A Diversion

[Smoothie]

On his walk back to his haven, Wic contemplates his position in the city and feels he needs to meet some more vampires. He is very alone right now and could really use a 'crew'.

It's still early in the night and he decides not to head back just yet. He hails a cab and heads into town where he is more likely to meet some of his kind.

[Storyteller]

The cab moves off downtown. You sit back on the seat, trying to relax slightly, to get comfortable, but you don't quite feel right. You look out of the window. You can tell as you get further downtown, as the density of the crowds, and the numbers of drunk people steadily rise. Finally, the cab pulls up outside the Carnival Club. You've never been a great socialite, but Sundown's joint is one of the few places you've been several times. It's a nice atmosphere. Far more relaxed, and less archaic feeling than most of the Elysiums in the city.

You descend the stairs into the basement bar, the bouncer nodding, perhaps in recognition, you're not sure, at you as you go past. It's quite busy tonight, most of the tables are taken, but only 2 people sit at the bar, both chatting away to the figure leaning back in the shadows behind the bar - almost certainly Sundown.

[Smoothie]

Victor grinds his teeth in preperation of the Taint as he enters the place.

He heads to the bar and sits one stool away to the left of the two at the bar. He doesn't avoid eye contact and nods with reserved respect to any who meet his gaze. He orders a drink and wonders why he came. It's no fun trying to break into any social scene and this one is potentially more dangerous than the one he recently fled. But, going at it solo is even more hazardous, yes, that's why, so here he is.

[Storyteller]

The taint rises, the taint falls, like a quickly ebbing tide. It's no effort to resist it. This time.

Sundown fetchs you your drink, mixed with the obligatory amount of blood, to make it drinkable to kindred. He pauses for a moment and speaks to you.

"Good evening to ya, er, Vic, isn't it?"

[Smoothie]

He nods and replies with his thick accented, deep, scratchy voice. "Yes, and you are Sundown, yes?" He looks around nodding at the crowd. "Busy night."

[Storyteller]

"Heh, yeah, must be a full moon, all the loonies we've got in here tonight." His expression suddenly changes, and he leans closer, whispering.

"Seriously though, have you heard the news?"

[Smoothie]

Wic raises his eyebrows. "No, I haven't. What news?" It comes out sounding like, 'Vat noose?'

[Storyteller]

"Well, nothing concrete and official has been said about it yet, but the Prince has called a meeting about it, tomorrow night at the old theatre, if you didn't know, but supposedly, there was an attempt on his, uh, 'life' tonight. News travels fast, if not entirely reliably, which is one reason why it's so buzzing tonight. Not quite sure what to make of it myself, but i guess we'll be hearing about it tomorrow."

[Smoothie]

Coming from the life he had, Victor understands how things could change now. Arguably the most powerful being in New Orleans is very unhappy. If the one responsible is caught, then damage should be minimal. More likely, however, he will ebb into a sort of panic, perhaps without even losing his temper and strike out... collateral damage could affect many and ripples could affect more...

"Hmmm... That could be bad. Hopefully the foiled assassin was caught and we can avoid any mad inquisition."

He puts on a face of cold apathy and scans the room, wondering if the assassin is here, or if anyone else involved is, or if any of the afore mentioned inquisitors are already here.

It's a damn inconvenient situation, but good luck he is here. Better to show one's face at such times than to be percieved as hiding.

[Storyteller]

Sundown straights up, and increases the volume and tone of his voice, back to that of a normal, jovial conversation.

"So then Vic, i don't know much about you. What brings you here this night, of all nights?"

[Smoothie]

The wine of solitude has grown sour. I haven't been here long and haven't made enough... acquaintances. Perhaps I can make some acquaintances here, though I see it may not be the best night for that.

"What time is the meeting called for tommorrow night?"

[Storyteller]

"Midnight. The old Orpheum theatre."

"Actually, i'd've said, if anything, tonight was a better night than any to make aquaintances. Everyone's talking, so people are likely to be less cagey to strangers, but they'll still probably be more paranoid than ever."

[Smoothie]

"Ah yes, good point."

Victor looks at Sundown with a slight grin. "This is quite a nice setup you have here. Would you mind if I ask you, do you have membership in any sort of organization? Or do you exsist by your own network of connections? If you feel I am prying, please, excuse me, we could just speak of the weather."

[Storyteller]

"Myself? I'm Unaligned, friend. I've often been told that, with some of my connections, I could do pretty well in the political scene if i declared some alligences, but i'm much happier where i am - dead neutral, if you'll pardon the pun. Some people call me a Harpy - one of the gossip mongers of the city, with the added bonus of not having any political agenda. I find my position to be the most accommodating, for me, and for others, rather than getting broiled up in the world of politics. Why do you ask?"

[Smoothie]

Victor presses his lips together in thought for a moment before answering, "I have yet to establish myself here. My position is currently fragile, not having many connections or affiliations. On the bright side I have no enemies... yet. But I am uncomfortable this way, it is not a position with any leverage or security and I would like to change that."

He wonders, too late, if he is divulging too much to this 'neutral' being. He gives a slight shrug and tries to read Sundown.