Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌💀ch7-the-wizard-never-comes-late

Chapter 7 Location: Chantry Players: @DownSouthBoi Connor Donovan ST:@!Your Hyennaes

Connor arrives to the chantry, wearing a button down shirt and khaki slacks over his usual gothic attire. He wanted to look more sophisticated for the Regent than usual. He waited for Strauss to let him in, idly waiting in the lobby of the Chantry. “Regent, it’s Connor. I understand you wished to meet me for a discussion.”

No one answered, but Connor could see the barely lighted pattern on the wall led him somewhere deeper inside the chantry. He could be lost in these corridors, but would he just give it a try?

Connor sighs and shrugs, going into the corridor. "Thank God my apartment doesn't do this to me." He gives it a try.

1

The neonate Tremere looks around, trying to find the actual door to Strauss's office.

It took him good ten minutes to roam around the Chantry. The lights were deceptive, definitely if Connor was mortal that would lead him to the nest of the spider. But finally it led to the Regent's office. Nice door with mosaic glass didn't show the inside interior, but the gut feeling was very strong here. There's a vampire behind the door.

Connor respectfully waits after he knocks on the door, fixing his luscious black hair. "Regent? It's Connor. Connor Donovan. I am obliging your request for my summons, and am ready for whatever you require of me."

The room was lighted dimly, the working fireplace got the Beast stand on back paws somewhere inside. But it seemed not so much disturbing the bald man in dark red. - Welcome, childe, - soft baritone was welcoming and the eyes behind the glasses were examining the newcomer with interest. - Yes, I got your assignment papers. My name is Maximillian Strauss. I will be your Regent from now on. I will let you introduce more in details. Please. Tell me more how can you be of assistance.

Connor smiles widely, ready for his thick Southern accent to be of charm. "I am Connor Donovan, a Tremere neonate and loyal servant of the clan. I have focused my skills on Dominate and want to explore how the discipline can be of further use to the Clan. I of course have knowledge of Thaumaturgy, and I respect it, naturally, but I believe further investigation into Dominate's intricacies will benefit all Tremere."

- This is good indeed. I am sure local Camarilla will find it useful too, so you can be a good asset to the House and Clan Tremere as well you'll be the one to put some more of good attention to us as a whole power in this social system. He nodded putting crossing hands on his chest. - Do you have a place to live already?

Connor pulls out a MapQuest map of Downtown with his apartment circled (Is it in the Skylines?) "Right here, about a five to ten minute walk from the Chantry. My ghoul Rebecca lives with me, and I have ensured her loyalty and secrecy. She knows what happens to ghouls who fuck up."

- Hmh. Good then. It is a close location. How can we contact you? - He thought for a few more moments and added, - If you please... I would need a little of your blood as well to make it easier in case of emergency. He never told what kind of emergency and for whom, but he was a tremere after all.

Connor nods and slashes his wrist open to bleed a pint of vitae out for Strauss, putting it into a safe and convenient nearby container. He then licks his wrist shut. "Say no more, here it is, sir. This map, which you may keep, has my address for mail. I can also provide you my cellphone number if you are comfortable with that."

He gladly followed the traces of blood in the air and then nodded. - Of course. Email and phone are good too. How fascinating this technology gets in our life as it was here for all these centuries. Have you heard about this modern Path that allows you to control the machinery?

Connor sighs as he writes down his email and cellphone number. "Sir, I am still learning the Path of Blood, sadly. But I am willing to learn, if that is what you command. While I wish to expand my control and mastery of Dominate first and foremost, my obedience still lies with the clan."

- I was just interested what do you think about it. Classic way of out magic is still highly demanded by many. You also need to visit the prince and introduce yourself. Ventrue Tower is not that far. Tight at the corner with tall sculptural ensemble at the entrance and gargoyles at the back, - he smirked with no joy about the last phrase.

Connor does his best to avoid a giggle at the mention of gargoyles, lest he offend his Regent. "Alright, well, is more needed of me, or do I need to see the Prince? LaCroix is his name, yes?" Connor asks calmly.

- Yes. His name is Sebastian LaCroix of clan Ventrue as you could notice. If he needs any recommendations, you are ok to mention my name. I think it will be fast enough to just put his bureaucratic check mark.

Connor bows out and then waves bye to Strauss. "Then please reach me if you need me, sir. It was an honor meeting you, and I hope to speak again with you soon." Connor goes to find LaCroix.

- Of course. Nice to know from you neonate, - he good-byed Connor. The Ventrue tower was really close. Just the t-shaped street corner. It was not difficult to find. Two huge long statues were guarding the entrance and just now a truck marked as "Transportation Los Angeles" left the place.

Connor ventures into Venture Tower, looking around to see where to go and what to do for formalities.

In the hall there was a big table with the fat bald man behind it. He had a light guard t-shirt and a little tag on the chest stated Officer Chunk. Behind him the huge LaCroix banner lit the dark stone hall.

Connor tsks and chuckles, rolling his eyes a little. "Ha, should have figured." He walks up to the officer. "How ya doin', sir? I need to speak to Mr. LaCroix." Despite being Southern, Connor says "LaCroix" the proper French way.

- Uhm su-ure. What's your name? - He took the folder with notes as it seemed.

“Connor Donovan. I was told by a mutual friend of LaCroix’s that I need to speak with him. It’s the respectful thing to do of me.”

He looked through the papers and then looked back at the visitor. - Sorry Sir mister LaCroix doesn't wait anyone with that name. What business do you have to him?

Connor leans in and sighs. “Tell him he should see me if he wants his night time friends want to greet him with hospitality. I’m sure he will get the message.”

Officer got confused, but collected himself pretty fast. Seems like these code words were not told for the first time. - O-okay. Please hold on a minute, sir. He contacted someone and in a minute got back to Connor. - He is waiting, mister Donovan, I'll call the elevator for ya.

Connor sighs happily and stretches before heading into the elevator. “Thank you, Officer. Glad to clear the confusion for you.” As he rides on the elevator, he fixes his shirt.

Chunk smiled. - Oh, no worries at all, sir. The elevator stopped on a penthouse level. In front of the tremere there was huge nice wooden door with a nicely carved pattern.

Connor knocks on it, looking around to see if anyone else was in. “Prince? It’s Connor Donovan. I’m here to present myself to you on advice of my Regent, Strauss.”

1

Noone answered.

Connor sighs and just tries to open the door.

The door appeared open. The big golden room was decorated with huge paintings on biblical scenarios. Right in front there stood a big table and behind there was the most marvellous view on the LA city.

There was a man close to the window, blondish hair, pretty face, not very tall and rather slim in the expensive light grey outfit. - Good evening...

Connor smiles and bows to the man. “Prince LaCroix, it is good to meet you. I’m Connor Donovan, of clan Tremere. My new Regent, Strauss, requested that I introduce myself to you.”

Sebasian narrows his eyes a little. - Well, what brought you to LA mister Donovan? - He asked.

Connor gulps a little. “I’m here to research about the Dominate discipline and its uses for the Tremere clan. Strauss has already approved of this research.”

- Oh did he? Hmm, - LaCroix rubbed his chin accurately. - I am curious what interested you so much in this discipline?

Connor did his best to keep his cool, especially discussing Dominate with a Ventrue. “The power it can bring a kindred. Even better if one can make it subtle and not brazen, so the mortals and fledglings under its sway don’t even know what hit them.”

1

A cold smile appeared on the lips of the Prince. Eyes were not smiling though. - Well... Good luck with that. Mister Donovan. I hope your presence in the city will not bring us trouble. The gut feeling just made the hair on Connor's body stand on end. There was something LaCroix thought about him that will bring trouble as soon as it can happen. Probably he just can not wait for the guy to fail the Masquerade or something similar.

Connor sighs heavily and nods. “I completely understand, sir. Is there anything else for me to attend to for you or may I take my leave to my haven?”

- You're free to go. Good evening.

Connor quickly heads out after bowing again.

04:26

Recap: Connor Donovan, Tremere neonate, paid his dues to Tremere Regent Max Strauss and LA Prince LaCroix. He explained his business and motives to both men, getting along well with the Regent and feeling terrified around the Prince. He also dealt with a moronic mortal named Chunk. (edited)

He gave 1 BP to Regent and Prince wants him fail somewhere after the short Dominate discussion (edited)