Moon Over Bourbon Street<br/>Something Wicked This Way Comes<br/>Ximen, Heirarch of New Orleans<br/>Frederick, Heirarch's Provost<br/>'Burin' Elijah Warden, Thyrsus Free Council<br/>'Vulpes' Prof. Elliot Van Graaf, Obrimos Guardian of the Veil<br/>S.J. Jones, Acanthus Free Council<br/>'Damon Jones' Tsutomu Fujimoto, Mastigos Silver Ladder<br/><strong>'Obsidian' Reine Valentine, Moros Adamantine Arrow</strong><br/>Elizabeth Brown, Thysus Mysterium<br/>August 22nd, 2005<br/>Royal Sonesta Hotel – Private Suite<br/><br/>As the others spoke amongst theirselves, she was eyeballing Nick.  The young man was actually avoiding looking at her the whole time, the room decor apparently more interesting.  How in the world he managed to find out the meetings location and make it there before she even knew, was something of a mystery.  She was starting to think the man had a bit of the clairvoyance.  It certainly would explain how he knew things he shouldn't.  She pursed her lips and gave up on those thoughts.  She knew many things but that was one secret she couldn't pry from him.  Not having to worry if he was going to open his mouth, she turned her attention back to the group and realized that introductions were going around.<br/><br/>Oh geez.  Were they going to have a group hug next?  Reine sighed softly and managed a polite mask.  She was very much used to working alone but if the Heirarch and an Arch Mage said work together she wasn't stupid enough to say them nay.  She sifted imperceptibly in her seat.  As comfortable as the room was, she felt she could cut the air with one of her blades.  She wasn't the only one not speaking.  The other one had yet to say one word.  No one else seemed to notice him, but she did.  She noticed everything from the moment she walked.  She had been sure to position herself in the room so that she could keep an eye on everybody.  She sat in her bubble of calm and decided she would not out wait the other one.  The room was too stifling for her taste and that walk to Jackson Square was becoming more enticing by the minute.  Only one way to hurry it along.<br/><br/>"Reine.....Valentine.  Obsidian, if it's your pleasure.  Moros.  And....I kill people," Reine said in a smooth, flat voice, her face deadpan.  Nick snickered and she stopped the urge to turn and glare at him.  She flicked her wrist and pointed to Nick.  "My Retainer, Nick.  A walk would be pleasant, though I do admit that going as a group would not be beneficial.  If Nick was able to find out about this meeting, so would others.  We'll not be wantin' all the gators hatchin' out a' one nest."<br/><br/>Nick must have felt how highstrung Reine was and put a hand on her shoulder.  She relaxed, only as much as 'safe' company allowed.  The ice in her drink clinked as they melted and settled, the alcohol long gone.  The chill of the glass in her hand anchored her.  She gazed at each of them with her calculating eyes and still could not gather what would be needed of them.  She did not like mystery and the sooner she knew what the hell was going on, the better.  She wet her lips in thought and tilted her head to that other.<br/><br/>"You have yet to make an opinion.  You got an opinion, garcon, or are you the strong silent type," she challenged.  Her tone was more a slight than a mild flirtation.  Her Meme said, you can always gauge a man by how he holds himself when he speakin'.  She looked at the group, but kept him in her peripheral.  What a group so far.  She didn't think it could get more surprising.  Everyone was so...different.  The Brit and her dog, the woman and the old lady, the two men and herself.  There was a fury of a storm brewing in the Gulf, a storm that could tear through N'Awlins like a knife through fresh churned butter.  That meant something big was brewing and she had to wonder if the storm was natural.  If there was this much power, why them?  Why not get a more reliable group of Mages?  Questions, going unanswered for now.