Dearest Prince

An audio recording is uploaded, scrubbed of metadata. The voices of Leonard Lawrence and Prince Jackson of Chicago are heard.

J: I see you're back to your unexpected visits, Lawrence. I'm told you have things to report from your so-called sources?

L: Don't look so put upon, Jackson, you'll age yourself. And yes, rejoice, I have news from us peons in the streets.

J: Why is it always you or that wretch, Marcus?

L: We lead interesting unlives, I guess.

J: What is it this time?

L: You might want to sit down for this one, I insist. [pause] Ur-Shulgi is coming to Chicago, if he's not here already.

The sound of shattering glass is heard.

J: ...WHAT!?

L: You heard me. Ur-Shulgi, the Ur-Shulgi, the Shepherd of the Banu Haqim, is coming to or already is, in some form or another, in Chicago. Our city.

There is a lengthy pause and a low growling is heard along with the crunching of wood.

L: Easy now, Prince, easy, don't Frenzy on me now. You can always replace the desk. You really might be the first Kindred to have a stress-induced stroke at this rate.

J: WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S COMING TO CHICAGO, LAWRENCE!?

L: I know just about what I told you. There is... some complication regarding one of his Childer, called Ludari, and Fracture. Ludari's taken things too far, and apparently incurred Ur-Shulgi's displeasure. So he's coming here.

J: What did Fracture do?!

L: I'm not exactly privy to that but from the sounds of it, something more ancient than either of us. Fracture's Childer are congregating in the city to defend Fracture and his Sanctum but based on the information I and Marcus have, we might just get away with things. Of course, some of Ludari's adherents will have to die and I have some plans for a few of the stragglers, but all in all this might actually resolve itself without our interference. Though I would probably advise all the Banu Haqim in the city to make themselves quite scarce for a while, till we're sure this passes.

Another crunch of wood is heard. When Jackson next speaks he is eerily calm.

J: Why on earth does this keep happening?

L: I don't know either, Prince, we're living in interesting times.

J: Did you have something to do with this, Lawrence? Answer me.

L: I did not, and don't try to Dominate or Presence me, Jackson, it won't end well. I'm just as caught up in all this as you are and if you'd like some advice, let things take their course. If we stay out of Ur-Shulgi's way, there's a good chance we won't even notice he's here.

J, scoffs: Advice?! From the likes of you?

L: I know it's hard to believe Jackson, but I'd rather have you as Prince of the city than someone else, much as we don't see eye to eye. Times are a-changing, Jackson. Times are a-changing.

J: I can't believe you're being so calm about this, given the Tremere history with the Assamites. If Ur-Shulgi does come to Chicago, you Usurpers are going to be the first to burn.

L: Oh, I wouldn't be so certain. But even if we do, I really don't care so long as Fracture and my Dusk Kids stay safe.

There is a long, pregnant pause.

J: ...Well, I'll be.

L: Make of that what you will. But if you're not as dense as some think you are, or as pigheaded as I know you are, you'll have to see that some changes around here are necessary.

J: I don't know why I tolerate your fucking impertinence.

L: I remain useful. And as far as it works out, loyal. I believe in the Camarilla Jackson, just as much as you do. I just realise it needs to bend with the times, and not snap under its own weight.

J: Get the hell out of my office. I really am going to call a Blood Hunt on your ass one of these nights...

L: That would be a really bad idea, Jackson. Real bad. I'd stop being useful to you. Have a good night. Try not to think about Ur-Shulgi too hard, he probably already knows we had this conversation.

J: OUT!

The recording ends.