Prelude: Life Begins at Night

"Please, wait here for the moment," the porter assures Eve. "Who should I say is accompanying Mr. Mallock?"

"Mrs de la Fontaine and childe, and Professor McCarthy, thank you kindly." Eve starts looking around the porter's lodge, examining the student photos and current special lectures posted.

"Did you have to use my name?" Liam whispers at Eve. "I prefer not to be associated with this news."

The porter disappears behind a door to make a phone call and emerges a few moments later. "Please make your way upstairs. Dr. Abernathy will receive you in the master's study."

"What did you want me to refer to you as? Mrs de la Fontaine and anonymous?" Eve shakes her head at Liam, making it clear that breaking protocol like that was entirely out of the question. When the porter returns, she thanks him and gestures for Silas to lead their way upstairs.

Liam shakes his head and follows silently, much as they both loved the mortal world, what it was was a very different thing to them both. 

Silas although reluctant, understands his place in this and leads the way up the stairs and to the master's study. He knocks on the door to the room. waiting for a reply.

"Come," beckons a voice from inside the study, the door to which already stands ajar. A grey-haired, middle-aged man, Dr. Abernathy stands leaned against the desk awaiting his visitors. " Mr. Mallock ," he notes with enthusiasm. "My, my. It didn't take you long to seek us out did it? Or to find a coterie, it would seem. Quite a diverse bunch you are..." he eyes Mehdi and Khalid with especial interest. "What can University College do for you tonight?"

Mehdi holds the vampire’s appraising gaze but remains quiet in the back of the group, watching the proceedings furtively.

Silas ignores the comment and responds, "Good evening Dr. Abernathy, I hope you're having a nice night." Silas catches his breath as he pays careful attention to the next thing he says, "Have you heard of the whereabouts of the college master? "

Rae has silently followed Eve and remained at her side since the group made their way past the entrance of University College. Once they are in the presence of the Vice-Master, she stands straight and tall beside her mentor, ready to engage in the formalities and courtesies of the current circumstance.

Dr. Abernathy's smile slowly fades and he holds Silas with a cold gaze. "I think that, after this evening at Balliol, it has rapidly become common knowledge that each of the five great clans in the city is missing its leader. What of it?"

Silas remains composed, "We have stumbled across information pertaining to the whereabouts of the missing masters. We came here first to relay the new information because we were confident in your ability to handle critical situations."

Abernathy arches his eyebrow, but remains cautious. "Well don't be coy , Mallock. Spit it out."

"Might be best that we sit down." Silas prepares to deliver the news, "We encountered, what appeared to be a ritual or summoning in the Oriental Institute's storage area. There laid five lidded wooden coffins in a circle forming what appeared to be a pentagram.  We were able to get a look inside the coffins without disturbing them and inside were the masters of each of the colleges pertaining to a clan, including University's master."  He waits to see the vice masters' response to the information before he speaks on what happened next.

Dr. Abernathy takes a seat in one of the study's wing-backed leather armchairs that flank the hearth and temples his fingers as he listens to Silas's story. "Go on," he tells Silas as the conversation pauses. The vice-master's expression is utterly impassive.

Silas calmly takes a seat in the remaining armchair by the hearth and gives a pause as he makes himself comfortable. He then continues the story  "Where was I? Ah, yes. After we saw the alleged summoning circle, we searched the room for any information that could tell us more about who or what they were trying to summon. We figured that there had to be a reason that this occurred in the Oriental Institute, possibly related to very ancient and powerful beings from the area." He pauses as the next part of the story has to be said with great care, "We searched and found nothing. However, through some circumstances, the Head of All Souls awoke from her torpor. Given the extremely dangerous situation we were in, trapped in a room with a very hungry and confused elder. We attempted to negotiate our way out of the situation to possibly get some information out of her, to no avail. Through her hunger, she feasted on the remaining college heads laying in torpor and gave in to her frenzy. In the chaos, we were able to escape and reach the surface. You are the first person we have talked to since the incident." Silas takes another pause as he hopes that the information was given well. He keeps his composure and asks, "That's my tale, now what say you?"

Dr. Abernathy grows ever stiller as Silas's tale unfolds. " All of the remaining college heads?" He asks quietly.

Silas cautious about what Dr. Abernathy is thinking responds to the question, "From what I could tell, yes. I am not sure if anyone escaped."

Abernathy straightens in his chair. One arms bends up at the elbow where it rests on the armrest to stroke his chin. "...and, to your knowledge, nobody else in the city yet knows of this? You have spoken with nobody else?"

Eve follows the conversation closely, letting Silas speak. After he has explained what has happened, she steps forward a little. "If I may, Dr. Abernathy? Eve de la Fontaine, from Keble. We are quite certain that nobody does, considering how recent the events were. None of us have spoken to anyone else yet, we wanted to come to you first as I believe you may be best equipped to handle this," she pauses and gives an apologetic smile, "delicate situation." 

"Charmed," Abernathy replies, briefly taking Eve's hand in greeting. "My dear, that is most appreciated. Nevertheless, I am left in a rather complicated position. I cannot quickly assume masterhood of University college without some degree of proof that our late master, may he rest in peace, is dearly-departed as you describe. However, should you acquire such evidence and return to me with it, you will have undoubtedly earned a significant favour from the master of this college. Do you understand?"

Silas interjects at his suggestion, "Going back into those tunnels with a frenzied elder to receive what remains of the master does not sound like a good idea. At least not without assistance." Silas continues to voice his thoughts, "We understand your position and we understand how this situation drastically changes the current politics. However, there must be something else you can do with the resources at your disposal to help in the situation?"

"Weapons, perhaps, Mr. Mallock?" Abernathy replies with a touch of amusement. "I can provide you with those - though not in the style that you are used to across the pond. Of course, I very much doubt that Lady Amissa will remain still for long. Perhaps she has already left the catacombs. I do not ask that you confront her. By all means, keep to the shadows. Perhaps your changeling friend can afford you safe passage?"

Silas gives a slight chuckle at the condescension in Dr. Abernathy's voice, "Weapons will do just fine. I have some skill with blades as well if that is what you're referring to. As for the changeling, I very much intend to use our groups unique qualities to our advantage." Silas gives a brief pause and thinks of a question, "You know Lady Amissa better than I. If she did run off, any idea as to where she would go?"

"Home, to All Saints, I imagine," the vice-master muses. "If she has indeed murdered the masters of the other four clans, many would consider that a declaration of war. Tread carefully. Jeremy, at the porter's lodge, can equip you for your task. Do you posess no blade of your own, Mallock?"

Liam shifts uncomfortably in the background. He had survived and thrived on his reputation of never getting involved in plots, power plays or shaking up the order of things. Everyone knew him for his music and his conversation and his ability to bring the tastiest mortals to a party, but they also knew they didn't have to worry about his claws at their back unless they were plotting against his own mistress. Events here thrust him into the middle of things and that put his whole life in jeopardy, and he intended for it to be a long one so that was quite a big thing. The suggested use of Mehdi only dragged him further into the rumours that would circulate, everybody knew of their association. He had been keeping silent, in the hopes of being forgotten, but now this seemed to be possible no longer.  "If I may? Perhaps simply getting the evidence, and bringing them back to their colleges will suffice, no need for weapons or violence, or war."

Khalid tapped his fingers against his folded arms as he idled during the back and forth conversation between the vampires.  With feigned indifference he was in fact carefully watching the dynamics of the groups discussion and now that a solution was being discussed he listened more carefully, observing what each individual's proposed solutions would be before delivering his own.

Mehdi’s discomfort at being mentioned echoes Liam’s, and he shares a glance with the professor. Of course, Abernathy’s assessment is correct. The changeling could certainly use the wyrd to get into most places, and Mehdi does have vested curiosity in seeing this through, but that doesn’t change how harrowing the prospect is.

Silas responds to Abernathy, "Yes I have many blades at home but I did not bring any on campus. I expected a night of revelry not of violence, you see." He looks to Liam as he gives his response, "Don't worry, we are not merely committing reckless violence, we are only protecting ourselves if need be." He turns back to Dr. Abernathy and says, "Well if that is all, we will meet Jeremy at the Porter's Lodge and be on our way." He begins to excuse himself out of the room, slowly in case Dr. Abernathy decided to interject at any point.

Dr. Abernathy nods a farewell and Eve leads the way back downstairs to the porter's lodge where the man who let them in is waiting. "Find what you were looking for?" He asks cheerfully.

"Let's say sure." Rae says with a hint of sarcasm. Her silence during the meeting with Dr.Abernathy heavily contrasted her racing mind. Once more stepping closer to Eve, she finally gives voice to her thoughts, doing her best to keep her voice down so that only her dear friend hears her,  "This feels unprecedented. Whispers of war, while ancient and powerful kindred stalk these grounds. To top it all off, we still don't know why the wolves would intrude upon one of our gatherings. Had someone tried to tell me that this is where our evening would take us, I'd have told them to give their head a wobble."

Liam falls in with Mehdi, similarly whispering in hushed tones. "We must be very careful here. Our involvement will ruffle feathers that hide claws. Do nothing flashy, we do not want to be spoken of as being involved. Play down your abilities if you must when Silas asks what you can do."

"Right, of course, but... don't you think it's a little late for that?" Mehdi whispers back. "Silas already knows some of my abilities. Abernathy knows we're involved, Amissa saw us, the cats saw us. I'm less worried about being involved and more concerned with being seen as vulnerable by whoever we're up against, or as disposable by this squad."

Liam grimaces. "You are correct. We are already in far deeper shit than I would like. Maybe we should move cities. Ugh." He pulls out his phone and begins to text his mistress.  "Can't call, I hope you got out ok. We found the elders in the Bodleian Library. Amissa is awake. She frenzied and killed the Count, and for all I know the others. Dr Abernathy is aware. Thought you should know. Any instructions?" His fingers dance across the keypad with barely a glance and all the celerity of his bloodline. Keeping it casual so as not to attract the attention of the others who are distracted with the porter for now.

It doesn't take long for Liam to receive a reply. Werewolves on the streets. Are you at Univ? Why did you go to Abernathy?

Dr Mallock made the order. This is the first time I could get away. He is taking us back to the Bodleian for proof. What would you like me to do? He glances up to where Silas is talking to the Porter. "There are werewolves on the street, if you are getting weapons you should prepare for that." Before turning back towards the alcove and waiting for a reply.

“Ah right, werewolves on the street. Almost forgot about them.” Mehdi says with feigned cheer.

Khalid follows the group still remaining silent and contemplating his situation.  Looks like Mehdi and Liam are about as out of their element as I am.  Eve, Rae, and Silas seem more at ease, if that is something I can attribute to vampires.  Gotta stay alert, but whatever Eve did is not helping. When Liam makes the comment on the werewolves Khalid does a double take and whispers under his breath, "What am I even doing here?"

At least with werewolves, nobody is going to be upset if we fight them. As long as we do nothing overly heroic, it isn't going to alter our political position or attract extra attention." Liam whispers back to Mehdi.   

If you can keep them leaderless, do it, Durand replies. Decapitating the old clans changes everything. If they want proof, make sure it stays lost. A moment later, Liam's phone buzzes again. Delete that message.

Immediately complying, Liam empties his whole inbox. He whispers to Mehdi. "You get a chance to send anything important to the hedge for safekeeping, take it. Tell noone else. We don't know who is playing what game and we definitely don't want to be pieces on a chess board for targeting or sacrificing. Less anyone sees the better. You agree? "

Mehdi's eyes flick down to Liam's rapidly typing fingers before meeting his boss' gaze again. "Of course. Nothing like a little leverage."

Silas discussing with the porter about the available armaments and what would be best to take without being too suspicious, overhears the comments on the werewolves and asks the man, "Any weapons made of silver? For dog-catching of course." He gives himself a little grin as he chuckles internally at his last comment. As he waits for the man to check his supplies Silas turns back to the party and looks at everyone's expressions, as he scans the crowd he ends his gaze towards the new young one, Khalid and Mehdi. "I'm sure those of you outside of the world of kind are a bit wary of what we are out to do tonight. I assure you that kindred politics are not a concern of mine. I merely want to learn more about what is going on so we can end it and return to relative safety afterward."  He glances between the to of them with his best efforts at a welcoming grin,  "I would appreciate your support in our task tonight, and rest assured that I am a man of my word. If you help me, I shall help you."

Mehdi shoots a glance at Liam before leveling with the elder vampire “I’m getting the sense that your kind are not so different than the fae, by that I mean everything is political whether you’re concerned or not. But I appreciate your sentiment. You’ve got my help.” 

Khalid raises in hands in faux submission, "I'm in no position to bargain and I've already come this far.  I'd prefer more time to prepare but I don't know whether we have that luxury or not."

Jeremy provides Silas with a long, shining sabre from a storage room behind the porter's lodge.

Contrary to Rae's feeling of anxiety, Eve's excitement slips through in her response to her childe "Yes, unprecedented indeed. These are the panicked moments that shape our history, Rae. We should take care to proceed with this in mind.".  As Silas receives the sabre from the porter, Eve addresses the group. "I believe it would provide the greatest amount of security for us to move through the tunnels underneath Queen's College, though this will call for us to cross a single street to get there. Hopefully the wolves stay above ground, allowing us to proceed without altercations."  

Silas grasps the shining blade from the porter and determines its weight in balance in his hand as he rolls his wrist with it in hand. He turns to the group after hearing Eve's suggestions and proclaims, "I concur with Eve, its best we move underground and away from prying eyes that might question a diverse group with weapons in hand."  He thanks the porter and leads the group out of the building and towards the tunnels with Eve's directions, "Let's be off then."

The night air is cold as Silas and his companions venture out of University College and across the street to Queen's College - the home of the Nosferatu clan. Another clan who's Master likely met his end this night. They pause before the gate as the impact of this slowly sinks in.