The vampire Mayor's remarks were fairly simple. He'd been invited to enough of these ceremonies to know what words and sentiments played well for the business crowd, and what fell flat. However, Dareios appreciated the simple challenge of trying to keep his material fresh and inspiring, so he always tried to find a personal flair to add to each one. Today, it seemed he struck the right chord of humor and a sense of resilience. He waved off the clapping crowd as he left the small stage, patting the the business owner on the back as he stiffly shook his hand. "Congratulations, again." He muttered before drifting off to mingle within the throngs of people, both human and supernatural. The social hour was small, with mediocre refreshments. Dareios' publicist warned him that the press interest was low. Only a handful of reporters hovered among the crowd - one from the free weekly which was basically a glorified a couponer - and a few of the local politics reporters hoping to jab him with policy-related questions. Nevertheless, Dareios told her to make him available for interviews. Dareios was just starting to strike up a conversation with the CEO of the chamber of commerce in the southside of town when a slight blonde woman edges her way in. Both the Mayor of Sacrosanct and the head of the chamber fall silent as she introduces herself. Dareios stiffens somewhat, and casts the other bow-tie clad man a sympathetic look. "We'll catch up later, Lewis. I promise." But that was a lie. He was silently grateful for the reporter's intrusion. Dareios offers the man an apologetic nod before he walks off, then feigns a smile to the pesky reporter who stands waiting. "Okay, Mrs. Dabney, you have my attention." He says, digging his white-knuckled, balled fists into his trouser pockets. "What can I do for you?" Dareios Auerbach | Vampire | Vinyl |