A dark, heavily clouded sky covered the city of Bruges. On the outskirts of the city, a grand mansion towered over everything else. Candle light shining eerily through the curtains hinted that the old mansion was still inhabited. The Armani suited, sunglass wearing guards spread all over de domain of the mansion showed that the inhabitants were no ordinary people. Yet, a lot of guests seemed to make their way up to the heavily guarded Giovanni mansion this night.

It had been some time now since the Kindred of Ostend had heard news from the Domain of Bruges. This was probably why so many had decided to accept the invitation from the Giovanni. That and the fact that the invitation was not sent out by the Ambassador Alessandro Giovanni, as one would expect, but by Elder Don Vito Giovanni, a name which betrayed how important this meeting could be.

The guests were halted at the front door by 2 goons, telling them that someone would guide them to the hall that would serve as meeting room. The front door opened and an old crone, clad in a thick green cloak with matching cat mask and holding some sort of walking stick with a skull on top introduced herself as "Auntie Gabriella" and asked them in poor English and a raspy voice to follow her. She made sure that all guests were very much aware that they should not wander about in the big mansion, for terrible things could happen. This warning was given force by the grim vibe the guests felt when entering the mansion. Something surely wasn't right with this house

Two Kindred never seen before were also guided through the mansion to the Giovanni party. These were the Childe of Scourge Willem Van Heyne, named Sergeï Zhivanevsko and a Malkavian with an odd hair color and an equally foreign name, Ivanov Krycek. When entering the meeting hall, it became clear that this party was not only for the Kindred of Ostend, as the meeting hall was filled with members of the Giovanni Clan. Giovanni from all over the world it seemed as they were talking, mostly in Italian, about the countries they resided in and their families there.

When all guests had arrived, Don Vito Giovanni entered the meeting hall, surrounded by several other Giovanni and ghouls and took place at the table prepared for him. Don Vito was dressed in the traditional Venetian costume of the Plague Doctor, mask and all, which added greatly to the feeling of uneasyness one usually felt when confronted with an Elder. The old Giovanni did not address his guests directly, but chose to relay his messages through the Giovanni standing next to him.

After his initial welcoming speech, Don Vito invited the Seneshal Eldwin Falckeauge at his table, as he was now representing the Domain of Ostend in stead of the still disabled Prince Bellefleure. The Elder told his guests that the Giovanni had been approached by a representative of the Golden Key organisation. As he continued telling in great detail what the man had said and how the Giovanni had reacted to this, one of the other Giovanni ostensibly and with great timing tossed several body parts - presumably of the unfortunate representative - on the table. Several Kindred had to concentrate very hard not to show their disgust for the Giovanni's means of interrogation. However, how gruesome as it may have been, it did show which side the Giovanni were on concerning this threat to Ostend.

After this display, the party resumed and the Kindred talked to one another about the things that had happened in Bruges, what would happen to the Domain of Ostend with the Prince unable to reign and other interesting subjects. At a given time, all Giovanni left the meeting hall to hold a private family meeting, leaving the Kindred of Ostend all alone in the meeting hall to wonder what would happen next.

Some time later, the Giovanni re-entered the meeting hall. Willem Van Heyne called attention to himself and proclaimed that the Domain needed a new Prince for the time that Prince Bellefleure was out because of all the dangers the Domain was facing and that he would take this task upon him. His speech, in which he mentioned in adoration the many prosperous things Bellefleure had done, was very convincing and the former Scourge was accepted as the new Prince. Not much later, Viktor Goebs, Ancilla of Clan Toreador also stept forward. He had clearly made a deal with the Giovanni, as the Toreador did not hesitate to claim praxis over the Domain of Bruges. All Giovanni applauded their new Prince, but the Kindred of Ostend were left with mixed feelings about this new turn of events.

Meanwhile, even the Assamites wanted to enter the mansion. However, the Giovanni were not planning on letting the assasins enter their Domain and the Assamites were chased away by Kindred, Ghouls and other means of defence. The Giovanni ultimately succeeded, but they paid dearly for their victory.