Now that juggler has acknowledged him Erik nods in recognition at Vince, and looks distrustfully at ben. He then turns back to juggler, we will make do without for now then, but if we indeed are under sabbat attack then we will need those weapons in the near future.
Hmm, interesting woman in an RV talking to an unseen being. Ada would just walk in and take over this situation, but I am not Ada. Oh well time to try the direct route for once.
Orphan creeps up slowly on the door to the RV and peeks his head in.
Thom had put in for leave back in Chicago, indefinite... family matter.
The charcoal Charger was a retired interceptor he'd bought at auction. His time in the motor pool while overseas came in handy. She was purring in no time, with a fresh coat of paint.
Cop eyes and kindred senses reached out. The car would be safe enough here 'cause it blended in, so he got out. Phone, wallet, glock. It was all he needed.
He'd walk the rest of the way, maybe 10 minutes. Soon enough, he was there.
Orphan:
You manage to get a glance inside before she closes the door and you see someone hooked onto what looked like an automated blood collection system taking the person blood and filling a blood-bag. The person a young woman seemed unconscious or sleeping. However once the door closes you can no longer see inside.
Thom: You walk along the lonely street and hurry along until you reach the manor of prince Modius. The place is in a state of disrepair and the garden is overgrown but your certain this is the place were you told to find him.
Turning once more to Juggler, 'Vince' adds. "If it really is Sabbat, you are serious about pushing them back, we need to make sure Modius knows about it as well, otherwise the bastards are just going to sit back & laugh while we whittle ourselves down..."
"Shouldn't be too much of an issue, my Prince. I assume the kine are vagrants and can be disposed of as such if need be?"
Ben keeps quiet, waiting until the rest of this posse is ready to move.
"In town for an hour and I'm already signed up to beat the life out of someone while the boss attends an arms deal... Might be best to step back a bit once this is over..."
Vince+Ben+Erik:
"Take care of it however you see fit so long as the sabbat are gone and Mike is saved I will be satisfied with your work, if I come back from my meeting and have to go deal with this myself then I won't be satisfied with your work." he says and starts walking away.
"Well I says we go find em and bust some heads! I saw the van going towards the shore, their probably keeping him at one of abandoned warehouses or at the old steel mill." says Joel
Alexander:
"They are part of some crazy cult, it seems they are humans who desire to become undead so they can be immortal. I looked into it because I believed there might have been a breach of the masquerade but after interrogating one of them I learned that they know nothing of the truth. They just think they can become immortal by the use of necromancy, but they have yet to learn a single spell. I saw no reason to get rid of them until now. Do with them what you will I care not what their fate is and nobody else will notice if they go missing I suspect." says Modius.
"Very good, my Prince. If you have no further questions of me, I shall take my leave."
Well that isn't suspicious or anything.
Orphan knocks on the door and steps to the side going back into unseen presence.He waits to see if anyone will answer.
Turning from Joel to Ben to Erik, 'Vince' eyes each from under his brows.
is what I didn't need. A loudmouth idiot brute who thinks he's in charge & two new guys who look like they're more likely to listen to than actually think of some way of dealing with matters.
"Joel,"
"Joel..."
'Vince' interjects as Joel proceeds to work himself into a killing mood. "We don't know how many of them there are, we don't know how long they've been there & we don't know what they are capable of...
Hell, you don't know what these two are capable of..." Pointing to Ben & Erik. Turning back to the two of them, he continues. "What are you capable of, anyway? Joel here is Brujah, he's good at reducing things to their component elements, I'm not." 'Vince's' eyebrows raise invitingly.
Erik turns towards vince, I was a bounty hunter before being embraced and can handle myself in a fight should the situation require it. Erik's nose looks like it was broken at least once before he was embraced and his broad, 6ft 2in frame does look rather imposing to the living.
Orphan: The woman opens the door and steps out. She scan around looking for you but doesn't seem to see you. "Your very good at hiding your presence but enough games come on out unless you want me to get serious." she says.
Alexander: "You may go and I wish you luck in your project." says Modius.
Alexander returns to his new home to see how William is progressing on settling in.
Turning from Joel to Ben to Erik, 'Vince' eyes each from under his brows.
is what I didn't need. A loudmouth idiot brute who thinks he's in charge & two new guys who look like they're more likely to listen to than actually think of some way of dealing with matters.
"Joel,"
"Joel..."
'Vince' interjects as Joel proceeds to work himself into a killing mood. "We don't know how many of them there are, we don't know how long they've been there & we don't know what they are capable of...
Hell, you don't know what these two are capable of..." Pointing to Ben & Erik. Turning back to the two of them, he continues. "What are you capable of, anyway? Joel here is Brujah, he's good at reducing things to their component elements, I'm not." 'Vince's' eyebrows raise invitingly.
Ben crosses his arms.
"I punch above my weight, I can take some hits and I've done a few B&Es, so I've gotten some practice sneaking around and hopping fences. And when push comes to shove, my claws will ruin a Lick's night.""What about you, Vinny? Moral support?"
Alexander: Your driver takes you to your haven in Gary a small rented house. Your possessions are unloaded but not yet unpacked.
"Greetings master, how did your meeting with the prince go?" says William.
"Well enough. Modius seems pleased to have us in his city and supports the goal of re-opening the Chantry. Just seems there may be a few mortal interlopers to deal with first."
Oh good, at least one of these two has the rudiments of a brain...
Hopefully than rudiments.
The beginnings of a smirk blossom across 'Vince's' mouth at Ben's inquiry. "Not unless you count muttering under my breath 'This is a stupid plan, This is a stupid plan, This is a stupid plan!' as 'moral support'. I've made it this long by knowing who to avoid & how to spot them before they spot me."
"Technically, I don't even run with these manly men, I just run messages back & forth for Fearless Leader over there," nodding in the direction of Juggler's receding backside, "and the official capo de polis, Modius."
"Hence my mention of making certain his team is made aware of these new players on the field."
Sighing, 'Vince' adds. "You guys want me to 'spot' for you before you make a move, I'll certainly do what I can, but I still say it's a bad idea to just jump in & it would be a good idea to at least the guy." Now looking meaningfully at Joel before musing to himself. "A face-to-face would be better, specially after what went down in Chi-town..."
Pushy, ill-tempered, and serious. Seems she will not be willing to play games.
Orphan quickly takes a swirling step to stand mere inches from the business woman, dropping his shroud and at the same time forcing his gift to bring his appearance to the peak of life. A little ripple of illusion passes a crossed his face and arms leaving the skin more alive. Standing a little less than three feet in height and weighing twenty eight pounds he was a little short and scrawny for his apparent age. Dressed as he was in a red hoody that had become riddled with wear marks and tiny holes; a blue t-shirt visible enough beneath it; black jeans barely held up by an old leather belt worn by many years of use; even the old nikes that were held together by a rainbow of colored duct tape, so much so that it had become more cloth than leather; had all been chosen in a calculated effort to give the appearance of a homeless child in need of a mother. Even the dirt on his face had been carefully cultivated for months, although there was a conspicuous lack of foul odor that would only be noticed if someone was looking for it.
Orphan stared up at the woman with a cherubic smile on his face, the picture of a innocent little child. "Aww, but I wanted to play longer. Please miss, we could have so much fun. I am really good at hide and seek." Orphan stands ready to run at a moments notice, that little scratchy bit where he held the darkness ready to fade him back out from view was almost jumping forth of its own volition. Blood coursing, waiting for the call to increase his strength as needed to escape.
Orphan: "Monty? You let his one sneak past you? Shame on you." says the woman.
"But mistress his ability to hide his presence at least equals mine! Even you using your Auspex couldn't find him!" says a voice behind you.
You turn startled to see a hideous monster behind you. At first you think Nosferatu but then you realize looking at flesh hanging loose and and the way he looks like a zombie this is something else...Samedi.
The woman shows a flash of anger at being reminded of her failure and the man behind you takes a step back clearly afraid of her but she calms down nearly right away and regains her composure. "Well then...Is there a reason that your knocking on my door?" her smile gives the impression of a cat staring at a mouse.
Frederick: "Do you require my assistance master?" says William eager to serve as always.
Oh good, at least one of these two has the rudiments of a brain...
Hopefully than rudiments.The beginnings of a smirk blossom across 'Vince's' mouth at Ben's inquiry. "Not unless you count muttering under my breath 'This is a stupid plan, This is a stupid plan, This is a stupid plan!' as 'moral support'. I've made it this long by knowing who to avoid & how to spot them before they spot me."
"Technically, I don't even run with these manly men, I just run messages back & forth for Fearless Leader over there," nodding in the direction of Juggler's receding backside, "and the official capo de polis, Modius."
"Hence my mention of making certain his team is made aware of these new players on the field."
Sighing, 'Vince' adds. "You guys want me to 'spot' for you before you make a move, I'll certainly do what I can, but I still say it's a bad idea to just jump in & it would be a good idea to at least the guy." Now looking meaningfully at Joel before musing to himself. "A face-to-face would be better, specially after what went down in Chi-town..."
"Well, this is the situation we're in- you might as well come along for the ride, right? The clock's ticking for ol' Mike, if the Shovelheads I've met are any indication. We can sort it out with the Prince afterwards if you insist, but let's get moving. Lead the way, Joel."
Spending one point of will to retcon that startled turn if you don't mind.
"Please, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to..." A smirk plays a crossed Orphans face right before he breaks out in laughter. "Oh I can't even keep a straight face on this." Orphan floureshes a bow, half out of courtesy to the lady and half to get a look at the man behind him. "You can't expect me to not be curious about a mysterious RV with a lovely young... lady turning a poor snack into TV dinners in it." Orphan twirls on his heel to come to a stop pointed directly at Monty, with the added benefit of presenting his posterior at the lady. "Monty, a pleasure to meet someone who is so well versed in the arts of the sneaky sneaky." Another twist brings Orphan staring at the lady from betwixt his legs. "Well then, introductions are in order. I am the good lord Predicate von Dangling Participle High Holy Arbiter of the Seventieth Convening of the Seers Councils Second Court of Arbitrary Redundancies and Tertiary Concerns. Who do I have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of?"
Orphan: The woman just looks at you with a curious expression and she seems at a lost. "What are you insa...Your Malkavian aren't you...Figures...Still you could be useful. Come inside lets have a chat, want some blood? It's still fresh."
Oh Ada if you could see me now, you would be so proud. Convince them you are mad like every other Lunatic and they will accept every inconsistency.
"Don't mind if I do nice lady. Come Monty, I think it's time to speak of sneaky things. Of fangs and fists and feudal lands, of Cammarilla kings. And why the Sabbat's moving in and whether Anarchs need things. Oh what fun we will have.
Frederick: "Do you require my assistance master?" says William eager to serve as always.
"Once you have finished putting things away, we will pay the former Chantry a visit and see if these interlopers are still there. Make sure you bring your gun, we may have to resort to force." Alexander says, pulling the blade from his cane to begin sharpening.
Alexander: "Of course I will prepare and be ready when you are" says William.
Monty's job is to keep an eye out for intruders so he's staying outside" says the woman and the Samedi vampire takes a bow and vanishes again.
The woman goes inside and sits at a table were there are 2 bloodbags. She slides a blood-bag (1 blood point) your way. "Enjoy" she says as she grabs a wineglass full of blood and takes a sip. "I'm Maria, a movie producer and business woman. I have plans for this city and if your lucky you might just have a part in them."
Roll Charisma + Etiquette (difficulty 6) Along with your response.
Thom extends his senses one last time... Listening. Then steps up to the door. Chaos or otherwise, presenting oneself is the proper thing to do.
Shrugging noncommittally, 'Vince' nonetheless proceeds along in Joel's train as you make your way toward the forgotten wasteland that used to be Gary's industrial district.
Erik follows the group, checking his pistol as they headl out.
Ben likewise keeps an eye out for trouble on the way over.
Perception+Alertness:
Laurence looks about Gary with an inquisitive look. He had stopped and spoken to some fellow Kindred when he got into town but they knew nothing. so he had to look for signs of whom he seeked
"Alright, William. Enough organization for now, let's pay the interlopers a visit shall we?" Alexander asks, in tone that certainly implies that it wasn't really a question.
Rick North:
It took you several hours of searching but you found the Sabbat members Maria was talking about. There are four of them in the abandoned steel-mill. You found them thanks to the screams. Seems they have someone in there and they have spent the last while interrogating him with a welding torch. The interrogation isn't going well. Mostly cause they haven't stopped touring long enough for the poor guy to do anything other than scream.
your pondering how to go about taking them out when you notice another group coming along searching the area.
Ben Forrester + Erik Smithson + Vincenno Pruffi:
You walk down into the Industrial district and start checking warehouses searching for the Sabbat. You hear the echo of a scream from somewhere up ahead.
"That must be Mike!" says Joel and turns his hands into claws.
"I'm gonna rip them apart!" he says and runs ahead trying to find the source.
Laurence: You search for a little while when you locate a large expansive Rv parked in the middle of town. That could only be her.
Alexander: You and William arrive at the site of the chantry. The building is one of a series of townhouse-like bungalows Each building of the group is pretty much the same in layout, and each has their own lawn of about a 15th of an acre, or about 60 feet on a side.
The building itself is about 40 feet deep, by 45 feet wide, and two stories tall. The outside walls are done in a soft baby-blue horizontal siding with a slightly arched roof covered by shingles. There is a walkway to the front door from a common walkway running along one edge of the property. Only one window, on the second story, is lit.
Thom: You knock at the door and the butter opens it. You are brought before the prince Modius. "Welcome, two new visitor in one night things are certainly looking up." he says
"Joel, wait " Is all 'Vince' manages to get out before Joel is well beyond hearing, or caring...
Shaking his downcast head, 'Vince' proceeds to carefully make his way after Joel, intently observing all possible ambush points & hiding places as he goes.
Prince Modius. Prince Lodin is gone and Sullivan Dane sets his eye on Gary. Permission to stay in Gary... and reconstitute myself, Sir.
And of course, how may I be of assistance? Thom Sawyer of the Camarilla, of the Ventrue and of Chicago, at your service.
Thom is respectful in his presentation.
Alexander's lip curls into a sneer at seeing the second story light on.
"Well, we had best get on with this William." he says, making his way to the door.
Upon arriving at the door, "William, see if it locked."
Laurence decides to find a spot where he can watch the RV undetected for a while before he approaches it. If it is who he seeks then he needs to be ever prepared.
Seeing the other group, Rick recognizes none of them, at least not from this distance. Best not to take my chances he thinks, drawing his heavy-duty combat knife.
Rick will sneak up while keeping clear of the newcomers, and try to climb into the second story without being seen or heard.
Erik moves after joel and vince, drawing his pistol.
dex+ stealth
Perception+ Alertness
Ben curses, taking a second to grow his own claws before creeping after the others- hopefully through a side door.
Dex + Stealth:
Perception + Alertness:
Orphan sits at the table and smiles at the young lady.
"Apologies my lady, plentiful platitides and lasting wishes of long and happy aquantence of mutual benefits. Unfortunately I must decline the offer of prepackaged fine dining. As I would hope you would be wise enough to decline any gift given by a strange kindred of unknown clan and intent. Now once we get to know each other a little bit better, I will be more than happy to spend every night supping on fine victuals. I would start with name and title if it pleases you. Than we can discuss how best I can aide you in whatever scheme you have, and how you fit into mine."
Vinccen+Ben+Erik+Rick:
Erik spots Rick north following the group on the rooftops. The rest of you don't spot anyone waiting in ambush or following.
You go forward and you see up ahead and Joel seems to have found the building were the Sabbat are hiding and he is looking for a way in.
The screaming you were hearing seems to have stopped.
Alexander: William goes up to the building and tries the door, it opens. He looks around and says "Looks clear here, they might all be gathered upstairs."
Orphan: "Maria Dimatto of the Giovanni, Movie producer." she replies with a smile.
Laurence Giovanni: You sneak up to the trailer when you hear a sound behind you the click of someone pulling the hammer on a gun. You glance behind you to see a man with a gun pointed at you he seems like a normal human but you detect the smell of rotten flesh. "Sorry pal but I'm going to have to ask you to get away from the RV he says."
Thom Sawyer: Modius seems to become a bit more pale and rises from his desk SULLIVAN DANE IS COMING HERE?!?...." he shouts and then he takes a moment to regain his composure...you hear him mumble to himself "Maybe abandoning the city isn't such a bad idea..." He paves back and forth thinking...He looks up at you again. "You saw him?...Did he see you? Were you followed? he says in a very insistent manner.
Erik quietly tells his associates that they are being followed by a man on the roofs. He then begins looking for a good way into the building.
Perception + Alertness
"Joel, seriously, you can't help Mike if you just rush in there without a plan. If that's Mike, he's still...
well, not totally dead, which means we have time."
"Let me do a look-around & get back to you, that way, it's not just one guy running in crazed." 'Vince' whispers hoarsely as he catches up before beginning his own circuit of the structure.
to look for a way in
Orphan smiles and picks up the blood bag."See, now we are getting somewhere. Mother always said you spirit boards were smart. Oh to be sure she said a lot of mean and nasty things about you as well, but she at least gave you smart and fiscally responsible. Why that is two things. And now that you have introduced your clan i must do the same. I am of the sainted line of Malkav, but shh, keep that tidbit to yourself. I am the last of the sane ones dont you know, all the rest have been driven mad. Although now that i think about it what is with Monty, I thought the Baron's childer hated your guts... or was that the skulls? No wait, it was the grave diggers.... No, No, No, Don't tell me... it is all three right? Yes that was it. So much hate over little trivial things. Oh well past is future and future is almost past. Not like vampires remember these things forever." Orphan begins tossing the blood bag into the air, catching it as it comes down and never taking his eyes off maria. "So many things to remember, it is so easy to forget little things like grudges and the screams that haunt your nights... or even manners and hospitality... So how about a glass for me hmm?"
I'm confident he didn't see me, and I took precautions based on military and law enforcement training. I parked the car and walked the last couple miles.
Killing Lodin means he.could have his records, files, ledgers and connect the dots. We're only 25 miles from downtown Chicago. This is definitely his next stop. I'm here to warn you about Dane, not lead him to you.
Thom looks around.
Haven't been here in a while. How are things? Can we make a stand?