Dareios did not like being a part of situations in which he was not in control. This was the second time the equine shifter had presented such a situation to the vampire, and as more information was slowly fed to him, like bread crumbs to a hidden trap, Dareios felt more and more uncomfortable about it. For the most part, Dareios was happy playing the role of 'friendly neighborhood vampire' who sat upon a lofty fortune. He genuinely liked helping others whom he thoroughly vetted and researched, and ultimately decided that they were worthy of his help or money. Frost here, had caught him off guard the first time they met. He was clearly in trouble, and the risk to Dareios was low at the time, so he didn't mind buying some ill-fitting clothes for the boy and then sending him on his way. This next request, however, would require a little more involvement on the vampire's part. "I do not have it. But I can acquire it, if I would be so obliged." Dareios says softly, his gaze blurring as he stared at nothing in particular, one hand draped lazily over his glass of wine. He brings it to his lips as he thinks, the jazz music humming in the background. For a second he curses the shifter under his breathe. This was supposed to be a night of reprieve, of silent contemplation, of pleasant conversation with strangers who had no ulterior motives. There were things that Frost knew that Dareios didn't. Clearly. The boy knew how to find him here. He'd been sleuthing around his brownstone, apparently. Frost knew enough that Dareios had the connections to locate such an artifact. He wouldn't lie that he had no idea what it was or what its worth could be. All Dareios knew was that it had substantial worth to the shifter in front of him. That was enough to put Dareios back in control. He had something Frost wanted. "I do not know you, therefore, I cannot trust you." The vampire speaks again, twisting in his chair to face the boy head on. "My reputation, my business, is on the line with this request. I do not align my interests with those I cannot trust." Whether or not the amulet held some sort of power, or could give Frost some kind of supernatural gift, wasn't really of Dareios' concern. But where it came from, and what would be required to find and take ownership, of course should be taken into consideration. The vampire watches the shifter as he huffs, his fingers moving across the bar in an anxious manner. "The flat rate for new customers is $200 an hour, on top of whatever acquisition cost required to buy the piece. Is that something you can afford?" Dareios doubts it, and hopes this is where his wild request will end. But he couldn't help but feel somewhat curious about the story behind this shifter's impromptu rendezvous. Dareios | Vampire | Vinyl |