El Bodegon

INT 3 or Wits 3:

The Brujah, as she had stated and because there's the radio and she is far a way, can't hear anything. However, the words of the radio eventually come to the other two's hears.
(Radio) So far reports say that there have been at least four to five explosions, mostly in the Nansouty part of the city. No officials have reported yet but they seem to have been caused by local riots after a night too much of drunken students breaking the peace of the residents. There's been another one right in front of the controversial Saint Eloi church. No one has claimed responsibility for it yet. We'll have more information in the morning. If you know anything, please call the police. On other news, we would like to ask the students to lower their drinking as during the last three weeks, five of them have been reported missing after a night out. The police suspect an accidental death by drowning in the Garonne [the river that goes through the city], as another body was found downriver two days ago, identified as Maxime Le Bot, who went missing two months ago.

As the radio gives details on the exact explosion places, Victoire takes her phone with her to pin up those places on the room's map. Their only point in common is that they are on main streets (Victor Hugo for saint Eloi, but also Cours de la Marne which ties up the Victoire plaza to the train station, Cours de l'Yser in various places, which is mainly a residential avenue (with a few student homes), but also the Bègle street, dated from when that part of town was still rural, at the corner with Ambroise street, and the Cours de la Somme street. They all seemed to happen about as the same time.

Duncan smiles at the Nosferatu's offer.
Thanks, but I'll see what I can dig up first, before I become indebted to you guys. Besides, I want to talk to Theo about it before I commit to anything.

We might even be able to work out a trade later -- what we found out, for what your people found.

The Brujah glances at his watch. After I talk to Theo, I was thinking of going back to St. Eloi later, to see what Lyle and Miri found from the captive. Feel like tagging along? Duncan lowers his voice a bit, even though Victoire can't hear from where she is. I have a feeling that whatever they discover, it should become common knowledge.

Before Carrion can answer, Duncan is distraacted by Victoire's news report. He shakes his head. I read about that Le Bot guy.

Her mouth opens slightly to reply but she stops to listen to the radio. She cusses under her breath and mutters something about bodies popping up everywhere before she looks back at Duncan.

Hey, it's not so bad owing us a favour you know. We aren't heartless buggers.

She gives him a small smile and a wink.

Sure I'll tag along with you. I was wondering actually would you like to join me in paying the local Setites a visit? I'm looking into the local disappearances...

Her voice trails off like she isn't sure what else to say so just decides to say nothing.

Duncan thinks for a moment, after Carrion asks him to go with her when she visits the Setites.

I can do that. In fact, it might be better if we go there first. Lyle and Miri are not going to get anything out of the prisoner for a while.

However, I'd like to wait until Theo gets back, and discuss this paper with him. I'm not against asking the Nosferatu for help in that matter; I'd just like to see what I can find out first.

She nods her head in understanding as Duncan speaks to her.

Yes of course, whatever's easiest for you. I have a few questions for Theo myself so I'll be hanging around here until he shows up.

As for the paper I can understand you want to keep it low key but if you need help here's my personal number.

She takes out a pen and a note pad and scribbles the number down quickly before handing it over.

Duncan takes the number from Carrion, and puts it in his wallet. Without a word, he takes out a business card, blank except for a phone number, and hands it to her in return. There doesn't seem to be much else to say, so he remains silent, waiting for Theo.

When the door opens, Duncan turns to watch Theo come in, and stands up. The young Brujah notes the elder's silence, and approaches the pool table, but doesn't sit down at the sofa. He seems to understand Theo's mood, and acts accordingly - no jokes, no excess chit-chat.

I didn't mention this in my text message, but we took a prisoner at St. Eloi. The Toreador staked him. She and Kersten are questioning him now; maybe we'll get some answers. I'll drop by there later, if there's time.

He holds up the paper given to him by the Nosferatu.

A delivery, from our friend in the corner. I'm told we can discuss this. It's almost expected, apparently. You feel like talking about it?

With a quick glance and a nod of the head in Carrion's direction, Duncan adds: She's already seen it, so I don't care if she's present; but it's up to you.

Jacob listens with a closed face. He nods to let his fellow clanmate that he was attentive. He gives a look to Carrion as the Brujah mentions the fanmail. He waits for him to finish.
(Theodore) I see. Kersten is good at getting information from a prisoner. He's not that good at sharing the results, however. I hope your friend will assist to it all and not get brainwashed. Thankfully, as far as I know him, the Sabbat is not something he jokes about. As for that.. He indicates vaguely the paper. I know Carrion has seen it and I guess it is already spreading in the Nosferatu cellars. I don't mind speculate on it between us.

He doesn't want to discuss it with the Nosferatu, it seems, certainly because it concerns him and Duncan, or because he doesn't want it to be spread among the Nosferatu. Maybe if Carrion convinces him she wouldn't tell other Nosferatu... Both subjects seem to have him think over the events on a wider picture.

Carrion gets up from her seat and tentatively approaches Theo. She crouches to meet his eye line not feeling comfortable talking down to him.

I'm not Scoop or some harpy, I don't whore out people's business for profit Theo. All I can give you is my word and the fact that I haven't given up the person who sent you the letter proves that I can keep my word. I have nothing physically to give you to prove that so I'm going to shut up now.

She breaks eye contact with him but remains crouched in front of him waiting to hear what he has to say in an almost submissive manner.

As Carrion makes her statement to Theo, Duncan watches impassionately. When she's done talking, he turns to Theo and shrugs.

Like I said, it's your call. Doesn't matter to me. Maybe if we share what we know -- or what we guess -- she'll feel obliged to return the favor.

Theo observes both Carrion and Duncan an instant. He then gives a look to Victoire who goes back to the map to add other pins. She still is listening to the radio reports, who are still very vague and actually, quite wrong in their speculations. It does seem Theodore's call to "his news friends" did work.
The Brujah Primogen finally nods and leans back on the sofa and agrees to talking with both.
(Theodore) Make yourselves comfortable.

Once they have, either by taking a chair, sitting on the sofa next to him, leaning on the pool table... He speaks a little lower, he's serious.
(Theodore) I think somebody is trying to send a message, but I am not sure what they wish me to know. Especially since you got it too, Duncan. She's still alive despite Tarcisus' putsch, meaning, she did not oppose him (I've known him until he left, this guy doesn't accept anything but full submission). I do not doubt she is aware of this heritage, but this in particular, I'm not sure. I do guess she is aware of what her clan did. Here's how I see it : someone wants to warn us against appearances and raise doubts on everyone's sides, sixty years after. History tends to repeat itself.

Duncan leans against the pool table, so that he can see both Theo and Carrion without craning his neck. His voice is lowered to match Theo's.

From the timeline involved, and what Claudia's told me about when she was Embraced, the guy in the ID was about the right age to be her son -- or at least a nephew or cousin. Whether Claudia knew of his existence, who knows. Even if she did know, and let him be taken to some camp, I'm still not sure what relevance it has today.

For all we know, the name Vonigner may not be the main issue. Perhaps the other names on the document tell the real story. Will we find that one of the people who prepared this ID was linked to the Tremere or Ventrue at the time? Maybe one of their ghouls? Instead of an indirect link, it becomes a conscious decision on someone's part to indentify this guy as a Jew, with all of the consequences that entails.

Once I run this through some online translator -- or a couple, to verify it -- maybe we'll know more. You know, Claudia seems to regard Lyle as some kind of monster, and Tarcisus as some sweet old grandfather type, when from my initial impressions and stuff I've heard, it should be the other way around. Well, not with Lyle being a sweet old guy, but you know what I mean; Tarcisus seems like he should be worse, because of his nazi connections and past history. Maybe it's because Lyle sent her family member to an internment camp. I'm just speculating here, of course.

Carrion sits cross legged on the floor at Theo's feet and rests her chin in her hands, her elbows resting on her knees. She takes in what he says silently and waits for him to finish before she speaks.

Tarcisus is back now isn't he? The official reason being Claudia's bleeding issue but I don't understand that, surely there are Tremere kindred here could have fixed that...So why is he back?

Her thoughts continue and she asks more questions.

What kind of warning? I mean it's a bit vague in that regards. It looks more like the sender trying to fuck with you if I'm being honest.

So just ask her? Why beat about the bush? If she doesn't know then she has a right to know and I doubt anyone else is going to know the answer to this question. Duncan has a point though maybe it's not her but the other names on the document.

Her head whips around to Duncan at the Nazis were monsters comment. She seems a bit annoyed by the comment.

Treading in dangerous water there, not all of them were monsters and saying such a thing is monstrous Duncan. You didn't know every single soldier so how can you say such a thing? They were people just like everyone else...Scared people...

Her thoughts seem to wander and her eyes go vacant for a moment before she snaps back to reality and turns back to Theo.

Since we're talking about the Tremere, what exactly have they been sending you? And please don't lie we know they've been sending you stuff.

Having given his thoughts on the ID papers, Duncan listens to Carrion's ideas on the subject, until she blames him for calling them all monsters. Then he gives out a short, bark of a laugh.

I've never heard anyone defend Nazis before. But you're taking what I said out of context. I wasn't talking about some citizen who joined the Nazi party to keep his family from being ostracized -- I'm talking about a Tremere Lord, who clawed his way up the Tremere 'pyramid' by selling out his peers. I've talked to him, and I think he sided with the Nazis because he thought they'd be the winning side, and because I think he agreed with their ideology.

Not that Kersten is a saint, by any means. I just wondered why Claudia fears him, and not Tarcisus.

The Brujah listens once more as Carrions talks to Theo, and raises an eyebrow at the tone of her statement; especially when she tells the elder Brujah not to lie.

Theodore nods as he hears their opinion. He confirms some thoughts and refutes some others with a sigh and still a closed face.
(Theodore) Tarcisus is the reason why I think this is a warning, actually. Why is he here ? I'm too biased and too pissed to be objective on his intentions. The Tremere are kindred, only more so. Manipulating mortal politics for their own benefit, it's not something they have monopoly upon. Nazism was just another tool. As far as ideology is concerned, I don't think it was important for any of them. What could you tell to someone who lived when slavery was totally acceptable and normal, and wars were really between nations ? European Tremere sided with the Nazis because it suited their purposes, like they used atheism and science, populism and clerics alike. I frankly don't think Tarcisus has any ideology whatsoever, but this is something you'd better discuss with Claudia, she's good at understanding people's motives. That is, if you can talk to her alone. Gosuin could also present you the situation with all its stakes, I didn't care much to understand why and just thought it was wrong. Kersten may even explain it as well, if he's in a good mood and if it's linked somehow to tonight's attacks.


He thinks over a second.
(Theodore) Claudia was presented.. what, a few years after the Exposition Universelle or so. Along with Laure Nolveaux, Jerome Lehin and Thomas Durieux. I don't see her having been able to carry a child, she doesn't look healthy enough, but cousins and nephews wouldn't surprise me. She speaks Alsacian too, her French wasn't very good when she was a neonate. I wouldn't be surprised if Kersten had send this guy to deportation as the Tremere tend to get rid of their childer's families and every mortal tie they may have that wouldn't be of any use to the clan. He had the means, the contacts, the mobile, and he did it before.


He nods to himself, with a certain despise of Lyle's possible actions concerning the deportations.
(Theodore) If this sender didn't want the Tremere to know about it, maybe they think the Tremere don't know Claudia has jewish heritage. We could ask her but I fear she'll react poorly. About the Ventrue, I'm not sure why. They always had tense relations with the Tremere, something about power games. About the identity of this person, I'll ask a few of my contacts in Germany about it, to see if he was tied to our world in one way or another. As for what the Tremere send me, Carrion, I won't deny it. He smiles openly. Some Kindred aren't good with the telephone and like writing letters. Most of us among the Primogen correspond on a monthly basis, and yeah, eventually, I get letters from the Chantry, and they get letters from me.

Per+Subterfuge > 4:

Per+Conscience > 5:

Int+Politics>4:

Carrion shifts her position to get a better line of sight on Duncan without having to turn away from Theo. When he laughs at her she smirks; the expression is quite disconcerting and almost malevolent looking. She begins to answer Duncan first.


Hmm, maybe I did yes but I still think you're assuming a lot for someone who doesn't know them. Hell I don't think anyone knows them properly if their outside of the clan. You only really get momentary glimpses of who they really are.

She turns her attention back to Theo but can still see Duncan and couldn't help but notice the eyebrow quirk and promptly ignores it.

To be honest I wonder if Tarcisus is the one we should be worrying about so much...He's cold and all that yes but he is more honest when he decides to screw someone over plus does he have any real power in the city any more? Lyle is more worrying if you ask me...Especially now he's leading the clan. I mean why would Claudia be more scared of him than Tarcisus? It makes so little sense. What did she say about them?

Do you really think they'd miss a detail like that? They come across as quite meticulous about information, especially the way they horde it to themselves. I'll see if anyone has found anything about him yet and if so pass on the information I can find to yourself and Duncan.

When Theo get's to the part about the mail she smiles and starts to laugh; the laughing sounds more like a wheeze from a very heavy smoker. When her laughing fit dies down a bit she responds with an almost an affectionate appreciative tone in her voice.

You're very good at being honest and telling me absolutely bugger all. But at least you didn't lie to me. But if you didn't want to say what was in it you could have just told me to mind my own fucking business, I wouldn't have taken it personally.

She starts to laugh again finding it amusing for some reason.

Well, to focus on the matter at hand, I suppose we will all try to find out what we can about the man behind the ID papers, and what connections he had to our world. Until then, all of this is pure speculation.

Duncan faces Theo.
I don't guess you need me here. Carrion has asked me to join her in paying the local Setites a visit. After we do that, we could probably swing by St. Eloi, and see how much they've learned from their prisoner. Lyle already told me that I would be allowed inside, if I were to return tonight.

The Brujah waves off the subject of his "tremere mail".
(Theodore) Mike's watching out in the Rocade [Bordeaux's ring road] with a few of his friends, Suzanne's pocking around her contacts, Marc's gone further in the suburbs, and Franz's checking on the armories around. I'll stay here. Actually seeing the Setites may not be a bad idea. Just, don't get yourselves involved too much in their games.

Theodore can't help a laugh.
(Theodore) I wouldn't say Tarcisus' honest, but if he's still in town and you cross his path, you'll make your own opinion, Carrion. Oh, and scaring Claudia off isn't something I'd call a feat either. Lyle's fucking nuts, I mean, from the dark ages all the way to Mars. Then again, the Tremere, the Malkavian, worth all the same. If Lyle allowed you in the old chantry, I'm curious about what it looks like, so try and make it back 'kay ?


It seems he has retaken some of his usual behavior, even if he still speaks with seriousness.
(Theodore) Do what you guys gotta do, but I don't want any more neonate useless losses in other Sabbat raids. Got it ?

Carrion manages to get her giggling fit under control and straightens herself up to speak.

Yeah well if I had my own way I wouldn't be paying them a visit. But a girl's work is never done. By the way before I forget do you know anything about these vanishing people and thefts the others don't?

Well I wouldn't scare her intentionally...

She seems almost hurt by that comment by the tone of her voice.

I doubt he'll let me into the chantry, I'll probably end up hanging about outside but hey I can live with that. Maybe Duncan can take some pictures for me.

She looks over at Duncan and gives him a mischievous grin as she get's to her feet again.

Carrion can ask the Setites about the disappearances, and I can ask them if they know anything about the attacks tonight... and whether any of their domain was hit. If they don't feel like talking, I'll hint that those higher up than myself will be asking the same questions, and that they might not be as polite. It might very well be the truth.

When Theodore admits his curiosity about the old chantry -- and tells them to come back safely -- Duncan will allow himself to smile a bit.

I only made it into the church last time, but if they let me in the dungeons I'll tell you all about it. Oh, and I'll try to avoid any Sabbat, if I'm given a choice.

After his last sentence, Duncan pauses a bit, and the smile fades.
Do we know for sure it was Sabbat? Or are we just assuming, from the general stupidity involved?

Theodore frowns an instant, thinking.
(Theodore) I wouldn't know about the disappearances, Mike brought my attention to it. If it's related to our world in any way (and that's not a given, humans can get pretty nasty without our help), I can only think of a careless Kindred. It could have been Sabbat caused, if they've been longer than we thought. There's no certain, ever, but tactics don't lie. Lots of canon fold, lots of carelessness, and lots of obvious brainwash and conditioning. Anyway, once in, if Kersten allows it, don't play smart in there, that Gargoyle doesn't warn and I don't think he understands the concept of mercy. Or subtlety.


The Primogen shakes his head, speaking about the Setites.
(Theodore) I wouldn't pay them a visit, ever, fucking snakes can go to hell, but the Sheriff, the Venerable, or even Gosuin might. Better answering to you than to them, anyway. Keep me informed is necessary.

I was listening to Victoire's news radio before you came in, and they were talking about the disappearances. The report attributed them to drunken students falling in the Garonne, although that was probably arranged by you or Gosuin. I read about that Maxime Le Bot kid a couple of days ago, and if he was a victim of whatever's truly behind it, then it's been going on for a while, because the kid disappeared two months ago.

It may be Sabbat, although I don't like to think they've been in the city that long. You're right, though; the disregard for the Masquerade shown tonight screams Sabbat... so that the Camarilla has to waste time and resources covering it up, like you were forced to do. As for those poor fools sent to attack St. Eloi... Duncan sighs. I hope they deserved what they got, and weren't newly Embraced.

Theodore mentions not wanting to visit the Setites. Duncan shakes his head.
I wasn't talking about you. But I can hint that the Sheriff and his bullyboys might pay a visit. You know, I don't see any damage on Victoire's map on the right bank... just on this side. Maybe the Setites made a deal. Maybe the Sheriff would pay a visit, if he suspected that. We'll see how cooperative the snakes want to be.