"Where have I been? Uh, well, I was home earlier. Then I came here." Shad was confused by the question, but didn't really feel a need to lie.

The woman referred to as Katherine sighs heavily as if disappointed and then sprawls down in a chair opposite of Fiona.  Seemingly somewhere between relieved and frustrated she glances from Fiona to Shad and back again before exhaling sharply and swinging her knees over the arm of the chair and truly sprawling in it.

"Mother sends her love Fiona.  Now as to your new friend here...learn to breathe dude.  It's way easier to hide in plain sight if you look like everyone else.  Oh and hi, I'm Katherine...but you can call me Katherine."

With a smirk she swipes up a remote and flicks the television on.  The scene playing is an aerial view of the Nissan Stadium (home of the Tennessee Titans) and in the center of the field are what appears to be two men strapped to crosses that are burning.

"You see the source of my curiosity?"

Learn to breathe? Shad felt somewhat confused by the notion. It wasn't like he'd ever forgotten how. Even after learning that he didn't have to do it anymore, he still found himself breathing almost by reflex. "I'll work on it," he said in an agreeable tone, "and it's nice to meet you Katherine." Shifting his attention to the television, his eyes widened. "Oh," he said with his hand moving to cover his mouth almost as a reflex, "oh my."

"Oh wait...it gets sooooo much better....."

Smirking at the tv she silently counts down on her fingers before pointing at the device right as one of the men springs seemingly back to life and rips the cross from the ground before moving with lightning fast speed up the stairs to the top of the stadium and then jumping over the top and into the river, disappearing beneath the dark water.

"I'd say we're boned...hopefully Ezekiel can come up with some bullshit movie permits or the like."

The look of pure disgust on her face says it all.  Meanwhile Fiona gawks in what appears to be awe....she mumbles something that sounds like the word extraordinary...presence of mind...

This causes Katherine to cast her a steely gaze and tighten her jaw in anger.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:12, Wed 07 June 2017.

"What the..." Shad trailed off as he watched the events unfold on the screen. "That's crazy. First off, who would pull something like that? Second, who's Ezekiel?" So many new people, it was impossible for him to keep track of everyone. Worse most of them seemed important in one way or another whole he was just new.

"Here's the keeper of the secrets...the master is spin...manipulator of men....blah blah blah.   Basically he takes care of the media around here and makes sure shit like this stays under wraps.  Glad I don't have his job..."

Chuckling a bit, though it sounds forced, Katherine leans her head back and closes her eyes for a second and shakes her head as if disagreeing with something.  Mumbling under her breath she seems about to say more when her phone buzzes to life.  Scooping it up she frowns at the screen before ferociously typing a hasty response and rising from her chair.

"Well children...duty calls.  Apparently we have another incident off of downtown.  Someone lit up a limo with heavy gunfire.  Hopefully it wasn't those Anarch bastards but who knows.  Shad, Fiona...enjoy the night and I trust I'll see you at court before the week's through?"

The last is said more to Shad than anything and as she does her left eyebrow raises.

Shad couldn't help but have a confused expression after Katherine's question. "This is going to make me sound like a complete idiot, but court; is there some kind of a trial or something?" These people had seemed to be pretty willing to deal with his ignorance over the finer points of vampire life, so he didn't mind -as much- having to admit it when it came up. One of the ideas that he'd been picking up on pretty fast since his life turned upside down was that what he didn't know actually still could kill him.

Katherine rolls her eyes before turning quickly on her heels and exiting the room.  As she disappears down the stairs she gives Fiona a look begging for help.  Fiona nods her head and bites her lip waiting for Katherine to disappear.  Once she's gone Fiona looks to Shad and bursts out laughing.

"Oh my God...that was classic!"

Laughing deeply she tosses her head back and takes several moments to compose herself.  Finally regains her composure she looks to Shad with a bewildered look.

"Either you're bold as hell or ignorant as....well I had my doubts before.  Let me explain...Court is where Kindred....er vampire politics take place.  Mostly my clan and the Ventrue these days.  You, as a guest are required to make yourself known....to tell a scourge you have no idea what court is...hahahahaha....Katherine's face...so great."

A joyous smile spreads across her face.

With all the words that made sense, only not in the context they were used, Shad was feeling just a bit on edge. It was like being in a room where he spoke the language only everyone had switched to Pig Latin and no one ever taught him the trick to it. He looked to Fiona, not understanding what was so funny and feeling just a touch exasperated by the seemingly endless new things he needed to learn about his new 'life'. "I suppose the next thing you're going to tell me is that a 'scourge' is some kind of name or title and not a verb or some kind of really old-school whip, right?" He sighed, "these are the kinds of things I need to know, aren't they? Of the 'or else you're going to have a very bad, possibly very dead-er time' variety."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Tue 13 June 2017.

Clapping her hands with a smile she forces a proud expression to her face.

"Now you're getting it lover.  See it's rather simple.  A Scourge serves the Sheriff, the one charged with enforcing the prince's wishes.  The Prince rules the Camarilla from the safet of the Elysium.  It has many rules but damned if I remember them.  Been some three hundred years since last I went to court.  Independents don't attend regularly and Hasiin only attends when he is needed.  While the Sabbat hold their own rituals.  There, all caught up?"

The smirk on her face almost spreads into a full on smile but she manages to hold onto it and rises with a bow.

"Now, onto the fun stuff...Ventrue, avoid eye contact they utilize dominance....Toreador...artists, like myself though usually pretty haughty.  Be cautious of my clan....Brujah, warriors but most definitely not poets.  Brutes of great strength....um...what else...Gangrel, little better than stray dogs but handy in a fight....Lasombra, shadowy puppet masters...dark and vicious....Tzimicie, fleshcrafters and warmongers.  The Impaler was rumored to be one....Malkavians, madmen, prophets.

Others but damned if I can remember them now.  Either way be wary of drinks offered by any of our kind.  Often they will taint it with their own blood.  Drink thrice and you become a thrall.  Don't worry though, that practice is forbidden on these premises and the one person who tried to break it met with an accident of epic proportions...them and all their children...

Questions?

Shad felt like he probably had several dozen questions, but one in particular stood out in that moment. "So, do I have to go to this court? Joining some club with all kinds of rules​ or rituals doesn't really sound all that good for me. At least not before I can stand on my own two feet and make up my mind on my own. You know?" He looked to Fiona then, "I can handle the kind of stuff that's in the 'sucks but you gotta do it' sort of arena. Like paying taxes. Would prefer to stay out of trouble, at least the sort that I might blunder into out of ignorance, until I know enough and have enough of a clue to get myself back out again."

"Court is not a swearing of fealty.  It is merely announcing you are here and making it known.  Just watch your words and only answer directly.  You'll be alright.  Just act all ignorant and...well young."

The devilish smile on her face turns into a smirk and she rises from her seat.  Walking past Shad she seems to intentionally wiggle her ass a bit more than usual.  Moving to a small desk she removes a small envelope and pulls out a small folded card.  Holding it out with two fingers she waits for Shad to take the card.

[Private to Shad Michaels: The card contains an address and a small wax seal of a dagger.  Beneath that it shows an Arabic phrase, that if you can read such basically states you are under the freedoms granted by Hasiin.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Tue 20 June 2017.

Fealty!? What the fuck kind of thing was he about to walk into? Why would that even be on the table? "So," Shad chuckled, "it's pretty much just like being gay in church then?" If he noticed Fiona exaggerating certain elements of her gait, he made no mention of it. That she was an attractive woman was inarguable, but she remained not his 'type' so to speak. He accepted the card from her with a quiet, "thanks," before looking it over. Not knowing the first thing about the non-English script, he looked up at her to ask, "what's this say here? Below the address and this little wax knife symbol."

Fiona laughs but otherwise holds her tongue until he asks about the note at the bottom of the card.

"Short answer, it shows that Hasiin vouches for you.  It will keep the questions to a minimum and allow you some semblance of freedom, just don't break that trust.  Simple rules, no killing of kine for sport, no politics inside the bar, and no feeding from the staff."

Shad looked confused for a moment before replying, "I have to assume that 'kine' means people. I don't think anyone has to worry about that from me. I'm not particularly into killing. I'll take 'just getting by' for the time being. As for politics, I don't want those anyway. Sounds like more headache than it's worth." He chuckled, "as for the last one, what if they ask real nicely?" He paused for a beat, "it's a joke. Rules are rules, and I don't mind following ones this easy. Not at all." Shad felt relieved to have found the 'right crowd' so to speak, the ones who didn't want him to be somebody's plaything. Or to just use him. He'd had enough of that in 'the gay community' before his embrace. Of course, it was possible that he'd read the entire situation wrong and it was going to devolve into more of the same with gusto the moment he blinked. For the time being however, he was content to accept that things had a chance of being okay going forward.

Other than a smirk Fiona does not respond to his jest.  When Shad finish speaking she smiles graciously and adds, "Hasiin's an honorable sort and he values freedom and choice.  Not ideals the greater vampire society holds dear.  Be careful who you indebt yourself to.  Favors are the currency of the realm and giving them out thoughtlessly has consequences.  Be careful of asking for help from most.  Hasiin and this....place are different but he can't help if you make promises or exchange favors.  Be particularly wary of my mother...Isabella de Orssi.
 Depending on what the dates have in store for you she may take an interest.  Try to avoid her...interest.

With that said Fiona heads towards the stairs but stops midstride and seemingly appears to be listening to some unheard conversation before turning back to Shad.

"Speaking of favors....how'd you like to earn a small one tonight...oh and a bit of cash?  Of course, first I have to ask...any experience in film?"

Shad shook his head and shot a quizzical look at Fiona, "no, no experience in film," he said. "Though, if that's not a dealbreaker here, I'm intrigued by the idea of earning a small favor and some cash. What do you have in mind?"

"Well....."

Casting her glance fromm head to foot she let's a wry smile spread across her face.  Laughing loudly she shakes her head before adding, "Sorry, couldn't help myself.  The cover story for the stadium is going to require some quick action.  If you're interested I think someone is asking for volunteers downstairs."

Shad chuckled and shook his head, "very funny. Not exactly my type, but for a favor and a little cash," he trailed off for a moment, "anyway, I am game to help out. Be nice to have people know that the new guy doesn't mind helping out when the shit hits the fan."

"True enough.  Lets catch Rachel before she leaves.'

With that Fiona quickly heads down the stairs and motions to a young lady with glasses.  While not exactly homely she was far from the grace of someone like Fiona and yet she moved with a stride that seemed misplaced, smooth, and unusual.  Smiling she bows her head to Fiona and embraces her in a hug that feels more intimate than just a greeting, indeed it feels like a kiss is about to be had.  Lingering for a moment and locking eyes with Fiona Rachel finally steps back and brushes a stray hair away from her face.

"Fiona... Good to see you.  Please tell me you have someone neutral to help.  Please let us talk upstairs for a moment." 

Not really waiting for an answer Rachel ascends the stairs and claims a seat by dropping down like a tired college student.  Once more brushing a stray hair away from her face she looks to Shad and extends her hand."Is it safe to assume you're possibly gonna help?  Cool...cool.  Enzio is already planting suggestions and memories of a movie about superheroes....a low budget ripoff of the Fantastic Four kinda meets Van Helsing.  Yup, cheesy is better as people tend to forget it faster but this one is gonna look amazing in an effort to have people write off the events of the stadium.

If you can help we need some actors to be in our film.  Of course that means a long night of busy time to have film.

Finally stopping her eyes wander to Fiona with a longing that seems to imply some sort of intimate relationship but they only linger for a second before returning to look at Shad and then the ground.

Shad offered Rachel a pleasant smile, "the short version is that I am here to help. Fiona made a solid argument for it, so here I am." He glanced to the Toreador and then back to the woman he'd just met, "so, what do you need from me?"

"Short answer...I need a pretty face and a cocky attitude, think Kanye West but pretty.  It'll help to sell the film lie.  Of course that's if you show up on camera...you do have a reflection, right?"

Not really waiting for an answer she continues on.

"You will be playing a member of the Watchers of the Stygian Void...Captain Duke Williams.  Now for powers....hmmm...strength?  Charm?  Change Shape?...."

Fiona steps forward with a Stern expression, "Now you know better than that Rachel.  No Clan hunting...you want help...you make up powers...no more warnings for you dear...."

Rachel opens her mouth to object but instead nods her hear and bites her lip before holding out a card with an address scribbled on the back.

"Meet at this address tomorrow and we'll get started."

Shad took the card and glanced to Fiona, "isn't tomorrow uh," he looked for the right word, "court?" Duke though, there was a name. Duke Ripley had been one of the linemen on Shad's high school football team. Duke had a nice ass. It was too bad that Shad hadn't been a little more sure of himself back in those days. Things might have turned out differently. He caught himself reminiscing and glanced back to Rachel, "pretty sure still being alive after all this is super power enough, don't you think?" He offered the woman the kind of smile that seemed to say he wasn't offended by her curiosity or prying questions.

"The Court will wait, love.  This is far more important.  I'll have Hasiin vouch if necessary but I doubt you'll have a problem."

Looking to Rachel she nods her head and waves her away.  As Rachel leaves she runs a hand through her hair and smiles to Shad.

"I have a feeling Enzio and you are going to get along well.  He's...um, unique, a bit flashy but the fun kind.  Be wary of his childer Larissa.  She probably won't be around the filming, but if she shows up, stay away.  She's an old school bitch and loves to play with memories of those around and drive to her will, most often to their own end."

Smiling she shrugs and wrinkles her nose, "Always games hidden in shadows wrapped in danger.  Keeps us young I guess."

Shad thought back to his own embrace, not all that long ago. If anything, he was likely to be wary of everyone for quite some time. Vampires, it seemed, had either skipped, missed, or ignored a fairly key lesson about personal space and boundaries. He had dealt with enough manipulative people trying to make him into their personal plaything for an easy pair of lifetimes already, and that was all before he'd died and then gone on living regardless. "It's hardly new stuff," he commented, half offhand, to Fiona, "different context, sure, but I've dealt with more than my fair share of manipulative, abusive, self-centered narcissists in the past. Most people just like to hurt other people because they haven't unfucked themselves from when they were hurt in the past. I'll live." He offered her a smile, "if this court business will wait, then I am all in for tomorrow. Gotta earn my keep around here eventually, right?"