you won't be needing that ... // nadia

[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"This is the first time our cover is 'father and son .... ' remind me why the hell we didn't think of using this before?" Araziel snorted as he climbed out of the backseat of the car after Lucien, Guillame holding the door open with a bright and optimistic, "Bonne chance!"

"Oui, merci chéri," Lucien murmured to Guillame before turning to Araziel and shoving a briefcase into his arms so that he could take a moment to straighten Araziel's tie. "Because it was too obvious; this is the only reason that I can think of ... "

"I look fine, Luce. Stop it - oi, we're gonna be late!" Azi spluttered in response to all of Lucien's fussing, batting him away and passing the briefcase from one hand to the other. "C'mon."

Waving goodbye to Guillame, Araziel and Lucien turned and headed into the building. It was one of those grand office complexes, attached to a community building. The location was key, because according to Camilla's research, their next ... er ... 're-acquisition target' was hiding out somewhere here. They knew the art black market pretty well, and art and artifact auctions were the prime places for these pieces to resurface. Indeed, they'd been a bit too late to the party (the auction had happened yesterday), so it was time for plan B.

"It's so muggy today," Azi mumbled as the two strode across the atrium to greet the receptionist.

"'Tis not much different in Philadelphia as it is in Boston," Lucien shrugged, as they arrived at the desk.

"Afternoon, darlin'. We have an appointment with Mister Bernadine at four," Azi chirped.

"Oh, right, the art appraisers? I'll let him know you're coming up," the receptionist nodded.

"Thanks!" Azi winked, pushing Lucien along before he could get any more ideas about the oblivious young woman behind the desk.

Once they were out of earshot, Araziel muttered back to Lucien, "Did you get it?"

Lucien smiled a sidelong smile, casually holding up the receptionist's security clearance badge.

Azi just grinned back.

The meeting with the hoity toity M. Bernadine went fine; Lucien, after all, knew what he was doing, even if it was just a cover. The art and artifact appraisal stuff was his and Camilla's area of expertise, after all. Azi just kind of sat there and agreed with everything.

The important part, though, was not the meeting itself, and once that was concluded, Araziel and Lucien stepped back out of the office, but instead of heading for the exit, they veered around and started through the maze of hallways, making instead for the basement floor where the shipping and receiving took place.

They had chosen a Friday evening for a reason. Nobody wanted to work on a Friday evening. People went home early, and those who were left dreamed of going home early.

"Here's the shipment number," Araziel mumbled once they were in the elevator, showing Lucien the purchase order that Takashi had intercepted. "It's gonna be like finding a needle in a haystack so maybe we should split up."

"Oui, je suis d'accord."

With a grin, Azi swiped the card key from Lucien, scanning it over the console. The basement was only accessible that way.

Once the elevator reached the basement complex, they split up. Araziel skimmed the rooms by their plates on the walls by the doors, trying to look for some kind of pattern to indicate where their goal might be. Unfortunately, nothing was telling - they weren't arranged by type, or by destination, or ... or anything.

Grumbling to himself, Azi plucked a badge from a passing employee, clipping it onto his suit jacket pocket before casually slipping into one of the rooms at random. There, he found a shipping log, and was able to find the outgoing shipment by name.

Darting back to the hall, Araziel spotted Lucien emerging from another room, and he gestured to him with an 'over here!' before turning and padding down the other way.

The rooms were a bit cold to keep the goods preserved. Azi shivered slightly, but made his way into the room devoid of employees, Lucien close behind. Up and down the aisles of crates they went, scanning labels, until they finally came to one.

"Here!" Azi huffed, extracting a knife from his coat and using it to slice open the box.

The stuff inside looked useless. Books, journals ... but it was what they had come for. Jean-Michel would be pleased to have part of his work back.

Lucien flipped open the briefcase, and Azi began to pile the books in. Luckily everything fit, and Azi carefully replaced the box as it was. Briefcase in hand, the two turned to head out ... but stopped dead in their tracks at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Fait attention," Lucien mumbled, and the two slipped out of the room, casually retracing their steps. They passed by two others who didn't look like they worked their either, but hardly spared them a second glance, making for the elevator.

"Hey! Stop!" the voice of one of the women suddenly rang out. Oh shit.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia threw open the doors to the glass panel office. Peyton, her secretary quickly stood up walking around the desk holding out a hand taking the briefcase from her. Nadia’s hair was pulled up into a tight bun with black rimmed glasses. She yanked off her suit jacket to reveal the white button up shirt and black vest before throwing the jacket on top of the briefcase. ”Soooo, messages. That box of shit you wanted Nadi, has been moved again. I don’t think they liked you snooping through those books, so they moved it, oh and Cece called about the job in Egy-“ Nadia froze as she was looking out the window over Bostons huge busy sidewalks. She had came a long way from where she used to be. Peyton’s heels clicked as she put her bosses briefcase on the shelf on the side and then hung the jacket up. Nadia then realized what the young blonde intern had said. ”Wait—the box, it’s been moved?” Nadia mused turning to look at her. Peyton nodded walking towards the desk picking up a bright neon pink post it note that was scented with the latest fashion of perfume that irritated Nadia’s nose. Peyton’s long duck fingernails clicked against the desk as she attempted to pick it up. ”Sooo five messages ago, but yes, this is where it currently is. Aren’t cha like proud of me? I found it without you asking,” Nadia nodded nearing Peyton’s side lifting the note with ease as Peyton’s nails finally stopped clanking against the desk.

Nadia quickly pulled her phone from her vest pocket typing in a few digits into the phone as Peyton ran back to the desk. The tiny plaid skirt that hardly covered anything in the first place moved as she walked she sat on the desk crossing her legs before picking up the phone. ”Nadi—oh bitch,” Nadia quirked en eyebrow turning to stare at Peyton as she hung up the phone. ”Did you just call one of our—“ Peyton pointed towards the door the same time the Director of the Board walked through the door, his arms crossed large black mustache tilted to the left. It was how Nadia could always tell he was angry. He looked around the busy office before staring at Nadia then pointing towards her office. She nodded slowly turning back to look at Peyton before pocketing her phone and post it. Peyton shimmied and then gave her a suggestive wink as Nadia groaned walking into the office as the Director slammed the door behind them. ”Nadia, why am I hearing people talking about some book you found? I heard you made an uproar in a meeting? Are you making the board look bad again?” Nadia crossed her arms over her chest rolling her eyes. ”I may make the board look bad for about twenty seconds but let’s be clear. Who was right about the Arcs paintings? And Cleo’s bling?” Nadia replied before turning around and picking up a few photos Peyton had printed out of the book she had taken. ”Do you read French? This is spectacular,” She mumbled pulling the photo across the table pinning it to her bulletin board in front of them.

”You speak French too?” Nadia nodded, a frown tugging at the corners of her lips. ”Not very well but enough to understand that whatever is written here is someone’s life work. Something worth investigating before letting some smuck buy it and ruin it! It belongs in a museum next to Leonardo’s work,””Say something in the language of love,” Nadia quirked an eyebrow in disgust before shaking her head. ”Trust me when I speak it, it does not sound like the language of love. My Spanish accent is too heavy to get it correctly. But I CAN read it and let me assure you, senor. This book is worth getting and I don’t mean the paperwork way,” Nadia stated leaning up against her desk. Travis took a step towards her before shaking his head. ”If you break and enter again I might not be able to turn my head again,” Nadia laughed rolling her eyes. ”Then fire me,” Travis smirked leaning forward wrapping an arm around her waist. ”We both know that wont happen,” Nadia laughed placing a hand against his chest pushing him away. ”You’re right, we both know this wont happen,” Nadia turned picking up a second photo moving her glasses once to read it better before turning to Travis. ”So I have your blessing?” Travis shrugged. ”Don’t get caught, I don’t know anything about this. How about dinner Tuesday?” Nadia shook her head as she walked to the door opening the glass. Just in time to see Peyton running back to her desk. ”Wednesday? ”Busy,””Thursday, Friday, Saturday?” ”Busy, busy, berry, busy,” She replied handing him his jacket back. Travis snickered ”So you’ll call me?” ”You would like that, wouldn’t you? C’mon Peyton we have a job to do,” ”You’ll never find better!” Travis called. Nadia turned as the elevator opened Peyton handed her a pair of keys just as Nadia shrugged her shoulders. ”I’ll take my chances,” She mused as the doors closed.

Nadia pulled the red jeep up to the side of building. ”Oh my god, so we are going to be like Charlie’s Angels, oh my god like Travis is Charlie,” Nadia turned shaking her head putting the keys in her pocket before rolling her eyes. ”If anyone is Charlie I am Charlie,” Peyton pulled her long blonde hair around her neck, unbuttoning an extra button which was almost already past Nadia’s comfort level. ”I’m totally Natalie because I’m white and blonde,” Peyton tilted her head to the side yanking the rubber band from Nadia’s hair. ”Aye…” Nadia whispered rubbing the back of her head. ”You’re the ethnic one, boss. You’re Alex! Damn we are missing a red head,” Peyton sighed replacing the baby pink lip gloss in the jeeps mirror. She turned yanking at the shirt. ”Nadia, you should just wear the vest,” Nadia laughed shaking her head jumping over the side of the jeep picking up her phone. Walking towards the back door. ”Should have left her as a prostitute,” Nadia groaned walking up to the keypad at the back door entrance. She pulled up the black light app before stepping back turning just in time to see Peyton holding up a peace sigh at a diagonal angle so the camera got a nice shot of what wasn’t real before she laughed. ”Selfie!””Aye…Madre Maria ayudeme,” She groaned holding out a hand. ”Foundation?” Peyton dug around in her chest before pulling out the sweaty compact. She groaned taking it from her using the pad to pat the keys before handing it back. ”Oh my god that will totally infect my pores now,”

Nadia shined the light over the keys. ”9 0 10,” Nadia muttered as she closed her phone and then typed into her phone running the code breaker app before pausing at the most likely ones. She tried the top four before finally entering 1 9 0 0. She opened the door quietly holding it for Peyton before quietly stepping down the stairs. She pulled a clipboard that hung right next to the door by the forklift keys before flipping through a few pages. Peyton was busy blowing on the keys watching them move back and forth. Nadia quietly bent down and unhooked her heels straps connecting the two shoes before throwing them over her shoulders. Nadia turned looking at Peyton before sighing. ”You should watch the door,” ”Hell no! I’m an angel too,” Nadia rounded the corner to where the items should be placed when she noticed the box had been dug into and the books were missing looking up she noticed two figures making a run for the elevator. Not with those books! Damnit. Nadia quickly tossed the shoes from her shoulder. ”HEY! STOP!” She yelled a little scared that security would find them.

Nadia turned grabbing the crate lid making a run for it, her black hair waving in the wind. Peyton started running as well in her hot pink clicking heels. Nadia realized the elevator was about to close in a desperate attempt to stop them as she slid the crate lid on the ground with as much force as she could muster just barely catching the doors in time. The doors clanked and made a low ringing noise before the doors stopped attempting to close. Nadia picked up the small crowbar used to open the crates in case she needed to defend herself. She stood crossing her arms glaring at the two from a safe distance. ”Those books! They are being investigated to be placed in a museum, what are chu doing with them? Are you in lead with cooperate? Did de Director send you?” Nadia spat. Her accent coming out with the anger. Peyton finally caught up breathing heavily as her calves burn leaning on Nadia for support. ”YEAH!” she panted as she blew some of Nadia’s curls away from her face that was clearly destroying the perfect picture scene of her peering over her shoulder. ”She’s a badass bitch, she will destroy you!!!” Peyton chimed in once more. ”Madre Maria, por que,” Nadia mumbled pulling her glasses from her face.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"Shit, really?!" Araziel spat, grabbing the briefcase from Lucien so that the older vampire could draw his épée de coeur, weighing the familiar weapon in his hand.

The crate lid skidded across the floor, wedging itself in the door. Araziel growled, stomping on the corner of it; it flipped up into the air and he caught it. Without blinking he hurled it right back, where it span back across the concrete floor. Neither Lucien nor Araziel waited long enough to see if it had hit anyone; a sound thud and an 'ow!' suggested it might have, but they were already out the elevator. Forget security guards; they'd have to take the stairs.

"The museum shan't miss one more treasure to collect dust like the rest of them," Lucien sang over his shoulder. Museums were the bane of the Chevalerie's existence, though they had no qualms with helping themselves to special exhibits now and again.

"Better get on that badassery then!" Araziel laughed as he sped after Lucien.

Peyton growled, staggering to her feet again. "C'mon boss! They're getting away!" Without asking permission, she hurried after the duo as fast as her hot pink patent leather heels would let her.

The only way she managed to catch up was because Lucien had thrown open the door to the staircase, only to find that the security was already on their way down. Hrm.

"Araziel, il y a déjà de - "

"I got 'em!" Azi proclaimed, darting to head into the stairwell first, only to have Peyton throw out her hand and grab him by the tail of his jacket.

"What in the flying f - "

"Gotcha'!" Peyton sang triumphantly, only to be shortly cut off by Araziel whirling around and landing a sound fist to her face.

Lucien winced, watching the ordeal from the door, and not paying attention as one of the security guards tried to shove it open; Lucien only abruptly slammed the door back shut, earning a crunch and a howl of pain from the stairwell. But once Araziel had thrown Peyton off of him, he barreled for the door again, and Lucien cordially opened it back up, once more closing it behind him once Araziel had disappeared. Dust clouds probably ensued.

Peyton was now staggering around swearing, her hands cupped over her bloody nose. "Oh my GOD - "

" - you may wish to have that examined - "

" - he smeared my foundation!" the woman finished in a howl.

Lucien opened his mouth as if to reply, but then fell short, opting for a defeated sigh instead.

"You're not gonna stab us are you?" Peyton's words were muffled, as she was currently talking through her cupped hands.

"I would prefer not to. Perhaps we might reach some sort of agreement - "

"All done!" Araziel interrupted, bursting back in to the hall. But, seeing that no sort of scuffle was going on, he straightened his tie, looking questioningly at Lucien. "Are we going to get back to the escape part of the plan, or is it tea time - "

It was only then that his gaze flicked back to the raven-haired girl. His words then proceeded to turn into mush.

"Erm ... "

"Oui?" Lucien sighed, leveling the blade nonetheless as Peyton tried to move closer.

"I think I know her," Azi mumbled thickly.

"Those are typically my words, chéri," Lucien replied calmly, only to wince as Araziel suddenly dropped the briefcase.

"Nadia?!"

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia glared the moment the crate lid came flying back at them. The taller man with blonde hair claimed that it would just collect dust in the museum. Well—if that didn’t just set Nadia off nothing ever in the world would have. She hissed quietly as the other one commented on Peyton’s remark about being a badass. She groaned as the two then made a beeline for it as the guards started coming. ”Aye, por que ahora!” Nadia groaned turning quickly as Peyton chased after one and the other man was currently blocking a door where a guard was coming from. Nadia was about to run after Peyton right when she heard shuffling from the other side. The man obviously didn’t want to be caught either and would watch that door. Nadia turned so the guard running from the back archive section was caught off guard. Her right arm out stretch grabbing his wrist yanking it behind his back before kneeing him in the gut sending him to the floor. Using the left to sucker punch him in the face before using her foot to kick him back against the black lockers that held quite a few different artifacts. ”Lo siento, Robert,” Nadia stated cringing as she stared at the blood dripping from his forehead. She often worked with a lot of people in the business. She turned just in time to see Peyton take a blow to the nose. Nadia snickered quietly before watching the man pull a sword out. A sword? The hell was he thinking? Was he one of those psycho cosplayers gone insane? Nadia quickly grabbed Peyton’s arm yanking her behind her letting a low growl erupt from her throat. Peyton was annoying but Nadia still took care of her like a little sister. She was not about to let her die because she was doing something stupid.

An agreement? Yep. He was one of those whack jobs, she was pretty sure they didn’t come around until the comic convention occurred but she wouldn’t put it past one of them to go ransacking a basement. ”Museums do not collect dust, de collect stories!” She protested crossing her arms. As the second man came back into view; he seemed like he had lost his attitude the moment he returned. Nadia watched as the other man turned listening Nadia rolled her eyes as the briefcase dropped she jumped as if he had just dropped a small toddler. She twitched once more as she heard him say he recognized her. Shit. Nadia had already had to fake a death once, moved several different times. Peyton groaned holding her nose once more. Nadia turned ushering Peyton to back up slowly whispering. ”I’ll give you a nice raise,” Peyton coughed once more backing up in the heels. ”Better be a good one if I need a nose job,” Nadia turned the moment the blonde man claimed that it was normally his line. What did he mean by that? That’s when the second moved closer. Nadia squinted as he then used her name. Her heart froze and she searched for Peyton’s arm as Peyton whined even louder. ”Araziel?” Nadia’s voice cracked as she shoved the sword away with ease.

Peyton let her hands drop to her side as Nadia let go of her arm. She wiped the blood from her nose away and staring as the two interacted. Araziel? Peyton tried to scan her brain for something that rung a bell and yet nothing. ”Peyton!” She exclaimed pointing to herself since everyone was introducing themselves. Nadia stepped a few inches closer when she squinted placing her favorite cap on the boys head. ”A DIOS MIO!” Nadia screamed a little louder then she intended and ran towards him wrapping her arms around him. Peyton’s head jerked in surprise pretty sure that was the most personality she had seen in her boss in quite some time. ”Heh, boss you have a personality? It’s cute--” Peyton whispered once more as she clung to her nose once more. ”--don’t worry about me…I’ll be fine,”The moment Peyton said fine a red light started flashing in the corner that caught Nadia’s eyes. She cringed quickly letting go of Azi turning and looking back towards Peyton. ”They tripped the silent alarm, we have to go AHORA!” She quickly looked to Azi. ”We have the keep out back to the side, follow us! Ven ven,” She muttered as she started running back to the archives grabbing Peyton. The two running back to the hidden side staircase that janitors often used and stackers, Peyton’s eyes settled on the shoes they were approaching that Nadia had ditched earlier.

Nadia quickly typed in the code yanking open the door ushering them all through. ”Rapido, Rapido!” She screamed letting them exit then slamming the door shut behind them. Peyton yanked open the door groaning yanking the heels off of her feet before getting in the back of the jeep collapsing on the side before dropping the two pairs of shoes on the ground. ”I don’t want to be a Charlie’s Angel anymore,” She whined. Nadia grabbed hold of the side of the jeep pulling herself in putting the key into the ignition before placing her foot on the clutch quickly reversing, drifting as she sped into first, then second, and as they exited the area approached third. ”Can we listen to Ke$ha?” Peyton asked over the wind blowing against their faces. She turned eyeing the blonde before gazing the opposite direction. Nadia turned looking to Azi grinning. ”I—you’re still around! I missed you so much!” Nadia squealed pulling Azi into a hug once more as she turned off the highway heading back towards her office. ”I can’t beli—I thought I was never going to get to see you again!!” Nadia squealed once more leaving her hand around Azi as she used the other to coast around the neighborhoods. She would have to get the license plate replacing tools from the closet just in case they had cameras.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"En effet," Lucien sneered in reply to the woman's protests. "Stories that do not belong to them. In this case, they are ours." He was rarely provoked by wayward comments from strangers, but the woman's point of view reminded him of the stuffy museum docents rattling off factoids and correcting their inquiries - he remembered, particularly, one of them correcting Valentina so sharply and in front of everyone that she was embarrassed for the rest of the afternoon and didn't wish to return to a museum for a long while afterwards.

His irritation passed, however, when Araziel suddenly exclaimed what he presumed to be the woman's name, and before anyone could do anything, she had already pushed past Lucien and made a beeline for Araziel.

Araziel didn't quite know what to think. It was rare - no, really, it was never - that he ever met someone from his past. That was just a consequence of his longevity, and, having been born that way, he never had a 'life' to miss, because this was his life. It was how things were. He tended to think of each generation as a phase of his life, and he moved on when it was time to.

He supposed, thinking back on it, that Nadia was one of the endings of one of these phases. He remembered her having left with Carlo, that douchey truc of hers, and then shortly afterwards there had been that disaster - the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Azi had saved the mother dough from the basement of the Boudin bakery (a heroic feat, thank you very much), but in the process had been gravely wounded.

It should have killed him, but it didn't, because of what he was. That rose all kinds of suspicions, and as loving as the family was, Azi knew they weren't supposed to bear the burden of his nature. At least, that had been his justification for leaving, though in the corner of his mind he dared to admit that he had simply wished to be away from there; the place had reminded him of good times with Nadia, and it was once in a lifetime (no pun intended) that he became attached to someone. Or at least started to.

But the sudden tackle startled him out of his mental tangent, and the cuisnier burst into laughter, throwing his arms around Nadia as well.

"I can't believe it! Here of all places! I guess ... well I guess you're still doing archaeology-y things, n'est-ce pas?"

Lucien was beyond confused now, but he silently re-sheathed his épée and bent to scoop up the dropped briefcase. He seemed to have spotted the flashing lights the same time Nadia had, and, having been in this 'business' for several decades now, he knew precisely what that meant.

"Uh ... okay!" Azi chirped, trusting Nadia completely. "It's fine, I know her, c'mon, allons-y!" he exclaimed at Lucien's reluctance, giving the other vampire a shove.

Luckily they were quick enough, and without too much deliberation had made it out okay. Everyone jumped into the vehicle - Azi in front, Lucien in the back - and away they went!

Everyone appeared to be ignoring Peyton's babbling. Lucien was already on the phone with Jean-Michel, assuring him that his packets of letters and journals had been recovered.

Azi, meanwhile, was still reeling from the excitement of seeing an old friend - pun aside, it wasn't as if he had any who survived, right?

"Yes I missed you too, but I'll miss you more if you crash so just drive," Araziel laughed, wriggling his way out of her embrace. "I didn't either. I'm so used to generations ... y'know, passing on. I don't think I've ever seen someone from the past before. Not 'til now." He smiled to himself, the excitement clouding out any of the residual emotions that might follow.

Lucien was too busy trying to tame his curls which were naturally flying about haphazardly in the wind; with a grumble, he managed to gather them all, securing them with a velvet ribbon. It was only then that he caught Peyton's gaze, and with a faint half-smile, he pointed out, "Well as it seems that we are on the same side now, I pray that you shall forgive me for threatening to harm you."

Azi was already formulating ideas, though. "So ... we're staying at the Hyatt downtown ... don't really know the area that well. We'll be heading back in the morning, but ... maybe if you're free tonight, we can grab munchies somewhere? We could totally catch up! Do you live in the area or ... ?"

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia laughed as Azi told her to simply drive as he wiggled out of her arm. She couldn’t believe that he was still well-doing well. She should have figured once a survivor always a survivor. It still felt like such a strange concept. She listened as Azi explained that generations kept moving. She nodded she had finally caught up to speed on the whole life kinda sucks relationship wise since Azi had last saw her. Time had passed and thus she had formed and lost relationships all the same. Not to mention having to fake her own death when people started realizing she wasn’t aging. She would build a company and then have to end up handing it off. This was the first job she had used her real name in because of recent events. She wanted at least one company to hold her real name and not just an alias. Peyton in the backseat had finished clearing the blood from her nose realizing that after the swelling had gone down that it honestly wasn’t that bad. She turned eyeing Lucien as he spoke to her. Her eyes cascaded from the top of Luce down then back up before biting her lip. ”Perhaps we could form some kind of agreement,” She mimicked.

Nadia’s heart sank the moment Azi claimed they were leaving in the morning. It was like coming back to the tiny apartment after the earthquake hit. Nadia hurried back to that bakery in hopes that Azi would be lingering but the bakery’s roof wasn’t the only thing destroyed Nadia wasn’t able to find Azi anywhere. She had escaped Carlo’s ridiculous behavior no longer feeling sorry for him when he started going to war for fun and no longer because he was drafter. He expected her to just sit home and clean the laundry. It was never her future. She wasn’t one of those girls and after a small note she left the home the second he returned from war. It wasn’t a lie that the Mexican young woman had developed feelings for her savior that night. Not that she willingly would ever admit it but it still hurt the same when she couldn’t find him. When he left again it would be re-opening those same wounds she had sworn off years ago. ”I’m free tonight,” Peyton’s mouth gasped as she leaned against her bosses chair turning so she could see the side profile of Nadia. ”But…Nadia…you have the board and—“ ”I’m free tonight, better make it so,” Peyton growled hopping on the phone almost the same moment that Lucien had as the jeep continued to head downtown. Nadia grinned before giving Azi a firm nod. ”Si,” Nadia pointed towards one of the centre buildings. ”My work is the left tower and I live about five blocks away,”

Nadia pulled off in front of the hotel quite scared that Azi was not going to be there in another few minutes. ”Seeing that I don’t want to be stuck in a pant suit for the rest of the night and Peyton is covered in blood we should probably head home first. How about I pick you up in an hour?”Nadia wasn’t certain how or what happened but Peyton was already leaning on the jeep as Lucien got out. ”Mind bringing me back Nadia?” Peyton whispered as the two hopped out and the jeep pulled away. ”Isn’t he dreamy?” Peyton shouted as they pulled away. Nadia’s eyes hadn’t left the back of Azi’s head in the rearview mirror as they left. ”Yeah…” Nadia screwed her nose up when Peyton slapped her knee. ”He’s mine, I called dibbs!” Nadia looked insulted for a moment when she realized Peyton was talking about the other. ”The blonde? Oh yeah, all yours,” Nadia pulled into the complex as Peyton talked up the doorman running after Nadia to not miss the elevator. Peyton was still talking about the blondes eyes or something of the sort. Clearly, smitten. She pushed her into their apartment before chucking her keys on the counter before disappearing into her own bathroom as Peyton did the same.

Peyton came running through the other side of the bedroom running and jumping on Nadia’s bed. ”Your…you are beautiful!” Nadia paused turning to notice the outfit that Peyton had picked out for herself was even shorter then her average work skirts. She didn’t know how the blonde key the dress down(perhaps she never did and that was the point). Nadia pulled a hair tie from the counter as Peyton hit it out of her hand. ”Just shake your hair a little bit, it looks great curly, no more buns got it?” Peyton ran into the closet fetching a red tight fit dress which made Nadia flush bright pink. ”I didn’t even know you owned something like this! Get outta that pant suit now,” It didn’t take long before Peyton finished playing Barbie but still couldn’t get Nadia in heels and they agreed on a pair of plain black flats as they walked their way back to the jeep. ”So uhm you can totally take your time tonight just so you know,” Nadia nodded as the jeep pulled back up to the hotels front. She watched Peyton jump from the jeep in the heels and dress and Azi got in. Nadia turned just in time for Peyton to do her standard shimmy and wink when Nadia had to interact with the opposite sex. Nadia quickly pulled away from the car heading towards the small café on Britana st.

”It’s not as good as your bread Azi, but it’s as close as the knock offs can get,” Nadia replied with a small laugh. Nadia took Azi to her favorite table in the back that was a little more private. Nadia had really started to isolate herself. Nadia had her favorite BLT and Carmel Frape as the two caught up. Nadia explained how she had gone back to school, ditched Carlo because he was in fact an incredible doucher and lied to her about her father dying. She then proceeded to explain how she earned her own papers and established several companies. Sparing no details. She was impressed to find that Azi now was part of a huge family. It was strange since he had been so dead set on not getting attached to people back when they knew each other. Nadia pushed a lock of hair behind her ear looking back up to Azi. ”You…know…after the earthquake…I went back to look for yo-“ At that moment she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. It was more evident than usual because her often covered shoulders were exposed today. ”Nadia Solis? You’re out of the building? How did Peyton pull strings for that, I stopped by again for a date but you were gone. I figured you’d be holed up in this ratty place, speaking of rats,” Travis stated turning and eyeing Azi up and down. He snorted. ”Is this the only place he agreed too, Nadiaaaa C’mon girl--,” Nadia growled picking up Travis’ hand from her shoulder shoving it off before turning and glaring the moment Travis proved he was just as much of a rat that any running around the café was. ”Actually, he’s the furthest thing from a rat. Besides this is always my choice of café, his name is Araziel and he was my first employer thank you,” Nadia replied not even looking at Travis as she cupped her hand around the small mug. Travis snorted once more before rolling his eyes. ”So? It doesn’t matter who you used to work for only who you work for now,” Travis replied placing his hand back on her shoulder. Nadia stared at Azi, rolling her eyes and then looking back up to Travis. ”Araziel this is Carlo—I mean Travis,” Nadia replied hoping Azi would pick up on her hint.

[/size]

[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

Araziel just chuckled to himself at the bickering between the two women; it wasn't far from his and Lucien's own squabbling when they were stuck together on these kinds of errands.

"Yeah sure, that sounds great," Azi agreed. "Someone else drove us so ... we're kinda' stuck with as far as our feet can carry us," he pointed out with a chuckle. That someone was Guillame of course (Jean-Michel's new porter), but Azi didn't like to say he was their 'driver' - that sounded so ... snooty.

Once the jeep had pulled up to the hotel again, Araziel and Lucien tumbled out, Araziel with a cheery, "À tout suite!" and Lucien with a simple half-smile and slight bow. Then they made their way back to their respective rooms (across the hall from one another) with hardly a word between them. Araziel's mind was still in the 'I can't believe it!' phase; he was in a bit of a daze. And Lucien, of course, was measuring in his mind the probability that Peyton was going to take his wordless bait (he hadn't even introduced himself - an intentional but subtle tactic). Attraction was, after all, generally conversely proportional to the amount of real information known.

Azi had taken a quick shower and was halfway through throwing on some clothes when he suddenly froze, blinking at his reflection half-dressed in some casual coordinate of his usual picky quasi-fashionista self. He'd opted for something typical of him: form-fitting dark wash jeans, some ruched-seam asymmetrical cowl-neck knit top, and maybe a matching gauzy cardigan.

Appropriate for every day, yeah. But uh ...

" ... this isn't a date right?" he thought aloud, suddenly looking all sorts of anxious. He remained frozen for a moment, frowning at himself in the mirror still, before he shook his head, rolled his eyes, and finished getting dressed. The only time he ever got really dressed up was for their 'covers' for their errands. And maybe ... eh, maybe a wedding or funeral.

A bit of pommade smoothed through the fringes and he was all chipper again. Anxiety gone as quickly as it had come, he skipped back out of the room and made his way back to the curb, just in time for Nadia and Peyton to pull back up.

Lucien was nowhere to be seen, but, seeing how Peyton had made herself up and was clearly intending to enter the hotel, Azi rolled his eyes. "Room two thirty-seven," he snorted, not sounding disdainful; just amused and exasperated at the same time.

That done, he hopped into the seat Peyton had just vacated, and they were off.

"Bread's not the only thing I can make, silly, but I trust your judgment," Araziel laughed, flattered nonetheless by the comment. He would have added that, had she stuck around, she could have been privy to all sorts of other culinary masterpieces, but he felt that that might come off as accusing, and maybe a bit too close to a spot that was still tender.

Cafes were usually full of stuff Azi ate at home or at ... well, at the cafe, so he opted for something he didn't make as often: steak-frites and a glass of Riesling. He happily dug in while Nadia summarized what had happened to her since then and now, while Araziel nodded now and again to show he was listening. He was genuinely curious, of course; he had wondered on more than one occasion (usually while drunk) what had happened to her. It was both satisfying and not to know she had ditched that Carlo kid; Azi had known he was a prick from the start, but he had also been the primary reason for their separation and if she had ended up leaving him anyway, he felt that there then could have been the possibility of ...

... no, stop that.

Smiling guiltily to himself, he said nothing of it, though it was uncanny that Nadia had begun to say something along the lines of what he had just been thinking, though maybe he was just imagining that there was a connection.

Just then, however, someone interrupted them, and Araziel was jarred from his thoughts as he blinked up at the man. His first instinct was to smile warmly, assuming he was a friend of Nadia's, but as he extended a hand to shake, it went unnoticed or ignored, and Azi awkwardly lowered it, picking up his glass instead and defaulting to listening.

His gaze darkened somewhat at the mention of 'rat' - like Azi hadn't heard that one before. He kept quiet though, though he smiled slightly at Nadia's mention of 'employment'; in a way, that was kind of true, wasn't it?

"Enchanté Carlo - er, Travis," Azi greeted cheerily without extending his hand this time. Yes, he'd easily caught onto Nadia's reference, not that she even needed to say it aloud; Azi was getting the same vibe from Travis as he once had from Carlo, but it looked like both Nadia and Azi had wizened up since then.

Still, Azi's gut feeling was telling him something worse than 'schmuck' was up here ... but he'd have to wait to find out what.

"Anyway, nice meeting you darlin'," Azi nodded to Travis in that sort of final 'yes, goodbye' tone, figuring that Travis would at least be smart enough to get it.

"Yes you too," Travis snorted, before turning back to Nadia. "Night's still young, Nadia hun; not too late to - "

"Look, Travis darlin', I haven't seen my ol' friend Nadia in ages - and I mean ages - so if you please, save the sleazeball attitude for your regular daytime office wheedling, yeah?"

Travis glowered, his hand slipping from Nadia's shoulder. Thankfully he had enough tact to not make a scene there, but he still looked like he wanted to.

"Let me know when you get tired of hanging out with boys and need a real man around," Travis huffed, stalking off.

"Yeah we'll let y'know if we see one of those around," Azi jeered, waving cheerfully at his retreating back.

Once their interruption had finally left, Azi just rolled his eyes. "I hope this guy's the only one like him since Carlo, otherwise I'd say yer a magnet for douchebags," he pointed out with a wry laugh.

Luckily the incident was easily forgotten though once they returned to their chit chat. It was Azi's turn to summarize the last few decades, so he explained how he had ended up on the east coast flitting from speakeasy to speakeasy, then in France to serve in the Forces Françaises Libres as a field cook during the wars, and then eventually back to China to look for any hint of old friends he'd had (Nadia knew he'd lived there in the 1830s and on), and ended up in Japan. In Japan he'd worked at a few noodle houses and whatnot for a bit, before landing in the lucrative host club culture that regularly nabbed him more money in one night than he had ever made in a year - at the expense of his liver, naturally.

So as it were, Valeri, his estranged half-brother, had come seeking him out one day hardly ... hardly fifteen or so years ago. Valeri's first impression of Araziel was Azi with his head in a toilet puking his guts out in the room in the back of the club ...

... but that was okay. Valeri and Azi didn't talk now, anyway. Must have been the first impression.

In any case, Azi had found, through Valeri, his 'family' - that was, Lucien and the rest of them. From there, he'd fallen in with their agenda, but also ... had had the money, finally, to open his own cafe!

"Which, by the way, has a branch in Boston where we're currently living, so if you ever want to stop by, you're more than welcome! The menu is more colorful than soup and bread though, I swear," he finished with a laugh.

So this was how they spent the rest of the night, chattering away until they were finally kicked out around closing. After that, it was back in the jeep so that Nadia could bring Azi back to the hotel.

He felt kind of silly thinking it, but Azi secretly kind of wished the evening didn't have to end. Once they had pulled up to the curb and the valet opened the door for him, Azi hesitated, his brow knit, as if something was on the tip of his tongue. But whatever it was, he dismissed it, settling instead for beaming across at Nadia.

"Well, it was great seeing you again! I'm so glad you're well." He pulled her into a great big bear hug before letting her go, laughing as he slipped out of the car. "Text me and lemme know if you're ever coming up, 'kay? Can't be all business-y twenty-four seven, y'know."

He thanked the valet and then waved Nadia goodbye, lingering at the curb until she had disappeared around the corner, at which he sighed, jammed his hands into his pockets, and waltzed back into the hotel to return to his room.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia wished she could have taped the exchange between Travis and Azi. She didn’t want this to end she just wanted to put Travis in a large hole. Ever since he became the director he had been prying on her. Peyton said to find it as flattery and to hook it up quick before he found someone else. He was young and a director and in Peyton’s eyes that meant all the money. What could you expect from a siren ex-prostitute? Nadia attempted not to say anything as Travis continued to belittle the very professional relationship. Thankfully Azi had it under control. She had missed his spit fire attitude. She had missed Azi more than words could describe. She wasn’t the settling down type but if anyone made her think a small bakery with a tire swing out front it was—bleh. As Azi continued to defend her she realized how much she was ready to disappear again. She was getting sick of Travis’ lingering eyes and constant harassment. She just wanted to sit with Azi and catch up and she couldn’t even do that. Nadia chuckled as Travis finally decided to leave. ”Verbal beatdown, did I mention I missed you?” Nadia replied with a small smile. She sighed tightening her grasp around her cup. ”I tend to be a magnet but haven’t had one this bad in a long time,” Nadia had set her elbow on the table her chin in her hand as she got lost in Azi’s stories. It was like nothing had changed when everything had changed. He wasn’t in his little cap and she wasn’t begging to wear his trousers instead of the little dresses. She sighed when he finished his story hoping he would continue but that was it. He had become something so incredible. She still had a hard time wrapping her mind around it all. ”I’ll be there,” Nadia replied with a grin.

Nadia was far more than just a little nervous of taking Azi back. Would she stay in contact with him? Would he disappear from her? Her mind continued racing as she stole glances from the side as she pulled in front of the hotel. Nadia wanted to ask him to stay, her mind immediately found itself to that small apartment upstairs where they cuddled on the same bed with little Panny at her feet. She would give up everything she had now if she could go back to that life. She watched as Azi turned about to say something. She bit her lip waiting for something. Something that would keep the dreamer dreaming but in the end ultimately it was the same thing he shrugged it off. Her shoulders slumped a little defeated that he didn’t say anything more. Nadia returned the hug, setting her chin on his shoulder just like she used too. She could feel tears threatening to fall. It was possible she would never see him again. She could attempt to go to that café but what if one day she does go and he isn’t there. She wasn’t quite sure she could that again. Her heart had already admitted defeat of losing Azi once, could she do it again? ”Likewise, I was worried…” Nadia stated before pausing as he let go. The second half was only but a whisper. An after thought; she wanted him to stay. Nadia nodded keeping a straight face as the tears threatened once more. She was saying goodbye to him all over but this time was a lot harder. ”I will! Hey…you can’t be a stranger either okay? This street is a two way street,” Nadia quickly added as she watched him return to the curb. The tears were starting. She had to get away.

Peyton was nowhere inside and Nadia knew better to interrupt her at a hotel. She would come back later or Peyton would grab a cab. It wouldn’t be the first time. Nadia felt the first tear slip as she quickly pulled away from the curb waving as Azi did staring at him in the rearview mirror once more. She bit down on her lip attempting not to sob the whole way home. It wasn’t goodbye. She kept repeating but for some reason the feeling was just as heart breaking. She had him back for a few hours she should be happy. But how did you let go of something a second time that was such a huge part of your life? Shouldn’t she be holding on to it? Couldn’t she admit her feelings for him after all these years? Was it silly that they hadn’t disappeared? She missed him already and had just left his side. Nadia pulled her phone out about to text him when she shook her head tossing it to the passenger seat even made that she would think about it. She could see him slowly turn and walk away as she turned the first corner. She groaned as she got on the highway. If she could turn back time she would never leave with Carlo, she would never have believed his lies. She got lost in her thoughts when finally she turned off the road and into the parking garage of the large complex.

She sighed leaning against the elevator arms folded as she stared at her feet. She almost wished Peyton was back just so she didn’t have to try and sleep alone. The siren and vampire had become decent friends. Peyton still annoyed her and Nadia wasn’t ‘fun’ enough sometimes but when it came down to it. Nadia was Peyton’s Araziel . She had found Peyton by accident of course fulfilling her needs at the local ‘blood bank’ A guy had taken it a step too far and Nadia found herself at the edge of Peyton’s door within moments extremely close to death. Needless to say Nadia had lost control for the first time in years. She had an issue with pompous men and this time there wasn’t an Azi to stop her. Considering that Peyton was near death she still saw Nadia and thus Nadia plucked her out and made her the secretary. Nadia placed the keys into her apartment wiping at her eyes. The apartment echoed her flats footsteps as she rounded the corner to her bedroom. She flipped on the light switch to see Travis laying across her bed. She swallowed taking a step back as two other men slowly walked forward. ”You know Nadia, I hate being turned down,” or should I call you Alexis, Lana, Estella… He whispered patting the bed next to him. Nadia turned grabbing for her phone her mind immediately thinking of Azi. She popped open his name texting her address and the number 304 s.o-- just as one of the men behind her grabbed her arms her phone flying to the ground as she hit send.

The man brought Nadia to the bed as Travis pulled her next to him. She pulled at his grasp then realizing how strong he actually was. Nadia usually didn’t have a problem when she actually tried. ”You see darlin’” He stated pulling a stake from the side of his jacket holding it up and twisting it by the moonlight coming from the window. Nadia froze, he knew! ”I need those books you stole today,” Nadia flinched as Travis placed the stake closer to her arm. ”I don’t have them…” Travis nodded towards one of the men as he came closer holding something in his hand. ”You see Nadia I’ve been studying you for a while. You always pull through, so where are those books?” Travis slid to the side letting the man pull Nadia’s arms in a small wood barbwire tie against her own bedpost. ”Mm kinky, this could work to both of our pleasures…” Travis replied stabbing the stake in the bedpost next to her head. His lips lingering a little too close to hers. ”Where are those books?” ”Well you didn’t study long enough, because I do not have them,” Nadia stated in a cool collected manor as she could. She rolled her eyes the moment he lingers next to her. ”That’s too bad, maybe you’ll tell me if…I help you remember,” He dragged the stake along Nadia’s arms letting the piercing screams echo the room. Travis held up the stake turning looking at one of the various lackeys. ”I wish you would talk, I’d hate to harm the body before getting the chance to sleep with it…” Travis smirked turning and slamming the stake next to her waist making her squirm. ”Where are the books?” Travis screamed once more pulling Nadia’s head forward her arms screaming in detest as the small sharpened mini stakes dug into her wrists. She could only hope that Azi got her text because Peyton was busy and well…no one else cared about Nadia Solis.

[/size]

[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

Araziel didn't feel giddy anymore, walking back up to his room the second time, alone, without anything to look forward to. It was great seeing Nadia of course - the knowledge that she was alive and well was more than he could ask for, really - but they both had their own separate lives now, busy as they were with their own affairs it seemed.

He sighed drearily to himself, trying to distract his mind with the plan for the next morning, anything so that he wouldn't have to wallow in depression; that just wasn't his MO. He reached the door to his room and had pulled out the key card, when he paused, sparing a glance towards Lucien's across the way. It wasn't often he asked for counseling from the older vampire, but sometimes he was surprised by what insight Lucien had to offer.

Only he was sure he was prolly busy so ... rolling his eyes, Azi unlocked his own door and headed in, carefully closing it behind him.

He was sure Nadia had almost been crying when she'd driven away, and Azi, in his mind, tried to pin it as her just being too sensitive about the whole meeting. After all, it wasn't like they were going to lose contact this time, right? Especially not in this world, which was much too connected, compared to their world some hundred years ago. Yeah, maybe the nostalgia had just caught up with her. But then he remembered what she had started to say before the Travis kid had interrupted.

Had she come back to look for him? He didn't want to think she had, because then that would make him feel ten thousand times more guilty about leaving.

If that was why she was anxious, then, he supposed he understood it. Araziel was very good at disappearing, after all, though maybe not as much now as he had been, now that he had 'settled' in a sense with the Chevalerie.

Speaking of the Chevalerie, the briefcase full of Jean-Michel's books was still lying on the bed. He trudged over to it, flipping it open. Truth be told, he didn't even understand their significance; sometimes he felt he was just point-and-click, which honestly he didn't mind, but occasionally his restless wanderlust would tug at his brain, asking why he had been in the same place for so long.

Another sigh, and he sank into a seat on the edge of the bed, still holding onto the book he'd picked up. Great. He was wallowing. Time to think of something cheerful. It was too bad that Chocolat and Pan-Pan weren't here; they were always the best mood boosters.

Chuckling to himself, he dug out his phone to find the latest pictures he'd snapped of them. Just as he was sifting through his album of them, though, a text popped up. Probably Luce to ask him to call for wine or something, but -

No, it was Nadia, and she'd texted her address. Hrm. That's right, they'd forgotten to exchange addresses, so she was probably just remembering to do that now. He shrugged then, already halfway through replying with an address of Sweet Berry Parfait, when he paused, his brow knit.

Something was wrong, his gut feeling told him. S.O. -

Anxiety began to leak into his disposition as he sprang from the bed, flying to the door and running out of the room. He dashed straight to Lucien's door and knocked frantically.

"Peyton! Peyton are you still in there?!"

There was silence for a sec before her voice piped up: "Uh ... yeah but tell Nadia I'll just grab a cab home - "

"Is this your address?!" Azi cut her off, reading out what Nadia had sent.

"Yeah, that's it, why - "

"Okay thanks!" Azi called through the door, before turning and tumbling to the next door to pound on it too.

"Guillame! Guillame wake up I need to use the car!"

There was the sound of confused babbling and then a thud, followed by hurried footsteps as Guillame fumbled to open his own hotel room door. Half-asleep, he held up the valet ticket for Azi to grab.

"Thanks! Go back to sleep," Azi gushed, relieved, before turning on his heel and darting down the hall. He forwent the elevator in favor of the stairs, flying down them a flight at a time, and bursting out into the street exit.

"Here! I need my car, stat," he huffed as he reached the front, shoving the ticket into the valet's hand.

Thankfully the valet seemed to catch onto Araziel's urgency, as he went jogging off to bring the car up front.

Once he had, Araziel thanked him profusely, absentmindedly shoving a couple of hundred dollar bills into the young man's hand before running around the side of the car, ignoring the fact that passing traffic practically ran him over as he hopped in.

Then he realized he didn't know how to get to Nadia's place, even if she'd pointed it out. Not about to fumble with navigation, he rolled down the window to call to the valet and ask for directions, which, at this point, the valet was all too willing to do (and would probably have agreed to come along had Araziel requested it).

"Thanks!" he yelled again before speeding off, ducking low to read street signs as they came up.

After pissing off about half the people on the road, he parked on the curb, ignored the parking meter, and went hurrying into the building. Maybe, just maybe he was imagining things; maybe she was fine, maybe he was panicking for nothing, but better safe than sorry.

Flying up the stairs, he emerged onto the third floor, counting apartment numbers as he hurried down the way. He finally arrived at the door, finding it locked, but before doing anything crazy he pressed his ear to it, trying to listen.

He heard someone asking about books. Travis' voice, that was him, no doubt. Araziel could only harbor a wild guess that he was asking about Jean-Michel's stuff. How did he know?

Then there was a scream, undeniably Nadia's. Azi stepped back, feeling his pockets. Bah, no lockpicks.

With a muttered 'sorry,' he stepped back further and then aimed a sound kick at the door. Crunch. The door violently swung open, smacking straight into one of the guys who had been guarding it or something or other, and Azi decided to capitalize on the element of surprise while he still had it.

He yanked the pocket knife from the first guy's belt, before grabbing the door and swinging it around again, using it to bash the guy in the back of the head. Then he did it again, just for good measure, before slamming the door shut, or at least as 'shut' as it could be, considering he'd kind of already kicked the doorknob off.

Travis, startled, still had a hold on Nadia, but as Araziel was now distracted by the second lackey, Travis quickly picked up the stake again, holding the point of it to Nadia's throat.

The lackeys were not that difficult to get rid of; Azi had the feeling they were there for intimidation more than anything else.

"Yer boyfriend over there teach you how ta' fight?" Azi sneered as the second lackey swung his fist at him in a wide arc, the missed blow sending him stumbling from the sheer velocity. Araziel took the opportunity to jump up and grab onto a ceiling light fixture, pulling himself up so that he could wrap his legs around the guy's neck. Then, letting go of the fixture, Azi threw himself to the ground, dragging the guy down with him and probably breaking his neck in the process as evidenced by the sickening crack that followed.

Disentangling himself from the howling man, Araziel used the hilt of the knife he'd swiped to knock him out and silence the whining.

That threat cleared, Araziel huffed and hopped back to his feet, before dashing into the bedroom now - only to find Travis with the bound Nadia, the stake pointed at her neck.

"Don't move. Don't! I'll do it, don't you think I won't," Travis spat, tightening his grasp on her.

Azi froze in the doorway, eyeing the stake and the bindings. How much did that guy know about her?

"You've just like ... surpassed all known levels of creepy ass stalker. Really raisin' the bar, y'know?" Azi spoke slowly, jamming the knife into his back pocket before holding up his hands to show he wasn't armed (which, naturally was a total lie, because unless completely dismembered, Azi still considered himself armed).

"Shut up. Maybe you can answer for me. Where are the books?" Travis growled.

"Oh you mean Jean-Michel's old ramblings? I burned 'em. Y'know. To keep them away from people like yer greasy-haired self," Azi snorted, hands still up.

Travis' eyes went wide. "You're lying!"

"Even if I am, I think it's clear Nadia doesn't have 'em."

Travis remained frozen as he tried to decide what to do next.

"Don't hurt yourself. Who sent you anyway? You're obviously not smart enough to master this whole thing," Azi pointed out, now folding his arms; the movement made Travis jump.

"None of your business - "

"Look, it became my business the moment you interrupted us at the cafe tonight, alright? Now put that stake down or I'll be more than happy to cut it out of your hands myself!" Azi roared, teetering at the edge of his temper.

But Travis wasn't about to let go of his only bargaining chip. Azi, on the other hand, knew that time was now of the essence, and, taking a huge chance he suddenly drew the knife out and hurled it at Travis. It landed right where he'd intended it to: in the man's shoulder, and out of reflex Travis dropped the stake, howling in pain.

Araziel immediately leaped forward, grabbing the man by the shoulders and dragging him away from Nadia. He threw him to the ground, and with a bout of uncharacteristic sadism, stomped his heel onto the hilt of the knife, driving it further into Travis' shoulder.

"Fuckin' scumbag! Ya' should've stuck to fappin' over yer favorite porn stars instead of chasin' after actual peeps! Bet yer mum put you up to it, eh?! Got sick of you livin' in her basement, ouais?!"

Travis was sobbing pathetically now, but Araziel didn't have any sympathy leftover.

"I should do the world a favor and get rid of you, but I won't sink as low as you," Azi sneered, before lashing out with his shoe at the back of the man's head, sending him into unconsciousness.

With a huff, Araziel looked around the room and then yanked the knife out of Travis' unconscious body, wiping the blood off on the man's shirt before finally hurrying back to Nadia to slice the bindings off of her.

"C'mon ... no time, we have to get you outta' here. Grab whatever you need from your apartment, and Peyton's shit too. She's still with Luce I think ... which is good. Guillame can take us back to Boston tonight," Azi went on as he discarded of the bindings and tossed the knife aside.

He was still buzzed on adrenaline, but he offered Nadia a hand. "Up you go - he didn't actually hurt you did he?" he fussed, looking Nadia over and picking up her arm to inspect the burns. "Dev can treat those ... c'mon, hurry up, and tell me what happened on the way."

Once Nadia had collected hers and Peyton's belongings (Araziel helped throw things into suitcases), they'd head back to the hotel to drag Guillame, Lucien, and Peyton out with them.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

It would simply be all lies if Nadia didn’t admit that the moment Azi hit down the door she was more than just a little thankful. The stake was becoming uncomfortable and the closeness of Travis was making things all that more awkward. She could stand a few scratches and bruises but she couldn’t stand the idea of Travis getting any closer and the look in his eyes suggested he could do just about anything given the pressure and the right aggravator. She had just about forgotten that she was attached to the bed as Azi jumped to the rescue. Her eyes headed towards the phone glad that the last message had gone through to him and that he had picked up on it. She couldn’t help but let her imagination wander. Azi, the baker/ninja assassin came to her recuse. The story was adorable and she couldn’t help but picture Azi in his own little warrior uniform. She shook her head the moment Travis pulled her making the stakes dig into her skin a little more, gasping at the increased pain. This was no time to be day dreaming of the what could have happened if you didn’t leave with Carlo situations. She felt the point at her neck tighten as Travis began quizzing Azi on the books. All this time Travis just wanted to get in bed and use her to hunt things down for him. She wondered how much of it actually belonged to old vampires. He had always fed her the various things and waited for her to do the dirty work.

She bit down on her lip as Azi attempted to explain that it was nothing and Travis wasn’t buying it. Nadia jumped the moment Azi sent the blade whizzing past hitting Travis in the shoulder. She sighed in relief the moment the stake hit the bed. Nadia twitched the moment Azi stepped on the blade feeling more than just a little sorry for him but then again she didn’t feel like he deserved any kind of sympathy. Not for the kind of person he was. Than the day dreaming began again as Azi’s foot still remained on the blade. Her imagination was getting the better of her as she watched Azi slowly(well in her mind) drew the blade from the beast that laid on the ground. He carefully wiped the blood before hurrying to her side. He might as well had a suit of armor on as he sliced the bindings from around her wrists. He leaned forward and ki-C’mon hurry! Nadia shook her head quickly finding reality once more staring down to Travis lying on the ground before nodding to Azi. ”Yeah…yeah…stuff,” She muttered her eyes averting from his lips. She hurried and grabbed a backpack throwing very few things in for herself before piling in a few different outfits for Peyton before grabbing her hairbrush and running behind Azi. She chuckled the moment he started fussing over her. ”I’m fine, honest! You got here hella fast, which I’m grateful for. Who knows what he was thinking about…” Nadia replied with a shiver as she ran back for her phone charger and phone then running back to catch up with Azi.

She followed Azi out as the car quickly pulled away. She sat and stared down to her wrists before sighing quietly. ”He was waiting for me when I got there. Thankfully I had phone out…” She wasn’t going to admit why she had it out. Nadia leaned her head against the back seat avoiding Azi’s gaze. ”He knew all of my past Alias…even ones I had killed off in the past. I didn’t think anything of it just a minor inconvenience that I could play off then the stakes came into play and I knew officially my cover was blown. But how could he have figured that out? Nadia groaned she finally turned looking back to Azi. ”If you weren’t here…I’m sure I would be lying on the ground with a stake through my neck by now. Peyton is a siren but she sure as hell can’t fight. No one else really cares,” Nadia turned flashes of Azi’s previous suits of armor then back to regular Azi as she slowly leaned her head against his shoulder. ”I’m collecting a lot of debt with you Azi, one of these days I’m going to have to repay it all,” She muttered against his sleeve. Nadia quickly texted Peyton and gave the emergency code and said they were outside. Even during a great time Peyton would look at her phone. She had a terrible habit.

It wasn’t long before the less then appropriate looking Peyton and Luce joined them. Peyton looked more than just a tad upset so it must have meant that blondie was more than just a good time. Maybe she actually made a connection? HAH, no. This was still Peyton they were talking about. Nadia leaned her head back against Azi’s. She wasn’t quite sure if she was okay with Azi being involved. What if he got hurt or one of his new family members got hurt? It would all be her fault. He claimed he got involved the moment Travis walked into the café but still she felt responsible for making his life harder than it had to be. ”You could just drop is off outside of town,” Peyton let a low sigh go in the crowded car before crossing her arms. Nadia lifted her head from Azi’s shoulder glaring at her before replacing her head to his shoulder. ”We’re used to toughing it out on our own, I wouldn’t want to involve your family, someone could get hurt,” Nadia mumbled against Azi’s arm. She had her own knight in shining armor rescue her and she didn’t want to let go now but wasn’t that the sensible thing to do? Wouldn’t it be the responsible thing to do? To take care of their own problems? She just didn’t want them to get hurt especially not Azi. She would rather him not talk to her at all if at least guaranteed his safety then put himself in harm’s way talking to her.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

The air around Araziel was tense at best, and he said very little for the duration of the short car ride back to the hotel (which was admittedly only short because Azi was driving like ... well, like an Azi). His silence probably meant that he was listening closely to Nadia, however, as he did nod occasionally, thoughtfully. His eyes were narrowed.

"I've got nothing," he sighed, glancing to Nadia before looking back to the road. "But I dun like the sound of any of it. It all smells fishy to me, and, y'know, after this long ya' kinda' learn to trust yer gut, right?"

He already had some plans - and some theories - forming in his mind, but he wanted to mull over them for a bit before saying anything aloud.

"I don't believe in coincidences, darlin'. But I'm glad all's well." For now. That was all he had to say in response to her words of gratitude, dismissing them.

Even though he passed it off as nonchalance, though, his brow was knit as he replayed the scene in his head. They'd pretty much abandoned Travis there with that knife stuck in his shoulder, but whenever he came to, Azi didn't have any fears about him trying to report them; no, his pride was too great for that, he was sure. But why would a prick like him be after Jean-Michel's writings? Pfft, Araziel didn't even know what was so important about them - he'd have to ask Lucien. Or maybe he'd just ask Jean-Michel himself. The latter was better at giving straight answers.

"I don't get any of it," he muttered in frustration to himself as they pulled up to the curb. The valet was surprised to see Nadia (it was the same kid from earlier), but as he made to hop into the car and park it for them, Azi stopped him.

"We'll be back in a sec, just hold it for us will you?" Azi wheedled. Of course the valet agreed.

"Thanks hun."

Dragging Nadia after him (he wasn't about to let her out of his sight, not after that incident, even if the 'independent woman' in her might protest), Araziel led the way to the elevator and back to their block of rooms, at which he pounded on Guillame's door with a fist again. Again there was the startled, incomprehensible blurting, then sifting blankets, then a thud, before frantic footsteps became louder and finally the door swung open.

Poor Guillame in his pajamas, woken up for the second time. He rubbed his eyes, but Araziel ruffled his hair.

"Wakey wakey! Change of plans, we need to leave now," Azi hissed, keeping his voice down.

"Now?" Guillame mumbled thickly, looking between Araziel and Nadia in confusion.

"Well, now as in yesterday. C'mon hurry. Car's on the curb. Be ready ASAP."

Guillame nodded obediently and closed the door to pack his few things.

With a sigh, Araziel glanced apologetically to Nadia before giving Lucien's (and now Peyton's) door a kick.

"Guys! Guys! We have to leave now!" he hissed through the door.

Silence.

"Oh you'd better not be sleeping now," he groaned, giving the door another kick.

Luckily at least one of them was a light sleeper, or they hadn't been sleeping at all, as soon enough the door clicked and opened just enough to accommodate the confused expressions of both Peyton and Lucien.

"Qu'est-ce qui se passe - " Lucien began.

"J'expliquerai plus tard. Il faut quitter l'hotel maintenant. Depechez-vous," Azi hissed back, before reaching out and grabbing the door handle to pull it shut himself.

"My nose! Not again!" came Peyton's irritated grumbling from the opposite side of the door.

Luckily no fewer incidents impeded their progress as everyone grabbed their stuff, working quickly but quietly (well for the most part, except for Peyton, though luckily her whining was silenced when she realized Nadia had her things).

Once they were back in the car (the valet probably richer for it, again), Guillame drove off, a fresh cup of coffee in his drink holder.

Lucien sat next to Guillame, silent save for the sound of his hairbrush running through his curls; Peyton had her arms crossed as she stared out the window, waiting for some kind of explanation.

Quickly, Araziel recounted what had happened, starting with Travis' appearance at the cafe, and ending with him and Nadia vacating her apartment. Peyton's facial expressions ran the gamut from intensely curious to absolutely horrified, but Lucien, who was peering over the shoulder of his seat, looked more concerned than anything.

"What is Monsieur Travis' full name?" he queried slowly, slipping his cell from his pocket to dial someone. " ... oui, Takashi, forgive the hour ... yes, we would like to request a background check on a certain Travis ... "

While Lucien was taking care of that, Araziel was grateful for the moment to rest, especially after the rush and panic of everything that had transpired in the past couple of hours. He leaned back against the back of his seat, tilting his head back and closing his eyes a moment. He was infinitely grateful that everyone was safe, and that they had made it out of there to head back to the security of the house. But like he had said, he didn't believe in coincidences, and Nadia's appearance now, then all of this ...

"Don't be stupid," Araziel huffed, stubbornly shaking his head. "After what just happened, the last thing anyone's doing is abandoning you guys on the road." He frowned at Nadia as if annoyed at her ridiculousness. "Like I said, we're already involved. If Travis was willing to be some creepy asshole and break into your apartment to ambush you, all over Jean-Michel's books, I'm guessing he's more than just some stick-up-the-ass antiquarian." Azi sighed, folding his arms. Then he realized he'd never explained why he and Luce had been after them in the first place. "Oh ... right ... Jean-Michel's one of the fam. That's kinda' why we nabbed the books in the first place ... "

At that moment, Lucien peered over the seat again, finished on the phone. "Takashi is conducting research on your colleague, Mademoiselle Solis. In the meanwhile, the travel time to Boston is approximately five hours by car, so I suggest that everyone make themselves comfortable."

With that, Lucien settled down to sleep; Peyton was already ahead of everyone, curled up in some silly position with her face half plastered to the window. Luckily for her, they were tinted.

Araziel sighed again, sitting silently for a few moments before he twisted slightly to look over at Nadia.

"Used to toughing it out ... heh, remember who you're talking to," he pointed out with a chuckle, ruffling her hair just as he had with Guillame earlier. "I had that same attitude for ages - well, I still kinda' do now, admittedly. But hey, 's give and take, right? Sometimes you gotta' have someone - someones - to lean on."

He managed his usual cheery smile, even if it was a bit weighted from fatigue. There was a lot on his mind, but even through all that and through the weariness, his thoughts were scattered in all directions, and some of them had to admit to being glad for the opportunity to watch Nadia's back a little longer - just like old times.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia remained quiet as Azi claimed that he didn’t exactly believe in coincidences. She didn’t know how else Travis knew. She was pretty sure he wasn’t a vampire himself unless he was one of those ancient ones. She still couldn’t pin him for one. It didn’t make any sense. Nadia sat twisting the cross that laid against her chest. She was scared to think about what the man may actually know considering the circumstances. Nadia had always been the monster. Nothing was ever scarier than her and thus nothing under her bed exactly scared her. This time it seemed that something was out there that was bigger and worse then she could imagine. This made Carlo seem so insignificant. She just wanted to disappear with Peyton and bring Azi with her. But it seemed he had made a permanent home with this new family. She wouldn’t ever ask Azi to leave. Perhaps she would just find a way to disappear. It wasn’t worth getting his new family into trouble. If Peyton wanted to stay she would let Peyton stay. Her life hadn’t been exactly easy either. She would just have to find a way to slip Azi in a nice way. The thought of leaving her best friend was a horrible gut wrenching feeling but how could she impose again after all these years? History was repeating itself and one of them was bound to get hurt all over again.

She knew this would most likely be her moment of escape the moment Azi left the car—and then she found herself being drug like a small worry doll behind him. Groaning attempting to squeeze her wrist from his grasp. Maybe he knew her a little too well. Even after all these years. Nadia cringed as Azi banged on one door then another. She sighed feeling like a small pup on his leash as her eyes scanned the various exits. It wasn’t going to be as easy now because Peyton would be among the small group. Nadia gave in as the group headed back to the car among the driver Nadia was pinning him as. He took the driving position as prediction. Azi called the tall blonde Luce, Peyton’s current codfish. Azi slipped in which Nadia followed and then Peyton was at her side still mid whine. That was until her eyes set on the small bag. She leaned throwing her arms around Nadia as Nadia groaned realizing she was just stuck in the middle no hope in escaping. She felt Peyton lean on her and she gently raked her fingers through the blondes long hair as Luce asked a question. ”Travis Lee Harrison,” Nadia replied quietly as Peyton dug into her bag grabbing the small bottle of salt. Nadia rolled her eyes as Peyton dumped a little bit onto her finger before licking it clean. Nadia quirked an eyebrow as she listened to Luce rattle off a few things to someone on the phone. ”Do you work for a vampire agency?” Nadia teased finally dropping her arms from around Peyton as she launched herself to look out the window as the left the area.

Nadia felt a little better as Azi claimed that they were already in it together. So maybe she would relax a little more now. She didn’t have to run they were in a lot of trouble as it was. Nadia sighed quietly looking back down to the necklace around her neck grasping it before looking back up to Azi. ”Be careful when you talk about those ’stick-up-the-ass antiquarian’s’ I heard they have feelings too,” Nadia smirked, Peyton giggled in the background. Nadia nodded as Luce said they were running a background check on Travis. Part of her just didn’t want to know. She saw Azi turn then started talking about how sometimes they had to have someone to lean on. Nadia nodded once leaning on Azi’s shoulder nuzzling the top of her head into the crook of his neck. ”You always were comfy, Azi,” Nadia replied quietly. Peyton turned groaning before settling her back against the window glaring at Azi and Nadias current position. Her eyes turned to the back of Luce’s head before sighing and pulling her ipod from the stuff Nadia had gathered before plugging in.

Nadia could feel something touching her arm. Her eyes widened as she jumped as Peyton looked at her pleadingly. ”Nadia…I need water, now…like now,” Peyton’s voice had turned a little raspy and her eyes were no longer a bright blue. Her skin looked like worn leather and her hair even looked as if it was dried seaweed. Nadia sat up quickly digging a large water bottle from the backpack grabbing Peyton’s small salt container dumping some In before quickly shaking it. She leaned it against the blondes lips shaking her head groaning. ”You have to take better care of yourself, what happened? You didn’t keep up on your water in-take,” Nadia sighed, sometimes it felt like she was Peyton’s big sister constantly looking out for her. But she wouldn’t trade the strange friendship for anything. Peyton began guzzling the water as her skin started reviving. Her hair fell straight along her face. Nadia sighed in relief leaning her back against the seat just as the car came to a sudden stop spilling Peyton’s water, Peyton pulled her legs quickly to avoid them getting wet letting all the water spray Nadia.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"Vampire agency?" Azi parroted, before dissolving into quiet laughter. "Nooo idea what that's supposed to mean." He stuck his tongue out at her, settling down again to nap; after the rush of everything that had happened - it seemed like too much to deal with in less than twelve hours - he definitely needed the rest.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm surrounded by antiquarians, but most of them don't have sticks up their asses. Just a few." He cracked an eye open, grinning at her, before closing his eyes again. Too comfy to protest at Nadia's semi-snuggling, he drifted off quickly enough anyhow, remaining that way for the duration of the ride - thus missing the odd exchange between Nadia and her friend.

Araziel didn't wake until the car had suddenly lurched to a stop at the gate. He jerked awake, sitting up with a groggy, "Eh?" not feeling very well-rested at all.

"Sorry," Guillame fussed, already on the phone to dial through the intercom. "Adele? Someone? Open the gate please ... it's us."

"Oh, you're back early!" came a very motherly voice through the speaker on the other end of the phone, and soon enough the gate drew open to let the car through.

Lucien too stirred now that they had arrived, and Guillame drew the car up to the driveway that ran in front of the house. Parking the car, he left it on as he hopped out to get everyone's doors for them. Lucien seemed used to it, but Araziel shooed Guillame away with an annoyed, "I can open a door by myself fer the love of God!"

"Sorry," Guillame squeaked again, quickly darting to the trunk to fetch the suitcases.

"Wow, this house is huge!" Peyton exclaimed as she stumbled out of the car, somehow managing to balance on her stilettos despite having been crammed in the car for that long. She totally missed the fact that Guillame was trying to hand her her suitcase, as she went skipping up the steps to the tall, double doors.

The house was very neoclassical in style - as to be expected, thanks to Camilla - and was only an echo of their HQ back in Versailles. Still, it served its purpose well, that purpose being the monolithic task of housing the entire Chevalerie and their kin.

Peyton reached the door first, but before she could even reach for the handle, the door swung open of its own accord to reveal ...

... a nine-year-old boy blinking up at her.

"Oh hi there sweety!" Peyton cooed at once, reaching to pinch the boy's cheeks.

The boy's eyes went wide, and he quickly ducked out of the way, instead accepting Peyton's suitcase from Guillame, so that he could shove it into the woman's arms.

"I am Jean-Michel, the steward here at Rosethorn. And you are ... ?"

"That's Peyton," Azi pointed out, following close behind. "And this here's Nadia, an old friend of mine. Ran into a spot of trouble last night ... well, earlier this morning - "

"Oui, indeed, Lucien has already informed me of the situation," the little boy spoke pointedly. Glancing around them to Lucien, who had taken up the rear, he rolled his eyes, now understanding why this blond bimbo was even with them. Yet he said nothing, instead turning on his heel.

"Come, I have had rooms prepared for you both," he told them, already beginning to walk off, his pace brisk for his diminutive stature.

Guillame had already disappeared to bring the car around the back, so it looked like they were on their own.

"Well, it'd be best to do what he says ... c'mon, we'll get you guys settled," Azi chirped, blinking sleepily but smiling brightly nonetheless. "And then after that, it's nap time. I hate sleeping in cars ..."

The foyer was tall, the ceiling reaching up to the second floor. Twin staircases snaked up to the balcony above, which overlooked the foyer, and joined the north and south wings. Pillars and arcades decorated the tritorium, which semi-encircled the second landing, probably also leading to other entrances to the wings.

The acoustics in the room were naturally quite impressive, and their voices and footsteps echoed as they followed Jean-Michel, who was already way ahead of them.

"Pardon me a moment, mes chers; I must consult with my sister," Lucien sighed once they had reached the second landing, where he broke off and disappeared down another hall.

"Er ... yeah, don't get lost by the way ... uhm ... if you ever do, just ask one of the staff," Azi chuckled a bit awkwardly, almost as if embarrassed by the house. It was a far cry from how he had used to live, after all.

Once at the guest wing, it turned out Peyton and Nadia had doors right across from each other.

"Have you need of anything, please inform Adele, myself, or any of the staff," Jean-Michel finished, bowing briefly to them before striding off to attend to his other duties.

"Thanks Jean-Michel," Azi called after him, waving. He knew he could make it up to him by fixing him his favorite coffee later.

Turning back to the two, he sighed, hands on his waist. "Well, go on and get settled in I guess. And when you're done, we can go to the kitchen and I'll fix something for everyone. Unless - "

Before he could finish, though, he was promptly interrupted by one - no, two - fuzzy balls of fluff barreling down the hall at top speed.

Wumph. Wumph.

Both collided into Azi's ankles before immediately beginning to hop up and down, barking.

"Pan-Pan! Chocolat!" Azi squeaked, crouching down to pull both of the dogs into a giant hug.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia couldn’t hold in the gasp as she realized this was where Azi lived. She had thought she had done well for herself with the large apartment she shared with Peyton. This, this was a mansion! Of course from the sounds of it, it was shared by many. But still. Peyton was already at the door which made Nadia face palm a little harder then she had intended leaving a small red mark on her forehead. ”We never went over manners in obedience school, c’mere Siren, c’mon little siren,” Nadia called but the door was already opening stopping Nadia dead in her tracks. She followed close behind Azi as Jean introduced himself and Peyton was already making a fool of herself. ”Mucho gusto, Jean,” Nadia replied with a tilt of the head. Nadia felt like she couldn’t touch anything because all of it was so beautiful. The exquisite taste was worth dying for. Everything from the architecture to the decoration, Nadia gasped as they passed the piano as they followed Jean. ”Azi, you did no say you are a billionaire,” Nadia felt now very out of place. At least she showed up in her semi classy dress. Nadia hardly noticed that Luce left as they continued their small tour. “Gracias” Nadia sputtered finally coming back to earth as Jean was leaving. Peyton yanked on Nadia’s arm talking precisely fifty five words a minute (Nadia counted one time) as Azi then mentioned to get settled.

Nadia squealed as the two pommies came running to Azi’s feet. She remembered Panny like it was yesterday and it seemed like Pan-Pan may be in some sort of close relation to the pup that showed her around the old home. She smiled feeling like maybe the pups were someone at least she could relate too. She was happy to meet the two pups as Azi ended up nodding once more leaving with the two pups mentioning something about the kitchen in a bit. Nadia sighed watching the two pups leave with their padre before turning around just to be greeted with Peyton’s shrieking. ”The bath! Have you seen the bath? I can finally stretch my tail, oh my god, oh my god!!” Nadia twitched rubbing her ear in annoyance as she heard a door slam. Nadia jumped grabbing hold of Peyton. Peyton turned the same time as they both set eyes on a tall, thin, Latina woman in large black boots storming down the hall. ”Oh my god, Vampire and Mexican, you get to deal with this one Nadi!” Peyton replied shoving Nadia forward. Nadia grasped at her rosary praying as quickly as she could as the very eye appealing woman stopped in front of her. ”Aye all dey squealing! Ah, dos mas? Aye, por favor! Lucien…” Nadia bit down on her lower lip before looking up to the intimidating woman. ”Err Yo soy Nadia…” Nadia replied sticking out the free hand of the rosary. Leena quirked an eyebrow at the necklace before cocking her head back and laughing.

”Dat is berry berry precious, ah, dis is too much, he got two? I was not good enough! Hmmm,” Leena turned circling Nadia, making Nadia swallow hard. She placed a hand underneath Nadia’s chin making her swallow again. ”Hmmm you come from the filfthy state no--?” ”AYE Pueblo is not full of…” ”Diefs? Liars? Cheaters? Betrayal?” Nadia froze staring at the woman. Well she did just describe Nadia’s life. She dropped her once outstretched hand looking slightly defeated. ”Dat is what I daought,” Leena rolled her eyes. ”Lucien would invite another, Madre Maria…” Nadia bit down on her lip when she realized the woman continuously talked about Lucien. ”Uh…Senorita…I’m here…para Azi,” Leena paused the dark eyes sizing up the tiny Mexican girl. ”Azi brought a girl? A Hispanic one at dat! Serio?” Nadia screwed her nose before nodding. ”AH BUENA! Welcome mi Hermana! I should have known, the rosary was de first give away. Too innocent,” Leena replied quickly pecking Nadia on one side of the cheek then the other. ”Much too small, not enough curse, is’okay,” She replied quickly making Nadia groan crossing her arms over her chest backing away. Peyton decided that she didn’t like this tiny Latina woman in front of her. She took a step in the heels one step closer to Leena as she was turning to leaving. Peyton tapped her shoulder.

”Uh yo, Consuella, she might be a guest of Azi but I’m a guest of Luce’s,” Peyton replied. Nadia blinked almost ready to dig Peyton’s grave herself within that thought process Leena had Peyton against the wall arm against the tiny blondes throat. ”De name…is Leena Castillo, puta,” Leena hissed leaning closer to Peyton’s face. Nadia didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t about ready to take on this very well trained Leena Castillo and Peyton did ask for it but Peyton was Peyton and lacked social cues and limits. Nadia tapped on Leena’s shoulder before biting on her lip. ”Forgive her, Senorita Castillo—she means no harm,” Leena slowly lowered Peyton back to her heels letting Peyton gasp for breath. ”I’m special to—him” Nadia faced palmed once more taking a step away from Leena in case of retaliation of trying to defend her friend. Leena laughed, it made Nadia’s skin crawl as Peyton’s eyes widened also. ”Oooh, Madre forgive me? You are special, well den,” Leena rolled her eyes dropping Peyton to the ground. She turned smiling to Nadia nodding her head. ”Any amiga of Azi is mine, keep de comida in line y de squealing down,” Leena replied with a wink. She tossed her black hair over her shoulder with more sex appeal then a legitimate Charlie’s Angel. ”She’s cool,” Peyton whispered from the floor. Nadia watched as the shoulders exposed, midriff bearing, high black boots Latina disappeared. She turned helping Peyton to her heels. ”She’s fantastic, no?” Peyton groaned before shaking her head. ”Sure in that wring her neck kind of way,””I heard dat,” Nadia chuckled before helping Peyton back towards the stairs to meet Azi in the kitchen.

Peyton groaned flopping on the table like a fish out of water(No pun intended). ”I met your OTHER mexican friend, Azi,” Peyton groaned turning pulling her compact from her pocket examining the marks made by the woman’s rings. ”Latina, she was definitely a Latin woman, Leena, she was pleasant,” Nadia replied with a nod and a small smile. Leena turned the corner popping in and ruffling Azi’s hair before popping herself onto the counter placing one leg over the other in an almost too seductive manner to be just sitting on the counter. Nadia swallowed tucking her rosary into the red dress she still hadn’t gotten out of. ”Damn right I am,” Leena smirked eyeing Peyton, Peyton narrowed her eyes in return. Leena turned watching Azi for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. ”Where did you find dis crew? Second thought, never mind,. I need to see Jean about some chloroform,” Leena stopped as Peyton was squealing about her scuffed heels. Leena nodded to Azi then to Nadia before rolling her eyes at Peyton and disappearing around the corner. Nadia swallowed hard finally wrapping a hand around Peyton’s mouth and smiling to Azi. ”Like I said, she’s pleasant,”

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

Thankfully, Lucien and Araziel were, for the most part, oblivious to all of the squabbling going on in the hall. And if anyone else noticed (like some of the passing staff, rolling their eyes at the spat), they kept quiet, or at least kept it amongst themselves.

"The only way I'm getting through t'day is by drinking this," Araziel grumbled from his position hunched in front of the coffee machine (well, machines plural).

"Rough night eh?" Takashi snickered, peeking over Azi's shoulder.

"Mon Dieu, are you putting espresso shots into the pour-over coffee?" exclaimed Edmond as he marched into the kitchen from the patio door, a rifle perched over his shoulder and a couple of ducks clutched in his gloved hand.

"Yeah 's called a 'red eye.' Y'know, for those who want their heart palpitations on overdrive," Azi explained as he scooped up the cup of super-coffee and gulped half of it down in one go.

At that moment, there was the sound of someone clearing their throat from around waist-level, and Araziel looked around before looking down and spotting Jean-Michel, arms crossed, tapping his foot.

"Oh right. Here's yours," Araziel chuckled, pushing an ice-filled tumbler towards Jean-Michel, who took it and inspected it before having a sip.

"It's AB pos, darlin'."

"Thank you," Jean spoke succinctly, before drifting out of the kitchen with a pilfered croissant in the other hand.

"I keep forgetting it's breakfast time," Araziel sighed between gulps of coffee. "I'm so sleep deprived."

"That shit 'aint helpin'," Takashi snorted, giving Araziel a playful slap on the rear before collecting his tablet PC and shuffling out of the room to go back to his den.

"So what was all of that about the night prior? Jean-Michel's books ... that ought to have been an easy errand," Edmond started conversationally as he tossed the ducks onto a cutting board to dress.

"Yeahhh but then Nadia showed up and screwed everything up," Araziel griped, not sounding disappointed at all.

"Takashi said she is a friend of yours, though. How would that constitute a need to harbor them? Or is her employer that much of a prick?"

"Actually, that's just it. Her employer. Only he wasn't mad at her for violation of work policy or some shit; turns out he's some pawn for some other peeps who were after Jean-Michel's stuff."

Edmond raised a brow. "And who in a million years, other than us dusty old farts, would be interested in his texts on ... oh I don't know ... the philosophy of revolution before revolution actually happened ... "

"That's what I'd like to know," Azi sighed, gesturing with the espresso scoop. "We might have another mess on our hands."

"Well they shall be safe here, at least. Devereux's defenses are ... erm ... effective, if not a bit ... unconventional," Edmond worded slowly, grinning, before he and Araziel dissolved into snickering.

"Tell that to the neighbors' stuffed cat sitting on the desk," Azi snorted.

Peyton and Nadia chose that moment to waltz into the kitchen though, and by then Araziel was perched by the kitchen island, checking on the tiered tray of croissants and scones that was sitting on the counter.

"I don't have another Mexican friend ...?" Araziel spoke slowly, confused, before Leena came sauntering in. "Oh. Her."

Edmond looked around, confused, before coughing slightly and adjusting his frock coat.

"Oh, yeah. Peyton, Nadia, this is Edmond. Edmond, Nadia et Peyton," Araziel introduced, waving a croissant at them. "Oh, by the way, eat," he insisted, pushing the tray towards them. "Adele must've baked 'em ... "

"Enchanté mesdemoiselles," Edmond hummed, bowing with a flourish and accidentally clipping one of the passing scullery maids over the head with his rifle. "Oh ... dear, I do apologize for that ... "

Azi snorted before taking another bite of croissant. "So, Takashi's still working on investigating yer lovely friend Travis, but in the meanwhile, you'll both be perfectly safe here. Dev's got all sortsa' security measures in place - "

"Security measures? I prescribe itching powder down Monsieur Travis' knickers; that is the only sort of 'security measure' one requires when dealing directly with dandies," Edmond cut in, his tone matter-of-factly.

"Or just hit him in the face with your rifle," Azi snorted, earning a 'hmph' from Edmond, who swept his ponytail over his shoulder.

"So didja' two settle into your rooms okay?" Araziel asked in between munching on his croissant.

Guillame strode into the kitchen just then, however, holding Araziel's cell phone aloft. "Araziel, Ivan is on the line. He says that they are short staffed today."

"Did that new manager not show up again? Guh, this is the third shift in a row! She's so fired," Azi groaned, grabbing the phone from Guillame with an afterthought 'merci' before disappearing briefly from the room.

Edmond just raised a brow, watching him leave before he turned back to Nadia and Peyton. "So, Araziel mentioned that you are a friend? How did you come to know one another?"

Shortly after, Araziel returned, changed and with car keys in hand. "I have to go to the cafe today ... Ivan's going to set the place on fire if I don't. Nadia, wanna come? Peyton, you can tag along too if you want."