Someone was rapping on the front door.

This was not in itself unusual for something like this to happen, except for the fact that Scalpel had yet to re-establish full use of the house and had merely confined himself to the lower quarters to deal with the various issues of settling into his old laboratory and industrial sector. Thus the greater part of the upper house consisting of the mansion and many of its rooms lay empty and dust strewn, although kept clean of any intruders by a network of defence spells.

[i]So how could someone know that I am here?... of course, the refinery and manufacturing chimneys, and perhaps Honey’s supply runs. [/i]

Whoever they were they were insistent that was for sure, although an immediate attack would have been more of a sign of violent intent than say a repeated knocking on his door, he still didn’t trust anyone who was interested enough to visit him.

They clearly knew a little too much about him for him to be comfortable with it.

Turning to his Risen he signalled for them to follow him, motioning also for the rest of the War Drones to fall in as well, as they marched single file up the stairs to the main portion of the house. As he opened the door to the upper corridor and as his children fanned out across the house he caught sight of a rat scurrying away. At first this seemed normal, rats long occupied abandoned houses when they fell into disrepair… but then he recalled that his defence network incorporated vermin repellent in order that his work would not be damaged in his absence.

[i] That is a very unusual rat…[/i]

Following it as it scurried away he tried to get it in his grasp, the rat panicked and ran, its form becoming almost… translucent and ghost like. It seemed to have an intelligent end goal in mind, especially where it was going was a direct way out of the house… rats did not show this usual level of intuition.

[i]That is a very unnatural rat.[/i]

With a final sweep of victory he flipped it off its feet with a gust of magic, and whilst it was disordered grasped it in his magic. The thing flailed and squeaked as he brought it closer to him, looking upon the bizarre thing with curiosity and with a growing sense of dread. 

Judging from the magic, something or someone was observing him… and he could make a good guess just who it might be.

“Ten Thousand Hells” he fumed, gritting his teeth in anger at the prospect of having to deal with ‘Her’ again, “That difficult creature…” 

His magic tightened and the rat’s squeaks took on a new level of urgency, staring down he continued to compress until he heard the bones in its tiny body fracture and break, before burning it up into ashes.

Discarding the burnt remains he took a deep breath and calmed himself down, he needed to deal with this would-be visitor before their knocking broke down the door.

Still, he would have to find a way of getting rid of these intrusions… already he could feel plans form in his head… very visceral plans.

They entered the main hall with door which was so rudely being rapped upon by someone outside, and his children fanned out into the omnipresent darkness which engulfed so much of it. Looking up at the numerous boarded up high windows, he figured he might as well do something about that, but for now the darkness and the presence of “others” in the shadows it would serve as an apt suggestion to remain civil with him.

The Hall itself was a fairly simple affair, three doors led off to different sections of the house on each side, a dust and leaf strewn marble floor covering it until the edges of the doors before changing into mahogany boarding, and a double staircase ascending to an raised level above the main floor and branching off into numerous different rooms with various applications. Already the War Drones were busy making themselves at home in the upper level, peering through the balcony at the noise with their innumerable number of sensitive lenses, their blades occasionally whirring in anticipation. Others occupied the lower levels, skulking in the shadows and waiting for his command to unleash hell if need be, keeping themselves just out of sight, but not enough to disguise the occasional silhouetted figure moving.

He walked halfway across the hall and then halted, peering at himself he realised he was still in his blood splattered lab coat and apron, but that would have to do for this most unexpected guest. A couple of days prior the glamour spell had also worn off, and given Nocturne quite a shock when she woke up, much to his amusement, but he considered that he most likely wouldn’t really need it anytime soon. If he needed to change his appearance he would have done it in a more permanent manner than that.

Behind him his Risen captains waited, cloaked in heavy grey robes which hid their forms from view, they looked almost priestly, with the Black sun sigil on their sides and upon the hood of the robe only furthering their esoteric nature. If they judged the person to be a threat they would deal with them swiftly, directing their forces as well as joining the conflict if necessary to protect their father.

[i]Such loyal children.[/i]

Returning to look at the door he sighed, and decided to answer the caller’s incessant beat. With a flicker of magic the doors swung slowly open, a long blade of light making its way across the floor to rest at Scalpels current position. 

Eyeing up his guest, he admired her physique, she was well proportioned and quite attractive… she would be a prime specimen for his work if things turned foul that was sure. He gave her a cold smile and beckoned her forward.

“Enter… to whom do I owe the pleasure of this… visit.”