Lair of the Wolf

Daren pulled in front of Amadeus' manor. He had calmed down somewhat but still felt unnerved by what had occurred at the Salon. He stepped out of the car not bothering to park within the over-sized garage. His Sire had someone who acted as a Valet when needed. It was somewhat chilly not that it mattered much to Daren anymore. Minor physical discomforts like that were a thing of the past. As he walked quickly to the front door he glanced at the landscape. He saw perfect grass along well-trimmed hedgerows. Light posts dotted the front of the manor. There was also a gazebo next to a giant water fountain which was lit with lighting within the water. The sound of water was soothing to Daren. He was glad that physical and emotional sensation remained with him even though he was no longer among the living. If nothing else at least his Sire had good taste in landscape design.

Grateful for this moment of solace Daren walks up to the door. He had a key but his Sire sees it as discourteous of not making use of doorbells. He saw little point in annoying Amadeus and rung the door bell. He figured it would be Winston, Amadeus' butler, who would answer the door. According to his Sire answering the door was beneath the First Estate. That's what trusted servants were for.

Daren's initial reaction is annoyance. It felt like his Sire was always quick to point out Daren's flaws and never his merits. Daren pushes those feelings aside for now. There were more important matters at hand.

He rises and a gives a slight bow to his Sire, "I apologize. The matter at hand has me troubled and so unfortunately expedience trampled upon courtesy."

Daren pauses to consider how to begin his explanation and decides to start with a simple question. "Sire, are you familiar with something called the "Sense?" Daren placed a heavy verbal emphasis on the word.

"Boy." Your Sire's voice is quite annoyed. "You come to my house unannounced, you have the audacity to tell me expedience trumps courtesy -- which, by the way, it never does -- and now you're rambling about nonsensical things. Have you lost your mind? Certainly it's clear you've lost your 'Senses'."

Your Sire's words echo about uncomfortably in the vast expanse of the receiving hall. He reaches in his coat for his pocket watch and checks the time, making it quite clear he has better places to be.

"Sire, perhaps if you let me finish the situation will become much clearer." Daren clenches his teeth and does his best to hide his annoyance. He deigned to apologize a second time because he felt once was enough. "Are you familiar with a Mister Husk? I encountered him at the Abattoir Salon. He told me to send you his regards. I do not know him but I got the impression that he was an Elder possessing great and unusual power."

Daren crosses his arms, "I'm not the type who scares easily but this man was unsettling to say the least. He's different from any other Kindred I've encountered."

Your Sire actually stops momentarily to make eye contact and pay closer attention to your words.

"Are you sure? Husk? He’s nothing but a neonate with a blood hunt bounty on his head. Where did you see him again?"

"The Abattoir Salon at the Rack."

Daren continues without hesitation, "He was sitting there quite casually amidst a crowd of Kindred. It seemed like no one could notice him unless he wanted them to notice him. I mean either no one recognized him or they saw straight through him as if he were invisible."

Daren shook his head, "What is stranger though is that he knows me but yet he doesn't know me. The man spoke in riddles. What befuddles is me is that I get this strange feeling that I know from somewhere even though I'm positive I haven't met him."

"Last but not least is that Husk said I'd be of use to him or something of the sort?"

Daren looks at Amadeus in hopes of hearing answers to the many questions he had. He had a feeling though that would not be the case.

OOC: Daren will give his Sire more exact directions if he's still not sure where the Salonis.

"Indeed." Amadeus pauses. "Well, Husk was never terribly stable. And if he's making appearances at the Abbatoir, the unnecessary attention will simply add to his bounty."

Amadeus walks by you then, making you wonder if you should follow him or stay put, he didn't indicate either way.

"As for Husk knowing your name? I wouldn't put much stock in that. Parlor tricks, Darren. You're too easily impressed. I thought I raised you better than to fall so easily for a Kindred's slide of hand. Frankly, you worry me."

Daren turns towards Amadeus before saying anything. He looks visibly annoyed but holds his tongue, "Sire, with all due respect.....not everyone possesses your experience, aptitude and intelligence.Can a student expect to reach the level of his master in so short of a time?" While Daren had to admit that Amadeus possessed the three aforementioned aspects but he purposefully neglected to mention Amadeus' arrogance.

He changed the subject, "Sire, what interest would this neonate have in you or me? He is brazen. He all but taunted me."

Amadeus heads for his study with you following as you entreat him with your arguments. Once inside he closes the door and indicates for you to have a seat in the chair across from his desk as he sits behind it.

"Listen closely boy." Folding his hands as if trying to appear relaxed, your Sire gives you a sense of apprehensiveness under his words and in the tenseness of his muscles. "Perhaps Husk is no neonate. Perhaps what I've heard, the rumors and all, are just speculation." He pauses and catches your eyes in a most uncomfortable gaze. "I can't imagine what that man wants with you, if you did indeed see the real Husk. You could have easily been mistaken. Or fooled" He pauses and looks down his nose at you, considering this last possibility quite seriously.

That sentiment seems to relax Amadeus a bit. He leans back in the chair and sinks his body weight into the butter-like leather. "I suggest you become a frequent guest of the Abattoir to see if Husk is visiting regularly. Could be worth your while. Could be worth both of our whiles."