My privacy given every measure of protection? I could feel the desire to groan bubble to the surface, encouraging me to become the very image of personified agitation. The consistent pseudo-patience and pretense in the woman's voice gave me cause to turn around and sleep elsewhere regardless of the tormenting nagging that filled my gut to the brim. I knew it wasn't likely, but what if Azrael had been right and the council had decided to come looking for me? My plan of action needed far more cultivation and attention than merely assuming they'd find me and I would detonate all of them with the volatile bomb that I so often am. If the council were to begin a hunt for me, I would retire to the mansion outside of the city without a doubt and lose my own trace. My magic would be concealed there, and as no one that I knew had any recollection of the existence of my mansion I (foolishly?) assumed that safety would be found within the grounds of my property. The magical force field I had drawn over the grounds was protection against those who didn't know to look for such a veil. To the others? I'm sure a hunter would notice, but only after mistakenly treading on the traps laid into the ground itself. Mother Nature was my accomplice, acquiescing to nearly every request that fell from my lips or my hands. And then? There were many other guards to the front door that would take the average Hunter a good amount of time to struggle through. If they made it that far, I would gladly invite them in for some form of appraisal, considering the time and effort expended to get through.

From then on? Home court advantage.

"I'm not convinced a Motel 8 would prove as ... accommodating as this establishment."

I sighed, incredibly tired of the handful of word games that had been exchanged. There was no evident solidarity between those of our kind, and with that notion in mind I let the emotions slip from my visible expressions; nothing except for the heaviness of my crystalline stare would alert the woman to any kind of intentions or ideas I had otherwise.

With the posh arch of her eyebrow, I found myself groaning inwardly again. It was becoming very obvious, quickly I might add, that this woman was a figurehead of high maintenance and a cool poise that fell for nothing. I didn't care that her behavior was unchanged at my demand that it was she who led me to the suite. I did care that her disregard for the safety compromised by extending services to the Hunters in the area. Then again... the nature of that statement was hypocritical considering the services extended to Hunters in my own fields. Resigned, I simply grit my jaw and nodded in response.

"Perhaps that's your first mistake."

I muttered the words, nearly mute and inaudible, more for my own irritable benefit than anything else. Why was it so necessary to mingle with the Hunters? I would choose every and any vampire... The reminder of hypocrisy reared its ugly head once more, and I gently urged the beast quiet by the memory that it is often best to let the foolish do as they please, and work through their faults as this witch might have understood as well. It was a difficult task to keep myself quiet and behaving properly as I followed the woman to the suite that was supposed to be mine for the foreseeable future, but one I focused my remaining (... who knew there was any) energy to accomplish. The click of her heels only soothes the irritation, almost like a metronome that counted beats. At the end of the song then, drew a door that could only be mine. Pausing there to absorb her words, my brow raised skeptically and without my permission.

"My personal unique and complex safety measures were absolutely demolished this evening and I can assure you, the likes of them were prominent and sufficient to keep all known hunters out before." The words fell from my lips before I was able to stop them. Oops. " I make it my business to ready defenses like those mentioned on a regular basis; I trust you understand my skepticism."

Resigned once more, and most traces of defiance escaping my grasp I shut my eyes very briefly. Conflicted, evidently.

"Thank you," I started, finding a bit of relief washing me over as she opened the doors to the suite. The shower inside was calling my name (probably for my benefit and all others), and the bed was already occupied by my small and relatively obnoxious feline. With a gentle smirk beginning at the corner of my lips, I found myself needing to acknowledge her distaste with my condition.

"I'm neither homeless nor am I any kind of miscreant. I happen to be the owner of an apartment that met it's... unfortunate end this evening. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to indulge in your amenities. You may wipe the disgust off your face anytime, unless you think I'm kidding and in that case, you're more than welcome to supervise."

There. Blush while you can.