The 1:15 from New Orleans
A cool wind blew across the tarmac thick with the scent of rain and Celeste's icy eyes raised skyward to study the clouds rolling in. Lightning flashed in the distance silently, streaking from cloud to cloud. Sighing softly the Anantya leaned back against the limo's door and watched the jet as it made its way into position before those inside could exit. She was tense, her stomach a tight knot of nerves as she silently prayed not to see the one person she suspected would be on that plane. Her instructions had come just before sunset, and as explicit as they had been it could only be a handful of people that would command such attention.
As they rolled the stairs to the door Cel rapped on the window sharply. Roger climbed from the driver's side, snapping his cell phone shut and walked around to stand near the quiet brunette. He glanced at her and then away quickly. There was something unnerving in the almost statue like quality of her expression, a complete lack of movement or emotion. Some of the flight crew were heading over with bags so he gladly went to meet them and help get the luggage sorted into the trunk.
As the man turned away, cool blue eyes flicked over at his back and Celeste resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Catching movement at the top of the stairs her head turned and she watched, holding her breath without realizing it. An impossibly tall blonde stepped out, his face impassive as he slowly surveyed the area. Once satisfied he glanced back into the cabin and then began making his way down the steps. The young woman's eyes were glued to the doorway, her body tense. A second figure emerged and took her by surprise. Cavalier, her cousin and Amberelle's older brother. His presence and the tense, shielded expression on his face only caused the fear to twist tighter in her gut and she bit the inside of her lip.
And then there he was. Tall, elegant and slim, a man who looked to be in his mid fifties. There was an almost hawkish look to his features, sharply chiseled and obviously Germanic. His hair was almost all silver with only hints of platinum blonde and he was dressed in an expensive looking custom dark navy suit. There was an aura of confidence around him, he was a man who was used to being in command and obeyed. Gustav De'Espionne.
An errie inner light glowed behind her light blue eyes as hate roared to life deep inside the Creole. She watched him saunter over and speak briefly to the guard and Cav. Thousands of possibilities flew through her mind, as they did almost every time she saw the De'Espionne patriarch, each a more gruesome and vicious death than the one before. All at her capable hand. A second guard, a literal mirror of the first emerged. 'Of course he would bring both of them, the coward.' The twin stepped down and turned to help the last figure emerge. Graceful, tall and elegant Elise De'Espionne took his hand with a warm smile and moved onto the small platform. Pausing, she looked around the runway briefly. Her warm brown eyes rested on Celeste for a moment and her smile widened.
Watching her grandmother walk down to join her husband, Celeste couldn't control the faint shiver that ran down her spine. With all three of the commanding members of the family here in Nachton, it was a sure sign that something was going on. History told Cel that it wouldn't be pleasant for whoever it was. As the group approached her, she sent a quick prayer up that it wasn't for anyone she knew. But the knot in her gut persisted, a cold lump burning and twisting.
When he was a few feet away, Celeste let her gaze move to Gustav. Her expression was carefully schooled, the perfect mixture of respect and aloofness. She dropped to one knee and lowered her head. He reached out and touched the back of her head briefly and her skin crawled. There was an almost palpable stench of evil around her and it made her want to retch. How this man could fool so many with his smile and honied words always mystified her.
Sire, she said quietly, her tone neutral. Welcome to Nachton. I have made the preparations as instructed.
Gustav's green eyes moved over his child. Always the picture of respect and obedience. Inside he preened at his ability to control her so perfectly. He was aware of the hate that radiated off of her, burned in her gaze when she thought he wasn't looking. But as always he held the upper hand. A cruel smile curved his mouth and he slowly caressed her hair. Of course my child. You are, as always, capable. Turning to the tall blonde standing quietly behind him, he inclined his head slightly, motioning her forward as he stepped to the side. My dear, his hand swept towards the door Roger had opened. Elise nodded slightly, then moved to the limousine and stepped inside without a word.
Still kneeling, simply waiting for him to allow her to rise Cel heard first her grandmother then Cavalier enter the car, then the twins. Once they were alone the Creole waited and focused on controlling her breathing and pulse to keep them at a calm and relaxed rate so they did not betray the anxiety she felt.
Come come child, Gustav said as he entered the limo. Standing slowly Celeste drew in a steadying breath. Several fat drops of rain began to fall down around her and she looked up again. A thought struck her as funny and she chuckled softly, dryly. Somehow even the heavens wept when the man came to town. Just before the downpour began she climbed in and Roger quickly pushed it shut.
((OOC Cel & all out, lock up pls))