The Prince's Summitt (Phae, Esteban)

As it had millions of time before Phae sensed the threshold open to allow yet another lost soul to cross the portal that was Serendipity, looking for something. This time though he soon realized these souls was forever lost. Before his eyes registered it, his other senses indicated a need for the ‘change’. Phae had recently forced down those same urges during his encounter with his betrothed Shaera.

Having opened the door four individuals purposefully strode through. The first to enter…Mr. Brown enforcer and bodyguard to…Esteban Hergovia, philanthropist and Prince of the city...Mr. Blue, weapons master and bodyguard, finally…Ms. Orange, revenant, Lieutenant and paramour to Esteban.

Finding one appropriate, Mr. Brown led the ‘entourage’ to a particular table over by the piano. As the others took up seats he moved two other tables into position such that the entourage sat at one end with a second table between they and the third, just enough seats for the four assembled and the four anticipated.

Breathing deeply Phae steeled himself, slung the bar towel he was holding over his shoulder and trekked around the bar toward what he knew would be a trying encounter.

“Hello Phaedrus.” Hergovia hissed through a flash of pearly white, inch long fangs.

“Esteban” Phae replied tilting his head down and to the side so slightly as to be almost imperceptible. “What can I get for you and your entourage this evening?”

“Phaedrus you know we have a long standing preference for drink.”

Narrowing his eyes slightly he again nodded.

“Don’t let him provoke you Phae’ he repeated to himself walking behind the bar to fill the ‘entourage’s’ order.

“Hey Phae I can’t seem to…” Casey said as she entered the front of the bar and stopped short her statement upon seeing the latest patrons to Serendipity. Simultaneously, upon spying Casey entering the room they all tensed noticeably and made motions toward hidden folds in their clothing.

Phae’s arm outstretched in front of Casey drew her attention and signaled that her ‘icing’ was not at the moment necessary.

When she looked up into his eyes for an explanation she beheld the bloody orbs that foretold of Phae’s struggles and he beheld the golden orbs of one holding back a divine power.

“We can’t control who comes in. They are here for a reason as are we all. When lost souls no longer have a place to rest you and I will no longer be needed.”

Silently, broodingly she crossed behind Phae toward the closed end of the bar and focused on straitening the glassware ever vigilant for any indication from Phae that it was time to ‘ice’.

Satisfied that Casey was ok Phae bent himself to the task of preparing the requested beverages. Reaching into the upright wine cooler he withdraw two units of RBC’s. Dividing that into four snifters he topped each with drams of puffer extract and pressed garlic. The ‘entourage’ felt ingestion of the later in small doses, gastric distress not withstanding, would eventually provide some buffering against the effects when wielded by others. Gathering the four drinks Phae strode to the table, encroaching into a world he had successfully maintained a distance from for far too short a period of time by his own estimation.