Saint Eloi - the Big Bell

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:52 pm

Claudia walks thoughtful, but she does tick and react as she hears what Rufus said. She smiled as he hid away the chains from her eyes, but she knew they were there, and that they were probably the same ones from when she was embraced. She then pouts and speaks with a strong bitterness.
(Claudia) Regent Kersten can certainly defend himself without anyone's help. But I don't think he's like Papa Tarcisus..

She certainly means Tarcisus being very paternalist and demanding. Since Lyle is Regent, everyone is much more free to their actions, they don't need to report or any of the old ways, he's not expecting anything from anyone and as such, doesn't punish for failing. She lets go the subject, or rather, takes it back to what she meant to begin with.
(Claudia) I was asking you how were you.. You weren't hurt, were you ? With all mortals around, at least, you can manage to feed easily..

She's thinking with her fangs. A second sign that she's lying about how much Lyle took away from her. She tries to forget about it when she reaches her old room, which she observes a moment before putting down her basket next to the door, and begins undressing. Her own blood on the dress may be a problem. She doesn't seem to care that she can be seen, but then again, many rituals among the Tremere need them to be in the nude, so being in undergarment isn't something odd. A bit elsewhere, she manages to ask Rufus something she's been thinking about.
(Claudia) You're not too lonely, here ?

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:09 pm

Rufus follows Claudia along through the old church, still distracted by his own thoughts from earlier. In Claudia's room, his gaze doesn't really meet her until she asks about his loneliness. His bestial eyes flicker over her body for the briefest of seconds, then immediately shift to somewhere else in the room. He is silent for quite some time, perhaps making Claudia uncomfortable, if she even recalls he is still there. But finally he speaks, his guttural voice barely a whisper, in Latin.

"I long for old days of war. When I was useful to the clan. Now, I am an oddity, a grotesque to be paraded for their own amusement. Master Tarcicus would not be pleased with me now, nor would he be pleased with Regent Kersten. Am I lonely? I am a Gargoyle. That alone should suffice to answer your question."

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:04 pm

The Tremere listens, touched and worried. Sh vaguely folds her dress and puts it on the chair. She approaches the Gargoyle and offers him her hands with a smile. She responds back in Latin, acknowledging it may be easier.
(Claudia) At least the regent protects you from the nosy nosferatu! Rufus, you are always useful...And Papa Tarcisus is the one who restricted you and forbad you from flying, am I right ? Papa Tarcisus soul never be unhappy with you. Nor with Mr. Kersten.

She dropped Lyle's title as a Regent, maybe because it's easier to talk about the past with their precedent status. À hint of jealousy sounds in her voice.
(Claudia) I may be too young to truly understand you. But you are part of us, and we owe you a lot. Regent Kersten may be harsh and violent, and uncaring, and a true monster... but he values loyalty. He'd never hurt you. After all you are siblings, somehow.

It's clear to have been abandoned by her sire to be tutored by Mikael left her bitter. She offers a more genuine smile.
(Claudia) They should be reminded sometimes that you exist. You have the right to feel, and wish. The ways have changed, and this is maybe a good part of these changes. We.. We're not dying anymore. Nobody embraces, it's true, but we are not attacked as we were. We do not have our havens raided by ghouls, we do not die under bombs... I admit that despite how much I fear him, Regent Kersten protects us.. All of us.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:34 pm

Rufus nods as he listens to Claudia. His eyes are hardened, though, as if he did not truly wish to hear her words. Throughout he looks down at her hands, but does not take them until the very end. His voice is harsh and cracking, as though the stone he resembles had taken a firm seat in his throat.

"Thank you Mistress..."

He stops for a moment, his eyes locked on hers.

"Claudia."

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:01 pm

Claudia smiles openly, far more genuine and enthusiastic, as she hears her name without anything else. She nods to approve. She lets her fingers twirl and hold the Gargoyle's, although she can't truly hold his hands as they are much bigger than hers.
(Claudia) You can always be honest with me. I know we'll always be able to trust you, you can tell me anything if you need it. If.. If I can, I'll talk with Regent Kersten about something you want. After what he's done to me, he gotta listen !

She's still bitter, but she's trying to turn it to her favor somehow. Or to Rufus' favor.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:18 pm

Rufus pulls his hands away from hers, and it's obvious that his facade is back up. He steps away from her and turns to look at something that catches his eye, as though he hasn't already seen it a thousand times before.

"I suspect Regent Kersten is far more in your debt than he shall ever acknowledge, but that is not place to say."

He has obviously become very uncomfortable, and is subconsciously inching toward the door without realizing what he is doing.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:41 pm

Claudia observes the hands as they part, seemingly disappointed, thoughtful or elsewhere. She then steps back as she understands or guesses something.
(Claudia) I'm sorry you must have work to do. you don't need to worry about me. I'll obey the orders, I'll stay all day. Don't worry about the room, I'll leave it clean. I may take a sheet with me tomorrow, to.. cover the blood, until I get home. If you want to talk, I'd guess... You know where I live. You can come and talk to me whenever you like and I promise I will not share it with him unless you want me to.

She seems resigned, she would rather not sleep in the old chantry, but it was a direct order and the day will come up soon. She offers a slight smile.
(Claudia) It's.. not the first time. I know it wasn't the first time.. The fact that I wasn't Dominated means maybe.. he's accepting that I exist.

She shows pity and compassion for her sire. Probably a way to stay sane, to survive through unlife as a Tremere in a difficult situation. By guessing other's feelings out and belittling herself, she forgets about her own feelings, and doesn't acknowledge that she is, in fact, a full-righted person. Her behavior is worse than a ghoul's, though. And she's not the one fully bonded to the clan, or the regent.. As far as one can know.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:45 pm

Rufus stops, seeming to sense something in Claudia's voice. He turns to face her, the look on his face a mystery to unravel, for it had lost any semblance of humanity centuries ago. But his eyes are still human, even if they are red and bestial, and in his eyes are sorrow. Wells of deep crimson begin to pool up in his eyes, and the Gargoyle quickly wipes them away. Though seeming to struggle, Rufus manages to choke out some words.

"I believe I was commanded to watch over you, Claudia, and watch over you I shall."

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:06 pm

The Tremere can't help but react to the smell of blood. She lets out a slight discrete groan and she looks away, swallowing her own beast, and trying to act as if nothing had happened. But when she speaks, her fangs are again visible, betraying the thirst she's been feeling since her sire decided to use her as a vessel.
(Claudia) You'll be bored.. I'm not a child, I can watch over myself. But yes, you're right, we have to obey to the Regent, right..

She moves in the small old apprentice room, and opens a drawer in hopes of finding bed sheets. As she finds some, she makes the bed, despite the bed not having a mattress. Kindred do not need to be comfortable, or kept warm, so it doesn't matter much, but she has obviously taken back the habit of having a more normal bed. She warps herself in another sheet, as if it was a cocoon, and sits on the bed.
(Claudia) I.. might fight the day-sleep and walk around the chantry instead of sleeping. You know I fall asleep late.. I'm not sure yet, if I want to spend that much time conscious of this place. I'll wake you if something happens.. If I'm scared.

Of course it's an understatement. Rufus is bonded to the church and chantry, he knows exactly how it works, who is in, and where they are. Claudia probably doesn't know how far the Gargoyle's powers can extend, but she knows that as long as she reaches any stone, the Gargoyle will know and will be able to reach her fast enough.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:54 pm

Rufus gives a slight smile as he shifts his bulk to be more comfortable for standing for long periods.

"I am here. If you wish to speak, I am here. If you wish silence, I am here. I may be loyal to the clan, but there are few I truly trust, if I can even remember how to do so. You, Claudia, are the one I trust most. Nothing you say shall ever escape my lips."

At this point, the Gargoyle glances away.

"Of course, the walls are not so silent..."

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:23 pm

The Tremere moves a little in her sheet, as if to cover a little more. She then uses a corner of it to take out part of the make up she's wearing, both on her face but also on her hands, wrists, ankles, chest.. She unveils this way all the scars she had as a mortal, but also the ones inflicted to her when Tarcisus and Mikael performed on her the Inherited Affinity Ritual, a ritual that Master Tarcisus said it would open up Claudia's senses to the worlds around her. It worked, according to him, but it was painful to feel and see happen, as the clan was truly harsh on her. No wonder she left the Chantry as soon as she was allowed to have her own haven.
Claudia observes her own marks in between sadness, nostalgia and acceptance.
(Claudia) I shouldn't be trusted. And I know that.. It'll be known, somehow.

She says so by gesturing to the walls, vaguely, uncaring, resigned.
(Claudia) At this point I don't even care. I have an edge over Regent Kersten. I wish I could use it...

Inherited Affinity:

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:10 pm

Rufus moves closer to Claudia, and retrieves another sheet, ripping it into pieces for use as cloths. He gently moves her arms aside and wipes her down stoically whilst she speaks. He listens to her every word, never taking his eyes from hers while he cleans her body as politely and respectfully and gently as is possible. Despite his stony countenance, his expressions hardens with pain and sympathy as he cleans around the scars, but he never says a word.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:40 am

Needless to say that there are lots of make up.
Soon the sheets turn pink and orange-ish of the powder the Tremere used to cover up. But she hadn't applied as much as she usually did, becaus even through it the marks could be seen. Maybe she didn't completely cover because she was out with Tarcisus earlier (and Rufus knows that, Tarcisus came to spend time with his grandchilde, or so the Tremere say). That and it's late and make up eventually fades.

She lets herself be cleaned, passive, a ragdoll. She keeps looking away and speaks low, slowly, still in Latin.
(Claudia) You know you don't need to do that... Actually I will just sleep. I can't fight the day in this state and I won't feed neither tomorrow nor the night after so I should be prepared.

She sounds thoughtful, as if she was connecting dots, thinking over the events.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:29 am

Rufus finishes cleaning Claudia, then hesitantly gives her a comforting pat on the head.

"I shall let you sleep. Rest well."

The Gargoyle quietly exits the room to discard the used scraps of sheet.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:10 am

The Tremere whispers a vague "you too" before sitting against the corner, on the bed, rolling herself back into the sheet she warped herself into. She lets herself fall asleep as the day settles in and reclaims her awareness. She'll be gone at dusk, before the gargoyle had woken, she left with her clothing and that sheet she said she'll use to cover up the stains on her dress.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:40 pm

Rufus takes his usual post to sleep during the day, though any who might see him can tell that he is sorely tempted to stay awake to keep an eye over a particular room in the guest quarters of the church. When he arises from the stone the next day, he is quick through his initial rounds of the church and getting back to Claudia, only to be disappointed by her absence. The Gargoyle stares at her empty bed for a few minutes before calmly leaving and seeking out Lyle.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:59 am

Certainly the Regent is in the new chantry to inform the other Tremere. But considering the attacks and the fact that he already spent the day there, he's more likely to be in Elysium, discussing with the other clans. Conciliation and diplomacy is something odd when one considers the Tremere the greatest clan of all (that also includes the Tremere themselves, Master Tarcisus is one good example), but of he's going to have the other clans involved to punish the sabbat, then he's going to be in the Theatre. Either way checking the private part of the hotel before moving into te stones the theatre is feasible as they are facing each other with a short distance between them. Maybe Tarcisus is in the new chantry as well ! Rufus hasn't seen him yet.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sat Aug 18, 2012 6:47 am

After giving the old church a thorough search in which the Gargoyle fails to locate Regent Kersten, Rufus melds through the stone of the building and alights into the night air, headed off toward the new chantry.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:08 am

The dark shape of the Gargoyle swoops down from the night sky onto the spire of the church. His dull red eyes sweep around to see if anyone is nearby enough to see him enter. Once he is certain of safety, Rufus glides down and pops in through an open window and proceeds to perform his usual check of the church grounds, melding into stone when necessary. Once he is certain everything is fine, Rufus begins to search for Claudia.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:10 am

It seems the reparations have started, but the police presence is quite important. The church is closed to the public, and the priest living in the rectory has moved out for the time of the works.
The Bell is also fully closed for safety reasons, as mortals don't know if the building has maintained its integrity (fools !). The car entering the church mostly destroyed the wooden parts of the church, but the Bell itself was left untouched. The stones may need a good cleaning because of the marks of those damn guns, as well as a little soot and the smell of oil, but that cannot be done while mortals are still investigating and the Parish' volunteers are already doing part of the job.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:18 am

Rufus observes his surroundings for a long moment, sadness on the Gargoyle's at the state of the church. After awhile, he climbs out a window and takes off into the darkness.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:09 am

Saturday Night
Duncan, Fred, Nyx, and William arrive at Saint Eloi, where a gang of skinheads (maybe 12-15 people) are parked outside the front gates, proclaiming the attacks a few nights ago to be the fault of immigrants, as well as stating their intention to guard the church from further attacks day and night until the culprits are caught. It's also accompanied with several xenophobic, islamophobic and racist statements.

The coterie have no problems sneaking past the crowd unnoticed and knocking on the back door, only to be greeted by an exhausted and sleepless priest, Father Eliet, complaining about the necessary evil that is the loud skinheads. After confirming his ignorance as to Kersten’s location, the coterie decides to check an alternative and follow Duncan to a place Kersten had taken him after the attack on the church.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:00 pm

Edit ST :
Monday Night

Mikael arrives at the bell through the gargoyle.

Rufus. Meld with the stone and follow me.

Mikael skillfully makes his way to the Old Chantry beneath the very stone of Saint Eloi. His blood opens the ancient passageways of the Tremere's old domain.
When he finally reaches the chantry, Mikael asks Rufus

Rufus, do you understand why I couldn't leave you alone with Prince Gosuin?

As he is talking, Mikael prepares wood and a cauldron of water in the ritual room.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:48 pm

The Gargoyle nods after he had landed, and obeys, disappearing as he follows the Magister.
The surroundings of the old chantry are fairly crowded ; the priest seems to be in, and there's a reunion of the faithful. Some younger people are outside, in a way to guard their beloved faith from further attacks. It's clear the now-empty chantry has lost some of its initial presence, but it's still intact and well kept.

The room with the Node, source of magical power which was partially shut down by the different intrigues the Tremere had with the Mages, has been left intact, sealed as it has been in the early years of the Clan in town. Its presence still facilitates certain rituals inside the Chantry, fueling them. Regent Kersten probably allowed a redirection of the powers to the New Chantry, who also has a certain little help to allow Tremere to focus and train more easily.

Rufus reappears in the old Ritual rooms ; the chains on the walls, where Claudia as well as a few others were trapped and trained over a century ago, were used recently. Probably to interrogate Vonzel. He awaits orders or shows he's willing to help the Tremere in his ritual preparation, as he speaks, in Latin.
(Rufus) Yes, I understand. It doesn't really matter if I understand. But I understand.

He hesitates an instant, before adding.
(Rufus) Master Horsman, I am strong. Only a handful of masters have the capacity to give me orders. I defend the clan's secrets with strength. I was left alone since Master Kersten left this place with Master Griffin. I sometimes see and exchange with other Kindred. I am a strong servant of the clan..

He's frustrated. As if he wanted to prove himself.

Subject: Re: Saint Eloi - the Big Bell Sun Mar 02, 2014 5:14 pm

Mikael keeps a calm, neutral stance while he does the preparations. After he is finished with them, he turns to Rufus. He speaks in latin

I know you are, Rufus. You are the Clan's most loyal servant in this city. That is why I had to do it. Because you're too valuable to us. Because you cannot be replaced.

Horsman, usually so calm and logical, is now speaking with a fanatical zeal in his eyes, voice and gesture. A closer inspection would reveal that he is being completly honest in his words and actions.

Those Ventrue are like snakes. No clan lies better, no clan can pull the strings of others better. You can never trust them. And Prince Gosuin, he's the greatest liar of all. It is not that I don't trust your capacity. I had to make sure his wretched poison would not harm us more than it already has.

He turns around towards the cauldron. His coldness and composture returns.

We will continue this conversation in a moment. I just need to tie one little string I should have long ago.

He sets the wood below the cauldron on fire. As the water heats, Mikael starts chanting in Latin.
Some minutes passes and the water starts boiling.
As steam rises from the cauldron, Mikael kneels down one leg in a perfectly chivalrous manner. He lower his head as he speaks

Lord Alexandrius, a humble servant asks for an audience, looking for your wisdom to solve a matter of paramount importance.

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