A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Lysandra seemed to share the same opinion as Vezina, judging from her face as they rode into the infamous street. As filthy as the place might be it seemed to be rather well patrolled by the city watch, at least compared to other districts she had seen. Though more guardsmen hardly meant better protection for anyone it simply meant that no one wanted an interruption in their business.

Lysandra settled beside Vezina to wait for the sheriff to make his horrific appearance. Though with mortals about his appearance might not be so loathsome. At Vezina's question she says. "Rodger was not always the sedentary being he seems to be, he traveled far and wide in his pursuit if power. As with any pursuit of power he gained enemies and rather than trust to a mixed coterie he turned to my sire as a bodyguard of sorts. The Lamia bloodline is truly little more than the guardians of our more studious brethren. My sire embraced me during their travels and I learned as my sire did before me. To protect our charges from danger.

Unfortunately my sire made the ultimate sacrifice for her charge and I took her place. Now that he has settled down though his old enemies rarely cause problems. I suppose I could leave to protect another of our brethren but Rodger is in many ways a surrogate sire to me."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Vezina listened to Lysandra's story with some interest.

"So you were chosen for an unlife to serve as a bodyguard? Do you enjoy such a charge? I do not mean to say that it is a bad thing, your role, but do you never at times desire to set your own course? Especially now that, as you say, Rodger is settled and his enemies do not seek to openly persecute him. It must at times feel quite unsatisfactory to wander about on his estate, with nothing but shadows and corpses to watch... Is there nothing else you do to while away the endless nights?"

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"That is our primary purpose within our clan, there are other bloodlines among the Cappadocians each serving a specific purpose in the grand game. I suppose I am happy with it for the most part, though I tend to think of myself as a guardian of knowledge more than a bodyguard. Of course guarding the knowledge gives me access to said knowledge as well." Lysandra says after a moment of thought.

"Our founder, Lamia, was a priestess of Lillith who upon embrace by Lazarus, childe of Ashur, told him a secret. This secret frightened him so that he left her and went screaming into the night or at least that's the myth I've heard. Lillith wants us to protect the Cappadocians from something or she would not have returned her priestess to her parent clan. I guess you could say I believe in fate more so than many of our kind. We all have a destiny and only through vigilance and knowledge can we hope to change said fate. That is what I spend my evenings doing." She adds.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"Interesting," Vezina said, having not heard the tale of Lamia from her sire. "But perhaps in attempting to avoid your fate, you only herald its onset? Destiny tends to be a thing apparent only in hindsight. If you could change your fate, then fate itself loses its ominous grip, and your progenitor's words lose some of their terror."

The Tzimisce smiled, "Though on the bright side, we're not certain what Lamia told Lazarus. Perhaps it was only something pertaining to himself?"

Vezina looked about, wondering how quickly the Sheriff would receive the message from the ghoul rat. Perhaps she should consider feeding quickly before he arrived. Her eyes scanned for an acceptable target, knowing full well that in this village, finding a good vintage of vitae would be difficult.

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"Perhaps it does herald it's onset. Perhaps not. As you said one will ever know their fate until it happens, though others might still learn of it after it happens. The dead are not always as silent as one thinks if you simply know how to communicate with them." Lysandra responds as she looks around at the prostitutes plying their trade.

"Who's to say she even told him the truth. All that is known is that i involved his own fate, so perhaps we will be spared. If you are thinking of feeding, I would choose that woman. She is at the very least free of disease right now." Lysandra points to a younger woman probably new to her trade standing along the side of street not far from them.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"Mmm, my thanks for your advice. I must be full with vitae for what I plan to do this night."

Dismounting from her horse, she bade the animal to stay put before approaching the young woman. Her nervous attitude and youthful looks showed that she indeed could not have been in this trade long.

"You there, girl. I have someone of good breeding who requires a pretty young soul like yourself for a short period of time. Are you willing?"

If the girl was, Vezina would lead the woman off around a dark corner and under the guise of wanting to have a closer look to confirm that she was of the right taste, she would then sink her teeth into the poor thing's neck and drink as much as she could without threatening the girl's life.

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

The girl practically jumps out of her skin at Vezina's approach. The blush on her face as Vezina mentions her purpose for approaching her only indicates that she couldn't have been doing this for long. None the less as soon as Vezina has finished her request the girl nods and curtsies as she says. "Yes, of course milady."

She immediately follows wherever Vezina leads and soon falls prey to the thirsty Tzimisce. Vezina arranges the girl carefully on the ground having caught the swooning girl as she fed. Vezina was surprised to note that the girl was a virgin and had been well taken care of. Perhaps a runaway nobleman's daughter she mused as she returned to where Lysandra waited patiently.

Several minutes later Vezina notes a noble's carriage pass by them to the end of the lane. At least four men emerge from the carriage, two nobles and two servants judging from their appearance, and soon separate as though searching the area. The younger looking of the two nobles heads in their direction stopping and asking questions of the various whores and customers as he passes.

Spoiler

14/14 BP's.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Realizing that the girl was a nobleman's daughter during the feeding, and that her blood was of a sweetness only an unsullied virgin maiden might possess, Vezina's interest was piqued.

She lay the girl down and hidden in the dark alley, not wanting the girl to be found by a random passerby. A vintage this good was something she would like to reserve for her own herd, if possible.

Having fed and hidden the lass, she returned to her horse to wait. That was when she noticed the men coming out of the noble's carriage. Quite possibly confirming that the girl was a runaway, or at least, that she was not meant to be here by their leave. Curious indeed. It frustrated her that such business would happen on a night when she intended to destroy a blood usurper in his den.

She waited patiently for the one nobleman to approach her with his questions. As he neared she gazed at his aura, to discover what feelings accompanied him as he sought the missing girl. Was it her best interests that drove him? Or was it of a more selfish nature?

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

The young noble's aura quickly took shape as Vezina stared him down while he made his way towards them. A deep red dominated the rather plain looking but obviously rich young man. This mortal was certainly desirous of whatever it was he sought or perhaps he was merely lusting after one of the whores he questioned. One of the few drawbacks to reading the souls of others was not knowing the motivations for such feelings.

She dropped her intense stare as he left the last person standing between himself and the pair of Cainites. Lysandra seemed to be paying more attention to their other surroundings than the noble as he walked up and bowed his head to them. His eyes betrayed his lecherous thoughts as he spoke though Vezina sensed a certain greed in his manner as well.

"Ah, greetings to such fine looking...ladies. Might either of you seen a young woman of good breeding like yourselves. I will gladly pay well for any information you might possess."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"Looking for young women of good breeding in Gropeconte?" Vezina said with a slightly whimsical and sarcastic tone. "That you found us passing through is a wonder. However... if you do indeed have coin, I may have information for thee. For I indeed saw a young girl who looked out of place here. Prithee, tell me good sir, to whom do I speak and who is this girl you seek?"

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"Admittedly I wouldn't normally look for women of good breeding in a place like this but rather girls of low breeding. They're more likely to do anything for just a bit of food." The young man says in a whimsical tone of his own.

"Unfortunately my sister seems to have...run away and my father is desperate to find her. Of course I have to do what I can to remain in his good graces until after coming into my inheritance." The noble says.

"If you have seen her I would indeed be able to pay you quite a bit thanks to the richness of my father's lands. My name of course is Eric, first son of Lord Lambeth at your service."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

The deep red of his aura did not suggest that this man's quarry was his sister. More than likely he was after the girl's maidenhood. Still, this young noble did slip quite an interesting morsel of information in front of her. A young heir - yes, she could use such an individual.

"What makes you think your sister would run away to this disreputable place, milord Eric? She could easily be set upon by lowly men and treated badly indeed. In any case, I saw a young girl in a daze walking down the street there, looking in ill health. Come with me Lord Eric, and I shall show thee,"

Staying on her horse this time and trotting over to the alley where she had left the girl, she showed the little maiden to him. "Ah, and there she is. Poor thing seems to have hidden herself away before swooning from fatigue. Is this your dear sister, milord?"

If Eric answered in the affirmative, Vezina would smile I am happy then to have aided thee and thy sister. Money is of no issue to me, but if you still feel that you are in my debt, then I pray invite me to thy Lord's estate on the morrow eve. We shall share kind words, tales of our travels, and perhaps even more?"

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"I fear my half-sister's running away might have been my own fault. You see I was trying to get rid of any problems with my inheritance. However I seem to have underestimated my father's resolve in finding her." Eric brazenly mentions as he follows Vezina down the alley way to where the young woman lies still passed out.

"That is indeed my overly virtuous sister. I thank you milady." He added as he scooped the woman up into his arms. He smiles rather deceitfully as he adds.

"What a wonderful idea. I always enjoy conversing with women like myself, among other things. Consider yourself invited to my Lord's estate in Lambeth. You should have little trouble in finding the village as it lies just across the river to the south."

Spoiler

Keep in mind you do have a choice here, depending on how much corrupting and meddling you would prefer.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Laying her hand upon Eric's arm and brought his eyes to her own. Once her gaze was upon him, she did not let him waver, but fixed him there.

"Let no harm come to this girl, nor let her be spoiled in any fashion. Bring this young lady with you to Lambeth, and I shall meet thee on the morrow eve at thy father's estate. Do this, and no trouble will come to your inheritance, milord Eric. You will enjoy prosperity undreamed of."

Vezina's lips had moved very close to the young noble's face, her voice commanding at first with the power of her lordly gift of Caine, falling into a reassuring, almost sultry coaxing. This young man was greedy and curious, she could tell. She would take advantage of his ambition as well. The girl she would find a use for as well, she just had to make sure that this man did not damage her for his own reasons.

She held his gaze still until he responded. She wanted to know if her message had been driven home.

Spoiler

Bolded statement is dominated suggestion. Vezina doesn't have time to toy around and doesn't want to close the door on either's potential. She just wants Eric to keep the girl safe until Vezina can make him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

A look of momentary fear passes over Eric's face as Vezina's arm grasps his own but the fear fades as soon as she catches his gaze with her own. He can do little but stare back into her own eyes as monotonously intones her orders. "Yes, milady. I will let not harm come to this girl and she shall remain unspoiled in any fashion. We will wait for you at Lambeth on the morrow eve."

He remains in his trance like state until Vezina releases him to continue on his way. He shook his head a little as though awaking from a daydream and shifted the young woman in his arms to a more caring position. The instructions seeming to have taken hold he smiles as brazenly as ever as he says. "I will see on the morrow then, milady. Take care."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Having gotten the orders through to him, Vezina smiled and waved him off before seating herself once more on her horse and trotting back to Lysandra.

"My apologies for that slight delay. That mortal girl had such a sweet taste, I thought it would be a shame to not lay some claim to her," she shrugged to the Lamia.

"I may not be a Ventrue, but I still appreciate cultivating a my local palette. Has there been any sign of the Sheriff?"

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Lysandra simply nods as Vezina returns and offers her explanation before saying. "No need for apology, milady. Your plans for the future reassure me that we will succeed tonight. I cannot blame you for having a more refined taste in blood, I only wish I had such a luxury myself. Feeding is much more of a problem for my own clan...There."

She pointed to a side alley on the opposite side of the street where Richard stood waving them over. Even in public he barely kept his face covered, it's hideousness obvious for any who might look to closely. Lysandra allowed Vezina to take the lead as they made their way over where Richard smiled as they rode up. "A little friend told me you wish to speak, Lady Vezina. How can the good sheriff be of service on such a pleasant evening."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Vezina might have been inclined to inquire further about Lysandra's feeding habits, for it did seem like an unfortunate condition to have, but Richard's appearance in the alley left her no chance to ask.

Moving over to Richard and keeping her eyes focused over his shoulder for the most part, rather than talking to him directly, she said her peace.

"I would request that you uphold the duties of your station, Sheriff. The stone prisoner quickly gave up the location of his master under my questioning, and now the lady Lysandra and I are intent upon flushing him and his apprentice out of their haven, to answer to the court for their crimes. We expect that you will accompany us to pay the Usurper a visit. After you, we are going to call upon Aethulwulf. Strength in numbers should overwhelm any defenses the sorcerer has prepared for intruders."

 

[dmronny]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

"So soon. I wouldn't have expected the fellow to break down so quickly. A shame he had a distinguished look about him. Reminded me of someone I knew once." Richard says as though amused at the prospect of attacking an unknown wizard in his stronghold.

"I'll need to retrieve a few things for this sort of work. Where exactly are we heading?" He added more seriously.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: A Game of Cat and Mouse (Vezina)

Vezina relayed what the gargoyle had told her about where its master's haven lay.

"Prepare as you must then. We will ride ahead to find the Warmaster. His strength will no doubt be of use here. We shall give these blood thieves no chance for escape."

Vezina grinned malevolently, looking forward to trapping these foxes in their holes. Later, if she had her way, she would flay them.