Prelude: Life Begins at Night

As the head of the Master splats to the floor, every fiber of Rae's body screams at her to run. But just as she is about to take off into a full sprint, she hears Eve's voice. It's still controlled, but more forceful than she's use to hearing.  "Rae. Back into the tunnel to the right. Slowly."   Complying, Rae begins to slowly step into the tunnel. Glancing over, she sees that it makes a sharp left a short distance in.

Silas sees the situation getting exponentially worse and internally berates himself for making such an idiotic and dangerous decision. However, right now he needs to escape. Silas sees Rae slowly back away towards the direction of the tunnel and follows suit, gesturing towards Liam and the young mage to follow. As he approaches the tunnel he looks back to Eve and quietly yells out to her, "Get out of there, Eve."  He makes his way to the tunnel waiting for the reset to enter so he can close and locks the door as they escape.

Liam backs away with the others. "Well that was something I would rather not have been involved with. Perhaps now we can go back to a student bar and pretend that's all we did all evening?"

Keeping her eyes on the coffins and Lady Amissa, Eve moves so she is largely shielding Rae from view and only turns around once safely in the tunnel and out of sight. Once they round the corner, she keeps a brisk pace. "I think we should come up through the old Bodleian and see what things are like upstairs. I'm a little worried about the commotion at Balliol. We'll be just across from them, I suggest we tread carefully. Now," she turns to Silas, "what do you make of that? Do you think whoever was in the coffins drained these Lords and Ladies and left them in their stead?"

"So we are just going to ignore what we just saw? Leave her there?" Liam can't keep the note of surprise out of his voice. "I mean, it's exactly what I wanted, I just thought I was going to have to convince you."

"Yes, we're going to leave her? That doesn't sit well with me, after having just awoken her." 

"Having her drain you of your vitae would sit worse." Liam advises the young vampire. "Or even if she doesn't turn on you for food next, having her kill you so that you can't be witness to her murder of the other elders would be equally final. No young Rae, you have much unlife left to lead, don't go throwing it away on some sense of duty."

Khalid's breath quickened listening to Amissa ravage the vitae of the other elders.  He needed to leave NOW and upon catching the other vampires conversation decided to join them.  Choosing to follow the vampires just a couple steps behind as Amissa devours her next target.  Why the fuck did I come down here?

Rae's brow wrinkles as she looks to the floor, contemplating Liam's words. The resignation rings in her voice as she accepts the reality of the situation. "Yes, you're right. I've heard stories of cornered and desperate elders, and I'm sure that I would be crushed beneath her foot without a second thought if it behooved her."

Mehdi is last to leave, seemingly paralyzed with both fear and wonder. As he catches up with the others, frantic fingers run through his hair, sending cascades of petals behind him for those that can see. "What the FUCK. What if she comes after us? And what about whoever was in those coffins before? Where could they have gone? What if they're still down here?" the panicked changeling babbles.

"Then if we run into them we will probably die." Liam's tone is very matter of fact. "Which is why we need to leave, the less time we are here, the less likely that becomes. If we do see them, bow, scrape and do as they bid and hop they don't require anything else of us."

"She is the head of All Souls, she can take care of herself. It is us I am concerned about while she is in this state." Eve says rather sternly to Rae. Turning to Mehdi, she answers without slowing down: "That's why we're heading for the Old Bodleian. We can leave through there or shelter if whoever, or whatever was in there, is causing problems outside." She speaks calmly, but the concern is clear on her face when she shoots Liam a glance, but says nothing.

Khalid catches up to the group after lingering behind for a few moments, his breath still catching up to him after the terrifying encounter.  "Was that the expected outcome?"   Without waiting for an answer Khalid speaks to himself a little too loudly, "And what happens when she finishes with the coffins?"

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to." Liam whispers in a hushed tone back at Khalid. "The main wisdom that has come to me with the age of several lifetimes. Keep your head down and don't get curious."

"Might be a little late for that. This Lady Amissa knows who we are now, and those cats and who or whatever they were working for knows we went down here. Someone will come looking for us. I think we should figure out what that something is." he says with pointed looks at the others. 

Silas's fluffy maine coon sidles about his legs in a figure of eight as Mehdi speaks. A distant clattering can heard from the down the tunnel they came from.

Silas thinking about their next moves, and the possibility that the original coffin-dwellers are still roaming these halls directs his attention towards the group and says, "No, we are not just leaving her there. There is no point in staying in that room while she is in a frenzied state to just get eaten alive. We are playing the waiting game. Her frenzied state will wear out and hopefully not reach us, then in her state of normalcy we can ask her questions, but for now, we get to safety." As the distant sound reaches Silas' ears he picks up the cat and his pace increases as he tells the group, "Faster!"

"As you say." Liam responds submissively. 

The group head for the Old Bodleian as suggested by Eve. With her direction they are able to move rapidly through the tunnels and the sounds of the frenzied elder are soon left far behind. The exit is near, and perhaps safety, such as it is.

As they near the exit, Eve slows down and starts walking more carefully, listening for any signs of danger near the entrance hall. Everything seems normal, just the usual chatter of students on a night out, cyclists, a few bar chants... "It appears safe," she says to the rest of the group, checking Rae's face to see how her childe is handling the situation.

Watching the movements of her sire, Rae begins to tread carefully behind Eve. When it is declared to be safe, Rae relaxes somewhat, but Eve can still see the fear in her eyes as she turns to regard her. Those same eyes then glaze over as flashes of blurry imagery fill Rae's mind, jumbled scraps of foresight whispered to her in the void of vampiric sleep.  Dark blood dances across stone as claw and teeth are met with bone. The light of the pyre twirls higher, casting shadow upon ruined empires. As the grip of the master finds a throat, rest easy in the blood of the tragic scapegoat. The words ringing in her ears, Rae looks towards the exit to the Bodleian, then back to Eve. She's never sure if she's the one saying the words that come to her, or if they remain quietly within her. "...I believe that we should be safe for the remainder of this evening." Her voice shaking initially, she finishes the statement with confidence.

Silas comments on Rae's statement, "We may have gotten out of the immediate danger but, we are too ignorant right now to assume such pleasures as 'safety'. Keep your eyes and ears open."  Silas looks over to Eve and asks, "Seems we've made it to the surface but, where exactly are we?"

Eve gives Rae's hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. "The old Bodleian's inner courtyard. Broad Street is just through there," she says, indicating the northern tunnel.

Mehdi casts a glance down the tunnel that they just traversed, fear and curiosity fighting within him. “What is our plan now?” He asks, turning back to the others.

"Pub?" Liam suggests hopefully

Silas ignores Liam's remark as he airs his suggestion, "We've just witnessed an incursion on kindred ruling society at Oxford, now is not the time for drinks. Now is the time for action and reconnaissance. I see we have two options, we could either alert the second in command at one of the clan's colleges or we could reach out to some of my associates to learn more about the supernatural element of all this." Silas looks over to Liam and Eve waiting to hear their input.

Liam having already given the only suggestion he had to give on the subject tries to look amiable. "Yes of course. Most wise. We should do that."

Eve gives Liam an understanding smile at his suggestion, but then turns more serious again. "I have made Oxford my home, I cannot keep on the sidelines of this event. Rae and I will go find the Vice-Master of University College, he may look favourably on the ones who bring him news of his promotion and a chance to appear in control when chaos is threatening." As an afterthought, she adds: "But I would be interested in seeing what your associates may know, afterwards."

Silas replies back to Eve, "The ruling faction of University College are of similar kine, best I go with you to talk with them. Maybe, our shared blood will give some leeway in the announcement." Silas looks over to Liam and Mehdi, "Are you joining us, or are you going to drink the night away?"

Liam looks at Mehdi, he was aware that this really wasn't a question.  "Of course. We are as ever, at your service."

Rae nods in affirmation when Eve suggests finding the Vice-Master of University College, and as the group set their course, she looks to Khalid.  "After what you've just witnessed, it'd probably be best for you to stick with us. I'm sure you're paggered, and this group may be the safest haven you have right now."

Mehdi nods along with Liam’s comment. Despite his boss’ aversion to the current course of action, the changeling seems eager to continue along the with this unfolding mystery. Sitting in a bar while the others were uncovering more secrets would likely be maddening.

Khalid glances towards Rae with a grimace and gestures to his surroundings.  "I suppose that would be for the best and besides I kind of asked for this.  Well not this exactly.  But the supernatural experience, and I suppose I am paying for my hubris."   Taking a pause from his conversation with Rae he gives the rest of the group a calculating glance and returns a hardened gaze towards Rae.  Now with a newfound realization and the reluctant acceptance of it.  "If I am to be honest I believe the only reason I am still alive and under my own faculties at the moment is because I would be less useful as a thrall.  So please excuse me if I place little trust in anyone in our company."

Rae smiles at Khalid's mention of hubris, "When you stare into the void." Her expression becomes more reserved as Khalid surmises his position,  "A fair assessment. Though I'd say that you're forgetting something important. While you are just beginning your journey, you are still a capable member of this unseen world of ours. And the less an adversary knows about you, the more you are perceived as a mortal threat." 

The walk from the catacomb exit at the Bodleian library down to University College takes less than five minutes. So late at night as it is by now, they find, on arrival, that the front gate is locked.

"A mortal threat to immortal beings, I suppose that is a frightening concept,"  Khalid chuckles nervously at the thought and threw a brief glance towards Eve.  "But I've also heard that you are less familiar to the unseen world than most.  How long ago did you awaken?"

Silas looks to Khalid as he questions his life's choices and gives a faint smirk as he thinks about having a mage so close. "Don't count yourself short yet, just keep your eyes open and your mouth shut when around kine and you should do alright. I always fancied meeting a mage."  Not stopping for a response he continues on to the locked gate.

Approaching the locked gate, Rae smiles at Silas' comment. "I was born to this un-life 5 years ago, and I've become quite  acquainted  with the mysterious and ineffable, dear Khalid. I have a certain...knack for this manner of existence." Her smile then curls into something mischievous 

Seeing the locked gate and still anxiously wanting to keep moving, Mehdi approaches with an outstretched claw. “One minute.” he offers, but before he can attempt to tamper with the lock, Eve interjects. “No no, no need for that. There should be a porter. Just knock, dear.” Mehdi gives her a look and a shrug, before retracting his improvised pick and knocking firmly on the gate.

There's a brief pause and then the sound of motion on the far side, before a small window in the door slides open. "Good evening, can I help you?" Asks the night porter. 

Khalid scowls slightly at Silas's response, but remains silent musing on what Rae said while the porter introduces themselves. 

Eve shakes her head at Rae calling the newbie mage a "capable member". She suppresses a laugh and keeps on walking. At the gate to University College, Eve puts on her best smile for the porter. "Good evening. We're terribly sorry to bother you so late, but we have important news for the Vice Master and I'm afraid it cannot wait." She steps aside slightly, making sure to bring Silas into view.

Silas makes his presence known to the porter as he steps forward and begins to speak, "Yes, very important news indeed. It must go straight to the Vice Master." He pauses for a moment as he composes himself slightly, "My apologies for being so abrupt, but my name is Silas and my companions and I require an audience. I would appreciate your compliance."

The porter glances past Eve at Silas before sliding the shutter closed. There's a rustling of keys from the other side of the door and with a creak it slowly opens. "Of course. All Ventrue are welcome at University College, Mr. Mallock. What is the nature of this matter that is so urgent that it must be brought before the vice-master immediately?"

Silas enters with a demeanor of royalty as he answers the porter, "It has to do with the current state of the master. Certain events have occurred that'll require the immediate attention of the vice-master."

When Silas mentions the master, the porter nods slowly and opens the door a little wider. "I will inform the vice-master that you are waiting to see him. Would you care to step inside?"

Silas looks at the porter's slow nod as he gestures the party to enter the building. Silas swears he saw the porter give a devilish smirk when he tilted his head down. Paranoia fills the elder's bones as he remains stubbornly on the outskirts of the building, hesitant to walk into a trap.

Having no such concerns, Eve smiles at the porter and accepts his invitation, stepping inside, expecting Rae to follow right behind her. Inside the porter's lodge, she breathes a little easier, given the possibly unstable situation. "Where will the master be receiving us? Shall we wait here or should we retire to the SCR, if it may be a little longer?"

Seeing the rest of the group enter the premises, Silas reluctantly follows along giving the porter a menacing glare as he remains vigilant on the porter's actions.

Khalid follows Eve's lead also hesitating when Silas does, but then reluctantly follows.