Rite of Introduction [Los Angeles, present day]

For tenebrae_nostro 

There was work to do. The simple long black silk shift she wore caressed her soft curves and spilled open on the left of her lithe body to reveal long shapely leg as she walked back into her ritual space-barefoot. The electric kettle plugged into an electrical socket whistled like a furious train on a forgotten track. There was no fire burning under a blackened cauldron in the middle of a forest somewhere, no incense and slow flute music playing under a canopy of trees and a fat moon. Nothing. Only boiling water and a small bowl. Oh, mais oui, the Tremere have their elaborate rituals, but Catherine was practical in such matters first.

( The ties that bind us, strangle us.  )

Rite of Introduction [Locked]

The Rite of Introduction: This is a method by which a Tremere announces her presence to the others of her clan in the city. When the caster recites a thirty minute incantation and speaks into a cloud of water vapor (such as steam or fog) a telepathic message is received by the Regent of the chantry first and then by the others of the city’s hierarchy in descending order. This ritual allows for a very short dialogue between the caster and each individual subject, but only the Regent of the Chantry is traditionally bound to answer. Thus, although the other Tremere will know of the caster’s presence, the caster will only know of others at their discretion. This is a very old and formal ritual, and no longer as common as it once was; many of those of the newer generations aren’t even aware of it’s existence. However some Regents are very insistent that it be used when any Tremere enters "their" city, and tolerate no excuses if it is not done. This ritual can also be used as a distress call.

Catherine's addendum:

'This ritual can also be used as a distress call'. Clearly the individual who wrote this has never been in real distress. One might consider that using one's mobile phone might be much more reasonable? Utterly mundane, I admit, but it worth a try before wasting half and hour to send a distress call. Much can occur in half and hour and I hardly think that when things get tough, the 'distressed' will have access to a water heater and water. In the event that a telephone is not available or your captors have placed you in a cell without the means of communication and a rising sun at your back, consider this alternative. It works just as well and requires no water nor stringy incantations. Of course, your intent, ability to visualize and concentrate must be excellent, not to mention that you have to be able to boil blood. Tap your vein. Allow about slightly less than half of a shot glass to drip onto the ground. Visualize the Regent you want to contact and see blood lines reaching out of him and connecting all the faceless Tremere in the city (you won't have the time to visualize the others even if you know them). With as much control that you can muster, very slowly begin boiling your spent blood. There is water in blood and your own potence or essence, if you will, will allow you to form a quicker link (I have been told that on one occassion it allowed the Regent to know where the 'distressed' Tremere was at the time the rite took place). Continue the visualization until contact is established. If you cannot perform this than you simply were not meant to survive.

Bonne chance!