"Ooh, the Children are formulating a plan!" Boy Georgeous giggled, leaning forward with great interest. "Violence and networking, staples for the neckbiters. You know, just the sort of thing they'll be expecting."

Glittering with far too many sequins, rhinestones and glitter to be comfortable, Boy Georgeous perched on the edge of her chair, fanning herself with what appeared to be a Victorian ostrich-feather fan as she giggled, almost as though there was an inside joke that only she was in on. She crossed her muscular legs that were wrapped in at least two pairs of pantyhose and hummed to herself, tapping a brightly-painted fingernail on her cheek.

"Hmm, none of you are Gemini, are you?" Boy Georgeous seemed entirely serious with this question, heavily made-up eyes narrowing suspiciously, gazing at each of them in turn. "Because that would be an issue."

@David, Eva and Seren

"Do both?" Pterodan said with a hint of confusion in his voice as he listened to the Malkavian's rambling and watched Chiharu suddenly leave. "Perhaps it was something I said?"

"There is a certain elegance to this solution... it is not perfect, but eminently good enough. A slap in the face that might shake Alexander's hold on the leash of his Packs and our advantage gained in the appearance of unrest if nothing else. The dead eyes staring out of the Nosferatu Justicar's skeletal face gave a pointed look at the lanky Gangrel and the punk rock Brujah. "But you must move swiftly if covert operations are going to have a chance of success" he added with a glance at the diminutive Toreador and the thoughtful Tremere.

"Consider the potential offered by real and pretend police. An interesting development, useful for either sneaking about or raising hell in Repentigny." he said addressing both factions, "And remember that the Sabbat want the war, it would have facilitated their aims to simply destroy  the Prince. Alexander is seeking leverage, it is unclear why."

---

@Chiharu

"Oh, hey," comes Clark's surprised voice. There is a long silence from the other end of the phone after your question. "Look, if you think we had anything to do with that shit, I mean c'mon, there is no way. It's not safe for us to work with them, and at least the Prince had never declared a blood hunt on us or anything. You know that if I knew where she was, I'd tell you, right?"

"I am willing to go where needed, as an envoy," Seren spoke suddenly, addressing Pterodanctyl directly, her head bowed respectfully as she spoke.

"Even if I must go to treat with Alexander directly, if he seeks leverage it means that he has terms. I am willing to hear them and report back." Seren's voice was calm and composed, though she was a little uncertain whether such a bold move would curry favour or irritate the Justicar.

"Ooh that could be our Gemini with a little Where's the Beef action!" Boy Georgeous squealed, looking at Seren appraisingly while waving the ostrich feather fan. "Offering to go straight to the enemy, you two-faced little minx! Of course, the enemy of your enemy is your friend, so really we're all friends here, boots."

The babbling had a strange sense to it: old, festering disagreements would need to be ignored for the moment to work together as a cohesive team. A leader had not yet emerged, but there were some promising voices making themselves heard. Or the drag queen might just be utterly insane.

"Do both, do neither, baby, it doesn't matter." Boy Georgeous cooed at Pterodan, batting her many-layered eyelashes that had the appearance of a chorus line of spiders.

"What's gonna happen next depends on who's holding which cards. Some of you have been waiting for this chance for years, so Don't. Eff. It. Up."

Though Eva had no idea what to make of the Malkavian -- who seemed to be both mocking and encouraging them at once -- she did try to pay attention to whatever sound advice might be lurking behind the mockery, if that was indeed what it was.  At Seren's suggestion, she frowned, though not because she felt the general idea of the plan was unsound, quite the contrary.  "Learning Alexander's terms might indeed tell us a great deal," she said, slowly.  "As far as those go, at least, he will not be able to lie to us, for that would defeat his own purpose.  Might he perhaps think it an insult, however, to send a Neonate to him for such a discussion?"

She gave Seren an apologetic look at that, though Eva certainly did not pretend to any real rank or power herself.  "And I do not believe anyone should take on any possible mission alone, if that can be avoided," she added, fully prepared to offer to accompany Seren if her suggestion was taken up.

In reply to Storyteller (msg # 102):

Oh I was just looking for anything that might be helpful.  I certainly wouldnt want you to be in any danger.  Maybe i was a bit to straight forward on my question, i apologize.  Of course that was rude of me as i didn't take into account who might also be there.

Now you seemed like you had something that you wanted to talk to me about anyway?  Perhaps you might like to meet in person, maybe where we met the first time?  I think that would be a good place to discuss anything on your mind.

Of course if you think it can wait when we can meet when it is a good time for you.


Bad player not making that a indirect question leaving him the ability to answer in company

"I think Alexander's position is pretty clear right now. Even trying to negotiate with him would put whoever goes in more danger than not. Better to put whoever that would be to more use in one of the various approaches already planned. Since he didn't issue any requests directly, he's either holding the Prince for now as leverage or torture. If for leverage, about the only thing he'd really want is to be rid of us from the city. No matter what might be agreed on, once the Prince is free she's likely to renege on it anyway, which if he's smart he'd anticipate. So any negotiations would be for naught - which leaves the alternative for any real planning," David muses. He shrugs then.

"Pulling in real or fake cops to help stir up the unrest in the feint would be good though. Use their own tactics against them, which would make them believe it even more. Fake might even be better.. if they used fake themselves previously, they'll do so again in response. And if they used real, they'll call in those favors to counter - pulling them from any other protection they'd offer elsewhere. In either case, it helps the primary mission of rescuing the Prince. Once we have that location chosen that is," he points out with a slight smile.

Seren makes a few inquiries among the local Satanists to see what they might know about the packs that roam the other side of the river…

20:47, Today: Storyteller, on behalf of Seren Kerrington, rolled 3 using 2d6+1 ((1,1)). BOTCH! … ffs two botches in this scene … the dice hate you ... take 1XP … the Beast stirs (2/3) … you may not use your pull with the Occult Underground for the rest of the scene.

…the Satanists are unimpressed and not only do they refuse to help, but they have decided to align with Alexander and the packs. This will be a problem that must be reckoned with in the future.

---

Eva, stricken by the disappearance of her Sire, sends a veiled threat through her contacts in the business and arts community...

21:00, Today: Storyteller, on behalf of Eva Bennett, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((4,5)). strong success

...a name, location and time come back through that network. Darius, l'ile Bourdon, 3am.

---

Chiharu working an unlikely angle, arranges to meet with the the Thin Blood she met in the park and spotted among the Assembly at Conclave...

10:47, Today: Storyteller, on behalf of Chiharu Miyasaki, rolled 11 using 2d6+1 ((5,5)). strong success

...you are introduced to Vincent, the leader of a gang of Thin Bloods calling themselves Les garçons perdus. The LGP hold no love for the Sabbat and are interested in helping the Prince if it means they will not be hunted in the streets of Montreal.

---

David makes a few calls, aided by some connections made through the Chantry...

10:58, Today: Storyteller, on behalf of David Bishop, rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((3,4)). weak success

...you make contact with an Inspecteur Levesque of the Sûreté du Québec who is willing to listen, but is looking for a little something to sweeten the pot.

Option one. You do have information about the construction delays at Place de la Cite. A few wise investments in the right places might make someone a lot of money if they knew that little tidbit.

Option two. something else??

When you return to Saint-Sulspice in the College Ahuntsic at the appointed time, you find James, Mirabel and Boy Georgeous.

Neither Findlay nor Riana have come back.

Seren returns to the Saint-Sulspice after an acrimonious discussion with the Satanists, who seemed to disapprove of nearly every reason that Seren brought to their leader. Seren chafed at much of the pomp and circumstance that she was forced to endure for these humans, play-acting as though it had some significance in their short lives and it must have come through in her already brittle tone.

That, or they sensed her desperation. Seren really, really needed a win to show her pedigree Ventrue betters that she was not simply a farmgirl who had been embraced for the expediency of the moment any longer. Of course, the mishandling of the Satanists would be known by all soon enough, seeing as their parting words to her seemed to imply that not only would they not help her, they would align with the opposing force.

The Beast stirring within Seren murmured that at least she'd be able to make them pay for their insolence in blood. Seren felt an ache in her for the blood of their leader, but he'd have to see battle before she'd be able to drink, such was the peculiar hunger for blood her Ventrue nature had bestowed upon her. Her Beast assured her that the right time was coming...

Meeting Vincent, the leader of a gang of Thin Bloods

Good Evening,  I am glad you would be willing to meet with me.  I can not speak for the prince, but i am sure she would be grateful for assistance in her return from her current situation.  I of course would lend what limited influence i have in such a endeavor.

I understand that there is not much to know, but there are many young bloods, and often they may happen to see something as others tend to ignore them.

Myself and a few others are looking to head this rescue effort, and we are just looking for eyes to help find where we need to go.

A few moments after Seren appeared, Eva arrived in a slightly flustered state, sure she would be the last to arrive.  But no, there were still several faces missing, though it was not a complete surprise to realize that neither Riana nor Finlay had yet returned.  It was entirely possible that they had already begun the fighting they craved, not waiting for any further help or information.

Seren, she noted, seemed out of sorts, so Eva did not press for any news about the success or failure of the Ventrue's efforts, presumably the latter.  For the most part she was simply thankful that her own methods of gathering information, primitive as they might be compared to those of the Nosferatu, had yielded some helpful results.  Using the telephone was still not entirely a comfortable thing for her, but she had had quite a bit of practice on this night.

Sketching out a curtsey to the Justicar, she relayed the name, place, and time she had managed to obtain.  "Is anything known of this Darius?" she asked, hopefully, wondering if that, too, might be of some use.

As the others began to trickle back into the tunnels beneath College Ahuntsic, James passed around a pack of duMaurier Special Mild. "I had expected a call from Finlay but he hasn't checked in. There is the danger of course that he and Razor have decided to go their own way, but I suppose we have to trust that they are working to the aim we agreed upon." he said without much confidence in the feelings of trust that he was espousing.

"I have heard this name Darius before," replied the Montreal born and bred Ventrue. "Alexander's Priscus, a trusted advisor and an elder of clan Lasombra if our information is correct."

@Chiharu

"Eyes and ears we can do," Vincent replied keeping his guard up. "Our survival is the only thing I am interested in. The Traditions, the fucking Sabbat, none of this bullshit matters to me. All I want is a place where we aren't hunted and torn to pieces for the crime of being so fucking far down the line that we're considered not good enough. If you can guarantee us a safe haven on Montreal Island, we'll help you spy in the north. Beyond that, you can rip each other's hearts out for all I care."

David's own funding at the moment might not be sufficient to pay for the level of aid that was sought at the moment, but given Inspecteur Levesque was apparently open to the idea of such persuasion, it presented a good opportunity to initiate the connection. And who knows, it might could lead to further such aid in the future? Particularly if David's bribes were sufficient, be they of monetary value or otherwise. A man easily bought could be useful.

"Inspecteur Levesque, I'm sure you know how.. delicate.. direct transfers could be. Particularly of a substantial denomination. Inquisitive minds will always be interested in prying and that could lead to issues best left behind. However, a little information that could return a modest chance.. a return that would be sizable enough to make life comfortable - perhaps even to the point of retirement if one wished - well.. that sort of information would be valuable indeed, don't you think?" he suggested. An investment opportunity of a legitimate nature. While the endeavor itself may be questionable in terms of how it took place, well, as long as the man kept his hands adequately apart from any of it, then what riches he reaped from it would be free and clear. He could always claim he had heard rumors of something worthwhile, but had no knowledge of anything 'illegal' that might be behind it. He'd end up much wealthier and in a manner that raised few questions. A lot easier than suddenly having to explain a briefcase full of cash of course.

Once he was agreeable to the aid for the information, David would relay what he had learned during the party about the construction delays at Place de la Cite. While some of the specifics as to who he heard it from were kept quiet, the information alone would give the man enough to go on to place a few smart investments. Something David planned to do himself once the current situation was concluded.

In reply to Vincent Lareux (msg # 114):

I believe in keeping my promises, and so i only make ones that i honestly believe that i can keep.

I can not promise you safe haven, as i do not have a domain of my own, let alone the authority or power to grant such a request.

I can promise to be an advocate for your cause, and should we succeed, if the prince is not willing to dole out such a reasonable request for your  assistance, i can promise to use the boon i would expect for rescuing the prince from such circumstances to help arrange such safe haven.

If that is acceptable then i believe we can agree.

@David. Levesque is suspicious but makes a few calls of his own to verify your claims. Within the hour he returns satisfied that the info you have given him may really pay off. He is equally concerned that too many dabbling in this pool will tip off the authorities. To secure his help you must agree not to put the tip to use for your own benefit.

@Chiharu. Vincent listens closely, slowly coming to the understanding that you are merely a low ranking member of the vampire community, not an emissary from the council. Still, the fact that any full blood might champion the cause of LGP combined with the chance to beard the Sabbat goat seems enough to gain his support.

@Everyone. With the Gangrel and the Brujah missing and presumably about to bring the battle to the street, you have little time to get moving.  You have the opportunity for parlay with Darius, you have the support of the Sûreté de Quebec and the Thin Bloods. You know that the local mortal Satan worshiping hedge wizards are playing for the other team.

What are you doing?

Glad to have you on board, i will do what i can.

Chiharu heads back to the rest of the team, hoping that they have found something out.

While not ideal, David gave his assent to the request, also noting though that, "I hope that the rewards of this particular endeavor are well remembered in that case. Quite a bit of potential there, but as you say, I shall refrain from parting of it myself at this time," he agreed. It was a big ask, particularly for what little David was asking of the man, but then again, a large windfall in a cop's bank accounts would hopefully lead to the man being willing to help him in the future. Especially if David could gather accounts showing the man's purchases. Legit though they may be, if David had something to show they were a.. little questionable? He could be blackmailed or bribed one way or another. But for now, they had their police assistance.


He returned to the others then, sharing the fact the police were ready. On returning and hearing of the status of things, he considers the fact of the hedge wizards siding with the other side and considers inquiring on that front. If they could learn where the hedge were focused, that might give them an idea of where to look first.

"It might be a trap or a ruse to draw us out, but I think we should take the offer for a meeting with Darius at face value." the Venture neonate said, looking to the others for support. "If it is a trap, they have chosen their ground poorly because there shouldn't be much that prevents us from escaping to our side of the river. If it isn't a trap, perhaps we can make some headway on finding out if there is a way to mount a rescue or arrange a cease-fire with the Sabbat."

"I agree," Eva said, nodding to the Ventrue.  Perhaps the fact that this information had come through her own efforts was influencing her decision, but she'd done her best to consider it logically and he also raised some very valid points.  "It might possibly be meant as a distraction of some sort, but it would seem to be a very poor trap.  And if only Neonates are sent to this meeting, then even as a distraction it will not do Darius much good.  I believe we should take the chance that it is a genuine offer.  We may at least learn something useful."

@Eva, @James.

A little less than an hour later and the arrangements are made. The drive to l'ile Bourdon will take a little less than 30min. The streets of the north side are pretty deserted at this time of night, but bars are letting out, gas stations and convenience stores are
open, other storefronts are dark and might be ripe targets for a well timed break-in.

You have some time to make stops along the way if there are preparations you need to make.

@Others. anyone not going to the meeting with Darius? Need to know you actions s’il vous plaît.

I am heading to wherever everyone is.

OOC: I think David is as prepped as he could be. Has a little in the way of weapons, is prepped and made what arrangements he could to help out the overall plan.

OOC: Same for Eva, she's about as ready as she can get.