Chapter Two - the engagement
By Richard LeBlanc
Four Points Square - a communal park in the high end / high-income part of the city. The average income for anyone within ten kilometers of this park was well over eighty thousand a year. The Square was designed as a tribute to the last mayor for his monumental efforts in repairing the city after some - unexplained disaster (namely the Warzone incident).
In the center of this lavish park, Skamms found himself quietly waiting by the elegant marble fountain. He heard through the grapevine that some stuck up person wanted to talk to him and for him to meet her there at set time. By his watch - she was late.
"Oh where - oh where - la-la-la-la - oh where - oh where can you be?" he sang to himself. Several of the society types that walked by looked at him like a misfit. Each one that did he made a mental note of.
"Shit - you came." A familiar voice stated. He turned around and saw Nenia balanced on one of the pillars.
"Why so surprised?" he asked curiously.
"Well, you struck me as the type that didn't answer to anybody." She replied. Skamms laughed and leaned against the fountain.
"You think so huh? I have to admit - your choice of meeting places is almost as fucked up as my own. What were you thinking?" he asked with a smile. Nenia shook her head and gestured for him to follow.
"I don't know - maybe I wanted to see if being out of your element would mess you up." She suggested coolly. Skamms looked over at her and couldn't tell if she was being sincere or joking.
"Nah - wherever I go - I blend right in. So - is this like a social thing or is it a ?clan business' thing?" he asked curiously. She looked over at the Malkavian and sighed.
"Would you believe a little of both?" she replied.
"I might. Crazier things have been known to happen." He answered.
"Okay, first - I wanted to thank you for telling me of that Fay. Had you not informed me - it might have gone unnoticed for much longer. My elders, although they do not like you after your defiance at the Warzone?" she began.
"Hey - I'm just a fun loving guy. But if you want to talk to me like I'm the hired help? Uh-uh. I don't play that. If they wanted it back - all they had to do was ask politely." He replied.
"And if they did - you would have given it to them?" she asked.
"As I said before - a stranger things have happened. I'm sorry - you were saying?" he replied. Nenia shook her head and sighed.
"As I was saying, they wanted me to give you this as a reward for your service to the city." She concluded. She reached into her pocket and handed it over to him. Skamms looked at the small box and then looked at the Tremere untrustingly.
"You - have got to be joking." He replied.
"No - seriously. Eventually they will want it back though. But that could be a year, a month, a decade - you know how time is to our kind. Are you going to open it?" she asked curiously.
"Knowing my luck - it's some sort of mind control device." He stated. He opened the box and popped out the ring. It was an oily looking silver that seemed to glow when the light touched it. On it were several odd glyphs and other alien looking marks.
"Cute." He stated.
"Aren't you going to put it on?" she asked.
"What does it do?" he replied.
"Put it on and I'll show you." She retorted seriously. The two stared at each other for a few moments. Skamms half smiled and slid it on to his finger. No sooner did he do this than Nenia threw a dart at him. He was totally unprepared for the attack and the projectile imbedded itself in his shoulder. He was getting ready to attack her for the action when he noticed something. He looked over at where the dart hit. He felt nothing. He pulled it out and examined it. It was the same type that he had used to kill two anarchs sometime ago.
"I didn't go boom." He stated.
"I was going to use something flashier like a lightning bolt - but I think you get the idea." She replied. Skamms looked at the ring on his hand in amazement. Her elders had to be very foolish to give such a toy to him.
"Cute trinket - and suppose I want to keep it?" he asked seriously.
"In the event of that situation - I would have to take it back by any means necessary." She replied seriously. Skamms studied the cold expression on the Tremere apprentice's face.
"That would be a rough run - for you. Nice people your elders." He commented. Nenia shook her head.
"Hopefully it won't come to that. Now, if you will excuse me - I have some errands to run for my elders. Good day to you Skamms and thank you for your assistance." She said politely. She turned and began to walk away.
"Funny thing though." He commented. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at Skamms. The Malkavian was admiring the ring on his hand.
"Usually the guy gives the girl the ring." He commented with a smile.
"Lunatic." She replied with a smile.
"Witch." He replied. The two walked away in opposite directions.
***
Later the next night, the prankster Snapps was making his way down one of the many streets in Eco. In the day while he slept he had the weirdest dream. He saw weird looking people in a messed up looking forest. He kept hearing the name Geddon being whispered from the trees. Then he woke up in a strange place - even by his standards.
"Uh - what a daydream that was. That does it - I screen those I snack on from now on." He muttered to himself. It was then that he noticed someone watching everything from the shadows of an alley.
"Rat-face." He sang to himself. He skipped over to the alley. When the Nosforatu in question saw him coming his way he wanted to retreat, but he knew that there was no point.
"The name - is Grater - not Rat-face." He stated. The Malkavian stood beside the Nosforatu and tried to see what he was looking at. Everything looked too abundantly normal to hold Snapps' interest.
"Okay - Rat-face. So what are you looking at?" he asked.
"If - you must know. Some Fay is loose in the city. He has distributed a hundred magical weapons throughout the city. If we do not find them all and destroy them - the number will double." He stated.
"Really?" Snapps asked tauntingly.
"Yes - really." Grater replied.
"Cool - do you know where they are?" Snapps asked.
"No - that is why I am here. I am trying to find a clue or someone who has been affected by magic. Please leave so that I might work." He requested.
"Oh - okay, but then I won't tell you where I saw something magic." He replied tauntingly. Grater groaned and shook his head. He knew that asking was going to be a mistake - but he had to know.
"Where - pray tell did you witness this?" he asked.
"Across the street. It was going on while we were talking. I think he got away by now though - yup - he's gone. Say, do you know where Nenia is?" he asked curiously. Grater shook his head.
"Try the Royal Palace. It is far away from here. Please go." He requested. Snapps skipped out of the alley and away from the Nosforatu. Grater watched the Malkavian in disgust. Why did all of those from that clan have to be such a burden on his tolerance?
***
A short distance away, Snapps was skipping along side of a bridge. The thought of magical weapons didn't interest him too much. Why couldn't it have been toys? It was then that he noticed several people running away from the riverside down below.
"Wonder what spooked them." he commented. He hopped over the ledge of the bridge and fell eighteen feet to the ground below. Even for a kindred - the awkward landing hurt.
"Ow - next time I take the stairs." He mumbled. He slowly got up and saw what everyone was running from. Stepping out from the water was a monstrous looking creature.
"Eww - and yuck. What the hell is that?" he muttered. The creature looked over at the Malkavian and hissed. Snapps stepped away and studied the creature. It was then that he noticed the beast's aura.
"Oh - so that's what you are! Come on slimy show me what you really look like." Snapps goaded. The creature roared at the Malkavian. Snapps was going to comment again, but the beast charged.
"Okay - you asked for it! Prepare to get staked." He warned. In a quick action he reached into the pouch that held the instruments of his many pranks. He then pulled out a huge T-bone steak and slapped it across the beast's face. For a few seconds the creature was stunned by the stupidity of the attack.
"Steak? Get it?" Snapps stated. He then removed the white bone from the meat and held it like a punch dagger. He then thrusted it into the beast's chest. It howled out and fell to the ground. The mask that it was wearing faded and revealed a kindred. Snapps picked up a twig and began to poke at the paralyzed vampire.
"So why ya scaring the kids? Hmm?" he asked.
"N-not tell." He strained.
"No? We can wait until sunrise if you want? You know me - I'll try anything once." Snapps offered. The vampire looked at the Malkavian and realized that he wasn't joking.
"T-talisman. Gives super strength." He muttered. Snapps lifted the golden charm up with a stick and looked at the thing. The aura of the thing was similar to the aura he had seen while talking to Grater.
"Where'd ya get it?" he asked.
"Some f-freak at a dress shop." He replied.
"Oh - mind if I have it?" Snapps asked. In a quick action he snapped the chain and swung it like a pendulum over his captive audience. The eyes of the vampire watched each movement it made.
"S-sure try it on." He replied between gasps.
"Nah, I have an allergy or something like that." He replied. In a quick action the Malkavian slammed the trinket into a rock repeatedly. Just when the thing was about to shatter - it flashed and was gone.
"Have a good night. I'll give your regards to the prince." Snapps stated as he began to skip away.
"W-wait! You can't leave me like this!" he strained. Snapps stopped and looked at the paralyzed vampire. He sighed and shook his head. He knew that he couldn't in good conscience leave a vampire staked in the open to see the sun. It was just too unkind.
"You are right. I can not do such a thing." He replied. He skipped over and rolled the vampire over. He was going to protest when Snapps shoved his face into the dirt with his foot.
"Have a nice tan. Nyah-nyah." He replied as he scurried away.
***
At that moment in the dress shop, Geddon sighed and put a mark next to another item. In the course of five hours, ten of the weapons and trinkets he had distributed had been destroyed.
"At this rate they will be done in no time. Whatever will we do?" he asked himself. He walked over towards the window of the shop and looked out into the quiet night.
"I know - I'll put out one more - the special one that I made so long ago - the one that I couldn't have completed without the aid of those foolish Tremere. Yes - but I will need someone special for it - but who?" the Fay tinker asked himself. Silence was his answer.
"Hmm. Perhaps I will go out and see what I can see." He concluded as he faded into the shadows of the night.
***
Back at the Royal Palace, several of the Acknowledged were before their prince to report of their progress.
"So what you are telling me is that there are over ninety of these devises in the city. Why are you here then? If all of them are not dealt with the problem will worsen. Nenia, what of your elders? How are they progressing?" Axis asked.
"Slowly sire. They are devising a means of tracking the items in question. But the ritual requires time." she replied.
"In other words they are hiding in their Chantry until we do all of the work for them?" he asked in a less than tolerant voice. Nenia stepped towards the prince and glared.
"Need I remind you of the sacrifices our clan has made to your city on numerous occasions - many that involve the Fay known as Geddon. If not for us, your city would most likely be in ruins from the previous exploits of Geddon. If you want me to relay the message of displeasure to my elders I will do so - but I would advise caution against such boldness." She warned. The prince shook his head.
"This is my city apprentice. Never forget that." Axis warned.
"I would never forget that you are prince sire." She replied calmly.
"Sire - back to the matter at hand?" Claws suggested. The prince returned to his seat.
"What of other kindred in the city? Have they made any progress?" he asked.
"None that we have heard of - but some of them might be holding out. The promise of power can be tempting to the best of us." Toenail replied.
"True. Call meetings for your clans. All of the items are to be destroyed. Any kindred that holds out on this jeopardizes my city. Any kindred that does this will be subject to such joyous fates as gaining the status trait - Blood Hunted!" The prince shouted. All save the prince and his bodyguards left the room.
"Strict punishment sire - do you believe they will take the threat to heart?" one Assimite asked. The prince grunted and walked over to the window. From there he could see the kindred filtering out to the streets.
"They had better." He replied.
***
Later the next night, in one of the city parks, the Gangrels of the city were discussing the prince's edict. Not in over twenty years had a Blood Hunt been issued in Eco - it had almost been that long since the term was even mentioned.
"Children - a serious issue is before the clan. It has been rumored that one among our numbers - is in possession of a Fay toy. Normally this would mean nothing to me the clan or the city - but if it is derived of Geddon, it threatens the security of our land." The elder spoke out. Each present looked around - but no one stepped forward.
"I urge the one responsible to put set item before the clan. If not - the prince's edict will befall you." The elder warned. Still there was no one that would step forward. The elder growled.
"I am most displeased. I will search all that are here - the one that is holding out will be punished by me!" he growled. Just then one of the neonates leaped forward and glared at the elder.
"I will not be punished by your likes!" he retorted angrily. He reached into a pouch and put on a black leather glove. The neonate slowly clenched his hand into a fist. As he did his body shifted. He grew in size. He then let out a demonic howl. The neonate had turned into a black furred werewolf.
"Elder! Let us deal with this beast!" one of the other neonates requested. The elder smiled a wicked smile and extended his claws. He motioned for everyone to step back.
"No one will interfere. This boy is mine." He hissed. The elder and the werewolf slowly circled each other. The werewolf and the Gangrel lowly growled at each other. In a blur of motion the two leaped at each other. The attack was feral - fast paced - ferocious. Roughly ten minutes later - a record for any beast that fought against the elder, the two wounded combatants were almost at their limit.
"You disappoint me boy - you had potential." The elder goaded. The werewolf roared and lunged at the elder. In a quick action he pulled out a knife and stabbed it into the werewolf's heart. It was about to laugh when it realized what the knife was made of - silver.
"Accept the power - accept the weakness." The elder said. In a savage motion he raked his claws across the werewolf's face and removed half of its head. The werewolf fell to the ground unmoving. It slowly reverted to its normal vampiric form. The elder looked down and the badly wounded vampire.
"As I said - you had potential." He concluded. He reached down and severed the head of the vampire and displayed it to the others. The others cheered the elder and his latest conquest.
***
At an abandoned warehouse far away from that park, the Brujah were assembled - Axis was elsewhere on business, but the Brujah Primogen Man Basher was running this gathering fine without any outside help.
"There are two ways that things could be run. One, the people that are here bravely step forward and drop off the trinkets - or two, I beat the ever loving fuck out of each of you cowardly pussies that I think is holding out." She called out. Three anarchs stepped forward from the crowd.
"I have one." The first stated. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a broken talisman. The other two revealed similar trinkets. The rest of the Brujah stepped back to watch the display.
"We win - we run things." The second anarch stated.
"You lose - you die." Man Basher retorted. The three anarchs smiled. They held the talisman up. The three broken pieces formed a single talisman. The three bodies began to glow. Then in a flash of light - the three bodies became one hideous form. In the place where the anarchs were - was an ten-foot tall six hundred-pound monster. It had six gorilla-sized arms and had bulging muscles.
"It ends!" it roared. Despite its huge size it moved incredibly fast. It was then that all realized that the beast possessed all of the powers that the anarchs possessed.
"Do you think she can take it?" one of the other Brujah whispered.
"I've got twenty that says she can." Another replied. All of the Brujah began placing bets on this epic fight. Over the course of the next hour, the beast was hit with an assault rifle four times - an SMG twice - two pipe bombs - and over sixty stab wounds. But still it kept coming back for more.
Damn it. This thing is tougher to kill than I thought. She thought as she dodged another twelve attacks. It was then as she blurred passed him that she noticed the glowing talisman.
"Pipe!" she called out. A ten-foot length of pipe was tossed to her. She spun it around like a staff over her head. The beast chuckled at the display. Just then she began to pump her Celerity. The pipe spun faster and faster. Much to the surprise of everyone, it was moving so fast that she was being lifted up from the ground. She let out a scream as she twisted her body and flung the pipe at the beast. With frightening accuracy, the pipe slammed into the talisman and shattered it. In the process, it impaled the beast into the concrete floor. Everyone then watched as the beast slowly reverted back into the three anarchs. Seconds later - they turned to ash.
"I wonder if that counted as one item or three." She commented to herself. The other Brujahs cheered the victory and began the process of collecting on their bets.
***
In a penthouse office, the members of the Ventrue clan were gathered. The elder of the clan and current Primogen of the clan sat up and gestured for everyone to be silent.
"For whatever reasons those of you present had for obtaining items from the Fay Geddon, it has been ordered by the prince that they be destroyed. I will not bother asking individually as to who - because I already know who has them." he began. The room was silent for a moment.
"If you relent the item in question - without causing a scene, I am prepared to offer one million American dollars - tax free of course - for each of the four items that are returned. The offer will be on the table for exactly one minute. After that, I will - give - the foolish neonates in question to the Brujahs to play with. Man Basher loves to play - so I am told. The minute begins now." The elder started. All of the Ventrue present looked from side to side, but no one seemed to budge. At the half-minute mark, one person stood up and tossed a plain looking walking stick onto the table. The elder smiled and studied the rest of the crowd.
"That's one - three more - and less that fifteen seconds left." The elder commented. This time one of the younger looking women stood up and tossed a gold bracelet onto the table. The elder smiled and continued to study the crowd.
"That's two - timer's running out. Ten seconds." He stated coldly. Another woman groaned and stood up. She reached into her purse and tossed out a silver cigarette holder. The elder smiled again and studied his Rolex watch.
"And going - going - gone. Sampson, Grenwitch. Secure Christopher please." The elder requested calmly. Before the neonate could move, two large ghouls had him restrained against the table.
"Youth - did you really think I didn't know?" the elder asked.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Christopher retorted.
"Sampson, place his right hand flat against the table please." The elder requested. With little difficulty, the neonate's hand was placed flat on the table.
"Pleading ignorance will not serve you well here. Admit your wrong doing to the clan, accept your reprimand like a true Ventrue and - perhaps - I may rescind your harsh fate at the next Brujah rant." The elder stated. With a quick action he removed a silver ring from the neonate's hand.
"Blow it out your ass!" the neonate retorted.
"Take him to the holding cell. Grenwitch call up that rowdy bitch Man Basher and tell her that I will have a present for her next rant - for a minor fee of course." The elder pointed out. The two ghouls dragged the neonate out of the room.
"I guess he thought you were bluffing." One of the other Ventrue stated calmly. The elder picked up the items and brought them to the end of the table.
"I never do. Oh, before I forget. Carl, Lou, Sam. The three that cooperated?" he stated. Three ghouls walked over and placed a suitcase before each of those that parted with the magical items without causing any trouble. When they opened them, true to his word there was one million dollars in each case.
"I respect the need to get an edge in business - this might not cover the emotional loss of the toys, but it should help you acquire a different means. Now that old business is out of the way, let us start our day." The elder stated as business continued as usual.
***
In the local sanitarium, many of the Malkavians were arguing amongst themselves over everything from local politics to other serious debates. The main one that had everyone arguing was the clan and true age of Dick Clark!
"No! He can't be Ventrue. I know! Nosforatu - he uses the mask to look young!" another pointed out. Another Malkavian stabbed a pair of scissors into the back of his own hand.
"Couldn't be - he was on TV." Another stated.
"Hey - weren't we supposed to talk about something?" one of the children asked. All talking ceased. Everyone thought profusely on the issue - nothing seemed to surface.
"I'm not seeing anything. Why?" the Primogen asked.
"I'm not sure - I thought it had to do with the sparkly things." The child added. All of them remembered. They looked over at the Mickey Mouse wall clock. One of the neonates brought it in as a gift.
"Oh the sparkly thing. Get your toys kiddies." The Primogen stated. One pulled out a pipe, another a shard of glass, one had a large wooden mallet, the last - a rubber chicken. They all charged and beat the clock into oblivion at which point it vanished.
"Hey, I heard a cool joke. A while ago, someone found some guy staked by the river. It was so funny. He said that some teen Mook slapped him with a big steak - and then staked him with a stake shaped like the bone of the steak." One of them commented. Everyone laughed as the joke. The Primogen cleared his throat and attempted to look all-serious.
"Who did it?" he asked.
"Near as I can tell - Snapps." He continued.
"The boy has style. What about the boy at the river?" he asked
"I dunno. I thought he wanted to work on his tan so I turned him over." He answered. Everyone was thoroughly amused at the punch line and continued with their games.
***
In the backroom of a very prestigious club, the Toreadors of the city were discussing the issue of the magical items in the city. So far, three had been turned in. the price was two elegant golden statues and a very expensive diamond necklace.
"I know there is one more - and I have a good idea who it is. Gwenevere, how is it that you possess such a Majesty when you just arrived three weeks ago?" Vincent asked.
"A girl has to have some secrets honey." She replied.
"To true - but this is more than just a secret - it is something that could bring ruin to our city - our culture - our art. Being who you are, with all you have done for the arts, I can not believe you would jeopardize all for a simple Majesty." He stated. The Toreador looked unconvinced but knew that she was up against a wall. She moved her hands to her ears and removed her earrings. As soon as she did - all of the Toreadors stared in shock at her.
"What-what is it?" she asked nervously.
"Your-your face." Vincent stuttered. She quickly rushed over to the mirror and saw that her face was now more deformed than a Nosforatu's. She let out a scream. She rushed over to the table and stabbed herself with the magical sword that was there. All watched as Gwenevere - once the most beautiful Toreador in the city, turned to ash.
"This Geddon has gone to far!" Vincent hissed quietly. All lowered their eyes and paid their respects to the memory of Gwenevere. Hers was a dire lesson that all present would never forget. Never again would any be lured in by the seductive promise of magic.
To be continued...
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