Diego
Thu 07:41PM EST
The 'safehouse' is, really, just a normal suburban house. Though on the large end on an overall scale, just shy of mansion size, it is neither the largest nor the smallest of its neighborhood. It sits on an acre or two of land, and is both fenced in and surrounded by tall hedges, preventing unwanted eyes.
The gate, guarded by two plainsclothes security men, opens for Ellie after a call back to the house and a camera set up confirm her identity. Clearly, the security here is tight enough to excluded mortal trespassers...but not nearly tight enough to hold against an all-out Sabbat assault.
Their only true defense, really, is anonymity.
Diego's female ghoul - the elder of the two - shows Ellie in. Straight to the office (and it's not his office, per se, as he doesn't make a true haven here) she goes, where she finds him tapping away at a laptop.
Glancing up and seeing her, he murmurs, "One moment, please." A few more keystrokes [Company. I'll get back to you.] and then he pushes the laptop aside without closing it. Standing, he reaches over the desk to shake her hand. Tremere or not, he would show common courtesies.
"Ms. Landry? Call me Diego. A pleasure."
::ping::
Thu 07:46PM EST
Click-a-click-clack. Fingers brushing keys, millions of bits of information flying across the wires - headed who knows where. Diego's message receives a simple response:
[No probs. Type at you later.]
The cool glow of the screen flickers, as impersonal as any interaction between the Kindred.
Ellie Landry
Thu 07:51PM EST
The idea of staying within New Jersey for longer than the moment it took to retrieve the book from Javier made Ellie feel ill. Not in the manner, of course, that most mortals feel ill, but rather the way in which Kindred still feel dread and fear and desire….it was in that way which brought her brown brows together tightly as she drove toward the designated meeting area.
Slowly, and with great care, the non-descript sedan eased closer to the gates, and finally through them and into the area closest to the large house itself. Once out of the car, the alarm chirps faintly, swallowed up whole and complete by the sounds of the night.
Eyes that lingered somewhere between gray and green peer at the ghoul with curious intensity. To a careless eye there appeared nothing very remarkable in the aspect of Ellie herself, which was that of a young woman in her mid-twenties, delicate in frame, with waist length wavy dark brown hair, the front tendrils pulled back at the crown of her head by a neat brown barrette, her suit (made of nylon or some other fairly inexpensive material and black) fit her svelte form nicely - careful not to reveal too much.
Following the ghoul and gaining confidence with each step, much the way a young child might approach a stranger at their mother's bidding, Ellie offered a nod to Diego, and finally the cool touch of her small (delicate, really) hand slipped within his.
"….Diego …"
Diego
Thu 07:57PM EST
The ghoul is, not to put too fine a point to it, devastatingly lovely, and fine as a bird. She has been with Diego since before many neonates were ever Embraced. For all that, she is ever bit the demure Ventrue ghoul in front of company, curtseying when appropriate, never looking a vampire in the eye.
(Perhaps she's just smart like that.)
Diego's hand is rough, surprisingly...or perhaps not so surprisingly, given what they could (and had) done. He nods once, brusquely, and gestures her toward a chair. "Sit down, please." By way of explanation, "I'm speaking to a computer specialist that came highly recommended. Hopefully, we can make some use of her skills. She's certainly making good use of my money, I hope. Would you like to say hello?"
He shifts the laptop so that its glow faces the Tremere, now.
"May I ask what brings you to this godforsaken city?"
Straight to the point, that.
Nic
Thu 07:58PM EST
**Images change easily, more easily than some would expect. When Nic first walked up to the safehouse it was in tattered jeans and a button down shirt. Tonight he seems much more organized, much more stylish. Natural fibers, wool, cotton, silk, adorning his body as he made his way inside, already knowing the area fairly well, along with the staff.**
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:02PM EST
Ellie leaned only a slight bit to one side and forward to peer at the computer screen with eyes, which were very bright, intent upon the visage projected there. The way her eyes fixate on the person therein might leave one to believe that she more than likely expected to see someone (or something) worthy of note within it.
"I came here to collect something I'd been looking for…" Diego is direct, Ellie is vague. She addresses the man behind the desk while watching the computer for…..a moment more and then she sits back into the offered seat, one long leg crossing slowly and properly over the other even as her fingers straighten out the already impeccable suit.
Diego
Thu 08:08PM EST
If the man opening the door notes the change, he doesn't mention it. "Good evening, Nic," he says - the barrelchested, husky one - and then nods at the stairs. "They're in Diego's office. Do you know the way?"
Meanwhile, Diego leaves the laptop alone, since Ellie didn't seem to show much interest in it. "I see," he says. Vague answer, fine with him. "While you're in town, though, perhaps you would be willing to assist in my cause. 'Our' cause, if you want to be idealistic about it.
"In return, I'd be happy to offer whatever help I can in retrieving your, ah, item."
Nic
Thu 08:11PM EST
"I do."
**He answers with a smile, always friendly with the help, and makes his way to the office, pausing a bit, but doesn't bother doing anything as contrived as putting an ear to the door to listen.**
"Good evening."
**He enters and slowly closes the door behind him so it wouldn't slam. Polite. Nice. That's Nic.**
::ping::
Thu 08:11PM EST
Image? No person stares back at Ellie in that instant... only words. Did she expect some high-tech video conferencing between power-tie wearing Ventrue?
Think again. About the only graphic on the screen rests in the bottom-left corner of an AIM window... a little belly-dancer girl, wearing pink, wiggling.
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:13PM EST
The computer isn't of any interest to Ellie, and the thought of touching the keys hadn't even entered the realm of her current thoughts.
"Thank you, Diego, but I've already collected that which I sought. What assistance is it your speaking of…"
A single brow arches in quiet question, picking up where the softly spoken sound of her words faded off. Turning her head only slightly, the young quiet innocent seeming woman peers at the new entry into the room with a simple nod and nearly whispered "Good evening…"
Diego
Thu 08:16PM EST
He nods, the corners of his mouth turning exaggeratedly down in the universal 'good for you' expression. "In that case, I'd have to beg a favor, I suppose," he replies. "I'm speaking of taking this city as ours. Camarilla. The Giovanni held court here for a while, but we haven't seen head nor tail of them for weeks...months. The Sabbat have a presence here, but it is still relatively weak, and a group of dedicated, sharp individuals would have a good chance of ousting them.
"Nic," then, looking up. "Ms. Landry, this is Nic. I assumed he was Ventrue and, well," a chuckle, "he hasn't objected yet. Nic, Ms. Landry, of the House and Clan Tremere."
Diego
Thu 08:17PM EST
"Oh, and this lady," he rests a hand on the laptop, "goes by Scherazade, and refuses to be seen. She comes with impeccable credentials when it comes to 'odd jobs' with computers, though, and she's done work for the Sect before."
Nic
Thu 08:20PM EST
**A polite smile on his face as he approaches closer, his hands extended forward to shake.**
"Good evening Ms. Landry. I didn't mean to interupt, and I appologize for being a bit late."
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:22PM EST
Her eyes look at Nic's hand and then back to Diego. "Well, since he's more than aware of what blood courses through my veins now….why don't we get an affirmation of his clan instead of simple assumptions…." Her voice is soft, cultured, and almost nervous…so much so that you might expect her words to stutter or falter.
Diego
Thu 08:29PM EST
At this unexpected turn of events, Diego raises an eyebrow. Quickly turning the computer back to himself, he types a few more words: [This may take longer than expected. The lady is less than computer-adept, and is now insisting on playing the part of her family to the hilt.]
Then he clicks the instant messaging window shut, consigning the less-than-tactful message to oblivion...at least on his side of the screen.
"We are," he begins, "all fugitives of a sort here, Ms. Landry, and could perhaps spend our time on more important matters than clan. Unless Nic doesn't mind our testing his blood, I won't push for it."
Not yet, at least...
::ping::
Thu 08:33PM EST
[Ahh. Frigid enough to keep your beer frosty by putting it between her thighs? Gotcha. Silent running, my capitan.]
The message flicks onto his screen. Thankfully, he's muted the annoying little ping AIM likes to attach to messages... otherwise, the woman in question might unfortunately see...
Nic
Thu 08:33PM EST
**The smile slowly drops, his extended hand curls up and is withdrawn and he gives her a curious look, cocking his head to one side as he examined her. So far she was a little rude, and more than a bit....**
"Nervous? I know how that can be. You're unsure of who I am, what I want. You probably don't even know why you're in this city."
**You'd have to either be desperate or insane to stay in this city...insane? Something to remember.**
"I'm sure if you ask around you'll hear about my record. I feel I've more than proved myself as a loyal member of the camarilla, yet it seems every city I go people feel the need to test me everytime they hear me say malkavian."
**He finds an open seat and invites himself to sit down, since the atmosphere in the room seems like he wouldn't be invited anytime soon.**
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:36PM EST
"I never said I wanted his blood, nor did I indicate that I could tell any sort of heritage by obtaining his blood…I simply wanted to here from his lips what Clan he is…." As quiet as a mouse and as cool as ice, Ellie looks from Diego to Nic. "So….then you're Malkavian…"
Diego
Thu 08:39PM EST
Diego laughs, a short burst of sound before he cuts it off, taps a few letters [haha] and, simultaneously, clicks the window shut again. Annoying little pop-ups. God forbid she decide to type another comment like that.
Quiet now, he watches the confrontation, murmuring a soft apology as Nic finds his own seat. To Ellie, he inclines his head in agreement, or acceptance, or some such thing.
Nic
Thu 08:40PM EST
**He seems a bit dejected and simply sits in the chair, arms folded together as he stares at the two.**
"Yes. And you're decidedly Tremere, and Diego is Ventrue, and our virtual friend is...?"
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:41PM EST
….touché…..a brow arches as she turns her head now to Deigo and…waits.
Diego
Thu 08:44PM EST
Diego lifts his shoulders in a small shrug. "Heavens knows." Relaxed and at ease in grey slacks, a dark pull-over sweater, he leans back in his chair and regards them. "Perhaps not even Kindred. No one has seen her. Would you like to speak to her? She has quite a cutting wit.
"Anyhow," back on track, whether or not Nic was typing on the computer now, "as I was saying, Ms. Landry, my purpose here is to establish a Camarilla presence here. If there is anything you could contribute - resources, skills, talents, leadership, anything - it would be greatly beneficial to us."
Nic
Thu 08:46PM EST
**He moves over to the computer and stares at the keyboard for a while, then the screen, then back at the keyboard. What the hell was this? They weren't even in alphabetical order!**
Diego
Thu 08:48PM EST
Turning the laptop back around, he clicks Scherazade's name, opens the IM box, types a message.
[My guest wants to say hello. He's curious as to your Clan.] Hitting enter, he turns the computer back to Nic.
Ellie Landry
Thu 08:49PM EST
She isn't pleased, but tumultuous eyes shift from Nic to Diego and Ellie readjusts her frail seeming body in the chair as she again tends to her suit, which she must see as horribly wrinkled.
"This is a rather dangerous, yet intriguing proposition Diego." Her words threaten to falter once more as she pauses, licks her heart shaped lips and begins once again. "This will require a good deal of thought. But if you'd….tell me a little more of what you've planned…."
::ping::
Thu 08:54PM EST
Blip! Soon enough, a little window opens, filled with text.
[Hello, guest. Clan? Well, in Everquest, I'm in the Highland Knights. I'm Crimson Fist in Dark Ages of Camelot, though. And I'm in the Silver Blade Clan in Neverwinter. A/S/L?]
Ohh, she's just playing now, isn't she?
Nic
Thu 08:57PM EST
**More of what he's planned. To tell the truth he was hoping to hear this himself. At first he didn't really have any faith in it, but a cause is a cause, and this might be his last if he was...hmm
The window popped up and he struggled his way through the keys.**
[everquest/]
**Damn, how was he supposed to get to the figure on the top?**
Diego
Thu 08:57PM EST
"It is dangerous," he agrees, nodding, "and if you want no part of it, I would not blame you. But it is Kindred like yourself and Nic that we will need here. He has a good understanding of security, which could prove invaluable. Already, he has helped to improve security in and around this safehouse. You have valuable assets of your own, I'm sure.
"More than that, you are Camarilla Kindred here in this city, and that is the first part of, and perhaps the heart of, my plan. There is no Camarilla without social structure, and I hope to set one up in this city that will lay the groundwork for a future Camarilla court, here. Naturally, the Kindred in this city now are a few brave, loosely bound souls, but the promise of power, a position in a new city, will draw more and more, each with their own skills to add to the meld.
"So, to put it simply? Part one of the plan is to bring as many Camarilla in as possible, and to set up a hierarchy as quickly as possible. Simultaneously, we can turn the talents of those who come toward strengthening our foothold here. Improving security, obtaining an Elysium...and, of course, playing the game of connections we all know so well.
"The key to this city won't be brute force, I think. It'll be numbers and influence."
And all through the speech, quite impromptu (damn Ventrue...), he remains blissfully unaware of the conversation on his laptop.
::ping::
Thu 09:01PM EST
Blip! [Yup, Everquest. You know, the first great MMORP? UO, of course, something we all prefer to forget. Do you play? I'm on Drinal server, myself.]
And the endless string of letters sits there, the screen glowing faintly, the only movement the little belly-dancing girl at the bottom of the AIM window.
Nic
Thu 09:03PM EST
**His brow furrows in a look of confusion and frustration, perhaps the first real emotion in the room for tonight. Then the look of realization slowly crept over his face.**
[is it a game/]
::ping::
Thu 09:06PM EST
[Umm, yeah? Where have you been, the Stone Age?]
Is this Diego's "computer specialist"? Is she really this naive (stupid), or is she just playing games? Maybe she's another Malkavian (or just has a Malkavian's sense of humor...)
[What's your name, btw, Diego's guest?]
Nic
Thu 09:09PM EST
[NIC]
**Slow progress, maybe next time he'd know enough to take the caps lock off.**
"I'm fairly sure she's kine. Sorry again, I didn't mean to interupt."
::ping::
Thu 09:14PM EST
[Hi, Nic. I'm the internationally reknowned Scheherazade. Please, no applause. Just throw money.]
Kine? Maybe. Of course, there's one problem when you're friendly with young girls in online chat (well, actually two... but it's unlikely Diego's getting arrested on pedo charges anytime soon).
They don't leave you alone, do they?
[What clan are YOU, Nic?]
Nic
Thu 09:16PM EST
[not again please]
[reknowned/ for doing what]
Diego
Thu 09:18PM EST
"Are you?" Puzzled; he'd been sure she was Kindred. Nosferatu, perhaps. Poor bastards, far too ugly to ever show their faces. "Hm. No matter, as long as she proves useful, we'll use her. So far, she's said to be very reliable and very - safe."
Waving the apology off, then,
"I was just impressing Ms. Landry with my verbal acrobatics." A surprisingly easy grin spreads across his face. He wonders, of course, just what they were saying to each other on the other side of the screen. Deciding it wouldn't be tactful to turn the laptop around and digitally eavesdrop, he sits back and fiddles with a paperweight on the desk.
"Nic," he begins again, "have you any influence in media, police, the streets...the like?"
::ping::
Thu 09:21PM EST
[Reknowned at being me. It's hard work, I'll tell you.]
And there is an almost palpable pause. Then...
[And you dodged the question, didn't you? You have a Clan, Nic?]
