The last few nights had ultimately lead to here. Tonight. Team NOS threw some pretty awesome parties, and tonight was no exception. They had rented out the VIP box at the zMax Dragway, one of their bigger realms of influence, and Everyone came out in their best duds and. And of course everyone brought their best rides. You do not go to a Team NOS event without a sick ride.

The parties were not officially declared Elysium, but it was widely expected everyone would be on their best behavior. Those that refused to behave themselves were dealt with harshly. So, at least for the night, peace was the order of business. Gatherings like this were extremely rare for those who sat outside the Ivory Tower. With no official Elysiums to gather in they were susceptible to a myriad of problems. Everything from interlopers, over zealous Deputies, even the Sheriff, or any number of internal conflicts boiling over. As a result, when there was a gathering where everyone was welcome the rule was to behave yourself and use the opportunity to get something done outside of the usual clique you ran with. But, this was no shin dig thrown in Elysium by the Prince. Refreshments were not provided. These affairs were almost strictly BYOB.

That's how you all ended up here, albeit for your own reasons:

Genesis was looking for more contacts to work with, and indeed, her sire had an epiphany a few nights ago and mentioned that Ken and Chris would be excellent business partners, and they were always adopting hangers on. The match seemed perfect, Genesis just had to pick which one to approach. Not to mention forging new relationships. Asha had explained the benefits of allies you had "come up with," there were several new kindred in the city she could work with.

Ric had been sent by his Sire to not only gather as much information as he could, but forge his own bonds outside of her and the small group of vampires he had already been exposed to. This would be an interesting meeting indeed should he come face to face with Ken as the Toreador was the reason he was now a vampire. A chance run in with Ken and Chris months ago ended with him shot and bleeding out in a car. Eve embraced him on the spot to prevent him from dying.

Dmitri had ended up there because this was the time to catch up with Phoenix's crew. Billy had told him about the party, and assured him that Phoenix and Eve, or someone from her group, would be there at least, leaving him free to meet up with whoever. For his part, Billy seemed satisfied to be rid of a new vampire, and potential competitor. This was the place to get moving on the task Lars had put before him as well as working on his own personal goals.

Lillian had a full plate of her own. Ken and Chris represented her best chance at finding out what happened to her sire as all her other leads evaporated pretty quickly within a few minutes of arriving in Charlotte. Jack kept his word, and refused to show up. Angel and Lillian headed out after she advised it best to leave Poncho at the house. The drag strip was going to be loud and there was no telling who would be there, or what would happen.

Elliot was under quite a bit of pressure. Still new, only a few nights, he was in tow with his sire, the enigmatic and quite intimidating Madisen Tandino. This marked Elliot as a Caitiff, but in the world of Anarchs that didn't mean a whole lot, and if you were going to be a Catiff, you wanted to be the childe of Madisen Tandino. So, while Elliot was here to prove himself and forge new allies in his trial by fire of sorts, he was also being given props by those who knew his sire. Madisen was well respected, even feared, and it was wise to do the same with anyone she chose to Embrace.

Caetano and his sire were both present. Teri was an outsider for the most part with the Anarchs thanks to her being relatively new to the city, having followed her sire Maxwell less than a year ago. Tonight they're both on the prowl for allies, and at Teri's command, Caetano is to strike out on his own, as is the Gangrel way, and blaze his own trail through the wilds of Anarch politics and social whims.

---

The drag strip was well lit with a safety crew on duty. The Masquerade would be in full effect for the duration of the party. There were thirty or so cars around the strip. Most of them had the Team NOS logo on them. As all parked, two guards at the gate checked everyone for tickets, which had circulated through the Kindred a week ago. You showed the guard the ticket, he let you through. End of story.

The stands were closed, with their little gates and chains blocking the stairwells, but the pits were open, as was the track. The VIP and media boxes up top though, were all well lit. The place had an administrative building, which Ken and Chris probably had access to, as well as several garages, car ports, and sheds. This all meant there were plenty of places to sneak off for private conversations or a quick meal, and there were plenty of humans about. The weather was rather warm considering it was the tail end of July. A light jacket at best, a t-shirt might get looked at funny, but that would be about it.

Ken and Chris could be found in the VIP booth surrounded by their hangers on and a cloud of pot smoke. It was clear they were here to have fun, and everyone that approached got their attention, and either a bro hug or fist bump. Looking at them now, it was hard to imagine that they were as violent as the rumors said. They looked kinda goofy, they giggled and laughed a lot, mostly at inside jokes only they got, and it was all but impossible to imagine them driving a car safely much less gunning someone down from it while speeding and avoiding pursuit.

Notably missing tonight was Eve. There was a lot of bad blood between her and Ken. The details were sketchy but two things were certain: To Ken, Eve was a traitor. And secondly, if Ken had beef with Eve, all of Team NOS had beef with Eve. Aside from her however, nearly everyone else was there. Edge had even dragged herself out of her haven to come mingle with the cool kids.

OOC: You are all encouraged to use Private messages and lines to communicate privately with each other throughout the scene. Be aware that these things are still subject to ease dropping with appropriate rolls. Which means that, theoretically, your entire conversation can be dumped to someone else. Keep these conversations ENTIRELY IC. If you want an OOC conversation take it to the OOC board or a separate PM entirely.

New players, as your sheets are approved you will dropped into this thread with a brief introduction. We may run a brief prologue for you at the same time.



EDIT: I should add, that posting here is mandatory.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:44, Fri 01 Feb 2013.

Dimitri rolls up in his SUV, some weird russian folksong blaring away. The subwoofer made the accordion sound really weird and the vocals were god awful, like a cat being hung from a spinning ceiling fan. Thankfully Dimitri parks and turns the car off silencing the racket.

Dimitri, large and bald, steps out and stretches from the ride. He hated confined spaces; they reminded him of prison so he took a moment to stretch his arms out wide to enjoy the freedom of movement.

He seemed bulkier then usual although it was hard to tell beneath track suit he was wearing. Black with white reflective strips down the side that swished as he walked. Between the scars and the outfit he looked like he stepped right out of the movie Behind Enemy Lines (http://www.imfdb.org/images/0/04/Enemy4.jpg)


OOC: Did Dimitri get a description about what Phoenix or his crew looks like from Billy? He would have asked before he left...

He'll cruise the crowd for Phoenix and anyone else he recognizes but if that's not possible he'll start asking around in the crowd.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Fri 01 Feb 2013.

[Private to Dimitri the Devil: Yes he got a description that included big bald guy wearing leather.  Phoenix would be all but impossible to miss. In other news: We haven't crossed this bridge yet in your other thread, but his Desert Eagle was / will be stolen from him in that thread. So, he doesn't have it here. Even if you manage to get around it, this is not the place to be packing it so he should leave it in his SUV. Also, can you fix your link?]

PM

Caetano was on the taller side, lean and wiry, an athlete, looking like a climber with no fat at all, he wore black sport shoes, comfortable trousers, a thick T-shirt made of some rough natural cloth that seemed not to have gone through a dying process and a dark blue warm le coq sportif jaquet. His long blond hair was tied up with a hand woven piece of cloth in some sort of indian style. He got out of the car with ease in one fluid move, he was speaking with Teri as she got out of the car herself.

"... You really sure about this ?..." said Caetano as he looked around the place upon arriving with Teri "I mean, those guys look like they are more verbal with their fists or their guns than with their tongue. There !, that one  there... for fucks shake, he is clearly packing something".

He looked around a bit bewildered as they gave their tickets "This reminds me of Brazil... and that didn't end up quite so well... maybe I should have brought Bruno", he said remembering his thoughts about bringing the dog but 30 minutes ago... at that time, bringing it seemed like a bad idea not to scare anyone.... what an idiot he had been... at least he was happy, he had left the bike on the trunk of Teri's car, these guys clearly felt much more for burning fuel and rubber than he did, and it might make him look a bit funnier than he already felt.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Fri 01 Feb 2013.

PM

[Private to GM: In that case Dimitri will try to make contact with Phoenix's group. Also removed the gun reference.]

When Elliot walked into the room, he stopped briefly to survey  the participants, one packing more than just an iron in his trousers, another looked like that drug dealer whose ass he'd busted a decade ago.

Elliot himself, he wore jeans, heavy, possibly military, boots, and quite the worn leather jacket over a shirt.
He looked to be somewhere in his late fourties, maybe even early fiftiees.

He found himself a bar table sort of thing to stand and lean on, then whipped out a pocket flask, usually used for something like whiskey, but heck, who was he kidding, he'd not tasted whiskey in it's pure form for a while now, he missed the taste.

And he took a sip, at least alcohol thinned the blood, adding the benefit of keeping the vitae fluid, at least for a while.

Orric came in his big, loud, beat up, redneck truck right behind Dimitri and his sleek, black, polished, and shiny new SUV.  He drove around once, to the other side, and took up the two parking spots right in front of the Cadillac Escalade by parking diagonally in just enough of a way to cross the white line.  FORD was written across the front, the one thing seemingly unblemished.  The truck was blue, originally, you think.  It was jacked up about two extra feet off the ground.  It had oversized, muddy, mismatched tires.  There was dried, caked on mud all along the fenders.  One of the rear quarter panels was primer grey.  The front passenger's side panel was dented in and rusted just in front of the door.  The mirror was broken off too.  The windshield was cracked in two places and there was a big rust colored spot right down the center of the hood.  To the truck's advantage, the trailer hitch, brush guard, winch, and utility box in the bed all came standard.

When he had heard what sounded like Mexican polka crap, Ric had turned up his Johnny Cash to a point that his speakers sounded god awful.  Right before he killed the engine, Ric revved the truck one final time, clearing the exhaust.  A small cloud of dusty smoke spit to the ground in response.  Ric got out, hopped to the ground with a thud, and slammed the door closed with a squeak and a thunk.

Ric was dressed appropriately.  Faded jeans, work boots with the steel toe visible on the left boot, and just a nondescript grey, long sleeved, Walmart variety shirt.  He had left his Beer Hunter target hat behind, replacing it with an older black Dale Earnhardt #3 baseball cap.  At Eve's request, Ric had shaved the scruff, opting for a trimmed beard.  He kept his hair pulled into a ponytail even though he preferred to let it hang.

Orric's first order of business was to look for food for the evening.  He glanced around the parking lot first, looking for the alcohol.  That's the direction he headed.  Ric wasn't looking for conversation, let alone anything quite yet.  This was just scoping things out for the moment - emergency back up.  After all, Chris, one of the hosts of this gathering, was indirectly responsible for Orric's current condition.  He made a mental note to thank the man after spotting what looked like a solid choice.

OOC: I made that hunting roll you requested, and got 1 success

Then the new Brujah headed to the party proper, nervously taking in a breath.  Here goes nothin', he thought, approaching the two totally stoned, totally drunk, chick magnet, big gun carrying, rice racer guys from the left (his left).  "Sup guys?" Ric had said loud enough to be heard (he hoped).
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Fri 08 Feb 2013.

Dimitri noticed the hillbilly's entrance but surprisingly enough he seemed unfazed by it at all. If anything he seemed to appreciate patriotism in all shapes and forms. A patriot is a patriot no matter which country they call home and for Dimitri, America had been much nicer overall then mother Russia.

Lillian got out of Angel’s car and looked around. There were sport cars, expensive  showy rides, trucks, and bikes. The fact that it was being held at a Dragstrip actually put Lillian at ease a bit. OKC, had been  home to car shows  once a year. The entire street would be lined for blocks with vintage sportsters, bikes, and trikes.  Chrome shining and enough lights under cars and around bike bodies to think it was Christmas. “If this is their idea of a party it certainly beats the hell out of dealing with Jacks bitchy ass.” Lillian said to Angel  as they headed to the party. “Finding these Nos boys shouldn’t be to hard, I’ll bet they have their own seats with a presence enough to announce them instantly.”

DIMITRI:

It didn't take you long to find Phoenix. He was inside, up in the VIP box sitting at a table with Ken and Chris. The room was hazy and really warm from all of the people crammed into it. The duo, Phoenix, and another woman were sitting at a table playing dominoes. The VIP box was completely packed, but there was a pretty good circle of empty space around the table. People were watching, but nobody was invading that space.

Phoenix was bald, wearing a leather jacket with the Jokers patches on it. He looked at you as you approached, but otherwise turned his attention back to the game. Chris glanced up at you but also went back to the game. The woman, you guessed she was Korean, maybe Japanese, didn't seem to notice you at all. There was a stack of money on the table. to the right of where the chain of dominoes was being built.

As you approached the woman leaned forward and set her last domino down on the chain. Chris groaned, Ken swore, and Phoenix laughed, "I fucking knew you had that. Good game. Really good. Now I'll be back in a few. I think i want to see how my bikes are doing." They all fist bumped and Phoenix glanced at you and left out another door putting him on a sort of balcony outside. He said something to the two people out there and they came inside, leaving him alone.

---

CAETANO

Your sire shook her head. "Calm down, and shut up," she exclaimed as you pointed out the gun. "A lot of people here are packing in some way or another. We don't need guns to be dangerous. Stop thinking like a mortal." She hissed the words in your ear.

Teri was quick, lithe, and very flexible. "Bruno would just be barking and making a scene. We can't have that." She looked at you seriously. "We need the people here to like us. We have no one else. You go mingle. Meet people. Make friends. I'm going to do the same." She pointed to the VIP box, indicating you should probably start up there. You turned to follow her hand and then turned back to protest but she was already gone, disappearing in the crowd. It was hard to ignore the idea that your Sire had just fucked you.

---

ORRIC

Eve had not come along. In fact, she refused and spat. She even got mad when you insisted you needed the help. You know she got mad because she threw a chair at you. You're not sure why she got so mad so fast, but she did. So you hopped in your truck and came out on your own. Just as you had thought you might need help tonight, she was incredibly insistent that you go, and that you go alone.

You made it to the VIP box without much trouble and when you spoke Chris turned and looked at you. He had a girl on his lap that was every bit as sexy as your Sire, but where your sire was all hips and curves, this girl was fit and lithe. She had a slightly ethnic look to her. Maybe she was Cuban? Puerto Rican? One of those Spanish speaking, Gulf of Mexico islands... Her skin wasn't quite white, but not quite tan. Olive, but very light. The girl ashed a cigarette and then put it in Chris' mouth.

"Not much, man." He nodded at you. It didn't look like he recognized you at all. "I'm Chris. That's Ken. This is Jennifer. Who're you?" His voice wasn't hard or snappy. Instead he was very relaxed. Chilled. This was a guy having a damn good night. "Who're you with?" He was eying you pretty hard, but not making the connection between you, Eve, and the five bullets Ken had put through your abdomen and chest, but he had been driving that night.

---

LILLIAN

Angel looked around and inhaled deeply. "I've always kinda liked the smell of gas. It's... I dunno... Progress?" She shrugged. "Apparently the fumes cause cancer. I think there's something profound about that but whatever." She looked around again and pointed up to the VIP box. "They'll be up there without a doubt."

As you two walked she moved closer and spoke louder. You were nearing the cars, and several of them were revving their engines as they rolled around to get in place for a race or to pull out of the pit. Most of them  sounded like super sized RC cars. They revved with a loud zzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz! Ttsshhhhh!

The sound of highly wound, precision engines revving  and then turbos blowing off excess air. There were a few loud, rumbling muscle cars, but they were few and far between. You suspected they were monsters though, to be hanging with these super tuned imports.

"I should have eaten before coming..." She pouted and followed a guy as he walked by. You were vaguely heading towards the VIP box.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Sun 10 Mar 2013.

"Fuck" he said clinching his teeth as he turned again to look around the place. Teri was driving him mad, she went from a sweet girl to an absolute bitch in a matter of nanoseconds.

He paused and a gust of wind pushed his hair onto his face, ceremoniously, he removed it tucking it correctly in the thin indian cloth band that he wore on his head just for that purpose.

Sighing, he started towards the VIP booth, it was his first time in a racing circuit and he was not familiar with the layout or even the jargon used in these places, but he guessed that since Teri had pointed him in this direction, he'd better get it done soon.

He entered the booth, and looked around from within the sweet smelling pot smoke that filled the place. He had always loved this smell and it made him relax a bit into an illusion of comfort 'maybe these guys are not so different as I think?'. Closing in on Chris and Ken he waited for them to finish whatever they were saying to the big bolding guy, and he said "Good Evening.. hmmm... my name is Caetano. It, it is quite an event... just wanted to thank you for the... hmm invitation".

'Not a great speech, but, what the fuck could he tell this guys? it is a beautiful party you have here? well, it was never a bad thing to be grateful, his mother always said, and it was a safe enough thing to start with... he hoped.'.

It was Ken that responded to Caetano's approach. He did it with a chuckle and offered a bowl. "Dude. Smoke this. Chill out." Ken's eyes were glassy an dilated. He had a crooked grin on his face and he leaned way over the table. "Uh... You're welcome? I dunno." He started tapping Chris on the shoulder. "Dude. Dude. Hey. Dude. Dude!"

Chris brushed his arm off a few times before turning, "What!"

Ken looked at him, "Do we know this guy?"

Chris looked from Ric to Caetano and back. "Dude I don't know either of them."

Ken looked at Ric and thought for a long moment. "Hey! Didn't I shoot you like ten times or something?"

The girl Chris had introduced as Jennifer rolled her eyes. "You two are impossible." She took the bowl out of Ken's hand, grabbed Caetano's and put it in his. "You need to do that." Her other hand offered a blue lighter. Chris' eyes passed over it and made a face as if he recognized it, but the look in Jennifer's eyes was urgent. It was pretty clear to Caetano that the offer of the bowl was important, even if Ken and Chris were acting nonchalant about it.

Chris turned back to Ric, "Did you really get shot by him?" He thumbed at Ken. "Dude he sucks. He's all the time getting us killed in Halo because he can't shoot for shit."

"Fuck you, dude!" Ken exclaimed, and it dawned on both of you that getting to know Ken and Chris was going to interesting indeed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:41, Sun 10 Mar 2013.

Caetano smiled, after the 'Dude, dude, hey dude' an image of australian turtles hitting pot came to his mind, that Nemo film had somehow stuck in his brains and it was almost as if he could see them as turtles.

He took the bong from Jennifer and with a brief "cheers" as he raised it, he lighted it as he took a long draft. The cooled out smoke hit his lungs, and he retained it there for a while... not needing to breath anymore, made this a bit easier but still, he didn't want to make it obvious so he just coughed it out without making too much fuss about it. 'Make friends' she had said... but he hadn't imagined getting into sharing a bong right after a hi... weird times.

He was not entirely sure what he was expected to do... normally on these kind of things, one was expected to make it roll, and at the same time, the rest were expected not to ask for it so he kind of gave a tentative look around to see if anyone's glassy eyes were focused on the pot before taking another long drag and handing it back with a thanks. It had certainly helped loosening his tongue.

"Thank you, and no, I do not think we have met.. name is Caetano Cohen, I am just ahhh... hmmm... just arrived, quite green that is..." he was not really sure how much he could freely say or not, not knowing who the rest around were, but he was sure they'd want to know where he was coming from so he added "Teri.. do you know Teri ? hmm well, she is the hmm... my relative".

Somehow that Nemo scene with the turtles struck him again when he said "She is just letting me fly solo now". 'Fuck, had he actually said that ?'. He just waited to get confirmation.

Dimitri rolled his head on last time to the side, letting out one last satisfying pop before approaching. He kept his hands out and to the side, open and relax to show off his calm attitude and lack of hostility.

This was an important moment and a part of Dimitri got a little nervous, but that part had long ago lost control over his mind and he swung confidently right up next to Phoenix. Dimitri had done too many deals, met too many people to get stage fright at this point in his unlife.

Dimitri leaned over and flashed Phoenix a genuine smile.

"I have been looking for you all night, do not worry, in good way. I am Dimitri although some call me the Devil. I like to think it is because I can procur anything for anyone...for a price. I am new in town and looking for like minded individuals. We Ventrue are so rare among the Anarchs it is good to see one stand tall against the rest. When I heard about you, I knew this was a man I could not afford to let pass by."

He reaches out and offers his hand. He keeps the overall gesture reserved, as in this line of work one never knows whether the person across from you will shake your hand, smack it aside, or just cut right past etiquette and go straight for the "gun in the face" technique. It never hurts to be civil though.

“I’ll catch up with you.” Lillian watched Angel walk off in pursuit of a lite dinner and shook her head. “Guess I’m on my own.”  She thought to herself. Looking up to where Angel had pointed Lillian collected herself, took a breath and walked forward. She was determined to get some answers tonight and this was probably her best chance at doing so.  Once she found her way to the VIP box, she looked around the crowd there and guessed that Ken and Chris would be the ones sitting down with everyone else kissing their ass.

She made her way through the crowd and stopped just close enough to guarantee that she be noticed. She turned to expose her left side, for some reason a female with a full sleeve tattoo going up on her chest was a sure way to get attention, and with her tank top and faded jeans she felt confident it would be only a matter of time before someone addressed her.

Orric raised an eyebrow and chuckled a little, momentarily distracted by Lillian's tank top - a rack like that was hard not to appreciate - but he quickly returned his attention to the two stoners, the girlfriend, the hippy, and the asian.  "I was hit three times actually, not 10, twice in the gut and once in the forearm of all places.  That one hurt the worst.  I'm Ric, by the way, and if it weren't for the two of you and that piece of shit rice burner that somehow caught the Chevelle Eve had, I wouldn't be here now."

Orric put up both hands defensively.  "No offense!  And I'm not pissed about it, neither!"  Ric double tapped with his palms up, even cocking his head down, indicating the two members of Team NOS should hold on for a second before getting wild and crazy.  "Seriously!  I don't know whatever the problem is with Eve, and really, it don't concern me none.  I'm a lot better off now then I was before.  I'm here on my own." He lied, sort of, but it sounded good anyway.  "I actually wanted to thank you guys.  I know it might sound a bit odd, but if you think about it, it makes sense.  Like I said, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be where I am at now.  You see, this new condition I got as a result of that night...well lets just say it's fitting."

Ric smiled darkly.  If he didn't know better, his smile would have revealed his fangs.  Instead he showed some restraint and leaned forward, putting his Dale Earnhardt hat on his knee and clasped both hands on his lap.  "I was a hunter before.  Now I am an apex predator, and I like it."

Ric looked around the room again for a second, reached around behind him, and withdrew a flask.  His confidence in this room was building.  "Though I gotta confess, if I'd had my way that night, I wouldn't be what I am now, and we wouldn't be having this conversation.  You see, I'm a big redneck with a bigger truck and I actually live less then five miles from here down Roberta Church.  I know this area like the back'a my hand.  If we'd had my truck that night, you two wouldn't have ever gotten close.  When we was making our escape I'd have just stayed off the road and run through those fields behind the Phillip Morris plant."  Orric paused, looked around, and casually unscrewed the cap to his flask.  "And no disrespect to anyone that thinks they're a sharpshooter, but if I'd had any one of my rifles, or even a shotgun instead of that plastic piece of shit Eve handed me, things would be a lot different.  After all, I was born and raised in the land of Moonshine, Dale Earnhardt, and shooting things.  So here's to you."

Ric feigned a sip from the flask, just enough to taste the properly brewed and distilled sweet Apple Pie moonshine within.  "Now I ain't a smoker, never have been, but I am a drinker.  Since I'm here to make friends and make some sorta peace, looking past whatever your problem with Eve is, I'll try yours if you try mine.  Consider it a good faith gesture."  Orric glanced between the bowl of herb, Caetano, Ken, Chris, and his flask.  He handed the flask to Chris.  "I got good stuff.  The best, really.  Taste it.  Trust me."  Ric indicated the flask he was handing to Chris.  "Sweet Apple Pie.  It's my pappy's recipe.  Brewed it myself."

Phoenix shook Dimitri's hand after listening to him. "Phoenix, but you know that. What can I do ya for?" Phoenix leaned against the railing and looked over his shoulder as two bikes took off down the track at break neck speeds.

Even from up here their engines were loud. Souped up rice rockets. They were getting popular in Russia, Moscow in particular, but bikes had always been popular in Europe and Russia. They were cheap to own, cheap to maintain, and let you get through the narrow, often winding roads, you found in cities as old as Rome, Moscow, Berlin, and a hundred other cities on that side of the Atlantic.

He looked at you closely, up and down. He was memorizing your face and posture. Committing it to memory. This was not a guy who often needed to write things down.

"Piece of shit rice burner?" Chris almost dumped the girl out of his lap but she clamped her arms around him and even as he rose up a solid five inches he settled back down. She scowled at him and he scowled at Ric.

Ken looked at Chris and jabbed in him in the ribs. "Dude. He called your car a piece of shit-" Jennifer cut him off.

"You. Zip it. We're here to have fun."  Jennifer shot him a glare. Ken's mouth wagged a few times as he almost finished his comment anyway, but then he shrugged, took the bowl and took another hard hit off of it, killing it. Jennifer turned and took the flask from Ric with a nod, "Thanks." She sniffed it and then took a small sip, swished it around in her mouth, made a face, and spat it into a cup, like someone would at a wine tasting event. Eve had warned Ric that not many Kindred could consume food or drink, Ken and Chris, and thus Jennifer, she speculated could, since they clearly still got stoned from smoking weed. She shook her head and shivered. "That's interesting!" She chuckled at herself a bit.

Ken sat there repacking it and something clicked in his head. "Dude. Eve. What the fuck!" He shot out of the chair and looked at Ric with his eyes narrowed. "What the fuck. You're Eve's new kid? Dude," he turned to Chris. "We should ash this bitch and send him back to Eve in baggies." Chris looked up at him and they had a silent conversation for a long moment.

Shit.

Got.

Real.

Quiet. Around the table. It was clear to anyone within ear shot that something important, like whether or not Ric lived through the next few minutes, was being decided right then, and just when the tension got to where it might burst Ken shrugged again, "Yeah. Fuck it." He looked at Ric, "Your sire didn't tell you where she tried to fucking sell us out to an Archon did she? Nearly got us and everyone we roll with killed to save her own ass." He scowled, "Your Sire, she's a fuckin' narc." He sat back down heavily and lit the bowl.

The asian girl, who had stayed silent the entire time, rolled her eyes, stood up and walked off. Everyone watched her go. She shot Ric a somewhat apologetic look, or maybe not? It seemed like there might be more to the story than what Ken was saying.

Chris looked over at Caetano, "Canteeno? Katano?"

"Dude, he said Kano. Like from Mortal Kombat." Ken corrected Chris and Chris nodded deeply.

"Caetano." Jennifer sighed.

"Kano is cooler. I've seen your sire around a few times. Weird chick. How long you been around? She doesn't seem to like anyone. Kinda stuck up." It was a lucid comment, and remarkably accurate. You had the same impression of Teri when you first met her. What had at first seemed like an aloof, even snobbish, personality, and she could be at times, was more insecurity than anything. Teri did not like running solo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:25, Sat 23 Mar 2013.

Lillian stood there and listened to the big self-announced redneck and rolled her eyes from one side of the room to the other. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Either he was trying to sell himself to those gathered around, or he was trying to sell himself to… himself. Either way was a sad thing to watch and listen to. The minute he said “pappy” she looked right at him and almost chuckled in disbelief. Did he really say that? She watched the two that she assumed was Ken and Chris and waited to see what they would do. If things didn’t happen soon she’d make her presence known and give a formal greeting.

As Lillian watched what was unfolding she felt a large hand on the small of her back and a heavy set man appeared at her side. The hand didn't move. He had a thick face and really short hair. A not quite trimmed growth of stubble was on his face and it looked like he would grow a pretty sweet beard if he didn't trim it soon. He looked right at her and smiled broad. His bottom teeth were slightly crooked.

"Nice to meet ya. I'm Gordon, and who might you be, lookin' like that." He made no attempt to hide his eyes going up and down, up and down.

Lillian reached back and removed his hand silently as she looked him the eyes. “No one important, let’s just say I’m new in town waiting to make myself known.” She shifted her eyes over to the commotion going on with the redneck. “They don’t seem to like newcomers to much do they.” It was more of a statement then a question.

Gordon watched you remove his hand and he snorted. "Them? Nah. I can't say I do either. It just so happens," Gordon cocked his head to the side, "I'm one of 'em. I drive their rig. Hell, I handle all the logistics. They need cars hauled 'cross country I'm the man they talk to."

He crossed his arms and gave you a small, prideful smile. He was content that he got the last laugh after you brushed off his pretty piss poor advance but you could probably still salvage it. He was still looking, and he hadn't gone anywhere, nor did it look like he was in a hurry to do so now.

The sound of oppurtunity was knocking at Lillians door. Head driver? Could this be a chance to get out from under Jack's thumb and bitchy whinning? Possibily kill two birds with one stone? "So do you do the hiring too? Just happens that being a newcomer I'm looking for employment too." She gave him her own look over. He seemed nice enough, not enough to trust right off the bat but, then again who is. She had been around and new better then to play all her cards at one on the same horse. "Maybe you could drop my name to someone who's looking for an extra hand?"

Caetano observed the exchange between Ken and Chris about Ric with interest, and not a small amount of fear. It was clear that "vampiric" things were discussed rather freely so he guessed it was safe to do so... still... better to err on the safe side.

"Kano is a cooler name, you are right... but I am not sure it fits me... I am far from being that kind of tough guy and... well I was not a fan of his finishing moves, sort of crude in a way".

He looked again at the redneck called Ric, pausing a bit and then chuckling at Ken's comment "Well, Teri is just Teri.. but she does seem that way at times..." he paused again for a bit thinking as he scratched his hair right behind his right ear  "The less you know her, the more she seems that way actually. But its not really that she is that way, not by far... she is at her best when you get to know her I think".

Caetano shrugged and looked around not really knowing what else to add to that, it was kind of uncomfortable to talk about someone else, but he hoped he had put her in a good light, she had said they needed friends, they, not he...

Ric was lost in thought at Jennifer's reaction to the Moonshine.  It definitely not the reaction she should have had.  It was a lot farther from the reaction he wanted her to have.  But then that jackass Ken had to say something stupid about small baggies and jump to his feet like he was the Rock or something.

This in turn caused Ric to react in the most natural way possible.  He ALSO lept to his feet, kicking the chair he was seated on out from behind him.  "Sit your ass back down 'for you get yourself hurt comin' at me like that!"  Ric was just as shocked at his response as he was at Ken coming at him like he did.

Both hands gripped the edge of the table and Ric leaned forward.  "You know what cocksucker?  Fuck you and YOUR piece of shit rice burner you rode in on.  That's assuming you got one.  So far all I seen is you riding bitch!"

Oh shit...

"In fact, all I seen so far tonight is you being a bitch.  You dumb fuck piece of shit, if your problems with Eve were that bad you should'a finished her off instead of high tailing it!  I'm a result of that night and for the record, neither one of you can shoot for shit.  I was fucking drunk with two left feet and was still ducking and dodging better then you was shooting, and goddamn son, you had a fucking 12 gauge!"  Pissed, Ric snarled (it was an unconscious action) and leaned on the table some more.  "Now I come up in here all in good faith.  Within the first five minutes, I done said I don't know what the problem 'tween you and Eve is, it doesn't concern me none, and I even went so fuckin' far as to thank y'all, and what I get for it?  WHAT I GIT FOR IT?"

Ric grit his teeth, grinding them together to keep from turning into a Frenzy.  "I get the weak link in this fuckin' chain talkin' some stupid bullshit about puttin' me down?  And this young lady right here--" Ric paused, using both hands to point out Jennifer.  He even directed his words at her for just a second.  "And I apologize for being an asshole right now, but that Moonshine you just turned your nose up to is about as close to pure alcohol that anyone can drink, and that little flask you just put down is fifty dollar bottle.  It's easier to make, easier to ship, stays off the DEA radar longer, and since, yanno, we're right down the road from a major university, is a big ass cash cow just waiting to happen--!"

Ric pointedly turned back towards Ken.  "I got two fuckin' words for you, pretty boy.  Fight.  Club." Orric enunciated the last two words for impact.  He continued to glare.  Finally he let out a sigh and reached down to swipe his hat off the floor.  "Fuck it.  I'mma go talk to that hot Asian chick.  She at least looks like she got a clue, and even if she doesn't, I just watched her swipe four or five grand from the table, so at least she's more fun."

Ken went wide eyed and nearly came over the table at Ric, but he held his spot in his chair while the neonate ranted. Clearly, cooler heads were prevailing at the moment. While he looked like he was ready to try to tear Ric a new asshole he just grit his teeth and glowered up at the big redneck.

Gordon stopped in mid sentence to watch the altercation. Caetano was forgotten for the moment. The asian turned on her heels and watched intently.

Before Ric could leave though there was the sudden, unmistakable feeling of something metal poking him in his hip. Looking down he seen quite clearly the barrel of a shotgun.

"Hey, Dickhead, I'm the one that does the shooting. Ken drives. The rice burner was mine. You'd know that if you had bothered to ask your sire fuck all before coming out here to run off at the jaws. So, sit down, before I splatter your cock and pelvis on the wall behind you." Chris looked up at Ric with a stern glare. It was Ken's turn to smirk. "You came to our domain, to our party, and being anything but the most gracious of motherfucking guests at all times is all the reason we need to bounce you. So calm your tits, and sit down." The shotgun backed off just a bit, but Ric could still see it and see that it was still aimed at his lower half. It wouldn't kill him, but he could probably hang up walking for the rest of the night.

Jennifer looked from Ken to Chris and back to Rick. She was worried. Everyone else was frozen, watching what would happen next.

HOLY SHIT! Was the first thing that popped in Lillian’s head when the big redneck started popping off at the mouth. He can’t be that fucking stupid, she thought to herself. Not one for being all courteous herself, even she knew what he was doing was enough to get himself a gun to the head, a knife to the gut or back, or even a suntan. Lillian just stood back and watched the show running a hand through her hair to push it back out of her eyes. The next few minutes were sure to be entertaining to say the least.

Caetano shifted on the coach involuntarily moving a bits off the way of Ken Chris and Ric should they jump at each other, which he hoped they didn't, and wondered what in the seven hells could have made Ric go at them guys as he had... 'and what if Jennifer did not like that drink ?. They could not eat or drink anyhow, and if it was a matter of business as the man was saying, then what the fuck did it matter whether they liked it or not ?.'

'Pride was such a useless thing, and it was put onto the weirdest things... a liquor of all things ??'. He stretched out his hand to pick up the dropped bottle and smell it. Before tasting it though, he made an offer to Ken and Chris in case they wanted to check the thing for themselves and that it might ease the tension somehow... that the guy would have gone so crazy about the liquor had definitely picked on his curiosity.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Sun 24 Mar 2013.

Ric had ignored Chris.  He ignored the shotgun too.  Orric's eyes, a near bloodshot mass of fury, hatred, and rage were locked on Ken.  Orric did all of this because there was something SEETHING right behind his eyes burning a hole in his brain, just under the skin, and right behind fingernails, that in this state, were often used as claws.  Odium.

Or to those who didn't know what a Brujah on the brink of an anger frenzy was, tunnel vision.  It was the second poke of the shotgun, Chris saying something, and Ken (in spite of the smirk on his face) sinking back down to his seat that caused Ric to finally realize there was in fact, a shotgun pointed at him.  His expression rapidly changed.

Orric was still pissed off (Duh!) but his eyes darted between Jennifer (still in Chris's lap), Chris (who was now holding Jennifer and a shotgun), and the shotgun.  Somehow in a split second, the impossible had happened.  Somehow Chris had picked up (or was handed) a shotgun, he was able to put it in a key location, and he was able to do it all without a squeak from Jennifer.  Nobody was THAT fast.  Or was Ric a lot closer to the edge of that Frenzy then even he had realized?  His expression slowly turned to that of a dog's.  To those who understood, Ric's expression on his face closely resembled the dog that had been tricked by a smart ass person into chasing after a tennis ball that was never actually thrown.

Then all at once FULL STOP!!!  AIR BRAKES!!!  CHOKE CHAIN!!!

Nope.  The monster wanted no parts of the business end of a shotgun.  Just like that it went back to it's cage.  "Right.  Yeah.  That would suck."  It was a statement in reference to having pieces of himself splattered on onto, into, and threw whatever was behind him.  Turning a bit, Ric reached for the chair he had kicked behind him.  I'm good.  I think." He flopped down on the seat again, sort of huffing and puffing, just a reaction to adrenaline wearing off.  He did eyeball Caetano for a second though as the hippie picked up his flask.

Ric avoided looking at Ken for just this minute too.  "That ain't the first time that happened.  Eve said it happens a lot though.  Getting so burning mad that all I wanna do is tear something up just because I can.  I ain't normally like that, or at least I wasn't before.  But now...now I don't know when it's coming or how to keep it from boiling out." He looked at Chris, the shotgun, and Chris again.  "But I'm good now." He paused.  "So since it's so damn important, what's an Archon?" Ric put his hat back on and stretched out in the chair with his feet forward and crossed at the ankles.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Sun 24 Mar 2013.

Chris propped the shotgun back up between himself and Ken with his left arm, barrel down. He had been one arming it. It wouldn't have

Ric's explanation was enough for them. The both nodded like they understood completely. The Asian returned to the table and sat down again, but she still didn't say anything. Ken and Chris looked at each other, had a silent conversation and then Jennifer slid out of Chris' lap and moved off for a bit, sensing that there was about to be some real talk at the table.

Ken finally spoke and pushed the bowl across the table with his right hand until it rested in front of Ric. With his left he took the flask and took a sip from it. "Smooth. I like that, if I drank anymore that would be awesome." He swallowed it and passed it to Chris.

Chris set it on the table in front of him and started talking, "Archons are a cross between Navy SEALS and FBI. Super cops or whatever you want to call them." He waved the whole thing off dismissively. "We've got a bit of a reputation for causing problems when people start trying to sweat us for no reason and your Sire, who was in our crew, hell she was fucking Ken and been for years..." Ken made a face and sunk down in his chair a bit. "Your Sire got picked up by an Archon a few years ago, and to save her ass she sold us out."

The Asian woman rolled her eyes and sighed then she spoke and all eyes were on her, "You idiot. Eve ran with you guys for decades. You really think she narced you out? Why? To save her own ass?" She didn't wait for him or Ken to respond and turned to Ric, "You want to know what happened find me." She stood up and left.

Chris lit a cigarette and tossed his lighter on the table. It skittered and spun into the heavy glass ashtray. He glared after her. "That's bullshit."  He waved his hand dismissively and looked at the bowl. "Dude. Smoke that shit." Then he took a sip from the flask, nodded and handed it over.

Ken pointed at the chair and looked at Caetano. "So what exactly are you two looking for here?" Things had calmed down and the conversation turned over to business as quickly as the ruckus had started.

Gordon stepped to the right, pushing Lillian a bit, clearing them both from the line of fire of the shotgun. "That wasn't smart at all." He said to nobody in particular, and he watched the scene unfold intently. When it turned peaceful again he turned to Lillian and exhaled a relieved sigh. "Okay. What were you saying?"

He took a step forward, grabbed two stools and pulled them out from under the bar, then he sat down in one heavily. He swiveled so he could see the table and what was going on. "And yeah, stuff like that is pretty normal. You wanted work, right?" He looked Lillian up and down again, this time thinking and shrugged. "We don't just put anyone to work, and I have it on good authority you were picked up at a Waffle House earlier tonight by a few of Phoenix's people..."

Dimitri was about to respond when a metric fuck ton of commotion occurred behind him, with shouting and shoguns and all manner of trouble. Dimitri grinned and seemed eager to see a fight break out. He cracked his neck and there was an evil glint in his eye that showed an appetite for violence and danger. When the commotion died down though he seemed a bit disappointed before facing Phoenix.

"I am looking to start making connections. New guy in town with no one to vouch for him gets shit reputation. Shit reputation gets you shit jobs and I have done that over and over again and would like to maybe take rungs two at a time. I hate to impose but I hear you are family in only way that matters and so I come to you as brother and friend to establish reputation. Let me help you out, make a name and get better then shut reputation and I can stand on my own two feet, grow out and owe you huge favor later on.

I know imposing on family is dick thing to do but then again I also know you do not go into new place and just set up shop either. You pay yr dues and get reputation, then you do your thing."

Phoenix looked at you again and only watched the events with mild curiosity then he looked back at you thoughtfully. "Okay. What specifically are you looking to get your hands into first? I'll help you out because that's the rules, but how much depends on what you're getting into." He leaned back against the rail, spreading his arms out and looked back at the bikes again. "I'm obligated to throw you a bone. Not to cut my nose off."

He was quiet while he watched the stuff going on inside and as everyone settled back down he looked back to you. "Be specific. You're potentially asking for a lot. Don't dick me around by being vague."

Lillian took the hint and took a seat in the stool opposite of Gordon, “Fuck word travels fast in this town. Some guy named Jack picked me up while one of his boys took my car. And to be perfect honest, I’d just assume not owe Jack a damn thing for help. I’m a do-for-myself kinda gal. Been doing it a long time, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.” She looked over to Ken and Chris then over to Ric, then back to Gordon, “And I’m not asking for a job specifically, if you can’t use me it’s all cool. But maybe you might know someone who could. That’s all.”

Caetano shifted in his coach to face Ken, tilting his head a bit as he thought of the question "Hmmm... get to know the people, and get known. I suppose that's the most important... ideally, maybe establish some relations, or at least interesting acquaintances" he said smiling apologetically. "I do not have any important business that might cause problems or move any money that might get noticed in any way" he said making a gesture towards the liquor bottle... "For what is worth, I am just a vet, and a message biker... of the kind that do not use gas, as lame as it may sound, its a pretty risky business, though you may not be aware" he paused again thinking what to say next.

"In a perfect world, it would be something like: 'Hey I am here... let me do my thing, and I'll make sure I am not a bother to anyone' Problem is, Lands of La-La rarely do exist, so I would rather take the bull by the horns, and see what it is that it takes to live my life however I please... so, back to your question, I'd say I am here to learn too... as for Teri, well, I guess she has her learning more than done already so you'd have to ask her, but there is much of live and let live in her agenda... however ironic that may sound in our case".

Dimtri nods his head. He knows the drill and a man like Phoenix has gone through this song and dance just as many times as he had. That he didn't feel particularly obligated to play "fuck the new guy" said volumes of his character but that play was still on the table until he had a job.

"I am supplier. Weapons, drugs, tanks, women... what you need I set you up. I hear there is quite a bit of conflict in the underworld markets here. Многие гиганты ступает в крошечном городке...how would you say...many giants entering a tiny town. I am not end dealer, I am not sitting on street corner like whore. I am supplier is all. All I want is a place to set up shop, maybe a few buddies to watch my back. I am sure you can get what you need but can you always get what you want? I do not know this. Maybe there is something you need to acquire or maybe put fear of death into, I have been told I can be quite persuasive when I bring my knife set..I hear regrowing a face is quite messy."

Phoenix was quiet for a long moment. So long that the silence grew awkward, then uncomfortable, then bad enough that Dimitri thought he was in danger of being thrown off the balcony or worse... But, just as Dimitri began to debate beating a hasty retreat Phoenix spoke, "That's exactly the kind of shit I deal with, but, it's time consuming, and it's messy work. You got experience? You want to run it?"

He stepped off the railing and stopped a respectful distance from Dimitri and looked him straight in the eyes, "Prove you're not a fuck up and most of all, prove you're loyal. You work for me now." He hauled a simple flip phone from his hands and offered it to Dimitri. "Take it. We'll be in touch."

Dimitri shrugs and takes the phone.

"Yes I have experience. I ran a crew out of Charleston before fucking Sabbat wrecked my shop. Things got way too hot there so here I am. As for loyalty..."

Dimitri pulls the neck of his shirt to the side revealing a tattoo of a star on his shoulder.

"I do not know if you know but this means Я не нарушаю...er... I am unbroken. I do not betray my brothers."

He looks again at the phone and gives a smile and tucks it into his pocket.

"You will not be disappointed as I get results few others have stomach for. Is there anything else or is it time to party now? We share drink to finalize arrangement, yes?"

Ric seemed interested in what Edge had to say if for no other reason then because she hadn't threatened him or stuck a gun in his side.  She also was far more interesting to look at AND seemed to be willing to tell him what was really going on.  When she said to find her, Ric made eye contact to indicate he acknowledged what she had said to him.  From there the conversation was something of a blur and Ric only half-heartedly listened as Chris said something and then Ken asked some sort of question.  "What?" He asked.

"Oh.  Well, the honest answer is that I wanted to see for myself what the guys who are responsible for my current condition are all about, maybe make some real cash, and maybe see about getting this old 68 Shelby I know wherezzat restored, and if I can't get that done reasonably, maybe at least get some engine work done to my truck." Ric paused.  He was still angry.  The red flush was rapidly leaving his skin tone and he was paling significantly.  All in all, he was, for kindred in the know, showing remarkable self-control for a new Brujah who only a few short seconds ago was on the bring of a rage frenzy.  "She's got an oil leak, smokes like there's no tomorrow, the tranny slips in low gear, and has got about 320K original miles on her.  I bought her ride out of school with a little help from my daddy.  I had her ever since.  She's a good truck, been through a lot, an' loyal like a huntin' dog, but I fear she's on her last legs, even though I know she'll never tell me that until it's too late." Ric confessed.

If you were into muscle cars at all, you knew the 68 Shelby GT500 Mustang was about as top of the line as they came.  There were others out there that could be faster, have more power, or have more class, but there were a very small few that could combine more power, more class, and more speed.  They were also incredibly sexy when restored.  Chevy simply didn't make anything outside of dropping a huge engine into a corvette that held a candle anywhere close and the number of Dodge muscle cars out there in the same league dwindled more and more every year.  On the other hand, if one was a country boy, nostalgic, or just a truck person, you could respect Ric's desire to keep his truck ticking even though she had gone on well past her life expectancy.

Ric looked at the bowl Chris passed him hesitantly.  He looked around the room.  Screw it.  He was all in.  He picked it up, lit it, and like a rookie, hit it way way too hard, damn near choking himself and going into a coughing fit.  He waved a hand in front of himself, clearing the large cloud of exhaled smoke out of his face while he coughed, dropping the bowl back on the table, but he held the lighter for a second before dropping that too.  "Goddamn! He cursed, clearing his throat.

"But what's wrong with Navy SEAL guys?" Ric asked the dumb question in response to Chris's comment about the Archons.  "That don't sound so bad to me.  I got a cousin that's an Army Ranger and a brother that did four years in the Marine Corps before becoming a cop down in King's Mountain.  Military life ain't for me, but I got no problem with them." Ric just didn't understand.  He was still new and thinking like a normal human.

Ric looked around again, still feeling like the new guy and trying not to let on that he really was not comfortable at all around these Team NOS guys.  "This may sound dumb too, but how do you know who you can eat?  Another part of the reason I came out here was to do that on my own.  Ain't happened yet without Eve supervising.  She always said something about a rack, which I assume is sort of like a torture rack or something and respecting others' territory." He paused, a little nervously.  "I seen one that I liked earlier.  A young redhead in some of those skinny jeans.  Came with her."  Ric pointed at Lillian who was engaged in conversation with gruff trucker looking guy.  He was, of course, referring to Angel, but was also, of course, completely oblivious to the fact Angel was already a kindred and the implications involved with what he had just said...

Ken listened to Caetano and frowned more and more as he spoke. Then he was quiet for a minute while he fiddled with a cigarette. Chris looked at his counterpart and they made eye contact. Another silent conversation passed between them and then they both looked at Caetano.

"Dude, get out. we asked you what you wanted and you danced around that shit like some can't cunt little girl." Ken was looking right at Caetano, "You just talked for like five fucking minutes and didn't say shit." Ken scowled and Chris nodded. "You're either a pussy, or a cop, and I don't give two fucks which. Bounce before we bounce you."

Chris glanced back to Ric, took the bowl and tapped it out into the ashtray. He lit a cigarette, handed an unlit one to Ken, who took it despite having one in his hand already, and then offered one to Ric. Ken's eyes flickered across Chris, his arm, and the cigarette and to Ric. Ken nodded, giving on grudgingly on some unspoken point, but he turned his attention right back to Caetano, "Seriously, homes, get the fuck out. You ain't welcome here."

Chris decided to let Ken handle Caetano and turned back to Ric after a second, "Dude, Shelby's are sick. Ken and I can probably help you with that, same with the truck. Our mechanic is the shit. We got a place off Unity Church Road, big ass garage. If you can get the truck out there I'll have my boy hook it up." Then he pursed his lips and hit his cigarette hard. He held the smoke for a moment then exhaled a thick, gray cloud that wafted out into the air. You could almost see the lung cancer it.

"Archons are dirty cops. They don't just run around making sure nobody is being a jerk off. They push their own agendas, they push the Justicars' agendas, and do what they want. They only answer to Justicars, and they're so high up on the goddamn food chain they might as well not answer to anyone. If an Archon dismantles a city most likely the Justicar assumes the Archon knows what he's doing." Another lucid moment from Chris while he spoke. Ken and Chris  were goofy for sure, but they were slowly revealing an uncanny intelligence. Neither of them were as stupid as they acted. That was for sure. "I seen one come into LA, wipe out an entire fuckin' crew, and bounce out like it wasn't shit. He shouldn't have been there at all. Cali was a free state." He looked up and made eye contact with Ric, "Then come to find out this prick wasn't even supposed to be there. He came to LA, where the Camarilla isn't supposed to be, on his fucking own, and offed that crew because he had beef with one of the people in it."

Chris looked disgusted and ashed his cigarette. "That's who your Sire sold us out to. Pricks on a power trip that kill without a reason. We're dicks, yeah, but we don't run around offing entire fucking crews because someone called us a dirty name in front of our friends. That's what that shit was about." He waved the topic off and thought for a second. "That has to be Angel. She's a Joker." Chris pointed at Lillian and then Phoenix. "Them. She came with Angel. Phoenix is their President or whatever he calls himself. The bald guy outside." He indicated Phoenix with a subtle finger poiint and then took another pull on his menthol cigarette. "But, Angel? Really? She's.... I dunno. Weird." He looked at Ric skeptically.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Mon 01 Apr 2013.

Gordon shrugged. "It didn't travel that fast. You stopped in one of our joints. Two of the waitresses there work for us, and we own the pay phone outside. You and Jack in that Range Rover stood out like sore thumbs. What tipped the waitress off though was that you didn't go inside. Everyone goes inside a Waffle House, even if it's for nothing but coffee." He gave you a sly wink.

Gordon spun in his chair and leaned against the bar, using it like a seat back. "Just to be sure one of our probees came to check you out. The mustang? That was one our cars."

He watched the table intently then looked back at you. "You want, what? A recommendation? I still don't know you. Maybe you can start by telling me what brought you to Charlotte, and don't give me that just passing through bullshit. You're traveling alone. Nobody traveling alone is just passing through."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Mon 01 Apr 2013.

Phoenix looked you up and down one more time, making sure he had everything about you committed to memory and turned his back on you, clearly indicating the conversation was utterly over. "You should head back inside. I need to watch my boys down there."

He leaned back on the railing and turned his focus on the comings and goings below. That left you with a mostly complete mission and the rest of the night to work on your own projects. Add to that you were surrounded by anyone who was anybody in the Anarch community, which meant once you walked back inside you would be tripping over business opportunity, after partner, after rival.

It was on you what you did next.

Caetano listened to Ken as he gave him his shit, then eyed Ric and shrugged in his mind. It was clear these guys spoke a different language, and it was also clear they did not let insults go unanswered, so... they had come here for a reason, and mingling was what he was supposed to do, to hell if he didn't give it his best try.

Laughter came unbidden, but probably for different reasons than anyone might get... to make this scene for being called a pussy... 'oh mama if you could only see me now' "A cop... I'll leave it on your brains being fried and all... but a pussy ? I would start to worry where your prick goes if you confuse things so badly.  Oh my, the boy can put two sentences together and he doesn't threat us or asks for something, so.... he must be a cop or a pussy ?" laughter interrupted Caetano there again the reasoning of these guys bordered insanity "Man I may not know shit of fighting, but a cow judges character better than you do."

As soon as Caetano finished talking Ken popped up out his chair with a snarl. He kicked his chair back out of the way and sent it careening into the wall behind him. He'd already been cowed once tonight, and was not going to take it a second time.

"Bounce or get buried, bitch." Ken spat the word and looked at Caetano like he was short. That universal look men who are about to fight give each other: You're worthless. You're light work. You're a bitch, and kicking your asshole up around your teeth is going to be easy.

It was definitely go time. Chris started giggling and lit another cigarette, but he kept his eyes on Caetano.


[Private to Caetano Cohen: +1 EXP Caetano. That was cool, but oh will there be consequences. Please roll 1d10 Then add your Dexterity + Wits to it. EX: 1d10 result = 5. Wits 3 and Dex 2. 5+3+2 = 10. You're rolling initiative. You have to beat a 12 to go first and an 11 to go second.  If you do please edit your post accordingly. I also need a private line declaring what you intend to do, if you spend blood, use a discipline, etc... ALL of that needs to be declared now.] PM

Nobody post until I give the all clear. This should be quick.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Mon 01 Apr 2013.

Caetano stood up as Ken advanced towards him, keeping his eyes level on the man. He knew he was about to get beat, but that had not been the point at all, and so, his smile, an almost crazed grin, still stood on his face.

He laughed hard again, the man wouldn't get it even if it was plain in front of his eyes, it was just as alien to them as this whole charade was to him... "You still don't get it do you?" no point explaining, he had already done that, and they had taken him for a pussy or a cop... *laughs*... he was here to learn... and make some friends... clearly the second would not be possible until he found out better how their minds ticked and it wouldn't do them thinking a him pussy...

Now it was time to swallow the hard end of the stick. 'fuck it' "You only stood up after I said I don't know shit of fightin'?".

[Private to GM, ST-Ac1d: OOC:
09:38, Today: Caetano Cohen rolled 16 using 1d10+6. Initiative (roll + wits+dex).
Well, Caetano knows he doesn't know shit of fighting. First would be pumping stamina, and then dex if he has the time. His goal will be staying alive, so just dodging and getting out of the way or roll with the punches. He knows its a fight loss, and just wants to make his point clear, not win the fight. If at any point using his athletics might get him an edge then by all means :)]

[Private to Caetano Cohen: So you'll spend your 1 BP / turn on raising your Dexterity to 1. You get to go first. What is your action.] PM

PM
[Private to GM: I thought lowest init declared first... anyway, it really does not matter Caetano would not try to throw a punch first.

1BP Raise Dex to 4  -- Remaining BP 9 --
Dodge: 4 Dex + 1 Dodge - > 5 dice rolled. (If I am doing this wrong just let me know).
08:32, Today: Caetano Cohen rolled 1 success using 5d10 with the World of Darkness 3rd ed system with a target of 6 with rolls of 7,8,1,3,4. Dex + Dodge.

Soaking: Caetano woud be soaking with 4 Sta + 1 Fortitude -> 5 dice.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Wed 03 Apr 2013.

PM

[Private to Caetano Cohen: You're correct. Ken is about to hit you. Chris is going to intervene if it looks like you might win. So your Dodge works fine... That said...

Between his roll and your Dodge you need to soak 1. You can check the log if you like]

Just as Caetano finished talking Ken reached back with his hand, keeping it open, and swung forward. Caetano seen it coming just in time to deflect most of the blow by leaning out and raising an arm. The blow left a red mark on his cheek that faded after a second or two, but the point had been made.

Ken thought Caetano was a bitch, and there was nothing the Gangrel could do to change that now. A few other people stood up and started making their way towards Caetano. They had on various hats and jackets with the NOS logo on it.

"Bro," It was Chris who spoke, "You got about five seconds to get up outta here before we take you apart." The coming storm, in the form of the rest of Team NOS closing in on Caetano, told the Gangrel the damage had been done and it was time to move on.


OOC: Everyone can post right after Caetano.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:03, Thu 04 Apr 2013.

[Private to GM: LOL... VERY nicely done with the slap.
I think this really works for him as it gives him a good reason to focus on learning to defend himself.
08:20, Thu 04 Apr 2013: Caetano Cohen rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the World of Darkness 3rd ed system with a target of 6 ((1,10,5,7,10)).
]
Caetano's face changed as all distinct stages of embarrasment and anger went through it. Had he been alive he would sport an embarrased crimsom red visage... had he been a cartoon fume would be coming out of his ears, all of this together gravitating from one to the other as his mind's eye replayed the event again and again.

As it were, his perfectly immaculate face, for the slap had done nothing worth of mention, was dominated by his wide eyed expression, while his fists clenched almost to the point of hurting his palms.

Whether Ken had played it so intelligently on purpose was something he did not know, but one thing was clear, the bastard was cunning. He had been prepared for a beating, he had actually called for it, as it would have actually made his point all the more clear... this however, was an insult that cut right through his efforts, it had broken the momemtum and left any actions now other than suicide appear as a kid's tantrum.

He took a few seconds to collect himself, as Chris' words registered in his mind as echoes well after the man had pronounced them... they were not important... all had already been said with that slap.

He inhaled purposefully, like he had done in life in his yoga exercises, conscious of the air coming through his nostrils and filling his dead lungs... it was a reflex, a well trained one... he relaxed. The anger was still there, but it was now manageable, it let him think.

He picked up the indian piece of cloth that kept his hair in place, which had fallen with the slap, leaving his hair in disarrayed not bothering to put it back. His voice, as he spoke back to Ken had an intensity that had not been there before, none of the laughter, none of the kindness. Hurt but intent on its meaning "Next time... make sure you close your fist when you hit me or I swear I will rip your hand off even if it is the last thing I do."

Then, he slowly started towards the exit, almost trembling rage and embarrasement.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:52, Thu 04 Apr 2013.

Dimitri kept an eye on the exchange between Caetano, Orric, and Ken/Chris went back and forth. It was clear to Dimitri that Ken and Chris styled themselves as some of the top dogs at the party.

It was clear to Dimtiri that they were more likely middle management at best given their overall attitude and arrangement. Best to steer clear until he had some muscle and influence. Otherwise a meeting with them might turn out the same as all the others that have gone there so far. Dimtiri was not one who enjoyed being forced onto his knees to lap up whatever they desired to put into his face.

Phoenix was...a different situation. He had been surprised by an abrupt job offer, perhaps Phoenix was a better judge of character then he would have guessed. Kindred aren't known for trusting new blood so quickly and Dimtiri was keeping an eye out for the inevitable backstabe but for now he needed a bit of leverage and perhaps a dog being kicked towards the door might offer up a solution to his predicament.

Dimitri slid through the crowd in a rush to head Caetano off before he reached the door.

"Hey! Hey you there? You have time for quick chat before hitting road?"

Dimitri's thick Russian accent spoke of foreign lands and brutal danger but his tone was friendly enough.

When it looked like violence was about to ensue, Ric snatched his flask away from Caetano and leaned out of the way.  "Don't point--don't hit me!  I didn't do it!" Ric's words changed as he reacted to what he thought was going to be another gun pointed in his direction and then the realization that it more likely to be a brawl.  Orric wouldn't normally have been one to duck and cover here, but he already had one shotgun stuck in his side.  He wasn't going for a second.  He had learned his lesson.

"Cool."Ric said from the side.  He remained nervous until Caetano and then that other guy from earlier left and Ken sat down.  When things died down enough, Ric looked at Chris.  "Who is that?  That guy is Phoenix right?  The patch on the vest says so."  Ric looked at Phoenix, and then back at Chris.  "So if I wanna know this Angel a little more I gotta go ask him?"  Ric looked serious.  "Yeah.  I'm serious.  I wanna know her better.  Something about that thick, frizzy red hair and extra layer of freckles..."  Ric nodded in thought.

"And those hips!" He expressed with his hands.  Ric did have a point though.  Angel did have a great ass and she could wear ultra tight skinny jeans and get away with it.  "Do I need to keep going?  The things I would do to her if I got the chance."  Ric beamed.  He was high.

"And would you really look at an old truck like mine?"  Orric seemed surprised.

Lillian looked at Gordon and relaxed a bit in her chair, “Never had any intention on giving you the bullshit speech about passin through. Came to Charlotte to find someone is all, but since I’m here and I haven’t found him yet, settin up residency sounds like a good second plan. “ She glanced at Ken briefly when she heard Angel’s name, and just as quickly turned her attention back to Gordon. “Look, you seem a’right, and I’m not some stupid country redneck fresh off the truck. I know how it works. I prove myself to you, you decide if you want me, thing is neither of us is gonna benefit from anything if all we do is stand around and chit chat.” Lillian kept glancing around the room as the insults and threats kept coming. Ric seemed to have settled down, but the other one getting his ass chomped wasn’t quite through. “So…I tell you what... I'm gonna go on over and introduce myself to a few others. If you think you could use me, well I'm sure you know how to find me.”

With that, Lillian hopped off her seat and walked over to Ric and the one he was talking to. Ric hadn't really impressed her yet, but the guy he was talking to looked like he might know who to talk to or where to go.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Tue 09 Apr 2013.

Caetano took a while to notice it was he, that had been addressed by Dimitri. He turned quickly unsure of the voice being the prelude to a hit coming his way. He was swift, fight he could not, he had the toned reflexes of a well toned sportsman. He looked at the guy approaching bewildered, and noticed that It was the guy that was packing all that steel he had seen when he had arrived with Teri.

It looked like he was not going to hit him.... yet... and so, relaxing his arms that had come up involuntarily making him look a fool yet again, he breathed in to reply "I am not hittin' the road anytime soon... so... sure... My name is Caetano" he said extending his hand and keeping it there a little while, as doubt crept into him unsure of what was the proper way to greet someone that looked like an assassin taken out of a film.

"I'll appreciate any conversation...  " 'as long as it stays at that' he thought "But I must say I wonder what would move anyone now to come talk to me... I am curious" he said finally opening up with a smile that seemed to have no apparent reason.

Dimitri shrugged and gestured for Caetano to walk and talk with him wandering towards a more quiet area of the party.

"I see...that...most of it."

He gestured back towards where Ken and Chris had their "throne" set up.

"...and I must admit it was, how you say, most amusing? I do not know what you did to irritate them so but given what happened I am a little impressed that you are still standing here. If they had decided to rip out your lungs and stake you for sun, would anyone here have stopped them? Would anyone here even care or think of it as entertainment for party? I know not. If you have protection maybe I am just wasting my time here, however at moment it looks like you could use a friend, or at least a friendlier face, da?"

Dimitri's tone is easy and smooth, just a simple conversation between two guys who just became instant friends. Despite the tone it is difficult to relax around Dimitri. On paper he seems friendly enough but his presence, the intangible and indescribable way that he carries himself and glances around the room, even the way he walks or gestures seems to make one uneasy, like at any moment the mask of civility could drop and it would be replaced by a crazy psycho russian monster. But that moment never seems to come, the mask remains and Dimitri once again seems like just a friendly face.

OOC: As mechanical background Dimitri has a specialty in physical intimidation. He's not actively using it but he knows how to carry himself to seem dangerous. He is a "civilized" brute.

Ken settled back into his chair and tried lighting a cigarette. He patted his pockets and frowned. Chris, without taking his eyes off of Ric, reached into his pocket and handed him a lighter. He let out a big sigh as Caetano finally headed for the door and shook his head, but he didn't speak on it anymore. Instead he turned his attention to Ric, and listened intently. Really intently, but it was clear he was getting his mind off of the Caetano situation. Ken gently tapped the lighter on the table while he listened to Ric.

Chris reached over and clapped Ken on the shoulder, glanced at the lighter, made a face, and responded to Ric, "Nah man. Phoenix runs her crew, he's not her fucking dad. You want to play with her titties go talk to her." He pointed at Lillian and glanced at the tapping lighter again. "She got picked up by Jack, Phoenix's bitch... I'm sure she knows where Angel is. Hell, she might even be here. I know they didn't send you out into the lion's den on your own." He smiled and nodded his head at Lillian with a smirk on his face as she sat down next to Ric, taking Caetano's now empty seat.

Ken put the lighter in his pocket, and finally spoke again, "Yeah man. We'll look at it. You're alright. That punk," He pointed at Caetano through the door. "He's weak. We don't need that shit around here. Anyway, I've got a race in a few. Ya'll be easy." Ken stood up, fist bumped Chris, squashed his cigarette and walked off. Gordon followed him out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:20, Thu 11 Apr 2013.

Caetano walked along with Dimitri towards a quieter place, he could feel the other man's oppressing presence and, without noticing, he kept trying to keep a wider distance than he would have with a less menacing company.

"Hmmm... " he paused a bit thinking "I have a problem. A communication problem, the way I see it. The readings people get from me, are of course, based on their own experiences. And so, them, they read weak... and you... well, you probably read something on those lines too... its ok".

He paused there again collecting his thoughts while taking the time to correctly place his hair band again 'Damn... I think I am talking too much, this guy doesn't give a fuck about communication Caetano... shit'.

"Look... I don't want external protection, it sends the opposite message of what I want... respect needs to come for myself first, not because of those around me. But... There are many things that I need that I am not even aware off, thats why I am here, what are you proposing ?.".

He scratched his chin as he looked at Dimitri 'Fuck, I talk too much... '
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Thu 11 Apr 2013.

As Caetano talks the smile starts to fade from Dimtiri's face. It would seem that the more he talks, the more Dimitri is re-evaluating his position and his offer. Finally he just lets out a soft sigh.

"What you say, it tells me nothing. If I want to listen to chit-chat I talk to проститутки с большой грудью. По крайней мере, я получаю хороший трах из него.

Dimitri goes on and on in a foreign tongue. Russian maybe? Polish? Definitely Eastern European whatever it was.

"Maybe I start over, make things bit more clear. I can offer many things. Weapons, protection, knowledge of who to fuck and who to avoid getting fucked by. I offer this for very little price, a few favors now and again and a promise that you will never ever try to fuck me. Last man to try that...well my mechanic is still picking out pieces of skull from underside of SUV. The blood I fear will rust exhaust pipe and I do not want to replace again.

Anyway, this is what I offer and ask, not very much and maybe it helps you get established? Helps you build reputation which is all anyone here cares about. They care not what pedigree but whether you are strong or weak. Right now you seem very weak but perhaps this is not the truth?

I offer you much but what do I get in return? What can you do for me?"

Caetano looked at Dimitri as he talked. His expression turned somber as the other started speaking Russian, but he nodded seeing a light after the tunnel when Dimitri offered to talk more clearly... 'how the fuck did he expect him to figure out what he was offering otherwise?'.

He started speaking a bit nervously and calming down a bit as he went on "Ah! good. Hmmm well, let's see, I can have dogs trained for you for attack, haven protection or whatever you want... actually almost any animal. I can also be of service patching people up without needing to go through a medical center... And probably in a less interesting order of things, I can be of use if you need someone that speaks spanish or portuguese or if you need a quick delivery at rush hours early at night".

He paused and opened his hands palms up and inhaled as he set himself to say what he had to say "Regarding fucking with each other, I understand your point, and share it wholeheartedly, should it come to it, I'll be using my hungry pets. I comment because it seems to be customary, not because I am some kind of sadistic fuck that likes to put animals through that kind of shit, you understand...". Caetano's eyes were set, just as his jaw, gritted and waiting for a challenge to this. The boy looked commited.

"So, is any of what I mentioned of interest to you or do you have something else in mind that I could help you with?" This was said without any acritude, in real hopes of having something to offer that could be of use.

[Private to Dimitri the Devil: OOC: I am assuming that Caetano can pinpoint it as russian without trouble if you don't mind, he has had an international education and probably dealt with other people talking russian... plus polish do not use Da. If you are not ok with this, just let me know, at any rate I dont think it has any impact on the game.

One thing, I am spansish, there might be some missunderstandings. If you see something completely strange or that makes no sense just let me know.

As for his reactions here, right now Caetano is just a "boy", a strong willed one, that seems set on learning his way around, but completely alien to all of this, I try to reflect all this on the rp. Also, he is not even sure why he is here... his Sire, has brought him here, but with so little explanation and to a world so alien to him, that he hardly knows what to look for. Anyway, just feel free to PM me if you see any inconsistency.]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:19, Thu 11 Apr 2013.

Dimitri's eyes seem to cool a bit but he grins anyway.

"I understand but you should be careful about who you threaten, and how you do it. SUV is SUV but dogs...I like dogs. They like me, not much concern, eh? But I do not screw with you, you are not nearly pretty enough for that."

He chuckles and lightly pats Caetano on his cheek.

"You have cell phone? We exchange информация...er...information? Digits? Better yet, I call you when I have opportunity. Opportunity to make some money, get some reputation, eh? But maybe in meantime you tell me where you are from, what you are doing here? Given the way those жопы treated you I guess you did not come here at their request. Maybe someone sent you? Someone pulling your strings, da?"

Caetano sighed apparently calm as his eyes turned red, blood injected, when Dimitri patted his cheek. "Keep your hands to yourself, lets trade a few questions and I'll decide after that, if I want to give my number to one that pretends to be able to get me reputation while patting me on the cheek".

He paused a bit, and wondered as he eyed Dimitri 'Could he trust someone whose "mobbish" mentality overruled any business sense ?'. Visibly more relaxed after a few seconds, he started speaking again "I am of clan gangrel, embraced not that long ago... a recently graduated student, a vet. My Sire, Teri, she does not mingle much with others, so its really the first time I am at one of these. So if anyone was to be moving my strings as you say, it would be her".

Caetano pinched his lower lip with his left hand, and shifted his weight to the other leg "So what of you?, what does a Russian do in Charlotte of all places, trying to stablish this business ? everyone seems already well packed, I must be the only one in this whole damn place not carrying...".

Dimitri just laughs off Caetano's objections. He was a fiesty one, that one, quick to withdraw, quick to anger. Quick to become a liability.

"You need to learn to relax...chill out du-ude"

Dimitri attempts a California surfer accent but fails miserably. He cannot say anything without sounding like he has a mouth full of marbles.

"I understand this is all new for you but you really have to be careful of what you are doing. For all you know I am elder and I rip out your heart just for fun because you piss me off. You have to be careful about how far out you puff your chest because while some people may have called me a monster, I am really just friendly guy. Here, in this world, however, there are real monsters, men who will потрошить вас как рыба if you catch my drift. You need to learn to pick when and where you decide to puff up and pick fight.

The best tip for survival, only fight when you will win."

He grins, a feral grin right out of Silence of the Lambs.

"As for me, it is mostly long boring story. Short version is Sabbat chase me out of hometown on coast. Originally I was hoping this would be temporary, that some Archon would wake up and kick them out but as weeks turn to months turn to years this is becoming less likely. So now I am forced to set up new market, new territory and as you can guess it is pain in ass. Is not first time I have had to strat over, is not going to be last. Even Princes fall, but as long as you avoid being turn to ash, there is always time to try again."

He pauses, taking the time to scan the surroundings to see if anything interesting has come up while his attention was focused on Caetano. Finally after a few moments he turns back to the younger man.

"I have not had pleasure of meeting this...Teri is it? Perhaps you can set up an introduction, drop a few words about how friendly and helpful I have been, looking out for you, eh?"

He grins and slaps Caetano lightly on the back. It would seem that Dimitri is either blissfully unobservant about Caetano's repeated attempts to preserve his personal space, or more likely is purposefully ignoring the social cues for any number of reasons.

Caetano listened to the Russian attentively. He was, by default, a good listener, but at any rate, Dimitri's talk was quite interesting, and thus it was not hard for him to focus all his attention on the big bold man.

By the time he finished speaking, he was visibly more relaxed, and did not mind at all the clap from the stranger, in fact, his mind was quite absorbed on the history the other had told. "What are they like ?... the sabat I mean... I have never seen them, some say that they just want to diablerize everyone, but if it is so, there must be a reason...  and, what the heck is an Archon ? its the second time today someone mentions one, and I had never heard the word till now. The other guy... that brewer back there, I think he said they were like some kind of kindred Navy Seals or something, but why would they help you? you have to pay them ?".

Noticing he had asked quite a bunch of questions he added, "As for Teri, I'll be sure to put on a good word about you and your line of business... she does well enough without weapons, let me tell you, but... who knows, she might have a use for them too."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Tue 16 Apr 2013.

Dimitri grins, a far more genuine one this time.

"Anyone who says they have enough weapons is not thinking creatively enough. The Sabbat...they are nothing but a bunch of ублюдки..er...motherfuckers. I have heard stories too that they eat babies and howl at moon. Most is all bullshit elders tell around campfire. From what I see, they are just crazy vampires that do not give a fuck. Like children with rifles they will shoot at anything.

Archons are same page but opposite side. They go where they want to keep the kindred clean, like gestapo or secret police. They storm in, kick ass, and leave when they are done moving on to next city. Keep in mind each one is different. Some are big bruisers like me, others are small, crafty sons of bitches. Make enemies fight enemies and turn whole city upsidedown without lifting a finger. I would say those are the ones to watch out for but as long as you are not stupid you should not have to deal with one.

And if you do maybe I put in good word for you, eh?"

Caetano smiled looking at Dimitri 'Would someone that comes looking to do business with the most obvious newcomer in town, as a moth comes to the light, have such contacts as archons? I may have misjudged him woefully... will need to check later but for the time being, lets just be cautious'.

He shook his head a bit coming out of his thoughts "Let's hope then I don't need to find out..." he paused and wrote down a mobile number in piece of paper "Listen, here is my mobile number, give me your's, your card or whatever, and I'll talk about it with Teri as I said and keep you in my thoughts in case I see myself needing anything you might provide. Should you need an animal trained, call me, just keep in mind that those things take time, and even more if one needs to find a suitable animal".

[Private to GM: Caetano is not rich or anything I figure he'd be using prepaid phones as mobile, and only have fix line for the shop, of which he does not give the number.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Wed 17 Apr 2013.

Dimitri hands over a business card to a strip club called Natasha's. The card is well worn and slightly bent.

"Ask for me two times. No more, no less and I'll get in touch."

Dimitri holds out his hand for a card or a number or something else as well.

Ric was about to say something, but when Lillian came over and plopped down, he looked at her instead.  Ric quietly didn't say what he was going to about Angel, and instead, watched and listened as Ken did the talking.  "You wanna know something funny about that Russian guy?" Ric glanced at Dimitri as him and Caetano exited.

"He listens to that crappy Mexican polka-circus shit.  He was rocking that shit out on his way here.  I know because I followed his Escalade in.  I also double parked and blocked him in."  Ric beamed again.  "Triple parked actually.  There ain't no way he's getting out of the parking lot unless someone is nice and lets him back out.  But then, this is a parking lot at a raceway.  His other choice is to go through my truck...and good luck with that.  There is a reason the phrase 'Built Ford Tough' exists, especially for trucks like mine, built back in the day of nuts, bolts, and steel.  His Escalade may be pretty, but it's designed to crumple, just like all modern cars."

Momentarily distracted by Lillian's tank top - okay, the cleavage and sleeve more then the tank top, Ric focused on the picture on her arm.  He was trying to decipher it.  "That's neat."  He pointed at it with an offhand motion.  "Do you got anymore?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Thu 02 May 2013.

Lillian looked at Ric as if he was two cards shy of a full deck. “Seriously? You don’t know a wolf when you see one?”  She looked from Ric to her arm and back to Ric. “And no I don’t have anymore. I got what I wanted, that’s good enough for me.” She studied him for a second before continuing, “You wanted to meet Angel? I can help you there, if you can help me find this guy Phoenix.”

Caetano nodded to Dimitri "Twice... got'it" he said as he handed him a piece of paper in which he had scrib.. "That's me.. directly".

He stood there then for an awkward moment, not really sure what to do now or if the big man was expecting something else, some kind of salute or a swearing on his word or something... that didn't seem to come, and left him feeling a bit like a fool yet again.

Dimtiri glances at the number handed to him to make sure its legible then crams it into a pocket.

"Alright, that is enough for now. Go out, mingle. Maybe find yourself a few more friends, eh? I will do the same and maybe we can all beocme a bit more useful..."

He pauses, glancing back at the direction where Ken and Chris were seated with their "entourage".

"So...I missed some bit of action back there. What exactly was your...beef...with those guys back there? I believe they are hosts, or at least look like there is a line of people waiting to suck them off."

Caetano shrugged "Me? I had no beef with them... just dropped to say hi, and at some point they decided I was not of their liking... if you want my take on them, I'd say they are more interested with their bellybuttons than on doing any real business... but then again, you might find some use in talking to them, they know everyone, or so it seems".

He was secretly happy (even not recognicing it to himself) that the interview with this scary guy was done and over. He still did not see himself carrying guns, but well, at least now, he'd know where to find them were he to ever need them.

Dimitri gives a nod then moves back into the crowd. He mingles through the crowd a bit more, keeping his eyes and ears open to get a feel for the environment but it seemed that all roads led back to the VIP booth. It was time to meet the hosts.

Dimitri walked up to the VIP booths, hands empty and out of his pockets in case any guards or NOS thugs decided that he looked like trouble, pretty much a given considering the scars, tattoos and general appearance.

When he is finally in front of Ken and Chris as a sign of respect he allows them the first opportunity to talk...

"Guess you're in luck then Lilly.  Thats him right there." Ric pointed at the bald guy in leathers with a patch that said "president" on it.  Then Ric looked around at the small group at the table and in the room.  He was still feeling a little weird, but there were still a lot of people he needed to know better too.  "Alright.  Anyway.  I'll be back in a few.  I am gonna go see what Edge got to say.  I doubt it's a good idea to keep her waiting."

Yep.  Ric just named dropped Edge.  He figured someone on the room would be surprised he of all people knew who she was.  Then again, why wouldn't he?  "What?"  He asked, beginning his clarification.  "How many Asian girls are gonna be in here, sweep a table for five grand, and then tell the hosts of the party they're full of shit, and not get guns pointed in her direction when just about everybody else already has?"  Orric shrugged.  "'Sides.  Right now, insight into Eve is a good thing for me."

With that, Ric gathered his flask and made for the door, sure to return soon, but for now, on the prowl to find Edge.

Lillian watched Ric walk off and waited till he was clear of ear shot before she said anything else. She turned her attention back to the guy in leathers , “Phoenix is it…. Cool! Look I’m gonna get straight down to it, there’s a person I’m looking for and word has it that you’re the go to guy for that sort of shit. Is there someplace we can talk so I don’t have to air all my business to the whole fucking community?” Lillian was getting a bit testy, the constant having to explain everything was wearing on her nerves.

WRapping this thread up now. TWO YEARS have gone by since the party. Yes. TWO YEARS.

---

Lillian: Phoenix didn't have any information but he did point you back to Ken and Chris, who were your first leads anyway. You managed to catch up with them at the end of the party and Chris was lucid enough to remember your Sire. He had ridden with them to Raleigh. Chris explained they took a circuitous route the Charlotte for security reasons. He added that it was just protocol, not that they thought they were being followed. You took out a favor with Chris and he called in another for a contact in Raleigh. Your Sire had stayed literally the night and headed to Charlotte. You narrowed it down to Interstate 85 between Charlotte and Raleigh. He had vanished somewhere in there.

Caetano: You and Teri managed to hook up with Tank's Brood, albeit as outsiders, but you were still more or less welcome among them. However, as you slowly got used to what was going on you, Teri, and Ric ended up spending more time together and you all eventually ended up more or less on your own. You did manage to get a place on your own not far from the animal shelter. Teri also managed to find some in roads with Edge's Crew by winning a few fights in Fight Club.

Ric: Since you were the only one with a place everyone gravitated towards hanging out with you. Edge talked to you a few times but you didn't get much out of her in with the drama between your sire and Team NOS. Not because she was being tight lipped about it, but that she didn't seem to know a whole lot herself. She believed Eve thought she was protecting them, not selling them out. Edge admitted Eve likes to play the martyr where the people she cares about are concerned. The obvious conclusion, in Edge's mind, was that Eve felt she was protecting them from a serious threat.

Dmitri: Phoenix wasted no time putting you to work. Within two months you had a good pulse on his weapons running...Or so you thought... He met with you one night at a Honda Junkyard in the boonies near a small town called China Grove. You were supposedly there to pull security while he renegotiated a shipment that had come up from Mexico. Instead he sent Jack to try to kill you. That wasn't the bad part. The bad part was that he failed. Madisen and a few of the Assamites in the QCLA showed up. They, frighteningly easily, nearly killed Jack, killed some other vampire you weren't familiar with, and two ghouls. Madisen explained her case to you: She hated Phoenix. Phoenix wanted you dead. She saved your life and now you owed her a Life Boon. Your new job was to continue doing exactly what you were doing that Phoenix wanted you dead.


See the update thread for more information.