I arrive about eleven in the evening, being dropped at the front of the Casino in my black Mercedes. I nod at the driver telling him he is to await my departure.

I enter the Casino, glancing about. Mr. Arturo's Casino is the closest we seem to have to an Elysium. I must speak to the prince about that. We are generally not very social creatures and need to be prompted to interact regularly, otherwise we tend to lose what social grace we have.

I walk over to the bar and order a martini, dirty, pay the bartender, and start toward a roulette table. Placing a hundred on Black 13. I await the spin seeing the white marble dancing upon the spinning wheel. Almost reminiscent of our own kingdom as of late.

'Predictability may be our shared weakness my friend.'

Thomas always greets the Regent himself. Even with the obviously heightened security and a fellow elder at his side Thomas is still uneasy on the casino floor. Too many faces to watch at once...

 "Always a delight Mr. Arturo. I appreciate your shared opinion on this delicate situation. Shall we retire to a private game perhaps?" The Regent is also glancing about and the open floor of the Casino seems to have too many unknown faces to make anyone feel safe in these uncertain times.

After having received the invitation, Vittorio heads to the appointment.  He is dressed in black slacks and a silk maroon shirt with black tie.  It would be good to better acquaint himself with the Kindred of the city, he muses to himself.  Being all alone in this kind of world isn't a good thing.  And so he heads downstairs to meet with the Regent.

 We arrive to the appointed room as Vittorio comes walking toward it as well. I nod and open the door holding it open for the two gentlemen. I close the door, and take a seat.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us Mr. Orlando. I am Regent Thaddeus Von Austice," offering my hand. "Your eloquence and manor in court have served you well. I have heard you were some sort of stage magician gifted in the arts of legerdemain." With a look toward Mr. Arturo, it is his clansmen and the Regent would not wish to step upon his toes.

Thomas lets teh Regent handle his own introduction if he wishes. None of the kindred here are shy. Thomas has spoken a few times with Vittorio since his arrival, maybe even to the point of pestering him for news of other cities...

It has been so dreadfully long since Thomas was able to freely travel as Vittorio does...

Thomas will play host, arranging them a private room in the lounge to speak freely as well as an ancient bottle of wine with a generous 'donation' from one of Thomas's blood dolls to make it palatteable and a box of fine cigars.

 "Always the gracious host, Mr. Arturo. How would we survive without these social niceties?" as the Regent pulls a cigar, inhales as he runs it along his nose, and lights it.

Vittorio shakes the regent's hand with a strong firm grip.  "Pleasure to make your formal acquaintance.  I'm afraid your prince's gathering the other night wasn't the most conducive atmosphere for meet-and-greets."  Vittorio holds his tongue on the other matter -- the execution and the little outburst.  He certainly doesn't want to say anything offensive right off the bat.  He'll broach that subject later, if the opportunity arises.

"Yes, I'm a stage magician.  Something of a hobby that seems to have turned into a profession, as it were.  Perhaps you've seen some of my televized performances?"  

Vittorio smiles and graciously thanks Arturo once the wine is brought.  He drinks it and sighs.  "Ah, but I do miss the finer culinary delights."

 "I am afraid I have not, but then again the television is still a bit new and I am usually busy with other pursuits. You mentioned coming from Las Vegas? What is the current political situation like there. I have heard mixed opinions," as he draws a slight sip from his glass. "Quite delicious Mr. Arturo, always an afficianado I never quite developed the proper mix. Mine seems to either be one or the other, never a good blend. You seem to have perfected it my man."

'Give it an hour and its not half as good.' Thomas grins.

He lights one of the cigars and turns his attention to Vittorio, he too has been asking about vegas quite a bit lately.

"Alas, I never cared to tangle much in politics while I was there.  And I was Embraced for but a short time before I returned to the city and left again shortly after.  It's a long story, but I was Embraced while I was performing in New Orleans, so I did not have much time to integrate myself with the Kindred of my home city before I was off again.  But all seemed well, from what I could gather.  A few tussles with enemies here and there.  But otherwise well."

 "Well it would seem you have had quite the undisturbed life then. Whomever was your Sire seems to have taught you well. I take it your trip here to Sanfield was not as informed as you would have liked it be then? We do seem to be currently sieged by Sabbat and I would assume not what you were expecting. Your sire seems to have been very versed in our customs and manners, did the Sabbat ever come up in your discourse?"

The Regent seems to be covering all Thomas's questions as well. The harpy stays quiet, a rare thing indeed and listens to the other two kindred.

"She was a rather elegant and dignified woman, she saw to it that I would know what I needed to survive and to make a good impression.  The rest, if I may brag, is my own charm.  Mortals are not all that different from Kindred...or perhaps I should say we are not all that different from mortals.  We're both creatures of custom and tradition.  A private soiree at the governor's mansion is not all that different from a meeting between two elders."  Vittorio gives a coy wink and chuckles to himself as he folds one leg over the other.

"As for the Sabbat, yes she did inform me of them.  From what I gathered, she had several run-ins with them in the past; more of coincidental happenings rather than any part of her own to become involved in war.  From what I hear they are vicious and uncouth.  I know that not all elders of the Camarilla even are attained saints, but any being who can heartlessly slaughter an entire town is a monster indeed."

 "Well spoken indeed, your memory and candor speak well of your Sire. There are a few amongst us that seem to be blessed with infrequent run ins with their sect. Alas, that is not here. They have taken scattered parts of Florida, have numerous strongholds in the region and are currently laying siege to Sanfield and Atlanta simultaneously. We are the luckier as it is that they have currently bombarded our southern neighbor more heavily then ourselves. We are feeling their wrath though, and numerous operative cells are in the city awaiting orders to attack. Now it is just a matter of time before they will test our resolve and our war will begin. Should you not flee you and yours will certainly be involved in this whether you wish it or no. I am not even certain you have not missed your opportunity already. What is your plan of action, if I may be so bold?"

Vittorio strokes his chin.  "Hmmm, I had not really thought.  I'm no fighting man.  I own a gun, for my own protection.  But I've never had the occasion to use it.  I don't not know how much assistance I may be able to provide.  If a few of your associates are in the need for buying weapons or other such things, I may have some money to provide for that matter.  But other than that, I am afraid I will be of little service."

Thomas waves off Vittorios self depreciation.

'I think your presence and showmanship may serve us far better than the ability to crush a throat or fire a blunderbuss.'

Thomas glances at the Regent quickly before continuing.

'Someone of your age and reputation would be far more effective in... shall we say reigning in some of the more rebellious and troublesome youngsters.'

 "Well said indeed," with a knowing glance toward Mr.Arturo. "We do seem to have quite the motley of youth without our social graces. They seem a bit lax to feel we are approachable, but to one of your ability, they might be more acceptable."

"So, you would like me to be something of a liason is that it?  And what exactly would this entail?  I imagine you intend for me to feel them out, speak with them?  Get their opinions on various matters of import?"

 "That could be said, though I know you are quite clever. We would like to know the general attitudes amongst the developing neonates. What I would like you to be in actuality is watchful toward anyone that might be seen as steering them afoul of our current regime. We have been infiltrated within our ranks, it is only prudent to assume they could have had success in a much less wary group, especially if they misread their intentions."