Topic: Chapter 1: Dark Tides Rising (Read 632570 times)

Drakilian · « **Reply #900 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:10:53 pm »

Confusion twists her lovely features - "Why Steeple? Insane as he may be, he wouldn't touch a hair on any of our heads."

(Meanwhile, back in the tent with Prince Maurice and Steeple)

"We shall soar through the skies with an army of hedgehogs and bats, one for every hair on her head, and it shall rain furryous vengeance!

Vengeance for what you say? UNIMPORTANT DETAILS, VENGEANCE I SAY!"

Sethaniel · « **Reply #901 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:27:40 pm »

"You can't trust madness!" Kiril grabs her arm and pulls her towards him, his voice low and venomous.
"especially when it masquerades as whimsy. You say you can see past Myca's disguise, why can't you see past steeples?"
He continues, to himself as much as shera, " Insanity is never harmless, never safe. It waits, for you to let your guard down. . ."

Drakilian · « **Reply #902 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:30:47 pm »

Sherazhina jerks her arm back.

"His cruelty is directed to those who disrespect him. They may be mad, but it does not mean they are devoid of reason. Madness does not always destroy the person it inhabits."

She seems angry, perhaps Kiril struck a more personal chord with her?

Sethaniel · « **Reply #903 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:43:25 pm »

"Why so eager to defend him?" Kiril savagely responds.

"Do you wish he'd been the one to rescue you? Do you lie awake, thinking of him, wishing it was his blood that bound you?

Shall I give you to him, so he can throw you to the fleshcrafters when he decides you've disrespected him?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #904 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:53:42 pm »

Sherazhina glares at Kiril.

"You would hate him so for the lot he was given?"

Sethaniel · « **Reply #905 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:59:17 pm »

"I would protect you from him!" Kiril shouts. "And don't think I didn't notice how you avoided my question," he adds, more quietly.

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #906 on:** April 06, 2015, 05:59:28 pm »

"Ah, good times haha!" Steeple agrees, then falls silent.

Ever since those cursed tablet demons, Prince Maurice has been acting more and more strangely. Steeple would have to be careful what he said around his friend. Gauge his advice carefully. Make sure that it was truly old Maurice in there and not something else. Something dark and disturbed. Something that would warp the minds of those around them, drawing them into the chimera of dreamy madness, then...

Then what?

Hopefully something not too unpleasant.

Yeah, that would suck.

"Vengeance yes!" Steeple laughs nervously - ah ha ha ha ... ha. *gulp...

Drakilian · « **Reply #907 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:16:23 pm »

Prince Maurice then falls silent, as if having read the malkavian's mind.

He then whispers a quick phrase.

"I'm sorry Steeple. He used to be a good man."

Quote from: Sethaniel on April 06, 2015, 05:59:17 pm

"I would protect you from him!" Kiril shouts. "And don't think I didn't notice how you avoided my question," he adds, more quietly.

"You would jealously hoard me, like master would a slave" She says, venomously.

She then falls silent. After a bit, she answers Kiril's first question.

"My brother, Dragomir... he's never been all right. It's very common in the families, the blood twists our mortal minds."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #908 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:25:37 pm »

"I'm sorry for your brother," Kiril softly replies. "But that doesn't mean steeple is harmless."

He looks away from her. "Do you really feel that's our relationship? Master and slave?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #909 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:30:32 pm »

"It doesn't mean that he is a monster either."

She replies, earnestly.

To his query she says "A word to another and in an instant you are furious? You threaten me even?"

In a quieter voice she continues - "Yes Kiril, sometimes I feel as if the only reason I was rescued was so that I could be bought cheaply."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #910 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:35:26 pm »

"He betrayed his servant's trust. Even if the man disrespected him-- you do not abandon your own."

"When did I threaten you?" Kiril is genuinely confused. "What have I ever done to make you feel as though I only wished to buy you cheaply?"

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #911 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:50:15 pm »

Quote from: Drakilian on April 06, 2015, 06:16:23 pm

Prince Maurice then falls silent, as if having read the malkavian's mind.

He then whispers a quick phrase.

"I'm sorry Steeple. He used to be a good man."

"Er, you heard that did you?" Steeple asks, his shoulders slumping and a feeling of melancholy coming on.

"I'm sorry buddy," he whispers to the stone, "It's just that you are so important to me. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you..."

Drakilian · « **Reply #912 on:** April 06, 2015, 06:57:45 pm »

"Just now, you told me you would give me to Steeple only to be thrown to the fleshcrafters! You took me from the city and not once have you even asked me if i'd like to go home, if I want to be here, it's always been to follow you, to stay with you, to speak with you! What am I then, that you rescue me only to chain me to you? What recourse do I have, but to stay?"

There is frustration in her voice.

---

"That'll never happen Steeple. You and me, we'll brave all of time together."

A light breeze comes in through the tent entrance, and for a second, it's almost as if Maurice is physically comforting Steeple.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #913 on:** April 06, 2015, 07:09:30 pm »

"That . . . That's not what I said at all!" Kiril Incredulously replies. "I asked if you wanted to leave me For Steeple, even knowing he'd like as not give you to Lucien when he tired of you. It was a question, not a threat!" He runs a hand through his hair and sighs.

"You want to leave? You want to go home? Then go. I didn't realize you Found my company so tiresome."

Drakilian · « **Reply #914 on:** April 06, 2015, 07:27:11 pm »

She scoffs.

"Banish me, oh mighty lord, out into the transylvanian landscape all by my lonesome? Or did you forget that I own nothing since you "freed" me, that I can do nothing without your approval as I have nothing of my own?"

Sethaniel · « **Reply #915 on:** April 06, 2015, 07:50:35 pm »

"You begrudge my rescue, you act as though I've wronged you!

I thought you stayed with me by choice, I didn't realize all this time you were seething with resentment that I hadn't dropped everything to escort you home.

Fear not, I shall rectify that mistake immediately. Tell me, how much money do you feel entitled to? What price shall I pay for the sin of saving you?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #916 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:03:20 pm »

"It's not that you saved me, it's that you never even bothered to ask if I would be somewhere else! My answer wouldn't have mattered, you just wanted me to yourself!"

Sethaniel · « **Reply #917 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:10:07 pm »

"Forgive me for thinking that if you objected to accompanying me, you'd say so," Kiril says bitterly.

"Now answer the question. How much money do I need to give you?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #918 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:22:10 pm »

Sherazhina lists an amount - it is fairly small, if Kiril were to guess it was the absolute minimum.

"Tell me, is that too rich for your greedy blood?"

She then storms off, furious, before Kiril can reply. Kiril might be surprised the senselessness of her last insult, if there was one thing he hadn't shown himself to be, it was greedy...

The faint smell of blood announces Carinus' approach.

"Kiril, you must forgive the madame on my behalf. She is angry for her brother, and for fear of losing her freedom again."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #919 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:32:42 pm »

"Forgive her?" kiril replies dispiritedly. "And then what? If she wants to leave, I have no interest in forcing her to stay."

Drakilian · « **Reply #920 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:35:19 pm »

"She has no desire to leave us, it is why she is so afraid." Carinus says, his voice low and smooth.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #921 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:50:04 pm »

"Do you feel chained to me, Carinus?" Kiril barely seems to have heard what the ghoul said. "Have I unjustly deprived you of your freedom?" Then, abruptly, "what do you mean, she's afraid?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #922 on:** April 06, 2015, 08:58:16 pm »

Carinus smiles, showing of small, white teeth.

"Not everyone is as... comfortable, with the bond as I am, Kiril. You understand that. She wants to be here with us, Kiril, she doesn't want to leave. It frightens her, because she should want to go back to her old life, shouldn't she? Why does she stay with the two strangers, why has she not even tried to leave? Perhaps she thinks her will is not her own. She is frightened by how comfortable she is with us. It will pass, if you do not push her away in her anger."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #923 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:07:05 pm »

"it doesn't matter. She can stay or go as she pleases. A nobleman has no business allowing his actions to be affected by His servant's mood."

Drakilian · « **Reply #924 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:30:35 pm »

Carinus tsks.

"Give me some of your blood then, cold nobleman, that my actions may be those affected by your servant's mood."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #925 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:39:02 pm »

Kiril acquiesces, biting deep into his wrist and offering it to Carinus.

Drakilian · « **Reply #926 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:44:53 pm »

Carinus collects the blood in a delicate carafe and carefully puts it away.

"When she comes back to her tent she will find the money you collect for her and the blood that binds her to you. Then she will make her choice.

When you wake tomorrow, we will be together, and we shall never speak of such inane matters again."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #927 on:** April 06, 2015, 09:51:02 pm »

(Fade out)

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #928 on:** April 07, 2015, 06:37:31 am »

Drakilian:
"That'll never happen Steeple. You and me, we'll brave all of time together."

A light breeze comes in through the tent entrance, and for a second, it's almost as if Maurice is physically comforting Steeple.

---

Feeling a little better Steeple declares - "Yes! And first we'll trap some grave robbing bastards! To the cemetery!!!"

(Fade out)

Forge · « **Reply #929 on:** April 07, 2015, 03:29:55 pm »

Hendricks heads over to join Andreas with a very twisted imitation of what could be guessed at to be a friendly smile while he replies.

"I fought the one in control of the ambush, amazing regenerative abilities and the ability to take control of even Mr. Whitey for a time. She left this message for us (relays the message here)"

He then snacks on a wolf corpse

Not Aman · « **Reply #930 on:** April 07, 2015, 03:41:16 pm »

"Looks like Ennius and Lucien have much to explain." Anton states.

"As well as our regretful knight." Anton mutters, deciding to confront Joseph about that later on.

"But it is good you managed to take care of the threat, at least for now. We will have to inform the coterie about this wolf girl when we return."

Drakilian · « **Reply #931 on:** April 07, 2015, 04:00:07 pm »

Andreas makes a series of vague snarls and grunts, Mr. Whitey translates for him as always:

They fought well, and viciously. Sad that the cruel one turned them on us, I should have liked to keep one.

Not Aman · « **Reply #932 on:** April 07, 2015, 06:54:07 pm »

#after the long walk to the fortress

Anton, tired and weary from the long trek, looks to the group.
"We need to have everyone gathered, we need to deal with this situation as soon as we can. We don't have the funds to deal with a vovoide who wants a kindred in our group." Anton states.

"Daniel, can you get Lucien and bring him and his knight to the hall? I will bring the rest. Dont tell him about the Wolf girl yet. I will gather the rest." Anton states, as he heads on towards Kiril, first.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #933 on:** April 07, 2015, 07:30:47 pm »

Kiril greets his brother with their usual detached politeness. "Anton, wonderful news- you remember Lord Vykos? He's given us the necessary funding. He gave Lucien a ring, as well.
How did the wolf hunt fare? Oh, and we need another mason."

Not Aman · « **Reply #934 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:18:53 pm »

Anton nods.
"So we are no longer worried about our funds then? What did he ask in return?"

"And the wolf hunt went well, brother. It seems that there are far more to the vovoide's agression then meets the eye."

Forge · « **Reply #935 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:22:28 pm »

Heldric approaches the two as they talk and passes on the information about the girl and her seeking the "Roman Knight". (OOC sorry for not role playing this properly but so little time).

"So indeed there is more going on that we know, I presume that she saw us all as Radu's Knights so whoever is the roman is the target."

Prince · « **Reply #936 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:31:23 pm »

Daniel enters the cave to catch up on shit he's missed.

He runs up to Heldric, "Who was that girl I saw you with outside?"

Sethaniel · « **Reply #937 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:39:15 pm »

Quote from: Aman on April 07, 2015, 08:18:53 pm

Anton nods.
"So we are no longer worried about our funds then? What did he ask in return?"

"And the wolf hunt went well, brother. It seems that there are far more to the vovoide's agression then meets the eye."

"That's Lucian's problem," Kiril shrugs. "He's the one with the ring."

After heldric explains about the roman knight, Kiril looks to Anton. "Do you have any idea what that's about?"

Not Aman · « **Reply #938 on:** April 07, 2015, 09:24:07 pm »

Anton nods.
"I believe so. Heldric encountered the wolf leader, a girl who seemed to consider Ennius her master's property. We hope Lucien knows more about this." Anton states.

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #939 on:** April 08, 2015, 05:44:39 am »

"Old Viking Vykos just wants to maneuver us around the board is all." Steeple adds, "He has bought and paid for us with his loan sharking ways. But at least we don't have to end up in the Cathedral of Flesh like the rest (for now)..."

"Old Lucian's signed all our names away in blood, when he accepted that ring. I shiver to think about payday haha!"

"Did you find out if this girl is 'what's-her-name', Lord Radu's disappointing protégé?"

"And alas, I haven't been able to catch the grave robbers yet. But they'll be sorry if I do."

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #940 on:** April 08, 2015, 06:48:25 am »

"By the way, has anyone seen my hedgehog? I seem to have misplaced it."

Not Aman · « **Reply #941 on:** April 08, 2015, 08:53:22 am »

Anton looks a bit shocked at Steeple's sudden arrival, but, with him being a malkavian, nothing is really surprising about his actions.
"Who?" He asks, when steeple mentions Radu's failed servent.

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #942 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:07:13 am »

"Marelle? For what possible reason would she be here?" Steeple asks, surprised at Anton's question.

Not Aman · « **Reply #943 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:49:13 am »

"Who is Radu's failed servant?" Anton asks again.

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #944 on:** April 08, 2015, 10:01:27 am »

"Who? You mean someone other than Marelle?" Steeple asks Anton. "Haven't you heard?"

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #945 on:** April 08, 2015, 10:07:49 am »

Before Anton can answer, Steeple paraphrases - first taking in a huge breath of air ...

"She is more commonly known as the sculptor of wolves, for her preferred ghouls are wolves and she crafts bizarre deformities for them, often combining the skeletons and organs of several at once. Lupine kinfolk are treasured above all, for the torment of transformation instills the taint of corruption in them.

She began her life as a Danislav revenant in northeastern Transylvania. She was a skilled manipulator and advisor, taking great pleasure in pitting the local knezi against one another and thriving in political strife. She was eventually invited to Radu's court to advise him concerning a dispute with a Gangrel.

Wolves served this Gangrel beast as bodyguards, and they had begun to prey on the humans not far from Bistritz. Many infants were stolen away in the night, and some daring packs would run through the streets of the city, causing mayhem. Soon they began to seek out Radu's havens.

Roused from his daily slumber by the troublesome lupines, the Count took this offense as a declaration of war.

Marelle stalked this Gangrel in the forest outside Bistritz to ascertain the cause of his grievance. What she discovered alarmed her. The Cainite was found conferring with Arnulf - He is a powerful Inconnu known for his hatred of the larger cities of Transylvania and the Cainites who encourage their growth.The situation became obvious: The wolves were scouts for some larger campaign against the city. Wise to the threat, Radu Embraced Marelle as his childe. Certain that she would be a staunch ally against the enemies of his domain, he set her against the Inconnu's servant. Her ruthless response to the Gangrel assault was impressive. Marelle was fanatical about destroying the Gangrel that threatened her sire from the moment she clawed her way from the grave.

She began with simple warnings: Canine servants were found grafted together in twos and threes around towering pine trees. As the warnings continued, her "messages" became grislier. The Gangrel relented, but Marelle did not.

When she at last hunted down the Gangrel, she fleshcrafted him into a monster and caused him to be devoured by his own Lupine servants. Marelle became so bestial that Radu could no longer stand the sight of her. She enjoyed tormenting other living things and when she abducted a human infant for one of her studies, Radu, perhaps the most diplomatic of some already so courteous clan, captured his childe, informing her that he had disowned her and that she would be banished from his lands. Were she to ever return, he would destroy her.

This might not be unacceptable in and of itself, save for where Radu banished her. Marelle was sacrificed to the Cathedral of Flesh."

Steeple then exhales.

"At least that's what I heard."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #946 on:** April 08, 2015, 11:03:20 am »

"Forgive me for interrupting," says Kiril, "But I don't understand. If she was sacrificed to the Cathedral, how can she be the girl you met in the woods? Are you saying she somehow managed to escape?"

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #947 on:** April 08, 2015, 11:42:12 am »

Steeple looks around to see who Kiril said he just interrupted (as he had finished speaking and no one had yet started up again before Kiril stepped in).

Then, after an awkwardly long pause, says "I hear they let you out on good behavior."

Forge · « **Reply #948 on:** April 08, 2015, 12:13:34 pm »

"I am not sure if Daniel saw but she is strong in odd ways, be weary if you meet her. I destroyed half of her face and head and had Mr. Whitey completely evicerate her and eat some innards but she was able to fully take control of Mr. Whitey and still be fully healed in seconds. If it is Radu's failed servent maybe contacting him could shed more light on the situation too."

BerkaZerka · « **Reply #949 on:** April 08, 2015, 12:28:06 pm »

"How positively ghastly," Steeple comments with a facetious grin at the mention of Mr. Whitey chomping innards.

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Author Topic: Chapter 1: Dark Tides Rising (Read 632570 times)