The past month goes by like a blur.

A lone cruiser makes its descent onto concrete planes. A variety of ships and vehicles lay here across the parking lot, and the air is still and heavy on this planet. Bernard's chauffeur opens the doors with a bit of impatience, hand out as to usher the drat out into the open.

The warmth and humidity of this planet reminded Bernard of his childhood home as he made his way through the parking lot, past the electric wire links and beyond. Perceptive enough to notice the amount of security that would go unseen by the untrained eye; a camera or two that followed his footsteps to the path to the large mansion in the short distance.

The vampwelf children of house Drakken had taken a liking to the new drat in their home. It was a welcome change of pace, he felt, from spending his portion of inheritance on exotic hunting trips and personal research to being a teacher and dragon tamer. But the comfort of chasing passions and telling stories to young Drakkens couldn't hold him forever.

"I won't be long. It'll be a few days worth at most, by your planet's cycles. I hope you'd understand, I've got a bit of personal familial business that needs to be tended to."

He felt sorry for the Hare he was leaving behind in that home. He assured the beast that he'd be back soon.

Although a touch resistant at first, Bernard had proven himself a trustworthy figure in the month he had spent caring for the house's dragon collection and entertaining the youth. Gretel was calmer than ever in her current state with Bernard around, and it left him on good terms with the Castellan.

The mansion gates were ornate. If it were not for the fact the planet resided not only in lawless space, but in a remote part of this galaxy, this area would stick out like a sore thumb. Bernard spots a button that stuck out against the red and gold, a buzzer to announce his presence.

Bernard took note of his surroundings as he walked past the gardens, and was allowed inside the building at last. Every camera that was on him, every potential trap left in wait for those who were less careful. Thankfully, he was guided.

He was expecting something.. different, to say the least, when the guard that arrived to lead him in was a single hound. Grinning at nothing particular while it stared forward, only giving Bernard quick glances for affirmation that he would keep up with it. Bernard knew better than to look back.

The walk to their destination felt longer with each rising staircase and turn down the hall. Lined with portraits, framed photographs. Images of siblings he had not spoken to in years, staring him down while he diligently paced the carpeted hallways.

It was just like Montgomery to make it a journey to just make it to his office. Let alone an ominous one. Bernard keeps his hands to his sides while the hound makes a finale stop. A door similarly ornate, the hound yips and barks like one would knock at a door.

Bernard chews his lip.

"Door's open, Mutt."

Bernard takes initiative to open up the door. Montgomery looks up from a few papers piled onto his desk, and his expression immediately lights up. In turn, so does Bernard's.

"Bernie! Shit, you kept me waitin'!" He gets up from his desk to pull the other over into a friendly, sibling hug. Bernard, in spite of only being a few inches shorter, feels dwarfed by his younger brother.

"That chauffeur give y'trouble on the way here? I oughtta put that miserable sod in his place."

"No, no trouble at all Monty. Just some unexpected asteroids on the way, no need for slapping around my ride." He pats his brother on the back, and pulls back from the embrace.

"It's good to see you're looking mighty well off since the last time I saw you."

"Couldn't say the same for you, '''ol boy''', lookin' like you've taken a beatin' running around out there by yourself." He playfully tugs on the bitten off part of Bernard's brim before backing off back to his desk.

"Take a seat, I'll pour us a drink while we catch up."

"Much appreciated Mont, I'll pass on the liquor though if you don't mind."

The black and white hound take their place in front of the door, silently looking on while Bernard sits at the opposite side of the desk. It rivals even that of the outside of the mansion, if just for the fact that it was decorated in the brilliant reds of delirium ore, embellished with gold trim. Even the desk had its fair share of expensive trinkets, with a large delirium salt lamp off to the side.

It was all a bit.. much, for Bernard's tastes.

"Suit yourself." Monty pours for himself, and falls back into his desk chair. "You were never one for drinkin' much anyways."

"Now then, how's life been treatin' you Bern? It's been a while since the last time you've responded to one of my calls, I figure you're a busy guy."

"I apologize for bein' silent on my end, Mont. Been bouncing between jobs, just landed something rather nice about a month back. Working with dragons far more lively than the one back home, plus I got some tykes to keep me busy."

"Hoho, you've gone and had a couple of runts since the last time we spoke? Spill the beans, you hidin' some pretty lady where you're livin' these days?

"Oh no they're none of mine- you're familiar with House Drakken, are you?" Bernard leans in a bit as he explains.

"Vampwelfs. Real sticklers to tradition, extremely violent lot. Had my suspicions, but it turns out these folks had less... well, still living fears in their hands than I had thought. But that's still more than most folk will see in their entire lifetime. The rest of their antiques are the real marvel though."

"Anndd as a result, I watch over their kids on the side. No skin off my nose, it pays better than you'd think for all the ass-backwards beliefs that breed in those houses." Bernard snorts.

"So that's where you've been all this time, huh? Bein' a zookeeper and babysittin' for sadists."

"Ah well.." Bernard looks over at the lamp again, watching the red hues dance in the reflected light.

"Guess I've been feelin' nostalgic lately. After we caught the anvil together, I've been trailing after any scent I can pick up on. Not just dragons, I've got a couple books under my name, case studies on a newly discovered species of psychic flora, fey magic, hidebehinds..."

"Vampwelfs pay nice n' all, but I'm just a drop in the bucket in my field. Jobs dry up quick with fading notoriety."

Bernard taps his nail against the side of the salt lamp.

"Enough about me and my troubles though. I don't think I've seen this much delirium in one place since my time with the Huntsman Club. Looks like everything's been working out for you in spades."

"Up and up, Bernie! Of course, not without a few bumps in the road. Nothin' we can't smooth out in time."

Monty laughs to himself, taking another swig from his wine glass.

"It ain't easy keeping the machine greased up. But everyone's gotta part in keepin' it running. ...Least, yknow. Everyone's that's left. The fam hasn't been the same since we lost Blanche. She was one hell of a drat, would've made one hell of a capo."

Montgomery shook his head.

"We've got our fingers in plenty pies, as far as where the money's coming in from. The red stuff's only illegal on a handful of planets, so skirtin' around fed space hasn't been a huge problem yet. You wouldn't believe the kind of people payin' out for this shit. Got plenty other projects on the way too, considerin' we've got our blood in every corner."

"...."

"...Y'know I've missed havin' your mug around. I can't really shoot the shit with the others like I could with you. I thought I'd only be seein' your face through a television screen last couple times I messaged you and haven't heard anything back. What's changed, Bernie?"

"...Ah. Well... You know I was hesitant about this whole set up you've got when you offered the first time. And the second, third. Should of never doubted you then, knowin' where you'd be now, huh."

Bernard sighs, staring at the back his hand, trailing along the tattoo of a tailmic along his forearm.

"Think I'm getting a bit old for the chase anymore. When you're young n' dumb, hunts are still exciting. The last couple dragons I've met out on trips just make me exhausted anymore."

"The past month in the Drakken house have really cemented the idea that I can't keep this up like I used to. I'm looking to have just a little more security."

Bernard clears his throat.

"...So, are you still looking for a consigliere? I think it's about time I ask about that offer, if it's still on the table."

Monty stares back at Bernard a moment, before reaching over and taking his brother's hand for a hearty shake.

"ABOUT TIME IS RIGHT! Don't you worry about that lil' zookeepin' job you've got, as long as you're available around the clock I can send y'back to your cushy lil' vamp home. It'll be just like the good ol' days again with you around."

Bernard's hand is a bit clammy.

"You know..."

"I think I will have a drink, if you don't mind. Forgive me, I wasn't sure you'd take me back in, Mont. I'd be happy to take the rest of that edge off."

Bernard sits back in his seat and exhales.

"Lemme break out a new one for ya, to my right hand man."

Bernard returned to the hazy train of thought he was in prior to being in the office of his brother. Back to pointing out the various details in the room around him, listening to Montgomery rummage in the back for something a little more vintage.

A book case of novels that he wasn't sure if Monty ever bothered to read, wondering how many of them may of been hollowed out for one reason or another. The smell of a candle burning, some unidentifiable sweet scent that mingled with the salty edge that delirium ore brought along with it. Gold trimmings that lined the room. Gaudy, but it was befitting of the Montgomery he knew. He's always been a show off, always the one to humble others with his presence.

He hoped that he was making the right decision. Wine was being poured into a glass behind him.

...However...

Bernard blinked, his eyes fixed on a spot on the desk. He could of swore, he had been admiring the salt lamp there just moments prior to-

...

...

Montgomery staggers, slamming the salt lamp back onto its rightful place on the desk. Crimson runs down and off the sides, joining with the pool that formed under Bernard's head. The younger brother draws in a shaky breath.

Bernard's body convulses. He gasps and grunts, as if the pain had not fully registered to him yet, and was left with just the violent sense of vertigo and sounds of rushing water in his ears. Bernard's twitching died down enough for Montgomery to kneel down to his bother, and roughly turn him over onto his back.

His shirt tears and buttons give way easily enough with quick work of his sharpened nails, and Montgomery's breath hitches. A Heer, curled tightly against the undershirt, hisses back at the drattle that had uncovered it.

Montgomery only pauses for a moment, to think and process. Somewhere between a great sense of relief, and his heart dropping the deepest pits of his stomach. It pays to be right.

As the heer would turn to attempt to flee, it would be caught by Monty's hand. It squirms in his grasp, biting down onto his thumb, however Montgomery had felt nothing through the adrenaline. Instead, he forced the creature to recollect what it had learned, pressing down onto its back so it may speak.

"-----A very high title, especially for a person who isn't of blood. I assure you, the job comes with many perks. Many h------a drakken, usually I wouldn't stoop so low to marry out of my species, but a prince? That'd be wo-------use Drakken has quite a few dragon cor-------Maybe you outta die so we can TEST if you'll return. Might give you a bit of a bett-----"

"----We've got our fingers in plenty pies, as far as where the money's coming in from. The red stuff's only illegal on a handful of planets, so skirtin' around fed space ha----We've got our fingers in plenty pies, as far as where the money's coming in from. The red stuff's only illegal on a handful of planets, so skirtin' around fed space ha----"

"...You filthy fucking rat..."

Montgomery's grip becomes a little too tight for the heer. It squeals in protest between being made to replay Monty's own voice over and over. Monty only lightens up his grasp once he gets back into his own desk chair, leaning back in sudden, newfound exhaustion.

"Boot licking piece of SHIT."

The heer is unceremoniously shoved into a desk drawer. Just another problem be dealt with later. There is a pained groan from outside of Monty's line of sight, stirring amongst the pungent odor of iron. His hands, weak and trembling, reach for anything that can pull him back up, but simply does not have the strength to do more than leave streaks of deep red along the mahogany.

Montgomery does not let it shake him- instead he simply lights a cigar, and takes a deep inhale. Then exhale.

....

"...Hey. Max. Need you at the office, stat." Monty takes another drag of his cigar. His claws dig a little too hard into his phone.

"...Mmhh yea. It's a clean up, don't bother picking up supplies, just haul your ass over."

"I already got an idea of where to puttem anyways. Just make sure you're comin' alone, understood?"

Click.