Turning the page.

Shroud
Appearing in a corner of the tap room, he sequesters himself to a secluded corner, where he sits and cracks open the book he borrowed from Anna Maria.

The Thief between the sheets
It was the best of times, it was the yeast of times.

Shroud slowly puts the book down and rolls his glowing eyes to the ceiling. "This man is an idiot." He says, before sighing and picking the book up to continue reading.
I was a child when I awoken from the cold, shivering with all too familiar pangs of hunger gnawing away at my gut. I was an orphan, my father served a knight and later fell prey to bandits on his way home to my mother heavy with his child, this child was myself.

Later an old man, who claimed to be a wizard who was saved by my father, told my mother the tale of how my father fell to bandits while saving him. So in return he placed a special enchantment on the unborn child, just weeks before I was born.

That is all I can recall of my parentage, it was the story my mother often told me during those long, cold nights, where we scavenged for food. She died when I days after my fifth name day, and in the days that followed, I grew adept at thievery and being cut purse.

The little activity going on in the room stills as the door to the inn swings open. Paused in the opening is an attractive woman dressed elegantly in the latest fashion. An array of jewels both real and faux adorn her ears, neck, wrists and hands. On anyone else they would seem gaudy and overdone but on her the stones seem to only enhance her presence. Stepping further into the room as her eyes adjust, the young looking woman scans the tattered room, her bored gaze missing nothing. Behind her a pair of porters with her luggage stand somewhat impatiently.

Not seeing anyone who looks to be in charge her own impatience grows. Tapping a finger against the handle of her parasol, the point of which is resting on the ground as she waits for assistance. Thus far she is unimpressed by the recommendation an acquaintance had provided her with should she ever be working in this area. It had been implied that this establishment was known for excellent service and amenities not common to other places offering long term lodging. Thus far the White Wolf Inn is falling flat.

Shroud
His eyes roll up from the ceaseless tapping, he spots the young woman and finding a wave of memories washing over him recalling the Inn in better days, even with the war with Malfiest, the Inn had always been swelling with travelers. He doesn't know if its his fondness for the White Wolf Inn, or the promise he made to Allyister that prompts him to gently close his book and tuck it into the folds of his clothes. With a sigh, he pulls up his hood and stands. Teleporting briefly behind the counter and half panicked scans the available room keys. Selecting one, he phases through the bar, and steps up to greet Charlotte.

"Greetings M'lady." He says with a slight bow, making sure to keep his head bowed to hide his face. "I'm S...Sven" He recovers, "The Inn Keeper Anna Maria is tending to rather pressing business I'm afraid I humbly apologize for whatever inconvenience this has caused, but I assure you, I'm more than capable of getting you checked in." Noticing her bags, he gestures towards them,
"May I take your bags M'lady and ask how long you'll be staying with us?"

Glancing up from his seat he frowns, "But I thought she was injured along with friend Shard..." He trails off eye the man. "But you were helpful you were doing our fight," Then deppite Emily's protest, Cole climbs back out of the booth and gives Shroud a bow, "I too am proud to meet you Sven, I am Cole Ambrose of the house of the mortal flame," Then he turns to Charlotte and whom he gives a slight bow to as well. "If you require and escort, or body guard, m'lady you couldn't do worse than me."

Charlotte inclines her head in a slight nod Shroud, acknowledging his apology. "Thank you Sven, your assistance is most welcome. I will be staying here indefinitely while I am in town for work."

As Cole approaches her polite smile brightens. Perhaps this place isn't as dreary as it first appears. "I appreciate your offer Cole. Perhaps I will take you up on it should the need arise. Do people often become injured around here?"

Her eyes scan the room again, not terrible surprised judging by the state of things. It is probably a good thing that her presence will be required at work for a great deal of her time here. Though a through review of her insurance policy may be in order.

Shroud
Taking her bags, Shroud nods, "The city here has been...dangerous as of late, as you may have heard, explosions, accidents, people being foolish, the Inn I'm afraid hasn't been completely unscathed," He says casting a warning gaze at Cole. "Cole, a man called Shard, and myself have been brought on to both help man the Inn and keep it, the occupants and patrons safe." Holding out a key to Charlotte, while keeping his head down.

"Your key madam, and if I may, I'll be happy to show you to your room."

Coming down the stairs two and three at a time, he rounds the stairs into the tap room and sees Charlotte and his smile brightens and briefly forgets he's a man out of time.

"Charlotte Nott! I know you, you're great!' He says quickly walking over to her and offer her his hand, "I'm Jason Knight and I'm big fan!"

"Well I am glad the owner of this establishment has done their duty to keep guests safe. You both seem very capable." The last comment was directed more towards Cole. Though Sven has been most helpful, his robed appearence and lack of eye contact (or really any decent view of his face) leads Charlotte to doubt his protective skills.

Taking the key from Shroud she moves her hand in a 'lead on' gesture. "Surely the local law enforcement is handling the situation throughout the city. It is strange that so many incidents are occurring at once, wouldn't you agree?"

At Jason's interruption her concern over local happenings dissipate. Giving the excited man a winning smile she holds her hand out, Palm down. "You're too kind! I always do adore meeting a fan."

pleased that he may be of service and may finally procure some form of employment to pay back Anna and Shard for their hospitality, he smiles and gives her a courteous bow.
"I can typically be found here in the serving room, or more commonly as of late fighting some monster or two." He says with a smile, giving her another bow before retreating back to his booth.

Taking her hand he cusps it gently in his other, "By no means, am I being kind, you are simply marvelous, breathtaking even." He says leaving out how he never managed to make it an actual show of hers on account of his active night life. But he always found a pure elegance to her dancing.

Letting go of her hand and noticing her bags, "Ah, I see you'll be staying with us, so let me know if there's anything I can do to better accommodate you during your stay here." He says briefly forgetting the Inn wasn't yet his yet.

Charlotte watches Cole return to his bench with a raised eyebrow. "Monsters? How preposterous."

Jason taking her hand draws her attention back in his direction. His flattery distracting her from further comment. "How very kind. Sven has already been gracious enough to offer his help with my luggage. If there is anything further I require I will be sure to inform you Mr. Knight. I have never been to this area before. Perhaps if I have time later you would be generous enough to show me around. Though if you are unavailable Cole seems to be most enthusiastic."

The mention of monsters snaps Jason back to the present, "Oh right...the monsters, then glancing over at Cole, "Yes he does, doesn't he?" Then smiling he turns back to Charlotte, "I would say you may need an escort and I'd love have the chance of showing your around." He says stepping aside to permit Shroud to step past him, where he whispers, "Sven?"

Shroud
"Later traveler," Shroud whispers as he steps pass Jason. "This way Ms Nott." He says to Charlotte beginning up the stairs.

That Jason does not deny that there may be monsters of some sort running around is something Charlotte finds unsettling. Perhaps she shouldn't have accepted this role, even if it is better paying than most. It at least explains why they were so eager to give into her demands her acceptance hinged on.

Flashing Jason another large smile she follows Shroud up the stairs.

It takes Jason until he walks over to the bar for him to remember he was actually in the early 1900s, and perfectly recalled seeing Charlotte performing in the year 2022 and knowing she was still in New York before he left for England in 2025.

"Holy shit...Charlotte Nott is a damn vampire..." He mutters to himself, "Or a werewolf..." He adds recalling their long life spans.

Coming into the room from the kitchen Anna is relieved to see the room in far better shape than she last recalled. Most of the tables and chairs seem to be back in their upright positions and while a few of them seem singed, none appear to be broken. Stepping behind the bar the innkeeper starts to restore order in this area.

"I assume by the lack of additions in the infirmary when I woke up that no further chaos has fallen upon the inn?"

Glancing up at her as he wonders over to the bar.
"Alls quiet on the western front." Jason says, "And I figured I'd try to fire up the forge and get to work on some of your silver bullets and maybe coat some of my own arms in the stuff if I'm going to be sticking around, I'd just need as much silver as your willing to part with." He says, knowing the metal wasn't exactly cheap.

"Oh and we..do have a new guest. Charlotte Knot....your man...Sven?" He says doubting the man's name. "Showed her to a room and took her information. So at least we have a new paying guest..." He says turning to walk around the bar, "Oh And I think she's a vampire, or a werewolf or something, so it'll probably be a good idea to hang up some crucifixes and garlic around our rooms...."

Just as she starts to ponder on the question regarding silver, her brain stops at the mention of Charlotte Nott. "She's a something alright." Anna say's dryly, thinking more about her ability to go through men like water more than anything supernatural. "Don't take anything she says too seriously." Unsure of who Sven is, the innkeeper leaves that question for later as it will probably answer itself.

Giving Jason a very good look for probably the first time, she folds her arms on the bar. "Out of curiosity, what exactly are your intentions regarding my great great granddaughter?" There is no trace of humor in Anna's question. In fact, her words are said with a seriousness that implies that Jason should choose what he says and any future actions regarding this topic very seriously.

Glancing up at Anna he gives her a pained look. "She's an employee and a friend." He tells her. "A best friend," He corrects. "Before looking behind the bar. "My last relationship didn't end very well. She a paramedic.. Like a doctor but more mobile." He explains, "Anyway, she didn't like who I was in the suit. But before she found out it was me, she admired and agreed with what I was doing as the Midnight Hawk. But she found that version of me....too terrifying and violent. Kat...Kat is gorgeous yes, but between balancing too lives I don't know if I could....And although she knows of both my lives, I don't know if she wants to hop aboard this crazy train." He shrugs after a beat, "After all, I'm only human, I'm not a half-demon like Blaze, an Alpha Human like Alexander and I'm definitely no...no Shadow..." he says with a hint of sorrow in his tone.

Anna eyes him, not missing a thing. Opening her mouth to ask about his melancholy tone she closes it. Some things are best left unknown and she has enough to worry about without knowing what may or may not happen in the future.

"I'm a bad person to provide advice when it comes to relationships. Can't say my own past in that area is particularly stellar. However, the capacity our family has for tolerating crazy is rather impressive. I'm sure you'll figure that out before you leave here." Her relationship, whatever it may be, with Allyister alone is enough to affirm that statement.

"That said, if you do become a member of this family in the future and you do anything to hurt Kat emotionally or physically I will haunt you and make your life a living hell." The last bit is said with a grin in jest; though if she could carry out that particular threat she would.

"Are you serous?" He says with guffaw.

Turning to address Anna. "If anyone should be afraid its me. She's one of them...a magic user. and she's spent the last two and a half years being trained by me, and Blaze who has mastered nearly every fighting style in the world for the past two years as well. She even had Alex teach her some spirit aura stuff." He says with a shrug. "I don't know either, I don't understand it and because I'm an Atheist, that somehow makes me unable to tap into my spiritual energy."

Raising an eyebrow she wonders where that special little skill came... will come? from. Sure as hell isn't from her. Noting his dislike for magic Anna's not sure how long Jason will last here considering it's ever expanding presence.

"What does religion have to do with it?" Rethinking the question she shakes her head. "Never mind. I'd rather not get into that discussion. You may want to get used to the idea of magic while you're here. It will probably save your life. And, yes I'm serious. There are some things I don't joke about- the well being of my family is one of them."

Charlotte is halfway down the stairs before spotting a surprisingly familiar flash of red hair behind the bar. "Mitzy!" What had been a leisurely stroll as she traversed the steps turns into an energetic stride. Those few individuals that happen to be in her path quickly move aside to make room for her beeline.

"What the devil are you doing here? Behind the bar? Wearing... whatever it is you are wearing." Charlotte's face and tone range from pleased surprise, to curiosity, before finally settling on a mix between horror and disgust. As if to emphasize her feelings towards the attire, she presses a delicate hand against her own chest, as if Anna's clothing where a personal insult which has wounded her heart.

Without waiting for an answer she moves around the bar, being careful not to touch anything least some imaginary spilled ale were to stain her own attire. Looping her arm through Anna's she begins dragging the other woman towards the door. "This won't do. Come along we're going shopping. My treat. Don't argue otherwise I will start telling everyone I speak to about the last time I found you in a tavern. What was that place called? The Saucy Wench?" Charlotte continues to talk as she walks, ignoring any protests Anna cares to utter.

His eyes widening in both surprise and amusement, he smiles and whispers. "Mitzy?"
Then watching the two exit the end Jason lets out a low groan. "Oh...she's one of those.." he mutters, feeling his admiration for Charlotte falter a smidgen. Jason was still newly wealthy in his own right, but he had groan up in the lower middle class, and still had trouble figuring out why the rich seemed to always act like they were above others. Clothes as it were did not make the person, the person, made the person and Jason enjoyed working with his own hands and getting dirty, even though he simply work from home if he so chose.

However that was the upside to being in the past, he didn't have to worry about any board meetings, or video conferences.

Glancing across the room at Cole.
"You there, Mr. Ambrose? Would you care to help me fire up the old forge?"

Shroud
Appearing in kitchen and stepping out into the tap room just in time to see Anna being escorted out.
"I just missed her didn't I, I'm a terrible bellhop." Then with a shrug, he returns to his booth and pulls out his book and sets to reading.