Lenore chastises you "Edgar, quit letting your mind wander, especially when your wife can read it."
Catherine laughs a throaty laugh, and motions for you to sit near her. "You could admire my presence much closer, if you'd like"
OOC: You're right, I apologize.
I'm going to go back to the diner where I know I purchased the deed. I'm going to look for closed circuit cameras, question people to see if they remember. I will look like Addison for this and ask if they remember who it was that was with me.
If this doesn't pan out I'm going to go see Elissa and see if she knows a way to trigger memory or retrieve lost memory. I want to discuss what happened with her and see if she can help.
If that doesn't work I will push Nash for the wood shooting gun, make sure I'm always armed with a couple of steaks and guns, and move only to hotels that are made of brick and don't adjoin other buildings.
I'm going to also warn my Vampiric allies about the warning I recieved. If they don't believe me then that is there problem. My contact Vampires will also get a warning.
Then I will wait and see from there.
You head back to the diner, which is run by a rather helpful young man. A bit of fast-talk, an exchange of some money and your able to check his security video. As you watch the tape from the other night, all of a sudden the screen gets snowy and broken up, right when your positive "V" would have walked in. The owner doesn't remember her, and the transaction happened too fast for any of the waitstaff to notice her.
Elissa is currently unavailable to help you, as she is caught up in some research for her Regent, she says to give her a few days and she should be able to try and help you.
None of your vampire allies or contacts take you too seriously, after all your a Malk and it's common for them to hear voices.
Catherine smiles a sexy, seductive smile "If your worried your dear Lenore will be cross with you for succumbing to my wiles, I can make sure she has no knowledge of what happens between us."
Lenore replies in your mind "Edgar, I don't like the sou.." and then for the first time since she came back to you, her voice and presence is gone.
Okay. Well I'm now highly disturbed.
I'm going to pick up some books on computers, computer programming, and software security/hacking. I have a feeling that the government is, or will be soon, monitoring everything that comes over the internet as well as cell phones and land lines so I'd like to know a little more about what I'm dealing with and how to keep my communications private.
I'll do that reading while I wait for Elissa to be free for a meet.
When I'm bored I'll practice my gun smithing skills at Nash's place, borrowing his equipment. I'll take him out to Arturo's a couple of times to keep him happy if he seems miffed that I'm using his stuff. But most of my time will be spent in my rotating hotel rooms.
While your out picking up the various computer books at a late night Borders, you overhear a few people talking about that warehouse fire you saw on TV earlier in the night. Apparently the officials haven't figured out what caused the fire.
As Edgar turns to the door, a voice full of power stops him "I did not give you permission to leave" You slowly turn around and see a rather tall, very dark skinned man standing before you. His features are a Eurasian mix though the Asian stands out more. His hair is pulled back in a pony tail and he wears a black shirt and combat styled cargo pants, with black boots. His most striking feature is his piercing blue eyes, which seem hard and cold as ice.
I'm going to call the Nosferatu and ask if they can have someone watch the location of the fire.
Tomorrow night when I wake I'm going to visit the site myself, obfuscated. Tonight I'm just going to finish reading my comp books.
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"Indeed my prince. I did not realize I was in your presence, thus requiring your permission to leave.
Edgar now seems extremely calm...
"Long have I been a loyal and dutiful servant to the prince, tonight I came to present myself as is the required custom, and state my intent to visit the tremere within your domain."
As you ponder you life and unlife, the mistakes made and the possible fortunes to come, you are reminded of something: It has been said that God does not place any obstacles in one's life that he or she cannot overcome. And while perhaps He would be displeased with some of the actions you have taken, He also knows that you have overcome all which He has placed before you.
Beschi chuckles at the thought, The obstacles in one's life, the bible does not mention the obstacles in ones death.
After you place the call to the local Nos, your relaxing in your hotel room, when suddenly the fire alarm goes off.
Moridin waves a dismissive hand at you. "Please, spare me the formalities. That stiff backed, stuffy Camarilla nonsense irritates me. Why are you here? and be honest, I despise liars, and I will get the truth from you one way or another."
After a good half hour of waiting, Aisling finally makes her way downstairs to where you've been reading your emails in one of the common rooms. She's dressed in casual business attire, her hair in a loose bun on her head. She smiles when she sees you "Master Beschi, it's a pleasure to finally meet such a learned member of even our clan. Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was going over some rather unsettling reports." She says in a pleasantly formal manner.
Beschi signs out of his email and closes the web page. He stands and gives a stiff formal bow to Sturbridge. "Master Sturbridge. I am sure you are quite busy. I am here to peruse your library. I simply require your persmission, once granted you may return to whatever it is you were doing before my arrival. I shall be quick about my business I assure you".
Determining that the books and the laptop are perfectly good losses in exchange for my life, I will pull out the automatic, obfuscate to look like some completely random person, and jump through the window (I will check to make sure I have my cell phone in my pocket and my keys and wallet full of IDs).
Moridin looks at you with slight disdain on his face "You believe someone is coming with fire? and you require the Tremere's help somehow? Sounds like Malkavian nonsense to me. The Tremere in my city are currently busy with a project I have assigned them.
No, instead I require something of you. I know of your time among the Navajo and of your wife's relation to them. You are to travel to a reservation upstate and procure a relic from them. If you can get it without bloodshed, I would appreciate it, but you *WILL* bring it back to me, even if you need to slay all who oppose you.
You will meet up with another of your clan in a small town about an hour's drive from here, as well as a 'lost' Warlock, who perhaps can be of some use to you and your mysterious bringer of fire.
If you fail, I promise you, what your sire did you and Lenore will seem like a child's tea party in comparison to the horror and pain I will inflict upon you and your wife."
Aisling laughs a bit "Please, must we be so formal? If anything, I should be bowing and such to one of ours who is far more traveled and learned than I. Are you in a hurry? I could use your help with a task a I have been given." The way she says this last, it's clear she isn't happy about the task nor with who gave it.
Ignoring Aisling's attempt to establish rapport, as he has little love for her despite not having met her before, Beschi responds, "If I did not know any better Master Sturbridge, I would believe that you are attempting to stroke my ego. Regardless, should you wish to discuss this task with me, I would very much like to do so in your library. It is not that I am in a rush per se but I would like to get back to my Chantry and check on something once I am done with my research. Please lead the way".
Aura Perception -
As you land from jumping out the window, you notice a definite lack of smoke or the smell thereof. Standing, you hear a musical, sexy laugh "Well, that was certainly dramatic. Now that I've gotten you out of your hole, we need to talk....Thackery.". Leaning up against a red convertible Camero is a beautiful woman who looks vaguely familiar, though you have no idea where you might have seen her before.
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"Obviously you will not listen to me on matters of importance, though it would have been simplier to ask rather than order, however I understand your idle idea of entitlement so yes I will and then afterward nothing else, unless you ask me without threat and bluster....I consider myself announced as present in your domain and will set a haven here so as not to inconvience you with nonsense ever in the future.....I will bring the relic to the front door, but no further."
"A sham and a shame."
Perception:
I frown.
"Let me grab my stuff then. Obviously I'm not staying here anymore."
I will grab my things and put them in my truck before approaching her.
As the last words leave your mouth Edgar, Moridin is still across the room, and in less than a heartbeat later you find yourself bodily lifted and thrown up against the door and held in place by Moridin's hand around your throat.
"Listen to me you insignificant whelp. I decide what matters are of import in my home, if not my city. You come here with a paper thin line about somebody coming with fire and expect me to what? be scared? Flames are not nearly so deadly to me as they might be to one such as yourself. As to orders, yes I give them and I expect them to be carried out, and you are correct, I have a title, one that I have earned over countless centuries as one of the most, if not the most feared killers among our or any other kind. I could kill you in a multitude of different ways, each more horrific than the last, and not even the ghost of your whore of a wife could save you.
You will not set up a haven in my city for you will be leaving it immediately as you are not welcome you disrespectful peasant. Recover the relic, bring it to where ever I say, and then await any other potential further orders, miserable lackey."
Re-rolling 10:
Thackery, as you wrack your brain trying to remember where you might have seen this woman before you, it suddenly hits you: your pretty sure its "V".
Edgar, your attempt to read Catherine's mind ends up being a huge mistake. As you just barely touch her mind, your's is assualted by the horrors of the Abyss. Utter, palpable darkness, the feeling of absolute and total loss and a sense of pure, vile evil assails you. Though the contact is brief, the damage is not. Images of terrible, nightmarish beings flash through your mind, and let loose a soundless scream.
Blessedly, it finally ends. You slump to the ground in a heap, barely able to remain conscicious. As you struggle to remain awake, you hear Moridin's voice "That was profoundly stupid of him, I hope you didn't break him love"
After I put my stuff away I walk up to her.
Frowning at her and wondering if I should just try to shoot her or stake her I say, "So, are you one of those Mages or what? Who and what are you, and you'd better answer me honestly or this will be a short conversation."
As you and Aisling walk up to the main library, the primary view of her aura you get is one of molted, shifting colors.
Her reply has what you think might be a tinge of fear "To be honest, I sorely need your help. I have been given a difficult assignment, by a very powerful Cainite who made it quite clear that if I fail, the consequences will be most unpleasant"
"V" laughs again "No sweety, I am not a Mage, and you should not be making threats. What I can tell you is that your paranoia is well placed, and your being offered a chance to do something about. I'd strongly suggest accepting."
Beschi chuckles. "You wish me to accept a dangerous task for you, explain how such an assignment can possibly interest me? Why for that matter should I take on such a burden when for the past several decades I have not even had so much as an invitation to this Chantry?" Realizing that now is not the time to rattle her when he is so close to gaining access to the library he adds, "I will hear you out Master Sturbridge we are after all Kindred".
He continues to walk his anticipation at gaining access to the library growing. No doubt access to the library will be contingent on 'helping' this whelp, Beschi thinks to himself as he nears his destination.
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"Whelp, yes the creatures from the abyss I saw one clearly within my head and the fires, a whelp, sent to this world to feed and grow before returning to the abyss......I have been stagnant much too long I have much to do and miles to go before I sleep...."
"Thank you for awakening me to purpose it is so sharp and clear now, when before it was so murky."
"I believe I should bother you no further."
DM
Too much?
"Speaking of threats, I would suggest you refrain from making any towards me.
And you'd better start really explaining yourself, because you seriously have no credit here. I'll tell you how I see this. You belong to a cabal of people who have, for one reason or another, have a behavioural profile of me. You know I'm proactive and that I respond to certain things. You, who obviously have some sort of mental control powers, insert a thought into my mind that I cannot safely ignore. You know my first priority is to secure my sleeping location. Obviously I will have to move and I don't use other's property, plus I like to live away from the city. So you place yourself in a position to be the perfect seller of property. You also make a show of your power, likely to A, make me think twice about defying you, and B, prove that you're not out to hurt me.
So, whilst I stew, you set an unexplained mysterious fire. Easy for you. Then you reintroduce yourself apparantly by magic, again showing how powerful you are, using the theme of fire again, which our kind naturally fears, to make me receptive to your proposal while at the same time proving that you're not out to kill me because you could easily have done it already.
But, of course, that's not your goal. Your goal is to get me to perform a task for you or your organization that you want as far a distance from as possible. So you pick me, a man with a clear past of certain anti-government, reactionary and revolutionary tendancies. So you've planted these suggestions in order to get me to accept your propsal for a task that, despite your power, you cannot do and I will perform while you deal with some other mysterious business.
'Insert condition A, push with part B, see result C'. You're on thin ice, and you seem to have forgotten I value my freedom more than my life.
So go ahead, explain what it is you want me to do. Just keep in mind that I'm perfectly aware that you may tell me what I want to hear. You're going to have to go far to prove yourself, and I don't mean to Moscow."
V shakes her head as you finish "If i had such powers as you claim, don't you think I could just make you do what I want, without all this extra work?? My talents lie elsewhere, mind control or mind manipulation are not among my abilities.
What I can tell you is this: there is a massive government conspiracy, though it may well a worldwide one. We Cainites can be seen as evil, by those who know of us or some amongst ourselves. To others, we do what we must to survive, just like any other species. There is however, true, vile evil out there, an evil that exists solely to spread terror, fear, destruction and suffering, not for some mighty cause like some see the Sabbat, but only for the sake of doing those things. They are Infernalists, and they seek to burn this world alive. If your are getting some sort of mental suggestions of fire, it could be them, or perhaps it's a warning of some sort. I honestly do not know."
Aisling turns to you look at you"No, I do not wish to burden you with this task wholly. What I ask is your help, your expertise. Many among our Clan are well aware of your specialty with languages and I need that ability to help complete my assignment. As to why you've never received an invitation, perhaps its because you never asked" You continue your walk and stop before a dark red door with gilded arcane patterns. Aisling places her hand to the door, says something in an unknown language, and the door dissolves, showing an extensive library beyond. She walks through the door, and motions for you to follow.
"Well, an agent manipulated into doing what you want is better than one being forced into doing what you want.
Also, if you have no mental manipulatory powers how come I couldn't remember you clearly until I saw you again?
And why were you selling plots of land.
Finally, you still haven't told me who you are.
So, aside from that, keep going. I'm still listening. For now."
Moridin sighs audibly."Cat, I think you broke him, though I hope not." He's back across the room now, and he looks to you, his eyes still cold."I'm not entirely sure what you just said, but as long as you understand the task before you, and that it needs to be completed at all costs, that's all that matters. Do you understand?? Yes or No?"
V smiles a bit sheepishly"To be honest, I have no idea why I have that affect on others. The whole can't remember me clearly. It's a b#%@% when your trying to seduce somebody long term, but I've found a few ways around it. As to why I'm selling plots of land, let's just say it comes with the territory of doing what I do, and who I do it for. And I told you who I am, my name is V. Not short for Vampire, or Vixen, or any other V words you might think up, just V."
"Alright, so you're going with the 'I don't know why' explanation. You realize this isn't going well for you.
Are you going to explain what you're doing here?"
"Why are all Malkavians insane? Some claim they remember what it was like to be dead, others that Malkav was cursed and so too are his children. Many were crazy before the Embrace, and are now worse. I honestly do not know why I others can not remember me. As to why I am here, I have been asked by those above me to seek you out, as your extensive knowledge of a variety of topics would be useful. You will be met by another of your clan, and a Tremere. The three of you are to acquire an object of power. In return, you will be able to name your price."
Perception + Subterfuge:
Beschi slightly annoyed by Sturbridge's response complies with her request to follow. He steps into the room and looks around.
"I know what I am here for but as I am your guest I will aid you in your task first and then turn to my research. Now tell me what is it you specifically seek".
The door re-forms once you step into the library. Aisling walks over to a table in a small alcove in the back of the room, where you see a rather strange sight: on the table is what appears to be a very large piece of parchment, covered in a writing that you have never seen before, yet is tantalizingly familar, as if you should know what it is. That's not the werid part however. You are almost positive the "parchment" is human skin and every so often it twitches as if still alive.
"I need help in deciphering this, which is believed to be a prophecy of the Baali" The tone in her voice says she dosen't believe that, yet there is a definite hint of fear in her voice and her aura as well.
Beschi will look at the parchment without touching it from a few different points of view. First to see if he can decipher the language, then to see if he can determine its occult value (which is presumably has) and lastly he will use Auspex to determine if it has an aura. He will try to determine if the words that the neonates spoke the prior night are embedded in the document as well.
Intelligence + Linguistics - +1 Auto Success
Intelligence + Occult
Re-Roll 2 10's
Aura Perception Perception + Empathy