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..."
"You are the more skilled hunter than I, but I shall certainly seek him out now..." He says, even as he tries to read her aura at this news. Clues to her true feelings might give him much.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
Xing nods "I have not met one of your clan that's why I was where I was this evening." She looks and see's Michele. "Yes I know that one even before we were changed."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
"Very well." Lorenzo says as pleasantly as he can muster, as Brexiano turns to leave.
Lorenzo pauses to see if Durdona has anything of note to say to her Sire before beginning the process of mingling.
"Ah, it seems my own Sire has arrived. Come along, Durdona. I would like you to meet Lord Benne."
After any final bit of conversation between El Cid and Durdona, Lorenzo guides the woman toward the Canites disembarking from the gondola.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Robin removes the knife from your grasp with almost no effort whatsoever Edwarde, "Now then. I have a significant proposal for you Edwarde, I should hope you would wish to hear it before..." As Robin speaks, Luca lunges towards him!
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
You are forced to blink rapidly as her aura flares brightly in your eyes, so brightly you could discern nothing but the fact that she is indeed a Vampire..
"Are you alright Ranerius?" she asks supressing a chuckle.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos narrows his eyes at you, "Shall we invite him along with us then?"
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..."
Geoffroi shrugs
"We can at least stroll over and have a meal there. Perhaps we will be fortunate "
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
You make your way to the Inn, it's location is at the heart of the city. You can both see, hear, and feel that this city is a powder keg ready to explode. Whatever is going on here it seems the citizens are at each others throats, this place is a few foolish incidents away from a full blown fight in the streets.
Once you enter the Inn though, things calm down. It seems the foreigners are not so concerned with the state of the state.
You take a table near the door ordering food and drink and wait.
After several minutes two men enter both tall and extremely attractive so much so that you notice! Both head to the bar and order drinks. They split off sand begin to work their way around the room speaking with all of the patrons, one finally makes his way to your table/
"Tell me friends, have you been staying here at the Inn for a long time?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano turned slightly when the man began to undress. Would it be a good idea, to try trusting one of his 'allies' so soon. It would make for a decent test of the trust between them but then it would put him in their debt and he wasn't sure what could be asked of him. Though he honestly thought this would be a minor inconvenience of a chore all the same, it could be considered beneath the man. He stood in silence as he let all of this swirl through his mind as he began to pick apart the idea, finally he settled on it.
"Hmm, I suppose it would not hurt to ask for assistance in this though I would think this would be beneath you. It would be better or best to have him watched by one who was not in his enemy's pocket so to speak so as not to arouse attention from the other players in the game." he said trying to piece together his thought.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Xing Shi
"If that is where he is headed I'm sure he wouldn't mind accompanying us."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos calls out, "Signore' Querini would you accompany us to the Elysium this night?"
He simply smiles at Xing's response but says nothing further.
Michele you see that Xing and Vykos are standing on a small dock with a Gondaleer in the water a few feet away from them.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
He smiles at you his face angelic his dress impeccable.
"When I was Embraced, many of the Clan Founders still walked among us. Within a century I was "Prince" of a Greek City State. Do you think I became such because I was powerful? Certainly to you I am akin to a Demi-God but to those beings even now I am insignificant.
No, I became what I became because I leveraged alliances. Perhaps your scheme is beneath me, perhaps not. But what you need are allies with contacts who would see such a plot as an opportunity to advance their own well being.
I can provide that to you, of course nothing is without cost..."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano smiled "I am a businessman after all, I would not expect anyone to work for free. Hmm, would you prefer information or a favor? I do have a bit of a something interesting I could mention." he said scratching his chin slightly.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
Alexander stays where he is, "If the information is relevant to this Conclave then I will covet that information. If it is not then a boon will suffice. A minor boon for a favor such as you ask would be an even exchange Dr."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Michele Querini & Xing Shi
Xing smiles at Michele.
"Good to see you again Michele."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Michele Querini & Xing Shi
" It would be my pleasure. "
Smiling at Xing..." yes it feels like an eternity but it's only been 1 night right. "
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano turned towards Alexander "I will offer the information as it does pertain to the conclave then, though forgive the riddle and vagueness. We have a one amongst us who isn't what they claim to be, a false entity as it were and that such person is attempting to gain power and we've decided it would be more fortuitous for us to expose and thwart such plans. Finding such an enemy in our midst would offer quite the leverage over a fair few if we were to wait for the opportune time to expose our enemy...especially if we save those working with or spare them the shame of being exposed." he said offering him the best deal he can.
"Of course, I'm not asking to be the centerpiece of this theatric. I thought I might offer you the chance to be the 'hero' in this situation. It would of course earn you prestige over your peers and me, my sire, and you would hopefully earn a few favors in the process...thoughts?" he asked curiously as he finally unraveled web he and his sire had constructed.
The docks of elysium
Onfroi will move to the front door not approaching others but letting them come to him knowing he may be able to sell some information before the beginning of conclave.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
La Serenata Notturna -
You are forced to blink rapidly as her aura flares brightly in your eyes, so brightly you could discern nothing but the fact that she is indeed a Vampire..
"Are you alright Ranerius?" she asks supressing a chuckle.
He blinks as if in pain,"Just contemplating the little lessons God sends about Hubris..." He allows a sheepish look to reveal that in this case it's his own. "Pardon I should go. And... good fortune in your own endeavors on our Sire's behalf."
And he moves with great haste. Hoping he has not made a mistake ontop of a mistake.
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.
There is only stone-faced, apathy, from Durdona.
"Ah, it seems my own Sire has arrived. Come along, Durdona. I would like you to meet Lord Benne."
After any final bit of conversation between El Cid and Durdona, Lorenzo guides the woman toward the Canites disembarking from the gondola.
[b]"'Prince', 'Childe of the Night', 'Sire'--are all of you so pretentious? Is this then to be my curse?" Durdona says the last with feigned melodrama, the back of her hand rising to meet her forehead.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
"Pretentious, perhaps, but a necessity of the early stages of this new state existence we find ourselves in." Lorenzo states plainly.
"Based on you assumed disdain, I take it you did not choose this path of your own accord?" he asks as the pair make their way over toward Lord Benne.
"Choose?! What fool would choose this! Living, skulking death. And then to be led about like a pet by the very thing that stole your breath!" She nods toward Lorenzo's "sire". "Did you make this choice?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
"I have my reasons, and without a doubt a heavy price has been paid indeed, but I willingly became what I am."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Alessandro isn't quite certain, his... rights in the situation. Gentleman. Please, no violence in the Lady Alyssa's home. I'm certain once tempers calm, we'll get along smashingly.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
"I have my reasons, and without a doubt a heavy price has been paid indeed, but I willingly became what I am."
"And what, precisely, is that?"
Michael will follow Lorenzo and durdona in the greeting of his sire. As Lorenzo and Durdona chat about being embraced michael walk over to lord Benne bow showing his respects to him.
"Good evening Lord Benne I trust your evening is going well"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
You make your way to the Inn, it's location is at the heart of the city. You can both see, hear, and feel that this city is a powder keg ready to explode. Whatever is going on here it seems the citizens are at each others throats, this place is a few foolish incidents away from a full blown fight in the streets.
Once you enter the Inn though, things calm down. It seems the foreigners are not so concerned with the state of the state.
You take a table near the door ordering food and drink and wait.
After several minutes two men enter both tall and extremely attractive so much so that you notice! Both head to the bar and order drinks. They split off sand begin to work their way around the room speaking with all of the patrons, one finally makes his way to your table/
"Tell me friends, have you been staying here at the Inn for a long time?"
Geoffroi nods politely at the handsome stranger
"We just arrived sirrah. My friend and I were hoping to run into an old acquaintance we know. We had been told he sometimes frequents this inn"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
"Someone who has paid a dear price to learn the secrets that will return to me what is mine." Lorenzo responds solemly.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
As the Gondola pushes off Vykos sits down and lounges. "So, it was merely a coincidence then that you are both here at the same time so near Greetings Inn?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
"A Masquerader eh? Well there is almost always one in such a large city. While I've no desire to play the "hero" I am interested in discovering who this particular Masquerader is.
Have you any indication of who this Cainite is? Or perhaps who it is not is an easier question to answer".
He begins to head towards the stairs down as it seems he is as interested in hearing what you say as he is in geting to the Conclave.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Luca leaps at Robin
and manages to wrap up Robin's left arm. As Alessandro asks for the fighting to stop.
Robin chuckles and steps backwards away from Edwarde with Luca hanging onto him. Before Edwarde's very eyes the wound he delivered to Robin heals itself!
"You have spirit Edwarde! No need for further hostilities, I simply wished to see how you would react to an attack. You are indeed worthy of the gift I wish to give to you. Intelligent, connected, fearless!
Fear not Alessandro, I do not wish to cause further violence in your home.
In exchange for meddling in your business affairs and you honoring the agreement I am offering to Khadaji on your behalf, I offer you Immortality".
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
He smiles and sits, "My Master seeks a woman, a beautiful dark haired woman. Perhaps we can help each other find what we are looking for? What is the name of your acquaintance?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Ranerius' Gondola slowly approaches the dock of Elysium, he sees that several of the Elders have arrived just ahead of him.
---
As the Fledglings head to the docks many familiar faces step off and head towards Elysium's front doors. Lord Benne pauses to greet Lorenzo, Michael, and Durdona, "Good evening to you as well Michael. Your ire shall be along soon enough, he is meeting with.. others. You my dear, are a face I've not seen before". He addresses the last at Durdona.
---
Rafael de Corazon pauses next to Onfroi his Childe Basanio in tow, "See me later Childe, I may have an offer for you and yours".
---
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium -
In your head you suddenly hear a voice, "Bagrat. As you well know, young Xing and I have an interest in certain items you have in your possession. I am sure that we can come to a mutually agreeable solution as to how best to reward you for returning them to our possession, where they will of course be returned to Kratos".
Onfroi looks over seeing Raphael and nods to his statement saying please approach me at your convenience Sir, as I am at your whim and Onfroi will step through the open doors and walk in tp find a corner and hope that the tremere might approach him prior to what he wishes to sell happening and forcing him to find other fish to hook and other bait.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Duerme y Descansa -
He smiles and sits, "My Master seeks a woman, a beautiful dark haired woman. Perhaps we can help each other find what we are looking for? What is the name of your acquaintance?"
Geoffroi nods
"I suppose that cannot hurt."
He looks over at Baldemar, trying to coomunicate for him to say nothing of his contact, then speaks
"We seek a man known as Andre de Beaulieu. He is an older man, tall, but well-built and hale despite his age. He is Norman, and has reddish hair and blue eyes and a scar along his right cheek a Saracen gave him long ago."
He looks at the man
"I fear I may not be much help finding your lady friend, having just entered the city, but if you can give me a name and a description I will certainly keep an eye out for her."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano followed along as Alexander offered his questions. He honestly was a bit lost in that aspect. He thought for a moment and tried to offer as much advice as he could. "If he were attempting a play at power, I would assume it would be one of the ones vying for a seat on the council. I assume naturally that you are not the false one amongst our presence and of course my own sire. It could be someone guaranteed a spot on the council, though I feel that that particular play would be one not easily uncovered and if they were old enough to secure the seat amongst the peers of a clan without a vote...that would be quite a long scheme. Forgive me if that doesn't help very much, I'm unfortunately not long of the night so my observations are indeed limited." he said quietly as they walked.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium - Bagrat
Well, why don't we sit and talk about that price during a latter moment after the conclave have gathered. he replied
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn - Michele Querini & Xing Shi
Xing shrugs "I suppose our fates are intertwined this evening."
She places her hand on Michele's shoulder "Michele and I go way back, don't we."
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Luca leaps at Robin
** spoiler omitted **
and manages to wrap up Robin's left arm. As Alessandro asks for the fighting to stop.
Robin chuckles and steps backwards away from Edwarde with Luca hanging onto him. Before Edwarde's very eyes the wound he delivered to Robin heals itself!
"You have spirit Edwarde! No need for further hostilities, I simply wished to see how you would react to an attack. You are indeed worthy of the gift I wish to give to you. Intelligent, connected, fearless!
Fear not Alessandro, I do not wish to cause further violence in your home.
In exchange for meddling in your business affairs and you honoring the agreement I am offering to Khadaji on your behalf, I offer you Immortality".
"IF ALL OF THIS IS SOME KIND OF GAME THEN I WILL HAVE YOU BURNED AS A WARLOCK." Edwarde practically shouts as the fight dies down. "Now what do you mean by immortality," he says as he begins to calm down.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium - Ranerius, Onfroi, Michael, Durdona & Lorenzo
Seeing the elders ahead of him, he attempts to listen into what they say without appearing to be. He's tired, and he fears he has not done as well as he could. And yet, he has done all he could he thinks. Maybe some last revelation on how to approach a specific elder will salvage things.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Ranerius' Gondola slowly approaches the dock of Elysium, he sees that several of the Elders have arrived just ahead of him.
---
As the Fledglings head to the docks many familiar faces step off and head towards Elysium's front doors. Lord Benne pauses to greet Lorenzo, Michael, and Durdona, "Good evening to you as well Michael. Your ire shall be along soon enough, he is meeting with.. others. You my dear, are a face I've not seen before". He addresses the last at Durdona.
"Perhaps you should take the air more." Durdona says an obviously outdoorsy girl, she then waits for Lorenzo to make introductions.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium -
Raphael and his Childe walk alongside you as you step within the doors to Elysium. Raphael replies, "So I shall". He heads to the Toreador table.
You place yourself at the intersection where you can see both within the main chamber (as the doors are still open) and the walkway outside (again these doors too are still open). As you peer inside the room appears as it did last night far too religious but still tastefully decorated.
Seated at the table of the Tzimisce is the Mortal Bagrat who appears to be talking to himself.
While there are two dozen Cainites here, none represent Clan Tremere but the Fledgling Michael.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Way of Kings Inn -
"While I do not know this Andre de Beaulieu my Master very well may. He is otherwise indisposed in the early evening but after midnight, I may be able to arrange a meeting to see what it is he does know. You see my Master is from Paris and has many Norman acquaintances...
The woman I seek is named Katriana Volkov. She may also use the name Ma-Ri. She is beautiful, dark haired, and clever with her tongue. She and my Master had a... disagreement and she fled into the night. We have not seen her since. My Master would reward any who were able to locate her she is his soul mate..."
Baldemar shakes his head, "I have never heard of a woman that goes by... wait, did you say Volkov? Has she a family member named Sergeu by chance?"
The man turns to Baldemar and narrows his eyes, "Indeed she does, her Brother is named Sergei. He is a... dangerous man. Delusional in fact. His love for his sister is... unnatural".
Geoffroi the wheels within Baldemar's head appear to turn, though you have known him but a day his nature is one that allows for ease of familiarity. "I would very much like to meet with your Master this night".
The man smiles, "Splendid, shall we say 1 am back here at the Way of Kings Inn?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Outside of Elysium -
Lord Benne's eyebrows raise at the young woman's response to his comment, "And who is this you have brought to me Dr. Cappelli? A Brujah no doubt?"
Michael as you await the response of Lorenzo, you see one of the Gondoleers, [well really, almost all of them work for you that are assembled here it is as if someone has solely utilized your service to ferry Cainites to these meetings] Francois, beckon you from his boat within the water.
As you step on to the docks the closest Cainites are the German Ventrue Lanzo von Saschen & Gustav Breidenstein.
Lanzo turns to Gustav speaking in German.
As you understand it, they support Helene but if you could turn them to Francois' cause...
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn -
"Indeed I can vouch that the Masquerader is not me. But then, if I were a Masquerader of course I would say that. Your theory is an interesting one, someone looking to circumvent the vote entirely. I am not sure how it could be done without the vulgar use of Dominate. Perhaps the only Cainite here who could even hope to Dominate the minds of all Cainites present is again, me. I have never been so coarse in my dealings, though perhaps I should have been.
Still, a single failure in such a gambit would bring the wrath of far too many Cainites upon that schemers head.
No, I suspect that whoever this Masquerader is, they are not currently seeking a seat. Those who seek such a seat have lain their ambitions bare for all to see. Instead, we must focus on those who are not well known collectively among the Cainites. A Childe who is perhaps not really a Childe or a lesser known Cainite present here who claims to represent a greater power but either does so only to make a play here or makes that claim falsely".
You have both now left his Venetian haven and head towards the nearest set of stairs to hail a Gondoleer. "Do you wish for me to walk through the names of these "suspects"? Or have you any in mind?" He pauses for a moment, then speaks again, "Perhaps we had better start from the beginning, from where did you first hear this rumor?"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Inside of Elysium -
"Very well, I shall have Xing seek you out as the Conclave comes to an end, make your excuses to Narses as to why you cannot see him this night...
As you look around you see exiting from the shadows several Lasombra Cainites. Some in groups and some alone. One of them is the Elder who sought to claim the scrolls from you last night, Alejandro.
You do not though currently see Brexiano here.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Greetings Inn -
Vykos chuckles, "Forgive me Xing, I fear I have not been specific enough in my request.
YOU WILL TELL ME THE TRUE REASON WHY YOU CAME TO GREETINGS THIS NIGHT!"
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Winnowing Inn - Vitaliano
Vitaliano listened carefully to Alexander's words and thoughts. When he pauses he stops and stares up at the sky "I heard it first from my Sire. I hope that does not clout the rumor given for me it's origin is with one cursed of my bloodline." he said as he stared into the heavens.
"If I were to start such a list...I would perhaps start with Durga Syn. Representing a clan that is for all purposes deceased makes it hard to scrutinize, though the Tremere might be able to shed light on her. Of course I'd worry that such information from them would be envenomed. Perhaps also Xing I believe her name was, the Childe of Lasombra. Thought playing under the Prince's nose would require quite a lot of skill and luck I would imagine...or careful hands working their magic to make it difficult to delve into the mind. Then there was the gentleman who bore a weapon of the divine. I fear I don't remember his name but for one to walk among us wielding a weapon that is best used against us does bring scrutiny upon him." he offered as his current possible suspicions.
Venice by Night – Wednesday March 26, 1309
Khadaji Household -
Robin grins, "Not an entirely empty threat Edwardre but hollow considering your current circumstances.
By immortality I mean the ability to exist forever, assuming of course that you do nothing foolish to suffer the Final Death. With the exception of you, the rest of the "men" you see before you are immortal. That is to say we are all Creatures of the Night. We exist from the nourishment that human blood provides to us. While this need makes us weak in some respects, it makes us powerful in others.
I could simply bend your will to make you believe that you want this, more than you have ever wanted anything else. In truth, the power it brings is something that would greatly aid you in your endeavors. However, once the change takes you, your priorities will change.
I offer you this Dark Gift for a few reasons. The first, your spirit reminds me of mine own when I was brought across in the Year of Our Lord 1185. The second, your interactions with Alessandro Khadaji can be of great benefit to me and by attaching myself to you and you to me, I am able to accomplish a goal I have long sought. The third and final reason is because I have been granted sway to Embrace, as we call it, a new Progeny but only so long as the current meeting we have all been attending is taking place so the timing is also right.
Should you not wish this, I shall make you forget you ever met me or ever heard any of what I have just told you. You will of course, lose the contract with the Khadaji Household as much of your memories of the past few days I will need to wipe clean from your mind.
What say you Edwarde Ashedown? Will you take your place among the Creatures of the Night or ever remain our prey until your Mortal life expires?"