Guilt.
It was almost a foreign feeling, it had been so long since Asa felt it. It wasn't overpowering, or enough to make him apologize -- but that's what the flicker of emotion was that he felt while he wiped his wrist and ran his fingers through his hair.
Olivette lay on the couch, too weak from Blood loss to be of any use. Apparently the same thing had attacked her, whatever it was. Pale, useless hands fluttered at lips, and tried to wipe away the stains. It wasn't nearly enough to repair the ravages she had suffered from whatever afflicted them, but it would take the edge off of the Vinculum. He couldn't risk giving her more.
After her, Nicodemous, and Cozette, he was almost as weak as he had been when he Rose, and had only kept them (barely) functional.
Asa massaged the bridge of his nose, and put on the sunglasses that hid the tight skin around his eyes and put on his jacket. Making his way out of the office, he entered the common area of the club, staying in the corners and shadows, to help minimize his pallor and haggard look.
He shouldn't be out. Not as weak as he was -- Ishani would throw a fit if she knew -- but he needed information, to understand what had happened.
To see who all had been affected, and who was not... and if they were not... were they the perpetrators?
Hector smiled in a amused sort of fashion, looking whole healthy and alive, still entertained by the Howling Moon comedy club coming up with the alternate mocks to werewolves or invites to said monsters. He'd decided to make a much more direct approach as he hadn't met any real locals prior to his sickness, not that he'd been making it easy for them until only recently but still. So he figured an older trick would work by picking the most posh Invictus tagged place and go knocking, whether the door in a manner of speaking or heads quite literal was remain to be seen. He also wanted to feed again and remove the vile vitae he'd consumed earlier, for while nourishing it's source was less than desirable on any level, thankfully he wasn't an ignorant to think it would make him less of who he was. Coming around a corner he spotted his prize, the Club Avalon, such a nice ring to it and the stench of Invictus that he'd have noticed a long way off had he not been so amused.
He stood across the street attempting to get a feel for not only the area but the club and it's clientele, this was prime rack territory and not a single beast to play with, that was odd in a very Hitchcock sort of way. Looking around he was just considering what it'd be like to be the only Kindred in the city when he was interrupted by a despairing rough male voice asking, "Can you spare me a few bucks?" Looking to the source of his interruption Hector was witness one of the many fabled California homeless, long dirty hair with a faded slightly worn beach tank top and filthy cargo shorts hand out as though seeking the fabled holy grail. The homeless man was about to say something when something in Hectors gaze looking him up and down as though on display thought the wiser while Hector replied, "You have two arms, legs, a head that houses a brain enough to formulate a sentence and are not at all close to falling over from either exhaustion or starvation. You had best use what you have, for the next time I hear you utter such a phrase while in a similar condition I will change your condition to one less than you had." Without another glance Hector makes his way across the street to Avalon and enters wondering what he'll find, the mortal looking after him in terror forgotten till next time.
Asa could feel the predator approaching, and didn't recognize it. Without ever learning the Mask, trying to only observe him was pointless. Flush with blood from a few bubbly bachelorette party-goers, he stood by the bar and waited to see if this was someone he just didn't know, or a stranger.
Erika found a cane to use..no point in advertising that she could enhance her hearing to help get around. She had gotten a text message, but couldn't really read it just yet, so she took a chance and assumed it was from Asa. Thankfully, since she didn't have a car, taxi services were on her list of speed dials. You never know when you'll need that extra few seconds.
She stepped out of the cab, and straightened out the scarf she had used to tightly veil her eyes, making certain that the scarring couldn't be seen. Then she made her way inside.
Hector finally felt the strong reaction of his beast to another one rather than something else, the feel was always different, more for that later though he thought. Smiling as though having just won the lottery he walks over to the identified Kindred while looking to ensure there weren't any lurkers.
"Evening." The first word is filled with a certain warmth as though he's actually happy to be meeting with another of his kind. "I'm Hector." He extends his hand in a polite manner while his tone remains rather respectful if warm.
Arnold arrives at the Avalon, walking inside. He ignores any disgusted and uneasy looks he gets from the kine as he scans the place for the Prince.
He actually looks pretty hearty and hale for what had just happened to the Kindred of the city.
Twist found a parking spot and after snagging it took a second inside her vehicle to adjust her hair. Finally satisfied she stepped into the warm evening air and locking the car behind her, made her way to the door of Avalon. Black heeled boots mostly hidden by black silk slacks, a cream and black kimono/corset mix, an upswept French twist with black pearls strung throughout to match those hanging from her ears and and she easily passed dress code. ((Outfit image: http://www.fairygothmother.co.uk/new...m-kimono1l.jpg ))
Inside she was able to pinpoint the strange niggling feeling at the back of her mind- the place was nearly empty. Oh, there were a few hits that had her beast urging for her to return to the car. But only a few. This was Avalon...she should be having hits coming in waves. Careful to keep her face blank she slowly moved to the bar. She thought she sensed a beast as strong as Asa's, the other's were also powerful and she would rather not risk it. From the bar she would be able to watch the majority of the club and would hopefully be able to spot the Prince. If she couldn't within a few minutes...then she would seek out the other beasts she felt.
Asa nodded politely to the stranger, and noticed an oddity entering Avalon behind him. Either Erika had taken up sikhism, or something was wrong. It seemed the Lost Nights had affected them all differently.
"Good evening," Asa replied to the newcomer. "Welcome to my city."
Might as well get that out of the way. Hopefully Erika heard that.
Seeing Arnold entered, he raised his hand to get the large man's attention. Between that, the stranger, and Erika, he missed the diminutive Daeva.
Erika does, in fact, hear it, and makes her way to the Prince. She inclines her head politely, "Good evening, Prince Clarke."
If the situation was worse than she thought, considering the lack of beasts she'd felt, dominance would have to be maintained.
Arnold hurries over to Asa, and likewise inclines his head to him.
"It is good to see you well, Majesty."
He then immediately begins eying Hector up and down. He doesn't recognize him.
If anything as the others approached, he took note of each as his smile widened. "Well isn't that just wonderful, get nothing and then get the creme of the crop." He takes a less familiar pose although nothing to offer onlookers any great clue as to what was transpiring and again looking about to ensure none but other identified kindred were within easy earshot. "Would you prefer someplace else for formalities?"
Regina has become distressed. Her goal of starting a new chapter might just run into a serious lack of membership. Forget members in the invictus, there might not be enough vampires at all. Looking around, she decided to head back to Asylum, maybe she could sneak into the boss' room, find some way of contacting him or her. On the way however, she spotted a line of people trying to get into a club with a proper sounding name, Avalon. High class, and the clientelle backed that up.
double checking with her ghoul that her swords were indeed obfuscated
Spoiler:2009-06-08 23:44:04 Regina Pia rolls 5 to Wits+Larceny+Obfuscate (10 Again) 9, 6, 3, 5, 8 2 successes
She headed inside, and was startled by the beasts she encountered. One, two, three, and one more powerful than the next. A knight does not run, and so Regina did not flee, despite everything telling her to. She headed to the gathering, keeping her distance, lest they assume she was some sort of assassin (paranoia was not a fun trait in Regina's opinion, but was too common not to take appropriate precautions), and gave a deferential nod of her head.
Regina nods her head. "I hope so; I am looking for members of the Estate. I noticed this place had the Estate markings on it, and hoped to meet members here."