The black "Mercedes" pulled over softly, more a boat than a car based on smoothness and elegance. "We're here, Mr. O'Riley." the driver pointed out the obvious. Galen nodded into the rear view mirror and stepped out. Others were taking care of this servant's pay and tip. Galen was just happy to get out - the fat old driver's jugular vein was drumming into his ears on the way to Chicago, watering his mouth. Good thing he had fed just before leaving Prague - it was Svetla's parting gift.<br/><br/>He stepped onto the sidewalk and looked around curiously. Chicago. He hadn't been in the States for over 40 years now - having visited his parents' grave down in Boston about a decade prior to his Siring. The dark didn't seem to bother the hundreds of thousands of little men and women crawling about the proud city's arteries like red blood cells, pumped up and down by a force too big for them to comprehend.<br/><br/>Galen slowly walked through the crowd, breathing in the scent of humans. He hadn't felt quite like this since the day back in Edinburgh in his youth when his angry old uncle had been in a good mood one morning and had taken the poor kid to a bakery. The smells in that place were so intensely delicious that young Galen Arthur almost cried. He felt similarly now. He inhaled the smell of warm bodies as hundreds of shoes thudded around him - black and colored, small and large, soft and hard, sporty and high heels. He clenched his fists, unintentionally. He had himself under control, but he didn't have to endure on purpose. He was not a masochist.<br/><br/>So he stepped into the shadows of a back street and he walked, shrouded in silence. The orders were to meet the Ana-Lucia at some discreetly rented apartment on 5th street. She was to tell what's to be done next. The orders mentioned something about the outskirts of the city - the outlying burbs would be the best bet for a coven. But that was just "gossip" like his Sire loved to say. The DelaCourt girl was the leader of the project. He clenched his fists again. Rich suits...<br/><br/>The cold air embraced his body as he walked. A few yards away from the crowds, he felt a little better. Away from the crowds. He liked being alone. He looked up at the sky, trying to remember what daylight felt like. He couldn't. But then the sharp thudding of footsteps made him look around. He wasn't alone anymore - a young girl sped by, hurrying somewhere, leaving a cloud of scent behind. Galen smelled it. It was sweet - much sweeter than most women. Very intrigued, he followed the woman with his eyes. Light brunette, high heels, and some boutique clothes, ordinary, but chosen with style. He trailed her scent for a minute. It was delicious. Galen knew he was never going to forget it. He made a mental note to look for this girl again. Demetrina did tell him - be on the lookout for talent. Always. The Senate will decide if someone gets Sired. But you just be on the lookout. And of course, there's the pets - every coven needed some. Twelve, to be exact. Galen wasn't sure if they were supposed to adopt pets before settling in, but it never hurt to keep your eyes open for possible candidates.<br/><br/>He watched after the woman until she disappeared into the night. Then he went looking for the apartment where he and Ana were supposed to meet.