Drinks on me

[Cylon]

The long drop pub was dreary. Well, that's nothing new. The pub seemed to fluctuate between mirroring the poverty of its clientele. Almost without exception bleak very desperate - too showing a side of Aquesulis Cylon loved. A side of the city that was full of intrigue and shadowy dealings, a fervor that that sometimes surfaced into a violent ruckus. Perhaps he even sore something in himself in this?

Cylon banished that thought as soon as it had occurred. Not the time nor place. He has something to get for someone very special and maybe these Tremere could help.

He sat waiting. He liked meeting the high clans south of the city. He liked reminding them of the human cost of their machinations. Although it was likely none of them really cared. But that was fine to Cylon - it was the principle of the matter. He takes a another sip of whiskey. What was it that Dorian called it?

"Piss whiskey". He says the phrase aloud, and grins to himself manically.

[eponine]

With that Elder Campion and Lady Mayweather enter the tavern. The sight of a female caused many to stop and stare until many of them recognise her and start yelling playful comments such as "'ere up boys! It's Madame Mayweather!", "nice lookin' gent t'nite?", "'o you 'scortin' dis evenin' Madame Mayweather?".

She turns to her Primogen, with her hand still in the nape of his elbow and says "I am very sorry about this my dear." As she scans the tables to find their host at a table near the back nursing a small glass while awaiting their arrival.

[Cylon]

Cylon laughs at the local patron’s response to Lady Mayweathers appearance – getting up to visibly beckon the two Tremere over.

“Thank you both for coming”. Cylon exclaims loudly. You are most welcome I see!” Cylon nods at the Tremere Primogen, still grinning.

In a much quieter voice as they near “And a trivial boon for the unkempt location of our gathering. I don’t mean no disrespect.”

He offers them all a seat.

“I won’t waste your time by offering you a drink. Nothing here is particularly drinkable but no matter. I will get straight to business. Lady Mayweather, I understand you are a history in brothels in this fair city? I wish to arrange a business venture with you. Is this something you would be interesting in hearing about?”

[Prof. Albert Campion]

Campion in his rough workmans shirt, waistcoat and bowler hat smiles at his escort and flashes a big grin at the men who called out to her, he knows they all wish they were on her arm and that he is in a position envied by many. He also glances round the room and sees an unobtrusive man wearing a black jacket and a remarkably similar hat and shirt but his eyes do not linger on the man.

[eponine]

Albert notices she has become very stately and holds herself in accordance with her status and propriety. and sits on the bench at the table.

"Mr Cylon, May I introduce you to My Primogen, Elder Campion."

She Pauses for a moment.

"Before we commence, I have concerns I wish you to settle, for me. We have yet to meet prior to this evening, How do you know who I am, what I do, and how to contact me?"

[Cylon]

Cylon leans back in his chair... “Simple really mam, I met you in Bristol. We had quite a lengthy conversation in fact... I also recommended that you would be a good sheriff. All this was long before Mr Dukes was appointed you must understand. But I can understand why you don’t remember a single conversation with a lowly neonate such as I. As for how I contacted you? Simple as well, Lord Durham and Elder Dukes have both provided me with ways to reach the chantry.”

“Does that answer your questions?”

[eponine]

she relaxes slightly and smiles.

"It does I am only embarrassed I do not remember the conversation."

[Cylon]

Still leaning back in his chair Cylon shrugs. The sudden movement makes the chair wobble slightly as if about to fully tip over before righting itself.

“It matters not. There are better things for that head of yours then idol small talk designed to fill a vacuum of tedium”.

“It is not what I have come here to discuss”.

“I understand from our long-deceased keeper - may God rest his weary soul, as he seems to have been Sisyphus in word and deed – that you have a lot of influence in local brothels?”.

Cylon said this as though it were more a statement of fact than a simple question.

“Perhaps this is why the patrons of this fair and violent establishment treat you with such… enthusiasm. Well, I need a favour from you and I will offer you a major boon. I have been given a task by a Mr Dorian…. I am to get in the good books of a mortal of this undercity. To do this I need to shift a lot of opium in order to get closer into his inner circle. So, I would like to request that your women start to shift some product to your clientele. Would this work?”

[eponine]

She lifts her chin an grins at him, almost hoping these next words shake him slightly where her powerful demeanour had failed her to display to him, and reassure Albert that although she is merely a neonate in age her abilities and prowess match many a superior.

"Ah yes, my darling Dorian does like his opium, both for research, medicinal and recreational use. As for your ask of me, well there is a great distance between the face of it and the true cost of what you ask. I would like further detail, periods of time, an appropriate fee for the use of my customers and my Girls?"

She gives a quick sideways glance to Albert.


"This is why I brought my Primogen to advise me in the matter."

[Prof. Albert Campion]

Albert has been listening quietly to all that has passed between them both.

"Mr Cylon, you are asking Lady Mayweather to expose her business, which serves her in many capacities, to great danger. The nature of her business is such that it is just about tolerated by the mortal law enforcement of the city, if you add Opium dealing to it's resume it will be come a target for law enforcement and criminal gangs. What can you offer to help protect from such scruitiny and protect your own investment?"