Thanks, I guess. Padre. But what the crap is going on?
Thomas thinks about the situation quickly. His immediate reaction is mistrust of this supposed priest. Either he didnt know what his 'flock' was doing, or they were acting on his orders. He checked himself over to see how bad the damage was. As he looked, he saw the healing begin on his wound, and thought somewhat grimly that his job would be unnecessary if the humans could do this.
And where am I?
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Thomas
The chains were loosened, and Thomas fell to the floor. The Archdeacon reached down to help Thomas up.
“You are in The Church of Our Lady of the Thorn, in the Latino Quarter. And I have no idea what is going on here, other than some brutal show of force,”
One of the Vampire’s spoke up.
“Padre, he was feeding in the Barkovia Hospital! That is the domain of George. He has feeding rights in the Hospital, not this guy!”
“Why has George not spoken up yet? George, why are you silent on this matter?”
Padre went to a black man standing amongst them, and looked him up and down. George seemed timid, and just kept looking towards the other Kindred for help.
“Did they bully you into this George?”
The man nodded.
“I…I didn’t care. It wasn’t like he was even feeding on patients I cared about; you know me, grieving widows, upset parents…that’s what I do…Thomas was feeding in the ER. In the trauma center,”
Padre nodded.
“Then why hurt this man?”
“They said…they said I needed to stand up for what was mine,”
Padre shook his head and sighed.
“Fools. Have I not taught you anything?! Generosity to your fellow Kindred. Wisdom to the unwise. And here, here is this childe! And what do you do!? You STAKE HIM!? And if that isn’t enough, you CHAIN HIM TO OUR LORD?! HAVE YOU NO SHAME!?”
The other vampires look down at their feet. The Archdeacon turns to Thomas.
“Thomas, I am sorry, again, for my flock’s behavior. What they did to you wasn’t just wrong, it was cruel. And it is clear to me that no one has yet taught you of your condition. If you’d like, you may stay for awhile, and I will tell you why you can’t die from a stake to the heart. Actually, the sun will be up soon; do you live nearby? If you don’t, we have a place for you to rest. The church is always open to the children of Longinus,”
--------
Richard
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Richard
As Richard rounded the corner, he found Iranis, leaning into the tub, desperately trying to cast a spell from a small book. Richard notices her holding her stomach; to his horror, he notices that she is actually holding in her guts. How she made it this far without dying, he had no idea. Iranis, seeing Richard, was startled, and dropped her book into the puddle of blood around the tub. Richard notices that the blood retreats from the book, and it doesn't get dirty. It has a large cross on the front.
"Sir...I'm sorry sir...I didn't know where else to go..."
Watching the scene unfold, Thomas let his feeling of distrust for the priest fade. Slightly. It really did appear to him that the henchmen were just incompetent.
He turned to the "Padre" and spoke, a rising anger tinting his voice. Feeding in the ambulance, to be precise. And while your Lord is a forgiving one, I have to admit feeling the need to stake one of these... morons in response. Maybe they can feel what its like. He takes a deep breath. I'm sorry, that was not ok, but you understand, I hope.
The need to right the wrong of what happened turns his anger into guilt. He turns to George, Errr, and I'm sorry if I was stepping on your toes. Forgive me if I do not know the protocol. If you had just come to me...
Thomas turns back to the priest. I live off of Main st, so wherever that is in relation to here. I, um, dont like to be away from home for the night. But the knowledge might be worth it. And I'm curious. So yes, I will take you up on the offer. Just let me get in contact with my, heh, coterie.
Waiting for the priest's response, Thomas looks in his pocket for his phone. Unlocking it, since facial recognition no longer works, he sends a quick message to Richard and Michael, explaining quickly what happened and where he was, and asking if they thought it was ok to stay with this supposed priest. Thomas hoped that the other two knew more than he did. But curiosity and a need to know was getting the better of him.
Michael doesn't answer his phone; he's locked up the door to his cell and left his personal effects outside. He couldn't even hear the phone ring from inside it.
Richard quickly lowers the gun. "That... that's fine Iranis. What happened?" Examining the pool of blood with a practiced eye, Richard thanks God that he had just fed; The beast doesn't stir in the least at the sight of his friend's injury. He sets his weapon aside and moves into the small room to provide what help he can.
As fate would have it, Richard had recently made the acquaintance of two medics. After he heard what Iranis had to say he'd just placed a call to Thomas and Natasha when he saw the incoming call from Thomas...
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Richard
Richard could sense the impending dawn, less than an hour away. If Thomas was with Padre in the Latino Quarter, there was no way for him to get to them before the sun rose, and probably not even in time for him to save Iranis, even if Thomas had a flying vehicle, which he was sure he didn't.
Iranis cried out. She had suddenly turned pale, and whatever was allowing her to struggle on had clearly worn off.
"Richard! Richard, please, take my hand! I...I can heal myself, if you can just give me some of your Vampire blood. I need it to complete this spell...but, I'll need some of...some of you as well...I need your permission..."
Iranis, whom Richard had never known to cry, now had tears falling from her face; she knew that her end was near. The beast inside Richard began to call to him, to infect another with his horrible curse. But what she proposed...he didn't know...
A cold, callous corner of Richard's mind was calculating her worth to him, weighing her continued services against the risk of subjecting himself to her strange sorcery. It was more angered by the loss of one of 'his' mortals than by the loss of a friend. He pushed those thoughts away and barely hesitated. A few steps took him across the blood-soaked floor and he sat down beside her.
One hand holds hers while he uses his fangs to tear a gash along his other wrist, "Take whatever you need- I've just fed. The blood and the permission, they're both yours." He grips her had a little tighter, "Just don't die, ok? You've got another 50, maybe 60 years left in you! We'll get whoever did this, put them down like rabid dogs. There won't be enough of them left to bury..." Richard trails off as he realizes he is babbling. He never babbles. Being powerless in the face of death is intensely disconcerting. Usually when he looks at someone who fears death it is because he's the one with power over whether they live or die- Richard doesn't know what to do as a mere spectator.
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Iranis starts chanting in Latin as Richard's hand touches her's, and her eyes suddenly gloss over white, as if she were blind. Richard realizes his hand is suddenly in her grasp like wet flesh to ice, and he cannot pull away, as he begins reliving his last, horrible sin. The time is horrible, but Richard cannot pull away, as his blood pulls forth from his wound and becomes like tar, seeping into Iranis's own wounds. She starts crying and screaming herself as the wounds begins to mend; Richard realizes, to his horror, that whatever he is seeing, she is seeing as well.
After half-an-hour, Richard realizes the ordeal is over. Iranis is holding onto him muttering 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' over and over, her sobs slow coming now.
His cell phone rings and rings...with only about ten minutes till sunrise...
It was 1970. Vietnam had pushed the country to the brink and revolution was in the air. There were riots in the streets, protests, racial tensions, and some of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world were genuinely worried that their carefully cultivated political structures would come tumbling down. Richard was in his element working damage control, plying the media with just the right mixture of bribery and threats. This editor got an envelope full of cash, that journalist got pictures of his mistress and a stamped envelope with his wife's name on it.
Richard's nights were busy, but all things considered things were going well until Rutherford's name came across his desk. Frank Rutherford was an investigative journalist who just would not break down. Richard tried every trick in the book. He visited the man twice, in person, leaving him with a broken knee the second time and still he wouldn't drop the story about the Indian reservation. Finally Richard threatened the man's kids. Rutherford backed down for a little while, but a month later he published the story about the kickbacks and the fixed election. Richard was furious. That night he got a few of his ghouls together, and they paid Rutherford a visit. Two of his guys stayed upstairs with the wife and most of the kids, Richard and the other ghoul went down to the basement with Rutherford and his 11 year old son.
Richard had hurt people before, and he had killed, but this was different. He set out to *break* the reporter, to make him watch while he hurt the boy and leave no doubt in his mind that they would come back to finish the job if he didn't toe the line and publish a retraction. The damn ghoul hadn't noticed Rutherford's gun. Richard took three slugs in the chest and everything went red. He killed Frank Rutherford, and the boy. Horribly. Messily.
Ventrue aren't allowed to fail; Invictus even less so. That night marked a distinct reversal of his fortunes and the beginning of the end for his ambitions in national politics. Richard fell from favor and without the protection of his patrons his enemies caught up with him over the next several months and staked him.
----------
Richard ignores the phone, and just holds Iranis silently. He is not leaving her alone right now and will attempt to stay awake today.
Damnit, answer the phone. Getting no answer, he turns to the Priest.
Well, looks like I'm in need of a place to stay. Thank you for your offer.
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Thomas
Miguel walks Thomas outside to a stone statue of an angel; he pushes the statue aside, and a staircase descends into the earth. Deep within, hundreds of alcoves are lined against the wall, descending deeper and deeper into the earth. The Vampires all walk into an alcove, and cross their arms over their chest. Miguel closes the entrance.
"Here we shall rest till the night comes again,"
-------
The next night brings Thomas around in the same state he fell asleep in.
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Richard
Iranis quickly falls asleep in Richard's arms, and rests until about 12pm. Upon waking, she looks at him oddly.
"I thought only vampires who sparkle watch sleeping females,"
-------
Thomas wakes up disoriented. looking around he sees the vampires from last night sleeping around him, arms crossed. Great. Sleeping away from home always makes me feel like crap. And where were those answers, anyway?
Thomas looks around for this priest, and tries his phone, to see if Richard or Michael contacted back. No service. A hallmark of being a vampire, apparently.
He realizes with a start that they had obligations. Didnt Richard say something about a meeting? Padre, if those answers are coming, I gotta have them fairly soon. His new friends were in need of some assistance, although the previous night had Thomas feeling fairly down on his abilities.
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Miguel chuckles.
"Truly? Come, before you leave, enjoy the hospitality of the lord's home, and I will answer what questions you may have,"
He begins walking towards the Church. Thomas can hear people inside, and notices the other vampires have donned outfits that makes them looks like members of the clergy.
"But you asked why you weren't dead. My child, you are dead. We of the Kindred only know the Final Death, which can only come from Fire, Sunlight, the consumption of your soul or the loss of your head. There are also other ways, but these are the only ways which you should worry about; the others you cannot protect yourself against,"
Miguel opens the door to the Cathedral, allowing everyone to enter. Within are about fifty people, sitting and praying in the pews. The Padre continues talking, but in a whisper.
"A stake, a wooden stake, can render us unable to move, to think. We go into Torpor, the sleep of death. During this time, our soul is removed from our bodies and sent into Limbo, to do penance for our earthly, kindred, sins. Our time as Kindred is our penance for our mortal sins. But, more of that later. As I can see, you have healed from my flocks hideous and misguided assault upon you. Such an act is hideous, and they will have to spend a time in Torpor to redeem themselves. Your ordeal must have left you feeling empty of the lord's blessing. Let me quench your thirst,"
The Lancea Sanctum Archdeacon, along with the other vampires, begin to move about the mortals who are praying, taking members into a back room. Migue selects a elderly woman, and begins walking with her into the back room. Thomas can hear him talking to her.
"The lord does not wish for you to suffer such hardships Mrs. Wilson. Come, tell me of your plight, and the lord will ease your suffering,"
Miguel beckons Thomas to follow him. A hallway with small rooms is beyond the back doors, and Miguel sits the old lady down in one of them with two chairs, and takes a seat in front of her. She dabs at the tears coming from her eyes, and begins to speak in spanish. She seems to be pleading with Miguel, who looks saddened by her plight. He then takes her hands, and begins speaking to her, again, in Spanish. When he finishes talking, he rises as she continues to stare into the space where he was. Miguel begins to talk.
"Her grandson, Sergio, has fallen in with a bad crowd, and she now hopes that the lord will show him the light, and deliver him from evil. We shall show him the light by showing him the darkness of hell. And in so doing, we will take her tithing to the church,"
He then takes her hands in his, and takes a bit of her blood from her wrists. He then hands Thomas those same hands.
"Take the lord's offering Thomas. Drink in his blessing, and then show the kine the face of El Diablo,"
Thomas thinks back on the memory of his Torpor. Yes, hideous is the right word. More like an extended feeling of terror. Nothing I'd like to experience. And if we look like death, its no wonder that the humans have it in their legends that a stake kills a vampire. No exploding into ash though.
Following the Padre through the church, Thomas begins to feel more uncomfortable with the growing religion. The mix between old school Catholic and new school vampire does little to make him feel at home. Still, curiosity drives him forward. Thomas never knew the church, and while he possesses a very protestant last name, his parents never pushed it either.
As the priest explains the old woman's problem, he begins to think on what is happening. A bad crowd, I guess she means gangs or drugs. Does he mean to kill the man, or just scare the wits out of him? El Diablo? Wait, didnt he say Longinus? Those same crappy movies always had that guy as the one who stabbed Jesus. This is wierding me out. The urge to leave overcame Thomas. But how to get out without offending the man...
Many thanks, and I feel for her plight. I cannot, however. One of my coterie is in need of assistance, and I gotta help him. But one day soon, I will take you up on the offer, and help out one of your parishioners. It is clear you do good work.
Not sure what to do, Thomas makes an awkward show of thanks, before looking around for the door.
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Miguel nods his head.
"I understand Thomas. The call of one's Coterie is strongest when young. Go, and do what your humanity calls you to do. You are always welcome to return to Longinus's house,"
Thomas knew the way out. Miguel called after him.
"Oh, Thomas, grab T-shirt on the way out! That hole might scare someone; no breaking the masquerade now!"
Indeed, near the end of the hallway was a donations bin with a few bits of clothing, but was otherwise quite empty. There was one T-shirt laying within.
"I thought only vampires who sparkle watch sleeping females"
It takes Richard a moment to place the reference, and he just rolls his eyes in response as he helps Iranis to her feet. The only popular culture rendition of vampires that had caught his attention lately was the sci-fi/drama Children of Phonos about vampires in space, he was almost certain they had at least one vampire somewhere on the production crew.
As they step out of the cramped and blood-soaked bathroom, Richard notices the bloody trail going through the house and remembers something- "Before we do anything else we need to clean the blood off the front door. Then you can fill me in on what happened last night and we can figure out our next step..."
While Iranis changes into clean clothes and makes sure that at least the outside of the house is presentable, Richard heads into the kitchen to hide from any stray bits of sunlight that might filter in through the opened door. He finally gets Thomas's message and returns the call, the message comes in a little after 12. "The Padre's OK... you should be in good hands. There's been some trouble, call me when you can." Richard's tone is terse. He hated that Thomas had made mention of being staked and other masquerade business on a phone message, voice mail could always be hacked. Mined he reminded himself for the hundredth time, that's what they're calling it now. He would have to remember to give the young man a few tips on the etiquette of protecting his identity.
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Iranis came into the Kitchen a while later wearing a maid outfit; she was quite dirty and sweaty from scrubbing.
"This is weird. I haven't seen you up during the daylight, well, hardly ever,"
She dumped her gloves and handkerchief into a bucket and went to the cabinet to grab something to eat, trying not to show the pain she was feeling on her face. The shelves were filled with food, to help reinforce the masquerade should inquiring minds wish to investigate Richard's house. She settled on some sort of soy-based protein bar and a canned nutritional drink called Slurm.
"So. Last night..."
She looked at him and sighed.
"I'm not getting out of this, am I? Alright,"
She breathed out, looking at the window, as if it was open.
"Do you know how many Vampires there are out there? Right now? No. No you don't. Would you be shocked to hear the number is over 500?"
She waited for his response before continuing.
"When I came here in 2017, there were 50 of you. 50! Give or take, of course, because I was going off the Vatican's numbers, but still! But in the last two years, apparently, that number has jumped,"
She went to her duffle bag and pulled out a shuriken.
"A month or so ago, this showed up at my apartment. MY apartment. I practically live here. But somehow, someone tracked down my actual place of residence. Not that it was mystery...this is Taki's."
She tossed the shuriken back into her bag.
"She's a Ninja that worked with me at D7. Apparently, her place is located above one of Sasha's clubs, and about a year ago, she started noticing how many bodies were piling up around there. And so she became a hunter. And she contacted me a month ago after she saw this,"
Iranis pulls out a datapad and plays Richard a video. It shows someone drinking from a human, as a vampire does, outside in the middle of the day.
"Taki calls them 'Caitiff' after some name your kind uses to describe a vampire of an unknown clan. They can walk in the daylight, albeit it horribly, and, as you can see, they show up on camera as well. And they are awful in a fight against a trained hunter, and they dust like the movies. But there are hundreds of them. They make up over half of the city's Kindred,"
She breathed out, wincing in pain, and took a drink of her Slurm.
"Taki needed a team. I've worked with vampires before, hell, I work for you! I don't have a problem with em', but, these Caitiff, they're monsters of a new breed. And somehow, they've flown under the radar. And, I trust her instincts. So, I joined up with her and her team. But, last night, we had bad information. We've only hit places with Caitiff so far, but last night, it was a mixed club, and we didn't know. Changelings, werewolves...I almost didn't make it. This..."
She pointed to the horrible scar were last night she had been attacked.
"This came from a werewolf. If one of our members hadn't been there..."
She shudders.
"Now you know everything Richard. What are you going to do now?"
Stud muffin, eh?
Thomas picked up the shirt and threw it over his own. The padre had a point. He may have healed, but his shirt still bore the the bloodstains and ragged hole from the night before. Reaching the door, Thomas grabbed his cellphone, which thankfully had power.
He listens to Richard's voicemail, and calls him back. Got your voicemail, heading to you now.
Thomas pulls up a map of Richard's apartment, swears when he realizes he cant walk there, and goes on the lookout for a cab. Still got enough cash to at least get a taxi. Those d-bags may have staked me, but I wasnt robbed.
Thomas grabs the first taxi he finds and directs them to the older vampire's place. He gives Michael a call to let him know where he was headed, and for grins and chuckles fires off a message to Natasha. Still no answer.
"Do you know how many Vampires there are out there? Right now? No. No you don't. Would you be shocked to hear the number is over 500?""I... I would have guessed a little over 300." Richard is concerned about the number but not completely surprised. Pendros *is* quite the haven for vampires.
"Now you know everything Richard. What are you going to do now?"
Richard is quiet for a long moment as he considers her story. By hunting for the past month she had flaunted the law, and as put his own life in jeopardy if she was recognized as one of his vassals. The catiff might truly be monsters but even if that story held up before the Masked it would only take ones mistake- just one innocent's death to earn her a death sentence. A mistake like last night. The silence stretches on as he fits her story into the context of other facts and rumors that have come to his attention...
•Two years ago Thomas was embraced by someone who dropped him off at a business associated with the Maximoff's. The people there told him that they were in charge and set him to performing petty jobs like intimidation and racketeering. Around this time, Iranis's friend had noticed a general increase in the city's vampire population.
•"Bodies are piling up" around Sasha's clubs, despite her 'Monster' law. Sasha was playing up her hand with Barkovia by publicly censuring Richard, and at the same time (indirectly) sending him to poke around Maximoff territory.
•The mayoral acceptance ceremony is imminent. It is widely believed that Anneliese will attend the noontime ceremony in person, and Michael confirmed that she was not planning on using a body double.
•The malkavian has had visions of Runningwater in the daylight.
•According to 'Taki' there is a new bloodline in Pendros. Their numbers are startlingly high, and they both show up on film and can tolerate the daylight. Reportedly they disintegrate when slain.
•By Sasha and Micario's account, Nathaniel had an interest in Richard's wellbeing. He had reportedly been the Masked representative who spoke up for Richard and saw his punishment softened after the SNAFU with Barkovia.
...finally he answers her question, "I will do the same thing I always do; Gather allies, make plans- survive. I met a very interesting malkavian today, among other things he told me that he had a vision of Prince Runningwater walking in the daylight. I had assumed it was symbolism of some sort, but now... I can't act hastily. I need to dig into Sasha's involvement to find out whether she is the cause of this mess or the target of it."
Michael was pulling his clothes on, finally happy to be fully rested. He pulls on his coat as he heads out the door to his home in Underpendros, walking up and down the steps and streets, saying his greetings to shop keepers and shoppers, and makes his way into the circle, and then up to the surface by means of an elevator. He walks out through an illusionary wall and onto Main Street, where he then pulls out his cellphone, which looks like an out of place old telephone. He listened to message after message, the whole time getting more and more frantic.
"F+&* ME! That boy is sleeping here from now on! Jesus! A Stake! I'm talking to myself..."
He set off for...
"DAMNATION! Where is he now?"
He calls Thomas.
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Iranis nods, and suddenly smiles brightly
"Very good Sir! I need to continue to scrub out the entry and entryway bathroom, so please try to stay away from those! Wouldn't want you bursting into flames! Whoosh!"
The now chipper maid smiles brightly as she mimics Richard bursting into flames, and grabs her duffle bag, heading towards her room to put it and it's contents away.
Richard cracks a smile at her mimed performance, then prudently heads upstairs where there is no chance that he'll cross a stray sunbeam. He has a call to make and a bit of research to do, then he'll probably settle down for a nap until dusk. As novel as it was to be up and about at noon he felt vaguely stifled, as if he was a prisoner in the house.
At the foot of the stairs he hesitates and tries to decide whether he can procrastinate before bringing up this next bit, but decides there will never really be a 'good' time to broach the topic. "Iranis, what you saw during the spell... I... I don't..." Richard is hardly ever at a loss for words, he takes a breath and presses on, "I never tell anyone about that night. It's important to me- I need you to know that I'm not like that any more." He looks at her... pleadingly?
After saying what he had to say to Iranis and hearing her reply he heads upstairs and tries to call Sam. The woman was something of a ghost, and could be difficult to contact at times...
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Iranis smiled big at Richard as she walks out to see him.
"Aww, Sir! Listen, you've been around a long time, and you don't get to where you are today without breaking a few eggs. It's okay with me. And you don't even have to worry about the penance for the big guy,"
She gestures upwards. She clearly meant god.
"That's what the spell was! I've been practicing sin-eating with Anthony for about four years now...that was the first time I've done it...um...ever! The truth is Sir, I've done worse, and in the name of god. I know that this event was horrible for you, and it seems like it's been eating at you for some time. But know this; nothing you do can shock me, especially now,"
-------------
The phone rang and rang. Finally, the phone was answered.
"h...hello?"
It was obvious Richard had woken Sam up.
"Sam! It's Richard, I'm having a really bad day and could use some good news. Sorry to wake you, but it's getting urgent... have you managed to dig up anything yet?"
After the conversation with Sam, Richard will get some rest and prepare for his business dinner with Zack at the White Chapel Bistro.
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Richard could hear shuffling on Sam's end.
"I..."
More shuffling.
"Wait, what was I trying to find for you? Wh's this again?"
More shuffling. Another voice could be heard in the background...
"Who's that baby?"
It became evident that Sam was no longer facing her phone, as the voices got muffled.
"OH MY GOD! Did I sleep with you?! OH MY GOD! GET OUT!"
"What? Hey! Last night was great!"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! You almost got eaten! BY A WEREWOLF!!!"
"Does that mean you care?"
"GET OUT!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going, but it's not like it isn't anything I haven't seen before..."
"GET OUT MAX!"
"I'm going, I'm going...no need to be such a b+@@~..."
"GOD!"
There was the sound of a door slamming, and then more shuffling...silence...
"Holy S$$~! Richard!"
Sam's voice came back stronger. She was clearly talking into the phone again.
"Richard! I am SO sorry! Yes, I have something for you. Uh...there is regular delivery truck that leaves from the warehouse you gave me. It comes and goes from a processing plant in the industrial sector...Chemco Chemicals. Owned by some Giovanni Group? I'm sorry Richard, I've gotta go, shoot me a message if you have more questions,"
The phone line clicked as she hurriedly hung up.
He listens to Richard's voicemail, and calls him back. Got your voicemail, heading to you now.
"OK, be here by a quarter to seven. And dress nicely, I have an associate I'd like to introduce you to."
Thomas gets Richard's call first. Dress nicely? I dont suppose an ironic shirt will do? I'll be there.
He leans forward to the cab driver and directs the man to his apartment. This way, he can at least show up armed. The whole nicely dressed thing, though, would be a challenge. Michael, Thomas thought, might be able to help.
Michael, Thomas. I'm in a cab going to my place. I'm fine, although the whole ordeal was... well, it sucked. Anyway, I have a favor before some meeting we have in a few minutes. I need a dress shirt. Please, something small, and from this century. He looks at the driver, aware that the radio had been turned down at some point. I'll fill you in more when I see you.
Thomas sat back in his seat and thought about all of the crazy business from the night before.
Michael just happened to be near enough to Thomas's house that by the time Thomas got there, he could spot the young man walking towards his apartment.
"There you are my boy! Now, what's this nonsense about a nice shirt? You have all of these fantastic shops that sell them right here? Honestly, how on earth did you afford such a nice place to live? Nevermind, I'm sure I don't want to hear the answer. Love the shirt, why, I feel like I picked it out myself. Hey! Look! A men's warehouse! Let's go in!"
The Malkavian, even more chipper than the night before, was trying to calm the childer, and restore his confidence.
pushed Thomas onward ahead of him into the shop, whose door dinged a few times. A shopkeeper walked out of the backroom.
"How can I help you gentlemen this evening?"
The Malkavian smiled dastardly.
"YEAH! Yeah, you CAN help us, but WILL YOU? HUH?! I don't think you will! Well, let me tell you something buddy, my friend here is a standup guy, who NEEDS a SUIT! Are you gonna sell him one? Huh? WELL!? ARE YA!?"
"Uh..."
"Now, I think we should test these suits out for the night, right Tommy? And we'll think about them, won't we Tommy? You see, we have a wedding to go to in about a month, and we think a stroll would be just what we need to look these babies over!"
"Um..."
"I think you should leave,"
Yes. We'll be going now. Sorry for my friend's behavior.
After that little adventure, Thomas was beginning to wonder about Michael's sanity. His entire demeanor was strange. The night in the club, Thomas had thought Michael was quirky, but this was more. He was quickly wondering what he was getting himself into.
As the two walk outside, he looks at the other, nuttier vamp. Just what the hell was that? I just wanted to buy a freaking shirt. He turned towards his apartment, walking ahead of Michael, clearly angry. Thomas tried to fly under the radar, doing his best not to stick out. This clearly was not that. But that vision. So vivid and clearly pointing to the three vampires needing each other in the future. Just a week ago, Thomas would have said it was a joke. But after the last few nights... He takes a deep breath.
And my apartment is pretty much all I spend money on. That and my electronic toys. Come on, I'll change into a button down or something, and Richard can just look down his nose at me.
Thomas walks into his apartment after unlocking the three deadbolts guarding the door. The 'garden' level place is small, and clearly dated. Various television shows would have complained about outdated countertops and mismatching appliances, but Thomas had no use for them. The living room centered around a large desk dominated by three touchscreen monitors linked together. Expensive, and the purchase of his computer had left him without much cash. The door to Thomas's room was shut, and opened outward. A trail of dirt led from it and dispersed into the rest of the apartment.
Walking into the kitchen, Thomas reached into a drawer and pulled out a rather wrinkled dress shirt. Not bothering to tuck it in, he pulls it over his head, already buttoned, and turns to where Michael is standing in the doorway, mouth hanging open.
What? Its home. Lets go. And I see the wedding's in a month.
Michael seemed slightly jostled by the whole experience. If the Princess hadn't cancelled all of his credit cards, this wouldn't have even been an issue...He started talking as they walked towards a cab.
"Listen, Thomas, I'm sorry! Give a guy a break, yeah? Also, we really need to get you a Brownie! That place would be clean in no time! I used to have one, uh, before the Princess took it...but let us not worry about that! Thomas, I have only your best interest at heart! I am, generally speaking, a really nice guy. It is just that, sometimes, I make bad decisions, due to a lack of sleep. I guess my full day of rest has left me well rested...a little too well rested, it seems...but, we solider forth! Thomas, I know you've been left out of our society, and that was wrong, dead wrong. But we're not ALL bad. I'm sure Richard feels the same way as me; set you up, have you met everyone...damn it! I need to get my affairs in order, and then I'll set you up. In our world, you need to be presentable. Look about as you meet more of our kind. Groups of at least 3, somewhere upwards of 7. One or two in charge, and honestly, only one. We all do this, ever person like us. Werewolves, Changelings, those Ghostbusters...hell, even the capes! And you watch each others backs, because no one else will. For us, we call the groupings Coteries, but I've also heard the term Covens and *shudders* Broods or Bleeds,"
They pulled up in front of Richard's house. He got out and knocked on the front door.
"The truth is Thomas, those Vamps that isolate themselves, they turn into beasts. Ravagers and Reapers. Horrible beasts, they are. So, we try and keep together, to remember what makes us human. Because on the day you begin to look at her kind..."
He gestured to Iranis, who had answered the door.
"Only as food? I knock you on the head, and get you back in the game,"
Thank you, Thomas says to the retreating woman.
Thomas looked at Michael, a little ashamed of his previous outburst. Look, I'm sorry about that. I get a little carried away sometimes. Its something I've been working on for a while. I slept pretty poorly last night, and any time spent away from my apartment leaves me irritable.
He looks down, thinking of what to say next. Ah well. Lets see what the old guy says.
Michael laughed.
"I'll kindly ask you to not use that term around him; or me, for that matter. I may look only a few years older than you, but I'm actually pushing around 80. Or 90. I never was very good with math,"
"Visitors at the door Sir!"
Richard noted the time with a satisfied nod, at least these new friends of his were punctual. When he saw how they were attired he was somewhat less satisfied. His lips draw into a thin line and the silence stretches out. "Gentlemen, I am on my way to a meeting with a mortal associate. A certain level of decorum will be required... assuming I can even bribe the maitre d' to let you in looking like that." With no time to fix their clothes, Richard simply lowers his expectations a few notches and makes a mental to allow extra time before bringing them to any truly important meeting...
Yeah, about that. Thomas looks at his shoes and jeans, aware that he is underdressed for most things in life. If someone hadnt gone all... He takes a deep breath. Sorry Michael. Either way, we're here. So what's going down? Oh, and I'm fine, by the way. Stake through the heart, crazy dreams, religious zealots, no big deal.
The sarcasm from Thomas is clearly a cover for the difficulties the previous night, combined with sleeping away from home. He was going to be testy until he got a good night's sleep, it seemed.
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Michael seemed a little hurt.
"Hey, no one told me we would be going somewhere nice! I have an excellent selection of...oh, wait. Nevermind, it was all taken when I got the boot. Well, I tried procuring us some suits...but I think, instead, I may have gotten Thomas banned from his local Men's Warehouse,"
Richard deliberately takes a deep breath, then continues. "I am not unsympathetic Thomas, but the past day has been trying for me as well." He looks over their clothing again and shakes his head, "You are vampires! We own this city- there are doors open to you that you cannot even imagine... but you need to look the part! I will see to your outfits when the opportunity presents itself. For now... for now we will simply make do. Perhaps there will be a private room available."
"Now, what is 'going down' is a meeting with my lawyer. He was investigating properties owned by the Maximoffs and requested that I meet with him in person... presumably to discuss certain matters off-the-record. I will introduce you as associates and assure him of your discretion; please don't bother him with questions unless it is important. I've learned a few things since we left the Black Ale Tavern, here's what you need to know..."
As they proceed to the bistro Richard shows the video of a vampire feeding in the daylight and explains what he's learned about the 'Caitiff' and their activities.
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The Taxi stops right back where Thomas and Michael had left; Main Street. Standing near where all the Taxis dropped off their charges was Zack, reading a tablet. It showed all nearby that he was reading a copy of Business Weekly. The tall, athletic and broad shouldered Half-Chinese man was doing his best to ignore the stares coming his way; even though everyone suspected peace would be soon, there hadn't yet been an end to the North Pacific War against China, and Chinese-Americans were at the brunt end of the nation's disdain, for no good reason other than to have scape goat.
It was of note that he was wearing a very nice navy blue peacoat, white turtleneck, and slacks, instead of his usual business attire. His recent divorce and reintroduction to the bachelor's world had left him a little scruffy and wearing an unironed shirt, which only worked in his favor to make him look refined and ruggedly handsome, instead of unkempt and filthy; he still looked better groomed than Michael.
In the cab
Michael looked stunned as he watched the video again, and again. His mind was filled with shock, abject horror, and a ting of jealousy. It was only when the Johnny Cab began to descend that he found his voice.
"I don't even know what to do with this Richard! This s#%! shouldn't even exist! How can there be Vamps in daylight? On film? It just isn't...I need a drink. Like, a real drink. When we're done with everything of importance tonight, I'm going to go to wherever it is Mage's get a drink, because if I'm going to be seein' s$#! that can't be real, I'd rather it not be real,"
He kept muttering to himself afterwards, only to point at Thomas at some random interval.
"Sometime soon, we need to get him a Brownie, and someone to redo his Haven. In fact, I'd rather he come live with one of us, or get a place at the Dust Apartments. You ain't safe where you are boy. You ain't safe at all,"
It was clear that his mind was choosing not to discuss the Caitiff situation at that moment.
"Calm down Michael, for all we know it is not real. This could merely be sophisticated special effects, constructed as bait. Or perhaps it is some other supernatural creature that is not a vampire at all. Right now it simply bears investigating, lets not jump to any conclusions..." Richard lets the topic drop when Michael deliberately changes the subject.
As the cab arrives on Main Street, Richard concentrates on his body. He focuses on the feeling of his lungs expanding and wills his heart to beat until his pallid skin is slightly less pale and he feels the faint nostalgia for what it was like to be alive.
Richard steps out of the taxi and greets his retainer, "Zack! It's so good to see you again! I hope you're hungry, we have a lot to discuss..."
Michael exited on the other side of the taxi, gesturing for Thomas to follow him that way. He looked around main street, thinking.
"Alright, let's track down this missing childe of ours. Yours. Whatever. How do you want to proceed?"
He looked to Thomas.
S---!
Richard isn't sure what is going on, but he generally trusts Zach's judgement and decides to err on the side of caution and beat a path to the nearest elesium.
Oh, they are doing as well as can be expected. Millie is having a bit of trouble getting used to those European accents and David's still trudging through his graduate program. Come on, we'll catch up over appetizers- I'm starving!"
Richard strolls up to the maitre d' to confirm his reservations, and slips the man a discreet (and generous) tip while mumbling at him "Play along, I'll make it worth your while!"
You miserable pissant! I will have you begging in the street!" Richard is a force of nature. He continues his performance in this vein for quite some time, unleashing his limited selection of french invectives and revelling in the attention. The blood sings through him. Once he's put on what he judges to be enough of a show, he finishes- "I will be back in one hour and the best seat in the house had better be ready for me!"
He storms off, "I'm terribly sorry about that, Zack, perhaps a walk in the park will calm my nerves after that fiasco!"
Thomas looked at the odd vampire. No idea. She was supposed to meet us, but havent heard a word from her. Nothing on the internet. She seemed like the kind of person who could take care of herself, though.
He looked down at his shoes. Maybe Richard is the person to ask, I dunno. I dont have the connections.
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It is not clear if the Maître d' seems shocked at Richard's outburst our the amount of money he just received, but either way, Richard's ploy works as he storms out, Zack moments behind him. As they walk outside, Zack keeps up with the Kindred's pace.
"Richard, we have to make our way to the Fountain, now! Together, we've pissed off all the wrong people. The Maximoff's sent two torpedoes after me! I have an...associate who offered to help me with them, but we've got to move!"
Richard knew the fountain was at the center of the Northern section of the park, and was concealed from view by hundreds of Pine trees. The Circle of the Crone met there weekly, with their cult of pot-head followers, but Richard was pretty positive such was not the case tonight.
Michael begins walking to Thomas's house. He seems irked.
"Let me see if I can summon up a vision...*sigh* I so did like sleeping..."
Once inside, (assuming Thomas allows him in) Michael, after muttering something about needing a brownie, sits down, crosses his legs...
For a moment, Michael seems bored. He suddenly straightens as his eyes go black and become filled with the beast.
"I see your friend...I see a house, and around the house are switch blades dancing, and your friend begins dancing with them, although she seems angry, and then is she a judge's gavel suddenly slam down onto the switchblade, and it stops dancing, but then the gavel's handle is broken by the switchblades, and your friend, your friend breaks all the blades, putting them one by one in her pocket, and when the goes to look at the broken gavel, and is not broken, and it bashes down into her, except it is no longer a gavel, it is the sun, and she burns and burns and burns..."
Michael shakes his head, and cries out in anger.
"AAAH! Thomas! We are dining with mages tonight, and getting f&!#ed up! Your friend is dead,"
Richard stays alert as they make their way to the fountain. The tradition of Elysium was a strong one and it was unlikely that a vampire or their agents would attack them here, but it never paid to be careless.
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Zack moved swiftly through the trees, and when he broke through, he breathed a sigh of relief. He pointed ahead to the fountain as he caught his breath.
"Meet our protector Richard. Whisper, an Infused who has taken up the Cape trade,"
Sitting on top of the fountain's head, twenty feet up, was a woman with orange and blond hair, wearing a domino mask and dark purple tights with bellbottoms and similarly shaped sleeves. She jumped down and walked over to them.
"Hawkins. Lost your breath have you? I hope you also lost your followers. I had a nasty run in with some thugs the other night, and had to put down a fresh blood for my troubles. I don't want to have to keep dusting parasites Zack, so let us get on with this,"
Zack shot the Cape a nasty look.
"Would you at least address the Man?!"
She huffed.
"Fine. Nice to meet you parasite. How many people have YOU killed?"
Zack uncharacteristically got angry.
"HEY! He brought me this, okay? You wanna take down the Triad!? You've got to make friends! I've NEVER known Richard to harm a fly!"
Whisper looked Richard up and down.
"Alright Rich, sounds like Zack trusts you enough,"
She beckons them to follow her to the fountain. As they walk, Zack looks to Richard.
"I'm sorry Rich. I've known for years now; you . It was just easier to...ignore it,"
Whisper waved a hand over the water, and it shimmered until it showed them an image. It was of a woman. Richard knew her.
"This is Zoe Maximoff, the Leader of the Triad, at least, Pendros's division. The Triad is an organized crime syndicate that originated hundreds of years ago in China,"
She waved a hand over the fountain, and the image shimmered out, and was replaced by one of a truck; it was no longer an image, but something of a vision.
"I followed the shipment truck from Smiley's to a processing plant. But inside, what I saw..."
The fountain then shows the truck unloading humans in a comatose state, their bellies distended, their veins exposed and bloated. The are moved from their holding cells and placed together in a ritual circle. Standing in the center of the circle walks a humanoid, his head shaped like a cone, his body slender beyond compare, and angled in ways that couldn't be possible. He then begins to touch each human's arm, and as he does so, they begin to link together, as if their skin were made of clay. He continues to do this until their bodies are all merged together.
And then he wakes them up with a smile on his lips. The screams of each human are horrid, and the image goes away, but the screams continue. You hear Whisper's voice urging her to continue to look onward, and when the image reappears, the humans are barely recognizable, but the sounds of their screams never change. Finally, the man starts chanting in a language Richard doesn't know, and the humans begin to melt into blood. As he chants, he distributes a white powder into the bloody mess, and it greedily eats it up, screaming all the while. The man then points at different humans in the room, all of them asleep and strapped in, and the bloody goo flies into their mouths; the screams finally stop. Suddenly, the image goes blurry and then stop all together.
"I was spotted by one of their sentries; an monstrous creature I didn't look at long enough to imprint his image into my head. I don't know what that was I saw Richard, but I thought a Parasite might be able to tell me,"