“He's just a filthy arriviste,” muttered the agent. “It's not like he was born into the position, he earned it.” The agent, dressed in a black cloak, sporting a gentleman's cane, spats, a tweed suit, and a pipe. “I don't care if he is going as Watson, I refuse to wear that hat,” he spat.

“He cannot be Watson if you will not be Sherlock, and what kind of Sherlock would you be, without at a hat?” queried a second agent. “And for the record, a few honored men have earned their positions, so show some respect.”

“I don't understand why the Truebloods have these costume balls, and I don't understand why Johan picked me as his guest.”

“That's Master Johan, and don't let him catch you forgetting that. He chose you because he chose you, it's not for us to know why, he is a Trueblood now, and we are mere vampires.”

“I've been in the Bloodguard for two hundred and thirty-five years,” growled the first agent. “I've seen greater man than Master Johan lead our clan. I'll serve him because I have to, but I will never acknowledge him.”

Johan approached, arrayed in a tweed suit, a modest cloak, and carried a black bag. “What? No hat?” He frowned. “I had hoped you'd wear the hat, but I guess we can do without. Come, we shall be late if we tarry further. We wouldn't want to disappoint the fograms. They think us youngsters are not conservative enough, but no matter. We, Sherlock and Watson, will solve their Jack the Ripper atrocities!” Johan seemed excited. He recently gained a place among the Truebloods, by some ancient and bloody ritual wherein he consumed his predecessor. Although he was called The Arriviste, he paid no attention to it, but sought to work among his fellow vampires. He sought to return the glory days of their kind, and to put an end to the hunters, especially the three dhampir who so recently joined forces.

“Come, my brother. Let us depart and make our world a better one! Let us feast upon those who would be our betters, and may their life's blood sustain our power over them!” He cackled as he left for the ball, confident he would succeed in making his clan, his race, dominant in the world.