The Eyes Have It (pre-dawn Tuesday 4/3/07)

[Detritus]

You all get back to the house by Tulane U. a bit before 3 am. Camille actually drops off Jack and Leo and says she has a quick errand to run. The Brujah (minus Yuri) who were at Al's are also there around 3, arriving just after Jack and Leo. People will be gathering soon, but you seem to be a bit unfashionably early to the meeting.

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks at the Brujah.

"Well, that was a clusterfuck", he says. "Between me going apoplectic and acting like a day old frenzied pup, and the fact we had nothing resembling a cohesive plan, it's lucky any of us walked out of there."

Turning to Uma he says, "By the way, when somebody throws a grenade through a door, the second to last thing you want to do is chase them back through the door. It's usually well covered."

[Huxley]

"It may have been better if we had simply thrown the grenade back outside" Leo offers, constructively.

[Detritus]

"It may have been better if we had simply thrown the grenade back outside" Leo offers, constructively.
"That's why I opened the door!" says Uma. "I didn't start chasing anyone until some idiot SHOT THE GRENADE and then ran up the street in the same goddamn direction that another grenade came from. What the fuck were you thinking?" she says, glaring at Jocelin.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh come on, noone shoots grenades. So they couldn't have expected it"

"And they were covering the back door not the front . . . going in the direction the grenade comes from offers the best chance of confronting the grenadiers after all . . . . . "

Jocelin looks down, "Though I really really should have paid more attention to getting the sticky paw to the face"

[Detritus]

"And what if that shot had caused the grenade to explode? Did you know beforehand that it wouldn't?"

Uma draws a breath, into which Jocelin may reply.

"Also, the front was covered, or near enough. What would've happened to you if you had been the only target for that Assamite?"

[Brother Brian]

"ENOUGH!" Fancois roars. "None at the skirmish tonight have ANY right to cast dispersions on others." Gesturing at himself and the other Brujah, "We lived up to the worst stereotype of our clan. Had we any moment of discussion before action, we could have coordinated a successful offensive this night. Instead we rushed out, and looked like the lowliest recruits."

Francois sighs. "The fight goes not to the strong; for strength can be overcome by planning. We need remember that."

[SD Anderson]

"Oh come on, noone shoots grenades. So they couldn't have expected it"

"And they were covering the back door not the front . . . going in the direction the grenade comes from offers the best chance of confronting the grenadiers after all . . . . . "

Jocelin looks down, "Though I really really should have paid more attention to getting the sticky paw to the face"

"Did you ever consider there was a reason why no one shoots grenades?" Jack asks. "The element of surprise is useless if you kill off your own side first."

(So long as it comes after Kal's post... ;) )

[Detritus]

((For now we'll say everyone's just inside the front door to the house, since it hasn't really been clarified yet.))

Uma's mouth opens for an instant before she clamps her jaw shut, lapsing rather grudgingly into silence. Antoinette looks at Uma and sucks her lips back into her mouth, but does not say anything. Jocelin recognizes a hint of a pleading look in Antoinette's eyes as she looks at Uma. Uma's expression finally gains a semblance of calm, and she nods and sighs.

"You're right, that advance that would have embarrassed the Keystone Cops. We might have had to split up anyways; my guess is the ones who were covering the street would have been able to move to cover the alley if we had all come out that way, but it would have been nice to plan something out. I hope Al's OK."

The door opens just as Uma speaks that final sentence. Dee Dee and Yuri walk in, accompanied by another woman (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=285311&postcount=34). The stranger's eyes make a quick circuit of the entryway, but her face doesn't change from its neutral expression.

"Al's in critical condition, but stable for now," Dee Dee says. "This is Muaziz, one of Ulugh Beg's agents. He's the Tremere Justicar."

"I would have like to have left a ward with him," says Muaziz. The pitch of her voice is a touch below average for a woman. "One that could have prevented Kindred from approaching him in his room, but still allowed the hospital staff to treat him. The opportunity never arose, as I wasn't allowed to stay very long."

"Yeah, but it wouldn't helped him in the OR, anyways. There's still a good bit of shrapnel inside him." Dee Dee's eyes stray over to Leo when after she says this before she looks back at Muaziz.

"Do you think they would perform that surgery at night? He is much less vulnerable during the day." Dee Dee just shrugs her shoulders.

[Detritus]

"Did you ever consider there was a reason why no one shoots grenades?" Jack asks. "The element of surprise is useless if you kill off your own side first."
We'll say this comes before Uma's last set of questions, as that makes the most sense for who says what when given what everyone's said and done in the last few minutes.

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks at the newcomer with a look indicating she must be a moron.

"Do I think that they would do emergency surgery at night? Yes, yes I do think that. Furthermore, do I think that a man with that kind of damage will be surrounded by half the New Orleans PD by morning? Yep, and unless someone here has excessive ju-ju with the police in this town we're not going to be able to stop it."

Pausing he says, "I thought we were going to field promote him?"

[SD Anderson]

"If the medical personnel there are ah, associated with us, the report of an 'acciental shooting' won't raise many flags.' Jack says. "The question now is, how extensively did the Late Prince Johnson integrate his operation here?"

[Detritus]

Pausing he says, "I thought we were going to field promote him?"
"There seems to have been some disagreement about that," Dee Dee answers without taking her eyes from Leo. "Unfortunately, Rebekka has been rather busy with the damage control surrounding Mr. Johnson's destruction, so I haven't had word either way from her yet. Mr. Johnson might have had enough pull clean up anything that might have cropped up during a police visit. You know, if he were still with us and all. Maybe one of his childer still has some influence there," she adds in a doubtful voice.

[Kalzazz]

"Cant we just fax them a message from Al Quaida claiming responsibility? Everyone would believe that"

Antoinette will interject: "That's a very good idea, for me to poop on!" immediately after Jocelin suggests this.

[Detritus]

"Cant we just fax them a message from Al Quaida claiming responsibility? Everyone would believe that"
A look crosses Dee Dee's face like she thinks she's surrounded by idiots.

"We want to draw less attention to ourselves, not more," the Sheriff says. "If a claim like that somehow got traced back to one of us, that would be a serious problem."

She smooths her expression, then looks at Muaziz before turning to François.

"Al's already been under the knife once. I think they got the most serious threats out of his body, but they didn't get it all. He passed out on the way to the hospital and hasn't woken up yet." She stops speaking to think for a moment. "If we can keep him asleep through the day, we can deal with the cops tomorrow night."

[Brother Brian]

Francois stared at Jocelyn with the same look Dee Dee had.

When she speaks to him, he says, "I don't suppose we have much choice in it. We'll have to be ready to respond to any official inquiries when they happen." He looks at Jocelyn, "Repeat after me, "I invoke my right to remain silent", Francois says in a patient tone. "That is all you are to say to any police investigator."

[Kalzazz]

" . . . . uhmm, this . . . might possibly be a bad time to note I bought a gun there with my FEMA card moments before the place started blowing up, what should I say if they ask about that?"

EDIT -- Uma will reply - "You really should carry cash for those kinds of purchases." - but doesn't have any advice for Jocelin.

[SD Anderson]

A look crosses Dee Dee's face like she thinks she's surrounded by idiots.

"We want to draw less attention to ourselves, not more," the Sheriff says. "If a claim like that somehow got traced back to one of us, that would be a serious problem."

She smooths her expression, then looks at Muaziz before turning to François.

"Al's already been under the knife once. I think they got the most serious threats out of his body, but they didn't get it all. He passed out on the way to the hospital and hasn't woken up yet." She stops speaking to think for a moment. "If we can keep him asleep through the day, we can deal with the cops tomorrow night."

"Even if it didn't get attributed to us, Homeland Security would take over this town. Could even institute a day light only curfew. And that would be annoying.' Jack said. 'Routine mundane explanations work better. Though I don't know how many more times "Rogue ex postal employees' will work.'

[Detritus]

When she speaks to him, he says, "I don't suppose we have much choice in it. We'll have to be ready to respond to any official inquiries when they happen."
"Yeah, yeah, we'll just have to deal with it. I'm not sure if it should be Rebekka again, like it is in the aftermath of Mr. Johnson's demise. Could get kind of suspicious," says Dee Dee. You hear the doorknob start to turn again, and then Camille, Ramiel and Erik step into the house.

"Perhaps we should all go into the parlor?" Camille says as the entryway threatens to fill to overflowing. "It will be more comfortable that way." She makes her way through the crowded entryway without looking back to see if anyone follows her. The men who arrived with her do follow, as does Dee Dee and the others who came with her.

"You wouldn't happen to have any pull with the NOPD, would you?" Dee Dee asks Ramiel once everyone's in the parlor.

"Not really," replies Ramiel, maybe a trifle reluctantly. "The police department was squarely in Mr. Johnson's sphere of influence."

"Ol' Jack there has done some private investigating in his day," says Erik. "Maybe he can work up something. Speaks their language, and all."

[Brother Brian]

"My impression", says Francois, "is that the official gendarm don't much appreciate those in private practice." He pauses, shrugging, "then again, that's mostly from fiction books, so it's not official."

He thinks for a minute, "Does anyone know of a Police Official that is especially corrupt?"

[Huxley]

Leo will return the gaze of Dee Dee without malice.

Having nothing to contribute, he shuffles inside with the rest of the group.

[Detritus]

"My impression", says Francois, "is that the official gendarm don't much appreciate those in private practice." He pauses, shrugging, "then again, that's mostly from fiction books, so it's not official."

He thinks for a minute, "Does anyone know of a Police Official that is especially corrupt?"
Camille and Ramiel exchange a look.

"He is gone now, Ramiel," Camille says to him. Ramiel looks at her a moment longer and then nods.

"I may have a couple of contacts in the department," he says to the room, "ones with a certain amount of... ethical flexibility, given the circumstances under which I had to cultivate them. I'm not sure it's enough to prevent an initial inquiry, but there could be some quiet erasure of records afterwards."

[Brother Brian]

Francois nods. "Let them know that I will be happy to make a sizable contribution to support their....charitable....efforts, in exchange for their fairness in any inquirey."

[Detritus]

A lull in the conversation ensues, then the front door opens. Rebekka then enters the parlor, Sabine and Sarah in tow. They both carry boxes in their arms, Sabine perhaps looking a bit sulky, but maybe that's just how her face normally appears. Rebekka goes to the head of the parlor, passing by Muaziz without looking at her, but Sabine and Sarah both give the stranger wary looks. Dee Dee moves off to Rebekka's left when the Prince reaches her place.

"If you have not yet been introduced, we have a new arrival to the city, one that we have been expecting. Muaziz is of the Tremere clan, and an agent of our clan's Justicar, Ulugh Beg. While the threat of war with the Sabbat remains immanent, she will serve as the Tremere representative to the New Orleans Primogen Council, to be assisted by the once and future office holder, Sabine." Sabine's expression shifts a little, and it really does appear that she's the tiniest bit resentful of the Archon's displacement of her off the Council, however temporary.

"There will be another newcomer, one who has already landed in the city. Her name is Meerlinda. She sits on the Tremere Council of Seven and is leader of my clan in North America. She has come with Gwynnis from Dallas, and they have likely already met Anneke at the airport. I trust that everyone will extend all due courtesy to her while she remains in New Orleans."

The Prince's voice does not change, but as she pauses in her speech there is a hint of something in her eyes that promises dire consequences should things fall out any other way than she has suggested. A similar look appears on the Tremere Archon's face. Sabine looks at them both with her lips pursed while Sarah appears to be intently studying the contents of the box she holds.

"As many of you have no doubt already heard, Mr. Johnson was destroyed earlier tonight. He seems to have been the specific target of Bianca's attack, as both Radeyah and Kallista were with him. There were a number of witnesses that they were able to identify. We have managed to deal with them all, but there may be others whom neither of Mr. Johnson's companions saw out there.

"We can talk about this more later, but first, I understand there was another attack tonight. What happened?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois steps forward.

"A group of us went to an arms dealer to better prepare for upcoming battles. While completing our purchases, an unknown party lobbed a hand grenade into the shop. Jocelyn, showing bravery and an understanding of how grenades work, managed to deactivate it with a gun shot." (Amazingly, no sarcasm is detectable in his voice as he says this.)

In response, we moved out in seperate groups to the front and back of the shop. I can only speak to what happended in the back alley. Two anti-tribue of my clan, known by their alias' Rake and Anvil, covered the alley with shotguns. I engaged them, but took heavy fire and was unable to pursue them when they fled.

It should be noted that the one known as Rake, is in fact the Comte d' Rochette, my sire, who I have come to bring to justice. He is nobodies footsoldier, but a schemer and tactician. I missed an opportunity to wound our enemy this evening, and for that, I must apologize."

Having delivered his report, Francois steps back.

[Detritus]

"Is he?" Rebekka asks in response to learning of Rake's true identity. "We shall keep that in the forefront of our thoughts."

The Prince looks around at the others she knows of who went to Al's and asks, "What of then engagement outside the storefront?"

[Detritus]

"Is he?" Rebekka asks in response to learning of Rake's true identity. "We shall keep that in the forefront of our thoughts."

The Prince looks around at the others she knows of who went to Al's and asks, "What of then engagement outside the storefront?"
Uma speaks up:

"Once the grenade was inside the store, I went to open the door, looking to have someone throw the ordnance back outside. Didn't quite work out that way," she says, with a wry look for Jocelin. "Then Joss and I gave chase up the street. We dodged another grenade that blew up at the storefront. Jocelin hit the person throwing the grenades, but that left us distracted enough that that Assamite got up to her spitting tricks again. It wasn't all that orderly."

"Yes, it sounds as if your advance was less than optimal," replies Rebekka. "However, your engagement seems to have lasted just long enough for a key event to have occurred. The knife that the Sheriff lodged into the Assamite belongs to Gwynnis, and the Assassin will be unable to rid herself of it. The Justicar will want it back, and knows how to find it. Although, she will not be looking for it herself. That will be your job."

((The Prince looks specifically at the PCs when she says this.))

[Brother Brian]

"Very Well" Francois says. How shall we locate this kife, and the person who unwillingly holds it?"

[Detritus]

"Very Well" Francois says. How shall we locate this kife, and the person who unwillingly holds it?"
"When the Justicar and the Councilor arrive, there will be a ritual. You will need to have some piece of the Justicar on your person, and then you will know how to find the blade yourself." Rebekka looks over to Dee Dee for a moment before continuing.

"Since it is a search mission, I believe the intent is for each of you to swallow one of Gwynnis's eyes." Dee Dee stiffens and jerks her head towards each of you, then back to the Prince. All extraneous movement ceases at this statement. "The eye will grant the gift of Auspex, and enhance it in those of you who have already learned some of that discipline. There may be other effects. I myself have not seen this one before," Rebekka finishes, and a trace of wonder creeps into her voice.

"I am also given to understand that certain elements of the ritual work best if there is a prior connection of some sort between the recipients and those whom they search for. More I cannot say, but I am sure the elders will be able to provide you with all the details you wish."

[Detritus]

The room remains quiet for a bit after Rebekka's last statement. Yuri gives you a bit of a weird look, like he's already imagining you having all sprouted third eyes in the middle of your foreheads, then asks quietly: "What are we going to do about Al? He was in pretty bad shape when I left the hospital, but I think he pulls through. I think he's still in other kinds of danger, though."

Dee Dee finally perks up, snapping out of the reverie that held her after learning of her Regnant's plans upon her arrival to the house.

"I would already have him as Kindred. The hole left by Mr. Johnson's destruction requires filling. Al would have been as good a candidate as any, especially given his apparent connections with the arms trade."

"You would have Embraced him without my authorization?" Rebekka asks.

"Yes, my Prince, and then brought him to you immediately. The situation was urgent, his chances for survival uncertain."

"I see," replies Rebekka. "And who convinced you otherwise?"

Dee Dee turns her gaze to Leo and gives a flick of her head in his direction. Rebekka turns, face expectant, until she looks at him as well.

[SD Anderson]

"Since it is a search mission, I believe the intent is for each of you to swallow one of Gwynnis's eyes." Dee Dee stiffens and jerks her head towards each of you, then back to the Prince. All extraneous movement ceases at this statement. "The eye will grant the gift of Auspex, and enhance it in those of you who have already learned some of that discipline. There may be other effects. I myself have not seen this one before," Rebekka finishes, and a trace of wonder creeps into her voice.




Cannibalism. Seems about par for the course for Ol' Gruesome... Jack thinks.

[Huxley]

"I thought it unwise to attempt to fill Mr. Jonson's position with a neonate. He was wounded, but the hospital could take care of that"

There is a pause.

"In addition, the Traditions are all that separate use from the Sabbat. I did not see the situation as dire as to break tradition"

[Detritus]

"I thought it unwise to attempt to fill Mr. Jonson's position with a neonate. He was wounded, but the hospital could take care of that"

There is a pause.

"In addition, the Traditions are all that separate use from the Sabbat. I did not see the situation as dire as to break tradition"
"I would have brought him to you as soon he would have been able to leave his store, my Prince," says Dee Dee.

"That is not the correct order of operations, Sheriff. Surely Gwynnis was not so negligent in her duties to have failed to teach you that."

"I understand it fine, but it's a shooting war now. Suppose the Sabbat come to finish the job while Al is in the hospital. That could be a pretty sticky Masquerade situation."

"As could Embracing someone be, without knowing anything about him beforehand. Have you done any research on this mortal's life, to know how his transition into the world of the Kindred might fare?"

Dee Dee makes as to reply, then clamps her mouth shut, choosing simply to shake her head in response.

"As long as you understand that there may be times when a hasty Embrace may serve a larger purpose in maintaining the Masquerade," Rebekka says to Leo, "I don't see that there's a problem here. I'm inclined to agree with your assessment that the situation was not so desperate as that in this case."

((Leo may reply here, as he sees fit.))

"There are still potentially awkward questions looming, my Prince," says Dee Dee.

"Yes, one of us will have to pay another visit to the hospital before sunrise. We must do everything we can to keep the arms dealer from wakening until after sunset. Also, Sabine does have some influence with the local hospitals, do you not?"

"Yes, Sire," replies Sabine.

"See what you can do to minimize suspicions surrounding Al then." Sabine nods at Rebekka's request.

"Is there anything else anyone wishes to bring up, while we are all here?"

[Huxley]

((Leo may reply here, as he sees fit.))


Leo nods and remains stoic, attempting to prod Dee Dee as little as possible.

[Brother Brian]

"I thought it unwise to attempt to fill Mr. Jonson's position with a neonate. He was wounded, but the hospital could take care of that"

There is a pause.

"In addition, the Traditions are all that separate use from the Sabbat. I did not see the situation as dire as to break tradition"

Upon hearing this last line, Francois raises an eyebrow, as if to disagree.

[Detritus]

While we're waiting for the Justicar et al. to arrive, Rebekka is going to direct the other Tremere in prepping for the upcoming ritual, and Dee Dee sends Ramiel off to see what he can do with the police. Sabine makes a couple of phone calls in the middle of preparations. In other words, there's a little time to hash out IC disagreements, if you want, or not, as the case may be. The Sheriff disagrees with the Prince, but seems to be willing to abide by Rebekka's pronouncement on the matter.

[Kalzazz]

((Is Sarah about?))

[Detritus]

((Is Sarah about?))
Yes, she's helping with ritual preparations for the moment.

[Detritus]

Yes, she's helping with ritual preparations for the moment.
If you want to talk to Sarah about something, she can probably fit it in...

[SD Anderson]

"There'd better be more differences between Sabbat and us than matters of etiquitte." Jack mutters. "Otherwise the goddam bastards have already won."

[Brother Brian]

"Indeed" says Francois, "It seems to me that the main difference is the reason we adhere to the traditions, moreso than the traditions themselves."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin heads to talk to Sarah when Sarah seems to have a moment

[Detritus]

The moment is now.

"What's up?" she asks, smiling.

[Detritus]

Jocelin heads to talk to Sarah when Sarah seems to have a moment
In the interest of moving things along, is this about anything else besides making Dragon's Breath Rounds? If it's about DBR, we can just stipulate that someone from the Tremere will make it happen, although they probably won't be available until Wed./early Thurs. night (i.e. approximately two nights from now).

If it's about something else, please say what.

[Kalzazz]

Was going to be about DBR, and to apologize to Sarah for not inviting her to Al's, but that didnt think Sarah would have as much fun since well, she didnt seem to need guns

[Detritus]

Was going to be about DBR, and to apologize to Sarah for not inviting her to Al's, but that didnt think Sarah would have as much fun since well, she didnt seem to need guns
Sarah will take the ammo you hand her and tell you it's on the To-Do list, but it could be a couple of nights before it's finished. She also says that she had other stuff to do tonight, and sort of waves vaguely at the preparations that are well underway now, but she can live without being shot/spit/having grenades thrown at her, so no big deal that she didn't get to come along to Al's.

((If there's anything else any of you want to deal with, please feel free to raise it. The last arrivals will be arriving soon, but there's a bit of scene-setting I need to work out at my end before it happens.))

[Kalzazz]

((Give her Yuri's 9mm and Jocelin's .40 S&W ammo))

Jocelin thanks Sarah, and says hopefully there next outing will be more actual fun, and goes and leaves Sarah be with her preparations

[Detritus]

Those preparations include moving all the furniture into the corners of the parlor, and laying out a twine circle approximately 20 feet in diameter. Sabine takes a white dropcloth and fold it into corners, then lays it at the center of the twine circle. She sets a dagger, aspergillum, and what looks like a slate cutting board on the cloth, and then produces a censer. She sets it on the slate and then lights the coal within.

Rebekka herds everyone not directly involved with the upcoming ritual through an opening in the twine perimeter that points in the general direction of the doorway to the entryway of the building. This leaves only Dee Dee and the Tremere, and the four of you who have been tabbed as the Justicar's hunters. Just as Rebekka is about to turn and head back into the circle Anneke walks through the front door, her face a thunderhead, carrying a scabbarded sword. The Prince motions for her to enter the twine, using gestures to communicate that Anneke should walk through the open ends.

"Gwynnis and Meerlinda are walking a circuit around the building, my Prince," she says, even more stiffly formal than she was at Rebekka's departure from Storyville Jazz Hall. "They should be inside momentarily."

"Thank you. Marshal." Rebekka arches an eyebrow, and Anneke's mouth tightens for a moment before she labors to smooth her face. She takes the sword to Muaziz and offers it to Tremere archon, holding the blade with both hands horizontally across her body. Muaziz takes the blade, which suddenly drops several inches immediately upon leaving contact with Anneke's hands.

"Be mindful of the weight of that which you will wield," Anneke says, a trace of satisfaction in her voice. She then takes Dee Dee aside and begins talking to her softly, and the Sheriff's face slowly darkens as Anneke continues to speak.