HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES
Fransisco appears from the foyer.
Fransisco wanders in, moving to the bar as usual.
Fransisco sits at Marble bar.
Maya is sitting looking at papers thoughtfully.
Maya ruffles through the papers, frowning slightly.
Zed heads out towards the foyer, through the great vault door.
Maya looks up and smiles at Fransisco, but doesn't say anything as his
usual crowd descends upon him.
Fransisco smiles, waves to maya.
Aimee gives Maya one of THOSE looks and takes Fransisco's arm, stepping
between the two.
Fransisco chuckles, smiles to the young lady.
Maya just shakes her head. Kiss addicts.
Fransisco chats quietly with the young lady, listening to her chatter
about her current favourite music groups.
Maya makes tickmarks here and there on the paper.
Francesca appears from the foyer.
Zed appears from the foyer.
Chloe appears from the foyer.
Chloe slinks in th edoor quietly
Francesca comes in with Zed, pausing to look around the room when she is
just inside the door. "Very nice..." she says.
Fransisco relaxes at the bar, chatting with some random brunette and a
redheaded regular.
Chloe glances over at Fransisco, gives a silent look of jealous disgust
and slinks into the darkness
Zed trots through the main doors behind francesca, straightening his
glasses and adjusting the notes on his clipboard as he barely manages to
not run into Francesca during her pause. He grins and says, "Thanks, we
just finished remodeling. Oh look, there's Maya, I can go ahead and
introduce you. Sorry if I sound like I'm rushing you but this place is a
madhouse when Richard isn't here. I don't know how he manages all of these
people." he points towards Maya and abrubtly, speedily points francesca in
that direction.
Fransisco smiles, waves to Chloe with a wide happy smile.
Francesca watches Zed, amused, and then looks to follow his point.
Maya is studying papers, not really paying attention to the door.
((Zed's desc))
A rail thin, dark clothed young man who looks like across between a goth
and a B-52 wannabee. Across his face he wears a big pair of triangular
lensed glasses, the frames of which are bright yellow. Awfully gaudy but
somewhat appropriate to this place and to him. His hair and his eyes are
both dark, the hair probably darkened by some foreign substance.
Francesca nods. "Ah...yes. We have met." she comments to Zed. "Shall I? Or
should you do the grand tour, first?"
Zed weaves in and out of the patrons, looking in disgust at the sweaty,
bulking men who push him aside. Finally he drags Francesca to maya's table
and clears his throat LOUDLY, to make himself heard over the din of noise.
"Ummm...Maya...I have a visitor for you."
Maya looks up. "Yeah Zed?" She looks to his companion.
((Francesca's desc))
This woman is small, but she carries herself like a princess. Back
straight, shoulders back, head held high, she is a small force that pushes
her way through the world. She has a dark complexion -- features of a
Mediterreanean descent unsullied by the paler blood of northern Europe.
Indeed, the slight slurs of her r's suggest that that is, indeed, the
case. She is not what one would call approachable, however. Her face hides
her emotions and her hair is usually pulled severely back into a tight
bun. A small woman, but one who takes no nonsense. The severe look is
further accented by a no-nonsense blue-grey business suit, stockings,
sensible heals and accessories that just did not come off the rack.
Zed looks at Francesca oddly. . o O met already? But she just got here
Fransisco looks up, considers.
Chloe strolls quietly over to Sisco and sits down beside him with an
umph..... then looks at him with tired contemplation
Fransisco smiles at Chloe, "hello there."
Chloe mumbles something to cisco, then plops her chin down, cynically
You overhear Chloe whisper ' you just Loooove doing this to me, don't
you?'.
Francesca looks at Maya for a moment and then nods. "I beleive we met."
she says. "At a party, perhaps? I am Francesca."
Chloe says, to Cisco, "you just Loooove doing this to me, don't you?
Maya's expression suddenly clears. "Francesca, right!" She holds out her
hand. "Come on, have a seat...thanks Zed."
Chloe silently wonders why *she* wasn't invited...
Zed smiles and nods. He rolls back on his feet back and forth. he doesn't
seem to be going anywhere. he hangs by the table.
Fransisco watches the meeting across the room idly. then to Chloe, with a
smile. He motions to the redhead, "This is Aimee, an occasional dinner
companion of mine. And her friend..." he thinks, "Stacey."
You say, "Zed, did you file the liquor license renewal yet?"
Francesca settles down in a chair, smoothing her skirt neatly over her
legs.
Zed says, "Of course."
Zed says, "It was on the top of Richard's list, just under, pay everyone
and bring my replacement to Maya."
Maya nods. "How about the request for MMX Defender for the arcade?"
Zed hmphs. "After Max destroyed the last one?'
Chloe smiles a bitter sweet solcially magnificent (fake0 smile and takes
the fingertips of each girl in a heavily arched handshake... "Soooo
Pleased to meet you," her English accent drips with poisoned sweetness
Francesca watches Zed and Maya as she settles herself, putting her
breifcase on the floor. She politely waits.
You say, "Yes, after Max destroyed that last one."
Maya gives Francesca an apologetic smile.
Zed says, "Anyway, so now I'm down to the next thing which I'll do after
you ladies have met and are ready to accompany me."
Aimee regards Chloe with the same venom.
You say, "Which is?"
Zed seems...very energetic. Is the boy on speed or something/
Chloe smirks, simply
Francesca watches Zed, amused.
Zed says, "Ummm...to uh...oh here it is.. 'Give Maya and Francesca
briefcase which will explain everyhting' I'm not sure what he meant by it
but well, you know Richard."
Maya takes a long, deep breath. "What else is on the list?"
Aimee snuggles a little tighter to Fransisco.
Fransisco watches the girls be girls.
Chloe looks at Aimee and wonders to herself if she even has the social
sense of an armadillo....
Zed says, "Ummm...grand tour, pay bills, deliver package to trish...ummm..
a whole bunch of things but he said to do them in a very SPECIFIC order. I
hope renewing the liquor license early doesn't mess things us."
You say, "Can I SEE the list, later?"
Chloe takes a long look at Aimee, decides she (aimee) doesn't and turns to
idly watch Maya
Zed covers his clipboard very protectively. "Ummm...sure...when I'm done
with it."
Fransisco smiles at Chloe, "So, have you found yourself a law firm to join
yet?"
Francesca's eyes flicker over to Chloe and Francisco, thoughtfully, and
then she looks back at Zed and Maya.
Chloe glances at Fransisco from the corner of her eye, "Why yes, I
believe.. things are going *quite* well. And you?!"
Maya nods. "We'll talk about it later. Can you bring out the briefcase,
now?"
Fransisco considers, "well, it's looking more and more like I'll have to
add another stable. Phillipe hasn't mentioned you calling about riding
lessons yet, still interested?" He smiles.
Aimee just grins triumphantly.
Zed hehs. "Well, actually, I'm supposed to bring you to the briefcase. You
see, I don't know EXACTLY where it is...he said you would know, once I
showed you the room it's in.
Maya lookslike she's counting to ten. "All right, Zed. Give us five or so,
and come back?"
Zed says, "Umm...ok sure..."
Francesca sighs and mutters something to herself, the amusement factor
wearing off.
Zed gulps and kindof skitters back./
Zed wanders over the bar, looking a little downtrodden.
Francesca turns to Maya
Chloe Smiles a friendly, sideways glance at Fransisco, "I don't know as of
yet....'
Fransisco says, "ah, yes, well. the horses aren't going anywhere."
Francesca sits at Small table by the TV screens.
At your table, Francesca shakes her head. "Cant get much in the way of
well trained help here, now can you?
At your table, Maya says "Sorry about that. He's kind of new to this."
Maya offers Francesca her hand.
At your table, Maya says "Good to see you again."
Chloe looks at Fransisco, about him for a moment, then smirks, "*that*
figures...."...then back to the conversation at hand "yes, I was sure the
horses weren't *going* anywhere, dear....." smiles sweetly
Francesca shakes Maya's hand.
At your table, Francesca nods. "I can see that." she says. "Good to see
you again, as well."
Aimee disengages her arm pointedly.
At your table, Maya says "What brings you here? The short version..I'm
sure there's a long one."
Chloe looks down at her hands a moment, examining them, then crosses her
arms as she looks away and sighs, almost sdaly
Fransisco looks at Aimee, questioningly.
At your table, Francesca ahs. "Well...apparently Richard has been called
out of town? I believe that he asked for someone to help out in his
absense and he asked for me."
At your table, Maya smiles. "It's good of you to come."
Aimee mutters something about the ladies room and flounces off.
At your table, Francesca nods. "Not at all." she says. "I have never been
to this part of the world. It should be an interesting experience."
At your table, Maya says "Do you have a letter or anything of
recommendation, or are we not being so formal?"
Maya grins a little.
At your table, Francesca nods to Maya. "Of course." she says.
Francesca picks up her breifcase and opens it. She ruffles around for a
moment and then finds a letter that she hands to Maya.
Fransisco chuckles quietly as Aimee leaves.
Fransisco eyes Fransesca closely.
Chloe continues to glance up at the ceiling, the corners of her mouth
turned down in a slight frown, and seems not to notice the flouncing bimbo
Francesca watches Maya take the letter from her and then sits back to wait
for her to read it.
Maya reads the letter and then nods.
At your table, Maya says "Looks good enough to me."
At your table, Francesca nods. She glances at Zed. "Will you want me to do
something about...his skills?"
At your table, Maya says "I don't know what Richard intended."
At your table, Francesca ahs. "Well...that is all I have in terms of
information at this point."
Maya looks up and beckons Zed over from the bar.
Zed looks up from where he has been nursing his jolt cola and then
SPRIIINGS to life at Maya's beckons. "He snags his clipboard on the way
over to the two women, hurrying/
Francesca shakes her heahd as she watches Zed.
Chloe rubs her hands against her arms and glances down at her shoes, then \
*briefly* at Fransisco
Zed skids to a halt at Maya's table and smiles. "Can we go to the next
thing on the list now?"
Maya nods, trying to resist a grin at Zed. She'll never get used to him.
"By all means."
Chloe silently wonders how *richard* can stand this phreak
Francesca thinks the amusement factor is seriously wearing off, but she
says nothing.
Zed pumps his arms in the air. "Yeah! After all this mystery and
seriousness from the boss I finally get to find out what's going on." He
starts to dart off towards the catwalk and then stops, comes back to the
other two. "Ahem. Um...after you."
You say, "If I tell you."
Maya gets up from Small table by the TV screens.
Francesca gets up from Small table by the TV screens.
Zed says, "Oh...umm...of course."
Zed heh and chuckles meakly. "I mean, with the boss gone you're in charge,
right?"
Zed says, "Or is she in charge now? Oh, I'm already confused/"
Maya heads for the catwalk. "Apparently, you keep bringing me papers to
sign!"
Francesca gets up, straightening into perfect posture. She picks up her
breifcase and follows Maya.
Zed calls after maya as he scuttles behind her. 'Someone has too, we
havent' heard from Keemoc in months!"
A short flight of steps leads you onto the catwalk, which is attached at a
few feet above head-level. Once there, which is the domain of the
bouncers, you travel around to one of the stairs that lead beyond,
upstairs.
Hallway, 2nd Story - Delirium
A mostly-circular hall, the floor is of a crimson and creme tile, with
enough texture to make it safe to walk on. The paneling is of what seems to
be oak, from mid-wall to the ceiling.. below that is a crimson carpeting to
the floor. The walls, should you care to check, are concrete.. and the
doors, well, they are of a fire-treated wood. Sprinkler heads seems to be
everywhere.. someone's looking out for you. Diffuse panel lighting gives
you just the right amount of light, without being harsh.
Eight rooms open onto the outside of tthe hall, not to mention the
one-way fire exits on the north and south walls or the two rooms that the
hall seems to wrap around, or the door marked with the legend 'Roof
Access'. A pair of short stairs lead to the catwalk in the room below.
Zed appears from the main room.
Francesca appears from the main room.
Zed straightens himself and tries to calm down. "I'm sorry. I'll try and
calm down. with Richard gone everyone has been coming to me and well, I'm
pumped with caffeine.
Francesca watches Zed and then looks to Maya.
Zed says, "Anyways...*deep breath* He said to take you to the library."
Maya nods. "Fine. I know where to go from there.."
Maya guides Francesca there.
You unlock the door of oak, and pass through.
Library, 2nd Story - Delirium
Simply, this is a library.. and a regal one, at that. Tall oak
bookshelves line the walls, holding great stacks of books, both old and
new. Dominating the room is a long table, with a dozen chairs arrayed
around it.
Francesca appears from the hall.
Zed appears from the hall.
Zed follows Maya, loking worriedly after her.
Francesca steps in the room and looks around, nodding. Then she looks at
Zed and back at Maya. This guy is nearly intolerable, even for a servant
to Brujah.
You say, "Hey, Zed, stick your head out there and tell the guards not to
bug us?"
Zed says, "Uhhh...sure."
Zed steps out. "Oh, I hope you don't mind but I brought this television up
here. It was on the list..." SHRUG
Maya glances at the TV. "Stand in front of that, please, blocking view in
case he got a two-way?"
Zed walks out of the door and sighs. He mumbles, "now I'll NEVER know."
Francesca puts down her breifcase and frowns at Maya. But, she shrugs and
goes and stands in front of it, with her back to the screen.
Maya immediately goes to the bookshelves, does something, and a small door
pops open.
Francesca waits, studying the vampire in front of her.
Inside of the door there is a briefcase with a note on top which reads:
Maya. It looks to have been written in Richard's hand.
Maya removes the briefcase and brings it to the table, then closing the
door carefully. She beckons you to the table, reading the note.
Francesca comes over, resting her hands lightly on the back of a chair.
The note reads. "Open." Somehow you think Richard's late night viewing of
Alice in wonderland got to him.
Maya opens the briefcase quietly, her face impassive.
Francesca watches from across the table.
Inside the case there are several things: A videotape with the word "why'
written on it; an envelope withe the word 'keys' written on it and small
package with the word 'Trish' on it. Underneath those are his work keys, a
few file folders with the names of a few people on them (notably
fransisco, Kyla, Chloe, Murphy and Roosevelt). The folders are all
rubber-banded together and a note on them reads: Francesca.
Maya hands you the folders wordlessly. She picks up the note that says
"Why" and opens it.
The note says: Play.
Francesca takes the folders, glancing at them and then looking back at
you.
Maya takes the tape to the TV and inserts it, hitting play. She's blinking
back blood tears, for some reason.
Francesca looks at Maya and then turns to watch the tape
Richard pulls down his hand from the camera lense and looks into the
camera. he smiles, somewhat weakly, his eyes look tired and he looks
pretty pale. He clears his throat and says, "Hi luv..."
Maya crosses her arms over her chest and watches silently.
Richard says, "I'm sure by now you are either ready to throttle me, kiss
me, or both, but unfortunately those will have to wait. suffice to say, I
am safe, for now and will continue to be until this is all over. I'm
making this tape to explain things now that it will be safe to do so since
by now I'll be far enough away that you can't easily follow me and get
yourself in trouble."
Maya mutters "You bastard..."
Francesca watches, silently.
Richard seems to ramble. From the expression on his face, this seems hard
for him. "I hate to betray your trust like this but... I've been called.
It's Izzie, I don't what she has gotten herself into but she sent me a
message via Frank - she told me to come alone to find her. She said not to
bring you because well...I really don't know why but over the past two
years I've learned to trust her and I imagine it's to keep you safe.
Richard says, "In any case. That's why I've left. I know it isn't a good
explaination and I know that I'm going to pay the piper when I make it
home but it's something that this path has forced me to do - maybe. Hell I
don't know. All i know is I will miss you. I'm sorry but I had to do this.
It isn't Rio, it isn't ben. It's me. me and Frank. He'll be here to get me
soon. I pormise though - I WILL be back."
Maya bites her lip...then through it, with the fangs. "You UTTER bastard."
Francesca watches Maya now, more than the TV.
Richard takes a deep breath and continues. "Now, I'm sure Francesca is
there with you and probably waiting patiently. As one of 'our' kind can at
least. I've asked her to come and help you out so that Zed won't drive you
crazy asking you to sign something every five minutes. Her sire, regent,
whatever, has agreed to come let her take over the club's management in my
absense and she wilol take care of the kindred details that Zed can't
becasue well, he's Zed.
Maya lets out a long, slow breath and licks over the lip. The wounds
disappear tracelessly.
Richard says, "In the briefcase is everything she'll need, everything
I've collected anyways. The envelope has the kindred keys to the private
lounge. You can pass them out to whomever you recognize and want to let
in. I'm requesting that all 'official' business be taken care of there as
I don't want anyone disturbing my private things. Of course, you can add
whomever you want to the catwalk list, just have francesca or Zed give the
nod to the bouncer's."
Richard says, "Hmmm...what else?"
Maya pushes the briefcase across to Francesca as if on autopilot.
Richard says, "Oh. The package. I'm sure you're wondering why Trish's name
is on it. Well, it's for Trish obviously. It's some...well, some answers
that I've promised to give her concerning Josh and well, I didn't have the
heart or the balls to give it to her in person. Please have Francesca, Zed
or yourself deliver it to her. It probably won't satisfy her but it is the
best I can do at this point."
Maya nods to herself. "I don't blame you for that.." she murmurs.
Francesca watches the tape, nodding slowly. Okay. Peices of this puzzle are
beginning to fall into place.
Richard says, "well, now what? I guess it's time for me to close this
letter. *sigh* I...well, I'm sorry Maya. I hope that when this is over I'll
be a new man, that I'll be ready for what's to come. I just have to
fulfill this obligation. I told her that if she needed me, I would come.
I'd do the same for you...and more. You're in my heart always and forever
my beloved..."
Richard reaches up, presses a button and the tape goes to static.
Maya turns her back to the TV snow and you for a moment.
Francesca turns from the tape and looks at the breifcase briefly, giving
you a moment of privacy.
Maya goes to a drawer and takes out some wet wipes. When she turns back to
face you, there's no trace of blood tears, but her eyes are red-rimmed.
"Well. I'm twice glad you're here, then."
Francesca nods, looking up at you. "I will gladly be of help although...it
will take me a few days to get up on the kindred in the area. Have you
resumed your roll as Prince?"
Maya nods. "I have. I'll take you to meet some of them when I compose
myself a bit better." To your jaded eye, she looks and acts far too young
for such a role.
Francesca nods, letting no sign of judgement cross her face. "And that
man..Zed..is he a retainer?"
You say, "Not yet. And unaware."
Francesca nods again. "And the club is an Elysium?"
You say, "It is, and should be treated as such. ANy word on breaches comes
to me."
Francesca nods again. "I can handle it." she says - the voice on
competency. "Anything in particular that I should know? Places I should
stay away from?"
Francesca takes the folders and puts them neatly back into the breifcase
and closes the top with a decisive click.
You say, "The lupines can't come in here, but may try anyway. Watch for
anyone acting like they get hit with a headache, act solicitous, and
report it to me." She sighs. "You don't hunt, so nothing is barred to
you."
Francesca nods again. "Okay." She fiddles with the handle of the breifcase
for the moment and then says, "On that note, there is a small matter. I am
old enough...that I require vitae regularly. The source doesnt particularly
matter. And, of course, you are welcome to feed from me."
Maya nods. ""When do you require it? Just let me know. I won't leave you
without."
Francesca nods. "I am fine for now." she says. "Perhaps at the end of each
month?"
Maya nods. "Let me know if you have needs sooner. I don't plan to feed
from you, unless you want it; though. I have other sources, and I don't
want you to feel ill."
Francesca straightens and picks up the breifcase. "Well...it is a
pleasure to be here, Maya, although I wish it could be under better
circumstances for you. I will go and familiarize myself with this material
and I'll be here tomorrow and introduce myself to the staff, if that is
agreeable?"
You say, "Please do. Do you have arrangements made?"
Francesca nods. "I have a hotel room, for now. But I will find something
more permanent as time allows."
You say, "Tell Zed to set you up here, if you like."
Francesca nods. "That would be most agreeable. Thank you." she says. She
offers her hand. "I can tell you want to be alone. I will leave you, for
now. Dont worry about the running of this place. I can handle it."
Maya takes your hand and squeezes it. "By the way..none of the staff are
too formal around me. It'll be easier if you're formal with Richard when
he gets back, and not with me, all right?
Francesca gives your hand a firm shake. "As you wish." she says. "If I
am...too formal, let me know. It is how I am used to interacting."
Maya chuckles a little. "And I'm not. So please, just Maya, no title, and
very casual around here."
Francesca nods and smiles. "Okay, Maya. I'll try and remember." She reaches
down and picks up the other breif case. "I'll see you tommorrow evening,
then."
You say, "Soon as I'm up."
Francesca nods and turns to go.
Maya sits down slowly.
Francesca heads out into the hall.
HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES