As the 3 mages and their Friend Billy left the pool side gathering, Charles and Brandon stayed behind, waiting for them to be out of earshot, Charles was the first to speak “you’re not canceling the party, are you?”
Brandon smiled, genuinely at the man he’d just met “you’re astute, and correct. I have no intention of Canceling this event, it’s too important. Understand though, I hold them no ill will, it was a bit much, a bit too soon for them.”
Charles nodded “you don’t know me, but I hope you put some stock in Nicks ability to judge character, I am willing, and capable of helping, should you see fit to allow me to do so. I Can procure, what you need, and arrange a place for the event to occur. No questions asked, that being said, I propose the following. As you no doubt have very little trust for me yet, what if I simply deliver the… Refreshments, so that you may keep the location secret?”
Brandon looked thoughtful and contemplated things a moment before responding, “A solid idea, and I’m willing to put forth a bit of good faith. Perhaps after this further joint ventures would be possible, I understand you run an outreach center here in town, I’d be more than willing to make a generous donation. This is of course, at my own whim, I fully understand, a boon would be owed still. That is how you do things here, yes?”
Charles waved a hand “I expect no such thing, it’s not my way. The city I live in perhaps, but myself, no. The donation would be greatly appreciated, and though a Favor from one such as yourself would be… life changing for one as young as myself. No, that’s not what I want.”
“Surely you want something?” Brandon looked almost concerned, there was always an angle.
“No, you’re right, nothing is free, but this isn’t a favor as much as a condition. A promise of sorts, though, were you to back out I would have no way to enforce it. However, from everything I’ve heard, you’re a man of honor, so I’m willing to take you at your word… it’s simply this: Don’t break these three. They are good people, and I don’t want to see them hurt.”
Brandon smiled, “You genuinely care, don’t you? Not just about them, but about all your… wayward souls. Astounding! “
Charles frowned a moment and Brandon smiled, and shook his head. “No no, I’m sorry, i’;m not trying to mock you, it’s just a rather rare quality these days. I’m impressed, actually. For what it’s worth, I have no intention of hurting them, or of allowing them to BE hurt if it’s within my power to prevent it. You’re right, they are good at heart, and though I’ll not try to persuade you of my gentler nature, if nothing else, they are far too useful to be discarded easily. Mages with their potential are not commonplace. Or so I’m told. And the truth is, they are growing on me, the young one Billy has been in my employ for a few years now, and I consider hi ma friend, he;’s quite entertaining. I value you him beyond his skill set, and given time I believe the same will happen with the other three.”
Charles smiled, “That’s good to hear, maybe you’ve been misjudged.”
Brandon chuckled slightly, “I wouldn’t go quite that far… let’s just say that recently, I’ve had some, personal growth”
Again Charles nodded and this time he stood up and crossed towards Brandon extending a hand, “it’s good to have met the legend in person. I hope that we can be allies, for a long time to come.”
Brandon stood himself, and took Charles’ hand, shaking it firmly, “I appreciate the sentiment, and look forward to our partnership”
Charles, released his grip and looked at Brandon a bit quizzically “If you don’t mind me asking, you seem… how shall I say, more at ease than most people are when they learn what clan I hail from. Why is that? Not that I don’t appreciate it, mind you.”
Brandon grinned, a sinister grin, “You can not corrupt one who has already explored the depths of the Abyss.”
Outwardly, Charles smiled, he turned and left. The chill that ran down his spine, remaining well contained until he got to his vehicle. Ounce safely away from the manor, he shivered. In the final moments of their meeting, he caught Brandon gaze. And in it, he saw the Abyss Brandon spoke of. Brandon was right. There was no depravity, no depth of Sin or act of Evil that could phase that man in the slightest. There were monster’s on the world, they had no soul and were capable of almost anything. But this man had a soul, and yet had moved beyond what most would consider Evil. Charles hoped that he never lost his humanity to that degree. He drove home, and prayed