Prince Lacroix's Story

"Castle Vankoryth, ah yes. I trust the Conclave is already assembled in the Room?" Prince Lacroix didn't look back at his companion, eager to take his seat and get this part of Aslund under control. Castle servants saw his approach, hastily opening the large double doors that led to the Room of Reason. "My apologies for our tardiness, we ran into some unruly Kindred that were practically asking to be put down." Lacroix re-adjusted his tie while taking his seat.

The Prince's companion, a Justicar sent to ensure negotiations went smoothly, didn't bother to sit. Instead he stood behind the Prince, gazing at the assembled Kindred. "May I have a refreshment? I'm as famished as a street urchin missing both hands." Swan tipped his hat to one of the servant girls, directing his question towards Daemala.

Lacroix leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and folding his hands together. "We're here because the laws that bind our society, the laws that are the fabric of our existence, are in disrepair. The Traditions are what separate us from savages. Lest we endanger all of our kind, the First Tradition of the Masquerade, needs to be enforced."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to be measured, then continued. "The Detente, are powerful indeed, and it is due to this power that they cannot simply be left unchecked. My companion and I came here to make no threats, or to demand anything." A brief look was given to Ulrich, "We came here to have a civilized discussion, about the Camarilla and the Detente coming to an agreement, for the good of our kind. When that's over, we'd be delighted to attend your party Zosimos."

"Let's open a channel of communication," Lacroix moved a hand, beginning to lightly drum his fingers against the table. "The humans have become able to destroy us. Should they unite to eradicate us, the war could very well lead to our extinction. Aslund is threatened by our overexposure. The Detente should remain, yes. However they need to tighten their control over their peers. When rules in your territory are broken, I expect a Blood Hunt to be called. Fugitives have began to hide in your lands, knowing they needn't follow the Traditions. The powers that be are beginning to worry the impact this will have on our society. The Detente are more than capable of executing these fugitives."

Swan nodded, and said with a growl, "Detente, Thoughts?"

The police began to leave, investigating a murderer and the vigilante who had apprehended him. Faithy and Akshasha seemed happy to see them go. Akshasha did NOT, however seem happy to see the figure in a three piece suit who walked in as they left. "Ah, I see the our source is as reliable as ever." The figure said as he walked in, a man with sharp features and eyes that seemed to bore into you.

Akshasha's hackles began to raise, a visit from the Prince was never good news. Especially considering there had just been a massive Sabbat raid. The man made his way over to Akshasha, ignoring most of the people in the room entirely. "Ah, Akshasha my dear, word of your deeds travels fast. Remind me to give you a pay-raise in the near future. Glad to see you dealt with the situation accordingly." The man gestured slightly to the still-impaled three Sabbat thrown in a heap in the corner.

"Sure... What brings you out here Lacroix?" The Drow eyed her Prince warily, looking for any tell that might hint at what he was thinking. The man's face was as passive as if carved out of stone, betraying nothing. Lacroix glanced to Gabrielle.

"Ah, Ms. LeBeau, I've been meaning to come pay my respects to you and your family. My condolences for what happened to your sister. It's so hard to see bad things happen to good people. Tis why we should take cares with whom we associate." The Prince inclined his head slightly towards Akshasha, implying something dark. "However I did not take a step away from my busy schedule for pleasantries. Akshasha, dear, there is a pressing matter that requires your attention." Without waiting for an answer or addressing questions, he turned to leave.

"Tch..." Akshasha grit her teeth, annoyed, but unwilling to draw the ire of the entire Camarilla. "I'll be back tomorrow night Gabby." Retrieving her Rebar Kebob of Vampires, the Drow quickly hurried after the enigmatic 'Prince,' leaving the bar, and soon after the building.

"A Blood Hunt, for rule breakers," Ulrich smiled, always the lover of blood hunts.

"I will not be controlled. I am not a fugitive and I will not hide myself within my own territory!" Daemala scoffed, earning a sardonic look from Zosimos. She glared back and the two stared until Zosimos rolled his eyes towards Lacroix.

"The Masquerade serves it's purpose, as the Detente serves it's purpose. I see no reason why the two cannot exist with a symbiotic bond," Zosimos began, "Overexposure..."

Zosimos stood from his seat and began to slowly place.

"It's true The Detente, especially as of late, has been more a public figurehead for the Cursed Wood than anything else. Let that remain, but strengthen. We are no longer feared as we once were, and you are right: this is a problem. As for fugitives, if there are any you seek, name the names. The Detente does not harbor traitors of any kind."

Reisel cleared his throat.

"The Vankoryth Detente has done much good. It can continue to do so, so long as we keep ourselves first. Let the masquerade rekindle our senses of self. Let us attack from all sides, in gaining back control of the night. Let us do so publicly, with The Detente, and privately, with The Masquerade. I see no other option if we are to survive. We cannot fully hide, yet we shouldn't fully show."

Zosimos plopped back into his seat.

"We will protect The Masquerade. We will slip into every skin we have. We are the Vampire Lords of Vankoryth, we are the secret shadows which pull the strings of society. We are the night. Now, about those traitors. What have they done to threaten those who exist in The Masquerade? Have their actions threatened The Vankoryth Detente?"

Ulrich Paternosta snorted, "Dare they. We'll get 'em."

Terun frowned from his seat, still thinking about the dinner party.

As soon as John heard this guy (Akshasha called him "Lacroix") say "condolences for what happened to your sister", he grew cold. Renee. She was the nice woman who'd hired him. The sister of Gabby.
"Renee? What happened to her?!" John cried, but the man ignored him. Then, Akshasha got up and left with Lacroix. "Wait, where are you going?!" But she was already gone.
John just sat there, confused and worried.

Gabby shifted her head a little towards Becca, though she was careful to keep from going too quickly with her motions. The notion of throwing up again definitely wasn’t something she was keen on, but thankfully her bile remained where it belonged, her stomach. Forcing a smile on her face, though it was half-assed at best, the mutant shrugged a little. “Yeah, we’re both a little beat up. I’ll be alright, I think.” Would she truly be alright? Hell, she didn’t know, but at least she wasn’t dead. That in itself was a huge plus in her eyes. “You going to make it?” She questioned softly, finding a comrade in Becca.

Her gaze turned then towards the hoity-toity three-piece suit wearing monkey as he sauntered through the door. Granted, he wasn’t truly a monkey, but at that point, it was far more amusing to Gabby to think of him that way, especially with how slimy he seemed to her. When it was clear that he knew Akshasha, the teen wondered if this was the elusive Prince she had talked about earlier. Still sipping on the water and only half-listening to the conversation between the Prince formerly known as or rather, still known as Lacroix, Gabrielle focused on how cool the water was and how it tickled down her throat. So focused on anything else but the conversation, it took her a few minutes to realize he had been talking to her.

“Huh? What?” Gabby muttered, forcing her mind to run through what he had said to her. “Yeah, it’s a hard life being related to Renee, so your condolences are welcome.” Shrugging off what he might have meant, especially since her sister had just been in the bar earlier and hired John, she doubted anyone could have taken out her sister this quickly. Frowning when he made it clear he was taking Akshasha away from her, the mutant started to say something, but just nodded at the Drow. “Alright, see you tomorrow evening if I’m not dead.” Waving a hand, she exhaled deeply and glanced over as John reacted quite differently than she had about the comments about her sister.

“John, there’s no way Renee is dead. She’s probably fine, just being a butthole and hiding out somewhere.” Gabby reached over, patting his arm.

John let out his breath in a whoosh. "I'm still worried though. I'm not really sure what's going on anymore, but I just want to help."
He then looked around the room. The tables were overturned and broken, as were many chairs, bottles and other things. The place was deserted except for him, Gabby and Becca.
"Speaking of helping, we'd better get this place back into shape before any more customers come by," John said. He looked around confused before saying, "Do you know where the brooms are?"

Akio smiled, sitting in his bean bag chair that might seem out of place, but somehow the atmosphere around him indicated something else. From what he was hearing, it seemed that things would be going in a way desirable for him. Public acknowledgement gave him the ability to run large labs without having to move around a lot, and secrecy would let him get the harder to access items and ingredients he needed.

Indeed, if one wanted to be technical, they could say that Akio had always been operating in both the day and night, given his constant desire to get more test subjects and keep a supply of fresh blood.

"I for one, find this proposal to be quite agreeable. After all, we cannot just submit, go back to hiding and waste all this effort, but we also cannot forget our roots, our heritage".

Incidentally, Akio was actually one of the oldest vampires present, well over one thousand years old. Because of that, there were a number of younger vampires that looked older who, despite hte way he acted, treated him like a superior already due to being alive for so long.

And of course, he also had three servants that came with him, his most loyal retainers.

"As for the traitors, if you could so kindly bring them to me alive, I would be happy to make good use of them. After all, getting test subjects is something I always could use help in".

Showing his fangs in a smile, he looked around at the others and he raised a glass of blood.

"After all, we are the Detente, the Masquerade, and whatever we wish to be. Our public goal is equality and respect, but everyone here should not delude themselves. Our private goal is quite simple, we take what we want, and we keep it no matter who tries to get in our way. We are a greedy, gluttonous people who simply wish to fufill our desires".

Although some might feel chills go down their spines when they heard Akio speak like this, one couldn't really say he was wrong either. And yet, one might just get the feeling he had more desires then most.

A figure would step into the room escorted by two finely dressed armed knights bearing the Lessard Crest. Although dressed modern, she had what could almost be called ancient eyes. Each step was purposeful and direct before she came to the table and spoke in an English Accent, "You all of you lack decorum to not invite any of the Lessards to this shambles you call a meeting. Well, fortunately, my schedule is not full and also because this needs to be addressed." she indicates to her Knights to remove their helmets before turning her red eyes to Zosimos, "You really thought we would not find out? You really thought you could end one of the oldest Hunter Lines without consequences? I would ask if you are just dimwitted or just a fucking spastic, but I know why you did it and finally, you are reaping what you sow."

She would gesture for one of the knights to speak, "Sir Lauden, you tell these cretins please what you were told." the Knight nodded approaching the table, his very presence regal, "As I explained Dutchess Hazel, one of the Thralls informed us that the girlfriend of Maria Van-Helsing has been encouraged to take up arms by another. We do believe they intend to end this experiment."

The red-haired girl with such fiery barbs laughed darkly, "I do believe a human expression comes to mind here. The chickens have come to roost. Zosimos as representative of the Lessard Family it is deemed your offence is so great and endangers us all that you should be made to answer for this slight. Thus I call for Noctem Judicii where you will be able to answer for this insanity and prove whether you should be spared. If you refuse..." she paused turned to the Knight said something in French before seemingly agreeing and remarking, "Then by Decree of the Lessard Family you are exiled for your crimes against our kind and the utter reckless endangerment. To think Casren put you in charge, and now you bring a war to our kind." scowling she draws out a handkerchief and blow her nose before continuing, "Daemala Tauvyr as the actual leader of Detente you must understand what he did endangers our kind?" she asked her voice suddenly gentle even adorable, "Who will second me so we confirm this and move on to more important affairs?"

Zosimos began to laugh, but a swift motion from Daemala's gloved hand had his building roar silenced in an instant. Her gaze flit around the room, resting on the Ulrich. Terun, however, sensed something very familiar about the Lessard newcomers. He stuck to his spot and silence, wondering why he was awash with such an uncomfortable feeling.

"Ridiculo-" Hissed Zosimos, cut off in an instant and frozen on the spot. The only part of the old vampire which remained mobile were his eyes, locked in an instant with Ulrich. The two were engaged in an internal power struggle. Ulrich could keep Zosimos still, but not for long. Several members of the Forces Vankoryth entered the Room of Reason, positioning themselves around Zosimos, ready to engage. They nodded at the Knights of the Lessards, granting them permission to intervene if necessary.

"A trial," Daemala was doing her best to hide a smile. Just minutes ago Zosimos held the floor. She would have to play her cards carefully so as not to lose what favor he gained.

"A trial. for indeed the reason for our return to the Masquerade and the reason for all of this toe-tipping, the very actions of you. Zosimos," She turned to face the room, no longer hiding her grin. She first addressed Akio.

"First, we, of course, must present a trial. After which, I trust, you have a system ready for what to do with those found....guilty, yes?" Daemala next looked to Lacroix, "As soon as you have a list of these fugitives, the damage doers who hide in our dark asylum, we will begin taking action. Ulrich and Reisel, you will assist Prince Lacroix in whatever he needs so that damage must be undone."

Ulrich had turned a new shade of pale, both him and Zosimos quivering. Daemala took her seat, having said her bit and wishing to get on with it all already. There was a quick scuffle as Ulrich released Zosimos, and he was apprehended. It would take a close observer to see the syringe as it released into Zosimos, doing nothing aside nullifying his shapeshifting and shadow-blending powers. It would last long enough to get him to containment.

Obscenities were spat, a chair was sadly broken, three tapestries hit the ground ripped, and Terun didn't come out from under the table until the door had shut on Ulrich, Zosimos, and his escorts.

"What about the dinner party?" Terun asked quietly. Daemala ignored him and took her leave, curtsying the royalty and giving respectful nods to the rest. Everyone could sort out whatever from here, she assumed. All she cared was that she was recognized as the leader of the Vankoryth Detente, pesky Zosimos was out of her way, and there was dinner party that needed a change in arrangements. On her way out she nearly toppled over a courier, who had a note regarding a new energy disturbance somewhere in the Cursed Wood. Daemala could scream.

Manik Chakor set a large golden envelope down on the table. Inside were a selection of smaller golden envelopes. He withdrew about a third of these and whisked away

Daemala Tauvyr arrived and had a seat before the golden envelope. It was a delight they had arrived on time! She didn't trust her messenger, despite being a fellow member of the Detente. He was a slimeball. Smaller than she had expected. When she picked it up it was the right weight. Pretty heavy- but lighter than the full order. Manik had followed his instructions, for once, all except one detail.

The envelopes were supposed to be silver.

She took in a deep breath and leaned back, one hand slowly migrating to the other. She absentmindedly twist the ring. Zosimos was in custody, and she was the Queen of the Vampires. A laugh escaped her lips. Casren was gone. She didn't get sad.
The castle was hers to rule!
...duh.

Daemala sliced open one of the envelopes with a stiletto nail colored blood and let it fall to the table. Out she fished a gold piece of starched fabric, which served as the invitation. It was impeccably embroidered with flowery lettering. She held it delicately aloft and grinned. Oh, this was going to be lovely.