Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌🌙ch5-whispers-in-the-warrens

Day 5 Location: Nosferatu Warrens Players: @Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum @Diego, Bruiser Rat @Vincent ICEberry ST: anyone wanting Previous scenes: #❌🌙labm-d5-very-malk-trip

17:38

1

It was a while before Diego returned to the warrens. He was darn happy about leaving his haven he dressed for the sewers, because any proper topside boots and pants would be forever ruined. Already habitually climbing through the cave-like tunnels of the warrens, he finally reached to prime kissing spot of the warrens: the toxic underground lake, which the Nosferatu have so diligently and lovingly put at the heart of their warrens. - Home, sweet home, - he murmured. - Smells like... a multimillion court case for irregular waste disposal. He looked around, particularly narrowing his gaze at the tunnel and door leading to Gary's abode, where he'd talked to them earlier. But it seemed everything was quiet there. So he set down at the edge of the lake and started going through the trophies, which he had diligently wrapped together with the dead old geezer's shirt. (edited)

Luca followed along. He felt a physical wall of smells hit him, stopping him every now and then from continuing, but he managed to force his way ahead.

- Stranger, - Diego called upon him, seeing him in one of the tunnels. - You're fate's been decided yet? Have I missed the big story of how you ended up down below, with ghouls going for your jugular? In his hands he was holding one of the two hunting rifles that gave him some trouble up there.

"You're not the only one who's missed the story. I was on my way with my Sire to meet the Prince, but... I blacked out. When I awoke, there was a ghoul laying dead on the ground in front of me, and... you were there for the rest."

18:01

"Hell, I don't even know how much time I've lost or if I even met the Prince at all."

- So, Primogen of which clan can be called for "neonate lost and found reward"? - the gunrunner put the rifle aside and looked directly at the stranger. - I think I heard you tell Vincent your Sire was "malkavian", back in that tunnel, as I was inspecting the dead? Grout, then. You know him, at least?

"No, I haven't met anyone, save for the Prince and my Sire. And possibly my Sire's sister. Leoric, my Sire, stood me up when we were meant to present me to the Prince. I found him through someone who identified herself as Leoric's sister. And then..." He motioned around them at the underground kingdom.

- Wait, wait. Don't understand you. Who were you... Well... In the previous life? And how long have you been the Kindred? @Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum

Diego nodded to Vincent, before turning back to his sack of guns and putting his hand in. - Stranger, you have the most unpleasant gift of speaking a lot without saying all that much, - the gunrunner pulled the second revolver out of the makeshift sack and passed it over to Vincent, as if giving out candy. - Vince, we ought to give him to Grout. That guy will either help him figure it out, or will put him behind glass. One way or the other - we'd have helped the malkavians, hopefully they'll remember that.

1

"A police profiler, collaborator, all that jazz. I've been dead about three weeks."

The voice awoke in Luca’s head, with a low mumbling at first.. "The document, we were there to give the fucking document.*

Luca's head snapped like he'd heard something. He mumbled. "Be quiet..."

- Heh, you're not dead, you're just un-living. What else has your Sire told you?

"Very, very, exceedingly little. I think he told me about the Traditions, but he let it spill out of his mouth like literal diarrhea. The entire set of Traditions in a single, rapidly spat out sound. Couldn't really figure out what he said, to be honest. That my Clan is prone to... mental illness, and that if said illnesses were present before the embrace, they take on new life. Something I've noticed."

- A police profiler? - this sparked Diego's interest. - You local, stranger? LA, born and raised? He, of course, also noticed the comment about mental illness, as well as mumbling to oneself earlier. - About Malk's predispositions - really hope you ain't violent or somesuch. Cause that would be a bad way to end a day. (edited)

"Moved here from Oregon. As for violence, not unless I need to be." He looked down for a moment, then tapped his head. "My Other can be, though."

- ... means little to no connections, - gunrunner's interest seemed to fade a bit. After a pause, he shrugged. - Well, if what you're telling is the truth, if your Primogen stands up for you or your Sire turns up, and if you didn't piss blood on the Prince's shiny floors while having an episode or somesuch - you should be totally fine. Good thing we found you, I guess. You were quite close to ending your unlife then and there...

- Hey, thanks for the gun, Diego, appreciate it. My oldman would want his gun back, I'm sure... Wait, Luca... your other what? What are you talking about?

Diego remembered. The bullet in the heads, all perfectly between two eyes. There was something he didn't told. And how did he manage to survive that long with eight fucking ghouls and a creature searching for him? @Diego, Bruiser Rat (edited)

Diego nodded to Vincent regarding the gun, and then thought back to the bodies in the sewers. Not the ones he made, and not the handiwork of that maybe-nos-maybe-not. The ones with bullet holes between the eyes. - ... except you were actually doing well for yourself, weren't you? - suddenly asked the gunrunner. - You took out two of your pursuers, and that was after staying ahead of a gang of eight armed ghouls. Ghouls. Eight. Who throws that many warm bodies against a fledgeling? Not against the fledgeling's sire, even. The fledgeling. And then follows the "strike team', to make SURE they don't fuck up. While listing all of that off, Diego was casually collecting all of the guns, bats and rifles he'd layed out. Once he finished, slowly got up, and walked several feet away, putting the sack on the ground beyond everyone's reach. When he came back. he was holding a trusty knife. - ... I feel like I'm being lied to. Or not told the full truth. After us protecting you like that and bringing here for safety - that's insulting. He moved closer. - I've spilled blood for you today, kindred. However inattentive you say you were when your Sire was telling you about Camarilla, you must know what that means in our society. So you better start talking and filling in the large gaps in your story. (edited)

- Weren't you alone in the sewers? You are talking about the other one. Who is he? And where were you walking with your Sire, on the way to the Prince? Dammit, Diego, if he's one of the Lunatics, we may never get any answer. We're very lucky to have him coherently speaking

Luca looks equal parts angry and embarrassed. "My other, Vinni. When I black it, its because he's thrown me out of the proverbial driver's seat of my own mind. I have no idea what's going on. At all. I don't even know how I got here, or how long I've been out of it. I'm positive you two are significantly more in the know than I am."

- Great, he doesn't even control himself half the time. How did you live with this shit? Do you like, swap places? Do you talk to each other, or this guy strictly does smashing and shooting then goes to sleep? (edited)

"It is... Challenging. Before the embrace, he would take over during highly emotional moments. He's... Aggressive, hyper sexual, narcissistic. Since the change, he's become downright blood thirsty. We talk, or rather, argue quite a bit."

- How did you even work as police profiler... Having two profiles, hahahaha!.. Got it? Two profiles! - Vincent relaxed a bit and let himself laugh.

"Hah. I kept him in control then, medication and willpower. Before, when I was mortal, he was an illness in my mind. Now, he almost seems to be a complete person..."

"Fucker, I am you and you’re me…" The voice resonated in his head.

2

And if you'd left me in control, we wouldn't be prisoner to a bunch of monsters in a sewer.

Diego was listening in on the conversation intently. - So we have a witness... - he said slowly, with embedded intent. - It's just that he's not the one behind the wheel right now... Isn't that right, kindred? He twirled the knife in his hand to a reverse grip, with the blade now hidden from view. - And your little imaginary friend knows what happened to your Sire, to you, and what you were doing in the sewers with eight freshly-baked know-nothing ghouls on your back. Diego let that thought linger in the air a bit, before asking the question that really mattered. - How do you let him out? (edited)

Luca shook his head. "Oh no, that's not a road we're going down. Not a chance." he said, adamant. "I could try... using a mirror? Try talking to him?"

Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum

Luca shook his head. "Oh no, that's not a road we're going down. Not a chance." he said, adamant. "I could try... using a mirror? Try talking to him?"

- Yeah, good idea. And tell him we can try the hard way, so no silly shit and no goddamn mysterious prophecies. I -ing hate prophecies.

- This is a solution, kindred. One dependent upon you alone, and not, actually, upon us going the hard or the not-hard ways, - Diego couldn't shake the feeling that he was being lied to. But, after killing those old geezers and still having the blood on one of the collar of his jacket... He wished to NOT do this the hard way. - There is a certain kind of people who make it harder for themselves in life, and then are bitter when people play along. For instance, you had a lot of opportunities to give us your name, but no matter the question asked - you didn't. Probably makes it a lot easier to see us as enemies: "They don't care enough to ask for my name". He paused, pondering their guest. - You had a hella night. You don't even know how much you've lost or not. But you have a way to figure this out, kindred. And this other... stood up to protect you. You may not like what he does or how he does it. But one thing I can say for sure... he kills cleaner than the thing that attacked you in the sewers. (edited)

Diego, Bruiser Rat

- This is a solution, kindred. One dependent upon you alone, and not, actually, upon us going the hard or the not-hard ways, - Diego couldn't shake the feeling that he was being lied to. But, after killing those old geezers and still having the blood on one of the collar of his jacket... He wished to NOT do this the hard way. - There is a certain kind of people who make it harder for themselves in life, and then are bitter when people play along. For instance, you had a lot of opportunities to give us your name, but no matter the question asked - you didn't. Probably makes it a lot easier to see us as enemies: "They don't care enough to ask for my name". He paused, pondering their guest. - You had a hella night. You don't even know how much you've lost or not. But you have a way to figure this out, kindred. And this other... stood up to protect you. You may not like what he does or how he does it. But one thing I can say for sure... he kills cleaner than the thing that attacked you in the sewers. (edited)

- Ugh, Diego, haven't I told you? His name's Luca Rossi. Such an Italian name, isn't it, heh? - Hey, Luca, we can find a mirror for you, it's got to be somewhere here... We don't like them, as you can understand. But don't do shit, tell your friend we only need to learn the truth. This whole situation reeks trouble and we don't like it more smelly than it is now. (edited)

Diego looked at Vincent, grinned, then looked back at the malk. - Luca? Cool. Name's Diego. Nice to meet you. So what do you say?

Luca nodded. "Let's get it done."

A mirror was brought in front of Luca, broken, crassy on some parts, but he could see his reflections. And the two abominations near him.

Luca looked at the mirror, and in the mirror, slowly, gently, he began to see his madness creep to the surface. Creep to the limit of this conscience as the reflection seemed to twitch, and to reflect some movements of eyes differents of those habitually seen. Rapidly, what he saw was Vinni looking at him. Same face, but the eyes all differents.

@Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum

"...Hello, Vincent."

02:31

Luca looked at him with restrained distaste. It was fairly clear that Luca did not care much for the man in the mirror.

Vincent remained silent, but a smile crept on his face more and more, a rictus even.

The Nosferatus could see Luca changing expression as he looked at himself in the mirror, and even talk and respond to himself. @Nosferatu (edited)

"So, you wanna talk about what happened with Leoric? And those ghouls trying to kill us? Or just sit there, making stupid faces at me."

Vincent the Nosferatu was looking at Luca uneasily. He himself used to be kinda crazy pursuing The World Government that pulled the strings. But that was really creepy, the way Luca looked into the mirror like in a gate

Vincent felt weird. He looked at Luca i n the mirror, then at his own reflection, and the doubt began to creep in. He thought of what he knew, of what he discovered with the vampiric society, and began to wonder. What if? What if there was conspiracy unknown to the vampires, done by god-like creatures, ancient vampires slumberins since the dawn of time ? What if he was just a tool used in this vast story? The Sabbat attacking the Nosferatu, why was he justly present in the sewer when the gunshot were heard? Why did the Malk wanted to see Gary ? Was it a plan of him? Why not inform them then ? A intense paranoïa began to explode in him, obscuring all of his thoughts.

Vincent is now in full Paranoïa mode, gaining the derangment Paranoïa for undetermined time. @Vincent ICEberry (edited)

"I'm... Listen, I fucked up. I just tried to kill Leoric, but he looked at me and I couldn't try to hurt him. It's like he was handing me a way of controlling the vessel, and it was so easy to..." Vinni stopped, visibly having talked too much. "Never mind. We got introduced to the Prince. He knows of us now, and approved of our embrace. And then I got into the sewers to give Gary his documents that the witch gave us. You know the rest, those fuckers crept on us, and I killed them."

Vincent whispers to Diego quietly - What if it's just a trap? Let's search this guy. And hold him while he's gonna talk to Gary. I've got a bad feeling. How did he manage to hide from them and kill 2 of them? Why was he there in the first place?...

"You tried to kill Leoric, fantastic. And how did that boor feel about your attempt at murder? Does he know you tried to have us kill him?"

"Yes, yes and yes. He knows and is not unhappy with it. We had our explanations. He's far more cool than I thought. He just don't..." Vinni shut himself once again.

@Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum

04:29

@Diego, Bruiser Rat

Luca tilted his head. "He doesn't what?"

"I'll not tell you that easily. I'll ask to take the control at one point, if you accept, I'll say it to you afterwards."

Luca shook his head. "Of course you're making demands. Not like we're in this mess because of you. Fine. But you ask first."

No response from Vinni, as he just look at himself. A headache began to pierce his head.

You lose 1 WP. @Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum (edited)

Luca stared back, as if playing a game of chicken for his own brain. He gripped down on one side of the mirror until it began to crack even more. The mirror shatters in his grip, and the conversation is over.

1

@Vincent ICEberry @Diego, Bruiser Rat

An ideal spy or diversant. One second he is completely quiet and harmless. The other he grabs a gun and shots in your head. We need to have him tied. And even then it's not a guarantee he doesn't do something dangerous. Maybe he is a Sabbat spy... Need to call Grout and pray he answers the phone

08:04

- So, Luca... Or who are you now? You can talk to our elder, but with a lot of precautions. You know, the attack of Sabbat killed some of ours and its really bad because we can hide like nobody can.

"Yes, still me. Sorry about your compatriots. Certainly wasn't my intention for any of this to happen."

- I'll call our elder and we will check your testimonies. And it would be better to talk to... Your friend... What's his name by the way?

Diego was silent for the whole ordeal. When Vincent mentioned restraining the Malk, Diego moved a bit closer, but didn't rust to put a stop to the conversation between the two identities. It was disturbing and curious at the same time. - Wow. That was something. Bravo, - said Diego when the glass cracked. - Quite the scene. There was mention of documents and a witch. Vince, did he mention anything about giving documents to our Gary before, or am I just late to the party?

- Ummmmmmm, no. Well the situation was difficult and didn't have time to interrogate him properly.

"I actually did bring it up, just before we were attacked. I'm not surprised it was forgotten. A man named Gary who lives in the Hollywood sewers. I was told to give him these documents by Leoric's sister."

- It would make sense in the future to emphasize things like that. They can be life and death. Tell me what witch you mentioned, so I can make all the proper introductions between you and Gary. It's promising to be a good introduction - there's quite a bit to introduce about you, Luca.

"Revana was her name. My Sire's sister, though I don't see the resemblance."

@Diego, Bruiser Rat

05:22

@Vincent ICEberry

- Roger. Try and not dissapear. I'm gonna relate your story to get Gary, then, - said Diego, before walking away from the bank of the underground lake and into Gary's "hole in the ground".

A witch. The Tremere and Malkavian? And they are brother and sister? What the fuck is going on? Or they are both Malkavians? Fuck, Diego left me with him. Alone. Fuck. Could he make a portal out of a mirror? Or hex me? Okay, V, stay cool, you've got a gun, he hasn't. He doesn't know what you are thinking... Does he? A little drop of bloody sweat fell was going to fall from his forehead but Vincent quickly hid it with a sleeve of his hoodie. (edited)

3

(you stay vincent ?)

(yeah, need to see after Luca so he doesn't do weird shit. Again)

1

1

Vincent recieved a text message: get out of the room, i want him alone. G. @Vincent ICEberry (edited)

1

@Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] Vincent tries to find a little cam, made by Mitnick, in his pockets

1

Alone? But what if it's really a Sabbat killer who is the third personality of this guy? Better plant a camera... Where is it... Was in my pocket yesterday.. Oh, that's it... Now let's plant so Gary doesn't notice. He may get angry. But we can't trust this mad guy, he may hold a crowd of people in his head...

05:55

And Vincent does his dirty deed, hoping he won't get executed or worse - banished from the clan

Once Vincent has done his deed, he rushed to a computer, but sadly only catched the rest of the conversation.

A voice resonnated in the room. Dark, gloomy, unfamilliar. "By the unholy cracked of my bones, you seem the wicked one. What brings you here, all alone, hearing voices?"

Luca swallowed hard. Now what... "Well, apparently, I have something to give to a Gary down here."

"Gary, Gary, Gary. What do you want with him, boss ? Who sent you down this pestilent sewer to look after the fallen actor?"

"Leoric Merdrea's sister, ~~who's name I can't remember because no one in VtM can just be named Sue or Bob~~. She asked me to give you this..." Luca slowly reached into his coat, producing the cylinder.

A monstruous being appeared in front of him. He smiled with his crooked teeth, showing his fangs. He took the cylinder and opened it, looking at what seemed to be a large sheet of paper. In the dark, Luca had trouble to see what it was about. "Well, if it's not a nice commission from Revana. Perfect, perfect. Say to here that she's good for what she asked me, and that I'll look into it. Thanks, boss."

1

Luca scanned over the man's face. Horrifying. Strange, archaic way of speaking. "So, I've given you your... art commission, is it? What happens now."

"Well, that is nice of you, boss. The real questions is why some fuckers tried to kill you in my sewers." He looked at him, visibly really happy with his "art commission", before rolling it back into the cylinder. He smirked a bit. "I am sorry about that. It's not normal that you were attacked. I've listened to what happened, and I think we would need to find the truth about all of it. For now, consider yourself in my "not-asshole" section. What happens now... It's up to you. You're going at the court tomorrow?"

"I... suppose so. I need to learn more about all of..." he motioned around them, "this, and the best place for that is at the court. After that... I honestly do not know." (edited)

"I see. I will not take you under my arm, as you risk to…double-crossing me." He did a crooked laugh. Calling himself, he looked at Luca, thoughtful, before asking really seriously. "You want someone to take care of you, Luca?"

Luca looked a bit sideways at him, trying to guess his meaning. "What do you mean, 'take care of me'?"

1

1

2

"Explaining you the ropes and sticks of being damned. Taking you as a disciple to teach you the way of life."

"I would accept gladly. My Sire has been... less than forthcoming about... anything. It took me almost a month to learn his own name."

"Leoric is a dick. But his sister… Let’s say that she got all the good sides, and not only mentally." He smirked, pensive. "I’ll see what I can do for you, boss. Just, if you hear something interesting on the Sabbat, the person that attacked you, why they were here and stuff as such, I would be really interested."

Luca nodded. "You'll be the first to know, Gary. How should I contact you? Not that I don't enjoy the ambiance here, it's a bit out of the way."

huh, so he ain't an enemy after all...

"You’ll keep in touch with Vincent. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you in whatever you want to do." As he said that, he looked straight in the camera, grinning.

Fuck. Me? With this lunatic? Fuck. Fuck! What does that madman want to do? Why me? Fuck!

1

Luca looked down, frowned, and picked the camera off of himself, then handed it to Gary.

"Oh, give it to Vincent as he leads you to the court. He'll thank you."

He gave a small chuckle. "Will do."

Luca Rossi/Robert Meechum

He gave a small chuckle. "Will do."

Luca finds gloomy Vincent near the exit from the warrens. - I heard everything. I know you know. And I know Gary knows. So you are not a spy or enemy. What about your other part? Or I don't have to worry about him? What are you up to?

Luca gave a small shrug. "I can't promise anything for Vinni. As for me... it seems I'm on your side, for what it's worth."

12:30

He passes the camera back to Vincent.

- Yeah, thanks. So we are going to the Elysium?

"It seems that way. Court, I think it was?"

Well , let's go!

#❌💀⭐ch6-the-court END SCENE (edited)

12:42

RECAP :

Okay, quick recap. Diego and Vincent interrogated Luca, then listened to him talking to his second self in the mirror. Then Diego called Gary, Vincent planted a camera to listen to their conversation and unpleasantly found out he is to help Luca