Getting to know you....(chapter 1.2 Night shift)

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Infirmary  11:35 pm - Samuel

Now that he was on four legs he felt the desire to burn off some annoyance by stretching. And the sheer joy of it, so he ran hard back common area for the sheer fun of it. When he reached the common room he began shifting as he reached the door which slowed him enough to navigate the through and avoid anyone that might be standing in his way, bounded over the furniture to where he left his breechclout and tumbled in a heap onto his back, laughing. Despite any irritations, he really was having a good time. After a he had laughed to himself a moment he climbed up to his feet and put on his breechclout, looking about with a smile, hoping that the conversation about vampires was still underway.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Infirmary  11:36 pm - Paul

Paul shook his head as Vesper started to strip.  "This is too much," he said.  "You guys are such noobs.  Blaming your clothes is no excuse.  If you suck, you suck.  You are so going to get pwned."  He jumped when Sam did his pounce-change.  "Dude!  No wonder major Pain did his freak when you did that before.  Give a brother some warning next time."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Infirmary  11:36 pm - Samuel

Samuel was still chuckling when he heard Skater Punk, "Major Asshole would have been just as touchy if Dundee had shifted. He's just high-strung and looking for an excuse. I get it, I get in those moods randomly sometimes too. But basically, it wouldn't matter, he's just an asshole."

He tied off the last leather thong and looked at Skater Punk, "On the other hand, as a new teammate, sorry to have startled you. I was having fun with the run. So you know, Crushed Hand seems pissy but fine and the Medium has a concussion but not a problem one. I was gonna go visit her later if she wasn't allowed to go anywhere. She'd probably enjoy visits from her new teammates if you have nothing else to do."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Area 11:37 pm - Paul

"You might find her ability to talk radically increase if you go in wearing more than just your gitch,"  Paul said.  "You're seriously buff, Dude.  If I was a chick, I'd want to tap that.  As far as Major Asshole, I doubt Nicky shifting would have done anything.  He doesn't see Nicky as a threat.  You, on the other hand, are an unknown quantity."

"Unknown indeed," said Michael from the doorway.  "Werewolves I was aware of as beasts of legend, just like vampires.  Now I know that both are real.  References to other forms of shapeshifter are much more rare.  The jaguar men of South America are one example and Japan and China are rife with tales of shapeshifting demons.  I assume tales of your kind are mostly restricted to Native American legend?  Or is the politically correct term First Nations?  Is it safe to re-enter?  The night supervisor ran off to the infirmary, so I am without guidance on the matter." 

[Salamanth]

Department 7 Headquarters �Mike�s Room 11:30pm �11:45 - Molly Malone

The blue smoke left Molly�s lips a cloud that floated up towards the ceiling the vampire smiling as she felt the buzz. Somehow Mike had known she was coming and the bong was ready for her and waiting. She passed it back and smiled softly �Now this is what the God damned Doctor ordered! Wow, ye do grow the best shit here and in all of Motherfucking purgatory Michael me lad�

Molly rose now that the pain in her hand seemed to have floated away and passed the bong back. �Ye enjoy the last wee bit Bucko I feel the need to exercise so I am off to the gym and a heavy bag which I may just put the face of a god damn freaking Major Asshole on and have fun beating it six ways to Sunday. Ye are a good soul Mike�

On this rare compliment Molly made her way to the gym stopping to get out of Krickett�s clothes and pulling on her shorts and a spandex sports bra. Then she put a brace on her just healed hand and went into the room moving with the grace of a trained fighter, shadow boxing her way to the heavy bag.  Soon all one could hear was the solid thumps of her punches and kicks as she fought the bag,  dancing around it, and cursing a blue streak the whole while.

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:37 pm - Samuel

He laughed in Skaters direction as he put his breechclout on, "Hey, its a period of adjustment for everyone remember? Don't try and make me feel bad cause I was testing the waters. There are a lot of shifters here so I wasn't sure about how strong human taboos were here."

He sobered a bit as he considered...who the hell was this guy anyway? Hideous came to mind or Gimp..."I'm sorry, I was never introduced to you or Brogue over there and even if I was, I'm shit with names so don't take offense if I use nicknames more often than not. As far as the supervisor goes, you're fine to come back in. I think her concern was more about minimizing problems in case tempers flared.", he gave a lopsided grin.

[Maxx]

OOC:  You're not in the infirmary anymore Toto.....

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:38 pm - Michael

The Nosferatu limped forward, leaning on his cane.  "There are a lot of new names to remember," He said.  "Mine, for example, is Michael Redding.  I am Kindred, a vampire, from the Nosferatu bloodline.  We are all hideous in some way.  Perhaps that is why Krickett chooses to call me the Bogeyman.  I'm not sure if it is a nickname that will stick, so feel free to invent another one."  He extended a hand that was cold to the touch when Sam shook it.  "I don't think Babadora was worried about tempers, as much as she was worried about the spilled blood.  I'm not sure how shapeshifters respond to it but my kind have been known to react much like a starving dog confronted with raw meat."

[Trellin]

OOC: DAMN YOU copy and paste!

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:38 pm - Samuel

Samuel shook his hand, the cold a very odd sensation. He really was dead. Or at least, it sure as hell felt like it. He looked at the vampire curiously as he released the handshake, "I think, in her case, it's a nickname, not an insult or lapse of memory." He made a concerted effort to repeat Michael's name to himself a number of times. "I'm not sure you'd appreciate it, usually I do it as something thats memorable to me about that person, often a physical quality, not always. But it's not about the physical with you, despite your obvious appearance. I couldn't decide at this point."

"I see. So the drive for blood can be that overwhelming, then? I apologize if I seem offensive but, as has been pointed out numerous times, I can blunt and I'm very curious", he grinned, "As for shifter's, I can only speak for myself, but in my case, it's the violence that is most likely to set me off."

He cocked his head to one side and considering his words and finally nodded his head sharply as if coming to a decision. He said, in a semi-formally tone, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Michael Redding, I am Samuel Keme. I am glad to share your camp and hope we will be friends", he actually looked almost embarrassed for a moment and said, I have nothing to share with you, sorr-", he suddenly jerked his eyes up and looked at Michael, a mischievous grin appearing. "I have nothing to share but a some information. In direct answer to some of your question, my people are called the Bastet and while we may be a dying breed, we have always been close with humanity you might find us around any corner in any place", his grin faded a bit, "because we have been driven to extinction, I am reluctant to discuss my people."
He grinned again, "And to be politically correct, First Nations is the term you're looking for but I'm technically only a third, although the tribe pretty much accepts me, mostly thanks to Grandmother and few others."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:39 pm - Michael

"Bastet."  Michael rolled the word around in his mouth as if tasting it.  "Interesting.  Named for the Egyptian goddess no doubt."  He nodded.  "Well met, Samuel.  I would be pleased to share my camp with you and welcome any information you would give me.  I too am curious.  It is unfortunate that your people are waning and that you are reluctant to speak of them, because I think we could learn much from each other.  How, for example, one manages to be one third First Nations, rather than one half or one quarter."  The expression on Michael's face might have been a smile.  It looked more like a leer.  "You'll have to forgive me.  Occasionally I let the scholar in me get the better of my manners.  Would you ladies and gentlemen mind if I just watch you play, since it seems the game is going to continue?  An injury that predates my passing prevents my participation but I do enjoy watching others displaying speed and agility."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquartes - Common Room  11:39 pm - Samuel

Samuel smirked, "We were there for that. And one third isn't exactly a precise number. But as long as one in three of my ancestors is full blooded, that's close enough for me. This is the wide world, so much larger than a math class", he laughed. Maybe over time we will be gradually share our secrets", he said, with a huge grin.

He looked at the others, "Alright, I haven't played video games in years, this will be fun. Who wants to school me?"

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:39 pm - Michael

The dry noise that came from the vampire might have been a laugh.  "Get him," Michael said to no one in particular.  "You notice how casually he dropped that in?  'We were there for that'.  It must have been magnificent for your people to watch civilization arise around you, all the while being worshiped as divine.  I wonder what they'll say about the world we live in, a thousand years from now. Nothing complimentary, I'd expect."

[Trellin]

OOC Very nice, jack LOL

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:40 pm - Samuel

Samuel laughed, "Well, I guess subtly won't work on you. I'll have to get creative. I love a challenge", he said with a smile. "That was before my time though so, sadly, I didn't get to enjoy the perks. And I have my doubts about my people still being alive in a thousand years, much less passing judgement on anyone. How about you, will you be around? Do vampires really live forever?"

[Maxx]

OOC:  You got the place right, now if you could jsut pick up that pesky capital 'D' and the little 'r'....

Department 7 Headquartes - Common Room  11:40 pm - Michael

"Not yet they haven't,"  Michael answered.  "If I'm either very lucky or very unlucky, I suspect that I might still be around in a thousand years, although in what condition I have no idea.  I doubt the mind is designed to exist over such vast stretches of time.  Besides, I'm hoping that over that period of time they will have figured out some way to turn me back into what I was before.  This was done to me as a punishment and the lesson has been well learned.  I'll take fifty more years of growing older and more feeble over a thousand years of stagnation."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Samuel

Samuel looked at him with a surprising earnest seriousness in his face, "Do you have any reason to think that it's a condition that can be reversed?"

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Michael

"Rumours,"  Michael answered.  "Nothing concrete, of course.  Perhaps it is the vampire equivalent of the Holy Grail, Fountain of Youth and Shangri La all rolled into one.   I had high hopes of meeting the former head of the department.  He practiced an ancient form of Egyptian naming magic, in which changing the true name of an object or being actually changed the being.  Sadly, he was killed and I have yet to be able to gain permission to examine his personal papers."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Samuel

Samuel gave him a broad smile, "Excellent. You have nothing and yet you have everything and even better. Most people never gain what you have acquired. Grandmother would be most intrigued, I think", he said in an odd-seeming segue.

He looked at the Quester and asked, "How old are you?"

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Michael

The vampire looked at Sam.  "I was twenty eight when I was turned,"  Michael said.  "The official term is the inaccurate Embrace.  That was six years ago.  The Nosferatu more often than not embrace as a punishment, rather than a reward.  In no way would I apply the word 'better' to my situation.  This is a curse, Samuel.  Make no mistake about that."

   

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Samuel

Samuel was sober a moment, "You misunderstand me. You have faith. You have no reason to believe that your situation can be reversed, that you can become something you view as a better condition. Yet you believe it is possible. How else would you define faith? People, nations and races live and die on what you possess and most lack."

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:41 pm - Michael

"I think you are mistaking desperation for faith,"  Michael said.  "Faith is belief in something, even without proof.  What I have is straws to clutch at.  Of course, given the prospect of spending an eternity looking like this and feeding of the blood of others, wouldn't you be taking a long hard look at whatever straws are within reach?"

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:42 pm - Samuel

Samuel grinned, "By your own testimony, you have no proof and by your own definition of faith, 'belief in something without proof', you have faith."
He winked, "I guess that time I actually paid attention in class actually paid off. Who needs lawyers?", he laughed. It wasn't anything serious in his mind but it was his equivalent of counting a playful coup. If he had done that at this months Taghairm, he would have gotten a small appreciation. Hey, he knew he wasn't the cleverest of Bastet so he enjoyed his small victories.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:42 pm - Michael

"Faith offers hope,"  Michael said.  "I have none.  As far as needing lawyers, if we followed Shakespeare and killed them all, the Americans wouldn't know what to do with themselves."

[Trellin]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room  11:43 pm - Samuel

Samuel nodded, "Well, I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on faith and hope in the future. Right now", he said with a grin, "I want to try this game at least once before anyone else gets in here to embarrass me. So who's gonna show me the ropes on this thing?"

[Goosekat]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room - 11:31 to 11:44 p.m.  - -  Tabby

Tabby looked at Michael.  "I think even Krickett would give you a pass on this one Michael.  But if you ever have a desire to engage in a game of chess just look me up.  I'm not that good but I am willing to give it a go.  By the way I'm Tabitha, feel free to call my Tabby though."  She held out her hand for him to shake.  She turned a quick eye to Samuel.  "I'm pretty rusty on DDR but I will give you a run through if you would like."  Tabby turned one of her shy smiles on him.

[Maxx]

Department 7 Headquarters - Common Room - 11:44 p.m. - Some time later

Michael accepted Tabby's offer for a future game of chess, then sat and watched the others play.  Whether five players was enough to buoy Kyoko's flagging spirits was a matter for debate but those present certainly seemed to make up for their small numbers with enthusiasm.  Paul set aside his skateboard and, true to his word, demonstrated some serious skill at the game.  The four shapeshifters, Tabby, Kyoko, Sam and Vesper shared an affinity for coordinated movement and displayed an unnatural grace.  The fact that Tabby was performing nearly naked didn't hurt anything, as far as the vampire was concerned.  He was not yet so far removed from his mortality that he couldn't appreciate female flesh, it was just that he no longer had any sexual interest in them.  It was purely a dietary hunger.

Much to Paul's annoyance, Michael declared Kyoko the winner and chuckled at the boy's chagrin.  He wished them all a good evening and departed for the library, limping and leaning on his thick black cane.   The others all departed for their respective rooms.  Morning would come early and with it a new day, new challenges and new friends.

[LadyJallyn]

Please move over to the next chapter of the story line http://elmwood-rpg.com/index.php?topic=776.0