FML: The Game

Focuses on Scott King, the world's most insecure Toreador, who serves as his clan's Primogen in Washington DC. Also featured are his sire, Isaac, and his childe, Ares. This blog is inspired by a completed game of Vampire: the Masquerade, which is recapped in it's entirey here for anyone who's interested. Sideblog to Annajiejie.tumblr.com

[artsynanotech]

Gonna slowly migrate the content here over to two other blogs

I’m not deleting this blog, but in the interest of keeping my content accessible and safe, I’ve got two other places I’m working on setting up: Pillowfort, where you can find me as Toreadorable. I already have some stuff up there.

Dreamwidth, which I have only just started and need to get the hang of. But if you’re interested, I’ll be there as McKelly.

[artsynanotech]

My reaction to my first LARP ever, a one-night Sabbat event that was freakin’ SICK AS SHIT.

[secretsofthemasquerade]

Hey hey everyone!

Just because one giveaway ended doesn’t mean there’s not a second one around the corner :)

Thanks to Belladonna’s Cosmetics offering a prize, I am able to host a giveaway, for one very special winner!

Win a full V5 collection of Belladonna’s Cosmetics Vampire the Masquerade 5th edition Collection. The prize will go to one winner, who will get the VTM V5 eye-shadow palette and the seven clan lipsticks. Yes, international open!!

I will hopefully be able to test these before the giveaway ends, on October 27th, midnight, GMT+1.

To participate you must:

Follow me

Reblog this post

Fill this google form: https://tinyurl.com/belladxsotm

You can also participate on Facebook.com/secretsofthemasquerade or on instagram (sotm_makeup).

[artsynanotech]

The Thickness of Blood

I’m going back a ways here and writing a bit from Ares’ days as a mortal teenager, during the 1970s. I wanted to explore his relationship with his sister, as we never really got much information about it in-game other than “She’s evil and they’re having sex.” I wanted to figure out just how that cycle of abuse started. With my GM’s permission, I came up with this story here.

Content warnings for: Emotional and physical abuse, homophobia, incest, and corrective rape. It’s not extremely explicit, but it is heavy.

----------

Ares let out the giant breath he'd been holding in and shut his bedroom door, leaning back against the cool wood as a bead of sweat slid down his forehead. He stood completely still, too scared to even turn on his light, and listened for anyone who may have saw him sneaking through his family's home. It was hard to hear over the frantic beating of his heart. Ares could feel it all through his body, drumming loud at the audacity of what he'd just done. He clenched his hands tight into fists.

A few minutes passed and no one came knocking. Was he in the clear? Ares didn't move for another few seconds just to be sure. His parents would kill him if they found out where he'd been. Ares had never snuck out before. He couldn't believe he'd actually pulled it off. The fear in his chest turned to giddy pride. Ares flipped on his bedroom light and walked over to his bed. He flopped down onto it and started laughing. Quietly, of course. Ares didn't want to risk waking anyone else in the house up.

Ares reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a crumpled movie ticket: the 9 pm showing of Boys in the Sand at The Image Cinema. It would probably be safer to tear the ticket up and throw it out, but there was something thrilling about still holding onto it. It was proof that he'd bested his family, successfully defied them, without their knowing. It was proof that he could take care of himself while out on his own.

Best of all, it was proof that Ares wasn't the freak his dad said he was. There were other guys out there who felt the way he did.

Scenes from the movie played in Ares’ head. He tried to imagine himself in the lead actor’s place. He wanted to know what it was like to kiss another boy, to make love the way the men in the movie did. He tried not to think about the fact that he never would in real life. Not growing up as a Salvatore. The images in his mind had to be enough. The validation that he wasn’t broken had to be enough.

Ares rolled onto his back and reached down to unzip his jeans. He was almost uncomfortably hard. The movie ticket fell from his grasp as he turned his attention to relieving the pressure he’d felt for the majority of the night.

Then he heard two knocks on his door.

Ares bolted to a sitting position and zipped his pants. He tried to tuck his cock into a position that wasn’t quite so obvious.

“Who… who is it?” Ares’ voice cracked when he spoke.

The door creaked open and, without introducing herself or asking permission to enter, Ares’ older sister walked into the room. Ares’s eyes went wide when he saw her. Athena was supposed to be in New York. What the hell was she doing back home?

“Are you just going to stare like a moron or are you going to say hello to me?” Athena’s silk-stockinged feet padded across the hardwood floor as she approached the bed. She was dressed in a black blazer and straight black skirt. The whole look was flawlessly put together, but that was Athena for you. Perfection in everything.

“I, um… Good evening, Athena!” Ares stood up to greet his sister. “When… when did you get home? I didn’t know you were coming back.”

“My plane arrived an hour ago.” Athena stopped in front of Ares and gave him a good, long, once over. Her unimpressed gaze dragged over him from top to bottom. “It was a last-minute decision, so I won’t hold the fact that you weren’t home to greet me against you.” She paused to roll her eyes at his groin, and all the blood in Ares’ body rushed to his cheeks in embarrassment. Apparently he hadn’t done a very good job of hiding his erection.

“Sorry.” Ares rubbed his left shoulder and stared at his feet. “What brings you back? I thought you were staying with Aunt Bella until next month.”

“I had news I wanted to share in person.” Athena brushed past Ares and sat down on the edge of the bed. She crossed her legs and patted the space next to her. Ares sat down a few inches away.

“News?”

Athena smirked and help up the hand she’d motioned for him to sit with. An intricately cut diamond ring glistened against her olive skin. Ares looked at the ring, then Athena’s face, and then the ring, and then Athena, repeating the pattern several times as the implications sunk in.

“You’re… you’re getting married?”

“I impressed Auntie so much she put in a good word for me with the main family. They made me an offer. Of course I’d say yes” Athena’s smirk shifted to a wide grin. “The Salvatore are moving up in the ranks, Mars. Father’s already got our family birthright. I plan on getting it in the next couple years. And if we play our cards right, I could even get it for you too.” Athena practically purred her last few words.

“You think so?” Ares stomach knotted up. Athena only acted familiar like this when she wanted something. She only used her nickname for him when she wanted something big. But what could she possibly need him for? He was useless. He could see ghosts and sense death better than most mortals, but those weren’t talents Athena needed. She needed social clout. She needed image. Ares couldn’t give her that.

“Of course!” Athena laughed. Ares flinched. "But you’ll have to stop sneaking out first. I covered for you this time - Father doesn’t even know you left - but if our family's going anywhere, the rest of the Giovanni need to know we're trustworthy.”

And there it was. Ares sighed.

“It won’t happen again, Athena. I promise I won’t embarrass you.”

“You’d better not. I don’t want anyone to think badly of my sweet baby brother.” Athena leaned over and pinched Ares’ cheek. As she turned her head, though, she noticed something on the floor. Ares moved his eyes to where she was looking. His heart damn near stopped when he saw what it was.

The movie ticket.

Athena’s expression turned neutral as she bent over and picked up the crumpled piece of paper. Ares couldn’t move. He could barely even breath. Everything was over. Athena was going to see where he was and she was going to tell their dad and then… then what? Would the family disown him? Punish him? Ares’ mind entered a downward spiral of outcomes, each progressively more horrifying than the next. After what seemed like an eternity, Athena placed the ticket on the bedside table. She stood up and crossed her arms. The look she gave Ares was completely blank. She didn’t look upset, but then who knew what was going on in that calculating brain of hers?

“You know, I always thought Father was being unfair when he called you a fag. I always thought he just didn’t understand the fact that you’re shy. But I guess I was wrong. You really are a dirty queer, aren’t you?”

Ares gripped the edge of his mattress like a vice as his sister spoke. Athena leaned over and placed a single finger underneath his chin, lifting his face so she could stare him in the eyes.

“It’s… it’s not like that!” Ares clenched his teeth. He refused to meet his sister’s gaze.

“What is it like then, Mars? Hm? What other explanation could there possibly be?”

Ares couldn’t answer her. There was no other explanation.

“Please don’t tell anyone, Athena!” Ares whipped his head away. He closed his eyes tight to hold back the tears that were starting to well up. “Dad’ll kill me. Please!”

“Tell anyone? God, you really are a moron.” Athena threw her arms up in the air and turned away. “Anyone else who knows makes it that much easier for the family heads to find out. I will not let your freak attractions ruin my shot at power. No, baby brother, this stays between us.”

Ares wanted to feel relieved, but he couldn't. Athena was still thinking. He could see it in the way her shoulders tensed, and how her head was bent slightly forward. Ares took in several deep breaths to try and calm himself down. He couldn't. His head was pounding, his heart racing. He wanted to stand up and shove Athena out of his room. But she was the golden child, their dad's favorite. All it would take was one word from her and Ares was done for.

"You can't be a total fag, though..." Athena dragged the syllables out as she formed her thoughts. "Weren't you pining over one of the girls in your grade last summer? Penny Something-or-other."

"Her name's Donna."

"Whatever. The point is, you can get it up for the right people if you want."

Ares wasn't sure he could blush any harder. It felt like his cheeks were on fire. "It's not that I don't like girls." He just liked guys better.

"Good!" Athena clapped her hands and turned back to face him. She sounded genuinely pleased with his answer. "That's a start! I'm sure all you need a nudge in the right direction and you'll forget all about the little... phase. Because it is just a phase, isn't it Ares?"

"Yeah. It's... it's just a phase." Ares couldn't believe what he was saying. It wasn't a phase. He'd known what he was long enough to be certain of that. He didn't want to lie like this. It made him feel sick. He looked up just long enough to see her smile widen.

"And aren't you lucky to have such a loving, forgiving big sister to help you through it!" Athena plopped down on the bed next to him again. She grabbed his arm and pulled it out just far enough to lace her own around it. Ares knew better than to pull away. Athena had hit him before when he shyed away from her 'affection.' Never hard enough to bruise, but just enough to remind him who was in charge. So Ares sat there, still as a statue, and gave his sister the control she felt so entitled to. "I'm getting married soon, so I won't be around as often to make sure you stay in line, but don't worry. I'll do everything I can to stamp those dirty thoughts out of your head. Aren't you happy?"

"Thrilled."

"Say it like you mean it." Athena jabbed her elbow into Ares' ribs.

"Yes, yes! I'm happy you want to help!" Ares turned to his sister and forced a smile. Why wouldn't she just leave?

"That's the spirit. Now why don't you prove it by giving your favorite sister a kiss?"

Ares leaned forward and pecked Athena on the cheek. He was careful not to disturb her meticulously applied makeup. When he pulled back, though, Athena was frowning.

"Not like that, moron. We're supposed to be fixing you."

Realization hit Ares like a tractor trailer. When Athena said 'help,' she meant... Oh God. Ares couldn't bring himself to finish the thought. He actually felt like vomiting. Ares tried to pull his arm back. Athena held on tight, though, and Ares couldn't bring himself to pull hard enough to actually risk hurting her. She reached up to his chin with her other hand a grabbed it, forcing him to look at her.

"Kiss me, Ares. Or do I need to change my mind about telling Father where you were tonight?"

Ares swallowed the growing lump in his throat. "Don’t make me do this, Athena. Please. I promise I won't embarrass you. Please. I don’t want to do this."

"Kiss. Me."

Ares closed his eyes and leaned forward and placed his lips on his sister's. He'd never kissed anyone before. He always hoped his first one would be with a person he cared about. He'd spent plenty of time fantasizing about kissing Donna while he was crushing on her. He wanted it to feel special. He wanted to feel loved. This just made him feel disgusting. Athena smirked against the kiss and pushed forward, running her tongue along Ares lips with a little giggle. She wrapped both arms around him and fell back against the bed. Ares couldn't help but tumble over her. He kissed her again, this time the way he'd seen the men in the movie kiss. That was what Athena wanted, right? Why? Why would she make him do this? After a minute or so Athena pulled away and leaned up to whisper in his ear "That’s better." She pressed her chest against his and wedged her knee between his legs. “Don’t you worry, Ares. By the time I’m done here you won’t need to think about stupid boys or high school hussies ever again.”

Ares didn’t bother responding. He did what he was told, exactly how he was told. By the time Athena was done with him Ares was curled up in a naked ball on his bed while she cleaned herself up and got dressed. The entire act had passed in a blur. The entire world was a blur. Ares couldn't believe what happened. His head was swimming. Athena must have said something before she left - he definitely heard her voice - but he couldn’t remember what it was. He wasn’t sure he wanted to remember what it was. At the very least, he told himself, his secret was still safe.

[acceptablegiovanni]

VtM OC Questions: Your Prelude

How old are you? 

When were you born? 

How old were you when you were Embraced? 

How long have you existed as a vampire? 

How old do you look? 

Are you more mature than you seem? Less? 

What was unique about your childhood? 

How did you spend your early years? 

How were your basic motivations and attitudes forged? 

Where did you go to school? 

Who were your immediate family? 

What is your clearest childhood memory?

Did you go to high school? 

Did you have a hometown, or was your family constantly on the move? 

Did you go to college? 

Did you run away from home? 

Did you play sports? 

Did any of your childhood friendships last to adulthood? 

What kind of person were you? 

Were you a decent person, or were you an asshole? 

Were you popular? 

Did you have a family? 

How did you earn a living? 

Did you have any real friends? 

What kept you going from day to day? 

Will anyone miss you? 

What was your first brush with the supernatural? 

When did you realize you were being stalked? 

Did you believe in the occult before your Embrace? 

When did you first meet a vampire? 

Were you afraid? Disbelieving? Angry? 

What frightened you most? 

How did the Embrace change you? 

How did your sire catch you? 

Was the Embrace painful? 

Did you get a kinky pleasure out of it? 

Did the Hunger tear at you? 

Did it frighten you? 

Did it feel right?

Are you grateful to your sire? 

Do you want to kill him for what they did to you? 

Who was your sire, and how did they treat you? 

What do you know of your sire? 

Were they abusive, arrogant, cryptic. or open? 

Why do you think they chose you? 

Did you even know your sire at all? 

How long did you stay with your sire? 

Did they teach you anything at all? 

How long was your “apprenticeship”? 

Where did you stay? Where did you go? 

Did you meet any other vampires during that time (such as the Prince or Archbishop)? 

Do you judge other vampires in general by your opinion of your sire? 

When did he teach you the laws of your Sect? 

How did you meet the others in your coterie or pack? 

Were you brought together by chance or design? 

Are you all of one Sect? 

Are you united in purpose and attitude? 

How long have you been together in the city? Did you know any of the others before the Embrace? 

Are your sires in cooperation, or are they rivals? 

What holds your coterie together when things are at their worst? 

Where is your haven? 

Where do you hide during the day? 

Do you have a permanent home at all? 

Do you stay in the place you inhabited in your mortal life? 

Do you hide in an abandoned building? The sewers? 

Do you have anyone to protect you during the day? 

Do you retain any connections to your mortal life? 

Are you presumed dead? 

Do you still watch over relatives from afar? 

Do you pretend to be still alive? 

Did you abandon your mortal existence entirely? 

What are your habitual feeding grounds? 

Whom do you feed upon, and where? 

Do you have a territory that you consider exclusively yours? 

Is your favorite hunting ground used by others? 

Do you compete with others? 

What is your preferred prey? 

Do you ever kill when you feed? 

Do you have a specific herd? 

Do you seduce your prey? Kidnap them? Assault them on the street? 

Do they come to you? 

What motivates you? 

Do you seek revenge on any enemies? 

Do you long to return to your mortal life? 

Do you have ambitions in Kindred society? 

If you could achieve anything in the world, what would it be?

[artsynanotech]

Finished!

[artsynanotech]

New art preview!

My GM decided that, in the timeline of our game, the Second Inquistion went to town on Washington D.C. and the entire vampire population was either destroyed or scattered. Scott’s coterie managed to get out. Unfortunately they haven’t found anywhere new to put down roots. Caroline is the only member above 13th gen, and they’ve got both a thin blood and a mortal child in their ranks as well. They’re currently on an extended road trip until safe haven can be found. 

[artsynanotech]

State of the Blog

Since FML: the Game has been (mostly) dead for the past two months, I thought I’d give an update on what I’ve been doing, why I haven’t been keeping up with the activity on here, and what my plans for the future are. 1. Lots of things irl, unsurprisingly. Trips being taken with my husband, various illnesses being contracted and worked through, and my general constant state of exhaustion due to work/health conditions/etc. 2. Most of of my WoD attention has been focused on my Mage: the Awakening game. And while THAT blog hasn’t been active either, I do have session write-ups I’m catching up on and should be posting there sometime next week. 3. SEWING. SO MUCH SEWING. In addition to my LARP outfit for November, I’ve got a commission for a friend I’ve been working on so that’s a thing too. 4. The most exciting thing on this list, I think: I started a Youtube channel! I’m gonna make videos talking about various things in the WoD/CoD universe, so if you wanna see me nerd out over these franchises head on over to McKenna Talks Games! Right now I’m working on a series of videos about Changeling: the Lost. Now then, plans for the future: 1. At some point pick up on the RPs I’ve abandoned. @lostfledgling and @secretsofthemasquerade, I’m sorry for all but dropping of the face of the reply planet. ;___; 2. Work on more art. I expect this should pick up the closer I get to my November LARP and my enthusiasm for VtM gets hyped up again. 3. Rework my continuation of the Chronicle and start writing some short stories to fit in with the lore/setting changes in V5. My game group is actually gonna be running a one shot in the next couple months to see how Scott’s coterie holds up now that there’s another Inquisition afoot. I’m also rebuilding Ares as a Thinblood rather than a Toreador.  That’s it for now. See ya later, friends. 

[artsynanotech]

Working on my LARP costume!

[artsynanotech]

I have V5! And I have thoughts! 8D

[artsynanotech]

Things I thought about while inking this picture: 1. Ares and Scott are both devoted to their kid, but everyone knows Charlotte is 100% Ares’ baby girl. He spoils her rotten and loves playing with her. He’s also very laid back about the whole child-rearing thing. 2. Scott, on the other hand, is a much more distant parent. He doesn’t connect well with children and struggles to understand how his daughter works. He’s also a massive worrywart and spends way too much time baby-proofing his and Ares’ haven.  3. Caroline is not allowed to babysit. Ever. She does, however, make sure this kid has a healthy collection of designer clothing. 4. Ricardo takes on day-time childcare duty. He doesn’t complain about it, but he doesn’t seem as enthusiastic about having a child around as her dad’s other friends. 5. Isaac didn’t expect the whole adoption thing to go well. He was adopted and raised by his own sire, which was a disaster. But he ends up being super attached to Charlotte and does his best to make sure her childhood is better than his was. 6. Sarah likes to visit unannounced at take Charlotte on “adventures.” These really only consist of trips to toy stores and parks and whatnot, but she makes detours to take selfies with Charlotte in front of tattoo parlors and strip joints. She then texts these to Scott as a prank. 7. Michella enthusiastically takes on the role of “mom” since she’s convinced Scott and Ares know nothing about children. She’s somewhat right, and they’re definitely glad for the help. 

[artsynanotech]

Normally I don’t like “babies ever after” endings, but my GM made an offhand comment about Scott and Ares adopting, and well... I ran with it. I’m not sure how this would even work. It’s a terrible idea, really, having a pint-sized liability wobbling around when you’re well-known figure in a community of monsters. But it’s still an adorable thought so I’m rolling with it temporarily.  So yeah. This is baby Charlotte with her collection of weird (semi) responsible adults. Between the seven of them they MIGHT be able to raise a well adjusted child. XD

[fannypakc]

[artsynanotech]

Game night at casa de Nanotech. :3

[artsynanotech]

Primogen 101 (Trollingtremere)

[artsynanotech]

trollingtremere:

“Magister, my apologies,” he saluted the other with a slight nod and a smile. “Lyle Kersten, Regent, fifth circle, et caetera, meddling foreign asshole, at your service.” Might as well loosen the ambiance a little.

“What a way to address your sire though,” Lyle had to comment once he found out he was indeed her sire. He was more playful, once again, than truly shocked or annoyed by it.

He followed Michella in, accepting the invitation, and gave a shrug about the mess. The mess was normal, but this was honestly more than he had expected.

“We are missing a blue robe and a wand, it seems,” he had to joke a little more and make a small gesture of someone moving a wand as a conductor. A blatant Sword in the Stone reference. “No honestly, don’t worry, I’ve seen worse, and I’ve probably done worse. So.. how timely, the Tremere I need to speak to also happen to be the same kindred.”

So the Tremere that has been doing experiments also happens to be the sire of the one that was dominated. Good.

“Alright, ok, so.. the Goratrix Tremere, the experiments, the dominate… Well it might be a little late for the questioning, perhaps we can leave it to tomorrow, but I’d like to know a little more about you both, your projects and else.” He took one of the electronics in his hand to have a look, interested. “I’ve also come to lend my strengths to the Chantry and there’s no reason for you to answer any of my questions if I’m not willing to answer to some myself,” trust first. Well, Tremere trust at least.

Michella shrugged. “He wouldn’t listen to me if I did’t assert myself a little.” Meanwhile, Algernon was busying himself picking a few things up. “Sure, come on in! Throw a goddamn party while you’re at it.” The sarcasm in his voice was almost too much. 

Michella rolled her eyes and pulled a chair out from a moderately clear space at the table, so Lyle could have a seat. Upon further observation, Lyle didn’t seem as bad as she first thought. He seemed to have a sense of humor, even! Thank the lord for that! Maybe he’d liven up the Chantry a little. Wouldn’t that be nice? Michella found a free stool next to some cabinets and dragged it over to the table so she could sit as well. “I’m cool with answering questions. And I’ll try to answer anything my sire won’t.”  “I can speak for myself, thank you!” Algernon walked over to the trash can and shoved the contents down so he could add more. Once that was done he brushed his hands off and went to check something on a computer monitor sitting at the far side of the room. The program that was up looked like some sort of medical monitor, like you’d see next to a patients bed at a hospital. Wires ran from it and under a closed closer door. There was also a faint yellowish glow coming from the closet itself.  “But will you, Algernon? Will you really?” “... Depends on the question.” “Exactly.” Michella stuck her tongue out at her sire while his back was turned. “So like I was saying, Regent, ask away! We’ve got lots going on here. Well Algernon does. I keep all of my work at my own haven, where I know it won’t get broken. But I help out with his projects when I can.”

[artsynanotech]

Primogen 101 (Trollingtremere)

[trollingtremere]

artsynanotech:

Michella looked like she was going to yell something else, but Lyle’s words startled her. She paused with her mouth wide open, fist raised to bang on the door again. It took a second to compose herself, and she turned to see who had spoken. Michella looked confused at first. People she didn’t recognize were rare in the chantry, and she hadn’t been told anyone was stopping by tonight.

Wait a second. Hadn’t there been something about a visiting regent? Was that this week? Realization visibly dawned on Michella in the form of an ‘oh shit!’ look. 

“Oh, uh… yeah, sorry about that… aha ha…” Michella rubbed the back of her neck and took a sheepish step backwards. “I didn’t mean to bother you or anything. You’re… you’re the French regent, right? Hi there! It’s nice to meet you!”

Jesus Christ, why had no one told her he was coming? Scott, at least, should have given her a heads up! He was supposed to know everyone who had to step through Elysium! Now Michella had gone an embarrassed herself in front of someone she very much did NOT want to be embarrassed in front of. She had no idea what this regent was going to be like, but given how dour DC’s chantry leadership was, Michella didn’t have high hopes for Lyle.

This childe’s expressions were quite telling and Lyle quite interested. He gave her enough time to get things together, and just smiled while he gave her his attention and both ears.

“I am not French, but yes that would be me. Lyle Kersten, pleasure’s all mine. I’ve been told you were the one that was approached by an antitribu?” Straight to the point, but with more of a curious and interested tone than one that would convey disapproval. “And the apprentice on the other side of the door is one that’s making certain experiments,” he rose the tone a little so Algernon could hear him, “and very much keeping things locked despite a Regent wanting to know more?” Hopefully he’d get the cue and open the door. After all, he was more than a little curious about what was going on… And why both were fighting, too. Meddling much, and dropping his title for good measure. Quite the rude way, for sure, but the ends justify the means.

[artsynanotech]

"Antitribu? Yeah, that was-"

"APPRENTICE?" Algernon scoffed, cutting Michella off before she could finish her sentence. The sound of a heavy lock clicking echoed through the hall, and a moment later the door cracked open just enough for Algernon to peek out. He was a very disheveled man, with wrinkled clothes and dark hair that was too short to be as messy as it looked. It looked like he much be of average height, but he was slouching to much to tell. "I don't know what Vargo told you, but it doesn't matter how little credit he gives me. I'm still a magister, thank you very much!"

"Algernon! Don't be rude!" Michella snapped her head to the opening in the door and glared at the man.

"Will you stop nagging?" Algernon drawled. "Algernon, don't be rude. Algernon, clean the lab, Algernon-"

It was Michella's turn to interrupt. She shoved her hips hard into the door, slamming it into Algernon's side and making him stumble backwards. It sounded like he might have actually fallen down. At the very least, he was mumbling a string of barely audible curse words.

"Sorry about that, Regent. He's probably in a bad mood because he hasn't fed yet. He gets like that sometimes." Michella gave Lyle a sweet, apologetic smile. "But yeah, I'm the one the antitribu talked to. The name's Michella Copeland, and the magister in the lab is my sire, Algernon. You wanna come inside? I don't want to make you stand out here in the hall all night. But then it's probably a mess in there, so if you want to talk somewhere else that's fine too."

Michella took a quick glance inside the lab and cringed. Oh yeah, it was embarrassing. There were piles of crumpled up notes on the floor, overflowing from the trash. One table was covered in random bits of old electronics and computers, strewn about without any semblance of organization or order. Sometimes she wondered why she bothered moving out of the chantry. This would never happen under her watch.

[artsynanotech]

Primogen 101 (Trollingtremere)

[trollingtremere]

artsynanotech:

“We have shock sensors on the first floor windows,” Stella explained.”Forcing your way through them triggers an audible alarm. We have motion sensors in the courtyard. The door to the labs is equipped with a timed combination lock. Regent Vargo and myself arm the security systems and set the lock shortly before sunup, and disarm both every evening when we rise. Each of the three labs have their own separate security systems, and each of our rooms has a personalized lock as well. Their designs and mechanisms are known only to the ones who use those rooms. I can tell you mine involves several blades and a moderate amount of acid.”

If they were being honest, the wired security system was only a few years old. There had been one too many issues with mortal teenagers breaking in on dares. Scaring them off with loud alarms was more efficient than having them get caught in the wards and having to dominate their memories away. But Stella wasn’t being honest. She was just being matter-of-fact. Stella walked at a brisk pace, leading Lyle down to the first floor and then down the hall to a small kitchen. It didn’t look like it saw much use, but the ghouls still needed to eat. Just past the kitchen was a wooden door. Stella opened it using the same trick Helen had used on the entrance, but when the door opened there was a second, metal door with two combination locks on it. Stella pushed it open and it swung at an agonizingly slow pace. As soon as there was space to slip by Stella squeezed inside. The stairwell and hallway below it were plan concrete, with fluorescent lights lining the ceiling. The shouting from earlier was much more audible now. A young woman’s voice echoed through the stairwell, followed by the more muffled yelling of a middle aged man. “I swear Algernon, if you don’t let me see my sweet baby RIGHT NOW I will shoot the hinges off this goddamn door!” “Keep it down, woman! I’m trying to work!” “Let me in!” “OH MY GOD, GO AWAY!” Stella did not seem at all fazed by the argument. She simply gestured down the hall to were the girl from Scott’s photo was standing, pounding on another metal door, looking for all the world like she was about to tear the damn thing off the wall. 

“Admirable,” Lyle had to comment on the vast amount of security involved in the chantry. The paranoia was real, and it seemed to be justified. The idea of blades and acid drew a smile from him. A Tremere-level of get-off-my-lawn American attitude towards private proprieties was more worrying, after all if daring kids would set up an accidental trap, while all legal, it would draw more than a little attention. Thankfully American society tended to accept such losses at face value.

He followed and observed, matching his pace to Stella’s, he’d explore on his own and get to know the building more later. He had to push the metal door further so he could get through himself. Thank god for Potence, efforts were less needed. The argument was typical of Apprentice bickering about something and Lyle felt right at home. 

With a nod saying he understood and thanking Stella for having guided him, Lyle walked straight to Michella, casual and trying his best to look at least a little friendly. 

“You guys are quite loud,” he plain commented. After all they had been audible when Lyle first stepped in the chantry.

[artsynanotech]

Michella looked like she was going to yell something else, but Lyle's words startled her. She paused with her mouth wide open, fist raised to bang on the door again. It took a second to compose herself, and she turned to see who had spoken. Michella looked confused at first. People she didn't recognize were rare in the chantry, and she hadn't been told anyone was stopping by tonight.

Wait a second. Hadn't there been something about a visiting regent? Was that this week? Realization visibly dawned on Michella in the form of an 'oh shit!' look. 

"Oh, uh... yeah, sorry about that... aha ha..." Michella rubbed the back of her neck and took a sheepish step backwards. "I didn't mean to bother you or anything. You're... you're the French regent, right? Hi there! It's nice to meet you!"

Jesus Christ, why had no one told her he was coming? Scott, at least, should have given her a heads up! He was supposed to know everyone who had to step through Elysium! Now Michella had gone an embarrassed herself in front of someone she very much did NOT want to be embarrassed in front of. She had no idea what this regent was going to be like, but given how dour DC's chantry leadership was, Michella didn't have high hopes for Lyle.