Merignac Airport

Bordeaux's Airport is not exactly in Bordeaux, but in Merignac, about 5 or 6 miles West. Common transportation to go there is either a direct shuttle that stops in Gambetta Plaza, a regular bus, or any taxi service. It sometimes holds long courier flights, from Montreal mainly, but most of the time the aeroport stays in a European scale (Belgium, Germany, the UK, Morocco, Algeria, Greece, Italy, Spain, Baltic countries..)

Lyle Kersten awaits in the airport, facing the Arrival doors with a long, tired stare. He cursed his way out of the Elyseum, did what he had to do concerning his Childe's bleeding problem, and now he keeps an eye out for the night planes, that either brings tourists to their final destination, Bordelais home or other reasons. As usual, the Paris-Bordeaux flight was delayed due to the international flights being delayed - they couldn't leave behind the passengers that just switch planes in Paris.
Once the plane's status he is waiting for switches to "arrived", Kersten takes off his earphones which were hidden under his untied hair, shuts down the TV of his phone, and puts an image on his IPad to make himself recognizable to who he is waiting for. He stands up to be able to have a good look on the automatic doors, and holds the device at his shoulder level. The image he uses is the Tremere logo ; and he probably finds it funny, deep inside. Most business men that have no luggage come out fast enough, a couple of wives are waiting for them, as well as secretaries. Tourists with luggage will take more time, as they have to pass the customs first and get their luggage. It's a good thing this night is a calm week night, and this particular late flight is most of time not as full as it could. Serves a Kindred quite well.

.. Mickael will hate me for this.

The mere thought of bothering the old Tremere Librarian makes Lyle smile from the bottom of his dead heart.

She steps out of the plane; a seemingly young woman in ordinary black jeans, motorcycle boots, loose t-shirt with the logo of a known metal band on it, her red, short leather jacket thrown over her shoulder. She fixes the position of the round, red sunglasses on her nose and follows the other people into the terminal, through the luggage pickup and customs. She's visibly nervous; not only because it is her first time in this foreign country. It's the first time she meets others like herself, aside from the familiar faces she got used to in the 'States.

She sees the mark; a man matching the description she was given, holding the Tremere symbol visible. She gathers all the self-confidence she can summon up and walks up to him.

"Erm... evening, sir," her French is broken, r's rolling like an old toolbox, but not beyond comprehension. "Are you Mr. Lyle Kersten... I mean, Regent Kersten?"

For a moment, she considers offering her hand to shake, but decides against it.

"I'm Elisabeth Walker - 'Liz' for short. I... I believe my Sire told of me?"

Kersten's smile widens significantly as he spots the woman, but he keeps an eye around. Thankfully for the Masquerade, he had retracted his fangs to blend in more, so his smile doesn't draw too much attention.
Mickael will love this...

After a long look, from her head to her toes and back up, he offers his hand to shake in welcome, still smiling, with a very amused look. He still holds the IPad, though.
I'd recognize those glasses everywhere... Yes, that's me.
He did call me, about an hour ago telling me you were in the Paris-Bordeaux plane. I knew about your existence a few weeks ago. News travel fast. That German Magus.. He lets out a sigh. He will have a piece of my mind later.
Don't be surprised, it's a common practice to move Apprentices around, yet it seems Bordeaux is the new place to be for the Clan. Out of nowhere two American Regents decide to send me one of their Neonates.. "for training". Tssk, training, right, even my Childe could smell that lie a mile away.
I bet my hand neither of them bothered with communicating, and you didn't even notice there was another one in the plane, did you ?

He takes a more serious tone, and looks for eye contact. He speaks now in English, with a quite old British accent.
Do not force an act with me, 'Liz', be natural. Speak to me like you would speak to a friend. True deep respect is worth much more a high vocabulary and low bows.
What your Sire told you about me.. He thinks about it, then nods to confirm. His judgment is often accurate. Consider yourself lucky your paths have crossed.

Claudia wrote:

After a long look, from her head to her toes and back up, he offers his hand to shake in welcome, still smiling, with a very amused look. He still holds the IPad, though.
I'd recognize those glasses everywhere... Yes, that's me.
He did call me, about an hour ago telling me you were in the Paris-Bordeaux plane. I knew about your existence a few weeks ago. News travel fast. That German Magus.. He lets out a sigh. He will have a piece of my mind later.

Elisabeth shifts, uneasiness around her, but remains silent.

Claudia wrote:

Don't be surprised, it's a common practice to move Apprentices around, yet it seems Bordeaux is the new place to be for the Clan. Out of nowhere two American Regents decide to send me one of their Neonates.. "for training". Tssk, training, right, even my Childe could smell that lie a mile away.
I bet my hand neither of them bothered with communicating, and you didn't even notice there was another one in the plane, did you ?

Her eyebrow curves. Lie? she says, hardly audibly, but as the surprise wears off, she shrugs. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Claudia wrote:

He takes a more serious tone, and looks for eye contact. He speaks now in English, with a quite old British accent.
Do not force an act with me, 'Liz', be natural. Speak to me like you would speak to a friend. True deep respect is worth much more a high vocabulary and low bows.
What your Sire told you about me.. He thinks about it, then nods to confirm. His judgment is often accurate. Consider yourself lucky your paths have crossed.

To suddenly hear English again takes Elisabeth by surprise. For a good while, she finds herself wordless.

I... well... cheers, Sir, her heavy Scottish accent makes her English only slightly more understandable than her French. I appreciate the gesture.

Though she seems genuinely grateful, it's obvious she's not reassured. My Sire told me very little, but apparently everything I need to know, she switches back to French, with a little more effort on her pronounciation. And I hope... erm... I mean I trust you are right, about me being lucky.

Nervously, she bites her lip - keeping her fangs carefully to herself - and clears her throat. Speaking of my Sire, he gave me something to give you, as a present from the Los Angeles Chantry. I'm not a hundred percent sure what it is, but he told me to give it to you.

She picks up a neatly folded parcel from her backbag, and hands it over with an accustomed bow.

He glances at the package with a long mistrusted look, then accepts it with a slight thankful nod. Kersten switches back to French, as he observes the gift.

.. It passed American customs so it's not going to explode, is it ? I will open this in the Chantry, just in case.
He explains with a very amused tone, after putting the package in his bag.
Your Sire still resents me for the last present I sent him, and his cold vengeance may strike at anytime. Between him, Wainwright and Sturbridge.. Any package from the States tends to make me defensive.
He pauses, then smiles with something quite close to compassion, or pity.
I must be speaking nonsense to you. Do not worry about it, you will have plenty of time to understand the intern politics of the Clan, for now consider yourself on vacations. You will be surprised by Bordeaux's Tremere, too, we are not what others expect us to be. Jean-Pierre is an Harpy that would rather be left alone, Claudia spends her time with mortal children and she flees the Clan as much as she can, Corinna knows only the Clan and takes the oath way too seriously, and I am about the worse teacher you will ever meet. This is why sending Apprentices to Bordeaux for training makes me laugh.

Claudia wrote:

Your Sire still resents me for the last present I sent him, and his cold vengeance may strike at anytime. Between him, Wainwright and Sturbridge.. Any package from the States tends to make me defensive.

Elisabeth chuckles, a smirk on her lips. She's had her share of 'cold vengeages' from her Sire.

Claudia wrote:

I must be speaking nonsense to you. Do not worry about it, you will have plenty of time to understand the intern politics of the Clan, for now consider yourself on vacations. You will be surprised by Bordeaux's Tremere, too, we are not what others expect us to be. Jean-Pierre is an Harpy that would rather be left alone, Claudia spends her time with mortal children and she flees the Clan as much as she can, Corinna knows only the Clan and takes the oath way too seriously, and I am about the worse teacher you will ever meet. This is why sending Apprentices to Bordeaux for training makes me laugh.

I see. Elisabeth nods. I'll do my best to blend in and stay out of trouble... erm, on a completely unrelated topic, there are not many Sabbat around, is there?

She shivers at the mere mension of it, but composes herself again and takes a quick look around her. So, ah... there was some other apprentice on the plane, too?

Lyle offers a long, serious look to Elisabeth's question on the Sabbat. He then smiles with some mystery as he answers with a lower voice, as to allow secrecy.
There are a few, they come and trip on fire traps, they are desperate, they try to take our city with every means.. Yet Tremere mortality in Bordeaux has nothing to do with them. To be honest, most Tremere deaths in this city were my doing. Do not fear, now that I'm in charge, things are.. more flexible. As long as you respect the rules, the Oath, and talk to me and to the other Apprentices, nothing has to go wrong.

Another one Magus is on the plane, yes, from New-York. Smart guy for what I witnessed, somewhat outcast.. For "training", seriously... Something is truly going on on the New Continent, if the Clan and other Regents begin to trust me with responsibilities.

Bip. Kersten's phone buzzes. He gives Elisabeth his IPad to hold and reaches for the device in his pocket. The Tremere Regent is surely an Apple fan, because his telephone is also of the Apple brand. He looks at it with a raised eyebrow, touches it with his finger, and shows the screen to Elisabeth. It's a good view on the Comedy Plaza, from the Regent Grand Hotel, probably a hidden camera in the stones. The quality is not cinematographic, there is no sound, but it's clear enough.

The cats are gone and the mice dance.. The man with the cane is Jean-Pierre Griffin, the woman with a bun is Corinna Ansons, the girl in the blue is Claudia Vonigner. This man over there is the Brujah Primogen, Theodore Jacob, probably your new best friend, and the other are of Brujah blood as well.



(Edit : you didn't see the deus ex machina, these are not the droids you are looking for :p)

While the last passengers leave, one young man, in his late teens, and looking very tired or even frail, steps out with a small suitcase with wheels as a luggage. He wears very simple street clothing. As Elisabeth, he spots the logo on the iPad and approaches slowly, maybe shyly.

"Regent.. Kersten ?"

Lyle gives him a breif look, and a small smile as he recognizes the apprentice, and makes a hand gesture to allow him to approach a little more.

"Yes, here come and watch this. "
The young man obeys, with an interrogative look to Elisabeth, he probably was also expecting to be alone. Both were in the same Paris-Bordeaux plane, but were sitting far apart which could explain neither noticed the other.
The Regent gives a look to one then the other, and present both apprentices to each other with a nonchalant voice.

"Elisabeth Walker, Andrew Collins. You should thank her, Andrew, because if her Sire had not called me I would have forgotten ! Well you both were sent in a hurry. I bet Agnes also used the 'I'm sending you out for training' excuse."

Andrew's shocked nod makes Lyle sigh.

"You could not have chosen a stranger time ; if it was yesterday... In your situation, somehow you are lucky, a great magister got lured in, he will be thrilled to teach you."
Lyle smiles, without hiding his sarcasm and his enjoyment, as he is obviously lying about this Magister's willingness to teach. He does find the situation amusing, and it could even be his own doing.

Elisabeth looks at the picture in Kersten's phone, studying it as well as she could. The names and the faces are strange to her, but she supposes she will run into these persons many times during her time in Bordeaux.

As the other apprentice makes his entrance, Elisabeth quickly scans him from tip to toe. A yankee. Perfect... not. The ageold distrust between the British and the Americans still reaches out to her generation as well. Though not as grave as it were, perhaps even slightly comedic in a sense, the distrust shows in her face.

Well, perhaps this one might turn out more decent than his counterparts in Los Angeles.

Liz Walker, she introduces herself to the American apprentice, her Scottish accent blowing through the roof on purpose as she briefly switches back to English. Not related to the Texas Ranger, mind. So cut the Chuck Norris jokes before you even start.

She gives a playful smile, hoping to heck the yankee still has some sense of humour left.

Lyle's smile widens hearing about Chuck Norris, but he refrains from commenting.
Andrew gives an honest smile to the joke, the time for him to filter the accent and understand the other Apprentice's words. At least he has not a cut-throat Texan accent...

Andrew Collins, and I can't give my word about no jokes... I'll think about it twice, however. He adds, probably fearing a physical beat-up, as Elisabeth seems more physically fit and capable than him. You're not American uh ?


Lyle takes back his devices and puts them in his bag.
Let's move, you'll have plenty of time to know each other and others when you'll be in Elyseum and in the Chantry. I have much to tell you both on local behavior before I throw you into the woods.

He steps out of the airport and walks directly to the running grey and big (in European standards) Mercedes waiting, all doors open, trunk included. Lyle points to it, as an indication to both apprentices that they should put the luggage in, and he takes the front passenger seat. The driver, who looks very human, waits next to the trunk, will help both of them with the luggage with eyes down. He'll close the door behind the Apprentices when they'll take a seat in the car, as Lyle already close his, before taking his seat and drive away.

Alright, open your ears, you two. Lyle's voice is deeper, more serious, as he moves the rear-view mirror to be able to see the two Tremere behind him.
Bordeaux is nothing like the New World, and I am sure as hell nothing like any Regent you know. On global, basic ground rules, they are about the same as any other Camarilla city. No Masquerade violations, no killing spree that could draw too much attention, no Amaranth- I mean, Diablerie, no going for Anarch or Sabbat ideals, no teaching Thaumaturgy to other Kindred, no touching mortal politics -this one is specific to Western Continental Europe. The first Tremere cause of death is myself, and even if I owe both your Sires, I will not hesitate to destroy you if you trespass any of these.
His eyes on the mirror show he is serious about this last statement, yet it doesn't seem to be a big deal for him. He lets his voice to be a little lighter as he continues.
In most Chantries, the official language is Latin, and only the Regent and a couple of High Apprentices stay in during the day. In my Chantry, the official language is French, and Claudia Vonïgner, the only High Apprentice left, has her own haven. I've loosen most "bounding the Tremere together" rituals, mostly because all Tremere just want to do something else with their time. I do not have Apprentices run worthless errands for me unless it's truly important or it's a direct Order.
Inside the Chantry and to Tremere ears only, you can speak your mind, you can insult Elders, you can tell what a jackass the Prince is, and you can even yell out how much an old bastard waste of blood I am. You can disagree with me, the decisions I take both as your Regent and as your Primogen. Better, discuss them with me, explain your reasons, convince me I'm wrong.
In Elyseum and in presence of other Kindred, I expect you to obey like you've been told you should, to call me Regent Kersten, and, if someone gets too nosy, lie, the more incredible and unbelievable, the better. Especially on Thaumaturgy ; state it can do things it can't, it can't do things it can, and that some rituals asks for random props, that you need to be somewhere, that you need to listen to someone playing Mozart on a Stradivarius so the ritual is successful (ask them to provide the violin, and keep it). Our Magic is a powerful tool, but others do not need to know exactly how powerful it is, and what are its costs. Tell them you need the most outrageous elements you can think of, smile, laugh, and dismiss the subject to something more interesting like the weather or the latest Zombie movie.
I have worked the city's Kindred to overlook us as a Clan, and with Claudia's emotions and Jean-Pierre's status, it's going surprisingly better than expected. Some still see us in robes, with many secrets to take over the world through neo-nazi ideals, dusty old books and bloody rituals.. Feed their superstition, their mistrust, their fear, and then prove them wrong, telling them how making a ritual is just like following a TV-dinner cooking instructions. Tremere have our own Masquerade to handle. Study Claudia on this one, I am impressed by how good she is at being trustworthy. Anyhow.. You don't need to look formal or speak formal, even in Elyseum or to other Kindred, they are used to Tremere rudeness since I'm in charge, so don't worry about the image of the clan.

Don't bother with money or everything money can buy, the Chantry will provide you anything you need, including blood. The entire staff of the Hotel is under my power. Oh, don't kill them if you can, it's a pain to recruit competent personnel, and it's even more a pain to spend several nights to bend them to my will so they do not mind our presence and our doings. He says so, touching sligthly the driver's arm with the tip of his fingers.
If you need to refuse an invitation, leave a discussion or else, go for the "Tremere Business, I have to go" excuse and blame it on me (then warn me, I better know if I'm going to be your alibi.. works all the time).
You will be able to study any Art or subject you want, or not study at all. Corinna Ansons, our Librarian, will help you out with books, Latin, and practice of Thaumaturgical rituals. Eventually you'll have to learn Latin.. Oh shit, Mickael ! He smiles as he just had an idea. Once can even hear a little Mr. Burns from the Simpsons as he continues. Excellent, I got your first assignment ; keep Mickael Horsman busy while he's in town, don't worry, this one is easy. I will tell him you do not know Latin yet, he'll curse for a few hours, rant about my work as a Regent, write a letter to Vienna, and then he'll get busy with you.

Any questions ?

Claudia wrote:

Andrew Collins, and I can't give my word about no jokes... I'll think about it twice, however. He adds, probably fearing a physical beat-up, as Elisabeth seems more physically fit and capable than him. You're not American uh ?

No, I'm not an American, Elisabeth replies, ever so slightly insulted someone would think she is. You can take a lass out of the Highlands, but you cannae take the Highlands out of the lass.

Liz so loves to have her accent confuse the rest of the English-speaking world.

She follows Kersten into the car, paying attention to what he says. The further he explains the state of things, the more he explains the code of behaviour... first Elisabeth's brow rises in suspicion, then she ends up frowning in sheer disbelief. Very carefully she turns towards Andrew, and whispers,

Andrew, possibly Kersten:

Elisabeth bites her lip, looking at the scenery out the window. She's definitely taken aback by Kersten's unconventionaliness, but that little instinct she's dubbed 'self-preservation' rises suspicion in her mind. She frowns, again, shifting uneasily on her seat.

Claudia wrote:

Any questions?

A few. None that she would ever ask loud, though.

Andrew nods, attentive to Elisabeth's words as to be sure he understands her, concerning her non-nationality, with a small smile.
He sits and listens closely to the Regent's "cards on the table" speech, with as much disbelief. He chuckles to Elisabeth's whisper, agreeing fully to her words. He does dare a question.
I have a question, yes.. Why are we here ?

Lyle smiles widely to the question.
Because Bordeaux's Chantry is the only one who has Cable TV allowing Apprentices to watch cartoons all night long.
Oh, you want an actual answer ? Alright, he says, imitating a high Regent voice, distant, cold and dead serious, with small hand gestures both Apprentices can notice as to push in the act a little, "Per Decretum tumultuarium, the Clan believes your abilities are to be polished, and one of the most competent Regents in France has accepted to train you, show yourself worthy of such honor as many High Apprentices would (and have) kill for such an opportunity, per nostra fidelitas vincebimini"... That was a lie.
Kersten's phone rings. He takes it, press a button, probably to refuse the call, smiles, and put it back in his pocket.
Pardon me. That'll keep the Brujah busy for a while.
So yes, you're not in for training, I'm not the teacher-type of Regent... Oh, I can teach you to lie, yes. By the way, Liz, if someone out of our Clan asks about who your sire is, lie, he has bad reputation among the Ventrue. So you're in here because your Sires and Regent either thought it would be fun, a good way to bother me, a good way to keep you out of their way, or to protect you from other backstabbing Apprentices. Ah, if you want to progress in the Pyramid, you won't need to mind other Apprentices here, they won't earn anything by crushing you down, so yes, truly, you'll have a good amount of freedom, no dress code, no political struggles.. Yep, you're on Vacation.

Liz, I know you want to speak your mind, don't be afraid to do so... I don't bite. Seriously !

Elisabeth shivers as she realizes she had whispered too loud. A nervous smile rises on her lips, only to emphasize the "Oh crap..." thought on her mind. Kersten doesn't have to tell her twice to lie about the identity of her Sire; the Ventrue are not the only ones holding grudge against him, as she has sorely noticed from time to time.

I appreciate your concern, Regent Kersten. I'll adapt, she says, her eyes lowered on her knees as Kersten urges her to speak up. I try not to break my questionable record of attracting trouble here...

Auspex 2 or Perception 3:

Kersten lets out a despair sigh to Elisabeth's words.
You do not need to try... You don't have to prove anything, neither of you.


Andrew stays silent, listening closely and nodding once in a while as he understands, a bit stressed or worried of some sort. As the car approaches the comedy plaza and enters the pedestrian zone, the Regent awaits to get out of the car once the opportunity is possible. Before doing so, he adds.
We have arrived. I will free you both to Gosuin, and then you will do whatever you please while I'll ask another Apprentice to show you your rooms.