Eald. Episode 2: Hypatia

Albuquerque, NM 5:00pm

Winter had fully set on the city of Albuquerque

People were busy going to and froe during this "Happiest time of the year" buying more things to exchange with one another.

"Man is silly" Eald would say to himself. He had witnessed this behavior over the eons and still not fully understood it.

It had been a few weeks since Eald had visited the priest, Father Salinas, for information regarding a certain vampire, Hypatia. (the Vatican kept the best records and where abouts of the undead),

He had been waiting patiently for word through what the locals called "the holidays."

He chuckled at the thought.

It didn't compare to the Elven holiday of Enderi, which would happen in October.

It was the equivalent of a midsummers celebration.

It would usually start with some fancy words being spoken in Quenya, then, singing, games, dancing, and wine. Lots of wine.

He raised an eyebrow in remembrance. "Now that was a party" he mused to himself with a half smile.

His contact with the humans would lessen during this time of year so he passed the time reading through the rare book collections at the university library and walking amongst the trees along the bosque.

Something he enjoyed.

Trees would always want to talk to him and he would patiently listen. They were young and always eager to tell their stories and want his attention. The trees of the Bosque always were chattering (sometimes they wouldn't shut up!) but few are able to hear them.

Coming home from such a walk, he turned down his tree lined street and nodded to the neighbors as he passed by who were outside hanging lights and decorating their yards. This was his adopted home after all.

He had to admire his 2 story brownstone as he neared it.

was about to ascend the brick steps when he spied a folded piece of paper wedged in the doorframe

He had acquired the place in the early1900s. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the house was off the beaten path, it was still close to everything he needed to be around within walking distance, It had always felt cozy with the wood floors and built with real materials coupled with a blazing hearth. It was home.

Sure there were those who would wax nostalgic for the old times and living in Mallorn trees, but modern plumbing was a gift from heaven.

He was about to ascend the old brick steps when he spied an envelope wedged in the doorframe, taking a brief look around, he quickly walked up the stairs and in one swift motion he opened the door, caught the falling envelope, drew his white elven blade that he always carried in his coat, spun and faced the door.

Nothing.

He relaxed and let a out a breath. He threw his coat on the coat rack and walked into the living room of the house.

One didn't survive in middle earth's fourth age and beyond without being cautious.

He sat down in his favorite chair and was greeted by a meow as a cat leapt into his lad. Eald let out a light chuckle as he gave the cat a quick scratch behind the ear.

"Well hello, Galadriel."

He chuckled again. She would be furious if he knew he named a cat after her.

With his knife he skillfully opened the envelope and pulled out a letter with all the Saint Mary's letter head with only and address typed on it.

"Bless you padre' "

He would have to wait after dark.

He picked up an old dusty book and started reading while petting Galadriel to pass the time.

Downtown 9:30 pm

He made his way down sidewalk and streets of nighttime Albuquerque. Streetlights bathed byways, casting shadows into doorways and glaring off windows.

The sights and sounds of the cities' nightlife was in full swing.

People walking about dressed in various styles and fashion were out and about as they made their way to the clubs and bars. Live music of all kinds spilled out into the street. Food trucks and street musicians were everywhere and homeless staying in the shadows.

Essentially a cacophony of lights, sights, sounds and smells

Eald made his way though it all until he stopped in front of the building that matched the address in his pocket.

Lots of dance music was coming from it.

Taking a deep breath, he entered

His eyes and ears were assailed by club music. Lights of different colors flashed and pierced the darkness as bodies danced about.

"Not the kind of music one would hear at high court," he mused to himself.

Eald made his way passed the main bar and patrons as his elf eyes adjusted and found the person he was seeking.

Taking precautions as one should do when dealing with the undead (back to the wall, noting one's exits and such) he walked up to a thin woman with pink hair who was enjoying the current song. With a drink in her hand and dressed in, what he assumed was the current club attire (tank top, mini skirt and heels), she danced as if she was made of music. He watch her for a moment with a slight grin. Knowing full well she knew he was here. I'm sure she smelled him as soon as he walking into the club.

She turned to him after the song ended and gave him a predatory smile as he clapped slowly.

"Well, well" The girl grinned, taking a sip of her drink. "to what do I owe this pleasure, old man?"

The music started up again and she began to move to the music as she walked to him with a hint of caution he noticed.

"Aren't you a little out of the woods, Elf?" She said louder with a gesture regarding their surroundings.

Eald grinned and motioned her closer. Her eyed widened with mock surprise and gave him a "Moi" gesture. She laughed as he nodded yes.

He let her get to arms length (One never knows with vampires) and pulled out the piece of cloth that he had in his pocket and held it out to her to see.

Her expression changed instantly when she saw it.

"Hypatia, we need to talk."

He walked out of the club. Hypatia followed.

"Where in the hell did you find that?" Hypatia demanded.

He turned to her and gently placed a finger to his lips in a hush gesture, he knew this would anger her and was rewarded by a furrowed brow from her.

He grinned. "Not here." he said.

They walked a bit in silence until they got to Robinson Park, where Eald took a seat on a bench and gestured for Hypatia to join him.

It was a small park but with plenty of old trees. Created in the early 1900s its usually the late night residence of some homeless and an occasional over drinker.

"Here?" Hypatia said with a little bit of exasperation.

"Yes here." He said as he relaxed in bench with a smile. "No henchmen, no familiars and no ears."

Again, he noticed a pause from Hypatia and after a look around she sat down.

"Where did you get that" she said as she leaned in a pointed to his coat pocket.

"So you know what it is?' he asked wanting confirmation

She nodded. "All the undead do, though its more folklore than fact now days."

"It was found at a crime scene and its appearing with frequency in the valley." he explained. "The good father, Salinas thought it was a new gang sign."

She raised her hand in a semi stop motion. "Don't talk to me about the church right now, they are not my favorite people."

"As opposed to when?" Eald countered.

"As of a few days ago. Bradley told me he thinks they put a price on my head."

"Oh, and why would they do that, Hypatia?" He sat up a little straighter and gave her a questioning look.

"I don't know!" She proclaimed "I haven't fed on a priest in forever!" she added defensively.

"Well you must've done something."

"I've been good since the 1700's!" she professed. "And I even allowed myself to be put in their stupid book if I promised to behave...and I have!"

"Tell you what." Eald leaned in as close as he dared. "Ill talk to Salinas and ask if he knows anything about this bounty if...IF, you help me with this?"

"Fine" she said as she leaned back in resignation.

"The eye of Mordor, a gang sign?" She snorted.