Le Grand Théâtre

A shudder runs down Estela’s spine when Lyle gives his advice on blood and choosing suitable donors. She doesn’t really seem to feel comfortable with this particular subject, but nods nonetheless in appreciation of the advice. “Yea. I’ve heard as much from my own Sire. Thanks anyway.” She smiles a little. “Wouldn’t want to be found wobbling around the streets, completely wasted because I picked the wrong…donor or something.”
She looks in mild surprise at the arm Lyle offers her. That clearly wasn’t what she’d meant with being walked out of the Theatre. It draws a smile from her though, and she accepts the arm, albeit a little awkwardly simply because of how old fashioned it was. She’d surely never been offered an arm the way Lyle did now. “Maybe not needed, but we can certainly appreciate it. Even if it’s done in a way that’s somewhat old fashioned. Which isn’t bad, really! Just something I will have to get used to I guess. What with some people really being…well, old.” Estela pauses a bit, then continues with a sidelong glance at the Tremere, her voice sounding a little bold. “Old, but still looking pretty good.”

empathy+perception >5:

Lyle takes his time as he walks the younger vampire towards the exit or the deambulatoire. It seems he is ready to walk her until she is actually out of the grand theatre. He looks right in front of him as he responds, not giving even a look towards the neonate. He does smile when he catches Estela's trouble about the feeding subject.
(Lyle) Better start getting used to the terminology, young girl...
He plain laughs about the old fashion and the good looking.
(Lyle) What can I say, you either are a gentleman or aren't. I learned over the time. While it's true I am one of the oldest beings in the city, I am probably the most modern out of all of them. Some have an easier time adapting... And I must agree, Darvault is a good looking man.
The tremere gives a look towards the woman at his arm with a smirk, letting her know he knew she was talking about him and not the Toreador Primogen.
(Lyle) This existence will allow you to witness bizarre events, like a guy looking in his teens speaking of the communism as a short phase. I could tell you about when we were certain that the planet was flat and the stars were holes in a mantel, left on the sky by archangels each night. Between us, I think some others still believe that...

Estela lets Lyle guide her through the Theatre. From her steps and the way she's not in synch with those of the Tremere, it is once more made clear that she's not exactly used to being led around like this. But she did seem to enjoy it, if the light in her eyes was any indication. She doesn't answer when Lyle emphasizes that she's going to have to get used to the whole blood thing, but she does pull a bit of a face to show him her thoughts on the matter. The light scowl disappears quickly when her companion moves back to more enjoyable subjects, which bring a bit of a mischievous grin on her face, after the mild surprise from Lyle telling her that he was one of the oldest beings in the entire city.
“Hm, true enough, I suppose,” she answers him, pursing her lips a little as though in thought. “I was actually thinking of the Prince though. You know how some girls get around men with power. But hey, it's good to know that I won't have to compete with you over him, since you got your eyes on primogen Darvault.” The mischievous grin increases as she looks back at Lyle.

Reaching the entrance to the Theatre, Estela removes her arm from Lyle's and turns around after taking a few steps forward. With a laugh, she attempts to make some form of curtsy as she'd often seen women do in movies set in the old times. It's really a mockery of the real gesture, but it is well meant either way. “Well Primogen Lyle, it was a real pleasure to get to know you. And thanks for walking me out of the Theatre so gallantly. I'll be on my way now to my new place, and I'll try not to walk off the edge of the world.” Chuckling, the young vampire begins to walk in the southern direction. She half turned after a couple steps to wave at the Tremere. “Hope to see ya around!” she almost yelled, falling back on human habits to increase her volume to make herself heard over a slight distance. After that, she headed off to her new home.

The Tremere takes Estela's talking about the attractiveness of power as the joke it is, lets out a chuckle and adds.
(Lyle) Aiming for the Prince already, uh, I feel so used and thrown like a dirty sock ! The pleasure was all mine, young girl, you are welcome. Have a safe trip.

Lyle lets go the young Toreador with a slight smile, and waves slightly with his hands as she turns back and yells to him. He goes back in with a fast pace. He'll reach the Chantry barely a few minutes after.




End of Wednesday <_<

On Thursday, this Elysium is closed, but Celine can be found on the ground floor, taking care of the mortal life of the Theatre, as she watches mortals do not go where they shouldn't and enjoy their concert, their play.

It was a fine evening. There was some movement in the Theatre, for a play was about to start. Everyone inside it looked all the same, dressing and speaking the way society orders them to dress and speak.
Amidst them, a man was not interested in the play at all. Wearing a full black social garb(boots, pants, shirt and blazer), with a caucasian look and brown hair and eyes, he looked just like one of them, a pitiful dancing puppet who cannot see his own strings. But he was not like one of them.
Walking calmly towards one of his acquaintances, it seems like he has been on this place hundreds of times before.

He got close to Celine and spoke to her in almost a whisper:


It is nice to see you again, Celine.

The ghoul, as she was giving a few calls close to the entrance of the building, while the mortals were leaving it (the opera given that night was over a few minutes earlier), gave a polite smile to the Kindred she recognizes. She does look surprised to see him. She bows her head slightly, as she can't show the full etiquette in public without drawing too much attention. She puts her phone away and puts her hand in her back in respect and allows her servicing nature and manners to show again.
(Celine) Mr. Horsman. Is there anything I can do for you ?

Her tone sounds somewhat worried. She lets understand that she has heard of the attack to the Bell tower, after all, it was all a phone call away.

He paused for a moment, and then replied

I want to see the Prince. Or, rather, the prince would like to see me. Is that possible?

The Seneschal thinks an instant, serious. She then nods politely.
(Celine) Considering the situation, yes. Please follow me.


She walks him inside the Theatre, as she passes through the side corridors, to go backstage. She opens the way and signs the security as she passes, to let them know the man following her is with her and is allowed in. The security is actually quite discrete, as it always was, to give mortals the impression that they are not watched. She takes the stairs to the Deambulatoire, to step in the very private Elysium. Celine stops an instant as she sees a woman leaving Gosuin's room. Any trained eye can easily notice this woman in a beautiful night dress is under dominate. The Seneschal lets her go, before approaching the door and having a slight look inside. She then steps back and makes a proper bow to Mikael to indicate him he can go in.

Gosuin is standing, with both hands on the desk, as he's looking at a map of the city. He seems annoyed by something, certainly because of the attack given to the old Chantry. He does spare a look to his guest. It's clear he has just fed and that his victim was very close to him, grabbing his shirt as he was taking some of his life. He taps slightly his shirt to look more acceptable and gives all his attention to him.
(Gosuin) Long time no see, Monsieur Horsman. I thought you were already aware that you had my word of Acceptance. Or.. Is it something else ?

He now doubts the reason why the Tremere is here.

Horsman wastes no time

These are troubling times, Monsieur. I know you must be busy, so i shall be quick.
If you ever find yourself in need of my...abilities, let me know. It will be my pleasure to serve the Camarilla.

The Prince lets himself observe his guest with a certain doubt. He nods in understanding, severe.
(Gosuin) It's a pleasure to notice the Tremere clan unites for the Camarilla, despite our past tensions. Very well. You must be already aware that your old Chantry was attacked, but there have been other attacks. Here, have a look, and tell me what you think.

The Prince indicates the Tremere can come closer, as he shows the map. He's marked it with crosses, a good dozen of them, with obscure annotations. About half of them are on Theodore Jacob's domain, domain which he has had ever since the French Revolution. Saint Eloi is marked up. A few places in the suburbs, known low-rent towers which are turning points for drug deals like these ones. Northern Bordeaux was not affected, nor the most pedestrian part of the city (everything from the Theatre to El Bodegon, actually, with the notable exception of Saint Eloi, which is accessible through an avenue).
The first thing that strikes the Tremere is that many of the attacks in Theodore's domain were on spots that a Tremere, Elisabeth Vranken (Zelda Ritter's first childe, an old bitter woman), was researching in the early to mid-1800's. Rumors among the Tremere Chantry were that an old powerful artifact was on Theodore's domain, and when he left to prepare the July Revolution (this stuff : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Revolution), she sank her claws into his domain and his influences in the criminal world and began looking for it, whatever it was. When he made it back, he kicked her out and took back his domain. She didn't give up, and began stalking the domain, and eventually, one of the confrontations turned badly and Jacob killed her ; one of the places attacks, the Ambroise street, is where she was killed. No Tremere could say anything, as she had trespassed his Domain, and newly installed princess Madeleine couldn't afford angering the Brujah, and side against Camarilla law. Of course, nobody else than the Tremere was aware about these rumors (it's not something they communicate), but since then, with the notable exception of El Bodegon, Theodore forbids any Tremere to trespass without asking him first. None really wanted to meet Vranken's fate, as she was a known good thaumaturge and still lost her unlife. Tarcisus never forgave Theodore for having killed one of his talented magus, which is one of the numerous reasons why, when he made his putsch, he wanted Theodore's head (that and telling him he wouldn't be good with power, Theodore doesn't like authority, and Tarcisus had plenty of it).
Another important noticeable point, is that the Setites were absolutely not touched by the attacks, unless their influences crossed the river.
Residential areas were saved, it seems. As well as universities and student campuses.

The Prince awaits for Mikael's judgement of the map. As he observes it, he gives out his guesses on the situation.
(Gosuin) One of our spies in Spain gathered information and brought it to us yesterday, which makes me think they rushed their attacks and now aim for those who inflicted them the most losses. I guess that Gargoyle of yours wasn't kind on the poor shovelheads that thought it was a good idea to enter Saint Eloi. What do you think ?

Mikael:

Mikael looks closely on the map.

From the looks of it, it seems like the Setites want the Brujah gone. But that might be just what the real attackers want us to think.
Look. He said, as he pointed to the drug-dealing building. Kindred or Kine, that was competition, for Theodore would never allow Sethites to make business on his territory.

Mikael pauses for a while to think.
Sethites don't have enough manpower or a reason to attack the Brujah.
These damn serpents prefear to seduce and manipulate rather than to attack openly.

That giovanni girl could have done it, in order to incriminate the Sethites. Then, the camarilla would destroy the serpents and the drug dealing business would be ripe for the taking.
But she has not enough manpower for it either.

He looks to the Prince again
Monsieur, how many casualities does the Camarilla we have?

ST:

If any of the independents are the masterminds behind this, they used someone else to attack for them. Leaking false information to the Sabbat, pherhaps?

Whatever it may be, Lyle will know the answer after he interrogates his prisioner...

The Prince listens and looks carefully as Mikael presents him the things. He doesn't interrupt, but it's clear to some points, he doesn't agree plainly with all of them. He cares for the arguments, however, and doesn't dismiss the ideas on a mere basic basis.
(Gosuin) Hm. Interesting. Manipulating Sabbat packs in order to achieve anyone's goals may not be totally out of the question. However, the Setites have had their little things going on for about a hundred and fifty years, I don't see why and how would they grow a bigger appetite. The Giovanni, on the other hand... I don't see how she would have found the means to do so.

He moves around the map, and observes it with a thought.
(Gosuin) So Kersten has made a prisoner. At least he is more cooperative than Tarcisus when it comes to these kind of information. Maybe. No offense... I am not even surprised how much you're in touch with the situation. The Giovannis fought the Setites for control over those sectors, after all, but also they fought the Ventrue on other sectors. We finished them off, and that.. rat Adriano Guicciardini traded them his embrace right. Anyway they left behind their former ghoul, who's being tracked down by the Snakes.

He rests back on his chair, wondering.
(Gosuin) You must be aware that a Sabbat attack was lead on this city a few months ago, an attack that have caused many causalities right here, in this very building. Tonight's, it seems there are no losses, this is why I think they have rushed things out... My sources indicate that we may have a Sabbat agent among us. We had already sentenced Robert Degrelle a few years ago, for similar activities.

The Prince nods to himself.
(Gosuin) We cannot just speculate on maps, Mr. Horsman. Maybe you should ask your Regent about what he has found out. And maybe finding your Lord, I doubt he came to the city to stay locked up in the Chantry, so he must be somewhere in the streets.

Mikael:

I agree with you, sir. The sethites and giovanni have no power to be responsible for these attacks.

I will talk with my Lord to see his opinions on the matter. Any useful information i shall bring it back to you, personally. Do not trust any messengers who speak in behalf of me.

I shall go now, if you no longer need me here.
As he said that, Horsman gave a respectful bow.

The Prince nods with severity.
(Gosuin) Very well. If anything, you can call Celine. Better avoid moving in the city if it's not vital and necessary. The Camarilla needs to move as one on these kind of matters.

Gosuin offers his hand to shake to the Tremere, observing him carefully. The gesture is a symbol as they had been enemies in the 40's.

The Prince's grip is strong and assured, but he's not aiming to impress. He does make eye-contact, something Kindred usually avoid, probably because he trusts his age and generation to protect him from Dominate.

Celine walks next to the Tremere, to escort him back downstairs. She puts this time to profit to hand her a card, which has her number on it, as well as just her first name.
(Celine) In case you do not have it.

The discussion, while not heated, shows clearly three stubborn kindred.
(Lyle) The object they were looking for is kept safely in the Hotel ever since.
(Theodore) That Vranken old bitch haunted my territory for years looking for it, but I'm certain she never found it.
(Lyle) Yes, yes...
(Gosuin) Never mind that ; it doesn't matter at the moment. The main culprit will be punished soon. Lyle, I trust you with his state, so an example can be shown to whoever may betray us. The Sheriff is already conducting a few investigations... It seems last attack was wrongly taken into account.
(Lyle) Hm hm...
(Theodore) Well sorry for not jumping into administrative work, Gosuin, but I lost many of my best elements in that fucking raid.

The Tremere nods, and gives a look to Fred, then shrugs to Theo's statement. The Prince gives a look to Fred, then folds the paper before him.
(Gosuin) Come on in, childe. We thought you were there, but the Tremere confirmed it was a mistake. Please, tell us what happened.

The three of them observe Fred, calmly. The prince looks a little more suspicious, after all, Robert Degrelle was executed for covering a sabbat nest not too long ago. The Malkavians can't really be trusted, can they ? Theodore is the only one who doesn't seem to hold his lineage against him. Celine makes a slight smile and nod to Fred to incite him to enter.

Fred enters as told once the three elders are done chatting.
He appears clearly confused when asked to tell what happened.

My pardons, good prince, what do you wish to know?
Do you wish to hear my whereabouts since the last attack as well?

The Prince nods and crosses his fingers on the table.
(Gosuin) Indeed. I was too busy shooting the assailants to watch over childer, so tell us what you witnessed, did, and noticed.

Fred removes his beanie as he begins telling his tale.
Ah yes, during the last attack Terrance requested we rushed to the defence of an Elysium; we went immediately and joined the defenders.
When the mean ones came I stayed back with Marie and watched the battle, she eventually joined them but was.. overwhelmed.

Fred becomes saddened as he tells his tale.
Marie was killed that night, along with the rest of my old family as I discovered.
Fred looks briefly at Theodore, then a quick glance at Lyle and after back at Gosuin, he keeps talking as he does this.
I ran in terror when I saw Marie die, joining a few others who were doing the same.
I ran back to my old home with Robert and Marie, which was now empty as both had passed away, and stayed there with my guilt, fear and despair; only leaving to feed.

Fred becomes slightly calmer as he passes the first part of the story.
Eventually I felt that I should make amends by helping the remaining friends I had left.
I left to the club near the harbour to meet with Mister. Fonscolombe, but discovered that he was not at his club.
Instead I was greeted by a nice young lady called Alicia Vanderstree who suggested that parts of my old family might still be alive, which I later discovered was not the case at all, and asked me to investigate the old Tremere chantry in search of a man who had betrayed her. I don't recall the name of this man, but I remember it was familiar.

After I arrived at the chantry, were an attack had taken place, I was eventually greeted by the good regent here..
Fred extends his hand towards Lyle for a short moment as he continues his tale.
..And entered along with him and a lady.

Storyteller:

I latter joined the good regent and the lady down into a cellar of sorts, with lots of pretty lights and a prisoner.
Fred looks nervously at Lyle.
I was latter told by the lady who came with Lyle that she would not do bad things to the prisoner if I told her something about Miss. Vanderstree, which I don't recall what it was anymore, truly a kind offer.

Auspex 2:

Storyteller:

After that I was told by the good regent to speak with Miss. Nolveaux and Mister. Theodore about my old family, who I thought was still remaining at that point, so I left immediately to Miss. Nolveaux's workshop and met with her. She confirmed the death of my old family.
She also asked me to find "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin", who had gone missing with only false ashes and a dress to replace her.

I left to see Mister. Theodore.. He gestures towards Theodore much in the same manner that he did towards Lyle a moment ago.
..Who also confirmed the death of my old family and told me to speak with the Tremere in the new chantry.
And also told me I should not blame myself for past guilt, but rather make amends for them.
Truly a wise council!
Fred seems happy about the lesson Theodore taught him.

After speaking with Mister. Theodore I travelled immediately to the new chantry were I met Mister. Mike, a Tremere lady whose name I don't quite remember and an old Tremere whose name is Mister. Tarcius.
The young Tremere lady asked for some blood so she could confirm that I was whom I claimed to be, so I gave some with the help of Mister. Mike, and she got her confirmation.
The Tremere lady said that "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin" was alive, but still missing and told me to speak with you, good prince, so I left to do so. But due to the monster and the approaching dawn I had little choice but to return home for the day and come back the following day, which I now did.

I'm now hoping that you can shed light on the whereabouts of "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin" as the king should know better than anyone where the rest of the pieces are located.
Fred has a more neutral expression now than he did a few moments ago.

The three elders listen quietly to the story. Lyle leans over to Gosuin every now and then to give him a precision or another ; mainly to fill in a gap or another (Miriel's and Frederic Vonzel's names). The Prince makes a slight nod as he hears the Tremere, but he has set his inquisitive eyes on Fred and isn't letting go for the length of his discourse. The Regent can't help a smirk when he noticed the Neonate didn't mention the whole truth about the Chantry's happenings, but he says nothing.
Both Gosuin and Theodore seem to relive a certain painful or worrying moment as Fred tells his tale. Lyle doesn't seem to feel too concerned, not even by the attack of his old chantry. He's quite detached, even as if he wasn't there.
The Brujah Elder seems pleased to see that Fred has taken back a certain joy in unlife, or at least, a goal or anything to go on in a more useful way. He gives a slight genuine smile to Fred.
Once the tale has been told, and despite he has asked directly to Gosuin, Lyle takes a time to precise a few thoughts of Fred's, with a slight sigh, betraying a boredom.
(Lyle) The woman that was with me in the Bell was Miriel de Boucher, Fred. The Tremere you saw with my Sire at the Regent's was certainly Corinna Ansons.
(Gosuin) So Miss Vicomte may not be dead I would have thought her death was verified by her sire, and his reactions was believable enough. To answer your question, childe, I must say you're the one informing me of this.

As he said so, he gave a dark look to Lyle, who simply ignored it. If Corinna knew, then Lyle should have known, and as such, Gosuin doesn't approve him being kept misinformed. He forces him to pay attention by asking for an explanation.
(Gosuin) Miss Nolveaux having doubts and investigating on her own isn't out of the ordinary, but if elements of proof are enough, I wish to be informed, Regent.
(Lyle) I let Ancillae and Neonates play around. I could care less about a neonate Toreador switching sides, gone missing. It won't be the first nor the last time so I stopped caring. I'm having enough trouble with my own.
(Gosuin) Right... Either way, it is the Sheriff you should ask about this matter. I cannot seem to get a hold on to him, sadly. Gregory Darvault may be interested as well.
(Theodore) Yeah yeah like he'd do anything else than find nice hideouts in tables. I gotta give him one for Christmas.
(Lyle) I'll gladly contribute to such a gift, Theodore.

Gosuin lets out a sigh, tired of the plays between the other two. It seems he's used to it, but also, it bothers him.
(Gosuin) Either way Darvault may be useful in other aspects than brute combat, fields that neither of you both could get a hand upon.
(Lyle) Certainly, my Prince.
(Theodore) I know, I know, but come on, if he'd had some balls we wouldn't have lost so many of our own. Especially not the youngest.

The Brujah makes a gesture to Fred, meaning he's talking about his coterie. Theodore certainly doesn't accept Gregory's behavior during last attack.
(Theodore) Though Lambert not responding worries me and makes me wonder.
(Gosuin) It could be a good idea to get a hold on to him. Other neonates should show up about last night too, so you should gather all information and not move alone.

As he says so, Laure Nolveaux enters the place as well. She waits politely seeing everyone is busy, but she is impatient.