Around the side of the brownstone, polishing and primping every inch of the wheel-less panhead to hopefully make up for the neglect of months when Baby languished in a torn apart state, Sid heard the knock at the double doors of her home's entrance. "Wonder who tha' be, Baby. Guess this be 'avin' to wait," cringing a bit at the backlash from the link she and the mage bike shared. "Now, c'mon ol' girl, tha' be hardly fair o' ye, I 'ave been treatin' ye right since ye be back together. Jus' let me see to me guest an' I be out again to finish this up."

Standing, patting the depthless black tank, she headed up the drive towards the street. A wave given to JoJo hunkered against the cold in an abandoned doorway across the road, glamoured blue eyes peered to her left to find Alain D'Mourir on the top of her stoop. "Well, now, look who the wind be blowin' me way," a tease of a fox lit grin offered as she climbed the steps. "I do be sayin', she be knowin' wha' I like in me menfolk. So, wha' brings ye around these parts, dux" Somethin' to do with wha' we be speakin' on t'other night?"

"Why should I nae believe ye, dux?" There was the ghost of a smile in her words. Stepping above him as he leaned against the railing, she continues to listen to his words. The brownstone behind her shimmering like heat waves off the pavement, a seeming mirage.

"Aye, longer an' darker, indeed." Disdain tilted the corner of thin lips, quirked a silvered brow. It was no secret how the Ancient felt about the influx of souls into WestEnd. No secret she missed the quieter times when it was just the brownstone and its inhabitants amongst mostly abandoned ruins.

Alain's words on the Bloods brought that tilt of lips to a full on grin of wicked light. "Good be a relative, term, dux. But, aye, we 'ave interest in takin' care o' a few o' the troubles about." Her own eyes - physical and not so - swept their surroundings in tandem with his look. "Aye, mayhaps a gran' idea to leave where ears can hear an' eyes can see."

Turning, impossibly long legs made short work of the remaining steps, the right hand door swung open wide to allow him entrance to the front hallway. "Be welcome an' enter o' ye own free will." Following him inside, she took one last glance to the streets. "I be likin' to hear ye thoughts on helpin'. Come....Be ye carin' for drink?" The last coming after a slight pause. The Trueblood still new to this whole "thinking of others" thing.

Closing the front door as he removed his coat, glamoured eyes took in the whole of him; her assessment quick, shrewd, and experienced. "Always keep a pot o' coffee goin', dux. Hope ye be likin' it strong." An odd grin forming on pale lips, she chuckles and moves down the hallway. "We can be takin" it in the kitchen, second best room in the house."

The kitchen was a cheering and calming space. Moving through the swinging door, Sid nods to a table for Alain to have a seat. The windows surrounding the breakfast nook look out onto a small backyard, its bit of greenery inexplicably flourishing in the midst of summer, the large tree's tri-colored leaves of silver, copper, and bronze shining in the watery light of Rhy"Din's late winter sun.

Pulling down two mugs and filling both with a wicked black steaming brew that seems a little hesitant to pour out of its pot, the Trueblood takes a chair opposite her guest before speaking on his words of Taneth. "Aye, Taneth. Ye be likin" her, too." Not a question; the Ancient was not sure there were any who could not like the bouncy blonde. "I worry o"er her, as well. I know the ones she be employed by. There be nae a thin" to trust with them, Alain. Make nae mistake."

Denim hissed against denim as she folded one leg over the other, sitting back with her coffee and leveling that shrewd gaze across the table at the male. "Obviously ye be 'avin' some ideas on how to help. Why dun ye be tellin' me?"

Right hand curled loosely at her chin, index finger resting against white teeth, she watches him while he speaks; a war of thoughts running through her mindscape.

In the past she has been loathe to involve more souls than need be in the struggles that seem to ever-plague. There are many reasons it has always been thus, the least of which is that they will likely die. Lately, she has begun to think on the matter of choice " free will " with a newfound perspective.

Lowering her hand slowly, cupping the mug of sludge and lifting it for a sip, snowy lids dip briefly and break her study of the male. "I be sayin" a word about ye idea for infiltration an' mayhaps tha' be tellin" somethin" o' who these bein's be.

Wha" they be up to, tha' I canna be sayin" with any certainty. Save, I nae doubt it came down to it, they be eliminatin" e"ery soul in this realm if"n they be o' nae use any longer an' got in the way o' they end goal."

Leaning forward over crossed thighs, forearms to the table, the Ancient held tight to Alain's blue eyes. "Me suggestion be ye try somethin" other"n infiltratin", dux. Sometimes wha' one be "avin" to do to get close enough for tha' with a lot like DCH" Well?"

Again she sat back, mug lifted for another sip, glamoured blue gaze across the table to him. "It be a price tha' be much too precious to pay. Tha' be wha' I can tell ye. Anythin" else, ask an' I be answerin" as I can. I discover more, I be tellin".?

Somewhere below the kitchen a light thud can be heard, the sound of a door closing. Sid knows the sound; it's more than a little familiar and has been heard often. Belial has come to call" She often uses the tunnels because it is a wonderful way to pass between their WestEnd homes unseen. When stalked like Sid and Bel are it is wisest not to advertise where you live. Besides, Bel adores the twins and tends to spend a lot of her free time doting on them.

A few months back Bel had to eradicate the Skaven that lurked in the tunnels, occasionally she's forced to renew her cleansing efforts. However today, the tunnels offer clear passage and Bel arrives blood-free"

May miracles never cease to amaze!

Making her way with liquid flowing grace up the familiar stairs Bel hums under her breath. She's in a fine mood today, although' how this could possibly be is in question. What with Jodiah Ayreg missing, things heating up with DCH, the arrival of Gabriel to Rhy"Din and a multitude of other pressing issues, none would fault Bel were she to be aggravated and annoyed. Actually, being caught in a really bad mood would be a state most befitting, but Belial has learned to make the best of things" Fact is, if she doesn't do it for herself, no one else is going to.

Pushing open the basement door Bel steps into the kitchen, right in the middle of Alain's words.

"...Why' I'm not so well-versed in things beyond the ordinary, physical world to conjecture what DCH could be, that they'd want to destroy this realm....but why the Red Dragon' Why Rhy'Din?"

That green gaze immediately falls on Sid before shifting to Alain somewhat surprised. Either by the unexpected pair of them or their topic of conversation is yet to be learned"

"Well, not at all what I was anticipating?" Green eyes scan over the male her expression contemplative and assessing. Bel notes how he sits, how his hands never stray far from his obvious weapons" She also takes in his garb and his physique. He practically screams "Trouble"!

A curious arch of a delicate brow as her gaze travels back to Sid. "Hope I'm not intruding?" a slight canting of her head. "I take it, this is about DCH?"

He's being assessed, and he can't blame her. A detective with a reputation, and he looks the part. Blue eyes take her in calmly, leaned back some in his chair still, taking a moment to rub his whiskered jaw.

"Bel," he says with a small nod as the two are introduced. "A pleasure."

He looks to Sid and then back to her. "Sure I'm worried about Taneth....and a fair number of others now, myself included. Anyone with eyes and ears can figure DCH is up to no good. Wasn't too long ago they were talking arson at the Red Dragon - and while some threats are idle, they've seen reason to hire muscle - they've got action written all over them."

"I do most of my business here, in the West End, and the rest at the Red Dragon. Now the 'leeches' are turning some heads in both places..." A slow grin for Bel, as he takes another gulp of his coffee. "...So you can see my interest here. If they aim to make trouble that'll be bad for my business, even harmful to me and mine....I aim to make trouble for them. But it's a hard, not to mention unethical thing to do, when I can't quite figure out what trouble they're making and why."

Pouring the thick, black brew to another of the Inn's mugs, Sid catches the glance. Letting loose a disdainful snort as Bel begins her tale. "Family do be a bitch," she thinks, loud enough for her sibling to hear.

There was confirmation in the second look that passed between the sisters. Belial was handed her coffee and the Ancient retook her seat, retrieving her own, watching across the table at Alain while Bel continued.

Apprehension flickers a shadow across her pale brow as thoughts turn to Taneth. She never should have let her colleague take that position with the lawyers. Talk about the Inn and her own "little birds" have informed her of Dewey's interest in the bouncy blonde.

And then she thinks on Guthorm. That shadow darkening to a storm in glamoured blue. There had to be a way to get to the Norseman.

With Belial's final words her eyes dip a glimpse into the mug before returning to Alain. "Bel be sayin" it plain, dux. Ye know now. Ye be a bein" o' free choice, we canna force ye to nae involve yeself. But, ye know now.

Who be knowin" but the wind wha' change ye mayhaps bring" Mayhaps it be ye can be doin" wha' we "ave nae been able."

Leaning back into her chair and taking a sip from the sludge, eyes shift to Bel and then back to the detective. "An", aye, Taneth. Keep her far from the lawyers. Find some way to watch her close. Methinks they interest be too keen.?

Bel sips from the hot coffee Sid has served her, appreciating the heft and weight of the sludge fully as she glances between the pair listening. Alain seems determined in his involvement which, of course, Bel is convinced will be the end of him. Mortals never fare well when dealing with her brethren, either Above or Below"

Bel has heard of Tanneth but she's not made friends with the lady. She isn't sure what she could personally do to keep the woman away from DCH" Bel doesn't feel she has the right to involve herself in Tanneth's affairs, besides why should the lady listen to Bel anyway"

It is no secret that the Bloods and DCH don't much like each other"

Bel also knows the extent of Guthorm's involvement' Yet, this is information that cannot be easily shared with any. The situation is explosive and delicate; simply the wrong thought picked up at the wrong moment would be enough to undo all the hard work accomplished so far. Bel can't afford to let that happen. Some secrets need to remain kept and this is one of them"

They need a spy inside, and Guthorm may be as close as they can get. No one else is lining up for the job' and in reality no Bloods can be used. In fact, any of Elven descent would be under suspicion by the three demonic heads of DCH in a heartbeat. Bel can say many nasty things about DCH, but "fools" is not among them. They just like the Bloods have reason to be paranoid and suspicious of most.

Ah, but Alain's last query she can address and rather freely since they are sitting in Sid's well-protected abode. Having no worries that any will "overhear" them Bel can discuss her suspicions openly.

"As I already mentioned, we have little concrete evidence against them, Alain. What I believe they are behind isn't easily proven" well" Except the seizing of the Oak and Ash. No doubt they were behind that' However, it was within their rights, they owned the property after all." Bel shrugs lightly but it is obvious by her expression that the destruction of the O&A had taken its toll. "Sun has been MIA for a while and they used it as an excuse to take the property back" Still haven't figured out why"

"As for their other exploits?" Bel cants her head gazing over at Alain intently. "There is no doubt they attacked Lucky; blew up his house, killed his housekeeper" and the Courthouse too. But yet again? no evidence"

"Howe of DCH had threatened Lucky; we have that on image orb?" Bel doesn't explain how they accomplished this; she sees no reason to admit what a close eye the Bloods keep on Rhy"Din. "But?" An eloquent shrug as she shakes her head sending soft ebony curls dancing. "No forensics, no witnesses, nothing to tie DCH to the explosions". If you pay attention to the local newspaper, there was a group supposedly taking credit for the acts and obviously there were no overt ties between them and DCH" Nothing that we could find anyway?" And the Bloods had looked. The attack was against one of their own as they saw it, and the Bloods don't take kindly to such offenses.

"The warehouses we lost' Pretty sure DCH was behind them too' but again?" Bel laughs but not with amusement, "no evidence" they have been very sly! When our warehouses blew, so did theirs" Hard to point a public finger their way when they are suffering alongside us, I am sure you understand?"

A slight hint of a scowl mars the beatific features briefly before she shakes it off. "Public relations, Alain, can be a real Bitch!"

Neither Belial nor any of the Bloods yet know about the kidnapping of Glan. The Blood had been off tending to his personal business when the DCH operative grabbed him; the Family has yet to discover his fate" This would be considered the ultimate truce breaker were it known but its not"

"Now, my list may not sound impressive to you, however we've dealt with DCH before. This is not our first time throwing down with them' and last time" Before the truce, mind you? they hired a slew of assassins to take us on. The attorneys" don't like doing their own dirty work" I wouldn't be surprised if they are doing it again? especially with Corwyn back in Rhy"Din"

"In fact' I'd lay money that they are avidly plotting against us right now" Still" We have nothing on them' nothing that would permit us to move openly against them' And until we have *something*" The Bloods" hands are effectively tied."

Bel takes a sip of her coffee, that green gaze sliding from Alain to Sid then back again before speaking anew. "To be honest with you? What we really need is to get inside" Unfortunately, DCH tends to use only the souls they've gathered as employees" It's a hard company to get in to and they are a very suspicious lot' Heck, they should be! All the nasty things they do everywhere they go"

"Mind you, Alain, I am only telling you what they have done to us, the Bloods" and it is a fraction of what they have done to lesser protected folks" in a myriad of multiverses!"

Bel blinks over at the distracted Alain, obviously confused. Hadn't he heard her?"! He's mortal" he shouldn't be playing with DCH! They are likely to eat him for breakfast!!!

But then again? DCH wouldn't expect Alain" They would assume that those involved would know better than to send someone as fragile as a human. Alain may prove to be the perfect go-between for them and Guthorm" but that means they will have to put a lot of trust in Alain and share the truth about the Norseman.

Bel glances to Sid, a delicate arch of her brow in question. Through their shared mental link Bel asks "Well" What do you think, eh?"

Those green eyes slide back to Alain. "Are you sure you really want to get involved with this" I have warned you, sweet' DCH is far from mortal; you could get yourself dead" Maybe you should talk to your family first' Do you have a wife, a lover" Perhaps you'd be wise to consult with them before taking on such a huge risk"

"Oh, and by the way' Do you have any psychic protections" We can't have Dewey or Howe plucking thoughts out of your head, sweet?"

Sid had been sitting there letting Bel take the lead. Seemingly relaxed, sipping occasionally from her cup of sludge. Only the slight dance of fingertips over the Red Dragon Inn's logo on her mug might clue her sibling in to how she was truly feeling.

She was not picking thoughts from Bel's head, but if she had been she would agree that the leech lawyers would never suspect Alain. Having someone to communicate with Guthorm and perhaps help to watch the Norseman's back was also a definite bonus in the Ancient's mind. Sid felt personally responsible for the Captain, and his being out there with no immediate backup was something that did not sit well with her.

However, spilling the beans on the dangerous ruse Guthorm was perpetrating was tantamount to breath on a house of cards.

"I be hesitant to let loose Guthorm's true purpose, I nae mind tellin" ye, sweet. Still, I canna deny Alain be perfect to keep watch on his back an' to be usin" as a go-between. If"n he be consentin" to some mental protections, mayhaps." Glamoured gaze resting on the detective as she shares the link with Bel, listening to him speak.

Setting mug to table and leaning forward, forearms crossing on the tabletop, she dips her head and looks up at Alain through silvered bangs; those magic-hued eyes solemn and darkly sober. "If"n ye be sure in ye heart an' soul this be an undertakin" ye truly wish to proceed with, Alain, I be willin" to ensure DCH canna glean anythin" o' import from ye thoughts. "Tis protection for ye, an' for all involved in seein? to the leeches downfall."

"...I'm ready." He looks between them, lacing his fingers together. In truth, he's a little nervous - about the psychic protections, not DCH so much. "Whatever it is you guys need to do..." There's a faint click inside his mouth as he pushes his tongue against the back of his teeth, and he looks down at the edge of the table. "...go right ahead. Just, ah." He looks up again, grinning some, trying to lighten his own mood. "Just tell me what it is you're doing....side effects....dry mouth, nausea, and whatever else." With that last bit, the grin widens.

Belial had taken to her feet when Sid first mentioned they should head to Stars End. She knows this is what is best' doing it here in WestEnd may warp the magics, doing it in Old Town and they risk getting caught by the very ones they seek to deceive. Yet traveling through the streets into Stars End is like inviting spies to tail them' Bel isn't sure that would be very wise"

She listens as Sid speaks, but in truth her thoughts are occupied with DCH. How many times has she tried to take them down" Too many to count' and she's always failed. How can she trust they won't all fail again this time" Why put the lad in this when there are no guarantees" it will work" No guarantees" he will survive" Has she lost her mind"

The death of Stew Burger hangs over her head like a dark storm cloud. An innocent lost' alright, maybe he wasn't so innocent, however he'd been trying to help destroy DCH and that counts for something" at least in Bel's mind anyway. Guthorm could also be lost in a blink of an eye' and now they are going to toss Alain into the mix" No' Bel isn't at all sure about any of this. Yet' through Alain they may be able to create a direct connection to Guthorm, something they desperately need and currently do not have.

"Ye be sure this be a good idea" For Alain or for the thin's we keep close?" Sid asks through their mental connection.

A frown settles on beatific features as Belial ponders her sister's question' There was a time" years ago now" when the answers would have easily come, there would be no hesitation. Her goal would have driven her no matter the cost' However, since Corwyn and his blasted spell, things have changed. Belial is forced to think of the consequences not just the outcome and not just the consequence for self" No, she finds it hard not to consider the cost Alain may be forced to pay should he get found out' A price Stew Burger has already paid. Does she feel she has this right, even though the lad insists he wants in on this"

Bel looks from Sid to Alain contemplatively. Choices these days are hard taskmasters" what seems the right path tends to be too deeply shrouded in unknowns. She goes over his recent words reflectively, seeking the truth of his commitment and realizes that if he is going to go after them anyway, it might as well be with them as his backup.

The smile that graces full, red lips is angelic as she cants her head to the right, staring at the male.

"There is much you don't know Alain" much you will need to know. No matter what comes, I will do all within my power to keep you and yours safe. Now" If you really wish to take this journey, then let us be away to Stars End" Once you've been protected, I can give you a much greater idea of what is going on' Alas, until then" You must remain in the dark" We can't have our secrets read from you as one might an open book."

To her sister Bel speaks through thought only. "Sid, if he is intent in his pursuit, then it is charged to us to be his safety. If we let him take them on by himself it would be as if we'd signed his death warrant. But we can work to keep him safe. Be sure to instill within him the ability to reach us through thought alone" We must be able to find him quickly and reach him the same" The link must be deeply hidden, but easily activated. And should the need arise; we will pull him out of their clutches. We will not lose another innocent, not even to take them down, this I promise."

Aloud to both, "I think traveling where eyes may spy us may be a bad idea" I can easily teleport us to the SEB, and this way few will ever know?"

She waits for confirmations from each before waving a small, seemingly-delicate hand, teleporting all three to a little used and oft empty alleyway located behind the Stars End Bar and Grill, part of an area she has grown very familiar with over the years of hanging out in Stars End.

"There, that wasn't so bad, now was it?" A quirk of a brow to Alain, worried he may not have taken well to the teleport but knowing it was the safest way for them to travel without getting caught.

Giving him a moment to recover, Bel turns her attention to Sid. "Oh, and if you would prefer, Sid, we could use the Bloods" warehouse" Finni won't mind and the only one likely to be about is that alien girlfriend of his" and maybe Jazz?" Bel offers with a shrug. She's thinking about privacy and neither of them would be much of a risk. Finni's girlfriend barely speaks in ways many can understand" and Jazz, well, she's been trained since she was a tot to keep her pretty little mouth tightly shut.

The waning light of Rhy"Din's watery sun cast long shadows through the alleyway. Recent rain had infused the air with a freshness overlaying the usual smells of trash and worse that permeate behind these businesses. The concrete was wet. Sid suddenly got the feeling she should be smoking a cigarette and wearing a hat.

Glamoured eyes glance at Alain clutching his stomach and then trying to play it off, thin lips quirking at one corner in an odd grin. "Aye, prefer me ride as well but Bel be right, "twas safest this way, dux." A full fox lit grin to Bel. Her sister knew the Ancient's propensity for less-magics-the-better.

"Hopefully, the lasses willna e"en be aroun", Bel. But, aye, let us be usin" the warehouse for this." Sid knew her sibling was right, again. Her own apathy over danger often led to trouble they did not need right now. Already the Trueblood's impossibly long legs were eating up the terrain between the alley and where the Bloods" holdings lay, barely a look back to see if Alain and Bel were keeping up.

Like all the Bloods" storehouses, the one where Finni parked the Rowan while on world is non-descript. Those about the area who needed to know the owner knew. Those who did not would get, more often than not, a lethal surprise if they ventured too far in their snooping.

A whisper to the spell lock and Sid pulls open the small door cut into the larger one, summer's blue eyes turning up and down the way to check they were not followed before motioning Bel and Alain inside.

"T'duoi Kh'gouvt! J'pituk xuc'phey! Immature bu"khjo! I said <poppoptrilltrilltrillclickwarblestree!>. Did not you ern?" The words, shouted in a accent that sounded vaguely anglo, presumably comes from the female that shortly steps into view, rubbing the grease stains off her hands to a red rag as she moves out from underneath a rather beat up looking flying ship of some sort.

She did not look more than twenty, hazel eyes that sparkled, autumn gold hair stuffed beneath a tweed driving cap, a pattering of freckles predominate about face, chest, and upper arms. She was dressed" Odd, is the only word for it; overt electric blue jodhpurs, pink and orange high-top sneakers, and a red tank top with the words "Bh'ilovan's, Best burgers this side of Nii'ghren arm and Rigel XIX!" with strange, alien symbols under the common translation. Immediately she stops, full lips forming a small "o' as hazel eyes widen and she looks between the trio. Those eyes finally landing on Belial, she beams; her flesh running an ombre shading from her feet upwards in variegating shades of green. "Bel thing!"

Sid nods, grinning to the girl as the smaller female begins to bounce, literally, like her feet or shoes are made of flubber, bounding from one part of the warehouse to another, gathering things and " conversing" " in a series of pops, clicks, chirps, and trills. Back before the three, she gives a stiff gesture that might remind one of a curtsey, canvas backpack in hand that moves in weird ways, emitting strange noises. "Miss Bel thing, Miss Sid one, I will just take bu"khjo and the ool'dr pair and get out of your" hair" Hair. Right."

And, with a nod of confirmation to herself, she sidles past the three with barely a look over Alain, heading for the small door set inside the larger ones. "May Mn"cui pass his hand over your downtime." A wave and she was gone.

"Tha' be one strange bird." Elflocks ringle sharp and clear with the shaking of Sid's head and she steps further into the open space, past the flying ship with "Rowan' marked on its starboard side. "There be places to sit in the office. Mayhaps we should be comfortable, this be takin" some time, methinks." Leading the way to the back of the warehouse, the Ancient mounts the steps and moves into a room upstairs.

The "office" turns out to be more like a finely furnished studio apartment, a very large studio apartment. Bookcases line three walls, loaded with books, scrolls, electronic pads and gadgets, odd bits of bric-a-brac, and what looks to be engine parts. Strangely, there is a framed black and white photo in a place of prominence of a man wearing a trench coat and hat, smoking a cigarette underneath a street lamp.

A desk covered in clutter sits angled to the far corner apart from the rest of the furnishings " several leather chairs with footstools and a matching sofa. A bar with stools cuts off a small kitchenette and the rear of the room is draped with an intricate and ancient tapestry across the length of it.

The air hints of cooked garlic and the Ancient's nose wrinkles just a touch as Alain takes one of the leather chairs. "A"right, Alain?" Dragging a stool from the bar over to where he sits, she straddles it, hooking booted heels to the top rung. Forearms draping over her knees, she leans forward, glamoured eyes holding tight to Alain's blue.

"This be wha' I be goin" to do. I be goin" onto the psychic plane" takin" a walk inside ye mind, ye thoughts. Ye will be there with me; though' wha' ye 'see" mayhaps nae look like wha' ye eyes can see. It mayhaps be disconcertin?" Nae worry o"er it much. Tha' sensation will pass."

While Sid talks and holds his gaze the Trueblood sends threads of energy meant to assist Alain into a state of peaceful calm; nothing that would incapacitate his free will, just a little extra soothing to make what she has to do easier.

"Wha" I be goin" to do be to' reroute ye thoughts, so to speak. Anythin" tha' DCH could be usin" to harm ye or yers, or any, anythin" ye will learn after I do this, this be hidden tight behind walls I be buildin" in ye mind. At the deepest, darkest part behind those walls I be buryin" a box. Inside tha' box I be lockin" down a link. This link, or switch, will allow ye to communicate mentally with meself an' Bel an' give us way to get to ye instantly should ye "ave need an' call.

Metaphorically, speakin??" Waving a long fingered hand to the air and sitting up straight. "It be nae physical walls an' a real box an' switch, o' course. But' Ye get tha".

Now, the potential" side effects as ye put it. Ye will still be ye, ye willna change. I be jus" makin" sure tha' the only thoughts o' any import tha' the leeches can be pickin" up will be those o?" baser nature. Ye will seem to be driven by greed an' lust, like we be sayin". Howe"er" it mayhaps be possible tha' when ye be nae doin" anything, nae thinkin" anythin" in particular, these surface thoughts be comin" to the forefront, infusin" ye personality."

A nod to Bel and she scoots the stool closer to Alain's chair, a fox lit grin shining down on the detective. "Oh, an' there mayhaps be some?" Another gesture given to the air. "ye know, issues with telepathy."

Leaning over and resting elbows to the back of the chair, fingers lower on both sides of his head and glamoured eyes morphing to silver and then darkening swiftly gleam slyly down into blue. "Ready when ye be, dux, jus" say the word. Bel an' I be tellin" ye all ye needs know an' all we can jus" as soon after as ye can be handlin" it."

"Ready. A'right then..." Though Sid wasn't entirely sure the Detective was fully on that bus.

Solid black eyes glance once over to Belial and Sid nods. Bel knows enough to pull the plug on this play should either the Ancient or the Detective seem in dire straits. She is aware of the energy tie her sister will be linking to that assures this goes smoother than her foray into Ewan's subconscious.

With that done, her forehead dips to rest against the crown of Alain's head, silken fingertips pressing light along both his temples.

A prayer runs through his mind. Not a plea, but something familiar. He remembers going to mass nearly fifteen years ago, and goes over the Latin in his mind, the words' real meaning now lost on him. His eyes shut, and he relaxes himself with a sigh.

Bel stands beside the pair. She is happy to allow Sid access to her energy, but she prefers not to *drive* so to speak. Belial is very aware of her flagging talents when it comes to mucking about with humans and their bizarre DNA. The catastrophe with Silf is just but one excellent example. Not wishing to corrupt Alain, Bel is happy to let Sid handle this.

Her thoughts drift over what has recently transpired and small teeth nip and worry at her lower lip. Now is the time for them to strike. Soon enough the presumed dead Senior Partners will be back and looking for new "employees" and Alain could fit in rather nicely. If he's ready that is.

That green gaze falls on the mortal in assessment. Bel will do all she can to keep him safe" but really' It falls on his shoulders to keep himself alive. She wonders" Can he do that' Or, are they throwing yet another tender morsel at DCH to chew up and devour" Bel frowns; hoping what they are doing today won't be the death of the poor boy.

Sid's thoughts run similar to her sibling's. Alain is necessary, she knows this is true, but she cannot help thinking of consequences for him and Guthorm, both. Things were much simpler before the spell, before all these tricksey emotions and the whole conscience thing entered the picture.

Shoving all that to the side, her breathing slows. Something dark lurks about the edges of the energy draw and just before moonwhite lashes drift to pale cheeks one silvered brow quirks, a curious glance given over to her sister.

Bel is blissfully unaware of the darkness lurking" she would be. She is busy fighting an internal war with two rather fierce opponents; a war she's still actively trying to deny is happening.

She drops an unseen half-shrug; letting go of her concerns because really, now is simply way too late. Instead, she focuses on the connection between Sid and herself. Letting her sister use whatever she needs.

There, too, lurks a darkness within the Ancient, but for her it is a personal demon and she thinks no more of it or its taint' for now. Falling slowly into a mist-like expanse - a mind's interpretation of the psychic plane - she soon makes out a figure through the miasma.

Idly she ponders how Alain truly sees himself, for that is the form she will meet. She had informed the Detective what he will "see" may not meet with what he knows.

"Alain?" Her "voice" sounding almost musical, devoid of the normally harsh accent she effects. "Dun freak out. It is Sid."

The form Sid meets, Alain's form, is....odd. He looks much like himself, but there is blood on his hands, and three shadows around him - two in the rough shape of men, one in the shape of a beast. His breath catches when he hears Sid, her voice more beautiful than he remembered. He looks at her, gently wringing his bloodied hands.

The Ancient herself, floating down through spiraled mists and shadows, seems lit from within; the lines of her tall frame blurring out of focus in a blue-white radiance. Coming to rest before Alain she smiles upon him, warm and reassuring. Barely a glance seems given to what lurks about him, the blood on his hands, but Sid notes all.

There is the ghost of large, feathered appendages at her back, and her face holds a softness, a child-like innocence and wonder not often viewed in the realm of the Physical; the chimes of invisible fifty silver bells and nine ringling gently in undertone around them.

"Are ye all right, sweet?" The shadowy figures about the Detective are given a more significant look.

"Unwanted baggage," he says simply. "There is as little to be feared from them as there is that can be done about them." His eyes, though, are not on her face, but on her wings. One of the shadowy figures by him flutters its own wings and takes a step backwards.

Scent does not work on the Psychic plane but energy does, and the Ancient's eyes now gone to solid orbs of black flicker over to that stepping back. A wry smile forming on palest rose lips. Well, Alain did not seem to be upset with their presence - quite flippant, in fact. Everyone has their own demons, this she knows all too well.

"All right. As ye say, then. Mayhaps later ye can tell me the story of ye life." Sid begins to walk. At the moment their surroundings are rather blank, all too soon the landscape will fill. "Come. Let us travel and ye can show me some other things we will need to help ye."

Spider-silk silver hair is barely distinguishable from the frothy film of white the Trueblood appears dressed in; bare feet sunk ankle-deep in grey mist. "I know there be more going on in your head than this at any given time, Alain. Feared o' what I will be seeing?" The grin that follows is a fox lit tease.

Walking along with her, he listens to her words. She's in his head already....and while the landscape remains empty for a long moment, in the space of a single step, it rapidly fills. Business concerns seem all grouped together, variations of the Detective circling autopsy tables that bear bodies from the WestEnd killings and other equally sinister murders. Occasionally, when they pass close enough, they can hear gunfire from a raid or a meeting gone horribly wrong. There are the women in his life, though two of them are dead — one with bruises around her neck, the other with a hole through her forehead, though they drift and move like the living women around them. Erin is among the living women, along with Cassie.

"I'm more frightened for what I may see," he admits. Blue eyes consciously avoid the tattered remains of a pink-haired woman watching them go by. Leslie.

Belial smiles between the pair, Sid and Alain, before stepping to join them. That intense green gaze slides over Alain contemplatively as she mentally seeks any holes in what they're attempting to do. Satisfied, Belial nods as out of thin air she produces papers, folded neatly and tied with a dark blood red ribbon. Holding them out to Alain, Belial begins. "First, and foremost, Alain, sweets, always remember there are ears and eyes everywhere. The Inn is bugged by many of the Bloods adversaries, but we only need worry about DCH, yes" The locations of the orbs change, but they are ever present' it is well that you do nothing inside the Inn you don't want them to know about.

"No matter where you are it is wisest you assume you are being watched from this point on, is that clear?" She has yet to explain the papers, but that sea-green gaze is demanding a response from the male. Bel needs to know Alain understands clearly what she is saying to him. For a moment, as he and Sid both recover from the ordeal, he rests his hand over hers on his shoulders....but then Belial approaches, and he shakes his head to get the blood flowing in his head, snap him out of that daze. He accepts the papers, glancing only briefly at them. He nods.

"I've always watched my words....but I'll watch them more closely."

"It's not your words you need to worry about, sweets. It's anyone close to you. Keep who you care about off their radar, because?" Bel leans in close to Alain, that green gaze locked to his blue, blue eyes. "If they decide against you, Alain" they will destroy everything dear to you, if they know what that is." Bel has dealt with DCH for many years now; she knows more than she will ever share about them and their "business transactions". Bel pulls slightly away from Alain, a hint of a frown marring the pale perfection of her features. Something about Alain's scent tickles at her" a certain level of? decay' That can't be right' Bel leans in ever closer, such an unexpected intimacy, and drinks down the smell of him. No' She isn't certain, but nearly' something is off about Alain, he is not as he seems, he is not merely human. Interesting"

A muted chuckle falls as Belial pulls a few inches away. "You are not what meets the eyes, Alain" An aspect of you we haven't had the opportunity to cover, eh?" There is nothing to suggest anger or upset in her voice, rather she continues without waiting for his response. "No matter" it makes it even easier for them to snatch hold of you? "The papers I gave you are from the Blue Sun Corporation. They have had past dealings with DCH as well as us." She means the Bloods. "These papers should make you irresistible to them' I suggest you familiarize yourself with their contents, just in case any should ask. If you have questions" I will happily answer them' however" "This is the last time we will meet like this" from here on out, you want to talk to me you go through this lady." Again, from out of seemingly nowhere Bel pulls a photo that she offers over to Alain. "Her name is Raye. Raye Howard. She will be our go-between." He does a decent job not showing how unnerved he is when Belial examines him more closely, hiding an otherwise nervous expression behind the faint beginning of a smile. He takes the photo....and then hands it back to her. He'd rather no one find it in his possession, should it come to that. "I know her. Where do I meet her?"

Metal clicks against his molars - tongue ring working thoughtfully over his teeth.

Bel takes back the photo and it vanishes from her hand. With an easy smile she directly answers Alain's question. "Red Dragon, Teas-n-Tomes?" A slight half-shrug dropped. "Anywhere that suits is fine" We will keep rooms at the Inn, under her name. She is not a known member of our organization, they will not suspect her. Besides, she's human, less threat to them. "We have a drop point located on the Dockside, next to the old Warehouse at the southern end of town. It looks like a mailbox, but it isn't. If you need anything and can't get to the Inn to leave a message in the room, then drop a note in there. We'll get it to Raye. Then she can contact you." Belial lounges back, folding one leg atop the other as she continues her regard of Alain. "Now" we get to the good stuff" But before I go on, any questions?" He commits this to memory - in spite of many months spent with an unhealthy whiskey habit, the detective's brain remains a veritable filing cabinet of various clues and details. He shakes his head, leaning forward in his seat, hands folded over his lap.

Belial is encouraged by Alain's quickness and nods her approval. "Good, you're fast, I like that. Now, let's talk about what you are going to be doing, yes?" There is a twinkle in sea-green eyes as her smile turns more to a grin. "Do you know Guthorm' He's the big Norsk guy. He likes to collect "Gar Bags?"" In spite of the seriousness of it, he smiles, familiar with the constant ad in the back of the Oracle. Gar Bag Collector. He chuckles softly, nodding. "I don't think we've been introduced, but I know him by sight."

"Excellent?" Bel nods while she is speaking, "He's our man on the inside" You will be working with him. Now, what I want is for you to pass what Guthorm gives you off to Raye. Now, don't get me wrong, if you have a chance to get anything on them yourself, that's marvelous too' but if you don't, then don't press your luck, ok" "What we really need to know is their locations. Well" Anything that will aid us in controlling or stopping them really?" Bel can't keep from chuckling as she says this. Then with far more seriousness she continues, "Look, even if something may seem petty or useless, pass it on to us anyway. We might be able to get something from it. Also keep in mind we have magics that can read all kinds of things from objects, so things they touch or wear works too' Just be careful and don't get caught." Belial still isn't too sure how wise it is to be sending Alain in to do this chore" If anything happens to him she will hold herself responsible" The tragedy here is she doesn't know if she can guarantee he'll survive. She will do all she can to see to it he does! "Sid placed a 'switch' inside your head, Alain. If anything violent happens to you, it will trip" If we need to contact you, we can mentally trip it' Promise me you will use it if anything really bad happens, please?" She isn't sure if he will know how" So now is the time to make sure he does. He nods slowly, hoping he's able to trip the 'switch.' He understands the theory....the practice is a different matter.

"I promise."

"Any questions?" Belial uncrosses her shapely legs and sits forward, folding her hands in front of her as she rests her elbows on her knees. "Time to ask them now because later we may not have the luxury of conversation..." Bel's beginning to like Alain" she really hopes he lives through this. "Is there any knowledge, any thing, you would deem....most valuable in acquiring from DCH?"

Bel chuckles thinking Alain's question a good one. With a graceful shrug she shakes her head slowly. "No, and that is part of our problem. They are stronger than demons should be and we can account for a large majority of relics or talisman that could afford them such power. We need to know why they are so strong" or how they got that way. If they do have some kind of relic or talisman we'd like to know that ?" He bows his head, knitting his brows. Relics, talismans....he knows someone who can help. There are three uninvited guests, three extra souls in the vessel that is his body - two he calls on very little out of fear of their anger, and the third he calls on even less for all its mystery.

"...I think I'll be able to help there."

Alain's thoughts do not show transparent on his face, nor do they fill the ether like most mortal thoughts might have; hence Belial can't read them. She nods smiling over to him but nevertheless begins to wonder about this male" He isn't what meets the eye' His smell is off; she is starting to wonder if he is even mortal" Why would he want to put himself in this kind of danger" What does he have to gain? But really' what she wants to know is his story. Who is he and what demons does he wrestle" Well" if he lives through DCH maybe she'll have the chance to ask him"

Belial slides to her feet with the inherent fluidity of her race. "Be careful, Alain" We will do all we can to keep you alive" but even that may not be enough." She doesn't mean for her parting words to be so gloomy' Bel is simply trying to impress upon him how dangerous the situation is that he's walking into. "I look forward to when this is all behind us" mayhaps then we might make friends." He too rises, collecting his things, mopping his face some with a handkerchief and tucking it back away. He's as aware as he can be of the dangers - he's been in life-threatening situations, but in only very few that may concern his very soul.

"Until then, Lady Belial....Sid."

A fox lit grin and the lightest of touches - a single fingertip running trail from Alain's shoulder down his arm to his elbow and then off. "A'right, sweet. An' soonest I be wantin' to hear tha' story o' ye life, aye?"