Alec and Fiorenza 2020

02/09/20

Alec stood in the dining area of his Brooklyn Heights apartment looking out of the sliding glass doors to the balcony and into the nighttime city skyline. It was a quiet evening with the drear and rain of the past few days subsiding. Ysa sat at the island with ‘un cafecito’ in her hand sipping the dark strong coffee. “I’m going to call Fiorenza.” He said, without looking at her.

>Could you spare a few moments to talk ma’am.

Alec turned away from the scenic view and walked over toward Ysa laying his phone on the granite counter top. He knew better than to expect an immediate response from the Prince of Mexico City. “There are some things I’d rather her hear from me.”

Ysa smiled. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course cariña. And I trust that everything I do worth discussing finds her ears.” He smiled back. 

Ysa smirked but didn’t respond.

A quiet few minutes passed before Ysa spoke.

“So.” She said, “Tell me about this Banu Hakim? Elena was more than a bit upset. I don’t think I like him.” Her eyes narrowed as she waited for Alec to answer. 

“Ellie’s making more of it than she should. Naz is ok. He has similar values. It was a harmless prank.”

“Elena feels differently.”

“It was all a joke and no one got hurt.”

“Not yet. I’ll be keeping an eye on him and I know she isn’t going to let it go so easily.”

Alec shook his head as a buzzing on the table drew their attention. 

<xx xxx xxx xxxx

Alec quickly picked up his phone and answered.

“Hello.”

“Alexander my boy, How are you this evening.”

“I’m well Fiorenza. Thank you for asking. Yourself?”

“I am good and somewhat busy. This line will remain secure for a short time. What is it you want to tell me dear boy?”

“Well ma’am, On Friday I was summoned to the Prince’s Elysium. It seems there is a group of Shadows here in N.Y. looking for admission to the Tower. Four were admitted four were…” He paused.

“That is the standard protocol at this time. What else?”

“The Prince placed me in a coterie with five others with the purpose of dealing with a trespassing shadow in her domain. We discovered in two days time that he had been drained of everything by a gang of Duskborn. We brought two in to see the Prince and they remain in the custody of the Sheriff. There were no other survivors. As a reward, we were granted a domain and a small boon from the Prince herself.”

“Well done my boy. Now quickly tell me about this coterie that has your sire so irate.”

“There is a Son of Hakim. Naz. He is sired by one of Horus’s children. He appears competent and respectful of the law. Wylee is a Warlock. He is Egg Shen’s childe and was a day overdue working on some clan project. Corey is a Hedonist, just as you’d expect from a musician. He’s actually very popular and well known. We’ll have to see how that works out considering he was just embraced and knows less than nothing about our ways. Scrim is Rabble from New Orleans. I’m not quite sure why he left there for NY. He’s reckless and impulsive but good muscle. He’ll need to be monitored to keep his behavior in line. The last is one of the four newly admitted Shadows, Marshall. He was an MMA fighter and doesn’t know who sired him. He was the one Sophie adopted a while back.”

“Yes I remember.”

“He’s quiet and low key and wants to prove himself for his sake as well as his people and foster sire.”

“Splendid my boy. Is there anything else?”

“No ma’am. I’ll have Ysa submit a more complete report when she meets with you next and I’ll forward you the information regarding the domain when it is established.”

“Well done Alexander. Good night my dear boy.”

“Good night Fiorenza.”

The line went dead.

Alec looked over to Ysa. “Did I forget anything?”

“No. I’d say you were rather concise Alec.”

“Good. Do you have the information on the potential domain locations I asked you to research? I know I was rather vague but the only information Winston would share with me at this time was we’ve been granted an area about the size of city block. The ‘where’ is what we have to determine. I’d like to have some ideas to present to the others before we meet.”

“Understood. There are some things you’ll want to consider. The first is its chasse, that is how well-stocked, vulnerable, and rich the domain is as a hunting ground. This quality varies radically, depending on the specific city geography.”

“I see.”

“Then there’s what we refer to as lien. This describes how well integrated the coterie is into their domain. Things like interacting peacefully with native mortals; finding something, someone, or somewhere specific within the domain; finding out the word on the street, or the ability to otherwise investigate something within the domain are important considerations.”

“Agreed.”

Lastly there is portillon, how secure the domain is against intrusion or disruption from other vampires, mortal police or predators, the Second Inquisition, etc. You get the idea.”

Alec nodded.

“So with that in mind I found one particular location that I think will meet your needs nicely. The area in my opinion is most desirable. It is a 200 foot by 300 foot square encompassing Chrystie Street between Stanton Street and Rivington Street, squared off by Bowery. There are many benefits to this location. To begin, there is a subway station two blocks away for anyone requiring or desiring to use public transportation. The square is home to a great number of profitable businesses. I’m aware of your wishes to acquire an entertainment venue to host dancing, musical performers as well as live and viewed sporting events. There are two such spaces there that can accommodate this function. There are several local bars and pubs that will provide fertile hunting to most of your coterie. For Wylee, there is a walk-in clinic where bagged blood can be ordered and acquired without much consternation. There is a new museum space that I think you will find interesting and a newly constructed office building for all the coterie’s professional dealings that you should be able to acquire easily enough. A second building is currently being renovated and might prove useful for a future purpose.”

“Very good. Parking?”

“The office building has a private below ground parking area that is quite secure. In addition there is a central parking garage adjacent to all the major sites in the area that can easily be accessed by enclosed walkways.”

“Excellent. Is there anything else of interest?”

“The custom men’s clothing shop is very reputable and you’ll find their craftsmanship up to your expectations. There is even a warehouse and building supply space that will prove useful for discretionary improvements. Of course there are other businesses in the area but I chose to highlight these as particularly useful. I would think a bar or club might be a priority acquisition for you if not the coterie.” 

“Very good Ysa. I appreciate your help.”

Ysa smiled. “So what next?”

“I’ll have to present this to the coterie to be sure we all approve and agree. In the meantime, set up a meeting with the realtor selling the office building. Find out what it would cost to acquire and put in an offer using one of the shell company’s as a purchaser. Also see if the gallery is interested in leasing its space. I think I could use the location as a second site to display and sell artwork for the Dragomir group.”

“I’ll attend to it first thing in the morning.”

“Thanks. I guess we should head back to the auction house. I’m sure Anastasiya has worked herself halfway to frenzy. Best I be there to settle her down a bit. She didn’t take the Prince’s orders well.”

“Aww. That makes me sad to hear.” Ysabelle responded dryly. “No. Actually it doesn’t.”

Alec tilted his head. “I don’t need her having a meltdown and complicating my life. Then we all suffer.”

“True.” Ysa pursed her lips. “Would you like me to bring the car around?”

“No it’s ok. I’ll walk out with you.” 

“You’re easy to work for Alec.”

“I’d like to think we work together Ysa. I hope you know I don’t see you as hired help.”

Ysa smiled. “Thanks for saying so. It means alot to me.”

Alec returned her smile. “You mean alot to me. Shall we go cariña?”

“Vamos mijo.” She answered and they left.