| Gathering: Beach Night | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 6 2013, 02:06 PM (1,947 Views) | |
| KosST | Jan 6 2013, 02:06 PM Post #1 |
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(Starting next public scene – private scenes may of course continue) Invitations had been hand sent to each member of the coterie, rather than waiting for the word of mouth to spread to them. Invitations consisted of a small package, which had the following enclosed: -A hand-written message from Sophie indicating how delighted she would be to have each recipient arrive, as they would be guests of honor, and they should arrive approximately an hour or so after the gathering officially begins -A small business card bearing an image of logo for a company called "Celebration Enterprises," which you are instructed to present at the door -A clearly well made, clearly expensive, clearly tailored swimsuit. The next main gathering had been finally announced. Sophie Labeaux had been busy negotiating with the operators of the Mandalay Bay to arrange for an exclusive night-time concert at the Moorea Beach club. (http://www.mandalaybay.com/beach/moorea-beach-club/http://www.mandalaybay.com/beach/moorea-beach-club/ ) With a DJ spinning a mix and a maybe a dozen blood-dolls lounging around the beach and cooking smores, it's a decidedly different tone from the reserved previous gathering held at the art gallery. Some of the more formal Kindred would likely appear out of place. It would be absurd to think that everyone would be wearing swim-wear, right? Right? ![]() At the entrance to the beach area, there are two large men blocking access. A large sign indicates "PRIVATE PARTY" but some added muscle couldn't hurt. They stand in front of the most accessible entrance, though there are ways in and out for enterprising individuals and those who can turn invisible. As coterie members arrive, they ask to see an invitation. Upon being shown the business card, they bow and open the door to allow access. As you proceed through, you see that the guards then get on a radio and say "Notable guest near entrance." The party already appears to be in full swing. Though it is dark and mysterious out, pockets of light thrown by lamps and fire-pits show Kindred huddled in conversation. Some individuals are also clearly enjoying the pools as well. Topless blood-dolls wander the pool area carrying drinks, though mostly only the other Kine seem interested in partaking. It is clear that some Kindred are not accustomed to this environment, wearing fine clothes and sitting near the fires rather than embracing the pool party atmosphere. ![]() Before the coterie gets too far, the Mistress of Elysium herself makes an appearance near the entrance. She wears a cover-up, though clearly has occasionally been in the pool given her dripping hair. She greets incoming Kindred. "So good to see you! So glad you came! Please, feel free to mingle for a while. Also, enjoy and please partake of any of the refreshments you see before you - the night is yours, after all. At some point, I know a few of the Primogen wanted to talk to the group as a whole, and I've tried to... encourage people to ask about your experiences. So.. some Kindred may come up and gossip. Anyway, have a great time! Next part of the event is in ninety or so, so relax before then!" Sophie then leaves the coterie to mingle. |
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| Kara | Jan 18 2013, 04:29 PM Post #31 |
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Another moment of staring, and she shakes her head. "Oh. Thought you wanted to talk, or say something." She glances down at the movement of his hands, but quickly resumes eye contact. "Might have been wrong, I guess." |
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| KosST | Jan 18 2013, 04:53 PM Post #32 |
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__________________ Harper cocks his head, a bit perplexed. Then a shark's grin appears across his face. "Maybe I do, Madam Shaffer. Maybe I do." Kara Harper offers a nod to Salvador. "Keep me posted on the other thing. Then we can follow-up later. Meanwhile, tell Brandon and Lucy I'm going to be gone for a bit, they should take care of you." He gestures towards the man and woman who escorted Salvador over previously. He then starts to move a bit further down the pool, further towards his people, expecting Ariadne to follow. __________________ |
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| Kara | Jan 18 2013, 05:05 PM Post #33 |
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The grin on Harper's face doesn't seem to unnerve her - she merely continues to stand there in front of him. Still, she follows all the same, walking semi-awkwardly through the water. Spoiler: click to toggle
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| KosST | Jan 18 2013, 06:25 PM Post #34 |
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______________ Ariadne Harper continues to wade a bit of a distance until he's far enough, even from Salvador, for prying ears. The loud splashing and fooling around of his crew continues to prevent easy listening ______________ |
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| Kara | Jan 18 2013, 07:15 PM Post #35 |
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There's a brief shriek of delight as one of the toptional mortal girls is pulled into the pool.
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| KosST | Jan 19 2013, 02:33 PM Post #36 |
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_________ Ariadne Harper leans in close, close enough to whisper and only have the scared girl hear. _________ |
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| Kara | Jan 19 2013, 02:43 PM Post #37 |
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Ariadne listens to what Harper has to say and, when he's finished, immediately draws a few steps back.
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| KosST | Jan 19 2013, 06:27 PM Post #38 |
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____________ Ariadne Harper lets out a loud laugh, and continues to pace with Ariadne as she tries to step back. The circle of his followers grows tighter ____________ |
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| Kara | Jan 19 2013, 09:13 PM Post #39 |
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Ariadne glances around at the smaller space she now occupies and continues to mumble under her breath
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| KosST | Jan 19 2013, 10:37 PM Post #40 |
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Harper runs his hand over his shaved head, water glistening down his face |
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| Kara | Jan 20 2013, 12:18 AM Post #41 |
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Ariadne watches Harper closely for a long moment
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| KosST | Jan 20 2013, 04:11 PM Post #42 |
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Harper merely nods, then steps away, returning his attention to his entourage rather than the skittish woman in the pool. Once his back is turned, he pays Ariadne no further mind at all. |
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| KosST | Jan 21 2013, 01:47 PM Post #43 |
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(moving forward a bit) The gathering continues. While initially it seems people are hesitant to approach the guests of honor, that hesitation ends as they witness other Kindred do such. Throughout the evening, members of the coterie are approached by vampires who are both important and relatively overlooked. Consistently they are asked whether the events that Antoine and Zoe have related are accurate. Whether the dark-eyed Kindred in the sewers was a vampire, a Bride, something worse. Some refuse to believe the story, stating it was too ridiculous to be true, or that it was a hoax to get a group of previously irrelevant Kindred citizenship to help Antoine sell his support to the highest bidder. Still, the earnest looks on the faces of the coterie do convince some, and the impression is that allies exist among the rabble. At some point, Sophie announces formal entertainment. She takes her place on a makeshift stage where the DJ is currently spinning music. The DJ stops the music so that Sophie can speak, and though she uses no microphone, it's easy to hear her in the silenced gathering. Her voice carries over the crowd, "Ladies and Gentleman, citizens, city officers, and honored guests. Thank you for coming this evening to celebrate the courage and triumph of a few. I know that many of you have had your doubts regarding the incidents below the city that have recently come to light. You have questioned the authenticity of testimony, you have spurred investigation into gossip. Let us put the matter to rest. Honored guests, please come forward." Sophie gestures for Antoine, as well as the members of the coterie, to join her upon the stage. "The story of these Kindred has been reviewed by the Primogen Council. All members of the Council are in agreement that their testimony is true and just. Pay heed to the threats they have uncovered and destroyed, lest you tempt similar threats upon yourself." She gestures to the group. "Pay them your respects." |
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| Daniel | Jan 21 2013, 05:31 PM Post #44 |
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Dana nods vigorously to the guitarist. Spoiler: click to toggle After Sophie makes her speech, Dana looks at Ash apologetically, but gets up and heads toward the stage as requested. |
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| KosST | Jan 21 2013, 06:57 PM Post #45 |
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____________ Dana Ash offers Dana a smile
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| KosST | Jan 21 2013, 10:30 PM Post #46 |
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As Sophie makes her announcement, a slew of heads nod, and there is some tepid applause. This applause slowly grows into something significant, but it is not thunderous, and there are many in the audience who still seem unconvinced. However, a quick glance shows the support of the Primogen, and most individuals known to have any status or rank in the city. It's the unimportant who don't respond. The overlooked. The nobodies. The next part of the evening goes by in a blur. Once Sophie finishes, she urges the coterie to head to a table that has been arranged nearby. Seats are arranged so that the coterie flanks one side of the table, and the other side is open without seats. The hostess gets her guests of honor to take their seats, with Antoine in the center flanked by the others. (Dana - Whiskey - Sebastian - Antoine - Ariadne - Salvador - Natasha) Antoine seems to know what he's doing, and sits at the table. He then overs a stage-whisper to the group, knowing his company. "Hang on. This may get really annoying or even just boring, but if you keep your wits about you, you'll come out good." A group of Kindred slowly migrate out of the pool, groups of Dragons and Carthians and unaligned. Others peel away from the fire-pits and candle-lit tables, members of the other Covenants or other unknowns. Some, seeing the line growing, return to where they came from, choosing to return later in the evening. They come to speak to the guests. Some simply offer their thanks and move on. Others linger for some time, mingling, asking questions, showing deep interest in what the group has accomplished. Some argue, some flirt. Many come to pay deference to Antoine as Primogen, but others come to speak to those who, up until recently, were like them - unimportant but waiting for a second chance. They pay interest in the Brides, a group that didn't have much representation in the city prior to the Winnowing, but now already have citizens, albeit at the cost of one of their own who fell. A gaggle of unaligned ask about the group, about membership, and about how nobody will need to take any shit any more. Whiskey roars a bit a few times, and tells interested parties to join him after all this stupid pomp and circumstance is over. He mutters "Got to be able to beat Dana in a race to get in though. Best start riding!" They express interest in Sebastian's magic show. Sebastian notes that his admirers have grown in number, with no small number of the Kindred who come to pay thanks coming up to shake his hand and asking how he performed his signature trick. He recognizes some from the Crone, but the crowd is eclectic and vast. Apparently his show transcends the politics of the Danse, and as he basks in the attention, he understands that his ship seems to be coming in. He could get used to this. Many come to congratulate Antoine. And as Ariadne sits next to the man she risked her existence for, she finds that she is showed in some attention as well. Handshakes are extended to the Primogen, and after he responds, Ariadne often realizes that she's being introduced to somebody. And though several only take the time to meet her as a formality, to her surprise and dismay, many take the time to try and speak directly to her. Some as Shadows she remembers from before the Winnowing. They ask how she has been, and that they want to help her with her research. Some are Savages, Kindred she had no similarities to in nights past. They offer their help with her research as well. Despite her awkward demeanor, these Kindred offer smiles and gestures of kindness that read real. Before, Kindred avoided Salvador Ruiz - Killjoy - whenever they could. Some thought that he could work his mojo just by looking or talking to you. And so Salvador was generally ignored socially whenever possible. Now, a line formed to speak to the man. Many were the young and unaligned. But even more renowned Kindred who knew his previous reputation came forward. Some from the First Estate came to offer their recognition, and in some cases, their forgiveness for issues in the past. Some even were willing to shake his hand. A contingent of Dragons, both from Harper's side and Nash's also showed up. Eventually, an African-American man identified with the Staircase also arrived, and heartily shakes Salvador's hand, bright smiles and friendly. One final hand slips into Salvador's. It happens to be the hand of the woman sitting at the end of the table. So many faces, so many names are exchanged. It all happens very quickly, and it's difficult to keep everyone in mind as more come to speak, to offer thanks, or in some cases ask for help. Some exchange contact information or gifts, hoping to make friends with Kindred who now mean someting. At some point the group of musicians that Dana sat with earlier in the gathering take the stage and play flowing, hypnotic music that fills the nearby area. The sound of acoustic guitars and lyric-less vocals permeates the gathering but doesn't impede the well-wishing. So many faces. And while the Kindred of the coterie once could call some of these Kindred their peers, they are now on the other side of this table, on the other side of some invisible line. It seemed that this was more than just citizenship. It was their second chance. It's almost hard to believe that you were once one of them. (ps. check private threads for this gathering) |
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| Kara | Jan 23 2013, 01:52 PM Post #47 |
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Ariadne starts wading away from Harper and toward the nearest ladder out of the pool, though freezes like a deer in headlights when Sophie begins her speech and attention is directed to the former Shadow in particular, even in passing. She makes her way up to the stage, very much curled into herself, with her eyes on the floor. Throughout, she sticks close to Antoine, looking visibly relieved when she is seated next to him. At that point, however, it begins to conflict with a concern of also bearing so near to Killjoy.
She appears entirely bewildered when addressed beyond a simple greeting, but tries to engage a bit beyond her norm. She mumbles that her research hasn't progressed recently, but more is in the works. Otherwise, she said that she's been fine, and rattles off what computer games she's been playing in her spare time - though whether out of awkwardness or as an attempt to deflect further conversation is unclear. |
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| Holy | Jan 23 2013, 05:19 PM Post #48 |
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The darkened expression over Salvador after his interaction with Ariadne persists even once he slogs his way from the pool. He disappears for a while, seeming to come back in a slightly better, or at least less pale, mood. For Kos. He settles at the table with the coterie, in turns introducing himself and accepting introductions from others. There is still a lingering sense of unease during conversations with any Invictus, a guarded return of the Staircase representative's enthusiastic handshake. But with the unaligned, he is much more approachable. He talks about his church, his community off the strip. As he recognizes that spending a real amount of time discussing these things on the ... panel is unrealistic, he offers invitations to visit him at the chapel, for more personal introductions, advice, exchanges of ideas and philosophies. In that sense, he naturally finds himself talking in turn to some of the Movement, though even in those small conversations there's an obvious disparity between the Movement's philosophy of innovation and change for communal improvement and Salvador's concept of personal and individual realization. At one point when Sophie passes, Salvador catchers her attention, turning in his seat to ask her a question, quiet enough that it doesn't reach past the table. "Mistress Sophie, you've done so much for us already, but would it be possible to make a request? I was hoping that Mister Rose might present himself now that our arrangement has been settled." |
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| KosST | Jan 23 2013, 10:34 PM Post #49 |
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Sophie attends to Salvador. "Certainly Mister Ruiz. I will find him as soon as I am able." The is a clear smile on Sophie's face. Some time later Dominic Rose shows up with a lackey nearby. He strolls directly towards Salvador, deliberately stopping right in front of his spot at the table. "Well well well. If it isn't the belle of the ball. So, tell me, Saint Killjoy.... how's it feel to not only cheat out of a deal, but also be so far up the fucking ass of some Primogen that you get to be a one night big shot?" |
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| Holy | Jan 24 2013, 01:59 PM Post #50 |
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"Mister Rose," Salvador stands up, his chair pushed back as his legs straighten. He looks up at his previous 'employer,' a few inches shorter than the other man. "The fact of the matter is I fully recognize I would not be here," he looks at the assembled party and guests around him, some growing quiet at the brewing confrontation, "...without you." Sal pointedly ignores Rose's lackey. "As such, I was hoping we might bury the hatchet." For Kos. He reaches out his hand. "Not every man can accept the loss of such a lucrative contract. Not every man can swallow the fact that his old asset is now free and clear of his influence. Not every man can smile as he sees his Primogen negotiate a deal without him, taking the spoils for herself. Not every man would pay homage at a party in honor of the servant who now stands across the table." "You, sir, are truly a rare breed. It's a shame there aren't more like you." That hand remains extended and poised for a handshake. |
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| KosST | Jan 24 2013, 03:50 PM Post #51 |
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___________ Salvador (though anyone can watch this - but I don't want to have this be the only real momentum in the thread, so other things can occur as well.) Dominic nearly flinches as Salvador thrusts his hand forward for a shake. There is silence for a moment as he Dominic regards his opponent warily. He sounds surprisingly weary for the moment. "Hey, fuck you Killjoy. You bought this pomp and bullshit. You want to shove my nose in it? Ain't gonna let that shit slide." (Initiate social combat! Intent - Remind the world that Killjoy is still a nobody putting on airs) Dominance - Dominic: 7 Dominance Dominance - Salvador: 15 Salvador goes first ___________ |
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| Holy | Jan 24 2013, 04:28 PM Post #52 |
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Salvador/Rose Exchange
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| KosST | Jan 24 2013, 04:38 PM Post #53 |
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__________ Dominic seems to replace his weariness with redoubled aggression, stepping forward but still a sliver of distance from physical contact. He gestures wildly towards Salvador. "Like you do? Nobody likes this sort of shit, Killjoy. But unlike you, I keep my fucking end of a bargain. You just do what's fucking convenient. Tonight you're hot shit, sure. Tomorrow night you're back in the fucking barrens." Mechanics! __________ |
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| Holy | Jan 24 2013, 04:51 PM Post #54 |
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"Your bargains cost you nothing, Rose. And you want to hold that up for praise? The House gets its cut. That's a rather convenient bargain to keep, don't you think? Tonight I'm taking what was earned. So are you. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Invictus sold you for the right price." Mechanics
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| KosST | Jan 24 2013, 04:56 PM Post #55 |
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_____________ "You think just cause you're hot shit you suddenly got a piece in every pie? You don't know shit, unaligned. You don't know what the Estate does for me, what I've done for it. You can't be loyal to your god-damned word, ain't nobody going to be loyal to you." Mechanics ho! _____________ Edited by KosST, Jan 24 2013, 04:57 PM.
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| Kara | Jan 24 2013, 05:08 PM Post #56 |
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Ariadne watches the spectacle building right next to her, gaze turning from Killjoy and Rose as each speaks. Finally, her eyes settle on Killjoy for a longer moment before she abruptly turns to Antoine, mumbling "Be right back." She slips toward her seat and heads in the direction of her own Primogen. |
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| Holy | Jan 24 2013, 05:24 PM Post #57 |
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"My word? You son of a bitch..." With that, his hand does lower, both of them in fact, to the top of the table. "If you just gave a shit about my word, why wouldn't you take it four years ago? You wouldn't, because that wasn't what it was about. I couldn't leave until I signed that blood-oath. The only way I was getting out of that room alive was by signing that contract, not by giving my word. You want to lie and say you'd have let me walk with just that that?" He holds up two fingers like a boyscout, "I promise? Bullshit." Those two fingers jerk towards Rose in a point. "It wasn't good enough, so you doubled down on your Invictus Blood and Ink. That's what our contract was, Rose, Blood and Ink. That's what you bet on. Well guess what, the Winnowing came and washed that all away. Changed the odds. Changed everything. And if you want to cling to the debris that's still going out with that tide, that's on you." Mechanics
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| KosST | Jan 24 2013, 06:17 PM Post #58 |
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__________ Dominic cocks his head and sneers to his companion. "There it is. Knew it would come out at some point." He then returns his attention to Salvador, mirroring his position with his hands also coming to rest on the table between the two of them, tension rising. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about Ruiz. No. Fucking. Clue." Mechanics __________ |
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| Holy | Jan 24 2013, 06:29 PM Post #59 |
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"Maybe you're right, Rose. Maybe all of this pomp and circumstance, maybe the Winnowing sweeping in and erasing my chains, maybe it was all just...." He straightens up now, turning his hands palm up, "Luck." "But that begs the question," his voice darkens, head tipping low to look at Rose through the tops of his eyes, "Who's the dumbshit I nicked it from?" Mechanics |
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| KosST | Jan 24 2013, 06:58 PM Post #60 |
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___________ A low simmering growl emanates from Rose, who is clearly beginning to lose his temper. "You got pretty neat tricks, fuck-face. But at the end of the day, you rely on luck, you're luck is gonna run. The fuck. Out." He punctuates his words with slight slams on the table, reverberating through and clearly interrupting the rest of the socializing in the area. "You want that luck to run out tonight, Killjoy? No contract means no reason to keep your ass around any more. You're right, that contract had nothing to do with your word, just blood. But that blood kept you alive. Meant you were a resource worth having around." He smiles a cruel, angry smile, clearly unconcerned about the words he's saying or the crowd that has gathered around them. Rose was a Haunt, and unlike some, the Haunt was not washed away from him when the Winnowing came. There is real threat here. "No contract, no resource. No reason for me to play so fucking nice with you." Mechanics ___________ |
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3:31 AM Jul 11