| Gathering: A Fine Soiree | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 23 2012, 09:19 PM (1,204 Views) | |
| KosST | Oct 23 2012, 09:19 PM Post #1 |
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Chapter 1: Too Many Cooks, Too Many Problems Summer, about 6 months after the cataclysm. The vampires of Las Vegas had grown somewhat antsy and listless. Though a few informal parties were thrown by some enterprising individuals, the civic leaders of the domain had remained hesitant to throw an official gathering in some nights. So when the mistress of Elysium, Sophie LaBeaux, spread word about an official event to be held at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, excitement began to spread like wildfire. Officially, the highlight of the evening was to be the unveiling of an authentic masterpiece procured by LaBeaux in honor of the cities new beginning. Unofficially, anything can happen, from new visitors to the city, a simple spar between more popular Kindred, to even a claim for the throne. It’s safe to say that anticipation is high. So it would be unthinkable for any vampire to miss the event. ![]() You arrive unceremoniously to the Bellagio hotel and casino. It is a busy night, with unbearable heat during the night pushing the throngs of humans into the hotel itself. As such, you walk in with dozens of sweaty, excited kine into a colorful lobby. People mill about under the Fiori Di Como, a ceiling covered with glass blossoms, each painstakingly detailed. They meet friends or lovers, awaiting a night of excitement and adventure. Their mood washes over you, and briefly you consider taking the opportunity of a Kindred gathering as a cover for feeding in a regency that does not belong to you. But as you wander the casino floor, you note the appearance of other Kindred, and pull yourself away from a night of some of some easy hunting with the herd to social obligations. The host has performed her task well. Some human guards stationed at the entrance to the gallery itself stop you, checking your name on a guest list before waving you in. The crowd of vampires are already in the thick of conversation, already spouting gossip and mingling with allies or sniping with enemies. For her part, Director LaBeaux seems pleased – though the night has lacked significant drama thus far, the attendance is high, and features nearly all of the Primogen and city officers. The more cultured Kindred seem genuinely excited about the secret artist of the still-cloaked masterpiece, though some of the less cultured Kindred seem to be getting bored by the venue and consider migrating to the casino floor. Nobody notices your arrival. While this has been typical in the past, a part of you is still insulted at the ease to which you are overlooked. You briefly consider starting a fight or an argument yourself, thinking that perhaps it will propel you into the limelight, or at least make the night memorable in some fashion. Those instincts are curbed when you recognize a few familiar faces making their way over to you. (OOC: This is an opportunity for the soon-to-be coterie to exchange some pleasantries or introductions. The scene shall progress either way, but consider this an opportunity to interact with other PCs or NPCs. Furthermore, I know prelude scenes are still going on for a number of you. Those will likely influence actions in this scene, so if you need to, prioritize those prelude scenes. For the most part, this scene is an opportunity to stretch your legs with your PCs, and to make contacts. Improvise and have fun.) |
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| KosST | Nov 7 2012, 10:22 PM Post #121 |
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Antoine eyes the Brides. "You can see why I figured you'd want to be involved in all this. And why I figured you may be invested as well." He turns to Ariadne. "Primary objective is to remove the threat. What that requires is likely dependent upon what we find down there. From the sound of it, she isn't peaceful." |
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| Kara | Nov 8 2012, 02:16 PM Post #122 |
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Ariadne nods, focused on Antoine rather than the Brides. "Makes sense, if she's hostile. Still, the opportunity for study..." She trails off her mumbling, one side of her mouth quirking upwards. |
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| KosST | Nov 8 2012, 02:59 PM Post #123 |
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Antoine shrugs. "I hope it doesn't come down to it, but we have to be prepared that it does." He cocks his head. "We're not going tonight, also. Figured should clarify. Two nights from now. Tonight to plan a bit. Tomorrow to get preparations, make sure you're all fed, night after that to start looking. Saw the clock, figured I should clarify." (OOC: there will be an opportunity to do "downtime light" choices like feeding, getting WP, spending resources, etc. between the end of this scene and the beginning of the next one) |
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| Holy | Nov 8 2012, 03:50 PM Post #124 |
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"I take it that's a patch for the Brides?" Salvador keeps his eyes on the fanged-skull motif. "I suppose if the Winnowing can let someone snap back, they can let someone snap off as well." He slips his gaze between Edgar and Natasha, asking the girl. "Do you know who it belonged to?" |
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| KosST | Nov 8 2012, 05:48 PM Post #125 |
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Natasha lets out a name. "Trina." She looks towards the other Brides. She's clearly wearing her emotion on her face, and seems weak compared to Whiskey and Dana. Whiskey lets out a scowl himself. Natasha's face devolves into a combination of shame and sorrow. "It's Trina's." She looks over to Roache, and nearly whispers her response. "He's... he's not lying." |
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| Holy | Nov 8 2012, 09:23 PM Post #126 |
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"Trina." Salvador tests the name, reaching out to pick up the leather skull-patch, turning it over in his hands. "What happened, Natasha? Did..." He breaks off his assumptions, just settling on the question. "What happened?"
Edited by Holy, Nov 8 2012, 09:23 PM.
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| KosST | Nov 8 2012, 09:43 PM Post #127 |
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Whiskey stands up, shoving his chair back hard as the man rises. "Hey man, back off, ok? She don't want to answer she don't got to! This ain't anybodies business anyways! So just..." Whiskey is silenced by Natasha speaking up on her own behalf. The seemingly broken woman clearly has some reserves of strength. She is a Bride, after all. "WHISKEY! STOP! It's ok! He just.. He just had some questions. And clearly this ain't just us no more. I don't like it, you don't either, but..." She turns to look at Salvador. "I don't know what happened to Trina. All I know is that Trina brought me down into that tunnel to see something. It was a trap though. Jacky-boy gave me the warning, so I escaped somehow. Maybe I was supposed to, maybe Trina was just fucking with me, fuck if I know. I'm just saying that.... when that guy (she gestures to Roache) mentioned the chamber, mentioned the room... it's true. And she's there." |
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| Kara | Nov 9 2012, 09:09 AM Post #128 |
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Ariadne silently watches the argument, flinching slightly at the raised voices. Once things seem to have calmed, however, she makes her way over to stand very close to Salvador. Looking at him through her bangs, she lifts one hand palm-up. "Can I see that?" |
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| Holy | Nov 9 2012, 11:09 AM Post #129 |
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Salvador instinctively reveals his teeth as Whiskey launches upward, but just as quickly the flash of bestial challenge disappears. In fact, maybe it just looked comical. Vampires could always surprise you, that was true. But few doubted how a confrontation between those two men would turn out. He softens a bit at Natasha's story, glancing over to Ariadne at the request, and placing the patch in her upturned palm, fingertips just barely brushing across her skin. |
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| Kara | Nov 9 2012, 12:13 PM Post #130 |
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Ariadne briefly stares at Salvador after receiving the patch before taking a step back. She lifts it closer to her face, running fingertips over the surface of it. She continues this for a few long moments, otherwise motionless. And then screams, the keening sound all the more unexpected coming from her. The patch is flung in front of her with little regard for where it lands - Ariadne is too busy almost falling backwards, one frantic step after the other bringing her to the nearest corner of the room. Once her back hits the wall, she slumps down into a ball, arms wrapping around the knees drawn up to her chest. And there she sits, hyperventilating, head twitching as her eyes jump rapidly to and from each of the Kindred in the room. |
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| KosST | Nov 9 2012, 02:51 PM Post #131 |
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Whiskey and Natasha note the exchange of the patch from Salvador to Ariadne. Whiskey tries to interrupt. "Wait a minute, that's ours...." When he sees Ariadne start behaving oddly with the patch, he hesitates however. Antoine whispers a quiet "Don't..." shortly before she enters her trance, but he is too late. The reverie is instantly broken the moment Ariadne screams. Natasha lets out a gasp, Roache a similar whimper and returns to being curled up on the floor. Whiskey runs over to the patch to pick it up, but instead wraps it up with the cloth. Antoine for his part just shakes his head slightly, moving somewhat closer to Ariadne, slowly, methodically. He looks towards Sebastian and Salvador as well to help offer some form of support. |
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| tpenrod | Nov 9 2012, 03:06 PM Post #132 |
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Sebastian is at first a bit stunned by Ariadne's sudden burst of panic. A feeling in his gut bubbles as he contemplates his decision to follow these people down into the Undercity. With the node from Antoine, he regains himself and makes a motion towards the girl. Kneeling down in front of her, he takes a coin and places it on his index finger. He begins moving his other fingers, clipping the coin on it's edge, juggling it between his fingers. His usual charm replaced with dedicated intensity. "Focus, Ariadne. Just watch the coin." He begins to attempt to draw her eyes towards the object, hoping that this method will in some way calm her. |
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| KosST | Nov 9 2012, 03:23 PM Post #133 |
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(The attention of the room is drawn towards Sebastian - pay attention to him!) Antoine goes about the room, attempting to calm the room itself to keep the hysterical woman in check. He picks up Roache to escort him further away from the scene, and turns down the lights a bit for the once-Shadow. He then returns to check on Ariadne. The somewhat gruff man takes on a softer, kinder tone, whispering a simple blessing, somewhat to the girl, somewhat to himself. "Hope, Ariadne. Hope prevails. In the darkest of places, in the direst of circumstances, when all is lost, Hope perseveres. You will persevere. You will persevere. This fear is but the wind over the reeds. You will persevere." Edited by KosST, Nov 9 2012, 03:24 PM.
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| Holy | Nov 9 2012, 04:19 PM Post #134 |
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Salvador's eyes follow the track of Sebastian's coin as well. When Antoine starts speaking, he whispers to himself. "For what hope have the godless when they are cut off, when God takes away their very life?" As his attention is drawn to the girl, he crosses over and offers a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "Come back, Ariadne. Abandon that place and come back." |
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| Kara | Nov 9 2012, 05:03 PM Post #135 |
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Ariadne's eyes settle on the coin as it moves, her breathing slowing somewhat. One blink, two - and she's back to staring quietly, gaze moving slowly over each of the three in turn, as well as a quick glance at the hand Salvador has on her shoulder. She gives a silent nod, though she doesn't move to stand. |
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| Daniel | Nov 9 2012, 07:05 PM Post #136 |
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"Shit, guess the cat's out of the bag now," Dana mutters, her eyes still on Sebastian. Addressing Killjoy, she says, "One of ours musta got hit pretty bad by the Winnowing. Took another one of us down into the tunnels. We were gonna handle it ourselves, but don't look like that's an option anymore." She moves over to take the bundle from Whiskey. "If nobody else wants to Finger this patch, we're gonna hang on to it. It's Trina's till she ashes, or Bride property anyway." |
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| KosST | Nov 9 2012, 07:44 PM Post #137 |
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Whiskey hands the bundle to his cohort. Antoine leaves the side of Ariadne to address Dana. "I get wanting to handle this internally. I'm glad it didn't play out that way, however. If you all hadn't been able to contain the situation and Trina claimed more victims, the situation would be more dire. As it is (he gestures to the gathered) we have fairly good numbers." He nods to the Brides. "So I get it. And I get that this must be shitty for you. So if there is something you need, you let me know." He returns his focus to Ariadne. "Did you learn anything? Was it worth it?" |
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| Kara | Nov 11 2012, 09:53 AM Post #138 |
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She looks in the direction Roache went, staring his way before looking back to Antoine. "Not much we didn't know. But." Her eyes narrow as she looks toward the floor. "It was worth it." |
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| KosST | Nov 12 2012, 11:08 AM Post #139 |
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Antoine offers a simple grim nod before looking back at the room. "Anything else?" Whiskey turns his attention back to the Primogen. He still seems angry, but maybe that's just how he always is. "Yeah. So say we go down there. Say we find out that Trina's totally batshit, and we got no choice but to axe her. Say we do all that, and we all make it back relatively in one piece. What then? What the hell you gonna do then, huh? Just act like this shit never happened?" Antoine looks back at the imposing man. "Relatively speaking, yes. While telling the story could bring some notoriety, it also implies that the Brides can fly off the hinges, and that I can't control my territory. You'll understand why we both would prefer to not crow about this. Certainly there are some who already know what's going on. But... well ultimately my concern isn't about public perception quite yet." Whiskey shrugs. Apparently he wasn't asking about shit like gossip, but hey, what can you do. He decides not to pursue what he was actually talking about. Antoine looks back at the group. "Two nights. Tomorrow, prep whatever you can. Night after that, we head down. Meet me as soon as possible on that night in the lobby of the Flamingo. We'll head in then." (OOC: Feel free to ask anything else you'd like. Otherwise, we can begin transitioning to the soft-DT period before moving to undercity adventure time. Soft DT phase just means the following: Since it's a short night between, we'll give the following: Natural progression +1 Willpower -2 vitae Can take 2 actions. Actions can basically be anything that would typically require a roll - feeding, securing equipment, using Social merits, that sort of thing. An additional Willpower can be restored if you forgo an action. You can also spend XP if desired. This isn't a hard system, because hey, WoD. But it's to guide the idea of how much to get done in a night. Once folks are ready, we'll move on.) Edited by KosST, Nov 12 2012, 01:59 PM.
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| Holy | Nov 12 2012, 01:24 PM Post #140 |
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Salvador seems intent on answering Whiskey's question, "If Trina is gone, truly gone, and we can't save her then we should at least remember her. If talking about it on the strip is inconvenient, Whiskey, Natasha, Dana - my chapel is open to you." He moves away from Ariadne and to the Brides, that comforting hand now resting on Natasha's shoulder. "I would like to know the woman we are intending to save. That's why we're doing this..." His eyes slip to Antoine and back, settling on Natasha. "For Trina, not for a Regency, for Trina. What happened before, it doesn't matter. What happens next, that's where we make the difference." |
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| KosST | Nov 12 2012, 02:11 PM Post #141 |
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Antoine shakes his head at the righteous comment by Salvador, but he doesn't respond. Whiskey scoffs a bit, but Natasha seems genuinely bolstered somewhat. She offers a reserved smile to Salvador. "Yeah, maybe that would be good if things go... bad. May stop by..." She seems to have been genuinely moved by Salvador. |
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