Bloodlines Chapter 3.1 Actus Criae

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 - 3:08 am the Hamilton Golf and Country Club: Club House  - The Prince

There was the slightest twitch of lip as Antigen listened to both sides of the 'argument'. He shook his head and his eyes flickered between the two young vampires.

"The council does not see what Angel did as ratting Athial. Angel did as told he tried to upkeep the masquerade and kept us in the loop with what was happening. Although this took him away from the main group when the event with Fia Cade happened that in no way makes him guilty of anything. I must admit Athial I am rather surprised you would call Angelo out in such a crude manner over his personality. I'm disappointed to find out your sire or the Chantries previous to the one here in Hamilton have yet to have taught you  court etiquette or self discipline. If you have Issues with his 'insufferable' personality avoid contact with him unless it is mandatory. You have been Kindred for over a decade now Athial and most certainly approved to stand on your two feet without hand holding."

The Prince looked to Angel. "I apologize on behalf of my Clan for the inappropriate behavior of one of my own. This calling out is a very very minor embarrassment and sadly I think you will find that it is my clan mate that is feeling more embarrassed than yourself. You do however have a way apparently of getting under peoples skin from several reports Angel. Whether or not its intentional or unintentional is yet to be known. If it is the latter you should take care with the way you manipulate those around you. Court can only offer so much in the way of protection. Now then... If some minor form of recompense were to be offered what would you want from her Angelo?"

[Maxx]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 - 3:09 am the Hamilton Golf and Country Club: Club House  - Angel

Angel lowered his head for a moment.  "My Prince, I assure you that I would never try to intentionally get under anyone's skin.  I am what I am and if people find that offensive, I will not apologize for it.  As far as recompense is concerned, the apology you have offered is far more than I could have hoped for.  My intention was not to humiliate or offend Athial or her Clan.  I only wanted to find out why she holds me in such obvious contempt.  I am willing to offer the olive branch, should she be willing to accept it and if there is anything I can do to assist her in her recovery from the injuries she sustained in the fight for our city, I offer it freely, without any condition."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 - 3:10-3:13 am the Hamilton Golf and Country Club: Club House  -Antigen

With the silence that followed from Athial he could only shrug. "I guess in time we shall see what happens Mr Angelino. But that does bring up something I would like to address you on. Your young friend Dee. I am sure you are well aware that her existence is a threat to us. The council and I have talked about it. I assured the young lady that you would be taking care of her and I sincerely hope you understand when I say take care of her Angelo. Your young friend is very observant and seems to have luck on her side. I do think she would make a rather promising ghoul and see it as the safest way to maintain our Masquerade. From the talks I have had with her be they brief she is very money driven Angel I fear if you don't put a leash on her that our existence and personal details could be revealed if someone ever approached her. Please endeavor to make sure we can all rest easier at night knowing she is in our pockets."

Antigen looked around the room "Is there anyone else that wishes to adress the council on any news, requests for ghouls or any other buisness."

Sara the head of Clan Gangel stood. "I do Prince. I am tendering my resignation. I Cannot stay here in Hamilton my home was burned my business destroyed. There is nothing here to tie me down. I felt it would be polite to let you know I hope to be out of Hamiltion by next weekend. Due to the size of my clan I don't see the need to place anyone as a clan leader. Xiaoqing and Fia are both easy enough to reach and my clan as a whole isnt one for meetings, Either of them could be reached if you need them with a phone call Antigen."

Antigen was silent for a moment and still. Gone were the small mannerisms that came with being mortal. He looked her squarely in the eye. "You feel this is a good move for yourself and those of us in this city?" his tone was polite but his face was once more an unreadable mask. "We could really use your abilities Sara."

Sara shook her head "My Prince I don't mean to be too rude but yeah, I do think its for the best. My heart isnt in the fight. And Clan gangrel is only ever used to clean up messes. Were not one for politics nor we we relish the violence as the Brujah do. Though its been an interesting eight years living here in this city I feel the time for me to leave early would be best for everyone so there are no feelings of ill will or malevolence." Her gaze flickered over several of the people in the room all of the council members and the venture that sat at the table before the primogen. "I hold true to my statement I wont be swayed."

"Very well." Antigen said carefully. "I fear for your clan mates. Leaving them at a time like this when they so desperately could use a good leader and your wisdom and support-"

Sara glared at him "Do not try to make me feel guilty Antigen."

"I am not. I am stating facts not laying on a guilt trip. Perhaps if you see it that way then in your heart of hearts you know that what you are doing does nothing to help anyone here in this city but yourself." he replied evenly.

"There is nothing wrong with a bit of self preservation. I could go into depth the reasons that I do not wish to stay here. And I do mean in detail... but... I do not wish to bore people and the night is close to ending. I'm not asking for your blessings my Prince just the ability to walk away without having a knife stuck in my back."

"I would never do such a thing Sara. Your presence here in the city was tolerated by the former prince but I tried my best to have your clan feel less alienated despite clan gangrel not being officially affiliated with the Camerilla. It is a choice that is at the discretion of every prince in any city run by our kind. I think I have been fairly generous and tolerant Sara. I did not make any exceedingly outrageous demands. You were asked to do what everyone else was which was to protect the masquerade and your home. If these demands were somehow seen as being cumbersome I agree, you shouldn't stay here in this Princedom. I would like to see you out of the city preferably before the weekend if possible since you are wishing to depart."

Sara lowered her head slightly and nodded. "Again I do thank you for your understanding."

Antigen spoke his words slowly as if choosing them carefully."There is little to understand Sara you value your own self preservation over anything else. I cannot in good conscience force you to stay here for fear of you uprooting your clan further. I will say this and it is not a threat. If you are leaving it might be best to leave tonight lest I change my mind."

Sara look around the room once more at the assembled faces "I understand Antigen. Time is short tonight but I will do my best to be out of here by tomorrow."

The prince nodded and steepled his fingers. "Drop by my office tomorrow night for a letter of passage so you may settle where you choose. And I think it would be best for yourself Sara to not return to Hamilton anytime soon."

Sara nodded to the prince before she cast a look at the assembled venture that were not at the primogen table before she looked back to the Prince "I assure you I will avoid Hamilton at all costs. I have no desire to stay here." And with that the Leader of Clan Gangel took her seat.

Antigen's gaze swept the board room "Is there anything else that should be brought up at this meeting or shall we adjourn for the night?" he asked the assembled Kindred.

[Trellin]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:07-3:13 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Butcher/Doug
HP: 7(7)     BP: 11(14)     WP: 4(5)     Hum: 8(8)     SC: 4(4)

Doug forced himself to sit back and relax, listening to what was being said. He intensely wanted to snap back at the Ventrue primogen and it just made it worse because he knew Mark was right, especially after what Donna mentioned about there being a spy. Christ, look at these guys; no wonder Scotty never came back. His eyes narrowed as he considered the fact that there was a spy here. Someone in their own camp gave the information to the Sabbat that was used to kill Scotty among many others. He began to seethe as he considered everything that he didn't know. He and Donna were definitely going to have a sit down because this kind of shit he simply would not tolerate. Someone of these motherfuckers here tonight had just risen to the top of his to-do list. His mind raced around for a few minutes as he slowly got more angry until he finally forced himself to listen to everything everyone was saying, fuck knows what else he would hear tonight that he needed to know.
He was surprised by the spirit with which the Tremere girl let into Angel. The more he heard people speak about and to him, the more solidified his opinion became of Angel being more trouble than he was worth. He did agree with Dana though, that was hypocrisy by definition.
He felt another shift as pieces became clearer in the puzzle when he realized that it must have been Angel's human contact that fed the information to the Camerilla about the Sabbat being in town. That would explain the sense of entitlement that Angel seemed to feel in the power structure. He gave them the heads up when no one else had a clue, including the Scourge, and he was milking it for all he was worth. When he heard Antigen order Angel to ghoul the girl his jaw dropped for a moment in disbelief. What the hell was he thinking not ghouling as soon as she had a clue as to what was really going on?
Then the next mortar round fell. The Gangrel primogen was pulling out. He noticed how Antigen froze and thought, Christ, he wasn't expecting that. This isn't some kind of power play, this is serious, she's bailing. It sounds like she wasn't pulling out just to save her own skin but he was on board with the sentiment about self-preservation. Then he thought of the spy and noted that Antigen asked her to get out and stay out. He wished he could have spoken to her before she left but clearly that wasn't going to be possible. Although it was tempting to think she was the spy he was pretty sure she wasn't it or the Prince won't have let her go so easily although he could have something planned before dawn if he wanted her picked up. No, he and Donna needed a conversation first.
The offer for ghouls reminded him and he sat up, "Would it be possible for permission to create a couple of ghouls in the future after I've established myself a bit more, subject to Donna's approval, just so I don't have to waste your time or wait for another big meeting like this? I have an added need for urgency teaching Mike as it will make the acquisition of meals hella less risky."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:14 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Antigen

"Ghouls are to be presented on a case by case basis Mr. Carver. Just be sure that they will be useful and wont be attracting any unwanted attention we've had enough as it is. One can start off by securing a couple after that we tend to scrutinize whether of not you are truly in need of them. A minimal amount of ghoul retainers is preferable. Do you have any thoughts on who you might wish to employ to your causes?" The Prince asked. The air in the room seemed lighter some of the tension had drained away at least from the Princes end.

[Trellin]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Butcher/Doug
HP: 7(7)     BP: 11(14)     WP: 4(5)     Hum: 8(8)     SC: 4(4)
"I don't have anyone in mind at the moment. Although I've been here almost a week and have learned a significant amount about the geography and hunting grounds in Hamilton and its outlying areas I haven't been concerned with creating a herd. It's not my style to have one, actually, but needs must when the devil drives and I will need a ready, stable source of food now considering my new responsibilities. Even so, I don't expect to require more than two, however as that would be enough to support Mike indefinitely, barring use of blood, of course. I propose to wean him on animal blood until I think his self-control is strong enough to feed from humans without frenzying. This gives me more time to become established and Mike to learn the ropes. I'm new to being responsible for a childe but it I think it worked OK for me.
I would prefer to have a ghoul for myself and have Mike create a ghoul when he's ready for the second. He will have a greater need for the legwork than I unless he can eventually learn to mask himself. I assumed that since he was my childe, I am responsible for all his actions currently, including creating a ghoul and so I asked for two.
My only question is, does this mean that Donna can make the decision on each case?"

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Antigen

"When you are ready Donna will let me know what she thinks of the situation. If she approves and tells me she is comfortable with the choice I trust her and you have the green light Mr. Carver." The blond vampire replied.

[Trellin]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Butcher/Doug
HP: 7(7)     BP: 11(14)     WP: 4(5)     Hum: 8(8)     SC: 4(4)

"I appreciate it, Antigen", he spoke more quietly to Donna, "So are you going to be keeping up with the patrols until Unit Scourge comes online? If so, I'd like to keep going and bring Mike with us, if not, I'd like permission to keep up and bring Mike with me. He can help me out with local insight and it might do him good to get out. With his looks and my scars we can drive around and pretend to be made up weirdo's. Better yet, we can be the mysterious pirate radio guys driving around town and broadcasting, which gives us a perfect reason to be absolutely anywhere, the more remote and dangerous the better. It's a win-win situation."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Donna

"We can talk about it after the meeting." Donna assured Doug quietly. She cast a look to her watch and noted the time. If luck had it and no one else had anything crazy to bring to the table she might be able to get out for three thirty. Despite the fact that the court meeting was winding down, no doubt her and her own would gather to discuss how the nights events would be effecting their futures.

[Trellin]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Butcher/Doug
HP: 7(7)     BP: 11(14)     WP: 4(5)     Hum: 8(8)     SC: 4(4)

Doug nodded to Donna, satisfied, and sank back in his chair to see if there was anything else.

[Maxx]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 - 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club – Club House - Waylon

Waylon practically gagged when Dougie announced that he would be weaning Mike on animal blood.  Talk about a tofu diet.  He's not going to teach him not to frenzy that way.  Six months of cows blood will nopt prepare him for the real thing.  One taste of real blood and he'll think it's ambrosia and frenzy on the spot.  Just like poor Jallyn did when she smelled the Prince's blood.  He leaned over to Helen.  "What did you do to Jallyn?" he asked.

Helen looked at the little red headed artist.  "Fed her," she said, her face expressionless.

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:15 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Dana

Dana slumped in her seat, listening to Doug talk about weaning Mike. So were they going to make vampire half and half? That'd be pretty sweet...She wondered absently how much trouble she'd get into with Doug if she got Mike drunk in the near future...They had a deal! She couldn't just drop it. Maybe she could get a cow drunk first...

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:16 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Antigen

The prince let the silence in the room hold for a full minute before he stood. "Very well since there is no more business... You may all go, with the exception of you Seth Delvecchio, you will be coming with me.

Helen's right hand man looked unnerved. "Of course my Prince." But gone was the normal cheer and enthusiasm in his voice.

"Before your punishment is met out I will allow you to make two calls of relative short length to get your affairs in order while you are gone for the month." Antigen bid the vampires of his city a good eve telling them them to care for their new wards and to be safe as he watched them drift out of the meeting room in ones and twos...

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:25 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Donna


Donna leaned against her black Jeep in the  parking lot as she watched the various Kindred leave the lot their cars disappearing into the black of the night as their red taillights disappeared into the distance.

She pulled her pack of cigarettes out of her back pocket and lit one as Dana, Mike and Doug hung around. "Well that was an interesting night. Went faster than I was expecting." The Brujah leader commented as she lit her smoke. "You're going to be needing to know where were staying Dana unless you have crash space somewhere. If not you will be staying with Dougie and I at the Tisdale apartments. They're not fancy but they are light proof. You guys interested in heading back now or just hanging about here for a bit. Sunrise isnt until 6am so we have some options."

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:25 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Dana

Dana had exited in the droves of people, saying good bye to the shiny blue bike in the lobby out of the corner of her eye. A couple of the kindred had stopped to take a look at it, probably because it's unusual to have a bike parked right in the lobby. The congestion this caused agitated the Brujah. When she was finally released into the night air she was highly pleased to be there, she removed the pack of smokes from her boot and lit one up, enjoying the habit a moment before carrying on to where Donna leaned against her jeep.

"Yeah I JUST got here. I didn't even get a chance to check shit out, so looks like we'll be roomies, I got no problems with that. Now excuse me one sec" She took another drag off her smoke wandering over to the beater of a pick up truck parked just one down from Donna that was a mix between putty grey and primer orange. She leaned in through the open window and pulled out a small bundle of clothes, apparently from her passenger side seat. Most of the cars in the lot had gone off to their various destinations. "Changing into something more comfortable" was all she muttered, smoke pursed between her lips as she kicked off her swede boots and started to pull a pair of jeans on up and under the skirt of the dress, pantie shot was not an issue as the shorts she'd been wearing. However once she'd buttoned the jeans she squirmed her way out of the dress, in a fashion that insinuated she didn't where them often, also was very amusedly trying to get it off around her smoke. Once she was out, she quickly pulled the faded old tshirt over her midriff and was once again clothed and decent. She returned her boots to her feet and went back to the assembled.

"So now that I look like a real thing...What mischief can we get into in..." She checked her watch "A couple hours anyways."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:26 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Donna

"Well at this time of night theres not much going down. Bars all close at two in the morning round here so were shit out of luck for that. I guess we could cruise show you the ned feeding areas and let you see how badly the city has been fucked up while we chat. Cept we gotta do something bout Mike. Can;'t really cruise unless we hide his mug, no offense but youre a walking violation of the masquerade mike."

"Whats a masquerade and why should I care?" Asked the Samdie.

"Shit back to ground zero eh figured they would have taught you something while you were being held." Donna said with a sigh. "Shit Vampire 101 basics. We dont refer to ourselves as vampires we are Kindred. Using that term openly is safer than saying vampires. The masquerade is one of our largest laws. Don't let people who what you are. Because the majority of the world is blissfully unaware that we exist. If people found out it be mass hysteria wackos wanting to be kindred cause were immortal or cool or we would have teh churches trying to hunt us down and kill us. Basic law states f you break the masquerade you are punished severely normally death is the penalty. Because of the way you look you cant wander around public one look and people know you aint normal that would draw ungodly attention to us all and put us in danger."

"so my entire existence is gonna be hiding from everyone. Fuck that. You guys should have killed me." Mike said sounding bitter.

"Well hide for the first part. My clan doesnt specialize in hiding the way we look that would be clan nosferatu or the Kooks. I'm surprised that vic didnt step forward to take you as a underling but I'm sure he has his reasons. That doesnt mean that cant still approach them or one of the malks to teach you."

"Kook or malk?" Mike asked.

"Different breeds of Kindred. We hail from the clan Brujah were known as warriors scholars and anarchists for the most part. Were tough and tend to get shit done when the fairer and more gentle of the clans dont have the balls to step up. The Kooks or Malkavians as they are properly know as from clan malkavian they are all insane or have some mental derangement but just cause theyre fucked up doesn't mean they arent functioning to some degree think of the term crazy as a fox and you might get an idea..."

"I see." was all the samdie replied. "So the Nosferatu or Malkavians can teach me how to hide?"

"Yeah pretty much but it will take some time. In the mean time I think we might be able to hide you from a distance with some work. Dana you wanna go into my jeep in the back theres an old black Hoody it should fit him he can put it on if he keeps the hood up it should hide him enough for us to drive around as long as he isnt gawking out the windows at other drivers."

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:26 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Dana

Dana listened as Donna gave Mike the basic rundown of what was what through the looking glass. When the clan leader bid her go back in the jeep she did so, coming out with the black hoody. She tossed it to mike and hopped back out of the Jeep.
"Naw way Mike is so the kinda guy who sticks his head out the window and has part-ay." Dana joked lightly, it was obvious she meant no harm, she then paused. "Wait no he ain't no gangrel, forgot about that." When Mike obviously didn't get the joke Dana filled in "The Gangrel are another clan, when they frenzy, bits of em get all animal like and stay like that. Like that Fia chick had yellow eyes? Yeah. Gangrel."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:26 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Mike

"Fuck. This is just creepy weird every part of me is saying no this is still a fucked up dream but I know its not. I'm still trying to digest all this and remember it all. So the kooks are Malavians who are crazy. The nostferatu are ugly like me so that means I'm one of them or would have assumed it but... They didnt really want to take me and you kept mention the Sabbat who ever that is but I'm gonna guess that was the guy that made me and you arent a fan of him. Gotcha. So you guys are warrior poets you got any draw backs? I guess that I'm ugly as sin and look like a zombie but do all the clans have ummm drawbacks or just some of them?" the blond haired Samdie asked as he slipped on the hoodie and pulled the hood up so his face fell into shadow.

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:27 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Dana

"You get used to it, it's alot to fuckin' digest. Like shit balls..." Dana paused a moment choosing not to correct him on the Sabbat thing, he'd learn it all in time. "Yeah we all got flaws, some of em are on the surface and other's aren't. Like Brujah, we're ill tempered fucks, you know how that chick flipped her shit and frenzied? Yeah we do that, at the drop of a hat. We gotta practice like crazy to keep from doin' it constantly." Dana said stretching upwards popping her vertebrae quite contentedly.

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:28 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Mike

"Least I wont be flipping my shit. I'm not sure looking like this is much of a consolation however." he replied. "So do I get to go out and hunt too? Hows it going to work. I know I cant eat food anymore but if I cant be seen in public how am I supposed to live?"

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:28 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Dana

"Well we gotta feed ya Mikey." She answered. "Patience grasshopper. We got our ways. Give us a little credit yeah? Of course, that's all up to Papa D." Dana said nodding towards Doug. "As I think he wants ya on the veggie diet for a bit."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:28 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Mike

"Veggie diet?" he asked his voice sounding hesitant as if he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Donna chuckled "Who wants to field that question?"

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:24 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Sara

Sara made her way out to the parking lot and stood beside Fia's truck. "I'm sorry I have to go Fia. I do think its for the best but you are welcome to still keep in touch. I still have a phone so if you are in bind call my cell."

She leaned against fias truck. "I can only hope you and Xiao will be alright on your own. I think for the most part the worst for you is over however."

[Trellin]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:17-3:28 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club House - Butcher/Doug
HP: 7(7)     BP: 11(14)     WP: 4(5)     Hum: 8(8)     SC: 4(4)

When the meeting broke up Doug nodded and Mike and stood, "Time to go", and headed up the stairs and out into the parking lot quietly, thinking to himself, What the hell am I going to do with this kid? He gave a mental shrug and then started thinking about first things first. Lodging was taken care of for the immediate and short term at least. Food would be number one priority and acquiring it in public would be dicey until they figured out a way for Mike to hunt that wouldn't blow the masquerade so it looked like Mike would learn just as he had.

He pulled out his own smokes and battered zippo, lighting up with Donna as she made sure Dana was good. When Mike got involved in the conversation he gave himself a mental shake thinking, and here we go

"I'll take that one", he replied, looking at Mike, "Veggie diet is kindred slang for sustaining ourselves from non-humans. We can live off of animal blood just fine, it just isn't as fantastic tasting as human blood and depending on the kindred, it may take a little more. Although, I should amend that statement, most kindred can survive off of it just fine. The Ventrue, the clan that Angel is a part of by way of example, have to be extremely selective, it's just the way their bloodline runs, but its not typically a problem for anyone else. When I was first embraced, my sire had me on a veggie diet until I had some kind of idea of what the hell had actually happened to me and what it meant. It's also a handy thing to know you can do it and be just fine in case of emergency. It will also buy us time until we can find a way for you to hunt in more public areas."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 9th, 1999 3:29 am - Hamilton Golf and Country Club Club Parking lot - Mike

"So where do you get the animal blood from?" Mike asked.