The First Age

Eliot had been working a long time to get his home back in working order.  His family had spent millions of dollars to rebuild the place.  And Eliot himself had gone to Atharim sources to fund the changes he wanted to incorporate into their new safe haven. With the old Regus dead, and the new one still at the Vatican, Moscow was once again his and his alone.  

The mansion itself was rebuilt from the ground up.  The crystal showcase still available to those who could afford admission, in addition to a fine dining restaurant and a high-class bar to round out the cover for what lay in the depths of the mansion itself.

Where the Atharim had failed before Eliot intended to insure that no outsider breached their walls.  Everything went high tech including the new security system he installed.  Durante Securities was new to the game, but the security offered was better than any other.  Round the clock security by Artificial Intelligence and Human's alike.  It was far more complicated than Eliot understood, but the sales rep had sold him on it within the first ten minutes of their conversation. And he wasn't even pitching the facial recognition software until the end.

But it wasn't just the security system that went modern -- it was the entire system inside the bunker as well.  The libraries were now being digitized from the Vatican.  It had taken a long conversation about how they could lose everything and then some in a fire at the Vatican.  If anyone ever found out the breadth of knowledge stored there.  Not that was the reason for the fire -- the godling who started the fire was still at large.  Not that they really knew since they'd come in with a disguise and left with flames and smoke in their wake.  

It was a time Eliot didn't really want to relive so he made plans and preperations for the new headquarters.

The armory was as high tech as one could get.  The barracks had semi comfortable beds and plenty of space for storage for each bunk.  

The infirmary had the latest and greatest technology available as well as a research lab adjoining it.  He had long since decided that the Atharim needed to do more than just kill.  There might be additional things one could learn from the monsters they hunted.  And Dr. Angelika Woźniak was a key to getting that up and running.  She had specifications he had met and then some.  He hoped that she would like the upgrade and the recognition for what she did.

Eliot had bigger plans than just modernizing the safe house.  He had plans to make Moscow safe for all Atharim too.  But first he had to deal with all the niceties of opening up the Baccarrat Mansion again.  

The cutting of the ribbon ceremony was being held and his father was present to cut the red velvet ribbon strung across their doorway and the world would be allowed to see the rebuilt family history.  There would always be a Baccarrat in Moscow -- for as long as any of the family kept on living.  And they would always back the Atharim.  Even if Eliot had his little secret, the Atharim were their legacy and he was proud to be one even if he could never join the hunt.

The message came from the Lagueux boy. She's heard rumors of the Baccarat Mansion changing their tactics for the future rebuilding. In addition to the message that went out she received a personal one.

Quote:Got a state of the art lab. Come check it out.

She was curious. Most Atharim looked down on her work. Would Lagueux have any other opinion of it?

Angelika had only been to the mansion once, for the all hands by the Regus. And then it was gone. Now she descended the elevator after the rigorous security entrance. Finger print scanner, retnal scanner and an x-ray. They weren't getting in by defrauding the system with godly magic this time.

There was no escort once she got on the elevator. It was state of the art into the depths. Not nearly as far as she thought they'd go. But still more than a floor or two.

A guant man greeted her. "Welcome, Doctor. I think you will love the lab. If you will come this way."

Eliot showed the good doctor to the fresh lab -- never been used. "We have state of the art equipment and the finest containment chambers known to man. Short of a godling ripping through the glass it should hold most other monsters."

He smirked. "And I have plans to allow the use of studying the godlings as well. Though I do hope they will be more willing than previously, but that is for another day."

The doctor looked at him like he was crazy. "Most godlings aren't going to trust the Atharim after the Ascendancy's speech."

Eliot smiled. "Of course not, but we have several within our midst who might feel otherwise. One, Nox Durante, might willingly come back to the fold. I'm under the impression he has already started working for us in some capacity. And with an impressive record. We could use more like him. And with faces like Tan Li we could also use his popularity. I have extended a welcome back to Gerald Schneider. The inquisitor has a small note that he is also of the godling persuasion and has been on the run. Perhaps you can tell him of my honesty. I don't wish to harm him, only use his continued talents with our cause. In Moscow he will be protected, I will see to it."

"How?"

"Plans are still in motion my good doctor. But there are plans. Big, beautiful and powerful plans."

Though she was an exile of the family, it did not mean she did not still avail of the resources being an Asquith afforded her. Public image was the important consideration, after all – she was not sure the di inferi had much in the way of conceit when it came to actual morals. Which suited her just fine, of course. Helena had been digging since her arrival in Moscow, and both blood and money opened many a sticky door barred to others. She had plenty of either at her disposal, but less interest in the dirty work of it. For that reason, her recent acquisition turned out to be a useful one, despite her initial reservations.

Natalie was the kind of beautiful that made men drool, but she was also cold as fresh snow with it. Since Helena found small talk laborious at the best of times, she was glad to use the shield of her company. As to the actual nature of their alliance, well; Helena had no interest in teaching children, but every interest in shaping the world around her. Especially to create a world that suited her particular proclivities. Natalie shimmered with the sort of energy that spoke of quiet consequence, and such was the kind of a determination Helena would use to her advantage. Including navigating the social niceties she usually abhorred and avoided unless she thought there was something in it for her.

Champagne in hand, her eyes roved the decadence of the reopening with little short of a mild sort of disdain. She was an Asquith, born with a silver spoon, and Baccarat was a dynasty she was well acquainted with. But their legacy was in glassworks, not ruling class. At least the restoration was such that one would never know there had been a fire here. Beside her, Natalie was leading conversation with another guest. Her poise was practised and engaged, such that one would never know she’d actually rolled her eyes when Helena informed her of the engagement, and her presumed attendance at Helena’s side for it.

Eliot left the good doctor to explore the facilities, the party upstairs raged on and he escaped through the secret elevator up to the main floors. It was a Baccarat secret only those in the know would know about. Not even the Regus would be privy to the escape hatch. He wasn't about to get caught like last time. Even if he knew far more about the fire than he should.

No one had to know.

Eliot donned his best smile, and even though his frail look made everything that much more awkward he slipped through the crowd in search of a drink and influential people he could talk to.

Many a rich face showed for the grand opening. Who wouldn't want to be there at the premier. And of course it was an open bar so there were the gate crashers to keep away as well. Many here wouldn't even know what lie beneath. And that was acceptable for Eliot.

There were far more men with pretty women on their arms than women mingling alone. Not that Eliot was in the mood to look but a pair of women caught his eye. Not for anything untoward but for the mere fact that he hadn't expected to see the owner of the Almaz here. He'd seen bootleg footage of their latest former Atharim godling's display of power under her room.

He smiled brightly and offered the ladies a canape as they passed by. "My mother's recipe." He smiled. "Eliot Lagueux, welcome to my party Miss Grey and Mz Asquith I am humbled by your appearance today." He gave them a sweeping bow that his brother's would mock him over had them been there.

Helena was not particularly patient for these kinds of events, but it was a useful distraction. Not that she couldn’t have simply walked straight into Baccarat with her questions and curiosity, but generally such direct behaviour drew alarm. She had learned somewhat from her court case; understood that some facets of her personality others found entirely too abrasive. It was why she insisted on Natalie’s company tonight, allowing the other woman to pave a path that allowed Helena to exist amidst the soiree without scrutiny. She watched those around them, and partook of the conversation when she must, but she was looking for a few faces in particular, and let Natalie's charm deal with the rest.

She’d purchased Almaz because it suited her needs, not because she cared for violence or criminal activity. But given its clientele, it had proven an interesting tool for underworld gossip. Most of it Helena paid no mind to, else actively disdained. The di inferi itself had plenty of their own fairytales and superstitions, and she was accustomed to filtering out the ridiculous – and the useless. Stories abounded in the dark especially, each more outlandish than the last. But one Almaz rumour she had analysed with some interest – concerning the fire which had raged in these very halls. And why.

Helena had known since she’d found him that her husband’s death had been unnatural. She had no feelings of vengeance, but she did have a desire to peel back the layers of this world and understand the currents of power hidden from sight. She did not yet know why he had been murdered, but by now she had a sense of the possible perpetrators. The government was quite open about the notion of terrorists in their midst, killers who would take the life of a channeler in some misguided sense of justice or balance, because it was what they had been indoctrinated to believe. And of course Helena knew something about cults. If such a society of assassins existed, she had no interest in its hunters. If she were to uncover this beast at all, it was only the head she wanted. And clearly that meant she would need to follow the money.

Hence, Baccarat.

As someone joined them, Helena waved away the offered canapes. Was a familial recipe supposed to make it enticing? Endearing? She neither knew nor cared. Though she did have a vested interest in Eliot Lagueux’s bloodline. For that reason she did smile, and turned with interest into his company. He gave a very old-fashioned bow, and Helena extended a hand for him to place a kiss if he wished. She did not like touch as a rule, but she was making the effort to be friendly.

“Northbrook, actually,” Natalie said beside her, with a small and amused smile. The correction did not sound like a reprimand, though it should have been – it was quite the social faux pas. Perhaps Eliot intended to point it out though, that connection of her father; Helena neither knew nor cared. She felt Natalie’s attention on her briefly, noting the change in her behaviour – for Helena had been nothing but aloof with every other conversant this evening – but she ignored it. This man looked sickly, emaciated and drawn – the sort of penitent Helena had often seen at her father’s door in her youth.

“You must be pleased to finally be finished with the repairs,” she said genially. “They have taken quite some time.”

"My apologies, Miss Northbrook. I understand the stigma of ones parental influences. Or in my case that of my brothers." He was the black sheep -- hidden away because of his illnesses. But it didn't matter now, they weren't here, and he was. This was his home, his legacy now. They handled everything back home. Moscow was his and they left it at that.

Helena offered his hand in the bow and he took it and pressed a gentlemanly kiss to her middle knuckle before returning to standing and giving the women a bright smile. "It is most certainly wonderful to have all the sweaty dirty men gone from the establishment. But they did beautiful work." Eliot looked up and enjoyed the architecture they had fully restored. Most of the mansion had been devastated, almost like it melted into itself from the heat. Not much of anything survived the fire. He was surprised he had. There had been doubts he would. Like the mansion the smoke inhalation and burns healed -- even if it was slow. It was truly sad to be able to offer a gift to others and not give it to himself. But such was life.

"Can I offer either of you a tour?

Natalie did not seem offended. Perhaps she only corrected on rote, like a well-worn reflex. While Helena had been content to let her direct the conversation before, inserting her own input only where necessary, she did not wait for Natalie to respond this time. She smiled at Eliot’s words, having no interest in commenting on the notion of dirty sweaty men about the place, though she did consider if it were intended as a slight. Most people would not know her connection to the Almaz, for most people would not even know such a club even existed in Moscow, but the Lagueuxs were exceptionally rich, and the easiest paths to knowledge were paved in gold. Calculation twitched in her eyes. She did not care to be insulted, but it was not whether she was offended Helena was considering, but how much it meant Eliot actually knew.

“You certainly may,” she said, tight on the heels of the offer. Smiles didn’t really reach Helena’s eyes, but it didn’t make her cold, just as haughty as her tight, crisp English accent suggested her to be. She glanced at Natalie to make it clear she was not invited on the venture, and waited for the Bacarrat heir to lead the way.

Eliot noticed the look Ms. Asquith gave the daughter of Alistar Grey. He didn't pay it much mind as he offered her his elbow as he headed off towards the stairs. There was a delicate gold chain that said "Employees Only" strung across it. The private collection was off limits until tickets were sold during the daytime.

Eliot removed one end of it and escorted Helena through to the other side. "I'm sure you've seen enough of the collection downstairs." The upstairs was just as lavish but more personal. When his father and family stayed it was their personal quarters and kept off limits during those times. For now it was empty.

Eliot explained pieces and toured the place until the party was left behind.

Though she’d rather he’d not offered, Helena did take Eliot’s arm. It gratified her, at least, to be led beyond the gold chain denoting the area off limits to regular guests. She did not look back for Natalie’s reaction, knowing the woman would be fine. Likely she would not even be offended. It seemed to take a lot to rile her, which was in part why Helena had been sure she could get away with commandeering the Baccarat heir alone.

For a while she allowed Eliot to describe and explain the pieces revealed. Helena was attentive enough, knowing others – and usually men in particular – enjoyed being allowed to speak, especially about things important to them. But her thoughts moved away from the beautiful crystal to the man himself. His sickly appearance was a curiosity in itself, but it was leverage she was thinking about. She wondered what her gift would unfurl, and what aid she might be able to offer, should it transpire Eliot had something she wanted in return. Though she was estranged from them, one thing the Di Inferi knew was how to forge beneficial links and alliances.

“The newsfeeds never quite said what caused the fire,” she interjected after a time. “And I have heard an interesting rumour from a woman who claimed to be here when it happened.” They had paused by one the plinths, and Helena judged he had been finished revealing the enthroned object’s history before she spoke. She looked for his reaction.