Thread: Update from Little House on the Prairie (Academy Members & Guests)

"Initial research discovered that Chavel is alive and torpid but untrackable so likely being kept or fled to the lands of the dead. Whether she is a prisoner of our enemies or not... I can not say."

"Because of the unknowns involved and the revelations made to me by Pius, I brought him to the farm and have invited him back to visit again in the future for the ... gift... he gave to me." Emma shifts.

"He was able to allow me to observe the attack as if I were there. It seems that the kindred she was protecting turned on her, though we still don't know why. He didn't seem surprised by the appearance of Malcolm and by his reaction I'd say he knows who Ungol is too... my guess is that he was talking to them during his sleep though god alone knows why." She shakes her head.

"The only good news is that it's just as likely that she fled to safety and is healing up her wounds as it is that she was captured. With blood magics revealing she is alive still, I am holding out hope that she is not in Ungol's hands and instead is just unable to contact us."

Benjamin is obviously relieved upon hearing the news that Chavel is likely still "alive." "Is there anyone in Constantino's employ that could retrieve her?"

"We're doing everything we can to track her down. The fortunate and unfortunate truth is that where we believe she may have gone to heal, a place she's been known to travel to before, is a location the Giovanni and their servants have no clue how to get to and I had yet to be taught the way there by Chavel. She thought I wasn't ready yet..." Emma looks midly annoyed.

"However, I am making efforts to dig through her things searching for a clanmate of hers who might know the way to her safe haven in the lands of the dead. If I could employ some help the searching might prove a bit more fruitful and maybe... just maybe... I can ask the favor of them to join you in Brazil."

She pauses, taking a moment to make sure she's alone with Ben at the moment, both in the physical world and in the shadowlands. "Speaking of Brazil... if you don't mind me jumping topics a minute? I need as big a favor as I can ask..."

"... because I'm not going to Brazil." She let's the statement sink in. "Constantino thinks it's only because he's asked me to stay home to protect Kirsi's children from other kindred and our enemies but the truth is that His Grace Passeck caught wind of Art's people calling in old debts from some of his people and he had Theo nix my 'travel request' such as it were."

She shakes her head. "I knew this might come up one night - being put in between the Justicar who is a Brother to me and the Justicar I'm sworn indirectly to obey but, until Tino asked me to stay home I was prepared to try and throw my lot in with Art and hope for the best. Now," She sighs. "defying Theo whose blood I've taken into me and the man I..."

Emma stops herself from saying the word but her lips mouth it. As if saying it to another kindred was as dangerous as holding a gun to your own head as a mortal, even if that other kindred is someone she trusts with more than her life. Finding her voice again she continues, "I just don't have the strength to disobey, Ben. I can think about doing it for a few minutes but then, I tell myself a hundred reasons why I can't and I know that I won't.."

She scoffs, "Ironic, isn't it? For years my Sire tried to make me like her and the second she's gone I willingly step off the front lines and into the role of research and manipulation. All I can do now is sit here seekign knowledge, making plans and pulling on strings I have spent 50 years tying to friends and allies. I feel almost helpless to do anything more than plead for the kindness of others and barter away everything I have left in this world, hoping it's going to be enough..." She let's her words trail off.

She looks down, as if ashamed and then she finds a resolve within herself to speak the words that can't be easy for a woman bound to her Archon. "Lose your cell phone. Theo shouldn't call you but, just in case then you won't have it and you won't be forced to disobey any order he might decide to make. Art needs you down there... and I do too. Not just because of what I'm about to ask of you but also because I think we have a bead on how to be victorious and lose as few people as possible. However, like I said, I can't do it personally so I need someone who can take what I've learned and make use of it in the field."

She wets her lips. "I know you have other priorities that have to come first Ben but, if you have the chance and there is a choice and you make it to protect what is dear to me - my debt to you will be great. For whatever that's worth to you, there it is, the favor I have to ask. He has a target on him. Ungol hates Constantino for defying him and it's a matter of personal vengence now. I know Ungol's creatures will seek him out on the field of battle and if given a chance ... they will do worse than kill him."

Bending over she lifts her pants leg and from inside her boot she pulls out a blackened blade. The blade absorbs like rather than shinning much in the same way that Rhun's blade does. "This dagger belonged to Chavel. She gave it to me during Lent so I could protect myself from the ghosts I encountered with Constantino. Unlike most weapons this can effect the dead and will serve to protect not just you, or Tino but also anyone else who is dear to you who might be a target of that monster's minions."

Emma didn't have to point out that Ben had no way to protect Amanda Winters from Ungol's wraiths but, she knew it couldn't hurt to let him know that not only was she giving him a way to save the man she loved, but the means to do what he had must to save that which he loved as well.

She knew that it would give Ben an advantage over Constantino if he owned that blade and that one day soon she might deeply regret handing him that advantage but, for now she couldn't afford to have Tino standing as the only one who could protect himself wraithly assults in Brazil.

She holds the blade out towards him. "I think Chavel would want you to take this, she trusts you, and I do too. Consider it a down payment on services rendered... if you have sentimental objections to taking it. Besides, it couldn't hurt to have it in your belt loop as a future Archon. I hear they run into all sorts of crazy ass shit in the line of duty." She smiles ever so slightly.

Constantino's limo pulls up and waits at the edge of the drive for a moment. After about five minutes Tino steps out and begins to proceed to the house. His eyes are glazed over and he is obviously looking into the shadowlands for those who have seen him do it before.

Constantino begins speaking quietly in Italian.

"Si, Si. Find out what I can use to bargain with them. Also, prepare the manacles. If this idea works I will need to present them a gift." Constantino stops a short distance away as he carries on a conversation with the air. "Something needs to fuel the forges.... No... I'm not worried about that, what I intend to offer was beyond hope long ago." Tino looks down at his watch. "Get moving. I need to make this deal as soon as possible...the logistics are going to be a headache."

Once his conversation with the wraith is over he will smile politely and again approach the other two kindred.

"Colonel, Emma, how can I be of assistance tonight?"

Before Constantino arrives:
Benjamin listens carefully to Emma a she speaks. "I will do what I can to protect him, Emma." He takes the blade and slides it into his boot. "Thank you for this gift. I should be able to see those things, though they appear as no more than body-shaped blurs to me. I've tested this around Constantino before and was able to see them."

After Constantino arrives:
"I was hoping for an update as to the fight that occurred here."