Nefertiti didn't know Milo and she looked him up and down when he came into view with Noah.  Once he gave his name she nodded her head in acceptance of him.

When the picture was produced she looked to him "No.  He was a follower of Carmilla's cult to Isis.  If you wish to get your information correct, please do so and not by hearsay. she seemed to be annoyed that this strange was assuming things that wasn't fully true.

Noah pulled Nef's slate and started going through the contacts, and connected social media attached to the numbers. "I do not think you are so sure of that..."

"Will you please reconsider the offer presented by the Prince of New York."

Sal had wondered if Talion's children were killed due to his support of Victor, but was hardly surprised it was because of Nefertiti's lack of submission to Carmilla. When Noah mentioned his willingness to die for his part, Sal fought a desire to speak up. However, when she spoke as she did to Milo, he had to say something, "This is your problem, Nefertiti! Milo is one of the most powerful and influential Kindred in the city, but in your arrogance, you talk down to him, as if he were some peasant in your ancient kingdom! Guess what! Your ancient kingdom is dead! It failed, because it thought itself invincible, and was brought down by those that it thought beneath it! Yet here you stand, convinced that you are safe, when the prince has already declared you an enemy, and it has been made clear that your actions endanger your allies as well? What, you think your goddess will protect you? Why? You're not her priestess, not a demigod. You're nothing."

She smirked at Sal's comment and is measly words to her.  Letting out a deep sigh "I am sure of that Noah.  Just because you think you can find something in there that I haven't placed in there.  Surely you must of done so or one of your little synths.  I don't know how to use that damn thing and I haven't used it.  So can you explain how it got in there.  Seeing that it wasn't taken from me and Carmilla had it and I know for a fact that she has taken him into her cult. her eyes began to burn with even more hatred toward Noah.

Then she turned to Sal "I am not of this time, I know not of these Kindreds or what their station is.  Something that you seemed to not inform me of when I was your guest.


Your prince declared me an enemy to save himself and you from Carmilla's blackmail.  I see that your claims to my action is so boldly stated but your cowardly voice has not said anything about Talion's action.  It was because of him that this all came to pass.  His miscalculation and damaging the Thoth, the Moon.  Don't stand there and judge me for you too was part of that spell.

Noah pulled up the GPS of the slate and its last known visits prior to Nef's capture, setting the slate on the prince's desk. "Milo, Sorry for any trouble. Thanks for having Sal's back. We should talk to even the tally."

"Prince, the Ark has extended its boon in seeking clemency for Nef. I speak for myself and the authority of the Merlin that the attempt has run its course and is now removed. The protection there in is removed."

 Victor sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of his lips. "You disrespect an elder... someone who went through great effort to help save your life. You disrespect your companion Sal, who has done the same and has aided Kindred society as a whole perhaps as much as any in recent times. You try to shift the blame to Talion who is, by all respects in Kindred society, your Sire.

 And you do so in my presence."

 He glanced down at what Noah had placed on his desk. "This tells me you were abducted less than a block from the shooter's house, after having visited it and before the shooting occurred.

 While having a minion stolen and used to commit a crime is a great loss of face, it is not a crime itself. However, lying to my face about it is something I do not take lightly."

 He closed his eyes and then lowered his hands. He then each addressed the group. "And what of the rest of you? Noah has removed his plead for clemency. You were her companions. Have any of you anything further to say in her defense?"

 He stopped at Fate, Sal, and Michael in turn, letting them speak their peace on the situation. Then to Noah. "And the woman with blue hair? She was a companion of yours too, was she not? I would ask that she have her say in this too, if possible."

A French-accented woman’s voice spoke from behind the gathering, “Oui. On this, I will have my say.”  Mistral coalesced from the shadows in a corner of the office and approached.  She was gaunt and weary in her newly-made form as she faced Nefertiti, who looked like death itself after Carmilla’s acid blood had nearly dissolved her.  “I supported you, Reine.  I admired your sense of purpose to reclaim your divine birthright.  I wished to see you sit your rightful throne.”

“An injustice was done to you, notre ami, and we committed to settling the matter with the one who wronged you in the eyes of your goddess.  Tout est allé à la merde, and the cost for this pyhrric victory was incalculable.  Do you remember Bebè Alex and his mother Sabrina?  Did you hear of Talion's children, whom some of us risked our lives and nearly broke the world to rescue?  They were all of them murdered as a price for your vengeance.  Perhaps you are content to pave the road to your queendom with the bones of children, but I am not.”  Mistral crossed her arms, her burning pale eyes brimming with tears as she seethed, “Here you stand on death’s brink, being offered a generous clemency from the Pharaoh of this land.  Yet you scorn him and these few who stand by you despite having lost so much, and would throw us all into a war you cannot win rather than show an ounce of humility.”

Mistral shook her head gravely and issued an ultimatum, “I will not go to war to satisfy your reckless vainglory, Nefertiti.  None of us will, and you have no one else.  Accept Prince Victor’s offer and survive to rebuild the ruins of your ambitions.  Refuse and die alone, as a queen of nothing.  Choose wisely.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Mon 20 Sept 2021.

Sal spoke with with forced calm, "Nefertiti may have slighted Milo out of ignorance, my prince, but I briefed her about our etiquette, and warned her not to insult Carmilla. She brought Carmilla's ire on me as her host, risking my life, and endangering our whole cabal, by extension. Talion's children are dead, the amethyst palace was destroyed and some of the synths that lived there may never recover, Grey was hurt, and she has shown no contrition, even to those of us who considered her our friends. If it were up to me, she'd already be dead."

Fate stayed silent until the Prince had put her on the spot. She thought for a moment trying to figure out the best way to word her feelings on the matter, "I haven't really been around for most of what you all are saying happened so it's not really my place to pass judgement on others, but if everything that has happened really was caused by Nefertiti then I think she should pay for her part and take responsibility for the consequences of her actions."

Nefertiti remained quiet as she listened to what Fate had to add then she waited to hear what Michael had to say.

There had been much tragedy, loss, anger, and frustration in such a short amount of time. Feelings were hurt and there seemed to be much miscommunication. When inquired about what he thought about the situation, Michael took a deep breath and held his rosary tight. “Much has happened. Everyone has their own opinion of what went down and how it should have been handled. Hindsight is 20/20 they say. What’s done is done. Nothing can change that, well unless there is some powerful time magic I don’t know about. Anyways, what I’m saying is the only thing we have control of right now is what we will do to move forward. Bridges have been burned that can be rebuilt. Feelings have been hurt that can be mended. I grieve for everyone’s loss even though I did not know all of them well.”

He offers his hand to Nef. “Every Queen has an advisor. Someone who can offer counsel and wisdom that is both supportive and sometimes contrary to the thoughts of the Queen but with the best of intentions. If I may be so bold, I would like to offer myself as your advisor if you would have me. Should you accept, I would like to offer a course of action for you to consider. As a divine being, you have something that a mortal like me does not have, time. I am but a whiff of smoke that is quickly blown away in the breeze. But you have time to converse, plan, build, scheme, and all other manner of opportunities if one is patient enough to seize the moment. The Prince does not offer for you to take the oath as a means of control or power over you but rather offers guidance in a world that you yourself say you do not have knowledge of. This is a golden opportunity for you. Not for fear of punishment but for the chance of gaining wisdom and power. As a Queen, you know that at times diplomacy and compromise must be had with rulers of other countries for the good and prosperity of the kingdom. You have time to navigate this world and reclaim lost glory and prestige if you are patient. I say these things as a friend who wants what’s best for you without having you compromise who you are. Will you take my hand and counsel in friendship?”

Nefertiti was ready to hear something out of Michael's mouth that would of been in the same thoughts as everyone else. But the only true moral here bewildered her with his words and his offering to be at her side.  It was something that none of the others had spoke of and not one word out of his mouth was to degrade her.  It warmed her heart to hear these words and without speaking she took his hand and held on tightly.

"You are the only one here that shows the most wisdom.  I do miss my mortal life, to be grateful of the time given. she said to Michael with her cheeks wet from tears.

Then she turned to the Prince there was no love in her eyes "Your offer has been accepted. she didn't let go of Michael's hand yet, still holding on to it tightly.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:42, Wed 22 Sept 2021.

Michael smiled and held her hand tightly. He turned to face the Prince and bowed his head. “Please allow her to take the Oath as you offered. She has accepted me as her advisor. I will do my best to help her adapt to this world and the people in it. Is this acceptable your Lordship?”

 Nefertiti's expression was mirrored on Victor's face. However, he looked to each of the gathered group before nodding once. "You speak with great wisdom and clarity, Hunter. It is small wonder that you find yourself among those gathered here. Very well, then swear to Obey your Prince, Respect your Elders, and uphold the Masquerade that protects us all."

"I swear to Obey the Prince, Respect the Elders, and uphold the Masquerade was her reply as she looked at Victor.  There was going to be a lot of time taken to learn the ways of the Kindred society and it may even prevent her from doing things with the Cabal.  Something that seemed to bring a bit of pleasure in her thoughts.

Letting out a sigh then she turned to Michael "You will be forever known in this city.

Michael rose and nodded to the Prince. “Thank you for the kind words your lordship.”

He then turned to Nef. “If it is allowed, I could be at your side to protect you. There will be Kindred and Mage alike that may want your demise. Who better than a hunter and Banisher to stand at your side right? I still have my obligations to the Cabal, but you can always come to me if you need help.”

 Victor nodded in satisfaction. "Then the Blood Hunt is lifted and you may once more walk in the night freely. Milo will be your foster Sire. There is no other Elder in the entire city with a nature as easy-going as his and no one better to show you the ropes."

 Milo nodded. "You flatter me, my Prince. However, I will ask that your Hunter friend not visit at my place of business. I have no qualms with him personally but my business relies heavily on trust and my clients feeling comfortable in my presence. A known Hunter would frighten them. I'll have a separate place arranged for meetings, if that is alright with you.

 For now, remain with your companions. However, you are to come meet me before any further Kindred engagements. Agreed?"

Mistral looked on in placid silence as only Michael’s honeyed words persuaded Nefertiti to take the only reasonable course, and even Victor appeared swayed by the sudden change of heart.  The words of an oath were spoken, and all seemed to be forgiven.  Victor was rather lenient, as vampire princes go.

Like a wraith lurking in the margins of perception, Mistral stood by Noah and awaited for this meeting to come to a formal close.

Nefertiti looked at her companions then to Milo, she nodded her head.  Then she finally released Michael's hand and looked at him.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Thu 23 Sept 2021.

There was a massive temptation to cause a phantasm of Carmilla to walk into the room when Nef's mentor was to be announced. But Noah thought better of it.

Noah nodded once and started the process to set up Nef's probation with the Mages. Having active cabals in a hunt would not end well. "Merlin, we will be moving forward. She is to have a mentor. I will submit the study to Frank and Ed, as well as a copy you for review. Good night sir, may you be cursed with pleasant dreams."

This wasn't the first time she heard Noah speaking of this Merlin and she didn't like the fact that someone was watching or could be watching her movement at anytime.  She needed to find a way to nullify that.

Nefertiti gazed at Noah for a moment as he spoke but still she didn't say a word to him.  She didn't have words to say to a lot of them as she stood there remembering what they all said.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Nefertiti didn't have a Haven to go to and she needed to have a secure place during the daylight.

OOC: how many hours in the night do we have?

Mistral turned to the others and said quietly, "Mon nouveau domaine is available to any who seek a safe space, albeit an unfurnished one.  It is near to mid-day there, but there is beaucoup space where daylight cannot reach."  She paused, then added, "If any would go elsewhere, speak its name."

Once destinations were decided, Mistral turned a courteous bow toward Victor and Milo.  "Au revoir, Messieurs."  With a few gestures and swirls of supernal mist, the guests were whisked seamlessly away to elsewhere.

Sal had one thing to say before everyone was whisked away, "If that is the decision, I must accept it. I hope Michael's wisdom proves true. For me to apologize for my harsh words would seem hollow, but I give my word, that for my part, the matter is settled. Nefertiti and I may never trust each other again, but I hope we can all agree that any hostility between us shall be answered by the rest of you. Good luck, Milo."

 Should Nefertiti mention it, Milo will offer to let her stay with him if she wishes. However, he does not have a permanent place for her to stay yet (the reason he suggested that she head back with the group) so she would need to settle for a guest room.

 The rest of the group seemed ready to take their leave... but, as they were just about to leave, they noticed that rain was just beginning to fall..

-> End Thread

OOC: there are only about 4-5 hours of daylight left.

Nefertiti looked to Mistral and declined her offer to go with them.  Then she looked to Milo seeing that he is now her foster Sire "Would it be alright if I traveled with you for the night?