Her call was short, pleasant and simple. I'm in town with my entourage...and we're looking for a good time. Well, then again, that's what her messages always seem to be like. The Madame is always looking for a good time, regardless of the situation, place or players.
     Annabelle Deschamps' arrival in town always makes for an interesting time, and always causes ripples. Faithful to helping others in need, for a small price of pleasure, she has managed to create quite the niche for herself...in many cities in Europe, in fact.
     And now she is the one in need of help. Nothing of this was said over the phone. Her voice was, as usual, seductively smooth and inviting... some say she doesn't know how to speak anyway else. Then again, some don't know her as well as others.
     She briefly mentioned that she was at Claridge's and expected a visit...that she wouldn't go anywhere else until she got that visit. The Madame awaits your arrival...

     He wouldn't take the car. Edward figured it was a lovely night for a walk, and well, he wasn't going so far.
     "Don't be surprised," he says, coming from the elevator, "...well, at anything. And don't touch her," Edward explains again. He'd told what he knew of the woman at the house, and now reminders are required.
     "And don't be surprised at whom you see," Edward starts, just remembering that himself. His walk across the marbled floor to the single penthouse door was slow. He smiles at the door, turning to face Valan. "Are you alright?" he asks, reaching out to touch Valan's cheek. His finger lingers too long, however, and Edward sighs as he lowers his hand. Dressed in black, always in black, he seems more dressed for an evening at the clubs, than a social visit.

     Gold lighter gives a golden flame. Golden flame lights the brown cigarette. Smoky clove issues from the burning stick, incense to the temple...
     He wears brown trousers that fit close to the legs like suede, striped cinnamon and amber, they have a texture more like corduroy. He wears summer on his shoulders, a short-sleeved ambered shirt haphazardly buttoned over a white t-shirt. Amber and garnets are around his throat, only partially visible. And secreted at his stomach, a golden chain. Golden hair is short but long enough for the Mod mussed look. Gold-green eyes sparkle in amusement.
     "I will do my best to keep my hands to myself, ami..." his voice is suffuse, warmth that exists and eases. At the touch to his cheek there is the start of the slant of a grin. "I do not think there is anything that could truly shock me, mais oui. Unless I were to see King Charles in there..." His mouth pulls upon the brown body of the cigarette and he grins.
     That would be surprising...

     Edward glances over as his hand lifts to push the button. He shakes his head and sends the doorbell ringing.
     "And I would have expected someone to already be here..." he notes absently, hands moving behind his back.

     "We are knocking on the door of Decadence?" Valan murrs. "Shouldn't we be kicking it down?"

     Another glance over finds Edward rocking back and forth on the balls of his black Italian shoes. He smiles though and shakes his head. "We already did," he murmurs, eyes upon the door ahead.

     A muffled female voice calls out, "Coming!" Somewhere within, a male voice says something in a low rumble. There is a peal of laughter from the other side of the door, immediately joined by giggles and snorts, along with some banging noises.
     A moment later, the door swings open energetically and you are greeted by a vision in leather and platinum. Poured into a black leather bustier, the slender and very feminine body is accentuated nicely. The skirt that's attached hugs her thighs tightly, only to flare out at the knees.
     Platinum locks are cropped neatly just above her shoulders, the bangs hanging just slightly lower -- the portions of the bangs below the cropped line have been dyed a shocking green. Eyes of the same green widen as The Madame exclaims in a thick French accent, "Eduard! You have arrived! Come in, come in... ah! And you have brought a friend! How nice! Please... entrez, s'il vous plais!"

     Edward snarks as he looks back to Valan, stepping into the suites' foyer area rather gingerly. "Well, well," he says, "...things do not change -- you look marvelous Anna." Edward smiles and peers at the others within, hidden mostly in a maze of corridors and behidn other doors. Barely inside, he turns to say softly, "Valan Montague," hand motioning to the glorious young man still at door's edge.

     Smoking in a non-smoking hotel. Aren't I just the rebel?
     Valan Montague eases within, motions interrupting a half-curling cloud of clove smoke. He gleams. You all relish the darkness. He brings to the darkness the light of Day. London's Apollo, he holds the cigarette in his left hand, his right hand free to take her hand.
     Despite Edward's warning...
     As the introductions are made, Valan's eyes lift from the two of you, skirting over the elaborate room, its visible and hidden inhabitants. The sound of laughter. The sound of sighs. A small smile traces over his expression and his eyes gleam. "I hear you throw only the best sort of parties," Valan Montague murmurs.
     He is tall and lean, not as broad as Edward, nor as tall. But he cuts an Adonic figure in the foyer...

     Immediately, Annabelle presents her hand to Valan, palm facing toward the floor in a gesture of an older age. Fingertips touch Valan's palm. "Enchante, Monsieur Montague... my, my, my... Eduard... he looks good enough to eat!" Her darkly painted lips curl into a wicked grin.
     Beyond her, men and woman can be seen wandering and loitering about. Some are literally draped over furniture... or each other. All are dressed in various states of...well, undress. Fabrics used are primarily leather, PVC, silk, satin and lace.
     Annabelle motions further within. "Please... won't you join us? Come in, get comfortable..."
     Smiling back at Valan, she quips, "Well, I have had rave reviews about my parties... and it pleases me that you both are here to enjoy this one. Hmm... I think we shall have some fun tonight, non?"

     Edward steps inside, but the air around him suggests that it's unlikely he'll be partaking of anything. "Was it a social call only?" Edward asks, indeed stepping further into the kingly suites. As he enters the main open sitting area, he's almost knocked over by a girl running by. "Who's raving?" Edward wonders, tipping his nose up faintly, smelling something.
     The living area certainly is the center of a wheel. Spokes radiate around, where several rooms open onto each other and further back into spaces that are more isolated. Edward looks left and right, as if almost inspecting, leaving Valan to make his way behind him. "I thought the point was that no one was supposed to rave about anything," he says in French with a smile, spinning about to see the two of you.
     Ignore whatever is transpiring behind him, of course.
     "How's the Ille?" he asks. The Louvre, Villon, and all that Mess.

     Fingers clasped and Valan's mouth fashions a smile. "Like a wedge of orange on a hot summer day," comes the purr of French. Valan does move behind Edward, but at an even more leisurely pace than Edward. And it's not as if Edward is marching through...
     Silk moves golden against and around him. Though it is buttoned, the occasional movement makes it float a moment, an infantessimal moment that only immortal eyes could catch. Valan turns, looking for a place to drop his ash.
     "I thought raves went out in 2004..." the Most Modern Man murmurs. He looks to Edward, gold flickering in the gaze, in the soft laughter, backing the look he gives him. If we are to talk about what is good enough to eat...
     He looks around the room, eyes moving over the various states of dress and undress, pain and pleasure. He listens to Edward and Annabelle...

     The Madame pauses, seeming to look Valan up and down carefully... as though trying to see through the very fabric of his clothing. There is a quick breath taken, then she smiles. "I could easily lose myself in the vision before me. Ah, but then I'd be rude to my guests! Mind you, Edward, you'd better check that he is with you when you leave... I might just have to keep him."
     Turning, she follows Edward into the suites. "Every call is a social call, Eduard.. you know that. And, well...if you're both going to get technical on me, some punishment can be arranged..." Annabelle purrs with a wink. "Ah, well, it's still there. Things are quieter, overall." Stepping a little closer, her tone changes a little bit. "But... this one is not purely a pleasure call..." A bejeweled hand waves both of you toward a room in the back. One that has been labeled as off-limits to all but her, unless given permission to enter. Her lips don't move, but her voice whispers in Edward's head. We can talk in there... is Valan... safe? Okay to speak around?

     Edward seems to twitch, glancing back at Valan, "He knows everything there is about me that's important," comes a strange, unsolicited comment. There's a smile for Valan, but then Edward moves on to the specified room. "Is Sebastian around?" he asks, knowing what the answer probably is. "I would think, more importantly, is who's in the suites at the moment." They are more likely to figure out anything.

     Seeming satisfied with Edward's answer, she murmurs more quietly, "I'm sorry. Things have been...tense. I have had to be very careful as of late." Careful of what?
     There is a nod from her before she adds, "Mmm. I believe Sebastian is in one of the rooms, oui. I haven't seen him leave yet, so..." She lets that say it all. "As for who else is here... no one I wouldn't trust."
     She opens the door to a truly magnificent bedroom, complete with an immense bed that looks large enough for half a dozen people...or more depending on what's going on. A couple of extremely comfortable-looking chairs are scattered about, amidst dressers, a wardrobe and a full-length mirror. She waits for both of you to enter the room before closing the door.

     A golden eyebrow lifts, but Valan says nothing. He takes ambered glass in his hands and flicks the brown-grey ash. He smokes as he watches those around them, seemingly undaunted by the fact that they might mind it. Undaunted and uncaring.
     Valan glances to Edward as he speaks, a smile for him there, a look that shivers against the bond they share. Still, he says nothing. As he follows Annabelle and Edward into the chamber, still... there is no commentary. As the door is closed, Valan crosses over to an unoccupied chair. His mouth, that mouth, it parts and smoke curls upward from the flesh. The Sun. Who invited him? He sits there, resplendent on the sofa.
     But he is drawing attention to himself. How could he help but do so? The eyes begin to turn to him. There is even a young woman who was in the process of drawing near even as he moved into the room.
     Valan leans over, stamping out his first cigarette, sighing the last taste of smoke. He looks up to Annabelle, glancing to Edward. "Merci, Annabelle... but I am not such a deep forest," he protests. "It would be hard for one such as you to get lost in nothing but a stretch of tall, young grass..."

     Edward moves to another seat not so far from Valan. He crosses his legs immediately, elbows coming to rest on each arm of the chair. He smiles at Valan's comment, but remains quiet.

     The door is closed, shutting off access to the three of you, denying the young woman her pursuit. The last expression on that woman's face was a disappointed pout.
     Turning, yet still standing near the door, Annabelle turns her gaze to Valan, watching him for a moment before smiling. "Well... you would be surprised, jeune homme. You are a work of art." The smile that is offered isn't wicked like before, but warm, pleasant... and it fades nearly as quickly as it arrived.
     Looking down at the floor, her usual disposition flees. The transformation is frighteningly sudden, as though she has been forced to hide what's really going on for much too long. Her shoulders, usually held up and back so proudly, slump. She leans back against the door and barely manages to choke out. "I'm in trouble."

     "You're just now figuring this out?" Edward says smartly, but not sharply. He smiles and waves his hand, elbow pivoting in the motion. "Forgive, Anna," he exhales, "...you were saying..."

     Quick, the golden eyes look to Edward. Trouble? Valan crosses his legs. He wishes for a brandy and looks to his fingers as if it will materialize. My wish is whose command?

     "Non... really. Eduard, someone's after me." She looks up at him at this moment, her eyes sparkling with fear. "I.. I left Paris for an undetermined amount of time, because I fear for my safety." Her voice is lowered, the tone quiet and scared.

     He becomes more serious, a bit confused in truth. "Someone is after you?" Edward restates. "Why?" he asks, shaking his head and furrowing his brow. "Why would someone want to injure you, Anna?" he asks, sitting up in the seat. Feet land flat upon the floor.

     Valan Montague sits back in the comfortable chair, arms stretched out across the chair's. His mouth is blessedly shut. His eyes move back and forth between the two of you as each of you speak.
     Trouble. This woman looks as though she could handle most trouble...
     Hands lace across his flat and gilded stomach and he sinks, settling in for a long night.

     "I don't know. I don't know... a few nights ago, I was attacked. Outright. In my own haven." Her brothel. "Several of my dolls," her 'boys & girls' as some call them, "were injured. They managed to get me out of there before I was hurt." She draws in a shuddering breath and releases it before adding, "Eduard, I seriously don't know who I have pissed off and how, but...they mean business."

     Edward looks at the floor, taking a couple of deep breaths before saying, "Alright." Eyes flicker up, gazing between his lashes. "Who'd want to hurt you? The short list," he says. "Someone upset about one of your boys or girls? Someone you pissed off? Someone not paid? Someone who wants into your business? Someone jealous...something from the past..." he covers all categories to spur thought.
     Suddenly, Edward stands. He takes a left, away from you both, beginning a rather short walk.

     Sinking down with her back to the floor, Annabelle presses the palms of her hands into the plush carpet, as though to steady herself. "I don't know. It could be anyone. It wasn't just one person. It was like a gang of thugs. They just crashed in and started trashing the place, looking for me."
     Shaking her head, she says flatly, "I've always been in the social limelight. And because of that, it's strengthened a lot of ties that I have. I can't lie about that. I suppose that puts me in a bad spot, but..." Who would want to harm someone who has given so much back?

     Valan says nothing. What does he know about the motivations of vampires trying to cash-in on a lucrative and popular business. His fingers slip into the front pocket of his amber shirt, removing the golden lighter and another brown cigarette. This one, cinnamon.
     Gilt-green eyes lift to Edward in concert with the lifting of a golden eyebrow.

     "What have you done in Court?" Edward asks, spurring another line of thoughts. "Politics?" He turns and heads back toward you both, eyes shifting to each of you in turn. "Vampires..." for that's what they are, "...just don't thrash a haven of someone of stature." Oh wait. Edward looks at Anna, "Sure they were vampires? Someone else doing someone's work?"

     "I've done as I've always done in Court." She's flirted, supported who she favoured, and so on. No more than what everyone else does. Nothing extravagant.
     Shaking her head, the Madame murmurs, "No, I don't know that they were vampires." The sudden thought of what else it could be nearly makes her dizzy. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she whispers, "You don't think...?" Hunters? She shivers visibly at the unfinished question.

     Edward shrugs, "I don't know, Anna. I'm trying to get you to tell me," he half-humorously responds. But the quiet follows and Edward turns to see Valan. "Have you had anyone," he continues to ask, "...examine your haven? Forensic and otherwise? We need to know if they left anything behind. Do you have poeple there or is it...abandoned?"

     There is sudden motion, a glimmer of gold. Valan rises from his seat and approaches a set of crystal decanters. There are three colors of liquids: red, violet and gold. He glances back to Edward He smiles. There is not much he can offer in this. He listens. He remains quiet.
     He pours himself a drink...

     Her head shakes again. "No... we didn't report the incident. We returned briefly once we were sure the attackers had left. We packed up, locked up, and came here. I've been watching the papers and have seen nothing surface about it."
     There is a slight pause before she murmurs, "I'm sorry. I'm just such a wreck. I should have examined things when we went back, maybe I could have... seen something, gotten a clue as to who was behind all of this. But I was just so upset and scared, I just left. I didn't even tell Villon what happened or that I was going." She just ran.

     Exhale. Edward nods. "It's alright," he says softly, twisting his lips. This is futile right now. "How long have you been in London," he asks, moving to stand behind Valan's chair. Hands rest on the back as he looks at Annabelle. "And who knows you're here?"

     "Two nights. We arrived last night," Annabelle replies softly, running a hand through her platinum and green locks. As for who knows, she points a thumb behind her, at the door. "Everyone who's in these suites now... and the two of you. Oh, and I phoned Thierry just to let him know I was here." As is proper. "I will be seeing him soon to properly announce my presence. He knows nothing of any of this." Yet.
     There is an apologetic look toward Valan. "Je m'excuse... what a terrible introduction we've had so far. I'm sure you didn't come here expecting to hear about my woes." She offers him a weak smile.

     "Madame," Valan says, pouring golden liquid into a small glass. It is a kind of liqueur. It smells of pear. And cinnamon. "...do not apologize on my account. I am sorry for your troubles. Unfortunately, this is out of my... area of expertise. Please do not take my silence for anything other than..." He sips at the liquid and then smiles, "... simply not having anything to say."
     He makes his way back to the chair slowly, another sip of the pear along the way, and he looks to Edward, offering him the glass. "Besides," Valan turns, looking at the Madame and smiling. "I am sure that you will make it up to me...oui? Some night, some year, in some way." And he laughs. Ha. I am better at this than I thought.
     Valan curls himself up in the chair, one leg crossing over his other. His hair, his eyes, his face all beaming. Even his complexion appears dusted with gold. A play of the lights upon the silk of his shirt, no doubt...

     Valan's lover takes the glass, turning it up at his own lips. A delicious distraction. "It's probably just as well that you go on with business...call it an extended stay in London. Be watchful though," Edward murmurs, "...keep guards watching the elevators, who comes up, who requests passage from downstairs at the elevator car, who gets off the elevator up here. And then, of course, triple-check before you let anyone into the suites proper."
     Edward closes his eyes and takes another drink of the glass before passing it downward to Valan in the seat beneath him. "Don't..." Edward thinks, finger coming up, "...mention this to Thierry yet, hmm? Or Villon. I'd like...to have someone scour your haven...and I'll have someone help watch here." Trustworthy Brujah. "We may...have to watch for a bit. But the first thing...is to find out what we know. No one goes into a place and doesn't leave a trail of information."

     There is a warm smile to Valan as she murmurs, "Thank you." For understanding, and for even just being here. To the comment of repayment, she chuckles. "Of course. I have many methods of repayment that you might find... acceptable." Or enjoyable. But the joking and teasing is set aside again.
      Glancing back at Edward, she nods. "I won't murmur a word to anyone else, unless you tell me to." She trusts Edward's judgement. "I have no guards. If you know of anyone..." It would be appreciated.
     "Thank you, Eduard. I didn't know who exactly to trouble about this... I hoped you wouldn't mind." Looking down at the carpet, she adds, "I was just so terrified that I didn't know what else to do or who to go to." So she picked you.

     Edward breathes above Valan, nodding. "You're smart to leave. If you can give me access, I will have a pair examine the haven. Don't...take anyone new while you are here, hmm?" A nod to that. Obvious. "Only regulars that you know. I'll post a few around and let you know when that happens. If there is a problem, they will know, or you let them know."
     "I think that's...it for now," Edward thinks, looking left and right. "And if you leave Claridge's...let me know, oui?"

     His fingers press to the glass, plucking it like a grape from Edward's hand. Golden pear passes his lips. One last sip and it is done. Valan reaches over, setting the glass upon a small table at the chair's side.
      "We should not leave immediately, Eduard," Valan suggests. "It might raise undo curiosity. Or suspicion." He looks to the Madame and smiles, slim, smooth, warm. "Besides, we would not want to be rude, ne c'est pas?"

     Edward's chin drops to his chest as he looks at the man in the chair below. Beneath the blazer and the thin black shirt, one could almost see Edward's muscles stiffen. "I'd planned on leaving, but if you have other ideas..."

     Rising from the floor, Annabelle straightens out her leather skirt. "Of course. I will be careful, oui. Thankfully, no one has come calling who has not done so before."
     Slowly, she moves aside from the door to allow you both to leave, if you want. "You have my cell number. Feel free to check in if you wish, Eduard. And I will get a key to you tomorrow."
     Looking to Valan as he speaks now, she smiles a bit. "You would not be rude. I have kept both of you from the evening long enough, surely. You are welcome to stay, but I will keep you no further if you have other places to be."

     "What do I know about all of this cloak and dagger business," Valan offers with a laissez-faire smile and shrug. "It was just an idea." And with that, he rises. "Madame, it was a pleasure...I hope you have a peaceful and uneventful visit in London. At least it is summer, it is not so damp."
     Valan stowes his lighter in his pocket, one clove and one cinnamon smoked. A hand goes to Edward's waist and Valan leans in, smiling from his eyes. "You lead, ami," he whispers, though he knows she can hear them, "...and I shall follow, yes?"

     Well, apparently they are leaving. Edward grins and places an arm around Valan. "I will call you tomorrow with details...and when we need to get into the haven, yes?" He moves Valan and himself towards the door where Anna stands. "It will be fine," Edward reassures, smiling. "We'll find out what's going on..."

     "Thank you. I will speak to you tomorrow then... thank you." she says, gratitude plain in her expression.
     "You will both be back soon?" Annabelle asks as you prep to leave. "The party won't likely end till I leave London." She's managed to regain her usual composure, offering both of you that wicked smile of hers.

     Edward's eyes arch and his lips part. But nothing comes out. Instead, his gaze turns to the young man at his side.

     Valan looks to Edward with an upraised brow. Well... I wonder. Will we? And as he sees Edward turn to ask him the same question, he laughs. He does not answer, he merely grins.
     "It was nice meeting you..."

     "Goodnight," Edward exhales, opening the door with his free hand.

     Ah... she caught you both off-guard. Smiling quietly to herself, she murmurs, "Likewise. Safe evening." Then the door is opened again, revealing the sins going on in the suites again. The noise has risen a bit as the party has progressed. There are less dressed people now. Such is the way of things in The Madame's world.

Posted by rowan at August 01, 2003 03:17 PM