[London, February 9th 1262, 6:00 PM] [Upon waking for the night, you all (except Ian and Anstace) find a rolled up piece of parchment delivered to your doorsteps and there is a slight knocking sound to alert you to it. Upon noticing the parchment, you all also notice a rat scurrying away. The parchment reads thusly, in English: "Dear Friends, I have been hearing some interesting rumors that I believe you would be interested in, and I also would very much like to speak with you regarding the upcoming meeting. Please meet me at the residence of my former nemesis as soon as possible (since our assamite friend saw fit to leave it in such good condition, it makes a better meeting place than the usual one). -Thomas The Rat" On Eliana's copy there is a post script that reads "Feel free to bring your new protege."] [Begin] 06* Eliana starts heading out to find the parchment. She reads it quickly and folds it, tucking the parchment away. Well - she was going to the chantry anyway. 06* Eliana goes to the chantry to fetch an Ian! 06* Moriel frowns down at the parchment briefly, then tucks it away inside his tunic and heads for Ragged Jenny's former stronghold. 06* Rolf stomps on his message, groans a bit, and then picks it up and de-dirts it so he can read it. "Why's a guy wanna be called the rat anyway," he grumbles as he heads over. 06* Eliana arrives at the chantry and heads for the library, as if she were just chillin', that's where she would be. Plus, Gravina's had her and Ian hard at research lately anyway, so... "Ian Hargrave?" she calls. Over here, milady 06* Eliana turns her attention in the direction of his voice and walks through the stacks to (hopefully) find Ian. 06* Ian closes the book he was studying 06* Eliana glances at the book. "Did you discover anything of note?" Sadly... we already know most of what this book contains, I had hoped to find some missing morsel.... but I think this bone has been gnawed over 06* Eliana frowns. "Shame." 01 An old acquaintance of mine wishes to discuss a few things with me and, I presume, some of the others who were at Matriarch Salianna's meeting. He typically has his ear to the ground in this city. Would you like to come? Certainly, milady. I would be pleased to accompany you. Do we need to prepare for anything in advance of our arrival? 06* Eliana shakes her head. "No. He is reasonably trustworthy, for a Nosferatu." you.... trust... one of .... THEM? 06* Eliana actually laughs at Ian's reaction. 01 No. *Reasonably* trustworthy, for a Nosferatu. very well... shall we be going then? 06* Eliana nods and starts walking out as she talks to him: "It's to your benefit to stay on his good side, so try to keep your prejudices hidden." [You all arrive in Jenny's old hideout. There are signs of traps that used to be scattered throughout the area but are now disarmed. The hideout is a large room with a raised dais on one end and several exits leading out all over the city. Seated on the edge of the dais is a mousey looking vampire. His jawline is long and contains unretractable fangs of varying lengths throughout his mouth. His face is covered in a slightly furry exterior. He is wearing a dark cloak with the hood up and he waves one clawed hand, motioning for you all to come over to him. "It is good to see you all again..."] 06* Moriel approaches and gives Thomas a shallow bow. "Indeed. Good evening." [Thomas's eyes dart around the room and he nods, apparently pleased. "I have heard many things in recent months. Things that I believe you would be interested in, and since you were so kind as to help me earlier, I thought you might appreciate an exchange of information."] 06* Eliana strides in, stopping at a respectable distance and nodding to the furry Nosferatu. "Thomas the Rat." She gestures to the other Tremere, who can describe himself. "Ian Hargrave." [Thomas nods to Eliana and then bows slightly to Ian. "Welcome, Mr. Hargrave. It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Miss Casale. I am Thomas the Rat."] Greetings, sir. Thank you for the invitation. I trust the night finds you well? 06* Rolf grunts his welcome. Rolf. [Thomas nods to Ian. "Very much so... Though, as with most nights, the whispers that find me can be disturbing, but... other times not... I have heard, for example, talk of a great honor coming to the three of you." He points to Eliana, Moriel and Rolf "And your friend Anstace... I have not heard what the honor is, but it seems that Mithras has been discussing this with Matriarch Salianna."] 06* Eliana raises an eyebrow, then quips, "If it's a diplomatic position, I will be forced to question their judgment." 06* Moriel blinks, then huffs a breath that's not quite a laugh at that. I expect our prince knows better. [Thomas shakes his head. "I know not, but I would be cautious... no honor comes without obligations... And the way that Mithras has been speaking of this position makes it sound like it will be of great benefit to him, as well..."] Of course. 06* Eliana looks about to say something, then thinks better of it and simply nods. [Thomas nods. "That being said, I would like to know... what are your clans leaning towards with regards to how to proceed with our forces?"] 06* Eliana frowns. "I will exchange such information if you tell me what the Nosferatu are planning." [Thomas nods "Of course..."] [He shrugs. "We are very concerned about the ritual in the east. Our sources have reported an increase in disappearances around the vatican, and an increase in the sighting of demons and other hellish creatures, which leads us to believe that Moloch is already weakening the barrier between Hell and this world."] 06* Eliana looks briefly surprised, then she relaxes and nods. "I am glad to inform you, then, that our clans are in agreement. The Tremere believe Moloch's ritual the greatest threat, by far, and would urge the majority of the forces be sent to disrupt it, with an additional, much smaller group pursuing this Kali's Fang. The lycanthropes can keep New Carthage busy in the meantime." 06* Moriel 's eyes widen and he darts a quick sideways glance at Eliana. 06* Eliana might notice Moriel, but she doesn't look back. 06* Rolf growls lowly, then says, "The Gangrel will speak with one voice... and do so in front of Mithras." [Thomas nods to Eliana and then to Rolf "I respect that Rolf... I am sure the information can wait."] 06* Moriel puts whatever he's thinking on hold and murmurs, "Clan Malkavian is concerned about the safety of its members spying in the north. Currently they intend to put as much effort as possible into disrupting the enchantment binding the garou to Carthage, to strengthen our position there and free them to other tasks. Such as pursuing Moloch." [Thomas nods. "Thank you for sharing. I just wanted to make sure to limit the surprises in store during this upcoming meeting. It is sure to contain much tension as it is." He bows. "Know that I am always available to you to exchange information in the future." And he bows again to Ian, "And that includes you, Mr. Hargrave."] [Mini End!]