Erik sits quietly listening to the discussion
Listens to the Prince and others speak. He seems lost in his own thoughts
'Vince' sidles nonchalantly over to Joel & Mike. "What, this not important enough for Juggler to show?"
The prince considers your comments.
"I will take steps to ensure that the population doesn't diminish any further and see what I can do to revive it however I have no intention on opening a new club. However if you wish to do so then I would encourage and support it but I do not do handouts. As for the Sabbat keep and eye out for them and fight if you must and I will reward any successful venture against them. If you can put the hunter on their trail I will applaud and reward you for you efforts. It is my understanding that the infighting in Chicago continues and that a new prince it yet to be chosen. The Sabbat has made some moves for the city but nothing major yet." He replies.
We working together, following an appointed lead... Or, every man for himself?
Would it not be wise to work as a team? If we go off on our own we would be working against our goal
Thom looks to Laurence. Mr. Giovanni, I've got a modern military and law enforcement background. I prefer teamwork and have tactical and strategic leadership experience.
The question though not rhetorical was meant to open a healthy discussion. I agree with you, Sir.
"I am in agreement with the teamwork gig. Perhaps we should begin by trying to locate the remainder of the sabbat?"
"I am here, and I will do what needs be done. So what is the plan?"
Listen to the words... Those said and those unsaid. The words are the pact. The pact is the promise of each team member to the other.
"I promise to cut some sabbat fools."
Military and police, my two favorite things.
Ben looks incredulous and let's out a mirthless chuckle.
"Is this the part where we line up to do trust falls? Sit in a circle and talk about our deepest fears? Gimme a break. I'll kick a shovelhead when I see one, so long as I can claim my own domain and you leave me the hell alone. Best you're getting from me."
Thom smiles genuinely. Thank you, Mr. Forrester. You make my point rather concisely, perhaps my way of contrast.
How do we feel about this point of view? He looks to the gathering.
"and what wait in our havens for either the sabbat or the hunter to find and kill us, even shovelheads can take down a 100 year old vampire when there are 10 of them vs the one. Safety is in numbers right now, we can go back to being petty and territorial once these threats are dead."
"So where was your brave leader last night when we flushed the Sabbat from their warehouse? Leading from the rear? Don't mistake me- I'll pitch in, same as I already have. But I expect to be compensated with more than slogans; much the same as the rest of you, if we're being honest."
Are you nominating me, leader? Did you need backup... Here's my number. 847-561-0221.
Glancing over at the others, 'Vince' pipes up. "More likely no one else want's the bull's eye. If you can survive the next decade, maybe some of the other survivors might consider you to be leader."
"Maybe not." He shrugs.
Seems there's a lot of piss and vinegar... or old whine, gone bad. I'll be out, you know how to reach me, when you stop measuring your sticks.
Ciao.
As he's nearly through the door, he turns to Orphan. Sorry, about the meet. Won't happen again.
"Of course it won't. Can't stand me up at a 7-11 at crap 30 with a stranger who wanted to know if I wanted candy out of his van. By the way, that is a good way to get a full meal. Nope that meeting won't happen again. So can I be your hound? I will bark at things and point out squirrels all night every night."
Sure, but you carry the camera. Car leaves in five.
'Vince' sidles nonchalantly over to Joel & Mike. "What, this not important enough for Juggler to show?"
Joel grumbles and replies to Vincce "He was still out of town finishing up his business, we called him up to tell him about this and he's on his way but he's going to be late. We tried to get Modius to delay the meeting but he wouldn't do it. In fact I think he's glad Juggler isn't here."
"So where was your brave leader last night when we flushed the Sabbat from their warehouse? Leading from the rear? Don't mistake me- I'll pitch in, same as I already have. But I expect to be compensated with more than slogans; much the same as the rest of you, if we're being honest."
The prince smiles a bit "Indeed, I heard juggler was the one who sent you after the Sabbat to rescue one of his own who was in danger while he ran off and left town. Most likely some part of his plan to depose me. The Sabbat is clawing at our door and he still sees me as the enemy. I warn you newcomers that following him is a road to disaster. Here we hare having a meeting to decide how to best protect ourselves from those who would attack us and still he is out plotting againts me no doubt." he says
Laurence watches the others fight amongest themselves and he shakes his head. He leans over to Maria and whispers to her How much do you know about the troubles here or these Vampire?
As Thom makes his way out the door, 'Vince' looks back at Joel & Mike with a 'what can you do?' expression on his face. to be a Whelp. No kindred who has actually survived over a decade beyond their sire's talons is suicidal...
Noting the three Giovanni in the corner, 'Vince' strolls over. "You must be the 'lady in the RV' we've heard so much about." Holding out his hand, he continues. "Most folks call me Vince these nights."
@Orphan
How long you been... this way, kid? I'm what the stodgy old ones call a whelp, right? Heck, this whelp is gonna show'em a thing or two.
Laurence watches the others fight amongest themselves and he shakes his head. He leans over to Maria and whispers to her How much do you know about the troubles here or these Vampire?
"The prince is weak and has no followers other than a single ghoul. He used to be a big shot and some people outside of Gary still respect him however so there would be consequence for killing him. Rumor is that his power with domination is quite impressive and that he actually has direct control of every person of influence in town but those are rumors. As for the other one juggler, I know little of him other than he has a feud with Modius dating back centuries. His abilities in combat are said to be great but he hasn't actually fought anyone in decades and prefers to use pawn to do his bidding for some reason. As they mentioned earlier it seems the Sabbat are looking to come along and make a mess of things as well and that pretty much sums up the situation." Maria whispers back.
As Thom makes his way out the door, 'Vince' looks back at Joel & Mike with a 'what can you do?' expression on his face. Got to be a Whelp. No kindred who has actually survived over a decade beyond their sire's talons is that suicidal...
Noting the three Giovanni in the corner, 'Vince' strolls over. "You must be the 'lady in the RV' we've heard so much about." Holding out his hand, he continues. "Most folks call me Vince these nights."
Maria nods "Oh? I didn't realize my arrival had caused such a stir. I supposes it's only natural I am a famous film producer after all. This zombie walk I have planned is going to set the stage for a major film that is going to be produced right here in Gary creating many jobs and bringing in tourist for the next couple years to come." she says taking your hand and giving it a slight shake. "I am Maria DiMatto."
"Huh" Vince replies. "Sorry, I...
don't get a lot of opportunities to watch movies or read about famous people." He adds, glancing down at his obviously several weeks unwashed clothes in accent. "I guess that means you're another Rose then?" He hints, nodding slightly in Prince Modius' direction. "Looking to turn Gary back into a Garden Party maybe?"
Rick walks over to where Vince and Maria are talking and waits for their conversation to conclude or reach a natural lull before asking "So, Maria, are you the one keeping track of sabbat around here? Coordinating our attacks from the field?"
In the car, Thom turns on his police band radio. The volume is low.
Let's see if we can notice since Sabbat or Hunter activity.
Seeing some people scatter and leave already the prince makes his way from the stage.
Maria watches him go and replies to Rick "I asked you to help clear them out because I wanted to make sure they didn't interfere with my plans. After the beating they took at the warehouse they will likely not return soon so for now I care not about them."
"Ah, I see. Lemee know if you need any help with the zombie walk. I can do security, but I also know a bit about lights and sounds."
Laurence listens to Maria's conversations making mental notes of what was said
Thom is scanning police band radio for indications of vampire/hunter activity... Comments or exclamations by police, emt, etc... Condition of victim, description of perp, perp actions, etc... WTF?, look at that!, did you see?
It seems the police are are the lookout for a fugitive that matches the hunters description but no sign of him so far. No word on anything that could be vampires.
Mr. Dane... Strange, your reputation precedes you, even among mortals.
Erik heads home to make some calls to contacts in the bounty hunter community, to see if they have been contacted by the hunter
Ben approaches the Prince after he steps off stage.
"I didn't have a chance to formally introduce myself before tonight- ran into trouble when I came in last night. Ben Forrester, Gangrel clan. My sire is Val Ruiz. Can I have your permission to stay in town?", he says.
Still present for Maria & Rick's conversation, 'Vince' remains silent.
She thinks dust-up where some of them got away is going to be enough to scare off the Sabbat?! She's as naive as Thom!
Ben approaches the Prince after he steps off stage.
"I didn't have a chance to formally introduce myself before tonight- ran into trouble when I came in last night. Ben Forrester, Gangrel clan. My sire is Val Ruiz. Can I have your permission to stay in town?", he says.
"Hmm? Yes, yes of course. So long as you don't start following juggler like those two idiot welps your welcome to stay.
Thom: They did not no. They are on a lookout for him but all thy have is a description and a tip that he might be in town.
Erik: The hunter hasn't contacted anyone you know.
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Maria gets up quickly followed by her bodyguard [b]"Well it's been fun. If anyone needs me or is looking for work come see me at my trailer." she says and starts walking for the door.
Rick will hang out a bit, meet some folks, get some face time in, and later head to Maria's RV for more work.
Thom continues. Subtle as the game may be, we're gonna need weapons. Prince isn't giving any for free. We'll have to... provision ourselves.
Ideas? Local gang-bangers? Get some criminals and firearms off the street and equip ourselves.
Thom drives towards the slums, places where cops don't want to go. He does go deep, just the fringes... Where contact is made. Where you talk to look outs, runners. You tell them what you need, they tell their bosses.
Thom is about to drive off when he spots Juggler coming and he looks mad real mad. He practicably has steam coming out of his ears.
He slams open the doors to the theater and stomps in.
Inside you hear a loud bang as Juggler comes in. "What's the big idea Modius having a gathering like this while I cant attend and then refusing to wait until I arrive to begin." he shouts in rage
"This is my city and I make the rules. I made a decision to have the meeting at midnight and if you couldn't be here on time that is not my problem Juggler...Besides it's not like you would have anything meaningful to add at such a gathering"
"WHAT?!? YOU DARE! says juggler apparently barely containing himself. His muscle are visibly growing.
"Oh shit...If Modius keeps pushing him he might go into a frenzy." says Mike to no one in particular
"I think it's time to go." says Joel and the two start for the door.
Maria on the other smiles and sits down again and her bodyguard takes a position near hear just in case.
Rick also stands near Maria, seeing her as a prize pig in terms of future employment.
Ben's eyes dart around the room... and seeing Mike and Joel leaving, he shakes his head.
Oh, boy...
Steeling himself, he steps toward Juggler.
"I know you're pissed, man. I would be too. But stop and think for a second. You frenzy in Elysium, how's that going to help you long-term? Believe me, you didn't miss that much- it's not worth it."
Manipulation:
Thom steps back into the room. He'd get himself killed, but duty called...
Placing himself between the Prince and Juggler, but keeping his hands low, he speaks.
He isn't smooth, but he's right. Elysium.
2 success.
"YOU WHELPS THINK TO TELL ME MY PLACE? I CARE NOTHING FOR THE RULES OF THE CAMARILLA! I'M GOING TO BRING DOWN THE PYRAMID." he shouts
Modius raises one quivering finger pointed at Juggler, fangs bared. "Traitor! Charlatan! Gadfly! I have had enough of you! I cast you out! I banish you! I call Lextalionis on you! Your blood and soul are forfeit to whosoever wish to have them!" He looks about the room, as if expecting waves of furious Kindred to fall upon Juggler and tear him apart.
"Really? You think you command that kind of authority? All right." He waves a hand at Modius. "Then I declare a Blood Hunt on you." Juggler glances at you looking around the room. "No, really. Go ahead and kill him. He’s a dinosaur anyway, so we get to be the meteor." He smiles as though pleased with the metaphor even now barely containing his fury. He's on the edge you can tell.
"This seems kinda embarrassing..." Rick whispers to Maria.
Why can't we just all get along... Thom mutters. His hand is closer to his service glok, but he doesn't draw.
Please everyone... calm down. You're playing right into Sullivan Dane's hands.
Let's decide this after we neutralize him.