[X] [NEXT] I took the time to repay a debt I owe to another Kindred.
-[X] Erzulie wants me to settle a territorial dispute between her lover, Adze, and Horatio Ballard.
The balcony overlooking Red No. 5's main dancefloor smells like Isaac Hayes and old Donald Goines novels. From your vantage point, you've got a good view of all the mortals dancing and drinking away their Friday night at the Blood Disco's club. The club's clientele is mostly black, but you think you can spot Bennett Steadman turning the charm on some white girls - his next meals, perhaps?
In any case, Steadman isn't who you're here to see tonight. That would be Adze, the fellow Sewer Rat sitting across from you on a black leather couch. He's dressed in a crisp tailored jacket and trousers that bring out the best of his tall and thin figure, but the real star of his ensemble is the vest made of hand-woven mud cloth. The patterned garment's browns, yellows, and whites create an intriguing contrast with Adze's skin, which is so dark that it's almost navy blue. The Nosferatu vitae in him makes itself apparent through an elongated skull, sunken cheeks, a sharp yet broad nose, and thick lips. If you didn't know any better, you'd say he was a Wolof sculpture come to life.
Adze lowers his round-rimmed sunglasses to meet your gaze, revealing the blindness in his right eye. For a moment, you watch as he silently takes a slow drag from the clove cigarette between his thin, French-manicured fingers. Once satisfied with what he sees, he exhales, letting the smoke out of his mouth as his voice emerges in a hoarse whisper, like a muffled trumpet. Every word comes out in a rhythmic cadence that reminds you of jazz. "So you're the new youngblood Erzulie told me about. Artie, right?"
"That's me," you reply. "Erzulie said you were having trouble with Ballard - trouble that I might be able to help with."
"That's right," Adze replies. However, his voice betrays some skepticism that
you of all Kindred might be able to get him what he wants. Still, you're owed some consideration as a Hound with Prince Jackson's favor and a fellow Nosferatu. "But first - drinks."
Adze snaps his fingers, and out of the corner of your eye, you spy two blood dolls stepping forward to offer their wrists to you. You quietly mutter your thanks to the vessel next to you before sinking your fangs deep into his veins. Passion and adrenaline race down your throat, but you're careful not to let the blood's choler overwhelm you. You take no more than a mouthful of blood, but it's enough to take the edge off your Hunger.
Once the vessels' puncture wounds have been licked clean, Adze lies back against the black leather of his couch. "Have you ever heard of the Chicago Blaze baseball team?"
"Can't say I have. Mind if I look the team up?" you ask. Adze wordlessly gestures for you to proceed, and you quickly Google "Chicago Blaze baseball team" on your smartphone as Adze speaks.
"I wouldn't have expected you to. It's not part of the MLB. The Blaze might not attract huge crowds like the Cubs and White Sox, but the team has plenty of local fans within the city."
You nod as you scroll through the team's official site. On prominent display is a recent photo of the players standing shoulder-to-shoulder alongside the team's mascot, O'Leary the Cow. Despite the smiles on the team's faces, they aren't enough to distract you from the disrepair and faded paint of the stands behind them. "Looks like the team has seen better days."
Adze nods. "The previous managers were awful, and these nights, all the owners want to do is find someone to sell the team to."
"Which means there's an opportunity for you to acquire influence over the local kine," you realize. "If Ballard doesn't simply outbid you, that is. Speaking of Ballard, I didn't think he was the type to be interested in sports - at least on this small a scale."
"He's not," Adze snorts. "The fat bastard just wants to slap his name over the sign, thinking it'll get the court to stop laughing at him behind his back. "Me? I think we can do much better than that."
"What's your plan, then?" you ask, intrigued.
"Blaze Field would stay Blaze Field, but there would be a total revitalization. Once my claim is recognized, I'll add an attached shopping center - provide jobs for the impoverished local community."
You nod, sensing that Adze is sincere in his ambition to revitalize the Chicago Blaze and its home stadium. However, you note that Adze hasn't told you
why he wants to do so. While it's not outside the realm of possibility for Adze to have purely altruistic motives, you have a hunch that he has some purpose in mind for the team. While your mind considers pressing for more detail, your mouth utters a question. "I don't suppose you two could share the field? Let Ballard get his name out there while you make the money?"
Adze doesn't so much laugh at the idea as bark. "Ha! The old dog would never share if he thought he could have the whole pie."
You can't help but frown. The last time Adze and Ballard vied for the same territory in Chicago, matters got so out of hand, the Masquerade nearly shattered. If you can't resolve this, the Second Inquisition might. "So you want me to help you gain control over Blaze Field without starting a turf war."
"That's right," Adze confirms as he leans forward to stare at you. "So what do you say, youngblood? Think you can help a fellow Sewer Rat out?"
You nod as if you had a choice. A favor is a favor, even if you technically don't owe Adze a thing. Still, the fact that Erzulie would have you repay the debt you owe her by helping Adze is interesting. While you and Sierra are a
thing, you're fully aware that Sierra's obligations to Clan Lasombra mean she isn't in a position to call in favors to help you out - not when the Magisters' position within the Chicago court remains as tenuous as it is.
In any case, your first question is whether to ask Adze for the real reason he wants control over the Chicago Blaze. You don't doubt Adze's sincerity in wanting to revitalize the local community, but you also suspect that the baseball stadium is but a means to an end. It might be worth it to lean on your vampiric Presence to get your host to share more detail about his plans for the baseball team. On the other hand, if you're sloppy with using your Discipline, Adze is likely to take grave offense at you trying to sway him through supernatural means.
You could also ask Adze about other matters related to your task: the Chicago Blaze, intel on Horatio Ballard, etc. If you're feeling bold enough, you might even ask your clanmate about his rumored past as a slave in the Caribbean. That said, it may be wise not to open old wounds from a time that's probably best left in the dustbin of history.
Since it's the start of a new story arc, Artie's Health, Willpower, and Hunger have reset to their starting values.
[ ] [ADZE] I'll rely on my natural talent for persuading people. "What's the real reason you want Blaze Field?"
-[ ] I'll risk increasing my Hunger to add two dice to my roll.
-[ ] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three dice unaffected by my Hunger.
Charisma + Persuasion (Difficulty: 5)
[ ] [ADZE] I'll activate Awe to convince Adze to talk. "What's the real reason you want Blaze Field?"
-[ ] I'll risk increasing my Hunger to add two dice to my roll.
-[ ] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three dice unaffected by my Hunger.
Manipulation + Presence (Difficulty: 4)
[ ] [ADZE] It's not worth digging deeper into Adze's motives regarding the Chicago Blaze.
[ ] [QUESTION] Write in.
[ ] [QUESTION] I've no further questions. 
