VtM Part Four - Family

Necro

Lysander nods.

'For once, honesty is the best way forward. Hiding information will serve none of us in the long run, should this truly come to pass.'

Fourier

"Brave guy" Cock Robin says with a smile.

Luiz returns with two glasses on a silver serving tray. Lysander's is a deep red. Cock Robin's a dark black, diseased looking.

Luiz hands Lysander the glass. "This should help wash out the American accent a bit Sir"

He turns to Cock Robin "Monsieur Robin, the usual"

"Thanks Luiz" Cock Robin gestures. A set of white double doors at the top of the stairs then open and a woman who looks to be in her late 40s steps out.

"Karpov, Robin I will see you in here" she says.

Necro

Lysander looks up and drains his glass, savouring the taste of home.

He then gestures to Cock Robin.

'After you, you definitely outrank me here Archon Robin.'

Fourier

Cock Robin and Lysander head up the stairs and into the cosy room beyond.



Lysander notices the ancient book next to the candle has been heavily studied, with margin notes and an entire page copied out lying to the right. The books beside it are in Arabic.

"The red chairs gentleman, if you would" she says dragging over the wooden chair to sit next to the fireplace.

Lysander can feel his beast pulling at him, eager to escape the confined space and the fire.

Necro

Lysander resists his urges (OOC: Hopefully) and takes a seat.

Fourier

The beast struggles a bit but Lysander makes it to the seat.

"Right..." Fanchon begins "...I know Cock Robin, let's see who you are"

Lysander gets a sick feeling his stomach. Then a burning sensation on his skin. His hair and skin fall apart, dissolving back into the shadow substance beneath. He sits there, a human shaped collection of some black shadowy liquid.

"Right, a late stage Lasombra...powerful, you don't even have skin or organs anymore...just the shadow morphing itself to look like them. I didn't expect you to be that far along. Let's look deeper..."

Lysander feels himself tugged as she pulls open the shadow in various places with her mind.

"No heart?" she looks to Cock Robin "The shadow and Vitae have fused. You'll be very difficult to kill as you get stronger. Being immune to staking is a rare gift. Guard it well"

She leans in to Lysander, permitting him to return to human shape but not letting the illusion of skin and hair to return.

She whispers into his ear.

"Now we will look deeper into your sins...do you want Cock Robin to be present?"

Necro

Lysander shifts a bit uneasily.

'Proceed with him present.'

He looks at Rob.

'No secrets, right?'

Fourier

Fanchon stands moving her hands like a weavers. Out of the shadows a trio of shapes emerge. Deborah the old Toreador Priomogen, Jacqueline and Kirsten Belamy.

Cock Robin laughs.

"I already know all this Fanchon. The kid has been honest"

"So he has...I see...good"

She releases Lysander.

"Now Karpov why did you come here?"

Necro

Lysander looks to Fanchon.

'I am surprised you did not divulge that information already from your... let's call it soul-searching.'

He smiles wanly.

'I have been approached by the elders of the Lasombra. They are considering joining the Camarilla. Lock, stock and barrel joining. I am to take 4 members in as my wards in my territories and teach them the ways of the Camarilla as a... test subject.'

Fourier

Fanchon darts her head to Cock Robin.

"Then our scryings were correct. We have anticipated this for some time, but we thought it was at least three decades away/ We must prepare"

She heads over to the book at the desk.

"The knowledge they will bring..."

She closes the book.

"Excellent. Do as they wish and treat these new members well. I don't want this delayed even by a year. If you mess up you are dead"

She pauses for a moment, holding her temple. Lysander hears voices whisper in his blood. She's communing with other Kindred in a rapid conversation that would take months using the spoken word. The voices move too fast to make out.

She then stops.

"Karpov you may leave, unless you wish to ask me something. Simply pass through the double doors downstairs an you'll find your way hime. Robin you will remain. I wish to speak to you alone about another matter"

Necro

Lysander stands and nods to Rob.

'Thanks for your time, Fanchon. I will do as I always do, exceed expectations.'

He leaves and makes for the double doors.

Fourier

Cock Robin gives a light laugh. "I've got no doubt about it kid"

Lysander heads out through the double doors and finds himself back in the Nosferatu lairs in Cock Robin's room.

Necro

Satisfied yet somewhat exhausted after tonight's proceedings, Lysander bids farewell to the Nosferatus and makes for his penthouse, calling Nostro on the way.

'Nostro, are you available? We must discuss the future.'

Fourier

"Available. A Primogen always has time for his Prince. Your place?"

Necro

'Yes indeed. There are plans afoot. Bigger than you or I... but we shall discuss this when we meet.'

Fourier

Lysander makes it to his Penthouse where Nostro is waiting for him outside the door.

"Nice place Sir...from the outside. What's all this about?"

Necro

'Nostro come on in, let us drink and be merry. There will be some additions to our clan shortly. I will explain the details as we drink.'

Fourier

Nostro comes in.

"What do you want Sire, athlete, lawyer..." he lists off a few high end professions while looking through the drinks cabinet.

"Eager to hear what all this is about I have to say"

Necro

Fourier wrote: »

Nostro comes in.

"What do you want Sire, athlete, lawyer..." he lists off a few high end professions while looking through the drinks cabinet.

"Eager to hear what all this is about I have to say"

'Athlete, I'm feeling the need for some rejuvenation after a taxing night.'

He waits until Nostro is seated and then sips.

'We are a trial case Nostro, the Lasombra have seen the light... or so to say. They want to explore joining the Camarilla.

4 of their number will join us shortly. I am to train them. You will still be Primogen, of course. But any issues with them should be brought to me directly.'

Fourier

"Wow...more of us..."

He pauses for a while

"These guys will be stronger than me...I mean if they're here for you to train them, they must be our clan putting its best face forward, so they've gotta be older than me. Right? How will I deal with them. Will I really order them on my own authority or should it be on your authority? I mean how close to regular Camarilla operations should I play it

Can't imagine our kind will take well to orders from those beneath them. I used to hate it as a mortal and now it makes my skin crawl"

Necro

Lysander shrugs.

'This is one of the many tests you will face as Primogen, my dearest Nostro. You are like me though - I know you will succeed. Use your own judgement as to when and what authority you should use. Rest assured I will brief them, however you are right.

But weakness would be seen as worse - so tread carefully as to overuse my authority would not be a good idea either.'

Fourier

"Okay...makes sense. I'll just have to keep Imelda off them. Speaking of which, she's dying to meet you"

Necro

Fourier wrote: »

"Okay...makes sense. I'll just have to keep Imelda off them. Speaking of which, she's dying to meet you"

'As am I - her. It is interesting you know - she was meant to be as you are, a part of me - but I genuinely believe it works out better with her at your side. I hope she serves you well, Nostro, it seems she has proven her devotion in that regard already.'

Fourier

"Without a doubt. I'll get the..."

Lysander and Nostro feel their Vitae run cold. Like hyena cornered by a lion.

"Hi Ly can I have some?" Clarissa says with a cheerful note gesturing at the wine. "You've got some cool books here"

Necro

Fourier wrote: »

"Without a doubt. I'll get the..."

Lysander and Nostro feel their Vitae run cold. Like hyena cornered by a lion.

"Hi Ly can I have some?" Clarissa says with a cheerful note gesturing at the wine. "You've got some cool books here"

Lysander gestures to the wine.

'Of course Clarissa. Have you heard the news?'

Lysander retells the conversation to Clarissa about the 4 new additions.

Fourier

"Wow cool! Like three of you wasn't enough"

She sits in on the couch beside Nostro, who budges over slightly in an awkward manner. Lysander can sense his beasts struggling with fear, though Nostro is just managing to control it.

"What are you?" Nostro asks Clarissa, almost without meaning to.

Lysander senses a rising tension. Nostro might break.

Necro

Fourier wrote: »

"Wow cool! Like three of you wasn't enough"

She sits in on the couch beside Nostro, who budges over slightly in an awkward manner. Lysander can sense his beasts struggling with fear, though Nostro is just managing to control it.

"What are you?" Nostro asks Clarissa, almost without meaning to.

Lysander senses a rising tension. Nostro might break.

OOC: Dominate ON

'Calm yourself, Nostro - Clarissa is our friend. Quite what she is... that's not important.'

Lysander tries to ascertain if he will have to control Nostro's beast directly or will his words calm him.

Fourier

Lysander's dominate pushes back against the beast, but he can see the shadows wavering beneath Nostro's feet.

"Friend...but..." Nostro murmurs.

"You okay there pal?" Clarissa says patting Nostro on the back.

Necro

Fourier wrote: »

Lysander's dominate pushes back against the beast, but he can see the shadows wavering beneath Nostro's feet.

"Friend...but..." Nostro murmurs.

"You okay there pal?" Clarissa says patting Nostro on the back.

'Clarissa, come sit by me maybe. Nostro - whilst strong is also still young. His control is not as refined yet, it will come in time though.'

Fourier

As Clarissa gets up, the shadows beneath Nostro fuse into a spike and fire up toward her to impale her. They stop just an inch before hitting her. Acknowledging Lysander's intentions before Nostro's.

"What the hell?" Clarissa says. "What's your problem?"