Bright Lights, Bloody Nights, Big City: Vampire Game Thread

[The Silence and I]

"Why won't the voices leave me alone? Why do they keep me from ...being? I...I know they are not from God." Her eyes are wide, blinking.

So you know, to some extent, your internal division. Good.

"Do you think they are from demons?"

"Those voices are keeping you from knowing the truth, Cassie. They divide and confuse your mind. It is a shame you have to bear them, but for now they are your burden." He pauses for a moment, lets her absorb that.

"You could say they are the work of demons, Cassie, but I don't want to mislead you. There is no simple exorcism for this problem--but do not dispair! God is on your side, I am the proof. With your inner strength and my guidance you can overcome this division and become whole. God loves you, Cassie, what has happened to you was not part of His plan, but the work of a monster."

Everyone has their crack, a hole in their armor. Through her faith Cassie would find truth--though she may not like it at first.

[Bratty]

Rosemary narrows her eyes. This vampire is dangerous. "Cassie. He seeks to destroy you, and rebuild you. He is going to make you his puppet."

Cassie frowns at the voice and speaks out loud. "How is that any different than you?" She addresses Rosemary, but Rosemary is no where to be seen on the surface.

Cassie looks on Merry then, and takes his hand in her claw, imploring. "Please, help me, Angel!"

Then Cassie's face contorts as Mary shines though. Her claw slashes him as she snarls in Merry's face. "Leave us alone, before you make me really mad."

[The Silence and I]

"How is that any different than you?"

Merry starts thinking fast; was that to him? He didn't think he'd said anything warrenting that response--

"Please, help me, Angel!"

--ah, an internal dialog? Regardless, time to shine.

"This will not be easy, you know the story of Saul--

Then Cassie's face contorts as Mary shines though. Her claw slashes him as she snarls in Merry's face. "Leave us alone, before you make me really mad."

Merry fixes his gaze on the vampire's eyes, his voice rises. He cannot command attention with words like Cassie can, but his is still a voice of absolute confidence.

"Yours is a false power. I leave or stay according to Cassie's wishes, NOT yours."

Bending the power of Malkav's gifts he dulls the emotions present in his angry target, seeks to sooth anger, prevent rash and messy outcomes. Especially without his favorite weapons.

Examining his scratched hand he waits for the outcome of his mental soothing. Satisfied it isn't serious he holds it up, visible.

"Would you answer my offer to her with violence? Is that the higher path?"

[Bratty]

The creature he faces doesn't wait for him. She moves from being in his face to curling her claws over his body with inhuman strength, but is faced with eyes - those eyes which take hold of Mary, and hold her there in their own grasp, there is a snarl at first, as Mary resists. He finds his target a bit difficult, only because her anger is the essence of who she is. However, slowly, his experience perserveres. She is not even a neonate. Not even a childer. She is a fledgling, discarded by her sire, and literally days old.

As Mary pacifies, the snarl turns into a growl which heaves with her breathing in feral regard or manner, and she is sitting on the ground, resting.

She doesn't know what the fuck he is talking about. Who is this Cassie bitch? Rosemary had erased Cassie from the consience of Mary. But she does know that she felt threatened, and that is gone now. The growling heaves slow, and her eyes close.

[The Silence and I]

Impressive, that was close. He had underestimated the force of the anger in this personality, it was explosive, violent. He found himself breathing quick and shallow, but calmed it quickly. His face threatened to betray him, he couldn't quite muster a victorious smile, so settled for adding sympathetic concern to a face quite willing to look worried.

He healed the minor wound on his hand and sat down opposite Cassie--well, whoever it was--waiting for his next cue.

[Bratty]

Mary goes to sleep in her cage. She is not needed any longer. There is no hunt, no threat that is perceived, and nothing to be angry at.

Cassie opens her eyes and looks up at Merry. "Why did God abandon me in the church, Angel?" She does not seem aware that anything has happened, her eyes the picture of innocence and piety.

[The Silence and I]

"Why did God abandon me in the church, Angel?"

Poor Cassie. God abandoned you because he didn't want you. I saw his kingdom, Cassie, came close enough to touch it. Snatched away I was, hurled to Earth. I was not welcome in Heaven, but neither did I go to Hell. The blood of Malkav called me back, kept me here. That was his greatest gift; seeing what I could never attain broke me free! I see the world as it IS! Soon you shall too.

"God didn't want to leave you in that Church, Cassie. But the free will He gave his beloved sons and daughters allows them to make choices, Cassie, and what happened in that church was the result of a choice to go against God. God expected this would seem heartless of Him to you and He wants to reassure you that the Almighty in His wisdom has created a purpose for you.

You see around you the many God-less creatures of the night; creatures that are not quite men. They have lost their hope, Cassie, they forgot the Father's love extends even to them. You, with your voice, your talents, your faith, have all you need to remind them--gently, force so rarely changes a mind--of His love."

He pauses for a moment, recapping his thoughts.

"So you see Cassie, free will hurt you, but you have been asked to forgive, and to show the glory and the love of God to these creatures. That is your purpose, that is God's purpose. Forgiveness, Cassie."

Rise up and accept the glory of him--he exists Cassie, make no mistake! I can't show you the kingdom of heaven, but I can take it away. That might be enough, here's hoping kiddo.

[Bratty]

She listens to his words, and feels them in her heart. Stirring again once more, forgiveness...

She tries to remember, distracted as she speaks to him, "There is nothing to forgive. The Shadow did no lasting harm to me. Wright did no lasting harm. Neither did the one who took me as a mortal." Suddenly, she looks up from his hand. "Mary set him on fire." She recalls. This is the first instance she has remembered Mary since Rosemary went to work. "She knew he took God's Kingdom from me." She shows an insight into something. "I was not abandoned in the church. God was not with me before then. I must have done something horrible. The way the Priest looked at me.. What did I do wrong?"

[Bratty]

Rosemary sits down and tries to think of a way to get to the "surface". Cassie is not equiped against a sweet or soothing word. This one will be the end of them all. Cassie will fall into madness, and Rosemary and Mary will cease to be. She knows...she knows. She contemplates, and analyzes the best course of action. Apparently, sending Mary to the surface was a waste of time. She had not met a Malkavian before and did not know of his powers.

[The Silence and I]

"There is nothing to forgive. The Shadow did no lasting harm to me. Wright did no lasting harm. Neither did the one who took me as a mortal."

The Shadow? Probably a vampire, and a cruel one. Wright... Marcus had mentioned him a few times, seemed to be expecting him. A partner in the business Nathaniel sought out. Yeah, that was it. Seems to be late. And a mortal too! An interesting series of events this one had. No wonder she is so troubled. The more I learn the better I can help her.

"Mary set him on fire.
...
She knew he took God's Kingdom from me."

Maybe this mortal is more important than he thought, and this Mary sounds violent enough to match the face he had just seen.

"I was not abandoned in the church. God was not with me before then. I must have done something horrible. The way the Priest looked at me.. What did I do wrong?"

She is thinking, that is good. A live mind is the best kind.

"This is very important Cassie and I need you to listen carefully. You made mistakes, you have been confused, your faith has suffered for it. I won't say you never had doubts or never made a mistake. But you must understand that God expects his children to stumble, you are only yourself, how can you compare to the glory of God? If mistakes and doubts couldn't be forgiven there would be one very empty Heaven up there--I've seen it, it is marvelous beyond all measure, and people do go there." His face is practically glowing, he has seen the Gates, he knows what he says is true, Heaven is a real place, and glorious.

"You lost your way, but forget it! Misfortune has come your way, but that is life, Cassie. Know God again, you can do it. You have your purpose, go fulfil it! No matter what you have done, you can be redeemed! Even that Shadow you speak of can be saved, he just has to accept forgiveness. You want to know God, that is most of the battle right there."

Time to see how ready she was. He stood up, moved slowly closer as he continued to speak, hands open, a caring, intent face. Kind and benevolent. He was no master actor, but his skills had been refined with practice and he was into the groove now.

"Whatever happened before, it is gone. God has forgiven you, he sent me to tell you, to guide you. Your journey is long and hard, but you are forgiven! God is with you, right now!"

He needed her to believe him, he had some so far, he must get through her defenses. Reality is screaming for attention, others must see.

[Bratty]

Rosemary tries to reason with Cassie, "Cassie, don't you see he is going to get you harmed?" Try as she may, for whatever reason, Rosemary is stuck. This has never happened before. She has always been in control. And now Mary is out of commission. Most annoying.

Cassie stands up, her own face looking radiant and heavenly, as mishapen as it is. Unlike her "Angel", she really does believe what he is telling her. She smiles with an energy, her ugly lips twisting into that smile. "But...why me? Angel, what does God want me to do? What is his purpose? Is it to sing and dance and show my pretty face? What should I do?"

Rosemary is suddenly envisioning the pied piper.

[The Silence and I]

"But...why me? Angel, what does God want me to do? What is his purpose? Is it to sing and dance and show my pretty face? What should I do?"

"Yes Cassie, yes! When you were put in this position God realized he had a unique opportunity. You. The vampires that prowl the night don't remember God's love, His forgiveness. They hide themselves from the mortal world, where no preachers can reliably reach them. They turned their backs on God, and with no one to remind them of the love and forgiveness God has to offer they will never come back. But you, Cassie, you can remind them. You can walk among them like no mortal can."

He gently reaches out and touches her 'forhead,' he can almost feel her excitement oozing onto the gravel. He closes his eyes and appears to pray fervently, at the same time using his power to greatly magnify her feelings.

"No vampire wants to hear a sermon, Cassie, all you need do is what you do best. Sing and dance, smile. Warm what is left of their hearts, if they still care you will move them and maybe some will remember their faith. Remind them there is hope, tThat is all you need do."

He bows his head before drawing his hand away, standing fully upright. He backs away slightly, observing the effects of his power. Everyone reacted differently, he needed to judge the outcome before continuing.

[Bratty]

Her forehead crackles skin off like it is sheding at the slightest touch. It is disgusting and decayed. However, Cassie's heart is soaring. She wants only to do God's will, and bring the word of God to the vampires. The vampires? "Like Wright and Marcus. They won't harm me with God's protection." She says naievely. "Oh Angel, Heaven's light fills me with such joy. I do not deserve this mission, but I will do what God has in store for me. My cup runneth over."

And as the feeling of redemption and enlightenment come to a boil, as Cassie is incredibly suceptible to Merry's touch on her emotions, Cassie falls to her knees and begins to pray, her claws curled into each other, her head bowed in submission.

[The Silence and I]

Her forehead crackles skin off like it is sheding at the slightest touch. It is disgusting and decayed.

That was disturbing. This was the closest he had ever been to a Nos before, he didn't like it much, he had to resist the urge to wipe his hand off on his pant leg.

"Like Wright and Marcus. They won't harm me with God's protection." She says naievely. "Oh Angel, Heaven's light fills me with such joy. I do not deserve this mission, but I will do what God has in store for me. My cup runneth over."

"I know you will do what needs be done."

He backed up some more, bowed a little. "I have some business with Marcus now, I will find you again Cassie, soon." He walked up the driveway, the gravel crunching under his feet. Such a fine voice! His face is plastered with a genuinely simply, pleased expression. He puts an unconcious spring in his step. It looked like he had a pupil! "Go get them!" He whispers.

Arriving at the door, his back to Cassie, he focusses the mind and makes his face bulkier, less refined. A serious face, capable of playing poker and intent on business. It's not perfect, but only the intent would notice it was off in the more than usual way. Once ready he knocks a few times.

[Charon]

Marcus grabbed a long ornate cane, the top twisted into a neat hook with images of carnivours carved along the side. Slowly he made his way back down stairs and that's when it hit him. Wright wasn't back. He hadn't returned. Something was wrong, something was very wrong. Damnit this might put everything in jeopardy! He had to find out what had happened to Wright, if he was in his final death, he could be used as a martyr, same as if he was being tortured. If he just bolted without letting Marcus know, then he needed to be found. Damn Brujah.

[Cynical Cat]

Something flickered, on the edge of Marcus's peripheral vision. When he turned his head to see what it was, it was gone.

[Bratty]

Cassie rises up from her prostation in the dirt, her heart filled with "god's love". She feels empowered, loved...like she could take over the world, and most importantly, comforted. The martyr always needs to know they have a purpose, and are suffering for something.

Rosemary knows what Cassie is thinking. She knows where she is going. "Cassie, listen to me very carefully. You are not ready yet. Regardless of my opinion of the rest, I will assist you when you are ready, and will help you to get ready, but you saw what happened when we went to our species. Remember Elysium Cassie..."

Cassie responds outloud with a simple whispered, "God will protect me."

It is time to meet The Shadow once more. She takes off into the night to the Church which the triplets were born in blood. Cassie is unafraid, and actually, quite excited about the potential. No challenge too great with God's help. She will bring light to the darkness.

Mary is still placated in the cage. No longer sleeping, but she just sits looking outside of the cage bars, seeing all that is occurring. Ironically, she does not stir, is not annoyed or angry. She is calm, and ready for the next hunt.

Rosemary notices Mary's and Cassie's "condition" since the Malkavian got ahold of them. "My god," She whispers softly in acknowledgement. This creature is more formidable than any of their species. This creature is going to shatter more than a jaw bone. This creature is going to shatter them all. And worst thing of all, there is nothing Rosemary can do but watch it take place.

Cassie drags her leg behind her, up the stairs of the Cathedral, opening the doors with a heavy creak. She moves to the water in the basin, and dips her hands in it, crossing herself. Her eyes go to the darkness, seeking the Shadow within. She does not think she will have to seek too long. She very very vaguely recalls him telling her not to be there after...something happened. She can't really recall what in full. She has a feeling she will draw him. She whispers quietly, "Hail Mary, full of grace..." And smiles at the reference. Mary. Full of grace. How ironic.

[Charon]

Marcus glanced over at the thing, weird, his eyes must be playing tricks on him. He examined the area a bit just to make sure before the knocking came. He moved over to the door and openned it, his body still leaning on the cane.

"You must have the wrong house." He immediately shut and locked the door. Fuck, had they found out?

[Cynical Cat]

"You have made good progress childe."

"Thank you zhupan." She followed him a step behind.

"Flesh and bone are clay to those with our talents. Together with blood and spirit they make up the totality of our beings. As vampires blood falls within our purview and spirit has long been the center of our sorcery. To have transcended humanity is merely the first step. The others embrace our condition, we seek to transcend it. To rebuild one's self for war or beauty are merely the first steps."

"I understand." The childe hesistated before speaking. "I have a question zhupan. The beliefs of Metamorphesis do not encourage the sharing of knowledge."

"That is correct, for the most part. The free sharing of knowledge is generally frowned upon. But one must crawl before one walks and the creation of more scholars has its own benefits. Consider, a hundred students are instructed, thirty scholars are created, and untold discoveries are made. Some I observe and duplicate, some I take, some I trade for. My ascension is assisted by creating more Metamorphasists. Soon it will be time for you to walk your own path. I am interested in to see what direction it takes."

[Bratty]

After an hour of searching the church, Cassie saw nothing which would indicate to her another vampire was here.

Rosemary silently breathes a sigh of relief. Cassie meeting with their sire at this time would be a bad thing. She suggests, "Why don't you try Wright? He may have hurt you, but was the closest one to you." And, without adding it, she thought he might smack some sense into her. Either that, or he could be played like a fiddle if his ego was stroked enough. That was his weakness, his ego. If not for that, Wright would be a formidable opponent.

Cassie nods seemingly to herself in reference to Rosemary's thoughts. "Yes," She says aloud. "Wright is in need of forgiveness. Wright is in need of God's love." Feigned concern, "Poor thing, he has had such a rough go."

The priest who is there in the area looks sideways at the girl talking to herself, but they do get all kinds here.

Cassie, teetering on the edge of sanity, sets off to find Wright.

Rosemary is pleased. Wright is not necessarily her choice of those whom she would create contact or working relation with, but, frankly, it is a better deterrant than The Shadow, or spending more time with the Malkavian.

The triplets open the door and head out into the night to find Wright.

[imperfect vision]

Holden finished smashing the body of the reporter through his own mirror in his own house. He let the body slump to the floor with a sickening flop, and lit a cigarette. A drag into those dried and dead lungs, where the smoke permeated the Ventrue throughout, and he then flicked it into the mass of broken bottles at the foot of the vanity. Instant ignition. The sweet stench of alcohol catching aflame, licking the wood and carpet with teeth of destruction. He slipped from the house quietly through the back door and made his way into the city once again. He had unfortunately been required to stay there, so he missed a night without the triplets. Nice to not have the dead heartstrings pulled on for a brief while. Refreshing, to put the mind at ease. He stretched as windows broke, the glass playing Mozart in his ears.

He had made the arrangement to have the house worked on, in exchange for the removal of the reporter, sticking his nose where it didn't belong. He didn't mind; as a matter of fact, he felt vitalized from the play he worked on him. Stupid twink.

Now to return to the house, to the unlife he was trying to build here in this god forsaken city. He took the car he received as extra 'payment,' much nicer than the one he had originally commandeered, down to the pad. Tools strewn about, a good part of it demolished, but no matter. A study would be in its place. With no windows. Perfect.

A quick sweep around revealed that the singer-slash-murderer-slash-mastermind was nowhere to be found. He paused, apparently in thought, then moved back through the 'ruins' and made his way to Wright's former place of existence. She had no doubt been feeling the desire to return to him for one reason or another. He had hoped it was for his destruction, but only time would tell.

[Bratty]

Cassie made her way to where it all began. The warehouse had burned down and there was police tape, but this did not stop her. Clues. She was looking for clues to where Wright went. She softly hummed a beautiful song to herself as she subconsciously used her senses to peruse the environment with inhuman perception. Surely, Wright's whereabouts could be traced from here.

(**note, not heightened senses. Just general vampiric senses in which she sees things more than a mortal would**)

[imperfect vision]

Holden hummed the song that had been rolling through his mind as he thrashed the mortal. This driving thing was easy to do with his reflexes compared to that of the absent-minded mortal. He was focused in his movements, in his resolve, in his interests. Simply what had happened to his 'sidekick' of sorts.
Legitimate questions included "Had she turned against him," and "will he wake with the floorboards of his house covered in cement?"

He didn't dwell upon the negative, instead returning his mind to his small but warming success - a haven to call his own. Soon a place to invite all sorts of sorts. He drove towards the warehouse district.

[Bratty]

Cassie softly sings a song, "Its 3 oclock in the morning...We've dance the whole night through..."

As she is looking for Wright. She is on the ground looking through the grass, smelling the air, seeing the evidence of the fire.

Its a little difficult only because vampires heal their wounds. Blood would be concentrated in a spot and then dissapear as they heal their wounds. But Cassie, unlike Mary or Rosemary would not know that.

Rosemary approaches Mary. "Ill make you a deal..." She begins and curls down to croutch in front of Mary. Yes, she has something up her sleeve.

[The Silence and I]

"You must have the wrong house." He immediately shut and locked the door. Fuck, had they found out?

As the door shut in his face, making the distinctive sound of a lock sliding, Merry shrugged and turned promptly away. Another glimpse into your world, Marcus. I'll get you. He walked down the block until well out of sight, removed his guise and slowly turned and walked back in the direction he came. By the time he returned to the house several minutes would have passed.