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/>'Obsidian' Reine Valentine, Moros Adamantine Arrow<br/>Elizabeth Brown, Thysus Mysterium<br/>August 22nd, 2005<br/>Royal Sonesta Hotel – Private Suite<br/><br/>Ximen stopped what she was doing as Frederick stepped in followed by the people that Drakon had instructed her to track down and gather. And he'd spent a good part of the previous night scrying for them, then had left about two hours ago in a stretch Hummer Limo to retrieve each of the people listed by the Magister Mundi. But as they were brought in and allowed to be seated, she noticed that there were a few people missing.<br/><br/>“Where are the rest of them?” asked Ximen quickly. Drakon had been entirely clear about those he wanted in his service. And she was not only wise enough but smart enough to know not to incur his wrath so easily. But as things stood with the inclement weather coming and all of her visions indicating that the impending Hurricane would have disastrous results. It wasn't going to be just 'another hurricane'.<br/><br/>The evacuation notice had already been given and people were indeed leaving the city. But in a city with a population in excess of one million people, it would be slow going. Plus there were always those who refused to leave. Or were financially unable to move. The Seers and the Pentacle for once held common purpose in getting the city evacuated. Though in truth their reasons probably differed greatly.<br/><br/>“The rest have proven to be either resistant to scrying magic and are forcing us to locate them the hard way. Or are temporarily out of the city. I have the Sentinel's out searching for those who are in the city.” said Frederick as he moved to the liquor cabinet and began to finish the drinks that Drakon had started. Placing each in front of each person, he stepped around the huge desk to stand just behind Ximen's right shoulder.<br/><br/>“Very well, I guess we can get started with the business at hand.” sighed Ximen as she looked at each of the assembled mages. Most were still wet behind the ears and barely off their Master's training strings.<br/><br/>Opening a drawer, she pulled out six bags and tossed each individual a bag. “Payment for your services. You have been summoned here because you have been named by one, a Magister Mundi, Drakon. And before you ask, yes, he's as real as you or me. It was him who mixed most of your drink. We only had to add the perishables.<br/><br/>“He has not made mention of exactly what he wants of you. Only that you are to be gathered and sent to him. Seeing as he has not advised me as to where you are to go, I can only imagine that you will need to stay together and he will find you.”<br/><br/>“This is not an order that I, as the Heirarch, am giving. Merely advice from one who has studied the Mysteries for decades.” said Ximen as she leaned forward, placing both of her hands palm down on the desk. “Earning the ire of a Magister Mundi is worse than taking a loaded pistol, putting the muzzle in your mouth, and pulling the trigger. Death is a release from the Lie and the mortal coil. There are far worse things than death. And they have faced many such things that we lessers can only have nightmares about.”<br/><br/>“It's not much help, but go to Jackson Square and get a cup of coffee.” said Ximen quietly.