Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Brexiano nods at Lorenzo's statement, "He is right my dear. Whether you were taken against your will or this be your will what is done is done. The process cannot be reversed, you must, pardon my expression, Embrace this change or it will be the Final Death of you".
Before Durdona or Lorenzo can respond the sounds of oars and sticks in the water echo across the plaza, several Gondola are arriving within sight of Elysium.
Brexiano turns back to the Fledglings, "It seems that once again our kind gather together. Durdona, if you wish I can make introductions for you or Dr. Cappelli here can the choice is yours".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium -
Rodrigo heads back outside and Narses heads back inside towards his seat of power, as he passes you he smiles as the shadows of the place wrap themselves around him like a cloak.
"But a few more days my friend ans you shall be free of the yoke of Vykos if you so wish. I will need an affirmative answer from you by tomorrow that I can begin to take action to make it so". He then proceeds to his seat not waiting for a reply from you.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Gunthar's House - First Floor -
As you reply you feel a light touch on your elbow.
At that moment Christopher sheathes his blade, "Very well then. I understand the desire to be away from the yoke of responsibility. Though I commend you fleeing your father I frown upon you failing at your duties to serve this city and the Council. I shall keep my mouth shut that I saw you".
You literally feel the tension rush out of the room as he says that.
Gunthar speaks as he produces the sack of gold, "I'll give this back then..."
Christopher holds up his hand, "Wait, what was your proposal Querini?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
He steps in and closes the door behind him, "Night has fallen my friend it seems you badly needed rest. I left a message where my friend and I used to communicate, if any of the Templar Order are here, they will find it and respond".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
The Ghoul frowns as he stares after the figure that passed you by so vacant eyed. "Very well, come in, I've no rights to hold you back from my Master".
He steps out of your way, as you pass within you see Alexander walking back up the stairs. He pauses as you enter the common room of the Inn. He smiles, "Vitaliano. Good of you to come, follow me to my quarters, we can discuss your business as I prepare to travel to Elysium".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
You attempt to enter the front door and find it locked. Mere moments later a man looking rather unkempt and wild eyed cracks the door open, "This Inn is closed until further notice!"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
You return to your Inn and Taver. Upstairs you find not your Sire but Violetta. She curtsies, "Good evening Ranerius, shouldn't you be on your way to Elysium for the night? Francois has already left".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household - Luca Marano, Edwarde Ashedown & Alessandro Khadaji
Luca nods curtly.
"Right, sorry."
Life was so much simpler when he was alive. Luca wondered to himself if these court deals and manners would end up getting him killed before any sort of Vampire hunter or something.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium - Bagrat
he nods and goes and sit at his regular place
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Robin grins at Alessandro, "You see, you have to learn how to spot the Fledgling from the Neonate Khadaji, an important skill to be sure".
"I must make my apologies gentlemen, other pressing business calls me to make other stops this night. I will send word when I have details of when the materials will arrive."
Edwarde stands to leave after making his apologies.
I have no idea what half of the things these men are saying mean, but it seems prudent not to know too much of their other business.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
He steps in and closes the door behind him, "Night has fallen my friend it seems you badly needed rest. I left a message where my friend and I used to communicate, if any of the Templar Order are here, they will find it and respond".
Geoffroi nods and smiles
"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Please, come in and we can have some of this Venetian Prosecco"
He pours a glass for Baldemar
"How are you feeling? Still a bit off?"
Gunthar's House - First Floor- Michele Querini
" we had not spoken of any specifics other then him running the inn. I had given this as a gesture of good will and to show that I was serious. Even though we have done business in the past it was the proper thing to do. " I will pause a momemt
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano slipped past the ghoul and made his way up the stairs after Alexander. "Forgive me, I merely came to make a social call. Though if you have something you wish to speak with me about I would be more than happy to listen. My Sire spoke of the night not being as safe this evening so I thought I might use the powers that my blood gives me and offer you the warning as well. The Malkavian curse can lead to derangement I am aware, but still better to be safe than sorry." he offered as they made their way into his chambers.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
"Apologize sir, I did not realize the inn was closed. Do you know when it will reopen?"
Xing stays cool, calm and collected.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Robin grins as you stand Edwarde, "I am sorry to inform you Edwarde that you are now in too deep to leave. Draw your blade, fight me for your freedom. If you fail, you shall die..."
His grin becomes a demonic visage as his fangs elongate in his mouth and his eyes become red.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
Beldemar nods, "Yes I fear I am. Your help was invaluable though. I believe now that it has nothing to do with sustaining an injury and everything to do with the arrival of Lord Jurgen and his vassals. Perhaps once we contact my Templar ally we can together look into the matter, is that something that you would be willing to assist me with?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Gunthar's House - First Floor -
Christopher contemplates for a moment, "Gunthar, hold that wealth. Querini, after my marriage next week would you be willing to sit down and discuss these plans with me and with Gunthar?
In the meantime, the Council nay the city, needs you. Will you complete your Civic duty and attend Council tomorrow?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
Alexander chuckles as he heads to his chambers and begins to dress, "You Sire is right for what night can be safe when dead men walk?
Likely his own heightened sense of paranoia is at play. Tell me, how goes your Sire's quest for the position of Malkavian councilor? I for one am ready to support his claim. Rather a paranoid than a raving lunatic".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
The man stares daggers at you, before he can respond he is pushed aside and a face you recognize steps forward and into the street with you. He closes the door behind him. It is the Tzimisce Councilor Myca Vykos.
"What business have you here Fledgling?" he asks staring at you with no emotion whatever though perhaps a bit of curiosity in his voice.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
"Master Vykos." she bows her head slightly. "Sorry to intrude. I like to make my way around the different clans to get to know those of our kind a bit better and was wondering if Bagrat was present to discuss things."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Lorenzo awaits Durdona's decision. "Please choose whatever would make you feel most comfortable. Have no concerns about offending me, you will not."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos cocks his head, "What business could you have with my Ward? He is Mortal and of no Clan".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
Xing bows her head "Apologize, my senses are not as keen as I thought, I saw him and thought he was one of us already. I try to get to know the other fledglings but if he is not yet turned I will not bother you any longer on this."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos slightly nods, "Just so. Come let us travel to the Conclave together".
He heads to the canal and flags down a Gondola. As he waits for it to arrive he turns to you, "Tell me, is this meeting with Fledglings something you seek out on your own initiative or has someone suggested you do this?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium
Onfroi
Michael ponders a moment
"I cannot make that decision without my sire here for as of now i know the bare minimum of our ways and do not with to make a promise i can not deliver. If I could gain time to speak with Radek then I would be able to give you a better response but if you are looking for and answer here and now I must respectfully decline for lack of knowledge of our ways."
outside of elysium
Michael
Onfroi nods and says One does expect a counter offer generally. If your sire arrives here in timely fashion come find me and we can talk.
Onfroi at this will take his exit looking for other furtile grounds to sell information.
Michael will return to his Host Lorenzo but seeing him engaged in his own converstation he will be a few steps away not to intrude, but not too far cause he wants to hear what's going on
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
Xing smiles at Vykos "That is indeed a good question. In truth I do this on my own, and strangely enough many of the fledglings I have met as mortals before they have even been embraced by our new masters. I have become quite friendly with a few and think it is good for our kind to work together than against as I have seen in some verbal conflicts recently. Does us no good."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos looks surprised at Xing's statement, "An interesting coincidence then, how many of these Mortals did you know before being turned?
I had not seen you in any conflict or do much of anything except lurk akin to a Nosferatu Fledgling. I must confess I do not know your Sire personally or your Grandsire.
Your Clan and mine have had very little interaction over the years due mostly to geographic interests. Are you here because you are part of Narses Brood or for some other purpose?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
You return to your Inn and Taver. Upstairs you find not your Sire but Violetta. She curtsies, "Good evening Ranerius, shouldn't you be on your way to Elysium for the night? Francois has already left".
"And I have missed him," A sigh, "Forgive me, Violetta. I have not been always fully trusting of you and that was unjust of me. I would like to work with you and, I yield to your greater knowledge in hopes it grants insight. Do you know of one named Beshter ? Apparently a toreador assumed long dead?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
Violetta chuckles at your statement regarding trust, "You are wise to trust no one Ranerius but be comforted by the fact that I do not view you as a rival. If I did perhaps things would be less cordial between us".
She registers shock at your use of the name Beshter, "Indeed Beshter is dead but not long dead. He perished a century ago in the fires of what the Mortals refer to as the Fourth Crusade. There are rumors that he perished in the flames and other rumors that his soul was consumed by another of our kind.
Some rumors state that he was consumed by a black hearted Baali. Others claim that a member of the Salubri Clan consumed him. Yet others claim that he ascended beyond the coil of flesh into the state known as Golconda.
Such is the way when a Methuselah of his ilk perishes. In fact it was his death that prompted the War of Princes which we are only now, at this Conclave, settling.
Why do you ask?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Robin grins as you stand Edwarde, "I am sorry to inform you Edwarde that you are now in too deep to leave. Draw your blade, fight me for your freedom. If you fail, you shall die..."
His grin becomes a demonic visage as his fangs elongate in his mouth and his eyes become red.
** spoiler omitted **
3 damage with knife
Edwarde springs up, slashing with his knife in the same motion he draws it in.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
Beldemar nods, "Yes I fear I am. Your help was invaluable though. I believe now that it has nothing to do with sustaining an injury and everything to do with the arrival of Lord Jurgen and his vassals. Perhaps once we contact my Templar ally we can together look into the matter, is that something that you would be willing to assist me with?"
Geoffroi nods
"Of course. I would be happy to help you find a resolution to this troubling matter. "
He sips at the prosecco.
"Is there anything we can do to facilitate contact?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Lorenzo awaits Durdona's decision. "Please choose whatever would make you feel most comfortable. Have no concerns about offending me, you will not."
"It matters not to me, but I admit to being temped by the challenge."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
Violetta chuckles at your statement regarding trust, "You are wise to trust no one Ranerius but be comforted by the fact that I do not view you as a rival. If I did perhaps things would be less cordial between us".
She registers shock at your use of the name Beshter, "Indeed Beshter is dead but not long dead. He perished a century ago in the fires of what the Mortals refer to as the Fourth Crusade. There are rumors that he perished in the flames and other rumors that his soul was consumed by another of our kind.
Some rumors state that he was consumed by a black hearted Baali. Others claim that a member of the Salubri Clan consumed him. Yet others claim that he ascended beyond the coil of flesh into the state known as Golconda.
Such is the way when a Methuselah of his ilk perishes. In fact it was his death that prompted the War of Princes which we are only now, at this Conclave, settling.
Why do you ask?"
"I am very glad of that," He says with honest relief at her mention of her not viewing him as a rival. Mind you, it could be a dismissal as much as a compliment, but it beats the alternative.
He listens to the story of Beshter, then he explains, "the source is...dubious. One Lutz of the Clan of Malkav. Whether it is true or not, Lutz believes Beshter lives and I suspect even now means to support him though I did make my plea to sway him, how well it worked I know not. I know i could have done better..." A frown "Even if Lutz madness has him trying to elect a ghost, that's at least one more vote we could lose, and worse, might sew even more confusion in our Sire's attempts. If, somehow, he IS alive...well, then ..." He shrugs.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Gunthar's House - First Floor - Michele Querini
"Yes I would like to meet with you both on this. As for tomorrow I have to attend to some loose ends and will do my best to come by late as I am sure it will be a lengthy meeting. Until then thank you all for your hospitality.
A simple slight bow to the ladies and a nod to the gentlemen and I will start heading out.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
"I have known more than a handful of the fledglings as mortals before our embrace some are close others well not so close. I do not interest myself in conflicts if I can avoid it. Perhaps through your fledglings and myself the bridge between our clans can be shortened?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household - Luca Marano, Edwarde Ashedown & Alessandro Khadaji
Luca, watching the fight unfold before doesn't know the full context of what is transpiring. He doesn't know what rules he must follow, or what his sire may have said.
But he knows what he feels he should do.
Luca flings himself at Robin, trying to hold the vampire down.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano thought for a moment. "He has garnered some to his side though I would prefer perhaps a few more votes at this point. However to ask someone to follow madman over a lunatic can be difficult to swallow. But, we have a plan though it would do to have a bit of help in keeping an eye on the opposition." he said, the last bit falling off as a mere thought.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household - Luca Marano, Edwarde Ashedown & Alessandro Khadaji
Edwards lashes out at Robin the two move simultaneously
Disarm - . Opposed Strength + 3 Auto Successes.
Robin tries to Dodge around the blade but is cut across his ribs. Moving faster than Edwards ever thought possible, Robin shifts next to him and grasps the blade.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
Baldemar shakes his head, "I am not entirely sure as I have never had to utilize this message system before.
I asked him to meet me at a Hotel called the Way of Kings Inn. We could journey there and wait though that could lead to several nights of sitting there inactive..."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Brexiano turns to Lorenzo, "I leave her then in your capable hands". He then begins walking towards the dock where the Gondola's are about ready to arrive.
Lorenzo feels a presence behind him, a Cainite he has never seen before, Durdona recognizes her Sire but is somewhat unnerved at how easily he snuck up on both.
The man, dark skinned but Spanish in complexion, focuses his gaze on Durdona, "The Prince and I have met. Once the Conclave begins I shall formally introduce you to him and he will accept you as a Childe of the Night. I see that you have begun to make acquaintances among our kind. Mingle and I shall do the same". He lingers for a moment to see if you have a response.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
Violetta remains impassive, "You are indeed wise to bring this to the attention of Francois. Should it be true it would be a legitimate threat. From what I understand, Beshter had a number of rivals who are present in the city now I would assume that they would recognize him though with the powers of our kind he could be hiding in plain sight. We must then discover if there is one here that is not what they seem..."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Gunthar's House - First Floor -
Christopher nods, "Then we shall meet here again tomorrow but later in the evening".
As you step outside you hear a voice next to you, "Well handled... Come we must head in another direction".
As you look over not 30' away Xing Shi is still present, beside her is the Tzimisce Myca Vykos.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
"I have no Fledgling..." He pauses and sees Michele Querini just as the Gondola arrives. "Do you know that one? The Setite?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
Alexander chuckles, "Do you seek my help or are you just thinking out loud Vitaliano?" He strips naked you cannot help but notice that he is just as young as he looks, it is likely that he was embraced before his 17th birthday. He dresses in the finest current clothing of the Byzantine Empire as he awaits your response.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household - Luca Marano, Edwarde Ashedown & Alessandro Khadaji
Edwards lashes out at Robin the two move simultaneously
** spoiler omitted **
Robin tries to Dodge around the blade but is cut across his ribs. Moving faster than Edwards ever thought possible, Robin shifts next to him and grasps the blade.
** spoiler omitted **