El Bodegon

That, and having the person that staked you sitting at the table all casually like, tends to focus the conversation slightly when he did manage to speak.

Carrion catches Claudia's movements from the corner of her eye and it makes her eyebrow quirk slightly but she's still mainly focusing on the opposite wall. She crosses her legs allowing the ankle of her right leg to rest on her knee.

I'm more interested in facts than gossip, since gossip has the possibility of being wrong or taken out of context. Although I find it interesting that you have more sympathy for him than Momo...

Theodore gives a glance to Claudia as Carrion mentions she's not as sympathetic towards the Nosferatu. The Tremere frowns as she notices it, but she sighs and feels the need to explain herself, but she first wonders about the staking.
(Claudia) Rufus isn't the kind to stake... And neither is the Regent- Not assaillants at least.

She seems to remember something about it, before going on to the Nosferatu topic.
(Claudia) Facts could also be twisted, or said another way around to arrange. Reality and Truth are two things very different.

The Brujah seems to agree to it, even if he's not sure about the subject, he lets the Tremere explain herself.
(Claudia) Please accept my apologies, my view may be biased against your clan. Every Nosferatu I encountered was nothing but trouble to my friends or myself. Even Igor, lord I know he's a sweet guy but it's way too much... Would I have followed kindred around because of mortals gone missing, nobody would look for me.
(Theodore) You're jealous !

The Brujah realises with a smirk and a tease, he only smiles wider when Claudia gives him a glare.
(Claudia) I meant nobody in my clan.. It doesn't matter. Yes of course it affected me, but I've grown used to it. See, meddling around has ended badly for one Nosferatu... Going out there will also end badly, unless you're far more skilled than he is, or was. I wouldn't know, each time a Nosferatu wants to approach me, it's always for reasons that have nothing to do with me, or for things I can't answer. I do know your clan lies about exactly how many you are, I do know sometimes Carrion isn't Carrion, I know Igor is obsessed with our Chantry as well as some other things, and I know Doctor is a very intelligent Kindred.

A part from the numbers, she only states the obvious. She lets out a slight sigh.
(Claudia) I do feel sympathy for him, because even if his action didn't mean it, the consequences of trying to stop or discuss with whoever is killing that much would have lead to a safer city for the mortals. Less death can only be good.

Perception+Subterfuge>3:

Carrion begins bouncing her knee up and down as she listens to Claudia talk forcing her folded leg to bounce up and down as she does so. She interrupts Claudia mid flow to correct her postulations on the Lasombra.

From what I heard it was the Toreador that did the...

She doesn't finish the sentence verbally instead choosing to make a staking gesture with her right hand make her point. After that she just seems to listen to what has to be said still bouncing her knee as she listens and putting her thoughts to words.

Yeah but that's kinda how things work, we pester you for stuff, you give it over and when you need something we return the favour. What kind of trouble?

She visible bristles when Claudia brings up Igor but she holds her tongue more curious about the troubles Claudia mentioned. Carrion doesn't interrupt again until after Theo chips in.

Well that's bull, your sire would look. Besides it's more than obvious you've distanced yourself from your clan so what were you expecting exactly? You can't just chip in when you feel like it, you stick together through the good and the bad and then people are gonna care.

Plus I bet Theo would look for you if you did vanish on us.

She gestures to Theo with a slight incline of her head. When she speaks of Igor there's a certain fondness to her voice.

Igor is more akin to a puppy meeting a ball for the first time, the guy has no malice in him, hell don't even think he's capable of it either. Doctor's great as well, the guy knows a lot about history, not the most social but I think that kinda comes with being a Nosferatu. Maybe if you spent some time getting to know us instead of avoiding us your opinion would be different.

Sympathy is nice, working relationship is better. Scratch our backs and we'll scratch yours and you never know maybe the death rate in this city may drop a bit in the process.

Theodore looks far more interested than Claudia once he gets that it was Miriel who staked Frederic Vonzel, and both took the information in. It seems to embarass Claudia. Neither comment on it. The Brujah does agree with the exchange of services and the mutual backscratching. The Tremere precises a little about the trouble.
(Claudia) One of you kind, a lurid one kept hassling my coterie in our hunting ground. It doesn't matter anymore, he's been gone for sometime. I'm not too much into meeting people. I know Igor is a sweet person, but he always hassles me about the clan, the gargoyle, the chantry, the knowledge, the books, everything. A puppy with a shiny new ball.. That's quite accurate. I don't have anything against your clan as a whole, just that the clan doesn't seem to understand I wish for privacy.

She sighs, accepting.
(Claudia) I'll look out for some information on kine, it's been affecting some of my own spheres as well. If it traces back to Momo, or if ties are to be made, I'll give you the information gladly. Do I give you a call, or some other way ?

She takes the subject of her going missing with a slight touched smile.
(Claudia) My sire would look out for me to kill me, for "clan safety", or to send me to Vienna for god-knows-what. It's one of the reasons I've distanced myself, but I'm not denying I am Tremere.
(Theodore) I'd probably look, yeah. He's quite light about it, but he means it. In all seriousness, I understand it. I've seen Tarcisus' command either on all of us, it gave me an idea of how it could be inside a Chantry.

Claudia smiles about Theo's words, but she doesn't comment too much on it, showing even a little embarassement.
(Theodore) I've known Doctor for a few years as well, I won't say he's nice to work with, but he does seem to protect and reflect your clan's interests, which is what I think is the job of a Primogen. He's still ugly though. Real ugly.

He laughes about it, it doesn't really seem to affect him actually. He checks the hour on his phone, before picking up again.
(Theodore) Okay I'll call my contact at Sud-Ouest, he should be there by now. You'd better get going to be able to do concrete stuff before dawn.

He dials, waiting for the person to pick up. Claudia approaches a little Carrion, and offers her both her hands, palms down.
(Claudia) I'll make an effort. Let's start over, alright ? I'm Claudia Vonïgner.

Carrion's eyebrow quirks up in interest when she describes the Nosferatu that was giving her trouble and when she mentions Igor again an knowing expression creeps on to her face before she blanks her expression once more.

She seems to contemplate it for a moment her head cocking to the side and her concentration seems firmly locked on a portion of the wall across the room for a while, then she pulls out her pad and paper scribbling down her mobile number and holds it out for Claudia to take.

In the interest of a better working relationship, let me know if one of us harasses you and when. I'm not promising anything but maybe I can get them to pack it in and if you find anything feel free to call or text me which ever is most convenient for you with regards to the Momo thing.

As for Igor, maybe you should try and express your feelings to him then? Maybe give him, I don't know a limit to how many questions he can ask you in a week or something? To be honest though I don't think that is a problem I can solve for you, the guys too nice for me to want to hurt his feelings so you're on your own there.

When she brings the conversation back to Lyle she stiffens slightly but she does her best to try and loosen her posture again.

Yeah, I have to admit your sire has all the warmth of porcelain but at least he'd look...Vienna? That's where all your clan leaders are right? Have you been there before?

Perception >2:

Her voice betrays her eager curiosity of the city but she doesn't seem to be trying to hiding it. When Theo chips in that he would also look for Claudia if she went missing she does her best to dampen the smile; there's nothing malicious in the expression just amusement.

She allows the conversation to continue on silently only nodding her agreement at Doctor being a good Primogen a slight smile spreading across her face when Claudia mentions he looks out for his clan's interests. She seems to be thinking deep thoughts but she certainly heard what was going on around her. She looks at Theo and acknowledges him with a nod but doesn't get a chance to respond verbally.

When Claudia gets closer in an attempt to introduce herself and start again her expression looks almost pained but she still gets up from her seat and closes the distance between the two of them. Standing so close together they're the same height.

She takes her hands but not in the expected way, instead she brings them together and holds them in her own, her grip is loose so if Claudia wanted she could pull away at any time.The expression on her face doesn't change and she doesn't try and hide it either.

Please wait, I would like to do this properly...

She seems to be having trouble wording her thoughts because there's a long pause before she speaks again.

Wait until I have met with Prince Gosuin, then I'll give you my name. I don't want people to get into trouble for me and I don't want to lie either, for now I go by Carrion by necessity only.

The Tremere seems surprised by Carrion's gesture, without acting against it and accepting it. She seems disappointed, but quite understanding about the struggle the Nosferatu is having. Once she has finished asking her to wait, Claudia takes back her own hands and lets them down.
(Claudia) I understand. I will not insist and call you Carrion until then. She gives a look to Theodore who, on the phone, seems to agree. She looks back at the Nosferatu and takes back the paper with her number, nodding that she'll call about Momo if she finds out anything. I've tried talking to Igor, but whenever his curiosity gets tickled, he forgets about it and jumps around. I don't have the heart to hurt his feelings either, to be honest.

She doesn't seem angry about it, just a little desperate. She adds about Vienna, thinking about it.
(Claudia) Yes, exactly, Vienna is where the leaders of the clan take decisions and gather. And my Sire is... Well, usually neonates tend to like him, because he's blunt, in touch with modern ways, but I don't know how you met him.

She shrugs a little about it, slightly puzzled and maybe a little insecure about the subject of her sire. After a brief conversation, Theodore hangs the phone and gives a sign to Carrion that it's ready.

Carrion lets Claudia pull her hands away without comment her head inclining to one side slightly as she speaks and nodding her understanding of her words.

...Thank you for understanding...

Perception + Subterfuge >5:

As if she's suddenly just realised how close she's standing to Claudia she takes a few steps back widening the distance between them once more. When she talks about Igor loosing his self control she starts nodding again and when she says she hasn't the heart to hurt his feelings a small sigh escapes from her.

I'm sorry I can't help more in this situation, he's been that way as long as I've known him.

When the topic moves on from Igor her posture seems to relax a bit more noticeably.

He's blunt when it suits him...

Carrion doesn't get to finish her thought verbally however as she gets the all clear from Theo and the sudden noise of her phone going off. She quirks her brow slightly whilst patting her pockets and muttering:

Damn I am in popular demand this evening.

She looks at Theo and Claudia apologetically before speaking to them

I'm sorry, I won't be a moment.

Finally she finds her phone and picks up bringing the speaker to her ear and listens. She doesn't move out of the room or away from where she was standing, she doesn't seem to mind Theo and Claudia listening in.

Perception + Alertness >5:

phone call:

phone:

Auspex 2 or Perception + Empathy >3:

phone:

phone:

phone:

Carrion shoves the mobile phone into a pocket without looking at where it's going, her attention turns to the radio and she frowns as she thinks over something in her head.

Obviously, apart from a few ads and some songs, the Radio hasn't broadcast anything yet. The Brujah turns it off after having checked a few different channels. Disappointed, the Tremere stands straight again, stretches her back, and sighs. Both kindred give a look to Carrion, as if they were expecting an explanation, but without actually asking her about it.
(Claudia) Fred ?

Carrion jerks slightly when Claudia speaks, her voice pulls her back to reality once more. Her hand seems to slip back into her pocket to get her phone as she turns to face them, she fiddles with it in her hand as she speaks occasionally she taps the end of it against the wall in frustrated, angry movements that make her seem like a caged animal.

and Ms Nolveaux...It seems they almost got blown up...

I think I need to go back and speak with Primogen Kersten again, and try and get a hold of Pierre he wasn't answering when Fred tried. If I can't then I will have to pass the message on personally to the Prince and Mister Xavier.

Auspex 2 or Perception + Empathy >3:

At the mention of Laure's name, and what happened, both Kindred frown visibly. Claudia looks between scrared, worried and angry, while Theodore just looks annoyed by the bad news. The Tremere moves closer, quite hastily, speaking fast, letting hear her fear. She gets close enough, quite ready to grab the Nosferatu's arms to shake the answers off of her if needed. She doesn't touch her just yet, but she is ready to.
(Claudia) Where ? Where are they ? What happened ?

Theodore signs Carrion to get her attention despite Claudia's move.
(Theodore) Don't worry about Gosuin or Xavier, I'll tell'em. But unless Kersten gets indispensable, you can avoid the guy altogether.

At Claudia's sudden advance towards her an almost reptilian hissing noise emanates from her, for every step Claudia takes forward she takes one back; keeping the distance between them. The hissing cuts off quickly though when she realises that the quick movement wasn't a threat. When Theo gets her attention she takes a breath and turns to him choosing to answer him first.

Thank you. He is indispensable now, he has a Lasombra I need to talk to.

She then turns her attention back to Claudia to answer her questions.

There was an explosion from the inside of Mrs. Nolveaux's workshop, they are in an alternate haven until they can secure an alternate location.

Perception + Alertness >4:

The Tremere ignores the reaction of the Nosferatu, but she lets out a slight demanding hiss as the Nosferatu doesn't answer her first. She obviously noted she didn't obtain the information of Laure's location, she steps back and takes her phone to call her. She adds, bitter, spiteful, worried and scared, as she dials.
(Claudia) The Regent will never allow you near him. She then talks to the phone, stepping away from the Nosferatu. Answer..

Theodore can't help a smile, seeing how determinate Carrion is, as well as she didn't give the information. He speaks with a certain derision and irony.
(Theodore) God help you then ! I'm sure Laure is fine. But I think Claudia's right, there's no way in hell Kersten will grant anything, but keep me in touch, who knows maybe he's in a good mood. Better get on the way if you don't want to lose your night off. Don't forget Sud-Ouest though, my contact won't let you sleep there and it'll be closed tomorrow

Carrion turns back to Claudia.

Hey, if she tells you where she is exactly don't spread it about I have enough to worry about with Momo.

She seems quite tense about their exact location and she obviously knows where they are. She turns her attention back to Theo when he mentions Laue she cuts in.

Of course she's fine, I would have told you if she wasn't!

She almost hisses again whilst she speaks.

She's getting exasperated with the focus of the conversation but allows it to carry on uninterrupted after the outburst.

If I don't ask I will never get will I? So no harm in at least trying...

She chews her lip thoughtfully for a moment considering her options before coming to her conclusion.

Fuck a dick. Asking Primogen Kresten will have to wait, I don't know how long I will need to dig around and it has a time limit. Is there anything either of you need doing?

The Tremere gives a look to Carrion as she waits for an answer, obviously meaning that of course she won't spread her whereabouts. She doesn't seem to agree that Laure is fine, but it seems the Toreador answer her phone.
(Claudia) Laure ! Are you hurt ? Are you fine ? It's all gone..? You can come home anytime, Laure. Yes sure. Well.. It's because I'm with Carrion, I heard Fred calling her. Okay. Take care.

Theodore shrugs, of course the Keeper is fine. He doesn't add anything about Kersten or his contact. The Tremere hangs up.
(Claudia) What ?.. No, I need nothing. I do advise against asking the Regent anything, it'll haunt you forever, even if he refuses.

She sighs and sits, thinking about what do to. It seems she doesn't need to ask or say anything else. The Brujah adds with a certain tease.
(Theodore) Good luck with both. Watch out for potential Masquerade breaches, who knows, mabe there are patterns to see.

Carrion's eyes move on to Claudia passively whilst she's on the phone she doesn't seem to care that Claudia has not taken her word that Laure is fine. When Claudia hangs up Carrion shifts her weight and looks to be paying attention once more.

What do you mean haunt me?

When Theo wishes her luck she nods her head once.

Thank you. I really appreciate the help from both of you...If you need anything let me know.

She looks a bit awkward now, like she's not used to that many people being so helpful. Her hands seem to be unable to decide what to do with themselves, one moment they're tucked away by crossing her arms, the next they're fiddling with the hem of her top. Eventually she settles for shoving them in her pockets.