Sirius and Selena move to slip away unseen. Maybe it's his height, but Sirius has a much easier time of it. He gets up the stairs with no problem. Selena, however, is stopped dead in her tracks by the irate shout of, "And where do you think you're going?" Chix storms towards her, cutting through the small crowd. "The one who flees is the one responsible, yes?" A low hiss comes from his throat and his claws are unsheathed. Though no great fighter, he is not in a good mood and he has quite a lot of muscle for his kind, who are normally so lithe.

---

Meanwhile, upstairs, Mevrin does not have to wait long. Her maybe-date comes back in a flash, a bottle of cheap wine in his hand. He looks so proud of it, though it is very poor stuff. Still, it is alcohol. "It's the same stuff we give to the patients before we work on them, but it'll do the trick," he says, "Would you...like some?"

---

The elder strokes his beard for a long moment, debating. "Tonight," he declares, "We will conceal you. Let the blood-drinkers and their spawn hear only rumors. Maybe they will remember what it is like to be nervous. But tomorrow, we will go to the Sasma's dwelling. She commands the respect of many in the eastern part of the city. Even those who have fallen away listen to her and might be drawn back into the fold should she come out in favor of our cause."