"Thank you, Dominic." he says, honestly surprised by the monetary bonus.
"But yes, Signore Volkov has signed the contract. It seems that Giuseppe has been a problem as of late, Signore Volkov has an associate who is looking for work, perhaps we could take him in to aid or even perhaps replace Giuseppe? I would rather we bring someone in to aid him rather than replace him, as Giuseppe is not a bad man, just in need of a bit of motivation, perhaps the arrival of another night watchman will make him take his duties more seriously. What do you think, brother?"
Dominic considers the proposal. "Considering the break in last night it might not be a bad idea to have two men on shift. Very well would you like to interview his associate to determine whether he is fit for the role?"
"I will handle the interview, Dominic. If all turns out well, perhaps we can even have him start tonight." he says heading back over toward Sergei
[spoiler=Lorenzo Cappelli and Sergei Volkov Prologue]Lorenzo returns to where Sergei stands and says just loud enough for his brother to hear him if he is listening in, "Alright, Signore Volkov. Everything seems to be in order. If I remember right, you had said an associate of yours was looking for employment. It just so happens we have an opening for a second night watchman. If you believe your friend would be interested, I would be happy to interview him for the position."
"Very good, I can have him meet you somewhere, or you can come with me now to meet him. Otherwise I thank you very much for helping me get this space, and I intend to steer many other potential clients this way."
"Now would be as good of time as any to meet him, should he be available." Lorenzo says leading Sergei from the warehouse and back into the streets.
Once out of his brother's earshot, "Although it is a foregone conclusion, I would still like to speak with your man about the 'position'. My brother is very good at sniffing out lies, so if this is to work, it will need to be at least a half-truth."
"I have every intention of him actually working for your brother. He will just know what to keep an eye out for. Regardless, let us head to our place so that you might speak with him. By the way, I like the way you operate, we might make a vampire hunter out of you yet!"
"That would seem to be a reasonable course of action. I do have other plans this evening, so I will not be able to stay a great deal of time. As for being a vampire hunter, that is not my goal, Signore Volkov. I am scholar and a scientist first and foremost, this is an academic pursuit for me." Lorenzo says with a smile.
You both head to Seregei's current residence. It is a long trip on foot and by gondola it is 1 pm when you finally arrive.
You enter the house and Francois is alone in the front room. He looks up at Sergei ignoring Lorenzo. "Your sister is no longer a child Sergei. She is a woman and free to make her own choices. I understand why you hold on I went through the same horrors but if you do not loosen your grip..."
"Francois, I am not getting into this with you right now. Especially with Signore Cappelli here. If Katriana wishes she can leave. We both know if she does, she will be back in 2 days. Where is Wilhelm?"
Lorenzo shakes the man's hand while responding, "Good to meet you, Signore Liroux. I am Dr. Lorenzo Cappelli. Signore Volkov tells me you are in search of employment, I would like to interview you for a position as part of the night's watch at one of my family's warehouses. As an matter of pleasant coincidence, Signore Volkov has just rented out a bit of space within the warehouse in question. Is this something you would be interested in."
Francois gives it some thought. "Yes. It would be good to establish a normal life here or at least as normal as this life can be. I have a great deal of training with the blade so it would be a good fit for my skills also I am a night person so I will not have any problem staying awake. If you would have me I am interested".
"Good, then it is settled, provided this arrangement has Signore Volkov's blessing."
Assuming Sergei doesn't take issue with the arrangement, and has nothing else to say to Lorenzo...
"Come with me, I will take you to meet my brother, Dominic and he will handle the specifics of the offer such as pay and what time you should arrive on a given night."
Turning his attention to the Volkovs, "Good afternoon, I trust we will meet again soon."
[ooc]Lorenzo will do as he has said, take Francois to Dominic. Afterwards, he will return home to wait for his next appointment.[ooc]
"Very well, hopefully something will move our investigation forward in the coming days. I guess we just go back to our lives until then. I shall see you again Signore Cappelli."
With the nature of smuggling. And risque busy I have after hours "moonlighting under the moonlight" would I be entitled to know some prominent city officials whom would look the other way while I operate. I would like to establish connections with some political figure and get involved with this know power struggle that is under way. Or at least keep abreast of what's going on in the city.
Michele Querini is that person for you. Did you want to feel out another person to fill the role? Only problem is if the two are at cross purposes you could be stuck in the middle.
Sorry for the delay. I will have the thread updated for tomorrow morning. As there are a number of developments which will take place I need a big chunk of time to set them up.
The day passes and night looms over the ship and the waters which had been a bit choppy all day level off. You hear the sound of voices yelling up on deck. What do you do?
Sergei & Katriana Volkov Prologue:
Sergei sits in the front room waiting for the return of his men. Katya cooks something which smells delicious in the kitchen making Sergei’s stomach growl.
Katriana meanwhile sits in her room knowing that to leave now will provoke a reaction and questions from her brother, questions she feels he has no right to ask. Katriana too smells the food but it is the taste of freedom which she savors.
What do you both do?
Michael Santo Prologue:
The day came and went with a great deal or work donw but a great deal more work to do. Wondering whether you should try to visit Dr. Cappelli again or if you should head home you hear a knock at the door to your small office.
Gunther Thesing Prologue:
Greetings Tavern is busy once again. The locals have heard rumors that the place will be shut down in a matter of days for a private event so it seems all of the locals are in trying to enjoy the local fare before the closing. Cosimo even needed to call in extra staff to work the night – Jodi was more than happy to oblige.
You smile and jokes with the patrons even though the words of Rafael Dandolo reverberate in your mind. These haughty nobles actually do snub their noses at those who they feel are their inferiors. To think it is one thing to have someone actually admit to it is another. You snap out of your reverie as a man approaches you at the bar. This man is like no man you have ever seen before his grace and yes even beauty are stunning. Women would be jealous of his long flowing locks and flawless skin. Trailing behind him are two more attractive men both taller than him though not nearly as stunning and both wear leather armor of the finest quality.
The small entourage seems to pass through the crowded Tavern with ease almost as if they sense greatness from the lead man and are fearful to touch him. Strangely though as they move away they simultaneously pay him no mind he stops in front of you and smiles. His eyes lock on yours as you are both of equal height. “Greetings Signore Thesing, I am Talisman. Mr. Kestral told me that you Inn and Tavern would be available to my people tonight though I fear there is no one minding your Inn this evening so I was forced to come here to find you. Let this trouble you not, I understand why you would not pool resources of your people there when you have no vacancies. No doubt I am the first of the group to arrive. I am sure a century has passed since I have been in this place, or at least that is how it feels to me”, he states in perfect Italian smiling.
What do you do?
Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:
You sit in the front room waiting the anticipation builds as the night begins to wear on. Perhaps to the minute there is a knock on the door it must be Dr. Bene making another house call. What do you do?
Xing Shi Prologue:
You get to the meeting place next to the Canal early. As dusk approaches one of Marco Querini’s guardsmen heads towards you, he eyes you hungrily as a wolf about to snatch at his prey. Little does e know you are a bigger wolf in sheep’s clothing. He bows to you. “Madame, I had only hoped you would pick up on my subtle gesture. That you dared follow us to express your interest has me rather intrigued. I am honored that one as beautiful as you would wish to speak with me”. He sits next to you and places hi hand on yours. What do you do?
Andrew the Hardy Prologue:
Day passes and night sets in as you and your allies enjoy a hearty meal and heartier ale at the expense of the Doge. After drinking all of your companions under the table you order more bread to soak up the alcohol and await the arrival of Federico.
He does not disappoint as you are not waiting long. “M’lord. I am happy to see that you are waiting for me so early. I hope that your friends have seen the wisdom of our arrangement? I’m afraid I don’t have long to chat though as my employer wants me at the warehouse tonight. A new guy is coming on board and I have to train him”. Federico looks a bit stressed and is clearly anxious about this meeting. What do you do?
Hearing the knock at the door, excitement fills the long dormant heart of the former doctor. If this Dr. Benne is to be believed, he will soon be reunited with his beloved Constancia.
"Just a moment, I will be right there." he calls to the door, trying to quell his eagerness.
Just before opening the door, he asks "Dr. Benne, is that you?"
Lorenzo will wait for a response before opening the door. Assuming it is Dr. Benne and he responds in kind, Lorenzo will open the door.
The young man whose name you still do not know readily agrees. After dinner is over he walks you back to his small apartment and attempts to kiss you. What do you do?
Once you let him in and he settles down in a seat with a glass of wine he scrutinizes you carefully. "You seem quite excited. Does this mean that you wish to accept my proposal?"
"Here we go again, another city and another Katriana "I'm a big girl" speech. Fine, go out on your own! You will be back in a day or two, just like Prague. Just hope that I am as willing to let you come back this time!"
"40 years is a long time to hold a grudge, brother. I need to go on with my life and try to make something of myself. Mom and Dad would want that for us. This is not the life they would have envisioned for us.......
"Fredirico, have no fear mah friends err in good humor and spirits, wha options have we fer lands an deeds tha may be suitable fer pipeweed growin? I mean tah back tha venture tah tha fullest."
"Must you train tha entire evenin time, err would we have time tah talk later at tha warehouse?"
"Long have I sought the answer to how I may again be with my Constancia in this world, and you tell me that there is way. Of course I am exicited, Dr. Benne."
Lorenzo's voice gains a bit of somberness when speaking the next words, "You said there is a dark price to pay for this knowledge, I have thought on the matter, and there is no price that I am not willing to pay to be with Constancia again. I accept your proposal, Dr. Benne."
Michael arises from his chair where he has been sitting behind his desk taking care of business pertaining to his Gondola Services. "Who might that be knocking at my door! Says michael as he approaches to open the door and welcome his company.
You head out ignoring Sergei's door slamming and yelling.
The breeze coming off of the sea is still uite strong you regret not dressing more suitably for this meeting. As with the previous night there are patrols out questioning people. One of the patrols warns you of further violence the prior evening and that you must be careful as the victim was a young woman whose throat was apparantly slashed.
Grimacing you continue forward to you meeting. Soon enough you find the location where you and Antonio agreed to meet. He is sitting at a table inside dressed in nice but not fine clothing. He smiles when he sees you and gestures for you to come inside.
"The land where it is grown is on mainland territory north of here. The plot is one that was in my family but it is quite small. I am sure the area around it could be used to expand what I am growing but it is owned by a nobleman who does nothing with it".
He ponders, "I suppose I won;t be training the entire evening. If you come by around midnight I am sure I can send the new recruit on his way while we discuss further business. This way we can talk longer and in more private quarters", Federico finishes as he looks around the crowded common room.
Standing to leave he smiles, "I look forward to seeing you then Signore".
"Excellent. The road ahead of you will be dark but the reward well worth the price paid. Now to celebrate I have brought a bottle for us to drink". [/b]
Dr. Benne removes a wine bottle from his satchel. There is no makers mark on the bottle. He pours a glass for himself and a glass for you. He toasts, "To our eternal friendship" and surprisingly gulps down the glass. What do you do?
You head up to the main deck and you can barely make out a ship in the distance. The wood of the ship is dark like you have never seen before, it flies black sails with no symbol to mark its affinity with any country. The Captain approaches you as you watch the ship approach.
"It looks like it is time for your meeting. Sadir is on that ship. How are your wounds?"
The man smiles as you ask your questions. "I have been working for him for a few years now. I will admit this is the first time I have had a bite from a pretty woman like you. I have given out some severe beatings but never killed a man, never had to, yet". He goes in for another kiss.
"That sounds well, mah friends might come long at tha time, I would much like tah see tha land yah hold in yer family, an tha lands tha might be needed fer growth tah take root. When could we see tha lands?"
Lorenzo swirls the glass and takes a deep smell of the glass, "What variety and vintage is this, Dr. Benne? I can not seem to place it." he says taking taking the smallest of sips.
Federico informs you that the property is quite small (the equivalent of a quarter acre) but you could visit the site tomorrow late afternoon if you wish.
Once Federico leaves: Donnach agrees to go but Aodhan and Luag do not seem all that interested in a late night. You are not surprised at all and in fact you figure you are probably better off without Aodhan based on his track record with guardsmen since entering the city.
As you sip in the wine you taste a sticky sweetness like nothing you have tried before though there is a hint of an iron aftertaste. You instantly feel energized with that one sip.
"It is a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation. Drink it in full as there is no vintage quite like it that you could ever acquire elsewhere".
Dr. Benne pulls the vial of dust from his satchel next. "Before we proceed with what I need from you let me inform you what I have discovered regarding these remains. This man was indeed a servant of Prince Narses. An old and powerful servant as well though it seems his luck ran out the night he confronted the night watchman. My first lesson to you is underestimate no one, as you saw ignoring that lesson has fatal consequences. The man was in that warehouse that night searching for something very specific working for someone who was not Prince Narses. Tell me did you find anything else unusual that night?"