2423/Anvil and Hammer

Anvil and Hammer
Date of Scene:	11 July 2020
Location:	The Wick
Synopsis:	The
Cast of Characters:	Michael Morbius, Claudius Aelecto

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Michael Morbius has posed:
The Prince of New York City. What a title for a Nobel Prize-winner.

He eschews the pomp and circumstance of his predecessor, choosing a quiet table instead of the "throne" in the corner booth, he nevertheless plays his role. It is 11 PM, and the "vampires" are here, collecting to engage in their own dreams of dark immortality, of feigned ennui, of being haunted and special before returning to their normal existences as bank tellers, or venture capitalists, or bodega cashiers. Here, they are distraught monsters.
And the one known as "Morbius" is their Prince.
It's all a facade. They come to him seeking favors that they really don't want him to handle. But he plays his role, too. So, the two young women nearby gaze upon him, seeing him as something more than the usual posers.

They'd be right, of course, but let's not share THAT too much.

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto is wearing a long thick robe that is black which covers his face and body, but that isnt as out of place here as it might otherwise seem. He looks around, curious about the place, not getting the kind of read he expected. Frankly, the tip he stole from the computer here told him that he might have read the latlong coordinates wrong. But as it is, he is here to watch and listen, not bust heads, so he moves to the bar and puts some cash down on the table for a jack and coke, getting a feel for the place.

Michael Morbius has posed:
The bartender nods to Mr. Alecto. New blood, as it were, but it is bad form to "freak out the mundanes," as his odd clientele would say. At least the drink isn't watered down, and the bartender places the tumbler glass on the napkin, his change next to it. Quick, methodical, professional.

"First timer? It can get a little weird in here, but they know when to back off. If they get too weird, just say 'mundane' and they'll back off quick."

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto leans forward a bit and his unnaturally blue eyes shine in the light, "I'm used to weird. I hear interesting things." He is here to get the lay of the place not start asking around for the target he is seeking. But he keeps his ears out. He could spread bugs around the place but its bad form. As it is, he is going to enjoy a drink and see what happens. But Ark may be here. He only has a vague description.

Michael Morbius has posed:
The bartender nods. "Don't start trouble, won't be trouble. An old saw that still cuts." He gives a subtle nod to the pale man with the long black hair and the black suit. "Anything you need help with, other than the Jack-and-coke?"

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto nods. It is something he has learned himself. He considers, "I am looking for a guy named Ark. Well dressed. Spends more money than he should have. Black hair, brown eyes." He had been prepared to do low key but, since the guy was asking. "I can pay for information." He puts a hundred on the table. "Or, I can enjoy a nice drink and a room full of ambiance.

Michael Morbius has posed:
the bartender nods, making the c-note disappear in a quick move Houdini would have approved of.
"Talk to the guy at the table there. Name's MORBIUS. Suits him. You want to play a role tonight. Protects you and him." The barkeep looked thoughtful. "I always advise that you act like someone in service to a more powerful someone, whose name you won't share. You'd be surprised how well that works."

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto considers. "Yeah I can do that." He has been on errands for enough toughs before that he can play the part. But frankly, he has an edge here. He nods to the bartender and walks towards Morbius, weaving in and out of the increasing people in the club and heads towards the throne. He nods, "Name's Anvil. I was told to seek you out for some information I've been hired to get for my employer.

Michael Morbius has posed:
The guy looks up, and...
Wow, he's SPOOKY up close. Eyes of bright crimson, a deathly pallor so complete one cannot tell what makeup he uses, and when he smiles politely, Claudius can see the sharp fangs. Whatever the others are doing, he doubled down on.
Maybe that's why he's the "Prince."

"Have a seat...Anvil." He looks to the two girls, college-age girls in leather and lace, a redhead and a blonde. "Pardon us."
The two women nods and draw back to another table, but have not left.
"Thank you for seeing me, Anvil. I am Morbius. I will not inquire as to your...employer, but as to what you need."

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto nods and is pleased at Morbius's discretion. Sleek is a careful ID and he didnt want to have to link the two personas but the courier has enough street cred to be...well...credible. He gets straight to business and manages not to oggle the girls. If they're gothy...well...he isnt. He nods and goes on, "Guy named Ark. I've got reason to believe he frequents this place. Likely up to some bad business. Talks big, spends more money for someone of such limited intelligence but seems to know lots of big people. Likely talks about the big people he knows to get attention.

Michael Morbius has posed:
Morbius looks thoughtful. "Let me think for a moment." He rubs his chin, giving an odd Fu Manchu vibe, before he nods. "Yes. He was here a few nights ago. Black hair, brown eyes, thin, wore an Armani suit. One of the cheaper, newer ones. Some style, some money, but not quite aware of the fact that class cannot be purchased or displayed like a Rolex watch..." He looks back to Claudius. "Does this sound like the man you are looking for?"

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto nods, "Thats correct. Any information you have about a last name or way of contacting him or finding him would be....appreciated. My employer is prepared to make it most worth the while..." he shrugs, "You dont exactly seem short on funds," he smiles, "but there might be other ways he can help. I am empowered to negotiate within reason.

Michael Morbius has posed:
Morbius chuckles. "Consider it a point of honor, a favor showed to a stranger. I do not have a number, but I do know that he had a matchbook from the lounge of a small hotel in Brooklyn called the Goshawk. The Goshawk Hotel. Yes, that was it. It may not be much, but it would be worth a few nights of observation. He favors Grey Goose, BTW. Made a big deal of it. So, I suppose any liquor stores in the area might have seen him."

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto says, "That's more than I had." He nods and seems impressed, throwing the hood back with his electric blue hair and metalic blue eyes standing out, but....thanks to the nature of the bar not standing out as much. "That favor is definitely to be honored." He writes an email, well encrpted on a napkin, "If you need something stolen or dealt with, I'm in the business. I specialize in doing it ....anonymously from a distance."

Michael Morbius has posed:
Morbius takes the email address, nodding to himself. "We shall see what happens. I wish you luck in your quest."
Yeah, he actually said "quest."
"If you wish to return, know you are welcome here. The court formally recognizes your rights as a citizen of New York."
A little pompous, but he says it with a surprising amount of gravitas.

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto is a bit surprised by that last statement. But having a bar outside of mutant town where he doesnt have to wear the robe is good. "I appreciate that." Now he is curious, "I...am curious if you dont mind my asking.....how exactly does the whole....court thing work?

Michael Morbius has posed:
Morbius smiles. "Acknowledge me as the de facto 'Prince,' but I don't go for grand gestures. I'm usually here, so if you see someone talking to me, just stand at the corner of the bar and I'll work it out with you. Apart from that...think of it as a royal court, with dancing and flirting."

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto says, "I can handle that. Not that unlike the gangs of Mutant town but a lot more formal. I think a bit of tradition adds some..." he thinks of a word, "prestige...to the whole endevor, but your house, your rules. Definitely can call you prince. Or...Morbius or whatever."

Michael Morbius has posed:
"I prefer Morbius. I am not so hung up on titles as my predecessor. It looks as though someone is trying to get my attention, though..."
He looks to the corner of the bar, where a steampunk blonde is waiting, biting her lip nervously.

Claudius Aelecto has posed:
Claudius Aelecto smiles, "But of course. Thanks for the tip...Morbius." He salutes and goes to see a man about some Vodka and an Anvil from 20 feet up......