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(https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/83732444_10163074882630224_8091016081201692672_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_eui2=AeG0sgIuqQQxtoRq0t27T0iv_abn8vRn3pxLRE_NIGGe4OGoOyzOSPLG5f0oBAPd5Bozl0eTNOe1_6u9mWjUV_LihW5pIHqY8J-uPm_E6YkTEw&_nc_ohc=LcGEnLc7mXEAX_S4sW6&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&oh=da45ccabe1c6ffde383f0079794c5289&oe=5ED5099E)
It has been a few months since the attack on Hamilton, The kindred of the city have been busy preparing for war and defending their territory from mini raids. They beefed up their defences made some new friends and allies and have decided that enough is enough they want the war to end and are planning on taking things to the Sabbat in Toronto on some unspecified date.
A traitor walks amongst them but who is it and how have they managed to go undetected. The elders are playing their cards close to their chests. The Prince has encouraged the Brujah Leader to double down on training any volunteers for the task of retribution.
The trip into Toronto is likely going to be one way for may a Kindred especially if there is a spy a foot.
During the raids and after Fia's trial there was a soft migration of Kindred from the city. Many felt shaken the loss of so many other kindred some even friend, left them to pack up and seek safer places to relocate. Those that stayed trained with a new found fire in their bellies as they hungered for revenge.
The Prince was busy making backroom deals and adding his own touches to help protect the city during the day. The amount of ghouls that the city had suddenly tripled over night as security specialists and contractor types were pulled into the shadowy embrace and influence of several clan leaders.
The young vampires are being told on a need to basis from their clan leaders what is to be done and how to do it, though a large portion have signed up to serve under Donna to either be scourge teams to patrol and protect the city via the help of ghoul quads or with the hopes and chance that maybe Donna will pick them when the time comes to go to toronto to exact revenge. It is a challenging time to be a Kindred in Hamilton who do you trust, who do you lean on, and who has you in their cross hairs? Only time will tell.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:30pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Donna & Scourge crew trainees
The night was cool and crisp the scent of autumn was in the air, the scent of dried leaves and crisp evenings where frost would kiss the grass every now and then during the evenings. It was a mother natures way of letting them know that winter would soon be coming, the leaves still clung to the trees but Hamilton had broken out into a splendiferous display of colors as October progressed the entire escarpment was a awash in yellows, reds, oranges and tans. The city smelled cleaner and the nights had grown longer. The sun had set at 6:13pm that night giving everyone more time get out there and put in a few hours of training. There was a very gentle breeze that evening and the night sky was clear, it was 10c outside so it wasnt so cold you had to worry about mortals not seeing your breath out in the night air. Tonights training didn't need to worry about such things since Fia had offered her backyard for training she had a house on the outskirts of the city off rymal road that backed out onto a track of rolling farm land and several stand of trees and bush.
Donna, the clan head of Brujah was pushing for the kindred who wanted to learn how to fight and pick up some combat skills to come out and fight. They had set up a rotation so there were people always int eh city limits to patrol and keep an eye on things while there would be a smaller crew of Kindred she could train and the two traded to make sure the city was never full caught with its pants down ever again. The training session moved around as well she never let anyone know the when and where till the night of their training.
They had just finished putting 2 hours of solid training and she noted that Fia had lit a small bone fire in the pit outback. Some of the Kindred parted ways and went to head out hoping to snag a bite to eat on their way back home to their havens. But the sign of a fire was something Donna would stick around for. There would be some that would hang back to ask questions and shoot the shit. She wondered silently if the traitor was still amongst them. They hadn't been fucked over a barrel as hard as the night hamilton had its explosion. There had been a few infiltrations but due to how they now had the spotters set up on the way in to hamilton via highway and burlington paths, it seemed like the chance for them to come into the city had lessened.
They were fighting an upwards battle Donna knew, they were outnumbered and when she did finally pick the crew to take into toronto with her she was going to have to pick her people soon. She had told them that potentially raiding for Nov 1st would be ideal. The young Kindred were preparing and getting ready. Sometimes she talked to them as a group but she also made sure to have one on one time with each of them be it at training or to hunt them down individually. She wanted to get to know her fellow kindred to measure their tenancy and fortitude as well as to access personas and personalities. Not everyone would be alright with the plan she was going to launch, Not everyone could keep a secret so, she had to make damned sure that the handful she picked would be good for the job and also understand there was a chance toronto might be a one way trip if they failed.
Donna pulled up a piece of chopped maple and sat on the cut piece/ Defly she pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her inner pocket and produced a zippo that she lit effortlessly in one go. She puffed thoughtfully on the cigarette staring at the night star and filled sky. The gentle wind stirred her hair and the fire in the tractor tire rim before them danced and writhed. She inhaled the scent of camp fire and died leaves and dried long grass and harvested fields invaded her nostrils. The moon was quarter full the 24th would bring a full moon, that was when she would have to make a decision on the who she was bringing and then get to work. She looked out at the backyard taking tally of those that stayed behind. "Good night for training guys. You've been hauling ass and putting in some hours and its showing."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:30pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
The night was still young enough that Dana would feel bad taking it to bed, and yet it had already been productive. She'd told the Prince she'd come to Hamilton to fight and they were going to be doing just that, they were training for war here in the autumn moonlight. Dana was thriving. She was no Martha Stewart but when it came to training she was no slouch and she'd given over all the time and energy she had, both as a teacher and as a student, to her new clan leader. Gathering weapons, gathering skills, using trial and error to see what worked like armor but didn't draw attention, complaining loudly about the prohibition on brass knuckles. She was an over-achiever of the war effort. This was what she was here for.
Dana shook hands and clapped backs as the group dispersed into fewer people. It felt like almost every Kindred who was able was putting in the hours they could. Clan Brujah of Hamilton may have been small in numbers but some nights it felt like they had honourary members in every clan. Dana had had to swallow a lot of her original assumptions about the locals, and she would be and had been the first to say so. The only thing Dana ever had filtered were her cigarettes.
She pulled on her jacket despite not needing it against the cold. She cracked her neck, vaguely she missed the feeling of sweat and endorphins that came from working out a living body but the satisfaction remained like a phantom sensation. Dana moved to join the others who lingered behind around the fire. She too started up a cigarette, though she put it between her lips and gathered her hair back so she could light it by leaning into the fire. She stood back up and blew the lung full of smoke out through her nose before she took it from her lips.
"I second that, Boss. Y'all been fierce. Galvanizing your fuckin' balls," she said with an approving nod.
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Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:31 pm Fie Cades Backyard- Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
HP (7/7) BP (13/23) WP (5/5) Hum (7/7) SC (3/3)
Xiao would like to think that she had surprised the Brujah and the rest of those in the Scourge training with her skills both in armed and unarmed combat, her former life serving her well. Although she tended to hold back not wanting to show all of her hand at once. She proved to be adept at just about everything that was thrown her way during training and even managed to show the others a thing or two when it came to hand-to-hand combat thanks to her background in gymnastics and dance.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:31pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Donna & Scourge crew trainees
"Yeah we're doing okay I guess." Donna replied. "Were putting in good time for training good progress, but you don't understand exactly how fucked we are. WE need to go in and scorch the place. If we can't take out at least 80% of the fuckers we wont be able to displace em and get them to flee the city. We are outnumbered four to one." Not being all pity party and I know we got fighting spirit, but we need to go in smart." She took a long hull on the cigarette and blew a long column out of both nostrils looking like an illuminated smoking dragon as the firelight danced across her face. Her brow furrowed. "Problem is we ain't entirely sure the mole or spy or whatever you want to call them is still here. They might have ducked out after the night of the explosion. If they're here keeping tabs on all of this, well it will be nice knowing yall. That is just the facts."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:32pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(12/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
The fire cast strange lines of light across his figure, playing tricks that made him look somehow more skeletal than usual. His messy black and white hair sat forward, making his eyes look dark even without their usual makeup, made the shaven sides of his head look gaunt.
Jax folded his boney black-clad body before the fire, crouching in front of it near enough to stretch one arm forward and let the eager flames lick hungrily at the end of his own cigarette, following Donna and Dana's leads. Or was it Dana and Donna? He didn't know well enough to distinguish them from one another yet. Shame.
"Shoulda thought of that," He commented, his voice loud and lovely as heavy rusted metal scraping concrete under the pleasantness of the gentle autumn night, "Had you your own mole amongst their lot, wouldn't be much doubt about who's where when and why."
He rubbed at the grime clinging to his forehead with the back of his hand - evidence of an earlier encounter eatting dirt during practise - before bringing the freshly lit cigarette to his mouth. "No point now, I guess. Impossible, probably," He muttered past the cigarette, not bothering to take a drag, "Que sera, sera."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:32pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Donna & Scourge crew trainees
"Sadly it's true . Still its good to have you come up here you and the rest of those buffalo transplants are pretty solid coming in here to join in on the fray. Takes a special kinda someone to be all fuck it let's come to Canada to fuck some Sabbat up. Cheers to that." Donna replied you getting on alright in the city as your Clan leader just give me a shout if you need anything. We don't normally see this kind of activity with the Sabbat, populations just gotten a bit unruly in Toronto and I guess they are pushing back trying to take more territory. I'd rather see my final death than see them come here to Hamilton and set up shop."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:33pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia felt slightly torn. She wasn't used to having others in her sanctuary, but she was enjoying the company, the building of camaraderie. She was surprised to find the training to be...fun. Fia was not afraid to admit she had been lonely, although only to herself.
Things had been so up in the air as of late. Her home was open to those displaced by the explosion. With Sarah and Lobo gone, Clan Gangrel had no leader. The raids, and there was still a spy...
Fia surveyed the remnants around the fire. Some she knew, some she didn't, some she trusted with her life. Up until this point she had been following the conversation, quietly contemplating, but she startled herself with the resolve she heard in her own voice.
"After everything they've done to us, we can't let that happen."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:34pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
Devlin allowed himself a brief moment to appreciate the night taking in one slow breath, then upon exhaling immediately went back to cleaning the fire arm he used for practice. He had only been around for a couple months and there were many faces he was still learning of. That however did not distract him from the occasional comment to correct the form of others, offering pointers more out of reflex than concern. He pooped a clove of garlic in his mouth "Quite the mess we find ourselves in."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:34pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
“Shame they don’t hold court like our lot – or baby blood orgies, or some other group activity. Some place we could put a crater of our own.”
The strategy end of things was the one place Dana fell short with in the war effort. She didn’t like thinking farther ahead than her bat could swing. It wasn’t the Brujah in her it was a need for inertia, a seed that had been planted in her mortal years, watered by circumstance. Her direction in life was forward and through whatever came in her way. She was the canon not the general.
“But y’know what they say; if it was easy you’d get the clap from it,” Dana remarked in her signature style of crude absurdity.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:34pm - Fia's Backyard - Angel
Angel said nothing as he sat listening to the others. A cigarette dangled from his lips. Hanging out with the Brujah had returned him to a habit he'd given up five years before his Embrace. It was one of many changes that had overtaken the normally verbose Ventrue. He'd become sullen, almost brooding. He'd shown a laser focus on his training, working his fists not only during his training but on a heavy bag he'd hung in his basement on nights when they weren't training.
He'd even spent time selecting a very specific baseball bat and carefully etching the word 'estrattore' into the end. He'd stopped rising to Donna's bait and given up on wearing clothing he cared about. Only once he was back in his haven did the old Angel resurface.
He hadn't even reacted to the presence of the two new Ventrue in the city, beyond simply welcoming them and offering assistance in getting settled. The presence of punk legend Jax Habit had gone equally unremarked. He wanted his chance to take this fight to the Sabbat. He suspected that Donna wasn't going to take them all into Toronto and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she chose him. The Sabbat had taken much from him and he wanted payback.
Lex talionis. The law of retaliation. An eye for an eye. It was his right. The Sabbat would pay for what they'd done to his family, pay in blood. "Too bad we can't burn the whole city to the ground," he said, before throwing the cigarette butt into the fire.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:35pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(12/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax chuckled wickedly behind his cigarette, first at Dana's quip and then twice as much at Angel's well-earned venom. "Who says it's out of the question?" He joked without joking, meaning it but knowing full well no one would be on board. Or if they would, they knew better than to say so.
It wasn't so much that they couldn't blow up a city the size of Toronto. A ragtag group such as theirs could make anything happen with the right attitude, a little elbow grease, and an unspecified amount of well-placed explosives. But the consequences would be too great, the casualities far too high...
Still. Jax had lost people before. He knew a bit of what the locals here were likely feeling, could remember the sting of the bitter ache he heard now in Angel's voice. He'd have set the world on fire if it meant getting even. If it could make it better, even just for a moment.
Of course, it never did.
"They'd come up with some real fun names for you if you sunk that low, Angelo ," He said, a little too familiar, flicking at a bit of mud trapped between the cap and stud of his metal-on-the-outside steel toe boots, "Gotta admit, though, El Àngel de la misericordia kinda has a fuckin' ring to it."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:36pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
After finishing up with the gun Devlin walked to his cube van to grab a change of clothes noticing some dust and dirt on his informal slacks from the night's training session. Hearing the pain in Angel's voice brought a flash of images to his forethought. Remembering the state in how he had found her filled him with a flash of such burning fury and pain. Taking a moment to reign in his composure under the guise of choosing which shirt to replace the one he wore, he shoved the images back into the spot he allotted in one of the various compartments of his mind. He began walking back to group after quickly changing and rejoined them at the fire to stare into its embers. He knew pain, he knew pain and this time he would share it with the sabbat
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:37pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Mike
The months had been cruel to Mike the samedi's face had fallen to ruin even worse than it had previously upon his embrace. Unlike a Nosferatus visage, Mikes face was sunken and twisted it looked like rotten flesh that was trying to desicate. "I want in on Toronto more than most. I hope you take me Donna" He sat down on the ground beside Dana, blue eyed Brunet. He wore a Camo patterned hoodie that was drawn over his head, the deep hood offered some amount of darkness to hide in normally, but the fire lit up that old ugly mug of his. "I want to go in there to T.O. and leave with a fucking fanged necklace. I want my payback for the city, for my friends, and family that I've lost. Someone hold em down cause I will get to pulling once we start the staking.' He replied as he pulled out a pair of pliers, they glinted in the firelight, He mock stabbed down with the pliers in a stabby stake like fashion. "I know I don't get a choice but I hope you will consider me Boss Lady."
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Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:40 pm Fia Cades Backyard- Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
HP (7/7) BP (13/23) WP (5/5) Hum (7/7) SC (3/3)
Lost in her own thoughts Xiao really wasn't paying much attention to the conversation going on around her. She knew a shit storm was coming and hoped that she would come out of it in one piece at least. Her eyes went to Fia briefly before dropping back down to the fire. She gave a silent prayer to whatever gods might be willing to listen that the girl she had to come to think of as a sister would weather the storm with the best of them and come out all right. Xiao also prayed that Donna would leave Fia out of the thick of the fighting. But no matter what Donna decided Xiao was going to Toronto even if it meant going against the Prince's orders.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:37pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
When Angel spoke up Dana's eyebrows arched upwards, her head tipped ever so slightly to the side as if to say: Well, we could.
She chuckled behind her cigarette as Jax made her point for her. Of course he followed it up with reason, it was, after all a very un-Camarilla like thing to do. Even if it would have been an astounding feat of tactics, resourcefulness and team work. Forget the trust fall - try genocidal arson for your next team building assignment!
When Mike settled on the ground beside her Dana reached out to put a hand on top of the Samedi's hoodie covered head. It was a thoughtless gesture of comradery. He'd been taken under clan Brujah's wing and Dana especially had taken a shine to him. The ones the world fucked over always appealed to Dana - that was her tribe more than anyone else. She grinned as he declared his desire to fight. It was a bitter vengeful kind of fury, it was a taste that her mouth was familiar with, like blood from your own tongue. Dana put in her diligent efforts so that she would be picked to go into to battle, one did not expect much from life but Dana had come for the fight. To bench her would be to have her follow two car lengths away. She was not being left behind.
"Oh yeah, gotta pull em out before they're staked. Get that satisfying gurgling scream. On accounta all the blood in their throat. I'll hold 'em down, Mikey."
Dana clapped the heel of her hand to her forehead all of the sudden. "Speaking of satisfying and screams-" she said tossing her cigarette into the fire and disappearing from the circle for a moment. When she returned she had a duffle bag that gave off the distinct jangling of heavy pieces of metal brushing against each other. The brunette dug her hand into the depths and retrieved a handful of heavy and hand crafted brass knuckles made from the sorts of hex nuts you'd see on large machinery. Big enough to put a finger through.
"Latest batch of knuckles, I took notes from the class about filing down the threading and makin' the distance between the holes thinner so the fist can be more solid. I know class is over but anyone wanting to do a little homework with these bad boys?" She asked waving them in the air as though proferring baked goods to those assembled.
"Secret Garden?" she offered as Devlin came back into their midsts. Being an import herself Dana liked to keep track of the other eagle blooded imports, in case she needed someone to spell 'color' correctly or sing stars and stripes with. He may have been a suit, and he may have been fond of guns, but he came to fight and he seemed to be good at it. She was doing what she could without the bonding glue of mass arson.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:40pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
His eyes drifted from the fire to meet Dana's "Just needed a change." indicating the fresh slacks and button up, sleeves rolled just below the elbow.
"I can only assume we will all have a part to play for what is to come." Accepting a set of the knuckles from her " I can appreciate proper craftsmanship and the attention to detail, i'm not sure i could make proper use of these. I imagine that you will have no troubles giving them a new coat of paint..." at that comment Devlin touched one of the larger bruises he had received from Dana earlier.
He regarded the others around the fire taking in how diverse this group was and yet they were all bound together in more ways then he originally deduced besides being members of the Camerilla. They had their own stakes in this and he had come to believe that they were really starting to build the foundation for a team, and though it was still rather premature one could even argue they were even starting to like each other.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:40pm - Fia's Backyard - Angel
Angel nodded as Dana handed him the brass knuckles. "I'll give them a test run, he said, fitting them over his knuckles and flexing his fingers. They fit like a pair of old gloves, as if they had been made specifically for him. Perhaps they had been. He wouldn't put it past Dana to had done so. It was a weapon and to the American Brujah, weapons were intensely personal.
He stood up. "Hey Fia, you got a least favourite tree?" The Italian Ventrue threw a few shadow punches. He'd learned to box in his teens and had been in more than a few fist fights. His punches were backed by muscles that would have screamed under the abuse they'd taken over the past few month but Angel felt nothing. Nerves long dead could not carry a signal and he no longer built up the lactic acid that would have caused the pain. Vampires couldn't feel pain as intensely as they could when they were mortal, but they could suffer damage and Angel fully intended to use Dana's new gift to inflict considerable damage to the Sabbat vampires they found in Toronto.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:41pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia frowned and scanned the trees that surrounded the yard. She pointed out a thick oak in the back corner.
"That one has been looking at me funny. Make with the sweet chin music 'til he canaries," she chuckled as she sidled up next to Xiao.
"Hey,. If something happens to me in Toronto, can you set Peanut free back at the Bayfront?"
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:42pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Fia Cade - Jallyn
The Toreador found that a lot of her mortal habits were hard to die. She still chose to breathe and her skin pallor was bright and vibrant she was the most lively looking of those at the fire. She chose hang back from practice to socialize with the the bonfire crew. Jallyn had opted to wear practical clothing, she wore a pair of old faded Jeans and a ribbed turtle neck, a black motor cycle jacket and a pair of black steel toed boots finished off the ensemble. She wore her hair in low bun that had been secured with several boby pins and a couple hair ties.
The young vampire thanked Dana for the makeshift Knuckles and slipped then over her long slender fingers. "I guess I should get used to using them since guns have limited bullets." She had picked up some training in how to wield a tire iron and bat effectively but not brass knuckles. Her stomach tightened and she swallowed in air as she realized all this practice was heading very soon, towards blood shed and violence. She didn't want to let down her Hamilton Vampires, she wanted to protect them and the people in both cities. Finding out Sabbat lived in Toronto made her heart sink. Toronto is where her father and brother were cops, Toronto was where her family was from.
The past couple months had been a wild and terrifying ride. Twice a week she would come out to practice with Donna and them. She felt she owed it to them. She was new and as Helen had mentioned several times, she wasn't contributing as a clan member there was no art being made, that perhaps just maybe, she could learn begin to learn the art of war. Being catholic and a vampire only put her more at odds with herself and how she felt about everything. New blood had arrived back in August. There had been no formal and huge court event where everyone came together to witness the pledges made to the prince. They had been private affairs overseen by just the prince and whatever clan had to be there to welcome the new transplants.
She had gotten to know a few of the transplants. There had been Devlin, a Ventrue from Buffalo. He was very gentile and quick of wit, his confidence and style were something she found attractive. Watching him practice she realized he was not a stranger to fighting, unlike herself. Her experience with a gun came from her father taking her down to the range to keep in practice with the force. She had a few self defense courses under her belt so she could walk around at night and be safer. It had been peace of mind for her and her family, with her being a dancer, but a warrior this did not make her.
The new Nosferatu that had joined ,Vittorio she had met him only a couple of times. She had a name and his accent put him from somewhere down south she thought, but he was a mystery, to her at least, he hadn't opened up too much, but her heart went out for him as he was one armed and one eyed, but still showed up to practice and fight. He had one heck of a story of that she had no doubt, but it was his story to tell and he wold do so in time, or also has the right to keep his past shrouded in mystery.
Jax was a Brujah and he seemed to fit in with his brethren just fine he was a little more punk and a little less Rock and roll and biker scene, but from what she could tell he was a fine lad. His mouth and outlook on life seemed to fit the bill and he was able to rough and tuble with the best of them.
The second Ventrue to arrive to their city has been Samuel, he has a nickname Samhain though he pronounced it Sah-win, She was Irish but not off the boat but the Ventrue had a watered down Boston a hint Irish perhaps with some Boston thrown in there. It reminded her a bit of Matt Damon from Good Will Hunting. The Large stocky man was polite but also cold and calm. There was a stillness there that made her think he was much older than she was. He hadn't given out much in the way of personal details other than to say he wasn't into small talk and that he had indeed lived in Boston once upon a time. Despite that he didn't have the mouth that came with folks from Boston she had never heard the big man swear. Though she did watch him when they fought and he was a terrifying beast of a man. She would never want to be on the wrong side of him if he ever decided to come at her or frenzy.
There was also a Tremere that had joined them. The woman was pleasant enough, her name was Victoria Ashford, though the woman was terrible with names. Two months of them training on and off and had not gotten the Toreadors name right once. However with that being said she was right in the thick of the fray in training, learning and honing her skills. She was fiercely competitive and for her, that made up for the face that the woman either didn't care to get her name right, or maybe was just bad with names. Donna usually called her Red, so it really wasn't so different.
She was happy that her kindred Brethren had joined them to help in the war. She just worried that she was not going to be much help. Donna had told her she was making alright progress and that for the most part her job would be staying in a car while they drove around and she read the auras of those they passed by or to be the eyes for the group if they went into clubs to look for Sabbat members. She wouldn't likely see front line combat but it was good to make sure she could fend for herself in case she was split up from the group and had to fight by herself.
The largest change she had seen was how determined all the Kindred in the city had become. They all took at least a day a week out to be part of a patrol or scout squad to make sure no Sabbat entered their city. Her animal blood diet had started to include some human blood, some nights after being the aura reading guard dog, she just felt the need to slate her hunger on something else. She had befriended a priest that would hear out her confession as a catholic and would sometimes offer her sustenance while telling her not to give up hope.
She would continue to have it, hope that was, but her heart sank a bit every time her eyes landed on Angel. The transformation throughout the summer had started out gradually, but she hardly could believe that her Ventrue friend had become so hard and focused. She understood why but it was still heartbreaking to watch.
She rearranged the knuckles on her fingers and stood up to trail after Angel. The red headed Toreador laid a gentle hand on the crock of his arm as she watched him head towards the tree Fia had pointed to. "Do you mind if I watch and maybe try too?" She asked with only the slightest bit of hesitation in her voice. She was certain the new toys Dana had passed around were going to fuck her hands up, but it was likely a good night to see just how bad.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:43 pm - Fia's Backyard - Angel
"Oak is giving you the side eye, eh?" Angel asked. "I'll make sure it reconsiders." He approached the tree, getting ready to test out the home made brass knuckles.
The Italian Ventrue jumped when Jallyn touched his arm. "Sorry Jallyn. You startled me. Yes, you can watch. Pick a side of the tree and you can knock some bark off. Are you trying to tell me in all this time, you haven't learned to throw a punch? Okay, find a nice balanced stance. If you aren't balanced, you won't have any power behind your punches. Your best bet would be kicking because your legs are stronger than most men's arms but a solid punch to the nose will fuck up somebody's evening."
Rather than beat the tree as he'd intended, he helped Jallyn find a stable stance and walked her through how to put every ounce of available power into a punch. "It's slow but if you can land it, they will feel it, trust me." When he was sure that the gentle Toreador was ready, he turned her loose on the tree. He watched her critically for a few moments, offering suggestions and advice.
After a few minutes he looked towards the fire, hoping to catch Donna's eye. If he did, he would simply shake his head. No matter how much she wanted to be on the Scourge Squad, Jallyn's soft heart would make her a liability and would likely get some of them killed. She would never have the killer instinct needed to do what needed to be done, no matter how hard she tried or how much she practiced.
"Watch," Angel said, after a few minutes. Whether he caught Donna's attention or not, he'd do what he could to get Jallyn ready. "You need to punch through the target. Like this."
Angel threw a series of punches at the tree, treating it like a heavy bag in a boxing gym. Chunks of bark flew in every direction as Angel fell into a rhythm. Boxing wasn't the best martial art for street fighting; there were too many rules. It was certainly good for teaching you how to throw a punch.
He stopped after a minute or so and took a critical look at his hands. "Hey, Dana! Nice job on the knuckles. Fits like a glove. Let's see your hands, Jallyn. Yeah, you need to build up some callouses. Your hands are too soft for this. I don't think using them would be a good idea but hang onto them anyway. You might need them."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:46pm - Fia Cade's Backyard -Donna and the Scourge trainees
"Donna had left the fire momentarily she had noted Angel has left to go practice with Dana's new toys and had taken on of the Toreadores with him. She called the artist Red, she was one of the crew that could read auras, if it weren't for that she would have told the young vampire that she should only turn up for training once a week and just focus on protecting the city. Still everyone had a place and aura readers would be in heavy need for her plan to invade Toronto . She went to the driveway and came back with a hockey bag and set it beside the fire. She set it down gently by the fire but the people sitting around it could hear it clank and rattle as if there was glass inside. Her eyes swept across the assembled Kindred and she let out a grunt as she put another cigarette in her mouth.she had some decisions to make that was for certain might as well rip off the bandaid. If people weren;t going to follow orders it would make it super easy to nix them fromt eh list of who was cming and who was going. "Alright kiddies gather round here and listen up. I got some homework for you guys. You wanna brown nose you can even get it done before you leave here tonight, and if not you can go home and bring me it in a day or two. She opened up the bag and pulled out small screw on lid jars. The labels still on some of them they were clearly gerber baby food jars. She passed one to fia and it had her name written on it in black Sharpie.
She began to pass a jar to each of them. It had their name or respective nick name that Donna had given them,. "Fill it with blood and bring it back to me. If you can fill another 2 all the better. I want to have some back up juice for us when we go into Toronto. The fact that its gonna be yours shouldn't matter but we likley will ahve a night where we wont be going out to eat and I want to be able to make sure everyones good for when we roll out." She replied calmly her eyes meeting all of theirs.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:47 pm - Fia's Backyard - Angel
"That doesn't work for me, Donna," as he reached for the jar with is name on it. "I can't drink my own blood. There are maybe three people here that I could use their blood in a pinch and I really don't want to be that tied to anyone."
Still, he dutifully rolled up his sleeve. The was a faint 'snick' as he popped out the blade of his switchblade and a slight hiss as he cut open his forearm to fill his jar.
"Did you bring enough for three each or am I going to have to buy my own baby food jars and bring them next time?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:41 - 9:47 pm Fia Cades Backyard- Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
HP (7/7) BP (13/23) WP (5/5) Hum (7/7) SC (3/3)
Xiao jumped slightly when Fia asked her a question so lost in her thoughts as she was. She looked at the other Gangrel that she had come to care for in a way.
"Of course I will Fia. But I don't want to you to think like that. The more you think that something will happen to you the more likely it will. Kind of like a self fulfilling prophecy."
Xiao took the small jar from Donna, produced a dagger from somewhere and cut her wrist without so much as a sound.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:47pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(12/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
He'd chuckled wickedly to himself as Mike spoke fire and brimstone promises, imagined the invisible puffs of air Mike's corpsified body didn't produce as tangible things that made the night rich-thick with righteous fury. Every pointless draw on Jax's cigarette sucked that bloodlust into him like soda through a straw, fizzing and buzzing in his belly - an electric sizzle that inspired his lifeless nerves.
Yeah, he thought, I was right to come here.
Jax had been fiddling with the brass knuckles he'd been gifted by Dana, sprawled out on the wet earth near the fire, cooing to himself about their quality and daydreaming about the funny crater they'd leave in some much-deserving faces. He was too tired to practise with them properly at the moment and so contented himself with watching Angel teach the booted-up red-head - was she called Javellyn or Jallyn? probably Jallyn, he figured, cause he'd've remembered if it were Javellyn - how to throw a good swing.
Jax had to admit a small pang of admiration for Angel. He wasn't like the other suits Jax had met. He could really throw a mean punch, for one. But there was something else... A passion for those around him. A passion for the people in his life. He valued his people more than possessions, more than money, or so it seemed. Even when those values had hurt him, he hadn't turned away from them. He faced his pain. That was something worthy of admiration.
And he wasn't the only suit to make Jax question his stance on Clan Ventrue. Devlin Garden, aside from having a killer fucking stage name, was shady, and Jax admittedly had marked the guy as untrustworthy the minute he'd laid eyes on him. Mostly because of the gun he kept in immaculate condition, but partially just cause the man himself looked so goddamn pristine. Sharp, head-to-toe. The picture of picture-perfect. It was almost sickening!
But to Jax's surprise, Devlin worked as hard as anyone else at practise, despite whatever reservations the guy maybe had about getting dirty. And though he hated to admit it, the respect he showed Dana and her craft (and his quip about fresh paint) had admittedly made Jax flash teeth. Maybe there was some promise there.
As Donna brought over a clink-clanking bag of her own, Jax scooched up to sit at attention. He prompted her to toss him a little glass bottle of his own, happily took one off her. But his brows quirked up when Angel and - oh, fuck, the short and femmy one... pretty hair, striking eyes, and a distinctly Chinese name... Shao? No, not quite... Xiao! That was it! - took out knives. The coolness with which Xiao drew that blade across her slender wrist chilled Jax to his marrow, though he couldn't place why.
"Hey teach, is this bottle for us blood or food blood?" He asked Donna, uncapping the thing noisily with his still-brass-knuckled hand, "Like is it a warm-body juicebox for snack time or should I be drawing traintracks with the rest of the class?" He sniffed inside the glass bottle, sneered at the faint scent of babyfood and soap and the alcohol-heady marker used to indicate its owner. He wondered what exactly he'd expected it to smell like. He added nonchalantly: "Ain't a problem, either way. Just curious is all."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:48pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Donna
"The suits should still donate. You will find 3 jars in there with your names on em. Fill em and cap em. If you are too low though, don't do all three if you are going to be leaving here too hungry. I saw a few of you guys burning through blood tonight. If you are going to put Kine in risk because you are ravenous pass on it. But Several of you I know are good. If you got beef and you got worries we can talk further, but it will come in handy come the night we do Toronto of that I can tell you." she replied earnestly.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:48pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP: 11-3=8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"It's called autologous donation," Waylon said as he rolled up his sleeve. "Gives you back your own blood when you really need it. They use it for surgeries when you have a really rare blood type."
He'd politely accepted Dana's gift, commenting that they made an appropriate weapon to outfit a party from the Steel City. He'd nodded towards the two lengths of rebar that he'd been using in lieu of escrima sticks. He had a few ideas where he would put those if he had the chance.
Despite Dana's suggestion, he'd yet to cut off his shoulder length hair. He planned to do it before they hit Toronto. The straight razor he planned to use had arrive in his mail box some time that day. He'd yet to really spend a lot of time using it and he planned to take it as a 'last resort' weapon because if he was close enough to use it he was likely already screwed. If somebody was going to drain him dry, he was going to make sure most if his vitae got wasted patching the holes he'd made in his final struggles.
Of all the young Kindred, he was likely the one that had changed the most obviously with the least real change in personality. Although he'd certainly begun changing his public persona, those that knew him knew that he was shedding one character in favour of another. His sense of humour remained unchanged, as did his interest in painting everyone's eyes. He'd shattered the Toreador stereotype of spineless artist and he wasn't the only one. The clan best known for trying to keep their fingernails clean and their hair unmussed had a handful of representatives on the Scourge Squad. Waylon was by far the most martial of them but his dedication was easily matched by the others. And, although they were not intending to venture into Toronto, two of the Clans upper echelon, the DelVeccio brothers, frequently showed up to hone their own fighting skills.
When push came to shove, the artists were not going to be on the sidelines cheering on the warriors. They would be in the thick of it.
<-3 blood points>
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:48pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
“Ah Angel, I bet you say that to all the girls,”
Dana grinned, it was the prideful leer of dance moms and Military Officers. Her creations were succeeding and would bring pain. What joy, what wonder. She watched the assembled try them out. There were a few that were smaller, for daintier hands. To give someone something too loose was not doing them any favours, just dislocating their fingers. Or so she’d learned through the last few prototypes. She hadn’t shown up an expert in the makeshift brass knuckles – though she had to say that the nature of the hex nut meaning that the offensive edge came into gentle points above the knuckle was one of the universes happiest accidents.
“Call it a good luck charm. I’m sure you’ll be doin’ some paintin’ of your own - ” Dana answered Devlin her hand extending behind her head in simplistic illustration of a Sabbat having their brains atomized by a bullet. Guns had always been too loud, too quick for Dana. They drew the cops and did all the work for you. Still, she saw the necessity in an endeavor like the one ahead of them. No one ever said It’s like punching fish in a barrel when they were referring to the ease of a task. “We should have been fuckin’ Toreadors, the goddamn artistry.”
Besides that she wanted to see how long it took for him to realize she was calling him Secret Garden instead of accusing him of having one.
Dana soon found herself in possession of a baby food jar with her name on it and the mission to fill it and two more with blood. “Aw jeez Boss, it ain’t even my birthday.”
Her thoughts echoed out of Jax’s mouth for the second time that night. She appreciated that wiry little trouble maker, they existed on the same wavelength a lot of the time. Dana was down to rage against the machine, Dana was down to rage against anything, besides no one knew battle jackets like a literal punk.
She nudged him affectionately with a steel toed boot. “Less smart questions, more open veins. We’re blood dopin’ with the cool kids now, fucker. Or whatever the fuck Waylon said.”
It might sound like insubordination but that was just how Dana sounded. Her default setting was to be opposition to authority even if that authority was well respected by her, which Donna certainly was. She’d earned it. It made sense to have at least something in reserve. More important still was the fact that blood lasted a little more than month outside of the body.
Dana twisted the jar open and, not to be out done, bit into her own wrist to get the flow of blood required to fill it. She’d fill all three, she could take orders.
If they were filling jars tonight. It wouldn’t be long.
<-3 Blood Points>
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:48pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel
BP: 13-3= 10/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Approaching from some darkened corner of the estate, Samuel entered into the scene laid out before him, bodies lining the periphery of the fire.
Rustic--, he thought. --if a little glib. There was something to be said of the city life, whether it be the to's and fro's of day to day patrons, the ordered chaos and fury of their cars, or even the wailing of sirens always within earshot-- there was a charm about all of it that kept the stillness of his nature intact. The quiet of these boondocks left him feeling uneasy.
His gaze trailed up and into the night sky, locking onto the moon. And, for a moment, it stared back with eyes of its own; eyes devoid of life and filled with gleeful lunacy, for this was the time when the world belonged to they, the dead. The only time, in what must have been eons, that he truly felt so far from home.
Samuel circled around them, his movement mechanical and noiseless. He spoke no words as he reached into the hockey bag, retrieving one of the jars and raising it to eye level. If not for the one brow cocked firmly upward, the harsh lighting cast across his face would have given the impression and definition of freshly-carved stone; somehow alive, yet incongruous against the warm amiability that radiated from the pit. No second thought was offered before he sliced through his wrist with a single pointed fingernail and let drain the sickly, black contents of his vitae into the old gerber jar.
He glanced over to Donna and handed her the jar, speaking quite plainly.
"One for now. For the rest, we'll both have to wait."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:48pm - Fia Cade's Backyard – Vittorio
BP: 11-3=8/11 HP: 7/7 WP:5/5 SC:3 HUM 4
Vittorio had been asked by his current Prince if he would be willing to go to Hamilton and help with the issues that Hamilton and more so Toronto were facing. He had no reason to say no, so he only said he would need a few days to get his affairs in order, as well as setup a plausible story for why he would be moving up there.
That night he had to visit one of his regular patrons about a horse giving birth. The fowl was stillborn, but the mother came out of fine all things considered. In the conversation afterward, the client just happened to mention one of his friends was a vet up in Hamilton was in need of a graveyard ER vet to replace one he recently lost. Surprised by the turn of events. He asked for the vet’s info an gave him a call.
By the end of the week vittorio had arranged for his few belongings to be shipped as well as planned a route he could drive at night from Central TX there. Only needed to stop for daylight. His first few nights in Hamilton were mostly spent meeting some of his new co workers, getting to know his regular patients, and trying to get a feel for the city.
His prince has given him info of where to meet someone called Donna who would train him in group combat if nothing else. Though from what little he was able to glean about her reputation she would likely teach him a significant amount about personal combat as well. He had a few conversations with her, explained even with his impediments he still considered himself primarily an unarmed fighter, though he had some basic training in fire arms, primarily pistols. Though with his loss of an arm, He would focus on pistols and pdw\smgs. Weapons he could use one handed easily and accurately.
He was no expert, but he wasn’t going to shoot himself or a friendly by accident either. Though he could use some education on proper weapon maintenance. His real issue with firearms though was unloading, as one handed that can be difficult. He was beginning to become good at putting the weapon between his legs or arm pit and then doing what he needed to reload it with his good hand.
However Vitt felt that often in combat he would be more likely to proceed to using his fists and claws then reload, as even as good as he was getting, it still took him 10-15 seconds to reload. An eternity in combat. Which is why he tended to prefer weapons with lower rates of fire with large magazine capacities.
Tonight he watched everyone keeping to himself in the shadows, but not outright trying to hide. Just not to intrude on all these strangers. He collected his three jars, filled them, and handed them back. Otherwise not commenting. Though he did have to bite his tongue a few times to prevent himself from commenting on some of the features of the people around him. In particular some of their asses.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:49pm - Fia Cade's Backyard – Victoria Asford- Tremere
BP 13-3=10/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
The end of official practice saw Victoria gathering up her bag- she often carried around a fairly sizable cross body bag loaded with various items- and pulling out a small book and a pen. She scribbled in it furiously for a few moments as talk of brass knuckles and revenge filled the air, punctuated with the dull thuds of the previous being put quite effectively to the test. Coming here had turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience so far, given the dour circumstances. It was very interesting to see the members of multiple clans interacting with a common goal. She knew her ability to read auras was in high demand, and she had been put to work protecting the havens of those within the city.
The leader of this endeavor- Victoria couldn't remember her name, which wasn't anything out of the norm- mentioned the possibility of there being a spy in the city still, and Victoria raised her attention from her note scribbling. It wasn't the first time the woman had brought it up, and it was obvious it was a point of concern, and anger for that matter. She was right though, if there was still a spy, all thier efforts could be pointless. She pondered this for a moment, and soon the woman was returning to the fire with a bag of small jars.
Victoria didn't hesitate to retrieve and fill her allotted jars after seeing others doing so, some a bit more flashy about it than others.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:49pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(12-3=9/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Dark eyes fixed intently on Waylon - stupid, sexy Waylon - as he explained. For a second, he got distracted by the notion that the guy definitely had enough hair for a really killer mohawk... Yeah... Then Jax's brain caught up with him and brows raised in genuine surprise. "No shit," He remarked earnestly, "Huh! Well, look at that. You really do learn somethin' new every day."
As he looked down to reconsider the little glass jar, he felt the distinct pressure of a boot nudging against his more-metal-than-leather vest. As she spoke, he smiled.
Then Jax laughed, the kind that felt like soda water in your sternum. It'd been a while since he'd been this giddy. "You mean I get to sit at the big kids table if I do my homework! Golly!" He said, chuckling to himself as he got up to grab another two bottles.
Dang comraderie got him every time. A little practise, a few kind words, and little boot in the ribs and he was ready to catch bullets for these idiots and their suicidal cause. Well, more ready than he was a minute ago. Dana made it especially easy.
Crouching, he wiggled thin fingers into his own boot, the left one, fishing around for the switchblade he'd stuffed in there earlier. Note to self, he thought as he tried to pry it free of the makeshift ductape strap holding it fast against his leg. Make this shit easier to get at in the future...
Of course, then Dana just went ahead and sunk fangs in her wrist. "O-hoo, going for extra credit?" He teased, "Teacher's pet! Teacher's pet!"
Eventually, Jax stopped goofing off long enough to fill all three bottles with his ice cold vitae. He joked, "Hope this shit lasts. Think we should get a cooler? One of you Canada-landers gotta have one, right?"
[ 3 BP drained ; 9 of 12 BP remaining ]
He noticed a few of their rank stepping forward to take their Gerber baby blood bottles, a few he hadn't noticed earlier or ones he'd thought had left as soon as practise was over. Sneaky fuckers!
Then he saw Samhain... Jax didn't say anything.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:51pm - Fia Cade's Backyard -
Jallyn took the bottles from the Brujah leader and stared at the hastily scrawled RED across the top of each container. She watched as others opened a vein and donated their vitae .
The red headed toreador scanned the group her powder blue eyes flicked from each Kindred and she felt incredibly exposed and vulnerable as she watched them donate with ease. She tried to be casual and gently bit into her wrist and slowly began the job of working the blood into the jars. She didn't want to use a knife it felt to suicidey despite knowing that the knife would actually kill her. Still her Catholic guilt was full the brim tonight.
Jallyn watched as Donna accepted the full jars. "Got a cooler in the back of my jeep so no worries. Shits gonna go into the beer fridge so we got some juice for Toronto. I will try to do my best about seeing if I can bring some extra blood too, incase we need it." She lit another cigarette as she puffed away on it thoughtfully. "Anyone from Ventrue need not worry. I talked to the head of your clan about your preferences. I will make sure you guys got a little something on hand so you aren't up Schitts creek."
She nodded as she listened to the Hispanic Brujah leader explain things. She crouched on the ground near Angel and watched as her blood slowly dripped into the jar. At this rate she would be there for half an hour before she had all of them full. She gently massaged the wrist and forearm hoping to bring more of the blood down to the spot where she had bit herself open. Her face a mask of concentration as she did her part to donate.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:52pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana's methodology of camaraderie was well summed up when Jax began to chant 'teacher's pet' at her and she spat the residual tongue full of dead blood at him in rebuttal. It left her mouth through persed lips in a crimson spray, like gasoline from a fire breather. Had she meant insult she would have hocked it at him properly, she also probably wouldn't have followed it with a grin.
"How long did it take you to pull out your pig sticker?" she teased in return.
Dana was a little surprised to see some of the more reclusive of the new recruits edge into the fire's glow to fill their jars. She’d thought they’d left, but it was good that they were participating, they had come an awful long way not to. Though perhaps it was dismissive to call Samuel reclusive – remote was a better word. A distant and chilled shore, a place where it rained and the mist blanketed everything, keeping its secrets. He was certainly the strangest brand of Suit she’d ever met. This whole wartime experiences was dismantling her prejudices and if that kept up she’d have to find new and inventive ways to hate people. Or just fill her hours hating Sabbat, which seemed like a worthwhile endeavour. Camarilla approved even.
“Nothin’ brings folks together like blood shed,” she chuckled, referring to the jars but really it could be applied to the situation at large. “It’s been a full month for y’all now, right? Nearly? We havin’ fun yet?” she pitched towards the full range of the imports.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:54pm - Fia Cades Backyard
"Maybe not fun. but it certainly is educational Miss Dana Gorgeous." The red headed female toreador replied. Jallyn Was only mildly grossed out by the spray of vitae. The blood was supposed to stay in the body, but who was she to judge who did what to blow of steam. She was close to filling her first jar and realized some of her compatriots were so much better at opening a vein and letting their blood flow.
Donna had made a good point about making sure there was blood on hand. of them to help ease the burdens of hunting mortals should they need it. She would be low but she had some pigs blood in her fridge she could go home and drink, though the thought of that was like going home to finish off that chinese food at the back of your fridge that was a week old. It likely wasn't going to harm you but the flavor and freshness was certainly going to be lacking.
The Brujah clan leader watched the others her dark eyes glittering int he fire light as she took their blood and slid it back into the back with care. |Once you are done with donating if you dont have much more to talk about training wise or what have you, it be nice to let Fia have her haven back, Its nice to have a place to train outside city limits, but Im sure having all us here doing as rabble will, would be mildly stressful. " She stood up I gotta go get that stupid cooler anyhow, but yeah Kiddies class is out for the night. Class dismissed enjoy your free time doing whatever shit you guys do on a regular basis." She said as she wandered back towards the front of fias how to her pick up truck.
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Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:55 pm Fia Cades Backyard- Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
HP (7/7) BP (13/13) WP (5/5) Hum (7/7) SC (3/3)
Xiao filled all three of her small jars and handed them back to Donna without a word. She listened to the bantering going on around her with half an ear as her thoughts threatened to pull her into her own little world once again. With an effort she shook off her marouse thoughts and stood. "If there is no more need for me tonight I will be departing. I will be at the club in about 20 minutes if anyone feels the desire to come by."
(-3 BP)
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Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:58 pm Fia Cades Backyard-
Xiaoqing Lau made her way back to her vehicle she could hear the soft incessant vibrate of her p[hone going off in her glove box as she slid into the drivers seat.
The phone was full of several text messages and a missed call.
1st message From R: Been a bit since we last talked. Needing details.
2nd message From R: Mice and rat problem seems we have been having issues flushing them out of their hidey holes.
3rd message From R: Any idea how the mice got so good at avoiding the exterminators.
4th Message From R: Fine you must be busy. Call back later, but when you can check your email.
5th message From R: Robert gives his regards. :D
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:59 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP: 8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"If you're calling it a night, I'm going to head out and grab a bite," Waylon said. "Then I'm going to the shop and see if I can get some painting done. I've got three cars I need to get done before morning. Not sure where you are with the bikes, Dana. I'm going to assume you were done, if you had time to weld up a bunch of knuckle dusters."
There was amusement, rather than reproach in his tone. He, Fia and Dana had been working hard to make sure their custom paint and repair shop was keeping afloat. The vast number of paint jobs that the explosion in Hamilton had spawned had been a godsend for the fledgling business; speedy service and high quality had brought them a steady supply of customers and word of mouth was keeping hem busy.
He looked at several of the others. "If anybody is bored and wants to help out, I can always use spare hands. Cash money, under the table, for those who are in need of spending money."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10pm - Fia Cades Backyard
Jallyn let out a cry of triumph as she finished milking her arm and filling her third jar. She carefully screwed the lid on and sighed. "I would love to go but maybe I should text Seth and Vincent and see if I can relieve one of them. I know they have been on duty tonight for patrol. Seth works so hard as it is, perhaps stepping up to help them or let him have the rest of the night off is best. The shop thing does sounds interesting though."Maybe another night?
She stood up and thanked the group for the training and carefully jogged to the front of Fias house to donate her Jars to Donna before she headed for her old midnight blue corvette.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia had turned her back to fill her jars, as the others filled theirs. She wanted to leave as little to temptation as possible. She was a little curious about the need for so much pre-stocked vitae, but she had learned not to question Donna's requests.
(-3 BP)
Fia said her goodbyes to those leaving, letting Xiao know she might swing by the club after 'dinner'.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:59pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(9/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Dana's spray of red mist caught Jax mid laugh, spattered his face and tongue, and he gagged dramatically before spitting and retching and spitting on the ground between them, giggling all the while.
"Alright, OH-kay, well!" He chimed back ineffectually with a jovial grin, beat but still eager to trade blows, "Listen, this is a prototype, okay? The REAL deal's gonna work just swell, alright? Don't you worry." He flourished his knife as he spoke, dropped it once mid-sentence but caught it - without stabbing himself, by some great fortune - and stuffed it back in his boot.
Jax thought he might beg Donna for a ride, but overhearing Waylon announce his plan, he decided to skip up alongside him. It wasn't until he was running about that he realized how woozy he felt.
"I'm pretty handsy- Handy- I mean. Maybe I could lend you kids a little extra elbow grease, huh?" He offered, walking gracelessly backwards alongside him, hands behind his head, everything jangling.
"Pretty hungry, too, if you fancy eatin' with company - I dunno how you roll, I mean, I know some folks are, like, uh, social eaters an' all. Some not. S'cool if not. I mean we're all like ' ' social eaters ' ' in a way if you think about it. Cause we're like a, a sucking society," He prattled on, hating himself immensely.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:59 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP: 8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Many hands make light work," Waylon said. "Or is that handsy hands are the Devil's playground? Something like that. I can definitely find someplace where you can grab a bite. Who knows? You might be able to get somebody to bite back."
He was more than willing to take the newest Brujah with him; the Clan had adopted him as an honourary member and had taken that as the compliment it had been meant as. The last few months had stripped a lot of prejudice from his eyes; the Brujah were rough but not crude. There was an art in what they did, and in they way they used their reputation as both armour and a cloak to hide what was really going on behind the scenes. He'd caught a glimpse but he was still enough of an outsider that he still hadn't seen the whole picture.
Jax, he'd realized, had something of a crush on him. Waylon was in the process of shedding his art fag persona and perhaps he'd given the punker the wrong impression. It didn't matter. There was plenty of time to sort things out, assuming they both came back from Toronto. Of course what he was going to offer next wouldn't do much to clear things up.
"You still staying with Donna?" he asked. "I've got a spare room, if you want something a little more private. It's got the added bonus of setting the neighbour's tongues wagging and quite frankly, I'd rather not have a couple of suits staying with me and, no offense meant to Vittorio but he's even uglier than Donkey." That was saying something, because Waylon had been trying desperately to find some angle or element of Mike's shattered face thathad some redeeming quality. So far he'd found nothing but he continued to search, because Donkey Punch Mike was proving to be a tower of inner strength. He'd fallen a long way down but he was crawling his way out of that hole, powered by a searing inferno of vengence. If he could find a reason to 'live' rather than just a reason to exist, he'd make a formidable Kindred.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:59pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
“Nah, I said ‘fuck crotch rockets in particular I’m going full weaponry’,” Dana drawled at Waylon, which was not entirely a fabrication. She had said exactly that when she’d seen both of the motorcycles that had been on the docket for the night before were Suzukis – but she’d also finished the repairs on them. She’d cursed fiberglass that shredded like rice paper when it met concrete. Dainty little steeds built for flash and speed, she found them obnoxious but she’d used that annoyance to finish up the brass knuckles. So it all worked out in the end.
“If the patch is set on the yellow one you can start the touch up any time,” Dana watched Jax lope after him. “Hell, let Bruiser try. I think glittery pink would be fucking appropriate but I suppose the fella’d just want it to match,” she called after them both, gathering her hair up off of her neck and taking out a cigarette to perch it between her lips.
Dana spared a moment to thank Fia with amiable thump on the shoulder and a promise to catch her around, at training or the shop, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe Dana would swing by the club, she’d been curious about seeing it in person after the few chats she’d had with Xiao.
“If anyone needs a ride back into Hammer Proper, I got at least one seat in the truck,” Dana said around an exhale of smoke heading back around front to her rust and primer monstrosity of a pick-up truck. “Or there’s the truck bed if you’re nasty,”
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:00pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(12-3=9/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax laughed breathlessly at Waylon's joke about 'someone biting back'. Shit, had he been too obvious? No, maybe not, he assured himself, probably not, nothing inherently gay about that. He was overthinking it.
But then he offered to have him move in. For privacy. And to get the neighbours talking. And more attractive company? Jax laughed when Waylon tore into his current live-ins, but he was at a loss. His face was trapped in a grin his startled eyes didn't know what to do with. He'd been totally caught off guard.
... Twice. He stumbled. Dana had shot blanks and Jax had caught a live bullet between his teeth. An old anxiety poured in, a hot crawl that threatened something worse than indigestion. But he grinned through it. His expression had faltered, but he caught it, caught himself. He hooked one arm round the other at her, a rude gesture made loud by his many adornments.
"Want me to paint you a matching sidecar, Barbie Doll? Make you a tween dreamobile? Maybe we can colour-match your nails!" He teased, trying to be playful and hoping to strike a nerve in equal measure. The usual ball of shame set up shop in his gut. Nothing quite like shitting on femininity to make you feel more like a real man.
Whatever, its not like that, he told himself. It was just fair play. Besides, Dana was a big girl - didn't matter the intent of the throw, softball was still softball. An insignificant jab like that wouldn't even leave a mark on her jacket, never mind her.
"Anyway," He said to Waylon, walking the right way around now. He fished out his smokes, cordially offered one to the ginger before stuffing the little metal case back in his vest. "Croenenburg One and Two ain't so bad to look at. You gotta think of it as complex, right? Just like-" He lit his cigarette before making a vague gesture with both his hands, "A pair of Picasso's. Sculpted! By a madman, in a morgue, with a lot of hazardous waste on hand. It's gorgeous!"
He chuckled, "Nah, but they're. Those faces say a lot. The leavings of a bad time. Bad shit leaves a mark on you, gives you wrinkles, scars, shitty tattoos, takes limbs, hair... We don't, uh. Time doesn't fuck us up too badly anymore. But we're all fucked up. What we are is fucked up, kinda. But. Mikey and Vitt, you know, they're wearing that every day, that thing that happened to them - that change, but, outside, reflecting how it really is, inside. There's beauty in that. Its, uh, y'know," He took another drag, exhaled. "Cathartic."
Then he said, "... It is Vitt and Mikey, right? I can't keep y'all straight, I met so many fuckin' people this month-"
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:03pm - Fia Cade's Backyard
Mike had not said much most nights he didn't. He listened a lot and held his opinions to himself, but tonight Jax had made comments that had picked at scabs and he was going to be a little bitch about it. "Beautiful cathartic mess my ass. You come over here let me give ya an acid bath pretty boy, then Ill take a touch to your face for four minutes. The we can beat that face of yours out with a fucking bit of brick therapy, then toss your carcass into a crockpot on high for four hours, I figure after that maybe we could slide a fork into that tight ass of yours and call you dinner, and you might start to look as good as I do."
He stabbed at the fire he had immediately donated his blood as soon as the jars were passed out. Zero hesitation he was well trained and followed orders to a tee, if it meant that DOnna might choose him to come. Clan Brujah had taken him in and had saved him from the fate of being killed by the Princes decree. That at first had pissed him off he had wanted to death, had begged for it to take him in his first couple months as a Kindred. But he had scrambled out of that hole and thrown himself into Fight nights. Fight Club, like that movie they were advertising on the television, First rule was you didnt talk about it. He wondered if there was any way he might be able to go see it. His face was a disastrous ruin. Others could come and go freely but he couldn't
He was no stranger to the way others glanced upon his visage. He could see the disguised politeness but the tightness around their eyes and the press of their lips let him know even when they were subtle about it, that they found looking at him to be a challenge.
"I would love to come out and play but my old mug makes it hard to go play with the rest of you kitties if there is any chance of Kine being around. Likely gonna be at Tisdale whittling stakes and scoring some brownie points with the Boss Lady." He didn't know how else to try and curry favor he would do whatever Donna wanted if he could go to Toronto to get his pound of flesh if that meant he had to don a gimp mask like in pulp fiction, so he wasn't violating the masquerade, so be it He would do it to give some love to those sabbat fucks.
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:00pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Yeah, match it to this," Dana replied holding up her middle finger. The edges of her cuticles would be ragged for the rest of her existence but it added continuity to it. Dana was more offended by the fact he'd insinuated she had some personal stake in the yellow Suzuki than anything else.
Dana didn't deny anyone their rage, least of all Mike. He was angry about his lot and it was fair to be, he'd definitely received the shitty end of the stick. Dana had seen some pretty horrific things in her time, created some with her fists and her temper. People slipped from bikes and met the wrong ends of broken beer bottles and all of that, friends got sick and withered like old fruit in ways folks shouldn't, she'd seen shit. Having been roommates these past five months Mike's rotting visage was one of the first things she saw after dusk, but they kept no mirrors in the apartment so he didn't have to share that experience. So she could be the first to admit, he was hard to look at, maybe when most gazed at him they felt the palm tingling instinct to recoil that wounds brought, that disease and death conjured. But Dana, long in the trenches had become desensitized, and coming from where she had she'd never been that mortified to begin with. She wasn't sure that Mike would ever get there though. It was his face after all.
"Man if his ass is still tight after four hours in a crock pot then he's doin' something very wrong or oh so right."
Still, Jax's point hadn't been about beauty, it had been about reality. It had been about the fact sometimes we're both the roadkill and the tires. The spinal fluid on the pavement wasn't always beautiful, but it was true, and there was something to be said for that. She wouldn't say so though, the truth could be an agony of unfairness and she'd never deny anyone their rage.
"Yeah, well, you've still got shotgun to home or anywhere else," Dana said, burning her cigarette down in lungfuls in the crisp blue of the evening. "And I still say we get you in one of those full face helmets, walk around like a fuckin' bad ass."
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:00pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(12-3=9/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
He smiled big at Dana as she flipped him off. "Yeah maybe I will!"
Jax cackled cruelly, but not at Mike. With Mike, or on Mike's behalf. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard the guy laugh in his entire short stay in the city. "Yeah, I might start to look like King Tut at that point. Should wrap me in bacon, too, a little pigskin graft to keep me from lookin' like a bad Halloween decoration," He said, circling a boney wrist with bonier fingers for emphasis. "Point taken, man, that was pretty fuckin' bullshit," He apologized, genuine despite his crassness, "Sorry."
For a second, he thought he might invite Mike to follow through on his gruesome offer, but Jax knew that it wouldn't be seen as a peaceful gesture. Still. If he had, he might've meant it. Jax had spent most of his life trying halfheartedly to ruin his easy mug, inviting fists and filth, caking on makeup, living fast, dying hard. Living harder.
Nowadays, very little changed him. He lived, but he carried no lifesigns. No fading scars to count the days between a bad day and a good one. No new lasting damage to remind him of what he'd survived. Just superficial injuries with dulled-out pain that vanished like magic with a little double-thick red Kool-Aid. Nothing tangible. Nothing real...
"If tightness of the rectum persists for more than four hours, contact your doctor," Jax said in his best infomercial voice. "Anyone know a good clinic? Asking for a friend!"
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 11:15pm - Club Sonic Unyon- FREE TIME
Dee sat outside the back of Angel’s club, the Sonic Unyon puffing away on a cigarette. Life living with vampires wasn’t as glamorous as she had expected, but it felt safer than roaming the streets and taking her chances in shelters, when she knew there were vampires from Toronto that wanted to fuck her shit up as well as everyone mortal or fanged in the fair city of Hamilton.
Plus she had decided that it was a decent place to make money and then there was Angel. A stranger that had taken a chance on her when she was down on her luck literally freezing her ass off on the street. If it were not for him the plucky redheaded teen would have never known about this strange and surreal world. She owed him so much he had opened up his wallet and given her a job, his home so she could have a place to lay her head, and he made sure she was fed as well and all he asked for was to keep her eye open for talent for his business and weird shit and rumors. It paid cash and it was all under the table so there was no trail. Plus she had a little side job of taking the new vampires of the city around for the dime tour if they were willing to give her cash and either drive her or pay for the transport.
There actually had been several new ones that had come up from the Americas. She had been lucky enough to give them all the tour. It was crazy to know how many of them there were in the city. But they were the good guys and Dee wanted to make sure they stayed in the city to keep them all safe.
A car rolled into the back of the lot and Dee perked up she knew it was Angel’s vehicle. Taking the last long hull off her cigarette she felt herself smirk lopsidedly as she watched him park as he got out of the car and towards the backdoor, The ginger haired teen stood up and the smirk split into a lopsided smile. “Welcome home boss man. “ She replied as she gave him a ferocious bear hug.
Angel looked down at Dee and after a moment wrapped his arms around her. The hug meant more to him than he'd realized. "To what do I owe this greeting?" he asked, trying to smile and failing miserably. He almost asked if it was payday but realized that if it wasn't Dee would likely be hurt by his assumption that she wanted something. She would hide it of course but he'd potential caused a rift that might never close. It might also be residual emotions from her ghouling as well. "I haven't been gone that long."
"Just good to see you back home. All work and no play makes Angel a Dull boy. No weird shit to report today though." She said her face still in his chest not letting go. "You just look tired and sad I guess you needed one. A hug. That is."
"I've been playing," Angel replied, showing Dee the knuckle dusters that Dana had made. "Playing with these. And yeah, I'm sad. I didn't realize how much my family meant until they were taken. I would have outlived them anyway but this was way too fast and I'm just so full of rage right now, with no place to aim it. So if I lash out, don't take it personally."
She knew that the vampires of the city were planning something big. Angel had explained him ducking out all the time was vampire business and that they were training and prepping it was no place for her. But she still felt terrible she wanted to help. "Dee hugged him a bit tighter before releasing him to examine the brass knuckles. "Wow those are pretty sweet. Bet you could make some bloody chiclets with those." She said her eyes wide and full of admiration.
"Courtesy of the Dana school of dentistry," Angel said. "So what's going on around here tonight? Anything I should know about?"
"Keg guys were late dropping shit off today. Didn't get here till like Five Thirty. I busted the guys ass telling him my dad was gonna be super pissed. He was like your dad can eat me I don't control the traffic on the 401. Chaz is working the bar but its kinda slow tonight. Jallyn came into work about half an hour ago. She seemed really sad shes inside washing bar glasses. So yeah that's pretty much everything." She paused for moment."I'm still super sorry you lost your family dude. I can't understand it because Ive not really lost anyone, I just know its changed you and I worry about you. You better not go out there and decide to try sun tanning or anything crazy like that."
It wasn't a sun tan Dee needed to worry about, it was the Sabbat but Angel wasn't going to tell her that. "Things will be better after we get back from Toronto," he said. "It's just hard waiting for the chance to repay what they did. I never really thought of my self as a typical hot blooded Italian but i guess I am. Jallyn's probably in the same boat. I'll talk to her. It's a good thing I don't drink, otherwise I'd be getting drunk right about now."
Dee shrugged stuffing her hands into her Hoodie pocket. "Well you know it might not be a bad idea to invite one of your lady friends over for a drink. Maybe two or three then maybe have something for yourself. Just to take the edge off. Chaz says you can get a buzz that way. Might not hurt..."She said hoping to make a helpful suggestion.
“I was planning on bringing somebody in anyway," Angel said. "But the last thing I need right now it to tie one on. Then I'd do something really stupid.”
“A joint and a beer shouldn't make you go all crazy, but if you want to go all straight edge. Maybe I can offer you a shoulder rub or something to calm you somewhat.”
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OCC: Mod note Free time is still in effect for your characters you can take this time to play with particular characters or further your kindred'd political or social agendas. Free time ends 29th so get together to co post with your fellow players via PM on on the boards here. Thanks Management
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Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 23:17 - Samuel Quinn's House - FREE TIME
Having made it home, Samuel wasn't quite done for the day. Hamilton was new, and he had his work cut out for him if he was going to make bank. Reaching for his old Nokia, he scrolled through the digital list of contacts given to him during orientation. 'Dee' was the first that stuck out to him. He gave her a ring.
Dee's phone vibrated in her pocket. She saw the name and paused in her consoling of Angel.
"Hey Sammy boy, talk to me: what ya need?"
Silence, and then Samuel exhaled sharply at the sound of his name being butchered.
"It's Samuel." Then came another pause. "How happy are you with your current income?"
"Sure thing, sorry dude. It's just kinda a nickname thats stuck cause you listen to that old timey music. Like Sammy Davis Jr. If you don't dig it I will try better not to use it. " The ginger haired teen said as she walked towards the back outside the bar, she motioned for Angel to wait a few "So I'm guessing ya want me to run you an errand or something? What's Your pleasure?"
He shuffled across the living room and over toward the kitchen, prying the 70s refrigerator open to peer inside.
"Something I'd rather discuss in person, if you don't mind. But, there's good money in it for you if you'll hear me out. And, no, it's not that kind of call."
"Aww fuck yeah! I will hear you out, sir!" She replied excitedly. "Im at the Unyon Bar if you wanna come on over Im chilling at the back door. How soon should I expect?"
Samuel coughed. "I'll get there when I get there."
"Kay, I'll be chilling inside the back door likely chatting with my boss man while I kill time. " she laughed "See you whenever I guess. Call me when you get here." She added.
Reaching into the fridge, Samuel withdrew a small decanter of red, sloshing the viscous contents before removing the crystal stopper and downing a mouthful. Somehow, he preferred the taste of chilled blood. He placed it back in the fridge, hopped over to the front door, and threw on a fashionable tweed overcoat before leaving
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 23:39 - Outside the Sonic Unyon Bar - FREE TIME
It wasn't long before he'd arrived at the lot playing host to the Unyon Bar, panic stirring in his chest as he scanned the area for any sign of Dee when he suddenly spotted the entrance to an alleyway nearby. Fishing his phone from his coat pocket, he dialed her number and tuned into the rhythmic purr of its ring.
The back door opened and the redheaded teen jumped out into the Alley dressed in a pair of beat up jeans a thermal under shirt and a red and black checkered shirt. looking about and spotting Samuel. She picked the cell phone up
"Frank's Morgue: you stab em we slab em." She said with a grin on her face.
Samuel could see the faintest traces of her silhouette stenciled against the club's lithic backdrop. His face was flatter than paper. He hung up and approached Dee, almost expectantly, as if handing her the proverbial torch to lead the way.
"So where we doing this? Inside ? Here at the back door? In your car?" she asked. To anyone passing by it would have sounded like a drug deal or that the two were looking to do other nefarious things, but the only that might have heard them talking was Angel, though Dee wasn't sure if he had waited inside for her or left to take care of more of the night time bar business stuff.
"Anywhere private", he conceded. "Or, private-ish. I have a business model that requires employees and, from what I hear, you're pretty good at digging around. How does a few grand a month sound as far as passive incomes go?"
"I get around the city and I see and know things I guess. My skill set is kinda always how you say it... fluctuating and growing. Maybe your car then? Ive heard Donna mention sometng called plausible deniability. Might be good if I dont have Angel near by to accidentally hear things, if hes inside waiting." She replied. Whatever the offer was it sounded like it might pay well but also might be a bit above her pay grade. She would have to wait to hear what the vampires request was. She tried super hard to remain calm when he tossed a thousand a month out on the table for income. That was more than Angel paid her. Her heart raced as she nodded at the offer. Suddenly very attentive an wanting to hear more.
Samuel nodded.
"As you wish". He gestured toward a dark blue 1986 Parisienne parked on the other side of the street.
Dee made her way over to the car and jumped into the front seat. Her leg leg bounced energetically as she watched Samuel settle in beside her. "I gotta let ya know straight up Angel's, like, my boy. My number one, so I work for him and I have a contract with him to do scout work for talent. I can't drop that, or it will make waves and this deal would be nixed. So is it something I can do on the side, 'cause a grand..." She let out a whistle "That's a lot of money. I'm guessing it's gonna be a long term thing that's gonna carry on for a bit?"
"Not a grand--", he started. "-- I said a couple grand." He cleared his throat. "It will be ongoing, but I only need one thing from you right now. The rest is down the road." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small manilla envelope, handing it over to Dee.
The teen cracked it open and looked into the envelope. She saw a wad of twenties neatly banded together with an elastic.
"That's two-hundred fifty if you can scan the town and get me a list of jewel distributors. I need someone who can talk the devil into setting himself on fire, and you-- from the sound of it-- are the closest thing to it. There's another two-fifty if you're successful. Otherwise--"
His eyes became daggers.
"-- I'll find a way to get my money back."
"Fuck me..." She breathed. She looked torn as she looked at the older man. She always imagined that he was likely an old biker before he was turned or maybe a long distance trucker. But now she was thinking maybe she had misjudged the guy. "I'm super touched. " She began, "This is super generous, but I'm just a street kid man. I wouldn't necessarily know how to get you what you are asking for. I mean I could walk in and ask out of curiosity and compile you a list and maybe the name of the company that sends them stuff maybe. But I don't know how forthcoming business are about giving up their middle men ya know? Im super touched you think I got what it takes, but honestly, I don't have any experience in this sort of thing. I run errands and I tend to find and step into weird situations and make friends with odd balls. I got a good eye for detail most of the time and being that I'M a street kid I blend into the background and get over looked easily. That is my skill set."
He took a moment to think, scanning the dash of his car as he let his mind wander. She could be right, and it wasn't like he wanted to play fast and loose right now, especially when he'd only been in Hamilton but a few months. But, he needed friends and, even more, he needed an income.
"If it's heat you're worried about, or even skill, don't be. I'll pretty well be able to walk you through the process. But--"
He pulled the envelope back toward him.
"--If you don't think you're ready for a job like this, then say no more. You're not ready. I can always find someone else to pull it off. I'm sure there are a lot of people who'd jump at the chance for free money. You're obviously doing well enough doing..."
He glanced over at the front-end of the Unyon Bar.
"Whatever it is you do. Just know, the offer still stands."
"Oh, If you want to teach me what I need to do, then I'm game to learn a few new skills. Like I said, I want to grow my skill set so I can be more useful to the Kindred of the city, especially to Angel." She said looking down at the envelope as she fingered loose tens and twenties. She looked up at him, her eyes serious, her mouth a flat pressed line as she studied him "I want to learn, if you want to teach me what you need me to do."
For the first time since meeting the kine of Hamilton, Samuel donned something close in relation to a smile. A thin one, but a smile nonetheless.
"Of course", he chimed. "I always take care of my partners". He extended a hand for her to shake. "Did I mention you'd be getting an expensive suit out of it, too?"
"Ugh a suit really?" She said making a face. "No offense but I dont roll in highballer stuff if you noticed the grunge look is my jam. But, if its a costume I need to put on so I seem more relatable to store owners, I dig it. " She said, flashing him a grin. "We just need to practice my suit speak I guess. And get used to wearing the suit rather than it wearing me. 'Cause I know that is a thing. Gonna have to figure out how to do my make up nice too so I look more mature. Im sure some salons around here might be able to assist if I toss em a few bucks to teach me how to look like Robo Corp."
Samuel was actually beaming now.
"That's great to hear." He handed her the two-hundred fifty dollars before reaching into his pocket once more. It took some finagling, but he managed to find what he needed: a checkbook, one that sported the logo for the Bank of America. Scrawling fervently upon one of the many pages inside, he tore it out and handed it to Dee. From what she could see in the dim light of his car, there was a figure on it that looked like a seven followed by two zeroes.
"Will this be enough for a makeover?"
"Yeah, but I dont have a bank account. Maybe I can get Angel to cash it for me? I kinda low key don't have real ID for a couple reasons. It can be useful to be a nobody when cops harass ya and you don't want folks knowing your business. I deal in cash. Its portable spends everywhere and people dont ask questions over cash." She looked at the cheque and sighed. "Maybe I can put that 250 to use and go down to value village and see if I can find myself some nice brand label office attire. All the rich fucks in Ancaster and down in Stoney Creek tend to donate their stuff, I could likely find something for a lot less and we can see how it fits worse case we send it in for alterations to a tailor maybe?" Her mind was already racing trying to anticipate the needs for her client and this job. She found it exciting and challenging.
He shook his head,
"No, no, no, you're not spending your money on job-related materials. That's not how I do things." He withdrew the check, crumpled it, and shoved it in his pocket before rifling through his coat once more. He pulled out a small stack of fifties, counted them, and handed it to her.
"That's six hundred", he told her. "That's just what I have on hand." Before she could grab it, however, he pulled back again; his eyes were full of steel, just like before.
"A few things you should know before I fill you in: I do not, by any means, tolerate dishonesty, you understand? What you do with the money you've earned is your business, but if I find out you misappropriated my clothing fund--"
He leaned in.
"--As far as business practices go, I don't believe violence is a good tool, but there's absolutely nothing stoppin' me from buying out your Italian's little club, burning it down, and collecting the insurance just to make a point."
"Don't fuck me, you got that?"
If she didn't know any better, Dee swore she could hear the Bostonian leaking out from beneath his words.
"Of course. I can make sure you receipts for the stuff I get." She chimed back as she waited for Samuel to place the cash in her hand. "I won't do anything like beating people up. I dont like fighting so were on the same page there. But you need to know that Angel's club has nothing to do with his. I do spare work because I like having spare money. If shit gets to weird freaky or dangerous I will tap out and you need to know that has to be okay between you and I. I dont want to get to big for my britches and do something that could get me in jail. You are offering a crazy amount of money for me to dress up and ask questions. I wont lie it feels like its more than just this that you got going on, but hey all I gotta do is walk into a store sound like I know what I am talking about and schmooze with some store guys to find out who they have as a middle man or wholesaler. I can work with that. It doesnt sound insane."
She paused for a moment, though, as she listened to his threat about Angels club and stuffed how that made her feel as deep down into her guts as she could shove it. She wasn't sure why it angered her as much as it did. But the fact that he would willing fuck with one of his own clan mates to prove a point to her didnt sit well with her. "No fucking with you. No lying." She echoed.
"I promise you--", he assured. "-- I won't ask you to do anything I know you can't handle. You look like a good kid."
She nodded as he tried to sooth her. "I dont want to get hurt or fuck anyone over." She confessed but Angel and I dont have any secrets he lets me stay with him and thats part of the rule so if he asks what Im doing for you what am I saying?"
Had he been too severe with her? He was used to pressing a lot of people back in the day, after all, it was common practice when you ran with the mob. But, he could see how much his threat clearly upset her.
She's just a kid, he admonished himself. Maybe tone it down a little? Regardless, when money was involved, he needed to focus.
Samuel finally handed her the wad of cash, casting his eyes forward again. An awkward silence fell within the cabin of the car; he actually felt compelled to apologize, but just couldn't bring himself to do it. His pride wouldn't let him. Another moment passed, and he shrugged.
"You tell him the truth. All you need to do is dress yourself, and I'll hand you an attache filled with legal documentation for one of my distributors across the border. You just find the select stores of your choice-- the fancier the better-- and work your magic to convince them you're a representative, and that 'we' are interested in branching out. That's when you give them a ridiculous offer they can't ignore. You break bread, you get to know them, then exchange information. That's it."
"You gonna make me some business cards. Whats my name gonna be?" she asked as she took the wad of cash and he watched it disappear into the front of her top and then into the confines of her bra. I need like a back story right?"
"I'll leave that at your discretion. I just need names; they won't be checking records, most likely". He sighed. "With any luck, we'll have the personal contact info of a few mid-level executives, and the rest can fall into place."
"Alright you got an email that I can send you the details of what I fish up and what I come up as an alter ego so you can do your part to make me some cards?" She asked
"No email", he commanded. "I want as little a digital trail as possible". He glanced at her. "And, for your sake, you should too".
"What about burner phones?" Dee asked
"You let me worry about that." He said matter-of-factly, reaching across the cabin to open the door. He offered a cordial nod.
"The next time we talk, it won't be on my phone."
"Alright we will be in touch then. " Dee said. "I guess you will just pop the bar to pick up the info on my identity tomorrow I will give it some thought. I cant see me being able to really push past being 20 to be honest but we can see how it goes. Maybe Wendy can give me some pointers she always looks fresh and preofssional."
His voice fell flat.
"You'll do fine."
He waited expectantly for her to leave the car. Dee bailed and closed the heavy car door with a solid bang. She gave the older man a nod and headed back to the Bar.
"Hey, kid...", he called after her.
Dee turned to look "Yeah?"
Do it. Do it, you asshole! Apologize!
Samuel's breath hung in the air for a moment as the sounds of the city blended together around them.
"Have a good night." He smiled awkwardly as he wiggled back into his car from the window. Without hesitation, he turned the key in the ignition, and sped off.
"You too Big Boss Man." She said as she gave him an over exaggerated flourish and bow.
This has been a LadyJallyn and Crunchy-Dorito co-post.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:02 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP: 8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
The Toreador paused at the door of his El Camino and looked back. "Hey Mike, want to come with? I'll get you home before curfew. It won't exactly be a vacation but staying cooped up at Tisdale can't be easy. We'll find a place to get you something hot and red. If you want lend a hand at the shop, I can even pay you for your time."
It was an annoying epiphany that, despite his acceptance of the Brujah, he was still judging others not by their character but by their appearance. He'd internally expressed admiration of Mike's spirit, something he should probably have actually done out loud. To do so now would seem like he was trying to sooth bruised egos. He's need to talk to Mike when it would actually mean something.
"You might even find a few pieces of scrap steel that you can grind down to a nice point. Add a few iron spikes to your pile of wooden stakes." He looked at Jax and Dana. "What do you say? All the cool Brujah are doing it."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:01 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel opened the door to let Dee back in. "Forget your keys?" he asked. His cheeks had lost some of their pallor and there was a slight trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He'd clearly found someone to feed on while she'd been gone. Small wonder; the club was usually fully of beautiful women.
"Samuel have an errand for you?" he asked as he closed the door behind her. It only made sense that Samuel had called Dee. She had pretty much offered to pimp herself out, figuratively speaking, to any of the newcomers that needed a spare set of daylight hands.
"If that shoulder rub is still on the table, I could be talked into it." Dee, of all people, Angel most wanted to hide his emotional state from. He was on a precipice. It would be so easy to just hurl himself off, expending what was left of his life against the Sabbat in an self-destructive orgy of violence. There wasn't much holding him back. The club, the studio, they were just things. His herd, with rare exceptions, were just the people he fed from. Dee and maybe Wendy were the biggest reasons he had for coming back.
I should probably write a will....
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:04 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard -Mike
Mike was surprised to be invited he stiffened for a second and then decided what the hell. It would be less isolating and the boredom wouldn't be as crushing likely.
"Alright Im in whoever's driving lets get out of here. I will just have to lay down on the floor so no one sees my mug."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:02 am - Sonic Unyon - Dee
Dee looked at Angels face and licked her finger softly and reached out to catch the corner of Angel's lip catching the missed blood. She pulled it back to look at it gleaming on her index finger before she stretched it out and offered it back to him. MIssed a spot she said, her eyes meeting his as she flashed him a crooked smirk and added softly "If you want that rub how about we go down to your apartment and I will give it to you. I have my lotion downstairs. WE will need something for the friction." She added as she wiggled the bloody finger in his face.
He couldnt be sure if Dee was aware of the double entendres or not. She was being playful and all jokes like normal, but the wording definitely could be read a certain way.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:03 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
The corners of Angel's mouth twitched upwards slightly as he fought against a smile. He took Dee's hand and pulled the blood tipped finger into his mouth. He traced the tip of his tongue around her fingertip, sucking gently. It was hard not to laugh when her eyes rolled back and her knees almost buckled.
"Careful what you say Dee," he said, releasing her hand. "It could be taken more than one way. Shall we head downstairs? Did you want me on the couch or on the floor?"
"Whatever you want," Dee said in a voice that sounded vaguely distracted. She followed Angel down into his basement apartment. Angel stole a cushion off the couch and sat on the floor, peeling his shirt off while Dee fetched her hand lotion.
"So what have you been up to lately?" Angel asked. He'd been stuck in the back of his own head lately and he'd likely been neglecting his ghouls. Interaction was growing progressively harder for him and he knew if he didn't start trying to reach out, reaching out would grow harder as well.
"You know. Hunting for buskers. Looking for talent. Keeping an eye open for weird shit. Talking to homeless guys. Just trying to get the scoop on what's going on around here. And sometimes running errands for anybody that needs help. Helping out around here sometimes if the weather is shitty. You know, nothing important. Sorry I haven't had anything important to report. There's nothing going on. Even the homeless guys are saying it's all quiet."
The lotion was cool as she squeezed some out onto Angel's back. He might have protested, had he been alive but sensations didn't work the same way for him now. "It's all important, Dee," Angel replied. He leaned back into her fingers. "They also serve who only stand and wait. I think that's from the Bible but don't quote me on that. You've already done more for this city and the Kindred in it than at least half the Kindred. Don't ever think what you do isn't important. Just because it's quiet now doesn't mean it will stay that way."
Dee kneaded a little harder. "I was starting to worry that you'd get rid of me because I wasn't digging up anything good."
"The city is healing, Dee. Music isn't all that important to people out there right now. Things will get better and the next thing that happens should be a good thing, because it can't all be bad. And don't ever think that I'd get rid of you. You're family. Some of the only family I have left." He sighed. "I wish I could have taken them in but Grigor is right. It's better to just let them go. Except I can't. I've got to make sure they're okay."
"Can't really relate. I ditched my family. I don't think it would even bug me if..." Her words trailed off. "I wish I could trade my family for yours."
"Some days, you can't piss a drop," Angel said. "I'm not entirely sure what that was supposed to mean but my sister's boyfriend used to say it all the time. It sounds profound." He leaned his head over, catching her hand between his cheek and shoulder. "What happened with your family is in the past. You're here, with me and you're safe."
"Sounds like a bladder infection," Dee said. She pulled Angel close and rested her chin on his head. "I'm glad you took me in."
"One of my better ideas, actually. You have been an absolute Godsend, for me and the studio."
"I'm going to do everything in my power to be as useful as I can for you. For all you guys."
Angel chuckled. "Of that I have no doubt. I take it Samuel has grand plans for you?"
"I guess so," Dee said. "I have to run up and ask a whole bunch of businesses about wholesalers. A pretty easy gig. I think he's trying to do some kind of hostile takeover thing. I'm getting a new wardrobe out if it, so that's cool. Do you think Wendy would teach me business make-up?"
"Wendy or Jallyn. Either or. He does realize he could just look it all up in the phonebook, right?"
"Old fashioned, I guess. I don't care. I'm making money off it." Dee jumped off the couch and pulled her backpack out from under the couch. Angel watched her pull out a bag of sanitary napkins. She pulled a wad of cash from her bra and stuffed it into the bag.
"You know you don't need to carry it all around with you," Angel said. "I can give you an old coffee can that you can hide in the ceiling. Or you could cut a hole in the couch. My mother used to tell me that her Grandmother did that during the depression and even into the second world war, because she didn't trust banks. I know you don't want a bank account because reasons but carrying it with you risks losing it all if somebody grabs your bag."
"I hide this bag here," Dee said, with a note of pride in her voice. "I have a second bag. This is my stash bag. Chaz and Grigor didn't even know about it. And if there was a coffee can in here, it wouldn't fit under the couch."
"Suit yourself," Angel said. "So tell me about this new wardrobe. How is Samuel planning on dressing you up? I assume business attire, given what you said about make-up."
"Yeah!" Dee said excitedly. "I'll be more respected, if I come in looking like I'm not a street urchin, which makes sense. I can give him an hour a day. That way you get most of my time and it would be a long term project."
"Would take a long time to do the whole city," Angel said.
"Eh. You guys have forever. Kinda giving him an overview of who sells what and who distributes what. Something you'd need to know if you wanted to run a business. I'm sure you did the same when you opened this place."
"Not to the degree you're talking," Angel said. "But yeah. I did my research. It was more focused than general though. What types of businesses is he having you look at? Or is it just overall? I mean you can narrow it down. Any branch offices or franchises will have their own distribution centres. It will only be the stand alone places that go through independent suppliers."
"I think he wants to start with jewelry stores. There are a lot of Mom and Pop shops, so it's going to take a while and he said that was fine." She pressed her face up against Angel's neck and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm going to do a good job for him. I'm a good Ventrue helper," she said proudly. "Even Grigor and Chaz said I did good when I was running errands for them."
"You are indeed a good helper." Angel felt a little shiver run through her at his words of praise. He wrapped his arms around her a little awkwardly and returned her embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
One thing I am going to do is look into what sort of business Samuel is getting you into.
"Likely be doing your best imitation of the inside of an ashtray. And don't you forget it." Dee released her embrace and returned to her massage. Angel certainly couldn't argue.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:04 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP: 8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"Not exactly sure if there is room on the floor, so you might need to take the middle seat," Waylon said. "How do you usually feed? I'm not sure what the other Brujah have taught you. Of course your other choice is to ride with Dana and swing by the shop after. I'm good with either, Mike. Whatever is good with you."
The Toreador looked at Jax. "If you're looking for a little rectal loosening, it isn't a clinic you're friend looking for. It's a club. I can think of several that might suit." He chuckled rakishly. Your friend might not want to leave."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:04 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Mike
"I will catch a ride with Dana then." Mike said. "Ah the food question. Well it is mixed bag. Price sends me all the blood I want from a local shop I guess. Me and Mellisa and Chaz apparently are all sent it. Sometimes Butcher sneaks me out and we ambush hunt some sorry saps that are out too late in Gage Park, or sometimes we go down to the lakefront and Donna find some couple that's making out and pops 'em over the head for a little nap time and I get a little snack time." Mike explained. "I do prefer people to pig, that much I can tell you. Its like tomato soup sure you can open a can and add a can of water and you got soup, but man adding milk makes it so much richer and better."
The Samedi sighed. "I miss food and I miss having a dick that works, I miss shitting too. Never thought that be a thing..."
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:04pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Now that we've sorted that out," Dana said crushing the end of her cigarette under her heel. Strangely if it weren't for cigarettes she probably would have given up breathing by now, the steady rhythm existed to facilitate smoke instead of air. It reminded her of the commercials that used to play when she was young and mortal, if it weren't for the masquerade she'd be a hell of an advertisement.
The cigarette worth breathing for She imagined the overly hearty and wholesome tone too vividly and she'd lost track of the conversation but she was fine to chime in where she surfaced.
"Man it is so fucking convenient to go on a long haul ride and not have to stop because a gas station burrito is trying harder to fuck you than your Southern cousins. I swear, you start slipping shit up there just so it can fall back out to 'feel something' and I'm gonna need to move out," Dana laughed. Though strangely she wouldn't, people had done worse for less drastic reasons, it was just in her nature to bust balls.
Also it put distance between the strange fact that last time she'd taken a shit she'd been a waitress, the Watergate trials had just begun, Jameson was alive - or at least undead... Such distance between alive and now, such things had happened.
"Ah we'll find ya something with a pulse. I'll come down to the shop too I really should look at that yellow crotch rocket's patch," Dana said throwing open the passenger side door of her pick up, it shrieked horrifically but she hefted herself in and across the bench seat because the driver's side would have shrieked worse, she left it gaped open for Mike while she brought the engine snarling to life.
"Y'all can gossip at the shop, ladies, we're burning midnight here. Climb on up, DP, if you want the floor you got it, but really with your hood after dark ain't no one gonna see shit."
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:40 pm - Dundas-The bike and auto shop - Mike
Mike had chosen to go with Danna he kept low on the ground. The others were so casual about his not getting caught, but the Princes words of warning, and the tiny glimpse of seeing one of the less Sabbat prisoners who had been a 'guest' at Whitehern, had made him extremely mindful of how he carried himself. He would not tell the others about it, he had been told his coperation and total co operation as well as the clan of Brujah were the reasons he was still here.
He stayed down on the floor of Danas ride and was silent for the entire trip choosing to listen to the female Brujah curse at the slow drivers and the slow lights.
He chose to listen to the random tunes that also drifted out over the radio. It wasnt dance music. He had loved the club scene. He suppressed a snort as he remembered not even a year ago stressing about getting older and the stray comments that had been made by the men and women that went to the Embassy. He was that sad guy that was trying hard to compete with the younger boys, the cute ones, teh slim ones, the fresh ones. He had felt so desperate back in those days and had silently prayed with the forces of the universe that he wished they couold turn back time, and instead the cosmos as it were half granted that wish in the most cruel and unusal of ways.
Instead of turning back time he got to run across vampires. One vampire in particular who had made a ruin of his face. Now he could not go out even in public without having people recoil and under the threat of death. Suddenly seemingly being a bit over weight and 30 didnt seem like an issue.
He heard Dana coax him out and he obeyed finding helself standing in a Garage that could fix three cars if you parked them super tight and friendly, you might have to climb out of the sunroof of one of em. It smelled like motor oil and car paint.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:05pm - Fia Cades Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(9/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
He'd been thrilled by the addition of Mike and Dana to their little garage party. Even fist-pumped the air a little, high on the ghost of social endorphins. He genuinely liked Mike and was eager to get to know the guy better. Maybe with a few hours under the belt together, Jax could manage to get across he didn't always have one foot parked firmly in his mouth. It wasn't true, He Did, but maybe he could convince him otherwise.
And Dana, well. She spoke his language. He found himself grinning along to her bit about gas station burritos. A phantom chill ran up his spine. He'd been there...
At Waylon's offer, Jax laughed big to compensate for the anxiety chewing up his insides. People talked about butterflies - the topic gave him an infestation. Carrion moths, complete with hatchery, every hungry maggot a'wrigglin'. "Maybe my friend oughta stay away then," He half-joked, half-declined, "For his health, y'know? He's got an addictive personality." He took a hefty drag off his cigarette.
He watched as Dana pulled open the door to her pickup, felt the sound it made in his bones. Familiar and out-of-place. The coldness of the fall air around him felt sharper, more real. Nostalgia was a funny foil. Not a day went by he wasn't glad to be away from his old, old, old house. Hamilton was a temporary home, but it was a good one all the same. Worth making new memories in, ones to cut out the ugly. Maybe someday the sound of an old pickup wouldn't be a bad omen. Maybe soon it could be the sound of a good friend.
"So," Jax said to Waylon, a little plume of smoke trailing out with the word and every word after it, "I might'uh've possibly carpooled here with the boss lady. You think there's room in that big ole-" He gestured vaguely to where most of their crews' vehicles had been parked with varrying degrees of skill, "whatever-you-drive for... little ole me?" He bat his raccoon-ringed brown doe-eyes dramatically, clasping his hands together like a damsel, hoping desperately to be read as funny rather than faggy.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:04 to 10:41 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard to the Body Shop - Waylon
BP: 8/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"The old El Camino," Waylon said. "A step up from the Miata. Ironically, well be walking past my old Miata, currently owned by out hostess, to get to my new ride, which you boss lady refuses to call a real truck."
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.hotrodhotline.com/ui/8/79/ugGzGnqBpW.jpg)
The ginger Toreador raised his eyebrows. "I do declare," he said in his best southern belle accent. "I don't think I have ever seen a man bat his eyelashes so beautifully. It positively gave me the vapours." He dangled the keys in front of Jax. "Wanna take the wheel?"
Whether the Jax drove or not, the two Kindred were soon on this way. They made a quick pit stop to fill the gas tank, both for the vehicle and themselves. Waylon unlocked the shop and turned on the lights. "Jax, there is a switch on the wall over there by the compressor. Turn it on please. Mike, you get to pick the music for tonight's events. Stereo is right inside the office door. CDs are beside it or you could find a radio station that you like. Not too loud, though. We got a complaint about the volume last week. Dana, you grab the tape and I'll get the paint."
Waylon clapped his hands, clearly enjoying the chance to work with this new medium. Some of it was, he realized, perilously close to rolling graffiti but as long as he refuse to cross that line and work in that blasphemous style, he'd be fine.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
+2 blood points for Waylon and I assume Jax as well.
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
Sunday, October 17th 1999 - 9:59 pm Xiao's SUV- Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
HP (7/7) BP (10/13) WP (5/5) Hum (7/7) SC (3/3)
A cold shiver went down Xiao's spine when she read the text messages. She opted not to listen to the voicemail till after she was done at the club and home. The email would likewise have to wait till she was able to access her computer. She started the SUV and headed toward the club where she would grab a quick bite and see about picking up the end of shift from one of the other girls.
(-3 BP from filling the baby food jars)
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:41pm - The Shop - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Bruce Springsteen quietly murmured that he was on fire while Dana loudly wished the other people on the road would be on fire. She occasionally glanced down at Mike, curled in the space between the dashboard and the passenger seat. It would probably be good if she could say something to him, pass on some wisdom about rage or about revenge or about immortality. But she had no advice, no words, no neat statements, she'd never really gotten the secret of the world, and she'd never had her face bitten off. At least not permanently. So she said nothing but swore at the traffic to remind him there was someone with him in the space, someone there. That's what she had to offer, her anger reminding the world she was still there.
She pulled properly into the shop to let Mike out because he was concerned about being seen, and by the time she'd parked around back and come back around Waylon and Jax had arrived.
"God you get fuckin' bossy when you've got an audience," Dana snorted but went to get the tape all the same, pausing by the yellow Suzuki on her way to the shelf, the patch was set and smooth to the the body, a little more sanding and no one would ever know that there had been a ragged hole there. She tossed the roll of tape at Waylon whether he was ready for it or not.
"After this do we wanna go down to the creek? See what's there that bleeds?" she asked the room at large, cracking her neck and grabbing up some sand paper from the bench.
There was a wooded stretch with a babbling run of water through it not far from the shop and all manner of wildlife and dumb teenagers would wander through. Teenagers were less likely this time of year unless they were practicing for Halloween, getting in the spirit and telling each other ghost stories in the dark. The shadows would work just as well as Gage park did at any rate.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 9:59pm - Fia Cade's Backyard to the club - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia was putting out the fire with the garden hose when Dana 'whumped' her back. Slightly startled at first, she grinned and gave a wave as the unlikely group made their way out. Traditionally, Clans tended to stick to their own, so to see the Brujah 'palling around' with Toreadors and the rest always gave Fia a bit of an internal giggle. This whole 'teamwork' thing was relatively new. Although she fully realized that they all had to work together, to call their elements to 'Captain Planet' the Sabbat, it still made for a funny picture in her mind. Once the pit was no longer hissing and smoking, it was time to feed Peanut. She fixed him his 'dindins', then it was time for Fia's own dinner.
She slipped into her smexy Miata and made her way downtown. She easily found a quick meal and topped up. After all was done, all there was left to do was to head to the club, so she did.
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:41pm - The Shop - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP(9+2=11/12) WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax had eyed the keys like a hypnotised tomcat - fixated and eager to pounce. He'd been glad for the quick offer - it gave him an out for coming up with something to say back to Waylon's bit about getting the vapours.
With permission, he took the wheel. Relished over it, in fact. It had been a long while since he'd been in anything nicer than the beater he'd bought for a steal off a buddy in Buffalo. Jax could never afford a luxury vehicle, not that he wanted one, but he used to be pretty good at hotwiring them. Made something of a career out of it as a kid. Never got caught.
It had helped him get away from his old life to New York in the first place. But... once his musical career had taken off and he'd made friends in his new old city, Jax had actually acquired something he was afraid to lose. All that had become too valuable to him to gamble away on joyriding. Since then, for almost three decades, Jax hadn't jacked a high profile car. Hell, he'd barely jacked any cars since then.
Not wanting to test the limits of his hosts' hospitality, Jax drove fairly responsibly, only speeding within reason, not weaving through traffic. Playing it cool. For now. Mostly, he was testing the waters - how much was Waylon okay with? The car was obviously a visual thing for him, but... did he like it because it went fast, too? "You know what they say about red cars," He'd said at some point in the drive.
Taking Waylon's lead on where to drive and when to stop, Jax was glad to be getting a feel for the city. And when it came to hunting down a good meal, he was thankful for Waylon's help.
[ 2 BP restored ; 11 of 12 BP total ]
Finally at the shop, Jax had shut the car door with a satisfied whistle. "Man, real truck or not, she's a beaut! Thanks for lettin' me drive." He said, tossing him the keys. Then he got the switch as asked. Breathed deep the garage-y air. He gave Mike a friendly grin and a wave as he spotted him.
Jax wondered what music the guy would pick. To Jax, this was real test of one's character... And also just like, a good way to get a feel for what people were into.
Settling in, he chuckled a little at Dana's revealing comment about Waylon being bossy with eyes on him. Against his better judgement, Jax found it endearing.
He perked up at the promise of another excursion. "Sounds like fun," Jax said, already fiddling with tools he had no business getting into, "Haven't rooted around in the creek yet. Popular spot?"
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:41pm - The Dundas auto body and Bike Shop - Mike
Mike looked through the collection of CDs for a moment, before selecting Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails. As the lyrics of Head Like a Hole rang through the garage, Mike wandered around looking at the work being done. He hadn't grown up in a house that contained a father figure so he knew nothng about cars. He shuffled over to watch Waylon work unsure of what to say. "You guys been here for long?" He finally settled on asking the mismatached rag tag group of folks that were working. "And can I do anything to help?"
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 10:43 pm to just before midnight Body Shop - Waylon
BP: 10/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon nodded. "Red cars hide the blood," he said. "And they go faster. Only way to speed it up more is with flame paint."
He rubbed his head where the tape bounced off it. "A heads up would be nice next time Dana," he said. "Okay, Mike, Jax, time for taping 101. The tape creates the hard edge of the paint, because it stops the paint from sticking to anything it's covering...."
It was a quick lesson and included the use of the airbrush. He allowed the two Kindred to try their hand on a spare door, before allowing them to work on an actual car. He wasn't worried about mistakes; they would need multiple coats and he could correct any errors they made in subsequent coats. In the meantime, he handled the more complicated set-ups. Even with the extra hands, they weren't going to get everything done that night. His muse was livid; he wasn't working fast enough. It was accepting of the pride he took in his work but it did not accept the pace. He was bordering on a panic attack and nearly lost his shit on Mike and Jax when he saw them across the shop chatting rather than working at one point but went out into the cool night instead. He didn't need to breath the night air but it helped him settle himself.
When it was closer to midnight, he declared a break. "Dana, wanna help me take these two down to the creek and see what you can scare up? School night so we won't find too many horny teens but might catch a stray Mac student or two. I figure we could all use a break."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 11:51pm - The Shop - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana had sanded down the patch and then smoked her way through most of her pack of cigarettes. She hadn't really had anything to do at the shop that night which was why she'd intended to skip it, but she was glad she'd come. She was glad to see Mike doing something besides sharpening sticks in the apartment. Though along the same vein she did give him and Jax a brief lesson on the angle grinder and spare piece of pipe while Waylon had been distracted in one of his paint layers, or powdering his nose or something like that.
He was Toreador fussy but he also got that paint as smooth as glass every time and Dana had to give credit where credit was due.
"Yeah? Ready to rock and roll?" Dana said making a note that she'd have to buy more cigarettes before sun up as she hopped down off the bench. "It's like two streets over to the wilderness in Dead-ass Dundas I think we're good to walk but if you want a mask DP - we got dust masks we don't use cause fumes don't do shit no matter how hard you try," she said leaning down to grab the box of white dust masks with their yellow elastics.
"Jax-Off can have one too so he doesn't think I'm picking favourites."
-
Sunday, October 17th, 1999 - 11:53pm - The Shop -Mike
Mike grabbed the mask offered and put it on with the hoodie hood pulled down and in the shadows there was no doubt in his mind that he could sneak about in the dark. So long as no asshole shined a light in his face he would be good. He offered Dana a muffled thanks and mused about what a clever girl she was. Her talents were more than just a gorgeous face.
Mike prepared himself to take the trip down to this hidden spot. Even if they came up empty it was a chance to stretch his legs. The angle grinder and the way it threw off sparks made him nervous, not that he would admit it.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:42am- somewhere along the creek that winds through dundas and the wilds.
The group of kindred wandered out of the garage and into the night air walking along the ruver bank in the crisp evening air.
They had been quiet though some of it since some of the river cut its way through properties in the quaint town that was turned in for the night.
Mike followed the others being mindful of his footing along the bank of the creek. He had been told it wasn't powerful or deep, but he wanted to make sure he wouldnt fall in and wreck the Nikes he wore.
From the distance more towards the escarpment than the actual village they could hear the shrill cry of an animal and the sound of laughter followed by a few triumphant woots....
It seemed like someone was out and about besides them and having a good time.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 00:43 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 10/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon paused. "Is it just me or did that animal sound like it wasn't too happy about what was going on?" He looked at the others. "Is it just me or do any of you have the idea that somebody is a little too happy about tormenting an animal?"
Waylon might have been a vampire, complete with a heart that had ceased to beat but that didn't make him a heartless monster. If somebody was torturing an animal, he was going to have a few words to say about it and he expected that the Brujah would tag along just because of the potential for a fight.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1am-"Home"- Victoria Ashford- Tremere
BP 10/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
After a bit of wandering and contmeplation, Victoria finally closed the door to her room, looking around at the piles of books on the stand and floor. She shucked off her bag and put it on a chair, fishing out one of her notebooks and pulling out a pen. She had spent some time haunting some of the most scarred places in the city, as if willing the ruins to tells her thier secrets. She did that most times after training with the others. She didnt mention it to them because she really doubt that any of them would want that dark reminder of the pain thier city had endured at the hands of the Sabbat. She might step out later to grab a snack before the sun rose, but for now she wanted to lay her thoughts on paper.
They would soon be heading into the main event. She wasn't sure if thier leader would believe that she would be useful enough, but she was hoping to be able to help. It's what the Prince of her city sent her there for, after all, but it was more than that. She was actually enjoying being here, even as fractured as the city was. Of course, she fully intended to put every effort into surviving to see the end of this path.
She plopped onto the chair next to her bag and opened her notebook to an empty page.
'Even the homeless avoid those places. I've watched them, unwashed and full of sadness, avoiding the scars like children crossing the street to avoid the cemetary. I suppose the analogy fits a bit too well, though. Mortals don't like being reminded of the transient state of their lives. It makes me think of what could follow this life, or unlife. But even with the occult connotations that are attached to those thoughts, they are not the reason I go. I want to see with my eyes the stakes attached to this fight. I also want to see if my unique way of looking at things could yield any information that might help in the battle to come, especially considering the remaining concern that there might be a spy among us. Many of the others do not seem over concerned with this, but I agree with our fearless leader- if there is a spy it could spell our doom. I think that I will take my notebooks and give them to her. She knows the kindred that remain here better than I. Perhaps my ramblings might allow her the final pieces to determine whether her fears hold weight or not. It could also have the added bonus of proving that I can indeed be of assistance, even if it may not seem so.
I cannot say that it is with excitement that I look towards what is to come, but rather determination. But the idea of taking out some sabbat does make me smile.'
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:43 am - The Creek in Dundas - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Their walk hadn't turned too much up, mostly just muddied boot treads and left ears buzzing with the sounds of night at the creekside. Even with the murmur of the creek in her ears the sound of a distressed animal and pleased people cut through it all.
That was interesting. Waylong summed it up nicely.
"Sounds to me like someone needs their fun ruined," Dana nodded, cracking her knuckles, moving in the direction of the commotion.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:43 am - The Creek in Dundas - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Going out had been a good idea. At least it had seemed that way to Jax as he'd strapped on the mask he'd been jokingly offered - happily playing along with the bit for kicks as much as he was happily masquerading with Mike in unspoken solidarity - and headed out.
"Gorgeous night for a prowl!"
It was probably the longest stretch Jax had visibly gone without a smoke. He'd bounded about the creek like an unsupervised kid on a school trip, hop-scotching on rocks too close to the imminant danger of the gentle and shallow river, walking backwards with slumped shoulders and hands in his pockets along the muddy shores, kicking dead wood from its place amongst the mud and leaves clean into the lazy water's path. Whistling the Nine Inch Nails Mikey had so aptly chosen earlier in the evening. Quietly having a blast wandering about with his newfound friends.
It was fun til it wasn't. It was fun til he'd heard some animal shreik.
After that, after human laughter had dared to chase that clear note of terror, Jax didn't hear his friends talking. The babbling of the creek became an overwhelming buzz of blood remembered - a phantom rush of red thrumming behind his eardrums becomming the wardrum beat heralding the horror to come. He bit his lip angrily beneath the mask, breathless and bestial.
Jax tried to get a reign on himself. Breathed for the calm the habit loaned him. But his boots were already propelling him forward, not running but angry, careless, a little faster than his peers.
Jax, it was clear, was not thinking, was only ready to act, and whatever followed might not be so good after all.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 00:45 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 10-1=9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon watched as Jax launched forward. Few things were as unmistakable as a Brujah heading for Frenzy. "Oh, that's not good." The Toreador looked at Dana, then at Mike. "Dana, it may be Jax who needs his fun ruined. He's going to war and we don't know who or what's there or even whether they deserve it. Somebody might have accidentally stepped on a pet." He looked grim for a moment. "Or not. Shit. Fuck."
Bending down, he picked up a stick about an inch thick and four feet long. He snapped it over his thigh. "Might as well get ready to back him in case we need to throw down."
<one blood point spent to active Auspex Level 1: Heightened Senses>
With a clear vision of his path, Waylon hurried after Jax. The Brujah punker wasn't running but he was moving quickly, building up a head of steam on a direct path towards the voices. He would catch up before Jax got too far ahead.
More importantly, his Toreador ability of Heightened Senses would give him some idea as to how many they were facing and what sort of conversation they were having. If it was kids having harmless fun, that was one thing. If they were actively hurting animals for fun, Waylon wasn't going to try and hold Jax back from attacking; he'd be trying to make sure that Jax didn't kill anyone too badly. [/color]
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
[/quote]
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 -12:55 am - The Creek in Dundas
The group of Kindred pressed ond climbing off the path towards the escarpment. Some faster than others. Waylon had no issue chasing Jax up a partially old and worn game trail made by local animals. It gradually led in between two steeply sloped inclines that the creek cut through. Now He could smell the faint smell of smoke could be detected. There was more laughter.
“Hahah Fuck you Danny.”
“Suck it jay.”
“Hahah that cat though.”
“For real its so pissed. Hahah”
Those that made it to the edge of the shadows could see there was a small clearing where a tree had fallen and 4 people sat around a very tiny fire pit.
Two of the faces were illuminate the two others had their backs to the kindred in the shadows The faces belonged to two young boys. They couldn't be more than thirteen potentially younger. One of the children held a can of beer while the other pulled out a half smoked cigarette out of tin that used to hold some sort of candy.
“We could get in trouble though.”
“Jamie you're a pussy.”
“We could go to the graveyard.”
“And do what?”
“Ghost hunt. I heard its haunted.”
“Or we stay out and finish the beer I stole from the stupid On call worker they brought in. Its funny that they hired a new foster team and Becky turns out to like to drink and does it while here. Super classy.”
“So we stole her beer shes dumb. She gets what she deserves...”
-
Monday, October 18th, 12:45 am - Xiaoqing - Gangrel
HP (7/7), BP (10/13), WP (5/5), Hum (7/7), SC (3/3)
Xiao had been at the club for a couple of hours when one of her regulars came through the door. She was working the floor as a server that night and motioned him back to the private room that still had the broken security camera. She took her tray back to the bar and let the bartender know that she was going off the floor for about 45 minutes to provide a private dance for one of her best regulars. Slipping backstage she quickly found the door from the back hall into the private room and flipped the switch that would show the room as occupied. Returning to the dressing room she grabbed a costume off of her rack, quickly changed into it and made her way back to private room. She started the sound system before she entered, selecting a collection of low, smooth jazz tunes. Dimming the lights in the room, she stepped onto the stage and started her dance routine.
After four songs she smoothly made her way off the stage and onto to her regulars lap. He placed his hands on her hips to hold her on his lap and she leaned down to skim soft kisses on his neck right before she bite down.
(+3 BP)
-
Monday, October 18th, 1 am
The cellphone Vittorio had suddenly began to vibrate in his pocket. The Nosferatu had done his night of training and had returned to his haven for the night to pass it uneventfully.
When he pulled it out the display simple read : Donna.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1:15am- The club
Fia's cell phone rang as she hung out at the club the ring tone was one she all too well. Donna was a calling and who was she to deny such a lady?
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:55 am - The Creek in Dundas - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(6-1=5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
If Jax realized the gang of hooligans were just a bunch of stupid kids, it didn't stop him from breaching the tree line without hesitation, storming the clearing like a heat-seeking automaton: a Terminator out for blood.
If he'd heard them, or processed what he'd heard, he might've had some witty opener. He might've come up with a plan, pretended to be a ghost or something, scared the daylights out of them. Instead, he strode up to them, grabbed the first one within reach by the nape of his neck, getting a fistful of fabric and yanking him up to his feet. He stood unmoving as the kid resisted.
[ Spending 1 WP to not frenzy. 5 of 6 WP remaining. ]
Jax wasn't gone. But he was pissed, and close to his limit.
"Don't move a fucking muscle," He spat, anger staining his already-grating voice, making him sound like a slasher in a horror film. "Move one fuckin' foot and I make KFC of you turkeys on that there fire, batter an' all, starting with him," Jax gave the teen he'd snatched a little shake for emphasis.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:55 am - The Creek in Dundas
The kids let out a collective scream. One of them booked it off down the escarpment. The other two stood their ground terrified and frozen to the spot. Jax could see the tinger of red almost mist like dancing around the edge of his vision as it pulsed and tried to obscure what he was focusing on. The beast inside him stirred as it heard the child begin to cry and Jax wanted to hurt something and to taste blood. He fought the urge as the child shook uncontrollably in his arm. Perhaps it was the sudden smell of shit that did it, but suddenly the kid seemed a whole lot less appealing to destroy and consume. The red mist becan to recede for Jax until he could see clearly again.
(WP roll SUCESS)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:56 am - The Creek in Dundas - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
He snarled instinctively at the fleeing child but made no effort to make chase. Instead he steadied his breathing, let the red subside, and caught a whiff of something... unpleasant.
It was easier to see the group for what they were now: A bunch of stupid kids. Jax remembered being a stupid kid. All too well. Some might say he hadn't changed (and in jest, Jax might agree), but the truth was he'd grown a lot since then.
His face screwed up at the smell, but he held the youth aloft all the same. Jax sighed. "Can someone grab that one? I'm tryin' t'make a point here," He called out to his friends, uncertain if they'd comply. "Listen," He said to the kids, standing at his full height, "Don't move, and be honest cause I really will flip. Where's the cat?"
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:56 am - The Creek in Dundas -
Fine Fine Fine Fine!" An exasperated sigh came from the dark making the boys gasp. "I will fetch the errant child." Waylon said.
"FUCK HES NOT ALONE!" one of the other boys shrieked his voice cracking.
The small boy that dangled from Jax's arm wept it was high pitched and pitiful, but he stretched his arm out to point at the pine tree just ahead of them.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:57 am - The Creek in Dundas - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Kids were an easy mark to scare, even when they thought they were tough, even when they were hardened up by circumstance - especially then. When you knew the world was scary, it was easy to be afraid. So really it wasn't that satisfying to make a bunch of middle schoolers shit themselves - that being said it was still funny. Little boys who hurt animals in the forest for fun could easily become teenagers who did worse in the dark, thinking they were getting away with something. Thinking the night made them untouchable.
This wouldn't end in the fist fight she'd been hoping for but Dana had said there was some fun to be ruined and she'd certainly agree that had been made good on. Waylon volunteered to grab the runner before she did, which was kind of disappointing but she wasn't about to bicker with him over it.
She pat Mike on the shoulder, bidding him to stay put in the darkness - even though he really would have just been the icing on the cake and if they'd squealed, no one would believe it was anything more than an extreme Halloween prank. Still it was generally impolite to use your friend's face to scare children - even if it would be hilarious.
Dana let out something best described as a cackle and followed it up with a head back howl. And then she made her way around the scene, still out of the glow of the firelight, a shadow in the darkness making no effort to hide her heavy tread, snapping sticks as she moved towards the pine tree to investigate further.
What had these shitty kids done exactly?
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:57 am - The Creek in Dundas -
[/size]Waylon sprinted off into the darkness and Dana entered the clearing and followed the boys finger to the tree. The campfire put out a feeble amount of light but just enough to have two luminous orangey red orbs light up in the boughs of the tree about fifteen feet up. Danna could smell the faint scent of the animals blood.[/color]
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 12:58 am - The Creek in Dundas - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
The creature in the branches was dark furred and hard to make out but the luminous eyes stared back, somehow focused and alert, not empty blank orbs. The smell of blood was only faint, it was injured but still alive. It certainly wouldn't appreciate a deadthing like Dana climbing up after it in it's trying time.
"It's alive up there," Dana reported to Jax. "Lucky for you fuckers."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:00 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"This one was a fast little fucker," Waylon announced as he prodded the escapee back into the firelight. He was using the sticks he'd grabbed to herd the boy back as if he was an errant goat, poking him not only to keep him moving but also to steer him in the right direction.
"So did these little pecker-heads hurt the cat badly?" The Toreador looked at Jax, who looked literally ghastly in the firelight. "Badly enough to warrant a response from PETA's field team six? And which one of you bravos actually shit themselves?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
[/quote]
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:00 am - The Creek in Dundas
We didnt do anything wrong. The one kid cried.
The kid that waylon had herded back to the camp was livid " Fuck you guys." He spat "They cats fine you little diddlers can fuck off and leave us alone."
"Jamie shut the fuck up."
"No way fuck these guys were minors they can't tough us theyre just playing all big and tough." Thw kid replied getting his hackles up further.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:00 am - The Creek in Dundas - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
A little wave of low-burning anger simmered in Jax. Luckily, the defiance was familiar. Jax knew whatever conviction clung to this kid's bullshit, it wasn't personal. It was posturing. And it was coming from somewhere else.
That didn't change facts. They'd attacked a cat. And maybe they'd only maimed it a little today. But in Jax's experience, once people graduated past burning ants under magnifying glasses, shit like this more often escalated than not.
"Oh really?" Jax said, nonplussed. Without warning, he dropped the kid - not rough, but not kind, either - and grabbed a fistful of the one called Jamie's hair. Shoved him down, pushing his face close to the fire - enough to feel the heat but not enough to singe him.
"Maybe that's how grown-ups you know operate. But I ain't no fuckin' grown up you know. And the way I see it, according to your rules, messed up kids shouldn't be allowed to pick on defenseless animal for kicks. But-" Jax looked around with his ghastly eyes wide, a mockery of surprise, "Uh-oh! You broke the rules!" Jax feigned shoving the kid closer to the fire, just to startle him, to keep him listening. "So the way I see it, by your view of things, I should be able to pick on some defenseless kids for kicks, RIGHT?"
"Listen, you got troubles, you got battles? Fight your fucking battles, or train to get there, or run away. You don't push your problems onto other people and you Sure as Shit don't push your problems onto the local wildlife, you hear me? I'm Smokey the Fuckin' Bear out here-" He paused, swiveled to look at Dana, "Y'all got Smokey the Bear out here-? Actually, fuck it, it doesn't matter," Back to Jamie, "I'm goddamn. Smokey the Bear, and I'll kick your sorry ass if you lay so much as a finger on one critter's filthy head, you got me? Go... Punch a tree, for fuck's sake! Take up boxing! Do a- a sport! Music! Something! Get angry at something that means something and make a fucking difference that isn't becoming your own worst enemy! Shit!!"
Jax took a long, unecessary breath. "And be nicer to your piece-of-shit friends! Fuck, this guy just soiled himself for you! That's pretty. Uh. Well, fucking disgusting, actually, but. It's probably. A sign of endearment somewhere."
Jax hoped he wasn't overeacting. He realized too late that he'd not even seen the cat, had gotten carried away in the spirit of frontier justice. More than that... He knew deep down nothing he said in a longwinded diatribe to a kid close to a facefull of hot ember was likely to make a difference, let alone stick. But he sometimes liked to think that if someone had grabbed him by the collar and told him to leave, to stop picking fights and be kinder to others, he might've done so sooner.
Probably not... In this kid's shoes, he probably would've spat fury, pretended to speak in tongues, and put his own face in the fire.
But he liked to believe it.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
-
The child under his fingers tensed as Jax forced him to the ground and began reading him the riot act. Jamie shut his eyes and tried to push back against the brujahs strength. After three solid attempts child gave up realizing he was no match for Jax's strength. Strangely enough now the chap relaxed under him being passive his eyes refusing to open. It was unclear whether or not the kid was listening to him but God was the fight and the fire that was their only seconds before.
From the Shadows Mike clapped." Well done smokey you definitely are a fucking bear. The Little shits shouldn't be fucking with wildlife and you shouldn't be out this late at night when clearly there are things that are not good walking about in the Darkness."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:02 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"I think you've lost him," Waylon said. There was something strange about the boy's sudden calm. "In fact, I think you may have broken him."
That is so not good. If we've just given that kid a psychotic break, we may have just created the monster we were trying to stop. Then again he may have just fainted or something. It's not like I'm a fucking psychologist.
"So, now that we've put the fear of Dog into them, are we done?" Waylon asked softly. "Cat's not going to come down and let us check it but it's alive and likely to stay that way. I think we can be fairly certain that these kids aren't going to be doing this again any time soon. Am I right is guessing you boys aren't going to do this again? I'd tell you stop stealing beer and stay away from drugs but that would come across as a little self righteous, don't you think?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
The young boys nodded accept for the one on the ground.
"We won't mess with cats."
"Never coming back here."
Yeah unless its day time and even then no throwing rocks at cats. Honest Mister."
"Hey Jamie get up."
Jamie however did not get up...
With heightened senses the one vampire int he group could hear the boys heart beating out a terribly rapid heart beat that wasn't entirely even. His breathing was fast and shallow as he lay there on the ground in his shit stained trousers.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:02 am - The Creek in Dundas - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Ah, the scars of childhood, this had looped around from funny into bad taste. As in a bitter taste at the back of her tongue that could have been blood or dirt or the permanent memory of soap. Kids were shitty, but they were also kids. Dana had been one many many moons ago. Life had been the most unfair when she was small and reliant on adults. One did not end up furious at the world when lead with a gentle hand through the formative and impressionable years.
She knew of places where fear was debilitating.
Her jaw clenched, her lip curled. She didn't want to appear maternal, that was about the worst thing she could imagine for herself. All the same she came closer to the kid who lay still, his chest going like a rabbit's, in quick tiny movements. She gestured Jax back from him with an irritated jerk of her hand.
Dana tried to make her voice less brusque than it normally was. She crouched down a good two feet from him, her hands shoved into her coat pockets. This kid didn't know her, getting too close could be threatening especially given the circumstances.
"Hey kiddo? Jamie is it? Can you hear me? You want to take deep breaths, Jamie. In. And Out. You're safe. My buddy was never really going to hurt you. He's a fuckin vegan and he's only got one ball so he gets his panties in a twist real fuckin' easy. Deep breaths kid."
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:02 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"I think he's going into cardiac arrest," Waylon said. "Fucking kid is having a heart attack." If he'd been able to go pale, he would have. He turned to the other kids, well aware that the fire was throwing ghastly shadows over his face.
"Any of you guys know if he's on any medications? Does he carry an inhaler? Fuck. Unless somebody knows CPR, this kid is going to fucking die." Waylon's knowledge of first aid was limited to knowing that you needed to know what meds somebody was on and that you needed to call 9-1-1.
There were alternatives, of course. Somebody could run him back to the shop and drive him to the hospital. MacMaster wasn't too far away and if necessary, a solid shot of Vitae would pretty much reverse any damage they'd caused. Well, some of it anyway.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
The kids stood there dumbly. "Uhhhh. Hes too young to have a heart attack guy."The other boy shrugged. "Were all on like a zillion meds ain't any one int he foirst home that isn't on like at least two or three. I don't know what he takes. He just got here two weeks ago."The last boy the platium blo9ne one was calm and just stared at the boy on the ground heaving looking absolutely fascinated at what was going on.The first kid sighed "Can you carry him down to the street at least. Like bring him down outta here we can like drag him back to the house from there its dark and were likely gonna fall down the trail or something we should have brought flash lights.""Or cellphones." "Yeah well twatface took em for us having that squirt gun fight in the house and getting her lappy wet." The pale haired boy finally replied as he watched Jamie on the ground.
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:15am- The club - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Having been at the club for a while, she was bored. She was about to beat her highscore in Snake. She didn't mind hanging out for a while, supporting 'the girls' while waiting for Xiao to get off work, but she never could get used to the stares from the other patrons.
Maybe it was the dark blue hair, Deepest Indigo by Feria, found at the local Shopper's. Or, perhaps, it was the dark glasses she was wearing to camouflage her yellow wolf eyes, inside, at night. Furiously clicking on her Nokia, maybe they thought she was waiting to catch a boyfriend/husband not be where they said they were gonna be. She slid down in her chair, grinning. Fia felt a buzz in her hands just as the line ate the last tasty bit. Nom.
Donna's ringtone, a midi version of Livin' La Vida Loca, was hard for even Fia to hear over the strong thump and thrum of the ripper music, but the name obscured her victory.
Fia stood and made her way towards the bathroom, answering the call with a, "Hang on a sec. I'm going somewhere a bit quieter." As soon as she stepped in there, she regretted it, but whatever.
"What's up?"
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:18am- The club - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"Finally one of you Putas decide to pick up your phone!" Donna growled.
"So sorry, hun," Fia said cautiously. She wasn't going to tempt Donna's ire. "What did you need?"
"Looking for scourge squad voluntolds. You picked up so you get to be leader for tomorrow night for one of the squads. You will be needing a seer to take with you and one or two extras for muscle maybe. Make some calls and get a posse started girl. Angels next on my list of people to call." Donna huffed clearly agitated.
"Oh shit," Fia accidentally used her 'inside' voice. "Uh sure. I'm on it, Boss. Muscle I can find, no problem, but, do I know a seer?"
"Lets see the Magicians and the artists are all good for that make a couple calls and find one tell em I told ya they're voluntold for tomorrow night to keep an eye on the city, You will be hanging out at Dundurn or the cemetery you just sit tight chill and keep an eye on the cars passing by. Should be able to see everyone coming in if you hang out near the lights down there. You get told anyone with a ghoul or kindred auras in a car you take the license plate down and you radio that shit in, you let us know where it's heading and we will do our best to intercept em unless you want to pull em out of the car at the light." She said with a bemused chuckle. "You know who we are so anyone thats not us is likely one of them."
Fia remembered the last time she 'took initiative', but this didn't sound like the same kind of scenario. "I will not be doing that," she chuckled back, "I will do all the rest of that. I'll get right on it."
"Good dont fuck it up and make me regret choosing you as Team lead Bluebird." Donna said as she hung up the phone not saying good bye.
"Okay, bye," she said weakly to nobody. Her Snake game popped backed on the screen. She entered her initials into the hall of fame and went into her contacts.
Magicians and artists... Tremere or Toreador... Oh yeah! That Tremere at the bonfire-what was her name? Started with a vvvVictoria! I'll give her a call.
Fia hit call and crossed her fingers.
This has been a True Ginger Ninja & LadyJallyn co-post
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:02 am - The Creek in Dundas - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax felt stupid.
No, actually, first he felt scared. Waylon freaking out about the kid's heartrate didn't help that none.
He froze first, scared without reason that he might've killed the kid. Stumbled back when Dana motioned for him to back off. Her comment bounced off him like a rubber bullet on a dense stone slab. He watched, dumbfounded, as she dealt with the mess he'd made.
And then when the fear began to fade - and just a bit, because drugs were still a dangerous thing, he knew - he felt really fucking stupid. Familiar stupid, with his throat a raw and his mouth empty. Nothing smart to say, just a tie where his tongue should be.
It didn't stop him from talking.
"Fuck. Well- Okay, what the fuck is he on, first of all? What are you guys on? Cause blondie over here sure is feeling cool! Also, he can so have a heart attack? And second- third?- whatever! fucking- fine, yeah, whatever, I made him-" He gestured vaguely, referring to his soiled underwear, "so I'll cart 'im. But. We're not- We can't just lay him in bed and call it a day if he's gonna OD or somethin', so-" He wracked his knuckles thrice against his temple as if someone else might answer. The Jax that did was feeling too much empathy to think straight: "How much shit're you all in, figuratively speaking, if we take Jamie to the hospital, honestly?"
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:02 am - The Creek in Dundas - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana moved a little closer while the voices above her and Jamie became more panicked. She didn't take her hands from her pockets, sure she could feel if his heart were thumping frantically in his chest like a desperate bird, but no, she could not do anything about it besides talk to him and after being handled like a sack of flour she didn't want to remind him how he could be again.
Besides, Dana was no doctor and had never had a heart attack - but she was pretty sure he was just terrified, putting the word heart attack out into the night wasn't going to help. The kids were being more level headed than the grown ups. Especially when the grown ups could fix this with a blood sample if it were medically disastrous. What a night.
"They're getting real loud, but you're alright. If anything, it means they didn't mean to hurt you. You're right here, you feel the dirt under you, the world is solid and you're good. You just gotta breathe deep breaths, Jamie," she continued to speak in that same voice that was even if not gentle.
"I know it's hard but you can do it, it feels like you're sinking under water, but you can do it. You just gotta breathe, kid. Deep breaths. You wanna hear something fucked up?" she asked, carrying on as though he'd answered. "If you showed me a bunch of lady bugs - honestly more than fucking three of the fuckers at once - I'd probably be doing the same thing you are right now. Can you believe that? Fucking lady bugs. If that ain't the stupidest shit you ever heard you gotta tell me what is cause that's fucking embarrassing, honestly. But I can't help it," Dana rolled her shoulders and neck against the shudder that traveled up her spine at the thought.
"But you breathe, real deep, and it passes, Jamie. Just breathe."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:04 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"They aren't stoned, Smokey," Waylon interjected. He was watching Dana trying to talk the boy out of dying. It would be awesome if that worked. "He's talking things like R!talin or Val!um. ADHD and shit like that, otherwise known as free will and independent though. Kids aren't allowed to have those these days."
He pointed to the pale haired boy. "You look like you've got a couple of brain cells to rub together. How far are you from your group home? How long would it take us to get there? Would the twat waffle that is supposed to be riding herd on you know what to do if one of you had a seizure or an allergic reaction?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
-
The child's heart slowed slightly as Dana did her best to talk to the boy.
The pale haired boy watched and looked to the adult vampires in the clearing. "We live on Hatt street."
"Shut your face Morgan." The other hissed. "You wanna get raped and then have your house set on fire cause thats what happens if you give them the address."
"You're an idiot. If they were going to kill us or rape us they wouldn't be helping Jamie." The pale haired boy replied coolly. "We aren't dead so were fine."
The other boy looked to the adults. "Yeah we aren't on coke or anything. Just the stuff they give us at the house."
The pale hair kid sighed. "I'm leaving." He said as he turned and slowly shuffled away from the clearing to try and head back down the hill towards the small sleepy town of Dundas. "Stay or don't your choice. Im hungry and cold Im outtie."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:06 am - The Creek in Dundas - Waylon
BP: 9/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"You planning on helping him home, Morgan?" Waylon asked. "Or are you guys expecting us to carry him home. It probably won't go over well if one of us brings him home. Our story is likely to be more believable than yours. Most of us have been lying semi-professionally since before any of you were born."
He was grateful that the kid wasn't going to die of fright. They owed Dana for that. The whole situation was an example of how tightly wound they were... and how soft hearted. If they were prepared to go into battle against unknown opponents over an injured cat, the Sabbat was going to chew them up and spit them out like a fucking woodchipper.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
[/quote]
-
In the end the kindred helped the kids get down the side of the escarpment and back onto the street. Jamie finally got his wits about him once they hit the street and the kid shakily stood on two feet though he looked haunted and stunk to the high heavens.
They escorted the kids down Hatt street and watched the brats tuck off into a cul de sac.
With that they parted ways. They did return back to the shop without a meal sadly and spent the time back at the shop talking.
Meanwhile... back at Angels bar... His cellular phone rang. Donna sounded exasperated and in a foul mood. "Finally someone answers their god damned phone. Whats the point of having a cell phone if you fucks never pick up? Angel you are being voluntold. Make me a scourge group one seer you as team lead and a bit of muscle if you want. We don't mind playing spotter but it be nice to have a back up team on the go to hunt down and intercept any spots you guys might have."
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:03 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"I hear and obey," Angel said with a chuckle. "Any particular area you want me to stake out?" He was already putting a list together in his head. Given a choice, he'd take Jallyn as his seer and one of the Brujah as muscle. Failing that, he'd take one of the other Ventrue and as a last resort, one of Spider's Nosferatu.
"QEW, coming across the Skyway. Pick a spot where you can watch Eastport Drive as well."
"Got it," Angel said, nodding. He stood, stopping Dee's massage. It was likely that her fingers were cramping anyway. "There's a place the cops usually set up a speed trap. I can park there. Any cop that shows up will probably just take a nap anyway. Who should I report anything we see to, you directly or will one of the ghouls squads be on tap?"
"Ghoul squad will be in the area but you can always call me. Try to take care of it yourself if you can."
Angel frowned. "Won't be able to do much from the best vantage point. No way onto Eastport but we'll be able to tag the first one we see on the bridge. If I have your permission, I can put somebody on Eastport to tail anyone we see until somebody can get to them."
"Do what you gotta do," Donna said. "This is your show. Don't fuck it up."
"I won't let you down, Donna," he said firmly. He didn't need her to tell him how critical the timing was. If he fucked this up, he would be kissing his chances of going to Toronto goodbye.
Two groups. Best with two seers and some muscle. Maybe Waylon and a couple of Brujah on Eastport and me, Jallyn and Samuel on the QEW, if he's available. Time to start making some phone calls....
"Hey, Jallyn, it's Angel. Feel like being a spotter on my scourge team tomorrow night? Donna wants a crew watching the Skyway and Eastport."
"Consider it done sir. I can have a bag packed and even crash over at your place if that makes things easier for launch tomorrow night." She replied.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Monday, October 17th, 1999 - 1:05 am - Hamilton Streets - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
After filling his share of gerbers Devlin would have gone to check in on how his crew was making with tonight's job. Making a stop on the way to grab a coffee taken usually like his humour rather dark with a hint of something else, in this case espresso(he still enjoyed the taste of espresso regardless of its now useless benefit)
Devlin lost in thought at how the training had gone felt his thoughts flick over each interaction and conversation critiquing all of his own comments and reactions to make notes for later. Always trying to keep a strong hold on how he presented himself to others. After a quick bit of caffeine and even quicker brush of his fangs he spit some mouthwash onto the pavement of the parking lot outside the tim hortons and checked his phone for anything he may have missed.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:06 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Could it truly be considered a missed call if your phone was ringing as you looked at it? Devlin didn't immediately recognize the number but it was tagged Angelino A. It seemed one of the other Ventrue in the city wanted to speak to him.
"Good evening, Mister Garden. It's Angel Angelino. Is this a good time? Donna has asked me to put a squad together for a patrol tomorrow night and I was wondering if you might be available. Well, patrol is the wrong term. Sentry duty would be a better term. Would i be able to tempt you to join me? Jallyn will be working with us."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
[/quote]
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Monday, October 17th, 1999 - 1:07 am - Hamilton Streets - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
Answering the phone Devlin chimed his usual greeting " A Clean Slate, We can be on the scene getting clean so that filthy mess is just..oh Angel yes actually this is a good time I was just grabbing a quick snack. I'd be honored to join. Would this involve making rounds or more of a 'stake out '? Id like to come prepared and appropriately dressed"
Getting into his cube he started to make his way to Angel's shop before remembering to text Jax in regards to that autograph for one his ghouls Theo. The very same ghoul that could not stop about it ever since he learned that Devlin had been introduced not too long ago. He wasnt sure if there was a proper way to go about the whole thing so he settled with just starting a conversation and seeing what they were up to.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:06 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"We'll be setting up in a strategic spot at the end of Burlington Street," Angel answered. "Mostly just sitting and watching but if we see anybody that is Kindred or ghoul that we don't recognize coming from Burlington, we report it and pull them over. I'm not exactly sure how that is supposed to work, seeing as how I'm be driving a black pick-up, with no flashing lights on it. I guess I could bump them. If need be, I can loan you the Camaro and if they outrun me, they won't outrun you."
Angel had picked up the twenty year old car for a song and he'd turned Waylon's crew loose on it. He hadn't bothered to license or insure it; he was intending to use is as a disposable vehicle when they ventured into Toronto. If they and it survived, maybe then he'd take slap a license on it and give it to Dee. If they didn't, she'd get his IROC instead. She would mourn him of course, at least until the blood bond wore off. His will would make sure she was taken care of as well. She'd get the bar, Wendy would get the studio and they'd split the rest of his assets. Angel wanted to come back from Toronto but he was fairly certain he had an accurate idea as to their chances.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
[/quote]
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:18am- "Home" -Victoria Ashford- Tremere
BP 10/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria blinked, looking up from her book with a strange expression. She honestly hadn't been expecting any phone calls, so it took her a moment to pull the phone from her bag. She didn't recognize the name on the screen, but that wasn't very odd at all. She was absolutely terrible with names. A click of a button and she held the device to her ear. "Victoria here." She said out loud, waiting for the reply on the other end.
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:20am- The club's awful bathroom - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"Victoria? It's Fia, from the bonfire," she said with as much mustered authority as she had in her, "Tomorrow at sundown, you'll be meeting me and a couple others at Dundurn for a mission. Strictly eyes only. We'll be watching for strange kindred, and writing down licence plates. Understood?" It was hard for Fia to channel Donna without doing the accent, but she managed.
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Monday, October 17th, 1999 - 1:08 am - Sonic Unyon - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
Devlin regarded his cube van and replied " Yes the Camaro sounds like a better alternative to my work vehicle. Shall i bring some refreshments for our checkpoint, or does everyone have that aversion to anything that isnt rich and red? Also im outside your lovely establishment i believe."
Devlin waited a few moments outside taking in the site of the shop, it was the first time he had been there in person. He wasnt quite sure whether he was supposed to come by but the night was still early and he was already ahead of schedule.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:09 am - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel chuckled. "That would depend on the refreshments you bring," he said. "Mine only come wrapped in very attractive labels. I'm sure Dee wouldn't mind a snack though."
He looked at his watch. "If you're nearby, I can sneak you into the bar, so you won't need to pay the cover and I can get you one on the house. Jallyn should be here shortly and we'll be leaving from here a little after nightfall or you can spend your day elsewhere and join us when you can. I'm a little short of dedicated crash space but it wouldn't be the first time I've had more than four people here."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
[/quote]
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Monday, October 18th, 1:15 am - Xiaoqing - Gangrel
HP (7/7), BP (10/13), WP (5/5), Hum (7/7), SC (3/3)
Xiao's client went limp under her as he passed out. She licked the bite closed, climbed off his lap and back onto the stage. She changed the music to something slower, more relaxed and spent the next 15 minutes or so losing herself in the music. Humming softly to herself she danced for her own enjoyment instead of for someone else's, a rare thing in her line of work. When her donor started to stir she went and got a glass of orange juice from the bar and a straw, explaining that her client was diabetic and had a low sugar attack. She took the juice back to the VIP room and held the straw to his lips, encouraging him to take small sips at a time.
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:21am- "Home" -Victoria Ashford- Tremere
BP 10/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
"Ah, well that certainly explains the unexpected phone call. Tomorrow, sundown, at Dundurn, was it? Very well, then. You will have my eyes. I will bring the writing utensils as well." She chuckled. "I certainly have those. To clarify, will we be simply logging the license plates or will we be handling anything particularly unusual in a more .. violent.. way? Or maybe sharing the information with others to handle?"
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:21am- The club's awful bathroom - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"We will not be engaging, only observing," Fia assured herself, more than Victoria. "See you there. Ciao!"
Fia hung up the call and changed her tack to find some 'muscle'. Samuel, she remembered from her backyard, wasn't a big guy, but he looked like the type that could take care of himself.
Damn, Donna. This phone tree idea is the bomb! Fia checked her mauve lipstick in the grimy mirror as she waited for the call to connect only for it to go to the machine.
BeepSamuel, it's Fia. Meet me tomorrow at sundown at Dundurn for a mission. K, buhbye."
Still need more muscle... Oooh, Dana! she thought, fully appreciating Dana's fuck-you/girl-power energy.
She was disappointed to reach another answering machine and suddenly understood what the 'putas' was all about. She left Dana a similar message to Samuel's, and basked in the glory of her lack of current fuck-ups. And now I'll call Jax, to round out the squad. Note to self: pick up lettuce for Peanut...
Ring...Ring...
-
Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 1:21 am - The Shop - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Voicemail again.
The rest of the evening at the garage, Jax was much quieter. He felt the ragged burn of shame sear into his voicebox, knew lending more than a single word to the room was offering the feeling a fuse. So he'd shut up and throw himself into making something. At least he could be useful.
It was stupid, really. Things had wound up fine in the end. They'd gotten the brats back okay, their caretakers were none the wiser, and no one died, so everything was okay, wasn't it?
No, Jax admonished himself, those kids wouldn't be okay. He thought about the ugly scars his mind carried at the hands of adults, people with good and bad intentions, excuses maybe, who laid hands on him - what good were those scars to him now? Maybe it helped him leave, helped him know sooner rather than later to look out for himself, but... Really, it was just damage. And if that was true... what good was it threatening a kid's life over a cat?
If they'd just left the fucking thing along- Ah, but... Kids will be kids... Kids in pain will pass that pain forward. Wasn't he teaching them not to? Or was he forwarding his own pain? Was the cat an excuse?
Jax kicked the toolbox he was working out of at the same time the garage's phone rang. The toolbox clattered against the wall with a great Smack!, rattled with startled screws and bolts, and a ringing as a wrench leapt from the box onto the concrete floor.
He was prepared to excuse himself, to say that the phone had startled him, but it seemed the others had stepped out for a moment. He'd been so busy feeling sorry for himself that he hadn't even noticed.
"Figures..." Jax kissed his teeth loudly, tutting himself before going to pick up after himself. It wasn't his call to answer. He'd let this one go to voicemail, too.
~~~
Dependant on the others for a ride, Jax hadn't asked to turn in as early as he wanted. But when he did make it back to the apartment, he was greeted with a few messages of his own.
One from Angel. One from Fia.
Jax laughed, drained. He called back them both. One to accept and one to disappoint.
"Sorry, Fia. I appreciate you thinkin' of me, and any other time I would, but..." Jax coiled the phone cord around his wrist idly. "Angel needs me."
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 4:30 am - 502 Tisdale Apartments - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana drove Jax and Mike back to Tisdale. It was a surprisingly quiet drive, the streets of Hamilton became empty in the hours that were late if you hadn't been to bed and early if for some god forsaken reason you had to wake up in them. The streetlights painted everything orange, it was like the firelight followed them. Though the tension had been mostly diffused, the situation hashed over at the shop it had left everyone a little raw and that was obvious.
Dana couldn't stop thinking about things that were decades old and that wasn't the fault of anyone in the truck but herself.
She talked over the radio, not really to anyone, but she told a story because that's what Dana did. Told stories. She talked about this time one summer when she was freshly turned that her and Jameson had lost track of time and had had to break into the trunk of a car in a junk yard to fold up and play dead for the day. About how when they'd woken up they'd been trapped claustrophobically together because this was a car made before internal releases but before they could force their way out it was opened by a night time security guard who had heard the thumping. That the car was not where it had been before and when the guy explained they crushed old vehicles during the day it became obvious that they could very well have been crushed like bugs.
It didn't really have a point, it was not allegorical, it was just a thing that had happened to her and she'd wanted to talk over the other things that happened to her playing around in the back of her head.
She kicked her door shut when she parked, because it wouldn't latch if you didn't, but she kicked it a second time just for her own well being.
When she got into the apartment 502 it took her a while to notice the flashing light on the answering machine. When she let it play she found Fia's voice and called her back. As it rang she checked the clock. No one was going to be out at this hour in Hamilton, maybe Mike would let her have one of his blood bags.
"Hey Cade, just letting you know I got your message and I'll be there. Might have to pick up breakfast on the way but I'll be there."
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/680425509137809429/680427520239468626/Dana_but_smaller.png)
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Monday October 18th, 1999 - 7:00 pm - Sonic Unyon - Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel had topped up with one of his herd before giving Jallyn the keys to the old Camaro. He'd told her where to park, made sure that she and Devlin understood the mission and headed off in his pick-up truck to pick up Jax. Despite his reluctance to include her, Dee had put forward a solid case for including her. The Ventrue wondered how long she'd spent preparing it.
Once he was in the parking lot of the beat up apartment building, he called the punk Brujah to let him know that he was there. "Time to set a trap for a few bad guys," he said, as he hung up. "Keep that camera handy. If we can't catch them, I want pics."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:01 pm - 502 Tisdale Apartments - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax was just about done gearing up when the call came, buckling the last buckle on his big shit-kicking boots.
Normally he wouldn't have bothered changing, but the outfit he'd worn out yesterday was a little loud, literally, and he wasn't sure if today's Op would require an element of stealth.
So he'd thrown on a tattered layered black tee with a white rabbit stenciled onto the back, rolled up the sleeves, tucked it into some patchwork jeans, tied a black bandana around his neck just in case. He'd left his blackened eyes the way they were - he hadn't washed them off last night and they looked even better today for it, by Jax's sensibilities.
He just couldn't resist the boots.
In his defense, they were his best weapon, and he'd gotten good at moving in them despite how clunky they looked.
Jax tossed on some fingerless leather gloves for good measure before grabbing the grafitti-littered old backpack he'd stuffed a few things in - a pair of shabby sneakers, a flashlight, birdwatching binoculars, a spanner, his wallet, keys - and headed down to meet Angel.
"Gee, mister, that's a swell ride you got," He drawled with a grin as he climbed into the pickup. Then he asked (less goofily), "How's it going?"
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:00 pm - Tisdale Apartments - Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel chuckled. "I'm guessing nobody told you that you're living a block from one of Hamilton's two hooker hang-outs? Yup. Emerald between King and Main and Barton between Wellington and Gage." He waited until Jax put on his seatbelt and headed for his rendezvous with Jallyn and Devlin.
"Have you met Dee?" he asked as they cruised along Main St. "She's with me. Saved our collective Kindred asses on more than one occasion, including while sick as a dog." It was an easy way to explain that she was mortal but still trustworthy with all their secrets. He caught her eye in the rearview mirror and gave her wink.
He was planning on cutting down Parkdale and along Burlington St until he reached the spot that made if not the perfect vantage point, then at least one of the more advantageous ones. They could watch any of the three ways across the narrow strip of land that connected Hamilton to Burlington and therefore to Toronto.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:00 pm - Sonic Unyon - Dee
Dee had opted to sit behind Angel rather than in the front. They were on vampire business and that meant playing her part as support. As long as she could stay in the truck with a window rolled down she could do her part to get whatever was needed in the way of pictures.
Dee leaned forward and offered her hand to Jax. "Nice to meet you Mr Jax." She said in way of a greeting she had a Nikon camera she had gotten the camera as a upgrade two months ago from Angel a thank you for helping save the city. It had high speed film in it tonight. Something that mattered if they were going to be filming at night as where moving cars might be involved.
She was had been insistent that she wanted photography lessons and Angel couldn't argue so with the new camera had come lessons which she had negotiated that he should foot the bill for. She had graduated her night courses at the Dundas Valley of art with flying colors and had a certificate to show for her study and hard work. She would never admit it but she was super proud of that certificate.
Jax was an interesting character very punkish. She hoped the Mr. Title wouldn't offend the vampire. She was guessing he was a Brujah from the way he dressed and moved. But she wasn't entirely sure.
-
Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 6:15-7:00pm- Dundurn - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=9/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia was anxious. She tried to push it down, but the only temporary reprieve came from the blood she drank to refill her pool. Being a 'hot chick' in a fancy car made it easy to lure in men who wanted a closer look at both, especially downtown. "Hey, baby!" was a greeting familiar to her, and it made her teeth ache for the warm, syrup-y treat that would come soon after.
Satiated fully, she made her way to Dundurn, some sultry Portishead song playing on the radio. She didn't want to get there first, but she also didn't want to get there last. Pulling into the Dundurn parking lot, it didn't take long to find a spot to park and wait for the others.
+3 to bloodpool
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GM note:Guys i keep having to remind you 3 blood points from a human knocks them flat out on their asses they are unconscious and vulnerable please keep this in mind and as part of the masquerade you should be aiming for 2 blood points if you want your kin upright and moble and no one questioning thing. Im going to start adding things in game play to make lives far more difficult if you keep it up.
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 19:00 - Dundurn Castle - Samuel Quinn - BP: 11/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Sundown: the glorious retreat of burning sunlight and noise. Although, he mused, the night carries a tune of its own; a rose by any other name and all that. If there was anything he missed about daylight, more so than even the warmth, it was the feeling of normalcy that followed being able to operate within regular societal parameters. He'd always executed his own agency when passing back and forth between the world of the living and the dead, back when the only distinction had been between those whose moral fiber remained in tact, or those wherein it didn't. But now he was actually dead, and nothing mattered except the task at hand; that, and perhaps the gnawing hunger that had plagued him since the 80s.
Lord in heaven, what I wouldn't give for a steak right now. Or a thicker coat; say what you want about Boston, this weather's awful.
Samuel, lifting the left flap of his 50s bomber coat, pulled out a cigar, chomping the end off and promptly spitting it out the driver-seat window of his car. It was a cheap thing, only thirty or forty bucks, but it did the trick just right. He'd only managed a few puffs before noticing the faint image of another vehicle pressing through the tobacco smoke as it creeped over the lip of the window. Then came the sound of some English music he couldn't quite make out.
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:00 pm - Foot of Burlington St. - Devlin Garden - Ventrue
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
Devlin was rather impressed with the Camaro. He also made sure to offer some of the bag of dried seaweed sheets he opened. One of his favorite snacks before his embrace, eaten more out of nostalgia now as they never seemed to give the same salty satisfaction as before.
He did not know Jallyn very well and felt no urge to force any sort of conversation. He never really minded the quiet and couldn't quite understand the notion of an awkward silence. That being said Devlin was starting to get into the novelty of the trap they were setting, something akin to one of those old action movie stake outs and they always had those witty banters didnt they?
Devlin took a moment to finish chewing and regarded Jallyn " So is this your first time in the thick of it?"
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Tuesday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:01 pm - Angel's Pickup Truck - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
"Oh, I seen 'em around, but I didn't realize it was as cautified a hunting ground for them as all that," He said as he got strapped in.
Dee was another new face to Jax, but he was used to making new acquaintances. Even when he'd been alive, proper alive, he'd been in and out of other people's lives all the time. It was how he preferred it. Not in the way that 'lone wolf' types did - he was far from the gruff and tough traveller keeping everyone at arms reach. Quite the opposite. Jax wanted the opportunity to know everyone, and maybe more importantly, to give everyone the opportunity to know him.
Of course, sometimes it turned out that someone wasn't worth knowing, and Jax rarely hesitated to tell them. But he always gave it a shot.
Dee had a sweet look to her, and maybe that was her mortality speaking to the vampire in Jax, but it was enough to make a good first impression. That and the whole 'mister' thing.
Jax laughed amicably as he took her hand - not his preferred method of greeting, but an old dog could still shake, "Oh jeez! Mr. Jax was my father, please! Call me Jax." He noted the Nikon with some interest, "That's pretty fancy, huh? You do any non-surveillance photography?"
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:01 pm - 502 Tisdale Apartments - Dana Gorgeous – Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(10 + 3 = 13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Mike had graciously allowed her one of his precious blood bags since there was a mission to go on, but Dana had to promise that she would replace it with the human equivalent. Drinking the blood was sort of like drinking soda that had gone flat while being used to clean copper pennies. In short; she’d put worse things in her mouth but she made a mental note to get Mike more than just tit for tat of the good stuff.
(+1 blood point)
Dana was a creature of brute force and not finesse – she had her wiles, certainly, but they worked on only certain types of people and when she was pressed for time she was pressed for manners. So what does one do when one does not have time to cook? You get take out.
There was a woman who worked the corner of Tisdale and King. With the extra bit of cash she’d had on hand because of the shop Dana had not quite become a regular but the next thing to it. Enough so that when she headed towards her, passing through the shadow of the apartment complex on the corner the woman dipped off of King St to meet her with a smile. She smelt like vanilla and cigarettes and Dana’s request probably seemed tame in the grand scheme of things.
Twenty dollars later both of them left the alley they’d slipped into and could get back to work.
(+2 blood points)
Because she’d not been told to carpool anyone Dana took her motorcycle, she was a different animal on the road with her bike than she was in her truck. The grace she moved with translated into the way she handled her bike, instead of the constant fury that her truck provided her, her bike may not have taken away the fury but it did still her mind. She was present in the moment with the wind rushing against her and the engine roaring beneath her.
Spotting two cars in the Dundurn Castle parking lot she brought her snarling best to rest alongside them.
Dana dismounted her bike and lit a cigarette, speaking on that first smoky exhale even if they hadn’t yet left their vehicles. “Cade! Just Samuel! How goes it folks?”
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 19:03 - Dundurn Castle - Samuel Quinn - BP: 11/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel pursed his lips.
"Just Samuel", huh? Seems like Dee's so-called charm is contagious.
Whatever; a job was a job, but if this was what he had to look forward to...
Christ. Here's hoping this night don't drag on too far.
He reached for the glove compartment, cigar perched firmly between his teeth, and dropped the hatch with a good smack. Before him roosted the mightiest bird in America, boasting a .44 caliber rating, a bronze coat, and complete with two ready mags. She was more show than tell, but Samuel was no stranger to demonstration should it ever come to it. And that was the thing with eagles: beautiful to look at, but, one misstep, and her talons would be the last thing you'd ever see before your eyes ended up dangling from your face like tree ornaments.
Or, he thought, more accurate that they join the rest of your face in decorating the wall behind you; as was his punctuation, his signature, his calling card; his goddamn modus operandi. After all, hunting down other dangerous men had been his forte for years, but now... they weren't hunting men. And they'd need all the help they could get, if the prince was to be believed.
With a sharp click, he loaded his pistol, stuffing it into his coat before exiting the vehicle. His hand outstretched, he approached Dana to shake as he glared at her.
"Is this everyone?"
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:10 pm - Foot of Burlington St. - Jallyn
The red haired vampire turned to look at Devlin she had be quiet for most the ride a gentle hello had been one of the few things spoked as the two got into Angels Camaro and she had let him drive. Her old stingray convertible had balls but didnt seat more than two people, she had left it with Angel. She had come ot him the night before and had slept on his bedroom floor for the day as the sun was setting. She had opted for a pair of tear away adidas pants that were black with a white side stripe and had opted for a black hoodie pullover. She wore her hair in a bun to if they fought her long hair would be less accessible to grab. Dana had been telling her to shave her head, but she couldn't commit to it yet. Maybe when they made it toronto but not until then. She had her backpack inside it a two liter pop bottle was filled with cows blood. It wasn't human and didn't pack the same punch or flavor as humans but it came with less catholic guilt she was started from her thoughts as they pulled out onto Burlington street and she had the Ventrue ask her if it was her first time fighting.
"No sir Mr. Garden. It is not my first time." Her voice was soft as she let out a very human exhale. She very much looked the part of a mortal to Devlin he could see the rise and fall of her chest and the pink healthy glow of her skin didn't scream Kindred at all to him. It was almost uncanny and erie to think of her as a vampire. "I've been in several fights since we started having issues with the sabbat coming into town. I am proficient in the use of a firearm if I need to use one, but I don't like to fight if I don't have to. Them coming here has made me have to fight and I plan on going to Toronto if Donna picks me. I have been training in hand to hand, but I know my skills as a fighter are not as great as others. Its a good thing I guess I am the eyes rather than the muscle. What about you? " She asked as they drove.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:01 pm - Angel's Pickup Truck - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
"Oh, I seen 'em around, but I didn't realize it was as cautified a hunting ground for them as all that," He said as he got strapped in.
Dee was another new face to Jax, but he was used to making new acquaintances. Even when he'd been alive, proper alive, he'd been in and out of other people's lives all the time. It was how he preferred it. Not in the way that 'lone wolf' types did - he was far from the gruff and tough traveller keeping everyone at arms reach. Quite the opposite. Jax wanted the opportunity to know everyone, and maybe more importantly, to give everyone the opportunity to know him.
Of course, sometimes it turned out that someone wasn't worth knowing, and Jax rarely hesitated to tell them. But he always gave it a shot.
Dee had a sweet look to her, and maybe that was her mortality speaking to the vampire in Jax, but it was enough to make a good first impression. That and the whole 'mister' thing.
Jax laughed amicably as he took her hand - not his preferred method of greeting, but an old dog could still shake, "Oh jeez! Mr. Jax was my father, please! Call me Jax." He noted the Nikon with some interest, "That's pretty fancy, huh? You do any non-surveillance photography?"
"I could and sometimes do." Dee said. "I mean Angel paid for my lessons and Ive been told I have a good eye for a novice. I'm just doing what I can to help out this is my home now and I want to protect this city and every one in it. I might not be able to fight them but I can shoot em and make them famous. Why ask about the photo stuff you wanting some work done? Im reasonable as far as pricing goes." She said as she flashed him a grin."I could make ya famous too just not in the there ya go heres your hit list target kind of pictures.
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:02 pm - Tisdale Apartments - Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel couldn't help but laugh. "Clearly you have no idea who we have in the truck with us," he said. "Jax was very well known back in the day. He was a regular feature in the World Weekly News after his Embrace. Kinda makes me wonder about Elvis."
The Ventrue looked over at Jax. "Not letting the cat too much out of the bag, am I? I was just getting out of my rebel without a clue phase when you hit it big but I was already working in the industry, so I knew who you were. I had an artist who used my studio who clearly had you as one of her major influences." The smile slid away from his face. "That's something else I want payback from the Sabbat for."
And with that, amiable Angel was gone, replaced by 'El Àngel de la misericordia'. He lapsed into silence, gripping the steering wheel tightly. They were, he was well aware, on a fool's errand. They could secure the three roads that crossed the shipping canal but there were dozens of routes into Hamilton from the west and south. If the Sabbat really wanted in to Hamilton, there was no real way to stop them. Hell, they could even come by sea if they wanted to drive a boat right into the bay. With any luck, they were overconfident and would follow the highway right into the trap the Hamilton vampires had laid for them.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:04 pm - Dundurn Castle - Dana Gorgeous – Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana perched her cigarette between her lips and reached out for Samuel's hand as he scowled at her. She gripped it firmly in the shake, trying to communicate the amiable nature she'd been working to assume the pass few months. She didn't dislike Samuel, much to the contrary, as far as suits went he was borderline delightful. He reminded her of many of the bikers she'd known in her time, cut throat men hardened and sharpened to be lethal and remote. Dana just still held her habits, her bastardizations of names was one of them.
Petting people backwards a little was another one that was hard to shake. And Samuel was a very easy target for that, the strong line of his brow seemed to be made to furrow with disapproval. In her defense she'd stopped calling him Sammy Boy almost immediately, though she supposed that didn't count for much as far as he was concerned.
He smelled like the vanilla notes of cigar smoke. Dana reclaimed her cigarette when she had her hand back and turned her head blow the smoke out of the corner of her mouth, away from him. There was respect, there was courtesy, it was just hard to see when filtered through Dana.
"Not sure. Cade. Is this it?"
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 19:04 - Dundurn Castle - Samuel Quinn - BP: 11/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
"Whatever the case", he said. The softness of his tone seemed to lift the weight of his expression. "--We're fine, the three of us. While I don't know Fia all too well, I know you well enough. From what I gather, your fists carry a story that enters the room before you do."
Samuel's mouth curled into the shadow of a smile, best as he could muster.
"You'll have to excuse my broodiness. You'd think moving around for the better half of my adult life would have taught me a thing or two about acclimation, but novelty has never really been my thing; and I AM a really old dog."
And, with that, Dana witnessed something she imagined to be a rarity in and of itself as the ice in Samuel's eyes began to melt.
"Being that we weren't formally introduced, I'd like to say it's a pleasure to meet you."
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:05 pm - Dundurn Castle - Dana Gorgeous – Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Fia's good people," Dana said looking to the Gangrel as she made her way out of her vehicle.
Dana was trying to get better at this part, the earnest part, the connecting to others part. She was rusty at it, a dance she'd forgotten all the steps to but she was out on the dance floor anyways. It made her feel foolish but Samuel admitting a very similar experience eased some of the tension in her shoulders.
Dana chuckled trying not to seem too pleased with that compliment but it slipped in between her ribs. It hit its mark like a well placed bullet, which should not have been surprising coming from Samuel.
"Well shit, you tryin' to fry me with all that butter?" she gruffed back at him good naturedly. This was bonding, right?
"You're no slouch either, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a gun unless I threw it. You might be an old dog but you came with some tricks. Besides if folks can't take a little growl? Joke 'em if they can't take a fuck. It's a pleasure to meet you too and if you haven't been told lately it's real fuckin' decent of you to come up and help with this thing," Dana said gesturing with her cigarette widely, insinuating Hamilton at large, the war with the Sabbat. This strange crucible that put the alien concept of home into her mind.
"I mean that."
-
Monday October 18th, 7:06 pm - Dundurn Castle - Xiaoqing Lau - Gangrel
Xiao had gotten home from the club the night before just two hours before sunrise. She was tired and cranky but she booted up her computer and opened up her email client. She found the one that was alluded to in the text easily enough and opened it with a pit of dread sitting in her stomach. When she saw the photos she was pissed and almost put her fist through the screen. She shut everything down before she lost control and headed to bed dreading what she would have to decide to do next.
Xiao had risen a mere twenty minutes after sunset and sent the hardest text of her life. 'Donna we need to talk after the next training session, Xiao.' She left it at that, put her phone on silent and dropped it into her pocket.
She pulled into the parking area just behind Fia and exited her vehicle. Tonight she was dressed in all black and carrying enough sharp steel to arm a small army. Twin Katana swords were strapped crosswise across her back, daggers were in her boots, up her sleeves and in the small of her back. There was a hunting knife strapped to her right hip and a small hatchet was strapped to her left. She had a least a half dozen more small blades hidden on her as well.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:02 pm - Angel's Pickup Truck - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax's laugh was a bright gasp of air, like carbonation from a coke bottle. He waved his hand, "Ohh, stop, you make it sound like I was a big deal!" He grinned, far from modest but genuinely flattered in a way that almost brought life into his sullen cheeks.
He reminisced about the old days a lot - way more often than he cared to admit... Jax loved to live in the moment - or, exist in it, at least - but no matter how fast he went about his days, the quiet always caught up with him. Mostly, Jax found nostalgia as nauseating as the word made it sound. He was proud of what he'd done, who he'd been - of course he was! - but he ways remembered too vividly the low points, the missed opportunities, the ugly regrets, the stupid mistakes. Angel, though, had a way of making it all sound glorious. He always liked how his accomplishments sounded on other people's lips.
But the moment came and passed. The real Angel, the one Jax sometimes spied behind those dark eyes in little moments of solitude, was gone, replaced by his darker vigilante counterpart. Jax liked that Angel just as much. Admired his conviction. He just still hoped Angel would come to recognize, as Jax had, that that side of him wasn't going to get him the satisfaction he sought, or the closure he desperately needed.
"Anyway, I asked outta professional curiosity," He explained to Dee, hoping to warm the atmosphere a tad after Angel had frozen the air around him, "But shit, if you're as good as all that, I'll have'ta take you up on it! Now, if it's t'show anybody, we gotta paint my face a little extra 'cause, well, you don't want anyone thinking you went graverobbing. Or you probably don't. I dunno. What's hip and kosher in the art world these days? Is it graverobbing? Kinda wild if it's graverobbing."
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 19:06 - Dundurn Castle - Samuel Quinn - BP: 11/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
What? A fourth?
Samuel noticed the asian girl striding through the lot some ways away, lost for words before his cigar smoke had even cleared enough room in his mouth. It took a moment for him to realize who she was. Not that he knew her name, but he did recognize her from Fia's backyard. Then there was the issue of what she was carrying, which caused him to squint: two small proturberances, wrapped in cloth and... were those... were those katanas? Fucking katanas??
And I thought I was over-strapped for tonight, but... here she comes looking like... like something straight out of a Muromachi calligraphy piece; minus the kamishimo.
He never wanted to come across as uncouth, but he really couldn't do much to stop the incredulity spilling over his face. His mind was alive with alarm bells.
Nevermind that we're loitering near a municipal heritage site, he thought, nor that I'm carrying a military-grade sidearm, NOR that I'm an immigrant, those swords'll get us in wicked trouble if she don't ditch them!
He paused; there was, at least, one consolation he could take within his own reasoning. Mobsters were a dime a dozen where he was from, and he'd seen a lot of them come and go. If he had learned anything, it was to keep his expectations open; that, and it always paid to have an exit.
There was also the matter of faith.
"I thought you looked famliar." he spoke jovially. "You were at the bonfire, right?"
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:06pm- Dundurn - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"Hey, Dana, Samuel," Fia raised a hand in greeting to the odd couple approaching. "We're still waitin' on Victoria. She'll be our eyes for the night." With Xiao's place having been blown to smithereens, she'd been staying with Fia. She'd gone to bed early so she didn't know when Xiao had gotten home, but she was still down when Fia had gotten up. Now she was pulling up, and jumping out dressed like some kinda ninja.
While she remembered asking her to come, she didn't remember asking her to come armed to the teeth, and looking more gruff than she'd ever seen her. I'm pretty sure I made it clear that it's going to be eyes-only tonight.
"Uh, hey Xiao," she moved to meet her clanmate. "You may want to unstrap a little. Those things are illegal to carry and we're not trying to fight anybody, just watch 'em."
-
OCC Mod note. :Its actually entirely legal to open carry swords and knives up in hamilton so long as they are visible and on display. Less trouble than if Samuel was caught with his gun actually .
The issue comes if you use said knives on anyone as the rule of thumb for concealed knives is they cant be wider than the palm of your hand so nothing over I think its 4 inches... Id have to re read the laws pertaining to that again but I had a knife I used to carry that was 5.5 that I stopped carrying in my purse cause length
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I don't think the characters know that.
Also, that's badass.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:03 pm - Angel's Pickup Truck
Dee nodded as she listen to the two men talked. She was super focused and in the zone tonight. "Well it aint like I got 10 tears experience but I like doing it. Photography suits me just fine. I mean I am up for learning new things the more I know the more useful I can be so there is that." She looked like she might have said more but she shook her head and gently and thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip instead. But eventually she spoke again as Angel continued driving"So if we see a truck full of these goons tonight. We just take the picks and not engage? What if they figure out what we are and they throw down?"
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:07 pm - Dundurn Castle - Dana Gorgeous – Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Damn, Killer!" Dana laughed, delighted by Xiao's outward display of weaponry. It looked incredible, like something out of an action film. Dana had her bat in the saddle bag of her bike but it wasn't anything quite so remarkable. At least they were prepared for whatever the evening brought to them.
Dana was still unclear what this mission was exactly but the company was good so it wouldn't be a bust.
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:07 pm - Dundurn Castle - Victoria Ashford
BP 10/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
For once Victoria was without her cross body bag that she usually carried all her books and whatnot in. Her wild hair was pulled back in a bun, with pieces desperately trying to escape already. She was dressed rather inconspicuously, in denim and a long sweater, and carried a small notebook. She peered at her watch as she walked, tsking at herself for running late.
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:08pm- Dundurn - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"There she is," Fia nodded towards the hastily approaching figure, "Now that Victoria is here, we can get started." She spun on her heel and reached half of her body into the driver side window, pulling a bag out.
"I got these from Mr. Lewich, so don't lose them," Fia handed out walkie-talkies to each of the vampires. "What we'll do is split into two groups. Xiao and me at one end, you three at the other end. We're on channel 3."
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:10 pm - Foot of Burlington St. - Devlin Garden
Health= 7/7 BP=13/13, WP=4/4 HUM=6/6 SC=5/5
"I admit im not one for the mess and fuss of a scuffle on most days. The firearm i use myself is more so a matter of nostalgia and i enjoy its stress on control and focus, a rather nice exercise in that regard." Devlin regarded Jallyn then after making another turn while taking a moment to mentally remind himself that for as desirable as vehicles like these are it made him a bit uncomfortable, not the power itself but the attention it would always demand and the eyes that the Camaro would draw . Nope bad for business and also it would never hold the bodies like his cube could.
" I dont mean to be rude but i am of the curious sort so stop me if this is to forward, but i notice we both seem a little more than the run of the mill and wondered if you also still have that appreciation for sinking these canines into something not someone?
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Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 7:12 pm - Burlington Street - Jallyn
The red haired Toreador listened intently to Devin's skills it made her feel better knowing he was there to be by her side should things go wrong. He seemed cool and collected. She liked that.
She thought about Devlins question not entirely sure what he meant but replied "If you mean food. Sadly I cannot eat it. Sometimes i still buy ice cream just to let it melt in my mouth to feel the coolness and taste the sweetness of it but I have to spit it out afterwards." She sad sadly. "It is so weird that it wont stay down for most of us but there are few that Ive met that can eat and drink at will. Do you find the taste of food has changed at all? Ive noticed it the way I remember it being. Most of my favorite food now are kind of Meh. I just keep trying for the nostalgia I guess."
As they parked the car in their spots she pulled the walkie talkie out of her duffle bag and switched it to channel 1 "Big red here we are currently made it on site. Copy." She flashed Devlin a smile as she waited for Angels team to respond. "Do you have a call sign you want me to use for you?"
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Monday, October 18th, 1999 - 7:10 pm - En route- Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"It's going to depend on what we see," Angel said. "A truck load of Sabbat and their expendables? Yeah, we call in our ghoul squad. One car with one Lick trying to sneak through? This truck has a bush bar and I'm going to run it off the fucking road and beat them flat."
The Ventrue gripped the steering wheel and was silent for a moment. "Yes. Your job it to take pictures and only to take pictures. You aren't ready to take on a ghoul in a straight up fight." He chuckled. "Leave it to the Italian Stallion and Brujah punker, because you know Jallyn is going to be too soft to do what needs to be done." He looked at Dee in the mirror. "If shit goes down, your job is to keep Jallyn safe."
Doing so would also keep Dee safe, so for Angel, it killed two birds with one stone. He smiled. "This is all depending on whether anybody tries to sneak into the city this way. We might be out here all night and see nothing. Hell, somebody might have brought in a dozen vampires by truck while we were all dead and they're unpacking right now and we're about to get a call to put out another fire at the Centre Mall."
They had almost reached the end of Burlington Street when the radio squawked.
"Big red here we are currently made it on site. Copy."
Angel actually laughed. Big Red? He reached for the walkie talkie. "Big Red, this here is the Rubber Duck. I copy. I am less than five minutes from your twenty with a load of eager beavers, good buddy. We are the bear trap, ready to watch the roads and squash some toads. You feeling lucky tonight, Big Red?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
-
Tuesday, October 19th, 1999 - 19:08 - Dundurn Castle - Samuel Quinn - BP: 11/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
"Alright", Samuel began with a cordial breath. "May I ask what we're doing? I wouldn't say it's a stretch that we're all wondering, barring if anyone else has been filled in."
The good-humored tone in his voice soon dropped, his face growing stolid once more as it'd been before his arrival. Work ethic was a quality he took seriously; whether it came from a place of staunch, old-world values, or if it'd been something he carried over from his career-- even he hadn't been sure. If it was the latter, however, he figured it was reasonable guess. One may have expected life in the criminal underworld to consist of general skullduggery and mindless violence: but, it was in his experience that this was simply not true. Replace general skullduggery with calculated chicanery, and mindless violence with a surprisingly regulated code of ethics (very, very subjective ethics), and you had something closer to reality.
For Samuel, one of the many things that had stuck with him was the "don't ask, don't tell" attitude that was apparent in the community. Put simply, one was well to keep their fucking mouth shut, period. Otherwise, you'd be left wondering which was bound to hit you faster: your own humility, or a bullet. That was that.
"What about security? Any chance we'd catch any heat?"
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 9pm Scouge squad meeting -Fias House
Donna had called several vampires two nights prior and told them there would be a meeting for them up at Fia's backyard.
It was anyones guess as to if Donna was finally announcing teams or if this was going to be another night of training. As groups they had been doing their part to protect and patrol the city but they had little way of resistance and infiltrators.
The group wasn't especially large and didnt contain all of the normal vampires. But it was about the normal size when folks were free to turn up and get some practice in, they discovered who was in attendance: Angel, Fia, Xiao, Sammuel, Jax, Waylon, Mike, Danna, Jallyn, and Victoria stood around the fire in the backyard.
Donna sat by the fire and softly announced "Split up and train for an hour then lets have a powwow boys and ghouls."
-
Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:01 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana had answered the call to gather, rounding up Mike and Jax into her truck. They briefly squabbled about whether or not Mike needed to be in the wheel well or not, but he insisted and squatted on the passenger side floor like always. What a strange crew they made in the old beater.
Dana could have driven to Fia’s place with her eyes closed by this point, and maybe if she did she would have sworn less at the other drivers on the road.
They all gathered at the fire like always and the assembled kindred were typical for a casual training evening. It was a night like any other night or so it seemed. Dana lit a cigarette as Donna gave them their instructions, letting the smoke pour out her nose before she moved.
Dana had been doing her best to make her rounds with training, not spending all her time with any singular gaggle or kindred – they didn’t know who was going into Toronto so she wanted to be familiar with all of them. Learn what she could from them and supply the insight she could.
This night she headed directly for Victoria. She hadn’t gotten a lot of time with her before the patrols the other night, Dana had always been a little intimidated by her air of intellectualism. No time like the present to ‘nut up’ as Dana would put it.
“Hey, Harvard,” she said omitting the ‘r’s from the statement. “You wanna partner up? Try and chuck a couple hits at me, get a good war-bond going?”
-
Thusday, October 28th, 1999 9:02pm Scouge squad meeting -Fias House
Mike was looking for a good partner he scanned the area a bit sad Danna had gone for Victoria but he shrugged it off. Variety was the spice of life. He looked to the redheaded Toreadors and did and had an eni mini mo moment in his head. He chose the female. Jallyn was less intimidating to look at when they fought less distracting. Waylon was the better fighter but he was sure the woman wanted to practice. She had never missed a night since Scourge squad pracice had fought between her and Angel the two had some deidcation, if not the most skill.
His face was more of a rotted ruin than it had been over the months it had become more zombie like with bits of flesh decaying and sloughing off in small chunks. Nothing bone wise was exposed but he knew he was a fearsome sight. He used it to his advantage when he came out to the fights. Most people were squeamish about it. He walked up to the red head and watched and offered her a smile his lips were tight and thin leathery and dark. It revealed his teeth which seemed almost preternaturally white as he offered her a small bow and saw her try to not react to his visage. Beside a bit more of the whites of her eyes showing she did not back away from him. "Shall we dance?"
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 9:02pm Scouge squad meeting -Fias House- Victoria Ashford
BP 12/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
If anyone had been paying attention besides Donna when she arrived, she was missing what most people would have thought a staple of her wardrobe- her cross body bag. In truth it did feel a bit odd to not have it, but after the talk she had with Donna a couple days before, the time for it had passed. As everyone gathered, she thought back to that meeting.
Donna had called Victoria up on the 26th and requested the young Tremere vampire meet her in gage park by the water fountain for 10pm. It had given her ample time to get someone to eat and head out to the Hamilton park.
The latina vampire wasn’t hard to be found. She sat on the concrete edge of the fountain wearing her traditional leather biker jacket and a pair of ratty jeans as her pale fingers drummed on the brass shell of one of the turtle figurines that adored the fountain. She watched as Victoria approached with her ever present satchel of books and the Brujah leader let out a sigh of relief that she wasn’t kept waiting. "It’s good to see you magician. We should take a walk..."
"of course. The park is lovely in the evening." Victoria said with a smile. She turned and gestured. " After you"
The two women set out along the kilometer-long circular path that sat in the middle of the park. Very few people were out more interested in staying home on the cool night or prepping for Halloween and the myriad of parties that were taking place. Donna pulled out a cigarette and flipped open her zippo lighting it. "So you’ve been with us for about 3 months now and I see you keep coming out to the scourge training and volunteering to do watch on the patrol nights. I like your determination Chica." The Clan leader replied.
"thank you. I came here specifically to do this. I am sure the others just see me as an odd duck. I'm used to it, though."
"I’m gonna give it to you straight. We know we have a spy in our midst and we had the prince of buffalo she assured she vetted you all to the point of almost ramming a microscope up your asses and says you are all clean. I trust her so you aint a molerat. But I do take notice at practice and see you spending more time with your nose in a book taking notes than I see you out there fighting and honing your combat skills. This trip into Toronto isn’t going to be a cakewalk with you having time to draw pretty pictures and be taking notes. In fact, everything we are going to be doing has to be kept Tops secret. I’ve told Mr. Lewich that as his enforcer in the city I wanna do this as off the books with as little noise fanfare and records as possible because it protects us. We might not be able to wipe all their asses out and as Kindred we got forever to tract down and come across records and hold onto grudges and exact revenge. In that way you are a huge liability Sparkles." Donna said as she took a drag on her smoke. "I on passing twice mentioned your books at the meets but maybe I wasn’t clear enough I don’t do subtle well because sometimes its overlooked."
Victoria nodded. " Of course, I understand. That's why I brought them with me. Usually I don't carry so many, but I thought you might want to see them. I did catch your clues, but until now, I haven't been presented with the perfect time to discuss things. Another thing you have mentioned more than once is your concern about the spy, so I have kept careful notes and observations in the hopes that the point of view of an outsider might be what was needed to let you put all the pieces together. Having a spy is a deadly problem." She paused to unsling her bag and held it in offering. " Perhaps it will be one more way I can try to keep us all... Living, existing... whatever you want to call it. And when you are done, burn them. It is just paper after all."
Donna accepted the satchel and slung it over her chest and shoulder. It was doubtful anyone would be stupid enough to make a grab for the bag and it would if it were another time be comical to see what would happen to anyone foolish enough to make a go for it but she had her eye on the prize as she mentally began tabulating what her Toronto group should be. "Good I like that you want to cooperate and help. I thought I might have to be more persuasive so this saves me the trouble. The reason I’m out with you tonight is you’re my only magician on tap. Babadora's been in recovery and the Prince isn’t so hot about letting her out to fight crime after that sawed off shot gun she took to the face a few months back before you guys rolled into town. Torpors a bitch but his child’s gonna live through it. You are coming with me to Toronto Chica but I needed to have this chat." She cut off the patch and made a Bee line towards the rose gardens in the heart of the park.
Victoria smiled, but it held no real mirth. " It may not seem it outwardly, but I'm not one to back down from a challenge. Whatever the others think of me doesn't matter. “
"Good I guess but what I think matters a lot." The two left the lit walking path and hit the rose garden Donna settled down onto the paved walking path amongst the red rose bushes. "Take a load off."
Donna waited for the tremere to sit and she took another drag off he cigarette the bright red cherry flared to life for a second and the Brujah leader looked the woman squarely in the eyes as they sat in the dark garden. "I am placing my life in your hands Magician. Your rituals will be keeping us safe while we lay slumbering in the Haven I have selected for us. Is not just my life but that of all my chosen Kindred brothers and sisters here. I need to know you can do this. If you aren’t up to the task or you don’t have the tricks and spells needed I need to know. Obviously, you're not going to crack your grimoire open and be like here ya go have at it. I know you are all a paranoid and anal lot. You adore your secrets but I need to know if you got the chops to make sure we are safe as well as be able to hold down the fort when it comes to being our eyes."
"I have what it takes. " Victoria spoke with determination. "We might be a secretive bunch, but there is too much on the line here. I've been hard at work protecting kindred here, and you better believe I will work harder there. "
"So, can you give me a hint on what protection rituals you have on hand? I worry that we might be putting a lot of strain on you I know you are going to be going through blood like a fat kid goes though smarties." Danna said giving a soft grunt.
Victoria chuckled at the mental image the comment brought to mind. "Yes, well that will be the issue I'm sure. And under normal circumstances I wouldn't be so frank about the cards I have in my draw, but these are not normal circumstances. I can keep unwanted visitors from entering the room we slumber within, as well as block sunlight from entering it. "
"Both good things to have we might need them I got a sweet spot selected for us to hunker down in it aint the Ritz but it should be pretty safe unless we get stupid kids trying to mess around the property I’ve selected. Kinda nice to have a little piggy mention this place to me. Perks of being an elder you guys cant fuck with the pigs but on occasion the Prince allows us to glean crumbs from them." She said "So what can I do to offer you support? How much in the way of making sure we got you fueled and ready to do and feeding wise are you going to be needing here when it comes to Vitae?"
"I don't have a herd to dip into, if that's what you are asking. "
"No I’m asking you how much you expect to go through each night. Jallyn says for using her eyes it’s about an hour at a time and she has to consume what she would normally drink at the start of the day to even out and not be low. So a night of being on watch for 5 hours would require 2-3 kine to be hit up. The last thing we need is you frenzying because you are running low on Vitae." Donna explained "So ritual wise plus that plus incidentals like any clan disciplines beyond that ball park for me"
"it would depend some on what exactly is demanded of me over the course of the evening, but assuming we don't want to cause real harm, I would say no less than 5 a night. It certainly makes me sound gluttonous, but I will have a lot to do."
They had spoke for some time more, going over needs and expectations. Donna was now the only one besides those close to her in her own clan to have any idea what she was capable of. It was certainly unusual, but considering the circumstances, the woman would need to have a good idea of the tools she had available. There was a lot of pressure on her since she was the only one capable of doing those things, but it would certainly raise the chances of them surviving the plot.
When Dana came to her heeding the instructions to train, she smiled, taking her mess of hair and pulling it back into a sloppy bun to stay from her face. "A good spar sounds like just what the doctor ordered." She said. She might not be able to remember the woman's name, but she adored her tendency to assign people nicknames. It was a wonderful idea.
She moved a ways away from the fire. "A bit of bare knuckle, hmm?" She asked with a wink.
-
mods note: Due to the 3 months of training with Donna and friends I am allotting one pip to be upped in any skill so long as you 2 pips or less in it... or to open up one skill that you do not already have.
ALERTNESS:
ATHLETICS:
BRAWL:
DODGE:
FIREARMS:
MELEE:
SECURITY:
STEALTH:
Please give me a heads up in the OCC chat with the header
Revenge is a dish best served cold:Point spending and then what you are upping on your character sheets so we can make adjustments.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:05 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel looked at the narrowing choices of training partners. He wanted someone who would challenge him, someone better. "Hey Jax, wanna throw on a set of Dana Gorgeous original boxing accessories and go a few rounds?" he called out.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ac/e5/f4/ace5f43514e3aee1ee51b3b7f1136a56.jpg)
The Brujah punker might have been rail thin but he had some serious clout when it came to hand to hand combat. He could certainly learn something sparring with him. They were fairly evenly matched when it came to beating each other with sticks but when it came right down to the tooth and claw maneuvers, he was facing a superior opponent and that was what he was looking for.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:05 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:13/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon looked up at Samuel. He was giving up almost a foot of height to the Ventrue, which meant he was giving up an equal amount of reach. He grinned. It would be an interesting equalizer.
"Mr Quinn, are you busy? Dana and I made up something that I'd like to test out. I'd like to see how it handles in a real fight or as close to one as you can provide for me in a training session."
(https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images2/1/0617/11/viking-rebar-tomahawk_1_e6563934a5a523e4d241fcdc2abf4604.jpg)
Waylon had developed a distinct preference for weapons made of rebar. They fit nicely into his escrima based fighting style and had a post apocalyptic Brujah feel to them in his mind. His latest experiment was the bastard child of a club and an axe and he was eager to see how it handled. The balance felt right but he wasn't certain that it wouldn't turn in his hands. Even with the heavy leather sheath over the blade, it still looked bad ass, as far as he was concerned. Dana called it a 'Bitch Scalper'
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:05 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=12/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax grinned, a toothy cage for the excitement that leapt up unbidden into his throat at the prospect of going toe to toe with his friend and a fistful of steel. He channeled the feeling into words: "Do I! Is it Christmas already?"
He'd been slacking about with his usual posture, a Sunday school teacher's worst nightmare (or wet dream, depending on how sadistic and eager the educator), but Angel's encouragement had him bounding over with all the grace of a slightly less subhuman bundle of bones! It was obvious he was pleased to be playfighting. Er, practising. Practise is what it was.
He fitted a Dana original over his long fingers, admiring it as if it were an engagement ring. And him, the adoring bride to be! Seeing in that twisted metal all the bloody and beautiful violence it promised... "Yes! A thousand times, yes!" He play-acted, hoping Angel would get the farce, "Oh, Angel! You've made me the happiest Vampire in the world!"
Jax knew this wouldn't be any fun at all soon enough. The minute they hit Toronto, all Hell would break loose. Might as well enjoy it while it was still good.
Jax cackled, grinning madly as he squared up. "Sing you a song if you dislocate my jaw," He solicited adoringly, as if asking for a kiss, as if it were a favour. Because of course, it was.
Who wanted to come home from a brawl without anything to show for it?
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:03 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
“No gloves, no love,” Dana laughed as they made their way to a clear space of the yard where their elbows would not collide with any noses. Well, unintentionally against anyone else’s noses anyways.
The prospect of a classic brawl was Dana’s idea of a good time, she didn’t know what exactly Victoria could do in a hand to hand fight which just made it more exciting. While Victoria gathered her hair onto the top of her head Dana put out her cigarette against her boot and chucked the filter out into the darkness. The brunette squared up her shoulders and cracked her neck before bringing her hands up in front of her face.
“Ladies first,” she beckoned, her fingers waving the other woman inward, inviting the first hit. She wanted to see her form and what she was working with.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:03pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia watched with an amused smile as sparring partners started to square off. Xiao and Donna were all that were left, but Fia had no intention of challenging the Brujah leader. "Looks like it's you and me, kitten," she nodded at Xiaoqing, grin as wide as ever. She'd worn her blue-black hair in a ponytail, which swished as she threw some air-punches towards her clan-mate.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:10 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"You know why a bride is smiling when she walks down the aisle?" Angel asked. "It's because she knows she'd sucked her last cock." He wasn't going to ask how Jax was going to sing with a broken jaw but likely that was the point and Angel's chances of landing a jawbreaker weren't exactly zero but they were certainly not in the realm that anyone would consider it safe money.
Angel had boxed in his youth; fighting in three minutes rounds could be exhausting. There were no rounds in a fight like this. There were certain advantages to having no circulation; neither of Angel's eyes had swollen shot from the solid shot that had broken his nose. He'd managed to tag Jax squarely in the point of the jaw but he wasn't certain it had been hard enough to break it.
Oh well. No song for me.
He figured he'd given a decent account of himself, although Jax would have a better idea. His opponent wasn't just more skilled, he was stronger, tougher and faster and that was without considering his abilities as a Brujah. The fact that he was still on his feet and Jax was showing signs that he'd been in a fight were tics in the win column as far as Angel was concerned. Then again if he came up against a Sabbat vampire who fought like Jax, he would end up wishing he'd been staked out in a parking lot at sunrise.
I should just stick with blowing their heads off....
He could feel his nose straightening, as the power of his Vitae undid the damage that Jax had inflicted with Dana's toys. He'd need to keep an eye on how much of that he used. Maybe Donna was right. As disgusting as it was to drink, maybe he should get a few donations from his herd and head into Toronto with two-four of snackables.
<voluntarily taking two health points damage and using two blood points to heal them>
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 9:05pm Scourge squad meeting -Fias House- Victoria Ashford
BP 12/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
"Oh my, such flattery." Victoria grinned as she shook herself loose and settled in to the fight. She had said spar, but she knew that holding back too much could spell disaster. They all needed to have a good idea what they were working with. It was painfully obvious from the very first swing that Victoria was outmatched, but she didn't mind the challenge and hoped her opponent wouldn't take it too easy on her.
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Tuesday, October 28th, 1999 - 21:05 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
"Didn't you get enough training in?" Asked Samuel with a furrowed brow. "Or is this more an opportunity for you to hurry and get the desk ruler?"
His face, humorless and flat, made Waylon unsure as to whether or not he was joking. Samuel continued to eye him down.
"Look, kid, I'm not much for garish displays of pure, unadulterated ego, alright? But, if you wanna get some shots in at a couple beer bottles, I can help you out. Otherwise, find somebody else and knock yourself out."
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 10:10pm Scourge squad meeting -Fias House-
The kindred assembled in Fias backyard and quickly got down to brass tacs as they sparred and practiced with their fellow brother and sisters. After an hour some felt they had gotten more of a work out then others some were battered and bruised while others had opted to use the precious vitae in their veins to smooth over the damage done when sparing.
Sparing had come to a quick halt as Donna had stuck two fingers in her mouth and let out a ear piecing whistle which caught everyone's attention. The Hispanic Brujah Elder had called a cease to the fighting and stood before them with a large black garbage back in hand. "Gather round Kiddies Auntie Donna's got some shit to say." She said as the group gathered round the fire.
With care Donna reached into the bag and passed a motorcycle helmet to Mikey and a slightly outdated black suit and jacket to the disfigured vampire. She reached into the bag and began pulling out masks and cheap costumes passing them about the circle. "Happy halloween ladies." She announced. "If you can tell this aint a normal gathering night. All of you sitting around here have a part to play I have made my choices for who is going in to Toronto or Ive got something else and a role you gotta play. We will be going into deal with the Sabbat shortly and we want to be low key. I know yall have gun training and have worked to learn how to carry yourselves in a fight which is good youve come far in a few months and I thank you for getting a fire in your bellies and wanting to fuck some shit up. Good keep that rage and desire for vengeance in your hearts friends. These costumes would be helpful as parties will be happening everywhere and will help you blend in with the crowds so of you need it more than others, but we need to make sure you are hard to spot and don't stick out. Go through all those costume and figure out who is wearing what. You dont like what I brought come up with something but you aint got long. Tonights the last night of us training and I want to thank you for coming out and for those of you that have made the cut. I got more surprises waiting for you all tonight but do look into sorting yourselves out with the goodies in the bag there. Sorry Mikey you get stuck with that outfit buddy but look at it this way that helmet will do wonders to protect your face and noggin from looking any worse than they already do if you run into anyone with a bat or tire iron."
The Brujah stood and headed back to fias garage and Xiao followed her to offer assistance in carrying out the other surprises....
-
OCC: Mod note: Costume wise there is a wide variety of things with about 12 different costumes in the bag all of these contain elements that would hide your face latex masks or strapped ones that were easily available to purchase back in the 90s, as well as some face paint and grease pens for anyone artistic. so pick something iconic that was an off the rack purchase that would be 20 bucks or less back in the day and have some fun with it.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:11pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
It didn't take Fia long to find a decent mask. It was a mardi gras style devil mask that obscured the top half of her face. Along with the mask was a tail attachment and a trident shaped 'fairy' wand. She absentmindedly tossed the wand back into the pile. She had the perfect outfit for this.
"I'll be back in a sec," she threw over her shoulder as she bounded up the back steps. She practically flew to her closet.
Hangers were a-flyin', as she dug deep into her closet to find... that pair of red leather pants that she had bought years ago, but was never 'brave' enough to wear anywhere. They weren't generally her style, but they were sooooo pretty...and on clearance, too. These and my short black leather jacket, and my shit-kicker boots... Fumbling, stripping, and reclothing herself, smudging cheap but plentiful black eyeliner where her flesh showed under the mask, and topping with a glossy red lip, she ignored the chaos in her wake to admire her work in the floor-length mirror. I'm gonna raise some hell tonight!
As she made her way back to the others, she spotted something by the back door. Something nostalgic to her. Her baseball bat. Yoink
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:05 pm to 10:15 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:13/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"Not entirely sure what you mean by 'desk ruler' but if you don't want to spar, that's up to you," Waylon said, shrugging. "I doubt anything we do tonight will be enough to improve my accuracy with a gun and I think we're likely to want to keep the killing quiet. And yes, I know silencers exist. I just don't own any and I'm fairly certain they aren't universal."
He turned to address Donna. "Hey, Boss Lady! Want to help me try out my new toys?" He waved one of the Bitch Scalpers.
* * *
The Bitch Scalpers worked about as well as Waylon expected and he quite cheerfully high fived Dana. When Donna started handing out the Value Village costumes, he laid hands on the closest one.
"Right on!" He exclaimed, as he pulled an iconic costume out of the bag.
(https://images.halloweencostumes.com/blog/images/871/4703-1/darkwing-duck-costume-close-up.jpg)
"Let's get dangerous! I am the terror that flaps in the night!"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 9:10 pm to 10:15 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel looked at the bag somebody handed him. "You're kidding, right?" he said as he looked into the bag. "I fucking hate clowns. At least I don't have to shave every night."
He held up the very distinctive mask of Pennywise, from Steven King's 'IT'.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/89/60/d3/8960d3a1c10abff35b93ddebefeb4411.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:11 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=12/12 WP(5
6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax eyed over the selection, rubbing the flat of his palm against his chin. He hadn't broken anything, but Angel had gotten him pretty good! He'd held his own, that was for sure. For a suit, he'd come a long way. Sure, he wasn't winning any prizefights any time soon, but Jax had faith the Ventrue would surprise even himself when the time came. Conviction went a long way.
Regardless, Jax decided he owed the guy at least a few bars of some old song of his.
It was a difficult selection, and though Jax picked up and put down the dozen or so available options a half-dozen times, he wasn't really taking in any new information from looking at them. He was fully occupied with trying to convince himself to wear a mask. And not a rabbit-themed one.
There were no shortage of reasons to wear a commercial mask. For one thing, his hair stood out in a crowd. For another, anything he could paint would reek of his handiwork, his aesthetic. Be it facepaint or a painted mask, he'd LOOK like Jax Habit. He couldn't help himself. And he'd want to do a rabbit, or a figure of Death of some sort, but... it was already a signature look of his! He'd want to do the Black Rabbit of Inlé...
Which was percisely why he shouldn't.
He stared at his options, curled his lip a little at a Ghostface mask (though he was content to play with the Real Blood-soaking Action! knife that it came with). It was a pretty good movie, sure, but then EVERYONE liked it. Last year, the year before, EVERYONE was goddamn Ghostface. Was a little originality so much to ask for?
If he was smart, he'd go for it. Jax chewed his swollen lip. Then he spotted a compromise.
"Ooh, what's this?"
Jax dragged the tacky pinstripe suit from the bag, shook out the discoloured white mask it came with. Both reeked of whatever second-hand shop or closet depths it'd been rescued from. He held the costume up against his frame - weighed how much he'd have to do to make it fit. Surpringly, it wouldn't take much - whoever had last owned this thing had been pretty tall, if maybe a tad wider.
"Well, I, Jax, the pumpkin king, have been getting pretty tired of the same old thing."
(Taking a voluntary 1 point from health for sparring. Not recovering it yet because he wouldn't.)
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:11 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana and Victoria had made it to the ground a few times, in their session, Dana had a few grass stains on her jeans. When Donna blew the whistle and brought them all to heel, Dana pulled herself up to stand and offered a hand to Victoria.
The other woman did know a few things about fighting, didn’t try to pull hair or slap from a distance or anything like that. Dana let her first hit land and was pleasantly surprised by how strong it was. Once they’d gotten a feel for each other Dana started to give advice while the tussled. She would tell Victoria to plant her feet, to tuck in her elbows, and to hit like she was trying to go *through* her not just land it on her. They weren’t going easy on each other perse, but Dana would ask her to try and land the same hit multiple times, to get a feel for what a person might do in response, to see which way the flow of the fight was leading even while in it.
Dana was most delighted when Victoria’s elbow found her solar plexus while she was trying to get her to the ground. Even though lungs were not a priority to a vampire the way the muscles contracted, the feeling of sinking through sand was still enough to bring a pause. An ‘oof’ moment. Sometimes those seconds were where the tides could turn in a fight, sometimes they were the chance to get away and regroup, sometimes they were life and death.
“Not half bad for a librarian,” Dana praised as she pulled Victoria up and went to join everyone around Donna, taking her high five from Waylon. “Fuck yeah takin’ the Bitch Scalper for a walk!”
Dana looked at the available Halloween costume components with everyone else. She knew from past experience that she looked really different when she shaved off her hair so she’d definitely have that going for her. Still she looked through the masks available, the strange thin plastic things with their elastic bands in garish neon and deep blacks. They were sort of funny, but eventually she found the classic serial killer hockey mask complete with red markings. It was a worn down shade of brown but the plastic smelt new. It was thick enough that it may even count as some actual protection. It would do nothing against a bullet and it was no motor cycle helmet but it would serve her better than the alternatives.
Dana strapped it on. The smell of plastic much stronger when it was pressed directly to her nose but besides that it was not that uncomfortable, she could work with this in Toronto.
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OOC NOTE: Watch your time stamps folks <3
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 10:25pm Scourge squad meeting -Fias House-
The Kindred around the fire had 10 minutes to root abournt in the bags of goodies Donna had brought over and to settle on something or take their chances on making something other than that.
Fia had zipped into the house to add to her costume and when she stepped back out into the crispy October air she could hear Donna and Xiao in the drive way and their voices were rising..
A sudden pause of papers rustling in the darkness as Xiao hissed. "Just look!"
Seconds passed as Fia stood at the front stoop of he home as heard and saw Donna in the darkness of the driveway looking at a bunch of papers but then she looked to Xiao her hand snaked out and grabbed the Gangrel around the throat. The sound from Donna was a bellow of heated rage. "Maldito traidor. Tu tramposo sucio. sabia que eras tu! How could you, you selfish bitch!"
Fia couldn't react before the Brujah woman was on top of Xiao. It triggered her houses motion sensor light near the garage bathing the two vampires in light as Donna rode the smaller Asian vampire to the ground. Donna's face awash with pure unadulterated rage few ever got to see the Brujah Elder Frenzy but the younger Neonates were now in for a treat officially.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:25pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
While Fia only understood every third word or so that pierced the clear night, the intention was clear enough.
Traitor. Sounds the same in any language. She can't mean Xiao, though. Not Xiao...
"Donna! What the fuck!?", she bounded down the last of the steps, pausing when she became awash with the same light that illuminated the fighting pair. She recognized the loss of control on Donna's face. She knew full well that none here had the strength to stop her alone.What the hell do I do?!
-
The Papers Donna held were on the ground the gentle night breeze blowing them out towards Fias backyard and the bonfire.
The papers contained email chats and pictures of a man for any that looked. Most of them were abusive in nature.
Mike turned his face toward the noise. "What is going on?" He asked as the two vampires his the ground.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:13/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"Well that's not good," Waylon said as he watched Donna pounce on Xiao. The lights had caught his attention more than the sound but then again the sound of Donna going off on somebody in Spanish wasn't exactly unusual. Seeing the Brujah Elder losing her shit entirely was something completely new.
He hesitated for a moment. "Jax, Dana, let's pull her off and before she kills Xiao. Donna would be pissed if we let her do it and I'm kinda on the hook if any of the Gangrels get ganked." He tossed aside the Bitch Scalpers and moved to get behind Donna, hoping the other Brujah would follow him.
It's just like riding a bull. Get a tight grip and try to hang on for more than eight seconds.....
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel turned to see what had caught everyone's attention. He set aside the clown suit and followed, nowhere near as quickly as the Toreador. He certainly didn't feel like taking on Donna; she was bad enough when in a good mood, let alone in the middle of a full blown Frenzy. It was a frightening demonstration of what happened when the Beast was released.
He'd missed Fia's Frenzy at the hospital. He'd only seen it happen to Jallyn and he'd seen Helen actually talk her down. NO ONE was going to be able to talk down the Brujah Primogen, except maybe the Prince and he was notable by his absence. He had no chance of affecting Donna in this state, so Angel left it to her Clan and the Brujador. He'd try to put together what was left of Xiao when they either pulled Donna off or Donna came to her sense on her own.
Angel frowned. Hunger had triggered Fia and Jallyn. What had set Donna off? She and Xiao had been talking. About what? The papers that were scattered about? Angel bent to pick one up.
It was a print out of a picture, of some guy standing near a landscaping truck. He wasn't posing. It looked like one of the FBI surveillance photos that always showed up in movies. It meant nothing to him.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:27 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Victoria
BP 12/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Shit had just hit the fan. She didn’t know what had caused the rough and tumble woman to completely lose her shit but luckily she was pretty well equipped to handle the situation. She heard Waylon tell Dana and Jax to help him grab Donna and put in her two cents, her normal quiet tone turned hard and commanding. “Hold her so I can get to her hand- the one she’s using to strike with.” She told them as she pulled a pin from her collar and rushed towards the frenzying Brujah. Of all the people to have to use this ritual on, she was hoping it wouldn’t be this one. She just hoped it worked or they might all have some extra pain tonight.
( If they can manage to hold her long enough she’s going to try to Purge the Inner Demon. Everyone cross your fingers and hope it works)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:27 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=12/12 WP(5
6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
He didn't have to be told twice. His interest already peaked by the absolute commotion Donna was making, Jax knew where to run and he ran there fast, long limbs carrying him easy to the action.
But when he got there, he hesitated. He'd said the wrong thing to Donna before while they'd been living together, made a joke she didn't take to. If a dislocated jaw was a prize, Donna had treated him to an Olympic gold medal. It wasn't a stain on their relationship - Jax appreciated the honesty. But as much as he joked about her iron skillet fists, his body wasn't quick to forget the time she'd flattened his face like a bright red pancake.
It only took a second. Then he was in it, ready, and flung himself into the fray to pull Donna away from Xiao. If it came down to it - and he suspected it would - he was ready to burn up some extra strength to get a handle on his new friend's rage.
Jax looked at Victoria a second as she gave her request, just a quick assessment of what she was asking, before he put two and two together. Magic. He snapped at Victoria like a reactive mutt. "No!! Back the fuck off! What the fuck are you going to do with that!?"
(I'M SO SORRY FOR HIM he's magically distrustful but I hope people can talk him down. Rooting for Victoria!)
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:27 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13-1=12/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Jesus titty-fucking Christ," Dana groaned, the sound coming out muffled against the plastic of the mask when the bright pale light of the motion sensors went off. There they were, a black and white photograph, a slowed down strip of film. They seemed to take eternity to get to the ground but everyone could feel the shock of it in the places their bones met. And then the video sped up, incredibly fast. Dana ripped her mask off and left it on the grass as she heeded Waylon's request without hearing him say it.
Ordinarily she wouldn't have bothered to step into a fight, the only thing better than a fight she was in was one she could watch, but Donna was gone in the eyes and Xiao would be hamburger if there wasn't an intervention. Xiao was no slouch in a fight but when you tangled with a freight train it tended to run you down.
Up close the sound of a fist pounding again and again into flesh and bone was a percussive beat, a war drum, a countdown on Xiao. There were certain things Dana didn't like to do in a fight, she found them cheap, but this wasn't her fight and it hadn't been fair to begin with. One arm looped around the arm whose fist was pummeling Xiao because that was the biggest threat to the Gangrel, and one hand gripped a good date's handful of Donna's thick dark hair because her teeth were the biggest threat to Dana when she inevitably wanted the full use of her arm back to continue making paste out of the dancer.
"Shut the fuck up she's on our side if she's here, genius!" Dana snarled at Jax in defense of her sparring partner, her voice strained with the effort of her strength. She would have aimed a kick at him if she didn't need to be bracing her feet into the gravel drive to have any hope of holding Donna.
(Dana's gonna burn a blood point on Potence)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:28 pm - Fia's House -
Donna let out a snarl as her fingers flew up to Dana's arm and it made contact clamping on with a vice like grip, seconds before she felt her feet start to slide against the gravel and felt the sickening tear of hair letting go as suddenly and become airborne.
It happened so quickly one moment Dana was sure she had her ducks in a row and then suddenly the hard loud slam as she bounced off Donnas red Jeep. Her hand still held the prize of Donna's Hair firmly gripped in her hand like some bizzare prize consolation prize from a macabre game show.
Xiao lay on the drive way doing very little in the way of fighting back. Her face a ruin of blood and the slight Tremere woman stood nearby with Jax staring at her.
The Brujah elder paid them little mind as Donna grabbed for the nearest ornament in the driveways walkway. A Noma Moon light was in the Hispanic vampires hands she she double fisted the patio lights pointed end slammed down into Xiaos chest. Making the best out of her Celerity, Potence and Frenzy Donna it seemed was not fucking around.
The Gangrels body stiffened as Donna drove it home Xiao letting out a surprise cry before going slack once more.
The Brujah Elder stood the opponent was felled and her eyes moved to fall upon Jax and Victoria.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:28pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=12/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
The shock of the moment wore off when Donna turned towards the new guy and the tiny Tremere. Fia knew exactly what Donna was feeling, and how there was no way Victoria stood any chance if Donna got a hold of her. She didn't have speed, but she had her bat, which she didn't want to use on Donna. This is getting way too real, way too quick.
She attempted to step between the unbridled rage and the others. I can at least distract her while Vicky does that voodoo that she does...do... She held her bat on each end, intending to use it like a shield, instead of it's true purpose of cracking skulls.
(burning a blood point in Potence as well, 2 pips.)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:12/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Donna had finished with Xiao and was turning on not only Jax but Victoria as well. And then Fia stepped up.
Time to put up or shut up. I'm not losing two Gangrels in one night. Sara would come back just to skin me alive and turn me into seat covers.
The reputation of the Toreador was one of effete snobbery, an unwillingness to get their hands dirty. Waylon was about to get more than just his hands dirty. With Donna's attention on the three Kindred in front of her, Waylon took the opportunity to do exactly what he's thought about doing....
Wrapping his legs around the Brujah and riding her like a bull, in the hopes that somebody would be able to help restrain her. He was in the best position he could be; behind her. His legs were, he hoped, stronger than her arms, although there was the Frenzy to consider. He could force Vitae into his muscles to give them a temporary boost. He just hoped it would be enough.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
Burning a Bloodpoint to Boost STR from 2 to 3 for the duration of the scene.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:28 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=12-1=11/12 WP(5
6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Donna had laid Dana out like it was nothing - ripped her own hair out to do it - and shoved him off without so much as a thought.
Now a Gangrel lay dead. Dead dead. Pinned to the road like a butterfly.
The scene was surreal.
It was unlike anything.
It was like every time before.
Every time something stupid and insular and insignificant led someone to lose their life... He couldn't begin to count how many times he'd witnessed it.
Maybe this wasn't that. Maybe this time, it meant something. But staring down the barrel, Jax couldn't consider it - the why's, or the what if's. He had to act. Before someone else wound up staked.
"Your shit better not fuck her up," Jax said bitterly to Victoria.
Then he was gone. Jax threw himself back into the fray, only this time for real. No holding back.
(Spending a point on Potence).
"Waylon, try to pull her backwards, off balance, if you can!! Fia, do something with that bat or give it here!! We gotta get her down, NOW!!"
Using every ounce of the space Donna had made between them, Jax wound up and drove his metal-weighted boot into the top of her shin, hoping to snap it like a twig. Or at the very least, knock her off balance.
It wasn't a pleasant idea - certainly wasn't ideal given their upcomming mission - but it was a manageable injury compared to what letting Donna run rampant right now might reap.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:28 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard
Jallyns Blue eyes widened as she felt herself react as the kindred in the driveway were trying to get Donna to settle, unsuccessfully. "Come on guys!" She hollered hoping her shout would move some of the vampires around the fire into action.
The copper haired Toreador felt herself push her vitae through her veins and suddenly the world seemed slower to her
She could her Jax yelling but it seemed slower than it should as she ran towards the driveway. "Waylon, try to pull her backwards, off balance, if you can!! Fia, do something with that bat or give it here!! We gotta get her down, NOW!!"
The time for hesitation was over. You hesitate you die. It was one of those things Donna liked to drive home during their practices on the nights she chose to pick someone to group to spar with her.
She heard Donna scream it was fully of fury and malice As she watched Jax haul off and kick his elders skin. Jallyn had heard a pop but couldn't be sure if it was a popping ember from the flames or if Jax had cracked bone. There was no time to think. She grabbed onto one of Donnas Calves and pant leg and began backing up towards Jax as she glimpsed Dana getting to her feet.
The Catholic toreador whispered a soft prayer in her head as she held on for dear life. She didnt want to hurt of kill Donna but they couldn't let her go off all full cocked a fangs a snapping. She wondered what exactly had set the Brujah elder off.
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(7-2=5/7) BP(12/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana, feet planted, grip held, had been using her blood to fortify her strength but she was a moment too late. Because she was Dana; feet planted, grip held, and then she was Dana; feet over her head, handful of hair and scalp. She landed on the hood of the jeep with a metallic bang and Donna took those seconds to stake Xiao to the ground. Of course she wasn't done, the rage wasn't through, the beast not yet sated.
Dana flicked her hand free of the macabre prize of Donna's dark hair, the wad sticking to the windshield of the jeep by the gore that held it together. It slid slowly down towards the wipers like a disturbing slug. Dana righted herself onto the hood of the jeep. The scene before her was chaos.
"Dog pile on Donna!" Dana shouted, if they had any hope of pinning Donna it would take a lot of them.
With that she lept off the Jeep and onto the tangle of kindred. Yes, there were other bodies in the way, yes the tackle was not going to feel good for them, but the momentum of the leap was the best asset Dana had at her disposal at present to try and get Donna to the ground.
-
So for a picture we currently have Donna on the driveway half stabbed over Xiao.
Jax has an arm of Donna Jallyn has an oppose calf that shes trying to bend the leg back towards where jax is. Dana came in hot and splashed the Brujah Leader while victoria is doing her best impression of trying not to be in striking range. Waylon is on Donna's back riding her like a bull and trying to keep her from lashing out. Fias standing in front of the vampires back tot he garage with a bat in hand watching the Brujah frenzy but hasnt taken an action yet.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia slipped beside back-monkey Waylon and slid the handle of the bat into Donna's mouth, keeping her from clamping down. She pulled backwards with all her might. Where's a fat vamp when you need one?
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:29 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
What in the f--?
Watching from the fire, Samuel's brain was alight with instinctual action; his hand, immediately clasped about his pistol, stopped for a moment.
No: way too risky. Way, WAY too risky! Think, goddammit!
His vision darted about the pile of kindred; a handful of bodies, some clutching onto Donna's limbs for dear life. That's when he noticed it,
Wait--
--Her left leg, which was partially hidden beneath the writhing mass of undead flesh, was entirely exposed. He sprinted over immediately with Mike not far behind.
Messy as it is, capping her with a bullet would be quick and easy, but I know that'll only exacerbate things... It looks like I'll need to take a more personal approach. He shuddered as he rolled his sleeves to the elbow. Lord give me strength: what I'm about to do... is something I do not enjoy.
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29pm- Fia's Backyard
Donkey punch Mike was right on Samuel's heels as he repeated the mantra "FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! " as it echoed in his enclosed motorbike helmet he arrived as Samuel grabbed Donna's leg and began pulling on it. He saw the Female Toreador trying to hold onto Donnas free thrashing leg as she Burjah howled with rage.
He dove for the leg Jallyn had his hand closed around an ankle as he heard the loud pop of Donna's leg dislocating as Samuel gave it a sharp hard jerk.
The sound of a wounded animal pieced the night or at least that is what Fia's distant neighbors would like. It sounded like a wounded coyote though the bat Fia held firmly in the Brujahs mouth.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29pm- Fia's Backyard
Donna screamed and thrashed around in a blind rage her mind was a fire with pain and her eyes burned with a wild eyed malice as she struggled against the vampires on her.
She fell back hard driving waylon to the driveway as the gravel dug into his back and felt the vampire arch her back. but Dana was there to try and pin her torso the the ground. With the speed of her Clan she offered up a second attempt escape a Kick from her right let to try and shake off Jallyn and Mike.
The female Toreador vampire also had the same powers running through her veins slithered over Donna's leg to land on the woman's knee and pushed down as hard as she could while Mike gripped her Leg. She felt the kick coming but the swift positioning let her dig her hands into the Elders thigh and she managed to hang on . Jallyn felt Mike stagger from the blunted kick, his nikes skidding on the gravel as he slid back a few inches, but he didnt let go. "What the fuck we do now?" Mike asked the group as he fought to hold on.
MOD NOTE: Waylon take 2 points of damage Dana I know i didnt mention it but make note about being down 2 HP as well from the large dent in Donnas jeep.
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(12/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
They all hit the ground with the kind of force that rattles teeth, Waylon at the bottom most likely getting the worst of it. Where at one point Dana would have been a little smug over the pretty-boy Toreador's misfortune now she was merely confident he could handle it, that he was made of tougher stuff than his porcelain features insinuated.
Dana pushed all her weight down, straddling Donnas torso and trying to keep it that way, her palms braced into the her Clan Elder's forearms. She was very grateful for Fia and the baseball bat she had held between Donna's fangs considering they were now pretty much face to face. Face to feral gnashing teeth.
Dana heard Mike's question and hollered; "Stacks if you weren't just blowing smoke it would be great if you could work your fuckin' voodoo now!"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:29 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:12/13 HP: 5/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
There had been air in Waylon's lungs; it exited with a whoosh. Had the Toreador needed to breath, he would have been fighting his own hypoxia as well as Donna. Sometime you were lucky to be dead.
Fia had a bat wedged in Donna's mouth but her fangs weren't the most dangerous part of her. If he could lock the bat in place, it would free Fia up to do more to control the Frenzying Brujah. As quickly as he could, Waylon wrapper his arms around the bat and used Donna's own head to anchor his grip.
"Keep her down!" he yelled. "She needs to ride it out!"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel looked at the pile of Kindred. Eight on one was fairly good odds. Even Donna wasn't that tough. He didn't need to get himself involved. He picked up another of the papers, looking to see what had set Donna off.
He had to read it twice to be sure.
Figlio di puttana.
"Let her go," he said. When no one listened, he said it again, louder. "LET HER GO! LET HER FINISH THE JOB! XIAO IS THE ONE WHO SOLD US OUT TO THE SABBAT!"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:30 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel's ear perked up. "And how do you know she'll stop with Xiao?? I don't know if she can even tell her targets apart at this point!"
He was genuinely asking, because he really didn't want to break another one of Donna's limbs.
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:30pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"No! We ride it out!" Fia let Waylon take the bat, and used her position to clamp onto Donna's free arm. "We don't know what Xiao told them. We might be able to use it."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:30pm- Fia's Backyard
Jallyn Grunted as she kept her perch on Donna's knee. "Shes right Angel. We aren't trying to kill Donna just make sure she doesnt go after us Xiaos out shes not going anywhere Donna pinned her to the driveway like she was a bug in a pin collection.: She grunted. "Victoria please help! what you are going to do wont hurt her right?"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel shrugged. "Roll her back on top of Xiao and let her go. If you can't escape from somebody with their leg half ripped off, that would be a bigger problem. Besides, you don't have to outrun Donna. You just have to outrun somebody. She told them everything, Fia. Everything we lost is because of her. Sara is gone. Booggie is dead. My entire fucking family is either dead of being taken care of by some fucking strangers because of what she did!"
The angry italian Ventrue pulled a piece of wood out of the fire. It had burned to a nice point. It would likely make some interesting noises as the glowing embers heated Xiao's teeth to the point where they exploded and her throat seared. If they weren't willing to let Donna finish the job she'd started, he'd have to do it for her.
He looked at his 'estrattore'. He wasn't Frenzying. He was calm, cold even. You didn't remember what you did in a Frenzy. Angel wanted to remember this. The bat would serve nicely to pound the firebrand down Xaio's throat. Or up her ass. Hell, he might need three pieces of wood from the fire before he was done. In the end, she would resemble Hamilton, a burned out ruin of something that had once been beautiful.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:30pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"You fucking ASS!" Fia angled her head towards Angel to holler at him some more, "Who the fuck do you think you are to make that decision?!" If she weren't holding on for dear life, she'd have flown at him, Dana-Style.
"As the last surviving, highest ranking, goddamn Gangrel in this fucking town, what we do with her is MY choice. Step the fuck off!"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:30 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
"Whoever's got the bat: pull down as hard as you can!" Samuel called out as he stepping back. Looking over to Donna, he could see her eyes darting about the place erratically, like some kind of caged animal.
"I need her as flush to the ground as you can get her... what happens next, is not going to be pleasant."
He slid around the horde of kindred to where Donna's exposed arm was, and readied himself. Then he heard Angel's decry.
"Angel!!!" Called Samuel. "Angel, think for a second!!! Everything-- every loss you've taken-- it won't mean a goddamned thing if you kill her! She's our best chance at a lead, and YOUR best chance at revenge!!!"
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:30 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(12/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana was swearing at Donna and then at Angel, and then at Samuel. This was absolute chaos despite the fact most of the moving pieces of this machine were some what under control. The litany of curses and chucked insults became her breath in and out but there were still some choice things to say.
"I don't know what the fuck you think you're doing but causing her more harm, is not going to make her more calm, dick drip!" Dana snarled. Her hands were still braced on Donna's arms and she put herself lower, her fangs bared in an obvious threat against the action the Ventrue had planned. They were supposed to go into Toronto, Donna would have to heal all of this damage.
Fortunately Angel had chosen to monologue his revenge plot which caught Samuel's attention. "Go pistol whip Angel, we have her pinned! ANY DAY VICTORIA!"
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:30 pm - Fia's House - Victoria
BP 12-1/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Well, on one side they were doing well to finally work together to get Donna pinned down. Great. She didn't really need Angel pulling his shit right now, but she couldn't be distracted. She had the chance she needed. She slid up against the tangle of kindred, not bothering to answer anyone as she needed her focus. She grabbed Donna's hand, reciting the necessary words. It was funny, she couldn't remember the Latina's name to save her life, but luckily she didn't have to. The words she needed came like reflex, the sturdy pin she held finding it's home in the woman's palm as she felt the magic's cost burn away. Please let this work, or they would have even more trouble to deal with.
(1bp used for ritual)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:31 pm - Fia's House
The pin slid in and Victoria almost felt like a bubble had popped it couldn't be seen but the heat and rage that was consuming Donna seemed to sputter
There was a scream that was a full tilted rage but Waylon And Dana felt her shoulders relax as she scream morphed into one of pain followed by a wailed a muffled "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! " Fias bat still firm in her mouth. As Donna closed her eyes tightly and tried to force herself to be still she looked around seeing the fire and the others then the still form of Xiao on the driveway a moonlight stuck in her chest. Her leg hurt like hell and she noticed Jallyn and Donkey Punch holding her one leg the other one hung uselessly at her side as she tried to move her legs, to test how fucked up she was.
The other kindred around her didnt look too bad she noted. No other bodies it was a miracle.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:31 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:12/13 HP: 5/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"Well, that was eleven kinds of fun I'd rather not have to experience again," Waylon said. He'd felt Donna relax. It wasn't a tactic that a Frenzying Brujah was capable of, so he too relaxed. "Sorry if I did a number on your teeth, Donna. Didn't want you biting anybody."
He let go of the Brujah leader, surprised that there weren't any more casualties. If they could restrain but not kill Donna, they actually had a chance of coming back from Toronto.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:31 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel looked at Samuel and immediately dismissed him as being unimportant. "Bravo, Fia," he said. "Choose a fucking traitor over the rest of us because she's your Clan. Does that mean you're a traitor too? Does that mean every single one of us that has been champing at the bit to get our hands on a Sabbat lick has to back off because you say so or do we all get to test ourselves against you on our way to Xiao?"
Angel spat on the ground. "Can't have it both ways. You want a piece of the Sabbat? It's lying in your driveway with a fucking Moonlight sticking out of its chest. Want to protect Xiao? Well, I guess that just makes you a traitor just like her."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
[/quote]
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:32 pm - Fia's House
Donna felt the bat leave her mouth and she grit her teeth "You guys wanna help me up?" the Brujah leader gruffly asked. "No one touch Xiao theres good reason she's staked. Fia if I wanted her dead she would be dead. Shes not going anywhere unless someone tries to pull that light out of her chest. Don't do that. Looks like you guys passed your prelim examination on are you good enough to do Toronto."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia reluctantly released the arm she was holding when she felt the tension leave it. If she could breathe, she'd have let out a sigh of relief. Her mask was missing, her eyeliner and lipstick smeared. She grabbed the, (still, thankfully), attached hand to haul Donna up. When the Brujah found her feet (uh, foot), she turned her yellow eyes to Angel.
"You think you're the only one who was fucked over? I remember your 'opinion' at MY trial," Fia did the bunny ears gesture with one hand, the other propping Donna up, "I got one, so should she! You have no idea how to look at the bigger picture! You only think about what benefits you now! It was never up to you, anyway!"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33pm- Fia's Backyard
Using Dana and Fia as support Donna tested the left leg and swore. "You guys..." She left the sentence unspoken as she kicked once and felt the hip bone grind against bone. Nope not good enough. She lashed out with a much more forceful kick and felt the bone grate and a sharp burning pain followed by an audible pop. If she was mortal she likely would have puked.
With care she put a bit of weight on the one leg Samuel had dislocated. it was tender and she wouldn't be running any marathons but she could stand on her own. She limped over to Xiao and opened the back of her Jeep. "No one touches her till the Prince is done with her. That is a fucking order from one of your Elders Comprende? Now whos gonna help me get her into the jeep?" Donna burnt two blood points as she waited for the kindred to volunteer to aid her and help settle that burning snesation in her hip.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:31 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel rolled his eyes but he tossed the wood back into the fire. "Whatever, Fia," he said. Donna he would listen to. The ungrateful Gangrel? Not a chance.
He walked towards Xiao's legs. "I'll give you a hand, Donna. Want me to drive? No offense but you might want to baby that leg for a bit."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:31 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel stepped over to Donna to check on her.
"I'm not sure what you remember, but if you feel any sort of pain in your leg, I'm afraid that's my fault." He said, regretful. "I'm sorry. I hope you understand, I was trying to protect the group."
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33 pm - Fia's House - Victoria
BP 11/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
The pin dissapeared back into Victoria's clothing. "Glad to be of service, although I agree that is an experience I would rather not repeat." She told Donna as she stepped back so the others could untangle themselves. Once the now calm Brujah was settled on her feet and handling the mess that was Xaio, she turned her attention to Jax. "And as for you- first off, she trusts me enough for me to be here,"She gestured to Donna, "And her opinion is the one that matters. Second, if you can't handle the fact that I am using my skills to protect you, then drop your balls here in the driveway and step off, because I will not be pussy footing around to save your feelings, I will be doing what needs to be done to make sure we all give those Sabbat worms a taste of thier own medicine and come back to celebrate. Any more questions?" It was probably the most fired up any of them had seen. While she was pretty competitive in training, she always seemed .. well, like a librarian, not a fighter.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33 pm - Fia's House
"Im not even sure how I snapped out of that Frenzy so fast fuck I usually ride that wave for a good ten minutes before I come up for air...." Donna confessed she eyed the Magician not sure if Victoria had something to do with it but couldn't think of any other logical reason. "You guys did alright Sammy boy I will let it slide in a situation like that when you got a frenzying vamp you do what you gotta do when they aint on the team. One fucked up leg isnt going to stop me. And honestly we aint in a huge rush. I just want to toss her in the back and get back to business if you guys are good with sitting about for a little bit. I can call the princes boys to come pick up the package and he can have a chat with her. Now Cade... its up to you if you go with her. But you got a bit of a shit spotted past not sure if you want to go along for the ride along, but I ain't gonna lie. I figured Gangrel was dorty the question is were you all in on it or Just a lone gunman? The Prince and Helen will have to sort that out so maybe you shouldn't go wandering anywhere chica." Donna said as she pulled out a dinged up cell phone from her jeans.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:33 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a cigar, chomped the end off, stuck it between his teeth and lit.
"Angel--" He called as waved his match out. "--I don't mean to interrupt, but, when you get a minute, you mind if we talk?"
The cherry of the cigar glowed rhythmically as he puffed at it, eventually stopping on a slow inhale.
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:32 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel looked over at the other Ventrue. He shrugged and leaned the bat on his shoulder. "What can I do for you, Mr Quinn?" he asked as he turned away from Xiao. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it as he made his way back toward the fire.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:34 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel walked Angel to the edge of the yard, away from earshot of the others.
"Just wanna know if you're gonna be cool. I know these Toronto guys got you messed up, but... I've been in the game for a long time. I've seen what happens to loose cannons; and you're no Brujah."
He grabbed the collar of the polo shirt beneath his jacket, moving it to reveal a horrendous scar trailing along his collar bone.
"The guy was going for my neck."
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
"I'm well aware how it looks," Fia took the chance to pick up one of the scattered papers on the ground. It was a brutal photo of a man whose face was mildly familiar to her. She'd seen him at the club a couple times. A lot of things were starting to click together. "I'll be coming with you, Donna."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:35 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"He missed," Angel answered. "I'm going to assume you didn't."
Samuel was older both as a mortal and likely as a Kindred as well. He had a significant edge over Angel in Generation as well. He'd be wise to listen to any advice he had.
"Do I look like a loose cannon? Is there a Gangrel with her fangs in my throat, sucking me dry because I'm too out of control and trying to pound a burning stake into a traitor's cunt?" Angel shook his head. "Cold blood, my friend. I may be Italian but I'm also Ventrue. I'd love to go into Toronto with my blood boiling and leave the whole fucking city a wasteland but the Sabbat would either have ended me or just left town before I could make it to Yonge Street. I either go in cold blooded or I don't get any payback at all. I'm not expecting to come back in one piece but I'm stacking the deck as much in my favour as I can."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:34pm- Fia's Backyard
Donna opened the phone and dialed a number. "Yes its me and it seems we have made some progress. Were at Cades house. You want to send your boys down to pick up the package. Shishkabob and steaks on the menu and it's a bit bloody but the package is good for transport...." Donna paced the driveway "Yes I understand. I would drive her out but your boys could back things up into the garage and unload a bit more smoothly so yeah. That works. How soon?" Donna picked out a pack of smoked from her back pocket they were smashed flat she light one. "Yeah ok we will be here. Yes Cades here yes she wants to come willingly...." Yes sir. Alright. See you in a bit."
Donna hung up the phone. "We are sitting tight the Prince is sending out someone to pick up your sister and your ass too Blue. Co operate as best as you can and you might be fine. Looks like shit though from where I am standing. Not gonna lie with your friend laid out you're gonna have to do some talking and hope the Prince likes what you are saying. Were going to have to figure out how deep down the rabbit hole this all goes. Cause the way it looks right now the Prince has every reason to belive your entire Clans turned over to help the Sabbat out kiddo. Sarah leaves Lobo leaves you guys hold down the fort and the hits dont keep dropping. Yeah it dont look too good."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:35 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
Samuel gave Angel a cordial nod as he puffed on his cigar.
"No." He conceded. "No, I guess not. You seem to have a good head on you, just... Look, I'm not trying to say you're outta your mind, but maybe keeping a lid on things isn't such a bad idea, huh?"
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:35 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel chuckled. "Ever read any Clavell? Just think of me as King Rat." He nodded towards the others. "If they come back from Toronto just to spite me, I've done them a favour. As one Ventrue to another, I know exactly what I'm doing. If I live through it? Even better."
He tapped his nose. "Don't worry about me, Samuel. I am El Àngel de la misericordia. Even if they kill me, I will haunt them until they step out into the morning sun just to be rid of me."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:33 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(5
6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
It occurred to Jax that, as things came to a head and settled like the aftermath of a torrential storm, he might've let himself get carried away in the heat of things. He'd gotten worked up, for one, because as it turned out, Xiao was not as dead dead as he'd thought.
Mostly dead. Big difference.
Secondly, his brilliant plan to take out Donna's leg had been... so-so. It burned a little that Samuel had done it faster, more effeciently. It stung like shame that Dana had had the better, more logical, idea - all his yelling to do something had just muddled what should have been a clear and concise call to action.
But most of all, it downright killed him that it had been Victoria who'd been their saving grace.
Jax didn't have a problem admitting he was wrong. Well, to himself. Getting it past his big mouth and grit teeth was another matter.
What he meant to say was 'I'm sorry' and 'you were right'. What came out was not that.
"Yeah, actually, I do got a few questions!" He snarled back at her - no threat of violence in his stance, just spite. He'd been trying to help Donna to the Jeep, keeping close in case she needed an extra set of arms and legs. He felt a little guilty for kicking her and it was mannifesting as overzealous concern. But he was distracted now with biting back.
"How long til we start seeing consequences for that little bit of flash? How many times you done that spell before and had it go off without a hitch? I trust that Donna trusts you, fuck, I even trust you - what I don't trust? Is whatever fucking forces your lot calls on for favours when you do that Shit!! Feelings? Ain't got shit to do with it! Shit like that comes and gets you in the end. Blood ain't the whole price."
He regretted it as he spoke, felt the ghostly burn of bile heat his chest, his throat, but all he could do now was bite his tongue and stand on his grave. And maybe help Donna into the damn Jeep.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 22:35 - Fia Cade's Backyard - Samuel Quinn - Ventrue - BP: 13/13 - HP: 7/7 - WP: 4/4 - SC: 3 - HUM: 6
"Good man." Samuel grinned. Angel wasn't such a bad fella after all, for an Italian. He then clued into Jax's outburst, wandering over to check it out.
"Really?" Samuel queried. "More yelling?"
He looked to Dana.
"I just wanna state for the record: I don't care much if you disagree with my methods; in fact, differing ideas are fantastic in my opinion. But your method of communication... it seems to involve an awful lot of foot stomping." His lip pursed as his face tried to feign something as close to politeness as possible.
For that matter, he wasn't lying. Teamwork was a wonderful thing. How else would he have gotten where he did? Only problem was that he didn't like the chaos he was seeing, and he was beginning to lose faith in these kindred. He sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose as he called out to Jax.
"And you... What... What the hell is your problem, kid? I don't know if you've noticed, but it's done. It's over!"
Approaching Jax, he patted the young man on the shoulder, still chewing at his cigar. He chuckled,
"Maybe save some of that energy for the Sabbat. That, I look forward to seeing."
Soon after, Samuel withdrew and headed back toward the fire, which was more a pile of embers at this point.
"I'll be by the fire." Samuel called as he held up his cigar. "I got a couple more of these, too, if anyone cares."
(https://mtv.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:ao:image:mtv.com:153359?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=1440&height=810&.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard
Mike and Jallyn kept to the driveway for a few moments unsure of what to do till Donna told them they could hang back out at the fire.
Jallyn sought Angel out finding him and putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" She asked softly. Angels earlier outburst had been full of much passion and pain. Working for him part time at his club and having gotten to know the Ventrue over the year and everything they had gone through since her arrival in Hamilton she felt like she had gotten to know him better than some of the other vampires. When they had down time she would sometimes spend it with him.
The night had been crazy. Xiao was the spy or so it would seem. "I think the worst has passed for tonight.I over heard Donna call the prince. He is sending someone out to get her and Fia." She said a small frown adorned her sculpted features and her eyes looked worried. "Do you think there are more or have we just scratched the surface and find out that there are more kindred working behind the scenes still?"
Mike slid the visor up on his bike helmet and settled down beside Samuel. "If you are offering Id hit up one of those bad boys." He said indicating the cigar the Venture was smoking.
Donna looked over to the Lone Gangrel once they had settled Xiao on a tarp in the back of the jeep. She looked to her Clan members. "What's done is done. We wait for the Princes boys to get here till then might as well sit down by the fire. Im so pissed. I had a nice surprise set up for tonight and now... Now it seems sort of out of place. Hunted down some lovely folks last night to help go through a sixty pounder of tequila and got myself a margarita machine. I was thinking about making us up some celebratory drinks since tonight I was announcing who was making the cut. When the package is picked up I dont know how you feel about all this Blue it has to be a bit of a shick you want to give me a key and I can make sure your Haven is locked up and all secure? No telling how long the Prince is going to want to question you for, but if you come back clean Blue you are on the Team. You might have a rep but I wanted to offer you redemption and a chance to prove yourself."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia nodded silently and handed Donna her keys. She surveyed the damages. Blood everywhere, broken moon light, wad of bloody scalp and hair. She was not expecting any kind of compensation.
Wandering to her usual spot by the fire, she gathered loose papers. She had no idea if they'd be important, but she hung on to them anyway. As she flopped down, she noticed a tear in her fancy pants. "Great. Just great. I'd ask why me, but I clearly kicked a puppy in a past life. Fuuuuuck me."
Nothing to do now but wait for her ride.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37pm- Fia's Backyard
"Cheer up sweet cheeks it could be worse." Mike said "You Ain't being taken in via a body bag and you still got a pretty face. Though admittedly it must suck to know your gal was hiding such a terrible secret. Gives me a lot to think about that Im like this because of her and her friends coming into Hamilton." He said quietly. He expected anger but there was nothing. He thought if they could figure out who the spy was that he could finally direct his rage but the months of training with Xiao and the others. It just felt so hollow and shitty because he had no clue to have even suspected the Asian Stripper and Gangrel Clan member.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:38pm-Fia's driveway- Victoria
BP 11/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria stared at Jax for a long time, even past Samuel coming by and wandering back off. Was this kid seriously superstitious? They literally woke up every night to feed on the blood of the living.. bleh bleh bleh and all that, so yeah, I guess thats a vote to the positive for the things that go bump in the night, but damn.
"Sorry, dorothy, but you don't get to take a peek behind the curtain." She said finally, shaking her head. "Look, you tell yourself whatever you need to to make yourself feel better, just don't get in the way of me doing my job. Now if you'll excuse me..."
She turned without waiting on a answer and headed for Donna. "Hey boss, how you feeling?" She asked the rough looking woman.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(5
6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax swatted at Samuel's hand, or the space it had been, a second too late - a gut hesitation holding him back but keeping him scowling, tense, for all the world a cornered cat in an alley and not a grown-ass man in a driveway.
He wanted to spit back at him his exact problem, but the embarassment of his previous outburst was dragging his tongue down his throat and all he could do was wordlessly strain his voice and swallow.
Samuel's criticism of Dana made Jax's inaction burn worse. But what could he do? Prove the guy right by stomping him? As appealing as it sounded, it wouldn't do any of them any good, Jax included.
Still, the kinetic build-up of feeling without moving or screaming or breaking something was growing inside him and threatening to bust his chest open. He ground his tongue between his teeth to do something. Maybe the pain would erode his temper. Said no one ever...
As Samuel walked away, Jax looked for a second as if he might jump him. But they both knew that he wouldn't.
Victoria laid the final nail in his coffin. Though she was just being clever, the 'Dorothy' comment struck a particularly old nerve with him and he could only wait for her to walk away before he stormed off with an aggrieved yell and a swift kick to the nearest, most unfortunate tree.
He knew he was in the wrong. He just couldn't figure out how to back down.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel stayed silent. He didn't care if Samuel thought he was a good man. Samuel was higher up the food chain and that meant he was more powerful than Angel but it didn't mean Angel had to respect his opinion. It just meant he needed to act like he respected Samuel's opinion.
He slipped an arm around Jallyn's waist when she approached. "I'm good," he lied. "Explosion of sound a fury, signifying nothing. Hot blood and a short temper. I wanted to take all my rage and grief out on the first Sabbat I found, even if she was one of us ten seconds before that. God help us if there are more; we had enough trouble finding one and it looks she even carried a bloody dossier of her 'motivation'. I don't know who that dick waffle is but showing her pictures of him was enough to get her to help kill half a city."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37 pm - Fia's House - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(12/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana pulled her hair back, up off her neck into the thought of a ponytail, squeezed tight with fingers while she cracked the vertebrae back into place. Samuel was, at the core of him, a suit, she was coming to realize. Which should have been obvious, him being Clan Ventrue, but she'd been disarmed by a face that looked like so many she'd known before. Though really, he was like a great many men she'd known before. When she was doing what he thought was correct he was complimentary, when she directed her brute force version of charm at him she was chastised. Backed into a corner where to react was to prove him right.
She felt twelve years old surrounded by kilted girls in braids who told her she was a freak.
When she'd been in that situation she'd jumped on the ring leader and wailed her head into the ground.
Dana had changed a lot since then, hell, she'd changed a lot in the last few months. She was evolved, a vision of team work, she could let this go. She could take unnecessary breaths and she could count to ten. This was the final count down to Toronto, what she came to do. She held her hair up off the heat of her neck with a vice grip.
Nearby Jax went off to kick a tree, feeling the same grate of the world as she was. Which was when something clicked. Why was the 'evolved' thing to do to swallow the bullshit? Why was it a sin to clear the air? Why was it that people like her and Jax were always on the wrong side of it no matter what they did?
Fuck it.
Dana dropped her hair down and marched to the fire, to where Samuel and Mike and Fia had sat down. She put herself between Samuel and the fire.
"Hi, I'm the suggestion box you dropped a tidbit in and fucked off on," Dana said, her hands pushed into her pockets, her jaw a steely line. She had the stance of a fight, because she was mad, because that's just how she stood, she stared at him a moment.
Dana knew she grated people who were used to authority, who favoured control and harmony the wrong way. She knew that in some circles nothing that came out of her mouth could ever possess any respect because she couldn't go two sentences without saying 'fuck'. Dana knew that her primary method of making sure people didn't mess with her was messing with them first.
But Dana also wanted this thing to work. And she couldn't go into Toronto with him if she was thinking he was looking down his nose at her.
"Can we talk about that?" she asked, gesturing to the trees a little ways away, trying to inject something less abrasive into her tone. Whether it worked or it looked like she was experiencing some sort of internal pain was in the eye of the beholder.
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:39pm-Fia's driveway
Donna watched the Altercation between Jax and Victoria. She watched Dana go stalk off towards Samuel.
How was she doing? Well they had taken get down in the middle of a Frenzy and no one died. Now she was watching everyone snipe and trade verbal jabs. The joys of being young... Still the kindred here knew the Nrujahs had short fuses it was strange that tonight was the night everyone was trying to ride on everyone elses nerves.
"I'm going to live tonight." Donna quietly said as she leaned against the Jeep. The Princes guys were all set to arrive for 11pm "Just watching things tonight unfold in less than appealing ways. Tonight's had more twists and turns than a fucking roller coaster. You think after the months of training everyones gone through that they would be more unified but Im starting to wonder if its a case of if the foundations weve built are going to be sturdy enough for what comes next. It has to be... "
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:39pm-Fia's backyard
Jallyn rested her head on Angels shoulder "We don't have all the facts yet and are missing a few pieces to the puzzle. I am sure the Prince will get to the bottom of this but I can't think of why she would do what she did." She whispered against him. "Also you are a terrible liar. I started reading Auras when I wasn't sure if Donna was coming out of Frenzy. Everyone's so pumped up right now and you are not fine. Your body Language is right but it isn't matching what my eyes are seeing. What can I do to help?"
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:37 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Busted.
Oh well. Those were the risks you take when you dealt with Kindred. "There is fuck all any of us can do," Angel said. "This trip into Toronto is a shit show. It has been since the beginning. The Sabbat is more than prepared for us. They'd had a spy in the middle of all the training. so they know exactly what to expect. Look who's here. Donna is the only one of any significance. The rest of us are one step shy of being expendable. Fia's a Diablerist. You're on Helen's shit list. I'm low man on the totem pole. Waylon volunteered despite Helen's efforts to stop him. Everyone else was sent by somebody in the US and nobody sends anyone they'd be upset about losing to a fight like this. We aren't coming back. Antigen is showing that he's got some teeth. We go in, we make as much noise as we possibly can and take out a few of the Sabbat. In the end, sweet fuck all will change."
Angel crushed out the cigarette. "Dee and my niece and nephew inherit the bar and the studio and I go to my grave having done my best to avenge my family. The rest of the world goes on as if nothing had happened."
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:41pm-Fia's backyard
Jallyn held him tighter her heart hurt the things he said stung part of her wanted to push him away. But those words were likely spoken in hopes that she would fuck off. She wouldn't let him go just yet.
He wasn't entirely wrong if Xiao had been reporting back about their training the enemy had numbers and a good outline of everyone's skills.
A swirl of emotions tumbled around in her head and guts as she didnt let go of Angel. She gently bit down on his shoulder through the leather of his jacket taking care not to pop fangs and gave the Venture a hug wuth her teeth. It felt good to bite down on something as she felt flesh and leather. She breathed in deeply holding him like that for a four count before letting go. "If that is true, then we go in to Toronto together I will fight with you until I have nothing left. " She said finally as she released the bite. For better or worse were all in it and until we get the heads up on what Xiaos tattled to them about its all we can do. If we don't go in they will keep coming for us. Burlingtons been hit hard for the past months. That buffer is weakening. Seth told me they are down to a dozen kindred in Burlington now. Maybe we can catch a break but if not fighting to protect folks from the Sabbat be they Kindred or Mortal, We romanticize war I know in the end it wont be pretty but it will suck less knowing we fought with all our hearts . I know you lost so much Angel but lets try to think we have a chance. I mean Donna's been tight lipped about plans so how much Can they know how many of us are int eh squads and trained? But they don't know our plans or launch date because even we don't know."
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:42 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel could feel the pressure of her teeth against his shoulder. It made him shudder. "Careful there," he said. "You're making me want to bite back. And don't mind me. I'm just angry and frustrated. You'll notice that I was the only one who didn't pile on Donna. If she's using that as a pass point, guess who is the only one not going to Toronto? Samuel thinks I'm a loose cannon. I'm not sure what Donna thinks. I cleared everything I could off my plate in order to be part of the scourge squad. This is it. This is what Mr Too-Many-Iron-In-The-Fire has going on. What if it's not good enough? What if I don't make the cut? What if, after all this, Angelo Angelino just doesn't have what it takes to get the job done? What if the only thing I'm good for is running a bar to keep the Kine blissfully ignorant of what is going on around them?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:42 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard-
Jallyn sighed. "You have trained harder than some of us. You've not missed a day of training. You jumped in on your own. Hellen made me come out to show that we can do more than just paint. Sadly I don't have that under my belt but Ive dove into training with everything I have. Im not as skilled as you or Jax or Dana. Im pretty sure I could take Victoria in a fight if she didn't use her arcane bag of tricks. I know Mike and I square off pretty well, but Im aware Im not top pick for a war party other than what my eyes can do. So I will do it. I ask myself the same questions if Im ready and if I am good enough. I dont know I dont have the answers and likely you are in the same boat." She buryed her face against his neck and slid her long manicured fingers under his Jacket her hands resting on the Small of his back. "I wish I had more I could give answers to. These are the the times of uncertainty it seems. "
-
Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:40 pm - Dana and Samuel
"Are you suggesting a walk? Because I think I'm fine where I am, thanks." Samuel said flatly. He was hunched over a bit, staring pensively into the pit.
"If you got something you need to say, I'm all ears."
Dana sucked a sound off of her teeth. She let her hands return to her pockets because if they were free she wasn't sure what she would do with them. If that's how he wanted to play it, fine.
"Alright," she said her tone even. "Your methods of communication... Seem to involve some bullshit. And if you have a problem with me I invite you to stand your ground instead of sniping at me in passing like we're at a church social." Dana said.
"In summary; if you take exception to me calling you a dick drip, maybe don't act like a dick drip."
Samuel turned his glance toward her, his face stolid. Initially, he'd been set to rebuff her statement. And why not? She was the one being uncouth. But then, something occurred to him, a realization born from a curiosity he hadn't been able to place. Not until now. She was angry; no surprise there, she was brujah after all. But it was how similar he'd been to her in his youth that struck him hardest. An age where the more human faces of his own person shined-- rough as they were-- and he had something to prove. Shitty fathers tended to do that.
It was just as likely he'd have reacted the same way as her, too, possibly even garnishing his sentences with more than a few broken teeth. But that passion died with him.
Stranger still, was the feeling of confliction this cognisance gave him. Normally, he'd have brushed it off-- she was just a goon, another in a long line, and a bruiser at that, right? But her eyes... there was a sadness behind that fury. Just like his. And so, his thoughts turned to something unexpected.
"I'm sorry."
For a moment it looked like he would have fought it out with her - and she welcomed it. Talking things through was clearly not her first methodology. He was probably going to point out that when one offers an olive branch one should not whack the recipient with it.
But then - he apologized. Dana took a step back, as though the emotional unfooting had also lost her some stability. Her hands left her pockets but they were no longer balled into fists. Slowly she sunk herself down to sit, to put herself on his level.
She was so used to having to fight tooth and nail to show she was good enough, that she was equal and belonged that it took her a moment to understand what had just happened. Her anger had been a house of cards that collapsed beneath her.
"You were going to hurt Donna when we had her under control," she said more reasonably. "That was overkill on one of our own before we have to go into the thick of it. And you can't talk to Jax like he's some idiot kid - that's not your responsibility and he doesn't need it from five different angles at once. It's not gonna make him any more receptive,"
Dana thought about looking away from Samuel, but they were in it now and so with her jaw still tight with this unfamiliar method she kept his gaze.
"I'm sorry too. Not about before, because I was making a good call there. But I know I'm a dick about names and I know that's important to you. Respect is important to you and me not making an effort doesn't give you good reason to trust me and know I mean no harm with the shit that comes out of my mouth in the moment. So I'm sorry for that."
Samuel smiled thinly. "I'd be a hypocrite if I gave you any flack. I know you're right. Guess I'm used to smoother operations than this, but..." He heaved a sigh of relief. "...The night's young, and this mission of ours has barely come out of its shell. Maybe it'll do me some good to just, I don't know, wait."
Swiftly, he hucked the stump of his cigar into the fire, watching as the decaying mass of charcoal and ash swallowed it whole. The night was young, indeed, and with all these kindred standing on the precipice...
Perhaps..., he mused to himself with a smirk. Perhaps it's the right time for a change of perspective.
"You're used to being in charge," Dana chuckled, pushing herself up, brushing her palms off from the dried grass and sandy dirt that circled the fire pit.
"But there's something to be said for being on equal footing."
She held out her hand so they could shake on it. The air of the night felt clearer. Maybe talking things out wasn't as heinous as she'd thought it would be.
He smiled the sort of crooked smile of someone trying to hide it. Standing up, he stretched his back, feeling every year in each vertebrae. Lack of sun and a penchant for neck nibbles were one thing, but the fact he'd been immortalized with a bad back? What the fuck was that shit?
"So, guess we wait 'til the boss comes back. What do we do now?"
"I dunno. Donna mentioned something about blood-based margaritas?"
A crunchy-dorito & Grimoire co-post
-
Thusday, October 28th, 1999 - 10:40 pm - Fia's Driveway- Victoria
BP 11/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria shook her head. "Those foundations were built on everyone following your order. Things went out the window when we were all forced to work without that direction. It happens. Still, you're alive, we're all alive, hell's bells.. even the object of your ire is alive.. sort of. All of this.." She gestured towards the backyard. "The posturing and grumbling.. that's the stress talking. Don't worry about me and whatever his name is. He's either superstitious or still holding onto the boogeyman fears he had as a child. He'll either work it out or not. It's none of my business really, as long as it doesn't interfere with what I have to do. I don't think any of them realize how much of our survival rests on me being able to do that. "She shrugged. "In a way, that's good. Handle this, then give the troops a rousing speech. I'm sure right now a lot of them are afraid of what might have reached the ears of the sabbat. Some of them are angry, some scared, some filled with despair, and maybe all of the above. More than ever right now this seems like a suicide mission. Belief is a powerful thing. If they believe they are marching into death, thats exactly where they will go. That is not where I plan to go. How about you?"
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard-
A black econoline Van pulled up into Fias drive way and two men in black coveralls climbed out of the vehicle. They stopped at the side door and opened it and from the confines of the van Helen St. Clair , the Elder and head of Clan Toreador stepped out onto the gravel drive.
She paused taking in the scenery inspecting the house and the set up as well as noting the Kindred assembled by the fire.
Donna approached the blonde woman and gave her a curt nod rather than wearing her designer suits and clothes she wore a simple black turtleneck and a pair blue jeans. "Helen."
"Donna." the head of Toreador replied taking the Brujahs hand and giving it a polite shake. "So I hear we have a situation. I won't keep you here long show us where the body is and round up Miss Cade."
"Angelino!" Donna barked loud enough that the Ventrue would hear her. It was rare she used people real names.
Angel jogged up to the two women in the driveway. "You called?"
Helen looked at the Ventrue her face impassive. Donna looked at the Italian vampire "Those papers you manage to find most of them?"
"Fia Grabbed a bunch of them so I will check the fire." Angel said.
Donna gave him a gentle cuff up the side of the head. "Stop doing that. I think you would have saw her burning stuff as would have everyone else. Just bring what you have so Helen can take that into the Prince. Blue! You get your ass down here if you got any of those papers bring them here. You rides here and you can escort your fallen Clan mate and sort things out with the Prince tonight."
Helen raised her eyebrows and watched as Angel leave their sides. "So what happened?" She asked quietly.
Donna shrugged. "She came up to me and started telling me how she was in a bad spot and wanted to talk to me and ask for advice. She then explained she had some issues with being blackmailed. Okay cool... Not a huge deal who hasnt had that happen to them atleast once as Kindred."
Helen nodded "Continue."
"Don't tell me what to do Chica. You dont rule over me. " Donna growled softly. "So I try and hear her out. The neonates tend to have a hard go at navigating their first blackmailing adventures. Then she whips out this Manilla folder of all these email print outs. From some Shadowstalker69 asshole. Hes got picures of some dude hes emailed her. Turns out its her lover and theyre stalking him. Not ideal but whatever. Until I start reading the emails about him asking for information. And using Kindred terms. And then they start geting nasty as hes pressing for more information about our squads and where we set up and what our plans are. hings started to get heated between us and I got a bit upset. End result I staked her and shes in the Jeep in a tarp and thats where Judas rests as of now."
"How bad is she." Helens tone suggested she was less concerned with Xiaos well being and more concerned with what she had left to work with.
"Well... Its not final death. But Im unsure if shes hit Torpor. I hope that isnt the case you will likely know more once you pull the stake out and get her somewhere secure. I reckon Antigen going to want to pour a few liters of Vitae down her gullet to help her recover and be more coopertive. I tried to make sure you guys had something left to work with." Donna replied as she lit a cigarette.
The two women walked over to Donna's Jeep and she opened the door lifting the tarp to show Helen Xiao's current condition. The womans face was swollen and bloody her lips split wide open and two teeth were missing, her nose was a ruin and eyes were firmly swollen shut. The Moon light protruding out of her chest still glowed adding enough light to examine the gangrels features within the vehicle.
Helen shrugged "I've seen worse."
"No doubt you have." Donna said as she leaned against the Jeep to take a bit a weight off the leg that Jax had kicked. "Cade is willingly coming in with you for questioning. She seems genuinely shook up over the whole thing and claims to know nothing. Im sure you guys have ways to see if that is the case. But we have our mole lady. The question is was all of Clan Gangrel playing with the Sabbat or if she was working alone and just with this group of Sabbat we had in the city for a while."
"We will just have to find out wont we?" Helen said calmly. She motioned to the men behind her to pick up Xiao and load her into the van. "Careful we can't risk any additional damage. Was she still moving when you staked her?"
Donna sighed. "I dont really recall. My temper might have gotten the better of me. But I do recall the first couple shots I took, she didnt fight back. After that its a bit hazey."
Angel and Fia made their way back to the driveway with papers in hand and Donna took them and passed them over to Helen. "You guys see if she was moving around on the driveway before I staked her?"
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard-
Jallyn watched as the van pulled up and was surprised to see Helen exit the vehicle. She tapped Waylon's arm "Looks like Helen's come for a visit." She said nervously to her clan mate."In a case like this do we go see if she needs help or should we just sit here and let the Elders do their thing?"
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:00pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(5/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax took the time to get it out of his system.
Mostly, he walked in circles, shoulders heavy and fists clenched in his pockets as he kicked at the earth, at trees - storming around the generous property and putting as much space between him and everyone else as he could without leaving eyeshot. Jax didn't want to raise any undue suspicion by leaving.
He noticed, on his rambling journey to fuck up Fia's yard worse than their training had already fucked it, Dana having a scrum with Samuel. At a distance, he couldn't pick out much of anything over the hum of conversation. But he guessed from the body language they were having it out about as calmly as two people from completely different walks of life could. Jax's gut twisted. Good for them.
Jax really believed he'd gotten there himself at one point - to the point where talking about his problems came easy. But there was something mean inside him that kept tangling him up, twisting his words, making him fall short of reasonable whenever it mattered.
For Jax, disagreements exploded and then settled overnight. Nothing rotted. Nothing needed careful wording. In his world, everyone yelled and screamed and punched until the problem was solved, til everyone could laugh it off over a drink and rib each other about it in the morning.
But the Masquerade happened in Suit Society... Land of slow politics, where the art of conversation ruled supreme. You had to pick your words carefully or they'd throw them back in your face three years down the line. People saved face, played carefully. Everything rotted. Load of crap...
Jax was stirred from his reverie by the sound of the Prince's van pulling onto the property. He sighed wearily. Time to go back, he reasoned, putting very little gas in his step. He took the time to light a cigarette for good measure. Maybe it'd squash his lingering nerves...
By the time he'd returned to the group, Angel and Fia were bringing the documents Xiao had shed like a tree to Donna and Helen.
He caught Jallyn's question to Waylon just as he'd arrived.
"Probably best to wait til teacher calls on us," Jax commented conversationally - not trying to overstep Waylon's answer, just offering his two cents. He shrugged, "They want us over there, they'll ask. Just my experience, though." Still, he looked to Waylon, awaiting his answer.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:01pm - Fia Cade's Backyard
Jallyn nodded to Jaxs reccomendation to stay put. He was right what would Donna or Helen want with her? They had the help they needed to load Xiao up.
Jallyn sat down by the fire and tossed a log on seeing nothing but embers . "Still cant believe it was Xiao." She said softly.
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:01pm- Fia's Backyard - Fia Cade - Gangrel
Health= 7/7 BP=11/12, WP=5/5 HUM=7/7 SC=3/3
Fia had wordlessly made her way to Donna's side when she'd beckoned, handing the papers over. She was not looking forward to seeing the Prince that night, but it had to happen. Might as well get it over with.
"She moved when you-" she gestured to the moon light. "She wasn't doing much during. She didn't fight back, I mean." she added, climbing into the van, next to the body-formerly-known-as-Xiao. She couldn't even look at it. To look would mean to feel all the feels, and she needed to keep a level head.
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:02pm- Fia's Backyard -
Donna nodded as Fia climbed in. "I got your Keys for your Haven. I will keep an eye on the place." She told Fia.
Donna looked to Helen, "You figure Blue Is going to be with you guys all night or..."
Helen shrugged "Depends on what she knows and how cooperative Miss Cade is. If she truly had no knowledge of this I feel she might be sent home tonight. If there is more to glean however she might be a guest of the Prince's for some time."
Donna nodded. "You care if I crash out here Cade? To make sure no sabbat scum show up and try to torch your place or gain entry while youre out?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks." Fia was suddenly disturbed by the thought of the Sabbat knowing where she lived.
"Cant be too sure what your sister leaked to them. Id hate to see your place turn into a hide out or become another target for destruction. Surprise goes to me if they try anything I will fuck them putas up." Donna replied showing the white of her teeth in a feral smile.
"I appreciate that. Uh, Peanut has been fed, so you don't have to worry about him."
"Good Im not much of a pet Person but I will hold the fort down for you kiddo. Maybe if you get out of jail tonight I will keep a blood margarita waiting here for ya. Shame you are missing out on snacks." Donna said.
Helen rolled her eyes "Well there is much to be done tonight. The payloads secure so we are off." She said simply. "Come along Fia lets see if there are anymore secrets behind those eyes tonight..."
Fia let out a deep throaty chuckle. "Wish me luck. Peace out!" She called out as the door slid shut.
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:04-15pm- Fia's Backyard -
Donna watched as the van pulled out the driveway and dissapeared into the dark of the night and pocketed Fias keys,
She made her way to the garage where she saw the three margarita makers working overtime to make their treats for the assembled Kindred. It had been no simple task to collect the blood need for the kindred to enjoy. With two fussy Ventrue present it meant having to find a cute woman that Angel would approve of and a portly biker friend had been willing to meet up with the Brujah the night before to drink tequila until they were blitzed. She was thankful she hadnt needed to find a diabetic to add to the mix or she might have felt slightly guilty over that.
Donna added more blood to the mixers from her supply and pulled out a sharpie to add names to the cups making sure the Venture cups were set to the side. Once the machines were done making their drinks Donna carefully poured vitae infused with tequila into the cups and she seemed happy with the end result. She set the cups on a tray and headed out to the fire where the other Kindred were sat. "Boys and ghouls a drink for the night for all your hard work you guys have made it to the big leagues. Grab a glass with your nickname on it and enjoy."
The cups were labeled as such. Tenancious D, Rabbit, Sparkles, Chuckles, Red, Ninja, DP, AA.
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:15pm- Fia's Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
Dana waited until Jax returned on his own. She waited a while past that to approach him, to reach out from behind him and grab him into a headlock. When she’d yelled at him for mistrusting Victoria it had been in their language, this was too. Dana knew what the burning of his marrow felt like, the hole he could bite in his cheek, the acid on his tongue.
The crook of her elbow stayed on the back of his neck even when the headlock stopped straddling the line between rough and genial and decided to just be friendly.
“Some fucking night, huh Jackieboy?” she sighed loudly before Donna emerged proffering labelled cups. “Oh man she wasn’t talking shit about the blood margaritas,” she laughed immediately moving to take the one labelled Tenacious D. She loved the nickname even if she didn’t really get the reference.
The opportunity to indulge in a vice rather than process the highs, lows and revelations was welcome.
“Thanks Boss, this is wild, I’ve drank some pretty potent shit straight from the tap. But it’s been a hot minute since I’ve actually had a fucking drink in a cup - what a goddamn concept.”
Dana didn’t hesitate to take a mouthful, the blood slush tasting like the memory of tequila and a mouthful of snow after a fist fight. The corners of her mouth were stained with the gore. “That ain’t bad.”
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:15pm- Fia's Backyard
Donna chuckled as she picked up her own cup and had a drink. "Glad you like it and that it passes muster. I might have had some experience back in the late 20's with bartending and drink experimentation, funny how some skills still can come in handy from time to time. A toast to my brothers and sisters. To all the hard work blood sweat and tears. To the scourge squad and to our success when we all roll up into Toronto to do so much needed cleansing. Cheers! Salud!"
Jallyn took the cup labeled red and had a sip. Her eyes widened. She was used to primarily drinking animal blood but this was a far cry for pig or cows blood. This was potent and was a strange mixture of cold but the alcohol content in the blood made it also warming. "So is this it? This is who made the cut Donna?"
Donna nodded. "Fia too if she turns out to not be dirty. I really hope that is the case. But Red you and I do need to talk. If you dont care about your business being talked about over the fire we can do it here."
Jallyn frowed. "Did I do something wrong?" She asked worried she had made a misstep.
"No, but you are playing an important role. Sadly it wont be in Toronto." Donna calmly explained. "Seems the Government's aware of us existing. And you been kind of selected to represent us due to several key factors. Good with people you play nice with others, follow orders, don't flip your shit easy, aren't intimidating, and in general the Prince feels like you would make a good Liason. I don't have all the details but your participation is key and will be helping us even if it doesnt seem like it."
The red haired toreadors shoulders slumped she took a sip of her drink. "I see... But that means you are down a pair of eyes....I wanted to go so badly."
"I know child." Donna soothed "But that's the princes marching orders.
"So what is the government going to do about this?" Jallyn asked softly.
"A trade in services we have you work with em and you can learn more about this agency and in return they are willingly sending in several units to come in during the day time to take care of our fanged friends in Toronto. It is encouraging to know they will work with us to eliminate the Sabbat and are willing to send trained troops in to deal with this shit. I know you wanted to come Red, but this sacrifice you are making is likely going to make a huge difference in how many of us come back versus how many of us see final death. So thank you for service." Donna said.
Jallyn stared at her cup. "When does this all happen?"
"Soon?" Donna replied.
"Can I inquire as to how soon soon will be?"
"Well we're going down to Toronto for the 30th. That gives everyone a night to stockpile blood if they can and to pack and get ready for the big event. So Im guessing Tomorrow night or the night of the 30th that the Department will be coming to collect you." The Brujah Primogen explained. "Best to pack what you think you might need in the meantime."Jallyns sky blue yes passed over the faces of all the Kindred there and she did her best to square her shoulders and put on a stoic face. "Yes Ma'am I understand." She said softly. "I don't own much so packing shouldn't be too much of an issue.""That is good. You are being brave kiddo. " Donna said drinking from her cup. "I'm sure they will give you more details and answer all your questions once you meet up. But that means that Sparkles and Helens Favorite are gonna have to work harder once we do Toronto guys. Think of your seers as your goalies. No one fucks with our goalies. I'm fielding questions about what we will be doing in Toronto now so speak up if you have things you want to know."
-
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:16 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel picked up the cup marked AA. “Hi, I’m Angel and I’m an alcoholic,” he said, hoisting the glass. “Either Donna has made custom drinks or you my just get to see how far I can puke blood. Given that we’ve got assigned drinks, I’m going to go for number one. Let’s see what her taste in women is like.”
He took a sip, then nodded. “Not bad. I’m still a fan of the warm stuff, right from the source but this is surprisingly good. Not that I’ll be putting them on the menu at the Unyon.”
Bartender that he was, he served out the other drinks. When Donna announced that Jallyn was t going to be joining them, he sighed. “Well, isn’t that eighteen different kinds of bullshit,” he said. “Drop that bomb on us the minute we find out Jallyn made the cut. Congrats all, by the way. I look forward to kicking ass and not bothering with names with each and every one of you.”
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 -11:17 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:11/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon took the cup from Angel. “Over the lips, past the gums. Look out stomach, here it comes,” he said, hoisting the drink. “Tequila and I usually have an agreement. I avoid it and it doesn’t make me do dumbass things. Of course we are going to go into Toronto, so maybe I’ll be needing more of this. Even without Jallyn we’ll be okay. The two of us can handle it.” The Toreador gave the Tremere a playful hip bump. “Right Vicky?”
He was already compiling the list of things he wanted to take into Toronto. Top of the list was the pair of police pistols he’d ‘acquired’ on one of the first nights they’d been hunting Sabbat. It was the same night he’d developed his fascination with eyes, after looking into the eyes of a newborn and seeing the world disappear
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
(2 blood points spent to heal the damage from the fight)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 -11:17 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Victoria
BP 11/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria was amused with the nicknames she had acquired during these past few months. Most of them of course had something to do with her being the only "magician" of the party. It was a heavy roll to be certain, so a bit of lightheartedness was welcome. "Of course we can. This is a pretty interesting twist to the plot though. Working in conjunction with non kindred? With no blood ties? This.. is rather unprecedented." She didn't vocalize her thoughts on how dangerous it could be. On more than one front. She took another swallow from her cup as she mulled it over.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:16pm- Fia's Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(12+1=13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Hi Angel," Dana intoned when Angel did his little bit.
And then just like that they were down two from where the evening had started at the costume bag. Dana frowned, for a vampire Jallyn had never seemed blood thirsty, but she was determined and she'd worked really hard. Out of any of them she'd probably had to work the hardest to get where she was, standing amongst them. Still, if it had to be one of them it made sense it was Jallyn.
The point Victoria made had a lot of merit, but was definitely above Dana's pay grade. She had to assume the Prince and the Government weren't actively doing anything malicious to them, least of all Jallyn. If they were Dana would have to take up large scale treason, but that was a bridge to cross if they came to it.
Dana went to clap Jallyn on the shoulder. "You did good Legs, you did really fuckin' good. You earned your spot here and I would have gladly ridden in with you next to me - sucks that won't happen but you're gonna fuckin dazzle those stiffs. If you can shave your head, you can do this - no sweat."
Dana squeezed her shoulder in a way that was trying very hard to be affectionate and hopefully wasn't painful. She took another hefty swallow of blood margarita, feeling the tingle. She looked over Jallyn and Waylon and Victoria.
(+1 blood point)
"Is the seeing thing related to the redhead thing or did we just get lucky colour-coding our Seers?"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:17pm- Fia's Backyard
"Thanks." Jallyn said as Dana clapped a shoulder. It didnt feel like a promotion or that she had won any lottery. She couldn't pitcha fit or carry on feeling sorry for herself though. It would sour the mood but she had so many questions about what came next.
Dana asked a question about the sight and she looked to the tenacious vampire. "Its a clan thing. Toreador and clan Tremere are blessed with the ability of heightened senses. some Malks have it as well I have been told. But I can understand why none of them made the cut to the team. Could you imagine Nat running around Toronto for this gig? I guess it shouldnt surprise me that some Mortals know about us and even more surprising that the government hasn't acted against us. It would seem they have at least a basic understanding that not all Kindred are bad for bussiness.:
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:17pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Caught completely off guard, Jax had yipped as Dana wrangled him, hooking her arm around his neck and instantly sweetening any sour left in his mood. He'd gone from hollering to laughing as their playfighting became portrait posing. "Ain't a good one 'til someone gets hauled off in a van," He joked, nudging her playfully before Donna and Dana drew his attention towards the drink table. "Oh, holy shit! I thought she was fuckin' with us!"
"Hi Angel," He'd chimed in along with Dana without even thinking. He was halfway to the table when Angel kindly passed him a cup marked 'Rabbit'. "Aw, thanks! Y'know, I was beginning to think this Homecoming dance was a real drag, but the punch looks to die for!" He said with a wink. Jax couldn't help himself. It was unbelievable how quickly he bounced right back into his antics.
Having already heard a few of the others comment on their nicknames, the second thing Jax did after making an awful joke about it was eagerly hunt down his own on the side of the cup. He grinned like a cheshire cat. "Oh, Donna's my favourite," He sing-songed before tossing back a big mouthful of cold and bitter.
For booze-thinned blood and ice, it was... surprisingly good? Jax imagined it might've hit sweeter in the Summertime, but as a kindred incapable of sampling unbloodied liquor, this was nothing to complain about. "Not too fuckin' shabby!" He said, wiping away a bit of the melting red ice clinging to the corners of his mouth.
He'd settled in around the fire with the others, taking more modest gulps of his slushie so as to savour it. It was an uncharacteristic moment of self-restraint on his part.
"Man, given the vamps we know just out here? The way I see it, there are probably kindred high enough on that ladder to be runnin' thing, hiding in plain site." Jax replied to Jallyn without missing a beat. It was a thoroughly rehearsed theory recited around fires like this one only about a hundred times.
"Not every job they got requires you to be a day-lover. Bet they got Suits on high. Bet there are Princes who know 'bout it, too. Maybe not Helen, but. Someplace in the world. And lookit you, infiltrating that system!" He swatted her arm with the back of his hand and smiled amicably, though he had little love for the notion - Hell, for the government in general. He barely cared for the Masquerade. But he could be happy for a friend.
"They don't send just anybody to be speaker for the dead. I mean, sure it sounds like a stiff position, and you won't get to beat Sabbat ass, but. Clearly someone on high thinks you're worth building a future on, and that's gotta be worth something. Plus," He shrugged, "Casual Fridays, am I right?"
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:19-11:24pm - Fia Cade's Backyard -
"It does sound stiff. But if the higher ups have decided for me..." Jallyn shrugged and put on smile "Not much reason to stick around and be underfoot here. Is it okay if I leave the celebration early Donna? I mean it is one less set of ears listening in on the great plan."
Donna nodded "If you want. We aren';t chasing you away though Red if you want to spend your last night free with your fellow Kindred."
Jallyn nodded "I appreciate it I really do but I should make sure Im packed and ready if they are coming for me tomorrow night." She sipped her drink and swallowed finding the drink to be incredibly strong. She paused and looked over at Dana Jax and Donkey and reached out and poured the remaining contents of her drink into their glasses. "Enjoy guys." She said still keeping the cheery smile on her face. "I wish you guys all the very best. Please all of you come back in one piece Hamilton's lost so much already."
"We plan to raise some hell and do our best. You do the same Red." Donna said tipping her cup at the young neonate.
"I will Donna! Thank you everyone for taking the time to teach me how to fight. Let's hope the combined forces gathered for this undertaking will be what is needed to clear out Toronto."
The redheaded female made her way around the fire giving any of the kindred that would accept, a parting hug and a kiss on each cheek before she let them go and made her way to her old navy blue Corvette parked in the driveway. She found her keys and slid it into the ignition before the engine roared to life and she drove down Fia's driveway slowly as to not stir up the gravel and chip the paint job as she left the impromptu party and made her way back to her sires Haven to pack for the night.
The smile fell from her face as she eased out onto the road as she congratulated herself on holding it together in front of the others. Her heart felt heavy she was filled with terror for herself and the others as she realized that her parting hugs may have very well been the last she would see of some of the kindred tonight. No one knew what was going to happen tomorrow night but maybe she could pray before the night ended. Maybe even talk to her Priest in the city and see if he could give her some guidance on what should be done next...
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 -11:20 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Victoria
BP 12/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Dana's question about color coding the seers made Victoria giggle, and as soon as the sound escaped her lips, she cleared her throat and peered accusingly into her cup. She looked back up to see Jallyn leaving and pursed her lips. She really wasn't sure if all this was a good thing or a bad one. It was pretty confusing this turn of events.
"Well, I suppose the next question is, what now?"
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:21pm- Fia's Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
"Aw, Legs," Dana said accepting the extra blood slush and the hug in an uncharacteristically sororal display of affection. She patted her twice on the back before letting her go off to the rest of the crew and then make her way into the night.
Dana took another mouthful of the cool and boozey blood mixture. When she spoke there was a delighted kind of relish to her words. "Now we prepare for war ladies and germs."
"I've been prepping some jackets from thrift shops - reinforced with duct tape and some studs, Jax helped me with them. They might be handy even if they have to be worn over costumes - probably wear 'em under the costumes in a lot of cases. Probably good for our goalies to be going out with some padding if that's kosher with you, Boss," Dana explained.
-
"Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:21pm- Fia's Backyard - Donna
"We pack, we prep, and we kick some ass." Donna said drinking her bloody margarita. Make your preparations.Bring me whatever goods you think we might need for this trip tomorrow night and I will make sure the extras come along for the ride. Tenacious D you know I am all about that shit. Anything extra that wont weight our guys down but offer them protection is A-OK in my books." Donna replied.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:22pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax had felt - really felt! - a little pang of something sad ding off his heart when it was time to say goodbye for real. He'd indulged Jallyn's unspoken request for a hug, gave her a lift and a spin to try to undercut his own moment of grief. He wanted to say something, to assure her they could still spar in case the orderlies at the office ever got disorderly, but he couldn't. It might be a lie. 'Cause they both knew... this might be the last time they saw each other.
He pushed his knuckles against her shoulder - a sign of comraderie. "Fuck 'em up, kid."
As she pulled out of the lot, Jax tipped up his drink to her, sloshing back the healthy mouthful she'd contributed to his cup in tribute.
And then there were... Jax started to do a mental headcount before deciding, naw, fuck it. Then there were- however many of them there were!
His sadness at seeing Jallyn go retreated to make room for the anxious excitement - anticipation for the coming battle.
"Naw, it won't weigh anyone down none," He said, the barest hint of an ugly little twang sneaking unbidden into his speech. He pulled at the lapels of his heavy leather jacket, jangling its wild assortment spikes, chains, studs, caps, and pins as he adjusted it. "But we got all kinds in case anybody's feelin' the need for more or less fang-proofing on game night."
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:24pm - Fia Cade's Backyard
Donna nodded to Jax, "Good stuff. We will make due where we can. While it is a shame we lost Red her sacrifice will not go unappreciated. I've manged to line up a few bolt holes for us to hide in close to Toronto hopefully none of you are princesses as they aren't necessarily the Hilton they will do their part to make sure we have a place to hang our heads while were out for the day. If anyone has anything else they want to ask nows the time if not enjoy the fire and drinks and be merry. I will see you all tomorrow night when you drop shit off for me to take into fray."
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:26 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 9/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"I've got an essentially disposable car that is available," Angel said. "It's an old Camaro. Fake plates. Ownership says it belongs to some guy that died in the explosion, so it can't be traced back to us. Big trunk. Big engine. I was planning on driving it, unless somebody else wants to take the wheel. It give us one car we can stash somewhere that we don't need to hotwire."
He looked at the jacket Jax had held up. "You got one of those in a 40 inch chest, extra pissed?"
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
Thursday, October 28th, 1999 -11:27 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:11/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
"I'm thinking the Bitch Scalpers might be better smuggled in with you, Donna," Waylon said. "And there are a couple of cop pistols that I picked up that might also be best smuggled into Toronto for use at a later date. I've got enough toys that I can bring along that they won't be questioned."
He chuckled and winked at Dana. "Also, there's been something I've been meaning to do...." With that, the ginger Toreador grabbed a handful of his luxurious hair and with a knife, hacked it off and threw it in the fire.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/bartek9mg-2.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:27pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (6/7) BP=11/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
Jax grinned at Angel. "I might," he said, a little coy, "I might even got something in a 40 inch I could do a number on tonight, if you want. A real battle jack-"
He stopped short, because just then a flash of orange caught his eye. One moment, Waylon was standing there, a Raphaelian figure cast in flesh framed by spun fire. Then the next, that perfect stream of silk was shorn and cast like some magnificent tribute back to the forge from whence it came.
Jax's jaw was slack. He almost dropped his drink before his boney fingers remembered the importance of their cargo.
Then Jax erupted in a victorious crow - something perhaps only Angel might recognize as music. His body arched with the sound, the showman in him summoned by the radical act of self-destruction. Sure, it was just hair, but it was Waylon's hair! Perfect Waylon's perfect hair!! It was about as radical an act as Jax had ever seen a Toreador venture.
"Fuckin' fuck yeah!! ¡Viva nosotros! We're gonna live forever!!" He shouted, raising his glass high before tossing the rest back and slamming it into the fire, the plastic destined to mix noxously with the scent of human hair.
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:29pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Donkey Punch Mike
Mikey watched as the fire burned and people added emptied cups and hair to it. He sat enjoying the cup of chilled blood. It tasted better than anything he had sampled before. It was so strong and the flavors it made him heady and a bit deliriously happy.
Despite the shit show that was now his life and his ruin of a face he couldn't help but smile as he watched the vampires around the fire. They were sort of a strange kooky adoptive family of his realized "So tomorrow we should all go full Billy Corgan ? You want the eyebrows to go too? Kinda go all the Man who fell to earth?"
Donna shrugged "I leave it up to you guys if you want to but it will for most of you make it hard for them to ID ya with less hair. You shave it all off its like what he or she look like I dunno a bald ghouly bitch in a thrift store costume... Yeah good luck tracking that down." She cackled.
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Thursday, October 28th, 1999 - 11:27pm- Fia's Backyard - Dana Gorgeous - Brujah
HEALTH(5/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana's eyes glowed bright, the grin that split her face was feral - mad with glee. There was so much build up to that glorious moment a tension cut with those strands of autumn fire. It left an uneven bob on Waylon's head but it was the principle of the thing, the meaning of it. They were untethered from their training, from their yesterdays. All there was for them was tonight and then battle.
Dana too downed the rest of her blood slush to free up hands and pounced on Waylon, grabbing him around the middle and spinning him around in the firelight. A true Dana rough house, she held no punches but also no ill intent.
"That's what I'm fucking talking about!" she laughed putting him back on his feet, she looked over his handy work up close. It was a beautiful travesty, a buzzer would do a much more thorough job. She patted his cheek with affection. "If you can cut that hair you can cut a throat - fuckin A pretty boy."
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 12am- Fia's Backyard
Come Midnight Donna called it a night as the blood was drank and they talked about the next day. The kindred assembled began to leave to spend their 2nd to last night in Hamilton having some free time to themselves.
Donna bid the others good bye with the caveat that she would see them all at some point tommorrow up at Fia's as she waited for the Gangrel to return and to collect their last minute weapons caches and supplies, and that dinner would be on her.
Sometimes being a vampire had its perks....
Mods note: Players have now entered free time in game to do whatever they wish to do. Please feel free to write whatever you desire.
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 1:12 AM - Tisdale Apartments - Jax, Dana & Mike
Whatever made all hotels the exact same, apartments got all wrong. Alright in Jax's book. He liked the little things that made Tisdale different from a hundred buildings like it. There were similarities of course. The smell, for one. The neutral colour scheme, for another. Too many layers of paint everywhere, and stains, stains galore. Maybe that was what made it unique, too, though. Humans were all the same - only scars made them any different.
Jax scuffed the musty hallway carpet with his Frankensteined black bunny slippers as he waited outside Dana's door, pushing his leather-clad toes experimentally against a wide dark stain. Stiff. Long-dried. His eyes fixed on the spot. But his mind was somewhere else.
Tomorrow was the day. He shifted the canvas backpack he was carrying, adjusted his PJs beneath it - an old punk show shirt and some tattered plaid drawstring pants. He sighed, let his forehead rest against the door. Then, without straightening up, he knocked. And waited.
Dana was finishing brushing her teeth. The sink that had replaced the one Mike had smashed a lifetime ago liked to spit its water back at her, but it was whole and managed both hot and cold if not warm. She spit the last mouthful of foam down the drain. That, like many other oral fixations kept her humanity in bits and pieces - which was remarkable considering it was the place she kept her fangs.
She took her floss to go and as she left the bathroom she caught the wrapping knock and headed for the door. Her bat was rested on the chair nearby which was the only reason she opened it when she saw no one but a shadow in the peephole.
It wasn't a shadow though, just Jax, seeming to lean on the air as he had been the door.
"This is not about the great forces of the earth suckin' you down is it? Cause that would really harsh my buzz."
Jax let his surprising upper body strength keep him suspended there a second, his hair obscuring his face. But beneath it he was already ruining the illusion, too chuffed by his own hijinks.
He looked up suddenly with a toothy grin, not knowing why he was trying to be startling or strange at this already peculiar hour, just that he was. It was like he was a conduit for the goofball antics his brain was running through on autopilot while he thought of something good to say - a way to phrase what he wanted that didn't sound, well, weird.
His brain caught up with him before things got really awkward. "Nah, nah, nothing like that," He said, standing up at his full height, a hand rubbing the hair at the back of his head, "Listen - uh! You wanna have a sleepover? I got a weird favour." Yeah. That sounded good.
Dana laughed, amused by his behaviour and by him. After the bonfire the night before she seemed to be thrumming with the comradery of the upcoming battle. They were all brothers in arms, bonded together by the fight in front of them. She was proud of them all, and now that the mole had been felt out she felt like there was no one left to mistrust.
Jax and Mike were probably the two she was most friendly with and she felt nothing but affection for either of their antics.
"How weird?" she asked stepping out of the way, waving him inside. The sparsely furnished space was also ready for battle. The jackets they'd studded, the stakes Mike had carved down covered the tables and leaned against walls. The couch she'd claimed for sleeping was tangled with sheets but otherwise unoccupied however. "If it involves painting your toenails you're shit out of luck - that aint in my wheelhouse."
Jax stepped in, content to be back in Mike and Dana's place. He'd spent a lot of time here recently, helping out with jackets and other instruments of their private war. It had become a communal space in his mind, a part of the greater web of cozy little spaces that was slowly making Hamilton a home.
A little two note chuckle played off his shrapnel-coated chords. "Aw, rats! You mean you ain't runnin' a salon in here?" He tossed on his best impression of a Southern career woman, "Well what in the heck am I supposed to do with these unruly-" He fished for a word, "Crustacean beds? God, what the fuck is this bit called?" He said in his own voice as he squinted at his cuticles, already mangled by years of low quality nail polish, paint, paint thinner, and permanent marker.
He stood in the living room, not settling in til the question was answered, which he put on Dana rather suddenly: "You wanna shave my head?"
"Yeah I'm sure that's it," Dana laughed. She might not have known a cuticle from follicle but she was pretty sure shell fish had nothing to do with it. She closed the door behind him and turned back towards her lanky clanmate, hands in the pockets of the sweatpants that sat low on her hips. The elastic was on its last legs.
"Yeah, alright," she agreed without fanfare. She'd only been campaigning every kindred she could get within earshot to shave their heads before this thing. It was one less thing an opponent could grab, one less thing to identify you to the authorities, one less thing to get caught on a fence when you were making an escape. If anything she was underplaying how pleased she was by the request.
"You wanna bend over the tub or the kitchen sink?"
The absolute nonchallance of her reply hit home how foolish he'd been to sweat it, because in a minute he went from carrying a weight to weilding it - hadn't she been the one asking people to do this shit anyway? Ah, well! Nerves were nerves, they didn't deal in reason.
"Wow, Dana," Jax said out of the side of his mouth, pulling the collar of his shirt like a walking, talking cartoon character, "A little forward, like, buy a guy a drink first! Is Mike home? Sheesh!"
"Probably," Dana mused. "Hey Mikey! You mind if I bend Jax over!" she shouted towards the bedroom where Mike probably was by process of elimination considering the space was not exactly palatial.
When she didn't get an immediate reply she instead reached out to get a handful of dark curls, appraising what would have to be done with it. "You ever buzz this before?"
He let her manhandle his head, unbothered. His hair mattered to him, sure, but he wasn't precious about it. "Once. Maybe six times, technically," He admitted, "Since it became permanent, anyway. Used to all the time. Baby hit a little wall with his tolerance for eternity, had to change something. Couldn't," He shrugged, "Sure everybody goes through it at some point. Baby bat right of passage." It wasn't a pleasant memory, but time and work had trivialized it. "You?" He both meant if she'd buzzed her own hair and if she'd buzzed anyone else's, but he didn't specify, content to let her decide what he meant and what she wanted to tell.
"Oh yeah," Dana admitted. The silence in the bedroom made her reconsider where Mike was, he was probably at Donna's.
"Yeah, once before when I was like....Eight. Lice," she laughed at the memory. Tears and chestnut hair on the bathroom floor. "And then about as often as I knew I was getting into a fight after once I learned I could. Really I shoulda just made it part of the evening routine on those grounds - but it wasn't that many really." she released his hair, heading for the kitchen to get a pair of scissors to thin it out before they buzzed it.
"Permanence is a son of a bitch," she agreed on a sigh.
Mike looked at the pair. It was nice to have the company and companionship. "Anything I can do to help?" He asked after being so silent.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" Dana yelped dropping the scissors she'd collected on the kitchen floor with a clatter. "I thought you were at Donna's! You were so quiet!"
"Nah, I was just in the bedroom packing for Toronto." Mikey explained.
Jax laughed breathlessly - he hadn't leapt visibly, but he sure as hell felt the eternal soul he supposedly didn't have take a big jump to the left. "Well we'll put a good word in on your stealth score. Fuckin' phantom ops over here. Uh- Help, though, yeah, shit, the more the merrier, man!"
"You can hack his hair back a little while I get the clippers set up," Dana offered, picking up the regular kitchen scissors she'd retrieved form a drawer, holding them out to Mike.
"I'm just stoked Donna picked me. I'm the only Kindred that they allowed to do Scourge stuff." Mikey said as he paused to pick at a scab on his withered forearm. "Either she thinks I got the right stuff. Or she's hoping I get taken out so I'm not a masquerade violation. I'm not sure which one to be honest."
Mikey got to work taking the pair of scissors and looked at Jax "Just start hacking? You know its gonna be back there tomorrow right?"
"Well, shit, I mean, can't say I know Donna deeply and intimately but if I valued money as far as I could throw it, I'd put it on Box Number One," He said, watching with a funny fondness as Mikey worried at a scab. "Yeah, yeah, its just- Like the principle, I guess?" Jax said, looking for a good position - and maybe a chair - to get in so as to be over the sink and out of Mikey and Dana's way. "I dunno, don't you ever get. The itch? Like you gotta do something, anything, right now?"
"Yeah like fuck things up. I itch all the time to lash out. I'm always so angry..."He said as he grabbed a chair from the living room and motioned for Jax to sit. "Like this payback this is whats kept me going. The chance to get a bit of revenge. I hope I can find the fucker that did this to me. He ruined me. So I get to either live forever as a rotting walking corpse that no one can even look at, or I suntan. Tried the sun tan thing don't recommend it. It was terrible."
Dana had wandered away to fish the hard bodied case that held her clippers from the bottom of her bag. They had been Jameson's before hers. She didn't know how old they were, just that they worked, and she took good care of them though the engine whined.
She put it down on the counter and nodded.
"Ruined your face maybe, there's plenty of you still to like. Like that blood thirsty desire for vengeance," Dana pointed out genuinely. She found it relatable, his steadily seething rage.
"Yeah you get it I guess. I'm kind of lucky they let me hang with your Clan. I don't think I would have fared so well if I was with the Kooks. Melissa was saying it is mental. She hates it but like what choice does she have. Chaz is with Angel but she got the raw deal on that living arrangement, so thanks for putting up with my melancholy bullshit." He said as he began cutting into Jax's thich mop of hair.
Jax set his bag down before taking the seat Mikey'd gotten for him. He'd brought his own clippers just in case - as well as a few other things that rattled together in the bag as they shifted to rest against the kitchen floor - but he smiled with the realization that, of course Dana would have her own.
It wasn't long after he'd sat down that Mikey got right to it. "Now don't be afraid to get right in there - really let me have it! Go wild!" He said quietly enough not to interrupt but not inaudible, smiling at the little bit of shitty laminate countertop between the sink and nothing as he obediently kept his head sink-adjacent. Approximately. Oh man, was that hair on the floor already?
"Kooks don't seem so bad, like uh, in general, but I dunno, I haven't heard much local. Anyway, we like your melancholy bullshit here. Yer one of the boyyyz!" He said with extra emphasis, still feeling silly with the hour or the position of the moon or whatever made men mad.
"You think we are all gonna make it back?" Mikey asked softly as the scissors rhythmically began trimming away the hair making it shorter so the clippers wouldn't struggle so hard.
Dana chewed on that a moment, she didn't usually think that part over. It was harder to pull off reckless violence when you stopped to think about where it would end up, which of your bones would crack, which of your friends wouldn't get up.
She cracked her knuckles. "I like to think so. And if I'm wrong and it's me I won't be here to know any better."
It ached her suddenly, violently to think it of any of them. But most of all of the two men in her kitchen right then. "I intend to rip off any heads that try it on ya so we'll hope that plan works and go from there."
"Yeah but we gotta prioritize shit." Mike Interjected. "We are dead in the water if they take our eyes. So no heroics if its them or me. Protect the shit out of them and I will buy you time if it comes to it. I wont go down without a fight. I will not go quietly into the night...:
"Can't imagine any of us will," Jax said, shifting his weight against the counter as he watched his hair fall in tight black and white coils, untethered from his head where they'd return tomorrow night. Still. Losing them felt freeing. His head was getting lighter. "If any of us can be put down at all. I'm kinda of the Dana school of thought - or, well, I agree with both of you. Like yeah, we gotta be smart 'bout how to be the best little fightin' force Canadia e'er saw, sure, but like. Don't get fuckin' killed, either. Prioritize your ass so there isn't any heroics necessary."
"yeah and Donna was pretty firm on the try not to firearms stuff. Wonder how Sam the Suit is gonna hold up. Hes been great with teaching us how to use guns, but I mean... if we can't use em unless its a hail mary... I don't know if they start shooting I'm gonna return in kind unless Donna lays me out. I'd like to keep my distance if I can."
Mike said as he tossed another clump of Jax's hair to the floor
"I mean they aint gonna play by the rules why should we?"
A Sonovaditch, Grimoire & LadyJallyn Co-Post Production - PART 1/2
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 2:00 AM - Tisdale Apartments - Jax, Dana & Mike
"Amen. No heroes, all glory." Dana grinned. "No one go quietly into any night."
She opened up the case, uncoiling the cord from the clippers. They'd been cleaned and oiled when they were put away so there was no need to do it again. Dana sought out the top socket which might have gotten friendly with a toaster or a coffee maker if anyone in the house ate food.
"Honestly I'm not one for rules but I could hit em as well if I threw the gun at em rather than shoot it," Dana flicked the switch letting the clippers buzz a little and then shutting it off again. The socket worked.
"It just seems like this is going to be intense. Like how many of these guys we gotta kill before they leave us alone? Thats what I want to know. Number wise what we looking at. The that whole shit with Xiao. A spy. Like how much has she told them. How fucked are we going to be? Sorry been in my head all night." Mikey said as he finished snipping the last of the long locks and pointed to Dana. "Your boys all yours bud."
"He's your boy too," Dana tossed back automatically, coming closer to see what she was working with. Best to start at the back and work from there.
"More than a baker's dozen I'd wager. Sure is three shades of fucked up. You want me to shave your head too? Catharsis?" she offered buzzing the clippers at Mike.
"I'm everybody's boy," Jax said encouragingly. "Actually, wait. No. That sounds... Ah, you know what I mean. Anyway, yeah, probably a small army. Maybe a big army. So y'know, almost a fair fight for them."
He smiled to himself, but inside anxiety sparked like flint against his heart. Not everyone would come out alive. "See, this is why I come to this salon. Two for one? The savings!"
Mikey snorted as he softly laughed. "Least you got most of yours. Mines starting to fall out. I tell ya before all this I could walk into a club and come home with any guy I wanted in my 20's I mean Im 30 now and before this I still did alright. But yeah. It is hard. No one would go with me anywhere willingly. Plus this not having a working dick... So this is what it feels like to be impotent... I miss jacking off and fucking. But man on the plus side. Whatever Donna gave us tonight was amazing...That was some good shit."
"Alas the curse of the dead... Unless - Can you nut if someone bites you? Or is that a mortals only ride?" Dana mused to the room at large.
"Do you know this?" she asked tipping Jax's head back like he might potentially know the secrets of this. "Cause I mean - I've had a few cream their jeans when I've fed but honestly I haven't ever put two and two together to get four."
"Nah apparently if you're a dude and you get the bite... All male vamp dicks just kinda die. No circulation due to no beating heart. If you ever figure out how to fix that. Let me know cause I tell ya A good wank would be ace!" Mikey said as he plunked down on the couch still holding the scissors as he began to play mumbly peg with his hand on the coffee table.
Jax knew better than to show the deep creeping embarrassment he felt over the personal turn in the conversation. Sex he could deal with. His own sex life, he could not. Trying to connect with Mikey's experience in particular felt damning. But he didn't show it as Dana puppeted his head back. Instead, he fluttered his eyes demurely. "Who, me?"
"Two plus two feels pretty advanced, I can't even get one plus one. Mostly, I've been multiplying by zero with pretty consistent results."
Jax laughed amicably at Mike's closing comment, trying to watch his game without moving too much lest Dana began buzzing his head unexpectedly. The last thing he needed was to lose an ear.
"I guess I stopped thinking about all this shit an age ago," Dana confessed. She thought about Jameson, and then she didn't because there were things that could steel you for battle and things that could rust you out. "I will keep an eye out for vampiric viagara, though in the mean time - we buzz heads."
She straightened Jax's head out again and started up the buzzer. The loud whining of the motor a familiar song as she started from the base of his neck and moved upwards. It reaped away the short jagged hair that was left behind and left the velvet concept of a hairline behind.
"Yeah, I promise if we find the ancient Egyptian secrets of dickromancy, you'll be the first to know." He said with a smile. Jax was thankful for the diversion. He didn't want to think about the sex he had or hadn't had since turning. He didn't want to think about the man he would've done it with, the man he spent years on the road with no less intimate for the lack of it. It weighed him down terribly.
The first line of partially shorn hair off his head was a sigh of relief, the hot buzz a little line of electricity in his dead bloodstream. Soon, he'd be alive...
"If it was long enough you could make some good money cutting that shit off and selling it every night. I bet ya Red or Waylon would make a mint." Mikey said as he picked up the pace with the scissors.
He stabbed a finger but kept going. "Fuck man. It is weird how it doesnt hurt the same way it would. Being dead I guess has some advantages..."
"Don't cut anything off that might not grow back tomorrow," Dana warned over the din of the clippers. She worked her way up towards the crown. She'd leave the ears for last as they took a second of precision. Everything else was just going over in broad strokes until it was even, dumping midnight coloured hair into the kitchen sink when she remembered, letting it fall onto the floor when she didn't.
"That's," Jax thought about it, "actually kinda brilliant? Just shore me like a sheep and sell my wares. We could fundraise for our anti-Sabbat campaigns and give hair to the hairless. Oh man, Mikey, you ever want a Jax Habit original, you let me know. One of them toreadors gotta know how to weave a weave."
Jax flinched as the scissor pressed into Mikey's flesh, but he smiled wider as it did, idly pushing his thumb against his bottom lip, the nail sinking into the space between his teeth. Mike was actually good at this. The activity brought him back to days of couchsurfing, of spending weeks at friends and acquaintances and fans' places getting wasted and wasting time. His body was museum of ancient hieroglyphs etched in decades old scars and knicks and burns, perfectly preserved for all time.
"Oh, I have all my fingers," Jax singsonged fondly to start, encouraging Mikey.
"Yeah as a teenager before I came out of the closet I did all sorts of stupid macho bullshit to prove how much of a man's man I was. Kinda gave it up when I hit 22 and realized I was as queer as a three dollar bill. Heh. Yeah I don't know it passes time. All I've had since I died was time. Though its nice when Dougie takes me out some nights or the rest of you lot. Disadvantages to falling out of the vampiric ugly tree and hitting every branch on the way down only to fall in a bonfire and then having to beat the fire out using a brick." Mikey said wistfully.
"Mm I'm a vision of fucking temperance so I don't know what that's like," Dana mused sarcastically out of the corner of her mouth folding down one of Jax's ears. Even though it was said sort of quietly it still had to be half shouted over the rattling buzzer, but she was nearly through. After all that precutting it wouldn't take long to finish it off.
"Maybe you'll get to keep the motorcycle helmet and we can take you out more."
"You know it could be a smart idea. The boss lady came up with a good costume I will give her that. I actually like daft punk." He said as he kept the game up not clipping any fingers.
"Fuck, I just do stupid shit cause its fun," Jax said with a grin, but he was glad the haircutting gave him an excuse to stare deeply into middle distance. Closet who? Macho bullshit when?
His curled ear and the rattling of the motor made it difficult to hear. "Wait, wait, like punk beer? What the fuck is draft punk? We have a draft now?"
Dana had no idea but she also only had one more ear to do. Folding it over she cleaned up the space around it and dusted his neck free of some of the hairs that collected there. She flicked off the buzzer and blew into the blade to begin to clear that as well.
"Well if you're being drafted you certainly look the part, regular maggot you are."
"Mmm army boy chique get you some fatigues and yum... You will have the boys and ghouls at your beck and call you will have to beat them off with a stick. Shit Dana you are pretty fast with a set of shears. Wonder how long it would take you to shear a sheep?" Mikey said giving an appreciative nod as he stopped stabbing away with his scissors.
Mikey sighed. "Daft punk my good boy-o is a new dance music group. The were helmets and dress in suits. I was shocked Donna even knew who they were. Bitch had her fingers on the pulse of pop culture and all things new it would seem."
Jax grinned at being called maggot, smoothed his hand against the pilling swathe of velvet his head had become. Shorn, uneven hairs clung to his hand, his face, tumbling away from where he sprung them loose. He felt kind of giddy.
Then Mikey hit a raw spot in him like a foot through a gong. The reverberation of the blow echoed in the dust-ladden ventricles of his once-beating heart. At first, Jax tried to swallow it. He commented on the neutral topic. "Damn, that's kinda slick. I'll have t'check 'em out."
Then the reverberation hit his throat, swelled it, and he couldn't hold back at least a question. "Hey, Mikey. What makes you say 'boys and ghouls' exactly?" The words felt as awful as the initial blow and he wished he could swallow them back down. It wasn't that they were bad - he was actually being very civil. It was the fact that they were dishonest. Speaking felt anaphylactic. "Like its a good pun, credit where its due and all that. I'm just like... curious if there's like a reason for it. Like is it a gay thing or?"
Mike nodded as he twirled the scissors in his hand not looking at Jax. "Yeah I guess you can say its gay." he said carefully. "I wont go all homo on you dont worry but like isn't punk all about you being true to who you are and not giving a fuck? So before being embraced yeah I was a fag, a homo, gay, queer whatever you want to call it now I guess im a Nomo... As in too ugly and no more sex for this dude since the pecker is broken. You like what you like though you know what I mean? Ladies just have so many bumps and round bits things that are kinda more reminiscent of like the shape of a nice car or a musical instrument. Too soft, too round, and too small and fragile looking. Not my thing if that makes sense. But like look don't be all well I'll catch the gay or anything. Just cause you're a dude doesnt mean a gay guys gonna wanna take a round out of you. Its like Ice Cream flavors you aren't gonna be for everyone plus I mean you just say no thanks I don't like dudes and as long as the guys not a asshole they go cool thanks and leave you be."
Relief was a wet towel on an acid bath - not enough, but... something. Guilt ate through any true comfort it might've brought him. Mikey was right. Punk was about being true to oneself. Too bad this was the one thing about himself he could never accept.
"Oh, yeah, no, that's," Every word that wasn't a confession burned like bile. He breathed a laugh instead, "Like you said, you like what you like. Sorry, man, I was just. Uh. Wrapping my head around it, I guess. But like, you're cool, I'm not worried. I just. Yeah." As he spoke, he ran his hand back and forth over the rough-and-smooth surface of his head, the prickle-soft sensation of it against his hand soothing him a little. Something to keep him grounded. He hadn't looked at Mikey either since he finished speaking. It didn't feel right to lie to his face.
As if it wasn't killing him to lie at all...
"It is okay buddy." Mikey said not making eye contact one too many time he had opened up only to have someone lash out and suddenly aware he wasn't 'normal' "I mean if you are curious have question or just like want to know what we kinda do and stuff I don't mind educating. The worlds a hateful place sometimes and its not safe. I've had friends bashed. Clothes torn from them, bottles thrown, drinks tossed at them, shot with paintball guns. I mean if it was a choice why the hell would you want that? In highschool man I tired I tossed myself into the pussy pit. Fucked chicks but always in my head it felt wrong but yeah. It wasn't until I moved out and kinda was like okay you got to face the facts man you are what you are. It was horrible to live the lie. My parents haven't talked to much since I came out. Lost a lot of friends but found some nice people in the scene here in Hamilton. But even that's been taken away since well..." He tapped his face with the scissors. "This... all of this...." He softly growled feeling the anger gnawing at his guts.
Shame filled the holes opened by his lies and the ravenous, malignant guilt that came with them. He knew what happened to queers where he was from. Even New York hadn't been so different, though there'd been a veritable haven for that community there in the heart of it. Still, drag queens were arrested and beaten with impunity, ignored by cops or flat out killed and raped by them. Girls who hadn't started that way, who would hold back nothing in the pursuit of making themselves "whole", disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. Fags got bashed, dykes got "fixed", and every other nail that stuck out got hammered down one way or another. Even after New York. A plague... preventable, wholly treatable, but allowed to run rampant by a body sworn to protect its people because those suffering lacked "moral character"...
Jax didn't tolerate it on principle, but he'd never spoken up as loud as he could, never screeched a battle-cry to the heavens specifically for them - for the people like him who lived out loud and died for it. He pretended to be a weak ally to a cause that would have otherwise been close to his heart. What he really felt he was was a coward... Jax Habit, sworn to a personal code of authenticity, to living audaciously in the face of society and its crap values, and at the end of the day, he couldn't even be true to himself. Somehow, it felt worse to lie to Mikey. His was the face of a people rejected. The ultimate rebel... In a way, Mikey was everything Jax wished he could be.
He knew better to say that, knowing how he felt about his battle scars. But he couldn't help thinking it.
Jax dared a look vaguely in Mike's direction. "We'll get 'em for that," He promised, somber for once. "Listen, I don't got any questions, but. Even if I do, you don't owe me any answers. I don't, uh. I haven't been through that for that, but. Yeah, I dunno. Before blowing up... like, musically... I dunno, being homeless like... When you're a kid and you choose it, its okay, I guess, but. Even though its different... You see some shit. People don't treat you right, and all you got is your friends. The ones that don't try to fuck you over. And living in New York in the day... the punk scene, the part of it I rolled with, I guess there was some overlap with like, you know, all that. I dunno. I guess I... can only imagine." He swallowed. It felt cheap, too little, tacked on, but he had to say it: "... Sorry."
"You ain't done me wrong Jax its cool. Like its just what it is ya know? I mean most people I still tell em I am bi because its just more acceptable I guess but yeah enough of that shit. Your head looks good mate. Dana did a bang up job. Shame it won't stay like that but maybe before you drive out to see Donna tomorrow to drop off our war packs later tonight when the sun sets again we can figure out how we can shave your melon all quick and easy, Maybe you can do each other or something." Mike said offering the punker a toothy smile choosing to look at him finally. The danger had passed no explosive temper or firsts came flying at him. The Brujah clan was his new family now even if he wasn't one of them they were hard and rough around the edges but real.
Dana had been attending the clippers and listening to the edges of the conversation. She rarely cared about whether or not some topic was her place to chime in on but Mike was the voice in the room that needed to be heard in that moment.
Dana had come from a very small town, a small town that barely tolerated the fact she worked and lived alone, that she took more of an interest in fights and push ups than sewing and husband catching. Some of them would laugh and call her a modern woman, a lot of them would accuse her of worse things behind her back. Or what seemed to be worse things.
When Jameson came into her life and then helped her create her un-life with him he taught her how to ride a motorcycle. In doing that he gave her the key to a world of misfits, to all the people, kindred and not, Dana never knew she was apart of because she'd never met them. The criminals in their colours and the oddballs who believed in aliens and the gay motorcycle clubs - the world was so much bigger than her small town. Maybe that's why she'd always been angry. Maybe the fact that the people on the edges of that big wide world were her far flung tribe and the way they were treated would keep her angry.
Dana took apart the clippers to clean them, getting the jagged pieces of hair free from the places they would hide. They were a relic from that time, a relic of Jameson. She wouldn't always have time to clean them out perfectly, so she took advantage of the time they did have. The time they had in the tiny Tisdale Apartment together.
She could remember too well what it was like to run out of time far quicker than forever had promised.
"Yeah I'd go for that," Dana smiled as she closed the case. "If you're sleeping over I'll do you quick 'n dirty at sundown. I was gonna do me but I'd let you fuck me up anytime, maggot."
"And he's got one thing right Mikey," she added. "We'll burn that whole city down for what they did to you if we have to. You'll get yours."
A Sonovaditch, Grimoire & LadyJallyn Co-Post Production - Part 2/2
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This has been a Lady J and GingerNinja Copost production
Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 3:50-4:40-am AM - Fia cades house
"Well Miss Cade you are free to go. Thank you for your full cooperation." Antigen replied solemnly. "It would appear you are very much like a white rabbit."
"Thank you, sir," Fia held her head low, "I can't tell if I follow trouble, or it follows me." It had been a long night. "Am I... still going to Toronto?"
"Perhaps, that will be Donna's decision, but in the mean time do your best not to get that fur dirty. It would seem shit loves to stick to you." The Prince replied his face impassive. "Regrettably your 'Clan sister' will be staying with us for some time. Pray she hasn't sold you all down the river, or this excursion to Toronto is doomed."
Fia wanted to say something snarky, but she didn't have the energy. She didn't think the Prince would appreciate her particular brand of humour, either.
She set her resolve, instead. "We're gonna fuck 'em up good, sir."
"I will call you a cab to return you to your Haven Miss Cade. If you can think of any other information pertaining to Xiao, do let us know. This whole fiasco has definitely painted your Clan in a rather negative light. Sadly you are all that is left of it. This has been a very bad year for Gangrel's do your best to stay safe." The long blonde haired Prince replied as he extended his hand to Fia for a hand shake.
She nodded as she took his hand, cooler than the rest of the room. "Goodnight, sir."
Fia dismissed herself to wait for the cab. She made a note to herself about needing more Gangrels, and the few ways there were to 'obtain' them. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind.
The Cab ride back to her place was quiet and uneventful. The Blueline cab eased up the drive way and deposited her at her Haven and left without asking for payment. When she looked at her watch she could see that it read 4:15am. No one was on the property that she could see. The fire pit had been extinguished and the drive way had no blood on it from when Donna had laid out her clan mate.
However Donna's jeep was still in the drive and there was a single light on in her home.
Fia thoughtfully made as much noise as she could while she thumped up the steps, so Donna didn't think she was being ambushed.
"Honey, I'm home," she said to no one in particular.
"Back in before expected. How was the visit?" Donna asked as she made her way to the kitchen and grabbed a glass pouring the Gangrel a blood margarita.
Donna passed her the glass and settled down onto the Gangrel's couch. "Was starting to think I wouldn't be seeing you until tomorrow night. Prince must of been satisfied with your answers so that is good. Still it sucks. Fuck, tonights just been a mixed bag. Good that we found the mole, but shit because, well... It shows how well the Sabatt were able to get into our circle."
Fia held up her finger to signal a moment needed, as she poured a third of the glass directly down her throat. "Ahhh! Oh yeah, that's smooth. It was rough, but I'm clean. As clean as a shit-covered rabbit can be." She took another sip, this time savouring the flavour. "Lewich didn't tell me much, other than the fact that they're hanging onto her. I suppose we'll find out what she told them soon."
"If they are hanging on to her it means she isn't dead. Shit I hope I didn't knock her straight into Torpor or it might be weeks before we comes back to the land of the living. Something tells me Antigen will be calling me up if that's the case. So you still game to come with us tomorrow night? You got your shit packed?" The Brujah leader asked as she regarded the gangrel.
Fia glanced down at her torn pants. "Yeah, I'm down. Like, really down. Like, I'm mad mad now." She looked around, hoping to find the mask she lost in the fray.
"You got every right to be pissed. Betrayed by your clan mate and seeing this city torched is going to leave you angry, Tap into that rage but don't let it consume you to the point of making stupid decisions. Do that and maybe you and the rest of us will make it back to the Hammer after this raid. I have to trust the Prince knows what hes doing working with outside forces. I hope it was worth us losing a set of eyes." She said quietly. Only having two seerers is going to put more strain on them, and they will need more blood, mierda..."
"Wha-what? When did we lose a seer?" Fia asked incredulously.
"Red ain't coming. Lewich made a trade with the Canadian government. Turns out they know about us and in return for one of our own they are sending in a squad to help clean up Toronto." Donna said simply with a shrug.
"Well, shit," Fia sighed into her glass, "That sounds like a bad idea, all-around."
"The Prince wouldn't have made such a calculated move if he didn't think it was worth it. So lets hope it helps sway the tide rather than fucking us. I'd have asked Helen for another Artiste but, you know that Harpy. She's passed on her 'dregs' she might have sent me the ballet dancer, but honestly she aint seasoned and can't fight her way out of a paper bag if I recall properly. No thanks." The Spanish woman said looking displeased.
"You'd think she could spare a few more, seeing as how there's so gotdamn many Toreadors around here," she chuckled.
"The two brothers, red, Waylon, and the dancer... I wouldn't say that is a ton. Anyone else they had packed up and moved when we had the explosion. Don't blame em to a certain extent. Most the time they're lovers not fighters, though the two red heads have spirit. I will give them that. They have surprised me." Donna said as she watched Fia take another sip of the the blood slushie. "We just have to suck it up and deal with the hand we were dealt."
"I am so fucking ready." Fia necked the last of her drink, feeling tired but tingly. Damn, that was good. Thanks for holding down the fort."
"Shit packs a bite. There will be more of that tomorrow night. We got everyone coming up where to drop shit off, a trucks being rented to haul us into the city for our base set up. We leave for midnight so get your packing done tonight girl. Play times over its time to put on your war face, You care if I crash out here? Saves me the drive up. Also you good if some of my boys drop off a few goodies during the day in your garage?" Donna asked.
"I don't mind. Mi casa es tu casa"
Donna laughed. "Nice, I appreciate that. You Good with me just crawling downstairs into your basement and crashing out in your fruit cellar?"
"Go for it. It's all lightfast down there. There's an old hobby darkroom down there. Red bulbs and everything."
"Yeah I took a little tour while you were out. Just checking out how defensible the place was and deciding where I would squat for the day if you we not back. " She held up a hand "No worries Blue, I didn't poke around anywhere just scoped out downstairs is all."
"I think I've proven already tonight that I have nothing to hide," Fia shrugged, "I'm gonna take a shower. You need anything, just holler."
"Nah I am good. Just gotta step out and make a few last minute calls. I am still waiting on something special tomorrow night. Fucking Iggy might have moved but, I asked him to do me a solid for not kicking his ass after he chose to move to Niagara Falls." Donna said as she rose and picked up Fia's empty glass returning it to the sink and rinsing it. "We good on your end. Or you got anything last minute you want to ask without the rest of the class present?"
"I feel like if there was something you wanted me to know, you'd just tell me."
"Where would the fun in that be? The older you will get the more you will realize sometimes it is good to keep things up your sleeve. Go get that shower. Then pack your war kit and I guess we can all it a wrap for the night after that. " Donna said with a wink as she pulled out her cellphone and stepped out onto Fias front porch.
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 2:30am - Victoria- Home
BP 13/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria took inventory of her bag, wanting to make sure she had all the the ingredients she was going to need for the rituals she would be required to perform. She thought momentarily of calling one of the others to spend some time with, talk and plan, but as she glanced at her phone, she sighed silently. She had tried her best to get to know the others only about as much as was needed. After all, any of them might die. It was just practical to not get attached too much. Still, she found herself thinking fondly of thier ringleader, a smile slipping across her lips at the thought of the rough hispanic kindred. She shook her head and started her list of ingredients over. Keep on task. You are the solo Tremere. There's a lot riding on your back, so don't fuck it up, She told herself sternly. If she was religious or superstitious she might say a prayer for thier success. Instead she zipped her bag and plopped into her chair to consider the stain on the ceiling.
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 11pm -Fias house.
The night was overcast and a light drizzle of rain came with it as the Kindred from Donna's selected warriors assembled for war.
There was no Xiao with that that evening but Fia was present as Donna loaded several duffles into a Uhaul moving van. With the members all assembled donna had been kind enough to supplement everyone with another round of blood slushies as she did a head count and rechecked the items they were bringing.
I hope you boys and girls are ready. We roll out in an hour to our destination. Hopefully you have said your goodbyes finalized your shit and have made peace with whatever gods and forces you hold near and dear. Everyone got their Halloween costumes and gears toss em into the back of the Uhaul."
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Saturday, October 30th, 1999 - 11:00pm - Fia Cade's House - Jax Habit - Brujah
HEALTH (7/7) BP=12/12 WP(6/6) HUM(5/5) SC(3/3)
"And don't forget y'all's jackets," Jax announced, gesturing to the overstuffed garbage bags they'd been brought in, "Me, Dana, et all worked our fuzzy tails off on these things - and we may have thrown a little extra personality onto them for fun. Hope you guys like your party favours!"
Before he got to tossing his own stuff in the back of the U-Haul, Jax grabbed a jacket from one of the bags. He was already wearing his - an ugly, worn-in patchwork of dark fabrics covered in bottle caps, studs, and pins, vaguely adhering to a sense of order to better display the bones painted over the whole thing - a second skeleton over an already skeletal figure.
No, this other jacket was not for him. He tried to catch Angel in a brief aside. "Hey, so, you said you were interested in something a little extra battle-ready? I may have gone wild."
He showed him the jacket, back first. A skeletal figure in a flower-adorned shroud. In her insubstantial hands, she cradled a scythe, and she was surrounded in a beautiful halo of gold, silver, copper, blue, purple, red, and green. Two wings, too large to be the saintly figure's own, erupted from the storm of colour and cascaded in white and gold feathers down each arm of the navy leather jacket. Metal thorns lashed out at the shoulder, the breast, the lapel, the cuff - but in far flatter, smaller studs beneath the portrait of the pale woman was written: "MISERICORDIA".
"Listen, I don't, like... fuck around with the occult, this is really just symbolic, and I really know if you buy into this shit but... Either way, I was thinking la Señora de las Sombras oughta have your back out there. If you're gonna go all 'el Àngel de la misericordia', you know, looking out for the dead and all..." He rubbed a hand over her freshly shaved head, "You might need the dead looking out for you. T'keep that good head on your shoulders where it belongs."
The heavy leather and metal thing looked like it ought to have jangled loudly as Jax presented it to Angel, but it didn't. Every jagged piece of metal or bottle cap or pin afficed to it was solid, well-secured to the already extra-thick leather hide. He grinned. The jacket was clearly a point of pride.
[Everyone please feel free to customize your leather jackets in description as you see fit unless Dana or anyone else who helped work on the jackets has something in mind for someone else as a gift. Or if you would like one of those people to come up with something for your character, inquire in the ooc thread.]
(https://imgur.com/tZTqqC3.jpg)
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 11:00 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Angel
BP: 11/11 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Angel tossed the garbage bag containing his clown costume into the back of the U-Haul, along with a small bag containing several changes of clothes, a baseball bat with the word 'estrattore' carefully etched into, a K-Bar combat knife and a 'rock and cock' paint ball gun, along with a dozen pieces of sharpened doweling sized to muzzle load into the barrel and two air tanks. The range wasn't great, the accuracy was terrible but it would be a lot quieter than the M96 broomhandle Mauser he was bringing. Donna wanted firearms left as a last resort. It was Canada, after all.
He had a couple of lockblade knives in his pockets, along with Dana's knuckledusters. It was a risk if they were stopped by the police but the chances of being stopped were low. He just wasn't willing to put all of his eggs in one basket.
He took a sip of he blood slushy before turning to see what Jax was talking about. His eyes widened when he saw the jacket. "Jesus, Jax, are you sure you aren't a Toreador? This is a work of art." He slid off the beat up leather jacket he was wearing and put on the one the Brujah had crafted. For some reason, he felt the faintest flicker of hope that they would be coming back.
"With la Señora de las Sombras and you protecting my back, anybody in front of me will be in for a world of hurt. Nobbody fucks with El Àngel de la misericordia, champion of Santa Muerte. The Sabbat is going to get fucked up!"
Angel chuckled and gave the Brujah a rough embrace. "So what do you say we go fuck some shit up? I've got space in the Camaro." He also had an axe, two pipe wrenches, a sledge hammer, a tire iron, a field hockey stick and a set of golf clubs in the trunk.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/ladyjallyn/angelangelino.jpg)
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 11:00 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Dana Gorgeous
HEALTH(7/7) BP(13/13) WP(5/5) HUM(5/5) SC(2/2)
Dana had let Jax shave her head just after sundown. She looked different without the long brown tresses that she usually wore. It put more attention on her features, the hard line of her brow and the set of her jaw. She’d smudge black around her eyes with no real rhyme or reason. The smudgy raccoon circles that were a classic part of Halloween costumes had only been finessed into functionality by the efforts of Mike and Jax. Dana wouldn’t know the proper use of an eyeliner pencil if it poked her in the eye. The jacket she wore was spiked heavily at the shoulder and riddled with the little flat headed studs, it had been a labour of time and effort and had been the experimental piece of her own skill for the ones she’d worked on with Jax later for the rest of the group.
Dana, Mike and Jax had rode in together, once more into the breach in that old beat-up pick-up truck. Jax in the middle and Mike huddled in the passenger wheel well. That would be an image burned into her mind forever if she lived that long. Those two men in her truck while she made her way out to Fia’s, swearing about the other drivers and opening up the windows to let the night rush in to greet them.
Their bags had been packed the night before, the weapons, their things. Dana now tossed hers into the back of the U-Haul, its contents a change of clothes, the old clippers in their hard bodied case, her bats sticking out, both the aluminum and the wood with its heavy iron spikes split through it, spattered in a red paint that bordered on neon so that its lethality looked like a costume prop, the hockey mask spattered in that same aggressive shade, her knuckle dusters, a pair of old leather gloves, a giant roll of duct tape and a heavy duty knife to compliment the smaller one already stuck in her boot. She’d stolen the idea from Jax but had made sure both of them had a better set up than the duct-tape-only solution Jax had originally come up with. She tossed in the bag of rebar experiments Waylon and her had worked on in the shop, they clanked loudly.
“We tried to keep y’all in mind,” she pointed out incase anyone was dubious of the extreme aesthetic. Dana took a mouthful of blood slush not sure how they could have done anything but. This was their final crew, their comrades, going into the thick of it she would do nothing to hurt them and everything to protect them.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/680425509137809429/680427520239468626/Dana_but_smaller.png)
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 - 11:00 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard- Victoria
BP 13/13 HP 7/7 WP 4/4 SC 3 HUM 6
Victoria leaned against the side of the uhaul, a broom tapping against her leg. I was a hand made number, fashioned after the ones they sold in the stores as props to go with witch costumes. It was a last minute addition to her luggage- it went with her halloween costume. The difference between it and the usual store bought crap was the weight, well, and the bit of sharpened wood in the center of the bristles. Nothing like a prop that had actual use. Her hair was a mass of fuzz around her face, colored by cheap black hair dye that she'd have to shave her head to get rid of no doubt, another last minute decision from the night previous. She had a small bag on her hip. The other luggage was already in the back of the truck, packed in a structured bag that would ensure no damage would come to the contents. Some of that stuff wouldn't be so easy to replace if she needed to do it quickly.
She looked over the growing group, at tossed back a large mouthfull of blood slushie. Things were going to get real.
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Friday, October 29th, 1999 -11:07 pm - Fia Cade's Backyard - Waylon
BP:13/13 HP: 7/7 WP:4/4 SC:3 HUM 6
Waylon slid on the jacket he'd been given. Unlike many of the other jackets, the spikes on his were symmetrical. They'd done an artful job on the jacket. It made him look exactly like he was; a wannabe. It was a perfect disguise. It would lead people to believe he was a loser trying to look tough.
Then they would find out the hard way how wrong they were
(https://cdn-images.farfetch-contents.com/14/67/33/82/14673382_25116415_1000.jpg)
BEWARE THE GINGER NINJA