Sal arrived outside of Victor's penthouse with little trouble. The trip was a bit disconcerting. Colors muted and the world slowed, but he could still see at the periphery of the land of life... but, if he looked in the other direction, he could see the shadows beckoning him back to the Land of the Dead.

 The penthouse was being repaired when he walked in (it looked as though a fight had broken out on the ground floor) but he was ushered upstairs. A quick elevator ride brought him up to Victor's quarters where he found Victor staring out the window.

 He didn't turn around when you came in. He just waited for you to approach. "Milo and your friend have been kidnapped. We believe Reginald is behind it."

Sal was too taken aback to argue with Nefertiti being called his "friend." While he hoped she wasn't an enemy, he didn't think she would call him a friend, and he didn't trust her enough to consider her one. "Reginald? You've got to be-- no, no-- you wouldn't suggest such a thing if he weren't the most likely culprit. Explains Milo's last text. Then its as we've feared all this time. He's just been waiting until we were weak. Wouldn't be surprised if Carmilla was working with him, considering who she went after. Any idea where they've been taken?" And with Talion missing. Couldn't be a coincidence.

 Victor shook his head. "No, but I've got the Nosferatu looking as we speak. I do know that he's working with werewolves. The ones that Milo captured have gone missing as well. We have no leads other than he was headed east from here.

 I don't need to tell you how serious this is. Only one day since Dracula's visit and now we have news of Reginald's return. The Elders will not sit idly by anymore. I need you to help in the search. If your friends can aid you, then all the better... but, if not, then go meet Edgar by the sewage treatment plant. He's in charge of the search for Reginald."

"I'll see if my friends can help. They should at least be able to find Nefertiti, I believe." Sal bowed and returned home the way he came (assuming this took less than an hour)

 Sal managed to return (the entire exchange did indeed take roughly an hour). In addition (because I forgot to mention it), Victor gave the go ahead to investigate the Circle of the Crone Chantry if Sal believed Carmilla may have been connected to Victor.

 Once home, Sal found the group in various stages of activity. Noah was preparing to leave (with Jitters and Wraith), Mistral had vanished, and Michael and Fate were just getting started for the evening.

Michael woke up and was in his standard gear of black jeans, white no sleeve shirt, bullet proof vest, and black leather combat boots. Excalibur was strapped to his hip while Mage Breaker rested propped up against the table while he drank a cup of coffee. It had been a busy day cleaning up the carnage left behind by Dracula and his army. He had seen Sal leave abruptly and return within the hour with a look of concern on his face. By then, two cups of coffee had been consumed. “Something tells me we have some ass to kick. Who is it this time?”

Sal replied, "Milo and Nefertiti have been kidnapped, most likely by a Kidred even the elders speak of in hushed tones. If we don't want the city destroyed-- again-- we need to act before Milo's father gets word. I fear a battle between the two would make Talion's storm seem like an inconvenience in comparison. Noah! Nefertiti has gotten herself and Milo mixed up with another, even more powerful Kindred than Carmilla. More powerful than Victor even. He ran this city back when I was a neonate, and it took the combined forces of Victor, Milo, and my father to drive him away. No big deal, right?" It was impossible to tell if that last question was sarcasm, or a desperate hope for reassurance from the friend who always seemed to have a handle on the situation.

Sal's slate popped on as Noah was mid mana burn. "Easy. Getting Milo back is a cake walk. Getting this enemy to fuck off is the harder part. Just gotta make it not worth his time to follow up."

"Got any more data on him? We are limping along at the moment but I have no doubt we can start working on getting Milo out... But at this rate, I kinda want to invite Milo to join the Ark formally. The perfected fire spirits everyone has would be a delightful surprise for uber vampires."

He was quiet about Nefertiti. "If you have Milo's cell I can try to ping it on the IHLR network. So long as it's not a flip phone I may be able to just make it accept the call for you."

"Also, before I forget, I turned the back of the fridge into a hallow. It's very weak but it's there to help the mages refill."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Sun 15 May 2022.

PM

Sal closed his eyes as be spoke, "Reginald is ancient, vengeful, and incredibly clever. No attempt on his life has ever worked, obviously, and his retribution has always been swift, brutal, and ended with the Camarilla kicked from New York. He promises freedom, personal responsibility and democracy to the Kindred, which sounds good, but what do you call a democracy that has the same leader for 200 years? As for easily rescuing Milo, that would be a bad idea. Milo and Nefertiti are traps, likely meant to provoke us into acting with haste, Reginald once kidnapped the Childe an Elder I once know, and the Elder recovered and exact copy of the Childe, but with someone else inside. We never found all the pieces of that Elder. If we pull Milo through a portal and he's got a bomb attached, his father will hold those of us who survive the blast responsible. He's probably already turned Nef against us. Our best bet may be to evacuate the city and let Reginald deal with the consequences of kidnapping Milo, though I'm not sure even Mistral could portal everyone in New York away at once, even if Paradox weren't a problem."

A trap indeed, Noah nodded but kept the comment internal. "well then. If I was in your shoes I would do a few things."

"The first is to fight fire with fire. We have our former nazi friend who is trying to redeem himself. If your elder enemy is doing all kinds of vampire shenanigans then you have to do something to counter. He has provided a massive boon on giving us counters to the demon already and with the right sugared offer he may likely offer a hand that reggi may not be able to fully counter."

"Next I would make the fight about anything other than he wants. The limit of the most powerful people is the limit of their attention. So you'll need to deep dive his other projects and be ready to blow one up just before you do something to directly to get Milo."

"Lastly, have a strong plan and tell his father. Dracula seems an honorable man and a pragmatist. If he finds out any other way than with a clear plan with allies he will do it his way. Being the first to tell him means you have much more control of the fallout."

"Do you have a list of heavyweights that can help here?"

Michael listened to the conversation between Sal and Noah. Noah had made some good points. Michael stood up and walked up to Sal. “I’m in. Killing vampires is my old pass time after all. I do agree we should not do a direct assault. We know what will happen if he kills Milo which means this Reginald will not think to do so hastily. Hit him where it hurts to at least draw out some of his forces. If we can lure them into a trap, we’ll have the upper hand.”

Sal arched an eyebrow, "I don't think I've met the ex-Nazi to whom you refer, Noah. You'll have to give me his contact info."

Email time

To: NaddaNazi@gmail.com
From: TheBigD@Ark.net
CC: SwagDracula@Ark.net

: I have a friend who may be in need of your aid with a heavyweight. cc in email chain. :

 A few hours pass before the email Noah had set for Sal came through with a reply.

 "That's not funny. I'm quite curious how you managed to managed to force this alert but I'm deleting this email. I will meet you in the park where last we met in three hours for more information."

"And what might be the 'right sugared offer' to secure this friend's help?" Sal asks Noah.

"Knowledge is his bait of choice from what I can tell. And he seems to be trying to better himself. Do be careful though. He is much smarter than he let's on, even as much as he does."

"He won't risk himself but he would be an invaluable resource."

Sal thought for a moment, then said, "Michael, have you met the man I'm supposed to be meeting with? I'd prefer if you come with me, but not if your presence would spook him. I'd guess, based on his background, he's a kindred. Am I off the mark, Noah?"

Michael thought back on his last interaction before responding. “Yes I have met him before. He does not seem easily intimidated. From what I can tell, treat him with respect and it will be returned in kind. The man seems very skilled at acquiring items and information. A trade or payment is always expected in return. We did just acquire a whole library of information gathered by the Hunters. It might be a good bargaining chip to know how hunters think. I of course will go with you for overwatch and protection.”

"He pings as a mage for me but the man is older than dirt and the text he gave to me covered blood magic to an extreme degree. Talking high mage level spells kinda deal. So I put him as a middle of the road kinda person."

"He can also handle souls so Moros with blood magic perhaps?"

Sal cocks an eyebrow. "Really? I guess I shouldn't be surprised a mage can live that long. Talion couldn't be the only one. Anyway, I appreciate you coming with, Michael."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Fri 27 May 2022.

“Shall we get going then? I can bring the Hunter journals unless you have something better for trade. I’ll need a moment to suit up. Never know when trouble will show up these days.”Michael walked into the other room coming out a few minutes later dressed for war with all his weapons in bandoliers across his chest and thigh with his bow collapsed and attached to the quiver. He also brought along Excalibur and Mage Breaker.

 After preparing, the group set out and Michael led Sal back to the place where he had previously met Alfred.

 When they arrived, the man was sitting on the park bench just like last time, dressed entirely in white (gloves, shoes, pants, shirt, coat, and tie) with yellow glasses.

Michael kept his distance without any weapons drawn. He gave a nod to the man. “Pleasure to meet you again. I hope you have been doing well the past week.”The priest knew there wouldn’t be danger of none was presented by their side. Best to keep things civil and respectful.

Sal agrees with Michael, and waits for him to suit up. As he usually did when he went out, he already wore the skin-tight "under-armor" under his suit, and had his pistol concealed in its shoulder holster, and his Spirit Katana clipped to his belt like a safety flashlight. He didn't expect trouble from Alfred, but he knew the city wasn't safe. He asks Trinity to keep an eye out for any hidden threats, and warn him if he notices one.