Claudia's (17 quai des chartrons)

The entrance door closes itself alone with an automatic valve.
Those in the stairs can hear the elevator, but as the quality of the building shows, the sound is quite silent : the system must be well taken care of, or be new.

Once on the last floor, the neonates will find that the door is partly open. Claudia's voice can be heard as she probably heard steps (or the lift's "ding").
(Claudia) It's open, come on in.

The first they see of the apartment is a corridor, with perfectly aligned shoes on the side (mostly Claudia's city colored and girly shoes, as well as a few boots, but also men's baskets and dressing shoes). A portmanteau has a few jackets on it, as well as a backpack. There's a dresser in front of it, which has some loose change, as well as a couple sets of keys, tram tickets, and generally what one can find in pockets : gums, ads, a tissue pack..
All lights are off, but it's clear a mortal lives here : the heat is on, and the smell of food comes from the open door on the right (probably the kitchen). It smells like waffles, crepes or pancakes.
Straight forward there is a closed double door, just on the right a door open, and to the left the corridor continues, which is where Claudia comes from. She indicates their feet, then the portmanteau.
(Claudia) Please, take off your shoes, as well as your coats if you wish.

The Tremere probably just took a shower, as part of her hair is still wet. She also has changed into a white dress (with lace and embroideries). She's holding in her hand the small red ribbon she had in her hair before. She isn't wearing any make up which makes her look a little like the Ring creature ; corpse-like, way too thin.
She walks to the double door and opens it, inviting her guests to come there.

Duncan chuckles at the stair-climbing trend he started, but makes no comment as he continues up the stairs to the fourth floor landing.  He doesn't run up the stairs, but he climbs quickly enough to reach the landing as the chime announces the lift's arrival.  Duncan sees William exit the elevator and prepare to knock, but they both hear Claudia's invitation through the open door, and move inside.

The Brujah unlaces his shoes and sets them by the wall per Claudia's request, although he doesn't remove the thin jacket-- after all, it's not like he will get overheated.

OOC:

Duncan waits to speak until he has followed Claudia into the room with the double doors; and even then he keeps it general, in deference to any mortals the Tremere may have around.

Did you find out anything?

William raises a brow as he was about to knock and noticed the door was open, as Duncan proceeded to enter, he followed suit.


William takes off his shoes, and wanted to take off his jacket but realised he forgot to put on a jacket to begin with to blend in. "Huh... Oh well," he said with a shrug. Following the rest, he looks around the flat.

Fred does as asked and takes off his shoes, putting them neatly to the side, and then hangs up his coat.
He does remove his beanie, but he holds it in his hands rather than putting it somewhere.

Thank you kindly for your hospitality.

Claudia seems pleased as they take off their shoes. Herself is wearing slippers. As they walk by the kitchen, they notice that the smell was actually someone who had made the batter for the preparation : flour and instruments on the counter prove it, but the batter itself is probably in the fridge, resting. The smell probably comes from a test done with the batter, to see if it was good for cooking, and the melted butter on a frying pan, mixed with the sugarish preparation is a very distinctive smell to anyone who had a childehood.
There's no one to be seen apart from the Tremere. She stays next to the door and lets them enter with a shy smile. Once they are all inside, she closes the doors. She denies at Duncan's question and nods at Fred's words, giving him a warm smile.
(click to watch : http://applet.roomsketcher.com/widget/?ctxt=rs_com&l=en&w=home360&gid=10250477 ; Don't check the floor plans please, it's not finished XD)

She speaks with doubt and worry. She does so showing the ribbon in her hand, before tying her hair with it again so it's out of the way. She then signs over to the couches.
(Claudia) Please sit. I couldn't.. I tried several times, but it's like he wasn't there. It's hard to explain. I'll need to ask my Grandsire about it. It's not like I performed this ritual a lot... But it was not the same as last time I had to do it.

It's clear she disliked doing what she did, be it now or before. She can't hide the displeasure.

Perception = 4:

I don't often get told to not check out the floor plan:

William very briefly studies Claudia and sits down. "The chantry had similar results. It's like he simply disappeared of the grid."

Duncan notes the items on Nyx's belt with a smile, as if he recognizes them for what they are; but he doesn't comment.

Instead, the Brujah neonate listens to Claudia as she explains her lack of success in contacting her sire with the Tremere ritual.  A slight frown creases his forehead, and he shakes his head.

I'm sorry to hear that you can't find him.  His gaming buddies have no clue where he is, either-- just that he's been offline for a while, which is uncharacteristic of him.

Is there any kind of ritual, or-- what's the word?  Ward?  Any kind of ward that can block your ritual, and block someone from reaching him?

Once everyone has seated, herself pulls a chair from the table and sits as well, crossing her legs. She nods at William's words.
(Claudia) They tried the Introduction, I guess.. I've never learnt it, I never had to present myself to other Regents. She shrugs, showing ignorance. I may have failed something with my own test, that or the object I used wasn't an useful component.

She doesn't seem to believe she failed, but it's a possibility.
(Claudia) To be honest, the first and only time I've tried, I did manage to reach Regent Kersten's mind. He shut the door right in my face (figuratively) and scolded Magister Horsman. A ward.. She thinks about it for a while. I can't think of a reason for it to exist, because one can just "refuse" such contact. I didn't feel the "no", but on the other hand I should have felt "something" if he was dead, which is why I must assume he's alive.. He might be in torpor, or staked.. or gone. William ?

Claudia seems unsure, which is why she asks William. She then sighs.
(Claudia) He is surely a pain. His.. "buddies", I wouldn't know, I'm just his childe, it's not like he informs me of anything. I am sorry I couldn't be of any more help.

Nyx:

William:

Duncan:

Fred:

perception+subterfuge=5:

While all lights are off, the windows of the living room are big enough, and spotless clean, letting the night's light enter. They can all see clearly enough, mostly because they are used to being in the dark, but also because of the colors in the flat, as well as the size of the windows and the street lights what reflect through it.

William looked thoughtful, "There are... places... and states that interfere with the communication rituals. And enough time has passed for Regent Kersten to reach (or be taken to) those areas, before we became 'worried' and decided to attempt to determine his location. Now I haven't got the most knowledge when it comes to creating your own rituals, nor the allowance and interest to do so due to... circumstances, nor the age, so I cannot help you there. But I do know, that nothing at all, is quite a precarious response to get in that division of contacting methods. However... for reasons I cannot indulge unless we speak in private, have you considered that you might be... how do I put this... blocked from contacting Kersten?"

William leaned back into the couch, crossed his legs and studied the room with a small amount of interest as he crossed his arms.
"After all, and this isn't meant as an insult or anything, your whereabouts aren't entirely secret, and any person with ill intent could most likely track you down to manipulate your senses with certain means if they wanted to."

Nyx was being attentive to the conversation taking place, though she felt more like a voyeur rather than an active participant. When William was done speaking she found her voice and spoke.


Hey Claudia, what's that black thing? 

The Nosferatu gestured to the peeking corner behind the sofa from where she sat.

Claudia thinks about William's doubts. She clearly got the message, nodding as she says she understood. She doesn't seem to take it as an offense.
(Claudia) I don't really feel the need to hide, but I am, however, well protected. I know my skills, and I know others, so I'm confident. After all, I am still a Tremere and I'm old enough to defend myself.

She smiles, proving she believes in her own words.
(Claudia) I will try again to reach him before dawn, but I'll need you to give me his necklace, just to rule out it's not an issue of.. ingredients.

A careful eye will notice she looks down and turns her head a little as she speaks of ingredients. She gives a glance at Nyx as she asks about the black thing. The squints the eyes, to see what she is speaking about. She smiles and nods.
(Claudia) A game object of Loïc's. It works with his console.

She indicates the cabinet under the TV.

Duncan listens as Claudia and William discuss the possibilities of why she could not contact her sire, and Claudia's confidence in her ability to protect herself.

Perception+Empathy>4:

Auspex>4:

When Claudia mentions that she will try to reach Kersten again before dawn, using the necklace Lyle gave William to show his credentials, Duncan nods, as if that seems to settle something in his mind.  After she answers Nyx's question about the dance pad for Loic's game, Duncan speaks to the elder Tremere.

Well then, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see whether your second attempt to reach your Sire is more successful than the first.

One question though... you said Kersten might be in torpor, or staked.  I can understand how one can't respond to your call while in torpor.  However, I was, um, staked once, to show me how it felt.  Not pleasant.  Yet while I couldn't move, or use any powers, my mind was still active.  I don't know anything about your ritual, but I'm betting he's not simply staked.

William takes off the necklace after untangling it with one which carried a red bauble and gave it to Claudia, while looking at Duncan. "That's the problem with magic, you never quite know what you're going to get, and the results can vary if there is even the smallest change or error. Maybe being staked interferes more with you than you can guess at first glance."

Claudia frowns as Fred moves to leave the living room. She takes the cross handled to her, and keeps it in her hand.
(Claudia) I've got sleeping kine here, Fred, so stay here, would you ?

She nods at Duncan, listening to the story, understanding.
(Claudia) It's true that it's just immobilization, yet intellectual activities... I was lucky not to go through that process, I know it's frustrating (which is why it's punishment..), but this is not a ritual I use often enough to get all its shades. Lord Tarcisus would know best to answer these questions.

She laughs a little, a bit embarrassed.
(Claudia) Either way we won't discuss thaumaturgical theories here, will we ?.. Speaking of which, William you should call the Chantry and let them know whether you'll spend the day there or here. Mikael is certainly stressed enough.

As she says so she indicates her smartphone on the dining table.

Ah, my apologies.
I'll sit down quietly until my assistance is needed.

Fred does as promised and seats himself at the nearest couch/chair/sofa/whatever.
If none are available, he'll sit on the floor.

William nods with a sigh he gets up and walks to the other side of the room muttering, "Yes I guess the Chantry is on high alert now, I guess..."

Walking up to the table, he picks up the phone for a moment and studies it while turning his back to the group. "What is it with French Tremere and Apple products? You would think that with a technomere as a regent, the rest would at least have some idea on what to not waste you money on. Then again, considering, the apple products do have a more dummy proof user interface. Not by much, but still..."

ST:

Claudia shrugs when Apple is mentioned.
(Claudia) If century old societies have to worry about paying double the price for something like a phone, it's too much energy to save up a dime. I bought what was advised to me and it works fine for what I need to do with it. Oh, and don't imply such words.

Money isn't the issue in most Tremere chantries it seems, at least not for basic useful objects.. Buying a building every other day is another issue. Claudia didn't like being called dummy, oddly !

William:

Nyx watched the interactions quietly but she certainly seemed interested in what the others were like when they spoke to one another. When she finds another gap in the conversation she asks her next question.

Is Loïc your Ghoul?

Duncan listens to William and Claudia discuss how some things, like being staked, might affect a ritual; but the Brujah doesn't comment -- they obviously don't know in this case.

As William uses Claudia's phone to call their chantry, Duncan looks to the others in his group and asks quietly:
So are we spending the day here then?

While they think about his queston, Duncan hears Nyx ask whether Loic is a ghoul.  He hasn't asked the question himself, although from the way his attention shifts to Claudia, he is interested in the answer.