Shattered Scepters

DISCLAIMER:
The Clan names, discipline names and structure, titles other things are copyrighted to White Wolf Game Studio neither I, nor this story, are affiliated with White Wolf or any of their associates or subsidiaries, nor I do not receive any monetary compensation from the publication of this narrative.

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CHAPTER 7: A SIMPLE GAME

Lolli gave excellent directions to her haven, the weekly rental Budget Suites situated across from the Sam’s Town Casino. The location of her haven was both a surprise and a disappointment to the Ventrue ghoul. He had never imagined that a Kindred would have their haven, not only across the street from a casino, but also in a Budget Suites.

“Come on.” She said, meeting him at his car and not waiting for him to open her door. Stephan cast one last questionable look at the residence before climbing from his vehicle and following the bubbly undead woman up three flights of stairs. She giggled and pulled out a bright pink keychain labeled “Keys I haven’t lost yet” which contained two pink keys on have a cartoon mouse and the other a cartoon princess in a yellow dress. She used the mouse key to unlock her door.

“Velcome to my home.” She said using her best Bela Lugosi impersonation as she entered the small apartment, decorated with inexpensive, yet durable furniture. He paused a moment before entering, every fiber of his being was screaming that this is a very bad idea. He crossed the threshold and carefully closed the door behind him, trying not to look as if he were not signing his own death sentence.

“Why so gloomy?” she asked, tossing her keys into a small glass bowl on the narrow short coffee table. She giggled and closed the distance “Are you afraid of me?” she asked, the innocent tone matched the look in her intense green eyes, opened wide to display her innocence.

“I would be a fool to underestimate you. Insane does not mean stupid.” He answered plainly.

“Oh you are so clever.” She said, smiling lightly before offering him a drink.

“No, thank you. I am fine.” He answered. She giggled and excused herself to go collect the chessboard and pieces, leaving Stephan alone in the front room. He casually looked about noticing that the paint was a faded off white and there were no pictures. The dusty blue couch had a matching recliner sitting catty-corner to the couch with the back facing the dining nook/kitchen. The chair was covered with an assortment of stuffed animals, all of which were missing their eyes, a discovery Stephan found to be unnerving. Across from the couch sat a small color TV upon a small end table, a match to the coffee table. Something told him to look up, and the sight that greeted him was unexpected. Six and a half sets of shoes had been glued to her ceiling. He suppressed a sigh and looked at the dining nook and was surprised to find it immaculate. Light gleamed off of sparkling clean counters and floor. Resting on the counter sat a bright blue blender and a matching toaster, while a bright blue tea pot rounded out the set that rested on the stove top. The dining nook was just as pristine; a small light colored table sat in the center, surrounded by four matching chairs upholstered in a light cream with threads of dusty blue, forest green and white.

When she finally emerged from what he assumed was the bedroom, she was carrying a small wooden box by it thin brass handles. She set the box on the table and casually flipped it opened, pulling out a secret drawer which held the pieces, secured in place by elastic.

“I call white.” She said, and then promptly began to set up her pieces. Stephan took the seat across from her and began setting up his pieces. She finished first and sat patiently, resting her elbows on the table, locking her fingers and resting her chin upon her fingers.

“Do we need any clarification on the rules?” she asked, once Stephan had set the last pawn into its place.

“No, I believe everything is clear. The move of the pieces is standard. Upon taking a piece the victor is allowed to ask any question which must be truthfully answered.”

“Yep, yep, yep. What does the winner get?” She asked.

“What would you like?”

“Your car!” she exclaimed, knowing full well his answer would be no.

“Regrettably, the car is not mine. It belongs to Isabella and I do not think she would approve of my losing it over a board game.”

“Then what would you suggest?” she asked

“Money?”

Lolli made a face and shook her head. “How about this, if you win you get me for a single night, from dusk until dawn, to do with as you please. If I win I get you from dusk until dawn do with as I see fit.”

Every self-preservation instinct he possessed was going off, warning him that this is a very bad idea. The biggest rule in gambling: never, never, NEVER bet anything you are not willing to loose; was screaming for his attention. Overriding that screaming voice was Isabella’s order to keep her happy. If the Malkavian wished to use his body for physical pleasure he was not permitted to refuse.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Stephen presented her with a list of conditions, most of which were voiced to prevent permanent damage or scarring. Lolli listened somewhat glassy-eyed, thinking about the puppy she had when she was four. He was a cute little cocker with big brown eyes and really soft fur whose name was Kitti.

“Of you agree to my conditions, then yes, you may have me for a single night from dusk until dawn.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” She quickly responded when she realized that he was talking to her.

She decided to make her opening move using the king’s pawn, moving it closer to the center of the board. With little hesitation Stephan grabbed his queen’s pawn and moved it towards the center of the board as well. Seeing an opportunity, Lolli took his pawn.

“How long have you been a ghoul?” she asked.

“Forty-two years.”

Her smile never faltered as Stephan used his queen to take her pawn. She calmly watched as he removed her piece from the board and set it on the table to his left. Patiently she sat awaiting his first question.

“Are you sexually active?” he asked.

“Not really, I just kinda laid there.” She answered, then began reaching for her pieces.

“Wait.” Stephan ordered, halting her hands progression “You did not answer my question.”

“Yes I did. You asked if I was sexually active and I answered no. The last time I had sex I just laid there, I was not an active participant.” She reasoned.

“That is not the question I asked.”

“How?” she questioned resting back in the chair waiting for his argument.

“The question ‘are you sexually active’ is asking whether or not you currently have one or more individuals with whom you have sexual intercourse.”

“But that is not the question you asked. You asked am I sexually active, meaning am I an active participant in sex. And I have answered no. May I move my piece?” she politely asked, not seeing how she did not answer his question.

He sighed and nodded.

Lolli moved her queen’s knight, threatening Stephan’s queen. Stephan turned the tables, moving his queen to threaten her knight, which she defended by moving his queen’s pawn. Stephan looked at the board for a moment before deciding to move the queen’s bishop’s pawn forward a single space. Lolli saw the immediate threat to her king and moved her other knight to defend. Stephan paused and studied the pieces, considering the options and potential threats, but still decided to move his bishop, now threatening her knight, but knowing if he took that piece he would loose his bishop to a pawn. Lolli moved her bishop to rest on a neighboring black square beside his white bishop. Stephan sighed and studied the pieces again, before moving his king’s pawn forward one space.

Now it was Lolli’s turn to study the pieces, seeing their possible moves in her head prior to moving her king’s rook’s pawn a single space. Stephan moved is queen’s bishop to take her king’s knight.

“Why have you come to Las Vegas?”

“I’m under orders from my sire.”

“What are your orders?” Stephan asked.

“To learn that you’ll have to take another piece.” She said, her chess strategy taking shape in her mind as she used her queen to take his queen’s bishop.

“Have you ever had sex with a man?” she asked as coolly as if she were asking him to pass the salt. Stephan was unsure what he thought question would be, but that defiantly was not what he was expecting.

“Well?” she gently prodded, when his stunned pause became too pregnant.

“Yes.” He answered in a detached voice, as if it were something that had happened to someone else.

“Did you enjoy it?”

“No.”

“Was this something ordered by your former regnant?” she asked, correctly reading his tone.

“It was a punishment.” He volunteered.

“A punishment for what?” she continued.

Then as if he was suddenly aware of his surroundings he realized that he had answered more than the single question they had mentioned at the beginning of the game.

“I have answered three questions for the single piece you took.”

Again she got that innocent look “What?”

“You tricked me.” He calmly challenged.

“Do not blame me because you volunteered information.”

“You asked multiple questions.” He pointed out.

“And you chose to answer. Think beyond your conditioning. You didn’t have to answer any other than the first. Would like to take your move?”

Stephan was beginning to understand how this game was played; again his earlier comment came to mind. ‘Insane does not mean stupid.’

Stephan moved his king’s bishop to threaten her remaining knight. Lolli countered by moving her king’s bishop one space, stopping directly in front of her king, effectively blocking his potential checkmate. Working his own tactic, Stephan moved his queen’s knight to a space immediately before his queen’s home square. Lolli looked at this move as if she were trying to track his future moves. She looked at him, but his expressionless face revealed nothing about his line of attack. She settled for moving her queens’ rook’s pawn a single space. Stephan studied this, yes she could take his king’s bishop, but that was not a logical move, instead he Castled. He moved his queen’s rook into the queen’s square and placed his king next to the rook, near the rook’s starting point.

“Nice move.” She commented, and then proceeded to take his king’s bishop.

“Why have you not chosen to be Kindred?”

“I am still debating the option; I do not feel this decision should be made without careful consideration.”

Lolli placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand, the look on her face indicated that she did not believe him.

“This is not a promotion that I can decide later I am not qualified for and be demoted. There is no changing my mind.”

“Honesty Stephan. We agreed on honesty.”

“That is my honest answer.”

“You may believe that, but it is not the honest truth. It is a convenient excuse you give Reggie to avoid either making a choice or giving an answer you believe she won’t accept.”

“Fear.” He begrudgingly answered.

“Fear of what?”

He opened his mouth to answer then stopped. He took a breath and responded with “To learn that you will have to take another piece.” She smiled proudly and leaned away from the table, patiently waiting for him to take his turn.

“Check.” He said, moving his queen into her queen’s rook’s square, capturing the piece. “What orders did your sire give you regarding your visit to Las Vegas?” he asked, setting the piece down on the table with the other pieces he captured.

It was a very specific question, one in which she could see no loop hole. “I was instructed to analyze the power and political structure of the Kindred and to determine which clans hold a bulk of the power.”

Her answer was curious. Why would her sire wish such knowledge? What would be done with the knowledge? Perhaps if he knew who her Sire is…? He watched as she moved her king out of check. He slid his queen across and took her other remaining rook.

“What is your Sire’s name?”

“Ezekiel Jeremiah Nicodemus Morgan III.” She answered, the name falling quickly from her lips. The name was not familiar. He repeated the name many times in his head to ensure it was captured by his memory, Isabella would be pleased.

Lolli moved her queen diagonal taking his pawn and placing him in check. He studied the board and decided that the only move he could make was to take her queen with his pawn.

“What action is you sire planning with the information you are obtaining about power and political structure of the Kindred in Las Vegas and about which clans hold a bulk of the power?”

“I don’t know. I did not question my orders. Do you ever question your orders?”

“No.” Stephan answered, and then realized that he had given her another free answer. He sighed softly; frustrated with himself for having volunteered more information once he understood how this game was really played.

“Don’t be mad at me.” She said, her voice a slightly higher pitch, trying to sound like a frighten child.

“I am frustrated with myself, not with you. Please take your turn.” He soothed.

Casually she picked up her queen’s bishop and moved it across the board, stopping directly in front of the rook’s pawn.

“Checkmate.” She said softly, patiently watching his expression as his eyes surveyed the pieces. He had forgotten about the other bishop, sitting patiently on his little dark square. Neither his eyes nor face betrayed his shock at the end game.

“You are very clever. Excellent game.” He complimented as he began putting his pieces away. His expressionless face never faltered as he admitted defeat at the hands of a Malkavian.

“Thank you. My sire taught me, he loves this game, but has a difficult time finding a challenge.” She sheepishly said, following his example and carefully putting her piece back in their appropriate places.

Stephan’s cell phone rang, interrupting any conversation that may have been forth coming.

“Where are you?” Isabella demanded.

“I am with the Malkavian.” He answered.

“I need to speak with you, now.” She was very forceful in her demand, something was wrong.

“Where shall I meet you?”

“My office. 30 Minutes.”

“I am on my way.” He closed the phone, severing the connection. “Excuse me, but I must be leaving.” He said slipping his phone back into its case as he made his way to the door. His mind calculating not only the quickest route, but also the speed he must travel to meet his Regnant’s 30 minutes deadline.

“Why didn’t you use my name?” she asked her face devoid of a smile, no humor in her voice. Her bright green eyes held a hurt look bordering on anger.

“Excuse me?”

“You said ‘I am with the Malkavian.’ Why didn’t you use my name?”

“My regnant refuses to address you as Lollipop and has made it clear to her ghouls that we should not call you anything other than ‘the Malkavian’ until your real name is known.” Stephan explained.

“That is the name I was born with.”

“My Regnant does not believe you were born with the name Lollipop. And I have heard you use a multitude of aliases.”

“My name is Lolli Popp. My name is not ‘the Malkavian’.” She said each word slowly, as she blocked his path the door.

Stephan’s self-preservation instinct immediately kicked in to overdrive, whispering that an apology might be enough to defuse this potentially dangerous situation he was in.

“I sincerely apologize for having offended you, I was not thinking of your feelings when I addressed you as I had. I hope you accept my apology.” He said with a slight bow.

“I suppose.” She said, the innocent tone creeping back into her voice.

“If you will excuse me Lolli, I must be leaving.” He said, making certain to use the most common alias she used.

She smiled and moved aside, allowing him access to the door.

“By the way Stephan…” she said, placing a hand on the door, preventing him from opening it. “Next Saturday, wear jeans and have your hair down.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The bet.” She reminded. “Next Saturday you are mine to do with as I see fit.”

“I will have to check my schedule.”

“No, you don’t. Next Saturday. You. Are. Mine.”

He wasn’t sure what to make of her expression. Should he be afraid? Should he prepare his will and make certain everything is in order?

“Toodles to poodles!” she said happily as she opened the door for him. He raised an amused eyebrow to her joyous farewell

--------------------~*~--------------------

“You’re late.” Isabella said, noting that it had been 33 minutes since she demanded his presence.

“My sincerest apologies, there was a minor traffic delay.” He said, bowing slightly, noting John standing off to one side, doing his best to remain invisible.

Isabella indicated with a gesture that he should join her on the couch.

“Ms. Bruno.” Stephan acknowledged sitting down beside his Regnant, watching her sip vitea from a crystal champagne flute.

“I met with Lady Pelletier this evening; she is not pleased about your association with the Malkavian. She believes it is a blemish upon the Vegas Venture reputation.”

“I can see her point of view.” Stephan bravely offered. The look in her eyes indicated that the last thing she wanted was for one of her ghouls to side with Pelletier. Stephan lowered his eyes, excused himself and asked his Regnant to continue.

“I have told her that it may be possible to influence Raven through her.”

“The Malkavian Primogen?”

“Yes, as a fellow kook, she may be able to provide information about Raven that we can use in primogen meetings to force clan Malkavian into voting our way. You have one month to prove my theory. It would be a pity if you were to fail in this.” She said, the last sentence, often used by her sire/father, was a threat.

“I will not fail you.” He said, remembering some of Vincent’s punishments for failing a mission.

“And how is my little lunatic doing?” she asked, her tone a little brighter.

“Last I saw she was doing well.” Stephan answered his face and voice free of any emotion he may have felt. “I have learned some new information about her.”

She leaned back, gesturing for him to continue. He promptly relayed everything he had learned from her during the chess game; without mentioning how he had obtained the data. He then went on to relay what he had learned about Trent Black, the other assignment she has given him.

“I’m impressed. You learned all of this in one night?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Most impressive, I will be interested in learning what you can find out about Raven. You and I will be meeting nightly at which point you will present your report on her.”

“Yes, Ms. Bruno.” His phone quietly demanded his attention, which he silenced by pressing a button on the side of the phone without removing his attention from Isabella.

“I want the information about Raven set as a priority, all investigating into Trent Black is to be placed on hold until further notice.” She gestured for John to come closer and relieve her of the now cold vitea.

“I understand.” He said.

“Excellent. Who was the call from?” she asked, then turned her attention to John. “Bring me something fresh.” She ordered, handing him the glass. John bowed slightly and left the room.

“My answering service.” He immediately answered, without so much as a glance at the phone. “You are the only one who has this phone number.” He added answering her unspoken question.

“So who is the message from?” She asked.

Stephan excused himself and quickly dialed the seven digits for his answering service and retrieved his messages.

“The message was from the Malkavian.”

“And...” she pressed.

“She is asking if we can get together the Saturday after next, due to her work schedule.”

“Sounds like you have a date.” Isabella teased as John once again hobbled into the room, followed by a muscular bald man on his mid thirties, both waiting in the doorway for further instructions.

“With all due respect, Mrs. Bruno, I would not call this a date.” Stephen corrected. “I would call this an assignment.”

“Of course you would, Stephan.” She laughed. “Of course you would.” She waved John away indicating that she did not need anything else from him.

“Am I dismissed?” he asked his voice and face devoid of any emotion.

“Not yet. Have you made a decision about your existence?”

“No, I have not.” Stephan answered.

“You need to make a decision and soon. You’re what 60 years old?”

“Seventy.” He corrected.

“You’ve been among the Ventrue for what... 40 years now, you’ve learned everything Vincent had to teach, and there is really is not anything I can teach you. My Sire always spoke highly of you.”

“That was not always the impression I got.”

“I know he was a strict man, but I believe he had plans for you. I believe he wanted the Embrace for you.”

Stephan’s blood ran cold at the tough of being Embraced, especially if it had been her Sire doing the planning. Saying that Vincent Bruno was strict man is like comparing a rain puddle to the ocean. Vincent Bruno was a verbally, mentally and physically abusive Regnant, he did not take ‘no’ for an answer and his punishments were severe for even the smallest infraction. He had crippled more than a few of his ghouls.

“I am flattered that Mr. Bruno believed me worthy of the Embrace; however, as you have given me the choice, I am still taking this option under careful consideration. I do not want to rush into this decision.” Stephan said, choosing his words carefully.

Isabella studied him for a few seconds, trying to judge his reaction. “You’re impossible to read.” She commented, signaling for the bald man to approach her. He drew near her without hesitation kneeling beside her, patiently awaiting her attention.

“Mr. Bruno found that to be an asset.”

“Yes, he did.” She almost seemed sad for a moment, but quickly recovered as a young, athletic man approached. He stood in the doorway, waiting to be acknowledged. Isabella kept her eyes on Stephan as she spoke. “When you have made a decision, please let me know. You’re dismissed; we’ll talk tomorrow night, after you have met with the Malkavian.” She said, indicating that the man in the door way should approach.

“Yes, Isabella.”

--------------------~*~--------------------

Lollipop sat at the small table in her apartment, plotting. She had only been in Vegas for a few months and had finally figured out what she wanted. On a piece of paper she wrote down two things, the words “War” and “Stephan.” She knew that 2 clans in Vegas needed to be thinned out, the Ventrue and the.... She couldn’t figure out who the other clan was, and that bothered her. She would have to choose carefully, which meant attending more gatherings. She suspected she would choose the Tremere as the second clan, after all their number are too great, but she had a bad feeling about dealing with the Tremere. She drummed her fingers as she tried to come up with another clan to pit against the Ventrue. Nothing came to mind, except that her ceiling was looking mighty boring.

She also wanted Stephan as her ghoul; she believed he could be a lot of fun, besides he was cute. She just did not know if she could pull it off. It would have to take careful planning, and he would have to think that choosing her as his Regnant was his idea. She grabbed her head as she pondered.

“Mr. Wiggims!” she called out after a moment. “Where are you?” she stood up and headed back into her bedroom to retrieved the white eyeless teddy bear from her bed, but he wasn’t there. “Mr. Wiggims?” she said again, as though she were calling a pet. A quick search of the bedroom proved futile. It suddenly occurred to her where she last saw the toy. She headed for the refrigerator.

“There you are. Are you trying to steal my cupcakes?” she asked pulling out both the toy and a white frosted cupcake. She took two bites of the pastry and returned to the table, setting the dessert on the table before the toy.

“I can do this.” She said out loud. “But I must be patient and precede slowly, nut it all start with a kiss.” She giggled to herself as a plan began to take shape. Lolli crumpled the paper and ate that too as she pondered. “I think I know how to do this.” She said cheerfully. “But first I need to throw up.” She added in a bubbly tone, and then broke into a run to regurgitate the cupcake and the paper she just ate.