New beginings

Headstrong had been traveling for several hours and finally found himself in the city proper of Sacramento a place cast of his own rewarding punishment for being tougher than the vain. It’d been a couple hours since he’d been out of range to talk with the others and would be due to call with the plans of meeting. Research was one thing but actually having boots on the ground was another, and so a good place to stop was needed.

Stephen sat in silence while driving with his compatriot thinking of the coming nights. Beyond finding a suitable place and locating anyone else around, it would be imperative to understand what had happened as if it could happen once it stood to happen again. The three of them had spoken little on the subject as there was no need; they all needed more before really getting into it. He did hope that the population was small, more manageable that way as the larger the population the lazier and stupider they often got, even among Kindred. Looking to Gideon he wondered as he often did just what did he see through his eyes as it wasn’t much Stephen knew too well although appreciated.

He almost laughed at the thought of how he ended up with two Dragons but let it go as he saw the city ahead. Better now than never,
“You want to check your Order’s places first or set up our stuff first?” He’d take his time with any Carthians as he relations with them and most anyone was usually mercurial at best. He made sure that their fourth was always in site with the truck and most of their stuff, he tended to travel light and simply didn’t ask about the others stuff.

Stephen nodded at Gideons suggestions replying with, "Perhaps doing a sweep to find markers, if no one's home we can take two for one. That way you can also at least have a chance at any material rather than giving looters extra time." He was about to say more when he's earpiece chimed in with Headstrongs voice, glancing briefly at Gideon to insure he'd kept his on Stephen replied, "We're just coming up to the outskirts now. How's the hunting?"

Stephen nods before replying, "Alright. Headstrong, we're looking at finding your fellow Dragons house to either find people or acquire what's there rather than letting others run off with loot. We're just passing exit 74 for Robinson."

While he hoped that it'd be an easy move in he expected to have to sit in the background upon meeting the other Dragons, cagey as they were he respected their want for secrecy even though he thought it a little much, what's the point in doing transcendental research if you keep it in the elite and thus eliminating perspective. With a shrug he discarded that line of thought, no need to worry about their methods when they were about to run into the unknown and slap it in the face.

This again he thought, although he'd expected to come up with such promising rich opportunity in the new city. His smile was reflected in his voice, "Gideon you know I appreciate the offer but as much as your Covenant does, which is a lot, I don't agree with it at it's core self even though I appreciate it." An old argument but still true, "I only just began to understand what it was to be human and now that aspect is almost entirely closed to me, I've a long road to understand what I am now. So pray tell, how could I possible hope to transcend without fully understanding all there is of this existence no matter how much people want to avoid dealing with the basics? Plus I'd spend to much time wrecking havoc internally than not as I won't have a ruler."

Stephen shrugs in knowing but it was a good reminder, partly why he liked working with these guys. By they're nature they'd make him uncomfortable and thus able to grow. Although if they actually understood that, he really wasn't sure. "Honestly though, I know you guys need to keep things out of sight and mind, it doesn't bother me, it's what you do and there's always plenty for me to do that doesn't need to be involved with that stuff." He pauses to consider his next choice of words, "As for explaining me to the others, I'm reliable, crafty, respectful and if need be a case study. Would they prefer all dragons or success?"

Saved by the other half, as Stephen notices Headstrong up ahead. He says simply to Gideon at this point, "She's just up ahead."

By the time Headstrong is walking over to them Stephen is already out the car and walking a short distance around as he continues his scan of the area while making it look like he was stretching. *Using Auspex* He stays within easy speaking distance but allows the others enough space to speak quietly as a gesture of being polite as all three knew if he wanted to know he would. *No longer using Auspex*

Having not heard Headstrong's comment he could still guess from what Gideon said. Coming back to the car obviously satisfied no imminent threat or spy was about he commented with, "I'm happy that you hold my skills in such high regard Headstrong." He smiles at Gideon while the next is obviously for Headstrong, "But I am just one little Carthian after all." The bait along with the smile were familiar ones. Looking now to Headstrong Stephen holds an expectant look as though waiting for the next step.

Stephen shrugs at Headstrongs accusations as though used to them while looking at her saying, "So where we off to then?" His smile however told another story of enjoyment at the uncomfortableness he provided and perhaps received.

Narration:
After checking the areas around major museums and the public library and coming up short, Headstrong and Gideon start looking for more obscure locations. A check of local Yellow Pages reveals a "Center for Geneology Studies" in the far north part of the greater Sacramento area. Heading there, they notice not too far away a large house - a small mansion, really - located across the street from a large cemetery. The house features gothic style archetecture and some subtle design elements - a certain sort of tile, dragon door knocker - commonly used by the Dragons to indicate a Chapter House.

((ST Note: And from there, this thread goes to the Chapter House thread at the new boards. Find it
here ))