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<blockquote data-quote="Graf" data-source="post: 3955222" data-attributes="member: 3087">Biggs PreludeThe Indian man cocks his head oddly before carefully saying &quot;Your position is precarious. I can appreciate your desire to take action however I humbly suggest that you listen instead. He replaces the lid. It sounds like he sits down nearby.A few minutes later Biggs can hear conversation beginning as two more people enter the room.[sblock=read first]The following sblock has a really long conversation. It was written some time ago, and, despite being poorly written has some info about the various participants in the city as well as giving Biggs some idea about how precarious his situation is. I'll summarize the key points in the Synopsis bock, if people want to read more &quot;conversations between NPCs&quot; you're free to do so, consider it optional.I freely admit that the text is long and this scene, like several of archer's recent scenes, aren't particularly interesting to participate in, or well written. Please do your best to accept them as they are. The game won't be like this.(In my defense I would simply say that this is what fell out of the process of trying to develop the city. And also enable a character like Biggs to exist in the story.)[/sblock][sblock=Synopsis]Biggs is being held captive by some vampire who calls himself &quot;the Prince&quot;. He is apparently like the Vampire King of the city.Biggs was not supposed to have been made into a vampire; he is &quot;owned&quot; by the prince because of thisthe Prince doesn't like vampire hunters (no shock) and is almost certainly not a nice or good person (in fact he doesn't seem to properly think in human terms anymore)He has two lieutenants, &quot;Reggie&quot; (the Indian) and &quot;Blackie&quot; (the woman who attacked Biggs in his hotel room)&quot;Reggie&quot; thinks that Biggs deserves some sort of chance&quot;Blackie&quot; thinks Biggs is dangerous and should buried in cement (or something similar)the prince is very very touchy about his image (how other vampires see him)the prince is a bullyBlackie&quot; is afraid of him and his temperThe prince is strong enough to break a sword with his bare handsThere are apparently a sect of religious vampiresThe prince dislikes talking about religion&quot;Reggie&quot; is very good at kissing the prince's a__&quot;Reggie&quot; is very unpopular with religious vampires (and why is apparently a secret that even the Prince doesn't know)The Prince has decided to let Biggs live, but only to use him as some sort of example to something called &quot;neonates&quot;[/sblock][sblock=The actual conversation]A masculine voice enters the room &quot;Alright, so who's the best mind f___er we got.&quot;&quot;What?&quot; The man stops.&quot;I didn't say anything,&quot; Reggie says.&quot;Yeah, but you got a look that says you got something to say.&quot;&quot;I don't think it's proper to dominate this man.&quot;&quot;Reggie, I'm the prince. His sire, whoever the f___ they are. Don't got no siring privileges. That means his ass is mine. This ain't Europe Reggie.&quot;&quot;That's not what I'm talking about. I think, Lucius, that it's morally wrong.&quot;&quot;You're talking to me. Reggie. And I understand the words coming out of your mouth, but this isn't making -any- sense to me. Speak to my level.&quot;&quot;Would you violently rape a small child?&quot;&quot;You still confusing me. I'm a vampire Reggie. Ah don't feel those particular sets ah urges.&quot;&quot;Fine. Would you kill a small child?&quot;&quot;Is this one of them eastern mystical things?&quot;&quot;Would you?&quot;&quot;We talking about a specific child?&quot;&quot;No. Just a child.&quot;&quot;Alright. Sure. I wouldn't kill a small child.&quot;&quot;Because?&quot;B: &quot;We're waisting time.&quot;&quot;No no Blackie, the man has finally started to make some sense. Alright. Alright. Ah wouldn't kill any children cause it wouldn't be right.&quot;&quot;Personally I believe that killing a small child and dominating this man, completely stripping him of his will and personality are, though not the same, both similar in that they're morally wrong.&quot;&quot;You know he hunts vampires with a big sword, right?&quot;&quot;If you found out that monsters were hunting your people what would you do.&quot;&quot;Reggie, you know I have a real, abiding affection for you. But sometimes you need to look at the practical side of things. Now..., &quot;&quot;Would you sit around and do nothing?&quot;&quot;Ah hell. Fine. I'd do something.&quot;&lt;silence&gt;&quot;But look Reggie, this the 80s now.&quot;B clears her throat.&quot;Blackie, fine. The 90s right? Alright? Slip of the tongue. That just makes my point more. They got all these new fangled things. Them cordless phones? They work outside now. And this thing? &lt;sound of metal&gt; Kani-chachas?&quot;Biggs ear can make out the telltail sound of a katana vibrating slightly as it's being waved around&quot;When we were morals they didn't have any of this Kani-chacha's or whatever. It's a different era. People don't believe in vampires no more. The guy is nuts! Crazy! A loon!&quot;There's a banging sound as the sword is brought down with a loud smash. It sounds like the sword blade just broke.&quot;f___. Now I got metal anywhere. What's wrong with a normal f___ing sword? Carrying around a normal sword don't make you crazy enough? You need a crazy sword?&quot;&quot;So you don't believe in the baptism of the blessed embrace?&quot;&quot;Ah... Reggie! Hold on! Now! Wait a minute. This is a private f___ing conversation, right?&quot;&quot;Of course.&quot;&quot;Just between the lot of us, right?&quot;&quot;Of course.&quot;&quot;An' that conversation we had, that gentleman's agreement we had, the one when you started.&quot;&quot;I remember&quot;&quot;You ain't having no second thoughts?&quot;&quot;Not at all.&quot;&quot;Ok. Well, then. We don't to be talking 'bout no religious stuff then.&quot;&quot;Do you?&quot;&quot;Hell Reggie! What I just say. I got enough problems repeating myself all the time, now you going to start? If I recall correctly you gave up this religious stuff. You may not have noticed but the Sanctified visit me weekly demanding your head on a platter.&quot;&quot;My beliefs aren't at issue here; but yours. It's not meant to be a religious question but a legal one.&quot;&quot;You're not making sense again.&quot;&quot;Do you, as prince, the arbiter of law in the city; believe that each vampire, once embraced has a clean slate, or are there some crimes which even the embrace can not wash away?&quot;&lt;silence&gt;&quot;There any third f___ing choice?&quot;&lt;silence&gt;&quot;Blackie?&quot;She's obviously been waiting to speak, &quot;I think it's insane that we're having this conversation. He's an insane menace. We should kill him and be done with it. If you think there's some sort of political advantage...&quot;&lt;sound of someone standing up&gt;Blackcoat's voice trails off. &quot;I'd didn't... what I mean...&quot;&lt;sound of someone walking across the floor&gt;LB's voice is soothing, &quot;It's all right. I ain't mad at you.&quot;&lt;silence&gt;LB &quot;You getting enough rest?&quot;Blackcoat &quot;I didn't mean...&quot;&quot;You didn't... cause it sure sounded like you meant it...&quot;An uncomfortable silence lingers, eventually, Blackcoat says &quot;Maybe I haven't been resting so well.&quot;&quot;OK. Well then. You'd probably be making mistakes then.&quot;&quot;Yes,&quot; her voice is meek.&quot;You make any mistakes recently?&quot;&quot;Yes&quot;&quot;What mistake was that?&quot;&quot;I said you'd act out of... of...&quot;&quot;It's OK, you can say it. Ah ain't mad at you.&quot;&quot;Political advantage; but I didn't mean that.&quot;&quot;Why not?&quot;&quot;You don't think about things like that. Think in that way I mean...&quot;&quot;How do I think about things?&quot;&quot;You think about things in a manner.... that is... I mean...&quot;&quot;Take your time.&quot;&quot;Fairness, an' justice. Doing the right thing for everybody.&quot;&quot;Everybody&quot;&quot;The city and everybody, in it. The Kindred.&quot;&quot;That's right. And ah know youh a bit stupid some times and you get confused but even if you're a bit confused are you going to say that I...&quot;&quot;no. No!&quot;&quot;Why not?&quot;&quot;Because it gives people the wrong idea.&quot;&quot;That's right. You're my girl you know that?&quot;&lt;pause&gt;&quot;I plum forgot what we were talking about.&quot;&quot;The hunter.&quot;&quot;That's right. And you were gonna say something before you got a bit confused.&quot;&quot;I....&quot;&quot;It's OK. I ain't mad. Just give us your suggestion.&quot;&quot;Construction. At the stadium. They're filling in the pilings. Tomorrow. Concrete. Deep. It's Deep.&quot;&quot;So we should just stick him in there and forget about him. Who do you call?&quot;&quot;Luciano.&quot;&quot;We use Luciano for stuff like this?&quot;&quot;Switch. I mean. Mix-up. You said you wanted... I mean...&quot;The Prince and Blackcoat walk back and forth slowly in and out of your line of sight.&quot;That's right. I said I wanted to alternate between Luciano and that other fella. I'd forgotten that. See, everybody makes mistakes. You got a lot on your plate don't you? You got a hella lot to keep in your head. And I understand that ain't easy. You're doing a great job. A real bang up job. I don't tell you that enough do I? You do a fantastic job. Everybody says so. You keep everything organized for me. And I appreciate that. I depend on you. The city depends on you. If we were living you know what I'd do?&quot;&quot;You'd make a day for me.&quot; Blackcoat's voice is small but seems oddly content. Almost proud.&quot;That's right. You saw that one coming huh? I'd make a whole f___ing day for you. You deserve it too. People'd get off work and sit around in the park with sandwiches and have a whole day to think about how much good you do for the city. And for me.&quot;&quot;And you do sooo much for me. So much that...&quot; the conversation takes on the element of ritual&quot;...people think that I speak for you&quot;&quot;even if?&quot;&quot;even if it's something you'd never say&quot;&quot;or even?&quot;&quot;or even think. 'cause you don't think. I mean...&quot;&quot;you mean I don't think like that. That's right.&quot;Through an air-hole you can make out the Prince, Lucius and the woman. Lucius bending over, with his forehead touching hers. He's holding her head in his hands. From this vantage point you can make her face, her eyes are closed, her face is serene.&quot;Ah put a lot of pressure on you sometimes don't ah?&quot;She makes a small nod.&quot;Ah do regret that. Ah really do. You understand it's just cause your so dependable right?&quot;She makes another small nod.&quot;Ah put too much pressure on you?&quot;She shakes her head&quot;'cause if it's too much you just say the word...&quot;she shakes her head again&quot;you the toughest girl I know, you know that?&quot; Lucius envelopes the woman in a big hug.After a long minute he walks away and you can see her rubbing something away from her eyes.&quot;Reggie?&quot; There is a heaving creaking sound. You can see the Indian mans head, it looks like Lucius is leaning on the chair from behind. Resting his big hands on the little man's shoulders.&quot;Lucius?&quot;&quot;About this conversation that we just had.&quot;&quot;You know I am a social pariah.&quot;&quot;Yes well, nevertheless, if you were to have a conversation with someone.&quot;&quot;An improbable event.&quot;&quot;But if you were?&quot;&quot;Yes?&quot;&quot;Especially if we were discussing religiosity...?&quot;&quot;If your religious beliefs were to come up?&quot;&quot;Yeah.&quot;&quot;I would only be able to share my personal experience.&quot;&quot;That being?&quot;&quot;That I have nightly been amazed to see you struggle between the demands of your deep personal beliefs in the teachings of Longinus and the practical requirements of running a modern domain.&quot;&quot;You know some people think I'm not religious. That I don't take the teachings of our savior so seriously.&quot;&quot;I see a very deep conviction running through you.&quot;&quot;Yeah?&quot;&quot;Unfortunately the modern age has robbed many of their ability to differentiate such things.&quot;&quot;But not you?&quot;&quot;You have often commented on my perceptiveness.&quot;&quot;Well. That's cause you're a perceptive guy Reggie. You may be the most perceptive fellow I know. At least till Pavoch drags his smelly carcase out of the ground.&quot;&quot;You do appreciate that it's very unlikely I would ever talk about this to anyone.&quot;&quot;Yeah. You weren't f___ing kidding about being a social f___ing Pariah. You know he came to see me again last week?&quot;&quot;I could not fail to have noticed.&quot;&quot;Yeah. That f___ing flaming cross was something else. You know what that looks like? A negro carrying a flaming f___ing cross?&quot;&quot;I believe the mortals were quite surprised.&quot;&quot;Yeah. You think he has any idea what that looks like?&quot;&quot;I suspect the Primogen may be beyond such concerns.&quot;&quot;You ever gonna tell me what you did to piss them off?&quot;&quot;It's... possible.&quot;&quot;Heh. It's OK. Ah remember our deal. Ah'm not asking.&quot;Lucius gets up to walk off....&quot;We ain't calling Luciano. I got a better idea. We got all these neonates popping up... You coming Reggie? We got places to be...&quot;&quot;Actually, I was planning on making a phone call&quot;&quot;You can use Blackie's cordless.&quot;&quot;I'm better with the one's with the cords. If that's all right.&quot;&quot;Sure sure use the one on the desk...&quot;Lucian's voice echoes down the hallway disappearing &quot;So these punks need some kind of object lesson, some clear f___ing sign about what happens if you get outta line...&quot;[/sblock]&lt;The cover is pulled off.&gt; You see the same, genial Indian face hanging over you. &quot;It is a good thing when each man holds his destiny in his own hands. I am sorry if this hurts.&quot;He picks up the stake from your chest. Biggs last thought as the vampire puts his full body weight onto the stake, driving it back into Biggs heart is that It really does hurt. A lot.The world fades to blackness.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Graf, post: 3955222, member: 3087"] [b]Biggs Prelude[/b] The Indian man cocks his head oddly before carefully saying "[COLOR=DarkOrange]Your position is precarious. I can appreciate your desire to take action however I humbly suggest that you listen instead.[/COLOR] He replaces the lid. It sounds like he sits down nearby. A few minutes later Biggs can hear conversation beginning as two more people enter the room. [sblock=read first]The following sblock has a really long conversation. It was written some time ago, and, despite being poorly written has some info about the various participants in the city as well as giving Biggs some idea about how precarious his situation is. I'll summarize the key points in the Synopsis bock, if people want to read more "conversations between NPCs" you're free to do so, consider it optional. I freely admit that the text is long and this scene, like several of archer's recent scenes, aren't particularly interesting to participate in, or well written. Please do your best to accept them as they are. The game won't be like this. (In my defense I would simply say that this is what fell out of the process of trying to develop the city. And also enable a character like Biggs to exist in the story.)[/sblock] [sblock=Synopsis] Biggs is being held captive by some vampire who calls himself "the Prince". He is apparently like the Vampire King of the city. Biggs was not supposed to have been made into a vampire; he is "owned" by the prince because of this the Prince doesn't like vampire hunters (no shock) and is almost certainly not a nice or good person (in fact he doesn't seem to properly think in human terms anymore) He has two lieutenants, "Reggie" (the Indian) and "Blackie" (the woman who attacked Biggs in his hotel room) "Reggie" thinks that Biggs deserves some sort of chance "Blackie" thinks Biggs is dangerous and should buried in cement (or something similar) the prince is very very touchy about his image (how other vampires see him) the prince is a bully Blackie" is afraid of him and his temper The prince is strong enough to break a sword with his bare hands There are apparently a sect of religious vampires The prince dislikes talking about religion "Reggie" is very good at kissing the prince's a__ "Reggie" is very unpopular with religious vampires (and why is apparently a secret that even the Prince doesn't know) The Prince has decided to let Biggs live, but only to use him as some sort of example to something called "neonates"[/sblock] [sblock=The actual conversation]A masculine voice enters the room "Alright, so who's the best mind f___er we got." "What?" The man stops. "I didn't say anything," Reggie says. "Yeah, but you got a look that says you got something to say." "I don't think it's proper to dominate this man." "Reggie, I'm the prince. His sire, whoever the f___ they are. Don't got no siring privileges. That means his ass is mine. This ain't Europe Reggie." "That's not what I'm talking about. I think, Lucius, that it's morally wrong." "You're talking to me. Reggie. And I understand the words coming out of your mouth, but this isn't making -any- sense to me. Speak to my level." "Would you violently rape a small child?" "You still confusing me. I'm a vampire Reggie. Ah don't feel those particular sets ah urges." "Fine. Would you kill a small child?" "Is this one of them eastern mystical things?" "Would you?" "We talking about a specific child?" "No. Just a child." "Alright. Sure. I wouldn't kill a small child." "Because?" B: "We're waisting time." "No no Blackie, the man has finally started to make some sense. Alright. Alright. Ah wouldn't kill any children cause it wouldn't be right." "Personally I believe that killing a small child and dominating this man, completely stripping him of his will and personality are, though not the same, both similar in that they're morally wrong." "You know he hunts vampires with a big sword, right?" "If you found out that monsters were hunting your people what would you do." "Reggie, you know I have a real, abiding affection for you. But sometimes you need to look at the practical side of things. Now..., " "Would you sit around and do nothing?" "Ah hell. Fine. I'd do something." <silence> "But look Reggie, this the 80s now." B clears her throat. "Blackie, fine. The 90s right? Alright? Slip of the tongue. That just makes my point more. They got all these new fangled things. Them cordless phones? They work outside now. And this thing? <sound of metal> Kani-chachas?" Biggs ear can make out the telltail sound of a katana vibrating slightly as it's being waved around "When we were morals they didn't have any of this Kani-chacha's or whatever. It's a different era. People don't believe in vampires no more. The guy is nuts! Crazy! A loon!" There's a banging sound as the sword is brought down with a loud smash. It sounds like the sword blade just broke. "f___. Now I got metal anywhere. What's wrong with a normal f___ing sword? Carrying around a normal sword don't make you crazy enough? You need a crazy sword?" "So you don't believe in the baptism of the blessed embrace?" "Ah... Reggie! Hold on! Now! Wait a minute. This is a private f___ing conversation, right?" "Of course." "Just between the lot of us, right?" "Of course." "An' that conversation we had, that gentleman's agreement we had, the one when you started." "I remember" "You ain't having no second thoughts?" "Not at all." "Ok. Well, then. We don't to be talking 'bout no religious stuff then." "Do you?" "Hell Reggie! What I just say. I got enough problems repeating myself all the time, now you going to start? If I recall correctly you gave up this religious stuff. You may not have noticed but the Sanctified visit me weekly demanding your head on a platter." "My beliefs aren't at issue here; but yours. It's not meant to be a religious question but a legal one." "You're not making sense again." "Do you, as prince, the arbiter of law in the city; believe that each vampire, once embraced has a clean slate, or are there some crimes which even the embrace can not wash away?" <silence> "There any third f___ing choice?" <silence> "Blackie?" She's obviously been waiting to speak, "I think it's insane that we're having this conversation. He's an insane menace. We should kill him and be done with it. If you think there's some sort of political advantage..." <sound of someone standing up> Blackcoat's voice trails off. "I'd didn't... what I mean..." <sound of someone walking across the floor> LB's voice is soothing, "It's all right. I ain't mad at you." <silence> LB "You getting enough rest?" Blackcoat "I didn't mean..." "You didn't... cause it sure sounded like you meant it..." An uncomfortable silence lingers, eventually, Blackcoat says "Maybe I haven't been resting so well." "OK. Well then. You'd probably be making mistakes then." "Yes," her voice is meek. "You make any mistakes recently?" "Yes" "What mistake was that?" "I said you'd act out of... of..." "It's OK, you can say it. Ah ain't mad at you." "Political advantage; but I didn't mean that." "Why not?" "You don't think about things like that. Think in that way I mean..." "How do I think about things?" "You think about things in a manner.... that is... I mean..." "Take your time." "Fairness, an' justice. Doing the right thing for everybody." "Everybody" "The city and everybody, in it. The Kindred." "That's right. And ah know youh a bit stupid some times and you get confused but even if you're a bit confused are you going to say that I..." "no. No!" "Why not?" "Because it gives people the wrong idea." "That's right. You're my girl you know that?" <pause> "I plum forgot what we were talking about." "The hunter." "That's right. And you were gonna say something before you got a bit confused." "I...." "It's OK. I ain't mad. Just give us your suggestion." "Construction. At the stadium. They're filling in the pilings. Tomorrow. Concrete. Deep. It's Deep." "So we should just stick him in there and forget about him. Who do you call?" "Luciano." "We use Luciano for stuff like this?" "Switch. I mean. Mix-up. You said you wanted... I mean..." The Prince and Blackcoat walk back and forth slowly in and out of your line of sight. "That's right. I said I wanted to alternate between Luciano and that other fella. I'd forgotten that. See, everybody makes mistakes. You got a lot on your plate don't you? You got a hella lot to keep in your head. And I understand that ain't easy. You're doing a great job. A real bang up job. I don't tell you that enough do I? You do a fantastic job. Everybody says so. You keep everything organized for me. And I appreciate that. I depend on you. The city depends on you. If we were living you know what I'd do?" "You'd make a day for me." Blackcoat's voice is small but seems oddly content. Almost proud. "That's right. You saw that one coming huh? I'd make a whole f___ing day for you. You deserve it too. People'd get off work and sit around in the park with sandwiches and have a whole day to think about how much good you do for the city. And for me." "And you do sooo much for me. So much that..." the conversation takes on the element of ritual "...people think that I speak for you" "even if?" "even if it's something you'd never say" "or even?" "or even think. 'cause you don't think. I mean..." "you mean I don't think like that. That's right." Through an air-hole you can make out the Prince, Lucius and the woman. Lucius bending over, with his forehead touching hers. He's holding her head in his hands. From this vantage point you can make her face, her eyes are closed, her face is serene. "Ah put a lot of pressure on you sometimes don't ah?" She makes a small nod. "Ah do regret that. Ah really do. You understand it's just cause your so dependable right?" She makes another small nod. "Ah put too much pressure on you?" She shakes her head "'cause if it's too much you just say the word..." she shakes her head again "you the toughest girl I know, you know that?" Lucius envelopes the woman in a big hug. After a long minute he walks away and you can see her rubbing something away from her eyes. "Reggie?" There is a heaving creaking sound. You can see the Indian mans head, it looks like Lucius is leaning on the chair from behind. Resting his big hands on the little man's shoulders. "Lucius?" "About this conversation that we just had." "You know I am a social pariah." "Yes well, nevertheless, if you were to have a conversation with someone." "An improbable event." "But if you were?" "Yes?" "Especially if we were discussing religiosity...?" "If your religious beliefs were to come up?" "Yeah." "I would only be able to share my personal experience." "That being?" "That I have nightly been amazed to see you struggle between the demands of your deep personal beliefs in the teachings of Longinus and the practical requirements of running a modern domain." "You know some people think I'm not religious. That I don't take the teachings of our savior so seriously." "I see a very deep conviction running through you." "Yeah?" "Unfortunately the modern age has robbed many of their ability to differentiate such things." "But not you?" "You have often commented on my perceptiveness." "Well. That's cause you're a perceptive guy Reggie. You may be the most perceptive fellow I know. At least till Pavoch drags his smelly carcase out of the ground." "You do appreciate that it's very unlikely I would ever talk about this to anyone." "Yeah. You weren't f___ing kidding about being a social f___ing Pariah. You know he came to see me again last week?" "I could not fail to have noticed." "Yeah. That f___ing flaming cross was something else. You know what that looks like? A negro carrying a flaming f___ing cross?" "I believe the mortals were quite surprised." "Yeah. You think he has any idea what that looks like?" "I suspect the Primogen may be beyond such concerns." "You ever gonna tell me what you did to piss them off?" "It's... possible." "Heh. It's OK. Ah remember our deal. Ah'm not asking." Lucius gets up to walk off.... "We ain't calling Luciano. I got a better idea. We got all these neonates popping up... You coming Reggie? We got places to be..." "Actually, I was planning on making a phone call" "You can use Blackie's cordless." "I'm better with the one's with the cords. If that's all right." "Sure sure use the one on the desk..." Lucian's voice echoes down the hallway disappearing "So these punks need some kind of object lesson, some clear f___ing sign about what happens if you get outta line..."[/sblock] <The cover is pulled off.> You see the same, genial Indian face hanging over you. "[COLOR=DarkOrange]It is a good thing when each man holds his destiny in his own hands. I am sorry if this hurts.[/COLOR]" He picks up the stake from your chest. Biggs last thought as the vampire puts his full body weight onto the stake, driving it back into Biggs heart is that [i]It really does hurt. A lot.[/i] The world fades to blackness. [/QUOTE]

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