Stolen Blood Ch 1 Lighting the Candle

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer picks up her phone and states "There is someone who has been disappointed in communication regarding this." Jennifer steps outside of the room and places a phone call.

[Alessandra]

Once again, Gabriel drives her to Lotus in the Aston. And once again, on the way, she pushes the stolen blood into her dead body to allow her heart to beat once again. Her pale skin flush with life and warm to the touch, her heart beats once again, and it was such an odd feeling. She’ll never get used to it.

Pulling up, she hands her guns to him and he locks them in the gun safe in the car and offers her a hand.

Tonight, she wore black leather pants and a vest. Her arms, completely covered in ink on display, as was her part of her stomach that peeked out and her chest. She didn’t wear heels, but steel toed boots, and equally heavily inked hands were empty as she walked into Lotus and nodded to Liam. Showing respect to the Ghoul was just something she did.

And without a second though, she walked toward room, intending to just walk in. But was surprised to find Jenn in the hallway. Her Beast snarls and snaps its teeth, demanding the blood of the weakness in front of it. But Ale wasn’t having any of it, and she shoves it back in its corner, a bow of her head, “Is the party out here?” a slight smirk on her blood read lips.

[Otto Schneider]

Otto quirked an eyebrow at Azoth and glanced towards Jennifer. "Taking notes may be fine... depending on how you do it. Use a cipher, speak in generalities, just don't explicitly write out anything that would point directly to us. Assume that a Hunter will read them and write accordingly." He grimaced a little at Azoth's subsequent questions. "Kristen Port, if I recall correctly. She drove a silver Honda, so you might be able to tie that to her. I believe she is a proper Hunter. She already knew a disturbing amount about hauntings, now she has an organized effort to investigate Kindred. And, from the details she shared with me, she had either had a direct hand in sending a Kindred to Final Death or is in close contact with someone who has." There was no official 'line' when a kine who knew too much suddenly became a Hunter, but if this didn't qualify her, the Priest didn't really know what would.

The Priest narrowed his eyes at Azoth briefly when he suggested breaking in. "Given the delicate situation, such actions would need explicit approval from Domain leadership." Otto actually thought it was a reasonable suggestion, but the issue was how the Shadow had phrased it. To a certain extent, it was refreshing to have a Kindred simply speak their mind. But in a Domain that operated under Invictus leadership, no matter how relaxed the First Estate had been about enforcing its ideas, there was still degree of propriety that had to be observed. "And I don't believe I have more access to floor plans than anyone else.

"Still, I am grateful that you might accompany me." Every bit of help was appreciated in such a situation. "They talked about holding him until he revealed himself, but not much more than that." He said, looking to Jennifer. "But given the way they were talking, like his guilt was a foregone conclusion that they just needed more evidence of, I'm afraid that they plan to kill him. Frankly, I'm surprised they haven't tried to directly expose him to the sun, yet.

"I had hoped to handle this by somehow getting local law enforcement involved. Strictly speaking, they've kidnapped someone and admitted to possessing illegal weapons. In addition to possibly taking care of these Hunters for a little while, it would provide a good cover for extracting Mr. Jake without directly implicating Kindred involvement." He sighed. "I suppose that, to make it really convincing, I might need to be arrested alongside them..." A shrug. "I was able to Dominate them at times, swaying them into trusting me a bit more or forgiving unintentional offense, but they were sharp. It didn't always work." He looked at Azoth. "My other talents lie in physical altercations, which we are trying to avoid. What are you able to offer?"

As soon as the Prince entered, however, the Ventrue stood. A flicker of fear ran across his face as the Beast prodded him into acting on instinct. He pushed it away, but it still gnawed at him as he doubled over in a deep bow to Alessandra. "Your Grace, you honor us with your presence." He shot a look at Azoth to indicate that the Dragon should react similarly.

[Kylar Stern]

Kylar looked up at the concern about notes, "Do not worry all notes are kept in an encrypted notes app that is locked behind a pin code. Additionally, the app itself is hidden so unless someone knows what to look for, which I doubt, there is no way for them to find it." Kylar finished the quick note, making sure to document the name of the leader.

Kylar looked to Jennifer when she asked again about what was, "Apologies for the quick planning, but as you recall when we first met you asked about my business. Well rescue and extractions were a part of that business. It usually involved kidnapped and ransomed targets. But I do not see this as any different. And it does not hurt to plan ahead, granted I would still ask for your permission before moving forward. I would not want to endanger the Elysium any further."

Kylar grew silent a moment, his face going stoic as he contemplated, "Well I do have some negotiation skills as well as major planning skills. And of course, if it comes down to it, I am well trained in fighting. But seeing we want to avoid physical confrontation at this time, I would say we attempt to come up with a plan on how to approach this sensitive matter. As you are the expert in interactions here, I will follow your lead." Kylar thought on the aspect of bringing in Law Enforcement. He had of course used them in past missions for his sire, but that was a different city, a different place. He had not developed any contacts of the sort yet.

But before he could continue Prince Alessandra had come in, seeing the Priscus face as he bowed Kylar gave a glance toward him as to say Way Ahead of You, all the while giving the Prince the proper bow for her standing. "Your Grace"

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer bends into the perfect curtsy for the Alder Prince. She holds it for several beats of a mortal's heartbeat. As she straightens, she looks to the Alder Kindred. Her Beast hammered within it's cage. Such a Predator could not be accepted. It could only be cajoled with soothing responses of what it already knew: this Beast had not Devoured one yet.

"In the vein of our last conversation, I wanted you to be able to have a hand in this." Jennifer spoke plainly and to the point. She did not go into much detail. There were things that were not to be known to every craning ear.
Jennifer gives Priscus Schneider a long look. She nods slightly. He picked up what she had meant wonderfully.

The brown eyes look over Azoth for a long minute. She knew much of todays technology as a White Hat and was already poring over the sentiment. Holding up his words as one would to examine a particularly interesting rock: classifying it very carefully. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment. Yet a distraction would not be visited tonight.
"Tonight there is a time sensitive crisis that we must address. I have some concerns with your statement that we will revisit later." Jennifer lingers there just for the note to hit where she wanted.

"As you have experience, do you have a plan?

As I said: We must show these mortals nothing. No strength, no speed, and nothing that cannot be explained. Leaning on the mortal police could work although I would suggest that no Kindred be caught in their web. Human bureaucratic procedures that create financial or time compliance costs would affect us. I do not want you to be in a holding cell while they run down the time they have to get a warrant."
Jennifer states as she looks at Priscus Schneider meaningfully.

"Liam and I can bring two vehicles to park near the Ridge Motel to leave and delay surveillance.

I would state that we show them no Kindred faces. Liam being already known can knock on the door with some innocent question regarding his natural curiosity. As he ascertains if our Kindred is still Dansing and present, we draw off the door guard with a simple noise to investigate. Then Liam signals Mr. Jake that it is time to go.

We get Liam and Mr. Jake out without show of Blood Gifts." An expectant look between Azoth and Priscus Schneider. What ideas did they have?

[Alessandra]

There was simply a nod, truth be told, Ale wasn’t even sure she wanted a hand in this. It sounded like a proper fuck up and she was curious to see how it was handled without her assistance. But she was ready to be humored.

Walking into the room, she doesn’t sit, but remains standing, offering nods to the two other Kindred. An eyebrow arches at Jenn's words to the new Kindred, but she doesn’t say anything.

Leaning against the wall, inked arms fold over her chest as she listens, dark eyes observing everyone in the room.

Jenn had one idea, but did the others have another?

[Otto Schneider]

The tiniest fraction of relief his Otto as the Mekhet displayed proper deference to the Prince and she voiced no disapproval. He had only just managed to start accruing some positive opinions with her, he wanted to avoid causing any embarrassments in front of her.

Standing straight again, he nodded to acknowledge the Seneschal's input. Her suggestions were worth considering, and even if Otto had grown accustomed to Liam, he couldn't help but approve of making use of the mortal man to reduce the danger to the Kindred involved. Still, he turned to Azoth with curiosity. "I'm not sure I would call myself an 'expert', but your point is well-taken. Still, you said that you had some experience with extricating people from danger?" He glanced at Jennifer briefly, an almost apologetic look in his eyes.

"I'd like to hear more. I appreciate Seneschal's offering of resources, and I wouldn't like to spend any time in custody if I have to, I feel we must keep all options open. At least while we're still planning." He folded his hands and focus on the Mekhet again. "Azoth... hypothetically, how would you plan to extract Mr. Jake?" He wanted to say, 'there were no stupid ideas', but while in the same room as the Prince, there was a limit to what he was willing to encourage. Still, he wanted to hear from the Shadow.

[Kylar Stern]

Kylar listens to the Seneschals plan intently grinning but also flinching a bit every time she mentions Blood Gifts. "No Blood Gifts would need to be used with the proper intel. Apologies Seneschal, but as much as I appreciate the plan to use Liam, it does not seem so fleshed out. I understand they know Liam, and he may be able to access to Mr Jake, but how would he negotiate getting him out without drawing more questions. That doesn't mean we could not use him to get Mr Jake out. But if what we suspect about Ms Port to be true, I get the feeling they will not want to release him so easily, even if law enforcement is present. My biggest concern with involving law enforcement is either; A they are working alongside them or B they have paid off some of the more corrupt humans in the departments."

Kylars eyes showed his mind working overtime, "So if we can get someone, to get us photos of the hotels evacuation plans, them being a hotel there should be one on every floor, we could plan not only an escape route, but I think we can make a plan B to create a distraction that would allow Liam, or maybe even a small extraction team to go into the hotel and extract Mr Jake." Kylar took a moment before continuing, "An example of a distraction would be to cause a power outage, another would be we could set off the fire alarm, something that could get them out of the area."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer gives a glance to Azoth Her brown eyes move back to Otto. She remains with her attention on Otto, curious how he planned to continue with this line. He had perhaps guessed her own purpose, yet that was no loss. The intention to see if there were similarities in their approach remained.
Jennifer holds her own counsel. She was content with silence. Jennifer had recognized an easy way to solve one of Azoth's hold ups in planning. Yet she was content to see if it could be worked out without intervention. The plan did not have to be her plan, and she had no emotions about that at all. She was largely concerned with if this group could devise a working plan and be able to pivot if there were road blocks in the field. Jennifer felt the pressure of time pushing down on the Kindred.

Mr. Jake was likely starving, now. That would make him unpredictable. A plan where he was not alerted that it was time to flee was... an interesting tack.
She remains with her expression as it was, open to hear what plan was devised.

[Alessandra]

Was the planning a bit amusing to the Savage?

A bit.

Some if the ideas were far fetched and too obvious, and would be expected.

Was she going to voice her opinion on them?

Not at this time. She was rather enjoying hearing the back and forth. Letting the two have the chance to step up and prove they could plan such a thing.