The Bad

## Cast

* Lex Lopez - Storyteller
* Erika Webb - Wynn Cabot
* Garrett Gabbey - Johnny Saxon
* Rebecca Steigelfest - Britta Ashcroft
* Rob Muirhead - Neil Foster
* Tim Davis - Miles Davenport

"**The Bad**" is the seventy-third episode of Campaign One. It is the twenty-third episode of the third season.

> The party rages on downstairs, but for Clan Brujah and Johnny's Coterie it's time for rooftop politics. With the future of the city in the balance, and the Red Moon hanging overhead, will they be able to stand against despair?
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## Summary

Neil and Jane share an intimate moment while stargazing on the rooftop with their Brujah friends. Johnny interrupts, and they discuss how Neil's girlfriend might feel about Neil and Jane sharing a kiss. Outside on the street, Kabir catches Wynn showing affection towards Weathers, leading to a heated and almost violent exchange as Kabir confronts Weathers. After diffusing tensions without soothing hurt feelings, the coterie regroups in the VIP room to prepare their strategy for countering the Sabbat and rallying the Brujah to their side at the rooftop meeting. They decide to bring Eden up to the roof where they can all keep an eye on her, and Neil can take her away if things turn south. As the main event begins on the roof, Johnny and his coterie receive both support and scrutiny as they duel over words with Dark Selina. Johhny, Miles, Wynn, and Neil all speak up throughout the debate, each offering their own perspectives on why the Brujah should side with them against the Sabbat. As it becomes clear that a peaceful solution cannot be reached with the Sabbat, Roman Pendragon arrives, seemingly ready to kill any Sabbat he can get his hands on.

## Synopsis

Erika Webb narrates the standard introduction and content advisory.

### Recap

> Britta bumped into A-Dawg, C-Dawg, and the leader of the Sabbat pack, Rufio. Johnny scared them off, and Britta raised Johnny's social profile with a calculated dance. Neil and Jane smoked together while Miles received a pin from Amaya. In public, the Ventrue evaded a game of pin the tail on the Prince, but in private, Miles admitted his sins to Amaya. The two agreed on mutual political support. Britta discovered Eden had sneaked into the rave, and she and Johnny discussed how to handle the dhampir's presence. They decided to gather the coterie and finalize their plans for the rave.
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### Scene 1: Johnny retrieves Neil

Neil is stargazing with the Brujah he got high with last episode. Jane, who is very high and drunk, pushes Neil onto his back with ease. Jane straddles Neil, inhales deeply from the kalif she is smoking, and pulls Neil up by his scraggly hair. She seems to be kissing Neil but instead exhales the large amount of smoke she had inhaled into his lungs. At this moment, Johnny reaches the rooftop, and sees Neil frozen in anxiety while Jane is seemingly kissing him. Johnny jokingly asks if they are playing spin the bottle. Jane waits for Neil to answer Johnny's question, to which Neil says they were just watching the stars. Jane lets Neil go but is still straddling his hips, leaving Neil with no escape. Jane quips to Johnny that she is the stars. Johnny warns Jane that Neil has an Aasimite girlfriend who might not be happy with this. Jane asks Neil if he has a girlfriend, to which Neil responds that he does but that he hasn't seen her in a while. Neil tells Jane that he and his girlfriend have been through a lot together, and that he believes she is in the city currently, but that he hasn't seen her yet. Neil begins trying to explain why he hasn't visited his girlfriend, saying "I've been" before Jane cuts him off to say "with me?" Jane laughs and lets Neil go. Neil remains silent, unsure of what to say.

Johnny asks if Neil is alright, and Neil says that he is barely high. Johnny has Neil follow a finger to test his awareness, which Neil successfully does. Johnny offers a hand and hoists Neil up onto his feet. Johnny tells Neil that he wants to do a coterie meeting before the main event and asks if Neil smoked up all the Brujah. Johnny looks impressed when Neil says yes. Neil tells Johnny that Jane had told him the Brujah have a history with kalif. Johnny asks Jane if this is true, to which Jane looks at her watch and jokingly responds that the Brujah have three hours worth of history with kalif. The Brujah all laugh when Neil fumbles his words and says they all had a good time. Johnny declines the kalif when Neil offers to let him try whatever they may have left. Johnny says he thinks the rave is going well and that he wants to get a coterie meeting in before a fight breaks out. Neil thanks Jane for everything she did for him that night, and motions to the entire roof of Brujah high on kalif.

### Scene 2: Kabir confronts Weathers

Britta heads outside to find Wynn, Miles, and their dates participating in a circle of about fifteen people chatting together. Britta overhears some of the Brujah talking about how Bill Clinton was a better president because he played the saxophone and smoked weed. Although they are not very serious, they explain their positions in a very serious tone as they go back and forth talking about whether or not Bill Clinton absolutely sucked or was definitely the man. Britta asks if she can steal Miles and Wynn, to which Wynn says that this game of "Fuck, Marry, Kill" has gone completely off the rails and become political. Britta extends her hand, and Wynn takes it before giving Weathers an affectionate nudge with her hip as she leaves.

Weather smiles at Wynn as Kabir makes a noisy entrance atop the hood of a car. He is very European-looking with messy hair and is wearing very tight pants, a leather jacket, a very long scarf, and earrings that all have dangly bits on chains. It is clear that he saw Wynn bump Weathers affectionately on the hip because for the first time in a long time, instead of looking at Wynn, he stares angrily at Weathers. Wynn is exasperated at noticing this and asks Britta for a minute. Britta nudges Weathers with her shoulder to make it seem like this physical contact is just a normal thing that the coterie does, but Weathers doesn't seem to get it.

Weathers asks Kabir what the fuck he is staring at. Kabir responds that he is "staring at a fucking pussy." Wynn climbs onto the car with Kabir and asks what he is doing here. Kabir angrily says that he obviously shouldn't be here. Wynn says that he can come if he gets a Brujah date like she did with Weathers. Kabir points at Weathers and angrily shouts "Fuck you, Weathers!" Wynn pushes Kabir's arm to try and turn him away while Britta tries to ensure that Weathers remains calm. Kabir doesn't resist Wynn, but behind Wynn is another Kabir that calmly cracks his knuckles, gracefully hops down from the car, and begins striding towards Weathers. Britta places herself between the two, and Wynn realizes that while she has Kabir, he is using Horrid Reality (Chimestry 5) on Weathers. As Wynn tries to get Kabir to stop, Kabir asks what harm he could possibly due to Weathers with an illusion. Wynn reminds Kabir that his Chimestry incapacitated her until someone could call her back, which was harmful to her.

Britta makes a plea for everyone to calm down. As the illusion of Kabir pulls out a butterfly knife, Weather tells Kabir that he'll make Kabir eat that. Wynn pleas with Kabir to drop the illusion so that it does not disrupt her sensitive coterie and sheriff business. Wynn puts her hand in the space between Kabir's shoulder and chest and tells him that, "we can talk about us." Kabir responds in disbelief, "What?!" Wynn tells him that her love is not a pie and that there is enough for everyone. Wynn begins to talk about how she has affection for many people, upon which Kabir becomes shocked and deeply hurt that Wynn has affection for Weathers. Wynn says her affection is not romantic, but Kabir ignores her and says he will cut off Weathers's dick. Wynn says that she know Kabir isn't familiar with the seven Greek types of love but clarifies that what she feels for Kabir is not the same as what she feels for Weathers. Wynn promises Kabir that they can talk about what Kabir wants to be in Wynn's life if they all survive the rave tonight. Kabir pulls up a hood that wasn't there before over his head and skulks away. Wynn tells him not to leave her like that, to which Kabir turns around, flips her the bird, and tells her that she has coterie business to attend to. Kabir slinks off really sad looking and mopes around into an alley. Meanwhile, Kabir's illusion backs away from Weathers before slinking away as well.

Britta apologizes to Weathers about the commotion, but Weathers shrugs and says that you can't get stressed every time there's almost a fight because then you'll be too tired when something actually needs your attention. Wynn flips the bird back at Kabir, but turns it sideways and shouts, "that's for the horse you rode in on." Wynn rejoins the group and states that Kabir is being a petty bitch and that she's not going to give it a whole lot of time. Wynn apologizes to Weathers for the confrontation, but Weathers again shrugs and says he gets it all the time. Weathers tells Britta that they will touch base later as Britta looks over to Miles who is desperately minding his own business. Britta tells Wynn and Miles that she's just trying to make sure Kabir doesn't get killed, and Wynn responds that he'll probably be okay given that he survived being semi-comatose and semi-erratic in New York. Miles gives a small bow as he exits, which leads Weathers, Wynn, and Britta to jokingly mock Miles for his formal behavior at a rave.

### Scene 3: The coterie discusses the tension between Wynn, Kabir, and Weathers

The coterie reconvenes in the VIP room. Britta tells the coterie that Eden is here and that a ghoul is currently keeping an eye on her. Miles is concerned about which car they took. Johnny's phone rings, only to hear Kabir desperately state that he is losing Wynn. Kabir believes that Wynn and Weathers have been seeing each other for a while and asks Johnny to help him fuck up Weathers. Johnny reminds Kabir that Weathers helped Kabir in New York, which has no effect on Kabir's hatred. Kabir tells Johnny to ask Wynn about her and Weathers's relationship. Johnny asks if this can wait and agrees to help Kabir just before the after party. Johnny tells Kabir that this is just background drama, after which Kabir's mood turns more sad than outraged as he sobs a little before telling Johnny to call him back and then hanging up.

Johnny gives Wynn an accusatory stare and asks what she did. Wynn says that Kabir thinks she is fucking Weathers and that while she would be willing to have sex with Weathers, she is not doing so. Johnny and Neil are shocked and tell Wynn that she can't say things like that. Johnny tells Wynn that Kabir is European and that he's going to be crazy about things, especially affectionate hip bumps. Britta suggests that maybe Kabir misunderstood Wynn's prior comments to mean that she was dating multiple people. Wynn says that she would date multiple people but not without everyone knowing. Britta, Johnny, and Neil all begin talking over each other as they respond in shock to what Wynn said. Wynn defends herself saying that everyone else needs to get over their puritanical attitudes and accept that somebody can have sex with multiple people and that it has nothing to do with her affection for people. Johnny explains that there is an old world attitude that if you find out your partner is sleeping with somebody else, you try to kill that person. Neil tells Wynn that you just can't say the kinds of things she did in front of Kabir, even if she isn't sleeping with anybody else.

Britta asks Wynn if her and Kabir have ever established whether or not they're in a committed or open relationship. Wynn says they haven't but that she sat with him and tried to protect him as he suffered during the Week of Nightmares. Neil says that Kabir is a guy who values commitment, to which Wynn responds that he needs to talk to her about that then. Wynn says that Kabir is just being jealous that she's spending time with other people. Neil and Johnny tell Wynn that it is okay for somebody to be jealous. Wynn says that it's not okay to pick fights if you're jealous. Johnny asks Wynn how she told Kabir not to pick a fight. Wynn says that she told Kabir a fight would complicate things and that she cared about him and that they can talk about "us" after her coterie business is over. Neil tells Wynn that saying you want to "talk about us" is breakup language. Britta says that Wynn isn't wrong but that she didn't communicate well. Wynn is angry that others place so much importance on subtext, which she would prefer to ignore.

Miles continues to mind his business in yet another conversation, although he does pipe in to ask what kind of car Wynn was standing on, which befuddles everyone as to why Miles would ask that. Johnny explains that this is might be Kabir's first committed relationship. Neil suggests that this might be Kabir's attempt at a big, grand, romantic gesture. Wynn says Kabir already expressed he wanted to be with her when he got off an airplane and made a beeline to kiss her. Britta says that Kabir didn't do a great job of expressing himself, but that Wynn probably wants Kabir to understand where she is coming from. Wynn says that she feels she already made herself clear to Kabir, before grabbing a shot off a tray coming by and spending a point of blood to drink it. Johnny tells everyone that they need to stop talking about this and move on to more important matters. Wynn mutters "damn it" under her breath and begins texting on her phone.

### Scene 4: Coterie planning session

Johnny kicks off the conversation by asking if there is anything that the coterie really needs to try and push up during the rooftop meeting. Britta says the Sabbat and Anarchs are both going to try and grab people and that it is unclear whether Operation Longbow has decided to defend New Haven. Johnny says that he is okay with folks joining the Anarchs because they are still aligned with the Camarilla against the Sabbat. He says that Operation Longbow is still probably focused on fighting the Sabbat in New York. Miles says there is a lot of energy here and that whoever comes out on top needs to be leading that energy. Neil asks Johnny how he is going to undercut the Sabbat when the things they say won't be lies. Neil clarifies that the Sabbat will probably talk about how everyone needs to rally around the Sabbat to kill the Eldest and the rest of the antediluvians. Johnny says he will deflect that argument and instead point out that the Sabbat coming through here will be no good for the life of anybody. Wynn says that the coterie needs to have an answer ready for Miles's diablerie of Rowlands.

Wynn asks which Brujah they are still expecting to show up and whether they should wait for them to show up. There are a handful of famous Brujah who have been through the area recently but are not at the rave. First, there is Archon Theo Bell who is likely still engaged in New York. Second, there is Pug Jackson, but he hasn't been through this area in years. Third, there is Jacques, the child of Roman Pendragon. Jacques is a rabble-rouser who loves showing up to places to instigate things. Finally, there is Roman Pendragon. Wynn then wonders about the folks who have shown up but were not expecting. There is, of course, the Black Hand and Dark Selina. However, Sullivan, a member of the Boston court that the coterie has previously interacted with, is also here. He has largely been present, supportive, and using the opportunity to have a good time.

Wynn mentions that she saw Weathers passing out incendiary rounds, although Wynn and Johnny both state that they trust Weathers knows what he is doing. Johnny states that if anyone makes accusations against Miles, Johnny will point out that the Brujah have all benefited from Miles's tenure as Prince. Miles has provided them with money to reinforce their havens and appointed a Brujah as his Seneschal. Miles says that he has already talked with Amaya. Wynn mentions that Weathers asked her about Miles's diablerie and that he took her non-answer as a confirmation that Miles had committed diablerie. Miles says he doesn't think that the rooftop conversation will be about him, but Wynn and Johnny say it will definitely be a factor. Johnny states that he thinks he knows how he wants to handle it, and asks what else they should talk about.

Britta asks if they should have Eden stay downstairs. Johnny says they should keep Eden on the roof where they can see her with the ghoul. Wynn suggests putting Eden behind her, but Neil says that Eden should stay with him while Wynn stands near Johnny to help project power and strength. Johnny likes Neil's idea and tells him to just disappear with Eden if things go sideways on the roof. Johnny says they shouldn't keep everybody waiting too long, and the coterie heads to the roof.

### Scene 5: The rooftop debate

The rowdy Brujah crowd quiets down as the coterie that has made a name for itself gets the respect that it has been long due. Johnny looks around asks the crowd, "Come on. Aren't you all having a good time?" The crowd cheers wildly as Johnny lifts his arms and eggs them on. Everyone has a red light cast over them as the brightest star in the sky, baleful Red Star, shines even brighter tonight through the city's pollution. Jane and Amaya come to greet the coterie, having changed their outfits to now be clad mostly in white. Jane is wearing a very spiky, white leather jacket with a patch that says "wise" on it. She has a t-shirt that is tied up to be a midriff shirt with the face of the rapper Nas on it done up as a golden Pharaoh in tribute to the album I Am... She has incredibly baggy cargo pants that are all white, save for a bright sparkly golden thong that rides up the sides of her hips. Finally, she has very dramatic, deep dark makeup on. Amaya is wearing a baggy pleather trench coat that is within the style of the time and a t-shirt that says "kick-start my heart." Jane and Amaya each give Johnny a sideways hug and a kiss on the cheek.

A Black Hand Kamut is present, and there is an air of nervousness about them amongst the Brujah. Also present are a dozen members of Roman Pendragon's army, who are dressed in uniforms instead the leather jackets and tactical gear that other Brujah are wearing. All of them have claws that are ready to go in case things escalatee with the Sabbat. Weathers quietly positions himself to be a clear authority figure in terms of security. He is very handsome with a bright chain hanging around his neck and a shotgun that he is just gripping in his hand, clearly ready to use it. Amaya and Jane are carrying paintball guns loaded with bright, hot pink paint balls. As the uproar dies down, everyone looks at Johnny.

Johnny takes a few moments to look around at everyone present on the rooftop and welcomes them. The crowd begins to wonder why they are here. Johnny explains that New Haven is their home, in one way or another. Johnny shouts out Weathers and thanks him for everything he has done for the Brujah gathered there on the rooftop. Most of the crowd applauds, but when one Brujah who was part of Shaw's crew says "eh," Jane fires her paintball gun at him, hitting him square in the nuts and painting his clothes bright pink. The Brujah threatens Jane and calls her a bitch, but his words are drowned out by the laughter of the crowd, and his rage turns to humiliation. Anyone else who would have spoken out against Weathers is now too embarrassed to speak up. Johnny says that he understands that not everyone makes decisions that everyone likes, and that he didn't like it when Weathers made him Primogen and thus painted a large bullseye on Johnny's back. Johnny asks if anybody else wants the bullseye (i.e. if they want to be Primogen), but the rooftop is silent.

Johnny thanks Amaya, who gives a feigned curtsy. A bunch of Brujah clap for her, and it is very clear that many of them are sweet on her. Amaya thanks Johnny and says it is a pleasure to be here with him. Amaya and Johnny joke about how somebody was thrown off the roof at a previous rant, and Johnny says he doesn't expect that to happen here. Johnny then thanks Sullivan and Pendragon's army for coming. Pendragon's army is met with a half-hearted applause, clearly not well liked by the crowd. Finally, Johnny thanks the Black Hand Kamut for coming, and they receive a round of boos from the Brujah. Johnny points out his sire Delgado who receives even more boos. But then a wave of anxiety washes over the crowd as one of the Black Hand members takes of his tactical gear and transforms into a smaller, almost diminutive woman, Dark Selina. She is rather beautiful but with a dangerous sensation radiating from her. Somebody in the crowd whispers "Dark Selina." Johnny gives a serious thanks to Dark Selina and her Kamut for coming here, respecting the rave, and respecting the bloodline. The corner of Dark Selina's lip twists into a smile or a smirk.

Johnny then turns to the main matter at hand and says the clan has a choice to make of where they will stand. He encourages them to stand with him and Amaya against the Sabbat. He says that the Sabbat's promises are a lie and that their supposed fight against the elders is just a power grab for their newly appointed cardinal. He continues that the Sabbat's main weapon is fear, and that if the Brujah refuse to give into fear and to give up their home, then the Sabbat won't do anything. The vast majority of the Brujah yell in support of holding their ground and meeting the Sabbat head-on. All seems to be going well for Johnny and his coterie, but then Dark Selina takes a step forward to speak and the crowd's excitement to fight the Sabbat dies. Instead of addressing the crowd, however, Dark Selina turns and looks directly at Johnny.

In order to disagree with Dark Selina in any capacity, Johnny needs to succeed on a courage test at Difficulty 9. He spends a point of willpower and gets two successes, allowing him to stand up to her. Dark Selina commends Johnny's bravery and states that he demonstrates a certain gall that most of the clan lost long ago when they bent to the Ventrue and their masquerade. Dark Selina says that she knows Johnny is dissatisfied with his position, that he has seen the signs of Gehenna, and that he is frustrated by the Cainite politics that hold him back from using the strength of his blood to save his daughter. She says that she know that this entire crusade is a waste of Johnny's time. Johnny takes a step towards Dark Selina and points to the Red Star before saying that everyone can see we are in unusual times. Some of the Brujah are unsettled that the conversation has turned apocalyptic so quickly. Johnny tells Dark Selina that his daughter is none of her concern. Dark Selina tells him not to presume what is her concern. She says that his blood is her blood, that he comes from her line, that it is her power that animates his corpse, and that what tethers Johnny to his daughter even beyond death is her power. Dark Selina points out that many princes have promised an end to the Sabbat crusade and that many "Johnnys" have come before him and insisted that the Sabbat will go no further. Dark Selina says that this is the most decisive moment in Johnny's entire existence as a Cainite, but to the Sabbat, this is just a routine step in the process.

Johnny cracks a smile at her, puts a Morley in his mouth, and lights it. Johnny tells Dark Selina that the problem with elders like her is that they think they've seen everything, but that there ain't no other fucking Johnny Saxon. A wolfish grin spreads across his face as he grandstands in front of the crowd with arms open. Dark Selina dominates down her generational line, forcing Johnny to go approach her and give her his lit cigarette. She accepts it, and Johnny goes back to grandstanding, but nobody in the crowd realizes that this was not Johnny's choice. Dark Selina takes a drag on the Morley, savoring it, before saying that she has made the same offer to many Johnnys before, but that this Johnny seems particularly smart and craves freedom from the Camarilla like many other Brujah on the rooftop. Dark Selina says she did not come here to menace Johnny or make him afraid but to uplift him. She is disgusted by the thought of one of her own bending their knee to the elders of the Camarilla. She says she wants to see Johnny stand in defiance of Gehenna just the way he wants to, enriched by the Sabbat ways. Dark Selina says that Miles is already halfway there and that she's not sure why they are disagreeing when there is no debate.

Johnny plays off his being forced to give his Morley to Dark Selina as if it was nothing at all and puts out a hand to ask for his cigarette back. He stares at Dark Selina wondering what she is and angry at her for dominating him. It's clear to his coterie, however, that Johnny would never have willingly shared his cigarette with anyone, let alone the Sabbat. Wynn casually and subtly begins moving closer to Johnny, to make him aware that she has his back. Britta heightens her vision on the cigarette and notices that Dark Selina is using Spirit's Touch on the cigarette to learn more about Johnny. Britta uses telepathy on Johnny's mind to warn him that Dark Selina was using the cigarette to learn more about him. Johnny replies mentally this is good news since it means that Dark Selina doesn't mean to kill him out of hand. Britta maintains the telepathic connection so the two can continue fighting.

Dark Selina hands the cigarette back to Johnny and says that there is no need for them to fight and no need for anyone here to remain with the Camarilla to be used as cannon fodder. Dark Selina asks if Miles has something different in mind, looking at him appraisingly. Miles, who had been trying not to be noticed, says that he doesn't plan to use anyone as cannon fodder and that his plans are not his sire's plans. Johnny backs up Miles by saying that sires and their childer don't always have the same plans, and then stares menacingly at Delgado, relishing the fact that he can stare daggers at another Kindred without feeling absolute terror. Delgado stares back menacingly but with an appreciation for the normalcy of their rivalry. There is a shared recognition that they are both hostages to the methuselah from whom they are descended, Dark Selina.

Neil is standing in the back next to Miles and keeping an eye on Eden. He uses Eyes of Chaos to keep an eye on how close things are to descending into violence. With seven successes, everything seems and smells right; although it is scary on the rooftop, it is for all the right reasons. Beneath it all though is a deep, draconic rumbling like something is waking and whatever that is, it is the type of conflict that changes every part of the world that it touches. The pulse of the rumbling does not seem related to the pulsing of the Red Star, as it is coming from below and rising.

Miles continues to explain that he wants to see Kindred take care of each other, support each other, and cooperate together whether they are part of the Camarilla or not. Miles hopes to make things better and not just to wage war and die. Dark Selina commends Miles for being vicious in support of his allies, including his diablerie of Upton Rowlands. She says that Miles represents a form of leadership the Camarilla does not accept: he encourages camaraderie and depravity on behalf of your loved ones. Dark Selina turns Miles's words against him, quoting him when he said that he did what he needed to do. She says that Miles announcing people should rally behind him because he acts like Sabbat isn't quite the argument that he thinks it is.

Johnny defends Miles again by saying that he is the kind of leadership this city needs: he stands by loved ones, fights for loved ones, and deposes princes that do not care for this domain. He continues that Dark Selina is simply another elder who says yield or perish. Dark Selina says that Johnny would have a valid argument if Miles were not a Ventrue and the childe of Jan Pieterzoon. Because Miles has not been set free by the Sabbat, he will be obligated to obey his sire when the time comes. She says that it has been centuries since she was made to obey anyone. Wynn interrupts her to ask whether those who follow her are free, to which Dark Selina tells Wynn to ask them. Wynn asks if they're going to answer how she wants or how they actually feel. Wynn continues that it's different when she follows Miles because she's never been made to tell Miles that he's great. Dark Selina states that Wynn's entire clan left the Camarilla because of the people that Miles is beholden to. Wynn counters that they didn't leave because of Miles, who is the one in charge of the city. Dark Selina then asks if Miles will refuse his sire. Miles plainly states that if he believes his sire's decision is the wrong move, then he will not do it. Dark Selina smiles, pleased that Miles has sworn in front of this crowd to disobey his sire. She say's she's sorry it'll come to that and wishes Miles's coterie good luck. By this point, the Brujah are looking pretty hopeless about the idea of contending against Dark Selina when rolling over apparently comes with all these perks.

Wynn bluntly asks what is with the dragon under New York. Dark Selina explains that there are stories about Antediluvians that will rise and consume all Cainites and that the Sabbat opposes them. She asks Miles if he is comfortable with the topic of Antediluvians being broached when his sire is a Josian committed to destroying all mention of Antediluvians and Gehenna. Miles looks at her and asks if any of the Brujah here are snitches, to which the crowd beings murmuring that they are not. Hearing the crowd's response, Miles asks how his sire would ever find out. Dark Selina smiles and says they can have a discussion then. She begins saying that the Sabbat does not support or protect the Antediluvians before Wynn interjects to ask why the Sabbat are then marching on another city before taking care of the Antediluvian in their own territory. Dark Selina explains that the Eldest extends beyond New York and that the Sabbat must seize all territory that it holds. Wynn says the Sabbat should start with the big chunk in New York to stop it from reproducing. Dark Selina says that that is not how it is going to work and that Wynn knows the Camarilla will do nothing about it. Wynn counters that while the Camarilla as a whole may do nothing, which was why her clan left, her Camarilla here in New Haven is going to do something about it. The crowd is largely looking at two sides arguing like they're insane, but there's also some in the crowd who are experiencing bits of existential horror.

Johnny begins trying to spin things as if Dark Selina and not Wynn were the one to bring up talk about the Antediluvians. As he goes on to talk about how there is something in New Haven he has seen the likes of before, he finds himself falling silent as Dark Selina interrupts him. She explains that what is in New Haven is a shard of a greater whole and that destroying even the greater portion of it in New York would simply cause its mind or essence to awaken in whatever part of it that lives on elsewhere. Johnny reminds the crowd that Shaw once sent a lot of Brujah to try and destroy the shard in New Haven. One person in the crowd says that a Molotov didn't work, and the minds in the crowd begin racing. Johnny says that he is in agreement with the Sabbat that this shard is something that everyone needs to deal with but that he does not agree that everyone needs to abandon everything they had been living for to join the Sabbat in order to solve this problem. He tells Dark Selina that if they want to beat this thing, then she should offer an olive branch so they can work together rather than demanding obedience.

Dark Selina begins to say that Johnny misunderstands her before Johnny cuts her off to say that he does indeed understand her. Dark Selina immediately rebukes Johnny, telling him not to cut her off or else she will tear his head off. She says that this is Johnny's one and only warning. Johnny gives her a look that he understands but stands tall and lifts his chin for the crowd. Dark Selina continues that she will tear off Johnny's head, and then begins pointing at his coterie members and saying that she will tear off Britta, Neil, and Wynn's heads. She threatens Johnny that he shouldn't be worried about dying but rather about everything he cares about disappearing. She tells Johnny not to accuse her of putting her foot on his neck because she will. She reiterates that the Sabbat are the only chance they have at defeating the Eldest and that just because a handful of Camarilla members have seen the truth does not mean that the Camarilla will not simply silence them. She says that Xavier left because he knew about the Eldest and knew the Camarilla would not help him fight it. She points out that for some reason, Johnny and his coterie have convinced themselves that the grandchilde of Hardestadt, Miles, will somehow galvanize his domain to fight the Antediluvians without being squashed by his elders. She explains that the Camarilla's elders only care about their own domains and that everything else is simply a means by which they insulate themselves. Dark Selina concludes by saying that she is offering them a chance at survival, an out from this war. She points out that she could bend Johnny to her will but she is not doing so because it is an offer, and not a demand, that she is making.

Wynn says that she thinks Dark Selina is correct that the Camarilla only cares about themselves, and a wave of demoralization hits the crowd of Brujah. Wynn continues that Camarilla still need them though, which gives them leverage to make demands. Wynn says the Sabbat should take the olive branch that she and her coterie have offered to fight the Eldest together. Dark Selina says that her people will not be consorting with servants of Hardestadt. Wynn says they don't have Hardestadt, but Dark Selina simply says that they do. Dark Selina concludes that her offer is the only one the folks here will get and that she understands if their answer is no.

Neil hears the sound of the dragon grow louder as the wave of demoralization washes over the Brujah. Neil goes up behind Johnny and taps him on the shoulder, being too afraid to address either Dark Selina or the crowd. Speaking to Johnny but addressing the whole rooftop, Neil says that he and Johnny have both seen what life is like when you sign up with the Sabbat. Anyone who still has friends, still has family, and still clings to their humanity will find that all snuffed out by the Sabbat. Neil admits that Dark Selina may have a point to everything she says but that folks who haven't experienced life with the Sabbat first-hand are missing the bigger picture of what they will lose. Neil continues that the elders of the Camarilla may be jerks, but there's a connection under the system that disappears with the Sabbat. He says that anyone who has a friend or somebody they talk to, somebody who makes them feel human again, gets snuffed out. As Neil speaks, Johnny gently grabs Neil by the shoulders and squares up with him to shield him from the gaze of Dark Selina. His posture becomes infectious to Neil as he encourages Neil to let his words carry amongst the rooftop.

Neil tells the crowd that a lot of them probably more connections to humanity, to the people they were, to the people they want to be, than even the most hardened might actually admit to themselves. All of that, however, dies under the Sabbat. Neil says that the Sabbat can believe they want to fight the Antediluvians as much as they want, but at that point what are they even fighting for if not freedom under a crueler system. Neil says he has personally seen—not second-hand—an Antediluvian die, meaning they can be killed, and it wasn't the Sabbat that killed them. Neil withers away as he concludes his thoughts. As Neil was preaching about humanity, Amaya had put her hand over her heart and swooned.

Britta reaches out through her telepathy to provide Johnny with a sense of calm and a touchstone that he can emotionally access. Johnny thanks god for his coterie and tells Dark Selina that he wishes she had a coterie like he does. He looks around the whole rooftop and says that he hopes the folks here have people to rely on like he does. Johnny says that his coterie has reminded him that they have so much more to live for than the Jyhad. He says that they're going to stop the Eldest, but they won't do it because of this eternal struggle since that will just mean replacing one Eldest with another. A young Brujah neonate, who was embraced to be turned over to Pendragon's army but wasn't after Miles became prince, stands up. He says that they can't beat the Sabbat because half of the people in this domain are already planning to run. He asks Miles what they should do, and the crowd looks at Miles. Miles says that he doesn't expect everyone to fight but that he will find people they can rely on and help them to develop skills. For those who are unable or unwilling to fight, Miles says that they will do their best to protect them, to shield them from this fight. Johnny says that they aren't planning to fight the siege and that they have other plans. Johnny willingly offers his cigarette back to Dark Selina who takes a drag on it.

Delgado speaks up to say that he can respect their bravery. He compares it to when a hurricane comes through and people refuse to leave their homes and hope that the world is still gonna be there when the storm blows over. But Delgado says that the Sabbat are their neighbors and that the siege is never going to stop. The Sabbat will never stop, and New Haven will never have a way out. Delgado says he has accepted this existence long ago. Even if the folks gathered here fight for something other than the eternal struggle, they will never escape it. Delgado concludes by saying that there is only one way this goes and that he hopes the folks on the roof figure it out before the people they love disappear. Johnny asks if Delgado is saying that nobody is free from him. Delgado shrugs and says he'll let Johnny come to his own conclusions. And just as the draconic stirring that Neil had been hearing reaches a deafening apex, the door to the rooftop opens and Roman Pendragon steps out. Roman Pendragon has a look on his face like he is ready to kill every member of the Sabbat that he can get within arm's reach. Quietly and almost unusually driven even by his standards, he simply approaches the circle and starts to listen. As he does so, Neil realizes that that sound he had been hearing was Roman Pendragon.

### Post-Credits Scene

Garrett asks Rob what Neil's appearance is. Rob says it is two. Garrett suggests that Jane should brush part of the hair out of Neil's face and tuck it behind his ear to raise his appearance score to three. Rob mentions that he was very tempted to use Mask of a Thousand Faces to make a hotter version of Neil. Garrett says that now is the time for Rob to raise Neil's apperance score to three if he has the XP. Rob says that he is two XP off from being able to do so. Lex gives him a "tsk tsk." Rebecca jokes that folks have all the wrong priorities here. Erika says that Britta will just start bullying people and Rebecca laughs, leading Erika to say that Rebecca's laugh means the laugh of someone saying "she's not wrong."

## Featured Characters

### Coterie

* Neil Foster
* Johnny Saxon
* Britta Ashcroft
* Wynn Cabot
* Miles Davenport

### Returning

* Jane
* Earl Weathers
* Kabir
* Amaya
* Sullivan
* Delgado
* Dark Selina
* Eden
* Roman Pendragon

### Mentioned

* Nara
* Archon Theo Bell
* Pug Jackson
* Jacques

## Quotations

* Rob (describing Neil and the Brujah being high): Right now we're just all cosmonauts on a journey.
* Johnny (to Neil): "Are you kids playing spin the bottle?"
* Neil: "Subtext is the illusions of language."
* Neil: "And we've seen, I've seen—not secondhand, not hearing about—we've seen an Antediluvian die. So we know they can die. And it wasn't the Sabbat who killed them."

## Trivia

* While working on creating this wiki page, the transcription software used to assist in writing the synopsis transcribed "dhampir" as "dumbfierce." Funnily, however, it's actually kind of a perfect description of Eden's behavior. Here's the transcription: "Britta discovered Eden had sneaked into the rave, and she and Johnny discussed how to handle the dumbfierce presence."
* Kabir uses Horrid Reality on Weathers, indicating that he has access to Chimestry 5 powers.
* Wynn confirms in this episode that she is okay with polyamorous relationships as long as everyone in the relationship knows about each other.
* Wynn says that Kabir has a surprisingly big dick.
* The Red Star is described as now being the brightest star in the sky.
* Johnny and Delgado are revealed to be descended from Dark Selina. Because Weathers and Delgado share the same sire, that means Weathers is also descended from Dark Selina.
* Neil's appearance score is two.