Tremere need not apply

[Cylon]

The gentleman’s respite was heaving. Nothing new, it was always heaving, and for the life of him Cylon couldn’t understand why.

Even the most dedicated patron would call its selection of three drinks as ‘basic’. All of which could essentially be reduced to alcohol mixed with various types of food dye. Cylon briefly wondered where the breweries were, certainly somewhere in the city. No way there was any export market for this tosh.

He also wondered if it was onsite, under his very feet maybe? How funny it would be if he were to finally crock it from an explosion in an unlicensed brewery. Cylon lets out a bark of laughter.

Now, hopefully conversation will go better than the last meeting…

Sorry Dorian my old chap, I tried to get closer to the Tremere. They are just so dam unwilling to make friends.

It was the magic. That was the problem. It instilled arrogance.

Now, how to play this meeting… For one, no need to play the “Dorian gave me a special mission” card. Whilst Cylon was sure that unlike Campion’s desire to be a ‘mentor of neonates great and small’, his visitors wouldn’t creatively reinterpret his fictitious assignment. He was simply pretty sure they were some of the few kindred in this domain who didn’t worship the ground Dorian walked upon.

No, he would have to offer them something else. And not a major boon this time, not for obstinately doing no work. Perhaps they at least could see the advantages of a closer partnership. We shall see.

[Valentina Audley]

The door opens briefly to admit two laughing newcomers. A man with his arm around his companion for the evening.

A brief glance shows that he's in well worn clothes, but by some happy accident they still manage to show off his fine physique to his advantage, perhaps he'd once seen better days? Hanging off his arm was a working girl, garbed in a tattered dress of pale blue that manages to show off a quite scandalous amount of ankle (and a fair amount of cleavage to boot). She's laughing up at him, evidently pleased with herself for hooking such a man. Nothing unusual there, to the casual observer.

It might surprise Cylon, given that the pair are in fact, Reggie and Valentina. If he's very observant he'll also have noticed Hamlyn quietly entering a little way behind them, seemingly not with them.

Reggie spots Cylon and nods in his direction, before murmuring something to Valentina and passing her some money. He pats her on her behind in a familiar manner as she cheerfully makes her way over to the bar. Reggie joins Cylon at the table. Not long after Valentina appears, carrying a pair of drinks and boldly seats herself on Reggie's lap.

"Good evening Mr Cylon. To what do we owe this pleasure?" Reggie speaks as Valentina, in keeping with her assumed persona merely grins cheerfully, looking between the two men.

Hamlyn has propped himself against the bar, out of earshot, but not out of reach, should anything untoward occur.

[Reginald Verity]

Reggie was finding it difficult to concentrate. Valentina’s decor fo the evening was utterly beguiling. Whilst, on the surface, her outfit as a courtesan from the Gentleman’s Respite was flawless - an ever so slight smearing of lipstick and light frizzing of hair - it had all been accomplished with her usual refinement. She was indeed a mistress of her art, although not necessarily the art she was known for and regaled throughout the land. Reggie considered himself most fortunate to be taking her arm.

At the back of his mind there was something about a meeting with Cylon but surely he could not be expected to focus on such matters in the face of such delighteful tempatations.

[Cylon]

Cylon gets out of his seat to narrowly bow at his guests attendance – before gesturing to some chairs.

“Thank you both for attending”.

Cylon waits for his guests to make themselves comfortable – well as comfortable as possible in an establishment such as this. Noting Verity’s obvious disinterest, he instead focuses his gaze on Valentina.

“Lady Audley, I apologize for um, interrupting. I will make this brief. We both hail from Bristol. Although it has been over a year since I was released, I am well aware that in Bristol our two clans are closer than stereotypes would lead some to believe possible.”

“I won’t bother with flowery language, but it is suffice to say that the arraignment in Bristol has worked out quite well for both our clans. In broad strokes, I have a favor to ask which I feel could help set the stage for a similar arrangement here. Would you be interested?”

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina arches an eyebrow in surprise. Well, this was a refreshing novelty compared to most neonate requested meetings. The wrong title was mildly grating, but then, so many people rushed to confer a peerage she'd never had on her, so she could hardly blame Cylon for presumably having overheard someone else and erring on the side of excessive manners. His addressing her was an interesting take as well. Clearly a man who wanted to get straight to the point and not mess around. That said, if he wanted his business dealings in Aquae Sulis, the Reggie would have to sign off on it and that means he'd need to actually pay attention.

A little regretfully she slips off Reggie's lap and into the chair next to him, with a giggle in case anyone is paying attention to their little group.

"I'm sorry to say it, but I'm not a lady, Mr Cylon. Miss is the usual title, but given your rather novel choice of meeting place, may I suggest just 'Val' for tonight?" Her voice is pitched low, but her smile and tone of voice are genial enough. He has definitely caught her interest.

"It's true, things in Bristol do make for a generally more pleasant and above all, stable, court life than here so I am curious to hear your thoughts. Of course, if you wish some kind of alliance of our clans in Aquae Sulis you would need the Primogen's agreement on both sides, no?"

The last statement is accompanied by a nudge of her leg against Reggie, to prompt him to focus.

[Cylon]

Cylon smiles – choosing to take the apparent informality of his two guests as a positive sign...

“Apologies Miss. As you correctly inferred I did not mean no disrespect. Not in the slightest.”

“I am not discussing the possibility of a formal or even informal alliance between the Nosfruatu and Tooriador of Aquesulis. Frankly it would be a little bit presumptuous for someone such as I broker such a deal.”

“However, I can say that I speak for exactly one fourths of all Nosfruatu in this domain when I say that a closer partnership would be helpful to all parties.”

“What I am wishing to discuss is something a bit more personal. To put it bluntly, I need some assistance in making connections in the elite of moral society. I have a substance far more potent than the tosh swirling around this city referred by some as opium, and I wish to market it to those who live north of the river. I am simply requesting either your assistance in this matter or for a good word to be placed with others of your clan who could assist me in this endeavor.”

“Other than a great deal of gratitude - which given some of my connections may be worth more than you think. I will offer whatever prestation you feel is appropriate for this arrangement.”

[Reginald Verity]

“Drugs you say?”.

Reggie’s degenerate mind had suddenly jumped from the inappropriate thoughts he was having about ‘Val’ and he was focusing on Cylon with acute attention.

“Whilst unable to affect introductions to high society other than the usual patrons one bumps into around and about, I maintain a personal interest in the subject. Could it be surmised that your substances are responsible for the recent bloody welcome to Elysium or the rumoured events in the South?

Whilst I could never condone such activity officially, I admire the artistry, and, if you were to provide me with a sample, could conceivably be willing to act as an advocate or even a patron, for an appropriate recomepense of course, you understand.

And as for alliances and such forth, you can rest assured that I hold the Nosferatu in the highest regard and maintain close and productive relationships with both the Prince and Whip within Bath. As such I would welcome the exchange of any ideas going forward. In our own ways both of our Clans excel at gathering information after all.”

[Cylon]

Cylon smiles by way of response to the Toreador’s newly formed interest.

“Primogen Verity, my alleged bloody welcome into Elysium. With the tragic destruction of Sisyphus there is a shrinking number of people who may have claimed to have actually witnessed anything at all.”

“And whilst one cannot truly say they have experienced all narcotics have to offer unless they have been blood hunted in Chester and have no memory of why… alas that particular misadventure was not due to the narcotics I am offering here today.”

“No, these are simply a highly strengthened strain of opium, and whilst I would be take it as a personal compliment for you have a sample. In the interests of exceeding expectations, I do not wish to oversell the product.”

“As for alliances, a simple solution springs to mind. We share with each other what influences the other clan possesses. I understand this is currently being done on an individual-by-individual basis, although a better understanding of what each clan can offer by way of mortal influence can only further our collective agendas.”

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina raises an eyebrow in mild surprise. All pretence at giggly companion temporarily ceased, she glances at Reggie, to gauge his reaction.

"Darling, I can't imagine any of us know the true extent of each other's sphere's of influence. Not for the entire clan..." She smiles gently at Cylon..

"There are so many of us after all... And these things can change with rapidity."

"As for helpful people..." She tilts her head thinking rapidly. "Valmont would likely be your best bet. His artistic soirees are well attended and the sort of place where you would likely meet all the best types for such an endeavour. Also, Harry, from Bristol, because I rather think she might have better ideas than I about this."

She thinks on for a minute, a thoughtful frown on her face.

"I temporarily have some influence, but I regret that I do not think I am the person you need." She sounds genuinely regretful. "I only hold sway on the matters of fashion and styles of dress."

[Cylon]

Cylon sits back and thinks.

“Yes, clearly our mortal spheres of influence shift, that is partially why I suggested the approach I did, its non-committal and an easy to achieve first step.” Cylon shrugs equally non-noncommittally.

"My infuence centers on the undercity of this domain and the domain of Bristol. I mostly specialise in obtaining items. If you need to get an item or person into or out England without detection..." Cylon's voice trails off.

“I am well aware of Harry’s influence, we did know each other in Bristol. Although I didn’t interact with her as much as I maybe should have. I was keen to obey the edicts of my sire and one of them emphasized a lack of contact with other kindred. Seeing as what happened in Valmonts most recent party I can see the wisdom in that.”

“Speaking of, would you be able to put in a good word for me with Valmont? At the very least by providing a means of contacting him? If he has a way of shifting this much product to the more elite of this domain, less associated with the poverty of the undercity it would be of great benefit. I would of cause offer you the correct prestation for supporting me in this way”.