Etaine stood at the edge of the icy cliffs as her blond braids swayed in the biting winter breeze. Her eyes were closed and her pink lips ajar. She spread both arms and inhaled the icy air that buffeted her pale cheeks. She smiled wide at the sensation of the bitter cold and reflected on her distant homeland. She opened her eyes to gaze upon the white winter moon.
Etaine quietly chanted a prayer to her goddess, the Lady Freyja. It had been a long time since she had felt the bond between mortal and ancestral deity. After receiving the vampiric embrace, Etaine had instantly become cut off from her goddess. Her prayers and sacrifices brought neither reply nor reward. Whether becoming an undead creature was what separated her from her goddess, Etaine could only hope that was not the irreversible cause. Even though she now existed in an unnatural form, Etaine had decided decades ago to continue her worship of the Norse Goddess of lust, battle, and death. Other Kindred deemed such nostalgic practices below themselves, and that these mythological beliefs belonged to mortals and mortals alone. But Etaine could not give up her constant, internal urge to conduct her ancestral faith and practices. Perhaps it was folly and empty nostalgia, but Etaine was also stubborn, and she refused to abandon her ancestral tribal beliefs.
Etaine stepped back from the cliff's edge and glanced behind her. This specific cliffside was the highest summit for the mine complex she had inherited off a deceased Kindred. The old mines coexisted with a far older cavern formation, and the tunnels ran for hundreds of miles. Etaine had not yet explored them fully after seizing the Kindred's deed to the mines. The remote location was both quiet and secure. The only entrance to this particular summit was by flight or climbing a lone, specific mine shaft that opened up to this very spot. A small copse of evergreens grew around the shaft's opening, and a large quarry pool divided the tiny woods from an even smaller meadow.
Etaine nodded to herself and stretched her arms above her head.
Time to fly.
The Gangrel willed her body to shift into the form of a peregrine falcon. They were native to these parts, and though uncommon, a witnessed sight would not risk breaching the Masquerade. Etaine fancied their 'stoop', and the mere fact that a perfect dive from max height would give her speed of up to 240 miles per hour. It was both time-saving and deadly. Etaine held both aspects in high regard.
Etaine flew from the summit and banked towards Oneonta. It was a ten-mile distance to cover, but she made good time since the wind pushed along her course.
Etaine spotted the warehouse far before she reached the actual structure, which was another plus with assuming the form of a falcon. The large steel building was located on the town's outer perimeter, just on the edge of the city's abandoned grain mill. Etaine swooped downward and alighted herself upon a nearby maple's lower branch. Her long talons clawed onto the frosted, flaking bark.
Etaine eyed the single entrance to the building. She had visited this structure only two nights before, and the warehouse was in far better condition than she had last examined. Etaine concluded that whomever had fixed up the old depot, must have had an excessive source of funds and manpower.
Every light surrounding the complex was humming with whitewashed fluorescence, which provided an easy picture for Etaine to survey.
A tuxedoed bouncer stood just outside the entrance, with his hands clasped before him. He did not appear agitated by the cold, and Etaine instantly assumed he was a ghoul. A quick glance at his aura confirmed her assumption. Several well-dressed guests approached the bouncer, and each one wore expensive wool coats to fend the harsh weather. The bouncer collected their invitations and welcomed them inside.
Mortals.
A heavy flap from large wings buffeted from above and a golden eagle landed beside Etaine. It's quick berth shook the branch, and the larger bird made a friendly peck at her ruffled feathers. Etaine pecked back, and the eagle countered with a single squawk.
Etaine leapt from the branch and fluttered to the ground. She landed behind the maple and shape-changed back into her homid self. The eagle did the same, and Federic emerged with a cunning smirk on his face. "Starting without me, Etaine?" he taunted.
Etaine shrugged. "We agreed to meet at nine. You're merely a minute late."
Federic grunted and glanced at his wristwatch. "Lies."
Etaine chuckled. "I'm assuming you have already done your preliminary scout."
Federic folded his arms and sighed. "Yeah, you caught me. The other side has no doors nor windows. That guarded door is the only way in."
Etaine nodded. "Hmm. Our invitations said to arrive at precisely 10pm, yet these guests are allowed in prior. Interesting."
Federic hummed in agreement. "Can't help but try though."
Etaine smiled at the suggestion. "And this is why I enjoy working with you. You wanna try the bouncer, and I'll see if there are any air ducts to explore?"
"Sure. Just don't go all solo on this one. Okay, Etaine?"
Etaine smirked. "Now why would you say that? It's not like I do that every time."
Federic narrowed his eyes and raised a single eyebrow.
"Come on, Federic. This is the time for us to have fun! Don't worry. I won't be reckless."
Federic raised an eyebrow. "Sure," he retorted, obviously not convinced. He turned away from her and began his downward trek to the bouncer. Etaine shifted back into her avian form and flew to the warehouse roof.
The frost-crusted air stacks were obvious, and there were only four to choose from. Etaine picked the one closest to the entrance and pushed her body through the largest break in the vent. She raised her talons and padded quietly through the metal tubing. She followed the echoes of laughter and the clinkings of glass, and after a few minutes of searching, she reaching a ventilation panel that overlooked the celebration.
It was a large gathering with at least fifty guests in sight. Etaine did a quick scan of the group's aura and discovered it to be a mixture of mortal, ghoul, and Kindred. As far as she could tell there were only four Kindred in attendance. She recognized none of the four individuals, and Etaine became uneasy at the revelation. She noted there were only two ghouls present, and the rest of the occupants were mere mortals.
The warehouse was sectioned off by a recently added wall that separated the remaining warehouse space from the lively party. Various refreshment tables spotted the scene, along with gaudy tapestries and modern art sculptures. Each mortal guest had a drink in hand, and each face smiled in whimsical reverie.
It's gotta be a fucking Ventrue behind this.
Etaine took note that she had not yet begun to feel the effects of any Ventrue discipline. She found this to be a relief, but a peculiar aspect to the whole affair. One of the two ghouls began to walk in her direction, with his focus on a door directly below her. He reached into his tuxedo, retrieved a key, and opened the door. The vent's screen rattled as he closed and locked the door behind him.
Etaine moved slowly down the metal duct until she found herself in front of another vented panel. She eyed the ghoul as he arranged eight folding chairs into a circle at the center of the small room. Then, after taking a quick look at the arrangement, the ghoul left the room and locked the door behind him.
Etaine eyed the circle of eight chairs grouped in the tiny room below her. She considered the number and immediately realized that it was the exact count of invitation letters received by herself and her Kindred counterparts.
Prince Ashe, Keeper Rick, Sheriff Liam, Ratbreath, myself, Federic, and two young ones. Yeah, this doesn't seem safe to me.
Etaine attempted to fit her avian form through the vent, but found the metal separators too close to squeeze through.
And this is why you make sure to master multiple animal forms as a Gangrel. Etaine focused and willed herself into the form of a spitting cobra. It was definitely not a species indigenous to this region, but in Etaine's opinion, the deadly poison and ability to fit through small openings did play major boons.
Etaine slithered through the vent and fell to the carpeted floor. The navy rug smelled new and recently applied. With her scaled belly, she experienced the vibrations of the guests' footsteps in the adjacent party room and took note that no steps currently approached her room. Deciding the risk was worth it, Etaine shifted back into her human form. She quickly pulled her cellphone from a leather pocket and dialed Federic's number. It rang five times, and Etaine couldn't help but tap her foot with impatience.
"Hello, Etaine."
"Federic. Were you able to get inside the civilized way?"
"Nope. Bouncer took a look at my invitation, and said I was too early for admittance."
"Figures," Etaine sighed. "I'm inside the building. Turns out there's a side-room set up with eight chairs. The only door to the room is locked with a ghoul's key. I don't like it. The chairs are the exact number…"
"Of invitations received by us." Federic finished. "Oh, wonderful. What do you want to do?"
Etaine brought a palm to her forehead as she paced the room. "I'm gonna call Ashe and have him decide. I'll let you know once I know."
"Okay. Are you gonna leave or do something stupid?" Federic's tone was a mixture of concern and reproach.
"Not sure. I'll let you know once I know."
"Etaine, don't do anything…"
Etaine rudely flipped her phone shut and stepped towards the door. The knob was simple with an even simpler keyhole lock. She listened for a moment to make sure no one was approaching. Satisfied, she stepped away from the door, opened her phone, and called Prince Ashe.
"Hullo?"
"Ashe, I'm in the warehouse now…" She went on to explain the situation involved, including both Federic's and her own discoveries. "What do you wanna do? What's your call?"
"Ehh, I say we try it."
Etaine could envision the prince shrugging on the other end of the line. "You think that's wise? Even with the number of chairs?"
"So what about the number of chairs? Maybe it's a room for a private VIP party? I say we all attend. At least we know there's other people there."
"I think there's a powerful Ventrue involved. The mortals definitely seem to be under a mental effect. They're too laid back and happy for such an occasion."
"Didn't you say they were drinking? Eh. Ya know, let's try it out, Seneschal. Did ye see any weapons?"
"No, no mortal weapons to be seen." Etaine ground her teeth in frustration.
"Well, we'll see ye there at ten-o'clock. Mind texting everyone else the news?"
"Could you do that, Ashe? I'm currently in the room with…" The phone clicked dead on the other end.
You've gotta be kidding me.
Etaine stepped back to the door and listened. Satisfied again, she opened her phone and sent a mass text to the rest of the group that informed them the event was safe to attend. She added a second text addressed to only Federic.
"Was Ashe's call."
Etaine silenced and pocketed her phone. She stepped to the door one last time and listened.
Still no one approaching.
Etaine raised her fist to the doorknob and yanked hard to the left. She heard the cheap lock snap, and the Kindred nodded to herself in approval.
At least we won't be surprise-locked inside.
Etaine glanced at her watch and noted the time to be 9:40pm.
Twenty minutes left. I could wait here or in the ducts. Or...
"Sorry, Federic," she sighed. And then, her curiosity getting the better of her, Etaine slowly opened the door and slipped into the party beyond.