Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Finn Garrety
You have finally arrived in Venice. Decades of travel back and forth across cultures has brought you to this place. While the man you seek may be hard to find, you received the name of someone who may be able to track him down for you, a Luigi Vespucci, a traveling companion of the famous world traveler himself.
The manservants you retained on the docks bring your goods to the Inn you reserved, the Way of Kings, a place fit for a man of your esteemed reputation and wealth.
An itch at the back of your mind makes you feel as if you know these streets and canals. But you shrug this off as impossible, after all, you have never been here before in your life, have you?
The clunk of the suitcase on the ground at the front door of the Inn breaks you from your reverie, "Signore', we have arrived, the Inn you requested". The man bows with his hand held out...
Xing takes another step back.
"Hungry dead..." she places her hand on her blade under her cloak.
"You sir I think may have problems of the head."
He is here, in Venice. His daughter to marry into a prominent noble family. A family that brings him closer to Doge and Pope. Sebastian... What of the Pope? How does he play into this?
If I am to accomplish the many nigh impossible tasks set before me, I shall need to take my leave. Where shall you be safe?
Alessandro tries to think...
Storyteller Shadow
"How could you convince Fahdi to serve this punishment? It sounds that we have much work ahead of us. What else do I need to learn to help this cause?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
Andrew rises with some difficulty from his prayers...
"I have prayed upon you an yer house."
"Indeed. Tha papers err unfathomable our agreement was simple enough Federico needs lands suitable fer farmin every pipeweed plant was removed an his land taken, new land must be found tah plan fer future plantins an harvests. It is no mystery tha a farmer must farm season upon season an tha feilds ken not lie fallow."
"Surely tha family o bankers holds titles upon some lands tha might be suitable fer such farms."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Finn Garrety
The man's eyes light up at the tip, "Grazie Signore', I am Grima if there is anything else you need you may seek me out on the docks in the later afternoons and evenings". With that he hustles back to find another customer.
A waiter serving tables outside stops on his way out and smiles to you, "Do you need assistance with your luggage Signore'?"
As you peer into the Inn nothing seems out of the ordinary, if eyes have turned towards your arrival, you have yet to see them. Those seated outside appeared too wrapped up in drinks and stories to oay you any mind.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Xing Shi
"Your weapons and your skills are no match for me Xing, I have had over two centuries to hone my warcraft. Now, do you wish to become like me or become food for the fish in the beautiful sea surrounding this isle?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
"Then go to this Gunther as well, perhaps he can assist you. The Pope has nothing to do with our kind. If the Holy See is as faithful to God as the masses believe, I doubt any of my kind could stand before him for long".
Sebastian cocks his head for a moment, "My body seeks to waken. I will try to hold myself in this vessel for as long as possible, the transition may be problematic at best for my ability to retain control. Know that if Beshter awakens you are not to speak to him of any of this, he would not believe you and would slay you on sight. From now on I shall call you Sadir, if I call you anything else, the mind behind my eyes is not me but another. As far as where to stay, your manse is out of the question, can you recommend an Inn in the meantime?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michele Querini
"Yes, it will be difficult at best. I may have to incapacitate him a difficulty I have yet to solve the problem to. But that problem is mine to bear, he is beyond you concern. All I need you to do is safely deliver the cargo to its intended destination as these destinations are revealed to us. I will speak no more of what I know except to tell you that success in this endeavor will grant you power you never dreamed imaginable".
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
"Very well, you wish to do business before all of those present. The documents as drafted state that we would purchase from Federico the land and assist him in seeking new lands, in no way are we obligated to sell him new lands or fund these lands for him or for you. Do you wish to enter a second deal? If so, I can have my associates draw up papers with another attorney if you feel these documents are unclear. What is it you seek, specifically".
As he stops speaking Baldemar interrupts, "I am here to seek a shirt discussion with you as well Signore' Giovanni. My time is limited though as I have weary travelers who may be at my door at any moment. I have tarried here for long hours awaiting your arrival".
Pietro shrugs, "I was not aware of any such meeting nor am I aware of who you are Signore'".
"What happens when I become like you?"
She lifts her hand from the blade and moves a bit closer to him.
Lorenzo sighs and shakes his head at his brother's attitude.
"If you feel you must have a few more drinks, I suppose that is fine, but let us try not to be too terribly conspicuous."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Xing Shi
"Many things great and terrible. You will be stronger in many ways and weaker in other ways. The laws of men will no longer apply to you but the laws of the night will. Before you can become like me though you must take an oath to stop killing mortals indiscriminately, that is the cost a gift from those I serve require".
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
"Conspicuous is better Lorenzo. Making friends will create loyalty from the staff and other patrons. Then should crazy Sergei come by making demands, we will not stand alone".
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
"Sounds like yer fer speakin out o both sides o yer mouth err yer not fer assistin in tha seekin new land. Tha is tha second part o tha agreement I am here yet agin askin fer yer assistance in findin a new parcel o land fer tha farm!"
"No it does not have tah be any o yer lands ner do you have to provide any more money, you might be used to speakin down to others, but yer mistaken in doin so. I am asking fer yah to fulfil yer obligation in simply finding o tha suitable new land, as we agreed, fer tha new farm!"
Andrew calms himself down, "Appologies mah sin o choice is Wrath, let us fully conclude our business with Federico having a new farm an everyone being satisfied."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
Pietro shakes his head, "You come to my business and make demands raising your voice in doing so. In addition to bringing visitors demanding more of my time for which I had never agreed to grant time in the first place. My family business consist of two things, burying the dead and lending out money to those in need. We are not land surveyors nor are we in the business of holding lands for later sale. As such, I cannot assist you in finding new lands Lord Andrew. Well perhaps I could but I do not appreciate being yelled at so instead of speaking out of both sides of my mouth, I will speak as plainly as possible. No, I chose not to assist you in your endeavors. Now, Signore' Baldemar, despite your rudeness I shall allow you to say your peace before you too are asked to leave".
"I do not kill those that do not deserve to be killed so there is no problem there. Your offer intrigues me. I have no family to return to and only one friend here. Please lead on."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Xing Shi
The man with No Name smiles as he smiles you see fangs descend slowly from his upper canines, "Excellent. Then let us begin". His form seems to fade as if his body is made of pure shadow. Then his body reforms as transitioning from this shadow substance to solid form.
Suddenly with stunning swiftness you are in his arms, his mouth locked around your neck. For a brief second you resist but then feelings of immense pleasure shudder through you.
Your heartbeat normally calm and measured through years of practice is beating wildly, wildly, wildly. Then ever so slowly the beat fades. Thump, thump, thump. Thump, thump. Thump. You feel cold, so cold as your lifeblood pours into this, thing, this Lasombra.
Your vision begins to fade, you see something. A gray mist taking you somewhere...
Suddenly, the sounds of the water from the lagoon come slamming back into your sense. You smell coppery blood. But the smell is off, unlike anything you have ever smelled before, no tasted! You are tasting this substance.
Greedily you lick and suck it from... somewhere. Your vision returns. You are on your feet, drinking some warm substance. It is blood from the arm of the man with No Name. The hunger is so great it is hard to stop!
He pulls you off of him and holds you at arms length.
"It is done my Childe. You have become like me. Let us sit here for some time, the pain of the transformation has just begun".
You cock your head, you do not feel much different, then suddenly shooting pain wracks your body.
Xing Shi yelps in pain as her body changes from the inside out but somehow is able to control herself from freaking out completely.
She wipes the blood from her face and looks at the man with no name.
"Why does it hurt so much!"
Storyteller Shadow
"understood. I will wait for further instructions and the balance of the payment for Santos. I will pay him a visit tomorrow to let him know that he needs to be ready in the next day or so. Do we have any other business as you are welcome to stay a while longer.
"I suppose you have a point." Lorenzo concedes, as he has a seat and continues to watch the goings on in the bar.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Xing Shi
"Because my dear, you are dying..."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michele Querini
"Good. I expect at least three more shipments. I need to meet with one of my clients tonight, I believe that he has arrived already. No further business for the night, go home and enjoy your wife's charms. Breathe a word of this meeting to no one".
With that Sadir stands up and takes his leave. You sit in the room alone with your thoughts...
Xing Shi dies!
She will succumb to the pain and ride it out best she can.
Alessandro repeats the name to illustrate he'd heard and understood.
Escorting Sebastian to an off the beaten path moderately appointed inn, he leaves.
The young man moves to the area where Il Corvo encountered the rogues. He is dressed as Alessandro.
Storyteller Shadow
I want to head out and speak to one of the servants to see where my parents are.
Michael stands amidst the choas unfolding arms behind his back trying a solution for both parties and to elevate his status among the powers that be.
" ahem, if I may be so bold to speak out of turn. I do not know of the arrangement which as been contracted but I see Signore Andrew you speak with such passion about your business to aid this Federico that you have momentarily forgotten your self such dedication to a friend and or family is admirable but thankfully you have regained your composure in the presence of an honorable gentleman Signore Pietro."
Turning to speak with Pietro
"Signore Pietro you did indeed state that part of your agreement was to aid
The documents as drafted state that we would purchase from Frederico the lands AND assist him in seeking new lands
"if that is indeed what it says in writing then it will hold up in court. Signore will have a claim therefore making you seem less honorable to work with. In the city of Venice image is everything. I know of you to be an honorable man I would ask that you over look Andrews outburst and fulfill the terms of the agreement. I know not much about lands for growing such agriculture but If I can lend aid so each party can save face I would be more than happy to work with each of you respectfully. I can mediate so no tempers are blown, or any misunderstandings made since I have no particular interest in this venture. If I over step my bounds I humbly apologize. I only wish to provide an option to resolve this conflict."
Michael steps back head bowed to await a response.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Xing Shi
The man with No Name places a hand on your face caressing you, "All will be well soon my dear. Then we will begin your instruction".
The agony lasts for some time......
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
You leave Sebastian who wishes you goo luck on your task as he enters the Inn. (Let's not give it a name for now and assume you know it).
You head to the area where you saw the Rogues in the alley.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michele Querini
The servant looks surprised by your appearance in the house, "Apologies Senore' I was not aware you were here. Your parents have attended the Opera this night. Do you wish to wait for them to return and attend them?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
Pietro smirks, "Signore' Santo, I appreciate your input. However, I do not think we will need your assistance with this matter unless you have some special knowledge of the lands near our simple lagoon. You see, we are not familiar with any lands beyond our own interests. Ours is a simple business and we try to not involve ourselves in the details of the business of others. For us to assist Lord Andrew and his charge, we would need to hire out other professionals, this would cost us more ducats above the generous amount we paid for a plot which was worth much less".
Baldemar and Sir Martin stay quiet for the moment.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Finn Garrety and Lorenzo Cappelli
Finn as you head up the stairs, you see two gentlemen who appear to be related coming down the stairs towards you.
The man heading down the stairs first nods to you and speaks in a cheerful tone, "Dominic Cappelli. Good to meet you fine traveler, when you have finished unpacking your goods, come to the bar drink with us!"
Lorenzo as you sit at the bar, you see the man your brother greeted head out of the Inn perhaps 15 minutes later. Dominic pays the man no mind as he is already chatting up two women from France, Countesses you believe, who are shockingly quite tipsy, especially as they are without their retainers.
Lorenzo nods to the stranger, "You will have to pardon my brother, I am afraid he has the attention span of a gnat. Lorenzo Cappelli, pleased to meet you."
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
Andrew smirks back.....
"An inflated price fer a senchal to be certain, if tha ducats err in tha bank then I shall help Fedirico in obtainin proper land, had I known yer promise o aid were as empty as tha bottom o a barrel I would have not have continued tah scrape fer your hospitality."
0 Successes, wait...
Storyteller Shadow
"That is quite alright. I will attend to them another time as I have pressing business."
With that I will head back home. I intend to seek out Santos tomorrow during the day.
Michael nods in understanding that he would not be of any assistance
"Aye, I can not think of any surveyors to aid in obtaining new lands. I wish I could be of further aid signor"
Michael address Andrew
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Dominic continues to converse with the ladies. It seems they are part of an entourage from the King of France. They are not the diplomats, merely the companions of the diplomats.
Dominic speaks a little French so the conversation switches to the women teaching him more French.
You observe the comings and goings of the evening waiting for Moses to return.
Not much later that evening he does arrive. He approaches, "Come let us discuss matters privately". Moses heads upstairs.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michael Santo and Andrew the Hardy
Pietro shakes his head staring at Andrew, "More. People always seek more. My family has paid Signore Federico much more value than that small plot of land was worth. Yet still you seek more from us. We started negotiations with banks for you to close, which you failed to do. None of this, benefits us in any way. Now you come into my place of business and insult me, repeatedly. I shall overlook all of this and address next the question of your companion. What is it you seek from the Giovanni?" This question is addressed to Baldemar.
Baldemar stares back at Pietro, "A cousin of mine I have found out recently had one of their cousins in the city murdered. The body was handled by the Doge's men who promptly it seems turned to the body over to your family for burial. I would like to retrieve this body for proper burial. Can you assist with this?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Finn Garrety
You find Grima unloading goods from another ship which has just arrived.
He waves to you, "Signore', give me some time as I finish what I am doing here".
The people arriving from this ship are few in number and dressed in rich threads and the amount of luggage they carry seems excessive. You stare at one in particular, a young man whose beauty is almost impossible to behold. Your heart thumps in your chest as the man/boy turns his gaze towards you.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Alessandro Khadaji
You stand in the general area and begin to mill around the general vicinity.
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Michele Querini
You head home shaking your head at the things that have been uncovered this night. Fear and excitement course through you in equal parts.
As you open your front door, you find your "wife" sitting in the kitchen preparing food. She smiles and rushes up to you to place a kiss on your lips.
Still you are unable to communicate with her, verbally at any rate...
Lorenzo nods in agreement and follows Moses up the stairs.
Upon arriving back in the room, he asks, "What is it we have to discuss, my friend?"
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Dominic remains downstairs while you follow Moses up to the room.
Moses sighs, "The Prince is seeing emissaries tonight and for at least the next fortnight as they arrive. Brexiano will be busy handling any issues which arise. The servant I spoke to has informed me that feeing rights are to be severely restricted and punishable by Final Death. Thus, should a Hunter capture and kill any Kindred, the Prince will consider it work he or his minions would have had to do any way and so much the better for it. This means that no further action will be taken at this time to address what we have to say. It seems that some of the more influential members of Kindred society, or at least their emissaries, have finally arrived".
( 1 success)
Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309
Finn Garrety
While the gaze of the boy slightly unnerves you, turning away to walk the docks allows you to forget about his visage.
After perhaps 15 more minutes, the entourage including the boy are led into the city and Grima comes to you.
"I hope you have something good for me Signore'".