Activity Log, March 15, 2001 I was quite careful to be watching the group as the sun set this evening, as they had spent the day imprisoned within the rock, courtesy of the werewolves of Central Park. I was able to watch as they were freed from their captivity and released at the edge of the park. Parker seemed quite severely injured and was being supported by his two friends. They made quite a sight, which is likely why Ethan was able to find them so quickly. He explained that Angel had sent him to see if they were alright -- evidently Angel had become concerned that Parker had called her the previous evening and never actually arrived. Ethan brought the group to Angel's apartment overlooking Central Park, where the subjects were given a shower and clean clothing. Afterwards, the group was brought to see Angel. They explained to her what had transpired the previous evening, giving a remarkably coherent account of things. While they mentioned that they had been captured and released by the werewolves (and that their release was somehow thanks to Cliff -- something I shall have to investigate further), they failed to mention that the werewolves were planning to take the Cathedral for themselves. I assume they fear her displeasure, and rightly so. Someone as powerful as she seems to be likely has the ear of the Prince, and could make or break them with a word in the right place. Angel seemed concerned that the werewolves had shotguns, but she seemed more interested in dealing with the issue of the Cathedral in the short term. They showed Angel the tape they had made of the destruction of the monster and the interior of the Cathedral; it was quite intelligent of them to arrange for proof of their strange-sounding story. Ethan reminded the group that the Nosferatu had somehow had responsibility for the Cathedral and the beast below the sewers, and so they should be careful how they chose to present their actions. Angel said that the Nosferatu had lost many of their number to the beast, and that they were likely to be quite grateful for the help of the subjects in disposing of it, possibly even to the point of forgiving the subjects' debts -- so long as they were not publicly embarrassed. Angel agreed to set up a meeting with Stavros, the elder Nosferatu who they had previously met at the World Trade Center just after the completion of the action against the Sabbat. Before leaving Angel's presence, they discussed a number of other matters. Angel said that she was not sure, but there might be a further presence in the sewers, though it could certainly also be residual energy from the resident Nosferatu. Ethan brought up the issue of their absent friend Ari, and asked if Angel knew anything about him. She seemed to think that the Tremere had chosen him as their scapegoat for the deaths of Vassily and Nathaniel, but she wisely did not claim actual knowledge of the ways of the warlocks. Angel provided the group with a small meeting room where they could securely discuss their attitude toward the Nosferatu in the coming negotiations. Cliff seemed very adamant about not allowing the Nosferatu to share any credit with the group for these actions. He thought it wise to present themselves as having given a gift to the Nosferatu, showing their own initiative, rather than completing the service the Nosferatu had already been asked to do. Ethan argued that they had done quite enough for neonates, and that they should consider their own safety from the Nosferatu first. Parker and Hannah seemed to side with Ethan, but eventually Cliff carried the day, at least temporarily. Having agreed, the group proceeded to a small haberdashery, which had a meeting room in its basement. Stavros, a withered and frail and blind old man, was already present, hunched into one of the large armchairs. Angel arranged to use the Nosferatu as a sort of notary service, giving Stavros a copy of the videotape Cliff had made, before departing. The negotiations then began in earnest. The subjects explained what they had done, and that they wished to present the results of their actions to the Nosferatu -- that they were doing this as a favor to the Nosferatu. While one might have assumed that an experienced haggler such as Stavros must be would be offended by such impertinence, Stavros took the opposite tack. He seemed extraordinarily pleased by the news, even though it put him and his clan under quite heavy debt to a group of mere neonates. He agreed to clear all the debts of the group with the Nosferatu, and even explained that the Nosferatu owed them a great debt as well. Intelligently enough, Parker immediately suggested trading this debt for an agreement of silence on the part of the Nosferatu. The details took some time to hammer out: the Nosferatu would not sell harmful information about the group for fifty years, though years could be traded back to the Nosferatu for information; if the Nosferatu were not aware that information was harmful, they could sell it at their will; if the subjects could not be reached about a questionable query within 24 hours, the Nosferatu could again sell the information if they wished to. Similarly, the details of how the Nosferatu's involvement would be presented to the Prince took some time to negotiate, but eventually the group agreed to be introduced by the Nosferatu at court, simply say they did it, and refuse to deny that the Nosferatu had a role in it. While Cliff still seemed unhappy, all the others were quite pleased with the situation. Before heading to court, the group took stock of their situation. Ethan talked about wanting to ghoul his father. Hannah told the group about her more-or-less successful ghouling of the FBI agent Karen Avery. She also asked Stavros about one Richard Mason: he told her that few speak well of him; he is a Brujah but ostracized in the clan; he killed one of his own brood in Chicago, but though a Hunt was called on him, it was mysteriously later annulled. Parker complained about some girl named Sarah who seems to be living with him. Evidently she has been becoming a bit curious about his activities. Parker also lagged behind the rest of the group and spent some time talking with Stavros about the nature of animals and the vampiric connection with them. The group arrived a bit early at court, which has recently been moved to later in the evening to accommodate the lengthening day. A few small pieces of business passed before it was their turn to speak. Isabella Alberti ceded a small portion of her domain to someone named Frank Preston, whose name even I recognized as the owner of Sotheby's. Jacob Mills pressed the claim of one Clay to sire a childe; they must both be of the Brujah, as Julia seemed rather upset that they had not spoken to her about this previously. While Jan seemed loath to grant the right, Oliver Blackwell pointed out that if he was willing to adopt Sabbat childer into the city, as he had mere days before, there must be room for loyal Camarilla childer. Jan ceded the point with as much grace as he could muster. The group then were introduced by Anastasia and played their tape for the assembled court. Everyone seemed quite surprised, and most seemed rather pleased by this. The subjects have most certainly gained status from this adventure! Unfortunately, Hannah decided to use this status to publicly challenge her sire and request freedom rather rudely, which unsurprisingly the Prince had to deny. Parker went one step further, bearing a message from Mobea that any who wished to be free of the Prince's rule were welcome on Staten Island. These events meant the group gained less from the night's events than they might have otherwise, but they still managed to succeed quite nicely. Cliff seemed to gain the most from this: not only was he publicly praised by his sire, Julia (for the first time since revealing that she was truly his grandsire), but he was also permitted private audience with Jan. I was able to watch as Jan appointed him Court Physician, granting little power but some small amount of status, along with the right to bear arms in Jan's presence. Jan then had a more serious interview with Hannah and Sophia, in which he reprimanded them both for making a mockery of his court. He told Hannah that he would most certainly not release her until she learned to treat her sire with respect. Before leaving court, the group was quite the center of attention. Even some of the more socially adept young Kindred wished to speak with them. I am most pleased with the gains they have made, and I only hope they are able to retain them. Transcribed and maintained Elizabeth Kent