Celeste: Well besides Cecilia there's no Kindred who likes LaCroix, because I wouldn't count Kat in. It's more love/hate/I-want-to-choke-that-ass! thing, uh you know what I mean...I hope, haha
Thanks to Topgallant (MOAR Jan!!111) and rednightmare (Poor Jan, the fate of being Dutch) for the reviews!
Edit: D'oh I so screwed up at naming the chapter...
The silence of the neonate after Jan's question gave the answer away. For him it was very refreshing to talk with young Kindred instead of scheming Princes or Primogen. Young ones were so easy to see through, making all those complicated bargains refreshingly relaxing. Of course Jan was aware of Falkner's predicament, being dependent on the Prince's clemency. In the past his way crossed often with that of the French Ventrue, because of business and not to mention the fact that his sire Hardestadt was also one of Sebastian's mentors. What didn't quite fit into the puzzle was the fact that it seemed like she still maintained a free will. This wasn't Sebastian's diction, it never was and regarding all the accusations towards the Prince of L.A. Jan was sure that one of his key figures would be totally obedient towards him. All those accusations and rumours were the real reason why he had to visit Los Angeles. Though not yet an Archon he wielded all of those powers and authority and it seemed less like an open threat, however Jan never underestimated Sebastian. His clanmate was ambitious and his skill had taken him far without being a privileged childe like himself.
Jan revised all the facts in his mind for a brief moment. First, a majority of the Primogen were worried and scared in Jan's opinion. The recent Final Deaths of nearly all of them – exceptions being the Tremere and the Nosferatu Primogen – in a very short amount of time; such things happened in a contested territory, however the crucial point for the elders wanting him to take a deeper look into the affairs of Los Angeles was the treachery of Sir Richard Hargreaves. The elders of clan Ventrue were upset upon hearing that one of their selected Primogen was an antitribu, wagering that this was all a scheme inside a scheme. At least that was what Jan was thinking. As always the elders remained all silent about their real aims. Or was it more because of the rumours about the Ankaran Sarcophagus? Jan never believed in the myth of Caine and his Antediluvians, however voices were heard that Sebastian didn't want to take the artifact into Camarilla custody but wanted to use it for his own agenda, gaining power from the supposed-to-be-in-there sleeping Antediluvian. Such a Prince would threaten the Camarilla's credibility, which was a severe issue with regard to Los Angeles' political situation and their aim to reclaim it. Not to mention the rumours that Sebastian had forged an alliance with the Kuei-Jin. On the other hand the last rumour had sparked out more from the Anarch ranks. How much truth lay in there was in question and it was his assignment to find out the truth. However Jan couldn't deny that he was biased towards Sebastian. Organizing this city with European standards in mind, labelling all this Gehenna craze as a craze appealed to Jan, yet also using more unconventional methods to achieve victory over enemies was something he preached without pause. If the Camarilla didn't adapt at least some new elements of the modern time he feared they would slide into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sebastian did adapt some new elements. In their conversation he'd labelled the Anarchs as some kind of guerrilla and terrorists, seeing the Camarilla as a force of oppression. They needed to convince them that they weren't and it would be a bad idea to treat them as such, rather taking care of the messes they created and maintaining the order. The Prince quoted Joseph Joubert about the topic: All are born to observe order, but few are born to establish it. "Let them think of themselves as Anarchs, as long as they obey the laws of the Camarilla." Jan couldn't agree more, having seen powerful Princes slain because they were too sloppy or too engulfed in personal affairs to keep an eye on the Anarchs or even on their own childer, like the deceased Prince Garlotte of Baltimore whose Final Death was caused by his own progeny he probably Embraced out of feelings, which didn't suit clan Ventrue. There he got his bill. Which brought him back again to Sebastian. His childe was well chosen, albeit a bit too young in Jan's opinion. Anyway she had potential but needed a few decades of education, though he was still surprised that this was Sebastian's choice of childe, her being from an importing business of antiquities and all. The Prince had always been more focused on natural resources. Oil and diamonds from Africa, his newest addition to his corporation being a baby formula company. Perhaps he was searching for alternative branches. Still, there was something off Jan couldn't put his finger on; even more that he kept his childe pretty much out of the spotlight. Out of fear? Sebastian? Never, and he'd put her, this illegally-sired Kindred he now scrutinized, into all the politicking. Jan had a theory, albeit a very daring and farfetched one, but oddly enough with it everything made sense, only the reason was still in question.
"The Prince represents the Camarilla." Finally Fräulein Falkner was answering, however it was not really an answer and to be honest, Jan had only wanted to corner her. Usually he wouldn't bluntly ask such questions when dealing with more experienced Kindred.
"He does, that doesn't answer my question. Would you cover up for him, if he were to betray the Camarilla?" He dragged his glasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on. Then he opened up a file which rested on the table. "I am aware of your predicament, being dependent on the Prince, but your skill is widely recognised." Jan's plan was simple, yet efficient in his opinion. He could prove if his daring assumption was right and if not, he would have time to investigate the odds further. Katherine was young, however her achievements were astonishing and being the progeny of Alexander Turner, a mere common Ventrue of weaker blood it was so much more puzzling. "Rest assured that someone else will take care of you, if he wouldn't. In fact, I'm interested myself in your abilities." And he could see the surprise on the neonate's face. Jan speculated of course that Sebastian must have made several attempts to ensure her loyalties. That is why he observed the events in Los Angeles at first from Amsterdam and arrived very late in the city to prevent a hastily forced Blood Bond and it seemed he wasn't too late.
"I don't know what this is all about but the Prince never did anything to betray the Camarilla." It wasn't enough to shake off Jan Pieterzoon. Perhaps there was something else. It wasn't very polite to dive into the mind of a fellow clanmate but she wouldn't notice it.
"Sebastian said you opened the artifact, known as the Ankaran Sarcophagus, on your own without his permission." Her expression looked a bit sour. Seemed like it was a crucial spot.
"Yes I did it. I was curious to see why a whole city was in an uproar because of a thing which you can find in any museum." Slowly, her face showed less anger.
"Perhaps this was for the best. Sebastian wanted to open it in front of the Primogen to put an end to the ruckus about it. In an instant, the whole upper echelon of Kindred would have been obliterated." This would have been indeed a disaster but a major success for the Anarchs and Jan was tempted to believe this version more, also seeing that the neonate was very sensitive about this topic. Without a doubt, Sebastian's punishment must have been harsh despite the fact she'd saved all the important Kindred of this city with her indiscreet action. However it didn't fit in the frame that the Prince was after the mummy, even if he claimed that it was all part of his agenda. Sebastian may sometimes be reckless or even adapt modern ways, but he wouldn't put his life at stake like Jan also would never do it. How could he trust Katherine so much? There was a way to find it out. Jan caught the gaze of the young Ventrue, brushing shortly over some memories and found what he didn't expect to find. He couldn't read minds or anything thereof, but skilled in dominate he could sense anomalies. It was perfectly weaved into the memories, finely trimmed to fit into the thoughts perfectly with the craft of a master. The only reason why Jan didn't miss it was the fact that it seemed to already have been drawn forth a bit, violated by a stranger. It was enough evidence now to think that his theory wasn't so farfetched anymore, to look deeper into it. "About Sir Hargreaves who betrayed the Camarilla: did you really encounter him?"
"Yes. It was him who instructed me in the barbaric ways of the Sabbat. I'm sure it was him, however the only lesson I drew forth from those teachings was, that such a disgusting way of life I don't want to live. It was a valuable lesson." He could spot the sincerity in the words, a flicker of pain in the eyes and Jan could only imagine what horrors she could mean with the word instruction. It reminded him a bit of Victoria, albeit she wasn't a single bit as beautiful as the seductive and enchanting Toreador.
"Allow me one last question, Fräulein Falkner." Putting down his glasses again and placing them on the table, Jan leaned back into his seat as the woman nodded. "Would you accept my request to accompany me back to Amsterdam when I'm finished here? I would be from this point on your mentor." He was the childe of Hardestadt. If she were to decline his offer it would be a sign of foolishness, or something else. Sebastian seemed not to have warned her about the possibility that Jan would ask her about events regarding the Prince. Either he was really not aware of it – which Jan hardly doubted – or he simply had nothing to hide. Another possibility could be that Sebastian just wanted to give this impression, so that Jan would let loose. As much as he knew Sebastian, Sebastian knew him.
"It sounds intriguing. I'd like to think about it first, please, but I would really like to go back to Europe." Roots never withered fast and Amsterdam wasn't as far away from her roots as Los Angeles was.
"Of course and as a sign of my sincerity, I'd like to give you some advice about one of our clan gifts." Everything Jan now said was aimed at finding more clues, even the offer to take her under his wing was carefully planned and now executed. "How far have you gotten with ensnaring the mortal mind? If you feed on them, how do you do it so you don't violate the Masquerade?"
"Well, I order them to sleep, so they don't witness it." Like he thought.
"With enough practice you can erase their memories about those events but not only this, also any other memories you can draw forth but you need to have knowledge of it. With even more practice you will be able to instill false memories." It was really amusing how the eyes of the neonate went larger. "The next step would be ensnaring a mind over time, filling their minds with subtle whispers and urges. They will grow more open to your will, however, they lose a lot of their so refreshing passion and imagination, becoming limp husks like..." He massaged his bridge of the nose. "...yes, like the Prince's Sheriff." Carefully Jan gazed over his hand at the neonate, noticing how confused she was.
"Whispers? Isn't that something only the Malkavians can do with their dementation?" Again Jan was pleased that he'd hit the right spot. Young ones were so easy to manipulate.
"If they instill fear and madness? Yes, but if they give you urges you've never had, then I have to disappoint you." That really looked like Sebastian and his subtle manipulating but he must have recognised that someone like Katherine was more useful not being like an automaton, unlike the Sheriff.
"This is...interesting. I thank you for the advice." Jan stood up from his chair, reaching out to the neonate a hand as a sign that this conversation was now over and she was allowed to go, thinking about what he had said to her.
"I have to thank you for the insight. Please, one of my assistants will lead you out." Jan opened the door, where one of his trusted entourage waited to guide Katherine out. As the door was shut again, he sat down on the chair, putting on his glasses again.
"You've watched all of her steps and nothing unusual?" he said into the empty room.
"Like you ordered boss. Nothing unusual. Should I watch her some more?" Jan knew that behind his chair stood Gary Golden, Primogen of clan Nosferatu in this city, his eyes and ears as he waited in Amsterdam and here in this hotel.
"Does the Prince suspect anything?" Nosferatu were useful but never trust them blindly.
"Hard to say, boss. It's even hard for us to get as far as into his penthouse. You Ventrue have some kind of unjustified paranoia." Laughing with his rough voice, Gary expressed his amusement. "Sorry boss, my humour. She waltzed in with my childe and some Caitiff, babbling about killing some treacherous poor Toreador. That was a view! Haha! The Caitiff peeled off the beautiful face like a banana." So much for Sebastian's part of not being oppressors. "You have to give the little Ventrue credit for not being dumb, running into a bar full of Anarchs to kill one of their pretty faces." Mhm, that was something Jan thought was important but was unable think about it right now, so he stored it somewhere in the back of his mind to think about later. First he wanted to hear Gary's report. "Le phénix ruse really has some nerves." Jan raised an eyebrow.
"Who?" Often the Nosferatu liked to show off that they were the ones with the better information. They let you know that you needed them and Jan knew how to play the game to stay on the good side of the Sewer Rats.
"Hahaha, well that is the cute nickname for our Prince, given by his cute lovely little soldier you just interviewed." 'This was quite, intriguing.' As for the last bit of information, Jan stored it to think about later. As entertaining as this bit of knowledge was. "But nothing more of interest."
"What is important and what is not is for me to decide. Please, tell me everything. That's why I pay you." Gary chuckled and sat now on the chair which was formerly occupied by Katherine, grinning a bright cheerful smile. Jan's assistant came back, bringing a glass of whiskey the Ventrue liked to smell. Even if he wasn't able to drink it anymore, he probably couldn't live without it.
"Well, then listen boss. Gary Golden's screen time is very limited these days, haha!"
AN: The chapter title is totally stolen from one of Vincent van Gogh's paintings "At Eternity's Gate". I really enjoyed to write from Jan's perspective and to weave in a connection to LaCroix. Never underestimate the Ventrue old boy connections! More so every signature character of VtM has something to do with another signature character so I thought that would be quite funny to stick together the French and the Dutch. It gave me also the opportunity to flesh out LaCroix and what kind of business he's making his billions with.
I will ignore at large the events in the concluding book of the Clan Novel Saga, like Vykos telling Jan some secrets. No doubt I'm a canon freak but I'm really tempted to ignore Gehenna (besides if I would use the canon timeline everything would be blasted by now). As much as I see the problems VtM has, being the Forgotten Realms of Dark Horror, I'm very nostalgic about it and hope to manage it to make Kat not a stupid bystander while to bigwigs manage all the important stuff, but don't morph her into a Sue. It's a real challenge.