[WoD] A Beginning to the End -- New York By Night

Let me tell you a tale, children, of those nights, long ago, when we didn't quite rest without fear of the Ancients. When the Masters still stalked the nights, and we feared for our lives, even with barred door and proper supplication. Let me tell you of the days before Gehenna... before their End.

It starts long ago, in times we don't quite understand anymore... In "September," when it's just starting to turn cold, and the days start to get shorter. On the equinox, the day when summer ends and fall begins -- when your fathers would send you into the fields to check the harvests, children...

It is an old tale, told to me by my Oma, who heard it from her Opa... and now, your Nana will tell it to you...


Every year at this time, the Kindred, or so they called themselves, would gather in a festival to celebrate the changing of the seasons -- a lengthening of the hunting time. At the behest of her Sire, Melody has opened the doors of the Maze for use by her Prince as the site for this year's soiree. Attendance is strongly suggested (read -- mandated), To the mortal world, the Maze is simply closed this evening to the public as it hosts an exclusive private party...

Events as of late have given many reason to seek merry-making; incidents as of late have led many Kindred to keep a much lower profile. The Brujah Primogen is still locked away for his own safety -- after he found his youngest childe dismembered and left casually in his haven, the Prince ordered him confined until details could be hashed out... they still haven't found her eyes.

And with Anarch activity on the rise, the Scourge and Sheriff have been busier than ever. Security at the Maze has been stepped up, in the event that gate-crashers should decide they'd like to ruin the party.


*** Marcus ***
"Remember, my dearest, who we represent here," Elena says as the car pulls up to the Maze. "We're in the lion's den right now; while we maybe announced guests of Prince Morgan, I would like to keep as low a profile as possible -- see how things are run here, if you understand my meaning."



*** Francis ***
"Now... keep low, keep quiet, and keep out of the way of those Toreador, Worm," Rigger (the Nosferatu Primogen) says as he pulls back the cover to the sewer grate in an alley a few blocks away from the Maze. "It's not often we even invited to these things. Just keep to the walls, speak only when spoken to, and if at all possible don't let them see your real face -- we don't need any of the degenerates going all weepy to the Prince... and I want to stay here as long as possible."



*** Melody ***
"Now, behave yourself this evening -- we have a lot riding on this," your Sire says as the first guests begin arriving. "Try to keep Melinda (the lead Harpy) in check if her and her clique start squawking too loudly; the Prince was very annoyed with your sister last year, and I've yet to hear the end of it. Also, make sure your security keeps at their posts and duties -- I know the Sheriff will be here as well, but I'd rather any... nuisanaces be handled by our people, so it doesn't look like we can't take care of our own club."



*** Paul ***
"Well... look at what we have here," Mathew says as he circles one of the bouncers at the door. "All somber and sullen... reminds me a little of you when you first came over, Paul," he quips with a sharp smile. "Our invitations, good sir," he says as he affects an expression much like bouncer, and hands over the cards.



*** Nick ***
"You keep me posted, Nick, on anything you see suspicious inside," Vance (the Sheriff) says as he drops you off in front of the Maze. "Just give me a ring, and I'll send what support I can muster. I doubt the rabble will try anything tonight, but they might... and if they get inside, they'll be that much more incessant."

"And, by the way," Vance says as he starts walking away, "that tux looks good on you... you should clean up more often," he remarks with a chuckle.



*** Horus ***
"I will return with the car for you sir at the appointed hour," Tuesday says rather flatly as he you exit the car in front of the Maze. "Enjoy yourself, sir," he finishes, and then drives off.

"Good evening," the regular doorman says to you as you present your invitation. "Didn't expect to see you here for such a dull affair, sir. How have you been?"

Keeping his cane close to him, Horus leans upon it and speaks somberly. "I have been, lets just leave it at that shall we? Besides, my precense here tonight is more a matter of convenience. It just so happens that I was planning on attending the club tonight anyway, but now it looks like I get to share it exclusively with my fellow kindred.... lucky me.

He moves gracefully past the doorman and into the club, his long satin cloak billowing in the chill September air. Once inside he surveys the crowd, noting more than just a few glances and stares in his direction. He chuckles inwardly and moves to sit at his usual table, located in a dimmly lit back corner of the club. It wasn't long after he was settled that Melody caught his eye from across the room. His sight lingered on her for a bit longer then he would have liked. He wrenched his eyes away from her and focused his gaze to the floor. He didn't know what it was about her, but this young one interested him greatly. It made him think back to his relationship with his own sire and the bonds he had to set on it. He knew he could have her if he really wanted, but he didn't need any more enemies right now. For a moment a rush of what mortals call sadness washed over him. One emotion Horus was still quite familiar with. He had to force himself to remember what it felt like to be sad just to remind him of the curse he seemed to have. 2,000 years is a long time, he thought to himself. But nothing compared to the eternity he would have to face with this "problem".

He shook the thoughts from his mind angrily and resumed scanning the room for the cities higher ranking members, sure to be in attendance. It was always good to keep tabs on your potential enemies, ones he did not even have to love or admire to feel threatened by him.

"Always good to see a man devoted to his duty." The corners of Paul's lips twitch into a slight smile at his sire's quip. He pats the bouncer companionably on the shoulder as he and Mathew stroll into the Maze.

As always, Paul basks in the many auras that fill his sight as he enters the club, watching the varied colours with interest.

"God, we really should come here more often. People are so interesting." His smile broadens into a grin as he scans the crowds.

"Quite a few here. Nice to see things are recovering so well. And a bit of jollity does a body good, eh?"

Mordane76 said:

*** Francis ***
"Now... keep low, keep quiet, and keep out of the way of those Toreador, Worm," Rigger (the Nosferatu Primogen) says as he pulls back the cover to the sewer grate in an alley a few blocks away from the Maze. "It's not often we even invited to these things. Just keep to the walls, speak only when spoken to, and if at all possible don't let them see your real face -- we don't need any of the degenerates going all weepy to the Prince... and I want to stay here as long as possible."

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OOC: I suppose the Maze is an Elysium

"Sure, I'm not here for troubles. I lend this toxedo from a mortal and even taken a bath to be sure to get rid of the sewer smells. I even have the hats, but I don't think I will be able to hide much more those scars, after all, we can't use any power in an Elysium, but I'll stay as far as possible from the degenerates and won't speak to anyone. Anyway, I'm not in my element here!"

(OOC -- Yes, it is an Elysuim).

Marcus walks in on Elena's arm. They pause at the doorway to assess the situation, and to be announced. He is dressed sharply in an expensive suit, dark hair slicked back. She is in a tastefully revealing red dress, complementing his clothing well. As they weave their way through the crowd, he smiles and nods urbanely to the many he knows. After a moment, she disentangles her arm from his and glides over to greet a man he did not recognize. Marcus feels irritated for a moment, wondering who the man is and why he was not made aware of his presence. He suppresses another flash of irritation when he thinks of Elena's arrival. She could have at least told me she was coming before the day she arrived, he thinks, but then with a dry mental laugh acknowledges how petulant he sounds, even to himself. After making his own rounds, he settles at a promising table, empty but between a couple of Nosferatu and a group of gossipy Toreador. He leans back enough to make himself look comfortable but not welcoming of company, and opens his ears to any conversation around him.

It was a great honor, indeed, that her club would be the location for the festival this year, the first for her to attend even. She was there, standing on one of the walkways, which allowed a decent overview over her club's interior. They were coming in droves to attend this evening and to celebrate. She had catered a few exclusive parties for Kindred, mostly Toreador, already, but not like this one. This was big!

Melody had spent several hours to groom herself and to choose the right garments for this evening, leaving her dressing room in a complete mess. She had finally settled on a more formal clothing, a Gucci trouser-suit with a feminine cut, waisted to underline her slender figure, but not nearly as revealing as her usual clubwear, when she is out to hunt.

When will he arrive? Melody asks her Sire for the third time within the last 10 minutes now, obviously speaking of the Prince, while nodding to indicate, that she was listening to him. Ok, ok, you already said you don't know for sure...

Running her fingers through her raven hair nervously, she continues to watch the new arrivals. Waiting... nothing in life - and unlife as well - was worse than waiting...

Elsewhere in the city...

The pier was foggy, but that didn't seem to bother the pair sitting on the hood of the Mazda much; one of them kept his gaze turned back towards the entrance to the lot, while the other sat there, smoking a cigarette.

"Waiting... nothing in life - and unlife as well - is worse than waiting," a wiry little man says watching the entrance whispered under his breath. "And would you put that thing out! One of these days your gonna burn your fool lips off, and I'm gonna have to stake you to stop you from thrashing... maybe after I've got you down, I'll just leave you there for the big lighter..."


He didn't get to finish his statement before a car rolled slowly into the lot, lights off. He nudged his partner, who slid off the hood and turned around to face the approaching automobile...


Still elsewhere in the city....
He paced back and forth in his cell, vaguely aware of his pacing, vaguely aware of his confinement... only vaguely aware of the date and time. Occasionally, he would focus long enough to notice the door, which he would then throw himself against like an animal, shaking it at at the hinges, dust settling just outside the door from the slight fractures peeking through at the hinge points in the wall. After such a fury, he would collapse in a heap, back against the door, and lapse into a short-lived unconsciousness.

After his latest attack, something happened... someone unlocked the door and undid the catch. So... when he awoke from his latest unconsciousness, and found the door, and threw himself at it... it gave easily under his assault, opening into freedom. He moved quickly down the hallway, savaged the poor man who had been left to guard him, and out of the building, into the night... to find It.




At the Maze...
Almost everyone with an invitation has arrived... with the exception of the Prince himself, and a few expected flaky no-shows who will most likely be punished publicly with scads of scorn and humiliation by the Harpies as soon as Prince Morgan arrives. Some of this has already begun to a lesser degree, as Melinda has already begun commenting to her assemblage about a rival who has yet to make an entrance...

"I'm sure that little brat is at home soaking his brushes... waiting for his 'Muse' to visit him again... unfortunately, no one apparently told him Muses generally inspire more than lines and splotches," she snipes to her friends, who join in with rills of shrill cackling.


*** Melody ***
"He'll be here, Childe," he replies, resting an attentive and reassuring hand on your forearm. "Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves thus far -- you should too. I'm sure when he arrives, it will be an obvious entrance, and thus you'll have ample time to make your way forward and welcome him to your establishment."

"Now, I need to go tie your sister's tongue in a knot -- she already starting, and I'm sure it will only get worse once the Prince arrives if I don't quiet her down now."



*** Marcus ***
"Quite a crowd here," Elena comments, surveying the room from your table. "Think of it -- I never have this sort of turn out at home, even when everyone does arrive."

"However," Elena says as her tone drops to a whisper, "the chatter can be incessant," Elena finishes as she glances quickly towards the chatty Toreador. "I wonder how Prince Morgan stands such a prat."



*** Francis ***
"That's hogwash," Rigger exclaims at your Elysium comment. "I have it on good authority that Morgan doesn't care if we affect a more pleasant visage at these parties... doesn't mean I'm going to -- I like the looks the Toreadors give me when they have to smile at me and address me as Primogen Rigger," he says, and after pausing for a moment he adds, "especially that bitch Melinda," with a twisted grin.



*** Paul ***
"These are people, Paul," Mathew says with a flourish of his hand, "they're sheep. Giant, bloodsucking sheep... they have no idea. It will be amusing when he arrives," Mathew comments, trailing off into silence.



*** Horus ***
"Good evening, Sir Curator," begins Hadrian (the Malkavian Primogen) as he approaches your table. "Anything new and exciting arrive at your museum? I know several of us would love to set up a viewing; it's been ages since we've been in the museum, and I did so love the Roman/Egyptian period exhibition when we were there last time -- the collection is simply stunning."

Marcus smiles at Elena's comment. "Perhaps she chatters enough that he finds it useful. It is irritating, but we may yet discover something important fall from her lips." He surveys the room as they speak.

Mordane76 said:

Elsewhere in the city...*** Francis ***
"That's hogwash," Rigger exclaims at your Elysium comment. "I have it on good authority that Morgan doesn't care if we affect a more pleasant visage at these parties... doesn't mean I'm going to -- I like the looks the Toreadors give me when they have to smile at me and address me as Primogen Rigger," he says, and after pausing for a moment he adds, "especially that bitch Melinda," with a twisted grin.

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"In that case, I will change my appearance, but I don't think it would be of much use against the leadings Degenerates, as they will see throught it like air, but at least, I hope, they will think I want to respect them and not offend the rules. I just need to have a scare they don`t like and they will be on my back. Well, I think I'll stop there, as wall have ears, and go in a corner, listen to the music and hope I will have no troubles. I envy you, Rigger, as you can meet them all in the eyes without fear of being stabs on the spot. Even if you offend someone, they won't act right there, and it will be to late to hide there intention from you, as every words on the city reach your ears sooner or later."