Kindred Western Conference Summit 2021

[prepare2die]

He heard bone crack from the force of her kick, but to his credit he didn't make much more than a grunt at the pain. His eyes narrowed, determined not to give her the satisfaction of knowing she'd managed some damage. Normally he could evade her attacks, but he'd let his guard down simply because it was Isabella. 

He ought to know by now all of her personalities were dangerous in their own ways. 

Swallowing the pain-induced nausea in the back of his throat, he settled into a subtle, more defensive stance. "I oughta beat your ass," he snarled, knowing full well he wouldn't. "You ride with me or you stay here. I don't give a rat fuck about all that other shit you just said. All the limp dicks in the world could answer to ya and it still wouldn't change the fact that I'm the one that fucking protects your ass! So its gonna stay where I can fucking see it, whether that means on my bike or here in Vegas where it belongs!" 

[Prince Aiden Forest]

~The following night...  9 days before the Summit~

Aiden opened his eyes in a room without windows.  He was resting comfortably under the sheets of his California King bed, which he had outfitted with crimson colored bedding, for the obvious reasons.

Kendra stirred and yawned, pulling the sheets up as she sleepily glanced at the Prince.  "Hmmmmmmmmm.  I need to hunt something tonight, darling.  Something alive and youthful, that has fight in its veins!"

Aiden Forest was quietly musing.  The previous evening had gone perfectly, despite the incident with Marlowe.  He'd have Scarlet handle that.  He would need to focus on the deal.  The lawyers would handle things for now. His studio would be tackling a remake, as well as a trilogy, accomplishing two milestones.  The new films would become the "Sudden Death" trilogy.  Likely the first of many award making films produced by his kind.  Van Damme's team consisted of two kindred stunt actors that had been in the business since the late seventies, and several humans-.

"Aiden!"  She tapped him, looking into his eyes with those deep blues.  

"Hm?  Oh Yeah. Yeah.  Take out.  Sounds good, honey."

Kendra Forest, Aiden's wife, pulled the blanket away, wearing nothing but underwear and a flimsy tank top.

"Oh no, buddy.  You're coming with me."  She poked him in the ribs playfully.

"Hey now!  Stop that!"  He poked her back as she giggled. "So... pick up, huh?  Fine... I suppose.  Go get in the shower and I'll join you after a bit.  I need to check my phone."

She smiled and ran her hands through her short auburn hair.  "Alright, Aiden.  Don't take too long."

Aiden smiled warmly.  "Be there in a sinch."

She left for the bathroom and turned on the water.  Aiden scrolled through his messages.

Three voicemails and two texts.  He recognized the "unknown" phone number.

"Well well...  Ol' Eddie Sandburg.  My divorce lawyer.  He's got to be in his eighties."  He listened to the voicemail, which was the elderly lawyer explaining that his ex wife Josie had passed away mid-afternoon.  Natural causes.  She was seventy-six.  He should call him back and discuss her will.  Aiden had an immediate pang of guilt.  He had deleted her final words to him, because he just couldn't listen anymore.  Maybe he'd hit up his tech guy to see if the message could be restored somehow.  If not... perhaps this was best.  He would probably not attend the funeral.  It would hurt him too much, although he had moved on.  Aiden sighed and checked the next message.

Scarlet was checking in.  She had Wheels driving around with Virgil, combing the industrial district looking for Marlowe this evening, but their trail had run cold.  The Vegas Malkavian Prince had also called to adjust her RSVP, but she was definitely making an appearance.  Claudia Jean DuPont, the Banu Hagim Prince from Hawaii, had already arrived in town and had checked into Forest Tower this evening.  Virgil had been notified as well, as he wanted to make sure his sister's trip went well. 

"Great.  Just what we needed. More crazy around here."  he mumbled.  Claudia was not as unstable as Clara, but she had the tendency to become bloodthirsty if anyone called her an Assamite.  The scars of the Sabbat ran deep with this one.  Still, she would represent her clan at the Summit.  A Camarilla Summit.

Next message.  It was Wheels.  He was probably returning his earlier call.  The voicemail was just the sound of someone fumbling around in their car.  Aiden shook his head and rolled his eyes.  "If that wiry bastard wasn't so good behind the wheel, I'd have snapped his idiot neck by now.  Well...maybe..."

He looked down at two texts from Sharron.  The first one was a furious paragraph about how she didn't know what had happened, or what she had been thinking, but she would have never allowed Jean blah blah blah...

The second text was her apologizing about the earlier text and that she had smoothed things over, the deal was still on.  "Hmph.  That must have been a weird conversation with Jean."  He suddenly heard the rushing water from the pipes, as Kendra had adjusted the temperature.

He tossed his phone aside on the bed and leapt towards the bathroom in one bound.  He opened the bathroom door, and was met with a wall of steam.

"Oh, this is going to cost me dearly." He quietly whispered, as he fell for the sham again.

~~~

Scarlet tapped her foot as she pulled out breakfast from her top desk drawer.  Aiden had secured the movie deal, so he probably wanted to celebrate tonight.  This meant she would likely be running double duty with the remaining vendor calls.  Not to mention a flurry of RSVP's to track, and a missing guest as the cherry on top.

A missing Nosferatu, that Aiden may have killed by accident.

She hated it when he was like this.  Things got done, but Aiden Forest had the tendency to over-correct if just the slightest thing went wrong.  Things had had most certainly gone wrong.

She had just checked Aiden's inbox on her way up to her desk.  She put a straw in a bloodbag as she read his mail.  "Legal docs, Cease and desist letters, luncheon meeting requests...  ah... here we go....  One more response."

The Ministry had responded to the invitation.  The Utah Prince (Tur'Maha) had been assassinated by his right hand man last week, but they would likely have a representative available to attend after everything was sorted.  She'd notify Forest when he decided to come to work later in the evening.    

"Geeze.  Those guys don't mess around."









 





    

[Marlowe Rodrick]

"Vho vould vant me dead?  I'm so very lovable, darlink!"  he chuckled at Elise.

He paused, and like an ancient Rolodex, he swept through his memories, listing a few enemies he had made in the span of one and a half millennia.  "Hmm...One sirrre. One Ex-vife... her currrent vife... one ex-husband (don't ask).  Thrree of my five childes. At least thrree law enforrcement agencies, including zhe rrroyal mounted police of Canada. Zhe FBI, A Garou -verrevolf tribe... Vendigo, I zhink,  One Brujah Prince.  Two Prrimogen, meine Großmutter, my lawyer, Zhe ghost of my fazher, and..my former babysitterr.  Yes.  Zhey all vant me dead for one rreason or anozher.  Zhis may have been vhy I moved to Alaska."  

He walked with Remington and Elise to their car.  He had considered her offer, as she threatened against "funny business".

"I vill not bozher you wiz my troubles.  It is too much to ask.  But you arre corrrect.  I am likely in zhe dangerr of some kind.  Zhough I am pleasantly baffled wizh yourr generrosity, I vould be eterrnally grrateful for zhe sanctuarry.  At least until zhe heat is off me, I can rremain off zhe streets until zhe summit." 

As they sat in the back of the limo he gently took her hand into his bandaged one.   "I'm sorrry...it is...  somezhink... I am unused to.  Once again.  Zhank you.  For treating me as a perrson."

He did not linger, knowing full and well his touch would bring discomfort.  Marlowe sat back in the backseat and straightened his tie, peering out of the back window as Remington drove them away.  This contraption was very fast.

~~~

Remington hit the security code as  the man at the gate buzzed them in.  The cameras followed them.  They drove along a long, wooded driveway and then under a bridge before they arrived at the master estate.  Marlowe seemed transfixed with the sheer beauty of it all, as there were sculpted shrubberies and painted walkways leading to a large courtyard.  "Darlink, I never broughz it up... but may I ask vhat it is exactly zhat you do for a livink?  I have been in a lot of places, but zis  place...  rrrivals some of zhe castles I've seen."  he was in disbelief.

~~~

A diesel trunk engine could be heard in the distance.  Wheels Murphy Malone and Virgil Jean DuPont had followed the limo until it had pulled onto the Beaufort property.

Wheels nudged Virgil with his hand as they kept driving past the estate.  "Found him.  Call it in."

Virgil slapped his hand away, clearly irritated.  "I don't take orders from your ass.  Could you have brought a less conspicuous vehicle, Malone?  Fuck, man.  They might hear you in Barstow!"

"Whatever, mon!  The Mercedes was totaled during an assassination attempt, de Lambo is having body work done, real big surprise dere, and dis here truck.. she has de best gas mileage out of  ALL of Aiden's fleet! I.  Don.  Wanna.  hear it."

Virgil scowled as he called Scarlet.


 

[Elise Beaufort]

"That is quite the list of enemies," and a lot to unpack. She didn’t say the last part out loud but she did chuckle.

"Listen, you come into our city and almost get killed by the Prince's car. That's not really a proper welcome. The least I can do is offer accommodations."

Once they were settled in the car, Elise would introduce Cassandra, her assistant to Marlowe. He would know she was human but Elise wasn't concerned for the moment. It wasn't the first vampire she'd been around that wasn't Elise.

She smiled a bit when Marlowe took her hand. Any discomfort she may have felt as he held it would not be expressed in any way. She offered an appreciative smile and nodded slightly.

"You're welcome."

The silence would settle around them as the entered the estate. She watched Marlowe as he looked out the window.

"I was an art consultant at one point in my life. I just happened to be in the right places at the right time, you might say. A few investments in the right company, but also a marriage or two helped," she grinned, "but lately I've been dabbling in real estate."

She shrugged. Elise really had worn many different hats throughout her life. It was easy to get bored with one thing or another so she changed it up every so often. And she married rich once or twice, but she didn’t talk about those. Really, she didn't need to work at all if she didn't want to but it gave her something to do. More importantly, it allowed her to make the connections she needed and valued.

"This place started as a place to come and relax. Slowly over time, I turned it into what it is today, with the help of very talented workers of course. I suppose I may have indulged a bit too much and got carried away."

She looked out the window and took in the view. It really was a place she loved to be and it was a beautiful place to host. She turned back to Marlowe.

"I have a skilled staff that helps keep the property looking it's absolute best."

Elise was not unaware of the diesel engine and she had noted it following them for awhile.

"You'll still want to be careful. I have a lot of security around this place...but they may still try to pay you a visit."

Remington would park in front of the entrance of the main house. Elise stepped out, Cassandra following behind with the bag and now empty container.

"You're welcome to come in for a bit. Otherwise, Remington will get you to one of the guesthouses."

[Marlowe Rodrick]

"Zhe Prrrince of Los Angeles?  Aiden Forrest?? Zhat prrince?  Pah!  His studio is zhe one zhat produces zhe well made-schlock is it not?  It is shtill schock, nonezheless.  Anyvay...  vhoever vas driving zhat contrraption had to have been farshikert!  Drunk or somezhink else entirrely!  I vas invisible to zhem!"

Marlowe Rodrick walked into the main entrance of Elise's home, remembering to wipe his feet.  He had decided to wear his trench coat inside, despite the efforts of Remington to take it from him.  "Zhis is qvite gracious of you Elise.  If you do not mind, I vill rremain wizh you for a time."

After greeting Cassandra, he made his way into the great hall, and took a moment to give himself a once over in a tall mirror.  He smoothed over a loose bandage around his neck, seemingly as if he were compelled to.

"I have zhe utmost faizh zhat zhe guest arreas arre beyond vhat I could drream of.  In any case, you vill barrely know I am here."

He scratched his head thoughtfully.  Marlowe knew he was out of his element, but wanted to avoid all manner of unpleasantries.

"I have but only one rreqvest.  Vhen it comes time to feed... In zhe event zhat you decide to provide a blood sourrce (vhich I am boldly assuming might be zhe case) I must ask zhat I dine alone and in prrivate."  He seemed a little ashamed.

"Please understand, I apprreciate yourr generrosity, but zhe truth is, I am zhe vorst dinnerrr guest imaginable.  Vizhout my coverrings, a meal vizh me can be qvite unappetizing."

~~~

Scarlet was on the phone with Virgil.  She seemed irritated.

"What the fuck are we paying you for?  Go check in with the Ventrue Primogen, find Marlowe, and haul his ass back to the towers."

"It's not that simple, Ms. Hendricks."

"When is it ever?"  She audibly sighed on the phone.

"No, you see, I figure that Elise took him in.  He must have invoked sanctuary.  We don't even know if he's legit, and they're having blood sherry in the parlor!"

"What the hell is-  nevermind, I don't want to know.  Let's just assume, worst case scenario, he can't identify himself or produce an invite..."

"Scarlet, you know that nobody gets in without the place card.  Not even celebrities."

"Elise could be in danger."

"Well... I've seen her in action.  Level head on that one.  I'm not too worried.  Let him come to the Summit.  We can deal with him then."

The phone was silent for a few seconds.  Scarlet was thinking.

"Alright.  Fine.  I'll compromise with you on this one, Virgil.  Go visit Elise.  Ask to see Marlowe's invite, even if he won't face you.  If he doesn't have one, just leave.  If he has one, just call me afterward so I can make arrangements."

"You got it boss."

Virgil motioned to Wheels to turn the truck around.  They would find themselves at the gate.




  

[Myrine Leventis]

Myrine would spend some time at the club where she would wander amongst the crowd, glass curled in her hand as she nursed the red liquid contained within. With purpose she would use her presence and cold demeanor to discourage all but the bravest of souls to approach and talk to her. At one point she'd take advantage of the club's willing herd to partake of something a bit fresher than what they kept on house at the bar, but when Aiden left... his exit only half as less noticeable as when he entered... she figured it was time for her to leave as well. The Sun would be up soon. Calculating the normal traffic this time of the morning she could be back to Aiden's estate within an hour before dawn. Plenty of time to setting into her offered sanctuary.

She'd exit Rabbit's Revenge, looking for her valet who would instantly go and get her vehicle despite others that might've been waiting longer. As she waited, her phone would ring once more.

"Twice in one night?"

"Something else you may not be aware of."

"Oh yeah?"

"The Prince from Alaska is apparently in town. Marlowe Rodrick. Supposedly. Word on the street is he showed up without identification only to later be hit by a vehicle driven by 'Wheels' Malone."

She'd ponder this information, sucking air gently through her teeth before offering a flat response. "Hm."

Arthur knew that tone. That sarcastic tone that usually meant Myrine thought her time was being wasted. He'd continue.

"Aiden, or at least Scarlet, is currently looking for him. They're trying to figure out if he's a fake or not since he got away from Wheels. Virgil seems to think he's with Elise Beaufort."

"How very odd. Hold on." She'd reply plainly, stepping up to the curb as her vehicle was brought around and watching as her phone switched the call to her car. She'd hand the driver another twenty and slip inside, shutting and locking the car door. Then, when her words were shielded she would speak again.

"How very kind of our Ventrue Primogen to offer a visiting Prince sanctuary. Especially when it isn't certain he is who he claims to be. But tomorrow is another night. Keep me informed if anything comes of this. I'm certain I will hear more as well."

She'd disconnect the line. A lost Vampire, albeit one with a title, wasn't what she was to be focusing on. According to Scarlet and Aiden she was to track down his long lost Sire and keep him from causing trouble. But as she mentioned to Arthur, tomorrow was another night. She hadn't even seen this contract Scarlet had mentioned. A ridiculous idea anyway. As if a piece of paper really meant much to a vampire of her age.

As calculated, she'd make it back to Aiden's estate with time to spare. Upon arrival she would be escorted to the room that had been prepared for her to stay the day and upon the pillow would be a stack of papers inside a folder with a pen. She'd slip her jacket off of her shoulders, laying it neatly down upon the comforter as slender fingers flipped through the sheets. Typed front and back, there were at least ten pages there if not more.

"Trivialities...."

[Elise Beaufort]

"I wouldn't have offered if i minded."

She'd slip out of her boots, leaving them on a boot tray near the door before slipping into a pair of flats. She didn't tend to wear them outside so they wouldn't dirty her floors. Her eyes watched as he smoothed the bandage. She motioned towards the large sitting room to the left. It had a wide entryway and one could easily see in or out of the room from where the seating and coffee table were set up. She'd let Marlowe head in first and follow behind. She sat in one of the two fauteuils that were placed across from the  matching settee. She sat near the edge and crossed her ankles, hands folded in her lap. She watched as Marlowe settled. Elise listened as he made his request about eating alone.

"It would be rude of me to not provide you nourishment for you while you are here. Allowing you to dine alone is a request I can grant. Do you have a preference on type?"

Elise picked up on the fact he seemed a little ashamed but really, she didn't think it an odd ask. He wasn't the first vampire she met who preferred eating alone. She watched  him and waited patiently for an answer. She'd be able to provide just about anything he wanted.

Elise was not a kill and ask questions type person. It was quite barbaric in her mind to do that, but she also didn't trust many people. No, she preferred getting answers, then killing if the situation called or it. 

"How did you end up in Alaska of all places? You have quite the list of enemies and stated that may be why you moved there. Is there truth in that?"

Remington would come over to Elise. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. She would nod letting him know he could let Virgil and Wheels onto the property. She'd remain seated a few more moments. 

"Looks like, we have some company."

When she heard the doors of the truck close she stood up. Moving back to the main hall she would keep Marlowe in her line of vision. Remington opened the door to allow the two into the main hall.

"Gentlemen, welcome. How can I help you?" 

Elise knew why they were here but she'd not let that be a reason to be rude. If Marlowe remained in the sitting room, she'd stand where he was in her line of site. If he joined her, well, then she would make sure no one did anything stupid. 

[Prince Aiden Forest]

She was raised with morals and traditional values.  Rich family.  Destined to become a trophy wife for a very rich old man.  Mistakes were made, and she had an affair.  Then she was swindled out of wealth by an elderly prosecution lawyer husband who had used the law against her in a nasty divorce settlement.  So she hit rock bottom.  Her family had disowned her.  She was almost penniless. 

Susan Fontane - Former Miss California... 1995. Aerobics Instructor. Gemini. Age 40. Type-O. As a new divorcee she had out for a good time, and in like fashion, her luck did not improve the night she met Kendra Forest.

Kendra Forest could be very persuasive.

And now Susan was being drained of her blood by not one, but two Kindred.  They wouldn't kill her, if they didn't have to.  But they'd take her to the brink.  She faded quickly.

Aiden and Kendra kissed as the blood ran down their lips.  This was just like old times.  Midnight Brunch in L.A. took on a whole new meaning.  They covered the bite marks with a trick Aiden had picked up from a Ravnos he once knew.

Kendra took out an empty bottle of blood thinning medication and sat it on the nightstand.  Susan was out cold.  She placed a large wad of one-hundred dollar bills into Susan's change purse.  

Aiden picked up Susan's phone, and used her limp hand fingerprint to unlock it.  He called his contact at the Avasta Center, which was a Medical Group that he donated massive sums of money to.

"Yeah, I need an ambulance at the Yellowfield Apartment Complex on Sunset Blvd.  Apartment 6C.  Another overdose.  Tell Gerald that 'the Easter Rabbit' has a basket for him."  He winked at Kendra, while making a 'tch' noise and sticking his fangs out.

Kendra rolled her eyes.  "You're going with that?  Really?"

"Yeah, Steve.  One last thing.  She needs to live.  We think she sort of likes this kind of thing, so I want extra care taken so me and the misus can have an encore."  

He hung up, and they didn't stick around.  They eventually got back to the penthouse.

"Aiden?"  Kendra turned and blinked at Aiden with a flirty smile.

"Yes dearest?" he knew what was coming.

"I have an investment to make.  I want a boat!"

His mouth dropped open.  "A boat?  What, with a windowless cabin, I'm guessing?"

"Yes!  A yacht, actually!" she beamed.  "I have an old girlfriend at the marina who is giving me a great deal!  The offer is for one and a half million, and it is a beautiful vessel.  You have to see it!  I already made a ghoul who happens to know how to sail.  I can finally go out and see the world, like we talked about!"

There it was.  "You mean...go wherever the hell you like with whoever, huh?"

"Well... not exactly, baby!  I'll have a crew.  You and I can go off together sometime, when the mood hits us!  We have all the time in the world!  You can afford to be spontaneous!"

Aiden sighed, and thought about it for a few moments.  One point five million... he was the biggest schmuck.  Fuck.  "Okay!  FINE.  So I'll be spontaneous, then."

Kendra's eyes became wide.  "You mean it?"

He nodded, as her dress hit the floor.  Aiden would probably end up taking the rest of the night off.

~~~

Scarlet sat by the phone, slightly annoyed, as she rolled her tongue over her fang.  Two and a half hours had gone by.

She had expected a call back from Virgil, as soon as he dealt with Marlowe, one way or the other.  Nothing yet.

She wondered what Myrine was doing, but decided not to bother her on her first night in her new role.

Elise's people were dodging her calls.  

She had called Aiden twice in the last three hours without any word.  He must have decided to take a personal day without telling her.  A few moments later, a call from reception was buzzing in, suddenly breaking the silence in her small office.  She answered immediately.

"Office of Aiden Forest.  How may I help you?"

"Ms. Hendricks?"

"Yes, Connie?"

"Claudia has arrived in the lobby."

"Virgil isn't available to greet her.  Ask her to wait for me, and I'll be down in a few."

"Yes, madam.  Oh, there's one more thing, Ms. Hendricks."

"Yes?"

Claudia Jean DuPont, the Banu Haqim Prince from Hawaii,  removed one of her small silk gloves as she sat on a comfortable loveseat.  She held an unlit cigarette with a holder, but seemed to only have it for show.  Her hair was a large, tangled mass of jet black, curly hair, and her skin was pale olive.  She seemed to be from the wrong time period with her style of dress.  She wore a tight, stiff mini-dress that would suited Bettie Page or Jane Mansfield in a calendar shoot.  She wore fishnet stalkings and three-inch heels, with a Wonderbra.  And she was ready to let loose.    

Claudia would be staying in one of the Forest Tower penthouses, free of charge, as one of Virgil's contract conditions.

"She wants to speak with the manager."

"Right."

[Marlowe Rodrick]

MUSIC IN LOBBY PLAYS (CLICK TO LISTEN)

Banji Rakshith walked straight into the lobby of Forest Tower, and stopped in front of Claudia, and a sheepish concierge she had been berating.

Banji was a short, young Egyptian man who wore a hooded robe over a loose, long-sleeved shirt. He wore a fez. There were few colors in the print, but very intricate designs on his wardrobe. He rolled in with two wheeled suitcases. His skin was a pale brown, but it was clear he was part of the Ministry of Set to those who knew the meanings of his jeweled accessories. He had been sent in place of the assassinated Prince in Utah.

"Claudia, my old friend, what seems to be the problem?"

The Arabic woman turned to Banji. He seemed genuinely shocked to see that she no longer wore a hijab.  She was dressed as a pinup model instead.

"This Ya Gazma says my penthouse windows do not face the Qibla. How will I pray to face the Ka'aba?" Her thick eyebrows were furrowed. "It is unacceptable!"

"If it pleases you, let us trade rooms. I have a corner penthouse with windows facing to the south and east." He smiled. "Will that suffice, my dear?"

She scowled at the manager and hissed once. "Make this arranged as so." she dismissed the man, turned to Banji and hugged him. "Ohhh, how I have missed you, Banji. Hearing your voice reminds me of the life before."

"It warms my cold heart to know you hold such sentiment, my dear Claudia."

Banji bowed, averting his eyes.

"It has been too long.  Last we met, you had changed your name... now I see you have changed from traditional dress. I am curious as to why?"

"I decided to become more marketable. Modernize. Westernize. I am to wallow in sin so my people do not have to. Be as the infidel, infiltrate their power structure, and destroy the enemy from within. Being damned makes this possible."

He frowned slightly, not particularly caring for this decision.

"You know I cannot approve, but I will try to understand your choice. Our condition makes some practices more difficult."

She shrugged. "Thank you for trying, Banji."

"Of course. How is your brother?"

"Virgil is a made man. He works for Aiden now."

"Oh, I see. I had not heard this. He is likely doing very well then."

She nodded and smiled.

Two huge tattooed Egyptian kindred walked up behind Banji. He waved them off as they approached, and they went to sit in the lobby. These were Warrior Setites... soldiers trained from childhood and then embraced to enhance the skills they learned in life. Banji had brought elite bodyguards to the Summit.

"I will join you for a drink later, yes?"

"Of course, Banji. I'd love to."

A bellboy rolled up with a cart full of designer luggage. "This you, ma'am?"

She snapped. "Yes. Top floor. DO NOT scuff my luggage in that tiny service elevator."

Banji went ahead and checked in.

~~~

Wheels and Virgil sat in Elise's living room, sipping diluted blood tea from china teacups Remington had prepared in advance.

The Nosferatu sat across from them, uncomfortably and without a beverage. Virgil was doing most of the talking.

"Here to finish zhe job, boys? Vhat do you vant?"

Virgil had put his pinky finger up out of sheer habit, but realized nobody thought it was funny.  "It isn't like that, Marlowe, and you know it. We've just been asked to confirm your invite. As I said before, it ain't personal. We are just doing our job. If you check out, we can take you up to a room in the Tower and pull out all the stops... leaving you snug as a bug!"

Wheels had finished his first cup of the warm blood tea, and held his cup out for a refill. He seemed to like it. Remington graciously saw to it being filled.

"I have zhe invite. But it isn't herre. Its with my things, near zhe RRRabbit's RRRevenge. I did not have time to rretrieve it."

"We could give you a ride. It no problem at all, mon!" Wheels glanced at Virgil with a slight smirk.

Marlowe studied them for a few moments, and thought carefully.

"I vill accompany you, but I vill not be staying at Forest Tower." He slowly looked towards Elise. "I vorry zhat I may remain in peril. Elise. I heff asked so much of you. Vould you join me... for my safety? At zhe very least to vitness my deazh at the hands of zhese brutes for posterity and testify against zhem if I am to be murdered, aftervards?"

[Elise Beaufort]

Remington, always two steps ahead. She'd offer him a smile as he put the tray with a carafe and cups down on the coffee table while Elise led Wheels and Virgil into the sitting room. She'd take a seat next to Marlowe on the settee. Remington poured the red liquid out into the teacups. She lifted her teacup and saucer carefully. She took a sip as she listened to the three of them talk. 

There still weren't answers to her questions but sometimes one had to take action without having all the information. She wanted to get this situation sorted out. She caught the smirk Wheels gave Virgil when they offered to give Marlowe a ride. She perked a brow before taking another sip of her tea. Marlowe's question didn't surprise her and honestly, she had found herself ready to offer to go along even if he hadn't requested it. Carefully, she returned her saucer and teacup to the tray on the coffee table. 

"I will come along. Remington will follow. He can give Marlowe and myself a ride back here. I don't want to inconvenience either of you any further."

She'd give a charming smile to Wheels and Virgil. Elise wasn't leaving any room for debate from either of them. She was going and Remington would follow in the towncar.

"Shall we?"

Elise stood and motioned towards the main hall. Once Virgil and Wheels started moving she would follow them. Elise closed the door behind her. Cassandra would remain at the house. Elise would text her if she needed anything. Remington had already gone out and pulled the towncar around and stood outside of it, waiting.

"You could ride with me ma'am and they can follow."

"Thank you, Remington. We'll ride with Wheels and Virgil. Just follow behind. We're heading back towards the Rabbit's Revenge so Marlowe can get his things."

Remington offered a nod and slipped into the driver's seat of the towncar. Elise turned towards the truck. She would let Wheels and Virgil climb in first before she climbed in followed by Marlowe.

[Prince Aiden Forest]

~The following night... 8 days before the Summit~


Aiden rolled over in an empty bed.  Kendra had gotten what she wanted and left, likely grabbing the first poor schmuck she could find at the marina to drain out in the open seas.  This was his unlife now.  He had enabled everything she had become.  But, it was time to focus on the conference, so he decided he'd deal with one crisis at a time.  

Aiden sighed and got up.  It was 9:30 P.M.  He had been getting up later and later these days.  He got cleaned up and dressed in a bright colored suit.  It would be an elevator trip down and then across the street to the administrative building he owned.  Then another elevator ride up.  Scarlet had left a few voicemails that he had not checked yet, so he had decided to speak with her in person.

As he walked in from the elevators, and she seemed to be wrapping up a tense conversation over the phone.

"Our Prince is finally here, so I'll update him on your progress.  Yes.  ... ... ...  No.  I don't know where he's been, Virgil, and it's none of our fucking business! Focus on Marlowe! - Just get Elise to smooth things over, and have her people call finance directly, Aiden will want to compensate her for the inconvenience.  Yes.  Right.  Use the corporate account.  We'll send the tailor over for his suit measurements, and contact me if there are any issues.  Goodbye Virgil."  she disconnected.

Aiden had sat at his desk, in a massive leather-bound office chair.  He tapped his fingers on his desk and perched his lips.  "Good evening, Scarlet."

"Marlowe's legit.  He had the invite hidden in a ventilation grate near your club."

"Of course he's legit!  I'm sure Wheels apologized, as he seemed to have forgotten how fast the Lambo could go."

"But you wer-"

"Along for the ride?  Yes.  That's the story I heard, and that is going around.  I was so shocked to hear about Marlowe's ordeal.  Why, there was no cocaine-infused blood in the vehicle!  Wheels was driving recklessly.  It was all just... a misunderstanding."

Scarlet rolled her eyes.  "Okay Aiden.  So he's agreed to take the heat if the council gets wind of this?"

"You betcha!  If i can't get "Wheels" Murphy Malone out of trouble legally, I'll post his bail and help him leave the country.  It's a shame though, because I'll never be able to replace him.  He's a 'killer' wheel man."  Aiden snickered at his own terrible joke.

"This is irresponsible even for you, Aiden." Scarlet snapped, as she pushed her glasses up and glared at him.

"What?  Nobody died!  .... alright.  ALRIGHT.  You're mostly-   right."  Aiden put his feet up and thought for a few moments.

"So, go ahead and send him a gift basket with the usual to Elise's place.  A bottle of expensive cologne and blood mints, the good kind.  We'll get him set up with a private booth at the club, key word... PRIVATE.  We can schmooze him all this week until the event - maybe without scaring off my regulars."

Scarlet's eye twitched.  "Will that be... all?"  She stared at him with an annoyed expression.

"Fuck!  Alright! I'll apologize to him personally at the Summit.  ... and...  mean it."  This was becoming tedious.

Scarlet nodded, and finished writing in her night-planner.  "Mmmhm.."

[Marlowe Rodrick]

~45 minutes earlier~

Marlowe stooped over in the alleyway, pushing a heavy dumpster aside with supernatural strength.  He reached up to a higher ledge to retrieve something.  He produced a screwdriver and began to loosen the hinges of a ventilation grate that had a couple of missing screws.  He removed a bag and quickly put the grate back in place as Virgil impatiently waited.  Wheels had stayed behind, keeping the truck running down the street, and Elise had followed them.  She stood nearby as the quirky kindred slid into his element.

"Zhere ve go!  Completely undisturrrbed! Vunderbar!"  Marlowe rummaged in the deep ruck sack, which looked to be a vintage WW2 style field bag.  He pulled out a large clear plastic bag with a crumbling folder.  It had a great deal of Russian symbols running across the top.

"I heff a few items you vill need to see.  Firrst, zhe invite!"  He slid the folder onto a makeshift table made from a busted door and a couple of trash cans.  There was an invite for a Marlowe Roderick, the Nosferatu Prince.  It was smeared with a bloody hand print that had dried on the back.  Marlowe watched Virgil's reaction, and seemed to know what to say.  "My name is even misspelled.  Ach.  Such disrespekt.  I apologize if zhe state of zhe document invalidates itself.  I may heff somezhing else for yourr discrretion."  He pulled out a small manila envelope from his coat and handed it to Virgil.  The mercenary opened it and peered inside.  He pulled out one of the $1000 bills and looked at it under the streetlight, squinting to check its validity.  

"Seems you're in order.  I'll contact Scarlet to get you checked in for the Summit, Mr. Rodrick."

Marlowe nodded.  "Shplit it vizh your parrtner or take it for yourrself, it doezn't matterr to me."

Virgil scoffed.  "Whatever, man.  I don't have a partner.  Malone works for the prince on full time salary, so he's already a millionaire I don't like.  So... you know what?"  

He tucked the envelope into his suit jacket.

"Fuck em'!  I'm gonna call Scarlet and let her know you've officially checked in."

[Elise Beaufort]

There were still questions Elise had that were being ignored or circumvented. None of it made her uneasy; no, she was quite capable of taking care of herself if something went awry. It didn't mean she wasn't cautious in her generosity. There was a sense of duty to other vampires that Elise often felt. She supposed much of that came from her years of being undead.  

Elise had only been 20 something at the time she was turned. It was almost expected back then that husbands would have mistresses. Though Elise had not been the first of the Duc's mistresses, she was the one that had taken the Duchess's wrath. The Duchess saw Elise as an asset but wanted to punish her by bringing her into this life. The memory brought a scowl to Elise's face for half a second before she reset her expression to neutral. The first few years were ones filled with anger and rage. Elise would take it out on anyone and she didn't always make it quick. As time went on, she learned. She learned control, she learned to be adaptable, and she had made herself the asset the Duchess had thought she would be to the clan. Dignity was something that came with that learning and she had learned to take it seriously. Letting Marlowe die in that way would not have been dignified and it would have been undignified for her to let it happen.

Her eyes watched as Marlowe pulled the rucksack from it's hiding place. Remington moved to stand next to her, almost as if standing guard. The corner of her lip pulled up into a half smile. He'd been the most constant being in her life over the last 75 years. He was always protective of Elise even when it was clear she didn't need assistance in a situation. Though she would be loathe to admit it on more than a superficial level, she was thankful he was around. A brow perked as Marlowe handed an envelope to Virgil after showing him the invite. Interesting. Virgil stated he would call Scarlet and let her know Marlowe was checked in.

"It seems everything is in order then." Elise looked from Virgil to Marlowe and back to Virgil. "I believe we are going to have several long nights ahead of us. I'm sure we all have plenty to do prior to the conference." 

[Louis-Joseph de Montcalm]

A horse drawn carriage pulled up to Forest Towers, with darkened windows and drawn curtains.  The horse driver was an Amish ghoul, pale skinned, and slack jawed, he drooled as he stepped down from the seat.  He grunted and let out a raspy moan as he stretched, popping several vertebra back in place.

The strange bearded man stared at the carriage door with blighted eyes.  He opened it, and "Rock Me Amedeus" blasted into the street.  It was quickly turned down as Louis De Montcalm stepped down and onto the paved sidewalk.

Louis was dressed in a modern garb that consisted of a sharp, black suit and ruffled shirt.  He wore a powdered wig and pale makeup with black lipstick, with a beauty mark just above his lip.  He briskly made his way to the Forest Tower as another gentleman exited the carriage from the other side, toting a full sized portrait.  He handed the Amish driver the painting and rushed inside.  This was Louis's smarmy assistant, Dreyfus, a balding, overweight human who worshiped his boss.  He only put up with regular mistreatment for the chance to become Kindred... a wish that Montcalm was unlikely to grant.

"HOLD that door!  Thank you.  Prince De Montcalm is here.  Yes.  Announce it on the speak-  YES you heard me.  Get Scarlet down here now!"  He spoke with a heavy northern accent.

Dreyfus waddled back down the stairs and bowed.  "Prince De Montcalm, I have announced you to the peasantry!  We may proceed to enter, sire!"

Prince De Montcalm bowed slightly, but did not lower his eyes as Scarlet met his gaze at the door.  A crowd of Aiden Forest's staff was forming in the lobby to assist.  The streets outside had been cleared suddenly.

The Ventrue spoke with a deep baritone that would fill any room.  "Shall we... proceed?  I would see this false sun in the house of the forest."

Dreyfus immediately became frizzled and loud.  "Clear the way!  The Prince wishes to check in!"

Scarlet clutched her clipboard.  "It is my deepest pleasure to welcome you to Forest Towers.  I am Scarlet Hendricks, and if you need anything, you simply call me or my staff and we will make it happen.  Prince Montcalm, we have the executive suite waiting."

Louis sighed, as if bored.

"I want to ride the metal box to my quarter.  A walk around here would please me as an apple would." 

Scarlet seemed puzzled. 

Dreyfus scowled, but smirked immediately after.  "Prince De Montcalm would be happy to take your elevator up to his room.  He wishes to enjoy its features whilst here."

He then spoke to her aside.  "Good to see you Scarlet.  I can tell you're having a bit of trouble, but you'll get used to the way he talks over time.  Its like deciphering bad, cryptic poetry."  

"Something traumatic must have happened to him to make him regress back to his old ways."  Scarlet mused.

"Right.  Look, I'll level with you, you seem like a nice lady, so I'll save you a bit of hassle. Just give him what he wants without question, and he'll be the perfect guest."  

"I take it he will be staying the full week?"

"That sort of depends on if what he heard about this place is true."

Scarlet stopped in front of the elevator and pressed the button and frowned.  "Oh, so what rumor has gotten out now?"

"That this is the only place a vampire can watch the sun rise and survive."

Her eyes lit up for a moment.  "Oh, that... got out?  Really?  Well... if he wants to see the sun rise again, this is the place!  ...It is true."

"He simply wants to see it for himself."  They filled the huge, windowed elevator and traveled to the top floor, as the city of Los Angeles sprawled in the distance.

"Goody goody.  Pleasantries abound!  What a view.... from these darkened panes?"

Scarlet nodded.  "Yes, there are 42 stories in Forest Tower, and all of the windows are treated to block UV rays from entering.  Kindred tested.  Very safe."

"I was a man of science once.  I knew Isaac Newton."

Dreyfus nodded, staring ahead as he loosely translated.  "The Prince does not understand you, but appreciates the fact you are trying to explain."

The Amish ghoul was slumped over in front of them in the adjacent elevator as their doors opened.  It shuddered to life as it saw the group, with a startled moan.  It shambled into the already open executive suite, and began to hang the heavy painting on the wall with the help of an already present bell boy.  It was a struggle.

The Prince walked into the main living area, and the curtains moved automatically to reveal a sprawling view of downtown Los Angeles.  He blinked rapidly and walked over to the window.  He removed his silk gloves to touch the glass.  It was warm.

Scarlet was fumbling with a remote.  "Ready?"

Montcalm's eyebrow raised as he pursed his lips.  He glanced at Dreyfus and nodded.

"Proceed."

A tiny speck of light peered from the horizon as the sky slowly changed color.  Montcalm's eyes widened in fright.

Scarlet paused the video, displaying on the ceiling-to-floor 4K television.  "It's fine!  It's fine!  It won't hurt you!!!"

Louis seemed to collect himself and he nodded to her to proceed.

"Alright."

The sun rose, and lit up the entire room.  Louis was weeping.  

[Prince Aiden Forest]

The sunset looped several times.  

Aiden popped his head in the darkened doorway of the huge room.

"Louis! C'est si bon de te voir, mon cher ami!"

Montcalm's makeup was a little runny, but he smiled at Aiden and spoke softly.  "Please just speak English."

He paused, glancing thoughtfully. "I will admit your pronunciation is better than I remembered, even with the Russian flavor in your accent.  Ivan taught you, didn't he?"

Aiden snickered.  "HE DID!  HA HA!  good catch, Louie.  Egad! ...It's been a long time.  I'm glad you decided to leave the past in the past and join the party.  I have a good feeling that if we can get the right documentation signed, our trades will bolster each other!"

Dreyfus exhaled, having heard this pitch several times before. "Drive in dispensaries with screenings of endless B movies?  Clouds of marijuana drifting in front of a big screen to add that extra 'ambiance'? I'm sure the Feds will love it.  I see where you're going with the idea, but Prince Montcalm is not here to make investments at this time.  He is just here for the summit."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Dreyfus? Is it?  Do you do all the talking for your master?  I'm not trying to disrespect you, but it kind of seems like you are trying to."

Dreyfus stuttered.  "N-no.  Just stating the obv-"  Louis stood and slapped him against the wall.  He sputtered, having had the breath knocked out of him.  

Louis spoke with a harsher tone.  "Enough!  We will speak of the business after the Summit."  He squeezed Dreyfus's throat, and held him off the ground for a few moments, smiled wickedly, then dropped him, only to smooth out his collar.  He let him go as he collapsed to the ground.

"Sorry you had to view that, I... think he just has a face that is so...  Gah, I fail to grasp the word... "

"Slappable?  Heh.  Yes, I know the type."  Aiden grinned good-naturedly.  "Oh, leave him here.  Lets have a drink while we change the subject."

"..."

Aiden motioned for his security, pointing to Dreyfus.  Murdock was a thick headed Brujah who enjoyed killing, but was the best mercenary money could buy. 

"Take care of him."

The toothy behemoth of a vampire chuckled.  "Easy doin'.  You got it boss.  We'll take real good care of your human buddy here."  Several of his squad followed in behind him.

They walked back to the elevators.  It would be a quick drive down the street to Aiden's club.