VtM Part Four - Family

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:00pm

Fourier wrote: »

The two sisters enter the room. Then Therese gestures to the chair for Lysander to sit in.

"Strauss does that not us Therese not us" Jeanette complains.

"No Strauss already did it we do it again" Therese corrects.

"Anyway my Prince I just wanted to inform you early on that another Primogen plots to dethrone you, Jeanette and I are actually the same person and there is a very old kindred and a very young one that are threats to you. And then there is the one with the old book, but he arrives. You and him want to kill somebody. Or maybe you don't yet. I forget now"

Lysander sits again.

'I believe I know this old kindred. The young one, I am not so sure of. But thank you for the warning. Is there anything I can help your clan with at present?'

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:07pm

"Oh and you become Prince" Therese says.

"No, when we're in the Lounge he has already done that" Jeanette corrects.

"Oh...of course, this is the part where our clan gets help. No I think we're okay, just gotta sire some more. We'll send you details. If I remember correctly you don't like one. Thank you for your time my lord"

They bow and head out. As they do Theresa Salvador enters.

"A word my lord?"

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:09pm

Lysander remains seated, smirking.

'Might as well do this now I suppose. Tell me, are the others now waiting in a queue to meet me because I met with one?'

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:14pm

"No. I am the last" she says sadly.

She sits opposite him.

"My lord, I simply wish to have dinner with you. Get to know you. I know you have never experienced a Toreador banquet. Our blood will be exquisite. A performance of music and feeding art will also be offered"

OOC: Feeding art is just a sort of high class seduction of a human and then draining them to death or near death the Toreador perform. The more shocked/aroused etc the mortal is when fed on the better.

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:17pm

Lysander looks at Therese.

'I accept your invitation, Therese. Although I presume these will be willing meals? I can help with that you know.'

He smiles playfully.

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:21pm

"Some of the mortals will offer themselves, but the highest art calls for those unwilling. Jacqueline was against such crude displays, saying if it went wrong the police could track us and it would be Masquerade violating madness. Prince LaCroix appreciated the finer arts as he had been raised in good standing in France"

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:24pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Some of the mortals will offer themselves, but the highest art calls for those unwilling. Jacqueline was against such crude displays, saying if it went wrong the police could track us and it would be Masquerade violating madness. Prince LaCroix appreciated the finer arts as he had been raised in good standing in France"

'And where would these unwilling mortals be sourced from, may I ask? I'm not disallowing it, not yet anyways.

Have your dinner. Put on the greatest show you can and I will attend, and then I will make a decision on whether to permit it or not.'

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:25pm

"I will ensnare them myself my lord. A display for the Prince I would not leave to my childer, ghouls or my political connections.

You will approve it, once you see. I know a Kindred of taste when I see one"

She leaves the room bowing.

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:29pm

Lysander sighs.

So many intricacies to managing all the clans. Some seemed more helpful than others.

He muses to himself..

'Strauss genuinely seems to wish to help the city, but Voerman's feasts whilst fabulous seem like bloodsports. I need to be careful though, one would see it as a slight to approve the others and reject theirs. Some careful consideration is needed.'

He stands and goes to meet Cock Robin and Clarissa.

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:33pm

"Hey Kid" Cock Robin greets him "Prince, nice step on the path to an Archon, remember I got my eye on you for that job my protégé. Do this Prince gig for a few decades and then join me wondering the country and dealing out justice"

He shakes Lysander's hand with as close to a smile as his bizarre features allow.

"Ly...that was a scary two years. I'm glad you're back and that you're in control. You have all you want now?"

She asks the last question hopefully.

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:38pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Hey Kid" Cock Robin greets him "Prince, nice step on the path to an Archon, remember I got my eye on you for that job my protégé. Do this Prince gig for a few decades and then join me wondering the country and dealing out justice"

He shakes Lysander's hand with as close to a smile as his bizarre features allow.

"Ly...that was a scary two years. I'm glad you're back and that you're in control. You have all you want now?"

She asks the last question hopefully.

Lysander shrugs.

'For now Clarissa. I am certainly happy with my standing. And it would not have been possible without either of you.'

He turns to Cock Robin.

'Rob, I'll definitely take you up on that when I have proven myself. Are you a Kansas fan by any chance? I have this image of us leaving town to one of their songs....'

He smiles and winks at Clarissa.

'Possibly a bit of an old song for your vintage, but I'd reckon you'd like it. And you Clarissa, are you happy?'

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:40pm

She pauses.

"Yeah, I'm happy now" she smiles. "Just hope there are no more surprises"

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:45pm

Fourier wrote: »

She pauses.

"Yeah, I'm happy now" she smiles. "Just hope there are no more surprises"

'Well bad surprises, I definitely agree with you. You should stay with me again now Clarissa, the penthouse is fabulous! Nostro will be very busy trying to assert control. He is very young, but he is ready.

But he will face difficulties I think, 2 years and a Primogen... others will start getting notions.'

Lysander shakes his head.

'A problem for another night. I must take my leave shortly, a Prince's work is never done and all that razzmatazz.'

Fourier · 05-08-2019 10:46pm

Clarissa doesn't hide her excite at living with Lysander again very well.

"Well good luck Ly. I'll take a look at the penthouse suite while you're gone"

Necro · 05-08-2019 10:50pm

Lysander nods to Cock Robin and whispers to him

'I trust you implicitly my friend. Read this and then burn it. I need to go and find out what they want though.'

He hugs Cock Robin and whilst doing so slides the letter from the Amici Noctis into his jacket.

'I shall see you later, at least I hope I will.'

Lysander nods at him and makes for the parking lot, and onwards to the zoo.

Fourier · 12-08-2019 7:51pm

Lysander gets to the zoo in short order. The place is still open to mortals. Walking around most of the major animal exhibits he sees no obvious sign of other Kindred

Necro · 14-08-2019 5:11pm

Fourier wrote: »

Lysander gets to the zoo in short order. The place is still open to mortals. Walking around most of the major animal exhibits he sees no obvious sign of other Kindred

Lysander attempts to sense any Kindred in the area, still walking around and perusing the exhibits.

OOC: Domination off at the moment

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:14pm

Lysander gets a strong sensation from the direction of the reptile house. Coming closer he notices there are no human heart beats within the reptile house and everybody who comes near suddenly decides against entering.

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:16pm

Fourier wrote: »

Lysander gets a strong sensation from the direction of the reptile house. Coming closer he notices there are no human heart beats within the reptile house and everybody who comes near suddenly decides against entering.

Lysander approaches cautiously, trying to get a sense for the power levels nearby.

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:23pm

As he nears the doors he does sense a strong presence. Multiple strong presences. With his hand on the door handle he feels his beast wants to run and flee, terrified at the monsters within.

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:25pm

Fourier wrote: »

As he nears the doors he does sense a strong presence. Multiple strong presences. With his hand on the door handle he feels his beast wants to run and flee, terrified at the monsters within.

Lysander shakes his head.

'No... I will face whatever is within.'

OOC: Domination On

Fighting his impulses he opens the door.

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:30pm

A few people near the reptile house drop to their knees with tears at Lysnader's magnificence.

As he enters he sees the reptile house is a nest of trees with windows embedded in them to view the snakes and lizards.

Suddenly a voice calls out from nowhere. No from his blood.

"So you accepted. Why?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:34pm

Fourier wrote: »

A few people near the reptile house drop to their knees with tears at Lysnader's magnificence.

As he enters he sees the reptile house is a nest of trees with windows embedded in them to view the snakes and lizards.

Suddenly a voice calls out from nowhere. No from his blood.

"So you accepted. Why?"

'For the betterment of the clan. And because the offer intrigued me. I am here to listen... for now at least.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:35pm

"And which is more important, you or the clan?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:38pm

Fourier wrote: »

"And which is more important, you or the clan?"

Lysander shrugs.

'I have... everything right now. I am a Prince, dragged up from nothing as an Antitribu. I don't need any more power... but if it can drag the Lasombra from the old ways into the new way of thinking - then I am on board.

Both are important, but in this matter - the clan comes first.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:45pm

"You did well against the first of us. He had not regained his full strength yet, he was weaker than we, still the sire-childe bond would have prevented us from attacking him though we are two or three generations removed.

But you? So far removed and yet so powerful. The perfect one to stand against him. For that alone you are worthy to be among us friends. Come let us speak face to face"

Lysander sees the shadows in the reptile house pull into one location, then left a foot into the air and turn into a hovering pitch black sphere.

"Step in" the voice asks.

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:48pm

Fourier wrote: »

"You did well against the first of us. He had not regained his full strength yet, he was weaker than we, still the sire-childe bond would have prevented us from attacking him though we are two or three generations removed.

But you? So far removed and yet so powerful. The perfect one to stand against him. For that alone you are worthy to be among us friends. Come let us speak face to face"

Lysander sees the shadows in the reptile house pull into one location, then left a foot into the air and turn into a hovering pitch black sphere.

"Step in" the voice asks.

Lysander obliges and steps in. He can feel himself naturally tensing and trying to draw the shadows to him for comfort but fights it for now.

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:53pm

Lysander finds himself in a completely black void as he walks across it ripples spread out beneath his feet. Ahead nine columns rise out of the black liquid beneath his feet and slowly obtain a human shape, but still no human features or skin, more like a mannequin made of shadow.

"Lysander Karpov, welcome. Are you ready to be tested so that you might join us?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 8:54pm

Fourier wrote: »

Lysander finds himself in a completely black void as he walks across it ripples spread out beneath his feet. Ahead nine columns rise out of the black liquid beneath his feet and slowly obtain a human shape, but still no human features or skin, more like a mannequin made of shadow.

"Lysander Karpov, welcome. Are you ready to be tested so that you might join us?"

'I have come this far. No turning back now even if I wanted to, I would muse.

Yes. I am ready.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 8:59pm

"Excellent..." one of the beings speaks "...we would ask you to kill one close to you. How would you respond?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 9:01pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Excellet..." one of the beings speaks "...we would ask you to kill one close to you. How would you respond?"

'That would depend on the bond. Some I would die to defend.

Others....'

He looks at the shadowy figures in turn.

'Others... I am more open to that possibility.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 9:07pm

"So you still have sentimental attachment?" one says in a quizzical tone. Their voices give no hint of gender and the accent is american with no regional traits. Though Lysander can sense this is put on.

Another responds "One can die to defend one's best tools. To give them up would bring you lower, some among us argue that you must always strive to move higher, being lowered is worse than death. I think what we should ask is do you care for them?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 9:11pm

Fourier wrote: »

"So you still have sentimental attachment?" one says in a quizzical tone. Their voices give no hint of gender and the accent is american with no regional traits. Though Lysander can sense this is put on.

Another responds "One can die to defend one's best tools. To give them up would bring you lower, some among us argue that you must always strive to move higher, being lowered is worse than death. I think what we should ask is do you care for them?"

Lysander thinks momentarily.

'One's best tools can sometimes be those that are close to you. It is not sentimental... more - means to an end. But those means are also precious - treat them correctly, and it can be mutually beneficial.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 9:22pm

They look among each other.

"An interesting perspective. We would not ask such a thing, the Friends would not ask this of one of our own. We respect your tools and your need for them.

No. Instead we tell you that we have decided to take the clan formally out of the Sabbat. None of us among the Friends believed in that daft religion, but many younger Sabbat do and we thought it best for the clan. First as a defence against the oldest of our kind. The Camarilla do not believe in the old ones, where as the Sabbat are obsessed with killing them. Also in the Camarilla we would be next to those vampires most like us, the Ventrue. We both crave power and we feared the struggle between us we lead to heavy losses.

However the greatest threat is no longer the ancients, but organized humanity. The human governments and their new task forces who have learned of us and the Sabbat have become more mindlessly fanatical since some of the ancients arose in Turkey two years ago.

Would you help us with this transfer?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 9:25pm

Fourier wrote: »

They look among each other.

"An interesting perspective. We would not ask such a thing, the Friends would not ask this of one of our own. We respect your tools and your need for them.

No. Instead we tell you that we have decided to take the clan formally out of the Sabbat. None of us among the Friends believed in that daft religion, but many younger Sabbat do and we thought it best for the clan. First as a defence against the oldest of our kind. The Camarilla do not believe in the old ones, where as the Sabbat are obsessed with killing them. Also in the Camarilla we would be next to those vampires most like us, the Ventrue. We both crave power and we feared the struggle between us we lead to heavy losses.

However the greatest threat is no longer the ancients, but organized humanity. The human governments and their new task forces who have learned of us and the Sabbat have become more mindlessly fanatical since some of the ancients arose in Turkey two years ago.

Would you help us with this transfer?"

Lysander relaxes a little.

'That was my goal anyways, if I can be frank with you. I aimed to build a power base strong enough that the Lasombra could not resist the lure of joining.

When they see how one can rise up, and control large chunks of a country without the need for such... savagery.

So our goals, whilst coming from different bases seem to align perfectly.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 9:42pm

Necro wrote: »

Lysander relaxes a little.

'That was my goal anyways, if I can be frank with you. I aimed to build a power base strong enough that the Lasombra could not resist the lure of joining.

When they see how one can rise up, and control large chunks of a country without the need for such... savagery.

So our goals, whilst coming from different bases seem to align perfectly.'

"Wonderful"

Eight of them vanish and only one remains. Slowly human features emerge

"Hello Lysander I am Demba Makemba Adoula" she does a short bow.

"It was I who suggested you should join us and it is I who will ask a favour of you for the clan. We want to set up a Camarilla Lasombra clan in Chicago. We have gathered candidates to form. Four excellent members of our clan. We would ask you to take them in. Formally they will be under your childe Nostro, but in truth three of them are stronger and so it is really you they will answer to.

Will you do this. To show them the ropes of being a Camarilla member so that they won't embarrass us in Chicago? Both are former Sabbat members. We destroyed their church all members but them, since we sensed they didn't really believe it"

Necro · 14-08-2019 9:47pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Wonderful"

Eight of them vanish and only one remains. Slowly human features emerge

"Hello Lysander I am Demba Makemba Adoula" she does a short bow.

"It was I who suggested you should join us and it is I who will ask a favour of you for the clan. We want to set up a Camarilla Lasombra clan in Chicago. We have gathered candidates to form. Four excellent members of our clan. We would ask you to take them in. Formally they will be under your childe Nostro, but in truth three of them are stronger and so it is really you they will answer to.

Will you do this. To show them the ropes of being a Camarilla member so that they won't embarrass us in Chicago? Both are former Sabbat members. We destroyed their church all members but them, since we sensed they didn't really believe it"

Lysander bows.

'It would be my honour. As long as they are willing, then it will not be a problem.

And if they are not...'

Lysander's eyes glow but he does not push his power towards Demba.

'I will rip the Sabbat thoughts clean from their minds.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 9:52pm

"Good!" she smiles "Keep the Kindred but change their mind, we are glad you are not wasteful"

"Now we are Friends truly. And so I wonder, would you ask something of me?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 9:56pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Good!" she smiles "Keep the Kindred but change their mind, we are glad you are not wasteful"

"Now we are Friends truly. And so I wonder, would you ask something of me?"

Lysander thinks for a long time after this question. So many questions... but one which has been in his mind for a long time comes to the fore.

'Do you know of the owl? What are they? That is all I ask right now. There may come a time soon when I have to repay a debt to this creature.... but I do not know if they are Kindred, or something else entirely.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:01pm

"An owl? One hasn't been seen in a long time. Do you know where we are right now Lysander or can you guess?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 10:05pm

Fourier wrote: »

"An owl? One hasn't been seen in a long time. Do you know where we are right now Lysander or can you guess?"

'Is this the Abyss?'

Lysander looks around him.

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:13pm

Necro wrote: »

'Is this the Abyss?'

Lysander looks around him.

"Yes. The owls are native to it, or rather to a deeper part of it we rarely go to. Some have told me that if you pass their realm you can reach the afterlife, but the worst part of it. None have done so in a long time, if any ever did. And none have journeyed to the owls in three hundred years and yet one sought you out.

What did it want?"

Necro · 14-08-2019 10:18pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Yes. The owls are native to it, or rather to a deeper part of it we rarely go to. Some have told me that if you pass their realm you can reach the afterlife, but the worst part of it. None have done so in a long time, if any ever did. And none have journeyed to the owls in three hundred years and yet one sought you out.

What did it want?"

'It assisted me with a problem. Bound the first member of a new clan to me. I am now in their debt.'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:27pm

Necro wrote: »

'It assisted me with a problem. Bound the first member of a new clan to me. I am now in their debt.'

"Ah..."

She pauses.

"...so you have one of the ones under your sway. We thought as much. Good work.

They killed a great number of our kind long ago and they can be lethal creatures when roused to anger. Thus we avoid them. Their debts are usually heavy. We have a ritual that can protect you from them. One use, but I give it to you for free"

She extends his hand for Lysander to shake it.

Necro · 14-08-2019 10:29pm

Fourier wrote: »

"Ah..."

She pauses.

"...so you have one of the ones under your sway. We thought as much. Good work.

They killed a great number of our kind long ago and they can be lethal creatures when roused to anger. Thus we avoid them. Their debts are usually heavy. We have a ritual that can protect you from them. One use, but I give it to you for free"

She extends his hand for Lysander to shake it.

Lysander takes her hand, trying to keep the other powers rolling around in his body from surfacing as he does.

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:36pm

He feels the ritual pour into him.

"Use it well. Now leave this place, for that is something that has being emerging in your blood. Being brought here was the little push you needed"

She sinks back into the Abyss.

OOC: Shadowstep gained. Lysander may enter and exit the Abyss (with some risk of Vitae loss). Enter any shadow near you and exit to any shadow in sight ("sight" here can be extended by technological or mystical means, e.g. you can exit a shadow you see through binoculars)

Necro · 14-08-2019 10:41pm

Lysander, feeling embibed by the power of the Abyss, is reluctant to leave.

'I could stay here forever, cloaked in the darkness... but I have a city to run.'

He leaves, trying out his new ability.

OOC: Just to the reptile house, let's not get too inventive yet :P

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:43pm

Lysander emerges from the shadows next to a young mortal couple who have wandered into the reptile house. They don't notice him yet.

Necro · 14-08-2019 10:45pm

Fourier wrote: »

Lysander emerges from the shadows next to a young mortal couple who have wandered into the reptile house. They don't notice him yet.

OOC: Domination still on.

Lysander makes for the door speaking aloud

'You never saw me here'

Fourier · 14-08-2019 10:46pm

He makes it out no problem. Stepping out into the the main path through the zoo.

VtM Part Four - Family

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