"Relax, Sense. Does he do this kind of thing often?"
Damn it all.
"Come," Brad said, fixing his gaze on the man and exerting his will.
Morag just stands there with the blood bag in hand. Damn what a mess.
Patrick starts saying something when Bradley speaks to the the guard. Or rather, commands the guard. Is he Dominating him?
And the ski masked Nosferatu draws back letting the others handle this.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
The Guard approaches Bradley fear in his eyes.
Jack shrugs but is busy sucking down a bag and says nothing watching the interaction unfold.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
The Guard approaches Bradley fear in his eyes.
Jack shrugs but is busy sucking down a bag and says nothing watching the interaction unfold.
That one feeding made this more difficult than it needed to be. Brad kept his gaze fixed on the man's eyes. "There's nothing to worry about. You found us here and asked for our identification, but we all check out. Just a few kids in the forensics program getting a tour late at night because we like things spooky. Nothing to write home about," he said easily.
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"This has the chance to be quite the sh** show" Shane mutters from the shadows.
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On New Year’s Eve 1992, a group of young Lick were beckoned to the Elysium of Gary Indiana the seat of power of Prince Modius of Clan Toreador. This year, with the number of Kindred in Gary having swelled to greater numbers than it has in some time, Modius has requested the presence of all those who dwell within his territory to attend.
Most if not all answer the call as do some who were not even aware that such an event would be taking place this night. A rather droll evening of mingling with Mortal allies and contacts of the Prince was interrupted by the appearance of the local Anarch Juggler along with what appeared to be a newly Embraced Lick and a swarm of drunken human revelers.
A few of the young Licks had to talk Modius out of slaying all of the Mortals in attendance due to the breach of the Masquerade. Before Juggler could be called to task by the Prince another more powerful Kindred arrived, Annabelle Triabell, and Juggler fled through the rear door.
Annabelle, a member of the Chicago Primogen representing Clan Toreador met privately with Modius before excusing herself for the evening. Modius was apoplectic but appeared to be resigned to the fact that the message would require a response.
Several young Licks Modius requests travel to Milwaukee as emissaries on behalf of Modius - Iron John Ventrue. Randolph Tremere, Shane Nosferatu, Morag Ventrue, Patrick Malkavian, Bradley Tremere.
Their task, to meet with the Tremere Justicar and request a Conclave to restore Modius to his rightful position as independent Prince of Gary Indiana! No pressure there. Despite the monumental task, the Licks know an excellent opportunity when they see one and agree to make the trip.
The next night they head to the docks the Domain of Lucien of Clan Gangrel and negotiate passage (in exchange for slaying a rival of Lucien’s in Milwaukee – so just two difficult tasks to handle on one trip – no sweat!). After a number of days on the water, the coterie is awoken by one of Lucien’s minions in Milwaukee.
He places you in contact with a local who swears he will bring you to a meeting with Lucina of Clan Toreador but ends up bringing you to get a few drinks first. As your Coterie enters the Blood Bank, complications arise…
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
The guard shakes his head, "What the hell...." He reaches for his gun!
The Group
Despite Bradley's gaffe, the guard is slow to shake the effects of Dominate leaving the rest of the group time to react or run!
Hoping he hasn't been noticed as much as the others Shane considers leaving, but what the hell, he's a trained bouncer.
Shane grabs the guy hoping to get him in a grip before he can grab the gun How'd I miss that? or at least keep him from drawing it.
"No no, none of that. No calling anyone, no reaching for guns." The man in a ski mask says as he comes up smoothly behind the guard and locks him in his grip, "This prank gone wrong isn't worth escalating now is it? Hold still, shut up, and you can blame it on rats or something later."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
"Aghh. Ow. Ow. Alright pal just don't break my arm. I'll say you were all jus' filming a prank video for a TV show but if yer not intendin' ta rob the place leave and leave soon before somebody pulls the alarm and the real cops show up".
Shane looks at the others from behind the guy he's got in his grip making sure everyone is on the same page. "Sounds reasonable to me. How about you guys?"
Morag walks up to the guard. "Thank you darling. We appreciate it. Of course we are filming for a new tv show."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
"Cool ok, looking forward to the show but please just leave ok?"
Jack grins, and places a blood bag in his backpack, "One for the road! Let's get moving!"
He hustles out the door with Bradley who looks a bit frazzled at the turn of events.
The Bus pulls out with a screech and the smell of burned rubber. The "sense of direction" of Jack speaks from the back of the bus, "Hey Jack, rememeber, we're heading to the Hyatt no other stops ok?"
Jack turns back, completely, sweriving to the other side of the road running a few cars off in the process! "Yep. Got it!"
Perhaps thirty minutes later you arrive at the Hyatt Regency, a large fairly upscale hotel, "See, safe and sound!" screams out Jack as he damn near collides with the porte-cochere of the front entrance. The few guests nearby are forced to leap out of the way and begin cursing at him, he turns to them his eyes wide with rage and they flee the sight of the madman rather quickly.
Bradley lets out a large breath, "Well that was as terrified as I've been since... well since I actually had to breathe".
Morag climbs out of the bus with as much presence as she can manage. She ignores everyone who is glaring at them, and enters the lobby making her way to the front desk.
"We need." she looks at the rest of the group, "a large suite. Three or four bedrooms if you one. Double beds in a two bedroom if you don't. I need the rooms for a few days."
Not sure if one is required, and I'm not sure if anything else should be added or if this is even required.
Shane is definitely letting others buy as the big man with the ski mask tries not to be seen or at least noticed.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
The woman behind the front desk smiles, "Good evening Miss. I will need some ID and the means through which you will be paying".
---
Bradley remains on the bus as the rest of you depart, he nods to Randolph, "I am going to try to visit the local Chantry, I'll come back here tonight. Stay, make sure nothing else goes wrong". Before Randolph can protest, the bus screeches away, the Malkavian behind the wheel.
---
Shane and John are certainly noticed by some of the locals as both are just so tall. Luckily no one recognizes John as a former wrestler though that would be good cover for Shane's ski mask...
Morag nods. "Of course my dear." she looks deep into the woman's eyes. She attempts to mesmerize the woman into believing she's handed the woman an ID and a credit card as requested.
Randolph sighs and mutters, "Yeah, 'cuz if something goes wrong, it'll totally be in my power to fix it. Oh well."
Shane mutters something about this crazy promotional this weekend
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 –
"Sorry miss, you're right everything is in order", she hands you her keys, a room on the 15th floor, internal side of the building. A suite with two connecting rooms.
You are all able to head up and breathe (heh) a sigh of relief as your bags are in and so are your persons.
"That we well. What a nice room. Any suggestions on what we should do next?" She takes a seat and puts her feet up on the coffee table in the sitting room.
Once in, Shane looks for a place to hide from both sunlight and casual inspection while he sleeps, "Well, I don't plan on 'paying' for that boat ride, so good bye Gary." a snort.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
"I'd like to suggest we speakd with the Toreador first. We need all the information we can get before we we with the Tremere Justicar." Morag takes a seat in the seating area to wait for what the other's have to say.
"Why not" Shane concurs with a grunt.
"And who wants to speak to a Justicar if they can help it, anyway?" says Randolph with a chuckle.
John shrugs. "Tory's are just as good a place to start as anywhere." He considers Shane for a moment. "We might have to find you a luchador mask, at least while it's warm out."
"Yeah. I hear you." He says "Its why I wear the ski mask...probablem there is someone thinks I might rob a bank"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
As morning approaches the phone in the room rings, Morag picks up and Bradley is on the other line. "Sorry, took some time to find the Chantry and then they vetted the s%!$ out of me before they let me in. The Regent here let me know two things. First, Randolph should stop by tomorrow for a Blood Walk, he'll know what that means. Second, we should introduce ourselves to the Prince by tomorrow night. He's a lot more lenient than Lodin is reputed to be.
I hinted at the Justicar visit but the Regent was coy about it, maybe I'll get more out of him tomorrow".
"Thank you Bradley. That's a help." she hangs up and turns to Randolph. "You are to stop by for a Blood walk tomorrow, and we do need to introduce ourselves to the Prince sooner rather than later."
"Oh and there was no luck on meeting the Regent. We might need to make some moves ourselves on that one."
She looks around. "Princely introduction first?"
"Sounds like that will be in our best interest. Good manners can go a long way towards making this a successful endeavor."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
"Well, I'm not positive, but I think I recall hearing about a local Elysium."
We should be able to find it with no issues.
"I can get in touch with some of the local Tremere via our spooooky ways, if that will help," says Randolph. "Obviously I can't go into details but it is something I can do, given a little extra time and a safe place for the prep work."
EDIT: Never mind, Morag's post confused me because she said there was no luck meeting the Regent, even though Bradley specifically spoke with the Regent. I think maybe she meant no luck meeting the justicar? Nevertheless, I am now confused and have no idea what's actually happening.
"Yeah, I may have to sneak a round, but I think I know the Elysium you're talking about. by all means, let's not tick off any more princes than we dare."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
Between the members of the Coterie they are able to ascertain that a famous local restaurant and bar named Safehouse is a local Elysium. It is controlled by Clan Nosferatu.
A quick perusal of a phone book reveals it is a five minute walk away from the Hyatt!
"Well don't that just beat all. Hell, we can do that tonight if nobody has any other pressing matters."
John would just as soon get this done with, especially since he's getting hungry.
"Sounds good, just so long as we don't wind up sticking out 'cuz nobody's gonna be eatin' anything," says Randolph.
"Let's go. Sounds like a lovely evening of politics, and intrigue."
She gives Randolp a grin, "I'll be we aren't the only ones not eating or at least not eating off the menu."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Sunday - January 4, 1993 – Milwaukee -
---
---
The group beats feet in the cold trying to cover their faces as best they can considering the cold and their lack of breath. As the group reaches the front door, they are the first in line.
A man wearing a grey pinstripe suit and a wire in his ear regards you all, "Sorry folks, members only and I've never seen you before. Though, if you know the password I can see whether management will make an exception in your case".
Randolph mumbles to his companions, "Someone is probably gonna have to convince him that we know the password."