The Knight of Wands Reversed (pre-dawn Wed. 4/4/07)

[Detritus]

When you finally come to, once again whole within the dome ward, Gwynnis is already up and about, the three roses given to her by the Lady in one hand. Once you get your bearings, you see that Jocelin's body has become translucent. Meerlinda opens her eyes right about when you get on your feet, and she takes the eye lying on the parlor floor and hands it to Gwynnis. Rebekka, Sarah, and Antoinette are standing just outside.

"Whatever it was that happened," Rebekka says, "it has caused quite a stir amongst those of us beyond the ward. I can only imagine what it is like from inside."

"It is matter of some explanation," Gwynnis says. She puts a hand to one of her temples as she looks at Jocelin's, and gets a bit of blood on her finger from one of the thorn wounds. "I'm not sure I believe it all, and I was there. But, first..."

Gwynnis hands two of the roses to Meerlinda, and puts her eye into the blossom of the third. She rests the flower so that the eye lies at the center of Jocelin's forehead. Eye and flower slowly sink into her translucent form. The flower begins to fade, and as it does, Jocelin's body solidifies, and its appearance changes.

Sarah emits a soft gasp, and Antoinette a shrill, wordless cry as the transformation occurs, but both subside at a signal from Rebekka. When the body is once again completely solid, you see the girl you met in Avalon, the perfect image of the one called Sidana.

"Is that?" Rebekka begins, but she trails off. Taking a moment to compose herself, she asks, "Is that who I think it is?"

Gwynnis studies the girl as she comes to and stands, unable to mask the uncertainty on her face after she rises. As the Justicar's silent study lengthens, the redhead drops her eyes. Gwynnis puckers as if she had just bitten into a lemon, and then after a tiny shrug she gives Meerlinda a curt gesture. The ward abruptly drops immediately thereafter.

"My Prince, I am Gwynnis, a Toreador of the 5th generation. I present to you my childe, Rosalyn Quinnell, and petition you for her acceptance into the city of New Orleans.

"Rosalyn," the Justicar continues, "you stand before Rebekka of clan Tremere, whom Caine has seen fit to rule over the city of New Orleans. Her word is law within her Domain, and she must enforce it firmly, with neither fear nor favor, for trying times lie before us."

"Rosalyn Quinnell," Rebekka says, carrying onward with the impromptu ceremony, "Toreador of the 6th generation, childe of Gwynnis, a member of good standing in the Camarilla, do you affirm your commitment to uphold the Traditions that have been a part of our sect since its inception to the utmost of your ability?"

[Kalzazz]

Rosalyn bows to Rebekka, "I, Rosalyn Quinnell, childe of Gwynnis, do so affirm to uphold the traditions to the utmost of my abilities in this time of trial"

[Detritus]

"Then let all present bear witness to the acceptance and admittance of Rosalyn Quinnell, childe of Gwynnis, Toreador of the 6th generation, as a member of good standing within the Camarilla." The Prince's appraising look lingers on Rosalyn before she turns to everyone else in the group.

"We would very much like to know how this came to pass," Rebekka says, "whatever you can tell us."

"We shall tell you," replies Gwynnis. "For now, it must be only you."

"But others have seen some of what has happened already."

"I will spare you the lecture on Plato's Cave, Rebekka. You may judge the wisdom of this decision after we have finished, but we do not begin until the room is cleared of all others besides yourself who did not go to retrieve Jocelin."

"As you command, Justicar. Will you please leave us," Rebekka says to Sarah and Antoinette. Meerlinda watches them leave, and as soon as they are out of range, she raises a ward against eavesdropping.

((At this point, I'll stipulate that you can relay everything that happened on the rescue mission to Rebekka. Gwynnis and Meerlinda will give an exhaustive accounting of everything they recall from the excursion.))

After you finish, Rebekka takes several breaths, evidently composing her thoughts.

"Did you manage to identify the man who attacked the shrine?" The Councilor makes to answer, and then realizes she still lacks her tongue. She concentrates for a few seconds and then begins speaking.

"I did not see his face, but I am sure it was Goratrix," replies Meerlinda, and Rebekka flinches at the name. "He has ever been ruled by ambition, and having been thwarted several times in his attempts to slay Tremere, he seems to have chosen a new target."

"And he learned of Arikel's resting place from Sidana?" asks Rebekka.

"It does seem likely," says Gwynnis. "She has walked the slopes of Glastonbury Tor several times."

"Goratrix will not stop just because his first effort met with failure. And I must warn, Excalibur's aura is the first thing I have ever seen that has effectively countered blackfire. It is a most lethal weapon, and I do not know if that trick will work as well, or at all, outside of Avalon."

"It's nearly as dangerous to the wielder," Rebekka says.

"I think that fact has earned us a brief respite at best," replies Meerlinda. "Goratrix was not daunted in the least by the danger that wielding blackfire presented to himself, that I saw."

"We will have to approach him with due caution, then," says Gwynnis. "Why has he chosen New Orleans, though?"

"I could not say," replies Meerlinda. "Perhaps it is nothing more than advancing the interests of his chosen sect."

"You don't sound convinced of that, Councilor."

"Perhaps our prisoner would know," says Rebekka.

"It might be so," replies Gwynnis. "Sidana might also know, though we already have reason enough to pursue her."

"Yes," says Rebekka, and her eyes flick towards Rosalyn. "How much of this shall we make more generally known?"

"The danger of blackfire, surely, and I would also name the likely mastermind behind the Sabbat operations in New Orleans," says Meerlinda.

"Yes, and there will be no avoiding putting out something about Rosalyn's appearance," says Gwynnis. "We could credit that to Meerlinda. And there are the Garou, and the insect-men, that we encountered as well."

A momentary silence falls before Gwynnis resumes speaking.

"The Councilor and I will research what it might be that Goratrix is after, assuming a motive that goes beyond generic Sabbat ambition."

"I assume that interrogating the prisoner falls under the research you named, Justicar," says Rebekka.

"It surely does," replies the Justicar. "It will fall to you, Rosalyn, and those with ties to Jocelin, to locate Sidana, and plan her capture. I assume this is an agreeable task, if an arduous one, for you? Tempus fugit and all..."

[Kalzazz]

"When you are having fun. I do not foresee overmuch fun in this matter, but the task is most agreeable, even desired"

[Detritus]

"When you are having fun. I do not foresee overmuch fun in this matter, but the task is most agreeable, even desired"
"Easter sunrise will be upon us before we know it, regardless of how much, or how little, fun we have in the interim," says Meerlinda.

"This much is true," says Gwynnis. "Will you show us to the prisoner, my Prince?" Meerlinda lowers the ward, and Rebekka leads the other two elders upstairs.

After a minute or so, Antoinette wanders into the parlor.

"What was that about?" she asks. "What happened to Jocelin?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks at Antoinette, "Jocelyn has fallen, but as such happened in the spirit world, there is some chance that she can be restored."

[Detritus]

Francois looks at Antoinette, "Jocelyn has fallen, but as such happened in the spirit world, there is some chance that she can be restored."
"Fallen? She was just here a few minutes ago. Sort of. Who's she?" Antoinette points at Rosalyn.

[Brother Brian]

"Yes, fallen. Her spirit was slain in that realm. This is one who may help restore our fallen compatriot via mystic magicks."

[Detritus]

"Yes, fallen. Her spirit was slain in that realm. This is one who may help restore our fallen compatriot via mystic magicks."
"But..., it looks like she's..." and here Antoinette struggles to find words, "...possessed Jocelin."

[Huxley]

"You are letting your imagination get away from you, I think"

[Kalzazz]

"That is an extreme oversimplification, but, I think my wishes and Jocelin's are very much in alignment here"

[Detritus]

"Did she tell you her wishes? Before she fell?" You can all but see a little needle headed towards the red part of the gauge appear over Antoinette's head as she gains steam.

"I'm imagining things, am I? So it was just a hallucination, seeing Jocelin become transparent, and that eyeball roll out of her head? Was Sarah imagining it, too? Or the Prince?

"Did I just imagine the Justicar's sword glowing bright as the Sun, or her getting charred from head to toe? The Prince said that everyone with the Justicar was in grave danger, that she was hit with something called blackfire, whatever the hell that is. Those roses that came from nowhere, including the one that turned Jocelin into this Rosalyn, another figment of my imagination? DON'T BULLSHIT ME!"

[Huxley]

Leo allows silence for a moment, thinking more talking would only push her to greater levels of hysteria.

"...Alright. I won't. Is there a particular question you had in mind?"

[Detritus]

Antoinette splutters for a moment at the question, and continues a bit more calmly than before, although it's clear that it's a rather ragged calmness at the moment.

"How about all those questions I just asked? Did she check with Jocelin about what she wanted?" Antoinette thrusts a hand in Rosalyn's general direction. "Where did Jocelin go? We may have been able to see through her body, but it was still there. And I think everyone here knows that we weren't seeing things. Are you really going to tell me that Rebekka didn't know what she was talking about when she told Sarah and me that everyone with the Justicar was in grave peril? What the hell is this blackfire she was talking about?"

[Kalzazz]

"In a sense, yes. Jocelin did agree to help me with what I must now do . . . unfortunately, in a mix of rage and hubris she also did something that was rather ill advised, which is why she isnt precisely here at the moment"

[Detritus]

Those of you facing the parlor's door (OOC -- all the PCs in the room) see Sarah begin entering the room. Then you hear car doors slam, and the doorbell rings. Sarah answers the door, and lets in a party led by Bonnie, whom you all recognize. François and Leo both recognize Camille and Kallista as well. There are two strangers, both men, with the women -- a tall, wiry fellow who perhaps is too good looking for his own good, and a shorter, broader man who looks like he's just come from the golf course.

"We heard a raised voice," Bonnie says. Her eyes fall on Rosalyn, then momentarily widen in surprise. "I'm beginning to see why it might have been called for."

[Chimaera]

Jake beams a friendly smile and nods a greeting to all assembled, but keeps his yap shut for the moment.

[Detritus]

((OOC -- I should also note, the redhead is barely a girl of 15 in appearance, although a very pretty girl who carries herself very much in the manner of an adult.))

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks at Antoinette sternly, and speaks slowly, calmly, but with an unmistakable force, as if speaking to a child acting up in a restaurant.

"I have answered your questions, and will answer any more you may have, as will Leo. What I will not do, under any circumstances, is allow you to embarass yourself, me, or the leaders of this city with your childish, petulant outbursts. You will remember that this is elysium, and you will conduct yourself accordingly. Am I clear?"

[Detritus]

Antoinette opens her mouth to make a scalding retort, then clamps her jaw shut, her teeth clicking audibly when she does. She looks over to the group of newcomers. Bonnie and Camille her give nearly identical quizzical head turns and arched eyebrows, causing Antoinette to scowl. She visibly reins in her temper somewhat further and turns back to François and the others.

"It's a funny thing," Antoinette says, "if you try to shovel BS down people's throats, you shouldn't be surprised when they sick up on you. I can see how that could be confused with someone acting like an infant; they're picky eaters. I don't remember losing my shit until I was condescended to like I was having some sort of overactive imagination moment. I saw what I saw, and so did Sarah, and the Prince. Maybe they figured out what was going on as soon as they saw, but I didn't, and I sure as hell haven't gotten anything but half-answers and the runaround asking you guys.

"So, you know what? It's cool. I'm the big baby for not being perfectly calm after seeing my best friend turn into a ghost and then disappear. I'll just go to my room without supper now, and when the grownups are finished talking, you can tell me whatever half-truths you want, and it'll all be for my own protection, I'm sure."

Antoinette turns on her heel and begins leaving the parlor in a militant stride.

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks as if he is about to offer further rebuke, but hold off on his words. He sadly shakes his head and turns to the recent arrivals. He nods a greeting to Bonnie, and then to Camille and Kalista.

"My apologies for that unpleasantness ladies", the says and then turning to the two he doesn't know, "and gentlemen. It has been a long and stressful evening for all of us, and the strain is being seen more on some than on others."

[Detritus]

"Camille has brought us up to date," Bonnie says, "at least as up to date as was possible when she and Kallista left to come pick us up. It seems there have been other developments in the interim, however."

[Brother Brian]

"As I was...indesposed...at the time you left it is difficult to know where to begin." Francois pauses a moment.

"We located Jocelyn at Glastonbury Tor, as the Justicar said we would. Unfortunatly she was set upon by some form of insect being of the netherworld. When we rushed to help, Gwinnis was ambushed by the twin of our newest addition, Rosalynn. Before I could intercept the foul ambusher, a wound was struck. One of our elders, Meerlinda I suppose, shook the very fabric of the spirit realm, and closed the portal. I orderd a full withdrawel, but Jocelyn, ever a spirited one, stayed for one final coup de grace. In that moment, she fell.

"Back within the nearer realms, Rosalyn appeared. After a bit of wrangling, it was determined by the Justicar and Lady Meerlinda that by the connection of the Justicar's eye, the essense of Jocyln may still exist. I will leave it to them to explain the hows, for such talk of magick is beyond my ken, but the spirit of Rosalyn, daughter of Gwinnis, has taken over Jocelyn, for the nonce. It is my understanding that certain rituals, if done expediantly, will facilitate the return of my kinswoman to the motal realm."

Having delivered his report, Francois takes a small step back.

[Detritus]

Bonnie turns a skeptical look several times between François and Rosalyn.

"I am not aware that any of Gwynnis's childer were ever named Rosalyn. And you say you met... Rosalyn's twin, at... Glastonbury Tor." There is a brief but unmistakable pause at naming Rosalyn's twin, and the location where you met her.

"Do you have any idea where she might be in this world? The last I heard, she was in Detroit."

[Brother Brian]

"None milady. I did not believe she had crossed back into the near realms with us. In truth, the Justicar and her councelor will be better able to explain the relationship between Rosalyn, her sister, and the Justicar. It seemed quite esoteric to me, and I am not initiated in the ways of Tremere."

[Detritus]

It is at this point in the discussion when Sarah returns from upstairs.

"The Prince will be down shortly." She furrows her brow, and says, "It wasn't clear whether the Councilor and the Justicar were going to come down at the same time or not. They seemed pretty intent on the prisoner."

"In that case, I suppose introductions are in order," says Bonnie. "This is Zack North, and this is Jacob Cortland. They are newcomers to the city."

"Would Rosalyn know us?" Camille asks.

"I suppose she wouldn't, at that. Camille Devereux, and Kallista, Master Sculptor, both residents of New Orleans. Zack, Jake, may I introduce you to François Petit, Leolin Friskin, and... Rosalyn. Rosalyn Quinnell, I suppose it must be, unless that has changed, too."

[Huxley]

Leo nods his head when his name is said in order to identify himself. He is dressed in sweat pants, old sneakers, and a paint and oil stained originally gray Nike hoodie. He is bald, and the skin is tight around his skull, but droops flabbily beneath his chin. Puss seeps out of occasional cracks in his skin, and boils cover his face. He errantly picks at and pulls a scab off of his forearm as he speaks, "Pleasure to meet you". The words form out of mucus rolling around in his throat.

One last oddity you may notice: Leo never blinks. Ever.

[Kalzazz]

"A pleasure to meet you. I admit, I am also not specific with the specifics of the current situation as well"

[Chimaera]

Holyshitholyshitholyshit... What the FUCK have I gotten myself into?!?

Jake's thoughts swirl as he takes in the room and its occupants.

That dude is fucked UP! And what is up with Lord Stick Up His Ass?!? Oh man... Breathe, just... oh, right, I don't breath anymore. Just remember, Jake-O -- this is still better than that freakshow in Miami. Now, keep smiling, chill out, shut up and *listen* to what's going on...

[Detritus]

"The pleasure is ours, I'm sure," Zack says. His voice is gruff, but that may just be its natural sound. He turns to Rosalyn and says, "I'm not sure any of us have the whole picture right now."

"Agreed," replies Bonnie, "and I would very much like to speak with my Sire about certain matters." You hear footsteps descending the stairway beyond the parlor when Bonnie finishes.

"That will not be possible, at least not immediately," Rebekka says as she enters the room. She moves to take a position near the "head" of the parlor. "The Justicar and the Councilor deemed matters urgent enough that they wished to begin the interrogation of the prisoner as soon as they had the chance. We think we will be able to answer some of your questions, however, after we have dispensed with the formalities."

Rebekka looks in the direction of Zack and Jake, and Zack steps forward until he is just beyond arm's reach from the Prince.

"My Prince," Zack says, voice still gruff, and he removes his cap and makes a slight bow to Rebekka, "I am Zack North, a Gangrel of the 9th Generation. My Sire is Gitane St. Claire."

"We thank you for answering our requested summons. We could wish that circumstances were less dire in the city than they are, but then we likely would not have asked you to come to New Orleans at all."

"Of course, Majesty, it is my honor to serve city and sect." Zack backs away several steps, still holding his cap, and the Prince's neutral gaze falls on Jake.

[Chimaera]

Jake steps forward and bows.

"Jacob Cortland, your Majesty. I am given to understand that I am a Toreador of the 10th generation. My sire is, well... I knew my sire as Annie. From Miami. She has broken from The Camarilla and is enjoying the anarchy of Florida. I am afraid my education is sorely lacking. I am hoping that I may be found useful and thus prove my worth to enter the society that she has scorned. I am at your service in whatever manner you deem best."

[Detritus]

Rebekka simply looks at you for a long moment, and squints slightly in the middle of her period of scrutiny.

"You are 10th generation, of that we are certain," the Prince says. "More we cannot say, though it is true that the Anarchs are still part of the Camarilla, whether they wish it or not. Fear not any neglect your Sire has burdened you with. Your education will be swift, for we are in the midst of momentous events that have shaken the city to its very foundations."

A brief pause, and then:

"Jacob Cortland, Toreador of the 10th Generation, do you affirm your commitment to uphold the Traditions that have been a part of our sect since its inception, to the utmost of your ability?"

[Chimaera]

"Jacob Cortland, Toreador of the 10th Generation, do you affirm your commitment to uphold the Traditions that have been a part of our sect since its inception, to the utmost of your ability?"

Jacob bows again, deeper this time.

"I do so affirm, Majesty."

He stands straight again.

[Detritus]

"Then let all present bear witness to the acceptance and admittance of Jacob Cortland, childe of Annie, Toreador of the 10th generation, as a member of good standing within the Camarilla. Welcome to New Orleans," Rebekka says, and she finally cracks a hint of a smile. "Be glad that Kindred cannot drown."

[Chimaera]

"Heh. Thank you, Majesty."

Jacob steps back again.

[Detritus]

Rebekka nods as you back away. When Jake has melded back into the main group of Kindred, Bonnie speaks up.

"We've had some of the story of the appearance of Rosalyn from François, but there were certain questions that he felt were better addressed by those... higher in the chain of command. He claims that Rosalyn has a twin sister, for instance."

"As you no doubt suspect, Seneschal, the sister in question is Sidana, Gwynnis's eldest childe, and like in physical form to Rosalyn. Or perhaps it would be better to say that Rosalyn is like in form to Sidana, who is much the elder. Though Sidana fell in Detroit over two decades ago, she did not perish, and was instead turned to the Sabbat.

"What happened next is not exactly clear, but somehow, Sidana's being fractured in two, during the Sabbat ritual that turned her to their side. Part of that being managed to escape the bodily constraints of the material world, and it is that part that inhabits the body of the flesh of Jocelin Danis. Her being remains intact, but lies dormant, and will remain so until Rosalyn and Sidana are reunited."

"Sidana did always claim to have fey blood, but I never believed it," Bonnie says. "But maybe that somehow ties in to this, this fracture you speak of."

"Perhaps," Rebekka says, "there are many rumors that tie her sire to the fey, at least. It may be the case that some of that was transmitted. I have never seen any evidence for it in Anneke, however."

"I've never felt any evidence of it in myself," Bonnie says in a dry voice, favoring Rosalyn with a wry look as she speaks. "But, there must be some explanation for it, even if no one here can explain it. Fey blood is as good an explanation as any, I suppose."

There is a lull in the conversation that Camille breaks.

"You said something about reuniting Rosalyn and Sidana, my Prince. I'm not sure I follow how that will be done."

"It will require capturing Sidana, to begin with. If it can be done, then Gwynnis possesses certain items that will facilitate the re-integration of Sidana's fractured soul. When that occurs, Jocelin will reawaken, and her flesh will return to its original form."

"These items," Bonnie says, "Gwynnis could not have known of the need for them beforehand. She was as convinced of Sidana's destruction as anyone else. How did she come by them?"

"Again, you must already suspect the answer, and that suspicion is correct. More I will not say in open council unless the Justicar authorizes the release of the specifics. I may say that in addition to encountering Jocelin in the Deep Umbra, those on the rescue mission also encountered Sidana, and other entities besides, one of whom has the wherewithal to make such items at need."

"Very well," replies Bonnie, "but that just increases my desire to speak with Gwynnis as soon as possible." Inhaling deeply and slowly letting out her breath, she then says, "It will be difficult to capture Sidana. She was very good. Will Gwynnis be taking the field for this?"

"Eventually she may, but not at first. There is another matter, even more important than the restoration of her eldest childe, that she has prioritized right now. That is not to say that the Seneschal's point about the difficulties surrounding any attempt to capture Sidana is false, however."

The Prince closes her eyes for a moment, apparently deep in recollection, before continuing.

"My first assignment away from Vienna was the Chantry in Paris. I arrived there towards the end of the Thirty Years' War, only weeks before Cardinal Richelieu died.

"It was there that I first met Sidana. She sat on the Primogen Council, the most senior of the Toreador in the city save for the Prince, and her Sire. Her Embrace lay five centuries and more in the past then, and she had held her seat on the Council for just over a century.

"She was already a highly accomplished Kindred then, and grew even more so. She it was who accompanied Gwynnis, who had just been named Toreador Justicar for the first time, and Councilor Meerlinda to the British Isles, in order to bring those lands once and for all under the umbrella of the Camarilla. It took nearly the remainder of the 17th century to accomplish this, and Gwynnis served four 13-year terms as Toreador Justicar before finally relinquishing the post, her work in the Isles completed.

"All three dwelt in London for a time, and I was honored when the Councilor personally requested me to serve in the Chantry there at the turn of the 18th century. Sidana finally returned to Paris after the events of Bastille Day, and by the time that Napoleon had finished his ascent to power, she had regained her seat on the Primogen Council. That time, she held that seat through the 19th century and into the start of the Great War, and then ruled as Prince first in Marseilles, and then in Boston, during the 20th century.

"Shortly into her second stint as Toreador Justicar, Gwynnis tapped Sidana to be the chief of her archons. She and Anneke were there when the Sabbat uprising in Detroit took place in 1984. Sidana eventually fell, and Anneke barely escaped with her life."

"From her report," Bonnie says, "the two of them managed nearly 50 confirmed kills, and Anneke claims that for every one of hers, Sidana had three."

"That does not surprise me," Rebekka says, "she was in many ways her sire's childe, except that her chosen weapon was the spear, not the sword. And it is a most lethal weapon in her hands, make no mistake. Sidana, at least, had the strength to drive both point and haft through the sternum, though her physical stature was no more than you see for Rosalyn."

The Prince turns to Rosalyn and asks, "How much do you remember, of the council chamber and campaigns in the field?"

((EDIT -- In general terms, Rosalyn remembers everything that Rebekka and Bonnie said in this little history lesson, though details are blurry at best. She would also guess that she retains much, but not all, of Sidana's skill with the spear, though the strategic and tactical know-how would have to be considered pretty rusty for her.))

[Brother Brian]

"Well that explains my sire's presence..." Francois mubles to himself.

[Detritus]

The Prince turns to Rosalyn and asks, "How much do you remember, of the council chamber and campaigns in the field?"

((EDIT -- In general terms, Rosalyn remembers everything that Rebekka and Bonnie said in this little history lesson, though details are blurry at best. She would also guess that she retains much, but not all, of Sidana's skill with the spear, though her strategic and tactical know-how would have to be considered pretty rusty right now.))
Since it was at the end of a long post, I'll highlight the Prince's question to Rosalyn. The discussion won't proceed until she gives an answer.

[Kalzazz]

"The general picture I recall. To call the details blurry would be generous"

"I believe my skill with a spear is close to what it was, but in tactics and strategy . . . not as much. Also, it cant be said what my other half has picked up from her new compatriots in the past score plus years"

[Brother Brian]

Turning to the Prince, Francois asks, "So what are our stratagies from here? If I might suggest, the new developments might influence other plans, and a council might be in order."

[Detritus]

Turning to the Prince, Francois asks, "So what are our stratagies from here? If I might suggest, the new developments might influence other plans, and a council might be in order."
"Yes, I will want the agents we have in the field to return here so that we might reevaluate our plans in light of the latest developments. The effort to capture Sidana will be a risky venture, but a restored Sidana could well be an ally of inestimable value, especially if she is deep in the counsels of the Sabbat forces arrayed against us.

"We will convene in one hour (OOC -- at 2 am). In the meantime, you will have your meeting with the Justicar, Seneschal, I will take you to her myself. Also, now that he is here, Zack North will be the Gangrel Primogen, and Camille Devereux will be his assistant, for as long as it is deemed necessary to maintain a War Cabinet as the New Orleans Primogen Council. Please answer any questions he has. Seneschal?"

Rebekka and Bonnie leave the parlor. Zack watches them appreciatively as they go, and Camille cuffs him on the arm.

"They're very well set-up women," he says, "but, there is serious business at hand. So. If Sidana is as high in the Sabbat command structure as the Prince hopes, she won't be alone. What sort of firepower can we bring to bear on the situation?"

[Kalzazz]

"On the topic of firepower, I myself would feel better off could a spear be located"

[Brother Brian]

Being back in his body, Francois realizes that he is once again armed for bear, with his assualt rifle, desert eagles, and rapier.

With a wry smile Francois replies to Zack, "you mean apart from a righteous cause?"

[Detritus]

"Hmm," Zack says, "and what's the extent of our well regulated Militia? Can we equip those who want to join with enough Arms to keep and bear, should it come to that? When it comes time, we may need everything we can throw at the Sabbat and more."

[Brother Brian]

Francois considers it. "I'm likely not the best to ask, as I've been a resident here for all of 2 nights, but it may be problematic to aquire firearms. The usual source got himself blown up, and is currently resting comfortably in the hospital."

[Detritus]

"Mr. Johnson's connection with the National Guard here died with him, I'd guess," says Kallista, "so that's out, unless one of my brood mates has that info."

[Chimaera]

Jacob coughs gently.

"Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but you're looking for a source for weapons? As it happens, I believe I might be able to be of some assistance in that regard."

[Brother Brian]

Don't stand on formality my friend. What help can you offer?

[Chimaera]

"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, I can help us get guns. If you give me an idea of what we want, say, in terms of how many people we're arming and with what and I can get a quote."

[Detritus]

"You're one of the first to arrive since Al took shrapnel wounds," Camille says. "That happened the last time some of us went shopping at his store. We should be able to get a better idea of who needs what at tonight's council."

"Not to mention, guns are nice, but we may need to make an even more forceful statement," says Zack. "I hope those field agents are gathering useful intel for tonight's meeting."

Camille's phone then rings, and she excuses herself to take the call, returning after a couple of minutes.

"That was Sabine," she says. "She told me that Al just died." Her eyes swing over to Leo, and there's a hint of accusation in them.

"It looks like you won't have much competition for sales in the immediate term," Camille says to Jake.

[Kalzazz]

"Do your contacts extend to spears as well?"

[Detritus]

"Do your contacts extend to spears as well?"
Sarah interjects the following, somewhat timidly:

"You might have better luck asking your Sire, or one of the elder Tremere. The Justicar and the Councilor, they've... done things to Jocelin's sword, using the Justicar's sword as some sort of focus. A curious object." The diffidence in Sarah's voice never changes, but her eyes assume an auger-sharp look for an instant. "They may even be able to turn Jocelin's katana into a spear for a time, somehow."

[Kalzazz]

"Ah, she suggested St Anthony was responsible, but you present an excellent alternative hypothesis"

Rosalyn studies the blade a bit, "It is very definitely a peculiar choice of weaponry, yet her skill with it was not trivial"

[Detritus]

Sarah's brow furrows for a moment.

"I believe I understand about Jocelin's weapon," she finally replies.

((Everyone who came back from the rescue mission for Jocelin understands what Sarah is talking about here. You know that she knows, and she probably knows that you know that she knows, and so on.))

[Huxley]

Leo frowns a bit upon hearing about Al's death.

Though, honestly, better for him to be dead and there than dead and here... at least for him.


"Did she mention how he died?"

[Detritus]

"As might have been expected, the initial ER treatment didn't get all the shrapnel. Al woke up for a bit but then a fragment nicked an artery, and he bled out. Unfortunate, and all the more so because I think it was preventable, based on the accounts I've heard."

[Huxley]

"If you enjoy making habit of breaking tradition, then preventable is an apt description"

[Detritus]

"One can receive dispensation for such things in an emergency, especially when one is already an archon." Zack turns to Camille.

"Then you would sacrifice the Traditions for expediency?"

"I wasn't there, but it sounded like the Sheriff felt the situation warranted it, Sire. Archons do still speak and act with the authority of their Justicars, do they not? The Traditions do permit Justicars and their agents to create childer as need arises in the field, do they not? Whatever other duties the Sheriff has, she's still one of Gwynnis's agents."

"The Justicars, yes," replies Zack. "The archons... Technically, that's a yes, too, I suppose, or at least an archon can't get a blood hunt called down on his head, not even for a Masquerade breach, but in practice, it can be tricky. The Prince is a lot more likely to call out an archon abusing their status, especially if the Justicar isn't in town."

"Again, I wasn't there, but I don't think this would have been considered an abuse, not even remotely, and the decision was not made lightly. Quickly, yes, but not lightly. The Sheriff knew we had already lost one arms connection. We had no idea where we might have gotten another on short notice if we would have lost Al, with the Sabbat massing on our doorstep, and it's only the greatest good fortune that someone has arrived so soon to fill that void. I'm sure Rebekka will be very pleased to learn of Jake's connections, but I also don't think she would have so much as batted an eyelash if Dee Dee had come here and presented Al as her childe, if she would have explained the circumstances as they occurred in the field."

Camille then turns to Leo and says, "Frankly, I think you're lucky that Dee Dee didn't strike you down on the spot and then proceed with Al's Embrace."

[Brother Brian]

Francois' tone is pained.

"Surprised? What surprises me is that with all that is going on, you two would prefer to chew on the past than feast upon the future."

[Detritus]

"Done is done, certainly," Zack says, "but it seems like we have a little time to chew the fat. It can be useful to hash things out while it's relatively calm. I think we'd all agree that learning from mistakes is a good thing, but that doesn't happen until we figure out whether we made a mistake in the first place. And I'm pretty sure one of them is wrong."

Zack waves an arm between Leo and Camille, and Kallista says, "At least one," which elicits a dirty look from Camille, though she subsides at a look from Zack that is highly reminiscent of the one she gave to Antoinette at the end of her outburst a few minutes ago.

"At least one," Zack says, "and maybe both. At the very least, it's a good case study for those still finding their way in the workings of polite Kindred society."

Zack gives Jake a knowing look and the Kindred unfamiliar to him a more speculative one.

[Kalzazz]

"For archons, they not only have to consider the Prince, but also, they are directly linked to their Justicar as well . . . making a Justicar look bad is soundly ill advised. I do not know of this Al, but, if Dee Dee were willing to embrace him, with all the scrutiny attendant to these circumstances . . . then I suspect she considered it quite defensible"

[Chimaera]

Zack gives Jake a knowing look and the Kindred unfamiliar to him a more speculative one.

Jake quirks a quick, lopsided grin at Zack, taps the side of his nose, and continues to listen.

[Huxley]

Leo is thoughtful for a moment and then continues in a calmer, less disdainful voice than before: "The traditions are for everyone, not just those who are confined to city-wide politics. The term "Elder" is purposefully ambiguous to prevent social evolutions within kindred society from violating the spirit of the tradition. In this case, that requires permission from one's elder. The decision may not have been lightly made -- that itself is irrelevant -- what is relevant is the tradition at hand and the action we took"

[Brother Brian]

Francois gives Zach a scornful look.

"It may well be as you say Leo. However, I have been in the service of elders including kings for all my life. My authority, what little I may have had, was there's. Yet, I do not believe any of them hired me for my arm, nor my legs, nor my back. Indeed it was my ability to make good decisions, to exercise their power justly, which showed my mettle."

[Huxley]

"Surely your decisions, more often than not, lay outside the realm of breaking tradition -- I would go so far as to say that a good leader decides to not do so. If the legal argument seems lacking, there was also a practical side to my pressing. In this specific case, the man was also likely to be a liability to our cause, or at least so I thought: As capable a mortal may be, being turned kindred in order to preserve a weapons connection before a man dies is far from safe protocol. Without any priming for our ways before being turned, the man was just as likely to join the Sabbat as help us, and it would have taken us time to help him adjust to kindred life -- and not just kindred life, but kindred life before a major battle with a sect he would just be learning about. There is wisdom in meditating about such decisions... one must not let the passions rule them"

((Or: If you wait until marriage, it'll feel better! :D))

[Brother Brian]

"The general who commands his army as did his predecessors loses the war Leo." Francois responds. "I am not second guessing the importance of the traditions; but rather saying that those empowered by the prince may find a time in which technical violations which do not breach the spirit of the tradition, must be considered. The purpose of the tradition is to prevent an overabundance of kindred beyond an area's ability to support them without risking the masquerade. Thus, the question to be answered by the Prince's soldiers was "Would the Prince find this man worthy of embrace?"

As for your questioning Al's worthiness, or lack thereof, had our new friend," Francois motions at Jake, "not made a timely arrival, I believe Al's worth would be proven by his absense."

Pausing briefly for effect, Francois sighs. "As for being ruled by passion, there is a danger just as great to let complacency into your heart, to exist solely by the plans written by someone else. We feel so little of it anyway, let not the flame die completely."

[Detritus]

"Was there any evidence that the Sheriff was going to conceal the fact of Al's Embrace from the Prince?" Zack asks. "I understand there were a number of Kindred present, even beyond you and François. Were you all sworn to secrecy? If not, then Al does get presented before the Prince, and she still would have had the right to destroy the Kindred Al, or, more likely, to insist that the Sheriff do it."

"My understanding is that there was a brief but rather spirited discussion on the matter in the gun shop, and that no mention of concealment was made during that little chat," says Camille.

[Brother Brian]

"That is most accurate", Francois responds. "While a violation of the letter of the traditions was discussed, at no time did I have any reason to believe that any person involved in the discussion intended to act outside the best interest of the Camarilla. No secrecy was asked for, instead things were refreshingly played above the board."

[Huxley]

"Then you and I disagree on the spirit of the tradition, I would venture, as well as the end purpose -- though I agree that what you state is certainly a part of that tradition -- and that skirting the traditions and passions is not a wise path, but a path to the beast"

Leo holds his chin contemplatively.

"Mayhap I supposed too much of the mortal than I already knew when I state my worry for him -- there was certainly no oaths of secrecy or anything of that sort. Perhaps it was impractical, but I still stand by the tradition itself; as you mentioned", motioning to Zack, "a little wrong on both sides"

[Brother Brian]

"My concern, friend Leo, is that when the time comes for decisive action, will you meditate on Caine's will, or will you act?"

[Huxley]

A vague smile crosses Leo's cracked lips, "I think even in this I acted. Had I not, the embrace would have occurred. The same happened in the Umbra -- whilst I should have realized how Jocelin would act before disrupting the enemy, I still acted against our foes. You have no reason to worry on whether or not I will act, I can assure you on that"

[Brother Brian]

A vague smile crosses Leo's cracked lips, "I think even in this I acted. Had I not, the embrace would have occurred. The same happened in the Umbra -- whilst I should have realized how Jocelin would act before disrupting the enemy, I still acted against our foes. You have no reason to worry on whether or not I will act, I can assure you on that"

"When the charted course is clearly laid out? Of course. But when the course is muddled? If the only way to survive is to destroy your foe, and if you have not explicit permission to do so?"

[Huxley]

"When the charted course is clearly laid out? Of course. But when the course is muddled? If the only way to survive is to destroy your foe, and if you have not explicit permission to do so?"

"Surely"

(short response filler)

[Detritus]

Based on the brevity of the last reply, I'm going to call this thread a wrap. It'll just be easier this way. I'll be editing the new IC thread to reflect this, too.