Los Angeles: Blood Moon (VtM V20) - ❌🍕🟩ch11-two-wolves-enter-the-arena

Chapter 11 Location: to be determined Players: Tash @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) , Dylan Sean@David [Sir pain in the Rump] ST: @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] Previous scenes: #❌🍕🟩ch9-business-only

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Natasha recieves a text- [[Hey, you know anything about puppies? I could use a second set of eyes.]]

"I am not sure what do you mean" - she replied.

"Puppies.. you know.. baby dogs.. you have time to look at a few with me?"

"Ye, sure." She didn't ask any questions. Probably it can be some kind of a hidden sense in it, a reason to meet maybe? Still weird. "Puppies.. ha", - she thought.

The address given is in a very, very bad part of town.

Tash took a look at the map and decided to message once more. "Will you meet me? Or I will bring my bodyguards?" (edited)

She arrives at a little duplex with a bare dirt yard. The sound of dogs barking is a cacophony from the back of the house. Dylan is dressed in a basketball jersey, LA Lakers, and cargo shorts over color coordinated nikes. The jersey shows off how cut his chest and arms are, and show off his alpha tattoo.

Tash came closer looking at Dylan's outfit. - Oh, just don't tell me it's a puppy mill... - She was not actually too tender about the animals, but more of a habit to show she cares. Because normal people would.

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"Fighting dog breeder. No Molossus, but a good guard dog can go a long way." He motions toward where a heavyset black man is carrying a pair of big puppies by the scruff. "It wont hurt to get contacts who can provide dogs for the shows either.."

She listened but she also have seen the dogs, and grinned in affection. - Aw-w-w-w puppies!!! - That was the very obvious reaction, but still pretty frank.

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

Dylan gives the woman a grin. The man with the dogs puts them down infront of the two and Dylan kneels down to inspect the pups. "See the paws on this one?" He holds up the mentioned paw its huge for a puppy. "Thats a good indication this one will be a giant." (edited)

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15:51

The puppy licked the hand of Dylan, barking in cute noise.

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(Dylan has 0 animal ken, and no animalism... animals probably not too happy to be around him)

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The puppy bit him slightly, groaning. The tiny teeth didn't even managed to go through the skin.

All her eyes were shining with unstoppable love and cuteness like she was a kind of an anime girl. - Aaaaawwwwww they're sooooo cuuuuuteeee... - She held out, and then looked at Dylan. - Why do you need them? Cam I hold them? - She asked both men, - aw-ww-w-w...

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

"These? Probably nothing, im not patient enough to raise them. But i have a bit of a contest im arranging, and i want some of the dogs for the show..." He grabs one of the pups by the scruff and gives it a look over before offering it to Tash. "Maybe ill get one of the puppies and start training it early..."

She was listening, but gently took a doggo and hugged him, letting lick her face or even bite it. - Oh God they're so sweet...

"I hear they are quite bland, but they are plentiful. If i want to add a element to my productions i might need the supply." He looks at the dog. "Would you like one?" He motions to the pupper in her arms.

She enjoyed the puppy and then looked at Dylan. - I don't think so, I have no idea what to do with dogs except of cuddling. I'd need to hire a babysitter for them, so... I don't think there's any use of it. She narrows her eyes. - Especially when there are some people who can train the animals much better, - hinting at the disciplines, - I wouldn't like my doggo would love anyone more then me. And I am pretty sure you get what I mean.

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

Dylan nods. "Yes, i know what you mean. But i have the means to ensure the loyalty of my... pets.. " something about this last word makes tasha a liytle uncomfortable. "Just at a personal cost. In sure you understand.. maybe i should give you a guard hound you can trust... " He smiles generously. "Atleast with everyone else."

The girl continued teasing the puppy looking to Dylan from time to time. - Still I have bodyguards. And my own... - she could put a word "pets" here, - people.

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"You certainly do have those..." He will motion to the man. "This one she can take if she likes... have the other put in the car with my man..." He motions to the old suv pulled up on the curb where a very alert looking man in slacks is wearing a jacket even in the LA heat. "Lets see your fighting dogs.. i need probably a dozen good looking specimines." (edited)

- My "fighting dogs" are ment to work for me. Why do you need them anyway? You look like the one can take care of himself easily.

12:57

She returned the dog.

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(He was asking the NPC to show him the fighting dogs in the back.) Dylan grins "Well, anyone can put on a fight. Anyone can put on a good fight even... " He puts a arm around her shoulder lightly as they walk around the side of the house. The smell of dogs, and the sound of barking grows louder. "But it takes something special to put on a extravagamza. Circus Maximus, man against beast in mortal combat." He sounds excited even as he puts on the salesman pitch.

- Ah... So that's what you do? Well, I could have found that you're a way showman indeed. Let us see then. Are you a gambling person?

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"Its something i would like to do. Something to really wow the old blood suckers.. you know. I play the market, but thats hardly gambling. Just buy the dips, and know the right people and your set for life... or what ever. " He gives the man a mind your own buisness look at the look he gets for blood suckers. "I enjoy the fights, life and death, health and harm, pitting your skill against another... and it doesnt hurt theres good money in it too. " (edited)

22:28

The back yard is big and has rows of kennels and individual dogs staked out in bare patches of dirt with clear circles where the chains reach their furthest.

- Interesting, - was just a word for it. She didn't feel excitement about all this, but not compassion either. She just was not that much into the topic. Illegal had to be epic in her eyes, especially after Vegas. So it was hard to surprise Kirov at that matter. She just wanted it big. Any of that king of events she used to. - So different after Las Vegas, - she commented in a low voice... More even sounded like "I just hit the bottom of life". She wasn't sure what to feel.

Dylan chuckles. "The high life has to have something below it to be the high life. Its more a matter of perspective." He motions to the too many dogs in the very inhumane conditions. "This is real. Real people real life and death, real struggle. The high and mighty play at real, pretend that pushing numbers around is real, parties and clubs, and charity dinners all illusions that shatter when confronted with actual reality." Dylan stops in front of a snapping snarling pit bull straining against the length of chain to get at the unnatural predator that had invaded its 3 foot circle of territory.

- Yeah. I know. I chose my place. Always do. And definitely don't want to watch from the bottom, - she shrugged, - there are the others who do. So will not compete, - she grinned. - The struggle is always real, it doesn't matter killed by an assassin or a clown at the party. It is still death right?

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Dylan nods. "The way you die, is as important as how you live." He points to the dog. "Would this one scare you? I want impressive.."

The smile disappears from her face as soon as she saw big dogs. She was holding well for counted seconds, but started to get pale as death and then suddenly turned running out of the place towards the exit.

"I guess it is.." He mutters before telling the man he wants that animal and any of the animals that are mostly black. He follows Natasha

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The girl was outside. She stood at the trash container, coughing and vomiting. She was pale, breathing really fast and painfully.

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Dylan approaches slowly, almost pretending like what ever was going on with her, wasn't. "Lets take you somewhere, more pleasant." He says indulgently. "Would you like to follow or have your driver follow?" (edited)

Who could have thought... She still have this weird thing happening to her again and again. She stuck over the bin, then took the tissue out of her purse wiping her mouth, splashed with little water from a bottle and took a bubble gum. It was made like really nothing happened, but all her body was still shaking. - Follow? - She didn't understand where, and still she had to hold on a lot not to let the obvious panic attack to be so noticeable.

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He will put a arm around her shoulder again, not really comforting, more possessive. Then lead her toward the cars gently. "Bobby, get a truck or what ever over here and pay the man for the dogs, im going to the club." He shouts at his ghoul as he opens the passenger door of the SUV for Tasha and ushers her in before getting in the driver side.

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The girl sat into the car and then visually felt a great relief. She finally started to breathe normally and the skin got her natural color again. - Where are we going? - She asked quietly, putting herself together.

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

@David [Sir pain in the Rump]

"What sort of music do you like? Maybe you need a break from the night to night stress." He puts the truck into gear and pulls away from the curb. The puppy in the back growls at dylan, more cute than threatening.

(You going the the Asylum ?

)

(Maybe, all the clubs in bloodlines make me cringe. But dylan is trying to be kind to stressed out ghoul girl)

(Hahaha I was saying that for Mercurio’s advice for Tung)

13:03

(You heard of a bar held by a Gangrel which serves hard liquor and cigars also)

(I just was directed toward tung. Byt thats very dylan.. oh you need a break, then just go to where he wants to get stuff done at)

(As you wish really, if you wanna a place in particular don’t hesitate, it’ll add to the setting :))

(Lets go for asylum, though dylan isnt dressed for goth club....

- Any that compliments good for and expensive brands.

*good food

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Dylan considers taking her to the abysmal hole of a club, asylum... he had work to do... but a glance at her rattle state changes his mind. "So whats like russian for monster dog, or hellhound or something? I have to name the fur bag.." He hooks a thumb to the backseat where the puppy has started gnawing at the upholstery.

She wanted to get into her world, not his. So there was s a point to be capricious. - Please Dylan, can we just not talk about the dogs today? She was not meant to that company that's for sure. That was the job for her retainers. And she was not yet sure if she is interested in that part of a business.

" Sure... I didnt think it would upset you.." He holds the button to roll down the driver side window in a rush of air. "Its fucking up my upholstery anyway.." He reaches into the back seat and grabs the little dog by the neck causeing it to yelp in alarm. (edited)

"Waf, waf! Grrrr…" The doggo tried to bite the hand that held him but with no chance so it immobilized itself, just groaning cutely.

In a quick motion he throws the puppy out the window without a word, beofre reaching down and rolling the window back up. Tasha has a moment where she imagines herself being tossed out the window for convinience. "So Thai or something less spicy?"

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She was good enough in manipulation herself not to even understand why is he playing with the things around like that, but she didn't even turn her head towards the doggo. - Thank you, - yes, poor animal, yes, she could be the next, but it was not enough to frighten her after what she had already experienced. - Thai is fine, - she nodded and leaned to the back of the seat.

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"So, ive been working on a thing. I think you can help." He looks over at her. "So the lacroix wants beef with the anarchs. But currently.there isnt enough friction. He is sure the anarchs burnt the elysium, but it looks like maybe they didn't actually. But what if we cam find a way to make it so it looks like the anarchs did do the deed...."

Tash got thoughtful. She kept silence for a long time, weighing all 'yes' and 'no', remembering that Adam and Jean-Paul are of the ones. She could be... and formally is no matter her preference. It was hard choice, but mostly she needed to decide Adam against the Prince. She looked at the window preparing plan B... As always. - Do YOU want war, Dylan?

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"Hot war, cold war, there is already war. I know what the prince wants, and i know there is opportubity in providing it." Dylan turns his attention back to the road. "The way things are here in the city.. it can't last. Someone has to be the big dog. Has to be, you feel me? Its going to happen one way or the other. The question is picking the winning side, and lining yourself up for the glory."

- I get what you mean. But I can decide it only after I meet with the prince. As I already know local anarchs. Need to see the whole picture. Preferably from the inside. Maybe even would arrange your meeting with someone. There's too little information yet to do anything. I wouldn't be that in a hurry. When Dylan mentioned big dogs she wrinkled her nose.

"Look, even if the rebels win their little piece of the pie here. The struggle can't end well. The sabbat, and the camarilla aren't going anywhere, and they will just be back, its just borrowed time." He lets out a exasperated breath. "Anyway, Its not just a matter of giving you the blood. It costs, LaCroix doesnt have any reason to grant me the boon of creation."

She clearly understood what Dylan was telling. But there was one thing he didn't get... Yet. - Then let him do it... - it sounded almost hissing. She didn't know Dylan, sure probably didn't want him as a sire... Yet. But the "prince's childe" sounded both good and dangerous. Just as she liked.

Dylan gives you Tasha a sharp glance. "You ever seen a chef use a lemon? They squeeze and squeeze until every last drop is emptied out.... and then maybe they zest the peel?" He looks back toward the road. "LaCroix, hes like that chef, ready to squeeze every drop out of anyone who puts themselves in his orbit. Hell, it might be worth the entertainment value to put you in front of him."

- I want to see that myself, - she shook her head, thinking maybe she even wants to feel it, to try the will, to get a challenge, - you have no idea what I've been through all this time. I know exactly where I belong.

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"So why not get your boss to do it for you? I mean you have to want it that way right?" Dylan says a little crankily.

- We... - she dropped her sight, - we planned it in Las Vegas. It just... didn't happen. And here I didn't plan it from the start, just needed to know the area, - she shook her shoulders. - And then you appeared, dragged me into all of this. And now we can not stop speak business and politics. I'm actually glad that I met a ventrue. And if the Prince is the one - he should be more liable to the clanmate's opinion... I mean... ugh... - Tash shrouded, - now it probably just looks like I am getting into the fire not having time to wear a fire-proof costume... I know. But there are things that should be done faster then the other. (edited)

12:20

- I mean it is still possible, yes.

"Your eagerness, betrays you. I wouldn't embrace you. Not without squeezing all the juice out first. You have problem of being useful, as you are, and only offering things LaCroix either doesnt need or doesnt want. He doesnt need money. And the attention.. is a double edged sword. "

She smirked, not really happily. Hiding the thoughts. - I know at least three kindred in LA who would be glad to embrace me tonight with no hesitation. But it's me the one to say "no". She wanted to tell how sick it is to have that little power to do "useful" things, the guns at her face all the time... So many things she could tell, but won't. Tash took the phone and texted somebody. - I don't have time for squeezing. So you want to throw me out of the window like a puppy - go ahead. Or be worth your blood and drive me home. She didn't look at him. More on the reflection. Offended, bitter but too far from broken. It just didn't do the way she wanted. For now. (edited)

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Dylan sighs a little sadly. "Yeah? If that were actually true, you would be a kindred right now. Let me guess they want to lick your feet or sell your panties on e-bay or some other perversion, you trust them to have essentially utter control over you?" He doesn't even acknowledge the text. "I didn't say you were worthless, and if you want to go home, then of course i'll take you home, its proper. "

- If they wouldn't respect camarilla law, ye, I would. And your would not see this pretty face any longer, - she laughed ironically, - a little more time in last Vegas and probably none would ask me. You just don't take me serious towards kindred stuff are you? And I don't want to do any of the serious business until I'm embraced. "Until I have all the chances to be of the clan I believe to belong,"- she thought and frowned. - Please drop me off at Hollywood heels.

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Dan drives in silence for a long time before looking back over. "I think you would, maybe, be a fine kindred, definitly vetter than some of the people the bloods been wasted on in LA. But its not going to be as easy as just walking up to LaCroix and asking..... and if it is that easy your in for a world of hurt because your being had." He pulls off the freeway into Hollywood, the iconic sign looming over head.

Tash was silent also for pretty long. The worst she understood everything. She knew this would good enough to know or will or might be another damn challenge, but... - I know how to hold a spoon, - she just threw through her teeth. She could always hope for easy and nice but... Huh... Dreams.

[end scene] #❌🍕🟩ch11-old-pals-new-faces

Recap: Dylan invited Tash to choose new pack of dogs to his show. In the process Tash got a panic attack and ran out of the building. Continuing pressing emotionally ventrue threw the puppy out of the window of their car during the ride from the place. The dialogue went a bit wrong and the girl asked to return her home.