Alysia had promised Kitty she'd take care of it. While she was only peripherally acquainted with Viki, the reasons didn't really matter, except for curiosity. Kitty could have been facing a firestorm for protecting a stray animal, and the Priestess' response would have been the same. She had never been able to tolerate a threat to friend or family, and inaction was not acceptable. Not if she wanted to stay sane, anyway.
---
As Lord Veighn Yhaull made his way through the Red Dragon Inn, a number of eyes were upon him. Some watched with fear and distrust, some with coy stares. His own gaze, blood-red and devoid of pupils, was unreadable and seemed to ignore those who cast admiring glances in his direction. Noting his appearance, Alysia tasted the rich, complex coffee prepared by Sylvia, then set the mug aside. A single movement, slow and languid, settled the small of her back against the bar, her left hand resting lightly upon her thigh. The Li'Ved dagger sheathed there became briefly visible, a gleam of the rising phoenix crest of her father's family. Then the Priestess stilled, appearing as nothing so much as a statute of alabaster, shadow and silver.
With a deliberate pace, Veighn turned toward the bar, heavy velveteen robes billowing with the movements. Shadows coiled around him, hissing, and he came to a halt near the Priestess, head canted to the side as he withdrew his cowl. His hair was loose though well groomed, falling in a cascade about his shoulders. "Priestess..," he said very quietly. He offered a nod in formality, solemn, his features grim as the face of Death. He glanced down to her thigh, and back to her eyes slowly, meeting her gaze head on unflinchingly. His chin lifted a bit and his hands moved to form a steeple before his abdomen, sleeves billowing as fingers touched those of the adjacent hand at each tip. His lips formed a taut purse. "I see that ye appearance is not ornamental," he smirked caustically, again eyeing the unspoken threat of her dagger. He gaze lazily traced back to Alysia's face. "Subtle, I will admit."
"Lord Veighn Yhaull," said Alysia. The name alone, spoken in a silken contralto, was greeting, even as he whispered her title. She continued, mildly, "I make a grand ornament when I need to be merely decorative. I rarely find myself in such a situation. Just as I rarely find subtlety to suit my needs. I understand you have a certain . . .need to speak with me."
"Aye.. it is my wish to speak to ye... as I have not confirmed that the talk of the proclaimed ward is more weighty than one has a penchant to expect. Tis almost reminescent of the lesson of names of power... Though I will surpass that explanation and move into the position to reveal the point." He paused for her go-ahead.
"Do come to the point, Veighn," said Alysia in a smooth, purring contralto. A slow blink of her smoldering crimson eyes; amidst the expressionless countenance she wears: that alone gave indication of her thoughts.
"Ye aforementioned ward -" He gestured without looking, with a languid sweep of his left hand toward Kitty Helston's vicinity. "I had the displeasure of meeting some time back. Then, I knew her not, however, she made herself manifest as a rather irritating thorn in my side when I was moving into closing the deal on a recent ... venture of mine." The word "recent", with one of his age, could mean relatively "less recent", and Alysia was well aware of that. She inclined her head almost imperceptibly in response to the gesture. Even without looking, the Priestess was well aware of to whom he referred, felt Kitty's -presence- with the corner of her thoughts.
"In her interference," Veighn continued, "I lost the chance to garner what it was I sought from the individual.. and any future attempt to puersuade the individual otherwise without great effort on my part. The loss was of great value. Moreover, she chose to accost me thereafter..." His eyes narrowed. "The injury was slight.. though the intent was murderous, I assure ye. For that, and the loss.. I sought recompense."
What in all the Hells did he want with Viki, anyway, Alysia wondered. What venture could possibly have. . .
Kitty suddenly eyed Veighn with a raised brow. He continued on. "The eve past, I sought to collect upon the debt, when in her mixture of haughty, faux bravery and tinge of panic,she mentioned one name which stayed my hand. As ye well know, that name belongs to ye."
Alysia interrupted quietly. "If Kitty's intent was murderous, I suspect you would not be enjoying your present vitality, Lord Veighn."
"Murderous or nae, I am no mere rabid dog to be put down so easily." Veighn spoke dismissively. "That aside, in retrospect of our ... "cordial" relationship of... mutual respect for one another, I decided that I would first seek ye out before I made a move toward any end."
