Masquerade: Midsummer Nights (Apply in OOC)

[Imperialisium]

Anna's Residence

Lord Silvanus. His words betray him much like the surface thoughts in his head. Silvanus has infected him like a leech. Malkavian's. Then there was the nature of his bite marks. Silvanus did not even bother hiding them after feeding it seemed. The last thought in her head was full of annoyance. Silvanus had been an ardent supporter of her cause in Los Angeles. But did his machinations go further? Usurpation? Did Silvanus fancy himself playing a long con against her? Alexei however could be useful and the blood bond worked both ways. Just, differently, than one might suspect. "The machinations of that particular Malkavian are his alone, however, your bond is one by blood." She held up a finger to silence him should he speak in reply, "Not like you and I. Silvanus is a progenitor of your family, you are one of his surviving legacies, and thus he needs you more than you think." Silvanus is probably listening, but sometimes one needs to give the eavesdropper some crumbs to lower their defenses.

Anna's tone softened and her visage returned to its prior warmth that it had in his dreams and when he was in her private chamber. "If all I wanted was to question you about one of my Primogen then I would have pulled it from your mind." It would have killed you, mind turning to melted butter, if I had continued invading your mind. She moved closer to him so that she was only a foot away from his face. "I have been loved before. But not in a long time. As you could imagine it is hard for one like me to love like you can. The last three days is a complicated answer, but I can assure you it is not a tease, nor am I planning to be malicious." She put a hand on his chest.

"Your Grace." Anna's head snapped to the door. A servant holding a phone could be seen. He took a step back and bowed his head. "The Mage, Mikhailov, has been spotted making his way to the Hills. Should we take him in?" The Mage was good at being sneaky but to hide from regular human's was one thing. To hide from the supernatural was another entirely. She turned her head back to Alexei and with her other hand began to fix his garment. Straightening it with a playful smile, "The Mage will come to us. Do not waylay him."

The servant nodded and left. Mikhailov would not suffer interference from the Camarilla on his way to Alexei.

Anna moved the hand on his chest up to his neck. Feeling his corotid artery and the blood pumping furiously through it. She was hungry. With her other hand she flicked her wrist and the door to the bedroom closed and locked. She curled her lip seductively and Alexei could see her fangs, razor sharp, and perfectly white like the rest of her teeth. Suddenly, she pulled away. Hand's retracted to her chest and mouth closed. "It would be improper of me to do so." She turned and grasped the handle to leave. Intending to leave Alexei with his thoughts for the night.

[Luminesa]

Alexei

...I see...So Silvanus perhaps is...also planning to use me for something?... Alexei questioned, as he sat on the bed and listened to her. He had sworn fealty to Silvanus, and was indeed his relative, thus he was aligned to Silvanus invariably. Yet Silvanus had not been open about his plans, not yet. He frowned, now wondering if he should question Silvanus when he returned home. More questions began to spin in his head, and he felt overwhelmed.

Anna quickly turned his mind from his questions as she sat on the bed with him. He felt his personal space shrinking, and his pupils dilated. Alexei had never quite been in a position like this before, so his body felt it was running by itself. When he felt her hand on his chest, he held it in his own. Warmth on cold, life on unlife. He closed his eyes. Veronica had never been so intimate with him, even as she had definitely played with him. Yet his desire to hold Anna close to his body returned. “...You don’t...have to remember all at once. I have hardly been loved at all...We can remember together...” he whispered, his voice lacking dubious intent. Alexei was hardly a casanova, and he was in awe of the way her personality bloomed and showed its different colors. His feelings were already swirling freely through his blood, anxiety and comfort, romance and understanding. ...I don’t care if I am bonded...We’re so close now...we could almost...be one... he thought, without speaking his thoughts to her.

He hardly heard the servant enter to announce that Mikhailov had made his way to the Hills. His eyes opened as he heard the name, but he lowered his eyes as Anna turned from the servant back to him. She wanted to feed on him. He felt her move her hand to his neck. The blood pulsed fast, and his face was a soft pink. After a moment, he did give her eye-contact, and he leaned forward, going for a kiss.

Yet Anna seemed to change her mind. She let go of him, her smile left her face, and she stood to go. She strode across the room, crushing the tender moment underfoot. Alexei felt as though he had been given too much champagne. He was dizzy, confused, and emotional inside. “...W-Wait!...I...Y-You don’t have to sleep with me or anything, I-I just...” As he stood, he stumbled over his words, unsure how to make her listen. She had no obligation to do so, and she could just as easily knock him through a window himself for attempting to reach her. Thus he kept his distance, and lowered his collar.

Mikhailov

Mikhailov stomped through the gates, his machine gun and his stolen files underneath his jacket. He just needed to get Alexei and run. Run to somewhere, anywhere in which the Inquisition could not catch him. Anna...I know she’s keeping him here as a pet...And those buffoons called ME a pet...He’s her stupid dog right now, and he probably loves it...I’m going to beat him for everything he’s put me through the ungrateful... His thoughts did not come out in English, but in Russian. He was so enraged by the day’s events that he had momentarily lost a grip on himself.
He glared toward the mansion as he arrived, but he noted that he had not been attacked. Not a single vampire waited for him this time.

“...So she’s inviting me in?...Well I certainly hope she’s not planning to have me for dinner...My blood would probably poison her...” he thought, with a grim smirk. He was quite aware that he could be walking into a trap, and he kept his gun loaded. He also remembered that he could use Magic now, as he would not incure Paradox by using his Magic around Anna and her servants. He felt a palpitating desire to cut loose, and if he was given a reason he planned to do just that. Hunting down a servant, he questioned, “Where is the Prince and where is she keeping Alexei?”

Alexei

The bites appeared once again, only now Alexei showed the full extent of them. Up and down his neck, onto both shoulders, and even a couple lined his collarbone. He blushed, knowing he stood quite vulnerable for her. He felt sweat drip down his face. “...These bites, these are from vampires I’ve fought. Yes, I have...killed some of the vampires who have teased me before, the ones who have...left these unhealed marks on me. I’m sure you saw my memories of Veronica Zhu. I have done things that are shocking, even for an Inquisitor. But I stand unarmed...And I see you still have wounds. If this is what you wanted...I will not stop you...” he explained.

[Finsternia]

Demon Fox Riyoko

The Kitsune is leisurely sitting at the back seat, sharpening a pair of enchanted daggers. She is wearing a porcelain mask, painted like a fox's face and looking like how she would look like if she was transformed. Riyoko has been silent during the negotiations when she was with Connor, indeed she stayed in the shadows. She is an assassin after all, not a diplomatic person in anyway. She was a killer, a mass murderer in less polite terms, not the kind who would parlay across the table.

She nodded towards Connor's suggestions. "The Primogen wouldn't mind the loss of his men but the loss of his business. If needed be, I'll dance with him." The faint glimmer of the enchanted blades were caught by the rear view mirror. "I can handle one of them, except the Prince. I heard rumors that she is far older than the Mad Malkavian." The sweet song of steel against whetstone sung in the silent car. The Kitsune isn't wearing any of her alluring and sensual attires. Instead, she is wearing clothes best suited for combat which provided cover, ease of movement, and ample defense. "Also with the thing about forests. I'm not good with manipulating nature, I'm more adept in sorcery than anything. I can help the Theurges though, if that is what you are asking."

The Sage Astorias
The Abandoned Consillia Quest

Astorias watched Epeiosa vanish through the portal to Arcadia. It was gone in a flash yet the old Mage was quite endeared to the Fae cum Mage. It was enjoyable to instruct those who are wanting to learn and to finally dust the enormous libraries of arcane knowledge within his mind. It was also a feat of success, the theory of transforming a Fae's essence into a Mage in the Fallen World so they may not just succumb to Banality but at least turning their weakness into the Mages' vulnerability to Paradox. Both circumstances are the same, it involves the general subconcious of the Sleepers about their pre-conceived notions of reality. As he thought of the applications and about publishing it in the next Mysterium gathering, Astorias strode the streets of Los Angeles.

The old Mage only looked frail, needing a staff as a walking stick to move about. However, his Legacy spoke of not only of his physical prowess but his mind's perfect sharpness. He can literally slam his staff against a gangster's stomach and send the poor Unawakened's mangled corpse across the street and down several blocks more by just his strength alone. However, he was confident that he need not so. A little bit of Mind magic could do wonders in the art of persuasion and even a bit of True Faith calms the heart and makes one trustworthy. However, he needed not to use his strength for now. His strength is needed for his destination. There is an abandoned Consillia in the outskirts of Los Angeles where the Pentacle has thought of reclaiming. The Mysterium has sent agents which never returned during that time. Astorias has pushed the issue in the back of his mind yet he found it was opportune to tread into the halls of that abandoned building and see if there are some things that could be salvaged off that place, documents and papers or artifacts of any sort.

As Astorias stepped into the Consillia, he sent a powerful pulse of Quintessence, something that the Rothai would notice, as a sonar.

Simone de Angelo
In Search For the Bridges of Arcadia

Endymion's honey coated words assaulted his mind. Indeed, this paradise of his was given free to him. Indeed, this paradise is where he could live with his family. Indeed, this paradise is where... is where he could see his long dead mother smile again. His father would soon be happy again, his siblings jump in joy as their family reunite. Simone clenched the pendant hidden underneath his shirt, that small necklace where a photo of his family is safely locked within a locket. How dearly does he want his family to smile again. How dearly does he want to rewrite that page once more, to give himself a happy ending.

His sad, hazel eyes looked towards the bushes. No. No, he can't let himself fall into illusion. He remembered what Astorias told him. Everything in Arcadia is false. Simone's hand tightened against the chromatic metal pen in his fist. "Lightning strikes and it strikes true... From the sky, where it is high, where it is blue... Down to the ground, on which is high, on which is cruel!" He raised his pen towards the sky and down to the direction where the voices came. A lightning bolt was sent by Arcadia, from its turmoilous skies and down to where the Lord of this Domain, Endymion, hides. It may not hurt him much yet it will blind him from knowing where Simone jumped, onto which bush he jumped, and how he left his Realm. The Young Acanthus as fled.

Silvanus

It has been three days since the confrontation in Anna's mansion and Silvanus' mood has been lifted. He knew that it was his out of place behavior that ticked off his superior and he made it sure that he would supplement it with good results. After all, showing good conduct and good performance is what is needed to make peace with your boss in the corporate world. Silvanus fixed his black tie. He is wearing a clean cut suit, something that wouldn't embarrass himself and Clan Malkavian towards the Prince and would even make the Prince nod in satisfaction. Silvanus' is all smiles, clearly excited like a child to present their little drawing to their parents.

He is reviewing a good stack of documents on his lap. Research results, that's what they were. They detail the amount of work that Silvanus has been doing for the past few months: Doll manufacturing for soldier fielding for the Camarilla. The Camarilla has been wasting precious money not just to buy and hire mortals to be the bulk of their forces but also to keep their mouths shut. This project has been under test by Silvanus for several years already and the primary test groups have been his personal servants. Soldier Type Dolls have special biological changes within their body to field natural weapons harder than steel, physical endurance harder than full plate armor, and speed to rival that of Kindred. Butler Type Dolls who are proficient in household chores and administrative work, to handle the daily businesses of the Camarilla. Lastly, the Special Ops: specially crafted Dolls to serve a specific purpose. There are only three that are currently made which are the Plaguebringers, the Doppelgangers, and the Demolishers.

The Plaguebringers are special biological weapons that are disguised as normal citizens and within their bodies they contain specially crafted pathogens. The current examples are a dozen Plaguebringers that were just fielded two days prior; they hold within them Vicissitude made vectors that target those who carry Faith within them and those who are of the clergy. Naturally these are the Dolls that Silvanus has fielded against the churches, stealthily and heinously, the other day. Doppelgangers are specially made Dolls who looked, or are customly made to look different, as the Dominator Kindred would. It would need a basic understanding of Auspex to do so but the use of these Dolls is to be able to walk in daylight and to transfer one's consciousness during the day, able to proceed with no problems for their work. Lastly, Demolishers are basically walking time bombs, as simple as that. Silvanus is trailed by five Dolls, each of them an example of each type, and then by four Malkavian guards. He desires to pay a visit to Anna and present his proposal to her. As the Primogen count of Los Angeles has gone down for the past days with the Toreador Primogen biting the dust, and Jakkar too just recently (though he has no knowledge of the skirmish yet), he desires to strengthen Anna's claim further by a raise in military might as these skirmishes against both former ally and the combined forces of Sabbat and Anarch would have diminished her forces too.

He has manufactured fifty Soldiers, twenty Butlers, and ten each for the Special Ops for Anna and they are just waiting to be shipped directly to the Prince's manor. Of course, they are free of any malicious enchantments or whatsoever. While Silvanus can order them as his priviledge of being the Administrator, Anna has been given the highest authority over the manufactured goods and cannot rebel against her. Such were their settings, and could even be confirmed once she inspects his gifts that were walking behind him. He stands by the door and speaks to the nearby guard. "I would like to speak with Her Grace. Please tell her that this lowly one would like to ask for her forgiveness and desires to be shown her brilliance, despite lacking in every way."

[Luminesa]

Endymion

The lightning bolt was not expected. Aitolosa, Endymion's eyes, had to hop out of the way of the lightning bolt. She was surprised herself, as she did not know from where the bright-blue bolt had struck. Yet Endymion knew. As he sat in his throne room in his palace, his eyes closed, almost meditative, he could see and feel everything in his realm. Thus he felt the painful static of the lightning falling close to him. Yet he was not perturbed as a human being might be by a shock. Nevertheless, he was almost saddened that Simone had attacked him. Do you not want paradise, Simone? I have seen your suffering. I know your heart, your deepest, darkest fears. You will go home, and the loneliness will return. The confusion. Is that what you want?

In his odd way, the Fae was aware that Astorias could protect Simone from plenty of things, whether they were monsters or negative feelings. Yet depression and despair were silent and pervasive, and he had sensed those emotions as he had tried to awaken Simone's Magic further. The bony, pale angel he had seen in the boy's mind. The only way he could think to protect Simone, then, was to keep him away from the mundane world. To keep him from a place in which this disease could invade his heart and ruin his Magic. Come back to me, Simone...Let me protect you...let me change you...You'll never feel those things again...

The sweet, mournful voice moved through the Hedge like a soft wind, and so did Aitolosa toward Simone's location. She was quiet, keeping her eyes open so her "father" could do his work. She held her long, billowing skirts so she could see her feet, and thus would not fall over forest debris and knots. Her eyes flickered through the dimly-lit forests, looking for any shifting shapes and running objects.

Epeiosa

Epeiosa had never walked through the Hedge before. She had initially run into the darkened forest with some bravado, but now she was frightened by her surroundings. She had never been this far away from home before, and the monumental forest was far beyond anything she could have imagined. She could hear creatures moving, whispering, walking, creeping...but reality seemed to be ever-shifting around her. She would think a sound came from one direction, when it came from a completely different area. She knew now why people got lost here, the senses were practically useless. Just keep moving, just keep moving...He's somewhere...Just keep moving... In her heart she prayed she would find him soon. If she wandered here long enough, she feared she might lose herself...

[Imperialisium]

Anna

Anna did not look back at Alexei when she spoke, "To feed upon you in such a state would be disingenuous of me. Cainite's have brought you much pain and you bear marks of it. If I am to share the Kiss with you then it will be another time, when you are ready, but it is not now." At that she left the room. Moving down the stairs and passed the front door where the servant was being accosted by Mikhailov. "You are alive." said Anna as the servant bowed to her and left by a side door. Anna turned on her heel and walked into the expansive library in the mansion that she often held private audiences. The blood stains from Silvanus' whipping long gone.

She paced behind a sofa and faced him,"Bringing weapons into my home I see. Very rude guest. We will have to work on your manners." It was playful, her smirk and eyes, she was not afraid of him. As she finished with her sentence a guard walked in and ushered Silvanus in, who would be behind Mikhailov in terms of positioning in the room, and took up position by the door.

"Surprise's seem to come in three's." Anna mused as she looked down and scooped up a chilled bottle sitting in a silver bucket chalk full of ice. Grabbing a clear crystal glass she poured some crimson visceral liquid into it. Setting down the bottle back into the ice she sipped. Her injuries almost gone as she continued to feed on blood.

Abandoned Consilia

Raziyon and the Rothai had scouted out much of the central room and the residential floor above it when Sage's pulse was felt. Immediately, the Rothai took up defensive positions with a clear view of the slightly open doorway they too had passed through. Unable to see who had entered but they would have to pass through the narrow opening in the barricade at any rate. At least, until a throaty roar was heard deep in the darkness of the abandoned Consilia.

A pulse, stronger than Sage's, came up like a tremor and put the hairs on the Rothai's body on edge. Eldritch energy hung in the air and the Archmage would feel one thing coming from that pulse. Hunger.

However, Raziyon had noticed something. The return pulse had come from a different location than the node of power coming from inside the Consilia. "Come, we go." he whispered and the Rothai moved silently from their positioned down a small hall. Moving deeper into the Consilia and down a small flight of stairs onto the first sub-level. Moving quickly they passed a corpse half rotted. It was one of the Consilia's original security detail. No doubt having perished in the fighting that had doomed this facility in the past. They continued down past dark rooms, some smeared with blood or stenciled with frightful messages begging for help, too detailing the madness that had gripped the personnel here. As they where moving to the stair well Raziyon suddenly stopped and held up a fist. The Rothai fell in behind him in silence. Waiting.

Several, equally silent, bestial four legged shapes darted up the stair case. Towards the surface level and who ever else had arrived at the Consilia. Raziyon could make out that they were covered in spikes, had long scythe like claws, but no eyes or ears yet wide maws with rows of sharp teeth. When they passed a moment of silence pervaded the hallway as the vampires listened. Raziyon moved forward with his squad in tow. Swinging his repeating crossbow down the stair case while a second Rothai did the same but upwards. Making sure it was clear up and down the stairs before they began to descend one at a time. Moving onto the second sub-level which held the source of the power pulsating. Forming up in a hallway to the right of the stairs they moved silently. Careful to side step fallen pieces of paper, debris, overturned furniture, and fallen shelves. Pulling up near a wide, partially shattered Plexiglas window, Raziyon swung his crossbow around. Sweeping the interior. Three corpses. One apparently was an aide and the other two had been Mages. Their bodies bloated and stank of rotting flesh. The decomposition in this place was far slower than it should be. Perhaps another sign of whatever lurked a few more floors below them and had sent back that returning pulse? Raziyon did not truly wish to find out as he moved carefully forward. Going further down the hall were it came to a cross roads.

Crunch

Raziyon swung to the left and in the gloom which would have been impossible for human eyes to penetrate without aid he saw something hunched. Shuffling away from them. It had four arms, stood somewhat upright, and appeared to be wearing clothes. Squinting into the darkness he made out dangled hair, blood stains on some robes, and in it's left hand was holding a severed leg. Several chunks missing where it looked like it had bitten out of it. Raziyon moved across the hall, the other Rothai forming up to cover the other directions with the rest taking aim at the shuffling horror. Raziyon took aim, flicked to single shot, and depressed the trigger. A steel bolt let loose with a low metallic whizz. Burying itself into the back of the skull of the shuffling creature. It let out a low whimper before shambling around to face in Raziyon's direction. The head of the bolt poking out from its forehead. Yet it did not die. Instead it slowly began to shuffle towards them with a widening jaw. Raziyon grunted and fire again. The second bolt burying into the horror's heart. Still it did not die.

"Nyasgem*." muttered Raziyon, swinging his crossbow into it being slung behind him, drawing his sword he moved forward quickly and swung at the hip in a wide arc. He felt his blade find purchase and in a sickening crunch of half-decomposed muscle and bone slice through. The horror reached for him only to suddenly fall on its face with its lower half falling in the opposite direction. Only then did it stop moving. Raziyon wiped his blade on the creatures ruined robes before sheathing it back at his hip.

*

Hungarian for Fuck Off

[Finsternia]

The Sage Astorias
The Abandoned Consillia Quest

The Sage raised his eyebrow. Not only did something inside the Consillia answered his probing pulse with a stronger pulse, he also picked up signals of the unliving. While it isn't unusual to find undead monstrosities inside abandoned Mage headquarters, Death Magic can do that everytime Paradox goes whack, the hungry pulse made him continue his stride. Something happened to this place to spawn such things. If he wasn't wrong, some things pertaining to the Abyss found its way into the Consillia and would have been the cause as to why the Mages of the Mysterium didn't return.

Astorias searched the same rooms that Raziyon and the others have searched. He, of course, didn't get his hands on the logs as the vampires took them with them. He only found the corpses which he periodically stopped by to inspect and say a short prayer for their souls to be at peace. The old Mage searched through rooms and rooms, following the tracks of the vampires. His footsteps were practically silent, thanks to the application of Forces Magic to stop the production of sound waves. The Archmage casted a rote to enhance his hearing. Even a mouse couldn't escape him now.

Then did he hear the sounds of battle. He sent another probing pulse of Prime to check it out. He felt the battle rage against Anna's vampires and the multi-armed horrors. He was about to sprint towards the location of battle when he felt monstrous creatures charge towards him. Astorias braced himself, brandished his wooden staff, and launched himself with blinding speed. The staff's head collided with one of the creature's skull, annihilating it with the sheer force behind the Sage's attack. In defiance against physics, Astorias turned swiftly and made a blade of light which he shoved into the now beheaded creature. The light seared and burned within the beast and burned the body away, leaving nothing in its place.

One of the horrors took advantage of the Sage's diverted attention to slash against his back. However, the old man's frame vanished, only to be replaced by one of the monster's comrades as Astorias casted a rote that displaces both caster and target and exchanges their positions. Its scything claws cut apart the other and in its dying breath the mangled monster chomped down on its brethren. Astorias was above the two now fighting monstrosities. He raised his free hand and in his aged fingers appeared a spear of rumbling flame and lighting, the color of pure white. "May God's Judgment be upon you!" The spear descended against the two, leaving only ashes in their wake. From the pyre rose sparks and bouts of fire, the shape of the animals of Paradise, and flew towards the others who were blinded by the cleansing fire. All were caught in the maelstrom of white embers and sparks which only made it easier for the Sage to pick on each and everyone. It only took a couple moments for all the lumbering monsters to be silenced, either perishing from the flame or getting bashed and be splattered into bits of flesh against the floor.

Astorias cleaned up the mess and harvested what's left of the monsters. Blackened teeth and claws were the only things that were left and these things are very important catalysts and ingredients for magical spells or brews. He also didn't let the opportunity to collect the ashes to pass. However, sadly, the room where the clash went on was consumed in the cross fire. It was empty regardless, Raziyon and his lackeys seem to have made sure of that. Astorias dusted away the dirt from his robes and continued on his way. It didn't take much time for the Mage to find the room and he tapped his staff to gain the vampires' attention. "Excuse me gentlemen. I would like to ask as to why the Kindred delve into the abandoned compounds of Magekind? I happened to check this place when I felt you and something horrible deeper within this facility. I've encountered some otherworldly horrors in my way in too. Do you gentlemen know anything about this place?" The Sage seem to be just a kind, frail and old man yet in the eyes of those who could use Auspex, the old Mage is brimming with magical power and his appearance betray the aura of strength coming from him. "No need to be shy nor distrustful, I am willing to cooperate if you hand in Mage related documents and lore. The node of power within this place, you can keep for yourselves."

Simone de Angelo
In Search For the Bridges of Arcadia

As Simone jumped into the bushes, Endymion's voice is hushed into almost inaudible whispers. The Mage rummaged within his bag, trying to find something for a spell. He found his phone and his ear buds. The young man plunged in the headset and stuffed it in his ears. He started whispering into his phone, as if having a conversation with someone over the other side. The music player popped up, displaying an audio file named "Endymion.mp3". The Mage first muted the music volume before pausing the audio file. He then exited the music player and terminated the app's processes, therefore silencing Endymion's transmission. The True Fae would only hear deafening static in his ears as he tried to contact Simone.

Simone surveyed his surroundings. The wild and chaotic realm of Arcadia, where everything is surrendered to the dice. Said dice has an infinite number of sides and each side is a nonsensical number and even a stupid depiction of something. It's literally a place where you can clap your hands if you want believe what is true. Arcadia rewards the brave, Simone said as he caressed the locket inside his shirt. The young Mage started his trek, unknowingly walking towards where Epeiosa is running from, as Fate guided him with the silver thread of Destiny.

Silvanus

The Malkavian Primogen looked at a nearby mirror as he inspected himself. His suit is immaculate, his face shining with a smile, his hair combed properly and is glowing like strands of moonlight behind him. It would be unnerving for the younger Tremere to see the man fix his attire repeatedly, messing things up before putting them back together. It was like repeatedly watching a man get ready for a day to work and then watching that in reverse before doing it all over again. It was at that moment when Silvanus finally finished his loop of self assessment that Anna's guards have said that the Prince is ready for audience. With a flourish, the Malkavian Elder lead his own guards and the five Dolls into the study room.

At that moment, Silvanus' mood suddenly plummeted. Mikhailov was in there, one of his two supposed servants are before the Prince and has sought audience before him. He is now the second and last in line, putting him in a lesser social standing than these two. However, if Anna has been probing with Auspex, she would feel that Silvanus swiftly changed his mood, from irritation into sweet delight and unadulterated devotion. "Greatest evening to the shining moonlight of Los Angeles, our ever beautiful Bella Donna!" The Malkavian bowed towards Anna's direction. "Forgive your humble servant, Your Grace, for showing his undeserving face before you. I see that my lowly blood has been wiped off your floor... This one desires to wipe his mistakes so please! I offer this to our shining moonlight!" The Butler Doll Unit stepped forward and kneeled before Anna, presenting the sizeable and rather thick compilation of Silvanus' labor. Everything, from the start of the project until the perfection of each Doll unit and their purposes, are written down in obsessively detailed writings. It was clear that the Malkavian seem to be going through manic bouts of inspiration here and there and each page is written with immense passion and careful application of medical and esoteric knowledge all together. "I present the fruits of my labor to you, Your Grace. An example for each Doll unit that I've manufactured. I have procured the best of the best for each category, fifty Soldiers, thirty Butlers, ten Doppelgangers, ten Plaguebringers, and ten Demolishers... All for you, Your Grace!"

[Luminesa]

Mikhailov

Mikhailov's eye twitched ever so slightly as he saw Anna come down the stairs to meet him. He wanted to question her, to ask what she had done with Alexei. He had a right mind to run up the stairs past her, to turn the mansion upside-down, to grab Alexei and to run. The glitz and glamour presented nothing of desire to him, especially not now, since he knew he could not trust his employer. He read the smirk on her face, the playful look, and he twitched again. She did something to him. Or she's planning to do something to him. He's upstairs. He's upstairs and she's going to do something to him... His mind raced with the lurid possibilities. Alexei lying in a pool of blood, bite-marks everywhere, pale-white and writhing in pain...

Yet he knew better than to try and run out the room. He clutched his guns close, though he did lower the machine-gun, and he clutched Maxwell's files close to his waist. If she wanted to speak to him, she would. Questioning her would be useless, as she was even more fickle than Silvanus. He would never get the information he wanted until he went to see Alexei himself. Of course, more complications entered the room as he waited for her to speak to him.

Silvanus appeared, and as Mikhailov sensed him standing in the doorway behind him, his spine curled. He knew he was in trouble for not telling his boss anything of his plans, and he knew Alexei would be in similar trouble. Yet he knew that now was not the time to bargain for a lesser punishment. The time for explaining would be later. Even as Silvanus's mood seemed to lift, and he presented his new Dolls-always a creepy sight-he could feel the malevolent aura around him. That sensation of madness that waited to devour his sanity. He heard the giggles, the whispers, the pricks of electricity on his arms.

Awww, he wants to go see Alexei!

He really does care!

Does he though?

I bet he wants to keep him like Anna does.

HAhAhaHAhaHaahAAAAAA!

Alexei

Alexei had heard Mikhailov downstairs, but he did not make a motion to go see him. He sat still and quiet on the bed, staring at the door as Anna left him alone. The silence was oppressive and cruel, and he did not even have the energy to fill it with his thoughts. He felt as though he had been cut in half-the pain was excruciating, though invisible. Though he was not a Ghoul, he felt himself wasting away. After a few moments, he began to absently rub the neck-bites on his neck. He had revealed his deepest, darkest secret to Anna, his weakness against the Kiss. He had offered this weakness in order to make her well. When he had mentally counted all of the marks, however, he stopped. The Bond had caused him to want something he could not have. Perhaps Anna was being merciful by letting him go, by not using him as he thought he would be, or should be used.

Yet Alexei did not think at the moment. Now, he wanted to feel he was worthy of being loved. He wanted to know that the wall he had placed between himself and others could be broken, or at least just climbed. Now he was left in limbo, unsure. Exhausted, Alexei laid on his side in the bed, and pulled the soft covers to his head. He usually had no trouble falling asleep, but the bed was cold. Impossibly soft and luxurious, but cold. ...Don't want a bigger house, Alexei...no...you want a home...and a home is nothing without someone else... he thought.

[Luminesa]

Endymion

Static. He could hear it, and for the first time, he opened his eyes as he sat on the throne. A distant, depressed expression showed on his face, though whether or not he actually felt depression was unknown. Yet he knew that he needed to communicate to Simone. Getting lost in the Hedge was practically a death sentence. The young Mage could be transformed into some horrible monstrosity. He wanted to rescue him, even if Simone did not want to see him.

Thus, Aitolosa began to move more quickly through the Hedge. She reflected her "father's" worry, her eyes wide and her frown severe. "...Simone...Simone?..." she murmured in a singsong voice. She hoped he was close. Little did she know that her own little sister was also in the Hedge, headed in...roughly the same direction.

Epeiosa

"EEK!"

Epeiosa had found herself quickly climbing a tree, as she had sensed some creature tracking her a few yards behind her. She could not tell what the creature was, but it looked a little like a tiger. Before the creature could pounce on her, she had climbed up a tree. Once the creature had gone, however, she decided she still needed to stay in the tree. In fact, she then tried to climb higher, to see if she could spot Simone from her spot in the tree. She frowned, and squinted her eyes as she looked around. "...Simone...where are you?" she whispered.

[Imperialisium]

Abandoned Consilia

Raziyon and the other Rothai raised weapons on Sage but did not engage him. Instead, they waited on their commander's order to do so. Raziyon moved in front of them and spoke calmly, "Our business here is none of your's Mage. We are here for the source of the Quintessence in this place. Stay out of our way." At that Raziyon flicked his head and turned away. One by one the Rothai turned away, making sure to not expose their backs to him, as they turned a corner down the. The Vampires moved down the hallway and slowly closed in on the source of the node. Sage, however, would have other pressing concerns than that of Vampires in a Consilium. For as he had cast his magic he felt a sudden surge towards him from all directions. The Consensus. He felt it as a lash of Paradox struck him. One of his Humerus bones cracked as the Paradox lashed at him before dissipating. This was the problem with fighting creatures from the Abyss or Oblivion. They were the antithesis of magekind. Fighting them and doing magic in front of them was always vulgar at best. Paradox was unavoidable and thus forced Mages to often resort to mundane means when fighting them.

Maneuvering down a short staircase where a part of the wall in the compound had been breached. Not of the Mage's experimentation that had spelled the doom of this place almost a century before. No, this was done by something else entirely. On the other side, they stepped into a room full of advanced cogitation and computational machinery. Entirely different than the style of the Mage's compound architecturally as well as functionality.

Moving through the threshold they would soon realize that they were in an entirely in another structure. A half-open ornate bronze looking lay open on the other end of the small room. Moving through it the Vampires wound their way further into the strange new structure until they reached some type of command room. It was a bridge of shorts by the controls, lithes, throne-like chair, and the broken see-through panes allowing one to look out. From this bridge one could see down across the valleys East of Los Angeles, its view obscured by the magic of the Consilia, and thus free from mortal eyes. Stepping up to the central lithe Raziyon looked at the glyphs and workings of the machine. It was incredibly ornate like a mixture of baroque and gothic art woven together with a hint of Victorian flair. Reaching out he tapped a glyph. Not knowing what it did.

A surge of power coursed through the structure, the node dissipating and it streamed throughout what was apparently a vessel of some kind, along with a slow rumble. An automated female voice sounded from everywhere. EMERGENCY LAUNCH PROCEDURE COMMENCING. Raziyon grasped the lithe as the other Rothai held onto anything they could find as the vessel rocked and slowly began to rise. The valley below began to shift, sinking below the panes, as the vessel rose. While it's hull shimmered as its own camouflage activated to keep it away from normal human eyes. All the while red blinking holographic screens began to pop up around the bridge. Damage, warning, and catastrophic failure reports came streaming in. The automated voice once more chiming, "Original Crew. Gone. Presumed Deceased. Awaiting new commanding officer."

"Anasztazia Angelos."

"Name received. You are not her?" Evidently whatever automated the ship had some self-awareness. Raziyon cocked an eyebrow in surprise at this finding, "No. She is my Lord and Master."

"I see....I need DNA lock sequence to receive orders." Raziyon nodded and pulled out a small stone glyph with Greek letters etched into it. Passing an armored fist over it he began to speak, "Objective reached. The node is a power source for some vessel...Not sure origin. Teleportation fix on my location my Lord." Putting the glyph away back into a pouch at his belt he waited. Free from the Consilia's safety measures communication with the outside world seemed to be fine.

Anna's Residence

Anna's lip curled at the sight of the Dolls and that of Silvanus. It was not a sneer but of keen interest. Like some revelation had come to her just now as Silvanus showed off his labors to her. Silvanus was playing with fire here and he knew it. To create something for his Prince was good to renew his reputation as Primogen and Cainite. But it also was alarming and could potentially be cause for concern by the other Clans. Especially if weapons so dangerous were in the hands of the Malkavians. Like handing biological weapons over to an insane asylum's patients for safe keeping. It could go very wrong oh so very fast. "You do much to renew my faith in you Primogen Silvanus. Clan Malkavian's efforts are well noted and I will be sure to remember them." She moved her gaze back to Mikhailov who was still pointing a gun, though lowered, in her general direction.

Anna swirled the deep crimson substance in her glass as she once more took a sip. Her playful look was clearly ticking Mikhailov off and she knew it. "Hmmm what do you have there I wonder." She indicated with a motion of her index finger holding the glass at the files Mikhailov was clutching to his waist. "Hope to find something groundbreaking, alluring, maybe perhaps even scandalous?" That last word, scandalous, she spoke in such a teasing tone.

Beneath the Hollywood Sign

Passed off as a service tunnel there existed a small room beneath the Hollywood Sign. It was dark and the concrete was harsh and symmetrical in appearance. A lone man in a black suit made his way down the small, short, tunnel to the square room. Crossing the threshold he made his way to the single object in the middle of the concrete floor. A brown lacquered, wooden, gold etched coffin. Reaching down to flick up the brass hinges he slowly raised the lid. Revealing a plush white interior. Pulling a blood bag out of his pant pocket he tore open the top, reached down, and gently poured the contents into the awaiting mouth of the occupant inside.

"Time to wake. Prince Houghton." said Joaquin Murietta with a devilish grin.

[Luminesa]

As Anna noticed the files under his arm, Mikhailov drew them closer. Her playful, intentional gaze was infuriating. She knew exactly what she was doing, pushing his buttons to try and get him to snap. Yet he knew he had to try and remain calm. Maybe if he did not attack her, he would be able to go upstairs to find Alexei. He needed to give the impression that he was not stark, raving mad. “...I don’t know what exactly is in this folder...but I hope to see for myself. And I hope Alexei can see them as well...It’s the only thing that has been on his mind the past two days, beside you of course,” he explained.

He wondered if any way existed for him to spy on Alexei upstairs without moving away. He did not have to worry about Paradox in front of Anna or Silvanus, but he knew that she could get angry and aggressive if he tried to sneak past her using Magic. He had enough lights around him which he could use. He just needed to focus. The madness radiating off Silvanus and his Dolls did not help. His eyes flickered to a candle in the room, but as they did so he heard the voices once again.

He’s sleeping, deary. I can hear him upstairs.

Snoring away. Vulnerable. Peaceful.

Like Sleeping Beauty!

Yes, yes, like Sleeping Beauty...and guarded by a witch as well...

The Mage shuddered. If the voices were to be trusted, Alexei was safe and not dead. He was still and corspe-like in his bed, his face tranquil, but a little saddened. Anna was away from him, and the small frown on his sleeping face betrayed his inner turmoil.

Go to him! Go! He is waiting for you! The voices continued, mischievously.

Comfort him...he is tired...the witch’s spell has broken him.

Maybe you can break him more?

The cackles sounded again. Mikhailov wanted to cover his ears, yet he could not. He only faced Anna and hoped that she would let him go see Alexei. She was not merciful enough to care about the Mage, but she knew they had some sort of bond.

[Imperialisium]

Anna's Residence

Anna once more squinted at the folder Mikhailov held. Before relaxing and finishing her drink. Taking all of the sweet, succulent, rich blood down her throat. She placed the cup down on the tray holding the complete set of fine crystal glasses. While Raziyon's message reached her telepathically via the magic of the Greek letter inscribed glyph he bore. Allowing him to communicate across vast distances with the creator of the glyph or other matching sister stones. Anna looked at Mikhailov with a relaxed expression, "Go to him then." She made to turn around but stopped to look at Silvanus, "I thank you for your gift Lord Silvanus. Consider yourself back in court favor." At that she swung her arm in a half arc. A crackling of ozone, the temperature dropped in the room sharply, and she stepped through a small portal that blinked close behind her. The temperature rising back up to normal slowly.


Stepping through the portal Anna was greeted by her Rothai and the workings of the ship. Moving to the same instruments in font of Raziyon she looked at him. "It requires a DNA sequence Your Grace." said Raziyon. Anna nodded and held out a hand. Pressing her thumb on the small screen before her. it blinked blue then swam with purple energy as it scanned her thumb. A hum resounded from the bridge.


DNA SEQUENCE RECEIVED. WELCOME ABOARD MASTER ANGELOS. resounded the artificial intelligence on the ship. "Plot a course for this sequence of coordinates." said Anna triumphantly. This was a boon to her. She had expected some form of power or node of quientessence, not a working Umbraship. A holo-screen popped up before her and she pressed a series of coordinates on the holographic letters before her. Immediately she felt the ship list and turn. It was a wounded animal, extensive damage had been done in the crash and subsequent decades of neglect, but it still flew and was at least atmosphere worthy. The ship begin to accelerate away from Los Angeles very quickly. Though not nearly at top speed as the ship kept throwing up damage reports left and right. One of which told that the inertial dampener system was down throughout the ship.

It would go to Vaeghorod. The stronghold of House Angelos. Whereby it would go into dry dock and begin extensive repairs.


But for now on the bridge, Anasztazia Angelos could only just smile.

[Luminesa]

Mikhailov did not even waste time speaking to Anna. As soon as he heard he could go to him, he hurried out the room and went up the stairs. He could not quite tell which room, however, was Alexei’s room for the night. He summoned his Magic, sending light through every candle and wire in the hallway. He tracked the entire floor, until he sensed a strong amount of Faith in one of the rooms. There you are... he thought. Mikhailov knocked on the door to the guest bedroom, but much harder than he would usually knock. He grit his teeth, and his body became stiff as he stood before the door. “...Alexei...”

No sound. Alexei was sleeping...or so he seemed to be sleeping. He heard no sound behind the door, not even breathing.

“...Alexei?...Can you open the door?...” His voice was soft, but toneless and reserved. He held all of his tension in his chest, hiding his anger for the moment.

A slight stirring. Blankets thrown aside as someone sat upright. A couple of deep breaths.

“...It’s me. Kostya. Can you open the door?...”

Alexei’s feet hit the floor, and he walked over to the door. He opened it, and looked directly at Mikhailov. “The door is unlocked,” he whispered.

Mikhailov felt odd seeing him. He had thought he would feel furious, and would seize-up at the sight of him. Instead he remained quiet, and examined him. Alexei smelled fresh, as though he had just bathed. He was pale and gentle as usual, but exhausted. And without the afterglow of the Kiss. The Mage was confused. So Anna did not do what I thought she would do, he thought. “...Can I...come in?...”

“...Of course.” Alexei moved aside, his own expression blank, and he allowed Mikhailov to enter the huge room. The Mage was not surprised by the luxury, as everything in Anna’s room was glamorous and expensive. “...I see you stole a weapon...and you have those files under your arm.” His voice held no excitement, no curiosity.

“What did she do, Bond you a third time?” Mikhailov questioned bluntly.

Alexei shook his head. “...No, no, nothing of the sort...” His voice sounded empty, almost as though he had wanted to be Bonded a third time. “...You sound...angry...”

Now the emotions began to seep through the cracks. Mikhailov smirked, and then chuckled to himself. “...Oh?...I sound angry?...You know exactly what those Inquisitor-friends of yours did to me...” He whipped around and showed Alexei his hand, the hand which now had no nails, which had a rusted color from all of the dried blood that had stopped flowing some time ago. “...And I know it was you who fired my pistol to get the attention of the Inquisition. Where is it?” he demanded without raising his voice.

“In the alley next to St. Vincent,” he responded.

The Mage could now hardly contain his rage. “That gun was a rote, and a fifty-year-old one at that...Do you know what I had to do, to escape prison and to get another gun? What do you think they’ll do when they examine that gun? They’ll put you through the same thing I suffered, except you will die. You’re so convinced that you can be a hero, so convinced that you know how to protect others, that you never think for a second that all of your efforts will be worthless for you in the end,” he hissed, marching up to Alexei and glaring into his eyes.

He became even angrier as he noticed Alexei was not perturbed. “...Do you like torture?...Aaaaah I see how it is. You’re one of those types! Yes, you love torture, you’ll do anything to feel the rush of pain, the sensation that you’re desired even by people who want you dead! And you like to torture me as well! I needed that gun, because Paradox will come for me if I use my Magic in public. And using my Magic is how I help you! Do you have any, ANY consideration at all for why I have done everything I have done in the last day, just to get these stupid files I have under my arm?!” He threw the folder of files on the bed. Alexei did not even look at them.

Instead, he continued to eye Mikhailov with the eyes of a soldier carved in stone. His expression was chilly, too chilly. The Mage almost felt disturbed by the coldness Alexei showed toward him, when he had been so friendly and kind only a day ago.

“...You have nothing?...Nothing at all to say?...I see how it is. The first time in sixty years that I show kindness to someone, and I see I had no reason to do so?...Well?...And what is that face?”

A small, knowing smile had stretched across Alexei’s face, as Mikhailov had finished his rant. His eyes sparkled, but with a sad glitter, as though he understood something in his mind but could not speak what he knew. Instead, he approached Mikhailov, closing the distance between them, and he gave him a hug.

“...Ah...what?...What are you doing?...” He had not been hugged in decades. And something in this hug was different. The former Inquisitor had slipped his arms around him and had pulled him to himself, squeezing him for a second as he embraced him. Then he had moved one hand to the base of his head, under his hair, as though to lock Mikhailov in place. He could feel hope-and despair-in the kind embrace. The sensation that Alexei was subtly begging him not to go away. He still hesitated, and did not return the hug. “...What is the meaning of this? Are you listening to me at all?”

“...I heard every word. And I hope you know and understand what I know now myself...” Alexei answered, without stopping the hug.

“...And what is it that you know?...”

“...Beneath all of the anger and harsh behavior...you are as happy as I am...to have a friend to protect...” Alexei let go of the hug, and then took Mikhailov’s ruined hand in his hands. He closed his eyes, and his Faith glowed a soft light in his hands. Over the course of a few minutes, the Mage’s hand began to heal.

He wanted to retort, but as Alexei healed him, he looked at his face. He was pleasant and peaceful, and smiling with contentment as he healed Mikhailov’s wounds. He had just been disturbed by Alexei’s seeming lack of compassion, so now he could not decide why he thought now it was so unnerving.

“...One day, Kostya...one day you will show it. That you’re happy to see me...I await that day...”

A chill traveled down Mikhailov’s spine. Alexei’s voice was sweet, but determined. Adamant, even. He will show he is happy to see Alexei. He will express gratitude. A sort of quiet violence almost marked his words. The Mage was impressed...and a bit uneasy. But he decided to return his friend’s smile. “...I will?...Heh...I hope you’re not expecting me to be sentimental and mushy, like you,” he teased.

Alexei did not answer for a moment. His shyness had overtaken him, it seemed, and the Mage wondered if he had spoken the wrong words. Finally, he mumbled back, “I know how you feel...You don’t have to hide it around me...” When he had healed his hand, he looked up to Mikhailov again and smiled. He seemed to ignore the almost-startled expression on Mikhailov’s face, and then he sat down to go read the files. He opened them and flipped through them without saying a word.

In the meantime, Mikhailov just stood in the middle of the room, almost uncertain about what to do or to say. He would not admit that Alexei was right, even if he was, and even if they were the only two people in the room. His pride kept him from returning that gentle gaze, and for a moment the Mage felt his age. Oh you know this will interfere with your Ascension...and yet you still feel like you’re aging every time you look at him...Like you only have a limited amount of time...One day, you will have to make-up your mind... he thought somberly.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Demon Fox Riyoko

The Kitsune is leisurely sitting at the back seat, sharpening a pair of enchanted daggers. She is wearing a porcelain mask, painted like a fox's face and looking like how she would look like if she was transformed. Riyoko has been silent during the negotiations when she was with Connor, indeed she stayed in the shadows. She is an assassin after all, not a diplomatic person in anyway. She was a killer, a mass murderer in less polite terms, not the kind who would parlay across the table.

She nodded towards Connor's suggestions. "The Primogen wouldn't mind the loss of his men but the loss of his business. If needed be, I'll dance with him." The faint glimmer of the enchanted blades were caught by the rear view mirror. "I can handle one of them, except the Prince. I heard rumors that she is far older than the Mad Malkavian." The sweet song of steel against whetstone sung in the silent car. The Kitsune isn't wearing any of her alluring and sensual attires. Instead, she is wearing clothes best suited for combat which provided cover, ease of movement, and ample defense. "Also with the thing about forests. I'm not good with manipulating nature, I'm more adept in sorcery than anything. I can help the Theurges though, if that is what you are asking."

Connor Mac Domhnaill

"Then we won't waste bullets or time attacking the forest first. Leave that to the future confrontation. We attack the business first, the food plant or a gun store, to get some money and start a quick, furious action. If we leave them time to plan, we are damned in this city. I'll wait Derrick's return with the guns so we can decide better, but get some explosives ready. We'll be rigging traps around the woods soon, to ensure that their life gets a lot harder once we take the fight there.

But keep sharpening your swords. We'll be doing some recon work soon as possible, but so far, I prefer going for the food plant first. Seems to me that it is their biggest operation, and will probably leave them desperate, just like their internal rivalries... What do you say about it, Riyoko? Any plans of invasion? I have a standard one, but always nice to hear your extravagant ideas about how to kill people and control places."

Even if the redheaded Fiann had experience in fighting vampires, it seemed to him that the Kitsune's mind had a taste for the overly complicated and tricky schemes to kill vampires. There was always a spell, or a paper, or a spirit, a distraction, the enhancement of a weapon that could give an advantage: things he won't complain about if it made his life easier.

[Imperialisium]

Vaeghorod, Carpathian Mountains
Északi-középhegység (Northern Hungarian Mountains)

Vaeghorod was a name that not many knew. Outside of House Angeloi the name itself was quite ominous or wholly unknown depending on whom you asked. To other houses of Clan Tremere it would be a mix of confusion, unknown, or foreboding. Outside of Clan Tremere to general Cainite society one would have contradictory information that was often wholly incomplete or purely anecdotal. If one went further beyond the learned society of Vampires the name would largely mean nothing. Either from lack of knowledge or simply never hearing it before. Vaeghorod was not on any published maps and even the comings and goings of its residents were closely monitored. Even the Inquisition in all of its resources could only hazard a guess that it was somewhere in the Balkans or Carpathians.

Vaeghorod was the fortress stronghold of House Angeloi for centuries. Though some say the original structures of the Castle were much older and ancient. Many of the original fortress structures were built of smooth black stone. Soft to the touch and pitch black. Later structures typically had a similar matte black color but often betrayed the time period they were built. While the original structures seemed to be of mixed Greco-Roman and Neo-Roman design you would have later buildings in the fashion of Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo architecture.

Another aspect of Vaeghorod that was most unsettling was its size and scope. The top of its highest tower reached 905 meters above sea level. The tower and much of the fortress built into the side of the Carpathian Mountains near the Lillifuered Valley. Seemingly carved from the landscape rather than built. While the fortress itself delved into the mountain and beneath the ground. Allowing it to hold a larger population than one would think. The highest towers were built of the same smooth black stone in the Greco-Roman and Neo-Roman style as the central fortress which looked like a mixture of the Parthenon and Acropolis of Athens. A wide courtyard and gardens complete with gentle ponds were wrapped in smooth black walls and battlements. While three tiers of defenses and buildings of various purpose ranged below. An Aqueduct fed freshwater into a cistern from the depths of the mountains. While a smooth blackstone bridge crossed above a still glass like lake to a gatehouse on the opposing side.

Cresting over the mountains, its camouflage still in effect, the Umbraship Anastasia moved into position near one of towers. Pulling into a hover before slowly lowering to where it rested near one of the walls, but still off the ground, so it may be better serviced by multiple gangways.

Stepping from the ship, Anasztazia Angelos, moved with hands clasped behind her back. The Rothai disembarking as well with Raziyon pulling up to the side and just behind his master. Dozens of workers streamed in the opposite direction onto the vessel to begin repair work.

"When will you be returning to Los Angeles, Your Grace." spoke Raziyon softly. "I must return shortly lest the court there do something brash." replied Anna. "There has been whispers..." said Raziyon. This comment caused Anna to stop and flick her eyes to him,"Whispers of?"

"Several members of your House do not understand why you must spend so much time there. Some feel you should be back here leading your House." continued Raziyon warily. Anna was silent for a moment, "Los Angeles offers plenty of resources and benefits to us. Some may not see it or realize the fruit of holding it. But in time they will."

"There is some concern about a certain...Inquisitor?" pressed Raziyon. This earned a squint from Anna's eyes. She knew of whom he was referencing. "My private affairs are of no concern to anyone but me. But make no mistake my mind is ever on the future of this House."

"Yes, Your Grace." said Raziyon with a bow of his head. Leaving Anna to walk off down the smooth stone battlements and to weave between the old Greco-Roman and Neo-Roman styled buildings. She would be making for her private quarters which were located in the largest and tallest of the towers of Vaeghorod. She would be returning to Los Angeles tomorrow night.

Anna's Residence

The files would be various in content. The first was simply a list of logistic logs detailing money figures and inventory manifests. The second was a list of communications and reports that had been sent to Arquart and the Vatican. The third however was of slightly more interest. A set of pictures: Connor, Alexei, John, Nikolai, and Kai with handwritten scrawls for notes next to them. Inquiring their roles and last sightings. Connor had Werewolf scrawled next to his name. John had a question mark next to his but numerous notes with sightings in Van Nuys and Silver Lake with the line, 'Involved in Silver Lake explosion?' put underneath. Nikolai's was similar but with the word Vampire underlined next to his picture. Kai was the same but his interestingly enough gave a puzzling last line under the name, 'Tuscanova,' which read, Where, was you. It grammatically did not make much sense and was not connected to any other detail. But Alexei's was a list of red lines to the others with the word, 'Connection?' wrote on them.

Evidently Maxwell had been suspicious of Alexei's activities for some time. Even if they were valid or not. The fourth file detailed a series of print outs. It was copies of Alexei's phone records. There he could read conversations he'd had with his mother, other people, and even text messages had been printed out. Maxwell had no doubt used Inquisition agents planted in major phone companies to get these records.

The fifth file was all about Alexei's father and much of it was blacked out. However, there was references stenciled in, Maxwell's handwriting, with the name, "Silvanus," in the columns. Maxwell knew there was some connection in Alexei's family to Silvanus and was trying to trace it through Alexei's father. Perhaps the heart of Maxwell's suspicion?

Lastly, wrote on the back page of this last file, was a phone number with a Los Angeles area code. To whom or what it was not labeled.

[Luminesa]

Alexei read through the files as though he was reading pages in a textbook. He scanned the pages carefully, even the pages logging the money and Arquart’s interactions with the Vatican. Seeing his face in the files, however, signaled to him that he had found the files of interest. He was surprised to see his face alongside those of these other strangers, though he vaguely recognized Connor. On some of his nightly patrols he had passed by the docks, which were apparently the home of the Garou. He did not recognize John, Nikolai, or Kai, however, and while he eyed their photos with curiosity, he mostly focused on his own.

‘Connections?’ was written underneath his picture, and Maxwell had tried to connect him with various people to try and identify his alliances. The former Inquisitor gave a small frown, which Mikhailov noticed. He took a step forward. “...See anything in part-”

The former Inquisitor interrupted him by holding up his index finger, and he smiled toward him once again. “...I’m sorry. I...can’t focus on my reading when others are speaking to me. Please wait just a moment...” He continued to read the files, and his eyes opened a little more when he saw Maxwell had tracked his phone conversations. Alexei did not have many contacts to which he regularly interacted. His mother, the odd classmate who collected work for him when he was ill, and his History professor were his most frequent contacts. The rest of his contacts contained texts and conversations which he had last sent months or even years ago. His contact with the financial aid office at his college was maybe the most interesting, as he had gotten a massive scholarship to attend the school seemingly out of nowhere, and including far more money than the school had offered. He had been flabbergasted, but had not disputed or questioned the generous offer. He wondered now if he should have looked deeper into the source of the fund.

Then he noted the next page, which talked about his father. He could not garner much from it, as much of the writing was blacked-out. Seeing his father’s name, however, was enough to give him a genuine shock. “...He...tracked my father as well...my...whole family...He tracked us for years...” he muttered. He knew Maxwell to be a cunning man, and cunning was required to be an Inquisitor. Even someone as docile and meek as Alexei understood that one had to be sly to trap a vampire or a Garou. Yet he had turned this cunning against his own family, and for years. Even as Alexei had trusted Maxwell as an adoptive father, the man had been prepared to kill him if need be.

“...Alexei?...”

The former Inquisitor blinked, as though the pages of the files had entranced him. He turned to the final page, and looked to Mikhailov. His eyes had deep sorrow, and he felt his soul tumbling around inside his body, screaming with confusion. “...Yes?...”

“...What did you find?...”

“...Maxwell has...never trusted me. My family...he tracked them since before I became an Inquisitor...I suppose...he would be filled with glee to know I am Lord Silvanus’s descendent. His suspicions would be given solid ground to place their feet on...” he responded, weary from reading such things. Yet he held the files firmly in his hands, even as they had caused him such distress.

The Mage glared. “...This man who left you excommunicated, who did nothing to save you during your trial...do you really think that was out-of-the-blue?...Think, Alexei, use your head...This only cements what you already knew, doesn’t it? That he only wanted to keep you close because he wanted the proof that you were his boogeyman? When he was done with you, he dropped you. He never cared for you...” he scolded.

Alexei knew Mikhailov could be entirely right. Yet a part of his soul did not want to entirely believe this theory. Maxwell had taught him almost everything he knew about being an Inquisitor. He had shown him how to do things which would have been foolish to show someone he suspected to be nothing more than Silvanus’s puppet. Then he was still somehow connected to Anna. Alexei strongly suspected he had called Anna and had told her of his firing Mikhailov’s pistol in the alley. In fact, he was near-certain they had contacted each other. “...You’re wrong...he cared very much for me...just not in the way...I expected...” he answered softly. He then turned to the last page. The strange, nameless number lay before his eyes. He had no idea to whom it might belong.

Mikhailov was exasperated by Alexei’s stubborn faith in the people around him, but he did not argue further. Instead, he approached him to see what he was reading. “...A random phone-number?...What are you doing?...”

His companion had pulled-out his phone, dialed the number, and had called it. He knew he was taking a risk. He knew Maxwell could answer, or perhaps some dark force. He needed answers. He needed to hear what Maxwell knew, and who this man, who was his surrogate father and teacher for a decade, truly was. He sat still and rigid, waiting for the other end to answer. “...Hello?” he whispered.

[Imperialisium]

Anna's Residence

The phone in Alexei's hand rang, rang, and rang some more. Until finally on the fourth ring, someone picked up the phone. But there was no answer. No hello to greet him. Just a growing silence and the slight sound of someone breathing on the other end of the line.

Good Luck's
Los Feliz, Los Angeles


Maxwell sat just outside of the Asian restaurant in a rather affluent part of Los Angeles. Leaning back in the cafe chair while a server came by to routinely pour him a new glass of water. Checking his watch periodically he looked around idly, casually, waiting for the person he was going to meet to arrive. The clock ticked by, the bars would be letting out soon, and the restaurant finally closing up completely. Another refill of the glass. Another session of slow sips.

Looking down at his watch once more he let out a sigh. "You drink a lot of water." said a voice from the shadows. Behind Maxwell. The older man jerked around but saw nothing there. Turning around he stiffened as a dark figure sat opposite of him now. Just out of the lights of the restaurant. But even then there was an unnatural pervading gloom about the person. Like the darkness swallowed them and prevented any light from penetrating to reveal who they were. The same with the voice. It could have been male or female. The vocals seemed oddly artificial as well. Like this was not the person's actual voice but just another layer of secrecy layered upon them. Curiously enough, no waitress came by to give the person across from Maxwell a glass of water, just another curiosity to add to the growing list.

"Bancroft is getting suspicious of me. He knows I was on too him," said Maxwell quickly.

"Bancroft is dead." replied the voice in the shadows.

"His son," said Maxwell more calmly now. Taking a reluctant sip of his water now, keen to not let the shadowy figure before him out of his sight, as if he looked away the individual across from him would be gone.

"His son has strong Faith and has had much success in his short career. But he is inexperienced compared to you or me," said the voice in the shadows. Maxwell nodded, "We need to throw him off my scent."

"We?" quipped the voice quickly. Silencing Maxwell with a small frown. "He will be asking questions to those who should not be asked. He will go places he should not tread." continued the voice in the shadows confidently. "And what am I to do about it?" finished Maxwell as he leaned forward slightly in his chair. The voice in the shadows did not move for a moment before replying with one word, "Nothing."

"He will cause more trouble. Break the balance to this city I've so carefully constructed," replied Maxwell.

"Balance? That was gone a long time ago. The Vampires made sure of that. The Camarilla Prince maintains the balance. The price you paid all those years ago to earn peace slipped away from you long ago Maxwell." spoke the voice in an almost mocking tone. Maxwell took a gulp of water and let out another, heavier, sigh of annoyance. "So what will become of the young Bancroft."

"He is but a pawn in the great games played by those far more powerful than he. Do you think anyone will bleed for him if it came to it? The Vampires? Werewolves? Hunters? Inquisition? Mages? No, he is but a piece on the board. If he continues on this path. He will die."

Maxwell made to speak but all of a sudden a phone rang. One from the depths of the shadows. Maxwell looked at the darkness for a moment. raising his glass and finishing it with his head back to gulp down the last drops he placed it formly on the table. "You going to an---." The shadowy figure was gone. All that was left was a ringing track phone on the table. Maxwell picked it up and flicked it open. But he did not answer or say hello to whomever was calling.

[Luminesa]

Alexei heard the noises of the restaurant. Good Luck’s. He had been there before, he recognized the music and the dark, quiet, contemplative atmosphere of the restaurant. As he held the phone to his ear, he sat on the bed and quickly thought about what he wished to say. He knew Maxwell was on the other end of the line. He recalled well the times he had followed the man to the restaurant, sometimes when he was wanted and sometimes when he was not. Either way, he knew he had to speak. His time was now.

“...Hello, sir. This is Alexei.” He spoke gently, but with a steel undertone. He had to convince Maxwell to take him seriously, and to not run away from him any longer. “...If you are wondering how I got this number...that is not important. What is important is that you listen to me and speak to me. You...were my supervisor for ten years. And I know you do not wish to speak. But I am not a child anymore...”

He paused, remembering his being a child. Maxwell had even been at the funeral for Conor. He had kept an eye on Alexei alongside Alexei’s mother, though they did not know each other. When he thought about it, he hardly had a chance to have a childhood. He willfully gave it away to follow his father’s footsteps, and could never get those years back. Yet he could not lament this now. He had done his duty, and wished to make that known.

“...I know you told Anna what I did this morning. I know you have a relationship with her. I do not know what that is, just as I do not know what kind of relationship she wishes to have with me. But she brought me here. You see...I had a dream about her...and she told me...you had secrets. I do not know whose side you are on...but you cannot hide from me anymore. If you run, I will look for you. If you hide, I will be the sun that shines over everything and reveals you. I do not wish to fight. But I will roll the iron dice. So I wish to have answers. I wish to know what you want from me, why you threw me out of the Inquisition when you had planned all of this from the start.”

Mikhailov was impressed. Alexei never stuttered, he never lost his focus. His face did not crinkle in fear or sadness. He was resolute, calm, polite...and forceful. He felt his heart skip a beat. Yes...you do have an iron core underneath that kind personality, don’t you?... he thought, giving a mischievous grin as he listened.

Alexei continued, looking straight ahead as he spoke. “...I do not speak as an enemy, or as someone who wishes you harm...I remember...You feared for me when I first became an Inquisitor. But you trained me more than anyone else. I was grateful for you. I still am grateful for you. You have cared for me as a father and a teacher...and I owe it to you to not abandon you in this dark moment, but to seek the truth. That is what we were taught as Inquisitors, and I have always stood on the side of truth. I wish you shall do the same...”

[Imperialisium]

Outside Good Luck's
Augustine Maxwell

Maxwell looked at the phone and slowly picked it up. Warily flipping it open. Track phones have limited recording capability, they are bare bones, this meant that Alexei had no doubt concerted with sorcery to achieve this little trick. Needless to say he listened to the boys words. Boy. He was not really a boy anymore. Not for a long time by Maxwell's reckoning, had Alexei even been allowed to be a boy? That was up for debate and to the old Councillor it brought a certain sadness to his face.

Yes he had spied on Alexei, followed him, kept track of his dealings under certain suspicions. Truthfully, it started after his slaying of a Vampire Elder. Something about Alexei had never been quite right after that. Maxwell had had a hunch from that day on that the Alexei he knew had been tainted somehow. That there was more than what the young man had reported to the Society. He respected Connor Bancroft and thus did not bring up accusations until he was certain and to be quite frank Augustine knew deep down that had Alexei never been put in the situation where he was imprisoned and confessed of his crimes. Crimes that Augustine tried his best to not believe. They had been proven true and the Office of the Censor ruled thus that he be banished from Church and Society. As was the will of the Inquisition and all the Souls under their purview. Maxwell's own part in the trial had at least saved the young inquisitor from a death sentence. He at least owed his dead father, Connor, that much to keep his son alive.

"Truth. Now that is a naive word to use at this hour Alexei. There are many Truths in this world, your father knew that, and while we may be on the side of the righteous a wise man knows when to pick his battles." Maxwell stopped let out a deep breath before resuming, "I do not consort with creatures of the night, unlike yourself, and you best be wise to remember that. I saved your head during the trial. Someone with such crimes as yours should have been executed and beheaded so that you be barred from entering the Gates of Saint Peter. I owed your father such to let you live so that perhaps you may leave all this behind. But I see the corruption inside you is beginning to flower. Quite frankly I had suspicions since your slaying of that Vampire Elder years ago. But I believed deep down that my suspicions were simply the worries of an old man. It is sad that they be vindicated so, even now, while you use foul magicks to spy on me. There is your truth. Contact me again and I will have no choice but to have an auto-de-fe put on you."

At that Maxwell snapped the phone in two and threw it in the trash. Getting up from the table calmly he placed some bills on the table for the waitress and began to walk down the street. Rounding a corner into a parking lot where he had parked his old 79' Cadillac. A figure caught his eye next to the vehicle and he stopped. Keys in his hands. It was the figure of a woman with a perfect frame, long black hair like silk flowed down over her shoulders. She wore a leather button up jacket, leather pants, and black boots with a slight heel. She turned her head to face Maxwell and smiled.

"Quite the late night conversations you've been having Augustine."

"You!?" admonished Maxwell.

"Me." said Anna as she turned with arms crossed, walking slowly to him, and then around him like a cat stalking its prey. "You've got old Augustine, should have let me give you the embrace when you had the chance," she reached out a hand and tucked a graying strand of hair behind his ear, "You were so handsome in your youth."

"You shouldn't be here. I. Killed. You." sneered Maxwell in anger.

"You're not the first man to tell me that." chided Anna playfully. She stopped in front of him, "You did leave me bruised, bloody, and battered on the floor of that French chalet outside Geneva all those decades ago. Thought the Sun would finish me off. Unfortunately, I have a penchant for being the one that got away." Anna grinned heavily at those last words. Maxwell pulled a knife.

"Augustine...not supposed to kiss and tell...besides I'm not here. Not physically anyways." At those words Maxwell lowered the knife and just spoke with open frustration, "What do you want she-devil." Anna took a step back as if to play mock hurt, "She-devil, I only tried to give you immortality...okay and I may have had your family flayed alive in retaliation for trying to kill me...but why can't we just let bygones be bygones." She raised her arms again to mock, this time in frustration, but Anna was just playing with him. Maxwell said nothing. After a solid minute Anna put on a pouting face, "You're no fun," she leaned in closer, "Your pupil's soul is as good as mine Augustine. You know it. I know it. Have a pleasant night." Blowing a kiss the Tremere vampire disappeared in a haze. Leaving Maxwell there with his keys in his hands to drive home alone with what occurred running through his head. Which he did.

[Luminesa]

Maxwell did indeed respond, though not in the way Alexei had thought he would respond. His words were cold and blunt. He explained that Alexei had broken the law by consorting with vampires, and should have died. The former Inquisitor gave no comment to these words. Maxwell said that Alexei had become corrupt, had lost himself. At these words he began to worry. In his own heart, he had never lost his way or done anything which would not be for the protection of the human world. He had never used Magic, yet Maxwell was accusing him of using Magic.

Mikhailov heard this part of the conversation, and thought about jumping in. He would not have minded showing Maxwell how an actual Magic-user presents his Magic to someone who is so unknowing. It would be worth the risk of Paradox, showing the old man what Magic really looks like, he schemed. Yet as he watched Alexei’s stony face show signs of despair, he decided not to say anything. Maxwell was speaking too quickly, and the Inquisitor did not wish for a discussion.

The conversation ended, and silence filled the room once again. Alexei put the phone on his bed, and stared at the wall. “...He says he wanted...to protect me...”

“I heard,” Mikhailov added, coming to sit next to him on the bed now.

“...He said...I used Magic...that I have...changed...” Alexei’s voice was void of tone, as he felt something far deeper than despair creeping into his soul. “...But neither of us...used Magic...”

“Indeed. And he should know better given that I’m the one who stole those files this morning!” Mikhailov agreed, with a chuckle.

The former Inquisitor shook his head. “...Something is wrong...something is very wrong...I am not being told something...” He put his face in his hands, as though he was going to cry. However, he did not cry. The tears never came. He rubbed his temples, and gave a big, shivering sigh. “...What if I gave him information he wants...”

“What do you mean?”

“...What if I explained...I am Lord Silvanus’s nephew?...That he is as much of a family as Maxwell is to me...”

The Mage raised an eyebrow. “Silvanus would have a cow. I don’t suggest it. Hmmmm...” He tried to think himself, though he was not good at emotional challenges.

Suddenly, Alexei stood. He walked to the closet and began to change into clothes. A black suit, with a white dress-shirt underneath, black shoes, and a black tie. Anna had been expecting him for so long that she had given him a full wardrobe.

“...Alexei?”

“I am going to find Maxwell. I do not care if he shall put a bounty on my head, I wish to speak to him. I am not finished,” he declared.

The Mage thought this was a bad idea, though at the same time using his own Magic would clear Alexei’s name. Making sure he is happy is key to my plan...even if we have to put ourselves in danger over and over, I suppose... he thought. He rose from the bed, and helped Alexei adjust his jacket and tie. “...Hm. This may end-up being what you wear to your funeral. But if you insist. Do you know where he is?”

Alexei nodded. “Good Luck’s. And I know where he shall go after. He will not be hard to find. But we must hurry...I said I would roll the iron dice until I won. If that means dying, then so be it,” he answered.

Mikhailov was once again impressed by his tenacity, and did not argue further. He allowed Alexei to lead the way to Good Luck’s, which was not hard to find. They traced their footsteps there, and Alexei looked through the parking lot. Mikhailov stood in the background, watching and waiting for any intrusion on their ordeal.

When Alexei found the Cadillac, however, he walked slowly toward it, and soon Maxwell would have seen him stepping out of the shadows, not too long after Anna had disappeared. “...Hello...” he whispered, his voice kind, but with a steel undertone, “...I’m afraid I was not finished speaking to you. Whether or not you would like to give me the opportunity to finish, I would like to explain some things to you...I wish to...tell you some of what has happened...which I have not expanded upon before. If you will give me a chance..and I hope you will...I want for you to know things I have kept dear and close to my heart, out of fear that they would destroy me. But only you are here now...and I owe you, in return for your compassion and your love for my father’s memory...”

The Mage followed, though he remained in the shadows. He would use his Magic only when necessary, and only to defend Alexei. Otherwise, he wanted to watch, to see how things would end. However, he kept a considerable distance away. He had wrecked Alexei’s chances of reaching Arquart before, so he needed to keep far away from Maxwell in order to help Alexei.

[Imperialisium]

Augustine Maxwell

Silence. As Alexei said hello a few tense minutes passed but no return came. No one hopped out of the Cadillac, rose from behind a car, or came around a corner of a nearby building. It was silent and empty. The Cadillac did not have anyone in it or nearby though the occasional pedestrian could be seen in the distance. Not that Alexei and Mikhailov were not being watched. No, the person they were looking for, was peering at them from around a corner several hundred feet away down the block. A white van, one of thousands in the city, was idling right behind him just out of sight from the parking lot were Alexei and Mikhailov stood. Behind Maxwell was Reynolds who spoke, "You were right. The boy is corrupted by that Mage."

Maxwell could only give a grunt as he turned away and hopped in the back of the ban with Reynolds closing the doors behind him as he too clambered in. Manning in the driver seat nodded as he put the van into gear and drove away down the street. Starting their journey back to Saint Vincent's. "I'll come collect your car in the morning," said Reynolds with a reassuring nod to his superior. Maxwell gave a polite thanks in return as the van moved around a pothole and continued on its way through the vast cityscape.

They would arrive at Saint Vincent's about fifteen minutes later. The traffic having been light to non-existent. A rare thing for Los Angeles. Pulling the van up to the churches back doors the trio got out and entered the Church. Moving down the hidden steps into the Cenaculum.

"What is our course of action now?" said Reynolds. Maxwell just turned and said, "We lay low for a night or two. I need to make a call to Arquart. We need reinforcements if we are going to start taking the fight to the monsters plaguing this city. In the mean time I need you and Manning to start running Intel gathering using whatever resources we have left at our disposal. We still have some contacts in the State government and telecommunications companies. Whatever we can use to get an edge in." said Maxwell with growing finality. Reynolds this time simply nodded, lie his elder earlier, and left to prepare for his new orders. Maxwell however went to the sleeping quarters and fell asleep on the nearest bed available.

[Luminesa]

“...Hello?...” Alexei received no response, and was confused. He walked toward the Cadillac and looked inside, only to realize Maxwell was not inside. He had been speaking to the air. Maxwell had most likely gone back to Saint Vincent, and had somehow snuck away before Alexei and Mikhailov could reach him. “...No...we were too late...But...I was certain...” He looked inside the car. “...This was his car...I’m...not losing my mind...” he muttered, “...or am I?...”

He was most certainly exhausted. Mikhailov had pulled him out of bed, and he had decided to go chase Maxwell. But this was almost definitely a losing fight. In fact, the fight had probably been decided before Alexei had arrived. He stared at the car in shock, looked to the inside of the restaurant, and then looked back at the car. “...Where did he go then...”

Mikhailov watched from the rooftop, and gave a sigh. Maxwell had managed to escape, and had left Alexei without even a chance for a conversation. He stood on the rooftop and looked around, but he saw nothing in his line of vision. “...That weasel up and ran away, it seems...Heh...scrammed like a rat into a sewer...” he mumbled, ironically. He managed to teleport himself off the roof, but he watched Alexei from afar for a moment. He noted the dazed look in his eyes. This entire night had been one without answers and full of rejection. Alexei’s head bowed over the hood of the car as he realized that he was now alone in this large, mostly unfamiliar part of Los Angeles. After a few moments, the Mage approached him and looked closer. “...Alexei?...”

Alexei looked over at him, and he tried to re-ignite the fire in his eyes. Yet his body was obviously showing the signs of his strain. He had seen exhaustion in the black mirror that was the Cadillac’s hood, and his mind had begun to wander to more pleasant thoughts. He imagined himself in bed, waking up to Anna checking on him. His shaking arms and shivering body spoke enough. Perhaps in the morning she will love me...someone will love me... Yet he refused to let his feelings overflow, and he stood straight and tall once again.

The Mage was not fooled. He walked over to Alexei, and stared at his face. “...Listen. Clearly, he was in a hurry. He might have even known we were...”

“...Yes...He did not wish to speak to me...” Alexei mumbled, “...I sensed his presence but it moved too far away...too quickly...But...I can’t give up...I said I would not give up...He believes I am corrupted beyond measure...I have to prove...”

“He will not believe you unless you go alone. And you will have to go alone to Saint Vincent. He will attempt to have you killed, probably not by his own hand either. There is a chance you will never see him if you go to him now...” While Mikhailov was not usually one to feel guilt, he knew he was part of the reason Maxwell thought he was corrupted. He believed Alexei knew how to use Magic, when really Mikhailov had decided to help him along without teaching him anything. Beside, something in Alexei’s eyes made him feel that long-forgotten feeling, and he could not shake it. “...Whatever you wish to do, you will have to do it alone, without my assistance...Either go there alone...or think of a different way to face him alone...”

Alexei was more shocked that Mikhailov was acting...humble. His voice had dropped and his face had become softer, more contemplative. He quickly grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “No, you have been helping me! You got those files for me. You are trying to help me navigate my way with Anna...and you have tried to help me to reach Maxwell! Even if things have gone wrong tonight, you have tried! And...I thank you...”

The Mage gave him a puzzled stare, and his own eyes lit back to life as Alexei forgave him instantly. “...You do realize...that the reason he is not talking to you is because-”

“Yes! I know he thinks I’m a Mage! So I have a plan to reach him without using Magic!...I will...tell him what I wished to say...but...in a different way...I have his old phone-number, not this secret one...but I can also send him something...”

“...Something?...” The Mage was intrigued. “...Can you be more specific?”

Alexei shook his head, and a mischievous smile lined his face. “...We’ll have to go back to Anna’s...but...I can do this before the night is over...” he explained.

The Mage was now entirely confused. The former Inquisitor had made some sort of plans, and he refused to say what they were. And he had made them without his input. He was more than curious, and even stranger, he felt his spirits lifting alongside Alexei’s. Being instantly forgiven and then hearing Alexei make his own plans...

“...Are you okay?...”

“Hm?...Why?...I’m fine...”

“...Your face got red.”

Mikhailov jumped back and looked away. He did not speak.

Alexei blinked, and tried to approach. “...Kostya?...I noticed you also got red when you saw me covered in blood. Do you remember that?...”

“...It was last night. Of course I do...” He covered his face up to the nose with his coat, and took a deep sigh. “...Fine. Go back to her mansion. I’ll see you in the morning. I hope your plans will be a success...” He did not wait for Alexei to say goodbye, and he teleported away.

Now Alexei was left confused, as he was oblivious as to why Mikhailov’s face had turned red. “...Perhaps the cold finally got to him...” he mumbled. Deciding he did not need to use Magic to get back to the mansion, he took a bus and went back to the Hills.

The Mage arrived back in Silvanus’s dark home, and his face became pale again. He had not been back “home” in days, and he knew Silvanus would scold him when they met again. At the same time, he was clearly distracted, and as he wandered back to his room, he hoped Alexei would not somehow be dead in the morning. Yet as the thought of Alexei came back to his mind, he slammed his head against a wall. “...Curse you...curse you...curse you...” he whispered in Russian, clearly angry but unable to take his feelings out on anyone or anything except a wall. He was a crow back in his cage, of his own free will, and the canary was outside flying freely in the night.

[Luminesa]

With Mikhailov gone and Anna still away, Alexei arrived back at the mansion and went quietly to his room. He would not sleep, however, until he completed one task before morning. He did not see a reason to sleep at the moment anyway. Even as he was exhausted, his mind would not sleep, and he needed to use whatever plans he could make to get Maxwell’s attention. At the same time, he needed to make sure that Maxwell did not directly know he was making plans. He opened his phone, and went to his email.

As he stared into the blue light of a blank email, he began to think. His mind became blank as well, for a few moments, but he did not lie down in the bed. If he fell asleep while trying to type an email, someone would get suspicious. In fact, he decided to avoid being traced himself, and spent some time making an alternate email, one he could throw away if he needed to escape a deadly situation. Doing so did not entirely help him to think, but slowly, as sleep deprivation crept into his eyes, he began to type.

“MoonlitElixir86545@yahoo.com
Subject: ...”

The email came to the screen, but he stared for another moment. He wanted to send a message that would confuse and worry him into searching into it. He needed to slowly lure him toward himself, in order to converse. ...He thinks I am corrupt anyway...Perhaps...I should play the game...at least for now...If I give him what he wants, then...maybe...he will come to me... he thought, saddened by the thought. His own father-figure did not want his honesty, so dishonesty he would get.

“The Devil’s brood dances
Between the hill and the stream
As the sun slips under the sea
And the stars glitter over
Who will strike the iron rod
Between the hill and the stream?
Who will pull together the split earth
And lift the hiding sun?
Those who attempt shall not be left wanting,
But those who hide will scorch away.”

The typing was silent, and Alexei held his breath as he typed the words. They bore themselves into his mind, as he understood how significant these words would be, once he sent them. He blinked, and checked his riddle before he sent it. He left no identity, no traces of his own personality. Finally, he exhaled, and sent the letter. He closed his eyes, and laid back on his bed, his phone on the pillow next to him. ...I’m weaving my own story now...making my own Magic without learning a spell...if he shall throw me away for being a good and faithful servant...then I shall draw him back with fear and rebellion... He fell asleep, rejuvenated by his determination but still too exhausted to move. He wondered if Anna would be the first person he saw in the morning.

[Imperialisium]

Daytime
Los Angeles
Anna's Residence

The Prince had not returned from wherever she had gone. For few knew where she was, only her closest confidantes, namely her Seneschal: Kai Erasmus. Kai of course like everything regarding the Prince kept such information almost exclusively to himself. Mainly out of obsessive jealousy for the Prince but also the power he felt. Dolling out orders and routines to the various house servants, details, and crews that serviced the Camarilla's governing body in Los Angeles county. Kai also would deal with the dealings of the Tremere with the other Clans in Los Angeles and exchanging favors with one another. This complex system of trading and exchange of services of course was memorized and recorded by the Court's Harpies. At least until the Sun rose in the morning. When he and the other vampires went to sleep.

The Mansion was eerily quiet during the daylight hours as a result. Only the occasional shuffle of a ghouled or normal human servant going down a hallway to break the silence.

John and Medorna would be in one of the dining galleries. John cleaning and maintaining his fire arms. Medorna working on a laptop computer as he worked his way through various databases. Camarilla or United States Government files.

Saint Vincents

While Maxwell had turned in late and thus slept through the morning. Manning worked the surveillance suite while Hideyoshi ran inventory. Leaving Reynolds to conduct research. Scrutinizing maps of Los Angeles, going through Society records, and making calculations. Barring Magic it would be improbable that Alexei and come from somewhere far last night. He must have been at a location less than a half hour away. While this was not an official assignment he had taken increasing interest in the rogue young man known as Alexei Bancroft. The former Inquisitor's activities were indeed heretical in the extreme. That much was certain. But his exact intentions were muddled to Reynolds. They did not seem to be maniacal, no lust for power seemed evident, and no overt malice seemed to be conveyed in action. It was odd to say the least.

Making a few stencil marks on a map of Northern Los Angeles he looked at the various areas. Given Alexei's area of approach he had come from the West or North-West. Further, Reynold's knew the Camarilla that controlled the cities Vampire society enjoyed taking up positions of luxury and/or power. This limited Alexei's fanged associates to being in the more affluent neighborhoods. Then if you factored in needing privacy for their peculiar nocturnal activities that narrowed it down further to the hill estates on the outskirts of Los Angeles County.

Bringing up a manifest retrieved by a good Catholic, a contact in the Los Angeles Municipal Offices, that had sent a list of current home ownership in the Northern Los Angeles area; Reynolds scanned the list. Going through various names and purchase histories. The one peculiar name that cropped up was a certain Ms. Angelos who had purchased two properties back to back in the extreme outskirts. Deep in the hills and well masked by trees and natural topography. She had purchased both lots in 2000 from an account in Budapest, Hungary. Followed by construction of two large residences with all the bells and whistles totaling approximately $220 million United States Dollars. Whoever Ms. Angelos was she was rich, mysterious, and seemed to have a chronic lack of information about her. Additionally, social media and internet indexes seemed to lack all but the most basic details like her name and supposed date of birth. But even then the date of births were conflicting so there could be multiple people with the same name, an unlikely coincidence, or something else was afoot.

"Well, Ms. Angelos, I think it's time I had a little chat with you about our Lord and Savior." said Reynolds as he shut his laptop and rolled up the map.

[Luminesa]

The morning crept through the Hollywood Hills, and Alexei arose only as the sunlight glittered through the window and fell over his blankets. His eyes opened, and he took a deep breath. He did not feel that Anna had come to him. Her presence was absent from the room, and his body did not give any of the sensations which might have suggested she was close.

As he sat upright in bed, his hand moved toward his neck. He let his fingers sit over the side of his bite-marks, and his eyes became deep and dull for a moment. His mind was absorbed by his deepest, darkest feelings of rejection and pain. A morning passing without her coming to greet him, in her own mansion, had only shoved the feelings down to his stomach and had not rid him of them. Mikhailov was also back at Silvanus’s mansion, available by phone but too far to embrace, too far to have a heart-to-heart conversation. For the first time in several days, Alexei was completely alone, in a way in which he had spent many prior days.

Yet now his body was different. His soul was different. All his life he had longed to give himself to care for someone else, to protect them, to be a part of them. He had been patient in waiting for opportunities before, but now he burned. ...Anna...Kostya...do I seek your company...because I feel I have no existence outside of you?...Am I only living to wait...for an opportunity to prove my devotion?...How long...must I wait?... He had even recalled Mikhailov’s curious reaction to his declaration that he had forgiven the Mage of his missteps, which had only worsened Alexei’s standing with Maxwell. He did not know if such forgiveness had been given out of understanding or out of despair. Yet as he had noticed the shocked, overwhelmed expression on the Mage’s face, he wondered if he had perhaps missed a chance to comfort him further, to reach-out to understand his clouded-over gaze. Kostya...did you...need me to understand something?...Did I miss...something you wanted to tell me?...Am I so oblivious?...

He took the blankets in his arms and wrapped his hands around them, feeling the soft warmth of the slow, lonely morning. ...And what if Anna truly...only sees me as a tool?...What if I am wrong in the end?...Do I love myself enough to sacrifice the chance...the chance of someone else’s comfort...to save myself and my mother?... His questions had no answers, but he wished to find answers for them.

As he got out of bed, he made his bed and stared at the room around him. He did not know whether or not he would return tonight, to wait for Anna. He wished now he could tell her his honest concerns, that he could give her a single kiss and know that he had tried to be whatever she had wanted, and that if she truly loved him he would be everything she needed, to the best of his ability. At the same time, he wanted Maxwell to follow the path he had begun with his strange email-riddle, hoping to lead the older Inquisitor to himself and thus to reconciliation.

Love or family. Never had he thought he would have to choose between them.

He decided to spend his day out, to care for himself. He got dressed, took his phone, and walked downstairs to go out of the mansion. Hardly anyone was awake to greet him. The silence was deafening. He left the mansion without speaking to anyone, his eyes low and timid and his neck covered, as he tugged at his collar to keep it hidden. Leaving from such an opulent place so early in the morning, alone...I should have a disguise...someone will see me...someone will talk... He had the morbid thought that some reporter might make a scandalous story out of an unknown, strange-looking young man leaving the home of Anastasia Angelos, one of the wealthiest women in Los Angeles, which would appear on TMZ for all of the pop-culture world to behold. At least his mother had no interest in TMZ, he thought with a chuckle.

The Hills were an expensive place in which to dine, but he found a small cafe which seemed to work. He just needed a cup of coffee and perhaps a long walk around the neighborhood. He got a hot chocolate mocha, left, and began to wander. His eyes were misty and adventurous, but also meek and unassuming. He hoped he would not be stopped by anyone, as they might look into his eyes and see his many complex, confused thoughts.

[Imperialisium]

Nearby Anna's Residence
Reynolds

Reynolds slowly rolled by in his classic Impala, the windows tinted, slowly scanning the neighborhood. He could see some kids out, staff cutting lawns, and a jogger with expensive looking shoes running down the well-maintained asphalt road. It looked the part of an upscale, high class, one-percenter neighborhood. There was more wealth here than in most of the rest of Los Angeles combined and it showed. The mansions, gardens, and expensive vehicles denoting America's tastes for its upper echelons. The sound of rolling tires on gravel could be dully heard as he moved on by Anna's residence. Looking up he almost stopped the car. Out was Alexei moving down the sidewalk. He had half a mind to shoot the man right there. It would have been quick, easy, and probably mostly painless for the poor sod. But no, this was a recon mission, and he thus kept his automobile traveling down the road at a steady pace. Pulling into a side street that cut across to the other end of the neighborhood he maneuvered his vehicle to face Anna's residence.


Pulling out a camera he zoomed in the magnification. There was definitely guards, sentries with dogs walking the grounds, but altogether nothing overtly obvious beyond the security. It was strangely quiet, too quiet like most of the occupants of the mansion were still sleeping somewhere. Save for Alexei and a couple of security teams everything was eerily still. In contrast to the life of the neighborhood, he had witnessed by a few mansions down. Click. Reynolds snapped pictures of the front of the mansion. Moving the camera right to left methodically he snapped one picture after the other.


Putting down the camera briefly he heard the sound of a few vehicles coming up the road. Craning his head to the right he saw a trio of black Escalade SUV's pull up into the driveway of the mansion. The gates opening in expectation. "Well now this is interesting," said Reynolds as he lifted the camera once more. Snapping pictures as the SUV's came to a stop and a squad of black suit-clad men got out. The back of the middle SUV opened up. Out of which came a particularly ornate Black Coffin. Zooming in, he could see in silver was a stylized A inlaid on the lid of the coffin, "Well, well, well." Reynolds mused to himself as the coffin was brought into the mansion. Unbeknownst to him to be deposited in a secret chamber below the mansion. The very one that Alexei had been brought too when he met Anna rising from her coffin.