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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 14:45:38 GMT -4
Mr. Brunner-
We have not met. My name is Jericho Nadasdy. We have a mutual friend in my sister. I believe you know her as Alexis London.
Please meet me at Faneuli Hall, Boston Massachusetts at 11:30 Saturday night. I'll be the man in the black jacket watching Saturday Night Live on his iPhone. Don't be early or late-I hate both equally.
I know you are a hunter, but I intend this meeting to be civil. Please do the same.
Jon listened to the voicemail over and over, he was glad to have gotten his new phone but he wasn't expecting a voicemail from someone claiming to be Alexis' brother. She'd never mentioned him before but Jon was going to find out what was going on. He was hoping this wasn't a long meeting, Ariella said Alexis was on her way to Salem and Jon didn't know how long she'd be there for.
11:30 Saturday night
It was 11:20 and the man had said not to be early, so Jon sat in his truck across the street hoping to get a glimpse of the man going in. He stared at his phone hoping Alexis would call but since she'd never responded to the voicemail he left her, he didn't want to pester her. He'd wait until he saw her and could talk to her face to face.
Unfortunately there were quite a few man in black jackets walking around looking at their phones so Jon wouldn't know which was Jericho until he was closer. He looked at the small duffel bag on the passenger side floor. It had all manner of things he might need but the man asked for the meeting to be civil. Jon decided to take a small silver blade, he'd rather have it and not need it then not have it at all. Surely this Nadasdy fellow would understand if he somehow saw it.
11:29
It was now or never, Jon stepped out of his truck and made his way across the street slowly to make sure it was exactly 11:30 when he arrived. The man hated early and late so Jon was going to make sure the first impression was one well received. He heard the sound of laughter, the kind only an audience could make coming from a speaker. Sure enough a man in a black jacket held an iPhone which was playing a video on it.
"Mr. Nadasdy?"
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 21, 2010 15:09:42 GMT -4
Boston, Massachusetts. Jericho had never been there before. That wasn't much of a surprise. He didn't visit the States much and when he did, it was mostly to visit Alexis which involved never leaving New York City.
He found immediately that he liked the city. He booked himself in the Boston hotel that had once served as a jail and made himself at home with the culture of the New England town.
As he made his way to Faneuli, he hoped that Brunner wasn't one of those "oh, you said 11:30? Well, how about 11:20, or 11:45" people. If Jericho said 11:30, he meant 11:30. That was it. Plain and simple.
He got there early himself mainly to set up SNL on his phone. Once he had the video playing, he settled himself back to lean against of the walls. Betty White was hosting. Jericho enjoyed her.
"Mr. Nadasdy?"
Jericho looked up and studied the man in front of him. Truthfully, he didn't get his sister's appeal, but whatever. It was her choice-even if it had been bad. And he was certain Alexia had not been thinking like herself as of late.
"You must be Mr. Brunner." Jericho shut off the phone and slid it into his pocket before extending his hand. "Jericho."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 15:28:24 GMT -4
"You must be Mr. Brunner. Jericho."
Grasping the man's hand firmly Jon looked him over.
"Please call me Jon. Now what is it you wished to discuss? I understand you didn't want me to be early or late so I'm guessing you must be a very busy man and I don't wish to waste your time."
In truth Jon wanted to get going so he could get to Alexis but if this man wanted civility, he was going to get it. This was Alexis' brother, provided the man hadn't lied about that so Jon would treat him with respect. He had guessed this man was a vampire as well but for all he knew he could be an immortal just like Killian.
"I must say it was surprising to hear from you, I was actually on my way to see Alexis when I got your message. I'm also curious as to how you knew of my... profession. I'm afraid I haven't heard much of you at all."
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 21, 2010 15:55:28 GMT -4
"Please call me Jon. Now what is it you wished to discuss? I understand you didn't want me to be early or late so I'm guessing you must be a very busy man and I don't wish to waste your time."
"I'll do that, Jon." Jericho reached into his pocket and withdrew a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He lit one and blew the smoke away.
"You're right, I am a very busy man, but that's not why I said not to be early or late. I just hate it when people do that.." He shrugged.
"I must say it was surprising to hear from you, I was actually on my way to see Alexis when I got your message. I'm also curious as to how you knew of my... profession. I'm afraid I haven't heard much of you at all."
Jericho shrugged again. He wasn't really surprised that Alexis hadn't mentioned him. They didn't do much of that sort of thing.
"I like to keep tabs on my sister's interest, Jon. You have a sister?"
He raised an eyebrow, but he didn't really care if the man got it or not. Sisters needed people to keep an eye on them, even the undead ones.
"Alexia's in Salem. You could be there in like, 45 minutes or so." Jericho looked at his watch. "It wouldn't take you long to get to her at all."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 16:20:22 GMT -4
"I'll do that, Jon. You're right, I am a very busy man, but that's not why I said not to be early or late. I just hate it when people do that.."
Jon got a bit of an uneasy feeling but he attributed that to the man being not completely human.
"I like to keep tabs on my sister's interest, Jon. You have a sister?"
"No, I don't", he wasn't going to mention he'd once had a brother. It wasn't hard to hear about the Brunner family massacre, it'd been in the paper for weeks.
"Alexia's in Salem. You could be there in like, 45 minutes or so. It wouldn't take you long to get to her at all."
"Precisely why I stopped to have this meeting. I can understand you wanting to keep an eye on your sister and I can imagine me being a hunter would have you uneasy about me being around her but she is a grown woman and can take quite good care of herself. You still haven't mentioned what it is you wanted to discuss with me."
He wasn't entirely trusting of this man. It wasn't hard to guess this man wasn't to pleased with his sister dating a hunter. If it wasn't for the fact he'd mentioned Alexis in the voicemail, Jon probably wouldn't have shown at all.
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 21, 2010 19:15:41 GMT -4
Jericho flicked his cigarette, sending ash floating into the night. He didn't mind smoking, it wasn't like he'd get lung cancer or anything.
"No, I don't"
"That's a shame." Jericho meant it honestly. He had enjoyed his sister, allbeit more after they were both vampires. It was just such a pain keeping track of them.
"Precisely why I stopped to have this meeting. I can understand you wanting to keep an eye on your sister and I can imagine me being a hunter would have you uneasy about me being around her but she is a grown woman and can take quite good care of herself. You still haven't mentioned what it is you wanted to discuss with me."
"Jon, I may be a vampire, but my sister means a great deal to me. The fact that you're a hunter does bother me. But my bigger problem is that you're human, Jon, and Alexia is vampire. Are you planning on having her turn you?"
That prospect interested him. Depending on Brunner's answer, Jericho's plan may dissolve.
"Because if you want," Jericho took another drag from his cigarette, "I could turn you right now."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 19:31:52 GMT -4
"Jon, I may be a vampire, but my sister means a great deal to me. The fact that you're a hunter does bother me. But my bigger problem is that you're human, Jon, and Alexia is vampire. Are you planning on having her turn you? Because if you want, I could turn you right now."
Jon hadn't been expecting that and truth be told he hadn't thought about it much. Would he do that for Alexis?
"I think I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and if anyone does change me I'll leave it to Alexis to choose who does it. I can understand you not wanting me dating your sister. I get the feeling you didn't call me here because you were looking to turn me."
Jon had to be careful, if Jericho was willing to change him then he was probably willing to kill him as well. He had to stop himself from pulling the silver blade when Jericho offered to turn him. He didn't think pulling a knife would lead to any good endings to this encounter.
"The fact that she's a vampire and I'm a human doesn't change how I feel about her so there's nothing I can do to help that. Although I have heard she's in the company of another vampire, perhaps you know something about that?"
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 21, 2010 20:16:46 GMT -4
"I think I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and if anyone does change me I'll leave it to Alexis to choose who does it. I can understand you not wanting me dating your sister. I get the feeling you didn't call me here because you were looking to turn me."
Jericho crushed out his cigarette and sought out an ash tray. He strolled a few steps away from Jon and put it in the bin. He didn't like to litter, not because humans frowned on it, because he didn't want other people's garbage on him so why would they want his on them?
"Respectable, Jon, very respectable. And no, I didn't call you here to turn you. My schedule is booked solid on a regular basis, so I'd have to pencil you in."
The fact that she's a vampire and I'm a human doesn't change how I feel about her so there's nothing I can do to help that. Although I have heard she's in the company of another vampire, perhaps you know something about that?"
Jericho rolled his eyes. Once he had Jon and Silverton under control, he'd have to go after Compton. And if his last tip was correct, Alexia was way too into him at the moment.
"Yes, I know if him. Ryden Compton, British. I've never crossed paths with the man. His ex, however, I know. She lives in Salem, which I imagine is why they're there."
Jericho wanted another cigarette. But he didn't like the cost of cigarettes, so he'd let it pass this time.
"Jon, your relationship with my sister concerns me. I have no doubt you feel that you love her. But..." Jericho looked across the street at the Boston traffic, "Alexia is a very good vampire. And her deep nature is to be a vampire."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 20:27:09 GMT -4
"Respectable, Jon, very respectable. And no, I didn't call you here to turn you. My schedule is booked solid on a regular basis, so I'd have to pencil you in."
"Then I guess you're in luck because I'm not looking to be changed right now."
Jon watched as he tossed out the cigarette butt and tossed it out. At least he has manners unlike most people he saw in this country.
"Yes, I know if him. Ryden Compton, British. I've never crossed paths with the man. His ex, however, I know. She lives in Salem, which I imagine is why they're there."
Jon was making mental notes about the vampire, Ariella hadn't told him much so anything he found out would be useful.
"His ex? She doesn't happen to be a witch is she?"
"Jon, your relationship with my sister concerns me. I have no doubt you feel that you love her. But... Alexia is a very good vampire. And her deep nature is to be a vampire."
Jon wasn't sure what Jericho was playing at but he was beginning to not care for whatever the vampire had to tell him. He was sure the man was going to threaten him to stay away from Alexis.
"It's not a feeling, I know for a fact that I love her and as such I'm willing to try and help alleviate your concerns. I understand she's a vampire and I can't do anything to change that but I promised her I'd never be the one to hurt her if that's what worries you. So what is it I can do to make you feel better about all of this?"
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 21, 2010 20:45:17 GMT -4
"Then I guess you're in luck because I'm not looking to be changed right now."
"Noted." Jericho nodded thoughtfully.
The man appeared to be standing his ground very nicely. The problem was, Jericho believed his feelings to be honest. That was going to be an issue. People were less likely to walk away from things if they really liked them.
"His ex? She doesn't happen to be a witch is she?"
"Oh yeah, witch is one word for her." Jericho groaned. "Jon, a word of advice, don't cross her. At all."
Jericho decided it was time to cut to the chase. Jon was human, and Alexia was not. That would not work. And it was not right. Jericho did not want his sister with a human.
"It's not a feeling, I know for a fact that I love her and as such I'm willing to try and help alleviate your concerns. I understand she's a vampire and I can't do anything to change that but I promised her I'd never be the one to hurt her if that's what worries you. So what is it I can do to make you feel better about all of this?"
"Jon, you're a good man." Jericho looked at him. "Well, a good human. If you got yourself turned, I would seriously consider this. But the truth is, you're a human. And Alexia is not only a vampire, she's the Blood Countess's daughter. She needs to embrace who she is. Therefore,"
Jericho reached into the pocket of his gray shirt. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and held it out to Jon.
"Here's $500,000 to get back in your vehicle and drive away from Salem. Don't go after her. Don't call. Don't write. Don't send flowers. Just go."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 21, 2010 21:02:37 GMT -4
"Oh yeah, witch is one word for her. Jon, a word of advice, don't cross her. At all."
If this Ryden character's ex happened to be the witch who cursed Alexis then Jon very much intended to cross her.
"Jon, you're a good man. Well, a good human. If you got yourself turned, I would seriously consider this. But the truth is, you're a human. And Alexia is not only a vampire, she's the Blood Countess's daughter. She needs to embrace who she is. Therefore, Here's $500,000 to get back in your vehicle and drive away from Salem. Don't go after her. Don't call. Don't write. Don't send flowers. Just go."
Jon took the paper the man held out.
$500,000... that is a lot of money to never see someone again.
Jon looked at the paper for a minute before handing it back to Jericho.
"I'm sorry Mr. Nadasdy, it seems you have wasted your time here. I understand who she is and what she is, I don't care if she were to feed off those who deserve it and I'm not going to stop her doing what she needs to do to survive. I fully intend on getting back in my vehicle and going to Salem and I'm sorry if that isn't what you wanted to hear."
Jericho didn't seem the type to take no for an answer and Jon wasn't preparing for him to try and pull something any second.
"I love Alexis London and unfortunately for you that's not going to change for anything. If there's nothing else I'll be on my way."
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Post by Jericho Nadasdy on May 23, 2010 16:40:58 GMT -4
Jericho watched, trying to patiently read the man's face as he studied the check Jericho had just handed him. He was fully prepared to up the offer. Jericho was a wealthy vampire-not that most vampires weren't. If Brunner wanted money Jericho would gladly give it to him.
"I'm sorry Mr. Nadasdy, it seems you have wasted your time here. I understand who she is and what she is, I don't care if she were to feed off those who deserve it and I'm not going to stop her doing what she needs to do to survive. I fully intend on getting back in my vehicle and going to Salem and I'm sorry if that isn't what you wanted to hear."
"Mr. Brunner...." Jericho sighed, shaking his head. "Forgive me for stating that I feel you're making a bad choice-on a number of things."
It didn't matter, if Brunner didn't want his money, Jericho knew someone who did. He didn't know how much of his savings he'd have to fork out, but before long Alexia wouldn't give the human the time of day.
"I love Alexis London and unfortunately for you that's not going to change for anything. If there's nothing else I'll be on my way."
Love-ugh. Jericho hated humans throwing that word around. They all seemed to think that could conquer all.
"You make your choice, Jon. But remember, you and I will have to meet again, even if it's not for another fifty years. I'll be calling on my sister at some point."
Jericho reached into his pocket for his iPhone. Pulling it out, he clicked open his Bubble Wrap application.
"Have a safe trip, Mr. Brunner. Give Alexia my best."
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Post by Jon Brunner on May 23, 2010 17:08:14 GMT -4
"Mr. Brunner.... Forgive me for stating that I feel you're making a bad choice-on a number of things."
"I'm sorry you see it that way but it is how I say it is and no money will ever change that."
He didn't care what this man had to say, Jon had a place to be and didn't want to waste anymore time.
"You make your choice, Jon. But remember, you and I will have to meet again, even if it's not for another fifty years. I'll be calling on my sister at some point."
"Oh you can be assured I've made my choice and hopefully I'll be there to see you again."
"Have a safe trip, Mr. Brunner. Give Alexia my best."
"And I wish you luck in your future business ventures, hopefully the next one works better for you than this one. It was... interesting meeting you Mr. Nadasdy and I'll be sure to pass your message to Alexis."
With that Jon walked away from the man. Crossing the street he got into his truck and started it up. Giving one last look across the street he was sure that he'd see Jericho again. On that note he pulled into traffic and was back on his way to seeing Alexis.
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