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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2014 3:56:26 GMT
Nicholas had sent a missive to the Kashpaya, his presence was required at the club, he had gathered some information it was minor to say the least, but it was a start, he had a wife in L.A and he was originally from New Orleans he should have came to Nicholas by now, but sadly he did not. it was just a matter of respect that one sought the master of the city when they came to live in a given area. Nicholas just pinned it for later, if the snake was willing to make use of himself then Nicholas would leave it on his personal ledger as a generational thing. Nicholas would be willing to forgive the snake this transgression if they would be able to work together.
Nicholas had heard whispered on the wind that new lion was hanging around in the city, while he ran a rather lucrative business in the drug trade, he wanted to allow Sasha to deal with her own affairs before he would interact with the lion. as well he could possibly be of some use as it a few curious deaths were due to a new drug that was laced with vampire blood. His kiss was all accounted for so it would only make sense that they imported a vampire for his area and that would require someone to be punished, not because of any vampire brotherhood or solidarity but because no money was forth coming, if someone wanted to play drug lord kingpin that would be fine, but to cross the bridge they had to pay the toll.
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Oct 30, 2014 16:54:02 GMT
Remy walked into the club foregoing the line of would be fame-seekers by entering through the service entrance. The apron he’d thrown on over his clothes completing a disguise that made him all but invisible. No one paid attention to the cooks. It was just a thing. He thought it was a safety feature to keep the rich and entitled from growing a conscience. Taking off the apron once he was into the kitchen He made his way first downstairs scouting the place. It wasn’t overly large as things went but according to what was on public record there shouldn’t be a downstairs yet there clearly was. Heading back up through the kitchen he made his way to the show floor of the club. Security was watchful yet they’d miss him because he moved like he owned the place. That and he wasn’t dressed in six hundred dollar jeans or a five-hundred dollar shirt. To them that spoke of utilitarian. That meant he was the muscle so he was automatically one of them. They gave him a respect that none of the actors would be musician or models dancing and lounging would ever get.
All in all it would be easy to get in to pull an action if that was what was needed. The problem would be in escaping unscathed. Too many vantage points and angles of attack. It would definitely be a one way trip without a significant force. Luckily, Remy had no intentions of attacking just getting a feel for the place and the man behind it. Moving to the VIP area Remy didn’t pause nor stop as the meat shield there finally realized his destination. Remy had a choice and not one he would give anyone again. As the man stepped to bar his path Remy stepped forward stomping the heel of his foot down on the mans foot following through with bringing his head down into the railing hard enough to have his ears ringing. He continued his follow through with nudging the man aside as he continued up the stairs. It all happened quickly enough that not even the woman who was talking to the man knew what had actually happened. Remy came into the elevated VIP area clearing his throat as the security there sized him up.
“Nicholas, you asked to see me here I am. I would have preferred to have found a way to make myself useful to the city before meeting you but, here I stand. How are you?”
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2014 3:06:54 GMT
It always starts with the little assumptions that and the little lies one tells themselves. Nicholas was thinking these very thoughts when the silent alarm triggered. the trust that one assumes to have is what always gives one away. Nicholas tugged on the small cloth that covered the monitor, seeing that it was the Kashyapa Nicholas gave the order to his chief of police to cancel the police and to join him in his vip suite. The snake had almost the perfect plan, almost, except many modern day would be robin hoods of late have burst through the back door or the ceilings, of the would be stores. this would have been flawless at the turn of the century perhaps even two thousand and five, however those years are sadly in the past.
the camera just eight feet inside the back door watched as everyone entered and left. within the vest of the wait staff and the aprons are microchips whose sole purpose was to clock in and clock out the wait staff which kept their time sheets down to the minute. If Nicholas had trusted his employees he would have assumed they would tell the truth as far as their time and pay. f course this was not the culture that Nicholas fostered, he was more like the man who saw everything and acted on little. he kept meticulous books, every penny was accounted for so it was with smile that Nicholas greeted his chief of security as he entered the room.
"Cole let him come. We sent for him, let us see what he has to offer. "
The omnidirectional multi lenses camera followed him down to the basement and to the crowd before losing him in the press of bodies it wasn't until he bounced the skull of the poor bouncer that the camera recaptured his image, Niholas waved off the chief of security what silently fumed as the snake made his martially trained vampire look like unnamed mooks in an action movie.
as the door burst inward the security chief started in that direction, Nicholas calmly raised his hand halting the vampire he knew Nicholas wrath and was smart enough to know how to stay away from the white hot pit of rage. covering the monitor with a quick flick of his wrist. Nicholas whirled around in his seat to face the man who had exposed a few weaknesses in his security. those would be sealed by the end of the night.
"I see that you have made it to where i stand and for that you should be congratulated. you are showing value already..."
Nicholas stroked his chin as he thought on his next statement.
"Yes here you are, what brings you to this city and will you be staying in my city?"
Nicholas acted the man direct questions as his bearing screamed military, solder, and from experience they tended to like things spelled out in easily digestible chunks.
"Come lets talk we have things to discuss about how you could help the city."
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Oct 31, 2014 3:26:54 GMT
Remy fought the good natured smile that flitted to his face as matter of fact. It was his blank gface and while it was nonthreatening, easy going and seemingly as open as all of outdoors he knew it would work against him in this situation. The master of the city was flanked by gaurds and he was sure more were only a few steps away. By his nonplussed bearing Remy knew he had been made from the moment he hit the stairs here or maybe from his very entrance. He wasn’t sure how to file that away and so he would just leave that for another time. Clearing his throat he moved into the room opening his jacket one for his own mobility should it be needed and to show he came bearing no excess weaponry. He couldn’t help the slight tang of gun oil that stuck to him. He’d been showing a few nest members how to field strip and maintain their firearms. It kept him busy and gave him something to do with himself that he hoped would be useful.
“Failure and past mistakes brings me. But I hope to have a better time of things now that I am back.” He wouldn’t address the death of Hakim the former Kashyapa those scant few years ago unless he had to. He wouldn’t lie but he wouldn’t volunteer either. He had no clue whom Hakim had been working for and as such would not open that box unless he had to. He was surprised that the Nest had all but dried up in the years he’d been away. They had run a good portion of the drug trade and had branched out into girls before he had ended Hakim. He was sure his second would have stepped right into his shoes. As there wasn’t any hide or hair of them he was busy doing what he could to find gainful employment for his Nest until his permits came through for the eatery and food truck.
"I’d like to grow a business and stay on the legal side of the city, for me and my Nest. I haven’t truly regained the lay of the land or the flow of things but we can be fast studies. Is there something you and the Kiss want, from the Nest? "
He knew full well that a sufficiently strong vampire didn’t need to make eye contact to cause things to happen so he met the dark as nights vampires eye. He forced himself to discount the other men in the room as it was obvious who was the power and who would decide the course of the evening.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 6:02:48 GMT
Nicholas took in the words, almost absorbed then more than listened. He wanted much from the nest, however he would collect from the nest very little, at least until they gathered sufficient strength. For the briefest of moments Nicholas ever present grin wilted, it faded from his face as he looked back over the crowd, he had thought how best to answer the man who stood before him. Normally his response would have been cryptic, as Nicholas knew things in the city was fluid, but as of now he needed something that none of his people could do.
"Well Kashyapa, from the nest I require much, however I will ask very little of you. As you see the previous nest blew away in the wind. The current pride rumbling seems to have tapered off. What I require from the nest right this moment are their eyes and their mouths. I need to know what is happening in the lycanthrope community."
Nicholas had knew of the rumors that him are the person who removed Hakim, but normally he allowed most the clans the freedom to be what they needed to be. unless it put the city in danger.
"I have seen much this evening, as such I am curious as to see can you and your kind handle a more focused role. can you verify and as need be act as my eyes?"
Nicholas let his face go back to its unreadable smile. He had wanted the Regina to be the city's shield but her movements had tapered until nothing. the new lion that surfaced seemed to had took her place however he had not presented himself. that would have to change rather quickly, but before Nicholas moved he wanted to have all of his ducks set in a row.
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Nov 6, 2014 3:24:03 GMT
Nicholas took in the words, Remy’s mouth went dry at what Nicholas was suggesting. He was quick enough on the uptake that he could see that Nicholas was tying the Nest to the Kiss in no subtle way. F word spread they while having his protection would be on the outs with everyone that knew of the connection. He didn’t see any way out of the offer without offending. He was between a rock and a hard place. He knew how detail focused vampires could be when offended. He had no choice but to accept as he had no idea why Nicholas was pursuing what was happening within the lycanthrope community but if a master of the City felt the inclination to involve themselves he knew there was not much anyone could do to stop it.
"May I ask why you the Master would take an interest in what the clans are doing? I can’t see how if they are staying to themselves and not causing the city any issues why you would…care. "
Remy cursed himself as he knew that many small minded or even just arrogant persons would take his question as everything but what it was. He wanted to know what he was becoming wrapped into. He was asking a directly indirect question. It was as politic as he could manage. He knew it wasn’t enough but there was not much he could do about that except fumble through. Being honest he had to admit the idea of actively serving a cause again would be like a welcome home. He however wasn’t eager to place his nest into such a dangerous position.
"I don’t mean to offend but I am curious? I have more than myself to consider, my Nest came with me on my return here. My ex-wife has helped us settle in. My family back home is counting on me to not to make a mess of things, so in short I have to consider how anything and everything would affect all of them. "
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2014 3:53:40 GMT
Nicholas thought for a few hearbeats he could either, bring the young snake king into his confidence or tell a more pleasant lie. looking the Kashyapa in the eye his unease was hidden but yet it shown bright as a beacon in the foggy night. it would be Nicholas that brings the fangs and wild unfocused aggression and turn it into the tip of sword for L.A. The lycanthropes are hinge that the plan, however without a strong community of lycanthropes to draw upon his plan will not work and the city would be in danger.
"Well to answer your question. Any city needs a strong community that works and believes in one another. The Regina that came to the city I had vetted and approved of disappeared and the current Rex has stayed away from even paying the slightest of courtesy of giving an introduction, this disrespect can not stand, however without destroying the lions I need a lycanthropes who is willing to work with me for the city not against me. I have his name and more than enough information to confront him, sadly I had hoped that he would be smart enough to not require a missive."
Pausing Nicholas thought about his next thought,
"If your nest is willing to work with me, i will be willing to offer aid for you as well."
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Nov 10, 2014 4:10:31 GMT
Remy sighed, rock meet hard place he thought. Squinting at the Master of the city he pushed his mind to move faster than it wanted. He reached for every scrap he could glean for Nicholas’s statements. Vampires were notoriously hard to read especially when they wanted to be. He had the sinking suspicion that Nicholas wanted to be as opaque as night wrapped black to a blind man. The wool was being sufficiently pulled and yet there was an air about that man that said he was being as honest as he knew how to be. It made Remy nervous as nothing else could. He was already in over his head and he hadn’t even managed a to make the faintest footprints as far as the preternatural community was concerned. The Nest it seemed were invisible to all save the one Fae he’d made meet of or the Master of the city. Neither it seemed had the long term concerns of the Nest anywhere in their view of things.
"I wasn’t smart enough either. Its not generally a concern of most Masters what the clans do so long as the city isn’t threatened. I know all too well how merciful Masters can be when their cities are threatened even in the loosest sense of the meaning." He knew he was stalling he hoped it didn’t show too much. “I don’t want to offend but I don’t honestly want to say yes as I am a man of my word. I know I can’t say no I am hoping you would give me a third option until the Nest is more established on its own footing. I have as much faith as anyone in the strength of Masters of the City, but I am recently a victim of a Master’s kindness and I would like to have more to offer than the strength of my arm and the reputation of my nest.”
Realizing he could be spitting in the masters face if he was a sensitive sort Remy braced for the worst. It was better to have it out now than to get in too deep and have the rug pulled out from beneath him again.
"I don’t want you to think me a rude upstart, that’s not my thing. It’s that I don’t see you as a friendly being and as such I don’t want the nest as it is to be an asset that you discard the moment we displease or underperform. We are human and we will but, well what I am saying instead of going steady I’d like us to get to know each other if we can before we get hot and heavy…"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 2:38:40 GMT
Nicholas eyes became harder, It was not a pleasant thing and Nicholas was not a man who took kindly to being told no. Remy was basically asking to enjoy the fruits of the others, the freedoms that all in the city enjoyed without having to pay any of the up cost to keep the city free. Looking into Remy's eyes to see if the man had any reason to be kept around. Nicholas could see the fear in the man's eyes that Gave Nicholas pause, not for any misplaced emotional attachment, but because he could have a value if he would only get out of his own way and allow the nest to develop. From what Remy was asking it was as if he wanted the nest to grown within a vacuum, to grow without the requirement of leaning on others as well as being to be leaned on. To be enhanced by the strength of the others as well as having their strength enhanced.
“Let me ask you one thing from a solders point of view. When you enlisted why did you enlist?, a second question if I may,”
Nicholas continued without allowing Remy to answer the first.
“When you enlisted knowing that you could be killed did you do it to protect this nation or was it for a more monetary reason?”
Remy’s chances to stay within the city, perhaps even his life, hovered on how he answered the questions of this little chat that they were having. If he did not wish to pull his own weight then he would be a parasite, and the city was much too fragile to sustain one who refused to do their part. As the thoughts of those that lost their lives during the purge he would not nor could not harbor those who not help the city they would be cast into the same boat as those that would be enemies of the city.
Nicholas rubbed the ghost of facial hair that marred shaded his chin. Thinking how best to speak the next words. He did not wish to help the city in any way, however he would rather have his nest be equal and yet separate, he would be protected by the strength of Nicholas but yet be beholded to no one because he would have no ties.
“Perhaps a possibility for that could be held if the city was stronger, however at this moment all that is keeping the Fae and the clans of San Diego from feasting on this city is me, so while what strength I have it going protecting the city who do I and my kiss rely upon for aid? I will allow you the think on that before we continue as you are enjoying the strength of the kiss but you return nothing and I am sure that you did not want your nest to live in such a manner.”
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Nov 23, 2014 4:09:30 GMT
Remy bit his cheek until it bled as Nicholas attempted to paint him into even more of a corner than he was in. He choked down the hot edge of his anger at the outright threat sitting in the vampires words. Swallowing not out of nervousness or fear Remy moved further into the room. He stole more space for himself. He fixed Nicholas with a look that spoke far more simply than anything else ever could. Kill me now or die trying. He was outmatched in the moment. He wouldn’t always be. He was outgunned but just barely. He wouldn’t always be. He had learned early on that gun barrel logic and diplomacy was the surest way to make not only enemies but enemies who would devote themselves to the one moment when the lead dog was at his weakest. Not out of any sense of a power grab but simply for that one moment when they could stand over the one thing that made them feel less, made them feel powerless, when their position was used as a weapon against them.
“I enlisted to keep from being a gangster. I excelled because I devoted myself to a cause greater than myself. I killed because I had to and spared lives when I could. You want the nest to tie itself to you,”
Remy paused choosing his words very carefully as he was a man of his words as well as the spirit in which they were said.
“You don’t leave any option save yes, which I am sure you know full well. So fine. You have your answer. Alls I was asking was time so that we could know each other more fully before such an arrangement could be had on as equal footing as possible. We, the Nest and I are not freeloaders. You say this is the cost of making this city our home. Fine we will pay. If there is nothing else you know how to get word to me. Though a simpler route is my number…”
Closing the distance to one merely of the thin desk between them he reached across taking a pen a scrap of paper from the stationary there. Quickly jotting down his number he left it on the desk. Turning on his heel he made his way to the door. Pausing at the door he waited for the other shoe to fall. Nicholas struck him as a power monger and good intentions aside power mongers didn’t play well or fairly with others.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2014 23:10:22 GMT
Nicholas smiled as Remy turned in response to his prodding. it was this fire that the city was thirsting for. This was the rage that was as sweet as wine to Nicholas, he could not hold himself accountable to his little indulgences. he sipped on that white hot fire that Remy let swirl around him. in his moment had discord Nicholas saw through to the man underneath the shield. As Nicholas absorbed that snack of rage, he thought of just what he wanted to say.
"Remy, I know that you wanted to grow into yourself, quietly grow into your own strength, that can be respected, but that fierceness is what the city and I need. While you are growing in strength I know you are on the side of the city and not seduced by the Fae. That knowledge is invaluable in ways that are just outside of everyone's purview. Go get stronger we will talk again."
Nicholas watched as the Kashyapa walked away. He sent a thought to one of his vampires to gather intel as to why Remy was forced to leave New Orleans. He may have to place a call to Gates. It had been at least A hundred years since he last has any communications with the centuries old vampire perhaps it would be good timing to look him up and see what he could gleam from the vampire.
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Post by Pika on Nov 25, 2014 7:39:58 GMT
After that first meeting with the Master of City Nicholas, Sasha had gone silent somewhat intentionally. It wasn't that she wanted him to think she had gone but for her to really form an opinion of the vampire it was easier to disappear. Aminta had known she was still there but that was between the two of them and not meant for common knowledge. Also she had hoped that with her seemingly gone others would arrive, and one had incidentally. Whether it was because he had known there was another alpha in the area or he simply hadn't known or even cared, the point was that he was there. She had yet to meet the lion but soon that would change.
Tonight she was dressed nicely in a simple black mid thigh halter style dress paired with black and silver strappy heels, in other words not too slutty. Having spent the last several weeks getting a feel for Nic without him realizing for whatever reason she had decided she needed to pop back out. As such she didn't hide her entrance or aura proceeding her into his club. Upon entering she caught the scent of snake and wondered at. Obviously she wasnt the only lycanthrope in residence but instead of investigating she spent her time out on the floor dancing with the human males. At some point one or both would realize she was there. Even she knew it was difficult to ignore a lioness that had opened herself in the way she had.
And if she wasnt mistaken the snake was headed her way, perfect.
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Post by Remy Saint-Vilme on Nov 26, 2014 7:46:47 GMT
Remy squinted as he read and reread the situation. It tallied up mostly the same but the number had moved. He choked back the childish churlishness that threatened to spill from him like a geyser. Instead he held on to a thought that had just cropped up. He smirked at Nicholas’s speech. He saw it for what it was a small moment of the true man or at least his intentions. But as his Mamere always said the road to hell was paved with good intentions.
Not trusting himself to not speak petulantly, Remy nodded and moved out of the vampires presence out of his office down back into the club itself. As he did his head filled with thoughts jumbling and bouncing into one another he caught scent of another lycanthrope. Not any lycanthrope but an alpha and it set his teeth on edge. His mind immediately went to a set up at the hands of Nicholas. Especially as the words of Kai came flooding to the surface. He was in no mood and couldn’t trust his own anger so instead of the usual song and dance he made his way to the center of the power. Making no attempts at subtlety or subterfuge. As he closed on the golden haired lioness he opened his arms making sure she knew he came with no intent of violence.
As she danced he stalked until they were in conversational distance with one another. "Good evening, I’m Remy."
As far as greetings went it was a little anemic but he was okay with that. He even gave himself credit for even being angry enough to melt stone he managed to keep his accent to a dull roar.
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Post by Pika on Nov 26, 2014 23:06:55 GMT
Sasha smirked to herself as the snake closed in on her, he had done exactly as she had hoped he would. She continued dancing all the while he was working his way into her circle and still she didn't stop until she had placed herself nearly against his body. In a way it bothered her that he was a snake but that mostly had to do with him being cold blooded versus her hot. And unless the man gave her a reason to dislike him from the start she would do her best to ignore the snake part of him.
After he told her his name she finally came to a stop facing him and she smiled openly. Tonight she wasn't at all interested in hiding and she let it show in her face. Hopefully he wouldn't get the wrong idea though but even so it probably wouldn't be a big deal. "Well hello Remy, I am Sasha. Nice to meet you. I noticed you were meeting with Nicholas... Mind if I ask what your impression of him was?" Sasha knew the vampire in question would know neither of them had left and could probably see them if he tried. But for now she bumped Remy and headed to get a drink hoping he would follow.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 2:51:17 GMT
Nicholas watched as Remy walked out. Drinking the last droplets of rage that had filled in the room when the feeling of a lioness entered the building. It was Sasha, Nicholas has actually thought she was removed from play as he had hard whispers on the wind that the Fey was actually moving at their normal glacial pace. Nicholas had heard that something was about to happen. From his vantage point he could feel the two alpha beast converging. He watched as the two of them began speaking thoughts of how LA coming back to life through them and their clans. Nicholas could not help but let the corners of his mouth pull into a smile.
Gregor walked in handing Nicholas a manila envelope. Pictures of one of the twins at LAX had his stomach clench tightly. Where one twin appeared the other would emerge like a opposite side of a coin. He had hoped that it was a mistake as either twin landing would be bad, really bad. The wounds of the purge were still fresh in the minds of the city the scars were still fresh on the skin and soul of the city. if the Arcadians have gotten a new champion or two then the work that Nicholas had pushed had just gotten a lot harder. While Nicholas did not believe in coincidence, he also knew that things happened for a reason. The city was growing strong so now the Arcadians were cropping up to cut the legs from under the city before it had a chance to stand.
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