Using her heightened senses, Tabetha listened in once that Toreador stripper approached Cameron. She maintained her ever so slight smile while she listened to the Ventrue belly-ache and his dancer stroke his sense of pride. Predictably enough, Cameron got all starry-eyed and moony over her. Tabetha maintained her smile, but it went from one of pleasure to one of contempt. The mighty Seneschal was making this all too easy.
Losing interest in their puppy-talk, she diverted her attention to Ajax and the wunderkind. In her consciousness, she could feel the Founder keep his attention of the Ventrue and his whore. It took her a moment to actually locate the Nosferatu in the shadows. Finding them, she focused her senses, hoping to discern if Ajax had shared his knowledge of her tryst with Jeanette with anyone outside of his Clan; of particular concern was how much Cameron might know.
"...sign of diablerie?" The Wunderkind was saying.
That could be a problem. The Nosferatu were excellent at what they did; learning things they shouldn't know. That said, as far she knew they were not gifted with the abilities of Auspex. Surely he couldn't be talking about what it sounded like he was talking about.
"What exactly are you trying to say, Walker?" Ajax challenged stiffly.
"I'm saying that black veins in an aura are a sign of diablerie." Walker replied. "I'm saying that the witch has black veins in her aura."
"It must be a mistake." Ajax stated. "There's no way Tabetha has gone Sabbat."
"A lick doesn't need to be Sabbat to commit a crime like that."
"You know what I mean. You must be making a mistake. I know Tabetha; she ain't no diablerist."
"No mistakes made here, Ajax." Walker insisted. "The sign is there."
"Then there must be some other explanation." Ajax continued to defend her.
"Maybe," Walker said reluctantly, "or maybe not."
"For all we know that might not even be the real Tabetha." Ajax said, starting to sound desperate. "You said so yourself."
Tabetha was actually rather touched by his loyalty; it would not be soon forgotten, however misguided it was. Although, his comment did cause her some concern; could the Nosferatu be catching on to her guest? Or were they talking about something else entirely?
"Don't say that out in public like that!" Walker hissed. "That kind of talk could blow the entire investigation!"
Ajax was silent for a moment. Finally, he spoke. "So what's our next move?" he asked.
After giving it a few seconds of thought, the one Tabetha knew only as Walker actually managed to lower his voice even deeper than it already was; almost to the point where it was inaudible. "You stay on the Tremere. Try to learn what her exact business with..." he hesitated, as if trying to remember a name. "...with Jeanette was last night. If it's any consolation, this sign I caught in her moves her lower on the list of suspects. I'm going to keep tabs on the Seneschal and his girlfriend."
So Ajax was going to continue to shadow her. That was fine. Although she was intending on revisiting the 'twin' tonight, that could wait a little while. In fact, it might serve well if she held off. She wouldn't want to seem too eager; that might prompt Jeanette to get bored of her. As for the apparent scrutiny she was now under, all she really had to do was convince Ajax that her interest in Jeanette is exactly what it appears to be. In the meantime, she was sure there was a ritual that could hide the signs of diablerie.
There is indeed, childe.
She had no doubt the Founder could and would give her strength to master such a ritual. Then it really would appear as if this Walker individual is fallible, after all. After that was sorted out, the next priority would have to be to make sure Velvet won her bid; though that was already a near certainty. Prince Therese was not so far gone as to allow Cameron to flood her Court with Ventrue officers.
His lover is his spy. Beware of her, childe.
How many times has the Founder warned her of that raven-haired, green-eyed tramp of Cameron's? More than one, Tabetha was sure of that. In fact, although she was dreading to think it, she was sure that the Founder had a certain terror of her; she could almost feel his presence recoil at the mention of her.
She is much more than she seems childe. She is of a darkness even I do not comprehend. You will do well to stay away. I will say no more.
Tabetha decided it was best to leave it at that. As the meeting place was nearly vacated, Tabetha turned and left; heading towards the car that Rutger was driving. Getting to the car, he asked where she wished to go, and she told him to take her back to the Chantry as she sat in the car.
Rutger started the car and drove away. Tabetha glanced out the window and spotted Marko entering a small shop on the corner of one of the streets. At first she thought nothing of it; but then it occurred to her which shop it was. It was the shop run by that dusty sounding man; Ox, his name was. That was the shop she procured the Bone of Truth from in exchange for that enchanted mirror. What business did the Malkavian have there? She was about to have Rutger turn around so she could observe, but then she remembered the scrutiny the Nosferatu had her under as of late. She had to make her activities appear completely normal. Watching Marko when she was evidently having affair with his lover – who happens to the Prince's alter-ego and possibly dominant personality – would not be exactly normal behavior. If only I could be in two places at once and retain consciousness in both...
That was when it occurred to her. She could do exactly that! She could easily astrally project to observe what Marko was up to, and let the Founder move her body around while she was away. To everyone outside of the arrangement, it would at least appear normal; especially if the Tremere Primogen and Regent went recluse for the rest of the night.
Tabetha Toussaint removed her astral form from her body into the back seat beside her, and sat there for a moment to make sure that Rutger didn't sense anything was amiss. Since her body did not even waver, let alone slump over as if she was asleep, everything appeared as it should.
"May I ask you something, Regent?" Rutger asked from the driver's seat.
"Of course you may, Rutger." The Founder replied on her behalf. Tabetha cringed. It was still her voice, but it sounded as if she was talking under water. She started to return to her body in the hopes that Rutger would think he only imagined the difference once she continued the conversation.
"Who are we as a Clan in support of to become the next Harpy? Since I am still assigned to be assistant Harpy, I think it right I should know where we stand. For the record I will stand by whatever choice you make without question."
Tabetha relented. Apparently Rutger did not notice anything different.
"House and Clan Tremere will abide by any decision the Prince makes. Should her highness seek our council or recommendation, we shall advocate in favor of the Keeper. She is older and more experienced, and has already proven to be up to the task of handling a great deal more responsibility than the Ventrue Primogen." The Founder answered.
Rutger sighed with what Tabetha thought was relief. "That's good," he said. "If I may be direct, Regent, I don't know if I much like the idea of the Ventrue having too much power or authority in the Court."
The Founder formed a smile on her face. "You will make a fine officer one night, Rutger. Your discernment is an asset." He said.
Satisfied that things were as stable here as they could be; but also getting a little creeped out at seeing her body work without her being inside it, Tabetha left the vehicle to catch up with Marko.