welcome to the crescent city (Gates, open)

Gates moved languorously about the courtyard. He idled near the Hydrangeas’ considering their strength and a bit disheartened that these were not the native variety. Most tourist would not notice nor care but he did. He would have to speak to Adrian in regards to whom was seeing after the courtyard these days. His thoughts drifted as they were want considering wht it was he’d imparted to the Local RPIT. He was surprised that they hadn’t followed up on what he’d imparted. Yes on the surface he’d rebuked them but it was in the way he rebuked that should have tipped them off. Sadly they were not as deductive as he’d hoped. More was the pity it might look as if he would have to take a more direct hand. He was loathed to do so but there were only so many minor annoyances he would allow to fester.



Glancing at the Hybris Mechanica on his wrist he gauged there to be another fifteen minutes before the young Miss Davis arrived. Yes she was a Detective but she was not from New Orleans. This was more PR than relating to law enforcement. It was also a favor to her grandmother who was once a member of Gates caravan all those few short years ago. He never forgot any of the lot of those that had served him. Especially one who was a fiery and loyal as her grandmother. The woman had attempted to give her life protecting Gates and Lucius.



Snatching his thoughts as they attempted to lead him down memory lane he looked towards the entry way as Monica moved past the doorway. She was taking in the décor oblivious to the living statue that he was as he cast his senses out about them He had insured that the entire Inn would be off limits for the public for the week yet some habits died hard deaths.



Leaving the courtyard he eased alongside the Detective. “ Good evening Monica you look like as lovely as your Mamere.”

“Normally, it doesn’t. Aside from a short while ago I have never met with RPIT it’s a standing agreement. The Maitres De Sang doesn’t help the police. It doesn’t help but it doesn’t hinder.” Gates said as if it were the same as stating that the sky was blue. It was a commonly known secret that occasionally was tested by time and circumstance but it had held longer than anything else of the modern age. Gates was a liar, a monster And many others but he was loyal. So out of loyalty he was here and so was the lovely detective that smelled of Electricity, Lions and gun oil.



Gates fought to not respond to the shock on Monica’s face, “I’ve heard the term but I wouldn’t say that your Mamere was a gangster more a force to be reckoned with. Never easy but always loyal and as true as the day dark, as the night."



Gates allowed the information he was imparting to soak in. Then went on “While the Inn is closed to the public the vetted staff is in residence. That means I would love to have a conversation over a meal. Tain’t no way ta know anyone better than meeting dem fighting to survive." Gates said echoing truths he was sure her grandmother had slipped into the young woman over the years.



Bowing from the waist. Gates ushered Monica towards the banquet hall where they would dine. He was not blind to what it might seem to one not acquainted with its sumptuousness. He was also not unaware as to the solemnness that would filter through as to what it would be to be a vampire for a mortal. The truths were not lost on him in the least.

Gates felt her aura poking about his shields unbidden. He smiled as he pulled out her chair for her and slid it back under her. Pausing a moment he rested his hands on the wings of her chair back. “Monica,” he began his voice rolling out in a susurrus whisper that slid along her skin managing to stay just shy of invasive. A tease that hinted at things polite strangers rarely engaged in but lovers could barely withstand not doing. Judging by the subtle scent perfuming her skin just beneath her fragrance she was familiar with such things at the hand of the preternatural. Lion he would assume but secondhand and hidden so carefully one large cat could seem another. He was sure however there were no Onca in New York.



"I hope you are a fan of seafood. Tonight’s first course is a shrimp remoulade using an original recipe dating back quite a few years. I am told it is simply divine. Judging by the scent it is an unparalleled pleasure."



Easing around the table he alit upon his chair with as much grace as a stalking predator. He was sure now that she might be as sensitive or perhaps moreso than her Grandmother. She would be a great addition any Kisses daytime retinue. He was however not in the usual business of poaching another Masters potential resources as such he would not begin such negotiations with her.



“But I digress. I am at your disposal do you have any questions of me? Ask and I shall answer provided you return the trust I am placing in you by answering my questions as well.” Sitting back in his chair he waited as the service staff brought the first course.

"Fair." Gates intoned raising a brow as he tilted his head taking in the look of her. He dropped the mask of life he wore to blend in to the world at large. Become a living statute in the blink of an eye. Seconds ticked away as the service staff laid the meal in front of her. Blinking he was completely human on the surface once more.



“You remind me of someone special to me that’s what makes you special. You are as singular as a snowflake. But then again so too is each person living. It is amazing that in this day of wonders and information traversing the world at the speed of light that anyone could ever assume that they were not special. Each living being has gifts that mark them blessed amongst the children of God.” Waving away the words unsaid Gates smiled. His face lighting up with the chance of engaging a long unused hobby.



The other matters of the evening could wait until the appropriate time. He had every intent to help his city by helping her. It was the perfect end around his own inviolate rules. “Have no fear of me Detective. I would mean you no harm as even if you were not singular to me; you are protected under the laws of comity.”



It wasn’t a promise to never be a harm to her but he knew she would appreciate the honesty.

He smiled as out of obvious habit Monica’s eyes flitted to and fro landing back to her safety It has yet to begin its actual recovery. Much as New York has yet begun to suffer. I am sure you have heard of ‘Dark-Horse’ it has preyed upon a sizable portion of the population here and elsewhere. It has as far as I am aware just crossed into the Northern cities as an active past time."



He sate that information in front of her as warning and tool to use later. He wanted her to know he knew her visit was two-fold. While he didn’t work or allow conversations to be had with RPIT from his Kiss he did have his ways of obtaining information from the department. He used them from a distance careful to insure his involvement and handiwork was hidden behind multiple blinds. It helped his standing to seem to protect the old ways while wholly embracing the new.



Watching her dive into the meal Gates was tempted to dissuade her of any notions of what to expect here in New Orleans. He would hold off on that tactic just yet. As he was sure as strong as she seemed that she was in fact human and just like too many lies too much truth would cause a stress that might prove too much to her.

Smiling warmly he warned her off of taking her fill just yet. “ There is a full seven courses for your pleasure awaiting.”

Gates mouthed Vitamin V as he pondered how the name changed. Though he had to admit Vitamin V was a more marketable name. He held no shame that had he been responsible he would definitely taken the name. As it stood it was clear she was here chasing down the same leads and clues the NOPD were. What he wouldn’t say was that he’d traced the origins of the influx to somewhere out west. He’d traced it as far as Reno but without visiting himself there was little he could do directly.



Gates brought her attention round to the here and now by beginning a story about himself." I was whelped in a warrior’s culture this modern seeking to escape confounds me. How do you deal with this escapist culture."



Her incredulity as to his warning of the sumptuousness of the meal ahead of her caused him to smile. She wouldn’t be the first to have a very rough time of indigestion after living it up here. There was nowhere else in the world that the cuisines blended melded and became their own like here.
 

New Orleans was a hub of gastronomic delights. Unfortunately much like Icarus the fall could do many in as they dared much and risked all. 

"He does come into contact with a wide and varied cross section of the population but he is a man far more suited to your profession than its opposite. He is by far one of the more accepting, open lions I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Though I am sure you are accustomed to those inflicted with lion lycanthropy and their penchant for ardent stubbornness.” Gates shrugged as the second course was brought out to her. He wasn’t sure how far her gastronomic indulgences varied but he had to admit he knew the menu was seafood heavy and very rich. The fried green tomatoes with crabmeat ravigote was one of the lighter fresher options. He allowed her to dig in before going on. Even as he knew his conversation with her would be protected on pain of death by the staff he would give them as few tidbits to glean from as possible.



Just as he began to speak his phone vibrated to life. “Pardonne Moi,” He asked as he stepped away from the table before removing it from his jacket. Gates removed his phone from his pocket looking at the number a second longer than was necessary. Nothing good could come of the call said a small voice in his head. As he was dealing with the happenstances of Nadine’s seeming kidnapping he was more put out than he would like anyone to know. Dallas was more than an alliance and as such he did all that was in his power to insure that even if the city fell down around her that Nadine would be hale and as hearty as a rotting vampire ever truly was. Allowing his pique to fall away like tears in rain he answered. His voice betraying none of what he was feeling.



“Bonjour…”1 He listened as Nicholas outlined what he needed in veiled terms. “Oui , cela est le cas.”2 Gates did not bother asking how a master so far removed from his city knew who might be within its confines. Much as he had his ways he was sure so too did others. Unlike most he would begrudge none for having the wherewithal to plan ahead. He relished the opportunity to match wits with those deserving and up to the challenge.



Gates knew Michoals would prefer a simple yes or know but he drug out his answer by stating the obvious. "Peut-être . Il faudra un certain faire . Un invité est après tout un invité"3



“Je crains que, si l'entreprise est , mais un petit peu de l'implication que ce qui est demandé de vous ne peut pas être quelque chose que vous pouvez contrôler doit être reçu les nouvelles mal4 ... Je vais faire comme vous le demandez à condition que quelque soit le résultat vous protéger notre atout de lui-même à cet égard . Un outil est aussi forte que la main qui manie ou aussi compétents que l'esprit qui contrôle le bras.5”



Gates having said his peace removed the phone from his ear. Looking towards the phone’s screen he paused returning it to the cradle from of his shoulder and jawline.



“Adieu mon ami sait que cela va entraîner un petit peu plus devrait Je viens d'appeler des bienfaits impayés.”6 Having spoken such a thing into existence Gates quietly hoped to never need to call in any of the favors he was due. Ending the call he looked over the intelligence Raven and Chidera sussed out comparing it with his data sources. He knew of whom Remy was hoping to contact. That snake will never learn he thought as he stood moving to the balcony formulating a plan.



Composing himself once more he returned to table. “I apologize for that interruption. Sadly business must be attended to lest it attend us. We were speaking of your clandestine reason for attending this years RPIT Police conference by way of hints and assumptions go on…”