A storm of apocalyptic proportions had come and gone in the city, leaving it in ruins and with vines in its wake. Victor's quick thinking had saved most of the Kindred and now they were in the process of recovering.

 Carmilla's betrayal had shaken the Camarilla and now the resurgence of Reginald had everyone on edge. Hank had experienced the rule of Reginald before though and he had actually been a decent enough ruler... but now his return would shake the Kindred world once more.

Sighing as he stretched his arms, Hrafen wasn't too excited about the new events. He'd survived through a shift from Sabbat rule to that of the Camarilla, and he would survive one in the opposite direction just fine. The ruling bodies in place didn't bother him so much as the fact that every time one of these shifts came about, he momentarily had the spotlight on himself.

Somebody always started sniffing around, and testing him out for combat readiness, even though he always made it very clear that he couldn't fight, or at least didn't want to, and he had to start the whole process of feigning a lack of capability once again to get them to go away.

Why, oh why fellow Kindred?

He knew damned well why, he just found it frustrating, regardless.

If his fellow Kindred could simply learn to live with each other, it would all go away, and they could all profit just fine with the situation as is. As it stood, however, now he was starting to suspect that if he didn't make a few (minor) connections in the city, he wouldn't see the next apocalypse coming, and he might be unprepared.

Thinking, Hrafen remembered Reginald. He hadn't been a terrible ruler, and he had mostly allowed his following to leave Hrafen alone. Problem was, if he saw that Hrafen had survived the Camarilla change in leadership, and was none the worse for wear, he might start to piece things together. Perhaps not, but that wasn't a chance Hrafen was willing to take.

No: now was the time for Hrafen to become "Hank" once again... the idiotic country boy that everybody seemed to forget about. He preferred it that way, after all, but it was vaguely irritating having to play such a simpleton's role just to survive comfortably. It would be so much easier just to sell his services, earn a reputation that people shouldn't screw with him, and then enjoy the relaxation that followed... but it never worked out like that with the Kindred, did it?

Shaking his head, Hrafen glanced upwards. The sky was dark, but he was on a mission. He needed to get somewhere to speak with other Kindred. He had some questions...




OOC -> Trying to head somewhere where perhaps Elysium exists? Somewhere he could gather some information?

 Most of the city had been ravaged by the storm and many of the lofty Elysium heights no longer existed. However, many of the smaller buildings managed to avoid much of the damage. An old auditorium hall now served as the primary Elysium. Kindred came and went to voice complaints and concerns and a small staff of kindred remained there to hear them. Victor controlled the blood banks in the city so he could afford to have a small staff of office workers like this, paid in blood to sit around and listen to people complain.

 One of those workers was Cyrus. He looked tired and overworked but he forced a "customer service" smile when you approached. "How can I help you?"

Walking up, and sitting near Cyrus, Hank smiled, matching the man's exhausted look with his own,

"Hello, hopefully I won't take too much of your time." he said comfortably, figuring the conversation wouldn't need to last too much further for the overworked one, "I've been a bit out of the loop for awhile... heard there were some changes lately. A few new people showing up. Wanted to know what I needed to be able to keep my nose in the sand. Don't want to cause any problems, you know?" he smiled in a friendly fashion, like two buddies talking about getting in trouble for being rowdy. He figured it could spark the man's energy a tiny bit, and grant him more information, or just let the man feed off of his general energy to at least answer the questions in a helpful way.

 Cyrus sighed. "Unfortunately, that probably won't be possible. The news is that Reginald's returned. Anyone sitting this out will be considered to be on his side in this fight. There are lots of kindred who would prefer to just let the storm pass... but this isn't one of those things."

Holding his hands up in mock surrender at his sides, Hrafen smiled,

"Oh of course, my friend. I'm just talking about those of us better at supporting from behind the scenes. I can't fight off a fly, so I'm just gathering the lay of the land to understand where to best employ my farm-skills to help." he said, throwing out the obvious 'I can't fight', like he had last time.

He knew better, here especially, than to think about any alternative options. He kept running farming implements through his mind, and was very careful not to let it wander. Perhaps, after all, a small indoor farm would be possible here. It would serve enough of a purpose, and if it made profit - all the better.

Plus, stating it like this would hopefully encourage Cyrus to recognize "Hank" as a useless sort... somebody to not pay much attention to.

Shifting the focus, he questioned,

"Reginald, hmm? That's surprising. How are the Elders reacting to this?" he was curious, but also curious who the current Elders were considered to be.

 Cyrus nodded. "Well, might want to learn then. These streets will be bathed in blood soon enough. If you don't want it to be yours, you might want to figure out which part of the knife is the pointy end, if you get my drift.

 The Elders are reacting as you'd expect. They're calling in their favors and gathering their forces. War is brewing and it won't be more than a few more nights before everything boils over.

 My suggestion is to pick a side or flee the city. Quite a few already have."

Nodding his head, Hank made a grim face,

"You're right, of course. I'm going to at least figure out how to run quick enough to find a safe place, but I appreciate the insights." he said thankfully.

At the next portion, he frowned,

"Only a few nights? What's happening in the next few nights that would trigger a war?" he was curious if this was a generality, or something specific he was referencing.

 Cyrus thought for a moment before leaning in conspiratorially. "Word is, Milo was kidnapped by Reginald."

Hrafen's eyes shot open in surprise,

"Really?!" he paused himself, as this was terrible news. Milo was a true asset to everybody in the kindred community, no matter which side of the fence they sat on. "Has anybody actually spoken with Reginald? Seen what's changed? Why he's doing these things? Is it planned? Tactical?" he tried to stay generic with his questions, but he was hoping for a little bit more, now that he'd heard this.

 Cyrus scoffed. "Speak? With Reginald? You'd have to be suicidal. If the Sabbat didn't kill you for being Camarilla, the Camarilla would for being a possible traitor. We don't know why Reginald does the things he does. What we do know is that, when he moves, he moves fast. That's why I say we have a night, three tops, before this city goes to hell."

Frowning, Hrafen nodded,

"That makes sense." he paused, thinking for a moment.

Smiling, he added, "Well, I suppose that gives us all a day or three before we need to duck and cover." he shrugged, "A lot can happen in a day." he said, leaving it open-ended in case Cyrus wanted to add anymore. Letting him direct the conversation would tell Hrafen a lot about what he personally felt about the whole situation.

 Unfortunately, Cyrus had little else to say on the matter.

 However, it did not take more than another minute for an exotic looking woman (whom you readily identified as Kindred) to approach.

Nefertiti walked into the Elysium in a very nice dress but there was no mask upon her face, she was wise enough to remove it once she left the ball.  As she entered her eyes looked around to see who was all there and she needed to find someone who might happen to have one of those things called a phone.

"Greetings.

Turning to face the exotic looking woman, Hrafen glanced her up and down, and took in her graceful stature. Hearing her greeting, he dipped his head slightly, his eyes not quite leaving hers, and spoke calmly, not wanting attention,

"Greetings to you as well." he said neutrally, allowing her to indicate the direction she'd like for this to go before playing his hand too much. Half of him thought she might have overheard his conversation, and was guarded... the other half was mildly curious.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Thu 18 Aug 2022.

Nefertiti smiled to the man speaking "I was hoping that one of you might help me out in a minor problem that I have.  I seemed to have lost my phone and wondering if one of you might allow me to use yours. she said as she took notice of the one who couldn't take his eyes off her.

She was a walking beauty and it seemed that was a curse.

Striking Looks ****

Relaxing a bit at the question, which seemed innocent enough, Hrafen couldn't help but pat his pockets down in a helpless gesture of inability,

"My apologies... I do not have a phone for use." he said, slightly awkwardly, as if he wasn't too used to speaking about phones very comfortably. In reality, he was simply 'playing the role' he'd been dealt, but he was still curious as to why the beautiful woman in front of him was simply asking for assistance, instead of demanding it from others. Hrafen himself had little interest in side distractions at the moment, given the status of the city, but rarely did things happen here that were pure coincidence...

 Cyrus looked at Nefertiti and blinked a couple times. "You. You're alive! We all heard you were kidnapped along with Milo. How did you escape?!"

 Despite the question, Cyrus was already digging around in is pocket for a phone. He immediately handed it to her once he'd produced it.

Nefertiti looked at the one offering his phone "Why would I not be. So is Milo but I must contact someone quickly.  she paused as she can tell that almost everyone in here may know now who she is.  IF, they didn't already.

"Where is Victor at this moment? she asked in a calmly tone, trying not to get more eyes looking their way.

Once given the phone she pulls out a piece of paper and start pressing buttons.

When it starts ringing she waits for Michael to respond.

"Michael, where are you?

Hearing that the woman before him was somebody well known in the area, Hrafen was careful not to react physically, but he paid much more attention now. Hearing that she had possibly recently spent time around Reginald was very intriguing, as it brought to light what he'd just spoken about with Cyrus... just talk to him.

Milo...

He would have to chalk these names up to memory.

Michael...

These were names that could prove important in the future.

Shifting ever-so-slightly on his feet, Hrafen listened patiently, allowing things to play out. He assumed the woman would return to the conversation when her phone-call was finished.

PM to Nef

She smiled when a voice replied

Micheal I have been able to get away for some time.  Where are you and is Milo safe?

PM to Nef

Nefertiti thought it was so and it was good maybe one might be able to correct Milo’s condition and if not then he will surely be out while the battle with both Sects arise.

“Have the Archmage open a portal for me to join. She said

“I don’t know how long I can remain unnoticed

PM for Nef

The smile quickly left her face after hearing stuff on the phone
“Yes they are very quick to blame others for their errors.

Victor and Milo was fully aware of my interactions with him and was glad that I was able to inform them of his presence. Maybe those that are so quickly to case judgement might want to speak with Victor.

A neutral place is accepted. She paused “When you as checking for his marks on Milo did you happen to discover if he placed any upon me?

This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Mon 22 Aug 2022.

Nefertiti placed the phone down by her side

PM for Nef

She placed the phone quickly back to her ear “That would be most grateful.

Her eyes gazed up to the one who gave her his phone as if she was waiting for his answer as well.

Raising an eyebrow at the word 'dragon', Hank kept his cool, and listened a moment more.

Eventually, he offered,

"Is Milo alright? I've heard nothing good, but then again: here you are standing safe and sound before us." he said, waving his hands gently to the sides with a soft smile, opening the door for her to talk, if she wished.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 23 Aug 2022.

PM for Nef

Nefertiti looked around and she saw the one speaking to her asking about her adopted Sire “Yes I will be bring someone with me she calmly said to Michael.

Then she looked to him. “What is your name?

You will assist me and I will inform Victor of your deeds.

Damn...

He hadn't wanted to be involved, but now if he didn't 'jump' at the chance to please Victor, he would look even more suspicious than before.

Nodding curtly, he responded with the 'americanized' version of his name,

"Hank."

With that, he kept himself quiet, as most Kindred involved in the Camarilla didn't want to hear from another of their kind. She seemed comfortable with him driving her somewhere or something simple/similar.

Hank she repeated the name.

"I'm Nefertiti, if you didn't already know.  And Milo's body is safe but I don't know more about his mind.  You will be accompanying me to meet those that are members of a Cabal I'm she let out a sigh part of.

She looked him up and down again and hope that he was able to hold his own if something was to happen.  Her eyes looked him directly into his.

"Is there anything you need to ask before a portal opens and takes us somewhere?

Standing stoically, Hrafen maintained his discipline, and tried to look far less capable than he was. His physique was working against him, but as all Kindred knew: appearances could be deceiving.

"No." he said in response to her question, nodding his head at her name, "Nefertiti. Is that how you wish to be addressed?" he knew better than assuming.

With that, he stood, prepared as he was, to transport elsewhere.

Nefertiti looked at him with a smile "Yes. There was a time when I was called Queen Nefertiti but I believe those days have past. her words were softly said as her mind seemed to wonder off in a past life.

Then a mist of smoke came to surround herself and Hank.

Nodding, Hrafen understood clearly. Nothing much more needed to be said, so he awaited the effects.