(1006) Eternal Court III

[skarecrow36]

Michael

Michael walked back into Avalon again withe Staley's folders in hand and walked through the area looking for the Senechal. Surprised to find him talking to several kindred he is unfamiliar with. Nodding to Staley he waits patiently for him to finish his business so as not to interrupt. Charlie

Charlie nods to Ciara once more and says "Thank you for your help Keeper, I won't take up anymore of your time." Following Staley outside with the new arrival, he listens quietly as the man explains who he is. Stopping to notice Max as he arrives. He smiles and nods to him but doesn't stare too long as he doesn't want to give their relationship to the Service away to the Senechal.

For now it might be best that they think it's just me. At least until I find out more on their attitudes. I wonder if Joseph has spoken to Max yet?

[Max Heinz]

*Max nods to the two men, the Seneschal giving him the only information her truly needed.* Gentlemen, welcome to the city. Please don't screw up, we're running low on stakes; you may be asked to share one with someone else. *Max keeps his face even, and it's very unlikely any of the assembled Kindred would be able to deduce if he his joking or serious.* Oh, Priscus Barrett, I'd like to speak with you later if at all possible... *He hands the Priscus a business card with his cell number on it, and nods his head once again.* Good evening Seneschal, Keeper, Priscus...

*Having paid his respects, the thin Mekhet is gone again, back down the hall to Clarke's office. He hesitates, wondering if he could call or otherwise get the Prince's attention before disturbing him.* Fuck it, we've wasted enough time... *He mutters under his breath, and knocks softly on the door.*

[West]

"Come in," Asa calls.

He's sitting on his couch, looking at the paused frame of SportsCenter with a thoughtful, annoyed look. LeBron and FIFA are getting old fast for an NFL fan.

Standing, he tugged at his cuffs to straighten his jacket.

"Good evening, Mr. Heinz," he greeted his fellow Dragon.

[Max Heinz]

*Max closes the door, then bows deeply.* Good evening Prince Clarke. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your evening, but I've finished my interrogation of the girl that was rescued from the sewer. Combined with what I learned from our prisoner in the Chapter House, it paints a rather disturbing picture. Normally I would report my findings to the Revee, but I thought it best to bring them directly to you immediately.

[West]

Asa gestures for Max to sit in one of the leather club chairs facing the couch.

"The Brood are spreading, aren't they?"

[Max Heinz]

Spreading? His biggest concern is if they spreading? *Max takes the seat, pulling out his note book and flipping through his notes.* That's part of it. There's a number of places I could start Sir. Cult-like worship of either an old god and/or demon, moving from the sewers to what was formally Circe's farm, the use of Mandrake, the very likely possibility of the Brood being aided by some if not all of the city's Crone... Where should I begin?

[West]

Asa was tempted to laugh.

Aren't most of those a given with the Brood? They've come before; they'll come again.

He didn't, though.

"Begin at the end, with the last thing you said," he said, leaning forward.

Is Miss Dirge more clever than I thought? Or has Jayant finally decided to try to take what he wants?

[Mykel]

The bit about the Crone? It's linked to the other two statements. While interviewing the mortal woman, she overheard that they were moving out of the sewers. They were headed to "the Farm" to get more of "the Plant". There's only one farm in the city that would interest Kindred, and only one plant that would be of use to them. One that just happens to have been grown by one of the former residents of the city. Mandrake.

Has anyone been out to check on the Crone farm lately? *Good to see the man would at least pay attention to something that wasn't in a a skirt...*

[West]

This time, he couldn't stop it.

Laughter, deep, and rich.

May you get what you wish for.

Asa held up a finger to excuse himself as the mirth trickled away, and he shook his head slightly.

"To be frank, perhaps I should have given you more information to work with; I've just become used to having to put the puzzle pieces together myself.

"The Brood moved into Circe's Farm shortly after her departure, this, I was aware of. In fact, we should be getting a more detailed report any day now... they've held it for some time now without the former Crones knowledge. As far as Mandrake? Last... February, we were attacked by nomads, or Brood, that used Mandragragora strains extensively against us. They're probably rogue patches scattered throughout the city; needless to say, it wouldn't be terribly hard to get a hold of."

"So, the girl has confirmed what we knew about their base of operations, and it seems the interest in horticulture has spread," Asa mused.

"Now that Horizon is finished, we can focus on that problem. When we hear from our wayward Crones, we'll have a better idea of how large the threat is, and can plan reconnaissance," he mused.

He looked at Max, as if remembering something. "You weren't here when we fought them in the sewers below the old Chapter House, were you? Extensively mutated ghouls, with heavy and advanced usage of Obfuscate and Protean."

[Max Heinz]

*Max was not used to being laughed at, and his Beast demands he rip the other man's mocking mouth from his body. He pushes the urge down, his only reaction to raise an eyebrow as the Prince has his amusement. Once Clarke explains the situation, Max's panic fades, but not his anger. That would take hours to boil away, but he suppresses it for now.* Yes, Sir. Perhaps if I had been given more information to work with, I wouldn't have tried to piece what information I did have into such disjointed puzzle. Though, I am relieved the situation is not as dire as I had thought.

*Max shakes his head at the question about the attack* No, your Majesty; I arrived shortly afterward.