The city of St. Paul sits nested between the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. It still has that small town accent yet across the bridges is Minneapolis which is a burgeoning metropolis of commerce and business. St. Paul seems quaint and quiet with large maples and oaks lining streets where literary giants bloomed like Fitzgerald.
In this frontier built on a dichotomy of the twin cities lies a darkness beneath. An immortal shadow.
The cabby looks out of his lit cab and says we have a couple of pick ups for the Princess to join you, get in Bill says to the Tremere and the Assamite.
"Oh joy, Fresh meat." He gets in
"Of course." Marcel slides in and waits to see who would be joining them.
The cabbie starts driving from the bluff down through the streets of St Paul and across the bridge back towards Harriet Island and goes past up to the gates of a massive stone quarry.
"I do wonder how good an impression we're making on the higher ups, Marcel. It seems like we're liable to piss off someone much older than we before we're done."
Stevee
You see the lights of the cab pull up about 15 minutes later at the entrance to the quarry. Eugene says that I will have your car driven home and that the cabbie and all his fares are prepaid but the offer of a drink as a tip from the herd would not be remiss at the end of the night would not be a bad idea
Marcel smiles at Craig and says, "Eh...the ancient ones care little for pawns. Any anger will almost certainly be sent higher up. But they also lack respect for our existence, and removing us might be a.... safer option to show displeasure."
"Thank you, Eugene." He hasn't quite organized his herd here yet, "I'll remember this." AN offer of a minor debt.
And a smirk at Marcel, "Makes us sound like dust bunnies. It's all relative."
"Thank you." Stevee says to Eugene curtly but not without sincerity as she enters the cab.
Stevee stands at a quite short 4'3" but is quite captivating despite her short stature both in her speech and her appearance. Her voice sits as a soft mezzo usually taking time with every word and imbuing them with a sense of care usually reserved for ones passions. She is Caucasian with her deep brown hair in a short pixie cut of hair tight around her face which is narrow and long her nose being the most pronounced of her features slightly longer than would appear proportional. Her eyes are a light brown with flecks of green. There is a reasonable chance that if you keep up with local news you have seen her around the political scene.
As she settles into the car she outstretches her hand to offer a handshake and smiles slightly saying "I'm Stevee, I understand we'll be getting to know each other quite well over the next little while"
Craig shakes the hand of the newcomer cautiously, if he had not been told they were getting replacements he might not believe she was one of them. His own grip is cooler, as he doesn't risk the blood, this time.
"Heard we were getting new help. I'm Craig. You look...familiar."
"I am Marcel. It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you from around these parts? Craig and I are not terribly familiar with the locals." Marcel asks.
"Ha, yes, I am. I'm a minor political figure around here." She says "Though I'm new to the business we are currently engaged in. So if you need to know who to talk to in order to get an ear in the state legislature I'm your gal, if on the other hand you were say hypothetically going to meet the Princess, I'd be much less 'in the know' so to speak"
Bill "the cabbie" says all right we have another stop to go to and pulls out of the quarry.
Craig actually smiles at Stevee's mention of helpful with the legislature, "I am not well enough ensconced to ask for any favors with zoning laws yet. But it's nice to make contacts. Let's see who is next on the 'There's was not to question why' list."
The cabbie pulls up on a corner of a non descript business area and looks around a bit to see if someone steps out.
Li aligns with Samara before leaving the building. She is curious about the coterie and what would that entitle, but knows better that she has to leave the now - so when she steps out, looking for the cab, she's nicely dressed on a long coat and carrying a business case with her, ready to depart.
The door to the cab opens and you all find yourself in a blue and white cab with an extended back with four seats which face each other. The cabbie drives you along St. Paul when you are all in and then stops the cab. He flips the sliding door to talk to you all for a minute.
for those of you who don't know my name is Bill the Cabbie of clan Nosferatu. When you call Blue and white you can ask for me or my cab 57 and I will come pick you up. Normally this would involve a small trifle or bit of information as cost for the ride. I don't spread your info when you pay unless you let me. Right now the Princess is picking up my tab while you work for her so this whole group you see here is riding on her dime so to speak. Free tip is don't abuse it. Now, where to?
"I feel a quick update to my new companions is in order. We investigated the house of the missing Brujah primogen, a Mr. Maddox. We found some links to Ancient Greece. So far, none of those seem to have turned up anything useful other then perhaps an insight into how old he was." Marcel pauses as he glances back the way he came before continuing, "We then went to visit Mr. Bule, who once ruled this city as Prince. In speaking with him, I believe he hinted that we should speak to the new leadership of the Brujah. A companion of ours which has recently been pulled away by other matters felt that Mr. Bule was instead directing us to the wolves. But as he stated several times only he dealt with them, I think it prudent that we not go there at this time. I briefly saw two men who appeared to be among the Brujah leadership. They said that Jack needed to become the new primogen. I suggest we speak to him next."
"Thank you, Marcel and seconded." Ironicly he thinks As a tremere, voting in what order to serve some elder's demands is probably the closest I'll get to true democracy
This all sounds prime, sir... I guess Marcel, since that's what you had been called. - Mui says, just staring at the group - I am Li Mui. I'm not really sure why my presence was requested here, to join you, or even who you are to start with. I am equally surprised as to the openness of such conversation, which I honestly feel awkwardly refreshing.
The Chinese woman crosses her arms, not really entering the cab until better understanding the situation.
Bill, you said your name was? - she finally continues, towards the driver - I guess my companions here may be open for other destinations, but I'd like to be brought to the regent's presence.
Bill the cabbie smiles a toothy grin and says yep that's the name cab 57 or Bill. I can take Lin to the princess and then leave her there or the rest of you to Greyhound Bus headquarters and leave you there, or I can take you all to one place and then all to the next. No skin off my pretend obfuscated nose
”I think I am also bound for the princess, I thought we all were but I’m not entirely sure.” Stevee chirps in.
"If we are to work together then we should stay together for the time being. To the Princess it is." Marcel says as he leans back and waits to see where they end up.
"Craig Lawrence by the by, forgive our lack of more formal meets and greets but we've had a lot of turn over in a short time. Bit of a blur."
Bill turns around and starts driving back across town and over to Harriet Island and he pulls up after about twenty minutes. The town of St. Paul is across the river framed by the reflection. The town is both small and spiralling at the same time framed by oaks and maple trees.
You walk to the bridge to the island and there are two large wolves sitting here and one leaves back into the island.
Marcel waits patiently for the Princess and considered what the two new woman might say when the Princess arrives.
The Princess Harriet arrives riding a large bear with a saddle and wearing a hand and a half sword with the two wolves out front at the bridge. She looks across and you and says you may advance upon the bridge to me but do not step from it.
Marcel will let the new Kindred approach first and then continue onto the bridge behind them.
Craig seems of like mind Go on, new bloods, yes she bites, but then, dont' we all? he thinks
Mui looks at the regent from top to bottom. She can't help her mouth being opened; this whole thing looks like a circus! Bears? Wolves? A sword? No one cares for the Masquerade in this city? She tries her very best to pretend not to be shocked, and approaches with caution.
My greetings, Lady Harriet. - she does a long, exaggerated, formal reverence salute - I am called Li Mui, from the Kingdoms of the East, sired by Mai Zhi, who was sired by Bo Shangyou, him sired by the prestigious Lang Mao. Our lineage is that of loyal servants, and such has been for the past fourteen centuries.
The Chinese woman carries a heavy accent as she speaks, but other than that her English is perfectly fine.
I have plans to settle by your domains with my herd, and would humbly like to request your permission if you see fit to do so. I ask for no particular arrangements, other than allowance to hunt by your common grounds, and swear to comply to the ancestral Camarilla ways.
She bows once again, this time paranoidly looking to the void spaces around Harriet.
Stevee follows slightly behind Li on her left and remains silent initially waiting to hear the Princesses response to her. As Li starts her salute Stevee begins by trying to imitate it thinking to herself S#$#, is this a formality I forgot about already before quickly realizing that it isn't and trying to find a good place to stop the imitation without drawing more attention to it.
Princess Harriet smiles and slides off of her bear and walks to the bridge where you bow and she takes both Li and Stevee's hands in hers and she says I welcome you to my domain of the Twinned cities. Within the Ring of Gold being the highways of 494, 694, and 94 and out to County Road J now to the North and the end of the township of Burnsville to the South is the border of my Domain and you may not be outside it for there is a treaty between kindred and Lupine which states it is so.
Harriet continues after a short pause letting this information settle a bit and then says the right of domain is being offered as well as the right of creation to the coterie behind you. I have sent word to the primogens to seek other kindred who may be interested in such offerings to join this coterie in completing a task for me for which they can explain. In the meantime I grant you the right to hunt when in my domain and in the territory of each of your clans and to hold what you have an where you both reside until such time as official domain is granted. You will follow the Masquerade and the traditions and understand that as Princess I enforce those edicts and the treaty of the Ring of Gold. You will be formally introduced at the next Moot of which we have two each year. Perhaps one might practice introduction and then also if no sire is here, then the primogen does the introduction with you prior to you each formally reciting your name and lineage. Any questions?
She continues to hold each of your hands now a bit longer then is comfortable.
Craig observes Li and Stevee as they interact with the Prince, noting their difference in styles.
"Do you have anyone in mind who might join us?" Marcel asked as he wondered how many the Princess might be seeking to aid her.
The princess looks to the two she holds the hands of and says messages have been brought to these two here which is why I thought they are with you.
"Forgive our caution, Prince," Craig says, "While these two ladies seem pleasant enough, there are elder games afoot or so I suspect so it's nice to get confirmation they have your approval. Mercury maybe in retrograde, causing our communication to be iffy."
Thanks, Lady Harriet. I appreciate the kindness on receiving us and allowing hunting grounds before the formal introductions. - says the Malkavian, before following - Would you mind describing in your own words what is this task this coterie is assigned to? I'd rather not risk misinterpretations due to improper translations from third parties.
The princess continues to hold your hands.
As she stares at the both of you and also those behind you she says The former primogen of the Brujah Mr. Rick Mattox has vanished and I want him found or what happened to him found out and discovered and this information brought to me and only me. You are to respect the traditions and remember that you travel in my name so if you bri insult to a certain level it may be tolerated but if you use my name Ill or for granted there will be... correction and possible further retribution allowed on the offended parties behalf. Understood?
You all easily detect that the Princess is ever so slowly holding your hands longer and longer for some purpose and that if she were to do this in Elysium or before other kindred soon it could mean disaster.
Craig's expression shows concern. He's not sure what the prince is doing or planning on doing but he hopes the young ladies don't come to harm If I were them I'd say I understood.
Li simply pulls her hands off, giving another brief bow, and stepping away from the regent. She doesn't particularly care about Stevee enough to say anything.