In a single moment, with a single action, everything in the world as Xavier Vega slipped out of focus into a Crimson Wash. The plans to unseat Therese and put VV at the helm of the city, the palaver with Tyler and Russell, the fact that Fenris was fending off some hunter in the middle of the floor while Cameron was directing a frantic crowd off the premises, the explosion in his upstairs office that sent the charred forms of Damsel and Tyler crashing to the floor, everything crumbled to ash along with form of his beloved Velvet the moment another hunter parted her from her head.

Then everything sort of slowed down. Not the way things do when engaging in Celerity; this was very different. Instead, it seemed more like he stepped aside of himself and was watching what happens as the Beast within too over; zeroing in on the source of a fury unlike anything he ever even knew he even possessed.

This slowness was accompanied by a red hazy blur; a kind of surreal lack of perception as he surged forward, not entirely in control of his actions. It was exactly as he was once told it would be; his flesh moved forward towards the hunter, but Xavier Vega himself was very much in the backseat of the vehicle of his body. Before the hunter could react, Xavier was upon him; his hands wrapped around his throat. He could feel the tendons and cartilage of the man's neck bend and give as he squeezed; in a vague way he savored the sensation of the man's breath begin struggle as his windpipe started to constrict. With just a little more pressure the hunter would find his air supply completely cut off, and soon he would lose consciousness. With just one tiny jerk of his wrists and the hunter would took his lover's head would have his neck snapped and he would die.

This was not enough; he took the one thing Xavier truly loved away from him. He took her head clean off. Surely it was only justice if Xavier took his head off as payment; and did it much matter if his method was a little messier? Surely not; it was certainly the same in principle...

"Settle down, X."

The beast within started to ebb; albeit grudgingly. The man was reasserting control; though only gradually.

"We need that one alive."

Who was speaking? Not him, no.

"He has valuable information that can help put an end to all of this. Get a hold of yourself."

Xavier loosened his death grip on the hunter, who was proving to be tougher than expected; but only slightly. The voice was coming from behind him; he knew the voice, but couldn't quite place it. Not VV; she was no more than a pile of ashes on the floor of his club. No, this was a man's voice. Someone he knew...

"They invaded my club." Xavier snarled. "They desecrated my property. This one killed my love. Why should he continue to draw breath?"

"I understand all of that, Xavier." It was Norton speaking, using tones meant to quell the Beast. Where did he learn that from? It didn't matter; it was starting to work. "Believe me, I do; all too well. The Cammies took my love away from me, so I know exactly what you're going through. You take him out now, and you prove yourself every bit the monster his kind think we are. Don't let him win; not like that. Besides, he probably knows things we don't, and we need that right now. So let up so we can pump his noggin and see what we find."

Xavier growled in objection.

"After that, we can decide if what he's got is worth sparing him."

In a flash of motion, Xavier let go of the hunter's neck and gave him a hard shot to the temple, knocking him out.

Gradually, the Beast lost its hold; though it was obviously what was happening even as he was debating with Norton. He was reluctant to turn around and see the damage his club had incurred. The Beast was settled, but he could still feel it lingering right near the surface. It was entirely possible that seeing his property trashed might set him off again. He could hear Samantha rally the staff to get the place cleaned up. Also, Cameron had called in his people to collect the bodies and deal with them appropriately. Xavier scowled. He just knew that Cammie was going to call a boon for his assistance.

Slowly, he turned around. Someone removed the stake from Fenris, and the Gangrel was coming too. A couple of gurneys had been rolled in, and Tyler and Damsel were being set to be wheeled out; Cameron grinning smugly. He must have been enjoying this. Xavier had no doubt that the Ventrue was going to milk this situation for all it was worth. His go-to ghoul, Mercurio, was working his way towards where he and Russell were standing over the hunter. He had a pair of handcuffs ready, and he bound up the hunter and hoisted him up.

"Keep that one isolated, Mercurio," Cameron called. "Nobody talks to him before I do."

"Sure thing, boss." The ghoul called back as he left.

"Well," Xavier said to Russell quietly, "we're kind of fucked now."

"Not at all, X," Norton replied, grinning. "Trust me, this is fine. Just leave everything to me."