Once the others departed Hugo and Natasha both walked up to where the ash of the business card lay in tatters.<br/><br/><strong>"That didn't go as well as I thought. Strange I thought being honest was polite in such circles. I guess I was wrong ... and i did say "If" it interests you ... I didn't say any sentence which implies it is expected. "</strong><br/><br/><strong>"I agree well ... I guess we know who the mage and who the vampire was now I suppose. Mages get arrogant. Hell we do too. We are so used to probing others minds we get empathic with what we find, I feel it keeps us polite as we can be ... all things considered."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Why would Kathryn make a personal appearance if the meeting didn't interest them? They ARE in HER gallery. He was with a vampire, he would have known this. How many mages or vampires go into an elders art gallery without introducing themselves, immediately be given an invite to meet the elder on locations of THEIR terms not hers ... then get cranky about the owner not being there while the invite happens .. insult the offer by burning the business card .. then get cranky and storm off ?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Well sometimes I thought Kathryn was aloof, now we know as far as elders and arch mages go, we are working for the best of a strange kind of people"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"You got that right Natasha. You really on that date you mentioned to Kathryn."<br/><br/>"Well actually yes .... if you do invite me for dinner Hugo"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Ha ! you cunning little girl ! I thought you would never want to with me"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Getting out of something that seems over my head was more the plan, so yes your company sure would be welcoming. Kathryn excuses white lies, but lets not see what outright deception does huh ?"</strong><br/><br/>Again another phone call ... immediately after Kathryn had stormed away from Lisa's fashion statement.<br/><br/><strong>"What ?"</strong>Kathryns was uncharacteristically short...<strong> "Oh sorry Natasha .. its just .. well ... how did things go"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Not too well."</strong>Natasha informed Kathryn of the exchange concering the invite ..<br/><strong><br/>"He said and burned WHAT ?" </strong><br/><br/>Natasha repeated the scene again slowly... to ears that could barely believe it<br/><strong><br/>"If I wasn't there, and you both didn't know who they were ... how exactly can he assume I know where I could find him ? With a temper like that its unlikely he would have waited for me to arrive ... all you would have got would be -I don't wait for others- or some such nonsense. What is going on in this city ? There used to be manners ! With a vampire too right ? So she knew it was an elders gallery ! Ghosts ! Ok Natasha, close the gallery down, lock up and leave. Whatever date your doing on see to it in a place you feel safe, but hugo I want him to manage something for me can you put him on"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Um Kathryn... its Hugo I am seeing for the date"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Huh ? .... </strong>" - ten second pause -<strong> "Ok then when your both done with your date, I want you to drive to my place, security know you and will let you in... stay the night there choose any room you like"<br/><br/><strong>"But ... "<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Not this time Natasha, do whatever you want as long as you stay the night at my residence. If you finish whatever it is before midnight go to the aquarium, if you miss it, my mansion ... no buts"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Whats going on ?"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"That's what I will see to now ... oh and Natasha, tell Hugo your both lucky to leave that place alive. Lets try and see your skins through a few more at least"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Is it that serious ?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Yes Natasha .. yes it is"</strong><br/><br/><br/></strong>