Chapter two: familiar with a twist
By Richard LeBlanc
At the Royal Palace, dozens of kindred were gossiping about what the closed-door conference was about. Some believed that it was because a high status ambassador was coming to the city. Others claimed that the Sabbat was mounting an attack. The rest just sat back and marveled at how the imagination of the high strung neonates put them in such a state.
"Any idea what this is really about?" a Toreador asked.
"No - idea?" a Ventrue replied. The Toreador looked over to see what had caught his attention, when he saw Skamms and two anarchs carrying a dead tattooed body into the place he knew. Skamms looked at how everyone stopped talking and stared at them.
"Whatever it was you were doing - get your asses back to it! This has nothing to do with any of you!" he threatened. Everyone slowly resumed what he or she was doing before his entrance. Skamms looked at his arms and hands. Many of the scars he had taken during that fight had not fully healed despite his best efforts.
"This way you two." He instructed. The two anarchs looked around at all of people around them and froze. Skamms stopped moving and slowly turned around to face them.
"You gone deaf or something?" he asked seriously.
"This - this is the prince's domain." One anarch mentioned.
"Blah-blah-blah. Technically the whole fucking city is. Now shut your mouth - and follow me." he ordered. Again, some eyes wandered over to where the three misfits were. Skamms took out a pistol he had conveniently borrowed from a fellow anarch and pointed it at the head of one that was watching them.
"I am in a foul mood. I am in a foul place. Keep staring at me and I promise you that all of life's great mysteries will be answered!" he hissed angrily. The Ventrue glared at the Malkavian.
"You don't scare me. I have friends." He retorted. Skamms cocked the safety back and pressed the barrel up into the Ventrue's jaw.
"Really? Even if they could move like lightning - could they deal with me before the trigger clicks? Tell me! Huh? And if you are thinking - ew - I'm a big bad Ventrue I'll just soak it - answer me this - what would a hollow point shell do at point blank range ass hole? Can you spell final death?" he asked enraged. The Ventrue raised his hands back to back down. Skamms then looked at the others that were staring again.
"Do I have to repeat myself?" he asked loudly. Everyone shook their heads and resumed what they were doing. If it was something serious the prince would deal with it for them.
"Now - you two - this way." Skamms repeated. The two swallowed their fear and followed Skamms towards the upstairs backroom.
***
In the backroom, Axis was about to get the meeting fully underway. Just as he was about to address the current situation, the door to the room was kicked open. Everyone was up from his and her seats. The two bodyguards and the sheriff had their weapons ready.
"High honey - I'm home!" Skamms sang. Axis rolled his eyes and gestured for the Assimites and sheriff to lower their weapons. With a little reluctance - they did as they were told.
"Skamms - what a surprise. Shit is about to hit the proverbial fan - and here you are smack dab in the middle of things." Axis stated in what could almost pass for a tolerant voice. Skamms whistled for his two lackeys to enter.
"You funny highness. I was almost bored out of my tree. I was saying to myself - hey, maybe I should check out a real city - then - then people just bring me right back to square one!" Skamms ranted.
"This might not be the first time someone said this to you - but what the hell are you talking about?" Axis asked seriously. Skamms stepped forward and almost fell over.
"Sending that goon to get my attention - that was one thing. That sort of stunt I'm used to - but whatever you and your friends are doing to Nenia - it will stop now!" he demanded. Everyone looked over at the prince.
"Nenia? Skamms - you were there - she's gone." Axis said calmly.
"You would like me to believe that - uh - ah." Skamms strained as the punishment he had taken began to catch up with him. The anarchs dropped the body and rushed over to help Skamms. But as soon as they touched him he slapped their hands away.
"I saw her - she's still alive!" he strained.
"Skamms - whatever you believe we are doing to Nenia - I assure you is not happening. All of us were saddened by her loss - but the fact of the matter is - she is gone." The new Tremere Primogen stated.
"Lies - uh - if I have to traverse through hell to stop you - I - I will?" Skamms muttered as he collapsed. Everyone near the table was stunned by the turn of events. The two anarchs stepped forward. The Tremere slowly walked towards where the anarchs were and pointed at the body.
"May I?" he asked politely. The anarchs gestured for him to do whatever he wanted. The two anarchs stood near where Skamms was laying. If anyone tried anything - they would have to get through them first.
"Sire, this person isn't one of any clan I know of. He isn't a caitiff though. He is a pure bloodline. Is this what you called this meeting about?" the Tremere asked curiously.
"Ironically - yes. I was given a report from an Archon earlier this night. To be honest - I didn't like what I saw. Supposedly when the second city fell - the antediluvians didn't kill all of their masters - one got away." Axis replied.
"What?" the Tremere asked seriously.
"One got away." An anarch repeated.
"That isn't possible. Our records say that those of the third generation eliminated all of the direct descendants. To say that one escaped is preposterous." The Tremere retorted.
"What of the one named Sameth?" Axis asked. The Tremere tensed up and looked over at the prince. There were only a select few that new of the name of Sameth.
"He was slain with his ghouls in his tower." The Tremere replied.
"Was he?" Axis asked.
"Yes!" he retorted loudly.
"Please - show him this document." Axis stated calmly. A folded up piece of paper was passed down the table until it reached where the Tremere was standing.
"This was given to me by an Archon. Tell me what you think." Axis commented rationally. The Tremere's eyes narrowed as he read the ancient document.
"This-this isn't possible." He muttered.
"Is there something that you and the esteemed house of Tremere would like to share with the rest of the table? By your reaction you are either very surprised that we know of this - or you are trying to withhold information." Axis stated calmly.
"I would opt for the first. On that day, the day the second city was overrun, one of Sameth's retainers broke down. He went quite mad and began to rant all sorts of crazy things. One of the things that he was ranting was that Sameth yet lived - but this? This is fictitious nonsense. I doubt not that it was given to you by a reputable Archon sire, but this scribbling was most likely done by a childer of Malkov - written for the sole purpose of keeping people running in circles. Much like we are now." He replied calmly.
"How do you explain our friend over there? You said it yourself that he wasn't of our kind - but was of a pure clan. How could this be if there was not some trace of his bloodline all the way up to Sameth?" Axis asked.
"I can't answer that sire." He replied seriously. It was then that their attention turned to the two anarchs that were in the room - not to mention that Skamms was still out of it.
"What about them?" Toenail asked curiously. Before any could react, Skamms had leaped back up to his feet and had both guns in his hands. Two shots were fired. Both singed the ears of the prince.
"Ba-bang!" one anarch stated.
"You said it." The other added. Skamms glared at everyone.
"Them is leaving highness. Come on boys." Skamms replied as the three slowly backed out of the room. Axis began to fume at the Malkavian that had shot him.
"I will see to it personally that you live to regret that Skamms!" Axis shouted. Just then the body of the vampire that was on the floor exploded. The prince saw red as he heard the Malkavian's laughter.
"Do you want him dealt with?" one Assimite asked seriously.
"No - not yet." He replied. Through extreme focus and concentration - he managed to calm himself. The urge to frenzy began to pass. Now was not the time for rage. Skamms could wait - this problem could not.
***
A short distance away from the Royal Palace the three stopped an regrouped. The two anarchs were on an adrenaline high from actually surviving what they had just done.
"That was intense!" one stated.
"And the way you did that gun thing." The other added. Skamms smiled at their youthful enthusiasm. He checked his weapons to make sure that they were still in perfect working order.
"Hey, if you don't mind my asking - what happened back there? You know? When you keeled over - I don't know about him but I was freaking out." One asked. Skamms looked over at him and smiled.
"Must have been something I ate. Took a little while to get it out of my system but I'm back in the game now." Skamms replied seriously as he put the guns away.
"Good to hear - so what's next?" the other anarch asked.
"From the bits and pieces I was able to understand while I was out of it - this sounds big. Whatever that thing was that almost took me down - I think that there are more of them in the city." Skamms stated seriously.
"Why?" an anarch asked.
"That - that is what we have to find out." He answered.
"Boss - is that Nenia chick really still alive? I have some friends that play down by the rail yard and they said she lost her head. I ain't seen any of our kind that could survive something like that." He asked hesitantly. Skamms closed his eyes and remembered everything he had seen in his thoughts and dreams.
"I can't explain it - but I know she is." He answered.
"Hey - that's good enough for me. I was there at the Warzone when you went berserk. Throwing fire - flinging lightning bolts like straws - sending that fucked up devil thing back to hell. If you say something is going down that way - nuff said." The anarch replied seriously.
"I like you two - I don't trust you - but damn it I like you." Skamms stated with a laugh. He put his arms around their shoulders and looked from one to the other.
"Right now boys I need a drink." He stated. The two tensed up.
"Come on. I know a bar not to far from here. This one's on me." he continued with a wicked smile. The two instantly went from being extremely tense to relaxed.
"Damn - for a moment I thought?" one started.
"You? Me too." The other added.
"Hey, I only do that sort of thing when if someone really pisses me off or when I wake up - as the old saying goes - I am not a 'morning person.' But enough of this shit. Come on." He said with a laugh.
***
Early the next night, the child known as Skitts was hiding in a dumpster as the two anarchs searched for their friend that went missing the night before.
"Shit! I was sure that he would be around here." One stated.
"Don't sweat it. The guy will turn up soon enough. Let's head back to the Warzone. We have to tell everyone all that hush-hush stuff that we heard. Besides, all this culture is making me nauseous." The other added bluntly. The two made their way out of the alley. Once they were gone, Skitts slowly popped his head up and looked around.
"I don't like this place." He muttered.
"Excuse me?" a soft voice stated. Instantly he dived back down. A young looking woman walked over and peeked into the dumpster to look at the cowering child.
"I won't hurt you." She reassured. Skitts slowly looked up at the smiling woman and began to relax.
"Promise?" he asked.
"Of course. Do you need help getting out of there?" she offered. Skitts looked around and tried to think of how he got in. A part of him knew that he could do it on his own, but the thought of that scared him.
"Please?" he requested. The woman smiled and extended her hand to him. He reached over and grabbed her hand with both hands. Just then, he felt as though his whole body was tingling. He then was effortlessly lifted out and placed on the ground next to her.
"What's your name?" she asked as she bent down so that the two were at eye level. Skitts smiled and began to hum an old nursery rhyme. The woman sighed and placed her hand on Skitts' cheek. The child stopped humming and stared at her eyes.
"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." He admitted.
"Okay. My name is Julia." She stated softly.
"People call me Skitts." He replied.
"Is that your name?" she asked curiously.
"They call me Skitts - they call me Skitts - they call me Skitts..." he chanted as he began to shake. The woman placed her hands on his shoulders. Skitts began to slowly calm down again.
"Okay Skitts. I think that's a cute name. Is your mommy or daddy near by?" she asked curiously. Skitts shook his head and lowered his eyes. Julia sat down before him.
"Would you like me to be your mommy?" she asked.
"Only one mommy!" Skitts shouted.
"I'm sorry. I just want to help you. Tell me how I can help you?" she asked calmly. Skitts tried to think of any way that she could help, but his thoughts began to wander.
"I see trees." He said happily.
"Trees?" she asked curiously.
"I see trees - but not our trees. You were near them - uh-huh." He said calmly. The woman's smile began to fade. She leaned forward and studied the child's expression.
"You know what I am?" she asked.
"Pointy teeth - in beneath." He rhymed with a smile.
"Where am I from?" she asked calmly.
"Long ago - far away - back today - here to stay." He replied as he swayed back and forth. Julia placed her hand on Skitts' cheek. His swaying stopped as his young looking eyes locked on hers.
"Would you like to meet some of my friends? We have lots of toys and games and snacks. Would you like to come with me?" she asked curiously. Skitts smiled and nodded.
"Meet the princess!" he said happily.
"Uh - yes. Come along." She requested. She got up and extended her hand to the child. Skitts reached up and held her hand and pulled himself up. The two began to walk in the opposite direction the anarchs had left. Skitts just looked forward, but Julia casually looked down at the youth that appeared to know more than he could understand.
You are either very attentive and innocent - or very perceptive and dangerous. I can not tell what you are yet child - but I will learn soon enough. She thought to herself as they continued on their way.
***
Sometime later, the two arrived at a high-class hotel.
"This is where me and my friends are staying." She stated.
"Wow - you people must be rich." He commented.
"We have our resources. Would you like to meet my friends?" she asked with a smile. Skitts happily nodded. She allowed herself to smile as she walked the child into the building. Skitts' eyes went everywhere - the rich looking colors - the lights - everything grabbed his attention for approximately ten seconds each.
"You like?" she asked.
"Uh-huh." He replied in awe. She led him over to the elevator and pushed the up button. She looked down at Skitts and saw him staring wide eyed at her.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"You're very pretty." He said happily.
"Uhm thank you." She replied. The elevator opened up and they entered. Before she could push the button, Skitts hopped up and pressed the penthouse floor button.
"Why did you push that button?" she asked curiously.
"Going up!" he replied. The doors closed.
"You are of the line of Malkov - correct?" she asked curiously.
"I think so." He replied.
"Are you really a child?" she asked.
"Of course I am! Don't be stupid." Skitts retorted. Julia studied his aura and could detect no deception. She knelt down before him and studied his eyes.
"Do you want to rest?" she asked curiously.
"No." he answered. She moved her head back and smiled.
"Okay. Would you like a toy?" she asked.
"Yes please." He replied eagerly. Julia reached into her purse and pulled out an old looking toy. She looked at it for a few seconds and then tossed it to him. She watched as he sat down on the floor and played with the moving parts.
There is something definitely amiss with this child aside from his dementia. I hope my sisters will be able to help. She thought as she watched the number on the floor indicator slowly nearing the penthouse.
The elevator reached the top floor. A bell calmly chimed. Skitts looked up from the toy and saw that they were at the penthouse floor of the building.
"Would you like to come with me? My sisters would just love to meet you and there are lots of other toys and games to play with too." She requested politely as she extended her hand to the youth. Skitts looked at the hand and then up at her.
"Okay." He replied with a smile. He reached up and grabbed her hand.
"Promise they won't hurt me?" he asked.
"I promise." She replied calmly. Skitts stopped walking and studied the face of the person that was talking with him. He might not be the brightest person in the city, but he could tell when someone was lying.
"Liar!" he shouted as he jerked his hand away from her.
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Please don't leave. I'd be very sad if you did." She requested softly. Skitts looked over at where the elevator was and then looked over at the sad looking woman.
"Why are you lying to me?" he asked timidly.
"Because sometimes the truth is scary - and I don't want to scare you." She replied calmly. She knelt down on the floor and extended her hand to him. Skitts smiled, rushed over and hugged her.
"Can we go see my sisters now?" she asked.
"Okay." He replied with a smile. Julia slowly got up.
"Last door right." Skitts stated calmly. Her eyes instantly looked down at him, but by his gaze it was clear that he wasn't altogether there. She reached down and held his hand.
"Yes - that is where we are heading." She replied as they walked down the hall. When they rounded the corner, the two saw three ladies dressed in expensive suits.
"Julia - what is that doing here?" one of them asked.
"I brought him to meet mother. I thought the two of them should talk - really talk." Julia replied seriously. Skitts saw how the three were glaring at him. Timidly, he hid behind Julia.
"Hmm. I hope you know what you are doing. You know Mother doesn't like - his kind - besides, I thought you were supposed to be finding the runaway." One of the three stated.
"I got distracted and lost her trail. The sooner I see Mother, the sooner I can get this out of the way, the sooner I can find her - okay?" Julia stated sternly. The three shrugged their shoulders and opened the door.
"Thank you." She added as she and Skitts went through the door.
"They don't like me." Skitts whispered.
"They don't like many people." She added. Skitts was in awe at the size of the place. He had seen houses that were smaller. And all around the room were elegant works of art that appeared to be from every place in the world.
"Quite the place huh?" she asked.
"Yeah - it's neat." He replied. Just then - he tensed up. His eyes widened and he slowly began to study the room and the ten to fifteen women that were now glaring at him.
"Bad..." he muttered.
"What? Them? Don't worry..." Julia began. She could feel Skitts beginning to tremble and shake. She knelt down before him to see if something was wrong or she could calm him.
"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly.
"Bad-bad - no good - bad." He stuttered. The women slowly stopped what they were doing and began to make their way over to where they were. It was then that Skitts lost it. He wrenched his hand free from Julia and ran for the door.
"Stop him! He knows who we are!" Julia shouted. Two women pointed at him. Almost instantly it seemed as though he was running on the spot. He let out a little growl and looked over his shoulder.
"Let me go!" he screamed. The hold that the two had on him broke. They fell over and he ran for the door. Julia scowled and concentrated at the running youth.
"I will not let you escape!" she stated. Just then, the room seemed to warp and twist. Skitts stopped running and tried to retain his footing. He then turned and glared at the woman that brought him there.
"Stop it!" he shouted. Instantly the effect stopped. He turned and ran from the door again. Before he did, a woman floated down and stood before him and the door.
"That is far enough you little rascal!" she said seriously. She pointed a hand at the now frozen youth. With almost the force of being shot from a cannon, Skitts was thrown almost thirty feet away. Although the effect did hurt him, he was quick to his feet and resumed his retreat towards the door.
"That isn't possible! A child you size shouldn't be able to stand let alone run!" the woman stated in serious disbelief. Skitts stared at the woman that had sent him soaring.
"Go to sleep bad lady!" he shouted. The woman began to spasm as she fell to the floor. He quickly hopped over her body and opened the door. The three that were standing guard were mildly surprised to see him - so much so that they were knocked down as he ran passed them.
"Get him!" a voice shouted. The three were instantly up and hurried after him. When they rounded the corner though, he was gone - or was he? They looked around at the other locked doors and the only unlocked door - the garbage room shoot.
"Heh, playing hide and seek." One stated as they stalked towards the closed door. Within seconds, they had the door surrounded. One gently touched the handle - the others got ready to strike at the cowering child. The door was flung open - the room was empty?
"Gone?" one asked.
"He isn't hiding - shit - the shoot!" one of them pointed out.
"Where is he?" a stern voice demanded.
"We believe he is in the garbage room in the basement - if the fool was able to survive the slide down." One of them pointed out. It was then that a woman that looked surprisingly like Nenia stepped over and looked at the shoot.
"Take no chances. If what Julia said is true - that child is a serious threat that is to be eliminated with extreme prejudice. You three - go to the garbage room and find the pest. Julia, get back out there and find that confused runaway." She ordered.
"Yes Mother." The three there said as one.
To be continued...
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