Summertown

Summertown is a one-square-mile suburban residential area, north of St Giles, the boulevard leading out of Oxford's city centre. Home to the city's most expensive houses, it hosts popular shops on both sides of Banbury Road. There is also a smaller street of shops and restaurants, South Parade, that links Banbury Road and Woodstock Road. A sizeable house on Davenant Road, number 5 contains a small flat of elegantly furnished rooms rented by Silas Mallock. The apartment has a separate newly-fitted and well-equipped kitchen which includes small appliances and a washer dryer, two ring hob and microwave oven. The luxurious bathroom is fully tiled with a shower enclosure and vanity that offers ample storage. A dining table for two leads off the kitchen and overlooks the pretty street to the front of the property.

To most anyone around as Mehdi and Liam arrive in front of 5 Davenant Road, it appears that the pair pulls up in a sporty red sedan. Those touched by faerie or possessing other means of supernatural sight watch as Jetty, the massive Terror Toad, bounds up the street. Her mottled red and purple hide is affixed with rigging which the Changeling and Kindred cling to, and three intimidating horns jut from her warty brow. Mehdi steps out wearing Silas’ face and quickly makes for the front door. “It’s my house, and I live here.” he sings to the tune of Diana Ross, a smile creeping across the stolen face as Mehdi thinks of Fletcher’s childhood and his mother belting the song in the car. A sweet breeze blows past the house as the building accepts Mehdi’s declaration. The smile fades as he turns the knob and steps inside; back to business. “So what’s the plan here exactly?”

Michael watches as a fancy red sedan pulls up and parks in front of the house. A vampire steps out of the passenger side, his clothing, hairstyle, and swagger screaming, 'look at me.' He is accompanied, of course, by a cat.  To Michael's astonishment, Silas steps out of the driver's side and seems to be singing. He looks exactly like the photos in the file. Everyone has been worried he got the big nasty final death, and the bastard has just been off the grid hanging out with his friends.  Michael is about to step forward and tell Silas to stop being an ass and phone his sire, when he stops. Something isn't right here. Michael's beast isn't reacting to Silas like it is to the glampire. Silas doesn't smell like a vampire; he doesn't move like a vampire; and, most damning, he doesn't have his own cat.  Michael snaps a photo of them with his phone. It will upload automatically to his online storage, where he can look at it later. It'll be blurry, but blurry is better than nothing.  He has been holding the beast in to avoid attention; now, he twists it around and, burning vitæ, pushes it out like a cloak of the night to make himself invisible, then he follows after the fake Silas and his friend. 

Liam pulls off his aviators, picking up on Mehdi's lyrics and singing along. "We take anything personal. He didn't strike me as the 'stuff type' but we need to sell that he moved out so when he stops paying rent there's no investigation and his cards don't get cancelled." He gives a wink. "Also, there's probably more cash under the mattress or some other stupid old person thing." He laughs and starts the song back up

Mehdi nods and moves further in the house, but suddenly stops and turns just as Liam goes to close the door behind them. "Wait." His ears twitch and swivel like satellite dishes as they catch something approaching the house. There is no visual cue, not even the sound of footsteps or grass crunching, but even the most imperceptible sound of air being displaced by something solid can not escape the Changeling's chiropteran senses. He glances over his shoulder then turns back to Liam, not wanting to make it too obvious that their invisible pursuer has been made. "Someone's following us. Maybe Kindred?"

Liam winks, his beast flares up though, betraying something more sinister beneath.  "Such a clever one, gettin' in behind us. Come to me, let me see who moves so unseen, perhaps we can put your talents t' better use." His words pour out, irresistibly tugging. His vampiric beauty feeding into the supernatural lure if his words. Even Mehdi who spends every day with him can't help but be impressed by his presence within the room 

Michael feels the seductive call vampire and realizes they somehow know he is here. Rather than struggle and possibly lose his invisibility, Michael turns to run, lashing out with his own Beast, only to have it utterly crushed by a greater power.  Michael suddenly realizes that he doesn't need to run. This other vampire is awesome and wonderful. Michael drops his invisibility and walks back to where they are waiting at the front of the house. He still doesn't know about the fake Silas, but he knows the vampire is trustworthy.  "Hi. I'm sorry about all that sneaking around. I was a little confused, I think. It's just really great to meet you. My name's Mike," says Michael with a warm smile as he offers his hand to shake. 

Liam smiles warmly, shaking the hand of the newcomer, putting his other arm around his new follower as he does and leading him into the house, closing the door behind them. "Lovely t' meet you Mickey, I'm Liam an' this is my good friend Silas. Now jus' what reason d'ye have fer sneakin' round followin' us here an' tryin' t' break into my friend's house? Anyone else snooping around? Or did you come alone there did ya? See, workin' fer me I'd never do y' like that, not nice is it?" Liam's majesty fills the surrounding so completely, even his cat looks up from where it had been washing between its legs to sit up, wag it's tail and purr. 

Michael feels good as he walks into the house with his friend, but when the vampire starts to talk about the fake Silas as if he were the real, Michael realizes what danger his friend is in. The Beast within him surges up, and he has to control it not to leap out and sink his teeth into whatever is pretending to be Silas.  In a low voice, brimming with urgency, Michael says, "Can I talk to you alone for a minute? There is something I need to tell you that should only be heard by you."  

Liam winks at Mehdi and nods for him to stay in the hall, guiding his new friend into the living quarters. "Please, tell me everything. Why you are here, who sent you and if you have been left on this dangerous task all alone be people who don't care for your safety." His voice falls on Michael's ears like carefully struck notes in the most finely written symphony. Precise and beautiful.

Michael speaks softly so they cannot be overheard. "Whatever that thing is out there, it is not Silas. I was sent to Oxford by the Prince of Montreal to find out what happened to his childe. He believes that Silas has been put in torpor or given the true death. That, out there, looks exactly like Silas, but it is obviously not a vampire. Feel for its Beast, and you will see what I mean. It also doesn't have a cat following along behind it like all the other vampires here." Collecting his thoughts, Michael continues, "As far as I know, I am on this mission alone, although I have been asking myself why the Prince would send out a neonate. He may already know what happened and is testing me, or he may have sent along a more experienced vampire and not told me. Of course, the Ordo Dracul in Worstecer College also knows what I am doing." Finding it hard to concentrate, Micahel returns to the vital point, "The fake Silas could be a danger to you. If we move quickly, we could probably subject it between the two of us and discover what it has done to your friend."  

Liam smiles. "Aren't you clever indeed. Don't you worry about fake Silas there though, he's working for me, and so for the real Silas. If anyone comes for him, well, we'll know who to follow." Liam looks at Michael seriously. "Now, you have been most helpful, but I must ask you for more help. We can't leave Silas' things here, anyone could take them, and when he stops paying his rent there might be a messy police missing persons investigation which would make things complicated when he returns. Would you help fake Silas and I make sure all of real Silas' personal things make it safely to our car?"

Michael relaxes visibly once he realizes that his friend knows that Fake Silas is not who he seems. Although he still plans to keep a close eye on whatever it is.  "I'm glad to hear that Silas is okay. Why did he disappear so suddenly without telling anyone? It seems inconsiderate, at the least. And sure, I'd love to help. Do you have boxes or something to pack up his stuff?" 

"We don't know where he is, that's why fake Silas is here, to try to catch anyone who took him. Silas just arrived from America, he won't have much stuff and should have plenty of storage for it here."   Liam smiles gratefully, his approval warming Michael like a much needed meal. "So good of you to help, I must reward you. But I don't have anything." He looks around as though in frustration, then snaps his fingers as though he just thought of something. "I know. Now tell me, did your sire ever blood bind you?"

"Of course she did. She told me that all responsible sires do. It keeps their childe safe and is a bond of affection and love. You'd like her if you had a chance to meet her. She's exceptional. And don't worry, I don't need any reward. I'm delighted to be able to help. Once we've finished here, I can help you find Silas. The real one, I mean. That's what I was sent here to do, anyway." It feels like a perfect evening as Michael looks through the closet for duffel bags or suitcases to pack Silas' things. He also looks for any computers, closed circuit cameras, calendars, or jotted-down notes that might have some clues. He not only wants to find a clue for himself but also to impress his new friend. 

"You are lucky to have such a kind and attentive sire. Perhaps then, I should reward you with information. I know why the prince sent you. Everything I have seen so far suggests an inside job. Silas suspected for a day or so someone within the order was coming for him which is why he came to me. Similarly, the prince knows you are young and relatively uninvolved with the politics of the order I would guess. If you care to find Silas, it is imperative that the order does not find out about me or fake Silas, you understand?"   Liam stares down at Michael. Then gives him a smile and a pat on the shoulder. "Now, make sure you get all of his clothes and valuables."

As the pair of vampires return, Mehdi gives a polite smile. “Fake Silas’ name is Mehdi by the way. Nice to meet you.” He gives Liam a knowing wink, having of course heard the entire conversation with his supernatural hearing. Then he sets about searching the house with them and beginning to stage bags and boxes near the door so they’ll be easier to move out once they’ve sorted what exactly they’re taking.

Silas's apartment is a veritable treasure trove of occult grimoires and ancient religious texts. The kitchen contains a large selection of blood bags, needles and other transfusion equipment, as well as a number of dismembered human body parts in the freezer. One ring in particular on the dresser in the bedroom catches Mehdi's eye. Something about the way that the light glistens off of the bloodstone set into its surface speaks to the changeling and he feels an overwhelming desire to pick it up and put it on.

Michael rethinks his meeting with the Provost under this new light. "That is concerning. It would explain why they volunteered so little information on Silas and his contacts. I won't mention you to them, of course." Turning to Mehdi, he says, "It's nice to meet you too. I'm sorry about my initial distrust. I misinterpreted the situation rather badly." As they pack things up, he says , "Do you think Silas would mind if I drank a few of his blood bags? They will spoil anyway if we take them out of the fridge for too long."

Liam nods. Taking a couple for himself as well. "Yes, drink what you need. The rest we will have to bin anyway. Those body parts too, Mehdi, can you ditch those in our inaccessible place?" He looks around for his friend who seems distant from the conversation. "Mehdi? Hey Mehdi? Oi, Smaegol, stop staring at that and let's get a move on. You want it, take it. I mean to keep safe of course "

Mehdi's hand hesitates inches away from the ring. His whole body is tense, one ear twitching, muscles screaming to step away. The last time he had touched something he wasn't supposed to had been the worst mistake of his life. He knows better than to answer this ring's siren call, but that knowing is being drowned out by the overwhelming urge to grab it, to gaze into it's gleaming gem, to slide it on to his finger... "Take it!" Liam's voice cuts through Mehdi's haze and in an instant his hand shoots out to snatch the ring.

Mehdi's hand closes around the ring and his mind clears somewhat, having satisfied the immediate urge. The intense desire to wear the ring is still present, but less urgent than it was before.

Michael sucks on a blood bag. It is surprisingly unpleasant and bland. It is like accidentally drinking soda water when you thought it would be a Canada Dry. After a few more, he feels satiated, but it doesn't compare to the flow of human life into his body from live prey. He throws a few into his backpack, just in case. They aren't ideal, but they could keep him out of trouble in a pinch.  Finishing packing up, he is surprised not to find a computer anywhere. He had looked in the desk drawers, the closet, and even under the bed. He is starting to think that Silas is some old grumpy Luddite who only uses a computer at work and doesn't connect at all in his private life. Michael will have to check out Silas' office in the College tomorrow night.  This reminds him that he's going to have to be cautious. He had been planning on asking the Provost for more support, but if the Ordo Dracul were responsible for Silas' disappearance, he would have to avoid giving them information on the advances of his investigation and start watching them as well. At least he had two new friends in the country he could count on.  "It looks like everything is done here. Do you want me to start carrying bags out to your car?" 

Liam nods with a smile. "Ah that'd be grand, you've been so helpful." He picks up a couple of bags himself to walk out with Michael to Jetty.

Mehdi stares at the ring in his hand, jaw clenched. His fey-born animal instinct screams at him to drop the thing, but the compulsion pulsing from the band keeps it firmly in his palm. Slowly he manages to put the ring in his pocket and resume the current task, but every chance he gets as they continue loading up Jetty he takes to slip his fingers into his pocket and fiddle with the ring. 

Michael looks back at the to-be-disposed-of box filled with bags of blood, and even though his first taste hadn't been that pleasant, there is something about this blood that grows on you. He takes as many blood bags as possible and shoves them into his backpack. He quickly sucks down eight more until he feels wholly satiated because it would be a waste for this all to be destroyed.  He says to Liam, "You know, it's not as bad as you would think. It's pretty good, actually."  He helps the others take the bags to the car, wondering why he had been so suspicious of them when they first met out here.

"You've been a great help t'be sure." Liam pat's Michael on the shoulder. "Now take yerself home an' stay out of trouble now. Give me y' number and I'll call you t'morrow if we're free to hang out or I get any news. Don't go makin' plans now or you might miss us." Liam winks and throws the last bag onto Jetty's saddle strap.

Michael places to last of the bags into the trunk. As he does it, something seems strange with his head, but he can't quite figure out why. It's probably just jetlag or the large amounts of that interesting blood he drank.   He rattles off his cell number to his new friend. "Send me a chat, and I'll have your number too." Michael pauses a moment and then says, "This sounds silly, but I don't think I caught your name."

Liam half laughs. "I'm sure you didn't." He gives a wink. "They call me Nova, as in Casanova " he chuckles again at the reference. "But Liam is fine "

"See you tomorrow, then. Great to meet you, Liam, and you too, Mehdi." Michael waves and heads back to Worcester College, pulling in his Beast so his face does not call the attention of anyone he passes.  [continues in Worcester College] 

The quiet of the night is broken by Liam's phone buzzing in his pocket. Professor, my apologies for the intrusion. I have a gift for you, if there would be a good time for me to deliver? It is rather large... Liam, after decades of service I'd have thought that you'd have understood by now that I'm not interested in sleeping with you.

Liam chuckles out loud. "Mehdi, meet me back in my flat." His hands run over his blackberry           XD. You're missing out, but no, this is better. Are you home?

Of course not. It's the middle of the night. The Commander has all the Captains in coordinating a response to these cats and the missing Masters.

I can give you the edge on that too. Call it two presents. 

Have you been holding out on me?

Liam knew he was on dangerous ground here, it had been years since she had shown him any attention, depending on her mood she could either be excited and grateful for the information he had, or angry that it had taken almost a week to get to her. He hoped the former, and that the other gift would swing the scales in his favour.       Never, I just wanted to deliver it with the other gift and I couldn't decide which colour ribbon would best match your eyes

The commander will have us here until dawn. We can meet tomorrow night, but if you know something, tell me now.

        The missing masters were sealed in the Bodleian. Amyssa was freed by her clan but destroyed at least Dunlop in a frenzy, perhaps the others too. Liam bites his lip, he hadn't wanted to share, but new at this point a level of honesty was best. Any messing around could be the end of the unlife he enjoyed.

So Count Dunlop is gone for good... Lady Amissa is still out there though? How exactly were they 'sealed'?

        Staked and shut in a sarcophagus, some kind of magic shit 

Strange. Christ Church have nothing to gain by provoking the kindred... There's something here that we don't understand yet. Find out what it is.

Liam sighs audibly as he reads the last message. This was exactly why he hadn't volunteered the message in the first place          Of course. See you tomorrow xx He bites his lip a moment. Maybe he'd be lucky though, the rest of the group from the night were a bit more try hard, they would surely have been investigating. Maybe he would get something from them. He opens Facebook and makes a new group adding Rae, Eve, Mehdi and Khalid. His fingers hover over Silas' name in a moment of twisted humour, but he thinks better of it. He titles the group 'Feline Aquisition Project with a sly smile and types into the group chat Hey, had a bit of an attack of conscience and wanted to make sure everyone was ok. Lots of people asking questions, could get dangerous, we should stick together. Anyone find out anything? As he starts the walk home he has another thought, the two incidents were likely related. He picks up the chat to Aubrey Hey superstar. Was great working with you earlier, we should do it again. Hope you find what you were looking for with my friend, let me know how it goes xx