for @stigranselm
Soren scanned the dining room one more time, mouth twisted into a small frown as his fingers tapped against the bartop. He'd given into his nerves and showed up for their appointment early, nursed two drinks to take off the edge and cut himself off halfway through the second -- there was no affording being tipsy at such a crucial venture. It was a small venue, but fine quality: public to afford Soren meager bit of safety, not so far from the castle that Stigr would be unwilling to accept his invitation, sparing on details as it was. All he had to do now was wait.
Soren had bet on intrigue to be enough to lure the vampire down from the hilltop and miraculously it had worked. Ever since he'd learned exactly which councilmen were currently in Oymyakon, he'd been steeling himself for this encounter. The odds that Soren could make his way in Krovstown and ingratiate himself with the castle to any degree without being recognized by his father's old business partner were next to none. If Stigr outed him in the belly of the beast, it would be a disaster. If he refused to look the other way now, then the game would be over before it had even begun, but at least Soren might get a running start. And if he agreed...
Stigr was a business man, after all. Soren wasn't totally sure what exactly the councilman might want for his silence, but he was determined to find out. It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He'd very nearly reversed his decision and ordered a third drink after all when he caught at first look at his guest in the mirrored wall behind the bar. It was like being transported back in time watching the vampire cross to where Soren leaned into his chair, not a hair on Stigr's head seeming to have fallen out of place in the last decade since they had seen each other. Immortal. He would have to put more effort into wrapping his head around that here.
"Councilman Anselm," Soren turned quickly, voice far more calm than he felt. He extended a hand, meeting Stigr's eyes, every lecture in Viraj's office about setting the proper tone for a negotiation running through his mind again, "It's a pleasure. I appreciate you taking the time to meet. Should I assume that we both understand why I asked you to come here today?"