A meeting held by Sidor Grigoriev at the Ridge Motel at the end of August 2011
[1]
- Sidor Grigoriev calls a meeting of the Domain's Nosferatu, following his murder of Anton Flores. This is in regard for the need to elect a Priscus, as it is incredibly important that any new Nosferatu do not struggle to be acknowledged. Josephine Powell, Jennifer Hazelton and Brenn Lawrence arrive quickly. They greet each other, although Brenn takes a small amount of offence at Jennifer's reluctance to speak- not realising that the other Nosferatu's voice fluctates uncomfortable. When Brenn sees Jennifer's neck scars, she feels guilty and offers her a pen and paper if she needs it. [2]
- Sidor Grigoriev begins to explain his purposes behind calling the meeting. Any discussion is cut short as Castor Drake arrives slightly late to the meeting, and apologises for his tardiness. Josephine Powell encourages him to take a seat and introduce himself. Jennifer Hazelton grins in greeting. Sidor, wishing to avoid any awkwardness, introduces Castor to the other three members and reiterates himself, explaining why they are there. He asks anyone who wishes to nominate a Priscus to speak. [3]
- Jennifer Hazelton hesitantly speaks up, supporting that Sidor Grigoriev should take the role of Priscus. Josephine Powell offers her support, as does Brenn Lawrence, although Brenn choses to emphasise the word 'Mister' instead of Deacon or Whip. Sidor asks Castor Drake for his opinion. Castor supports Sidor as Priscus also, leading to a unanimous election. [4]
- Sidor Grigoriev reluctantly accepts the position, and calls for anyone wishing to take his old position as Whip to submit themselves. Only Josephine Powell does so. Although Castor Drake and Jennifer Hazelton support the position, Brenn Lawrence refuses to cast a vote. This marks the first point of real discord all evening, and the newcomers clearly begin to wonder why Brenn is abstaining. Sidor is disappointed, but moves the meeting on, casting his own vote for Josephine. [5]
- Sidor Grigoriev reminds the clan that the attacker from the previous meeting has not yet been identified. Castor Drake and Jennifer Hazelton ask for more information, which is provided by the new Whip, Josephine Powell. Sidor reels off a list of possible motivations, using his tactical training. Debate ensues, although Brenn Lawrence tries to turn the issue towards the Necropolis set up by Dirge and Arnold Culler beneath the city. Josephine Powell calls the search 'looking for a needle in a city-wide haystack'. Sidor reminds Brenn that it is not their right to investigate or attack the Necropolis, as it is not a Clan issue, but a city one. Brenn takes offence and decides to try and mock Sidor. She miscalculates however- she is not facing the distrusted and shunned Whip of months previously, but a Haunt who is seen as a worthy leader by the other members of his clan. They move rapidly to his defence. Brenn falls silent in the face of this.[6]
- Jennifer Hazelton begins to suggest ways in which the search could go on. She enquires of Castor Drake as to his abilities, and begins to enthusiastically suggest different ways in which they could investigate the attacks. Sidor Grigoriev and Josephine Powell gently temper and direct that enthusiasm, and plans begin to take shape. Sidor suggests taking a look at the site of the attack.[7]
- Brenn Lawrence chooses this moment to speak up. She suggests calling the City's authorities in. Jennifer Hazelton, finding her voice, tells Brenn that this is a family matter, not a city one. Brenn clenches her fists and attempts to bully Jennifer into submission, which causes Sidor Grigoriev to intercede and force her to back down. Both Castor Drake and Josephine Powell feel some awkward sympathy for Sidor's sudden position as referee. [8]
- Jennifer Hazelton and Castor Drake suggest that until they have a fool-proof way of distinguishing each other, they should use certain signals at family meetings. Some discussion ensues, with Josephine Powell being amused at the idea of trying to use a facial tic, given the nature of Sidor Grigoriev's curse. Eventually, a Mark Twain reference is decided on, and the meeting stops. The Nosferatu head into the parking lot.[9]
- Jennifer Hazelton cloaks herself to overlook as the Haunts search the scene of the crime. Although Brenn Lawrence is disparaging about the idea of anything turning up, Jennifer ends up standing in a similar spot to the attacker, and she observes the numbers 11:43 carved into the stone by a spear point. Though the work of Brenn and Castor Drake establishes it as a bible verse, Sidor Grigoriev indicates that it could be one of several books, and that the meaning is likely personal. With that last clue discovered, Sidor indicates that he will have a better pair of eyes look at it as soon as possible, and the Nosferatu disperse.[10]
