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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 21:51:50 GMT
A request had come from the Camarilla ... those Tremere who'd made home in Knockturn Alley ... they wanted to meet again.
At least they timed it well. With Exo and Erskine back, at least Mary wouldn't be facing them alone.
The message had come the old fashioned way ... mail drop. No owls from the Campires. It requested a meeting at the Castle. At least the location was agreeable.
Mary had worn her most daring, a long severely corseted dress of the softest black leather, that merged flawlessly into her trailing shadows. Her ornate silver rosary strand hung about her neck, its beads like drops of crystalline blood, and her hip length hair was loose.
She walked slightly ahead of Exo and Erskine, as if plowing the way through the gathering uncertainty that was this meeting.
Would Rose and her cohort let the old truce stand, or be ready for war. Because if war they wanted, war they would get!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2017 22:24:14 GMT
Erskine followed Mary through the crowd, watching carefully for any Camarilla trickery. He had taken much care over his appearance for tonight, so there would be no doubt as to his lineage.
Mary had told him there was only two of them coming to meet, what was the purpose? Was it to show their strength? He severely doubted it, the Camarilla had a weak presence in London. So maybe they are going roll over and show their belly, in a feeble attempt to stay the hand of the Sabbat!
Either way he hoped they acted aggressively, he so wanted one of them to play with. He wanted very badly to learn their magics.
He looks at Exo and grins, his black eyes betraying no emotion. With these two at his side he had no worries about the lap dogs of the Camarilla.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 4:38:12 GMT
Exo's faced betrayed nothing. But his aura would. It would show the hate he felt on the inside. Not because they were about to meet with the Camarilla...no.
These were TREMERE.
It didn't matter if they were Camarilla. They had made a truce here and their word was important. But...the Tremere hunted him and those like him. And he didn't take too kindly to it at all. Exo seethed quietly on the inside and kept it locked up, however. They were on Elysium. Exo would respect the rules here. He was dressed like the rabble, as Erskine would say: White bandanna around his forehead and covering it, trying back his dark corn rows. Slightly baggy jeans and white hoodie with no zipper, his rosary like drops of blood around his neck and against the material. Walking in his black boots, he followed and stayed quiet. Being Bishop, he needed to keep his calm. The others would look to him for leadership if the time came...but for now, Mary would be their voice.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on May 23, 2017 20:06:21 GMT
Elezandra was typically there, sitting on a chair on the upper balcony overlooking the area below as they all wandered in. It was a rather well known fact that she was just a watcher and neutral in all aspects of politics. Her brilliant presence was merely there most of the time to remind them of the no-violence law of the Castle. She really could care less about the factions and what was actually being said, it was more the set tone of the conversation and if it was disturbing the peace.
Her hands wrapped around a goblet which she sipped from, her form leans back in a high backed chair and moves slightly out of sight. She was aware that they were aware she was up there, but she made no effort to move from her place.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 22:29:10 GMT
Rose arrived at the Elysium at the exact time of the meeting, the sharp click of her stiletto heels ringing through the corridors. Punctuality is a virtue, they say and for someone as busy as the Tremere Regent was, time was more precious than gold.
Despite being quarter-veela, the blonde ex-witch didn’t use her looks to draw attention. She wasn’t dressed any fancier than usual for this particular meeting. A long black trench coat wrapped around her lean shoulders let show an impeccably cut black pencil skirt and a bright red silk shirt. Long earrings shaped like fragments of mirrors adorned her pale youthful face.
Rose was, of course, accompanied by her Whip, Nikolaus Oberlin. Not that she would have been afraid to meet with the Sabbat Pack on her own. She had done it in the past, after all, when they had first decided on a truce between the Camarilla and the Sabbat. Somehow, it felt like it was just yesterday that they last met. Neither of them would likely have changed much anyway.
She briefly closed her eyes as they approached the room where Mary and the rest of the Pack were awaiting them. “They’re on time. Good.” It would have put the Tremere in a sore mood if she had had to wait on them. At such a short distance, she could feel their most intense emotions - ‘excitement’ ‘curiosity’ ‘hatred’ – fill the air like burning incense. She quirked a quizzical eyebrow as she walked through the door and sent a telepathic message to Nikolaus.
‘There’s only three of them. I was expecting five. Including the traitor of a Toreador I told you about.’
But the only thing she said out loud was:
“Good evening. Thanks for agreeing to this meeting.”
They were enemies but there was no reason not to be civilized.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 23:02:53 GMT
When Rose had told him they were going to Elysium to meet with the Sabbat, at first he thought it was a joke. Sabbat? Respecting Elysium? Maybe next she was going to tell him that they were going to execute a neonate for violating the Masquerade. But if Rose was known for anything, it most certainly was not her riotous sense of humor; she was all business, all the time. He'd heard good things about the Keeper of Elysium at the unsubtly-named Castle Vampyre, and he had no reason to doubt her ability to keep the peace, even if the Sabbat were the guests of the evening.
Dressed in a neatly-pressed and tailored three piece suit with a golden brooch in the shape of the Tremere symbol on his right lapel, he was only a step behind Rose, the clicking of her heels answered by the arrhythmic tapping of his cane on the stone floor, acting as a support for the crippled leg that not even undeath was able to heal. The moment he heard her voice in his head, his own Auspex activated. A Keeper, a Fiend, and... was that a Salubri? In the Sabbat? Saulot must be turning over in his grave in Tremere's stomach right about now. 'All we're missing is a Baali, and this would be a real party,' he answered her, his omnipresent smirk gracing his pale features as his blue eyes scanned the faces of each of the Sabbat kindred before him.
Next to Rose's barely-adult figure, Nikolaus stood a little more than half of a head taller than her; almost as lean as she was and otherwise unimposing, there wasn't an ounce of fear as he stood at her side and a step behind her, both hands resting on the cane that stood at waist level directly in front of him. His red-tinted hair reflected the dim light in the room, immaculately combed without a single strand out of place; he could have almost passed for a Toreador himself. Rose was going to be doing the talking - she did the last time this 'truce' was struck, after all - but he had every intention of keeping his Regent and Primogen safe. His eyes, aided by Auspex, scanned each one in the room; he didn't trust any of them as far as he could throw them, but he knew they would be foolish to try anything in Elysium. Still, he watched their body language for even the slightest hint of aggression.
He glanced briefly at the Swiss watch on his right wrist. He sighed, turning back to the others. He only hoped that this would be entertaining; there was an event at Wembley Stadium two nights from now, and he just loved how easy prey drunk football hooligans were.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 12:07:01 GMT
Mary walked forward, noting how plainly and severely Rose was dressed. She smiled slightly, laughing inside at how stagnated they were, the campires. Then her gaze went to Nikolaus. Not much better in terms of fashion, but mmmm, he looked tasty otherwise.
"You asked so nicely, how could we refuse?" she let her shadows flow across the floor between them, spreading out but stopping just short of invading personal space. Didn't make sense to push buttons too quickly.
"What do you have on your mind? And who is the new meat?" She looked Nikolaus up and down with a sly smile. At the same time holding her hand back to Exo, so that he came forward into her embrace.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 13:47:01 GMT
Exo did indeed step forward and slipped an arm around her waist, the Korean born kindred's face going from empty to entertaining a grin as his ink black eyes landed on Rose. "Well well, good to see you still walking this existence Rose. How has it been treating you?" He chuckles as his sight moves to lock onto the other Tremere. "Ah...and who is this? Tell me he at least has an interesting story, otherwise the whole...proper English look makes him quite boring. Hmm..." He looks Nikolaus up and down. "He looks so excited to be here...what did you bribe him with Rose? To convince him to come meet some Sabbat? Does the clan know? Or was this one...personal?" Exo asks as his eyes flash. He was digging a bit...but this was him needing to. Better a few cracks then other things on his mind.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on May 24, 2017 15:13:01 GMT
Elezandra stepped downstairs quietly, not intending to disturb the meeting. She lightly snaps her fingers and indicates that goblets of the wyne should be passed out amongst the castles visitors. Normally she would give her 'speech' but she would leave that to a more opportune time. She gives a very soft nod of respect to Mary as she has her cup refilled, then walks past everyone again to return to her seat up on the balcony.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 17:10:41 GMT
Rose took a few steps closer to the other group as well, standing right in front of Mary, but just like her she was careful to respect her personal space. She saw very well what she was trying to do, acting all seductive with Nikolaus and using that syrupy tone of voice Rose disliked while addressing her. But it took more to push the Regent's buttons mind you.
She crossed her arms under her breasts. "Mary, Exo, and... Erskine, was it?" She paused to look down at her polish fingernails. "I'm surprised to see only the three of you, but as long as you're talking for your Pack..." She shrugged slightly. "I'm here for the same reason I came to find you about seven years ago: to see if we can agree on a truce."
Rose watched Elezandra stepped downstairs and gave a polite nod in greeting. She had Nothing but respect for the Watcher of Castle Vampyre. Then she turned back to Nikolaus.
"This is Nikolaus. But he came here of his own free will and he can perfectly speak for himself. So if you have questions for him, why don't you ask him directly?"
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 21:41:27 GMT
Nikolaus' eyes glance upward as he was looking down at his watch, as Mary tries flirting with him. He was already in the process of opening his mouth to answer when the Salubri began speaking. 'Proper Englishman,' he says?
"Unfortunately, we forgot to invite the others," he answered, his accent revealing that he most certainly was not English. It sounded vaguely middle-European; easily mistaken for German or Austrian, but those more familiar with it might recognize it as being from Alsace, with a small dose of Swiss influence. His eyes move to the Salubri's arm wrapping around Mary's waist. A Salubri and a Lasombra. Do wonders never cease? He can't resist the smirk as he continues speaking. "A most regrettable error. All this talk of 'meat' might have made some of the neonates hungry."
When Rose introduced him, his fingertips lightly drummed on the curved handle of his cane. He continued where she left: "Rose wouldn't have asked for this meeting if we wanted a fight. Our interests in jolly old London are more... academic. Something I understand you're quite capable of relating to, right... ahh, what was it... Mary?"
He won't say what. Rose was the Regent, she was free to share what she wanted. And at least as far as that was concerned, he would happily oblige.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 22:17:35 GMT
Mary smiles at Nikolaus. "Don't worry, sweetie. You're not my type." She laughs softly, the shadows around her feet rising slightly into lazy tentacles of darkness, before subsiding again. "And, nice to meet you, I am Maria Francesca Del Belmonte." She nods, still smiling.
"No, we are not here for war, either. And yes, Rose, we talk for our pack. As always. What is this academic interest you have in the city? Perhaps we could educate you."
She accepts the wine from the server, and nods to a table nearby, moving to sit. There was no reason to be uncomfortable while they talked, and no reason here to fear ambush. Elezandra would never stand for such bad manners.
[ @ricokincaid where are you? :) ]
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2017 13:55:54 GMT
Taking the wyne with a nod of thanks, his eyes move from one Tremere to the other. "Why is it that whenever we end up talking to Camarilla..they are so...what's the word..." he thinks a moment and then snaps his fingers. "Uptight. Rose here has barely said hi and Nick...well..." he shrugs. "He's already ready to lead with neonates." He sighs and shakes his head. "Rose, love...you are just going to have to smile. At least once. You called us here to have a peaceful meeting. Let's be happy about it, yes?"
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 10:57:21 GMT
Erskine had been looking the two Tremere, totally lost in the thoughts of what he could comfortably improve them or even change them into. He shivered at the thought of what their brains would revel if he had a chance to examine them.
He snapped back to the present meeting, it wouldn't do for him not to be paying attention. Quietly he listened and watched, as of yet his presence was all that was needed.
(Ooc: Sorry guys I have been horribly sick the past few days, back now still feeling like craps so bare with me to get back in the flow!)
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 23:17:16 GMT
Rose simply rolled her eyes: both at Exo's unwanted familiarity towards them and at Mary's ridiculous proposition to 'educate' them. They could pick whatever academic topic they wished, the Tremere was certain she knew far more than the Lasombra anyway. And she had no intention to start sharing her research subjects with Sabbat members any time soon, unless well... she could gain information without giving away any of her secrets. Tremere will be Tremere.
The Regent eyed Erskine curiously, noticing the way he had been staring at them ever since they came into the room. It was not difficult to imagine what the Tzimisce might have been daydreaming about all this time. The disgust this thought inspired Rose was much harder to hide, but she did manage to keep her emotionless mask on.
"Well, let's get to the point of this meeting, then. When this is settled, I promise I'll be all smiles."
As much 'all smiles' as Rose can be, that is. Still she politely accepts a glass of wyne, her way of showing she was being social tonight.
"I trust you all remember the previous terms of our truce, correct?"
((ooc: No problem! I hope you feel better soon.))
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 23:27:04 GMT
Mary smiles, less teasingly, more good naturedly ..l
"Sure ... no hunting of each other, no war acts, no interfering with each other, keeping your masquerade for the sake of both groups. From our point of view, nothing has changed in that regard. How about for you?"
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 23:45:41 GMT
Nikolaus was about to comment on the Tzimisce eyeing them like he wants to ask them to dinner, but immediately forgets every word of his one-liner when Mary starts listing off the terms of the truce. First they agree to respect Elysium (though, granted, he'd think twice about starting anything in Elezandra's place even if there were a Baali openly fawning about diablerie right in front of him), now they're agreeing to uphold the Masquerade?
How on earth did you get her to agree to that? he asks Rose telepathically, not being able to hide his reaction as he turns to face the petite-framed Regent. Are you sure they're not antitribu? Did you Dominate or blood-bind her or something?
Or... were they playing a much more long-term game than just the typical shovelhead was capable of putting together? Nikolaus stayed silent. This was Rose's show, not his, and now? He's interested.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 0:23:04 GMT
Exo watched them all but Nikolaus' incredulous expression caught his eye. With a chuckle, he winked at him. "You have much to learn it seems, young Nick. The truce helps both sides and is beneficial to all parties involved. Rose here understood the need for the truce. Not everything is bloodshed and war between us, little Tremere. Keep that in mind." He gave Mary a gentle squeeze before grinning back at Rose. "Did you tell him nothing before bringing him?"
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 8:13:16 GMT
Erskine whom until now had remained quiet, also picked up on the young males reaction. Once he had been that young and naive back when he had been alive and things were less interesting.
He slowly moved closer to the pair of Warlocks, no aggression in his movements or mannerisms only curiosity and interest.
First the female and then the male,
'You have both transformed so much since your first birth! Your second birth opened your eyes to the night! You.....' he looks at the female, '.... have learned allot, things I would dearly love to converse about. Then there is you, young fledgling! You have much to learn, maybe I could help teach you? Transform you into something beautiful.'
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 8:22:19 GMT
Mary stifles a snort and a chuckle, quickly resuming her serious face. She looks to Rose, then Nikolaus, then back at Erskine, and does laugh, smiling at him broadly.
"That's my little fiend! Always wanting to make everyone as beautiful as me!"
She looks back at Rose. Her smile is natural, without malice or fake sensuality. Clearly her humorous response to her packmate's comment was genuine. Odd, for the elder Lasombra.
"We remember, and we keep to the terms. How about you?"
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 15:27:14 GMT
Rose shrugged at Exo's question. "Nikolaus tends to believe what he sees. Like good scientists do." She paused. "But if he really hadn't thought the truce was legitimate, he wouldn't have come here."
When Erskine moved closer to them, the Tremere turned slowly to face him. "You would love to converse about the night with me? That's a new one." Her tone was slightly sarcastic but her posture was more relaxed. She took a sip of wyne before adding, looking at Mary this time, and deliberately twisting the meaning of her sentence: "Although I do like this dress and hairstyle on you, Mary, I'm quite certain Nikolaus wouldn't do them justice." Contrarily to what Exo seemed to think, Rose could joke. She simply didn't bother, most of the time.
Truth be told, seeing the three Sabbat members act like a family like this made Rose miss the Chantry and her ghouls. Sofia and Shaw were always joking with one another.
Getting back to the topic at hand, Rose said: "I remember, Nikolaus is aware of the terms and we intend to keep them. Camden is Sabbat territory and we respect that. We do not intend on claiming Diagon Alley or even Knockturn Alley but due to the high concentration of wizards, we would rather wish to keep it as a neutral zone. Except for the Chantry itself, of course." The shop and the Chantry would be like a Camarilla Embassy of sorts. "We would like, however, to include the district of Victoria as Camarilla territory as one of the new terms of this truce."
Using telepathy, Rose sent the following message to Nikolaus. 'There. Now I'd appreciate if you tried to be less of an open book. Those vampires are good enough at reading people without you helping out.'
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 15:48:32 GMT
Nikolaus rolled his eyes at the Tzimisce's words. "I appreciate the offer, Fiend, but I must decline." What he really wanted to say was something along the lines of, '... but our clan gained all that we needed from yours in the Dark Ages,' but Rose had already thoroughly briefed him, and chief among her orders was to mind his tongue.
True, he was relatively young by Kindred standards, but he wasn't even slightly intimidated. Still, Rose was right; he had already been uncharacteristically cavalier in his expression. It was abundantly clear that she had more experience dealing with others in a diplomatic fashion. His training was or a completely different nature.
There was a reason she was chosen to be the Regent of the Chantry that deals the most with kine witches and wizards, after all.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 17:53:16 GMT
Erskine rounded on Nikolaus like a bird of prey, his head tilted to the side as he brought his face close to the Tremere's. His black eyes narrowed as if looking fro something in Nikolaus's eyes.
'Your a man of science? Well now, you should reconsider your decline! The invitation is there if you so desire. I am sure there are things we could teach each other! In the interest of keeping the peace, of course!'
He remained within the mans personal space, not even out of intimidation but purely because such concepts had long ago lost their meaning to Erskine.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 21:29:33 GMT
Mary listens to Rose, trying her best to ignore Erskine and Nikolaus, the smirk still on her face. Watching the Campire intersect with her underling, she was immediately glad she didn't have that sort of relationship with her pack. But Rose's offer had her intrigued. Why so close?
"Victoria, eh? I'm curious why there, in all of London. It is little more than a stone's throw to Camden, in all of this amazimgly large city. Why not somewhere with more ... distance?"
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 21:40:58 GMT
Exo watches and listens, though he does glance at Erskine. He was not going to admonish banter...but they could only go so far with the Tremere. Looking back to Rose, his head tilted a bit. "I didn't think you would want to get so close. Why now?"
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2017 22:44:44 GMT
Rose wasn't really paying attention to Erskine's little dance around Nikolaus anymore. The other Tremere was more than capable of handling that by himself.
"I could simply pretend that I've become quite fond of this district of London over the years, but it would only be half the truth. And since we're talking openly tonight..." She watched her wyne swirl in the stemmed glass she was holding before continuing: "... there are several reasons. First, the Victoria Palace Theater is a place I like to go to fairly often. Second, those who appointed me as Regent here never hid their intention of having Westminster be the place of residence of the Camarilla Prince whenever our community will warrant a Prince." And whenever this time would come, Rose truly intended on becoming said Prince. "Third..." She turned to Exo with the shadow of a smile. "... we do not mind in the least being close. We're here in peace, like you said. Or did you wish to put a minimum distance between our communities?"
Keep your friends close and your enemy even closer, they say. All the reasons the blonde Tremere just stated were true. But, of course, being the Tremere Regent she was, Rose had left out one of the reasons. One Nikolaus knew very well.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 0:10:03 GMT
Mary listens to Rose's points.
"You are welcome to the theatre. I seldom attend these nights." Her tone is pleasant, not strained or forced. "And yes, we are at peace ... for now. Perhaps we should thank the wizarding world and their past troubles for that. A certain closeness will not hurt us, that is true." She looks back at Exo and Erskine ... "Now, Westminster ... do you mean the entire district, the cathedral, or the Houses of Parliament ... or maybe all of it? That is the real question. I have business investments within the city I do not really want to give up. If you can define your request a little more, I'll know if they clash."
She wasn't going to say it out loud yet, but she also had a liking for that old cathedral, and enjoyed late night visits to its quiet shadows. And while the club was in Soho, it was an excuse to ask questions.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 1:08:14 GMT
Exo smirked. "I don't mind a little closeness from you Rose. At least you come to my face and deal with me. The rest of your clan..." he looks over at Nikolaus and then turns back to her. "May not be as civilized. You I like. Intelligent, witty, easy on the eyes. This one..." he gestures towards Nikolaus. "Is trying to fasten a mask that is too big for him and most of your clan tries to hide their intentions so hard that they end up giving themselves up for anyone to take their head." He sighs and shrugs before looking back at her.
"The magical communities in this new area you are wanting. What's the significance there?"
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 14:18:41 GMT
It sounded as if this meeting was almost ready to draw to a close. Mary and Rose were hammering out the final details on who gets what part of the city; admittedly, something interesting to watch, as he'd never heard of Sabbat and Camarilla agreeing on such a thing before, and almost such matters almost always were decided in bloodshed. Or at least, he would have liked to have watched. This Fiend was really getting into his personal space.
"My scholarly interests are being attended to quite nicely already," he replied, eyes narrowing in turn. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd very much like to listen to the rest of the terms of the truce."
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 14:41:02 GMT
Erskine was oblivious to the Tremere's annoyance. He continued to examine his facial bone structure as Nikolaus mentioned his academic interests.
'Can you really be so sure boy? How do you know there are not things I could teach you?' Erskine's hand raised as if to stroke Nikolaus's cheek bone. He stopped his hand mere millimeters from touching and let it hang there,'You really do have a unique bone structure, strong and able to endure many changes. Oh the things we could create together.' Erskine's lower jaw involuntary opened a fraction revealing his hideous maw.
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