As the collective vampires gathered in the entrance hall, one by one, they would hear the sounds from the dining hall begin to escalate, and then finally begin to die down. The preparations were nearly complete. The two white haired servant girls outside of the door continued to watch them all like broken dolls, staring into every crevice and shadow with their unfeeling eyes, examining the gathering vampires and their respective servants. Almost as if on cue, when Cabiria and her servant entered the hall, all of the noise from inside fell quiet.<br/><br/>Time seemed to stop that way for a few impossibly long moments. Even for those for whom time seemed unimportant, the tension in the air was enough to make even the most hardened of souls begin to sweat in anticipation. Finally, there was a soft, barely audible whisper that seemed to echo from the shadows all around the room. Life slowly crept back into the two servants at the door, rather than impassive statues, their pale marble-like skin shifted smoothly as they slid off to the sides, each of them grabbing hold of one of the large door handles and pulling it outward with all of their might.<br/><br/>The large polished double doors opened up into a room even more massive than the one in which they had been waiting. The ceiling was arched, with columns lining either wall. The first of two tables ran the length of the dining hall. All along it's length high backed chairs waited, and beside each chair was another eerie white haired servant. They all bowed simultaneously as the hunter's entered the hall, and then stood back up, ready to pull out their corresponding chair and then push it back in when one of the assembled chose to take their seat. The table was also lined with drinks and light snacks, water, fine wines and other beverages, as well as cheese and crackers, assorted fruits, and other things that those so inclined to dine on fair other than that which was required of them might choose to partake.  At the far end of the hall, opposite the door, was another table. It was at this table that the councilors were seated. Six elaborate chairs lined the long table, and each of the high councilors also had a single servant beside them. Some serving wine or water or simply waiting for an order.<br/><br/>It was the woman in the seat furthest to the left who stood, and walked out in front of the high table to greet their guests. Even before she spoke, it seemed obvious that this was the woman that they had heard earlier. In addition to being surprisingly tall, easily over six feet, she was also very tan, a trait that must have carried over from her former life, for there was no way for her to maintain such a complexion now. Her hair flowed like fine silk down along her back to her hips, and a surprisingly simple blue dress adorned her body, a wrap that covered her torso as well as her hips and thighs, and that an educated eye would be able to discern as Egyptian design. Over her shoulders was thrown an elegant and deep black cloak, the sign of a high councilor. So dark that it looked more like a void in the world than true fabric, the only break in it's darkness a simple silver brooch that clasped it over her neck. Surprisingly, this wasn't  the only silver that adorned her. She was also wearing silver earrings, and silver bracelets and rings. The only explanations were that this woman was either so immensely powerful that she no longer felt burned by silver the way that regular vampires did, or her abilities and weaknesses were simply of a different variety, and perhaps some other precious metal would harm her even worse. But there was no way for most of those assembled to know which it could be.<br/><br/>Her piercing blue eyes scanned the assembled vampires with a calm, casual air. They were marked with deep blue eye shadow, and black traced eye lashes in the style of ancient Egyptians, clearly marking her descent for all to see. When she spoke, it was the same chilling and thrilling tone that had alerted them all not long ago. However now it had a clear source, rather than simply drifting from the shadows all around them.<br/><br/><span style="color: purple">"Welcome, proud hunters of the night. It is a pleasure to meet all of you, or to see you again, if that is what the case may be. I am pleased to introduce myself to you all as Shadya Mubarak, the High Ruling councilor of Africa. I'm sure you all remember that it was my letter that summoned you all here today."</span>she explains, her delicate and alluring tones rising high for all of them to hear.<span style="color: purple"> "Please feel free to seat yourselves while I name the other High Councilors. Should you require anything, you may ask one of the servants here."</span>she explains simply, before continuing along the High Table with a flourish. There were five other people at the high table, each of them wearing a large flowing black cloak similar to the one that Shadya herself was wearing.<br/><br/>In the seat to the right of her own was a man of powerful build, dressed in a business suit that barely seemed to be able to contain his impressive muscles, he also had deep black hair and eyes, but he also seemed in surprisingly good spirits. His gaze moved between each of them in turn, and thick fingers stroked the finely trimmed and squared beard that ran the length of his chin, unlike Shadya, his skin tone was the pale white color common for their kind. Any familiar with knowledge of higher vampire society would know him as a kind man, who often did his best to try to please his subordinates. Shadya's voice rang out.<span style="color: purple"> "This is High Ruling Councilor Charles Anderson, of North America. It was he who offered the use of his personal hotel for this private meeting, and we offer him our thanks."</span>she explains to them all. Councilor Anderson flashed them all a big toothy grin, before Shadya continued on.<br/><br/>In the next seat was a fiery looking woman, her skin tone marked her as possible Spanish descent, but her hair was a fiery red mane that was cut short around her head. Unlike most of the other councilors and the assembled potential task force members, she was dressed in combat fatigues, and had her booted feet crossed, and up in front of her on the table. While this could obviously be considered very disrespectful, nobody in the room, not even the other High Councilors, seemed to want to call her out on it. Anyone with knowledge of this woman would know that she was a vicious fighter, and one with a surprising rebellious streak.<span style="color: purple"> "This is the High Ruling Councilor of South America, Pacifica Bello."</span><br/><br/>Next to Pacifica was a large and incredibly imposing form. This one could barely barely even be considered 'humanoid' anymore, but instead some sort of vicious beast. This alone made it fairly obvious exactly who it must be, at least for those familiar with such things. While his current form was that of a grotesque, demonic creature with large leathery wings tucked against it's back, he was a master of transformation, and could likely take on any form he desired at a whim. This great black beast before them now must be his true form. It was resting a pair of large black claws on the table with surprising delicacy, he brought a glass of wine to his maw with seemingly no difficulty whatsoever.<span style="color: purple">"I'm sure at least some of you have heard of Samuel Riven, the High Ruling councilor of Australia. Some of you may have witnessed his arrival just a few hours ago."</span><br/><br/>Beside Councilor Riven was a surprisingly slender form, especially when compared to his bulk. This woman was very petite, her skin shockingly pale, even by the standards of their long lived society. Beneath her flowing black cloak was a formal dress of various vibrant colors, contrasting sharply with the brilliant white of her skin, and the deep and impenetrable shadow of her cloak. her hands were folded politely on the table in front of her, balancing her own glass of wine with practiced ease, and she offered a delicate smile of her own to the assembled vampires. Those familiar with the high councilors would know that this delicate outer appearance was only a ruse, and that this petite woman commanded one of the largest continents in the world with barely the slightest effort.<span style="color: purple"> "The beauty before you is Miyako Himura, the High Ruling Councilor of Asia. It was her quick thinking that averted the crisis in Europe." </span>Shadya explains, before moving to the final seat.<br/><br/>This final person did not in any way look as impressive as the other five members of the council. Nor would any of those assembled, even those most knowledgeable be familiar with him. He was a man with a slender build, the usual pallid complexion one associated with vampyrism, and he was dressed in a simple black business suit similar to Councilor Anderson, with his being a much better fit. His hair was a soft blond, almost white, and his eyes were a brilliant icy blue that seemed to be able to see directly into the mind of those who met his gaze. He offered those assembled a polite smile, and like the others said nothing.<span style="color: purple">"This is Dominic Carlyle, who is standing in for the now deceased Ruling Councilor of Europe, Absolon Ivancov."</span>as Shadya concluded, Carlyle graced the younger vampires with a slight bow of his head.<br/><br/>Now finished, Councilor Mubarak returned to stand beside her place at the far left end of the table. There she stood calmly, waiting for everyone to take their seats, or for those who chose not to sit, at least to choose a comfortable place to stand. Once it seemed like everyone was ready, she continued.<span style="color: purple">"I understand you must all have a lot of questions. Please introduce yourselves, and then you may direct any questions that you have to me, or the rest of the council."</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>