Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌🌙🟦ch8-a-long-way-to-heaven

Chapter 5 Location: Baresco’s car, on the road, Downtown LA Players: @Coffee [Baresco Giovanni] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) ST: @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] Previous scene : #deleted-channel (edited)

They were on the road, silently sitting as Baresco tried to get out of this traffic jam. Agnes was sat next to him, and the kindred behind them, visibly disturbed as he looked at the side, trying to make sense of this world. A new pawn to the board, one unexpected. Baresco mind was racing.

[Italian] "What is it?" Baresco asks the Kindred.

[Italian]"This town… Those construction. Are they churches to God ? Why is the light so present and yet it is night ? I don’t understand this realm and see everywhere what seems to be a land of sinners. I… I’m wary, bambino, of my future." He reached to the front, beginning to pass his cold hand on the hairs of Agnes, calmly, as he was petting her. It felt nice, there was something that reminded her of her father in this touch.

Mood music : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9CK0gf9mbs

First Agnes even didn't understand it was not her Father. In a moment she harshly moved forward. This man was scary. And his body was cold as ice. He literally was dead. - Baresco. Who the hell is this man?!

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[Italian] "Why is the bambina afraid, is she crazy ?"

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[Italian] "The structures that poke at the sky are not churches. I am not a religious man, but the churches of today are mere powerless husks." Baresco then glances at Agnes. [English] "An old family member. Think of him as your very estranged uncle." He looks at the Kindred. [Italian] "For centuries, the Family has absorbed several mortal families to our...organization. Mainly, they supply us with resources and protect our assets, but they also serve as our breeding stock from which we pluck the fortunate soul to be Embraced." "Agnes, this mortal, has no clue of our existence. She does not know that we are undead." Baresco smirks. "I find it funny that her family is well-known for their cannibalistic tendencies." @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

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[Italian]"Why would she not know ? Do you hide your immortality...?"

She narrowed her eyes. She definitely caught the "familia" and "tendenze cannibalistiche". - What's wrong with him?

Baresco replies to the Kindred. [Italian] "Not only are we outnumbered by mortals, but they no longer wield mere fire. They have the power to send projectiles that cause great explosions from a vast distance. Devices that can capture moments of the past and be observed any time." "We live in a world where everyone can see you. The Masquerade, much to the Sabbat's chagrin, benefits us all. We hide, for it is easier to control a slave with a torch who thinks he is free." He would then turn to Agnes. [English] "I will be straight with you, Agnes, although it is not my place to reveal this. I know your family's secrets, your...cannibalism, and several other skeletons in your closet." "But that is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. How immersed are you with my Family?" @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

"You will not prove anything", - that's what she thought. - A distance equal to the blade of a knife, - she mumbled quietly, - I don't know what do you mean. I told you everything I knew.

[Italian]"The Sabbat ? What is this ? But I understand yes... I understand." How old was he really... The thought of it began to send shivers in the spine of Baresco.

Agnes looked at Zanni: - No English??

Baresco nods. It's understandable that she hasn't figured it out yet, but he wouldn't be surprised if she had her suspicions. [English] "There is a miniscule chance, albeit highly unlikely, that you will be killed tonight. So, listen closely." "I don't know where to start but you need to take my word for it. You might've noticed how your cousins behave like they know something you don't? Well, that's because they do—Agnes, the Family's darkest secret can lead to your death or promotion. Either way, I am in no position to tell you about it." "I don't want you to panic, because I need you to pretend and shut up about this when we meet Bruno. If you want to live, you're gonna have to act like you saw nothing strange happening. I will explain everything after our meeting with him is over." He would then turn to the Kindred. [Italian] "Are you telling me that you are older than the formation of the Camarilla and Sabbat?" Baresco snickers in disbelief. "They are a Sect of Cainites who believe in Gehenna, doomsday, the apocalyspe, etc." "What was the last major event you remember?"

22:37

@Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- Do you see me panicking? - Oh, if he could see auras, probably there would be a fireworks of panic, fear and god knows what else. Nevertheless she still tried to hold on.

[Italian]"I remember of the fall of Cappodocius, and I was at the time to-" Danger, as Baresco saw, a black rover on the side, tainted windows, waiting for them to pass this intersection to hit them. It suddenly rushed toward the car, trying visibly to crach into it by the side. Baresco reacted immediatly, pushing on the accelerator, letting the car go further in almost a jump as the rover missed them partly, only bumping the rear and scratching it as it continued further on the sidewalk and began to flee.

06:24

[Italian]"What was that ?" He looked pretty wary of his surroundings, as he has grabbed the shoulders of Agnes to protect her from harm.

The car was a little dragged, as the shock throwed them partly toward the front of the car, but thankfully to Agnes, she was held by the strange italian. Baresco cared little of such shock.

@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

MOOD MUSIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6qo4msRqxU

"Son of a bitch!" Baresco yells as he does his best to steer the vehicle. "Friends of yours?" He asks Agnes. He then turns to the Kindred. [Italian] "One of this mortal's enemies most likely." But he knew deep down that it was likely his. "You were saying about the fall of the Cappodicians?" He checks the side mirrors to see fi they are still being followed. @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

[Italian]"You're having ennemies in the Famiglia, and you want me to... To really go and put my sake to the hands of this Bruno ? What if he is the one doing that ? I can't risk it, Baresco. Can't you just get me an heaven and let me time to understand what's happening ? You would be making a powerful ally."

The girl screamed and tried to grab the car handles as much as she could. That definitely wasn't sudden attack and she knew that. Her heart froze of stock and fear. Well that's a trip to daddy. And why she always catches this new acquaintance of theirs trying to grab her goddamit?! - I'm fine, - she tried to breathe and get free from the hands.

Baresco curses. He doesn't trust Bruno or any of the Giovanni of Los Angeles. Worse, Agnes is a liability now. [Italian] "Oh, I would very much love to. But as it currently stands, I am a recent arrival, and modern...inns are often unreliable." He would then turn to Agnes. [English] "So that's a no, then?" He pauses. "You wouldn't happen to have a place hidden from the Family's ire, would you?" @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- I have no idea what are you talking about but this was someone who was probably after me. Because I don't see any other reason. She was scared, pissed and messed up.

- My father told the only safe place is at Bruno's, - she raised her brown in uncertainty.

[Italian] I… I can just go to a remote place for now, and you would let me there with some ways to learn the language … I have a ritual to do that actually. But do not bring me to people potentially willing to kill you and me and the bambina."

She frowned hearing the familiar word towards her. - I'm not "bambina" I'm an adult woman no matter what you think you are! - she was just too nervous so it kind of just spoiled out with blaming. She made a suffering face. - Let's just go to Bruno, will we?

@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni]@Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

[Italian] "I will see what I can do." Baresco mutters as he drives to a different direction. [English] He then turns to Agnes. "Trust me, that name is appropriate. Anyway, we can't bring him to Bruno or anywhere near the family." "I will have to put him somewhere safe and discreet. I trust that you will not say anything that will jeopardize the three of us? In exchange, I will tell you all that I can." @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

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She raised a brow. Telling her something for bit telling about the occurrence. Good deal. - Then you better start taking, - sounded like good old mafia, but way funny from her situation view.

Baresco sighs. "Where do I even begin? The fact that our Blood-Father is over a thousand years old? Or that the man inside the car had been in a state of deep paralysis for nearly six hundred years, give or take." "Pick your poison, Agnes. Either way, both tales are unpleasant." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- You better tell something that is directly related to the situation we are in. I am in, - she corrected herself, - I se that man doesn't look healthy and I am not blind. I have seen the

20:21

'thing' in the basement. The rest I guess I need an explanation.

Baresco chuckles. "I suppose the word "healthy" no longer applies to him...and me as well." "We are both dead, clinically dead. And the only living person in this car is you. Don't believe me? Check my pulse and know that my flesh is cold." He stretches his wrist to Agnes as he drives. @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

She made it just as a checkmark. She was familiar with medicine to see if the person is dead or alive on the very basic level not going to difficult cases. Baresco definitely could feel a few hot spots on his skin at the place where the pulse should be felt the best way. Then she released. - How is it possible? - Obvious question followed.

"In these modern nights, you would call me a vampire. I burst into flames and embers when the sunbeams find me." "I, and the rest of the upper ranks of the Family, are vampires as well. Some of the Dunsirn are Leeches too. Bruno? He is one too." "Do not panic, Agnes, this secret is not common knowledge among our family. Usually, a family member who is more of a liability than an asset is killed once they discover the Family's secret." But in his case, he was promoted. He gestures at the Kindred. "He's over six hundred years old." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) (edited)

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- So you're vampires, - she nodded a few times, - cool, - sounded rather ironically. Of course she could not just deny obvious facts, but that was not that shocking. - Humm... So you planned to make me one too 'when I grow up'? - She looked at Baresco and then also more attentively to Zanni.

Agnes Dunsirn

- So you're vampires, - she nodded a few times, - cool, - sounded rather ironically. Of course she could not just deny obvious facts, but that was not that shocking. - Humm... So you planned to make me one too 'when I grow up'? - She looked at Baresco and then also more attentively to Zanni.

A look of pity falls on Baresco's face. "Not all of our Family are granted this dark gift. Few remain Ghouls—humans who are given a taste of unholy power, but still less than a vampire—while others live their lives oblivious and ignorant." "There is no criteria or a test, not even talent nor skill. What they seek in a candidate is an enigma to me." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

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Baresco understood what all that meant. She was doomed now, to advance further and further in the darkness, or just stop in this dusk, but never to be in the blinding light again.

- It actually makes more sense now. I... Have noticed some "specific" people who... - she stopped here looking at Baresco, - how do you survive? I mean, do you drink people's blood?

Baresco nods, seemingly a bit uncomfortable. "Yes, animal, human, and supernatural alike. Immortality isn't exactly fun in the long run, believe me." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

- ... Yes. Probably it. It should be pretty painful for people though. Weird because I know a lot of people who would like that but they still avoided "that people" from family...

"The bane of being Kindred is the insatiable hunger deep within our bellies. No amount of blood can dampen its flames. Allowing it to lead will transform you into a beast." "A beast who only understands thirst, destruction, and slumber. The older a vampire gets, the more likely they become detached to their humanity." "It is unpleasant and if I had a choice, I would not have become one myself." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- How and when did you become one?

Agnes Dunsirn

- How and when did you become one?

"Fifteen years ago," he says. "An unpleasant event. I would say that I would rather be killed, but due to our Family's tie to ghosts, that would've been a worse fate." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) (Okie dokie)

The newfound vampire stayed quiet, as he looked at Baresco quietly, then at the young woman. He seemed in acceptance of what was happening, and sometime looked outside, in awe.

- I've heard a lot of ghost stories within the family. What is that all about? - It seemed she was not that low informed after all. Suspicious as well as many of these like her. Just rumours and legends that come true. Like in a gothic novel.

"Necromancers," Baresco says. "We are neck-deep into the dark arts. The Family enslaves Wraiths for unknown purposes." "If Bruno ever finds out about us, we will die. With your head cut off, and mine staked to face the sun." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- Sounds damn romantic, - she rolled her eyes but even adding any appropriate emotions. She wanted to know more. - I don't think there can be known purposes, frankly.

"Yes, very romantic. It gets worse, the outsiders think that the Family dabbles in incest." He's starting to think it might be true. "But that is a different story." "What else do you want to know?" @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

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"Well I don't see anything bad in tight family relations", - she thought but decided to keep her mouth shut. - Do you have superpowers? Vampire teeth? Anything else?

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Baresco groans when she mentions 'superpowers'. The cost of the supernatural abilities outweigh its functions. "Aside from agelessness, there are many. Most of the powers you see from the movies have a sprinkle of truth in them." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- Can you eat food? Maybe damn difficult if you only can drink blood of the living, - she thought aloud, - if there are many of you in the family, how comes not everyone yet knows? Hm, or Probably they just keep silent, - she made some conclusions. - Interesting, - the last word drowned in whisper.

"I can't, it tastes like ashes and is immediately expelled in a rather violent way." Baresco pauses. "But there are some disturbing reports that a few of our kind are capable of such a feat." "As for the secrecy, the knowledge of our existence is more of a hidden reward. In your case, it might be your demise." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

- But why? I'm not telling anyone! - She could not believe he still talks about it and even pushed it a little. - Aren't you here to protect me?!

@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni]

"There are many ways to extract information without one's consent and awareness, Agnes." He glances at the rearview mirror. "And I am not here to protect you. I am here to protect myself, but the success of my survival is entwined with yours." "Finley's disappearance wasn't a mere coincidence. He didn't go to Maldives for a spontaneous vacation nor did he jump off a fucking cliff and just raged quit his existence." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

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Agnes shrouded after the last phrase. - Was he... Like you too? She could not believe her father could be an inhuman being but his night schedule and stuff...

"Your father? I'm not sure, but there's a good chance that he was." Baresco shrugs. "Did you father work on anything? Something that he might have kept a secret? Because clearly, the Kindred beside us is one of the secrets." He would then turn to the Kindred. [Italian] "The mortal woman knows what we are now. I would kill her if it didn't complicate matters further. Worse, our fates our bound and entwined. If one of us were to speak the truth, all of us will be destroyed." "I need you to trust me on this. Do you know anything about a relic that can hold souls for an indefinite amount of time?" @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

- I have no idea, - she took a look at "the project" that was sitting close to them. A Secret could be a secret so I didn't know about it. Isn't that the point? I just suspect maybe someone knew or suspected and was not happy with it, - she shrugged.

[English] "I'm afraid it's not as simple as that. The existence of the supernatural often complicates the mundane. If your father was abducted or murdered, I would've found him by now." "Did your father have another haven? Another house or apartment? There's a good chance that he had a few enslaved Wraiths that I can speak to." @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) (edited)

- Of course! We have a lot of property objects, not including my own. Anyway I doubt we can find him there. But... We can try anyway. A little hope blinked on her face.

[Italian]"Why kill her? She can provide blood and protect our bodies during the day. Give her the Vitae and she shall be powerfull enough." The vampire looked at him with a concerned look. He then looked at Agnes, jauging her. "She'll have to hire bodyguards... Or if you give me time... And blood, I could create some serving wraiths to our cause."

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@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni]

@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni] (where you heading ? I'll just close the scene after that)

Slinar [Alexander Montferrier]

@Coffee [Baresco Giovanni] (where you heading ? I'll just close the scene after that)

((Cemetery))

18:50

[Italian] "I would turn her into a Ghoul, but that would be too obvious to Bruno. However, I'm sure she won't have a problem hiring bodyguards." "I will drive you to the cemetery. There should be a small shelter for some wealthy dead man that you can use." @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes)

END SCENE Next scene : #❌🌙🟦ch11-rigor-mortis

Recap: On the road Baresco explained some new kindred habits, about Camarilla and other basic modern things. After some car bumped in theirs trying to get them off road and definitely tried to kill or injure Agnes, they have decided not to go to Capo Bruno. I exchange of Agnesse's silence she got the explanation that she's dealing with necromancer family of vampires.