Where in the world is Sylvester Simms? (Thread 2 - Leo, pre-dawn Mon. 4/2/07)

[Detritus]

Once Rebekka dismisses everyone, Anneke gestures for Leo to come with her. She leads him down to the second floor, and finds an empty room, a small study.

"I do not need to know specifics at this time, but I was wondering how connected you are with your clan's information network. Elder Malkavian can prove particularly troublesome to track, but of those that could do it, I would expect them most likely to be of the Nosferatu. It could prove especially helpful now."

[Huxley]

Leo shrugs, "I would not call myself the hub of any network, but I know a couple of people I can try to contact: I do not know if I can speak to them within the time frame of tonight... come to think of it, I am a little uncertain about one of their phone numbers: We usually write, so I have not tried it in a long time... but I can attempt that now"

A brief pause.

"Your eyes flashed earlier"

[Detritus]

Leo shrugs, "I would not call myself the hub of any network, but I know a couple of people I can try to contact: I do not know if I can speak to them within the time frame of tonight... come to think of it, I am a little uncertain about one of their phone numbers: We usually write, so I have not tried it in a long time... but I can attempt that now"
Anneke takes this in in silence, and gives you one swift nod after Leo is finished.

A brief pause.

"Your eyes flashed earlier"
"Did they?" Anneke flashes a brief smile before resuming a more serious demeanor. "I am told that I received the full measure of the artistic temperament. I am lucky not to have been Embraced Brujah. I might have been worse than the girl in that circumstance."

After a momentary pause, Anneke asks you, "What do you think of the eventual decision to summon Mr. Simms to New Orleans?"

[Huxley]

"It's not all bad: What Rebekka said is probably accurate, especially considering that we're about to have a Conclave. I rather doubt Drake is the only Sabbat member that wants to devour souls for power" The end is almost spit out, and Leo is obviously disgusted. He soon returns to a neutral face, however. "I just hope that things remain between those involved... a soft spot, I suppose" Leo shrugs.

[Detritus]

"I believe it is the correct decision in the end, myself," says Anneke, her arms across her chest. She raises her left arm, elbow resting on top of her right hand, and taps her chin for a few seconds before she continues speaking.

"I am sure that Gwynnis appreciated your willingness to set aside personal animosity for the greater good," she says. "However, there are times when personal desire overlaps with what is good for the sect."

She begins tapping her chin again, and then says, "I do not think the Justicar was ever seriously considering leaving Simms at large, if there was any way to help it."

[Huxley]

She begins tapping her chin again, and then says, "I do not think the Justicar was ever seriously considering leaving Simms at large, if there was any way to help it."

"A sort of test, then?"

[Detritus]

"A sort of test, then?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes. If you will recall, she took each side of the debate relatively early in the discussion. She does this from time to time just to see what sort of reaction it provokes. She might have been checking to see how far you would go to pursue vengeance, or how willing you might have been to set it aside."

[Huxley]

"In a manner of speaking, yes. If you will recall, she took each side of the debate relatively early in the discussion. She does this from time to time just to see what sort of reaction it provokes. She might have been checking to see how far you would go to pursue vengeance, or how willing you might have been to set it aside."

Leo nods, "And see what others thought without directly asking. Intelligent"


"How much experience do you have with the Sabbat?"

[Detritus]

Leo nods, "And see what others thought without directly asking. Intelligent"
"It is an effective technique," says Anneke. "I am given to understand that Gwynnis's sire studied under Socrates himself. I am not sure if I believe that or not."

"How much experience do you have with the Sabbat?"
"A great deal. Berlin. Washington DC. Detroit. New York. And that is just in the past century. I have usually been on the winning side."

After a pause:

"How much experience do you have dealing with the Tremere? Beyond that which you have recently had with Rebekka and her associates?"

[Huxley]

"How much experience do you have dealing with the Tremere? Beyond that which you have recently had with Rebekka and her associates?"

Leo ponders, scratching a flap of skin under his chin. "Nothing sticks out in my memory. I've had more experience with your clan, Brujah, Malkavians, and Ventrue"

[Detritus]

Leo ponders, scratching a flap of skin under his chin. "Nothing sticks out in my memory. I've had more experience with your clan, Brujah, Malkavians, and Ventrue"
"I have had a great deal of experience with them, and none more than Rebekka herself. Occasionally, my interactions with them have even involved an official investigative element, although I have never had cause to investigate Rebekka.

"The object she gave you, did you ever wonder if it had... other capabilities?"

[Huxley]

"I have had a great deal of experience with them, and none more than Rebekka herself. Occasionally, my interactions with them have even involved an official investigative element, although I have never had cause to investigate Rebekka.

"The object she gave you, did you ever wonder if it had... other capabilities?"

A beat.

"It is not something that occurred to me. I suppose it is possible, but I do not have a reason to think that it would"

[Detritus]

A beat.

"It is not something that occurred to me. I suppose it is possible, but I do not have a reason to think that it would"
"I am only voicing suspicions right now, but I would be amazed if the die did not have some eavesdropping capacity. The Tremere reputation is not wholly fabricated."

[Huxley]

"I am only voicing suspicions right now, but I would be amazed if the die did not have some eavesdropping capacity. The Tremere reputation is not wholly fabricated."

"Do you think it could do anything else? I do not know the full extent of their magic"

[Detritus]

"Do you think it could do anything else? I do not know the full extent of their magic"
"Neither do I," says Anneke, "but it would be subtle. No fireworks."

Anneke thinks for a little while and then says, "I have heard of an advanced technique of the Piercing Gaze, one called Obedience. Rebekka is of low enough generation to learn it, but I do not know if she actually done so. A Kindred thus skilled can exert her will merely by touching her intended subject, instead of establishing eye contact. It is possible that the die was somehow imbued with the ability to replace the physical contact necessary to implement the Obedience power.

"There would still be the matter of implanting commands," she says, half to herself. "Two-way telepathy would work. That is an advanced Auspex technique, but again within Rebekka's grasp."

After another brief pause, she says, "I did not see any signs of tampering, save for my own, that is. But does that mean there was nothing to find, or that I have simply missed it? In either case, I believe I still owe you some instruction in Auspex. Now is as good a time as any," she says, "if you wish to learn before proceeding with your investigation of Mr. Simms."

[Huxley]

"Certainly. The sooner, the better"

[Detritus]

It takes a surprisingly short time, maybe 10 minutes, for Anneke to impart to you how Enhanced Senses and Aura Reading work. She has you practice each power once, and when you read her aura, you see that she's calm, focused, and perhaps also satisfied with something. At that point, Dee Dee walks into the room.

"Anneke, you're wanted in Prince Casimir's room. Gwynnis wants your opinion on something." Then she looks at Leo and says, "you better come with us, too." No further explanation is forthcoming, and she turns and leaves the room.

((There's going to be a round or two of replies in the François thread, and then Leo and Anneke will be part of that conversation as well. Posts pertaining to that conversation should go in that thread.))

[Detritus]

((This post doesn't require a reply...))

You, Anneke, and Dee Dee meet Rebekka and Tatiana on the way up to Prince Casimir's room. As you all approach the room, you can hear a raised voice carrying some ways down the hallway, and then a barely audible reply that becomes a little easier to hear as you get closer to the door.

((Then, after Francois's reply, Dee Dee will open the door and everyone will file in after her.))

[Detritus]

OK, one last little thing, about the people Leo is contacting. Do you just want to ask for info on the whereabouts of Simms, invite or otherwise encourage them to come to New Orleans for the Conclave, or even something else?

[Huxley]

OK, one last little thing, about the people Leo is contacting. Do you just want to ask for info on the whereabouts of Simms, invite or otherwise encourage them to come to New Orleans for the Conclave, or even something else?

Mostly I'm just asking about Simms, though I'll try and see if Birgitta is willing to come to the conclave and help with the Sabbat.

[Detritus]

Mostly I'm just asking about Simms, though I'll try and see if Birgitta is willing to come to the conclave and help with the Sabbat.
OK, neither of your contacts has any immediate information, but they'll check. Birgitta will let you know if she can make it to New Orleans in a couple of days, probably.