<strong>"The rewards I have gathered were more in the form of patronage that the glint of currency. Any requirement or wish I may desire would be mine, be it from my apartments to my attire, to my food and drink. Alas, the spirits of fortune did not see it fit to bless me with coin or money, and I fear my patrons would be unwilling to pay fees so that I may flee from this gilded birdcage, perhaps never to return. No, I fear our flight will have to come from methods outside my own personal wealth."</strong><br/><br/>He was about to respond to Alexa's suggestion when Fredricks made his entrance. It was immediately clear that he had a purpose, and David had little doubt he already had plans for this gathering. Perhaps he should look into the golden chalice of time and determine what was to come... or more likely, he should just wait and see what was to come. When it came time for him to receive a hug a single gloved hand was raised, palm outwards, the universal gesture for "no". He was the Lord of Blackest Night and the master of the dark arts, the haunter of dreams and the nightmare that walked, death's left hand and the instrument of terror, the summoner of haunted souls and the channeler of parted spirits. He did not<em>*hug*</em>, however much comradeship he felt for those around him. Instead he merely tipped his head in welcome, the ghost of a smile flickering upon his regal features as he waited for the group to leave for the mysterious "table in the back", where the veil of the unknown would be drawn back and the truth revealed.