Celeste: Oh yes, we'll learn this way some more about the man, who managed it to survive for 200 years and become Prince of LA. He may be still the Jester sometimes, however the Anarchs schould be careful now, hehe.
And thanks to Maellowyn (Sind nicht alle Ventrue intrigante Schleimbeutel? Poor Jan. Loosing his ground against the most despised Prince ever is hard, haha and Vivienne is FAST in betareading, so it's all thanks to her with the fast updates) for the review!
The racing mind caused by her conversation with Pieterzoon felt like a drunken stupor. Katherine walked like a zombie into the elevator, thinking about the last pieces of information she needed to swallow. First of all was the fact about those voices she'd always thought to be caused by Ophelia's dementation. Could they actually have been caused by LaCroix? What if this was a lie from the Dutch for whatever reason, but then he couldn't possibly know about it. She'd never told anyone! Could it really be true that the Prince was influencing her in such a deep and subtle way? Would she end up like a walking dead just like the Sheriff? It was an answer for why he never talked and only acted when LaCroix gave him an order. Anger rose once more up her throat, feeling how the Beast scratched again in its cage, but furiously walking into the Venture Tower and yelling at the Prince would achieve nothing. This much she'd learned. It was more symbolic than necessary but Katherine took some deep breaths, trying to calm her chaotic mind and the thoughts of anger running amok, to simply choke LaCroix so that he would spit out what was true and what was not. Again: Why should Mr. Pieterzoon have lied to her? First of all to turn her away from LaCroix. Simple. He was there to dig up dirty stuff, however he played with open cards towards her and she wasn't so naive as to think her clanmate would underestimate her loyalty to the Prince. Yes, he was right about being very deep in his clutches and it would mean Final Death for her to upset him even once more; also there was the order to report such meetings to LaCroix but regarding all the ruckus inside her it wasn't for the best. Katherine needed a plan. Her hot temper brought her enough complications and this trait was to blame for a lot of things which had gone wrong in the past. Once she'd failed to realise it during her time in the military. An officer needed to have a calm head while the surroundings were a maelstrom of chaos. Wasn't that also what a Ventrue should do? Think carefully about their actions and how to make the next step without charging into it like a raging idiot? Without a doubt the offer the Dutch Ventrue made was very compelling, going back to Europe and furthermore he seemed unlike LaCroix. In fact, if she compared both Mr. Pieterzoon was more...human. Good, first and foremost was to get information about him to make sure she didn't run blindly into her doom like the last time with the Sabbat flirtation. Was he trustworthy? Who was this Hardestadt guy? After that she could evaluate the information he had given her as true or false, or at least possible. And for information there were the Nosferatu. Not a comforting thought to crawl into Gary's domain but well, Imalia should be a possible address for such a matter and it was more of an automatic gesture to pull out a cigarette. Shortly Katherine stared at it but then decided to throw the whole packet away. Time to stop smoking and it cost money she didn't have anyway.
Shoving all other looping and upsetting thoughts back into some abandoned part of her brain where they could only occasionally knock, Katherine made her way into the Nosferatu warrens, walking uncomfortably through Gary's dinner room and expecting the Primogen to pop out any minute for whatever reason he had, though it didn't seem like he wanted to. Fine with her, so she crawled through the narrow ways and reached Imalia's door. After five minutes of knocking without getting a response, Katherine took the liberty of simply stepping in.
"Hey, Imalia! You're there?" Opening the door and spotting the Nosferatu at her computer, Katherine closed the door. The former supermodel watched her monitor intensely which radiated a faint cold light, showing various opened windows with pictures of an apartment where two people were sitting on a couch. Was that female one Tawni Sessions? "Sorry for the intrusion but you didn't answer and ---"
"Shhhhh!" The sharp and annoyed hissing of Imalia interrupted her. "Can't you see I'm busy?" she snapped at the Ventrue and didn't even bother to turn her eyes away from the computer.
"Tawni won't run away and I need information. Look, I'll pay for it." 'Somehow,' was silently added and not said out loud.
"Fuck off! Missing the vital thing won't be payable! So get out!" Great, once you really needed some help and the only person able to help you was obsessed with watching some kind of private Big Brother.
"Yeah, she could flash some titty again!" a voice echoed and Imalia suddenly grabbed a plastic Hello Kitty figure and threw it with such vigour in a direction that the poor plastic cat shattered to pieces.
"Out! Out you stupid idiots! GET OUT! All of you!" And Katherine went out backwards to keep an eye on Imalia and the other things which still were standing on her desk so they wouldn't stake her like some really sharp looking pencils, however the laughing voice which yelled 'titties' again and again all the time didn't stop.
"Hahaha, she's in her bitch rage again. Since yesterday night, our pin up girl has been staring at the little peepshow." Next to Katherine, a Nosferatu appeared, looking fairly normal in comparison to the fact that he was, well a Nosferatu. He wasn't crouching and hadn't a lot of disfigurements, looking more like a mixture of a human and a bat, wearing a black t-shirt with jeans and sneakers. Katherine just sighed heavily. "Remember me? You shot me out of that damn experimental laboratory in Chinatown." It needed some seconds until it made a click.
"Barabus?" It was more of a question than a realisation.
"Yeah, 100 points! Thanks again. The shit they did with me still gives me nightmares. So you want some information and that's my business and I owe you some." Barabus was without a doubt someone who knew his, well what did he called it? Kung-fu? To normal people it was hacking of some sort but well. He'd gotten them out of the Fu Syndicate with his computer skills, while Katherine held the line of fire and so she doubted that he would deceive her. Taking the lead, Barabus guided her into his room or whatever the Nosferatu called their more or less private space. It was full of racks with action figures of Batman, some comics, while the walls were fittingly decorated with said posters of the comic hero. "Welcome to the Batcave! So, what can I do for you?"
"Information about Mr. Jan Pieterzoon of clan Ventrue and his sire Hardestadt." It sounded a bit irritated and her gaze was still scrutinizing the surroundings.
"You're kidding right? You don't know about those two? For this I don't even need to use Kung-Fu, so listen: Euroboy, ah sorry Mr. Pieterzoon, is THE Camarilla goody-goody. During the Sabbat siege on Baltimore it was him who held the line. Yeah, he's damn good at this and a fucking name in the Camarilla. Privileged like a damn Archon because his sire is an elder of the Camarilla, one of the founders." Katherine was in desperate need of a chair. "Can you imagine what panic ran through our ranks when Pieterzoon showed up in the city? Everyone was thinking the Sabbat was waiting in front of the city."
"Well, I don't know about Baltimore." So much information. How in all heavens should she handle all this? So from the start. Pieterzoon was in short trustworthy. Did the larger audience know about his intentions or only the story that he searched for Beckett? And he was a huge call in the Camarilla. Getting into those circles was extremely compelling, but still there was a part of her which refused to leave Los Angeles. Was it really a part of her or only the urge LaCroix had instilled through his domination in her? Pieterzoon couldn't have knowledge of that, meaning the information about their clan gift was perhaps simply out of good will and that he was genuinely interested in her skills. LaCroix on the other hand seemed to leave her stupid on purpose, to manipulate her better.
"Baltimore..." Barabus sat down on the ground cross-legged. "...in 1999 the Sabbat started a huge attack on Camarilla cities, driving us out of countless ones, even New York and Washington D.C. It was pure damn chaos, not to mention a total madness in Buffalo. Damn, it seemed like the whole East Coast was going to fall into Sabbat hands. I don't know the details but that was the time when the Gangrel left the Camarilla. Pretty dark times I tell you." So that explained why there were no Gangrel Primogen among the council. "Instead of the Gangrel, we got some Assamites. Not a good trade, I tell you." Katherine had read about them in Strauss' book about the Sabbat. Usually independent, some Assamites joined the Sabbat. Dreadful diablerists and assassins, skilled in killing silently without a trace. Just like, well assassins.
"I see. Any knowledge about what Mr. Pieterzoon wants in Los Angeles?" Spilling out what he had told her in private would be a very bad idea and also not very wise. This could be a test on how well she could keep her mouth shut.
"It's not a secret that his sire has some grudge against Beckett, because of him being a Noddist scholar and stuff, but people whisper that it is because of Prince LaCroix's little explosive accident, or yours...eeh, but don't shoot me for that, will you?" So things leaked out faster than you'd even know of.
"Don't worry, I simply wanted to know it and won't resent you for that." Trouble was at hand, that much was sure. Katherine was able to tell it from the start as LaCroix's damn limousine parked in front of the LAPD to get her to the tower; besides if there was someone to blame for the 'truth' of who opened the sarcophagus, then it was LaCroix. Sure he said that she'd earned the right to open it, so it was on his behalf. What would he say if she blubbered that out now? Another Blood Hunt? Probably. That was – in a term of cruel irony – the upside of LaCroix. Katherine knew him better than Pieterzoon, and thus was somewhat able to predict his reactions and actions more or less. It was now up to her to ask how honest the Prince was with the things he said to her. "Thanks Barabus for the information. They are worth a lot."
"You saved my pretty ass. It's worth it," he grinned. Being Sewer Rats and the least clan regarding popularity, she couldn't really point out why her clan despised the Nosferatu so much. Well they weren't appealing for the eye, were hands down creepy and dwelling in the sewers but not that bad. In her opinion clan Brujah was worse. Or the Tremere in terms of creepiness.
"Take care not to risk your pretty ass once more, because there won't be a second sarcophagus Gary can sell off to the Giovanni." He should thank Gary a bit more for forcing her to get him out of the Mandarin's claws. However Barabus took it with humour and Katherine could hear his laugh even outside of his room, being replaced by the constant whispering you could hear in the warrens. At least it didn't disturb her thoughts which needed some attention to add the new information given by Barabus about Pieterzoon. Actually she didn't want to leave Los Angeles, having the aim in mind not to run away from problems and obstacles; however should she let such an opportunity pass? Having the childe of a Camarilla founder as mentor was a chance she would most likely never have a second time, coming down to the simple question: false pride or was she again lying to herself to avoid LaCroix, tending to accept Pieterzoon's offer?
All the way back from Hollywood to Downtown Katherine was pondering, weighing the arguments and still didn't have an answer. Every sane argument was to accept the offer, however a not insignificant part of her refused to listen to all logic and wanted to stay. No doubt it must be the effect of the Blood Bond from which the Prince himself seemed unaffected. Must be, because he was older and more powerful, whereas Katherine was only a young neonate, so what can you do against the effects of the potent blood of an elder? Right: leave to escape his clutches and run into others and for some seconds, the familiar beat of the Confession's DJ shooed away those thoughts. Leaving the club and Venus behind wasn't something she would grieve over so this was not a pro for staying in Los Angeles.
"Was a pretty long talk you had." Simon seemed not to have left his position next to the door where he had a good view of Heather.
"Something unusual happened during my absence?" Talking about her conversation with Mr. Pieterzoon and what else she'd learned was out of question. How could a Caitiff understand this? It was better to simply ignore it. Simon shrugged as a sign that everything was calm. "Good. I'm up in Venus' office if something happens." It wasn't the most quiet place she could think of but at least a bit more safe than the cemetery – besides THAT would be a bad cliché – or any other spot in L.A. Katherine was still worried about Anarch payback for killing Kent Alan Ryan.
"I knew you'd show up. I swear you are all like, totally drawn to me. I'm surprised I don't know you. I usually meet all the L.A. vampires out on the scene. Not a lot of you out tonight, which is weird, cuz I don't know of any parties going on." The voice from the side was so annoying, false and stressed, that Katherine was more irritated than somewhat angry.
"She's asking everyone," Simon growled into the Ventrue's direction and then looked away again as fast as possible.
"I'm sorry but can I help you? As the owner of this club I'm busy you know. We have some gothic fans here but no vampire fans." Turning around, a kine was standing there, smiling broadly but it was more unsettling that this, well girl, said vampire to her and on top of that was saying this to everyone.
"No, come on. I'm Patty. Seriously; everyone knows me. Besides, I just wanted to ask you if you've seen someone." A short glance to Simon told her that he was absolutely ignoring the conversation. What a shame, he could learn something about what to do when some human was walking towards you, calling you a vampire.
"Well of course. Who is it you're looking for?" Even if her behaviour was irritating, like an addict on the verge of withdrawal. That was when Katherine identified her as a ghoul.
"His name is Kent Alan Ryan, he's a Toreador really good looking, dresses really well, like all Prada usually." Oh great. She'd busted Ryan and now had his ghoul standing in her club and squirting around that there were vampires. Now she knew why Simon ignored it and it was a wise decision to let her do the talking.
"Sorry I don't know someone by this name. Try your luck in some other clubs or bars. The Last Round perhaps?" They should deal with their licks, however Patty was now looking desperate to the bone.
"No! Look. I haven't seen him in days. He said he'd come see me again and they said at The Last Round he would be here!" Pledging, nearly cracked up voice, the shrieking hurt Katherine's ears but more was she annoyed by the fact that the Anarchs actually sent that ghoul into her club on purpose to annoy her and to endanger the Masquerade on top of that. Two flies with one hit to piss off the Prince's protégé. "He promised. I might age. He promised I wouldn't get thirsty." So, how could she turn the tide? Well it was an option to simply kill her but still that was something unnecessary if you could avoid it. Patty wasn't to her taste. Simple, so to adapt her as a ghoul for herself was a waste of blood.
"It's okay, I understand. I'll help you." Katherine smiled while she was thinking of a plan. 'Let's see. No risk of endangering the Masquerade but pay back for the Anarchs, meaning an elegant solution.'
"You are totally awesome. Well, it just goes to show you that you don't have to dress cool or have a lot of power to be a cool person." The ghoul sounded also a bit more relieved, calmer, nonetheless her voice was still on the verge of cracking which indicated she could totally snap at any given moment.
"Let's go into my office and think about how we can find Kent Alan, okay?" Easy task to persuade a drug addict on withdrawal. Leading the ghoul up into the only private room in the Confession, Katherine closed the door and set up her most possible friendly face. Here the surroundings would be quiet enough to dominate Patty. Catching the gaze of the ghoul's brown eyes, Katherine prepared every word carefully.
"It pains me to tell you but whoever said you would find Kent Alan here lied to you and knew it. You should go there and ask them." Strange. As an addict and a kine on top of that, Katherine should've been able to easily dominate Patty, however the Ventrue was able to feel the heavy resistance from her. Quite strange.
"No, they said you would know it! They wouldn't lie!" Again Patty's voice was shrieking, desperate and Katherine concentrated more to break her will.
"It was a lie, because they're hiding him from you. I don't know why of course but they do. Perhaps he's simply too good looking, sprouting envy among others. Damsel had a crush on him. Perhaps she wants to get rid of you and keep Kent Alan for herself. Trust me." Still there was resistance to be felt but it slowly crumbled.
"It...makes sense...but why...I...never knew about that and Kent, he ---" Placing her hand on Patty's shoulder, Katherine interrupted her, being a bit surprised that it was quite an effort to dominate the ghoul, so perhaps it would be helpful to let the other gift of her clan aide her.
"You ever encountered Damsel?" The ghoul nodded slowly, like in a trance with a small glimpse of surprise as she was struck by the Ventrue's presence. "Then you know her bad temper. She could have threatened him not to meet you, else they would hurt you so he is forced to hide and they know for sure. They sent you here to accuse me of this, right?" Now the last resistance of the ghoul's mind was shattered, leaving her open to whatever Katherine wanted her to do. If only she could utilize the ability to alter memories that Mr. Pieterzoon mentioned.
"No, that wasn't the case. They just said you would know, but that Damsel is envious and this does make sense." At last this was working.
"Then go to The Last Round and free Kent Alan. But be careful okay? In the alley next to my club is someone who has stuff, so that you can protect yourself. Say I have sent you and he'll give it to you." It's not like she wanted to send Patty to her death and most certainly in the current state the ghoul was the Anarchs could reach a bit offended to say the least. Even more so because Katherine had sent the little annoying present back and with a satisfied smile, she sat down on the couch to spent the rest of the night pondering about what to do. Even the following night she still thought about her options and which words to choose if she had to approach LaCroix to tell him about her meeting with Mr. Pieterzoon, and finally how to pick the right words to tell him the decision she'd just made. However this was interrupted by the loud shattering of glass and a furious shout by Simon which drowned the rhythmic beating of the music, followed by a horrified high pitched scream of pain from Heather.
AN: Some *really* short summary what happened in the Clan Novels by Barabus and why there's no Gangrel Primogen in my story. I was pretty much surprised by the fact that in the game you could even play the clan, rather than Assamite but uh well. Gangrel is of course more popular even with the fact the majority of them have left the Camarilla, because Jan, Theo Bell and the Prince of Baltimore Garlotte (and the whole other attendants there, haha) pissed off Justicar Xavier, not listening to his talk about an risen Antediluvian near Buffalo what was in fact 'just' a very powerful artifact: The eye of Hazimel (GIEEV MEE THAA EYEE! - sorry, couldn't resist).