Long enough to Satisfy Nature and Glory

Samuel took his cue from the assistant and moved into the inner office. He hadn’t expected the new Rex to be so closeted. It would certainly explain the slow until maneuvering to stave off attention and keep from being outed even accidentally. As he entered he gauged the space between them and instinctually scanned for cameras. He doubted there would be any inside the office as that broke several laws and several more social mores of his profession.



Foregoing a handshake or greeting until they’d both sat Samuel took the seat nearest the desk putting away his paper and removing his glasses. The gloves he kept in place as matter of course. Smoothing his tie he gave the Doctor time to take in who and what he was before speaking. Folding his hands into his lap Samuel waited a breath more. Inhaling and exhaling slowly he met the Rexes gaze.



“My name is Samuel Banks-Walker. I am the Militis of the Del Passsato Ombre Pride of New York and President of Exauda Militis Import Export Cartage and Shipping. I am not here in any sense of an official visit. Yet I thought we should take this time to grow an acquaintance.”



The message was clear though clarity was not a common trait and Samuel held no illusions. Oft times despite the clarity of a thing many saw what they chose and acted on those feelings instead of fact. He waited as the information was processed by the Rex the next words spoken would be the determiner of what was to come.

Samuel picked at an errant piece of fluff he’d spotted on the crease of his pants. He could see why his brother would invest in the young rex. There was a certain innocent naivete in his bearing that Samuel knew would appeal to Mouse. It was a trait he himself found noble if foolish. It was a sure sign in his book that the wielder of such would not weather the storms of life easily if at all. He was a pragmatist that knew to survive one had to be willing to go lengths others would not. Boundaries were for the faint of heart and those that would not dare. To protect his associates, their families and himself there was nothing he would not dare or do.



“I was not aware my brother had an alliance with your Pride but that is not the reason I am here. I am here partially as a favor to part of your recent political climate change. I am hoping it does not affect my business interests here in New Orleans. And I am hoping that the recent spate of violence does not consume the life of one of the institutions here in the city. Specifically Madam Estelle. She is a small bit of less than forthright business but I am aware that here unlike elsewhere in the United States prostitution while illegal is somewhat regulated and allowed provided one maintains the stringent checks against the spread of disease. Perhaps we can reach terms that you would find acceptable provided there were certain additional safeguards in place.”



He was fairly sure that Terrence was not the source of the attacks he’d been made aware of. There wasn’t the tell-tale bearing of blood about him and even in the closeness of his office he was hurried yet not escalated in his bearing. On his home territory a lion was at his most dangerous and blood thirsty. Unless the doctor was a victim of multiple personalities Samuel did not read the kill for kills sake monster in him.

Samuel smiled adjusted his gloves and met the other lion head on. He was a simple in his forthrightness as Mouse that would prove his undoing. Samuel seeing a mirror image of his thick headed brother choked down the urge to illuminate the man as to the way things were outside of his own self-absorbed ‘honor’. It was a hard fought battle against himself. Two things won out, he wasn’t here on official business and he was simply asking terms. What was being offered was the complete opposite Rex Terrence was accepting no terms. He had an opening however.



Terrence offered little but showed much. His notepad while mostly obfuscated due the angle they were in. The fact that he was reading as they spoke and his leaning away from Samuel all meant more to the lion within than to the man but both took notice. Samuel didn’t do what was natural as the Rex leaned away withdrew the urge was to crowd his space to show him which in the end was the bigger lion. It was an animal thing, it was an alpha thing and while that game could be played Samuel was not here to make the mans life more difficult. Sighing he allowed the mans words to stand.



“You’re far too late for that. New Orleans is a hub for shipping of all manner of valuables including human cargo. While I hope Estelle has not diversified her business to that extreme it is a possibility. It is also quite possible that is how so many of her staff are infected with lion lycanthropy. That’s a matter of actual investigation as I am sure you are aware nothing but either a blood test or first-hand awareness will shed light on.”



It wasn’t fair to put the onus on Terrence but Samuel could restrain himself only so much. It was the reason the Rex assumed full control of an area as quickly and completely. As the captain of the ship whatever wrongs were committed by the lions fell to him to correct. It was one of the many wrongs of being a head in the sand lazy Rex. Things got out of hand with lions very quickly for as lazy as they could be when they worked they worked harder and faster than anyone would expect. That went double when there was blood food or any gain to be had in the process. Lions were not inherently good at anything that didn’t require pain and violence hoping for the best was a fools errand that Samuel had sadly watched become the norm with new Rexes. He shook his head as he was hoping Terrence would see this visit for what it was and not choose this moment to make an enemy of someone who should at the very least be an asset.



“As for my business it has very little to do with anything directly within New Orleans save as a port of call. Your lions Eric Estelle and the others are not truly my concern. As such my direct business should be little of yours. What I mean is my business will not be impeded by what takes place here. To give you an idea as to the scope of Exauda Militis there are over ten thousand parcels in my company’s care that traverses New Orleans daily. That is a large enough number that there would be no way for anyone locally to affect. However if it’s a matter of simply paying a toll we can discuss terms I would never prevent a business man form making profit where they can. I draw the line at Extortion however. A toll would come at some cost to us both certain assurances on your part and certain financial investments on mine.”


Samuel allowed that to sink in before continuing. Business must be handled lest it in turn handle you he thought his mantra. As the other lion was surely slowly beginning to see some of the scope of what Samuel was. He was international this meeting was a matter of him stepping down to the man’s level giving a little in fair trade but brooking no further recriminations Samuel went on.



“Speaking directly to the heart of the issue. You are fighting the established alpha’s of your city. That is unfortunate. That however is par for course when one doesn’t assume full control. You haven’t won their hearts or minds. That is what it is and can’t be changed by anyone save you. Blanket terms tend to give some a reason to rail against. Estelle for all of her connections would not ever stand against you unless provoked. Eric is another matter entirely if he were my issue to deal with I would beat him everyday and skin him once every two weeks until he learned to not doubt my word. Death is easy and far too quick for one such as him. He should be a living lesson that you are not to be trifled with.”



Samuel paused again the rustling if Terrence’s assistant was nearer the door then moving away as if she wanted to enter but thought better of it. He was sure the door was thick enough that she wouldn’t hear what was being said but it was a pause the conversation could use. He was offering unsolicited advice. He was not the Militis here. He was not the Rex here. As such he would keep his own counsel.



“As for me, I am a concerned party that represents the world outside your lands and would prefer to stay uninvolved save a favor asked that I would prefer not to have to fulfill in the manner asked. Estelle. She may have done wrong. She may even as we speak be doing greater wrong. She is an institution her comfort house has stood for several generations she has embedded herself within the halls of local power. Leave her unmolested. I will extend my word insuring that if you do so she will cause no further problems to your sensibilities, your pride personally or as a whole.”



The notes Terrence had taken, the file he so carefully hid, were easily read via the window behind him. Samuel hid his anger behind the façade of business. He didn’t give his word lightly nor impermanently. He meant everything he said Estelle wouldn’t trouble the New Orleans Pride again.