Deathknell Chronicles IC, Chapter 1: Eyes Open

[daelrog]

Danielle

"Oh? Done talking to mother already? It's a simple order of business really. Al sent a page to Jean about what she knew about you. What you looked like, your name. Cross referenced it with Billy's high school and found a match. Had one of the harpies, those pleasant little hyenas back at the party, make the call. Don't get me wrong, wasn't like she probably did a good impersonation of you, just good enough the dear old mommy did the rest with her imagination. You see, when all you have is a distorted voice, makes it really easy to believe what you want."

He moves his weight off the door, and stands up. "So, don't want to go back home tonight? Guess that means you'll be staying with us then."

Rick

Chase shook her head. "I told you, Rick. I don't want to be kindred. Sure, there's some adantages to it, but it's not what I want." Rick could see it was a bit personal for Chase to talk about. She changed the subject. "I can see both Trent and Henry are about to leave. You can stay as long as you like, well, at least until an hour before sundown."

Amy

Mike didn't catch her hint at wanting company. "That's fine if you want. Think we'll just sit back and watch."

Erica

Hayden offered Erica a brief smile, and Kirsch a slight nod. Their conversation changed immediately. "Tell me Hayden, how long has it been since a new song has inspired, truely inspired." It was then Erica realized that it was not what Josef was asking. He was speaking in code, his eyes did not match his words. Though what we the real question she did not know.

"Four. And you Josef?"

"Three."

"I see. I wonder what song it was." She turned to Erica. "It was a pleasure seeing you introduced, Erica Lee." She nodded and departed from them.

Josef looked at Erica, a slight hint of pride in his eyes. "This night is beginning to grow tiresome, do you wish to retire. For tonight, you'll stay in the living quarters in the building. Tomorrow we can discuss a potential new residence for you."

[Soras Teva Gee]

Wandering about the room it seemed Claire had missed her chance to engage in any of the conversations. That would teach her to be indecisive, her father used to say chase two rabbits and both would escape you. Not that she ever thought he'd ever chased a rabbit, for that matter she knew it wasn't true for her papa's own line of work. Not that it mattered too much

At least she hadn't made a fool of herself though like some here. You had to open your mouth to put a foot in it. And wandering about should at least put off anyone thinking she was keeping to herself. Still Claire found herself standing close to Josef and Erica just as it seemed they were wrapping things up. Well finding out more about Kirsch would have to wait it seemed.

[Dark Seeker]

Rick

Seeing it was a testy subject, he backs off. "Forgive me. I just assumed... never mind."

"I think I'll leave with the rest of the clan. I want to learn a little more about how all of this works. Besides, I have to start ingratiating myself early, right?" He replies with a smile, intent on lightening the mood.

[Strawberries]

Amy

Amy chuckles without much humor. "It's not that I want to, believe me". She just thinks it's probably for the best "Alright, then. Uhm... please don't leave without me?" She still has plenty of questions to ask. She just doesn't think this is the right time.

She looks for a moment around the room, uncertain, then she approaches Nick and the woman he's talking to. Mike had said she is one of the ghouls. Amy must admit she's a bit curious. "Good evening", she says, trying for a polite smile. Hard to do, with the conformation her jaw has now and all the fangs she wound up having, but she hopes she's still able to convey 'friendlyness' well enough.

[Thundercracker]

Erica
She returned the smile just as briefly then turned to Josef.

"Yes, I'm ready to go," Erica replied, "I guess the hotel room won't be a good place to spend the day..."

"Do we need to collect Melanie and Faruq?" she asked, a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Keep it together, write down your questions so you don't forget. Ask him later when you can actually think straight.

She dipped a hand into her purse and fingered the day planner there, its familiar ridges at least temporarily comforting.

[dancrilis]

Danielle

She looked him flat in the eyes, which one made the call, the thought in her head left unspoken ... what had happened after all was what she wanted to happen to protect her mother ... but this felt wrong.

"I should have lied about my name" she stated looking at him, she nodded her head in a slight amount of thanks, "thank you for letting me know", Al on the other hand had not let her know despite knowing that she would be contacting her mother ... or maybe she had not known ... or this creature was lying ... or ... her thought turned into a scream of rage, this was infuriating.

Trust no one.

She flexed a few times to release some tension, and walked over to the man looking at him the whole time "Danielle, which you presumable knew, apologies I am not great with names and despite yours being mentioned I have not remembered it" she extended her hand, "but it is nice to meet you Mr ... ", she left the invitation for him to introduce himself.

[daelrog]

Rick and Amy

Chase nodded to Rick's decision to leave soon. Amy approached before anything more could be said on the matter. "Good evening." Chase gave a proper greeting back. It was one of the more pleasant reactions Amy had received tonight, though the the woman was acting a bit too cordial. Clearly being a ghoul put one below a kindred.

Erica and Claire

"I think not." Josef thought through the question. "Melanie will no doubt find her way to her own house, and Byron will ensure that Faruq isn't wandering the streets when the sun comes up. Let us be off then. No doubt you have many questions. Save them. You have enough to think through tonight, and I will be at your disposal tomorrow. Does that give you the gossip you want Matthew?"

His voice raised with the last sentence. The male harpy, the handsome one, chuckled. "Oh Sir Josef, you say it as if I was trying to hide my intent. Yes, the kindred community will all know that Miss Erica Lee will get a proper, and wise mentoring." The Toreador excused himself to move where Sean was still pestering Harry.

Josef and Erica headed for the door.

Danielle

"Flat Face." His hand was rough and calloused. "And I've been asked to show you the ropes. You know, make sure you don't get yourself killed or accidently show the world what you really are. So since you don't want to say with the family, looks like you got your choice between the Noseratu Flats, or whatever random storage shed we find on the way."

[Dark Seeker]

Rick

"Good eve...ning." Rick's voice falls a little as he turns to greet Amy, but he recovers quickly.

Not like she can help it.

"Amy, right? Hell of a night, eh?"

[Strawberries]

Amy

Amy chuckles. She is not bothered by Rick's reaction. Hell, she would have flinched, if she caught sight of herself in the mirror. "You can say that again. And yes, it's Amy." She smiles to the ghoul in front of her. "I don't think I've been told your name. It's nice to meet you, Miss...?"

She assesses Rick with a gaze "So, you weren't out for a romantic date, tonight, I take it? I wonder why all of us now, and all togheter. It doesn't seem like it's a common thing."

[dancrilis]

Danielle

Not thinking fully clearly she did not grab the pun and heard what sounded more familiar as a name "Falk Face" she shook his hand and nodded trying to commit the name to the face, falcon for the first name and from a stone-maker decent, was that right?, "it might be weakness on my part, but I don't believe I could face my mother like this yet", he likely would regard it as weakness but she didn't care, "I have my own money so I would think getting an apartment might make the most sense if I can find one quickly tonight. Get a full fresh start and control of my own life rather then relying on ... " she was going to say you but that could be taken wrongly "anyone".

"I would also like to discuss with this harpy to ensure that my story is straight the next time I speak to my mother, I would not want any accidents to happen", it still felt wrong, but she had to do this to make sure mistakes did not happen.

Moving to leave the room she muttered very lowly under her breath "and then I want to get lost in something mindless for a few hours", her thoughts on violence, she could almost hear her teachers it solves nothing, her answer in her mind it makes me feel better but then this night was not shaping up in her favour.

[Dark Seeker]

Rick

"I saw something I wasn't supposed to. I was offered the choice of being murdered and eaten or becoming a vampire. I chose the latter."

He considers Amy words. "That's what I'm thinking. I was under the impression the embrace is given very rarely. Yet it was given to the six of us in one night. That's a rather large coincidence." The thought troubles him. In any case, this was a good time to make a contact. He hands her one of his business cards.

"I'm a private investigator. Or was. Not sure what I am now. Anything you'd like to talk about outside your clan, give me a ring."

[Strawberries]

Amy

Well, at least someone was given that choice, iIs Amy first thought. It’s more or less the same choice she had asked for, but apparently in her case, there were political consideration that prevented it. Shut up, you would have chosen the same as he has. True enough, and Amy is not the kind to hold grudges over the principle of the thing.

She accepts the card with a nod, examining it briefly before stuffing it in the top pocket of her jacket. Private investigator; that’s a job she would have liked, two hours ago and in another life. Were I still alive, I would have phoned and asked him for a job. it would have been just the kind of opportunity she had always dreamt of. Well, so much for that, now. Talk about bad timing. “I’ ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Rick” she says with a smile, holding out her hand for an handshake. “And, uhm… likewise.” Even if she doesn’t have a card to give. Maybe she should get one. Amy Everett, horrid thing from your worst nightmare and computer consultant, that is a title that catches the eye, she thinks with a snigger.

[Thundercracker]

Erica
Erica nodded.

She felt a great weight lift from her shoulders, she'd done it.

"I need to stop by the hotel first, pick up my bags and check out," she said, "it's just around the corner from the office, shouldn't take more than fifteen or twenty minutes."

What have I done?

[Soras Teva Gee]

Claire was just close enough to overhear Erica and casually changed course. The two were were leaving, well another time then. She should have a long time to sate her curiosity anyways. Still she should at least make some kind of social contact tonight. Unless Rogan was done, but Claire suspected he'd collect her when he was done and wouldn't care for some antsy child agitating for him to leave.

Claire continued a casual walk around the room to where Amy and Rick were speaking.

[Worlok]

Lack of speech begets silence. Silence has a way of aiding concentration. Concentration, in turn, helps with everything, but managing thoughts, plans, and memories in particular. At the rate with which Faruq grew aware of just how insanely lucky he'd gotten on this, the worst day of his life, he likewise found more and more reason to feel confident, invincible, even, and a wellspring of realisations and theories opened up, much like it had been since he had awoken.

The image of a cape-wearing, camel-riding Faruq al-Assad charging into a crowd of Kindred, burning and slicing them up left and right, dispersed as he grew aware of his position, and forced himself to ease into the scene. Still, the conundrum of despising Melanie, yet likewise finding himself unreasonably obsessed with, interested in her, lingered on, as did the sheer perceived injustice of it all.

At any rate, the Afghan-blooded Scot felt just about ready to start again, and seeing how they'd wanted him to contact Flockton and Uncle 'mad, they would, in time, show him the ropes of regrowing his tongue. They would have to show him a lot of things, ultimately, and seeing how he was to have a use to them, they could certainly not deny him that.

He wasn't in control, and he could hardly win forever. But for now, everything was under control, and he'd shown them the losses to be had in messing with him. It was unlikely that he'd come off that fact for some time, but while he was here, and as long as they had him silenced, he could enjoy the fact, listen in on conversations and add snarky comments to his heart's content, sip his drink, have the servants run, and enjoy the fact that he'd probably scared them enough to not only make Flat Face cut him up, but also to have types like Byron watching him.

Gesturing to the man, and giving him sly winks as if they shared a secret noone else could know, he made a point of mingling with the crowd, gesturing in his silence, and generally behave in all the ways a mute guy at a black-tie event could behave without drawing undue negative attention. Faruq al-Assad would enjoy what little there still was to be enjoyed, for he was the lion and conqueror.

I can do sign language, or whatever it is I'm doing here. Maybe if I could also do German and French, the old guys would show the respect I deserve.

I can not just run from here, nor do I have much of a place to go to, but I can find out more about this one, and where it is, and what to do with it.

I can not just give the D to dis chicas, like, one was called Danielle? But I can obviously get in good with the others, and then with them, and I can make them like hella attached to me. Politics, like, I can win at this. Even if...

Even if...

I can not exactly talk to folks right now, but my thoughts are still likely read, and if that works one way, it might work in others. I gotta learn me some mind-control. I gotta learn me some thought-reading. And in the mean, I'll pay attention to things.

You have my sword for now, and my fire. Mind that -I- still have fire and sword. I just use them while working for you. It is my choice to interact with you, not yours. It is my choice to uphold the rules.

All of that and more was what his expression said, and his plan amounted to, even though his thoughts were, for the moment, all firmly grounded in here and now. Why all of this didn't devastate him was an issue, or would have been had he cared enough - But he was tougher now, being undead, and that meant that he could deal with things, so the others, they would have to deal with that, for all he cared.

But now, to take stock once again: The doorfaced goblin had left, as had Donovan. Kirsch and Erica were about to leave. That one chick was standing near them, and the fat failure was talking with the half-pint - I just knew he'd be, if ye catch mah drift? - while servants served, socialites socialised and the vampires... vampired, he guessed.

Burn: You's vamp-high, I'm vamp-higher! Well? Well? Nah, alright, terrible, I admit. Gotta talk with Isaac over this, he'll set me up with some better ones. Gesturing and talking soundlessly, showing the ruin of his tongue all over and enjoying that it would most definitely creep people out, he had conspired to make as much of his disability as possible. In the end, the one that was silenced for speaking truth to power could in general get much more of his martyr action on. Like, Jenny of Or-ly-long 'n' crap. For botherin' with the French, be burned on dis vam-pyre. Works for me. Why am I so relaxed? I should be wussing out. That was horror, like. But I ain't, and I'm more like definitely in the zone right now.

That he was: With Rick and the goblin-girl standing aside and talking, and the one girl - Claire, if he recalled correctly - pacing all about the room, he, himself, graciously and efficiently trolled the gathering with his gestures and imitation, and his utterly wordless derision, like a vengeful god of failed communication. He would still, eventually, have to leave however, and thus made to follow Josef and Erica, seeing how those would know best where to go, and his own sire was so incompetent. I should really stop thinking that way about her. Thinking of her at all. What the hell? Why is she important? She isn't. Not to me. I told them that, I showed them that, I am superior, I am Faruq al-Asssad, I have won.

And much as if stubbornness was a virtue, he trudged on ahead behind his erstwhile angel, dwelling on the possibilities of these here Kindred having gossips of a sort, and trying to tune out that he had not, so far, been personally adressed by anyone to his knowledge - If, after all, someone did not want to talk to Faruq al-Assad, who had fought beyond the loss of his tongue and his manifold victories and his enemies' trickery and their vile weakness too, it was their loss, not his...

Until Danielle came in, the one he had spoken up for, after all, looking like she could need some way to relax, and in the company of the flat-faced one. Unsure as to what to do, and overhearing the term "harpy" (Those there gossips of a sort, gotta remember that.), he hesitated, glancing at her expectantly. Still though. One drawback of not being able to talk? No chance to pick up girls. Smart move there, goblins, real smart. Eventually, someone'd pay for that. He did not think this as such. But it seemed quite apparent.

[Dark Seeker]

Rick

Seeing Claire approach, Rick waves her over. He's eager to make as many contacts as he can.

If she approaches, he'll greet her. "Claire right? Amy and I were just talking about the oddity of the six of us being chosen on the same day. Seems most unusual, don't you think?."

[Soras Teva Gee]

"Yes I'm Claire Russo, sorry I didn't really introduce myself back in the room," Claire said to Rick and Amy as she approached. "And I haven't given that matter any thought but saying it does seem odd."

It seems this Rick had something of intelligence too. Then again he had been one of the ones to keep his mouth shut during the ceremonies, so at least he had that going for him. Unlike his current dance partner though she'd was far from the worst, Claire could guess that before tonight Amy had looked normal. It seemed to some kind of clan trait going by the company in the room. Hard luck on her then. Claire silently counted her blessings on at least this small account. She rather enjoyed her looks and knew she at least broke average. Kind of a shame these clothes didn't showcase much come to think of it. Or fit well, they must have shrunk in her wet, or maybe something had changed in her measurements.

Putting that aside though Claire considered Rick's point. For the numbers of vampires present, six at a time was definitely too high to be considered normal. Even five was too large, Erica and the idiot could as a pair could pass especially if she had followed thing right and their faction had suffered losses recently. Her own case and the rest made sense in isolation. Together though... interesting.

"Hmm, except what connects the dots then?" Claire said crossing her arms and tapping the fingers of her right hand in irritation. "My own case is a private... bargain... of sorts. I won't bother you with the details, but the circumstances of it though shouldn't allow any connection to anyone else."

That wasn't quite true, there was still the matter of Sean Loveless. But poor Gary had only found the two odd accounts. Even more tellingly Loveless hadn't shown any interest in her all evening, at least that Claire had seen, that suggested he didn't know or at least did not care. Still she wasn't going to share what had led her here in any detail. She didn't like to kiss and tell anyways.

"I don't question the oddity... but to what end?"

[Dark Seeker]

Rick

"A pleasure to meet you. Name's Rick Valentino." He offers his hand to shake, finding Claire considerably less repulsive.

"The way it was explained to me, I was already number four in the list of prospective candidates to be embraced. So apparently my clan at least was planning to pick someone new soon. Maybe your clans were similar. Something about you impressed the higher ups, and you were both embraced."

He thinks hard on Claire's words. "What end indeed. Perhaps this is a yearly or biannual event, where embraces are allowed one day of the year. Explains our current predicament. I'll have to look into it more. I'll let you both know if I find anything interesting about the timing. Something does seem fishy. In the mean time, my card." he offers Claire his contact information as well.

[Soras Teva Gee]

Rick's idea made sense, but something about it said that was almost too easy an explanation. Her high school science teacher had liked to go on about Occam and his razor, but coding and debugging had taught Claire that when it came to real work that old yarn wasn't sharp enough to shave your legs with. Oh it could be true, but the real problems and mysteries were never so simply resolved.

"Hmm, its silly but looking at this makes me a little mad," Claire said holding Rick's card, "I'd hoped to have some of these with Doctor Russo on them one day. Maybe runs go into business for myself with 'em even. That would be some trick to pull of now."

Though come to think of it this late in the game she only really had one hurdle left to clear. If she could still arrange defending her thesis she could always have them mail her the diploma. Assuming this whole vampire business left her with time to finish debugging the practical demonstration and polishing off the paper end. Maybe just maybe she wouldn't have to abandon years of effort after all.

[Strawberries]

"Amy Everett. And I agree, Claire." Amy remembers the words Mike used well enough: 'Word is you're not the only one who's being embraced tonight'. He didn't know either, so it's unlikely that Rich's theory is the right one "As for me, it looks like this...thing was planned but, uh, it wasn't mean to happen tonight." Or maybe it was. Flat face did say he had orders about her, after all. Whatever he meant by that.

[daelrog]

Spoiler

Show

Worlok: Could you pick a group for Faruq to interact with? The problem is, the reactions would be quite varied depening who he goes to. No physical violence though, promise, it's Elyisum now.

Oh, and right now Danielle is in another room, so he can't see her.

Danielle

Flat Face shook his head. "Not tonight, girl. You have the two choices I'm giving you. Or the sun, but that would make everything as pointless as your knight in shining armor said it was." He yawned, bored. "You can get your own place first thing tomorrow night. Now unless you want to chat and pretend the trial made you accepted, by all means. Else, I want to get back."

Amy, Claire, Rick

Chase gave her name to Amy when she asked, but just the first name. The ghouls listened to them chatter. It was Chase again who answered. "No, some cities have policies like that, but not this one. Kindred are a superstitious lot, and a lot of people are nervous about tonight. Sure, there were five kindred who had earned the right to sire, or sire again, but only Erica and Faruq were supposed to be tonight."

Erica

When Erica and Josef stepped outside, he departed from her. "Instruct the driver on how to get to you hotel room. I will be waiting for you first thing in the evening tomorrow." He took the first car, a Bentley, moving into the passenger seat. The car sped away, leaving Erica alone to instruct the driver, and arrange herself for the final two hours of the night.

The clouds had parted and it was a starry night.

[Thundercracker]

Erica
Erica sat neatly in the rear seat of the unnecessarily air conditioned car and closed the door behind her.

"Embassy Suites, corner of Market and Cross," she said, reflexively buckling her seat belt.

They hadn't gone more than a block or two before she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Shoulders shook uncontrollably as she wept to herself. Almost a minute passed before she realized there were no tears. She turned on the overhead light and checked her reflection, fixing her hair and doing her best to unsmudge makeup before they arrived.

"I'll be right back," she said to the driver, then slammed the door and strode confidently through the revolving door.

She almost felt half-normal again as she kicked off her heels upon entered the room. She changed quickly and collected her things. The bag quickly filled. Makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, change of clothes... packing was almost second nature to her, but she stopped at the birth control pills.

Erica stood for a full minute, halfway between dresser and suitcase, simply looking at the innocuous item and everything it represented grasped weakly in her hand. Then, shoulders slumped, she dropped the pills into her bag and opened the planner, writing down yet another question, this one for Melanie, though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

While going through her normal pre-checkout sweep of the hotel room, she suddenly recalled the traditions she'd sworn to uphold. The young woman ripped open her planner again and scanned the words, shaking her head. This would not do. Recalling her college gaming days, she scribbled notes that only a D&D geek might recognize, including words like magic-user, THAC0, HPS, DM, and tossing in Shadows and Wraiths and Vampires for good measure. Now anyone reading her planner would think she was simply planning a setting, purely a work of creative fiction, just like the history of Western influence in Asia.

Twenty-five minutes after entering the hotel, Erica, now wearing jeans, a denim jacket and converse sneakers, dropped her travel bag next to her in the back seat of the company car and instructed the driver to take her back to Weinmann and Kirsch.

Spoiler

Show

So do vampires cry tears, blood, or not at all?

[Thundercracker]

Erica
Erica sat neatly in the rear seat of the unnecessarily air conditioned car and closed the door behind her.

"Embassy Suites, corner of Market and Cross," she said, reflexively buckling her seat belt.

They hadn't gone more than a block or two before she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Shoulders shook uncontrollably as she wept to herself. Almost a minute passed before she realized there were no tears. She turned on the overhead light and checked her reflection, fixing her hair and doing her best to unsmudge makeup before they arrived.

"I'll be right back," she said to the driver, then slammed the door and strode confidently through the revolving door.

She almost felt half-normal again as she kicked off her heels upon entered the room. She changed quickly and collected her things. The bag quickly filled. Makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, change of clothes... packing was almost second nature to her, but she stopped at the birth control pills.

Erica stood for a full minute, halfway between dresser and suitcase, simply looking at the innocuous item and everything it represented grasped weakly in her hand. Then, shoulders slumped, she dropped the pills into her bag and opened the planner, writing down yet another question, this one for Melanie, though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

While going through her normal pre-checkout sweep of the hotel room, she suddenly recalled the traditions she'd sworn to uphold. The young woman ripped open her planner again and scanned the words, shaking her head. This would not do. Recalling her college gaming days, she scribbled notes that only a D&D geek might recognize, including words like magic-user, THAC0, HPS, DM, and tossing in Shadows and Wraiths and Vampires for good measure. Now anyone reading her planner would think she was simply planning a setting, purely a work of creative fiction, just like the history of Western influence in Asia.

Twenty-five minutes after entering the hotel, Erica, now wearing jeans, a denim jacket and converse sneakers, dropped her travel bag next to her in the back seat of the company car and instructed the driver to take her back to Weinmann and Kirsch.

Spoiler

Show

So do vampires cry tears, blood, or not at all?

[Thundercracker]

Erica
Erica sat neatly in the rear seat of the unnecessarily air conditioned car and closed the door behind her.

"Embassy Suites, corner of Market and Cross," she said, reflexively buckling her seat belt.

They hadn't gone more than a block or two before she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Shoulders shook uncontrollably as she wept to herself. Almost a minute passed before she realized there were no tears. She turned on the overhead light and checked her reflection, fixing her hair and doing her best to unsmudge makeup before they arrived.

"I'll be right back," she said to the driver, then slammed the door and strode confidently through the revolving door.

She almost felt half-normal again as she kicked off her heels upon entered the room. She changed quickly and collected her things. The bag quickly filled. Makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, change of clothes... packing was almost second nature to her, but she stopped at the birth control pills.

Erica stood for a full minute, halfway between dresser and suitcase, simply looking at the innocuous item and everything it represented grasped weakly in her hand. Then, shoulders slumped, she dropped the pills into her bag and opened the planner, writing down yet another question, this one for Melanie, though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

While going through her normal pre-checkout sweep of the hotel room, she suddenly recalled the traditions she'd sworn to uphold. The young woman ripped open her planner again and scanned the words, shaking her head. This would not do. Recalling her college gaming days, she scribbled notes that only a D&D geek might recognize, including words like magic-user, THAC0, HPS, DM, and tossing in Shadows and Wraiths and Vampires for good measure. Now anyone reading her planner would think she was simply planning a setting, purely a work of creative fiction, just like the history of Western influence in Asia.

Twenty-five minutes after entering the hotel, Erica, now wearing jeans, a denim jacket and converse sneakers, dropped her travel bag next to her in the back seat of the company car and instructed the driver to take her back to Weinmann and Kirsch.

Spoiler

Show

So do vampires cry tears, blood, or not at all?

[dancrilis]

Danielle

She looked at the man for a while, taking in his misshapen features, she was slightly confused "What knight in shining armour?", the Jackal, Al and Iris and what was it Trent?, both groups had seemed to have initially saved her but neither had really mentioned anything about something being pointless ... surely Flak was not talking about the man that interrupted the trial for no obvious purpose?

"Fine I will take the flats then so", might as well she figured it might make it handier for starting tomorrow night.

"But in the interests of maintaining this masquerade I need to speak to the harpy", considering her next words carefully, "if my mother worries about me she could get PI's and the police involved, tracing numbers tonight might make things difficult ... and all that can be avoided by simply making me aware of the conversation" ... and would have been better taken care of if she had the info on the call earlier.

"I would also like to keep my word to the prince and see about closure for the families of the dead in there, and Billy's other victims" turning to leave the room again.

[daelrog]

Danielle

The Nosferatu brusier chuckled. "All right, you can meet Purity. on't bother with Billy's old connections. It's dealt with. The kid was a loser and those around him paid the price."

He led Danielle back, leading her to the harpy with the short, man's cut hair. "Purity, this girl thinks you can't do your job. Wants to give you tips or something."

"Oh?" The woman looked amused and turned to Danielle.

[Soras Teva Gee]

Amy, Claire, Rick

"Amy, a pleasure to meet you as well," Claire doing her best not to stumble with the words, at least Amy seemed to lack the Prince's smell. There were more then enough of the uglies around to make being polite a necessity, not the least Jean de Orlock up there. Besides it really wasn't fair to judge a book by its cover. Only this cover was particularly bad. Then again she already knew the contents too because she'd already become the same story. If anything the uglies might be more honest.

When Chase spoke up she turned too look at the woman, something about her said she went with the Servants. The still living ones anyways, like Victor with Rogan. And Charlie, damn there she went again. Putting that thought aside Claire decided to mine some info out of Chase.

"Sire again you say, would that be Rogan or Josef Kirsch or both?" Claire said making a quick assumption based on evident status. "Either so the three of us were more spontaneous then I guess. And with the specific timing, that's still a little too heavy for coincidence. I think a bit of superstition might be wise, my parents raised me to put stock in science... but I've seen things tonight that prove rather scientifically science is wrong."

[daelrog]

Rick, Amy, Claire

Chase smiled. "A sire is the one who created you, sort of like a parent in death. Every kindred was created by another for time immorial, supposedly Biblical Caine being the first. Any kindred can sire unless their blood is too weak. That's what they kept saying about Danielle, she's of the 14th generation. That means that the curse of Caine has been passed that many times. Kindred are generally as powerful as how old they are, and what generation. Of course, that's just raw strength. Doesn't take into account politics and creativity though the old ones usually have an advantage in those as well."

[Soras Teva Gee]

Claire gave the woman bemused look and smirked.

"Thank you but I'd picked that up by you using the word as a verb first. My degree work may be in computer science but I did take a few English courses. I was asking you which of the Primogen, that was the word used yes, had done this before."

The rest though interested her. Really Caine, like Caine and Abel first murder and all that? Chase was apparently quite serious though. She was prepared to question science's basic assumptions, but that didn't mean she was about to leap into literal creationism either. The explanation had to account for both. Still if vampires didn't age... it might be possible to verify that story.

"Now the rest, Caine and all that. How much of that is verifiable as fact?"

[Dark Seeker]

Huh. Looks like I should have stayed active in the Church. Hope it's not too late now.

Rick glances at the other two. " Seems the first thing we should do is figure out our generation. Might help to tell us just where on the totem pole we stand. Well, we're all clearly at the bottom now. But see where we'd end up after we earn some respect."

He observes Chase, awaiting her response to Claire's query.