Konrad's Wholesale Goods

[Konrad Roth]

"Don't sweat it. Just some free advice. You can do with it what you want. As for me, I like to stick to my strengths. I was Embraced by my Sire in Vegas. Our Coterie had an arrangement with the mafia that ran a casino there. I learned a few trades that way, first and foremost how to make connections with folks who are willing to get their hands dirty. Everyone's trying to get their hands on something, whether it's a sword, a gun, a name, or a favor. I'm the one that can make that happen. Vegas was fun, for the few years it lasted. But Kine are always changing, adapting. Criminals have to stay one step ahead of the law, and Kindred have to stay one step ahead of Kine. So you can imagine that keeps me quite busy."

He stops walking a moment and turns, overlooking the spacious clearing to the south where lit sidewalks follow a skeleton framework of paved roads between empty lots.

"But if you want to know something more specific, you'll have to be more specific. You want to know about my past? Why I joined the Movement? More about my Sire? Where I've been, what I've seen? You want me to sum up my Requiem in a few choice words? I'm an open book, ask away." His words border on sarcasm, daring her to press him on any of the examples he lists.

[Phoenix]

"Actually, I was curious how you joined the covenant and what was your experience with it. I've mostly spent time with the movement in Toulouse itself, but I am still aware that the Carthians are heavily experimenting not only with how to govern ourselves but other things as well. Like the latest mortal trends, technology and the like."

She stopped walking at the same time as the priscus.

"You may have realized that I am a kindred with few experiences. I have been through war and the annoyances of life in the Invcitus but I need to learn and hear how my fellow comrades have been through things, how they think, what they do, things like that. I am a curious fellow and, besides, it will help me decide what exactly I want to do with my unlife. The battles against le cercle de la rose noire didn't give me much time to think, only act. It is high time I start to do the former."

le cercle de la rose noire The circle of the black rose. Konrad could see Gabrielle shivering unconsciously at the mentioning of the name.

[Konrad Roth]

"Look, I'll give it to you straight. I'm not a warrior like you. I don't fight battles, I run from them. It's not my thing. Survival has always been an instinct for me. And there's always other ways to resolve a dangerous situation."

Konrad gaze is dark, but he doesn't look at her. Something in his memory fills his thoughts and its effect on him is unreadable to most.

"But the Movement...I think I'd be doing the same thing now if I had stayed unbound. It just suits me. The Chain, all that symbolism and political philosophy, the real message there is connection. The First Estate does it by force. The Lance by faith. But the Movement does it by choice. If I had wanted to be told what to do I would have joined the army back when I was still Kine. Probably end up dead in a jungle somewhere or come back missing half my body for some war I never agreed to be part of. But he Movement has a chance of being more than just an experiment, and believe it or not I'm the gambling type. But that's cause I choose to be and weigh the risks for myself."

He turns on Gabrielle then, looking pointedly at her. "What about you, Abby? All the fights you've been in, did you get to choose your battles? Was it always kill or be killed? You or them?"

[Phoenix]

"The last couple of years was dedicated mostly to fighting the renegade cronies. We didn't get much of a choice in the matter, it was either that or getting killed or diablerized in a dark corner. I'll spare you the details, it was not fun. But to go back to your question : We had little choice in the first fights until, later on, we brought the fire to their haven."

This was as good a description of the war as any.

"Now that they are beaten, I wanted to go back to simpler things, going back to my arts and stuff. But I had to move away because of my mortal family. Apparently, they got wind of my presence due to the battle I was in ... or some idiot kindred leaked the information to drive me away. In any case, I had to move as far away from Toulouse as possible."

[Konrad Roth]

Konrad simply nods at this, taking Gabrielle's words in. He hadn't meant to say as much as he did but she had pressed him for it and he doesn't want to come across as cold and distant. Maybe pretending they were civilized made it easier to pull back when they had their fangs sunk into each other's veins. Maybe.

"Well I hope that works out for you. I never had that problem myself. Though after enough years go by Kine start to wonder why I never seem to age. But that's easy enough to disappear for awhile, find a new town, new contacts. It's why I came here to Sacrmaneto when I did. I've got a couple decades to enjoy until I'll need to do it again. Just another thing to consider when dealing with Kine."

He shrugs and looks away again, keeping her in his peripherals.

"I gotta say, I'm looking forward to this training of yours. Even though I hope never to have to use it. I dunno if it'll give the Movement more discipline or just make 'em cocky, but it aught to come in handy."

[Phoenix]

"It takes a while to be a good swordsman, though the kindred proclivities towards supernatural violence help in that matter. Heck, I have a lot more to learn myself. But the important part would be to create a coterie with enough training, cooperation and firepower to convice the other vampires not target us."

She then drew her cellphone which had pictures of swords on it. Both for combat and training purposes.

"I have some details on what will be required on my cell phone here. Obviously, we would need a few set to get us starting. I am not exactly Invictus wealthy, but I have some money to spend to help speed the process. I also think it could be a good idea to have at least a couple of those before we can start training. Anyways, I guess we'll need to discuss it further during our covenant's meeting."

She waited for a bit before proceeding further.

"We will also need a way to hide our training activities from the Kine. I am not sure whether medieval swordsmanship is big in california but creating a club could help us when dealing with mortals. Yeah, I know not a perfect solution but every little bit help."

[Konrad Roth]

"You're really deadset on that coterie, eh? Well, strength in numbers is a sound reasoning I guess. But it also makes you look like more of a threat. Just something to keep in mind. And I'm not all that crazy about swords myself. I think I'll stick with knives. They're more common and less obvious to carry. But yeah, you should totally bring it up at the meeting. Hopefully what we discuss at the meeting will also solve the need for a private space for ourselves."

Konrad turns and starts to meander back the way they came. "Anyways, I think we aught to part ways. I've got to look into those items you requested and get ready to meet with my Clan. We'll touch base soon, alright?"

[Phoenix]

Gabrielle shrugs at Konrad last words.

"If you're not a threat, you're a resource to be disposed of and sacrificed at will. Stay with me long enough, and you'll understand how true those words sounds ... enough for me to join the Carthian. Still, I understand how knifes can be useful but that's a conversation for another day.Anyways, it's late and I think we both have business to attend to. I'll look forward to the day when we meet at the Carthian Gathering. And I am sure I won't be the only one with interesting proposal. Be seeing you Priscus Roth."

And with that, she briefly bowed in front of the gangrel, indicating that their business was done ... at least for the moment.

[Konrad Roth]

Their farewells made, the two Kindred depart into the night.

End Scene!