welcome to the crescent city (Gates, open)

Gates inclined his head as she spoke keeping himself from seeming the nonliving monster he was. To anyone passing the bloom of life would be more than apparent. "That is good to know how impassioned you are in regards in keeping your covenants clandestine. I will pass along your compliments to the Chef Armand. He is one to preen a bit."



Nodding to show his rapt attention and awareness of her words Gates continued as she ended speaking. “I expect a person to do their best anything less defeats the blessing that life inherently is." Shrugging he went on, “Monica, I have looked into you and found someone dedicated to making things better. As such I would like to impart to you that Vitamin V, Dark-Horse originates from farther west than my direct influence can reach. Sending an agent would prove difficult. Hence while I am loathed to do so and handicapped in my ability I am reaching out towards mortal law enforcement.”



Gates would not divulge just how far his reach extended but should she accept he would offer a portion of what he held. A larger portion of course to be provided as intelligence filtered through to him.

Gates nodded as she made her revelation. It was apparent that she underneath the heroic events of her life was having "In order for light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. Monica if I may?" Gates began asking if she was okay with him using her first name. “A short while ago there was a truly ancient one of my kind that called New Orleans home. She once held court in Carthage. She was one of the first true beauties of the entire world. She tore my heart out due to her choosing to end her sojourn here in this plane. As pained as I was with her choice it was her choice and through her I was able to meet one of the truest allies and friends I have ever held in my acquaintance. I despise the cowardice it took to choose oblivion yet I admire her conviction and whom what she introduced me to.”



Gates paused allowing what he was describing to sink in. “Her darkness created the light that I am now. My darkness my need to assume full control is the reason you are here. I am far darker of soul than any other being I have ever met yet the spark of lightness in my being allows there to be what beneficent this city has been privy to despite all the entirety of the hardships it has faced and continues to face. One is nothing without the other no matter the greatness of either. I would begin my search for the fount in Reno, good detective.”

Gates understood the reason for the detectives surprise but continued as if she was completely aware of the decorum necessary to understand him. “Yes he can be. Unfortunately the illusion of power is usually enough to convince the masses that power exists. Hence the reason I portray no power. A hill can seem a mountain provided distance is in your favor. But a mountain can only seem a hill provided one has an over inflated sense of self."



He paused as the servers were bringing the main entrée over. He waited as they sat the eight ounce filet mignon down in front of her. He could see the gulf fried oysters dancing along the top of the seared steak. The mingling scent perfectly combining surf and turf. A smile alighting as she took in the presentation from the béarnaise to the plating of the steak itself. He waited a moment longer for her to really appreciate what Chef Armand had wrought for her. Three courses in and she true to her word was not looking blue around the gills Gates commended her gastronomic endurance.



“Reno has always seemed a bit of a pauper alongside Las Vegas’s glitz and glamour but it is a power in and of itself. It is often the gateway to many a things most assume are vegas inspired.”

"That general opinion is why the Master of Vegas will do all he can to suppress any real findings and insure that it is Vegas that receives the accolades for bringing the plague to an end. Reno while small is far more influential and while not in outright war with Las Vegas has set out to insure that Vegas is constantly kept focused elsewhere." While he spoke relatively freely Gates would never call either Master by name knowing that while most knew the actual Master of Las Vegas the true master of Reno was another matter entirely. Olivia used her stalking horse to maximum advantage often deceiving even older vampires and once even the Harlequin that her stalking horse was in fact the true power.



He one employed such a masquerade while traveling the continent until he’d realized it was much easier to control ones image by painting the picture that was most easiest for the masses to absorb. To that end he’d concocted the public image of who he actually was. Thus far it had served him well being his own stalking horse.



“Your filet needs perhaps to breathe a moment longer.” Gates said sliding his chair form the table and rising to help Monica to her feet. A small walk or in this case a few steps would certainly aid her digestion he didn’t want her too stuffed as it seemed a new generation American aim to clean ones plate. He never understood why that was necessary in this land of riches such plebian philosophies were ill advised. He understood she didn’t realize that whatever wasn’t eaten would be donated to the cities homeless but that amongst many were programs he had in place to insure to the underlying well-being of the city. The homeless here were unlike anywhere else easily out of sight even as present as they were. But they were well fed and clothed and kept far safer than anywhere else.



He even masqueraded as one of them from time to time gathering certain intelligence for himself first hand. Considering the coming increased hostilities with Baton Rouge, the issues in Dallas and his agents spread so very thin on the west coast he considered calling a marker due of Aeolas. He understood the network of the mans restaurants and knew they could potentially provide his own agents the cover necessary to progress their investigations.

As she moved Gates gave him a second of admiration. For a mortal she was well appointed in grace despite the penchant for her avocation of breeding femininity out of its female officers. The scent of lion on her skin was a musk he’d grown accustomed to from Chidera. He found it curious that both of the women had a penchant for such stubborn large cats. There were certainly similarities they shared but no one would mistake one for the other. Much as Raven and Chidera were two halves of his public persona and none would ever confuse the two. Glancing towards the sounds of a scuffle that was not far from where they were. He paused pushing his aura towards the sounds. His face going resolutely still even as they continued walking.



That was no good at all those brief flashes were leonine based energies swirling and folding on themselves. The feminine energy involved seemed flickering and waning. He knew that Tibs was taking steps to build a Pride and while he knew of the loose gathering of lions in the area he knew that what was taking place was a lion matter save this was a step too far. Cursing those foolish enough to engage in such within earshot of one such as he Gates did what none knew he could. Reaching through Chidera as she was in the company of a lion he used her connection and sent energies towards the lioness. It was a bit heavy-handed but the small bit of aural might he used through his connection with Chidera would not give her the day it would even the scales close enough that if she wanted to survive she would.



Such were the decisions of being Master. Small evils allowed to build a stronger bigger city. She would survive only if she reached for it only if she dug deeply and tested her mettle. If she survived she would easily be match enough for the long toothed pseudo-Regina in Mid-City. He was g=quite tired of turning a blind eye. If she did not occasionally provide valuable intel through her serviced clients he would have had her driven out long ago.

Though only Seneschal in name Chidera was at once so much more. She was the administrator of his will in most martial things and it was a position she excelled at. There was a darkness that she mastered and meted out to the deserving with such aplomb that Gates rarely had the need of a thought and she was already in motion. He allowed one fleeting thought to slip through the shields between them. ‘This is a thing of Lions mete them the proper ppayment but leave the killing stroke for your lion. It needs to be his hand that exacts total payment for their crimes. This need be lesson of peace disturbance.’



He knew many would never understand but he believed in the law of this savage garden. While love was the stronger by far violence held sway as well. Beasts must feed, root and learn through pain as the moment demanded. He considered ending the lot of them but that would not mesh well with what Tibs was trying to accomplish. He wanted Tibs to have what he needed for him to find his own way but he was invested in the man and could only blind himself so much to what was taking place. He needed to stand on his own feet and prove himself to those who doubted. Gates hoped he would not allow the hardness that came from being king of the hill to set in. There was nothing he feared for Tibs more.



Bringing his focus more directly back to the beautiful detective on his arm he patted her hand as a father might. “ When I was young and the world was new what was understood needed no speaking but in this day and those that have led here much needs to be explained in greater and greater detail. Yet the doing of such robs the importance of a subject. I believe you wish the world better place, your exploits prove you understand much of what is needed. I would hazard a guess that I am not wrong in this estimation. I do hope you have enjoyed your meal thus far as the next course will certainly add to what has been and set your palate for dessert.”



Their circuitous route now concluded he eased her chair out for her and once more they were seated. Steepling his fingers he laced them with one another and leaned forward on them a smile dancing on his lips as he felt what Chidera was up to.