The Shattered Web

"If they're worth their salt, they know that my merry men are all out and about on errands. They'll think I'm alone and without options. As long as I'm within these walls, I'm never truly alone."

Cryptic words. Properly Malkavian words that found your ears as she blatantly eyeball fucked you for a moment once you had retreated from the pool. Finally evacuating herself from the water as well, she did move briefly to rest her cheek to yours. No words. Just the silent touch before moving away again.

"The castle will eventually defend itself but I'm sure it would appreciate if we did the job ourselves. Saved their defenses for bigger problems and the like."

Walking over to a nearby wall, she stuck her hand straight through one of the paintings sprawled across the stone. Coming back with a sheer, black spider silk gown, it was far too simple to be called that you would realize once it was on. The most slender of straps. A daring plunge in both front and back before falling to her ankles, the color of midnight against all that pale..  For a moment it left her looking like an angel gone mad.

"I'm ready when you are."

His hat slipped down on his head falling right into place cocked. His glasses went on next as he began the trek up the stairs, Vorpal Blade sinking into its holster. Assuming she'd followed he pulled his phone out and dialed Ice. The phone picked up but was silent on the other end. There came 3 clicks and he knew she was ok "Coming out the front, need a situational update" a series of clicks was his response, timed and sequenced. He nodded and hung up the phone looking at Eli as they approached the grand door out to the front lawn "There's a pair of fellows on the main lawn. Apparently they're friendly. Maybe we save them for last for tea, and questions." With a heave he mule kicked the door open and he almost had no time to pull his weapon and squeeze the trigger as some mongaloid bum rushed them. The center of his chest simply was no more, the edges of the hole beginning to crisp and ash.

Phury hadn't gotten much of a reprieve, now that their presence was abundantly clear, the Clan had come out of the woodwork and surrounded them. He'd almost missed the slam of the castle door, but definitely heard the blast of a cannon. He stole the second of hesitation from the surrounding mass and glanced to the two figures strolling out of the castle. The man he knew. It was who he had been sent for. The woman he wasn't sure. That pistol seemed wrong. Like he had reached into the movie Hellboy. The barrel lit up and the second shot ripped through the crowd, narrowly missing him and Rhage. Chaos now. As the crowd turned on the two newcomers Phury grabbed the back of Rhages coat and hurled the two of them up and over the crowd, just passed the Hatter and his companion. Righting themselves instantly ready for more.

She trusted him to handle himself. That was a truth that had always been whether she had liked him at the time or not. That was why as he exited, she was comfortable letting him go. Reaching into her mouth, she swept the last of their joined blood free and drew a symbol upon the stone of the overhead doorway.

"Blood of my blood
This now is his home
Cast out those
Who would not atone

He has been given haven
He has sat within the throne
He is my Co ruler
Do not leave him alone

Private words, muttered but offered with no less intensity. They might sound a bit odd, but then so was the woman offering them. Where it had just been the tip of her finger that traced it, her full palm now met the wall beside the door. They might not be as flashy as Hatter's weaponrybut blood called true to blood. Blades crafted insane as it sounded of wood.

"Blight & Sliver."

A perfectly matched pair they were, strong enough to handle some of the most potent of blows afforded. She was more than willing to take on the assailants that automatically turned on the two if them. Pirouetteing bare foot through the grass passed Hatter, her garb and free flowing hair did in fact leave her looking a bit kuku.

The first blade to meet flesh was Sliver. It mattered not what type of Beasty it entered, as long as a body was struck. You would watch the blade be absorbed as she simply danced back to avoid a mountain sized fist. Raising up her now empty hand, she simply uttered the words,

"Return to me, my pretties."

And return they did. In a fashion that turned her opponent's body into a cheese grater. They would be seen to reform into the original blade, though now a deep red wood from it's feeding of blood.

Yes Hatter, your Eli had definitely gained some new, albeit odd tricks since last you had seen her.

The remainder finally got a clue and regrouped rethinking their plans and immediately retreats back into the woods. Hatter didn't holster his weapon tho, but instead turned thst oversized barrel on Rhage. His glasses came down pegging Phury with a stare "One chance Ducky. Who the fuck are ya, and fuck are ya doin here?" Phurys hands went up "Peace. We hail from Chicago. A Friend"

"Where you originate from is not a who are you. What proof do you bring that you're actually friend ? Besides I have a very unique definition of the word friend. Though I find it curious that the city of the Trifecta would send someone to this specific castle. Didn't you know ? It's mostly abandoned and reportedly haunted. Though most of the folks now-a-days wouldn't know an actual haunting if it bit them in the ass. But yes yes, I digress. Answer with less vagueries or my companion here might get twitchy."

It was Rhage who spoke first "We have no proof of friendship other than this." He took his aviators off and pegged Hatter with a menacing stare "Do you really wish to call the Rheverend and his counter parts to you?" He calmly placed his hand on top of the cannon on his face "And you and I both know that thing isn't going to do more than make a loud noise when you pull that trigger. Sheriff to Sheriff perhaps you should accept the aid that's presented instead of threatening it" Phury shook his head in frustration "Phury of the Knighthood of Chicago. This is Rhage Fearson, Sheriff of Chicago." He looked at Eli as Hatters cannon was righted once more "Bollocks"

"I don't think I like your friend's attitude, Knight."

Her tone had now become lazy. Almost bored. Where the blades she had been carrying went, Gods only knew but they were no longer in her hands which were casually oh so casually folded across her stomach.

"Asides, he didn't threaten the crab ass, I did. So while you're on -MY- grounds, I'd direct the attitude at me. Sorry Dearie. It hasnt been signed over yet so still technically mine."

While portions of her words were meant for various parties, they were all spoken while looking at the self-proclaimed Knight who at least appeared the more reasonable of the two.

"Believe you me Madam, who is could only assume is Eli, I have desires to be able to command this particular Gangrel around, however he is under orders of a higher degree." The file emerged from his pack and was held out "I was sent to stop the apprehension of a one Alyce. Young looking lady, perhaps a bit touched. Her previous "caretakers"" he spoke that word loosely "Wish to see her back in their custody. And have enlisted the aid of the Assimites to see it done. The City of Chicago doesn't directly wish to get involved" he looked over at Hatter who's trigger finger looked quite itchy "But the Rheverend sends his regards, and hopes you wouldn't mind some like minded assistance" these words seemed to dawn on Hatter as he relaxed and lowered his weapon smiling "Sheriff to Sheriff, next time fucking annouce yourself on arrival, not after some fuckin tilly. Mayhaps we're clear wolfkin?" Rhage growled in response which caused Hatter to chuckle "Very good! Anyone for Tea?!" He turned and looked at Eli.

There was a simple soft popping sound, no flashy array of light and the female that you had seen earlier in the sub levels of the castle was suddenly standing at Eli's other side, Hatter. It was her hand that quick as a whip reached out to take the dossier. Flipping through it with a surprising swiftness, hot pink cat's eyes reading glasses rested on the bridge of her nose.

"Marion, Marion, Marion. Can't leave you alone for a minute without you making friends. Can confirm that they are Chicagonians. Though anyone who would be carazy enough to lie about that ? I want to meet before they die. Then I want to be on another continent when the dieing happens. Rhobyn's the name, Marion's right hand is the game. You can call me Rhob though."

Slinging an arm around Eli's waist, she cast a gaze over the group of you and tsked quietly. Having taken the Dossier when Rhob offered it to her, she did peruse it as well. Finally speaking again, Eli sounded almost annoyed.

"Her original caretaker's higher ups you mean. The original caretaker's themselves are quite dead. I saw to that personally."

Rubbing at her bare arm in a subconscious gesture, she nodded, vaguely absent mindedly at your question, Hatter.

"Tea would be a delight. We even have so many guests."

Turning and slipping free of Rhob's arm she wandered off back towards the castle, clearly not all there. Rhob watched after her until she made it into the castle again and sighed before shaking her head.

Hatter was quick on her heels hooking her arm and pulling her into a dance back to the castle doorway, the music he heard only available upon the Network. Phury looked at Rhage, who was lighting a stoogie his glasses still not having been replaced. He looked up at Phury with tortilian eyes, and winked "Be glad you're not a Gangrel" right before replacing the lenses and followed after the Enlightened ones. Phury nodded at Rhobyn as he to made way for the castle "Perhaps you'd be kind enough to translate for us? I have a feeling an interpreter may be needed"

She took over the dance when the doorway was reached. Leading you into a tucked away alcove, you would find her half crawling up you to press her lips to yours. An intense kiss, an impassioned kiss. Sudden and unexpected, she was like a spider monkey around you before finally drawing back.

"I don't like interruptions. And now we have more. Tea. We should do Tea. Then we shall go for a swim."

Rearranging the dress that was not a dress, she seemed intent on trying to straighten her appearance before Tea.

While outside, Rhobyn watched the one male take off after them fair directly. Tilting her head at the other one's line of questioning, she shrugged before offering him her arm as an escort.

"Of what they've said so far, what illudes you ? This is actually quite straight forward for them, believe it or not. All of those within that castle can be a mystery at times. Though I find my own self curious, how did Chicago's ruler know that aid could be of use currently ?"

Hatter was just as impassioned if not more, the smile he wore was one of hunger, those Fangs of his almost turning his face sinister. "Aye, Tea. Question the Mutt and Snake, then send em on their merry way. Then a dip." He simply pressed his hair back and replacing his cap.

Ice was the one Rhage would first reach once inside, he wasn't but a few steps in. They simply glared at each other. A tension could be felt for any who viewed them.

Phury accepted her arm, but tentatively, and walked with her "That is certainly good to hear. A simple clarification is sometimes all that is needed. As for our presence here, as it turns out, crosses our path with this place. We are here to stop the Assimites plan of abducting Alyce and returning her to where she'd come from"

Pausing in the straightening of her dress which was delightfully specked in red now, she reached up and perfected the way your cap sat upon your head. Caressing your cheek almost absent mindedly,

"Not all Gangrels are so bad. Liam just... Liam was my fault. They'll receive tea in the Kitchen."

Her countenance dropped almost painfully as clearly her thoughts had drifted to a time long ago. Turning sharply on her bare-feet, she didn't bother waiting for a response before she seemed to glide down the hallway towards the room in mention.

Seeming to read your tension at taking her arm, Phury, she patted it gently, almost comfortingly. Nary a whit of condescension to the action,

"I don't bite, Dearie. Not usually at least. And only then if asked or if you're being rude. However, since neither of those seems to be the case, you're welcome for the clarification. While I'm all a flitter, or was it a flutter about those two finally doing the do, a translator might be extra needed at the moment. That's going to go poorly for them if they continue trying. Maid Marian has taken the girl under her protection as well as called in aid. As well as to note ? The place she was taken from no longer stands which only makes me wonder what other hell hole they'd dump her in. Alyce that is."

Hatter was hot on her heels pausing only long enough to call out to Ice as he passed "Come ducky, Tea time. Leave the flea bag alone, he's bathed recently enough. Ice would cautiously step around Rhage and follow her Sire.

Phury cusped the doorway with Robhyn and nodded at Rhage to continue on before speaking again "In truth I know not how long they will continue to pester you and yours. My King gave me no such instructions past thwarting them. And I don't believe I have achieved that goal yet, so whether our presence is desired, it will remain. Even at our own peril"

Tea. The making of it. The drinking of it. It was a soothing thing. At least after a bit of slamming things about and not so quiet cursing. Would you look at that ? There was even still water, maybe a bit hotter than was necessity, but then too bad for them as they'd been part of what had interrupted her day. Pausing and fighting back the sting of tears that threatened her vision, she shook her head violently. This one was not Liam. Don't judge all books by their covers. Or in this case all Vampires by their clan. Drawing out cups for each of them, she settled freshly filled tea balls into the vessels before carefully filling each cup with hot water so it could steep. Assuming that you were likely following her, Hatter,

"They're not getting the nice sugar. Or the fresh lemon and cream."

Nodding to acknowledge that she had heard and understood your words, Phury,

"Technically now the castle and it's grounds are going to belong to Mr. Hatter so I don't know that I can formally offer you lodging, but it would appear that we have the same goals. So perhaps you'll be able to strike bargain over tea."

Rhage would enter first, but not stray to far from the door. Which would get a chuckle from Hatter, causing him to bump Eli and notion towards the brooding Gangrel "Oy! Looks like they've at least got the dogs trained, righ'!?" Followed by a maniacal giggle. Phury would step into the kitchen with Rohbyn and simply stare at the mad man. Once he was settled at the counter across from the pair of Enlightened ones he put his business face on "I'm simply going to lay it out on the table. The Reverend sends his regards." He was looking directly at Hatter as he spoke "He caught word of what's happening here and simply wished to offer assistance, both as a gesture of friendship, as well as an attempt to garner tactical information on our shared enemy. My presence here is only at your grace and leisure. After what I have seen I would not debate or argue against my departure. It would seem it may not be needed. However, I have been granted to speak on the behalf of my home. The Reverend simply wishes to once again extend an offer of asylum to Hatter Industries. Asylum from the Sects. From unjust persecution. Chicago would welcome you. Openly." Phurys words weren't rushed but he seemed to have a presence to him to drew one in and made them hear his words. Hatter hadn't been expecting that. It only took him less than a second to respond "No fanks. I'm all well and good with being buddy buddy, but ya've simply caught me at the wrong bloody time. I literally just got here, and I don't really feel like leavin." He actually turned and looked at Eli "I mean im pretty sure we can handle the assassins, no?"

You knew she hard you, Hatter, but one moment she'd been with you and the next she was there physically but that was about it. She was more moving on auto pilot as she drew out a dented and dinged, half used box of sugar cubes, a bottle of lemon juice, and finally a half carton of just regular milk. Setting them all beside the group of you along with spoons, she then began pointlessly moving about the massive kitchen. It was clear that she wasn't home, and after a moment, Rhobyn stood and moved slowly over to her.

Sliding an arm around Eli's waist, she gently lead her back over to a chair beside Hatter. Settling her down, she crouched in front of her to look up at the paler woman. After a moment of no response, Rhobyn suddenly started vocalizing what sounded like an unintelligible series of clicks, clacks, beeps, and chirps. Finally Eli seemed to zone back into the here and now to respond in kind.

"She says that yes, she'll go. That Alyce will come with. Mr. Hatter, she says you should come as well, along with your Ladies. She says the offer will only be taken though if your Boss has a way to move Mr. Hatter's new castle in it's ENTIRETY as well as a place to put it. She's been curious to meet the Lord of storms, the Prince of Time, and the King of the Roost for some time now."

Yes those names might sound odd, but when Rhobyn finished speaking them, it would not be difficult to decipher whom her translator was speaking of.