Character: Larry
Status: Unemployed, living off of parents' extreme wealth.
Marital Status: Single
Age: 26
Abilities: unidentified

<font color="lightblue">On the other end of the resturaunt, eating Chicken Sandwich, Larry sat, now too upset to finish his meal. In front of him was a terrible act of violence being played out, and nobody was soing anything about it. Were the police on their way? Was this guy going to demand money from everyone? Larry hoped not. He was carrying a load of cash on him, and did not want to make his parents angry. HE wished that he could do something for the poor girl, but what? He could bribe the man with a small fortune. The girl he held hostage was cute enough to save. Maybe she would give him a kiss or something. It probably wouldn't work though. This guy seemed rather crazy, and anything that Larry did to draw attention to himself could get him in a similar unlucky situation.
About that time, the waitress taht was supposed to be bringing him his refill on Sprite came out of the back kitchen. She was a bit shocked to see what was going on. Larry knew of nothng that he could do at the moment. He waited to see how things would work out. </font>

Gerhard quickly thought about what he could do, he had a silenced pistol hidden in one of his pockets but he'd prefer not to use it, anyway, shooting the maniac would probably result in the woman's death. He could also take out the madman with his martial arts skills, but again, that would probably result in the woman's death as well..... Nothing for him to do but wait and see what happened....

<font color="white">"Alright, then! Shall we?"</font> ~ He begins to tow the lady, inching his way towards the exit of the restaurant. Dark eyes raking across the room swiftly, he growls ~ <font color="white">"This is between the two of us! So you folks can just mind your own business!"</font> ~ Leaning against the door now, he gives a mighty shove backwards to swing it open and drags the woman out of the room.

<font color="silver">He's gone!</font> ~ With horror, Adrianne finally thaws from her frozen position ~ <font color="silver">And what of the poor lady? Nobody is going to rescue her?!</font> ~ Her hyperactive imagination is already conjuring images of the violence that maniac will inflict on his victim ~ <font color="silver">How can I pretend nothing has happened? I... I can't!</font> ~ Her feet subconsciously tread on to Table 12, her mind still whirling away.

Suddenly, the air rings with the sound of splintering china. Bone china, to be more precise. She recognises the sound... that had been so familiar just weeks ago. But now, she blinks once and the colour drains from her face as she sees the dish spilled all over the floor, mingled with broken fragments of the plate. Shrieking in her ears is a completely distressed matron ~ <font color="pink">"Is this the kind of service I am to expect from an establishment such as this? Look at what you've done to my chiffon gown! And that was an original, too... I demand a compensation! I'll see that you're sacked for this! I demand to see your manager right now!!!"</font>

Cringing before the woman, Adrianne alternates between panic for the hostage and worry for her own livelihood. And now, the ominous footsteps are approaching. She looks up. Just for an instant, the murder in his eyes gleams at her.

<font color="silver">No! I can't take this... not anymore....not after all this commotion...</font> ~ Grasping the back of a nearby chair, she steadies herself.

<font color="yellow">"I am most sorry for this mishap, madam. Allow me to extend the deepest apologies on behalf of the restaurant, and in particular, this young lady."</font> ~ The tone smooth, but did she imagine vicious towards the end? ~ <font color="yellow">"Let me assure you that it won't happen again. Please, if you will come this way, we can arrange for you to have a thorough refund and complimentary next meal..."</font>

Adrianne now chokes, the room is spinning. Staggering towards the exit now, she ignores the puzzled stares of the remaining patrons. Pushing the door open, she runs out. Hearing the indignant cries behind her.

"She is drained" Albert noticed her pale skin, and licked the drop of blood around her neck. It just never felt enough, he sighed frustratingly, the Blood Curse, says the elders Resisting the urge to continue his feast, he worked his tone around the bite. The wound began to mend as he did his work. Blood stopped flowing and the wound now closed.

He sat up and watched unconcious woman. She had volunterrily came to him. Alerbt is a business man in Wall Street. Trading stocks is his job, through his secretories and brokers. That is his identity, his coverage. Jessica, the young secretory of this promising business man, wanted more than a secure job at Albert's company. She surely knows how to use her good looking to achieve a better life, but she doesn't know, and she wouldnt even believe, what Alerbt truely is.

Albert is a vampire. He belonged to the Clan Giovani, the Clan of Death. In fact, his whole business firm is only a tiny portion of the Giovani Clan's enterprise. Being a member of the Giovani is something more than simply being a vampire. The fact that a Giovani is feared even among his own Kindred sat well in his mind. When you have power, Albert thought, it brings security. The more the better, Alerbt smiled. Then he trembled as a hint of fear clinged his mind: he has no idea to what extends does his Clan's power reach. He guessed there isnt many even among the Elders know. Being in a power machine also meant you just might be someone's next conspirocy steppingstone, anyone's.

He sighed. There is no love in this life, no love, no warmth, no compassion, no joy, except the pleasure of tasting blood, He thought, the price paid for immortal. And there is still remorse, loneliness, sorrow, and fear. Yes, fear, admit it or not. Even among the ancientest elder, they know fear. Not the fear of mortal, but the fear of all other bad things combined. That is what the power is for, isnt it? Albert wondered, to keep fear in check.

Closing his eyes, he leaned on his back. A beautiful face surfaced in his mind. He was surprised that he still remembered her. A slight, only slight, warmth surged through his heart. He froze in place as he recognized the feeling, something that has been lost from him for way too long. Why do I still remember you? he shivered

Adrianne

Adrianne

Why she is running, she has no idea. Perhaps it is the fear of being caught up with by Sam. Her boss. But as she continues on her sprint now, her thoughts are channelling back to the couple who had left the restaurant just a minute ago. Well... not exactly a couple. But certainly a man and woman.

Sweeping her gaze across the horizon, she sees that she has lost them ~ <font color="silver">I do hope the lady will be able to escape. Somehow.</font> ~ Finding herself panting furiously, she gradually slows to a brisk walk, secure in the knowledge that the restaurant is several blocks away.

As she rounds the corner of a building, she suddenly halts in her steps. Looking up, she recognises the classy look and feel of the exterior. And the name simultaneously crashes against her mind.

<font color="silver">Albert...</font>

Clarice

What a mistake it had been to meet Arthur for dinner! Oh, his words had been so sincere and honourable. ~ <font color="white">Just to meet up, for old times' sake... surely you wouldn't deny me of your company, Clarice?</font> ~ And the damnable cajolling tone of his voice had been put to good use. Meeting at the restaurant had been his idea. Just like old times. He wanted to relive the past for just one evening. Or so he had claimed. His brutal attacks on her five years ago still rest painfully in her memory, even as he places the knife against her throat.

Now, feeling his muscular arm clamping around her ribcage almost suffocating her, she can feel the underlying currents flowing from his mind to hers ~ <font color="white">One false step, and you'll never survive this day.</font> ~ If not for the fact that fear preoccupies her mind, she would be marvelling at how well he looks after these years ~ <font color="pink">I wonder where he has been all this while...</font>

As if in answer to her thoughts, he whispers against her ears ~ <font color="white">"Forgive me for frightening you like that, Clarice. But I have no choice... you just weren't willing to listen. Promise to listen to me now, and I... I won't do it again."</font> ~ His silky smooth voice is at play again, and her heart sinks ~ <font color="pink">What else can I do?</font> ~ <font color="pink">"I...I promise."</font> ~ She stammers, darting glances about, hoping for someone to respond. But the other patrons in the restaurant might as well be guppies, opening their mouths in horror but doing little else. She tries once again ~ <font color="pink">"P...Please... I beg you... let me go."</font> ~ His grip tightens and he snaps ~ <font color="white">"Shut up!"</font>

He is no fool, and knows his time is running out. Hauling her along, he moves towards the exit with incredible grace and speed. Suddenly murmuring to her ~ <font color="white">"I've found the answer to our dreams, Clarice. I've found a treasure map."</font>

And then, before she knows it, he has shouted his piece to the remaining patrons and pulled her out of the restaurant with him.

OOC: Mistral, I suppose that building Adrianne saw is where Albert used to live in. With a new identity, he had left all there was about him behind.

IC: (the second night)
Looking down below the southern downtown Mamhaton, he leaned slightly on the grounded window glass. His office is specially designed which a unholed wall could be remotely brought down at any time, a protection against the hellish sunlight. Though it bloked the inferno fire, it serves only a meager proctection to block the fear of such. He narrowed his eyes, the thought of sunlight unsettled him a little. He used to have a life like that then... a life beneath the sunlight, until he was chosen to enter the Dark Embrace. He couldn't remember what it was like, sometimes it felt as if it was another person's life, as if he was looking at a pictorial fiction with someone else running the story. Was that really me? Albert thought, then there is always the itchy feeling in my heart. Though it seems to grow weaker by day.

Albert sometimes wonder what is the true difference between a vampire and a mortal. What lies in their heart that seperate the two species? For was not a vampire transformed from a mortal being? Then what happened at the moment of such transaction that essentially changed one into another?

And then there are the Elders, Albert thought. If there are anyone more "vampire" than himself, those are the ones. The ageless ancients are among the most merciless vile creatures he'd ever seen. Perhaps one can descendent into deeper darkness long after he thinks he reached the end. Power, he thought, looking down at his own muscled arms, at least I have power. Kuzura's, his Sire, words rang again beside his ear, <center>

"We are
the Lord of the Humanity,
the Master of the Beast,
the Ruler of the World.
Bow to no man,
no prince,
no god,
except your Sire and
your Sire's Sire and
your Sires afore."</center>

"I am an immortal." Albert looked at the lighted streets downbelow and repeated the phrase "I am an immortal..."

In the mirror, he vaguely saw a woman's saddened, grief filled face. Blinking, he thought it was an illumination, perhaps a trick played by his mind, but at that moment, he had hoped he really saw her...

Adrianne

Gerhard watched as the maniac dragged off the woman and the waitress ran off. He'd rather lost his appetite after this little episode and walked outside again, he pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket and looked at the name written upon it, "Albert", the name of his latest job.

He'd been approached at night by some rather suspicious-looking persons who'd given him the general area in which this "Albert" could be found and what his job was. So far Gerhard had had little luck with locating him at a time and in a location in which he could end his life, he briefly wondered why they'd given him a wooden stake when he accepted the job and told him to hammer it through Albert's heart when he had killed him, what did they think this "Albert" was? A vampire? He almost laughed at the idea, there were no such things as vampires.

He walked calmly down the street towards the airport, Albert was supposedly in New York. He looked around him as he walked, his trained senses picking up almost everything, there were many who'd love to pay him back for some of the things he'd done so he had to stay alert at all times.

As Gerhard passed by a side street, which he glanced down casually, he saw the waitress from the restaurant standing a short way down it, she stood still, apparently having stopped in mid-step, he wondered if she was perhaps being threatened by thugs or something of the like. He headed down the street towards her just in case she needed help.

<font color="lightgreen">
~Outside of the resturaunt, the police were already there, and had surrounded the place. One of the customers inside had caled 9-1-1 in thier Cellphone. As the man with the woman walks out into public, the police are all there, pointing their guns at the man. A helicopter looms overhead with a sniper hanging out of the window. They had him on all sides. The backdoor in the kitchen produced more police that ran into the building incase the killer wanted to try and go back in for hostage reasons, or if he had an accomplice. The policeman standing closest to the pair sceams, "Drop the knife and step away from the woman...NOW damnit!"</font>

OOC: did Mistral specify the location of the restaraunt? if not, lets say it is at Atlanta. and Albert is at New York.

IC:
"Thomas, cancel all my scheduals tomorrow and two days after that. Book me a round trip ticket to Atlanta, I am leaving in an hour." Putting down the phone, he began to ponder the wisdom in his impulsiveness. I must see her. he sat silently but why? to what ends? He stroke his short mustache above his lips up and down. Why must I see her?

It is something about his past. He knew. He needed desperately to know that part of himself once more, and to learn what he has truely become. but why her? His eyebrows twisted together, whats so special about this woman? Perhaps he should just order his ghouls to bring him some freshly caught flesh and enjoy the warm blood for the next few days.

No, he decided. There is perhaps infinity ahead of him, but his patience is definitely not infinity. Time is slipping away from him.

Picking up his cellar-phone, he stared at the keypedal for a moment, then typed the unique area code: ##*

There are area codes of all kinds, but no one, at least mortal, on earth possess the area code combination of "#" and "*". This is another thing make Albert particularly proud about being a Giovani.

Not the self-righteous Ventures, not the artistic Toreadors, not the punk Brujas, not the grusome Nosferatu, not the monsterous Gangrel, not the insane Malkavian, not the trickery Ravnos, not the sorcery Tremere, not the treacherous Lasombra, not the mysterious Setites, not the murderous Assamites nor the reblious Tzmisces, not single one of these Clans possessed the wealth that the Giovani possessed. Rooting back to Venice, the merchant princes of Giovani had cumulated treasures beyond ages. Right now, replacing stashs of gold is the stock portfolios. This is what I am good at, Albert thought with a smile, a small sense of secureness seized him briefly. But he knew far better than being fooled by this false illusion. "There is no secureness" He mumbled, remembering the words of his Sire yet again "There shall always be Jyhad fought among the ranks of Kindred, such is the curse, the Curse of Uriel: Forever thou (Caine's) Childe shalt plot and fight amongst themselves."

Bringing his thoughts back, he put down his cellarphone... perhaps secretive would be my best ally, he thought, there is no need to inform the Prince. The less people know my whereabout, the better...

After that, he picked up the phone once again "Thomas? You booked the ticket yet? Ok, good. I also want one round ticket to San Francisco, yes, and another round ticket to Boston, also I want another ticket to Phoenix, all depart in an hour." After that, he hang up his phone, and began searching more wisdom in the unbreachable darkness...