Chapter 2: Absolute Power

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Other than old myths, no. I heard of bit about that particular tale in my travels down to the south. Releasing all the despair into the world... wonder if that includes folks like us," Anabelle said tapping at the table with her fingers, before looking up trying to find the barkeep. It would be best to get something, look less suspicious.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Mmm, I know that myth as well. Pandora had a box and she opened it, and evil escaped, due to her curiosity. But I have it on good authority that there is an elder Cainite, a Brujah, who went by that name as well. Pandora. Not sure if there was a box involved in her story, but it stands to reason there might have been. Mortal myths and our kind's exploits so often overlap."

Vezina leaned forward. "In any case, has the proprietor of the inn been around tonight? He was in possession of a box with the word Pandora on it and he took pains to keep it secret. Seems odd, given he was supposedly a ghoul of the Seneschal, so I was thinking if the mystery of Pandora could be illuminated, we might very well find a lead on our missing Lord. I needn't tell you all how good that would go over in the courts, if we could all discover what happened to him."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

With Eliza leaving with Jourdain to discuss clan matters, it gives the three remaining kindred time to discuss the matters at hand. namely the unusual disappearance of the seneschal and the poisoning of his main rival. The inn is empty with the exception of a few servants, who seem to be leaving the table alone. It occurs to the three that the servants are likely used to kindred coming in and not drinking or eating, at least as far they know.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"I do not know if the owner is in tonight. I think though, that perhaps we should try and find out what happened outside. Might be connected," Anabelle suggested.

She glanced over her shoulder to watch Eliza move away, and shrugged before turning back to face the other two.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"The scuffle with the guards?" Jocelyn asked, continuing when someone nodded. "I saw two petitioners in here talking, the ash is what happens when someone who has been here too long finally leaves, chances are one of them escaped."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Her eyes followed the younger Lasombra for a moment as the neonate left to join her blood sibling in private conversation. Then Vezina turned back to nod at Annabelle.

"Very well, let us see if there's anything of interest outside."

There didn't seem to be any reason to push the topic of the box with these two, so better to turn to mundane matters such as this situation with the guards.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

The three kindred leave the inn behind for the cold, muddy streets of London. The guards are no longer standing about and some of the evidence has been taken from the scene. A scattering of ash sits where the armor had been laying and searching through the tracks in the snow and mud they eventually find three sets of tracks leading away from the site.

Anabelle is able to recognize the most obvious set of tracks as belonging to Eliza's horse from when they questioned the guards earlier. Following the second set as it goes throughout the area leads her to believe that it belongs to the guards as they searched. She remembers seeing another set of tracks during the questioning but seems to be unable to find it in the mess.

Vezina's keen eyes and experience as a hunter eventually allows her to pick up this third set of tracks unspoiled in the mud and snow a short distance away. She is unable to piece together what occurred thanks to the clumsy watchmen, however she can tell that the third set of tracks is of some one being chased by another person or at least something that walks as a person. The thought that perhaps someone had decided to be rid of the two kindred she had seen the previous evening at the inn made her think that it was indeed wise to investigate this event.

While Jocelyn stands quietly watching the others search, willing to aid if she could, the voices seem to calm from their excitement earlier and begin to speak once more.

"i wonder when we'll end up ash like that poor fellow.
poor! he was chasing us, he deserved what he got.
no one deserves such a fate.
except us, that is.
no just you, we're good.

With that the voices drift back into their arguments once more. Leaving Jocelyn to wonder what kind of a mess she might now be in.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Jocelyn spoke up as the other two searched, trying to distract herself from the quiet argumentent going on around her head. “I told you already, he escaped. Theres no way to tell where he went to, but if we could find someone who knew him, it would probably be easy to guess, if it‘s important.“

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"No way to tell where he escaped to, you say?" Vezina asked Jocelyn with a glimmer of humor in her accented voice. She then pointed out the tracks leading off and away from the scene.

"Whoever made those tracks was in a hurry to be away from here, and was being chased by someone, or something. I suggest we follow and see where the trail takes us. Wouldn't you agree, Annabelle?"

It clicked into place for the Tzimisce that the two kindred she had seen last night at the inn had been wearing garb similar to the one that had been taken by the guards. The ash made sense now. A Cainite had been given the Final Death. It couldn't be coincidence that one was murdered outside the inn where this Tremere coven member had been staying.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Not that one. That one." Jocelyn explained, pointing at the remnants of ash littered about. "The other one didn't escape. Though he certainly seemed to know the one that did. He's be a good one to ask if you wish to know where the one escaped to."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Talk to the one who is ash?" Vezina asked, trying not to allow the Malkavian to confuse her. "Somehow I doubt that will be as easy as following these tracks."

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Jocelyn sighed, and slowed down her speaking pace, hoping to be understood better. "No, -he- escaped." She said, pointing to the pile of Ash. then she pointed off in the direction of the tracks. "-He- didn't. he would be a good place to start if you wanted to find out where -he- went." She stated, pointing down at the ash again.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Vezina couldn't help it, now she was confused.

"What exactly do you know of this? How do you know that -he- escaped," she pointed at the ashen pile, "and that the other one, the one who fled, did not escape?"

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Jocelyn nodded. "Yes. He's still here, as are we, as are all the other petitioners." She explained, pointing down at the ash pile again. "His time here is over, but for good or nil, you can't tell just by looking. You could hazard a guess if you knew him, see if he tried or not. Did you not pay attention in church? They explain it all quite clearly."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Feh. Church? Do not tell me that you prescribe to this Christian nonsense. Caine predates Christ, and no door to heaven was opened for him nor for his progeny. My sire has told me of the spirits and of the fabled powers that allow communication with them. No such power has yet been able to reach a Cainite given the final death."

She turned to Annabelle. "This talk wastes our time. The trail there is not fresh, but it is the only lead we have. Let us follow it."

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"The proof is all around you, but I'm not the sort to try arguing, especially since I can't call the circles any more." She said with a shrug, following along as she grew quieter again, her hands spreading out a little and starting to tap and sweep at imaginary objects around her. "Could prove it so easily if I could just..."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Anabelle simply nods in agreement with Vezina as the trail is pointed out, remaining stoically quiet as she walks toward the other two kindred. Her hand unconsciously reaches for the old sword hanging at her side as reassurance before she pulls her ragged cloak tight.

The trail should be easy enough to follow now that they've found it, though it might prove difficult if it crosses one of the muddy roadways. When they begin to follow the trail it will lead south for a quarter of a mile before turning down a dark alley behind one of the many buildings. A chandler judging from the scent of tallow about the building. The bridge leading to Southwark can be seen less than a hundred yards away.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"A chandler," Vezina murmured, smelling the tallow. "And so close to the Southwark bridge as well."

She drew her cloak about her and kept her senses alert. Danger could lurk in the shadows and her eyes must be keen.

"Tread carefully, friends."

She approached the alleyway, smelling and listening as she went, in addition to following the tracks.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

"Escape from the coils of this world, into the afterlife where peace awaits," Anabelle muttered to herself quietly as she followed along, thinking of Jocelyn's words outside the tavern.

She kept her hand firmly wrapped around the hilt of her sword, pulling ever so slightly, revealing a glimmer of the cold steel between hilt and scabbard. She was close behind Vezina, crouched slightly, stepping carefully so her footfalls would not make unnecessary sound.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2: Absolute Power

Cautiously entering into the alley Vezina follows the tracks while keeping a sharp eye out for any danger. Amongst the scents of tallow and beeswax she picks out a new scent, that of the beast present within all Cainites. Her eyes desperately search every darkened shadow and even the roofs of the buildings to find the source with little luck. The tracks simply seem to stop at the end of the alley, where the quickly rotting remains of another Cainite lie in the fallen snow beneath a stone gargoyle jutting from the eave.

Anabelle remains close behind as she strives to be quiet in the search for their quarry. The darkness limits Anabelle's sight though she too eventually notices the corpse at the end of the alleyway. She notices little else with her senses thanks to the heavy smell of tallow and wax from the nearby shop.

Jocelyn has said little while following the others on their trek across the snowy streets of London. She has little difficulty picking out details in the alley and notices the body as well as the thick smell of wax from the chandler. Looking towards the rotting remains the voices quiet momentarily as her mind begins to work out something. The voices practically shout that the body has fallen from a distance and as she almost unconsciously looks up she sees it. A horrible winged imp sits on the ledge above the body leering down at her with it's wings outstretched as though ready to swoop down at her.