Chapter 5.2: Revenge is a dish best served cold

[Maxx]

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."

     

[crunchy-dorito]

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."

[Darkflame]

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.

[LadyJallyn]

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.

[crunchy-dorito]

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.

[Maxx]

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.
     

[crunchy-dorito]

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."

[The True Ginger Ninja]

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."

[Maxx]

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."     

[LadyJallyn]

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."

[crunchy-dorito]

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?"

[Maxx]

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."

[Sonovaditch]

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.
 

[crunchy-dorito]

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."

[LadyJallyn]

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."

[The True Ginger Ninja]

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.

[LadyJallyn]

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.

[Darkflame]

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.

[Sonovaditch]

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.

[Maxx]

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." 

[Grimoire]

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.

[LadyJallyn]

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... "

[LadyJallyn]

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?"

[Maxx]

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."

[LadyJallyn]

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."