Los Angeles: Blood Moon (VtM V20) - ❌🌙🟩ch13-nice-ugly-and-a-girl

Chapter 13 Location: Ventrue Tower Players: Adam, Matt, Natasha, @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)@Adam@Misha [Mathias] ST: @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] Previous scenes: #❌🍕🟩ch12-rose-garden (edited)

Adam would send a text to Robbie, asking if he was around to help him talk to the Prince.

<To Adam> Well well well, look who it is. Tash already tell you I was in town?

<To Robbie> Yup lol glad you're here tbh

Same, tbh Haven't met the Prince yet, but I can OH HOLY SHIT YOULL NEVER GUESS WHO THE PRIMO IS HERE

00:44

~~you can practically sense how excited Rob is right now~~

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<To Robbie> Uh who? Also do you know anything about the Prince? I came to his ugly tower but IDK if they'll even let me in.

<Rob sends over a picture of his signed photo of 'Gorgrous' Gary Golden circa the premier of Skies of Nevada> Muthafuckin Gary Goddam Golden!!

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01:06

As for the prince, I have no idea, haven't met him yet. I went straight to the Warrens, Tower doesn't know I'm here. I might try and keep it that way, honestly.

<To Robbie> I think I remember my sire mentioning Gary Golden, is he famous or something? Also are you like, not introducing yourself? Aren't you Cam?

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Matt was no doubt with Adam while he texted. He nudged him "You're texting Robert, right? Is he gonna come?"

Adam pursed his lips. "Yeah I'm texting him but he doesn't seem to wanna come."

- Why?

He responded with a shrug.

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<I'm still thinking about it. Staying with the Tower back in Vegas didn't really do me any favors. I dunno, maybe things are different here, but the only Tower social event I actually took advantage of back home ended up with a car exhaust pipe through my chest. You oughta come down to the Warrens, check things out before you commit.>

01:40

<Also, Gary Golden is the single greatest actor to ever live, no this is not opinion, yes I will fight you about this>

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<To Robbie> Well I'm gunna come to the warrens either way. Just gunna introduce myself to avoid conflict, doesn't mean I'm committing to anything. But suit yourself, I'll see you down there uh as soon as you tell me where they are lol. I'll have to check out some of his films then

<...fuck it, I'll meet him with y'all. He might never see me again, but whatever. Not like he's gonna get his suit wet looking for me. Gary got his start playing an extra in a Charlie Chaplin short, and got his break in The Bee's Knees, cuz everyone was putting out comedies. He really came into his own in Skies of Nevada, and anyone who tells you he didn't make the transition from slapstick to character drama either ignorant or a a hack of a film critic. Should have swept the Academy for that film>

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<To Robbie> Sounds like a buncha old flicks but that's cool. I might watch Skies of Nevada later I guess considering we were just in Vegas. Anyway I'll wait for you out here then. I assume you'll uh, know me when you see me, lol After sending his text, Adam looked down at Matt. "Hey you wanna watch a movie after this?"

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While waiting for a bit for Robert to come, the bad, the beauty and the ugly saw a man walking calmly toward the tower. As he saw them, he nodded with a warm smile toward their direction, and entered in it.

"Hm, a movie? Sure, I'm down for it." he answered simply with a small hum. Matt then looked to the complete stranger as he approached, blinking but returning a small nod and warm smile in return as he passed.

"Peekaboo." said a voice from seemingly nowhere. Rob melted into view, letting his cloak drop. He kept his hood and mask up, looking much the same as he had back in Vegas.

Adam watched the man enter, leaning slightly to try to see where he was heading once he got inside, like a creep. "Sweet. You can stay at my new apartment then. Once I uh, figure out where that is, I'm sure Tash got me some kinda youtuber-looking pad." Adam chuckled, not even startled by the sudden 'peekaboo', probably used to such shenanigans. "Hey Robbie, bring it in." He dragged the other Nos into a hug, whether he wanted it or not.

He returned the hug, clapping the obscenely tall man on the small of his back, then socked him in the shoulder. "Didn't even say goodbye, jackass."

"You mean permanently right-" Matt said, then he jumped a bit at Robert's sudden appearance. Once he processed it was the familiar nossie he waved cheerfully. " Oh! Heyyy. " he greeted simply with a smile.

The man spoke to the security officer behind the counter, and then took the elevator.

Rob snickered. "Good to see you, Matt. Doing good?"

Adam did rub his bony shoulder a little after the punch and gave a guilty smile. "Shit, I'm sorry, I had a lot on my mind... uh, after that like, thing, in the Luxor." He rotated his finger vaguely. Matt was given a quirk of his dark brow. "Oh? You wanna stay permanently? I don't mind." He gave a wink, though whether he was playing along or serious probably depended on Matt's reaction. Haha, jk jk. Unless...

"Mhm- I'm doing alright. As well as I can be at least- nothing particularly good or bad. How about you?" he tilted his head at Robert. He then blinked and looking to Adam as he considered the reply. " Well, it does save money sharing a place..." he properly considered it before shrugging it off. " We can talk about it later. If I live with someone else I do need my own room though." he wriggled his fingers at Adam.

"I'm good. Glad not to be the Primo anymore, if I'm honest. Think I did an alright job with what I had, but man... For the fucking birds."

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- Hi Akela... Well... I guess you're not Akela any longer, huh... - she thought what kind of nickname to choose for Robert this time.

"I think you did a good job but I understand not wanting the pressure anymore." Adam agreed, then gave Matt a nod. "That can be arranged. Welp, let's go ahead and meet this guy, I guess. We may as well follow that one dude." Adam pushed the tall glass doors open into the lobby, presumably to be in front of a security desk.

"Hello there, mister...? Wow, wow, you're... You're ill ? It's contagious?" The fat security officer looked at him with a pity look, as he raised his hand to his mouth, to cover it, and pinched his nose. He looked at him with a dumb face, as he put a hand toward him in a stop, but more ridiculous than coercitive.

Adam looked down at the Paul Blart-esque rent-a-cop and scratched his jaw. "Uh, no, it's not contagious." He frowned. "Not exactly the professional behavior I'd expect here at..." Adam glanced around until spotting the large blue backlit sign denoting who's building this was. "LaCroix uh... LLC, or, whatever."

He smiled, putting both of his hand on the counter, sighing. "I could use a fitness program like you. Ah." He waved at the "Lacroix" sign, with a dumb face : "Oh, you know the compagny ? Well... They are visibly satisfied with my services ! But I'm sorry if I offended you, mister... Mister... Mister who ?"

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Matt would step in after Adam, quirking his brows at the security officer's response to Adam. He badly stifled a chuckle but stayed quiet for now to let Adam handle it.

Adam sized up the much shorter and substantially chubbier man. "Yeah well it's called not eating. Anyway, hi, I'm Adam. I'm here to see uh, Mister... LaCroix." He just assumed that was a last name at this point.

"Oh! That's not for me than AH. You seem to know what you're doing, but let me check. Who are your friends ?"

"This is Mathias Ward and Natasha Kirov, you may also know her as Diva Las Vegas. And he's Robert Meechum." Adam leaned back and folded his bony arms.

"A pleasure to meet you." Matt said with a small smile and bow of his head.

Rob just glared from inside his hood, looking all homeless and lanky and weird.

"I sure don't know her, but I hope I'll get to see her soon." He smiled happily toward the Mathias and Natasha. He took out his phone and explained the situation in it. Nodding and making a really hard-thinking face-you had the impression he was gonna shit himself-, he said : "He will take you all at once. You can take the elevator."

"Thanks bud." Adam rapped his knuckles on the security desk lightly and strolled past to the elevators, holding the doors for the others before he hit the top button. A Ventrue would never be on any floor lower than the top after all.

"Thank you. " Matt hummed, following Adam into the elevator.

Hands in his pockets, Rob followed. Still doesn't like being out in the open like this, it seems.

16:50

He stared at chunk with his beady red eyes the entire time until the elevator doors slid shut.

She was thoughtful and quiet so that time. Locked inside her thoughts. New city, new faces, new rules. She needs to be careful. Good she's not alone.

And so they rode the elevator up to the top floor, Adam seemed a lot more casual than the others, and once the doors opened he stepped onto the landing to look for some obvious entrance to a big fancy office or something.

The elevator led straight to a grand room, with a wooden and raffined desk on the other side, just before the tall windows giving on Los Angeles. A man in black was looking down the city, his back to them. On his side, a humonguous, dreadfully tall and strong, with a difformed face, as something had shaped the bones inside to point outward. His eyes were glowing in a slight reddish color, and he was looking at them, his lips closed. On his back, an enormous sword was there.

"Good evening." The man spoke with a assertive voice, not like a scalpel, nor a hammer. More like a stake.

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MOOD MUSIC : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8EGNLU2Iqk&t=136s

comfy savage

Vampire: the Masquerade- Bloodlines - Ambience & Music | Prince LaC...

That beast of a man was somehow even taller than Adam and he momentarily jumped back at the sight of him before gathering his wits again. With a slight sigh he took a drag of his cigarette and stepped into the rather ostentatious office. "Evening, Your Grace... hope this isn't a bad time."

18:47

@Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

Matt would follow in after Adam, pausing at the sight of the two. He needlessly took a breath and ran a hand over his hair before putting both hands behind his back. "Evening, your grace." he said with a bow of his head. As usual, he'd just let Adam speak.

The girl just bowed with her head not yet dropping a word.

"It never really is. And yet, we live in times where a unknowned man allows himself to smoke a cigarette in my lair. A wonder to discover, each minute that passes by." He turned around. Eyes of ice, in a white tone, were looking at them. His whole face was elegant, and yet not that perfect. There was a sharpness, a bluntness to some of his character that screamed Blue blood. As they looked around, they could see that the man they saw enter earlier was there, contemplating, immobile, a painting. The Prince of Los Angeles gazed at Adam, and then on each of them. "Who are you? And what affairs bring you to my domain ?"

"I don't know if I allow myself to do anything, I just kinda do stuff." He commented, looking at the cigarette as if it were new to him. But then he took another drag. "Anyway it's not like it can hurt you anymore, eh?" Adam gave a chuckle and a slightly impish grin. He knew he wasn't going to win this guy over no matter how charismatic he was so why bother? "Hi, I'm Adam. Former Sheriff of Las Vegas. I'm just here to introduce myself like a good boy because I wanna live in Los Angeles. What do you say eh?" He smiled warmly and gave a slightly dramatic bow. Well, it was really more of a curtsy because he thinks he's so cute. (edited)

"Robert. he answered flatly from behind his mask. He mostly kept his eyes on Magilla Gorilla, and noticably to the Vegas Kids, he left out his former occupation.

He looked at Robert with a tired look, before going back to Adam. "Spare me the buffonerie." He waved a hand in the air, as to chase a fly. "What does the Sheriff of Las Vegas has to do in my lairs ?"

"I... Just told you, I'm introducing myself because I'm moving here. Do you not want me to follow the Tradition of Hospitality, Your Grace?"

"An advice to you." His voice at first seemed to had a warmth, but there was something fiery in it, as the dorming fire ready to burst. "We're not in Vegas, and we like to follow rules here. Hierarchy and respect is the principles that held the Ivory Tower during the most daring hours. The Prince understant that, and I advise you that you stay low as you speak, neonate."

He ignored the remark of the man speaking, just looking at Adam, silently, as he seemed to consider.

The man continued to look at the painting for a bit, and then turned around, looking at the lot. His eyes were a deep brown, and he had dark hairs. Almost a negative of LaCroix.

Adam was a little startled when Wellington spoke, but then realized it was the man he'd seen entering earlier. He momentarily wondered why he hadn't noticed him before but then again maybe he was having some withdrawal. He raised a brow. "Riiiight, following the rules. Again, that's why I'm here, introducing myself, to the Prince. Whom I just need to acknowledge me, if that's alright." He smiled again. "Sorry if you're interpreting me as speaking uh, disrespectfully. I'm not. Just trying to make my intentions clear."

Peeked at the unknown man before looking back to the prince. He'd speak up in a gentle tone and stood up a bit more straight as he gathered himself enough to introduce himself. "Mathias Ward, clan Toreador. I'm here to to present myself and ask for your acknowledgement and hospitality as well." he put a hand to his chest and bowed his head. His sheepishness might make him seem less graceful or elegant than others of his family.

Rob just kind of rolled his eyes. 'Bluebloods...' he thought to himself. Always gotta have the last word, always gotta make it a pagent. He kept his hands in his pocket, but was otherwise silent.

Adam doesn't have telepathy but he silently thought the same exact thing as Robert.

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And there she goes... The closest to them all. Tash sees the tension and definitely can not just stay and not put together all her leadership shit. - If I can speak, - she briefly took a look at Adam, making sure she can, made a few sighs. And then continued, getting a step forward. - Your Grace, - she bowed a little, - I am Natasha Kirov, Diva Las Vegas Influencer... I'm... Adam's retainer, - it was the first time she felt uncomfortable with her status, but not with Adam. - It's terrible news, but Las Vegas is indeed taken by Sabbat. There are not enough Kindred to fight for the city. Anarchs are more of the sabbat behavour, - she definitely shown the anticipation for the latter, - there are explosions, fire, chaos, it's not a good place for... us... any more, so we ask you to let us stay at your domain and contribute, - of course she spoke mostly about herself, but also putting herself as a shepherd of the damned. That was... weird to speak for several vampires being just a ghoul, but damn something she needed to do back then in LV, warn... Maybe that would help to change something. (edited)

He looked at Tash as she stepped forward, silent. She felt all the look on her, and as she spoke, she could see a slight smile creep on the face the Prince. He was pleased by her way of doing things. "I can see you take retainers of quality around you, Adam. It is a valuable assets to be well served." He said this almost in a whisper. "Each minor problem like a grain of sand, each night I inherit the desert. And now, a storm is approaching my city."

A small clap of hand resonnated from behind. "I see that none of you are of the Blue Bloods. But you represent what the Family has the best to offer." He advanced a bit, showing Robert with the palm of his hand facing the ceiling. The Eyes. He then looked at Mathias and designated him. "The soul." He looked at Adam with always this hard smile. It was difficult to know if he was laughing, forcing it, or sincerely warm. "And for what I know, you were Sheriff. It seems we're lucky, my Prince." His gaze avoided Tasha.

"Indeed, we are." He continued to look at Tash, as he said : "Were they other refugees in my city ?"

"You forgot the brain, fucker", - Tash thought about another arrogant vampire. Not surprising. - None that I may know about Your Grace, - she answered more quiet and made a little step back letting the others add anything if they even wanted. She didn't pay back the attention to the other vampire in the room as well.

Matt looked over to Wellington, brows quirked as he was called 'The Soul' but otherwise not questioning it. He then went back to looking between Natasha and LaCroix as they spoke, continuing to stay awkwardly silent for a Rose.

Adam allowed Tash to speak, since Sebastian seemed to be into it. Typical, she really was such a Ventrue sometimes. Though once again, he couldn't read minds, his own thoughts went to the same place again. "I'd like to think of myself as The Brain, Your Grace, if I may say so myself." He smiled again. "I had a PhD in Nuclear Physics by the time I was 20, and I was a military weapons engineer before my 'untimely demise'. So if some strategy is required to deal with your Sandstorm, by Darude, then yeah I think having a former Sheriff in your city would be beneficial. I could of course have taken my talents to the Baron, whom I've been offered a meeting with a couple times, if I'm not your cup of tea. Which is fine if so, I'm no Patrician. But I am Camarilla so I came here instead, Your Grace." Adam rolled his palm out slightly.

"Ouch... That was a lunge", - She thought and tried to hide her expression as she maybe didn't know local etiquettes but she was the one who have seem such of it in the high society. It was not bad, but definitely a rough strike. Maybe she would do the same.

The Prince just stared at Adam doing his tirade, visibly bored during the whole tirade. But as soon as Adam dared talk about the baron, the placide look became an inquisitive cold one. "I am glad that you are Patrician indeed. You talk about a Baron trying to debauche you, must I understand a high representative of the Ivory Tower wants to defect ?" He smiled frankly this time. And they could all see that he would love to have just an occasion to put the head of Adam on the chopping block. "No, it couldn't be. Not when the Sabbat is near, and the Anarch just a desorganized bunch of prole. The help of the like of you would be essential."

She looked at Adam with hope but definitely could not influence much on his decision if he would just like to pay a polite visit and join the Anarchs. But she understood what Camarilla needed. Maybe too well.

Adam swallowed his brutal honesty (just a little). Oh, now it would be essential? How interesting. "Never said I wanted to defect, that's simply an assumption on your part with all due respect. Just that I had the opportunity and yet I came here first. So it's just a bit confusing to then be accused of 'not' following the rules, you know? If you'd like my help dealing with the Sabbat, I already have experience. But if you find me a nuisance then I will respectfully get out of your hair, Your Grace." He smirked.

@Misha [Mathias] @Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

Matt looked between the two during the exchange. There was clear discomfort in his expression, but chose to remain silent as he kept his arms cross behind his back. (edited)

"Knock it off, Adam..." Rob grumbled, putting his hand on his shoulder. A bit awkward, considering how far away from the ground it was. You don't talk shit in someone else's house and expect not to get hit, even if they have it coming. "We're here, presenting ourselves to you, as Tradition demands."

"That's literally what I said already." Adam muttered back down to Robert.

"Yeah, but ya said it like an asshole..."

Adam frowned. "Said it the same way you did. Just got misinterpreted I guess."

"Hold on... Hold on... Keep silent... Oh guys please...", - she thought touching her nose bridge.

"Play nice, Adam." He could see the corners of Rob's mouth curling up from his mask in a smile. "I'll make it up to you, promise."

She stood upfront again. - I'm sorry your Grace, we're all very nervous of what happened in Las Vegas. We don't mean to offence the Court. She made a quick look at Adam in a manner "help me help you".

Adam just raised a brow and held his hands out noncommittally. He exhaled slightly. "Look, Your Grace, I think we got off on the wrong foot from the start because I seriously am not meaning to imply anything negative or be disrespectful, so if my phrasing seemed off then I apologize, I am literally just here to introduce myself and confused about where the negativity came from."

The negativity came from his pale, Blueblooded ass needing to show off, he thought to himself. ...Rob really doesn't think too highly of most of the Ventrue, does he?

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"I understand that not everyone can be as eloquent as some of us are. As long as you're useful and not a bragging scum, I care little about your misspelling." He smiled to Adam, with all the contempt one saw in it. "I'm a generous Prince for those that serves me well." He looked at the lot. "You four. The Sabbat is on the rise in this city, and I don't have really abilities to prove that you are, indeed, true Camarilla. I require from you a proof of your devotion to the order of my city. Bring me one of the troublemakers, be they Autarkis, Anarch or Sabbat. And I'll grant you the right to claim a place in this city. For every head brought, a statut will be granted."

"Alive or ashed?"

"I'll need proof."

05:55

"Mister ... Adam. What is your clan ? I can't decide if your disposition is due to a curse or a poor birth."

Adam raised a brow at the unsurprisingly judgmental comment. "Different upbringing, probably, I'm from the Midwest. We're personable." He grinned. "Nosferatu, Sir. So you want them alive then I take it?"

Matt pushed his lips to the side. "You said Anarchs- are you asking for ones who have broken the traditions? Or do you consider any Anarch a troublemaker?" he asked for clarification, tone and expression neutral. "Also do you know anyone who could possibly give any leads or information to help with this task you've given?"

She told very quiet getting as close to Adam as she could. - I have a much better idea...

"Taking them here will do." He looked at Mathias, with a seemingly more respectful or at least slightly less disgusted look. "Any Anarch is a seed of Breaker of Traditions. But as long as it is confined to their talks, merely onanism, I see only an annoyance. But if they break their Traditions, they are a threat, and must be removed." He smiled sligthly. "I think the Harpy could help you. He's... Promising. He goes by the name of Dylan Sean."

"Sheriff got the scent of Sabbat? I been meaning to get in a little pay back after Vegas."

"Ah yes... Our Sheriff, Roxanne Sheperd, is on their track. You will be provided her informations. I've also asked the Tremere to go on their track, and I expect them to deliver soon."

Matt did a little nod at the answer and he'd quiet once again, peeking at Adam and Tash.

"Alright cool." Adam just gave two thumbs up. He was ready to leave...

She could tell a lot... But first needed to discuss that with Adam, second needed to get to private talk with the Prince.

14:06

so she kept silence for now.

"If it's all, you can dispose."

"Thank you for meeting with us, your grace." Matt did a polite bow of his head before turning and going into the elevator.

Natasha eyes met the Prince's and held like that. Could be a threat in some circumstances, or vulnerability of hers. But she knew her goal. Needed to get as close as possible to that Kindred. She bowed with her head and turned to exit.

The Prince reciprocated a soft wrink of the lips as he looked at her, almost not distinguishible.

Adam bowed silently in return, and then headed out with the others.

*No bow from Rob, instead he just turned on his heel and left with the group, hands still stiffed into his pocket. *

Recap: Adam, Matt, Natasha, and Robert met outside the Prince's tower before Officer Chunk let them up the elevator. There they see LaCroix, his bodyguard, and Wellington and introduce themselves. Adam came off as rude and mentioned he's the former Sheriff of Las Vegas. Natasha spoke for the vampires and explained the situation in Las Vegas. At the end Sebastian said he needs proof of their devotion that and he'll grant them the right to claim place in the city in exchange for them bringing him the heads of troublemakers; one statut for every one. He also mentioned the Harpy, Dylan Sean, and the Sheriff, Roxanne Sheperd, who might be able to help provide leads. After that the four left.

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