Behind The Veil

[NPC]

Henry “Ham” Johnson had walked the streets of LA for almost 20 years now, knew every back alley and shortcut there was. Yet tonight he took the scenic route, not for his own sake but for his companions. Turning back, he looked at his childer and smiled. “Are you nervous? This is a big night for you after all.” He said with a smile. He knew how determined the young kindred was, having tried futilely to stand back up after the Brujah had so devastatingly beaten him in a fight. A lot of potential in this one, Ham knew it in his blood that Jack was destined for great things.

“Just try to relax and stay calm. And make a good first impression on the Prince, you only get one shot at it.” Smiling to himself, he continued explaining. “Now you know the rules of Elysium, no disciplines, fighting or drawn weapons. Hopefully we’ll be out of there in no time, I’m sure Xavier has more important things to do tonight.”

Eyeing some drunk nightgoers stumbling out of a club, one lip crawled up into a smirk. “If we’re lucky, we can go hunting afterwards while most of the kine are in the clubs. It’s always the ones stumbling out at this time that taste the best.”

[Jack Duhibwher]

Jack turned and gave a sly smile to Ham, 'Right, so smile, play dumb and behave and I get a treat afterwards?"
From his comment and his overall attitude so far it was obvious Jack was barely nervous at all, a fact that seemed to put Ham a touch on edge. Three months prior when Ham had met Jack he was a young headstrong male with everything to prove.... the embrace had done little to change that...

Walking through the crowd Jack stood tall and proud, a Fresh new Brujah ready to make this world his own. His first step was to find his place in it so that he might know how far he must climb. He turned to Ham with an impatient look "where is the Prince's Esylum anyway? I want to get this sorted”

[NPC]

He let out a small laugh at his childe’s bluntness. “Yes, that’s the short of it. I suppose the best advice I can give is to be honest, because you won’t be able to fool a Ventrue.” At least, not without a few centuries of practice and a foolproof plan. As for Jack…he wasn’t nervous, in fact he might possibly have been excited to get this over with. An admirable trait that could also blow up in his face and leave Henry with a pile of ashes as his childer. Best keep an eye on him.

“It’s not too far from here, it’s a nice place. Soft music with a Xen theme, and naturally an office above it all. Xavier has great taste for a Ventrue.” Better than that nightclub Edward used. he mused.

A few more minutes and they were standing at the doors of the esylum, with Henry’s hand on the doorhandle. “Remember, no violence or they’ll be dusting your remains off the carpet.”

[NPC]

The Asian theme of the club was obvious as soon as the doors opened. The pulse of the nightlife beat loudly in the room, as the dancers and drinkers went about their nights. The music and lights kept the kine distracted, while several kindred went about their hunts, trying to find their prey for the evening.

Henry wasn’t here to feed tonight, and led his childe to the staff-only area. The guards, both ghouls, gave the Brujah a look over, confirmed his identity and let them past. The sounds of the club started to fade as they made their way to an elevator and took it up. The as the sounds of the nightclub faded the sounds of a conversation could be heard through the doors.

“-or two, yes. What in particular?” “There's been more thin-bloods there recently. It's starting to get out of hand.” “Ah. I agree. Do we know who's siring them yet?” ”No one is owning up but the Nos are looking into it.” “It couldn't be them, yes? They have...tendencies.” “It's...doubtful. Too visible for their tastes. Xavier needs to start doing something in any case, otherwise this could end rather badly” “I will turn my attention in that direction.” “That'd be great. I'd do it myself but he's talking with the Sherriff at the moment. I don't think she feels like sharing attention.”

The doors opened and revealed two men standing in a corridor in the middle of a conversation. One of them was dressed in torn jeans and a long black shirt with neck-length dark brown hair, while the other had short brown hair and looked dressed like he was planning to sell you a better you. “Hmm, yes. Well, I'm certain Xavier will accept your plan as you've outlined it to me. I'll report back as soon as I've heard something.” The well-dressed man said. “I owe you. Did I interrupt something-“

The other man noticed the doors opening and the two Brujah stepping out of the elevator. It was Henry who spoke first. “James, how is everything tonight?” The dark-haired man shrugged and straightened his posture. “Same old story, different night. Is this your childer?” James looked straight into the fledglings eyes, studying him intently.

“It is. Jack, this is James” he gestured at the Dark Haired man “the Gangrel Primogen, and this is Franklin” with a gesture at the well-dressed man “the Malkavian Primogen.” After the introductions were in completed Ham gave an inquiring look at the Gangrel. “Is Xavier in?” “He is, but he’s meeting with the Sherriff right now, so…” The air got a little bit more still as the implications came to light. “Well…we’ll just wait here until she’s done.”

James gave Jack another look over. “So, you’re the one who picked a fight with a vampire and didn’t know when to quit huh?”

[Jack Duhibwher]

Jack had not expected to meet anyone of note tonight, with the exception of the prince, so he was caught a little off guard by the question. The presence of the primogens made him a little tense, he could feel his beast railing against him, Ham had warned him that when meeting a vampire for the first time their inner beasts would react and that being as young as he was his beast wold likely try to force him to flee... That was indeed an understatement. Fortunately he was able to gather his resolve and suppress his beast and by the looks in the room he gathered the others could sense as much.

Mentally he took a deep breath and resolved to be strong whilst maintaining some respect "Yes that would be me, though I would say that in the long run i lost little and gained much," he said with a sly smile, "besides I've learned much since then so maybe next time I'll win."
after what felt like an awkward eternity but really had been mere seconds he added " but Ham made me promise not fighting tonight, so i suppose we'll have to save it for another time"

[NPC]

As his childe was questioned by the Gangrel, Henry just stood back and watched. He considered this a warm-up for Jack, and a chance to test his skill at adapting to unfamiliar and unexpected challenges. If he could pass this and then get through the meeting of the Prince okay than he was more than just a flash in the pan. If he failed than after tonight Ham would never have to even look at the Australian ever again.

James meanwhile tried to get a handle on this new kindred as Franklin observed. He was confident and maybe a little arrogant, and probably would be getting into trouble soon. Just let the Sherriff handle it. He thought before replying. “That’s good, with Sherriff Ford here Ham would have to go home with an urn if you tried starting something.” He thought back to the office behind him, and a small part of him was curious as to what the Sherriff and the Prince were talking about. With any luck it’d be the same thing he’d be planning on talking with him about, but it was more probable they were discussing how to deal with some trouble-makers.