Vampire: A City by the Sea

[Charon]

Nicolo looked to the man that hung limply from the device of torture. "You've had him for quite awhile, Florien. I hope you will be done soon, people will be looking for him." Nicolo glanced back to Florien as he said this, then back to the man. "I assume you have a plan for dealing with him after you release him?"

_________________________

Sandor approached one of the gates and was called to a stop by the guards. "What's your business in the city so late, sir?"

_________________________

Ottar was stopped only briefly by the guards, who upon recognizing him let him pass with no more trouble. As he walked along the waterfront, the Einherjar eventually noticed two objects oddly bobbing in the water. Closer looking revealed them to be bodies.

[Comrade Rudolf]

Lyonel followed the directions given, more or less. The route taken seemed chaotic, crossing the street multiple times to stop. He bounced from her right side to her left and once had them freeze in there tracks halfway across a street as a stray dog picked his head up to look at them, only continuing once the dog went back to eating the vomit dinner it had found. Lyonel stopped at a pub, walked in, looked around the room she could see his lips counting silently only to see him frown and promptly walk out.

What seemed like the longest and strangest trip across town in her life finally seemed to be coming to an end as they were approaching her abode.

[LadyTevar]

The small estate was on the right side of the street, fronted by stone walls. The street itself ran east-west, all the houses fronting it obviously belonging to lessor nobility from the care taken with the appearance of the guardian walls and the stone and glass houses behind them. Night-blooming flowers scented the breeze here, wafting over the walls from the small gardens within.

Lydia rang a bell at the gate, and it opened promptly as two young men brought a light and bowed. They spoke in the same Grecian tongue she had, and she took her hand off Lyonel's arm, instantly regaining her carriage of Mistress of House. As one young man went to open the door of the house for them, she spoke to Lyonel and the silent Aziz in Italian. "Please be welcome to my house, gentlemen."

In the light, her garments are revealed. Her dalmatica and stola were of Byzantium style, in plain but well-woven linen. Each was highly decorated with strips of embroidered red and saffron fabric, the tunica's embroidered sleeves peeking underneath the dalmatica's sleeves. Both the dalmatica and stola were beaded with small gilded roundels and squares that flashed in the lantern light. Chips of garnet and polished citrines set in gilt added red and yellow glitter to the stola. Her braids were pulled back from her face and pinned in place with an embroidered cap set with small cabucons of reddish amber and gold set atop the sable hair.

[Cynical Cat]

"I'm a traveller," said Sandor, "come to seek my fortune. Let me in, in the name of God. There are wolves about."

[Comrade Rudolf]

"Your home is beautiful Lady Lydia. I can only hope to find a place in this city that will have half of its beauty in ten years. Perhaps when I do get a place to call my own you would care to share some of your gardeners to help get my grounds up to par."

Seeing her for what seemed like the first time in good light Lyonel was amazed by her outfit. Now that he had time to view the details he was awestruck by it. His own simple yet elegant Italian silk damask robe fell far short of her garments. The tear in her dress with the blood stain were much more noticeable in better light however.

"It seems that the nights activities have left your wardrobe in disrepair. You must get that fixed, I assume you have a quality tailor and have no doubt they shall make it as good as new. Where shall we wait while you change? I would like to see your gardens if that is alright."

[LadyTevar]

"Indeed, m'lord, that would be most pleasing," Lydia replied. A snap of her fingers, and a young woman stepped forward. Like her mistress, she was clad in linen tunica and dalmatica, with dyed silk fabric stripes woven into the linen down front and back of the long dress. In Byzantium, it would have been plain and cheap. In Italian, the silk alone would be costly.

"My maidservant will be here, for anything you might need, wine for your men, a small glass for yourself, if you wish. I will not be long." She left him to enjoy the garden, and to ponder on her seeming wealth that she and her servants could dress so well.

The garden was small, but well-kept. A graveled path walked a figure-8 through it, with a small stone bench in the center. Most of the plants were night-blooming flowers, scenting the air softly amongst the small evergreens that separated the sections. At the back of the garden was the herb patch, the fragrant greenery cut back with use.

[Charon]

The guards looked Sandor over briefly. "Alright, let us have a look at what you've got with you though."

One of the guards reached out and took the satchel from Sandor while the other took a more in depth look at him. The guard who took the satchel took a look inside and saw the coins, among the few other personal items that Sandor had. He pursed his lips for a few moments before handing the satchel back to Sandor. "Alright, in you go."

The gates opened to allow Sandor into the city.

[Comrade Rudolf]

The garden was small, but well-kept. A graveled path walked a figure-8 through it, with a small stone bench in the center. Most of the plants were night-blooming flowers, scenting the air softly amongst the small evergreens that separated the sections. At the back of the garden was the herb patch, the fragrant greenery cut back with use.

The garden was indeed beautiful and Lyonel especially liked the figure-8 but the rest of the garden was horribly out of order. He began turning the stone bench counterclockwise until it was facing the right way. He then began pulling the leaves that were not suppose to be there from the plants. Lyonel took care not to kneel in the dirt and soil his own clothes although it did make his work more difficult. He moved quickly from one plant to the next removing a few leaves from each and in some cases a few blooms. He didn't have a saw to work with the trees, perhaps he could come back with Mendo and then he could fix those as well.

He walked to the bench and sat down and took out the cudgel that he retrieved from the battle. He focused on the item and reached out to touch the owners spirit.

[Comrade Tortoise]

"Yes Nicolo. I have had him for some time. Last night's interruption lengthened that period. As for him, I can wipe his memory or make him my servant. It will not be a problem. He should be released before anyone worth mentioning notices he is gone"

[LadyTevar]

Lydia undressed and washed quickly, handing over her bloodstained and damaged clothing to her maids. The blood would come out with enough washing, the slash from the sword could be covered with more audacious trim to seem just part of the decoration.

When Lydia returned to the garden, the dalmatica and covering stola were trimmed with blue woven strips that ran over her shoulders, down her breasts, and ended in embroidered roundels deplicting waves lapping against shoreline. Real shells and mother-of-pearl studded the patches, adding to the nautical theme from the shades of blue thread against the off-white linen cloth. The hem and sleeves of both the ground-length dalmatica and the shorter stola were woven of silk in the ancient Grecian pattern of repeating waves, while the tunica sleeves peeking at the wrists had a simple blue cording.

As she joined Lionel in the garden, she noticed the marks were the bench had been moved, giving it and Lionel both an odd glance as he studied the club. "Forgive me for my tardiness, m'lord," she said in Italian, giving him a slight curtsy, one between equals. "In the rush, I fear we were not properly introduced. I am the Lady Lydia Nikolakis, lately of Constantinople."

[Charon]

Lyonel brought his own mind into contact with the cudgel, but got little information. A clearer look at the man's face was a start, but it didn't seem that the item and it's owner had a strong bond, and at least for now there was no other useful information.

___________________________

Nicolo nodded. "Good." The Brujah paused for a few seconds, his eyes on the man before he looked back to Florien. "You did well last night in protecting the city, I am certain that was rather unexpected of you by some in court."

[Cynical Cat]

Sandor entered the Genoa's dark streets. This place would be his home and his hunting ground. It was time to learn its streets and hiding spots intimately.

[Comrade Rudolf]

Lyonel brought his own mind into contact with the cudgel, but got little information. A clearer look at the man's face was a start, but it didn't seem that the item and it's owner had a strong bond, and at least for now there was no other useful information.

A Start, perhaps see if others have claimed ownership, more time than he has to devote to it right now...

As she joined Lionel in the garden, she noticed the marks were the bench had been moved, giving it and Lionel both an odd glance as he studied the club. "Forgive me for my tardiness, m'lord," she said in Italian, giving him a slight curtsy, one between equals. "In the rush, I fear we were not properly introduced. I am the Lady Lydia Nikolakis, lately of Constantinople."

He looked up when he heard her voice so close, shocked by her sudden closeness. The cudgel had his sole focus he hadn't noticed her approach. Lyonel smiled outwardly as he noticed her but frowned at himself inside. It was sloppy and sloppy can get you killed. As he continued to look at her his inner frown found his face. ... The blue was all wrong, Lyonel reached out with hand.

... Wait. She is waiting for...

Lyonel snapped his head back and forth a little. Realized that a much to long of a pause has elapsed before begining. "Well Lady Lydia Nikolakis, you catch me at a disadvantage as I am without my manservant Philip who does a most excellent job as my announcer." Lyonel stood up and raised a arm extended palm up.

" I am Lord Lyonel of Serpa, Count of Treffen, Royal Seer to Count of Ortenburg. Grand Thougnat of the City of Brral, ... who Stewards for Lord of Alrnquer." He bow before her acknowledging her bow.

"No wait," he staightened,"I don't have that last one anymore."

"I seem to have misplaced Aziz." *SLOPPY!* The soldier shouting it from inside his soul. Lyonel forced the smile and asked, "I hope you have had better luck than I at keeping track of the Moors position."

"Well, either way, I would like to announce myself to the Prince at their earliest convenience. How is the Sheriff? Is he a bit brutal on the newcomers? Like to avoid those sort." He laughs lightly and with a wave of his hand,"I'll let you lead the way."

[Comrade Tortoise]

"Thank you" said the priest to the older Brujah. "This city is my home, I may not be as skilled in combat as the others, but I have my skills, and archery happens to be one of them. A nobeleman's past time put to good use. I just wish the aftermath had not been so.. explosively violent."

[LadyTevar]

Half of his titles made no sense. Thougnat? what is a thougnat?. Seer, however, made plenty of sense however, far too much considering his actions.

Her hand touched his upraised palm briefly, a courtly gesture as practiced as her smile. "I would be honored to show you the way, Lord Lyonel. I do not know if Prince Maria Chelebi will have a full court tonight. She is of the Lasombra. The sheriff is Lord Alfred, of the Ventrue. We have our own Seer, Demosthenes, an elder of your own clan if I am not mistaken. It was he I was attempting to catch before the ... guards ..." the word was venomous "... attempted to waylay me."

She had yet to reveal her own clan... an oversight honestly, but still. "Aziz will join us when he wills. The Assamites always have their own plans. However, I will be unable to stay long, as I am to meet with the Gangrel on another matter. I fear I am the lesser of Clan Brujah at this time and must run the errands; Nicolo Giustiniani has lived in Genoa far longer."

Lydia was sure gossip would reach Lyonel over her duties with the Gangrel soon enough. "Come, the night is still young," she said, a leasurely wave of her hand suggesting the way out of the garden and onto the streets. "The Prince's hall is not far, merely a few streets away."

[Comrade Rudolf]

Following her wave out, Lyonel escorted Lady Lydia onto the street. "I have never met Demosthenes but have heard old stories about him." Lyonel smiled faintly, "Some say he is quite mad, although they don't usually say it anywhere around him."

"You say you were out following him when I came across you, I wonder if he was around after the battle. When the 'evil' was watching. Perhaps you were not the only thing trying to catch him. Maybe," Lyonel paused raising his extended index finger so it pressed against his lips and the tip of his nose, "he led you to that ambush trying to throw you, or others, off his trail... or it could have been someone Else's guidance or even nothing related. Random chance."

They walked quickly, almost danced, the few streets to the Princes hall.

[LadyTevar]

"Perhaps you may be right," Lydia admitted, leading the boisteruous vampire down the streets, with a few pauses as he absolutely *had* to stop and correct the angle of a chair left outside, or pick up a cobblestone that stood up taller than the others to make it 'right'.

Definately Malkavian. Lydia had to wonder if this was one of the spies who'd entered the town, but something made her think the Evil Eye that had touched them both was more likely.

[Charon]

Sandor walked through the mostly dark streets, people were still out in the streets, finishing the last of their work or carousing, or trying to make their way home quickly. After a few blocks, he came across some of the winding sidestreets that had various uses, both good and ill.

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Lyonel and Lydia's trip to the Prince's home was uneventful. When they reached the large home, one of the Prince's servants was at the door and escorted them inside. The Prince was not present at the moment but Porcelli was. The servant stated that the Prince had been informed of her arrival and would be with them at her earliest convenience. Hugues was talking with Porcelli, and Karaja Pasha was near one of the walls, speaking with the cloaked Harold.

[Cynical Cat]

Sandor slid into the twisting side streets. Here he could find prey and perhaps clues to a better haven as well as the city's vampires.

[Comrade Rudolf]

Lyonel quickly checked everyone's auras to get a basis for the mood of the room, he noted the mystics or magic users in the room. Everyone seemed engrossed in conversation and since he did not know anyone here he addressed the only one he did know, if only slightly.

"Nice decor. Does the Prince often have other business that keeps her away from court?" Lyonel asked, his eyes scanning the room intently. Spying a small table off to the left he walked half-back step towards it keeping his attention mainly on Lydia while continuing to glance around the room. Upon reaching the table, it took Lyonel's eyes from Lydia but not the rest of the room.

"So other than the Gangrel who else can be expected tonight?" he asked louder than he needed to for her to hear him as he crouched down to look across the table. He grasped the table in both arms and pulled it about two feet from the wall.

[LadyTevar]

"The Prince, like many royals, have set times for their Court to convene," Lydia explained patiently, noting who was here and who was not. "When she is not holding Court, this is still a gathering place for us all, simply because it is safe."

She paused, giving Lyonel an odd look as he started rearranging the table. "Why *are* you doing that?"

[Charon]

Lyonel's sweep of the room revealed nothing out of the ordinary, there were no mystics or mages and most seemed fairly relaxed shades.

It was a given that the new face in court was being watched by everyone that was there. When the loud scraping and creaking came from Lyonel's pushing and heaving at the table, everyone was blatantly staring at him, and the person that had brought him with her.

[Comrade Rudolf]

"I apologize if I have disturbed your private business, I am I am Lord Lyonel of Serpa, Count of Treffen, Royal Seer to Count of Ortenburg. Ceremonial headpiece holder of the western cities of the Fatimid Caliphate," with a wiggle of his eyebrows added,"and one time personal bather for the princess of Croatia. I shall be done in a moment, if you don't mind." Lyonel turned the table about seventy degree's out from the wall.

"All done," Lyonel announced as he brushed his hands together and moved back toward Lydia he continued his conversation with her, "It needed moved. A safe place, that is good to know." His eyes catch something over her shoulder and they widen slightly. He turns his head around almost completely and stares. Lyonel raises a finger and begins pointing and counting silently.

[Charon]

Nicolo paused and then shrugged ever so slightly. "It was, perhaps, inevitable. Both parties were stubborn and noble warriors. It was only a matter of time before they clashed again and the stronger one emerged victorious. But there will be more from where he came from. Many vampires are on the move these nights, looking for new hunting ground."

______________________________

Sandor slipped into the side streets, finding little until the smell of blood filled his nostrils. Following the smell led him to find one body that had it's throat slit. It was wearing a similar uniform to the guards that had stopped him at the gates. Sandor could also tell quickly that there was not enough blood here for a slit throat. The smell of blood continued on down the side street until Sandor found another body that had been stabbed through the gut. This one had still had plenty of blood in him when he had been killed, for it was everywhere.

_______________________________

He was insane. That explained a great deal. The younger among those in attendance simply assumed him to be a Malkavian and kept a wary eye on him. The older knew better and kept two eyes on the newcomer, but what conversations there were came back to life, in a sense.

[Cynical Cat]

Other vampires and murders didn't bother Sandor, although the former demanded a certain amount of respect. The continued on his hunt for prey and another haven site.