Henry spends most of the time practicing his new ritual. As he did not know the most frequent prerequisites for it, he has to take a slightly more convoluted path to learning it, and much of his study is dedicated to preventing any minor errors that could negate the effectiveness of it or could cause a powerful backlash. By the time they arrive he's confident he's achieved proficiency in it. His general demeanor could be described as smug, were he the type to admit to feeling such things.
As they arrive in Hong Kong he notices Gwendolyn and takes the opportunity to whisper to Wenzel. "You seem to have made an impression upon her. I still advise caution, but if you think there's anything to be gained in further interaction with her this would be the time to do so."
Wenzel whispers back to Henry. "I should go see where they are staying it may prove useful. I have a feeling that she can find out easily where we are staying." As long as Henry doesn't disagree Wenzel will then make his way towards Gwendolyn.
Paying very little attention to the one known as Gwendolyn, Marcus heads to the hotel.
As Henry remains silent, Wenzel approaches the Toreador. She smiles and nods, "I see that you have arrived here in Hong Kong, I am sorry that you missed your other port of call. However, I believe that you will find Hong Kong to be an interesting place". She gives a slight bow and turns as if to continue walking, though her gait suggests that she is allowing time for you to initiate a further conversation...
Wenzel moves to keep pace if needed. "Well I hope so. If I would like to contact you how should I do that?"
Wenzel
"You and you're friends should attend Old District Office North tomorrow evening and introduce yourselves. Elysium is a sharp 9 pm every night and is over by 9:30 as the Prince has great number of issues to attend to in any given night. The Prince believes that any who do not are by virtue of their absence members of the Sabbat.
I will be there and we can discuss any business, or pleasure, then". She smiles sweetly and continues walking.
Marcus
You head to the Hotel ahead of the others, Badger tags along. The walk is short from the pier. The Hotel is comparable to any modern luxury Hotel in London and indeed the aesthetic is the same. The Hotel appears to be staffed by locals only wearing brightly colored silk robes.
"Let's hang in the lobby yeah Marcus? Wait for the bags? I'd like to see who's in and out 'ere". He takes a seat in one of the many comfortable lobby chairs and almost seems to blend in...
Henry & Jim
Henry and Jim oversee the procession of Ghouls and Herd that accompany the Coterie. Due to the luggage rickshaws are obtained to assist with moving everything. Eliastor hovers around as well.
Henry keeps an eye out as he manages the procession, though sees nothing amiss.
""There's a Tremere named Wyncham in the city we may wish to get in touch with." He tells the others. "I would suggest paying him a visit if only to pay our respects and avoid questions as to why we'd not bother to show up."
Henry & Jim
Eliastor turns to Henry, "Do we know how to locate this Wyncham Master?"
"I don't. If none of us have an idea we may wish to attend Elysium tomorrow evening and see if we can learn the location.I'm of the view we should at least meet with Wyncham before leaving the city. Given how few allies we have in this part of the world, it would be seen as expected for us to meet with our clanmate." Left unstated is the fact that acting like ordinary Tremere would in these circumstances was desirable, if only to bolster their cover.
Once Wenzel gets back to the group he will pipe up.
"So she mentioned that we should attend Old District Office North tomorrow evening and introduce yourselves. Elysium is a sharp 9 pm every night and is over by 9:30 as the Prince has great number of issues to attend to in any given night. The Prince believes that any who do not are by virtue of their absence members of the Sabbat. We should incorporate that into our plans and make sure we all know our cover story.
Marcus looks around the hotel and nods appreciatively.
Turning to Badger at his question, Marcus says, "Sure, why not? Just a damned shame we can't take advantage of the bar anymore..."
James cranes about his head at the sights of Hong Kong. It's been a hot minute since he's been here, after all.
"Hmm..."
"Possibly. I can start shaking some contacts for information. Also... I am already acknowledged by the Prince here, though it has been some time since I've visited, as I was summoned to Europe with the rest of you. I even have a small amount of Domain of my own, assuming that things haven't changed."
"I might know someone that can 'elp you with that, mate," Badger says to Marcus with a salesman's smile. "But if no one requires my services this evening, I think I ought to get better acquainted with the area."
Marcus and Badger sit and observe the throng that moves before, the pulse of Humanity is quite something to behold here. Unlike the Hotel in Constantinople which was limited to clientele, this Hotel appears to serve as a hub of activity for those that use the place for business and pleasure.
He pauses in the lobby and looks about, especially behind him. After a few minutes he nods to himself as if satisfied with something, then he heads deeper into the hotel and you lose sight of him.
Jim, the location of Elysium certainly checks out as does the timing of Elysium. You do not recall where Wyncham resides, but you do remember that there is a Chantry within Hong Kong. It is right here in the Central District.
The Princes Elysium, Old District Office North, is in the New District on the mainland and requires to a ferry to get there and back.
-------
Soon enough you and the rest of the entourage arrive at the Hotel where you find arcus and Badger sitting in the lobby, people watching.
"It sounds as though our next stop should be the Chantry, if you do remember the location of it." Henry tells Jim. "If there's enough time left we can pay our respects there tonight."
"Yes, the Chantry is in the Central District. It, uh, is in a place of misfortune. The feng shui is bad," says Jim awkwardly. "But I can take us there."
He glances around to make sure that he's not saying anything in the open that might be overheard by ears that should not hear it.
"If that's what you think is best, I'll see you la..." Marcus begins to say to Badger, as he notices the man with the heavy package.
"Don't be too obvious about it, but what do you make of that? Looks to be an American, like me. Best guess is that package is a weapon of some sort. Here in the same hotel that we've been booked into...can't be a coincidence. Think we ought to investigate?"
Badger attempts a discreet look at the American.
Give me a Dexterity+Stealth DC 7 - 1 Success to avoid him catching you staring at him intently.
Henry, Wenzel, and Jim as well as the rest of the entourage enter the Hotel just as the man that Marcus spotted steps on the elevator.
For Henry and Wenzel the hustle and bustle of this place is quite a sight to see. It is as if this lobby is a hub for activities for Mortals delivering messages, dropping off packages, or just having a meeting. There is plenty of seating.
Against the far wall to the right you spot Marcus and Badger people watching.
Marcus raises a questioning eyebrow to the others with nod of his head toward the mystery man.
Marcus raises a questioning eyebrow to the others with nod of his head toward the mystery man.
Henry, Wenzel, and Jim, as you enter the Hotel, Marcus nods to a man standing on the elevator. He is certainly out of place as one of the few Gweilo present in this hotel besides yourselves.
Henry looks towards the man then back to Marcus, raising a questioning eyebrow as he wonders if they should follow or approach him.
Wenzl waits to see what the consensus is
As the Coterie pauses to weight options, Badger heads to the elevator and manages to catch it right before it closes. The man heads gets off at the fourth floor. Badger makes a note of that as he rides the lift up and back down. By the time he arrives at the first floor, the Coterie's entourage has moved to the elevator. Eliastor nods to Badger as Badger exits and returns to the rest of the Coterie, who are now milling about in the lounge area awaiting Badger's return.
The Coterie is silent as they await Badger's return. Many eyes and ears come in and out of this place and the Mortals are far too near to take a chance on any sort of conversation, even if most of the languages spoken here are of the local dialect.
Odd scented cigarettes fill your nostrils as you all just take in this place. In many ways it is similar to the west and in many ways different. Though you are across the other side of the world, Mortals will be Mortals it seems. They live short, frantic lives no matter where it is they live.
The Coterie settles into the 6th floor. The elevator is guarded by Eliastor and the burliest of the Mortals.
As the Coterie quietly discusses whether to meet with the Inner Circle Member Wyncham tonight or simply announce themselves to the Prince tomorrow evening, a being begins to materialize right in the middle of the room!
Almost reflexively, Badger calls on the power of the blood to grant himself preternatural speed.
Marcus gets to his feet and prepares to utter the arcane phrases that will bring flames to his hands, but stops just short waiting to see what materializes.
Henry also waits, taking no obvious precautions. He's confident if this is a threat there's enough of them to dispatch it with ease.
The apparition forms, he is a local, or at least he appears to be though his clothing does not match that which is worn by the locals.
He bows, "Honored Gweilo. I am Wang Shouren. I beseech you in the name of the Emperor to aid me in my quest, I could not help but notice that you were perceptive enough to see that the American in this hotel is not what he seems".
James' eyebrows go up in a nearly comical display and he replies in Mandarin.
"Your arrival is quite spectacular," he says, "and your speech suitably cryptic, as befits one who carries the name of a great seeker of knowledge. As we are for the most part visitors here, we would be remiss to be rude and uncooperative to the people who call this place home, and so this humble personage must beg your forbearance while asking... would you care for tea?"
Though he's learned Mandarin, Henry is certain he must be rustier at it than he thought-- did James just offer their mysterious guest tea?
"Well met, though this is a rather...unconventional form of greeting. Perhaps you could start by informing us what your quest is and why we should be concerned about this American." He instructs in heavily accented Mandarin.
Seeing that at the very least, this would start as a conversation rather than a fight, Marcus ceases his incantation.
Wenzel listens intently.
Wang Shouren grins, "You honor me! If only that I could drink tea I would certainly sit and enjoy with you.
I must politely decline your gracious offer.
As far as the nature of my quest, I have the unfortunate duty of recovering the artifact that rests of the personage of this American. This item was stolen a long time ago and its return has been noted. Thus, have I been tasked with its retrieval to return it to the Emperor.
It appears that he has found a way to block my own best efforts at retrieval. Perhaps it is destiny that I spotted you, spotting him. I of course, based upon my own long standing circumstances, understand your nature as Shen. To the normal Mortal my appearance would be unnerving, to your kind, it is I am sure, a matter of curiosity. Thus, contact has been made.
While I am certain that you are not here for my sake, that you are here now may be of mutual benefit to us both.
This American is no way should concern or alarm you. In fact, should you never interact with him, it is likely to in no way alter you current destinies resulting in either fortune or misfortune.
Aiding me in my quest on the other hand could well result in fortune or at least the opportunity of an advantage you do not currently possess".
Jim rubs his chin a bit, then looks over toward his companions, some of whom outrank him. Seeing nobody has spoken up, he takes that as consent from his superiors to continue to pursue this thread, and says, "Do please tell us more. We are, after all, mostly visitors in this land, and it would be only proper for us to be polite and respectful to the local social order."
Wang Shouren bows, "As you may have already surmised, I dwell among the dead. The Jade Emperor beseeches me to perform a task and perform this task I must, but it is difficult if not impossible for me to do so.
This Gweilo appears to have charms that prevent me from accomplishing what must be done, namely, retrieving the blade that he possesses. As I understand these Americans, he is most likely here to attempt to sell this relic for a profit. If this transaction is successful, the buyer will have more local resources making my task more difficult still.
As strangers here, well, as most of you are strangers here", he nods to Jim respectfully.
"you could intervene. Purchase or simply take possession of, you are no strangers to violence I am sure, this blade for me. In exchange, I will assist you with a single task of your choosing. Once I perform this task, the blade shall come with me and you shall have had the assistance and guidance of one who understands the land of the Middle Kingdoms in a way that none of the Quick ever could".
Henry looks at Jim, trying to gauge his reaction. Ghosts are a subject he knows very little about, and he does not want to trap them in an agreement without fully understanding what they are getting into.
"I'm inclined to agree, but what say the rest of you?" Its rare he elicits the feedback of those ranked below him, but he realizes the situation they're in puts them on more or less equal footing.
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Jim inclines his head to Wang Shouren and says, "Please forgive me, I will use the language of the outsiders to communicate more efficiently with them."
He switches to English (keenly aware that Wang Shouren probably understands plenty of that, too) and says to the team, "We have the opportunity to gain local favor and a Boon by recovering a sword with historical value. An American buyer wishes to purchase the item, but if we can outbid him or outmaneuver him and acquire the blade, we will have the gratitude of our associate here."
"Wang Shouren is known as a philosopher who achieved the highest honors of the Confucian school. Noteworthy to us in particular was his belief that knowledge of good and evil is innate to people," Jim says, adding some context to their visitor's role.
Wang Shouren smiles expectantly, "Then we are agreed?"
Badger shrugs noncommittally. "Why not?" he says to the coterie. "I always did enjoy a bit of creative acquisition."