undergrounds | Making Alliances

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Making Alliances

Seelie Favor: for Azula

He had to make friends. And very quickly. The Blood Moon would be more dangerous than it had been in years now, due to the schism in power that had developed in the pack. In the absence of an Alpha, or a King or Queen this could not come at a worse time. Or better, depending on your outlook. James was stuck somewhere between the two, or so it felt. While he was concerned for the sake of the weaker members of the Ease End Pack, he also knew when opportunity for advancement came. If he played his cards right, this could turn out very well for everybody.

Which was why he was going after favors. Specifically that of faeries. If he could get their aid, he knew vampires and hunters wouldn't be able to touch them.

Nearly as much at least.

So he went into the very heart of Bromley, only to stop at a stall at the edge of a beautiful park.

"I was told I could find someone who granted wishes here?"

He felt just as ridiculous as it sounded but he was willing to sacrifice dignity for survival.

Unseelie Favor: for Mab

Mab was not easy to find when there wasn't a party to be had or some sort of spectacle that Fae would attend. Regardless, he had managed to arrange a meeting with the fairy and he did his best to approach this as if he were meeting a new client for the first time. One that could change his career. He was aware of the agreements the last Alpha and she had begun upon, but now that he was gone - James felt it would be wise to re-instate them.

He just hoped she would not ask for too much from him. But he had to ask himself, would he really be that opposed to anything she requested of him? As long as it didn't demand his life, he'd do whatever she would like him to do. No matter how humiliating. At least he told himself that much. James liked to pretend he didn't have much of a temper, but a werewolf's ire was easy to raise.

Still. While all of that may have been on his mind as he met Mab. None of it was as important as a good first impression.

James greeted her with a slight bow. He wasn't quite old fashioned enough to fully bend at the waist, but he knew her title and how important being flattering was with the fair-folk.

"My lady."

Midnight Favor: for Abigail

For a society girl, James was much less ill-equipped than he would be with Fae. While he didn't intend to make this discussion public, James wasn't going to turn down any assistance at the moment. Besides, what he learned here could be used to gain favor with Sylvia. But she didn't need to know that.

The host was told to look for Abigail, and when she arrived she greeted her before anyone else who may have walked in at the same time.

"Your table is waiting for you, Miss."

Abigail would be escorted to a table against a wall facing the door, as a sign of trust. James was seated facing the entrance merely to see when she arrived and stood as she approached to take the opposite chair.

"Miss. Widdowson, a pleasure. James Memon."

He smiled in what appeared to be an easy fashion and held out his hand to shake hers.

(ooc: if you want to get involved and need a prompt, pm this journal or contact me on aim @ kujoismydog or on plurk:

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James was, if nothing else, polite. It was a good way to start, but the wolves, for the most part, had been remarkably well behaved. More so than the reputation generally implied. Mab took a moment after inclining her head in return to take the new wolf in. He was not built in the same way as the man she had worked with before. Lighter, perhaps would be a good description. Derek Hale had looked like he bench pressed adults in his free time, James looked strong and slim but more put together on the whole. "Mr. Memon." She returned his greeting, not bothering with false emotions.

She had lost a great deal of gathered contacts in the recent weeks and it had been quite vexing so it was not without a certain appeal, learning that the wolves - minus their intrepid leader who had tried very hard but all in all been unsure of his place in the world, had a representative who was interested in re-establishing the alliance that had given the fae access to doors without worry above the Thames.

"I had not expected any contact from your pack yet. Have you reorganized since Derek Hale's leaving?"

Polite was, honestly, all he had going for him right now. The connections and power that Hale had were something no one else had bothered to collect during his time as the Alpha. He had been well liked by everyone in the pack, or at least that was the public feeling.

"Not quite."

James smiles guiltily; he can't pretend that this was a social call the whole time.

"Which is, if I may be so direct, the reason for my visit."

She had liked Derek Hale in her own way. More for the latent power he represented than for his personality. And for the weakness of his need for human kindness. That man had felt... malleable. But he was gone. So she observed this new man who did not feel as though he housed as much raw power as Hale had. But something about him felt less breakable.

Still the wolves hadn't reorganized. She'd known packs who took care of such things quite quickly. To many dominant wolves in one place meant order was something that tended to be found through violence.

Her head tilted a little, a gesture of curiosity that didn't quite reflect in her eyes. "You wish for my assistance with reorganization?" That was like handing bags of candy to a five year old so she was fairly sure that wasn't what he was asking.

"I intend to do that myself. However, I won't be able to do so if this full moon proves the end of the pack."

"As you know," whether she did or didn't know mattered very little. But he didn't want to act as if he were attempting to educate her. Not when he needed her. "The Blood Moon is coming. And if I were a vampire, I wouldn't pass up this chance to cull our numbers."

It was cold, yes. But it was the truth.

"Without an Alpha, we're ripe for slaughter. If you would officially reestablish your alliance with the pack, I can promise you the same safety behind East End lines as the fae had before."

The unsaid request, was that she would aid in keeping pack members safe during the Blood Moon.

The fae were not quite as bound to the phases of the moon as the wolves were but they heavily effected magic so no, it was not a surprise to hear about his concern with the blood moon. This man does not particularly scream alpha but he seems to at least be taking matters into his own hands. She wonders, idly, if he can hold the pack together. It is no easy task.

And that meant she wasn't sure he really could promise the same safety in pack territory that Derek Hale had promised. Only an Alpha could really enforce such an agreement.

"And what, precisely, do you believe our agreement entailed, Mr. Memon?" If he truly was worried about the wolves, there were other avenues that could be offered as well. Though she would leave the offer of temporary sanctuary in the Other Realm during the height of the moon for later. She wanted to see how much this enterprising gentleman understood what terms she had come to with the previous Alpha. Heiji had worked out an agreement. Mab had elaborated. And of course, the Other Realm was dangerous in ways beyond Vampires.

"Unless you had a more involved agreement with our Alpha, I believe the terms of the alliance were that you could come and go as you pleased from your realm to ours."

James hoped he had tread carefully enough to ensure she could not get away with a lie, while also saving his own hide if he had it wrong. Hale had never been an extremely public Alpha, but he let all the Betas and theirs in the pack what he was doing when he was doing it.

Ahh and there it was. She had indeed elaborated with Derek Hale. But Memon was being much less strict about it than the Alpha had been. Derek had wanted to know before hand any locations a door would be open and for how long. Mab had needed to negotiate to have on the fly doorway openings for emergencies. "You have the gist of it." She agreed, "I have worked out a way to make wolves aware of open doorways if you wish so they do not stumble into Our realm by accident."

Mab passed him a business card with her snowflake on it. "Any door that remains open for longer than the time it takes to get in or out of the Other Realm will be flanked by this symbol."

"That's very generous of you, my lady."

Truly, James would not be as stern with their arrangement as Hale had. Perhaps that was for the best though? He had to make himself desirable to his allies after all; a bit of leniency wouldn't hurt anyone.

"All I ask in return is that while my pack is powerless during the eclipse, some of your own protect us."

One night, and a few hours out of it at that, was all he wanted from them. Hopefully Mab would agree to such a thing.

A curl of her lip made it clear she agreed with him. She was certainly generous in some ways. And terribly petty in others.

She dipped her head a touch. "Would you prefer to visit our realm during this... delicate time or simply have guards near your home?" Both options certainly posed their own risks. The Other Realm could be quite dangerous. Possibly more so than London. But again, if Mab invited them as guests, should it be arranged, then they would be under her protection. Letting the fae know where you life might also be ... less than ideal. But it would be easier to protect a group if they weren't spread out across London.

"Mister Memon," she replied, extending her hand to shake his. She made sure to smile, even if she had a feeling he was as uneasy as she felt.

After all, Derek's sudden departure left a strange imbalance -- or lack thereof -- among the werewolves of London. Before, she'd been able to rely on at least the alpha's personal support, even if he didn't speak for his pack in that regard. Besides, well... Leaving those who trusted him for protection? It didn't sit well with her.

"I hope you're doing well."

"Busy. But yes, I am. I hope you are as well?"

He wasn't rushing the formalities, but he couldn't wait to get to the meat of his reasons for wanting to meet her. He'd never been too good at wining and dining clients. James was much more effective in the court room when he had to present his case without frills - not to say that theatrics weren't fun and even effective...this dancing around subjects just wasn't his cup of tea.

"Ask me next week," Abigail said with something close to a smile. By then, Barnet would be decided. There was still plenty that needed to be done. "But this dinner is a nice reprieve."

Business, yes. There was no other reason a prominent werewolf would ask her to dinner. But it wasn't the same business she was already dealing with, so it was a change of peace. And extremely welcome.

"Now, what is it I can do for you, sir?"

He chuckles obligingly and nods. He can respect the humor. This was just as much a reprieve from business as it was for her. Still related to the current politics, but it was as much of an 'evening off' as they would ever be getting.

"I was hoping you would accept an apology."

It didn't mean he'd stop treating it as a production, however.

"An apology?"

She gave a smile to the waiter as he dropped off her glass of white wine. As Abigail sipped it, she looked carefully at him. There were quite a few things that statement could mean.

"Yes. For asking a favor at a...rather inopportune time for you and yours."

James approached this as if it were a play. He had his lines that were meant to pull the audience's interest along and make them hold their breath. As if choreographed, James sipped from his own glass of wine and smiled with humility.

Abigail had a touch of the theatrical about her, as well. Then again, when the Widdowsons made themselves public, they were always the centre of attention, whether they wanted it or not. She had been taught at a young age that she would always be watched, listened to, and evaluated. So, she strived to give both what people expected and what they didn't.

"I doubt there's ever an opportune time to ask for a favour," she replied with a smile. "Still, I'm happy to hear what it is. I can make no promises before that, of course."

James shrugs, finding the humor in it more relatable than anything. This may be a play, but that doesn't mean everything has to be serious and severe.

He gestures glibly with his wine glass as he speaks, as if he's explaining away some ridiculous behavior someone displayed earlier.

"Simple, really: help my pack defend against any attacks during the Blood Moon."

Simple, right?

Abigail nods a little. It isn't a surprise that he's asked, no. But she has to consider it carefully. She has her own political ambitions this month. And in the future.

Yet, with Derek's leaving... They need this alliance. At least the beginnings of it.

"Of course. I will do what I can, as will my coven."

James has to stop himself from shouting with glee. It's difficult, but he manages to hide his smile in his wine after he raises his glass in a likeness of a cheers. Two down, one to go.

"Excellent."

And now, to the meat of the arrangement:

"What are your terms?"

Terms.

Abigail smiles a little, though it's somewhat tired. Then again, life has been tiring. No doubt he's been doing the same. So, she thinks it can be allowed.

"My terms." She holds her hands up a little. "They're very simple."

It's exactly that.

"We will do our best to protect yours if they do their best to protect us. We can't offer any help in expanding your territory, and I don't expect you to offer us any with ours. At a later time, we may renegotiate."

Under normal circumstances, Azula would have played her role as the Mysterious Asian and talked about the Old Ways and the sort of thing people expected at a stall like this. But she wasn't talking to a human. He wore what he was well, and the little twisting of her lips might have been either a smirk or a smile. Perhaps, for her, they were one and the same.

"You heard right," she replied, folding her arms and leaning on them over her stand. "Of course, all wishes come at a price."

She liked to think she was fair. At the very least, she tried to be at first. It wasn't her fault if someone failed to keep their end of the bargain.

"What is it you want? And what's it worth?"

"The safety of my pack for a night is worth a lot."

That was potentially giving her too much of a rope to hang him with, but he wanted her to be interested in his request. He didn't think she would be if he didn't offer her something to sink her teeth into.

"Within reason. Of course."

His smile was well practiced. But tense.

Azula's smile grew, and she leaned in even further. Her interest was obvious, and the way her eyes flickered, she had a price in mind immediately.

"Pull your pack out of Lambeth and keep them away. If werewolves outside your pack die in that borough, seek no revenge."

It was easy enough to agree to, she thought.

"Then, any of your pack put under my care that night will be completely safe."

James has to admit; she's an efficient one. This might be the quickest meeting he has all year.

"Deal."

He says it quickly, as if he doesn't want her to go back on it.

"My protection will begin at one-thirty in the morning and end at exactly six." She knew the hours of the blood moon well. After all, she'd been planning to make her presence known in Lambeth then. This worked better for her purpose, though.

"If you have a particular location I should be protecting, provide me with the address, and it will be done."

He let out a soft breath he didn't know he'd been holding at her stipulations.

"That will work just fine. Thank you." He drew a card out from inside his coat and quickly jotted down the address of the warehouse he was intending to use as a safehouse for the night before handing it off to Azula.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

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Making Alliances

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