[center][h1][color=f26522][b]Joseph Tobias[/b][/color][/h1][/center]
[hr]

[color=f26522][i]What is this?[/i][/color] As the young man peered into the top drawer of his work desk, a strange sense of dread washed over him. A sealed envelope scented with something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Joseph glanced around outside his cubicle, but none of the coworkers on his floor seemed to be paying any attention to him. Surely this wasn't from anyone here, was it? His left hand moved from the keyboard and assisted his right in grabbing the letter and opening it. He was now ignoring the spreadsheet on the computer screen before him in order to figure out what was going on.

[center][i][b]CESARE AND HIS ASSOCIATES REQUEST THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE
FOR A LUNCHEON AND CONFERENCE
MONDAY, THE ELEVENTH OF JANUARY AT ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON
VIVIANO AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, THE HILL, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI[/b]

Enclosed please find one first-class air ticket to Lambert International Airport and $1000 cash for incidental or alternative travel expenses.

Accommodations will be provided.[/i][/center]

He calmly set the letter down on the desk in front of him, next to his keyboard. [color=aba000][i]Somebody has found us out,[/i][/color] another, deeper voice rang out in Joseph's thoughts. [color=f26522][i]You don't know that, though it wouldn't be surprising. Surely somebody has gotten footage of you and managed to track me because of it. That's your fault.[/i][/color] [color=aba000][i]I wasn't complaining. This could very well be a trap, but our best course of action is to follow through with it. I will attend that conference personally. After all, it's me they want to talk to.[/i][/color] Joseph stared at the letter for a moment longer before folding it and stowing it in his coat pocket. [color=f26522][i]I'll have to take time off work...[/i][/color] [color=aba000][i]Damn your job! You call this work!? Your job is to get my armor back! Petty work indoors isn't nearly enough to be considered important! We will leave for this city tomorrow.[/i][/color] [color=f26522][i]Yes sir...[/i][/color]

[hr]

The rental car was nice, at least Joseph was comfortable with that. The spare money in the envelope allowed the rental of a hotel room and a 2010 BMW. His nervousness of the whole ordeal, a mystery conference pertaining to the angry spirit that has possessed him in a city he was unfamiliar with across the country, was slightly mitigated by the heated seats. But as he pulled up to the parking lot any and all comfort he had was lost. There were already several vehicles outside in the snow, as well as probably armed guards at the door. Whatever was going on in there, they [i]definitely[/i] had business with Amon and not Joseph. [color=aba000][i]Alright, now you stay quiet while I handle this.[/i][/color]

Joseph briefly seized up at the wheel, almost as if he was having some kind of attack, but his muscles quickly relaxed and a confident grin replaced his concerned expression. His brown eyes now seemed golden as he stepped out of the car, even slamming the door shut behind him. This was no longer Joseph. Joseph was trapped, locked away temporarily in the back of his own mind. This was now Amon Ru-Amen. Despite looking like an unimpressive young Arab American, he seemed to ooze confidence and power. After adjusting his brown coat he walked across the parking lot, eyes locked on the front entrance. The two guards faced Amon, though they didn't draw their weapons. Perhaps they recognized him, perhaps they could feel his presence and assumed he was invited. They may have even been afraid. With a complete lack of subtlety or courtesy, Amon thrust open the front doors with a loud 'bang!'

He stood alone in the doorway as they slowly closed shut behind him. The scene before him was certainly an odd one. It seemed that he had arrived late, though Joseph swore up and down that they would make it on time. A makeshift buffet was in place with several tables and chairs to accommodate those present. There were even a respectable number of armed guards lined around the room. But Amon seemed completely uninterested in the henchmen and paid more attention to the [i]outstanding[/i] members. A large, draconian being was the first one he saw. There were a couple women and a couple older-looking men. One of them was bald and noticeably had two lackeys hanging near him. Amon could see power in some of them, but not all. [color=aba000]"Ha,"[/color] he scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes. [color=aba000]"And here I was expecting to see something impressive but instead I have found a band of misfits instead."[/color] When he opened his eyes they were immediately locked onto Cesare, naturally identifying him as the host by his position, wardrobe, and presence.

[color=aba000]"You have called me, Amon Ru-Amen, and here I stand. I do not grace just anyone with my attendance, however tardy it may be..."[/color] His eyes drifted to the food table now. Keeping his arms crossed he approached the cooked chicken, giving it a confused look. After sniffing the air once he returned his gaze to Cesare. [color=aba000]"The food you provide is merely chicken soaked in alcohol. Do you expect a [i]god[/i] to eat this?"[/color] [color=f26522][i]Actually it's a very good dish. I didn't eat anything on the way here so-[/i][/color] [color=aba000][i]Silence![/i][/color] A scowl formed on Amon's face briefly, though it appeared to not be directed towards the host. He took a quick glance over the others in attendance before looking back at the dish. [color=aba000]"Very well. I will respect the host's decision."[/color]

Amon silently served himself a plate of the [i]Coq au vin[/i], taking it with him over to the tables where the others were seated. However, once he arrived there, he gave everyone a distrustful look. [color=aba000][i]I refuse to dine with mortals as if they were my equals.[/i][/color] Rather than taking a seat at the table the man, whom everyone likely thought was strange and full of himself by now, began to levitate as he crossed his legs and set the plate on his lap. Amon floated above the ground at the head height of those who were seated, floating at the end of the table so that he could have a view of everyone present without having to turn his head. This was not only a display of power but also a display of arrogance. After carefully cutting a bite-sized piece of the chicken, Amon closed his eyes and ate it. After a moment of chewing he swallowed the food and opened his eyes to look at Cesare. [color=aba000]"I am surprised. You have served me poultry yet its taste does not displease me. You have earned my audience."[/color] [color=f26522][i]I told you it was good.[/i][/color] The god-king silenced himself now, so as to maintain his manners as he dined and to be able to listen to whatever was going to be discussed during the conference.