Between Game Actions with Claude:

As Nice becomes unstable, Claude works hard at stabalizing things.... probably one of the worst things a Malkavian could think of doing. Normally, I do not interact too much with the other players between games; I'd rather surprise them during the game.

*****************************************
Roderick:

Claude seems happy at first that the Blood Hunt is over, but you hear him mutter, "Vienna has won... Vienna has won..." Then he comes out of it...

"Roddy... Rodrigo," he says to you, very solmenly, "Thank you for all that you've done. You're assistance was invaluable. You've risked much... a blood hunt, for god's sake. I owe you no small debt." Then he leans in quietly, "Besides... it was fun, wasn't it?"

He makes sure no one is looking. "Now I wish to ask yet aother boon from you. Teach me how to spew shadows forth like you do... In return, I will teach you how to fade from sight without summoning a shadow... or perhaps, if you prefer something a bit more imaginative... I can show you the key to unlocking the chains of emotions... it's amusing to note how once unshackled, many become horribly entangled in their own emotions....

"Wouldn't that be... fun?"

"I agree my friend, but my power of shadows is a secret that has to be kept, I am solemnly sorry but my clanmates would surly kill me if I were to betray their powers, and that would seem to hinder my plans to rule this city..."

"Oh..." Claude's seems to be distant for a moment, eyes seeming to scan the shadows about them. "But this has been a very long night already... you've survived a blood hunt... one that has not yet officially been lifted, I can see that you might only have your clanmates to fall back on. That's understandable."

Claude sighs. "Of course... once they learned how you were instrumental in removing one of their sponsors, and helped bring a new Toreador Prince to power... well, it would be all my fault. You must have an edge... let me at least teach you how to hide in plain sight... and perhaps I can also teach you yet another trick, perhaps how to make another more emotional and apt to make mistakes... and if I were to pick up a trick or two merely from watching you...?"

"Possibly, if you were to "pick up " some of my skills, I would not mind if I was compensated "

"I am in your debt, surely no one will question my spending time with you to repay that debt... would a few hours at midnight each night that I might teach you these things? And perhaps afterwards...? Well, as an artist, I am always interested in the play of shadow and light... perhaps I can show you how to create a more artistic expression of your shadow skills... Toreadors do so much appreciate artistry where ever they find it. Do you know a place we might meet, unobserved?"

***

To the StoryTeller:

Claude looks for an altar boy. A bad altar boy would be good, but one that looks a little like Louisa would be better. 13, 14. Something like that. No older than 16 (he'd be considered a man at that time, I think).

Claude is doing this to act crazy, so it's going to be a little over the top.

Claude ghouls the boy and leads the boy to believe Claude "lives" at the University, in a small death trap hidey-hole (anyone opening the door inward instead of outward at the bottom of the hole will get a load of bricks dumped on them). The chamber will have items of clothing and the petrified remains of a dissected and pinned rat to give it that pinned in look. Later, Claude may casually offer this to the Tremere. The room, not the rat.

He designed this room years ago, thinking he might need it. The falling bricks are merely a device to explain away any bodies that might be found there. It probably isn't enough to kill a vampire, just mortals. Malkavians love practical jokes, you know, and if anyone tries to get information out of his ghoul, then they deserve a few lumps.

The boy, of course, is not allowed to enter the hidey hole.

Claude, of course, pays the boy a "nice" salary and paid his parents a few gold coins. Are these a few leftovers from Jean Paul? Claude cannot recall, but it's still blood money, and that too appeals to the Malkavian sense of humour.

Claude is busy, busy, busy... since it works so well with Dante, Claude abuses the boy sexually after he is fully ghouled and then uses his blood to heal the lad. On the third night, Claude castrates the boy, licking the wound between his legs closed before healing him, so it doesn't grow back. Then he dresses the boy in a dress and a wig from the dress shop that has sewer access. He tells the lad his name is now Louisa and if he ever wants to drink from Claude's wrist again, he will answer to that name only.

Slapping the boy around until he stops crying is not out of the question. Giving "Louisa" a handful of silver and copper coins, Claude will order "her" to get a room at a nearby inn and to get some half decent shoes to go with the outfit he picked out for "her."

He's too busy to kill all the priests like he wanted to do, so he pays a few Jewish men of ill repute to do it for him. He casually plants evidence that these men were doing it all along because you can never be TOO careful.

Claude spends one hour a night for three nights reading erotic love poetry to "Louisa" in her room at the inn. He is gentle and not abusive. He acts as if "she" has always been this way, and he even sketches "her." He lets his ghoul drink from his wrist, as he sips from "her" neck. He makes up things about Louisa and himself and describes their secret pact over the location of the slumbering elder whose name must not be spoken... because why the hell not. He wants them to think he's just plain crazy, after all, and not crazy like a fox.

Claude gives "Louisa" notes to carry into the Chateaux, for now "she" must be a little insane "herself." The notes are, of course, written in "Louisa's" blood on used parchment paper. If all the notes were laid out and combined, one can make out clearly the university building where is NOT HIDING.

The notes are sealed in an envelope with red ceiling wax. There is a note for Bridget, Dolcea, Harold, the Gangrel (Kevin), the baby Gangrel (Jo), and Matt. I'll send you the notes, this way you can decide how to dress the scenes, when they get the notes... and if they get the notes, too, I suppose. This way they aren't obviously from me.

***

The Notes:

*This is the first note Claude will ask "Lousia" to deliver. It is written in French. Let me know if anyone on my list cannot read or cannot read French and I will see that they get a version in French so they will have to ask someone. "Louisa" has all the notes on her person, and has been told what she must say to at least get as far as Dolcea*

Prince Dolcea,

In all things dark, there is ever a light. You shine upon us now,
the dawn to our darkest hour. May your rule be as long and as just
as my darling Louisa's reign has been.

Looking back, I realize it was my failure to return your clanmate to
Nice after we witnessed that first Anarch attack on the Chateuax that
ultimately led to the death of my one true love. I have prayed to
God and he has shown me the path I must follow in order to set things
right.

I have undertaken the first task and performed an ancient ritual to
house Louisa's soul in the shell of this poor child's body. Once
matured, I recommend you bring her across and let her take her place
amongst the Touradors once more. I leave her in your gentle care
until that day shall come, knowing that you would never allow my
Louisa to come to harm, especially since I must leave Nice in order
to complete my other undertaking.

I must take a hairshirt and leave the city. I will not return until
Karnack is safe and away from those fiends. Wish me luck.

Louisa has several notes on her person, but she is still a bit
traumatised over her death and rebirth. Please help her and I will
serve you as welll and as loyally as I served my lady.

-Claude

*This is the second note Claude will ask "Lousia" to deliver in the same night as the others. It is written in French. Let me know if anyone on my list cannot read or cannot read French and I will see that they get a version in French so they will have to ask someone. "Louisa" has all the notes on her person, and has been told what she must say to at least get as far as Dolcea. In theory, at least. Claude once told Harold he only writes notes on the back of used paper, so the partial sketch on the back is important.*

My Dear Bridget,

In all things dark, there is ever a light. There is hope for you
yet, I hope. I will always remember fondly they way you rushed to my
rescue when I approached the farmhouse that first time we met. When
I believed you allied with Jean Claude of your own free will, I must
admit that I thought less of you. And I had already felt slighted by
your lack of manners in not allowing me to introduce you to my most
beloved prince the night of our first gathering in the Chateuax. Of
all things that might be said of a Ventrue, bad manners is rarely
included. I began to suspect that you were not what you seemed, but
now, I retrospect I realize that perhaps you were being modest or you
thought less of me because of that horrible rumour about me being a
Malkavian. Perhaps in my eagerness to introduce my Prince to such a
brave female, I frightened you somehow.

For that, I apologize.

I am on a mission from GOD. His gloriness has shown me how to redeem
myself. Looking back, I realize it was my failure to return Karnak to
Nice after we witnessed that first Anarch attack on the Chateuax that
ultimately led to the death of my one true love. I have prayed to
God and he has shown me the path I must follow in order to set things
right.

This child is Louisa reborn. She is the child of Louisa and myself
might have had in another time. She is mortal still and her memories
of her previous life is vague and indistinct. I have entrusted her
care to Prince Dolcea, but I have a boon to ask of you.

In case I do not return from my raid on the Anarch camp, please teach
my Louisa the skills she needs to avoid the fate that once befell
you. I could not stand to see her debased so.

Please, for surely you must admit that I was not me, you would not
sit in the position you sit in today. I assure you, Louisa is no
threat to you. She is still a bit traumatised over her death and
rebirth. Please help her and I will serve you as well and as loyally
as I served my lady.

By the time you have read this, I have left the city. I will not
return until Karnack is safe and away from those fiends. Wish me
luck.

May God forgive us all.

Your devoted Servent
-Claude

*This is the third note Claude will ask "Louisa" to deliver in the same night as the others. It is written in French. Let me know if anyone on my list cannot read or cannot read French and I will see that they get a version in French so they will have to ask someone. "Louisa" has all the notes on her person, and has been told what she must say to at least get as far as Dolcea. In theory, at least. Claude once told Harold he only writes notes on the back of used paper, so the partial sketch on the back is important. I should also mention that the imprint on the sealing wax is a rat's paw print, specifically from the disected thing in the hidey hole. Some day, Claude will buy a signet ring, I suppose.*

My Dear Harold,

Since we first met and you spoke those four little words, I was drawn
to you. "What Are You Doing Here?" I have been drawn to you. You
are powerful and savage, like my sire, and I have always felt safe in
your arms, even when you are crushing my windpipe or staking my
heart. This is a love we can not speak of, not even in a city as
accepting and as civilized as Nice.

Still, I find myself longing for your touch. Although I love
another, you will always have a special place in my heart. Afterall,
you believed in me when no one else did and you always took care of
me. I will not rest until I see that you are not only sheriff but
primogene of the Brutal clan. Say the word, and I will make your
enemies vanish and your friends stand by your side, for that is where
they shall know it to be safest.

I will always remember fondly they way you rushed to my defense and
approved of my taking the deed to the farm. You always listened to me,
although you knew my secret. Could it be that you housed the same
desire in yourself for me that I let burn in my heart for you? No,
don't answer that, I am better off not knowing, I think.

I never believed for a moment that you allied with Jean Claude. I
knew you were too crafty for that. You knew that as a Malkavian that
I could see patterens invisible to others, I must admit that I was
frightened for but a second until it was made clear to me. You let
the Capanocian come between us, casually manipulating the position of
others in the room with your sheer animal presence... and I suddenly
saw what you needed me to do.

The brillance of your plan astounds me. The blood hunt proved to be
quite a bonding experience between Roddy and myself. If you
suspected he has friends amoung the Anarchs, you are quite right. I
am using that bond you introduced between us to infiltrate the
Anarchs and rescue the one we should have rescued weeks ago.

When I think of all that poor man has suffered by now, I am quite
jealous, really. No matter. I am strong and I take strenght from
your confidence in me, as well.

By the time you have read this, I have left the city. I will not
return until Karnack is safe and away from those fiends. Wish me
luck.

I am on a mission from GOD. I will make you proud of me. Perhaps
when I redeem myself, you will take me in your arms once more... in a
manly way, of course... and perhaps my hands will linger overly long.

Or perhaps not, for you see, this child is Louisa reborn. She is the
child of Louisa and myself might have had in another time. She is
mortal still and her memories of her previous life is vague and
indistinct. I have entrusted her care to Prince Dolcea, but I have a
boon to ask of you.

In case I do not return from my raid on the Anarch camp, please love
my Louisa the way I would have loved her... the way we can not love
each other. I can trust you like no other, my dear sheriff, so
please do not jealous. I assure you, Louisa is no threat to you. She
is still a bit traumatised over her death and rebirth. Please help
her and I will serve you as well and as loyally as I served my lady.

If I survive, I suppose we could share her.

Your loving Servent
-Claude

*This is the fourth note Claude will ask "Louisa" to deliver. It is written in French. Let me know if anyone on my list cannot read or cannot read French and I will see that they get a version in French so they will have to ask someone. "Louisa" has all the notes on her person, and has been told what she must say, in theory, to at least get as far as Dolcea. No signet ring, just a rat's paw print. The back of the notes contains a red herring, when combined.*

>My Savage friend,
>
>You might be surprised to discover what happens when you pass on an
invitation from the Prince. Yes, art is boring to someone such as
yourself, but you missed a blood hunt. Damn lucky you weren't here
for that as I was the huntee, so I thank you for your timing. Or
your disinterest.

I won't bore you with details. I figure you might not be able to
read in any case. A whole lotta shit happened and while I was not to
be blamed (although I was indeed blamed), I realize that I perhaps
was the cause of it all when I look back.

You see, it was my failure to return the Toreador to Nice after we
witnessed that first Anarch attack on the Chateuax that ultimately
led to the death of my one true love, Louisa. I have prayed to
God and he has shown me the path I must follow in order to set things
right. I realize that I should not have come back for help, that if
I had my faith in God and nothing, I would have persaveered. I was
cowardly in my faith and for that the whole city of Nice has
suffered.

Louisa would hate that, so I'm going to fix that. I have undertaken
an ancient ritual to house Louisa's soul in the shell of this poor
child's body. Once matured, Dolcea will embrace her and, perhaps let
he be Prince once more. It is my hope that you can get to know her
better; she always wanted a puppy.

I have left the city. I will not return until Karnack is safe and
away from those fiends. Wish me luck.

Louisa has several notes on her person, but she is still a bit
traumatised over her death and rebirth. Please help her and let me
know if you don't get this note.

-Claude


*This note is the same as the others, but never made it to its recipient, who had been turned into a Gargoyle, apparently... The advice coming a bit too late, I suppose...*

To the Newest Member of Our Family of the Night,

I regret that I have not have time to pursue a more social
relationship with you. Your new world of darkness is a very
frightening place, indeed, and as a neonate you are sure to feel
overwhelmed at times.

The girl delivering this note to you is a prime example of how
frightening this world can be. Once she was Prince but she was
murdered and made mortal once more. Her past is lost to her and her
future is uncertain.

Watch how the Kindred flock about her. Watch how they engineer
events and try to use her to their own purposes. They will be overt,
for she is weak and mortal. As you watch, never forget that the same
games will be played out with you as the target. To some, you are a
resource to be tapped. To others, you are a canvas that they may
wish to paint a picture on. To others, you are clay that they see
fit to mold into a work of art or steel that can be beaten into a
weapon.

Trust no one. Not even me. And if you must trust anyone, trust the
sheriff.

-Claude de Ruen
Toreador

*This is the final note Claude will ask "Louisa" to deliver in the same night as the others. Unlike the others, this written in Italian. In case someone other than Tobias gets it and they cannot read Italian, I'll send out an Italian version of this note, so they will have to ask someone. If they so desire.

"Louisa" has all the notes on her person, and has been told what she must say to at least get as far as Dolcea. In theory, at least. Claude once told Harold he only writes notes on the back of used paper, so the partial sketch on the back is important. I should also mention that the imprint on the sealing wax is a rat's paw print, specifically from the disected thing in the hidey hole.*

My Dear Frind Tobias,

Since we first met over the body of a fallen Kindred and you spoke
those four little words, "My knife or yours?" I have felt a certain
sympathico with you.

I may not make it back alive. I will always remember fondly they way
you rushed to the city's defense and I was quite angry with Jean Paul
for taking credit for your brilliant tactics. I made sure Louisa
understood the truth of the matter and that may well be why Jean Paul
had to kill her.

I am extremely grateful for the way you came between Harold and
myself just before the blood hunt, casually manipulating the position
of others in the room, just as we planned.

The brillance of the plan astounds me. The blood hunt proved to be
quite a bonding experience between Roddy and myself. He has friends
amoung the Anarchs, or so he told me. I am using that bond you
helped introduce between us to infiltrate the Anarchs and rescue the
one we should have rescued weeks ago.

When I think of all that poor man has suffered by now, I am quite
jealous, really. No matter. I am strong and I take strenght from
the knowledge that you are here to help see to the needs of the city.

I am on a mission from GOD.

This messenger is Louisa reborn. She is the child of Louisa and
myself might have had in another time. She is mortal still and her
memories of her previous life is vague and indistinct. I have
entrusted her care to Prince Dolcea, but I have a boon to ask of you.

In case I do not return from my raid on the Anarch camp, please help
her recover her memories of her past life as Prince of Nice. There
are too many secrets her soul holds dear to allow her to take them to
the grave. Please help her and I will serve you as well and as
loyally as I served my lady.

If I survive, I suspect things will get very interesting.

Your Friend in Science,
-Claude

********************