The time came when the meeting with Reginald was scheduled. Hank drew the mark and Reginald gave him an address.

 When the group arrived, Reginald was not there (as agreed upon), giving Michael ample time to take any precautions he wished. Reginald arrived an hour later (truthfully, Hank noticed that Reginald had been waiting in his car about a block down for the group to do as they needed before he arrived).

 Upon entering, he took a moment to survey the room, ensuring that the preparations of the group had made would not inhibit him or prevent him from leaving.


 Reginald wore a red suit, a black shirt, and a red/black striped tie with black shoes. His face was not that of a human. It was something else that was nearly beyond description, looking almost like something out of a Hellraiser film.

 Despite that, he greeted them warmly.

Michael did his due diligence and circles the perimeter looking for hidden enemies or traps. Once satisfied, he found the spot where he would stand and poured holy water in a 12 foot diameter circle around himself. The priest motioned for Hank and Nef to be out of the circle. A prayer was made, and the water lit up before dimming again. Seeing Reginald in person was an interesting experience as he didn’t know if his face was self-inflicted or a birth defect. Either way, he politely bowed to the Vampire. “It is an honor to finally meet you. I hope your day has gone well so far.”

 Reginald inclined his head politely. "It has gone quite well. I hope the same could be said for you. Now, I'm sure you have many questions. I will answer all I can."

 He inclined his head toward both Hank and Nefertiti, indicating that he would answer any questions they had as well.

Michael was ready to get the biggest question that spurned on this meeting in the first place up front. “Tell me the whole reason why you can’t leave the Synths be please.”

 Reginald nodded. "Very well. Are you familiar with an entity known as the 'god machine'? As it turns out, that machine entered into some sort of Faustian pact with the fallen during the age of Atlantis and engineered the creation of the Tower of Babel... something mages refer to as the 'Silver Ladder'. I'm not privy to the specifics of that bargain but I have been made aware of the price it asked for. Human souls.

 An incalculable number of human souls have been taken by the god machine since the demon war ended without their knowledge or consent and part of my mission has been to put a stop to it somehow.

 For ages, I did not have the means but the creation of the synthetics provided a unique opportunity. Their souls are unique and their sacrifice will allow others to peer past the veil and bear witness to the inner workings of the god machine. The cult I have helped gather are those who I have shown the truth... and those I gifted to Nefertiti were those who could not bear the sight. It is not for the faint of heart, I'm afraid.

 I know this sounds like sheer madness. I would not have believed it myself had I not seen the truth with my own eyes."

Michael held his chin in thought as he absorbed the information. Now he at least knew what the souls of the Synths were being used for and what the God Machine was, it still wasn’t very clear why. “So let me see if I understand this correctly. You are using Synth souls as sacrifices to allow people to look through the Veil and see this God Machine? My question is why? Is it to try and see if it can be controlled or some weak point to stop it? What qualified those failed to handle the sight and are now being given to Nef to fix? Who needs to see this thing if it is so damaging to the mind? I suppose I would need to understand more of the process and the results to fully grasp what you actually hope to accomplish by this mass genocide. Will no other type of soul satisfy the experiment?”

 "I'm still in the experimental phases of all of this. For now, I'm simply gathering any who are willing to spread the word. One cannot afford to be picky when there are so few willing to listen. A single voice is all too easy to be labeled as the ravings of a madman. The broken ones are... an unfortunate side effect of my earliest ventures. One cannot simply plunge a person into madness and expect them to return whole. I've learned that lesson now.

 As far as substitutes, there are none that I've found... and, as for the process, that would require sacrifice."

Michael frowned at the response. “So you’re just experimenting at this point with souls of individuals who did nothing wrong. You do understand why I would be upset about that even if you don’t agree? Care to explain what the souls of the Synths are used for and what the benefit of their use is? I’m willing to hear you out to better understand the why behind what you are doing.”

 "I wasn't talking about experimenting with the souls. The sacrifice of three synthetic souls and their absorption into a mortal shell alters the... wavelength... for lack of a better term, of a soul, allowing that person to see across the boundary and into this... afterlife... that the god machine has created.

 The experimental part is what we can actually do with the knowledge. We've found that we can disrupt some of its inner workings but, without a clear understanding of what those workings do, we cannot proceed. Hence the need for more eyes, more minds to process the nature of this... abomination."

 He looked at Michael and, despite the inhuman features, he could still see the thousand yard stare of someone who has seen things he shouldn't have. "The things I've seen are not things I can describe to you. I know twelve languages and not a single one has the capacity to convey what I've seen... as for the why? I want to put a stop to it...somehow."


 The last part, the part about wanting to put a stop to it, sounded not only genuine... but desperate.

The sacrifice of three souls to have someone see something they didn’t know what to do with that may wreck the person’s mind. It seemed reckless and desperate as the man seemed. “This sounds like you have been a test subject yourself, possibly multiple times. How many people besides yourself have successfully seen this God Machine and stayed sane enough to talk about it. Since it cannot be described, how can you do anything with the knowledge that has been acquired? So three souls is what it takes to hopefully have someone possibly succeed in seeing it and not have their minds melted by the experience. Have you made any attempts to find or create an alternative power source to accomplish this task without taking souls? There are many powerful and knowledgeable beings in this world that are basically gods in their own right. Why not seek out their assistance, or have they declined to help you?”

 "You're not wrong. I was the first test subject. Besides me, there are roughly 33 others who have successfully undergone the ritual with minds intact. I have indeed sought other methods of invoking the sight... with no success. I have sought the assistance of many but, like I mentioned earlier, it is all to easy to dismiss a lone voice as that of a madman.

 That, and many who might help have aligned themselves with Victor.


 As for what I can do with the knowledge I have gained..."

 He glanced over at Nefertiti. "I can re-forge a god. If you haven't tried walking in sunlight recently, try it again. I do not believe the curse holds sway over you anymore."

Nefertiti was content allowing the two to speak and it also granted her a moment of understanding on both sides.  But when Reginald looked to her and spoke she slightly gasped.

"I must try it soon.  I do thank you for such a blessing.  I thought that I was cursed to never feel Ra's rays upon my skin ever again. she said with humility in her voice.

She bowed her head then she looked over to Hank for he surely didn't know the full story of her existence.  But now he did hear from Reginald that she is a Goddess.

Michael glanced over at Nef from the new development. He wondered about if other souls had been grafted to her. His attention returned to Reginald. “What is your end game? You say you want to stop it. Do you want to control it? This sounds more like a grab for power and knowledge than any actual altruism. I will explain why. You say that you need more voices than a lone madman. That others who might be able to help you have joined Victor. If stopping it is so important to you, why should those who could siding with Victor stop you from asking? Would you be willing to work with Victor if it meant getting the support you need to advance your cause against the God Machine? The real question is which one is more important to you, the Sabbot and defeating Victor or stopping the God Machine?”

Michael looked over at Nef. “Do you feel any remorse or sympathy to the Synths now that you know it was their unwilling sacrifice that re-forged you? I wonder if there are any of their souls that have been attached to your own.”

Nefertiti was still listening but there was a few questions from Michael that peeked her interests.

Did he know the difference from asking a member of one Sect to aid the other.  That could be something alone dangerous and could mark one for Final Death.  If Victor's pride was at stake or a threat about his own secrets being leaked out.  She shook her head to re-collect her thought and not ponder on Victor's weakness too much.

My dear Michael, it wasn't them who re-forged me.  It was Reginald.  So I'm not fully able to answer your question correctly. she replied calmly.

"There is none of their souls attached to me.  Was you able to see any, only marks upon me. she tilted her her head and looked at Michael "I don't have a soul.  Remember.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Wed 02 Nov 2022.

 "She is correct. There were no synthetic souls that went into her ascension, only the knowledge I've gained from bearing witness to the unthinkable.

 As for Victor, know that the two of us have been trying to kill each other for centuries. He sees me as a threat to his authority... and he would be right. My mere existence is a threat to him, even if I were to seek an alliance. An enemy of an enemy is not always a friend.

 I would die and the knowledge of the God Machine would die with me. In fact, I would warn against speaking of this meeting to Victor at all if you value your life. He may appear reasonable but allegiances shift quickly in war."

Nefertiti looked to Reginald "When this meeting is over, may I have a moment of your time alone. she asked.

There was such truth in the words and warning he gave Michael. It will be up to him to use them wisely for Victor is not as noble or honorable as one might think.  She is proof of that and he was a witness to how Carmilla was able to force him to place a Blood Hunt on one that wasn't a Kindred.

“While souls may not be part of you, it was their sacrifice that allowed the knowledge for it to happen. Did you care about your slaves who built the pyramids for you at all? Or was their suffering no more than bricks in a wall?”He turned to Reginald. “You want to stop the God Machine from taking human souls but feel no pity or remorse for the Synth souls you take? Are you really different from it? History is full of many empires who rose up and conquered ‘corrupt’ ones only to become corrupt themselves. You have yet to show me the humanity and love for people required to not be swelled by power in your pursuit. So I will ask you again. Why do you really want to learn about the God Machine, and what do you plan to do after you have stopped it? What is to prevent you from becoming just like it was?”

She shook her head at Michael for it seemed that he was willing to condemn anyone who didn't follow his ways.

"You are blind my dear Michael for I had no knowledge of it at the time.  If you didn't speak with Reginald at this meeting, I would not of known any of this.  So to answer your recent question.  Yes I do care about those that are under my care and I am doing all within my powers to heal them.  she gazed at him "Or are you calling my ways of saving them not right.  Would you wish to have them under your care to see how well you are able to heal their minds? she paused.

"Please remember why you asked for this meeting and please keep your focus on that.  Let not vary at the moment for it is only going to slow down the process of finding out what your are truly here for.

Michael shook his head. “You have not mistreated the worshippers in your current abode, and I do actually applaud your efforts in treating them. They love you and would do anything for you. Reginald also have devoted followers. If the Synths gave their souls willingly then I would not have any issue as it would be their choice. It’s not that souls are being used, it’s that they are taken not given.”

As he listened quietly, Hrafen saw the pair veer off into a discussion between themselves, and he approached Reginald to speak to him directly,

"Greetings, Reginald. I would like to ask what I could do to aid in your endeavors. I remember your time of rule well, and far prefer it to the unbalanced cacophony of noise that has transpired since." he said flatly, leaving it at that.

Shrugging, he explained,

"I have farmed, and fought, for many centuries, but I have never learned to battle our own kind. I have never needed such skill. Now I find myself in a position to possibly need to do exactly that, so I look to you for guidance. If I may."

 "I am well aware of the hypocrisy in taking synthetic souls in order to save human souls. In all honesty, stopping the god machine is such an undertaking that I have not given much thought as to what comes after.

 Were I to wager a guess, I would return to what I was doing before... to trying to raise my fellow Sabbat out of savagery and to throw off the antiquated yoke of a kindred monarchy. I have no desire to take the souls of others. In truth, I find it distasteful... but I cannot stop so long as this is the only path forward.

 I am not human and I have not been human in a very long time. I can give you no proof that I will not become corrupt by the power I gain in pursuit of the god machine's destruction. I can only explain what I'm trying to do and why... and even then, words fail to convey the need properly. Ask Nefertiti's followers. Give them paper and paint. Ask them to draw what they've seen. It is the only way I can think that my drive to do this and the need for this sacrifice might become more apparent."

 He looked at Hank when Hank asked for his guidance. "Then give me your weapons and show me your back."

 As he waited for Hank's answer, he acknowledged Nefertiti's desire to speak with him alone.

Handing Reginald the weapons he had on him immediately, just a small pair of hand-axes (or hatchets), he spun and showed him his backside, the trust obvious in his actions.

 Reginald cut his hand on each hatchet and, as the blood seeped into each blade, he used the cut to draw a quick symbol on Hank's back. He then handed back the hatchets. "Your Resilience will now shield your mind and your axes will now strike to the quick. The day's light shall not harm you, nor shall fire's touch. These are my gifts to you."

In reply to Nefertiti (msg # 18):

Michael’s posture softened a little as Reginald said his personal distaste for what he’s doing. That it is a necessary evil. His only other goal it seemed was to do what he has been doing of causing an uprising of the Sabbot. An idea came to him. “Based on what you’ve told me, I have an offer, a request, and a warning. If this God Machine does as you say it does, then I do want to help you, but I will not use the souls of others to do so. If you are willing to offer the research you have before the Synths came to be, then I could do my own research and share all findings with you. I appreciate your warning about Victor, so I will give my own. Please focus on the war against Victor and the support of the Sabbot while leaving the Synths alone for now. You could always start back up after Victor and the Camarilla are destroyed. For an immortal like you, time is less of a factor. That would also give me time to do my research. If you decide to try both at the same time, then you will force my hand to stop you from hurting the Synths which will delay my research. My hope is that I have something to work with by the time the Kindred war being waged is done.”

 Reginald paused for a moment before nodding. "I can agree to that. However, understand that I cannot postpone my efforts indefinitely. The end of the war with the Camarilla, including any cleanup that is needed. I will agree to postpone any hostility against synthetics until then. We are agreed then? I will send copies of my research to you via Hank when I have it compiled."

It is decided then. A compromise had been reached at least with one side in the Kindred war. Michael felt confident that Reginald would keep his word if not for honor’s sake then logically at least. He had all to gain and only a small amount of time to lose from the bargain. As a show of faith and trust, the priest stepped out of his protective ward and walked up to Reginald with his hand outstretched. “I know. At least this way there is a chance to avoid anymore souls from being taken by working together on this intellectual endeavor. My hope is that another way to the God Machine can be found, and the two of us can become colleagues. I have a couple of ideas as to how to reach the God Machine using methods you have never and will never have access to. If the God Machine truly absorbs human souls, then I think I have a way to hook it and bring part of it back here. I just need a human with a strong mind and soul willing to be the bait on the end of the hook.”

Taking the symbol to his back, Hrafen kept his head bowed until the procedure was finished, and then he stood, flexing his shoulders and scapula a bit,

"And I, again, am in your debt. What would you expect in return for these gifts, Master Reginald?" he asked, using the proper title for one elder to himself as just a moderate show of respect.

Although his gaze merely looked focused, and stoic, any cold-blooded killer like Reginald (at times) would know exactly what he was offering, if he felt it necessary.

 Reginald shook Michael's hand and nodded. "Then I wish you luck in your endeavors and I hope that you have more success than I have."

 When Hank asked what Reginald wanted in return, he shook his head. "I require nothing further from you, Hank. You have joined me of your own volition when nothing was offered. Consider this a gift, one that will remain so long as you still wish to continue this fight in my name."

Michael nodded and turned to leave. The priest stopped just short of the street and turned to see if Hank or Nef had anything else to say to him before he left.

Dipping his head in acknowledgment towards Reginald, Hrafen spoke after a moment of thought,

"And my loyalty shall be as strong as your support of my decisions has been. Irrevocable. Unchanging. I will endeavor to be the force that you need in your coming struggles to overcome." he said stoically, leaving it at that.

As Michael began to walk away, Hrafen quietly excused himself and approached,

"Michael... what do you think of Reginald's words? It seems as if he feels like he must do this, and does not have anything against the Synths, or even wants to sacrifice them. Would it be possible for us to find him another way to perform the rites he is discussing, so we could, in effect, protect them?" he asked, curious.

Michael turned and nodded to Hank. “That is my goal. I don’t want to go against Reginald especially for the reason he wants to do this. However, I do have an obligation to protect the innocent for as long as I have the strength to do so. I do appreciate that Reginald is willing to share his knowledge and give me time to find another way. I can’t fault him for going back to it afterwards since he did give me a chance. I know he is more knowledgeable and more experienced than me in this, but I do have methods at my disposal he will never have. Like bringing the dead back to life…as they were before their death. If this God Machine wants to take human souls, then I may be able to bring a part of it back.”

Nefertiti had nothing to say to Michael but she watched as Hank moved to speak with him.  She instead moved closer to Reginald and whispered into his ear
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Mon 07 Nov 2022.

Nodding, Hrafen understood Michael's convictions, but he could feel the troubled spot he was in. He had no clear enemy... yet.

"What is our next step in our pursuit to lower the overall violence? How will we pursue a better avenue for stopping this God Machine, and how will we avoid unnecessary bloodshed between the Camarilla and the Sabbat? We know it will become bloody, but how to control it?" he asked, open-minded about all of it.

Michael thought on the matter. “The two will eventually kill each other. The main thing is to make them understand that there are consequences to wanton violence. Avoid residential areas and perform surgical strikes instead of nuking from orbit. At some point in time somebody will make a mistake or try to test my resolve. Unfortunately, I will then have to wipe out the offenders with extreme prejudice. They will then either heed my warning or attempt to kill me. I will be patrolling regularly and attempt to make my presence known.”

Nodding, Hrafen responded,

"Having witnessed this exact war before, the Camarilla will feel their grip slipping, and begin causing collateral damage. As soon as that happens, I will notify you and we will handle it." he said, making it obvious he would help.

After a moment, he added,

"I think it might be best, for your own safety, if you weren't always seen patrolling. I will always be there, and will be a source of information for you. Being in the open puts you at unnecessary risk, in a situation in which you are already feeling plenty of risk." he said, shrugging, "Your call." He knew better than to tell a soldier what risks were reasonable.

Michael considered the proposal and nodded. “That arrangement is sound. I don’t really fear for my life, but a dead man can’t do good.”

Grinning, Hrafen took his forearm in his own, in an offered grip that he and his brethren used to share,

"I feel you will have to fear for your own life even less than never, now that we are aligned."

Pausing a moment after the embrace (if allowed by Michael), he then offered,

"If there is ever a better way for me to navigate, or gather information for you: please mention it. I do not carry my ego the way many of these others seem to. I appreciate criticism as a benefit, not a hindrance." he said, shrugging.

 Reginald paused for a moment to consider what Nefertiti had whispered and then whispered back.

Nefertiti smiled at his reply. "It was a thought or something I was suddenly aware of. she then looked over at the two males and their bromance.  Shaking her head at that

Michael reciprocated the forearm shake and nodded. “I thank you for your assistance. Mistral would be the one for superior intel gathering, but we both know that is out of the question due to current allegiances. Next best thing is to set up spy cameras everywhere. If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave. I’m sure we will meet again.”

Nodding, Hrafen smiled at the mention of technology,

"Given some of your own capabilities, I wouldn't trust a machine with information anyways. Far too easy to manipulate." he teased a bit.

With that, the conversation was finished, and Hrafen was settled. He turned towards Nefertiti, in case she needed anything further.

 It still seemed that Nefertiti had a few things to talk about with Reginald.

There was a look of disappointment upon her face but it wasn't because of what she heard but she will not be able to taught the Dragon.

"Very well.  It seems I will not have the last ...

There was nothing else she needed from Hank or Michael.  She was here in support of Reginald.

"Oh Michael, please keep those at this meeting private. she said before he was too far to not hear her words.  She didn't need to have Victor placing another Blood Hunt upon her for not being a loyal servant to such a dysfunctional Sect.

Seeing that he wasn't needed, Hrafen tilted a head-nod to Michael, and Reginald/Nefertiti, and then left the area. He had a lot to think about.

Michael looked at Nef and nodded before giving a wave to everyone and leaving.

Nefertiti looked to Reginald to see if he had anything he might wished to speak about before she took her leave.