Big easy living or hard dieing

Gates raised a brow as even behind her shields he could feel the myriad of her feelings shifting. Her stillness belied some internal confusion of purpose. He knew that in the end the choice while hers was also his. He had chosen the strength of the city as his reasoning. A one such as her given freedom of thought and action much like Raven could do not but choose the strengths that came from focus of mind. The strength that overcame the shadows of the past while accepting the steel of having survived those dark times. That did not of course mean she would stay but he would continue as if she had, in fact chosen to reside hear in the Crescent City where the air tasted of salt and magic. Where the children of the city danced with the dark all the while embracing a light that could not be discerned from without.

If she chose he would use her yes but only in the way to which she would give her freedom to enjoy the liberty of standing with and creating a home for herself. The future was now or at least that was the feeling he had every evening he awoke to the world. Every night he was resurrected by the darkness of his blood he knew that now was the moment and always would be until the now was well in the past a memory to be viewed through amber.

As they eased down the block circling into the alley of the funeral parlor he smiled. They were here. He could feel the Fortunato at work. The dark tantric tinged energies wafting from the parlor let him know that the Back of Town would be in for a busy night. Madam Rosifer had obviously requested aid. Gates found the uneasy balance of things interesting. The head of the comfort guild was not a woman to be trifled with and neither was the Tailor especially as they were free of what had been leveled against them so long.

“We’re here.” Gates said aloud stating the obvious. He was aware however that the place did not look as what it was. A funeral parlor was rarely anyones idea of renewal and fresh starts. It was also rarely a place people went when needing mystical aid. Yet the sagging building in the wrong part of town was that and so much more. What the countless patrons that vsited would never know was that the stair well that led from the showroom down into the unimaginable basement was a nexus not only a workspace. Down those stairs and through the cold was a parlor designed to recive and potential contain those such as he and her, The parlor laid out in sumptuous reds and golds was fit with most comforts. Sustenance and pleasure hand in hand. Beyond the brocaded curtains were yet more secrets that not even had time to catalogue. The parlor however was the star its floor to ceiling mirrors scattered throughout the the room able to allow any being to see into themselves to choose which road they would take as well as allow The Tailor to fit them for that journey.

Stopping before they went through the several inches thick ash doors Gates looked to Chidera.
“Whatever you choose. I am glad you accepted my invitation. Shall we?” he said motioning with his left as he opened the door with his right.

Gates knew what the mirrors held for him. It always saddened him as more often than not they showed his past. His kill crazed past before he shook off the hold of his maker. The past where he lived for conquest. His past where he believed his makers way was all there was and all he could apply himself towards. He was not that person any longer he refused to be. There was more and he would have it. Slipping into the waiting chair he merely watched as one then another of those accursed mirrors caught Chidera’s eye. He could only hazard a guess as to what they showed her. He knew that occasionally there could be great pleasures hidden therein. Watching her body in motion and the tilt of her head he was unsure as he had not known her long enough to read her body language with complete accuracy.

As the Tailor came in Gates allowed his mind to slowly withdraw into itself. The man like all of his family was a natural telepath. He could read and send with more precision than Gates had ever seen in a mortal. Yet unlike the image that came to mind of a funeral director he was jovial. He was rotund light on his feet as a ballerina and as quiet as a secret in a cemetery when he wanted to be. Due his upbringing in such a family he was also one of the most gifted men Gates had ever met when it came to shielding.

Gates nodded imperceptibly to Chidera as the Tailor looked a question to him. Gates was here usually once or twice a month checking on the family and basking in the silence they offered. It was to Gates way of thinking on of his holidays. It was also where he went to attain his clothing usually three or four suits at a time. Even as his measurements ever changed he was always measured so that his clothing would fit and drape as was his custom.

Gates rested his head against his hand his index finger reaching towards his hairline resting against his temple his others curled. He watched the Tailor dance and tease only partially aware of the happenings. He was however aware of Chidera as she chose and looked on as the Tailor quietly read her as well as what only she should have been able to see. He always wondered but never asked if the family could in fact watch the happenings within their looking glasses. He was prepared to wait a goodly number of years more before indulging his curiosity. The threatening allure of the mirrors however was a constant threat. Turning his gaze partially inward he thought of the steps he further needed to travel.

"She is in fact more than perhaps even I could have guessed." Gates said responding to the compliment paid. He was sure that he had chosen well. It was either Chidera or Eliachem from Isadora’s Kiss. Two highly valued Enforcers but He knew that Eliachem was a prickly self-awakening master that had something constantly up his sleeve. He didn’t want to end the vampire so it was better he remained where he was. Chidera seemed the right decision. She just felt right in his head. Much the way Raven did. Everyone had flaws but he was sure the two of them would be perfect additions to the Kiss and further his goals for the city.

As per usual Gates summoned his shields into place. Using them as a half shield in one and a spear in the other. He feinted one way then the other mentally as he and the Tailor attempted to wrest some control of the other. "Thank you." Gates said rising to his feet like a great cat ahunt. The Tailor fixed him with a look of a proud father. It rankled as it always did but Gates was attempting to humanize himself. As usual both scored a point against the other. Nodding to one another they exchanged handshakes.

Gates turned to Chidera a heartbeat later " Chidera, shall we there is more I would have you aware of before..." Reaching his hand out to her he awaited her response

Gates was his usual silent self while they walked to the car. He felt the energy of her turned inward. He could have asked or stole a glance instead he would leave her to what she witnessed. It was hers to right within her being or cast aside as she needed. He knew the allure of the mirrors. When he had first come here he had spent nearly every waking moment gazing into those mirrors. Even now it was an effort to not get lost in them. Things that were possible or just beyond the horizon.

The urge to shake and shiver in an attempt to rid himself of afterimages scarred in his head was strong but he held it at bay. A light smile resting on his lips as Chidera gave into the impulse. The smile also was for the thought of what her feelings would have been had the curse not been broken. Gates nodded to her question knowingly. ”Both. Neither. Either. Or. That all depends on you. It is entirely up to what you grasp and hold." He said not intending to sound as evasive as the answer was. The mirrors were an enigma that he was perfectly fine in allowing to remain unmasked. He had not always felt that way. However the fate of the young women that he’d had attempt piercing the veil of their secrets was something that he would not wish on anyone else.

The temptation to ask what visions assailed her was strong instead he asked, “Why did you choose wine over grapes?”

Gates nodded to both her statement as well as the thoughts behind them. He looked back to the passing world changing their destination and slipping the notion to the driver mentally. He absently said aloud," Looking forward." As benediction of the ghosts he saw on every corner and the death he smelled in the air. There were monsters just there in the shadows. He knew there would be another issue coming soon. He couldn’t plot against the numerous tempers and personalities that waited in the darkness just beyond his touch and sightline. Sighing he looked back to her. “We will next troll through the Vieux Carré. There are a number of Kiss interests there. For some it is the center of the Kisses powerbase here in New Orleans.”

He was sure she had heard as much within the other Kisses she had been part of. He would ask after the impression that was held by others just not in the now. Now was about showing the look and feel of the Kisses embrace. It was a trip down memory lane while looking over the rainbow for him. He had high hopes in terms of where the city could reach. He was however as guarded as fighting monk because of the very nature of any success brought with it a pack of would be predators and harassments all its own.

The drive was a shorter one as they moved to the next stop on their itinerary. As he looked out the window at those they passed the resplendent squalor Gates spoke. "Yes. You should dress as well as you would like to be perceived. Though I find you well-formed anything you wear will highlight your traits."

Gates realized he was avoiding eye contact, more than usual. He was treating her with deference. Smiling at his realization Gates turned so that he was paying her attention more directly. He watched the feelings move behind her eyes and over her body. While he felt that she was special as all of those who sought him out by accident or with purpose he couldn’t help but feel a certain kinship for having both begun in the cradle of civilization.

As the car eased to stop outside of NightHawks Gates spoke briefly of its importance as a neutral ground for all and a place to diplomatically solve most issues. NightHawks also gave her a chance to avail herself of the office so that she could change as she wanted. It gave Gats a chance to speak with the manager and arrange either a celebratory gathering the following night or a going away party. Once Chidera was done changing he showed her around the city as he had Raven and they retired to The Chapel. The Chapel was ot for everyones taste and her handling of the environment would either seal the deal he offered or send her running from the city. It was part of his disguise as a hedonistic childe of Belle Morte. It was exactly what one would expect from her line plus some. It was also the official seat of the Kisses power. After touring the playrooms they enetered the catacombs beneath where the truth behind the rumors existed. The suites set aside for vampires, their beasts, and the friends of the Kiss.

Moving into the actual court proper Gates took his seat upon the wooden throne set aside from the other provided seating. It was only elevated by one small step but the implication was enough. Its warm wooden brocaded richness a direct match for all of the other seating in the room. Each chair seated near the center of the room flanked to the right and left by a similar chair so that each grouping formed a point of focus one for each recognized clan. The small pseudo throne he sat upon similarly flanked. He sat allowing Chidera to take in the tour of the Kisses holdings as well as the court proper.

Gates also watched to see how much of what wasn’t shown Chidera could feel and hear. The Court’s room was the center piece of the Chapel that none but the kiss, its allies, and guests ever saw. However the real ge of The Chapel was that it was the central chamber of a warren of tunnels that led to each of the businesses she’d been shown this evening plus a few more. From the Court one could traverse the maze of tunnels that spread spider web intricately throughout the city.