The silence that had been around them in the journey from inn to Guard House was immediately broken as they approached.
Outside of the large, ram-shackled building that took up a major part of an otherwise unused street, many people milled around. Most had the haunted and dishelleved looks of those who had been through the disaster of that day - now clothed and fed but incredibly done in. They would have a place to stay for the night in the rooms of the Guard House, but then they would be sent back to their homes in the morning, the promise of a new job opportunity occurring some time in the near future.
As Stare and Nosdyn approached a few of them glanced around and stared at her, looking between the black feathers and his blue skin, caution and respect in their eyes. Though they still talked to one another the volume of it definitely fell as they realised just who was there. Most stayed back, allowing the kenku and demon through, but a rare couple came forwards with open hands. They greeted Stare with a small bow and pleaded for her to take their personal case direct to Vitruvion herself.
She threw Nosdyn an uneasy look and started faster, apologising as they entered the building. A structure of rooms and halls began, with a few staircases in between, all decorated in little furniture and panelled walls. The people continued inside, and the pleading, but here they were more relaxed, seated, or lounging. Stare felt a strange wave of nausea come over her as she imagined just what a project this would be, trying to please them all, give these people who had lost their dignity and livelihoods back. Despite the fact Vitruvion was a megalomaniac god he had always treated his employees with respect.
Most of them anyway.
Grasping Nosdyn's hand tight, her claws likely accidentally nipping at skin, Stare pulled the demon past the people. Their eyes rested on her for full lengths of time and when it came to the guards of the Hollow itself there was some contention. As it stood Stare was the official steward of Vitruvion, and he as the founder and leader of the brothers who ran the Hollow meant that responsibility for the general day to day running of the place fell to her. And those under her. With the Guard House really being the glorified entrance to the Hollow - the wicked catacomb empire as it was - the guards were present. And clearly annoyed that their personal space was being taken up by almost all the workers from the now destroyed mill.
"Damn sex-dungeon-bloody-project," Stare muttered under her breath as she stared a guard back. And he backed off almost immediately, feeling the anger behind it. She pulled Nosdyn down one, then two flights of stairs, deeper into the Guard House as it was.
A small hall filled their vision. The end of it ended with a final descending staircase, from which murmurs and faint firelight came. To the right was a single, plain door sent into the wall. Stare took one brief look at Nosdyn before speaking in a quiet voice.
"This ... through here is my master," she said, "Call him Vitruvion, or any honorific title that you want."
Then she pushed open the door, taking them inside.
What lay beyond was a small room, decorated nicer than the rest of the building. Fine paintings took up the walls, and on the opposite wall sat a fireplace, with a cosy white heat emanating from it. It was the only light in the room, but it seemed to be sufficient for the single man who sat there. Regal but relaxed he lounged in the only seat in the room - a red, leather armchair - with legs crossed and an elegant slump to his pose. He wore rich cloth woven into the finest breeches and shirt, with a gentleman's jacket. In his hand, which was angled to his main torso, was situated a cane, and on his face, framed by long locks of white-blonde hair, was a smirk.
"Well," spoke the man, in a rich, luxurious voice, "How very delightful. Close the door, Stare, and bring your new ... friend to greet me."
Stare rolled her eyes but did as she was bidden, going behind Nosdyn to close the door. She nodded him to go forth. Lazily Vitruvion stretched out a hand before him, intrigue sparkling in his eyes as he looked the blue-skinned man up and down.
"You see I have some questions," Vitruvion said, "About you. Firstly, how does a demon come to be contracted to my kenku? What are you doing out of Hadia? And how on earth do you intend to serve her when she already belongs to me?"
