jacket?”

“Why,” but Asher was already shrugging out of it, “do you want it?”

“Mortals,” Trystan laughed as he draped it over Pia, and she immediately drew it up to her face. “But what's with the witch anyways, Asher?”

“She said she'd help – she just came in to have her cat looked at and I didn't charge her, before I got the message.”

Pia finally broke her silence, “I don't know the witch,” pulling the terrible scent of the wolf around her she stood, making sure it would cover her wounds when they finally could leave this godforsaken alley. She turned towards the witch, noting how Asher had positioned himself protectively, a step ahead of her, but not fully in front.

“You seem to know what it means to be a Salem witch. So, tell me, were you hoping to have me executed by hunters to clear the way, or are you innocent in anything tied to Frederick Reynolds,” although her tone was understandably testy, she wasn't lashing out.

Trystan let out a low whistle at the terribly familiar name.

“Who?” Asher was oblivious.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen was shocked to see the vampire addressing her, and her face hardened. No longer was the polite, awkward, bashful girl from the vet’s office. No, she practically looked like some sort of cornered animal, a scowl on her face. “I don’t know who the fuck Frederick Reynolds is, and I’m not associated with that back-assward coven and haven’t been for a while.” Pia Baptiste or not, she wouldn’t bite her tongue.

“How convenient that the two people closest to the crime swear their innocence.” Emmett said flatly, almost amused. It was a convenient coincidence, but Emmett found himself leaning towards their innocence for… whatever reason. His eyes lingered on Pia, gazing over her wound with an unreadable expression.

Jasleen whirled in his direction. The following sight was almost comical. Most people were intimidated by Emmett and his large stature, but the tiny little witch jabbed her finger in his direction, advancing on him. “Did they send you here?” Her nostrils flared with both anger and panic.

“If by they, you mean the Astor Institute, then yes. Whatever you two,” he motioned between her and Pia, “have been up to, they want a stop to it. Specifically the necromancy.” Though he seemed convinced of their guilt, he didn’t advance anymore. He was once again twirling that stake between his fingers, paying no mind to the blood that was smearing his hand.

 

[Lucyfer]

Pia didn’t seem to take offense at the answer or tone used, weighing it with an almost careless indifference. She was not certain she believed the witch, but she also had no reason to doubt her. She knew of no activity that had drawn anyone’s attention from this woman, and the wolves were usually good at alerting her to strange activity.

Under the scrutiny of the hunter, she closed the jacket up, making a mental note to get Asher a new one. The blood would be insanely difficult to get out.

“Are you doing necromancy again, Pia?” Trystan couldn’t help but tease, though all he got in return was a dead stare, “Right, right,” he held his hands up, “Look kid, I really don’t want to go to war with the Astor Institute. Not because you’d win, but because it’ll put me years behind on video games, so I’d like to see if we can hash this out, and quite honestly if Pia is doing anything you’re saying, I’ll stake her myself.”

“You’ll try,” Pia drawled, her lack of energy growing more evident by the moment.

“Can someone explain what’s going on?” Asher tried again.

“Okay, short version – Astor’s infamous in the hunting world. Usually don’t bother us, but we don’t have agreements with them, either. Frederick Reynolds was a warlock, and a powerful one, which it sounds like miss witchy’s coven is trying to restore. He and Pia have a long history. They were friends, until she stabbed him in the back, because he was already planning to betray her. Pretty messy, not my story to tell,” Trystan waved it off, “which brings us to now, and it seems like Pia and miss witch – sorry I do not know your name.”

Asher considered offering it, but remained mute. Trystan went on anyways.

“—are being accused of conspiring to bring him back to life, and I guess some necromancy besides that? Which, yeah, it’s possible that’s happening around here, we’re in Louisiana, that’s the most common taboo, especially down in New Orleans,” Trystan said, “but if we’re going to talk about it, we need to hit Adrianne’s before Pia collapses or commits atrocities, and I’m trying to win a bet with Adrianne on how long until she commits atrocities again.”

Pia’s look at Trystan was withering, but she didn’t speak. Breathing was not in favor of not committing atrocities.

Even if Trystan losing his bet just might be worth it.

“Adrianne owns a bar in town,” Asher offered, to Jasleen and the new hunter, “masquerades as normal, serves a normal crowd, but also serves the supernatural. She’ll have blood for Pia to heal with. Is everyone willing to go along and figure things out in a civilized, public, environment?”

He was sorry to bring Jasleen into this, but it seemed she was, ironically, right where she needed to be.

 

[awkwardradish]

The entire time Trystan was speaking, Jasleen was glaring. At him, at Emmett, at everybody. It seemed that the scowl on her face was quite normal for her. She crossed her arms over her chest when Trystan mentioned he didn't know her name, signaling she would not be offering it up willingly. She'd regretted even giving it to Asher now. Her anonymity was practically gone in this town, and already, she was planning to make herself scarce the first chance she got.

Emmett, however, was quite the opposite. He regarded Trystan as he explained things to the... werewolf? He definitely wasn't a vampire, because Trystan had called him a mortal. He could be a witch, he supposed, but the Salem witch didn't seem to know him well enough, and if there were two witches in this town, he'd bet money they were in cahoots.

So, he decided he was a werewolf.

Emmett continued to twirl the stake in his hand. To most, it would look like he was trying to be intimidating. To most, it would be an intimidating sight. Though he wouldn't admit it, that wasn't his intention. He just couldn't sit still, especially not with the adrenaline coursing through his veins. A pang of guilt stabbed through him as he watched Pia pull the wolf's jacket tighter around himself, but Emmett quickly shoved it aside. Since when did he feel guilt for doing his job? In a show of good faith, he suddenly tossed the stake to the ground, then pulled his second one from his jacket and tossed it, too.

"I'll go." He shrugged, as if being nonchalant. "If what you all say is true..." And he suspected it was. Their story checked out. All these people didn't have time to coordinate, everything seemed consistent. "...then I believe it's in all of our best interests to get to the bottom of this and stop it before it gets too far." He pushed off his spot on the wall. Was it ridiculously stupid to let a hoard of supernaturals take him, a hunter, to a second location? Yes. Did he care? No. This was the most fun he'd had in some time.

Besides, they really did need to get to the bottom of this.

Jasleen had been quiet up until this point, but her response caught Emmett by surprise, and caused him to raise an eyebrow at her. "No." She said simply. "I have no interest in being a part of this." Lie. She was dying to figure out who this Frederick dude was, and why she was implicated. She wasn't particularly a team player, though. "You all seem plenty capable without me. I'm not getting involved, especially not when it comes to Salem witches."

Emmett narrowed his eyes. "Refusing to get involved makes you look guilty, little witch."

"I don't really give a shit if you think I'm guilty or not." He wouldn't be the first to accuse her of crimes she did not commit, and he likely wouldn't be the last.

"You should." Emmett said nonchalantly. "Because if I think you're guilty, I'll be signing your death warrant."

Jasleen regarded him for a moment, her nostrils flaring with anger. She didn't tell him that death would be a welcome reprieve from Salem and everything that came with it. She didn't tell him that there were far, far worse fates than death in this world. Instead, she glared at him once more before speaking. "I will go to prove my innocence and then that's it. After that, you're all on your fucking own."

 

[Lucyfer]

Trystan knew Pia was dying to speak. It was her nature, and every vampires’ powers came from that. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck prick up at the flare of her aura, muted without words but still present, as she wished to just cow everyone into what she wanted. Intimidation with no direction, however, just left him uneasy.

He could see it in Asher, too. The nerves were obvious, and perhaps easy not to question, with the tension in the air at the witch's refusal.

He didn't think the wolf was briefed on any of their talents, though.

Pia didn't exactly like explaining hers, and his? For centuries people believed it didn't exist. He'd felt it at the edges but it wasn't until technology boomed that his talent truly showed itself.

“That's fine by us,” Trystan made a sweeping generalization for himself and Pia, before curling a hand around her shoulder and holding fast. He noticed the slight lean towards the hunter. “All we need is your story of leaving, what the coven was doing that made you run, leadership details, and then I'll pay for a plane anywhere you want to go and restart at. Cash,” he added a winning smile. “Assuming you're innocent. If you're guilty, that's his problem,” he tilted his head towards Emmett, “and since I'm not getting any names, I'm just going to call him Snack.”

The outburst between a laugh and irritation from Pia broke the tension her mien was creating.

“You mortals mind sticking together?” He added as he started to walk towards the exit of the alley.

“You're taking her?” Asher seemed reluctant.

“Yeah – unless you want her to eat someone who can't handle it.” Trystan grinned, “if she tries for a vampire first, I win the bet.”

Pia shoved him off with surprising strength for her condition and marched off in silence. Trystan ran to catch up.

Asher sighed. “Are you at comfortable with me? Ah,” he realized the hunter might be confused, “I'm Asher. I'm a werewolf but I'm not a part of any packs. Or…anything I just…Pia saved my life,” trying to add distance in this situation was difficult, given he showed up with a witch. “I'm human enough.” He protested the last. “Most every month….”

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett smirked a little at Trystan's nickname. Most hunters would be greatly offended- provoked, even- but Emmett was entertained, to say the least. He was sure his father would lecture him for indulging in this for so long, but then again... Emmett didn't much care. He watched Pia and Trystan walk away and was only snapped from his thoughts when Ash spoke. He turned his head towards him, tilting it curiously. "Asher." He repeated. "I'm Emmett Astor. Heir to the empire itself." He shrugged nonchalantly. He usually didn't introduce himself that way, but they were about to lay all their cards out on the table. "And you, little witch-" He swiveled towards Jasleen, pointed a finger at her, like he might be trying to provoke her. "Are Jasleen Wardwell. Of the Salem coven."

Jasleen visibly prickled at her full name. Her fists clenched, unclenched, then clenched again. Although she had a mask of anger on her face, there was a flicker of fear in her eyes that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. "I don't know what you think you know about me or that fucking coven, and honestly, I don't care. Believe what you want." She spat. She'd learned the hard way many times over that people didn't believe her, only Landon. Only the Elders in the coven. "But do not test me. I don't have the fucking patience for that." She turned on her heel, not caring that she'd just turned her back on two strange men. She stalked towards the exit of the alley. "Let's just go before I change my fucking mind."

Emmett smirked to himself, shooting a look at Asher. He whistled lowly. "Feisty one, that witch." He gestured for him to lead the way. "I supposed we should get going before she changes her mind, whatever that may entail."

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher did not show similar amusement with Emmett. He liked to test his luck, and Asher already felt a bit too confused by everyone and everything to be accepting of this humor. So, as Jasleen walked away, he offered a testy warning, “You'll sit in the back, you won't touch the cat, and you'll be quiet. The vampires have decades of patience, I don't.” If someone came at him with a silver knife, he wouldn't have hesitated.

Then again, he didn't have those centuries of combat and interaction experience that the vampires had. He couldn't afford to play; he didn't really recognize when others were playing, and when he could afford to be a bit…lax.

Then again, he never really was that way as a human. He still preferred to disarm, but life or death was just that.

He headed back to his car and let Jasleen in the passenger side, and made sure the hunter got in where directed, before he took off towards the Chevalier, Adrianne’s bar, all a glimmer with lights. The blue vehicle of Trystan had obviously beat them there, but that didn't really surprise Asher as he found another empty spot and parked, watching everyone get out, and making sure some distance was kept between witch and hunter.

Trystan was at the bar and he waved them over. Wood and glass dominated the design, like a fancy bar in a wood cabin. “Follow me,” he didn't wait but led them to a nearby room that was closed off, even if the glass made it so it wasn't invisible to other eyes. Pia was within, sans jacket, she now sat in an oversized sweatshirt for the LaCroix University football team, the ridiculous cayenne pepper on the front. There was no blood visible, besides what Pia had in a very large coffee mug.

She wasn't healed fully. But she was better.

“We can talk here,” Trystan said as the others stepped in. Asher didn't take a seat instantly but stepped back to let the others figure it out. He'd determine where he was needed by that. “And anyone need anything to eat? Kitchen is still open! There's some damn good burgers and mozzarella sticks.”

“You eat?” Asher puzzled.

“No,” he shrugged, “but people tell me. I've been tempted but the vomiting – hard pass, not even for cheesy, greasy goodness.”

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett rolled his eyes softly at Asher's lack of patience, or humor. Then again, he had attacked the vampire he owed his life too, so he supposed he could excuse it. He did as he was told, depositing himself in the back seat of the vehicle. He could barely fit, and he was itching to ask the witch in the front seat, who had crossed her arms and refused to speak, to scoot her seat forward, but he decided against it.

As they followed the blue-haired vampire into the back room, Emmett's eyes immediately landed on Pia. He felt a soft pang of relief to see that she was doing much better, but he shoved it aside once again. She was a vampire, he was a hunter. This was business. He smiled smugly, moving over to deposit himself in one of the chair haphazardly, like he hadn't just tried to murder the lot of them. "No food for me, although the cheesy greasy goodness does sound tempting, I'll pass." He sat back, sprawling his legs out in front of him. "Pia looks quite satiated..." He mused thoughtfully, then turned to Jasleen. "What about you, little witch?"

Jasleen had hunkered near the wall, her arms crossed as she took in the room and the people in it. She felt trapped, caged... and it showed on her face. That was, until Emmett began to speak.

At the nickname, her face burned with anger, and she took a breath, trying to muster up whatever patience she had in that tiny body of hers.

It wasn't a lot.

"Did I not warn you not to fucking test me?" She grit her teeth. "I can always leave."

 

[Lucyfer]

“Okay, no food for them, Asher?” Trystan redirected and Asher sighed but shook his head.

“Mead.” Not food but he had a feeling he'd want it. And something a lot stronger than it but it was a good start.

“I'll fetch, y'all try not to kill each other,” Trystan winked and left the room, leaving them to their conversation.

Pia straightened at that, noting the way Asher still hovered protectively near the witch he'd brought into this. Pia understood it; he felt guilty. He'd tried to help her and dragged a potential innocent into this mess.

So Pia took in a breath and focused that charismatic aura again. She knew she wasn't about to calm the witch down entirely, but she could make herself seem more like an ally. “I want to reiterate what Trystan said earlier. For your cooperation, we will assist you in escaping wherever you wish to go, and that conversation will not happen in front of Snack. We can help you get a new identity and much else – we have to do it every century or so ourselves, so it's not a new trick,” apparently she favored Trystan’s name. “However, for the sake of the world, I do need to know more about your coven and why you fled. I may be making a trip up to Salem to deal with them if what Snack said is true.”

“Perhaps you could explain why this is so severe?” Asher asked, though he was tentative in it. These were clearly not good memories for Pia.

She sighed, “Suffice to say I'll be one of the first targets. I could get into the details of my history as a cannibalistic psychopath drunk on power, who ritually sacrificed others for more boons from a demon, but do we really need to get into that?”

From the look on Asher's face, he was definitely horrified enough to say yes, but it hardened into anger quickly, “You–you did–”

“And worse besides, and no I sight have a change of heart for the greater good, but I've still gotten better,” she stated firmly.

Asher still looked angry, as if he'd been duped, despite protests – and evidence – of change.

“Frederick was my ally at that time and supported it all. He meant to change the world so fiends like me wouldn't need to hide our ways, and he meant to rule it. He wouldn't merely enslave humanity and others in life, but also in death. There would be no escape. That is why any threat of his return needs to be addressed, and why I am asking for this information, and promising escape,” she said, holding a beat.

“I know what it means to run.”

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen's hardened exterior softened ever so slightly as Pia spoke. She listened to her story, unphased by Pia's admission of wrongdoing. She'd met vampires before, she'd seen worse. And witches could be just as terrible. Perhaps it was because she was a woman, and her admission of running, that caused Jasleen to become comfortable enough to take a seat, albeit on the other side of the table from Emmett.

"I don't want your money." Her tone was still stern, almost harsh. "I'll tell you what I know, though." She crossed her arms once more, like it was some sort of defense mechanism. "I'm from the Salem coven, yes, but I left when I was seventeen-"

Emmett cut her off. "You file says you were excommunicated from your coven for practicing taboo magic, not that you left of your own free will." He pointed out calmly.

That seemed to only rile Jasleen up again, the anger burning hot in her face. "If you already know everything, why the fuck am I here?"

"To prove your innocence." Emmett said, as if it was obvious.

"Then shut the fuck up and let me speak." She leveled another glare at him, but turned back to Pia. "I left when I was seventeen." She reiterated. "So any information I have may be outdated. I've genuinely never heard of Frederick, but I wouldn't put it past Landon to try and resurrect some asshole warlock to try and gain more power. He wasn't an Elder when I left, but he was next in line for Head Elder, after his father, so I'm sure he's assumed the role by now." She spoke directly to Pia, refusing to look at Emmett. "I don't know anything about any plight to resurrect a dead Warlock or take over the world." She assured her, like she genuinely wanted Pia to believe her.

 

[Lucyfer]

Pia wouldn't force money on someone who didn't want it. That's not how she stayed wealthy. She pointedly ignored Snack. His information was bad to begin with, and he was breaking up her spell. Either way, the witch fell back under, just a bit, and continued to explain as Pia stayed silent.

She offered the name Landon.

Little else.

“Why did you leave the fold?” That question hadn't been answered, “and what is Landon's surname?” As she asked, Trystan came in with the mead, which he set down by Asher. Asher's grumpiness hadn't improved, but he still have a gracious nod to Trystan as he took the cup in hand, and took a long drink from it.

He didn't have anything to interject with, and the room felt heavy in a way he was familiar with, but didn't truly understand.

“Should I stay?” Trystan asked.

Pia shook her head and he went for the exit again.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen tensed noticeably. Pia's question made her uncomfortable, clearly, but she hadn't flown off the handle like she did when Emmett asked her questions. Instead, she seemed a bit more comfortable talking to Pia, either because of the spell or some other unnamed reason that Jasleen couldn't quite place herself.

Maybe it was because she could sense the woman could empathize.

Jasleen shifted in her seat, trying to ponder the best way to answer her questions. "Landon Davis." She started with his surname. At least that was easy enough information to offer. "I'd prefer not to rehash my entire history with the coven." Her words were careful, planned. "Landon and I did not get along."

Emmett was content to let Pia do the questioning. She seemed to be making genuine progress with the angry woman, and he was pleased with that. However, she seemed less than willing to offer any real information. "You keep talking, and I keep hearing no proof of your innocence." There was another playful lilt to his voice. "I suppose you and Landon didn't get along well if you were practicing necromancy and excommunicated from the coven. Why should we believe anything you have to say in the matter?" He leaned forward now, placing his hands on the table to watch her.

The hunter's words once again had her hackles rising. She leveled her icy glare on him once more. "Do you know how to shut the fuck up in any capacity?" She snapped.

"No." Emmett replied simply, a small smirk on his face.

 

[Lucyfer]

“I'm still willing to kill you,” Pia said it as casually as she'd comment on the weather, to the hunter, and for once the threat felt real to Asher. He was sure it had been, every time, but he'd never truly known what Pia was capable of, “that you continue to exist hinges on your ability to be reasonable.”

The witch was under no such scrutiny.

“However, I do need to know more about the the coven. I don't need your life story, but I'll need to know what caused you to leave. If it's something petty, rest assured, I'll forget in a century,” she gave a slight smirk at that, “And rest assured I've probably seen pettier things from my own kind. But if it's something they're doing, I need to know so I can prepare. I've dealt with rogue covens before, but it's better to know what I'm facing. Necromancy seems to be in play in now. I need to know what was in play then.” No matter how outdated.

Asher couldn't resist the snarl, “And who made you king?”

She gave him a pointed look, “We'll address your ruined idealism later – but Sekhnu and Trystan did because they hate responsibility.”

That tracked.

Sekhnu didn't live in the city – he was in Vegas – but everyone knew the supposed Sun God vampire from Egypt.