Submitted by Soulless Zombie on Wed, 03/20/2002 - 22:58
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Season One will run from Febuary 6th to June 6th.
Due to a upgrade gone wrong all data was lost an thus all post have had to be re-posted so here they are...
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New Tactics
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2002 8:48 p.m.
Post subject: New Tactics
Kate knew it was no use going back to the house on Poplar Avenue, it had been days now since she had the vision of the mysterious figure and the crystal Shard of Ghenna. Time was running out. If someone was gathering the crystals then time was of the essence. Kate needed to try something different, it was time for a change of tactics.
Kate took a taxi straight home after her shift at Bob's ended. She had another method she had yet to try. She climbed the stairs to the attic again. She rummaged in the drawer of a dresser fixed against the far wall and pulled out the object of her desire. It was a bright gold pendulum strung on the end of a long chain. She scooped the object into her hand. Going next to the bookshelf, she pulled out an old map.
She returns to the middle of the room where there is a low set table. She opens out the map, it is an old street map of L.A. Kate sits crosslegged in front of the map. She breathes deeply, focusing her mind. She holds the pendulum in her left hand, letting it dangle and spin on the end of the chain. The pendulum is still.
Suddenly it begins to spin in concentric circles. They are wide circles at first, gradually getting tighter and smaller until the pendulum pulls towards a point on the map and stops there. Kate opens her eyes to see where the pendulum has landed. She raises her eyebrow in surprise. *It never hurt to second check* She closes her eyes again and allows the pendulum to spin. It strikes the same spot on the map again. Kate looks at the spot. The Beazor Complex.
Kate had heard of Beazor before, not exactly the friendliest place in L.A but hey, she worked at Bob's so how bad could it be? Tomorrow night was her night off anyway, Kate decided that she would use that time to check this place out. In the mentime she needed to sleep. She hadn't rested properly in the last three days since her premontion at the building on Poplar Avenue. Tonight she would go to Beazor, but for now she needed sleep...
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Zayn
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 3:19 am
Post subject: Amused Observer
Zayn gazed out over the city. The floor to ceiling window that comprised the walls of her bedroom provided a wonderful view of lights winking on and off as the inhabitants went about their nightly rituals. The city has been busy these past couple of days. Zayn chuckled at the irony.
As visions came and went, Zayn mentally put the pieces into the puzzle. Demons, Humans, Witches, and Vampires alike, all seemed to be moving in one direction. Toward the Cloch Cosan, all the colors of the spectrum, plus some, combined into one. *Should be interesting to see what comes of this.* Nine pieces all together, but only a few have been gathered. Not even Zayn'Jae Vex knew where ALL the pieces were. Only a fool would risk his life in knowing the location of all nine. *How odd the beings of this dimension. Logic says that the Cloch Cosan was scattered for a reason, yet those in this dimension risk their fate to undo what has been done.* Zayn chuckled again. *Yes, should be very interesting indeed.*
While she knew that the Cloch Cosan would bring much destruction, Zayn opted to observe a while longer before acting. Of course for the right price that could change. Until her existence was threatened she is more than happy to solve the puzzle that is this dimension.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Cian
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 7:30 am
Cian awoke as the last rays of deadly sunlight faded away from the stained and broken windows of his temporary lair. With his waking breath Cian cursed his choice of accommodations. The building was likely a prosperous shop, as was made apparent by the large counter and the massive, albeit shattered, window which took up the better part of the street-side wall. But it had since fallen into a state of extreme disrepair.
The woodwork bore scars inflicted by the elements and countless vermin, the glass had long since been shattered and turned yellow by vandals and the effects of age, the floor was littered with dust, the leavings of vermin, and debris, for the most part fallen from the upper level of the shop, through the punctured and virtually caved-in roof.
Cian picked himself up and rose from behind the counter, were he had taken shelter from the light of the day. *Tonight, I find more comfortable accommodations.* He glanced at the massive and broken window which made up one wall of his one-time shelter, *preferably with less... exposure.*
Cian knelt next to his suitcase, which he had slept beside, and opened it. He carefully moved aside a handful of armaments and trophies he had taken from some of his more memorable opponents, uncovering a box of .45 rounds. He removed this box from the suitcase and the gun he had fired last night from its holster. With the love a master craftsman affords his tools, Cian replaced the three rounds he had discharged the night before.
On the completion of this task, he returned the weapon to its resting-place, tucked the box into one of his jacket pockets, and closed the suitcase with great care. *Too bulky to take hunting.*
Cian slid the samsonite under the counter and covered what was still visible with several handfuls of debris and filth that came immediately to hand.
*Let's hope this place is still standing by the time I get back...*
Cian rose from behind the counter for the second time that night and walked across the abandoned shop, through its battered door, which tenaciously still clung to its hinges, and out into the ever-darkening night.
….
Cian had been wandering the streets of LA for several hours. He had no real objective and he wasn’t travelling in any set direction. He was merely wandering, piecing together his path from random impulses and whims.
*Plenty of Vampires, Plenty of Humans, no real hotspots yet.*
A young man and a young woman walking in the opposite direction of Cian passed him. Vampires, the woman younger than the man by at least a decade. Possibly a Sire and his Childe.
*I could wander these streets all night looking for something worth killing.* Cian glanced over his shoulder at the receding pair. *Or I could talk to the locals.*
The pair walked for nearly a block before they found what they considered to be suitable prey. The man was young, well dressed, and evidently stupid, as he was easily persuaded to accompany the Sire and Childe away from the streetlights and busy commercial main stream to the adjacent and concealed alleyway.
*I’m not sure who's less worthy of life.* Cian thought to himself as he closed the distance between himself and the Vampiric pair. *The human, who is either suicidal or chronically stupid, or the vampires who have failed to notice my presence yet, despite their ability to sense the presence of their own kind.*
Cian stepped into the alley. His footfalls disturbed the feeding pair, who, startled, looked up form their prey to the intruder, blood dripping from their fanged maws.
“By all means, finish your prey.” Cian held his arms out to each side and grinned. “Don’t stop on my account.”
The elder vampire stood up from the dead human and began to approach Cian, “Hey, we passed you on the street a ways back. What the hell kind of vamp stalks his own kind, like they were some kind of prey? Like they were human. I’ve got half a mind to kill you right here and now, you short little freak!”
Cian shook his head and laughed lightly. “See, this was supposed to be a pleasant little chat between children of the night, but then you had to go and make a wisecrack about my being short, and now I have to kill you.”
The young female was fast, and quiet. She had made her way down the alley and behind Cian during the brief dialog between him and her Sire. At the close of Cian’s response, she attacked, charging her target fangs first, planning to tear out its throat.
Cian became aware of the young vampire’s closeness as she charged, and struck out with his forearm, catching her in the teeth. The force of the blow, and the force of her own inertia, forced the young vampiress' fangs and other front teeth backward into her head, forming little wells of blood in their sockets. She fell to her knees, clutching her mouth.
The Sire charged Cian, pushing his shoulder into his breastbone. With his arm raised to ward of the elder vampire’s Childe, Cian found himself ill prepared for this attack and was knocked to the ground, the air forced from his lungs. Pressing his advantage, the Sire dove to his knees, landing the left one firmly in Cian’s chest, and brought a fist down in the direction of Cian’s head.
Being virtually unharmed, albeit knocked down, Cian easily moved his head to the side, leaving the Sire’s hand to strike the concrete surface of the alleyway, and brought it up forcefully, shattering the Sire’s nose.
As the Sire swore at his new injuries, inflicted seconds apart, Cian used the knee resting on his chest to flip his opponent onto his back and off of him. Free of the Sire’s weight, Cian stood up, showing no signs of fatigue or injury, and kicked the Sire in his left kneecap. A wet pop emitted from the joint as it shattered.
The Childe had gotten to her feet at some point and again charged Cian. He effortlessly caught her and threw her against a convenient brick wall. She hit head first and crashed to the ground in a graceless heap. Cian kicked out the Sire’s remaining kneecap.
The Sire groaned in agony and looked up at his tormentor, “M-Mercy…”
Cian broke the leg of a discarded chair that belonged to the refuse of the alley and drove the jagged end through the Sire’s heart, reducing him to dust.
Turning away from the dead vampire, Cian made his way to the still living one and dragged her to her feet roughly. She was sobbing and bleeding freely from her gums and the back of her head.
“I’m new in town, neophyte. Perhaps you could direct me to some of the local ‘attractions’.”
….
The Beazor Complex annoyed Cian. The fact that he was surrounded by a multitude of beings of various races, most of which he would normally kill on sight, or at least within a few minutes of meeting, annoyed him. The fact that he had paid a cover charge to enjoy their company annoyed him doubly so.
The Complex had been described to him by the late, albeit knowledgeable, neophyte vampiress. Although the compound and its entertainment were of no interest to Cian (who did not enjoy watching violence, merely enacting it), the compound’s overlord, the demon Kain, was. The young vampiress had described this demon as a very powerful entity, perhaps the most powerful being in this locale. For Cian, that made him a target, something to test his strength against, something to kill.
Cian didn’t have to much difficulty finding Kain’s office, he merely moved towards the heavier security.
*Either this Kain has some very powerful enemies, or he’s not so tough as the now deceased neophyte thought…*
The security seemed to focus itself for the most part around a single doorway. A thick knot of men, demons, and vampires stood together and suspiciously eyed anyone who passed to close to them and their charge. As Cian approached this congregation a hulking demon, human-like despite his excessive height and unnaturally developed musculature, stepped forward and confronted him.
“If ya don’ move yourself away from ‘ere as fast as yer’ short li’l legs ken carry ya, we’re gonna rip out yer esophagus ‘an make ya’ play cat’s cradle wid’ it! Orders a’ da’ patron.”
This speech coaxed a round of laughter from the assembled guards.
Cian punched the demon in the throat. He gurgled and fell to his knees, then to his face.
*Got lucky. He had carotid arteries, or something very similar.*
“I’d like very much to speak to this ‘patron’ of yours, perhaps one of you would go notify him of my presence?”
The guards froze in indecision for a moment, confused as to what they should do. But only for a moment, quickly mutterings such as, ‘Just say he said he had business here’, ‘We thought he was an affiliate’, and ‘Kain only kills the messenger’, were heard, and one of the smaller guards was pushed towards the door. He knocked lightly and opened the door, careful to keep his neck away from the doorframe.
“Mr. Kain, Sir. Someone to see you, says he’s a business partner, sir.”
A heavy-looking and jaggedly edged paperweight flew through the air and connected with the small guard’s temple, knocking him the floor, were he lay, unmoving.
“For the last time, I will tell you when I am expecting an associate. If I do not tell you I am expecting an associate, you kill anyone who says he has business with me.” Kain paused. “Send this one in, though. My curiosity is aroused and you have already disturbed me.”
The knot of Guards parted and allowed Cian to make his way through the door and into Kain’s office. The door was closed behind him.
“So you're Kain? The local demon lord? You certainly don’t look the part.”
The fat bald man behind the desk scowled.
“I am Kain, I am the ‘local’ demon lord, and whether or not a look the part is a matter of personal opinion. Now, who are you, and what are you supposed to be?”
“Cian, Cian Macrae, for what it’s worth. What am I? The simplest answer is a vampire.”
The fat man’s eyes narrowed and his scowl deepened. “I’ve heard of you. You killed Silas in Toronto and Draven in Washington. They were good friends of mine, good business partners.”
Kain rose from his desk. “I now have a personal reason to kill you.”
Cian attacked first, quickly covering the distance between himself and the demon and delivering a solid left over top of the desk to what had been the demon’s head, but it melted away to nothing but a black shadow, along with the rest of him. The shadow drifted across the desk and took a form roughly like that of a giant man. The shadow giant lifted a massive and seemingly ephemeral fist and brought it down very solidly across Cian’s face. The force of the hit threw Cian across the office. He struck the door-side, leaving a deep mark.
Cian shakily got to his feet. The shadow took the form of a swallow and flew to Cian at an unnaturally fast speed. It then took the form of a cougar and struck out at the vampire; its claws cutting deeply into his left leg. Cian kicked out with right leg, but the cat was only shadow, and the vampire’s foot passed through it harmlessly. The shadow became a bull and gored Cian, then threw him in the air.
*I can’t touch this thing, how am I supposed to fight it?*
This time the vampire landed on Kain’s desk, the door-side edge of it catching the small of his back. Seeking to relieve the pressure on his spine, Cian rolled over, knocking a black brief case off the desk. It sprung open when it hit the floor, spraying four luminescent crystals of various colours out in different directions. As the distance between the crystals became greater, their luminescence began to fade.
The shadow, this time a condor, descended on Cian, digging its talons deep into the base of the vampire’s neck in a spray of blood and bone fragments.
Kain resumed his more solid form and summoned a handful of guards. He returned the crystals to the briefcase and returned the briefcase to the desk.
When the guards entered Kain addressed them without turning to them, “One of you dispose of this glory hunter, don’t worry, there is no more fight left in him,” Kain struck Cian for emphasis. “The rest, organize a force to acquire the crystal in the crypt of that Ebony vampire, I have a sudden desire to see it safely in my hands.”
All but one of the guards muttered some form of affirmation and left the office. The remaining one moved towards Cian’s beaten form. Suddenly and without warning the wounded vampire drew his legs up to his chest and kicked the guard with both of them, sending him sprawling through the air. Cian pushed himself off the desk and placed his feet in a fighting stance. He delivered one firm punch to the back of Kain’s head, hard enough to fracture the skin and draw blood.
The blood was visible for only a second before the demon again reverted to his shadow-form and again took the form of a giant man. This time the giant planted his fists in the vampire’s chest and grew unnaturally long fingers, which forced their way through Cian until their wickedly pointed tips protruded at least a foot from the vampire’s body. Kain lifted Cian off the ground.
“I want you to select a few other members of the security staff,” Kain addressed his guard, who was just now regaining his feet. “I want you to take this defiant glory hunter outside of the complex, away from the regular clientele, and see that he suffers as much as possible, is that clear?”
“Yes sir,” the guard mumbled.
“Would that I had the time to do it myself.” Kain let the bleeding vampire drop from his fingers to the floor.
Outside Beazor
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 2:28 p.m.
Post subject: Outside Beazor
Kate exited her cab and it sped away into the night. She didn't blame the driver; this was hardly a place to hang around if you didn't have to. She looked up at the building, The Beazor Complex. It was typical of this area, tired looking, dilapidated, and rundown. Yet streams of people seemed to be entering through the main doors. There seemed to be some big event going off inside. Whatever it was it had everyone excited.
Kate knew immediately what this place was as soon as she set eyes upon it. Everyone knew this place, but no one ever talked about it. In fact they rather avoided it. To Kate, it had a mixed feel, alive and dead, young and old, innocent yet corrupt. Kate recognised instantly that this was a place where vampires took their live prey to feed on. The thought of it turned her stomach. *BYOB* she thought, but in this case it was bring your own blood.
Kate was about to head to the front door when she felt a cold grip on her arm; she turned around in surprise. The touch was cold and aching with a hint of sadness. She peered into the shadows from where the arm extended. She recognised the face of a human male. But faces had lied to her before. Handsome and tall, his eyes were older than his face would indicate. She allowed herself to take a step closer into the darkness.
"Don't go in there. Your fate is elsewhere tonight," there was unspoken danger in his voice, he raised his other arm towards the club. "That path leads to a dark and painful dead end. Come with me now before they," he tilted his head at the fiends shuffling around the door, "sense you."
He slowly released her arm, but he held her gaze. Clearly he was waiting for her to agree. Kate took a step back into the light, she had heard enough from this weirdo, *who the hell was he anyway?* She looked towards the doors of the complex. There was a large group of vampires gathered about, taking in the cool night air before about to enter the Beazor. She didn’t have time to waste, she could feel the pull of the building, it was dragging her in, she knew, she had found the right place. She turned back to her strange companion.
"Look, I don't know who..." she felt the cold place where his hand had been, the skin was prickled with goosebumps, "...or what you are but I am fully aware of what I’m doing and I can take care of myself. I don’t know what your business is here, but it is certainly nothing to do with mine."
She turned away from the man with the old eyes and took a few quick steps towards the door. She could hear her companion shuffle out of the shadows behind her. She didn’t need this now! *Why do these guys always latch on to me?* She decided to get rid of him before she got any closer to the Beazor.
Quickly she turned back towards him, lunging towards him, "Strength of Atlas! Come to your faithful servant!” Ancient Greek always flowed well for spells. The words didn't matter; it was the focus that was important. She drove the heel of her hand into her pursuer's chest. He didn't budge. *Damn it!* she thought, *He's not human.*
Victor grabbed her arm, and twisted it painfully. "I don't have time to argue about this. I need someone who knows the secrets of magic. You have to come with me!” His powerful arms encircled her waist and began to pull her in the opposite direction. Kate began to panic; she lashed out with her arms, cutting loose with more power than she intended. She cried out "Impatiens noli-tangere!"
Victor flew back from her, propelled by an arc of electricity that drives him into the crowd of waiting vampires. The crackle of power draws plenty of attention from the crowd who were all watching with growing interest...and malice. Kate stares in shock at what her spell has done *That wasn't what was supposed to happen!* she thought, suddenly, leaving sounds like a good plan right now.
Kate turned to see what happened to the man on the ground. But rising from the smoke and tatters of his expensive suit was something else. Something evil. Its red eyes glowed with the fires of Hell, and its long sharp teeth immediately clued Kate that this was not a friendly-type. The thick armoured plates of its hide marked it as a G'rnathan Battle Fiend. The worst of the infernal hunters because it could smell the souls and fears of its victims. These tracker/hunters were feared because they were so hard to kill. Short of feeding them to a yawning Hellmouth, they were certain to keep coming.
The crowd of vampires at the door took a tentative step back. Kate took this chance to escape and ducking past the demon, hauled herself into a nearby cab. The driver, a young Hispanic man, looked like he might wet himself. "Venite," he said as she touched his brow. He visibly calmed. "Step on it," she said firmly and the cab started to accelerate.
The demon hiked himself in through the window and into the back seat. Kate started to scream as he advanced towards her, his vile drool dripping onto the upholstery. Kate begins to pull on the door handle but it's jammed and the door remains locked. Victor grabs her by the arms to calm her down "I am NOT going to hurt you," he hisses, "I know you have no reason to trust me, but you have to know...I have a soul. I know you can tell if I am lying."
Kate stopped struggling for a moment; she had to fight the urge to teleport this beast into the club to cover her mistake. But she saw his aura. Dark colours with hints of violence swirled around him...but there was a spark of brilliant blue. Another of pure gold. A white mote swirling within the horrifying maelstrom.
*It is true. This thing has a soul. It is fractured...almost helpless within this creature. But it is there.*
She could not believe it when she heard herself say, "I'll help you."
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Sorrow
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 8:49 p.m.
Sorrow was deep in trance. Though his eyes were open they saw nothing as he listened to the song of the city. He was hunting tonight, but not his usual prey; he listened for that particular duality that was a shape shifter and ignored the vampires around him.
The city offered up its secrets, showed him where to step, when to stop, he glided through the streets as if he were the only one there. London had never been like this, compared to London, L.A. was...intoxicating.
*There* he caught the sound he was hunting for, a strange harmonic theme wrapped round a driving, almost primitive beat. Sorrow concentrated, blotted out the other sounds and tried to pin down which way to go. He held on to it, waiting and in the end it gave itself away. It was north of him, Sorrow began to move, slipping smoothly through the crowds, following the sound.
It was cautious. Jenny had obviously spooked it earlier and it was taking no chances. It didn't really matter Sorrow never got close enough for it to see him even in the more deserted areas of the city. Sorrow began to hear other themes, they had the strange harmonies that could only be demonic and he guessed it was nearing its destination.
Sorrow slowed further he didn't want to get too close until he had a better idea of what was ahead of him. A few minutes later Sorrow knew. He caught the back of a tall, thin blond haired figure going into an old warehouse.
The Beazor Complex, *Jenny had missed this one* Sorrow thought, but no matter, he had a trail to follow. There were vampires and worse on the door and he didn't think he would be welcome within, so he looked around for a likely spot to wait. He moved towards a dilapidated doorway, the muscle on the door was too busy with the people moving inside to notice him.
Once he was hidden in shadow he pulled out a smoked quartz and concentrated on it. He let the city into him, pushed it into the quartz and wrapped himself in the result. He was hidden from more than eyes now.
Sorrow waited with a predator's patience. The city had receded now he was focused on the hunt. People were still moving into the complex, cabs coming and going.
It was a few hours later when the shape shifter left the complex. By now Sorrow was cold and stiff but if he found the creature's lair it would be worth it. He gave it a few moments to move out of sight then he opened himself again. The sounds caught him totally off guard. Just as loud as the other one, there were four this time and they wove in and out of each other till they brought tears to his eyes. Sorrow came back to himself lying in the doorway. *What was that?* he wondered as he picked himself up from the ground. Sorrow pushed his curiosity down, he had a job to do, and he had no desire to end up like the cat.
Sorrow walked quickly away from the complex and when he felt more comfortable, lowered his shields again. The shape shifter was away to the east and moving quickly. Sorrow picked up his pace and moved towards it.
......
That morning he rang Jenny.
"Yes?"
"Jenn, it's Tris, I have it."
"You're certain?"
"Of course, when do you want to meet?"
"Now?" she said eagerly.
"I need a little sleep first." Sorrow said wearily. "Meet me at Bob's Bar about 13:00."
"I'll be there." And the line went dead.
Arriving in the fair city
Daye
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 11:09 p.m.
Post subject: arriving in the fair city
Daye stepped off the small charter plane onto the runway at LAX. She donned a pair of dark glasses, flipping her long red hair over one shoulder. The two other passengers on the plane strode by her quickly without making eye contact. They were men she had known her whole life, but now they were strangers to her, as she was to them.
Daye had spent the last eight years in training at a complex located on the grounds of an ancient English castle. This complex was one of the strongholds of the Watcher's Council, a secret organization whose purpose is to keep watch over slayers and their enemies; demons, vampires, and the like.
A small sect of the Council made it their duty to collect, read, and interpret the various and sundry prophecies that were amassed throughout the world. One of these prophecies was what had brought Daye and the council together. A seer, by the name of Circe, had discovered an ancient Celtic prophecy about "The Guardian", a witch born to guide and protect a special child chosen by the Powers That Be to lead mankind into a new era of peace and prosperity. Circe's studies led her to believe that Daye was "The Guardian" foretold. She had enlisted the aid of some of her associate's to find and approach Daye.
They found the girl, then only 16 years of age, mourning the loss of her mother, a local herbalist. Daye's mother, Bhreanne, had died of some mysterious disease, and the girl was now all alone in the world. When the Watchers came to her, she had nothing to hold her to her home in Ireland and quickly agreed to accompany them back to England.
Daye began her training immediately. She learned about various demons and other supernatural threats in the world, the ways to recognize them, and the best ways to defeat them. She worked with master warriors, learning to attack and defend. She also studied witchcraft with the Council's lead practitioners.
Finally, though, after eight long years, the child of prophecy had not yet been born and Daye's training was complete. The Council had given her an allowance and sent her off to America. There were a few factions among them that felt she would be best served learning to battle actual foes and Los Angeles would prove an excellent training ground for that purpose. So, Daye found herself at the airport alone, not allowed to maintain contact with anyone she knew for the sake of secrecy. She would remain in the city until such time as she was called. Until then, she had to scare up some demons and prove to herself and others that all the years of training had not been in vain.
Daye made her way into the air terminal and went in search of her luggage. Soon she had a cart loaded with three large suitcases, two extremely heavy crates, and a long black case, as well as the small leather bag she had carried on. She took the cart to a table at one of the fast food areas, and sat down with a local newspaper. Daye opened to the classified section and began to read. The first order of business was to find a place to stay, so she pulled a pen out of her bag and began to make circles around promising ads.
Part two - In The Cab
Victor
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2002 11:18 p.m.
Post subject: Part two - In The Cab
SUNSET - Driving away from the Beazor...
“So what exactly is it you want me to do?” asked Kate finally. They had been driving around the streets of L.A for the past twenty minutes in complete silence. Kate was anxious to conclude their business and get the hell out of this crazy situation.
“To start with you could do something about my appearance, I can hardly walk around L.A looking like this can I?”
Kate is loath to help conceal this creature’s true guise but she saw his point, to allow him to continue as he was would create panic and mass hysteria in the mere mortals of Los Angeles.
“I can only do a glamour spell, I’m afraid it isn’t permanent but it’s the best I can do at short notice.”
“I’ll take whatever you have to give.”
“Tell me something new,” said Kate under her breath. She sighed in reluctance and said more clearly, “Then I’ll begin.”
She looked around for a moment, then removed a pin from her dress. She drove the sharp needle into her index finger, piercing the skin. A large drop of pure red blood rose to the surface. She painted the blood in a line down Victor’s face and placed her hands in front of his face so that it was covered from her view. She closed her eyes and concentrated.
“This is to feel, this is to be, shape and form it, for all to see, by the power of three times three, as I will it, so shall it be.”
Kate opened her eyes warily. The spell had worked and Victor had returned to his human form. She breathed a sigh of relief. “It worked.”
Victor admired himself in the rear view mirror; he’d never realised how much he had grown used to his human form. "That will do nicely for now. How long will this last?"
Kate frowned, sucking the wound on her finger. "Until sundown tomorrow. But I'd rather get some answers out of you. What happened back there?"
Victor lowered his head. He hated long explanations, but it was neccessary this time. "There are nine crystals. The nine make one when brought together. It is called the Nether Arch and it is a portal to other dimensions. I fear Kain may try to use it to relase a torrent of demons into downtown L.A. "
Kate nodded, "I assume you were taking about the Cloch Cosan? I know a few things about it.”
Victor continued, "That is another name for it. I came here for an...errand, and now I find myself facing this danger for the fourth time in my long life. I need to either get far far away, or gather those that have followed the lodestone to this place."
"Lodestone?" asked Kate. *This sounds familiar...Did I hear Janus talking about this once?*
"A Lodestone is a natural magnet. When danger arises, the balance of the world calls forces to oppose it. The calling of the Slayer was tied to it, as is the tendency for great world leaders to appear at times of War."
"Does this Lodestone have anything to do with my spell going wild?"
"No, that is the crystals. That much power can warp reality. One crystal...even two might be safe, but three or four can create magical wild-zones and cause memory lapses."
Kate was furious. “My powers, my mind, are the only things I can rely on in this place. I know I can control the effects of the crystals, I can!”
Victor was not gentle. He gripped her arm tightly, "No you can't. No-one can and no one shall. I have made one mistake already today. Allowing you to go back there would be another."
She cries out “Stop the car, I’ve heard enough, I want to get out!”
“What about Juan?”
“What about him?”
“He’s my driver, a reliable driver is hard to find in this city.”
“I understand,” she said grudgingly. She placed her hands around either side of Juan’s head and mumbled some incantation rites quietly under her breath so that Victor wouldn't hear. She left the cab and leaned into the window.
“It’s done, he won’t remember a thing now.”
"Thank you. Beware The Beazor. You cannot trust your powers...great though they may be. Its like a wild animal already...I can see..." Victor reached up to touch her Aura, but she pulled back. "It won't obey you in that place."
"My will is stronger," She said and stepped back from the cab door.
Victor leaned out of the window and fixed her with his gaze. She could still see the hellfire burning behind the glamour.
"I know you. I know who you used to be. She couldn't control it, and neither can you," and Victor leaned back into the cab and pulled away.
Kate as mad enough to scream. She looked around *Where am I?* she thought.
Kate instantly recognised where she was; this was the same building she had been travelling to for the past three days since her vision. Was Victor the power that had attracted her there? Could he be one of the men in her premonition? She tried to recall the vision but it had faded so much, the only thing she could remember was the crystal Shard of Ghenna. The Cloch Cosan. She hated to admit it, but Victor might have been right. And what did he mean about knowing who I was ? How could he know?
She looked up to the building in front of her. *XY* she had noticed this place a few times but it was always closed when she made her way to Bob’s. It looked interesting though. Just the sort of place she needed. Especially right now.
The test
Talhu
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 12:17 pm
Post subject: The test
THAT EVENING
*"Just a little test," Alaric said,* he thought. *I've survived 22 centuries, and he wants to test me.* He had been given the names of two small vampire gangs and been told information about their holdings. "What I want you to do is simple," Alaric had said. "Get the two of them to fight each other." The information was simple: one of the two groups brought in blood and sold it to other vampires. The other group traded in drugs among the humans. Each group hated the other.
So now Talhu found himself in his current situation. Waiting for a truck to arrive that would have two vampires and a human in it, two M'Pfashnik demons hired to help him. "Don't move until I give the word." An engine could be heard approaching. A small car approached, and stopped. Two vampires came from the other end of the street. A human was getting out of the car, and moving around to the back. "Take the vampires," Talhu told the demons.
As Talhu held back, the M'Pfashnik rushed foward. They began trading blows with the two vampires, and the human began running towards Talhu. *Good. I was getting hungry again anyway.* The human continued to run, and one of the vampires lost his head. Talhu stepped out in front of the human and smiled. Then he reached out and grabbed his face, draining his life energy. When he was finished, he looked over to see the second vampire running. "That's all right," he yelled. "Remember what the boss said! We just need the blood." His demons stopped, and went to get the blood from the car.
He laughed to himself as he walked away.
***LATER***
There was a knock on the door to his motel. Alaric was standing there. "Excellent work, Pravus," Alaric said while he entered. "Welcome to the organization."
"What happened?"
"A good start. The gang you attacked assumed the other was responsible, and launched a raid on their rivals. Both sides lost about half of their manpower. Of course, neither will be in a position to trade for a long time."
Talhu had to sit down. "Congratulations again," Alaric said. "You did much better than I expected."
"Thank you... I suppose."
"Don't sound so depressed. For your next task, tell me. Have you heard of the Nether Arch?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"We suspect a demon in this city is attempting to reassemble it. You are not to stop him, but to ensure that maximum carnage results from the attempt."
Who am I?
Stalker
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 12:18 pm
Post subject: who am I?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stalker made his way up to the surface, climbed out the manhole and scrambled into the back door of Bob's Bar. The sun was higher than he had expected and there was a lot of sun but strangely Stalker managed not to get burnt.
The place was barely recognisable from the bar Stalker saw at night *It seems Bob cleans the place up a bit for his daytime drunks.* Stalker sniffed the air. Seems every one here is human except one or two demons and even they were of the chameleon variety and not recognisable as anything but human.
Bob saw Stalker. "Hey, what are you doing here?" he said, not above a whisper.
"Just want a little info."
"Well make it quick and then get out, you vamps have already scared off most of my night customers."
"When is Kate's next shift and where does she live? You'd better give me the right address this time or I'll be back to disrupt your daytime customers."
"Next shift is tonight and she lives here." Bob writes down the address and hands it to Stalker. "Now please leave."
Stalker leaves the bar and goes back to the sewers via the manhole, strangely once again he was not burnt by the sunlight. *Lucky I didn't get burnt. OK, may as well go back to the lair and get some sleep, but I have to see Catherine as soon as I wake up tonight. Don't want to lose any more memories.*
Stalker wandered back to the lair, lay in his hammock, and fell into a deep sleep, a very deep sleep...
.......................
The man awoke not knowing where he was or how he got there. He got out of the hammock and walked around. It seemed he was in a sewer. He was about to take another step when he looked down and saw a bear trap. *Lucky I saw that.* he thought.
Suddenly it dawned on him *I don't know who I am! How the hell did I get down here?* the man was scared. *I better get out of here - it doesn't look safe. I better watch my step though.*
He walked and crawled through the sewers for what seemed like hours before finally finding a way out. He stepped out of the manhole into the sunlight. The light was very bright and it took a while for his eyes to ajust.
Everything seemed strangly familiar, but still he didn't know where he was.
"Hey if you're gonna be leaving that manhole open while you work you better put some signs up or someone will fall in." a stranger said as he passed.
*I must be a sewer maintanance man or something, explains why I was in the sewer. I must have just bumped my head. If I wait a while it'll probably come back.*
He placed the manhole cover back on and was just about to wander of to find some shop or something to buy some food when he remembered he was still covered in shit and looked and smelt very bad. He looked over at the block of apartments he was standing closest to and saw an old lady watching him from the window. *Maybe she'll help me out with a shower or something.*
He waved to her, beckoning her to come outside. She disappeared from the window and minutes later she appeared at the door. "Can I help you young man?"
"Umm yes, perhaps you could. I've been doing some maintenance in the sewers and I've gotten a bit messy. I was wondering if there was anyplace I could wash up a bit inside."
"Oh I really shouldn't, but I will let you wash up in the maintenance room, there is a sink there! And while you're down there perhaps you could have a look at some of the pipes that need a bit of fixing? It would save me having to hire a plumber."
"Yes, I will have a look at the pipes but I'm not sure if I'll be able to fix anything. I don't have any tools with me."
"That's OK, just come this way Mr.." she turned around suddenly "I'm sorry I didn't seem to catch your name."
"Oh I'm sorry I forgot to tell you" He couldn't remember so he made up one. "I am Jake, Jake Smith."
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Mr Smith I'm Mrs White. Well, I'll show you to the maintenance room." He followed her down some steps into the large basment. "The sink is over there so you can clean up, and over there is the pipes that are leaking and some tools are over there and there is some spare piping. I'll leave it to you and I'll be back in ten minutes."
Jake had to give it to her, she had thought this out well and was taking advantage of the situation. He just hoped he'd know how to fix the pipes. He still couldn't remember anything about the past..
Jake cleaned himself up as best he could but what he really needed was a good shower and some clean clothes. He was wearing a leather jacket and jeans. The jacket was fairly clean but the jeans were still very dirty. Whilst he was cleaning his jacket he had found a wallet. It had no ID but it was full of cash so he would be OK for now.
Jake did the best job he could on the pipes it turned out all they needed was a bit of tightening at some of the joints.
Mrs White came down the steps carrying something. "Just as I thought, those pants are dirty. We can't have you leaving here like that, here." she handed him some pants. "There was a man staying here, he left one day and didn't take any of his things with him."
"That's strange, actually I was wondering if there were any vacancies."
"Oh yes, there is one. Would you like to rent it, it is the one I was talking about - the man that left all his things."
"Yeah if I could it would be great."
Jake paid the week's rent and went upstairs to have a shower and get some sleep...
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Tempest
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 5:59 pm
Tempest wandered the perimeter of the Beazor Complex. He waited for sunset, as the Beazor Complex was not open until sundown. As the sun sank slowly down to the horizon people began arriving. At first only a few, then as it became darker more and more arrived until there was actually a crowd waiting to get in.
Tempest decided to wait until most of the clientele had entered the building before he intended to enter. He decided it would be best to wait out back so as not to be more suspicious than needed. Tempest leaned against a wall and noticed that something or someone was moving beneath a pile of trash not 10 feet from where he stood. At first it only rattled then something crawled from under the garbage. Tempest watched. A vampire, he knew, when it was no more than halfway out from under the trash.
“What are you doing back here?” Tempest questioned the bloodied vampire.
“What's it to you?” The vampire groaned weakly.
“Well, if you don’t tell me I'll have a reason to kill you.” Tempest said sarcastically as a sword appeared in his hand.
“It was Kain... We fought. I lost, he had his goons drag me out here but I managed to escape and hide from them.”
“Ok, well that’s nice but I still don't have a reason not to kill you.” Tempest said as he laughed at the weak and injured vampire.
“Well I heard something of interest in Kain’s office before they dragged me out here. I could tell it was important to him so it’s going to cost you.” The vampire then began to choke and spit up blood.
“Well I'm bored and don't really care to kill you. What's your price for this information?”
“I'm weak as you can tell, I need something to feed on... Bring something for me to eat and I'll tell you.” the vampire again resumed his coughing.
“Not good enough... I’ll bring something for you after you tell me and if that's not good enough I'll just kill you now!” Tempest again laughed.
“All I know is that Kain sent his men to get a crystal from some crypt owned by some pathetic vampiress who did even worse with Kain than I did.” He spat up more blood. “I don’t know where it is but it's fairly close to here as the men he sent walked.”
“Hummm, If this pays off you might just earn yourself a meal.”
*30min later*
Tempest approached the graveyard. After all it was the only graveyard containing crypts within walking distance of the Beazor Complex and wasn't exactly hard to find. As Tempest crossed the street to enter the graveyard he noticed a group of three men exiting the gates - they almost ran, they were moving so quickly.
Tempest immediately knew they had the crystal. He rushed down the alley he had just exited and hoped he would be able to head them off at the end of the next street. When he neared the end of the alley he noticed the men pass. They were moving slower now and he didn't have any problem sneaking up behind them.
Tempest wasted no time. As he reached the group, his sword appeared in his hands. He swung, immediately decapitating two vampires with one smooth stroke. The other turned around only to see the flash of Tempest's second stroke as it sliced through his left shoulder, taking the arm clean off. The vampire lunged at Tempest but only managed to scream in pain as he too was decapitated. Out of the dust fell a black crystal, which Tempest immediately pocketed.
Tempest again neared the Beazor Complex, but after feeling something familiar in the crystal he no longer felt any need to deal with Kain or anyone in the Beazor Complex. However, as he passed the building he grabbed a homeless man, knocked him unconscious and dragged him into the alley directly behind the Complex. Here he shouted and threw the man amid a pile of debris.
Tempest then hailed a cab when he was far enough from the Complex that a cab would stop to take a passenger. Minutes later Tempest arrived home and pondered the crystal which he held in his hands as he sat on the edge of his bed.
Flashback
Victor
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 7:34 pm
Post subject: Flashback
FLASHBACK: Paris 1981 - An abandoned Monastery
Eight pieces of crystal lay arranged on the floor. The very air was thick with the power. *Where is brother Hezra? * the dark thought boomed through the assembled monks.
"We are searching for him, Lord," one of the monks replied, "but the hour is approaching, and we must begin the incantation." The urgency in his voice was clear.
The monks began to chant in unison...
Bindung und Aufruf.
Binden Sie und benennen Sie,
die Energie von neun,
Energie zu allen zu holen.
Wenn neun zusammen kommen,
fallen neun. Bindung und Aufruf.
Binden Sie sie alle.
The energies filling the room coalesced into a shimmering cloud over the crystals. But Brother Hezra was too far away to appreciate it.
---------Paris. Le Café de Lumière
Victor finished his espresso while Tempest grumbled, "What is the point of waiting for them to make the next move? We know where they are. We know what is going on. What are we sitting here having lunch for?"
Victor smiled, "I've tried to tell you. As long as the crystals remain together, there is a danger. If we just burst in there, and sling swords around, it won't trigger the scattering of the shards. Its a magic thing."
Tempest wasn't convinced, "I get that it's a magic thing. But what do we know about magic? You are worthless for casting spells, and I know enough to keep myself from being charmed. We need a heavy-duty warlock or something to handle this."
Just then, a willowy figure stepped up and hugged Tempest from behind. "Who said it had to be a Warlock, Tempest?"
"Janus! I didn't know you were in Paris!" Tempest was obviously pleased to see her. She was radiant in her stylish black dress and her long raven hair pulled back and up into a high ponytail...but even like that it hung well past her hips.
"Bonjour my dear," said Victor in his most suave tone, "Right on time."
"You have a plan, I take it?" she said, sliding into a chair.
"Well, I have an idea," said Victor, "I have not spent the past 70 years tracking these things down to let them be assembled again. I do not want another incident like Tunguska."
"1909 was before my time, Vrithetek. But I know what you mean. The blast from that was heard in England. The psychic static still gives people like me headaches on clear nights."
Tempest was getting restless, "This is all very civil, you two, but I feel like it's time to get a move on. We have two hours until sunset, and time is fleeting."
---------On the banks of the Seinne outside Paris
*Run! Keep running. It doesn't matter if your lungs burst if Hellfire burns them. Keep running!*
Brother Hezra kept repeating the mantra as his legs pumped up and down. He needed to escape from the Brotherhood. They would be sure to destroy his soul...and the souls of all the others who were to die tonight.
A patch of grass tangled his feet, and Brother Hezra sprawled into the soft earth of the riverbank. A sloppily wrapped bundle skidded just out of his reach. And a dark arm reached down to pick it up.
"What have we here?" asked Talhu. Talhu watched the look of horror on the monk's face as he unwrapped the golden Shard of Ghenna. He remembered Tunguska. He had gotten close that time. The portal was opening again. He could go home at last. He had missed the Siberian event by mere hours. By the time he had arrived, the portal was destroyed and the stones had been scattered again. He had killed the Wizard and his lame apprentices in anger.
The cursed ones Victor, Tempest and their champions had prevented it that time. Not that Talhu hadn't wanted to wreak vengeance on them...especially Tempest (he fingered the scar that crossed his chest as he thought this). But he knew that he couldn't rest until he had found them again. It was like plagues. The Nether Arch was one of those wonderful recurring themes of nature that always came back.
Talhu knelt down and cupped the monk's face in his hand. "You and I need to have a talk, my friend."
--------------------
The chanting continued as the last rays of the sun disappeared below the Paris skyline. Oillill hid in the darkness waiting for the moment that he could trigger the Scattering. He would only have a moment to react. He hoped that his heart would hold in the face of the evil that he might glimpse. But his life was expendable to prevent the Cloch Cosan.
Then Oillill noticed that there were only eight stones. *Oberon be praised! * he thought *The Cloch is incomplete. I need only wait until the ninth stone arrives and prevent it being reunited with its brethren.*
A low growl made Oillill jump and then a sharp pain stunned him. Slumped on the ground and reeling, he watched a monk's face with a wide-eyed look of horror dragged on the floor past him; the body dribbled a trail of red powder dusting from a wound on its neck.
----------------
Victor, Janus and Tempest burst into the sanctuary of the monastery. Victor was ready for the evil to come boiling through. Tempest seemed coiled to strike anything that moved. Janus stood, poised to summon the most powerful magics.
Talhu stood behind the circle and the monks surrounded him. Deep howls of anguish pounded their senses. Talhu was laughing at the "Dark Lord" who had made all this possible ...only to be robbed at the last instant.
Oillill raised an arm from his prone position and shot a deadly beam of light at Talhu. Janus summoned shadows to fight the other monks. Victor looked at Oillill with a puzzled expression. He hadn't expected another defender. Victor then crouched and leapt across the room at the monks like a jungle beast. Tempest whipped his blade through the monks trying to reach Talhu.
It was Tempest's misfortune to be standing in the ring of stones when Talhu placed the last crystal into position. The Nine stones clacked together loudly and a ring of light leapt up, engulfing Tempest.
Talhu opened his palm towards Victor and flame spouted from his hand and swallowed Victor up. He lay on the cold stone floor and burned brightly. Tempest's torso was completely inside a circle of light hovering a few feet above the ring of stones. Janus reached towards Tempest and as she did so, her arm came to rest on the Cloch Cosan. She began an incantation:
Che cosa è rilegato sfasciato.
Bagnare questo posto alla luce del sole.
Produrre i nove da che cosa è uno.
Talhu stepped towards the rim and was about to leap into it when Oillill grabbed him from behind. The delay and surprise was all that was needed for the burning figure of Victor to reach into the circle and pull out the Shard of Ghenna.
The ring exploded in a flash of light. Eight crystalline missiles hurtled from the center. One slammed into Talhu knocking him many yards from the monastery. Oillill was propelled as well by a hurtling crystal that could not pierce his mithril shirt. Janus collapsed, exhausted from the ordeal of casting the Rite of Sundering.
Tempest stood frozen like a statue in the center of the blast. His clothing tattered, his sword gripped tightly in his fist. His eyes were wide open and staring into space. If he could move, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
-----------------------In The Rhine Valley
Oillill slumped at the foot of the mighty oak, the green crystal held tightly against his chest. He could feel the broken ribs and cracked vertebrae. He was alive, yet. And he had the Shard of Dis. *Now maybe I can prevent this thing from ever coming to pass again.* he thought.
But the Shard of Dis whispered to him *I am more powerful to you than you think, Sidhe. I am the bargaining stone that will bring the Fae back into the world.* Oillill practically dropped the stone. *I will master you, stone, if only to silence you, * he thought.
-------------------
Victor and Janus comforted Tempest in the hotel room. Victor finally had to cover his eyes with a damp cloth because he would not close them. Janus had spend days trying to get him to eat. They finally had to force food into him so he didn't starve.
Victor had weeks of nightmares about what Tempest may have seen there in the Maelstrom. He was glad he didn't have Tempest's nightmares.
---------------------
Talhu looked at the tissue regenerating in his leg. It hurt a lot. But he could feel the power of the stone that had marked him. Somewhere a piece of him was guarding that shard. *If I can find one again...it will find the others*
Thank you to Talhu, Tempest, and Tash for their help with this segment.
Great Ocean Road - The Vampire Valerian
Jadyn
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 9:55 pm
Post subject: Great Ocean Road - The Vampire Valerian
*October 2001 - Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - The Vampire Valerian*
Valerian stood in the shadows. The sky was dark, the sun totally blocked by the thick grey clouds that were virtually impenetrable. His handsome patrician features were expressionless as he watched the slight figure standing in the distance...
The great slabs of rock that made up the 12 Apostles rose majestically from the ocean, taunting the waves that swirled and frothed around them. Jade, however, stared blindly at the great expanse of water that stretched endlessly beyond, seemingly oblivious to the beauty that lay beneath the cliff she stood on. The agony she felt still sliced to the bone, the bitterness and feelings of helplessness overwhelmed and ate at her soul.
"I can't do it Mom," she choked in a tortured whisper. "I can't live with myself anymore. I can't handle not having all of you here with me, I can't continue facing what I am and what I caused to happen. I don't want to do it! Why the hell was I left behind? Why didn't God just let me die as well? Why didn't he let me die instead?" Sinking to her knees, she started to sob.
The area was quiet, no wonder with it being a cold, blustery day. Jade gazed upwards at the grey clouds hanging heavy in the sky, her heart feeling equally as leaden. Her hair whipped around her face and she was freezing but she'd left her cherry red jacket in the jeep, not really caring about her exposure to the elements. *I want to die...* Those four words had become like a mantra in her head the last few months and Jade wondered why she didn't just follow through with it and end everything. *Maybe it's about time I did.*
She stood up. The waters far below her seemed to whisper and hiss an invitation. All she had to do was close her eyes and take a step forward - it was a 200 foot vertical drop. *It's so easy. Why have I been hesitating all this while? Oblivion. Death. Welcoming.* Disjointed thoughts ran through Jade's head. Before she could do anything else though, a strong, pale hand gripped her arm.
Valerian's eyes were cold with fury. He couldn't bring himself to believe what he'd seen - his only child had actually been about to throw herself over a cliff! "It was so... melodramatic and gauche!" He thought, casually dismissing own own penchant for theatrics. He'd barely had the time to teleport over to stop her. "What in the name of all that is unholy do you think you're doing?" The vampire's lips didn't move but Jade heard his words loud and clear, as if he'd spoken them.
"Let go of me!" Jade spat as she wrenched her arm free. Her birth father's thoughts and hers had been linked since that cursed day she'd learnt about the blood they'd shared, especially when they were in close proximity. "You killed my parents and my sister, you sonofabitch! Don't you ever touch me!" Her eyes clouded over from the agony she felt as she recalled the night that the vampire had found them after years of searching. *So much blood... God, she'd never seen so much blood. Mom... Dad... Junie...*
"Those mortals were not your parents, little one. You're the child of a vampire, a babe of the night. They deserved to die ! Keeping you from me all these years, denying you your birthright, denying you your father!" Valerian, being the selfish creature he was, could never understand why she grieved or carried the terrible burden of knowing that her adoptive parents and sister had died because of her link to him.
" No... No no no no nooooooo !" Jade's cried as she shook her head. "You monster! You're no father of mine! All the family I have, all the family I'll ever acknowledge died in that room three years ago, at your hand! You will never be my father. I'd rather die first! Do you hear me? I'll die before I have anything to do with you!" It wasn't the first time she'd rejected Valerian's attempts to bring her around to the dark side but never before had she denounced him so thoroughly.
The great vampire drew back as Jade's words hit. A great rage swept through him as the force of her rejection struck him. "Have care, poppet. You might be my daughter but I will tolerate no insolence, even from you. You speak carelessly and without thought. You have no idea who you're dealing with." Valerian's ego, as huge as it was fragile, had been badly bruised.
Jade drew back and spat in Valerian's face. The handsome fiend then backhanded her with a force that would have sent her spiralling down to the waters below had he not grabbed her by the hair and yanked her back. "You little ungrateful bitch! You may deny your own sire but there is no way you can disregard the blood that flows in your veins. You long to be mortal. Pah! Perhaps I'd be better off without a daughter like you. Go and be normal flesh and blood if you wish! Mayhap you'd like it if I sent you to a little mortal death!" He made to throw her over the edge of the cliff but a sudden sharp edge pointed at his throat gave him pause.
"Put the girl down." A tall, dark-haired stranger in a black trenchcoat had a sword pointed at Valerian. "And don't even try to teleport or I'll dust you without a second thought. Believe me when I say I'm faster than most humans at that task. Anyway, it's not twilight yet, you're hampered by the sun and not at your best."
Valerian sneered at Tempest's words and yanked Jade's hair again before dropping her to the ground. Before the man could utter another word, the vampire dissipated into smoke and reappeared behind him, knocking Tempest unconscious even as he swung around to defend himself. * Fool !* Jade knew that trying to fight Valerian the same way one fought other undead fiends was pointless, for her birth father had been one of the brotherhood - a collective of the first vampires to walk the earth. His powers were far superior to anything most vampire hunters have seen.
Valerian returned to Jade's side and lifted her up, her struggles useless against his inhuman strength. He gazed at her in contempt. "I realise now, little one, that throwing you down to the waters below would have been too good for you. I've tried, time and time again, to give you the gift of my powers, I've tried to get you to take them willingly. You, however, look upon them as a curse. Fine. You shall be cursed then. You long for death. Now, instead, I shall give you the hell and damnation of eternal life. I shall make you a true vampyre, a true child of the darkness..."
Jade fought him, even though she knew it was futile. Her worst fears were coming true. She felt his fangs pierce the tender flesh of her neck and whimpered. There was no use, she was going to die and become one of the creatures she despised more than anything on earth. Suddenly however, Valerian let her go and she crumpled to the ground. Too weak to do much but raise her head, she saw him double over and bellow in pain as a sword pierced his rib cage.
Tempest had regained consciousness just as the fiend had sunk his teeth into the girl's neck. His head ached where he'd been struck and though he'd gone for the vamp's heart, his blurred vision made his aim a little off. Valerian realised too late that the man that stood before him was no ordinary mercenary who killed for profit. He glared at Jade one last time before teleporting himself back to his lair to nurse his wounds and hurt pride in private.
"You need rest." The tall stranger lifted her up gently, cradling her like a baby, and brought her back to her car. He then proceeded to drive her back to the city of Melbourne and put her in the capable hands of a Father Jacobs, a priest who'd asked few questions and instead, tended to the bite marks on her neck. Before he left, Tempest looked at the slim, pale figure lying on the bed, "I don't remember most parts of my life... Seems to me you've had to deal with too much of yours." He brushed a wisp of hair off her forehead, noticing the beautifully-crafted gold rosebud earrings the girl was wearing. "Look after yourself sweetie...", he muttered before turning and walking out the door.
Jade looked at his departing back hazily. She'd caught the drift of his earlier conversation with Father Jacobs, something about L.A... *L.A... Might be worth a visit... Australia's no longer safe. I can't risk Valerian finding me again. I can't...* She drifted off into a fretful slumber.
Revelations.....
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2002 11:51 pm
Post subject: Revelations.....
As Tash walked down the street from XY, still arm in arm with Jade, her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of somebody nearby using power. She glanced around to see a tall man looking their way. He only looked for a second, though, and seemed to continue about his business. *There's some ability there* thought Tash. She glanced out the corner of her eye at Jade. She had the feeling Jade had noticed something, too. *Hmm, interesting...*
Jade continued walking, ignoring that brief surge of power she'd felt from the tall stranger nearby. Despite the fact that she'd only been in L.A for a few weeks, she'd grown use to having all sorts of beings as her neighbors. Seldom did a day go by without something out of the ordinary occurring. Instead, she winked at Tash and chattered to her about other trivial matters like their nosy landlady, Mrs White.
The walk back to their apartment building was fairly uneventful. Tash worried about the boy in her bed. She hoped he was OK, and wondered if he'd woken up whether he'd still be there. *I'll find out soon enough, I suppose.* They walked up the steps to the second floor, Tash with her key in her left hand. A shiver travelled up her spine as she felt a strong presence nearby. It didn't feel like Matthias.
The cab slid up to the curb in front of 1318 Poplar Ave. Victor thought he could sleep for a week. But he knew that would never happen. There were always details to be taken care of. This time it was his disguise. The glamour felt like tissue paper compared to the kinds of spells he was used to. He could sleep tonight though. He could meditate for a while as well.
Juan looked like he was watching TV. He was zoned. Victor hoped he would recover well. He tucked another $50 into his pocket. *He's fine. Since when did you stop to consider other people anyway?* Victor lifted the bags from the trunk. He set all three of them on the sidewalk before pulling out the vinyl bag with the stone. *Can't manage them all at once, and Juan's not in a state to help. Guess I'll have to trust they will be okay.* And he walked up the stairs to his new place.
Victor unlocked the door and stepped into the vestibule. He set the stone down and leaned it against the wall inside the door. He looked at the mailboxes. Someone had labled one Mr. Tech. *That was nice. Feels like home already.* He stepped back through the door to get the other bags. The stone was too heavy for most humans to lift anyway. It would be fine. It was out of the way.
Jade's grip on Tash's arm tightened. "Something's near. Something evil. Terribly evil." Her voice shook as she whispered the words into Tash's ear. *Oh God, please, don't let it be Valerian.*
Tash almost reeled from the thoughts she felt from Jade. They were so strong, about someone - something - Jade was terrified of. She tore her right arm free from Jade's grip. She knew Jade wanted comfort, but Tash needed her gun arm free if there was trouble about. She thrust the key at Jade. "Let yourself in, now! Quick!"
Tash put her back to the wall and concentrated on the stairway. That seemed to be the direction from which the presence was emanating. It felt like nothing she'd felt before. *There's been a bit of that about, lately.* "Jade," she hissed, pointing at the box containing the dragon "Get that damn thing inside!"
Jade opened the door, her hands shaking. Shoving the crystal into the apartment, she stepped back out to where Tash was. At the worried glare her new friend gave her, she shook her head stubbornly, despite the fear showing in her eyes. *No way am I ever running from that monster again, damn it!* She stared in the same direction Tash was looking at, tensing as footsteps sounded on the stairs...
Matthias poked his head out of Tash's apartment door. "What's going on, Tash?"
Tash never took her eyes from the stairs. "Can't you feel it?"
Matthias chuckled, softly. "Oh, yes, Tash, I felt it long before you did. That's not somebody you have to worry about. I've met him before. He's here for the same reason I am. At least, I think he is."
Tash shook her head. She looked at Matthias for the first time, and it was Matthias. He had changed his form to that of the red-haired man she'd known for so long. "But it feels so...evil."
Jade looked at Matthias. His quiet voice had an aura of power in it, and had temporarily surprised and distracted her from the situation at hand. *Those eyes...* She reached out, almost touched Matthias' face before she caught herself and drew her hand back. She smiled self-consciously at him and then turned back towards the stairs.
Victor struggled with the three bags precariously balanced while he opened the door and locked it behind him. He stumbled up the steps and down the hall. He set the cases on the floor and rummaged through his pocket for the key. He was suddenly aware of the three other people staring at him in the hallway. One, he recognized. A red-haired fellow he hadn't seen in over twenty years. The other two, a black woman with a muscular build and a small Asian woman with almond eyes. "You!" exclaimed Victor, "What are you doing here?"
There was an awkward silence. "Neighborhood welcoming party?" guessed Victor.
Tash stared at the creature that had entered the hallway. It looked like a man, but the aura.... Vampires were black, and the few demons she'd come across had been various colours, but this was not just black, it was like darkness itself. Within the darkness, though, Tash could make out motes of colour. There were swirls of blue and purple, which no demon she'd seen had ever had, and even some occasional white specks. She turned her head to Matthias. "What the Hell is going on?"
Matthias took a step forward, getting in front of Tash and the Asian woman who was with her. He extended an arm to the demon, the same one who'd helped to disrupt the Cloch Cosan so many times before. "Welcome again. Once more we face this task together."
Jade spoke softly but forcefully, "Somehow, I don't think this is a conversation we should be having in the hallway. Why don't we all go into Tash's apartment and sit down? Tash, you wanted to call that guy - Tempest - perhaps you could do it now? If your phone line hasn't been installed yet, you're more than welcome to use mine..."
Victor felt one of those strange sentimental emotions he hated. The ones that want to make you hug someone when you haven't seen them in a long time. *Damn soul* He took the man's hand. He pulled the man in close and leaned forward. "The Lords of the Fae aren't hunting me again are they?" he barely whispered.
Matthias whispered back in the same tone, "No, but how did you know?"
Victor smiled to himself, "Mithril is a little dressy for LA"
The two men separated. Victor turned to the attractive pair of ladies. "I'd love to have tea in your apartment! Just let me put my things inside." The assembled group seemed to accept that and opened the door across the hall and filed in. Victor carried his bags into his apartment, and set them down. The room was completely furnished. There were pictures of a young attractive couple on the walls. It had a lived-in feel. Victor didn't take enough time to explore, but he jogged down the stairs, and grabbed the stone. He carried it back up the stairs, and placed it carefully on the bed. He checked himself in the mirror. He could feel the tatters of his suit, but the glamour covered it nicely. *Time to meet the neighbors. Should be interesting.*
When they'd gone inside her apartment, Tash glanced at Jade "I'm sorry, we seem to be getting mixed up in something really big, here." Tash then turned her attention to Matthias. "Who or what is that? Just how well do you know him?"
Matthias placed a hand on Tash's shoulder. "Well enough to know that he won't hurt anyone, and he's here to stop the world from ending. I think that should be good enough for anybody, don't you?"
Her head reeling with too many conflicting thoughts and emotions, Tash drew a deep breath and fixed on something easier to deal with. "Jade was right, we should call Tempest." She picked up the box from the floor. "Matthias, I think we've found another crystal."
Matthias nodded. "I felt it as you were coming close. If this Tempest fellow has another one, or is looking for another one, we do need to talk to him."
Tash fished out the piece of paper Tempest had given her. "Well, here goes." She picked up her phone and dialled.....
As Tash made the call, Jade turned to Matthias. "You're the tramp that was outside XY today, aren't you?" She reached out and touched his arm lightly, her eyes fixed intently on his fair face. "You warned me about the dangers of smoking and I gave you some money for food..."
Matthias smiled gently at Jade - he was fairly certain that was what Tash had called the girl. "Yes, my dear. I was sensing the crystal, and it seemed to be somewhere around that area. Had I known you had it, I would have paid you a closer visit."
Jade returned the older man's smile and was about to say something else when a knock on the door distracted her. She opened the front door and nodded tentatively at the man she's seen earlier. Despite Matthias' claims, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive at the vibes she was getting from him.
Victor knocked once on the door. Then waited patiently for someone to answer. The door opened. The young Asian girl. She smiled weakly. "Come in." Victor could see she was clearly in over her head. The darker girl on the phone was eyeing him suspiciously. Only the Fae rose and greeted him warmly.
"I am Matthias. And you are?"
"My name is Victor. I remember you from Paris. I am surprised you survived, to be honest. Not many men can be shot like a cannonball and live to tell the tale."
Matthias chuckled, "And your Human Torch imitation was a sight to behold."
"I'll be honest," said Victor, "It was better than the alternative."
Matthias darkened, "Yes, and it has come to our doorsteps again. Do you still have the Shard of Ghenna?"
Victor looked nervous, then changed the subject, "You invited me here, I assume we have matters to discuss. I have had a horrible day, and am very tired. Can we get down to it?"
* * * * *
Tempest sprang to his feet in suprise. However, it was only the phone. It had been a long time since Tempest's phone had rung. "Hello" he said as he drew the phone to his ear.
"Tempest? It's Tash here - we met the other night..."
"Oh I almost forgot about you....It's been a busy night. Don't suppose you've heard anything?"
Tash gave a small laugh. "You could say I've been busy, too. You were looking for a crystal, and I was looking for a man. Well, I've found both of them. I've also learned some stuff."
Tash paused, she never could read people over the phone, so she didn't know how Tempest was reacting to any of this news. "You remember how I said it might be a bad thing for the vampires or demons to get hold of this thing? I think I was right. I'm with someone here that I really think you should meet and talk to. He knows a fair bit about the crystal."
Tempest again stared at the crystal he held... "Ok, so do you want to meet somewhere?"
Tash sighed. She looked at the crowd of people in her living room. *Shit!! Not to mention that guy in the bedroom, if he's still there. God, I'd forgotten all about him!* She shook her head. She wasn't really happy about yet one more person of unknown affiliations knowing where she lived, but... "Look, if you'd like, meet me in apartment 205, 1318 Poplar Avenue. It's just a few blocks from Bob's Bar."
"Ok, I'll be there in 15 minuites" Tempest then hung up the phone and tossed the crystal in his pocket. After all it was the only safe place he could think of. He then walked out of his apartment and entered the garage. After a few minuites Tempest's car started and he headed to 1318 Poplar.
* * * * *
As Tash hung up the phone she gazed at the people in her apartment. She had a centuries-old faery, a demon of unknown abilities, and Jade - who seemed to have some psychic or magic ability of her own. Matthias and Victor seemed to be chatting over old times. Tash carefully opened the bedroom door a crack, then let her breath out. She didn't even know she'd been holding it. *Thank God, he's gone. One less person to worry about for the moment, at least.* She glanced at the bedside table. The cross was missing. *Good, might keep him safe...*
She closed the bedroom door and moved to Matthias' side. "Well, Tempest is on his way. Say's he'll be here in a few minutes. Do you want to tell me just what Victor here has to do with all of this?"
Matthias looked at Victor, then back at Tash. "Before I met you I was in Paris." He cocked his head towards Victor. "He was there, weren't you?" Matthias had clearly passed the story to Victor.
Victor sighed. *Here it comes. I get to tell everyone about how I nearly lost it.* "In 1981 a group of mad monks had assembled the nine Shards to form the Nether Arch...the Cloch Cosan. A group of friends and I went to stop them. To ..." Victor paused and looked troubled. He continued in a hoarse whisper, "To steal the arch for our own."
Jade had been listening quietly for the last few minutes. Victor's tale rang of truth, which probably meant that the evil she and Tash had sensed in him wasn't far off the mark. There was something else though... *Pain... Regret...*
As Victor announced his desire to control the Cloch Cosan, Tash felt a welling of vindication. She knew he'd felt evil, despite what Matthias said, despite the blues in his aura, and the pink tinges of guilt.... She took a step back as she drew her gun and aimed it unwaveringly at Victor's chest. "I doubt this will kill you, but it will sure as Hell sting!"
Matthias reached out to her, pushed her arms down. "No, Tash, I don't think this is how it's going to go. Listen to him some more..."
Tash stared at Matthias, confusion behind her eyes. "What? I..." She looked at the gun in her hands. Her head seemed to be filled with cobwebs. "Sorry, I don't usually pull this unless I'm threatened. Matthias, what's come over me?"
Matthias took the gun from Tash's hand. "There are two of the crystals in this room - they affect people in different ways."
Tash looked up at Victor. He seemed unconcerned. She doubted the bullets would have affected him much at all. His aura - there was an awful lot of the dark pink of guilt in there, now that she looked carefully. "I'm sorry. Looking at you now, I can see things may have changed. Please, continue..."
"We were stupid. We thought we were powerful enough to control the thing. When we saw that demon open the gateway, we all got scared. There was no way we could control that kind of power. There was no way we could have stopped it. You know what it does? It opens a hole to your own personal heaven and hell. It gives you what you want, but corrupts it. Twists it. Makes it wrong. It's chaos made manifest. That's why groups of the Shards make everyone go wacky. I wish I had never heard of it. I have been at four openings. Four! My hell is here. I sought souls for a living. Well guess what? I got one! " Victor finally couldn't take it any more and he began to weep. He lowered his face into his hands.
Matthias patted him on the back. The two ladies looked awkward. Victor snuffled and dabbed his eyes. Then chuckled lightly. "But the one who I feel is the worst off is Tempest. He went through it. He could never tell us what he saw...but it must have been horrible beyond imagining."
Tempest approached the door of the apartment. He felt something familiar within the room... He knocked on the door twice and stepped back about a foot "Never can be too safe.* he thought.
Tash looked Jade in the eyes. "I'm really sorry, I had no idea tonight would go like this...." She went to the door and called through it "Is that you, Tempest?"
"Yes" he shouted and then tried the door knob. "Locked of course" he whispered under his breath.
Tash reached for her key, then remembered she'd given it to Jade. But as she looked down, she noticed her spare key just inside the door. *That sweet boy, he even slipped the key back under the door, like I asked.* Picking it up, Tash opened the door for Tempest.
As she saw him again, she thought about what Victor had just told them. *He's seen through into another dimension. What must that have done to him?* "There are a few people in here. I think you probably know one or two of them already. Don't worry, they're friends." She held the door wide for Tempest.
"Tempest!" Victor was genuinely happy to see him *Damn Soul* He rose from the chair and rushed to the door.
"Who the hell are you?" Tempest stepped back again. "You seem familiar but I just can't place you."
Jade gasped in disbelief. *Him!* Her head spun. She took an unsteady step forward, looked at the dark-haired stranger that'd sparked off all her flashbacks in the last few days and asked quietly, "Do you remember me?"
"No I don't know anyone here, I only met Tash a few days ago." Tempest again took a step back, he was now almost back out in the hall. "I feel something familiar about all of you, but I can't remember ever meeting any of you. Now since I don't know you, and you seem to know me perhaps someone could fill me in on who you people are?
Matthias pulled out a chair for Tempest. "Here, if we all make ourselves comfortable, I think we'll feel better." He looked around at the distinct lack of furniture, then at Tash.
Tash stared back at him "I just moved in - with all this going on, who has time to buy furniture?"
Matthias shook his head sadly, and sat on the floor. "Tempest, I'm not surprised you don't remember much. Something very bad happened to you about 24 years ago. Something involving that crystal you've got with you, and the eight that go with it." Matthias continued. "Victor and I were there. We tried to ..." he glanced significantly at Victor "...stop the gateway from opening, and you were caught in it. If these crystals all come together, this world will no longer exist as you know it."
"You carry a crystal, do you not? As well does she," Tempest pointed at Jade. "And it seems another in this city has four."
"So again who are you, and how do you know me?" As Tempest finished his sentence he felt or rather sensed the crystals. He seemed to know them. He could feel them. More importantly he could feel them talking to each other and to him. It was then that he knew they were the source of his nightmare, the source of all the pain he had ever felt. It was them that had destroyed his life. At that moment he hated them - he hated them more purely than he had ever felt any emotion. He hated them beyond the realm of emotion. He hated and he could feel them respond. They seemed to laugh like the eyes and whispers of his dreams, they laughed....
Tempest looked like he might make a run for it. Victor held out a hand, "You can feel them can't you? You know, what they did to you they could do to the whole city. If you can't forgive us, fine. But help us. We need you...and you need us if only to remind yourself that you would never do to your true friends what we did to you."
"What exactly do you mean "help you"? I still don't know who you people are. I know I know you but I just can't place anything. Tash, please tell me who the hell these people are."
"You saved my life once. About four years ago. We were on a cliff, along Great Ocean Road in Australia. You fought off my fa..." Jade drew in a deep breath and continued, "... A vampire, who was trying to kill me."
Tash couldn't help react to the feelings from Jade. Father - was that was she was going to say. Oh, God, that would explain the black specks....
"Weird... I remember that now, I remember you but things are still very foggy. How is it that I can remember you now but only 30 seconds ago you seemed to be a stranger?"
Victor sensed the shift in the mood of the room. Something was happening. He kept it to himself. "Tempest, you may not remember me, but I know you very well. We were companions for many years. Did you ever wonder about the money? I have kept your account filled for years."
Tash let the revelations soak in. Jade's half vampire....Matthias is really a sidhe, or half of one, anyway....Victor's a demon who wanted to control the Cloch Cosan but now has a soul and feels guilty...*Shit, maybe I'll wake up soon.*
Jade looked over at Tash. She'd seen the look of shock that had passed over Tash's face and knew that her slip-of-tongue had not gone unoticed by her friend. Victor and Tempest might not have realised anything was out of the ordinary but Jade was pretty sure that Matthias and Tash knew the score. And since neither of them had made a move to kill her yet, she was also pretty sure that they meant to do her no harm. In a way, it was a relief to be around beings who knew what she was and accepted her in spite of it. Never in the last 4 or 5 years had she ever been able to share the burden of her heritage with anybody. Valerian had taken that with him when he'd killed her adopted family.
Victor looked back into the room. "We know what is going on, and we sit here like a talk show! I need to rest, and this has been a bad day and shows no signs of getting better. I'll be back here tomorrow night at sundown. If we can, lets make a plan." Victor looked at Tempest, but Tempest was avoiding locking eyes with him. "Very well. If any of us doesn't show they are either dead...or afraid." *I'm afraid. Will I be there? This is the fourth time I have faced this in 2000 years. It has left its mark, hasn't it? If there is justice, it will be over forever this time. But my life is just a huge cosmic irony. Fat chance it'll tip in my favor again.* Victor pushed past the group at the door and crossed the hall. "Good Night, LA," he muttered and closed his door.
Matthias looked at Tempest, who seemed to be both puzzled and shocked. Not surprising, really. He spared a glance at Tash - she seemed to be taking the news about her friend fairly well so far. Mind you, the shock would wear off sooner or later. "Tempest, I was there in 1981 also. I was known to you as Oillill." Smiling at Tash, he continued "Now I go by the name Matthias. I have a crystal, which I ... acquired ... that day in Paris. You have one on you, I can feel it. And Jade here had one in her shop. We shouldn't really let them be this close again."
"My past life and life as I know it and whatever may come, it all slowly disappears to somewhere in the back of my mind... I remember the names and the faces but they no longer have any meaning...What's happening to me?" Tempest fell to his knees "Victor - I know he and I were friends, but why can't I remember? Everything now seems like a dream. Like there's a cloud over my mind.
"All I can feel and see are the crystals...The nine. They are everything. And yet they are nothing. They know me and I know them... It seems like everything I do is perverted by them now... Like I have no control. I'm not who I know I should be. I can feel myself but everything is clouded by the crystals. Everywhere I look I see them glittering ... Everywhere I go I need them now, I feel alone like I've never felt before. My world is dark and yet I have seen light. Everything I see, everything I know - it all comes from the crystals....." Tempest slumped forward almost screaming on the floor and the visions came...
Screaming in his mind, it felt like death was coming for him and yet he knew the world had no pity for him and death would not come....The howling in his mind seemed like an explosion - he could feel it tearing at every fibre of his being and then everything went black and he collapsed.
Tash stared at Tempest, feeling the pain wash over her, the darkness he felt, the emptiness. It filled her and almost consumed her, but a piece of her remained and she reclaimed herself. She looked at Matthias. "I might be able to help him..."
Matthias looked horrified. "No, Tash, it's too dangerous. I know you're strong, but he's been hurt badly."
"Well, help me, then. Surely you can do something?" Tash implored her old mentor, as she removed both her gloves and approached Tempest.
"Wait!" Matthias commanded. "At least, let me lend you some strength." He turned to Jade "Prepare yourself, I can't maintain my current appearance and do this at the same time." His face and body blurred, and the golden form of Oillill stood where Matthias had been. He grasped one of Tash's hands as she placed her bare fingers on Tempest's forehead.
Tash felt as though she were being torn in two. The darkness of the maelstrom tugged at her, memories of Tempest's life swirling in the inky black. The golden light of the sidhe flowed through her from Matthias, helping her to combat that darkness. She saw her - Tempest's - parents, the sorcerers. It's the late 1880's and I'm 27 - no, HE's 27. God, waking up - what's this? They're dead? How? Why?
Getting the sword - Tash remembered this, from the alley. That's right, it's not your memory, it's his. Keep hold of the golden light. Don't let the darkness win. It's him, his life. Hang on, 1880's??????? Flashes of a long life, the crystals, the crystals we love them, we hate them, they've caused our darkness....Tunguska.....I was there. HE was there. Stopped them....just. Paris, I'm in Paris, the ring has been formed. Oh, God, the portal's opening. The darkness has engulfed me. Hold onto the golden light..... Tash willed the strength from Matthias and what little she possessed to flow into Tempest. "Remember." she whispered. "Force that darkness back. Let the light in..."
Draining every ounce of willpower she had, Tash let go of Tempest and collapsed, gasping. Matthias still held her other hand, offering what strength he could. Her brain was filled with strange memories, but she soon found she could find her own. Tempest's were fading, leaving only a vague impression. She hoped she'd done some good. She looked at Tempest's form on the floor. "I hope you wake up with a better idea of who you are." Then she couldn't help giggling. Twice in one day she had unconscious men in her flat. This was getting to be a habit!
Jade half dragged Tempest into the bedroom and dumped him onto Tash's bed. Although unconscious, he seemed a lot more relaxed and at peace than he'd been previously. Jade touched the face that'd haunted her thoughts so much the past few years, silently contemplating what exactly to do next. Sighing at the lack of answers, she went back to the lounge, helped Tash onto a chair and poured her a glass of water. "You need to rest too," she said gently. "Come with Matthias and stay at my apartment for tonight. You don't have the furniture to house so many people over here... I'll just write a note to let Tempest know where we are if he wakes..."
Tash struggled weakly in Jade's grip. "No, I should stay here. What if he wakes up confused? No, I'm the only one he really remembered at all. I've got to stay."
"I'll stay. You need rest, you look about all done in. Please Tash, just go." Jade looked at Matthias helplessly.
Matthias, who now looked like a red-haired man once more, gently took Tash's other arm. "Jade's right. You need the rest. I'll stay with him. You go with Jade."
Too exhausted to argue any more, Tash let Jade lead her across the hall to Jade's apartment. She sank onto the bed in the second bedroom and let oblivion take her.
Old Memories, A Surge of Power and A Beating Heart
Stalker
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 3:20 am
Post subject: Old Memories, A Surge of Power and A Beating Heart
Jake awoke from a deep sleep. Something was humming inside his head like a power was vibrating through the building, a strong power. Then suddenly as if they had never left all his 'old memories' came back.
*I am Stalker* he breathed a sigh of relief. Then as suddenly as relief had come, he was hit once more with another revalation. *I WALKED IN THE SUNLIGHT.*
So many questions came at once *How did I walk in the light?* The answer came to him, *Kate's spell, it must have been Kate's healing.* Stalker put his hand to his chest. It was there, very faint, but yes, it was definitely there. He felt something he hadn't felt in over two hundred years
'A Heart Beat'.
So many thoughts were going through his head. *Am I still a vampire? Is this permenent? Did I get my soul back?*
He could answer only one of these questions. He didn't have his soul back and it didn't worry him, he wouldn't be the same with a soul he would be a different person. He pushed these questions aside to answer more questions.
He already knew why his memories had gone; it was the witches. *Why had his memories come back? How was their spell broken?* At that moment Stalker felt another 'surge of power' through the building.
*It's this building, something powerful is happening in this building and it must have broken the spell.*
Stalker looked around the room he had rented. It was fully furnished and in very good condition. There were even clothes in the wardrobe. "Ha, even without my memories I landed on my feet. Fate must surely need me for something." Stalker commented.
With that, Stalker lay back in bed again. *I'm tired, may as well get some sleep. The rest of my questions can be answered tomorrow. When The Sun Comes Up...*
Remembering...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 7:38 am
Post subject: Remembering...
Kate went straight home after her encounter with Victor. But his words still rang loud in her ears. Was he to be trusted? Kate was tired, she was tired of never being able to trust anyone. This city, it seemed to breed distrust.
Kate entered her house as the sun was just rising. She regretted her job at Bob's because it meant she had to sleep through the lightest part of the day. There were those words of Victor's again. "You can't trust your powers, your knowledge will work against you..." The past, that was the only thing she could rely on. The future, what was to come, that was all uncertain - the only thing she knew to be true was the past.
She hung her coat up by the door and slipped off her shoes. She ran up the stairs into the bathroom. Splashing cold water on her face, she felt much better. Her senses were awakened. Suddenly she turns around, something was in the house...where was it?
She ascended the stairs to the attic, it was here, in the room with her. She spins around in the middle of the room, searching with her eyes for...
It was there, she dashed over to an old trunk pushed into a dark corner of the room. She had brought it over from England with her. She knelt on the floor and slowly opened the heavy oak lid. It was in here. She savagely pulls out the bundles of clothes and papers, flinging them across the room. There it was. A shining, glowing, the size wasn't important, it was the power, the absolute power of the thing, the shard. Oh God, what was it doing there??
Kate carefully takes the crystal out of the trunk, holding it like a child, cradled in her arms. Oh my God, why did she have this? She holds the crystal in one hand, up to the light as it diffuses in through the window. The light hits the crystal and is refracted, split and dispersed again, lighting up the whole attic.
The word 'Janus' floated in her mind and tears rolled down her cheeks. She remembered now. It had belonged to Janus, she had given it to her upon her initiation into the coven...
FLASHBACK
Janus smiles at her fellow sister and embraces her warmly. She places a heavy object into Kate's hand, and when Kate removes the smooth silky material covering there sits the shard.
"No, I couldn't.." stammers Kate.
"I want you to have it." She stares deeply into Kate's eyes and whispers, "It has great powers Kate, you must swear to protect it with your life if need be."
"If you ask me to of course I will" replies Kate, "But what is it?"
"It is a shard of the Cloch Cosan, I know you know what that means."
"Of course, the Cloch opens the Nether Arch."
"Yes" Janus wraps an arm around Kate, moving her further away from their fellow wiccans. "Kate, this is important. A time will inevitibly come when someone will try to gather the Cloch, to re-open the Nether Arch. But they will need all nine shards to open the Arch. If you protect this one, that can never happen."
"I understand, but why me? You can protect it as well as I."
Janus takes her by the shoulders, holding her tight. "No, my destiny lies on another path, I feel powerless to stop the chain of events set before me. Part of me doesn't want to, but you, Kate, you are pure of heart. I know when the time comes you will make the right decision. But for now, you must have the crystal. If I keep it in my possession, I think I will become unstoppable, even for you."
Janus returns to the group of celebrating wiccans, Kate is left on her own, looking confused.
END OF FLASHBACK
Tears still flow down Kate's cheeks, she had almost forgotten how close she and Janus had once been. She had been her mentor in the coven, she had taught her everything she knew about the craft. And Kate had killed her. Now the only thing remaining of Janus was inside Kate, in her heart, in her head. Her guilt...
Memories of Rome
Talhu
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 8:12 am
Post subject: Memories of Rome
Memories stirred in Talhu at the mention of the Nether Arch. He believed that it was now the only way to undo the spell that had summoned him. Alaric had started to head out, and stopped. "By the way. I believe that I may be able to locate a piece of it. If that is possible, I will send you the information." He nodded, but did not really hear.
***FLASHBACK: ROME, 452 AD***
It was time to complete the ritual. He dressed in a tunic and Toga in those days, in order to move in the Empire that he hated. Talhu's anger at the country who thought to use him had grown with the size of its Empire. Even though its power was clearly wanning, he figured that it was still possible for the Empire to be saved. *I have waited so long for this day* he thought. *Now, I shall have my revenge.*
He appreciated the symmetry, as he stood in the same urban house where the Roman wizards had summoned him so many years ago. *They summoned me to save their city. How fitting that I should destroy it in the place where I was summoned.* Artifacts surrounded him: the Fire of Pluto, a red gem that would let him steal the life essence of every living creature in the city; the text with the spells he needed; and finally, a sword that had been specially consecrated to let him pierce the veil between worlds.
Talhu opened the spell book, and was about to start the ritual when the door opened. He turned to see a young woman standing there. *A snack before I begin could be rather interesting.* With a smile on his face, he spoke. "Don't you know better than to anger wizards in the middle of a spell?"
"Not when they're trying to destroy the world," the woman replied.
"Acually, I just want to destroy Rome. Since it happens to be in the world, it all works out very well. You must be a Slayer, then?"
Instead of answering him, she attacked. It was all of the confirmation he needed. The first few blows were easy to block, but then her fist slammed in to his stomach. Talhu doubled over in pain, and her knee connected with his face. Falling over in pain, he rolled aside when she tried to plunge a stake in to his heart. Drawing out a dagger, Talhu looked around and couldn't see her. Glancing over at the table, he saw that the book was gone. *This is not good.*
A taunting voice came from behind. "Looking for this?" He turned and saw the Slayer near a fire. She tossed the text in to it, destroying the copy of the spells he needed. Anger swelled up inside of him, and they went back to trying to kill one another. They continued to trade blows, and Talhu felt a rib crack.
That pain quickly faded as he tried to slash the slayer. She grabbed his wrist, and sent the dagger down in to his right leg. It gave him the opportunity he needed to grab her own wrist, and he began to feed. the Slayer let out a gasp, and started to struggle. The life energy flowed out of her. Talhu extracted the dagger from his leg with his free hand, and after a minute let her lifeless body fall to the floor.
His plan was ruined, and he acually fell ill after that. Feeding on Slayers was not a good idea, nor would it be something he did again. As he staggered away, he left the now useless artifacts behind.
***THE PRESENT***
Talhu stopped reminiscing to find himself alone. Alaric had said something else, but he could not recall what. That time during Valentian III's reign always came back to him when saw an opportunity to get home. A reminder to him that whenever he tried to go home, there was always someone to stop him. Other memories started returning as well, Paris being the most recent. "This time, I will go home," he said to himself. Then he decided he needed to take a walk, and left the motel.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Bereaver
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 5:09 pm
*This is where you belong, and you know it.*
Michaels stood in the center of the pits at the Beazor, staring for a moment out at the crowd, just waiting for M’Fashnik to pulling itself off the ground and run him over. And he very nearly did, waking the vampire out of his realm of thought, and snapping him back to reality. The fight had been on for nearly twenty minutes now, and Michaels was more or less toying with the demon, letting the crowd whip itself into a frenzy, waiting for the kill. The demon charged, taking a stab at Michaels with an elbow spike, but Michaels ducked, rolled, and slashed the demon across the belly with his katana.
*Enough of this.*
Wounded deeply from the attack on its torso, the demon hunched itself over; oblivious to the fact that Michaels had come to his feet. Michaels raised the katana over his head and paused. The crowd in unrelenting bloodlust, he struck, removing the M’Fashnik’s head, and ending the battle. It had never been a contest.
Four nights now Michaels had fought in the pits at the Beazor, and he’d yet to be touched. And now he made his way out of the pit, to clear the way for the next fight. Just past the exit he stops and clutches his temples a moment, as if in pain.
Flashback, five nights ago, at the corner of Poplar and Elm.
Ryan sat in the back of a yellow cab, making a left onto Elm, and pulled along slowly down the street. The driver in front, an old man, was chattering away in what might have been an old dialect of Gaelic, but made no sense to his passenger, who’d stopped listening about six blocks ago.
* LA, hmm. What is it I’m supposed to find here, I wonder? *
In a flash, Ryan turned around, and watched a figure running in from behind the cab, which had stopped at a red light. The figure came slowly into view, and Michaels saw it was a young man, in a typical out-to-party type outfit, red shirt, black pants, and his date, in a small yellow skirt(too short to be called a dress. And behind them, in game face, were three vampires, in pursuit, and gaining quickly.
*Yeah, that’ll work.*
Michaels reaches into the pocket of his coat and tosses some cash up to the driver. He then gets out of the car, and gives chase to the vampires, who’ve followed their victims down an alley. He comes to the alley in time to hear the woman scream. Ryan reaches into his coat, withdraws his katana, and starts down the alley.
“You know, you ought to know better by now,” Michaels announced his presence before he could see them, and heard a body drop to the ground, “picking on a couple of kids who never had a chance. Gives our kind a bad name. No sport to it.”
The vampires look his way, register what he is, then turn back to the victims.
“Mistake number two.”
Michaels leapt forward, beheading the first of the trio as he was moving toward the prone body of the young boy. He threw a sidekick into the chest of another vampire, and Michaels swiped his katana through the neck of the third. The only remaining vamp got up and attacked Ryan, but Michaels threw him off, and the vamp landed with a broken crating sticking through his center, and became ash quickly.
“You should go.” Michaels goes to the boy, and leans down to check on him. His date is hunched back against a fence, frightened and confused.
“There’s nothing you can do. I’ll deal with it.” He stares hard at the girl, and she starts inching toward the street. “Now go.”
The girl moved slowly out of the alley, staring back at the fallen boy. Before long, she started running again, to get away. And Michaels was left staring at the dying kid. And it stayed that way a moment, as Michaels just looked at him. The boy came around, extremely weak, and looked up at his savior with profound gratitude. Michaels shifted to vamp face, and the boy screamed.
Then Bereaver fed.
Back to the Present, and the Beazor.
Bereaver dropped his hands from the side of his head, and stepped back to the side of the arena floor. Blood was already flowing from one combatant, and Bereaver smiled, sadistically, as the crowd cheered the display.
“Hey, bloodsucker.” Paul called from just beyond. And Bereaver turns, and gives him a sort of “Moi” look.
“The boss wants to see you.”
Bereaver nodded and followed Paul through the crowd, screaming obscenity after obscenity at the battle before them. It was like a parade for the damned, watching creatures kill each other night after night. And Bereaver lived for it. At least, when he wasn’t in control he did. And now, Paul led Bereaver up the poorly lit staircase, and knocked, to see Kain, who is behind his desk as always. He curled a finger, for Bereaver to step forward.
“You wanted to see me, Kain?” Bereaver spoke with none of the fear, or reverence he’d heard applied to Kain from the other fighters. It didn’t seem to faze Kain in the slightest either, as he simply smirked at the idea and continued.
“I have a job for you.”
“I’m listening.”
Nightmares
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 7:42 pm
Post subject: Nightmares
Tash found herself running down darkened streets, being chased by something. No, she was chasing something – a vampire! She felt the crossbow as a comforting weight in her right hand, the vampire was cornered. She aimed at its heart, her mind coldly dispassionate as she fired the bolt into the creature’s chest. It dissolved into dust, but as it did so, its face changed to that of her mother, reaching to her, imploring Tash not to kill her…..
Tash was in the training room in the house she and Matthias shared. He was patiently trying to teach her a particularly difficult version of a crescent kick. As she repeated the exercise, the room around her vanished, to be replaced by the simple setting of the meditation room in the monastery….
It was his tenth year at this Tibetan monastery, and Tempest was beginning to think that he would not be finding the answers here to his questions. Why didn’t he seem to be aging? Who or what had done something to him to cause this? The monks around him were still, quietly breathing in and out, but Tempest found that today he could not lose himself in the meditation…..
Tash was staring up at the stars, looking so tranquil in the night sky. The ground beneath her felt grassy, soft. Something was wrong with her arm. Turning her head slowly, she saw the vampire to her left, feeding at the inside of her elbow. Panic rose as she found she lacked the strength to struggle, watching the vampire rip pieces of her flesh away….
Tempest could sense something very strange about the man he was facing. He’d called himself Victor, and he was offering Tempest the chance to discover the reason for his immortality. This answer was to be found with a set of crystals being assembled in Russia. It sounded better than some things he’d tried. If this didn’t work, maybe he’d visit a monastery for a while….
Tempest threw the book across the room. He could no longer count the years he’d spent searching through texts, looking for a clue. Perhaps he’d take Victor up on his offer to try the crystals once more, this time in Paris. It would have to go better than the attempt in 1909….
Tash could feel her shoulder burning with the power she’d touched. The orange crystal felt warm under her fingertips. It whispered to her, offered her power, the ability to do things she’d never dreamed of. She could rid the world of all vampires in one stroke, if she would only bring the crystals together….
Tempest retreated into his own mind, the maelstrom swirling around him. Dark….so dark….but shapes filled the darkness. Undefined, but horrible, terrifying things seen just out of the corner of his eye….and the whispers…. “You belong to us, now. Forever…..you can no longer escape our call…..come to the darkness…..come…..”….
Tempest stood in his room, staring at the bodies of his parents. They were in his room – why? What had managed to kill them without waking him? Oh, God, they’re dead! He put his hands to his face, unable to look….
…..and lowered them again. She couldn’t believe they were dead – so horrible, blood everywhere, and her little brother Patrick. Look what the monsters had done to him! Tash tried to turn away from the sight of her family’s bodies, but everywhere she turned they were there. Grisly, horrifying, dead arms reaching out to her – how could you let this happen to us?……
* * * * *
Tash finally awoke with a start, covered in sweat. The sheets were twisted into a mess. The same nightmare – why did she always dream about her parents? But, what about the rest of it? As she thought about her dreams, she realised some of the memories belonged to Tempest. *Oh, no, don’t tell me I’m now going to have his nightmares, too.*
She got out of the bed. It felt like the middle of the night. Jade had taken off her shoes and jacket. *Hell, I must’ve been out of it – or I trust her that much….* Her hands were bare, and she couldn’t see her gloves anywhere. They were probably still in her apartment where she’d taken them off. Unable to bear the thought of touching anything without them, Tash slipped out of Jade’s spare bedroom and tried the apartment door.
*Tch, tch, fancy leaving her door unlocked at night! Must have a talk to her about that…* Tash quietly closed the door behind her and padded across to her own door. She knocked, very softly.
A few moments later, she heard the smile in Matthias’ voice as he said, “Come in, Tash.”
As she entered her own apartment, she glared at Matthias and hissed, “You didn’t lock my door?”
Matthias grinned. “Do you really think anyone could come near here without me knowing and preventing them? If I couldn’t stop them entering, a lock wouldn’t count for much.” He reached out to touch her face, then stopped himself. “How are you feeling?’
“Like shit, thanks. I’ve just had the most horrible dreams, some of them his.” Tash nodded towards her bedroom. “Is he still out?”
“Oh, yes, I think he’ll be sleeping for some time.” Matthias regarded Tash thoughtfully. “You did a foolish thing tonight, girl. You could have lost yourself in there.”
“Well, I didn’t, thanks to you. You anchored me. I could feel you pulling me back. I could feel…..” Tash couldn’t say the rest. *I could feel his love.* “…I could feel your strength helping me.” She finished, somewhat lamely. Tash had never really been able to read anything from Matthias except the most vague impressions. His connection to her last night had given her a conduit to him for a short time. She hadn’t noticed at the time – she’d been a bit busy to pay much attention to Matthias.
Feeling embarrassed, Tash continued. “What I came here for is my gloves. Have you seen them? I’m not going to touch anything in Jade’s apartment without them.” Tash looked around the living room as she spoke. “Ah, there they are!”
“I’m sick of sleeping in my clothes – and in chairs. I’m going back to Jade’s place. I’ll see you tomorrow, Matthias.” Tash quickly slipped into her bedroom and collected some fresh clothes for the morning. She took a moment to look at Tempest – he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. *Yeah, that’s ‘cause I got to have his nightmares for him!*
She tried not to look at Matthias as she re-entered the living room. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have you slept at all?”
Matthias shook his head. “I don’t need sleep in the same way as you. I’ll be fine. Go, I’ll see you later.” He smiled ruefully to himself. He could feel her confusion – damn, he’d tried for so long to hide his feelings. He couldn’t let this come between them. “Tash” he said.
Tash stopped her headlong rush to the door, and looked back at him, one eyebrow raised.
Matthias continued, “It’ll be all right. I’ve been on this Earth a long time – it’ll be all right.”
Somehow Tash knew he wasn’t talking about the crystals. Feeling somewhat relieved, she nodded to Matthias. Maybe she was being unfair, but he’d been like a second father to her, and the thought of anything else just felt wrong.
Happier with her gloves on, Tash returned to Jade’s apartment and slipped back into the room she’d been using. She placed the bundle of spare clothes on a chair, then undressed properly for bed. *Please, no more dreams tonight…*
Pushing through the Barrier and Strange Powers
Stalker
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 9:27 pm
Post subject: Pushing through the Barrier and Strange Powers
Stalker awoke around five. He stood at his window overlooking the street and watched the sun come up for the first time he had been able in over two hundred years.
He was feeling very hungry, but not for the blood he had lusted after for all those years but for real food, for bread, milk and eggs. The refrigerater was empty so he went to Mrs White. She wasn't happy about being woken at half past five in the morning and made it all to very clear by her grumbling, but gave him some food all the same.
Stalker decided it was time to see Catherine, she would have just gotten off her shift and he didn't want to have to disturb her from sleep. He found the address Bob had written down, in his jacket, called a cab and left.
The cab pulled up to the house. It was large and old; it looked too big for just one person, but that was Catherine for you. She would love the heritage or something. She was the opposite of Stalker in that respect, he would choose a place strictly for the ease of movment to and from that place and safety.
He got out of the cab and paid the driver. Stalker walked down the path leading up to the house. He felt nervous. *What will Catherine think of me being alive?*
He walked up the steps of the stately house and knocked on the door.
Stalker heard what sounded like a struggle going on in the attic. *Maybe the witch hunters have found her.* With that thought, Stalker kicked in the front door.
He pushed through the powers that would normally hold him back from entering a house uninvited. They were still there, but seemed somewhat weakened due to Stalker's current living status. *So I am still, in part, a vampire.* Stalker thought as he ran up the steps leading to the second floor and then the attic.
"Are you all right?" Stalker asked as he burst into the attic to find things scattered everywhere. He moved toward Catherine. She was crying. He stopped moving forward when he saw the object in Catherine's hands, when he felt the power emanating from it. The same power as he had felt in the building last night, although much weaker...
Jade's Diary... (2)
Jadyn
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2002 10:06 pm
Post subject: Jade's Diary... (2)
Jade paused in her journal entry, listening as Tash returned to the guest room next door and went back to sleep. She'd heard Tash thrashing around in her sleep for the last couple of hours and wished she'd been able to go over and comfort her friend, but she was still feeling terribly conflicted and confused at the day's events and was too emotionally wrung out to think of what to say.
Furthermore, she didn't know if an intrusion of such a personal nature would be welcome. *Just because we've gotten along famously so far doesn't mean that Tash'll appreciate me butting into an aspect of her life that's so evidently private. She'll talk about it when she's ready... Right now, I've got other more pressing things on my mind.*
Jade smoothed her black silk kimono, lit another cigarette and continued her scribbling, humming softly along to the Diana Krall CD she had playing...
A grim determination was shining in Jade's expressive hazel eyes as she finished writing. Closing the journal, she slipped it back into her burgandy tote bag before lighting another cigarette. *I'm smoking too much.* She shook her head ruefully and chuckled to herself. She could practically hear her dad nagging at her to quit. He'd give her a 20 minute lecture on the stupidity at thinking that the "sucking of gaseous toxins into your lungs and turning them the color of charcoal" would relieve stress or provide pleasure. Then she'd find him sneaking out into the backyard of their house for a smoke late at night, when he thought everyone else was sleeping.
Glancing at the clock, Jade realised that it was way past midnight. Since she had to wake up and open the store by 10, she figured she'd better get some shut eye. The thought of XY caused a small smile to play across her face. Nobody knew what the name of the shop represented. In a city like L.A, nobody cared to ask. It didn't matter. The meaning behind it was too personal to share anyway.
XY stood for " Xiao Yu ", meaning "Little Jade" in Chinese. Her adoptive parents, Carrie and Simon, had called Jade that her entire life, saying that she was more precious to them than the rarest gemstone in the world. It was later anglicised and shortened it to XY by some of their Caucasian friends. Carrie had laughed at that. "It makes her sound like a scientific experiment gone wrong!"
Shrugging off the kimono, Jade slid under the bedcovers. The feel of the smooth sheets against her skin clad in a short, silk nightdress was heavenly. Sighing tiredly, Jade closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
Memories
Black Jem
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 3:06 am
Post subject: Memories
It was day and Jem was bored. She was sitting in a tall chair in the middle of her crypt, Bird in her lap. Every so often she would throw a dart at the odd passing rat or mouse to keep part of her boredom at bay. A small mouse ran across the floor keeping close to the back wall of the crypt. Jem threw a dart and got it right in the head, it slid up to the wall and Jem gave a small smile. Bird trotted up to the dead rodent, picked it up in his mouth and brought it to Jem, as a present of course. She gave the little dead body a look and then looked at Bird, not really wanting to pick up the bloody body of dead vermin. Bird dropped it in her lap and she immediately picked it up by the tail and threw it across the floor.
Jem had been doing this for hours, she didn't sleep at all, just sat playing darts and thinking... about Ebony. Eb was Jem's one true friend, she relied on her but now she was gone. She knew she had to get Eb out of Kain's place and quickly, but neither she or any of the Black Veins were ready to face the fight that would await them on their rescue mission, and Jem knew this.
Jem decided to go out, she couldn't stay in her crypt with a load of minions staring at her any longer, plus she was getting hungry. Jem got up, throwing Bird (who was sitting on her lap) to the floor accidentally. Jem walked to the door, pulled her duster over her head and ran out of the cemetery to the nearest sewer entry.
When she arrived at the manhole near the back of Bob's Bar she climbed up and out of the dank passageways and ran to the back entrance of the bar.
"Bob!" She shouted across the room, "how have you been?" Without giving him time to answer her question Jem walked to the bar. "What does Kain want with Eb?"
"Kain has Ebony?" Bob gave a little laugh under his breath forgetting about vampires' good hearing. Jem slapped him on the face and asked again.
"I dunno what he wants with her. Why would I know anyway? Everyone thinks I know everything that goes on in this city 24 seven."
"Once more, a little slower...what...does...Kain...want...with...Ebony?" she shouted. Jem was angry now, she put on her vamp face.
"I dunno." Bob said. Jem leaned over the bar to punch him in the face when she heard a voice call her name.
"Jem?" She spun around to see a tall, gothic guy standing in front of her.
*What the hell is he doing here?* She thought she should say something to break the small silence. "Long time no see, Chris."
"Yeah."
"What are you doing here?" She asked a little worriedly.
"Eb...she's in trouble, and I came to see you as well."
Chris and Jem went back, way back. He was her ex. Jem sired Chris in the old days, they killed their first slayer together in Madrid. Even though Jem always said she killed her, she knew she didn't though. They were together for years until he left her. Chris was a good-looking guy, tall with dark hair and brown eyes.
Jem changed to her human self, it was all coming back to her. "How did you find out... about Ebony I mean?"
"New travels fast."
"To the other side of the world?"
"Suppose it does...anyway, Ebony..."
"Yep...Ebony." *Always had to be about her.* "You wanna come back to my place? I've got weapons, and a gang. They'll fight."
"Ooh, a gang." Chris was intrigued. They walked out of the bar and through the sewers to get back to Jem's crypt.
The Morning After...
Jadyn
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 3:45 am
Post subject: The Morning After...
Jade put on the coffee percolater as she towelled her hair dry. *Wonder if I should get it cut short. It's such a hassle washing it every morning.* She looked at the closed door of her guestroom, Tash was probably still asleep. Smiling as she walked towards her tiny kitchen, she opened the fridge and took out the ingredients for waffles.
The aroma of fresh waffles and brewing coffee soon filled the apartment...
Tash slowly woke from her disturbed sleep. She didn't think she'd had any more nightmares - well, none that she could remember - but she didn't exactly feel rested. As she lay under the bedclothes, the smell of coffee wafted into the room. *Mmmm, gotta get me some of that!* She struggled upright, carefully picked up her gloves from the table and put them on. As she pulled on the left glove, she looked at her arm. It had been a long time since she'd dreamed about the night that had happened. The skin on the inside of her elbow was hideously puckered and scarred where the vampire had torn out her flesh. Tash quickly pulled on a t-shirt and slipped on the pants she'd brought with her last night. *Let's see how we go this morning.* Tash thought grimly as she opened the bedroom door.
Jade smiled at her and gestured to the mug of piping hot coffee she'd left for Tash on the kitchen table. "Figured you'd wake up as soon as you smelt the food... Sweetener and non-diary creamer are next to the kettle... Give me a minute, I'll just finish whipping up the waffles and I'll join you. I guarantee that you'll be a faithful slave after you've had a taste of my blueberry honey waffles!"
"Stop blabbering," she told herself firmly. "You sound like an idiot!"
Jade scooped up the last of the waffles from the pan, grabbed the maple syrup and butter from the fridge and carried everything over to the table where Tash was seated. *Why hasn't she brought up anything about me being half-vampire?* Jade frowned. *Give Tash a break girl! She's only just woken up. What's your hurry anyway?!*
Tash looked blearily at Jade. "I hate mornings.... Coffee - strong and black - just what I need." Tash picked up the mug, inhaled the steam. Ahh, that aroma, just what the body needed first thing, especially after a bad night. She blew on the surface to cool it slightly and took that first, heavenly sip. Tash let the warmth seep into her bones and slowly wake her up. After she'd drunk about half the mug, Tash finally felt human enough to think. *Poor Jade, she's probably terrified of how I'm going to react. How am I going to react? Guess that depends...*
Tash put the mug on the table, and looked properly at Jade. She was sitting, looking like her nerves were stretched so taut they could snap. "Jade, relax, I'm not going to do anything horrible to you."
"The fact that I'm sort of... monster... half-monster... whatever... doesn't bother you? Well, you sure are one in a million!" Jade's attempt at a laugh came out as a choked sob. "Tash, I've never told anybody about this. In fact, I go to extremes just to prevent anyone from finding out. Last night... I'm not sure why I slipped up the way I did, maybe it was deliberate, maybe I wanted you guys to guess..."
She took a sip of her coffee and collected herself before she spoke again. "I'd tell you a bit about myself, but it'd be a lot easier if you read my journal. I don't know how good I'd be at talking about this, I've never actually tried, I might not be able to do it..." She got up from the table, and took her black leather journal from her room, passing it to Tash as she sat back down.
"I've marked down the pages to read... Those'll give you the gist of my entire background."
Tash let the journal sit on the table, untouched. She put her gloved hands to her face and rubbed her forehead. "Actually, Jade, it bothers me a lot. You know what I do, I told you yesterday. God, was it only yesterday we met? But I get the distinct feeling that you don't like vampires and you don't like your ... father ... in particular."
Tash paused. "Just how the Hell did a vampire manage to impregnate a human anyway?"
She shook her head and continued. "I guess that really doesn't matter - you're here." Tash looked at the journal Jade had given her. "I'm not sure it's right to read that - it's highly personal for you."
"Please Tash! It matters to me. I need you to know who I am. I need you to understand!" Jade nudged the diary forward. "This belonged to my mother. My birth mother, named Rose. I'd never got to meet her, but I've grown to know about her from her entries in this notebook. Read the pages I've marked, maybe they'll answer your questions too... Please..." Jade cupped trembling hands around her coffee mug.
Tash gazed at the diary, then at the woman sitting opposite her. Jade's fine features were contorted in a mask of anguish and fear. Tash nodded. "Okay, I'll read the passages." She started on her waffles, chewing the first mouthful appreciatively. *Damn, she does make fantastic waffles...* Tash opened to the first marked passage of Jade's diary.
Tash finished reading the final entry, written just hours before, and gently closed the diary, noting the rosebud on the cover. Part of her longed to rip off a glove and see if she could sense any part of Rose in the book, maybe get an idea of what Valerian was like from Rose's viewpoint, but she resisted. She had the feeling it would be too overwhelming, especially after her experience with Tempest last night.
"Now I understand your fear and determination yesterday when we felt Victor coming - you thought he would be Valerian." Tash stretched out her left hand and gently took one of Jade's hands in her own gloved one. "I will do everything I can to protect you from him. I know it sounds trite when you've suffered so much, but I lost my family to vampires, that's why I hunt them. I won't let him harm you." The vehemence in Tash's voice made it hoarse.
Jade gripped Tash's hand tightly in her own. "She understands. Somehow, deep inside me, I knew she would." Jade thought as she closed her eyes, her emotions robbing her of the ability to speak. By some quirk of fate, in the crazy town of Los Angeles (of all places!), she'd found a kindred spirit.
It was then that she noticed the terrible scar Tash had on her left arm, near her elbow. Reaching down, she ran her fingers lightly over the scar-riddled skin, her heart aching for the brave young woman sitting in front of her. *She tries to be so strong... She is, mostly, but this scar shows that she's still human. She still hurts - not just physically either.*
"Thank you... friend." Jade smiled tearily.
Tash knew she didn't have to be psychic to know that Jade had bottled this up for so long that it was an immense relief for it to be out in the open at last. She was very glad Jade hadn't been more contaminated with Valerian's legacy - Tash didn't want to think about what path she may have had to take.
Then Jade touched that scar. She flinched slightly - usually she kept that well-hidden, but she was used to not wearing much in the mornings. Looking at the horrible mess of flesh, Tash couldn't help but think that her emotional scars were just as ugly. *God, what a pair we make!* Gripping Jade's hand in return, Tash smiled. "You're happy that I understand - I'm equally lucky to have found you. You understand me in ways that nobody else has, not even Matthias."
Tash slowly pulled her hand away, not used to displaying so much emotion. She was still feeling drained from dealing with Tempest's inner demons, and she wasn't used to thinking much about her own. Trying to shut down her feelings, she handed the diary back to Jade. "You'd better put this somewhere safe."
Jade slipped into her bedroom and shoved the journal back into her tote bag, glancing at her dressing table mirror as she did so. *Thank god for waterproof mascara!* Returning to the living area, she smiled at Tash and looked pointedly at the empty plate in front of her. "I can see you enjoyed my waffles. Ready to become my servant and obey my every wish, whim and fancy yet?"
Tash grinned, relieved to be able to erect some emotional barriers again. "If you'll come over and cook them for me every morning, I will be your ever faithful slave." Tash rose and sketched a florid bow. Continuing the game, she dropped to one knee and pressed the back of Jade's hand to her lips. "Your most pitiful slave humbly awaits your pleasure."
Jade chuckles as she yanks her hand away. "Well, for starters, you could take a shower while I clean up the kitchen. You reek!" Sticking her tongue out at Tash, Jade opened a hall closet, pulled out a fluffy red towel and threw it at Tash. "Bathroom's behind you, on the right. After you're done, we'll check on Matthias and Tempest." Jade's heart beat a little faster at the mention of the latter. "Then I need to get to XY."
This time Tash genuflected. "Your wish is my command, O mistress of my heart - and stomach!" Desperately wanting a shower, Tash gratefully headed to the bathroom and let the steaming water erase all her cares for a few minutes. She thought about Matthias, how he must have had feelings for her for years, but never showed it. Still, he'd basically said that he wouldn't follow up on them. It was strange, she felt as though she knew him so well, and yet she really didn't know him at all.
Then she thought about Tempest, he was an enigmatic man, that was certain. She'd seen inside his head, and it was a terrifying place. He was so damaged, she felt she wanted to ease away all his hurts.
Then there was Jade. Tash could never remember feeling so comfortable with anyone before. Despite all the horrors both of them had been through, they understood each other. Nothing had to be hidden. She'd only ever been able to tell Matthias how she felt before. Now she had a true friend. Tash wondered if they'd met in a previous life - perhaps we're old souls reunited?
Tash shut off the water and towelled herself dry. Jade had used this towel before, Tash could feel her essence in it through her bare skin. Jade's fear was almost palpable through the impressions left on the towel. *She must spend her showers thinking about Valerian.* Tash railed at the unfairness of it all. *Why do innocent people have to suffer so much pain?* She finished drying herself, shook the water out of her short hair, then dressed in the clothes she'd picked up in the middle of the night. Tash entered the main room again. "We should go talk to Matthias now, I suppose."
Jade was in front of a ornate hall mirror, applying a clear pink gloss to her lips. She then twisted her hair up into a topknot and secured it with a beautiful silver chopstick etched with Egyptian carvings. Throwing Tash a sheepish smile, "Sorry about the primping...", Jade grabbed a brown suede jacket, slipped her feet into tanned heeled boots and opened the front door.
Tash smiled indulgently. She'd noticed Jades' aura flare a rich, bright red, a much brighter red than anger or hurt, whenever Jade thought of Tempest. *Well, can't say I blame her, really.* Tash mused. Tash followed Jade across the hall and opened the door to her apartment. She could sense Matthias moving about inside.
Matthias was sitting on Tash's one good chair as the door opened. He smiled to himself at Tash's feelings of insecurity at the unlocked door, despite the fact that the lock really offered no protection at all. "How are you both feeling this morning?" Tash shrugged, "A bit better than when I came in last night. No more nightmares, though I didn't really sleep well. Jade and I got to know each other a bit better this morning, and that's helped."
Matthias could tell there was much more to that then met the eye - he imagined they'd had a long heart-to-heart about Jade's parentage, and probably Tash's past as well. One corner of his mouth quirked up slightly. It was good that Tash had finally found herself someone with whom she could share her feelings. He knew he'd never been able to do that much for her, because he'd been too busy keeping his true self hidden.
Jade smiled at Matthias as she passed him a key. "Tash's place is still kinda spartan so if you feel like you need anything - something to eat or drink, a shower - just pop over to my place. I need to pop down to the shop. Unless you'd prefer to come down to XY with me?"
Tash interjected. "Hey, I may not have much furniture, but at least I've got food and a shower!" She suddenly gave a grin. "Please, mistress, forgive the impertinance of a humble slave..." Jade smiled at the shared joke.
Matthias ignored the byplay. "I think I should come down to the shop with you - if anybody traced the orange crystal there, you could find trouble coming. Also, I'd like to separate these crystals a little. I'll take the one I have. I don't dare touch the one Tempest has - we'll have to leave it with him. I suspect he'll be stronger, better able to resist it, when he awakes. Will you take care of the other one, Tash?"
Tash remembered part of her nightmare from last night. She shook her head. "I don't want to keep it. Matthias, it whispered things to me, offered me what I wanted. I don't trust it, or me. Please, can you take it?"
Matthias gave Tash a worried glance. "Fine, I can manage two. They haven't quite got the same hold on me." *Not for lack of them trying* he thought. Opening the box, he lifted the dragon sculpture out. Gingerly, he tried to prise the crystal from the claws of the dragon, but it refused to budge. "Hmm, Jade, do you mind if I purchase this dragon from you? I want to break it."
In reply, Jade took the dragon from Matthias and slammed it on the old, battered table. The beautiful sculpture shattered, causing her to wince slightly at the ruin of a beautiful piece of art. Unlike the other pieces, the orange crystal remained rock solid, unmarred and unbroken. As she picked it up to hand over to Matthias, Jade felt a warmth spread from the crystal up her arm. It was almost as if the thing had a life source of its own... Jade glanced over at the mess she'd left on the table... "Oops... I'll clean that up before we leave..."
Tash shook her head. "Don't worry, you'll be late for opening if you don't leave soon. Matthias, have you got that crystal safe?"
Matthias nodded. He'd fashioned a temporary pouch out of a handkerchief and secured it inside his clothes, on the opposite side to the Shard of Dis. "As safe as it can be for the moment." He held out an arm to Jade, in much the same manner as Tash had the day before. "Shall I accompany you to your shop, m'lady?"
Grinning as she took Matthias' arm, Jade swept out the front door. *Chivalry's not dead after all... How nice to know!*
Humanity
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 4:21 am
Post subject: Humanity
Kate is still huddled on the floor of her attic room. She still holds the shard tightly in her hands, the force of which turns her knuckles white. Suddenly she senses another presence in the room; turning around she sees Stalker standing in front of her. He looked...different somehow. *How did he get here at this time of day?* she thought.
Stalker's gaze is fixed on the shard. "What is that thing? What are you doing?" Stalker asked, he looked confused.
Kate rose to her feet, the shard still tightly gripped in her hands. She wipes at her eyes. "What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to take the focus away from the crystal.
"I came to talk" Stalker said, suddenly realising he didn't know what he had come to talk about.
"How did you get here anyway?" she said curiously, "I've never known you to risk coming out in the sunlight."
"I didn't risk anything" says Stalker, "that's the point, that's what I came here to talk about."
Kate shook her head in confusion "You're losing me here, what are you saying?" There was something definitely 'changed' about him, *what had happened?*
"Your spell, that night at Bob's, it healed me" said Stalker emphatically.
Kate laughed out loud. "That's impossible." she cried, "if you're saying what I think you're saying, it's impossible!" She walks around the room in confusion. "A healing spell cannot make you human!"
"No but it can heal damaged tissue, look!" Stalker bared his neck, "no bite marks."
Kate shook her head more insistently this time, though her eyes betrayed her doubt. "No it, it couldn't have" she examines Stalker's throat, "it's impossible". She looks up at Stalker. "Are you saying you're no longer a vampire?"
"I still don't have a soul, and I don't feel the-the...blood lust. I found it hard to come into this house uninvited but I was able to. I can feel the power that crystal in your hand gives off, but most of all..." he grabs her hand and places it on his chest.
Kate hastily pulls her hand back. Stalker stares at her intently, she frowns and places her hand back. Yes, she could feel it. It was weak and faint but it was there, a heart beat. Kate looks shocked, and takes a step back from Stalker. "H-how is this possible?" she stammers.
"I don't know but I sure as hell ain't complaining" Stalker smiles, unsure of himself.
Kate looks down at the shard, still gripped in her hand. She looks lost *Victor's words were true* she thought *she didn't have control over her powers, hell she couldn't even do a simple healing spell without it going 'wrong'* She knew her powers had grown lately, but this! She wasn't sure she could control this amount of power. "I thought you liked being a vampire, you always seemed to enjoy the..." she frowns, "power." she says reluctantly.
"Where did you get that idea? Besides, I didn't say I didn't still have 'powers' I just don't feel like I will ever need to use them." Stalker smiles genuinely this time. "Maybe soon I'll go somewhere and sit on a rocking chair on the back porch and grow old." Kate smiles at his choice of imagery. "I never enjoyed the power" continued Stalker, "I would rather be normal and human again."
*Normal and human.* Those were two things Kate hadn't felt in a while now. She wondered why Stalker was telling her all this if he finally had what he wanted. He had never been one for thank-you's.
Stalker looks at Kate; she is thinking, he can tell. Stalker never liked thinking, too many bad memories. The silence was growing uncomfortable. Suddenly he blurted out, "I only ever seemed to like the power because I was happy around you." Stalker hated it, the silence was deafening and to break it he was saying things he never wanted to say.
*There again with the confusion.* Kate was never certain whether Stalker was being serious or not. Anyway that didn't matter, they HAD known each other for a long time, but Kate was feeling apprehensive with the shard still in her hand. She still didn't know what sort of effect it was having on her. She decided to change the subject again. "How are your memories?" she asked.
*Thank God she changed the subject.* thought Stalker, breathing a sigh of relief. "I lost them totally at one point, but they're back now. Last night a strong power seemed to come from the building I was staying in and it broke the spell." Stalker looked down to her hand where she still grasped the crystal. "A power like that coming from your crystal there, but stronger."
Kate looked back at the crystal, her hand was hurting from gripping the cut crystal so tightly, but she couldn't let it go. Suddenly she looked up as if realising what Stalker had just said. *A power like the one you have there.* That could only mean one thing. "You mean you know where there are more of these?" she asked urgently.
"Maybe, I stayed in a building on Poplar Avenue last night, when I woke up the spell had broken, that's when I noticed this strange energy field, it seemed to surround the place."
*Poplar Avenue.* Why did everything seem to centre on that one building? But if that's where the other crystals were, that's where she would have to go. "Can you take me there?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll take you" said Stalker slightly uncomfortably, "but you should rest first, you look tired, I'll come pick you up later." With that Stalker turned and left Kate alone in the attic.
*He always did that!* she thought angrily. He was probably right though, she was exhausted, she still hadn't slept since her encounter with Victor. She had a feeling she would need all her strength for whatever she would find in the mysterious building on Poplar Avenue that night.
Alone at last.
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 12:37 pm
Post subject: Alone at last.
Tash rummaged around for a broom and pan, then swept up the pieces of dragon that lay scattered across her floor and table. *I get the feeling Jade was letting out some pent-up emotions, there.* Tash grimaced. She knew she wasn’t very good at letting her feelings out – even when given the opportunity with the safety of being alone with a friend and shared confessions.
She dumped the pieces of broken crystal into her bin, then gazed around at the flat. The kitchen was fairly small, but serviceable, and there was a fairly large living room attached. Her table and two chairs were in the small eating area that served as a link between the two rooms. Most of her living room was quite bare, apart from the crosses hung on the walls. *I really should get a sofa or two in here, at least. If only the apocalypse would hang off for a bit while I went shopping…* Tash gave a small smile at her own joke.
Tash went to the second bedroom – her bike was in the middle of the room. She gave it a quick polish and checked that everything on it was OK. *Stop procrastinating…you know where you should be.*
With that thought, Tash finally moved to the main bedroom. Tempest still lay on the bed, with the quilt pulled over him. Matthias had obviously settled him fairly comfortably. Most of Tempest’s clothes were carefully draped over the dresser, his boots sat neatly side-by-side on the floor.
Tempest lay on his back, his face turned toward the far wall. One bare arm was flung up over his head, the quilt rested just below his chin. Under the covers, his chest seemed to rise and fall with the easy rhythm of peaceful slumber. *At least one of us is getting a good sleep.*
Now that Tash knew what they felt like, she could sense the faint vibration of the crystal that was in this room. It seemed to be in Tempest’s coat that lay under of the pile of clothing. *I hope it doesn’t stress him out too badly when he wakes – he seems to feel them more than I do, and I don’t like them one bit!* Shutting her mind to the faint whispers of the crystal, Tash moved a little closer to the bed. *He does look incredibly cute when he’s asleep…*
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Victor
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 2:21 pm
Just Before Midnight - The Night of 3 Crystals
Victor closed the door and waited for one of them...any of them to try to come into his room. He could hear Tempest ranting, and later Tash was crying out...he might have heard Matthias (or was it Oillill?) too.
When he heard the chaos die down for the last time. He felt it was safe. *Maybe they will leave me alone. I need to be alone for this * He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Orb of Thessella. Its soft glow illuminated the room around him giving it a sinister cast.
Victor sat on the floor and placed the orb in front of him. He reached his hand into the orb...it passed through it like it was a puff of smoke. THe light left the orb, and a brilliant black aura surrounded Victor's hand.
Victor held the black light up and spoke to it softly, "You are dead, and you know it. Do not struggle, do not lie, for I will know, and I can punish you even after death. Do you understand?"
* I believe you. Even if I don't understand how this is possible. *
The thoughts were clear, and Victor was relieved. This was a fresh soul. They got fuzzy after being separated from reality too long. "Good. I am your judge. I can see what you have done. I want to know why. This will not change your fate, but it may save another. Will you justify your actions to your judge? "
It laughed. * I am above judgement. I am the hand that metes out justice. I am the embodiment of the new law. *
Victor frowned, he had heard these sorts of rants before. It signalled a sign of the sorts of illnesses that came from mankind. Insanity wasn't evil. It could cause evil, but the insane were outside of the balance.
This was disappointing. This soul wouldn't be any help to his quest. He had surrended the Shard of Ghenna for nothing.
* Shard of Ghenna? * came the thought from the black light, * I bore the Shard of Stygia. It was to be the standard on my lance as I led the armies from the pit. *
Victor was stunned, maybe there was more here than even Kain had bargained for. "Tell me of the Shards," he commanded.
The black soul, though demented, knew much about them. He had worked for Kain. His job was to track and retrieve the shards. He had recovered the Shards of Stygia and Malbolgia for Kain. He had located two others (Styx and Ghenna). His research was impressive. Victor was facinated at his vile descriptions of the tortures he inflicted on his informants. Even Victor had to admire the creativity and ruthlessness of his methods.
It would be his research that Kain would use to open the Cloch Cosan. If he had not gotten a little too carried away in his questioning, he might have been alive still. But even Kain had to protect his secrecy. Swinging out a window from the entrails of an informant during daylight hours, while effective torture, was bad publicity.
This soul might have been useless as a source of the meaning of good and evil, but it was too delicious to waste. Victor absorbed it into his hand...its black aura melding with the maelstrom of colors. His memories melted into Victor's. The darkness of the soul melted into the darkness of Victor's being. * A shame only the good ones last. The evil ones are so spicy! * Victor knew he could sustain himself forever on evil souls, but he could never grow in power. He could never strengthen himself, build up his strength. Only the innocent could do that for him. But he could not bring himself to take another innocent. Never again. Their agony and horror at their fate wracked him with guilt all the time. * This accursed dimension! * he thought, * What sort of creator would devise a torture as painful as a soul? *
Victor tossed the orb aside, and rose to consider his things. He unpacked the three suitcases. One full of Thessalan orbs, drained and empty, was placed in the closet up on the shelf. The second, with a few clothes that could be incorporated into his disguise, he placed in the dresser.
The third, he opened carefully. Herbs, rare ingredients, and small items of value to witches and warlocks. Nothing conspicuous and nothing of use to Victor. But many things to be traded and bartered. Victor would need these things soon. He could almost sense the power of the Faery on the other side of the hall. Would he help? The illusions of the Fae were legendary. They had been fooling the mortals for aeons. Could he be trusted?
The asian girl, Jade. She might know someone, or be someone. Victor was sure he had heard her say something about her father being a vampire. She could not sustain the sunlight without some knowledge of magic. Could she? What of Natasha? She had power, and her ability worried Victor. He doubted even his last disguise spell could have prevented her seeing his true nature.
Too many questions. Too few answers. He would start tomorow asking around. Someone would know. Someone would be willing to trade. There was always someone who would not ask too many questions.
----------------------------
Almost Dawn -- The next day
Victor sat nude (his Glamour made him appear clothed anyway) before the Stone. The slab he had taken from the Shrine of Ghortab all those centuries ago. He studied the runes that were cryptic even to his own people. He asked the deep questions of self. And there were no answers. There were never any answers.
* That's not true. We have given you the answer. You choose to ignore it. *
*Lying Souls! It is not Punishment from Ghortab! It is not Punishment from this dimension's deity either! I have somehow done this to myself! Or it was done to me by an enemy whom I can defeat! I did not deserve this! Nobody deserves this! *
Victor hated this part. But like monks who beat themselves, he needed it. It kept him focused on the quest. It made the quest possible. He'd have gone mad or berzerk long before if he did not let his soul torture him.
* It is not torture, it is truth. As long as you lie to yourself you will never find the truth you seek. *
* The Quest isn't a lie. It is the key to my cure. It is the only way I can release these souls and return home as I left it. Only be being able to separate that part of my soul that is "good" can I ever hope to escape this pain and guilt that haunts me. *
* If it is so critical that you separate the good, why is it that you need the good souls...the innocent ones to gain power? Why does evil only sustain you...it does not nourish you like good? *
* I am evil. I must destroy the good to survive. I must completely eradicate the good that remains within me so that my evil nature can increase and grow. Just as death nourishes life, so must the decay of the good spawn new and more powerful evil in me. *
* Had you considered that the living are dying all the time in this dimension? They are rushing headlong into oblivion. Their stream of death and decay feeds the life on this world! You are rushing nowhere. Your struggle to avoid good has led you to do nothing good and nothing evil. You are loathsome because you struggle against everything good or evil. If you were to surrender, you would make it a lot quicker. Become good. Fight the evil. Eliminate it! Would its demise strengthen... nurture... enhance your good? *
* Never! I cannot change. I am changeless. I am eternal, even in this wretched dimension where everything is entropy. I stay the same. *
* That is why you are tortured by your soul, Victor. *
Dreams...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2002 9:46 pm
Post subject: Dreams...
Kate had taken Stalker's advice and gone straight to bed as soon as he'd left. She'd placed the Shard back in its hiding place (it had been safe there for months now) and crawled exhaustedly beneath the sheets. She had been plagued by her dreams ever since she moved into the house. Tonight was no exception...
----------
Kate's mother, Kadee, had been there. Or at least she assumed it was her mother, she looked just like Kate had before she'd cut her hair. She was cradling a crying baby in her arms, sitting in a rocking chair in the attic window. Kate knew the child was herself, but how could that be? Her mother never held her in her arms, her aunt had told her, she died as Kate was born. Didn't she? Kate stood behind them, watching the special connection that Kadee and her daughter shared. Her heart was breaking, this was her mother...
Suddenly the scene shifted, Kadee was walking through the park. Kate was older now, about three or four years old she guessed, and was running wildly through the green fields. Suddenly a mysterious woman approached Kadee, placing an arm on her shoulder.
"She is young now, but one day she will understand," were her perfectly rounded words. Kate recognised the voice immediately, it was Janus!
"She will never understand. How can you explain to a child that you're going to die? She will grow up without a mother, she will never understand," replied Kadee with more than a hint of sadness in her voice.
"You know it is the council's wish that you return to England to resolve this matter, it is your mess Kadee, you must deal with it yourself."
"I know, but i will have to sacrifice my life to solve this problem. The council, they know this?"
"Yes they do. Do not fear for your child Kadee, we shall take good care of her. She will live with her aunt."
"She doesn't have an aunt," said Kadee sharply.
"She has many of them now," reproached Janus. "We will be the family she needs, and she will become the great witch that our prophesy fortold. The council will be able to control the powers you have bestowed with your union."
"No!" cried Kadee. "On this point I am unmovable, I have heard your so-called prophesies concerning my daughter. They won't happen, do you understand? My daughter shall never do magic!"
-------------
Kate leapt up in bed, the sheets were tangled around her bare legs, she was hot and sweaty. She ran to the bathroom and promptly threw up in the toilet.
She felt better after that, but the effect of the dream was still real. her mother's words rang in her ears, "my daughter shall never do magic!" Had this been her mother's wish? Why had no one told her? And why had Janus been there with her mother? She hadn't met Janus until she became involved with the Coven of Sindell when she was sixteen...at her aunt's insistence...
There were too many questions raised by the dream. Kate dressed quickly and decided to go for a run. She took the shard with her, she seemed unable to leave it behind. As she stepped outside, the sun was still high in the sky, strong and warm. He pumps smacked the hot asphalt as she ran down the streets. *If only she could leave her problems behind so easily,* she thought.
It was the house that triggered her memories of her mother. Kadee had lived in the same house thirty years ago before Kate was born. According to her aunt, she moved to England were she met Kate's father. But she had kept the house on because she wanted to return to Los Angeles as soon as her daughter was born. But she never made it. That was what Kate had been told anyway, now this seemed to be a lie.
If only her 'aunt' were still alive, or Janus! Kate felt like every link with her old life had been destroyed, and her hopes for any kind of answers were blasted! Kate was angry, and most of all because her life seemed to be filled with other people's thoughts and feelings. Janus' and now her mother's. And what were these powers her mother was supposed to have given her? Kate had never known her father either, in her heart she had always hoped he would find her, it was her main reason for returning to L.A when she had to leave England. She stopped running and sat against a wall to catch her breath. She could feel the heavy weight of the shard in her pocket. She took it out and held it to the sun, was it her imagination or was it glowing brighter now? it seemed to whisper something to her, she hadn't noticed it before. It was a whistling sound like glass, she couldn't quite make out the words, something about...
She could only think of her father, maybe...maybe if she found him...she would finally have the answers she so longed for...
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Sorrow
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2002 5:35 am
Sorrow walked into Bob's bar to find Jenn was already there. *Not a surprise,* he thought. Jenn was always early. She was frowning though, it probably had something to do with the taint of vamps that rolled through the place. *Not my usual haunt,* he sat down at the table and pulled out a bottle of mineral water.
"What's up with you?" She'd noticed the faint tremors in his hand, the slightly unfocused eyes.
"Backlash." Sorrow's voice held only pain.
"What? Why?"
"You wanted your creature found Jenn, I found it for you."
"You used magic..."
Sorrow interrupted her, " Jenn, I spent a lot of last night 'open'. Could we skip the commentary on my methods?" He paused, took a shaky breath. "Its lair is on 35th and east."
"Damn, you're not coming are you?"
"In this state I'd be a liability."
"Yes you would, don't worry I'll get this thing."
"It was never my problem, Jenn."
"Tris," she almost whispered it.
"I'm sorry Jenn," he gathered himself again. "Look, have yourself a blast, go collect your fee. If you want to talk, come see me. I'm sure you've found where my room is by now."
Sorrow rose slowly and left the bar.
.........
Sorrow lay on his bed, the pain had receded and he felt like he could function. He got up and switched on the T.V. The news was on as he headed for the bathroom for a couple of aspirin to chase away the last of the pain.
"...Details are sketchy at the moment but the police have..."
"...Jennifer Stashelf..."
Sorrow bolted back into the room...
"Oh god, Oh god, Oh god!
The picture in the upper right hand corner was from Jenn's I.D. Sorrow turned, rage had washed away the pain, he picked up Hazashi and dashed out of the room.
By the time he had reached the street Sorrow had found the shapeshifter's theme. He knew where it was, not just direction but location, everything. Sorrow let the city guide him to his prey.
.........
Sorrow had stalked the creature for an hour or so. He'd let it know he was there but never gave it enough time or space to rest. Now they were approaching a somewhat deserted area near the complex and Sorrow moved in.
The creature had the form of a tall twenty something man; a little thin but not unnaturally so. Hazashi sheathed at his side, Sorrow ran deliberately towards the creature. The creature jerked back just in time as Sorrow unleashed a near perfect iaijutsu draw. Only its non-human reflexes saved it as Hizashi scored a line of red from hip to shoulder. Sorrow's momentum carried him into the creature. Sorrow retained his feet, but it didn't. As it tried to stand Sorrow stepped forward. A downward cut tore into the creatures arm at the elbow, then Sorrow reversed his blade and laid open its thigh to the bone, nicking the femoral artery in the process. Sorrow stepped away, moved back from the creature, gave it room to die.
Sorrow hissed as the change took it, it went from a bleeding underweight young man to a 9 feet tall wolf man, which must have topped 500lb. It growled. Sorrow stepped back in, the kiai leapt from his lips as Sorrow's downward stoke sliced through the muscle of its arm into bone. Sorrow gave it no respite, the next horizontal cut marked its chest again. Sorrow saw it then, the wounds from before the change he could almost understand but both blows just delivered healed as fast as they were dealt.
Sorrow gave himself room, the creature was big, fast, and strong. Fortunately it telegraphed every blow it made and Sorrow dodged, lashing out with his sword time and time again. *Its no use, it heals as fast I can hurt it,* and despair rose up to quench Sorrow's rage. The creature's fist caught him and Sorrow felt ribs crack. He was flung maybe 15 feet through the air. Sorrow gasped like a landed fish, he'd lost Hizashi during his flight and he knew that this was over.
" Hah, your woman gave better sport, at least she had a gun," the creature growled. It stalked towards him " You will die like her, screaming."
The rage rose up again in Sorrow. Veridian fire leapt from his hands. It struck the thing in its legs, wrapped round its knees and clung like something alive until the flesh was charred to bone. Sorrow rose unsteadily, as the backlash hit him. He withstood the pain, savoured it. He fed his anger and hatred on it and the fire flared again. It covered the creature's arm from shoulder to wrist, as it faded there was nothing but burnt meat.
The man resumed his human form, raised his unharmed arm. "Please!"
"No! Did you make her beg! Did you gloat over her!" Sorrow punctuated every cry of rage with a flare of fire until there was nothing before him except a mewling, charred and broken thing. Only the man's head was untouched. The anger receded for a moment then returned like the tide. It broke over Sorrow. An arc of fire like a solar prominence joined Sorrow's hands to the man's head and when it was gone all that remained of that head was gently drifting ash.
Backlash struck Sorrow down like the Hand of God. He fell to his knees and vomited, though barely conscious it was not the pain that drove bile from his mouth but the thought that a part of him had enjoyed what he had done...a part of him wanted it to have lasted longer...a part of him wanted to do it again.
Sorrow went to all fours, looked around through eyes half blinded by pain, searching for Hazashi. What he saw though was a glowing gray crystal set on a ruined gold chain wrapped around the remains of the corpse's neck. It called to him, offered him peace and though Sorrow knew it was false he crawled forward and took it. He spotted his blade then went to it fumbled it into his scabbard and rose to his feet. Sorrow staggered away, blood running from nose, eyes and ears.
Whispering...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:54 am
Post subject: Whispering...
"Give me what I want, do as I ask and I shall answer all your questions..."
"What?"
Once the The shard of Judecca started talking, it appeared that it wouldn't shut up. Kate had run another five blocks and still she couldn't shake the clouded feeling her dream had cast over her mind.
"Give life to me, do my bidding and you shall know peace, I will tell you all you need to know, of your father..."
Kate stopped running, this was getting wierd even for her.
"Shut up! Shut the hell up!" she cried. People turned to look at her. *What, had they never seen a woman talking to a rock before?* she wondered. Kate couldn't help remembering the old prophesy that the Shards breeded insanity in those who were foolish enough to listen to their false promises. *Much more of this and I will go insane,* she thought. Between her visions, her dreams, and the Shard's incessant twittering she had hardly any room in her mind for her own thoughts.
She had also all these thoughts that were not her own, feelings that were not her own, that were part of Kadee her mother, Janus, Stalker and the stranger Victor.
She reproached herself for that last one, she knew better than to perform magic on strangers. Kate always seemed to leave something of herself behind when she did such spells. That part of her gone was replaced by something 'other' from her recipient. And she couldn't make sense of Victor, the little of him she had sensed was of great sorrow, no suffering, no that wasn't right either!
When Kate looked up she recognised the area immediately, she was so near now, so close...
The Shard began vibrating in her pocket, she pulled it out to look at and as she did she got a violent shock up her arm that knocked her to the ground. The Shard was burning hot yet she was still unable to release it. It glowed astonishingly bright, white, and pure. Such pure white energy... It was so alluring. *No, this can't be happening now, it isn't time...* she thought, she wasn't supposed to be alone. The Shard started again, but this time it spoke in her familiar language:
"Veritas vos liberabit," murmured the shard.
*The truth shall make you free,* thought Kate, it had been the motto of the Coven of Sindel.
"We are close, bring us together, and we shall give you the world."
A Meeting on the Third Floor
Wisewoman
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:17 am
Post subject: A Meeting on the Third Floor
Victor locked the door behind him before heading down the stairs to the street. He saw that the door to Jade's apartment across the hall was still closed. But he could feel the crystals behind it.
He was sure there would be too many questions if he waited for them to leave...
He started for the stairs and paused with his hand on the rail, listening suddenly to the faint noise coming from above him. Victor turned to see who it was. He was concerned it might be that nosy Mrs. White. And he was in no mood for explanations.
The Wisewoman padded softly to the door and stopped just inches away from it, sensing the movement below...she held out both palms flat, turned downward. The black pentacle on her left palm glowed red briefly, but the green one on her right hand pulsed slightly, as well. She opened the door and stepped to the head of the stairs.
Victor started to duck down the stairs, but something made him pause. Something in the house made him relax for just a second. As the door at the top of the stairs opened, Victor saw a brief flash of red light.
He ran. A red pentacle was never good news for a demon.
The Wisewoman leaned over the rail and called out softly to him..."Wait..."
Victor's hand was on the door. But there was that feeling. Like the smell of cookies in the oven. Like the sunshine warming your feet. Victor hated those things because they made his soul happy...but still, he could not resist them.
His back still to the stairs he said, "I'm in a hurry. What do you want?"
She laughed softly, and it echoed down the stairwell..."Isn't the question, 'What do you want?'"
She could feel his hesitation. She held out only her right palm, letting him see the glow from the green pentacle as it shifted to white. Hopefully, that would convince him.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the two pentacles. A glowing green one shifting to white, and the red one...still there, but held back. "What do I want? Lady, you have no idea."
Then a memory nagged his mind. The two pentacles. Where did he know that from?
"Are you in the Guild? An Elder?"
*What luck! She could fix up my disguise needs right now!*
"You know us then. Come up. We'll talk."
She waiting until she was sure he was climbing the stairs, then turned back to her apartment, leaving the door open behind her. She had time to pass her left palm over a small stack of books on a low table near the door. The books shimmered briefly, then disappeared. *No sense in giving him too much information.* She turned and smiled as he reached the doorway and hesitated before entering.
*There was that feeling. That trusting feeling. Every time I meet with a guildwoman it is the same thing. Mom. Apple pie. That nurturing feeling. Damn soul. I liked it better with fear. Fear, at least I know how to react to.*
"Yes, I know who you are. I have had dealings with your sisters and sons before. I cannot cast magic on my own, so I need help from time to time in my...work."
"It has been a long time, though. There was a test last time," he said holding out his palm, "I doubt that has changed."
The smile left her face briefly, as she glanced at his palm, then up into his eyes. "You do know us...very well."
She raised her own hands to his, the right palm above and almost touching his palm, the left palm below, near the back of his hand.
There was a brief flux of multicolored light around their hands, mostly rose colored, with one flash of white that quickly died out, to be replaced by a dark, uniform gray. She withdrew her hands sharply and stared at him.
"You have a soul!"
"I get that a lot." *Damn soul.*
She shook her head, and the quizzical smile returned. "Interesting. What kind of magic do you need for your...work? Perhaps I may be of assistance." She wasn't offering to help him, just holding out the possibility that she could.
There was a long pause while she sized him up. She was clearly expecting something more. "Okay. I AM a Gr'nathan Battle Fiend. But I have a soul. I don't like to talk about it much. But it is there. But it isn't my problem. I need to blend more. I got a quick glamour from a witch yesterday, but it won't hold. I need to have something that might hide me ...especially my aura. It tends to set people on edge."
"Yes, I'm sure it does." She turned from him briefly, thinking. "Of course I can dampen your aura, it isn't difficult. And if you're content with the form you currently wear I can make it more...permanent."
Turning back to him, she looked fully into his eyes. "But there's a price. There's always a price. What are you willing to pay?"
* If you only knew the price I have paid already, * he thought. His scowl must have been evident because she shrugged as if it didn't matter to her whether he paid or not. *Knowing the guild, she probably doesn't. *
"I'll decide if the price is too high after I hear it. But, I am willing to pay. What do you want?"
Victor leveled his gaze at the woman. Guild weren't intimidated easily, and she was an Elder. But even the guild could get greedy. Victor was prepared to bargain, but he would not fold easily.
The Wisewoman could sense his determination. It amused her.
"I want you to introduce me to your companions on the floor below. I've been aware of a great deal of activity down there in the past few days, and it's made me curious."
*The price is not high enough. He'll grow suspicious.*
"And that will be sufficient...for now. But I'll reserve the right to require some small service of you later, as well. Nothing too...difficult. Well, what do you say? Is it a deal?"
Victor narrowed his eyes. *What does she know? It would be impossible to conceal the power of the three crystals that were there last night. Especially from her. But I am not sure they trust me enough as it is. To bring in another stranger could be considered...indiscreet.*
"I propose another deal," he said, "I will tell you what I know. And you can introduce yourself as your conscience dictates. I will keep you informed as I feel you need to know. But I will not betray any confidence. "
She considered him, silent for a moment. *He will not betray any confidence...so he has confidences to betray! What he knows is probably little enough, but it may be of use. I have traced the path the women walk already--it will be easy enough to encounter them without his help.*
Suddenly she nodded sharply, once. "Very well then. What do you know?"
*Here we go again...* he thought. But he started by telling her about Tunguska, Tempest, Talhu, Matthias (leaving out his connection to the Lords of the Fae), Janus, The Cloch Cosan, the Shards, Paris, Kain (carefully editing his part in building Kain's collection), Natasha (describing her connection to Matthias, but leaving out much he suspected) and Jade (preserving her family secrets), even Kate and the lodestone.
It was nearly lunch time when he finished.
"So, did it meet your price?" he was smug because her eyes grew steadily wider as he told the tale. It was obviously more than she suspected was going on.
The Wisewoman could not quite believe just how entangled this one had become in such a short time. *He's far closer to the truth than even he knows! And he's met the witch who slew Janus--I must move more quickly than I'd thought. There's something more though, about his part in assembling the Cloch Cosan, that's he's not willing to admit. So be it...*
She shook her head briefly, as though coming out of a trance. "Yes, the price has been paid. Stand over there, in the middle of the floor." She pointed to the only spot in the large apartment that seemed free of either books or plants.
"Now, close your eyes," she said, mockingly. "This won't hurt a bit..."
Victor winced inwardly. He had done this many, many times. But it was never pleasant to be revealed, even for a moment. He was ashamed of his horrid visage. * Damn soul! She won't admit it, but I know I will terrify her. She won't be able to wait to hide my horror from the world. *
The Wisewoman circled slowly around the "man," her arms hanging at her sides, hands curled into soft fists, to hide the pentacles. *He's...what? Not afraid. Something more...is it shame? How can that be?*
Stopping her circuit in front of him, she slowly raised her arms and stretched her hands out toward his face, both palms exposed and glowing. The air around him seemed to shimmer, and she slowly ran her hands down the sides of his body, tracing his outline in the air an inch from his skin. The shimmering followed the path of her hands, and the "man" began to twist and flow, as if he were melting. When the shimmering stopped the form before her solidified, revealing its true visage.
She winced slightly as she looked up at it. *Not the worst I've seen, but bad enough. And with a soul! No wonder he feels shame.* She was about to reinstate its human form, make it more permanent, but she hesitated...this creature stirred something in her. She was still and silent long enough that it finally opened its eyes.
The true face of Vrithetek looked at her, its glowing red eyes piercing hers. Its towering stance looming over the woman. Armor plates and spikes covered its body, and ichor drooled from the pores of its skin. Its greenish tone was swirled with nausea producing color combinations.
The talons on its hands were sharp enough to rend her flesh and its muscular form looked strong enough to lift a truck. The horns on its head reached to the ceiling.
"What are you doing, woman! Why are you leaving me in this wretched form?!"
The Wisewoman reached up quickly with her right hand and gently touched the maw that passed for the monster's mouth.
"Shhhh. It's alright. I needed to know..."
She passed her left palm over its eyes, shutting off the red glare and closing them once more. "I'm doing it now. Be at peace..."
Holding both arms high in the air to encompass the gigantic form, she slowly circled around it to the right. By the time she completed her circle, the "man" stood before her as she had first seen him. "Done."
Victor shook his head slowly as he checked his hands, felt the familiar human form he had worn nearly every day for the last 1000 years. * I won't ask. *
*But you want to know, don't you? *
*Damn soul! I know what is wrong. I have you! What will SHE know that could change that!*
Victor clenched his fists. Then he realized he was shaking with rage. He turned it on her. "How DARE you blackmail me with your witchy ways! I came to you for help, and you used my shame against me!"
He crowded in close to her...and she took a step back. *She can probably see the real me under her own spell.* "I told you what was happening. What more could you possibly want from me!"
"Listen to me," she said, trying to stand her ground against him. "There is no shame in your 'true' form, if that's what it is...How much do you really know about the Guild? About how an Elder is made, and what we are sworn to do? Do you know that we spend many years working only for one side of the balance, before we are Raised?
My task now is to keep the balance, to maintain The Gray, but before I became an Elder I worked with only one side...the dark side, your side!"
"I am my own side, woman. I am not a pawn on a chessboard with only black and white pieces. I move myself from square to square. I change sides as it suits me. All I need to worry about is whether the side I ally with is winning or losing. It is all about the 'Quest.' That is all I need in this...or any other world. And when I have satisfied it, then I will be off the board for good."
Victor lowered the fist he had been shaking at her. He had already spoken more than he wanted. He was embarrassed that she had shown something he had tried to hide. His shame. More than the form he wore, it was his total contempt for himself that he never wanted any one to see.
The Wisewoman's eyebrows rose quizzically as he spoke. "The Quest? You truly believe that?"
He moved toward her menacingly and she quickly said, "No! No, I see that you do. Very well. The spell is set. I'm sure you can feel its permanence. Your aura has not changed, it's only camouflaged and should appear vaguely greenish-gray. It would seem our business is at an end...for the time being."
Victor scowled at her and turned to head out the door. He was about to slam the door on her. A pathetic punctuation of his anger. But he paused in the doorway. "Thank you," he mumbled, "We are even."
He closed the door and his footsteps went down the stairs and out into the street.
School Girl Behavior?
Jadyn
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:43 am
Post subject: School Girl Behavior?
Jade wrapped a ivory colored wool scarf around her neck and shrugged into her brown suede jacket as she stepped out of her apartment building. It was a chilly morning, the bite in the wind making it cold despite the watery sunlight that was shone through. Absently lighting a cigarette, she turned to glance at Matthias and was rather surprised to find him staring at a distance, lost in thought...
"Penny for them?" She smiled at the red-haired man with the gentle eyes.
"I'm sorry, my dear. I'm being rude, aren't I?" Matthias shook his head ruefully. Taking Jade by the arm, he steered her down the road that lead to XY.
"Not at all. You're worried about Tash, aren't you? The crystals, the way they affect her, what happened between her and Tempest last night. It affects you. Because you care. Because you love her." Feeling oddly close to tears, Jade tucked her hand into the crook of Matthias' arm and fell in step with him as he walked.
Matthias smiled indulgently and patted her wind-pinkened cheek.
"Yes."
He didn't have to say anything else. Although he was used to masking his emotions, there was no reason to claim that he'd been brooding on anything but what Jade had mentioned.
They continued to walk in companionable silence, arm in arm, down the still-empty street. This part of town, since it thrived and teamed with life at night (the word "life" being used very loosely in this case!), it was always pretty quiet in the mornings. As they neared XY, Jade spoke again, bringing up something that'd been on her mind since the previous day.
"Matthias? Why is it I don't seem to get affected by the crystals? Everyone else seems to, but I didn't even realise anything was wrong when I unpacked the sculptures to display them in XY!" Jade paused as she unlocked the shop's front door. "And while they seem to have a negative effect on the rest, all I felt when I touched the orange crystal was a warmth spreading through my hand and arm."
Matthias raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure you're not affected child?"
Jade gave an inward smile at the use of the word "child". Matthias looked to be in his early 20s, not much older than herself. She sensed, however, that there was much more to him than met the eye, and she wasn't just talking about his age!
"But I'm not! I don't even seem to sense any evil from it! And if the Cloch Closan opens the Nether Arch, which Tash says is the equivalent to an Apocalypse, how come I don't feel anything? My... perceptive powers have heightened so much in the last few years... I usually pick these things up immediately. Could it be," she hesistated before finishing her thought. "Is it because of my vampire blood? Is that why I don't seem to suffer the same way Tash and Tempest do?"
"No, that's not the reason. Look at Victor, he's not human, but the Shards still manage to play with his mind and warp his thoughts. The Closh Cosan knows not the difference between human and fiend. The crystals only sense good and evil. And since all beings have both good and evil within us, we are all susceptible. You are too, my dear. Just because the effect of them hasn't made itself known, doesn't mean it isn't there."
Matthias laid a hand upon Jade's slim shoulder and felt something surge through him. Strange... He'd spent most of his life aloof from and avoiding mankind. Letting too many people in was, for him, endangering both physically and emotionally. Other than Tash, he'd felt virtually nothing for anyone, up till now.
He looked down at Jade's face, currently furrowed in a frown as she thought about what he'd said. *This petite slip of a girl invokes all my protective instincts. I feel as if I should pick her up and cradle her in my arms to shield her from all the harm and evil in the world. She looks so fragile, so pretty, like a fairy.* Matthias smiled at that little quip. *Yet I sense a strong will and a backbone of steel lurking underneath that fair exterior...*
He spoke again, "I know you have suffered. I also know you constantly fear what evil might be residing in you. But you are no more evil than the next person who battles his or her personal demons. In your case, it matters not who your birth father is. All that matters is that you're innately good and just. Believe me when I say that aghra ."
Soothed by the melody of Matthias' words, Jade nodded. She laid a hand on his cool cheek and looked into his fathomless eyes. "I do. Call me crazy, but I do. Even before we met, when Tash spoke to me of you, I trusted you, something I've not been able to do with anybody since I found out what I truely was. Your belief in me, what you said just now... Thank you... They've given me the comfort I've been seeking these past 4 years but never found."
"We met for a reason poppet." Matthias covered Jade's small hand with his own and smiled at her. He touched her nose lightly with his finger and then moved away, breaking the hypnotic spell that seemed to have settled over the both of them.
Looking around XY, he chuckled. "This place is as warm as I imagined it would be. All those hours I spent wandering on the streets outside... There'd be times I'd pass by your store, look inside and see you behind the counter. I kept thinking how cosy and comfortable it would be, being inside out of the wind!"
Jade beamed her pleasure at his compliment of XY. The shop was like her baby, she'd nurtured the dream of owning it for what seemed like forever...
"I'd better get to work. There's a sitting area at the back, just a couple of armchairs and a small coffee table, but it's comfortable enough if you want to take a rest. You couldn't have slept much last night, looking after Tempest and all." She led him to the area partially obscured by soft, dark blue gauze curtains. "When XY first opened, I intended to use this for tarot card readings. But I've yet to find someone reliable to come in and do them on a permanent basis. You won't believe the number of bogus wiccan wannabes this town has!"
Matthias settled himself onto one of the chairs and took both crystals out of his pocket. "I'm going to meditate, try to see if I can control the effect these Shards seem to have on the people around us. Perhaps I'll figure out a way to help Tempest too."
Jade nodded and arranged the curtains to provide him with a certain amount of protection against the prying eyes of any customers that might happen to wander out back. Reaching across Matthias, she picked up a fallen cushion and jumped as her hand brushed his.
Smiling apologetically, she backed away and fled back to the front of the shop. *God, what's wrong with me?* She knew that she was blushing, her cheeks felt all hot. "Stop acting like a damn school girl!" She told herself sternly. Taking out a duster, she set out to polish the counter tops to a shine, determined not to dwell on any part of what she felt or what just happened.
An Afternoon Stroll
Victor
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:00 pm
Post subject: An Afternoon Stroll
Victor stormed down the street in the crisp afternoon air. He was more mad at himself than the WiseWoman. Why did he keep putting himself in these kinds of situations? Why couldn't he just...it was pointless to fume about it.
He had been walking nearly a half an hour before he found himself near some shops. He saw the Aromatherapy shop XY down the street. There was a bar on the corner. Victor thought a drink might take his mind off his anger. * It couldn't hurt * he thought.
The bar was called Bob's and as Victor entered he could feel the taint of evil in the place. It was dirty and seedy and suited him just fine. He took a seat at the bar.
The bartender, Bob presumably, took his order, and delivered his draft without comment. Victor looked at the glass. *Its dirty. Like you care. Shut up! *
As Victor sat there, he watched the regulars come in and find their regular places. He watched them order their regular drinks and talk about the usual things. He felt out of place. He was always the odd one out.
Not quite evil, not quite good. Always somewhere that wasn't in the middle either. An attactive woman sat on the stool next to Victor. She smiled at him. He smiled back. *Have to keep up appearances. I'm one of your herd. *
They talked about nothing for a while while Victor nursed his drink (all part of the disguise). A vampire entered from the back room, and paid for blood from Bob who unskillfully tried to conceal it. * So he traffics in more than just the usual scum. He may know something useful. *
Amusing Fates
Zayn
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:08 pm
Post subject: Amusing Fates
Zayn floated in a sea of energy. It was nothing and everything, both silent and cacophonous. Releasing her physical form seemed to be the only way to view the multitude of the visions that pelted her consciousness. The spiratural activity in L.A was at an all time high and provided much to see.. Linking fates and twisted motives colored all that surrounded the Cloch Cosan.
Zayn rolled her head easing the tension in her neck as she brought together energy and molecules to form her humanoid body. In her time as one of the powers she had witnessed many things, but this was turning out to be very interesting indeed. *Yes, the Collective must be having a ball with this one. * Zayn walked to the bay window and sat looking out onto the city. *Many are seeking answers * The black haired woman sat and took on the Lotus Pose. *Some answers are better left unsaid *
The time for intervention was fast approaching, but Zayn'Jae Vex remained patient.
In the Alley
Victor
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:13 pm
Post subject: In the Alley
Paul, Kain's security man, watched as the swordsman sliced up the beast. The swordsman was obviously in a lot of pain, both physical and emotional. Paul was glad for the darkness becasue it hid him while he caught his breath. The swordsman had practically run the beast to exhaustion.
Paul had a lot of stamina, but frankly he wasn't crazy like those two. Frankly he was glad the Swordsman had done in the beast finally. He wasn't sure that he could take a 500 lb monster. Not with what he had at had...which was nothing. The rocket launcher in his pickup might have done the trick, but he'd had to leave it behind by several blocks.
When the swordsman finally collapsed he started to move forward. Swordmen never impressed Paul, much. He'd killed too many of them in the past. Their necks broke like every one else's. He was planning to just drop kick the swordsman and grab the crystal. Then the swordsman looked closer at the beast. He spotted something and reached for it. *Shit * thought Paul, * He's got it now. He looks beat. I'll just follow him home and snuff him there. * A little gasoline to cover the murder, and he'd be back at the Beazor in time to catch shift change.
Twins
Victor
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:33 pm
Post subject: Twins
The little girls played in the backyard like they hadn't a care in the world. Which they didn't. they were oblivious to the ills that went about in the world. They only had thoughts for the moment. The sun. The grass, the swings. They were happy. But they were not normal.
Inside, their mother watched from the wheelchair. The blowtube allowed her to maneuver her chair throughout the house. The voice operated arm could pick up small items as she needed them. She like to sit still only when she watched her daughters. They were all she had. The only good things that were left in her marriage. She had to finally surrender to him. He would have killed her before he would let her go. Then who would watch their daughters? Their very special daughters.
It was funny she thought of the man who did this to her as her second husband. He was the one that came after her true, loving husband. The one who would never hurt her. But that all changed the day their daughters were born. The first one, Celia, so perfect and beautiful, then Cassy, the smaller one whose eyes looked into her mother's soul from the first day.
Those girls, those precious, precious girls had a gift. Only when they were together, only when they stayed together, they had the gift to cloak magic. It cancelled out magic entirely around them. Their father was the first to realize it when the spells that had contained his half-demon heritage was released. When he beat her mercilessly, the demonic side of him mutating and changing in front of her. When he left the house, he was fine. When the girls were not around, he was ...normal. And he was always sorry...so sorry.
He couldn't understand why he did what he did. "It's under control," he'd whisper to her, "The spells are intact. I had them checked again today. I really love you." She always let him back in when he cried.
When he broke her neck last year, she was confined to this chair. He hired nurses and nannies. He had the children home schooled. He came and visited. But even since the...accident...he'd slapped her around a few times. But he never meant it.
She knew it wasn't much. He took care of them. He loved them. But she needed something of hers. Something he could never touch. That was her daughters. She'd never let them go away from her.
As she sat looking out the door at her daughters, the briefcase with the four stones inside sat by the desk. The four stones that did not sparkle, whisper or shine in this house because the magic that made them so very precious was damped out. The four stones that the woman had accepted for safe keeping, and a very large fee, was behaving itself until the time for it to become magical again had arrived.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Tempest
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 5:41 pm
Tash looked at Tempest's peacefully sleeping form a moment longer, then turned to leave the room. *Shut down those feelings, girl. Just what do you think would happen if you got interested in someone? You know you can't touch them....* Many a time Tash had wished she could touch someone with her bare hands without getting a flood of history and feelings. It was bad enough picking up stray thoughts from a distance. She grasped the doorknob with her gloved hand and gently pulled it open.
Tempest rolled over and his eyes slowly opened. "Who's there?" he said as he sat upright.
Tash turned in the doorway, then stepped back into the bedroom. "It's Tash. How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?"
"Oddly yes, I feel better than I have for a long time. How are you?" Tempest then began to stretch and looked quickly at his clothes sitting on the dresser.
Tash followed Tempest's gaze and quickly said, "Matthias must have undressed you to get you into bed. I stayed with Jade last night, and he stayed with you. Matthias has gone to the shop with Jade, so I stayed to watch out for you." Tash took the final step that would take her next to the bed. She hunkered down to get to Tempest's level. "Do you remember anything about last night?"
"Yeah, most of it. Is Victor around? I'd like to talk to him about a few things. Don't suppose you have any coffee around here?"
Tash smiled. "Yeah, coffee I can do. I'm afraid I can't cook waffles like Jade fed me for breakfast, though." As Tash stood, she bit her lip. "There's something...no, I'll wait until you're up and dressed, and you have coffee in you. If you want a shower, the bathroom's just down the passage."
Tash gave Tempest a broad smile, then left the room. She stood for a moment leaning back against the closed door. Why was she finding it so hard to concentrate? *Can I blame it on the crystal in there? Or is it just me...?* Not knowing how to answer herself, Tash went to the kitchen to start boiling the kettle.
Tempest dressed and left the room to find Tash and hopefully some coffee. "So where’s everyone? Seemed pretty busy in here last night."
Tash poured the boiling water into the coffee plunger. It was the first thing she'd bought when she'd come to LA. No way was she going to drink instant! "Jade's gone to work. Matthias is with her just in case anyone traced the orange crystal to her shop. Victor left last night. I suppose he's in his apartment, though he might have gone out."
Tash looked up at Tempest. "We were all supposed to meet back here at sunset tonight. Do you take milk and sugar?" Tash gazed at Tempest a while longer. "I had some pretty weird dreams last night. Do you remember dreaming at all?"
"Both please." Tempest leaned against the wall. "Nothing I can remember, I remember your face and that other man who was with us earlier and some strange golden light but I have no idea what that was about."
Tash nodded. "Yeah, I thought you were having a nice, peaceful sleep. I had some pretty strange dreams." She pushed the plunger down and poured a mug for Tempest, then added milk and sugar and did the same for her coffee.
"I dreamed about Victor, but it was a long time ago. He was offering you a chance at knowledge if you'd help him get the crystals together. I dreamed about your parents. It was weird - they felt like my parents. I felt like it was me waking up to see my parents dead beside my bed, but I knew I was you." Tash shook her head. "It sounds really weird, and it freaked me out. It was ages ago, more than a century. And you've been trying to find out ever since why you don't age."
Tash shuddered. "And I dreamed about Paris, about you - only it felt like me - in the vortex the crystals made. I saw - something. Darkness, shapes, it's all gone very vague." Tash hugged herself, suddenly feeling very cold. Shivers ran up and down her spine.
"That seems like every night to me, but I've never dreamed about Victor. Last night I got the distinct impression we knew each other. I’m hoping he can fill in some of the blanks. And that other guy, I think I knew him as well but I don’t think we were best friends or anything. But what happened last night? I didn’t have any dreams and you had what seems to be my dreams? What happened?"
Tash could feel the confusion coming from Tempest, and something else - what? “I was hoping you'd have some bits back when you woke up. That was what the golden light was all about. When I touch things with bare flesh, I get impressions, memories. I tried to pull your memories up and with Matthias' help, push them back into you. I thought it could help you." Tash looked away, then back at Tempest. "I'm sorry, it's not an exact science. I wasn't even sure I could do anything. I almost got lost...." Tash's voice trailed off as she felt once more the swirl of the dark maelstrom as the last crystal had dropped into place. She closed her eyes. *Hang on, girl. Don't let it get to you.*
As Tash started to topple from her seat, Tempest grabbed her and she fell to the ground. As he knelt there holding her in his arms all he could say was, "I’m sorry."
Tash lay still for a moment, hardly daring to breathe. She’d felt a dizziness for a second, but it was already gone. Now all she could think about was how good it felt to be held. She could feel Tempest’s heart beating against her cheek, and it was all she could do to stop herself from placing her hands on his chest.
Tempest helped Tash to her feet. "Are you ok? Do you need to lay down or anything?"
Tash still felt a little weak, and wanted very much to rest in Tempest's embrace, but she forced herself upright. *No showing weakness, girl. Pull yourself together!* She pushed herself away from Tempest's arms, and felt his disappointment as she did so. "No, thanks. I'm fine now, really. I just felt a bit dizzy for a moment." She looked up at him. They were still standing very close.
Taking a step back, she said "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. I think Victor lied to you about how the crystals work. I think he lied to himself. He thought he could control them. He says he knows better, now. I hope so, for all our sakes. The more people trying to stop them, the better." *Damn! He's incredibly cute when he's NOT sleeping, too.*
"I doubt there is anyone in this dimension that could even hope to harness the power of the crystals. I’m glad Victor’s on our side - he's most definitely old and seemed quite powerful. Say, do you know where Victor is? I’d very much like to speak with him."
Tash gathered what scattered wits she had left, and replied, "I think he lives just across and down the hall a little. Apartment 202, I think. Tempest, he's not exactly human. I get the feeling he's been around a very long time. Speaking of which, just how old are you, do you know?"
"How old am I... I've been looking for the answer to that question for a long time. As far as I can tell, somewhere in the 100-150 year range. It’s hard to tell when you can’t remember most of your life."
Tash shook her head sadly. “I sort of know how you feel. The dreams I was having last night - I'm sorry, it must feel like you've been violated or something to have someone rummaging around in your head like that. I just hope it helps to bring something back for you."
"After the dreams you must have had, I’d say it’s been worse for you than for me. You have no idea what a night of peace is worth to me right now."
Tash smiled shyly "Glad I could help."
"Well, Thanks for the coffee but I really should be off again. I should like to find Victor today, and you said everyone is coming over tonight - would you mind if I came over again?"
A wide grin spread across Tash's face - she couldn't help it. "Don't be silly. Of course I wouldn't mind." Controlling her facial muscles, she continued, "Be careful with Victor - I don't entirely trust him. He's known you a long time, but you can't remember him. Just ... be careful."
“Don’t worry... Contrary to what you've seen I can handle myself. And I guess I'll be seeing you again tonight. Thanks again for letting my spend the night." Tempest put on his jacket and went to the door. As he entered the hallway he turned around and smiled at Tash. "Tonight." He then closed the door.
Tash leaned against the door as it closed, her eyes shut. She could feel her heart pounding. *No, I can’t get involved. I’d want to touch him - and just think what would happen if I did.* She inhaled deeply, then let the breath out slowly. Looking around her bare flat, she thought *Furniture. I must buy furniture.*
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 8:58 pm
Whatever was in that building, it was something big. Kate had already heard raised voices and doors slamming. Only a little while ago there had been a huge magical energy surge that seemed to wrap around the entire third floor. Kate was still reeling from its effect when she heard heavy footsteps in the vestibule. She had only enough time to bury her back to the wall of the building before the demon she knew as Victor came storming out in a rage.
It appeared that someone had strengthened his cover spell, she could barely see his demonic form swirling under his human facade. It was only because she knew what his real form was, had been, that she could see the trace elements now. A shiver went up her spine as she thought of Victor in his 'true' form. She had never seen a creature like that before, the sight had chilled her bones. And yet there had been the soul, dwelling under that mess.
Kate took a step out of the shadow as Victor's form receded into the distance. It was a shame, she thought, his human form was so attractive, you would never guess at what lay beneath the surface. Suddenly someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped at the touch.
"What are you doing here?"
Afternoon Musings
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 9:57 pm
Post subject: Afternoon Musings
Tash cleared away the empty coffee mugs almost in a daze. She couldn’t stop thinking about Tempest. *Hmm, wonder what his real name is? I wonder if HE knows?* She remembered the feel of his arms around her, of being pressed against his warm body. It was amazing how secure she’d felt for those few moments.
She was sure she hadn’t imagined his feelings, either. He seemed as though he wanted to hold her forever, but was afraid to grow close to someone. It was ironic, she wanted to hold him, but was afraid as well. She almost wished she had reciprocated more fully – let him know what she felt. *It’s tough for those poor people out there with no psychic skill.*
*Stop thinking about him. You’re only torturing yourself, girl!* Tash continued tidying in the kitchen, then looked at the bedroom door. *No, I think I’ll tidy up in there later. Not ready to go in there yet.* She checked the weapons she’d already had on her yesterday, then took the bike out of the second bedroom and left to go shopping.
Stepping out of the apartment building, Tash let the midday winter sun play on her face. She climbed aboard her bike and cruised down the street. She could remember seeing a couple of shopping areas during her exploration the other day; one of them had at least one furniture store.
A couple of hours later Tash was a little poorer, but was now the proud owner of a couple of sofa beds for the lounge room, and a set of decent chairs to go around her table. They’d promised delivery later that afternoon. She’d thought about a spare bed for the second room, but the bike took up most of the space in there, and there was no way she was going to evict it.
Rather than go home to an empty flat, Tash continued past her home to XY. She found a park just outside the shop, so she could keep an eye on it. As she entered the shop, Tash was struck by how calm it felt inside. She was expecting some turmoil, given that Matthias had two of the crystals with him. The shop was fairly busy, and Jade looked like she had her hands full. Tash caught her eye and mouthed “Matthias?”. Jade grinned strangely and nodded her head towards the back area.
Pushing through the curtain at the back, Tash found Matthias sitting with his eyes closed, looking like he was far away. She moved quietly into the room, and still with his eyes shut Matthias said, “Are you feeling any better, Tash?” Then his eyes snapped open and he looked at her in some surprise. “What’s wrong? You seem troubled. Even more so than you were after your nightmares – what’s happened?”
Tash flinched slightly, angry at herself for letting her feelings betray her. She just couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened – or nearly happened – this morning with Tempest. *All it needed from me was a word, or a touch…and who knows?* Tash shook her head slowly. “It’s not important. Nothing that relates to these crystals.”
Matthias looked at her reproachfully. “Tash, I know you far too well. I think I know what’s troubling you. You want to heal all his hurts, don’t you? You want to just erase all the bad things that have happened to him, to hold him until it all goes away.”
Tash nodded. “I’ve always been so good at keeping my distance, at being dispassionate about people. I only ever felt strongly about vampires, and that was to kill them. Now I want to be close to someone and I can’t, can I? Because of this!” Tash held up her gloved hands, then threw them down in disgust. “You always told me this was a gift, and I believed you. Now I know it’s a curse! How can I ever love anyone if I can’t even touch them?”
“You touched him last night.”
“Yeah, and look what it did to me. Not only did I get my nightmares, but his as well. And his nightmares are far worse than mine. His include those accursed crystals, and they almost got me, Matthias. I felt it again this morning, just briefly. Tempest….” Tash stopped, embarrassed. She didn’t want to say how Tempest had brought her back.
Matthias sat, saying nothing. He felt strange. His feelings towards Natasha were complex. He’d taken care of her for so long, tried to heal her hurts. He knew how easy it was to grow attached to someone in those circumstances. It had happened to him, when he’d always managed to keep his distance from humanity before. He knew she saw him as a father-figure and nothing more, and he’d accepted that calmly. But he still wanted to protect her.
Then there was Jade. Perhaps by succumbing to his feelings of protection for one human, he was now vulnerable to those feelings. Jade brought out much the same sorts of emotions as Tash did. The same sorts of feelings Tash was obviously having for Tempest. *Oh, what a tangled web we weave….*
“Matthias? I wish I could tell what you were thinking. You’re being very quiet. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you…” Tash sat on the chair next to Matthias and laid her head on his shoulder, as she used to do when she was feeling sad. Matthias absently stroked her head. “Just wondering if perhaps I’ve been on this plane too long.” He took her face in his hands. “Don’t worry about me, Tash. Follow your heart. I’ve always wanted you to be happy, to stop hurting.”
“But how can I be happy, Matthias? I’ll never be free of my ‘gift’, and while I have that, I can’t have him.”
Matthias gave a small smile. “I think you underestimate your own strength, girl. And his.” As he held her face, he imparted a small amount of his strength into her, much as he had done on many occasions as she was growing up. His meditations had proved fairly successful, and he thought that some of his essence would help Tash to combat the effects of the crystals.
Tash felt inexplicably better. She suspected Matthias did something sometimes when he touched her. She could remember feeling like this other times, especially when she was troubled. She breathed in slowly. “Thanks. I feel a lot better now.” She looked down at the two crystals on the table. “Why can’t I feel them as strongly as before? They’re there, but they aren’t pushing on my mind the way they did. Did you do that?”
“I’ve helped a little, I hope. I’ve boosted your immune system, so to speak, and I’ve also been trying to dampen their effects on the people around them.” Matthias shrugged. “I don’t know how well I’ve done, or how long it’ll hold.”
“Well, from my point of view it’s a vast improvement. Thanks.” Tash squeezed Matthias’ shoulder and pushed back through the curtain into the shop. Jade was still busy taking care of her customers, so Tash just touched her arm lightly and said, “I’ll see you later tonight.” Jade nodded, and Tash returned to the afternoon sun outside.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Stalker
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 10:15 pm
Stalker left Kate's after their meeting. He didn't know how long she would sleep, so he decided to go to Bob's for a drink.
He arrived out the front of Bob's. *This should be fun,* he thought as he entered. Bob looked up as he entered he smiled then looked angry and then a look of total confusion crossed Bob's face. Stalker sat down at the bar. Bob aproached Stalker "How the hell did you make it to that front door without frying?"
"Huh?" Stalker said as his eyes surveyed the different drinks available.
"The door! The door! How did you get to it from outside without frying? You don't seem to have anything to cloak yourself with."
Stalker looked to Bob, "Oh that." *Time for some fun.* "I'm sorry, I can't tell you!"
Bob looked confused "Why can't you tell me?"
"I can't tell you because I plan to sell it," Stalker said.
Bob's eyes lit up. "You plan to sell it! What is it? Maybe I could help?"
"Hmm, I s'pose telling you what it is wouldn't be too bad, and it would be easier if I got you to sell it for me.." Stalker had an expression of deep thought on his face.
"Yes! Yes! What is it?" Bob said looking very excited.
"OK, I'll tell you, but you have to come close," Stalker said looking around to make sure no-one was listening.
Bob leaned in close. "I'm listening," he whispered.
"Sunscreen!" Stalker whispered.
"Sunscreen?" Bob said in a raised voice then realising how loud he'd said it, looked around to see no-one was listening. He looked back at Stalker. "Sunscreen?" he whispered.
"Yes, sunscreen," Stalker reassured, "but not just any old sunscreen. Magical sunscreen," Stalker whispered.
"Magical?" Bob questioned.
"Yes, magical," Stalker reassured. He looked around before continuing. "A demon showed me how to make it."
"You're joking," Bob said, looking around.
"I'll prove it to you," said Stalker, standing up.
"How?" said Bob, confused.
"Follow me," Stalker said, walking around behind the bar and into the kitchen. "C'mon!" he said, encouraging Bob.
Bob hesitantly left the bar. Stalker continued through the kitchen, out the backdoor and into the sunlight. He spun around a few times with his arms in the air. "See! No flames engufing me and turning me into a big pile of ash."
"Wow." Bob was amazed. He spoke up quickly, realising there would be a fortune to be made with this product. "You tell me how it's made and I'll give you $2000."
"Hey, remember what I said. I ain't telling you how it's made for any amount of money. The demon would kill me but I will sell it to you $400 a bottle."
"No way," Bob said.
"OK," said Stalker as he turned and started to walk away.
"Wait!" yelled Bob, "I'll give you, umm, $250 a bottle."
Stalker turned around. "It's a deal! How many do you want? I can have 20 ready within an hour."
"OK, I can get the money ready by then." Bob looked pleased with himself.
"I'll be back in an hour," Stalker said as he disappeared around the corner. Stalker wandered down the street. *This is going to be one of the easiest five grand I've ever made.* Stalker laughed to himself as he walked into the drug store. "Twenty bottles of sunscreen please..."
Stalker arived an hour later at Bob's carrying a bag.
"Have you got the sunscreen?" Bob whispered.
"Maybe, do you have the cash?" Bob place $5000 on the bar but quickly took it away before anyone except Stalker could see it.
"Now, do you have the sunscreen?" Bob whispered.
Stalker opened the bag. Bob peered inside he looked up with an angry look on his face "That's just Sunscreen!!!"
"Of course it is. What did you expect? Magic faeries?" Stalker exclaimed. He whispered again "The magic's in the sunscreen. I've already put the spell on the bottles. all they have to do is put it on all over and say the magic words."
Bob's face lit up again he handed Stalker the $5000 and Stalker handed him the bag. Stalker got up to leave.
"Hey, what? Are you trying to cheat me?" Bob said.
"Huh?" Stalker said not understanding what he meant.
"The magic words," Bob whispered insistently.
"Oh," Stalker sighed he leaned close to Bob. "OK, here are the magic words: 'aliali ickyrectus dominus confusius kabodle sungod no fire', and then they have to spin around three times and jump backward once and forward twice." Stalker whispered while Bob frantically scribbled down the 'magic' words. "Have you got it?"
"Yes, I think so." Bob handed Stalker the piece of paper.
"Yep, that's correct," Stalker said as he handed the paper back to Bob.
"Thanks," said Bob.
"The pleasure's all mine," Stalker said as he slipped out the front door of the bar. Stalker laughed to himself as he walked down the road. *Easy money.*
Stalker wasn't sure if Kate would be up yet but he made his way back to her house anyway. Stalker arrived at the house and proceeded inside. *I better fix that lock.* He couldn't smell Kate's scent. *Damn, she's left without me.*
As Stalker was about to leave the house he noticed the phone so he called for a taxi. He arrived out front of the building just as a man was leaving the building, at least Stalker thought he was a man. His instinct told him otherwise, but he certainly looked and smelt like a normal person. Stalker was too busy to care so he quickly ran into the building. He saw Catherine standing just next to the entrance.
He placed his hand on her shoulder trying not to startle her "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to wait for me!"
A Meeting...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 3:52 am
Post subject: A Meeting...
Kate turned around harshly, seeing Stalker standing close behind her. She hit him hard on the arm for startling her. "What the Hell are you trying to do? Frighten me to death?"
"Hey!” cried Stalker in protest, “Sorry, I tried not to scare you – honest," Stalker tried not to smile.
Kate smiled back, she really couldn't get used to seeing Stalker in the daylight, it was way too normal. She looked back over her shoulder in the direction Victor had vanished.
Stalker followed Kate’s line of sight, then turned back to her. "So we're here now, what’s going on?" said Stalker smiling *Why am I so happy?*
Kate couldn't help still feeling wary. "Um, there's something going on I think you should know about," she said hesitantly. She was very conscious of their being alone, of their talking about this in the street but she didn't want to go inside, not yet.
Leaving XY, Tash decided she'd better get home before the furniture delivery truck arrived. Riding down the street, approaching home, she caught a feeling of power emanating from near the front of the apartment block. It seemed to be coming from one of the two people standing outside. One was a handsome man, pale with blonde hair, dressed in a long leather coat, the other was a beautiful woman, her arms were crossed petulantly, her short red bob shone in the afternoon sun. Tash approached them cautiously.
"Well what’s going on? And by the way isn't the sun lovely today?" Stalker said with a stupid grin. *I feel strange.* A tickling shiver ran up and down Stalker's spine and he wasn't sure why. A woman on a motorbike rode up slowly. *Hmm, who's she?* Kate took Stalker by the arm, trying to move him into the shadows cast by the building, but he wouldn’t budge.
As Tash drew closer, she was able to determine the auras surrounding them. The woman's was bright green, with flashes of blues. *Oh, no, not another one...* The man....Tash drew in her breath sharply. The man's was black, very black, but paler than a vampire. He also seemed to have streaks of colour in there. *Just what the Hell is going on around here?* He was in the sunlight, so obviously he wasn't a vampire. Tash carefully dismounted.
Kate frowned as she saw the woman come near, she was tall with skin was so dark it was almost black, like her hair. Kate wasn't sure, she could pick up something strange about her, a strange energy field, but the damn Shard of Judecca was clouding her judgement.
Stalker noticed Kate watching the woman. "Do you know her?"
"No," said Kate, warily, "I don't." She tensed up, looking ready to make a break for it if she had to.
Tash felt something familiar as she wheeled her bike towards the entrance of the building....she felt the tickle in her mind. *Surely not! But they're definitely not normal people. Another crystal? Victor was right, they are being drawn together.* "Hi" she said to the pair. "Have you moved in here, too?"
"Yes, name’s Jake," said Stalker preferring to use his fake name.
Kate looked at Stalker sharply, then returned her gaze to their questioner.
"I'm Tash, I've just moved in a little while ago myself." Tash eyed the two. The feeling of power she was receiving from the woman was incredible.
Kate’s eyes wandered over Tash, searching, piercing. Tash seemed to flinch uncomfortably. Stalker looked between Kate and Tash, *What was going on?* he thought. “Kate…” he began before Kate shot another of her annoyed looks at Stalker. He clamped his mouth shut. *Damn, she could be scary sometimes.*
Kate turned back to Tash, smiling falsely. "My name IS Kate." she revealed reluctantly. *Knowledge is power she thought, but who is this woman?*
Tash pasted on a beaming smile. "Well, lovely to meet you both, Jake and Kate. Have you just moved in yourselves? I'm sure I haven't noticed you around. You don't seem like the type to stay hidden for long." *She thinks like a witch, but what's his story? Vampire connections, lots of them. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained,* Tash thought. She carefully peeled off a glove and offered her hand to Kate.
Kate warily accepted the hand extended towards her. As their palms came together she felt an overwhelming sense of calm and peace, she immediately relaxed.
Tash gingerly touched the woman's hand. She could feel Kate relax. *Wow, that stuff Matthias did to me really must've helped.* She could feel the crystal Kate had, and Kate's struggle to come to terms with it's grip on her mind. *I've got to get her to see Matthias, and quickly!*
*Whoa* thought Kate as she pulled her hand back, *what the Hell was that?* She had been used to picking up on other people's random thoughts, but this was so clear, it was like she was sitting inside Tash's mind. *Who was Matthias?* she thought. And didn't she just mention the crystals? Could it be..?
Tash knew that tonight was out of the question - too many people would be around, but Matthias would have to know about this soon. "You both must come and see me sometime soon, as a welcome to the block. Tonight's not good, but maybe tomorrow?"
*There was that name again...Matthias, there was definitely more to this girl than met the eye.* "Yeah, we'd like that, right Jake!" Kate nudged Stalker in the ribs.
“Huh? What? Oh, yeah." Stalker was distracted, the sun seemed so alluring.
Tash hid a frown. She pulled her glove back on. Kate seemed to be picking up her thoughts....and was worried about the name Matthias. Did she know him? "Well that's great. I'm in apartment 205, on the second floor. Which one are you two in?"
“103, I think." Stalker gets out his key. "Yep, 103."
Again Kate caught Stalker’s gaze, he just sort of shrugged in reply. Kate smiled back at Tash, this time it was genuine.
Tash nodded politely. She could feel the crystal Kate had trying to reach her mind. She desperately wanted to get away from it. "Great. Well, I'd love to see you tomorrow sometime. Will you be in during the day? I can visit you, if you like."
Kate looked warily towards Stalker, waiting for his answer, it was HIS apartment, after all!
"Umm, probably I go for a lot of walks lately but should be home tomorrow."
"OK, I'll drop by tomorrow and see how you're settling in. I've got a friend I might bring with me, if that's OK?" Tash started to arrange her motorbike.
"Yeah, all right," said Kate weakly, "Tomorrow."
"Yeah, see ya" Stalker says as he wanders off in the other direction *Hey, wait a minute! I wasn't leaving.* Stalker wanders back, Kate catches his arm, steadying him.
Tash wheeled her bike up the stairs to the apartment foyer. Something about Kate was bothering her, and it wasn't just the crystal she was carrying. *Matthias really has to see her. I hope she doesn't try to use it before then.* "I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry to rush off, but I've got people coming around tonight. Bye."
Kate watched Tash as she entered the building. She was silent, thoughtful. *People coming around tonight… Wonder if one of those would be this Matthias?*
Stalker caught himself going to leave again. *Damn, what’s wrong with me?*
Kate watched Stalker and his vague behaviour *What the hell was wrong with him?* She felt the crystal in her pocket, could it… "Look Stalker," began Kate, *But what was she going to say?* "Look, we really need to talk, but it'll have to wait now, I'm gonna be late for work, and Bob's been pissed I've missed my last two shifts.” *Damn, she hated leaving him like this, he was like a child, she couldn’t help feeling responsible for his confusion, was it anything to do with the Shard of Judecca?? “Um, I might come around after work tonight, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah, sure Kate” he said softly, “don’t you take any crap from Bob!”
Kate smiled, “I won’t.” She felt an urge to hug him or something, he looked so lost, she fought the impulse and headed off toward Bob’s. She turned back, seeing Stalker finally going with HIS urge and wandering onto the street where the sunlight was. *A vampire in love with the sun.* She had to laugh at the irony in it. Stalker went in his direction and Kate returned towards hers hurrying down the street, still deep in thought.
Unforgettable...
Jadyn
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 5:17 am
Post subject: Unforgettable...
Jade closed the cash register drawer with a satisfying " cling " as she finished ringing up a particularly large sale she'd made to a lady in her late forties. "Remember," she smiled as she handed the pretty red and white XY paper bag to her customer, "the oils need to be diluted as instructed on the bottle and massaged gently onto your tummy, thighs and calves every evening after a warm shower. I've had customers who've used this natural remedy and had pretty good results with their varicose vein problems... Oh, don't use all the oils at the same time though. You can switch around between the Geranium, Cypress and Lavender till you find the one you prefer."
Jade followed her last customer to the door of the shop, waving as she closed the door behind her and flipped the shop sign to say CLOSED. She heaved a huge sigh and rolled her shoulders to relieve some of the tension she felt. Business had been brisk and although she was eager to head home and rest her aching feet, she was not complaining. The constant flow of people had kept her mind off the confusion she felt in her heart. Now that her hands were idle, her brain was starting to work overtime!
*Tash looked awfully troubled earlier when she came into the store. Wonder if everything's ok... She did seem a lot better after she spoke to Matthias. Calmer, somehow, if not happier. Does he usually have this effect on everyone?* Jade rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself.
Just then, the object of her thoughts ducked out from the tarot card corner and she smiled at him a little shyly. "I usually close XY at about 5, it gives me enough time to get out of this area before night falls and Bob's less savoury customers start piling in. It's still a little too early for us to meet the rest to continue where the discussion left off last night... What say we head back to my place, get Tash to join us and I'll cook up some dinner?"
Matthias' mouth quirked a little and he nodded, not bothering to tell Jade that he didn't exactly need to eat like normal human beings. Watching her as she tugged on her scarf and jacket, he steeled himself against taking her elbow to guide her as she made her way out of the shop and down the street. Touching her was not a good idea, not after he'd spent the better part of the afternoon clamping down on whatever feelings she'd roused in him.
Jade shivered as they made thier way back to Poplar Avenue, although whether it was due to the cold or to Matthias' nearness, she couldn't say. For once, she didn't feel the need to look over her shoulder as she walked. She felt safe and protected, just knowing that Matthias was with her. She stole a glance up at him (even in her heeled boots, he still had a good 4 or 5 inches on her!), secretly admiring the way he looked in a black turtle neck sweater and dark jeans. *He looks so... strong.*
"God," she thought, "I sound like such a sappy airhead! Snap out of it! Sheesh..."
Matthias, however, didn't seem to sense Jade's inner turmoil or if he did, he didn't show it. Instead, he asked Jade for details on how Tempest had come to save her life as well as how she and Tash had met.
She chattered away, grateful for the diversion. She frowned as she wrapped up her story about Tempest, pausing slightly as she pondered on her next words. "It's strange, really. These last few years, I've thought about him a lot, wondering what it'd be like if we ever met again." She laughed self-consciously. "It's not exactly turning out the way I expected. I think my brain's been addled by all the romance novels I use to read as a kid. My mom always said those books would ruin me as they gave one unrealistic expectations of love in the real world..."
*It's not turning out how you expected, you silly girl, because you probably don't feel anything else towards him besides a profound sense of gratitude...* Jade frowned at that voice that whispered in her head.
She stopped when she realised that Matthias was no longer walking next to her. Looking around, she saw that he'd stopped a few steps back, in front of an old black man playing an old acoustic guitar and singing on the near-empty street. Both men looked at her as she walked back, somewhat bewildered, "Matthias, what...?"
However, before she could say anything else, she found herself being swept away, laughing breathlessly in Matthias' arms as he twirled her around expertly in some sort of impromptu waltz. The old musician beamed at them as he crooned... "Unforgettable... That's what you are... Unforgettable... Just like a star... That's why darling, it's incredible... That someone, so unforgettable... Thinks that I am, unforgettable too..."
As the final chord faded off, Jade spoke softly. "That was magical..."
Matthias tucked a $20 bill into the musician's pocket before turning back to Jade and replying, "Remember, aghra , love isn't limited by one's expectations, there is no such thing as unrealistic expectations when it comes to matters of the heart. They're largely unexplainable, unjustifiable and unpredictable. And largely magical. Don't you ever forget that. The feeling you felt when we finished dancing just now... Hold on to that."
Jade was silent as they covered the remaining distance to the apartment. She wasn't too sure what exactly Matthias had meant, or if indeed, there was any hidden meaning to his last little speech. *Dammit... Why does it seem so vague, yet so complex? And I thought women were suppose to be the ones with the issues!*
The Past Always Finds You...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 10:20 am
Post subject: The Past Always Finds You...
Kate entered though the back door at Bob’s and it was already getting dark. Bob promptly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her though to the back. “Kate, where the hell have you been for the past two days, er nights?” he said fiercely.
Kate ripped her arms free from his sweaty grasp. “It was urgent, I couldn’t help it.”
“Yeah well, pull that kind of stunt on me again and you’re fired.”
“Really? And who else are you gonna find to work in this dump for you? I’m sorry Bob, but I’m here now, all right?”
“Yeah, right,” said Bob reluctantly. Kate had been his best worker in a long time, most of his employees usually ended up on the menu. Kate was attractive, the local demons appreciated that, plus she could handle the more… uncivilised clientele. “Um, Kate, tell me you’re not working in that.” He looked down at her sweat pants, T-shirt and trainers.
“Don’t panic Bob, I’ve got a change of clothes in my locker.” Kate walked over to the locker and pulled out a slinky black dress. “Better?”
“Much,” said Bob excitedly.
Kate cleared her throat, “Um, Bob, a little privacy please?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” said Bob as he walked back into the bar.
Once he had gone Kate carefully removed the Shard from her pocket, it still shone brightly. *Why did I bring this with me tonight?* she thought. It must have been safer at home rather that here with all these demons up to no good. It was too late now anyway. Carefully she wrapped it up in her jacket and shoved it right at the back of her locker. Hopefully it would be safe there but just to make sure, she would invoke the wall of stone to protect it.
“Murus Lapideus,” she spoke. There was a small ring of green as it wound its way around the locker. The spell had been cast.
It is later that night, Kate is working behind the bar. She wears the black dress that she showed Bob. The dark, satin fabric enhances the pale luminescence of her skin. Her hair is wound up in a loose chignon. She wipes the glasses clean and stacks them under the counter. The bar is empty apart from a couple of low life vampires in the corner playing pool. The sound system belts out ‘Latin Simone – Que Pasa Contigo’, by the Gorillas; the sound is hollow in the empty club. Kate takes a look around before returning to the delivery books.
Suddenly she hears a noise out the back. *Did I leave the back door open?* she wondered as she headed that way to check it out. The door was open, it creaked in the breeze. As she neared it she saw something on the floor. She stooped to pick it up, it was a black rose. She stood, the rose in her hand, looking around in the darkness.
“Inanna, Inanna, is that you?" she called out quietly.
A robed figure emerged from the shadows, removing her hood. “Kate, I knew you would remember me.”
Kate and Inanna embraced warmly, “My God, how did you find me?” asked Kate in wonder.
Inanna looked unnerved. “Kate, the coven, the council - they are close, very close, I came to warn you, you have to leave.”
“How do you…” she began then noticing Inanna’s worried face she stopped. “you’re with them aren’t you?”
“I had no choice, you know they don’t take no for an answer. They really believe you are guilty Kate, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, it’s true. I killed Janus.”
“No, no, it can’t, but you had your reasons! You must have.”
“Of course, but do you think that will make an ounce of difference to the council? I am already guilty in their eyes, they would not trust my statement if I gave it.”
“They say you killed her for her powers.”
“No, that is NOT true,” protested Kate venomously. “I had no choice. Janus - she was evil. The council know the truth, the reason they want me is BECAUSE of Janus’ powers.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Inanna, shaking her head in disagreement.
“So you believe that I am evil, that Janus’ power has corrupted me, that my soul is impure because I committed murder, do you believe that?” cried Kate painfully.
“No! …Yes, maybe I do, oh Kate you ran away, why did you run? If only you’d stayed, explained…”
“I did! I told Serapis everything, he swore he would speak up for me, he was the one who sent the guard to arrest me!”
“Serapis. But he loved you Kate, why would he…”
“I don’t know, but I suspected, I thought maybe he was working for the Cult of Dayhock” omitted Kate reluctantly.
“No,…Serapis,… no.”
“I don’t know what to think, he betrayed me!”
Inanna glanced at her watch. “I have to go. Look Kate, leave this place, you must.”
“No.”
“What? You must, don’t you understand? They will find you, it is only a matter of time.”
“That is why I’m not running anymore, it IS only a matter of time, I realised a little while ago that the only way to solve my problems was to face them, head on, and be damned with the consequences. I can’t run forever.”
“As you wish, but I have warned you,” said Inanna as she pulled her hood back over her head, preparing to leave.
“Yes, your conscience is clear.”
Inanna looks guilty, she kisses Kate on the cheek and then leaves. Kate returns to the bar, the vamps in the corner have gone, she slumps down in a chair.
*What the hell have I got myself into?*
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Tempest
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 5:05 pm
Victor drained his drink, and was half-watching the bartender get scammed by a sunscreen salesman, when he saw a familiar figure enter the bar. He signaled to Bob that he was moving to a table. Tempest saw him gesture to one of the private tables, and sat down with Victor. "I wasn't sure you'd ever want to talk to me. "
"I figured since you seem to know me I ought to get to know you. Come to think of it how do you know me?" Tempest said as he studied Victor’s face.
*Poor bastard. Lost everything. His mind must be crazier than a jigsaw puzzle.* "Yeah, we go way back. We first met in New York. What is the first thing you remember?"
"I wish I could tell... I really only remember bits and pieces. But the earliest thing as far as I can tell was waking up in my bedroom and seeing my parents' bodies strewn about the room." Tempest winced as he finished. It was just as horrible now as it was then.
"That was before I met you. You hired me to investigate the crime. I ...” * milked you for money for a few years before you gave up * "never found the killer. That was years ago." The bartender brought two beers. He was listening all the way from the bar. How he could hear the two of them over the din in the bar was a trade secret. "The next time I met you was Tunguska, Siberia, Russia."
"The crystals, that was the first time I came in contact with them. Do you remember what happened there? With the crystals?" *Yes, I remember them. I remember being too late.*
“You were already immortal. You told me once you lucked into it, but never explained why...or how. We met in the fall of 1909 to try to gain the power of the crystals for ourselves. You had become a mercenary, and were coming with me because, frankly, what is risking one's live if you are immortal? We closed in on that bastard Rasputin and his toadies. He had it open already when we finally found him. He had opened it on a plane of reality where magic burned out of it like a pillar of flame high into the sky. He was dancing in the flames. Then he stepped into the stream... He must have exploded from all the power. I remember waking up face down in a stream three miles away every tree for 30 miles was laying flat. I looked but never found you.”
"Odd, I remember the trees and waking up but not much more. I take it we met again, however. What can you tell me about that meeting?"
Frankly I forgot about you for years. We connected again in Paris in 1979. That was when we became friends. You told me about Talhu and how you had fought him in Russia. Must have been some fight. You had followed a crystal to Paris. You suggested we try again to take the Cloch Cosan for our own. You had changed, Tempest. You were like me. Black. We robbed the rich nobility and lived like kings. It was there we met Janus. You and she played off of each other like addicts. There was nothing you did that she didn't try to out-do you. She led us to the monks. I planned the raid. The rest you know."
"Sounds like we had fun at least. What do you mean, black? And what happened to Janus? I remember bits about her." *And feelings* he thought as he sipped his beer.
"Tempest; despite the fact that you and I were friends, I really don't think you need to know all of this. We were criminals. I, a demon, and you an immortal mercenary, Janus an immoral witch. We wound a wretched path of debauchery, crime, murder, and mayhem across Europe for two years. You know enough to know you aren't the same man that I know in Paris. Janus is dead, murdered by her order. And Me? I'm am a wretched traitor to this world, my world, and my friends.“ Victor stood up from his seat, "I would like to be your friend again, but you cannot accept me at face value. I would like to have my friend back, but I am not sure I could bear the guilt of having you back as you were. We have a destiny to fulfill. And for that, for now, you can trust me. That will have to be enough...for now."
"You speak of your past as though you're ashamed of who you were. When you don’t know who you were or are, you learn that the past doesn't really matter. It's what you make of the future that counts. And as for destiny, I think it's up to us what’s going to happen next."
Victor looked grim, but extended a hand anyway, "Then let's not ruin it, by being friends."
"Then what do we do?" Tempest again studied Victor's face and could tell he was unhappy with the way things were going.
Victor checked his Tag-hauer watch, "There are a few hours until sundown. I want to look into something before we meet at Natasha's place. I have a suspicion that the crystals are closer together than we could possibly imagine. We know of six...there are still two we haven't accounted for."
"All nine are in the city I can feel them all here. I have one. That other guy from the apartment he had two. What about the other three you have accounted for?"
*Damn. Time to trust someone. Shut up, soul! *
"I trusted you with my life once. While you may not have his past, I have to hope you are in some ways the same man. Kain has four crystals. I sold him one not two days ago...before I knew the nine were in the city. If I had known that, I would have never done it. I hope you can believe that I would not have done it had I known. “
"I have a feeling that trust was mutual. And I'm guessing that the four that I sense are together are in Kain’s possession. And I myself intended to use the crystal I have to settle a debt with Kain. I just hope you got something valuable in the trade."
“Excuse me a moment.” Victor walked over to the bar and grabbed Bob by the shirt. He yanked the phone from his trembling fingers and slammed the handset so hard it broke. You are going to forget. I know everyone who knows that secret. You will tell no one. Understand?" Bob looked truly frightened. His puzzled look told Victor that he wasn't even sure what he knew. But he would hold his tongue. One day...maybe two. More if Victor made more frequent appearances. Victor strolled back to the table. *I should kill him. I imagine his soul would taste wonderfully gamey.*
"So what do you suppose we should do about the two unaccounted for crystals? Hunt them down?"
“Not yet. I think we are better off trying to keep the ones we have safe. There must be some sort of way to conceal, hide, lock-up...just keep them out of Kain's hands. Then we can concentrate on the others.”
"Well all I can think of is we keep them apart and never leave them alone."
"That might work for you, but not everyone is as strong as you. The stones whisper. They aren't safe in anyone's hands unless they can be muted somehow. No, they need to be tucked away someplace they won't be found...and can't be detected. That, we can decide later tonight"
"Well then, I guess we'll figure everything out tonight when everyone meets at Tash’s apartment. As for me, I have a few things to do, so I'll see you later." Tempest got to his feet and quickly exited the bar, glancing at Victor as he passed through the doors. *I think we might just end up friends again.*
Dinner with Friends
Natasha Brookes
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 5:45 pm
Post subject: Dinner with Friends
Tash fretted in her apartment for a while. The woman, Kate, seemed to have been a very powerful witch, and Tash wasn't sure that she was totally in control of the crystal she'd carried. There was nothing she could do until she saw Matthias, though. Jade would be closing the shop soon, so they'd be back before too long. In the meantime, Tash worried.
Soon, there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" called Tash.
"Fabulous Furniture. We have a delivery." came the reply.
Tash opened the door with a smile. "Great, the stuff just goes in here."
Just as the men finished putting the furniture she'd bought in the lounge room and were leaving, Tash thought she heard two sets of feet on the stairs.
"I'll just pop over and get Tash to join us... Why don't you go ahead and start on dinner?" Matthias' eyes twinkled. "Ok, I'll admit it, I'm just trying to edge my way out of helping you cook. But believe me when I say that I'm doing it for your own good. Whatever skills I have, the minute I walk into a kitchen, it becomes a war zone filled with landmines."
Jade burst out laughing at the doleful tone his voice took. "That's ok. I wasn't thinking of asking you for help anyway! Go ahead, I'll see you two back at my apartment. Won't lock the door, just let yourselves in later ok?"
After closing her front door, she put Sade on her CD player and hummed along as she gathered the ingredients to make one of her favourite pasta dishes...
Tash was just testing out one of her new sofas, when there was another knock at the door. "Who is it?" Tash's familiar cry rang out.
"Matthias."
Tash unlocked the door and opened it for her old mentor. *Not that he looks that old. He was aging himself for me when we were together, but now he looks like I remember when we first met.* Tash grinned. "Am I glad to see you!" Tash ushered Matthias in and closed the door.
Matthias raised one eyebrow at her, but said nothing.
"I've just run into someone earlier. She was outside, lives downstairs with a guy."
"Well, that's certainly no crime. " Matthias quipped.
"No, but she was very strong - a witch, I think. And his aura was very dark, almost black, but with a little colour. I'd have said he was a vampire, but he was standing in the sunlight! But the important thing is, I'm sure she has a crystal. And I think it might be winning...." Tash's calm voice was betrayed by the worry in her eyes.
“I’ve arranged to go visit them tomorrow, to say ‘Hi’, and I suggested I might bring a friend with me. I really think you need to see her, Matthias.” Tash bit her lip. She wasn’t at all happy about the number of powerful people and entities that were congregating in this building. *Why here, why now?*
Matthias reached out and squeezed Tash’s shoulder. “We’ll manage. We always do. For now, I believe that Jade is cooking us some lovely pasta…. Shall we repair to her abode for some repast?”
Tash smiled at his phrasing. “Of course, good sir. Lead the way.”
Jade added some basil to the sauce she was stirring over the stove before she checked on the onion bread she had warming in the oven. She'd changed into a pretty, light blue sundress that hugged her slim figure, her long hair tied back with a matching ribbon. She was sniffing appreciatively at the aroma wafting through the entire apartment when she heard her front door open. Turning around, she smiled at Tash and Matthias as they walked in.
As she entered Jade's apartment, Tash could smell the heavenly aroma of cooking. *Waffles and pasta - my stomach's in heaven today!* "Hi, Jade, look what the cat dragged in." Tash stopped and stared at Jade. *Wow.* "Well, it seems I spoke truer than I knew. Sorry, I didn't get dressed for dinner." Tash looked down at her jeans and shirt, with the leather jacket over the lot. She was even wearing her shoulder holster still! *Hmm, maybe I should've taken that off. Don't want to be randomly pointing guns at people again.*
Jade blushed. "I'm overdressed I think... Don't worry about it. There's a tossed salad and some peach iced tea on the table if you guys want to start. I'll just dump the pasta in to boil before I join you. I hope you brought a huge appetite!" Jade chuckled and stuck her tongue in her cheek as she looked at the amount of food she'd prepared. "I think I over-estimated, just a liiiiiiittle bit."
Tash grinned. "That's OK, I didn't have any lunch today." *Yeah, I was all tied up in knots about Tempest....*
Matthias poured himself some iced tea, raised an eyebrow at Tash, then poured one for her at her nod. Tash couldn't help but notice that he looked a little tired. *Must be the effort of containing two crystals, in such close proximity.* Tash herself could feel only the faintest whisper from the crystals Matthias had.
Jade lit one of her cigarettes as she waited for the pasta to finish cooking. Walking over to the window, she drew the blinds up, allowing for a cool night breeze to sweep through the room. She watched Matthias and Tash as they helped themselves to the food and drink. *How in sync they are. You don't have to know them to see the bond between them.* Sighing a little wistfully, she turned back towards the window and concentrated on the distant twinkling lights of the city of L.A.
Tash felt a strange niggle in the back of her mind. A tinge of jealousy? She turned her head to look at Jade standing in front of the window, then looked at Matthias. Realisation dawned on her, and she felt a small smile creep across her face.
Matthias noticed Tash looking at him, with a sparkle in her eyes. As he met her gaze, she flicked her eyes towards Jade. He looked to see the lovely Asian woman silhouetted against the window. Matthias looked back at Natasha and gave the merest of shrugs. No words had to pass between them. Tash smiled broadly and nodded twice.
"The water's boiling over..." Jade turned back at the sound of Matthias' voice. As she hurried across the room to take the saucepan off the stove, she caught a glimpse of Tash grinning like a Cheshire cat. *She's chirpy, all of a sudden...*
Jade grabbed a basket, dumped the bread in it and brought all the food to the table. "Sit. Eat." She smiled at the two people standing in front of her. One dark, one fair. So different in looks, yet so alike in other ways...
Tash grinned at her new friend, and sat. Matthias pulled out a chair for Jade, who looked suddenly shy. The pasta was incredible. *I'm going to have to chain Jade to my stove.*
Dinner passed quickly, and the dishes stacked in the sink. Matthias led the way across the hall to Tash's apartment. Tash held Jade back for a moment, and whispered. "That stuff you showed me this morning?" Jade nodded, and Tash continued. "We can talk about it properly if you like, tomorrow morning."
Jade nodded. That was another thing that had been preying on the fringes of her mind the whole day, besides her complex feelings towards Matthias. She linked her arm through Tash's and grinned weakly. "You just want me to cook you breakfast again, you sly fox!"
Secrets Revealed - Part 1
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 9:23 pm
Post subject: Secrets Revealed - Part 1
Kate peers into the swirling abyss at her feet. Janus too looks at it over her shoulder. She is holding Kate roughly round the waist, and a shining steel blade held to Kate’s throat. The Abyss swirls in colours of blue and black but expurges a bright white light that makes the whole construct something like a wind tunnel. Kate turns her face away from the vortex, she tries to take a step away but Janus pushes her back. The sheer blast of the light whips their long hair into a frenzy, ripping at their long robes. A thin trickle of blood flows down Kate’s neck.
“Sorry about that,” says Janus. She wipes the blood up with her finger and then places the finger in her mouth. “Mmm, such purity.”
Kate turns to face her foe; her eyes are expressive of true terror. They stand in opposition, Janus in her long flowing black robes, Kate in white. Janus raises her arms towards the portal and chants, “Abyssus abyssum invocat!”
“No!” cries Kate in terror. She lunges at Janus but she bats her away easily, knocking Kate to the ground.
Janus turns towards her, “You had to get involved didn’t you?” She kneels at Kate’s side; she runs her cold hand over Kate’s cheek. “You were my favourite, I would never have hurt you.”
Kate rips her hand from her face “I will not let you do this Janus.”
She smiles wickedly, “You don’t have a choice, the portal is almost open, besides you’re not powerful enough to stop me.” with that she turns her back to the vortex…
****
Kate shakes her head clear. The Bar at Bob’s was empty; Inanna had left a long time since. Kate looked at her watch, it was nearly 2:30am. Things were very slow tonight. She picked up some glasses to put them away and promptly dropped them. Damn, her hands were still shaking. *That was it, I've had enough tonight,* she thought as she picked up the broken glass. “Ow!” she cried as she cut the palm of her hand and red blood dripped onto the floor. *Shit!* At that moment Bob walked in, she’d never been so glad to see him.
“Bob!” she cried.
Bob looked shocked, Kate looked paler than usual, her hands were covered in blood. “What, what happened?”
Kate looked up in dismay, “I have to go.” She bolted into the back room and Bob followed her closely. Kate wrapped her bloodied hand in a towel, grabbing her things out of her locker. As she did the Shard of Judecca rolled out of its hiding place. Bob stared at it.
“What the hell is that? It looks…valuable”
“Nothing” said Kate hastily as she snatched it back up. *Damn, I forgot about that.* “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she shouted in apology as she ran out of the back door.
It was still pitch black as she ran through the streets of L.A *Thank God I only have to get to Poplar Avenue and not wait for a cab.* She was also glad she didn’t have to be alone tonight, she had never felt so helpless and alone in all her life. It didn’t seem long before she was making her way into the building. As soon as she crossed the threshold she was hit with a vision. She leant against the doorframe, holding her head.
****
She saw two people, no there were three, sitting at a kitchen table, one was the female Tash she had met earlier that day, the other two she had never seen before in her life. The other female was amazingly pretty, oriental, with long silky hair. The final person was a young man, his appearance was a stark contrast to the other two, he had pale red hair and piercing blue eyes. The people seemed to be consumed in the task of eating and talking – everything seemed so normal, but there appeared to be a strange cloud wrapping itself around the trio.
****
The vision ended as abruptly as it had started and Kate quickly passed into the corridor. She pressed her back to the wall. Her breathing was heavy and laboured *What is happening to me?* Thinking she should get inside before she collapsed, she dragged herself to Stalker’s apartment. 103, that was what he had said, right? Her hand hovered over the door in hesitation for a moment, then she brought it down, knocking forcefully.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Talhu
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2002 10:20 pm
Talhu had returned to the motel room later in the evening and finally gotten some sleep. It was early in the morning when he heard the knocking at his door. He got up to look out and saw Alaric there. What did he want again? Figuring it was not a good idea to snub one's demon boss, he opened the door and invited him in. "You don't have any news, do you?" Talhu asked.
"None on the shards, no." Alaric reached in to his suit jacket, and pulled out an envelope. "There are certain problems that I must take care of overseas. In here is a list of bank accounts to use, as well as contacts for hiring muscle and finding information."
"So, what you're saying is that I'm on my own?"
"Precisely." He turned to leave, and stopped at the door. "You'll also find money in there. Do try and get a new suit or two." When Alaric was gone, Talhu could not help but laugh to himself. The demon he had agreed to work for was both bizarre and dangerous. However, he actually had a good excuse to follow this order. Talhu wanted to feed to ensure that he was at full strength when he began his search in earnest.
***THE AFTERNOON***
Alice enjoyed working in the department store's clothing section, mainly because she was good at it. She knew almost by instinct what outfit would work on someone when they asked for help. It was this gift that made her a valued employee at the store, and would indirectly cost Alice her life. Her latest customer was a rather good looking young man, who had shown up in a rather bland outfit. Black suit, white shirt, black tie.
She had recommended several new shirts and ties for him, as well as a couple of other suits. They had gotten to chatting (as she always did - she figured it was that extra touch that brought people back) and had joked that she would be willing to bet that she could make him "quite the lady killer." The customer, who she later learned was named Pravus, had taken her up on the bet. He would buy right then and there a shirt/tie combination. If it didn't work on him, she would agree to buy him the suit of his choosing; if it did, he would buy any suit she choose.
Alice took the bet, and picked out a blue shirt and tie combination. The tie was one of those ones that had patterns in it without being novelty. He bought them, and had gone off to change asking her to put a few more aside. "What do you think?" a voice came from behind. She turned to she Pravus standing there, adjusting the tie.
"God, I love being right."
"Yes, well, it seems you win the bet." He smiled in a way that seemed both pleased and mischievous. "What suit do I have to buy now?"
"Oh, none. Just a couple of shirts and ties. Black really is your color."
They walked over to the register, and she rang him up. She checked him out again. *He really is cute. Too bad I'll probably never see him again. Something tells me he would be interesting to get to know.* "Thank you," he said after paying and everything was bagged. Then he stopped. "By the way, I'm still new in this city. Perhaps you could tell me some of the better places to go."
*Mind reader* she thought. "Well, sure. I have my lunch break to take. If you want, we could go out." He agreed, so she told her boss she was heading out. *My roommate is going to have a heart attack when I tell her about this... going out with strange men on a whim.* She took him to her car, and they both got in. "Tell me, how does one get a name like Pravus?"
Pravus smiled. "Oh, it's rather simple, really." He reached out and touched her hand. "It helps when they think 'Evil' is an apt description of you." She opened her mouth to speak, but instead felt pain. Everything at once seemed to be failing in her body. Then half a minute later, she was dead.
Talhu pushed the body aside, and drove to the motel to put his clothes away. Later both would be dumped in a lake. She would not be found for some time. Then, he pulled out the list and started going through locations Alaric had given. It was time to start hunting for the shards.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Sorrow
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2002 12:47 am
Sorrow grunted as something hit him in the back. On top of his other pain this was too much and he felt consciousness slipping away. As the darkness claims him he feels something rise within him like a leviathan from the depths.
.........
Sorrow stretches as he wakes from a pleasant sleep then stops, there is no pain. His head is as clear as it has every been. He takes a deep breath but there is no answering burst of pain from broken ribs. *What the... I should be barely able to function after last night.* He gets up and for a moment he is dizzy. Sorrow sits back down on the bed. Slowly the dizzyness subsides. He begins to shiver though the room is comfortably warm. *This feels like blood loss. What's going on?*
Continued...
Catherine Wiccham
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2002 2:36 am
Post subject: Continued...
The knocking grew louder, rousing Stalker from a rather pleasant dream.
"What the hell..?" he said as he opened the door, his voice trailed off as he saw Kate standing there, pale, and holding her bloody, bandaged hand. "Christ what happened?" he said as he ushered her inside, closing the door behind her.
"Inanna, she, she..." Kate could hardly form her words she was hyperventilating so much. Stalker took her over to the sink in his kitchen and gently peeled back the bloodstained towel. There was a lot of blood there. Stalker was amazed at his own resistance, he wasn't a slave to the blood any more he realised. The wound had already begun to heal. He ran the cold tap and carefully washed away the blood from her hands.
"Does it hurt?" he asked her anxiously.
"What?" She looked down at her hand, the wound was sealing itself up as she watched. Soon there was little more than a scratch remaining. "Oh, no, it doesn't hurt," she replied.
Stalker brought her over to the sofa in the living room area and sat her down. He quickly looked through her things, taking a small box from her jacket pocket. "Here," he said. Kate looked up, he was offering her a cigarette. She raised her shaky hand and took one from the packet. She placed it between her lips, Stalker handed her a light, and lit the cigarette. She breathed in deeply *Ahh, that was better.*
Stalker watched her gradually calm down, "What's this about Inanna?" he asked once her breathing had returned to normal. "She's from the coven right?"
"Yeah" said Kate calmly, "she was a good friend, she came to warn me, the council are near."
Stalker raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Near, she is part of the hunt, huh?"
"Yeah," replied Kate inhaling again on the cigarette. She blew out the smoke and it seemed to dance in the cold air of the room. Stalker watched it for a while.
"Can she be trusted? I mean how do we know she won't lead the council here now that she knows where you are?"
"We don't know, I think she can be trusted, although Serapis has been spreading his lies still, I got the feeling he was part of the hunt too."
Stalker seemed to flinch at the mention of Serapis' name, he stood, walking around the room a bit, "Yeah, well, that wouldn't surprise me."
Kate noticed the hurt in is voice, he had a real problem with Serapis, not that she could blame him, he had tried to kill both of them when they were in England, but it seemed to run deeper than that. Kate looked up at Stalker, her eyes were wide, and lost. "Can I stay here tonight?"
Stalker wasn't expecting that, he knew it was just because she was scared, not that she would ever admit it, but..."Sure" he said softly.
Kate looked back down at the floor, "I can't be alone tonight, I'm sorry, this sounds pathetic."
"No, not at all, you can stay for as long as you like."
Kate looked back gratefully. "Thank you."
****
It is later that night and Kate sleeps soundly on the sofa in the living room, her dress is draped over the back of a chair, she wears the T-shirt that she took from her locker at work, although her body is covered with a blanket. Stalker stands over her, watching. He strokes the silky fabric of her dress on the chair, he looks confused as he watches her peaceful, rhythmic breathing. Slowly he reaches his hand out towards her face. Thinking again, he quickly withdraws it. There is a slight breeze that blows over Kate's face, she stirs. When she opens her eyes Stalker has vanished and the room is empty.
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Cian
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2002 10:06 am
Cian first became aware of a headache as he regained consciousness. Other details followed; the pool of blood he was lying in, the still-shattered bones, and the still bleeding wounds that hadn't yet closed. Cian spent his first few hours of wakefulness lying on his back, unmoving, unwilling to even open his eyes.
A crash, a rush of air as something leapt up past the vampire.
Cian threw himself to his knees and pulled one of his colts from the remnants of his jacket. The pistol's muzzle found itself inches from a dirty and malnourished cat, evidently a stray. The cat hissed and ran off.
Cian remained as he was, on his knees, his right arm extended, his spine bent forward, his lungs taking in deep, labored breaths, for a handful of seconds and then fell back to the ground.
Only after he had collapsed did Cian manage to piece together the bits and pieces of sensory details he had accumulated since his return to consciousness. He had returned to the abandoned shop were he had spent his first day in LA and was presently lying behind the counter he had earlier used to shelter himself from the sun.
*More comfortable accommodations, indeed.
*Not that it's a surprise I came back here, I was cut up badly enough that I could barely move, much less think straight. It stands to reason that I came back to the last place I took shelter.*
Cian held his drawn gun up to his face.
*Magazine's empty.*
Unpleasant memories returned to Cian.
*And that's why I had to barter for my life, something I should be able to defend, not have to trade for.*
A hint of a smile touched the edge of Cian's mouth. The resulting expression was more akin to malevolence than mirth.
*Thank god that was just a cat.*
With no little difficulty, Cian removed the box of .45 rounds from his jacket pocket. It was empty, and he dropped it to the floor.
*That's right, the first four clips saw to the first five."
Cian's free hand instinctively went to the skean dhu strapped to his left leg.
*For the most part.*
*The rest of the box got shot off in a sort of running firefight with the various employees and patrons of the Beazor who felt the need to see what all the noise was about. I got lucky; gunshots don't attract too much attention at a place like the Beazor.*
*Somewhere along the line, I fed. The human provided enough blood to get me to the garbage and to regenerate enough of my lungs to speak with the human in the trench coat, the one with the sword.*
At the thought of being forced to barter for his life, Cian clenched his hands into fists hard enough to draw blood from his already drained hands.
*Not much else I could have done, not with the blood I had. Besides, the human I was provided with supplied enough blood for me to make it away from the Beazor and back to here. Did I feed again on the way back? I don't remember it, but I must have.*
Cian raised himself up to his elbows and pulled the samsonite out of its hiding place.
*All things considered, I made a pretty good showing of myself. I killed off at least a dozen of what were probably supposed to be my peers, and I did it ripped apart and bleeding badly.*
Cian fished a second box of .45 rounds out of his suitcase and began to load his emptied magazines.
*Still, I lost twice, once to the demon Kain, in combat, and once to the human with the sword, on principle. I must take steps to kill them both.*
Cian finish loading his second backup clip and slid a magazine out of the gun he had already removed from its holster.
*Kain first.*
Cian slipped a seventh round into the magazine and slid it back into its handgun, which he placed back into its holster. He drew his second gun, removed its magazine, and began to load it.
*I've about used up the blood that I haven't bled out. I'll rest for a few more hours and then hunt...*
Season One: Feb 06, 2005 - Jul 06, 2005
Sorrow
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2002 12:06 pm
Sorrow's stomach growled, the magics woven through his body were doing their best but they need fuel to replace the blood he had lost. He picked up the phone and ordered room service. The operator at the other end seemed surprised at the size and nature of the order but Sorrow knew he'd need it all.
He headed to the bathroom for a quick shower before the food arrived. The shock wore off then and room service arrived with him sobbing, wracked by a mixture of grief, self-loathing and rage. It took him a while to pull himself together but eventually he finished the shower, sat down and began to eat.
As he ate he reviewed what he could recall of last night. *No, not last night, I've lost a day somewhere.* He had been attacked from behind, of that he was sure though for what reason he didn't know. *The crystal.* either that or some vampire had thought him easy prey. His mind drew a blank from that point on. His could recall nothing between then and awaking that morning. He need answers and quickly. He went to his blood soaked long coat. *The dry cleaning bill for this is going to be steep.* He reached into the pocket and pulled out the softly glowing crystal.
Returning to the table he set it down. There was power there, he could sense it. It promised keep him safe, to let him forget all his cares and worries. It wove a siren's song of oblivion. Sorrow realised he had to dull that song else it would snare him, in the long run it would be irresistible. He opened his case of magic supplies. Wards weren't his strong point really, but with time and effort he could protect himself, at least for a while.
* I need more stuff than this, especially for the powers I'm going to invoke. * It was mid morning - XY would be open * Do I take it with me? * He decided against it. He could hide it for a couple of hours, he was certain. He removed his smoked quartz's, placed the crystal on the floor and set the five stones around it. He focused, imagined the pentagram surrounding the crystal and sang. His pleasant tenor voice held a single note and the stones raised a harmonic resonance. Slowly the crystal's song faded. *Well that should hold till sundown.*
Meanwhile back at the Happy Motorist Lodge...
Victor
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2002 2:52 pm
Post subject: Meanwhile back at the Happy Motorist Lodge...
Paul watched the two vamps he'd called to help take out the swordsman. Paul had worked with a lot of vampires, and he really hated to use them. They tended to think about eating first, and business second. But it was short notice, and you take what you can get.
He watched as the swordsman was clubbed over the head by Flea, and Roscoe went to take the sword away from him. Paul totally missed what happened, but Roscoe just went poof! Flea lasted a little longer, he landed a few swift kicks into the swordsman's body. The swordsman drove Flea back into a wall, and Flea just bit him on the arm.
Flea made a strange face, and pushed him off. He pulled a broken fang out of his mouth. The swordsman was very tough. Flea swiped him a few more times and the swordsman fell flat on his face. Flea reached down to grab him, and the swordsman reacted by grabbing the vamp by the lower jaw and ripping it off. Flea stood there with his broken fang and his tongue hangin out of his ruined face.
The swordsman exploded with a kick that drove Flea into a pile of broken pallets...disappearing into dust when a plank impaled him. Paul was stunned. That swordsman was on total automatic. He'd never seen anyone fight like that. The swordsman staggered away, and Paul just watched him go.
---------------------------------
Hours later, Paul was tired as he drank his coffee outside the hotel. He sat in his pickup truck and watched and waited. * I'm glad I found this place. Kain wouldn't be happy if I had not been able to pick up the trail. After what he did to Roscoe and Flea, I was sure I didn't want to face him. Still, he'd be great in the Arena. *
The swordsman walked out of the hotel, and Paul picked up the tiny charm that had helped him locate the hotel. It sometimes paid to know hedge witches. It was cute trinket shaped like a mason's plumb. He breathed on it gently to start it in motion and it swirled then stopped and hung perfectly straight down.
*Now that's odd, * thought Paul. It was practically at a 90% angle all night. If the light hadn't been on in his room all night, I'd have gone after the crystal then. Well, he's not going to get far. I'll just check his room while he's out. Paul opened his glovebox and selected a Glock 9mm. Discreet and deadly. Perfect.
Inside the hotel, he wandered around until he found the right room. He picked the lock in 18 seconds and was in the door. Paul glanced around the room and spotted the circle on the floor. The grey crystal was just laying there on the floor.
Paul actually took a step towards it before he realized how stupid that was. *I need a shaman here for this,* he thought, looking for the phone. He placed a call, and less then 15 minutes later a tall black man with a white suit entered the room. "You need da services of da Houngan?" he asked with a lyrical Jamaican accent.
Paul indicated the circle on the floor. "Kain wants the crystal. I can pay."
"Da Houngan will not work for dat demon!" His rage was palpable. Kain often spawned that sort of reaction. Paul was used to it.
"I'm not asking you to," Paul spoke softly, "You are working for me. I work for him, but so do a lot of people. You are not aiding evil. You are doing me a favor. Which, " Paul said, pulling out a fat wad of bills, "I am very grateful for."
The Houngan looked at the money, and Paul detected the subtle shift of posture that goes with selling one's principles, "Lets get on wit' it den."
Paul sat on the bed while the Houngan carefully draped his suit across a chair. He pulled out a selection of bottles, animal bits, and a small phial of blood. He sat on the carpet and lit a cigar.
He blew the smoke across the circle, and the pentagram light up, "Dis is not sophisticated magic, but it be strong. Like a brick wall. Dis may take a while, and I only brought enough chicken blood for one try."
Paul nodded. Pulled out the Glock and laid it on the bed, cocked. If that swordsman showed up, he'd be sure to get at least one quick shot off. Paul just nodded at the Houngan who scowled at him, but did not object.