Gathering the Haunts

[Robert Cross]

Despite spending an hour at prayer, the night is still fresh when Cross arrives in the Caldarium. The candle is lit, as always, a reminder of the fate awaiting every member of the Damned. Gritting his teeth, he turns away from the flame and the protestations of his Beast, letting the calming influence of the space envelop him.

And with that, the Burned Man, dressed as always in his black suit, sets about waiting. Standing at something approaching parade rest. It feels strange to be the one calling a meeting of their Family, but Cross is convinced that such a gathering is necessary. Between Alice's ongoing punishment, Longstreet's awakening, Gilroy's reappearence, and the continued pressure of dealing with both Alchemists and Brood, now is the time for consolidation and mapping out strategy.

It doesn't matter that the last thing Cross desires is social interaction, even with those of his own Blood. It all seems so stupid, so paltry. Still, there is a difference between wanting and needing, desire and demand. And Cross will not shy away from duty.

In his right hand, he holds a bundle of papers. On each is inscribed an agenda for the meeting. Not on the order of the binders and packets that Gilroy and Alice are both fond of. A simple visual aid to help the discussion stay on track. As his family members appear, he will hand a copy to each.

Agenda

• Seneschal Hart
• Awakenings and Arrivals
• The Alchemists
• The Brood
• The Necropolis

[Robert Cross]

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Cross turns his attention to the door, curious as to who would appear first.

At the sight of Longstreet, his Beast explodes in a fiery rage. How dare this weakling appear before him? Jaw clenched, Cross is rendered speechless for a moment. Dead eyes fix on the proffered hand. His only desire is to rip it off and shove it down his fellow Haunt's throat.

Longstreet's joke about the speech doesn't exactly help, but that's what Cross addresses when he finally wrestles his tongue free from the Monster's influence: "No, no speeches. An agenda." He hands Longstreet one of the copies instead of shaking his hand. "And good evening to you as well, Brother."

Finally, the Beast is securely back in its cage. And Cross offers Longstreet a smile. It is not exactly warm, but not a sneer either. "How have you been? Settling back in I hope?"

[Cynthia Weiss]

Cynthia Weiss was not sure what to expect with the Clan meeting. The Nosferatu presence was a lot larger than the others, but a lot smaller than other cities she had seen in the past. For tonight she chose to go with her leather jacket, jeans and boots. Black on white. Only splash of colour being the acid green of her hair.

The sound of heavy boots echoed from outside the room before the artist appeared, bracing herself. The beast stirred soon as she saw Longstreet. A rival before her. Something that should be torn and left broken. She worked her way through it none the less. She looked around and frowned. No Alice still. Is she late? ​She had thought Family Business would have been enough to tear her away from whatever responsibilities that had her occupied. Perhaps she would learn something tonight."Guten abend everyone." She said as she approached the gathered Roberts.

[Kenneth Gilroy]

Gilroy had been keeping a low profile since that first night he'd met Robert. Unable to get acknowledged until either court or Alice reawoke, he'd taken to lurking inside the Necropolis or traveling outside the Domain boundaries to feed. He was even a little wary about meeting the other members of his Family, although he hadn't run into them in the Necropolis.

Even if not officially rejoined the Sacramento community, Robert was still Whip and Kenneth would answer the summons. Hopefully he'd have news about Alice. So the Worm skittered down the Caldarium's stairs. Halfway down he froze like a deer in headlights as the lesser mind noticed the unhidden predator in the room below. It screeched to jump over the railing and attack. Gilroy's neck pop as he twitched at the thought and fought to push it down. He started descending again, more slowly and controlled, like a snake. By the time got reached the pools he was fairly confident he wasn't about to try to kill the rival predator and could turn his attention elsewhere. Like to see there were two other figures that the lesser mind was too stupid to recognize as additional threats. Although he was grateful it didn't.

While he knew Robert, he didn't recognize the woman that smelled like she'd just raided a chemistry lab. And then Robert had burned it down. The smell was only slightly muffled by the humid air. Kenneth stopped pretending to breath the acrid stench still invaded his nostrils.

Still no Alice.

"Good evening," he wheezed breathlessly to Robert as he received the agenda. No time set aside for introductions. So might as well get it over with.

"And to you two as well," he addressed the other Haunts, he tried not to let the lesser mind's anger show through when he looked at Longstreet "I'm Kenneth Gilroy. It's good to meet you." The vermin Haunt flinch as if about to be attacked.

[Robert Cross]

Cross nods in understanding when Longstreet states his desire for interaction. But it’s a lie: he doesn’t understand. Because silence is what he wants. Blessed silence, away from the stupidities of Kine and Kindred alike. The appearance of Cynthia and then Gilroy, however, relieves him of the need to discuss the topic further.

“Good evening,” he greets both of the new arrivals in turn, handing them agendas of their own. After allowing them a moment to perform introductions, Cross dives right in.

“I’m glad you all were able to attend. There’s some matters we need to discuss, as you can see,” he briefly holds up his copy of the agenda in a scarred hand. “The most urgent of which concerns who is not with us tonight: Seneschal Hart.”

Oh, how he would love to rage. To expose them to the full extent of his anger, his pain. How tempting it is to let them glimpse the flames of his Beast. But no, it is justice he desires. And justice requires planning, patience.

“Just over a month ago, Seneschal Hart was placed in torpor by Reeve Antinori. As a form of punishment. I will not go into all of the details here,” largely because the Burned Man is not sure if he can keep his composure, “but it was the result of Seneschal Hart frenzying during our recent encounter with the Brood. At the time of her staking, I was in touch with the Reeve. She was not exactly forthcoming. I know very little about the terms and duration of the punishment. I do know, however, that Seneschal Hart is being held at the Nox by order of the Prince until she is…brought back.”

He pauses, cold blue eyes sweeping the three other Haunts gathered about him. It is clear that Cross does not like this turn of events.

“I bring this up not only to inform you of the situation, but also as a point of discussion: I have tried, so far, to let things play out as the Reeve and the Prince wish. But if Alice’s punishment persists, we may need to make an organized effort to discover if and when she will be released, and to advocate for that outcome. My question for you is: when should we start that effort, and how do you think we should go about it?”

And if that doesn’t work, what then? Cross wants to ask as well, but doesn’t. One step at a time.

“I’d also say that we need to tread lightly. Alice’s ‘punishment’ may be more than just that. It could be a message. A warning. Our numbers have expanded and contracted over time. But, as of now, we represent a sizable contingent within the domain once again. This act could be meant as lesson by the Reeve and the Prince, an example of what can be done to any of us.”

Let them think about that. If the Seneschal is vulnerable to such extreme measures for merely frenzying, what does that mean for the rest of us?

[Cynthia Weiss]

Kenneth Gilroy was not a name she was familiar with. A new arrival? She sized him up, not feeling the beast behind the Mask. It felt like looking at a skittish man sized…thing. Like an insect or a worm trying to play the part of a human. She did her best to suppress any revulsion she felt seeing him. She was a bit surprised when Longstreet mentioned knowing of him. Or his part in the past of this place. “I’m Cynthia Weiss. Nice to meet you.”

The goth took the papers from Cross and took a seat. She flicked through them. A worried frown appeared when Alice’s name was on top. And then Robert began. She had finally got her answer.

The artist was struggling to comprehend what she had heard. She raised her hand slowly. “I’m sorry but, Alice was staked… Because she frenzied while fighting the Brood? That doesn’t make any sense.” She could understand staking someone to stop a rampage but she saw Alice after that had happened. I’m missing details here.

Silence fell from the Artist as the Burned man concluded. “Whatever they are doing, they is trying to keep this quiet. I asked Reeve Antinori about Alice back in Court and she told me she was busy with Domain Business.” There was a hint of annoyance in those last words. She did not expect a darker meaning to that explanation. Was it fear for the consequence? She could think of many ways this could ruin the Reeve in most domains.

[Kenneth Gilroy]

Longstreet’s indirect praise filled Gilroy with shame. This man, this monstrous brute, admired the Fanged Worm. Unironically. And because of the Thug’s curse it felt like a badge of dishonor.

The Thug’s curse. Was this how people looked at him? Felt when he praised them. Kenneth didn’t know Longstreet at all. Not really. The assumptions, the feelings he felt, had no basis in the real world. Yes, this Robert was undoubtedly also a monster. The lesser mind confirmed that. Without knowing him, Kenneth work past the Curse’s first impression.

“Yes, I’m Gilroy,” he said sounding uncertain “I provided the design for the main Caldarium and facilitated additional construction through research. However, it was the Family that made this possible.” The Worm’s hand was soft, weak, and slimy like a leeches when he shook the priest’s hand.

Robert started immediately after introductions, for which Gilroy was grateful. And it was about Alice which did seem to be one of the more pressing issues. For Kenneth at least.

“I’d say we need to resolve this sooner rather than later. Within the next two months, if not this one. Without a Priscus or Seneschal, our Clan is at the whim of the Prince to deny any of our family members. If this is a warning against our clan becoming more relatively more prominent, there is little reason Prince Clarke would not use it also deny our family new members coming into the city.” Leaving them to starve or move on.

“Even if this isn’t some a judgement on the Family as a whole,” which seemed less and less likely if they weren’t providing Cross with information “It weakens the Domain to have a prominent Kindred staked for any long duration.” Especially when they were being attacked on several fronts.

“However, I agree with Longstreet. If we were to advocate for her release, it must be by assuming the worst.” The Prince and Reeve were trying to cull Clan Nosferatu’s influence. “In which case simply bringing it up could be seen as challenging the Prince’s power and making escalation a serious possibility. We would have to be willing… and prepared, to rescue her.” The unstatement that it would require going through the Prince, the Archon, the Reeve, and any who chose to stand with the Prince. Even with numbers it would be a difficult fight. “And doing so might weaken the Domain to the point where it couldn’t stand against the current threats.” Mortal hunters, the Heresy, old allies. They could all attack at a moment’s notice.

“Vivian York,” supplying the last name “would certainly be a more neutral party. Assuming we could convince her.” Gilroy had had very few words with the woman, though she had been friends with Sterling.