Stone Cold Catering Services (attn: Defarious)

Russell checked the gunmetal-and-gold watch on his wrist for the second time. Waiting wasn't his forte. Still several minutes to ten, so Neil wasn't actually late yet. But it was Russell's habit to be early to all appointments. He'd called ahead to notify the Undercity that he'd be making a visit tonight, and he was bringing along a guest from the Invictus. He didn't want any trouble tonight, so best not to leave anything to chance.

Once Neil arrived, they could proceed into the undercity through the Springswell Village metro entrance. Bypassing the wooden planks barring entrance would be no trouble. It was only once you got closer to the actual undercity that things got more interesting.

OOC:
So here's the thread for Neil and Russell's trip to the undercity. Everyone control your excitement. And yes, I'm happy to bring you another horrifically named thread. Have a nice day.

Pulling up to the metro station Neil glances around as he steps out of his car. This should be an interesting night he thinks to himself before he approaches Russel. He was not looking forward to going into the undercity but at least he had someone who knew their way around it with him.

"Mr. Stone," Neils nods to Russel as he gets close. With a look towards the boarded up entrance he continues "So are we ready for our little expedition?"

Russell cast an appraising look at his fellow Invictus as the man strode up. The long blonde hair made him look like a model off the cover of a men's fashion magazine. He imagined the Lord had to be viewing the night's activities with at least a bit of trepidation. It might be good for some other members of his covenant to get a look at the world that Russell came from. Remind them that he was a facilitator, a go-between for one of the major powers in the city, not just a Soldier.

"Mr. Stone. So are we ready for our little expedition?"

"Yes, Mr. Coban," Russell replied simply. He didn't know Neil well. And one of the easiest ways to get someone else talking was to simply remain silent until the other party becomes uncomfortable and feels obligated to fill the silence. He wondered if Neil would be so easily compelled, as he worked several of the loose boards free, granting them entrance to the metro tunnels. Without another word, he proceeded inside with Neil at his back.

((Neil feels his phone buzz))

Neil watches silently as Russell makes an entrance for the two of them. Usually Neil would be talking up a storm but for the moment he found himself a little uneasy, despite his status up here he knew he would be nothing to the dwellers of the under city. The only good thing about this expedition was he had Russell's assistance, moving forward deep in thought as he felt his phone buzz.

Pulling it out he cannot help but smile as he reads the text and considers forgetting this whole thing but he knows he will be in a world of trouble if he did that. punching in a quick reply he follows Russel into the dark his mood slightly better "I guess we should hurry, we don't want to the harpy to waste away from hunger." more then a little sarcasm in his voice as he spoke.

Russell caught the faint buzzing sound coming from Neil's phone and glanced over his shoulder as the Ventrue smiled and began tapping out a reply. In that moment Neil struck Russell as very young. His Beast was wary but unalarmed, which indicated they were probably on roughly equal footing in terms of their requiem. But it seemed that Neil was much more of a breather* than Russell had been in a very long time. He waited for Neil to finish composing his message, hearing the click of the phone closing before he made any comment. He addressed Neil without turning, speaking over his shoulder as he led them into the depths of the metro tunnels.

"Leave the phone off until we come back up," he chided dispassionately. As long as Russell was showing him about the undercity, he was responsible for Neil's actions to a large extent, and he didn't want him pissing off one of the undercity's touchier inhabitants. "People down here don't take too kindly to the notion that they don't have your undivided attention."

"I guess we should hurry, we don't want the harpy to waste away from hunger."

Fat chance of that happening, Russell thought with bemusement. However after the Malocusian's tirade at him several nights before, he would be careful to mind his tongue. He wouldn't put it past the old Lord or the rotunt Harpy to put Neil up to making just such a comment to check his manners when his superiors weren't present. Ignoring the bait, he replied simply "Perhaps now would be a good time for you to give me the specifics of your errand down here. Then I can make sure you see the appropriate people."

OOC:
* Kindred slang for a vampire that still acts in a very human-like fashion.

You roll away a portion of loose wire mesh behind the boards, before passing through. Moths flit about through the diamond-shaped gaps out into the dry night. The metro station is unfinished, grimy tile gives way to the slate-grey poured concrete of the floor and walls. Intact bottles sit in clusters along the walls, their necks spattered with a waxy substance. You reach a narrow stretch of platform. It seems complete for the most part, though beyond its edge you see a rough, yawning trench through which no metro could pass. You begin to see a faded knot of extension cords lining the walls, covered in dust crumbs of plaster.

Light down here is sparse. You see it in the distance though, faint and dingy. Its source is a bare bulb hanging from a blue tent at the far end of the platform. Sound should carry easily down here, and indeed, the sound of your footsteps are painfully apparent to both of you, while sounds from without, the tap-scratch scurry on the edge of hearing, a mysterious, arhythmic *clack* noise, repeating over and over, all of it is muted and out of reach.

"Let me in," a voice crys softly, in the distance, past the solitary blue tent.

Neil looks at Russell, not without a bit of panic in his eyes.

"Did you hear that? What was it?"

The idea of coming down here was becoming less and less savory to him. He really should have sent a ghoul and hooked up with Anneliese instead...