"The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain." Sun Tzu, "The Art of War."

Belial sits at her desk in her office at Onyx House. She's been sifting through the image orbs collected from a sundry of places the Bloods keep eyes on, pieces parts sorted out by members" of the Family whose task it is to monitor them. The information they have been providing of late has been scarce, as if all the scheming and plotting of known Blood enemies has been intentionally kept out of public places. That' or things really are that quiet. Belial knows otherwise.

There have been no reported sightings of Daug or any of his sordid entourage. Bel knows Daug only too well. She's been playing cat and mouse games with him for years, doing all she can to undermine his plots and plans. In the past, she spent a great amount of time chasing after any relic he showed interest in. But lately, her contacts haven't been able to monitor Daug. Neither they nor the Bloods currently know where Daug is or what he may be doing. If he is seeking out some new "key", (a.k.a. relic), to use in his nefarious intrigues, he's kept the information very tight to his chest. Not going through the typical channels. Bel has already assigned a covert team to hunt the Bone Dragon down. She'd do it herself, but that behavior would be considered impulsive and foolish; she's currently the assigned leader of Onyx House and besides" Corwyn would be displeased. He'd make her life living hell. There will be no "walkabouts" for her anytime soon"

There have been sightings of activity at the spot where DCH had their Marketplace offices. Construction is nearly complete on a new building. Much of it has been done in the dark hours before dawn. It reeks of some kind of clandestine activity. However they are using some pretty heavy duty magic; keeping whatever they are doing away from prying eyes. Bel needs to know what that is and where they laid their hands on a power strong enough to keep even the most experienced mages from penetrating. In reality, she needs a lot more than that.

One of the primary rules of Sun Tzu is to know one's self and one's enemy. Bel is getting good at understanding herself, but she is rather vague when it comes to knowing the Senior Partners of DCH. She has a little information on Mister Dewey, a bit more on Mister Howe, nothing on Mister Cheatham, and only an unclear idea of why the three have chosen Rhy"Din. Rumor has it that it has something to do with the Nexus or some such. But everyone with a brain understands the chaotic nature of that beast' certainly so do they"

Unless they know something everyone else doesn't'

Bel is determined to find out.

With Guthorm and Alain on the inside, she's hoping that soon information will be flowing. Hmph, it better start happening soon and it had better be fast before either of the two moles are discovered, or the consequence will be very steep; death. DCH will not tolerate traitors in their midst, they made that perfectly clear with the example they set with poor Stew Burger. Of course" Bel and Sid are the puppet-masters this time, there will be no blame laid elsewhere. They cooked up the scheme together and brought it to pass. Sure, they made practical choices, but nevertheless the death of either one of the two moles they've managed to implant will weigh heavy on both Seraph.

Bel scowls at the images playing out before her, her thoughts far away on present plots and schemes, not on the work before her. The hour is late, and Bel has spent most of her past days working. She needs to take a break. She also needs to speak with Sid?

Shutting off the image orb, she sets it aside then stands, fingers brushing through ebon curls. It is Saturday and Sid is typically bar tending tonight. Bel figures why not head to the Dragon, have a few drinks and chat with her sister. She doesn't bother changing; her jeans will do fine. Without further ado she flickers away in a bluish white light.

Alain wanders into Teas 'n Tomes late at night, cigarette dangling from his lips. He looks up to smile at the late shift cashier....but is startled to see the young blonde girl with the jealous old grandfather. They were there this morning....and this afternoon....he knows he's seen them most evenings....He shakes his head (and shakes out his thoughts that they may in fact be robots), orders a cup of tea, and takes a look around while they take care of it. He's wearing his double shoulder holster tonight, apparently that much more worried now about his safety.

Belial had been watching Teas & Tomes for a while now, waiting" waiting for the right time to head inside. Of all the places in Rhy"Din she'd felt this one would be the safest bet. Less likely DCH has gotten around to staking it out and after that note Alain slipped her, Bel really needs to talk to him. Knowing this meeting is unwise" she still called for it. Now, hours later, in the near dead of night she sees him entering the shop. Bel slips out of the shadows and crosses the cobblestone street with a causal air. She pushes open the door and hears the tinkle of the bell but that green gaze is already seeking out the reason she's here. She finds him easily enough, for the place is practically empty at this hour. Bel moves to the counter and places an order for a fancy cup of coffee. It won't be nearly as satisfying as Sid's sludge, but it would have to do. If Bel wants answers to this unexpected mystery, she will simply have to suffer the consequences. Taking up her coffee, she smiles as she pays, adding a hefty tip. "Thanks, sweet and have a grand evening?" With cup in hand Bel moves over to the back of the place, out of sight from the main windows. Seeking to catch Alain's attention she beckons him to follow. Alain glances only briefly at Belial as she enters, and then continues smoking and waiting in silence. Only when beckoned does he look at her and follow, payment left on the counter and tea collected. He takes a sip, lips thinning - he's never much cared for tea.

Bel pulls the note seemingly out of thin air and holds it out to him. "Want to explain what the frak this means"!" For some reason' she doesn't look at all amused. "We're taking a huge risk here, Alain" You know as well as I that we shouldn't be together at all. So' What's this" Needin" to smell like me"!" "They want me to get closer to the Bloods, and you especially. He won't trust me until I prove I can get close to you." He answers coolly as he takes a seat across from her. His expression is kept mostly blank, though there are lines in his brow, and he angles his head to rub at his temple. "To put it lightly, the rules have changed."

Belial stares at Alain. Something isn't right with him' something is very, very off. It is her turn to frown as she sets the coffee aside untouched and leans in towards him. She keeps her voice low intentionally, not wanting them to be overheard, not wanting to involve others in their nefarious plots. "How have the rules changed" They think they are going to use you as a" trap" A lure?" She can't help the laugh, it's colder than she would have preferred. "They want you to get close enough to kill me, yes?" Business first, she reminds herself" but that something about Alain is seriously beginning to upset her. This wasn't what he'd signed on for. Maybe? just maybe she should pull him out now" Bel continues her regard of Alain as she waits for his answers. "Nailed it," he says to her. Bright blue eyes move to her, then away again, and the rubbing resumes. "They want me closer to you and to Kitty....they mentioned something about Corwyn....They want to use me as an assassin and a whore, and to a degree, I've obliged them." He keeps his voice quiet also. He puts out his cigarette, and uses his free hand not for his tea, but to finger the trinkets on his necklace - the copper cross, the female figure from Chryrie, and the ring from Izira.

Bel watches Alain fidget, she makes quick note of the items he's toying with. A slight nod, she's not surprised by his news. If the shoe was on the other foot' no, wait, it is! They, she and Sid, had made Alain into what DCH would want' What had they been thinking"! Bel reaches over and places her hand atop Alain's, a gentle press of warm fingers to warm flesh. The touch is meant to be reassuring. "Alright' We can give them what they want. If, that is, it's what you want?" Bel's expression softens and she gently pats his hand. "Alain, do you want out' Do you want me to pull you out of this, right now, tonight' I can make that happen; you know" all you need do is say the word. We can find someone else?" Bel means what she says however" the truth is far more brutal than she's letting on. Currently there is no one else they can trust enough for this task. If they lose Alain, they lose the only edge they've managed to get on DCH. It would be a shame, but Bel won't sacrifice Alain either. Not another innocent will be given over to DCH to destroy. If Alain can't handle it, Bel won't let him self-destruct. "...I'm in too deep. The evil of Mister Howe goes far, far deeper than I ever imagined." His hand turns over, fingers lacing with hers, squeezing her hand. He needs the comfort, the touch. "He's....given me the ability to disguise myself, the same way he does himself, and wants me to make contact with the West End serial killers....open an alliance with them." His lips part, a faint smile on his lips, he's shaking his head.

"Today I slept with the leader of the Black Wolf Guild, the same woman who likely helped to murder Cassie's sister Leslie....the very same woman who nearly murdered me in February, and had me leaning on a cane for weeks. It's....taking its toll, I'll admit....but I've found out so much, that can help you and even help the Sisters - help all of Rhy"Din."

"I could not in good conscience back out now."

Bel smiles warmly to Alain nodding. "Yes, it's my scent and my essence they will want on you? Holding hands, touching, anything intimate, physical, will imprint my scent on you. They'll be able to pick up off you easily what with their varied talents. Now, as we draw closer to the final scene of this vignette, we might want to heat things up so they will smell the sex, the lust on you too. Hmm' Or have sex with that sweet little girlfriend, Cassie, isn't it' Before or after seeing me....that ought to make them suspect it was us. I am pretty sure they think me as big a slut now as I once was way back then." Bel doesn't bother to explain. "Of course, you want to be very careful about carrying the scents of those you actually do care about around on you. They will be able to smell them too and if DCH finds them, they will use those you love against you. Me" No worries" we can focus them on me and Kitty, if we are careful." Meaning if Alain is careful as DCH won't be sniffing Bel. "We should likely speak to her about this." Bel pauses to contemplate how wise that might or might not be; telling Kitty. "I'll have to consider that for a bit' we don't want too many knowing what you are doing because loose lips sink ships. Now" where have I heard that?" Bel chuckles lightly, giving Alain's hand a squeeze. "Doesn't matter" Now, how are you feeling, Alain" Any better?" She asks hopefully. He considers everything she's said, letting it all soak in. Sex with Belial would not be an awful prospect, to be sure, though he's trying to avoid sex with anyone but Izira as much as he can. But the thought of them somehow smelling Izira on him...

"Much better." He releases her hand, withdrawing his own slowly. His right is cradled to be massaged slowly. He's distracted for a moment by it, staring at the scarred palm, faint smile on his lips. "I got those scars a year and a half ago....and my hand hasn't been quite the same since." He shakes his head faintly, and looks up at her. "Holding hands should be enough to satisfy them for now - I'll make sure not to bathe until after I've met them next."

"You don't have to worry about that, Alain" I don't wash off, neither will Kitty." Bel's smile is impish, playful, and almost flirtatious. "Look" You've already gotten a lot of information, Alain. I admit I am rather impressed. They sure did take to you, didn't they?" Bel finds this rather amusing. "Sid suspected they would" I on the other hand wasn't so sure. Glad to be proven wrong, sweets." It's not that Belial is ignoring what Alain has said about his hand; it's that she doesn't quite know what to say about it. "Since it seems alright for us to be seen together, from now on we can arrange meetings, much like this one. We can pass information while we "pretend" to be finding other pleasures to pursue?" It is at this very moment that Bel wonders how this may appear to the rest of Rhy"Din's populace. Oh, and a certain Vampire Count. A bit of a blush stains pale cheeks and she quickly sits back and away from Alain, putting even more space between them as she attempts to sort through all she's heard tonight and the repercussions that it may bring. "My, but this landscape sure has changed"." said more to herself than Alain really. "Well" we should figure out a way to drop messages to one another. I'll set something up that's more direct than the original plan. Call on me if ever you have need, don't hesitate, hear"!" Falling into Yvette's typical speech pattern is natural for Bel. Years of living with Yvette have obviously rubbed off. "And I suppose I shall see you again soon, Alain?" Bel glides gracefully to her feet, smiling warmly down at the lad. "And please, Alain, I mean it. Come to me if you have need. I am here for you and you aren't alone in this. You have my word." He touches her hip as she rises, and while it would be impossible to see, under her jacket, he slips an envelope into her pocket.

"If I need anything, Bel....I'll come see you, I promise." He smiles gently. How surprisingly easy it's gotten for him to set aside the deepest, darkest of concerns - though he expects they'll return to him soon.

Belial notices the exchange, how could she not' But she says nothing. She's aware he's passing it covertly for a reason. She's still very worried about Alain, she wishes she knew what to do, what to say to reassure him. Alas, Bel simply is at a loss. Perhaps Sid could offer suggestions, or maybe she should send Alain her way' She has always been the "healer" of the pair of them' Well, that is if Corwyn isn't in the line too. His talents outshine both hers and Sid's. "Here is my private address, Alain?" Bel passes him a business card with a WestEnd address. "Welv and Yvette might be about' Both of whom can be trusted. If you need to; come there. No matter what time of day or night. Now that we are?" she laughs then coughs playfully ?"'dating", you might as well know where I live, eh?" Bel hesitates, looking down at Alain. She wants to tell him so much' explain things reassure him with what wisdom she actually does hold, but she can't. For fear the demonic Senior Partners will pick the thoughts right out of his brain. Bel can't put him at that kind of risk. Instead she leans down and drops a light sisterly kiss to his cheek. With her mouth near his ear she whispers, "Stay strong, Alain." She straightens quickly and heads towards the door, not bothering to pause or look back. Bel isn't sentimental in those ways? no, she's a creature of a different design. He looks after her....then at the business card. At last he chuckles to himself and tucks it away into his wallet, and returns to his now cool tea. He doesn't even enjoy tea.

"Too many women, Alain."