A Worn And Dusty Traveler

[Black Philip]

The overcoat of the traveler rustled in the cold spring night. It was that time of year where during the days one could feel the sun on their skin, but at night they needed a jumper or coat. Yes, most ordinary people felt the soft sun of spring, but not the owner of the overcoat who moved like a shadow in the early night. The traveler was a vampire, and was therefore denied the joys of the sun. He wasn't bothered by the fact. He didn't really feel the cold either, not like mortals.  In fact, he'd walked through clear nights, violent storms, wicked winds and heavy snow. Tonight was damn near pleasant to the traveler, and his expressionless face showed his satisfaction, however small.

He'd gotten in just an hour before, and he'd proceeded directly from the bus stop he'd been dropped off at to the headquarters of the Oligarchy. It didn't take long to find the building, and the traveler stood just outside it's grounds. He wasn't ready to go in yet. Tattooed fingers dexterously fetched a crumpled pack of cloves; black cigarettes, sweet as their namesake. A flame erupted into view, igniting the stick, and stinking up the surrounding area with rancid black smoke. The traveler took a deep inhale and closed his eyes, content for the moment. As he opened those oversized green marbles, the traveler blew a beautiful smoke ring, a halo to grace the visible moon. He smiled at his creation and blew out the rest of the smoke through his nostrils. Now calmed, he turned to take an appraisal of this palace.

Place looks expensive, he thought, condemnation in the psychic buzz.

Well, what had he expected from a group of assholes who call themselves the Oligarchy? I mean, they were kind of advertising a tight leash and inequality, the ivory tower feeling just a stone's throw from these "hallowed" chambers. Still, he'd heard the current ruler was a wise man, and the traveler had to admit the idea of all the supernatural species congregating exciting and progressive. Perhaps there was knowledge here. He figured he'd find out in time.

In one hand was a weathered suitcase. It had seen many cities, subways, cars, planes and roads a plenty. It's handle squeaked with rust and it's leather was worn. It was a solid piece though, something like the old traveling salesmen of the 1930's used to carry. It was sturdy, and looked like it had some places still to see. In the other hand was a guitar case, equally battered and well traveled. Inside was a prized possession. The traveler had so few. The overcoat was beige and hid the other clothes of the man in question. On his head was a Fedora that matched the coat. It was a look for a time long gone, and yet it looked somehow contemporary when compared with the man's pretty face. His jawline told one story, while his big eyes told another. From his fat bottom lip dangled the clove.

He entered the foyer and saw a reception desk, kind of like a hotel. It was less crowded than the traveler had been expecting and he looked around the ostentatious lobby with a mixed expression of amazement and contempt. He approached the desk and took of his hat, revealing short sides, and black hair, slicked back and slightly to the left. Hat in hands, the tattoo on his knuckles read, just love. He was regarded by the desk clerk on duty.

"I'm here to see Luminary Kerr Galvin or Vampire Oligarch Jacob McCloud," he stated. His voice sounded husky, thick and low. It was a practiced low, like a contralto training to be a bass. A softer higher voice existed. It was purposefully not used. His expression read as commanding but patient. His face was naturally severe when not smiling and so he often appeared tougher than he intended. That seemed to happen here, as the clerk gave the traveler a funny look, before stating that he needed to make a call upstairs about this. The traveler saw nothing odd in this and placed his suitcase and guitar case down while he waited.

"Sir," the clerk called out. "Please put that out."

The traveler had forgotten all about the clove, and with a decent degree of embarrassment, put it out against the guitar case. His expression melted into a frown.

Great first impression. Ugh...

[Trillian]

"Wait a moment, please."

The desk clerk, wearing a headset, returned to their computer and double-clicked a number. They waited until it was answered. "Yes, sir. You have a visitor asking to see the Luminary Kerr Galvin or the Vampire Oligarch McCloud?" The clerk listened and glanced over at the newcomer. "Mm-hmmn. Mm-hmmn. Yes, of course. In the foyer, or...? Mm-hmmn. Okay, certainly sir. I'll organise for him to be shown up."

With a flick of the switch the call was ended and the desk-clerk made another. "Can I have someone come down to escort a guest, please?" and then the desk clerk returned.

"Sorry, we're not at full staff yet. Someone will come down shortly and take you to the conference roo--oh! Here they are now," the clerk waved to the older gentleman who stepped out of the lift. There was an offer to either leave the suitcase and guitar case behind the front desk, or for the older fellow (a mortal) to carry them. Or, if the traveller wished to take them with and hold the cases himself, then that was what happened.

The elevator was a short ride to the second floor. The conference room was a small but neat six chair affair around an oval table. It only took a minute of waiting by himself before the traveller was joined by a young-looking blonde vampire with pale blue eyes stamped by curiosity.

Ben kept the door open because there was nobody else on this floor. Beneath their feet he could hear the noise of the Ward settling into their new space. Patrols were already out, so only the admin side remained. There were enough of them shifting stuff around that Ben was aware of their presence. He wondered if he would have to soundproof the conference rooms a bit more for vampiric hearing.

His gaze roamed over the newcomer even as he stepped in and held out a hand for shaking. "Hi, I'm Ben Samson. Kerr's fle... Kerr Galvin's fledge. He's out at the moment with my brother at the Academy but should be back any minute now. He's uh... he's not the Luminary any more though. And Jake McCloud is not an Oligarch any more either. None of them are." Ben sank into his seat close to the other vampire, who was very pretty in a chiselled feminine kind of way. The aura of age was obvious as well - older than Kerr, but not anything like the Sacramentum. "I can fill you in. Might I ask who you are?"

[Black Philip]

The traveler relaxed when he realized that his clove hadn't been a gross violation. You never knew with government type places. They all loved rules so much they made them for everything. Why not have one for smoking? As the desk clerk made the call, the traveler spent most of the time scanning the room, focusing on the strange statue in particular. What did it mean? Was this Kerr Galvin? As they asked themselves these questions, the older domestic appeared and offered to take their things. The front desk also offered to hold them, but the man shook his head no.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'd like to hold onto them." He smiled at everyone to show it was simply something he preferred and wasn't to disrespect their gig. Once that moment was over, the traveler followed the older man to the lift. He pulled out a ten dollar bill and tried to hand it to the old man, but he simply looked embarrassed and declined. Wow. These people couldn't even take tips? Jesus this Oligarchy must be oppressive. He expected to meet an ancient, some big wig hot shot to tell him all the rules he needed to follow. The other thing he imagined was that the Luminary wouldn't see him at all, and that he'd have to start his search in another way.

When the blonde vampire entered the room, the traveler let his pleasant surprise at seeing one so young show in a genuine smile. Hr was very attractive, in a portfolio kind of way. However, as Ben explained the situation their face turned into a sour frown. He took off his overcoat, revealing a white dress shirt, tan slacks and suspenders. He rolled up his sleeves, showcasing several tattoos. A yellow bird, a diamond, and Thor's hammer were a few of the ones now visible. However, most notable of all was the word RENEGADE located on the inside of his right forearm. He folded his coat and neatly placed it on his lap, just in time for Ben's question.

"Guess my intel was old," he chuckled. He took the shake and Ben would find the grip's strength uncanny. He'd sense no aggression, or ill will, but it appeared when this guy shook hands he really meant it. "My name's Tyler, and thanks for meeting with me."

[Trillian]

Ben watched the coat being removed and the fluid way this vampire moved with practised ease. Ben was glad he'd chosen to wear navy suit pants and a silver-grey cotton shirt, looking the part of a professional. He'd intended on meeting with the Ward's chief today, to secure the full details of how the central district would be run if he did manage to take it over. Might as well be prepared. He would've felt underdressed if he'd been wearing jeans and a t-shirt, lacking the credibility he needed to counter his age.

He studied the tattoos just long enough to identify them and raised his eyebrows at the intel comment. Yes, old, but not that old. Almost two years out of date. What was two years when vampires lived forever? Obviously from out of town.

Ben would have explained that Kerr wasn't the Luminary anymore and then given Tyler the address to the White Rabbit to find Jake, but he wanted to know more about what was going on and who this person was. Now that he was looking to run a campaign against Jake McCloud for the City Central district, it made sense to know what was going on in it.

Ben did his best to channel Kerr, or Vincent, who were both vampires of decent upbringing and old world politeness.

"May I be the first to welcome you to the city then, Tyler." Ben smiled, but he was wary. He'd given his full name and received only one name in return. First name? Last name? Only name, like

Lazarus

Charon? Ben's smile faltered if only for an instant. "No problem. I'm pretty sure I can help or at least point you in the right direction. What were you wanting to discuss?"

[Black Philip]

The formality of the greeting was met with a raised eyebrow. It felt like this boy was trying on his daddy's words, trying to find the right way to make them his. Tyler wondered how this vampire would've greeted him at a bar, and found himself curious to see this Ben in other settings.  Still, it was meant to convey politeness, and so Tyler smiled and said, "Thanks Ben. I hope you don't mind me using your first name?"

The question was a serious one. Names mattered a lot to Tyler, and the last thing he wanted to do was to get Mr. Samson's wrong. He considered what question to ask first, as he had several, and decided to ask the one he felt would lead to all the others.

"I'm an Anarch and I've heard this city has a decent amount of my people. I got a call saying things weren't going well and I've come to investigate and help them if I can. Are they at this White Rabbit?"

He opened the suitcase, underneath the table and pulled out a small notepad, and a a sharp pencil. He looked at Ben's eyes, and the pencil began to scribble.

[Trillian]

Ben was immediately on edge, though it was his gift to display a cool exterior while inside he was reeling. He'd always been that way, even when he was mortal. Vampirism only fine-tuned it.

"Yes, the White Rabbit is an anarch bar," he said, looking down at the notepad to see what Tyler was writing there. Casually (perhaps a little too casually) he asked; "What kind of help do you offer?"

He didn't want this Tyler person going to the White Rabbit and helping Jake with his bar, freeing him up to work on the campaign. Not that he could stop it. There was another option, one that nagged him because of how Tyler had mentioned that they were here to 'investigate'. If Jake had called Tyler for help, there was nothing to investigate. If someone had called Tyler on Jake...

And it hit him. The thing that had always bothered him about Jake's rule, when he'd taken Sam's class. Jake McCloud called himself 'Prince' (like the Camarilla) instead of 'Baron' (like the Anarchs). He outlined laws and rules (like the Camarilla) instead of being a mediator for his peers (like the Anarchs). He called himself an Anarch but he was Ventrue - a purely Camarilla bloodline. The more Ben learnt about Camarilla and Anarchs, the more he felt like Jake was playing it both ways, straddling the different organisations and taking what he liked out of both.

And now this Tyler person was here to 'investigate' and 'help'. Fuck. Fuck! Ben did not want Tyler to take the reins from Jake. If Jake was set aside and another became District Leader in his place, then Ben might end up running against that person... and Ben would lose all of his advantages.

He awaited his answer and stared at Tyler, knowing he had to play this very carefully.

[Black Philip]

Tyler wasn't writing at all. He was sketching something. It turned out to be eyes, and depending on how long he stared Ben would realize they were his eyes. It wasn't the greatest pencil sketch ever put to paper, but it showed practice and some skill. It looked like a hobby perhaps, or maybe a way to pass the time. It picked up details though, and the slightly lighter shading around the iris showed an attempt at capturing Ben's pale blue color.

The traveler seemed pleased that the Anarchs had a space to call their own, and nodded as Ben explained the situation. Ben's cool demeanor went unchallenged, as Tyler had no reason to suspect an ulterior motive from his new friend. To Tyler, Ben was just a resident of this building, the child of an important person. Those thoughts weren't held with prejudice. In fact, Tyler preferred the idea of talking with a non politician, an every man who knew the city through learned experience. If he only knew that this boy was the threat he'd been sent to handle.

"Well... I don't quite know yet," Tyler said carefully. "It depends on what I find. I was told that the Anarchs are in a bad place and facing threats from multiple sides, including from within." The last part was controversial to admit, but perhaps if this Ben knew something about it he'd share. He'd talk to McCloud and figured out the score, including the complaints about his leadership.

[Trillian]

The sketch held his attention until Tyler's words shifted his focus. Ben couldn't help his micro expression. His eyes widened and his lips parted. Rather than presenting false bravado, he used his surprise to question Tyler further, offering information in exchange.

"I've heard about the shifts in power," Ben said, for as much as he'd wanted to be involved, he wasn't yet. "When the Oligarchy was disassembled, different Oligarchs took over different districts in the city. Jake McCloud got the central district because my sire, Kerr Galvin, uh, was unavailable." He licked his lips, not wanting to say anything negative about Jake because this Tyler person was speaking like they were an ally of his. "Recently, Jake added the west district to his territories, but it belonged to the demon oligarch, Zeus." He watched Tyler closely, to see what their reaction was. "Zeus had a meeting with my sire a little over a week ago about it. He's not happy, as you can imagine, but he's not declared war or anything. Would you consider that a threat?" he asked, playing innocent and keeping his wide-eyed stare, like the political machinations were beyond his grasp and he needed Tyler to clarify. It was half-true. He did need Tyler to clarify.

It wasn't so much if Tyler would become aware that Ben was hunting for information of his own, so much as when. In the meantime, he hoped he could get one or two opinions out of the older vampire first. He wasn't going to lie, either, so much as selectively hold certain truths.

[Black Philip]

Tyler listened to the tale, and there were parts that didn't quite add up. For one, was Jake's only qualification that another vampire was unavailable? Hadn't he been in a position of power? It seemed like Ben was omitting something, but that wasn't the strangest detail, and so he decided he'd ask McCloud about it later. What was stranger was that the Anarchs would take someone else's turf. If a rival gang was harassing them maybe, or if the other gang was killing folks perhaps, but just adding territory felt wrong. They hoped either this Ben, or McCloud, could give some kind of context. Ben's follow up question felt out of place, like the puzzle was too incomplete to answer.

His face showed all his confusion, his shock and something close but not quite anger. He stopped sketching for a moment, mouth forming a puzzled expression. He stared at Ben hard, like he was a safe that needed cracking and Tyler was just trying to figure out the combo. His innocent expression softened Tyler's edge, and after a minute, the pencil started moving again, the expression relaxing.

"Well, I guess it would depend on what McCloud and this Zeus feller decide to do about all this. A threat would be violence and I'd say peace is the best option most of the time. Unless I see some heinous shit that changes my mind. Don't know if that answers your question, but it's what I got."

[Trillian]

"Huh," Ben said. Looking back down at the sketch. He blinked a few times when he thought he recognised the eyes as his own. Off-putting. The gears in his mind turned and he decided to speak on Jake's behalf. "Well, Jake's move into the west angered a lot of the other leaders but other than complaining about it, I don't believe any threats were made," yet, he thought but didn't say. He knew Saraekiel and Zoheret were against Jake, but he didn't really know what to make of the dark angels. He doubted they were on his side, either. He downplayed Jake's vulnerability as much as he was able.

"You know, I stayed in Jake McCloud's, um, apartment for a little while recently. About a month ago, now. Beneath the White Rabbit. He seemed to have no trouble running things while I was there. Everybody on his staff - "

Lazarus

Ben faltered, "... um, uh... everybody follows him." He thought of Sam and Lisa-Joe. "He has fiercely loyal people on his side. So, no heinous shit that I can speak of." Ben gave an awkward smile and then looked from Tyler's face to the drawing and back again.

[Black Philip]

Tyler seemed soothed that Jake's following was secure. He had not loyalty to McCloud in a personal sense, but regime change was hard and they'd liked the boy the two brief times they'd met. They weren't even sure that the little rascal believed they were the real Tyler. There were plenty of people with claims. They'd even teased him a bit about his ears. They didn't want to think he was secretly some monster, and Ben was giving them the assurance that Jake was doing okay.

Tyler moved on to the nose now, and yes it was Ben's nose. He also seemed totally aware Ben kept looking at the sketch, even showing his progress at one point with a grin. After the nose they'd better get the lips. They were rather specific and a defining feature of this Ben guy. He also wondered if Ben was Jake's ex. He'd been staying with him in his apartment, and looked very much like the kind of guy he'd thought McCloud was into. It would be rude to ask, but that was another question for McCloud.

"Well that's a relief," Tyler admitted. "I heard there's a lot of my clan here. That true?" He assumed Ben would know which clan he was, but if the blonde looked stumped he'd add "Brujah." Tyler had more questions of a general nature about who was running each district, any important laws he should know about, and if there were any Camarilla or Sabbat in the city. Once those were answered, he asked, "oh, and is there any place in town I can get a tattoo with magic ink?"

[Trillian]

Ben was thinking about how many Toreadors were in the city when Tyler corrected Ben's assumption. His eyebrows raised and he assessed Tyler once again. He'd associated the Brujah clan as bikers and Jake's poser-punk thugs - he certainly didn't expect this individual as sharing those traits.

"There are more Brujah than the other clans, but the majority of vampires here are clanless. Caitiff," he said, using the Masquerade word. "Most of the Brujah here came with Jake and settled in the city when he did." Jake had brought his people with him - that weren't really his people, because they weren't even the same clan. Not that Ben was going to complain about that. "Um, there aren't any Camarilla or Sabbat. The Oligarchy kept them out while it was in power and the District Leaders have done the same. This city has its own rulers. The Sacramentum Et Res run the east district," Ben said, wondering if this Tyler person knew them. They'd been around and had lots of connections with different families around the world. Before Kerr had come back, Charon had mentioned that Ben might like to be sent to one of the Spanish families on Sacramentum's behalf. That would never happen now. "Zoheret and Sarakiel are both dark angels that control the north-west and north districts. Zoo- uhhhh, Sabrina is the south district leader. She runs a tattoo parlor, among other things. You can get tattoos from her."

Ben was delighted with how the sketch was coming out. "Hey, that's really good."

[Black Philip]

As Ben explained the city's politcal makeup, Tyler kept sketching. By the time Ben was finished Tyler had moved on to the hair. Everything else had come together nicely, but sketching hair was always a struggle. It was hard to capture texture and volume with a simple pencil. He kept on working, but replied to Ben's various statements as he did.

"Interesting. A city of mostly the clanless. In our circles a lot of Cattiff end up as Anarchs since the Camarilla thinks their inferior." Tyler rolled his eyes at the thought, and Ben would sense both the older vampire's dislike for the Ivory tower, and that he didn't share their views. To Tyler, it was a vampire's deeds that mattered, not their age or their clan. Who were they? What had they done? How were they making the eternal night a better place? These were the important questions.

The information on all the rulers was interesting as well, with Tyler's eyes flicking up to meet Ben's when he mentioned the Sacrament. "I think I met one of their clan once; tall, blonde guy, really serious, can't remember his name though. He called his clan his family. Only one other clan like that, and I hope that these Sacrament folks aren't like them."

He didn't comment on the dark angels. He didn't know much about them except stories and legends. He decided he'd have to check them out. He heard the weird Zoo sound, and subsequent correction, but he didn't comment on it. He considered it a verbal flub. "Thanks for the info on where I can get a tat. I like to get one for each major place I end up spending some time. You got any," he asked? The sketch was finished, and he'd managed to capture a fair amount of Ben's good looks. At Ben's compliment, Tyler gave a look that could almost be called sheepish, and reached into his bag to grab a black felt tip pin. He signed his name with practiced penmanship, the T oversize and beautiful looking.

"Thanks. You make it easy being so drawable."

Was he flirting with this Ben? He was cute, and had been so helpful, and drawing someone to Tyler was an intimate experience. It helped you understand them better. He tore the sketch out of his book and handed it to Ben.

"Keep it if you like. It's a Tyler original!"

[Trillian]

Ben's gaze flicked between Tyler and the drawing. The next few comments weren't bombs at all and Ben was pretty sure the bomb drops were over. He'd started getting the gist that Tyler was here to help Jake rather than remove him from leadership; Jake would have to fuck up pretty badly if that was the scenario.

When asked about tattoos, Ben shook his head. "I'm not interested in them for myself, not yet anyway. Who knows what I'll want in a hundred years?" he went to smile and breathe a soft laugh but his own words rattled him. Kerr had told him that there would be some moments of disassociation as he got a bit older, when he should be looking at an older self in the mirror but it was still his young face. He was getting that now. He should be almost thirty.

The compliment brought him out of his momentary shock and then he did smile, though shyly. It was different when he'd modelled and a photographer complimented him than when a proper artist did it now. He didn't know why, but it had a bigger impact on him.

"Thank you," he said quietly. When the sketch was signed and he was given it, he reacted visibly. "Thank you!" he said, his words more pronounced, sounding obviously grateful. "I hope...

you won't be turned against me

but he couldn't say that, so he finished it off with; "...we can talk again." He stood and offered his hand to shake again. "I can organise for a car to take you to the White Rabbit, if you would like?"

[Black Philip]

Tyler happily handed over the sketch, a feeling of pride matched by his satisfaction at the conversation. If everyone was as nice and helpful as Ben, then he'd be out of here soon. He was starting to wonder why his contact was so concerned. It's not that he didn't think there'd be issues when he got to the White Rabbit, but Ben made it seem like the issues were small and manageable. He laughed internally for thinking this place was going to be like the Camarilla. These districts sounded much more fair than most places he visited. If you didn't like one leader try another. There was the possibility all the district leaders were corrupt, but Tyler had long ago learned that such thinking normally led him to fighting against someone, and to his own surprise he was tired of fighting for the moment.

Tyler didn't miss Ben's grateful reaction and shrugged his shoulders. "Pleasure's all mine, and thanks for letting me use you," he said, fully aware of the double entendre he was making. His innocent face and bright tone of voice didn't match the words, leading the ignorant to think it was just a slip of the tongue, but Ben would likely see the twinkle in his eye, and the tongue firmly planted in his check.

"Don't worry about that," Tyler said, waving away the offer of the car service. It was the opposite of his style. "I like to walk and want to get to know the city. Just tell me where I'm going and I'll let you get back to your night. Thanks again for all the information. In truth, I didn't know what I'd find." He laughed for the first time and the pitch was bright, young, and hinted at a long dead human. He rolled his sleeves down, put on his coat, and put away his sketch book. Now suitcase and guitar case in hand, he'd wait for Ben to dismiss him before heading back the way he came and out into the night.