Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Vitaliano leans back against the wall, this was getting far too much like church. Sure his body didn't need to breath but the sermon caused a reflex from his former 'life' and he covered his mouth as he tried to stifle a yawn.
He spoke up once they were done "If one were not to convert to this road, would the others of this road believe him to be evil and plot to wipe him from the face of this earth?" he asked curiously, wondering if this was the path of a crusade more than anything.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro, Dunstan, and Michael Santo
For his part, the Toreador has to give Dunstan a nod of respect
He spoke up once they were done "If one were not to convert to this road, would the others of this road believe him to be evil and plot to wipe him from the face of this earth?" he asked curiously, wondering if this was the path of a crusade more than anything.
"A good question, I find much of its code to be very appealing, but one would hate to be condemned for failing to grasp it quickly when it is possible others come to it only after many decades or longer."
Michael listens to Simon and Brians exchange and fights the urge to kneel and pray as he is reminded of his sins. Michael knows prior to his death and continuance of this form of life he was far from serving the devine will. His life has been about serving his own desires, his own lusts and at that moment they were thrust back into his face. Michael will not pick up the sword for feeling unworthy even if it is just a simple sword and will remain silent
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
Turning to Sadir, "What do you really believe Kay'tal is doing and how do we make it work to our advantage? "
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
El Cid raises his eyebrows at you, "Do you think this a game? I have given you an opportunity to rise above your station to become something more than a piece to be married off for the benefit of another. If you wish to live your life as the pawn of another by all means I shall leave you to fend for yourself in your new existence..."
"'Another' like you? You are no different than my uncle. You have married me to this life- this unlife."
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
the least romantic gondola ride ever...
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Your Sire smiles pleased with your self control.
"Well done, the Beast must obey our whims not the other way around.
Now that you have both been sated, can you remember what these humans in the woods spoke of?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
Alejandro asks, "How many times have you had the blood of my Childe Xing?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Brian shakes his head, "Nay, we do not hunt those who would not Embrace the path. Our own paths on this Road lead us to respect the wishes of others. There is a distinction between wicked and purely evil. The wicked will be judged by their own selfish decisions while the truly evil seek to bring hell to earth, quite literally.
That being said, those who choose to follow the Lord of Darkness are our sworn enemies. The Salubri have sworn to wipe their kind from the face of this earth. Many have joined us in this fight but sadly many have not..."
Simon picks up Brian's comment, "While the Salubri Warriors hunt after the Vampires known collectively as the Baali, most of the adherents to this Road seek their own enlightenment. Many are reluctant to take on new adherents for that very reason Ranerius..."
Before he can finish his sentence, the room becomes dark for a moment, from those shadows, Prince Narses himself enters the room.
"Carry on, please do not allow me to distract you from your narrative Sponsor", he states at Brian point blank.
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
The Cainite that calls himself El Cid draws a breath and let's it out in a sigh, "Perhaps you are right, I have taken you without asking what you wanted. Violetta believes that deep down you wished to be free of your life.
I assure you, all you feared would have come true.
This, this is an opportunity for you to be something more. However, if you will not allow me to teach you that which you must know to survive and thrive then I shall cast you out on your own. I assure you, in this place, at this time, you shan't last long that way.
My intention is to create an equal, if not a better, one who will lead alongside of me. I believe you have the proper traits to be that woman. Your own stubbornness though will be the second death of you unless you begin to cooperate..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Sadir frowns, "With the exception of Alexander and Criatas and perhaps Durga Syn, Khay'tall is the eldest Cainite here.
He has been Anathema from our Clan for longer than any other Cainite and that includes the one known as Keminitri. Part of the reason for this was that he was protected by a Methuselah who believed his skills in manipulation were so keen, that he literally embodied the snake in the Garden of Eden.
During the fall of the city of Constantinople in the wake of the Fourth Crusade, Sebastian and I cut off his head and staked his heart which had been separated from his body. Both were only an inconvenience to him.
There is little we can do to turn what he is attempting to do to our advantage. The one advantage we do have is that he is still Anathema and I can threaten to expose him to the Clan unless he comes clean with us.
As for what he is doing, I suspect that because his benefactor is no more... no that's it, that is what he is looking for, He is looking for Sebastian!"
Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
" To what end? To take his blood and the powers of the others Sebastian took?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Vitaliano listened carefully and recalled what his sire had said about the Salabri and nodded. It seemed at least that so long as he did not outwardly oppose 'God' or their sect then he would be fine. He would need to know more about this Lord of Darkness and his role and those who followed them but he felt that it seemed well enough.
When the Prince swooped in from the shadows, his body stiffened like a corpse till the Prince gave his approval to continue. It was a this point that Vitaliano cleared his throat. "I have not hurt much of these...Baali, I can only assume that given what you've said they are a detriment to continued existence as it currently is. I fear that perhaps I am to young in life or experience to follow your road yet, call it hubris, call it ignorance, or even naivety of a young babe. However, should I come across information about any Baali activity I would be happy to share such with the Salubri. I see no reason not to help those along such a path find what they seek." he said before taking his place back along the wall to let this meeting continue on as it will.
on the good ship lollipop
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Luca recounts the conversation to the best of what he can.
"They seem to know of our kind," he offers. "They are looking for a woman, and claim to have blessed weapons to combat us."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Sadir shakes his head, "I doubt that. I suspect he still sees in Sebastian the possibility of protection that he once received from Michael".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano –
Your Sire's face is impassive. "Did they give name to this woman?"
Row Row Your Boat
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
"Baali? This discussion seems to have gone off track my friends. We are here to discuss the Road of Heaven. Much like the rest of you Childer, I am a new adherent to this Road. We are, as they say, in the same boat when it comes to these matters.
I suppose the most important thing to know is that if you lose your way upon one Road, it is never to late to start down the path of another..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Brian nods approvingly, "Indeed. I am surprised at the level of non-belief among these Childer. Still, we are here if you wish to speak with us".
Simon nods, "If there are no other questions, I believe you are all be free to go".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
on the Downeaster Alexia
Onfroi nods nothing upon his face and he says simply let us do this then and see where the dice may fall.
Not Quite the Bayou
Onfroi
Alexander grins, "I shall let you know when, it may take me a night or two to arrange this but rest assured it shall be arranged".
He directs the drier to head back to where you two were originally picked up, Elysium.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
She nods her head slowly. "Never again though. As I stated I do not wish to become a slave, I have seen enough slavery in my human life to know it is not what I desire."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
"Good, we Lasombra are an independent breed and by habit do not normally bond our Childer fully by Blood. It is seen as a sign of weakness to have to do in addition to upsetting the balance that exists via the Amici Noctis.
Join with me and you shall never be a slave again. The enemy you betray is powerful indeed but my allies are more powerful still.
We must first discover who has the scrolls that belong to Kratos to ascertain what else he knows that this faction does not wish us to know".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court -
You sit in the room enveloped in darkness only the candles at each table give this room any light at all. That light is eerie in the way it seems to cause the shadows to dance of their own volition. You consider for a moment that considering where you are perhaps the shadows do dance of their own volition.
The silence is so complete that it is as if this is more of a morgue than a building housing so many. In some ways it is a morgue you muse, a macabre one where the victims stand and dance and speak. The one victim with you of course cannot speak in this place his whispers which you have heard for a few days now are always silent in this place.
As your mind drifts to the morbid again and again you hear the sound of the front doors to the room open. A series of soft footfalls followed closely thereafter by a thumping sound comes towards you. As you turn to look you see an old crone making her way through Elysium, you believe the name of this one is Durga Syn.
She stops and turns towards you, "A fish out of water seems like an apt description for you young man. What an odd place for you to be left all alone. Do you wait for Vykos or for the Prince?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
"My fate is not yet determined and my allegiances are not yet set in stone. We will see where the dice land me in this game but for now yes lets find out where those scrolls are."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Alejandro frowns, "Very well. For now we shall work together until it is clear that your best advantage will be to align with me not with a handful of outsiders. Hopefully you are not lumped in with them when it is time for them to face the judgment of the Laws of the Night".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
Xing nods. "So where would Kratos have gone when we were speaking in the room before we left to hide those items?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
"A good question, perhaps if we ask others whether they saw him we can find out where he went. His mastery of our powers are formidable but I believe that he would have remained within Elysium..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
"No questions from me." Lorenzo says with a slight bow of his head before leaving the chamber.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Luca shakes a no.
"A sister of a Sergei. There was also a man named Claudio, but the sister was not named."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Vitaliano gave a polite bow "I thank you for your wisdom and charity in your willingness to take care of a youth such as I. I hope that we get along for the rest of our unlife despite our current differences." he said before turning towards the Prince.
"It was an honor to be graced with your presence, however brief, in something as important as shaping a Childe's descent into this darkness." he said before he turned to leave the room.
He was unsure where to go at this point. Perhaps it was time to visit the soldiers...after all it seemed they had one of the largest bodies of voting power at present that he had yet to even visit.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
"Lets make this as quick and painless as possible. I do not particularly enjoy playing the investigator."
She holds out her arm for her grandsire to take as in the old western tradition of the man escorting the woman.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Alessandro marvels at the blade in his hand.
What of the Giovanni? In his mind's eye, images of that dreadful night.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Andrew reaches out for his blade Alessandro and resheathes it as most of the room makes their way towards the door. Andrew stays near you and responds to your question, "They err no longer in tha' city if what I understand is true is true. Have you had many interactions with their kin?"
Brian and Simon make their way to the Prince and begin conversing with him in hushed voices.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Your Sire nods, "Good, that is enough information at least to allow us to investigate who these humans are. If you see them within the city, stay far from them.
Now it is time for us to return and ascertain what if anything Adria's sire has learned at the Court of the Prince of the city. It would be best for you to stay with me Luca, your family may disturb you by day which would be most unpleasant..."
On the walk back through the woods he begins to describe to you how the politics of "civilized" Cainites function.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Hearing mention of Giovanni, Lorenzo pauses his exit from the chamber.
"If the Giovanni are still here, they are in hiding and do so against the will of the Clan." Lorenzo offers, confirming Andrew's statement.
Asking his own question, Lorenzo inquires, "To which kin do you refer, Andrew, Cainite or mortal?"
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
The Cainite that calls himself El Cid draws a breath and let's it out in a sigh, "Perhaps you are right, I have taken you without asking what you wanted. Violetta believes that deep down you wished to be free of your life."
Violetta.
"My intention is to create an equal,"
Then you are a fool. You would create an equal--a rival of one who already hates you, one who could destroy you, you and Violetta.
"Very well, instruct me."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
"Then we must rethink on what is the best way to find Sebastian. Maybe watch who is also looking for him. slight pause
"I was never much of a very physical fighter as I left that to my cousin. I will probably need some good advice on how to exploit weaknesses or the other clans."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Andrew turns to Lorenzo, "By kin I mean tha' Giovanni, I did no know which were human and which were Cainite on my initial interaction. I met them a handful of times and I believe they err the ones behind an attack o' myself and my allies at the time".
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
El Cid nods, "We will begin by my observation of your approach to these ruffians. Interact with them, at least one is a target for you to slay or all if you feel you have the skill to do so".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Sadir turns to you, "Sebastian is here in disguise and I know well who he is pretending to be. If we tell him another seeks him, especially that one it may cause him to become reckless. I'll not tell you who he is as I do not wish Khay'tall to pry it from your memories with you unawares.
The best way to deal with the otehr Clans is to observe and exploit their weaknesses, if we must physically fight our enemies, then we have already lost the battle...
Perhaps you should go to Khay'tall, tel him you indeed seek his wisdom, watch what he says as his arrogance may reveal his true intentions".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Geoffroi de Clairvaux -
You pull your carriage through the woods surrounding the city. You know it is close but how close you are not entirely sure. The ride to get here has been a long and treacherous one. It will be good to arrive at an Inn and have a bath to wipe the grime from a long journey from your body.
To be sure based upon what you have heard, Venice is the proper place for you to go. Their schism with the Pope should ensure that you find a sympathetic ear or at least a not unfriendly one. The real trick will be attempting to locate Andre in a city this size.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
"I would not be shocked if a few of their ilk still remained within the city proper, but their main base of power is currently occupied by Lord Benne."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Marcella's Trattoria -
It has been a long night of negotiating. On of the longest that you can remember. The Khadaji House drives a hard bargain but Edwarde Ashedown harder still. An agreement has been reached to build a new ship to replace the one that burned in the harbor some weeks ago.
Details regarding the incident were sketchy and still unclear to you but what matters is that you got the price you wanted. The sheer amount of lumber that you will need to bring in to build this new ship is astounding, the ship will probably be twice the size of the Captain's last ship. Dinner here at one of your favorite restaurants is a just reward for all of your hard work.
Seated next to you are two locals having a heated debate about the disappearance of one of the men's cousins, they are drunk and speaking far too loud about whether they believe that the Doge had the man killed! Politics everywhere, so cut throat, you are glad that you are a man dedicated to business an honest and noble one at that.
You order another glass of the finest vintage of Red available when two men enter the restaurant. The first glances in your direction and smiles, "By your accent, I take it you are from London sir?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Andrew turns back to Alessandro, "An there ye hav' it, the Giovanni err either all gone err hidin' in the shadows. Which in this city cast longer than in others but I'll bet on o' tha' Princes minions would know whether they err to be hidin' within
Mayhap, have any o' ye seen Xing this night? I was lookin' fer her but didn't see err here at this meetin'".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy