Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌🍕🟩ch9-shrouded-sky

Chapter 9 Location: LA streets downtown Players: Tash, Jean-Paul @!Your Hyennaes@Jean-Paul du Toit (Lucas) ST: no need Previous scenes: #❌💀🟩ch8-meet-the-street

"I've heard from my mentor... who I guess I don't have to hide is Isaac Abraams anymore, that the Prince lives near this area... it's why I was avoiding to leave the Last Round area so much... I don't really know what to expect from that place"

- Wait. You mean you're afraid of the Prince's tower? - She raised her eyebrow, walking towards the closest car. Hers was not here any longer but there was always a driver in a distance of a few button clicks.

"Not the tower itself... but I'm, well, not a fighter, if someone suddenly decides I'm trespassing into Camarilla domain, I can't really try to run away, it doesn't matter if I'm the Baron of Hollywood's ward"

- I am not that good knowing the stuff here in LA, but... Is here an open conflict? Because if not, there should not be a lot of problems after all, no?

"No, there shouldn't be... but that doesn't mean there can't be any problems, that's the big difference"

Kirov smiled. - Yeah. It's never bad to be overprotected. I had a few bodyguards always available but it got complicated when... well, well I got the new world happened. She made a few thoughtful seconds staring at her feet, then at the bodyguard. Probably was not easy to just stand all the time and keep silent. This guy was probably a ghoul of Jean-Paul. - Who's your man?

"A guy Isaac recommended to me, I don't know him much, actually, his name is George" He will stop walking and pat his bodyguard on the shoulder. "Maybe someday I should get to know you better... my secretary though, Claire, she came with me from France, we go way back, maybe you could meet her someday"

- Well hello George... - She tensed her lips and smiled in a little weird way. She understood that this person is currently on duty. - So... What was I speaking about? Those boys of mine could not stand a single hmm... 'businessman'. Actually he could kill me just like that, - he clicked with her fingers, - so yeah, it's better to get the guards from the ones who know what to expect and where to look at, - she smiled more average this time at George.

"Well, I can hardly blame them, businessmen are rather boring" He chuckles. "But, useful, I kinda need their money if I'll make a good enough movie... so, you also are a sort of information broker, aren't you?"

- "Sort of", - she repeated ironically chuckling, - what are you up to? Of course where there's the request - there's the offer.

"Nothing in specific, I'm just wondering... did that start before or after your little plastic surgeries, or whatever it is you did?"

Tash looked at the shrouded moon. - About three years I guess... Got well on doing this and it just happened itself. So why not use it. Are you potentially interested in something specific? I might look into it.

"No, nothing I can think of anyway... but it's definitely interesting to know someone who works on that area" He chuckles. "Yeah, I don't really have enough problems with anyone to want dirt on them just yet"

- Oh it is not always about dirt, - she explained gladly, - can be also about competition, industrial espionage, availabilities, new potential allies, and so on, and so on... Kirov grinned. - You never know what you want to buy till you take a good look at the showcase, uh?

"Well, I'm not a Ventrue, my 'business', so to speak, can only be won by talent, and nothing else... but seeing as you mentioned allies, it would be interesting to know if there are any other kindred in the movie business, yes"

- Oh, speaking of... - she showed to Ventrue tower with her finger, to the very top, - What do you think, how big is the change that the Prince is still there? Just curious...

chance*

"I don't know, high, I assume, I doubt he ever does anything by himself, so he probably doesn't have a need to ever leave it" He shrugs. "You could try to go there... I'm sure he'd be happy to receive a ghoul by herself"

The girl narrowed her eyes. - Why is that? I mean I know the options what could potentially happen but what are you thinking about?

"It was a joke" He laughs for a bit. "I'd rather not see what happens after that... but I know I would prefer not to meet him myself"

- Why? You afraid he'll brainwash you?

"If you had the opportunity to, would you like to meet Stalin?" He made sure to bring someone from Russia's history so it would connect more to her.

Natasha got agitated and even glad at some point: - Of course!! Stalin, Hitler... Anyone with power actually would be so interesting to know. Don't you think?

"Not if I knew I wouldn't have any chance to change anything... I mean, yes, technically in this case he can't kill me because I didn't do anything wrong, but... I'm not so sure if I want to meet him anyway"

- I see. Seems I'm more risky anyway, - she smiled. They came to her car. It stood one block from the Tower. Big black Mercedes bus for business. Almost an office on wheels if Jean -Paul knew some in cars. - Well, - she spread her arms, - that's mine...

"Huh... that's interesting" He looks at the bus with his eyebrows raised. "Well, that's not very discreet, is it? Might need to work on that" He chuckles. "Do you live there or something?"

- Well I haven't planned to... St least a lot. If I wanted, none would see me. Anyway I'm glad we met. You seem a cool guy after all. Still be careful. So you have my number?

"Well, you still didn't give me your number, but let's exchange our numbers, so in case your guy decides to meet up with me too, OR, you change your mind about becoming my ghoul, you can give me a call" He smiles a bit. "Also we need to schedule when we're going to that Café in Hollywood"

She chuckled gladly and they exchanged numbers. Kirov sighed: - Let's not rush things. You want a date - there will be one. I'm ok even for tomorrow. Up to you. She smiled nicely once again., Good acquaintances were always pleasant.

"Tomorrow? I suppose that works, just let me know where to go get you and the time, and I'll be there to get you"

Tash made another glance at the Tower... - Tower. Half past eleven. How does that sound?

"You really do love this tower, don't you? Well, okay, I'll be here tomorrow at that time" He will move closer and grab Natasha's hand, then kiss it. "I will see you tomorrow, Mademoiselle Kirov"

She explained with a smile: - Usually it is a much better view from the top, - she blushed a little and grinned with a confused exhale, - it was a pleasure.

[end scene]

Jean-Paul escorted Natasha to her car after having an interesting encounter at the Last Round. They agreed to go on a date the next night.