(Private)Gangrels Gather

[Alessandra]

Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, stands Vino Veritas, one of the finest Italian restaurants the city has to offer. The food and the wine are authentic, with one of the most vast collections of wine and spirits around.

Once through the expensive doors, one would find a coat check and place for the Maître D’, both of which were currently empty. But waiting for the other Gangrels was Gabriel, in a suit. From the coat check, you could catch a glimpse into the main dining area, dimly lit. Tables and booths were scattered, an extensive bar could be seen, a rich dark mahogany, as well as a wall with numerous wine bottles on display. Looking up would show more dining areas, but these were private booths. Off to the side was a rich red door, closed, but a sign indicated it was a lounge.

He would offer to take any jackets and bags before leading to a door and then leading them up a private stair case and down a hall. There were a few doors, but the only thing of note were the private booths that overlooked the main dining space. These were setup for those who wanted a quieter evening out, overlooking the restaurant and their own personal waitstaff.

There was a large, thick, wooden door at the end of staircase and hall, and Gabriel knocked, before entering a code on a keypad. The room they entered was fairly large, with a full-size piano, wet bar, seating area and a desk. One wall was filled with floor to ceiling one way glass overlooking the restaurant below. Another wall had various paintings secured behind museum quality glass

Draped over the back of the desk chair was a gun holster, with two large guns secured within it.

Ale, dressed in a black, expensive looking black dress was standing at the piano with her hands in the instrument, tuning it by ear. Tools were set out beside her on a piece of cloth, eyes closed as a finger tapped a key and she listened, before frowning and her other hand seeming to work inside the piano once again.
Lionell Raul KindredSpirit Marcus Roman

[Marcus Roman]

Marcus was dressed in a black button down shirt that looked thrifted, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, black jeans and his combat boots which were polished so much you could see yourself in them. Of course the blush of life was active as he entered a place so far out of his price range that until the invitation he likely never would have known it existed. As Gabriel lead the way he took it in, the sights, the smell of money'd items all throughout.

He had no items for the coat check, always traveling light. As he entered and saw the Prince tuning a piano he bowed deeply after making sure he was out of eye shot of those who might see through the glass overlooking the area where kine laden with money likely gathered. "Your Grace, I am honored by the invitation. Thank you." came his not quite Italian voice. Her beast washed over him like a tidal wave, he held the bow a few beats as he wrangled his own back into the cage ignoring its plea to run, run fast.

[Alessandra]

The near silent sounds of the keypad were heard, because of course they were. She knew who had the codes, and knew who was entering.

Dark eyes flick up as Gabriel enters, nods to her, then steps out, silent as he was supposed to be, only one Savage in tow. An eyebrow raised, perhaps Raul was running late. Not ideal.

As Gabriel slips out the door, closing it and returns to the front door, an eye looks to Marcus, as her Beast takes a moment to digest the weakness before her. It of course, wanted his flesh, another chance to display art it cooed to her. But there would be no need.

At least, not that she was aware of.

Yet. The night was young.

“The glass is one way,” she says in a bored tone, “and the office over looks the entire building.” No one was seeing in even if they could.

A heavily ink hand came out of the piano and indicated the seating area, “Have a seat,” her voice was thick with her accent, “seems we are waiting on one more.” A slight hint of irritation in her tone. “With more than two to the Clan, a meeting seemed in order.” The tool was set down, her hands wiped off and the top of the piano closed. “How is Sacramento treating you?”

[Raul]

Raúl grumbles to himself as he parks near the restaurant. He's been here before and for much the same reason. He wasn't late last time though. He smooths his jacket as he walks the few blocks to Vino Veritas. As he walks, he wills a bit of the fresh vitae he took this evening into his skin and flesh, bringing upon the blush of life so that those he passes on the street won't think he's anything more than a a guy in a fairly nice suit. When he makes his way into the venue, he gives the barest of nods to the Prince's ghoul, allowing the man to take his coat before he's lead back.

Once he's in the backroom with the others of his clan, he'll give a bow to Ale. "Good evening. Apologies for being late. La cena è durata più del previsto. I hope I didn't leave you waiting for long."

He'll then turn to give a nod of acknowledgement to the Unbound Savage.

[Marcus Roman]

Marcus takes his seat immediately upon command. "Sacramento is treating me well, it's wonderful to find a domain with good order about it. I'm excited to get to know my family. I didn't want to bother you by requesting to meet, it's not really a soldiers place to ask that kind of thing..." He trails off as Raul joins, filling out the last of the clan. Marcus takes a moment to settle down as his beast fluctuates between the need to eternally flee before Ale, and the wanting to rip and tear into Raul. After a moment he shoves his beast back down into the dark little hole where it rests and he nods back to Raul then says "It's good to see you Whip Dominguez. Allora tutto il clan parla Italiano?" the Roman says curiously and pleased. "Che emozione."

Translation: Do all the clan speak Italian then? How exciting.

[Alessandra]

Once again, she hears the near silent sound of the keypad, dark eyes snapping to the door to see her Ghoul and Raul.

As her Ghoul excuses himself silently and closes the door, “So glad you decided to join the meeting.” Her tone flat. “See that it doesn’t happen again.” Finishing wiping her hands and taking a seat in the seating area.

“Order keeps things running smoothly.” And made things easier to keep track of. “Anyone can request a meeting with me if they want, simply let the Seneschal know. And the only soldiers I have are Kine that are employed by me to keep my businesses running smoothly and carry out my orders.” She didn’t know who this guy was, but he was not her soldier.

The Italian was ignored as she leans back, “I had mainly called this meeting due to the Clan number increasing and to provide an open floor for any questions."

[Marcus Roman]

"Not your soldier, just a soldier. The Seneschal was excellent in explaining I could request a meeting, and amazingly adept at administrating her other duties in helping me ease into your Domain. Still even though I'm not your soldier, it's not my place...I was raised in a strong classist system, hard for me to move passed it." Marcus said in his not quite Italian accent. His head lowered as he sat in his seat with no eye contact. Her beast still washed over him like massive waves in the ocean over a capsized boat, and she out ranked him in every way that mattered to the Roman. Submission to power while still somewhat speaking his mind was his current vibe.

"As far as familial questions, are we allied with any others outright? I am somewhat out of the loop on the political spheres of Sacramento."

[Raul]

Raúl gives a soft nod in agreement. "It won't happen again," he promises. He moves over to the seating area after Ale does, taking one of the free seats.

Order is, indeed, quite useful. It makes us men and not beasts, he thinks to himself. His own Beast paces inside of its cage. It's grown accustomed to Alessandra's Beast and so doesn't whisper to him as much as it used to that he needs to show he's as powerful as she is. He knows intellectually that he's not and so is able to placate it that way. This new Savage though, his Beast wants to test him, even as Raúl's own Beast rests hidden behind his will.

He notes that the Prince didn't participate in the exchange of Italian and so Raúl moves to keep his muddled accented voice in English, for now. "It is nice to see growing numbers amongst our family. I don't believe we have any formal alliances," he says, glancing to Ale for confirmation.

[Alessandra]

If there was ever a time when Ale was not impressed and bored, this would be one of those times. “I believe we have different definitions of the term.” But left it at that. “Hence why she holds the position.” Then a shrug, “But you do you, if you decide not to take advantage of the system I have in place and reach out if needed, that’s on you.” Not on her.

“My alliances are mine and mine alone. The Clan as a whole, together, does not. You are free to make your own alliances as you see fit, so long as they don’t break my Laws. As to the political spheres, as you call them, of Sacramento, I’m not sure what you are seeking. All Covenants are welcome, so not sure what loop you could be out of.” In other words, get to the point.

“With meetings such as these, there is a certain amount of leeway with formalities, if there are questions, as them. If there are concerns, state them. No need to dance around an issue, I’m someone who likes things to be straight to the point.”

A shake of her head to Raul, “The Clan does not have any, you are both free to claim your own.” What was with the whole alliance bullshit lately?

“I do want to make sure you are aware,” a glance to Marcus, “that the teaching of Protean is strictly forbidden. Should someone approach with a desire to learn and trade for it, let me know. Most will find they are unwilling to meet the price required.”

[Marcus Roman]

"What could I possibly have happen that would require the most powerful Kindred in Sacramento, exactly? I just want to support the domain and if I can, make it better. If I have an issue within social circles, wouldn't it be better to reach out to the Seneschal? If it's an issue of law, the Reeve? If I want to hang out, you're game? I'm good at fighting, but my bloodline tends to frenzy in combat which may lead to final death which would of course break your laws.I don't wish to do that so I really don't know where I fit here but I'm trying to find something....peaceful. I'm not good at bothering the powerful for nonsense that could be handled by others. That, to me, would be less peaceful." Marcus' temper was ever so slightly raised, and he knowingly came off ever so slightly glib as he was being spoken down to. As someone who was not manipulative, it was fairly easy to see that he didn't intend to reply that way, but it was honest. The frustration seemed to be based off his perception of who he is, and who the Prince is. Why would a soldier bother an Empress?

"Thank you for the information, should anyone ask me to teach them our gift, I will reach out to you specifically Your Grace. No further questions or concerns. I just want to keep my head down and hope to improve the Domain however I can. I wish to contribute to the continued good order I've found here." the Roman said, reigning in his initial response back to a far more respectful tone.