Been going through something similar. Take care of yourself, ST.
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"Sunflower, a nosferatu lady, not..powerful but with growing influence, and perhaps she wishes to change that. I am surprised she is trying this given how Her primogen feels about new bloods. We must be cautious, this could be a ruse within a ruse, but the Nosferatu's whole powerblock is based on a degree of reliablity. They dare not risk too much falsehood less they undercut themselves. A house will be no trouble, but if what you say is right, we may find ourselves paying off for a time. Meaning, I owe you for your part in this. I am not blind my boy... you have mixed loyalty and your own ambitions well. I am curious to your own plans as much as you intend to share them." "Just my thought; she will not be easily satisfied," Paolo said, smoothly passing over how Father told him Sunflower was a Nosferatu, not a Ventrue. It was a reasonable supposition and he wouldn't have been so crude as to ask. How much to tell Father? Surely nothing he already knew. "I have not turned my gaze too high, Father. There are still opportunities to be had in the rebuilding. I hope to make myself more useful to other kindred, but obviously will have competition there. I met some of it online during the late unpleasantness." Paolo had spent much time training himself how not to think of using Father, knowing it would be seen through and might harm him when he needed the help. Now that it could be his...that required more thought. And it was late.
Some cursing in a very old version of his sire's native language, then, "Trust a Ventrue to shake your hand and plot your demise. The Clan of Kings and the Clan of Kingmakers have always had a rivalry but I thought in this case he'd see past that. What did you pay for this information?" "More than I'd like, but as much as it's worth," Paolo admitted. "She's accepted a house as a suitable downpayment, future consideration to come for -as she put it- 'saving our Clan's bacon'. I don't think I could have gotten better. I'm sure it's not worth anything, but she called herself Sunflower and showed me a face she wore."
Take care of yourself, ST. We'll still be here when you're back.
"Yes, my boy? This is a busy time, even at this late hour. I hope all is well?" He knows Paolo would not tell call him this close to dawn if it meant everything was going smoothly. "I've acquired news of value to you, Father," Paolo said, carefully respectful. "It came dear, but I think worth the price." That would be enough. Paolo would not be so crass as to say it outright, nor hold it back and waste the short time or Father's patience. "In as many words: the Ventrue Primogen intends to drive you to frenzy at your induction, with the obvious consequences. I have it from one of his own Clan." Nothing more needed spelling out. For the Primogen to plan something like that, he must have taken Father's measure and think his scheme adequate. Father was perfectly in control of himself at all times, of course, but everyone had a breaking point. It might even be the last heir of his body, just now on the phone.
Doesn't look like it's going to, but life+games beats life-games. Getting caught up here tonight.
It happens, Gloaming. Feel better. On a related note :( I'm currently going through some relatively serious issues in my personal life and may be unavailable for a while. I also might not be. One of those things where I have no idea how it's going to shake out or when I'm going to be capable of posting. It sucks and I'm sorry, but it's unavoidable. I'll do what I can.
"Sounds like we can at least negotiate" A nod, and she moves with him, "I will trust your clan is too new to power not to deny prestitation. Understand, our Primogen is not happy to have you despite his agreement, but me? I'm more...fluid. The Ventrue Primogen has plans to somehow set off your sire into a frenzy at his formal induction ceremony. When he goes beserk, he'll lose his newfound status, and perhaps even be put down." "To new and too old both," Paolo said. "A debt is a debt. I can think of several homes that might interest you."
She actually gives a near giggle at that, "We're pretty good in the tech, I hear you're into real estate? I don't suppose you have a dream house with one way windows ? Or are independently wealthy? mmm you see, someone is gunning for your sire. Not a surprise to you. But I know what, and I know how, and maybe even when. Interested now?"
Paolo considered it for a moment. The thought of sharing with another kindred he had no hold over annoyed him, but it seemed that couldn't be helped. Once things settle down for a night or two, I need to go raise some capital the old fashioned way. "Ms. Sunflower, I must disappoint you. I am involved in real estate, but none of the properties I have an interest in has one-way windows. I feel they don't adequately secure one's privacy. What's really best is an interior room. No windows. Doors not in line with any outside. I'm always happy to welcome good neighbor." Not next door. Somewhere down the street. Kine to either side. And information I can sell to Father.
"I don't suppose you need wifi set up?" Paolo said with a smile. Might as well see what she knew about his abilities before offering something. Not progeny, though. Never that.
She moves along, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but word spreads fast particularly when many of us are hiding in the corners. I deal in information myself. i have... access to a lot you might find of import. And you're looking a bit lost. Not to be rude, but to those of in the clan of the 'Great Personality', that's like waving Dollar signs in front of a car salesman."Kindred? Paolo put on a friendly smile, "Sure." "Is it now?" Paolo said, not quite meeting her eyes. It was probably fine, but no sense taking stupid risks. "I'm afraid you have me at the disadvantage, madame. Who might I be waving dollar signs in front of just now?"
Kindred? Paolo put on a friendly smile, "Sure."
Paolo made his polite farewells and departed Elysium. Father would be busy for some time and other matters must take precedence. He still didn't know for sure who the Nazis were chasing or who had burned his home, though the latter were probably Sabbat. If not, that was much worse. But he really needed to see about further security on his interim haven. Betty was fine, but he couldn't depend on her forever. And he had no idea where to go next on looking into the Nazis or Sabbat. Damn it.
No surprise there. The Prince doesn't want a brood of thieves about. Paolo remained until it was clear no more was required of him, carefully not exchanging glances with Father. Their deliberations were none of anyone else's business and it would not do for them to see him as beholden to his sire.
The winds shifted quickly. Paolo gave Father a polite nod on being called out and paid close attention to what the Prince and Primgen said, and didn't say. For half an eyeblink he missed the gift. A childe? That is something... Keeping careful control of his features, Paolo bowed his head in gratitude. "The Prince is most generous," he said, his mind spinning out possibilities. He had no desire to breed for his own sake and a childe would consume more of his nights, but increasing Lasombra numbers in the city would be very useful to himself and Father both. It would not do to leave this boon ripen for centuries. Daphne was more use alive. Contessa would be a most obedient childe. The thought of blood bonding a childe disgusted him and Paolo couldn't have her undrink the vitae. Her Discipline also concerned Paolo; he might create something harder to control. Something to discuss with Father, regardless. That left Jacob. Yes. Still, Paolo knew he must consult with Father. Their blood did not belong to him alone. Whatever Paolo's decision -and it would be his- his sire deserved a proper consultation. It was Traditional.
Paolo took every precaution, depositing the Assamite in his lightproof room with his stake securely in place. The night helped, but he asked the van to pull right up to the garage and quietly took him inside in the dark. The empty garage made that easier, but he still kicked a doorjamb and almost tripped over the stairs. The details would have to keep for now. Mustering as much decorum as he could and taking care to see to his appearance as best possible, Paolo made his way back to the Prince.
Paolo took a sampling from his Assamite as well. No sense going to the trouble for nothing.
Paolo shrugged off Alyson's shock. "The Assassin will not trouble the c-" and then Alyson was gone. That could be unfortunate, but after the frank discussion everyone else had had there would be little doubt about what happened to it.
Paolo's just not a good person at all. He acts the part and he still has human feelings, but he's more or less on board for the progressive loss of humanity. From his POV, diablerie could bring him more in tune with the Abyss so it's sort of a religious calling in the form of profound transgression of human mores. Eating souls is dark. :) He's aware that it might increase his power, or at least his potential, but there are also more direct reasons: Paolo knows he's Lasombra Junior. Making himself useful to the city is a good way to get out from under that and enhance his options down the road. Having a diablerie aura from a blood hunt goes toward the same goal in demonstrating his willingness and ability, as well as showing that he'll totally slurp your soul so don't let his polite exterior fool you into think he's one of those mushy newbie vamps.
Paolo understood in a moment. Father had staged some of this. Not the Sabbat incursion itself, but he shaped things to their advantage. And it was a blood hunt. An opportunity. "It's a blood hunt. We have a right to claim prizes if we wish," he said. The thought of it disgusted and intrigued Paolo. Consuming a soul was not something one would have a chance at every day, let alone doing so without causing controversy. It might increase the strength of his own blood. The opportunity would not remain forever open, though. And the Serpent was spoken for. The Lasombra was out of the question, of course. The Assamite, then. "I'll take the Assassin," Paolo said. "And I'm at your disposal for any necessary cleanup," he told his father. "There's some kind of trap in the kitchen. We left it be." Not that you don't already know. But why tell the others that for free?
Diablerie is automatic Humanity loss, isn't it?You say that like it's a bad thing! :-) Not so much the thing itself now that Paolo has a couple of ghouls, but the transaction costs entailed in his potentially taking up a path down the road.
Diablerie is automatic Humanity loss, isn't it?
"I'm not that hungry," Paolo said, weighing the chances. It might be beneficial, but he might also lose control and he could not afford that just now.
None of this is any good at all. Paolo took aim and fired on the tanned kindred. Weird and fast dies first.
"I can turn out the lights and see what happens?" Paolo offered. "But it wouldn't change much. They know we're here. We know they're here."
I'm cool with that.
"Better than hoping for the best and trying to disarm the trap," Paolo said.
"Can any of you disarm a trap? Not a common skill I know but I'd hate to be herded into the gallery if we could avoid it..." "I do IT. This is more an engineering problem," Paolo said.
Paolo saw the wire an instant later and pulled back. "That's not original construction," he said. "The gallery, then."
Paolo discarded the useless gun. "You'll all be glad to know that I denied this weapon to the enemy," he said, picking up the Sabbat woman's pistol. "Left is the gallery, right the kitchen. If they know about us, all the statues would make for a lovely ambush site. The kitchen then." He started off that way, gun pointed out ahead of him.
Paolo swore and began working to clear his gun even as the Sabbat woman fell. "This is a trap," he said as he fiddled with the weapon. "Of course the kine are drugged."
Opportunity knocks. Paolo didn't want to feed on her and become drunk, but if he shot her then the noise would draw the Sabbat. Then again, one of them just tried to bite an illusion. Oh well. He leveled his shotgun at her and fired.
Paolo nodded and led the way, calling on his own blood for help too. It wouldn't do to be anything less than fully prepared.
Paolo checked and re-checked his gun and considered the size of a proper donation to a gun control lobby. It grew more substantial every time. There's no way I can give them a house...
Paolo's eye caught the Sabbat in the window just as Arthur and Damien spoke. "Agreed." Paolo whispered back. "There's a side door to the left too. And a servant's entry in back if that's no good."
"He's very fond of that gate," Paolo said. "It was custom-built."
Arthur grins, "That or we are having a shared delusion Mr. Costa. "I'm reasonably confident of my mental health," Paolo said, not quite able to suppress the smile. "But I would say that." Perhaps Mr. Costa even already knows the layout within?" "Probably. It's been a while but he doesn't like to move the antiques." And it took him three years to be satisfied with how I hid the computer he barely uses. Father was flexible enough to manage phones and all the rest. Living that way at home? Not Gaetano of Palermo.
Paolo allowed himself to be helped into a vest and then collected a gun, trying not to think about all the times he protested gun violence. He looked out the van's windows.
Oh. "Is there a plan that involves us having doubles running around?" Paolo said. "It looks like someone did their homework. On all of us."
Don't forget a few for the road Damien! :-) The few kegs for the road.
"Thank you, Professor. I am not a Diplomat, and am struggling to obey my Prince's orders in a way that does not sacrifice her plan or good relations, clearly I'm failing at the latter .. Now, let's head out to where the van awaits. We'll outfit you all there and head to the strike zone, timing is everything, and we've lured the Sabbat to a specfic locale with the one bit of bait they can't resist," She motions everyone to follow her out, adding ,"Paolo, they think they've got your sire cornered in his haven. Let's move." "They're in for a very unpleasant surprise." Paolo said, rising.
The Tremere laid a blood curse on the Assamites to prevent them from committing diablerie on non-Assamites, which was a semi-religious obligation for them. Hence they have a beef. In mitigation, that's a specific thing of Warrior caste Assamites, the curse is no longer active, and my concept has the PC absent from traditional Assamite culture for a long time. In theory the one job of the Sorcerer caste was to break the curse...but that's a done thing in present metaplot and hasn't been a priority for my PC since he left the Middle East.
Sure. But if it presents any difficulties at all, I can bend. :)
"I understand and share your concerns," Paolo said to the Professor. "But as the Sheriff says, this is a serious matter. We are called upon to defend our homes. Knowing that takes no faith at all."
"Oh, we're starting now?" Damien asks. "Could you please rephrase your statement to 'I am neither a member of nor an ally of the Sabbat.'" Damien shrugs, "Nothing personal, just trying to be thorough." "Commendable," Paolo said. "I am neither a member nor an ally of the Sabbat." To Damien, "If you have the resources, put the drinks tonight on the Prince's tab." "My thanks to the Prince," Paolo said. He consumed vitae as quickly as he could, without making a spectacle of himself. "My nights have been too eventful to properly attend to things."
I'm pretty committed to not being that guy when push comes to shove. I like my Assamite concept, but I'm very open to going a different way to avoid issues. Mechanically probably still a ninja/fighter type (because the cool) but lots of ways to get there.
"Can such arms be summoned within the confines of ones own cloak or coat?" "They can." You also raise a good point about interrogations. Perhaps we should start such interrogations here and now before we leave. I should hate to arrive at the site of battle only to have one of you betray us. With Damien's power a simple question can be asked and answered to ensure that each of us are on the same side. Are you a member of the Sabbat?"[/b] That would be useful. "I am not a member of the Sabbat," Paolo said. |