"I am Regent." She repeats the fact from earlier. "Because our Don has gone on an extended journey dealing with," her hands flutter in the air, "elder stuff."
"So instead of tasteful Spanish elegance, you get us."
Alex grins brightly at Santa Cruz's two newest residents. "We should go over the boundaries of the domain with you two so that no accidents occur."
"And probably other paperwork type stuff I'm not really versed in that and it was a while ago when I came here."
Rook leaves a message: "Hello beloved. I need to hear your voice, the non recorded version. Please dial my mobile number."
She hangs up, and then tries the person she thinks is most likely to pick up his cell phone while the Judgement of Solomon are out and about - Anthony Knight.
The metal card flips on her knuckles, "Do I only have to bend it to summon you or does it have to completely broken?" She motions to the proto-SUV, "I mean I have a bolt cutter in the back, but that would take extra steps."
Elliott purses his lips and contorts his mouth so far to one side that it looks like he bit into the sourest lemon in the orchard; his eyes, however, are all smiles. He briefly turns his head away from Echo before composing himself with a forced cough as she fiddles with her phone.
"I treat modern cell phones like a complicated 4 dimensional card catalog, and then they make sense." Rook chimes in.
Elliott turns towards Rook, an inquisitive look on his face. "That's a pretty good analogy. But they're missing that proper musty smell, don't you think?"
She starts to move, just a few steps back and forth. She glances at Rook, then the new pair from upstate. "First, utter clean slate, so if you want to say no to my next request, no judgment or nothing."The metal card flips, "If either of you has a relationship that allows it with your sire, would you mind calling right now and just checking how they are?"
He smirks listening to Weston's description of Severin's lack of subtlety. "I'll reach out to Piper," he says glancing at Weston. "If anything is going on in San Francisco, she'll know about it. It might be a minute hearing back from her, though..." He puts a thoughtful finger up and then looking to Echo says "Not a literal minute...I mean it may take a while..."
A raised hand, she turns to Rook, "If you want to go back to the," a pause as several choices of words flash, "thing, I know you have it under control."
"I will call you... no I will call Alex, if there are problems." She takes Echo's keys out of her pocket, handing them back to Echo, and walks towards the small 2 seater Buick Reatta parked in view of the entrance of the museum.
He absent mindedly nibbles on his index finger as he watches Rook walk away. "So, Regent Echo--when you say phenomenon...what exactly are we talking about? And does it have anything to do with The Don being off doing Elder Stuff? Just curious."
"So instead of tasteful Spanish elegance, you get us."
Alex grins brightly at Santa Cruz's two newest residents. "We should go over the boundaries of the domain with you two so that no accidents occur."
"And probably other paperwork type stuff I'm not really versed in that and it was a while ago when I came here."
Elliott grins wide without showing his teeth. "I got a 30 year old Thomas Guide under the passenger seat. Want to mark off the line where Accidents Occur?"
"I treat modern cell phones like a complicated 4 dimensional card catalog, and then they make sense." Rook chimes in.Elliott turns towards Rook, an inquisitive look on his face. "That's a pretty good analogy. But they're missing that proper musty smell, don't you think?"
"I could mix a perfume for you. You can spray it near you phone when you use it." She says.
...
"I will call you... no I will call Alex, if there are problems." She takes Echo's keys out of her pocket, handing them back to
Rook does not look back, so probably does not notice being watched.
He smirks listening to Weston's description of Severin's lack of subtlety. "I'll reach out to Piper," he says glancing at Weston. "If anything is going on in San Francisco, she'll know about it. It might be a minute hearing back from her, though..." He puts a thoughtful finger up and then looking to Echo says "Not a literal minute...I mean it may take a while..."
"I would very much like to know if you get a chance to speak with her, personally." The tips of her fingers play on the material of her pants, a simple rhythm, just for a moment, "As opposed to getting the information, but only via intermediaries," a pause, "even well trusted intermediaries."
He absent mindedly nibbles on his index finger as he watches Rook walk away. "So, Regent Echo--when you say phenomenon...what exactly are we talking about? And does it have anything to do with The Don being off doing Elder Stuff? Just curious."
"That," Echo says, smile for a just a moment bordering on something far more manic than job, "my good Mr. Gray, is the question of the night." She shakes her head, "Right now it's all jigsaw pieces with no border and a blank box. Piece fits to piece, but with no goal as to how it ends."
There is a small whine from the wolf, Echo looks down, "Oh, sorry Cailleach." One more long look westward, "This eve we were graced an audience with Cliodna, who gave advice, prophecy and warning all in one."
Anthony answers on the first ring. "Hey there. You miss us already?" he asks in his honey-sweet tones.
Elliott grins wide without showing his teeth. "I got a 30 year old Thomas Guide under the passenger seat. Want to mark off the line where Accidents Occur?"
Alex nods thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. I can also mark off some of the useful spots to know, like the places we meet up with our counterparts from surrounding domains."
"And I suppose any other random locations you want to know or avoid. Just let me slide this into Regent Echo's car." Alex walks over to Echo's car and rearranges a few things to make the box fit.
"I would very much like to know if you get a chance to speak with her, personally." The tips of her fingers play on the material of her pants, a simple rhythm, just for a moment, "As opposed to getting the information, but only via intermediaries," a pause, "even well trusted intermediaries."
He folds his arms, his right hand fingers his whispy facial hair. He mumbles to himself: "Must be pretty serious, then...
He absent mindedly nibbles on his index finger as he watches Rook walk away. "So, Regent Echo--when you say phenomenon...what exactly are we talking about? And does it have anything to do with The Don being off doing Elder Stuff? Just curious.""That," Echo says, smile for a just a moment bordering on something far more manic than job, "my good Mr. Gray, is the question of the night." She shakes her head, "Right now it's all jigsaw pieces with no border and a blank box. Piece fits to piece, but with no goal as to how it ends."
Elliott's face brightens. The smile seems to go just a bit too wide. "Well, if it means anything...I do like to, um...indulge in a puzzle or two...Perhaps I could help with figuring out the picture, if not the borders?"
There is a small whine from the wolf, Echo looks down, "Oh, sorry Cailleach." One more long look westward, "This eve we were graced an audience with Cliodna, who gave advice, prophecy and warning all in one."
He bends down on a knee, and looks at the wolf. "Good evening Cailleach. Please forgive us for holding up your mistress. You clearly have more important places to be than waiting on the rest of us to come to a point."
"And I suppose any other random locations you want to know or avoid. Just let me slide this into Regent Echo's car." Alex walks over to Echo's car and rearranges a few things to make the box fit.
"Excellent! let me know when you're ready, and I'll dig it out!"
Echo crouches down and Cailleach comes up alongside her. The redhead rests her head against the canine's neck for just a moment.
She smiles over at Elliot, "Until I have proof otherwise, pretty damn serious." She rocks back on her heels just a bit, looking over at the new members of Santa Cruz's night. "Since your move here was planned, I..." her voice trails off, "hope you already have safe lodgings." Only a hint of question in the tone.
She bounces in her crouch for just a moment, before stretching back up to her not-impressive height, the unconscious step-step-pause of her movement back. A long breath out, "If not," a pause, a twitch of her jaw, "call me and I'll find a safe place for your rest."
"You both came on a interesting night," Echo says, "with all that curse entails. Your assistance in clarifying the puzzle will be quite welcome," Echo looks at Rook's car still in lot, "no doubt."
As the blonde musician comes back, "Quick crash course for our new friends, there are things that need tending before dawn."
The wolf gives Elliott a quick wag of the tail, but stays resolutely by Echo, watching the newcomers with wary interest.
"I used to use a Thomas Guide back when I was delivering pizzas," Sam says to no one in particular. "Minor miracle I got anywhere in 30 minutes."
Then more seriously, " I don't know if this is a power play by some of the Vice Presidents. But the Barista and his beau...
their heirs, ...the Smith and the Tech..., rolled into town tonight claiming they're here to start a new life away from mommy and daddy, and there's this work thing going on that I'm not at liberty to discuss, and it just seemed like too many coincidences.
And it seemed like they were here with their parent's blessing.
And also, my new supervisor called them by names that weren't their names... Abott and... Costello? I don't know if that's corporate lingo for anything.
But... I am very uncomfortable and have a bad feeling. Now if they're really here to start fresh away from their folks, that's a good thing, right. But if they're here to stir things up....
I just don't play company politics well, and I don't know the players like you do. So I was hoping for some insight I guess.
And to let you know in case a heads up was important for your department. In case they're planning something against you guys." She says.
Rook can hear the broadening smile in his voice. "You're the expert in starting a new life from Daddy. Maybe you give 'em some pointers."
After settling the contents of Echo's car, Alex walks over to Elliott's, rubbing his hands together. "Okay, let's get that map marked up for you."
"I can show you where things are, but I can't give you any driving tips. Unless you have a bike in the back of that."
"I can see your logic, but I am still concerned. So, you keep an eye out on your end, and watch your back. I would be very cross if you or the team were downsized."
"I have to go run some errands, and as you know, driving while holding a cell phone is illegal in California... Don't be a stranger." She says. She doesn't hang up or anything yet though, waiting for a response first.
The call to Sacred Grounds gets a "Sacred Grounds!" on the second ring. Weston recognizes the voice of Sarah Marchand, his "sister," who runs the Elysium day to day. She is a far more typical Toreador than Weston, though she still has a strong blue collar streak and too soft-hearted to make a good harpy.
Rook's car pulls out of it's space, probably no more than two (or so) minutes after she got into it. She drives over to where Echo and the others are, and rolls down her window to speak to Echo briefly.
Echo smiles just a tad, a small shake of her head, as she slides over to Rook's sports car. She leans against the vehicle to listen to Rook's report, her gaze still watching Alex and the newcomers.
Rook tells Echo, "Our counterparts in the city say everything is fine over there. I did not, of course, tell them what's going on with our situation. So I cannot be certain the same thing is not happening there, and like us, they are keeping it quiet."
"Copacetic." Echo straightens, taps Rook's car gently. "Let me know if assistance is required for your current task."
She strides back to the group, "Mr. Thiel, Mr. Gray," briefly catching eachs attention before continuing, please do reach out if needful."
"Sam," her head motions to the old green vehicle, "let's go."
Rook nods at Echo, and when Echo steps away from the car, she will drive over to the Prince's haven and get started.
Alex will show Weston and Elliott what is where on the ... map? ... atlas? ... Guide.
"Give me a call if you have any questions and I will ignore you if I'm busy. If you text, you'll get a faster answer."
Alex will leave one of his paper business cards with Elliott as well.
Alex gathers a bicycle and a guitar case from Echo's vehicle and pedals off into the night.
Alex is going to try and find a meal before he goes to bed.
"It was really nice meeting everybody," Sam says, waving goodbye. He gets into Echo's car, gives the wolf a worried glance and the two of them are off.
Echo loses Sam for a moment, but turns a corner and finds the door to a room standing open, a small quantity of light spilling out. "Come on, hurry up!" Sam says.
Echo turns the corner and finds Sam clutching a flashlight. This was an old room, but the mattresses are long gone. A sleeping bag is between the rotting frames, complete with a pillow and an electric camp lantern, which is providing the illumination, and making all the shadows jump to the ceiling. The windows are boarded up tight here.
"Look," Sam says, gesturing to the far wall, which once would have been where the TV was. Echo follows the gesture and finds that the place has been wallpapered. News articles form most of the collage, and all of them have been highlighted, words circled, comments scrawled on the edges. There are pictures too, some of people she doesn't recognize, but there is a single one of the Don, from far away, and another of Summer in the background of a newspaper article about the museum. Then there are pieces that look random: mazes from children's menus at the Nite Owl, ads with cartoon characters, a map of the entire bay.
Sam gestures proudly, as though the answers are right there, but all Echo sees is the chaos of a disordered mind.
After settling the contents of Echo's car, Alex walks over to Elliott's, rubbing his hands together. "Okay, let's get that map marked up for you."
Elliott stands there nibbling on his finger for a long moment, as he watches Rook and Echo converse, his brow creased (maybe?) in thought. He snaps to earth on hearing Alex's words.
"Oh! Yeah...sure...sorry...I was a million miles away..." He quickly ducks in the back seat and digs out a battered Thomas Guide, which is already opened to the Santa Cruz area.
Alex will show Weston and Elliott what is where on the ... map? ... atlas? ... Guide.
"Give me a call if you have any questions and I will ignore you if I'm busy. If you text, you'll get a faster answer."
Alex will leave one of his paper business cards with Elliott as well.
Elliott takes the marked up map book and the card, before digging in his back pocket. Oh, wait, hold up...here. He hands him a jet black card that appears, at first glance to be blank. "Drop me a call, if you all...need more help with your puzzle."
She strides back to the group, "Mr. Thiel, Mr. Gray," briefly catching eachs attention before continuing, "please do reach out if needful.""Sam,"her head motions to the old green vehicle, "let's go."
"Of course..." he manages, after she's already turned to talk to Sam.
He turns to look at Weston, motions to the car. "So, mighty Vulcan!
Might I offer you a chariot back to your forges on Olympus?"
"Of course..." he manages, after she's already turned to talk to Sam.
Echo pauses at the door of her vehicle, "Yes?"
He turns to look at Weston, motions to the car. "So, mighty Vulcan!
Might I offer you a chariot back to your forges on Olympus?"
Her forehead furrows, "Can you even make a drive to Washington before..."
"Have the Primogen gone away at the same time in the past?"
"Does the Don have other havens in the city, or elsewhere?" And if so, "Where are they? Do you, or does anyone else have access?"
"Does the Don have any other associates or even followers?"
She will investigate for as much time as she can before the night ends and she needs to depart. Rook will also, of course, want to talk to the Don's dining companions, as time allows. And if her questions lead to more questions, she will continue to ask.
"No. The Don has not left his domain, to my knowledge, since I entered his employ."
"We've only the single Primogen, and I am afraid I am not as familiar with her affairs as those of the Don. To my knowledge, she has not left the city within my time here."
"I know of no secondary havens."
"I am not certain how to answer this question to your satisfaction. The Don indulges in many business relations. He is, in a real sense, the city itself. The ruling class of this place follow his directives, whether he states them or not. In essence, all in his fief are followers, whether they know it or not."
Elliott takes the marked up map book and the card, before digging in his back pocket. Oh, wait, hold up...here. He hands him a jet black card that appears, at first glance to be blank. "Drop me a call, if you all...need more help with your puzzle."
"Nice effect on the card," Alex says. He takes a moment to put the number (and Weston's) into his phone.
No. The Don has not left his domain, to my knowledge, since I entered his employ."
"How long has that been?" She asks. "Did you have a predecessor and if so, what happened to that person?"
"We've only the single Primogen, and I am afraid I am not as familiar with her affairs as those of the Don. To my knowledge, she has not left the city within my time here."
"What about any other elders?"
"I know of no secondary havens."
"Does the Don drive, or how does he get around normally?"
"I am not certain how to answer this question to your satisfaction. The Don indulges in many business relations. He is, in a real sense, the city itself. The ruling class of this place follow his directives, whether he states them or not. In essence, all in his fief are followers, whether they know it or not."
"Is there a record of his contact information for any of these people besides what's in the appointment book you showed us earlier?"
"Are there any appointments that would normally be scheduled, where someone might miss him. Monthly meetings for example."
"Of course..." he manages, after she's already turned to talk to Sam.Echo pauses at the door of her vehicle, "Yes?"
"...Don't hesitate to call upon me--" he glances at Weston, "--us-- should you be needful." He bows his head.
Her forehead furrows, "Can you even make a drive to Washington before..."He turns to look at Weston, motions to the car. "So, mighty Vulcan!
Might I offer you a chariot back to your forges on Olympus?"
He smiles, pulls his hood further down over his face, and heads back towards his car.
"How long has that been?" She asks. "Did you have a predecessor and if so, what happened to that person?"
"Oh, over a century. I assume I had a predecessor, but he is a mystery to me and I imagine on to his reward. Forgive me if I misinterpret the meaning behind your query, but are you concerned that the Don might be with a former ghoul?"
"What about any other elders?"
"During my tenure? For certain. The founding member of the Eastern Watch, your Los Vigilantes, Septimus Grant. The Prince's grandchilde quit this place I believe to seek his fortune in Chicago. Or was it Boston? In any case, this was many years ago and he has not returned. His sire, Miss Josephine Appleton, departed as well, though my memory places her in San Jose. The Sheriff, though her people have the reputation of wanderers, has remained in the larger fief for her time as I believe her grandchilde does as well, though you should address this question to Miss Echo, for these are all of her blood, if not precisely her bloodline."
"Does the Don drive, or how does he get around normally?"
"When the Don requires to move about his fief, I am his chauffeur."
"Is there a record of his contact information for any of these people besides what's in the appointment book you showed us earlier?"
"I would be shocked to learn of such a place."
"Are there any appointments that would normally be scheduled, where someone might miss him. Monthly meetings for example."
Boone brightens. "Not as such. The Don eschewed habit, I suspect thanks to hailing from the Inquisition's nursery. However he generally met with his argentarii quarterly, though no such night was ever chosen. He believed that, were they to cheat him, a danger with such people, an irregular schedule was the best way to guard against it."
Alex is interested in the disappearance of the elders, but keeping himself apart from a lot of the typical Kindred interaction works against him here.
His plan is to spend the next few days hunting around for something he might be able to find ... more instances of the mysterious graffiti mark. If he can find more, maybe there will be a pattern. He can cover a lot of ground on two wheels, and he doesn't expect it to be subtle.
"...Don't hesitate to call upon me--" he glances at Weston, "--us-- should you be needful." He bows his head.
Echo gives the other kindred a bright smile, "No worries, dude. I have no problem calling on my people, " a momentary pause, beat, "when needful."
"Look," Sam says, gesturing to the far wall, which once would have been where the TV was. Echo follows the gesture and finds that the place has been wallpapered. News articles form most of the collage, and all of them have been highlighted, words circled, comments scrawled on the edges. There are pictures too, some of people she doesn't recognize, but there is a single one of the Don, from far away, and another of Summer in the background of a newspaper article about the museum. Then there are pieces that look random: mazes from children's menus at the Nite Owl, ads with cartoon characters, a map of the entire bay.
Sam gestures proudly, as though the answers are right there, but all Echo sees is the chaos of a disordered mind.
Echo shakes, a pallor of the past still pulling at her, but this is the now. She moves up to the wall examining but not understanding. The tips of her fingers brush the Don, Summer, the unknown faces in the morass of cluttered there-ness.
Her head cocks to the side and she looks at Sam, "When I said we had people missing, you knew your work was important," she gives him an encouraging smile, "can you help explain it to me?" She again touches the unknown faces, "Who are these people?"
"When I was still...you know...I knew there were those who lived behind the curtain, pulling the strings. These are them! They're the ones pulling the strings! This guy here, he lives at the place you showed me tonight!" Sam jabs a finger at the picture of the Don.
"Her?" Summmer. "She's been around here for...I don't know how long." His finger traces along a pattern only he can see, winding up at a sheet of poetry. "You ever hear of The Wavedancers? They were this kind of psychedelic proto-dream pop. They were from here! And I swear, their song 'Summer Nights' is about her!"
Sam is triumphant now. "They always signal to each other, talking in the language of culture, all around us. If you want to know why your boss is gone, the answer is right here!" He slams his hand into the display, and although Echo is certain this is happenstance, she can't help but notice he happened to smack an old box top from Boo Berry cereal