Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

[Rule 34]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Fletch eyes Ronny for a moment, but turns towards the pool hall and pushes the door open before the other vampire can really notice, stepping into the building. He sees some vaguely familiar faces, but nothing that he could put a name to. With an inward sigh he moves towards the bar. "Hey, is Eliza in?"

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Getting up onto her knees Claire spat a wad of blood onto the floor before her split tongue fully reknit itself. She slowly got to her feet and cracked her neck and forced a breath despite not needing one. She calmly brushed the dust from the floor off her jacket, and frowned as she picked a piece of mud from the park off of her elbow before tossing it to the ground as well.

"I will now that I'm not making a fucking ass of myself," she said, before looking over at the girl and holding out a hand.

"Thanks, I needed that," she said simply.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Just because we can survive a drop from forty feet doesn't mean it won't hurt like hell. I'd just rather not." Cody says simply.
"And yes, she is fairly justified about that. They definietly don't forgive and forget, her only saving grace is that she's managed to off most of the ones that care she's defected. the few that are left are the worst though, Deacon being one of them. He's an elder Tzimisce, from what I gather, and was... Is[\i] one of the pack leaders from when she was on their side. She's told me he can knock out a Kindred in seconds, and he doesn't have any vampiric speed worth mentioning. The few records I have from before I came in have accounts of him fighting the entire area's camarilla to a standstill for minutes at a time, until he turns to blood and just flows away." He gives a bit of a shudder at this before continuing. "Last year or so though he's been smarter than that, I think he's worried that we're going to come up with ways to keep him in one place long enough to wear him down."

Cody talks with Raven almost eagerly after that, probably looking to get his mind off thoughts of the Sabbat. Sounds like they're talking of a time back when they were in the same coterie together, around the time of one of the World Wars. He seems fairly animated by it as well, gesturing with his hands along with speaking.

 

[Chibichibi]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Eve nodded. "I don't want to look like a rube," she explained, "or like I'm going out of my way to impress everyone."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

The pool hall seems pretty quiet as Fletch walks up to the bar. The young woman tending bar manages to drag herself away from the mirror behind the bar long enough to point towards a table off to the side. Making his way over to the table, Fletch can see a tall person standing with their back to him as they take a shot. He can't tell much else about the person as they are wearing very baggy clothes and a hoody.
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"Not a problem, love. At least you lasted longer than the last one I fought, though that was a little different situation."

The short girl says with a smile as she walks back over to where Jack is leaning against the wall. Jack still seems to be watching Claire thoughtfully when the shorter girl gets back over to him.

Claire feels a tap on her shoulder as Lee comes up behind her.

"You alright, I probably wouldn't have suggested this if I had realized how bad you were."
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Alexander smiles as he pulls Eve chair out for her to stand up.

"Well that would be the key wouldn't it. Looking impressive without looking like you're trying your trying to impress people. I think Morgan may be able to help us out, just don't tell her what you do for a living. She already steals enough models from me as it is."

 

[Rule 34]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Fletch waits until the person took its shot before speaking up. "You Eliza? I guess you wanted to talk to... us," he says as he checks over his shoulder if Ronny has come in yet.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Claire lets the unshaken hand fall back to her side, and touches her nose which had been broken not too long before. Despite not being amongst the living for as long as she had, it was still an odd feeling to have busted bones and split flesh mend themselves in such a short period of time. Her eyes flicked up to Lee.

"I'm fine now, but hungry. There was a full meal and then some that just got bashed out of me," she said simply, then turned her attention back to the short girl.

"What is this place by the way?" she asked, wondering what new portion of this new world she had stumbled into this time.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Ronny hasn't come in yet as Fletch looks over his shoulder, while the kindred takes her shot, sinking the last ball on the table. Turning around Fletch can see little more than her face thanks to her baggy street clothes. the face is more than enough for him though, as the drop dead gorgeous dark-haired kindred before him smiles devilishly.

"That's me all right. So you must be one of the guy's Gabe was going to send over, though I thought he said there was two of you."

Picking up the rack from underneath the table she starts setting up the table again.

"So do you play, it's kind of slow in here tonight?"
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Lee moves over to the side room with the light off, gesturing for Claire to follow him as he goes in.

"Well I guess you could say it's the local Brujah hangout, though a lot of the other clans come here to get in some practice too. We can't really practice some things out in the open without getting into trouble after all."

Flipping on the light switch as they enter, Claire's jaw probably drops as she sees the wall covered in pegs holding enough weapons of varying types to keep a small army occupied. Mostly handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles but there are still a few that are obviously illegal. Not to mention the various melee weapons from batons on up to what looks like medieval type weapons. The corner of the room has a medium sized refrigerator which Lee opens and removes a couple blood packs from, offering them to Claire.

"Not exactly what I would call a meal, but it's better than going that stuff at Olymel."
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Raven is pretty engrossed by the conversation with Cody as Izzy looks through the trophy room. He's not quite as animated as Cody is, but his attention is solely on Cody at the moment.
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Leading Eve outside by the arm, Alexander continues talking about and explaining various things that she has already learned from River over their past few weeks. Though his explanations of some things are a little different from hers, especially when he talks about the other clans. Especially her coterie mates clans. As they step outside they find Alexander's car already waiting.

"If you wish you can ride with me my dear, I can have someone come and pick up your car while we pay our visit to Morgan."

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Claire's eyes almost sparkled as she looked over the weapons. She let her fingers brushed across one of the shotguns, a Remington 870, with a collapsible stock, pistol grip, and forward grip.

"Hello honey," she whispered softly, before letting her eyes wander across once more. Then she pulled away from the weapons and took the offered blood packs.

"Thank you," she said, lifting it up to her mouth and tearing through the thick plastic with her fangs, feeling the blood gush down her throat. She drained it quickly and licked her lips when she was finished.

"I could use a spar some nights, good to know this is here," she said, looking back towards the door she had just gone through.

 

[Rule 34]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Send... over?" Fletch reaches up to scratch his beard as he picks up a queue. "That's one way to put it, sure. Does Gabe shoot at people he's supposed to send over often?" While Eliza sets up the table, Fletch lets his eyes wander over her body. Once again he curses undeath for killing his sex drive. Beautiful as she may be, it practically means nothing to the large kindred. He walks to the other side of the table and waits for her to make the first shot, lightly leaning on the queue and keeping the door in his field of view at the same time.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

From the doorway Claire watches as the girl she had been sparring with jogs up the stairs with the old woman who runs the store. Leaving Jack along the wall watching as another fight starts up. This one between the big guy who had been fighting Lee when she arrived and one of the others along the walls. The big guy doesn't seem all that good at fighting from what Claire can tell, he's strong but has very little skill. The fight doesn't last very long as the big guy gets taken down in a blindingly fast flurry of blows. Leaving him looking up at the other one from a heap on the ground.

Lee who had come up beside Claire to watch during the short fight just shakes his head at the result. Turning away from the scene to look at Claire he says apologetically.

"This might seem a little weird but I really feel I should say I'm sorry, for Renee. She can't really help some of the things she does like taking you to that feeding spot. I mean if I had gone through the same shit she did, I would be just as messed up in the head as she is."
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Eliza finishes racking up the balls and moves to the side to watch as Fletch breaks. With a shrug of her shoulders and the same devilish smile as before she answers him.

"Well, Gabe does usually carry a gun but I don't remember him randomly shooting it like that. Though you never really know what's going through a Warlock's head, they're always plotting something or other. Still whatever he did seems to have worked, since you made it here."

From his spot by the table Fletch can see Ronny enter the bar and scan the room. When Ronny spots Fletch at the table he makes his way over, though he seems to take an odd route through the place as if avoiding the actual bar portion of the hall. With a questioning look he walks up to the table and says.

"Sorry about taking so long, is this the one we're supposed to meet?"
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Before Eve can answer him, Alexander's phone rings in his pocket. Alexander takes it out and looks at the number, as a disappointed smile crosses his face.

"I'm afraid my plans are foiled again my dear, it seems a harpy's job is never done. It should be all right though, just head to Baird's Boutique when you get the chance. It may be a little on the expensive side but Morgan's place is definitely worth it. You may even be able to hold on that money for something else if you can find some other way to strike a deal with her. Farewell my dearest. I'll see you soon."

With that Alexander gets in his car and is soon driven out of sight, leaving Eve to walk across the parking lot alone. Once she gets to her car, it doesn't take her long to drive back to her apartment. Once there she gets comfortable before resuming the decoration of her new apartment.

 

[Copper]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Sounds charming, but yeah, if you know a guy's modus operandi, there's a good chance you can figure out a way to beat him. It's all a matter of staying a jump or two ahead of him."

As the boys play catch-up, Izzy continues to browse. She'd be just as interested poking around at Cody's computers, but he seemed the type to not let anyone touch his equipment, though likely with good reason. River's trophies were much more interesting anyway.

She was tempted to test the katana, but two things held her back. One was that it probably was that sharp and she didn't feel like waiting for a finger or something to grow back and two, some folk looked down upon sheathing a katana before it drew blood. And then they were back to the first reason to not screw around with it.

Now the jewelry, on the other hand, that was worth staring at. She wasn't one for wearing it all that much, but that didn't mean she didn't like looking at it. And she had to admire River's taste in trophies. Jewelry was one of the easier things to lift off a mark, though cash was a little easier to get rid of if that's why you were taking it.

Without thinking about it, she found herself weighing a pendant in her palm, rubbing over the face of it with her thumb. Little things like this weren't readily missed. They could easily be explained away as lost in the bustle. A broken clasp. Same with earrings. Even rings if they were loose enough to begin with, but that was risky. Danglies were the easiest to slip away with. Very, very easy to slip away with, especially in situations like this where they were likely forgotten, save a little dreg of memory that might cause you to look in on them now and again. And if something this small were to disappear, it was easily justified as to how it might have gone missing. And it really was pretty. And it wasn't like either of the boys was going to notice if she stuck in her pocket, busy chatting as they were. It'd be simple enough to ball the chain up and then just casually slip it into her jeans or coat.

Except Cody probably had this place wired and monitored to high heaven. Not to mention this was River's stuff. Coveting something nifty, like that katana, was one thing, but out and out stealing from her? She'd kick her ass from here to Sunday if she found out. And even if she didn't ever, there was no way she was going to steal from their mentor.

Quickly hanging the thing back up, she closed the jewelry box and scooted out, slipping a hand in Raven's to keep her fingers occupied on something other than petty larceny.

"So bizarre, hearing the two of you talk about the World War. I mean, cripes, my grandfather's served then and, well, it's funny hearing you guys talk about it, considering you don't look old enough to serve now on a good day." She shakes her head.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Claire had been leaning against the door frame for the fight, eyes watching the fighters, noting the punk girl heading upstairs. Their moves, the loss, it was all filed away in her mind, she never knew when these could become enemies. She was a predator in a den of predators, and already she had seen that simply being kindred, did not make you kin.

As Lee spoke, Claire turned her eyes to face him, arms crossed over her chest, thumb playing with a fold of leather at her elbow.

"No need to apologize. I should have known that area of town better. I was angry... let my emotions rule. It's very easy; to let them conquer you," she said, and for a moment was quiet, playing with one of the blood bags given her.

"What happened to her then? That made her the way she is now?"

 

[Rule 34]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Fletch nods towards Ronny. "That's her, alright. Eliza, Ronny, Ronny, Eliza." After a moment he realizes he hasn't introduced himself yet. "Um, I'm Fletch by the way." He waits for her to make her shot. "So what's it you need done so badly that you need both of us?"

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"At least we're not ancient though. If you want you're mind blown I'm sure we could find someone who lived during, oh I don't know the hundred years war or something like that. Could make it easier for one of your history classes."

Raven says with a grin as Izzy slips her hand into his, the conversation about the war times starting to peter off as they continue on to more recent times. Raven seems pretty candid with Cody about the period of time that they've been apart from each other, except that neither of them bring up the subject of his sister. Finally the computer they had been waiting on beeps signaling it's completion.
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Lee thinks for a second before answering as if trying to figure out what to say as he leans against the door frame.

"Well I'm sure you've at least heard a little about what the Malks are like, now cross that in your mind with whatever horror stories you've heard about the Sabbat. Whatever you're picturing is probably almost tame compared to the truth of what happened. Though I guess it could have been worse, she was able to get out of Calgary and find her way here. She would be able to explain details better than me, if you ever find her lucid enough that is. Even then she probably won't be lucid for long once she starts telling you."
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Ronny nods to Eliza as he stands off to the side watching the game between the two, listening and watching quietly.

Eliza moves around the table taking her shots as the game progresses, all the while explaining why they were there.

"The boss asked me and Gabe to extend a job opportunity to some of the fresh neonates. He figures that you're all still on somewhat pleasant terms at least for our kind, so offering a job to a couple of you would work to get you the rest involved. As far as I know it's a simple delivery job later in the week to sort of feel out how much any of you may want to be involved with us. If you're up for it I give you the details, if not we finish the game and go our separate ways. So what do you guy's say?"

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Claire looked up at Lee, and for the first time since being embraced, she felt sympathy. She felt sympathy for the poor woman that had led her to that drug dealer. It reminded her of the job, so many people's files coming across her desk, all telling a different story of horror.

Tearing the cap off the blood bag Claire began to sip at it, pushing that sympathy back into her heart and walling it off. She wasn't that same Claire Winters anymore... that woman died in a fire. She was but a shadow now, a predator who was learning who way through a jungle made of politics and subterfuge rather than wood and foliage.

"Perhaps some day... but perhaps not. It's her story and not all stories get told," Claire said before draining half the bag, a driblet of crimson running over her lower lip and down her chin. She felt like she was cheating; standing here talking and casually sipping. She should have earned this, gone out and hunted rather than seducing some doped up smack dealer. Should have stalked, like a wolf on the tundra.

It's what she had to become.

"The city's too calm," she said suddenly.

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Yeah, still makes me do a double-take every so often. And funny you should mention that war in particular, there happens to be a veteran residing in town, beleive it or not. Always just calls it 'The War', though." Cody chuckles.

The computer beeps from back in the main room, and Cody shoos them all back to see what had been discovered. The previous shots have been replaced with a different set, each one showing glimpses of the person they had seen earlier. "Huh, I don't quite know what to make of that." Cody says, scratching his head as he explains. "No record of them holding domain or status in the Camarilla, for one. What's stranger, most of these shots are during daylight hours except the few most recent, and there was a missing person's report put in by a relative just yesterday morning. Either your stalker is a fresh Embrace, or something else is going on here. Did they seem new to the afterlife?" He asks, going back to the keyboard and starting to dig for more information.

 

[Copper]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Makes sense. I mean, to them, it was 'The' War. And yeah, I can see how that would help you cheat on history exams. Though I can imagine it might be hard not to get opinionated during some of them," she teases Raven lightly.

She follows Cody out, heading over to the computer with him. Given the information that he pulls up, she frowns. "Didn't act like they were a newbie. Could be you're right and they're new and pretending. But if so, where'd they get the information about Raven? I mean, granted, it was kind of vague, but if you've never seen him before, what's the chance you're going to get lucky and sew doubt with a casual remark about someone that may or may not exist. Unless someone told them. Or maybe they were hypnotised or something. Or maybe whoever it was is disguised as that person." She points to the screen. "Lot of variables."

 

[Rule 34]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

"Delivery, eh? That seems up my alley alright," Fletch grumbles as he seems to get fucking owned by that girl. "Well, if the boss wants us to run an errand, I'm gonna go ahead and run that errand."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm

Lee nods his head at Claire's statement about stories.

"That's probably a good way to go about it. Some of the older kindred could bore you to death if you let them tell you their story. Especially the Prince, and I don't usually have much choice but to listen to him."

When she says the towns too quiet though he shakes his head a little.

"Actually I kind of like it when's quiet like this, sort of like the calm before the storm. Since I figure it's only a matter of time before the storm moves north from Calgary."

By this time the only ones left in the room seem to be Jack, the big guy who can't fight very well, Lee, and Claire. Jack turns his head toward the pair and grinning says.

"Looks like the fighting is done for the night, let's break out the toys for a while. Maybe it will curb some of our urges to randomly shoot them where they might get us in trouble, hmm."
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Raven grins in a joking manner as they shooed towards the computer.

"I wouldn't call it cheating just because you lived through it, though you do tend to get a little opinionated about things ."

Raven looks confused and shakes his head as he watches the images flash across the screen. Scrunching his face if thinking about it he says.

"It sure looks like him, though the clothes don't match up. Makes me think it's an older kindred impersonating this guy, but it's hard to say really. Let's see what else you can dig up about him."
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Ronny nods and simply says, "I'm in, though I take it by the way you said involved with us, that you don't quite work for the boss I'm thinking of."

Eliza grins as she sinks the last ball before Fletch really gets a chance to shoot.

"Go ahead and rack 'em up, Fletch and I'll start on the details of this little errand. The boss as you think isn't the Prince, though they are quite alike in many ways."

Ronny opens his mouth to say something, but is cut off by Eliza before he can get it out.

"No, he's not one of those nutty Sabbat, he's an anarch though not quite as hard core as some of the others in the area. The shipment is supposed to be picked up in Labuma and brought into town two nights from now. Usually Gabe and I would handle something like this, but we have a different errand to handle in Blackfalds. We don't expect any trouble since it's a legal shipment, but the boss has enemies like everyone else. So we like to make sure that there's some protection if you know what I mean. So any objections or questions, so far."