Trinity Universe: Masked Men

[Archer21]

Ulf' strides up the stairs as if the number & height of the things were as nothing...

As the various masked men reach the apex of the stairs [&, most likely, meet each other] they find that they [the stairs, not the masked men  ] terminate short of the penthouse. It appears that only a single elevator services that floor

Stopping at the stairwell door, the primitive warrior frowns. He could have sworn he heard something...slamming the door open with his shoulder, the twin Fangs of Fenrir whistle from their sheathes as he prepares for battle! ::shocked

Noticing that it's only Whistler and Echo waiting for the elevator, Ulf' grins sheepishly and tucks away his blades. ::blush

[Heritage]

Stopping at the stairwell door, the primitive warrior frowns. He could have sworn he heard something...slamming the door open with his shoulder, the twin Fangs of Fenrir whistle from their sheathes as he prepares for battle! 

Noticing that it's only Whistler and Echo waiting for the elevator, Ulf' grins sheepishly and tucks away his blades.

Whistler turns and grins.

Oh, there you are! Glad to see you made it. I'm afraid Echo's in a rather bad mood, and it's all my fault. ::blush

[Prince of Boredom]

As the various masked men reach the apex of the stairs [&, most likely, meet each other] they find that they [the stairs, not the masked men  ] terminate short of the penthouse. It appears that only a single elevator services that floor.

Bai Long finally makes it up the seemingly endless stairs, wincing as the pain he had tried to push out of his mind begins to return...

Seeing the Whistler and Viking he smiles as karma is surely smiling on him today, "Hello again, friend. I see you've brought the warrior with you too."

[ezekiel]

Entering behind the strangely attired woman, Eckhardt closes the glass & brass door against the cold (which he didn't appear to feel in any case) with a distinct 'snick' of some clever concealed latch fastening in place against the night wind. Heading over towards the fire he offers the lady a seat,

"As I said, I prefer to wait for the others. They'll be using more conventional means to storm my tower, but they'll be along shortly." 

Banshee looks at the offered seat and smiles

"The others? And which others would that be? Others...like me or you?"

The vigilante slowly walks around the room, taking the details in as she glides a clawed finger along the wall opposite of the fireplace.

"Rumour has it that you're not the warmest of hosts Eckhardt..."

As she gets to a door she peeks through it, making sure there aren't any goons waiting in an adjacent room.

"That last time you had a party, you decided to send some of your guests to the freezer..."

Banshee looks at her host

"I'm sure that you're not planning any surprises like that for tonight, hmm?" ::sly

[Archer21]

Seeing the Whistler and Viking he smiles as karma is surely smiling on him today, "Hello again, friend. I see you've brought the warrior with you too."

Ulf' snorts. "I bring me." To the White Dragon's amazement, it seems the Viking hasn't even broken a sweat from the torturous climb.

Oh, there you are! Glad to see you made it. I'm afraid Echo's in a rather bad mood, and it's all my fault

Taking off his helmet and tossing his head to straighten his hair, Ulf' looks quizzically at Echo. "Why?"

[Prince of Boredom]

Ulf' snorts. "I bring me."

"My apologies... (looking at the elevator) So is this the only way up?"

[ProfPotts]

Penthouse:

A few moments after Black Lotus's knock on the doors they, rather majestically, swing open. Standing behind the double doors is one of Eckhardt's lady friends from Nightingales - the uninjured one, Glisten. The dazzling blonde is now dressed in an evening gown of white silk that follows her feminine curves, her hair is worn up & styled, & she sports matching diamond earrings & necklace. On her feet are white Parisian heeled shoes. Strangely it doesn't look like Glisten actually opened the doors herself, & there doesn't appear to be anyone else present...

The room behind Glisten looks like a museum or art gallery of some kind - with artifacts on display in glass cases, cleverly lit to highlight each individual piece. There are several suits of armour – including late medieval plate, ancient Norse chain mail, Roman legionnaire, & Greek bronze, along with an extensive collection of ancient weaponry. There are also less violent artifacts on display – including much jewelry & many expensive-looking gemstones.

Glisten smiles at the costumed Lotus,

"Welcome. If you'd care to follow me, Mr Eckhardt is expecting you."

[Presuming Black Lotus follows...] Glisten leads the lady vigilante through a door to the back of the 'museum'. Lotus notices the double entrance doors quietly close by themselves as she & her escort walk away from them - & that there appear to be no handles on the inside of the doors either. The pair pass into an extensive library - tall shelves of leather-bound books line three of the walls, with ladders on brass rails to help facilitate access to the upper shelves. The room also sports two writing desks & several leather armchairs. The far wall is the outer wall of the penthouse - large glass panes set in brass offer an impressive view of the gardens & ice-sculptures, as well as the city beyond. Continuing on, Glisten leads the way through a side door, framed by bookshelves, & into the study...

"The others? And which others would that be? Others...like me or you?"

Just as Banshee finishes the question, Glisten & Black Lotus enter the room by a side door. Eckhardt gives a smile that lasts a mere fraction of a second,

"Others like Black Lotus here."

The man in the grey smoking jacket moves over to the newcomer, picking up a full liqueur glass on his way past the table, & offering it to Black Lotus,

"Welcome to my home." He gestures towards the other costumed lady in the room with the diamond-topped cane in his other hand, "This is The Banshee."

Meanwhile, The Banshee glides a clawed finger along the wall opposite the fireplace - the exterior glass wall. To her surprise the resulting scratch is much shallower than she'd have expected from normal glass - but the rather unpleasant noise the motion produces still serves to grab the attention of everyone in the room...

"Rumour has it that you're not the warmest of hosts Eckhardt..."

Glancing through the door Glisten & Lotus entered by, Banshee sees the library, but no lurking 'goons'...

"That last time you had a party, you decided to send some of your guests to the freezer..."

Eckhardt meets the Banshee's stare,

"I'm sure that you're not planning any surprises like that for tonight, hmm?"

The host shakes his head,

"I can assure you that I treat my guests in a warmer manner than I treat my enemies." ::sly

Waiting for the Elevator:

Oh, there you are! Glad to see you made it. I'm afraid Echo's in a rather bad mood, and it's all my fault.

"Why?"

Echo - clad in her rather fetching chauffeuse outfit, complete with domino mask & peaked cap - shrugs,

"He seems to prefer me dressed as a boy..." She accents the comment by running her hands down her shapely figure, adding (with a quick side-glance to her boss), "... Each to his own, I suppose..." ::sly

"... So is this the only way up?"

Looking over to White Dragon Echo frowns slightly,

"It looks that way," although etched with obvious concern, the lady's thick New York accent is quite grating, "but... um... are you sure you're all right to be... you know... up & about?"

However, before the conversation can progress, there's a distinct chime of a bell, & the doors to the elevator slide open. The young black bellboy inside hastily replaces into his pocket the silver coin he was looking at, then looks up - only to double-take as his smile slips & his jaw falls open ::blink !

"Ah... I'm guessing you folks all want the penthouse, right?.." ::lookaround

[tooho]

Glisten smiles at the costumed Lotus,

"Welcome. If you'd care to follow me, Mr Eckhardt is expecting you."

Lotus bows slightly and smiles at the stunning woman. "Thank you. How does your companion fair?"

Lotus takes in the room looking for other inhabitants as they walk towards Banshee and Eckhardt. She flushes at the recognition but smiles slightly at the other occupants. "It is nice to be recognized occasionally, but I might have preferred to decided if you are friend or foe, first, Mr. Eckhardt."

The man in the grey smoking jacket moves over to the newcomer, picking up a full liqueur glass on his way past the table, & offering it to Black Lotus,

"Welcome to my home." He gestures towards the other costumed lady in the room with the diamond-topped cane in his other hand, "This is The Banshee."

Bowing slightly to Eckhardt, Lotus accepts the glass but does not drink. "I thank you kindly for the hospitality. It is my honor to view such a magnificent home. It would be a shame to see it destroyed." Turning to fully face the Banshee, Lotus lowers her eyes and bows more deeply this time. "An honor."

Straightening quickly at the grating sound, she backs up slightly from both occupants and takes up a position along one of the desks. Quietly, she shifts to sit there, hopefully placing the desk between her and the others.

[Archer21]

Echo - clad in her rather fetching chauffeuse outfit, complete with domino mask & peaked cap - shrugs,

"He seems to prefer me dressed as a boy..." She accents the comment by running her hands down her shapely figure, adding (with a quick side-glance to her boss), "... Each to his own, I suppose..."

Ulf' lets his eyes wander slowly down, and then up, Echo's very feminine form. Stopping when his eyes meet hers, it's very apparent the Viking, at least, prefers her as a woman.

However, before the conversation can progress, there's a distinct chime of a bell, & the doors to the elevator slide open. The young black bellboy inside hastily replaces into his pocket the silver coin he was looking at, then looks up - only to double-take as his smile slips & his jaw falls open  !

"Ah... I'm guessing you folks all want the penthouse, right?.."

Breaking his gaze with Echo as if nothing happened, the Viking strides over to the elevator, stepping inside before the bellhop can say anything. If the boy tries to stop him, Ulf' just bares his teeth at the youngster in a wide grin.

[Heritage]

Echo - clad in her rather fetching chauffeuse outfit, complete with domino mask & peaked cap - shrugs,

"He seems to prefer me dressed as a boy..." She accents the comment by running her hands down her shapely figure, adding (with a quick side-glance to her boss), "... Each to his own, I suppose..."

The lower half of Whistler's face, visibly below his opera mask, goes slightly pink ::blush

Now you know it's not like that - I mean, it's not like that. Sometimes an indirect approach may yield better results...

However, before the conversation can progress, there's a distinct chime of a bell, & the doors to the elevator slide open. The young black bellboy inside hastily replaces into his pocket the silver coin he was looking at, then looks up - only to double-take as his smile slips & his jaw falls open ::blink!

"Ah... I'm guessing you folks all want the penthouse, right?.."

Whistler, his composure somewhat restored by having a suitable target for his 'aura of menace', chuckles in a manner both cheerful and chilling.

You would be correct, friend - I believe we are expected?

[Asbjørn]

Coming up the stairs adjusting his hat, the Watchman rounds the corner with a smile on his - now makeup-free - face as he spots the crowd entering the elevator. The smelly trenchcoat has been left somewhere below, but as he reaches the doors and enters the elevator along with the others a faint smell of old cigarettes seems to follow him.

He nods first to Whistler, then the others as he reaches them.

"All dressed up and ready for the party, I see...?"

[ezekiel]

Turning to fully face the Banshee, Lotus lowers her eyes and bows more deeply this time. "An honor."

Banshee's mask remains expressionless as she nods in acknowledgement before reverting her attention to Eckhardt.

The host shakes his head,

"I can assure you that I treat my guests in a warmer manner than I treat my enemies."

The Banshee looks at her claw and wipes the glass dust off of it with her thumb, an occasional metallic scratching sound is heard as it rubs the point of her thumb.

"That'd be reassuring if you didn't treat your enemies like guests, Eckhardt. Half the city knows what you did at Nightingale's yesterday..." ::sly

The Banshee looks again through the door then turns back towards Eckhardt.

"I like what you've done with the place.."

Like a cat on the prowl the Banshee walks slowly yet deliberately towards her "host"

"Very classy..."

As she reaches him she looks at the ceiling and the outer wall and walks around him towards the other side of the room

"The heating bill must be absolute murder though..."

As she reaches the door across the room she tries the handle, again checking for goons on the other side. If not she closes the door again and turns her attention back towards Eckhardt.

[Prince of Boredom]

The White Dragon follows the others into the elevator, leaning against the wall to provide support while wiping away a drip of blood from his lips...

[ProfPotts]

"Thank you. How does your companion fair?"

Glisten frowns slightly, for a brief moment her concern is obvious, but she manages to brush it aside & smile again as she replies,

"As well as can be expected."

"It is nice to be recognized occasionally, but I might have preferred to decided if you are friend or foe, first, Mr. Eckhardt."

Eckhardt flashes a micro smile,

"Maybe you'll decide that tonight?"

"I thank you kindly for the hospitality. It is my honor to view such a magnificent home. It would be a shame to see it destroyed."

Eckhardt's eyes momentarily flicker sideways to where The Banshee is standing, before he replies to Lotus,

"Indeed."

"That'd be reassuring if you didn't treat your enemies like guests, Eckhardt. Half the city knows what you did at Nightingale's yesterday..."

The man in the grey smoking jacket raises an eyebrow,

"Only half? How disappointing."

"I like what you've done with the place... Very classy... The heating bill must be absolute murder though..."

Eckhardt watches Banshee's prowl across the room, then suddenly a genuine grin spreads across his face. He laughs, then looks between Banshee & Black Lotus,

"You two ladies have quite a talent for innuedo. It's really quite charming..." ::sly

He shakes his head, obviously amused.

The door The Banshee tries opens easily enough. Beyond is a large room with a tiled floor surrounding an indoor swimming-pool. The hints of mist coming off the top of the water suggest that it's heated. Several other doors look like they could lead to changing rooms or similar, & one looks suspiciously like a sauna. No goons lurking though...

Elsewhere...

You would be correct, friend - I believe we are expected?

The bellboy swallows nervously as the motley company crowd into the elevator ::lookaround . Echo enters last, & Whistler can't help but notice her quiet sigh of appreciation as her gaze lingers quite inappropriately on the Viking's tight buttocks as he walks in first...

Taking the key from around his neck the bellboy starts the lift on its upward journey, his eyes darting about the car, unsure of where it's actually safe to be looking,

"So, it's... ah... it's a party or something, right? Fancy dress?.." He seems to be clutching at straws...

Soon enough the group find themselves deposited in the unusual mirrored corridor...

[Archer21]

Even with such a short ride, the Viking seems uncomfortable in the elevator, almost as if threatened by the whirring and grinding of the mechanics propelling it.

When the doors finally open, and he's safely on a normal, non-moving floor, Ulf' lets out a barely audible sigh of relief, then looks around quickly to see if anyone heard.

Covering, he walks quickly up to the wooden doors, and raising his hand, knocks three times, firmly.

[ezekiel]

The man in the grey smoking jacket raises an eyebrow,

"Only half? How disappointing."

"Why? You like to be known as a cold-blooded killer? There were innocents there Eckhardt, you know that. Your men with their icebombs were quite reckless..."

Eckhardt watches Banshee's prowl across the room, then suddenly a genuine grin spreads across his face. He laughs, then looks between Banshee & Black Lotus,

"You two ladies have quite a talent for innuedo. It's really quite charming..."

The Banshee laughs with Eckhardt

"Mmhmph..Yes.." ::laugh

Then her voice turns dead pan as she steps towards him

"Tell me who invited the bosses Eckhardt, who's the...big man?"

[tooho]

Lotus watches Eckhardt carefully as the Banshee questions him but stays seated behind the desk. She smiles when he laughs but seems distracted. At the mention of The Big Man, she freezes. All mirth leaches from her demeanor and she nearly vibrates with tension. On the desk her knuckles whiten from her grip on the glass their host had given her.

"By all means, Mr. Eckhardt, feel welcome to enlighten us."

[Heritage]

The Whistler just grins at the bellboy and rides up the elevator in silence. Once they arrive at their destination, he stands next to Ulf, idly dusting off the Viking's outfit.

[Prince of Boredom]

Bai Long follows the others out of the elevator, using the mirrors to rest his body against...

[ProfPotts]

"Why? You like to be known as a cold-blooded killer?"

Eckhardt looks The Banshee in the eye,

"Do you?"

"... There were innocents there Eckhardt, you know that. Your men with their icebombs were quite reckless..."

The man in the grey smoking jacket shakes his head,

"Hardly. It was one of you people who started the fight. My men were just defending themselves against overwhelming odds. Sadly they paid the ultimate price for their bravery. If not for the misunderstanding between us all, they'd still be alive today."

"Tell me who invited the bosses Eckhardt, who's the...big man?"

"By all means, Mr. Eckhardt, feel welcome to enlighten us."

Eckhardt shakes his head,

"Are all you costumed ladies this impatient? Though I'd love to keep the party just between us, we do have more guests yet to arrive..."

The doors in the mirrored corridor open, as the remaining masked men are greeted by Glisten, then led through to the study where the others are already in conversation. Once they enter, Glisten offers a glass of liqueur to each of them. Eckhardt greets the newcomers,

"Miss Echo; gentlemen - welcome to my home. I'm sure you all know, by reputation at least, Black Lotus & The Banshee..."

[tooho]

Rising and bowing slightly to each in turn, Lotus smiles slightly. "I am in august company this evening. It is an honor." Eyeing the injured gent, she motions him to her chair. "Please.. take my seat, sir. Mr. Eckhardt was going to enlighten us as to who the The Big Man is. He's been nicely holding us at bay, while awaiting your arrival." Walking around the desk, she perches on the edge and purposefully gives her full attention to Eckhardt. "No more stalling, please."

[Heritage]

The Whistler bows towards both women, and pauses to take in his surroundings.

Very impressive, Mr. Eckhardt. Exactly what line of work are you in to afford such a palace?

[Archer21]

The Whistler just grins at the bellboy and rides up the elevator in silence. Once they arrive at their destination, he stands next to Ulf, idly dusting off the Viking's outfit.

Somehow managing an expression of both confusion and shocked offense that Whistler finds him in need of tidying, Ulf' slaps at the hand brushing at him.

Looking curiously(and somewhat suspiciously) about the hallway, the Viking takes a step past the Norse suit of armor, not seeing it at first. His brain finally registering, he stops dead, then takes a slow step backwards, allowing the others to continue ahead. Pivoting on his heel, Ulf' turns to face the ancient chainmail in it's curio case. His eyes are distant, his hand reaching slowly and unsteadily out to touch it...and halts abruptly as his fingers tap against the glass. White-knuckled, his fist contracts, and he stares at his own reflection. With a supreme effort, he lowers the fist to his side, forcing the cramped muscles of his hand to relax.

*I must not allow the wizard to see any weakness. He is the kind who will exploit any advantage, no matter how slight.*

Quickly, he spins away from the case, striding to catch up to the others. Only a moment has passed, but the sight of his culture enshrined as a historical bauble will linger long in the Viking's memory.

Following as Glisten leads them into the penthouse, Ulf' takes the offered glass of

liqueur, sniffing it first, in distrust. Then, noticing Eckhardt watching, he grins and quaffs the whole thing, draining it in a single gulp. Rock-steady, he extends the glass at arm's length, handing it off to Glisten for a refill.

[ezekiel]

Eckhardt looks The Banshee in the eye,

"Do you?"

The Banshee maintains the stare

"I don't take innocents..."

The man in the grey smoking jacket shakes his head,

"Hardly. It was one of you people who started the fight. My men were just defending themselves against overwhelming odds. Sadly they paid the ultimate price for their bravery. If not for the misunderstanding between us all, they'd still be alive today."

"So what would have happened had you had it your way?"

Eckhardt shakes his head,

"Are all you costumed ladies this impatient? Though I'd love to keep the party just between us, we do have more guests yet to arrive..."

The doors in the mirrored corridor open, as the remaining masked men are greeted by Glisten, then led through to the study where the others are already in conversation. Once they enter, Glisten offers a glass of liqueur to each of them. Eckhardt greets the newcomers,

"Miss Echo; gentlemen - welcome to my home. I'm sure you all know, by reputation at least, Black Lotus & The Banshee..."

Banshee raises her head slightly and strikes a pose (style roll?)

"Such gallantry boys, do you always let the ladies go first?" ::sly

[tooho]

::biggrin "Maybe they were just otherwise occupied, madam. It can not be easy to walk in to such a place. Its not every day Vikings in fur walk in the front door!" ::devilangel Lotus smiles as she looks to the others. "Such an interesting group would garner some unwarranted attention, I would hope." ::wink

[Archer21]

"Maybe they were just otherwise occupied, madam. It can not be easy to walk in to such a place. Its not every day Vikings in fur walk in the front door!"

Hearing his title mentioned, Ulf's hard gaze darts from Eckhardt to Black Lotus. Eyes narrowing, he quickly matches the strange dark-haired woman from the lobby to the gunslinger before him. If it weren't for the exotic quality of her appearance, he might be unsure; but before his entrance to this world he'd never seen a people such as hers. Grinning quickly at her,(she was still a beautiful woman, after all), his stare soon returns to Eckhardt.

[ProfPotts]

Just before the 'boys' enter...

"I don't take innocents..."

"Neither do we... Although the definition of an 'innocent' must be, by its very nature, a subjective one; wouldn't you agree?" ::sly

"So what would have happened had you had it your way?"

"That, dear lady, we may never now discover."

Once the whole group is gathered:

"I am in august company this evening. It is an honor."

Echo, like her boss, returns Black Lotus's bow; although the chauffeuse does appear rather distracted as she glances this way & that about Eckhardt's rather odd dwelling, eyes wide with fascination behind her domino mask.

"Such gallantry boys, do you always let the ladies go first?"

"Maybe they were just otherwise occupied, madam. It can not be easy to walk in to such a place. Its not every day Vikings in fur walk in the front door!.. Such an interesting group would garner some unwarranted attention, I would hope."

Ulf' downs his drink to discover that it is a firey cordial that warms his chest on its way down. What little manages to touch his taste-buds as the liquid flies past them has a pleasant twang of peach to it. Glisten glady pours more for the Norseman, & any else who desire further refreshments. Eckhardt's ice-blue eyes dart between the various colourful characters as they go about their interactions, just a tiny hint of a smile threatening to form at one corner of his mouth...

"Please.. take my seat, sir. Mr. Eckhardt was going to enlighten us as to who the The Big Man is. He's been nicely holding us at bay, while awaiting your arrival... No more stalling, please."

Very impressive, Mr. Eckhardt. Exactly what line of work are you in to afford such a palace?

Eckhardt flashes a micro-smile that fades as quickly as it appeared, then steps in front of the fire, resting both hands on the diamond pommel of his cane as he faces the group,

"Ah yes... Questions. Those are not the primary reason you have all been gathered in this place, but I do like to consider myself a reasonable man. As a mark of that reasonable status, I will agree to fill you all in on my own background & associations to the same extent you all volunteer similar information about yourselves. That does seem reasonable, does it not?" ::sly

Quickly holding up one hand to forestall any hasty answers, he continues,

"But first, I'd like to paint a picture for you all - a summation, if you will, of where we all, in general, presently stand. Feel free to muse upon these words..."

"... We all, to one extent or another, share a common goal - the goal of fighting those elements of society in this city that choose to threaten the community as a whole. Some of you," Eckhardt tips a quick nod towards the Watchman, "are quite famed for your activities; others," here he indicates the Viking, "are more recent arrivals, but who still appear to possess the basic drive towards justice that motivates us all."

"Now, you have all had your victories, as have I. However, the criminal classes possess an element which none of us, at present, can boast of sharing: crime in this city can truly said to be organised. We, at present, are not. Think on that, ladies & gentlemen. Some of you have been fighting this war - & our goals are nothing short of a conflict with criminals - for quite some time. How much has really changed? One, two, or even a handful, of criminals may be dealt with, but there are always a dozen more to take the places & perform the roles of those who have fallen. As individuals we can win battles, but only together, with organisation, could we ever hope to make headway in the war itself."

"Lack of organisation has already cost the lives of two of my colleagues. That incident I would like to attribute to a fatal mistake - a mistake that should not be repeated. As individuals we not only inflict but limited damage upon the enemy, we also threaten to undermine each others' efforts. Yes, I could choose to exact revenge for my fallen friends, but what good would that do in the long run? Who would such a reflexive act aid, apart from those we all, mutually, choose to oppose?"

"My primary reason for gathering you all here is thus: I propose that we set aside our petty differences & work together towards our common goals, united."

Monologue apparantly completed, Eckhardt awaits the group's reactions...

[Asbjørn]

"My primary reason for gathering you all here is thus: I propose that we set aside our petty differences & work together towards our common goals, united."

Monologue apparantly completed, Eckhardt awaits the group's reactions...

Standing slightly to the back of the group, the Watchman gives a slight smile and looks at Eckhardt.

"And what common goals are those, exactly? Granted, an enemy of my enemy is my friend, but for how long?"

"I've fought the crime and corruption that's eating this city for more than two years now, and I know that what you say is true. But I also know better than to join forces with people whose motivations I do not know. Might wake up one morning with a knife in my back, and I'd hate that..."

"My own goal is easy to describe, yet hard to achieve. I want to make myself - and others like me - unemployed. I want this city's protectors to do their job and not run errands for all the gangs that control the streets. When they do, my watch is over."

He looks around the room - his unyielding steel grey eyes meeting everybody else's - ending with Eckhardt.

"What is it you want?"

[Heritage]

"My own goal is easy to describe, yet hard to achieve. I want to make myself - and others like me - unemployed. I want this city's protectors to do their job and not run errands for all the gangs that control the streets. When they do, my watch is over."

He looks around the room - his unyielding steel grey eyes meeting everybody else's - ending with Eckhardt.

"What is it you want?"

The Whistler nods thoughtfully.

I couldn't have put that better myself - this city, in an ideal world, would have no need for us, but we all know that justice in this town is a thing to be bought and abused.

He looks at all the other costumed folk in the room.

It's true that together we could make a difference, if we can all learn to trust each - of course, many of us our wearing masks, so that might take a while ::biggrin

[ezekiel]

"My primary reason for gathering you all here is thus: I propose that we set aside our petty differences & work together towards our common goals, united."

The Banshee leans against the wall behind her, accentuating her curves (If she won't scare the shlt out of 'em, might as well allure 'em..) and speaks

"Gathered?...Have I stumbled into your party Eckhardt? I don't remember receiving an invitation..."

[Archer21]

The Viking, having now drained his second glass of the peach-flavored drink, listens intently to Eckhardt's speech, then snorts. Handing the tumbler back to Glisten, he starts pacing, walking around the luxurious apartment like a caged animal, inspecting everything.

Content to play the part of the barbarian for now, he keeps moving, pretending to be engrossed in the varied decorations as his finely-tuned ears wait for the other's responses.

[tooho]

Lotus nods occasionally as Eckhardt, The Watchman and Whistler each speak out.

Standing to the side of the fire she takes a moment to debate with herself it seems before she raises her head and looks determinedly at the others. "Let me be the first to show trust. My family was a victim of The Big Man. His organization is why I began this.. calling. I, like the rest of you, wish to see law and order return to this city for it to be safe for the weak and defenseless. I've seen what his kind would do to the law-abiding and innocent of the city, and with or without you I will see him taken down. Truthfully, my contacts are limited. I could use aid. I'm not opposed to a union, but I imagine I've less to lose than the rest of you." ::sarcasm

[ProfPotts]

As Eckhardt listens with apparant interest to the various reactions to his comments, Glisten quietly approaches the seated White Dragon &, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder, whispers,

"If you like, I could take a look at those wounds of yours - perhaps change the dressings?"

"Gathered?...Have I stumbled into your party Eckhardt? I don't remember receiving an invitation..."

The group's host again flashes a brief hint of a smile,

"Nevertheless, your appearance here was predicted; & here you are. After all, a woman who calls herself The Banshee surely believes in the power of fate." ::sly

Turning to Black Lotus Eckhardt says,

"You are quite correct - together we would have a much greater chance of finding the killers of your family than you would alone." Addressing the group as a whole he adds, "The lady appears to have grasped the fundamental advantages of the union I suggest. In answer to The Watchman's question - he is correct in thinking that, in the details, we may each want different things, but our personal quests are close enough that we can benefit from aiding each other & opposing our mutual enemies. No two individuals can truly share a single motivation, but that doesn't prevent a more general organisation being able to achieve much. Madame Lotus has chosen to share her motivations - how about the rest of you?"

[Asbjørn]

Fixing his eyes on the man in white, the Watchman says in a cold and steady voice

"No, Eckhardt. You're the host of this little party, so I'll repeat my question. Once. What about you?"

[Archer21]

"Madame Lotus has chosen to share her motivations - how about the rest of you?"

Ulf' smiles then, a baring of even white teeth as he continues to stalk around the room.

"Justice.", he whispers.

[ezekiel]

"No, Eckhardt. You're the host of this little party, so I'll repeat my question. Once. What about you?"

The Banshee looks on with interest at what Eckhardt has to say.

[ProfPotts]

"No, Eckhardt. You're the host of this little party, so I'll repeat my question. Once. What about you?"

A slight frown creases the host's brow for just a moment, then he answers The Watchman evenly,

"I'm sorry, have I failed to make that clear? My goal is to unite us all into an organised group that can combat & defeat the 'organised' crime of this city on equal terms."

He pauses, then adds,

"However, if what you're really asking for is details about my background & sponsors, then I'm afraid that, as I mentioned earlier, that will have to wait until we see how willing the rest of the group is to share. After all, if this little get-together fails or worse - lapses into a repeat of the previous blood-bath where my people were murdered - then it would be a touch moronic of me to have given away such vital details that could be used against me & mine. I'm sure that most of you feel the same way about your own 'private lives', correct?" ::sly

"Justice."

Eckhardt turns slightly towards Ulf' & nods in quiet agreement, before awaiting the response of The Watchman & the others.

[Asbjørn]

The Watchman nods

"Combat and defeat organized crime... Yeah, so you said, and on that we're all with you. But then what? What if we win? In a perfect world, I'd retire. What is your plan?"

[Heritage]

The Whistler rubs his chin thoughtfully with a gloved hand before speaking.

Personally, I expect to die seeing a world where crime still exists, but hopefully is a little less brutal for my passing - even if I saved or improved the quality of only half a dozen innocent people, I would be happy. But perhaps together we can do so much more than that.

[ezekiel]

The Banshee eyes the people in the room

"The host wants us to show him ours before he shows us his, that's poor form. We're all here for justice, perhaps for vengeance, to equal the playing field or to show the underworld that the city won't simply bend over and allow itself to be violated."

The Banshee's glare fixes on Eckhardt

"Don't expect us to take any of your wooden nickels, Eck. Just level with us and tell us what you have in mind."