{V:tM - IC} New York by Night

[Catulle]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden


Sabrina's small voice, and Vychtorya's reasurances were among a number of those prompted to action by the Calebros' words. Valentine was immediately at the erstwhile prince's side, Qadir was approaching from the doorway with a long stride. Carrick placed a hand on his childe's shoulder, as Nathaniel and Elizabeth locked their gaze on each other with apparant loathing. Morgan drew closer to Max as her sire's attention wandered. Other Kindred questioned. The Tremere studied.

Two steps took Calebros behind Valentine, and then... he was gone.

Unfazed, Valentine raised his hand in a quick gesture. The curtain on the stage came up as the house lights went down, and the first chords rolled out across the room.

 

[KitanaVorr]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden

One hand touched the cold mic as her dark eyes swept across the room. “Hello again everyone, this is our last set by special request.” Drifting over the assembly she wondered at their apparent unrest before glancing at the corner where the shadowed man had sat. “We took some liberties and I hope you liked what we did with it.”

Picking up her electric guitar, she slipped the strap over her shoulder and held it in her hands. Only a moment of silence to gather attention, to quiet down the unrest.

“Na-na-na…na-na-na--na…” she whispered into the microphone, letting her voice begin in a soft almost lulling chant as her fingers began to play a somewhat familiar yet strange melody. “Na-na-na…na-na-na—na---yeah…”

“One-Two, One-Two-Three!” came the slap of the drumsticks from behind her.

Suddenly the room exploded in the sound of Cate’s guitar, the hint of a another guitar from Xander, Sita’s bass guitar, and the banging beat of Maria’s drums. Although the song was familiar to some, the style had been drastically changed, updated to a darker rock more Kindred Knights style.

It starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn –

Her lilting voice with its sweet clearness skimmed over the words with a slowing down in parts, but revving it up with a forceful emphasis at others. She had forgotten this was a formal party, that she was in a long silk gown…the only thing for her was the music, the guitar caressed under her fingers, and her voice echoing through her body.

World serves its own needs, don’t misserve your own needs
Feed it up a knock
Represent the seven games in a government for hire and a combat site

Valentine stood so close to the stage…she wondered what he had to say? Ah, the Kindred Knights’ savior from the back alley clubs where smoke (and not necessarily the legal kind) and old beer was the reigning scent of the day. Her eyes drifted over to where the Montagues stood near that self-same corner.

Wasn’t coming in a hurry with the furies breathing down your neck
Save yourself, serve yourself

With a start she recognized the handsome young man from before standing beside his uncle and his sister. They had both returned from that long walk and neither looked all that comfortable either, but the red-headed woman had the child in her arms as if in comfort. What had happened in those few minutes?

World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed.
Tell me with the rapture and the reverent in the right – right.
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched.

Breaking into her verse, she remained unaware of its irony with Xander's hard masculine voice echoing in the background.

It's the end of the world as we know it. (End of the world)
It's the end of the world as we know it. (Save me)
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
(End of the world - Save me)

Finally the speed of the verses increased, the music speeding up toward a crescendo that threatened to bring the roof down upon their heads. But Caitlyn didn’t care anymore. She wasn’t playing for a formal crowd who wanted ballads, she was there on the stage in front of hundreds of thousands listening to her music, playing the music she wanted to play, the way she wanted it played.

Don't get caught in foreign tower.
Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate.
Light a candle, light a motive.
A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies.
Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline.

Yeah---woah!

Finally the last chorus reached her and she played it out louder and louder until the crash of the drums and the dying echo of the guitars infused her last words with an odd sort resonance.

It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

 

[reapersaurus]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden


Sabrina's small voice, and Vychtorya's reasurances were among a number of those prompted to action by the Calebros' words.
The Tremere studied.

Nikolai is intrigued by the turn of events, and leans in to his clanmates, secretly talking under the jarring, frenetic song,
"So have any of my esteemed elders gleaned where Calebros took off to in such a huff?

Perhaps one of your potent powers may have been able to pierce his palpable protections, no?

Maybe our habit of studying, and patiently watching may have earned some information about the now-former-prince's mind-set as he left?
If nothing else, this could be a validation of our beliefs that Knowledge is the best tool for the job..."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Max stands next to Morgan during the performance, quite content with the style of music.

She's good. I have to get the album when they bring one out.

Like all good things the song comes to an end, leaving Max to ponder how long he'll have to wait before he can get their first album. He quickly remembers what he had planned to do earlier and hurries back over to his table. He writes his home phone and mobile number on it then folds it up and puts it in a pocket.

He discreetly makes his way backstage, waiting for an opportunity to speak to Caitlyn.

"Hey Cait, that was real good. I don't actually know the name of the song but its one of my faves," he says while reaching into his pocket, he hands her the napkin with his numbers on it, "Seeing as your getting quite involved in our little social group here I thought I'd better give you my number. We're a bit of an odd bunch so if you don't understand something or find something to be, I dunno, weird or creepy, just give me a call. I'm always willing to help, always, no matter how serious the situation may be."

He gives her a friendly smile.

"Well, I'd offer to help you pack up and stuff but I'd end up damaging something, I can assure you. So I'll just say goodnight and wish you and you friends all the best," he says with a shy wave, and heads back out to meet up with Morgan.

Hope I didn't scare her or anything, just a subtle warning. She's my neighbour and she's a really nice, talented person. I have to be watching out for her.

"Just thought I'd congratulate her on a job well done," he tells Morgan, trying not to arouse any suspicion.

 

[KitanaVorr]

That wasn’t so bad, was it, Cate? the young singer reassured herself as she stepped from the stage. And its over now…the magical night is over. The thought of that suddenly gave her heart a weary feeling, the loss of that moment of power…draining away.

Just as she lifted the guitar straps from her shoulders, Max Freigart approached her and began to speak. His words of praise brought a shy blush to her cheeks still unused to the compliments even now. When he pressed the napkin into her hand, both brows arched and she parted her lips to speak but he kept talking as if there was something he needed to tell her and she couldn’t interrupt.

"Hey Cait, that was real good. I don't actually know the name of the song but its one of my faves. Seeing as your getting quite involved in our little social group here I thought I'd better give you my number. We're a bit of an odd bunch so if you don't understand something or find something to be, I dunno, weird or creepy, just give me a call. I'm always willing to help, always, no matter how serious the situation may be."

Serious? Weird? Creepy? What was he trying to say? What was he trying to warn her about?

"Well, I'd offer to help you pack up and stuff but I'd end up damaging something, I can assure you. So I'll just say goodnight and wish you and you friends all the best."

And as soon as he had appeared, he released her hand with a wave and good-bye not letting her get a word in before he was gone again, back to his ex-girlfriend and the stunning blonde woman Nathaniel had glowered at earlier. Did Max know her, too?

Caitlyn slowly packed up her guitar, placing the napkin and the business card carefully within a slot in the case. Once that was finished with, she set everything down in preparation to be removed…but she couldn’t leave just yet.

Moving over toward the edge of the curtain, she stood there, half in darkness, half in light to watch the beautiful people glide about out. Her audience…her rapt and fascinating audience. This social group that Max spoke of…that was so serious about warning her in some way she had yet to understand…what was so wrong about them?

Suddenly her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a laugh at the sudden thought that pervaded her mind. Perhaps she had been watching too many of movies of late, but for some reason Stanley Kubrick's “Eyes Wide Shut” came to mind. Her dark brow arched for the barest moment as she indulged her imagination about a few men in particular before laughing again, blushing despite herself.

Oh no…that couldn’t be it…could it?

 

[Catulle]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Sqaure Garden

The crowd continued to wheel, confusion mixing with ambition, opportunity with resentment. Throughout, Elizabeth and Nathaniel remained intent on one another. Those close to either could feel the hatred roiling between them. Some of the guests left swiftly, while others lingered to oversee the aftemath of Calebros' departure. Morgan Thepclay, strangely, stuck close by her childe as the soiree broke up around them.


House Tremere

Wainwright's sour expression betrayed his frustration, "Damn him. He has quite the mastery of his clan's art. He left by the south door. Beyond that, I cannot tell you."

A swift nod form Aisling confirmed his judgement. "Well," she began, "it seems matters have airsen that will occupy at least my time for the foreseeable future. Eugenio's too. Perhaps you two" her attention was fixed on Nikolai and Gabriel "should learn to work together. You seem adept at dealing diplomatically and successfully with the other clans. Locate Qadir and nurture a relationship with him; you'll report direct to Eugenio on this matter. If he has aspirations on the praxis we shall need to know. If not, you should assess him for his political leanings." She looked each in the eye in turn, "I trust I make myself clear?"


The Petitioners

Carrick and Nathaniel brought themselves closer together, conspiritorial in their demeanour. A few words could be made out from their soft, quick dialogue; "unexpectedly swift... further discussion... coterie... other interests... Antiquities" They kept glancing back at the younger Kindred about them, but concern was apparant on both of their faces.

 

[Vychtorya]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Sqaure Garden
The Petitioners

Carrick and Nathaniel brought themselves closer together, conspiritorial in their demeanour. A few words could be made out from their soft, quick dialogue; "unexpectedly swift... further discussion... coterie... other interests... Antiquities" They kept glancing back at the younger Kindred about them, but concern was apparant on both of their faces.

Still kneeling with Sabrina, Vych looks up at Nathaniel and Carrick when she hears the name of her club.

”Sabrina, I think the Prince is gone. It is alright now Precious,”
Vych says to her quietly. Making sure that Sabrina is okay first, Vych stands back up holding the child’s hand.

Vych gently reaches for Jemal’s hand and whispers sweetly,
”Mr. Montague, your sister was a brave little girl tonight.”

 

[Shalimar]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
01:00, 11/30/2002

”Sabrina, I think the Prince is gone. It is alright now Precious,”

Vych says to her quietly. Making sure that Sabrina is okay first, Vych stands back up holding the child’s hand.

Sabrina sniffless and wipes her eyes, a tear of blood had run down her left cheek which was swiftly scrubbed away by her well manicured hands. She looks up at Vychtorya from her 'hiding' spot wide-eyed for a moment before hugging her tightly and then steping back from her to see her brother and uncle still griping the older woman's hand tightly. "Th...Thank you." she whispers gratefully to the red-head.

Vych gently reaches for Jemal’s hand and whispers sweetly,”Mr. Montague, your sister was a brave little girl tonight.”

Sabrina blushes at the compliment and gives Vych a small brave smile. "Miss Vychtorya whats a... whats a coterie?" she asks, not understanding the french word. Well, she didn't really understand any of what her uncle and mister Carrick were talking about. She holds out her other hand to take Jemal's larger one.

 

[KitanaVorr]

Caitlyn's Theme for the Party

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden
01:00, 11/30/2002

Caitlyn sighed and then smiled to herself. Perhaps it was time to say her goodbye for the night and settle her affairs of business before leaving. It would be so nice to leave the stuffiness behind, the pretending and posturing that always went with these events...to find a place again to be her real self without the rigid formalities.

Who should she go to first?

Noticing the young child that she had met earlier, she made her decision to head in that direction. Besides, Jemal and Nathan Montague stood nearby and she still had to ask them for further details about being Sabrina's voice teacher.

Brushing her dress free of any wrinkles, the young woman entered the main room amid the bustle of the guests still reeling from the former Prince's announcement. With swift sure steps, Caitlyn reached the small group, gracing them with a wink and a smile of welcome to everyone.

"I hope your walk went well, Mr. and Miss Montague?" she asked Jemal and Sabrina, offering her hands in greeting to those she knew. "I'm sorry that you had to miss a few of my songs. I would have liked to have you in my audience, but perhaps I can play them again later for you both?"

"And your dancing was beautiful, Ms. Farychyld. I hope you and Mr. Freigart enjoyed it as much as everyone enjoyed watching it."

"Mr. Montague," she nodded toward Nathaniel and his striking friend whom she had yet to meet but surmised as possibly being Mr. Ashton. "I hope you're in better spirits."

Was that really her talking? The practised voice of years of speaking with her parents, with their friends, at their parties, their galas...so formal...so stifling...nothing like the freedom of music.

 

[Catulle]

The Club Bar and Grill, Madison Square Garden


As Caitlyn approached the two men, they ceased their avid converstion, resuming a more open stance. As brooding as Nathaniel appeared, his counterpart was as vibrant as she had ever seen someone - he seemed more alive, somehow, than anybody she had ever met.

"Ah, Ms Tran." Nathaniel's voice was almost smooth, at leasts in comparison to his usual tones. "I had hoped to introduce you to Mr Ashton. Mr Carrick Ashton, please meet Ms Caitlyn Tran. I believe she has spoken with Ms Fayrchyld earlier in the evening."

Carrick's head tilted and his expression was welcoming, a warm smile that rose to his eyes gave a feeling of ease, "Charmed to make your aquaintance. Is Caitlyn acceptable? I do prefer first names, as a rule." He turned his head to take in Vychtorya, "My partner says your band would be an excellent feature at Antiquities... I confess my interest is more financial, and I only rarely appreciate art," he rolled his eyes once "but my instincts tell me we could help each other. Perhaps you could come by the club, as a guest, one night. Nathaniel, Mr Montague I appologise, could arrange a convenient time after one of your lessons, no? Perhaps even a lift and some company?"