Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Vezina crept forward, her new crossbow in hand and stared out at the feral dogs from the doorway. She was careful to look out for other signs of the lupines, but she knew that these dogs were no threat, once she had control of their alpha. She narrowed it down to a female at the head of the pack, and let out a low growl of her own to attract its attention. When it noticed her, she would lock eyes with it as her master had taught her, and enforce her will upon it - overcoming its animal mind with her own dominance.

In the language of beasts, she would tell the alpha to lead the rest of her pack towards the direction of the inns where Vezina currently resided at. They were not to harm Vezina or her companions, for they were higher predators than the dogs, and the curs must respect and abide by the natural order.

 

[Ranger Princess]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Eliza stands at her arrow slit for a little while longer, a victorious smile curling at the side of her lip as she watched the Lupine chase after her shadowy comrades. The smile curled back to neutral at the sight of the dogs, but when she heard Vezina's strange animal sounds, the Lasombra turned to look at her counterpart.

As she gazed at her companion, Eliza released her hold on the shadows in the gatehouse. She quietly walked over until she was standing behind Vezina's shoulder, watching the dogs curiously from behind the animalist. As well as showing them that Vezina was not alone. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes were vivid from within her hood.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

The alpha dog hearing the growl turns it's head to the guard house and Vezina can easily see that the creature is frightened. It's head and tail are both held low to the ground as though it's very wary of the larger predators about. It growls back that it would rather stay in it's own territory but it will gladly leave Vezina's pack alone. The dog's continue looking towards the guard house for a few more seconds before the alpha leads the others back down the street slowly.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Anabelle frowned, sensing some familiarity in the growls of the dog outside.

"What's happening?" she whispered, still standing by the doorway, sword at the ready.

 

[Ranger Princess]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"Isn't it obvious?" Eliza smirked ever so slightly. "Vezina has a frightful bark."

Eliza looked out the door. "The way is clear... we should be on our way I suppose."

The Lasombra probably would have just left if she knew where she was going but instead she just hung out by the door.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Anabelle rose easily to her feet from her crouch. She slid past Eliza, sword still drawn, peaking out onto the bridge. Carefully she stepped out, her eyes looking about.

"We may still be hunted, best find somewhere to lay low for the moment, and wait for contact from Jourdain," the Gangrel said softly.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"Umm... Can I come with?" Jocelyn spoke up quietly, crawling out from where she had been hiding. She went over to the stand again and took a small quiver of bolts for the crossbow she still held, but otherwise seemed pretty nonthreatening, with her slim form and ratty dress.

 

[Ranger Princess]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Eliza turned to look at Jocelyn as the raggedy cainite crawled out from under the bed.

At first she had her customary expression, but it quickly curled into a smile as her conniving Lasombra mind went into overdrive.

"The protective wards you located on this gatehouse proved invaluable. I certainly wouldn't mind having you along."

Eliza said with a smile and gestured for Jocelyn to walk alongside her as she turned to follow Anabelle into the icy rain.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Vezina turned to Anabelle. "Everything is wary of the Lupines tonight. It is a hunter's moon. The wards on this gatehouse may keep us from harm, but they will not save us from the sun. We must get to a place of safety. Head for the inns."

She then smiled wanly at the Lasombra and their new found companion in the ragged dress, before her dark eyes hardened and she set out into the night. They would not be safe until they got off the streets and under a safe roof. Joviality and introductions could come later.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

The howling of the beast seems to have died down only to be replaced by the steady tapping of the icy rain on the cobbles. The goshawk gives a screech from above as it flies down to land on a stall and stare at the group of Cainites. It gives it's gull-like cry as Vezina steps from the small guard-room and seems to look between the others as it waits.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Jocelyn looks rather worried by Eliza's remark, deciding to stay put for now, at least until they moved. "I have a room we could likely cram in, but we still have some time left, right? Seems like I just woke up, but I sometimes do sleep late..."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Vezina turned to the goshawk and spoke to it in its avian chirps and calls.

"Have you a view of the great striding wolves on two legs? Are they near or far from us and are there any who stand between us and that direction?" Vezina pointed in the direction of the inns which were the group's immediate destination in her mind.

 

[Ranger Princess]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Eliza looked momentarily bewildered by Jocelyn's question.

"What? Time for... oh the Sun? It is black as night. There's nothing to worry about. Come now... I won't bite."

The Lasombra said as she managed to recover her smile.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"We'll head to the room I've rented for the night. Jourdain knows where it is, and it is him upon who we wait," Anabelle said, sliding her sword back within its scabbard, but keeping her fingers curled around the hilt in case the lupines decided to return.

"Though the accommodations may be less than you are used to Eliza."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"I still possess the key to a room in the same establishment. When we get there, I'll make sure it's safe and then she may bunk with me, if she prefers different accommodations," Vezina said, extending traditional Tsimizce hospitality.

She was still eying the goshawk, waiting for its reply as the group started down the road toward their destination.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

The bird stares back as Vezina locks eyes with it, to the others it seems as if Vezina and the animal are simply speaking. The bird is willing to look for the beast that Vezina mentions, though at first it is confused by what kind of creature it is looking for. A brief conversation ensues between the Tzimisce and the hawk after which it takes off into the cloud filled sky to search for any lupines.

After several minutes the hawk returns soaring down to it's former perch and answers the Tzimisce that it can find no such creatures nearby or along the way to the inn. Only the lesser beasts and man can be found along the route to the man's nest. After giving it's answer to Vezina it takes off once more into the night sky likely to report back to it's owner. If any of them try to follow where the bird flies to they can see it heading in the rough direction of the inn before they lose sight of the magnificent creature in the rainy skies.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"The way is clear for now, as far as the bird's eye can see. Let's make for the inn with all haste and talk inside," Vezina said as she picked up her pace.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

"Sounds like as good a plan as any," Anabelle said, quickening her steps on the quickest path to the inn.

 

[Ranger Princess]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

Eliza decided not to respond to either of the cainites and instead walked on in silence. As Eliza watched the hawk disappear behind the inn, the cloaked blonde cainite occupied her mind with thoughts of her growing hunger and how she might satiate it. She wondered if the kine of London could possibly be as distasteful as the cainites.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 1: The Road Not Taken

The trip back to the inn goes fairly quickly despite the four companions being on foot. The weather seems to have calmed to a steady, depressing drizzle as they turn to go down Lime Street, at the end of which sits the inn. Nothing of alarm has been seen by any of the kindred as they have traveled.

Before they can travel very far down Lime Street to the inn however both Vezina and Jocelyn almost simultaneously notice a strange movement as if someone is trying to draw their attention without being seen followed by someone making a fairly good copy of a goshawks cry which gets the others attention as well.