Iron Station Savage Masks IC III

[mmdeforrest]

John
Your sister is very pushy, Emi says matter-of-factly. And very confident. I like her.

“Next Sunday?” Emi puts a finger up to her chin. “I’ll have to clear my schedule, but, if this date goes well, I’ll be there to try your mother’s pot roast.”

She has a goal of being Secretary of State or Ambassador to the UN someday, John observed. She’s been learning everything she can from dad in the hopes that he will let her work for him this summer. She’s channeling a bit of him and a bit of mom in her negotiating strategy right now — things she’s seen them do over the dinner table with some of our more secret guests when they have been asked to broker deals.

If she is pushing this hard to get you to come instead of coming up with scheduling conflicts, she likes you, too. She glided over the complications inherent in Halloween weekend pretty quickly to get to a safer date, meaning she was focusing the conversation on what is possible rather than what is problematic.

“It’s all up to you then, boyfriend,” Jefferey observed slyly. “If you ever want to see the outcome of these sketches, you will have to make sure the date goes well.

“Although I suspect you have more personal reasons for making sure it does.”

“Like not disappointing our mother?” Kate asked innocently.

“Oooo,” Jefferey responded, “there is that. None of us want to disappoint Mamma Two or miss out on her pot roast. But I was thinking of other things.” He leaned forward and mock whispered to Emi. “Look at him quick — he’s about to say a gentleman never disappoints a lady.”

John’s mouth froze in the process of forming the first word and he looked at Emi out of the corner of his eye, blushing and smiling like a child that had been caught in some kind of mischief. “Well, it is true that one shouldn’t.”

“Well, we shouldn’t keep you,” Kate said, smiling sweetly. “I am so very glad you called us, though, Emi. I can safely say the whole family is looking forward to meeting you in person next Sunday. Once your travel plans are set, let us know and we will arrange to pick you up — whether it is at PVD or OQU.”

“Before you go, Kate and Jefferey,” John quickly offered, “I want to say that your confidence in me not to somehow mess this up is heartening.”

[PK-Leon]

Now Choose!

Raphael's gaze drifts off the helmet, toward Redline, but stops short of looking at his face. "What if..." he says with a frown.

He takes a deep breath and tries again, "What if 'who you really are' is someone...... or something, Horrible?"

One of Louis' brows arches in surprise as he turns to look at Raphael. He remains silent for a moment as he considers his next words carefully. He finally looks back to his clenched hand, opening it up and blowing away the remaining wisps of smoke. "Raph..." He starts in a low voice. "I have no idea what those lunatics did to you back then or if it can even be fixed if I'm being honest. But I know one thing for certain. While they may have made you what you are now, they didn't turn you into a monster."

"How's the saying go? 'We are who we choose to be' or something like that." He chuckles a bit before looking back to his friend. "I truly believe that. So in my eyes the only way you'd ever become someone, or something, horrible is if you chose to. The ball's in your court. Always has been." Louis finishes with certainty to his words.

Waiting Game

Lou, what’s up with Kelly? Did something happen?

Louis immediately taps the notification when he sees the stoplight icon appear on his screen and begins typing up a response. He erases his message a few lines in and begins typing from the beginning only to repeat the process a few more times. Okay... let's just take this one question at a time. We'll let her respond and fill in the gaps. He takes in a deep breath before deleting the message he had written and quickly types up a new reply and tapping send.

Spoiler: Text to Red Light

Show

Okay, every time I try to type this all out it seems less believable so I need you to work with me here. I'm not sure if you know the guy but Kelly's boss, Matteo Boudreux, is being possessed by an unknown greater demon which puts her and everyone Innovatech has info on or access to in danger.

A few doors down from where Louis is, a blonde woman in her late 40s to early 50s in a white coat knocks before entering a room. Soon after, Iris steps out. She glances up, sees Louis, and then makes her way over to him. “Did they kick you out too?”

Louis looks up from his phone's screen and pockets it as Iris approaches. "Yeah, the nurse said I was too distracting so I had to leave." He says with playful shrug. "Everything gonna be alright in there?" He nods towards the door down the hallway.

[HIDA]

Manny
Zylas takes a few more bites. “My blood is very potent. That I was summoned soon after my House fell could have been their way to dispose of me, though I’m not sure. My Yar’bih— my personal bodyguard took me into hiding after we discovered House Urvaan-et’s betrayal. Many of the lower Houses plot and scheme to take over higher Houses. The higher your House, the more likely it is that the High King will notice you and bestow gifts and power upon your family.”

“I have never shared my True Name with anyone outside of my House,” Zylas says firmly. “For a demon of my rank, sharing such information would be a death sentence.”

Manny nods. "Seems reasonable. And I'm sure you haven't had the chance to speak with your Yar'bih or even try to contact them since you've been freed? Would you have a way of contacting them even if given the chance?"

[Roguewolf]

Keith
“That’s me,” Ryker scoffs. “I’m real good at ****in’ delicate.”

He sighs and leans up against the lip of the roof near Keith. “It was while we were at the hospital. After the doc came by and fixed me up, Aria came back in and we were talkin’, ya know, about what happened to the two of us. Then, she kissed me and I just… reacted. My head didn’t catch up to what was happening until a nurse came in.”

Keith smiles and shakes his head. Ryker was a bit more delicate with subjects than he realized even if he couldn't see it. At least when it came to Sidney he seemed that way. Though hearing just what had happened, he didn't think there would be any good way to tell her about it. His expression turned a bit serious on thinking of how to advise Ryker.

"That's..... ****. Ok so if instinct took over, that's one thing, and then you did realize what happened. It's, not going to go over really well but it is something that could happen. What is Sidney like when she's mad? Actually, nevermind, I think I can picture that since....." Keith shudders a bit.

"I think.... hopefully, Sidney will understand that it was a mistake made in a moment after you took a pretty heavy hit. It's still going to stress her out, but...." Keith thinks for a moment. "****, we may need some help with this."

[InTheMachine]

Manny
“There is a spell I could use, but,” he gestures slightly to the room, “this space is warded well. I cannot contact her while I’m in these rooms. And I was much too weak earlier after calling so much Hellfire in the other dimension. Though knowing an Erelim is here, I would never attempt such a spell.”

Keith
“The doc did say somethin’ about a concussion,” Ryker says with a slight shrug. “I don’t think that really give me an excuse though.”

His eyes narrow as Keith suggests talking to someone else. “Who?”

Louis
Louis’ phone buzzes again as Iris smiles slightly at him. “You seem to know him, so I’m sure you know how tough he is. He’ll be fine. He was a little upset when the doctor started to ask him some questions, but she said that she knew Harbinger, and that made him quiet down really quick.”

Spoiler: Text from Red Light

Show

How do you know Boudreaux has been possessed? Did Kelly say something?

John
“I don’t think their confidence is misplaced, John,” Emi says, looking over at him before returning her attention to Kate and Jeffery. “It depends on which airport is closer, but I can work that out with him. He’ll let you know. It was great talking to you both,” she says with a bright smile.

As John turns the corner, a dark two-story building with thick gothic lettering on the roof that says, ‘5th Chapter’.

Raphael- 4:30pm
Stella finds Raphael in the living room just before they need to leave to get to the lounge. She’s in dark jeans, a low cut black shirt, and a tight maroon leather jacket. “Ready to go?”

4:50pm
The Uber pulls up in front of 5th Chapter and Stella hops out, waiting for Raphael before heading for the door.

[Roguewolf]

Keith
“The doc did say somethin’ about a concussion,” Ryker says with a slight shrug. “I don’t think that really give me an excuse though.”

His eyes narrow as Keith suggests talking to someone else. “Who?”

Keith shrugs as well. "I mean, concussions can be pretty rough. Make ya loopy and thinkin' you're seein' ****." He tilts his head to the side. "Or maybe that was somethin' else that happened..... I dunno. It won't be an excuse but it will explain a bit of the unclear headedness. They look similar? Think a concussion can sometimes send your mind back in the past a bit with memories."

When Ryker askes who, Keith thinks for a moment. He eventually lets out a sigh. "Honestly I have no idea. No idea who would have any decent advice for this. Bad suggestion, sorry." He shakes his head realizing how bad it was. The more people that got involved the worse it would be.

"This is a right rock and a hard place."

[mmdeforrest]

“I don’t think their confidence is misplaced, John,” Emi says, looking over at him before returning her attention to Kate and Jeffery. “It depends on which airport is closer, but I can work that out with him. He’ll let you know. It was great talking to you both,” she says with a bright smile.

As John turns the corner, a dark two-story building with thick gothic lettering on the roof that says, ‘5th Chapter’.

“The restaurant has come into view,” John observed, feigning a relaxed manner. “I’ll give you a call soon.”

They exchanged their goodbyes quickly as John looked at the edifice in front of him, sensing something was not quite right about this. He sensed no immediate danger — either to their safety or to the trip to Rhode Island — but something was amiss.

5th Chapter, he considered: An evening with Emi.
4th Chapter: Helping Harbinger with Apocalyptic visions
3rd Chapter: Ancient Summoners that set AEGIS on edge.
2nd Chapter: A Dragon, Demonlings, and the Demonologist.
1st Chapter: Dimension Raiding and the Greater Demon within.

One of these things was not like the others.

Of course, he was simplifying the structure more than was needed. Mr. Shaw played more than a small role in Chapter 2 and Montcrieff’s association with Rizaska Kisharha cut across chapters 3 and 4. But there was a loose pattern there and one that hinted there would be something else tonight.

“There’s something I should mention,” John said, turning to Emi. “I’m currently maintaining a complicated spell — something to help Harbinger. It shouldn’t make any difference about anything, since we are going to dinner rather than on a mission and I can drop it if I needed to become Dee due to an emergency, but I wont be pulling any rabbits out of hats this evening.

“That’s more Stella’s schtick, anyway — except it’s with dragons instead of rabbits,” he observed, glancing at Emi and feeling his explanation was getting foolish. “Which is a big difference, I concede. The hat’s the same though.

“Anyway, given the Gothic vibe and the sense of something…unexpected there,” he added, pulling into a parking space, “I thought I should mention it. Of course,” he admitted, “that could also just be being giddy at the thought of you making the trip to Rhode Island. Or the thought of being seen in public with you, with the attendant title of Luckiest Man in Iron Station it will immediately bestow upon me.”

He shifted into park and smiled at her. Butterflies were to be expected in this situation and she had chosen to be with him tonight. It was just a case of nerves brought on by the day and the ongoing recognition of how lucky he was to be with her.

“I’ll get the door for you.”

[mmdeforrest]

Epilogue: Providence, RI
With a certain, self-satisfied smugness, Kate watched Chad and the rest of his set leave Dave’s Coffee. Normally, she would not care that they did not deign to look at her and Jefferey — even if he had told her he knew one or two of their secrets. “They are much nicer when they aren’t trying to play hetero,” he had assured her. Through a mutual understanding, he did not offer their names and she did not ask.

That conspiracy of silence almost made her pause. Jefferey was family — or as close to it as one could get. He could be told, she decided as she made sure no one was in earshot.

She slid her phone over to him, face down. “IMM, if you are ready for it.”

“Girl, I am always ready,” he said, setting his Pencil on top of his iPad. “You know that.”

He flipped the phone over and angled it to her so that FaceID would unlock it.

“It looks like the suit John got in London,” he said quietly, looking at the zoomed in picture, “The one where he couldn’t decide, at first, if he should go with his instincts and get the double breasted one even if it wasn’t as fashionable as some of the others. I’m glad he went with this one, though. It somehow suits him — if you will forgive the fashion pun.”

“Just this once,” she said, leaning over so she could watch his reaction. “Zoom out.”

Jefferey zoomed out, keeping his expression neutral. “Clever girl,” he says after a moment. “Boyfriend has been keeping see-crets,” he half sung as he took in the image of the fight at the Volta Memorial. “But with that headline, who can blame him.”

“The Sun certainly isn’t charitable,” Kate agreed quietly. “Good Riddance! D Has Hopped the Pond!’

“It looks like The Sun picked up the story from the Iron Station Inquisitor. From what I can tell, the editor has a pretty dim view of the West Side Provisional Team he has been assigned to — at least given the story that The Sun quotes. It’s behind a paywall and I wanted to make sure to not leave a trail but I accessed it through the databases at the Library. It looks like the two of them are working together to chronicle his activities — in a less than charitable light.”

“Well, that can only help keep boyfriend’s identity a secret. No one would say an unkind thing about him. Even Chaaahhhd and his set don’t malign him — even if they find him socially inferior.”

He looked at Kate. “It does make his girlfriend more explicable, though. How soon until you think he tells us.”

“I’m certain he’s told mom and dad,” she replied.

“They keep secrets professionally. You and I are just gifted amateurs.” He looked out the window. “I suspect I know what he’s going through. Even if you know how someone is going to react, you are still a little scared.”

Kate laid her hand on Jefferey’s arm. “I think he will tell us soon. It would be easier to keep the secret if he didn’t tell us about Emi.”

“Well, you know he’s got my support,” Jeffery said. “Boyfriend has always been there for me and I’ll be here for him now. Although I was serious about making his heart skip a couple beats. Let me show you some of the sketches I have in mind and tell me what you think.”

[InTheMachine]

Keith
“They don’t look the same at all,” Ryker says. “Aria has really dark hair and she’s tiny. Sid is half a foot taller and has way more muscle on her.”

The door to the roof access opens and Sidney, armed with her fancy new laptop and a black metal toolbox emerges. She looks suspiciously at Ryker and Keith. “Hey you two. I guess you’re why Mimi said I was allowed to go on the roof without an escort.”

Her head tilts as she looks at Ryker. “You feeling okay after everything today? Mimi said you got a little beat up. I was gonna come by your room but she told me you were asleep.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Sid,” Ryker says, not really looking at her.

“If you were fine you wouldn’t be out here on the roof smoking,” Sidney replies as she sets her tool box on the ground takes a seat on the couch. She shrugs as she opens her laptop and logs in. “I’ll try to make this quick. Then I’ll go back downstairs and leave you two alone.”

Ryker flinches a little and grits his teeth, but doesn’t say anything else.

Sidney looks back up at Ryker after pulling up a few programs. “Elvira’s on her way here.”

“You might wanna take a few steps back,” Ryker says to Keith as he pushes himself off the wall.

John
“Something to help with his visions?” Emi asks. “Thank you, John. He really seemed to be struggling on Sunday. I told my father about it, but he said to let it lie, so I did.”

After John opens her door, she threads her arm through his as they make their way up to the building and through the doors. Once inside, John sees what looks like a meandering library with a central pathway that leads to an ebony spiral staircase.

Off to the right is a coffee bar with several comfortable chairs and tables set up around it. Painted on the wood above the bar in loopy script is ‘Cafè Striggan’ and under that is the same gothic font, ‘at 5th Chapter’.

As Emi and John make their way down the central aisle, off to each side they see the occasional leather couch and chair with end tables where there’s a few people reading and sipping coffee, relaxing.

At the staircase, a man dressed in a black button down shirt and slacks with a red tie behind a black wooden host stand greets the two of them. “Welcome to 5th Chapter. Do you have a reservation this evening?”

[Roguewolf]

Keith
“They don’t look the same at all,” Ryker says. “Aria has really dark hair and she’s tiny. Sid is half a foot taller and has way more muscle on her.”

The door to the roof access opens and Sidney, armed with her fancy new laptop and a black metal toolbox emerges. She looks suspiciously at Ryker and Keith. “Hey you two. I guess you’re why Mimi said I was allowed to go on the roof without an escort.”

Her head tilts as she looks at Ryker. “You feeling okay after everything today? Mimi said you got a little beat up. I was gonna come by your room but she told me you were asleep.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Sid,” Ryker says, not really looking at her.

“If you were fine you wouldn’t be out here on the roof smoking,” Sidney replies as she sets her tool box on the ground takes a seat on the couch. She shrugs as she opens her laptop and logs in. “I’ll try to make this quick. Then I’ll go back downstairs and leave you two alone.”

Ryker flinches a little and grits his teeth, but doesn’t say anything else.

Sidney looks back up at Ryker after pulling up a few programs. “Elvira’s on her way here.”

“You might wanna take a few steps back,” Ryker says to Keith as he pushes himself off the wall.

Keith nods and sighs a bit. "I see. That certainly makes things a bit rougher."

As the door opens, Keith snaps his head around and sees Sidney eyeing them suspiciously. He smiles and waves. "Hiya Sidney. Guess that's probably why. And worst case, anytime ya need or want out here just say the word. Rather comfy out here now."

He tilts his head witnessing the exchange between the two. Honestly if they would both just talk things might get settled. Then again, even he knew talking about certain topics were a lot easier said than done. That, and if Sidney actually told Ryker what she wanted, how would she know it was from him and not because that's what she wanted? Ryker would definitely need to make a move on something. Still, what could Keith even say to him? It's not like he was the perfect mediator.

"Was mostly askin' him about Coldfront. Talked with my uncle earlier and he wants me to try and chat with her about hero work." Keith grimaces. "Got a bit of an odd family history that I gotta figure out how to break a certain chain on. And, thinkin' about it, probably should explain that sometime."

As Ryker pushes himself off the wall, Keith tilts his head and hops up to make some room. "Elvira? Sweet, I get to see one more up close!"

[mmdeforrest]

“Something to help with his visions?” Emi asks. “Thank you, John. He really seemed to be struggling on Sunday. I told my father about it, but he said to let it lie, so I did.”

After John opens her door, she threads her arm through his as they make their way up to the building and through the doors. Once inside, John sees what looks like a meandering library with a central pathway that leads to an ebony spiral staircase.

Off to the right is a coffee bar with several comfortable chairs and tables set up around it. Painted on the wood above the bar in loopy script is ‘Cafè Striggan’ and under that is the same gothic font, ‘at 5th Chapter’.

As Emi and John make their way down the central aisle, off to each side they see the occasional leather couch and chair with end tables where there’s a few people reading and sipping coffee, relaxing.

At the staircase, a man dressed in a black button down shirt and slacks with a red tie behind a black wooden host stand greets the two of them. “Welcome to 5th Chapter. Do you have a reservation this evening?”

John felt his heart rate quicken and butterflies take flight in his stomach as Emi threaded her arm through his. The mingling of the closeness, the familiarity, and the casual comfort of it was intense. He conceptually knew that they were a couple — as the kissing they had been doing evidenced — but this was different. This was, in a truer sense, a public display of affection — and a kind of intimacy that snogging would not convey.

The casual contact comforted him as well. His concerns about the significance of chapters or the meaning of Striggan (Weren’t they some kind of owl people?), or where they had purchased the books by the yard to decorate (What was it about them that didn’t quite fit the books by the yard model?), or the people whose heads turned as they entered (Why wouldn’t they turn to look at Emi?)

He felt content. The night had was going well. The conversation with Kate and Jerffery had been fun and resulted in a nascent plan for Emi to visit Rhode Island. She seemed genuinely pleased that he was helping Harbinger, and she had taken his arm as if it was the natural and normal thing to do.

John smiled as they reached the maître d’. “Yes, and good evening, Shane.We have reservations for Kelley at 5:30.”

[InTheMachine]

Keith
A few moments later there’s a low whistle of wind before a giant mechanical vulture slowly floats down out of the low clouds. Its bright red head locks onto Ryker as it surveys the roof. Ragged canvas wings flare as it slows and lands near the former villain. It does an odd hop-skip forward and envelops Ryker inside its wings before tapping the bottom of its beak on the top of his head a few times.

“Yes,” Ryker says in an exasperated manner. “Hi, V. Could ya be a little more gentle? I already got hit in the head today.”

The vulture lets out a mechanical, clanky purr as it raises its head before Sidney chuckles. “She says she’s sorry.”

Ryker reaches up and pats the bird’s red beak. “I know you didn’t mean it. It usually doesn’t bother me.”

Sidney sets her laptop on the table and opens up her toolbox. “Elvira looooves Ryker,” she says to Keith.

John
For the most part, Shane manages to keep his gaze on John. “Yes, Mr. Kelley and Miss Shaw. Thank you for dining with us this evening. We do have live entertainment tonight, however, one of our bands had to cancel tonight due to their lead singer and piano player being ill. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

He steps out around the booth and unhooks a black velvet rope with silver fittings. “Please, head downstairs. Sierra will take you to your seats.”

“Thank you,” Emi says before heading down ebony staircase with John.

They emerge into a lowly lit lounge with comfortable seating. On the left side there’s a raised platform where a five man smooth jazz band plays.

A woman in the same black shirt, pants and red tie outfit smiles at the two of them. “Please follow me,” she says as she leads them to a corner booth. Once they slide in, she tells them the server will be with them in a moment.

Emi looks up and across the room. “Stella’s here. I can feel her curse.”

Spoiler: Notice TN 6

Show

On the opposite side of the room, Stella sits with her back to them alone at a table.

[big teej]

Choices and Consequences:

Raphael sets the helmet between his feet and leans back on his hands again. His breath hisses out as he thinks about how he's known Menagerie less than two weeks and she knows most of his deepest secrets. He glances at Louis, And I've known him for half a year...

He looks away, considering briefly before looking Louis in the eyes and saying, "Louis, I'm exactly what they think I am."

As the vampire speaks, he allows his canines to extend. "You're right, they didn't turn me into a monster, I was born as one." He grimaces, showing his teeth before looking away and continuing. "I didn't like hiding it from you, or the others... but I think you're smart enough to understand why I did."

Later:

West Side Provisional HQ
Nightgaunt's Room, 3:50 PM

Raphael stands shirtless, arms crossed, in front of his closet, grimly aware of the recent decimation of his favorite outfits. His task is made harder by indecisiveness and ignorance.

Is he going to war? Or obediently answering a summons?


West Side Provisional HQ
Living Room, 4:30 PM

Raphael pushes himself up off the couch, clad in black jeans, leather boots, and a fossil-grey button down with black accents. He runs his hand through his hair and lets his eyes rove up and down Stella approvingly.

His eyes grow distant. "Yes. At least as far as you meant it."

He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "No. But time won't change that." He slips a pair of aviators over his eyes. "Let's go."


Iron Station
5th Chapter, 4:50 PM

Raphael slides out the car and glances up and down the street before sauntering after Stella. "I haven't been here in a hot minute." He says, mostly to himself.

He glances at her over the rims of his glasses. "There's more than a little theater to this, so... uhm... don't hold my part against me?" He says, a hint of nerves creeping into his voice. He takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before adjusting his glasses and pushing open the door.

He sweeps into Cafe Striggan, his gaze sweeps over the patrons. Raphael's normal, deliberately easy-going demeanor replaced by a thinly concealed sneer. He strides up to the host's station and looks down his nose at the man.

"Here to see Feris." He says tersely. "Upstairs or down?"

[HIDA]

Manny
“There is a spell I could use, but,” he gestures slightly to the room, “this space is warded well. I cannot contact her while I’m in these rooms. And I was much too weak earlier after calling so much Hellfire in the other dimension. Though knowing an Erelim is here, I would never attempt such a spell.”

"Erelim? Seraph? Fair Enough. " Manny says finishing the last of his beer, and standing up. "Thanks for indulging me. I'll do my best to get you back to the people that care for you. After everything that's happened to you. It's the least we can do. Enjoy your Dinner."

[Roguewolf]

Keith
A few moments later there’s a low whistle of wind before a giant mechanical vulture slowly floats down out of the low clouds. Its bright red head locks onto Ryker as it surveys the roof. Ragged canvas wings flare as it slows and lands near the former villain. It does an odd hop-skip forward and envelops Ryker inside its wings before tapping the bottom of its beak on the top of his head a few times.

“Yes,” Ryker says in an exasperated manner. “Hi, V. Could ya be a little more gentle? I already got hit in the head today.”

The vulture lets out a mechanical, clanky purr as it raises its head before Sidney chuckles. “She says she’s sorry.”

Ryker reaches up and pats the bird’s red beak. “I know you didn’t mean it. It usually doesn’t bother me.”

Sidney sets her laptop on the table and opens up her toolbox. “Elvira looooves Ryker,” she says to Keith.

Keith's eyes go wide seeing the mechanical vulture land on the roof and just about laughs as it wraps it's wings around Ryker. It was a nice change from the harsh tone of the day.

"So that's Elvira! Really cool lookin'!" He's fairly awestruck at the exchange and then began to wonder just how Knives had acted. If those scavenger crows of Sidney's were mostly just for recon, what other personalities did these things have? He almost expected something, well a bit more sinister.

"I don't know exactly what I expected, but this is better than that." He turns to Sidney. "So Ryker stole the heart of Elvira here eh? What does she do? Aside from immediately going to Ryker's side?" He let out a chuckle with the last bit.

[mmdeforrest]

A woman in the same black shirt, pants and red tie outfit smiles at the two of them. “Please follow me,” she says as she leads them to a corner booth. Once they slide in, she tells them the server will be with them in a moment.

“Thank you Sierra,” John replies as he takes his seat.

A corner booth, he considered, permitting them to see and — perhaps more importantly for 5th Chapter, be seen. “They really are leaning into the theme,” John observes quietly to Emi as Sierra departs.

Emi looks up and across the room. “Stella’s here. I can feel her curse.”

Spoiler: Notice TN 6

Show

On the opposite side of the room, Stella sits with her back to them alone at a table.

Spoiler: Thirteen ice cubes in the glass — intentional or no?

Show

Noticing the Sorceress across the room: 1d10o10+4 28 1d6o6+4 5

John’s eyes quickly located Stella across the room. The glint of the table shows no water rings beyond the one seeping out from beneath her glass. Based on the size of the pool from the condensation on her glass, she has probably been seated for about a half an hour.

A celebration of Raphael’s return? She seems relaxed enough and enjoying the band sufficiently to be here for pleasure rather than business. An agent of her brother would be unlikely to have left her alone and would certainly not leave her relaxed.

And Raphael didn’t strike him as the kind to have demurely excused himself to wash his hands. The amount of time taken by his departure may not have registered with him, but Stella’s reaction to it would have. And as much as his tempter can flare, it has never flared in her direction. Quite to the contrary, he has always been conspicuously attentive and careful — as evidenced by him posting himself as a kind of guard over her at their meetings, reminding everyone that any slights to her would be answered by him.

It was one of the things he respected Raphael for.

“I suppose it would be a terrible faux pas to not say hello,” John began carefully, using the excuse to lean closer to her and speak quietly.

“And as di-distracted as I may be by your presence,” he said, almost getting lost in her eyes again, “it would be imprudent to not determine why Raphael felt the need to leave her sitting there alone for as long as he has.

“Granted,” he added with a mischievous smile, “the decor does match their aesthetic so perhaps he has located an appropriate place to loom in the shadows. Are you feeling up to saying hello or is her curse still be too uncomfortable to invite her over?”

[InTheMachine]

Manny
Zylas’ eyes flick to Manny after he speaks. “Get me back? There is nowhere for me to go. I will be hunted in Vanuusha. Like you said earlier, why leave the heir to a House alive?”

He looks back down and away. “I apologize. You expressed a willingness to help me. I should not have said anything.”

Keith
“I don’t even know why she likes me so much,” Ryker mutters.

Sidney shrugs as she brings her tool box over to the vulture. “Thank you,” she says to Keith. “When I worked with the Rooks, she was my transport. She also has several chambers in her body that hold different chemicals. She can make smokescreens, a fog nerve agent, tear gas, and a few other things that come out of ports in her belly, to help with getaways. And, not that she uses it that often, she does have a minigun inside her mouth. But, as you can see, she needs some repairs since I was gone for so long.”

Now that her wings are open, Keith can see that several screws in her underside are loose and she’s actually missing a panel in her upper chest, exposing the internal wiring and mechanics beneath. One of the cables that holds part of her left wing together has snapped completely. There’s also several spots were it looks like oil or some other fluid is leaking out between panels.

Sidney does a walk around her bird, making a mental tally of everything that needs to be repaired. “I’m actually surprised she didn’t break down, especially with that big hole in her chest.”

Raphael
The host plasters on a smile. “Yes Mr. Rothmyer. Mr. Feris is waiting upstairs for you. Are you planning on staying for dinner afterwards?”

Stella nods. “We were.”

The host removes the velvet rope that bars off the stairs. “Sierra will get you a seat downstairs, miss. Mr. Feris is in room 1, Mr. Rothmyer.”

Stella gives Raphael one last quick look before they head their separate ways.

Upstairs, Raphael emerges into a large foyer. Off to his right is a closed wooden door with ‘Room 1’ in silver lettering on it. Inside the small room, it’s dimly lit, with dark leather furniture that has antiqued brass fittings. Seated behind a table is a man with long blondish hair and a beard wearing a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He takes a drink from a wine glass filled with a ruby red liquid that Raphael can smell is blood from across the room, before he stands and waits for Raphael to enter. “Thank you for joining me, Mr. Rothmyer. Can I get you a drink before we begin?”

John
“I’ll be fine, John,” Emi says with a slight smile.

On Sunday I was very tired. Her curse really bore down on me, but I’ve had two good night’s sleep. My powers will be dampened while she’s near, but I’ll be okay.

A woman with dark hair in the same uniform comes up to their table, handing them thick, fancy menus. “Thank you for dining with us this evening,” she says with a wide smile. “My name is Lana and I’ll be serving you tonight.” She opens a small book for the two of them filled with wines. “Can I interest either of you in a glass?”

Emi quickly looks at the menu and orders a rosè that’s moderately expensive that she knows before glancing over at John waiting for his selection.

[mmdeforrest]

“I’ll be fine, John,” Emi says with a slight smile.

On Sunday I was very tired. Her curse really bore down on me, but I’ve had two good night’s sleep. My powers will be dampened while she’s near, but I’ll be okay.

I wanted to be certain, John projected as he watched their server approach. You had not seemed impacted until after your work but it isn’t one of those things one would want to leave to chance — whether its for psychic or personal reasons on your part.

A woman with dark hair in the same uniform comes up to their table, handing them thick, fancy menus. “Thank you for dining with us this evening,” she says with a wide smile. “My name is Lana and I’ll be serving you tonight.” She opens a small book for the two of them filled with wines. “Can I interest either of you in a glass?”

Emi quickly looks at the menu and orders a rosè that’s moderately expensive that she knows before glancing over at John waiting for his selection.

“Good evening, Lana. Could I have a gin and tonic, please — Tanqueray or, if that’s not available, Bombay Sapphire.

“I was also hoping you might help us with something. I believe our friend Stella is sitting across the room from us — the lady in the maroon leather jacket? I was hoping you could ask her if she would like something from us and, if she is free, is she would like to stop by. I don’t want to disturb her or make her feel obligated, should she be in some way occupied. Your stopping by her table would avoid that and leave the option to say hello with her.

“If she would like something, however, I hope you and the bartender will make sure it is a call drink, at the very least,” he said with a smile.

His time as a barback made John aware of how much two call orders could quickly improve a tip for someone who relied on them to make the night financially worth it. It wasn’t quite a bribe but he hoped it was a clear enough signal to Lana that they would make sure she was taken care of for her assistance.

He turned to Emi as Lana left. “We never did sample the Madeira the other night, did we? I hope your father enjoyed it and did not find it too absurd for me to have gotten it for him.” He offered a wry smile. “I may have gotten excited and gone a just little overboard with my preparations.

“Given the results,” he added quietly as he took Emi’s hand, “I am glad I did.”

[HIDA]

Manny
Zylas’ eyes flick to Manny after he speaks. “Get me back? There is nowhere for me to go. I will be hunted in Vanuusha. Like you said earlier, why leave the heir to a House alive?”

He looks back down and away. “I apologize. You expressed a willingness to help me. I should not have said anything.”

"It's fine." Manny says, leaning against the wall. "I can't begin to understand what you're going through. Just that you have suffered. Whether or not you have a Home to return to, I can't see a reason not to assist you. If it's to help you reclaim your Noble standing or just help you to find a sanctuary to live out the rest of life in peace from those who see in you a loose end to be tied off. Let me know once you've thought of something of need my help. Take care." Manny says, Headed up the stairs.

[Roguewolf]

Keith
“I don’t even know why she likes me so much,” Ryker mutters.

Sidney shrugs as she brings her tool box over to the vulture. “Thank you,” she says to Keith. “When I worked with the Rooks, she was my transport. She also has several chambers in her body that hold different chemicals. She can make smokescreens, a fog nerve agent, tear gas, and a few other things that come out of ports in her belly, to help with getaways. And, not that she uses it that often, she does have a minigun inside her mouth. But, as you can see, she needs some repairs since I was gone for so long.”

Now that her wings are open, Keith can see that several screws in her underside are loose and she’s actually missing a panel in her upper chest, exposing the internal wiring and mechanics beneath. One of the cables that holds part of her left wing together has snapped completely. There’s also several spots were it looks like oil or some other fluid is leaking out between panels.

Sidney does a walk around her bird, making a mental tally of everything that needs to be repaired. “I’m actually surprised she didn’t break down, especially with that big hole in her chest.”

Keith shakes his head with a grin. "Must just know ya."

He stares and looks around Elvira while Sidney explains what all she does and has equipped. Honestly he was glad he never had to go up against her. With the wings open, his eyes went wide at the state the bird was in. Sidney was was right, it was no small feat that Elvira was still operational.

"Ok, hearing all that makes me glad I never had to fight y'all, and how in the hell did you get a minigun fit in there?! And that is going to be a massive job." Keith tilts his head and stops before he realizes his hand was about to reach out. "C-can I get closer?"

It was one thing to see Knives up close like he did, but a whole other thing seeing one of the massive birds that Sidney had built and made use of. He wondered just how many times East Side had gone up against her and Ryker before he came to town. What would they think seeing this? What would they think of him being so casual with the pair?

"She's a beauty that's for sure....." He was still a bit struck in awe and lost in thought.

[big teej]

An Answering:

Raphael makes a show of ignoring Stella's answer and the peon of a host, stalking past and up the stairs....

"I suppose that depends on what we're beginning." Raphael says with a cheeky grin. He then nods, more sincerely, "Please." He walks over to a one of the high backed leather chairs, but doesn't sit yet. "Forgive me, I must confess I don't remember being introduced when I arrived in Iron Station." He pauses, for effect, "I thought I had a better memory for names and faces amongst the family."

Now closer, Raphael studies this 'Feris' more closely, trying to glean anything relevant to the man's identity or purpose.

Spoiler: OOC/Mechanics/Whatnot

Show

Raphael is attempting to gauge the man's True Age, and his intentions with....
uh....
the most appropriate of the following: Occult/Notice/"Common Knowledge"/Smarts and Assess the Situation.

Conveniently... all of these roll 2d6... If only I'd noticed before I rolled.

All the things! 17-1=16

Assess: 11, rather than 17.
I choose:
* What here is the biggest threat?
* What here is in the greatest danger?

[PK-Leon]

Damage Control

Louis’ phone buzzes again as Iris smiles slightly at him. “You seem to know him, so I’m sure you know how tough he is. He’ll be fine. He was a little upset when the doctor started to ask him some questions, but she said that she knew Harbinger, and that made him quiet down really quick.”

"That's really all it took? Old man must've put the fear of god in 'im at some point." Louis snickers and shifts back in his seat. "And what about you? Pretty sure you didn't plan on your day playing out this way. Anything that happened earlier gonna cause issues for you?"

How do you know Boudreaux has been possessed? Did Kelly say something?

Louis unlocks his phone and quickly types up another reply.

Spoiler: Text

Show

It's kind of a mess but I'll try and walk you through what we know. Kelly's in the dark as far as I can tell.

Boudreaux was ID'd when Harbinger had a vision revealing the face of the greater demon's host after he touched some sort of cursed stone. Nightgaunt reached out to some people he knows and they came back with a name to match the face. We just happened to catch a glimpse of the guy when Kelly took us on the guided tour you set us up on yesterday.

Choices and Consequences

He looks away, considering briefly before looking Louis in the eyes and saying, "Louis, I'm exactly what they think I am."

Louis tilts his head in confusion at Raphael's response.

As the vampire speaks, he allows his canines to extend. "You're right, they didn't turn me into a monster, I was born as one." He grimaces, showing his teeth before looking away and continuing. "I didn't like hiding it from you, or the others... but I think you're smart enough to understand why I did."

He jerks his head back in surprise at Raphael's sudden change in expression, and struggles to find his words for a moment. He looses a nervous chuckle. "Sure, and I'm a ghost who's been possessing this body for months." He says as an amorphous black specter with a gaping maw materializes from the hero's shadow and reaches around him in a possessive manner.

Louis waits for a few seconds, trying to gauge his friend's reaction before speaking up again. "You're joking, right?" Silence fills the air between the two for what feels like an eternity. "Or... were you being serious?" He asks, his voice filled with the foreign feeling of uncertainty.

[InTheMachine]

Raphael
“Of course, where are my manners,” the man says as he taps his knuckle once on the door on the opposite side of the room from Raphael. The door is flush to the wall, meant to be unobtrusive. “I was away on business for Miss von Stein when you arrived here. My name is Alexander Feris. I am Miss von Stein‘s chief aide.”

He returns to his seat and takes another sip from his glass, finishing his drink. “I only wish to talk. Perhaps negotiate.”

Spoiler: Common Knowledge (for vampires) TN 4

Show

Hearing his name, Raphael’s memory is triggered. Feris once worked for Gustav von Stein, before he was assassinated. Gustav was the leader of Clan Brutenstein for several hundred years and sired Persephone Chandra von Stein, currently third in line to lead Clan Brutenstein.

“As she could not be here, I have Miss von Stein’s permission to speak with her full authority,” he says, looking up at Raphael. “So please, speak with me as you would with her, and know that whatever we agree on today will be carried out under her orders.”

There’s a soft knock at the back door before it opens, revealing a dark haired woman that looks to be in her mid twenties carrying a small silver platter with thick cloth napkin, an empty wine glass, and a small dagger.

She smiles at Feris and then at Raphael as she sets the platter on the table and then puts the wine glass on top. She takes Feris’ empty glass and puts it next to the other one after a quick look at the other vampire.

Feris smiles gently and nods. “If you would like, Cassie. I won’t say no.”

The woman seems to concentrate for a moment and a small rune appears on the back of her forearm. She positions that wrist over the top of Raphael’s glass and slices into the delicate flesh.

As soon as her blood hits the air, the scent slams into Raphael’s nose. It’s extremely enticing, more than anything he’s smelled since he’s arrived in Iron Station.

The woman’s blood quickly fills both glasses. She concentrates again and second rune fades into existence on her forearm. The slash on her wrist quickly heals and she wipes the excess blood with the cloth napkin.

“Please,” Feris says as he picks up his own glass. “Enjoy.”

Spoiler: If Raphael Drinks

Show

The blood is hot, its aroma heady, as Raphael lifts the glass to his lips— so unlike the coldly packaged plastic he was used to. An explosion of flavor hits him as he drinks, like a thousand tiny fireworks. It’s almost sweet and slightly spicy, like mulled cider, leaving his tongue tingling as he swallows. It’s unlike any blood he’s had before.

Roll Spirit TN 4 to no-sell his reaction

Spoiler: Raphael’s Notice

Show

Raphael senses that Alexander is around 400 years old, give or take fifty years in either direction. He does seem true in his intentions to talk.

OOC: Alex gains Influence over Raphael!

John
“Of course, sir,” Lana says. “I’ll bring your drinks in a moment.”

She heads directly from John’s table over to Stella’s and speak to her for a moment. The sorceress looks up and follows several other patron’s gazes over to John and Emi and smiles at the two of them. She speaks to Lana again and makes her way across the lounge and slides into the booth beside John.

“Thanks for the drink, John. You know I only turn 20 on Saturday, right?” Stella asks with a wide grin.

Keith

"Ok, hearing all that makes me glad I never had to fight y'all, and how in the hell did you get a minigun fit in there?!“

“Very carefully,” Sidney says with a grin.

Elvira hops closer to Keith and lowers her head, opening her beak at the same time. A cluster of six barrels pops out from the back of her throat, locking into place. They start to rotate, but seize up.

Sidney sighs. “Just one more thing to fix. You can get closer if you want Keith. She won’t bite.”

“It’s one’a those handheld ones,” Ryker says. “The barrels are only 10 inches long. The whole assembly is about 20 inches. Jesse bankrolled it, so Sid got to go a little crazy with V.”

Manny- 4:45pm
When Manny returns to the living room, a movie title screen in projected onto the wall. Drake is seated at one end of the couch with Yuki snuggled up to his side. He has his beer sitting by one foot and a book in his lap. Aeryn sits on the other side of Yuki with a plate of his dish in his lap. There’s a seat and half of space, then Sidney sits at the other end of the couch.

[mmdeforrest]

“Of course, sir,” Lana says. “I’ll bring your drinks in a moment.”

She heads directly from John’s table over to Stella’s and speak to her for a moment. The sorceress looks up and follows several other patron’s gazes over to John and Emi and smiles at the two of them. She speaks to Lana again and makes her way across the lounge and slides into the booth beside John.

John inwardly sighs at Lana’s timing of her visit to Stella’s table. It was logical for her to do so — the efficiency of getting multiple orders before going to the bar. Still, it didn’t provide the time he hoped for Emil to answer his implied question. Of course, Emi might hold on to her response about her father’s reaction to the Madeira until Stella arrived so that the sorceress could enjoy the potentially funny story as well. Or she could be maintaining a certain familial loyalty — which would be appropriate, if frustrating — and withholding that information from him.

His unsatisfied curiosity, of course, would not be a fatal thing and there would be plenty of time in the years to come to joke about it with his father-in-law.

He was doing it again, he noted as Stella turned and smiled at them.

He was glad, as some of the guests turned toward them, that he was holding Emi’s hand.

Still no marks on her neck, he noted as she crossed the room to meet them. There were other pulse points that would be equally accessible — some of which he would not — or should not — be able to visually conform.

Odd, he considered with a clinical detachment that matched his observation. Assessing the likelihood of observing some of the more anatomically private pulse points — which, of course, would be noticeable in most standard bathing suits — did not make him blush in a manner than the consideration of Emi’s legs had done so earlier that evening.

He felt the blush return slightly at the thought of her getting into and out of Clea and hoped the low light was sufficient to provide him some cover while the detached part of his brain weighed if it was the clinical observation that made the difference or if it was just Emi.

Another interesting data point: She is coming over, indicating she does not expect Raphael to return soon. Otherwise, she would have stayed at her table.

Not that their corner booth was difficult to find.

Where might he be?

“Ah,” he observed. “Here she comes.” He glanced at Emi, feeling somewhat foolish. “Another example of my near-superhuman powers of observation.” He gave her hand an affectionate squeeze as he reluctantly released it so that he could stand and greet Stella and, as Montcrieff had taught him, to reassure himself that their booth was private enough for discrete conversation and had not been bugged or targeted with parabolic listening devices.

Spoiler: Montcrieff, like Obi Wan, has taught him well.

Show

Notice Roll for bugs, cameras, etc.: 1d10o10+4 11 1d6o6+4 13

“Thanks for the drink, John. You know I only turn 20 on Saturday, right?” Stella asks with a wide grin.

“An example of my less than superhuman powers of observation,” he noted to Emi with a self-deprecating grin as he slid back in next to her. “Happy to oblige, Stella. My apologies for making assumptions about your age. I guess I got Louisiana’s minimum age for exotic pets wrong. That said, I suspect Jaal would take offense at the joke — even if he isn’t the most exotic pet I’ve encountered today.

“We hadn’t expected to see you here this evening. What brings the two of you to 5th Chapter tonight?”

[InTheMachine]

Louis
Iris is intrigued that Louis seems to know the hero. “I guess if you’re working with Ryker you’ve seen Harbinger up close. Is he really that old? He’s never really on the news.”

“This is definitely not how I saw my day going,” she admits with sigh. “I don’t know if I’ll be in trouble or not. It depends on if Leo thinks I was working with you guys, I guess. But if he has a complaint about it, he has to go through Lady Orchid.”

She looks back up at Louis. “Wait. You said you went by Redline in the house right? You’re a part of West Side Provisional Team? That Redline?”

John
Later, Emi projects just before Stella sits.

“Jaal would be very upset to be called a pet,” Stella says with a shake of her head. “If you said it seriously, he’d probably try to eat you.”

“You saw him on Saturday,” Stella explains as Emi looks between the two of them for an explanation.

“Ah, I see,” the psychic says.

Stella pauses for a moment before answering John’s final question. “He had a meeting with someone upstairs. We’re going to have dinner after he’s done.”

As she speaks, John can see a slight bit of nervousness on her eyes and hear it in her tone.

[HIDA]

Manny- 4:45pm
When Manny returns to the living room, a movie title screen in projected onto the wall. Drake is seated at one end of the couch with Yuki snuggled up to his side. He has his beer sitting by one foot and a book in his lap. Aeryn sits on the other side of Yuki with a plate of his dish in his lap. There’s a seat and half of space, then Sidney sits at the other end of the couch.

Manny smiles as he makes his way to the open spot on the couch and sits down unceremoniously. "Thanks for waiting on me. The D- Zylas seems to be an alright sort. So, What are we watching?"

[mmdeforrest]

Later, Emi projects just before Stella sits.

Later, John thought with some relief — at least he hoped it should be relief. He could find out later, perhaps, what Mr. Shaw had thought — so long as he didn’t forget to follow up.

Because he had such a history of staying on top of things in Emi’s presence.

We’ll see if I remember to ask. He projected with a certain amusement.

“Jaal would be very upset to be called a pet,” Stella says with a shake of her head. “If you said it seriously, he’d probably try to eat you.”

“You saw him on Saturday,” Stella explains as Emi looks between the two of them for an explanation.

“Ah, I see,” the psychic says.

Stella pauses for a moment before answering John’s final question. “He had a meeting with someone upstairs. We’re going to have dinner after he’s done.”

As she speaks, John can see a slight bit of nervousness on her eyes and hear it in her tone.

Spoiler: Watching the Witch

Show

Notice Roll for Stella’s reaction.: 1d10o10+4 12 1d6o6+4 15 <— Note: I am changing the descriptor here but forgot to do so on Orokos.

“Some business with a distant relation?” John asked raising an eyebrow but watching Stella carefully. “I hope it isn’t anything too tedious. I know that one item looming over me are the quarterly financials from Geneva that I need to review and sign by your birthday — the day before, come to think of it, due to the time differences. Accounting would really prefer me to have gotten them back before now and normally I would have preferred to have done so. Since this is the first time I will be signing off on them, though, I am trying to understand what I am finding there.”

“As if I can find an error in the hundreds of pages that the Foundation’s army of accountants missed,” he said, smiling bashfully at the two of them, hoping they did not pick up on the trick he was trying to pull — simultaneously confirming if Raphael was meeting with another vampire about vampire business while shifting the conversation away using the cover of a typical male making it about himself and trying to look important.

Little wonder that the peacocks and the cardinals that everyone thinks of when the birds are named are showy males.

“I’d tell you all about it, but I believe it is against the Geneva Conventions to attempt to bore people to death by describing the intricacies of foundation reporting.”

He wondered why Raphael had been summoned. That is was a summons was clear enough. It was impossible to get a table here and neither Raphael or Stella had the social capital sufficient to drop their name — as he had with Emi — to get a table. That required a different kind of entrée to the venue — one that a manager or owner might provide. And, in retrospect, the decor was in keeping with one who had embraced their ‘Creature of the Night’ status.

And while Emi would not be able to overhear his — or Stella’s — concerns, it would not be difficult to put enough of the pieces together to begin to suspect. She already knew about Darkwatch, after all.

He hoped that this turn of events would not jeopardize their trip to Rhode Island.

He pushed that out of his mind as he turned to Emi.

“Jaal does not, I suspect, think too highly of me to begin with so I suspect I should not even consider joking about his being a pet. He’s somewhat more haughty than Draconian.

“I got to meet him today, actually,” he observed to Stella. “He’s an interesting guy and I can see why Keith speaks so highly of him. It would be interesting to know what kind of a conversation he and Jaal would have.”

[Roguewolf]

Keith
“Very carefully,” Sidney says with a grin.

Elvira hops closer to Keith and lowers her head, opening her beak at the same time. A cluster of six barrels pops out from the back of her throat, locking into place. They start to rotate, but seize up.

Sidney sighs. “Just one more thing to fix. You can get closer if you want Keith. She won’t bite.”

“It’s one’a those handheld ones,” Ryker says. “The barrels are only 10 inches long. The whole assembly is about 20 inches. Jesse bankrolled it, so Sid got to go a little crazy with V.”

Keith looks as Elvira hops closer and shows off the minigun. OH ****! He couldn't help but think as his eyes went wide seeing the barrels start to rotate.

"Very carefully indeed! That's...." Keith shook his head a bit. "Sidney, you put those Empire minions to shame with these works." He hadn't come across too many special creations like that fighting his father's group, but then again, that could have just been his experience. He had no idea what else Sidney could create with enough parts, but it would put near about anything to shame with how well they seem to work.

Keith just grinned being told he could get closer and reached to pat Elvira's head, if she would let him. "Would rather not know if the bullet or bite is worse on her." He said with a chuckle.

He also just tilted his head hearing Ryker explain the process of how Elvira got built. It made sense, since most of these probably wouldn't be parts you could just get or scavenge regularly. Not without being REALLY lucky.

"Never seen a handheld one up close like that before. Makes sense with the length though, but dang. Can't blame her for goin' all out either. Someone puttin' the cash behind it, I would have too." He looks back up at Elvira. "Can't be too overboard with transport and escapes. Though, guess we'll need to figure out how to get more of some of those chemicals. Good to have a stockpile."

Keith just grins at V "Uncle would have a field day seein' you, V."

[big teej]

Choices and Consequences:

Raphael briefly considers retrieving another blood bag and simply pouring some out. Instead he looks Louis and the eyes and just says "Yes. I'm really a vampire."


Just a quiet chat:

His poker face already securely in place, Raphael's expression betrays nothing of his thoughts as the blood doll fills their glasses. He finally takes his seat, along with his glass. He takes a drink and nods appreciatively, like you're supposed to, and looks back to Feris.

"What's on your mind?" He asks conversationally, unwilling and unable to match Feris' oily demeanor.

What did they do this girl to make her taste so? Or maybe she's just special...
John would probably point out, obviously, it's those runes.

.....

I wonder if Stella would taste the same.
Well that's just cheating.

Spoiler: OOC/Mechanics/Whatnot

Show

Common Knowledge:
Yup

No Sell: 13

[InTheMachine]

Keith- 6pm
“Oh, hear that, Ryker?” Sidney asks with a smirk. “I’ve been upgraded to ‘better than a minion’.”

Ryker grins back at his girlfriend. “Movin’ up in the world, baby.”

The barrels slide back down into the bottom of Elvira’s beak and throat. She pushes her head into Keith’s hand before snapping her beak shut so he can see just how sharp the edge of it is.

Mimi’s voice comes over the speakers on the roof. “Keith, would you join everyone down in the living room? Seraph has a mission for you.”

Manny- 4:45pm
“I’m glad he didn’t eat you,” Aeryn whispers to Manny as he sits.

“Have you ever seen Demon Slayer?” Yuki asks excitedly. “They made a movie! It just came out back home and my brother said I had to see it.”

Sidney raises an eyebrow at Manny saying that Zylas seems okay, but keeps her mouth shut about it.

Once Yuki verifies everyone’s ready, she has Mimi start the movie.

About halfway through, Sidney waits for a quiet moment in the movie before getting up. “Don’t wait for me,” she says as she walks toward the living quarters.

Though Drake starts out uninterested, it’s not long before he shuts his book and actually starts watching. Yuki and Aeryn actually tear up a little at the end.

6pm
A few minutes after the credits have rolled, Mimi’s voice come over the speakers. “Aeryn, Yuki, and Manny, would you please stay in the living room? Seraph has a mission for you and he will be down in a moment.”

John
Stella looks over at John with a shrug and a nod. “He didn’t say what they were meeting about. I don’t think whoever it was told him, just that they needed to meet.”

Once again, her nervousness creeps in, but she quickly smooths it over with a smile at John. “Jaal actually likes you a good bit. More than he likes Raphael, honestly.”

“I don’t think he would do so well talking with a true dragon,” Emi admits. “He’s a bit of a nervous guy,” she explains to Stella. “I am glad that you, at the very least, find him interesting John. He was very glad that you and he talked today.”

“A dragon? Nervous?” Stella asks with a chuckle.