Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Dinner and a Show (Dana and Sebastian)
Topic Started: Dec 12 2012, 11:59 PM (162 Views)
Daniel
Member Avatar

It's a few nights after the events in the tunnels. Antoine has been generous with his feeding rights, offering his regencies to all members of the coterie, and Dana certainly needs the hospitality (though perhaps not as much an Antoine himself). She seems to stalk the Flamingo and Bill's Gambling Hall with a languid disinterest despite her hunger, not pursuing the riskier but perhaps more vibrant targets of the night. After a dissatisfying snack on a passed-out drunk in a dark spot behind the Flamingo, she notices one of Sebastian's posters. On a whim, perhaps, she buys a ticket in the rear of the audience, settles into it five minutes after the show's start time, and sees what this self-styled magician does for the Kine crowd.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

( OOC: Kos - I'm just laying out my act, which took some deal of time to think up. If any of this needs rolls or something to say if it went over well, please let me know. This is not meant to gain anything, purely for character building purposes )

As the show begins, the room goes dark, completely.

Then a light, singular, pinpoints a blank canvas. Large, blank, white, it stands to be roughly the same size and proportion of a person.

From nowhere, that the audience can perceive, Sebastian then appears. His usual demeanor replaced with a silent stare of intensity. He bows to the audience, but says nothing. With a flick of his wrist, a deck of cards appear in his hands. He fans them out, stepping down to the front row of the audience, indicating that they should take a card.

They know what to do, many magicians have done this before. They keep the card secret, showing it to the audience, but not Sebastian. The Four of Hearts. Sebastian seems disinterested in the card, making his way back onto the stage to the Canvas. Taking the remaining deck in hand, he clasps it firmly in his hand and brings it hard against the canvas in a slamming motion. His hand opens wide, the deck gone, and there, on the Canvas, something has changed.

The Four of Hearts stands imprinted in large, bold red upon the Canvas for the room to see.

There is an applause, though Sebastian takes only a short time to acknowledge it. With a wave of his hand over the Canvas, as if collecting the red print in his hands, the imprint of the card seems to wash away. Sebastian brings focus to his hand however, now firmly closed, as he points to it. With another shake and a wave, a singular Rose appears. More applause.

He now reaches over for a small table with a vase and brings it over. Laying the rose to rest within, he then reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a long knife. He intently focuses on the knife, displaying it for the audience, bringing their attention to it.

His gaze then turns to the rose, it's long form casting a firm shadow against the canvas. Standing upright, he slowly approaches with the blade, looking from shadow to rose. Shadow to rose.

He raises the blade, not to the rose itself, but to the shadow, and makes a cutting motion.

A petal falls from the rose before him.

Another slice, another petal.

He makes sure to walk around the vase, to fully cover the area of it, as if to display proof there are no wires or tricks in play. Another slice, and another petal.

This continues on until there is but one petal left. With some hesitation, he makes one final cut, leaving nothing but the stem. The blade comes to a rest in his hands. Almost as if by accident, the tip pricks his finger. He brings it up to his mouth in pain, as blood begins to slowly leave the wound.

He brings his bleeding hand to the canvas, and allows the blood to begin dripping down it. He makes two prods with his finger, two points on the canvas. They begin to bleed down, as if signifying two crying eyes. He then flushes his hand against the canvas in a broad stroke, and a wide, deep red covers the area below it.

There is some applause, but also, stunned silence.

( OOC: See here for the basis of this trick )

He pulls a rag from his coat, cleaning the blade and placing it on the table. His then wipes up his own hand, and with a light lick, seemingly closes the wound.

There is a knock.

Sebastian's head whips around, as if not knowing exactly where it originates. Another knock, louder this time. It echoes throughout the room.

His eyes meet the canvas. It becomes more and more apparent as the knocking continues that something is trying to get through. He approaches the canvas cautiously, playing up the audience's expectations. As the knocking becomes louder, he begins to make hand motions towards the canvas, as if summoning something forth. The canvas begins to stretch, to bend, to move forward. A human shape begins to form, and with one last tug, it breaks from the frame and stands on stage.

Tight and form fitting, a seemingly human canvas of red stands before the audience, red eyes of blood forming some semblance of features. Sebastian clasps the shoulder of this new form, and gives a firm and dramatic tug. The canvas unfurls, becoming loose cloth as it pulls away to reveal...nothing.

The form has gone.

Holding the canvas in his hands, Sebastian then holds it up high to his side for the audience to see. The cloth falls down like a sheet, and with another quick tug away, a real person now stands before them: A lovely young lady in a red dress.

Applause.

( To be continued... )
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

( OOC: Space saved for the conclusion of the act, but let's move the scene forward a bit shall we? :) )
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Following the show, Sebastian goes backstage for some time, collecting his things and winding down. He did notice Dana in the audience however, and once he has concluded his work, makes an effort to meet up with her. His previously serious demeanor seems to be lifted.

" So, what did you think? "
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Dana's grin seems completely genuine as she approaches the magician. "That was one hell of a mindfuck, man. I'm pretty good at catching when people try to pull a fast one, but you're real fast. The shadow slicing thing? Crazy."

She backs up a bit, looks around for mortals, and seeing there are none in the immediate vicinity, gives him a bit of a skeptical look. "So how much of that is you, and how much is that is woojie Crone stuff? I don't think Antoine wants you whipping it out, but what do I know?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

"Well, a few of the more subtle things, those are easy." He flicks a card out of his hand, seemingly from nowhere, only for it to disappear a moment later. "Can't really tell that apart from a usual sleight of hand."

"A few props, the right distractions, and most of it was developed by me over time. I've been at this a long time."

When Antoine's name comes up, Sebastian shrugs, tipping his hat.

"I see it as a benefit to slide a few rituals of The Circle. For one, the audience starts to buy into what they see as a real thing. Whether they realize it or not, their minds slowly open up to The Crone. Also, when the Covenant, particularly me, has to perform these Rituals throughout the city, it's a little easier to pass off or explain that it was all just part of the show. If they think it's an illusion, all the better for The Masquerade."

After his explanation, Sebastian eyes Dana up and down curiously, somewhat suspiciously. "So what brings you here? I know we saw some shit and went on a crazy ride, but that was for my Primogen. Not to shrug off The Brides, but you and I don't exactly have a history. I wasn't in it for you." He says this with just a smug edge, attempting to pass off a detached air of 'cool.'

He catches Dana's eye.

"But maybe I caught your attention?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Quote:
 
For one, the audience starts to buy into what they see as a real thing. Whether they realize it or not, their minds slowly open up to The Crone.


Dana shrugs. "I guess. Though if you ask me, other magicians see your crap, they're gonna want to figure it out. They look too hard, figure out they can't do it, then maybe they start looking harder. And then you got Masquerade shit just waiting to happen."

Quote:
 
Not to shrug off The Brides, but you and I don't exactly have a history. I wasn't in it for you.


Dana's tone goes cooler. "No shit. Antoine had you by the balls and you followed where he led you. I just came here to see a show. Your Primogen's been paying us off for saving his ass in free juice at his place, and I saw you were doing what you do."

"If you mean to Vegas, hell, I don't know. Wrong place, wrong time, got stuck here on a road trip and got some people to come with. Brides don't normally hang around like we do."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Daniel
Mar 26 2013, 09:58 PM
"No shit. Antoine had you by the balls and you followed where he led you. I just came here to see a show. Your Primogen's been paying us off for saving his ass in free juice at his place, and I saw you were doing what you do."

Sebastian seems annoyed at the comment. He hides it with a spread of his arms and a bright expression.

"But now I have a show for you to see. That's worth something. Could ride a bike all night and not stay in one place too long, but I want to build something. I want to be somebody."

A beat, his demeanor more serious now. "So you're stuck here, de-clawed and nowhere to go. Can a Bride who can't ride be called a Bride? And if not, what does she become instead?"

He tips his hat up with a smile. "And I don't mean that rhetorically. What's your plan Dana? Where do you fit in to all this now?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Quote:
 
Can a Bride who can't ride be called a Bride? And if not, what does she become instead?


Dana issues an uncharacteristically low growl, seemingly involuntary, and there is an obvious effort as she shakes off some challenge of the Beast. "I'm gonna let that slide, 'cause you don't really know me. And that's fine. You know I ain't got claws, good for you." Her voice drops intense and quiet as she moves closer to Sebastian, pressing into his personal space. "But you ever say I can't ride again, you're gonna find out I don't need claws to knock your ass flat."

The tension subsides somewhat as she draws back. "Anyway, we're gonna be here a while, at least. Rest of the Brides are freakin' out over what happened to us, need to give them some time to cool down. So I cruise the Strip, pick off the fuckin' tourists, play shows where I can get them. Deal with whatever shit goes down."

She breaks eye contact with the magician. "Whatever. So you're making a name for yourself, getting paid, juicing your lovely assistants," she says sarcastically. "You do good work, I'll give you that. Hell, get another Kindred in here, show the people a real disappearing act or something. I don't know, where you go from here?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Daniel
Apr 1 2013, 04:34 PM
Dana issues an uncharacteristically low growl, seemingly involuntary, and there is an obvious effort as she shakes off some challenge of the Beast. "I'm gonna let that slide, 'cause you don't really know me. And that's fine. You know I ain't got claws, good for you." Her voice drops intense and quiet as she moves closer to Sebastian, pressing into his personal space. "But you ever say I can't ride again, you're gonna find out I don't need claws to knock your ass flat."

The tension subsides somewhat as she draws back. "Anyway, we're gonna be here a while, at least. Rest of the Brides are freakin' out over what happened to us, need to give them some time to cool down. So I cruise the Strip, pick off the fuckin' tourists, play shows where I can get them. Deal with whatever shit goes down."

She breaks eye contact with the magician. "Whatever. So you're making a name for yourself, getting paid, juicing your lovely assistants," she says sarcastically. "You do good work, I'll give you that. Hell, get another Kindred in here, show the people a real disappearing act or something. I don't know, where you go from here?"
Sebastian turns defensive and sheepish as Dana lets out the growl. He tenses up like one would meeting a rabid dog in the wrong alley.

"Hey, sorry, sorry. I just meant..." He relaxes a little, straightening his jacket. "I know you'll be here. So you cruise the strip and do what you feel like, but for what?" He thinks for a moment, before tapping his right finger into the air. "Think of it this way. If the winnowing took away my ability to perform Cruac, am I still a member of The Crone? If the Coils of the Dragon went away, what would that mean for the Dragons?"

He attempts to say what comes next very carefully, looking for any way Dana might snap off at him. "In your heart, you, Whisky, all the Brides, are still Brides." He says this matter of factly, hoping to calm Dana down further. "But without the abilities of the Gangrel Clan, you're stuck. Don't you have any bigger goals in mind?"

He tips his hat down and gives a wry smile. "Like me. Where do I go?" He points his finger up to the ceiling. "Straight up. Stage gets bigger, so do the tricks. But I enjoy a certain flair for the dramatic, it's my thing. It's what people come to see."

He looks around to make sure, out of paranoia, no one is around. He leans in to whisper to Dana.

"Will I have to kiss a few asses and do a few favors before it's all said and done? Sure. It's all about who you know, after all."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Quote:
 
Think of it this way. If the winnowing took away my ability to perform Cruac, am I still a member of The Crone? If the Coils of the Dragon went away, what would that mean for the Dragons?


Dana starts to calm down, although the perceived insult has left her a bit on edge. "I run across plenty of Crone can't do any hoodoo, and I couldn't give two fucks how much Dragon geeks can do after spending years jacking off in a library somewhere." She sighs. "Look, not all Brides got the Shifts. Tasha's a Shadow, Jacky-boy's a Succubus, Trina..." she trails off before continuing, "Trina WAS a Lord. Sure, dropping into the ground makes moving around hella easier. But losing that, along with the way the rest of the gang feels about this place, makes me think we're better off stuck for a while."

"Bigger goals? I dunno. This place still has races and shit, could be fun to take down every Kine driver in the city. And I'm playing shows myself, but it's gotta be damn hard for a Kindred to make it big. Gotta explain why you can't make daytime appearances, can't do photo shoots, don't look any different after 20 years. In the punk scene, nobody gives a shit, but how do you deal with it?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Daniel
Apr 8 2013, 07:27 PM
Dana starts to calm down, although the perceived insult has left her a bit on edge. "I run across plenty of Crone can't do any hoodoo, and I couldn't give two fucks how much Dragon geeks can do after spending years jacking off in a library somewhere." She sighs. "Look, not all Brides got the Shifts. Tasha's a Shadow, Jacky-boy's a Succubus, Trina..." she trails off before continuing, "Trina WAS a Lord. Sure, dropping into the ground makes moving around hella easier. But losing that, along with the way the rest of the gang feels about this place, makes me think we're better off stuck for a while."

"Bigger goals? I dunno. This place still has races and shit, could be fun to take down every Kine driver in the city. And I'm playing shows myself, but it's gotta be damn hard for a Kindred to make it big. Gotta explain why you can't make daytime appearances, can't do photo shoots, don't look any different after 20 years. In the punk scene, nobody gives a shit, but how do you deal with it?"
Sebastian seems curious at Dana's response. "Maybe I misunderstood why you were stuck here to begin with, then. Apologies."

He tips his hat at her last question, giving himself a little flair before responding.

"It's all about the Persona. Before the winnowing, I wasn't anyone of note. No one really saw my performances, and it was long enough ago it's not really a problem. Requesting no photography during a magic show is easy enough, and I use enough smoke and mirrors that any...oddities are easy enough to pass over."

He seems a little more worried about the next part. "Aging...well. Guess I haven't figured that one out yet. Maybe I'll just have to reinvent myself, a few years down the line. Fame doesn't last forever."

His voice lowers as his gaze stays firmly away from Dana. The thought seems to have gotten to him. "Got to enjoy it while it lasts."

He snaps back to attention. "But I won't have to worry about that, of course." He seems to have returned to a more cheery persona. He claps his hands together. "So. Are we going to sit here chatting all night, or are we going to hit the town? Where do the Brides like to kick back their feet?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Quote:
 
Where do the Brides like to kick back their feet?


Dana grins as she seems to have disconcerted the magician, and her pride continues as Sebastian asks his question. "Eh, back room at Bill's, most nights. You wanna come, though, you gotta be fast. I'm driving there straight away, and I don't wait for stragglers in VIP limos," she says, cracking a wider smile.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Holy
Member Avatar

Text Message for Sebastian
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Daniel
Apr 15 2013, 07:42 PM
Dana grins as she seems to have disconcerted the magician, and her pride continues as Sebastian asks his question. "Eh, back room at Bill's, most nights. You wanna come, though, you gotta be fast. I'm driving there straight away, and I don't wait for stragglers in VIP limos," she says, cracking a wider smile.

Sebastian smiles "Of course. Let's get going." He allows Dana to lead him out.

Receiving a text as they exit, Sebastian discreetly responds as he follows Dana out the door.

Response to Salvador
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Although Dana seemed eager to get going, her speed (on foot) at least is less than urgent. She leads the Kindred out through the grand lobby of the Flamingo, turning to watch a dejected woman beat a slot machine. "STUPID! FUCKING! THING! TOOK ALL MY FUCKING MONEY!" she screams, punctuating each word with a swift kick. Dana snorts, "Stupid bitch," and she shoves the doors open.

"I don't know where you're parked, but I'm out to the left. Meet me at the front gate. We'll see if you can keep up."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
tpenrod
Member Avatar

Daniel
Apr 22 2013, 09:34 PM
Although Dana seemed eager to get going, her speed (on foot) at least is less than urgent. She leads the Kindred out through the grand lobby of the Flamingo, turning to watch a dejected woman beat a slot machine. "STUPID! FUCKING! THING! TOOK ALL MY FUCKING MONEY!" she screams, punctuating each word with a swift kick. Dana snorts, "Stupid bitch," and she shoves the doors open.

"I don't know where you're parked, but I'm out to the left. Meet me at the front gate. We'll see if you can keep up."
Sebastian follows Dana, not paying any mind to the woman at the slot machine. He pulls out a set of keys from his pocket, handing them to a Valet at the front. He tips him a rather large sum with a snap of his fingers to indicate "Make it snappy."

Sebastian shrugs with a smile.

"Having a show here has it's perks. Be with you shortly."

Once he has his car, he assumes it would be rather easy to spot Dana on her bike, and begins to follow.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar

Dana's bike idles by the front gate until she sees Sebastian wave to her from the car behind. She grins in his direction, revs the engine, and turning back to the road jumps forth like shot in the night. She is absolutely reckless, diving between cars and pulling handbrake turns, staying on the main roads the whole time to give Sebastian a chance, but otherwise driving like a maniac. To be honest, however, her driving looks more flashy than effective at this point, and the other cars in the road seem to be impeding her progress. (OOC: 0 Successes on a 9 pool with 9-again. Wow.)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
« Previous Topic · In Character Scenes · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Theme created by Xarina from Zathyus Networks Resources