Konrad's Wholesale Goods

[Konrad Roth]

The American Bike Trail runs along the river of the same name on the northern edge of Downtown Sacramento. At night it isn't much to look at since the trail doesn't have its own lighting, but the city's lights illuminate it well enough before the shadows consume everything beyond the treeline and the river itself. N. 10th Street ends after a passing through a series of warehouses, some active while others lay abandoned and in need of restoration. Only a couple blocks over is a large undeveloped area awaiting new investors and growth, perhaps waiting in vain.

Konrad hangs out on the sidewalk at the end of the road, leaning against the building and working his way through a cigarette pack. He pages idly through his phone contacts list while he waits, noting how many Kindred were now absent in the Domain. Such promise and potential, and now just a name on the digital screen. Easy come easy go. He wondered if this new Carthian cohort he is meeting with would yield new opportunity.

-1 Vitae for Blush of Life. Equipment: Lockpicks & Athletic Shoes

[Phoenix]

Gabrielle made her way to the designated location. She couldn't help but notice the derelict quality of some of the warehouse and buildings and the relative lack of light there ... which is not much of a problem for a vampire.She was on her guard tough. Who knows what else could be lurking in the shadows ?

While walking, she wondered if some of the warehouse could be converted in a haven. Tough the location might not be ideal. But she needed a place fast, better to keep her eyes opened. She finally arrived at the street and saw the priscus standing there, working through a pack of cigarettes.

"Well, hello there Konrard. How's it going tonight ? I hope the night treating you well. Is it a safe place to discuss business and 'family' matters?"

And by that, she meant kindred stuff.

[Konrad Roth]

The Savage is clad casually in jeans and a light jacket, dressed for the summer weather save for the leather gloves obscuring his hands. There's something animalistic about the way he turns and looks at the approaching figure. His Beasts senses the rival and rises up on its feet to send a growl deafening in Konrad's ears. Konrad stills the thing with a command of will, his emotions calming the predator tentatively.

He raises a hand idly and waves with the cigarette wedged between gloved fingers. "Night's the same as the one before it. But it's not bad." He makes a show of looking about. "Let's take a walk aways before we get to business." He pushes himself off the wall and gestures to the trail just over a small gravel hill next to the building. He starts to walk toward it, glancing back to observe Gabrielle through his peripherals.

"So, you drive here?" he asks curiously, noting she hadn't arrived in a vehicle.

[Phoenix]

A predatory surge burst into her when Konrad turned towards her. Fortunately, she had met him before in court, so that helped. She shelves these feeling for the moment, though they remained under the surface, to focus on the business at hand.

"No, I got a taxi for some of it and walked the rest of the way. Would mind putting that cigarette away ? You know it can put our people on edge."

Whether or not he agreed, she followed him.

"So, how about we talk business ? You know roughly what I am looking for and we already started discussing compensation last time we saw each other. How about we go into the details to what exactly that would entail ? "

[Konrad Roth]

"Oh I know," replies Konrad, a grin creeping into his expression. "But if it bothers you that much..."

Konrad flicks the half-smoked cigarette onto the ground and grinds it underfoot of his athletic shoe. His direction led them eastward along a dirt path bordering the paved bike trail itself. When she presses him to get to business he slows his walk.

"Straight to the point, eh? That's fine. Compensation is simple, you pay for what you want and I get you what you want. With my clientele outside the Covenant I tend to charge a finder's fee, or broker's fee if you like. But since we're working together now, I'll waive the fee. You did get Acknowledged by Cordoba, didn't you?"

His eyes slide over in their sockets to gauge her reaction.

[Phoenix]

Gabrielle nodded in approval of Marco's words. That sounded like a reasonable arrangements and she had no intention of being greedy with the gangrel, Carthian solidarity and all that. She made sure no mortal could listen to them before proceeding.

"Yes, I met him a few nights after the Court and got acknowledged. He explained to me the rules and edict of the city. I am not a specialist but I get the general picture. As a side note, what's a Kallisti? It sounds like there is an interesting story there."

She had no idea what exactly the Kallisti bloodline was but Gabrielle wondered what they did to merit a black mark in the city.

"Revenons à nos moutons. I am looking for swords and blades, those that can be used two at a time to be specific. I am willing to offer a money donation for them. As discussed in court, I'm also willing to teach you how to use them should you be interested. Heck, I am even willing to do that on its own, as a favor for another Carthian, though it might be difficult without blades to train. One never know what the future holds and I'd like to be ready if disaster strikes."

She felt the need to go into further details.

"In fact, I'm looking for other kindred who would band in a coterie for mutual protection and to have sparring partner to further our fighting skills. Also, maybe said coterie could curry favors with the powers that be by working in tandem. I will definitely try to get the other Carthians in the group but I may open the sessions to members outside the covenant, though they would own our covenant a favor in return. "

Speaking of Carthians, she felt the need to know a little more about their covenant and how it works in the city.

"By the way, maybe you could tell me more about the movement here. I've noticed that, besides you, all the other members seem to be of clan Daeva. I am sure that would allow us to have a good fighting coterie if people are willing to."

[Konrad Roth]

"Something to do with a Bloodline. I'm not altogether sure either. I think Martha Villiers might know more about them. You met her at Court," answer Konrad to Gabrielle's first question.

"Two at a time?" repeats Konrad curiously. "So, what, like combat knives? You know, most knives and swords can be bought legally. It's just carrying them around where it becomes a problem. If you wanted something that was concealed, like a canesword or switchblade or something, then that'd be harder to come by. But I'm still very interested in learning this two-handed fighting style of yours. Now, I don't know about a coterie. I mean, something like that requires a bit of trust, ya know? Maybe if we get to know each other better and it works out that way. But it's not smart to be so trusting right off the back. I know you've been pretty tight with your contacts back in Toulouse, but it's a whole new city, a whole new ballgame. Best to take it slow, right?"

"The Movement here in Sacramento has been fairly small from the get go, as far as I've heard. Before me there was Ashley Cohen, a Ventrue who had been in the city for years. I had the chance to meet with her when I came to town and that was when Gerald and Marco showed up. They had claim to more years with the Movement so I figured I'd yield to their experience. But so far we've just been trying to build a relationship with the rest of the Covenants, secure a foundation of trust. It's an ongoing process like."

It seems that now that they are free to speak privately, Konrad is more willing to open up about the Movement's activities, but there's still a sense that he's guarded, advising a cautionary approach to the Daeva.

[Phoenix]

"Actually, this is based on a Italian renaissance fighting style. As I understand it, it was quite effective at the time against both armored and non armored opponents. The weapons I most commonly use are 'twins swords' or a sword and a main gauche. It's kind like a dagger used for both protection and attack to complement the longer blade. Experts in this style are deadly especially against kindred. I'll show you one of these days."

Konrad's admonishment reminded Gabrielle of her acknowledgement with Juan Cordoba. She let her passionate temper took hold of her mind again.

"I guess you're right. I've been used for so long to be with brother and sister in arms in the covenant that I've forgotten that things are different here. Thank you being the one to temper my passionate demeanor. It's kind of a trait of my blood family."

Now that it was said she could go back to the main subject.

"Obviously those weapons would be used for combat. The usual weapons you find in the commerce are blunted or no suited for fighting. They're generally more predisposed towards showing rather than using. I need appropriates blades or some that can be sharpened to combat use. I have a few ideas in mind and I'll give you the details."

As for covenant matters, she simply asked.

"And what could a newcomer such a myself do to further the goal of the movement here in the city?"

[Konrad Roth]

"Gotta keep a cool head, dearie. Could mean the difference between unlife and final death. But I'll put a line out for what you're asking for. Something combat-ready then. If it's something like a fencing blade then I can probably get you that and the dagger in one go. If it's something fancier than that then we'll probably have to space it out so it doesn't attract too much attention. You think that over and I'll start putting the word out among my contacts."

He moves along with Gabrielle in the conversation. "You're awfully eager to prove yourself, aren't you. Well the obvious route to increasing your own value in the Domain would be to volunteer for the position of Deputy. Only problem is there's no Reeve serving at the moment, as I mentioned. Making sure that the other members are working as a team rather than against each other might be of use. So getting to know them and finding ways to mediate problems might send you on the path of Myrmidon. I know we've got one already but who knows if he's the best candidate for the job. Maybe you can do better. And if anyone were, say, threatening one of our members, maybe you could fight on their behalf in a Monomacy duel using that fancy martial combat skills of yours. I'm just throwing out ideas here. Really what direction you go is up to you. The reason you joined the Movement was so that you could think for yourself, wasn't it? I'm sure being ex-Invictus has got you used to following orders and falling in line, but you gotta quit those habits if you want to remain part of the grand experiment. You dig?"

"And another thing, all that talk you and Marco were going on about in Court. You gotta stop that shit if you don't want the Movement to be cut down to size. I know we all wear our Carthian badge on our sleeve and everything, but that doesn't mean we've been accepted by the rest of the Covenants. Discussing plans about creating our own Rack is just asking for trouble. I mean, what's the point of having a meeting at all if all our cards are on the table for everyone to see." The Savage's words are sharp-edged but not strident, conveying concern rather than rebuking her.

[Phoenix]

Hearing Konrad made her realize how inexperienced she really was. Having lived with centuries old monster didn't help matters especially considering they could have cared more about her education apart from being a proper and pimp Invictus. Despite having equal beasts and her wanting to tear up the savage for his insolence, in her mind he was the elder. She felt a big wave of hesitation before being able to answer.

" I ... I ... I see. I have indeed much to learn. I never was part of intrigue expect as a pawn of my damn elders. I thought creating a public rack would be a good idea but you made me realize how much more careful I must be."

She was feeling uneasy. It was the second time at least that her status as a green neonate was pointed out, since arriving in Sacramento. In Toulouse, the needs of the elder and the brutality of the war left her very little time to experiment the danse macabre as a full player rather than a pawn.

"It will be some time before I am ready to go in one on one battle with an elder. I'll require more training before I can shield my Carthian brothers and sisters from monomacy. That's where setting a fighting group might be handy, for me and for the rest of the covenant. Besides, monomacy isn't the only kind violence that can end someone. I've learned it can be useful to fight with a group."

She stopped there, hoping that Konrad would not insist on that matter, or at least pause it for a moment.

"Anyways, it's still a work in progress. I guess I should also work on amenities and social influence among kine. We carthian are after all very good at making allies, the kindred of the movement certainly are in Toulouse. But enough about me, what don't you tell me more about yourself? I'd like to know more about my fellow Carthians, yourself included."