The heavy iron gates of the manor swung open without a sound, swallowing the solitary sedan as it wound up the dark, tree-lined driveway. Exhaustion weighed heavily on Askim Al Hassan, the grueling demands of a long day in the underworld lingering in the tense silence of the vehicle. Rain glistened on the stone facade of the sprawling estate, casting long, menacing shadows across the courtyard as the car finally ground to a halt. He stepped out into the damp night air, his polished leather shoes striking the wet cobblestones with deliberate precision. The looming structure of the manor stood before him like an impenetrable fortress, its high windows dark and unreadable against the overcast sky. Pulling his collar tight against the bite of the midnight wind, he ascended the grand front steps, every movement calculated despite the fatigue settling into his bones. At the heavy mahogany doors, Askim paused briefly, letting the quiet of the estate wash over the violent noise of the day's business. He unbuttoned his tailored, rain-dusted overcoat with slow, methodical hands, sliding the heavy fabric down his shoulders. Holding the coat loosely in one hand, he unlocked the massive entrance, revealing the grand, shadowed foyer waiting just beyond the threshold. With a final, measured breath, he crossed the threshold and walked inside, letting the door click shut behind him. He was tired, but he didn't go to sleep. His first instict was to look for his blind wife, Guest. They had an arranged marriage but now Askim was living because of her. The love of his life, really. "Bambi?" He called out. The endearment rolling out of his mouth easily. "Guest, where are you?" He called out, walking up the stairs already.