Thomas laughs at the mention of 80's fashion. "Have a good night, I look forward to see you at the next meeting."
End Conversation I believe
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Thomas laughs at the mention of 80's fashion. "Have a good night, I look forward to see you at the next meeting."
End Conversation I believe
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Victoria led Martha through the Court and to her office. After opening the door she entered and waited for the other woman to enter before closing the door.
The office was very well appointed with plush furniture, a large mahogany desk, shelving lined with books, and a few locked file cabinets. Gesturing to a plush leather couch Victoria spoke, "Please have a seat and get comfortable."
The Seneschal approached the couch and had a seat waiting for the Keeper to situate herself before speaking with friendly concern in her voice, "What seems to the the trouble Keeper Villiers?"
Martha studies Victoria with extraordinary care, wide eyed, she tries to sit as graceful beside her as she can, fussing with her stiff leg as she sits to try to hide it in some way...smiling bashfully at Victoria...she wastes no time though in getting to the point, edging her shouldered satchel into her lap as she sits and talks and begins to open it carefully...taking out a notebook and a foolscap sheet of paper with very neat writing upon it, but keeps them close as she talks quietly.
"Well, Seneschal..." she begins with great respect, wide eyed, "I wondered...have you seen the Prince since the evening of the Parties...the evening shared between the Lily, Asylum, Reverence and here? No one I have asked have...his Blood Doll retinue have not...his office is locked against intrusion. I try to keep the Prince informed of what I do you see, ma'am; yet have been unable to contact him. Nor have I seen Judex Twist...nor Madam Ishani. All in all...I am becoming worried. Have you seen them since then or had contact with them? Am I right to be anxious, ma'am? I thought perhaps he may be involved in some Ordo ritual that took his time...but...that does not explain the absence of all of them, ma'am."
Martha rubs hard at her stiff leg, rubbing from upper thigh to stiff knee...watching Victoria all the while.
Victoria listened with interest at Martha's concern and nodded thoughtfully as the woman elaborated. After the Keeper finished Victoria thought for a moment before finally breaking the silence.
"Come to think of it, I haven't heard from him in some time either. It really isn't like the Prince, the Judex, or Herald Naetesh to be this absent. You are sure you've tried everywhere?" Victoria asked concern reaching her voice.
With equal concern, mounting now Victoria seems perplexed too...Martha had, perhaps obviously, secretly hoped the Seneschal knew something..."No, ma'am...I was waiting to talk to you before mounting a more detailed search...I would require assistance, you see, ma'am. Besides...I have given some thought to the possible motives. I worried about a retaliation by the Brood...a possible personal revenge by a solo hunter...or maybe...to judge by the organisation required to eliminate the Prince, the Judex and the Miss Ishani...I worried that a large law enforcement or military body may be the culprit. It would require planning...courage and skill to execute a daring attack upon the Prince. If that is indeed what may have happened." Martha anxiously fiddles with her lame knee joint, watching Victoria in a sulky way...she's given this a lot of thought it seems.
Victoria listened to the woman as she speculated the worst and considered the words carefully.
"Well, I doubt there is a hunter alive that could take out all three of them so I don't think that would be the case. Furthermore, we haven't have any problems with organizations since Horizon so of the things listed I'd say our recent problems with the brood would be most likely if anything has befallen them. However, at this point it is uncertain so like you said earlier perhaps it is worth looking into. I can notify the deputies or was there something in particular that you were considering? You've obviously given this much thought."
Martha listens with interest to the proposed plan, nods at this. “Of course, ma'am!” she begins meekly, “That sounds very perfect! I should maybe elaborate further, so I can clarify for you my thinking thus far, or at least some of it and provide more detail: so when you brief the Deputies you are aware of previous inquiry and may anticipate better questions with more certainty. My anxieties all presuppose that the Prince has been kidnapped...or destroyed...and hasn't gone missing of his own accord. Though why he would do that, go missing of his own accord, I mean, is unclear. Perhaps as a test of our resilience and loyalty, but that would be folly and open his Domain to capture by a rival claimant to the throne...or perhaps he seeks to retreat for private study or meditation. But why then would the other officers of court vanish too? Surely they can't all seek coinciding private meditation! Or The Prince and his Officers may have been destroyed by some dangerous outside power or agency of said power. Typically, and obviously, with a kidnap there is a ransom...which you know, of course...I merely add for completeness of discussion, ma'am. Though no ransom demand has been issued...at least I am not aware of a demand. The Prince and his associates may have been kidnapped by someone seeking revenge, or to obtain his power through the Blood...or worse...to violate the Masquerade and study him! We simply have no clues to work with at present...though I have sought them within the limits of the time available. I am certain clues exist, however! Though we now have no indication of means, motives or opportunity, ma'am. Though clearly someone created a way of combing all three! Worried: I checked with the guard personnel at the Asylum nightclub, ma'am, none reported any odd vehicle in the area. But a careful plan may have eluded their notice.”
“His Blood Dolls are unattended...though I have asked them to contact me if they begin to crave Blood in desperation: can't have them jeopardizing the Masquerade!” another anxious rub at her stiff knee joint before beginning again, “All in all, ma'am...his fate, and that of the others, is in doubt. I had hoped to search the Ordo Chapter House. But was reluctant to do so alone. Not from fear or for want of courage, but from simple common sense. I should also require the permission of the Ordo too...but, overall: there is safety in numbers, ma'am!” Martha smiles meekly to Victoria, “If the Prince and others are missing...what do we do? Will someone make a bid to attain the throne in his absence?” another urgent rub at her maimed knee as she sneaks a look at Victoria's shoes for a second before continuing, “However, ma'am, I had a scheme that might help enumerate the remaining Kindred, so we see who survives and whom else may be missing...naturally...” and with that Martha gently and respectfully hands Victoria the sheet of carefully prepared paper. “Naturally, it requires your permission as the most senior remaining Kindred in the city...” With exceptionally neat handwriting it reads:
“Greetings, Fellow Citizens and Kindred,
Be it known to All and Singular, and to those to whom news of this Writ may come, By Order of the Acting Herald of His Majesty, Prince Clarke of the City and Municipality of Sacramento, California – that those Kindred currently residing and otherwise claiming residence within the Domain of His Majesty, the Most Noble Prince Clarke of the City and Municipality of Sacramento, that on this day, the Twenty Eighth Day of December in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Ten, that it is the wish and desire of the Prince and his Officers of Court to speedily conduct and execute a comprehensive Enumeration and Census of all the Kindred within his Domain.
Purpose
The collective and individual security of the person and Domain is of paramount importance. The enduring security and harmony of the Domain is at hazard and incomplete without adequate preparations for, and attention to, security.
It is of primary importance, therefore, that each and every Kindred within the Domain and those claiming the Rights and Privileges of residence thereto conferred within the Domain of Prince Clarke, shall assist the Keeper of Elysia of Sacramento and her appointed Deputies in this enterprise.
Actions to take
Each Kindred shall firstly assist with this endeavor by identifying fully and truthfully, without intended deception or otherwise devices of obfuscation, to the Keeper the following details and intelligence:-
I) Their full name (and common alias)
II) Their Clan and any relevant sub-category of their Blood lineage thereto
III) Their allegiance and officially designated status or standing therein, past and present, to any Covenant
IV) The name, and any known aliases and current known, or suspected, whereabouts of surviving Progeny
V) The details of their own martial expertise
VI) An understanding of any material, or moral, influence they can reliably and consistently be able to exercise upon the realm of Mortals within the City of Sacramento
This intelligence must be fully communicated, in writing or orally, in legible, or otherwise comprehensible English, to the appropriate Officer of Court.
The census shall be complete by Midnight on the Seventh Day of January in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven. Those Kindred unable to report the above intelligence to the Keeper, or her Deputies, by this date shall make arrangements for cognizant proxies to report as per the Order.
Period of Expiry and Renewal and Alterations
This Census shall hereafter be renewed annually upon the anniversary of the completion of this Census, or at the discretion of His Majesty, the Prince of Sacramento. Deletions and alterations to the Record shall be the Duty of the Herald, or the Herald's appointed deputy. Additions and deletions shall be made to the Record according to emerging conditions and circumstances of the newly arrived, newly resident, or otherwise adjustments to each Kindred's individual, or collective, condition and circumstance and likewise to those lost to the Domain.
Kindred who arrive and seek, or are awarded, Rights of Residence within the curtilage and Domain of His Majesty, the Prince of Sacramento, shall be responsible for ensuring the above intelligence is truthfully and fully supplied to: the Herald, the Seneschal, the Reeve and the Keeper of Elysia or their duly appointed Deputies, within forty eight hours of taking residence within the Domain of His Majesty, the Prince of Sacramento.
Penalties
Compliance is under sufferance of a penalty to be decided upon at the discretion of His Majesty, the Prince of the City and Municipality of Sacramento, or a duly authorized and appointed Officer of Court.
Assurance and Covenant
Be assured: this intelligence shall be subject to careful protection and shall be exploited only for purposes commensurate with enhancing and reinforcing the collective security of this Domain and the Acknowledged Kindred residing therein.
in pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello
Miss Victoria Stamford,
Seneschal of Sacramento,
Acting Herald of His Majesty, Prince Clarke of the City of Sacramento”
“This is only a suggestion, ma'am...intended to gather intelligence about survivors and current residents to help understand our Domain better. Should you disapprove of it, ma'am; I have an alternate version here...” she pats her satchel reassuring, with a sincere smile, “identical in every regard, but naming myself as Acting Herald. Or, you may, of course, discard the notion altogether! I shall not mind." another genuine smile, "But, be assured, ma'am, I am no usurper. Nor do I intend to do anything but co-operate with you as fully as I am able to to aid you in learning what, if anything, has happened to the Prince, the Judex and Herald Ishani." Martha sits back, respectfully watches Victoria carefully rubbing her stiff knee joint and falling very quiet.
Victoria listened to what the woman had to say and read her note without betraying what she felt about any of it.
"Keeper Villiers, I don't think that I'll be authorizing your promotion to be my superior despite how pleasantly I might regard you. If the Prince is missing, and his herald is absent that places me as the highest ranking person in the Royal Court which means any deputies would also answer directly to me as well. Perhaps you were just confused for a moment that a herald is second only to the Prince?"
After a brief moment Victoria's pleasant smile returned as if she put the seriousness of her previous words behind her.
"I admire your enthusiasm and I'm sure you're only trying to help. However, I think it might be a bit premature to begin such an public display. We can always contact the clan priscus and have them contact each of their own members then report their status to us directly. Then we can assess the situation from there. No sense doing anything too rash."
Martha nods meekly...looking and feeling a little chastened by Victoria's gentle rebuke. "Yes, ma'am: I only wish to help...and fully agree with all you say."
Martha glumly rubs hard at her maimed knee, watching Victoria with sulking admiration: Victoria made all this seem...easy.
"What shall I do next on your behalf, ma'am? What are your orders, ma'am?" Martha asks, still a bit subdued, but more eager now than ever to restore harmony and show extreme willing.
"Well if you wanted to contact the Priscus and inform them direct a response to me either in writing or in person concerning the status of their clan I would appreciate it. There will be no need to contact me of course," Victoria finished with an amused tone.
Martha stands, curtsy's as best she can, wide eyed and very eager to obey: "The Prisci of each local Clan, ma'am? I shall do as you ask, ma'am! It shall be done forthwith! As per the wording of the draft Proclamation under your own Office? Or should I modify it in anyway, ma'am?"
"Well I don't think there is a need to be that formal about it. Just a simple little note, after all less is more. I think just asking them to verify the current status of their clan will be sufficient. I think getting a full profile of everyone is a bit beyond the scope of things right now. Not many would part with that kind of information anyway and it would be more trouble than it is worth. You may say the Seneschal has requested this information."
Martha nods obediently, curtsys again...studies Victoria's shoes for three seconds before adding, with improving mood; "Yes, ma'am! It shall be a joy to do as you request, ma'am! Am I excused, ma'am, so I may attend to my newly appointed task?"
She awaits permission to return to the Elysium, wide eyed...almost smiling, rubbing hard at her lame thigh as she waits Victoria's next command.
"Have a good evening Keeper. I hope to see you again soon." Victoria said with a smile.
"Thank you, ma'am! A mutual feeling thereby!" Martha smiles, curtsies again and respectfully limps out of the presence of the Seneschal...as if actually having to restrain herself from skipping out and back to the Elysium!
As he arrives in the city, Kryser looks at his mobile phone for directions to the Avalon. His sire gave him strict instructions on making finding the Avalon top priority. While taking in the sights of the interior of Avalon, Kryser was gently tapped on the shoulder by a young woman.
She asked “May I take your coat sir?”
Kryser removes his long black overcoat revealing his attire. Wearing just waxed, wing tipped Florsheims, and a silky black suit. No undershirt is needed for this sleek club goers’ outfit.
“Thank you.”
Calmly fixing his cufflinks with an almost smug swagger, he takes the coat tag. Kryser gives the young girl a smirk and then is waved over by a large man to follow him down the stairs.
“Too bad for the ladies.”
He wanted to take in the sites before being thrown into the politics of this city. As he is escorted down into the main room to eventually meet more of his kind, he broadens his shoulders and tilts his chin up. Entering the room Kryser see’s the court is already full of fluster and everyone seems overwhelmed in their own conversations.
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Amos turns his attention to the beautifull gangrel. That was a good question in fact, though the answers might be different from what she would expect.
'' I am not sure and frankly I somehow doubt. Everywhere I went during my nomad life, the police was quite corrupt, more interested in extortion than protecting the fellow citizen. ''
He draws a newspaper from his jacket.
'' I don't remember seeing an entry for this in the journal, so either the authorities knows and don't care or they don't know and, well, no surprise with the lack of reaction then.
Same for brood activities. It's not like the demon lovers are big on the masquerade and still, no real report about this in the news.
Then again, maybe a powerfull vampire managed to keep that out of the newspaper which, frankly, is a pretty good idea if you ask me. There's the masquerade to uphold after all ....''
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Katrina thinks for a few moments. "Sounds like the two situations are connected. If someone is covering this then it has to be one of us; I would suspect that person is the prince. If not then I would suspect the puppet master becomes a bigger problem than the brood. Is he or she pulling their strings? What do they have to gain from it?"
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Amos considers Kat's words for a while before answering.
'' I'd rather think the local authorities have the handle on the press. If not, and with everything's that been going on, that particular person would be able to command a lot of power in the domain.
Maybe one of the regent has such power, I am not sure ...''
The most likely candidtates, to Amos eyes at least, would be either the mekhet Erika Brady or the invictus nosferatu.
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Ajax watches the conversation flow back and forth between Amos and Kat, listening to them talk about the influence and control of the media and all that Oliver Stone conspiracy theory stuff. "Somebody probably called the media, said that cannibals were eating people in a city park and then after the reporter finished laughing was probably told not to mix their meds up again. Then that reporter would probably go back to trying to find shots of Emily Watson not wearing underwear."
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After watching Ciara walk off to fulfill her Harpy role and learn more about the pair of newcomers to the Domain, Thomas again looks around the room. He sees Deputy Max Heinz standing by himself and wonders how the man had been doing since the night of the Blood Hunt. He walks over to his fellow Mekhet and opens the conversation with a topic they both have in common.
"Four showers, three whole bars of soap, a bottle of shampoo and the pants were a total write off. How about you?" Jumping in sewers could be a real adventure.
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Bleach and brillo pads, my friend, bleach and brillo pads... *Max's answer comes instantly and flat; and it's a crap shoot if Max is joking or being serious. Thankfully his albino phase only lasted the one night. He turns his full attention to O'Connor, leaning ever so slightly against the wall.*
So, how have you been fairing?
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"Excellent," Heathcliff says, nodding approvingly at Jacob's testimony. "I will wish to speak with you further, of course, but I shouldn't wish you to miss the opportunity to speak with the Seneschal this evening." He removes a card from his pocket that lists the name and address of their church, along with Heathcliff's cell phone number. "Our covenant, along with that of the Crone and the Carthians, were reinstated in this city recently. This is the address of our new church. Please call first. I do see some others I need to speak with this evening, if you've no questions for me now?" he asks, smiling politely.
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