Vampire - The Masquerade: The Final Nights--IC Thread

This is a temporary IC thread made to keep interest for this game alive until the ST comes back. If the ST do not come back this temporary IC thread will become permanent. Now the original ST wanted to make two IC threads but I have bad experience with that just ending up as a mess, so for this we will be using one thread, please do however mark the top of your post with which city and character you are posting as, just to make the thread easier to follow. Any questions can be sent to me on PM or posted in the OOC thread which I will post a link to bellow. If you feel like making a character and joining the game please have allot at the OOC and post your character there.

http://roleplayerguild.com/showthrea...and-Discussion

Welcome to the World of Darkness.

***

The final nights are here, Gehenna is approaching and soon the streets will run red with Kindred blood. Some vampires welcome the coming end, they see it as salvation for the monotony of their never ending lives, others cower in terror, yet others choose to ignore the signs and continue their unlives in blissful ignorance. On the 21 of December 2012 every Kindred great and small, young and old got the same message, modern Bujah saw it on their facebook pages, graceful Toreadors heard it over their telephones and ancient ones hiding in ruins forgotten by man saw it written in blood on ancient and moldy walls. "The Dark Father rises." The words where simple yet terrifying and if the emergence of the thin blooded and the countless other signs had not been enough this message screamed it to the hills, Gehenna is coming, the final nights are here!

The Camarilla have mostly ignored this message, perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of ignorance, they think it is an elaborate ruse and to be fair it could be, many supernaturals have it within their power to do such a thing. The Sabbat however is filled with both hope and dread over the mysterious message, perhaps finally they will claim their birthright, perhaps finally they will be a scourge across the land and in the end times they will claim power and glory and vanquish their enemies.

In the great and complex tapestry, the stage that is the Wold of Darkness there is two cities half a world apart, beautiful Paris in France and livery Miami in USA, for some reason these cities are linked and their destinies seam to be entwined, both will play an important role in the end times but none know what that role will be. You are Kindred, you may be Camarilla or Sabbat, you may believe in the end times or no, but out there the ancient ones are waking up and they are hungry for blood.

Miami--USA

Miami was one of the more unusual cities out there when it came to Kindred population, the city was controlled by the Sabbat but during the fighting nearly 50 years ago which had won the Sabbat control the Masquerade had nearly been broken, eventually powerful Kindred on both sides had seen the danger, the two sects might dislike one another but if humanity found out about their existence then the end of Kindred kind would be near, to solve this problem both parties sat down and agreed to a ceasefire, the Sabbat would get the city core and the Camarilla the outlaying suburban areas and the sects would not get involved in one another's affairs, in addition hunting ground in the city itself would be shared equally between the two sects.

The unusual ceasefire had served the Kindred of both sides well and Miami was prosperous and a good place to spend ones nights, sure there where brawls at time and conflict but both side knew what was at stake, and both sides knew the other group was to powerful to eliminate without major causalities and risking the Masquerade so peace was held...until now.

Two nights ago the childe of the Sabbat Bishop went missing, his apartment showed sings of a struggle and thee was Kindred blood on the floor. Off course the Sabbat blames the Camarilla and the situation is tense, all out fighting might break out if young Jose Caadan is not found soon and those who where responsible for his kidnapping or murder punished. Will 50 years of peace end in a bloodshed? Will this be how the end times are brought to Miami's neon lighted streets? The disappearance of a neonate and the accusations that follow, or can the crisis be averted and peace be restored once more?

Fear coursed through her veins as she ran down the alleyway, tripping over the scattered litter and trashcans, running from the threat behind her.
"Leave me alone!" she screamed over her shoulder, then stopped. A dead end in front of her, and whatever it was was behind her. She closed her eyes, anticipating it's arrival. All she heard, however, were a series of wet noises, like a sword being dragged through flesh, then fire crackling and dying. She opened her eyes, and there was a man standing in front of her, standing over a skeleton surrounded by ash. She almost laughed, then spoke up.
"What was that?"
The man looked behind him, at her, and she noticed his eyes, his eyes as red as blood. His hair was covering it, but she could see them. He was one of them. She backed away, and so did he.
"You're safe," he said quietly, "I suggest you get out of the alleyways. These things seem to come here alot."
She nodded, and the man started walking off, down the alleyway towards the street. She made to follow him, but she stopped. He didn't want to be followed...

This man was a legend in Miami, but his name was not known. He was Kindred, that much was certain, but he seemed to hate the hand fate had dealt him. The story went like this; he was sired thirty years ago, by a Malkavian, no less, and left to die in the gutter as most Malkavian childer were. But instead of deny what he was, he accepted it, and guessed correctly. Didn't mean he was happy about it. Since his Embrace, this man had killed many members of every Sect, from the Camarilla to the Sabbat, the Giovanni Family to the Anarch Movement, none were left alone. He is wanted by many, but a rule spoken by a Kindred in passing has stuck in the minds of many.

If you see him, you are likely going to die again.

What no one seemed to know, however, was how he managed to avoid the Malkavian madness. In truth, he didn't, and it is his greatest asset. You see, the man's name is Artemis Mansfield, but the body he possesses has three minds. The first was the man on everyone's lips. The second was a man on every woman's mind. The third is a man no one has ever heard of, and that suits the other two's needs just well.

Artemis was wanted, that much he knew. Camarilla wanted his blood, Sabbat wanted his power. Everyone else just wanted him gone. If there was ever such a thing as a humam among vampires, he was it. Many in Miami were afraid of feeding now, at least from innocents. So begins the hunt for the mysterious Malkavian, protector of the kine, and enemy of his own brethren.

Bring him to justice, and Miami will be a safer place for all Kindred. Not that we're worried...

Paris--France

Ominous messages or no, unlife run as it always do in Paris with the cutthroat politics and intrigue of the Camarilla. The Conclave had been in the planning for two years and the city's Ventrue Prince was not about to let a prank message ruin his plans, in three nights every Kindred in Paris would be attending the grand conference hall of the Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe. If all went well this would be a crowing achievement for the Prince and if it went poorly it would be social suicide, the powerful leader of the Paris Kindred would make damned sure the event went without a hitch.

All of Paris's Kindred population is gossiping about the upcoming Conclave, it will be a perfect opportunity to gain prestige, humiliate ones enemies and gain new alliances. Most of the city Kindred is looking forward to the event with great anticipation, but there are also those who meet in dark rooms and alleyways who is having different plans, some want to stop the Conclave to embarrass the Prince and perhaps knock him from his throne to claim power for themselves or their allies, others want to cause a scene to draw attention to their views. So dear Kindred, will you attend the Conclave, and what side are you on, the Prince's perhaps, or maybe you long for the freedom of the Anarchs or perhaps you serve no one but yourself, in either case this Conclave is both a danger and a tool for every child of the night that make beautiful Paris their home.

Sirens blared outside a house on a simple street, alerting everyone, and everything, to the horrible things that were happening. The police were taping the place up, blocking the streets. One even vomitted on the sidewalk at the sight inside. It was hideous, and he was let off for the evening, though he would need therapy for the rest of his life.

It intrigued a local Kindred too no avail, an agent of the Prince in Paris. Her name was Genevieve Normandy, or at least, that's what she told people. For three hours, she watched as the police pushed people away, and keep the street locked down, but they were not stopping her. A little trick of the light was all they'd see of this Nosferatu Kindred.

She crept past the lights and armed humans, until she was inside the house. The smell of fresh blood was high and on her nose, making her a little more hungry. Quick and careful, Genevieve approached the room of the crime scene.

Understand something. Genevieve Normandy was not known for being sickened by anything, but what was in this room scared even her. It didn't even appear to be a Tzimisce psycho's work. No, Paris seemed to have been hit by a creature they''d never seen. For before this beast of burden, were the body parts and organs of several children, grafted and sewn together into an art form, not even a servant. It served no purpose other then disgust. And disgusted, Genevieve was.

She left the area quicker then she normally ould have, and once she was safe in an alley, she felt sick to her stomach, vomitting up like the policeman, but blood poured out onto the concrete. Genevieve looked back towards the house, and groaned to herself. The Prince would not be happy at all about what she had seen. This would attract hunters from all over the world, not to mention that it might even start a little skirmish between the Sects. Whatever it was, it needed to die.

Find this beast and slay it, preferably painfully. This threatens our existence, Kindred.

Location: Paris--Antonella Hamilton

The sun had just died behind the horizon and Antonella had just risen, with small elegant steps the young Toreador left her bedroom, once it had been a storage room deemed unusable for anything but as storage due to the lack of windows, for Nella however this was perfect and with a bit of paint and fabrics she had created a darn cozy bedroom for herself in there. Antonella walked the few steps to her bathroom and turned on the shower, her apartment was small, but it served her purposes.

Nella stood in the shower and let the warm water rush over her, she was Kindred so she did not really need to wash that often as she did not sweat, but the heat helped ease the tension over the day's nightmares. Antonella lifted one thin hand and felt the skin over her heart and shivered, only a few years ago she had been staked, held in agony. The young Toreador felt rage built up inside of her and she tried to force it down, she had to focus on other things right now, the Conclave was only days away and she had to get ready.

Antonella was conflicted about the upcoming Conclave, on one side the Prince was a friend and ally to her Sire and she owed him her respect for taking her in when she desperately needed a home, on the other side she had grown to hate the establishment of the Camarilla and her passions more and more frequently went to the Anarchs. Antonella sigh and turns off the water, she had to make up her mind about what side she was on and fast, but it was so difficult for she felt that she was being drawn in two directions at once, loyalty to her Sire and through him the Prince, or hatred for the establishment who had tortured her for 50 years. Antonella sigh again as she step out of the shower and begin to dress. That would have to be a decision left for later, for now she was expected at the city's main Elysium the Maison Saint Aguistin, the Prince's home though doubtfully his Haven.

Antonella pulled on a elegant dark blue 1950's style dress that reached to her knees, the she slipped on black pumps, a black glass stone necklace and she wrapped a white and flowery scarf around her head in the 1950's fashion then she grabbed her purse and headed out. Sorting out alliances would have to wait, right now she had a meeting to get to, and if it was one thing Antonella had learned in her her years as a vampire it was that you should never keep an older Kindred waiting.

Location: Miami--Remy Arrian

Remy was having one of his moods, he sat in the trailer which was parked in a side street parking lot and which served as his home, in his hand where the platinum and ruby ring which had been his sigil when he was a mage, now it was just a painful reminder of what he had lost. Remy turned the ring around and around without really seeing it, this was not right the mage turned vampire thinks for surly the millionth time Ruby should have let him just die when the Technocracy shot him, instead the woman he loved had completely destroyed him. Remy sigh, he should not live, no mage should outlive their Avatars, he felt empty, so empty and only the fear of death that came with being Kindred and the small hope that he might one day reach Golconda and restore his Avatar kept him going.

Remy could sit like this looking at nothing, lamenting his lost magick for nights on end until hunger drove him to leave his tailer and hunt, but this time it was the sound of his phone that woke him up, first Remy wanted to just ignore the instant beeping sound but for some reason the Ventrue got the feeling that the call was important so he reached out a thin, bony hand and picked up the device. Damned Technocracy, the invention of the annoying devices where their doing.
"Yes...this is Remy Arrian."
Remy said in a tired voice as soon as he held the phone up to his ear.
"Remy, are you still brooding, how long have you been sitting in that trailer of yours gathering dust, ah...no matter, we need you, the Bishop's childe have gone missing."
Remy ignored the insult that Larry Unnman one of the members of his pack tossed at him and answered in just as tired a voice.
"Yes and, do you think I have him...what do you need me for?"
Larry sigh over the phone.
"Unless we find that brat thee will be war, many are already blaming the Camarilla and even if I would love to kick some Cammy butts this peace have served us well, anyway we need someone who know blood magic and you are rather good at it so stop brooding and haul your undead behind down here before I come and kick you out of your trailer, I am sending you the adress on sms...be there!"
Larry hung up and this time it was Remy's turn to sigh, perhaps his pack mate was right, perhaps he needed to get out. Remy slipped his ruby ring back onto his finger and stood.

After ten minutes of cleaning himself up and putting on a fresh set of clothes Remy left his trailer and locked it up, the young vampire pulled his black coat closer around his thin frame to protect himself against a chilly evening breeze, a rare thing in Miami and then he headed for the bus station at a brisk walk while checking his phone to get the address he was supposed to go to, driving his trailer around in the city was impractical and besides fining parking was a bitch, Remy shake his head and wished he still could use Entropy magick, everything was so much simpler then. Remy was still in a dark mood by the time he got to the bus station and paid for his ticked and found a seat, but if his pack needed him then he would do what he could, they where his friends and allies after all, and besides he hoped to be their leader one day, and for that to happen he had to prove himself first, even if he mostly wanted to just crawl into a dark corner and stay there for a good, long while.

Dim beach side lights filled in the lonely streets. Occasional pedestrian was strolling around this dark hour and a tall, hooded figure walked towards a shady bar. Rain drops had made the road wet and it shone when it reflected the street lights. World seemed to be very dark and grim. Yet, he enjoyed this atmosphere. He enjoyed this darkness, the thrill of hunt and the grim street. When he had reached the bar door, he was stopped by a drug dealer.
- H-hey... want to have something to shoot up ? I mean, are you in need of a thrill? - spoke the drug dealer. Leo recognized drug dealer immediately as he once had sold these substances to junkies and alike. He was junkie himself. Yet, he didn't fell the thrill of drug anymore. Carvings for heroin were no more, but before he could reject the strangers offer, he had a better plan in mind.
- In fact I am. I need heroin. This is too open... we shall go to back alley. - Leo didn't in fact suggest the drug dealer to get to side street, he commanded him. Mortal, being destroyed by drugs and degeneration couldn't resist the vampire and his hopes of money. They proceeded towards the side street and drug dealer took out a bag of heroin. Before this lone drug dealer could do anything, he received a blow to his head and passed out. Leo quickly robbed the man and walked out of side street as nothing had happened. This built up his confidence and he slipped inside the bar.
Neon lights and cheap furniture gave a immediate impression of this cesspit. Cheap it was, but Leo preferred these places for hes meetings as he rarely attracted any attention in such places. It was information that he sought and he shall be satisfied. Leo sat down in the more darker corner of the bar and just sat there, waiting. Figure approached him and sat down, and apparently he knew Leo.
- What's the current status of the Sabbat and can you offer me a link to a vampire called Joe Wilkins? - Leo spoke with the stranger. This place didn't require all the necessary introductions and he didn't felt like he needed them. After all, his informant was a Malkavian, and he despised their kind. Trapped in their delusions, they stalk this world mad within. They question the world as metaphysicist does - he builds the world around him depending on his me unlike philosopher who builds his me depending on the world. Some are even worse. Lord Bryce once told him of Malkavian who discussed how many angels could stand on a tip of a needle at the very same time.
- There is a recent strife between Camarilla and the Sabbat. I've heard a rumor that child of Sabbat's Bishop went missing and they are obviously to blame Camarilla. Situation is getting even more intense. The kid was called Jose or something. Anyway, us Anarchs don't really care whenever this happens, because our policies... - stranger was interrupted in middle of his conversation and Leo angrily spoke.
- I don't care about Anarchs, nor they policy. Complete what you got to say about Sabbat and grant me the link to Joe Wilkins... -
- You always have to be so mean, fells like you had a intense day. Drugs ain't cheap, they say... - Malkavian said with a wide smile. This informant enjoyed mocking Leo and Leo swore to himself that one day he'll shackle his feet to a concrete slab and send him down the Mexico Bay.
- Ow, mind my manners. If they don't find this kid of bishop, it will cause all out war after 50 years of peace. No one wants this. And this will cost fifty dollars. -
- Fifty? Your mockery insults me. Take this and spend this money on your fund to raise a asylum. Bah... - hissed Leo. His temper was no shorter than that of a Brujah. He slipped his hand into his wallet and took out a banknote and threw it towards Malkavian carelessly.
- You'll be my first visitor to my asylum. After all, it's good to have a talk with narcologist. - stranger laughed and barely kept himself from bursting in all out laugher. His madness apparently was comical approach to any given situation, whenever it concerns snacks machine or his life.
- Joe Wilkins is a vampire that resides in Downtown Miami and has close connections to Sabbat. He is very experienced with bombs and stuff... and where did we leave? Wanna hear a joke? A man and... -
Leo rose up and quickly left the bar. He got to to the closest bus stop and got into a bus that took him to outer part of Miami, near where he had grown up. Lord Bryce was to be contacted immediately. Leo had finished his assignment. He had no other reasons to stay at the beach side and put up with the annoying Malkavian. Not if he had a spare slab of concrete and a yacht to get to Mexican Bay and send him downwards the dark depths.
Leo smirked.

Remy sat at the worn bus seat, luckily the bus was not so crowded that he had to share a double seat with anyone, it was a good time sine Remy had fed while he was busy broody and the young vampire did not really feel like sitting next to a warm, breathing mortal right now, the hunger where starting to burn in his gut and having a living human right next to him would just be torturous since he could not just sink his teeth into them. Remy sigh, if his pack expected him to do much blood magic he would need to hunt first, those powers where costly. The mage turned vampire closed his eyes for a moment, he so missed the true magick he had at his fingertips as an Awakened magus of the Order of Hermes, sure at time that magick required resources as well, quintessence and tass to help it along, and the demands of his ritualistic foci as well, but all in all magick where just a part of him then, ready to flow when he needed it, compared to that the blood magic he now commanded felt sluggish and clumsy, but it was all he had. Remy opened his eyes again and shook his head, he needed to snap out of it, if he was going to be of any use to his pack he needed to clear his mind of the past and focus. Remy looked around the bus, just to have something to do, he needed to focus on his goal, finding a way to Golconda and perhaps by that restoring his Avatar, he did not even know if it was possible, but he had to hang on to the hope or there would be no point for him not to just go out and greet the rising sun one morning.

Remy raised and eyebrow when another man he was rather sure was Kindred entered the bus, the young Ventrue had focused his studies on blood magick but he had picked up a bit of Auspex as well, the powers that where similar to those he had possessed as a mage was just easier for him to learn and Auspex was one of those. Remy had just had a few of his Auspex powers active while sitting on the bus, it made the chatter around him irritatingly loud and the game that kid played on his phone three seats down almost drove him up the walls, but Remy enjoyed watching people's auras so he indulged himself anyway. The hooded man who just came into the bus had a pale, shimmering aura common among Kindred. Vampires where not the only ones who had auras like that, some other supernaturals had them as well and a very sick human but this man did not look to be weakened by illness.

Remy observed the other vampire, he did not know the man and had never seen him on any of the Sabbat rituals or parties, chances was that he was Camarilla, Anarch or independent, members of the non affiliated Clans came to Miami every now and again due to the ceasefire which had made the city into a bit of a smelting pot, if the man over where who where just taking a seat was Camarilla however there could be problems there was a ceasefire yes, but if one of the Bishop's childer had vanished there was bound to be some unrest. A small part of Remy hoped for trouble, more trouble than he could handle, if he was killed at least this emptiness inside of him left behind when his Avatar shattered would go away, the more reasonable parts of the Ventrue however did not want any open conflicts with the Camarilla and that part of him also knew that he had to live, live until he reached Golconda so he could restore his Avatar and make sure it got to continue it's path towards Awakening, then he could live or die it did not matter, the most important thing was the fate of that Avatar, that precious piece of magick itself which had been entrusted to him upon his birth and which he had failed when he had taken a vampire lover who just would not let him die like he should when Technocracy bullets mortally wounded him. Remy drew a deep, useless breath something that made the permanent wound sting, he had to push those thoughts to the side or he would slip back into his moods, he had to focus on the here and now, and not the losses of the past.

Remy waited until the hooded vampire looked in his direction then he gave the man a polite nod, just to let him know that he had seen him, hopefully there would be no trouble over this, but at least he had now met the other with respect, without getting to close to him, hopefully that would be enough that no matter what sect he was, he would not attack Remy and start a fight that would deteriorate the situation in the city further.

Paris, Tremere chantry, dusk..

On the second floor, in a large chamber with no windows, decorated with Gothic influence, and with only the light of a candle to penetrate the darkness.
The room is fairly simple, with a stone-frame bed covered in satin sheets, a few pictures depicting certain biblical lore, such as Cain's murder of Abel, Cain's Curse, Cain's Solitude, and, painted on the entire wall facing the single door, a concept picture of the city of Enoch. A single desk stands on the right of the room, covered in books both open and closed, along with a few scrolls, a bottle of ink and a feather. Opposite to this is a large bookcase, filled to overflow with books both ancient and new, and right beside it, an old armoire. On the floor lies a red carpet, covering most of its surface, and well-hidden between the bed and the picture of Enoch, is a switch tied to mechanisms unknown. A large mirror composes the inner portion of the room's door.

On the bed lay Danielle, dressed in night clothes despite the futility of it, facing the ceiling with her dark hair spread out on the pillow underneath her head. Just as the sun sets down to the horizon, her eyes open, only to close for a few more seconds afterward. She finally lifts herself up from laying on the bed and brings herself to sit upon it. Taking a few moments to settle in her mind what needs to be done tonight, she rises to her feet and walks toward her wardrobe, taking her time in opening it and browsing through her clothes. Of the meager choice of clothing, she picks her usual attire, a white shirt, a brown leather jacket, normal blue jeans, and a pair of shoes. Taking a moment to gaze in the mirror on the door, she opens it and steps through, reaching the hallway. She takes the corridor to the left, along which two more doors stand on either side, and upon reaching the far wall, takes one more confident step forward, now very close to the wall in question. She turns around, and to her right now stands a stairwell. She descends to the first floor and, after walking toward the same wall once more, turns around again, and enters a previously unseen chamber, donning a dark blue robe from the rack, and walking in the center of the room, gazing upon about a dozen other men and women, all preoccupied with studies or chemical experiments. Danielle holds her right hand up in a fist, way above her head.

"Acolytes, apprentices, do you know what I have here?"
The dozen students turn to face the new arrival, slightly ashamed of missing her entrance. None dare to respond, not that the answer is obvious.
"It is your attention that I have.", she says, lowering her arm and loosening the fist. "I notice many of you have failed your given tasks and are even now trying to rectify your mistakes. That is unacceptable, though it pleases me that you did not simply abandon your tasks. Those of you who did succeed - I want you to supervise those who did not, and I want you to report any mistake they make henceforth, to Jean, as he performed his task admirably. He will report said mistakes, to me. For now, all you who failed - make a line in front of me to be given new tasks. As always, I expect each of you to do your best to hamper your peers' efforts in their tasks, all the while protecting yourself from them, and completing your own."
Three Acolytes and an Apprentice stand back, and the rest of the students form a line in front of Danielle.
Within the line, two of the students whisper to each other.
"We're worse off than those ghouls.. we really have to shape up some, or we might fall back even further in the ranks.. maybe-"
"No, she can't demote us any further, once you're Kindred, there's no way back, as you recall she sa-"
Meanwhile, Danielle stopped talking, the Apprentice Jean moves in to interrupt the whispers.
"Silence while the Regent talks. It is in your best interest, after all, to hear what your peers must do, that you may prevent them from completing their tasks."
The two bow their heads and resume attention. Danielle nods at Jean, and then continues giving instructions to the other students.

After each has been given a task, Danielle calls Jean to her.
"You have done well so far, Apprentice. Tell me, do you have any interest in attending the Conclave three days from now?"
"No. My allegiance lies with the clan."
"Curious that you should say so. I was under the impression that you attended several meetings with two thin-bloods in Monceau. Thin-bloods with Anarch ideals, tolerated only because they pose no threat to us. You were rather friendly with them, from what I have been told."
"Indeed, I would be a fool to assume that you would not find out. Aside from my tasks, I am also interested in this phenomenon - the thin-bloods. Of the Sabbat, many think that their existence is a sign of Gehenna. Even some in the Camarilla seem to have adopted this view - formed of ignorance, no doubt. I want to understand their nature, and in doing so, perhaps discover what makes some of them immune to things that would otherwise kill a Kindred."
"That would be quite the achievement, Apprentice. And in doing so you would perhaps earn a promotion.. which would open discussion on where to place you, and as such, you would have to be assigned to a new Chantry, which would also require someone to oversee it, and.. oh, but we will speak of such, should you succeed.. for the moment, look over the trainees. While I am off to represent us at the Conclave, three days from now, you will be tasked to look over them and ensure nothing goes.. horribly wrong. We don't want the Marcelle incident to repeat."
As he heard words of what the completion of his research could cause, Jean's eyes widened in attention.
"Of course not. Speaking of which, how much longer until we rel-"
Danielle is quick to interrupt.
"That is not something to be shared with anyone. We will speak more in private, later. For now, I'm going to feed. Keep them occupied with each other, and encourage the three Acolytes to criticize everyone, even for the speed with which they move. If any of the students is too obvious in his attempts to stop another, I want it to be noted, and the target be notified."
"Indeed, they would do best to conceal their efforts, lest they be discovered. It will be as you command."

Jean bows in respect, and Danielle takes her robe off, placing it on the rack. She opens the door and enters the hallway, walking toward the wall again, and then descending on the stairs to the lobby. She exits the Chantry, greeting the early night and scouring the streets for suitable kine to sate her hunger.

Luck was with Danielle that night for she did not have to look long to find a young man sitting alone at a bus stop. The man was perhaps a student sat with his nose in a book and did not seam to notice anyone around him, not that there was many around. a car passed the lonely bus stop every now and again, and in the distance an old women where walking her dog. The young man with the book where handsome, but not so handsome as to really be aware of it himself, he was of average height with dirty blond hair, sharp features and blue eyes, he wore a white turtle neck sweater under a black jacket and blue jeans, he might be as young as twenty or as old as twenty five. Evey now and again the man would glance at his watch to check for how long he still had to wait for his bus to arrive to take him to wherever he was going. This man looked like so many other such young men, not poor but not rich, a student or a young professional trying to make it in life, perhaps he was going home to his parents home after work or perhaps he was going to visit friends or a lover, it was hard to say, but this night, while waiting for the evening bus this young man might meet something he did not expect on the streets of Paris.

In Paris, France: Anjou Devereaux

The moon just began to rise over the high towers of the adjacent office buildings across the street, when light from the busy city below finally pierced through the half opened curtains into Anjou's luxury styled apartment. The spacious three bedroom apartment was simple enough for Anjou's tastes, fully furnished in silk-laddened 18th century French furniture, antique china that was never used, canopied master bed room, smooth red oak floor with custom designed Persian carpets, and several priceless oil paintings of haunting figures long dead. This condo was merely one of many Anjou owned within Paris as convenient means of escaping the sun, however on more than one occasion he has said this was his least favorite residence.

Anjou's homes were all testaments to the life he once had as the premiere son of a wealthy plantation owner in the late 1800s in Louisiana, which is a point of both immense pride and sorrow for him. Anjou's embrace was nothing special or one of his own choosing despite how much he enjoys the lifestyle now. Anjou was loved by his family and friends and considered a good man in the apprenticeship of a lawyer, until one night he caught the eye of a devastatingly beautiful noblewoman he met while attending a quadroon ball. He fell for her seductive nature, and she promised to to show him the world and that is when she embraced him. Anjou had come to terms with seeing members of his family die off over the years and has continually watched the latest generation of his family rise to become doctors, lawyers, and politicians, however always from afar.

In the sitting quarters, stood a stout porcelain figure studying a selection of wine glasses laid across a polished countertop. Ariadne, a beautiful yet stoic young vampire, acted as the personal assistant to Anjou's households and was responsible for all manners of duties within. Ariadne had risen early in the evening attending her employers needs. She had just finished pouring a glass of thick, dark red liquid into a crystal wine glass and placed it atop a silver tray. She took note of the time on the floor length clock in the corner and hastily made the decision to go with the crystal gobelt over the porcelain, guessing the mood of Anjou this evening. Ariadne picked up the tray and moved towards Anjou's room stopping a few paces before reaching the double door entrance. Ariadne gave the room a once again look over ensuring everything was in proper order. Once satisfied, she opened the door, took two paces in the room before dropping into a slight curtsey lowered her head in a short bow.

"Bonsoir Monsier." Ariadne said in a monotone voice with her head still bowed.

Anjou stood out on the open terrace staring intently into the night sky as he listened to bustling city of Paris. Anjou listened to the night in the way only a true child of the night could listen. The sound of human violence, # 24 trolley coming down the Rue Au' L Mere, and the pulsing beat of the hottest night clubs were as equally rhythmic to him as the lingering sound of Beethoven's Fur Elise, which currently resonated through his bedroom. It was usually these night to night occurrences that woke Anjou from his slumber but tonight was different, he had risen earlier than usual. The recent dreams and the that was delivered to him from the Prince. The words "The Dark Father rises" did not resonate immediately to Anjou, quite frankly he scoffed at the idea. These dooms day prophecies were always about from one elder to another, on some ancient scroll, or some lost prophecy. Anjou did not know what was to come, but his mind and energies were currently focused on the Conclave with little concern to few whispered warning that managed to penetrate his psyche. What a time in any city when the Prince calls all those Kindreds of power into one place. This was the perfect time to see old allies and make new moves to eliminate ones rivals. Anjou expected to definately see a few undesireable faces, at worst a Nosferatu or two, but still a splendid evening amongst rivals and kinsmen.

Anjou rubbed is manicured fingers together feeling the tingling sensation of skin repairing itself, remembering briefly how he held the Prince's invitation in hand as it burned into ash until destroyed as commanded. Anjou turned from the balcony to walk back into his room and could not believe he allowed his mind to wander to the point that he did not notice the shadowy figure of his assistant standing in his door way.

"Come now chere you should know better than that. I am grossly underestimating the abilities of my young protege" Anjou reprimanded himself as he crossed the room in her direction.

He walked directly up to her acknowledging her presence with slight nod and took the wine glass from her tray and sipped some of the contents. The liquid swirled about his pallet sending his taste buds into a symphony of texture and fullness, with a sweet after taste that Anjou so longed for in his choice of blood. He raised the glass to his nose before finishing its contents and placing it back on the tray.

" Ah..... a young Catholic definately.....I'd say early to mid teens........still alive too......ah and female. Very well done Ariadne. You caught her with a gaze I presume? I do not taste the bitterness of fear that seems to spoil the taste when they are attacked unawares." Anjou said turning to face his walk-in closet.

"Correct and Thank you Monsier. When she saw me coming it was too late by then. I had her enthralled." Ariadne said proundly, yet reserved in her typical demeanor. Noting her employers attention towards the closet she took a few steps closer into the room. " What were you intending to tonight Monsier?"

Anjou looked over his shoulder with a sly grin at Ariadne. "Armani of course.....only the best will do."

Anjou had allowed Ariadne to lay out his clothing for the nights events across the bed piece by piece as he inspected the garments for descepencies. He stood momentarily looking at his thin muscular frame finally dressed from head to toe in black Armani in front of a floor length mirror. Anjou style was close fitted and classic, yet modern. He wore a long sleeve shirt, with black slacks and a vest. He had just completed tieing his red silk tie and tucking it inside his vest, when Ariadne reflection appeared behind him outstretching his black floor length pea coat and black gloves.

"Thank you Ariadne, now ready the car. I am looking forward to a night on the town. " Anjou said in a half sarcastic tone adjusting his tie.

"Very good sir." Ariadne said as she curtseyed before leaving the room.

Anjou turned to look back at the mirror for last inspections before following her into the open night sky.

Fingers with nails bitten to the quick were tapping upon knees as if upon an invisible keyboard, its eyes glazed over and a strange whistling noise emitting from between its teeth. Clearly this figure with spittle slipping from its mouth, blank faced and huddling to the shadows as if these deeper patches of night would provide more solace, was damaged. Those who accidently strayed near it where it sat upon the stairs of the university campus quickly moved aside, an invisible perimeter opening up around the prone figure.

A dark skinned figure loomed closer, an audible gasp escaping its lips as it took in the broken form upon the stairs and crouched before it. Eyes filled with compassion peered closely at its face and a hand reached out to touch its arms.

"Brooke? Man - is that you? Where have you been?" The figure was male and he looked to Brooke, scanning him for physical injury.

"They've been searching everywhere for you, man. Campus security is all over the place - they thought you had just zoomed out again, you know? Jed thought maybe the CIA or someone had come to take you - use you as some kind of super hacker spy guy or something.."

Brooke lifted eyes that turned quickly from glazed to alight with fury, his hand clamping down upon the shoulder of his roommate with eerie ease and grace. A sharp snap resounded through the night.

Those walking by were shocked to see two figures so blatantly entwined in passionate embrace right there upon the library steps.

The night was little cold as the breeze came up from the beach when Garvan had reached a new city, running from his constant persuaders. A sign that he passed though, and he had learned enough of modern English to know it said Miami. He walked down the streets, trying to find a place to hide, and he rest in the dark alleys. The dark was soon illuminated but a trash can fire, a few homeless of the city stood around and it had been awhile that he had feed and he couldn’t stop himself as he moved towards them, blood flowed from the still warm corpses as he moved out of the alley and back onto the street. He started to notice the shadows on the roofs above him but it still seemed they hided found him just yet.
As he passed out of the lamp’s light, he casted an illusion around him stuff, making him look like one of the homeless that he had just kill. He had dirty and ragged coat and jeans with a ripped shirt. His hair and became black and matted and he made his skin darker and smudge with dirt. He made those around him think his heart was beating and his skin warm but he made a mistake, mostly because he wasn’t familiar with the homeless yet and didn’t smell like one but a he smelled like an average human. He saw another at a bench and soon a metal transport stopped in front of the man. The doors of the bus opened and the man step into the bus. Garvan figure he would have a better chance of blending in if he was actually around over humans and he followed the man onto the bus.
Garvan was to focus on the ones following him than the ones he was about to meet on the bus but before he could stop; he was already stepping into the bus and moving down the row of seats. He instantly spotted him, having from run from them for hundreds of years he learned the signs of spotting a kindred. One seemed a bit edgy and the other had the expression of a depressed and moody teenager who wanted to sit in a dark room and cry about how unfortunate his life has been. It took a moment for the phase to come to mind, an emo. He still wasn’t use to the transports but he didn’t his best to hide it but before he could get to a sit the bus moved forward and grabbed a seat to stay stable, it happened to be the moody teenager’s seat and he grabbed it a little harder than he should.

Paris--Antonella Hamilton

Antonella was slightly annoyed, the elder Kindred she was meeting at the city's main Elysium had called her on that hand held telephones that her Sire had insisted she get and had pushed their meeting back a few hours. Antonella sigh, it was not her place to question the action of an elder Kindred but it still rankled her just a bit that the man had no regard what so ever for her time. The young Toreador shrugs, at least now she would have a few hours to herself, perhaps she should just try to enjoy herself. In the middle of Paris lay the prestigious Club Carol, this was a trendy nightclub for mortals but what most did not know what that the VIP room located at the second floor of the club where reserved for more unusual guests...Kindred guests. Antonella decided to visit Club Carol, it could not hurt to be social and besides a few hours of fun might lighten her mood.

Carol drove her small, old car to a backstreet close to where Club Carol was located, she did not want to park her old wreck to close to the club, it was better to arrive on foot than driving that thing. The young Toreador adjusted her attire, grabbed he purse and soon her high heels could be heard clicking down the pavement then she rounded a corner and was met by the lights and sound of music from the club.

Club Carol was a classy place, it was decorated in a sort of sophisticated Goth style, there was no leather and lace here, but the floor was red and the walls hung with black velvet, a large chandelier illuminated the room where mortals where dancing, talking and laughing. Antonella had fed the night before so she did not feel any hunger looking at the mass of kine, she did feel a slight pang of envy though, these young mortals danced and lived as if they had no care in the world, most of them had not yet gotten to see just how cruel the world could be, that was a gift, a gift Antonella hoped they would get to keep for a good, long while.

Finally Antonella reached the bouncer who where guarding the stairs to the VIP section, the guard recognized Nella an indicated the stairs in an inviting motion.
"Please go right up Madame."
The said politely. Antonella begun to head upstairs and as she passed the bouncer and caught his scent she realized that the man was a ghoul, probably belonging to William Jamir, the owner of Club Carol. Once upstairs Antonella glided through the room, it was large and luxuriously decorated, the color scheme was the same as downstairs but the furniture here where antiques. A bar stood against one wall where patrons could buy vitae from a pretty female ghoul bartender and another wall was just one huge one way mirror that allowed the Kindred customers of the VIP section to observe the partying mortals down below. Antonella found a high backed chair and sat down, the vampire sat like a doll, she had spent to much time completely immobile to remember to do the little motions that others usually did all the time, so like a doll she sat there watching other Kindred come and go, wondering if she should try to talk with any of them, they where vampires yes but some of them might crave social interaction as much as Antonella herself did.

Miami--NPC

Lisa Alison stood watching the two figures who where clearly very much into one another on the steps of the library, some of the others walking by looked at the two of them with shock in their eyes, Lisa however found it to be rather cute, but then she had always been a hopeless romantic, though perhaps the passion they showed would have been more appropriate for private quarters and not right in the face of everyone. Lisa sigh, who where she to judge the actions of another. Slowly the young woman tuned on her heels and walked away leaving the two figures on the stairs to their passions, and as the moon rose behind the library young Lisa Alison had already forgotten about them.

Miami--Remy Arrian

Remy had his attention on the hooded Kindred that had just walked in when he felt a tug of his seat, reflectively he looked up and then he gasped, the man who stood next to him where a vampire as well, but how he had missed the man getting onto the bus was beyond him for this one was powerful, very powerful, his aura was pale yes and showed that he was a vampire, but his aura also sort of shone, Remy had never met a Kindred this potent before and he felt like he did when he as a young, Hermetic apprentice had once met Porthos when he and his teacher where visiting Horizon, he felt like small three standing next to a tidal wave.
"W...who are you?"
The words just slipped out of Remy's mouth, he was not so sure he should have anything to do with this Kindred, he scared him, but at the same time his curiosity drove him to continue to look at the man, though he made sure not to make eye contact, he did not want to be dominated after all.
"Who are you?"
Remy repeated, a but more in control of his voice this time. The mage tuned vampire was terrified, he had heard it told that those truly ancient lusted for the blood of younger vampires, and this creature before him now looked to be truly ancient if his aura was anything to judge by. Remy shivered but at the same time he found he could not look away from the much older Kindred.