Acknowledgement
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Acknowledgement
The journey is brief but uncomfortable, with no hint as to your whereabouts but the dull barrage of rainfall. After ten minutes the downpour ceases and you feel the vehicle roll down a slope, soon coming to a gentle stop. The engine shuts off and you're left with silence and stillness, bar the distant sound of footprints.
Then the door slams and you hear the Sheriff's gruff voice, haggling with a chop shop on a stripped Lexus.
"...Yeah, up the freight elevator ... rooms are ready ... hand 'em over to Swanny."
You surmise that Morell is directing staff to shepherd your herd elsewhere. He then finishes up the phonecall, hefting up the UHaul shutter. Dim light washes in, revealing a sparsely populated underground parking area, shades of grey as far as you can see. The lingering smell of petrolium gets a tiny rise out of your Beasts, which mimics the echoed snarl of distant cars.
"Out."
- Spoiler:
- Micha Chappelle rolled 6 dice to "Wits + comp" 9,6,7,5,1,7 (1 successes)
Then the door slams and you hear the Sheriff's gruff voice, haggling with a chop shop on a stripped Lexus.
"...Yeah, up the freight elevator ... rooms are ready ... hand 'em over to Swanny."
You surmise that Morell is directing staff to shepherd your herd elsewhere. He then finishes up the phonecall, hefting up the UHaul shutter. Dim light washes in, revealing a sparsely populated underground parking area, shades of grey as far as you can see. The lingering smell of petrolium gets a tiny rise out of your Beasts, which mimics the echoed snarl of distant cars.
"Out."
Re: Acknowledgement
Micha stepped out of the Uhaul with as much dignity as one could in that situation. She straightens her dress in a few motions and moves to follow the Sheriff. She awaits Alexander to exit with her and silently moves to stand beside the Sheriff, glancing about.
Re: Acknowledgement
A strong chemical smell hits you both as you pass the back of the Sheriff's van. You see a nasty little workspace back there: upholstery torn out, handcuffs dangling from a rung in the van headliner above rust brown stains.
Morell takes you about twenty yards across the concrete into a sparse, functional elevator. He shoves a card into the display a few times, until the machinery finally lurches into motion. "70" flashes on the panel and the Sheriff punches buttons on his phone.
"Yeah, Mal here ..." he begins to laugh "... I know, like a fucking circus clown dancing 'cross a minefield ... uh huh ... Yeah, I'm putting two on Mansur's goliath. Yeah, at Mexitown. I'll be by later."
He hangs up, leaving awkward silence as the elevator ascends. [44] The Sheriff's beast almost burns at this proximity.
Morell takes you about twenty yards across the concrete into a sparse, functional elevator. He shoves a card into the display a few times, until the machinery finally lurches into motion. "70" flashes on the panel and the Sheriff punches buttons on his phone.
"Yeah, Mal here ..." he begins to laugh "... I know, like a fucking circus clown dancing 'cross a minefield ... uh huh ... Yeah, I'm putting two on Mansur's goliath. Yeah, at Mexitown. I'll be by later."
He hangs up, leaving awkward silence as the elevator ascends. [44] The Sheriff's beast almost burns at this proximity.
Re: Acknowledgement
Micha watches the Sheriff out of the corner of her eye, trying to put this odd talk together. She couldn't try and piece a circus clown to any relevance. It almost seemed as though the Sheriff was betting on a clown and a- oh. Hadn't the sheriff mentioned some sort of gladiator earlier? It was a real thing? She bet it wasn't like the ring in Salem. The uncertainty and proximity to the Beast put Micha's teeth on edge, but she forced herself to focus.
She was simply here to educate her family. A favor, not a crime. She put her other ideas and desires out of her head in order to focus on the meeting to come.
She was simply here to educate her family. A favor, not a crime. She put her other ideas and desires out of her head in order to focus on the meeting to come.
Re: Acknowledgement
The awkward silence continued as the floors counted off. [55] As the Sheriff places a corded, strangler hand against the front of the elevator you notice a bulge at his ribs which has to be a weapon. He begins to hum half-remembered elevator music off key.
"So, you got a place to spend day here?"
"So, you got a place to spend day here?"
Re: Acknowledgement
"Yes. " Micha replied shortly. The man didn't invite confidences and Micha wasn't one to share.
She carefully looked ahead, ignoring the bulge.
She carefully looked ahead, ignoring the bulge.
Re: Acknowledgement
"Mighta been smart to do recon before commiting to a place. You're out of your element. Where you living?"
[66]
[66]
Re: Acknowledgement
"Couldn't have hurt." Micha admitted. "I have something in Greektown. It will do nicely. I would love to hear your opinions of the area. I intend to do some surveying around it, once I survey the childe and how wily its going to be."
Re: Acknowledgement
The Sheriff snorts as the elevator hits 70 with a mellow tone. The doors slide open, revealing a dimly lit corridor mixing sparse faux-renaissance sculpts with modern paneling and brushed aluminum. An empty executive gymnasium is visible a floor below through an angled portion of one-way glass. Morell waits for the pair of you to leave the elevator.
You're taken down the hall, past gaping glass showing the tiny lights of a city 700 feet below. There are six smaller skyscrapers connected to the building. Eventually you reach a set of double doors, which Morell unlocks with a card.
You stand in an enormous, dim lit office. A man sits behind a large desk, illuminated by the blue light of an LCD built into the desk. He looks up at you, eyebrow raised. He wears a slate grey suit and conspicuously, a pair of gloves. You see movement in the shadow behind him. He stares expectantly at you.
"Newcomers." Morell offered, blunt and rumbling. "Looking to lodge in Greektown."
The man behind the desk peers down at the blue light. "Yes. We know that now." He locks eyes with Micha. He wears a neatly trimmed beard and close cropped hair. He motions for the pair of you closer to the desk.
"Good evening. I am Latif al-Baqir ibn Rahim ibn Said al-Misrī, Seneschal to the City of Detroit."
You're taken down the hall, past gaping glass showing the tiny lights of a city 700 feet below. There are six smaller skyscrapers connected to the building. Eventually you reach a set of double doors, which Morell unlocks with a card.
You stand in an enormous, dim lit office. A man sits behind a large desk, illuminated by the blue light of an LCD built into the desk. He looks up at you, eyebrow raised. He wears a slate grey suit and conspicuously, a pair of gloves. You see movement in the shadow behind him. He stares expectantly at you.
"Newcomers." Morell offered, blunt and rumbling. "Looking to lodge in Greektown."
The man behind the desk peers down at the blue light. "Yes. We know that now." He locks eyes with Micha. He wears a neatly trimmed beard and close cropped hair. He motions for the pair of you closer to the desk.
"Good evening. I am Latif al-Baqir ibn Rahim ibn Said al-Misrī, Seneschal to the City of Detroit."
Re: Acknowledgement
"Good eve, Seneschal." Micha nodded respectfully, her whole body bending. ""I am Alder Micha Chappelle; Lady Notary of the First Estate, Priscus of the clan Mekhet from the city that I just vacated, Salem, and First Successor of the House of the Blue Convolvulus. I am the childe of Alder Notary Ezra Rosietto, childe of Alder Lady Notary Mariel Versailles; childe of Alder Earl Erland Aderres.
With me I present my brother; Mr. Alexander McCairn.
Alder Garreth Slade, former Priscus of St Louis and Master of Elysium lies in sweet Torpor within our Family.
It would be my pleasure to assuage any concerns or questions you have about our arrival."
With me I present my brother; Mr. Alexander McCairn.
Alder Garreth Slade, former Priscus of St Louis and Master of Elysium lies in sweet Torpor within our Family.
It would be my pleasure to assuage any concerns or questions you have about our arrival."
Re: Acknowledgement
"How co-operative of you." The Seneschal quips humourlessly, his voice conspicuously devoid of accent. A gloved hand presses something on the monitor. "I understand you've purchased a property without petitioning the Regent nor myself for residency. I confess ... this presumption, that you will be writ into our City's register, does not endear me towards you." He takes his eyes from Micha, appraising Alexander instead. His Beast is powerful, but almost lazy, unlike the primeval cauldron the Sheriff seems to lug around with him. [BP 7]
For the first time, you notice a lithe Kindred with Indian features as he rises from a seated position in a shadowy corner of the room to stand before the long, spotless windows. Faint red hand-prints remain upon the armrest and solidify as he spares you both a passing glance before focusing on the tiny lights below.
You hear the Sheriff leave the office as the Seneschal dims his monitor. "I have no doubt that this discourtesy is unintended, but please indulge me: how would you make amends for this small slight if called upon?"
For the first time, you notice a lithe Kindred with Indian features as he rises from a seated position in a shadowy corner of the room to stand before the long, spotless windows. Faint red hand-prints remain upon the armrest and solidify as he spares you both a passing glance before focusing on the tiny lights below.
- Spoiler:
- Micha recognises a distinct pattern of scarification marking the small Indian's arms. It gives him away as Ashok Khambatla, the Recurrent Serpent. He is said to be a ghost of the First Estate's forays into India back in the 18th and 19th century. A tactician of the Amara Havana, the Recurrent betrayed India's Southern Cities alliance to colonial Invictus. The scarce reports on the Recurrent dated after 1857 place him torpid in Israel. How he wound up in the Seneschal of Detroit's office isn't immediately apparent, though he remains a savvy tactician and perhaps more significantly, an old betrayer.
You hear the Sheriff leave the office as the Seneschal dims his monitor. "I have no doubt that this discourtesy is unintended, but please indulge me: how would you make amends for this small slight if called upon?"
Re: Acknowledgement
"I see the error that I have made." Micha says gravely. "This was as you stated, unintended due to my haste to reach my Family. Yet intentions do not restitution make. I have in my possession a fine vintage. He was passed to me by Chloe Deering, Invictus Sensechal of Toronto known for her fine taste in choosing the most pleasing of vintages.
For my slight, I offer up Maninder from my herd in the hopes the fine vintage takes away the sour taste of surprise."
Re: Acknowledgement
Khambatla turns to face the pair of you. He's dressed in a dark, button up shirt that's a little oversized. The wall behind the Seneschal seems to blink as a cross-section of LCD panels turn on, taking away the comfort of the shadow and bathing you in dim blue light. Al-Misri rises from his seat, turning to face the monitors. They depict grainy footage of your herd, separated and sat at one side of a desk in claustrophobic rooms of gray cinderblock. Your host points to Maninder on the screen with a long, black letter opener.
"This is him, yes?"
You hear the door shut behind you.
"This is him, yes?"
You hear the door shut behind you.
Re: Acknowledgement
"Yes, that is he." Micha replied. "A star of my herd. The choice of testing ones' palette even for a singular experience will be memorable."
Re: Acknowledgement
"I confess that my own palate is undeveloped." The Seneschal utters, isolating Maninder's video feed with the touch of a small pen device. "Perhaps my guest, Mr Khambatla, would partake on my behalf. Or the Harpy Macellarius."
Al-Misri takes his place behind the desk, locking fingers together as he favours you with probing eyes.
"One of your number is in eclipse?"
Al-Misri takes his place behind the desk, locking fingers together as he favours you with probing eyes.
"One of your number is in eclipse?"
Re: Acknowledgement
Micha notes the name of the Harpy with keen interest. She focuses on the question, however.
"Yes, Seneschal. St. Louis was plagued by Hunters in the year 2008. Several kindred were hunted down before the Hunters abducted my House mate. We led a counter attack that ended with the bastards safe house being leveled and Elder Slade being rescued. He fell to Torpor, however... due to the Potency of his blood, I expect he will not awaken for some time. "
"Yes, Seneschal. St. Louis was plagued by Hunters in the year 2008. Several kindred were hunted down before the Hunters abducted my House mate. We led a counter attack that ended with the bastards safe house being leveled and Elder Slade being rescued. He fell to Torpor, however... due to the Potency of his blood, I expect he will not awaken for some time. "
Re: Acknowledgement
The Seneschal doesn't answer for a time. One of the monitors shuts off, and another is filled with a hazy blur. Khambatla seems to have disappeared.
"I'm prepared to offer you conditional residency." the Seneschal states, looking up from his desk.
"I'm prepared to offer you conditional residency." the Seneschal states, looking up from his desk.
Re: Acknowledgement
"You have my leave to reside in Greektown for seven nights. As to whether or not you may remain in Greektown after this grace period lies with the district regent, one Mr Emir Mansur. His territory is hard won, and I am loathe to force unwanted tenants onto him at this time. If Mansur is unwilling to accept you as tenants, you will find another district. Once you are dismissed from here, a Herald will take you to your Regent. Residency is subject to our laws, which Mr Mansur will appraise you of. Am I making myself clear?"
Re: Acknowledgement
"Perfectly, Seneschal. I appreciate the opportunity to earn the right of haven in Greektown."
Re: Acknowledgement
The Seneschal makes the video feed of your interrogated ghouls go away, replaced by a static image of Gareth in torpor.
"In Detroit. The Traditions are sacrosanct unless we, the Lawmakers, see fit to waive them. The City has other laws both writ and unspoken, which Mansur will relay to you, in addition to the laws of his Regency. My Herald shall deliver yourselves and your entourage to his casino, with the exception of this Maninder."
"In Detroit. The Traditions are sacrosanct unless we, the Lawmakers, see fit to waive them. The City has other laws both writ and unspoken, which Mansur will relay to you, in addition to the laws of his Regency. My Herald shall deliver yourselves and your entourage to his casino, with the exception of this Maninder."
Re: Acknowledgement
"Marvelous. I have good faith that he shall be returned shortly. Shall these new laws be relayed en route to the Casino?"
Re: Acknowledgement
"That won't be necessary, these laws are not new, merely important. I think we have everything we need on you, now."
The Seneschal produces a pen that probably ought to be an feather quill but in this instance is a Mont Blanc. He pens something in and then looks up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a guest and a great many things to do. Please await my Herald in the corridor."
The Seneschal produces a pen that probably ought to be an feather quill but in this instance is a Mont Blanc. He pens something in and then looks up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a guest and a great many things to do. Please await my Herald in the corridor."
Re: Acknowledgement
"Marvelous. A pleasure meeting your acquaintance. I hope that you are well until we meet again."
The Mekhet rose and moved to the corridor.
The Mekhet rose and moved to the corridor.
Re: Acknowledgement
Standing in the corridor wearing robes of a Catholic monk. His hood was up, casting a deep shadow over his face.
"Are you the new Shadow from Salem that sent the letter?" he said with a vague hint of an Irish accent. "I would have expected you to be," he paused as he moved his head up and down, as if eyeballing her, "prettier."
"Come with me," he said as he turned and led her down the corridor towards the elevators.
[Obfuscate 2 Active, Presence 3]
"Are you the new Shadow from Salem that sent the letter?" he said with a vague hint of an Irish accent. "I would have expected you to be," he paused as he moved his head up and down, as if eyeballing her, "prettier."
"Come with me," he said as he turned and led her down the corridor towards the elevators.
[Obfuscate 2 Active, Presence 3]
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