El Bodegon

The Elder frowns, thinking.
(Theodore) If the Nosferatu's gone missing and the clan declared him dead, either the clan is hiding him, or he's switched sides. Either way, if he contacts you, keep in mind that he might be a Sabbat agent. So yes, there's nothing you could do right now, apart from waiting. However you're young, you shouldn't be in the streets alone. It's dangerous, and not only for yourself.

Fred is quite clearly confused.
Then what shall I do? Ah! But I also need to tell Miss. Nolveaux that "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin" is not dead according to Mister. Jacob Theodore!

Oh, and the good regent at the chantry told me also it was dangerous to walk the streets, but I use a bike so maybe that is why I've been fine.
But what do I do once I've told Miss. Nolveaux? Maybe search for Mister. Fonscolombe and ask him. Or maybe I should go back and hide from the mean ones.

Fred looks at Theodore after his rambling episode.
What do you think I should do, Mister. Theodore?

The Brujah shakes again his head in a certain despair.
(Theodore) Quit the child act, I know it's some sort of protection you wear around, it only annoys me. Being on a bike doesnt protect you, you're still alone, and an easy target. As for Lehin's kid, having doubts is fine, we can all come to that conclusion. Laure is a smart girl, but me agreeing with her is useless. You'd rather find proof.

He ticks when he hears about Fonscolombe. He raises his voice a little.
(Theodore) How do you know that ghoul ?

Fred cowers slightly when Theo mentions he is getting annoyed.
Ah! Mister. Fonscolombe has been a good friend to me and my old family in the past.
He once asked us to do some work for him which we did, and in turn he gave us some money for us to use as we saw fit, I don't quite remember what we did with the money, but I remember Leon bought a chain of some description with it.
Ever since then I've not seen him, I originally came out of hiding to find him in hopes that I could help him, since he's been good to me; but I failed thus far to locate him after I found that he was not in his club.

Auspex 2:

The Brujah frowns visibly ; the subject touches him, not really up to irritating him, but it does bother him.
(Theodore) I'm not the kind to forbid or allow, but that ghoul is bad news. If he's gone missing, then it's something we should worry about. I'll give a few calls... How did you survive, exactly ? You stayed hidden all this time ?

Ah well.. After the mean ones.. killed Marie.. cut off her head.. killed my family.. and what did I do? I ran!
Fred gets increasingly hysterical as he tells his tale.
The mean ones killed and killed until the others stopped fighting and ran, so I ran with them back to my old home were I hid. Then I cried and cried and cried and thought and thought and thought and hid from the mean ones and the monster from within until I decided that I should try help my last friend I have if I can so I went to search for him.

Fred begins calming down.
Instead I found a nice young lady who told me my old family might've been alive -but they weren't- and also that she had been betrayed and told me to speak with the good regent at the chantry.
I went there and was stopped by the law-men until the good regent and the other one waved me inside and asked me questions before leading me down to the cellar were the prisoner were.

Ooh! And also lights! many pretty lights.
Fred seems cheery all the sudden and then goes back to his normal state as he continues.

Then the lady asked the prisoner questions, and me a questions and told me she would stop being mean to the prisoner if I answered, which I did, but then she was mean anyway!

After that the good regent spoke a bit more, I don't remember what but I remember I cried.
And then he comforted me and told me to speak with Miss. Nolveaux and helped me out of the cellar.
Once I arrived at Miss. Nolveaux's workshop she told me about the missing childe of Jerome Lehin and that Leon was dead and told me to ask you for more, and after that I came here where I currently am.

After going back to Miss. Nolveaux's workshop and tell her about "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin", I don't know what I will do, if Mister. Fonscolombe is gone, then I don't have anyone I can try helping anymore.
Fred is visibly worried and looks around a little uncertainly.

Victoire's curiosity is now on edge, she listens, even if she's still in front of her map. Theo gives her a look, then shakes his head.
(Theodore) I thought I told you to quit the act.. Look, cowardice is something I despise. Yes, you should have stayed and fought, Darvault should have too. He's openly bitter and doesn't hide it, but he tries to understand and to be compliant. Care to name the ones you're speaking about ? I'm not in your head, thank god, but I don't quite follow you. Wait-, you were in the Tremere chantry ? With Kersten ? Comforting you ?.. Was he high ?

He obviously wants more detail, surprised and trying to put things together. The Brujah doesn't seem to truly understand exactly what is Fred teling him.
(Theodore) I told you, telling Laure I think Lehin's kid is alive isn't enough, you need proof.

Fred becomes more hysterical again after Theo tells him he should've done the opposite from what he did when his coterie was wiped out.
It's true! All my fault! I shouldn't have survived, I shouldn't have returned! I don't deserve any of it! If only I could change what have occurred..

Fred seems absent, if sad, when Theo remarks about Lyle doing something nice, but looks up when he says Fred needs to find proof regarding Annabelle.

But where can I search? Where can I find evidence?

The Brujah put his hands on his face, closing his eyes. He then puts both hands in the table in quite a violent movement.
(Theodore) Then work on helping yourself first !

He has raised his voice enough, not to shouting yet, but he is warm-blooded. His fangs show.
(Theodore) What would I know where to search evidence, my job here is to keep the press silent and to worry about my own stuff, I'm no fucking detective and I don't give a shit about what could happen to others if they aren't careful.

He lets out a slight sigh, controlling back himself. He speaks normal once more.
(Theodore) Get over it, but don't forget. Do not look back. Understood ? There's no deserving or not deserving, it's up to you to make it.

Fred cowers and curls together as Theo losses his temper.
When Theo calms himself down and talks about how it's not about who has the blame but what one makes of it, Fred sits properly in his chair and ponders openly.

You're saying I should not blame myself as a reason why not to deserve something but rather try to make the best, or even resolve, whatever caused the guilt in the first place?

Maybe that's right.. Yes! That is right! I should do what I can to make amends instead of sob over the past.
Truly I have a lot to thank you for, Good Primogen! I will try to search for evidence about "Annabelle Vicomte, childe of Jerome Lehin" instead of cry to people for forgiveness.

If I may be as bold as to ask a final question though; would you know what the missing childe's last known location was, barring the supposed ashes of her?

Fred puts his beanie back on and stands up, getting ready to leave after being answered.

The Brujah sits back with a little sigh.
(Theodore) She was in the Theater, with many of us. I think she was in the back room entrances, with the Sheriff, but we've cleaned the place down quickly enough. I know the Tremere girls were investigating it too, something in the lines of "the remains looked younger". Considering the situation, they should all soon gather in their chantry. Maybe you should ask them there, if they found anything.. If they're not too busy planning war.

Fred seems a tad confused.
Which one of their Chantries?

Considering the question legitimate, the Brujah nods.
(Theodore) I'd guess their current one, since it's where they live.

Then I shall go at once! I thank you once more for your assistance, good Primogen; truly I cannot repay you in full!
Farewell, and fear not, I shall be quite cautious as I traverse the streets.

Having said that, Fred hurries out of the place to his bike and immediately hurries to the chantry.

A large winged shadow, hardly perceptible in the dark of night, silently alights atop the roof of El Bodegon. Though none can see the large stone-like creature, Rufus unfurls his wings and stretches in the night air, as though enjoying a favored exercise he rarely has the opportunity in which to indulge any longer. He places his clawed and gnarled hands upon the stone of the roof, and his massive body slowly melts into it, gradually disappearing.

Within the confines of the upper chamber of the bar, Rufus wriggles his cumbersome body from the ceiling. After landing on the floor with a thunderous thud, the massive Gargoyle quickly glances around till he locates Theo and ignores the other kindreds stares as he moves toward the Brujah.

"Primogen Jacob, I'm looking for Claudia. Might you know if she is present here?"

Victoire lets hear a scream of surprise as she hears the sound of the Gargoyle falling, and steps back against a wall, scared and amazed.
Mike also moves to the side, but he moves towards the door to that other room upstairs, the one in which the Brujah keeps a small arsenal. The Primogen stands behind his desk, then has a hand movement and a word to Mike, to stop his movement.
(Theodore) Don't !

Jacob lets out a slight sigh to relieve a certain stress as he hears the request. He then observes the Gargoyle, to answer.
(Theodore) I don't..

He doesn't finish as right at that moment, the door leading to downstairs opens slowly to let the young Tremere enter. She lets out a slight "iik" of surprise as she notices Rufus, whom she isn't used to seeing anywhere else than the old chantry. The Primogen makes a movement to the Gargoyle to indicate the one he's looking for.
(Theodore) Well there she is.

Claudia approaches, curious, slightly frowning, and even worried.
(Claudia) Yes ? What happened ? What is it ?
(Theodore) They're looking for you.

Claudia makes a slight nod to the Brujah and turns to face Rufus to hear him, impatient.

Rufus moves toward Claudia with obvious respect and deference to the seemingly young woman. His gaze is fixed on her, ignoring all others present. He gives a slight bow of his head, barely perceptible, to her before speaking.

"Master Kersten wishes your presence at St. Eloi."

The Tremere lowers her eyes as she hears the reason. Her fingers play nervously on the picnic basket she carries, betraying a certain fear. While Mike and Victoire do not know her, Theodore might and Rufus certainly has observed her enough to catch in her voice how much she doesn't want to go. She also spoke a little lower.
The Brujah neonates observe between curiousness and fear the Gargoyle, as he seems to ignore them. They stay away however. Theodore hides better his surprise and shock, but he is also certainly very attentive.
(Claudia) I don't suppose the regent leaves me a choice... Very well. You're taking me ? Would you give me a few minutes ? I have to talk to Primogen Jacob.

She isn't sure she has the permission, after all Lyle was commanding and his desire to see his childe isn't something to postpone much. That and having checked elsewhere to find out where she was had him waiting quite long already.

The Gargoyle seems almost to hesitate at Claudia's request. His claws twitch, as though an inherent imperative dictates that he must grab her immediately, but a near-human look of sympathy and adoration lurks buried deep within his too-long inhuman eyes. Rufus stops himself and simply nods an acknowledgement to Claudia's request.

"We may leave whenever you desire, m'lady."

As the Tremere prodigy does whatever it is she does, Rufus stands awkwardly in the center of the room, his grotesquely inhuman presence almost comical considering the circumstances.

Auspex > 2:

Auspex > 4:

The Tremere gives a look full of hope and happiness as the Garfoyle lets her some more time. She give him a sincere expressive smile, almost as if she was alive.
(Claudia) Thank you ! She proceeds in Latin

Latin:

She turns to Theodore and approaches him a little to tell him a few things.
(Theodore) It's all going to be ok, hm?
(Claudia) You know my clan... I'll need to talk to you. That favor you owe me. I'll need to operate in your domain for a few nights or so. I can't tell you exactly why, but it's for a greater good.

The Brujah seem a little suspicious. Last time a Tremere was on his territory, he killed her in self defense as she didn't have the right to be there.
(Theodore) I'll need to know more. I can't let sorcerers around, as you know well.
(Claudia) That's why I'm asking you permission. You can even follow me around if you wish. I won't mess anything, I just need to see things...
(Theodore) Ok then. We'll discuss that in more detail another night, so give me a call.

The Tremere nods and turns back to Rufus, before going out to a place where they can take off discretely enough.

Her smile has an effect quite noticeable on Rufus. The Gargoyle seems to almost melt in her eyes. He watches Claudia like a predator intent on its prey. Her brief exchange in Latin quite obviously cheered the Gargoyle, and he seems to have a difficult time keeping an appropriate distance from her. When Theo makes his comment about not not letting sorcerers around, the Gargoyle literally gives a soft menacing growl, but takes no other action than to glare malefically at the Brujah. When Claudia is finished with the Brujah, Rufus politely escorts her to the roof.

"Would you prefer me to carry you?"

The Tremere takes back her basket into her arms, holding it tightly against her chest, once she's taken the trap doors to the roof, from the attic of the old building. The place is small, sadly, but Rufus certainly can pass through the stones and, indeed, meet her on the roof.
(Claudia) Yes, please. I would rather avoid the police and else, which are surely around the bell.. That and I'm not excited about the idea of entering through that church... That and I miss it a little, seeing the city from the skies.

That last sentence was more hushed, like a secret, almost ashamed of telling her own desires. She wraps her arms around the basket in a more comfortable way, so it wouldn't bother the Gargoyle and wouldn't fall when they'll take off. She gives a quick look to Rufus and offers a slight smile.
(Claudia) I'm ready. Don't fly too fast, please...

Be it not to arrive too fast to the Bell or to enjoy the flight, it's not sure, but she doesn't seem in a hurry. She waits for him to take her as he sees fit for the flight. Unlike a few times she did before, she can't be on his back since she's carrying something, so the most logical seems to take her on his arms like a bride, so she wouldn't need to make any efforts not to fall. But after all, Claudia is so light that Rufus could just carry her warped around his tail.