<div style="text-align: justify;">Francesca listened quietly, yet intently, to the Cardinal's words. Behind the usual expressionless façade, Francesca was calculating, thinking and planning as usual. The variables presented started adding up in her mind while Cardinal Calderon spoke. It was a fact that Max and herself would be placed in the midst of a dangerous, perhaps lethal, situation. Nothing new about that. It was their job, after all. Risking their necks and getting their hands dirty so the Church could remain safe and "clean". <br/><br/>While the Cardinal explained everything, Francesca paced back and forth. Her mind always worked better as she was moving. The situation was extremely complicated in so many levels. And it had to involve politics. Francesca hated politics. Her personality, albeit charming when needed, was poorly suited for this kind of business. Well, good thing she had her faithful Max to deal with the niceties, while she did her share.<br/><br/>Francesca's mind wandered a little. They seemed to be the worst possible idea for a pair. Max, so devoted to the Holy Mother Church - the expression alone made Francesca cringe -, so honorable, so polite. And herself, almost raw when it came to socializing, not due to a lack of education, but due to her own nature, wary of the Church as an institution, and not above stooping low to get the job done. Yet, they had managed to form a bond Francesca could have described as fraternal.<br/><br/>Focusing back on the two men, Francesca preferred to let Max do the talking. For some reason - she could list a few possibilities -, Francesca and the Cardinal did not get along smoothly. So, the guards had been drained, eh? Seven. Quite an appetite for a single vampire. Of course, it was not a single, and the situation just kept getting more and more complicated. Part of the job description, once again. <br/><br/>Francesca paid attention and noted the name of the butcher. A pretty good choice of work for a vampire. Nobody really minds a few blood stains on a butcher. Not so intelligent, of course, is to be stationary for long periods. They would have to check him out. The Cardinal's blessing made Francesca hold her breath and bite her tongue. No need to be unpleasant.<br/><br/>She spoke only when Max turned to her. "I think we need to buy meat", she stated, shortly as usual. "But before we do so... Cardinal, you stated seven of the eight guards were drained. Do we know of the remaining one?", Francesca asked, trying to keep her voice neutral, as usual when she felt the need to speak to the Cardinal. "I may have missed something, I believe".</div>