1400 CE

A man steps forward from the doorway with his hat in one hand while he brushes the dust from the road off him with the other. He is not an exceptionally handsome man but there is an honest and friendly look to his face and he gives Torston a nervous smile.

" Hello sir. My name is Isaac and I have heard this is the place to come in order to introduce myself. I am really hoping there are more folk like me here that I can speak to as I have many questions. For starters I have to ask.....how....how do I know what clan I belong to? How does that work?Also since I do not want to make any missteps here what is the correct form of address both for yourself and for Prince Birkenfeld?"

Duccio heaved a sigh as looked up at the opulent estate in front of him shaking his head. How does this norther architecture appear both opulent and crude at the same time? Duccio thinks to himself rubbing at the phantom pain running through his useless right leg glad to finally get his introduction to this cities kindred and truly learn about this city after so many years of getting his resources and sources established. Straightening his cloths and hair briefly Duccio adopted a small pleasant smile on his plain face before slowly making his way up the front steps hoping, in vain, that his olive toned skin and Italian dress will not cause him to stand out too much.

The Rhythmic clack of Duccio's cane announced his presence before he came into view of the timid looking Torston and came to a stop before him. With a small and acceptable bow Duccio greeted the keeper just long enough after Torston has stopped speaking to make sure there was nothing more, "Thank you for your greeting Keeper Torston, I am Leonarduccio Esposito from clan Lasombra, it is a pleasure to finally meet you and the other Cainites of this lovely little city." Duccio's Dutch was smooth but heavily accented and he made sure to speak slowly enough not to mumble this harsher language.

A woman wearing dark robes approached the manor house with an air of confidence to her. She stopped momentarily to take in her surroundings before strolling up to the door and opening it casually.

Just as she had expected, there were already kindred milling about inside.

Excellent she thought to herself. New faces.

She walked casually up to Torston as if she had known the man for years, though this was her first time meeting him.

"Greetings, Torston, Keeper and Steward of the Prince." She spoke calmly and soothingly, her voice relaxing.

"My name is Onora, I come to your city in hopes of of mutually beneficial *she pauses* horizon expanding. I hail from the lands of Ireland. I belong to the Cappadocian clan. I'd like it if we could be friends."

A sly smile encroached the face largely hidden by her hood.

A man sat in a dark corner of the room and watched as the first kindred began making their way into the opulent estate that housed their gathering.

He paid close attention as each new arrival approached the keeper and made their introductions. Silently, he sat appraising them and judging their every move. The time would soon come for introductions, but until then he was content to simply observe these new arrivals.

"Bloodline of....Caine? I suppose there could have been a man named Caine in my family at some point. As far as sires go I don't really know my father. I am afraid if these words have any particular meaning in...." *Isaac looks around and lowers his voice.* "Vampire society I don't know their application. I was hoping someone here would be able to fill me in. From their use of some of these words I take it these fine folk are also like me? I have read of the people of Cappadocia for example but as this charming lady has mentioned being from Ireland I can only assume it has a different meaning than that of historical context.It seems unlikely there is a connection to John the Cappadocian."

"I would very much like to talk to them myself. I don't rightly know who sid this to me. I simply woke up like this one night and have been travelling about trying to figure out the particulars of my condition and if there were others like me I could speak to."

Duccio felt a little shiver run through his spine she he cast a glance to a shadowed corner of the room and felt the instinct not to show his back to that presence within. An ignorant before me, a sorcerer after me and then an Irish Cappadocian what an interesting mix already... If what my sire has told me briefly about the other clans can be taken at face value. Duccio thought to himself keeping a respectful and pleasantly neutral look on his face until the word Caitiff reached his ears and he began to evaluate Isaac while making his way over.

"Well Keeper Torston this really is an interesting development so early into the night, while you have the rest of your duties to attend to I'll keep this new fellow company and see what light could be shed on the situation." Duccio said with a lovely smile that never quite made it to his eyes as he brought up a chair next to Isaac to sit down. "That is if you do not mind sharing with me good Sir?"

A charming smile breaks out across Isaac's face. "Of course I would appreciate the company and any information or advice you have for me Mr.....Esposito was it? Please feel free to sit and talk while we await whatever proceedings are going to take place."

As calm and quiet as a desert breeze, another figure subtley wafts into the room. A man of less than average proportions; veiled in dark-coloured, but lightweight, robes. The part of his face that peeks out from behind his wrappings is worn and battered; what could have been a handsome younger man, worn to an eternally battered look. He strides forward towards Torston, fluently producing and offering him a paper with his clan details. "The other should be here shortly", he adds, his voice hardly above a whisper. With that he shifts quietly to the side of the room and waits.

"You can call me Duccio, a little easier to remember..." Duccio said sitting down while trailing off as the new arrival walked in, "Hmm, so many cloaked figures it can make people take notice if everyone is acting so suspicious." Duccio chuckled shaking his head while turning his attention back to Isaac. "So Isaac how long have you been living shunned by the sun as well as how you found out about this little meeting?"

The man in the corner bristled as he watched the overly eager kindred approach the confused looking one.

The ambition this one exudes…

He stood up, confidently and briskly strolling over to the two seated men. His ornate robes falling around him like a cloud as he went.

"Vishard Grimstalk, the pleasure is all yours, I'm sure."

He waited for the other two to acknowledge his presence.

"Oh only a few months as far as I can tell. I have wandered a bit trying to find others like me. I dont know alot specifically about the.....canines as I have been hearing them called tonight but I have quite a bit of general knowledge of the occult and things that most men pretend is not part of their world.Upon arriving in Amsterdam I followed such occult signs and my own intuition until I found this place. That combined with overhearing whispered conversations throughout the city. I did not know for certain what I would find here but it appears this was indeed the right place to come for answers and perhaps even kindred spirits."

Isaac turned as the cloaked figure approached. "Salutations Mr Grimstalk. My name is Isaac and I am indeed pleased to meet you. You are more than welcome to pull up a chair and join us if you wish."

"Laudem Dei you have a decent head upon your shoulders, otherwise who knows what might have befallen you suddenly waking to this new world. It is unorthodox for one to be left quite like you have as in all societies there are rules one should abide by for the good of the whole." Duccio said with a small frown before turning his attention towards the cloaked Vishard approaching them Ah finally they decided to move after Vishard had finished introducing himself Duccio rose and gave a slight bow, "A pleasure Dominus Grimstalk, Leonarduccio Espodito at your service."