It was water that woke him this time. He could faintly hear the droplets of water splash against the floor as someone was taking a shower. A better way to wake than he had. That accursed old man still haunted him, and he had been woken several times throughout the night by these bizzare dreams. What disturbed him more though, was his gut. Tonight would be different. Tonight was the night of negotiations. Viets voice still lingered in his ears from the nights before. He felt no fear as Leah had predicted, but slowly creeping resent and anger. But he was not about to take a whipping from someone who was high on themselves. He didn't bow to pricks like that. Tonight he would make a stand against them if needed. Laws or not he bowed to no one, and the only reason he even stayed here, was for Leahs sake. though for the sake of why he wasn't sure. He caught his anger rising, and quickly cooled himself. he'd have to keep mellow tonight, mellow. that meant playing the part a little and acting to leahs whim. no collars though, enough of those. He stood and heard his joints cracking. He'd gotten a fair amount of reading done. There was always more to learn about the darkness, despite its nothingness. He ran over his belts making sure all was stocked, save the little he'd used for the summoning ritual. He double checked his lighter to make sure it could be used as needed if needed. It was such a simple trick to using it, it was really a surprise no one had figured it out yet. He unfastened the main belt and let it drop to the floor, and then forced off the rest of his belts. He then quickly dropped his jacket. Once completely stripped he then strode into the bathroom (which was now empty), and began what was quickly becoming a ritual with his hygiene. Once shampoo model amazing, he walked out with a towel bound around his waste, and made his way to Leahs room where the two had gathered to do whatever women did before these things. Medivh needed no lessons on how to use his tongue and when it came to wit it was even silver. It was however quite burdensome to watch those around him become so anxious, so despite the mostly provocatively clad women, he opted for paying them no mind and just picking up his box of clothing. He strode back out to the living room where he dawned the red shirt and tight pants, with a little less reluctance than before. He liked the boots though, he might actually have to invest in a more durable pair. he finished dressing and threw himself on the couch in a reclined position. <span style='color:green'>"So what time are we expecting this bugger exactly?"</span>
<div align="center"><table><tr><td width=400></td></tr><tr><td width=400><div align="justify"><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Leah nodded at Em's request, for Em, her hair was like another fully mobile part of her body, she could use it to frame herself or hide herself with a flick of her head. Leah quickly and expertly applied just the barest hint of make up to her servant's face, just enough to bring out her eyes. She didn't comment on the robe or collar, even though she knew the collar must have been uncomfortable, a nagging bite to the silver. She pulled on the sleeves and shoes unceremoniously, the last edges of frustration seeping out of her, Em extended her hand to her and Leah grabbed it, feeling immediately more calm, the compulsion to touch 'her' people was horrible, but if she had one, she could manage. Alright, time to be the biggest, baddest thing in the room. She stood and let go of Em's hand, walking out the door and leaving the other thill to trail behind her dutifully. <span style='color:purple'>"He doesn't come here, we go to him, since we are asking a favour we must be the ones to approach, etiquette and all that,"</span> she said, waffling her hand back and forth in front of her. She didn't mention off hand how they were getting there, but instead she very carefully let her wings fold out from within her, sliding slowly into the alloted spaces in the back of the dress, Em's robe had a low enough back that it accommodated her permanent wings. She leaned against the wall and out of Leah's way as she prepared for Leah's crash course etiquette lesson for Medivh. <span style='color:purple'>"Okay, just a few things, one, don't be surprised by Viet, he may not look like much, but you don't get to rule a territory by talking your way up to it, he earned his place just like the rest of us did, he's not ancient, but he's old, and chances are, even with your magic, he can kick your ass, so please for the love of what ever god you believe in, don't pick a fight, I will not step in to help you, it is against the laws of dominance. Two, under no circumstances are you to touch his servant, I realize she is exotic and compelling, the only power I will offer you is to resist her if she ups her own mind games to try to make you come to her, we only negotiated on Viet and I not to use Vampiric powers, not Em and Xiang and whoever else we bring with us. Three, you probably haven't realized it, but I am more than competent in telepathy, if there's something you are confused on, think it to me first and then I can tell you if it breaches protocol and opens us to get our asses kicked, because once one side breaches the negotiated rules, then no one has to play by the rules. Four, we have a greeting we use for those higher up than ourselves, you simply offer them your hand palm up, they kiss the inside of your wrist and let you go, no one will try anything other than that because you are too young to be a real threat to us, you only offer yourself to those more dominant that you. If you were rogue you would offer yourself to myself, Em, Viet and Xiang, but since you are mine you only offer yourself to Viet and Xiang, in that order. Em and I may do some other things as greeting, but it's of no real concern to you because it's not likely to harm you unless you interfere,"</span> she took a breath, <span style='color:purple'>"Think you can remember all that?"</span> she asked, grinning wickedly.</span></div></td></tr></table></div>
<span style='color:green'>"only the parts about exotic women and something about an ass kicking, namely his,"</span> He grinned back, knowing full well that was not what she wanted to hear. Truth was Medivhs brain had already graphed every word into itself, as was his way. every letter as she had said it became mapped. As to whether or not he'd follow such a ridiculous ordeal was yet to be determined. He admitted, inwardly that he'd have to execute some manners and keep his tongue on a leash, but he had his own boundaries, and if Viet crossed one, his ass was grass. he tossed himself off the couch with a handspring and headed towards the exit. <span style='color:green'>"do not mistake me, I'll behave for now. But don't get it in your heads that i belong to anyone but myself."</span> he paused to take another breath and cool himself. <span style='color:green'>Right then bella, lets go.</span>
<div align="center"><table><tr><td width=400></td></tr><tr><td width=400><div align="justify"><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>She shook her head, Medivh was not nearly as worried as he should have been, granted, if everything went well, then he probably didn't have to worry about a whole lot, but knowing how things generally worked, it wouldn't go nearly as well as she hoped, and she wasn't hoping for anything past the three of them making it back out alive. Pessimism, who her? Never. <span style='color:purple'>"I realize that you do not feel allegiance to anyone, but yourself, but be wary who you say that around, if the right ears hear then you will be rogue and I will not intercede, you might also just open yourself to getting killed, well actually - nevermind,"</span> she didn't have much faith in Medivh living more than another fifty years and she'd been about to tell him so, but it was no use, she was in a pissy mood and the only person who really needed to take the whole deal seriously was oblivious. Em stepped out of the french doors to the balcony and looked at Leah before diving head first from the rail and coming back up, held aloft by slowly beating wings. Leah shrugged and scooped Medivh up, feet barely touching the ground by the time she reached the balcony. The three flew in silence toward the hub of the black market, eventually swooping in very low to a mostly abandoned alley way, Leah flew first headed straight for the brick wall at the end, speeding up the closer she got, when it seemed like a crash was inevitable they passed through the wall, almost as if it didn't exist. Landing lightly she let Medivh down as Em came in behind her, fixing her robe and hair quickly. <span style='color:#ff0080'>"Sheesh Lee, that damn wall, why didn't you just say 'oh we're going to Korif's old hide out' instead of being all cryptic and shit, would have made me feel a whole lot better as we're careening into solid brick,"</span> Em muttered. <span style='color:red'>"Because I did not wish her to do so, you must know how I felt about this arden, Korif was special, she let him get away,"</span> a child of about seven sat on a tattered couch, legs swinging lazily, his posture said he was young, but that was it, everything else about him screamed predator. Leah felt a nag of doubt, but he was true to his word, powers kept to a minimum. <span style='color:purple'>"Viet, how nice to see you,"</span> she said, bowing low, but keeping her eyes on the vampdragon before her. <span style='color:purple'>"You've been nice to the shapeshifters, yes?"</span> she inquired, lightly, you never knew with Viet, he could take offense at even the most grand compliment. A laugh bubbled up in his throat, joyous, then it slowly faded into a crazed sound, not theatrics though, Viet was completely serious, always. There were laws against bringing over children for reasons just like this, they were unstable and fragile to begin with, something about the disease in and of itself seemed to break perfectly good minds, the better the mind may turn to be, the worse the child would be broken by the parasite. All of a sudden several dragons appeared out of no where, at least, as far as Leah could tell, that was what had happened, but she knew better, the shapeshifters could camouflage themselves better than any group of 'dragons she had ever known. Seeing a familiar face she saw who had come, it was one of the lesser guilds, but still well-liked, by her at least, they could boast only 70 all together, but they were very skilled at what they did, often letting forms rip through them, several at a time, or changing themselves so violently and quickly they could leave physical skins behind like a snake. She tipped her head to their leader, currently masquerading in his favorite form, a quadruped cat, not very large, but unmistakable claws and teeth, from the black fur shone two bright lavender eyes, he also lowered himself in a pose as close to a bow as he could come. <span style='color:red'>"You see? They're here, just like I promised,"</span> Viet giggled, looking very pleased with himself until you saw the eyes, they shone like black diamonds and glittered with jealousy.</span></div></td></tr></table></div>
He dusted himself off before glimpsing at the room. That wall had nearly scared the shit out of him. He had almost thought for a second that he may need to take Leah before he was damaged in the process. thankfully though, that was not the case. Viets voice rang through the room and his head shot up. He didn't see anyone authority like, there was a kid on the couch and a cat nearby too, but no one note worthy really. The irritating voice spoke again, and Medivh was dumbstruck. The kid. The shrimp. The tiny little thing sitting on the couch was the master of the black market. Despite his efforts a snicker escaped him. This was too much. here all this time he'd been expecting a serious conversation, and there was a kid!? he couldn't keep it inside any longer. He started laughing out loud like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. it wasn't a sort of menacing evil laugh, but a regular genuine laugh that for some reason he just couldn't stop. Harder and harder still he laughed, unrestrained, and oblivious to anything else <span style='color:green'>"P-Please e-e-excuse me fffor a mom-ment!"</span> he managed to say through his laughter, before stepping back outside the wall for a good minuet or two. even though outside everyone behind the wall could still hear him laughing his guts out. after a while the laughter became giggling, which eventually died down too. <span style='color:green'>"that was freaking brilliant"</span> he thought to himself as he walked back into the room. He'd made sure to push his hair back properly and straighten himself, however his perfectly planned introduction had now undoubtedly been ruined.
