Welcome to Gaia! ::

Will wasn't startled at all by the psychic message. He'd been expecting it, really. What little intel his organization had on the other races Elders had indicated that the vampire known as Rogue was a Psychic vampire, although some speculated that she was of a mixed heritage. Regardless, she was known to have psychic abilities, and thus he was prepared for her voice in his mind. Besides, he lived with Krii'Ouse, Lydia, and half a dozen other psychics that were amongst the Hunters. He was used to such forms of communication by now.

Gathering his concentration, he projected a concentrated thought towards where the psychic emenations had come from, certain that Rogue would most likely pick it up. 'Thank you, Elder Rogue. I shall be up shortly.'

Casually walking through the crowded dance floor, Will ignored the startled glances he gained from the vampires he passed. Not often a Hunter came in here alone and unarmed, he supposed. Mostly because he'd royally ream out any one of his people who would be stupid enough to do what he was doing now. Making his way to the stairs, Will took careful note of where all the potential exits and escape routes were. If things went south, running was his only chance and a slim one at that.

Climbing the winding stairwell, he soon found himself in front of the ebony colored door which had been described to him. The guard standing next to it nodded at him and pulled it open. Will nodded back in thanks before stepping forwar into the room.

His first impression of Rogue as he saw her surveying the club through her window was that she was beautiful, filled with the unearthly and surreal beauty all vampiresses seemed to share. Right after that was the impression that here stood true supernatural power, a vampiric noble overlooking her court. First impressions were usually dead on the money, and he hoped that he didn't screw this up; he needed her to listen to him with open ears and to judge his case fairly. Respectfully, he bowed lowly, head now level with his waist. "Elder, I thank you for granting me an audience. You are most kind. I hope I have not disturbed you."

She got in with little difficuly, steeling her mind against the music, the lights, and the people. Drawing much attention from her visable cleavage and her ultra low rise pants, the psychic did her best to ignore the males as she searched for Rogue.

A thought came to her; she would not have to search for Rogue. Rogue would know Lydia was here, and would hopefully make contact with her. She made her way through the crowd, feeling a bit of Rogue's pressence nearby. Oh yes, Rogue would know she was here.

Will was about to kindly refuse her offer, when her comment about Lydia stopped him cold. He'd been expecting many things from Rogue. Her anger at him being a Hunter with a rep for killing many vamps in the last seven years since he first took up his axe, certainly. Her amused mockery of his foolhardy bravery in coming here, of course. Yet he was not expecting her to make such a statement; he hadn't been aware that Lydia knew Rogue but by the sounds of it they were familiar with one another. Will straightened and sighed. "That is... difficult, Elder Rogue. Lydia is one of many strong, attractive women who are actively pursuing me. I'm trying to avoid closer relations with any of them as it would impede my ability to lead and cause some degree of tension amongst my people, although I will admit to being less than successful. Truthfully, I'd be lying if I said that the thought of Lydia pushing me into her bed didn't fill me with a sense of pleasure despite the complications I'm sure it would cause. But I... I would feel as if I were taking advantage of Lydia. She is so wise and knowledgable in some areas, but naive in others. I'm not sure it would be right, pursuing intimate relations with her."

Moving slowly and keeping his hands at his sides, Will strode up to the window, but not quite close enough to peer out onto the dance floor as he was keeping a respectful distance behind and to the side of Rogue. "I'm not the sort of man to take advantage of a woman, Elder. Call me old fashioned or chauvinistic, but I believe that women are gifts from God. They make a hard life bearable. A good woman is a man's comfort and his strength. Eve was created from Adam, so I believe that just as man is earth and sod refined into a living being, woman is man refined."

His voice hitched in remembered pain. "It is actually that belief that started me on this path. When I was younger, I came across a vampire feeding off of a young woman I knew. He attacked her, used her, and threw her aside like a used candy wrapper when he was done. What I saw, Elder Rogue... It was more than just something fulfilling the need for food. In my mind, what I saw was akin to RAPE. That's why I've continued in this terrible, horrifying, bloody business. To stop those of your kind who treat humans not even like animals but like THINGS that are meant to be used and discarded at the whim of the user. I don't want what I saw that night to ever happen to anyone I know."

Finally he smiled. "But I learned quickly that not every vampire is like that. Many respect humans, and simply feed for survival as opposed to killing for sport or sick pleasure. Some even seek to protect humans in their own way; nearly a quarter of the Hunters I command are actually vampires whether you believe it or not. One of my second-in-commands is a vampire, the other is a lycan. So my mission is not to eliminate vampires as a whole, because you have as much right to live as we do, but to protect as many people as I can from vampires like the one I first saw that awful night so many years ago."

"But I did not come here to bore you or waste your time with my life story. I'm well aware of your attitude towards me and my people; simply put you hate us. Yet at the same time, I heard that you are not wholly disrespectful towards human beings, and that you are a fair judge in some regards; whether such is true or not I do not know as I've merely heard rumors, but I am here to see for myself."

Will paused a moment to take a deep breath, than continued. "I have heard from a reliable source that many of your people, lycanthropes, and demons have gone missing in the last few weeks. Naturally, you believe us to be the cause. A logical assumption, one that I myself would reach if I were in your position. What you don't know however is that we're having the same problem. Six Hunters have gone MIA this week alone, and most of them are presumed dead. Furthermore, our weekly tallies have gone drastically down; hunting has come to a standstill. You might not believe me, but we have no responsibility for these disappearances. Hate us as you probably must, but I at least ask that you don't hate us for something we didn't do."

Another brief pause before he continued further. "I have ordered my people to stand down. As of now, all Hunters under my command are not to start any hostilities, and the majority will be remaining in safe houses. I have ordered this and have come here peacefully as a show of good faith, to demonstrate that we had nothing to do with these recent attacks. My hope is that the real perpetrators are found, and my organization absolved of guilt. I also know that all the Elders of the vampire, lycans, and demons gathered to discuss what should be done about these disappearances, especially as it concerns the Hunters. I find it troubling that we were not allowed a representative at this meeting, and I would appreciate it if another one could be convened, this time with my involvement."

Will took another step forward, eyes catching Rogue's as a hint of steel entered his face and voice. "Of course, I am here alone and without weapons. I am at your mercy. If you believe that I have been lying to you with everything I've said and that I deserve execution as opposed to death out on the field someday, I can't stop you. But if I die, my vampiric second-in-command will assume leadership, and he does not believe in species co-existence as I do, at least not as strongly. This could be the only chance to avoid a lot of needless casualties on both sides. I'm willing to die for my people, to keep as many of them from getting killed as possible. That is a leader's sworn oath, to think of the mission, his people, and then himself, in that order and with that priority. I'm willing to take a risk if it has a chance of bettering those I'm responsible for. The only question now, Elder, is do you feel the same way?"

"I would have been fine by myself..." She sighed. "But I am grateful for the company. Thank you." She turned to face Edith, a kind look to her face. "I really do appreciate your concern, but I have nothing to fear in this place. The owner would not allow me to die just yet." Lydia knew full well that Rogue would not allow the psychic huntress to die just yet.

"But perhaps you can help me. Come" Lydia said, taking Edith's wrist and pulling her off of the dance floor and into a more secluded part of the establishment. "Keep a watch out please, and tell me if anyone notices what I am doing." Her eyes opened all the way and went white, but the psychic made sure to cover it as best she could.

Rogue, may I meet with you somewhere soon? I believe I will accept your offer of taking the dream away, by whatever means we can. She thought to Rogue using her powers and the connection between them.

*His reaction noble enough to her slight taunting..she looked at him after he spoke for awhile with an expressionless stare.



She was relieved to hear the hunter's were not behind the madness. She believed him as she surveyed his aura. He was not lying.

"We are leaders, and I would take the same chance were I in your position.

The elders of the races did gather to discern what was going on...and being that we all had suspicions of the hunters, why would we invite the culprit to our meeting?"
*She took a drag on her cigarette and it was then that she heard Lydia.*
What did you have in mind, my dear?

I am willing to try anything at this point. It is obvious that nothing will come of this except my own disappointment and sorrow, and it is as plain as day that William feels for me only as a fellow hunter and friend, nothing more. She felt as if she was going to cry for a moment before getting herself under control.

Even if I risk death or the eraadication of my self by this, I will do anything, Rogue. Anything to get rid of this.

*"hey here your drink" the bartender said. Animus reached behind him and took the drink in hand, pounding it back. The scent of vampires and other breeds of creaturs filled the club and his anger began to rise* this isn't good * animus remaked under his breath. placing the empty glass on the counter he made his way toward the exit* no need for me to stay and get myself worked up, i'll get a fresh start tomorrow *Animus walked out of the club and made his way down the street*