Azariah strode down the street, sharp green eyes scanning the people around him. They scurried from building to building buying and selling within their means. But as Azariah walked by, heads would turn. He was well known here, this was his street and he made it a point to shop here, get to know the people. The last thing he wanted was rumors following him that he was some sort of monster. Not that he wasnâ€™t, but such a thing would harm his business interactions.<br/><br/>The young werewolf sighed as he walked, nodding to a few shop keeps and others he knew in the street. He was well aware that most of them saw him as an unwed bachelor as and wanted him for their daughters, already he had turned down 3 wealthy shop keeps. However, this did not discourage the girls from throwing themselves at him at every available moment. He wondered absently if there was any way to invent some charm that just repelled them all from him. But, that would be a bit counterproductive wouldnâ€™t it?<br/><br/>Azariah had nearly reached his office when warmth spread though his pocket, a light vibration accompanying the feeling. He frowned and veered causally off course into an empty alley way. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the small clear stone that lay there every day, most of the time it appeared to be a regular old hunk of rock, now itâ€™s clear surface glowed with white light and warmth spread from the object like it had been sitting in the sun. He ran his finger over it three times in rapid succession allowing his energies to answer the stones call.<br/><br/>â€œ Leth here.â€ He said â€œThis had better be good.â€<br/><br/>â€œ This is not something you would wish to miss out on.â€ The voice that answered his was cryptic but Azariah knew better then to push him for information. He waited a long moment before the other spoke again. â€œThere is a gathering of supernaturals in Marlborough. Iâ€™ve a feeling youâ€™ll want to attend this. Thereâ€™s a masquerade to be held.â€  The grin that stretched over the werewolfâ€™s face was nothing short of excited. A chance to meet more of his own kind, eh? Who wouldnâ€™t jump at that kind of chance? Now it was only a matter of getting there and such transportation could be assured to him.<br/><br/>â€œI must thank you for this information. My attendance is assured. Iâ€™ll be there shortly.â€ With that the stones warmth receded and he was left alone in the alley once again. Smiling to himself the male left the alley and headed uptown, his course changing promptly, but no one seemed to notice.<br/><br/>Minutes later he arrived at his destination. A  large townhouse, as he approached he could feel the wards guarding he place against anyone approaching with malevolent intent. They passed harmlessly over his skin a tingle of pressure as they processed his intentions via the energies he was putting out. The door swung open a figure appeared in the doorway.<br/><br/>â€œAzariah, what are you doing here?â€ the mage demanded good naturedly, as he approached and swung an arm around him. The older mage claimed to be nearly 800 years old, and given his power the werewolf was inclined to believe him. He had met many mages, none of them could match this manâ€™s power. And none of them owed Azariah more the Gregor did.<br/><br/>â€œGregor, I feel inclined to inform you that my visit today is not simply a friendly calling.â€ Gregor frowned and looked at the younger for a long moment.<br/><br/>â€œCome, we can discuss this in my study.â€ He led the way though the large house to a small room that managed to be comfortable and full of magical objects all at the same time. Gods help the creature that thought they could best Gregor.  He took a seat in the chair facing the desk while Gregor sat behind in it a high-backed chair. â€œSo what has brought you to my door this day?â€ Gregor asked as he offered Azariah a glass of red wine, he politely declined, his tastes were for something a tad stronger.<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™m calling in a favor. I need transport that only you and yours can provide me.â€ Gregors eyes widened and flashed with pleasure.<br/><br/>â€œWell lad, Iâ€™m glad you came to me. I relish such a challenge, one grows weary of making charmed trinkets after a while. When do you need it?â€<br/><br/>â€œToday. I just received word of something that I must attend too.â€ Again the shinning in the older mageâ€™s eyes.<br/><br/>â€œWhere?â€<br/><br/>â€œMarlborough.â€ Gregor exploded from his chair laughing and pacing furiously.<br/><br/>â€œBoy, I can have this ready for you in three hours if my colleagues are available. Wait a moment while I contact them.â€ With that he was gone through the door.<br/><br/>Azariah leaned back in his chair and chuckled good naturedly, Gregor was easily excited for any form of challenge this time was no different, though usually he had to put a bit more pressure on the older mage to get this level of magic from him. Bring up the many times that he had saved Gregor or someone he loved in the wars that peppered their history together. He must have really been bored to give in so easily. As the thought crossed his mind Gregor reappeared in the room hurrying about and muttering to himself.<br/><br/>â€œAll will be prepared for you. Return here in three hours.â€ And with that he was gone again focused on the task before him.<br/><br/>Azariah was more than happy to show himself out he needed to be prepared for this evening anyway.<br/>----------------------------------------<br/><br/>Three hours later, he was back knocking on the door of the house. This time when the door flew open Gergor wasnâ€™t there to meet him.  Though this wasnâ€™t an unusual happenstance whenever Gregor  was casting, it still unnerved him, a reminder not the cross the mage. He walked down the hallway Gladstone bag in one hand. Before him a path was lit that he hoped was meant for him to follow. At the end stood a thick oak door and Azariah pushed his way into the room.<br/><br/>The interior was dark lit only by small candles before him was a circle of mages murmuring amongst themselves. One broke free of the others and approached him, Gregor, the man looked almost giddy as he stopped before he taller man and looked him up and down.<br/><br/>â€œBoyâ€¦ what the devil are you wearing?â€ Gregor demanded<br/><br/>â€œThisâ€¦ this gathering I must attend it-â€ before he had even finished his defense of his costume and where it had come from, Gregro shook his head<br/><br/>â€œIt matters not. Come! I've prepared a trunk with your clothes in it.â€ with that he reached out and grabbed Azariahâ€™s  arm jerking him forward as if he wished to dislocate the limb.<br/><br/>â€œGregor that hurts! Release me! And what the devil are you talking about? Were you in my house?â€ Azariah snarled at the man, jerking his arm away.<br/><br/>"Of course I did. You certainly forgot didn't you boy?" The older mage scoffed at him muttering something about whiney dogs as he turned to the others.<br/><br/>â€œThis is the boy weâ€™ll be teleporting today gentlemen. Letâ€™s get to it shall we? Azariah, when you get there, there will be a coach awaiting you to bring to the location you desire.  Iâ€™ve also made arrangements for where youâ€™ll be staying, my younger sister is more than happy to put you up untill you feel itâ€™s time to leave; the coach youâ€™ll be using is hers. Itâ€™s likely youâ€™ll encounter her at the party youâ€™re attending.â€ While saying this he pushed Azariah into the circle the mages had formed, the trunk he had spoken of sat on Azariah's left. â€œYou must tell me of how your adventure goes when you return boy. The least you can do is let me live vicariously.â€<br/><br/>â€œThank you, Gregor. You truly have thought of everything.â€ Gregor nodded.<br/><br/>â€œItâ€™s what I do boy. Now hush so I can get you where you need to go in piece.â€ With that he and other mages started chanting. Around him a firm wind began to pick up swirling around him until the air became something he could see physically blocking him off from the rest of the world until he couldnâ€™t see the mages anymore, couldnâ€™t even hear them over the roar of the wind. Azariah crouched low, hand on his sword, he wasnâ€™t entirely sure that the magic was working properly but he would rather err on the side of caution.<br/><br/>Moments later the wind began to die, slowly but surely, until he could see into the world again. He was once again standing in the middle of a deserted alleyway.  Though at the end he could see a black coach waiting. He hurried to the man standing before it, and the man glanced up from the newspaper he was reading.<br/><br/>â€œAh, Master Azariah I presume. My name is Rick and I drive the coach for Madam Alyssa. I believe you are due at the party soon.â€ The man bowed and Azariah followed suite, as he bent his eyes caught sight of something trapped under a rock. Stooping once more he retrieved the parchment its position. It appeared to be a flyer:<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 200%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Vivaldi;"><div style="text-align: center;">Come one,<br/>Come all,<br/>Welcome the Grand Ball!<br/>For here the strong run for cover,<br/>And the weak stand tall.<br/><br/>If you're not afraid,<br/>Welcome to the Masquerade...</div></span></span><br/><br/>Azariah smiled to himself as he stepped into the coach and road to this masquerade. Oh this was going to be enjoyable. He could feel it.<br/>--------------------------------------<br/><br/>The coach rattled to a stop a short time later and Azariah stepped into the crisp evening air. He stood among the group though on the fringes as he watched the other guests.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">How many are supernaturals? How many are friendly? Oh I canâ€™t wait to get involved in this party.</span>He grinned to himself before turning his attention back to the location, waiting to be allowed entrance.