(Vanessa, with nuances for Elizabeth)<br/><br/>“The arrangement is simple, Miss Vanessa. You will provide the household with a copy of your draft prior to publication. We will promise to keep a light hand on our revisions, provided you don’t go out of your way to destroy our way of life. In this way we help one another. You get an amazing story about a new and mysterious entity on the outskirts of town. We get to peek out of the shadows and into your world, to shake hands with modern civilization without being treated as freaks or worse.” Hiato paused, considering, then shrugged minutely, smiled and turned to go.<br/><br/>Tshone did not appear to stir as Vanessa made her selections, though when the woman was done, the Weaver spoke. Her voice was oddly youthful, mellifluous even, for a crone of her obvious age. “You seek to blend in, to not attract undue attention and to gather tales, do you not? Your selections are wise. Conservative, but wise. If you are staying here for the full week, I suggest being more liberal with your selections.” Spider-like fingers moving in a sudden, jerky motion, the woman seemed to materialize several small, woven badges out of thin air.<br/><br/>“I will weave protections into the clothes you’ve selected, altering them to fit and blend in. They will provide you with some basic armaments against hypnotism and the allure of other supernatural effects. The lesser beings who attend this event won’t be able to harm or manipulate you indirectly. They won’t affect Dracula or any who he would consider peers, of course.”<br/><br/>The crone deliberately left out any directions about whether or not the woven badges could, once affixed, be removed safely and maintain their potency. “Bring me your selections dear. I’m afraid that my knees ache these days and I prefer not to stand.”<br/><br/>While waiting for Vanessa to provide her with the outfit, the crone added, “Tell me dearie, have you heard of Marcus John?” Marcus was a local “producer” – rumor had it that he had ties with the mob and that he’d gotten started producing underage, illegal, pornography. He’d since gone legitimate and was working on inroads with major movie houses. Odds were that he’d be at the party tonight, too.<br/>