Vampire: Fresh Crimes and Ancient Sins

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2007-01-15 03:07am

"Yeah, well, sometimes the primer's a good thing to work off of to start with. Hell, I didn't even know about the Camarilla until I was almost Ancille. Up until then I was a membership card short of being an Anarch." He chuckled slightly at his own joke. "And even you have to admit that my assumption that a headhunter got to him isn't entirely unsound. If a stalker had gotten to him, we'd already be seeing his head on a pike in the town square, the wolves aren't much quieter, and they've usually left us alone so long as we didn't rock the boat. Plus, we aren't exactly the most harmonious clique of the supernatural clubhouse."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-15 06:27am

"Shit, of course it could be a cannibal. But you have to remember is that the amount of compromise required to fill the positions of Sherrif and Scourge in this town was zero. They're the prince's boy and girl. As far as the high and mighty go, the lines in this town are prince and not prince, not by clan."

Eris · Post by **Eris** » 2007-01-15 08:22am

There was very little more irritating than a someone who was being discreet when you were trying to overhear what they were trying to say. Kerstin considered listening in anyway just to be difficult, it certainly wasn't out of her capabilities, but discarded the notion. If it were important she had no doubt she'd find out eventually, and it wasn't worth being caught otherwise. More was the pity—her curiosity had been piqued, and it would be dominating her thoughts for the rest of the night if she didn't find something else to occupy her time.

Moving past the now whispering pair, she glanced about at the rest of the gathered Kindred. Not many were present, although it might have simply been that most had congregated deeper in the gallery. What did the population of Vancouver number anyway? It was a large enough city to support well over a hundred at least.

She grimaced at the thought. At that size, politics were inevitable—that was probably what was unfolding with the two she had passed. Her curiosity dampened for the moment, she shifted her focus. She had not spotted any of the few Kindred she knew in the city, a mixed blessing that, and most of them seemed occupied with their own affairs.

Unfortunately the only other thing to pay attention to in the gallery was art. It took her all of a minute and a half and a few glances around to realise that there was almost certainly nothing that particularly caught her eye. It was, well, art, and Kerstin found that after seeing as much as she had, it all looked pretty much the same. Sighing, she began reconsidering her decision to be polite. Served her right for arriving late.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2007-01-15 10:09am

"So it's entirely possible that either the Prince genuinely cares about what happened, or Bobby was a little too loud than what was good for him, and this investigation is to make people happy until this whole brou-ha-ha can die a silent death. Just depends on who you talk to."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-15 11:04am

"Our beloved prince don't like people brightening sunsets without his say so. This is either a serious hunt or a cover job. I just hope its not open war with the fuckin' chinks," said James, demonstrating that while he may be dead, his racism wasn't.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2007-01-15 05:45pm

Dahak wrote:"Yes," he nodded, concentrating on her, ignoring the other conversations around him. It would not do for such as him to become irritated at mere commoners rattling on. "I have been in this city for some time for some business of my own."
Being Sir William's childe he was sure she had been told about his often obscure visits around the globe. Kyle knew that it was some talk behind his back that he was on the lookout for the murderer of his Sire (even though not many still thought it had been an accident in those ancient times). Kyle - mostly - didn't care. And those who came to close to his search had suffered. His vindictive streak and vengefulness was well-known. But he disgressed.
"To your question, I have indeed met the Prince before. And 'tis my pleasure to introduce you." He smiled at her. "'tis good to know that not all Ventrue have forgotten our traditions in those modern times."
And, smiling inwardly, it may give him some points in the timeless game with her Sire.

Gweneviere's eyes had been roaming the museum and people around them as she listened. "Thank you, Lord DeWitt." she said, focusing both her smile and eyes on his face. "Sir William impressed upon me the value of such traditions, and I strive to live up to their expectations."

While Lord DeWitt might have ignored what was happening around them, Gweneviere had not. She noted Jim's entrance, and how he had pulled one of the other Vampires over for a quiet conferance. She briefly considered pointing that out to him.
"Would it be too presumptious of me to ask for introductions to others within the city, Lord DeWitt?" she asked instead. "I fear Sir William could give me only the names of the Prince and his close court, yet I assume there are several whom I should make acquaintance, since Sir William's business may keep me here for a time."

IT was a delicate line she was walking. Lord DeWitt was not an enemy, and yet not a friend of Sir William. Showing him this much trust would either flatter him, or make him suspicious. Still, as a new arrival, it was once again polite to request aid from a Ventrue from the area. It prevented Gweneviere from stepping on the wrong toes.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2007-01-15 07:03pm

"I don't think anyone really wants an open war," said Jack. "At least no one who has any grasp of the possible consequences."

The racial comment he let pass for the moment, though it obviously made him agitated. Racism in general always peeved him, even if it wasn't directed at his own. It would do no good to cause a scene over it, though.

"I hope its a serious hunt myself. If it turns out to be a cover job, a lot of shit is going to hit the fan."

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2007-01-15 08:16pm

Though still standing in the general area of the Ventrue conversation, Devon's eyes followed Jack over to Jim and noted as their voices lowered. He turned back to the two before him in time to hear talk of the Prince and introductions, and not being much for politics, casually glaced back over to the second pair to find that they had moved off to a corner, separating themselves from the rest. They were mostlikely delving into some political deal or another as well. Material concerns of this world were not his interest.

Casually scanning the rest of the room, Devon's eyes settled on the child-like vampire that he had seen in the entrance area. She seemed to be otherwise unoccupied, so he moved over to her.

"Hello again, Little Sister," he greeted quietly. "I hope I am not intruding, but may I ask you a question or two?"

Ritterin Sophia · Post by **Ritterin Sophia** » 2007-01-15 10:06pm

Mark S wrote:Casually scanning the rest of the room, Devon's eyes settled on the child-like vampire that he had seen in the entrance area. She seemed to be otherwise unoccupied, so he moved over to her.

"Hello again, Little Sister," he greeted quietly. "I hope I am not intruding, but may I ask you a question or two?"

Mercedes continued to look at the exhibits, the others' petty talks interested her less than paint drying. Then she heard one of them begin to speak to her. She cringed slightly at the nickname. She continued to admire some piece of 'modern art', though rather than admire, it was more akin to disgust. She spoke without looking away from it, "No, Neonate, you are interrupting nothing more than my disgust at what the Kine call 'art' nowadays. I miss the times when art depicted lovers, fighters, politicians, people... not items in abstract shapes or strange colours. Oh, but I appear to be rambling. Please, what questions do you have for one such as I, brother Cainite?"

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2007-01-15 11:28pm

Devon let the other's attitude slide past him like so much bad air. Social station meant nothing to him. It was a construct of a mired and narrow point of view. To some he was called a Neonate, to others he was godly. To him there were only those seeking knowledge and those that had it. Most of the time those lines crossed.

"We have not met," he began. "My name is Devon. Please do not mistake my curiousity for rudeness, I merely ask out of ignorance and a wish to learn, but do you find that your size impedes your stamina in matters of the blood disciplines? Do your powers... drain... when your peers' persist?"

There was no malice or conniving in his face or voice as he asked the question. He faced her squarely, hands clasped in front of him, waiting for a response.

Ritterin Sophia · Post by **Ritterin Sophia** » 2007-01-16 01:16am

She chuckled at the query and shook her head, it was more than obvious that he was indeed a neonate, "I know your name, as I heard it earlier...my stature only impedes my ability to move like other cainites do, and by that I mean through Kine society, but to my knowledge my powers are unaffected."

She carefully glance back at him, the smile from her laugh faded from her face and she gave him a stern look. She again spoke in a very authoritative voice.

"However, it is common knowledge that size does not determine your capabilities, but your distance from Caine. Careful about questions like that, for they signal to other cainites that you are young and Cainites WILL use that against you."

Eris · Post by **Eris** » 2007-01-16 02:28am

Kerstin had taken to eavesdropping again; a habit she probably should break, later. It was difficult, though, when so many interesting things came of it. In this case, speculations on the physiology of vampires. There was a topic she could expound on. Edging over, she imposed herself on to two conversants—Devon and a girl she could not put a name to—and made a polite noise.

“My apologies to intrude, but I couldn't help but overhearing your discussion and found myself in a position to provide some insight. As she has said," Kerstin gestured the girl, "It's our connection with our Progenator that determines the potency of our blood. Moreover, the potency of any blood has absolutely no correlation with its volume whatsoever. Take animals for instance—their blood is very similar to our own, but it is much less nutritional. An entire cow can be less filling than a single human despite containing many times as much haemoglobin.” She did not go into how she had found that out.

Kerstin gestured upwards to the ceiling. “Our bodies seem to work on a metaphorical rather than a physical level in many ways. Take likewise our vulnerability to sunlight. It can't be the sunlight itself, else full moons would be at least bothersome. After all, it merely reflects the sun, yet has not even a mildly irritating effect.” She smiled wanly. “I've actually found it to be rather vexing—do realise how difficult it is to develop an experiment whereby you might test a metaphor?"

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2007-01-16 05:46am

LadyTevar wrote: Gweneviere's eyes had been roaming the museum and people around them as she listened. "Thank you, Lord DeWitt." she said, focusing both her smile and eyes on his face. "Sir William impressed upon me the value of such traditions, and I strive to live up to their expectations."

While Lord DeWitt might have ignored what was happening around them, Gweneviere had not. She noted Jim's entrance, and how he had pulled one of the other Vampires over for a quiet conferance. She briefly considered pointing that out to him.
"Would it be too presumptious of me to ask for introductions to others within the city, Lord DeWitt?" she asked instead. "I fear Sir William could give me only the names of the Prince and his close court, yet I assume there are several whom I should make acquaintance, since Sir William's business may keep me here for a time."

IT was a delicate line she was walking. Lord DeWitt was not an enemy, and yet not a friend of Sir William. Showing him this much trust would either flatter him, or make him suspicious. Still, as a new arrival, it was once again polite to request aid from a Ventrue from the area. It prevented Gweneviere from stepping on the wrong toes.

Kyle wasn't oblivious to Gweneviere looking around the establishment. He smiled inwardly. Sir William is doing good these days. He might have to think about getting a Childe of his own in these days, it could be useful.

He concentrated back on her. "You did well to listen to Sir William. He might be, well, prone to his experiments and there has been a lot of discussions - often very heated - about this in the past. We'll see how you perform in the next decades, but I am sure you will do our Clan good."
He thought about her other request for a while. Sir William and he had an interesting past. There has been a lot of one-upmanship between them, plotting and planning, moving the pawns around. But it was always good-hearted, and over the years they have developed some mutual respect and even a bizzarre version of friendship. Gweneviere could be one of his plans against him, or it was just a coincidence. Either way, she was brave and so he decided to help her around. How knew? Maybe someday she might have an ally to use. Plans within plans...
"'Tis not too presumptious," he nodded. "I will grant you this and will introduce you to the right people. Or wrong people, 'tis your guess." He chuckled lightly and his head moved around.
"Now that we have decided that," he smiled, "we can turn to the rest of the group. I have noticed you took care to note what is going around here. If you could be so kind and tell me what you found out while we were talking? If I could be so presumptious..."
He smiled, but his eyes remained concentrated on her every facial move. Maybe a little power play or test. It was fun...

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2007-01-16 09:02pm

Devon nodded thoughtfully at Mercedes' answer. Whether it was common knowledge to others, he could not comment. He had never in unlife, alone or with his Sire, come across another person turned as a child and the subject had honestly never come up. He was well aware of how blood weakened the further down the line one was from Caine, he had thought about it more than once, but he made no indication of this. It seemed of little use to do so.

When the other vampire broke into the discussion, he politely and attentively nodded along to what she had to say.

"Yes, I have made a point of taking from many different animals," he commented on her first observation as she continued.

When Kerstin had finished, Devon thoughtfully nodded again. "I have meditated on that myself, Sister. Facinating how the spirit seems to hold more sway over the physical body in this state. Tell me, have you put much thought into the connection of the unbeating heart and torpor?"

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2007-01-16 09:28pm

(Apologies about the late entry - this is actually the second version of my entrance, following some location issues)

Riding a motorcycle always helped Kergan's mind to drift - it always seemed meditative to travel long distances for him, and having a trusty cruiser like the one that was now at just over half a tank of gas definitely helped.

Only a few months ago, life was beginning to make sense, of a sort. He might not have had the chance to graduate college like he originally planned after he finished his tour with the Army back in the US, but his learning Arabic while in the Army most definitely paid off.

He certainly hadn't planned on dying, but then again, he doubted many people in their right mind truly would. Going back to the Middle East shortly after coming back from it while in the Army made him wryly amused at times, though he had found plenty to learn and do.

And then...It had awoken.

Kergan shook his head slightly, even while keeping his eyes on the road ahead, and noting the "100 km to Vancouver" sign as it passed rapidly.

It's awakening was at first a blessing, but rapidly soured into a curse. There were a few who darkly whispered now that It had been corrupted and soured during It's sleep by the very dark whispers It helped fight against in the tales of the Second City, though none had any solid evidence.

Now, he and many others of his clan no longer had a home or refuge, wanting nothing to do with It back home. He had stayed briefly with his sire after the flight from their former mountain home, but both had agreed that it would be best if he were to find his own place.

Not wanting to invite any more excitement than possible, Kergan had decided upon leaving the steps of his sire's "vacation house" in Iceland that the US seemed a bit too volitile right now, and Canada seemed far more calm. At least, he hoped so.

He glanced at the sign as it passed, reading "Vancouver: 15 km." He shrugged - originally, he was planning on travelling a bit further, but here seemed fine.

Upon finding the proper exit from the highway, he began carefully cruising through the city of Vancouver for a rest stop. Upon seeing a nightclub that seemed to cater to the dark and gothy, amusingly called Dead Will Dance, he smirked behind his helmet. In life, he'd never gone into a goth club. However, he'd learned since then that convincing a beautiful woman to let you bite her neck was far less difficult a proposition in a goth club.

He parked his motorcycle in the parking area, and briefly looked at himself in one of his side mirrors after leisurely taking the chance to stretch after the long ride on the cruiser.

His dark brown hair was darker and spiky from enduring a motorcycle helmet for a while, and his clothes were dark enough to pass for semi-goth, as long as nobody took issue with his not wearing all black.

(edit: fixed pronoun)

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-16 10:10pm

The night club wasn't too busy. Almost immediately a pale blonde woman wearing a slinky black dress with blood red lips and dark eyeshadow approached him. "Well, well, well," she purred. "New boy in town."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2007-01-17 03:45am

Kergan smiled softly at the woman, especially due to her being direct. He always appreciated that.

He replied calmly, and without undue haste. "Indeed, madam. In fact, I only just arrived." He smiled a bit more broadly. "I'm also flattered that you noticed."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-17 03:53am

"It's all in the eyes," she said tapping a finger just under her right eye. "You glow, bright boy. Beautiful toy." She bent her head and whispered in his ear. "And play nice around the Rack. No one likes anyone fucking everybody's hunting."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2007-01-17 04:02am

He raised his eyebrows. "Perish the thought - it would be rude. I never drink the well dry, as they say." He smiled again. "If you don't mind me asking, with whom would I speak about an extended stay here?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-17 04:29am

"The usual. The Prince is the one who gives the okay, although it's better to have the primogen with you than against you." She pulls out a card and writes down an address in downtown. "This is the place. It's not too far. You've got plenty of time, but don't put it off forever."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2007-01-17 05:00am

Placing the card carefully in his jacket pocket, Kergan smiled and nodded his thanks. "I certainly don't intend to. May I have the pleasure of your name madam, before I enjoy the nightlife?"

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-01-17 05:24am

"Janelle darling," the woman replied. "Arbitrator of all that's fashionable and correct, as well as a humble maintainer of the establishments that make our lives easier and more bearable."

Eris · Post by **Eris** » 2007-01-17 05:44am

With a wry smile, Kerstin raised her hand in a gesture of apology. “Forgive me, I have an untoward advantage. Kerstin Meyer, and you if I am not mistaken are Brother Devon?” She took a guess at Devon's title from his own patterns of speech. She wondered from where derived the honorific he used. She had heard cousin used on occasion between vampires, and of course the ubiquitous childe and sire, but otherwise there was a dearth of familial terms in the vampiric argot so far as she could tell. Perhaps she'd ask later after they had better acquainted themselves.

“Our heart is perhaps one of the greatest mysteries our bodies hold, I think. I've given it thought to be certain, but I have not found any satisfactory answers. There is of course its importance in traditional folklore, but I'm hardly qualified to comment on that. If I had to guess, I might relate it to the traditional placing the heart as the seat of life and the emotions, even our cognitive functions, but mostly life. Perhaps related to the lethality of the sun's rays—the sun is the source of most of the life-sustaining energy on the planet. I can't discount the symbolism of its status as traditional life giver in the human mind, although I can't offer anything more than speculation, either.”

Much to her surprise, Kerstin decided she was probably going to like Devon. She had never before met a vampire with more than a passing interest in how their bodies worked, how the mystical inter-related with the physical. It was more relieving than she'd like to admit that someone out there seemed to think that knowing that was important. Most she had met learned how they functioned without ever bothering to find out why. Which shouldn't of surprised her after she thought about it—humans were exactly the same.

“You can think also of how you might induce torpor. Driving any old thing through a heart won't do; as far as I can tell, it must be a wood or you just annoy your subject. At the risk of supporting my thesis in a shaky manner, wood differs from most other suitable stake materials in its being dead biomass. Bone doesn't work, which is odd if everything I've said is extrapolated further, but there does seem to be more than just coincidence at work.”

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » 2007-01-17 06:20am

"Well, I'm pleased to meet you, Janelle. I'm going to use the facilities, and then be on my way."

He nodded his thanks to Janelle, and slipped into the crowd. Finding a lady on the dance floor without a partner, he introduced himself and danced with her for a few minutes closely, excused himself and went to the bathroom, left half a minute later, and began walking out, nodding to Janelle as he did.

Getting on his motorcycle, Kergan used a map to locate the address on the slip of paper Janelle had given him, and left leisurely.

It certainly seemed as if things in this city worked directly and without too many illusions, Kergan mused. Perhaps this might be a bit of peace and quiet after all...though he had yet to introduce himself to this Prince.

There's no harm in being prompt, he thought. Especially when he had no idea how his introduction to the Prince was going to unfold.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2007-01-17 07:39am

Dahak wrote:"'Tis not too presumptious," he nodded. "I will grant you this and will introduce you to the right people. Or wrong people, 'tis your guess." He chuckled lightly and his head moved around.
"Now that we have decided that," he smiled, "we can turn to the rest of the group. I have noticed you took care to note what is going around here. If you could be so kind and tell me what you found out while we were talking? If I could be so presumptious..."
He smiled, but his eyes remained concentrated on her every facial move. Maybe a little power play or test. It was fun...

Gweneviere bowed her head, acknowledging the little tease, and then shifted her position slightly, so he could better see whom she was speaking of. SHe kept her voice low as she spoke, revealing that she was very aware of her surroundings. "Near the door are two men, possibly Brujah. One was speaking to the ghoul at the door when I pulled up, whatever he heard worried him deeply. He spoke to the second Brujah as soon as he came in, something about 'Bobbie', and they have been in close conversation ever since. Whomever Bobbie is, and what he has done, seems to worry them."

Like a cat pretending to be asleep, her eyes slip over to the next group. "Brother Devon has found a new companion to speak with, although the child seems to be trying to overcome her lack of size by an overlarge attitude. I do not know her clan, possibly Toreador, yet she is as unimpressed by the art on the walls as by Brother Devon. The young lady who joined them is lost, it seems. She joined that conversation after passing by the Brujah as too intense, and ourselves as too personal."

Gweneviere's eyes turn back to Lord DeWitt calmly as she asks softly. "Do I pass your test, Lord DeWitt? Or shall I tell you of all the exits and make-shift weapons within the room?" She was trained to be a bodyguard, a protector of Kindred, a ghoul who had given her first life carrying out those duties. Old habits die very hard.