Dracula finished his water, savoring the last mouthful as one would to wet a parched throat. "You work quickly. That is good to know." He retained his smile, though his eyes seemed to stare into Mistral's through her blindfold, across her sympathy, and into her very soul. "So what is it that your judgement says of me?"


 He turned slightly to look outside. "My men and I were prepared to meld with the land for the day and begin our hunt at sunset but I would be honored to take you up on your hospitality for today. In exchange, I will grant you one favor for your hospitality and for saving my son. If it is within my power, I will help you as I am able when you need it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:48, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Noah was having a ball of a time. He had resisted Vlad's initial effect but was dealing with all kinds of secondary issues. Noah was not a purely physical being though, so he reached out with that backup mind and traced the shared connection he always kept up with Mistral. Within that Mindscape he wrapped about her in his fog of a spirit form, putting himself in front to take the mental brunt of Vlad's aura.

She was a grown woman and could take care of herself, but this was Vlad. It is the nature of a dragon to look after his princess.

Michael held his ground despite the wave of bloodlust that emanated from the sword. He knew it was only a matter of time before Dracula addressed him directly. His reputation for showing others respect when shown in kind as a Count does seems to be holding true so far. The priest waited until spoken to. To do otherwise might provoke his ire.

 After a time, Dracula did indeed turn his attention to Fate and Michael. "And what of you two? Might I have your names? It is odd, though, seeing a Hunter among mages and vampires. I'm certain that there is a story behind that."

Michael could feel the fear rising within him. Only his faith and dedication to his cause kept him from fleeing his protective ward. He took a slow breath to calm himself before answering. “Michael Lancaster is my name. As you have easily surmised, I am indeed a Hunter or former Hunter depending on who you ask. I was sent to this city after the massive storm as an advanced scout to gather information on what exactly happened and deal with any immediate threats that I could handle. During my initial investigations, I came to find that there were those that sought to protect the defenseless and scattered people of the city even though they were of supernatural origin. Initially, this was a werewolf who became a good friend of mine. He is dead now, slain while staying behind to buy time for myself and my vampire friend who is not currently here who healed me from the brink of death. Werewolves of a demon cult were responsible for his death.”

Rage and sadness welled up in him for a moment before he calmed down again. “After that, I encountered the others in this room who were of similar mind as myself in trying to mitigate the greater evils in this city. Through a series of events, I was cursed with magic and have been denounced by the Hunter association for siding with the ‘enemy’. I don’t blame for what they’ve done and what they tried to do to your son. They act on prejudice and ignorance of the bigger picture going on. They have not been enlightened to what I know. That just because you have supernatural power does not make you inherently evil or prone to it. It is what you do with it and the decisions that you make that decide that. I choose to stand with those who posses the power to fight the greater evil than fight them in a pointless battle. I do have a question for you if I may be so bold. You clearly came for war. Will the innocent people who want no part in this war be spared or will your army consume them indiscriminately?”His fist clenched tightly around his rosary awaiting the answer.

 Dracula watched Michael, listening to him speak and observing his movements. However, when he was asked a question, Dracula fixed him with a stare that pierced to his very soul. "It depends on how long it takes me to find what I seek. I will find who targeted my son and why... and I will kill as many as it takes, supernatural or not, to get to the bottom of it. That is how war is waged."

Michael felt the stare, but stood in fear not of some mindless beast but of a angered father, something much more dangerous in his opinion. He nodded in understanding. “For some reason that is comforting to me. If I had children and they were targeted, I would probably feel the same. My faith would certainly be tested for sure in turning the other cheek. The love of a parent knows no ends and no depths of care for their children. I see you will do what needs to be done, but also that you will be satisfied once your vengeance is exacted. I suppose I wanted to know the reason behind the war and who is orchestrating it.”

Mistral's mask of placid composure cracked beneath the titanic weight of Dracula's presence.  This ancient lord's will was enough to conquer without requiring him to so much as lift a finger, and even an archmage was hard-pressed to stand against him.  She answered with a hitch in her voice, "I find you... dreadful and fascinant by equal measure.  I had feared your storm on the horizon would portend annihilation, but I was glad to witness your love for your son.  I never expected such kindness, and for that you have my respect."

A conversation between Dracula and Michael commenced, revealing that Dracula had come on a crusade to wipe out the hunters that had threatened Milo.  Without a moment's thought toward the consequences, Mistral offered, "I can give them to you, Lord Dracula.  Those who harmed him directly, as well as those who gave the orders..."  Mistral winced at her own weakness for not only capitulating to Dracula, but because she wanted to.

 Dracula closed his eyes and he leaned back in his chair. "Your understanding and assistance is much appreciated. The sunrise is come and I must retire for the day. However..."

 He reached into his pocket (apparently his armor has pockets) and pulled out a pager. Again, he slipped into a native French accent. "... should you need my assistance, this will wake me and I will come to assist. Now, I must bid you Adieu."

 He stood and Milo accompanied Dracula to a guest room, returning a few minutes after he had settled in. "I'm terribly sorry for imposing upon you like this. As you can see, my father is... intense. Could I perhaps ask you to keep our family ties secret? Though I'm not certain how relevant that may be come sunset."

 For some reason, Milo did not seem so much a respected Elder at this moment as he did a child following in the shadow of his father.

Fate stood as alert as she could as Dracula addressed her and Michael. She felt fear it was true, but she also held to her manners and tried her best not to show that fear as she stood her ground. She waited patiently for Michael's part of the conversation to conclude then spoke, "My name is Fate. It is quite the experience to meet one such as yourself. I am just a mage who's been studying and working with those here, but the others' abilities far exceed my own. Perhaps one day that will change, but for now I do my best and so far that has seemed to be enough."

OOC: This occurs before Dracula left for his room.

 Dracula took a slight bow and smiled. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Fate."

 His pronunciation of her name made her heart skip a beat. "I very much look forward to a time when your skills surpass all others."

Fate blushed though she tried to shake it from herself once Dracula had left and was out of sight. She stood silent, still a bit taken aback by Dracula's response, but that too she tried to shake from herself. Then she stood quietly looking to the others for any indication of what to do next.

With a gesture Mistral caused the the archaic communications device to fall through Dracula's hand to land in hers.  She inclined her head in acknowledgement of the offer of future aid.  Dracula would make for a formidable ally, but at what cost?  When Milo led the lord of vampires away, Mistral's otherworldly voice was strained, "Au revoir..."

Once he was gone, Mistral faded into the margins of perception and arose from where she was seated.  Like a ghost she appeared next to Noah and put arms around him, her embrace neither warm nor cold and qualitatively inhuman.  Her voice filtered quietly into reality, "I could not deny him, even had I wanted to...  I have no love for the hunters I have offered to him, but they will not deserve what is to come..."

To Milo's request to keep his vampiric lineage a secret, Mistral spoke from nowhere, "We will not share your secret, but the war of blood that is to be fought over it may prove difficult to conceal."

When Mistral drew close his wings came around her to break line of sight for a moment before he did the same. "Yea, this is just a little above our pay grade. But that seems to be our play ground as of late and we always come away with at least our skins." He nodded once, "Yea, it is kind of his motivation to set an example. Whatever will come to them it will be on the news."

He gave Mistral a squeeze. "Sir Jitters, you can see on the spirit side. Please relay if anyone is still under the effects of that presence. And if you don't mind we will need to find a working coffee shop. After that I think we could all do with a cup of the black waters." Day drinking was not something he was game for, but it was tempting right now.

 Jiters peeked out from another room, the hairs on his tail were bristled and twitching. "No one remains under the effect of his presence. Further, I have been in contact with Scar. They have rebuilt a coffee house in the city."

Sal cocks an eyebrow at Milo's request to keep his secret. He was surprised Milo thought he even needed to ask for his discretion, but there was one thing to consider before making any promises, "Does Victor know, Milo?"

Michael relaxed and listened to the conversations at hand. He was still trying to reclaim his composure now that Dracula was gone. The Hunter was worried about the bloodbath to come.

OOC: this was before Milo left.

 "Yes, and some of the highest ranked in the Camarilla have been told... but many claim unprovable bloodlines. Every member of the Ordo Dracul claims to be descended from my father. The Elders who have heard of it do not really believe it. I would prefer to keep it that way if possible... but my father may have different ideas. I suppose I'll just need to see what remains of my reputation when father is finished with his crusade."

"Good to know. Well, for what its worth, I believe you". Sal said with a grin. "Seriously, though, your family business is just that, your business. There is already more than enough gossip about you in our community, as is."

"Right then." He gave Mist another squeeze before switching to his mostly human form. "I do not enjoy the idea of leaving your home with so many here but I am going to be honest, that is a whole host of vampires that flew in from hell and gone away. So close that is a potential fight I dont care to bring to your door step."

He nodded once, "If everyone is open we can have a battle brain storm over the black waters of coffee. I am running on a full day without sleep, not sure of anyone else."

"Got enough juice to get us there Mist?"

Mistral snapped her fingers by way of answer, and on the wall behind her opened a round portal limned in bright supernal vapors.  The mystical gate looked out through a curtain of the ubiquitous vines that had overgrown New York City, and a few dozen yards further off could be seen the glowing lights of a coffee shop.  The silhouette of a thin, hooded woman could be seen approaching approaching the shop and entering.

The ethereal form of Mistral in the manor was gone now as if she'd never been there, leaving the arcane gate open for whomever of the cabal wished to use it.  Steaming coffees would await those who came through, or whatever comfort drinks they might prefer, if Mistral was aware of them.  Mistral's gaunt mortal form was there at a booth already, hunched over a mug of the steaming black brew, hood still drawn up.

Noah smiled, "Thank you kindly." Noah knew full on well that a portal would trigger his vertigo. But it was a grand excuse to take a dirt nap and catch up on some sleep. So when he stepped through the portal his eyes went two different directions but he had enough presence of mind to aim to flop down in the seat of a coffee shop.

They had better not have a no pets policy because no one would dare kick Mr. Wraith or Jitters out.

"Right, who all do we need to contact to alert about what is going down? The Merlin can get the mages out of their way. Mic, how you doing big guy?"

 Wraith appeared seemingly out of nowhere and jumped up in Noah's lap. He was wearing a bright red vest that read "service dog" on each side. None of you were sure exactly where he got it.

 He curled up in Noah's lap and stared judgingly at anyone who came too close.

Fate followed the group through and into the coffee shop. She gratefully accepted the coffee with a thank you and sat with the group. "No doubt it would be wise to alert the Merlin to stay clear and anyone else we do not want to get caught in the fight who we consider worth mentioning something to as well. I'm sure we're all exhausted. I know that most of us are tapped, but if Mist would be so kind, once we finish our coffee and contact who we need to contact, maybe we could find somewhere safe to rest so we can lay low. If you have somewhere in mind I believe I can cover us." She looks to Mistral for her answer.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Sat 25 Dec 2021.

Michael stepped through the portal and took a seat in the coffee shop. The Hunter sampled the wonderful brew and sipped quietly while he considered what the next move would be. “Thank you for the coffee. It is certainly appreciated. I’m holding up ok. Not gonna lie the whole encounter did shake me a bit. As far as next moves, my main concern is making sure innocent people don’t get hurt without tipping off the Hunters. I can make Havens for the Mages to shield them from the vampires without them having to use their magic thus possibly alerting the Hunters to their location. Are there any other groups that need to be warned?”