No one to tell you how (pre-dawn Wed. 4/4/07)

[Detritus]

I'm not exactly sure how y'all want to proceed at this point. Roughly speaking, who, what, and why have been worked out for capturing Sidana. Where, when, and how still need some work. It's a pretty intricate operation as things now stand.

Rebekka will announce that the new Tremere Regent for New Orleans, one Col. Leighton Beaumont, is en route, and should be arriving to the city within the hour. Meerlinda also has a warning that I was intending to post in the previous IC thread, but that's just not the way things flowed towards the end there.

If you want to hash things out some OOC in terms of who needs what where before we proceed, feel free to do so here, before the IC interaction picks up again. Several of the elders are going to go off to do their own thing as well, although it will be in connection with the Councilor's warning.

[Detritus]

Just as the meeting seems to lose a bit of steam, Meerlinda gets everyone's attention.

"There is one last factor to consider, someone we encountered during the rescue mission on the Second Road. He is called Goratrix, and once sat on the Council of Seven, as I have since its inception. For some time now, he has been a high-ranking member of the Sabbat, and heads those few of the Tremere who have defected from the ranks of the clan, as well as those such blood traitors sire.

"There was a pitched battle on the Second Road, upon the very slopes of Glastonbury Tor. The Justicar managed to expel Goratrix from the Umbra, and thus repel his assault, but took grievous damage in her own right, injuries that could only be mended through the intercession of a power greater than any present in this room.

"This one time, I will show you the weapon that Goratrix used, that you may recognize the signs. It is called blackfire, and presents no little peril to any who dare wield it. It is most lethal to those careless or unfortunate enough to be struck by it."

Meerlinda gives instructions for a large piece of furniture to be brought into the parlor, and walks off a circle that everyone else in the room must be outside of for the demonstration. After a couple of minutes a sofa is brought into the room. The Councilor peers at it, arms at her sides, and then it begins to float, and rotates until it is vertical.

Then the Councilor closes her eyes, and begins to raise her arms, and as she does she lifts into the air herself. She stops rising when her arms are stretched directly outwards, and her feet are perhaps two feet off the ground. A darkness begins to outline her body. It intensifies into a midnight blackness and then flares outward for a second, maintaining its darkness as it expands. Where the dark aura contacts the sofa, the furniture disintegrates, leaving nothing but fine dust, and very little of that, and a faint whiff of sulfur.

Meerlinda then lowers her arms, and begins to descend. There are patches of black char visible on her hands, arms, and face. Her legs give out for a moment when her feet touch the floor. Rebekka rushes from the circle of observers to catch her and lower her gently to the floor, and Anneke leads her sire to the Councilor's side.

"I believe I can pick up the discussion from here," Gwynnis says. "If you see Goratrix, don't get too close to him. He will be wearing a black hooded cloak, and the hood will most likely be covering his eyes. He is similar in build and stature to Wynn, although a couple of inches shorter. When the Councilor is feeling up to it, we will attempt to determine if he is in New Orleans for sure, though there is little doubt in my mind that it is so. We will also try to figure out why he is here.

"While the weapon is dangerous, it cannot be used frivolously, as you can see from the Councilor's brief usage. Goratrix is somewhat hardier, unfortunately, but he will not have that much more time in which to deploy blackfire. If you do attempt to engage him, do so in terrain that permits hit-and-run tactics, or where ranged firepower can be brought to bear on him. I suspect .50-caliber fire will get even his attention, should it come to that." The Justicar surveys the room from behind her sunglasses before continuing.

"We all have much to do, and the clock is ticking." Rebekka murmurs to the Councilor, who nods her head, and then the Prince stands and makes a lifting motion. Meerlinda floats off the ground, and Rebekka guides her up the stairs. Anneke follows the Tremere without a word, leading her sire to join the Tremere upstairs.

[Detritus]

After watching the procession upstairs for a moment, the Sheriff turns back into the parlor.

"And they say the Toreador are a bunch of showoffs. Was that really necessary?"

"Perhaps the Councilor felt a demonstration was the only thing that would truly drive her point home," answers Muaziz.

"Mmmm, maybe. Anyways, that trick is probably of limited use to protect someone."

"We would have to proceed with caution if Goratrix and Sidana are together, nonetheless. He might sacrifice Sidana if it furthers his own goals."

"Would he?" Dee Dee looks back to the stairway for a moment. "I noticed that Meerlinda didn't volunteer to call anyone. Surely she must have that ability, somehow, even if it wasn't through Presence. I assume she's saving herself for a confrontation with Goratrix, then?" Muaziz nods in affirmation.

"OK, so treat this Goratrix as armed and extremely dangerous," the Sheriff says. "In the meantime, we've got a capture operation to plan. We should have a Tremere at every site. You may not be able to counter everything that Goratrix does, but I think it's worth having someone there to point out any magical shenanigans.

"And it looks like we've got some big guns to deploy. It sounded like Rebekka was intending them both to be deployed at the main site. I'm willing to entertain arguments for why one might be sent elsewhere, but I'm inclined to agree with the Prince on this one."

"It would minimize Masquerade issues to keep them both at one site," says Wynn.

[Kalzazz]

"Who among us can use such weaponry?"

[Detritus]

"I guess that's another thing to put on the shopping list," Dee Dee says after a few moments of silence. "*Any* contacts that you might have, or know of from Mr. Johnson, with the National Guard could come in pretty handy," she says to Ramiel and Kallista.

[SD Anderson]

"I believe I can pick up the discussion from here," Gwynnis says. "If you see Goratrix, don't get too close to him. He will be wearing a black hooded cloak, and the hood will most likely be covering his eyes. He is similar in build and stature to Wynn, although a couple of inches shorter. When the Councilor is feeling up to it, we will attempt to determine if he is in New Orleans for sure, though there is little doubt in my mind that it is so. We will also try to figure out why he is here.



"Always wears a hood." Jack says. "Something about his face that reveals what he is? Or is he protecting his eyes from light?"

[Detritus]

((This exchange gets inserted before the elders leave the parlor.))

"Always wears a hood." Jack says. "Something about his face that reveals what he is? Or is he protecting his eyes from light?"
"I don't recall saying 'always'," replies the Justicar. "Of course, I've only ever seen him a few times, and never his whole face. One does hear rumors."

"I suspect he does it to best avail himself of his Second Sight, which he is said to use quite frequently," says Rebekka. "He was already a renegade at the time of my Embrace. I have never had the misfortune of meeting him."

"Perhaps when the Councilor is in better condition, she can supply a description of his face. In case it comes up."

[Brother Brian]

Francois speaks up.

"While it is useful to know that our enemy has such powerful options available to them, and we shall use the", here Francois pauses, clearly in agreement witht he Sherrif about the overt dramatization, "demostration in calculating strategy."

Francois produces a map (http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS340US340&q=new+orleans&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+LA&gl=us&ei=XlceS_3PK8uWlAfTq43-Cw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ8gEwAA) of the area.

"I would think that we would like to move outside of New Orleans proper, to reduce the chance of mortal presence. Further, we need to ensure that no two summoning spots are located so closely that should one of our groups be dispatched, the Sabbat member can bring aid to any of their compatriots."

Pointing to a large green section of map, Francois states "It appears a game preserve has been created in this area. It seems ideal to me for a group containing one or more Gangrel. To the west, there is Bayou Gauche, which would require a round about route back to the city. In the industrial district there are a number of spaces currently unused due to the recent disaster. It would be my recommndation that the heavy artillary being brought in be put to use far away from mortals."

[Detritus]

Francois speaks up.

"While it is useful to know that our enemy has such powerful options available to them, and we shall use the", here Francois pauses, clearly in agreement witht he Sherrif about the overt dramatization, "demostration in calculating strategy."

Francois produces a map (http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS340US340&q=new+orleans&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+LA&gl=us&ei=XlceS_3PK8uWlAfTq43-Cw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ8gEwAA) of the area.

"I would think that we would like to move outside of New Orleans proper, to reduce the chance of mortal presence. Further, we need to ensure that no two summoning spots are located so closely that should one of our groups be dispatched, the Sabbat member can bring aid to any of their compatriots."

Pointing to a large green section of map, Francois states "It appears a game preserve has been created in this area. It seems ideal to me for a group containing one or more Gangrel. To the west, there is Bayou Gauche, which would require a round about route back to the city. In the industrial district there are a number of spaces currently unused due to the recent disaster. It would be my recommndation that the heavy artillary being brought in be put to use far away from mortals."
"OK, that's not bad for starters," says Dee Dee, peering at François's map. "What's the local Garou situation like? They can be kind of touchy about Kindred encroaching in the wilds."

"The game preserve could be a bit tricky," replies Roman. "The Bayou less so, and I don't think any action in the industrial zones would raise their ire."

"If they were made to realize that we have some likelihood of battling Black Spiral Dancers as well, they may be more amenable to an isolated dispensation," says Wynn.

"Yeah, that's a good point. Would you be willing to go with Roman to speak with the Garou?"

"Of course," replies Wynn. "We should go now."

"Yeah. It's best if you guys were off to check on Mr. Johnson's National Guard contacts, too," Dee Dee says to Ramiel and Kallista.

"We'll need to check out all the different sites, too. Anyone have any preferences as to where their particular engagement takes place?"

[SD Anderson]

"OK, that's not bad for starters," says Dee Dee, peering at François's map. "What's the local Garou situation like? They can be kind of touchy about Kindred encroaching in the wilds."

"The game preserve could be a bit tricky," replies Roman. "The Bayou less so, and I don't think any action in the industrial zones would raise their ire."

"If they were made to realize that we have some likelihood of battling Black Spiral Dancers as well, they may be more amenable to an isolated dispensation," says Wynn.

"Yeah, that's a good point. Would you be willing to go with Roman to speak with the Garou?"

"Of course," replies Wynn. "We should go now."

"Yeah. It's best if you guys were off to check on Mr. Johnson's National Guard contacts, too," Dee Dee says to Ramiel and Kallista.

"We'll need to check out all the different sites, too. Anyone have any preferences as to where their particular engagement takes place?"

"You guys need some back up when you go see the Wolfen brotherhood" Jack asks.

[Detritus]

"You guys need some back up when you go see the Wolfen brotherhood" Jack asks.
"It couldn't hurt," says Roman.

"One more should be fine," says Wynn, "but we probably don't want to bring too many more of us along. The idea here is still to talk, not to threaten."

"OK, let's call it the three of you as the embassy to the Garou, then," says Dee Dee. "Get as good of a look as you can at the place."

[SD Anderson]

"Do we have any photographs of the Garou that are with Drake and company? If we want to convince the local were populace to side with us, it'd help if we could back up our claims about the Dancers."

[Huxley]

"As we are not taking the machine guns, the City Park might be the better location for cover from mortal sight"

[Detritus]

"Do we have any photographs of the Garou that are with Drake and company? If we want to convince the local were populace to side with us, it'd help if we could back up our claims about the Dancers."
"I think the only evidence of a link came in the form of astral encounters," says Dee Dee, giving those of you who were on the rescue mission an inquiring look.

[Brother Brian]

"So far as I am aware that is correct", responds Francois to Dee Dee's look. "I had heard no talk of Loupe Garou involvement prior to the rescue mission."

[Detritus]

"So far as I am aware that is correct", responds Francois to Dee Dee's look. "I had heard no talk of Loupe Garou involvement prior to the rescue mission."
"I've never heard of Samantha having had any dealings with the Lupines," says Camille, to general agreement of the other New Orleans Kindred.

"Maybe someone who was there in the astral plane should go meet with the Garou, too," Dee Dee says.

[Huxley]

"I would be willing to go and describe what I saw -- we certainly saw Garou, amongst other things, in the astral plane -- after which I could leave for the site where we will call Samantha"

[SD Anderson]

"I think they'd prefer something a bit more substative than the testamony of a vampire." Jack says. "Four of the bastards were driving around with Drake. Could they have passed an intersection with a video camera on it?"

[Detritus]

"I think they'd prefer something a bit more substative than the testamony of a vampire." Jack says. "Four of the bastards were driving around with Drake. Could they have passed an intersection with a video camera on it?"
"I don't think the city has traffic cameras right now," says Ramiel.

"Might be something to look into in the future then," replies Dee Dee, "when the new regime is a bit more stabilized."

((Interesting... It looks like the first NOLA traffic cameras started to appear almost exactly one year from the in-game present: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/traffic_cameras_in_no_take_aim.html

Maybe they'll be part of the sweeping reforms rolling through Kindred society here...))

[SD Anderson]

"I don't think the city has traffic cameras right now," says Ramiel.

"Might be something to look into in the future then," replies Dee Dee, "when the new regime is a bit more stabilized."

((Interesting... It looks like the first NOLA traffic cameras started to appear almost exactly one year from the in-game present: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/traffic_cameras_in_no_take_aim.html

Maybe they'll be part of the sweeping reforms rolling through Kindred society here...))


Jack winces forseeing a lot of time consuming work. 'That leaves security cameras for stores and ATMs they may have driven past.'

[Detritus]

Jack winces forseeing a lot of time consuming work. 'That leaves security cameras for stores and ATMs they may have driven past.'
"Man, that is a needle in a haystack," says Dee Dee. "Any takers on that search?"

[SD Anderson]

"It would help if we knew when and where the car was while they were in it." Jack says.

[Detritus]

"It would help if we knew when and where the car was while they were in it." Jack says.
"I never saw them in a car," says Dee Dee. "I didn't see them until this evening, well after Samantha and friends retreated from the warehouse last night."

((Note, it's never been posted anywhere that I'm aware of that there were Garou spotted in a vehicle with Samantha.))

[Kalzazz]

"Could we send someone with a camera to their site?"

"It seems these communicators with built in cameras are quite prevalent" flips open Jocelin's cellphone, "Could not an equally small camera be attached to say a bird under your control Jack?"

[SD Anderson]

"Could we send someone with a camera to their site?"

"It seems these communicators with built in cameras are quite prevalent" flips open Jocelin's cellphone, "Could not an equally small camera be attached to say a bird under your control Jack?"

"Spy store open this late out here?" Jack asks. "Of course this depends on them showing their faces now as opposed to getting their faces recorded earlier."

[Detritus]

"Spy store open this late out here?" Jack asks. "Of course this depends on them showing their faces now as opposed to getting their faces recorded earlier."
"It doesn't seem to me like that much worse of a plan than sifting through God knows how many security feeds," says Dee Dee. "We don't even know where to look, really, much less have a way to get our hands on any of that stuff."

[SD Anderson]

"Do we have any ghouls in place at Homeland Security?" Jack asked. "They may have the ability to check those feeds rather qickly."

[Huxley]

"I am confident that I could acquire security tapes without worry. But, if we are just going to randomly choose stores that seem like they might have footage, and we deem it necessary to have physical evidence before confronting the Garou, I think it would be much more likely to have some in hand if we attempted a reconnaissance mission of our own"

[Detritus]

"Do we have any ghouls in place at Homeland Security?" Jack asked. "They may have the ability to check those feeds rather qickly."
"I might be able to get in touch with someone in Mr. Johnson's network of governmental contacts," says Kallista. "I don't know about Homeland Security, though."

"Mr. Johnson's destruction is becoming damnably inconvenient," Dee Dee says ruefully.

"No doubt that was part of the reason he was targeted," replies Ramiel. Dee Dee nods in agreement.

"Off you go, then," the Sheriff says to Kallista. "The clock's ticking."

"I am confident that I could acquire security tapes without worry. But, if we are just going to randomly choose stores that seem like they might have footage, and we deem it necessary to have physical evidence before confronting the Garou, I think it would be much more likely to have some in hand if we attempted a reconnaissance mission of our own"
"I think it would be a mistake to think of our first meeting with the Garou as a confrontation," says Roman. "We're trying to convince them we have a common opponent."

"Agreed," replies Dee Dee. "There have also been some efforts at scouting the area where Samantha retreated to, but with limited success."

"I'm not convinced that searching for evidence of Black Spiral Dancers in the city proper is really the right way to go about things, anyways," says Roman. "Werewolves are creatures of the wilds, even more so than virtually all Gangrel. The types of places that have security feeds aren't necessarily the types of places where you're even remotely likely to find a werewolf. Even a Black Spiral Dancer, I'm guessing."

"We should also consider that the Garou we contact may already know of the Dancers' existence," says Wynn. "If it's pitched the right way, it might be helpful in achieving our goals."

"When will you know that they know that you know?" asks Sarah. Wynn gives her a curious look when Dee Dee breaks in.

"I think she's saying how do we make it look like it's not a trap, or something like that, if we go talking about things that the Garou wouldn't necessarily expect any of us to know about. Our reputations as manipulators may very well precede us in this matter."

[SD Anderson]

"And the best way to pitch it right is to have evidence. They consider us to be diseased when they're being polite to us. If we make unverifiable claims about Dancers coming to town it just gives their inclination to not deal with us some incentive." Jack notes.

"And if we're trying to get them to work with us, we probably should show them some potential that working with us could be to their advantage. We sure aren't going to get them on trust."

[Huxley]

"And the best way to pitch it right is to have evidence. They consider us to be diseased when they're being polite to us. If we make unverifiable claims about Dancers coming to town it just gives their inclination to not deal with us some incentive." Jack notes.

"And if we're trying to get them to work with us, we probably should show them some potential that working with us could be to their advantage. We sure aren't going to get them on trust."

"No one is denying the convenience physical evidence would provide. I am criticizing the methods of acquiring said evidence, and the practicality of having it in hand within a timely manner"

[Detritus]

"No one is denying the convenience physical evidence would provide. I am criticizing the methods of acquiring said evidence, and the practicality of having it in hand within a timely manner"
"That's a good point, um, lad," Zack says, a hint of question in his voice at that last word. "As I see it, the choices are pretty much we retrieve the evidence, or produce it, and if we can't get it fast enough, we'll have to try our luck going without. And, if the pups are suspicious enough of us, we still might not be able to present the evidence we have."

[Kalzazz]

"If we have say a specific party at this Homeland Security or a specific garou in mind, my sire might be able to make something happen. Do we know of anyone in specific to report to her?"

[Detritus]

"If we have say a specific party at this Homeland Security or a specific garou in mind, my sire might be able to make something happen. Do we know of anyone in specific to report to her?"
Bonnie frowns for a moment, then says, "If we're thinking about the same thing, she'll need more than a name. She has to know where the target is. Of course, if we can produce a name, finding out where they live shouldn't be that much more difficult."

"We don't even have a name right now," says Dee Dee. "I suppose we could have one pretty soon, if one of Mr. Johnson's old contacts pans out."

"No, we don't," replies Bonnie, "but I'm not sure unearthing any of the former Prince's contacts will be of much help, especially if they've undergone any Conditioning, which can hamper subsequent attempts to Dominate an individual by someone other than the original master. I assume that Mr. Johnson did do that to some extent with his key mortal contacts?"

"His style was more Presence than Dominate," replies Ramiel. "However, I think he did have the means to Condition people as well." Bonnie thinks about this for a moment before replying.

"We don't even know if the contacts in question can initiate the sort of search we want. Fortunately, in the method that Rosalyn brought up, we aren't constrained by whom we know beforehand. We're free to pick mortals who have the best chance of completing our request."

"If we can identify and locate them," says Dee Dee. "Will you please bring our Sire back downstairs? Does this place even have the internet?" Dee Dee asks as Bonnie leaves.

"Well, I didn't see any tubes hooked up here, so I don't know," says Sarah. "I can have a quick look around, but... If we're trying to look up home address info for DHS employees, is that the kind of stuff that's even going to be listed?"

"Yeah, I thought of that, too," replies Dee Dee. "We may be poking our noses where we aren't wanted. I guess we'll have to deal with that when we get there."

[Detritus]

After a few minutes, Bonnie returns downstairs, alone.

"Where's Gwynnis?" asks Dee Dee.

"Her Serene Majesty seemed... ill-disposed toward the idea of coming down without a well-defined target to pursue. Her language was quite specific."

"And salty, no doubt," Dee says dryly. "All right, we have enough to do without provoking an audience with the Queen of Swords. We need names and locations ASAP."

"The Justicar did mention something about a family reunion, in the absence of swift progress," Bonnie says, looking squarely at Ramiel.

"Yeah, past time for you to be gone, then," Dee Dee says, "so go." The Sheriff motions toward the parlor's near exit, and Ramiel departs posthaste at the suggestion. Bonnie looks back towards the stairway, her lips pursed, before she speaks again.

"Gwynnis also seemed to be under the impression that the meeting with the Garou would be happening tonight. Had her mood been better suited to a dialog, I would have questioned this point. It is somewhat on the late side to begin an excursion into the deep wilderness and be back to the city before sunrise."

"That's certainly true," Dee Dee begins slowly, "but... when she gets like this, she isn't always the picture of sweet reason. It's probably best if we at least try to arrange a meeting before sunrise."

"And if we can't?" asks Roman.

"Having tried and failed will be a lot better than not trying," replies Dee Dee. "If you're the local point of contact for the Garou, you probably don't want to be seen down here if the Justicar changes her mind and comes downstairs."

A grim look appears on Roman's face, and Camille whispers, "Just go, Roman." He turns to look at her and compresses his lips in exasperation, but finally gives a curt nod and leaves.

"On the matter of dealing with sunrise in the wilds," Wynn says after Roman has left, "there is always the Earth Meld. I presume that Jack and Roman have the ability. You on the other hand..." Wynn trails off with a questioning look at Leo.

[Huxley]

"I do not... however, if the ground is moist enough, and I start a bit earlier, I think I could bury myself without Earth Meld"

(Thoughts: Potence would help with digging into the earth with some appreciable speed. Is that thought off?)

[SD Anderson]

The big problem with Earth Meld is telling the time. It's inconvenient to pop out at noon. Burial actually may let you look at your watch however."

"Play it safe. Pick a spot that should be well shaded."

[Detritus]

The big problem with Earth Meld is telling the time. It's inconvenient to pop out at noon. Burial actually may let you look at your watch however."

"Play it safe. Pick a spot that should be well shaded."
"That's a fair point," Dee Dee says. She rubs quickly back and forth on her forehead with her fingertips and then starts tapping with her middle finger.

"There's that eye you've got, Leo. If it works the way I think, you've got access to Earth Meld through Gwynnis. She's spent a surprisingly large amount of time in the wilderness for one of our clan. Slipped my mind. I've always wondered where she learned it." The Sheriff gives Wynn a speculative look, but it doesn't elicit any reaction of note.

"That still leaves the problem of telling what time it is," Camille says.

"Gangrel elders can sometimes do more than just sink into the earth," Zack says as he turns to face Wynn. "You wouldn't be one such, would you?"

"I am."

"Well, there you go then, problem solved. Give him the watch." Zack gathers his thoughts, then continues, "I wonder if we shouldn't send in a larger reserve. Just in case."

"It's still an embassy," Bonnie replies. "You can only stretch an honor guard to cover so many people, and I would guess that limit is quite small in this case."

"Yeah, I think you're right," says Dee Dee. "Plus, you have to figure the Garou aren't so blind as to miss a few of us hanging back. That'll look bad, and too many of us out in the open might look like a challenge."

"It's possible that even with just four of us, they won't let all of us approach the local leaders," says Wynn.

"Yeah, and we should prioritize the diplomatic chain of command. Roman is the contact, and Leo the eyewitness, so they've got to be at the top of the list." The Sheriff looks back and forth a couple of times between Wynn and Jack.

"Wynn will have to be #3 on the list. You're going to need to be respectful in the presence of the Garou if you get that far," the Sheriff says, rounding to face Jack, "and for God's sake, man, think before you speak. You put your foot in your mouth the way you did with that crap about going after Samantha when we were all planning to capture Sidana, and you might be lucky to only get off with the Garou equivalent of a Prince in the full bloom of her Majesty.

"And it's not just you. Roman is the one arranging this meeting. It might be his ass in a sling, too, or even his before yours, if you put a foot wrong. I don't know, we might even turn them against us with a big enough screw up. You'd best keep all this mind. Alles klar, Leutnant?

[Detritus]

Sarah comes downstairs and enters the parlor.

"There is a computer in a second-floor study that I think has an internet connection, but I can't figure out how to log on. Maybe someone should come up and..."

Sarah trails off uncertainly when the Sheriff doesn't take her eyes from Jack's. Instead, Dee Dee cocks her head towards Jack, and cups a hand around her ear that's closer to him.

"Ich hatte dich nicht gehört, Leutnant," the Sheriff says. She lowers her hand, and three militant strides bring her to well within arm's reach.

"Glaubst du daß ich spreche nur weil Ich mag meine eigene Stimme hören? Gib mir deine Antwort, Herr Leutnant Konstantin. Alles klar?"

[Detritus]

((OK, Jack's been a constipant for long enough, now. Time for him to shit or get knocked off the pot.))

"Das war ein Befehl, Leutnant!" the Sheriff says, jaw clenched and eyes blazing.

"Temper, temper, Sheriff," Bonnie says, but Dee Dee remains unmoved. "Hmm, he doesn't seem to understand," she says into the silence that follows.

"Would you be a dear, Sarah, and fetch the Prince? There may be a point of Kindred law upon which her opinion would be very useful, and carry much weight. Come to think of it, if the Councilor is feeling well enough to be left alone, bring the Justicar and the Marshal downstairs, too."

Bonnie seems to dismiss Sarah from her mind as she turns towards Jack. Sarah begins to follow the Seneschal's instructions, but lingers at the parlor entryway when Bonnie resumes speaking. The Sheriff's eyes remain riveted on Jack.

"I'm not sure why the Sheriff suddenly started in with the German," she says, coming to Dee Dee's side, "but clearly there's more going on here than what appears on the surface. And as for you, you do realize, don't you, that we of the Blood do not turn blue when we hold our breath? I'm not sure what silence gains you here." Bonnie thinks for a moment, then her face lights up with a realization.

"You aren't waiting for a translation, are you? My German's a bit rusty, I have to admit, but I could probably provide one. For a nominal fee, of course, a trifle really. Sixpence, traditionally, if you require a quotation before placing your order."

Sarah's eyes bulge at hearing these words until they look ready to pop out of her head. She bolts out of the parlor and up the stairs, yelling Rebekka's name at the top of her lungs. Sabine and Camille both retreat several steps, and Muaziz steps back a pace or two herself. Erik attempts to make his way closer to Jack, but both Zack and Wynn grab him by a shoulder.

"Haven't either of you an ounce of self-preservation in your bodies?" Zack asks, exasperated. "Give the Sheriff her answer, you nitwit!"

"Hasn't this foolish posturing gone on long enough, on both sides?" asks Wynn.

"We can't very well send someone untrustworthy into a meeting with the Garou," Bonnie replies. "There are those in this room who remember very well what happened the last time an envoy of uncertain temperament attended discussions of a delicate nature. One Justicar is already destroyed; shall we try for a second?" The steel in Bonnie's voice and eyes puts in no uncertain terms what she thinks about this proposal.

"An answer given now," the Seneschal says to Jack, her voice now steel wrapped in silk, "before any... translation services, would incur no costs."

((The door is open for the other PCs to respond as you see fit.))

[Brother Brian]

Francois starts speaking at a normal volume increasing as his agitation becomes more apparent. "In the vernacular of the day, what the FUCK IS HAPPENING!".

He strides towards Jack. "Why are you provoking the Sherrif...no, it matters not."

Francois clenches and relaxes his fists a few times, controlling himself. Turning to Bonnie he says, "Archon, I am not a Gangrel, and I have little knowledge of the loup garou. That said, I have served as a diplomat before, and if my services will be helpful to the Camarilla in this matter, they are available."

[Detritus]

Francois starts speaking at a normal volume increasing as his agitation becomes more apparent. "In the vernacular of the day, what the FUCK IS HAPPENING!".

He strides towards Jack. "Why are you provoking the Sherrif...no, it matters not."

Francois clenches and relaxes his fists a few times, controlling himself. Turning to Bonnie he says, "Archon, I am not a Gangrel, and I have little knowledge of the loup garou. That said, I have served as a diplomat before, and if my services will be helpful to the Camarilla in this matter, they are available."
"I shall keep your offer in mind, Primogen," Bonnie says after a moment's consideration. "It may well come to that, pending the outcome of this little dispute. Which is starting to lose its entertainment value."

The sound of several people descending the stairs is just becoming audible when Bonnie finishes speaking.

[SD Anderson]

"I sprecken no doitch. So what is she saying?" jack says.

[Detritus]

"It seems we'll need your services with the Garou after all, François," Bonnie says, dragging the Sheriff towards those who have just come down the stairs. Everyone is with Sarah -- Rebekka, Gwynnis, Anneke, and even Meerlinda. The Councilor is looking somewhat better, but there are still black char marks on her face.

Once the others get Dee Dee to settle down, they draw off to a more isolated part of the parlor. Dee Dee explains what's going on. At one point, Rebekka and Anneke both give Jack dark looks, and even Meerlinda seems to twitch an eyelid at whatever they all heard. Bonnie puts her hand in her head. Gwynnis laughs, and then turns towards Jack, tapping her fist to her chest, and then makes what looks like a "Heil, Hitler!" salute, of all things. Gwynnis and Meerlinda then put their heads together for a bit.

"Will you please come here, Rosalyn?" Gwynnis asks after conferring with the Councilor.

[Kalzazz]

"Jawohl"

Rosalyn goes over to Gwynnis

[Detritus]

"Jawohl"

Rosalyn goes over to Gwynnis
Gwynnis smirks at the German reply. Rebekka sends Sarah off to do... something, and she leaves the parlor, but not to go upstairs.

"I'm starting to remember some of the reasons I kept you around all these years," the Justicar says, smiling. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you for a bit of your vitae. For medicinal purposes."

[Kalzazz]

"I'd be pleased to provide it"

[Detritus]

When Sarah returns, she has Rebekka's ceremonial dagger. She gives it to the Prince, who gives it to Gwynnis. Rebekka makes motions with her hands that are somewhat reminiscent of a mime pretending to be trapped in a box, and a shimmering wall of... something separates the rest of you from the group of women on the far side of the parlor.

The Justicar nicks Rosalyn's index finger with one of her claws, then wipes a bit of the vitae she squeezes out onto the side dagger's blade, near it tip, before touching a finger to her tongue to close the wound she made. The Councilor then holds up an index finger of her own, and blood starts to dribble down it after a brief glance at Jack. Gwynnis hands Meerlinda the dagger, and she wipes the blood on her finger on the opposite side where Rosalyn's blood already is, also near the tip.

Gwynnis removes her sunglasses to reveal her empty eye sockets, and Meerlinda carefully places the tip of the dagger in the left socket. The Justicar closes her eyelid around the dagger's tip, and Meerlinda extracts the blade, the blood wiping off as she removes it. You watch as Gwynnis heals her eye, the blood seeming to evaporate as the new eye starts out as a bud on her optic nerve before contracting inwards as the orbital muscles begin to appear and anchor themselves to the eye.

((I'll pick this up in the new thread that's about to start.))