Hearing Nefertiti's answer, Hrafen had figured as much. Most Kindred's entire lives were their social circles, and so far he hadn't seen Nefertiti act with any grace in terms of her relations with others. Now granted: she could be making some play that required her to burn all of her bridges, but he doubted that was her play here. It was likely she just wasn't as experienced as most Kindred in negotiating these dangerous circles.

Still: it was almost relieving. He didn't have to deal with next-level chess with her. What he saw it seems was what he got.

"Some reference you as a queen, and I've heard talk of Godhood? Are these exaggerations, or merely goals?" he asked, very straightforward as always.

Nefertiti smiled to Hank "I would be known to those of my land as a Queen.  I was reborn as a Goddess but she paused for a moment.  She looked down at her body.

"I still possess my Divine. she smiled "But there was a lot of changes with my body.

"And what about yourself, Hank? she asked

Hmmphing in response to be Nefertiti, Hrafen shook his head,

"Just a man, no divine blood runs through these undead veins."

A simple enough answer.

"So do you actually need protection, or just company?" He asked after another long moment. He was starting to get the idea that Michael longed to 'protect' her in other ways, perhaps.

"I dare not consider you a man.

The beast inside you took that title away. she smiled as her eyes continued looking him over.

"Michael was anointed as my Advisor when I agreed to Victor's thread to join his Sect. then she looked away for a brief moment. "Reginald has enlightened me that there are other Sect that are available for my choosing if I wish.

She took a few steps in a different direction "Protection can be a wide range of aspects.  You may choose which one suits your agreement with Michael. when mentioning company she looked to the room where 12 mindless mortals roamed. "Company.  I have plenty here for that.

Listening in a stoic manner, Hrafen kept his peace during most of Nefertiti's words. He almost twitched when she said beast, but he did not: he was very very comfortable with the beast inside of himself. He'd had a beast inside of himself much longer than he'd been Kindred, so that was a familiar game to him at least.

Shaking his head, he explained,

"I have no real agreement with Michael, just an understanding." he clarified, "It was a quick favor to a stranger, nothing more." he said, very clear on that. He didn't like the feeling of owing anybody anything.

Hearing her words about Reginald and Victor, he nodded,

"Both sides have their advantages. Reginald is more straightforward and honest. Victor is... more like tyranny. Both are violent if you cross them. Reginald, however, will respect your personal wishes. If you wish to do something other than lick Victor's boots, then you'd be better off siding with Reginald. Reginald allowed me to sit out of the first takeover, by choice. Victor's people have already threatened me with my existence if I try to stay out of this one. Their mistake." he said, narrowing his eyes ever-so-slightly.

Now it was time for Nefertiti to listen to Hank speak.

"Maybe he thought it was best that you protect me from myself.  Seeing that I'm new to this society and not fully aware of all their damn rules. she smirked.

Hearing him only proved to her that he had a bit of a honor code within him, to make such a quick favor to a complete stranger.  A stranger that she put in his path.

She didn't resit to laugh at the comment about licking Victor's boot. "No, I have other plans for him.  Which is why Reginald is so gracious to me.

Hearing how Victor's people have already threatened him was no surprise, that seems to be the way of the Camarilla.  Threats to keep one under their thumb, just as the way those of the Cabal have treated her. Threats to keep her on their side.

"Well, do you have any plans on what your next course of action will be, liaison of Reginald.

Thinking slowly, patiently, Hrafen nodded,

"Perhaps that would be good. I would do well as an advisor, in the shadows. I can handle certain things for you, so long as you do me the honor of keeping my capabilities between only ourselves." he paused, leaning forward slightly so she realized just how serious he was being, "ONLY us. I do not ally myself with those who speak on their allies to others, even in their own self defense. If you have faith that I will do what I can for you, then there is no need to threaten others with my capabilities, nor to speak of them, if we have an understanding."

He paused, then continuing, "I can focus my efforts around learning the political machinations of the new Kindred machine, so long as you and I are in agreement about helping the Sabbat regain power, and assisting Reginald. I will not fight you, but I will not support you in favor of the Camarilla. If, however, you wish to climb the ranks of the Sabbat: I have some status with them, and knowledge of their setup. I'd lived under it for a long time." he shrugged with a small smile,

"I suppose this is what alliances are made of. Complementary skill sets, combined with a desire for widespread change. If you work to allow me to operate from the shadows, I will be one of Reginald's most dangerous tools." he said flatly, shrugging at that.

Pausing again, he asked,

"Do you know of any key figureheads in the Camarilla that would benefit Reginald if they were removed? Any weaknesses?" he was curious as to her inside knowledge.

Nefertiti listened, taking in all that Hank was saying and when he stepped a bit closer to her he could smell the scent of Frankincense and Myrrh oozing off her body.  She didn't even move an inch when he did get into her own private space.

"That honor will be kept both ways.  There are many things that I alone can achieve but haven't wished to show anyone. she paused in return.

"The agreement is set, for I have been helping Reginald with things and I know of things he is doing.  I didn't feel the urge that my fellow associated needed to know. she smirk as she flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder.  Then she took a moment to make sure she was able to instill some wisdom upon him. "Be wary of the Archmage, she is capable of prying into your mind or watching from afar.  I believe this place is shielding for now, but I will have to make sure it stays that way or any other place I don't wish for her eyes to peer into. she added as she then took a step around the room.

"There was only one, my adopted Sire Milo.  So far, he has been removed from the upcoming battle and I been trying to keep him out of it.  But I do not wish him any harm nor does Reginald.  If he did, then he would of already of met his Final Death. she was very bold in saying the next part "No harm shall fall upon him.

Now Victor is another matter.  Once he is removed then they will all run and hide like little rats.  And then I will have my revenge.

Listening closely, Hrafen understood what she was saying, but he also understood war. Milo wasn't safe, and couldn't be. Soon as somebody realized her dedication to his safety: it would be used against her.

Still: that didn't affect him, or this discussion.

The Archmage...

Who the hell was the Archmage? Fate? Was that her calling? He would have to remember that. His mind was fairly adept at blanking out information he didn't wish to share, which was why he often thought inwardly about farming implements, but if she was truly skilled: could anything stop her from directing his thoughts?

Ripping her throat out would, he supposed, but as of now: he hadn't revealed his capabilities, and he wasn't about to start.

Victor needed to die, but that would cause the same problem. Once Reginald, or Victor, learned of Hrafen's true abilities: he would never be able to avoid war again. He'd survived hundreds of years of European wars... the bloodiest of bloody conflicts, and he was mentally done with it. He was still extremely good at it, but he no longer felt the thrill of combat when it was for another's cause. This was much the same. He was fighting another war for another man's desires... not something that motivated him. Victor's folly had simply been that he'd allowed his subjects to threaten Hrafen out of hiding... if they hadn't he would still be on the fence.

"How do you plan on isolating, and killing, Victor?" he asked simply.

Her eyebrow arched.

"I believe Reginald has interest in the killing of Victor.  But I wish to be there to watch and let me be the last being he sees before his final death. she calmly said.

"I can aid Reginald in many ways against anyone that dares to intervene in that task.  My favorite would be to put them to sleep for many years.  Or to incinerate them to ash she looked down at her hand and was about to summon a ball of fire but then she looked up to Hank.  She wasn't sure how much he might be able to control the beast in him when it sees fire.

Then she turned to look out at the room where her followers were. "I will allow you to feed from them but only enough to help your thrust,  Don't kill any or drain where they are helpless. she said calmly.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

Waving a hand, Hrafen replied,

"Unnecessary. I have a batch of humans whom I have worked something mutually beneficial out with. I do not wish to cause undue harm or trouble for you with yours." he said, waving off the benefits of her herd.

Hearing her commands, he was confused,

"I was under the impression that Magi could not become Kindred. Are you the first since the dawn of time that can?" he was truly blown away if that was the case. She would be breaking every 'law' of the internal forces of magic vs soulless undead he'd ever heard of. He was intrigued, even though he knew little of the process.

Hearing about fire didn't seem to bother him. He recognized fire for what it was: yet another tool in one's box. No more dangerous or frightening than anything else, unless he let it get too close.

Nefertiti nodded her head to Hank

"My life story will take far to long to explain and its very complex.  But from my understanding I wouldn't be the first. she paused "There was a type of Kindred that were well adapt to using Blood Sorcery.  It seems that I am some what of their Bloodline.

For a moment she drifted off into a different timeline. "When I was younger, I was taught the ways of my people and was known as a Lector Priestess.

I followed the ways of one of the old Egyptian Goddess, but over the years it seems that she has lost her faith and became corrupt.  I now follow my own Path of Divinity. she giggled for a moment "And yes I am able to cast the Art of Arcana like a Magi.  It seems that I am well verse in all forms of Magic.  What my former Goddess had Dominion over is now something that I possess.

Missive

Wrinkling his nose to interpret all of this, Hrafen had a small question at the end of it all,

"So... Kindred can cast arcane spells... would you be able to teach me how to utilize the arcane to make myself resistant to magical attacks, so that I may handle things with my hands, and not be stopped?" he was curious. If he could somehow remove magic from the equation by learning a few defensive spells that would at least delay attacks on himself, he would be able to delete mages before they could recover.

She looked at Hank hard "I don't think it would be a wise thing for you. YOU would have to drink my blood for a few days. she then smiled  "From what I just learned that may be something very dangerous. she then waited to see if he was willing to learn something very helpful but a risky price.

Frowning at that, Hrafen was well aware that doing so would make him enthralled to her, like a slave. Shaking his head, he'd hoped otherwise,

"I am best as a free-thinking man. There is no other way?" he asked, "What about a fledgling mage that I could simply kill afterwards?" he was willing to be creative, but it was quickly becoming obvious that his "creativity" always involved bloodshed of some kind.

She was sure he would of rejected the offer but if he wanted to gain a strong benefit, he would have a strong weakness to gain.

"I wouldn't of thought it possible otherwise, but Reginald granted me a gift that I am allowed to show those that drink my blood the ways of my Sorcery. she said as she began to walk around to a different area.

As she entered into the room there was a few of her followers there.

"Once I'm able to mend their minds, then they too will be able to learn how to cast the Blood Sorcery that I am.

Raising an eyebrow at that, Hrafen wasn't so certain that sounded good. She was starting to sound... apocalyptic. He'd seen plenty of rulers in the past who did that... acquired a little bit of godhood for themselves, spread it amongst their closest followers who "owed" them, and then soon they were trying to take over the world. Dangerous pathway to be on, for sure.

"Perhaps there is another way. I shall continue to search and ask every Mage we know." he paused, "Perhaps even Michael." he said, shrugging. He didn't even know how ordinary mages acquired their powers, much less vampire hybrids.

Nefertiti shook her head "I wouldn't go asking every mage that question.  Some may find it offensive and may wish to stop you from learning it. she paused and looked back at him "If it was meant to be then it will be.  If not, then you should be able to accept that and find a new path that you can achieve.

She stopped and thought for a moment "We should focus on this upcoming meeting and make sure that there is always a way for Reginald to leave.  That Archmage had some dome over us at the statue and I think it would of preventing me from leaving.

Smiling, Hrafen nodded his head. He didn't need to explain that he didn't mean "asking" in a very "nice" way. Torturing mages tended to get answers out of them fairly well, in his limited experience. Still: play the nice guy role was what he would keep doing.

"I think we need to bring Michael along. I am not going to be an asset in the ways of magic, but Michael certainly will be. Without him: I fear we won't be able to protect Reginald properly." he suggested, shrugging, "Until I am better educated on the subject, I can't really make better offers."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Nefertiti tilted her head and gazed at Hank "Why would you suggest that. Is he not the one that Reginald is having the meeting with.  From my understanding you were the one who helped Michael make contact with Reginald. she was starting to wonder a bit about his mental state if he is asking to bring someone who was already suppose to be there and this meeting was set for.

"Don't you worry your little mind about magic.  That is my department.  You do what your there for.  My protector and Reginald's liaison. she wanted to keep to her part of the deal that he remain in the shadows.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Shaking his head, she'd misunderstood:

"I mean in general. I am unable to assist you with advice involving mysticisms. Michael can. Bringing him "along" was referencing this conversation... us discussing strategy. Without his advice I won't be able to protect Reginald properly, nor will I be an asset to yourself. My apologies for not being more clear." he said softly.

Hearing her final words, he nodded,

"Whether you feel I am around, or not, you can trust that I will be there." he assured her. He was prepared, and ready to do what he must.

Nefertiti didn't say anything else to him after he explained his desire to learn of the mystic arts.  She wasn't fully sure that Michael would help one that may not be aiding him in his own Path, to teach such a dangerous gift.

"Very well. she replied as she then moved to another room and she informed her followers to come in one at a time.

While in the room she was preforming her ritual of granting each a drop of her Vitae for exchange for few drops of their blood.  She needed to make sure that each was a bit stronger now she desired to have them fully enthralled into her.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

OOC: Wasn't sure if I should post something simple like "I'm just waiting and watching" haha, I'm just posting this to let you know I read your message, and we're good to proceed, if you're ready!

OOC: I’m good to proceed. If there is  nothing more for us to discuss here.