As written by CaerBear and Knosis
The Caer smiled, eyeing his 'secretary' as she moved away. "Many people claimed they could destroy my father, and only one of them proved correct. They will pay for it though." A dismissive hand would be waved through the air, like he was lazily swatting at a fly that simply wasn't there. At the same time, one of the jingling briefcases would be lifted from the floor, before being slid across to the wolf-man. "Selling points are that it heals woulds and general sicknesses. If you happen to be healthy and whole, the effects are a little more...interesting. Makes you want to fuck. Makes the world seem much more open and far away. Numb, and pleasantly cool."
"At least thats what my testers have told me. I don't touch it myself, only because I don't do needles. Also, in heavy enough doses, it might cause hallucinations, but very mild ones. You know you're about to OD if you start to see a whole lot of snow, so that's a warning you might want to give out." Inside the finely lined carrier were several three-inch long vials full of a goopious black liquid, thicker than honey and infinitely dark. Like a runny tar. "People can drink it, but a cleaner hit is through the arm."
Scooting back in his massive arm chair, Nox would cross his long, power legs. "Price isn't something I'm so much concerned about as I am with simply getting this stuff to market. I've tried my hand at prepping it for launch, and making sure its not dangerous in small doses. The work has been done, but I could only get so many testers myself. I want to see its success on a much larger market before I move into major production."
Rowan nodded, accepting a glass of water from Zanzi as she returned from behind him. She moved to take her place behind Nox, waiting for her next order, or to watch for any sign that this would go south. It would seem, Zanzi was doing her best to make sure this deal would go into Nox's favor.
"So you want to pass it around to see it how differently it can effect people. Now, the more serious question, do you want this drug passed to just humans, or do you want to test this on all spectrum?" He took a sip of water from the glass. "If what you say on the effects are true, it shouldn't be a problem to sell. Many people in the night life tend to fuck, get high, or stab each other anyway." He muttered, pondering on the subject.
He picked up one of the vials and held it up to try to see through it. "Though, it may be difficult to convince people that something that looks like its been drained from the bottom of a grease pan will give them what they're looking for.." He murmured.
"Don't worry too much about the appearance. There isn't anything I or my producers can do to change the way it looks. Unfortunate, I know, but alas." A hearty shrug, followed by the Caer examining his well kept, razor sharp nails. "But you're right, about wanting it tested as much as possible. Sell it to whoever wants to buy it. I'll let you decide the price. You can keep all the profit as well. I simply don't need the money. This is all..."
Slowly, Nox would reach into a second brief, removing one of the vials for himself to examine. "...A labor of love. The concoction was accidentally discovered, but it has a lot of promise. If my chemists can find a way to purify this stuff, I bet it would replace a lot of pain killers, and that's just a start. That is how good this...beta-phase, barely tested, impure goop is, Mr. Wolf. We just need more test subjects."
"And, not to loop around to a previous point, but that's you. You and your pack. So, do we have a deal? Can I count on you for this simple little drug pushing endeavor?"
Rowan narrowed his eyes and focused on Nox. He was a businessman, and had been for quite some time. He hadn't built his empire overnight, and he often knew that all things 'free' came with a price. He gently placed the vial back into the suit case and folded his fingers together, leaning forward on the table.
He hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "Forgive me, Mr. Caeruleum.. But even a novice businessman would notice that a majority of the benefits of this deal fall on my side, at least.. All the noticeable ones anyway. You're giving me a product to sell for you, for testing as you say yes.. But you care little for the money, which is the biggest reason most of my clients want me to push anything. If this isn't about profit, what is it you plan to gain from this long term? At least, I'm assuming you'd want me to be your pin point of spreading this outside the city to my connections if your tests prove to your liking."
The Caeruleum weren't well known for their.. generosity.
The undead took his shimmering orbs away from his well manicured claws and fixed Rowan with an icy stare. "Because money is useless to me. I don't need any more of it. The Monastic Order seized more than ninety percent of my family's fortune, and what was still left for me to scrounge and gather up over the past half-century would be more than enough for several very pampered life times. I don't need income though. All I need to keep existing, from now until time stops, is fresh meat and fear. I don't need light, or air, or mortal food, or even company."
Leaning forward in his throne, Nox would steeping his fingers together. "You say this deal is too good, too one sided. Well, you're right. All you get is money. I get knowledge. I get to see people experience something they might never get to otherwise. Memories, dear Mr. Wolf, memories are what I seek. After all, the only thing I have left of my family are what I remember, but simply put, all I want is to pass the time. Try something new out. I've never been a kingpin before." The word was spat with vulgar disgust. Kingpin. A title for weak men.
"But I understand. Doing business with the Caeruleum name, should word get out, would put your entire pack in some very hot water." Nox would snap his fingers. "Zanzi, dear, bring me a white, one of the ones on the top shelf, would you? And a glass, or two, or three. I'm feel like sharing."
It was all he could do to keep himself from leaping across the dark table and strangling the mongrel. This should have been simple. Barbaric mutts like to be neck deep in crime of all sorts, but now of all times they decide to get suspicious. While waiting for his wine, the Patriarch did he best to keep the corners of his mouth from twitching into snarls and grimaces. "What do I need to tell you, or give you, to make this work?"
Zanzi nodded softly and moved to do as she was bid. Rowan met the Caer's stare and couldn't help but notice the hairs on the back of his neck rising. His own blue hues seemed to glow in the dark as a response, a frown on his lips.
"Mr. Caeruleum.." He said, leaning forward as well. "I think you misunderstand me. I have been talking this entire time as if expecting to take this deal. I don't give a damned about the risk, call it.. A thrill mind you. See, I do have something I'd like to ask in return instead. One thing you may find more entertaining."
Zanzi returned with the bottle of white wine Nox had requested and poured two glasses as requested. "You see, you've caught me at an awkward moment is all. My turf.. Is currently being pushed upon, which causes issues with my business, as you can imagine." He stated. "I have to make the decision of defending my turf, or keeping my clients happy. But, perhaps maybe.. You can help me out with an extermination problem? In exchange, I'll pass this," he gestured to the cases, "as hard and as fast as I can. For as long as you would like as well. Hell, if it is to your satisfaction, I'll personally see to it it pushes out the city as well."
The light flared to life behind Nox's long dead eyes and he stood in an instant. This was what he had been bred to do! Finally, some one commanding violence from him! Orders! "Yes! Who is it? Who do you want me to kill?!" The sick joy behind the Caers voice seemed to reverberate around the room, over and over, getting stronger with each echo.
"Is it the Bloodstones? The Church? My cowardly kindred who stood by?! Who do you want dead?! I need you to tell me!" Nox wished with all his black heart for it to be dogs! The idea of finally getting to stalk the nights, skinning mutts to the bone! Breaking into their houses, ripping their pups apart! It would be...nostalgic...
The Caer smiled, eyeing his 'secretary' as she moved away. "Many people claimed they could destroy my father, and only one of them proved correct. They will pay for it though." A dismissive hand would be waved through the air, like he was lazily swatting at a fly that simply wasn't there. At the same time, one of the jingling briefcases would be lifted from the floor, before being slid across to the wolf-man. "Selling points are that it heals woulds and general sicknesses. If you happen to be healthy and whole, the effects are a little more...interesting. Makes you want to fuck. Makes the world seem much more open and far away. Numb, and pleasantly cool."
"At least thats what my testers have told me. I don't touch it myself, only because I don't do needles. Also, in heavy enough doses, it might cause hallucinations, but very mild ones. You know you're about to OD if you start to see a whole lot of snow, so that's a warning you might want to give out." Inside the finely lined carrier were several three-inch long vials full of a goopious black liquid, thicker than honey and infinitely dark. Like a runny tar. "People can drink it, but a cleaner hit is through the arm."
Scooting back in his massive arm chair, Nox would cross his long, power legs. "Price isn't something I'm so much concerned about as I am with simply getting this stuff to market. I've tried my hand at prepping it for launch, and making sure its not dangerous in small doses. The work has been done, but I could only get so many testers myself. I want to see its success on a much larger market before I move into major production."
Rowan nodded, accepting a glass of water from Zanzi as she returned from behind him. She moved to take her place behind Nox, waiting for her next order, or to watch for any sign that this would go south. It would seem, Zanzi was doing her best to make sure this deal would go into Nox's favor.
"So you want to pass it around to see it how differently it can effect people. Now, the more serious question, do you want this drug passed to just humans, or do you want to test this on all spectrum?" He took a sip of water from the glass. "If what you say on the effects are true, it shouldn't be a problem to sell. Many people in the night life tend to fuck, get high, or stab each other anyway." He muttered, pondering on the subject.
He picked up one of the vials and held it up to try to see through it. "Though, it may be difficult to convince people that something that looks like its been drained from the bottom of a grease pan will give them what they're looking for.." He murmured.
"Don't worry too much about the appearance. There isn't anything I or my producers can do to change the way it looks. Unfortunate, I know, but alas." A hearty shrug, followed by the Caer examining his well kept, razor sharp nails. "But you're right, about wanting it tested as much as possible. Sell it to whoever wants to buy it. I'll let you decide the price. You can keep all the profit as well. I simply don't need the money. This is all..."
Slowly, Nox would reach into a second brief, removing one of the vials for himself to examine. "...A labor of love. The concoction was accidentally discovered, but it has a lot of promise. If my chemists can find a way to purify this stuff, I bet it would replace a lot of pain killers, and that's just a start. That is how good this...beta-phase, barely tested, impure goop is, Mr. Wolf. We just need more test subjects."
"And, not to loop around to a previous point, but that's you. You and your pack. So, do we have a deal? Can I count on you for this simple little drug pushing endeavor?"
Rowan narrowed his eyes and focused on Nox. He was a businessman, and had been for quite some time. He hadn't built his empire overnight, and he often knew that all things 'free' came with a price. He gently placed the vial back into the suit case and folded his fingers together, leaning forward on the table.
He hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "Forgive me, Mr. Caeruleum.. But even a novice businessman would notice that a majority of the benefits of this deal fall on my side, at least.. All the noticeable ones anyway. You're giving me a product to sell for you, for testing as you say yes.. But you care little for the money, which is the biggest reason most of my clients want me to push anything. If this isn't about profit, what is it you plan to gain from this long term? At least, I'm assuming you'd want me to be your pin point of spreading this outside the city to my connections if your tests prove to your liking."
The Caeruleum weren't well known for their.. generosity.
The undead took his shimmering orbs away from his well manicured claws and fixed Rowan with an icy stare. "Because money is useless to me. I don't need any more of it. The Monastic Order seized more than ninety percent of my family's fortune, and what was still left for me to scrounge and gather up over the past half-century would be more than enough for several very pampered life times. I don't need income though. All I need to keep existing, from now until time stops, is fresh meat and fear. I don't need light, or air, or mortal food, or even company."
Leaning forward in his throne, Nox would steeping his fingers together. "You say this deal is too good, too one sided. Well, you're right. All you get is money. I get knowledge. I get to see people experience something they might never get to otherwise. Memories, dear Mr. Wolf, memories are what I seek. After all, the only thing I have left of my family are what I remember, but simply put, all I want is to pass the time. Try something new out. I've never been a kingpin before." The word was spat with vulgar disgust. Kingpin. A title for weak men.
"But I understand. Doing business with the Caeruleum name, should word get out, would put your entire pack in some very hot water." Nox would snap his fingers. "Zanzi, dear, bring me a white, one of the ones on the top shelf, would you? And a glass, or two, or three. I'm feel like sharing."
It was all he could do to keep himself from leaping across the dark table and strangling the mongrel. This should have been simple. Barbaric mutts like to be neck deep in crime of all sorts, but now of all times they decide to get suspicious. While waiting for his wine, the Patriarch did he best to keep the corners of his mouth from twitching into snarls and grimaces. "What do I need to tell you, or give you, to make this work?"
Zanzi nodded softly and moved to do as she was bid. Rowan met the Caer's stare and couldn't help but notice the hairs on the back of his neck rising. His own blue hues seemed to glow in the dark as a response, a frown on his lips.
"Mr. Caeruleum.." He said, leaning forward as well. "I think you misunderstand me. I have been talking this entire time as if expecting to take this deal. I don't give a damned about the risk, call it.. A thrill mind you. See, I do have something I'd like to ask in return instead. One thing you may find more entertaining."
Zanzi returned with the bottle of white wine Nox had requested and poured two glasses as requested. "You see, you've caught me at an awkward moment is all. My turf.. Is currently being pushed upon, which causes issues with my business, as you can imagine." He stated. "I have to make the decision of defending my turf, or keeping my clients happy. But, perhaps maybe.. You can help me out with an extermination problem? In exchange, I'll pass this," he gestured to the cases, "as hard and as fast as I can. For as long as you would like as well. Hell, if it is to your satisfaction, I'll personally see to it it pushes out the city as well."
The light flared to life behind Nox's long dead eyes and he stood in an instant. This was what he had been bred to do! Finally, some one commanding violence from him! Orders! "Yes! Who is it? Who do you want me to kill?!" The sick joy behind the Caers voice seemed to reverberate around the room, over and over, getting stronger with each echo.
"Is it the Bloodstones? The Church? My cowardly kindred who stood by?! Who do you want dead?! I need you to tell me!" Nox wished with all his black heart for it to be dogs! The idea of finally getting to stalk the nights, skinning mutts to the bone! Breaking into their houses, ripping their pups apart! It would be...nostalgic...
