RP:Maldor Making Inquiries Witch Go Unanswered

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Dust Up In Cenril Arc


Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc



Summary: Maldor drops by The Office to ask Hudson about his familiarity with Emelyan for a position at Valen's Academy. Hudson tells Maldor that he and Emelyan used to be business partners in a pharmaceuticals venture that recently fell apart due to an intellectual property dispute, but nonetheless provides a positive reference ("Emelyan's a better alchemist than I am."). Maldor then reveals that he'd spoken with Valrae and Alvina, and goes on to ask Hudson if Valrae's involved in something dangerous in Larket. Hudson, now ill-at-ease, tells Maldor that Valrae's sad about Hanna's death and likely keeping quiet due to rampant ill-feeling toward witches. Maldor, realizing that he's not getting the truth, threatens Hudson, who responds by asking the other man to leave. Tensions barely de-escalate!


The Office

The Office is on the classier end of seedy cabaret/exotic dancing establishments. Which is to say that it boasts an actual chef, as in a person who studied to make food, and has enough bouncer presence on the floor to offer at least some low alcohol content beverages. Similar to other establishments of this nature, it's got your well lit stage, poles, a diverse cast of dancing women, and surrounding them a population of tables, velvet wing-back chairs, couches, and people who've got nothing better to do (most of them men). Right now, it's just opening for the day and thus slowly stirring to life. Hudson is on the floor, conferring with the bartender while things remain quiet.


Valen , was not having a good day, and by that...Maldor was not having a good day. That luck was all about to change though as he -finally- found the Lycan's shadow. The lights in the establishment would grow dim, candles would start to flicker while the air became deathly still, the hinges on all the doors started to creak as all the shadows in the room started to give off a faint tremor, before a few of them raced to a blank section on one of the walls to form the shape of an archway. Ripples would start to appear, red lightning would trace around the surface as a heavily armored foot would emerge, followed by a hand, a torso, another foot, and then finally a man who looked like Valen, except with Emerald Green eyes and his hair a mixture of Crimson and Blond. He was armored from Shoulders to toes, billowing cape behind, red underneath and black on the outside, attached to the fanned out neck armor. His eyes would scan the room, standing eerily still and quiet as the portal he had come through dissapated, the shadows flitting back to where they had been sleeping. Finally spying Hudson with a bartender, a sickening grin would come to his face as he walked toward sthe male, boots and armor alike clanking with each thud of his boot. Finally, in a vocie that was considerably lower than Valen's, though not a baritone, and with a tilt of his head the Vampire would speak. "think we might have a chat?" There was no threatening tone, but it should be noted that there was no need. The way he said it was still somewhat eerie. "Pal?"


Hudson looks around him, as do others, as the mood in the room shifts, the dancers growing nervous. Maldor's not a familiar face, and so Hudson, with a glance at the barkeep as if to say 'I've got this,' pushes himself off the bar and moves toward the man. Hudson's dressed down, in a tracksuit, white shirt, sneakers, but unbothered by Maldor's armor and fancy getup. "A chat, pal," repeats Hudson, his eyebrows winging up. He gives it a second, considers the guy, and then extends a hand toward the back of the establishment. Music is stirring the floor to life, women are starting to occupy the stage, it doesn't make for a good discussion environment. "My office?" Hudson suggests, before leading the way. His office looks well used, has boxes of documents, a desk with piles of papers, as well as an aged, slouchy couch with mystery stains on it. Hudson sits on the edge of his desk, gesturing that Maldor be seated on the couch. "Do we know each other, pal?"


Valen had to admire this Lycan's pluck, and not in a good way. Oh he had this, did he? That would certainly be seen though for now, Maldor seemed quite relaxed. His eyes would travel to a few of the women, and give them another unsettling grin, less than savory thought's no doubt playing in his head but he was here on business. "Lead the way." Would be all that was said as he trod after the male, eyes taking in the structure of the building for a moment before turning his attention onto Hudson, then the couch with a sneer at the stains. Lord only knew what filth went on in this man's office, then again he was a lycan...he could hardly be surprised....Probably drool marks more than likely. Taking a seat, and crossing one leg over the other, Maldor finally answered Hudson's query. "Not personally, no...But you -have- met my brother. You were at his wedding, along with...well, never mind those two. You may have only met him once, but...If I'm going to be honest, guy, I was pointed this way by a mutual aquaintance. Never mind who." That last sentence said sharply, eyes peering, leering almost. "Got some questions about who you might be keeping company with Huds..You know what they say, strange bedfellows and all that. One of them recently came to try and get a position at Valen's Academy, not saying you know him of course, but the coincidence...and timing...of that, plus something else that one of your's and Valen's aquaintances said, well, the chips just keep lining up it seems, and I have quite the nifty hand...."


Actually the couch is mostly (well, recently) stained from tiger piss, long story. Can't speak for the old stains. The couch predated Hudson and Eleanor's owning the place. He notes Maldor's obvious disgust with his surroundings. That tends to be the reaction to that couch. (Hudson's slept on it, to his knowledge he didn't acquire any diseases.) Hudson, who it bears mentioning is holding a milkshake, pulls out the bamboo straw with his teeth and takes a long slurp from the contents of the glass as Maldor explains their reaction. Right, Valen. Mutual acquaintace - who? Hudson's getting a weird vibe off this meeting, but maintains his aura of chill. Since his and Eleanor's business (Emelyan who?!) had taken off like a rocket he'd grown into his role and here we are, him dressed in gangster duds, just needs a gold chain. Maldor keeps talking, and Hudson's brows knit together, he looks at Maldor like the other guy's speaking a foreign language. Who the heck does he know who's trying to work at an academy? Who would note Hudson as a reference? "Who... is this person?" he asks, in a slightly confused tone, ignoring more inflammatory remarks about 'strange bedfellows.'


Valen would give off a dark chuckle, lips pulling back to reveal his pearly whites, and the hallmark of a Vampire, his pristine and well taken care of fangs. "Well, the gentleman that is seeking to gain a position at the Academy....his name is Emelyan. Not long after...Another of our...mutual friends, told Valen that all she wanted to do was keep him safe. Now, certainly, I have not a problem with people coming to work alongside Valen, that is not the issue. The coincidence that I am here about, and this is just -one- facet, is this Emelyan person showing up out of the blue, and then a female warning Valen with vague references. Now....The -second- one I talked to, certainly betrayed emotion when I mentioned Emelyan's name. I am hoping that you might have some light to offer here Hudson, or else my shadows will seek out other methods to secure Valen's safety. I can sense when something is afoul, and afoot. After all....why else would Valrae warn Valen, unless something was truly going to happen?" Oh, he knew that at least one of those names would get a reaction, though he hoped for both. Maldor loved games of cat and mouse, loved playing with those he talked to, it was after all....all in the chase. "My question to you, in case I was a bit wordy, is this. Why would Valrae warn Valen almost immediately after this...fellow, comes to secure a teaching position? Notably of course she did not divulge any further information, but seeing as you know her, as well as my second source of information, that certainly gives me cause to come speak to you. Just in case you were wondering that as well?" Here, he would reach into a lining on his battle cape, and pull out a clove cigarette. "Can a guy smoke in here?"


Hudson makes a noise of understanding as he drinks from his milkshake. Emelyan, yeah, sure, he knows that guy. He drains the last of his milkshake as Maldor goes through a catalogue of anonymous women whom apparently Hudson knows. This is all very cloak and dagger, there could be a bit more detail here, Huds is thinking. The weird vibe continues, and Huds poses the glass on the desk, fixing his gaze at Maldor as the other guy says Valrae's name. "You can smoke," says Hudson, getting up to cross the room and open a window, for air circulation. He resumes perching his arse on the desk after that. "Well, Emelyan is an accomplished alchemist," he tells Maldor, matter-of-fact. He gestures vaguely with his hands, as if that were all to the story. Outlaw code and all, what he's going to tell Maldor has a distant relationship to the truth. "He and I used to be in business together manufacturing pharmaceutical reagents," he explains, casually. No strangeness in his delivery, he's very used to, and comfortable with, this lie. "We had a disagreement over the intellectual property to one of our products and we don't work together anymore." True! It just so happens the product is drugs. "It left a bad taste in my mouth, Valrae works for me in Larket and I probably complained to her about it. I'm sure it's the same for whomever else you talked to. But," Huds rolls his shoulder casually, "I can vouch, Emelyan's a better alchemist than I am. You should hire him if that's what you're looking for."


Valen would let a sigh escape his lips, one of relief, as he snaps his fingers in front of the cigarette. "Thank the Gods for being dead already..." he would murmer, as a red spark lit up the end of the death stick. Taking in a long drag, he would aim the exhale towards the open window, the smell of cloves not far behind. Upon Hudson's remarks, and chronology of events, it would seem that the half truth worked, as it most certainly had. The fact alone that the two had been in business, but no more, rendered that whole line of questioning defunct. "Well my condolences on such a parting, but Alvina...I can't quite recall if she works for you or not, I would say not...seeing as she no longer lives in Larket, or Cenril, or wherever you two used to live." Here he would look at Hudson's eyes. "Alvina was my second contact, in case that did not sink in. As for Emelyan," HEr ehe would take another drag, another exhale. "It's not my call. Valen is the teacher, not me, and Percival is the headmaster. I will pass along your words of reference, however, next time I speak to the headmaster himself." With that, the next part would begin. "Then it seems, that my -other- situation, is the more likely. No doubt you heard about the disturbamce at Josleen's birthday...? Explain to me why it is that Valrae would not say much, or seemed to clam up when Valen asked her about all the happenings? One would think that the most horrible part for her, would have been poor Hannah." Here, Maldor would actually look the most sincere he had even been this conversation, which was certainly a lot, as well as a change. "My sympathies. Eirik got off too light, but at least it falls partly to Valen to correct that behaviour. What I am getting at, is that she would not even speak about the -other- attack...said that it was for Valen's own good, the less that he knew. That tells me that someone is involved in something, Hudson. I'm not a simpleton, I may not know what that wonderful witch of a woman has landed herself into, but so help me, if I don't get answers about what sort of danger she is placing herself in...-especially- when she said that 'Larket will fall if need be', I am going to start knocking heads and taking names until that girl is safe." Here his eyes were darkened, but still that Emerald, and there was a fire that seemed to burn with more than just concern or anger, though even he had no clue what it was, just that he did not like two things. When those he cared about were in danger, and having things kept from him. "So I will ask again, Hudson. What has Valrae...gotten herself into."


Pharmaceutical reagents are reasonably close to drugs, after all, and since it's true about his partnership with Emelyan dissolving, a little truth always seasons a good lie. Emelyan hasn't given Hudson any trouble so Hudson is happy to provide the reference. He considers the subject done and dusted, but then is taken aback by Maldor's bringing up Alvina. And their having lived together. With that, Huds' easy demeanor cools considerably. Maldor spoke to both Valrae AND Alvina? He looks at the guy with creeping irritation that he keeps concealed behind a stone expression of attention. "Yeah well," he says, matter of fact, "Hanna was her best friend, that's been really hard on her." He scratches at the beginnings of a beard he's growing. "I'm not sure I know any more about what's going on in her head than Valen would. I think if you're a witch in Larket, you're likely to be a little paranoid right now. That'd be my guess, she just doesn't want to get in trouble. She's a good girl." Evidently Hudson doesn't trust Maldor in the slightest, this conversation sounds too much like a trap now. He offers the other guy an easy smile that's a bit icy because it hadn't come naturally. "Really think Valen would be more in the know. She's just my employee and a family friend."


Valen honestly knew next to nothing, as no one literally told him anything more than 'Go do this, don't do that, or don't worry'. But worry he did, and that was why Maldor had taken the reigns, and finished that clove with a snap, and it would be gone. 'I'm sure it -has- been hard on her but as I said Hudson, I'm not an idiot. You don't exist for roughly three-hundred years. Personally, I could care less about Larket or Josleen or Macon. Hell, I could even care less for this city as well. But those that Valen likes? His friends? I protect them with fierce loyalty Hudson...If I find out that you are -allowing- her to do something stupid by not trying to talk her out of it, and if she gets herself killed? Not only will I turn her myself to save her life but by the end of it, after everything is said and done...I will come after you. I will come after you, and I will knock your head clean off your shoulders with Matilda, and hang your pelt above the Academy fireplace, it doenst matter to me whether it's the human pelt of the lycan one.' That was what he WANTED to say, but in the end, he simply gave off another sigh. "I'm sure it -has- been hard on her. Losing a friend is never easy. I know exactly what that is like but if you seriously have nothing left to tell me, so be it." Standing now, he would say casually "Not wanting to get into trouble though. You don't go that route by making threats, regardless of the fact Valen and I would never betray her." Oh, he knew what a forced smile was. "But let me make one thing clear." Maldor would say, turning on his heels and walking straight up to Hudson. "If you think for one second that -I- would betray Valrae,.." Here, in his hand a shadow would form into the shape of a baseball bat, complete with shadow barbed wire around the end, as he held it up for the man to observe. "If you think I would betray Valrae, when Valen himself has thought about joining and being a witch...You'r dead wrong Hudson. If anyone finds out I told you that by the way, you -are- the only one that knows, I will use Matilda here to make you wish you were hung out to dry long ago. Let's not forget that it was Valen that rescued her, while all that...rat with wings did was simply stand outside naked, and if you trust Valen, then you trust me...because I go with him -everywhere-. This -is- his body after all." Vanishing that shadow bad, he would take a step back, but at the moment it was taking all he had to simply not haul off and try to hit a home run now with how worked up he had gotten himself. It wasnt even Hudson's fault, he just cared more than he would like to admit.


It's really for the best Maldor sticks to the talking points. Hudson's expression darkens as Maldor doesn't drop the subject, suggests that Hudson isn't telling him the whole truth. Not his truth to tell, and as if he'd tell this guy, who'd talked to Alvina! The skin on his forearms is prickling with that telltale lycanthropic anger. He has Valrae's back: he says nothing. That feeling intensifies, and his eyes are slits as Maldor approaches him and makes a threat. Hudson doesn't blink, he is very still, concentrating on regulating his feelings of werewolf rage. "IF you care about Valrae," says Hudson, slowly, "then you'll understand why someone who's her friend won't talk about her to strangers, especially in response to threats. I said she's sad about Hanna's death, and it's a stressful time for witches in Larket. That's. All. I know." He smiles coolly and cants his head a little, as if to say, Try me. "I think we're done talking, PAL."


Valen would have noticed the prickling of his arms, his eyes showing his own telltale hunger of a good scrap. Though the next words from Hudson register and ring true, as his gaze softened somewhat. "...I can agree to and understand that." Hudson trying to dismiss him however, would ignite that fire once more in Maldor's eyes though he would remain calm this time, and speak as such. "Fine then, but allow me to say this in parting. It is a stressful tiem for witches, that is true. If you are worried that I know she is one, save it...I know she is. Secondly, if she -is- involved in something, she needs to get out. Things like what went on at the party will only make people crack down harder, and pretty soon the entire city will be in chaos as neighbour starts to accuse neaighbor, and more innocents will suffer. If YOU care about her, you would want her safe and out of harms way....hypothetically, guy...So yeah. We are done. Rest assured though Huds, as I said, my shadows can supply me with the answers needed if it comes to it. This was simply a curtesy call. Nice place, by the way." With that, a genuine smirk would be given as he heads to the door, a look over his shoulder "Your alright." A chuckle, before exiting.


Hudson and Maldor face off, until suddenly the tension comes to a head and is lanced. Hudson keeps his expression unreadable, though he for the record agrees with Maldor's assessment. It's just not up to Hudson to tell Valrae how to live her life (though sometimes, he tries). Even so, he's got no standing, he's not even her boyfriend. The scratch that had started on his forearms has settled, is now merely pulsing, a distant reminder of his fading anger. He still looks at Maldor with lingering distrust that's slow to dissipate. "Well then," he says, stiffly, to the other guy. It had done a little that he'd backed off, but it's impossible to reset the conversation, as they both well know. "Thanks for the visit," he adds, lifting his chin to observe polite formalities as the other man sees himself out.