The Don’s View from “Caged Animals”
Notes by Logan
Location: Armandasanti Family Grave Site
Time: 10:45 pm
Date: Sometime in the Future
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When he awoke, he was under no illusions as to what needed to happen. Today—rather tonight, was the night that his clan members in the Ventrue were set to turn the political tides in Georgetown with brutal and ruthless moves. Jordan had made such clear that everyone would be doing exactly what they needed to do. Oddly enough, even though he wasn’t told specifically what to do, he knew. On the ride home he reflected on the known facts. These helped him come up with his plan and what he needed to do to assist in the takeover.
One, this was supposed to be a party, meaning it had to be open to having people join. Not to mention it was Elysium. Some people were almost forced to attend if they wanted to keep up with the current Kindred social affairs. So there would likely be a crowd of people there. This was good and bad in Vito’s eyes. It was good because it meant they could get their own people in but it also meant the opposition could do the same. Hopefully we made friends with some of the more naturally gifted fighters. Vito was confident in his own ability and Rose’s own but we were only two. He trusted the Ventrue might have thought of this.
“Yeah, so this party thing right? Well—hang on, I forgot. You remember I told you that Jinx had this dream about this big guy? I got the call from Mr. Smith-Walters and he gave the beat on this goon that I needed to find I guess. I can’t really tell ya more but I called my people and put out a relatively big bounty for this local radio host or whatever the fuck he was. After that, I got ready. I knew it was going to be something big, something of a fight at this party so I brought my stuff. Nothin’ wild but nothin’ noisy or loud either. After I got dressed and ready to roll, I went downstairs to the rest of the group as we slowly gathered each other up.”
This was probably the closest thing he was going to get to genuine care or kinship with the rest of the people that formed his coterie. He almost needed a moment to think of the way he was going to say this but not put them in danger by them knowing. Also, there was a chance if they knew, given their...suspicious loyalties over the years, they might even try to sabotage it all. His wording here had to be as clear and cryptic as he could make it.
“I told them, Jinx Henry and Rose, that there was a stampede coming and it was safest to be with the bulls when it happened and to stay close to me at all times at this party. Of course they questioned me over and over about the details. The only thing I could tell them was that it would likely mean my life if I said too much. Was that the truth? Probably not, but if I leaked this information and it blew up in the Family’s face, I’d for sure be sufferin’ some kind of punishment. I subverted their worries as best I could but they still seemed on edge. I offered them some food at home so they could be at the top of their game when we made to this zoo party. Some took care of themselves but Jinx and I fed at home. With all the prep given and the car ready, we took off to this party.”
Thinking back on it, the ride there was quiet as we all prepared for what this party meant. Rose seemed a little on edge too. A part of Vito wondered if there was anyway that Rose was given the details on what was happening? It was too risky to confirm it but it seemed possible. This made him wonder if Prentiss is also in on it? Perhaps. Either way, he was hoping to get Prentiss to join them and help the fight against the lazy and mad king. Supposing only time would tell but there was still a bit of wishful thinking laden in the working of his mind. Even if he never showed it on his face.
“So we get there, right and we check in with these door people and find our way in. I told my military squad to follow me and keep as close an eye on me without entering Elysium as possible. A hard task, sure but there were plenty of buildings. Either way, that was far from my main goal, you know? I mean, everything had to look business as usual here and from the looks around the party, the other family members were doing the same thing. There was something new here too, a couple of singers I’d never heard before. Either way, had to stay focused. Now, Prince George wanted to do a toast shortly after talking with these two people from out of town. Didn’t know who they were, was focused on other things. To keep things proper, I mocked respect in his toast but didn’t actually drink it. It would seem none of the other of my Family did either. Come to think of it, there weren’t that many of Rose’s family there either. Speaking of which, I turned about to tell the others of the group to not drink the stuff…”
Even thinking about it now boiled the lifeblood in his dead veins something fierce. Yes, Vito was keenly aware that they didn’t exactly like authority and he was, in most ways a representation of ‘The Man’. So he let some things slide on account of such things as long as they still performed well and could hold their own. An exercise in patience as it were. However, something he refused to tolerate was disrespect. He told them to stay close. Dangerous stuff was about to happen and he wanted to make sure the Ventrue knew that Rose, Jinx and Henry were with him and thus on the right team. So imagine the fire in his rage when he turned about and…
“...both Rose and Jinx were gone. Henry asked if I had saw them sneak off after drinking the refreshments at the party. I’m not sure if my face showed it at the time but I was angry, yes. More than that, I was absolutely hurt more than anything. I showed the smallest bit of human trust to them, tried to protect them in the only way I could at the moment knowing what I knew. Imagine the person you see as a fuckin’ daughter, you try to protect and keep safe and she spits in your face and turns her back on you after all your generosity and affection. I was disappointed beyond belief especially when I praised her to my Family repeatedly, humiliated by her choice to betray my trust in this crucial moment and angry. So very angry. An Rose too. Rose knew something was going on, I could see it on their face. They said somethings back at the house that keyed me in. Rose knew it was about to go down and still...they did what they did…”
In truth, he needed a moment in the crypt to calm down and recenter himself. He was here to relive the past so that, in some way, he might find his grace again. If such a thing were truly possible. He could only hope so. It was the only hope he could cling to in moments when the despair seemed so close to catching it up. The smothering darkness always inching closer and he was getting tired of running all the time.
“If it wasn’t for the fact that I had to keep myself calm and focused for what was coming. Henry was there and, in truth, even though I knew Henry was a spy and a liar I found that only He was the person I could trust. Henry had always done right by me and even told the truth when confronted with the knowledge. Could always trust a spy to spy. I took Henry with me and there was a duo I wanted to meet. This beauty in an type of dress I’ve never seen before. Turns out they were kinda friendly people. Marcel and Nebasha. Said somethin’ about spreading love and hope in some kind of Church. It’s been awhile since I went to Church so I figured maybe I ought to go. We traded numbers and they said some cryptic shit about not bein’ around and callin’ it an early night. I let them know that I knew what was up in a subtle way before they left. That’s when it all started to fuckin’ go down and in a massive way…”
“Jordan called out George. George fired back, Jordan rallied the others to the cause and off they went. The battle for the throne had begun.”