Tale Weaver's Vampire: The Masquerade Game Board

[Tale_Weaver]

Chapter Complete!

You all get 2 XP for completing this chapter.

Clover and Ruby get the Achievement: Bonnie & Clyde for fooling Detective Brandt.

Koln gets the Achievement: I'm not Crazy! for experiencing his first hallucination.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As I'm sure like most of you, I won't be able to post much tomorrow so don't expect the story to go very far

 

[izillama]

Shopping

Clover watched her professor go and thought about how much help he had given them. And yet, it felt as though he had barely done squat in the grand scheme of things. Clover felt like Socrates could have been of more use. But then, at least Professor Jones had given them the book and told them about the crazy doctor who, perhaps, seemed to have been doing experiments on students' blood.
Finally, she placed her hands on her hips and turned to Koln and Ruby, "Ok, you two! No more Mr. Nice Guy. We're going to the mall and getting you guys some real clothes. The shuttle leaves from Student Union in ten minutes. Now let's hop to it!"
And with that, she marched away (expecting them to follow).
'We might as well give ourselves some time to think about all of this. A quick mall trip is just what we need to get those brain cells going!'

 

[Strider_Koln]

Clover watched her professor go and thought about how much help he had given them. And yet, it felt as though he had barely done squat in the grand scheme of things. Clover felt like Socrates could have been of more use. But then, at least Professor Jones had given them the book and told them about the crazy doctor who, perhaps, seemed to have been doing experiments on students' blood.
Finally, she placed her hands on her hips and turned to Koln and Ruby, "Ok, you two! No more Mr. Nice Guy. We're going to the mall and getting you guys some real clothes. The shuttle leaves from Student Union in ten minutes. Now let's hop to it!"
And with that, she marched away (expecting them to follow).
'We might as well give ourselves some time to think about all of this. A quick mall trip is just what we need to get those brain cells going!'

Koln nods and follows Clover with Ruby next to him. The entire time he's been grappling with some other force in his head... something that is making him both remember what he shouldn't be able to, and forget what he should remember. While on the way to the shuttle Koln pit stops at an ATM and thinks: 'Hm... I could use money, but the Church would undoubtedly start looking at credit transactions when it wants to find me... then again, the Church already knows I'm here... oddly they haven't attempted to establish contact yet with me... something's up in Rome, good, probably another scandal." Koln returns to the group at the bus stop as he stuffs wads of 20s into his pockets.
"By the Way, Clover, I am not sure if I have already thanked you, mostly because my memory seems to becoming increasingly distorted, but thank you for your hospitality." As he speaks he studies her complexion and wonders if it's wise to take an unfed vampire to the mall... if she looks really ill he might have to take her aside and give her a blood packet, but what if she refuses? He has to be sneaky...
"Ah. guys, back in a sec, just need to use the bathroom, I think I came across it inside, I'll be back in a bit!" Without tarry he rushes back inside the main building, only to return a moment later.
"Ah, and I'm back, still no shuttle?" He puts his hands in his pockets, shifting aside in each of them his wallet, V8 bottle with blood in it, and two remaining blood packets.

 

[izillama]

Clover watched Koln walk back into the building, suddenly finding her eyes staring absently off into space, 'Hm... Odd. I haven't had to pee since I got this... condition. Don't vampires need to use the bathroom?'
Clover was still staring off into space when Koln returned a few minutes later. The shuttle was just rounding the corner and coming to a stop in front of them, and Clover led them inside the vehicle with Koln with his hands in his pockets at her one side and Roby looking like a hyper puppy on the other.
The shuttle was full of students who were headed to the mall. Almost filled to capacity, even. Clover led them to the back of the shuttle in the hopes that they could find some empty seats together, but only managed to find two empty seats next to each other. The rest of the shuttle was standing room only.
Smiling at Ruby (and hoping to keep her a bit calmer on this trip as compared to the last one, to help allay any curious stares of the other students) she insisted, "Ruby? why don't you sit by the window and give Koln the aisle seat? I'll stand, I'm used to it." And with that, she ushered (or more like pushed) Ruby down into the seat, hoping that the scenery outside the window would hold her attention.
'Heaven forbid she cause a scene on this shuttle! We're an odd enough group as it is.'
Then, she reached up and grabbed the handlebar above to keep from falling as the shuttle began to move along the road. Koln was still standing, the motion from the shuttle not seeming to affect him. Clover once again insisted, "Koln? Take a seat. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

 

[ladyphoenix]

Clover watched Koln walk back into the building, suddenly finding her eyes staring absently off into space, 'Hm... Odd. I haven't had to pee since I got this... condition. Don't vampires need to use the bathroom?'
Clover was still staring off into space when Koln returned a few minutes later. The shuttle was just rounding the corner and coming to a stop in front of them, and Clover led them inside the vehicle with Koln with his hands in his pockets at her one side and Roby looking like a hyper puppy on the other.
The shuttle was full of students who were headed to the mall. Almost filled to capacity, even. Clover led them to the back of the shuttle in the hopes that they could find some empty seats together, but only managed to find two empty seats next to each other. The rest of the shuttle was standing room only.
Smiling at Ruby (and hoping to keep her a bit calmer on this trip as compared to the last one, to help allay any curious stares of the other students) she insisted, "Ruby? why don't you sit by the window and give Koln the aisle seat? I'll stand, I'm used to it." And with that, she ushered (or more like pushed) Ruby down into the seat, hoping that the scenery outside the window would hold her attention.
'Heaven forbid she cause a scene on this shuttle! We're an odd enough group as it is.'
Then, she reached up and grabbed the handlebar above to keep from falling as the shuttle began to move along the road. Koln was still standing, the motion from the shuttle not seeming to affect him. Clover once again insisted, "Koln? Take a seat. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Ruby listened to Clover and sat by the window seat once again, her favorite spot. She tried to contain her excitement this time around even though now she has shopping to be excited about as well. Once in a while she would fidget around, but mostly she was entranced by the moving images outside the window. "I wonder what this professor is going to be like, and what side he is actually on in the whole scheme of things," she thought aloud, not speaking to anyone in particular. "Its very suspicious when he is experimenting on his own students."

She noticed Koln brought a bottle of V8 with him which was very parculiar indeed. What is he up to? she pondered.
She looked at Clover with a smile "I can't wait to see our new looks Clover, thank you so much." she then paused and her face flushed. She leaned over to her and whispered in her ear. "I might need help in the fashion department, possibly how to look, um well, attractive you might say, you look like you have good taste."

 

[izillama]

She looked at Clover with a smile "I can't wait to see our new looks Clover, thank you so much." she then paused and her face flushed. She leaned over to her and whispered in her ear. "I might need help in the fashion department, possibly how to look, um well, attractive you might say, you look like you have good taste."

For a moment, Clover's face went blank. Then, she smiled warmly, "Thanks. I'll do my best ^.^"
Clover had never been complimented for her taste in fashion before. On the contrary, she had never had much of a reason to think too much about fashion and clothing. She had spent so many years of her life in uniform, that she no longer even tried to deviate from the school girl look. Instead, she had always tried to pick out clothing which had been subtle variations of what she normally wore on a day to day basis.
But if anything, she felt a bit odd at the request that she make Ruby look more attractive. If anything, Clover had actually been jealous of Ruby for the past 24 hours for her looks. Though plain--though Amish--Clover saw that Ruby seemed much prettier than the normal girl. She wasn't sure if this was the vampire showing through (Clover had noticed a few flaws in her own skin had more than disappeared after the transformation) or the fact that Ruby wasn't aware of her own attractiveness that made her all the more... attractive. If that made any sense at all.
Clover blushed and thought to her self, 'Look at me. Going on about how much more beautiful than myself I think Ruby is. If it weren't for the fact I was into boys... Hm... I've never had a boyfriend. Strange that I would be thinking all of this now...'
Absently, Clover contemplated her possible bisexual tendencies 'Honestly, I find effeminate men so much yummier!'
Then, she mentally slapped herself on the side of the head and responded to Ruby awkwardly, "But really, Ruby, I don't think that you have any problems looking attractive. Come on! I'm sure even Koln finds you easy on the eyes, don't you?" She clapped Koln on the shoulder to bring him back to reality and into the conversation.
'Heck, there's nothing else to talk about right now anyway...'

 

[Strider_Koln]

For a moment, Clover's face went blank. Then, she smiled warmly, "Thanks. I'll do my best ^.^"
Clover had never been complimented for her taste in fashion before. On the contrary, she had never had much of a reason to think too much about fashion and clothing. She had spent so many years of her life in uniform, that she no longer even tried to deviate from the school girl look. Instead, she had always tried to pick out clothing which had been subtle variations of what she normally wore on a day to day basis.
But if anything, she felt a bit odd at the request that she make Ruby look more attractive. If anything, Clover had actually been jealous of Ruby for the past 24 hours for her looks. Though plain--though Amish--Clover saw that Ruby seemed much prettier than the normal girl. She wasn't sure if this was the vampire showing through (Clover had noticed a few flaws in her own skin had more than disappeared after the transformation) or the fact that Ruby wasn't aware of her own attractiveness that made her all the more... attractive. If that made any sense at all.
Clover blushed and thought to her self, 'Look at me. Going on about how much more beautiful than myself I think Ruby is. If it weren't for the fact I was into boys... Hm... I've never had a boyfriend. Strange that I would be thinking all of this now...'
Absently, Clover contemplated her possible bisexual tendencies 'Honestly, I find effeminate men so much yummier!'
Then, she mentally slapped herself on the side of the head and responded to Ruby awkwardly, "But really, Ruby, I don't think that you have any problems looking attractive. Come on! I'm sure even Koln finds you easy on the eyes, don't you?" She clapped Koln on the shoulder to bring him back to reality and into the conversation.
'Heck, there's nothing else to talk about right now anyway...'

"Of course I do, you are both very attractive and should have no problem finding many... willing victims..." Koln's keeping his voice very low, at a volume only those two can hear. "It is exactly that kind of vampire that angered me the most, ones that only appear beautiful to mask the monster inside, only to let it out after their partner has given the beast their trust..." His firsts clench and begin to shake... only to relax and gently rest a hand on both of their shoulders. "But that used to be the case... now I protect you instead of hunt... and well, if I wasn't a priest I'd er..." He trails off, looking away, mumbling some garbled French...
"Er, anyway Clover... you must also help me shop as well.. I am not sure what exactly is 'normal' to wear for a layperson in this country. As long as I'm wearing black, I think I look good in dark colors. Ah, looks like we've arrived. Lead the way Clover."
He stands, and politely helps the ever-hyper Ruby to her feet.

 

[Tale_Weaver]

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round

The shuttle comes to a stop on Route 25, you figure the ride took about 10 minutes. You step outside and see a large building before you. An archway over the door reads "Cherry Creek Mall". Clover is fairly familiar with this mall as she's been here a number of times (mostly when she was dragged here by Mindy). Clover does know that Cherry Creek boasts the crème de la crème of brand-name stores in Denver offering the widest selection of premium labels. Department store anchors include Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The mall's movie theater was recently renovated, and a Hot Topic store is slated to open soon. One thing that Clover never liked about Cherry Creek is its meager food court, which consists of a handful of fast-food restaurants, but you figure that this will matter very little given you haven't been feeling the urge to eat normal food for almost 24 hours now.

I've added the mall to the map, it looks crappy because I couldn't get the font to be the right size and still be readable. Anyway, take a look if you want to get an idea of where you are (remember, the medical center is on a seperate campus from the rest of the school so the University itself is further from the mall).

 

[Strider_Koln]

They step off the bus and enter the mall, Clover leading the way, followed by a noticibly excited Ruby and a confused Koln. The mall is buzzing with activity this evening, shoppers walking about amongst the stores. As they walk, Koln sniffs the air and wonders, despite the smell of fast food in the air, he is not hungry. Every minute it seems what he has read is being proven true... He continues to watch his surroundings like zoologist observing animals... a lot of kids here, a large group of them in fact congregating outside of the soon-to-be-open Hot Topic. He pays them little mind, until he notices their fangs... he knows what he must do.

The priest approaches the group of teens, probably no older than 18. He instinctively reaches in his pocket for his gun, but stops when he remembers that it is gone, and instead he's holding a bottle of V8.
One of the kids, the tallest one, probably their leader, notices the approaching priest, "Hey Mr. er or should I say Father? Do you know what time it is?"
Koln: "Uh..." *flips open his phone* 8:06..."
The kids snicker at the priests response, the young girl next to the leader states the obvious "Hey, you got fangs too! Neat! We thought you were one of those rigid religious types that don't understand our kind."
Koln's eyebrows raise at her statement and thinks:

'I knew it, they're vampires! They all must die! Now! Er... no, too many witnesses... best to just find out what I can from them about the conspiracy...'

Koln's thought process is interrupted by one of the other kids, much more stocky and somewhat older than the rest "Hey, watcha reachin for in your pocket?" He and the rest of them all snicker "Oh it's one of THOSE kinds of priests!"
Koln blinks, not understanding, and takes out his bottle "Er, just a drink..."
The kids then grin, half of them taking out their own bottles of V8 and nod knowingly.

'I knew it, these kids are vampires and ARE drinking blood, keeping it disguised of course so none notice... clever...'

"You appear to be normal kids, but I know better... once I would have attacked you, persecuted and hunted you, but now I'm one of you..."
"Hehe, yeah, right on Mr.! So I bet you're pumped for Twilight too, right? We're about to see it for the sixth time!"
"Er.. Twilight...?"
"Yeah, it's why we've all became vampires, awesome movie! Books are better though I guess you could say. You too? Who's your favorite character?"
"Oh... er yeah sure, it's uhm.. great *Koln has no idea what their talking about* Uh... my favorite character is... *his eyes wander to their shirts... finding a name* uh, Edward. Yeah, I can really relate to him..."
"Ah, hehehe, gay! Just kidding! We have to get going now, may you continue to never see the light of day! "
With that the small group of teeny vamps take their leave... Koln now knows what he must do... He has to end the conspiracy, stop this pro-vampire propaganda and destroy the mastermind of this "Twilight..." Inside the Hot Topic he sees the books that the group were talking about, and the author's name.
Koln takes out his small black notebook and hurriedly scribbles down his next target: 'Stephenie Meyer' Nothing will stop him, not Clover's microwave, not Mr. Tumnus, not even that pig-tailed girl in his head...

Koln rejoins Clover and Ruby. "I'm sorry girls, I just had to take care of something... let's shop... By the way Ruby, I'm sure this is all very exciting for you, but I got something that will totally blow your Amish mind..." With that Koln smirks, taking out his cellphone again, and lets out a chuckle as he presses a button and she starts to hear music:
"I just wanna tell you how Im feeling
Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you"

Koln laughs, "Now Ruby, I know what you're thinking and you're wrong, this isn't a magical rock that traps people inside."

 

[izillama]

Clover had been too dumbfounded by the stupidity of Koln harassing the Twilight kids to actually do anything about it. In fact, she had found it quite amusing.
But, 'Oh my God! If he does anything to get me banned from Saks Fifth Avenue I will seriously murderl him! Could he act any more socially awkward??'
Clover hit her head with the palm of her hand as Koln walked back over to them. Then, she groaned in incredulity as he began to play Rick Astley on his phone... out loud... in an attempt to freak Ruby out.
'Calming breaths, Clover. Calming breaths! It's not like there aren't weirder people at this mall.'
Almost in answer to her thought, she cast a weary eye over at the display in the Hot Topic window. Some girls were already ogling a sexy, slutty school girl outfit which looked curiously like the red version of what Clover was already wearing... only sexier and sluttier.
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. It was girls like them who had always given girls like her a bad name! Parading around in faux Catholic school regalia in the hopes of attracting the attention of men.
And the wrong kind of attention at that!
Sighing at the vanity of the girls who didn't know what Clover and her classmates had gone through for twelve years at an all-girls Catholic school, Clover lowered her eyes to the ground in disgust, pointed straight out to the girls in front of her and (half serious, half joking) commanded, "Koln? Sic 'em."