Nazareth Awakened - Chapter 02: Wives of Solomon

[GlassEye]

Harper, Thyrsus mage

[section]

"What if," says Harper as he twists around in his seat to see Gloria's face as he speaks, "What if Anton isn't the Vampire Prince anymore? Magellan seemed to think you were in danger now and I would guess you vampires can hold a grudge for a long time. Magellan will be in Nazareth in a day or so and you'll be able to talk to him then and find out what you need to know. Until then, you gotta lay low."

He frowns as if to forestall the expected objections. "So, umm, I'm sure you've been doing this a while and know what you're doing but we can't take the chance of some local vampire finding out about you and reporting back so you're gonna have to rely on us until we hear from Magellan. And like Agnasci said, we got a place and can arrange food and clothes for you."

​

[/section]

 

[TillForPie]

"May I ask what the misunderstanding was?"

Law responds.

"Somebody embraced an elder's favorite pet. That is - turned him into a vampire." She likely isn't using pet to refer to an animal. "It could've been anyone who did it." She shrugs.

"What if," says Harper as he twists around in his seat to see Gloria's face as he speaks, "What if Anton isn't the Vampire Prince anymore? Magellan seemed to think you were in danger now and I would guess you vampires can hold a grudge for a long time. Magellan will be in Nazareth in a day or so and you'll be able to talk to him then and find out what you need to know. Until then, you gotta lay low."

He frowns as if to forestall the expected objections. "So, umm, I'm sure you've been doing this a while and know what you're doing but we can't take the chance of some local vampire finding out about you and reporting back so you're gonna have to rely on us until we hear from Magellan. And like Agnasci said, we got a place and can arrange food and clothes for you."

Gloria doesn't respond immediately. Every few seconds the Tahoe passes under a street light and her face is illuminated - each time her eyes are revealed they're locked on Harper. He has the perhaps unsettling feeling that she can see him in the dark just fine. She considers what Harper's said in silence, her mood clearly soured.

"I guess that's possible."

[sblock=Persuading Gloria]Harper's Roll: Manipulation 1 + Persuasion 1 = Success with 1 success
Harper manages to convince Gloria[/sblock]Harper's suggestion that the Prince that Gloria remembers might not be in charge these days has changed the mood in the vehicle considerably.

"Fine."

 

[Shayuri]

Chance glanced between Law and Harper, a little taken aback. The normally easygoing Harper was putting the screws to the vampire and getting concessions, while Mr Law and Order was rolling right over. Huh.

"Look, we're on the same side," she said to Gloria. "We're obliged to see you through at least until Magellan can meet you, which means we're going to keep you alive and in as much comfort as circumstances allow. Play straight with us, and trust us just a little, and we'll get you through this. Whatever this is. Promise."

 

[TillForPie]

Within half an hour the group is pulling off the 60 on the Nazareth exit. The Tahoe comes to a stop at a red light, Main Street ahead. "There," Gloria says, speaking for the first time since they left Phoenix. She's pointing at the Super Value Mart to the group's right, which is open 24/7. "Let me out. I won't be long."

 

[Rubberneck]

Law pulls over the SUV and unlocks the doors, but stays in the vehicle and leaves it running.

 

[GlassEye]

Harper, Thyrsus mage

[section]

Harper turns to look Gloria in the eye. At least the bright, overhead lights in the parking lot of the Super Value Mart gives him light to see her and feel a little less like prey. "So is it the clothes, the food, or the chance to ditch us? If it's the last then you can just open the door and go but at least give us the chance to talk to Magellan before you take off. You owe us that much." He pulls out the cheap cell-phone the others persuaded him to buy at this very store and punches in Faye's number. His intention is to get Magellan's number from Faye.

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[/section]

 

[TillForPie]

"Just wait here." Gloria shoos Agnasci out of her way and steps out of the car before heading across the empty parking lot toward the entrance to the Super Value Mart.

After a few rings Faye picks up the phone. "Got the vampire all settled?" she asks, probably having been waiting for a call from the group. Harper makes his request for Magellan's number and she sighs and tells him to hold. A minute later she's back and provides the number. "Penrose wants the four of you in here in the morning for a lesson. 10:00 AM."

 

[GlassEye]

Harper, Thyrsus mage

[section]

Harper nods, realizes Faye can't see and answers, "Okay, I'll tell the others. We're getting clothes for the vampire right now. Whoever buried her did a number on her; I'm surprised she survived it." He specifically does not say that no one is with the vampire at the moment. "And Faye? Thanks." He quickly disconnects and punches the number Faye gave him into his phone before he forgets but he doesn't call it.

Turning to the Chance, Agnasci, and Law he relays Faye's message. "Penrose wants us in for a lesson at 10 am."

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[/section]

 

[Mosier]

"Good," Agnasci says, probably to the surprise of the others. He's eager for an opportunity to help mend some of the damage he's done to his relationship with his mentor. And he has a question to ask him. Something the other apprentices probably wouldn't approve of...

Agnasci is intrigued by their new companion. He watches her through the window as she walks away from the car. He tries to consider her from a disinterested point of view, but finds that he can't. Somehow he knows she can be trusted, for no logical reason. But, if anyone can read people, it's the Mastigos who has spent his entire life doing just that.

"I like her," he says out loud, maybe a little too bluntly. Realizing how stupid he must sound, Agnasci tries to turn it into a joke. "I mean, maybe that's just because all my blood is still on the inside..."

 

[Rubberneck]

Law chimes in with Agnasci,

"I like her too. I'm sure she has her own ways of going about things, but I think she can adapt to the way things are now. It might be nice having an extra ally in Nazareth. She can stay in my basement, we can save our money and keep an eye out to make sure she's ok."