(Invisible Hands) In Motel Rooms

[Yumyumcrow]

The Seven Stars motel.

Its serviceable, if out of date. The linen is clean but the furniture has been updated from last century. If you are lucky, you'll be assigned a room from the 1990s. Pro's: close to the Sacramento Executive Airport; a known hangout of a Regent; peaceful ambience so you are left to your business. Con's: a tacky walk down memory lane; if you mention you've been here, you'll invariably get some wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more comment fielded at you... and not from the person you are talking with.

Ezekiel Smith does not care much for reputation. Or tacky walks down memory lane. He chooses his meeting places because they have such a reputation; because they are so boringly banal; so tiresome and rank with innuendo that anything listening out for your movements will gloss over the information of your movements, because: eeoow! So low! Ezekiel Smith would not stoop so low - surely!

Smith waits in his room (decked out in chipped furniture from the 70s, with 1990s TV and 1980s wallpaper) listening to the rain drip and gurgle over the balcony outside. The sliding door is shut, not locked. A weak light illuminates the wet balcony and a harsh light in the ceiling banishes the shadows. At least he's changed his clothes since their last encounter: slacks, shirt, shoes, a thicker coat hanging from a peg poorly painted door. He has a sling bag readied on the bed as well. Whatever is to happen, he will be leaving soon.

Cabochard @Rina Casitive David Regan Matamune Michael Redfill

[Michael Redfill]

Michael arrives shortly after David and instantly recognizes his bike. It is somewhat surprising not to find any other Beasts nearby: say what you will about the former members of Ablution but they are nothing if not persistent. A useful trait in a Dragon too.

This is work and for work Mike prefers cheap-ass rentals, his clothes - all business. A leather jacket, jeans and athletic shoes. The trunk of the car houses a set of lockpicks and a flashlight. No weapons are in sight: for fights with the supernatural the Gangrel doesn't need weapons.

It's so relaxing not to worry about the Masquerade...

The hotel itself does the job of being the plainest place possible well - Michael's attention glosses over the surroundings without picking up much. Ezekiel Smith - now that it a much more interesting puzzle: something to increase his knowledge of the supernatural and, perhaps, find out more about how Fate and Change interact in this world through the weird.

Michael catches up to David near Ezekiel's door:

"Hey, good evening. Did you see any of the others?"

[Cabochard]

Rina showed up a little late. It was understandable, given that she'd walked all the way. The little Shadow, unsurprisingly, did not own a car. It was just one more potential danger, as well as a piece of paper that could be traced back to her. If she needed a ride, she would just steal one. Or, better yet, figure out a way to not need a ride. As usual, she was wearing her shadow-walking clothes, a mottled dark blue hoodie over a grey shirt, with dark blue jogging pants and her boots. In the right boot, as always, was concealed her knife, in its comfortable sheath. She made her way over to the others, nodding her head at them under her hoodie (she had elected to keep it up, to keep her identity secret from watchers. It wouldn't stick out, given where she was going, thankfully.). "Greetings."

[Yumyumcrow]

The door opens: first a crack; then a little more - enough for Ezekiel's narrow, ageless face to peek through the opening. Then the door is opened wider to allow them entry into the room. Ezekiel stands with his arm outstretched gesturing for them to enter.

"Welcome. Please make yourselves comfortable."

[Michael Redfill]

"Good evening", - while the words are bland, the contained smile directed at Rina is warm. The more Kindred are around, the more comfortable Michael is. Thomas's absence is a bit of a surprise but the priest has never been one to be easily understood.

The Gangrel takes a step inside, checking the room for threats out of habit. He doesn't take the outstreched hand, commenting easily:

"Please excuse me, mystical hygiene. Thank you for meeting with us".

[Cabochard]

Rina nodded at the others again, her Beast raising its hackles and snarling at them through its medium, and then entered after Michael into the apartment. She shrugged at David. "It seems he decided he had more important things to attend to. Understandable, given how important he is to the Domain." She tinged her words with sarcasm. Galilei had lost a little esteem, in her eyes. But she pushed him out of her mind; as it happened, she had more important things than worrying about him.

She nodded at Ezekiel, but didn't shake his hand. "Greetings."

[Yumyumcrow]

Smith nodded to be both Rina and Redfill. It was a nod that spoke of understanding, not resigned resentment at what to more normal people could have been construed a snub. Moving quietly he slowly closes the door behind them. He moved with a steady confidence, collecting a seat of his own, but not sitting. He placed himself beside the single bed, with his bag in reach and the sliding door to the balcony at his back.

"So let us begin at the beginning. You were somehow alerted to a scuffle in a tenement building. Exploring it you found my notes, so you know that we inhabit the same demi world. It seems you also know of the Society of Penelope, and perhaps some of its secrets. So, before we start - to what am I speaking? What is your interest in the Society?"

He sighed heavily - gusting volume of breath.

[Michael Redfill]

As Michael is the only one with a Domain position in the room, it comes to him to make the decision of how much to divulge. Normally, you don't talk about the Fight Club but considering the fact that the Society is aware, with holding too much from a potential ally who is obviously supernatural...

By Odin, this is a clusterfuck...

"We are vampires, the Society seems to be interested in ancient artefacts and has no qualms about killing anyone and anything for it, no matter if it's breathing or not. Your question should be directed back at you: what are you? And I suggest we don't share anything beyond general categories unless it's necessary, I'm sure everyone inhabiting our world is secretive about themselves, not just us".

After a short pause, he adds:

"I would just add that our society here is quite civilised and we don't want a bloody war on the streets".