Re: Welcoming Morrigan, Leaving the Labyrinth and Well Earned Rest IC Thread 53

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Boston, 6.45]

As the car pulled out of the chantry, Serge looked out the car windows to catch a glimpse at the passing outside world. Truthfully it hadn't been to long since he'd been outside of the chantry, though it felt like ages. Now that he was outside of the chantry's protection, doubt started to flood his mind on whether it was in his best interest to be on this mission.

He shook his head on focused on his drawings, trying to distract himself from the negative thoughts as they drove to their destination.

You drove past an elderly woman out walking a little white dog, two young women walking to the bus stop and a man in a suit hurring down the street, the city was waking up to a new day. Your Mentor might tell you that you was included now, that you had a job to do, you had friends now who relied on you and who you could reply on, and she would tell you to be very careful when out on a mission, she would have faith you could do it though.

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

Colin's Post:

'Then we run into the "lack of funds" issue again.' she said simply, rooting around on a counter and retreving a box of instant oatmeal and pulling out a sachet.

Colin's Post:

'Then we hire someone as a manager who could do "both sides" then.' Nicole retorted, tearing the top off the oatmeal. 'Surely there's folks about who know about all this but can't do it. Y'know, like our variant of Kinfolk and shit. But they're fucking ignored 'cos "magickal skill" is seemingly the only fucking thing that matters.' pouring about half of the sashet into the cup and then neatly folding the sashet again.

Colin's Post:

'Just a thought. Another near might already have a facility to do this, which means we should at some point talk about hiring it for some practice.' now holding a packet of whey protein and pulling out a plastic scoop - which was encrusted in creamy powder. 'Eww...' abandoning the scoop on a dirty plate, then carefully putting out the half-smoked cigarette.

Colin's Post:

A little shrug to this, while searching around for another measuring spoon.

Colin's Post:

A moment's silence while Nicole looked at Colin curiously. 'You know about that, I see. Seems their little secret is less secret to us than I suspected, like. All the more reason they should play nice with us.' voice quiet.

'Anyway...' turning back to her task and finding a clean-looking spoon '-you think I'd appeal to their hearts? No. Their pragmatism. That if they simply wash their hands - or paws - of 'em, the news will travel quick amongst the Kinfolk that they mean fuck all to their relatives.' tone making it clear she'd be one of the ones helping the news spread. 'Loyalty...' a pause as she scooped some of the powder and put it in the milk. '-is a two-way street, like. Plus, the fuckers had started testing on Ratkin too. Their lack of giving a shit could have backfired on 'em, bad.' now starting to stir the concoction with the spoon.

'But what is needed is a talk to happen with a rat who has clout. One who can see further than a rat-picture.'

Colin's Post:

'I didn't. I used tape 'cos ties, rope and cuffs cut into skin. I watched for a moment to make sure they could breathe through their nose before moving out. And I left them in a position to avoid choking.' tone somewhat mulish as the Etherite shoved the cup into the microwave and set it to cook. 'What am I supposed to do? Leave a note to the folks running custody on how to do their fucking jobs? Fill in some TPS forms, perhaps?'

Colin's Post:

'Bunch of fucking amateurs...' she muttered, shaking her head, locating a coffee-filter.

[Slight continuity error; it's Sunday, not Monday.]

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

(OOC: So it is and fixed.)

[Warpmind]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

'Then we run into the "lack of funds" issue again.' she said simply, rooting around on a counter and retreving a box of instant oatmeal and pulling out a sachet.

Colin sighed softly, "Yes... we're just not a wealthy Chantry. We don't have large Nodes to generate surplus trade-worthy Tass, most of our members don't have a high income from outside work, and the apprentices, well... child labour laws are a thing, you know. I mean, look at yourself; you're a competent mechanic working in a decent garage, I'd wager you have one of the higher incomes in the Chantry. And it wouldn't be fair to increase the rent burden on you to help cover for the Chantry's expansions and upgrades, would it? We all chip in as we can, but that's more a matter of putting in the work and scrounging for parts than conjuring up bags of cash... and before you ask, no, literally conjuring up money is not a good idea."

'Then we hire someone as a manager who could do "both sides" then.' Nicole retorted, tearing the top off the oatmeal. 'Surely there's folks about who know about all this but can't do it. Y'know, like our variant of Kinfolk and shit. But they're fucking ignored 'cos "magickal skill" is seemingly the only fucking thing that matters.' pouring about half of the sashet into the cup and then neatly folding the sashet again.

He pondered, "True Believers, as they're called, could certainly do it; Beatrice's mother is one, for example. And they are more appreciated than you might think - being aware of the supernatural, but lacking power themselves, they're far more able to go undetected in Sleeper society than we are, if the Union has decided to go out in force... In fact... hm, perhaps Kyle's mother could be persuaded to take the job? Assuming we can come to an agreement on pay... which again comes down to resources."

'Just a thought. Another near might already have a facility to do this, which means we should at some point talk about hiring it for some practice.' now holding a packet of whey protein and pulling out a plastic scoop - which was encrusted in creamy powder. 'Eww...' abandoning the scoop on a dirty plate, then carefully putting out the half-smoked cigarette.

He nodded, "Worth asking around, certainly... but they might ask a steep price, just because they can."

A moment's silence while Nicole looked at Colin curiously. 'You know about that, I see. Seems their little secret is less secret to us than I suspected, like. All the more reason they should play nice with us.' voice quiet.

'Anyway...' turning back to her task and finding a clean-looking spoon '-you think I'd appeal to their hearts? No. Their pragmatism. That if they simply wash their hands - or paws - of 'em, the news will travel quick amongst the Kinfolk that they mean fuck all to their relatives.' tone making it clear she'd be one of the ones helping the news spread. 'Loyalty...' a pause as she scooped some of the powder and put it in the milk. '-is a two-way street, like. Plus, the fuckers had started testing on Ratkin too. Their lack of giving a shit could have backfired on 'em, bad.' now starting to stir the concoction with the spoon.

'But what is needed is a talk to happen with a rat who has clout. One who can see further than a rat-picture.'

He smiled wryly, "Well, now, I happen to have a small advantage in acquiring that information. Some rumours from the Garou regarding the other Changing Folk in general, and Strawberry has little in the way of filters when she gets chatty - she's been over a few times to babysit, you know. Sweet kid, but... well. But you're half right, at least; pointing out to the Ratkin that Jace's goons had been singling them out and trapping them might convince them to come together. But it's a little less certain what they'd do when coming together - having a sudden widespread outbreak of cholera or the bubonic plague would protect Ratkin and their kinfolk, it seems, but it would certainly not be good for Boston."

'I didn't. I used tape 'cos ties, rope and cuffs cut into skin. I watched for a moment to make sure they could breathe through their nose before moving out. And I left them in a position to avoid choking.' tone somewhat mulish as the Etherite shoved the cup into the microwave and set it to cook. 'What am I supposed to do? Leave a note to the folks running custody on how to do their fucking jobs? Fill in some TPS forms, perhaps?'

He nodded, "Well... it seems a reminder to the guards to actually check in on the prisoners at regular intervals would be a good idea. Not sure what The Petersfield School has to do with it, though."

'Bunch of fucking amateurs...' she muttered, shaking her head, locating a coffee-filter.

He sighed, "Yes, that's exactly what we are - when it comes to handling prisoners, to industry, to most practical things, in fact, we're largely a group of amateurs and dilettantes. The one thing we all have in common is an awareness of the underlying fabric of reality that the Sleepers lack, and varying levels of ability to manipulate it. We have a couple of Masters in the Chantry, and one venerable Archmage who will leave us soon, perhaps before the year is up... We have different skill sets - you're a formidable front line combatant, and capable engineer, Adley is an academic to the core, though still a capable warrior - but he's no soldier. Dr. Lee is a physician, who just happens to know some sophisticated martial arts, but he's not primarily someone you want at the front line. Serge is a highly sensitive empath and artist, but unless he can borrow someone's combat experience, he's not going to hit a damn thing with a weapon. Everyone has wildly different abilities here, we're not enough people to have a specialist crew for any one thing like guarding prisoners... so we make do, we take note of where our shortcomings are, and shore up what we can."

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

Colin's Post:

'Which is why we need a proper manager-type. To look at what shit we do have and ways to make them pay more than now; y'know, more proactive than simply doing the "we ain't rich" line you've done just now.' the Etherite replied, pulling out a coffee filter from a packet. 'Like a person who can hawk your "special stuff" in a better way than you alone.'

Colin's Post:

'Chantry can pay them 'bout twenty-one k without even noticing.' Nicole said, as the microwave binged and she pulled out the bowl and put it on the counter. 'As for the rest... I dunno. Some kind of commission system, like? Not sure there's even enough work to make it a full-time job. This idea is just at napkin stage...' now picking up the metal coffee-pot, dumping the filter over the bowl and pouring it in; apparently creating some form of "coffee protein oatmeal".

Colin's Post:

'Ping.' pointing to Colin with her free hand. 'We find shit what other Chantries and Awakened need, and work on providing that. Use profits from that to increase capabilities here.'

Colin's Post:

'What they might have done with like, hindsight irrelevent. What matters is what they do now.' she replied, finishing off draining off the coffee and abandoning the pot and filter. 'We need their assistance in caring for these folks. To show their other Kinfolk they do care, if only a bit.'

Colin's Post:

'This Piece of Shit form. Aka pointless paperwork. Never watched Office Space, I take it...' not even looking at Colin while stirring the concoction with a spoon.

Colin's Post:

'You forgot the relics who don't even see the problem.' Nicole retorted, re-parking her rear on the counter and starting to eat her... meal. 'And if we know this, sure as fucking hell the Union do.' giving up on the spoon and now drinking her breakfast. 'Which begs the question; why are we still here? Wouldn't be that hard to system-atically purge city by city, as most Chantries are blind to the world past the city limits.' the sneer obvious even with a mouthful.

'Having to call in favours to have assistance against an enemy we all share? And getting all pissy and threatening to pull a Cartman 'cos a bit of sass? Do they fucking think Worcester is on a different planet to Boston and is immune, or is this a like, hole in my geography knowledge?'

[Morrigan]

[Boston 6.45]

Morrigan stayed relatively quite on the drive, letting Nicole concentrate on the driving and Serge on his drawings. She was excited to be out on a mission. A little apprehensive about what she might find there. And she pleased to be out and about. She hadn't been to Boston, home in a long time and it was both great to be back and strange to see how much everything had changed.

"How long till we get there?" she asked.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Boston 6.45]

You drove past buildings you knew, some was the same, some had been changed or even thorn down and new buildings having cropped up in their place, for the most part though it was new shops in old buildings through many also remained the same. As the minutes continued to fly by Nicole's car left the city core and drove towards the outskirts, here less things had changed and there was less cars and pepole about during an early Sunday morning, most being home in their beds, though busses stil rans and care still drove around with the residents who had places to be this somewhat gray but not quite raining morning.

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Boston, 6.45]

You drove past an elderly woman out walking a little white dog, two young women walking to the bus stop and a man in a suit hurring down the street, the city was waking up to a new day. Your Mentor might tell you that you was included now, that you had a job to do, you had friends now who relied on you and who you could reply on, and she would tell you to be very careful when out on a mission, she would have faith you could do it though.

Morrigan stayed relatively quite on the drive, letting Nicole concentrate on the driving and Serge on his drawings. She was excited to be out on a mission. A little apprehensive about what she might find there. And she pleased to be out and about. She hadn't been to Boston, home in a long time and it was both great to be back and strange to see how much everything had changed.

"How long till we get there?" she asked.

Serge calmed down as his thoughts flittered to his mentor and what wise words she would've had for him. He hadn't seen her in a while, not since she had left to work on the plan to deal with the Banshee. He made a mental note to go check on her once he had some free time on his hands.

As the car drove, Serge didn't say much as he focused on the drawing. Working off of a reference on his phone to properly depict the hospital. He drew the building more like a haunted house rather than an abandoned medical facility, drawing its surrounding with a notable grimmer tone than how they appeared in public photos. A dark sky above, decaying trees surrounding it, worn down roads and sidewalks, and rusted metal gates around the perimeter.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Boston, 6.45]

Well the hospital did look a bit like haunted house really, buildings tended to quickly look more decrepid once they was abandoned, and with the horrible backstory of the old hospital is was as if the place was beginning to show it's rotten core on the outside so it did not take much immagination on your part to turn it into something even worse on paper, a horrible, scary building that surely contained untold horrors, you managed to draw something that it did not look wise to enter, you drew something that looked like it would eat you whole and spit you out worse for wear or like a place where someone might just go missing...

[Warpmind]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

'Which is why we need a proper manager-type. To look at what shit we do have and ways to make them pay more than now; y'know, more proactive than simply doing the "we ain't rich" line you've done just now.' the Etherite replied, pulling out a coffee filter from a packet. 'Like a person who can hawk your "special stuff" in a better way than you alone.'

Colin nodded thoughtfully, then chuckled, "Well, now, if we get someone to widely advertise my work like that, I might have to take on an apprentice... well, Lady Crexia will be coming in for that for a while next year, but all the same... I'm sure you can relate; too many happy clients, and you might end up with more clients asking for your personal touch than you can fit in your schedule."

'Chantry can pay them 'bout twenty-one k without even noticing.' Nicole said, as the microwave binged and she pulled out the bowl and put it on the counter. 'As for the rest... I dunno. Some kind of commission system, like? Not sure there's even enough work to make it a full-time job. This idea is just at napkin stage...' now picking up the metal coffee-pot, dumping the filter over the bowl and pouring it in; apparently creating some form of "coffee protein oatmeal".

He arched an eyebrow, "I was not aware you had seen that much of the Chantry's financial records... though establishing some long-term investment scheme and having a manager for it would probably pay itself in the long run."

'Ping.' pointing to Colin with her free hand. 'We find shit what other Chantries and Awakened need, and work on providing that. Use profits from that to increase capabilities here.'

He nodded, "There's probably something... the question, then, becomes how to make sure the ones who provide said fertilizer are properly compensated, too. I can't both work full-time running a business and mass-produce lucky charms for the Chantry to sell, for example..."
He paused, "Though, having our resident apprentices help out hand-copy library books for sale might serve as revenue-generating training."

'What they might have done with like, hindsight irrelevent. What matters is what they do now.' she replied, finishing off draining off the coffee and abandoning the pot and filter. 'We need their assistance in caring for these folks. To show their other Kinfolk they do care, if only a bit.'

He frowned, "Then I must ask, would said caring be deceptive, or genuine in its miniscule amount? Because if they only pretend to give a toss, that might well backfire."

'This Piece of Shit form. Aka pointless paperwork. Never watched Office Space, I take it...' not even looking at Colin while stirring the concoction with a spoon.

He smirked, "Well... Ah, that reminds me, I seem to be missing a stapler. It's red..."

'You forgot the relics who don't even see the problem.' Nicole retorted, re-parking her rear on the counter and starting to eat her... meal. 'And if we know this, sure as fucking hell the Union do.' giving up on the spoon and now drinking her breakfast. 'Which begs the question; why are we still here? Wouldn't be that hard to system-atically purge city by city, as most Chantries are blind to the world past the city limits.' the sneer obvious even with a mouthful.

'Having to call in favours to have assistance against an enemy we all share? And getting all pissy and threatening to pull a Cartman 'cos a bit of sass? Do they fucking think Worcester is on a different planet to Boston and is immune, or is this a like, hole in my geography knowledge?'

He sighed, "The Union... generally won't assault Chantries directly, under the practical terms of the unofficial stalemate. Oh, they want us all dead and gone, don't doubt that, but if they start assaulting Chantries, we'll respond with 'well, sod Paradox', and start pulling stunts that will be blatantly and undeniably supernatural, and while it will kill us on the small scale, it will make the Union's stranglehold on Reality somewhat less dependable. It's a mess of a MAD situation. As for seeming fair-weather friends, they defend their own Chantrymates first, and allies second, and in this case, their Chantrymate was fishing for offense. Not much we can do about that until the trial commences, and the truth is laid bare."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

The strategy briefing for the mission to Seattle was held in Steelhaven's common room, the Council Chambers really was to small and cramped for it but Helena had gotten the white board from the Council room and set it up by the coffee stand in the common room and she and Jeffry stood discussing something as pepole milled into the room. Ryan was there as well as Bruce, Henrietta and all three of the Chantry's Euthanatoi, everyone looked tired but at least they was less worn out than earlier in the day. Hildegard entered the room and sat down as well, probably who would be sent on the mission was not set in strone and the old Chorister was an effective combat mage and she had few qualms about killing vampires then again Ryan's Time magick might be more subtle. There was a constant low chatter in the room as Steelhaven's mages talked amongst themselves about the upcoming mission.

(OOC: I am starting this, Morrigan's player says she might be posting a bit slowly so I am thinking the trip to the old hospital with her, Serge and Nicole can just go in a comfortable pace for everyone and then we have other scenes going at the same time like the briefing scene. The reason Morrigan is nto at the briefing can be explained with her needing to sleep sometime, this way we all get something to do at the pace we can handle.

Warp i can also have future Colin want a chat for a scene for him as well that the tohers are not in if you want more to reply to.)

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Boston, 6.45]

Morrigan's Post:

There wasn't much really for Morrigan to see; not just the time of day, but the fact the Colorado almost immediately crossed the Charles River and headed westwards along Route 20, away from Boston. The large woman handled the wheel with apparent ease, seemingly being one of those people completely comfortable driving.

Morrigan's Post:

'Hmm... 15, max. Not much traffic this time of day.' they said lazily, ficking some cigarette ash out of the window. 'Well, shoot. What questions are bugging ya?'

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

Colin's Post:

A soft laugh at this. 'Oh, I have the unicorn status too; think I got hired part on that basis alone. But I weren't thinking of the y'know normal jobs - but the special ones. We all live off the radar to some extent and trading with each other is one of the best ways to stop the IRS doing a fucking Capone on our asses.'

Colin's Post:

'No, but I know an empty apartment when I see one.' in between mouthfuls of her protein coffee.

Colin's Post:

'Meh, details. That's for them to work out.' giving a wave of her hand. 'What's in demand, what we have and what we can turn a profit on. But I don't believe in the creator getting fuck all for it, mind; work out some revenue-sharing thing. Our time ain't worthless.'

Colin's Post:

'If that pretending to give a toss helps them folks upstairs, I ain't gonna spit on it.' she retorted, draining her mug. 'Anyway, this is beyond my pay-grade. Yours too, I think.' putting down the mug, pulling out the number for "Grandma" and proffering to Colin.

Colin's Post:

'Could be.' retreving her half-smoked cigarette and lighting it. 'But it could also be they lack the resources to pull off such a "city-hopping" campaign. Or that they lack the resources to win such a campaign and also hold the field against other factions. After all, don't want to crush them Superstitionists only to find out vampires took everything over in the meantime or something.'

'Don't get me wrong; I know they're the enemy. I'm a heretic, which is even worse in their books. But I'm starting to wonder whether some of the stuff said about 'em is not in fact a load of BS.' the Etherite replied thoughtfully.

Colin's Post:

'Not talking about that, but in general. Got chewed out for being insufficiently grateful for a Seattle Chantry deigning to allow us use of their transport pads earlier.' the sarcasm thick and heavy. 'We are so damn disjointed that I actually think we could be picked off city by city without the others lifting a finger to help.'

[Warpmind]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

A soft laugh at this. 'Oh, I have the unicorn status too; think I got hired part on that basis alone. But I weren't thinking of the y'know normal jobs - but the special ones. We all live off the radar to some extent and trading with each other is one of the best ways to stop the IRS doing a fucking Capone on our asses.'

Colin nodded, "When your profession is making fine goods, though, magical or otherwise, it's easier to mask the special orders in the books as mundane ones. The IRS does not understand or care that one custom silver dagger is priced differently than another custom silver dagger - so long as the tax is properly calculated and paid. Give unto Cæsar, and so on. It takes a lot to get a proper rogering by the IRS, so long as everything is meticulously filed."

'Meh, details. That's for them to work out.' giving a wave of her hand. 'What's in demand, what we have and what we can turn a profit on. But I don't believe in the creator getting fuck all for it, mind; work out some revenue-sharing thing. Our time ain't worthless.'

Colin smiled thinly, "I'm glad you appreciate capitalism that much, at least... after all, Anna has some extremely valuable books that she and I will make copies of for sale, but the profits for those will go toward her future in its entirety; gifting a set to the Chantry at some point, sure, if she wants to, but I'd be a little upset if you suggested to distribute her nest egg to the Chantry, after all."
He turned serious, "I do, however, have a very rare text that should make for quite a profitable stock in trade if we make a few copies, a gift from the lovely Lady Dalisse - I just have a bit of difficulty with some of the languages in which it is written. It's not the sort of book that should - or even could - be simply photocopied or scanned..."

'If that pretending to give a toss helps them folks upstairs, I ain't gonna spit on it.' she retorted, draining her mug. 'Anyway, this is beyond my pay-grade. Yours too, I think.' putting down the mug, pulling out the number for "Grandma" and proffering to Colin.

He arched an eyebrow, "Your gran is a Ratkin, or is this more of a title for the eldest? Hum... do you want me to try my alleged silver tongue, under the supposition it might be more effective against the Changing Folk?"

'Could be.' retreving her half-smoked cigarette and lighting it. 'But it could also be they lack the resources to pull off such a "city-hopping" campaign. Or that they lack the resources to win such a campaign and also hold the field against other factions. After all, don't want to crush them Superstitionists only to find out vampires took everything over in the meantime or something.'

'Don't get me wrong; I know they're the enemy. I'm a heretic, which is even worse in their books. But I'm starting to wonder whether some of the stuff said about 'em is not in fact a load of BS.' the Etherite replied thoughtfully.

He frowned, "Most likely, the stalemate between us enables us both to theoretically keep an eye on the worse threat - the Fallen. If the two factions that are at war over the underlying rules of the fabric of Reality were to go after one another with reckless abandon, we'd suddenly find ourselves without the very battlefield over which we have a dispute. It's not that they necessarily lack the resources to pull off such a 'city-hopping campaign', as you call it, but that they lack the resources to do it cleanly. And in fairness, a heretic like you is less of a grievance for them than the dreadful apostates of the Virtual Adepts... but yes, some of the things said about the Union is inaccurate. Just like how some things said about the different Traditions are inaccurate, or even things said about the Nephandi are... the issue is working out which things are inaccuracies, and which are politically convenient lies."

'Not talking about that, but in general. Got chewed out for being insufficiently grateful for a Seattle Chantry deigning to allow us use of their transport pads earlier.' the sarcasm thick and heavy. 'We are so damn disjointed that I actually think we could be picked off city by city without the others lifting a finger to help.'

He scratched the back of his head, "Ah... that was actually quite generous of them; in fact, if we don't manage to prevent Lily's nasty little bomb when we go to take out Lilliandra, the collateral damage and casualties - fatal ones - will bring Seattle to the brink of war between Mage society and the Camarilla vampires. So in this case, a Chantry willing to stick their neck out to help is taking a ridiculous risk, from their perspective. You see... hm... perhaps I should take this from the beginning..."

((OOC: Another look ahead could work fine. Turns out I have adhesive capsulitis, rather than tendonitis, so I'm fine with a slower pace until I get that shit treated... probably shouldn't be too long, now that the doc's finished diagnostics and referred me to orthopedics.))

((OOC2: A silver tongue being more effective against werecreatures - there's a novel mechanic. ))

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

The strategy briefing for the mission to Seattle was held in Steelhaven's common room, the Council Chambers really was to small and cramped for it but Helena had gotten the white board from the Council room and set it up by the coffee stand in the common room and she and Jeffry stood discussing something as pepole milled into the room. Ryan was there as well as Bruce, Henrietta and all three of the Chantry's Euthanatoi, everyone looked tired but at least they was less worn out than earlier in the day. Hildegard entered the room and sat down as well, probably who would be sent on the mission was not set in strone and the old Chorister was an effective combat mage and she had few qualms about killing vampires then again Ryan's Time magick might be more subtle. There was a constant low chatter in the room as Steelhaven's mages talked amongst themselves about the upcoming mission.

He sat down next to Hildegard, nursing a strong cup of afternoon tea, contemplating the day's revelations, and still worried about Lily's bomb... Getting the two monsters would make the world just that little bit better, and saving the Forest, too, well... "Ma'am, I hope you've managed to get some sleep, too?"

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

He sat down next to Hildegard, nursing a strong cup of afternoon tea, contemplating the day's revelations, and still worried about Lily's bomb... Getting the two monsters would make the world just that little bit better, and saving the Forest, too, well... "Ma'am, I hope you've managed to get some sleep, too?"

Hildegard gave Colin a polite nod of her head, she was wearing a pale pink silk blouse and black ankle length skirt and a black west, a small gold cross with a pearl in the center and simple pearl studs was her only decorations.
"I did Mr Wainwright but then again I was home watching over my apprentice and some of the other children and I did nto take part in the strike on the Labyrinth so I am more rested than most...how are you doing my good man?"
She asked as she reached for the cups and coffee mug that had been placed on the tables and poured herself a cup.

(OOC: Get well soon. Then I will start a glimse ahead scene tomorrow.)

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

The strategy briefing for the mission to Seattle was held in Steelhaven's common room, the Council Chambers really was to small and cramped for it but Helena had gotten the white board from the Council room and set it up by the coffee stand in the common room and she and Jeffry stood discussing something as pepole milled into the room. Ryan was there as well as Bruce, Henrietta and all three of the Chantry's Euthanatoi, everyone looked tired but at least they was less worn out than earlier in the day. Hildegard entered the room and sat down as well, probably who would be sent on the mission was not set in strone and the old Chorister was an effective combat mage and she had few qualms about killing vampires then again Ryan's Time magick might be more subtle. There was a constant low chatter in the room as Steelhaven's mages talked amongst themselves about the upcoming mission.

Serge arrived looking a bit more refreshed than he had been previously. He wasn't actually sure if he was suppose to be at the meeting, given that he wasn't given any official invitation. But after both Colin and Nicole mentioned that he might be going he figured he may as well attend, if only to figure out what was going.

He came in and sat in a nearby chair next to his Uncle saying, "Hey! Haven't seen you in a while."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

Serge arrived looking a bit more refreshed than he had been previously. He wasn't actually sure if he was suppose to be at the meeting, given that he wasn't given any official invitation. But after both Colin and Nicole mentioned that he might be going he figured he may as well attend, if only to figure out what was going.

He came in and sat in a nearby chair next to his Uncle saying, "Hey! Haven't seen you in a while."

Ryan smiled when his young magickal newphew sat down next to him.
"I am well how are you Serge did you get any sleep?"
He asked then he nodded towards the Hermetics who was discussing up by the white board.
"Are you helping out with the vampire hunt?"
He asked.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

Colin as you leave Nicole's apartment after your chat you see Cecilia heading down the corridor with some fresh bed clothes folded in her arms on her way back towards Henrietta's apartment, on top of the bedcloths was one of your little time disturance balls, it was bounding around lazily and yet the hedge wizard did not notice it, Cecilia did see Colin though and she gave a curtsy and a smile and say.
"Good day Mr Wainwright."
The young woman always had a hautned look in her eyes and looked ready to run away if anything dangerous happened, she looked helathier now than right after she had been rescued from Lisa Larson's Labyrinth but she was still veyr skittish.

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

Ryan smiled when his young magickal newphew sat down next to him.
"I am well how are you Serge did you get any sleep?"
He asked then he nodded towards the Hermetics who was discussing up by the white board.
"Are you helping out with the vampire hunt?"
He asked.

"Don't worry. I got enough sleep." Serge said, answering the first question.

"And I mean, I'd like to help out. If I'm able to at least. We already got a lot of people here it seems. A lot of bases already covered here." he added looking around at the moderate amount of mages present. "I might toss in a couple of my own ideas into the plan. See if I can get lucky and actually come up with something smart."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

"Don't worry. I got enough sleep." Serge said, answering the first question.

"That is good kid, you ahve to remember to take care of yourself so you can party harder."
Ryan said with a grin.

"And I mean, I'd like to help out. If I'm able to at least. We already got a lot of people here it seems. A lot of bases already covered here." he added looking around at the moderate amount of mages present. "I might toss in a couple of my own ideas into the plan. See if I can get lucky and actually come up with something smart."

"You do that kid, you often come up with good ideas, hidden in between allot of wack ones but you have your own uniqe way of looking at things."
The older Cultist said.
"I also imagine that your skill with affecting the mins of others might come in handy if we need to ehm...talk some sleepers into going home and putting on your playstations rather than getting their noses into what we are doing."

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

Colin's Post:

'Yeah, most of us don't have that luxury, like - and only so much can be hidden in them extra claim forms. A lot of our type are sitting on piles of cash and gear which can't really be spent or sold normally.'

Colin's Post:

'I have nothing against the use of money and pay. Just when it stops being a simple ticket of value and becomes something to be hoarded, worshipped and gained at all costs.' Nicole replied. 'Anyhow; if them books are being sold through our mythical manager, they should get a cut of that, 'cos they did the job finding the buyer and shit. I do not expect them to work for free any more than they should expect me to.'

Colin's Post:

'Not to my knowledge. Nah, this is the number for their sort of leader. I'm a bit fuzzy on who or what, exactly. Do what you will with it; though personally think someone more senior to you might do better, like. Y'know, having them more "equals" in rank or something.'

Colin's Post:

'Meh, you're guess is as good and all that.' giving a shrug. 'Which is the problem. Fighting a war against an enemy we barely understand, with a view that we only need to look after our own turf and no more.'

Anja's Post:

'I rest my case; fuck you, we're okay...' Nicole began sarcastically, then halted. 'Bomb? What bomb?'

[Warpmind]

[Nicole's Apartment, 1.00]

'Yeah, most of us don't have that luxury, like - and only so much can be hidden in them extra claim forms. A lot of our type are sitting on piles of cash and gear which can't really be spent or sold normally.'

Colin nodded thoughtfully, scratching the back of his head, "Not so much cash, perhaps, but certainly a number of valuable possessions that would be... awkward to explain in mortal terms. Explaining the ownership of, say, a Rembrandt is a lot trickier if you are the person who commissioned the portrait in the first place. But piled-up wealth does come with its own problems, yes; there's only so much that can be inconspicuously liquidated at once. Well... in most circumstances, anyway; I could sell my shop, all above board, with little to no legal complications, and probably net a few hundred thousand overnight, but there's no incentive to do so. Money tied up in active business and stock is, after all, different from having it all stashed in a Cayman Islands bank account..."

'I have nothing against the use of money and pay. Just when it stops being a simple ticket of value and becomes something to be hoarded, worshipped and gained at all costs.' Nicole replied. 'Anyhow; if them books are being sold through our mythical manager, they should get a cut of that, 'cos they did the job finding the buyer and shit. I do not expect them to work for free any more than they should expect me to.'

He grinned, "If I didn't need to stay sober for the retrieval later, I'd drink to that. Money only has real value when you have a little more than enough; just having excess wealth that you can't even do anything useful or enjoyable with becomes only a burden on your soul and mind."

'Not to my knowledge. Nah, this is the number for their sort of leader. I'm a bit fuzzy on who or what, exactly. Do what you will with it; though personally think someone more senior to you might do better, like. Y'know, having them more "equals" in rank or something.'

He pondered for a bit, then noted the number down in his notebook, rather than on his phone, "I think Master Steelhaven might have an idea, then... or perhaps I should consult with Dr. Acevedo. He might have a few insights as a Garou counterpart, of sorts."

'Meh, you're guess is as good and all that.' giving a shrug. 'Which is the problem. Fighting a war against an enemy we barely understand, with a view that we only need to look after our own turf and no more.'

He shook his head, "It's perhaps less that we don't understand them, and more that we lack solid intel to get to the hydra's necks with fire and iron. Understanding why they want me dead, and how they operate is not enough to mount a good strike on them if I don't know where they'll coordinate their attacks from. Which means, we're all hiding out in our own little safe havens and keeping our heads down, in order to keep the cold war from turning hot under our posteriors."

'I rest my case; fuck you, we're okay...' Nicole began sarcastically, then halted. 'Bomb? What bomb?'

He shook his head, "Alright, so when I woke up, I was pulled forward to a hearing in front of the Prince of Seattle, to answer for the explosion that took out the night club, numerous sleepers, several of our people, and a number of vampires. Fortunately, I was able to demonstrate the particular flavor of magic used to be Qlippothic, proving firmly that it was Lily's trap, not ours... I've informed the Chief of what I gleaned at that hearing, so he's making preparations as best he can to counter the magical trap, i just hope it will be enough... last time around, he only managed to protect the team that first crossed the threshold. Seems Liliandra wasn't expecting the blast, either, but she's fucking durable..."
He shook his head, "Regardless, the political issue that causes the reluctance to help us is that Lilliandra is the Toreador Primogen of Seattle - a member of the Prince's inner council. None of the other Primogen, or even the Prince, will shed any tears over her loss, especially when we justify it through her indiscretions after the fact - but we have to be careful, as he is bound by their laws to protect his Primogen. Meaning if the situation turns sour, we could be held responsible for instigating a war between the Traditions and the Camarilla in Boston, and absolutely nobody in their right mind wants that. Whichever Chantry lends us any aid - including use of their teleportation chamber - would position themselves in extremely hot water if things turn sour, so I certainly can understand everyone's reluctance to get involved..."

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

Colin as you leave Nicole's apartment after your chat you see Cecilia heading down the corridor with some fresh bed clothes folded in her arms on her way back towards Henrietta's apartment, on top of the bedcloths was one of your little time disturance balls, it was bounding around lazily and yet the hedge wizard did not notice it, Cecilia did see Colin though and she gave a curtsy and a smile and say.
"Good day Mr Wainwright."
The young woman always had a hautned look in her eyes and looked ready to run away if anything dangerous happened, she looked helathier now than right after she had been rescued from Lisa Larson's Labyrinth but she was still veyr skittish.

He smiled, "Good day, Cecilia. How are you, ah... er, I'm sorry, but there's a message for me on that laundry. Would you kindly hold up for a moment?"

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

Hildegard gave Colin a polite nod of her head, she was wearing a pale pink silk blouse and black ankle length skirt and a black west, a small gold cross with a pearl in the center and simple pearl studs was her only decorations.
"I did Mr Wainwright but then again I was home watching over my apprentice and some of the other children and I did nto take part in the strike on the Labyrinth so I am more rested than most...how are you doing my good man?"
She asked as she reached for the cups and coffee mug that had been placed on the tables and poured herself a cup.

He smiled, sipping his tea, "Keeping watch at home while the rest of us are on the battle lines is not necessarily more restful - scared children worrying for their parents' well-being can be quite a handful. I did get some sleep pretty much immediately after coming home, though, plus a catnap in the car, so I'm well rested."

Serge arrived looking a bit more refreshed than he had been previously. He wasn't actually sure if he was suppose to be at the meeting, given that he wasn't given any official invitation. But after both Colin and Nicole mentioned that he might be going he figured he may as well attend, if only to figure out what was going.

He nodded toward Serge as he arrived and grinned to Hildegard, "At least our young artist seems to have taken the advice to finally get a bit of sleep... good. We might very well need him to clear the area, to avoid collateral casualties."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

He smiled, "Good day, Cecilia. How are you, ah... er, I'm sorry, but there's a message for me on that laundry. Would you kindly hold up for a moment?"

"I am quite well Sir...ehm...message?...yes off course."
Cecilia said and she lifted the neatly folded laundry up a little higher so you could get to it.
"Excuse me Mr Wainwright but I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."
The hedge wizard said sounding confused but doing as you asked.

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

He smiled, sipping his tea, "Keeping watch at home while the rest of us are on the battle lines is not necessarily more restful - scared children worrying for their parents' well-being can be quite a handful. I did get some sleep pretty much immediately after coming home, though, plus a catnap in the car, so I'm well rested."

"Well Jane slept well and peacefully, she often ahve nigth terrors after seeing that Bane spirit but was okey tonight. Little Cava slept ok but had to be woken up to check for the potential that Wallace Jace had taken up residence in her, she was thankfully clean. Your young Cabalmate Mr Yager made sure that she slept and there was no discomfort during the deep scan of her mind that Master Steelhaven performed, this morning she woke up with a bit of a headache, due to a dose of the Serum that was administered before we was sure she was not affected, the shot was set while the girl was deeply asleep so she felt nothing but now she is upset and scared she can not use magick but it is not to bad, I have managed to calm her down. Young Miss Que spent the night in my apartment and she seamed to rest well so the children was not a bother. I am glad you slept well though Mr Wainwright. Now that the children is awake after the meeting I was thinking I could help out in the infirmary until we are ready to go on the mission, it seams it is often forgotten that modesty aside God have granted me decent abilities as a healer though my skill can nto match thse of Master Nassa."
Hildegard said between sips of her coffee.

He nodded toward Serge as he arrived and grinned to Hildegard, "At least our young artist seems to have taken the advice to finally get a bit of sleep... good. We might very well need him to clear the area, to avoid collateral casualties."

Hildegard gave a solemn nod at that while Ryan said.
"That is what I told the kid, he might be of great help to get sleepers to just clear out of there."

[Warpmind]

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

"I am quite well Sir...ehm...message?...yes off course."
Cecilia said and she lifted the neatly folded laundry up a little higher so you could get to it.
"Excuse me Mr Wainwright but I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."
The hedge wizard said sounding confused but doing as you asked.

Colin shook his head, "You wouldn't see it - it's future me contacting present me. A most personal link, and exceedingly hard to tamper with. Now, I should warn you, I get a little... absent-minded when I do this; please don't panic when I freeze up."
He reached out gingerly and poked the little bubble...

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

"Well Jane slept well and peacefully, she often ahve nigth terrors after seeing that Bane spirit but was okey tonight. Little Cava slept ok but had to be woken up to check for the potential that Wallace Jace had taken up residence in her, she was thankfully clean. Your young Cabalmate Mr Yager made sure that she slept and there was no discomfort during the deep scan of her mind that Master Steelhaven performed, this morning she woke up with a bit of a headache, due to a dose of the Serum that was administered before we was sure she was not affected, the shot was set while the girl was deeply asleep so she felt nothing but now she is upset and scared she can not use magick but it is not to bad, I have managed to calm her down. Young Miss Que spent the night in my apartment and she seamed to rest well so the children was not a bother. I am glad you slept well though Mr Wainwright. Now that the children is awake after the meeting I was thinking I could help out in the infirmary until we are ready to go on the mission, it seams it is often forgotten that modesty aside God have granted me decent abilities as a healer though my skill can nto match thse of Master Nassa."
Hildegard said between sips of her coffee.

He smiled into his mug of tea, "Well, we have some relief for Dr. Lee in from Westchapel, but but having more people to tend to the wounded's physical, mental, and spiritual needs will always be welcome, I think. Besides, I rather suspect neither Christ nor Master Nassa would approve much of anyone using such a crisis to wax competitive about healing skills. Superbia generally has a particular standing among the seven cardinal sins, does it not?"

Hildegard gave a solemn nod at that while Ryan said.
"That is what I told the kid, he might be of great help to get sleepers to just clear out of there."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Ghouls, too, most likely... there'll be other vampires there, too, but we'll not be throwing them onto the streets in broad daylight. There'll be enough diplomatic trouble as it is, abducting a Primogen..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

olin shook his head, "You wouldn't see it - it's future me contacting present me. A most personal link, and exceedingly hard to tamper with. Now, I should warn you, I get a little... absent-minded when I do this; please don't panic when I freeze up."
He reached out gingerly and poked the little bubble...

"I understand Sir."
Cecilia said sounding a bit confused still.
"I will not get spooked, is there anything you need while you...whem communicate with your future self?"
The hedge wizard asked.

You touched the bubble...the next moment you where sitting in Udella Adimari's small office at Horizon's docks, the elderly Quesitor filled a a cup of tea for you, the woman's tea was always exquisite but the expression on the woman's face told you she had not offered to pay for the fuel costs of you taking Jeffry's shuttle and coming to Horizon to see her as a social call.
"Mr Wainwright...thank you for coming so quickly."
The old Guernicul said as she sat down and lifted her own teacup and ran her fingers over the rim of the antuiqe, delicate porcelain cup.
"I hate to call you away from your family I know Anna have not yet recovered from the ordeal she suffered at the Etherite clinic...but something serious have happened..."
Udella said with a sigh as she put her teacup back down.
"Tell me do you remember one of the Nephandi prisoners from two months ago...Kallan he calls himself, he was sentenced and Gilgulled about a month ago...and for all everyone knows executed turned to a fine mist the moment the Rite was done...only some trickery have been...Colin listen we have found this Kallan, locked in the basement of a old werehouse...alive!"

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

He smiled into his mug of tea, "Well, we have some relief for Dr. Lee in from Westchapel, but but having more people to tend to the wounded's physical, mental, and spiritual needs will always be welcome, I think. Besides, I rather suspect neither Christ nor Master Nassa would approve much of anyone using such a crisis to wax competitive about healing skills. Superbia generally has a particular standing among the seven cardinal sins, does it not?"

"Agreed this is not the time of contests of any kind...we all have to do our part to help and yes I noticed that we have guests from Westchapel, good then perhaps Dr Lee and Miss White can get some rest as well."
Hildegard said then she sipped her coffee.
"Hum...Miss White have really stepped up, perhaps it is time to offer her a full membership of the Chantry once this is all said and done rather than keeping her on as a Custos?"
The Chorister mused.
"Well a question for another day I guess we have more important things to focus on right now."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Ghouls, too, most likely... there'll be other vampires there, too, but we'll not be throwing them onto the streets in broad daylight. There'll be enough diplomatic trouble as it is, abducting a Primogen..."

"Yes well I personally do nto care much if we destroy a few extra vampires they are abominations unto the Lord but I agree we have to try to minimize the chance of starting a greater conflict, having someone around who can...talk those we meet into non violent solutions rather than confrontations would be most beneficial I agree."
The elderly Chorister said with a nod.

[Warpmind]

[Moral Issues on Horizon 2 Months in the Future]

"I understand Sir."
Cecilia said sounding a bit confused still.
"I will not get spooked, is there anything you need while you...whem communicate with your future self?"
The hedge wizard asked.

Colin winked, "Just make sure no-one knocks me over, alright?"

You touched the bubble...the next moment you where sitting in Udella Adimari's small office at Horizon's docks, the elderly Quesitor filled a a cup of tea for you, the woman's tea was always exquisite but the expression on the woman's face told you she had not offered to pay for the fuel costs of you taking Jeffry's shuttle and coming to Horizon to see her as a social call.
"Mr Wainwright...thank you for coming so quickly."
The old Guernicul said as she sat down and lifted her own teacup and ran her fingers over the rim of the antuiqe, delicate porcelain cup.
"I hate to call you away from your family I know Anna have not yet recovered from the ordeal she suffered at the Etherite clinic...but something serious have happened..."
Udella said with a sigh as she put her teacup back down.
"Tell me do you remember one of the Nephandi prisoners from two months ago...Kallan he calls himself, he was sentenced and Gilgulled about a month ago...and for all everyone knows executed turned to a fine mist the moment the Rite was done...only some trickery have been...Colin listen we have found this Kallan, locked in the basement of a old werehouse...alive!"

He half-raised his teacup before putting it down again with a soft clink, "I do beg your pardon? Where... how..."
His brow furrowed, "What state was he in? I mean, he obviously escaped the execution somehow, but... is his Avatar intact, too?"

[Briefing about the Seattle Mission]

"Agreed this is not the time of contests of any kind...we all have to do our part to help and yes I noticed that we have guests from Westchapel, good then perhaps Dr Lee and Miss White can get some rest as well."
Hildegard said then she sipped her coffee.
"Hum...Miss White have really stepped up, perhaps it is time to offer her a full membership of the Chantry once this is all said and done rather than keeping her on as a Custos?"
The Chorister mused.
"Well a question for another day I guess we have more important things to focus on right now."

He nodded, "Hum, perhaps it is time for that... Miss Bouchard did suggest we employ someone in an administrative role for the Chantry; someone to barter goods and services on our behalf with other Chantries, or with Horizon, among other practical things... she'd be a good fit for that role, I think. A salaried position, obviously."

"Yes well I personally do nto care much if we destroy a few extra vampires they are abominations unto the Lord but I agree we have to try to minimize the chance of starting a greater conflict, having someone around who can...talk those we meet into non violent solutions rather than confrontations would be most beneficial I agree."
The elderly Chorister said with a nod.

He smiled thinly, "I do hope you won't argue that point with Shawn... he might be cursed by God, but I have seen a future in which he reclaimed his humanity. He's a good kid, and did not deserve what has been done to him... I suppose very few vampires, in fact, deserved what they've become."

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