2021-01-25 A Rose, a Warlock, and a Ritual
Still Alive
Location: Colonial Revival House -- Central Los Angeles
Date and Time: June 23, 201- 3:14 am
Summary: Lydon assists Elizabeth in casting a ritual to create a device for detecting wraiths.
=== Outside Grounds - Colonial Revival House - Central Los Angeles
The grounds surrounding this medium-sized, light green Colonial Revival House is a close mirror to the neighboring homes and bungalows that make up the Wilton Historic District. The lush green turf that makes up most of the grounds is a heavy fescue and bluegrass blend cut to a medium height that remains plush and soft underfoot. The gated drive that leads up to the spacious, two car garage is guarded by trail lights on the borders and always illuminated, day or night.
The house itself is entered through a front porch that is connected to the drive by a mason stone pathway which is also lit by small trail lights in the evening while the peripheral of the building is protected by thick bushes and flower gardens. The house appears spacious with a second floor upper deck on the front that is accessible by a twin door.
The back yard of the house is smaller than the front grounds and protected by a thick fence that separates it from the back yard of the house behind. A patio deck houses a jacuzzi hot tub, patio table, and modern twin range grill and smoker. Without space for a swimming pool, the rest of the yard has been converted into a flower garden that is in bloom all year long.
Elizabeth texts shortly after the Cicada Club and provides an address to a home in Hancock Park's Wilton Historic District, which is located on the southeastern edge of the district where it buts up right against the border with Koreatown. A time is suggested that would allow Lydon time to travel around Koreatown via Hollywood to the north, which is the safer of the two options compared to South Central.
The house itself is a colonial revival home, much like the 300-something other ones in the Wilton Historic District if larger in size, and it is guarded by a state of the art security system complete with motion sensors and infrared cameras.
A gated drive is opened and the drive itself leads up to a two car garage where Meri's armored Cadillac Escalade is parked. A cobblestone pathway leads around to the front porch where Elizabeth Tanner is standing, still wearing that 30s flapper dress from before.
When Lydon Vogel arrives, it's in a discreet black car with a pair of Clan Tremere ghouls leading the way. Nameless, boring figures of no particular significance as they lug with them a thick, durable tote of equipment. The German Tremere himself arrives in his expected sharp, black suit with one hand stuffed into his pocket and the other holding a manila folder.
The two ghouls begin to draw out some equipment, a portable smelting furnace with the appropriate propane tanks and the tools to go with it. Fire retardant gloves and tongs. As well as three jewelry boxes, each labeled appropriately.
"Chancellor Tanner. I was distracted before, but you do look rather exceptional tonight." Lydon offers in his cool, dour expression and tone. "Have you worked with metal smithing before? Or, more importantly, have you work with Tremere ritual work before? Tonight, you'll get an opportunity to do both."
"Mister Vogel. How kind of you to say. This dress does remind me of New Orleans, when I still breathed under the sun." Instead of inviting them in, Elizabeth hits a clicker in her hand that causes the garage door to open. She trots down the porch steps and makes her way down the path to join them in the driveway before leading the way into the garage.
"My experience in metalsmithing is limited to watching some handsome young man in Boston craft the finest earrings on the East Coast but otherwise... no. As for ritual work, I've some experience. Most recently when Deputy Artemis helped confirm my true clan when the question arose." There is another door within the garage that opens into a stairwell that leads down to the basement. "Tell me, Mister Vogel, have you ever woken up only to realize your entire reality and exitance was a figment of your imagination?"
The odd question is followed by another, "That can work indoors, correct?"
"It fits you well and accentuates your figure nicely." Lydon adds for her and as everything is being nearly arranged by the ghouls, he shakes his head for her. "Not since I died, I'm afraid. Not quite what you are referencing, I'm sure. But. As close to a relatable experience as I can provide." He assures her smoothly and then nods at the question. "The only concern of note is the fumes, though. The retainers can simply step outside, I'm sure."
Once the equipment is arranged, he steps about, and indicates the smelting furnace. "The process and rules are simple. You will take the scroll I have here, and you will perform the ritual as described. You will make no attempt to photograph or record the content of my scroll, or to transcribe any of the details of the events involved. You will make no attempt to maintain the document after our meeting concludes, and all equipment besides the obvious trinket you will craft here tonight returns with me to the Chantry. I will be here to assist you through the ritual process, however you will complete the ritual yourself. Take your time; Do not rush this. This is expected to take a few hours. Two to three. If you rush it, you will endanger the both of us. If you violate these rules, you understand that you will mark yourself unavailable for ritual services in the future." He explains. "Any questions before we get started?"
=== Basement - Colonial Revival House - Central Los Angeles
The finished basement of the Colonial Revival House lacks windows so is lit by overhead flourescents that are controlled by dimmers along the walls. A staircase leads up to the first floor kitchen while a second security door grants access to the garage. The main area has been converted into a general living space with a small kitchenette and seating area. A plain door leads to an adjoining half bath while another security door leads further into the basement.
"Of course. You may want to consider havening here this evening, depending on how long I take." Elizabeth waits until the equipment is within the garage, carried by the retainers, before she clicks the button that will close the garage door. She will lead the way into a small, finished basement that seems largely used to connect the garage to a staircase that leads up to the first floor of the house, while also holding a laundry area, kitchenette, and seating area.
A large security door is revealed behind a wall curtain and Elizabeth blocks the view as she taps in it's code, causing it to *click* loudly before sliding it open. "In here, gentlemen." She murmurs toward the retainers before stepping in to her hidden sub basement layer...
=== Sub Basement - Colonial Revival House - Central Los Angeles
The sub basement of the Colonial Revival Home is a new addition that is built beside and a half-level below the main basement. A security door that is located atop a half stair that leads back to the main basement. The door itself is guarded by an electronic keypad with a battery backup to protect from power outages. A second door with a regular lock connects the main sub basement room with a finished studio apartment suit.
The main room is lit by track lights along the walls which are controlled by a dimmer and often kept low. The furniture is sparse and mainly consists of industrial shelves and storage bins. A single table and chair set is staged to one side while a large, iron cage has been installed in the corner opposite the entrance. The cage is secured by a similar electronic keypad that is used on the main door.
Beyond the second door is a small studio apartment that consists of a luxious king-sized Chesterfield style bed. The bed is equipped with fine upholstery and the latest in popular memory foam mattresses. A matching armoire and mirrored make-up table rest nearby while a modern shower is closed in by glass walls in one corner.
"I will keep it in mind." Lydon accepts easily enough for her suggestion and as the way is led further into the house, the ghouls begin to diligently pack up the equipment and lug it along with them as the German Tremere follows after the Mad Rose. Of course, he doesn't seem the slightest bit interested in peering to capture the sight of whatever code she inputs into the door.
The retainers comply readily enough, stepping in and beginning to unload the tools and equipment once again, neatly arranging the metal smithing gear and the jewelry boxes provided. Once they have completed their labor, Lydon steps up behind the small furnace. "So, the process is simple. If you've never smelted metal before, your goal is to turn on the furnace with the valves, and then place the silver into the cup. Put the gloves on and begin heating up the jewelry until it is melted into a dull red color. Then pour the melted metal into the windchime mold. All of this, you will do while following the instructions here." He offers, handing the manilla folder forward.
Inside is an old style parchment; Not paper but legitimate parchment with red ink written onto it, bearing a familiar, coppery-iron smell to it. At first, the writing is done in some strange arcane iconography that is completely alien to Elizabeth. But after a brief moment of looking at the bizarre symbols, they begin to shape in her mind and slowly present themselves in a way she can understand. If she looks away for terribly long, she'll find herself forgetting the content of the scroll until she studies the page again. She simply has to begin the metal smithing process while chanting some incantation, which includes the names of the dead women. Each name is presented separately, repeated over and over again in the incantation until the metal magically chimes. One after the other, the incantation proceeds until finally the third chime has been completed, and the windchime has taken shape.
Elizabeth offers a simple, "Don't mind the cage.", as she gestures toward an empty space within the sub basemen. The room is larger than the main basement and even larger beyond a wall that separates it from a full on apartment. Industrial shelves and various tools, some medical, and others... odd, line one wall. There are enough electric outlets for the retainers to connect the equipment to as well as metal drums and other containers to store any excess materials.
"Very well. I am glad I dressed for work." The Toreador says with a half-grin before she moves off to retrieve some work gloves from a shelf.
Elizabeth will come over and examine the parchment, next, and nod her head after a moment. "Astounding how it all makes sense the longer I stare. Okay. I am ready to begin when you are. If the fumes become too much, your gentlemen can enjoy themselves in the bar upstairs. It's through the kitchen where the door comes out."
Distractedly, Lydon turns to the cage and arches a brow for the sight, smirking amusedly having not noticed it prior. "Very well. I have no questions about such things." He decides, turning to view Elizabeth and sweeping his gaze over her briefly.
Once the two begin, and Liz mentions the bar, they both nod and then turn to head upstairs to search for the bar in question. "Yes. Well. That is apart of the ritual work. I've imbued the document with my knowledge so you may use it for yourself, temporarily."
Still in her flapper dress, Elizabeth at least steps out of her gold-colored pumps so she doesn't risk a clumsy tripping while maneuvering around the machine. She turns the machine on as instructed and seems to handled her beast's rising fear of all things flammable quite well.
A studious learner, the scrawny Toreador gets to work. She takes her time and seems to have no trouble with the incantation. Her enchanting voice even makes some of it's recital sound quite amazing to the ears. Add some heavy drums and a low groaning bass and you may have your next female lead heavy metal track...
Occasional glances are cast toward Lydon and his expression is searched for signs that might help guide her as she continues through the ritual. She doesn't tire nor lose her patience as the hours go on nor does she break from the casting by entering into any small talk.
Finally, after three hours or so, the molten gold has been poured into the windchime mold and the casting nears completion...
With the manilla folder in Elizabeth's care, the German Tremere returns both hands to his pockets and seems to watch everything sharply. Particularly, there is a keen interest in the handling of his scroll, carefully ensuring there isn't some obvious attempt to violate the rules in anyway. Still, as she looks to him and appraises his reaction, he nods coldly with approval while she progresses. Once things are nearing completion, he pushes off of the piece of furniture he has been leaning against and begins to approach. It may be that the furniture in question was her cage, after all.
Elizabeth gives no indication that she is trying anything nefarious with the scroll. There are no signs of hidden cameras in the sub-basement that might pick up any symbols when zoomed in and she's holding the parchment close most of the time, anyway.
With the last actual incantation spoken, as far as she's aware, she scans the remaining instructions before looking up toward Lydon. "I think that is it? Will you check?" The parchment is held out to him, carefully and away from the heat of the machine. "I hope your boys are enjoying the top shelf selection and not the mixers Meri stocks the bar with."
Reaching forward for the folder and scroll, Lydon secures the belongings and closes the folder. "You've performed exceptionally, Chancellor Tanner." He assures her, without so much as scanning the scroll in question. Either absent in concern about whether she's succeeded on the ritual, or just familiar enough with this ritual to have memorized the details explicitly. "A few near miscasts, but this will perform for your needs. My recommendation is to hang it in the most central part of where you might discuss relevant details. If you find that it rings frequently, give me a call. I'm sure we can work out something to remove such things." He offers.
